July resident foreign currency deposits reached 128.3 billion dollars… dollar deposits surpassed 100 billion dollars for the first time ever. Top 5 major banks recorded maximum gold bar sales revenue after January… expansion of safe asset demand amid stock market volatility. Amid increasing volatility in the domestic stock market, market funds are being relocated to safe assets such as dollars and gold. As the won-dollar exchange rate steeply declines, demand to secure dollars is increasing, and as international gold prices return to an upward trend, funds are flowing into gold bars and gold banking. In the banking sector, analysts say there are signs of a ‘reverse money move,’ in which funds that had moved into the stock market are returning to deposits and safe asset products—has been revealed.Dollar deposit balance speed up since JulyAccording to the “Mid-July 2026 resident foreign currency deposit trend” presented by Bank of Korea, resident foreign currency deposits in domestic banks last month were recorded at 128.3 billion dollars. Increased by 15.01 billion dollars compared to the previous month, it was the highest level since related statistics began in June 2021. The monthly increase was also the second highest after the 15.88 billion dollar increase recorded last December. Resident foreign currency deposits refer to foreign currency deposited in domestic foreign currency banks by residents, domestic enterprises, foreigners living in Korea for more than six months, and foreign enterprises operating in Korea. The foreign currency account balances decreased from January to March this year, but turned upward in April and have continued to grow for four consecutive months.The upward trend was led by dollar deposits. Last month, dollar deposits increased by 11.12 billion dollars to 108.22 billion dollars. This was the first time dollar deposits exceeded 100 billion dollars since statistics began. The proportion of dollar deposits in total resident foreign currency deposits reached 84.9%. The won-dollar exchange rate fell by 125.4 won, from 1549.4 won at the end of June to 1424.0 won at the end of July. The burden of purchasing dollars dropped further in July, entering 1370 won range. As the exchange rate falls, demand from companies and individuals can increase because they are able to buy more dollars with Korean won in preparation for future exchange rate rebounds, overseas investments, or payments.This trend is continuing in August. The dollar deposit balance of the top five major banks, including KB Kookmin Bank, Shinhan Bank, Hana Bank, Woori Bank, and Nonghyup Bank, totaled 77.58 billion dollars as of the 25th. This represents an increase of approximately 6.14 billion dollars in less than a month compared to the end of July. As demand for profit-taking increased during the period of rising exchange rates earlier this year, dollar deposits had declined, but they are now rapidly increasing again due to the stronger Korean won. Gold bar sales ‘leap’ as gold prices rise again.Funds are also rushing into gold-related banking products. Since the beginning of August, gold bar sales at the top five major banks reached 82.96 billion won by the 20th, which is 2.8 times the July sales amount of 30.01 billion won. This is the highest monthly sales level since January, when gold prices were soaring.The gold bank balance handled by KB Kookmin Bank, Shinhan Bank, and Woori Bank increased by 94.8 billion won from the end of July, reaching 1.8107 trillion won as of the 20th. This was the first month-on-month increase in gold bank balances in seven months since January. The international gold price, after declining to 3972.94 dollars per troy ounce on July 16, recovered to 4603.56 dollars on August 21, leading to increased demand for gold investment. It stood at 3,607.27 dollars on August 28. An official from the Bank of Korea advised, “Depending on the monetary policy of the US Federal Reserve and US fiscal instability, if volatility in the dollar’s value continues, the movement toward reducing risky assets and holding dollars and gold may persist.” The official added, “Since dollars and gold also involve price volatility risks, diversification, rather than concentrated investment expecting short-term gains, would be more appropriate.” ▶원문 기사: “환율 내릴 때 사두자”…은행 달러예금 사상 최대, 금에도 뭉칫돈 ◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 이코노미스트 기사를 영문으로 번역하며 이슈를 팔로우업한 기사입니다. 차세대 글로벌 경제 리더, <영 저널리스트 with 이코노미스트> 영문 기사는 매주 연재됩니다.

nine days after the deluge in Nepal, two Nepal hydroworkers were rescued. Because of this dramatic rescue, excitement for rescuing others in other hydro tunnels are growing. On September 4th, the Nepalese government announced the rescue of two Nepalese workers during the search of Trishuli 3A Hydroelectric Plant in Bagmati Province, central-northern Nepal. The Minister of Energy Biraj Bhakta Shrestha stated, “One person was just safely rescued in Trishuli 3A tunnel,” The Interior Minister Sudan Gurung added, “I just received the news that another person also got rescued.”Local television news channels displayed a rescued Nepalese being supported by a rescue worker. The medical team is checking the saved workers’ health status. The first worker was mechanical supervisor Sanjay Sah, and the second worker was Kabir Maharjan, a mechanical inspector. Nepalese member of parliament Ram Neupane said that he had “obtained information that there may still be people trapped inside the tunnel” and that “the search operation is continuing.” A Nepalese rescue team has conducted a search after identifying the isolation of people in many hydropower plant tunnels. The Trishuli 3A is known to be 6km away from and located in Upper Trishuli of 3A Hydropower Station where nine Koreans disappeared. Meanwhile KDRT is focusing on a possible evacuation route of 9 Korean workers. KDRT is composed of 44 people: 3 officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Lee Kyu ho, the Director for Development Cooperation; 4 agents from KOICA; and 37 firefighters from National Fire Agency. The team arrived in Nepal on September 2nd. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, KDRT will use two Nepalese helicopters for aerial search depending on weather conditions. Drones with thermal images will also be utilized. Two firefighters in Dhunche will also conduct a ground search. A corpse from near Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Plant camp was identified as not being Korean. ▶원문 기사: 네팔 대홍수 9일 만, 발전소 터널서 네팔인 2명 극적 구조 ◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 이코노미스트 기사를 영문으로 번역하며 이슈를 팔로우업한 기사입니다. 차세대 글로벌 경제 리더, <영 저널리스트 with 이코노미스트> 영문 기사는 매주 연재됩니다.

Small business owners with low credit scores or limited financial transaction histories will have greater access to bank loans if their businesses demonstrate strong growth potential based on factors such as sales and commercial district conditions. A new credit evaluation system that incorporates non-financial information, including sales, business type, and commercial district characteristics, into the existing credit assessment process for individual business owners has officially entered its pilot phase.On September 2, the Financial Services Commission announced that Chairman Lee Eok-won visited the Gwanghwamun branch of IBK Industrial Bank of Korea in Seoul to inspect the pilot operation of the Small Business Credit Bureau (SCB).SCB is a credit evaluation system that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze non-financial information such as sales, industry, and commercial district to assess the future growth potential of small business owners. The key is to use the project’s own competitiveness and growth potential, which were difficult to properly reflect in traditional credit evaluations, in loan screening.The evaluation will also utilize ▲ sales and business history ▲ business continuity ▲ number of employees ▲ customer awareness and demand ▲ information on visits and repeat visits to the distribution platform, among other factors. Small business owners with higher grades can receive a higher growth-based credit rating than their existing credit rating, potentially receiving benefits such as loan approval, increased loan limits, and lower interest rates.There was even a case in a prior pre-loan review where a small business owner, who had difficulty obtaining a loan based solely on their existing credit evaluation, secured a loan through SCB. A business owner in his 40s who runs a coffee shop was a so-called “thin-file” with limited financial transaction history and was initially denied a loan after receiving a credit rating of 7 on the existing credit evaluation, but was approved for a loan after SCB recognized the business’s growth potential and repayment ability, raising the rating to 6.A business owner in their 30s who operates an online platform franchise store received a high SCB rating and was able to use business funds at an interest rate in the 3% range after receiving an additional 1.0 percentage point interest rate reduction. There were also cases where additional loan limits were recognized for operating funds or the purchase of new machinery and equipment.The number of banks applying SCB is also increasing rapidly. Starting from the 31st of last month, eight banks including KB Kookmin, IBK Industrial, NH Nonghyup, Busan, Shinhan, Woori, Jeju, and Hana Banks began a pilot operation. In the second half of this year, eight additional banks—including Gyeongnam Bank, Gwangju Bank, Suhyup Bank, iM Bank, and Jeonbuk Bank—as well as Kakao Bank, K Bank, and Toss Bank are expected to join.Accordingly, the number of banks participating in the pilot operation will increase from the original 7 to 16, and the loan amount subject to the SCB will also expand from 1.8 trillion won to 2.2 trillion won.Since announcing the plan to introduce SCBs in April, the Financial Services Commission has revised the credit information business supervision regulations and the banking sector’s credit review guidelines for loans to individual business owners, and prepared separate operational guidelines that include ways to utilize SCBs and standards for discharge.Chairman Lee Eok-won said, "The introduction of a small business-specialized credit evaluation system that assesses growth potential based on non-financial data such as ▲revenue▲industry▲commercial district▲business characteristics, which were difficult to reflect in the existing credit evaluation system focused on financial transaction history, aligns with the purpose of inclusive finance."The Financial Services Commission plans to expand the SCB to small business loan products across the entire banking sector after analyzing its results following about a one-year pilot operation through the second half of next year. The Saetdol loan, exclusively for sole proprietors and scheduled for release this October, and SCB are also planned to be used next year in the guarantee review and evaluation of regional credit guarantee foundations.▶원문 기사: “신용점수 낮아도 매출 좋으면 대출”…소상공인 대출 문턱 낮아진다 ◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 이코노미스트 기사를 영문으로 번역하며 이슈를 팔로우업한 기사입니다. 차세대 글로벌 경제 리더, <영 저널리스트 with 이코노미스트> 영문 기사는 매주 연재됩니다.

The Korean snack food industry, particularly gimbap restaurants, is being hit hard as the burden of ingredients and labor costs continues to increase. Not only neighborhood snack restaurants but also major franchises are seeing significant declines in the number of stores, which is reducing affordable meal options available to the public.According to data from the National Tax Service’s Tax Statistics Portal (TASIS) on the 30th, the number of snack food restaurant businesses nationwide stood at 47,863 as of June this year. The figure has not rebounded once for 31 consecutive months since beginning to decline in December 2023. This downward trend has continued since the number fell below 50,000 in September last year.This phenomenon is the result of a combination of soaring minimum wages and food ingredient prices. Because gimbap requires considerable labor to prepare, increases in labor costs have directly contributed to declining profitability. Also, prices of laver and leafy vegetables have surged due to abnormal weather conditions. According to a survey conducted by the Korea Consumer Agency, the average price of one roll of gimbap in Seoul last month was KRW 3,869, an increase of 6.8% compared to the previous year and the largest increase amongst dining-out items.The franchise market is facing a similar situation. According to information disclosure documents from the Korea Fair Trade Commission, the number of Gobong Gimbap stores fell significantly from 591 in 2020 to 383 this year. Gimgane also experienced a decline for five consecutive years, falling to approximately 335 stores, while major brands such as Yamsaem Gimbap, Ssa-da Gimbap, and Barda Gimseonsaeng also experienced declines in their numbers of franchise stores.Companies facing the crisis are seeking self-help measures, including introducing a ‘Grab N Go’ system that allows finished products to be sold immediately, installing automated kitchen equipment, and targeting overseas markets.▶원문 기사: ‘치솟는 원가·인건비’…서민 한 끼 책임지던 김밥집 줄폐업 ◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 이코노미스트 기사를 영문으로 번역하며 이슈를 팔로우업한 기사입니다. 차세대 글로벌 경제 리더, <영 저널리스트 with 이코노미스트> 영문 기사는 매주 연재됩니다.

In international robot competition held in Beijing, China,a humanoid robot running on two feet covered 100m in about 9.3 seconds, pouring out record that overcame human limit. This clearly shows how global robot technology is developing fast by being supported by hardware and AI advancement.According to robot industry on the 24th, Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center’s ‘Tiangong Ultra’ recorded 9.39 seconds in ‘World Humanoid Robot Games 2026(WHRG)’ 100m qualifying round that opened in 22th. Smartphone company Honor’s ‘Lightning’ finished in 9.47 seconds. This is 0.19 seconds faster than track and field 100m world record by Jamaica’s Usain Bolt in 2008 (9.58 seconds). Compared to last year’s first winner record (21.50 seconds), the record was reduced to less than half in justone year.In other events, there were continuous record streaks. Tiangong Robot got over human’s world record (43.03 seconds) by 38.15 seconds in 400m final round, and also beat human record (2.45m) by jumping 2.8843m in standing high jump. We can’t directly compare this record with Athletics Federation Certified Record System because the departure method, equipment, and physical condition were different, but they demonstrate advances in motor and joint design optimization and control algorithm development. There also have been limitation shown such as the robot falling over after crossing the finish line, during speed reduction process.In this competition, 666 teams from 16 countries, with a total of 2,056 robots,participated, making it the largest competition ever. Especially, ‘scenario event’ that evaluates industry site applying ability increased its number to 21, attracting big attention. Through missions simulating real-world manufacturing, logistics, and service environments, such as powder weighing, bottle cap opening, precision manipulation with tweezers, and EV charging, they tested commercialization compatibility.Experts say that this competition went beyond a simple demonstration of running performance and highlighted the possibility that humanoid robots integrating sensor and drive-system technologies could enter the manufacturing, logistics, and service industries as substitutes for human labor.▶원문 기사: '우사인 볼트 앞질렀다' 100m 9초3대 주파…로봇 진화, 어디까지 ◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 이코노미스트 기사를 영문으로 번역하며 이슈를 팔로우업한 기사입니다. 차세대 글로벌 경제 리더, <영 저널리스트 with 이코노미스트> 영문 기사는 매주 연재됩니다.

As opposition in U.S. political circles to adopting Chinese-made memory products grows, concerns are also rising over the U.S. pharmaceutical and biotech industry’s “shopping spree” in China. This comes as the Biotech Investment National Security Act (BINSA), aimed at preventing the outflow of U.S. capital and technology to China, has been introduced and is drawing attention. U.S. senators recently sent a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook, asking him to respond by the 21st on whether Apple uses products from Chinese memory chipmakers ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) and Yangtze Memory Technologies (YMTC). They also demanded a pledge that Apple would not use memory produced by CXMT or YMTC in any of its products anywhere in the world. As these demands were included in a bipartisan letter, they reflect the views of both political parties as well as those of the Trump administration. The Biotech Investment National Security Act has also been gaining momentum recently through its bipartisan introduction in U.S. political circles. This move is interpreted as an effort to prevent China from taking the lead in the biotech industry by utilizing U.S. technology and capital. It is intended to counter China’s efforts to gain global dominance in areas such as electric vehicles and rare earth elements. The United States has focused on the Biosecure Act. While previous efforts focused on blocking parts of the supply chain, including pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) and data leaks, this time the approach is based on the concept of national security, with the intention of preventing U.S. companies from “shopping in China.” Key regulatory provisions include ▲adding biotechnology to the scope of comprehensive outbound investment reviews, ▲making U.S. Treasury Department reviews mandatory for biotech transactions with China, and ▲requiring the Department of Defense to prepare reports assessing national security impacts. “Biotechnology” has officially been added to the list of areas subject to review under the existing foreign investment national security review system. The bill also requires all transactions involving U.S. assets or companies and China-related entities to undergo prior and subsequent reviews by the U.S. Treasury Department. This includes equity investments, joint venture formation, and pharmaceutical licensing agreements. Republican Senator Pete Ricketts stated the legislative intent, saying, “We cannot allow China to obtain the resources it needs to threaten our way of life, and we will prevent any attempt to weaponize U.S. capital to undermine companies and disrupt supply chains.”Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin also mentioned, “China is currently posing a significant threat to the United States’ position in the biotech sector. We must protect U.S. technology and capital so that China cannot replicate in the biotech sector what it did by dominating the automobile and drone markets.” Recently, concerns have been raised over national security as major U.S. pharmaceutical companies have increased their reliance on Chinese biotech companies. In May, Pfizer signed an agreement with China’s Innovent Biologics to jointly develop an anticancer drug, reaching a deal to pay $650 million (approximately 890 billion won) as an upfront payment.Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) has also signed a joint development agreement with Chinese pharmaceutical company Hengrui, worth up to $950 million (approximately 1.3 trillion won).According to data analytics company Evaluate, the upfront payments made by global pharmaceutical companies such as AbbVie, AstraZeneca, and Eli Lilly to Chinese companies have exceeded $2.5 billion (approximately 3.4 trillion won) so far this year.Thus, as global big pharmaceutical companies have increasingly moved to acquire promising assets from Chinese biotech companies to find breakthroughs in research and development (R&D), U.S. political circles have begun to gain momentum to counter this trend, including introducing the National Security Act.Meanwhile, there are also predictions that South Korean pharmaceutical and biotech companies could benefit from the spillover effects of strengthened U.S. regulations on Chinese biotech companies. Analysts say that U.S. pharmaceutical companies may increasingly consider introducing drug pipelines owned by biotech companies in South Korea and Europe as alternatives to Chinese companies.The U.S. is strengthening regulations on Chinese biotech companies to prevent U.S. capital and technology from flowing into China and to protect national security. A bipartisan bill, the Biotech Investment National Security Act (BINSA), would expand investment reviews and require scrutiny of transactions such as equity investments, joint ventures, and pharmaceutical licensing agreements. This move comes as major U.S. pharmaceutical companies have increased their partnerships with Chinese biotech companies and invested billions of dollars in their drug pipelines. South Korean and European biotech companies are expected to benefit as potential alternatives to Chinese companies, creating new opportunities for the Korean pharmaceutical and biotech industries.▶원문 기사:애플처럼 중국 겨냥 초당적 발의 '미 바이오 국가보안법', 한국에 반사이익? ◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 이코노미스트 기사를 영문으로 번역하며 이슈를 팔로우업한 기사입니다. 차세대 글로벌 경제 리더, <영 저널리스트 with 이코노미스트> 영문 기사는 매주 연재됩니다.

According to LG CNS, security robots are beginning to play a role in residential facility management systems. LG CNS has partnered with Tower PMC, a company specializing in the management of premium residential facilities to introduce quadrupedal security robots at an apartment complex called The Tower Palace in Seoul. On the 19th, LG CNS signed an agreement with TowerPMC at LG Sciencepark in Magok, Seoul, to establish a security robot solution service. The two companies plan to conduct technical testing for about two months before beginning actual operations at Tower Palace in the fourth quarter of this year. The security robots will learn various types of data from the residential complex, including the layout, patrol routes, and potential hazards that include falls or fires. Based on this kind of data, the robots will autonomously patrol common areas as well as underground parking lots. If the robots detect suspicious behavior or unusual situations, like excessive heat from an electric vehicle or its charging facilities, they will immediately send an alert to the management office. Managers can also talk with the robots in real time through their two-way voice communication system, allowing them to better understand the situation and decide what action to take.The robot's data learning and operation will be supported by LG CNS's Robotics Transformation (RX) platform, PhysicalWorks. PhysicalWorks Forge is used to train robots with on-site data, while PhysicalWorks Baton is used to manage and operate the robots. According to LG CNS, these platforms can reduce the time needed to deploy robots in real-world environments from several months to just one or two months.The introduction of security robots is expected to complement traditional security systems, which rely on scheduled patrols. By monitoring residential areas, the robots could improve residents' safety while also increasing the efficiency of security personnel.Looking ahead, LG CNS plans to develop a system in which different types of robots can work together. For example, if a security robot finds trash while patrolling, it could request a cleaning robot to remove it. Through this cooperation between different robots, LG CNS aims to expand the use of robots from security to a wider range of facility management tasks.LG CNS executive Chang-guk Myung said, “This partnership is a meaningful example of Physical AI creating real value in a residential environment.” He added that LG CNS plans to continue expanding AI-powered robot services in which multiple robots perform tasks and cooperate with one another.▶원문 기사: ‘로봇이 아파트 순찰’… LG CNS, 타워팰리스에 경비로봇 도입 (이코노미스트, 2026. 8. 20) ◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 이코노미스트 기사를 영문으로 번역하며 이슈를 팔로우업한 기사입니다. 차세대 글로벌 경제 리더, <영 저널리스트 with 이코노미스트> 영문 기사는 매주 연재됩니다.

Beauty companies are expanding their business beyond cosmetics into areas such as art and traditional culture. Some are directly organizing exhibitions by renowned artists, while others are discovering young creators and even supporting them in producing their work. This is a strategy aimed at communicating the values and aesthetic preferences of the brand to consumers beyond its products.The Amorepacific Museum of Art will open a solo exhibition, Sol LeWitt: Open Structure, on the 1st of next month, featuring the American artist Sol LeWitt, who is considered a pioneer of conceptual art. It will be the first large-scale exhibition of Sol LeWitt’s work to be held in Korea. Running through February next year, the exhibition will showcase 45 works, including wall drawings, structures, paintings, photographs, prints, and archival materials.In particular, the wall drawings will be newly created on the exhibition walls based on instructions left by Sol LeWitt. The Amorepacific Museum of Art invited 23 Korean art majors, who make up the “APMA MAKERS” group, to participate in the production process. They were asked to interpret the artist’s instructions and complete the artworks themselves.Rather than simply displaying finished artworks, the exhibition allows visitors to witness the creative process as well. In this way, Amorepacific is using the museum to communicate the creativity and spirit of experimentation that the brand has long emphasized.Sulwhasoo is also expanding its cultural marketing by connecting traditional culture with young creators. At “Sulwhasoo’s House” in Bukchon, Seoul, the “Sulhwa Project Season 3” exhibition will be held through the 6th of next month.A total of 16 college students participated in this project. The participants created works that reinterpreted traditional Korean mask dance (talchum) in a contemporary way. Sulwhasoo provided each team with 5 million won in production and activity expenses, as well as mentoring from graphic designers, photographers, and other professionals. The top prize went to the Gilnori team for Maju Nori. The work reinterpreted the communal nature and playful culture of traditional mask dance through a seesaw and media art, allowing visitors to actively participate. After the exhibition ends, Sulwhasoo plans to release the creative process and completed works in a digital book and recruit participants for the next season in September.Investment in culture and the arts by beauty companies is not limited to South Korea. Japanese cosmetics company Shiseido has operated a gallery in Ginza since 1919 and has collaborated with artists over the years. More recently, it expanded its cultural spaces by introducing the “Shiseido Art & Heritage Passage,” which presents the brand’s history alongside works of art.Industry experts view beauty companies’ investment in culture and the arts as a strategy to build brand identity and move beyond product-centered competition. Since it has become increasingly difficult to differentiate cosmetics based solely on ingredients and price, how consumers perceive a brand’s image and aesthetic preferences has become more important.An industry official said, “The competitiveness of beauty brands is no longer limited to the quality of their products; it is expanding to include the kinds of cultural experiences a brand provides. Exhibitions and support for creators are effective ways to strengthen brand awareness and loyalty rather than simply driving short-term sales.”▶원문 기사: 화장품만 잘 팔면 끝이라고요? 미술관 세우고 대학생 작품 만드는 뷰티기업 (이코노미스트, 2026. 8. 21) ◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 이코노미스트 기사를 영문으로 번역하며 이슈를 팔로우업한 기사입니다. 차세대 글로벌 경제 리더, <영 저널리스트 with 이코노미스트> 영문 기사는 매주 연재됩니다.

Everland has started a nationwide online and offline vote to choose the name of the fourth baby panda in the “Bao Family,” born at Panda World in Everland and now 77 days old.Samsung C&T Resort Group, which operates Everland, announced that a public voting event to determine the baby panda’s final name will be held from the 18th to the 30th. More than 10,000 comments were submitted during the first-round online naming contest held last month, and a naming committee consisting of zookeepers and veterinarians carefully selected five final candidates by comprehensively evaluating their meanings, pronunciations, and suitability.The final candidate names are five names based on the panda family’s naming tradition, “Bao” (宝). ▲ “Jubao” (珠宝), meaning a treasure loved and cherished like a pearl or jewel ▲ “Junbao” (俊宝), meaning an outstanding and admirable treasure ▲ “Linbao” (琳宝), meaning a precious treasure as beautiful as jade ▲ “Youbao” (佑宝), meaning a treasure protected and blessed by everyone ▲ “Shubao” (曙宝), meaning a bright treasure like the light of dawn, were selected as the final candidates.This vote is open to anyone through the Everland mobile app and at Panda World, both online and offline, and a related event is also being held on the social media channels of the Chinese Embassy in South Korea. The final selected name will be announced in September, when the baby panda reaches 100 days old. Everland will also select 21 online voters through a drawing and award prizes including a trip to a panda conservation base in China, invitations to the 100-day celebration event, baby panda footprint merchandise, and Everland admission tickets.The Baby panda, born on June 3 to mother Aibao and father Lebao, is the fourth female giant panda born in South Korea, following Fubao in 2020 and twin sisters Ruibao and Huibao in 2023. Her weight, which was only 171 grams at birth, was recently recorded at 3.7 kilograms during a health checkup, increasing by more than 20 times from her birth weight, and she is growing up healthy and strong.▶원문 기사:'제2의 푸바오' 될까…에버랜드 아기 판다에 '대국민 이름 투표' (이코노미스트, 2026. 8. 18) ◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 이코노미스트 기사를 영문으로 번역하며 이슈를 팔로우업한 기사입니다. 차세대 글로벌 경제 리더, <영 저널리스트 with 이코노미스트> 영문 기사는 매주 연재됩니다.

On the 7th, the Seoul National University Hospital issued the health guidlines about the heat advisory especially for patients with chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes. The hospital emphasized that sufficient hydration is important to prevent blood sugar fluctuations and dehydration, and said not to change the amount of medications.During the heat wave, the biggest threat for the patients with chronic conditions is dehydration. Lack of water causes lower blood presure and reduces blood flow to the brain, which could cause dizziness, orthostatic hypotension, and falls.A common misconception is that people should consume extra salt simply because they have sweated heavily. Since sweat contains less salt than blood, heavily sweating can concentrate sodium levels in the blood. Therefore, rather than looking for salty foods, people should drink enough water.People with chronic conditions should especially pay attention to having adequate hydration. Diuretics can increase the urine output, causing dehydration and electrolyte imbalances while diabetes medications in the SGLT2 inhibitor class could also lead to dehydration as they cause the body to excrete glucose through urine.While dealing with heat - related illnesses, if body temperature rises above 40℃ and symptoms of staggering ataxia or abnormal behavior are different from usual, heatstroke should be suspected and immediate medical care should be necessary, even if there is no loss of consciousness.Also cold showers or excessive temperature differences could affect the autonomic nervous system and increase cardiovascular burden. Therefore, lifestyle measures like maintaining appropriate cooling and reducing the amount of aerobic exercise to 20–30% must be carried out in parallel. A professor of the Department of Cardiology of Seoul National University Hospital, Lee Haeyeong, said “Even if the reading of blood pressure is lower than usual during summer, patients shoulding lower or stop their amount of medcation on their own.” and added, “Patients should try to hydrate themselves with sufficient water, despite this, the safest way is to consult the medical staff in charge”.Park Minsun, the professor of departmen of family medicene said, “Even if there is a decrease in the blood pressure during summer, patients shouldn’t arbitrarily stop or reduce thier medication. Consultation with medical staff with a pre-prepared record of blood pressure and symptoms is the safest approach. Also, a professor of Emergency Medicine, Kim Taekyun, said, “If the body temperature is above 40℃, and has unusual action, heatstroke should be suspected and requires immediate medications.” He also advised that “During the heatwave, people should prevent dehydration through enough hydration and relaxation, and be sensitive even in small changes from their body.”▶원문 기사: 폭염 속 만성질환 건강관리 가이드… 서울대병원 "임의 복약 중단 위험" (이코노미스트, 2026. 8. 7) ◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 이코노미스트 기사를 영문으로 번역하며 이슈를 팔로우업한 기사입니다. 차세대 글로벌 경제 리더, <영 저널리스트 with 이코노미스트> 영문 기사는 매주 연재됩니다.