Korea Daily News (September 3, 2024)

Economy/Finance

  • Improvement in Real Estate Market Transparency: Global real estate service firm JLL announced that the transparency of South Korea’s real estate market has improved due to the enhancement of REITs market and data availability.
  • KB Securities Direct Indexing Service: KB Securities launched a dedicated content page for its direct indexing service, allowing investors to manage their portfolios directly like fund managers.
  • Mastern Investment Management Sustainable Management Symposium: Mastern Investment Management, a specialist in alternative investments, successfully held the ‘Sustainable Management Strategy Symposium’ at its headquarters in Seocho-gu, Seoul.
  • Daishin Securities Raises KOGAS Target Price: Daishin Securities raised the target price of Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS) from 51,000 won to 66,000 won.

 

Politics/Government

  • Seoul National University Medical Students Publish in International Journal: Seoul National University medical students Shin Dong-jin and Shin Dong-joo published an article in the medical journal The Lancet, opposing the government’s plan to increase the number of medical school admissions.
  • Lee Jae-myung Forms Task Force: In response to the prosecution’s designation of former President Moon Jae-in as a “suspect,” Lee Jae-myung instructed the formation of a task force and plans to visit Pyeongsan Village on September 8.
  • Representative Chu Kyung-ho Rebuts Martial Law Allegations: Representative Chu Kyung-ho of the People Power Party dismissed the Democratic Party’s allegations of a “martial law plan” as baseless fear-mongering.

 

Society/Law

  • Two-Year-Old Denied Emergency Room Treatment: A two-year-old girl fell into a coma after being denied treatment at 11 emergency rooms despite suffering from fever and seizures.
  • People Power Party Files Complaint Over Rumors About Han Dong-hoon: The People Power Party filed a complaint regarding rumors that Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon slandered President Yoon Suk-yeol during a party retreat.
  • Professor Seo Kyung-duk Receives Death Threat: A suspect was arrested for sending death threats to Seo Kyung-duk, a professor known for promoting South Korea abroad.

 

Industry/Business

  • Koramco Office Preferred Stock REIT Investment: Koramco Asset Trust invested 250 billion won each in preferred stocks of Samsung SDS Tower and Hana Financial Gangnam Office through a 1.5 trillion won blind REIT funded by the Government Employees Pension Service.
  • Daewoo E&C Pursues Bridge Project in the Philippines: Daewoo Engineering & Construction is partnering with China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) to develop a bridge project in the Philippines.
  • Mirae Asset Securities Launches US Stock Options Trading Service: Mirae Asset Securities began offering a US stock options trading service, with discounted transaction fees available for event participants.
  • Office Market Gaining Momentum: The office market in Seoul and the metropolitan area is showing signs of recovery as expectations for rising sales prices increase.

 

Culture/Art

  • Aegis Asset Management Hosts Autumn Concert: Aegis Asset Management, in collaboration with the Gangnam Cultural Foundation, hosted the 2024 Centerfield Autumn Concert.
  • Daegu Kansong Art Museum Opens: The new Kansong Art Museum in Daegu officially opened, featuring an exhibition of national treasures and relics.
  • Global Art Figures Visit Korea: Prominent figures from the global art scene visited Jin-gwan Temple in Bukhansan to experience Korean culture and art.
  • Gallery M9 Exhibition: An exhibition by artist Jung Young-hwan titled “Four Seasons” is being held at Gallery M9 in Seocho-gu, Seoul.
  • 28th Yeongwol Cultural Arts Festival: The 28th Yeongwol Cultural Arts Festival is taking place, featuring various performances and events by artists from the Gangwon region.

 

Tourism/Travel

  • Popularity of Pilgrimage Tourism: “Pilgrimage” tourism is gaining popularity, with visitors flocking to filming locations such as Suwon Haenggung-dong, featured in the drama “Run with Seonjae on Your Back,” and Gangneung Jumunjin, known from “Goblin.”
  • Extended Operation of Han River Swimming Pools: The Seoul Metropolitan Government has decided to extend the operation period of Han River swimming pools and water parks by two weeks starting next year, with extended hours until 10 p.m. during peak season.

 

Entertainment/Sports

  • Yang Jae-woong and Hani Postpone Wedding: Psychiatrist and broadcaster Yang Jae-woong and former EXID member Hani have postponed their wedding, which was scheduled for September.
  • BMW Ladies Championship 2024: BMW Korea announced the sale of 100 limited premium golf packages to commemorate the 2024 BMW Ladies Championship, the only LPGA tournament in South Korea.
  • Lee Young-ja’s Dating Rumors: Comedian and broadcaster Lee Young-ja has been caught up in dating rumors for the first time in her 34-year career.
  • Oasis Live Tour Concert: Legendary British band Oasis sold out tickets for their live tour concert within approximately 10 hours after reuniting for the first time in 15 years.
  • Han So-hee’s Mother Arrested for Illegal Gambling: Actress Han So-hee expressed her dismay after her mother was arrested for operating an illegal gambling den.

 

Science/Technology

  • KT Participates in IFA 2024: KT is set to participate in IFA 2024, Europe’s largest electronics and IT trade show, showcasing the latest technology with 10 partner companies in Berlin, Germany.
  • SK Hynix Strengthens SNS Communication: SK Hynix President Kwon Roh-jeong is enhancing communication through social media, promoting synergies among semiconductor-related subsidiaries and strengthening discussions on AI and semiconductor topics.
  • Hyundai Motor Introduces New Electric Vehicle Trim: Hyundai Motor Company introduced a new entry-level trim, ‘E-Value+’, to improve accessibility to electric vehicle purchases.
  • Naver Invests in AI Startup: Naver D2SF has invested in a North America-based AI startup to strengthen its competitiveness in multimodal AI technology.

 

Games/Entertainment

  • Nexon ‘The First Descendant’ Improvement Work: Nexon is rapidly implementing improvements to address user dissatisfaction following the season 1 update of ‘The First Descendant.’
  • Nexon Launches New World in ‘MapleStory World’: Nexon launched a new world in ‘MapleStory World’ called ‘MapleStory Memories 2005,’ set in the year 2005.
  • Krafton ‘PUBG Mobile’ Dplus Kia Wins Championship: Dplus Kia won the season 2 championship of the 2024 PUBG Mobile Pro Series, hosted by Krafton.
  • Riot Games Announces 2024 LoL World Championship: Riot Games unveiled the stages, schedule, and locations for the 2024 League of Legends World Championship.
  • HanbitSoft Launches New PvP Field in ‘Granado Espada M’: HanbitSoft released a new PvP field called ‘Hidden Ancient Skeleton’s Nest’ in ‘Granado Espada M.’
  • Smilegate Holds ‘Epic Seven World Arena Championship’ Finals: Smilegate hosted the finals of the ‘Epic Seven World Arena Championship: E7WC 2024,’ where the world’s top Epic Seven Arena players competed for a total prize pool of $100,000.
  • Nexon Launches ‘HelloMaple’: Nexon released ‘HelloMaple,’ a free block coding platform designed to make learning basic coding principles easy and fun, using the MapleStory IP.
  • Riot Games ‘Valorant’ Sets New PC Bang Record: Riot Games’ FPS game ‘Valorant’ set a new record with a 12.84% PC bang usage rate, the highest ever recorded for the game.
  • Nexon ‘Blue Archive’ and Mom’s Touch Second Collaboration: Nexon is running a second collaboration event between ‘Blue Archive’ and Mom’s Touch, offering special goods with the purchase of collaboration menu items.
  • Ridi Webtoon ‘Under the Oak Tree’ Season 4 Launches: Ridi began serializing season 4 of the popular global webtoon ‘Under the Oak Tree,’ known for its high-quality artwork and romantic storyline.
  • Smilegate’s ‘Lost Ark’ Pop-up Store: Smilegate’s ‘Lost Ark’ pop-up store attracted massive interest, with all reservation slots filling up within four minutes.
  • Dynamis One ‘Project KV’ Official Website Launched: Dynamis One launched the official website for their new game ‘Project KV,’ featuring a nostalgic academy story centered around girls with swords.