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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 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
Chairperson Hwang Sun-hee: Don't Make Gwacheon a Scapegoat for Real Estate Failures Chairperson Hwang Sun-hee of the Gwacheon City Council strongly criticized the government on August 21, stating, "Do not make Gwacheon a scapegoat to cover up repeated failures in real estate policy."Hwang urged the immediate withdrawal of the irresponsible "supply at all costs" plan that jeopardizes Gwacheon's future. She called for a comprehensive review and retraction of the government's plan to supply 9,800 housing units at the Gwacheon horse racing park and the National Defense Intelligence Command site.She expressed concern that the government is pushing forward with the project without adequately considering citizen feedback and the city's capacity to accommodate such a supply.In light of Gwacheon City winning a recent appeal regarding the change of use for a religious facility by the Shincheonji Church, Hwang described the ruling as a significant acknowledgment of public safety and quality of life by the judiciary.This case arose from a lawsuit challenging the city's refusal to permit the change of use for the religious facility, considering the impact on residents' living conditions, educational environment, and community conflicts.Hwang emphasized that this ruling reflects the solidarity of citizens and the city's response, asserting that the principle of prioritizing public safety and welfare should also apply to the government's unilateral housing supply policies.She specifically questioned the feasibility of relocating the horse racing park, citing the Korea Racing Authority's own assessment that the relocation would take a long time, and that no specific plans or alternative sites have been confirmed, making the proposed start of construction in 2029 unrealistic."Setting a construction start date without confirming the relocation site is like putting up a roof before erecting the pillars," Hwang stated, insisting that the necessary time, costs, alternative sites, and economic viability for the relocation must be verified first.She also called for verification of urban infrastructure, noting that adding 9,800 units near the horse racing park could significantly burden transportation, schools, and water and sewage systems, especially with existing development projects in the Gwacheon and Juam districts.Hwang demanded that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport transparently disclose the basis for the 9,800 housing unit supply and the results of assessments regarding the capacity of transportation, education, environment, and water and sewage infrastructure.She also urged local lawmaker Lee So-young to clarify her position on the application of exceptions to the total amount of development restriction zones, which directly impacts Gwacheon's green spaces and urban environment.Hwang stated, "The local lawmaker must clearly express whether she supports or opposes the application of exceptions to the total amount of development restrictions, as this issue cannot be ignored given the emphasis on environmental and climate concerns."Additionally, she proposed that Lee facilitate a public forum involving the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Gwacheon City, and the Gwacheon City Council to verify the validity and issues surrounding the 9,800 housing supply plan.Hwang indicated that if the government insists on proceeding with the plan, the city and council would escalate their response. "Gwacheon has cooperated with various development projects under national policy, but if unilateral sacrifices are demanded without citizen consent, the Gwacheon City Council will consider completely refusing administrative cooperation for future government development projects," she warned.Hwang concluded, "We must not sacrifice Gwacheon's green spaces, urban capacity, and citizens' living environment solely for the sake of housing supply. The government should move away from imposing predetermined supply quantities and instead engage in reasonable verification and consultation that reflects the opinions of citizens and local governments."Previously, the city council adopted a resolution calling for the complete withdrawal of the government's plan to supply 9,800 housing units at the horse racing park and the National Defense Intelligence Command site. 2026-08-22 12:36:00
Missing 70cm Nile Monitor Lizard Captured After 11-Day Search A large monitor lizard that surprised residents in Gwanggyo New Town, Suwon, was captured after an 11-day search.According to the city of Suwon, authorities captured the approximately 70cm lizard near the Hongjae Library at 11:37 a.m. on August 22. This follows the initial report of the lizard's sighting on August 11. No injuries were reported during the capture.The lizard was first spotted by a worker conducting vegetation management along the riverbank, who then alerted the police. Although Suwon city officials and fire authorities responded to the scene, the lizard evaded capture.Subsequently, a man in his 30s claimed to be the lizard's owner, stating that it had gone missing a month prior. Based on this information, authorities presumed the lizard to be a Nile monitor and continued their search. Suwon city set up seven traps around the Gwanggyo Wellbeing Town apartment complex, Hongjae Library, and the Soejukgol Stream walking path, employing temporary workers to assist in the daily search. The traps were baited with raw chicken and mice to attract the lizard.However, the lizard remained elusive. On August 19, a city official spotted the lizard but it quickly fled, thwarting the capture attempt. Fire authorities faced challenges due to the lizard's ability to appear and disappear rapidly.Suwon city plans to send the captured lizard to the National Institute of Biological Resources for species verification and to confirm if it is the same individual reported missing. Meanwhile, police have been investigating the owner, identified as A, for potential violations of wildlife protection laws.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-22 12:20:00
Ukraine Abandons Plans for Drone Attack on Moscow Airport Ukraine reportedly planned a large-scale drone attack targeting Moscow's airport to draw Russia to the negotiating table but abandoned the operation due to concerns over civilian casualties.According to a report by Yonhap News on August 22, the British daily Telegraph and the American magazine The Atlantic stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was briefed on a plan to neutralize Moscow's airport using artificial intelligence (AI) drones.The operation, dubbed 'M&Ms,' aimed to disable Russia's air defense systems and disrupt civilian air traffic at Moscow's airport. Despite a significant reduction in international flights from Russia, services to Istanbul and Dubai continue to operate. Ukraine believed this could hinder the overseas movements of Russian elites and oligarchs, thereby applying pressure on President Vladimir Putin.However, President Zelensky expressed concerns that the AI drones could mistakenly target civilian aircraft or airport facilities. The potential for civilian casualties among passengers, crew members, and airport staff was cited as a reason for halting the operation.Throughout the conflict, Ukraine has focused on striking military targets within Russia while avoiding civilian casualties. The operation was reportedly suspended following the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov in July. However, the Telegraph noted that it remains unclear whether the plan was executed, as European nations have expressed concerns over attacks on civilian facilities.Ed Arnold, a senior advisor at the British think tank The D Group, highlighted that European apprehension stems from the potential 'normalization of such actions.' If attacks on civilian facilities within Russia are deemed acceptable, it could lead to similar assaults on European airports by President Putin.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-22 11:40:00
China's YMTC Files for IPO, Aiming to Raise 33 Billion Yuan 중국 메모리 업체들이 잇따라 기업공개(IPO)에 나서고 있다. D램 업체 창신커지(CXMT)에 이어 낸드플래시 업체 창장춘추(YMTC)도 대규모 자금 조달에 나섰다. 연합뉴스 보도에 따르면 상하이증권거래소는 22일(현지시간) YMTC 모회사 창장춘추홀딩스(CCSH 코퍼레이션)의 중국판 나스닥인 과창판(커촹반) IPO 신청서를 전날 수리했다. YMTC 측은 이번 IPO를 통해 330억 위안(약 6조8000억원)을 조달할 계획이다. 조달한 자금은 생산라인 고도화와 연구개발(R&D)에 투입할 예정이다. 로이터통신에 따르면 이번 IPO 규모는 CXMT와 파운드리 업체 중신궈지(SMIC)에 이어 과창판 역대 3위 수준이다. YMTC 측은 신주 19억8000만~24억3000만주를 발행할 예정이며, 상장 후 기업가치는 2750억~3300억 위안(약 56조8000억~68조1000억원)으로 예상된다. 실적도 빠르게 늘고 있다. 투자설명서에 따르면 YMTC의 올해 1분기 매출은 470억 위안(약 9조7000억원)으로, 2024년 연간 매출 452억 위안을 이미 넘어섰다. 인공지능(AI) 산업 확대로 메모리 수요가 늘어난 영향으로 풀이된다. 대만 경제일보는 YMTC가 이르면 올해 4분기 상장할 수 있다는 관측을 전했다. YMTC는 글로벌 낸드플래시 시장에서 입지를 넓히고 있다. 시장조사업체 카운터포인트리서치에 따르면 YMTC는 올해 2분기 출하량 기준 세계 낸드플래시 시장 점유율 14%를 기록했다. 키옥시아를 제치고 처음으로 3위에 올랐다. 삼성전자가 25%로 1위였고, SK하이닉스(솔리다임 포함)가 22%로 뒤를 이었다. 키옥시아와 마이크론은 각각 14%, 13%였다. 중국에서는 AI 산업 성장과 함께 첨단 기술기업들의 IPO가 이어지고 있다. CXMT는 지난달 IPO를 통해 최대 666억1000만 위안(약 13조7000억원)을 조달했다. 앞서 CXMT 주가는 상장 첫날 공모가 8.66위안보다 465.82% 오른 49.0위안으로 마감하며 중국 본토 증시 시가총액 1위에 올랐다. 전날 종가는 58.0위안이다. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-22 11:00:10
Ukrainian Intelligence: 8,500 North Korean Troops Deployed in Russia, Including Drone Units Ukrainian intelligence reports that approximately 8,500 North Korean troops are currently deployed in Russia, including personnel operating reconnaissance and attack drones.Vadym Skibitsky, deputy head of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Agency (HUR), stated in a CNN interview on August 21 that these North Korean forces are primarily stationed in the Kursk region of Russia.Skibitsky claimed that among these troops, about 1,000 are engineers and mine clearance specialists, while around 400 are drone operators. Many of these drone operators have reportedly gained operational experience, either directly or indirectly, since their deployment to Russia.He noted that the drones operated by North Korean forces could potentially be used for reconnaissance or attacks on targets within Ukraine.According to Skibitsky, the role of North Korean troops is expected to focus more on bolstering Russian rear positions rather than direct engagement on the front lines, thereby supporting the deployment of Russian forces.He also suggested that if Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in September, there could be a request for additional troop support of up to 50,000 personnel.North Korea is believed to have first sent troops to the Kursk region in October 2024 to support Russia's war in Ukraine, with initial estimates of around 10,000 troops. Reports indicate that significant casualties occurred during their involvement in large-scale assault tactics.Ukraine estimates that a total of 25,000 North Korean troops have been deployed or rotated in Russia to date.There are also indications that North Korea's support for Russia is expanding beyond personnel to include military equipment such as missiles and air defense systems.Skibitsky claimed that North Korea provided at least 150 KN-23 or KN-24 ballistic missiles to Russia before August of last year and agreed to supply an additional 120 missiles. He suggested that North Korea appears to be gathering actual launch data during Russia's attacks on Ukraine to improve missile accuracy and warhead performance.Additionally, he stated that North Korea has requested the S-400 air defense system from Russia in exchange for troop and ammunition support and has already received the Pantsir air defense missile system.Ukrainian intelligence indicates that military cooperation between North Korea and Russia is expanding beyond troop support to include drone and missile operations.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-22 10:40:00
PanStar container ship to depart Busan for Korea's first Arctic route trial SEOUL, August 22 (AJP) - PanStar Group's container ship is set to depart Busan on Saturday afternoon for South Korea's first trial container voyage through the Northern Sea Route, marking a key step in Seoul's push to establish a new shipping corridor between Asia and Europe. The 2,758-TEU PanStar Acro, operated by Busan-based PanStar Line Dot Com, will leave Busan New Port and head toward Europe through Arctic waters north of Russia. The vessel was purchased from HMM, where it previously operated as HMM Mombasa. The ship is scheduled to enter the Northern Sea Route around Aug. 30 and pass through the Arctic region in early September. It will call at Felixstowe in Britain on Sept. 9, Rotterdam in the Netherlands on Sept. 11 and Gdansk in Poland on Sept. 15 before returning to Busan around Oct. 5. The round trip is expected to take about 45 days. The vessel is carrying 737 TEUs of cargo, including chemical products, used vehicles and auto parts. Including empty containers, the total load amounts to 837 TEUs. The Northern Sea Route cuts the sailing distance between Busan and Rotterdam to about 13,000 kilometers, roughly 35 percent shorter than the approximately 20,000-kilometer route through the Suez Canal. The government plans to use data from the trial to assess sailing time, fuel consumption, operating costs and the commercial viability of the route, with the aim of launching regular services by 2030. The voyage comes after months of uncertainty over sanctions and insurance. Because much of the route passes through waters administered by Russia, concerns had been raised over whether payments for Russian navigation and other services could conflict with Western sanctions. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said consultations with relevant countries have been completed and the related risks resolved, while the vessel is not expected to receive a Russian icebreaker escort. PanStar emerged as the sole applicant for the government-backed trial after larger Korean shipping companies stayed away amid commercial, sanctions and environmental concerns. A PanStar source previously told AJP that the company ultimately agreed to undertake the project after being approached by the Korea Shipowners' Association. The government sees the voyage as a test of whether Busan can eventually serve as a major Asian gateway for Arctic shipping, although questions remain over seasonal ice conditions, costs and geopolitical risks surrounding the route. 2026-08-22 10:16:00
Regional National Universities Gain Popularity as Local Medical Programs Attract Students As the application period for early admissions in 2027 approaches, significant shifts in the college admissions landscape are becoming evident. The intense focus on Seoul-based universities has begun to wane, with application rates for regional national universities rising for the third consecutive year.This year marks the introduction of the 'local medical program,' which is emerging as a strategic alternative for students aiming for medical fields such as pharmacy, dentistry, and veterinary medicine, rather than being exclusive to top-ranking students. Additionally, with the largest influx of repeat test takers in history ahead of the 2028 college admissions reform, the trend of students applying for both stable options and ambitious targets is intensifying.According to an analysis released by JinHakSa on August 21, the preference for regional national universities among non-capital area students has become increasingly pronounced.The proportion of applications to regional national universities, including key national institutions, has steadily increased from 18.2% in 2025 to 19.9% in 2026, and is projected to reach 21.6% in 2027. Notably, in six of the eight non-capital regions, the percentage of applications to Seoul universities has dropped below 50%. In the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, over 75% of students applied to local universities.In the Gangwon region, while applications to Seoul universities (57.4%) exceeded those to local universities (47.6%) in 2026, the trend reversed in 2027, with local university applications at 57.0% compared to 54.8% for Seoul.Woo Yeon-cheol, head of JinHakSa's admissions strategy research center, noted, "The severe job market, high living costs in the capital, the impact of last year's difficult exams, and recent discussions about free tuition at regional national universities and the integration of one university per province have all contributed to this trend. In particular, the integration of Kangwon National University with Gangneung-Wonju National University has positively influenced application rates."Local Medical Program Introduced: A Strategic Advantage for Pharmacy and Veterinary StudentsThe newly introduced local medical program is emerging as a new variable in medical school admissions. According to JinHakSa's analysis, the average academic performance of applicants to the local medical program is around 1.50 for the academic record-based admissions and 1.52 for the comprehensive admissions. These figures are slightly lower than those for general medical schools (1.27 for both types).Notably, the pattern of simultaneous applications among candidates is significant. While 70% of applicants to existing regional talent programs applied to other medical schools, only 58% of local medical program applicants did the same. Conversely, over 30% of these applicants also applied to other medical fields such as dentistry, traditional medicine, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine, with a notable 10.0% applying to pharmacy programs. The proportion of applicants applying to top engineering schools like Sogang University, Sungkyunkwan University, and Hanyang University was nearly double for local medical program applicants (7.1%) compared to regional talent program applicants (3.8%).Woo explained, "Due to the 10-year mandatory service requirement, top-ranking students are likely to choose existing regional talent programs or general medical schools, while those preparing for pharmacy, veterinary, or top engineering schools are using the local medical program as a strategic alternative to aim for medical school acceptance." He cautioned, however, that with only 1-2 spots available per region, even meeting the minimum exam requirements may not guarantee acceptance, making it difficult to expect significant drops in cutoff scores.Decline in High School Seniors and Record Number of Repeat Test Takers: Increasing Application PolarizationThe composition of applicants has shown a marked decline in high school seniors and a significant increase in repeat test takers. Among users of JinHakSa's early admissions simulation, the number of high school seniors dropped by 28.5% compared to the previous year, while the number of repeat test takers increased by 6.4%, reaching a record 28.1% of total applicants. It is projected that the total number of repeat test takers will exceed 170,000 this year.This demographic shift has led to extreme polarization in application tendencies. Contrary to initial predictions that 'stable applications' would dominate as students sought to avoid repeating the year ahead of the 2028 admissions reform, the proportion of 'appropriate' applications among the 30 Seoul universities remained similar to the previous year at 49.9%. However, the percentage of 'confident' applications plummeted from 31.4% to 20.4%. In contrast, the share of extremely ambitious applications, categorized as 'very risky,' surged from 10.4% to 19.6%.Woo noted, "Repeat test takers targeting regular admissions are boldly applying to ambitious options through comprehensive or essay-based admissions. High school seniors are also adopting a mindset of securing one or two stable universities while betting on top-tier institutions, leading to a prevalent risk-taking mentality."The Ripple Effect of 'Social Studies Run' and the Trap of Minimum Exam Requirements: Rising Cutoff Scores Demand CautionThe trend of natural science students taking social studies, referred to as 'Social Studies Run,' poses a significant challenge for meeting minimum exam requirements in early admissions. The percentage of students taking social studies in the June mock exam skyrocketed from 47.7% for the 2024 academic year to 69.0% for 2027.Woo warned, "The influx of natural science students into social studies has made it extremely difficult for humanities students to secure grades of 1-2. Meanwhile, natural science students who choose social studies may overestimate their chances of acceptance based on mock exam percentiles, leading to risky upward applications in early admissions."He also advised that even top students remaining in the natural sciences should be cautious, as the extreme standardization of the applicant pool means that even minor mistakes can lead to grade drops. All students, regardless of their field, should assess their chances of meeting minimum exam requirements very conservatively.Meanwhile, the strength of semiconductor contract programs is unparalleled. The semiconductor engineering programs at Sogang University and Hanyang University have risen to the top in terms of applicant performance for the 2026-2027 academic years, moving up from outside the top 10 in 2025.Woo emphasized, "In the past, students would mix general engineering programs with semiconductor programs, but this year, many are focusing on applying to four semiconductor contract programs among their six early admissions choices. As the overall performance of applicants to top universities continues to rise, it is crucial not to become fixated on last year's admission thresholds but to develop a conservative and multifaceted strategy."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-22 10:04:10
Pharmaresearch Reports Record Sales Driven by Rejuvenating Product Success Pharmaresearch has achieved record sales and operating profit in the second quarter of this year, driven by strong sales of its skin booster, Rejuran, in Europe and an expansion in cosmetic exports. With expectations for continued growth in overseas markets in the second half of the year, the company is seen as enhancing the global competitiveness of K-cosmetics.According to industry reports, Pharmaresearch's consolidated revenue for the second quarter reached 178.7 billion won, a 27.1% increase compared to the same period last year. Operating profit rose to 66.4 billion won, up 19.0%, while net profit increased by 19.3% to 56.5 billion won. For the first half of the year, cumulative revenue totaled 324.8 billion won, with operating profit at 123.8 billion won, marking the highest performance for a half-year period.Notably, the increase in overseas sales is significant. Pharmaresearch's exports in the second quarter amounted to 84.0 billion won, a 62% rise from the previous year, accounting for 47% of total revenue. By segment, medical device sales reached 96.6 billion won (64.4 billion won domestically and 32.1 billion won in exports), while cosmetic sales surged by 95.5% to 60.1 billion won. Cosmetic exports alone increased by 123.6% to 43.5 billion won, with sales in the Americas growing by 204% to 16.6 billion won, driving this growth.Sales of Rejuran have seen substantial growth in Europe and Oceania. The share of medical device exports to Europe and Oceania rose from 27% in the second quarter of last year to 39% this year, while the share to Asia decreased from 70% to 55%. Currently, Rejuran is approved for sale in 52 countries worldwide.Cosmetic exports have surged, particularly in the U.S. and Asia. In the second quarter, the regional breakdown of overseas cosmetic sales was 45% in Asia, 38% in the Americas, and 16% in Europe. The success of Amazon's Prime Day and the entry into Sephora, along with the expansion of online and offline distribution channels in Southeast Asia, including Shopee and TikTok Shop, have been credited for this growth.Market analysts believe that Pharmaresearch will continue to expand its business leveraging the brand recognition of Rejuran, contributing to the ongoing success of K-cosmetics. Expectations are high for continued export growth, particularly in Europe and the U.S., in the third quarter.In light of the strong performance, securities firms have been raising their target prices for Pharmaresearch. Samsung Securities increased its target price from 420,000 won to 500,000 won, an increase of 19.0%. Shinhan Investment Corp. raised its target from 430,000 won to 510,000 won, an 18.6% increase. IBK Investment & Securities raised its target from 500,000 won to 530,000 won, while Kiwoom Securities increased its target from 510,000 won to 520,000 won. The average target price set by securities firms is 508,000 won, indicating a potential upside of over 20% from the current stock price.IBK Investment & Securities forecasts that operating profit for the third quarter will reach 70.7 billion won, a 14% increase from the previous year. Analyst Jo Eun-ae noted, "Foreign dermatology consumption reached an all-time high in the second quarter, benefiting Pharmaresearch significantly. The cosmetic export growth, particularly in the Americas, with sales of 16.6 billion won, reflects the success of Amazon's Prime Day and the impact of entering Sephora." She added, "We expect continued growth in revenue and profit in the third quarter, raising optimism about the sustainability of export growth."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-22 10:04:00