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  • DS Investment Securities Maintains Target Price for LIG Defense Amid Growing Demand for Ballistic Missile Defense Systems
    DS Investment Securities Maintains Target Price for LIG Defense Amid Growing Demand for Ballistic Missile Defense Systems DS Investment Securities announced on September 8 that it is maintaining its target price of 1.25 million won for LIG Defense and Aerospace (D&A), citing an increase in demand for ballistic missile defense systems. The firm also reiterated its 'buy' recommendation.Kang Tae-ho, a researcher at DS Investment Securities, stated, "Despite the trend towards drones, ballistic missile defense systems remain crucial. Attackers are likely to mix multiple low-cost drones with ballistic missile strikes effectively." He added that the need to strengthen missile defense systems, such as the Cheongung, is increasing, not decreasing.Additionally, the export outlook for LIG D&A's unmanned surface vessel, the Haegum, is positive. The company signed a contract worth 39.9 billion won for a 'reconnaissance unmanned surface vessel system development project' in December 2024, with plans for operational deployment in 2027.Kang noted that LIG D&A has developed five models, including the technology demonstration Haegum-I, the naval reconnaissance Haegum-II, the army coastal defense Haegum-III, the vessel-mounted Haegum-V, and the Haegum-S. He mentioned that discussions are ongoing regarding the export of the Haegum to the UAE, with a strong model being the Haegum capable of carrying the guided rocket 'Bigung.'Looking ahead, Kang projected that approximately 240 billion won in sales from the UAE's Cheongung-II is expected in the second half of this year. Consequently, LIG D&A's operating profit for the second half is anticipated to increase by 23.1% compared to the previous year. He also highlighted that the likelihood of securing Cheongung-II contracts in the Middle East, including Qatar and Kuwait, remains high.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 09:24:10
  • Toss Banks 31-Day Savings Plan Attracts 300,000 Accounts
    Toss Bank's 31-Day Savings Plan Attracts 300,000 Accounts Toss Bank's new short-term savings plan has seen over 300,000 accounts opened within a month, marking a successful launch.As of September 5, Toss Bank announced that its 'Grow with Us 31-Day Savings Plan' surpassed 300,000 accounts. This figure tripled in size within approximately three weeks after exceeding 100,000 accounts on August 12.The Grow with Us 31-Day Savings Plan is a challenge-based savings program where users save small amounts daily for 31 days while nurturing a squirrel character in the app. After saving for three days, users earn an annual interest rate of 3%, which increases to 4% after seven days, 6% after 14 days, and 8% after 21 days. If users save daily for the full 31 days, they can receive a maximum annual interest rate of 10%.According to Toss Bank, since the plan's launch on August 13, the number of daily savers has consistently exceeded 100,000, with an average of over 110,000 users participating daily. Approximately 67% of all users have continued saving for more than three weeks, meeting the conditions for the 8% interest rate.Participation rates among different age groups showed little variation, with 70% of customers aged 20 to over 50 saving for more than 21 days. Among customers over 50, nine out of ten completed the full 31 days without early withdrawal.Toss Bank explained that the daily missions in the app, which change the appearance of the squirrel character based on user performance, have encouraged consistent savings participation.A Toss Bank representative stated, "We will continue to introduce financial services that help customers develop easy and enjoyable saving habits."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 09:24:00
  • Doosan Enerbility Shares Rise on U.S.-Korea Nuclear Cooperation Hopes
    Doosan Enerbility Shares Rise on U.S.-Korea Nuclear Cooperation Hopes 두산에너빌리티가 한미 원전 협력 가시화에 대한 기대감에 이틀째 강세를 이어가고 있다. 미국 대형원전 건설 사업이 후속 대미투자 프로젝트로 유력하게 거론되면서 국내 원전 기업의 수혜 가능성이 부각되는 모습이다. 8일 오전 9시 10분 현재 두산에너빌리티는 전 거래일보다 5000원(5.69%) 오른 9만2900원에 거래되고 있다. 전날에도 8700원(10.98%) 급등한 데 이어 이날 추가 상승하면서 9만원선을 넘어섰다. 키움증권은 이날 국내 원전 업종에 대해 한미 원전 협력이 점차 가시화되고 있다며 투자의견 ‘비중확대’를 유지했다. 조재원 키움증권 연구원은 “한국과 미국의 원전 협력이 점차 가시화됨에 따라 국내 원전 업종의 투자심리 개선이 기대된다”며 올해 1~4월처럼 해외 기업들과 차별화된 국내 원전 기업들의 주가 흐름을 기대했다. 후속 대미투자 프로젝트로는 미국 내 대형원전 건설이 유력한 것으로 분석됐다. 규모는 대형원전 8기로 알려졌으며, 구체적인 건설 지역과 원전 노형, 투자 방식 및 금액 등은 향후 협의를 통해 결정될 전망이다. 원전 노형에 따라 두산에너빌리티의 수혜 규모도 달라질 것으로 예상된다. 키움증권은 미국 웨스팅하우스의 AP1000 건설 시 두산에너빌리티가 원자로 압력용기(RPV), 증기발생기(SG)와 추가 기자재 등을 수주할 것으로 봤다. 원전 1기당 예상 수주 규모는 4000억~5000억원 이상이다. 한국형 APR1400이 적용될 경우 수혜 규모는 더욱 커질 수 있다. 두산에너빌리티는 원전 주기기 전체와 터빈·발전기까지 수주할 수 있으며, 원전 1기당 예상 수주 금액은 2조5000억~3조원으로 추산됐다. 다만 키움증권은 이번 협력 내용만으로 두산에너빌리티를 비롯한 국내 원전 기업들의 주가가 곧바로 전고점을 회복하기는 어렵다고 판단했다. 구체적인 원전 노형과 투자 규모, 착공 시점 등이 아직 결정되지 않은 데다 정부 역시 프로젝트 수익성을 확인한 뒤 투자를 확대하는 신중한 기조를 보이고 있기 때문이다. 그럼에도 한미 원전 협력과 국내 12차 전력수급기본계획 등을 고려하면 국내 원전 기업들이 해외 경쟁사와 차별화된 주가 흐름을 보일 가능성은 여전히 높다는 분석이다. 키움증권은 이 가운데 한국형 원전과 AP1000 모두에 기자재를 공급할 수 있는 두산에너빌리티를 업종 최선호주로 제시했다. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 09:20:10
  • Petition to End Visa-Free Entry for Chinese Nationals Surpasses 20,000 Signatures
    Petition to End Visa-Free Entry for Chinese Nationals Surpasses 20,000 Signatures Recent incidents in Jeju and controversies surrounding police responses have sparked a national petition calling for the abolition of the visa-free entry system for Chinese nationals and the strengthening of foreign entry inspections and crime management.According to the National Assembly's electronic petition site, as of 8 a.m. on September 8, 24,794 people had signed the petition titled "Abolish Visa-Free Entry for Chinese Nationals and Strengthen Foreign Entry Inspections and Crime Management," which was made public on August 31.The petitioner stated, "As the number of foreign residents in the country increases, public concern over foreign crime is also growing," urging the government to abolish the visa-free entry policy for Chinese nationals and enhance entry inspections and crime management for foreigners.They emphasized, "While tourism activation and economic benefits are important, they cannot take precedence over the lives and safety of our citizens," calling for a review of the visa-free entry policy.Furthermore, the petitioner highlighted the need to expand international crime information sharing to verify the criminal records and international wanted status of foreigners entering the country, regardless of nationality, as well as any past records of entry denial, forced deportation, illegal stay, or immigration law violations.They also suggested that stricter criteria should be established to generally restrict entry for foreigners with serious criminal histories, including murder, robbery, sexual offenses, drug-related crimes, and organized crime.The petition called for enhanced management of foreigners after entry, arguing that police and immigration authorities should strengthen information sharing to prevent foreign criminals from evading investigation or fleeing abroad after committing crimes. It proposed a system that allows for swift exit restrictions on foreign suspects when necessary.Additionally, the petitioner urged for stricter criteria to limit the re-entry of foreigners who have been forcibly deported after committing serious crimes and called for the establishment of an integrated management system linking crime information among immigration, police, and prosecution authorities.They also requested that crime statistics related to foreigners be transparently disclosed, including crime rates relative to the resident population and the status of serious crimes.The petitioner clarified, "This is not about rejecting foreigners, but about establishing a normal immigration management system that prioritizes the safety of our citizens and ensures that everyone entering South Korea adheres to the law and order."Meanwhile, another petition demanding the abolition of the visa-free entry system for Chinese nationals was submitted on September 1. The petitioner referenced recent missing person and death cases in Jeju, along with controversies regarding police responses, arguing that the government's handling of security and illegal residency issues in Jeju is inadequate.They called for the immediate abolition of the visa-free entry system for Chinese nationals.The Jeju visa waiver entry system (B-2-2) allows foreigners who meet certain criteria to enter and stay in Jeju without a visa for up to 30 days. While it has been implemented to promote tourism and attract foreign visitors, concerns over security and illegal residency have led to ongoing debates about the system.Recent incidents in Jeju and controversies surrounding police responses have amplified public anxiety regarding the visa waiver system.Online communities have seen a surge in voices demanding the abolition of the visa-free entry system. One netizen questioned, "I don't understand who benefits from this policy," raising doubts about its effectiveness.Another netizen remarked, "Isn't there a reason why other countries are tightening entry inspections for Chinese nationals?" advocating for stricter foreign entry management standards in South Korea.Opinions also emerged emphasizing that while increasing tourist numbers through visa-free entry is important, the safety and comfort of South Korean citizens must come first, and that management and punishment for foreign crimes should be strengthened.Some have pointed to the foreign entry and residency management policies of neighboring countries like Japan, arguing that South Korea should also establish stricter standards.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 09:20:00
  • Polestar Unveils Formula 2030 Concept Car, Embracing Scandinavian Design
    Polestar Unveils Formula 2030 Concept Car, Embracing Scandinavian Design Swedish electric vehicle brand Polestar unveiled its 'Formula 2030 Concept Car' on September 8, showcasing its future design direction.The Formula 2030 Concept Car was developed as part of Polestar's long-term growth plan, the '2030 Strategy.' It presents a new design direction based on Polestar's core values of performance, technology, and sustainability, which will be applied to future production vehicles.Design elements from the next-generation Polestar 2, set to launch in 2027, and the upcoming Polestar 7 can be previewed.The Formula 2030 Concept Car was first revealed to investors at the 'The Cube' in Polestar's headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden, during the Formula 2030 strategy event. The design will be globally showcased next month during the media drive for the Polestar 4 SUV in Ascari, Spain.The design team, led by Polestar's Head of Design, Philip Rommers, incorporated new design elements into the exterior, interior, and materials while maintaining the existing Scandinavian design ethos.Polestar's design identity continues with features like the brand's signature 'Dual Blade' headlights, enhanced with new design elements.Philip Rommers stated, 'Polestar has already established a strong design and brand identity, so I believe a bold evolution is necessary rather than a complete revolution of the existing design.' 2026-09-08 09:20:00
  • Lee arrives in Paris for summit with Macron
    Lee arrives in Paris for summit with Macron SEOUL, September 8 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung arrived in Paris on Monday for a summit with French President Emmanuel Macron, after wrapping up the first leg of his itinerary in Nice as part of his weeklong trip to France. After laying a wreath at the Arc de Triomphe and attending an official welcome ceremony, Lee will have a luncheon meeting with Macron before holding expanded summit talks. The two leaders are expected to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation in areas such as defense, security, advanced technology and culture, as South Korea and France mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Much of the attention will be on whether the two leaders discuss sending troops to the Strait of Hormuz amid mounting U.S. pressure as tensions with Iran remain unresolved. After the summit with Macron, Lee will join a forum with business leaders from both countries, before attending a state dinner at the Élysée Palace. Before returning home the following day, Lee is also scheduled to meet with Yaël Braun-Pivet, speaker of France's lower house of parliament, and Mathias Cormann, secretary-general of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). He will also host a luncheon for South Koreans living in France. Earlier in the week, Lee attended the Lumiere Summit in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, an international gathering of filmmakers, creators, and other industry leaders, where South Korea and France agreed to invest 500 million euros each in the motion picture industry. AJP Takeaways - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung arrived in Paris on Sept. 7, 2026, for summit talks with French President Emmanuel Macron focused on strengthening South Korea-France ties in defense, security, advanced technology and culture. - The summit is expected to draw attention to whether Lee Jae Myung and Emmanuel Macron discuss a possible South Korean troop deployment to the Strait of Hormuz amid U.S. pressure and unresolved tensions involving Iran. - South Korea and France agreed to invest 500 million euros each in the motion picture industry at the Lumiere Summit in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, highlighting expanded cooperation in the cultural and creative sectors. 2026-09-08 09:16:12
  • KOSPI Recovers Above 7000 Amid Semiconductor Stabilization and Battery Strength
    KOSPI Recovers Above 7000 Amid Semiconductor Stabilization and Battery Strength The KOSPI opened higher on September 8, recovering above the 7000 mark during trading. This is the first time the index has surpassed 7000 since August 18. Following a sharp rise the previous day, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix entered a period of stabilization, while secondary battery stocks and some semiconductor materials showed strength.As of 9:05 a.m., the KOSPI was up 26.97 points (0.39%) at 7022.36, having briefly reached 7047.91 during the session.In the securities market, individual investors have net purchased 59.4 billion won, while foreign and institutional investors have net sold 71.5 billion won and 5.7 billion won, respectively.Among the top market capitalization stocks, Samsung Electronics remained steady at 270,000 won, and SK Hynix also held at 1,783,000 won. LG Energy Solution (up 1.24%), Samsung Biologics (up 0.48%), and KB Financial (up 1.65%) saw gains, while Samsung Electro-Mechanics (down 1.79%), SK Square (down 0.62%), and Hyundai Motor (down 0.38%) faced declines.The KOSDAQ index rose by 6.01 points (0.73%) to 828.20. Individual investors net purchased 13 billion won, while foreign and institutional investors net sold 500 million won and 11.5 billion won, respectively.In the KOSDAQ's top market capitalization stocks, JUSUNG Engineering increased by 4.43%. Other gainers included HPSP (up 3.56%), EcoPro (up 3.03%), IOTech (up 2.74%), EcoPro BM (up 2.72%), Simtec (up 2.59%), Rino Industry (up 2.49%), and Wonik IPS (up 2.21%).Meanwhile, U.S. markets were closed for Labor Day. European markets showed mixed results ahead of the European Central Bank's (ECB) monetary policy meeting, influenced by rising international oil prices and government bond yields. The German DAX and the UK FTSE 100 fell by 0.15% and 0.08%, respectively, while the French CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50 rose by 0.33% and 0.17%.International oil prices increased amid ongoing military tensions between the U.S. and Iran, with Brent crude briefly surpassing $98 per barrel. Factors contributing to the rise included reduced shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the OPEC Plus's decision to maintain existing policies.Seo Sang-young, a researcher at Mirae Asset Securities, stated, "European government bond yields have risen as expectations for ECB interest rate hikes have intensified, particularly following the strong performance of far-right parties in Germany's regional elections, highlighting concerns over fiscal deficits. We believe that the ECB's influence and political issues will continue to impact the market in the second half of the year."He added, "The dollar weakened against other currencies due to the strength of the yen, which has been bolstered by expectations of a faster pace of interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan and the emergence of new government policies in Japan." 2026-09-08 09:16:00
  • Starting Today, Unknown Visitors May Come to Your Home: Verify This Before Opening the Door
    Starting Today, Unknown Visitors May Come to Your Home: Verify This Before Opening the Door The nationwide household registration fact-finding visits begin today. If you did not participate in the non-face-to-face survey, local officials may visit your home directly. If an unfamiliar person comes to your door claiming to conduct a household registration survey, you should verify their 'fact-finding certificate.'According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the '2026 Household Registration Fact-Finding Visit' will take place from today until November 9. This follows the completion of a non-face-to-face survey conducted via the Government 24 app from July 20 to September 7.The household registration fact-finding survey aims to confirm whether the registered address matches the actual residence. This annual survey is conducted to enhance the accuracy of household registration statistics and to serve as foundational data for various administrative services, including welfare and disaster management.The households targeted for visits include those that did not participate in the non-face-to-face survey and those identified as key survey targets. Key survey households will receive visits even if they participated in the non-face-to-face survey.Key survey targets include households with individuals aged 100 or older, those with long-term missing persons (over five years), suspected deceased individuals, high-risk welfare crisis households, and households with long-term unexcused absences or school-age children not enrolled in school.During the visit, local officials will first check the household roster at the registered address. Investigators will wear a 'fact-finding certificate' to identify themselves. The Ministry has also mandated that investigators display their certificates to ensure residents feel secure when responding to the survey. If someone visits your home for a household registration survey, it is essential to check their certificate.If the visit does not confirm actual residency or if there are discrepancies between the household registration details and the actual situation, local government officials will conduct further verification.If the investigation determines that changes to the household registration details are necessary, the local government will proceed with the highest public notice procedures. This applies to cases where individuals have moved without reporting their new address or where deceased individuals have not been removed from the registry. Subsequently, from November 10 to December 7, necessary household registration details will be amended ex officio. The entire schedule for this year's household registration fact-finding survey will conclude by December 14.Jang Heon-beom, Director of the Local Administration Bureau at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, stated, 'We ask for the active cooperation and participation of the public to ensure the smooth progress of the household registration visits starting September 8.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 09:16:00
  • Sealy Expands in Korea with New Factory in Yeoju, Aims for 500 Units Daily Production
    Sealy Expands in Korea with New Factory in Yeoju, Aims for 500 Units Daily Production Sealy has established Asia's largest production facility in Korea, which has become the fastest-growing branch among its global operations. The new Yeoju factory, twice the size of the previous facility, aims to serve as a global supply hub for the entire Asian market.On September 7, Sealy held a media day to unveil the new factory located in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, covering a total area of 15,183 square meters (approximately 4,590 pyeong).The factory features a 'one-stop' production system that handles everything from raw material inspection to production, quality and safety checks, finished product management, and shipping. The daily maximum production capacity will increase from 300 to 500 units based on an 8-hour workday, with an overall production target of 75,000 units for the year.The decision to build a large Asian hub factory in Korea is rooted in the overwhelming trust in 'Made in Korea' products and the rapid growth of the Korean market.A Sealy Korea representative stated, "Currently, we operate one spring factory and four mattress factories in China, but 'Made in Korea' products are recognized as premium among local consumers, with high trust in quality and technology. The Yeoju factory will serve as a core base symbolizing Sealy's premium quality and the value of Korean manufacturing, playing a crucial role in leading our premium strategy across the Asian market."Since CEO Yoon Jong-hyo took office in 2012, Sealy Korea has recorded an annual growth rate of around 20%. Yoon noted, "While the growth of the Chinese market has slowed due to recent U.S.-China tensions and local economic downturns, Korea has maintained the highest growth rate and market value among all Sealy branches worldwide, thanks to the continuous expansion of premium demand. We have built Asia's best one-stop production base just ten years after establishing the Yeoju factory in 2016, starting with OEM production in 1998."Sealy plans to significantly increase exports of finished products to major Asian markets, including Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and China, based on the excellent production infrastructure of the Yeoju factory.With the opening of this new factory, Sealy is also making a strategic move to produce key mattress components, such as titanium coils (springs), domestically. Previously, the company imported titanium alloy springs from factories in Australia and China, but ongoing global supply chain disruptions due to war, typhoons, and currency fluctuations have heightened the need for localized production.Kim Jung-min, Sealy Korea's marketing executive, explained, "As our sales scale increases, we are preparing to establish our own spring production facility near the Yeoju factory to reduce import dependence and increase the localization rate. With annual coil demand exceeding 100,000 units, establishing a domestic production chain will help secure logistics cost savings and supply stability."Unlike competitors that operate large automated production facilities, the Yeoju factory adheres to a strict '100% custom order' and 'artisan manual work' approach.In the production area with an 11-meter ceiling, skilled technicians carry out all processes manually, from sewing borders using sewing machines to assembling titanium springs. Each order is matched one-to-one, with barcode labels attached, minimizing storage time in the logistics area until delivery.The production process incorporates a 'lean production' method, ensuring that no defective products move to the next stage, even catching a single loose thread on-site. The core technology developed in collaboration with orthopedic specialists, known as 'Posturepedic,' maximizes resilience and durability through two heat treatment processes, setting it apart from competitors.Additionally, to ensure a comfortable working environment, the production area operates 16 large ceiling fans and precisely controls temperature and humidity, maintaining a top-level safety verification system through radon detectors (RAD8) and regular certifications from the Korean Standards Association (KSA).Kim added, "Sealy can produce over 110 different types of products in small quantities. In the future, we will strengthen production targeting the growing global market for motion beds." 2026-09-08 09:12:10
  • 70% of Bitcoin Trades on Bithumb Come from Top 10 Accounts; Financial Supervisory Service Investigates
    70% of Bitcoin Trades on Bithumb Come from Top 10 Accounts; Financial Supervisory Service Investigates According to recent reports, a significant portion of Bitcoin trading on the South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb has been concentrated among a small number of accounts. The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) is currently reviewing the original trading data to determine if any suspicious activities have occurred.On September 8, industry sources indicated that the price of Bitcoin on Bithumb surged from around 91 million won on August 19 to over 100 million won just two days later. During this rapid price increase, the top 10 accounts accounted for as much as 70% of the total trading volume, a stark rise from the usual 30% range.Similar trends were observed in other major cryptocurrencies during the same period. The trading share of the top 10 accounts reached 67% for Ethereum and 53% for Ripple. Even Tether, which is pegged to the dollar and typically exhibits lower price volatility, saw its trading share rise to the mid-50% range.The FSS has flagged this concentration of trading activity as potentially indicative of suspicious trading and is currently verifying the details. The agency has requested a list of top traders and original trading data from Bithumb to investigate whether there are connections among the top accounts or if the trading activity is a result of automated trading exploiting price differences between exchanges.Bithumb stated, "It is a common phenomenon observed across capital markets, including the stock market, that the trading volume of top users increases during price surges. Specific users' trades cannot influence global prices."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 09:12:10