[THE INVESTOR] Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn on Aug. 31 said the government will continue to make efforts to ease regulations and bolster business sentiment.“Amid the uncertainties from home and abroad, the country‘s economy is facing employment instability in sectors facing restructuring,” Hwang said during his visit to the western port city of Incheon to discuss easing business regulations. He added that North Korea’s missile provocations have contributed to weakening business sentiment.Hwang a

[THE INVESTOR] South Korea’s biggest marketplace for content creators opened in Seoul on Aug.31 to vitalize the related industries, publicize high-quality entertainment products outside the country and create a marketing venue for domestic and overseas buyers.BroadCast WorldWide, hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, kicked off today under the theme of “Content, Infinite Possibilities” and runs until Sep. 2 at Coex in southern Seoul.The country’s three terrestrial networks -- MB

[DISCLOSURE] Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance (001450) announced on Aug. 31 that its operating profit in July increased 27.9 percent to 63.6 billion won (US$57.03 million) on-year.Sales rose 2.4 percent to 1.05 trillion won and net profit increased 25.9 percent to 44.9 billion won from the same period last year. By Yun Jeong-hyeon (clareyun@heraldcorp.com)

[DISCLOSURE] Suprema (236200) said on Aug. 31 that it has obtained a patent for a user identification technology and device that does not require extra equipment. The new technology can be applied to most mobile devices, which will be useful in tapping into a new market, it said. By Yun Jeong-hyeon (clareyun@heraldcorp.com)

[DISCLOSURE] YG Entertainment (122870) announced on Aug. 31 at its extraordinary shareholders meeting that it has named Tang Xiaoming of Shanghai Fengying Business Consultant Partnership as a new outside director, who will serve until Aug. 30, 2019. By Yun Jeong-hyeon (clareyun@heraldcorp.com)

[DISCLOSURE] Doosan Engineering & Construction (011160) announced on Aug. 31 that it will sign a contract for a housing redevelopment project in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province. The contract is worth 121.4 billion won (US$108.50 million), amounting to 6.7 percent of its revenue last year.The deal will be finalized in September. By Yun Jeong-hyeon (clareyun@heraldcorp.com)

[DISCLOSURE] BUGS (104200) announced on Aug. 31 that it will acquire 18,781 shares of HOW entertainment for 11 billion won (US$9.82 million). The online music sharing website is planning to diversify its business and participated in its capital increase through third-party allotment. Bugs’ stake will amount to 70 percent after the acquisition. By Yun Jeong-hyeon (clareyun@heraldcorp.com)

[DISCLOSURE] Naturalendo Tech (168330) said on Aug. 30 that it has issued convertible bonds worth 5 billion won (US$4.46 million) for private offering to finance its operations. The conversion starts from Aug. 31, 2017.The newly issued bonds will be offered to Mirae Asset Daewoo, Samsung Securities, NH Investment & Securities and others. The maturity interest rate is 3 percent and the conversion price is 17,800 won per share. The company has named Jang Hyun-woo as the new CEO to promote efficien

[DISCLOSURE] Shinhan Special Purpose Acquisition No. 2 (203650) announced on Aug. 30 that has acquired an unlisted software developer, Dream Security, and will merge at the ratio 1:9.32.The company has also named Beom Jin-kyu, the largest shareholder with 50 percent stake, as the new CEO. The due date for the merger is Jan.31, 2017. By Yun Jeong-hyeon (clareyun@heraldcorp.com)

[DISCLOSURE] Sungbo Chemical (003080) announced on Aug. 29 that it plans to invest 31.03 billion won (US$27.56 million) for expansion of its second factory property, which has been relocated to Ansan, Gyeonggi Province. This amounts to 34.6 percent of the firm’s equity capital and the investment will continue until March 31, 2017. By Yun Jeong-hyeon (clareyun@heraldcorp.com)

[THE INVESTOR] South Korea will invest 40 billion won (US$35.50 million) by 2020 to improve the country’s industrial design capability, the Trade Ministry said on Aug.29.In a design promotion plan unveiled at the 2016 Design Innovation Forum held in Seoul, the ministry said it will make full efforts to help the related business sector enhance its competitiveness and find a new growth engine in high-quality design.The scheme is aimed at fostering local manufacturing and design firms to become a K

[DISCLOSURE] DE&T (079810) announced on Aug. 29 that it has signed a 5.64 billion won (US$5.01 million) contract to provide automation facilities for automotive electronics components. This amounts to 11.77 percent of its last year’s revenue on a consolidated basis.The details of the contract will remain undisclosed until Oct. 30 when the contract expires due to a nondisclosure agreement clause for trade secrets.By Yun Jeong-hyeon (clareyun@heraldcorp.com)

[DISCLOSURE] AT Technology (073570) announced on Aug. 29 that its largest shareholder has changed from Cha Jebong to Mercury IP Tech, which now holds 12.61 percent. The acquired stocks will be safeguarded for a year. AT Technology has issued common shares of around 2.80 million worth 4.2 billion won (US$3.73 million) through third party allotment. The new largest shareholder is planning to join AT Technology’s management. The conversion price of its convertible bonds with no warranty is 500 won

[DISCLOSURE] Sungjee Construction (005980) said on Aug. 26 that it has signed a 6.4 billion won (US$5.74 million) construction deal with NHF No. 1, a public leasing management and real estate investment firm, which amounts to 4.74 percent of its last year’s revenue. The company will carry out landscaping work for an apartment complex in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province. By Yun Jeong-hyeon (clareyun@heraldcorp.com)

[DISCLOSURE] Daedong Steel (048470) announced on Aug. 26 that it has decided to terminate a trust contract with KB Kookmin Bank to acquire treasury stocks worth 500 million won (US$449,000) as the agreement has expired. By Yun Jeong-hyeon (clareyun@heraldcorp.com)

[THE INVESTOR] President Park Geun-hye met with a U.N. intellectual property agency chief on Aug. 25 for talks on cooperation between Korea and the agency, Cheong Wa Dae said.Francis Gurry, the director general of the World Intellectual Property Organization, visited the presidential office to explore cooperative projects, particularly ones to support developing nations in the realm of intellectual property, Park‘s aides said.During their talks, Park was expected to highlight that protecting int

[THE INVESTOR] T’way Air was named the best overall domestic budget carrier in a customer satisfaction survey, scoring high for its facilities and staff service, a consumer watchdog said Thursday. According to the survey conducted by the Korea Consumer Agency on 1,000 consumers, T’way Air garnered the highest score of 3.52 points out of five, slightly ahead of Air Busan and Jin Air, each with 3.49. Eastar Jet and Jeju Air followed with 3.45 and 3.42 points, respectively. T’way Air, a Seoul-based

[THE INVESTOR] An incredible heat wave has stretched through Korea’s summer, leaving some bottled water and milk producers struggling to meet rising consumer demand, industry officials said Thursday.Sales of bottled water have sharply surged this summer as more people drank water to fight the scorching heat that has settled in South Korea since July.E-Mart, the nation’s largest discount store chain, said sales of bottled water jumped 14.2 percent on-year for the period of June 1 to Aug. 23. GS25

[DISCLOSURE] Fasoo.com (150900) announced Aug. 25 that it has obtained a patent for devices and methods to insert a digital watermark on a screen. By Yun Jeong-hyeon (clareyun@heraldcorp.com)

[DISCLOSURE] Dayou Winia (071460) announced Aug. 25 that the Daejeon High Court has ordered the company to pay Kang Jong-sik and 256 others wages of 5.27 billion won (US$4.7 million), which amounts to 5.54 percent of the firm’s equity capital.The company added it will take further legal action against the ruling. By Yun Jeong-hyeon (clareyun@heraldcorp.com)