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  • Kakao Announces Major Restructuring with AI and Investment Divisions
    Kakao Announces Major Restructuring with AI and Investment Divisions Kakao is restructuring its growth framework to align with the artificial intelligence (AI) era. On August 21, the company held a board meeting and resolved to split into a new entity, KakaoAI, and a continuing entity, KakaoX.KakaoAI will serve as an 'AI core company' connecting KakaoTalk with AI, advertising, and commerce, while KakaoX will focus on the growth of key subsidiaries in tech finance, content, and mobility, acting as a 'future value investment company.'The split involves distributing shares of the new entity to existing shareholders based on a predetermined ratio, differing from a physical split where the continuing entity retains 100% ownership of the new entity. The split ratio was set at 0.36 for KakaoAI and 0.64 for KakaoX, based on net asset book value. Existing Kakao shareholders will receive shares in both companies according to this ratio.Kakao plans to hold an extraordinary general meeting on December 7 to approve the split, with the division expected to be completed by January 1, 2027. Following this, KakaoAI will be relisted on January 27, and KakaoX will undergo a change in listing.As Kakao separates its AI and investment businesses, attention is turning to the future relationship and governance structure of the two entities. There is speculation about the possibility of one entity becoming the largest shareholder of the other, similar to the structure seen with SK Telecom and SK Square, as well as whether KakaoX will transition into a holding company.Below are key questions and answers from the explanation session held on August 21 regarding the split.Q. Is there a possibility that KakaoX will transition into a holding company in the future?Kim Do-young, designated CEO of KakaoX: There are no definitive plans to convert KakaoX into a holding company. I am aware that the media has discussed this possibility several times, but currently, there are no such plans. After the split, the business purposes of the two companies will differ, and they will continue to operate independently.Q. Isn’t KakaoX effectively acting as Kakao’s holding company? Is there a possibility that the CA Council will take on a holding company role?Kim Do-young: After the split, the business purposes of the two companies will be different. We believe that a CA Council in its previous form is unnecessary. Each company will operate under independent governance with responsible management.Q. Kakao has been simplifying its governance; why is it splitting into two companies now?Kim Do-young: There was a pressing need to accelerate our competitiveness in the AI era. The existing structure required significant decision-making capacity for subsidiary support and management, which led to opportunity costs in focusing on core business capabilities and capital allocation. We believe that missing this moment could result in losing critical timing in the AI competition.Q. What specific improvements in corporate value do you expect from the split?Kim Do-young: Kakao has been undervalued as a diversified conglomerate. Recently, Kakao's average market capitalization has been around 16.8 trillion won, while we believe the market has undervalued it by about 17.4 trillion won. By separating the AI business into a distinct entity, we aim to receive a valuation appropriate for an AI company, while ensuring that KakaoX's assets and investment performance are accurately reflected in its corporate value.Q. How will the role of founder Kim Beom-soo change after the split?Kim Do-young: The role of the founder and major shareholder will remain unchanged after the split. The share distribution will maintain the same ratio before and after the split, so there will be no change in ownership percentage. However, each entity will maintain independent governance and responsible management systems.Q. Will the separation of KakaoAI and KakaoX weaken group-level synergies?Kim Do-young: Given that the business purposes of the two companies are different, the shareholder composition may change over time, excluding major shareholders, and independent management will be implemented. However, the fact that each business is organically connected through the Kakao platform will not change. Group-level business connections and synergies will be maintained even after the split.Q. What other businesses will KakaoAI oversee besides KakaoTalk?Jeong Sin-a, designated CEO: Most employees currently at Kakao headquarters will move to KakaoAI. This includes major business organizations such as KakaoTalk, maps, business, and AI. The core focus will be to connect AI with advertising and commerce centered around KakaoTalk, and to integrate AI into existing core businesses to create new growth opportunities. Employee working conditions will be fully transferred, and stock options will also be divided according to the split ratio.Q. KakaoAI's goal of achieving 20 million daily active users and 6 trillion won in revenue by 2030 is quite ambitious. What is the strategy to achieve this?Jeong Sin-a: KakaoTalk already has about 30 million users who engage daily. We believe that as AI becomes more integrated into KakaoTalk, the number of users actively using AI will significantly increase. We will create a structure that allows more users to use AI more frequently based on on-device AI and low-cost, high-efficiency inference technology. Through this, we aim to achieve 20 million AI daily active users by 2030 and increase the time spent on KakaoTalk by over 50%.Q. What is KakaoAI's specific revenue model?Jeong Sin-a: We plan to establish new revenue models centered around agentic advertising, agentic commerce, and subscriptions. When users convey their intentions in natural language, AI will suggest products and facilitate purchases. Transaction fees generated through connections between external ecosystems and agents could also become a new revenue source. We aim for an average annual revenue growth of over 20% and to exceed 6 trillion won in revenue by 2030.Q. How will the shareholder return policy change after the split?Kim Do-young: KakaoAI has established a separate shareholder return policy. KakaoX plans to distribute 30% of its subsidiary dividend income to shareholders and will also consider special dividends if significant investment returns occur. The remaining 70% will be reinvested to enhance asset value.Q. How will KakaoX evaluate its investment performance?Kim Do-young: The key metric will be how quickly we can grow the net asset value (NAV) of the assets under KakaoX. We will leverage Kakao's past experiences in discovering and growing new businesses such as Kakao Bank, Kakao Pay, and Kakao Mobility, as well as our investments in Dunamu, Carrot, and Korea Credit Data, to continuously identify new growth drivers. 2026-08-21 16:20:00
  • Kookmin engineering students exhibit 10 years of car drawings
    Kookmin engineering students exhibit 10 years of car drawings SEOUL, August 21 (AJP) - Engineering students at a Seoul university have spent a decade learning to draw the machines they study, and the results are on public view this month and next in two exhibitions outside their own campus. The show is called The Drawing, and it runs at the BODA Gallery at Incheon Academy of Science and Arts through Aug. 27 before moving to the Kyung Hee University Museum of Art, where it stays through Sept. 11. Kookmin University is presenting it as part of its 80th anniversary. The university was founded in September 1946. The exercise behind it began in 2017 as an attempt to put drawing into engineering education. Students in Kookmin's automotive and mobility program observe cars and mechanical systems directly and draw what they see, on the theory that the act of rendering something forces a closer look at it than reading a specification does. The stated aim is to sharpen observation and spatial reasoning rather than to produce artists. Ten editions later it has grown past the classroom. This year's exhibition brings in fine arts students from Kyung Hee University and a group of invited artists, so the drawings hang alongside work made from an entirely different training. The Incheon leg is tied to that school's own 10th anniversary. Incheon Academy of Science and Arts, a state-run school for gifted students that opened in 2016, teaches science and the arts together, which makes it an unusually apt room for the material. The exhibition is organized by Kookmin's program office for future mobility, part of a government-funded scheme that has universities share courses across institutions in priority fields. Shin Sung-hwan heads the office. Lee Dong-heon, the Kookmin professor who has taught the course and prepared the exhibitions, said the drawings are not judged as drawings. "The Drawing is not aimed at drawing well," Lee said. "The meaning is in the process of observing a subject closely and visually expressing the structure and the relationships you have understood." He said the tenth year had widened the show into an exchange among several educational institutions, students from different majors, and working artists. 2026-08-21 16:18:48
  • Vietnamese Citizens Alarmed by Fake Fine Text Messages
    Vietnamese Citizens Alarmed by Fake Fine Text Messages Online scams impersonating the Ministry of Public Security and VNPost are infiltrating daily life in Vietnam. These scams use urgent topics like traffic violation fines and package address corrections, employing overseas numbers and messages to mislead recipients into thinking they are receiving official notifications. In response, Vietnamese authorities, along with broadcasting and security experts, are ramping up warnings through a nationwide anti-fraud campaign.According to local reports from VnExpress and others on August 21, numerous messages impersonating the Ministry of Public Security and VNPost have been identified in Vietnam. The senders use overseas numbers while including phrases and links that resemble official communications, causing recipients to mistake them for legitimate notifications.“Pay within 48 hours”... Fake notices exploit fearMessages impersonating the Ministry of Public Security pressured citizens by demanding payment for traffic violation fines. A resident of Hanoi, identified as A, received a text on the morning of August 18 from a number associated with international calls, claiming to be from the Ministry of Public Security. The message stated that his vehicle had violated a traffic signal on August 6 and that he had not yet paid the fine.The message warned that if the fine was not paid within 48 hours, the penalty would increase by 50% and vehicle documents could be temporarily confiscated. It also included a link for further details and instructed the recipient to reply if the link did not work to receive a new address.A initially thought the message was from a legitimate agency. He said, “I was quite worried because it was related to a fine,” adding that the link had a ‘gov’ prefix, making it easy to mistake for a government site. However, he realized it was a scam after confirming that the sender's number was international and the domain was not an official government address.Messages impersonating VNPost followed a similar pattern. They claimed that a package was scheduled for delivery but lacked a specific address for the recipient, urging them to update their personal information. Notably, some cases were reported to have been sent via iMessage to iPhone users.Experts explain that these messages exploit the recipient's anxiety and urgency. By presenting situations that seem to require immediate attention, such as traffic fines, package deliveries, and account verifications, they reduce the time available for recipients to verify the sender and address. Users who click on the links may be prompted to enter personal or payment information on fake sites, risking their accounts and finances.Vietnam Faces Growing Fraud Issues, Launches Nationwide CampaignOnline fraud in Vietnam has already resulted in significant social losses. In the first nine months of last year, cumulative losses from online scams exceeded 16.6 trillion dong (approximately $883 million), with around 1,500 cases reported. The State Bank of Vietnam has detected approximately 600,000 suspicious accounts and has issued warnings and blocking measures for transactions totaling 15 trillion dong.The methods of these scams are becoming increasingly diverse. Criminal organizations impersonate bank call centers, police, and credit agencies to request password changes or information verification. On social media, they lure victims with promises of high returns on investments and illegal cryptocurrencies, while also using AI and deepfake technology to mimic voices or videos to request OTPs and passwords.Victims are not limited to the elderly or students; even tech-savvy young people are falling prey to sophisticated schemes. Personal data breaches are severe, with reports indicating that 14.5 million accounts have been compromised. Amid this, the state broadcaster VTV9 has launched a nationwide anti-fraud campaign in collaboration with the public security departments of Ho Chi Minh City and Lam Dong Province. This campaign aims to inform citizens about the latest scam tactics and help them identify warning signs.Public reactions are mixed, with a blend of vigilance and anxiety. One iPhone user noted, “There’s been an increase in iMessage spam,” suggesting that users should enable filtering for unknown senders. Another user questioned, “Isn’t the content verified just because it’s in iMessage rather than SMS?”Some responses pinpointed the essence of scam messages. One user advised, “The more they rush you to send money or click links, the more you should pause and verify,” adding, “The more urgent they make it, the less urgent I should feel.” Another user emphasized that if messages related to police, traffic fines, or packages request money or personal information, they should first be verified through official channels.Real-life experiences have also surfaced. One user reported receiving a VNPost message from a '+212 number,' joking, “Did VNPost’s headquarters move to Africa?” Another user recounted receiving a call about a free order, which led to being given a delivery person's Zalo number, and realized it was a scam when asked for a tracking update link.Experts advise that if messages come from unfamiliar numbers, include short deadlines, and contain suspicious links, recipients should not reply or click. If personal or payment information has already been entered, they should contact their bank and relevant authorities to protect their accounts.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-21 16:16:10
  • Blue House Criticizes Supreme Court Chief Justices Unilateral Nomination Process
    Blue House Criticizes Supreme Court Chief Justice's Unilateral Nomination Process On August 21, the Blue House criticized Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae's written nomination of Judge Son Bong-ki as the successor to former Justice Roh Tae-ak, stating it was a "unilateral notification process that bypassed consultation and disrespected the president's appointment authority." The Blue House refuted claims from the Supreme Court that there had been prior discussions regarding the written nomination process, asserting, "There was no consultation whatsoever on the specific nomination method."Seong Gi-hong, the Blue House's Chief of Public Communication, appeared on the YouTube channel OhmyTV and described the Chief Justice's recent appointment as "a pattern that deviates from existing practices, and we view it as a very serious situation," calling it "an unprecedented constitutional crisis."He added, "Given that this situation is unprecedented, we are reviewing various precedents since 1987 and examining legal aspects to consider how to address this matter."Regarding the Blue House's consideration of a "re-nomination" for Judge Son without following the appointment procedure, he stated, "This is a significant situation where unilateral notification has bypassed the consultation process, and we are contemplating such options."In particular, he refuted recent claims made by Roh Kyung-pil, the head of the Supreme Court's Administrative Office, during a National Assembly Judiciary Committee meeting, where he stated that he had requested a meeting between the Chief Justice and the president but was unable to secure an opportunity, and that the written nomination method had been discussed with the Chief of Civil Affairs. Seong emphasized, "Neither of these claims is true."Seong noted, "While there was a discussion about general matters regarding the nomination of justices, there was no consultation at all regarding the specific method of written nomination." He further clarified, "There was an inquiry from the Supreme Court asking if a meeting could occur if there was an agreement, to which we simply responded that we could discuss it then if there was an agreement. (Roh's claims) are not accurate."Earlier, on August 18, Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae submitted a written nomination to President Lee Jae-myung for Judge Son Bong-ki of the Daegu District Court and Judge Kim Seong-soo of the Seoul High Court as candidates for Supreme Court justices.According to sources within the ruling party, while the Supreme Court and the Blue House had completed discussions regarding Judge Kim Seong-soo, they had been at an impasse over the nomination for the successor to Justice Roh.The Blue House initially considered Judge Kim Min-ki as the top candidate, but the Supreme Court expressed concerns about a potential conflict of interest due to his spouse being Oh Young-jun, a Constitutional Court justice appointed by the current administration.In this context, on August 18, the Supreme Court indicated to the Civil Affairs Office that it would nominate both Judge Kim and Judge Son together, inquiring whether a meeting could be arranged if there was an agreement, to which the Blue House reportedly responded that they could meet then if there was an agreement.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-21 16:16:10
  • Korean Air Signs MOU with KIEES to Enhance Electromagnetic Technology in Aerospace
    Korean Air Signs MOU with KIEES to Enhance Electromagnetic Technology in Aerospace Korean Air is partnering with the Korea Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science (KIEES) to strengthen its core capabilities in electromagnetic technology within the aerospace sector.On August 21, Korean Air announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with KIEES during the summer academic conference held from August 19 to 22 at the Alpensia Resort in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province.The MOU signing ceremony on August 20 was attended by Kim Kyung-nam, head of Korean Air's Aircraft Technology Research Institute, and Park Young-cheol, president of KIEES.Under this agreement, the two organizations plan to expand collaboration in various areas, including hosting and participating in academic events in the fields of electromagnetic technology and aerospace, providing technical consulting, conducting joint research, and training personnel.They also aim to enhance mutual technology exchange to contribute to the advancement of domestic electromagnetic and aerospace technologies.Korean Air has been involved in the 'Electronic Warfare (Block-I) System Development Project,' a key initiative for the Republic of Korea Air Force to secure electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) capabilities, since 2025.This project focuses on developing large special mission aircraft that can collect and analyze threat signals from neighboring countries and disrupt enemy air defense and wireless command and communication systems during wartime. Korean Air is responsible for the overall aircraft integration and modifications.With this MOU, Korean Air expects to broaden its collaboration with KIEES and enhance its technological competitiveness in advanced electronic warfare development projects and related fields.A representative from Korean Air stated, "Through this MOU, we will enhance domestic technological competitiveness and self-reliance in the fields of electromagnetic technology and aerospace. We will continue to strive to contribute to the advancement of cutting-edge aerospace and electronic warfare technologies and strengthen the military capabilities of the Republic of Korea."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-21 16:16:00
  • Park Jeong-seong Appointed as New Head of Trade Negotiation Office
    Park Jeong-seong Appointed as New Head of Trade Negotiation Office Park Jeong-seong has been appointed as the new head of the Trade Negotiation Office at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. He is a seasoned trade bureaucrat with extensive experience in trade and economic policy.Born in 1972 in Daegu, Park graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in economics and later earned a law degree from Nova Southeastern University in the United States. He is licensed to practice law in New York and New Jersey.After passing the 40th National Civil Service Examination, he entered public service and has held key positions, including co-chair of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Trade Facilitation negotiations and chief representative of the Ministry's task force for U.S. tariff negotiations.Since the inauguration of the Lee Jae-myung administration, he has served as the Director of the Trade and Investment Bureau and Deputy Minister for Trade, overseeing practical aspects of U.S. tariff and investment negotiations.During a briefing, Chief Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong expressed confidence in Park's abilities, stating, "We expect him to navigate complex trade issues with sophisticated negotiation strategies. He is well-suited to maintain continuity in negotiations amid urgent trade matters with the U.S. and maximize national interests."◇ Profile△ Born in 1972 △ Seoul National University, Economics △ Nova Southeastern University, Law School △ 40th National Civil Service Examination △ Co-chair of WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation negotiations △ Chief representative of the Ministry's U.S. tariff negotiation task force △ Director of Trade and Investment Bureau, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy △ Deputy Minister for Trade, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-21 16:16:00
  • Chinese Stocks Rise on Anticipation of Stimulus Measures; Lithium Sector Strong
    Chinese Stocks Rise on Anticipation of Stimulus Measures; Lithium Sector Strong Chinese stocks continued their upward trend on August 21, following gains from the previous day. The rise was positively influenced by the Chinese government's announcement of potential additional stimulus measures. The Shanghai Composite Index closed up 0.04% at 3,905.20, the Shenzhen Component Index rose 0.87% to 14,094.17, and the ChiNext Index increased by 1.43% to 3,545.58.On the same day, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Finance stated at a press conference that new policies and measures to strengthen cooperation between fiscal and financial policies are under ongoing research, with expectations for additional policies to be announced in the second half of the year. This follows the People's Bank of China's decision to keep the Loan Prime Rate (LPR) unchanged for the 15th consecutive month. Market sentiment suggests that while interest rates may not be lowered, significant stimulus measures are anticipated.However, the rise in U.S. Treasury yields limited the gains in the Chinese stock market. Although the U.S. increased its buyback limit for Treasury bonds to $4 billion, which had previously eased rising yields, they turned upward again on this day. Higher Treasury yields can pressure technology stocks with high valuations.In a report, Zhao Shang Securities noted, "As liquidity has improved in August, risk appetite has shown signs of recovery, and the market continues to rebound. With the earnings season approaching, market attention will shift to individual stock performances."The lithium sector showed strong performance on this day. Rongjie Co. hit its upper limit, while Tianhua Xinneng and Guocheng Huangye also recorded significant gains. On August 21, the price of lithium carbonate rose by 500 yuan per ton to 151,600 yuan. Additionally, lithium battery production is expected to reach an all-time high this month, with forecasts indicating a 7-9% increase compared to the previous month.Shares related to immersion cooling also saw gains, with Rike Chemical and Feilong Co. reaching their upper limits. Following NVIDIA's adoption of next-generation cooling distribution units (CDUs), reports suggest that Google may also adopt CDUs, providing a boost to the sector. According to a report from China International Capital Corporation, "Data centers are evolving towards immersion cooling architecture, and the market for liquid cooling pumps for servers is expected to experience explosive growth."Meanwhile, the People's Bank of China set the yuan's central parity rate against the dollar at 6.7817 yuan, an increase of 0.0009 yuan from the previous day, reflecting a 0.01% decline in the value of the yuan.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-21 16:12:00
  • Busan Council Chair Kang Moo-gil Focuses on Marine Capital Development and Job Creation
    Busan Council Chair Kang Moo-gil Focuses on Marine Capital Development and Job Creation Kang Moo-gil, Chair of the Busan City Council, has identified the relocation of HMM's core functions to Busan and the construction of a second runway at Gadeokdo Airport as key tasks to be accomplished during the 10th council's term.Despite the current political landscape of a divided council, he aims to demonstrate the council's value through tangible achievements in transforming Busan into a marine capital. Marine and New Airport Special Committee: "Driving HMM's Core Functions and Adding Another Runway"On the two-month anniversary of his inauguration, Chair Kang outlined the specific missions of the three special committees established by the 10th council.Regarding the Marine and New Airport Development Special Committee, he stated, "We will drive HMM, which has declared the Busan era, to relocate its core functions, attract additional shipping companies, and push for the construction of a second runway at Gadeokdo Airport."The Special Committee for Attracting Businesses and Revitalizing Industrial Complexes will target both aging industrial complexes and new high-tech industrial zones. Kang emphasized, "We will tighten our efforts to enhance the competitiveness of aging industrial complexes while accelerating the attraction of excellent companies and public institutions to the Centum City 2 area and the 53rd Division, which are set for significant development."As for the Special Committee for the Development of Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam, he remarked, "We will review cooperative projects between Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam in line with the national balanced development strategy and accelerate the establishment of a super-regional economic zone in the southeastern region.""74.5% of High-Quality Jobs Are Concentrated in the Capital Region"... Wage Levels in Busan at 87 Compared to 100 in the Capital RegionKang's emphasis on industry and business attraction stems from the stark job disparity between the capital region and Busan. He noted that 74.5% of the top 20% of jobs preferred by college graduates are concentrated in the capital region, and when the capital region's wages are set at 100, Busan's relative wage level stands at 87.Demographic indicators are even more telling. The youth population in Busan, aged 20 to 39, has decreased from 1.017 million in 2011 to 773,000 in 2026, a drop of 240,000 over 15 years. In contrast, the proportion of the elderly population reached 25.4% as of January this year, surpassing that of Seoul (20.5%), Incheon (19.0%), and Daegu (22.2%), making it the highest in the country.With both youth outflow and aging occurring simultaneously, attracting businesses alone will not change the region's demographic structure. The key issue is creating a wage and industrial ecosystem that allows young people to choose careers and settle in Busan.In response, Kang stated, "Busan must leverage its strengths in marine and logistics to cultivate new growth engines in finance, semiconductors, bio, and content, creating a virtuous cycle of high-wage job creation. We need to accelerate infrastructure projects like Gadeokdo Airport, North Port redevelopment, and Centum City 2 while also establishing a legal and institutional framework suitable for a global hub city through regulatory relaxation and tax support."However, Kang clarified that future industrial strategies cannot replace immediate livelihood concerns. He stressed, "No matter how rosy the future blueprint may be, it is of no use if citizens' lives are collapsing right now," underscoring the urgency of restoring the local economy.To this end, he plans to hold regular 'on-site livelihood meetings' and enhance 'economic policy discussion forums' in collaboration with the local business community. Kang expressed his commitment to ensuring that the voices of self-employed individuals, small business owners, and local enterprises become central to the administration and serve as a compass for policy direction.Leading a divided council politically is also a significant challenge. The 10th Busan City Council has adopted the slogan, 'Only Citizen Happiness! Only Busan Development! A Dynamic Council of Cooperation and Oversight.' While collaborating on major issues requiring cooperation with the Busan City government, the council aims to maintain its fundamental role of reviewing and monitoring budgets and policies.Kang stated, "Both the city council and the Busan City government share the same goal of citizen happiness and Busan's development," but he firmly asserted, "We will not be hindered by the necessity of cooperation."In conclusion, he remarked, "Busan is now standing at the threshold of a great leap forward," pledging to push forward with the construction of Gadeokdo Airport, North Port redevelopment, future industry development, and the transformation into a marine capital, ensuring that these efforts yield tangible results for the citizens.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-21 16:08:00
  • Appsolix Secures $400 Million in Capital Increase for Glass Substrate Commercialization
    Appsolix Secures $400 Million in Capital Increase for Glass Substrate Commercialization Appsolix, an investment firm for SKC's glass substrate business, is set to raise approximately 400 billion won through a capital increase. On August 21, SKC announced that Appsolix has decided to conduct a rights offering to secure the necessary funds for the commercialization of glass substrates. The funds will be primarily allocated to evaluating glass substrates and certifying customer requirements. Additionally, Appsolix plans to upgrade some equipment and facilities to improve overall production yield and quality. Based on this, Appsolix aims to accelerate its two-track strategy for the commercialization of both embedding and non-embedding products. The embedding products have successfully completed preliminary evaluations, including electrical property verification of samples produced at the Georgia plant in the United States, and are now entering reliability assessments. The non-embedding products are also participating in a project with supplier selection expected in the second half of this year, preparing for technology validation (PoC) based on the final selection results. Moving forward, Appsolix plans to continue additional investments in line with customer evaluations and milestone achievements. The company will focus on reliably meeting the quality standards required by customers and will consider further large-scale expansion investments based on this foundation. An SKC official stated, "Through this proactive funding, we will ensure the smooth commercialization of Appsolix's glass substrates and accelerate preparations for mass production. We will continue to solidify our overwhelming technological leadership in the next-generation semiconductor packaging market through close collaboration with strategic partners." Appsolix is a U.S. investment firm established by SKC for the glass substrate business and has built the world's first dedicated glass substrate factory in Georgia. Currently, SKC holds a 70.05% stake in Appsolix, while Applied Materials (AMAT) owns 29.95%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-21 16:08:00
  • BOYNEXTDOOR opens 13-show Japan run with new single
    BOYNEXTDOOR opens 13-show Japan run with new single SEOUL, August 21 (AJP) - The Japan leg of K-pop boy band BOYNEXTDOOR's first world tour opens Friday at K-Arena Yokohama, the start of a three-night run that carries the six-member group through 13 shows in six cities into October. Last year, the group played six Japanese cities across 13 dates, but in concert halls seating a few thousand, venues such as Pacifico Yokohama and Fukuoka Sunpalace. Every date sold out. This year, the same city count runs through arenas, starting with K-Arena Yokohama and taking in Osaka-jo Hall in September. After Yokohama, the tour moves to Saga on Aug. 29 and 30, Osaka on Sept. 9 and 10, Miyagi on Sept. 19 and 20, Nagano on Sept. 25 and 26, and Chiba on Oct. 10 and 11. The Saga show on Aug. 29 will be screened live in cinemas worldwide. The Yokohama shows carry the first tour performance of "Boom Boom Boom," the group's second Japanese digital single, released Aug. 18. The song had its first live airing the night before on TBS's music program "CDTV Live! Live!" KOZ Entertainment said the track entered LINE Music's real-time song chart and reached No. 6 on the iTunes Japan top songs chart as of midnight on Aug. 19, and came in at No. 5 on Oricon's daily digital singles ranking dated Aug. 18. Both of the group's Japanese singles have been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan. BOYNEXTDOOR, made up of Sungho, Riwoo, Jaehyun, Taesan, Leehan and Woonhak, debuted in May 2023 as the first idol group launched by KOZ Entertainment, the label founded by the rapper Zico, who produces the group himself. KOZ operates under HYBE, the company that also houses BTS. The tour opened in Seoul from July 17 to 19 at KSPO DOME, where the group played to about 31,800 people over three nights, then moved to Busan for three days at Sajik Arena from July 31 to Aug. 2. "We are glad to show how much we have grown," the members said in a statement released through KOZ Entertainment ahead of the Yokohama opening. Between the Japanese dates, the group returns to Korean promotion. A repackaged edition of HOME, its first studio album, released in June, arrives Sept. 28, with domestic activity through October before the Chiba shows close out the Japan leg. Knock On Vol.2 runs 34 shows in 24 cities, including a North American leg from late October and a final Asian stretch, and ends in Bangkok on Jan. 30, 2027. 2026-08-21 16:05:38