◆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 현 사회현상에 대해 학생들 시선에서 ‘왜’라는 질문을 갖고 직접 취재해 작성한 기획기사입니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단의 기획기사는 영문과 국문, 두 형태로 게재합니다. The 20th century’s trends are constantly changing, so saying it is changing by a week is not an exaggeration. Nowadays, trends change more rapidly especially because of social media, as people take a photo and display it on their social media account. This resulted in people buying new clothes for every trend, yielding the phenomenon known as fast fashion. Fast fashion is when clothing companies produce massive amounts of clothes and sell them for a very low price. This results in people making them think, “Because the clothes are cheap, I will just wear them and then throw them away”, aggravating the negative sides of fast fashion. This demonstrates that people do not recognize the negative aspects of fast fashion. There is environmental pollution and exploitation of workers in the negative sides of fast fashion. Annual microplastics from discarded clothes…70 billion tons To start with, environmental pollution is the most serious problem of fast fashion. This is because most clothes from fast fashion are made from synthetic fibers. According to Greenpeace, during the production of synthetic fibers, massive amounts of carbon are emitted, which is three times more than the amount of emission of carbon in cotton clothes. As a result, companies that produce fast fashion products emit massive amounts of hazardous environmental factors. Furthermore, clothes — which is not part of trends anymore — are largely trashed and are burnt, resulting in 600,000 microplastics. This is a standard only for burning a single cloth. Furthermore, according to Greenpeace, before burning a single cloth, there are more than 700,000 microplastics. As reported by the Korean Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth Commission, in 2020, 82,000 tons of clothes were discarded, while in 2021, 118,000 tons were thrown away, showing an increasing trend. This shows that more than 70 billion tons of microplastics from clothes are emitted annually in Korea, since its average discard of clothes is more than 100,000 tons. If the clothes are not burnt, they are buried in landfills, making the solid absorb microplastics, cycling back to humans. Fast fashion’s hidden side…Exploitation of workers Secondly, lots of companies are exploiting workers because of fast fashion. According to the BBC, Chinese workers receive extremely low wages and work for up to 12 hours a day so that they can produce massive amounts of clothes in a small amount of time. Even if the workers make very simple clothes, such as t-shirts, they only get 15 cents, meaning for a whole day, they only get $1.6. Based on these horrible wages and working times, Chinese workers also have to work in an adverse environment, as it is the only way to earn money. Furthermore, one of the Chinese clothing companies admitted that they made children, under the age of fifteen, work. The exploitation of work is mainly due to fast fashion, as it forces the companies to produce clothes so that they can catch up the trends. Thus, fast fashion that exploits workers regardless of their age should be eliminated. To sum up, this article shows the definition and negative impacts of fast fashion. People should stop engaging in fast fashion that only buys and throws clothes away for trends. Instead, people should carry slow fashion out. Slow fashion is literally the opposite of fast fashion, as it is the phenomenon where people try to wear their clothes for the longest time. Practicing slow fashion will result in opposite effects with fast fashion. Thus, fast fashion will disappear when people stop following trends. Fast fashion shows the reality and truth where people only follow trends. Fast fashion Stop! Slow fashion StartFast fashion which discards clothes, must stop. Brands that exploit workers must be gone, which propels the concept of slow fashion. Slow fashion is completely opposite with fast fashion, meaning clothes should be worn for a longer time. Consumers should look back at their consumption habits and participate in slow fashion rather than fast fashion. People who discard their clothes even when the clothes are slightly stained or torn should repair clothes, not throw them away. People must remember the fact that reckless consumption habits make a massive clothes island. Not only individuals, companies also should work in order to overcome problems of fast fashion. They should not only seek profits but rather prioritize ethics, the environment, and laborer's rights. Exploits of laborers just for a massive production should be prevented, also benefiting the environment. Finally, governments should constrain fast fashion by strict laws. For instance, the French government implemented an ‘eco-score’, which evaluates how eco-friendly companies are. If companies receive a low score, they have to pay a fine. Due to ‘eco-score’, France does not allow a single company to advertise their products. Thus, strict regulations are strongly needed. Likewise, South Korea should also impose laws to raise awareness to fast fashion.

The Chief Executive Officer, Tim Cook, will step down as CEO of Apple in September after 15 years. Joining Apple in 1998, Cook took office as CEO in 2011 after Apple founder Steve Jobs passed away. While Cook led Apple, market capitalization surged approximately tenfold from $35 billion to $4 trillion. CEO Cook has revealed his feelings prior to his step down, stating “It was the most special work of my entire life in terms of being trusted to serve as CEO of Apple.” As Tim Cook’s successor, John Ternus has been internally appointed as senior vice president.Tim Cook has emphasized his successor John Ternus that “He possesses a qualified mindset involving an engineer’s heart and innovator’s spirit, as well as a consistency and glory,” adding “He is an appropriate figure to lead Apple’s future without a doubt." The speculation that Ternus would become the successor of CEO Tim has continued since last year. It’s because the so-called ‘Tim Cook doppelganger,’ Jeff Williams, being mentioned as a strong candidate successor, announced his retirement last July, and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Lucas Maestri, considered to be CEO Cook's aide, had also stepped down in the beginning of last year. Holding Bachelor's degree of mechanical engineering from University of Pennsylvania, Vice President Ternus hardware stepped into the role of senior vice president in 2021 after joining the company in 2011, and later became Vice President of hardware engineering in 2023. Until now, he has overseen the hardware development of Apple, including iPhone, iPad, Mac computers, Apple watch, AirPods, and he is considered to have played an essential role especially in raising the sales of Macs that used to experience a decline in sales for a while. Apple’s selection of John Ternus as next CEO is seen as expressing internally and externally about Apple’s determination to remain a company that focuses on hardware as its core business including iPhone. ▶원문 기사: 팀쿡, 15년 만에 애플 떠나…후임 존 터너스는 누구? ◆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 Meta, the operator of Facebook and Instagram, continues intensive investment in artificial intelligence (AI), it is cutting about 10% of its workforce Meta plans to lay off about 8,000 workers on the 20th next month, which is close to one-tenth of its total workforce of 79,000 employees as of the end of last year. This is predicted to be the largest restructuring effort following its 2022 “Year of Efficiency” initiative. However, Meta’s decision is interpreted not simply as a cost reduction measure. It reflects a strategic reorganization aimed at shifting the company’s operational focus from humans to AI. Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s chief executive officer (CEO), has emphasized since early this year that “We are entering an era where a competent individual using AI can complete projects that previously required large teams,” emphasizing slimmer team structures and AI-based efficiency. Following the establishment of Meta Superintelligence Lab (MSL) last year, Meta set aside up to $135 billion in capital expenditure this year, placing a strong focus on advancing technology.This trend of “AI-based workforce efficiency” is spreading across the broader big tech industry. Recently, Amazon also reduced 30,000 office workers, which represents 10% of its white-collar staff, while fintech company Block cut its workforce in half. According to Layoffs.fyi statistics, already more than 73,000 tech workers have lost their jobs this year alone. As Zuckerberg predicted, technology is fundamentally changing how humans work, while the structure of the labor market is also shifting rapidly.Meanwhile, in contrast to the large-scale layoffs, controversial executive compensation plans have been revealed. Meta’s board approved increasing performance bonuses for executives, excluding Zuckerberg, to as much as 200% of their base salary, while also granting additional stock compensation worth hundreds of millions of dollars if the company reaches a market capitalization of $9 trillion by 2031. While downsizing is helping Meta become more efficient from within, it provides strong incentives for its management to guide the company towards the era of AI.▶원문 기사: "너 대신 AI"가 현실로… 메타 8,000명 해고로 꺼내든 승부수 ◆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.

“I bought Samsung Electronics one month ago when it was 215 thousand won and after that the rate extremely decreased so I really worried about it. I’m so thankful it has finally gone back up”Samsung Electronics stock price has risen for 4 days, being challenged as the highest price renewal.As of 11:07 a.m. on the 16th, Samsung Electronics price was currently recording 2175 thousand won, which got 3.08% (6500 won) higher than yesterday.Samsung Electronics’ highest price historically was 2285 thousand won that was recorded last February, 26th.Brokerage firm industries see that Samsung Electronics’ stock price increase rate is still high. This is because there have been overwhelming performances.KB Brokerage firm predicted that this second quarter of the year will be 77trillion won, which increased 16 times than last year, and that the profit will be 50%.Dong-Won Kim, KB Brokerage firm research manager says “quarter profit is predicted to enter its acceleration area at 1 quarter, which is at least 57 trillion won, to fourth which is 107 trillion won.This is an expectation that Samsung Electronics will emerge as global profit first place company, achieving 335 trillion won in 2026 and 488 trillion won in 2027.General manager Kim emphasized that “Especially, from 2nd quarter that is expected to have relief in Middle East’s geographical risk, foreign investors seems they will focus on their performance and fundamental, resulting in Samsung, that entered performance surprise area, escalating as the foreigners’ favorite investment place.Yuanta Securities Korea researcher Gil-hyeon Baek assessed that “It is being analyzed that unlike previous semiconductor cycle, long-term contract prices for major clients is being formed higher than before.Continuing to this, they modified the stock price goal to 330 thousand won, saying “it is optimistic of how it is predicted to scale down future memory semiconductor volatility, and strengthen shareholder-friendly activity based on stable money flow.”Meanwhile, SK Hynix also recorded 1159 thousand won which got 2.02% (23 thousand won) higher than yesterday, continuously increasing for 5 days until now.Yesterday, SK Hynix got their value as 1173 thousand won, achieving their highest price of all time.▶원문 기사" 삼성전자도 최고가 뚫을까…"외국인 최선호 투자처로 부상할 것" ◆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.

Amid the rapid increase in drug consumption in Korea, different drug consumption patterns are clearly appearing for each generation. In particular, it has been confirmed that while the use of antidepressants among children and adolescents has surged over the past five years, bringing mental health issues to the forefront, daily use of gastrointestinal drugs has become common among the elderly.According to data from the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service on the 11th, daily drug consumption per 1,000 people recorded 1491.7DID as of 2024, up 4.2% from the previous year. This means that when the recommended daily dose set by the World Health Organization(WHO) based on the adult weight of 70kg is applied, one Korean person is taking about 1.5 days worth of medicine on average every day. As drug consumption increased, the economic burden also increased. Each South Korean spent 842,594 won per year on medication. When converted into dollars, the amount increased by 0.5 percent to 617.8 dollars. Among all drugs, medications for digestive and metabolic disorders were consumed the most, far exceeding the average of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The most noticeable part of the statistics is the steep increase in the use of depressive drugs. Over the past five years(2020~2024), the total use of depressive drugs has increased by 51.01%.In particular, the consumption of depressive drugs among children and adolescents increased sharply. Compared to five years ago, use among those aged 5 to 9 increased by 244.5%, those aged 10 to 14 by 157.5%, and those aged 15 to 19 by 128.3%. The primary background is the increase in psychiatric treatment as awareness of mental health issues among young people has grown.In both gender and age, the group that took the most depressive drugs was women over 80 years of age, and about 15 people per 1000 people per day were taking the drug. Excessive intake of gastrointestinal drugs, centered on the elderly, has also emerged as a key problem. An analysis of the amount of proton pump inhibitors, a typical gastric acid secretion inhibitor, has shown an increase of 52.9% over the past five years. The amount of use has increased significantly with age, with more than 10% of the population aged 65 or older taking this gastrointestinal drug every day. In particular, 203.3 women over the age of 80 consumed the drug per 1,000 people a day, ranking overwhelmingly first in all age groups. It is interpreted as a result of the increase in the elderly population and the increase in prescriptions for gastrointestinal protection due to chronic diseases.▶원문 기사: 소아 청소년 우울증약 사용 급증…노년층은 위장약 매일 복용 ◆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.

A U.S. court has recognized the harm caused by teenagers’ addiction to social media services (SNS) and held Meta and Google liable for damages. The verdict is drawing attention because it could serve as a “test case” that will determine the direction of thousands of similar lawsuits in the future.According to AP and Reuters on the 25th (local time), a jury in a California state trial court in Los Angeles ruled that Instagram and YouTube, operated by the two companies, were responsible for teenage SNS addiction.The ruling includes $3 million in compensatory damages for the plaintiff’s harm, along with an equal amount in punitive damages.If the verdict is finalized, 70% of the compensation will be paid by Meta, and the remaining 30% by Google.The decision was reached after more than a month of trial and over 40 hours of jury deliberation across nine days.During the proceedings, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri were also called to testify as witnesses.The plaintiff, a woman in her 20s identified as “Kaylee G.M.,” claimed that after starting to use YouTube at age 6 and Instagram at age 9, she suffered from depression and physical health problems due to SNS addiction. She argued that this was because the platforms were designed to addict users.The plaintiff also filed lawsuits against TikTok and Snap, which operates Snapchat, but those companies settled before trial.Meta argued that Kaylee had mental health issues unrelated to social media, while YouTube claimed that its platform was not social media but rather a video platform similar to television. However, the jury ultimately found them responsible.Considering that this lawsuit is a “bellwether trial” that could shape the direction of social media litigation, if the verdict is upheld, similar rulings may follow in future lawsuits against SNS companies. According to NPR, around 2,000 similar lawsuits filed by parents and school districts are currently underway across the United States.Sarah Kreps, a professor at Cornell University, explained, “There are hundreds of similar cases pending in California alone, and thousands in total. Once even one such ruling is made, it will open the floodgates for numerous follow-up lawsuits.”In a statement, Meta said, “We respectfully disagree with this verdict and are reviewing our legal options.”José Castañeda, a Google spokesperson, also stated that “YouTube is a streaming platform, not a social media site,” arguing that the verdict misunderstands YouTube.▶원문 기사: "SNS 중독 책임 인정"…美 배심원단, 메타·구글에 600만달러 배상 평결 ◆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.

Kori Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2, which had been shut down after reaching the end of its designed lifespan, has resumed power generation three years after completing a facility upgrade project for continued operation.Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) announced that Kori Unit 2 resumed power generation at around 3:57 a.m. on the 4th. The unit, which began its commercial operation on August 10, 1983, was shut down on April 8, 2023 after its 40-year operating license expired.In April 2022, KHNP submitted a ‘safety evaluation report for continued operation’ to the regulatory authority to seek approval for the unit’s continued operation After approximately three years and seven months of review, approval for continued operation was granted in November 2025.KHNP explained, “During the shutdown period of Kori Unit 2, facility upgrades and safety inspections for improvement of power plant safety and performance were carried out, and following regulatory authorities’ regular inspections, final safety approval for continued operation was obtained, so the unit has now resumed operation.”Hoe-cheon Kim, President of KHNP, stated, “Amid ongoing instability in energy supply, continued operation of nuclear power plants based on safety is an important method of securing national energy security. Starting with the successful continued operation of Kori Unit 2, we will ensure a stable electricity supply by thoroughly preparing the nine nuclear units currently undergoing the process for continued operation.”▶원문 기사: 중동발 에너지 수급 위기 속 고리2호기 3년 만에 재가동 ◆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 the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) global food price index reported a 2.4% increase from March. Prices of grains, vegetable oils, meat, dairy products, and sugar all increased.The index is calculated based on average prices from 2014 to 2016 set at 100. Although it declined for five consecutive months until January, it rebounded in February and continued its upward trend in March.The grain price index rose by 1.5% from the previous month to 110.4. International wheat prices also increased by 4.3% due to drought conditions in the United States and rising fertilizer prices in Australia. Corn prices rose by only 0.9%, as global supply remained relatively ample) despite concerns over high fertilizer costs ahead of the Northern Hemisphere planting season and increased ethanol demand driven by higher energy prices.The meat price index recorded 127.7, up 1.0% from the previous month. Pork prices led the increase due to seasonal demand in the European Union, while beef prices also rose due to reduced export availability from Brazil. In contrast, poultry prices slightly declined due to sufficient supply within Brazil.The dairy price index rose by 1.2% to 119.4. After a steady decline since July last year, dairy prices rebounded due to increases in skim milk powder, whole milk powder, and butter prices.Vegetable oil and sugar price indices saw relatively sharp increases. The vegetable oil price index rose by 5.1% to 183.1. Palm oil prices reached their highest level since mid-2022 due to rising crude oil prices and decreased production in Malaysia, surpassing soybean oil prices. Sunflower oil and rapeseed oil also showed upward trends due to supply constraints in the Black Sea region and expectations of increased demand driven by higher energy prices.The sugar price index rose by 7.2% to 92.4. A key factor was the expectation that Brazil would allocate more sugarcane to ethanol production rather than sugar due to rising crude oil prices. Additionally, concerns over trade disruptions caused by escalating conflicts in the Middle East also pushed prices higher.▶원문 기사: 세계 식량가격지수 2.4% 올라…곡물·유지류·육류 가격↑ ◆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.

AMOREPACIFIC developed a new peptide that selectively strengthens keratin within hair using artificial intelligence (AI) and molecular modeling and published related research results in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science. The hair gets damaged as it is consistently exposed to various external stresses such as ultraviolet rays, heat, and chemical procedures. These damages weaken the protein structure of keratin in the hair, leading to hair breakage and loss of elasticity. To solve the problems, AMOREPACIFIC R&I center has closely analyzed peptide candidates that can selectively bind with hair keratin using the molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation.As a result of analyzing approximately 8,000 types of compositions, the researchers discovered the optimal peptide ‘Tripeptide-132’ that has fine cohesion with keratin. The research result showed that the hair treated with this peptide had improved tensile strength up to 44% and reduced the hair breakage in repetitive external stress conditions by around 50%. Also, it has been proven that the peptide elevates the tidiness and lubricity of the hair surface through the cuticle structure analysis. This suggests that the peptide radically reinforces the internal structure of the weakened hair and keeps the elastic condition of the hair that does not easily break despite the daily hair drying and styling processes. It raises expectations to improve the sensible user experience at the same time, such as the smoothness of the hair that can be felt through hands by cuticle tidying. The research is meaningful as it precisely identified the hair improvements mechanism by ‘molecular design-keratin binding-strengthening hair structure-elevated sense of use’; scientifically explaining the burnish and smoothness of hair.AMOREPACIFIC R&I center has continued the research that understands and integrates the structure and function of skin·scalp·hair at the molecular level, based on the biotech prowess built up from skin barrier, microbiome, and aging research. This scientific basis is being amplified to scalp and hair, beyond skin care, that secures competitiveness in the high functioning material design and efficacy verification. Based on this foundation, AMOREPACIFIC strengthens the beauty research by the perspective of ‘holistic longevity’. To implement healthy beauty throughout the lifespan, it is advancing the research based on precision targeting competency with the background of radical understanding of aging and damage, also in the realm of hair·scalp. The AMOREPACIFIC R&I center director Byeong-Hwee Seo stated that “this study is the revolutionary case that precisely targeted the hair protein with AI and molecular design technology” and “AMOREPACIFIC is going to build up the competitiveness in hair beauty based on the AI First strategy and Holistic Longevity perspective. Besides, the finding of this research has been applied to Peptide-132 shampoo, hair conditioner, hair bonding oil, launched by COSRX, where they are being used as a solution for damaged hair care.AMOREPACIFIC Develops a Hair Keratin Strengthening Peptide Based on AI・Molecular ModelingAMOREPACIFIC developed a new peptide that selectively strengthens keratin within hair using artificial intelligence (AI) and molecular modeling and published related research results in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science. The hair gets damaged as it is consistently exposed to various external stresses such as ultraviolet rays, heat, and chemical procedures. These damages weaken the protein structure of keratin in the hair, leading to hair breakage and loss of elasticity. To solve the problems, AMOREPACIFIC R&I center has closely analyzed peptide candidates that can selectively bind with hair keratin using the molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation.As a result of analyzing approximately 8,000 types of compositions, the researchers discovered the optimal peptide ‘Tripeptide-132’ that has fine cohesion with keratin. The research result showed that the hair treated with this peptide had improved tensile strength up to 44% and reduced the hair breakage in repetitive external stress conditions by around 50%. Also, it has been proven that the peptide elevates the tidiness and lubricity of the hair surface through the cuticle structure analysis. This suggests that the peptide radically reinforces the internal structure of the weakened hair and keeps the elastic condition of the hair that does not easily break despite the daily hair drying and styling processes. It raises expectations to improve the sensible user experience at the same time, such as the smoothness of the hair that can be felt through hands by cuticle tidying. The research is meaningful as it precisely identified the hair improvements mechanism by ‘molecular design-keratin binding-strengthening hair structure-elevated sense of use’; scientifically explaining the burnish and smoothness of hair.AMOREPACIFIC R&I center has continued the research that understands and integrates the structure and function of skin·scalp·hair at the molecular level, based on the biotech prowess built up from skin barrier, microbiome, and aging research. This scientific basis is being amplified to scalp and hair, beyond skin care, that secures competitiveness in the high functioning material design and efficacy verification. Based on this foundation, AMOREPACIFIC strengthens the beauty research by the perspective of ‘holistic longevity’. To implement healthy beauty throughout the lifespan, it is advancing the research based on precision targeting competency with the background of radical understanding of aging and damage, also in the realm of hair·scalp. The AMOREPACIFIC R&I center director Byeong-Hwee Seo stated that “this study is the revolutionary case that precisely targeted the hair protein with AI and molecular design technology” and “AMOREPACIFIC is going to build up the competitiveness in hair beauty based on the AI First strategy and Holistic Longevity perspective. Besides, the finding of this research has been applied to Peptide-132 shampoo, hair conditioner, hair bonding oil, launched by COSRX, where they are being used as a solution for damaged hair care.▶원문 기사: 아모레퍼시픽 AI·분자모델링 기반 모발 케라틴 강화 펩타이드 개발 ◆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.

Right after the maximum price of oil was proposed, fuel prices at gas stations nationwide rose all at once. However, people criticized local gas stations for increasing the price even if they still have existing oil. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources announced regular gasoline as 1934 krw, marine diesel as 1923 krw, and indoor kerosene as 1530 krw at ‘Consumer Living Price TF’. It is 210 krw higher than the first oil price increase. The new cap took effect at midnight on the 27th. As soon as the price system was activated, every national gas station’s gasoline and diesel prices jumped into double-digit gains. According to Opinet, at 9 a.m. on the 27th, national gasoline’s price increased up to 1830.2 krw, 10.8 krw more than on the 26th. At the same time, diesel prices rose 10.5 won to 1,826.3 won.This made the consumer organization criticize gas stations which are increasing the price of existing oil. Consumer organization of energy and oil market stated that at 5 a.m., 843 gas stations increased gasoline’s price, whereas 821 gas stations increased diesel’s price, claiming “gas stations should not raise price until they use the existing oil”. Because gas stations hold oil that is eligible for two weeks, gas stations should not raise prices based on the second oil price raise system. Considering that average gasoline price is around 1830 krw, there remains room for an additional increase until 1934 krw, which can enable gas prices to rise further. ▶원문 기사: "재고 남았을텐데"…최고가 오르자마자 가격 올리는 주유소들 ◆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.