[TechM – Reporter Sooho Lee] Jang Hyun-guk, a veteran in Korea’s gaming industry and the new CEO of ActionSquare, has officially begun laying the foundation for integrating his blockchain ventures into the company. According to the Korea Exchange on the 24th, CEO Jang demonstrated strong commitment to ActionSquare’s management by purchasing 233,355 shares on the open market on the 20th. The shares were acquired at 2,139 KRW each, amounting to a total of approximately 500 million KRW. Earlier, Jang had directly invested 5 billion KRW in ActionSquare, acquiring 5,537,099 shares. Separately, he also signed an agreement with Linked, the current largest shareholder, to secure rights to acquire its 9.42% stake—signaling his intention to become the company’s largest shareholder. He is not simply acting as a CEO but positioning himself as the actual owner to lead the business. With this move, Jang could hold over 20% of ActionSquare’s total shares. Currently, Linked owns about 26%, and if Jang exercises the purchase rights, he would become the largest shareholder. ActionSquare has already disclosed that if this right is exercised, the largest shareholder will change. Additionally, ActionSquare recently announced it will issue 20 billion KRW worth of convertible bonds to ST No.45 New Technology Investment Association, a fund with 20 investors. The largest shareholder of this fund is Gemopia. Although further details were not disclosed, it is widely speculated in the industry that former Wemade CEO Jang attracted these external investors himself—effectively making it friendly capital. Furthermore, industry insiders expect a wave of former Wemade personnel or those interested in the WEMIX project to join ActionSquare. With the U.S. under the Trump administration positioning blockchain and Bitcoin as strategic assets, Jang’s previous success with WEMIX is drawing followers. While ActionSquare has yet to unveil a detailed blockchain strategy, it is widely expected that under Jang’s leadership, major shifts are imminent. In addition to its traditional mobile and PC game development, the company is expected to develop P2E games, launch a blockchain platform, onboard external P2E projects, and collaborate with global blockchain networks. Name changes, business model expansion, the publication of a white paper, and a native token launch are also expected. Most importantly, industry analysts believe that Jang’s sharp investment insight will be key to expanding ActionSquare’s reach. During his tenure at Wemade, he made an early investment in Lionheart Studio (developer of “Odin”), yielding over 20x returns in just four years. He also led early investments in Shift Up and Mad Engine. His strong network with Korea’s top-tier game developers further enhances his advantage. Another insider noted, “Many key blockchain talents—developers, planners, and more—are likely to follow Jang to ActionSquare, especially at a time when major Korean projects have lost momentum. Given the success of WEMIX, both domestic and international markets are expected to turn their attention to ActionSquare starting early next year.” Reporter: Sooho Lee (lsh5998688@techm.kr) December 24, 2024, 12:40 PM Original Article: TechM https://www.techm.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=133882

[Edaily – Reporter Jeonghyun Lee] KRM (093640) announced on the 28th that it has decided to acquire 30,000 shares issued by Gemopia Invest No.5 from Gemopia Invest for KRW 13.998 billion, in order to diversify its business, secure management rights, and enhance corporate value. This acquisition represents 22.30% of KRM’s total assets. Jeonghyun Lee (seiji@edaily.co.kr) April 28, 2023 Original Article: Edaily https://n.news.naver.com/article/018/0005475083?sid=101

Original Article: Yonhap News (https://n.news.naver.com/article/001/0015028249) Participants of the MOU for “Renewable Energy IT Technical Service Cooperation Using AI and Big Data” (SEOUL = Yonhap News) Reporter Dohyun Sung – Vietnam-focused investment firm ASONG Invest (CEO: Seunghoon Sung) announced on the 6th that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Korean climate tech startup Sixty Hertz (60Hertz) on the 4th (local time) to collaborate on renewable energy projects in Vietnam. The MOU signing ceremony, titled “Cooperation in Renewable Energy IT Technical Services Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data,” was held at the Hanoi office of PetroVietnam Power (PV Power), a subsidiary of PetroVietnam (PVN), the Vietnamese state-owned energy conglomerate overseeing oil and gas operations. Three organizations attended the ceremony: PV Power REC, a PVN affiliate in charge of renewable energy; PVA Energy Solutions, an IPP investor and second-largest shareholder of PV Power REC; and Sixty Hertz. On the Vietnamese side, attendees included PV Power Chairman Hoang Van Quang, PV Power REC CEO Dam Duc Thong, and PetroVietnam Asset Management CEO Tran Quang Binh. On the Korean side, PVA Energy Solutions CEO Seunghoon Sung and Sixty Hertz CEO Jongkyu Kim were present. Also in attendance were Park Seung-eon (Economic Counselor at the Korean Embassy in Vietnam), Jeon Doo-min (Commercial Counselor), Hyungmo Kim (Director of the Vietnam Office, Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Heesang Lee (Head of Southeast Asia & Oceania Division, KOTRA), and Sihun Han (Director of the ASEAN Office, Korea Federation of SMEs). ASONG Invest Fund (38.2%), the Hanoi-based local investment arm of real estate developer Gemopia Invest, is the second-largest shareholder of PV Power REC after PV Power (51%). It is participating in renewable energy projects through its recently established investment holding company, PVA Energy Solutions. CEO Sung stated, “Together with PVN, we plan to promote projects such as independent power production facilities including pumped-storage hydro plants, infrastructure packages linked to the Direct Power Purchase Agreement (DPPA) system for industrial parks, greenhouse gas reduction projects, and water treatment initiatives.” raphael@yna.co.kr

Original Article: Yonhap News (https://n.news.naver.com/article/001/0014954963?sid=101) Samwon Garden’s Sweet-Savory and Spicy-Sweet Balance Earns It a Spot Among Top 3 Korean Restaurants in Hanoi Manager Garam Park: “Proud to Continue Korean Traditions” (SEOUL = Yonhap News) Reporter Dohyun Sung – When it comes to Korean BBQ restaurants, marinated galbi (Korean-style short ribs) reigns supreme. The savory sweetness of the marinade infused between the meat melts away stress with every bite and brings a deep sense of satisfaction. Now, you can enjoy Korean marinated galbi 3,000 km away in Hanoi, Vietnam. Since its opening last December in the upscale West Lake (Tây Hồ) area of Hanoi, Samwon Garden Hanoi has consistently drawn crowds of eager diners. Popular dishes among locals include the signature marinated galbi and stir-fried fresh octopus made with ingredients sourced from Vietnam’s coastal regions. The two dishes strike a perfect balance between sweet and salty (dan-jjan), and spicy and sweet (maep-dan), drawing a steady stream of customers. In particular, the marinated galbi captivates local palates with its deep umami flavor. <Stir-fried octopus (left) and soy-marinated crab from Samwon Garden Hanoi> The Hanoi location uses premium meat and ingredients supplied directly from the head office. A Korean-style meat processing facility equipped with cold chain systems was also established locally to maintain the highest quality. The galbi is scored using a patented diamond-cut technique and seasoned with Samwon Garden’s signature light and savory marinade. The marinated galbi is a treat on its own, but when grilled with precision, it becomes truly exceptional. Staff at the Hanoi branch regularly receive training in grilling techniques from the headquarters to ensure consistent quality. <Traditional Korean table setting at Samwon Garden Hanoi> The stir-fried octopus, made with fresh local octopus, is seasoned with a bold sauce and grilled to enhance the smoky flavor. It's a hit among spice-loving Vietnamese diners. Add a serving of buckwheat noodles, and it becomes a hearty, satisfying meal. Another fan favorite is the soy-marinated crab (ganjang gejang), one of Samwon Garden’s signature dishes. Female crabs with full roe are sourced from Korea’s west coast, quickly frozen, flown in, and aged in a special, not-too-salty soy marinade. Locals often eat the crab using plastic gloves like Koreans do, or mix rice into the shell to enjoy every last bit of flavor. <Manager Garam Park at Samwon Garden Hanoi> Garam Park (30), manager of Samwon Garden Hanoi, told Yonhap News on the 30th, “We’ve developed strong marketing strategies based on a deep understanding of the local market and have achieved great results. We were even selected as one of Hanoi’s Top 3 Korean dining restaurants just nine months after opening.” Park started his career in the service industry with part-time jobs at family restaurants in high school, worked as a bank teller, and also spent time working in Singapore. He previously managed VIP services and client relations at Korean real estate developer Gemopia Invest, before joining May Emerald, Gemopia Invest’s Vietnamese subsidiary and operator of Samwon Garden Hanoi, in November last year. He said, “I take pride in delivering the beloved flavors of Korean cuisine to local customers, continuing our culinary heritage. Food is more than just a meal—it’s an integral part of Korean culture.” Choi Seung-jin, Director of the Korean Cultural Center in Vietnam, stated, “Korean food is now a part of everyday life for many locals. It’s not uncommon to see Vietnamese people making their own kimchi. Korean cuisine reflects our traditions, culture, and daily lives, making it a vital part of cultural exchange between Korea and Vietnam.” Reporter: Dohyun Sung (raphael@yna.co.kr)

Original Article: Chosun Biz (https://biz.chosun.com/distribution/food/2023/08/08/ONELRG2Z7JD6RF5FGBKWMBFOOQ/) Korean BBQ restaurant Samwon Garden in Gangnam, Seoul, announced on the 8th that it has signed a master franchise agreement for Vietnam with Vietnamese food service company May Emerald. Executives including Samwon Garden Vice President Yoon In-seong and May Emerald CEO Kim So-yeon attended the signing ceremony. Samwon Garden, recommended in the Michelin Guide Seoul 2023, is a Korean restaurant famous both domestically and internationally for its marinated galbi (Korean BBQ short ribs). For nearly half a century, it has established itself as a representative charcoal-grilled beef restaurant in Gangnam. It was reopened last year with expanded seating for up to 600 guests. May Emerald, Samwon Garden’s franchisee in Vietnam, is the Vietnamese subsidiary of Korean investment and development firm Gemopia Invest. The company also operates dining brands such as “Yuk Ssi Ri” and “PIZZA 4P’S” in Hanoi. Vice President Yoon stated, “2023 marks the first year the Michelin Guide entered Vietnam, and interest in gastronomy in the country has never been higher.” He added, “The Korean wave in Southeast Asia, driven by K-pop and OTT content, has further amplified demand for Korean cuisine.” The first Samwon Garden location in Vietnam will open in December on the 4th floor of Somerset West Point, a global residence hotel located near West Lake (Tây Hồ), Hanoi’s largest lake. The restaurant will span approximately 140 pyeong (about 462 m²). CEO Kim noted, “Tây Hồ is a traditionally affluent area of Hanoi with a high concentration of foreign residents and embassy residences, and is attracting increasing attention following the recent opening of Lotte Mall nearby.” Starting with the West Lake location, May Emerald plans to expand Samwon Garden across major cities in Vietnam, including a second branch in Hanoi, the resort city of Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city in the south. Samwon Garden also plans to introduce various customer benefits and promotions that link the Seoul flagship store with its new Vietnam locations. Reporter: Mina Lee

Original Source: Maeil Business Economy (https://n.news.naver.com/article/024/0000082851) - Gemopia Invest joins President Yoon Suk-yeol’s economic delegation to Vietnam - Focusing on identifying opportunities in energy, infrastructure, and real estate, and strengthening renewable energy partnerships - Signs MOU with PetroVietnam’s asset management subsidiary to establish a Green Growth Fund - Vietnam intensifies renewable energy development to meet 2050 carbon neutrality goal - High expectations for Gemopia Invest and PVCB Capital’s Green Growth Fund Gemopia Invest (CEO Youngkyu Lim) announced on the 23rd that it has signed an MOU with PVCB Capital, the asset management arm of Vietnam’s largest state-owned enterprise PetroVietnam, to establish a fund that will invest in Vietnam’s green growth sectors, greenhouse gas reduction projects, and renewable energy initiatives. Gemopia Invest’s local investment entity, ASONG Invest, and PVCB Capital will launch the “PV-ASONG Green Growth Fund” in the third quarter of this year. Through the fund, they plan to invest in equity of PetroVietnam subsidiaries engaged in renewable energy, as well as in green growth projects and GHG reduction efforts promoted jointly by the governments of Korea and Vietnam. Additionally, they are currently preparing and executing concrete investment plans with PV Power, Vietnam’s second-largest electricity producer, while exploring further opportunities with other PetroVietnam affiliates. Vietnam is accelerating its push for renewable energy with a national goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. As of 2022, the share of renewable energy in the country’s power generation mix reached 16.2%. Under its recently announced 8th National Power Development Plan, the country aims to raise this to 39.2–47% by 2030. With the nation currently experiencing severe power shortages during heatwaves, government-level support for renewable energy is growing. Accordingly, projects like the Green Growth Fund led by Gemopia Invest and PVCB Capital, as well as other Korea–Vietnam GHG reduction initiatives, are garnering high expectations. CEO Lim stated, “We are actively looking for additional investment opportunities in the energy, infrastructure, and real estate sectors, while focusing on strengthening partnerships with Korean companies that can participate in PetroVietnam Group’s renewable energy projects.” Gemopia Invest was also listed as a member of the economic delegation during President Yoon Suk-yeol’s state visit to Vietnam. With the largest-ever economic delegation accompanying the President since the start of his administration, CEO Lim and other executives are exploring a variety of business opportunities in Vietnam. Reporter: Suho Park, Maeil Business Economy (suhoz@mk.co.kr)

Original Article: Chosun Biz (https://biz.chosun.com/stock/stock_general/2023/06/23/U573AFQNPJDFNAD4MIH54CBGA4/?utm_source=naver&utm_medium=original&utm_campaign=biz) Gemopia Invest Participates in Presidential Economic Delegation to Vietnam Youngkyu Lim, CEO of Gemopia Invest Gemopia Invest announced on the 23rd that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with PVCB Capital, the asset management arm of Vietnam’s largest state-owned enterprise PetroVietnam, to establish a fund that will invest in Vietnam’s green growth industries, greenhouse gas reduction, and renewable energy projects. Gemopia Invest’s local investment subsidiary, ASONG Invest, and PVCB Capital plan to launch the “PV-ASONG Green Growth Fund” in Q3 of this year. The fund aims to invest in equity of PetroVietnam subsidiaries engaged in renewable energy, as well as in green growth projects and joint GHG reduction initiatives promoted by the governments of Korea and Vietnam. Gemopia Invest is also preparing concrete investment plans with PV Power, Vietnam’s second-largest power producer, while discussing additional investment opportunities with other PetroVietnam affiliates. Meanwhile, Gemopia Invest is participating in President Yoon Suk-yeol’s state visit to Vietnam as a member of the economic delegation, seeking business opportunities on the ground. CEO Youngkyu Lim, who accompanied the delegation, stated, “We are actively exploring additional investment opportunities in the energy, infrastructure, and real estate sectors, while focusing on strengthening partnerships with Korean companies interested in PetroVietnam Group’s renewable energy projects.” Vietnam is accelerating its renewable energy development with a national goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. As of 2022, renewable energy accounted for 16.2% of total power generation. Under its recently announced 8th National Power Development Plan, the country aims to increase this share to between 39.2% and 47% by 2030. Reporter: Seonok Yeon

Original Article: Money Today (https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/008/0004903141?sid=101) Gemopia Invest announced on the 23rd that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with PVCB Capital, the asset management arm of Vietnam’s largest state-owned enterprise, PetroVietnam, to establish a fund that will invest in Vietnam’s green growth industries, greenhouse gas reduction projects, and renewable energy ventures. Gemopia Invest’s local investment arm, ASONG Invest, and PVCB Capital plan to launch the “PV-ASONG Green Growth Fund” in the third quarter of this year. Through this fund, they plan to invest in the equity of PetroVietnam subsidiaries engaged in renewable energy, green growth projects, and GHG reduction initiatives jointly promoted by the governments of Korea and Vietnam. Additionally, they are currently preparing and executing detailed investment plans with PV Power, Vietnam’s second-largest electricity producer, and are also in discussions with other affiliates of PetroVietnam regarding potential investment targets. Meanwhile, Gemopia Invest is participating in President Yoon Suk-yeol’s state visit to Vietnam as a member of the economic delegation. CEO Youngkyu Lim and other executives from the group are exploring business opportunities in Vietnam. CEO Lim stated, “We are looking for additional investment opportunities in the fields of energy, infrastructure, and real estate, and will focus on strengthening partnerships with Korean companies that can participate in PetroVietnam Group’s renewable energy projects.” Reporter: Samin Lee (24min@mt.co.kr)

Original Source: News1 (https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/421/0006884152?sid=101) “Exploring Energy, Infrastructure, and Real Estate Investment Opportunities and Strengthening Renewable Energy Partnerships” Signed MOU with PetroVietnam’s Asset Management Firm to Establish a Green Growth Fund (Seoul = News1) Reporter Seunghee Park – Private equity firm Gemopia Invest announced on the 23rd that it will participate as part of the economic delegation for President Yoon Suk-yeol’s state visit to Vietnam. Youngkyu Lim, CEO of Gemopia Invest, stated, “We will focus on identifying additional investment opportunities in energy, infrastructure, and real estate, and more importantly, on strengthening partnerships with Korean companies that can participate in PetroVietnam Group’s renewable energy projects.” Youngkyu Lim, CEO of Gemopia Invest Gemopia Invest has also signed an MOU with PVCB Capital, the asset management arm of PetroVietnam, to establish a fund to invest in Vietnam’s green growth industries, GHG reduction projects, and renewable energy ventures. Gemopia Invest’s local investment entity, ASONG Invest, and PVCB Capital will jointly launch the “PV-ASONG Green Growth Fund” in Q3 this year. The fund aims to invest in equity of PetroVietnam’s renewable energy subsidiaries, green growth projects, and greenhouse gas reduction programs promoted jointly by the Korean and Vietnamese governments. Additionally, Gemopia Invest is preparing and executing detailed investment plans with PV Power, Vietnam’s second-largest electricity producer, and is in discussions with other PetroVietnam affiliates regarding investment opportunities. Reporter: Seunghee Park (seunghee@news1.kr)

Original Source: Maeil Business Newspaper (https://www.mk.co.kr/news/business/10632162) Visual (CEO Seil Heo), the company behind Korea’s largest jewelry commerce platform “Amondz,” has partnered with global jewelry manufacturer Gemopia Invest (CEO Youngkyu Lim). Visual signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Jewelry Khan (hereinafter Gemopia Vietnam), the Vietnamese subsidiary of Gemopia Invest, with the aim of creating synergy through multifaceted exchange and cooperation in the global jewelry business. Jewelry Khan, Gemopia’s Vietnamese Subsidiary Following the agreement, the two companies plan to collaborate in various areas including the development of new jewelry products and brands, production of existing products, and global distribution. For example, Visual will contribute its experience operating “Amondz,” Korea’s top jewelry commerce platform, along with its millennial customer insights and IT expertise based on a rich database. Gemopia Vietnam, which has OEM/ODM production experience for global brands such as “Pandora,” can manufacture world-class products. Notably, since its founding in Korea in 1978, Gemopia Invest has grown into a global jewelry manufacturer with more than 4,000 specialized jewelry professionals operating in countries including China, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Japan. Seil Heo, CEO of Visual, stated, “Visual has developed its business based on a commerce platform with the goal of building a new global jewelry ecosystem. We share a fundamental vision with Gemopia Invest, which possesses world-class technology and a global manufacturing system. Based on this shared vision, we expect to collaborate across multiple fields.” Reporter: Suho Park | suhoz@mk.co.kr