There is more than enough content to play with, but users' time is limited. This is why global content platforms are accelerating their "seamless" strategy, connecting webtoons, animations, short forms, dramas, videos, and artificial intelligence (AI) services under one roof. They want to trap users in the platform and make them consume the next content naturally, so as to increase time spent and additional consumption.In the past, the amount of popular content you had to secure determined how competitive your platform was. Now, the ability to continue the user’s flow of consumption smoothly has emerged as a new source of competitive strength.Reading webtoons, watching animeAccording to the industry, Naver Webtoon recently partnered with Japan’s largest animation OVS service 'd Anime Store' to introduce about 4,000 animation contents to the Japanese platform ‘LINE Manga.’It is the first serious combination of animation content in the Japanese manga platform. Users can also watch related animations consecutively within the service without having to move to a different platform after watching webtoons. It appears that this is an increasing trend in Japan, taking into account the characteristics of the Japanese market, whose distribution of Webtoon and Animation users overlaps, to get users to spend more time and even consume more subsequent content.The same trend is seen in OTT. Netflix said it will roll out a new feature called Clips, which will offer highlights from series, films, and specials in a vertical feed in the U.S., U.K., and Australia.Users can discover new works as they scroll through the short videos, then head straight to watching full versions. It is a flow between finding a job and gaining experience. Elisabeth Stone, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Netflix, said, "Whether you're taking a break, looking for something new to watch, or just want to get a quick laugh, we wanted to create a tailored experience that offers moments like those."It’s not just Netflix. HBOmax, Disneyplus and Amazon Prime Video are also working on or expanding on vertical video feeds to enable easier content browsing.Seamless strategies are also being extended to AI services. AI chatting platform character.ai recently launched an AI-based original short-form drama ‘C.AI series,’ entering the micro drama market. After watching a drama, users can continue to chat with AI characters. Watching videos and having conversations are part of the same service.character. AI said it aims to be "the number 1 AI entertainment platform" and will "create a space for chatting, watching, reading, listening, and creating with your favorite character and story in the center" were able to report. Forbes reports that character.ai users spend an average of 75 minutes a day.Time spent matters more than contentThe reason why platforms have poured a lot of resources into smooth strategies is that the content market has matured. Although content formats such as OTT, webtoon, and short-form video have been developing rapidly, a day in a user's life will not go beyond 24 hours. In addition, the cost to acquire new users continues to increase. Analysts say it's now much more important to hold on to current users and lead them to consume the next piece of content so they don't leave the service.The target Platforms to connect with are no longer the content Format alone. They are working on linking wildly disparate content and services, such as webtoons to anime, short-form to long-form videos, and video watching to AI conversations.An industry insider said, "You used to be able to lure users with just one popular piece of content." "But now, with so many content choices, it's hard to hold them for the longer term with one piece of work. A seamless flow that takes the user naturally from one content or service in the platform to the next is more and more important."He added, “The more we link users who read a webtoon, watch its anime adaptation, and then come to use our AI services, the more like a loop consumption is on our platform.” He went on to say that, “In the future, the competitive advantage will no longer go to the platform that has an enormous content library, but the one that can create experiences with users staying longer and naturally leading to their next content consumption.”▶원문 기사: 인기 콘텐츠만으론 부족하다…플랫폼 경쟁은 이제 ‘심리스’(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.

NAVER announced on the 7th that it recorded KRW 3.3888 trillion in revenue and KRW 520.3 billion in operating profit in the second quarter of 2026.Through stronger performance in key businesses such as advertising and commerce with AI integration, as well as the expansion of its global C2C business, revenue increased 16.2% year-on-year to KRW 3.3888 trillion, reaching a record quarterly high. Operating profit decreased by 0.2% year-on-year to KRW 520.3 billion, mainly due to increased investment in AI infrastructure.NAVER’s platform business recorded revenue of KRW 1.9022 trillion, showing a 12.3% increase compared to last year. In particular, the AI Briefing Advertisement, officially launched at the end of July, achieved a click-through rate more than 30% higher than existing search advertisements and a purchase conversion rate more than three times higher, proving its potential as a new source of advertising revenue.Service revenue increased 31.3% year-on-year as growth in the commerce ecosystem accelerated through the expansion of NAVER Plus Store, membership services, and N Delivery.Revenue from the Financial Platform business reached KRW 470.7 billion, a 16.0% increase year-on-year.In the second quarter, Npay transaction volume reached KRW 25.2 trillion, increasing 21.0% year-on-year due to the growth of Smart Store and the continued expansion of NAVER’s external ecosystem. NAVER has also entered the AI platform business for merchants through the quick expansion of its offline integrated payment terminal, “Npay Connect.” The company plans to strengthen competitiveness across the NAVER ecosystem by integrating online and offline data.The Global Business sector recorded revenue of KRW 1.0159 trillion, a 24.4% increase year-on-year, with the C2C business serving as the main growth driver. C2C revenue increased 74.9% year-on-year, supported by continued growth in transaction volume and sales as platforms such as Wallapop, Poshmark, and SODA showed remarkable growth. Content revenue increased 0.5% year-on-year, while enterprise revenue grew 21.3%, driven by expanding B2B sales related to AI and digital twin technologies.Revenue from NAVER’s AI Factory business, which is being developed in partnership with NVIDIA, is expected to be generated starting in the first half of next year.CEO of Naver, Soo yeon Choi, said “Through our recent strategic partnership with NVIDIA and the development of the AI Factory business, NAVER has established a foundation that enables rapid business expansion while minimizing initial capital burdens.”She added, “By leveraging global enterprise customers, NVIDIA’s ecosystem, and NAVER’s existing corporate and public-sector customer base, we will proactively secure customers for initial operating capacity and create a new growth engine in the global AI computing market.”▶원문 기사: 네이버, 2분기 역대 최대 매출…영업익은 전년比 0.2%↓ (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.

Regardless of the global AI boom, extreme market volatility combined with the government’s insufficient policy response is causing South Korea’s stock market to be ‘uninvestable’, according to the commentaries by Bloomberg. On August 4 (local time), Bloomberg columnist Shuli Ren published an article named "South Korea Is Becoming Uninvestable, Too." The column mentioned that the KOSPI fell approximately 40% from its June peak in just 27 trading days, describing the decline as comparable to China's 2015 stock market crash.The article dismissed bullish arguments supported by the strong bases of companies including Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix plus the KOSPI's attractive forward P/E ratio of 5.5x. Instead, it argued that the government's impulsive attempts to support the market, along with heavy selling, imposed)trauma on retail investors and decried the stock market. “Extreme volatility” was chosen as the biggest challenge faced by South Korea’s stock market. This year, the KOSPI recorded 33 trading days with moves exceeding 5%, which is far more than other cases such as Japan's Nikkei 225 (4 days) and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index (0 days). The column argued that this is the major cause of foreign institutional investors retreating from South Korea’s stock market, and especially emphasized the government's approval of single-stock leveraged ETFs in late May as the main driver. According to Goldman Sachs, ETF rebalancing flows accounted for 40% of SK Hynix's average daily trading volume when the stock moved 5%, significantly affecting market activity, at the June peak. Despite the government’s later efforts to tighten regulations through the raise of minimum margin requirements, the column noted that the products would still account for 17% of daily trading volume on days of significant market volatility if they aren’t deferred.The article further pointed out that retail investors who had trusted government policy experienced significant losses. While the most popular SK Hynix leveraged ETF has fallen 84% from its peak, 62% of the 360,000 liquidated accounts belonged to investors aged 35 or younger. It also criticized the National Pension Service for raising its domestic equity allocation target, stating that it now fails to stabilize an overheating market, which was its traditional role. The column lastly concluded that while global asset managers have long viewed China as "uninvestable" because of policy failures and depreciation for investors, they started to identify these problems from South Korea’s stock market too. It further emphasized that the government should reflect on whether it is doing good enough to protect its young investors from holding back their investments in the stock market.▶원문 기사:"韓, 투자 부적합 국가 전락" 외신 경고…'변동성 극심' 주범은 (이코노미스트, 2026. 8. 4) ◆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.

South Korea’s exports recorded $98.9 billion last month, continuing their good performance.Semiconductors, the country’s main export item, led exports by recording more than $40 billion for two consecutive months. The trade surplus also exceeded $30 billion, following the previous month.The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources announced on August 1 that July exports were $98.89 billion, which increased by 62.8% compared to the same period last year.It was the second-highest monthly export amount in history, following June’s record($102.25 billion), when monthly exports exceeded $100 billion for the first time.Semiconductor exports increased by 179% to $41.01 billion, also recording the second-highest monthly export amount ever. The highest record was $44.8 billion in June.Despite concerns about Apple’s possibility of using Chinese memory semiconductors and China’s announcement of a new artificial intelligence (AI) model, semiconductor exports continued to show strong performance as fixed prices kept rising.Exports of all IT products also recorded growth. Computer exports increased sharply by 404.0% to $4.79 billion.As big tech companies continued expanding their investment in AI infrastructure, demand for enterprise solid-state drives (SSDs) continued to increase.Exports of wireless communication devices reached $1.81 billion, up 51.0%, thanks to strong sales of premium products such as the Galaxy S26. Display exports recorded $1.61 billion, up 2.4%, as they exclusively supplied new products such as the foldable iPhone Ultra.Among the country’s 20 major export items, exports increased in 19 items in July, except for home appliances.By region, exports increased in 8 out of 9 major export regions, excluding the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).Exports to China increased by 96.2% to $21.68 billion, exceeding $20 billion for the second consecutive month. Exports to the United States also increased by 69% to $17.43 billion.Thanks to strong performances in major items such as semiconductors and ships, exports to ASEAN increased by 73.7% to $18.8 billion, and exports to the European Union (EU) increased by 55.7% to $9.38 billion. Both achieved the highest export records ever.Exports to the Middle East, which had been decreasing due to the influence of the war in the region, also increased by 24.7% to $1.83 billion. Although automobile exports performed poorly, general machinery, petrochemicals, and wireless communication devices showed good results.Imports in July increased by 26.5% to $68.56 billion, and the trade balance recorded a surplus of $30.32 billion.The accumulated trade surplus from January to July reached $168 billion, increasing by $134.1 billion compared with the same period last year.▶원문 기사:7월 수출 989억달러…반도체 2개월 연속 400억달러 돌파 (이코노미스트, 2026. 8. 1) ◆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 KOSPI index finished with its largest gain in history, fueled by massive buying from foreign investors. SK Hynix finished the trading session at its Daily Cap. Analysts attribute the increase largely to SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won directly purchasing 4.8 billion won worth of SK Hynix shares (3,620 shares) on the open market on July 30.Data from the Korea Exchange shows that on July 31, the KOSPI finished at 6,595.45, surging 1,001.89 points (17.91%) from the previous trading day, setting a new record for both the largest single-day point gain and percentage increase.The second-highest daily percentage gain was 11.95%, recorded on October 30, 2008, during the global financial crisis.On the same day, Samsung Electronics jumped 26.81% to finish at 262,500 won, while SK Hynix hit its daily limit, soaring 29.95% to 1,718,000 won. Both companies recorded their highest single-day percentage gains in history.SK Hynix’s surge to its daily limit is interpreted as being heavily influenced by Chairman Chey's open-market stock acquisition. On the previous day, Chairman Chey bought common shares of SK Hynix at 1,322,000 won per share.This marks the first time Chairman Chey has held SK Hynix shares under his personal name.SK Hynix stated that Chairman Chey's purchase reflects his confidence in the semiconductor firm's value and his view that the stock was significantly undervalued, positioning the move as part of responsible management.Investors viewed Chairman Chey’s open-market purchase as a clear signal of confidence in the company's mid-to-long-term growth and corporate value, which positively impacted overall market sentiment.Previously, at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Jeju Summer Forum on July 17, Chairman Chey commented on investing in SK Hynix: "Because memory chips will always be in demand, the trajectory will trend upward over time. Rather than buying and selling frequently, holding onto shares steadily is a better way to preserve wealth."Foreign investors led the index's record rally through aggressive buying, posting a net purchase of 7.2196 trillion won. Institutional investors also bought a net 1.1782 trillion won. In contrast, retail investors sold a net 8.2543 trillion won.Both foreign net purchases and retail net sales reached a record high in the history of the South Korean stock market.▶원문 기사: "외국인이 돌아왔다" 코스피 불기둥…SK하이닉스는 '상한가' 마감(2026. 7. 31) ◆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 gap between the capital area and non-metropolitan regions enlarging the insolvent economy from industrial imbalance is concerned. While the metropolitan area is economically benefiting from AI and semiconductor industry, the local economy is suffering from contraction in construction and petrochemicals.According to the Bank of Korea’s ‘2026 the First Half Year’s Regional Economic Preference’, the capital region exemplified a significant improving economic trend. However, the Southeastern region, Honam region, and Gangwon region remained steady, while Chungcheong Region, Daegyeong Region, and Jeju Region also could not close the gap with Seoul. The main reason for the gap was the semiconductor and export industry. The metropolitan area benefited from expansion of memory demand for AI and DRAM and NAND flash price increase. However, the main regional industries were deteriorated by raw material’s price increase and stagnation of the construction industry. The problem is that economic polarization in the real economy is also putting regional banks in danger. Although the commercial banks, which give loans for major companies, are remaining sound, regional SMEs and small business owners are struggling with rising delinquency rates.According to the financial sector, 5 regional banks had a delinquency rate of 1.33%. This is 1.19% higher than last year’s result. The local bank’s delinquency rate was near 0%, but just after a year and a half, it increased to 1.3%. This is higher than 2009, when the global financial crisis almost happened, the first quarter’s report. At the same time, the annual delinquency rate of 5 commercial banks was 0.39%. As delinquency rates rose, the burden of loan-loss provisions increased significantly. This resulted in net profit of 5 regional banks becoming 606.4 billion KRW, which is 76.9 billion KRW less than last year. The current situation of non-performing loans reflects the stagnated regional economies. According to the Bank of Korea: Economic Statistics System, at the end of May, Daegu’s corporate loan delinquency rate was 1.29%, which was the highest. Gwangju(1.09%) and Jeju(1.09%) also resulted in around 1% of corporate loan delinquency rate. Household loan delinquency rate also increased around regional areas. For example, Jeju recorded the highest rate at 1.24%, followed by Jeonbuk (0.84%) and Gwangju (0.62%).Due to the economic slowdown, revenue decreased with high interest rates, which caused household stores and SMEs to be hit hard. According to the ‘2026 SME Financial Condition Survey’, SMEs that expected next year’s business management to stagnate were 25.7%. This is 10.9% more than this year’s forecast. A financial sector official stated, “The stagnation in regional economies is creating a financial distress, resulting in higher delinquency rate, and weakening rural economies.” The officer also added, “The financial support policy for regional vulnerable borrowers and SMEs is needed so that the semiconductor boom will not affect.”▶원문 기사: 기업도 은행도 지방에서 ‘한숨’…수도권과 차이 어디서 났나 (이코노미스트, 2026. 7. 31) ◆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.

Bank of Korea’s president Shin Hyunsong’s speaking that people need to pay attention to the price fluctuation of the semiconductor than the stock price of the semiconductor industries such as Samsung Electronics or SK Hynix in the situation where the ‘semiconductor power’ is leading Korea’s economy, is getting spotlighted. It is an analysis that the riffle effect of domestic demand may change depending on how high the semiconductor price is and how long it maintains its price. On July 16th, after the Bank of Korea announced that it would raise the base interest rate by 0.25% point, governor Shin Hyunsong said that, in establishing monetary policy, they are paying much more attention to the semiconductor price itself than the stock prices of companies. It means the semiconductor price is the key variable that determines Korea’s terms of trade. An increase in semiconductor prices leads to higher profits and expanded orders for Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, which in turn supports the domestic economy through wage increase and other income growth. Since major semiconductor contracts are present through business-to-business (B2B) transactions, the prices do not appear in the spot market, but are mostly made under long-term contracts, making them difficult to identify. Nevertheless, they are regarded as one of the most important factors for predicting the future of Korea’s economy.Due to the impact of rising semiconductor prices, Korea’s real gross domestic income (GDI) growth rate recorded exceptional 13.2% in the first quarter of the year. During the same period, the gross domestic product(GDP) growth rate was 3.8%. The gap between the two growth rates (9.4 % points) marked the largest difference since related statistics began to be collected in 1960.The report pointed out that the biggest reason behind the sharp rise in GDI was the improvement driven by rising export prices. Looking at the periods of economic improvement in 2009, 2015~2016, and 2020, the major factors were falling international oil prices and lower import prices caused by the global financial crisis, the pandemic (the state when the infectious disease become widespread wordwide across politics, economy, and society), and the U.S. shale boom. Recently, however, even amid soaring international oil prices due to the war between the United States and Iran, rising semiconductor prices have been leading the improvement in the terms of trade.According to an empirical analysis conducted by the Korea Bank, in the past when lower import prices led the improvement in the terms of trade, households regarded it as a ‘temporary increase in income’, causing a weak effect on private consumption. As people did not expect their income to continue increasing, households placed more weight on saving than spending.On the other hand, when higher export prices lead changes in the terms of trade, the spillover effect on income becomes much stronger through higher wages driven from expanded sales. As the belief that income will continue to increase grows, private consumption also recovers. In fact, due to the recent announcements of large-scale performance bonuses by semiconductor companies, the overall wage growth rate has become significantly higher than during previous periods of improvement in the terms of trade. During the period of rising import prices, companies also respond to expanding global demand by rapidly increasing production capacity, immediately leading expanded investment.However, it also pointed out that behind the unprecedented semiconductor boom and the sharp rise in GDI lies the risk of increasing economic polarization. This is because such a trend may increase overall macroeconomic volatility and undermine the economy’s medium to long-term growth potential.The growth of the semiconductor industry has caused the Information Technology (IT) manufacturing sector in Korea’s total manufacturing output to rise 51%, further intensifying the concentration of industrial production. Since the IT manufacturing industry has relatively low production and employment multiplier effects, and workers in related industries account for only 2.6% of total employment, the benefits of growth may become concentrated among employees of a small number of large corporations. A financial investment industry official explained, “If the effects of large performance bonuses and wage increases are limited to only a few major companies, it is difficult for the benefits to spread throughout the overall economy,” adding “Non-IT sectors may instead face sluggish business conditions and rising cost pressures.”The concentration of growth itself in a specific industry may become a problem. In the case of semiconductors, the industry is highly affected by demand cycles, meaning that investment and tax revenues can fluctuate significantly depending on changes in demand.Researcher from Bank of Korea stated, “As tax revenues become increasingly dependent on the semiconductor industry, fiscal capacity may fluctuate greatly depending on the semiconductor business cycle. After the surge in tax revenues generated during the IT boom of 2021~2022, they quickly turned into tax revenue shortfalls during the subsequent industry downturn,” adding “It is necessary to consider the risk that Korea’s high dependence on the IT industry could amplify volatility in the economy, public finances, and financial markets, and to draft medium and long-term policies accordingly.”▶원문 기사: “주가보다 반도체 ‘가격’이 내수 온기 가른다” (이코노미스트, 2026. 7. 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.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has urged the public to use GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) obesity medications, such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, with caution, within the approved indications and dosage. Recently, these drugs have gained popularity, known as "diet drugs," leading to an increase in use among youths, overseas direct purchases, and unauthorized advertising.On the 8th, the MFDS stated that "a series of GLP-1 obesity medications are aimed at obesity patients and should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional in accordance with the approved dosage and administration."A series of GLP-1 obesity medications work by activating the action of the GLP-1 hormone, which helps regulate insulin secretion and appetite, resulting in weight loss. Notable example products include Wegovy, which contains semaglutide, and Mounjaro, containing tirzepatide.These medications are approved for obese adults with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or higher, or for overweight adults with a BMI between 27 kg/m² and 30 kg/m², while having at least one weight-related medical condition, such as hypertension.The MFDS also emphasized that even when products approved for youth use are prescribed, careful attention must be paid to the risk of insufficient nutrition and excessive weight loss during growth. Moreover, healthcare providers should closely monitor patients for gastrointestinal side effects that may lead to dehydration or acute pancreatitis.The MFDS expressed particular concern about the misuse of a series of GLP-1 obesity medications as they are perceived as simple "diet drugs." They emphasized that these medications must only be used with a physician's prescription and under the guidance of a pharmacist, and should never be purchased through overseas direct purchases or private transactions.Products obtained through overseas direct purchases have not been approved for use in South Korea, meaning their safety and efficacy have not been sufficiently verified. In addition, their manufacturing and distribution processes are hard to verify, which raises the risk that they may be counterfeit medicines or substandard products. They also warned that consumers may not be protected by legal measures, such as product recalls or compensation, even if they experience the damage after using these products.MFDS plans to produce informational content, such as card news and short-form videos centered on Social Networking Service (SNS), to promote the safe use of GLP-1 obesity medications. MFDS will also collaborate with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family to provide information on websites frequently used by youths and parents.Along with this, the MFDS will conduct intensive inspections of local governments, medical institutions, and pharmacies to identify unauthorized advertising and exaggerated promotional claims within obesity medications. These appropriate follow-up measures will be taken against any violations.An official from MFDS stated, "MFDS will continue to improve users' understanding of obesity medications and provide guidance continuously on their safe use within the scope of their authorized indications, creating an environment that supports the safe use of pharmaceuticals."▶원문 기사:식약처 "위고비·마운자로 오남용 우려"…해외직구·청소년 사용 주의 (이코노미스트, 2026. 7. 8) ◆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.

Chey Tae-won, chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and SK Group, predicted that the imbalance between supply and demand for memory semiconductors will worsen next year due to the continuous expansion of artificial intelligence (AI), and announced plans to consider constructing semiconductor plants in locations from the Honam region in Korea to the United States to expand production capacity. Chey emphasized that prices must be stabilized by increasing supply, saying, “There are projections that demand will increase by at least 60–100% next year compared to this year.” At a press conference held during the 49th KCCI Jeju Forum at the Shilla Jeju hotel on July 15, Chey said, “I am not sure if I should go as far as to describe the situation as ‘complete chaos’,” adding, “From a company’s perspective, semiconductor demand continues to surge, so factories need to be built quickly.”He assessed that “virtually no semiconductor company will significantly increase its supply next year”, and that “the gap between demand and supply will inevitably widen much further next year than this year.” He further emphasized that the “supply-demand gap could develop into an even greater problem, as governments need to secure memory semiconductors for their domestic companies to continue production in the interest of economic security.”He also left open the possibility of building production facilities in the United States. Regarding U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s call for Korean semiconductor companies to invest in the United States, he said, “He has been saying the same thing. It is nothing surprising,” adding, “I believe that if possible, we should build facilities in the United States as well.”Regarding the KRW 1,000 trillion AI data center project being pursued with the government, he explained, “You cannot build an AI Data center without customers. If it has been built, that means there are already customers,” and “Building a facility with a capacity of about 1 gigawatt costs KRW 70 trillion, and no one does this entirely with their own capital; it relies on project financing.” He added, “Under the financing conditions, the contract term cannot be shorter than at least five years, and for a longer arrangement, a 15-year long-term contract must exist before we can say that the project has taken off.”Regarding investment in the Honam region, he explained, “The government determined that Honam was the best location , and we announced the investment plan based on the assessment that it was necessary,” adding, “Once the project actually begins, unexpected obstacles or other issues could arise.”Meanwhile, Chey expressed the view that the recently increasing surging prices of memory semiconductors actually need to be lowered. He said, “This may sound strange, but current prices are abnormal and already too high,” adding, “If we face problems related to chip inflation, we (the semiconductor suppliers) become the target of criticism.” He added, “We need to increase supply now and bring prices down.”▶원문 기사: 최태원 "반도체 수요 아비규환…내년 공급 부족 더 심화"(2026. 7. 19) ◆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 scale of devastation caused by the series of powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela last month continues to grow. With the officially confirmed death toll already exceeding 5,000, concerns are mounting that the anticipated arrival of El Niño, a climate phenomenon associated with extreme weather, could further worsen living conditions for thousands of displaced residents staying in temporary shelters.According to AFP on July 18, Jorge Rodríguez, President of Venezuela's National Assembly, announced that the officially confirmed death toll had reached 5,069 as of July 17 (local time). The number of injured remained unchanged at 16,740, and Rodríguez stated that most of the injured have already been discharged from hospitals. The disaster began on June 24, when two powerful earthquakes measuring magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela in quick succession. The coastal state of La Guaira, located just north of the capital, Caracas, suffered the heaviest damage and was left in ruins. Authorities reported that at least 300 victims remain unidentified, and officials are collecting DNA samples before burying the bodies in a public cemetery.Efforts to determine the exact number of missing people have been complicated by the lack of official government statistics. While the Venezuelan government has not released an official figure, opposition groups estimate that around 30,000 people are missing. The United Nations estimated the number of missing at 50,000 just three days after the earthquakes, on June 27. Meanwhile, the U.S. Geological Survey previously warned that the final death toll could range anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000.Amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has warned that El Niño could bring an even greater disaster to those displaced by the earthquakes. Lucas Gejis Acrat, the IOM's Disaster Risk Reduction Coordinator in Venezuela, said that discussions are underway within the United Nations regarding the possibility of a very strong El Niño developing. He warned that, with many residents already homeless, an El Niño event could severely impact Venezuela.The unusually warm ocean surface temperatures associated with El Niño are expected to increase the likelihood of extreme weather events such as floods and droughts. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has also stated that there is a 63% chance that current conditions will develop into a "Super El Niño," defined as tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures exceeding the seasonal average by more than 2°C.▶원문 기사: 베네수엘라 지진 사망자 5000명 넘어서…'슈퍼 엘니뇨' 우려까지 (이코노미스트, 2026. 7. 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.