Risol enters Japan with brainwave-stimulation sleep device

Strategic alliance with Funai Research Institute to drive omnichannel retail push A South Korean brainwave-stimulation sleep wellness device is set to enter the Japanese market through an omnichannel retail strategy spanning online and offline channels. Sleep-tech company Risol announced Friday that it has signed a strategic partnership with Japanese management consulting firm Funai Sogo Kenkyusho to pursue the venture. The two companies will target Japan's sleep market, estimated at 3 trillion yen ($19.2 billion), through a locally tailored strategy. They have been working together since last year, completing a year of test marketing and preparation. "Japanese society has strong social awareness around sleep management, with economic losses from chronic sleep deprivation — including reduced productivity — reaching roughly 15 trillion yen annually," said Oyama Hirotoshi, head of the Global Cooperation Division at Funai Sogo Kenkyusho. "Sleepysol, which applies cranial electrotherapy stimulation technology, is expected to be well received as a sleep wellness device." Risol CEO Lee Seung-woo said the company aims to "restore healthy sleep and daily vitality to the Japanese people through strict regulatory compliance and objective clinical research data, built on our partnership with Funai." Risol's Sleepysol has established its technology credentials through publication in SCI-indexed academic journals, clinical research data from Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, and a CES Innovation Award in the United States. Its ultralight minimal design, weighing just 33 grams, has also been noted as a good fit for the everyday lifestyle of Japanese consumers.

Oct. 23, 2026

TXR Robotics unveils autonomous mowing robots for golf course management

TXR Robotics demonstrates intelligent mowing robot Cuts 12,000 square meters per hour for up to 8 consecutive hours Retrofit model also introduced for existing equipment As golf courses struggle to find skilled workers for course maintenance, robots may offer a solution — mowing 12,000 square meters per hour autonomously. TXR Robotics has developed an "intelligent three-gang mowing robot" and recently completed a successful demonstration of the technology. The robot is a fully electric autonomous model. It uses a 1,900-millimeter-wide reel cutter to mow 12,000 square meters per hour and can operate for up to eight consecutive hours on a 536Ah lithium iron phosphate battery. TXR Robotics also unveiled a five-gang "retrofit model" that converts existing mower equipment to autonomous operation without modifying the original machinery, allowing operators to switch freely between manual and unmanned modes. The company said the system can be adopted at less than half the cost of purchasing new equipment. Both models navigate using 3D LiDAR SLAM combined with RTK and IMU-based high-precision navigation. They can operate at night and in backlit conditions, allowing courses to complete mowing during hours when no golfers are present. Remote management of multiple units is also supported. TXR Robotics held a demonstration of both models at Pureunso Country Club in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, on Thursday. About 30 people attended, including golf course officials and partner companies. The company, which supplies robot automation, logistics automation, industrial cleaning robots and firefighting robots, plans to expand into the leisure robot sector, targeting golf courses and similar venues. "It is becoming increasingly difficult to secure skilled workers for golf course maintenance, while quality demands continue to rise," said Eom In-seop, chief executive of TXR Robotics. "We will supply autonomous robots to help golf courses automate their course management."

Oct. 23, 2026

Gov't to extend startup support by up to 5 years for military service, childbirth breaks

New exemptions for business gaps due to military service, childbirth Early-stage startup R&D application restrictions to be eased Improvements to restricted bank account rules to reduce financial burden 10 regulatory reforms planned, including expansion of 'good-faith failure' system Startup founders who are forced to suspend operations due to unavoidable circumstances such as military service or childbirth will be able to receive government startup support for up to five additional years under a new plan. The government also intends to lower the bar for early-stage startups to participate in research and development projects and streamline the process for lifting bank account transaction limits. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups said Friday it presented and discussed the "startup regulatory rationalization plan" at the second plenary session of the Regulatory Rationalization Committee. The plan was drawn up to improve regulations across the full lifecycle of a company — from founding through growth to re-entry. The ministry said it worked with related ministries, including the Office for Government Policy Coordination, the Financial Services Commission and the Ministry of Employment and Labor, to identify a total of 10 regulatory reform tasks. South Korea ranks within the top 20 globally in overall startup ecosystem rankings, but its business environment — covering regulations and administrative procedures — lags at 32nd. The government noted that startups in particular struggle to navigate various regulations due to a lack of specialized personnel and regulatory information. The reforms focus on addressing the distinct challenges startups face at each stage of growth. In the early stage, participation requirements for government support projects and financial transaction regulations will be eased. During the growth phase, the burden associated with attracting investment and preparing for a stock listing will be reduced. The plan also aims to build an institutional foundation that allows startup experience to lead to new ventures, by expanding re-startup support and broadening the scope of recognized career credentials for those who have experienced business failure. Military service, childbirth gaps recognized; startup support threshold lowered The first measure extends the period during which founders can receive startup support, taking into account business gaps caused by military service or childbirth. Under the current Small and Medium Business Establishment Support Act, a company is recognized as a startup if it is less than seven years old. There has been no exception for founders who suspend operations due to unavoidable reasons such as military service or childbirth, effectively cutting them off from government support. The government plans to introduce a special exemption allowing founders who experience such business gaps to participate in startup support programs for up to five additional years on top of the existing seven-year recognition period. Restrictions on early-stage startups applying for government R&D projects will also be eased. Currently, companies with high debt ratios or in a state of complete capital impairment may be barred from applying. Going forward, financial soundness will be applied as a selection evaluation criterion rather than a prerequisite for application for startups less than three years old. Companies established by startup accelerators that have invested at least a 50 percent stake will also be recognized as startups. The move is intended to promote the "venture studio" model of entrepreneurship, in which accelerators provide specialized personnel and capital to co-found companies alongside prospective founders. Restricted account rules improved; venture investment regulations eased Measures to improve the financial and investment environment for startups are also being pursued. When a new bank account is opened, daily transfer limits are currently set at 1 million won ($755) for ATM withdrawals, 1 million won for electronic financial transactions and 3 million won for over-the-counter transactions, as a fraud prevention measure. To lift these restricted account limits, account holders must submit documentation proving the purpose of their transactions, but the required documents and standards vary by bank and branch, causing difficulties for early-stage startups. The government plans to revise joint financial sector guidelines and add credible verification requirements — such as a record of selection for a government startup support project — so that startups can have their transaction limits lifted more quickly. Regulatory improvements to boost venture investment are also planned. Previously, extending the maturity of a sub-fund backed by the Korea Fund of Funds required the unanimous consent of all investors. The standard agreement will be revised to allow extensions with only a certain level of consent. The range of recognized investment institutions and products that allow privately funded companies to obtain venture company certification will also be expanded. The number of eligible categories will increase from 21 to 23, with plans to gradually extend recognition to asset management firms as well. Administrative burdens on companies preparing for technology-based special listings will be reduced. When undergoing technology assessments from multiple specialized evaluation agencies, companies will be provided with common submission materials and standardized forms to ease the burden of preparing duplicate documents. Failure as a startup asset; re-entry support expanded The support framework will also be restructured to allow founders to use their experience of business failure as a springboard for a second attempt. The government will reform the "good-faith management evaluation" system, which assesses whether re-startup applicants engaged in any dishonest conduct during their previous business. The evaluation approach will be revamped to place greater emphasis on efforts to recover and demonstrate sincerity rather than on technological viability, and special re-startup support exemptions will first be applied across all Ministry of SMEs and Startups programs before being extended to related ministries. The scope of what qualifies as a startup will also be broadened. Currently, if an existing business operator starts a new business, it may be excluded from startup support if deemed a continuation or expansion of the existing business. Going forward, cases such as a sole proprietor adding a new business in a different industry while maintaining an existing one, or a corporate officer independently establishing a new corporation, will be recognized as startups. A system to formally recognize entrepreneurial experience as official career credentials will also be introduced. A new issuance framework — tentatively named the "challenge and startup career certificate" — will be established to verify records such as a corporate representative's career history and startup preparation activities conducted through government support programs, and will be linked to the Ministry of Employment and Labor's integrated career certification service. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups also plans to establish a dedicated "startup and venture regulatory innovation committee" under the Regulatory Rationalization Committee, with participation from private-sector experts and related ministries, to continue improving regulations in emerging industries. The ministry will operate a regulatory innovation network with private-sector associations and organizations, and will pursue a range of additional initiatives — including advance regulatory review through a public startup project, a joint startup regulatory demonstration project, and a wide-area linked regulatory-free zone program.

Oct. 23, 2026

'2026 Korea Small Business Convention' opens in Busan with over 1,000 attendees

'Loan deferrals alone are not enough': calls for policy shift on small businesses 147 government commendations presented; product fair and global promotion events also held Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise President Song Chi-young called for a fundamental shift in small-business policy — away from financial support and toward guaranteeing the rights of small business owners as independent economic actors. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Korea Small Business Convention at Bexco in Busan on Friday, Song said small businesses deserve to be treated as an industry in their own right. "The policy focus must move beyond 'how much support to provide' to 'what rights to guarantee,'" he said. Song said small business owners have been pushed to the brink of survival by rapid shifts in consumer behavior, the aggressive expansion of large platforms and a prolonged slump in domestic demand. "For the past 30 years, the state and society have treated small business owners as recipients of charity — offering stopgap help and nothing more," he said. The two-day convention, running through Friday under the theme "Small Businesses Building a Greater Korea," is co-hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Busan Metropolitan Government, and co-organized by the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise and the Small Enterprise and Market Service. The opening ceremony was attended by Ministry of SMEs and Startups Second Vice Minister Lee Byeong-gwon, Busan Metropolitan City Mayor Jeon Jae-soo, National Assembly member Park Hong-bae and about 1,000 small business owners from across the country. Government commendations were presented at the ceremony to exemplary small business owners and those who contributed to their development. A total of 147 awards were given, including 21 orders of merit and 126 ministerial citations from the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. An Seung-bae, head of Shin Young Gas Station, received the Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, while Song Gyeong-deok, head of Sanha Restaurant, received the Bronze Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit. The event venue features a small-business product fair, experience zones for local commercial districts and smart technology, a live commerce event, and forums on livelihoods and innovation. Dedicated zones — including a century-old small business zone, a local enterprise zone, a regional specialty products zone, a Busan special zone and a youth small business zone — showcase food, household goods and handcrafted items produced by small businesses from across the country. A program called "K-Small Business Global Creators" will also run at the event, with domestic and international YouTubers and Instagram and TikTok creators introducing small-business products and brands. The program aims to boost the online visibility of small-business products and expand their reach to overseas consumers. The Korea Small Business Convention is held annually to mark Small Business Day, a statutory commemorative day observed on Nov. 5. This year's edition was held in Busan.

Oct. 23, 2026

Korea Industrial Complex Corp. launches regulatory support unit staffed by private experts

Regulatory support unit launches with five private experts 440 corporate grievances identified last year, 115 resolved, saving firms 20 billion won Legal, labor and export expertise added to strengthen follow-through on regulatory reform Korea Industrial Complex Corp. has launched a dedicated support unit staffed by private-sector experts to help companies in industrial complexes navigate regulatory and operational hurdles. With 351 corporate grievances already filed through September this year, the unit aims to bolster the effectiveness of regulatory reform by adding legal, labor and export expertise to the existing field-based system for identifying problem regulations. The corporation held a launch ceremony for the Industrial Site Regulatory Rationalization Support Unit at its North Gyeongsang Province regional office on Friday. The unit comprises five private-sector specialists covering law and labor, finance, exports and supply chains, with the corporation serving as the coordinating secretariat. Participants include attorney Shin Jun-sun of law firm Sun, labor consultant Kim Ye-ji of Nammyeong Labor Law Firm, and Lee Su-yeon, chief executive of Market Balance, covering the export field. The corporation has long collected regulatory improvement requests from tenant companies through its Corporate Grievance Resolution Supporters network across 13 regional offices nationwide. Last year, it identified 440 regulations and grievances spanning corporate activities including location, infrastructure and technology development. Of those, 115 were resolved — 33 through amendments to laws and systems, and 82 through recommendations to relevant agencies. The new unit will prioritize issues identified in the field based on their urgency and potential impact. Private-sector experts will then review whether applicable laws and regulations are being applied appropriately, assess the burden on companies and examine the feasibility of improvements before proposing specific remedies. Issues the corporation can address on its own will be handled directly, while matters requiring legislative changes or cooperation from other agencies will be referred to related ministries and relevant bodies. The unit will also establish a system to continuously monitor the progress of consultations and track the outcomes of any measures taken. At the launch ceremony, newly appointed expert committee members received their letters of appointment and were briefed on the unit's operating direction. A regulatory innovation forum linked to the Industrial Convergence Promotion Ombudsman followed, gathering opinions from tenant companies and local government officials in the Gumi area. About 30 people attended, including the ombudsman, tenant company representatives, Gumi city officials and the unit's expert committee members. Kong Sung-ho, head of the corporate growth division at Korea Industrial Complex Corp., said it was important that grievances identified in the field lead to actual regulatory improvements rather than stopping at mere suggestions. "We will combine the expertise of private-sector specialists with the corporation's on-the-ground support capabilities to deliver tangible regulatory reform results that companies can feel," he said.

Oct. 23, 2026

Kleannara launches 6-roll 'Fit' toilet paper for single- and two-person households

27-meter, 6-roll compact product targets small households 100% natural pulp, triple-ply construction cuts storage burden Paper packaging replaces plastic to appeal to eco-conscious buyers Kleannara is entering the small-household segment with a compact toilet paper product. In a market where bulk packs of 30 rolls or more are the norm, the company is broadening consumer choice with a six-roll option sized for both usage habits and storage constraints. Kleannara said Friday it had launched the Kleannara Fit toilet paper, designed around the lifestyle patterns and residential spaces of one- and two-person households. The new product comes in six rolls of 27 meters each. It is aimed at reducing the storage burden that large-volume purchases impose on residents of studio apartments and officetel units, allowing consumers to buy only as much as they need rather than committing to bulk quantities. The launch reflects the steady growth of small households in South Korea. According to the Ministry of Statistics' 2025 Population and Housing Census, released in July, single-person households numbered about 8.24 million last year, accounting for 36.6 percent of all general households. Including two-person households, the figure rises to 66.1 percent — meaning roughly two in three households in the country consist of one or two people. Kleannara said it focused on maintaining the quality of its existing products despite the smaller volume. The Fit toilet paper uses 100 percent natural pulp and a triple-ply structure to deliver a soft feel. The packaging has also been updated. The company replaced plastic wrap with 100 percent paper packaging, a move intended to appeal not only to consumers who prefer smaller quantities but also to eco-conscious buyers who pay close attention to packaging materials. The product will be sold through Kleannara's own online store, its brand store, and major online retail channels including Coupang Inc. "We have applied a volume and packaging suited to living spaces and usage levels in line with the rise of single-person households and the spread of personalized consumption," a Kleannara official said. "We plan to continue expanding our product lineup to reflect changing consumer lifestyles."

Oct. 23, 2026

Daewon Pharmaceutical accelerates oral obesity drug development, achieving up to 3.14x higher drug exposure

Research results using proprietary oral drug delivery platform to be presented at US conference Drug exposure 1.90 to 3.14 times higher than Rybelsus Formulation technology developed without absorption enhancer SNAC Company targets domestic Phase 1 trial application in 2027, pursues global technology transfer Daewon Pharmaceutical is accelerating development of an oral treatment for diabetes and obesity using its proprietary drug delivery technology. A human pharmacokinetic study comparing the formulation against an existing oral semaglutide treatment showed drug exposure up to 3.14 times higher, confirming the potential of a next-generation oral treatment. Daewon Pharmaceutical said Friday it will present two research findings on its oral semaglutide candidate DW5324 at the 2026 AAPS PharmSci 360 annual meeting of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, to be held in New Orleans from Sunday through Wednesday (local time). The presentations will cover preclinical and human pharmacokinetic (PK) study results for semaglutide formulated using the company's proprietary oral drug delivery platform. Daewon Pharmaceutical developed the platform — which uses a polymer-lipid complex — to improve drug absorption in the body. The technology is designed to protect the active ingredient in the gastrointestinal tract, control the timing of its release and enhance permeability through the gastrointestinal mucosa. In a parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA), the formulation showed up to six times greater permeability than the control. In animal studies using beagles, a single dose produced up to a 6.41-fold increase in drug exposure, as measured by area under the curve (AUC). The absorption improvement was also confirmed in a human pharmacokinetic crossover study directly comparing the formulation against Rybelsus, the 14-milligram oral semaglutide treatment made by Novo Nordisk. Across two studies involving 18 and 19 participants respectively, the Daewon Pharmaceutical formulation showed 1.90 to 3.14 times higher drug exposure than Rybelsus. Peak plasma concentration (Cmax) was also up to 2.9 times higher. Daewon Pharmaceutical said it secured a differentiated drug delivery platform through its own formulation design without using SNAC, the absorption enhancer found in existing oral semaglutide products. The company plans to use this foundation to navigate patent barriers and expand its development of oral peptide drugs. Oral treatments offer the advantage of self-administration compared with injectable drugs, but the low oral bioavailability of peptide compounds remains a key challenge in development. Daewon Pharmaceutical said it is focused on overcoming this technical limitation through its proprietary drug delivery technology. Following the conference presentations, the company plans to optimize the formulation further and file an investigational new drug (IND) application for a domestic Phase 1 trial in 2027. It also intends to pursue technology transfer discussions with global pharmaceutical companies based on the accumulated research data. "We will further optimize the formulation to meet global standards, make product development and global technology exports a tangible reality, and go on to expand the platform's application to a range of biopharmaceuticals — positioning ourselves as a game changer in the non-invasive drug delivery market," said Kim Ju-il, executive vice president and head of research and development at Daewon Pharmaceutical.

Oct. 23, 2026

[Op-ed] Disclosing tobacco's harmful ingredients is just the beginning

South Korea's tobacco control history is about to reach another meaningful milestone. Under the Act on the Management of Harmful Substances in Tobacco, test results for harmful ingredients in 465 tobacco products sold domestically will be disclosed for the first time. Until now, the only harmful-substance information consumers could find on cigarette packs was, in effect, nicotine and tar figures — and even those came from the tobacco companies themselves. The government will now review test results and release data on 44 components found in the emissions of conventional cigarettes and heated tobacco products, and 20 components in the liquid of e-cigarettes. It is a clear step forward that the government is directly managing and disclosing information that was previously difficult to obtain or had to be taken on the industry's word. The information made public — whether harmful substances were detected and in what quantities — will vary by product. A few points of caution are warranted when interpreting these results. First, a lower detected level of a harmful ingredient does not mean a product is less harmful. The health damage caused by smoking results from complex, long-term exposure to a wide range of harmful substances. Tobacco smoke is known to contain more than 7,000 chemical compounds. The ingredients analyzed in this round are no more than a tiny fraction of those. Judging a tobacco product's risk by the figures for specific components alone is like looking at the tip of an iceberg and drawing conclusions about the whole. Simple comparisons across product types should also be approached with caution. For conventional cigarettes and heated tobacco products, emissions were measured; for e-cigarettes, the liquid itself — not the emissions — was tested. Because the subjects and units of measurement differ, it would be wrong to line up the figures side by side and rank which product is less harmful. A common misconception about tar also needs to be corrected. Tar is not the name of a specific toxic substance; it is a measurement term for the particulate matter in tobacco smoke after nicotine and water are removed. Differences between the new test results and the figures already printed on cigarette packs may reflect variations in measurement methods, such as whether filter ventilation holes were blocked. The belief that "low-tar cigarettes are safer" is one of the most persistent misconceptions that has long confused smokers. This is precisely why WHO recommends banning the display of tar and nicotine figures on cigarette packs. The disclosure should prompt South Korea to reconsider how such figures are presented on packaging. Will smokers actually quit once harmful-ingredient data is made public? Optimism is hard to justify. Disclosure is an important starting point for guaranteeing the public's right to information, but it is not in itself a policy that drives cessation. Some smokers may switch to a product they perceive as less harmful rather than quitting, or use multiple tobacco products simultaneously. If the disclosure ends up nudging smokers toward certain products, the outcome will run counter to the policy's original intent. The government must therefore closely track and evaluate how smokers' cessation attempts and product-use patterns change after the disclosure, and watch for any new misconceptions that may emerge. Above all, disclosing harmful ingredients cannot stand alone. Publishing ingredient figures will not, by itself, lower smoking rates. Evidence-based tobacco control policies must advance alongside it. The tobacco tax, frozen in effect for more than a decade since 2015, should be raised to a level that encourages cessation while accounting for inflation and income levels. Tobacco marketing — including the display and advertising of cigarettes in convenience stores — must be tightly regulated, and flavored tobacco products that appeal to young people should be phased out. Cessation support services that have proven ineffective should be boldly restructured, and a more effective support system should be built so that smokers can access help easily and actually quit. These policies have long been recognized as necessary but have repeatedly been delayed. Now that a new door has opened with the ingredient disclosure, it is time to restart the stalled tobacco control agenda. The government's communication approach must also change. Repeating the blanket message that "all tobacco is harmful" is not enough. While upholding that principle, the government needs nuanced, strategic communication that accurately explains the differences in test results and measurement methods across products, and corrects the mistaken assumptions smokers may form about individual products. The hope is that this first-ever disclosure of harmful ingredients does not remain merely a historical record, but becomes the starting point that sets long-stalled tobacco control policy back in motion. What smokers need is not a cigarette that appears less harmful — it is the policies and environment that help them break free from tobacco entirely.

Oct. 23, 2026

Korea Federation of SMEs wraps up 2026 Leaders Forum focused on AI growth strategies

Three-night, four-day event held in Jeju draws more than 400 SME leaders Forum themed 'With SMEs, toward becoming one of the world's top three AI nations' Policy forum on physical AI era explores tailored support measures The Korea Federation of SMEs said Friday it had successfully concluded the 2026 SME Leaders Forum, a three-night, four-day event held in Jeju. The SME Leaders Forum is the largest annual gathering in the small and medium-sized enterprise sector. This year's edition drew more than 400 SME leaders from across regions and industries. The forum ran under the theme "With SMEs, toward becoming one of the world's top three AI nations," providing a platform to explore directions for SME innovation and discuss new growth strategies amid sweeping changes in the industrial landscape driven by the spread of AI technology. The event opened with video congratulatory remarks from National Assembly Speaker Jo Jeong-sik and Prime Minister Han Seong-sook, followed by a series of lectures from experts across diverse fields. Speakers included novelist Kim Hong-shin, Park Yong-woo, director of the obesity clinic at Gangbuk Samsung Hospital, North Chungcheong Province Governor Shin Yong-han, docent Jeong Woo-cheol, Father Hwang Chang-yeon, Lee Jin-woo, deputy chief of SamproTV, physiognomist Park Seong-jun, and Kim Hyeong-tae, chief executive of TBWA Korea. They delivered lectures spanning management, health and the humanities. A particular highlight was a policy forum titled "SME Innovation in the Physical AI Era," held during the event, which focused on support policies to help small and medium-sized enterprises keep pace with advances in AI technology. The forum brought together experts from the public, private and academic sectors, including Park Young-sun, chair of the strategic economic advisory panel at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Cho Ju-hyun, president of the Korea Institute for Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups, and Kim Jun-ha, dean of the AI Policy and Strategy Graduate School at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology. Participants discussed phased support policies tailored to individual companies, recognizing that SMEs vary widely in their level of AI adoption and operating conditions. The forum was significant for charting a course for SMEs to respond to the spread of AI technology across industries. It underscored the importance of customized support calibrated to each company's level of AI adoption, particularly given the difficulties smaller firms face in securing funding and skilled personnel compared with large corporations. The need for policy support to integrate AI technology into actual production sites and business operations is also growing. The federation said the forum gave SME leaders an opportunity to share an understanding of the need for AI transformation and to consider how to navigate a rapidly changing business environment. Korea Federation of SMEs Chairman Kim Ki-moon said the Leaders Forum, which launched in 2007, has established itself as a premier forum for the SME community. "I hope this forum gave small and medium-sized enterprises — those that understand the need for AI but are struggling with how to move forward — the time to prepare," he said.

Oct. 23, 2026

Exclusive: Fraudulent documents breach gov't small business loan screening, exposing W540m in illicit funds

23 businesses obtained policy loans through brokers using fake sales records; three brokers indicted; W190m recovered so far The government's screening process for small business policy loans has been compromised by illegal brokers and forged documents. Twenty-three small businesses that submitted fabricated sales records through brokers obtained a combined 540 million won ($407,000) in policy funds. According to data submitted to People Power Party lawmaker Park Sung-min of the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, Resources, SMEs and Startups Committee by the Small Enterprise and Market Service, the agency identified 23 businesses that submitted fraudulent documents while applying for low-credit small business funds. The total policy funds disbursed to those businesses came to 540 million won. External brokers were involved in the fraudulent applications. The businesses backdated their opening dates to periods before they had even filed for business registration, then submitted electronic tax invoice summaries as proof of normal business operations — documents designed to look like evidence of actual sales activity and pass the policy loan screening. The scheme came to light when the agency compared documents submitted by applicants and found that the electronic tax invoice summaries from some businesses were nearly identical to those submitted by others. The agency launched a full investigation — including on-site inspections — targeting businesses that had applied for the same policy funds during the same period, checking whether their submitted documents had been falsified. The probe identified 23 businesses suspected of having submitted identical fraudulent documents. The agency demanded explanations from those businesses and conducted face-to-face interviews, through which it confirmed broker involvement. It also secured fabricated sales records and KakaoTalk message exchanges between the businesses and their brokers. The agency filed a complaint against the loan brokers with the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office on Oct. 8, 2024. Following an investigation, three broker suspects were indicted without detention on June 12 this year. Recovery of the fraudulently disbursed funds remains incomplete. Of the total 540 million won across 23 cases, 190 million won has been recovered to date. Only seven of the 23 businesses have repaid their loans in full. The agency plans to pursue additional legal action, including civil suits to recover outstanding loans, depending on the outcome of trials involving the brokers and the implicated businesses. How much more can ultimately be recovered remains uncertain. Reports of policy-fund brokers have also been mounting. According to data the Ministry of SMEs and Startups submitted to Park, a total of 677 reports were filed with the illegal broker reporting center from 2022 through the end of August this year. Of those, 17 cases — 2.5 percent of the total — were referred for investigation on suspicion of improper interference, and three were forwarded to prosecutors. Reports filed directly with the agency totaled 445 — one in 2024, seven in 2025, and 437 through the end of August this year. The agency said it resolved 412 of those cases internally, with three still under review. The government launched a task force in December last year to address third-party interference in policy financing, holding six meetings through June this year. It has operated reporting centers at individual policy finance institutions, pushed to introduce whistleblower reward programs and voluntary disclosure immunity, and launched a special crackdown in cooperation with the Korean National Police Agency. This case illustrates that fraudulent documents can slip through the screening stage and result in actual loan disbursements. Because the agency detected the irregularities only after comparing documents across multiple applicants, experts say cross-verification of application materials and stronger post-disbursement oversight are needed. "Policy funds that should be reaching desperate small business owners are being exploited as a money-making tool by brokers," Park said. "We must strengthen the screening system to filter out fraudulent documents and take more aggressive action to refer brokers for investigation and recover illicit loans."

Oct. 23, 2026

Seoul St. Mary's Hospital saves 2-month-old baby of USFK family with emergency heart surgery

2-month-old diagnosed with ventricular septal defect, undergoes emergency surgery Heart failure symptoms resolve, medication discontinued A baby from a US Forces Korea family who underwent emergency heart surgery at around two months of age has made a full recovery. The infant's heart failure symptoms have disappeared and medication has been discontinued, with the child showing stable progress. Catholic University of Korea Seoul St. Mary's Hospital announced Friday that Flores, the baby who received heart surgery, attended a first post-discharge outpatient visit on Oct. 13. Flores was born at a military hospital in Pyeongtaek, where the child's father is stationed as a USFK service member. There were no apparent problems at birth, but at around two months of age the infant suddenly developed heart failure symptoms — including breathing difficulties and a rapid pulse — and was transferred to the hospital's pediatric emergency medical center. Detailed examinations revealed a ventricular septal defect, a congenital heart condition in which a hole forms in the wall separating the left and right ventricles. The condition had affected not only the baby's breathing but also growth: despite being more than two months old, Flores had gained only about 300 grams since birth. The medical team determined that prompt surgery was necessary. Professor Lee Cheol of the department of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery performed the operation, and Flores was discharged after a week of inpatient treatment. The baby's mother said she had initially thought the infant was struggling to breathe because of difficulty digesting food, and was shocked and saddened when she was suddenly told heart surgery was needed. "It was my first time at a Korean university hospital, but the medical staff explained everything about the surgery and treatment thoroughly, which put me at ease," she said. The first outpatient visit after surgery confirmed a significant improvement in the baby's condition. "When the baby first came to the hospital, I was very worried because the child seemed so weak and listless — but today the eyes are bright and there is so much more energy," said Lee Jae-young, a professor in the department of pediatrics at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital. "The baby is feeding well, the heart failure symptoms are gone, and no further medication is needed." Pediatric heart failure is a condition in which the heart cannot supply the body with sufficient blood and oxygen due to reduced cardiac function. Congenital heart defects and cardiomyopathy are among the leading causes. Parents should seek specialist care if an infant struggles to breathe while feeding, has difficulty eating, or fails to gain weight normally. The hospital said a patient-transfer hotline it operates with USFK medical facilities played a key role in the treatment process. Rapid coordination with the Pyeongtaek base hospital made it possible to transfer the patient and proceed to emergency surgery. "This case is one where the pediatric emergency medical center's swift cooperation allowed us to quickly receive the patient and proceed all the way to heart surgery," said Lee Ji-yeon, director of the International Healthcare Center at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital. "We will continue to strengthen close communication and cooperation with USFK hospitals going forward." Meanwhile, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital has been operating its dedicated pediatric emergency medical center in full since May. Specialist pediatric emergency physicians are on duty around the clock in a separate treatment space with a patient flow independent from adult patients. The center also has dedicated pediatric emergency inpatient rooms, negative-pressure isolation beds and intensive care beds to support critically ill pediatric patients.

Oct. 23, 2026

'Pay up or quit': Samsung Biologics union faces internal revolt over strike fund levy

Small executive board with no delegate council pushes special assessment of up to 30,000 won per member Second general strike postponed after court curbs action and participation falls to 37% Members demand executive board resign en masse if levy vote fails The Sangsaeng labor union at Samsung Biologics is facing a wave of internal backlash after moving to collect up to 1.2 billion won ($905,000) in strike funds from its members — a push that came just as the union suspended its second general strike following a court order restricting industrial action. Discontent had already been building over a closed decision-making structure dominated by a small executive board and a perceived lack of strategy. The fund drive, which would effectively pass the cost of the strike onto rank-and-file members, has brought that frustration to a head. According to industry sources, the union opened a second extraordinary general meeting Thursday at noon via mobile electronic vote, with balloting running through Sunday at 6 p.m. The agenda item calls for the creation of a strike fund and the imposition of a special assessment tied to a change in strike format. The proposal would levy a base amount of 20,000 won per member, with an optional additional 10,000 won, for a maximum of 30,000 won each. If applied to all 4,008 union members, the drive could raise up to approximately 1.2 billion won. In the notice convening the meeting, the union said the funds were needed because "the form of the strike must be adjusted in light of the court's injunction ruling," adding that the purpose was "to share the burden of the strike across all members and to compensate participants for lost wages and support their livelihoods." The backlash, however, was ignited by remarks made at an online member briefing Wednesday evening. A senior executive board official announced that contributions would be collected through automatic CMS bank withdrawals and said that members who refused would be considered to have violated union guidelines — and should "face disciplinary action or withdrawal, and express their personal wishes first." Many members had already absorbed significant wage losses from the first strike, driven by what they described as the executive board's reckless pursuit of hardline tactics. Demands for a second round of contributions have now unleashed a torrent of criticism directed at the leadership. One member wrote on Blind, an anonymous workplace community app, that "fewer than 2,000 votes were cast in favor of the strike, yet the leadership is trying to force losses onto all members." The member added: "Supporting the struggle and being obligated to pay 20,000 won are separate issues — if there are penalties for not paying, is that really a way of respecting members' wishes?" The anger has also dredged up longstanding grievances about the executive board's conduct and integrity, including a controversy from the first strike in May in which union chairman Park Jae-sung reportedly used personal leave during the walkout to avoid wage losses. Some members have been blunt in their criticism of the leadership's strategic failures. "Is the strategy just to call a strike with no plan?" one wrote. "You demand accountability from the company but go easy on your own failures," said another. Others called on the executive board to resign en masse if the levy vote fails. Labor observers inside and outside the union have described the crisis as a foreseeable rupture born of a closed decision-making structure centered on a small executive board. Unions typically rely on a delegate council — composed of elected representatives from each workplace unit — to check and validate major decisions, but the Sangsaeng union has operated without such a body, with the executive board driving strike and action schedules on its own. The second general strike was also pushed forward without a separate member vote on whether to proceed, drawing criticism over procedural legitimacy. Strategic miscalculations have compounded the problem. On Friday, the First Civil Division of the Seoul High Court's Incheon bench recognized all nine core production processes — from cell culture to filling — as legally protected "security work" under labor law and banned industrial action affecting them. The ruling reversed a lower court decision that had recognized only three processes, and ordered a penalty of 20 million won per violation. Strike momentum collapsed after the ruling. A participation survey — since suspended — drew responses from only 1,515 of the union's 4,008 members, a rate of 37.8 percent, with more than 60 percent indicating they would not take part even after the union issued daily participation guidelines. The union subsequently canceled a rally that had been scheduled for Wednesday and postponed the second general strike, which had been set for Monday. With participation stuck in the 30 percent range, some members see the strike fund proposal as a face-saving exit strategy. "Putting the 20,000 won levy to a vote right after postponing the strike — if it fails, isn't that just laying the groundwork to blame members' lack of participation for the loss of momentum, rather than taking responsibility themselves?" one member said. A labor sector official said the union "ran into the wall of legal restrictions and lost internal momentum by clinging to a hardline approach without a representative body to gather broad member opinion," adding that "a unilateral fund collection that ignores members' fatigue and eroded trust risks deepening the fractures within the organization."

Oct. 23, 2026

Edtech startup QnSmart launches AI debate platform DaVinciQ to sharpen students' thinking

AI that asks questions instead of giving answers, building critical thinking through mind maps Edtech startup QnSmart has launched DaVinciQ, an AI-powered platform designed to expand students' thinking through debate. Rather than providing answers, DaVinciQ poses questions to broaden how students think. The company said it developed the platform to address what it calls the "outsourcing of thought" — a problem that arises when generative AI answers questions on students' behalf, discouraging independent reasoning. When a user enters a keyword of interest, a "humanities-based mind map" branches out across the screen through six perspectives — history, society, philosophy, economics, science, and literature and the arts. Selecting a branch launches a Socratic dialogue with the AI. The company said students repeatedly practice expressing their own ideas in their own words by responding to the AI's questions. The AI probes logical gaps in a student's answers and identifies what the student does not yet understand. Questions and discussions deepen gradually through cognitive stages — comprehension, application, analysis, inference, criticism and creation. The company said difficulty levels are calibrated to each student's grade, drawing on middle and high school textbook vocabulary and curriculum content. "We've flipped the conventional model where humans ask and AI answers — here, AI asks the questions and students respond and debate," a QnSmart official said. "It starts from the counterintuitive idea of using AI to solve problems that AI itself created."

Oct. 22, 2026

Yuhan launches 8-product Daiso-exclusive skincare line 'Derma Puramin Rx'

Cleansers, high-concentration ampoules and creams offered at accessible prices Yuhan has launched eight Daiso-exclusive skincare products under the Derma Puramin Rx line. Derma Puramin Rx is a derma skincare brand that draws on Yuhan's pharmaceutical technology and skin science expertise. The newly introduced Panthenol Barrier line is designed to strengthen the skin barrier and provide rapid soothing for skin sensitized by external irritants. The new products contain up to 5 percent panthenol, an ingredient known for its skin-calming and barrier-restoring properties. They also feature the company's proprietary Cica Calming Complex formula, which blends centella-derived lactobacillus, centella PDRN and tea tree oil in an optimized ratio. All products have completed sensitivity testing for irritation, making them suitable for dry and sensitive skin as well as skin recovering from dermatological procedures, the company added. Among the eight products, the Panthenol Barrier Ampoule (50 ml) uses a high-concentration texture to deliver deep moisture through 15 layers of the skin's stratum corneum. The Panthenol Barrier Cream (60 ml) contains 5 percent panthenol to form a close-fitting moisturizing coating. The lineup also includes a mildly acidic bubble foam cleanser, a fine-mist cream mist, a hydrating lotion, an all-in-one multi-balm and a cream sheet mask, covering everything from cleansing and basic moisturizing to intensive care. "Daiso is drawing attention as a new beauty and healthcare shopping platform," Yuhan said. "We are introducing Daiso-exclusive products so that customers of all ages, from teenagers onward, can access them without financial burden."

Oct. 22, 2026

Yuyu Pharma develops multi-dosage-form platform technology 'Yunicap'

Different dosage forms integrated into a single capsule; manufacturing process equipment installed at Jecheon factory Technology enables production of combinations including tablet+tablet, tablet+pellet and tablet+soft capsule Yuyu Pharma has developed a multi-dosage-form platform technology and registered it as a trademark with the Korean Intellectual Property Office. The technology allows different pharmaceutical dosage forms to be integrated and filled into a single capsule. Yuyu Pharma has also completed installation of the necessary manufacturing process equipment at its Jecheon factory. The company's newly developed Yunicap technology integrates tablets, soft capsules and pellets — each in an independently separated state — into a single hard capsule. Conventional single-tablet-based combination drugs have faced limitations including physicochemical interactions between ingredients, difficulty in achieving desired release profiles and restricted freedom in dosage form design. Yunicap addresses these shortcomings by compartmentalizing each ingredient to maintain its independence, the company said. "Integration of multiple dosage forms is possible," Yuyu Pharma said. "Various combinations — tablet+tablet, tablet+pellet, tablet+soft capsule, soft capsule+pellet — can all be realized within a single hard capsule." The company added that the technology extends to combinations previously difficult to produce as conventional combination drugs. "Because each dosage form can be designed independently, it is possible to set individual dissolution profiles for each ingredient, incorporating both immediate-release and sustained-release properties simultaneously," it said. In terms of stability, the technology minimizes direct contact between ingredients, reducing physicochemical interactions and improving stability issues associated with combination formulations, the company said. Because the structure allows existing single-ingredient products to be used as they are, development time and manufacturing burden can also be significantly reduced, it added. "We have completed installation of the manufacturing process at our Jecheon factory to enable full product production," a Yuyu Pharma official said. "By securing the technology proactively and building the production infrastructure early, we expect strong competitiveness in dosage form development."

Oct. 22, 2026

Joa Pharmaceutical launches 'Daily Probiotics Immune' with patented strain

Company says product contains 17 mixed lactic acid bacteria strains and zinc Joa Pharmaceutical has launched a new health supplement, Daily Probiotics Immune, designed to support gut health and normal immune function. Each capsule delivers 10 billion CFU (colony-forming units) of probiotics and contains a blend of 17 mixed lactic acid bacteria strains along with zinc. The product uses a patented strain (L. acidophilus LA-14) from DuPont Danisco, a probiotics ingredient company backed by 35 human clinical trial datasets. The strain offers strong resistance to acid and bile, giving it high survivability in the gut, where it inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria over an extended period. Manufactured by US Pharmatech, a US-based health supplement manufacturer, the product uses individual alu-alu packaging to shield live bacteria from light, air and moisture. Joa Pharmaceutical said the formulation combines lactic acid bacteria with their food source as well as metabolites and dead cell bodies, achieving what it calls a "fifth-generation probiotic." Each pack is sized for roughly four months of daily single-capsule use. "It can offer a new option for those who want to manage both gut health and normal immune function at the same time," a company official said.

Oct. 22, 2026

Dong-A Pharmaceutical launches 20-tablet pack of muscle relaxant Scapula

Larger pack targets persistent and recurring muscle pain Dong-A Pharmaceutical has launched a larger 20-tablet pack of its muscle relaxant Scapula. Scapula is an over-the-counter combination drug containing 150 mg of the muscle relaxant chlorzoxazone, 150 mg of the anti-inflammatory analgesic ethenzamide, and 25 mg of caffeine hydrate to support pain relief. It is available at pharmacies without a prescription. The company added the 20-tablet pack to its existing 10-tablet product to address the varying duration and recurrence patterns of muscle pain. The recommended adult dosage is one to two tablets per dose, twice daily. At the maximum daily intake of four tablets, the 20-tablet pack provides a five-day supply. The product is said to help relieve muscle pain, including shoulder stiffness, through a combined muscle-relaxing and anti-inflammatory action. "Acute muscle pain in the neck and shoulders — commonly known as a 'muscle knot' — can persist for several days, and symptoms sometimes linger or recur," the company said. "We launched the larger pack to reflect the fact that the severity and duration of symptoms vary from person to person."

Oct. 22, 2026

Sidiz launches T60 Large chairs for bigger body types

Expanded backrest and seat dimensions said to fit most Korean adults Sidiz, the chair brand of Fursys Group, has launched two new models designed for larger body types: the T60 Large and the T60 AIR Large. The T60, released last year, has drawn praise as a "personal-fitting chair" that closely adapts to each user's body shape and movement. It sold more than 10,000 units in its first three months on the market. The new models expand the backrest and seat dimensions of the original to accommodate a wider range of body types. Both the T60 Large and T60 AIR Large feature a backrest that is 24 millimeters wider and 30 millimeters taller than the standard version. The lumbar support has also been repositioned higher to provide more even support across the shoulders and lower back, Sidiz said. The seat has been widened by 30 millimeters and deepened by 15 millimeters, the company added. The center-post height setting differs from that of the standard T60, expanding the adjustment range by 20 millimeters so that taller users can fine-tune the chair to their proportions. "The launch of the T60 Large expands the T60 lineup's coverage from 76 percent to 94 percent — a level that encompasses the body types of most Korean adults, allowing those with larger frames to experience a comfortable, personalized fit," the company said.

Oct. 22, 2026

TIPA seeks operators for K-food, K-beauty smart manufacturing AI alliances

One operator per sector to receive about 1 billion won each Manufacturing firms, AI suppliers to collaborate on field-driven projects Applications close Nov. 5; initiative targets production, quality control The AI Innovation Promotion Division of the Korea Technology and Information Promotion Agency for SMEs is moving to build a cooperative framework to support the AI transformation of K-food and K-beauty manufacturing. TIPA announced Thursday it is recruiting operators for a "K-Food Smart Manufacturing Alliance" and a "K-Beauty Smart Manufacturing Alliance." One operator will be selected for each sector — two in total — and each will receive about 1 billion won ($754,000) in government grants. The core aim of the project is to identify AI application tasks at manufacturing sites through collaboration among food and cosmetics manufacturers, AI and data suppliers, and related organizations. The initiative aligns with the policy direction set out in the government's previously announced 2026 Smart Manufacturing Innovation Support Project, which called for expanded support for manufacturing AI and smart factories. Selected operators will form a steering committee and five working subcommittees to identify projects based on field demand. The alliances will also link to existing support programs covering smart factories, manufacturing AI and autonomous factories to provide follow-on commercialization support. In the K-food sector, the alliance will identify AI applications across production, quality control, sanitation and logistics. It will also build a collaborative model connecting and jointly leveraging supply chain data between large and mid-sized companies and small and medium-sized enterprises. The K-beauty sector will cover the entire cosmetics manufacturing process — from product development and formulation through mass production and quality control. The alliance will pursue standardization of raw material, formulation, process and packaging data, and assess the AI readiness of participating manufacturers. "We will build a manufacturing AI transformation cooperative framework that reflects the characteristics of the K-food and K-beauty industries, and identify and spread field-centered AI application models," a TIPA official said. Applications will be accepted through the Smart Factory Business Management System until 5 p.m. on Nov. 5. TIPA held an information session at Seoul Biz Center on Wednesday.

Oct. 22, 2026