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U.S. Military Leaders Warn of Risks from Prolonged Iran Conflict The U.S. military leadership has warned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that a prolonged conflict in Iran could weaken the military's ability to respond to other regional conflicts, according to a report by the Washington Post on August 30, citing sources. As the Iran conflict enters its sixth month, key military assets, including ships, aircraft, troops, and missiles, are concentrated in the Middle East, causing disruptions in operations and training in Europe and Asia.According to the report, military leaders from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with the European, Pacific, and Southern commands, conveyed risks associated with the prolonged Iran conflict in a Defense Secretary's Order Book (SDOB) dated August 14. The SDOB reportedly includes directives to maintain U.S. troop levels in the Middle East through September, with some forces expected to remain into next year. Typically published twice a month, the SDOB assesses the availability of U.S. naval vessels, aircraft, troops, and weapon systems worldwide and outlines the Department of Defense's operational direction, incorporating feedback from military leaders.Notably, some regional commanders have expressed 'non-concur' opinions regarding the continued deployment of forces in the Middle East. This indicates their disagreement with the operation while acknowledging the necessity of supporting the Iran conflict, which has hindered the ability of U.S. forces in Europe, Asia, and Latin America to fulfill their original missions and training.The Navy is particularly concerned, as the lack of a clear end to the conflict has extended the deployment periods for ships and crew members involved in both the initial attacks and subsequent blockade of Iranian ports. Admiral Daryl Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations, has reportedly assessed that the number of immediately deployable naval vessels has dropped to about one-quarter of pre-war levels.One source noted that while it is common for military leaders to mention operational risks, the outlook for the Iran conflict has become 'more grim.' Recently, some senior officers have been more candid and open in discussing the risks associated with the prolonged conflict with Secretary Hegseth.The Iran conflict is also straining U.S. missile and air defense capabilities. The overlap of the conflict with support for Ukraine has further diminished the availability of Patriot interceptors, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors, and Tomahawk cruise missiles, significantly weakening the U.S. military's operational and support capabilities.This has also created a larger defensive gap in other regions. The European and Southern commands have warned that their ability to perform homeland defense missions has been compromised due to the support of naval vessels and surveillance aircraft for the Iran conflict. The Pacific Command has also expressed concerns about the ongoing support for aircraft carrier strike groups and destroyers. The relocation of key aircraft carriers from the Pacific to the Middle East has increased the burden on U.S. forces in the Indo-Pacific, which are tasked with countering China.The Washington Post analyzed that this assessment reflects the burdens faced by the Trump administration in its efforts to end the war with Iran. Meanwhile, on the same day, U.S. forces struck two rocket launchers belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stationed on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran attacked a U.S. military base in Jordan, marking a resurgence of military clashes between the two nations after a month. 2026-08-31 10:44:00 -
Seoul Land to Host Unique Autumn Festival Featuring K-Ghosts and Global Spirits Seoul Land is set to launch a unique autumn festival where traditional Korean ghost characters meet spirits from around the world. According to Seoul Land, the 'K-Dopamine Ghost Festival' will take place from October 5 to November 1. Building on the popularity of this summer's 'K-Naplyang Special,' the festival combines K-culture with horror content, adding global ghost characters to create new seasonal offerings. The festival's highlight is the expansion of Seoul Land's unique 'K-Ghost' universe to include global ghost characters. While the summer season featured familiar K-Ghosts like the Grim Reaper, Gumiho, and Virgin Ghost, the autumn festival will introduce iconic Western characters such as Dracula, ghost witches, and Frankenstein. This blend of Korean ghost culture and Western Halloween characters aims to showcase a distinct Seoul Land experience, setting it apart from traditional Halloween festivals. Notably, this festival enhances interactive programs that allow visitors to engage directly with the content. A new event, 'Ghost Prank Call,' invites participants to call a ghost, where they must evade appearing spirits during the conversation, promising a unique and entertaining experience. Performance content has also been enriched. The new performance musical 'Gumiho and Ghost Party' humorously narrates the encounter between the K-Ghost Gumiho and Western Halloween ghosts. Featuring performances set to rock, pop, and dance music, along with fire juggling, the show is designed for enjoyment by families and younger audiences alike. The popular summer events 'K-Ghost Singing Contest' and 'K-Random Play Dance' will continue into the autumn season. These programs allow audience members to participate on stage, adding an interactive element to the enjoyment of the performances. Various areas of Seoul Land will also be newly decorated for the autumn season. In particular, the Christmas 365 Town will feature a newly created 'Pumpkin House.' This area will be themed around a party with vampires and ghosts, enhanced with pumpkins and Halloween decorations, creating a unique photo zone. Using whimsical characters and lighting, the space will be designed to offer different atmospheres for photos during the day and night. Visitor anticipation is high. One attendee remarked, "Seeing familiar characters like Gumiho and the Grim Reaper alongside Western ghosts gives a different feel from the Halloween I know. It seems more fun and visually appealing, making it great for families and friends to enjoy together." Another visitor noted, "The opportunity to participate in games, not just watch performances, makes the festival more engaging. The variety of photo spots also makes it an exciting autumn outing." A Seoul Land representative stated, "This summer, we confirmed the potential of presenting Korean themes through amusement park experiences with K-Ghost content. This autumn, we aimed to expand the K-Ghost universe to include global ghosts and enhance the festival with performances and interactive content, creating a new autumn festival unique to Seoul Land."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 10:44:00 -
LG Electronics hunts for U.S. talent for AI push SEOUL, August 31 (AJP) - LG Electronics is stepping up its hunt for U.S.-based engineering talent in robotics, AI data-center cooling and mobility as the Korean electronics giant builds up new businesses beyond its traditional home appliance operations. The recruiting push comes just weeks after LG Group laid out an ambitious technology roadmap with Nvidia spanning humanoid robots, AI factories and autonomous driving, giving the company a series of concrete projects that will require deeper expertise in artificial intelligence, robotics and next-generation infrastructure. The company said Monday it held its North America Tech Conference in San Francisco on Aug. 29, bringing together about 100 researchers, doctoral-level specialists and experienced engineers from major U.S. universities, technology companies and startups. Participants included researchers from Stanford, Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of California, Berkeley. LG CEO Lyu Jae-cheol attended alongside the company's chief technology officer and senior executives overseeing robotics, artificial intelligence, mobility and data infrastructure. Lyu outlined LG's strategy to build robotics, AI data-center cooling and mobility into future growth engines, areas the company increasingly groups under its broader physical AI push. LG plans to unveil a next-generation bipedal humanoid robot powered by Nvidia technology in the first quarter of 2027 and build an Nvidia Vera Rubin-based AI factory reference site later that year. The partnership will expand into an 80-megawatt AI factory in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, in the first half of 2028, while the two companies are also developing a high-performance computing platform for AI-defined vehicles based on Nvidia's Drive Hyperion architecture. The humanoid project will use Nvidia's Isaac GR00T open foundation model, Jetson Thor computing platform and Halos for Robotics safety system, while LG affiliates will provide components including actuators, sensors and batteries. LG Electronics is also preparing to deploy its wheeled CLOiD robot on a washing machine production line at its Tennessee factory by the end of this year for proof-of-concept testing. Against that backdrop, the latest recruiting campaign suggests LG is seeking talent not only for research but also for the commercialization and deployment of those technologies. LG is seeking to combine robotics platforms and AI with decades of manufacturing data, while leveraging its existing strengths in HVAC and automotive components. The company said data generated from hundreds of millions of connected products and experience manufacturing more than 1 billion core components could also support its physical AI expansion. "LG Electronics is a company where people with deep technical expertise can grow into key leaders who shape its future," Lyu said. The company will continue its U.S. recruiting push from Sept. 9, visiting universities including MIT, Carnegie Mellon, Michigan, Purdue, Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Wisconsin-Madison for recruitment sessions. AJP Takeaways ○ LG Electronics is recruiting U.S. engineers in robotics, AI data-center cooling and mobility as it expands beyond its traditional home appliance businesses. ○ The talent push follows LG Group's Nvidia partnership covering a humanoid robot, AI factories and AI-defined vehicles, with major projects scheduled from 2027. ○ LG will recruit at leading U.S. universities including MIT, Carnegie Mellon, Michigan and Purdue as it builds expertise for physical AI and next-generation infrastructure. 2026-08-31 10:42:10 -
Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik to Offer Condolences to Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae Kang Hoon-sik, the Chief of Staff to the President, will pay his respects to Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, who is mourning the loss of his father. According to the Blue House on August 31, Kang is scheduled to visit the funeral home at Pohang St. Mary's Hospital this morning. Despite ongoing tensions regarding Cho's appointment as Chief Justice, the Blue House plans to extend its condolences with a floral tribute from President Lee Jae-myung.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 10:40:10 -
Shinhan Bank and Technology Guarantee Fund to Support SMEs with $438 Million for Succession and M&A Shinhan Bank is partnering with the Technology Guarantee Fund to provide financial support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) pursuing business succession and mergers and acquisitions (M&A). On August 31, Shinhan Bank announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding for M&A financial support aimed at promoting business succession and technological innovation with the Technology Guarantee Fund. Under the agreement, Shinhan Bank will contribute a special fund of 1 billion won and a guarantee fee support of 300 million won, totaling 1.3 billion won. Based on this, Shinhan Bank and the Technology Guarantee Fund will supply guaranteed loans amounting to 43.8 billion won. Eligible companies will benefit from increased guarantee ratios (from 85% to 100%) and a 0.3 percentage point reduction in guarantee fees for three years, or a 0.7 percentage point support in guarantee fees for two years. This initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden associated with business succession and M&A processes. Additionally, Shinhan Bank plans to support asset management and reinvestment following business sales and restructuring through its Shinhan Premier service. It will also collaborate with Shinhan Investment Corp. to provide comprehensive financial and advisory services necessary throughout the entire process of business succession and M&A. A Shinhan Bank official stated, "The purpose of this agreement is to provide practical financial support so that SMEs with technological capabilities and growth potential can seize new growth opportunities. We will support the smooth business succession and technological innovation of SMEs."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 10:40:00 -
Securities Industry to Invest 1 Trillion Won in Venture Secondary Market Over Three Years The Financial Investment Association and the securities industry plan to invest approximately 1 trillion won in the venture secondary market over the next three years to stimulate the venture recovery market and establish a virtuous cycle for venture capital.On August 31, the Financial Investment Association announced that it would pursue a plan for a 1 trillion won venture secondary investment in collaboration with the securities industry.This investment will be conducted through a 'two-track' approach, involving individual investments by securities firms and the establishment of a joint fund. This strategy aims to leverage the differentiated investment capabilities of each securities firm while providing substantial funding through the joint fund.Individual investments will be led by seven major investment banks (IBs) engaged in issuing commercial paper and comprehensive investment accounts (IMA), with an estimated scale of about 618.5 billion won. Participating firms include Mirae Asset Securities, Shinhan Investment Corp., NH Investment & Securities, KB Securities, Kiwoom Securities, Hana Securities, and Korea Investment & Securities.Should additional approvals for issuing commercial paper be granted and relevant comprehensive financial investment firms participate, the scale of individual investments is expected to expand to approximately 700 billion won.The joint fund will be established with a scale of 300 billion won, focusing on the top 15 securities firms by operating profit in 2025, along with the Financial Investment Association.Participating firms in the joint fund include Kyobo Securities, Daishin Securities, Meritz Securities, Mirae Asset Securities, Samsung Securities, Shin Young Securities, Shinhan Investment Corp., NH Investment & Securities, Yuanta Securities, KB Securities, Kiwoom Securities, Toss Securities, Hana Securities, Korea Investment & Securities, and Hanwha Investment & Securities.The Financial Investment Association stated, "The joint fund will play a pivotal role in providing stable liquidity to the venture recovery market and promoting private-sector secondary investment." It added that after selecting the final management institution through a public announcement, it plans to finalize the investment agreements and commence substantial investments.The securities industry has been expanding venture capital supply in line with the government's focus on productive finance. However, there have been calls to enhance the recovery market's functionality, which has been overly reliant on initial public offerings (IPOs), to establish a virtuous cycle that includes investment, growth, recovery, and reinvestment.This investment aims to support smooth recoveries for venture market investors and complement the IPO-centric recovery structure while promoting the circulation of funds within the venture investment ecosystem.When combined with a separate support plan from related securities institutions, which could reach up to 1 trillion won, it is expected that approximately 2 trillion won will be supplied to the venture recovery market through the financial investment industry.Hwang Seong-yeop, chairman of the Financial Investment Association, remarked, "This plan is significant as it demonstrates the securities industry's active participation in creating a growth ecosystem for ventures and innovative companies. We will continue our efforts to revitalize the venture recovery market and expand venture capital supply."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 10:40:00 -
Korea Disease Control Agency Evaluates Infection Testing Capabilities at 17 Health Research Institutes The Korea Disease Control Agency (KDCA) announced on August 31 that it will conduct a pilot evaluation of the "Laboratory Testing Capability Assessment for Public Infectious Disease Pathogen Confirmation" at 17 health and environmental research institutes across the country to enhance the reliability of public infectious disease testing. These health and environmental research institutes serve as local testing agencies to quickly address the demand for infectious disease testing, handling over 1.4 million legally mandated tests each year. The KDCA has been supporting these institutions in establishing stable standard operating procedures specialized for infectious disease testing and has been conducting comprehensive pilot evaluations of testing capabilities since 2025. The evaluation encompasses the entire process from specimen reception to testing and result reporting, thoroughly examining personnel, facilities, equipment, and procedures that directly impact test results. The detailed evaluation consists of 94 items, including 26 items for "laboratory operations" that check documents and records, 31 items for "technical management" assessing personnel, equipment, and facilities, 32 items for "infectious disease testing" evaluating actual testing capabilities, and 5 items for "laboratory crisis response." This pilot evaluation will take place from late August to mid-October this year. Each health and environmental research institute will first conduct a self-assessment of its laboratory and submit the results. An evaluation team, consisting of at least two experts in infectious disease testing and institutional evaluation, will then visit the sites for verification. The KDCA plans to use the results of this pilot evaluation, conducted again this year following last year's assessment, to confirm the appropriateness of the standard operating procedures implemented in local governments and identify areas for improvement. Additionally, the agency aims to continuously refine the evaluation criteria and methods based on international standards (WHO, ISO, etc.) to enhance field applicability, with a full evaluation planned to commence in 2027. Im Seung-kwan, head of the KDCA, emphasized, "The starting point for infectious disease response is rapid and accurate testing, and it is crucial to have a systematic laboratory operating system that can reliably perform the entire testing process." He added, "This pilot evaluation is part of the process to create a trustworthy infectious disease testing system for the public, and the KDCA will continue to work closely with health and environmental research institutes to strengthen local testing capabilities and protect the health and daily lives of citizens."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 10:40:00 -
BYD's Growth Slows as Revenue and Profit Decline China's largest electric vehicle manufacturer, BYD, reported a decline in both revenue and net profit for the first half of the year. This marks the first time since 2020 that BYD has experienced simultaneous decreases in these metrics.BYD announced that its revenue for the first half of the year was 344.8 billion yuan (approximately 70.69 trillion won), a decrease of 7.13% compared to the same period last year. Net profit fell to 12.325 billion yuan (25.3 trillion won), down 20.54%. The drop in net profit was more significant than the decline in revenue, attributed to reduced vehicle sales leading to lower prices.By segment, revenue from automotive and related products decreased by 8.98% to 275.34 billion yuan. In contrast, revenue from electronics and other products increased by 0.96% to 69.45 billion yuan.In the first half of the year, BYD's vehicle sales totaled 1,808,511 units, a decline of 15.72%. The slowdown in growth became evident starting in the third quarter of last year. In the first quarter of this year, revenue was 150.225 billion yuan, down 11.82% year-on-year, while net profit dropped by 55.38% to 4.085 billion yuan, indicating a continuation of this trend.The poor performance of BYD is largely attributed to a downturn in the domestic market. In the first half of the year, China's passenger car sales fell by 18.9% to 8.798 million units. Sales of new energy vehicles decreased by 14.1% to 4.557 million units. During the same period, BYD's domestic sales plummeted by 39.57% to 1,016,255 units, causing it to be surpassed in domestic sales by Shanghai Automotive and Geely.Geely has positioned its new models competitively against BYD, pricing them lower. Additionally, the electric vehicle brand Leap Motor has emerged as a strong competitor to BYD in the 100,000 to 200,000 yuan market, leveraging its own technology and high-spec, low-cost strategy. Leap Motor is expected to approach sales of 1 million units this year. Industry analysts suggest that it will be challenging for BYD to regain its previous dominant position in the domestic market in the short term.In response, BYD is focusing on expanding its presence in overseas markets. Exports in the first half of the year approached 790,000 units, a surge of 67.9%. In July, exports of new energy vehicles reached a record high of 180,538 units. BYD has raised its export target for the year from 1.3 million to 1.5 million units. Analysts believe that if BYD achieves its export goal of 1.5 million units, it could generate a net profit of 30 billion yuan solely from its overseas operations.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 10:36:00 -
People Power Party Criticizes President Yoon's Cabinet Reshuffle as a Move to Cancel Trials 국민의힘은 31일 이재명 대통령이 6개 부처의 장관을 교체하는 중폭 개각을 시행한 것과 관련해 "국민의 뜻과 정반대로 가는 재판 취소용 개각"이라며 인사청문회에서의 철저한 검증을 예고했다. 장동혁 대표는 이날 국회에서 열린 최고위원회의에서 "어제 이 대통령의 기습 개각이 있었다. 국민의 뜻과 정반대로 가는 민심 역주행 개각"이라며 이같이 말했다. 장 대표는 법무부 장관으로 내정된 김승원 더불어민주당 의원에 대해 "공소 취소, 특검법 배임죄 삭제를 주도하고 있는 인물"이라며 "결국 국민이 아무리 반대해도 재판 취소에 올인하겠다는 것"이라고 주장했다. 이어 "나머지 장관 지명된 사람들의 면면을 보더라도 실망스럽기 그지없다"며 "부동산 세금 폭탄의 주범을 재정경제부 장관에 앉히겠다고 한다. 그리고 이재명 경기도의 기본 주택 설계자를 국토교통부 장관에 지명했다"고 지적했다. 그는 "국민이 어찌 되건 부동산 지옥 정책을 계속 밀어붙이겠다는 것"이라며 "청년들의 분노에 터무니없는 용혜인 카드를 내놓았다. 왼쪽 챙긴다더니 친문에 조국까지 좌파 잡탕"이라고 꼬집었다. 그러면서 "정작 국민이 쫓아내라는 김용범 청와대 정책실장은 그대로 뒀다. 한미 동맹 다 부수고 있는 정동영 통일부 장관도 자리를 지켰다"며 "국민의 삶보다, 한미 동맹 복원보다 본인 재판 취소가 더 급한 것"이라고 했다. 아울러 "안규백 국방부 장관은 결국 탈영 의혹도 해소하지 않고 물러나게 됐다"며 "장관 그만두면 병적 기록부 공개하겠다던 약속 반드시 지키기 바란다"고 압박했다. 그는 "국민의힘은 인사청문회에서 하나하나 철저하게 검증할 것"이라며 "청문회 망신살 피하려면 지금이라도 부적격 인사들을 철회해야 한다. 재판 취소용 개각이 아니라 국민의 뜻에 맞는 인물들로 청와대와 내각을 전면 교체해야 한다"고 강조했다. 정점식 원내대표는 이 대통령의 개각에 대해 "국민들이 요구하는 국정 쇄신을 전면 거부하기로 선언한 것"이라며 "국민들께서 요구하는 것은 잘못된 경제 정책을 고치고, 흔들리는 국가 안보와 한미 동맹을 바로 세우고, 이 대통령의 재판 취소를 위한 법치 파괴를 중단하라는 것"이라고 목소리 높였다. 이어 단일 종목 레버리지 ETF 도입을 주도한 김 실장과 정 장관을 유임시킨 것에 대해 "정책 쇄신의 의지가 조금도 없다"며 "이번 개각은 민생경제 살리기보다는 지지율 살리기, 이재명 살리기를 위한 함량 미달 좌파 연합 개각"이라고 질타했다. 또 "친문, 조국당, 기본소득당의 함량 미달 인사들에게 한 자리씩 나눠주면서 범여권 좌파 연합을 결속시키려는 의도로 보인다"며 "그동안 왼쪽을 너무 안 챙겼다더니 이렇게 인사 나눠 먹기로 챙기는 것"이라고 덧붙였다. 정 원내대표는 "문재인 정부처럼 진영, 세대, 젠더 갈라치기로 좌파를 결집시키고 그 힘으로 본인의 재판 취소를 추진하겠다는 의도가 다분하다"며 "일시적인 지지율 반등 효과가 있을지는 모르겠지만 결국 문재인 정부의 실패를 그대로 답습하게 될 것"이라고 경고했다. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 10:32:20 -
Korea Securities Depository Releases Guide for Foreign Investors on Government Bonds 한국예탁결제원이 세계국채지수(WGBI) 편입에 따른 외국인 투자자의 한국 국채 활용 확대에 대비해 국채 투자와 담보 활용 절차 등을 담은 가이드를 발간했다. 한국예탁결제원은 31일 외국인 투자자의 한국 국채에 대한 이해를 높이고 국채 담보 활용을 활성화하기 위한 '외국인 투자자 국채 활용 가이드'를 국·영문으로 발간했다고 밝혔다. 이번 가이드는 지난 4월부터 한국 국채가 WGBI에 편입되면서 외국인 투자자의 국내 국채 투자가 확대되고, 보유 국채를 담보로 활용하려는 수요도 늘어날 것으로 예상되는 데 따라 마련됐다. WGBI는 FTSE Russell이 산출하는 글로벌 대표 국채지수로 미국과 일본 등 주요 선진국을 포함한 26개국 국채가 편입돼 있다. 금융투자협회에 따르면 WGBI 편입이 시작된 4월 1일부터 지난 28일까지 외국인은 국내 국채를 약 33조원 순매수한 것으로 나타났다. WGBI 편입 이후 외국인의 국내 국채 투자 확대가 실제 매수세로 이어지고 있는 만큼 향후 국채를 담보로 활용하는 금융거래 수요도 함께 늘어날 것으로 전망된다. 정부 역시 지난 7월 발표한 '원화 국제화 로드맵'을 통해 외국인이 보유한 원화 채권의 활용도를 높이고 원화 자산에 대한 투자 유인을 확대하기 위해 국채 등 역내 담보 활용을 높이고 역외 대차거래를 허용하는 방안을 추진하기로 했다. 가이드에는 외국인 투자자가 한국 국채를 증권파이낸싱이나 파생상품 거래 등에 활용할 때 필요한 국내 제도와 국채 보관·활용 절차, 주요 서비스 등이 담겼다. 특히 외국인 투자자가 국채를 단순히 보유하는 데 그치지 않고 증권대차(SLB), 환매조건부매매(Repo), 장외파생상품 증거금 거래 등에 활용할 수 있도록 관련 내용을 체계적으로 안내했다. 예탁결제원 관계자는 "외국인 투자자가 한국 국채를 보다 다양한 방식으로 활용할 수 있도록 관련 인프라와 서비스를 지속적으로 개선해 나갈 예정"이라고 말했다. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 10:32:00


