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Korean Won Falls to Early 1380s Against US Dollar, Expected to Drop Further The won-dollar exchange rate remains in the 1380s.On August 26, in the Seoul foreign exchange market, the exchange rate for the won against the US dollar was 1,385.0 won as of 10:23 a.m. The rate recorded a decrease of 3.4 won from the previous day's closing price, settling at 1,382.7 won as of 6 a.m.This decline is attributed to expectations of reduced military tensions between the U.S. and Iran, which have led to weaker oil prices and a weaker dollar.On August 25 (local time), reports emerged that the U.S. would strengthen economic pressure on Iran instead of pursuing military action, alleviating concerns over potential disruptions in oil supply.International oil prices have fallen for two consecutive days. October Brent crude dropped 3.89% to $88.58 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell 3.12% to $82.36 per barrel.The dollar index, which measures the dollar's value against six major currencies, also decreased by 0.134% to 98.883.In the domestic stock market, foreign investors are selling off. Early in the trading session, foreign investors have net sold 423.6 billion won in the securities market.The exchange rate is expected to decline further. Min Kyung-won, an economist at Woori Bank, stated, "Given the drop in international oil prices, government bond yields, and the dollar index, we anticipate the rate will lower to the mid-1370s. As the exchange rate decreases, exporters facing month-end negotiations may add pressure for further declines, potentially pushing the rate down to the mid-1370s during the day."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 10:40:00 -
Korean Association of Radio Policy Advocates Linking Frequency Fees to Telecom Investments and Quality Experts are calling for a reform of the frequency allocation fee system to link it with telecom companies' investments, coverage, and quality performance, while also considering revenue and capital expenditures.On August 25, Hyun-seop Byun, a professor at Hallym University, made this statement at a comprehensive academic conference on 'Radio Policy Directions Following the Spread of Artificial Intelligence (AI)' held at Korea Aerospace University.Byun noted, "If frequency allocation fees are set too low, it can lead to excess demand and inefficient use. Conversely, if they are set too high, it can create barriers to entry, weaken competition, and result in higher consumer prices, ultimately reducing social welfare."He emphasized the importance of determining frequency allocation fees at a fair value. He suggested that in the future, these fees should be linked to operators' investments, coverage, and quality performance, and that the system should be improved to enhance the discovery of fair value through auctions and secondary markets.Byun explained that frequency allocation fees serve as a benchmark for recognizing the economic value of essential production factors needed for operators to realize business opportunities. This recognition can encourage operators to strengthen their internal capabilities and pursue technological innovation to generate profits exceeding the allocation fees.On the same day, Yeon-gap Yeo, a researcher at the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), presented international examples related to differentiated pricing for reallocated frequencies. Yeo explained that while differentiated pricing may apply during the initial allocation process, many cases apply the same price during reallocation to eliminate price discrimination.He also emphasized that the fundamental principle for determining reallocation fees is to reassess them based on current value rather than simply inheriting past prices.Jihwan Kim, a group leader at the Korea Information Society Development Institute (KISDI), compared the trends in AI infrastructure, mobile communication networks, and frequency policies in the United States, China, and Europe.Jihun Kim, a senior expert at law firm Sejong, stated, "It is crucial to clearly understand the legal meaning of 'economic value of frequencies' as defined in the Radio Act and to reasonably determine frequency allocation fees. This is necessary to solidify the foundation for frequency policies that will drive the AI and 6G era."Meanwhile, the Korean Association of Radio Policy is an academic organization that conducts research on radio resources and communication policies, including 5G and 6G mobile communications, AI infrastructure, and satellite communications.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 10:40:00
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LG CNS Introduces Next-Generation Liquid Cooling at Samsong Data Center LG CNS announced on August 26 that it is partnering with Naver Cloud to establish a next-generation cooling infrastructure using liquid cooling technology. As the demand for generative artificial intelligence (AI) increases, leading to higher power consumption and heat generation from high-performance graphics processing units (GPUs), the company is proactively implementing large-scale liquid cooling technology to complement existing air cooling methods in data centers.In collaboration with Naver Cloud, LG CNS will apply direct chip cooling (DTC), a type of liquid cooling technology, at the Samsong Data Center to lay the groundwork for supporting high-performance AI services. Previously, LG CNS took over the management of the Samsong Data Center and signed a colocation agreement with Naver Cloud.This liquid cooling infrastructure will be built to ensure the stable operation of NVIDIA's next-generation ultra-high-performance GPU, Vera Rubin, owned by the Ministry of Science and ICT's Information and Communication Industry Promotion Agency. Vera Rubin is expected to improve inference performance by approximately 3.3 times compared to the existing Blackwell Ultra.LG CNS believes that the Samsong Data Center will become a key hub for implementing AI factories, as Vera Rubin will be fully integrated into domestic data centers based on the liquid cooling infrastructure. With a total power capacity of 80 megawatts (MW), the Samsong Data Center is poised to establish itself as one of the largest AI factories in the country.The DTC technology being applied at the Samsong Data Center involves attaching cooling plates through which coolant flows directly to GPU chips, effectively absorbing heat. This liquid cooling method utilizes a liquid with higher heat transfer efficiency compared to air, allowing for efficient management of heat generated by densely packed GPU servers. Typically, the cooling capacity that can be managed with existing air cooling methods is limited to about 20-30 kW per rack. However, high-performance GPU server racks are now exceeding power densities of 200 kilowatts (KW). As a result, liquid cooling technologies like DTC are gaining attention as essential for implementing AI factories.According to market research firm MarketsandMarkets, the global liquid cooling market for data centers is projected to grow from $4.07 billion in 2026 to $27.65 billion by 2033.In response, LG CNS plans to integrate its data center design, construction, and operation (DBO) capabilities with AI infrastructure technology to implement DTC liquid cooling, GPU server operating environments, power supply systems, and AI platform operations. Naver Cloud aims to provide high-performance AI services reliably to domestic public institutions and enterprises based on its AI platform operational capabilities and extensive experience with large-scale GPU services. The two companies plan to complete the construction and demonstration of the liquid cooling infrastructure by next year.Cho Heon-hyuk, Senior Vice President of LG CNS's Data Center Business, stated, “Data center cooling technology is becoming a key competitive advantage for the quality and operational efficiency of AI services. We will continue to build essential infrastructure to support the growth of the domestic AI ecosystem based on LG CNS's strengths in data center DBO capabilities and next-generation cooling technology in collaboration with Naver Cloud.”Meanwhile, LG CNS is expanding its related business by advancing its AI data center construction methods and cooling technologies. In March, the company unveiled the 'AI Box,' which consolidates 576 GPUs and 1.2 MW of AI infrastructure into a container module. This model combines LG CNS's DBO capabilities with LG Electronics' cooling solutions, and plans are underway to establish an 'AI Box Campus' in Busan, housing 50 AI Boxes.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 10:40:00
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LG pushes gaming monitors to 1,000Hz without sacrificing FHD resolution SEOUL, August 26 (AJP) - LG Electronics on Wednesday launched a gaming monitor capable of running at a 1,000Hz refresh rate while maintaining full-HD resolution, pushing display speeds further as competition intensifies in the premium gaming hardware market. The 25-inch UltraGear 25G590B is the world's first commercially available gaming monitor to natively support a 1,000Hz refresh rate at FHD resolution, according to LG. The company said the claim is based on gaming monitors available in the market as of May 19. A 1,000Hz refresh rate allows the screen to refresh up to 1,000 times per second, reducing visual lag and producing smoother motion in fast-paced games. The distinction is particularly relevant for competitive gaming, where some monitors have previously reached 1,000Hz through dual-mode settings that require users to reduce resolution or usable screen size to achieve the highest refresh rate. LG's new monitor instead maintains a resolution of 1,920 by 1,080 pixels at its maximum native refresh rate, targeting players of fast-moving titles such as first-person shooters. The monitor uses an IPS panel and includes LG's Motion Blur Reduction Pro technology, designed to improve the visibility of rapidly moving objects. It also offers AI-based picture optimization and spatial audio processing designed to identify directional sounds such as footsteps. LG has also reduced the size of the monitor's stand base by up to 49 percent compared with its 25G550B model, leaving more desk space for keyboard and mouse movement. The UltraGear 25G590B goes on sale in South Korea on Wednesday at 1.49 million won ($1,070) through LG's online store. The launch comes as demand for high-performance gaming displays continues to expand alongside the global esports market. IDC expects the global gaming monitor market to grow at an average annual rate of 6.4 percent through 2030, while South Korea's market is projected to grow by about 15 percent over the same period. LG's UltraGear ranked No. 1 in the domestic gaming monitor market by share in the first quarter of 2026, according to IDC data cited by the company. "This new product captures both of the key elements gamers want — refresh rate and image quality — and will set a new standard for gaming displays," said Lee Chung-hwan, executive vice president and head of LG Electronics' display business. 2026-08-26 10:37:31 -
IBK Industrial Bank Appoints First External Executive as Head of Overseas Branch IBK Industrial Bank has appointed an external expert as the head of its overseas branch for the first time since its establishment. This move is seen as a way to enhance local expertise in global operations and bring about organizational change. The bank announced on August 26 that it has appointed Jang Ji-kyu as the new head of IBK Indonesia Bank through an open recruitment process for executive positions. This marks the first time IBK has selected an external candidate for an overseas branch head role. Jang has previously been responsible for global strategy development at domestic financial institutions. IBK noted that he has extensive experience working in Indonesia, where he has built a strong understanding of the local financial market and established a network. With this appointment, IBK aims to strengthen its competitiveness in the Indonesian market. The bank plans to expand financial support for small and medium-sized enterprises operating locally while also focusing on asset soundness management. An IBK official stated, "We expect that bringing in an external expert will inject new vitality into our Indonesian branch. We will build a sustainable growth foundation based on thorough financial support for local SMEs and sound management practices."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 10:36:00
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Russian Military Aircraft Enters KADIZ, Departing After Brief Incursion Russian military aircraft entered South Korea's Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) on the afternoon of August 25 and subsequently departed. This marks the first entry of Russian military aircraft into KADIZ since June 27, approximately two months ago.The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported on August 26 that "several Russian military aircraft entered and then exited the eastern KADIZ," adding that there was no violation of South Korean airspace.The JCS further stated, "Our military detected the Russian aircraft before they entered KADIZ and deployed Air Force fighter jets to conduct tactical measures in preparation for any contingencies."An Air Defense Identification Zone is a designated area established to identify and respond to military aircraft approaching a nation's airspace. It is distinct from a country's sovereign airspace. International norms dictate that military aircraft entering another country's air defense identification zone should submit flight plans in advance and notify the country of their position upon entry. However, Russia does not recognize South Korea's KADIZ as having a legal basis under international law and disputes South Korea's authority over it.On June 27, a joint air exercise involving Chinese and Russian military aircraft saw over ten planes enter the eastern and southern KADIZ, prompting South Korean fighter jets to scramble in response.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 10:28:00
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Hanwha Shares Surge 17% on First Day of Trading After Split Hanwha, which saw its shares jump over 17% on the first day of trading following its spin-off, entered a period of consolidation in early trading the next day. Analysts suggest that despite the short-term surge, the stock still has significant upside potential due to its high discount rate compared to net asset value (NAV).As of 10:13 a.m. on the Korea Exchange, Hanwha shares were trading at 118,200 won, up 0.08% (100 won) from the previous trading day.On the previous day, Hanwha closed at 118,100 won, marking a 17.40% increase from its opening price. The newly listed Hanwha Machinery and Service Holdings ended the day at 10,010 won, up 0.10%.Hanwha underwent a spin-off, separating its defense, shipbuilding, marine, energy, and finance sectors into a holding company, while creating a new entity focused on technology and life sectors. The split ratio was set at 0.7563533 for the holding company and 0.2436467 for the new company.Samsung Securities rated Hanwha as undervalued even after its relisting, maintaining a 'buy' recommendation and a target price of 170,000 won. Based on the previous day's closing price, this indicates a potential upside of 43.9%.Park Se-woong, a researcher at Samsung Securities, noted, "The NAV discount rate for Hanwha based on the closing price on the first day of relisting is around 69%, which is higher than the average discount rate of 61% in the month leading up to the trading halt, indicating it remains undervalued."Strong earnings are also expected to support the stock price. Hanwha reported consolidated revenue of 28.6 trillion won for the second quarter, a 49% increase compared to the same period last year, while operating profit rose 81% to 2.4 trillion won, exceeding market expectations by 53%.Park added, "With the growth in affiliate performance, profit resilience is strengthening, and the cash generation ability remains unchanged post-split. Even if the target NAV discount rate narrows to 63%, the stock price could still have a potential upside of 44%."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 10:24:10
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Mayor Lee Min-keun: Citizens' Stories of Ansan Earn High Praise Lee Min-keun, the mayor of Ansan, expressed his appreciation on August 26, stating, "This award reflects the positive recognition of the stories of citizens who have shaped Ansan's 40-year history together." On this day, Mayor Lee announced that Ansan received the 'Excellence Award in Citizen Participation PR' at the '2026 Korea Public PR Awards' organized by the Korean Advertising and Public Relations Association. His focus on placing citizens' voices at the center of urban promotion through citizen participation has garnered attention for its excellence in the public relations sector in South Korea. The 'Korea Public PR Awards' aims to discover outstanding promotional cases from local governments and public institutions, enhancing effective communication between citizens and public agencies while promoting the value of public communication. This award is particularly significant as it concretely implements Mayor Lee's emphasis on citizen-centered administration and the promotion of a city brand created in collaboration with its residents. In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Ansan's city status this year, the slogan '40 Years Achieved Together, 100 Years Ahead Together' was adopted. The city moved away from one-sided government-led commemorative promotions to a citizen participation campaign that captures the lives and memories of the true owners of Ansan—the citizens. The campaign's core was not just interviewing citizens but showcasing the past, present, and future of the city through the stories of those who have lived in Ansan for 40 years. Mayor Lee met with various citizens, including skilled workers who have worked for 43 years in the Banwol Industrial Complex, fishermen who have made their lives along the West Sea and cherish memories of the Saripo Port and narrow-gauge trains, as well as youth and children who were born and raised in Ansan. The stories shared by these citizens became the history of Ansan. From the growth of Ansan as an industrial city to memories of the sea, ports, narrow-gauge trains, childhood recollections, and daily lives, the narratives collectively presented a multifaceted view of Ansan's 40 years. The stories gathered were produced in various formats, including short promotional videos, short-form content, behind-the-scenes footage, and long-form content, which were shared with the citizens. By transcending traditional administrative promotion frameworks, the city created a brand where citizens participated and their voices became the focal point of the content. The recognition of viewing each citizen's life as a valuable urban asset is seen as a significant factor in the award. Rather than merely describing '40 years of history' as a timeline or achievements, the approach of conveying it through the actual experiences and memories of citizens has differentiated this initiative, fostering empathy and participation among the community. Mayor Lee plans to collaborate with KBS's 'Docu-On,' which is set to air in October, to present content that highlights Ansan's past, present, and future. Through this, he aims to share citizens' stories beyond the local area and further expand the value of Ansan's city brand. In response to the award news, citizens expressed their approval, stating, "I appreciate that Ansan's history is shown through the stories of its citizens rather than administrative documents," and, "I resonate with the idea that the memories of long-time residents are indeed the history of Ansan." Most importantly, citizens who have directly experienced Ansan's growth as an industrial city remarked, "The stories of ordinary citizens who have worked in the Banwol Industrial Complex and raised children carry significance as the history of Ansan." One citizen noted, "The 40 years are not just a grand number but represent someone's work life, family memories, and childhood experiences. I hope this citizen-centered promotion continues." Mayor Lee emphasized, "In the future, I will continue to capture the precious memories and lives of each citizen as urban assets and maintain promotional efforts in collaboration with the community." Meanwhile, the mayor plans to actively discover more citizen participation promotional content as a result of this award and develop the lives and voices of citizens into a unique urban brand asset for Ansan.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 10:24:00
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KakaoBank Issues 700,000 Mobile IDs in One Year KakaoBank's mobile ID is rapidly gaining popularity due to its convenience.On August 26, KakaoBank announced that the cumulative issuance of its mobile ID, launched in July of last year, has reached 700,000.The mobile ID serves as a digital identification that can be used in place of a physical ID at banks, hospitals, government offices, and domestic flights. Customers with a physical ID containing an IC chip can obtain the mobile ID through the KakaoBank app.KakaoBank cited increased accessibility as a key factor in the rise of users. Users can easily access the mobile ID issuance screen through the mobile ID icon in the 'More' tab of KakaoTalk. Additionally, the KakaoBank app allows users to add a widget on the home screen for convenient access to the service.The user demographic is evenly distributed across all age groups. The gender distribution among subscribers is 55% male and 45% female, while age breakdowns show 27% are under 20, 22% are in their 30s, 24% are in their 40s, and 26% are over 50.The most common usage time for the mobile ID is weekday mornings, indicating it is often used as a substitute for physical IDs during peak hours for identity verification at financial institutions.A KakaoBank representative stated, "With the KakaoBank app, users can easily verify their identity without a physical ID, leading to a steady increase in mobile ID users. We will continue to introduce innovative technologies to enhance our services and make our customers' lives more convenient."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 10:24:00
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Daewoong Pharmaceutical Selected as Partner for Seoul's Blood Sugar Management Program Daewoong Pharmaceutical announced on August 26 that it has been selected as a partner for Seoul's citizen blood sugar management initiative, 'Blood Sugar Catch 9988,' where it will provide continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices and lifestyle management services. 'Blood Sugar Catch 9988' targets 1,000 Seoul residents identified as pre-diabetic (with fasting blood sugar levels between 100 and 125 mg/dL) through metabolic syndrome screenings at public health centers. Participants can join the program by linking their screening results to Seoul's public health management platform, 'Wrist Doctor 9988.' In July, the city publicly sought private partners and ultimately selected Daewoong Pharmaceutical. Participants will wear a continuous glucose monitor for a set period, allowing them to track changes in their blood sugar levels and observe how their eating and exercise habits affect these fluctuations. By using the blood sugar-based metabolic health management platform 'Welda,' they can better understand their blood sugar data and apply it to lifestyle management. 'Welda' will present continuous glucose data in an easily understandable format, offering step-by-step guidance and related content to help users assess their eating and activity patterns and adopt healthier habits. Daewoong Pharmaceutical emphasized that connecting data to real lifestyle changes is the program's core objective. Participants can purchase the glucose monitoring device and associated app services at a discount of over 45% off the regular price. Applications for participation will be accepted starting September 9 through the 'Wrist Doctor 9988' app. To qualify, individuals must have had a metabolic syndrome screening at a public health center within the last three years, with fasting blood sugar levels indicating pre-diabetes (100-125 mg/dL). The city will establish a support system for participants in collaboration with health centers across 25 districts. Daewoong Pharmaceutical will provide training for health center staff, along with user guides and consultation materials. Park Hyung-cheol, head of Daewoong Pharmaceutical's ETC Marketing Division, stated, "We will work closely with the city of Seoul and the 25 health centers to ensure that participants can connect their blood sugar data to healthy lifestyle habits, contributing effectively to the health improvement of Seoul residents." Meanwhile, the number of diabetes patients continues to rise. According to data from the Korean Diabetes Association, approximately 5.33 million adults aged 30 and older were diagnosed with diabetes as of 2021-2022, while around 14.1 million were estimated to be pre-diabetic. Combined, these groups account for about 19.43 million individuals, or 56.6% of adults over 30.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 10:24:00