Hyundai Motor Group to Acquire 9.65% Stake in Boston Dynamics from SoftBank
Hyundai Motor Group is expected to acquire the entire 9.65% stake in Boston Dynamics currently held by Japan's SoftBank, bringing its total ownership to 100%.
According to Yonhap News Agency on June 19, major affiliates of Hyundai Motor Group are set to hold a board meeting soon to discuss the acquisition of SoftBank's stake, valued at approximately $325 million (about 500 billion won).
Prosecutors Raid Three Securities Firms in Stock Manipulation Case
Prosecutors have launched a forced investigation into a stock manipulation case involving financial experts and others, with damages estimated at around 1 trillion won.
The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office's Financial and Securities Crime Joint Investigation Team conducted searches at KB Securities, NH Investment & Securities, and Kyobo Securities on June 19 for violations of the Capital Markets Act.
This case came to light after the Financial Services Commission's Securities and Futures Commission reported 11 individuals, including wealthy investors and financial company employees, along with four corporations, in March. They are accused of manipulating the stock price of DI Dongil, which had low trading volume due to a shortage of circulating shares in the KOSPI market, using funds from their companies and loans from financial institutions.
Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young Calls for Discussion on North Korea's Threat
Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young stated that the expression of North Korea as a primary enemy in the defense white paper should be discussed at the National Security Council (NSC).
Speaking to reporters on June 19 at the launch ceremony for the 25th Peace and Unification Education Committee in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, Jeong responded to questions regarding the potential removal or maintenance of the phrase "the North Korean regime and military are our enemies" in the upcoming defense white paper.
Previously, a defense ministry official denied media reports suggesting that the phrase might be removed, asserting that the stance of regarding the North Korean regime and military as enemies remains unchanged.
Bank of Korea Governor Signals Possible Upgrade of Economic Growth Forecast
Bank of Korea Governor Shin Hyun-song indicated that the central bank's economic growth forecast for this year may be revised upward.
On June 19, during a keynote speech at a dinner for the Korean Financial Association in Jung-gu, Seoul, Shin stated that the preliminary data released recently showed that the first-quarter real GDP growth rate was adjusted upward from 1.7% to 1.8%.
He added that the annual growth forecast for this year is likely to be adjusted upward from the previously estimated 2.6%.
US Media Criticizes Trump for Agreeing to Ceasefire with Iran Amid High Oil Prices
Prominent US newspapers have criticized President Donald Trump for agreeing to a ceasefire with Iran, suggesting that he is fearful of the deteriorating economic situation.
On June 19, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) published an editorial stating, "Surprisingly, President Trump acknowledged America's vulnerability against Iran's oil weapon," declaring that the ceasefire negotiations had effectively failed.
The WSJ noted that Trump's characteristic honesty reveals his political intentions, particularly in explaining why he reached an agreement with the Iranian regime.
The Washington Post (WP) also criticized the ceasefire agreement in an editorial, stating, "While the US has achieved little and paid a high price, the Iranian regime has survived."
Kakao Games Completes Acquisition of Line Yahoo's Investment Corporation
Kakao Games has completed the acquisition process of a special purpose company (SPC) invested in by Japan's Line Yahoo, resulting in a change of its largest shareholder.
On June 19, Kakao Games announced that it has become the largest shareholder of LAAA Investment LLC (33.43%) following a third-party allocation of new shares and the execution of a stock purchase agreement.
Previously, Kakao was the largest shareholder with a 37.93% stake, but this acquisition has reduced its ownership to 14.68%.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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