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.

According to Cafe24, inventory is no longer just merchandise sitting in a warehouse. It has become a key source of data that directly influences advertising efficiency and sales. As a result, the way online shopping malls are managed is evolving. On the 1st, Cafe24 announced that online stores adopting its AI-powered Inventory-based Marketing (AIM) service, which integrates real-time inventory data into advertising operations have improved their inventory turnover efficiency. Inventory-based Marketing is a service that analyzes product inventory levels and sales trends in real time and reflects that information in advertising campaigns. Products with sufficient stock receive increased advertising exposure, while products nearing stock depletion have their exposure reduced, enabling merchants to use their advertising budgets more efficiently.The online shopping mall management team’s inventory management a challenge that has been difficult to solve for a long time. The items that were almost out of stock were always on the ads and the ones that had a lot in stock weren't shown in ads, which created unnecessary advertisement fees in many cases. Their original method of handling the advertisements and inventory separately has shown a boundary, and they are leaning toward a production environment where they analyze the product and the actual stock of that product together. In line with this trend, Cafe24 provides an operating environment that analyzes advertising performance alongside inventory data. According to the company, faster inventory turnover allows merchants to recover sales revenue more quickly, enabling them to reinvest those funds in new product development or additional marketing initiatives. One example is the women's fashion online store Meriet, which linked inventory analysis with its ordering process after adopting AIM. As a result, its inventory turnover rate more than doubled, increasing from 9.2 to 20.7 times. Meanwhile, the average inventory depletion period was reduced by more than half, from 39.8 days to 17.6 days. Meriet CEO Ji-su Yoo said, “By analyzing inventory and purchase order data together, we were able to respond to surges in demand without running out of stock. We generated more sales from the same inventory while actually reducing the risk of stockouts.” This trend was observed not only in individual cases but also across online stores that adopted the service. Cafe24 compared performance before and after implementation among online stores connected to a Warehouse Management System (WMS) that enables real-time inventory analysis. The results showed that the average inventory turnover rate increased by 12%, while the average inventory depletion period decreased by 22%. According to the company, faster inventory turnover also made it easier for merchants to plan and prepare inventory for upcoming seasonal products. Looking ahead, Cafe24 plans to continue enhancing its marketing services by further linking advertising operations with product and inventory data. A company representative said, “The competitiveness of an online store depends not only on how effectively it runs advertising campaigns, but also on how efficiently it utilizes data. We will continue strengthening our integrated operating environment by connecting sales, inventory, and advertising data. ▶원문 기사: 재고가 마케팅이 됐다…카페24, 쇼핑몰 운영 공식 바꾼다 (이코노미스트, 2026. 7. 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.

AI sleep healthcare specialized company, HoneyNaps unveiled that they got FDA approval for ‘SOMNUM V3.0’, AI based sleep diagnosis software. FDA approval code for this is K253390.SOMNUM is a healthcare AI system that features sleep stages and sleep related primary event analyzation based on Polysomnography. HoneyNaps already got FDA approval for SOMNUM V1.1.2, and from this time’s V3.0 approval, they were able to advance product and strengthen U.S. market expansion base.SOMNUM V3.0 is built to automatically diagnose apnea and hypopnea, and distinguish and analyze apnea into obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and mixed sleep through AI algorithm.The company explained that they increased event analysis performance by gaining Overall Agreement of 97~99% in each respiratory event. This can be used in increasing decipher accuracy that is needed in sleep-disordered breathing severity evaluation and treatment direction determination. Alongside with SOMNUM V3.0 commercialization, HoneyNaps is also working on automatic AI evaluation technology and next generation digital biomarker development. By using Hypoxic Burden, Arousal Burden, and Ventilatory Burden, they are working on a technology that evaluates sleep apnea patient’s symptom severity and health risk in detail, and they are planning to prepare additional FDA approval for the next version that includes such features.HoneyNaps company official had said “This FDA approval means that SOMNUM V3.0’s respiratory event distinguish algorithm got verified for its clinical accuracy in American regulation standard, and “the company will strengthen competitiveness in global sleep diagnosis AI market by the development of follow-up version that applied digital biomarker.”▶원문 기사: 허니냅스, AI 수면진단 소프트웨어 ‘SOMNUM V3.0’ FDA 승인 (이코노미스트, 2026. 7. 3) ◆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.

Perfume is becoming the main category in the beauty market. In the past, perfume was confined to a corner of cosmetics stores, but nowadays sports brands, fashion platforms, and department stores are scrambling to enter the fragrance business. The scale of the perfume market is rising rapidly. Selling perfume is not only selling the scent, but it is also used as a way to showcase a brand’s image.According to the industry on the 18th, sports brand Adidas is recently strengthening domestic marketing of fragrance line "Adidas vibes”. Adidas Vibe is a line that can be used casually in daily lifeand recently appointed actor Jae-won Kim as its domestic ambassador.Global perfume company Coty is handling the license business and LG Household & Health Care is distributing domestically. It’s an attempt to expand the brand experience beyond sports wear. The expansion of the fragrance market is not just about sports brands. Fashion platforms are also entering the fragrance business as they see it as a new growth area. According to the industry, 29CM, operated by Musinsa, recently launched a fragrance collection through its private brand, 29CM First Trophy. The collection expresses the atmosphere of Seongsu-dong through scent.Perfume is no longer just a cosmetic product. It is becoming a consumer item that shows personal taste and lifestyle. Along with perfumes, home fragrance products such as diffusers and room sprays are also gaining popularity. In fact, 29CM's beauty sales in the first half of this year jumped 301% from a year earlier, led by fragrance products.Department stores are also beefing up their fragrance business. Lotte Department Store's Jamsil branch recently expanded its fragrance section. More than 20 brands, including global niche perfume brands such as Kilian and Ex Nihilo, have opened stores there.Niche perfumes focus on exclusivity and individuality rather than mass production. As more consumers look for scents that are different from others, niche perfumes are becoming one of the main categories in beauty stores.The way perfume is sold is also changing. In the past, customers simply bought products displayed on shelves. Nowadays, more experiential stores allow customers to try different scents and receive consultations from fragrance experts. Choosing a fragrance itself is becoming part of the shopping experience.Seongsu-dong is one of the places where this trend is most noticeable. As more fragrance brands open flagship stores and hold pop-up events, the number of foreign tourists continues to increase. At some beauty stores, foreign customers account for as much as 74% of total sales.Industry experts expect fragrances to become a new growth engine for the beauty market. Compared with makeup and skincare products, fragrances have a longer trend cycle and can attract consumers across all ages and genders.An industry official said, "Perfume is no longer just a beauty product. It has become a consumer item that represents personal taste and lifestyle. In the future, providing a unique brand experience will be more important than simply creating a new scent."▶원문 기사: 아디다스 바이브부터 니치향수까지..MZ세대 사로잡는 프래그런스 시장 ◆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 use of AI(artificial intelligence) generated ‘fake experts' will be prohibited. AI-based recommendation advertising used in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries will be restricted to enhance consumer protection.On the 24th, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced that a bill to amend the Act of Food Labeling and Advertising, Pharmaceutical Affairs act, Cosmetics act, act about Drug Managment, Food Sanitation act had passed the Plenary session of the National Assembly. This amendment is an action reflecting the recent changes in the public health and safety environment such as the increase of AI usage and drug-related crime, and instablity of mandatory medicines.The most noticeable change is about the regulation of advertisement based on AI. According to the amendment bill, the act of advertising food·medication by using AI generated images will be banned. Certain companies used AI generated images and audio of ‘professionals’ as their marketing strategy so far, but concerns that these ‘fake experts’ could mislead consumers have been reflected in the revision.The government aims to prevent using AI generated false and exaggerated advertisment, and expects the new regulation decrease the consumer damage. In particular, the new regulations are expected to intensify the credibility of advertising products that are especially important such as health functional foods and cosmetics.The pharmaceutical supply system has also been improved. Through the amendment to the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, the government allowed themselves to ask companies to make National Essential Medicines in Korea. This is for obtaining essential medicines safely even in supply shortage or interruption, which is focused on extreme situations like infectious diseases or national disaster.The drug-crime response system will also be improved. The improved Narcotics Control Act allowed special investigative techniques like undercover investigations. Furthermore, to speed up the response of new spreading drugs, the notice period before labeling new substances as temporary controlled substances was shortened from a month to 14 days.Food safety management will also be strengthened. Due to the Food Sanitation Act Amendment, companies that make Food for Special Medical Purposes, like foods for patients, should choose a Person in Charge of Sanitary Control, and they must report Manufacturing Items Details to the relevant authorities. This is a response to a situation in which the number of consumers with special nutritional needs is increasing, aimed at improving the safety and management of these products.The industry sees this amendment as a ‘regulatory package’ intended to respond to the spread of AI technology and public health and safety issues. An industry official said “AI-based marketing has spread fast, which created concerns about a regulatory gap”, adding “This measure will increase the credibility of the advertising market, and at the same time, strengthen the government's role in public health and safety, including essential medicines and drug-crime control."This amendment will take effect after a grace period followed by the official announcement and related industries will be expected to be reviewing their marketing methods and overall business structure.▶원문 기사: “AI 의사 추천 광고 금지”…식약처, 표시·광고 규제 전면 강화 ◆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.

Chief executive officers (CEOs) of major domestic pharmaceutical and biotech companies are gathering in full force at the ‘2026 Bio International Convention (Bio USA),’ the world’s largest bioindustry event, to expand global partnerships and secure new clients. As artificial intelligence (AI)-driven drug discovery, ▲next-generation ribonucleic acid (RNA) therapies, ▲antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and ▲contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMO) emerge as key topics this year, South Korean companies are expected to enter a fierce competition to expand tech exports, joint developments, and manufacturing orders.Bio USA, held from the 22nd (local time) to the 25th at the San Diego Convention Center in California, USA, is the world's largest biotechnology event hosted by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). This year's event will feature over 1,500 exhibition booths, with more than 20,000 industry officials, investors, and research institute representatives from over 76 countries in attendance. The number of participating South Korean companies is also expected to reach around 70.Industry experts view this event as a stage to gauge domestic companies’ global business expansion strategies as well as their achievements in technology transfers and CDMO contract orders for the second half of the year. In particular, analysis suggests that as competition for technology transfers and joint development intensifies in the global bio market, an increasing number of CEOs are visiting the site in person to seek collaboration opportunities with key decision-makers.Efforts to Expand Global PartnershipsSamsung Biologics is moving to secure global clients, led by CEO John Rim. Operating a standalone booth for the 14th consecutive year since its founding in 2011, the company will introduce its contract research, development, and manufacturing organization (CRDMO) capabilities that encompass contract research (CRO), contract development (CDO), and contract manufacturing (CMO). The company plans to drive the expansion of new orders based on its large-scale production capacity anchored by its Rockville Campus in the U.S. and Songdo production base in Incheon.LOTTE BIOLOGICS, led by CEO James Park, is also stepping up efforts to target the global CDMO market. The company will set up a private meeting room within its standalone booth to introduce its ‘Dual Site’ strategy that links its Syracuse plant in the U.S. with the Songdo Bio Campus. It will also actively promote the Songdo Bio Campus Plant 1, which is scheduled for completion this August, to win global clients.SK Biopharm, led by CEO Dong-hoon Lee, will promote its AI-based drug development strategy. Setting up a standalone booth in the 'Digital Health and AI Zone' within the exhibition venue, the company plans to introduce its AI-driven drug discovery, R&D innovation, and patient-centered platform strategies.ABL Bio CEO Sang Hoon Lee will also visit the site in person to discuss collaboration strategies with global pharmaceutical companies. The company aims to expand partnerships focusing on its blood-brain barrier (BBB) shuttle platform 'Grabody-B' and its 4-1BB-based dual-antibody cancer immunotherapy platform 'Grabody-T.' As competition surrounding next-generation modalities (therapeutic approaches) such as AI drug development, RNA therapies, and ADCs is expected to intensify further, the industry outlook is drawing attention.AI, RNA, ADC… Competition for Next-Generation Technologies Begins in EarnestCelltrion will showcase its next-generation drug pipeline competitiveness by introducing its AI-based novel target discovery technology, multi-antibody design platform, and data-driven R&D capabilities. Its strategy is to seek global partnership opportunities to expand its business scope beyond biosimilars (biopharmaceutical generics) into the field of novel drugs.Dong-A Socio Group will operate a joint booth for Dong-A ST, STPHARM, and BTGen. Dong-A ST will introduce its novel drug pipelines in the fields of oncology, immuno-inflammatory diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases, while STPHARM plans to showcase its RNA business competitiveness backed by its oligonucleotide manufacturing capacity and mRNA-LNP CDMO platform.Ildong Pharmaceutical Group will engage in discussions for technology exports and commercialization, focusing on its oral glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) class obesity and diabetes treatment candidate 'ID110521156' and P-CAB class gastric disease treatment 'Padoprazan.' Its affiliate Idience will showcase its PARP inhibitor 'Venadaparib,' pan-KRAS inhibitor 'ID12241,' and ADC pipelines.Rznomics will promote its RNA editing/correcting platform and next-generation circular RNA platform technology, while Pharos iBio will engage in global partnering based on its AI drug development platform 'Chemiverse'-driven oncology pipeline.The Korea Biotechnology Industry Association will support the global advancement of domestic companies by operating the Korea Pavilion, Korea Night, and the Korea-U.S. Roundtable. In particular, an official session themed around the Korean biotech industry has been arranged for the first time this year to introduce the domestic biotech ecosystem, innovation capabilities, and potential for global collaboration.The industry is paying close attention to the fact that Bio USA is a venue for practical business cooperation rather than a simple exhibition. As global big pharma companies and investment institutions participate in large numbers, it is widely seen as likely to lead to tangible results in technology exports, joint developments, and manufacturing orders.An official from the pharmaceutical and biotech industry stated, “As a large number of domestic and foreign companies participate in this Bio USA, companies must present differentiated clinical data and business models to secure competitiveness,” adding, “Success or failure will depend on how persuasively they can showcase the level of commercialization strategies and data that global big pharma companies desire.”▶원문 기사: CEO 총출동한 K바이오…바이오USA서 기술수출·수주전 (이코노미스트, 2026.7.14) ◆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.

AI companies are moving beyond basic information-gathering chatbots. They’re now prioritizing interactive interfaces that layer their unique virtual worldviews with character values. The change comes as services that enable users to meet in original worldviews or as virtual characters that reflect personal tastes are becoming popular.According to market research firm “Research and Markets”, the global AI chat market size was valued at $4.24 billion (approximately 5.8 trillion KRW) in 2025. It is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 18.3% until 2033. In overseas markets, AI character-based chat services such as 'Character.AI' and 'Replika' are gaining popularity.Domestic IT companies also got into the race with advanced technologies and platformsUntil now, the only firm that managed to secure significant traffic was generative AI startup ScatterLab.The AI chat app Zeta by ScatterLab is a service where users can create and chat with AI characters based on the narratives and personalities they want. The result is a unique experience, as users feel like they are talking to a web novel lead in real-time. Its Monthly Active Users (MAU) exceeded 1.4 million this year.Naver is currently developing a story-telling AI chatbot service that uses the Naver Webtoon IP, following the launch of its existing character chat service. The aim is to strengthen the lock-in of users on current platforms by combining Naver Webtoon's already existing character fandom with AI technology.In addition to a single-character system for one-on-one talks, efforts are also underway to scale huge "worldviews" into AI-powered metaverses (3D virtual environments).On June 29, blockchain gaming company Nexus opened the closed beta test (CBT) for its AI metaverse platform ‘Stage’ and started raising creators.‘Stage’ is a platform for stories to be created through the natural interplay of many AI characters, virtual locations, intricate relationships, and surprises. With only a few lines of text input, such as background settings and characters, the AI generates a playable world view automatically. Nexus has laid out a roadmap for an 'open AI ecosystem' where you can play with and evolve the virtual worlds created by creators.An industry official said, "It is expected that domestic companies' attempts to expand their territory beyond one-on-one chat to a huge virtual world view and metaverse will settle into a new future growth engine."▶원문 기사: 거세지는 AI 챗 열풍…일대일 채팅 넘어 'AI 메타버스'까지 등장 (이코노미스트, 2026. 6. 30) ◆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.

summary | Including South Korea, about 60 countries worldwide have implemented the GMO labelling systems. Even the United States, which has previously been lenient about the issue, is now undergoing change. While the State of Vermont will be the first to require GMO labels in July, the food industry announced that it would label products sold nationwide in the United States to show whether they contain GMOs not just the products sold in Vermont. Protecting consumers' right to know is beneficial. The problem is that this policy might create the misconception that GMO products are not safe. China has emerged as a major challenger in the global seed market. In response, the United States said it would try to block the deal. As ChemChina, a Chinese state-owned enterprise, agreed to acquire the Swiss agricultural company Syngenta in February, the US officials and senators expressed concern and showed their intention to review the approval of the acquisition. The rationale for the U.S. interference in business combinations between China and Switzerland is that Syngenta operates some production facilities and research institutes in North Carolina, U.S.Although the U.S. used food security as a counter-argument, it appears that it is worried that China will undermine the U.S. hegemony in the seed industry. ChemChina beat the U.S. company Monsanto to buy Syngenta. Monsanto offered $47 billion while ChemChina offered $43 billion to pay the full amount in cash. ChemChina planned to raise $15 billion to help pay for the deal by April.China develops GMO at a national levelChemChina's acquisition of Syngenta was mainly introduced in Korea from the perspective of seed industry and competition between China and the United States. What has been less addressed is the Chinese government's commitment to genetically modified (GMO) crops. When GMOs are cultivated, they are resistant to pests and need to use less pesticides, thereby increasing production. In order to foster agriculture and secure food security, China needs to catch up with advanced GMO technology and take the lead in improving crops. Therefore, China used ChemChina to buy Syngenta.Syngenta is the world's third largest seed company after Monsanto and DuPont. The three major global companies control 90 percent of the global GMO seed market.Such a move by China could change the landscape of the dispute over the harmfulness of GMOs. Opponents of GMOs are saying that they are harmful to human bodies, emphasizing that European countries have banned them. It did not mention that China is trying to use GMOs as the "seed" to increase food self-sufficiency. If China actively develops and produces GMOs after the U.S., the objection that "except the U.S., major countries around the world do not cultivate GMOs" will be diluted.GMOs are also a source of doubt for the Chinese. Not a few Chinese people believe in the "GMO conspiracy theory" that combines anti-Americanism and Maoism. Let's take a look back at the situation by going back about three years. According to a report by the British weekly The Economist, an official claimed in a video made in October 2013 for the training of military officers that "the United States is trying to dominate the world by controlling global food production." A retired general warned state media that "the U.S. is setting up a trap with GMOs, and the consequences will be worse than the Opium War." Some argued on the Internet that "GMOs cause infertility in Asians, and that this is a scheme by the U.S. targeting China."The Chinese government returned genetically recombinant corn to the United States without customs clearance in order to quell public opposition to GMOs. At the same time, the Chinese government launched a public promotion and education campaign to alleviate concerns among its citizens that GMOs would be harmful to humans. Beijing Evening News reported President Xi Jinping's comments and emphasized the importance of growing GMOs. "China should ensure that biotechnology is safe and not allow foreign companies to dominate the GMO market," Xi said.The Chinese Ministry of Agriculture announced, "We will continue to support major GMO projects." Last February, China Daily quoted a senior Chinese government official, saying, "With a population of 1.3 billion, China is facing growing environmental and resource constraints in agriculture, and it must not lag behind in promising and emerging genetic recombination technologies in the future". The Chinese government chose the strategy of acquiring Syngenta to achieve the goal more quickly.Regulations on GMOs are different in each region. In other words, the decision to regulate GMOs is not mainly based on whether they are harmful or not. European countries particularly have strict rules about GMOs not because they are harmful but to protect their own agriculture. In contrast, China has decided that GMOs are essential and safe in order to feed its citizens with crops grown in their own country.There is no scientific evidence proving the danger of GMO products. The safety test of GMO soybeans and corns have been completed in the mid-1990s. Based on the cultivated area worldwide, 73% of soybeans and 29% of corns are genetically modified. The U.S. exports most of the soybeans and corn traded in the global market, with 90% of them being GMOs.There is a research conclusion that Kim Seong-hoon, head of the CCEJ Consumer Justice Center, and others who suggest that GMOs are harmful often mention. It is a research done by Kean University in Canada by Professor Eric Cellarini's team. Kim Seong-hoon often introduces this project, stating “Cellarini’s team conducted the first long-term research project that used Monsanto corns and Roundup herbicide on laboratory mice for 2 years as per the average lifespan of mice, and as a result found terrifying disease phenomena (Monsanto typically tests for only 90 days)” on various media outlets and interviews.Kim Seong-hoon stated that “Massive tumors have increased from 200~300% and spoilage has been found in important organs such as kidneys and livers, and more than 70% of female laboratory mice died early.”Food expert Choi Nak-eon criticised this experiment, stating that the research did not have the basic requirements of a carcinogenesis experiment by conducting actions such as feeding herbicide to mice in addition to corns. In October last year, he wrote on Slow news that “this experiment did not follow the guidelines of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the Europe Ministry of food and safety stated that the protocol was incorrect along with Korea’s Ministry of food and safety.”Spread of papers with inaccurate experimental process and interpretation"According to experiments, rats fed 11 percent, 22 percent and 33 percent of genetically modified (GMO) products had a higher fatality rate," he said. "If GMO is toxic, the fatality rate should be higher, but it is against common sense that 11 percent is higher." Both the experimental process and interpretation are not accurate.The results of the experiment were published in the September 2012 issue of the U.S. journal Food and Chemical Poisonics and were withdrawn by the editorial staff on the grounds of lack of evidence. Wallace Hayes, the editor-in-chief of the journal, held a press conference in Brussels in late November 2013 and said, "We found no evidence of fraud or intentional misinterpretation in the paper, but we are unable to reach a clear conclusion such as the one presented by this paper."Another issue regarding GMO is a policy where you include the use of GMOs on ingredient labels. Including South Korea, 60 other nations enforced a GMO labelling system. Due to this, there are shifts happening in the United States’ loose system. Vermouth State will enforce the labelling system this July for the first time, and the food industry stated that they will label the use of GMOs in all products that are supplied across the United States. It is good that they are satisfying the customer’s right to know. However, the problem is that this may provide negative views regarding GMOs’ safety. The error can be split into two areas. One is that the criteria for determination may be instilled loosely that they accept empty husks, or that they enforce the rules too strictly so that they discard the good grains. It is worrying as the misunderstanding of GMOs may lead to the second error.▶원문 기사: 콩·옥수수 안전성 시험 1990년대에 끝나 (이코노미스트, 2016. 4. 30_-) ◆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 the Korean won exceeded 1550 won against the dollar as in intraday trading, the highest exchange rate is impending just after the global financial crisis. The authorities have put in ₩50 trillion worth of dollar and liquidity into the market over a semester. Even so, the intervention has been ineffective in counteracting the surging pressure on the dollar. Continued depreciation of yen and expectations of monetary restrictions by the Federal Reserve have also consistently weighed on the won. The market forecasts that Korea is entering the phase of structural elevation in exchange rates, along with some analysts and investors mentioning that the currency may surpass 1600 won.On July 1st, the foreign exchange market opened trading at a rate of ₩1,549.8 per dollar, 0.4 won higher compared to the last session that closed as ₩1,549.4 per dollar. In early stages of trading, the won weakened even further, reaching ₩1,551.7 by 9:30 a.m. Previously having experienced the peak closing level at March 6th 2009 during the global crisis, the currency had already exceeded past the ₩1,550 threshold just a day after the trading opened. This evidence of rapidly debilitating currency is endangering the market with a foreboding exchange rate of ₩1,560 per dollar.The broad picture of the first and second quarters still depicts the prolonged elevation of exchange rates. The won averaged ₩1,484.56 per dollar in the first two quarters, while only the second quarter averaged ₩1,501.64. These statistics represent both the highest half-year average and quarterly average since 1998 during the Asian financial crisis. Along with the reignited expectations for the Federal reserve to continue on monetary restrictions, the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) elevated above 101 against a group of major currencies. On the other hand, the yen proceeded to depreciate steeply, reaching the exchange rate of ¥162 per dollar. This is also the yen's highest level since December 1986, just after the Plaza Accord. Both the reinforced dollar and weakened yen have contributed to the overwhelming pressure on the won. Moreover, what is heavily concerning is that the won is depreciating regardless of any market intervention by the foreign exchange authorities. According to the Bank of Korea’s report on the foreign-exchange market stabilisation records for the first quarter of 2026, –US$13.63 billion was measured as the net foreign transaction. A negative net transaction record suggests that the authorities have been selling US dollars in order to prevent the depreciation of the won, ranking as the fourth largest quarterly intervention on record. Added to the historical record US$22.47 billion in net dollar sales during last year’s fourth quarter, the authorities injected around US$36.1 billion over a semester in an effort to pre-empt the depreciation of the won. Further heavy interventions by the government have failed to protect the won is raising concerns that it is only promoting a self-reinforcing cycle. Now, Korean investors seek overseas investments, foreign capital flows out endlessly from the domestic market, and companies are in a rush to purchase dollars for the purposes of settlement and import. Further increase in demand for dollars has been recorded. Analysts expect that the won would rise above ₩1,600 per dollar due to the continued restrictive monetary stance by the Federal Reserve. This is likely to soar import prices and production costs across the whole economy, eventually amplifying consumer inflation. However, mitigated portfolio rebalancing and SK Hynix’s planned U.S. ADR listing in the future may boost dollar inflows and neutralize the foreign exchange market conditions.Meanwhile, the Bank of Korea has been criticized that it has escalated market anxiety by foreign exchange reserves still remain sufficient despite increasing strain on the won. The central bank is currently presenting solid external fundamentals. This includes net external assets, manageable external liabilities and an ongoing trade surplus. However, analysts state that reassurances are inadequate as reserves decline below US$430 billion by the end of May. Currently, there are endless calls for detailed investigation of the possible risks caused by continued currency depreciation. ▶원문 기사 : 환율 '금융위기 수준' 1600선 넘나…한은 "외환 보유액 충분" (이코노미스트, 2026. 7. 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.

Many South Korean individual investors have been pouring a huge amount of money into SpaceX ever since it went public in the U.S. In just two weeks after the listing, they bought nearly 3 trillion won worth of shares. However, the stock has since fallen more than 30% from its high, leaving many investors facing heavy losses.SpaceX Emerges as Top Pick for South Korean Retail InvestorsData from the South Korea Securities Depository shows that South Korean retail investors bought a net USD 1.879 billion (about KRW 2.909 trillion) worth of SpaceX shares between June 12 to June 25. This was the highest net buy for any foreign stock during that period.Notably, South Korean investors were actually selling U.S. stocks overall during June, cutting back a net USD 332 million to take profits. SpaceX was the only stock they kept buying. It appears that many sold their other holdings just to secure SpaceX shares.To compare, Micron Technology reported its highest quarterly revenue of USD 41.46 billion around the same time. South Korean investors, though, only bought about USD 470 million worth of its shares. That is not even a quarter of what they invested in SpaceX. This indicates that South Korean investors were far more attracted to the growth potential of the aerospace industry than to semiconductor stocks.The continuous buying didn't stop at regular shares. A leveraged ETF that tracks twice the daily performance of SpaceX brought in USD 234 million in net purchases, ranking in the top 10 most bought foreign stocks. Some investors were making highly aggressive bets on SpaceX's upward trend.This massive interest from Korean retail investors largely stems from SpaceX's status as a pioneering private aerospace company led by Elon Musk. On top of that, investors who missed out on the IPO were finally able to buy shares freely in the open market, causing several eager buyers to enter the market at once.The Stock Plummets After Debt NewsHowever, market performance did not meet expectations. Right after listing, SpaceX surged to USD 225.64 on June 16, which was more than 67% above the IPO price of USD 135. But the upward momentum did not last. From the fourth day of trading, the stock started sliding, and it now sits around USD 154.54, down about 31.5% from that peak. The worst single day was June 22, when the stock fell 16.43% in one session.This sharp decline was triggered by news that SpaceX is planning to raise at least USD 20 billion by issuing corporate bonds to fund AI infrastructure. Investors grew concerned about the rising debt levels and whether it would negatively impact shareholder value.While many still believe SpaceX has a strong long-term future, analysts warn that the stock is experiencing high volatility, which is typical for newly listed companies. When a hot stock first goes public, prices are often driven more by market excitement than company's actual fundamental value.The leveraged ETF carries even higher risks. Because it moves at twice the rate of the underlying stock, losses accumulate twice as fast. There have already been plenty of cases in South Korea where investors suffered major losses from leveraged ETFs, and this situation looks similar.Park Sang hyun, a researcher at iM Securities, noted that the funds raised through the bonds is expected to go toward paying off debts at X (formerly Twitter) and xAI, both of which SpaceX took over, as well as funding AI projects. "The fact that even SpaceX is borrowing this heavily has fueled worries about debt risks building up across the entire AI industry," he said.▶원문 기사: “3조원 쏟아부었는데 -30%”…서학개미의 블랙홀된 스페이스X (이코노미스트, 2026. 6. 25) ◆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.