AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

&
""
Latest by
  • IBK Bank Launches B-OIL Corporate Fuel Card Amid Rising Gas Prices
    IBK Bank Launches 'B-OIL' Corporate Fuel Card Amid Rising Gas Prices IBK Bank has introduced a new fuel card aimed at corporate clients facing increased fuel costs due to high oil prices. The bank announced on September 1 the launch of the 'B-OIL' card, a specialized fuel card for corporate customers. The B-OIL card offers a discount of 100 won per liter at all domestic gas stations, including SK Energy and GS Caltex, regardless of the type of fuel. Electric and hydrogen vehicles can receive a 10% discount on charging costs. The discount limit for small businesses has also been increased. Customers who submit a small business verification certificate can receive discounts of up to 100,000 won per month, while large and medium-sized enterprises can benefit from a maximum discount of 50,000 won per month. The card is available to corporate clients, with an annual fee of 3,000 won for domestic use (BC) and 5,000 won for international use (Mastercard). An IBK Bank official stated, "We believe this will help reduce the burden of fuel and operational costs for our corporate clients and small businesses during this period of high oil prices. We will continue to introduce various financial products for small and medium-sized enterprises." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-01 14:56:20
  • 15 Employees Depart Financial Services Commission Amid Workload and Promotion Issues
    15 Employees Depart Financial Services Commission Amid Workload and Promotion Issues 금융위원회에서 올해 들어 15명이 조직을 떠난 것으로 나타났다. 과중한 업무와 민간 금융회사와의 보수 격차, 승진 적체로 인력 유출이 이어지는 가운데 세종 이전 가능성까지 거론되면서 추가 이탈을 우려하는 목소리가 나온다. 1일 더불어민주당 강준현 의원실이 금융위에서 제출받은 자료에 따르면 올해 1월부터 7월까지 금융위 퇴직자는 15명으로 집계됐다. 퇴직자 중에는 저연차 직원뿐 아니라 금융정책과 감독 실무의 허리인 과장·국장급 간부도 포함됐다. 일부는 증권사와 법률사무소, 대체거래소 등 민간 영역으로 자리를 옮겼다. 금융위의 인력 유출은 수년째 이어지고 있다. 연간 퇴직자는 2021년 14명에서 2024년 28명으로 늘었고 지난해에도 19명이 금융위를 떠났다. 금융권 안팎에서는 과중한 업무와 승진 적체, 민간 금융회사와의 보수 격차를 주요 원인으로 꼽는다. 금융위는 한때 재경직 수석 합격자들이 선호하는 부처로 꼽혔지만 최근에는 서기관과 국장급 승진이 늦어지고 고위직 자리도 제한되면서 조직의 매력이 예전 같지 않다는 평가가 나온다. 보수 격차도 크다. 금융위가 제출한 자료에 따르면 2025년 서기관의 평균 보수는 1억700만원이었다. 지난해 4대 은행 직원의 1인당 평균 보수는 1억2275만원으로 이보다 1575만원 많았다. 6대 증권사 임직원의 평균 보수는 금융위 서기관보다 약 5000만원 높았다. 잦은 보직 이동으로 전문성을 쌓기 어렵다는 불만도 나온다. 금융정책을 다루며 전문성을 갖춘 직원일수록 금융회사와 법무법인 등 민간의 영입 대상이 되기 쉽다는 것이다. 금융위의 세종 이전 가능성은 추가적인 인력 유출 요인으로 거론된다. 서울 광화문에 사무실이 있어 금융회사 및 유관기관과 긴밀하게 소통할 수 있다는 점은 그동안 금융위 근무의 장점으로 꼽혔다. 금융권 관계자는 “세종 이전설이 나오면서 실무진 사이에서 로스쿨 진학이나 민간기업 이직을 준비할 수 있다는 이야기가 나오고 있다”며 “이전이 확정되면 저연차와 중간 간부의 이탈이 더 늘어날 수 있다”고 말했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-01 14:56:10
  • Los Angeles Declares BTS Week Ahead of Arirang Concerts
    Los Angeles Declares 'BTS Week' Ahead of Arirang Concerts The city of Los Angeles and the LA Tourism Board have officially declared September 1 to 8 as 'BTS Week' to celebrate the group's local concert.BTS will hold four performances of their 'BTS World Tour Arirang' at SoFi Stadium in LA on September 1, 2, 5, and 6. All tickets for these shows have already sold out.In recognition of BTS's return to the 'Entertainment Capital of the World,' the city has designated this special week to celebrate with local residents and tourists from around the globe.A special proclamation ceremony for BTS Week took place on August 31 at Los Angeles City Hall. The event aimed to honor BTS's achievements in connecting people worldwide through music and to highlight the special relationship between BTS and LA.Attendees included officials from the city of LA, the LA Tourism Board, and representatives from Big Hit Music, who delivered the official proclamation. To mark the occasion, Los Angeles City Hall will be illuminated in red on September 1, symbolizing a warm welcome and friendship from LA to BTS and their fans worldwide.During the proclamation ceremony, LA Mayor Karen Bass stated, 'Los Angeles is a global city that has grown based on its incredible diversity and long-standing ties to the Korean and Korean-American community. The declaration of 'BTS Week' reflects Los Angeles's belief in the power of art and culture to enhance mutual understanding and unite communities. We are proud to celebrate BTS's remarkable contributions to global culture and our special connection with them alongside the world.'The LA Tourism Board also highlighted key local attractions closely associated with BTS. Notable locations include SoFi Stadium, which hosted the sold-out 'Permission to Dance on Stage – Los Angeles' concert in 2021 and will be the venue for this year's Arirang performances.Other significant sites include the intersection of Beverly Boulevard and Genesee Avenue, where BTS performed iconic songs like 'Butter,' 'Permission to Dance,' and 'Dynamite' in 2021. Nearby is Television City, where BTS made memorable appearances on 'The Late Late Show with James Corden.' Additionally, the Sepulveda Dam, the filming location for the official Kinetic Manifesto Film of their 2020 song 'ON,' continues to attract fans.Locations that underscore BTS's status as global pop icons include the Crypto.com Arena and L.A. Live, where they made history as the first Korean artists to present at the Grammy Awards in 2019, and the Grammy Museum, which hosted a special discussion with the members in 2018 about their music and creative process.Furthermore, Santa Monica State Beach and Pacific Park, where the members relaxed after recording songs for the 'Arirang' album, are also highlighted as key attractions. In 2021, a special lighting event welcomed BTS to LA by illuminating the Ferris wheel with the BTS logo in purple.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-01 14:56:10
  • 2027 Budget Proposal: Unification Ministry Allocates 1.25 Trillion Won, Increases Economic Cooperation Loans
    2027 Budget Proposal: Unification Ministry Allocates 1.25 Trillion Won, Increases Economic Cooperation Loans The Unification Ministry's budget proposal for 2027 is set at 1.2549 trillion won, reflecting an increase of 10.2 billion won, or 0.82%, from this year. However, the budget for economic cooperation loans has been significantly raised from approximately 59 billion won to 199.4 billion won, more than tripling the allocation. In contrast, funding for humanitarian issues, including aid to North Korea and civilian cooperation, has been reduced by 100.1 billion won.The Unification Ministry announced on September 1 that it plans to submit the 2027 budget proposal to the National Assembly on September 3, following approval at a Cabinet meeting.The total expenditure for the Unification Ministry next year will consist of 243.4 billion won from the general account and 1.0115 trillion won from the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund. The general account will see an increase of 10 billion won (0.4%) from this year's 242.4 billion won, while the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund will rise by 9.2 billion won (0.91%) from 1.0103 trillion won.The budget for the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund's projects will increase from this year's 1.0101 trillion won to 1.0104 trillion won, marking a rise of 9.3 billion won (0.93%). The Unification Ministry explained that the allocation reflects the government's commitment to resuming inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation.The most significant increase is seen in the economic cooperation loans, which will rise by 140.4 billion won (237.7%) from 59 billion won this year to 199.4 billion won next year. This budget, which had been reduced to 59 billion won after maintaining around 200 billion won until 2022, is now being restored to nearly that level.These funds are intended for loans that can be used for economic cooperation projects, such as railways and roads, once an agreement is reached between the two Koreas. Consequently, the overall budget for building a foundation for inter-Korean relations will increase from 303.5 billion won to 410.8 billion won, a rise of 107.2 billion won (35.3%).Conversely, the budget for humanitarian issues will decrease from 681 billion won to 580.9 billion won, a reduction of 100.1 billion won (14.7%). The budget for aid support will drop from 112.2 billion won to 95.4 billion won, a decrease of 16.8 billion won, while funding for civilian cooperation, including support for infants, healthcare, and agriculture, will be cut from 555.4 billion won to 472.1 billion won, a reduction of 83.3 billion won. Nevertheless, the humanitarian sector will still account for 57.6% of the total Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund budget.The budget for non-repayable support for economic cooperation will also decrease from 220.9 billion won to 187.8 billion won, a drop of 33.1 billion won (15%). As a result, next year's Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund will see reductions in non-repayable and humanitarian support while significantly increasing the funds available for actual project resumption.Support for inter-Korean social and cultural exchanges will increase from 10.4 billion won to 12.3 billion won, an increase of 1.9 billion won (18.8%). Additional funding includes 1.3 billion won for the compilation of the Korean Language Dictionary and 600 million won for the exhibition project at Gaeseong Manwoldae.In the general account, the budget for peace, unification, and democratic citizen education will rise from 15.9 billion won to 25.3 billion won, an increase of 9.4 billion won (58.9%). The budget for supporting the activities of peace and unification education committee members will increase from 1 billion won to 7.1 billion won to expand the number of committee members from 1,000 to 4,000, with plans to appoint an additional 10,000 by the end of the year.The target for the 'Visiting School Peace and Unification Education' program will expand from 480 schools to 840 schools, with the budget increasing from 780 million won to 1.56 billion won. The number of leading universities for peace and unification education will also grow from 12 to 22, with related funding rising from 2.08 billion won to 3.48 billion won.The operating budget for the Northeast Asia Peace Documentation Center, set to open early next year, will increase from 1.6 billion won to 15.6 billion won, a rise of 14 billion won. Additionally, 700 million won has been newly allocated for strengthening the foundation for the disclosure of North Korean materials. However, the construction cost of 14.7 billion won will be fully deducted as the center's construction is expected to be completed this year.A new allocation of 2.9 billion won has been designated for converting the Hwacheon Second Hanawon into a vocational training and psychological therapy center for North Korean defectors, as well as providing medical services to local residents. Overall funding for North Korean settlement support will decrease from 81.1 billion won to 77.5 billion won, a reduction of 3.6 billion won (4.5%).The budget for DMZ experience and cultural events will increase nearly fourfold from 3.8 billion won to 14.6 billion won. A new allocation of 534 million won has been set for the Peace Unification Marathon project, and funding for the DMZ International Forum will rise from 1.5 billion won to 4 billion won. The Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund will also include 428 million won for the operation of the 'DMZ Peace Train,' which aims to run eight times a month next year.Funding for the North Korean Human Rights Foundation will decrease from 475 million won this year to 50 million won next year, a reduction of 89.5%. The budget for establishing and promoting policies for improving North Korean human rights will also decrease from 378 million won to 346 million won, a drop of 32 million won.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-01 14:52:00
  • Amway Korea Launches Two New Gut Health Products Based on Data from 110,000 Koreans
    Amway Korea Launches Two New Gut Health Products Based on Data from 110,000 Koreans Amway Korea is introducing new gut health products utilizing microbiome data from 110,000 Koreans.On September 1, Amway Korea announced the launch of two new products under its health supplement brand Nutrilite: 'Nutrilite Begin' and 'Nutrilite Probiotics,' collectively referred to as the 'Comprehensive Gut Solution.' 'Begin' is designed to create an optimal environment for beneficial bacteria, while 'Probiotics' directly supplies live bacteria.The development of these products draws on over 90 years of research by Nutrilite into plant nutrients and gut microbiomes. 'Nutrilite Begin' is a prebiotic product that serves as food for beneficial bacteria, focusing on creating a favorable gut environment with plant-based ingredients, including short-chain fructooligosaccharides and a fermented green blend. A four-week trial involving 100 healthy adults showed an increase in acetate and lactate, which are involved in butyrate production.'Nutrilite Probiotics' incorporates selected strains of beneficial bacteria based on Korean microbiome data. Amway Korea has accumulated over 110,000 data points through its partnership with microbiome specialist HEM Pharma, which offers personalized gut health services. From this data, 3,428 strains were analyzed to identify two key strains, for which Amway secured exclusive global licenses. The new product contains five strains of probiotics, guaranteeing 10 billion live bacteria (CFU) per daily serving.Amway researchers validated the effectiveness of consuming both products together using gastrointestinal models and human intestinal organoids (mini-organs). The results indicated that the combined intake significantly increased the production of butyrate, a compound crucial for gut health, compared to consuming each product separately. Two related research papers have been published in international journals.Shin Eun-ja, CEO of Amway Korea, stated, "We aim to contribute to the expansion of the gut health management ecosystem through a two-track strategy that offers easy-to-start gut health solutions for everyone without the need for specialized testing or consultations, as well as personalized solutions based on individual health conditions."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-01 14:52:00
  • Ruling Party Calls for Fair Taxation in Governments Property Tax Reform
    Ruling Party Calls for Fair Taxation in Government's Property Tax Reform The Democratic Party expressed support on September 1 for the government's proposed tax reform plan, emphasizing the need to consider fairness in taxation among homeowners and the predictability of tax burdens. The party's policy committee stated in a press release that it has consistently raised concerns about excessive tax burdens, advocating for a plan that does not differentiate between homeowners based on residency status for the basic exemption on the comprehensive real estate tax. They added, "We will continue to closely examine the impact of the government's proposal on public burden and the housing market during the National Assembly discussions and make necessary adjustments." Earlier, the government finalized its tax reform plan, increasing the basic exemption for non-resident homeowners from 900 million won to 1.2 billion won, and for non-resident couples from 400 million won to 600 million won. The upper limit on tax burdens will remain at the current 150%. 2026-09-01 14:48:20
  • HLBs Liver Cancer Drug Shows Consistent Efficacy Across Age Groups at ILCA 2026
    HLB's Liver Cancer Drug Shows Consistent Efficacy Across Age Groups at ILCA 2026 HLB's liver cancer drug combination of Riboceranib and Camrelizumab has demonstrated consistent treatment efficacy across all age groups. The therapy showed improved progression-free survival (PFS) even in younger liver cancer patients under 40, reaffirming its potential for a broad patient population.HLB's U.S. subsidiary Elevate Therapeutics announced on September 1 that it will present the results of a post-hoc analysis by age from the global Phase 3 trial 'CARES-310' for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) at the International Liver Cancer Association's annual conference (ILCA 2026) in Brussels, Belgium, from September 3 to 5.The age-based analysis revealed that the median overall survival (mOS) for patients under 50 was 21.5 months, compared to 15.2 months for the sorafenib group. The median PFS (mPFS) was also improved at 5.5 months versus 2.7 months in the sorafenib group. For patients aged 50 and older, the mOS was 23.9 months compared to 15.2 months, and the mPFS was 6.2 months versus 3.7 months, confirming the treatment's efficacy.Similar results were observed in the cohort of patients under 40, where the mOS was 24.2 months, significantly longer than the 15.2 months in the sorafenib group, and the mPFS was 5.5 months compared to 2.2 months in the sorafenib group.Safety profiles showed no significant differences across age groups. Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were similar across age ranges, with the most common grade 3-4 TRAEs being hypertension in the combination group and hand-foot syndrome in the sorafenib group.Arndt Vogel, a professor of medical oncology at the University Health Network-Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto and the study's lead author, stated, "This age-based subgroup analysis provides additional evidence that the combination of Camrelizumab and Riboceranib may improve treatment outcomes for liver cancer patients across various age groups, supporting its potential as an important treatment option in multidisciplinary liver cancer care."In July, Elevate received a Complete Response Letter (CRL) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding its New Drug Application (NDA) for Riboceranib and Camrelizumab as a first-line treatment for liver cancer, due to issues related to current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) at its production facility. The company is currently working with its partners on the resubmission process to the FDA.Dong-geun Kim, CEO of Elevate, remarked, "With this additional analysis confirming treatment potential across a broad patient population, we will do our utmost to provide new treatment options for hepatocellular carcinoma patients through FDA approval."Meanwhile, HLB Group announced last month the launch of a new group identity (GI) and declared the 'HLB WAY,' which embodies the values and principles the group pursues. The HLB WAY emphasizes a spirit of challenge that is unafraid of failure, turning new possibilities into reality, connecting people, technology, affiliates, and industries to create greater value, and expanding this to a wider world to realize 'Human Life Better.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-01 14:48:10
  • Huawei Invests Heavily in R&D Despite Declining Profits
    Huawei Invests Heavily in R&D Despite Declining Profits Chinese tech giant Huawei is significantly increasing its investment in research and development (R&D) despite a drop in net profits. According to a report released on August 31 through the Beijing Financial Assets Exchange, Huawei's revenue for the first half of 2026 reached 467.8 billion yuan (approximately $95 billion), a 9.55% increase from the previous year. However, net profit fell by 36.8% to 23.4 billion yuan (about $4.8 billion).The first-half revenue marks the highest level since 2020. The report forecasts that the upward trend will continue into the second half of the year, with annual revenue expected to exceed 900 billion yuan.The increase in R&D expenses is cited as the primary reason for the decline in net profit. Huawei's R&D spending for the first half of the year reached 121.3 billion yuan (approximately $24 billion), a 25.2% increase compared to the previous year. This figure represents the highest R&D expenditure for the first half of any year. The proportion of R&D expenses relative to revenue rose from 22.7% in the first half of last year to 25.94% this year. Huawei is significantly expanding its R&D efforts in areas such as semiconductors, server processors, Harmony operating system, AI computing, autonomous driving, 6G, and optical communications.Additionally, rising semiconductor costs have contributed to a decrease in operating profit margins, which fell from 10.4% in the first half of last year to 7.0% this year.In terms of business performance, Huawei maintained its leading position in the smartphone sector with a 20.6% market share in China during the first half of the year. The company shipped approximately 27.6 million units, a 20% increase from the previous year. In the electric vehicle software sector, Huawei's Hongmeng Zhixing sold 240,000 units in the first half, marking an 18.6% increase year-on-year. In the telecommunications equipment sector, Huawei showed the highest growth rate among the top five suppliers in the wireless access network (RAN) market, driven by global 5G base station expansions and domestic 5G network upgrades.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-01 14:48:10
  • Asiana Airlines Launches New Route to Kobe, Expanding Kansai Access
    Asiana Airlines Launches New Route to Kobe, Expanding Kansai Access Asiana Airlines announced on September 1 that it has launched a new route to Kobe, Japan.The Incheon-Kobe route will operate daily, departing from Incheon International Airport at 12 p.m. and arriving at Kobe Airport at 2 p.m. The return flight will leave Kobe Airport at 3 p.m. and arrive back at Incheon International Airport at 5 p.m.The aircraft used for this route will be the Airbus A321NEO, Asiana Airlines' next-generation short-haul aircraft.To celebrate the inaugural flight, Asiana Airlines held a ceremony at the departure hall of Incheon International Airport's Terminal 2. The event was attended by Park Jong-man, head of Asiana Airlines' passenger division, and Kim Tae-sung, head of the hub strategy division at Incheon International Airport Corporation.Kobe is renowned for its stunning natural scenery, exotic urban atmosphere, and culinary delights. One of its main attractions, Arima Onsen, is considered one of Japan's top three hot springs, and nearby is Himeji Castle, Japan's first UNESCO World Heritage site, offering a blend of history and relaxation.Asiana Airlines presented all passengers on the inaugural flight with a commemorative Asiana character magnet to mark the new route to Kobe.An Asiana Airlines official stated, "By launching this new route to the popular travel destination of Kobe, we have made it possible for travelers in the Kansai region to enjoy a more diverse and convenient travel experience. We aim to strengthen our competitiveness on the Korea-Japan routes with stable operations and differentiated services on the newly opened Kobe route."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-01 14:48:10
  • Chinese Engineers from Samsung and SK Hynix Lead YMTCs NAND Flash Development
    Chinese Engineers from Samsung and SK Hynix Lead YMTC's NAND Flash Development China's largest NAND flash manufacturer, Yangtze Memory Technologies Co. (YMTC), has key technology developers and production leaders who previously worked at Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. According to a securities filing submitted by YMTC for its initial public offering (IPO), among the 11 designated key technical personnel, Chief Scientist and Head of the Innovation Research Institute Huo Zhongliang and Manufacturing Process Center Director Gu Lixun both have experience at the Chinese branches of Samsung and SK Hynix, respectively.The former Samsung employee is responsible for developing YMTC's 3D NAND technology, while the former SK Hynix employee oversees key process development and mass production.Born in 1975, Huo Zhongliang holds a Ph.D. in microelectronics and solid-state electronics. He joined YMTC in 2016 after working in Samsung's semiconductor R&D organization, the Institute of Microelectronics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Wuhan Xinxin (XMC).Huo has served as Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Executive Vice President, and Chief Scientist at YMTC. According to the company, he has led the development of the first nine-layer flash memory prototype in China, as well as the development of 3D NAND technology and products from the first to the fifth generation, successfully transitioning them to mass production. He holds over 600 patents to date.Currently, the Innovation Research Institute led by Huo is responsible for technology development, integrated circuit (IC) development, product and testing processes, and flash devices. It is YMTC's core R&D organization, focusing on next-generation NAND architecture, processes, devices, circuit design, and product development.Gu Lixun, who previously worked at SK Hynix's Chinese branch, is in charge of mass production at the Manufacturing Process Center. Born in 1985, he joined YMTC in 2017 after working at Wuxi Sharp Electronic Components and SK Hynix Semiconductor (China) Co., Ltd.According to YMTC, Gu has been responsible for the core wet etching processes, dedicated equipment, and chemical development for multiple generations of 3D NAND. He holds over 50 related public patents and has participated in the development of customized equipment and components necessary for 3D NAND production, applying relevant technologies to actual production lines.In addition to personnel from Samsung and SK Hynix, YMTC employs engineers from global semiconductor companies such as Micron and Intel in its technology and manufacturing organizations. Hua Zhiquan, from Micron's Singapore branch, serves as the Manufacturing Process Center Director, while Feng Yaobin, who has worked at UMC and Micron, and Hou Chunyu, from Intel and Micron, are part of the Innovation Research Institute.YMTC is currently developing sixth-generation 3D NAND and expanding its product lineup based on fifth-generation NAND to include PCIe 5.0 enterprise SSDs, consumer SSDs, and UFS 4.1. The company reported that it ranked third in the global NAND market in terms of revenue and shipments in the first quarter. YMTC plans to use the funds raised from the IPO for the construction and enhancement of production lines and technology development.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-01 14:48:00