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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 -
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
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More than half of South Koreans view US unfavorably: Pew Research SEOUL, August 26 (AJP) - More than half of South Koreans now regard the U.S. unfavorably, hitting an all-time high, a recent survey by the Pew Research Center indicates. In a survey of more than 1,000 South Korean adults conducted from March to April this year and released on Monday by the Washington-based think tank, 55 percent expressed an unfavorable view of the U.S., up 16 percentage points from a year earlier. This marked the first time the figure had exceeded 50 percent since the Pew Research Center began conducting its survey on perceptions of the U.S. more than two decades ago. It also surpassed the previous high of 50 percent recorded in 2003, when anti-U.S. protests intensified following the deaths of two South Korean middle school girls who were struck by a U.S. military vehicle. The proportion of South Koreans with a favorable view of the U.S. fell to 45 percent. Researchers attributed the strained sentiment largely to dissatisfaction with U.S. President Donald Trump's America-first policies, particularly his tariff pressure on U.S. allies including South Korea. Some 85 percent of respondents said they disapproved of Trump's tariff policies including 63 percent who said they strongly disapproved. Most South Koreans also had a negative view of Trump's handling of the prolonged conflict in the Middle East, with 73 percent disapproving. His recent decision to scale back Washington's joint military exercise with South Korea, citing Seoul's refusal to support the U.S. in its conflict with Iran, has further raised concerns about the bilateral alliance. Trust in the U.S. as a reliable partner also declined sharply, with some 57 percent of South Korean respondents saying they trusted the U.S., down from 83 percent in 2022. Only 21 percent said they believed the U.S. takes other countries' interests into account when making foreign policy decisions. The proportion of South Koreans who believed the U.S. contributes to global peace and stability also fell to 47 percent from 74 percent a year earlier. Despite the decline in sentiment, support for the bilateral alliance remained strong, with some 84 percent of South Koreans still seeing the U.S. as their country's most important ally. The latest findings suggest that growing discontent over Trump's unilateral policies has not turned into broader opposition to the alliance itself, as South Koreans continue to see the U.S. as a crucial security partner while North Korea's security threat remains a major concern. AJP Takeaways • Fifty-five percent of South Korean adults viewed the U.S. unfavorably in the Pew Research Center survey released Aug. 24, 2026, up 16 percentage points from a year earlier and the highest level recorded in the survey. • Eighty-five percent of South Korean respondents disapproved of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policies, while 73 percent disapproved of his handling of the prolonged conflict in the Middle East. • Despite declining views of the U.S., 84 percent of South Koreans still identified the United States as their country's most important ally, suggesting strong support for the South Korea-U.S. alliance remains intact. 2026-08-26 10:21:40 -
CIA Director Makes Secret Visit to Russia After Five Years John Ratcliffe, the Director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), made a secret visit to Russia, as reported by U.S. outlets CBS and The Washington Post, citing sources on August 25. This marks the first visit by a CIA director to Russia in nearly five years, amid the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.According to reports, a U.S. Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport plane was spotted at a Moscow airport, and a convoy of U.S. diplomatic vehicles was also seen in the area. The visit was confirmed after the fact, with a senior Ukrainian official stating that the U.S. had informed them of a high-level delegation's visit to Russia prior to Ratcliffe's trip, requesting a pause in airstrikes during the visit in Moscow and St. Petersburg.While the exact purpose of Ratcliffe's visit remains unclear, CBS noted that it comes as U.S. intelligence agencies assess the likelihood of Russian President Vladimir Putin engaging in provocations against NATO member states amid the prolonged Ukraine war. Earlier, on August 6, The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. intelligence suggested Putin might test NATO's collective defense resolve through provocations against member countries.Former President Donald Trump had also sought to engage with Putin last year in Alaska to push for an end to the Ukraine war, but expressed disappointment at Russia's lukewarm response. Beth Sanner, former Deputy Director of National Intelligence, told The Wall Street Journal that Ratcliffe's visit could serve as an opportunity to deliver a warning to President Putin. She suggested it might be a moment to convey, 'We know what you are planning, so it would be wise not to proceed.'This is the first visit by a CIA director to Russia since William Burns, who visited in November 2021 during the Biden administration. Burns warned Putin against invading Ukraine, but just three months later, in February 2022, Russia launched its invasion.Discussions on Iran ConflictAdditionally, the visit is noteworthy given the sharp tensions between the U.S. and Russia regarding the conflict in Iran. Iran has become a key ally for Russia in the Middle East, providing drones to Russia amid its war with Ukraine, while Russia has reportedly shared intelligence with Iran for strikes on U.S. military bases in the region. In March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Russia for supplying drones to Iran, which is engaged in conflict with the U.S.Sanner suggested that Ratcliffe's visit could involve discussions about involving someone in negotiations related to a ceasefire in Iran, as he may address the issue of Russia's support for Iran despite new U.S. sanctions. On August 24, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Vilsack announced new sanctions aimed at economically isolating Iran, including secondary sanctions against countries supporting Iran.Rustam Churayakov, head of the Moscow-based think tank Laboratory Intelligence Express, noted that many issues have accumulated between Russia and the U.S., stating that this visit encompasses not only the Ukraine issue but also matters related to Latin America, Iran, and China.Meanwhile, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported that the U.S. and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire that includes provisions for free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, citing sources from Iran and Pakistan, with an official announcement expected in the coming days.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 10:20:00
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Ruling Party Calls Lawmaker 'Female Chun Doo-hwan,' Vows Accountability The Democratic Party intensified its criticism on August 26 against Lee Jin-sook, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, amid the ongoing controversy over her remarks about the May 18 Gwangju Uprising. Party officials stated, "We cannot allow a 'female Chun Doo-hwan' to remain in the National Assembly," and emphasized that they would not let the mockery of the May 18 incident go unaddressed.During a Supreme Council meeting held in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok remarked, "While she took issue with being called 'female Hitler,' she seems to embrace the title 'female Chun Doo-hwan.'" He suggested that the party should officially label her as such, warning that Chun Doo-hwan has already been judged by the public for his insurrection and that the same historical reckoning would apply to Lee.Han Byeong-do, the party's floor leader, also stated, "We will not let the mockery of the May 18 incident go unchallenged. We will hold her accountable before the public and history," urging the People Power Party to align with the National Assembly in recognizing the historical truth of May 18 and supporting democracy.Additionally, the Democratic Party revealed that after a dinner with President Lee Jae-myung on August 25, Kim Min-seok conveyed internal and external opinions against the appointment of Inyo-han as the chair of the Korean Red Cross.Chief spokesperson Park Seong-jun explained to reporters after the Supreme Council meeting that Kim had a separate discussion with President Lee following the dinner, where he expressed that it would be better not to appoint Inyo-han, a former lawmaker from the People Power Party, to the position.Previously, on June 22, the Red Cross elected Inyo-han as its new chair through a decision by its central committee. However, Inyo-han has faced criticism from health and civil society groups for being deemed unfit for the role due to his public opposition to the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol during the impeachment crisis.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 10:20:00
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Construction Stocks Surge on U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes; Daewoo Engineering Up 6% Construction and reconstruction stocks are soaring following news of a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran.As of 9:50 a.m. on the Korea Exchange, Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co. was trading at 18,710 won, up 1,090 won (6.19%) from the previous trading day. The stock briefly surged to 19,000 won early in the session.Major South Korean construction firms have significant exposure to projects in the Middle East. Analysts suggest that easing geopolitical risks could lead to increased overseas orders and the resumption of on-site construction, driving investor interest. Daewoo Engineering established a task force dedicated to the Middle East, called the Middle East Reconstruction Task Force, in June.Other construction and reconstruction-related companies, including DL E&C (up 3.13%), Hyundai Engineering & Construction (up 6.76%), GS Engineering & Construction (up 3.86%), and Samsung E&C (up 2.51%), are also experiencing gains.On August 25, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported, citing sources, that the U.S. and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire that includes provisions for the free navigation of the Strait of Hormuz.According to military sources from Pakistan and security sources from Iran, both countries are expected to officially announce the ceasefire within days.However, there has been no official confirmation from the U.S. or Iranian governments as of yet, and the specific details of the ceasefire agreement remain undisclosed.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 10:16:00
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Park Geun-hye to Attend People Power Party's Parliamentary Workshop Ahead of the regular National Assembly session, former President Park Geun-hye will attend a two-day workshop for lawmakers organized by the People Power Party. It is unusual for a former president to participate in such an event.The People Power Party announced on the 26th that Park will join the workshop taking place on the 27th and 28th in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. This follows a visit by the party's floor leader, Jeong Jeom-sik, to Park's residence in Daegu on the 19th, where he requested her participation, to which she agreed.Park is expected to make public remarks during the workshop, likely addressing messages related to conservative unity and the party's future direction.The agenda for the first day of the workshop includes: opening remarks from the leadership, presentations on party innovation and key policies for the upcoming regular session, comprehensive discussions on major issues, subgroup discussions by standing committees, regional meetings, and expert guest lectures.On the second day, a '2030 Youth Talk' will focus on topics of interest to young people, such as real estate, stocks, and employment, followed by open discussions and the adoption of a resolution.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 10:16:00
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LIG D&A Partners with Korea Aerospace University for Defense Technology Collaboration LIG Defense & Aerospace (D&A) is collaborating with Korea Aerospace University on defense technology. LIG D&A announced on August 26 that it signed an agreement to establish a cooperative framework with Korea Aerospace University the previous day at the Second Pangyo House in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. Under this agreement, both parties will identify and review programs for training specialized personnel in the aerospace and defense industries. They will also pursue various collaborations, including joint research in areas such as vertical takeoff and landing drones, as well as satellites and ground systems, along with industry-academia cooperation and exchanges of personnel and resources between faculty and researchers. Additionally, they will mutually contribute to revitalization projects in the northern Gyeonggi region, including the establishment of a defense cluster and specialized projects for aerospace maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) in which Korea Aerospace University is involved. Meanwhile, LIG D&A is gradually expanding its business capabilities in the aerospace and unmanned systems sectors. Last month, it also signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus Helicopters to develop next-generation unmanned aerial system (UAS) technology.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 10:12:00
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Hyundai Card Launches 'Naver Hyundai Card Edition 3' with Up to 15% Npay Rewards Hyundai Card announced the launch of the 'Naver Hyundai Card Edition 3' on August 26, allowing users to earn up to 15% in Naver Pay (Npay) points when shopping at the Naver Plus Store. The Naver Hyundai Card Edition 3 is designed for customers who frequently use the Naver Plus Store. It allows Naver Plus membership members to stack membership and card rewards when using the card. When Naver Plus members make purchases at the Naver Plus Store with this card, they can earn 5% of the purchase amount, up to a maximum of 15,000 points per month. During the 'Double Rewards Promotion' running until July next year, the earning rate increases to 10%, allowing for a maximum of 30,000 points. Adding the Naver Plus membership rewards, which can reach up to 5%, customers can receive a total of 15% back in points. For example, if a customer spends 300,000 won at the Naver Plus Store, they can earn up to 30,000 points from card benefits and 12,000 points from membership benefits, totaling 42,000 points. At other affiliated merchants, customers earn 0.5% of the purchase amount. During the Double Rewards Promotion, this rate increases to 1%. The card is available in three designs: the standard 'Plus' and 'Neo' plates, and the metal 'Logo Metal' plate. The design was created in collaboration with the design group Cekai, based in Tokyo and New York. Hyundai Card and Naver first launched the 'Naver Hyundai Card' in August 2021. Since then, over 1.2 million cards have been issued. According to Hyundai Card, the average monthly usage per cardholder is 26 transactions, and customers who use both the Naver Plus membership and the card spend 1.4 times more on average than those who use only the membership.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 10:12:00
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Hecto Healthcare Receives Award from Food and Drug Administration Hecto Healthcare has been awarded a commendation from the head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its contributions to the development of the health functional food industry and the improvement of public health.The company announced on August 26 that it received the commendation as a contributor to the advancement of the health functional food industry during the 'K-Health Conference 2026,' which opened on August 25 at COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul. Hosted by the Korea Health Functional Food Association, the conference aims to share key issues across the industry, including functional ingredients, regulations, exports, and distribution, while enhancing exchanges among government, industry, and academia. Hecto Healthcare was recognized for its ongoing research and development (R&D) in various fields, including health functional foods, digital healthcare, and microbiome research. The company has been praised for its continuous research on probiotics and the development of functional ingredients based on scientific evidence, as well as its efforts to commercialize new functionalities. Under the leadership of CEO Kim Seok-jin, the company has expanded its research base in probiotics and microbiomes. Kim, a graduate of Seoul National University’s dental school, has served as an adjunct professor in periodontology at Indiana University, where he researched microorganisms, infections, and immunity. He has also published works to promote probiotics and established the 'Good Bacteria Research Institute.' Notably, Hecto Healthcare has established a research and technology collaboration with Professor Claudio De Simone, a world-renowned researcher in probiotics, and introduced the 'De Simone Formula' to South Korea. This ingredient has received individual recognition from the FDA for its potential to help regulate gut immunity and support gut health. With over 15 years of accumulated expertise in microbiome research, Hecto Healthcare has developed a library of more than 3,000 proprietary strains. The company is also advancing the development of new functional ingredients through next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology and functional evaluation systems. Recently, its proprietary probiotic complex ingredient 'BN-202M' was approved by the FDA as an individual recognition health functional food ingredient (Recognition No. 2026-22) for its potential to aid in body fat reduction. BN-202M was developed by selecting strains with excellent fat and sugar absorption inhibition effects from over 300 candidate strains. According to the company, a 12-week human application study on overweight adults showed significant reductions in body fat mass, body fat percentage, and visceral fat area. Kim Seok-jin, CEO of Hecto Healthcare, stated, "We will continue to present products and solutions that consumers can trust and strive to enhance the global competitiveness of the domestic health functional food industry."Additionally, Hecto Healthcare has reported significant changes in the ratio of primary bile acids in feces and the gut microbiome community during human application tests of the De Simone Formula. The research results were published in the international journal Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics (AP&T).* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 10:08:00