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  • Amorepacifics Primera Seeks Participants for Third Creative Crew Program
    Amorepacific's Primera Seeks Participants for Third 'Creative Crew' Program Amorepacific's cosmetics brand Primera is recruiting participants for the third round of its brand supporter program, 'Creative Crew.' The initiative aims to expand customer-engaged content and strengthen connections between the brand and consumers.Primera announced on September 3 that it will accept applications for the 'Creative Crew' until September 13. Anyone interested in Primera and beauty trends, and who can create short-form content for social media, is encouraged to apply. Details about the recruitment can be found on Primera's official Instagram and Linkareer, with successful candidates to be notified individually by September 23.The selected crew members will be active from October to April of the following year, for approximately six months. They will receive new products and bestsellers from Primera each month to create short-form content, with outstanding works featured on Primera's official social media channels.This third round will include both individual and team missions, providing opportunities for collaboration among participants. Practical feedback for content creation and regular collaboration programs will also be offered, and after the program concludes, outstanding individuals and teams will be recognized with Korean Air gift cards, laptops, and filming equipment.The Primera Creative Crew is a customer engagement program that has been running for three years. It allows customers to experience products firsthand and create content from their unique perspectives.A Primera representative stated, 'The Creative Crew is a representative customer engagement program that allows us to create content and communicate with customers who love Primera. We look forward to many applications from those who want to gain content creation experience and express their creativity with Primera.'Meanwhile, Primera launched its pore-cleansing product, '3C-Hyaluronic Acid Sparkling Pack Foam,' last month. This product is designed to remove impurities and sebum from pores with fine bubbles, making home care convenient.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-03 16:00:20
  • Special Monitoring of School Meals to Prevent Food Poisoning in Busan
    Special Monitoring of School Meals to Prevent Food Poisoning in Busan As schools in Busan resumed meals for the second semester, the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education began on-site inspections to prevent food poisoning and other hygiene-related incidents.In addition to school visits by education officials, joint inspections are being conducted with the Busan Food and Drug Administration and local government agencies, examining both meal facilities and food suppliers.On the morning of September 3, Busan Education Superintendent Kim Seok-jun visited the cafeteria at Yeogochon Elementary School in Dongnae District to assess the management of ingredients and the cooking and serving processes. This visit was part of a special monitoring initiative for school meals at the start of the academic year. After reviewing the hygiene conditions of the cooking and serving processes, Superintendent Kim listened to feedback from meal service staff and participated in serving and tasting the meals.The education office plans to continue visits to school meal facilities by senior officials, including the deputy superintendent, throughout the month. These visits will focus on inspecting ingredient verification, cooking and serving processes, and the overall hygiene management of the cafeterias. In addition to these special monitoring efforts, joint inspections of meal facilities and food supply stages are ongoing with relevant agencies.Since August 24, the Busan Education Office has been conducting food poisoning prevention inspections at kindergartens, school meal facilities, food suppliers, and catering companies in collaboration with the Busan Food and Drug Administration and local governments, which will continue until September 11.With the resumption of large-scale meal services right after the start of the school year, the management of cooking facilities and the storage and transportation of ingredients are crucial for ensuring meal safety. It is essential that the education office's on-site monitoring is effective and not just a one-time check.Superintendent Kim stated, “We will raise awareness of the importance of meal hygiene management and reflect various opinions from the field to provide safe and high-quality school meals for students in their growth years.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-03 16:00:20
  • FILA Joins as Official Partner for Frieze Seoul 2026, Unveils First Cultural Project Exhibition
    FILA Joins as Official Partner for Frieze Seoul 2026, Unveils First Cultural Project Exhibition FILA, the sports brand under Mistokorea, is participating as an official partner for Frieze Seoul 2026, showcasing a cultural project that expands the brand's color heritage into the realm of art. This initiative aims to broaden the brand's engagement beyond sports and fashion into the arts and culture sector.On September 3, FILA announced its participation as an official partner for Frieze Seoul 2026 and revealed the first exhibition of its annual cultural project, FILA Colore.FILA Colore is a project that selects one color each year based on the brand's long-standing color heritage, combining it with art and cultural content. It was designed to shed new light on the brand's heritage in innovative ways.This year's inaugural theme is 'Silver.' The color is inspired by FILA's signature sneaker, the Eshape Silvermoon, and has been expanded offline following an artist competition and a photoshoot featuring pianist Son Yeol-eum earlier this year.During the VIP Day of Frieze Seoul on September 2, FILA models Han So-hee, WOODZ, and Cha Jung-won attended the event. They showcased the Eshape Silvermoon in their unique styles, naturally conveying the message of FILA Colore, which extends to art, space, and fashion.The exhibition features works by three artists—Ji Geun-wook, Kim Gi-woong, and Sascha Nordmeyer—who reinterpret silver through their individual perspectives. The exhibition space is designed to create a cohesive flow between the artworks and objects inspired by Silvermoon.The exhibition runs until September 5 at Hall C&D on the third floor of COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul. A FILA Colore lounge will be set up in Hall C. Additionally, FILA plans to present a separate curated exhibition at the Frieze House in Sindang-dong, Seoul, in October.A representative from Mistokorea stated, "FILA Colore is a project that reinterprets FILA's accumulated color heritage through the lens of contemporary art and culture. We aim to develop this cultural project by connecting new colors and various creators each year, allowing people to experience FILA's heritage in new ways."Meanwhile, Mistokorea reported a strong performance in the second quarter of this year, with sales reaching 1.4312 trillion won and operating profit at 295.2 billion won, marking growth of 17% and 62%, respectively, compared to the same period last year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-03 16:00:10
  • Woori Financial Supports Independence of Young Single Parents with College and Employment Success
    Woori Financial Supports Independence of Young Single Parents with College and Employment Success Woori Financial Group's Woori Future Foundation announced on September 3 that it held a meeting to share the achievements of its 'Young Single Parent Independence Support Program' at the Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul in Jung-gu, Seoul, in collaboration with the Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. The meeting was organized to highlight the accomplishments of young single parents who have worked hard to achieve independence through education and employment. Attendees included Woori Future Foundation Chairman Im Jong-ryong, Bishop Yoo Gyo-bi of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul, and Minister of Gender Equality and Family Won Min-kyung. During the event, six beneficiaries of the 'Woori Wonder Family' program shared their successes, including three who entered college, two who achieved excellent academic results, and one who obtained a certification and secured employment. The Woori Future Foundation awarded each of these individuals up to 3 million won in scholarships and employment celebration funds based on their achievements. The Woori Wonder Family program aims to assist young single parents who often face economic hardships and social isolation. Starting with living expense support in 2023, the program has expanded its assistance this year to include medical expenses, scholarships, employment celebration funds, and encouragement funds. Chairman Im expressed his deep admiration for the courage and challenges faced by these young single parents, stating, 'I was deeply moved by their ability to achieve college admission and employment despite the difficult circumstances of parenting and studying. I hope these examples inspire many young single parents who are hesitant to take on challenges.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-03 16:00:10
  • Tving Data Breach Exposes 39.54 Million Accounts
    Tving Data Breach Exposes 39.54 Million Accounts Approximately 39.54 million user accounts, including active, dormant, and canceled accounts, have been confirmed as compromised in a data breach involving the online video service Tving. The actual number of affected individuals remains undetermined, as one person may hold up to 13 accounts. There is no evidence that social media accounts from platforms like Naver or Kakao were breached.On September 3, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced the results of a joint public-private investigation into the Tving data breach that occurred in May. An official from the investigation team stated, "About 39.54 million accounts, including duplicates, were leaked."According to the investigation, the leaked accounts include 22,063,021 active accounts, 8,502,679 dormant accounts that had not been accessed for over a year, 8,868,174 accounts that were deactivated due to membership cancellation, and 106,823 test accounts, totaling 39,546,697 accounts.The investigation concluded that there was no risk of external SNS data being leaked or accessed. An official noted, "The information that was transferred to Tving during the SNS quick sign-up process, such as names, email addresses, some birth years, and genders, was leaked, but not the personal data from external SNS accounts."However, mobile phone numbers and linked information (CI) collected during the identity verification process were included in the data breach.The investigation team indicated that Tving did not initially verify the duplication of sign-up routes during its growth, allowing individuals to register multiple times through various channels, including direct sign-ups and through CJ ONE, Naver, and Kakao. It was found that one individual could hold up to 13 accounts based on CI verification.The scope of leaked personal information varied by account type. The investigation identified a total of 20 items that were leaked, including user IDs, passwords, CJ ONE integrated IDs, names, mobile phone numbers, email addresses, birth dates, and linked information (CI) that identifies individuals.Notably, accounts with CI had a different extent of leaked information. There were 19,040,000 accounts with CI, and after removing 5,800,000 duplicate accounts based on the same CI, 13,240,000 accounts remained. On average, 11.1 items were leaked from these accounts. In contrast, 20,400,000 accounts without CI had an average of 4.6 items leaked.The investigation team confirmed the exact number of duplicate accounts among CI-holding accounts but could not ascertain the precise scale of duplication among the 20,400,000 accounts without CI, as they could potentially be linked to CI-holding accounts or duplicate among themselves. The actual number of affected individuals after removing duplicates will be determined following further investigation by the Personal Information Protection Commission.Accounts without CI did not undergo identity verification, leading to many instances of missing or inaccurate information. The investigation team stated, "Since CI is not information that users directly input or use for login, the risk of it being misused alone is low. However, when combined with other personal information like names and mobile phone numbers, it could be used for smishing or phishing attacks." They added that the Korea Communications Commission is developing protective measures in response to the CI leak.The investigation team also looked into the initial infiltration route of the attackers but could not determine the exact cause. An official stated, "We examined various scenarios, including phishing, malware infection, supply chain attacks, and misuse of access keys, and conducted forensic analysis on related PCs and laptops. However, we could not find evidence to support these scenarios, and the route of the initial development environment access key theft remains unclear." The police are currently investigating the attackers and the specific route of the access key theft.The investigation team concluded that Tving's internal security response capabilities were inadequate, contributing to the extent of the damage. Tving has only four dedicated information security personnel, which is insufficient compared to its 149 development staff and a total of 265 employees. An official from the investigation team remarked, "With only four dedicated personnel, there are limits to the various information security activities that can be performed. If Tving presents a plan for increasing personnel, we will discuss the adequacy of the number and budget compared to similar companies."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-03 16:00:00
  • Koreas AI Policy Chief Highlights National Strategy at 2026 GGGF
    Korea's AI Policy Chief Highlights National Strategy at 2026 GGGF Lee Jin-soo, the Director of AI Policy Planning at the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated on September 3 at the 2026 Good Growth Global Forum (GGGF) hosted by Aju Economy that "AI is becoming a security asset and an economic strategy asset," emphasizing the need to secure independent AI models and accelerate the 'AI Triad' strategy based on three mega projects. During his lecture on the direction of South Korea's AI policy, Lee referenced comments made by Demis Hassabis during his visit to South Korea in April, highlighting the rapid pace of the AI revolution. "The current AI revolution is progressing at a scale and speed more than ten times that of the past industrial revolution," Lee said. He added, "When Eric Schmidt mentioned that AI would reshape national security and economic hegemony, it seemed a bit far-fetched, but it is starting to resonate now." Lee identified Anthropic's frontier model 'Mythos' as a turning point, explaining that the debate over the necessity of sovereign AI has concluded following the U.S. controlling this event. Regarding South Korea's position in the global AI market, Lee expressed confidence that the country ranks third, following the U.S. and China. He noted, "The number of notable AI models is 60 in the U.S., 35 in China, and 8 in South Korea, while Canada, France, and Singapore have only one each." He added, "The top scores for models are 63 and 60 for the U.S. and China, respectively, with our recent independent foundation model scoring 47. We are clearly in the top three." However, he acknowledged limitations, stating, "The global AI computing power is nearly 90% controlled by the U.S. and China," and noted that the lack of sufficient B2C services often leads to reliance on foreign models. Lee outlined that the policy will start with three mega projects, announcing plans for significant investments in what he described as the brain (semiconductors), heart (AI data centers), and body (physical AI). He stated, "The AI data center will reach 8.4GW by 2029 and 18.4GW by 2035. The special law enforcement decree will be implemented by March next year." On physical AI, he remarked, "While LLMs have learned almost all existing data, there is a lack of realistic data for physical AI in various scenarios such as rain, snow, and human presence. We need to create a lot of synthetic data." Lee also emphasized that independent models have moved into the service stage. He mentioned, "We are creating models, but they are not yet available to the public." He noted that last week, three consortia, including SK, Kakao, and KT, were selected, with beta services expected by late September or October, and full public access by December. He added, "The government and private sector are planning to invest more boldly in GPUs, data, and talent to challenge the global top-tier frontier models." In response to concerns about the concentration of power among large corporations, he stated, "In addition to the main contractor, each consortium includes between 20 and 30 startups as participating companies." He pointed out, "Only China, Russia, and South Korea have domestic portals, and Naver's success is not due to better performance than Google, but because it resonates with Korean users. I believe that the public AI will also produce explosive services that touch the lives of Koreans." 2026-09-03 16:00:00
  • Alteogen Secures Over $5 Billion in New Contracts for ALT-B4 Technology
    Alteogen Secures Over $5 Billion in New Contracts for ALT-B4 Technology Alteogen has signed multiple contracts with global pharmaceutical companies for its subcutaneous (SC) formulation conversion technology, securing technology export agreements worth up to 6 trillion won this year alone. The ALT-B4 technology, which transforms biopharmaceuticals previously administered intravenously (IV) into a form that patients can self-administer via subcutaneous injection, has emerged as a key growth driver for Alteogen.According to industry sources on September 3, Alteogen announced that it had entered into an option and licensing agreement with global pharmaceutical company Novartis for the development and commercialization of ALT-B4, based on the Hybrozyme technology. This agreement grants Novartis exclusive rights to develop and commercialize multiple biopharmaceuticals using ALT-B4 in subcutaneous form, with a contract value of up to $3.223 billion (approximately 4.4 trillion won).This contract marks the fourth agreement related to ALT-B4 that Alteogen has signed this year. In January, Alteogen entered into a contract worth up to $285 million with GSK subsidiary Tesarro, followed by a contract worth up to $579 million with Biogen in March. Last month, Alteogen signed a contract with an undisclosed global pharmaceutical company for the development and commercialization rights of a single subcutaneous formulation, valued at up to $365 million.Combining the maximum contract values of these four agreements, the total reaches approximately $4.452 billion (about 6.1 trillion won). However, this figure does not represent confirmed revenue or cash inflow for the year; it includes not only the contract amounts but also the maximum potential from option exercises and development, approval, and sales milestones.ALT-B4 is a recombinant human hyaluronidase developed based on Alteogen's Hybrozyme platform, with the active ingredient known as berahyaluronidase alfa. Hyaluronidase temporarily breaks down hyaluronic acid, a key component of the extracellular matrix, facilitating wider distribution and absorption of drugs within subcutaneous tissue. This capability allows for the development of large-volume biopharmaceuticals into relatively quick and easy subcutaneous formulations, which previously required direct IV administration.The growing interest from global pharmaceutical companies in ALT-B4 is attributed to its ability to generate revenue and royalties through actual commercialization. According to Merck (MSD), sales of the subcutaneous formulation of Keytruda, known as Keytruda Qurex, surged from $128 million (approximately 180 billion won) in the first quarter to $463 million (approximately 660 billion won) in the second quarter, marking a 262% increase in just one quarter.The market is closely watching how quickly actual product development and commercialization will proceed. Ultimately, the approval status and sales volume of products utilizing ALT-B4, along with royalties per product, are expected to significantly impact Alteogen's performance and corporate value.Choi Tae-yeon, CEO of Alteogen, stated, "This partnership once again demonstrates the technological prowess and business potential of the Hybrozyme platform."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-03 15:56:10
  • Deadline for Payment to Suppliers Shortened from 60 to 35 Days Amid Industry Concerns
    Deadline for Payment to Suppliers Shortened from 60 to 35 Days Amid Industry Concerns As the National Assembly accelerates legislation to shorten the payment deadline for suppliers from large retail companies, concerns are rising not only within the retail sector but also among small business organizations. While there is agreement on the need to improve cash flow for suppliers, critics argue that a uniform reduction in deadlines, without considering transaction structures, could lead to reduced orders and settlement disputes. According to the National Assembly and industry sources, the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee held a plenary session on September 3 and passed an amendment to the 'Act on Fair Transactions in Large-Scale Distribution.' This follows the bill's approval by the Subcommittee on Legislative Review just two days earlier. The amendment will now proceed to the Legislative and Judiciary Committee and the full assembly for further review. The key aspect of the amendment is the reduction of the legal payment deadline for direct purchases from suppliers by large retailers from a maximum of 60 days to 35 days. The payment deadline for online intermediary transactions, such as special purchases and open markets, will also be cut from 40 days to 20 days. If payments are settled monthly, they must be made within 20 days from the purchase closing date. However, exceptions may be allowed by presidential decree in cases where payment is not possible due to reasons not attributable to the retailer. The retail sector has voiced strong opposition, citing increased financial burdens and potential negative effects of the new system. The Korea Online Shopping Association (KOLSA) issued a statement the previous day, urging a reconsideration of the uniform reduction in settlement deadlines, stating, "The arbitrary shortening of settlement periods should not hinder the recovery and coexistence of the retail ecosystem." In direct purchases, retailers assume ownership and inventory risks, and reducing the payment deadline from 60 to 35 days could increase the instances where suppliers must be paid for unsold goods, thereby heightening cash flow pressures on retailers. The association also pointed out that in online and home shopping, sales are often confirmed only after processes such as order cancellations, returns, refunds, and quality inspections. Paying suppliers upfront could lead to increased disputes during the post-settlement process, prompting calls for a grace period, gradual reductions, and differentiated applications based on business type, transaction type, and company size. Small businesses and platform operators have also expressed their concerns. The Korea Platform Business Association stated, "For small businesses, securing stable order volumes is more critical for survival than a few days of earlier settlements," highlighting the potential for reduced orders. The Korea Small Business Association and the Korea Startup Forum also warned that the liquidity burden on retailers could lead to decreased purchases from emerging and small brands. However, actual settlement periods are reportedly shorter than the legal maximum. According to a written survey by the Fair Trade Commission, the average payment periods are 27.8 days for direct purchases, 23.2 days for special purchases, 21.3 days for consignment, and 20.4 days for store rentals. On average, direct purchases are already settled within the 35-day limit set by the amendment, suggesting that the impact of the law change may primarily affect transactions with longer settlement periods. An industry insider remarked, "Creating an environment where suppliers can continue stable transactions is more important than merely shortening the settlement period by a few days," adding that the system must be carefully designed to prevent the financial burden on retailers from leading to reduced purchases of new or small business products. 2026-09-03 15:56:00
  • Hanwha M&S Surpasses 500 Families Benefiting from Childcare Support Program
    Hanwha M&S Surpasses 500 Families Benefiting from Childcare Support Program Hanwha M&S has surpassed 500 families benefiting from its 'Childcare Support Fund,' which provides 10 million won for each child born to employees. Since the program's introduction in January 2025, the number of participating companies has increased, leading to a rapid rise in beneficiaries.As of this month, Hanwha M&S reported that a total of 513 families have received the childcare support. The Life Solutions division accounts for 374 families, while the Tech Solutions division has 139 families. Since the program's first anniversary in January, the number of beneficiaries has increased by 233 in just eight months, up from 280 families.The Childcare Support Fund offers 10 million won after tax for each child born, with no limit on the number of births. This means families with twins can receive 20 million won. The initiative began under the leadership of Kim Dong-seon, President of Hanwha M&S, in January 2025, starting with eight subsidiaries, including Hanwha Galleria and Hanwha Hotels & Resorts, and has now expanded to 16 companies, including Hanwha Vision and Ourhome.Among the subsidiaries, Ourhome has the highest number of beneficiaries at 174, followed by Hanwha Hotels & Resorts with 91, Hanwha Semitec with 49, Hanwha Vision with 46, and Hanwha Galleria with 38.Employees are using the funds for housing, childcare products, and vehicle purchases. Kim Shin-young, a manager at Ourhome who received 20 million won after giving birth to twins in March, plans to use the funds to help with moving to a new home to accommodate her growing family. Similarly, Kim Ji-soo, an employee at Hanwha Vision who gave birth in April, recently moved into a new house using the support funds.Ryu Jeong-hyun, an employee at Hanwha Galleria, purchased a stroller with the childcare support, while Kim Tae-yoon, also from Hanwha Galleria, upgraded to a seven-seater vehicle after welcoming a second child.Satisfaction with the program is high among employees. A survey of the 513 beneficiaries revealed that 99% believe the childcare support has significantly aided work-life balance. Additionally, the percentage of respondents who felt the support positively influenced their consideration of having more children rose to 95%, an increase of about 10 percentage points since July of last year.The program also extends to expatriates. Kim Geon-jo, the head of Ourhome's U.S. branch, received the childcare support after welcoming a child in March while in Los Angeles. This marks the first instance of an overseas employee receiving the support.Kim stated, "In the U.S., medical and postpartum care costs are more than twice as high as in Korea, making the financial burden significant. Thanks to the company's support, both the mother and child were able to recover quickly and healthily. Beyond financial assistance, it felt empowering to know that the company and colleagues were cheering us on."A representative from Hanwha M&S remarked, "As we support the childbirth and childcare of 500 families, we are reminded of the importance of work-life balance. We will continue to provide various support to help employees and the company grow together."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-03 15:52:20
  • Gender Equality Ministry to Relocate to Sejong in 2027
    Gender Equality Ministry to Relocate to Sejong in 2027 The Gender Equality and Family Ministry will begin relocating to Sejong in 2027. This move is part of the government's initiative to strengthen a central administrative system centered in Sejong.Yoon Ho-joong, Minister of the Interior and Safety, announced on September 3 during a press conference at the Government Seoul Complex that "we will prioritize the phased relocation of large institutions, such as the Ministry of Justice and the Gender Equality Ministry, starting in the first half of 2027."The Gender Equality Ministry stated it will prepare for the move in accordance with government policy.A spokesperson for the ministry said during a regular briefing, "Once the relocation is confirmed, we will need to prepare well. Having sufficient time for the transition will be helpful for our preparations."The specific timing and method of the relocation are expected to be finalized after further government discussions.However, a legal amendment is required before the Gender Equality Ministry can move to Sejong. The current Article 16 of the 'Happy City Act' excludes the Gender Equality Ministry, along with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Unification, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of National Defense, from the list of agencies eligible for relocation to the administrative city.The government plans to finalize the specific relocation targets for the remaining central administrative agencies in the fourth quarter of this year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-03 15:52:10