The Blue House stated on August 18 that reports suggesting a semiconductor project is under discussion as the first strategic investment in the U.S. are inaccurate.A Blue House official responded to questions from reporters regarding the strategic investment in the U.S., saying, "We ask for your understanding that we cannot confirm specific details of discussions between South Korea and the U.S."One media outlet reported that the government had initially prioritized the energy sector for the fir

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced that Deputy Minister Lee Byung-kwon visited traditional markets in Gyeongnam on August 18 to assess the damage and listen to the concerns of merchants. He inspected the recovery situation at Gohyeon Market in Geoje and Seoho Market in Tongyeong.According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, record rainfall began on August 15 during the Liberation Day holiday, causing significant damage in the Geoje and Tongyeong areas. As of 9 a.m. that day, the

Korean noodle companies have experienced growth in sales during the first half of the year, driven by the global popularity of K-noodles, but their profitability has varied significantly. Samyang Foods led in operating profit, buoyed by the global success of its Buldak brand, while Nongshim also saw substantial profit increases thanks to strong overseas performance. In contrast, Ottogi, despite achieving double-digit growth in international sales, reported only a 2% increase in operating profit

Busan's North Port landscape canal, known as Byeollit Canal, has seen a nearly 30% improvement in water quality compared to a year ago.This improvement is attributed to effective on-site management, including the removal of aquatic plants and the installation of floating debris barriers.The Busan Port Authority (BPA) announced on August 18 that continuous environmental maintenance and systematic water quality management have enhanced both the aesthetics and water quality of the North Port landsc

The KOSPI index initially rose over 2% to recover the 7,200 level but reversed course as institutional selling intensified. Despite foreign buying driven by strong semiconductor stocks, weakness in some large-cap shares limited the index's gains.As of 1:14 PM on August 18, the KOSPI was trading at 6,943.47, down 34.47 points (0.49%) from the previous trading day.The index opened at 7,127.77, up 149.83 points (2.15%), and peaked at 7,216.62 early in the session before declining. It fell back belo

The Vietnam national football team achieved a 2-0 victory against Malaysia in an away match, positioning themselves favorably for the final of the ASEAN Modern Cup 2026, often referred to as the 'Southeast Asian World Cup.' Under Coach Kim Sang-sik, the team extended their unbeaten streak to 23 matches, but Kim expressed dissatisfaction with the team's performance.On August 17, local media reported that Vietnam defeated Malaysia 2-0 in the first leg of the ASEAN Modern Cup 2026 semifinals held i

Hanmi Semiconductor is increasing global semiconductor equipment supply through a major new investment.On August 18, Hanmi Semiconductor announced that it will establish its 'Eighth Factory' by acquiring a factory from Mercury, located in the Incheon Juwan National Industrial Complex, covering an area of 20,578 square meters (approximately 6,230 pyeong).This acquisition marks the largest area among its existing factories. A total of 130 billion won will be invested, including the purchase cost o

Samsung Electronics Service has reached an early agreement on its 2026 wage and labor contract. Amid a surge in demand for appliance repairs during the heatwave, the company and labor union have joined forces to ensure stable service delivery.According to industry sources, Samsung Electronics Service and its labor union signed the final agreement on August 12 at the Samsung Electronics CS Academy in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province.The signing ceremony was attended by key figures including Kim Young-ho,

Samsung Display is resuming construction of its new factory in Asan, South Chungcheong Province, after a five-year halt, aiming to strengthen its leadership in the small and medium-sized organic light-emitting diode (OLED) market. The company plans to proactively respond to the growing demand for OLEDs in foldable phones and various IT devices such as laptops and tablets.According to industry sources on August 18, Samsung Display held an investment review committee meeting on August 7, where it