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  • Constitutional Court to Review Law Abolishing Prosecutors Investigative Powers
    Constitutional Court to Review Law Abolishing Prosecutors' Investigative Powers A constitutional appeal filed by the People Power Party regarding the amendment to the criminal procedure law, which abolishes prosecutors' direct investigative powers and supplementary investigative rights, will be formally reviewed by the Constitutional Court. On August 26, legal sources reported that the Constitutional Court has referred the constitutional appeal concerning the constitutionality of the amended criminal procedure law, filed by the People Power Party, for formal judgment. The court will assess whether the constitutional appeal meets legal requirements through a designated panel of three judges. If deemed legally sound, the case will be forwarded to the full bench of nine judges for further deliberation. The People Power Party filed the constitutional appeal on August 13, citing violations of the principles of due process, personal freedom, the right to apply for warrants, the right to a speedy and fair trial, the presumption of innocence, the right of criminal victims to participate in proceedings, and the principle of proportionality. The party also argued that subordinating prosecutors to police investigations undermines the checks and balances within the criminal justice system, violating the principle of functional separation of powers. Meanwhile, the amendment to the criminal procedure law was passed by the National Assembly at the end of last month, led by the Democratic Party, and subsequently approved by the Cabinet earlier this month. Starting in October, when the amended law takes effect, investigations and prosecutions will be completely separated, prohibiting direct investigations by prosecutors and abolishing supplementary investigative rights. However, prosecutors will still be able to request supplementary investigations from judicial police officers.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 14:24:00
  • SK Innovation to Absorb SKIET, Aiming for $600 Million in Annual Savings
    SK Innovation to Absorb SKIET, Aiming for $600 Million in Annual Savings SK Innovation plans to achieve annual cost savings of approximately 600 billion won through the absorption of SK IE Technology (SKIET) and aims for the separator business to turn profitable within two years. The merger comes amid prolonged demand stagnation in the electric vehicle market and intensified competition from Chinese firms, prompting SK Innovation to improve its cost structure and break the cycle of poor performance.On August 26, SK Innovation held an online meeting to explain the background and future business strategy regarding the announced merger with SKIET.Following the merger, SK Innovation intends to incorporate SKIET's separator business as a separate division. The company plans to streamline its organization and functions to reduce redundant costs and enhance cost competitiveness. The anticipated cost savings from the merger are estimated to be around 600 billion won annually.Seo Geon-ki, head of SK Innovation's finance division, stated, "By consolidating organizational functions that arose during independent operations, we can reduce overall costs. Based on SK Innovation's creditworthiness, we also expect to lower interest expenses, leading to an additional improvement of about 600 billion won in EBITDA."The company has also clarified its profitability improvement goals. SK Innovation aims to achieve EBITDA profitability within two years by combining cost savings from the merger, enhancing research and development capabilities, and expanding into new markets such as separators for energy storage systems (ESS).SKIET was established in April 2019 as a spin-off from SK Innovation's materials business and was listed on the stock market in May 2021. Since its inception as an independent entity, SKIET has steadily increased its production of separators for electric vehicle lithium-ion batteries. However, the company faced challenges in 2024 due to the electric vehicle market's stagnation.Decreased orders from major clients and inventory adjustments led to a drop in factory utilization rates, exacerbating losses due to its high fixed cost structure. In fact, SKIET reported consolidated revenues of 261.9 billion won and a net loss of 211.4 billion won last year. Its assets totaled 4.39 trillion won, with liabilities amounting to 1.79 trillion won. In the first quarter of this year, SKIET's factory utilization rate remained around 20%.Seo added, "If we had not merged, SKIET would have faced increased financial burdens due to additional borrowing and rising financial costs, potentially leading to a situation where capital increases would be unavoidable. We determined that we needed to break the cycle of increasing financial burdens in a market environment that is not improving."However, concerns have been raised that absorbing the loss-making SKIET could increase SK Innovation's financial burden. The merger will involve the issuance of new shares by SK Innovation, and if losses in the separator business continue, SK Innovation will directly bear those losses.Another variable is the PRS contract signed during SKIET's capital increase last year. In August 2022, SKIET raised 300 billion won from financial investors (FIs) through a third-party allocation capital increase, and at that time, SK Innovation entered into a PRS contract with the FIs. With SKIET set to dissolve in January 2024 due to the merger, how this contract will be resolved is also a key issue.SK Innovation stated that the handling of the PRS contract has not yet been finalized and plans to discuss it with the contracting parties. The company also downplayed concerns about potential declines in profitability following the merger, explaining that there would be no significant changes to key financial statements such as consolidated revenues and debt ratios, as SKIET is already a consolidated subsidiary. 2026-08-26 14:20:10
  • Naver D2SF Invests in Defense and Manufacturing Startup F4GE
    Naver D2SF Invests in Defense and Manufacturing Startup F4GE Naver is continuing its investment efforts in the defense and manufacturing sectors by investing in a startup focused on building supply chain infrastructure.Naver D2SF announced on August 26 that it has made a new investment in F4GE, a startup specializing in defense and manufacturing infrastructure. This investment marks F4GE's first institutional funding round, which also included participation from domestic and international investors such as K-Net Investment Partners, Saje Partners, D.CAMP, and 500 Global.F4GE aims to integrate scattered domestic root industry factories into a single manufacturing network and connect this infrastructure with global defense and advanced hardware companies.The startup has identified a growing demand in the global defense and manufacturing industries, noting a significant shortage of manufacturing infrastructure to support this demand. In particular, the defense sector is experiencing an increase in large-scale procurement needs, which cannot be fully met by the existing production capabilities of major defense companies.F4GE plans to address this supply chain gap by unifying domestic manufacturing plants into a 'programmable manufacturing network' that global defense and manufacturing companies can utilize.By deploying its own software in existing factory environments, F4GE will collect real-time data on equipment, processes, inspections, and workflows, converting this information into standard documentation and compliance systems required by global buyers. This approach allows domestic manufacturers to enter the global supply chain without the need for large-scale system overhauls while providing verifiable manufacturing partners to global buyers.Naver D2SF has recognized the opportunity to leverage South Korea's manufacturing capabilities to address the supply shortage in the global defense and manufacturing industries, which prompted its investment in F4GE.Yang Sang-hwan, head of Naver D2SF, stated, “The defense and manufacturing sectors are undergoing simultaneous supply chain restructuring and technological advancement, continuously creating new opportunities. F4GE is a team that is building a structure to connect the on-site capabilities of South Korean manufacturing with global defense and manufacturing demand.”He added, “This investment is significant in helping domestic manufacturing infrastructure play a larger role in the global value chain.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 14:20:00
  • Huawei to Receive Wi-Fi Patent Royalties from HP
    Huawei to Receive Wi-Fi Patent Royalties from HP Chinese tech giant Huawei will receive patent royalties from U.S. PC manufacturer HP.Huawei and HP signed a global patent cross-licensing agreement on the 25th, as reported by Chinese media IT之家 on the 26th. Under the agreement, HP will pay a certain amount of royalties for using Huawei's Wi-Fi patents. The specific contract amount and the scope of the patents used by HP have not been disclosed. Steven Geisler, Huawei's representative for intellectual property negotiations, stated, "This global cross-licensing agreement includes mutual patent rights held by HP."This agreement effectively resolves the Wi-Fi patent dispute that had arisen between Huawei and HP. In 2025, Huawei filed a lawsuit against HP in the European Unified Patent Court, alleging unauthorized use of its Wi-Fi 6 patents. Subsequently, HP joined the Wi-Fi 6 patent pool managed by the Italian intellectual property management firm Sisvel in November of last year. This led to the conclusion of Huawei's lawsuit against HP, and both companies reached a royalty agreement through negotiations.Huawei has been actively providing patented technology to various industries through patent pools and bilateral licensing agreements in the Wi-Fi sector. As of the end of 2025, it is reported that over 1.6 billion consumer electronic devices (excluding smartphones) incorporated Huawei technology. Notably, Huawei has recently been proactive in monetizing its Wi-Fi patents. In June, it proposed a royalty rate of $0.50 per unit for Wi-Fi 7 patents for consumer products.Meanwhile, Huawei is nurturing its patent licensing business as a new revenue source. According to Huawei's disclosed data, patent licensing revenue was approximately $630 million in 2024. The company did not disclose its patent licensing revenue for 2025. As of the end of 2025, Huawei holds over 165,000 valid patents worldwide and has signed more than 260 patent licensing and cross-licensing agreements.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 14:20:00
  • AIDC Calls for Increased Tax Incentives for AI Data Centers
    AIDC Calls for Increased Tax Incentives for AI Data Centers The competition in artificial intelligence (AI) is shifting from model performance to securing large-scale computing infrastructure, prompting calls for tax incentives to boost investments in AI data centers. Although the government has designated AI data centers as national strategic technology commercialization facilities eligible for a maximum 15% investment tax credit, industry representatives argue that this is insufficient compared to the 20% credit available for semiconductors.During a policy forum on AI data center construction held at the National Assembly Library on August 26, hosted by the Korea Internet Corporations Association, speakers emphasized the need to overhaul the investment environment, including tax policies and power networks, viewing AI data centers as critical national infrastructure.Cho Young-im, a professor of computer engineering at Gachon University, stated, "The demand for AI data centers is projected to structurally reach 290 GW by 2030, with an annual growth rate of about 14%. The decision on when to invest in land, power, and permits has become crucial."“15% Tax Credit, No One Can Actually Claim It”The primary concern raised by companies is the tax credit rate applicable to AI data centers. Under the current Tax Special Cases Limitation Act, the investment tax credit for national strategic technology commercialization facilities is 15% for large and medium enterprises and 25% for small businesses. In contrast, the semiconductor sector enjoys a 20% credit for large and medium firms and 30% for small businesses, which is 5 percentage points higher than for AI.Lee Yong-tak, vice president of external cooperation at SK Telecom's AI Data Center Integration Promotion Team, pointed out that the current tax credit level is inadequate given the scale of investment required for AI data centers. He remarked, "They are significantly larger than conventional data centers. Ultimately, it comes down to financial considerations. While the government’s recent reforms to support the development of Korea's AI ecosystem are encouraging, not a single entity has been able to claim the 15% tax credit, and none will in the future."The issue lies in the business structure of AI data centers. Even if the investment qualifies as a national strategic technology commercialization facility, how the operator utilizes the facility is critical.He explained, "The goal is to provide what I produce to others, and self-consumption is not allowed. To qualify for the current 15% tax credit, I must purchase the GPU, install it, and use it myself." This means that if an AI data center operates by providing GPU computing resources to other companies, it may struggle to meet the tax credit requirements.Kim Se-woong, vice president of AI synergy at Kakao, also highlighted the difficulties in applying for the tax credit alongside the rate itself. He stated, "Kakao is also working internally to receive tax benefits, but proving that we are using it for our own purposes is extremely challenging."Cloud Services at 1%... A Tax Support Blind Spot for AI InfrastructureThere are also calls to expand tax support for cloud services, which are considered essential to AI infrastructure alongside AI data centers.Kim Jin-ki, a professor of business administration at Korea Aerospace University, noted, "Cloud services are a core infrastructure that enables AI development, learning, and service deployment, acting as an accelerator. As AI models become more advanced, the volume of data and computation increases, making integration with cloud services essential."He emphasized that while cloud services are recognized as new growth and core technologies, they are not designated as commercialization facilities, resulting in only a 1% general deduction for facility investments. "Investments in cloud services play a crucial role in facilitating AI development and utilization, so policy support is needed to ensure sufficient capacity is secured," he added.“It’s Difficult to Match Semiconductor Levels”... Government Remains CautiousIndustry representatives are demanding that the tax credit rate for AI data centers be raised to match that of semiconductors and that essential equipment for constructing data centers, such as power and cooling systems, be included in the deduction criteria. However, the government is taking a cautious stance on expanding tax credits.Cho Mun-kyun, an official from the Ministry of Economy and Finance's Tax Special Cases Division, stated, "There are various methods of tax support, so it’s difficult to discuss this solely in terms of percentages. The semiconductor sector was granted a higher deduction rate for exceptional reasons, so it’s not easy to raise it that high within a year." He added that since AI data centers already qualify for the national strategic technology commercialization facility tax credit, it is not straightforward to assess the support level based solely on a comparison of deduction rates.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 14:16:00
  • Nvidia pushes AI beyond data centers as Korea ties deepen
    Nvidia pushes AI beyond data centers as Korea ties deepen SEOUL, August 26 (AJP) - Nvidia is pushing its AI reach beyond data centers and deeper into South Korean manufacturing, expanding opportunities well beyond chipmakers as robots, factories and industrial systems increasingly adopt its computing platforms. The U.S. chip giant unveiled the Jetson Orin Nano 2, a compact robotics computer designed to run generative and physical AI workloads directly on edge devices such as autonomous robots, drones and vision systems. The new system delivers 78 trillion operations per second, or TOPS, of AI performance, with 8 gigabytes of memory and an eight-core Arm CPU. Nvidia said it offers twice the inference performance of the Jetson Orin Nano Super while retaining the same compact form factor. At a 15-watt power setting, the system can deliver performance comparable to its predecessor while consuming 40 percent less power, according to the company. Smaller and more efficient AI models are increasingly allowing workloads once confined to cloud servers to run directly inside machines operating in the physical world. "Today's small and medium-sized frontier models are achieving accuracy comparable to the largest frontier models from last year, enabling real-time intelligence on edge devices," said Deepu Talla, vice president of robotics and edge AI at Nvidia. The Jetson Orin Nano 2 is designed to run large language and vision-language models including Nvidia's Cosmos and Nemotron as well as open models such as Google's Gemma and Alibaba's Qwen. More than 3 million developers currently build on Nvidia's robotics stack, the company said. Cognex, South Korea's Doosan Bobcat, Matic and Alphabet-owned drone delivery company Wing are among companies either adopting or evaluating the system. Nvidia plans to make the Jetson Orin Nano 2 module and developer kit available in the first half of 2027. Nvidia's push beyond the data center is not limited to machines that move. Separately, the company said Perplexity's new Portable Computer AI agent can run locally on Nvidia's DGX Spark, bringing autonomous AI workloads onto a desktop-sized system. Portable Computer can connect to applications including Gmail, Google Drive, Slack and GitHub and perform tasks using locally hosted AI models. Users can switch to more powerful cloud models for complex workloads while keeping routine tasks and data processing on their own hardware. The system initially supports Qwen models optimized by Perplexity, with a version of Nvidia's Nemotron 3.5 Lightning expected to follow. Locally completed tasks do not consume cloud credits, while users are charged only for portions of a workflow routed to cloud models. Nvidia describes DGX Spark as a compact AI system aimed at developers and enterprise teams building and running autonomous agents locally. The company has increasingly positioned its desktop systems as an extension of the same computing architecture used in much larger AI factories. Taken together, the launches illustrate Nvidia's ambition to provide the computing layer for AI wherever it runs, from hyperscale data centers to desktop agents and autonomous machines at the edge. For South Korea, the expansion is broadening Nvidia's importance well beyond the semiconductor industry. An Aju Business Daily survey of the country's 30 largest business groups found that 14, or nearly half, now have direct or indirect business ties with Nvidia. Seven of South Korea's 10 biggest groups — Samsung, SK, Hyundai Motor, LG, Lotte, POSCO and HD Hyundai — are already connected to Nvidia across semiconductors, AI infrastructure, manufacturing and physical AI. The number rises to 12 among the top 20 groups with KT, LS, CJ, Kakao and Doosan, while Naver and Coupang bring the total to 14 among the top 30. The relationships increasingly stretch beyond Nvidia's traditional ties with chip suppliers. Samsung Electronics works with Nvidia across high-bandwidth memory and other AI semiconductor technologies, while SK Group is building an AI factory using Nvidia GPUs. Hyundai Motor Group is working with Nvidia on autonomous driving, robotics and manufacturing, and LG Group has expanded its partnership into robotics and AI factories. Lotte is pursuing cooperation in AI data centers, while POSCO is applying Nvidia technology to manufacturing operations. Other links span telecommunications, power infrastructure, logistics, cloud computing, shipbuilding, construction machinery and industrial automation. The widening network gives Korean companies access to one of the world's fastest-growing technology ecosystems. It also leaves a growing share of the country's industrial investment tied to a single U.S. computing platform. For Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, Nvidia's expansion into AI factories, robotics and edge computing could broaden demand for advanced memory and related components beyond conventional data centers. But the same trend makes both chipmakers more exposed to Nvidia's product road maps and the pace of investment across its AI ecosystem. The dependence is spreading further into manufacturing. As Korean companies build AI factories, autonomous production systems and industrial robots around Nvidia hardware and software, changes in Nvidia-led investment could increasingly ripple through sectors that once had little direct exposure to the GPU cycle. A slowdown in AI data-center or AI-factory spending could hit not only GPUs and memory but also power equipment, cooling, networking, industrial machinery and other infrastructure increasingly built around large-scale AI deployment. Nvidia's investment cycle is therefore becoming more relevant to a wider section of Korean industry. The strategy echoes comments Chief Executive Jensen Huang made during a visit to South Korea in June, when he identified robotics computing as one of Nvidia's next major areas of expansion. "Korea is the perfect place to do that," Huang told AJP at the time, referring to robotics computers, which he described as "the future, the next generation of AI." South Korea offers Nvidia an unusually broad industrial proving ground. The economy combines leading memory-chip makers with major automakers, machinery companies, electronics manufacturers and aggressive investment in robotics and factory automation. Samsung Electronics is building an AI factory using more than 50,000 Nvidia GPUs, while SK Group is developing an AI factory of a similar scale for semiconductor research, manufacturing and physical AI. Hyundai Motor Group is also working with Nvidia on a 50,000-Blackwell-GPU AI factory targeting manufacturing, autonomous driving and robotics. LG Group has separately expanded cooperation with Nvidia into robotics and AI factories, while Nvidia and SK Group in June broadened their partnership across AI infrastructure and next-generation memory. The Jetson launch pushes those relationships closer to machines themselves, with Doosan Bobcat among the companies evaluating the platform. Nvidia and Doosan have also been expanding cooperation across robotics, physical AI and AI-factory infrastructure. Yet Nvidia's financial engine remains overwhelmingly tied to the massive data centers powering the global AI boom. Its expansion into personal and physical AI is therefore a longer-term test of whether the computing ecosystem Nvidia established around GPUs can become the default platform for AI agents on desks and autonomous machines in factories, homes and cities. For Korean companies, Nvidia's expansion brings a parallel trade-off. The broader its platform spreads from AI factories into robots, vehicles and industrial machinery, the larger the potential market for Korean memory, equipment and manufacturing. The same expansion also ties more of Korean industry to Nvidia's technology, investment cycle and computing standards. Investors will get their next look at Nvidia's near-term growth engine when the company reports fiscal second-quarter earnings after the U.S. market closes Wednesday, or early Thursday in South Korea. Expectations for AI infrastructure spending remain high, keeping attention on whether demand for Nvidia's data-center platforms can sustain the investment boom even as the company builds its next growth markets beyond them. AJP Takeaways • Nvidia is extending AI computing beyond data centers into desktops, robots, drones and industrial systems, widening its reach across South Korean manufacturing. • Nearly half of South Korea's 30 largest business groups now have direct or indirect ties with Nvidia across chips, autos, robotics, power, cloud and factory automation. • Samsung Electronics and SK hynix stand to gain from broader AI demand, but their exposure to Nvidia's product road maps and investment cycle is also increasing 2026-08-26 14:14:44
  • The Legacy of Monk Myungjin: A Journey of Compassion and Justice
    The Legacy of Monk Myungjin: A Journey of Compassion and Justice Flowers wither, people depart, but intentions remain.— A reflection on the final pilgrimage of Monk Myungjin from the funeral at Bongeunsa to the cremation at Beopjusa.On August 25, 2026, at 10 a.m., a clear yet heavy bell tolled in the courtyard of the main hall at Bongeunsa in Gangnam, Seoul. It marked the passing of Monk Myungjin, who unexpectedly passed away at sea near Haye Port in Seogwipo, Jeju, on August 22. He was 76 years old and had dedicated 52 years to the monastic life, having entered the order at the age of 19.However, this funeral was not just for one temple or one sect. It was a religious and civic ceremony organized by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and civil society. Monks and laypeople from the Buddhist community, as well as representatives from Catholicism, Protestantism, academia, the arts, politicians, laborers, and families of victims from the Sewol ferry disaster gathered at Bongeunsa. The breadth of Myungjin's life and his commitment to a wide world were evident in his final journey.Do-gong, the president of the Tanseong Buddhist Association, recalled in his eulogy that for Myungjin, social movements and reforming the order were also forms of practice. He believed that as one's practice deepens, so too must one's compassion. If sentient beings suffer, practitioners must also feel that pain, and standing alongside those who are wronged is part of the path. Yeo-jin, the abbot of the Basic Zen Center, reminisced about how Myungjin had once laid down his robe before the Buddha to advocate for reform in the Jogye Order during the 1994 reform movement, concluding with the words, 'Come back as waves and tides.' This sentiment resonated with Myungjin's love for the sea and the way he met his end there.Professor Kim Se-kyun from Seoul National University summarized Myungjin's life with two concepts: 'great compassion' and 'supporting the weak.' Great compassion means seeing oneself and others as fundamentally one body, accepting others' suffering as one's own. Supporting the weak refers to suppressing the oppression of the strong and aiding those in need. Myungjin's life exemplified these principles. The suffering of the Yongsan evictees, the despair of laid-off Ssangyong Motor workers, and the cries of parents who lost children in the Sewol disaster were not distant issues for him. He visited these places, sometimes offering financial support, sometimes sharing in their grief, and at other times boldly confronting those in power.The tears shed by government official Jeong Ja during the eulogy reflected this connection. Myungjin encouraged the families of victims to endure, asserting that only through perseverance could they achieve truth and create a safer society. He also offered to voice their frustrations on their behalf. He provided necessary items like vacuum cleaners and sewing machines to support these families. Their sorrow was not rooted in grand ideologies or political slogans but in the loss of someone who had stood by them during their most difficult times.Father Ham Se-woong from the Catholic Priests for Justice delivered a eulogy that symbolized the significance of the day. Despite their different religious backgrounds, his long-standing relationship with Myungjin was evident. Father Ham spoke of the sea, which, while being the lowest point, accepts all waters, both clear and murky. This idea of humility and acceptance aligns with the Buddhist concept of compassion—lowering oneself to embrace all beings.The most philosophical tribute came from Professor Kim Yong-ok, who recited a poem titled 'The Dance of Yeongsan.' He viewed Myungjin's passing not merely as the death of a physical body but as a return to the state of 'no thought' he often experienced while free diving in the deep sea. In those moments, when the boundaries of breath and thought blur, names, titles, and memories fade, revealing a state before the concept of 'self' emerged. His poetic expression that 'he entered the realm of extinction without a moment's thought of dying' served as a profound interpretation of a practitioner's death.Then, Jang Sa-ik sang 'Fallen Flowers' by poet Jo Ji-hoon. The poem reflects on the impermanence of life and the beauty of its transience. Jang's deep and rugged voice filled the courtyard of Bongeunsa. Flowers do not bloom forever, and their beauty lies in their eventual fading. The final line, 'I want to cry on the morning when the flowers fall,' resonated deeply that day, as if it were a tribute to Myungjin. Though one flower has fallen, its place remains for seeds to grow. People may depart, but the intentions and influences they leave behind do not vanish.After the funeral, Myungjin's remains were taken to Beopjusa in Sokrisan, Chungbuk. This was the temple where he had resumed his monastic path after serving in the Vietnam War and where he received his novice ordination in 1974 under Master Tanseong. Following a ritual at Beopjusa, as his remains were placed in the lotus seat, the traditional call of 'Monk, Hahwa-yo' was made, and the fire was lit. The chanting echoed through the Sokrisan valley as flames and smoke rose to the sky, marking the moment when a human body returns to fire, wind, and earth.The physical body may disappear, but the questions remain. The inquiries Myungjin posed to our society and Korean Buddhism are now the responsibility of the living.Who was Myungjin?— From the Zen hall to the streets, and the reconciliation with Master Jasung.It is difficult to define Monk Myungjin's life in a single phrase. He was a Zen master, a reformer of the order, a social activist, and a unification advocate. He served as the abbot of Bongeunsa and was a vocal critic of both the order and political power. To some, he was a respected practitioner, while to others, he appeared overly political. Understanding him requires transcending the simplistic dichotomy of progressive versus conservative, activist versus practitioner.Born in 1950 in Dangjin, Chungnam, he was ordained at Haeinsa in 1969. After serving in the Vietnam War, he resumed his monastic path at Beopjusa in 1974 and participated in the reform movement of the Jogye Order in 1994. He served as a member and vice-chairman of the Central Council and was the abbot of Bongeunsa from 2006 to 2010. A pivotal moment in his life came when he learned about the truth of Gwangju in the 1980s. While reflecting on his own mind in the Zen hall, he began to question whether a practitioner could seek enlightenment in isolation while the world suffered. This inquiry shattered the walls of the Zen hall, transforming the world into his practice space.For him, practice was not limited to seated meditation. Sitting alongside the weak and speaking out against injustice were also forms of practice. He participated in the Buddhist democratization movement and social activism in the 1980s and took a leading role in the reform of the order in 1994. Even while serving as a member and vice-chairman of the Central Council, he continued to critique the power structures within the order.However, another significant figure in Myungjin's life was Master Jasung. The two represented dramatic opposites in modern Korean Buddhism. Jasung was at the center of the powerful order as the head of the General Affairs Office, while Myungjin criticized that power from within and outside. Their conflict erupted in 2010 over the transition of Bongeunsa to a directly managed temple by the General Affairs Office. Myungjin alleged that the Lee Myung-bak government and the order's leadership were attempting to oust him from Bongeunsa, leading to his departure that year. Subsequent investigations revealed that the National Intelligence Service had been monitoring Myungjin's activities and statements, expanding the issue beyond internal conflict to the relationship between political and religious power.In 2017, he received the harshest punishment of expulsion from the Jogye Order for his criticisms of the leadership. Myungjin fought back, this time in a civil court. The court ruled that the expulsion was problematic, and both the first and second trials favored Myungjin. In 2026, neither side appealed, restoring his status. However, by the time he regained his status, Jasung had already passed away in 2023, and now Myungjin has followed him.We do not wish to judge the conflict between the two based on earthly standards. It is also important to avoid concluding that Myungjin was right in all matters and Jasung was wrong in all. The reality of managing a large order involves complexities of organization, administration, finance, and politics that cannot be resolved solely by a practitioner's ideals. Jasung likely had his own realities and responsibilities. Myungjin was not a perfect human either; he spoke harshly and faced criticism for his political biases. What matters is not the victory or defeat of either but the questions they left behind: How much power is necessary for religious authority? How far should religion distance itself from political power? When the stability of an organization conflicts with a practitioner's conscience, which should take precedence?Now both men are gone. There is no longer a head of the General Affairs Office or an abbot of Bongeunsa. There are no ranks, positions, or organizational power. So, is there any reason for the two to quarrel again in the afterlife? I hope instead that they sit together and laugh. If Myungjin were to say, 'I may have gone too far,' Jasung might respond, 'I guess I was too attached to my position,' and they would share a hearty laugh.The ultimate goal of Buddhism is to transcend discrimination. The labels of you and me, winner and loser, reformist and realist, progressive and conservative are merely constructs of human creation. The Diamond Sutra teaches, 'One should not be attached to anything but give rise to the mind.' Myungjin and Jasung should now be free from the hatred and attachments that bound them. This would be the most fitting reconciliation for two practitioners.Myungjin's practice group was named 'Danji Bulhoe' (Just Knowing Not Meeting), which reflects the idea of knowing only that one does not know. This aligns with Socrates' saying, 'I know that I know nothing.' The moment one believes they know everything, they fall into dogmatism. When politics, religion, or media believe they alone possess the truth, they become dangerous. Recognizing one's ignorance is not a sign of weakness but the beginning of wisdom.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 14:12:00
  • China Leads International Standards for Solid-State Batteries, Shaping Future EV Rules
    China Leads International Standards for Solid-State Batteries, Shaping Future EV Rules China is taking the lead in establishing international standards for solid-state batteries, a key technology for the future electric vehicle industry.The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) recently announced on its website that the international standard for automotive solid-state batteries, proposed by China, has been approved as a new standardization project by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).The proposed international standard includes guidelines for the application, testing items, and testing conditions of rechargeable lithium-ion solid-state batteries used in electric vehicles. Experts from several countries, including France, Japan, and South Korea, also participated in the proposal process, according to SAMR.SAMR emphasized that determining how to test and evaluate the performance of solid-state batteries based on domestic research and development standards is a key aspect of this international standard.Solid-state batteries, which use solid electrolytes instead of liquid ones, are gaining attention for their potential to enhance safety and energy density compared to traditional batteries. Although still in the early stages, interest in the market is growing as prototype development and limited commercialization begin.Notably, solid-state batteries are recognized for their ability to maintain relatively stable performance even in extreme temperatures. This makes them a promising power source not only for vehicles but also for humanoid robots, drones, and electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that China's move to establish international standards for solid-state batteries is seen as a strategy to lead not only the technology of next-generation industries but also the rules of the global market.An international standards researcher from China told SCMP, "When Chinese products enter overseas markets, it will become easier to meet local standards without significantly altering technical specifications or production processes." Securing international standards first can give domestic companies a competitive edge in the market. In fact, Europe and Japan have pursued similar strategies to secure international standards in new industrial sectors such as communications and advanced materials.According to reports, China has also been rapidly refining its domestic standard system related to solid-state batteries. In July, it established the world's first national standard for solid-state batteries, clearly distinguishing the technical differences between solid-state batteries, hybrid solid-liquid batteries, and traditional liquid batteries. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology also released ten drafts of related industry standards last month for public feedback.Yang Chaoxing, a battery analyst at Shanghai Metal Market, told SCMP, "China's initiative to establish international standards at the IEC level signifies that the solid-state battery industry has reached a critical turning point." As global automakers dive into solid-state battery development, standards are becoming a necessity rather than an option.He noted, "China's testing methods and evaluation systems can become international standards, which is more important than how much is produced and sold." However, he cautioned that there are still challenges to mass production, including complex manufacturing technologies and significant investment costs, stating, "Standards are a catalyst for industrialization, but they are not a panacea for all problems."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 14:08:00
  • KB Financial Group Strengthens Consumer Protection Framework
    KB Financial Group Strengthens Consumer Protection Framework KB Financial Group is enhancing its consumer protection framework and promoting a consumer-centric work culture across the organization.On August 26, KB Financial announced that it held the '3rd Financial Consumer Protection Working Council' to improve employees' expertise in consumer protection and establish a consumer-focused operational system.The council included chief consumer protection officers from 10 subsidiaries, including KB Kookmin Bank, KB Securities, KB Insurance, KB Kookmin Card, and KB Life Insurance. Participants discussed topics such as consumer-oriented product and service management, strengthening the expertise of consumer protection organizations, and refining the consumer protection quality index at KB Kookmin Bank.Particularly, they examined the entire process from the occurrence of customer complaints to their resolution, assessing the design and operation of processes that customers experience, such as product enrollment and cancellation. They agreed to enhance systems that proactively identify potential consumer inconveniences or damages throughout the entire product and service lifecycle, rather than just responding to individual complaints after the fact.They also shared strategies for improving the expertise and continuity of consumer protection personnel. Plans include assigning staff with field experience in product development, sales, and legal affairs to consumer protection departments and refining personnel management systems to allow for long-term engagement in related tasks to build expertise.The council also discussed ways to improve the consumer protection quality index currently operated by KB Kookmin Bank. A special lecture was held for employees responsible for financial consumer protection, featuring Kim Mi-young, former head of the Financial Supervisory Service's Consumer Protection Division, who shared insights on recent consumer protection policies, supervisory directions, and the role of chief consumer protection officers in strengthening consumer protection systems.A KB Financial representative stated, "Consumer protection in finance is not just about having systems and procedures in place; it is crucial that the consumer's perspective serves as a practical standard in all business processes. We will continue to implement consumer protection that customers can feel, based on personnel with field expertise and execution capabilities, along with a value system for consumer protection."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 14:04:00
  • Chip payouts may give Korean won more room to run
    Chip payouts may give Korean won more room to run SEOUL, August 26 (AJP) - South Korea's won, already near its strongest level in almost a year, has more upside room as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix are expected to dole out massive shareholder returns. The dollar influx, however, won't likely match the recent boost from SK hynix's $26.5 billion American depositary receipt issuance, traders say. The won has strengthened sharply in recent weeks as exporters increased dollar selling and SK hynix converted part of its ADR proceeds. Whether it gains further grounds can depend on shareholder payouts by the two chipmakers. Samsung Electronics last week announced plans to return an estimated 90 trillion won to 110 trillion won ($65 billion to $79 billion) to shareholders this year, including around 30 trillion won in third-quarter dividends. SK hynix separately unveiled a 40 trillion won ($29 billion) share repurchase and cancellation program and raised its shareholder-return target to more than 50 percent of cumulative free cash flow generated from 2025 through 2027. Both companies earn a large share of their revenue in dollars and would need local money to pay domestic dividends and buy Seoul-listed shares. Converting part of their foreign-currency holdings to finance the programs could therefore add to dollar supply in the Seoul market. Kwon Ah-min, an FX analyst at NH Investment & Securities, estimated that SK hynix's ADR conversion would have represented around 2 percent of average daily dollar-won spot trading volume in the second quarter. The estimate assumes the proceeds were exchanged over 30 trading days. Daily spot transactions averaged $43.7 billion during the quarter. Under a full-conversion scenario, shareholder-return flows from Samsung and SK hynix could equal around 2.3 percent of average daily spot volume if spread over 60 trading days. That would be broadly comparable with the estimated impact of SK hynix's ADR conversion. Expectations of further corporate dollar selling could also encourage exporters and offshore investors to sell dollars earlier. SangSangIn Investment & Securities analyst Choi Ye-chan estimated that the transactions could generate net dollar supply of 15 trillion won to 45 trillion won. The estimate assumes the two companies convert 50 percent to 60 percent of the won needed for shareholder returns over six to 12 months. His scenarios imply a decline of roughly 18 won to 77 won in the dollar-won rate after accounting for foreign-investor remittances. Still, analysts caution against equating the announced payout amounts with the amount of dollars likely to be sold. Samsung and SK hynix already hold substantial won liquidity and generate domestic-currency cash flow, reducing the need to convert foreign earnings into won. Kwon estimates that only around 40 percent to 50 percent of the required funding will need foreign-currency conversion. That would make the actual flow substantially smaller than under a full-conversion scenario. Foreign investors may provide another offset by converting won-denominated dividends or buyback proceeds back into dollars before remitting the funds overseas. Those transactions would create dollar demand and partly reverse the companies' initial dollar supply. The structure differs from SK hynix's ADR offering, which raised fresh dollars abroad that were expected to be used partly for investment in South Korea. That created a relatively direct need for dollar-to-won conversion. Shareholder returns can instead be financed through existing won balances, operating cash flow and foreign-currency holdings. Part of the payout to foreign investors could later return to the FX market as dollar demand. The balance of risks nevertheless remains tilted toward additional won strength as long as semiconductor exporters continue generating large dollar revenues. Kwon sees the dollar-won rate testing the 1,340 to 1,350 range if corporate dollar selling continues, implying another 40 won to 50 won of downside from recent levels. Recent trading shows that corporate flows alone are unlikely to determine the currency's direction. The dollar-won rate fell as low as 1,378.9 on Tuesday before rebounding to close daytime trading at 1,386.1 as dollar demand and bargain buying offset continued exporter selling. U.S. Treasury yields and global dollar moves will also remain important. Foreign equity flows and expectations for Bank of Korea policy could further shape the currency's direction. The scale of Samsung and SK hynix's shareholder returns nevertheless gives the market another reason to watch corporate FX flows closely. The announced programs are large enough to create meaningful dollar supply even if only part of the funding is converted from foreign currency. How much further the won can strengthen will ultimately depend on the actual conversion ratio, the pace of execution and how much of the money paid to foreign shareholders is eventually converted back into dollars. AJP Takeaways Samsung Electronics and SK hynix's massive shareholder-return programs could add fresh dollar supply to Seoul's foreign-exchange market and extend the Korean won's recent rally. A full-conversion scenario would generate flows equal to around 2.3 percent of average daily dollar-won spot trading volume, broadly comparable with the estimated impact of SK hynix's $26.5 billion ADR issuance. NH Investment & Securities expects only around 40 percent to 50 percent of required funding to need FX conversion, while dollar demand from foreign shareholders could offset part of the supply. Analysts see corporate dollar selling as a steady tailwind for the won rather than another concentrated ADR-sized shock, with global dollar moves, execution speed and foreign-investor remittances determining how far the rally can extend. 2026-08-26 14:03:53