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  • Education Officials Challenge Governments Claims of Increased Funding
    Education Officials Challenge Government's Claims of Increased Funding Conflicts between the Education Ministry and local education superintendents are intensifying over proposed changes to local education financial grants. The ministry has asserted that funding will increase by 10.1% next year, claiming sufficient financial resources. However, the Korea Association of Superintendents, representing 17 local education offices, has countered that the ministry is selectively presenting statistics to mislead public opinion.Concerns are growing that budget cuts, justified by a declining school-age population, ignore rising essential expenditures such as inflation, exacerbating financial difficulties for schools.On September 7, the association released a statement criticizing the ministry's recent report on local education financial grants, stating, "The ministry distorts facts by emphasizing only the increase in grants while omitting the reasons for reduced funding, creating a false impression of financial stability."Previously, the ministry announced that the 2027 budget for local education grants would reach 78.9 trillion won, a 10.1% increase from the 2026 budget of 71.7 trillion won, asserting that this would adequately cover essential costs such as personnel and operational expenses."10.1% Increase? Just an Illusion"—Ministry Uses Selective StatisticsThe primary contention revolves around the perceived illusion of the 10.1% increase. The ministry calculated this figure by comparing the 2027 grant amount to the 2026 budget.However, the association argues that the actual budget secured through this year's supplementary budget is 76.4 trillion won. When compared to the proposed 2027 budget, the real increase amounts to approximately 2.43 trillion won, or just 3.2%.The association stated, "By excluding the natural increase in tax revenue reflected in this year's supplementary budget, the ministry has inflated the numbers to create the impression of a significant budget increase."A more serious issue is the abolition of the post-settlement system. Previously, if domestic tax revenues exceeded initial forecasts, additional grants were provided to education offices. The government's proposed changes eliminate this post-settlement function, meaning education offices can no longer expect additional funding even if tax revenues increase.The association criticized the ministry for comparing this year's budget, which benefited from post-settlement increases, to a new system that lacks such provisions, calling it a flawed comparison.Budget Increases by 2.43 Trillion Won, but 1.8 Trillion Won DisappearsEven with a reported increase of 2.43 trillion won in grants, the financial situation for education offices may not improve. According to the association, funding for free high school education will decrease by about 274.1 billion won, and local education tax revenue from tobacco consumption will drop by 1.6 trillion won, effectively removing that amount from education office revenues. This means that while 2.43 trillion won is added to one pocket, 1.87 trillion won is taken from another.Additionally, essential costs such as salaries, operational expenses, meal costs, public utility fees, and facility maintenance are expected to rise steadily. Significant national financial demands, such as the integration of kindergartens and daycare centers, are also on the horizon.The association remarked, "Ignoring the reality of declining revenues and increasing expenditures while touting the increase in grants as sufficient demonstrates a lack of understanding of the situation on the ground.""3.7 Trillion Won Left in Funds, So Everything is Fine?"—Government Aware of Depletion RateThe ministry's claim that local education offices will have a projected fund balance of 3.7 trillion won by the end of the year has also come under scrutiny.The association pointed out that these funds have been steadily depleted over the past four years, averaging 4.5 trillion won annually to cover shortfalls in tax revenue. With the abolition of post-settlement and a shrinking revenue base, the prospect of replenishing these emergency funds is bleak. They criticized the notion that a dwindling account balance indicates financial health.Furthermore, the government's plan to reduce the grant increase rate by 3.5 percentage points for every 10% decline in the school-age population has been challenged. The association emphasized that a decrease in students does not proportionately reduce costs for maintaining school facilities or paying staff salaries, urging the government to provide transparent calculations.Jeong Geun-sik, president of the Korea Association of Superintendents and Seoul's education superintendent, stated, "The government must reflect all factors, including grants, national transfers, local education taxes, funds, and essential expenditures, to present a comprehensive financial impact for each of the 16 local education offices. The ministry should not mislead public opinion by presenting the 10.1% increase based on the 2026 budget as if it were an increase from the current grant size. Instead, they should listen to the voices from the education field and engage in thorough discussions with education offices to implement necessary reforms."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 17:00:00
  • K-pop boy group NCT collabs with Seoul fashion week
    K-pop boy group NCT collabs with Seoul fashion week SEOUL, September 07 (AJP) -K-pop boy group NCT celebrated the 10th anniversary of its brand launch with a Seoul Fashion Week program that brought the group's stage costumes, music and choreography to a public space in Seoul's Jamsil area, SM Entertainment said Monday. The three-day program ran from Friday to Sunday at the lawn plaza of Lotte World Tower as part of Seoul Fashion Week's 2027 spring-summer season. It featured an exhibition of stage costumes worn by NCT and its units, including NCT 127, NCT DREAM, WayV and NCT WISH. The display showed how the group's visual style has changed alongside its music over the past decade. A curated runway show was held Sunday as the main program. The show combined NCT's music, costumes and choreography, tracing the group's start, expansion into multiple units and more recent direction. ScreaM Records, SM Entertainment's dance music label, provided the runway's soundtrack through a live DJ set by 2SPADE built around NCT songs. A dance crew led by choreographer Lee Il-hyung, who has worked on NCT's choreography, also performed rearranged versions of the group's signature moves. Several members visited the site during the event. NCT DREAM's Jisung stopped by Friday, while NCT 127's Johnny and Taeyong joined WayV's Kun and Yangyang on Sunday. They toured the costume exhibition and a large NCT-themed art balloon installed near Seokchon Lake before greeting fans at the site. The art balloon has been on display at Seokchon Lake since Sept. 3 and will remain there through Sept. 27. Starting Monday, the lake will also be lit at night in Pearl Neo Champagne, NCT's official color, through Sept. 25. AJP Takeaways - NCT marked its 10th anniversary through a Seoul Fashion Week collaboration in Jamsil. - The program included stage costume displays and a curated runway show. - The runway reinterpreted NCT's music, fashion and choreography from the past decade. 2026-09-07 16:57:14
  • First U.S. Investment Project to Focus on LNG Combined Cycle Power Plant
    First U.S. Investment Project to Focus on LNG Combined Cycle Power Plant 당정이 7일 대미투자 프로젝트 협상 진행 상황을 논의했다. 정부가 여당과 대미투자 협상 상황을 공유하면서 한미 간 논의가 사실상 마무리 단계에 접어들었다는 관측이 나온다. 대미투자 1호 사업은 액화천연가스(LNG) 복합화력발전소 건설이 유력할 것으로 보인다.국회 재정경제기획위원회와 산업통상자원중소벤처기업위원회 소속 더불어민주당 의원들은 이날 오후 국회에서 산업통상부로부터 대미투자 협상 내용을 보고받았다. 협의회는 비공개로 진행됐다. 정부에서는 박정성 산업부 통상교섭본부장 등 대미투자 협상 실무자들이 참석한 것으로 알려졌다. 김정관 산업부 장관은 이재명 대통령의 프랑스 순방 동행으로 이날 협의회에 불참했다.정부가 여당과 대미투자 협상 상황을 공유하면서 협상 체결이 임박했다는 분석이 나온다. 정부는 대미투자특별법에 따라 대미투자 협상 체결 전 국회 소관 상임위원회에 협상 결과의 개요와 규모, 향후 절차 등을 보고해야 한다.대미투자 1호 사업으로 미국 텍사스 지역의 액화천연가스(LNG) 복합화력발전소 건설이 유력하게 거론된다. 사업 규모는 223억달러(약 30조원) 수준으로 전해졌다. 2026-09-07 16:52:00
  • Experts Caution Against Sugar Tax, Warn of Burden on Low-Income and Youth
    Experts Caution Against Sugar Tax, Warn of Burden on Low-Income and Youth Experts are advocating for a focus on enhancing nutritional labeling and health education rather than imposing a sugar burden tax on sugary beverages. They warn that introducing such a tax could disproportionately impact low-income individuals and young people, especially as consumption of sugary drinks is already declining.On September 7, the Korean Tax Policy Association and the Korean Taxpayers Alliance co-hosted the 34th Tax Policy Seminar titled, 'What Should We Consider in Introducing a Sugar Burden Tax on Sugary Beverages?' The seminar aimed to comprehensively assess the recently proposed sugar burden tax from the perspectives of health effects, burden distribution, and fiscal structure.During the seminar, Professor Noh Jeong-ran of Myongji University presented findings from a nine-year empirical analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Survey (2016-2024) and simulations on burden distribution. The analysis revealed that even without a tax, the average daily consumption of sugary beverages per person decreased from 116.9 grams in 2016 to 87.0 grams in 2024, a 25.6% reduction. This indicates a market-driven reduction in sugar intake, including the rise of zero-calorie drinks.Professor Noh also noted that the introduction of a sugar burden tax could place a heavier burden on low-income households. The analysis showed that the tax burden ratio for the lowest income group (20th percentile) was approximately 8.4 times higher than that of the highest income group (80th percentile). When considering both age and income, the burden appears to be concentrated among low-income youth and adolescents.Concerns were raised about the potential use of tax revenue for the National Health Promotion Fund. If sugary beverage consumption decreases and the policy goal of health improvement is achieved, the revenue from the tax would also decline. Conversely, a contradiction arises if the tax revenue needs to be maintained while sugary beverage consumption significantly decreases.Professor Noh stated, 'Given that reductions in sugar intake are already occurring due to market changes such as the spread of zero-calorie and low-sugar products, there is less need to prioritize uniform price regulations. Instead, we should first implement non-price policies that enhance nutritional labeling, target health education for youth, and encourage voluntary sugar reduction by companies.'During the expert discussion, participants emphasized the need to carefully evaluate the effects and side effects of introducing a sugar burden tax rather than rushing into its implementation.Professor Ha Sang-do of Chung-Ang University pointed out, 'Sugar intake in Korea is decreasing, and obesity has multiple contributing factors, including lack of physical activity. We need to thoroughly verify whether introducing taxes or burdens actually leads to a reduction in overall caloric intake and whether there are any unintended consequences.'Professor Nam Hye-jeong of Dongguk University highlighted the potential for a 'balloon effect,' where consumers might switch to other beverages if sugary drink prices rise. She argued for an analysis of how much the tax is reflected in actual product prices and its health improvement effects.Professor Oh Mun-seong of Kyung Hee University noted, 'The relationship between raising prices and actual health improvements has not been sufficiently proven, and the burden may fall more heavily on low-income and youth populations. We should carefully consider whether the burden tax approach is appropriate rather than rushing to implement it just because it is being done abroad.'Professor Hong Gi-yong of Incheon University emphasized the need to prioritize policies that enhance consumer information, such as nutritional labeling, and to promote market-friendly policies that incentivize companies to voluntarily expand zero and low-sugar products.Kim Gap-soon, president of the Korean Tax Policy Association, stated, 'Since there are already voluntary efforts in the market to reduce sugar intake, we should prioritize non-price and market-friendly approaches over price controls.' 2026-09-07 16:52:00
  • NH Investment & Securities Taesik Wang Discusses Corporate Governance and Market Strategies
    NH Investment & Securities' Taesik Wang Discusses Corporate Governance and Market Strategies The corporate finance (IB) market is currently facing a freeze due to rapid interest rate hikes, which have dampened corporate funding and the bond market. Amid this challenging environment, NH Investment & Securities has achieved remarkable success in corporate governance consulting and public offerings.To understand the secrets behind NH Investment & Securities' rise as a new IB powerhouse, Aju Economy interviewed Taesik Wang, head of the Industry 3 Division. Wang, a 25-year IB expert, joined LG Securities in 2002 and has held various roles, including RM for major corporations and head of the SME division."Interest Rate Hikes Lead to 30% Reduction in Corporate Bond Issuance"Wang identified the most significant challenge currently faced in the IB field as the contraction of the funding market due to rapid interest rate increases.He stated, "As interest rates have risen quickly, issuers are struggling to adapt to the high rates, and investors have significantly reduced their demand due to bond losses and instability. The total annual corporate bond issuance has decreased by about 30%."Wang added, "While there may be a temporary surge in demand at the beginning of the year when new funds are deployed, it will be difficult for the bond market to return to its previous boom. Large corporations are increasing bank loans for funding, but small and medium-sized enterprises with lower credit ratings find it nearly impossible to issue unsecured corporate bonds."He particularly pointed out the funding difficulties faced by KOSDAQ-listed companies, noting, "With stock prices falling, it is very challenging to make decisions on mezzanine financing or capital increases due to concerns about the decline in major shareholders' ownership. Small and medium-sized enterprises should prioritize bank loans and actively utilize policy funds, such as P-CBO (Primary CBO), which bundles SME bonds guaranteed by the Credit Guarantee Fund.""The Key to Success in Governance Consulting and Public Offerings"In this deteriorating market environment, NH Investment & Securities has managed to secure numerous governance consulting projects and large public offerings. Wang attributes this success to their 'RM-centered comprehensive total service.' He emphasized that companies facing funding challenges require more than just simple bond issuance; they need complex solutions, including governance restructuring and M&A, which are provided by RMs.Wang explained, "Many other securities firms have separate DCM and ECM departments. In contrast, the Industry Division at NH Investment & Securities has RMs who comprehensively handle all funding and restructuring needs directly from the companies."He continued, "RMs serve as the main point of contact for companies, managing funding, splits, and mergers directly, while connecting IPOs to the ECM division, M&A to the Advisory division, real estate development to the real estate infrastructure division, and asset management to the sales and customer asset management divisions."Indeed, NH Investment & Securities has effectively monopolized major governance restructuring consulting projects, including advisory roles for Hanwha Group's split, Kakao's split, Cowell Fashion's human split, and the KOSPI listing of BH. They have also successfully executed public offering deals linked to private equity fund M&As, such as Osstem Implant and Lock & Lock.Wang noted, "The results of public offerings and consulting are not achieved overnight. They are the result of long-term close monitoring of companies and providing comprehensive services, along with internal synergies."Currently, the Industry Division at NH Investment & Securities is structured into six teams under the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd divisions to expand their reach, covering a wide range of clients from general corporations to financial institutions, public enterprises, private equity funds, and small to medium-sized enterprises. The number of RMs, with 3 to 5 members per team, is also at a unique level compared to other firms."Promoting RMs with Solid Practical Experience"Wang highlighted another competitive advantage of NH Investment & Securities' IB division: the 'RA (Assistant) development policy.'He stated, "We likely have the largest number of RAs. To provide appropriate advice to corporate finance executives, RAs need to have solid practical knowledge, so we aim to develop an ideal model where RAs gain at least 2 to 3 years of diverse deal experience before being promoted to RM positions."Wang emphasized, "While someone may become an expert in a specific product after handling it for several years, they may lack experience in various deals. Our talent, who have robust practical experience from corporate bond issuance to restructuring consulting, can thus achieve superior work capabilities compared to other firms."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 16:48:00
  • Lee Seong-yoon Criticizes Opposition for Targeting Kim Seung-won
    Lee Seong-yoon Criticizes Opposition for Targeting Kim Seung-won Lee Seong-yoon, a member of the Democratic Party, has called on the opposition to stop targeting Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice.On September 7, Lee stated on his Facebook that the People Power Party is exaggerating allegations of illegal lobbying regarding Kim's communication with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, claiming that their political attacks have crossed the line even before the confirmation hearing begins.He specifically criticized independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon for demanding a special investigation, arguing that the complaint made by Kim is a public interest action that is not considered illegal under the Anti-Corruption Act. Lee remarked, "It is absurd for someone who has served as Minister of Justice to call for a special investigation over this matter. It is unreasonable and nonsensical."Lee also refuted claims that the prosecution's decision to suspend charges against Kim was a lenient treatment amid the impeachment climate. He stated, "Kim was vigorously pushing for the prosecution's reform, yet the investigation concluded without any criminal charges being recognized, making the decision to suspend charges baffling. The assertion that this is preferential treatment is equally ridiculous."He further questioned, "How could Kim feel so wronged that he filed a constitutional petition with the Constitutional Court to overturn the non-prosecution decision?"Lee criticized Han, a former Minister of Justice under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, suggesting that his actions against Kim, the nominee for Minister of Justice under the Lee Jae-myung administration, raise suspicions of an intent to obstruct prosecutorial reform. He concluded, "No matter how much the People Power Party tries to shake the nominee and hinder prosecutorial reform, the public will not tolerate it." 2026-09-07 16:48:00
  • Astra ups heat in Samsung-SK hynix HBM4E 1c showdown
    Astra ups heat in Samsung-SK hynix HBM4E 1c showdown SEOUL, September 07 (AJP) - "AGI has arrived,” Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang declared as he congratulated OpenAI on the release of GPT-6 Astra, which the ChatGPT creator calls its most intelligent and aligned model yet. AGI stands for artificial general intelligence, a loosely defined concept generally referring to AI capable of performing intellectual tasks across a broad range of domains at or beyond human levels. Whether Astra has actually crossed that threshold remains disputed, but the race toward it among frontier AI developers including OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta and Google is intensifying. Huang said Astra was trained using more than 100,000 Nvidia Grace Blackwell GPUs across NVL72 systems, with another 400,000 GPUs coming online. Whether or not the AGI label sticks, the economic implication for the semiconductor industry is clearer. More capable AI models, increasingly autonomous agents and heavier competition for users and enterprise workloads mean greater demand for computing power. Greater computing power means more GPUs — and more high-bandwidth memory, or HBM, feeding data into them. South Korea's two memory giants and their investors cheered the prospect Monday. Samsung Electronics shares jumped 5.68 percent to close at 270,000 won, while SK hynix surged 8.26 percent to 1,783,000 won. The next battlefield for HBM supremacy is taking shape in Gyeonggi Province, home to the advanced chipmaking complexes of Samsung and SK hynix. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix are preparing to go head-to-head using sixth-generation 10-nanometer-class, or 1c, DRAM in HBM4E after taking sharply different process strategies for HBM4. The confrontation is becoming more consequential as Samsung closes the gap with the longtime HBM leader. Samsung's share of global HBM revenue jumped to 33 percent in the second quarter from 21 percent three months earlier, while SK hynix's share fell to 50 percent from 58 percent, according to Counterpoint Research. The gap between the two Korean memory makers narrowed to 17 percentage points from 37 points in just three months. A year earlier, SK hynix held 64 percent of the market against Samsung's 15 percent, leaving a 49-point gap. Micron ranked third with an 18 percent share in the second quarter, down from 21 percent in the first. The figures do not yet represent the balance of power in HBM4. Most HBM revenue still comes from HBM3E, while HBM4 shipments are expected to become increasingly visible in market revenue during the second half of this year. The narrowing gap nevertheless comes as Samsung and SK hynix pursue markedly different manufacturing strategies for the new generation. Samsung took the more aggressive route in DRAM process technology. The company began mass-producing and commercially shipping HBM4 in February using 1c DRAM, breaking with the industry's conventional practice of applying a more mature process to HBM products. Samsung's HBM4 combines 1c DRAM with a 4-nanometer logic base die and delivers a sustained data-transfer speed of 11.7 gigabits per second per pin, with speeds of up to 13 Gbps. A Samsung Electronics official said yields for its 1c-based HBM4 have stabilized and that the product has been supplied smoothly to customers since mass production began in February. SK hynix took the opposite approach. Rather than immediately adopting 1c for HBM4, the company retained its proven fifth-generation 10-nanometer-class, or 1b, process while initially applying 1c to conventional DRAM products. An SK hynix official said the company took the reverse approach to Samsung, which deployed 1c first in higher-value HBM products while retaining an older process for conventional DRAM. Using the already proven 1b process for HBM4 also offered an advantage in securing stable yields, the official said, describing the decision as part of the company's broader process strategy rather than the result of a single technical factor. The distinction matters because a more advanced DRAM process alone does not determine HBM performance. Lee Jong-hwan, professor of system semiconductor engineering at Sangmyung University, said 1c has a performance advantage over 1b, but the difference between the two processes is only one component of the overall HBM architecture. "DRAM performance is important, but the connection technology that links each DRAM die is also critical," Lee said. "The DRAM itself and packaging technologies all have to perform well together to achieve strong overall HBM performance." Lee said the difference between 1b and 1c alone is not large enough to determine the competitiveness of the finished HBM product because both are successive refinements within the same 10-nanometer-class generation. The two companies' strategies are now set to converge with HBM4E. SK hynix is moving its broader DRAM production toward 1c as it prepares to use the newer process in HBM4E, bringing its core DRAM process in line with Samsung's. SK hynix has confirmed that shipments of products based on its 1c process began in earnest in the second quarter. Moving to the newer process gives chipmakers room to improve performance and power efficiency. The economic payoff, however, depends heavily on whether they can stabilize yields as manufacturing complexity increases. "Better performance makes it harder to secure yields," Lee said. "In semiconductors, yield directly translates into money. If yields are poor, you cannot supply the volume customers want." "Performance and yield have to improve together. That is what creates real competitiveness," he added. The trade-off is particularly important for HBM because the product stacks multiple DRAM dies and requires sophisticated bonding, packaging and thermal-management technologies in addition to the underlying memory process. HBM4E will put those capabilities to a tougher test. Samsung shipped samples of its 12-layer HBM4E to major global customers in May. The product combines 1c DRAM with a 4-nanometer logic base die and supports data-transfer speeds of up to 16 Gbps per pin. The company argues that experience mass-producing HBM4 with the same 1c DRAM and 4-nanometer base-die combination could give it an advantage as HBM4E moves toward commercial production. "Because we have already mass-produced HBM4 based on 1c and 4-nanometer technology, we expect to provide HBM4E with more stable performance and quality," a Samsung Electronics official said. Samsung said the key advantage lies less in headline specifications than in having already validated the underlying manufacturing combination through HBM4 mass production. SK hynix supplied samples of its own 12-layer HBM4E to major customers in June. The product also supports speeds of up to 16 Gbps per pin and offers more than 20 percent higher power efficiency than the preceding generation, according to the company. HBM4E remains at the sample-supply stage for SK hynix, with mass production dependent on customer schedules. The company is seeking to move forward within this year, although precise timing has not been fixed. SK hynix said the biggest improvement expected from moving to the newer DRAM node is performance, particularly data-transfer speed. The convergence on 1c changes the nature of the rivalry. The HBM4E contest is unlikely to be decided simply by which company uses the more advanced DRAM process. Both must prove they can combine high-performance 1c DRAM with stable yields, advanced packaging and bonding, efficient thermal management and large-volume production aligned with customers' schedules. The two companies therefore enter the HBM4E era from different positions. SK hynix brings the larger HBM market share and customer and manufacturing experience accumulated during its HBM3E leadership. Samsung brings experience mass-producing 1c-based HBM one generation earlier and a sharply rising HBM revenue share. Investor expectations are rising alongside the technological competition. Consensus estimates for Samsung Electronics' third-quarter operating profit stood at 114.2 trillion won ($84.8 billion) as of Sept. 4, up 12 percent from three months earlier, according to FnGuide. SK hynix's third-quarter operating-profit estimate rose 4 percent over the same period to 78.8 trillion won. AJP Takeaways - Samsung's global HBM revenue share jumped to 33% in Q2, narrowing SK hynix's lead to 17 percentage points. - Samsung adopted advanced 1c DRAM for HBM4, while SK hynix prioritized yield stability with proven 1b technology. - HBM4E resets the race: Both companies are moving to 1c for HBM4E, shifting competition toward yield, packaging, performance and volume production. - AI demand raises the stakes: More powerful AI models and agents are driving demand for GPUs and HBM, lifting expectations for both Korean memory giants. SK hynix said the HBM market remains in an absolute supply shortage even as more suppliers enter a business that had previously been centered more heavily on the company. 2026-09-07 16:47:39
  • Huawei and Xiaomi Launch New Foldable Phones Ahead of Apples Entry
    Huawei and Xiaomi Launch New Foldable Phones Ahead of Apple's Entry The global foldable phone market is heating up as Huawei and Xiaomi unveil new products this week, ahead of Apple's anticipated entry with its first foldable iPhone.On September 7, Huawei kicked off the announcements with a product launch event at 2:30 PM local time in Guangzhou, China. According to Chinese media outlet Jike, Huawei introduced its latest high-end tri-fold flagship smartphone, the 'Mate XT 2.' This device is a successor to the Mate XT, the world's first tri-fold smartphone released two years ago, and features the new Kirin 9050 Pro chip, which incorporates Huawei's recently developed semiconductor design philosophy known as 'Tau.'Later that evening, Xiaomi revealed its flagship foldable phone, the 'Xiaomi 18 Fold.' This model is equipped with memory from Chinese semiconductor company Changxin Memory Technology (CXMT) and utilizes Xiaomi's own Xring O3 processor. It adopts a 'passport-style' design with a 4:3 aspect ratio, which is wider than previous foldable phones. This design was first introduced by Samsung in its Fold 8 and is expected to be featured in Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone.Apple is set to hold its product launch event on September 9 at 10 AM local time in the United States, where it will unveil its first foldable iPhone.Chinese media outlet Jinlongjie analyzed that Huawei and Xiaomi's decision to launch their products ahead of Apple indicates a direct challenge to the tech giant. This reflects the confidence of Chinese companies in their own technology, product innovation, and competitive pricing in the premium segment, contrasting with their previous strategy of avoiding product launches during Apple's announcements.All three companies are targeting the premium market segment, with their new foldable phones priced above 10,000 yuan (approximately $2,100), leading to significant overlap in consumer demographics and product positioning. As a result, a direct competition among the three is anticipated.Particularly, as Chinese smartphone manufacturers, which typically focus on lower-cost products, face rising component prices, including memory, they are actively pursuing premium products like foldable phones to increase their average selling prices (ASP).Bloomberg noted that the recent product launches by Huawei and Xiaomi demonstrate that Apple's entry into the foldable market poses both a threat and an opportunity for these Chinese companies, as Apple's foldable iPhone could heighten consumer interest in foldable devices.Market analysts predict that foldable phones will remain a key growth driver in the global smartphone market for the foreseeable future. Despite a general slowdown in the global smartphone market, foldable phones are showing relatively strong growth. Research firm Counterpoint Research forecasts that global shipments of foldable smartphones will increase by 21% this year compared to last year.There are also expectations that Apple will dominate the foldable phone market. Ivan Lam, an analyst at Counterpoint Research, told Bloomberg, 'Apple has the largest premium device user base in the world,' adding that 'Apple's foldable phone is likely to achieve high sales and quickly capture market share.' He anticipates that the launch of Apple's foldable phone will expand consumer adoption of foldable devices and increase demand for competing products.Market research firm Smart Analytics Global predicts that Apple could capture about a quarter of the global foldable phone market this year, with a projected 41% market share next year, positioning it as the leader in the segment. 2026-09-07 16:44:00
  • NiziU to return with first mini album
    NiziU to return with first mini album SEOUL, September 07 (AJP) - K-pop girl group NiziU will release its first Korean mini album, marking the JYP Entertainment girl group's first domestic comeback in about 18 months, the agency said Monday. The album, "Sour Grapes," will be released at 6 p.m. (0900GMT) on Sept. 28. NiziU announced the release through a prologue film posted on its official social media channels at midnight Monday. The new album will be the group's first mini album released in Korea and its first domestic release since its second Korean single, "LOVE LINE," in March 2025. The prologue film uses grapes as a central image, showing the members encountering the fruit in different scenes before ending with a darker, more surreal turn. The video hints at a concept built around temptation, desire and curiosity, though JYP did not disclose the album's track list or lead single. NiziU made its official Korean debut in October 2023 with the single album "Press Play." The group later released "LOVE LINE" in Korea in March 2025. The title tracks from the two releases, "HEARTRIS" and "LOVE LINE," both won first place on Korean music programs. NiziU has also remained active in Japan this year. The group's second Japanese EP, "GOOD GIRL BUT NOT FOR YOU," topped Oricon's weekly album ranking and weekly combined album ranking. Its first Japanese best album, "Portfolio," received a Gold Disc certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan. NiziU also held an arena tour across five regions in Japan along with its second dome tour, "NiziU Live with U 2026 'NiziU : THE CINEMA.'" AJP Takeaways - NiziU will release its first Korean mini album, "Sour Grapes," on Sept. 28. - The album marks the group's first domestic comeback in about 18 months. - NiziU announced the release through a prologue film posted Monday. 2026-09-07 16:38:01
  • Hampyeong Officials Learn About Integrity in Anti-Corruption Training
    Hampyeong Officials Learn About Integrity in Anti-Corruption Training Hampyeong County conducted anti-corruption and integrity training for over 300 public officials, focusing on real administrative scenarios they may encounter.On the morning of September 7, Hampyeong County in South Jeolla Province held the '2026 Second Half Anti-Corruption and Integrity Training' at the Hampyeong Expo Park's main video hall.The training was attended by more than 300 public officials and emphasized sharing correct judgment criteria by presenting situations that may arise in the public sector, moving beyond simple legal instruction.The lecture was led by Han Yoo-na, a certified instructor from the National Integrity Education Center of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission.Drawing on 14 years of practical experience in the field of integrity and anti-corruption, Han conducted a two-hour session themed 'Integrity that Protects Our Daily Lives.'Key topics included the Conflict of Interest Prevention Act, the Anti-Bribery Act, and the Code of Conduct for Public Officials, which public officials must be well-versed in during their work processes.The training specifically applied these laws and regulations to real-life scenarios, enabling officials to identify and respond to potential conflicts of interest or bribery issues they might overlook.The training also connected integrity not just to legal compliance but to the everyday attitudes of public officials. It highlighted how small judgments and actions during work can influence the fairness of administration and ultimately relate to public trust in the civil service.Hampyeong County aims to ensure that public officials accurately understand anti-corruption laws and foster an organizational culture that applies integrity as a principle and standard in their work processes.Mayor Lee Nam-o stated, “Integrity is not a grand slogan but begins with public officials adhering to principles and performing their duties fairly in daily life. We will continue to implement various training and integrity initiatives to cultivate a trustworthy public service culture for our citizens.”Meanwhile, Hampyeong County is also assessing areas vulnerable to corruption and promoting related policies to establish a culture of integrity throughout the public sector. Plans include operating an integrity council chaired by the mayor, a public-private integrity council, and conducting 'Integrity Happy Call' surveys targeting citizens to identify and improve potential corruption factors in administrative processes.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 16:36:10