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  • President Lees Approval Rating Falls to Record Low Amid Ongoing Decline
    President Lee's Approval Rating Falls to Record Low Amid Ongoing Decline 이재명 대통령의 국정수행 지지율이 40.2%로 떨어지며 취임 후 최저치를 다시 경신했다. 6주 연속 하락세가 이어진 가운데 부정 평가는 50%대 중후반까지 오르면서 긍정 평가와의 격차가 16%포인트(p) 이상으로 벌어졌다. 24일 에너지경제신문 의뢰로 리얼미터가 지난 18일부터 21일까지 전국 만 18세 이상 유권자 2026명을 대상으로 조사한 결과 이 대통령의 국정수행에 대한 긍정 평가는 전주보다 2.8%p 하락한 40.2%로 집계됐다. 부정 평가는 56.9%로 전주보다 2.8%p 상승했다. 긍정 평가와 부정 평가의 격차는 16.7%p로 오차범위 밖이었다. ‘잘 모름’은 3.0%였다. 이 대통령의 지지율은 지난 7월 셋째 주부터 6주 연속 하락했다. 일간 지표에서도 지난 19일 41.5%를 기록한 뒤 20일 38.7%, 21일 39.0%로 내려가며 40% 선을 밑돌았다. 지역별로는 전남·광주·전북에서 긍정 평가가 전주보다 8.8%p 떨어져 가장 큰 하락 폭을 보였다. 대구·경북은 3.1%p, 대전·세종·충청은 2.7%p, 인천·경기는 2.3%p 각각 하락했다. 연령별로는 70대 이상에서 8.2%p 떨어졌고 50대 4.7%p, 30대 4.4%p, 20대 2.4%p 순으로 하락했다. 반면 60대에서는 긍정 평가가 3.2%p 상승했다. 전통적인 지지 기반인 호남과 중년층뿐 아니라 고령층에서도 이탈이 나타난 것이 전체 지지율 하락에 영향을 미친 것으로 풀이된다. 리얼미터는 용산공원 주택 공급 논란에 따른 부동산 정책 불신과 조희대 대법원장의 대법관 후보자 서면 제청을 둘러싼 갈등, 개헌 논쟁과 한·미연합훈련 축소에 따른 안보 불안 등이 복합적으로 작용했다고 분석했다. 정당 지지도 조사에서는 더불어민주당 41.9%, 국민의힘 37.6%로 나타났다. 민주당은 전주보다 6.0%p 하락한 반면 국민의힘은 4.5%p 상승했다. 양당 격차는 4.3%p로 좁혀져 오차범위 안에 들어왔다. 민주당 지지율은 전남·광주·전북에서 21.2%p, 대전·세종·충청에서 16.5%p, 대구·경북에서 14.1%p 각각 하락했다. 국민의힘 지지율은 대구·경북에서 13.5%p, 대전·세종·충청에서 11.8%p 상승했다. 조국혁신당은 3.9%, 진보당은 2.3%, 개혁신당은 2.0%를 기록했다. 기타 정당은 2.5%, 지지 정당이 없는 무당층은 9.7%였다. 대통령 국정수행 평가 조사는 무선 자동응답 방식으로 진행됐으며 응답률은 3.2%, 표본오차는 95% 신뢰수준에서 ±2.2%p다. 정당 지지도 조사는 지난 20일부터 21일까지 전국 유권자 1009명을 대상으로 실시됐으며 응답률은 2.9%, 표본오차는 95% 신뢰수준에서 ±3.1%p다. 자세한 내용은 중앙선거여론조사심의위원회 홈페이지에서 확인할 수 있다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-24 09:00:00
  • Shinbo and Hana Bank Provide 100 Billion Won Guarantee Support for Young Startups
    Shinbo and Hana Bank Provide 100 Billion Won Guarantee Support for Young Startups 신용보증기금이 하나은행과 손잡고 초기 청년창업기업의 금융비용 부담을 낮추기 위해 1000억원 규모의 보증 지원에 나선다.신용보증기금은 지난 21일 하나은행과 ‘청년기업 지원을 위한 Y-BRIDGE 보증 금융지원 업무협약’을 체결했다고 24일 밝혔다.이번 협약은 유망 청년창업기업을 대상으로 우대 금융상품을 제공해 초기 경영 기반을 안정시키고 성장 기반을 마련하기 위해 추진됐다.협약에 따라 신보는 하나은행의 특별출연금과 보증료 지원금을 재원으로 총 1000억원 규모의 협약보증을 공급한다. 지원 대상은 대표자가 만 39세 이하이면서 보증금액이 3억원 이하인 유망 청년창업기업이다.대상 기업에는 3년간 보증비율 100%, 고정보증료율 0.3%가 적용된다. 여기에 하나은행이 보증료 0.3%포인트를 추가 지원해 기업이 실제 부담하는 보증료를 전액 감면한다.이에 따라 자금 조달에 어려움을 겪는 초기 청년기업의 금융비용 부담을 낮추고, 창업 이후 성장과 사업 확장에 필요한 자금 확보를 지원한다는 계획이다.강승준 신보 이사장은 “이번 협약이 청년들의 참신한 아이디어가 성공적인 창업과 스케일업으로 이어지는 가교가 되길 바란다”며 “앞으로도 청년창업 생태계에 활력을 불어넣고 이들이 우리 경제의 핵심 동력으로 성장할 수 있도록 정책적 지원을 아끼지 않겠다”고 말했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-24 08:56:00
  • Hyundai Motor to Launch Major Recruitment Drive for Future Mobility Talent
    Hyundai Motor to Launch Major Recruitment Drive for Future Mobility Talent Hyundai Motor is set to recruit talent to lead its future businesses in software-defined vehicles (SDV), artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics.The company announced on August 24 that it will conduct a large-scale recruitment drive for new employees across all sectors from September 1 to 14 through its hiring website.Continuing its trend from the first half of the year, Hyundai will maintain a large-scale hiring approach in the second half. The recruitment will cover six areas: research and development, design, production and manufacturing, business planning, management support, and IT, with a total of 92 job postings.To expand engagement with potential applicants, Hyundai will also offer both online and offline programs. Participants in the offline programs will receive benefits, including exemptions from the document screening process for this recruitment.On September 10, Hyundai will host a 'Team Hyundai Career Lounge' at a café near Gangnam Station in Seoul, allowing participants to communicate directly with current employees. Outstanding participants will be granted the 'H-Super Pass,' which exempts them from the document screening.Additionally, on September 2, the company will hold a YouTube live briefing to help applicants understand the recruitment process and job roles. Interested individuals can apply for the program starting that day on Hyundai's recruitment website.A Hyundai representative stated, "We believe that the combined capabilities and potential of our members can create greater innovation. We will continue to discover talent that can generate new value based on diverse perspectives and potential."Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Group has announced plans to hire 10,000 employees this year, following the recruitment of 7,200 last year, in line with the government's initiative to expand youth employment. The scale of internships aimed at helping young people gain necessary work experience has also been significantly increased.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-24 08:52:00
  • THE BOYZs Juyeon Signs Exclusive Contract with Ace Factory, Expanding Acting Career
    THE BOYZ's Juyeon Signs Exclusive Contract with Ace Factory, Expanding Acting Career Group THE BOYZ's Juyeon has signed an exclusive contract with Ace Factory.Ace Factory announced on August 24 that it has entered into a contract with Juyeon, a member of THE BOYZ.Juyeon debuted with THE BOYZ in 2017 and has since showcased his performance skills and expressiveness on stage, while also making a mark in various fields such as fashion and entertainment.THE BOYZ, of which Juyeon is a member, has been active both domestically and internationally. Last year, the group held its fourth world tour, 'THE BOYZ THE BLAZE WORLD TOUR,' which included six cities in Asia and five cities in the Americas.Ace Factory is a comprehensive entertainment company involved in drama production and management. It represents actors such as Lee Jong-suk, Lee Joon-hyuk, Yoo Jae-myung, Yeom Hye-ran, Yoon Se-ah, Lee Kyu-hyung, Jang Seung-jo, and Choi Dae-hoon.Ace Factory expressed its excitement about forming a valuable partnership with Juyeon, stating, "We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with an artist like Juyeon, who possesses exceptional stage presence and deep emotional expression. We will fully support him in blooming in this new area as an actor, leveraging his potential and unique charm."The company also emphasized its respect for THE BOYZ's musical achievements, which are fundamental to Juyeon's identity as an artist. It added, "We will do our best to ensure that the ongoing group activities and Juyeon's leap as an actor create positive synergy based on the trust he has built with his fans."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-24 08:48:20
  • Samsung SDS Wins Contract for Next-Generation Network at Seoul National University
    Samsung SDS Wins Contract for Next-Generation Network at Seoul National University Samsung SDS is set to transform the next-generation network platform at Seoul National University, showcasing its extensive artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and network capabilities.On August 24, Samsung SDS announced it has secured a project to implement a "next-generation network platform for an intelligent campus" at Seoul National University.This initiative aims to establish a foundation for converting the university into an "AI Native Campus" optimized for the AI era, building a high-performance network infrastructure necessary for AI research and education.The project will enhance the quality of both wired and wireless networks across 243 buildings, serving approximately 50,000 users. Plans include transitioning to an ultra-high-speed, high-bandwidth network environment capable of 800Gbps to facilitate rapid data transfer for AI research.Additionally, the project will focus on strengthening security through logical network separation and automating network operations, aiming to improve both stability and management efficiency.The company anticipates significant improvements in network services for students, faculty, researchers, and staff, minimizing speed reductions and interruptions during network access while providing a user-friendly environment for service requests.Students will benefit from stable network access in classrooms, laboratories, and libraries. Faculty and researchers will be able to transmit large-scale AI training and research data quickly and reliably, facilitating data-intensive AI research.IT personnel will reduce operational burdens by automating repetitive tasks such as user device authentication and network service provision. An intelligent management environment will also be established to detect network failures and anomalies, enabling efficient management of the large campus network with limited operational staff.Samsung SDS plans to apply its experience and technology gained from implementing a "Software Defined Network (SDN)" used by over 80,000 users across 13 global locations to the next-generation network at Seoul National University.SDN technology allows for centralized control and operation of the entire network through software, enabling consistent management of network policies and services while automating network configurations based on user requests. Previously, network devices were configured and managed individually.Samsung SDS stated, "Based on our SDN capabilities, we plan to integrate and manage Seoul National University's large-scale campus network as a single system, supporting rapid service delivery and operational efficiency." In this project, Samsung SDS will implement software-based network separation to enhance the security level of the campus network.Networks with different purposes and characteristics, such as research, administration, and education, will be logically separated to limit unnecessary access between areas and minimize the risk of security threats spreading from one area to another. The network policies can also be flexibly applied based on user and task characteristics, effectively responding to the collaborative environment of universities with external institutions and companies.A user-centric network automation portal linked with SDN will also be introduced. Users will be able to directly request tasks such as IP issuance, device registration, and new network applications for research purposes through the portal, with network configurations automatically reflecting predefined policies and procedures.As AI services rapidly expand, the importance of network infrastructure that can quickly connect and operate high-performance computing resources, such as graphics processing units (GPUs), and large volumes of data is increasing.Samsung SDS plans to continue strengthening its next-generation network business that supports AI transformation in enterprises, public institutions, and educational and medical organizations, leveraging its extensive experience in large-scale network operations and SDN automation.Go Gil-gon, head of the Information Technology Division at Seoul National University, stated, "Through this project, we will secure a foundation for an intelligent campus and accelerate digital and AI innovation across education, research, and administration. We aim to realize our vision of becoming a global leader in AI education through network improvements that satisfy all members of our community." Lee Jeong-heon, Vice President and Head of Strategic Marketing at Samsung SDS, said, "We aim to create a stable and convenient intelligent campus environment based on Samsung SDS's large-scale SDN design, construction, and operational capabilities, making it a standard model for universities worldwide." Recently, Samsung SDS has been expanding its AI infrastructure business, covering everything from AI computing resources to data centers and networks. As the leading company in a consortium, it is building a national AI computing center in Haenam, Jeonnam, and plans to establish a large-scale public AI infrastructure with 15,000 AI semiconductors by 2028. With the recent contract with Seoul National University, Samsung SDS is broadening its business foundation in the high-performance network sector that supports AI research and education, following its establishment of large-scale AI computing infrastructure.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-24 08:48:10
  • Kiwoom Securities Lowers Kakaos Target Price Amid Strategic Concerns
    Kiwoom Securities Lowers Kakao's Target Price Amid Strategic Concerns Kiwoom Securities announced on August 24 that it has lowered its target price for Kakao from 110,000 won to 70,000 won, citing concerns that the company's strategy of separating its entities to create synergies may not achieve the desired efficiency and completeness compared to previous plans. The investment rating remains at 'buy.'In a report released that day, analyst Kim Jin-goo explained, "Considering the concerns over the realization of synergies from the split and the dilution of strong ties with frontier companies like OpenAI this year, we are adjusting our long-term performance and related valuation multiples downward."Kim noted that Kakao has announced a split plan centered on its existing entity, KakaoX, and the newly established KakaoAI. However, he anticipates that the AI business will evolve into a comprehensive autonomous agent rather than remain segmented.He added, "The split ratio for the newly established KakaoAI is set at 36.5%. This is based on asset value, and under the trend of valuing internet business primarily on revenue, we suggest a fair value assessment ratio of 56.4% for this entity, which is expected to carry the current major cash cows of advertising and commerce-based AI expansion."Kim concluded, "Therefore, we believe the investment attractiveness of the newly established entity will be significantly high post-split, and there may be room for further adjustments centered on the core value of AI depending on future changes in the intensity of frontier partnerships."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-24 08:44:10
  • NH Investment & Securities Raises GS Construction Target Price by 27.3% Amid Data Center Expansion
    NH Investment & Securities Raises GS Construction Target Price by 27.3% Amid Data Center Expansion NH Investment & Securities announced on August 24 that it has raised its target price for GS Construction from 33,000 won to 42,000 won, an increase of 27.3%, citing the company's participation in large-scale data center projects as a driver for growth. The firm maintained its 'buy' rating.Lee Eun-sang, a researcher at NH Investment & Securities, stated, "We positively assess the strengthening of the new business portfolio centered on data centers based on captive demand," adding that data center-related revenue is estimated to reach approximately 5 trillion won.GS Construction is expected to participate in a 2.4 GW data center construction project allocated to GS. The first phase, a 1.2 GW project, has a power supply plan linked to the Bukpyeong Industrial Complex in Donghae and GS Donghae Power. GS Construction applied for a building permit in Donghae on August 3, aiming to start construction within the year and complete it by 2029.The total construction cost for the first phase is estimated at around 12 trillion won. NH Investment & Securities forecasts that about 5 trillion won of this will be reflected in revenue, incorporating profits from the Donghae data center project, which is expected to commence by the end of the year.GS Construction is establishing a value chain for data centers through its subsidiary, Jai C&A, and Jibesco Asset Management, covering everything from design and construction to leasing and operation. There are also indications that the approximately 1.3 trillion won from the sale of GS Inima, expected by the end of the year, may be used for equity investment in the data center business.The researcher noted, "Future capital attraction for the data center business, lease agreements, and expansion of construction personnel will be key factors for stock price reevaluation."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-24 08:44:00
  • Hanwha Investment Raises Samsung Lifes Target Price Amid Dividend Expectations
    Hanwha Investment Raises Samsung Life's Target Price Amid Dividend Expectations 한화투자증권 announced on August 24 that it has raised the target price for Samsung Life to 363,000 won, reflecting increased expectations for dividend yields due to Samsung Electronics' expanded shareholder return. However, the firm did not adjust its dividend estimates for Samsung Life, citing a lack of clear guidance on how the company plans to distribute its increased profits to shareholders. Hanwha Investment Securities forecasts that Samsung Life's dividend income for the fourth quarter will increase by 2.872 trillion won compared to the average quarter, based on Samsung Electronics' shareholder return plan for 2026. Consequently, the estimated consolidated net profit for Samsung Life has been revised upward by 56% for 2026 and 211% for 2027. Samsung Electronics has disclosed its anticipated scale of shareholder returns for 2026, estimating third-quarter dividends to be around 30 trillion won. The method for distributing the remaining shareholder return resources will be announced after a board meeting in January 2027. The key issue remains how Samsung Life will allocate the increased resources to shareholders. While Samsung Life has officially proposed a long-term shareholder return rate of 50%, it has not confirmed specific target timelines or the process for achieving this goal. Hanwha Investment Securities believes that there is a possibility that Samsung Life may not distribute special profits and may not increase its payout ratio. Kim Do-ha, a researcher at Hanwha Investment Securities, stated, "We have raised the target price due to the expected increase in dividend yields and the expanded value of electronic shares, but we have not adjusted the dividend estimates. We plan to revise them after confirming clear guidance on the distribution principles."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-24 08:44:00
  • Will the Disability Rights Protest End? Major Announcement Expected Today
    Will the Disability Rights Protest End? Major Announcement Expected Today The nationwide subway protests by the Disability Rights Solidarity (전장연), which have disrupted commuters, are at a critical juncture after more than four years. Following meetings with government ministers and a declaration of a major compromise with the Seoul City Council, attention is focused on whether the non-stop passage through Lines 1 and 4 and the resulting delays will come to an end.On the 24th, the Disability Rights Solidarity announced that it will hold a press conference at 11:30 a.m. at the Seoul City Council's member hall with the Democratic Party of Korea to declare a 'social compromise for the guarantee of disability rights.' During this event, the group will share updates on the progress of proposed ordinances and officially announce its future stance on the ongoing 'commuter subway protests.'Earlier this month, the group declared it would institutionalize its subway boarding protests every Monday morning. During the protest on August 3, non-stop passage measures were implemented at Hyehwa Station on Line 4 and Noryangjin Station on Line 1, causing severe commuter chaos with delays of up to 1 hour and 20 minutes.However, the situation shifted dramatically after a private meeting on August 19 between Park Hong-geun, the Minister of Planning and Budget, and the Disability Rights Solidarity. Minister Park suggested reviewing the disability rights budget and requested a halt to the protests, leading the group to cancel its previously scheduled 'commuter boarding campaigns' that were set to continue until the budget deadline.As a result, the Disability Rights Solidarity is expected to conclude its '73rd commuter subway protest' at Seoul Station on the morning of the 24th, with a high likelihood of temporarily suspending its long-term sit-in depending on the outcomes of negotiations with the government and local authorities.Railway officials have expressed significant concern over the potential for continued congestion and non-stop measures at Hyehwa Station, Noryangjin Station, and major transfer hubs such as Seoul Station (Lines 1 and 4), City Hall Station (Lines 1 and 2), Dongdaemun Station (Lines 1 and 4), and Sadang Station (Lines 2 and 4) due to the protests. The declaration of a major compromise has raised hopes that commuter traffic disruptions may be alleviated. 2026-08-24 08:40:00
  • KOSPI Pauses Ahead of Jackson Hole Meeting and NVIDIA Earnings, Eyes 7000 Mark
    KOSPI Pauses Ahead of Jackson Hole Meeting and NVIDIA Earnings, Eyes 7000 Mark KOSPI is expected to take a breather ahead of major events, including the Jackson Hole meeting and NVIDIA's earnings report. Despite a rise in the U.S. stock market, semiconductor stocks showed weakness, and KOSPI 200 night futures also declined, suggesting a weak start for the domestic market. However, analysts believe that the results of key events this week could lead to a renewed attempt to breach the 7000 mark, despite mixed stock movements from Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix regarding shareholder return policies. According to NextTrade, as of 8:25 a.m. on the 24th, Samsung Electronics was down 3.20% at 272,500 won, while SK Hynix rose 3.01% to 1,782,000 won. Other Samsung Group stocks, such as Samsung Life (-3.50%) and Samsung C&T (-3.67%), also showed weakness, while LG Energy Solution (1.60%), Hyundai Motor (0.84%), and Samsung Electro-Mechanics (0.76%) experienced gains. On August 21, the New York stock market saw a collective rise due to an influx of bargain hunters. The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.98%, the S&P 500 rose by 0.43%, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.44%. However, the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index, which is closely linked to domestic semiconductor stocks, fell by 0.51%. NVIDIA, ahead of its earnings announcement, also closed down 0.98% at $214.72. KOSPI 200 night futures dropped by 2.29%, and the MSCI Korea Index ETF only rose by 0.10%, indicating no strong signals for a robust start to the domestic market. Analysts predict that KOSPI will fluctuate between 6500 and 7500 points this week, with a potential attempt to break through the 7000 mark. Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, identified key variables for the stock market this week as the Jackson Hole meeting, U.S. long-term interest rates, July personal consumption expenditures (PCE) inflation, the Bank of Korea's monetary policy committee, NVIDIA's earnings, and changes in supply and demand following Samsung Electronics' shareholder return. The Jackson Hole meeting, scheduled for later this week, is seen as a major variable. With the likelihood of interest rates being held steady at the September Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, analysts emphasize the importance of whether Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh will provide signals to calm the recently surging yields on 10-year and 30-year Treasury bonds. If the upward trend in U.S. long-term interest rates eases, it could alleviate some macroeconomic uncertainties that are hindering KOSPI's stability at the 7000 level. Additionally, NVIDIA's earnings report, scheduled for August 26, will be crucial in determining how closely it aligns with market expectations. The sustainability of high gross margins and any comments regarding HBM supply shortages are also expected to be significant factors influencing domestic semiconductor stocks and the overall market direction. Han Ji-young noted, "This week is a super week with major events like the Jackson Hole meeting and NVIDIA's earnings report. The market is likely to see active maneuvering as it processes these events. It is also important to note that following SK Hynix, Samsung Electronics has announced a large-scale shareholder return, which is strengthening the downward rigidity of supply and demand in the overall domestic market centered on leading stocks."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-24 08:36:00