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  • Memory trade lifts Seoul and Tokyo, leaves Shanghai flat
    Memory trade lifts Seoul and Tokyo, leaves Shanghai flat SEOUL, September 07 (AJP) - Northeast Asia's stock markets moved Monday in near proportion to how much memory chip exposure each one carries. Seoul's KOSPI jumped 4.6 percent, Tokyo's Nikkei 225 rose 2.1 percent, and the composite index in Shanghai, where banks and oil producers dominate the weighting, finished virtually unchanged. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or KOSPI, closed at 6,995.39, its biggest one day gain since August 20 and 4.61 points short of the 7,000 level it has never reached. The index added 308.18 points. Foreign and institutional investors were net buyers together for a second consecutive session, after turning positive on Friday for the first time in six sessions. Their return ends a stretch in which corporate share buybacks were the main thing holding the Seoul market up. Foreign investors bought a net 2.55 trillion won ($1.90 billion) on the main board. Institutions bought 2.63 trillion won ($1.96 billion). Individual investors sold 6.82 trillion won ($5.09 billion). Samsung Electronics rose 5.7 percent to 270,000 won ($201.40). SK hynix gained 8.3 percent to 1,783,000 won ($1,330.10), outpacing Samsung Electronics by more than two and a half percentage points. Foreign buying concentrated in the two large cap semiconductor names. The buying followed a rally in U.S. memory stocks on Friday, when Micron Technology, SanDisk, Seagate Technology and Western Digital all advanced and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose 3.4 percent. The KOSDAQ, the secondary board for smaller and technology companies, rose 1.1 percent to 822.19. The KOSPI 200, which tracks the main board's largest listings, rose 5.1 percent, a wider gain than the main index itself. The advance reached beyond memory. Doosan Fuel Cell rose 14.5 percent to 49,900 won ($37.20) and Doosan Enerbility gained 11.0 percent to 87,900 won ($65.60). Doosan Fuel Cell disclosed last week a 501.4 billion won ($374 million) contract to supply phosphoric acid fuel cells to HyAxiom, the U.S. subsidiary of Doosan Corp., for an artificial intelligence data center. NH Investment and Securities raised its target price on the stock to 58,000 won from 34,000 won Monday and upgraded it to buy. In Tokyo, memory maker Kioxia Holdings closed at 59,530 yen, up 9.3 percent, and SoftBank Group rose 11.2 percent to 6,217 yen. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group fell 2.0 percent, leaving Japanese banks out of the advance even as traders position for a Bank of Japan rate increase this month. Chinese chip and optical component makers followed the region higher. GigaDevice Semiconductor rose 3.2 percent to 383.88 yuan and Hengtong Optic Electric gained 3.2 percent. PetroChina fell 1.3 percent, and the composite index in Shanghai closed roughly where it started. The won closed at 1,340.5 to the dollar, 9.9 won stronger than Friday. Monday was the fourth session in three weeks in which the main index in Seoul moved 4 percent or more. Even on this one, 381 stocks on the main board fell against 478 that rose. A repricing this concentrated in two names can be unwound as fast as it was built. 2026-09-07 16:09:47
  • AI Integration in Manufacturing, Defense, and Security as Core of Strategic Economy
    AI Integration in Manufacturing, Defense, and Security as Core of Strategic Economy As artificial intelligence (AI) expands into manufacturing, defense, and security sectors, the government is seeking policy measures to develop these areas as core components of a strategic economy.The Ministry of Economy and the Private AI Initiative at Seoul National University co-hosted a seminar titled 'Defense + Manufacturing + Security in the AI Era' on September 7 at 2:30 PM in the Sangsan Mathematics Hall auditorium. The seminar aimed to discuss the necessary competitiveness and policy directions for applying AI technology in industry, defense, and security.Min Kyung-seol, head of the Ministry's Innovation Growth Office, noted in his opening remarks that the integration of advanced technology in manufacturing, defense, and security is providing new opportunities for the economy.He stated, 'Our defense industry is poised to become a next-generation strategic export industry through excellent manufacturing capabilities and the adoption of AI, while cybersecurity is leading the field based on world-class homomorphic encryption technology.'He emphasized, 'The government will do its utmost to support the challenges and efforts in manufacturing, defense, and security as a pillar of our strategic economy.'Park Young-sun, chair of the Strategic Economy Advisory Group, assessed that AI has progressed beyond merely generating information to actively influencing real-world industries, defense, and security.In her opening address, she remarked, 'We have entered the second act of AI, where it not only generates answers on screens but also operates machines in factories, aids decision-making on battlefields, detects threats in cyberspace, and protects critical national infrastructure.'Park added, 'Defense, manufacturing, and security form a single ecosystem, and who connects AI to real-world industries and defense more quickly and safely will determine the future of the nation.'Co-host Kim Joo-han, Vice President for Research at Seoul National University, stressed the importance of securing not only data and field application capabilities but also safety and trust in technology to enhance AI competitiveness.He stated, 'The ability to secure high-quality data and apply it in the field while maintaining safety and trust throughout the process will determine the AI competitiveness of the nation and industry. I hope today's discussions lead to concrete cooperation that connects the practical needs of defense, the capabilities of South Korea's manufacturing sector, and trust technologies that ensure security and privacy.'During the subsequent breakout sessions, six experts from the defense, manufacturing, and security sectors shared their field experiences and proposed policy tasks to enhance competitiveness.The Ministry of Economy plans to continuously identify strategic economic policy tasks, including those related to defense, manufacturing, and security, based on the discussions held during the seminar.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 16:08:20
  • NH Nonghyup Bank Launches Ethical Communication Campaign with CEO Participation
    NH Nonghyup Bank Launches Ethical Communication Campaign with CEO Participation 강태영 NH농협은행장이 추석을 맞아 임직원 간 감사와 존중의 문화를 확산하기 위한 '윤리공감우체통' 캠페인에 1호로 참여했다. 농협은행은 손편지를 통해 동료와 선후배에게 감사와 응원의 마음을 전하는 이번 캠페인을 통해 윤리경영 문화를 확산해 나간다는 방침이다. 7일 NH농협은행에 따르면 윤리공감우체통은 임직원들이 동료와 선후배에게 직접 손편지를 쓰며 서로의 소중함을 되새기는 NH농협은행의 대표적인 윤리문화 프로그램이다. NH농협은행은 2017년부터 명절을 중심으로 해당 캠페인을 이어오고 있다. 강 은행장은 이번 캠페인에 첫 번째 참여자로 나서 "임직원의 노력에 감사드린다. 손편지로 감사의 마음을 전하면서 더욱 따뜻하고 신뢰받는 농협은행을 함께 만들어 나가자"고 말했다. 한편 NH농협은행은 기본으로 돌아가자는 의미인 'Back to Basics' 원리원칙을 바탕으로 임직원들의 윤리경영을 강화해 나갈 계획이다. 2026-09-07 16:08:20
  • Bank Branch Closures Increase as Online Banking Expands
    Bank Branch Closures Increase as Online Banking Expands As online banking and other non-face-to-face channels gain popularity, bank branch consolidations are on the rise. Banks are not only closing branches but also selling off underutilized properties, including employee dormitories, to enhance asset efficiency.According to the financial sector on September 7, KB Kookmin Bank announced earlier this month that it is seeking bids for a "real estate leasing and sales management service." The plan includes leasing a business facility in Gaepo-dong and selling 16 properties owned by the bank, including a dormitory in Daejeon and the Cheongju Comprehensive Financial Center. The total appraised value of the properties slated for sale, excluding those for leasing, is approximately 180 billion won.In July, KB Kookmin Bank also listed nine underutilized properties for sale, four of which are currently in the process of selecting preferred bidders.Other banks are also accelerating the disposal of underutilized properties. Shinhan Bank is in the process of selling eight properties, including an employee dormitory in Seongsu-dong and former branches in Jeongneung and Busan Station. Woori Bank is also moving forward with the sale of 39 underutilized properties, including the former Galleria Palace branch and the Ahyeon Station branch, as well as the old Suwon Financial Center.The push to sell off underutilized properties is driven by the reduction of branches due to the rise of non-face-to-face banking and the need for asset efficiency. As more consumers handle major financial tasks, such as loans and product subscriptions, through mobile and internet platforms, the role of physical branches is diminishing. Properties like employee dormitories, which are seeing decreased usage, are also being targeted for sale.According to the Bank of Korea, the number of internet banking transactions, including mobile banking, averaged 28.29 million per day last year, a 112.2% increase from 13.33 million in 2020. This rapid shift to non-face-to-face channels is reducing the necessity for banks to operate physical branches.In fact, the number of domestic branches for the five major banks (KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Woori, and NH Nonghyup) decreased from 4,425 to 3,752 over the same period, a drop of 15.2% (673 branches). As banks are generally not allowed to hold properties that are not directly used for operations, the closure of branches has created a strong incentive to dispose of underutilized real estate.A representative from a major bank stated, "Operating a branch incurs costs not only for real estate but also for labor and maintenance, while the trend shows a decline in customer visits to physical locations due to the rise of online banking. As branches consolidate, we have no choice but to sell off properties that are no longer used for business purposes." 2026-09-07 16:08:10
  • Paramedic Rescues Woman Who Collapsed on Subway During Day Off
    Paramedic Rescues Woman Who Collapsed on Subway During Day Off A paramedic from the Ansan Fire Station is receiving praise from the public after he quickly responded to a woman who collapsed on the subway while he was off duty. According to the fire station on September 7, the paramedic, Shin Ui-hyun, discovered the woman in her 20s who had suddenly collapsed on Line 4 of the subway around 9 a.m. on August 26 while traveling to a training session in Seoul. Using his years of experience in emergency response, Shin assessed the woman's condition and exited the train with her at Beomgye Station, where he called 119 for assistance. He helped the woman, who was experiencing dizziness, to remain calm and stayed by her side until the ambulance arrived, checking her symptoms and medical history. When the ambulance team arrived, he briefed them on her condition and the information he had gathered before handing her over. The woman was then transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. This incident came to light the following day when the woman posted a message of gratitude on the Ansan Fire Station's 'Let's Praise' bulletin board. In her message, she said, "I believe I was able to receive treatment safely because you helped me calmly and quickly when I lost consciousness and could do nothing. I sincerely thank you for your warm care and for staying with me until the end." Citizens who learned of the story also reacted positively to the paramedic's actions. They commented, "It was impressive that he actively helped a citizen in need even while off duty," and "It was a relief to have a paramedic nearby when someone suddenly collapsed. I am grateful for his calm response in a critical moment." Shin Ui-hyun stated, "As a paramedic, it was natural for me to act when I saw a citizen in need of help," adding, "I am relieved to hear that the patient received treatment safely." Meanwhile, Go Young-joo, the fire chief, remarked, "The calm judgment and quick response that come from years of emergency experience helped ensure the safety of the citizen. We will continue to do our best to be a fire service that earns the trust of the public."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 16:08:10
  • One in Five K-Coin Investors Holds Over 2.5 Million Won Amid Tax Controversy
    One in Five K-Coin Investors Holds Over 2.5 Million Won Amid Tax Controversy 국내 가상자산 거래가 급감한 가운데 내년 1월 과세 시행을 앞두고 투자자와 업계의 반발이 커지고 있다. 가상자산 과세가 세 차례 유예되는 동안에도 소득 분류와 손실 이월공제 등 핵심 쟁점이 해소되지 않았다는 지적이다. 7일 김상훈 국민의힘 의원실이 국내 5대 원화 가상자산 거래소에서 제출받은 자료에 따르면 전체 투자자 918만3808명 가운데 가상자산 투자액이 250만원 이상인 사람은 180만580명(19.6%)으로 집계됐다. 투자자 5명 중 1명꼴이다. 투자액이 250만원을 넘는다고 곧바로 과세되는 것은 아니다. 현행 소득세법에 따르면 내년부터 가상자산을 양도하거나 대여해 얻은 연간 소득에서 취득가액과 필요경비 등을 뺀 뒤 250만원을 공제한다. 초과 금액에는 지방소득세를 포함해 22% 세율이 적용된다. 다만 일정 규모 이상 투자한 사람이 180만명을 넘는 만큼 과세 시행을 체감할 투자자층도 적지 않을 전망이다. 투자자와 업계가 문제 삼는 것은 과세 원칙 자체보다 제도화와 과세의 순서다. 국내에서는 가상자산 현물 상장지수펀드(ETF) 거래와 법인의 직접 투자가 제한돼 있고 디지털자산기본법 제정도 늦어지고 있다. 금융투자자산으로서 제도권 편입은 더딘데 과세부터 시행하는 것은 시기상조라는 주장이다. 금융투자소득세 폐지로 일반 소액주주의 국내 상장주식 양도차익에는 세금을 부과하지 않으면서 가상자산 투자 수익에는 과세하는 것이 조세 형평성에 어긋난다는 지적도 나온다. 가장 큰 쟁점은 손실 이월공제가 허용되지 않는다는 점이다. 같은 과세기간에 발생한 가상자산의 이익과 손실은 합산할 수 있지만 남은 손실을 다음 연도로 넘겨 이후 이익에서 공제할 수는 없다. 예컨대 2027년 가상자산 투자로 1000만원 손실을 본 뒤 2028년 500만원 이익을 내더라도 전년도 손실은 인정되지 않는다. 2028년 이익에서 기본공제액을 뺀 250만원에 대해 세금 55만원을 내야 한다. 전체 투자기간으로는 여전히 500만원 손실인데도 일부 손실을 회복한 해에 세금이 부과되는 것이다. 가상자산의 양도·대여 소득을 기타소득으로 일괄 분류한 점도 논란이다. 업계에서는 반복적인 매매로 발생한 수익은 자본이득에 가깝고, 채굴·스테이킹 보상은 성격이 다른 만큼 거래 유형별로 소득을 구분해야 한다고 주장한다. 같은 가상자산에 투자해도 해외 가상자산 ETF의 매매차익은 해외 주식 양도소득, 거래소 직접 매매이익은 기타소득으로 분류된다. 투자 경로에 따라 소득의 성격과 손익 계산 체계가 달라 과세체계의 정합성을 높여야 한다는 지적이다. 전문가들은 국내 거래대금과 거래소 실적이 급감한 상황에서 과세까지 시행되면 해외 거래소로의 투자자 이동이 빨라질 수 있다고 우려한다. 황석진 동국대 국제정보보호대학원 교수는 “소득이 있는 곳에 과세한다는 원칙에는 이견이 없지만 디지털자산기본법을 마련해 시행한 뒤 과세하는 것이 순서상 맞다고 본다”고 말했다. 2026-09-07 16:08:00
  • Financial Authorities Revise Investigation Procedures Ahead of Prosecutors Office Closure
    Financial Authorities Revise Investigation Procedures Ahead of Prosecutor's Office Closure The Financial Services Commission (FSC) and the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) are set to revise their investigation procedures in line with the upcoming closure of the prosecutor's office next month. The special judicial police (SJP), which investigates stock price manipulation and other financial crimes, will shift from a system led by prosecutors to one based on mutual cooperation.According to financial authorities on September 7, the FSC has announced an administrative notice for a revision of the 'Special Judicial Police Operational Rules for Capital Markets.'The SJP, tasked with investigating unfair trading practices such as market manipulation and insider trading, is established within both the FSC and FSS. With the closure of the prosecutor's office on October 2, the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (SCIA) will take over major crime investigations, while the Public Prosecution Service will handle prosecutions, leading to changes in the SJP's investigative methods.Ongoing investigations will continue, with a financial authority official stating, “Investigations will proceed, but without prosecutor oversight.” The FSC and FSS have also conducted practical consultations during the revision process.In the future, the SJP will seek guidance and advice from prosecutors instead of direct oversight. Procedures for handling seized items will change to request prosecutors' opinions, and the requirement for prosecutor oversight before releasing suspects or transferring cases will be eliminated. Notifications to prosecutors regarding the initiation of investigations will also change from 'reporting' to 'informing.'The removal of prior oversight by prosecutors is expected to enhance the investigative autonomy of the SJP, allowing for quicker decision-making regarding the release of suspects and case transfers. However, as investigations and prosecutions will be separated, establishing a cooperative framework between the SJP and prosecutors in the Public Prosecution Service to avoid discrepancies in evidence and legal judgments will be a key challenge.The process for transferring cases to initiate investigations will also change. The clause defining the scope of investigation initiation will be amended from 'cases directed by prosecutors' to 'cases referred to the SJP by the SCIA.' This will enable the SJP within the FSC and FSS to investigate cases transferred from the SCIA.However, the criteria for dividing capital market cases, such as market manipulation, between the SCIA and the SJP will be clarified in subsequent regulations. A financial authority official noted, “The SJP has a limited scope of work, so it is likely that similar criteria will apply for case coordination between the SCIA and police, but it is difficult to predict definitively.”The deliberation process for converting ongoing investigations into formal inquiries will also be enhanced. The written resolutions of the investigation deliberation committee, which determines whether to initiate an investigation, will be limited to cases where face-to-face meetings are practically difficult due to pandemics or natural disasters. A new procedure will also be established for the head of the relevant investigation department to report the results of the investigation transition to the chairman of the Securities and Futures Commission.To ensure that there are no gaps in operations with the launch of the new investigation system, the FSC has shortened the notice period for this revision. The capital market investigation work regulations, which include inter-agency cooperation procedures, will also be revised. However, as related higher-level laws are also undergoing legislative notice, the final regulations may differ somewhat.In conjunction with the closure of the prosecutor's office, legislation is also underway to expand the FSS's direct investigative scope to include illegal private financing. On September 4, Democratic Party lawmaker Kwon Chil-seung introduced a bill granting FSS employees the authority to investigate violations of the Money Lending Business Act and the Debt Collection Act. This aims to establish a basis for directly investigating illegal private financing and debt collection, separate from the procedural reforms of the existing capital market SJP.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 16:08:00
  • Mokpo City Council Calls for Review of National Medical School Selection Process
    Mokpo City Council Calls for Review of National Medical School Selection Process As controversy continues over the selection results for new national medical schools, the Mokpo City Council is joining forces with local councils in southwestern Jeollanam-do to demand a review of the selection process.The Mokpo City Council announced on the 7th that it will collaborate with councils from Muan, Sinan, Yeongam, Hampyeong, Jindo, Wando, and Haenam on the 9th to urge a reassessment of the selection and recommendation process for national medical school candidates.This initiative goes beyond a simple objection to the exclusion of Mokpo National University as a candidate; it focuses on verifying whether the evaluation procedures and criteria were applied objectively and fairly.According to the Mokpo City Council, councils from the southwestern region are also voicing the need for verification of the selection process and are joining the call for a review through statements and other means.In particular, the Mokpo City Council emphasizes that the evaluation results among candidate universities were separated by only a 1.3-point margin, highlighting the need for more detailed information about the selection process.They argue that the evaluation criteria, point allocations for each category, detailed scoring results for each university, the composition of the review panel, and the rationale for the final selection must be transparently disclosed to address community concerns.Locally, there are ongoing demands to verify whether the 36-year-long call for a national medical school and the medical conditions in southwestern Jeollanam-do were adequately reflected in this evaluation. Mokpo National University has also raised objections to the selection results and is taking action.Lee Hyung-wan, chair of the Mokpo City Council, stated, "This issue is not just about which university was selected; it is a significant matter concerning the lives and health of residents in southwestern Jeollanam-do and the future of the region. If the selection process lacks fairness and objectivity, it must be corrected."He added, "We will not limit our voice to Mokpo alone but will unite with residents from Muan, Sinan, Yeongam, Hampyeong, Jindo, Wando, and Haenam to speak as one. If there were issues in the selection process, we will work together to ensure that the establishment of a national medical school proceeds through fair and objective procedures."The Mokpo City Council plans to gradually escalate its response, including joint statements and press conferences with southwestern councils, proposals to the government and National Assembly, and collaboration with civil society.Meanwhile, as demands for a review of the national medical school candidate selection results expand from universities and local communities to the level of local councils, attention is focused on how the Ministry of Education and other relevant agencies will respond to the raised issues. The Mokpo City Council and the southwestern councils are set to reiterate their calls for transparency and objectivity in the evaluation process on the 9th.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 16:04:20
  • Labor Ministry Emphasizes Prevention of Wage Abuse, Calls for Fair Compensation
    Labor Ministry Emphasizes Prevention of Wage Abuse, Calls for Fair Compensation The government is taking steps to prevent the abuse of the comprehensive wage system by examining the management of working hours in small and venture businesses and gathering feedback from the field.On September 7, the Ministry of Employment and Labor held a 'Daejeon Small and Venture Business Communication Meeting' at the Daedeok Venture Tower in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, with representatives from the Inopolis Venture Association and local businesses in attendance.This meeting was organized following a regional supervisory initiative last month targeting knowledge service companies in the Daejeon and Cheongju areas regarding the misuse of the comprehensive wage system. The ministry listened to the current status of the comprehensive wage system and fixed overtime operations in local small and venture businesses, as well as the challenges they face in recording and managing working hours.Vice Minister Kwon Chang-jun explained the 'Guidelines for Preventing Abuse of the Comprehensive Wage System to Eradicate Unpaid Labor,' which took effect in April. He emphasized that fair compensation must be provided based on actual hours worked, regardless of whether a comprehensive wage agreement is in place.The guidelines specify the employer's obligation to maintain transparent records and management of working hours. They also state that employers should not calculate or pay wages without distinguishing between base salary and various allowances, including overtime, night, and holiday work.Notably, if a comprehensive wage agreement is in place but the agreed amount is less than the legal allowances calculated based on actual working hours, the employer must pay the difference.The ministry noted that for positions such as research and administrative roles, where managing working hours uniformly is challenging, it is necessary to adopt reasonable methods tailored to the characteristics of the workplace. They also provided guidance on utilizing various systems, such as optional and flexible working hours, according to job characteristics.Business representatives at the meeting shared their experiences regarding the background and challenges of implementing comprehensive wages and fixed overtime, as well as their opinions on recording and managing working hours, including commuting times.Vice Minister Kwon stated, "Given that each workplace has different job characteristics, work patterns, workforce composition, and wage systems, the practical difficulties in managing working hours are likely to vary. The government will continue to communicate and support the establishment of a reasonable and effective working hours system that can be properly implemented in the field, while also preventing the abuse of the comprehensive wage system and carefully considering the challenges and suggestions from the field."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 16:04:20
  • Samsung Executive Receives Science and Technology Medal
    Samsung Executive Receives Science and Technology Medal On September 7, the Ministry of Science and ICT held a ceremony at the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul in Yeouido, Seoul, to celebrate the '2026 Technology Development Day' and awarded the Science and Technology Medal. Samsung Electronics Vice President Lee Jin-yeop, HK Innoen Vice President Song Geun-seok, and SK Hynix Vice President Jang Ji-eun received the Science and Technology Medal. The event aimed to establish a societal atmosphere that respects science and technology professionals and was designated as a national commemorative day for the first time this year. Attendees included Prime Minister Han Seung-soo, Song Gi-heon, Chairman of the Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, National Assembly member Choi Hyung-doo, and Koo Hyuk-chae, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT. During the ceremony, the government presented 55 awards for contributions to private research and development and technology management, 35 Vice Minister commendations, and 11 Excellent Researcher Awards from the Korea Industrial Technology Association. The awards for contributions to Technology Development Day were given to corporate researchers and companies that have dedicated themselves to national industrial development and enhancing technological competitiveness over the long term. Among the awards, the Science and Technology Innovation Medal was awarded to Lee Jin-yeop of Samsung Electronics, Jang Ji-eun of SK Hynix, and Song Geun-seok of HK Innoen. Lee was recognized for his role in the world’s first mass production of 1Gb NAND flash memory and the development of vertical NAND flash memory, earning him the Science and Technology Innovation Medal (second grade). The Science and Technology Excellence Medal (third grade) was awarded to Song for overcoming the limitations of existing pre-meal dosing and delayed efficacy in treating gastrointestinal diseases. Jang also received the Science and Technology Excellence Medal for developing ultra-high-capacity server DRAM memory and low-power, high-bandwidth mobile memory. A total of four Science and Technology Awards were presented, with recipients including Ko Gi-ok, Team Leader of Flight Control Laws at Korea Aerospace Industries, Ryu Jin-ho, Researcher at POSCO, Park Woo-jin, Head of Global Product Development at LS Electric, and Lee Ho-ki, Head of the Eco-Friendly Research Center at Samsung Heavy Industries. Thirteen individuals, including Ahn Byung-woon, Head of Research at Park Systems, received Presidential Commendations, while seven companies, including CN1, were recognized in the group category. In the Prime Minister's Commendation, 20 individuals, including Heo Seon-a, CEO of Hyper Neurotech, were honored in the individual category, and eight companies, including A-Tech, were recognized in the group category. In the Corporate Research and Technology Promotion category, 25 individuals, including Park Tae-jeo, Vice President of Justem, were awarded in the individual category, while ten companies, including SNC Lab, received recognition in the group category. The Excellent Researcher Award was given to 11 individuals from corporate research institutes who successfully executed research and development projects and are expected to grow into next-generation F&D leaders. Prime Minister Han Seung-soo expressed gratitude to the 450,000 technology developers in South Korea, stating, "Technology developers are the driving force behind the country's economy." He added, "The government will strive to create an environment where technology developers are not afraid of failure."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 16:04:10