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Korea Eximbank Shares Policy Finance Insights with 29 Countries The Korea Eximbank has strengthened its financial diplomacy by sharing its policy finance experiences with foreign government officials.On September 2, the Eximbank hosted a 'Policy Finance Briefing' at its headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, inviting participants from the Global Leadership Program (GLP) of the KDI School of Public Policy and Management. The GLP was launched in 2010 in conjunction with the G20 summit held in Seoul.The briefing was attended by 34 government officials responsible for finance, diplomacy, and industrial policy from 29 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Indonesia, and Brazil, all G20 members.During the event, the Eximbank introduced its roles and functions, explaining topics such as export finance, supply chain cooperation for critical minerals, and investment financing systems and support cases. The bank particularly highlighted examples of using its financial products to support infrastructure development and stabilize supply chains in emerging markets, engaging attendees in a question-and-answer session.A representative from the Eximbank stated, "This was a meaningful opportunity to share our policy finance experiences with key personnel from foreign governments. We will continue to strengthen our role as a financial diplomacy hub connecting Korea and the world." 2026-09-02 15:20:10 -
Fall Warning Issued for Scrub Typhus as Cases Surge in Gwangju As outdoor activities increase during the fall, including farming, grass cutting, and hiking, special caution is advised against scrub typhus, which is transmitted by ticks.The Gwangju Metropolitan City has urged residents to wear long clothing and use tick repellents during outdoor activities, as cases of scrub typhus tend to spike in the fall.Scrub typhus is a Class 3 infectious disease caused by bites from larvae of the trombiculid mite, which carries the scrub typhus bacterium. In South Korea, 3,000 to 6,000 cases are reported annually, with a notable increase in cases during October and November when mite activity is at its peak.In Gwangju, a similar trend was observed last year, with a total of 545 reported cases of scrub typhus, 77.4% of which, or 422 cases, occurred in October and November.The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) is monitoring tick populations at 18 locations nationwide for 16 weeks until December 16 in preparation for the peak season.Gwangju City will also collaborate with health and environmental research institutes to continuously monitor tick activity and enhance prevention education and outreach for high-risk groups, including farmers and the elderly, through local health centers.Last year's monitoring revealed that the trombiculid mite, which can transmit the scrub typhus bacterium, was primarily found in southern regions such as Jeonnam and Gyeongnam. This highlights the importance of preventing tick bites during the busy fall harvest season.To prevent infection, it is crucial to wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, high socks, gloves, and hats to minimize skin exposure during outdoor activities. Using tick repellents on shoes, socks, and pants according to the instructions can also be beneficial.Avoid sitting or lying directly on grass. If necessary, use a mat, and after outdoor activities, shake out clothing, wash them, and shower while checking for any signs of bites.Symptoms of scrub typhus typically appear within 10 days of infection and may include fever, headache, chills, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. A characteristic symptom is the black scab that forms at the site of the tick bite.If symptoms such as fever or rash develop after outdoor activities, or if a scab is found, it is important to visit a health center or medical facility and inform healthcare providers about any recent outdoor activities.Jeong Kwang-seon, head of the Gwangju Metropolitan City Health and Welfare Bureau, emphasized the importance of following preventive measures to avoid tick bites. He urged residents to adopt these precautions during outdoor activities such as farming, grass cutting, and hiking.He also advised that if fever or rash appears within 10 days after outdoor activities, or if a black scab is found, individuals should promptly visit a medical facility and inform healthcare providers of their outdoor activity history.Meanwhile, Gwangju City plans to intensively promote scrub typhus prevention measures through village broadcasts, electronic billboards, websites, social media, and community centers, especially during the fall when outdoor activities increase, to encourage prompt medical visits for suspected symptoms.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 15:20:10
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2026 GGGF: Jeong Jeong-sik Calls for South Korea to Leverage AI Strengths Jeong Jeong-sik, the floor leader of the People Power Party, suggested on September 2 that South Korea should make bold investments in key technologies and create an environment that encourages innovation among businesses and researchers to maximize the country's strengths.Speaking at the 18th Good Growth, Good Jobs Global Forum (2026 GGGF) held at The Plaza Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, Jeong stated, "The accumulated process data and skilled technologies in our industrial sectors, such as semiconductors, automobiles, and shipbuilding, are valuable assets that other countries cannot easily replicate."He noted that artificial intelligence (AI) has become a core technology that influences national competitiveness and economic growth. Jeong emphasized, "As countries around the world fiercely compete for AI leadership, we must also create new opportunities based on South Korea's unique strengths."Jeong remarked that AI is rapidly expanding into physical domains such as robotics, autonomous manufacturing, and process optimization, asserting, "South Korea has world-class manufacturing capabilities. We have greater opportunities ahead."He pledged that the party would develop necessary policies and systems based on voices from the field. Discussions on securing national AI competitiveness have been actively taking place in the political arena. The People Power Party has also been focusing on related policy research, inviting external experts to provide special lectures on AI to its members during a recent parliamentary workshop.Jeong concluded, "I will actively support South Korea in leading the competitiveness of the AI era, and I hope this forum serves as a valuable opportunity to assess the current state of South Korean AI and seek practical solutions for the future." 2026-09-02 15:20:00
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Mok Kyung-jong: Aiming to Enhance South Korea's AI Competitiveness "I hope this becomes an opportunity to elevate South Korea's artificial intelligence (AI) competitiveness to the next level."Mok Kyung-jong, a member of the Democratic Party, made this statement on September 2 during the '2026 GGGF' forum hosted by the Aju Economy newspaper at The Plaza Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. He emphasized that South Korea, with its global manufacturing competitiveness, has a chance to re-emerge as a leader in Physical AI.In his congratulatory remarks, Mok stated, "AI is a key driver that determines national competitiveness. In particular, Physical AI, which this forum focuses on, is leading new changes across various industrial sectors." He highlighted that South Korea, known for its strengths in robotics, semiconductors, automobiles, and shipbuilding, has the opportunity to become a powerhouse in Physical AI.However, he also pointed out significant challenges ahead, noting, "We face daunting tasks. The competition in AI is expanding beyond technology to include data centers, infrastructure, talent acquisition, and international hegemony. There are concerns that national support and regulatory frameworks are not keeping pace with this rapid evolution."Mok stressed the importance of collaboration between industry and academia to shape policies based on real-world insights, stating, "As the GGGF has played a vital role for the past 18 years, I hope this forum will also serve to elevate South Korea's AI competitiveness. The National Assembly will support discussions that lead to legislation and budget allocations."He concluded by expressing hope that the wisdom and insights shared at the event would lead to new innovations in South Korea's manufacturing sector and help the country take another step forward as a leader in the AI era.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 15:20:00
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Hanwha Semitek Showcases Advanced Packaging Equipment at SEMICON Taiwan 2026 Hanwha Semitek is participating in SEMICON Taiwan 2026, one of Asia's largest semiconductor exhibitions, where it is showcasing four advanced packaging equipment models.The company announced on September 2 that it is exhibiting at the event, which runs from September 2 to 4 at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center. SEMICON Taiwan is a leading international exhibition where major semiconductor companies gather to share the latest technological trends. This year, over 1,300 companies from around the world are expected to participate, creating a vibrant platform for business collaboration.Hanwha Semitek has set up a booth on the fourth floor of Hall 1 (TaiNEX Hall 1) to introduce four key advanced packaging equipment models that respond to the growing demand for high-density and high-performance packaging. The showcased equipment includes: △ 'SFM5 Square' large area FOPLP equipment △ 'SFM5 Expert' 3D TC bonder △ 'SFM5 TnR' 2.5D CoW bonder △ 'SHB2 Nano' hybrid bonder.At this event, the 'SFM5 Square' large area fan-out panel-level packaging (FOPLP) equipment will be presented to customers for the first time. Unlike traditional packaging methods that use round wafers, FOPLP utilizes a square panel measuring 600×600 mm, reducing wasted corner areas. This design maximizes production efficiency while lowering manufacturing costs. The SFM5 Square is a precision device that accurately places chips on this large panel.Hanwha Semitek will also introduce its advanced bonding equipment lineup that supports AI semiconductor manufacturing and high-performance chip stacking.Notably, the next-generation hybrid bonder 'SHB2 Nano,' developed by Hanwha Semitek in February, features direct contact between copper electrodes and insulators, eliminating gaps between chips. This allows for thinner and denser stacking of chips, enabling ultra-fast data transmission and is considered a key piece of equipment for next-generation high-bandwidth memory (HBM) production.The 'SFM5 Expert' TC bonder and 'SFM5 TnR' CoW bonder for HBM will also be showcased. Hanwha Semitek successfully began mass production of the TC bonder 'SFM5 Expert,' a core piece of equipment for HBM manufacturing, last year, continuing to achieve steady order results.The 'SFM5 TnR' is a CoW bonder that precisely bonds semiconductors supplied in different forms using a single device. It can simultaneously handle logic semiconductors in wafer form and HBM supplied as individual chips on tape, significantly enhancing productivity without cumbersome intermediate processes.Hanwha Semitek plans to leverage this exhibition to promote its advanced packaging portfolio and focus on business collaborations with major global semiconductor manufacturers. The company aims to actively enter the next-generation packaging market, including FOPLP.A Hanwha Semitek official stated, "This SEMICON Taiwan will be an opportunity to establish our equipment competitiveness in the global market, leading the era of AI and high-performance packaging. We will expand cooperation with global semiconductor clients to accelerate our entry into the next-generation packaging market."Meanwhile, Hanwha Semitek demonstrated its technological competitiveness in the market by unveiling new chip mounter products aimed at the next-generation equipment market at the largest surface mount technology (SMT) exhibition in Korea last April.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 15:12:00
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CJ OnStyle Launches Creator Matching Platform 'ONTNER' to Drive Growth CJ OnStyle is positioning creators as a new growth engine for content commerce. The company announced on September 2 that it will officially launch its business matching platform, 'ONTNER,' which connects creators with brands, on the 8th. ONTNER is designed to identify high-potential combinations by integrating creators' content characteristics, fandom, and sales performance with product concepts and customer demand data. The platform also facilitates group purchases, mobile live broadcasts, and advertising. The launch of ONTNER is backed by rapid growth. In the first half of this year, CJ OnStyle's creator collaboration orders surged 330% compared to the same period last year. The order volume for the first half alone surpassed last year's total, with the number of collaborating creators increasing 3.2 times and the number of collaborating brands growing 4.3 times. CJ OnStyle is expanding collaborations with creators such as 'Deelisa,' who has 800,000 followers, as well as home expert 'Casarim' and living creator 'Dadasalim.' Some live broadcasts with certain creators have recorded order volumes of 3 billion won within an hour. Through ONTNER, CJ OnStyle aims to allow creators to focus on content creation and fan management while handling everything from product discovery to sales, shipping, and customer service. Data on products, customers, and orders accumulated during the collaboration process will be reanalyzed, and creators with verified performance will be nurtured as proprietary commerce intellectual property (IP) under brands like 'Casalog' and 'Deelisa's Perspective.' Recently, CJ OnStyle's mobile growth has further supported this strategy. In the second quarter of this year, the company's mobile live commerce revenue increased by 161.3% compared to the same period last year. During the same period, new app installations rose by 25.6%, and monthly active users (MAU) increased by 10.5%. Revenue from CJ ENM's commerce division also grew by 4.4% to 402.8 billion won. Purchases through short-form content are also on the rise. In the first half of this year, mobile orders from CJ OnStyle via short-form content exceeded 3 million, and the order volume generated through external short-form channels increased 3.2 times compared to the previous year. Customers under 30 accounted for six times the increase in orders. As consumer behavior shifts from searching for products directly to discovering and purchasing items through creators' content, CJ OnStyle is focusing on creators as a new sales channel, following its previous partnerships with YouTube and its 'discovery shopping' strategy that includes investments in creators. In the future, CJ OnStyle plans to enhance the functionality of ONTNER by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to not only match creators with products but also to predict sales performance. A CJ OnStyle representative stated, "We will cultivate creators as a new driving force in content commerce and establish a unique competitive edge in content commerce that connects short-form, mobile live commerce, and creators, leading the discovery shopping market."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 15:12:00
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Gwangmyeong City Corporation Reaffirms Commitment to Personal Data Protection The Gwangmyeong City Corporation has once again received recognition for its level of personal data protection during the use of its website. According to the corporation on September 2, it obtained the ePRIVACY mark for the eighth consecutive year on August 31, a certification for excellent personal data protection. The ePRIVACY certification is awarded to websites that meet certain standards after a comprehensive review of their personal data protection policies and management levels. During this assessment, Gwangmyeong City Corporation was evaluated on its management system for the entire process of collecting, using, storing, and disposing of personal data, as well as its compliance with relevant management and technical protection measures. Notably, as the use of cloud environments and artificial intelligence (AI) expands, the importance of security surrounding personal data has increased, and the corporation has continuously managed its protective systems. With this certification, the corporation aims to enhance the level of personal data protection and information security management, allowing citizens to use its website services with greater peace of mind. To improve its data protection standards, the corporation has been consistently strengthening its information security systems, including the introduction of new protective measures. Citizens have responded positively to the news of the eighth consecutive certification. Given that personal data is often required for various services, including complaints and facility usage on public institution websites, there is a sense of reassurance that their information is being securely managed. One citizen remarked, “I often have to input personal data when using public institution websites, so I believe security management is important. The fact that they have maintained this for eight years rather than just receiving a one-time certification gives me confidence.” Meanwhile, CEO Seo Il-dong stated, “We will strive to protect our customers' valuable personal data from intelligent security vulnerability threats in the AI era.” He added, “We will continue to comply with personal data protection laws and do our utmost to ensure the safety of the personal data of citizens visiting our website.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 15:08:20
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Transforming Finance Teams: Beyond Cost-Cutting to Enhancing Corporate Value Many companies are considering artificial intelligence transformation (AX). However, it is often understood merely as 'trying out AI tools' or 'automating tasks with AI.' Yet, automation and AX are different. While automation involves replacing a few steps in existing workflows with machines, AX starts with the question, 'If AI can do this, how would we design the task from the beginning?' It fundamentally rethinks the way work is done.The first question when considering AX is usually, 'How many people can we reduce?' However, starting with this question in a finance organization often leads to disappointment, as the savings are usually less than expected. While cost reduction improves immediate profits, changing the financial structure lays the groundwork for a company to handle more business and transactions in the future. AX in finance is an investment in the latter.As a company grows, the flow of money in and out increases. New sales channels emerge, fee structures diversify, and the number of partners and countries to settle with expands. While this presents opportunities for business departments, it creates entirely different challenges for finance teams.With each new flow, finance professionals must first understand what the incoming data signifies. They need to interpret which items are costs, which are pure revenues, and the basis for the aggregated figures. Then, they must convert this data to align with the company's closing standards, track discrepancies, and prepare documentation to substantiate the numbers for audits.Most of this process is done manually in Excel. Therefore, as transactions increase, Excel quickly reaches its limits. Files become cumbersome, and formulas break, forcing tasks that were once handled in one go to be divided into smaller, more frequent repetitions. This does not make the work itself more difficult; rather, it creates a structure where the same tasks must be repeated more often.The result manifests in two ways. Labor costs continue to rise, but there are not enough people to manage the workload. This is one reason for the high turnover in finance teams. The problem is that the criteria for closing and handling exceptions are often not documented but reside in the minds of the individuals. When one person leaves, the next must start from scratch. As experience does not accumulate within the organization, even with continuous hiring, the team's processing capacity does not improve.Despite constant job openings in finance, many companies find that the scope of manageable work has not significantly changed from years ago. Ultimately, the issue is not a lack of personnel but a structure where the team's capabilities revert to square one each time a person changes.More significant than the loss of personnel is the additional burden placed on a team already at its limit with closing tasks. Consequently, finance organizations often adopt a defensive stance when considering new channels or business models. This is not due to conservatism; rather, it is a rational decision to avoid taking on unmanageable tasks. However, the cost of missed business opportunities and delayed market entry remains.Consider two companies with the same revenue size. One can respond to new opportunities within a month, while the other takes two quarters. While today's profit and loss statements may look similar, such differences, if repeated, will inevitably lead to different valuations for the two companies three years down the line. The speed at which a company can embrace new channels, businesses, and markets is crucial to its growth potential, and one of the foundations supporting this is its financial structure.This is where financial AX makes a difference. It is not about reducing headcount but transforming the finance organization from a department that evaluates growth to one that supports it. When new business opportunities arise, instead of slowing down due to the burden of finance tasks, the structure should enable existing personnel to manage the increasing business and workload. The time spent on reconciling numbers should shift to profitability analysis and risk assessment.One caveat: aiming for complete automation in finance is risky. A single error can lead to a loss of trust. The goal of well-designed financial AX is not 100% automation but accurately distinguishing what requires human verification from what does not. Identifying the 5% that needs attention is far more robust than attempting to automate everything and risking credibility.One question I would pose to executives is this: When new opportunities are discussed, what expression does our finance team wear? If it is one of burden rather than welcome, it indicates that the financial structure is already determining the pace of growth. Now is the time to view the finance team's AX as an investment in enhancing the company's growth capabilities.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 15:08:10
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Police Chief Position Remains Vacant for 21 Months Amid Political Concerns The government has made significant personnel changes in the upper ranks of the police, replacing the deputy chief and the chiefs of the Seoul and Incheon police departments. However, the top position of police chief remains unfilled. Kim Jong-cheol, the new deputy chief, will serve as the third acting police chief since the removal of former chief Jo Gi-ho in December 2024, leaving the position vacant for approximately 21 months.Amid this situation, there are growing speculations within and outside the police regarding a 'Blue House scenario' for the next police chief. It is suggested that Lee Jong-won, who moved from the Chungbuk police chief position to the Blue House as the National Safety Secretary, may return to the police as a senior commissioner and be appointed directly as chief.There are precedents for this. During the Park Geun-hye administration, the positions of Blue House security secretary and social safety secretary (the predecessor of the National Safety Secretary) served as notable pathways to high-ranking police positions. Former chiefs Kang Shin-myung and Lee Cheol-seong, along with former Seoul police chief Koo Eun-soo, all ascended to the police leadership after serving in these roles, establishing a so-called 'hotline' between the Blue House and the police.This close relationship between the Blue House and the police has ultimately undermined 'political neutrality.' Ahead of the 2016 general elections, the police's intelligence organization collected information that could be used to benefit the ruling party at the time, the Saenuri Party, and pro-Park candidates. Directives from the Blue House led to the creation of documents analyzing national trends and election strategies. Former chiefs Kang Shin-myung and Lee Cheol-seong, along with former safety secretary Park Hwa-jin, were indicted for violating public election laws and abuse of power, receiving suspended prison sentences in 2024.In this context, attorney Kim Jong-min, who served on the Prosecutorial Reform Committee during the Moon Jae-in administration, stated, “In the past, the security secretary effectively oversaw police appointments, allowing the president to directly control the police through personnel authority. This structure seems to have been revived with the National Safety Secretary. It appears that the National Safety Secretary will serve as a ladder to the police leadership, and this is not just 99% but 100% true.”Currently, the police hold more power than ever before. With the abolition of direct investigative authority for the prosecution and the restructuring of the criminal justice system, the police are now responsible for the majority of investigations. What is most needed from the police now is 'political independence.'The prosecution has faced criticism for being a 'handmaiden of the regime' due to its subservience to the power that holds personnel authority. However, the police are particularly sensitive to personnel matters. In a unified rank system from patrol officers to the police chief, the path to promotion sends strong signals throughout the organization. If the perception that working at the Blue House is a shortcut to becoming chief takes hold, the focus of high-ranking police officials will inevitably shift from the public to the Blue House.If, after leaving the police chief position vacant for 21 months, the government appoints the National Safety Secretary as chief, it will invite criticism of 'parachute appointments' that the Lee Jae-myung administration has brought upon itself. At that point, the issue will not just be about one chief's appointment. The government's and ruling party's commitment to police independence and political neutrality will be put to the test. The police chief is not the president's police chief; he is the police chief of the Republic of Korea.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 15:08:10
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Han Seong-sook: Women Must Play Greater Role in AI and High-Value Sectors 한성숙 국무총리는 2일 “인공지능(AI)과 고부가가치 분야에서 여성의 역할을 어떻게 높일지 고민해야 한다”며 능력에 따라 동등한 기회를 누리는 양성평등 사회를 만들겠다고 밝혔다.한 총리는 이날 오전 서울 여의도 국회 사랑재에서 열린 ‘여권통문의 날’ 128주년 기념식에 참석해 “일·가정 양립뿐 아니라 조직의 의사결정 과정에 여성의 참여를 확대하는 방안까지 살펴볼 부분이 많다”며 이같이 말했다.한 총리는 여성의 교육 수준과 사회 진출이 확대됐지만 노동시장의 구조적 격차는 여전히 해소되지 않았다고 진단했다.그는 “여성이 남성을 앞서고 있다는 이야기도 나오지만 우리나라는 경제협력개발기구(OECD) 회원국 가운데 성별 임금 격차가 가장 큰 나라라는 불명예를 안고 있다”며 “일과 출산, 일과 육아 가운데 하나를 선택할 수밖에 없어 경력 단절을 겪는 여성도 많다”고 지적했다.이어 “모두가 자신의 능력만큼 기회를 가질 수 있는 양성평등 사회를 만드는 데 지속적으로 관심을 기울이겠다”고 강조했다.여권통문은 1898년 서울 북촌의 여성들이 교육권과 참정권, 직업권을 요구하며 발표한 우리나라 최초의 여성인권선언이다. 이를 기념해 매년 9월 1일이 법정기념일인 ‘여권통문의 날’로 지정됐다.이날 기조 발제에 나선 박영선 사단법인 한국여성의정 상임대표는 여성의 조직 내 의사결정 참여가 여전히 부족하다며 여성 임원의 대표성을 높이기 위한 입법 과제를 제시했다.박 상임대표는 공공기관 임원 가운데 여성 비율을 20% 이상으로 끌어올리도록 한 현행 목표의 실효성을 강화하고, 상임 임원에 대해서도 별도의 여성 비율 목표를 마련하겠다고 밝혔다. 기업 이사회의 성별 다양성 기준을 이사회 규모에 따른 최소 비율 방식으로 개편하고, 미등기 집행임원의 성별 현황을 공시하도록 하는 방안도 추진하기로 했다.한편 이날 행사에는 남인순 국회부의장과 원민경 성평등가족부 장관, 김정재 국회 성평등가족위원장, 김진표 전 국회의장, 정대철 헌정회장, 황우여 전 사회부총리 등이 참석했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 15:08:00