AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

&
""
Latest by
  • ROBOTIS surges 22% on Goldman Sachs 630,000-won target
    ROBOTIS surges 22% on Goldman Sachs' 630,000-won target SEOUL, September 4 (AJP) — Shares of South Korean robotics company ROBOTIS jumped more than 22 percent Friday after Goldman Sachs rated the stock a buy and set a 630,000-won target price, citing strong demand for its robot actuators. Its shares closed at 304,500 won ($225), up 22.54 percent from the previous session's close of 248,500 won, according to Korea Exchange data. The stock opened at 267,000 won and fell as low as 265,000 won and climbed as high as 315,000 won during the session. The shares surged above 300,000 won shortly after the opening bell, then traded around that level for most of the day. They reached an intraday high of 315,000 won in the afternoon before easing to 304,500 won at the close. Trading volume reached about 1.43 million shares, with turnover of roughly 428.1 billion won. The 630,000-won target is more than double Thursday's closing price. The bullish view is based partly on rising sales of robots made by Pollen Robotics, a robotics company owned by artificial intelligence platform Hugging Face. One of its products is Microduck, a 25-centimeter-tall two-legged robot whose software and design can be modified by developers. Priced at $399, it is designed as a relatively affordable programmable robot. Pollen Robotics opened pre-orders on Aug. 27, and orders topped 10,000 units within days of the launch. That matters for ROBOTIS because each Microduck uses 15 of its actuators. Pollen Robotics' Reachy Mini, a small desktop robot designed for developers and researchers, also uses nine ROBOTIS XL330 actuators. Based on initial orders for 20,000 Reachy Minis and 10,000 Microducks, the brokerage estimated that the two products could create demand for about 330,000 additional actuators. That is roughly 80 percent of the 410,000 actuators ROBOTIS received orders for in 2025. Those additional orders could be worth about 6.6 billion won, equivalent to roughly 17 percent of ROBOTIS' 38.9 billion won in sales last year. The potential order volume is also large compared with the company's manufacturing capacity. The estimated 330,000 units would exceed its 2025 annual capacity of 300,000 actuators and equal about 66 percent of the 500,000 units it is expected to be able to produce this year. The investment bank also sees longer-term upside as humanoid robots become more widely used and demand grows for physical AI, or AI that controls machines and robots in the real world. Founded in 1999, ROBOTIS develops actuators and other robotics components used in service, research and humanoid robots. Broader interest in the sector has also been supported by tighter U.S. restrictions on certain Chinese-made robots. In July 2026, the Federal Communications Commission tightened measures covering humanoid and quadruped models as part of wider national security controls on foreign technology equipment. That optimism also lifted other related domestic stocks. TPC Robotics, a factory-automation company, hit its daily trading limit. Robostar, an industrial robot maker, rose 9.56 percent, while TXR Robotics, which focuses on logistics and robot automation, gained 7.14 percent. AJP Takeaways - ROBOTIS shares closed 22.54 percent higher at 304,500 won ($225) on September 4, 2026, after Goldman Sachs rated the South Korean robotics company a buy and set a 630,000-won target price. - Goldman Sachs estimated that initial orders for 20,000 Reachy Mini robots and 10,000 Microduck robots could generate demand for about 330,000 additional ROBOTIS actuators, equal to roughly 80 percent of the company's 2025 actuator orders. - The rally spread across South Korea's robotics sector on September 4, 2026, with TPC Robotics hitting its daily trading limit, Robostar rising 9.56 percent and TXR Robotics gaining 7.14 percent amid expectations for stronger robot demand and tighter U.S. restrictions on Chinese-made robots. 2026-09-04 16:32:07
  • Launch of Second National Sports Policy Committee and Announcement of Sports Policy Vision 2030
    Launch of Second National Sports Policy Committee and Announcement of 'Sports Policy Vision 2030' The Second National Sports Policy Committee, co-led by the Prime Minister and a private sector chair, has been launched.On September 4, the government held the second meeting of the National Sports Policy Committee at the Government Seoul Building, chaired by Prime Minister Han Seung-soo, where the second round of private committee members was appointed and the 'Sports Policy Vision 2030' was announced.The policy committee, established under the Sports Basic Act, is a public-private joint committee co-chaired by the Prime Minister and a private sector chair, including representatives from 16 central administrative agencies, the presidents of the Korea Sports Council and the Korea Paralympic Committee, and six appointed private members.To strengthen cooperation among government departments related to sports policy and enhance public-private collaboration, six new private experts were appointed. Kim Soo-nyung, head coach of the women's archery team at Korea University, will serve as the private chair. The committee includes Park Sung-bae, a professor at Anyang University; Seo Jeong-hwa, a lawyer at YK Law Firm; Yoon Ji-woon, a professor at Korea National Sport University; Han Nam-hee, a professor at Korea University; and Ham Eun-joo, secretary-general of the Sports Human Rights Research Institute.◆ Participation Rate of 65% and Market Size of 115 Trillion WonThe first agenda item addressed by the new policy committee was the Sports Policy Vision 2030. The vision aims for 'Sports enjoyed by all, a healthy and happy Republic of Korea,' encompassing five key strategies and 13 core initiatives.In her opening remarks, Prime Minister Han stated, "The achievements of professional sports increase public interest and participation, while expanding the base of recreational sports nurtures new athletes and talents. As more citizens enjoy sports, consumption of related products and services will rise, allowing sports to grow as an industry, which in turn will lead to investments in both professional and recreational sports."She added, "The Sports Policy Vision 2030 focuses on creating this virtuous cycle, aiming to establish a sports ecosystem where professional sports, recreational sports, and the sports industry are organically linked and grow together."The goals include achieving a 65% participation rate in recreational sports by 2030 (up from 62.9% last year) and expanding the domestic sports market to 115 trillion won (up from 84.7 trillion won in 2024). The proportion of world-class sports in which Korea has won medals is targeted to increase from 6.4% to 7.6%.The first strategy focuses on promoting sports in daily life. The government plans to introduce AI-based health management services to provide exercise prescriptions tailored to individual fitness levels and expand the 'Healthy Money' program to 1.2 million participants by 2030. In 2027, financial products that offer discounts based on fitness certification levels and exercise records will be launched.Kim Dae-hyun, the second vice minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, explained the 'Healthy Money' initiative, stating, "This program allows citizens to receive a refund of up to 50,000 won per year by exercising for 30 minutes a day at registered facilities, which will contribute to improving the health index of South Korea and reducing medical costs."The budget for supporting sports activities for youth and adolescents will increase from 5.5 billion won this year to 42.4 billion won in the next government budget. The 'Youth Culture Pass,' previously limited to cultural activities, will be expanded to include sports starting next year.Facilities will also be expanded, with plans to establish 110 new national sports centers by 2030. The construction cost for existing models is approximately 25 billion won, with a new 'lightweight' model costing between 10 billion and 15 billion won. The budget for renovating sports facilities will increase from 95.3 billion won this year to 255.8 billion won next year, with plans to renovate World Cup stadiums and aging athletic venues by 2030.Starting next year, income tax deductions for sports facilities will also apply to employees with total salaries exceeding 70 million won. A new indicator for 'sports facility safety inspection results' will be introduced in the joint evaluation of local governments in 2028, and sports events with over 1,000 participants will be required to establish safety management plans.◆ Accelerating Innovation in SportsThe second strategy focuses on innovation in the sports sector and support for athletes. The Korea Sports Council will introduce external auditors and expand its audit organization. The electoral body for the Korea Sports Council president was expanded in August, and term limits will be implemented next year.Regulations on participation restrictions for student-athlete transfers will be improved, and evaluation methods that reflect individual performance and contributions will be established for selecting athletes in team sports. A national team coaching academy will also be established. The number of full-time referees will increase from 137 in 25 sports this year to 586 next year.This expansion of full-time referees is linked to the development of international referees. In response to a question about the quality of domestic football referees, Kim stated, "Overall, the level of domestic football referees is not as high as we think. This may be why we have not produced a single international referee for the FIFA World Cup."He added, "Structurally, issues such as the age of referees and language barriers are significant. We will focus on addressing these issues to ensure that younger referees are developed with international refereeing in mind."A safety net for athletes will be gradually expanded, starting with a compensation program for injuries and physical damages next year. The number of on-site inspections by human rights protectors will increase from 78 this year to 1,500 by 2027, and the amendment of the National Sports Promotion Act will strengthen the investigative authority and disciplinary enforcement of the Sports Ethics Center.◆ Actively Supporting the K-Sports IndustryThe third strategy focuses on the K-sports industry. To assist sports companies with technology but lacking collateral, a credit loan system based on guarantees will be introduced. From next year, support will also be provided for the commercialization of products incorporating new technologies such as AI and robotics.A medium to large-scale sports and performance complex dome will be established to host sports events and K-pop concerts year-round. The Ministry plans to conduct research until June next year to establish selection criteria and select a location by the end of this year.The K-League will gradually implement a video-based decision analysis system. Sports Toto will introduce a mobile official service and real-time sales during matches, while expanding the range of events and improving refund rates. According to the Gambling Industry Supervision Committee, the illegal sports betting market was estimated at 21.7 trillion won last year, about four times the legal market.Kim noted, "Sports Toto is the main source of funding for sports, but there has been little improvement in the system for a long time. We aim to maximize refund rates to draw as much business as possible from the illegal market into the legal one, allowing it to function as a legitimate industry."The fourth strategy focuses on sports for people with disabilities. The government plans to expand integrated sports classes for students with and without disabilities and increase the number of beneficiaries of the sports voucher program for people with disabilities to about 30,000 by 2027. The Bandabi Sports Center will establish 40 new locations by 2030.The fifth strategy addresses international sports. The Ministry will improve the pre-feasibility studies for international sporting events previously conducted by local governments by commissioning research institutions. The National Sports Museum, which houses over 70,000 artifacts, is set to open on October 15 at Olympic Park in Seoul.◆ 11 Months Until the 2027 Chungcheong UniversiadeDuring the meeting, Yeom Hong-cheol, the newly appointed chairman of the 2027 Chungcheong Universiade Organizing Committee, reported on the preparations in various areas, including promotion, accommodation, food, transportation, and medical services.The '2027 Chungcheong' event will take place from August 1 to 12, 2027, across the cities of Daejeon, Sejong, Chungbuk, and Chungnam. Organized by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), it will feature over 15,000 participants, including athletes and officials from more than 150 countries, competing in 18 sports. The total project cost is estimated at 563.2 billion won.Renovations of all competition facilities, including three new stadiums, are scheduled to be completed by June 2027. The Sejong Athletes' Village will open in July 2027, and a second athletes' village will be established in Boryeong for the beach volleyball events. A comprehensive transportation plan will be developed by December this year, and a government-wide counter-terrorism and safety task force will be established in January next year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-04 16:32:00
  • NH Nonghyup Bank to Hire Over 120 New Employees in AI and Digital Fields
    NH Nonghyup Bank to Hire Over 120 New Employees in AI and Digital Fields NH Nonghyup Bank announced it will hire over 120 new employees in the fields of finance, accounting, security, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital technology.The bank revealed its plans for the 2026 recruitment of new employees on September 4.This hiring process will be conducted in an open format, with no restrictions on education, age, major, or qualifications. Applicants who are veterans or individuals with disabilities will receive preferential treatment in accordance with relevant laws.The recruitment is divided into finance and specialized fields, with the specialized areas including accounting, security, and AI & digital. Candidates will be evaluated based on their job competencies and expertise.The hiring scale is approximately 120 positions. Final successful candidates will be announced in December after a document screening, written test, and interview process.Applications will be accepted from 5 PM on September 4 until September 17 through the NH Nonghyup Bank recruitment website.NH Nonghyup Bank CEO Kang Tae-young stated, "In the finance sector, we aim to select key talents who will drive the continuous growth of our core business, while in specialized fields, we will recruit individuals with expertise and practical skills in accounting, security, and AI to deploy them immediately in the field. We will continue to challenge and innovate to evolve into an AI Bank in line with the rapidly changing financial paradigm."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-04 16:28:00
  • Chinese Stock Market Declines Amid Bitcoin Surge and Digital Currency Rally
    Chinese Stock Market Declines Amid Bitcoin Surge and Digital Currency Rally The Chinese stock market, which had risen the previous day, fell on September 4. After starting the morning session with gains, the indices reversed course in the afternoon as selling pressure increased. The Shanghai Composite Index closed down 0.30% at 3,930.12, the Shenzhen Component Index fell 0.79% to 13,516.97, and the ChiNext Index dropped 0.78% to 3,286.55.After two consecutive days of declines earlier in the week, the Chinese market managed a slight rebound on September 3. However, the recovery was modest. Following the previous day's gains, the indices opened higher on September 4 but faced persistent selling, particularly around 2 p.m. local time when the selling intensified. No major negative news emerged that day. Analysts noted that profit-taking in AI and semiconductor stocks, which had surged recently, contributed to the increased selling pressure in the afternoon.Additionally, pessimistic forecasts regarding foreign capital exiting the Chinese market further weakened the indices. The market was also affected by a wait-and-see attitude ahead of the U.S. employment data release that evening, which contributed to the overall selling trend.Haitong Securities stated, "U.S. Treasury yields are becoming a key variable for the Chinese stock market this fall," predicting that the yield on 10-year U.S. Treasuries could rise to 5% in September but return to around 4.3% in the fourth quarter. They added, "The AI market is expected to continue at least until early 2028, but currently, we are experiencing a fluctuating range-bound market."Digital currency-related stocks showed strength that day, with companies like Chuiwei Co. and Chutianlong hitting their daily price limits. The likelihood of the U.S. Federal Reserve raising interest rates has decreased, leading to a rise in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Digital currency stocks also saw significant gains in the U.S. market, with Chinese digital currency stocks following suit.Additionally, pork stocks rose, with companies like Luoniushan and Zhenghong Technology reaching their daily price limits. Reports of rising pork prices in China contributed to this positive trend. Pork producers are reducing their shipment volumes, and with the start of the school year, demand for pork is increasing, driving prices higher. The average wholesale price of pork rose to 11.09 yuan per kilogram that day, up from 10.6 yuan the previous day.Meanwhile, the People's Bank of China set the yuan's central parity rate against the dollar at 6.7787 yuan, a decrease of 0.0020 yuan from the previous day, reflecting a 0.03% increase in the yuan's value.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-04 16:16:10
  • Mayor Shin Sang-jin Promises to Enhance Welfare in Seongnam
    Mayor Shin Sang-jin Promises to Enhance Welfare in Seongnam Shin Sang-jin, the mayor of Seongnam, pledged on September 4 to closely examine citizens' lives to create a happy city. On that morning, Mayor Shin attended the 27th Social Welfare Day celebration held at the city hall, where he encouraged social workers and presented awards to honorees. The event was attended by over 600 people, including Mayor Shin, the city council chair, members of the National Assembly, city and provincial councilors, social workers, and citizens. In his speech, Mayor Shin expressed deep gratitude for the dedication of social workers who quietly support those in need, stating, "I also extend my congratulations to the award recipients for their contributions to enhancing local welfare." The mayor's message focused on strengthening welfare administration centered on the community and ensuring that citizens can tangibly experience welfare services in their daily lives. He emphasized that addressing the welfare needs of various groups, including the elderly, disabled, children, youth, and families, is a crucial task for local welfare policy to reduce welfare blind spots. The event, organized by the Seongnam City Social Welfare Council and the Social Welfare Festival Preparatory Committee, featured the theme "Welfare Standards, Happy City Seongnam!" It included celebratory performances, award presentations, and a reading of a resolution by social workers. Alongside the ceremony, 55 booths were set up in the city hall plaza and Nuri Hall to promote and provide experiences, consultations, and exhibitions related to welfare for seniors, the disabled, children, youth, women, and families. One citizen remarked, "Even though there are many welfare programs, I often don’t know what help I can receive. I hope there will be more opportunities like today to consult and experience services in one place." Another citizen added, "Welfare is needed not only for the elderly and disabled but also for families raising children, young people, and middle-aged individuals. I hope Seongnam City continues to expand accessible and practical welfare services for citizens." Meanwhile, Mayor Shin plans to continue enhancing the welfare delivery system based on public-private cooperation, aiming to minimize welfare blind spots and create a 'Happy City Seongnam' that citizens can feel in their daily lives.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-04 16:16:00
  • Controversy Surrounds Yoon Hye-in as Democratic Party Distances Itself
    Controversy Surrounds Yoon Hye-in as Democratic Party Distances Itself Yoon Hye-in, a member of the Basic Income Party, has been nominated as the Minister of Gender Equality and Family in a cabinet reshuffle on August 30, but controversy surrounding her has spread within the ruling party. Criticism continues over her intention to maintain her position as a proportional representative while serving as a minister, leading to a noticeable lack of public support from the Democratic Party.According to Yonhap News on September 4, the Democratic Party did not make any public statements regarding Yoon during its Supreme Council meeting. In contrast, party leaders actively defended Kim Seung-won, the Minister of Justice nominee facing allegations of soliciting approval for a COVID-19 treatment clinical trial.The Democratic Party's distancing from Yoon is attributed to declining public opinion. A recent Gallup survey revealed that President Lee Jae-myung's approval rating has dropped to 40%, the lowest since his inauguration, with support among voters in their 20s at 25% and in their 30s at 31%.Yoon, the only lawmaker from the Basic Income Party, has stated that she intends to keep her proportional representative position after being appointed as minister. She cited concerns that resigning from her legislative role could render the Basic Income Party a non-parliamentary entity.Under the National Assembly Act, it is permissible for lawmakers to concurrently serve as ministers. However, it has been customary for proportional representatives to resign from their legislative positions upon being appointed as ministers, allowing the next candidate on the list to take over.Yonhap News reported that voices within the Democratic Party are calling for Yoon's voluntary resignation. One senior party member expressed concern in a phone interview, stating, "Wouldn't it be better for her to resign quickly? How will the support from voters in their 20s and 30s be affected if she is appointed as a minister?"However, the party leadership maintains that it must respect President Lee's authority to appoint. A party official noted, "While some believe it would be best for the nominee to resign from her legislative position, it is ultimately her decision since the parties are different."The opposition party's criticism is intensifying. According to Yonhap News, the People Power Party has repeatedly called for the withdrawal of Yoon's nomination, using terms like 'privileged individual' and raising questions about her qualifications by referencing her past activities and controversies surrounding the Basic Income Party.On the morning of September 4, as Yoon arrived at her office to prepare for the confirmation hearing, she did not respond to reporters' questions about her stance on maintaining her legislative position. She also remained silent regarding the criticisms surrounding the Basic Income Party and the calls for her resignation.Previously, Yoon stated, "I am listening to various opinions and concerns," indicating her focus on preparing for the confirmation hearing.The upcoming confirmation hearing is expected to address not only the qualifications of the ministerial nominee and various allegations but also the political and institutional controversies surrounding the concurrent legislative position.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-04 16:08:10
  • College Application Period for 2027 Begins Monday; Key Details to Avoid Mistakes
    College Application Period for 2027 Begins Monday; Key Details to Avoid Mistakes The application period for early admissions to four-year universities for the 2027 academic year begins next week. As each university has different application periods and deadlines, students should verify the admission guidelines for their chosen institutions this weekend.According to the Korea Council for University Education on September 4, the application period for early admissions to four-year universities is from September 7 to 11. Each university will accept applications for at least three days during this period. The first round of applications for two-year colleges will take place from September 7 to 30.The first thing to check is the number of applications allowed. For early admissions to general four-year universities, students can apply to a maximum of six different admissions types, not six universities.If permitted by the university, students can apply to multiple admissions types within the same institution. Each application counts toward the total limit. Applications to industrial universities and two-year colleges do not count toward the six-application limit.Students should also be cautious not to exceed the six-application limit. The basic guidelines for university admissions for the 2027 academic year stipulate that any applications exceeding this limit will be canceled.In the 2026 academic year, a total of 519,944 students submitted 2,548,838 applications, averaging 4.89 applications per student. Preventive measures were taken against 402 students who violated the six-application limit.It is essential to confirm the application deadlines for each university. While the overall application period is from September 7 to 11, not all universities will close applications on the same day. Students should check the specific schedules and deadlines on each university's admissions website.Students should also review the required documents for each admissions type. Depending on the university and admissions type, additional documents may be required, and the submission targets, methods, and deadlines can vary.Restrictions on applying after being accepted in early admissions are also important. Students who are accepted in early admissions, including those who are waitlisted, cannot apply for regular admissions or additional admissions, regardless of their registration status.The early admissions process for four-year universities for the 2027 academic year will take place from the day after the application period ends, from September 12 to December 17. Results will be announced by December 18.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-04 16:08:10
  • Election Law Provision Limiting Voting Rights for Convicts Found Unconstitutional
    Election Law Provision Limiting Voting Rights for Convicts Found Unconstitutional 1-year prison sentences that restrict voting rights for convicts are unconstitutional, according to calls for a ruling from the Constitutional Court. The Public Interest and Human Rights Center of the Lawyers for a Democratic Society announced on September 4 that it filed a constitutional complaint on August 31 after two individuals, referred to as A and B, were deprived of their voting rights in the June 3 local elections.Article 18, Section 2 of the Election Law states that those who have been sentenced to a prison term of one year or more, whose sentence has not been completed or whose execution has not been suspended, are among those without voting rights.The center argued, "The purpose of the Election Law that restricts voting rights for convicts is fundamentally unjust. The principle of universal suffrage means that all citizens who reach a certain age should be granted voting rights without regard to social status, race, gender, religion, or education."It continued, "While the legislative intent behind restricting voting rights often cites crime prevention and fostering a sense of lawfulness, the argument that depriving individuals of their voting rights serves as a deterrent to crime lacks credibility. No one considers that the fear of imprisonment would prevent them from committing a crime, especially when they know their voting rights will be restricted during their sentence."The center emphasized that granting voting rights is essential for the reintegration of convicts into society, stating, "To help convicts reintegrate and maintain their identity as members of society, they should be granted the fundamental right to vote. Criminal responsibility and exercising citizenship are entirely different issues, and limiting the voting rights of citizens who bear criminal responsibility violates the constitution."It also criticized the uniform restriction of voting rights based solely on a prison sentence of one year or more, arguing that this violates the constitutional principle of minimal infringement.The center pointed out that even for individuals convicted of the same crime, the specifics of their sentences can vary based on the nature of the crime, prior convictions, and the judge's discretion. Yet, the Election Law treats all individuals sentenced to one year or more uniformly, depriving them of their voting rights without considering the nature of their offenses.The center concluded that the National Assembly's choice of a one-year prison term as the threshold for voting rights deprivation lacks rational justification and is based on an irrational bias that some convicts' voting rights should be restricted, reflecting a purely legislative convenience.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-04 16:08:00
  • Korea Exchange Establishes Guidelines for Aftermarket Trading Suspension
    Korea Exchange Establishes Guidelines for Aftermarket Trading Suspension The Korea Exchange is enhancing investor protection measures to minimize disclosure gaps ahead of the opening of its aftermarket on the 14th.According to the Korea Exchange's legal portal on the 4th, the exchange announced a revision to the implementation rules for disclosure regulations in the securities and KOSDAQ markets the previous day. This is to address trading suspension matters after the disclosure operating hours (7:30 AM to 6:00 PM) in preparation for the aftermarket.The revision allows for the suspension of trading in stocks if significant information related to those stocks becomes known through media reports after the disclosure operating hours.Specifically, the reasons for suspension include: ▲ occurrence of bankruptcy ▲ failure to meet audit opinions ▲ embezzlement or breach of trust by executives ▲ referral or indictment by investigative agencies for violations of accounting standards ▲ dismissal of applications for rehabilitation procedures. If such facts are confirmed through rumors or reports, market actions can be taken.Currently, in regular trading hours, if a reason for trading suspension is disclosed, the exchange immediately halts trading. This revision extends such investor protection measures to the aftermarket. The revised rules will take effect from the opening of the aftermarket.This measure is expected to apply similarly to the alternative trading system (ATS) NextTrade's aftermarket starting on the 14th. 2026-09-04 16:04:00
  • Seongnam Industry Promotion Agency Supports Global Expansion of Indie Games at Gamescom
    Seongnam Industry Promotion Agency Supports Global Expansion of Indie Games at Gamescom Indie Craft 2026, which supports the global expansion of domestic indie games, participated in Gamescom 2026, the world's largest game exhibition held in Cologne, Germany, where it engaged with global game industry representatives to explore international opportunities.The Seongnam Industry Promotion Agency announced on September 4 that the Indie Craft organizing committee operated a promotional booth at Gamescom from August 26 to 28.This year's participation marked the second consecutive year, with an expanded booth size compared to last year, focusing on introducing domestic indie games and developers.The booth displayed images and key information about selected indie games, and an English directory was made available online via QR codes.Notably, international representatives were able to directly access game information on-site and review related materials afterward.Industry stakeholders, including overseas investors and publishers, visited the booth to experience the selected games firsthand, demonstrating interest in domestic indie games.Discussions were held with some representatives regarding specific collaboration opportunities for global publishing and investment.During the 'Indie Craft Networking Time' on August 27, domestic and international game industry representatives attended, facilitating exchanges between developers and foreign companies.Discussions were also held regarding potential memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with overseas game-related organizations from New Zealand and Quebec.This event is seen as significant in showcasing the potential for the Seongnam indie game ecosystem to connect with international markets.Local citizens have expressed interest in the participation of game developers that have grown in the region at international exhibitions.There is a prevailing hope among citizens that, as Seongnam is a city with a strong IT and gaming industry foundation, opportunities will continue to arise for local developers to showcase their competitiveness in overseas markets.Moreover, there are calls for follow-up support that can lead to actual exports, investments, and overseas publishing, rather than merely participating in exhibitions.Lee Joo-yeon, head of the Seongnam Industry Promotion Agency, stated, “Through our participation in Gamescom, we were able to showcase the capabilities of domestic indie games and developers to international industry stakeholders. We will continue to pursue various initiatives to support the overseas expansion of domestic indie game developers.”Hwang Seong-ik, president of the Korea Mobile Game Association, added, “We will continue discussions on follow-up MOUs and promote selected works overseas to ensure that the interest shown by international representatives at Gamescom translates into tangible results.”Indie Craft is set to hold an offline exhibition in conjunction with 'GXG 2026' from November 11 to 12.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-04 16:04:00