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  • Liner Secures 50 Billion Won in Series C Funding
    Liner Secures 50 Billion Won in Series C Funding AI startup Liner announced it has secured 50 billion won in Series C funding on August 25. The funding round was led by LB Investment, with existing shareholders including Atinum Investment and CJ Investment also participating. New investors such as KDB Industrial Bank, Helios Private Equity, KB Securities, Daishin Securities, and Stick Ventures joined the round.Liner, which specializes in AI-generated search responses, has launched several products, including the academic-focused 'Liner Scholar,' the business-oriented 'Liner Light,' and the investment market research tool 'Liner Finance.'According to Liner, it currently has 14 million users across more than 220 countries, including the United States, Europe, India, and Southeast Asia.The company plans to invest the Series C funds primarily in research and development (R&D). It aims to enhance its core technology and expand its infrastructure to secure a competitive edge in the search and agent sectors.Liner is also participating in the 'Everyone's AI' service initiative led by SK Telecom and the Ministry of Science and ICT, aiming to broaden access to search agents for the public. Previously, Liner collaborated with SK Telecom on the Ministry's 'Independent AI Foundation Model' project, reaching the third phase of evaluation.LB Investment CEO Park Gi-ho praised Liner, stating, “Liner possesses unique technology that allows it to stand shoulder to shoulder with global big tech companies in the AI search and agent sector, where accuracy of information is crucial.”Liner CEO Kim Jin-woo emphasized that this funding acquisition is a strategic move to secure the technological infrastructure and talent necessary to ensure the reliability of AI agents.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-25 09:48:00
  • Hyundai Engineering Rises Over 8% Amid Nuclear Investment Optimism
    Hyundai Engineering Rises Over 8% Amid Nuclear Investment Optimism Hyundai Engineering has seen its stock rise by more than 8% in early trading on the 25th, buoyed by expectations of increased nuclear investment in the second half of the year.As of 9:29 a.m. on the 25th, Hyundai Engineering's shares were trading at 114,200 won, up 8,600 won (8.14%) from the previous trading day, according to the Korea Exchange.The surge in stock price is attributed to positive forecasts from the securities industry regarding the nuclear power sector. KB Securities maintained a 'Buy' rating on Hyundai Engineering, setting a target price of 170,000 won, indicating a potential upside of about 49% from the current stock price.Jang Mun-jun, a researcher at KB Securities, stated, "The second half of 2026 to 2027 will be a crucial period for nuclear investment," predicting that U.S. power companies will announce new nuclear projects starting this fall.He specifically noted that the U.S. Department of Energy's decision to provide $17.5 billion in loans for supply chain support is expected to accelerate nuclear investments. Jang also highlighted the potential for significant developments, including the IPO of Holtec, a key partner of Hyundai Engineering, the restart of the Palisades nuclear plant, and the commencement of small modular reactor (SMR) construction.Jang added, "The outline of South Korea's investment in the U.S. nuclear industry will also become clearer in the second half of the year," reaffirming Hyundai Engineering as a top pick as it aims to become a leading global nuclear company.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-25 09:44:10
  • Government and Ruling Party Commit to Support Major Projects and AI in Next Years Budget
    Government and Ruling Party Commit to Support Major Projects and AI in Next Year's Budget The government and ruling party are finalizing plans for next year's budget, projected to be around 800 trillion won. This budget, the largest in history due to a semiconductor boom, aims to support the administration's key initiatives: three major projects and a leap in artificial intelligence (AI).On the morning of August 25, the Democratic Party and the Budget Office held a meeting at the National Assembly to discuss their views on the budget.After the meeting, Kwon Chil-seung, the policy committee chair, told reporters, "The Democratic Party and the government have agreed to actively invest in next year's budget for the great leap and transformation of South Korea," emphasizing that funds will be concentrated on the three major projects, AI, and addressing K-shaped polarization.He also mentioned plans to expand local preferential projects, which were applied to some initiatives like child allowances in the 2026 budget, to contribute to local-led growth.Jung Tae-ho, a lawmaker serving as the ruling party's secretary in the National Assembly's Budget and Accounts Committee, explained that the budget includes investments in physical AI development and the Korea Water Resources Corporation to secure water resources for establishing a K-semiconductor powerhouse.He added that to overcome K-shaped polarization and promote local-led growth, the budget will introduce special grants for growth engines, providing substantial government support for initial equipment investments when anchor companies relocate to local areas.Additionally, the budget will support youth growth through a 'college internship semester system' to help students gain experience before graduation and establish a 'Our Child Independence Fund' to assist with asset formation for young people, providing up to 1.2 million won annually until the age of 18.Earlier, Han Byung-do, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, asserted in his opening remarks before the meeting that the budget for next year, utilizing excess tax revenue from the semiconductor boom, must adequately prepare the foundation necessary for the success of the three major projects, reiterating the consensus between the government and the ruling party on this goal.Park Hong-geun, the Minister of the Budget Office, also stated that the government will actively support the three major projects, including semiconductors and physical AI, and invest in the necessary infrastructure, such as power, water resources, and industrial complexes.He emphasized, "We will respond to K-shaped polarization and achieve growth for all," proposing measures such as support for asset formation throughout the life cycle and enhanced proactive support for vulnerable groups and families in caregiving crises.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-25 09:44:10
  • Missing 80-Year-Old Man with Dementia Rescued by Drone
    Missing 80-Year-Old Man with Dementia Rescued by Drone A drone was used to rescue an 80-year-old man with dementia who was wandering in the woods. The Gwangju Fire Department dispatched a fire drone and rescue team to Central Park in Seo-gu on the afternoon of the 19th, locating the man just 50 minutes after receiving the missing person report. The fire department received a call from the man's family, stating, "My father, who has dementia, has not returned home and cannot be reached." The elderly man was not at home when his caregiver visited at 7 a.m., and his son reported the situation to the police station after realizing he was missing. The Gwangju Fire Department's 119 Comprehensive Situation Room first sent a team from the Kumho Safety Center to the scene, followed by a command vehicle, rescue team, and a special rescue team equipped with drones. A total of 34 personnel, including 14 firefighters and 20 police officers, were mobilized for the search, along with 10 vehicles, including rescue trucks, pump trucks, ambulances, and drones. Upon arrival, firefighters searched the walking paths of Central Park and found the elderly man in the woods near the Kumho Comprehensive Social Welfare Center. The drone, which flew swiftly and thoroughly scanned the walking paths, proved to be effective in the search. When found, the man was conscious and had no major injuries, allowing firefighters to safely return him to his family. Chae Deok-hyun, head of the Gwangju Fire Department's 119 Comprehensive Situation Room, stated, "The speed of initial response is crucial in missing person reports involving dementia patients," adding, "We will continue to work closely with related agencies like the police to ensure early recovery of missing persons." 2026-08-25 09:44:10
  • SK Hynix Workers Reject Tentative Wage Agreement by Narrow Margin
    SK Hynix Workers Reject Tentative Wage Agreement by Narrow Margin SK Hynix's tentative wage and collective bargaining agreement has been rejected by its union members following two months of negotiations. The vote against the agreement was decided by a narrow margin of just 25 votes, prompting both sides to prepare for further negotiations regarding the distribution of performance bonuses, known as PS.According to industry sources, the SK Hynix labor union conducted an electronic vote from August 24 until 9 a.m. on August 25, resulting in 50.08% (7,535 votes) against and 49.92% (7,510 votes) in favor of the 2026 wage agreement. A total of 15,045 out of 16,083 union members participated in the vote, yielding a turnout of 93.81%. With a majority voting against the agreement, both parties will return to the negotiation table.The main point of contention in this wage agreement was the method of PS distribution. On August 20, the two sides had reached a tentative agreement that included a 6.3% wage increase and a distribution of 40% of the PS in cash, with the remaining 60% to be paid in company stock.Of the stock portion, 40% would be paid in the current year, while the remaining 20% would be deferred over the next two years in 10% increments. However, for the PS to be paid in early 2026, employees would have the option to receive the stock portion in cash, allowing for a maximum of 80% to be received in cash.To mitigate potential losses for employees due to stock price fluctuations, a safeguard was established. The number of shares to be issued will be calculated based on the lowest closing price among three key dates: the annual provisional performance announcement date, the PS cash payment date, and the stock payment date.Despite these measures, there remains significant opposition within the union advocating for the PS to be paid entirely in cash, as per previous agreements. Notably, the newly formed unified union, which encompasses both production and administrative staff, has expressed its opposition to converting any portion of the PS into stock.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-25 09:44:00
  • NH Nonghyup Financial Donates Rice to Senior Care Facilities, Promotes Community Support
    NH Nonghyup Financial Donates Rice to Senior Care Facilities, Promotes Community Support NH Nonghyup Financial is expanding its support for senior care facilities as part of its commitment to community welfare. The company announced on August 25 that it held a "Love Our Rice Donation" event at the Sindang Day Care Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, on August 24. The event featured Hwang Jong-yeon, Vice President of NH Nonghyup Financial's Strategic Planning Division, along with a team of employee volunteers. They delivered rice, red ginseng snacks, and beverages to the center and provided lunch service for the seniors using the facility. To ensure safer food options for the elderly, the company also supported the replacement of the center's aging freezer with a new model. NH Nonghyup Financial continues its social contribution activities in conjunction with the "Nongsim Cheonsim" movement, which includes assisting rural labor and donating agricultural products and processed foods produced by farmers to vulnerable community members. Major subsidiaries in banking, insurance, and securities are also participating in related activities. Hwang Jong-yeon stated, "This event was organized to support the health of seniors and the operation of local care facilities. We will continue to take the lead in fostering mutual growth with our community neighbors."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-25 09:44:00
  • White House Warns of Chinese Products Disguised as Korean
    White House Warns of Chinese Products Disguised as Korean On August 13, the White House released a report titled "The Great Transshipment Scam." The report reveals a shadow network through which products made in China are disguised as originating from third countries before entering the U.S. market. It warns that the U.S. is closely monitoring these activities and will enhance oversight systems. South Korea is mentioned in the report, indicating that this is not a matter to be taken lightly.Trojan Horses Enter Through PortsThe cover of the report features an image of the Trojan horse, serving as a warning rather than a mere symbol. The U.S. poses a critical question: "Is what is coming through your ports truly yours?"There are two primary methods of transshipment. The first is production-based transshipment, where Chinese components are sent to a third country, assembled with a few screws, relabeled, and exported as "locally made." The report cynically refers to these operations as "screwdriver factories." The second method is logistics-based transshipment, where the product remains unchanged, but the paperwork is altered. The report notes, "Paperwork changed faster than the product did," a striking statement.The root of these practices lies in tariff differences. Direct shipments from China to the U.S. face a 50% tariff, while shipments through third countries may incur tariffs of 10% or even 0%. This discrepancy becomes a business model. Just as water flows from high to low, goods flow toward lower tariffs. History has shown this pattern, as seen during Napoleon's Continental Blockade when British goods infiltrated Europe.South Korea: Not a Safe Haven, but a Target for ScrutinyThe report categorizes over 40 countries into three tiers. South Korea is classified as Tier 1, a group of leading countries with significant imports, alongside Canada, Japan, and Taiwan. This classification may sound complimentary, but it is far from it.The report indicates that South Korea's semiconductor belt could serve as a "conduit" for circumvention. This does not imply that there have been actual cases of detection, but the mere inclusion as a "possible suspect route" is a signal. South Korea has appeared in records of investigations conducted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which identified a circumvention network involving Chinese goods transiting through South Korea, Indonesia, and Vietnam between January and August of this year.In contrast to simple transshipment countries like Cambodia or Panama, which face issues of "repackaging and labeling," South Korea presents a more complex challenge due to its "deep supply chain" issues. The structure of importing intermediate goods from China, processing them, and selling them in the U.S. is robust. The U.S. is now asking a different question: instead of "Was it made in Korea?" the inquiry is now "What was changed in Korea, and to what extent?"The U.S. response has already begun. In June, President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14411, tightening importer registration requirements and mandating the disclosure of beneficial ownership and supply chain information. The CBP has utilized the EAPA (Enforcement and Compliance) tool to uncover over $400 million in unpaid tariffs this year alone. The report ambitiously proposes the concept of an "AI detective border," aiming to analyze shipping data, routes, satellite images, container images, and ownership relationships to identify suspicious patterns. Where customs once relied on human inspectors, the future will involve digital detectives using CCTV, financial tracking, and AI. The era of surviving through paperwork manipulation is coming to an end.Challenges and Opportunities: The Answer is TransparencySouth Korea has one clear path forward: instead of claiming unfair treatment, it must provide evidence.Companies should meticulously manage their Bill of Materials (BOM) and maintain records of manufacturing processes and equipment capabilities. They must actively utilize the U.S. Customs' advance ruling system. In the future, origin management must be treated with the same rigor as financial accounting. The era of relying on intuition is over.Standards must also be clearly defined for Chinese capital entering South Korea. Investments focused solely on repackaging and labeling will only raise U.S. suspicions. However, investments that involve actual production, technology transfer, and job creation in areas like semiconductor materials, battery components, and automotive parts will tell a different story. South Korea must communicate to Chinese companies that it is not merely a sticker factory for circumvention but a high-value manufacturing partner. This is beneficial for our industry as well.The U.S. dislikes opacity and seeks verifiable trust. If South Korea can secure that trust first, it may find itself in a favorable position amid the ongoing supply chain restructuring. Trade is akin to navigating the seas; on stormy days, smaller boats may sway, but those that know their course will ultimately reach their destination. What South Korea needs now is not fear but precise navigation skills.This commentary is based on an analysis of the policy report "The Great Transshipment Scam" released by the White House on August 13, 2026.Author's Background▲ Current Director of the Korea-China Economic Research Institute▲ Researcher at the National Diplomatic Academy▲ Research Fellow at the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy▲ Former KOTRA China Research Officer* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-25 09:40:00
  • Yuhan-Kimberly Surpasses 7 Million Donations of Preemie Diapers
    Yuhan-Kimberly Surpasses 7 Million Donations of Preemie Diapers Yuhan-Kimberly announced on August 25 that it has donated over 7 million ultra-small diapers through its Huggies Preemie Campaign.Since July 2017, a total of 46,826 premature infants have received assistance. Premature infants are defined as those born before 37 weeks of gestation or weighing less than 2.5 kg. In South Korea, one in ten newborns is considered premature.Currently, Yuhan-Kimberly is the only company producing ultra-small diapers specifically for premature infants. These diapers are about the size of a mobile phone and require precise quality control and specialized equipment, making them economically challenging to produce.The need for diapers for premature infants was identified in 2011 when medical staff from neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) requested them. Following this, Yuhan-Kimberly collaborated with university hospitals' NICUs to develop a specialized diaper that reflects the unique skin and body characteristics of premature infants, launching it in 2017.To accommodate the production of these specialized diapers, Yuhan-Kimberly's Daejeon plant halts the production of its main products every two months. The diapers produced are provided free of charge to over 30 NICUs at comprehensive and university hospitals across the country, as well as through its online store, MomQ.A Yuhan-Kimberly representative stated, "The figure of 7 million pads represents the support of countless medical staff, employees, and families of premature infants. We will continue to expand our support to NICUs to assist premature infants further."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-25 09:40:00
  • Lotte GRS Expands Angelinus Coffee Brand into Indonesia
    Lotte GRS Expands Angelinus Coffee Brand into Indonesia Lotte GRS is set to enter the Indonesian market with its coffee franchise, Angelinus, through a partnership with local retail and F&B company Bogajaya Group. The agreement aims to open 10 stores in Indonesia over the next five years.On August 24, Lotte GRS announced the signing of a master franchise (MF) agreement with Bogajaya Group.Bogajaya Group has been operating in the retail and F&B sector for over 40 years, based in Surabaya, the economic hub of East Java. The company has experience managing F&B and retail outlets at major airports, giving it a strong foothold in airport commerce.Angelinus plans to leverage Bogajaya Group's local market expertise by opening its first store at Surabaya Juanda International Airport within this year. If successful, this will mark Angelinus's first international location. The brand aims to expand into major shopping malls and landmarks, targeting a total of 10 stores in the local market over the next five years.Lotte GRS is focusing on Indonesia's domestic market, which boasts a population of approximately 270 million and significant growth potential. Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world, following India, China, and the United States. The expanding consumer market presents substantial opportunities for growth.The contract signing ceremony held at the EBC Hall of Lotte World Tower in Seoul was attended by Lee Won-taek, CEO of Lotte GRS, and Budi Utomo, CEO of Bogajaya Group, along with other key executives from both companies.Lee Won-taek, CEO of Lotte GRS, stated, "Bogajaya Group is a partner with a deep understanding of the local market and excellent business capabilities. Angelinus will deliver a unique experience to Indonesian customers through the quality of our coffee, desserts, and differentiated store experience." 2026-08-25 09:36:00
  • Hanwha Ocean Expands Low-Carbon Standardization Strategy to Marine Plants
    Hanwha Ocean Expands Low-Carbon Standardization Strategy to Marine Plants Hanwha Ocean is expanding its marine plant standardization strategy into the low-carbon sector based on global classification certification.On August 25, Hanwha Ocean announced that it has received concept approval from the Norwegian classification society DNV for its low-carbon standard FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading). Additionally, it secured concept approval from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) along with a certificate for its project sustainability execution plan.In the current FPSO market, environmental competitiveness has emerged as a key evaluation criterion for project tenders. In response, Hanwha Ocean is developing a low-carbon standard FPSO platform that systematically incorporates applicable low-carbon technologies based on its existing standard FPSO design, tailored to meet specific project requirements.Hanwha Ocean has been consistently pursuing its FPSO standardization strategy. In 2024, it developed a standard FPSO applicable across West Africa, obtaining certification from ABS and the French classification society BV. This year, it optimized a standard FPSO for the South American region, securing certifications from ABS and DNV.With this latest concept approval, Hanwha Ocean has established a crucial foundation for designing and applying low-carbon standard FPSOs in actual projects. DNV verified a low-carbon design system that systematically reflects greenhouse gas reduction technologies in FPSO design. ABS confirmed a sustainability execution system capable of implementing and managing sustainability goals, such as carbon reduction and energy efficiency, during project execution.Hanwha Ocean plans to utilize the verified low-carbon design and project execution systems in future client consultations, bidding, basic design, and overall project execution. It also aims to enhance the verified low-carbon technologies into reusable technology packages that can be selected and applied according to project-specific requirements. The execution plan is expected to serve as a standard sustainability execution foundation for future FPSO projects.A representative from Hanwha Ocean stated, "This certification is significant as it validates both the low-carbon design and the sustainability execution system. We plan to develop the verification results into a low-carbon technology package and sustainability execution system that can be repeatedly utilized in future projects, thereby enhancing our bidding competitiveness and project execution capabilities."Meanwhile, Hanwha Ocean has been steadily securing competitiveness in the global marine plant market, having obtained global classification certification for its marine plant standard model targeting South America last month.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-25 09:32:10