| | JULY 20268IN FOCUSKT's new CEO, Park Yoon-young, has pledged to invest 18 trillion won ($11.77 billion) in network security and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure as the telecom operator seeks to transform into an AI-focused platform company. Park said KT's strategy will be built on two core pillars: its telecommunications business and AI operations, including data centers, cable, and AI transformation services.Of the total investment, 4 trillion won will be dedicated to strengthening information security and IT capabilities. The company will establish a zero-trust security framework with continuous prevention and response capabilities, accelerate its transition to cloud-native systems, and integrate security governance across its IT and network operations to improve responses to evolving cyber threats while supporting long-term digital innovation and resilience. South Korea plans to establish a low-Earth orbit satellite communication network comprising hundreds of satellites by 2035 and accelerate its first lunar landing to 2030, according to the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA). The agency unveiled the initiative during a public briefing on advanced industrial growth in Jinju.KASA said the satellite network will strengthen South Korea's satellite and launch vehicle development and manufacturing ecosystem while supporting efforts to build a national alternative to SpaceX's Starlink. KASA Administrator Oh Tae-seok said low-Earth orbit satellite networks are vital for national security, communications sovereignty, and future 6G infrastructure. The government also plans to launch a privately developed small lunar lander aboard the three-stage Nuri rocket in 2030, ahead of schedule using domestic technology. NEW KT CEO VOWS $12 BILLION INVESTMENT FOR TRANSITION TO AIKOREA TO LAUNCH LOW-EARTH ORBIT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK BY 2035Indonesia has made significant progress in negotiations on the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA), according to Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto. He said the European Commission has submitted a proposal to the EU Council to conclude the agreement, including the Investment Protection Agreement (IPA), marking a key milestone in the long-running talks.Indonesia aims to use the IEU-CEPA to strengthen its presence in the European markets, improve product competitiveness, attract high-quality investments, and expand its role in global value chains. Under the agreement, the European Union will eliminate import tariffs on 98.5 percent of tariff lines, simplify export procedures, encourage investments in electric vehicles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, strengthen intellectual property protections, and reinforce resilient supply chains nationwide. INDONESIA-EUROPEAN UNION CEPA ENTERS KEY APPROVAL PHASEBUSINESS WORLD
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