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  • Anthropic Pursues $2 Trillion IPO, Aiming for Largest Ever, Surpassing SpaceX
    Anthropic Pursues $2 Trillion IPO, Aiming for Largest Ever, Surpassing SpaceX Artificial intelligence company Anthropic is reportedly aiming for a $2 trillion valuation in its initial public offering (IPO). If successful, this would surpass Elon Musk's SpaceX, making it the largest IPO in history.According to a report by Yonhap News, citing the New York Times, Anthropic's underwriters have recently discussed plans to raise over $100 billion from potential investors.In this context, Anthropic's valuation is being discussed at a maximum of $2 trillion, exceeding SpaceX's valuation of $1.77 trillion at the time of its IPO. SpaceX raised $85.7 billion during its public offering.Anthropic's valuation has been rising sharply. Earlier this year, the company was valued at $900 billion during a private funding round. This increase is largely attributed to its coding AI program, 'Claude Code.'Last month, Anthropic reported an annualized revenue exceeding $65 billion. This figure represents a significant increase from $9 billion at the end of last year, growing more than sevenfold in just seven months. Actual revenue for the second quarter of this year reached $11.6 billion.Anthropic has emphasized to investors that it expects continuous improvements in AI model performance, allowing it to maintain high service prices despite price reductions from competitors.However, sustaining growth that matches its high valuation remains a concern. Investors are closely watching whether Anthropic can maintain its current service prices amid the rise of relatively inexpensive 'open weight' AI models. Additionally, securing sufficient infrastructure, including data centers, semiconductors, and power, to meet the surging demand for AI services is a challenge.In response, Anthropic is focusing on acquiring AI infrastructure and talent. Reports indicate that the company recently hired Amir Saleh, who led Google's AI chip Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) business. Last month, it was also reported that Anthropic is in discussions with Meta for a computing resource leasing contract worth up to $10 billion.Anthropic is expected to release its IPO prospectus within weeks and aims to go public in the coming months.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-22 15:36:00
  • Trump claims Hormuz as American territory as Iran seeks deal
    Trump claims Hormuz as 'American territory' as Iran seeks deal SEOUL, August 22 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump has again claimed the Strait of Hormuz as American territory, while saying Iran is desperate to reach an agreement to end the nearly six-month conflict. Speaking at a campaign rally in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on Friday, Trump said Tehran badly wanted a deal but questioned whether Washington was still interested in reaching one. “I view the Strait of Hormuz as an American territory right now. It’s an American territory,” Trump said. The remarks marked an escalation of Trump's claims over the strategic waterway, which lies between Iran and Oman and was a key route for about one-fifth of globally traded oil before the war. Trump made a similar assertion last week, saying he would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz a U.S. territory after defeating Iran. He has also repeatedly claimed that Washington has “total control” over the waterway as the United States enforces a naval blockade against Iran. Shipping through the strait remains severely disrupted despite competing claims by Washington and Tehran over its status. Only a handful of commodity vessels have recently passed through the waterway, compared with more than 130 ships a day before the war, according to ship-tracking data cited by Reuters. Trump's suggestion that Iran is eager for an agreement came as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also signaled support for ending the conflict, though he portrayed Tehran as negotiating from a position of strength. “It would be better to end the war today, when we are powerful and have dignity,” Pezeshkian said Friday, according to Iran's ISNA news agency. He also claimed that the international community recognized Iran's victory and criticized U.S. attacks on Iranian infrastructure. During the rally, Trump urged his supporters to turn out in November even though his own name will not be on the ballot, warning that a Republican defeat could jeopardize his domestic agenda and expose him to renewed impeachment efforts. 2026-08-22 15:34:55
  • President Lee to Host Luncheon with Democratic Party Lawmakers on August 28
    President Lee to Host Luncheon with Democratic Party Lawmakers on August 28 이재명 대통령이 오는 28일 더불어민주당 의원들을 청와대 영빈관으로 초청해 오찬을 함께한다. 25일 민주당 신임 지도부와의 만찬에 이어 사흘 만에 소속 의원들과 만나는 것으로, 정기국회를 앞두고 당·정·청 소통과 국정과제 추진을 위한 협력을 강화하는 행보에 나선다. 강유정 청와대 수석대변인은 22일 언론 공지를 통해 이 같은 소식을 전했다. 이 대통령은 민주당 의원들을 대규모로 초청하는 자리인 만큼 민생·경제 현안과 주요 국정과제, 정기국회 입법·예산 전략 등에 관한 폭넓은 의견 교환이 이뤄질 것으로 보인다. 이에 앞서 오는 25일에는 김민석 대표를 비롯한 민주당 신임 지도부를 청와대로 초청해 만찬을 함께한다. 지도부 만찬에는 김 대표와 한병도 원내대표를 비롯한 최고위원들과 주요 당직자들이 참석한다. 지난 17일 전당대회를 통해 출범한 김민석 지도부와 이 대통령의 공식 상견례 성격을 띠는 자리다. 이 대통령은 김 대표를 비롯한 신임 지도부와 당·정·청 협력 방향을 논의한 뒤 28일 민주당 의원들과의 오찬을 통해 소통 범위를 당 전체로 넓힐 것으로 예상된다. 이 대통령은 지난 19일에도 민주당 당대표 선거에 출마한 김 대표와 정청래·송영길 의원, 한 원내대표를 청와대로 초청해 만찬을 함께한 바 있다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-22 15:08:00
  • Chinas YMTC moves toward $4.9 billion IPO as memory chip push accelerates
    China's YMTC moves toward $4.9 billion IPO as memory chip push accelerates SEOUL, August 22 (AJP) - Chinese NAND flash memory maker Yangtze Memory Technologies Co. is moving closer to a major Shanghai listing, following the blockbuster market debut of its DRAM counterpart CXMT as China accelerates its push to challenge South Korean and U.S. dominance in memory chips. The Shanghai Stock Exchange accepted an initial public offering application Friday from CCSH Corporation, the parent company of YMTC, for a listing on the STAR Market, China's Nasdaq-style board for technology companies. CCSH plans to raise 33 billion yuan ($4.9 billion) through the offering, which would make it the third-largest IPO in the STAR Market's history after ChangXin Memory Technologies Co., or CXMT, and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp., or SMIC. The company plans to issue between 1.98 billion and 2.43 billion new shares, implying a post-listing valuation of roughly 275 billion yuan to 330 billion yuan. YMTC is CCSH's main operating business and accounts for more than 90 percent of the group's revenue. The IPO comes as an artificial intelligence-driven memory boom transforms YMTC's financial performance. Revenue reached 47 billion yuan in the first quarter of this year, nearly five times the level a year earlier, while net profit attributable to shareholders surged to 33.38 billion yuan. That was more than double the company's full-year profit of 14.21 billion yuan in 2025. Demand from AI data centers has become an increasingly important growth engine for the NAND industry, as cloud companies require greater amounts of high-capacity storage for training data, inference, backups and other workloads. Samsung Electronics remained No. 1 with a 25 percent shipment share, followed by SK hynix, including Solidigm, at 22 percent. Kioxia also held about 14 percent and Micron Technology 13 percent. YMTC, however, remained fifth by revenue, reflecting its heavier exposure to lower-priced consumer products compared with rivals with stronger positions in higher-value enterprise SSDs. The two companies, sometimes described in China as the country's "twin stars" of memory chips, have benefited from years of state support as Beijing seeks to reduce its reliance on foreign semiconductor technology. CXMT focuses on DRAM, while YMTC produces NAND flash used in smartphones, solid-state drives and data centers. YMTC's expansion has continued despite U.S. technology restrictions. Washington added the company to the Commerce Department's Entity List in 2022, restricting its access to U.S.-origin semiconductor equipment and technology, while the Pentagon has also designated it as a Chinese military company. 2026-08-22 14:50:58
  • U.S.-Canada Trade Talks Fail, Trump’s New Tariffs Take Effect
    U.S.-Canada Trade Talks Fail, Trump’s New Tariffs Take Effect The United States and Canada failed to reach an agreement in their trade negotiations, leading to the implementation of new tariffs announced by President Donald Trump.According to reports from Yonhap News and international agencies AP and AFP, the trade talks between the U.S. and Canada broke down on August 21 (local time).Jamieson Greer, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), confirmed the collapse of negotiations, stating, "Canada refused to finalize the trade agreement based on the conditions agreed upon earlier this week."Earlier, President Trump had warned that he would impose tariffs of up to 50% on Canadian imports, citing discrimination against U.S. products in Canada’s automotive, alcohol, and dairy industries.The two countries had been negotiating ahead of the originally scheduled tariff imposition deadline of August 19. Canada sought to delay the tariffs and demanded the withdrawal of existing tariffs on automobiles and steel. The U.S. countered by insisting that Canada end its boycott of American alcoholic beverages in certain provinces.After a phone call with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on August 18, Trump announced a temporary suspension of the tariffs to continue negotiations, but ultimately, both sides could not reconcile their differences.As a result of the failed negotiations, a 50% tariff on certain Canadian imports has now taken effect, according to AFP.If the U.S. and Canada continue to exchange tariffs, the likelihood of escalating trade tensions between the two nations is increasing.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-22 14:28:20
  • CONCACAF and UEFA Discuss Creation of Unified Nations League
    CONCACAF and UEFA Discuss Creation of Unified Nations League North America, Central America, and Caribbean Football Confederation (CONCACAF) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) are reportedly in discussions to establish a unified Nations League, aiming for a launch in the fall of 2028.According to a report by Yonhap News, ESPN stated on August 22 that CONCACAF and UEFA are collaborating more closely than ever, with discussions about the unified Nations League underway.The two confederations signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in April to foster the development of players, coaches, referees, and administrators. Following this agreement, they began talks about creating the unified Nations League.If established, the unified Nations League would create a new international tournament where teams from North America and Europe could regularly compete against each other.For CONCACAF, this presents an opportunity for improved performance. Since UEFA launched its Nations League, major CONCACAF nations like the United States and Mexico have had fewer chances to play against top European teams during international match windows. The unified league is expected to enhance overall performance through competition with European teams.UEFA also stands to benefit. The North American market, including the United States and Mexico, is considered a significant global sports market, and a unified tournament could expand soccer's influence in the region.The collaboration between the two confederations is also influenced by political tensions within the international football community. CONCACAF and UEFA have strongly opposed FIFA President Gianni Infantino's plan to sell some commercial rights of the FIFA World Cup to private investors. They have also voiced support for a motion of no confidence against Infantino, alongside the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).ESPN reported that in this context, CONCACAF and UEFA are strengthening their cooperation in the 'anti-Infantino' camp. However, neither confederation has yet made an official statement regarding the creation of the unified Nations League. Should the tournament be launched, it is likely that most of the top division will consist of UEFA member nations, but CONCACAF anticipates that competing with European powerhouses will help improve their performance.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-22 14:28:00
  • In Busan, Overwatch stops visiting and moves in
    In Busan, Overwatch stops visiting and moves in BUSAN, August 22 (AJP) - A row of Overwatch's heroes had stepped off the screen onto a strip of astroturf — D.Va flashing her decorated pistol, Reaper looming under his hood, while Genji meditated on an orange beanbag, eyes shut tight in ease. All around the packed halls of BEXCO, thousands of fans of Blizzard's tactical shooter Overwatch buzzed with hype, clutching tote bags branded with the iconic circular pattern and the stamp-rally cards that would soon be creased from a full day of missions. This was not the typical annual G-Star festival held for a year's worth of game reveals, but the very first "Overwatch Day," a two-day offline celebration thrown by Nexon to mark the game's official Korean service. Overwatch, run by Blizzard, had long been playable on shared Asia servers. Just this February, the game shed its "Overwatch 2" label and went free-to-play; the handoff to Nexon put a domestic publisher in charge of the community for the first time. That shift lands at a pointed moment for the fiction, too, as Overwatch's newest hero, D.Mon, arrived on Aug. 11 as the 53rd character on the roster — a Korean tank pilot and the leader of MEKA Squad, the fictional South Korean mech unit that D.Va once flew with. Her debut carries meaning of place as well. Season 4:Heroes of Busan rebuilt the city map to show the scars of a Junker assault, and D.Mon — real name Yuna Lee, piloting a hulking red mech called Beast — steps out of years of background lore to defend her hometown with a Plasma Saber and Power Barrier. For the fans threading through BEXCO, the pull was simpler. Asked what she had looked forward to most, Thanuja, 35, a foreign fan who found the event through Instagram, did not hesitate. "Games," she said, her partner translating fluidly into Korean beside her. Jang Eun-ju, 28, and Kim Su-hyun, 26, came the same way, tipped off by Instagram. "I mostly play healers or tanks — Zenyatta or Reinhardt," said Kim, a seasoned player. Jang had come hunting merchandise, with her eye on one prize above all: a keycap stamped with the Overwatch logo. Both had a message for the game's new Korean steward. "I hope there's more active communication with users," Jang said, hopeful that a home-grown operator might listen more closely than a distant one. She added a second wish, lightly but pointedly: "I hope there won't be excessive monetization." Beyond the stage, the floor was a playground built from the game's own geography — a MEKA base, a temple, a stretch of Busan streetscape — where visitors ran seven missions to earn stamps and trade them for goods at a "Busan Station Tower" counter. Waits for any booths stretched past an hour. At one booth, a Taiko-style rhythm game lit up: twelve circular targets flashing in a grid while challengers hammered them frantically before the lights winked out. Just across the hall, players loaded semi-automatic Nerf blasters and squeezed off suction-tipped foam rounds with the calm of snipers. One woman kept clipping the divider between targets instead of the bullseye. "That's actually hard to hit!" a staffer laughed. A few steps over, a man inched a metal rod along a cut-out course, sweat on his brow, willing it not to touch. Men rolled foam dice studded with icons like something out of Dungeons & Dragons; a little girl grinned as she shoved a payload cart shaped like a battering ram across the floor. At the PC-bang zone, the real thing was underway — a 60-seat arena running quick single-match games in its Busan map, each capped with a Play of the Game award. "Hammer Down!" one player bellowed in Korean, eyes glittering as his fingers flew across the keyboard. Playing Reinhardt, he pancaked three foes in a row, then — with a boost from Ana — slammed a Kiriko into a nearby food stall, simultaneously crushing an enemy Ana who had just clawed her way back into the fight. Play of the Game. In the center of it all, weary players sank into beanbags, sorting the day's haul, while game sessions, including friendly matches with renowned players, boomed on and on from the main stage. Those sessions were where Nexon and Blizzard came to say their piece. On stage for the developer talk, Blizzard's Walter Kong, senior vice president and head of development for live games and mobile, cast Busan as more than a backdrop. "Busan is beautiful — the sea, the landmarks," Kong said, calling it a thrill to stand in the city that inspired the game. "The Korean community has been a huge source of strength from the very beginning." Game director Aaron Keller, on his first visit to Korea, said the team had leaned into the places fans love most. "Korea is one of the regions global fans especially adore, and there were so many requests to make a MEKA pilot playable," he said, calling D.Mon's Busan debut a special moment. "D.Mon is a character who has existed in our universe for a long time," Keller said, describing an early gun-focused prototype that gave way, revision by revision, to a sword-and-shield tank built for mobile, close-range aggression. Keller framed the Nexon tie-up as a way to close the distance to Korean players. "We judged that Nexon understands the Korean market and community best, so they were the most fitting partner," he said, adding that the deal should help Overwatch "grow and expand beyond Korea." Kong, asked where the game goes from here, waved off any notion of a victory lap at the 10-year mark. "Our journey doesn't end here. We have a long way to go," he said. "Overwatch is a living, breathing universe" — one, he added, that Blizzard means to keep building alongside Korean fans rather than for them. 2026-08-22 14:13:41
  • K-Aesthetics Expands Portfolio to Overcome Growth Limits of Single Products
    K-Aesthetics Expands Portfolio to Overcome Growth Limits of Single Products Major aesthetic companies in South Korea are moving away from a single-product focus to expand their portfolios. As growth limitations become evident with reliance on a single flagship item, these companies are adopting strategies to broaden both their product lines and business sectors.According to market research firm Data Bridge Market Research, botulinum toxin is widely used for wrinkle improvement, facial contouring, and sweat gland treatments, accounting for 44.3% of the domestic beauty market in 2024. However, as the market matures and competition intensifies, there are concerns that relying solely on toxins will hinder growth. An industry insider noted, "As it becomes harder to attract new patients, we have entered a saturation phase where increasing domestic sales with a single product is challenging."Companies are accelerating their efforts to expand their product lines. By securing a variety of products such as fillers and dermacosmetics, they can propose multiple treatment combinations to clinics, enhancing their sales competitiveness. Given the aesthetic market's nature, which often involves repeat procedures, the ability to connect existing customers with diverse products is also seen as a significant advantage.Hugel is one of the companies actively pursuing portfolio diversification. In the first half of this year, botulinum toxin drove performance growth, while non-toxin segments, including fillers and cosmetics, accounted for about 41% of total sales. The company is also strengthening its bundling strategy, offering combinations of toxins, hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers, sutures, and skin boosters. This approach aims to position fillers and skin boosters as complementary treatments rather than competitors.Pharmarise is expanding its business around its flagship product, Rejuran. While its medical device segment still accounts for more than half of its revenue, the cosmetics division, led by Rejuran cosmetics, is on the rise. In the second quarter, cosmetics sales surged nearly 96% year-on-year, driving international sales growth. The company plans to enter Costco in the U.S. in the third quarter.Pharmarise is also expanding its new product lines. Following the scalp booster utilizing its patented cosmetic ingredient c-PDRN, it is enhancing its gynecological product line based on DOT® PN ingredients. Recently, it launched 'Gyner,' its first product in the gynecological market. Although the health supplement business is still small, the company aims to grow by increasing its presence in pharmacies.Jetema recently announced a new vision to become a 'total bio healthcare company.' Currently, over 60% of Jetema's revenue comes from its filler business. The company plans to expand its existing operations while developing high-value bio pipelines, including GLP-1 obesity treatments and age-related eye treatment products, as future growth drivers. To support this strategy, it has appointed Yoo Geun-jik, a former CEO of a cosmetics company, as the vice president overseeing the dermacosmetics division.Industry experts believe that competition in the aesthetic market is shifting from individual products to portfolios. One industry insider remarked, "In aesthetics, relying on a single product can lead to greater performance volatility as competition intensifies. Clinics prefer to source multiple products from a single company, so portfolio competitiveness can determine a company's overall competitiveness." 2026-08-22 14:04:00
  • North Korea deploys drone operators among 8,500 troops in Russia, Ukraine says
    North Korea deploys drone operators among 8,500 troops in Russia, Ukraine says SEOUL, August 22 (AJP) - North Korea has deployed about 8,500 troops to Russia, including hundreds of drone operators who could conduct reconnaissance and strikes against targets inside Ukraine, according to a senior Ukrainian intelligence official. Maj. Gen. Vadym Skibitskiy, deputy head of Ukraine's military intelligence agency, told CNN that the North Korean contingent is deployed mainly in Russia's Kursk region and includes about 1,000 engineers and demining personnel as well as 400 drone operators. Many of the drone operators have gained experience either directly or indirectly through previous North Korean deployments, according to Skibitskiy. Their drones are expected to be used for both surveillance and attacks against targets inside Ukraine. The deployment marks a further expansion of North Korea's role in Russia's war, moving beyond the infantry and engineering units Pyongyang previously sent to include personnel specializing in drone warfare. Ukrainian intelligence does not expect the newly deployed North Korean troops to fight directly on Ukrainian territory. Instead, they are expected to reinforce Russian rear positions, potentially freeing Russian forces for combat operations inside Ukraine, Skibitskiy said. Ukraine estimates that about 25,000 North Korean personnel have so far been deployed to or rotated through Russia's military since Pyongyang began sending troops in late 2024. North Korea's first major deployment began in Russia's Kursk region in October 2024 after Ukrainian forces launched an incursion across the border. About 10,000 North Korean troops were initially deployed, with many suffering heavy casualties during combat operations. Pyongyang publicly confirmed its involvement in the fighting in April 2025. Skibitskiy also said Russian President Vladimir Putin could ask North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for as many as 50,000 additional troops when the two leaders meet in September 2026. North Korea has rejected claims that it is preparing another deployment on that scale. Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of the North Korean leader, this week dismissed reports of tens of thousands of additional troops as a "groundless self-fabricated scenario." The expansion of military cooperation is not limited to personnel. Skibitskiy said North Korea had supplied Russia with at least 150 KN-23 or KN-24 ballistic missiles before August last year and had pledged another 120. Forty of those additional missiles have already been delivered, according to the Ukrainian intelligence assessment. In exchange for supplying Russia with troops and munitions, North Korea has sought advanced Russian military technology, according to Ukraine. Skibitskiy said Pyongyang had requested Russia's S-400 air defense system and had already received a Pantsir-1 surface-to-air missile system. The growing North Korean role comes as Ukraine faces acute shortages of advanced air defense interceptors. Ballistic missiles are particularly difficult to intercept, and North Korean weapons have added to the pressure on Kyiv's limited stocks of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors. CNN noted that North Korea's growing battlefield experience, particularly in drone warfare, is drawing concern among U.S. allies as Washington moves to scale back some military training with Seoul. 2026-08-22 13:34:12
  • U.S. Court Invalidates Trump Administrations Immigration Visa Ban for 75 Countries
    U.S. Court Invalidates Trump Administration's Immigration Visa Ban for 75 Countries A U.S. federal court has halted the Trump administration's ban on immigration visas for citizens from 75 countries. The court ruled that the Department of State's actions violated federal immigration law.According to a report by Yonhap News on the 22nd, The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 21st that Judge Janet Vargas of the Manhattan federal court invalidated the Department of State's policy restricting immigration visa issuance.The court determined that the policy exceeded the legal authority granted to the Secretary of State. It specifically noted that there was insufficient evidence to support the administration's claim that immigrants from these 75 countries would impose a financial burden on U.S. citizens.Additionally, the court criticized the Department of State for imposing blanket visa restrictions based solely on the applicants' country of origin, contrary to the intent of existing immigration laws that require consideration of individual circumstances.As a result, visa denial decisions made under this policy have also been rendered invalid. There is a possibility that previously denied visa applications will be reviewed.The Trump administration suspended immigration visa issuance for citizens of 75 countries starting January 21. The Department of State cited concerns that immigrants from these nations were likely to rely on U.S. welfare programs. The ban applied to immigration visas for permanent residency but excluded non-immigrant visas for tourism and study.The list of affected countries included Somalia, Haiti, Iran, as well as Russia, Brazil, and Colombia. U.S. allies such as Jordan and Egypt were also included in the list.U.S. civil rights and immigrant advocacy groups filed lawsuits against the policy, arguing that it was an illegal measure that restricted immigration visas based on nationality. The plaintiffs contended that the administration unilaterally altered a decades-old immigration law framework.The plaintiffs welcomed the ruling, describing it as a significant victory for immigrant applicants who suffered separation from family and livelihoods due to the administration's visa suspension. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-22 13:08:00