Cultivating outstanding university students in Ho Chi Minh City as finance mentors
Delivering practical financial management knowledge to vulnerable groups in the local community

SEOUL, South Korea and HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam , Oct. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Hanwha Life, South Korea’s first life insurance company, is taking a proactive role in alleviating financial vulnerability in Vietnam by selecting outstanding young financial talent in Ho Chi Minh City and enabling them to share financial knowledge throughout the local community.

The company announced on October 2 that it successfully carried out the “Hanwha Life Finance Mentor” program in Ho Chi Minh City, nurturing promising university students as finance mentors who deliver practical financial education to financially underprivileged groups such as youth and women.

This initiative is part of “Future Plus”, Hanwha Life’s global social-contribution program designed to create sustainable social value through financial education and talent development in overseas hubs such as Vietnam and Indonesia.

According to the latest report by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Goldman Sachs, Vietnam ranks among the world’s top countries in terms of the size of its financially vulnerable population. In response, Hanwha Life partnered with Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH) and ChildFund Korea to establish a positive cycle in which Vietnamese university students trained in finance and ICT return to their communities to deliver creative, innovative, and locally tailored financial education.

The program was launched with the selection of 20 undergraduate mentors from HUTECH’s finance and computer science departments. Following an inauguration ceremony in August, the mentors completed two months of intensive training, which included foundational finance and fintech education, financial management workshops, youth mentoring practicums, and expert feedback sessions. The training was jointly led by Hanwha Life financial and insurance experts, local economics faculty, and child-education specialists.

Upon completing training, the student mentors delivered customized financial education programs for youth and women at middle and high schools—including Royal School and Experimental High School Ho Chi Minh City University of Education—as well as at the Center for Capacity Building, Support for Women and Children (CSWC). By integrating games and recreational activities into their teaching, the mentors taught practical ways to manage money and everyday spending habits. Incorporating evaluation and feedback from youth-education experts also ensured the program’s effectiveness and cultural relevance. The initiative will continue through December, with the goal of reaching a total of 1,000 community members.

A participating student mentor, Ho Phan Truc Anh (Hồ Phan Trúc Anh), said, “Through this program, I not only gained financial knowledge but also had the rewarding experience of sharing what I learned with local residents. This program helped me realize the seriousness of financial vulnerability in our community, and I will continue contributing to the spread of accurate financial knowledge.”

A Hanwha Life representative stated, “By nurturing young Vietnamese talents as finance mentors and enabling them to share knowledge across their communities, we have confirmed that corporate social responsibility can grow beyond short-term support into a sustainable development model. Hanwha Life will continue to expand innovative programs under its global CSR platform “Future Plus” to provide tangible assistance to financially vulnerable groups.”

About Hanwha Life

Established in 1946, Hanwha Life is not only a leading South Korean life insurance company, but also the first and oldest one in the country. For the past 78 years, Hanwha Life has played a critical role in developing the industry and expanding the country’s economic growth. In 2023, Hanwha Life reported total assets of USD 113.77 billion, demonstrating its sound structure and firm commitment to innovative products and services that meet a wide range of customer needs.

For more information, please visit: https://www.hanwhalife.com/static/company/english/EN_0000000_P10000.htm

SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — PEI-Genesis, a global leader in the design and assembly of custom-engineered interconnect solutions, will exhibit at the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (Seoul ADEX) 2025. The event runs from October 20–24, 2025, at the KINTEX Exhibition Center (Booth #18-20, Hall 7).

Returning to this premier industry event, PEI-Genesis will showcase an extensive range of high-reliability connectors for aerospace, defense, and other demanding applications. The display will feature ruggedized mil-spec (including MIL-DTL-38999 and MIL-DTL-5015 circular connectors), RF, fiber optic, and harsh-environment solutions from Amphenol, ITT Cannon, Souriau by Eaton, Cinch, Conesys, and PRECI-DIP. This includes RF connectors from Amphenol RF and Cinch’s Johnson and Trompeter lines, industrial solutions from Eaton and Amphenol Industrial, and accessories like backshells and mil-spec contacts.

“Our return to Seoul ADEX underscores our commitment to supporting customers in the aerospace and defense markets across Asia,” said Alex Tsui, Vice President & Managing Director, Asia Pacific, PEI-Genesis. “We look forward to engaging with industry partners and demonstrating how our connector solutions and cable assemblies deliver unmatched performance and reliability with fast shipping compressed to 48 hours.”

Seoul ADEX, Korea’s largest aerospace and defense exhibition, provides a dynamic platform for industry professionals to explore advancements in aerospace, defense, and security technologies. PEI-Genesis invites attendees to visit Booth #18-20 in Hall 7 to discover tailored interconnect solutions and discuss how our expertise can meet specific technical requirements.

About PEI-Genesis

PEI-Genesis is one of the world’s fastest assemblers of precision connectors and cable assemblies. From the largest connector component inventory in the world, it develops engineered solutions that support the military, industrial, medical, aerospace, transportation, and energy sectors worldwide. Headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, USA, PEI-Genesis has production facilities in South Bend, IN, USA; Southampton, UK; Zhuhai, China; and Pune, India, as well as sales offices throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia.

Sephora commits to donating 100 Percent* of Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez new Rare Beauty fine fragrance sales to the Rare Impact Fund

SINGAPORE, Oct. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Sephora and Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez announce the return of the “Make A Rare Impact” campaign in recognition of World Mental Health Day, to raise awareness and mobilize efforts in support of mental health. This year’s campaign will see Sephora donate 100%* of new Rare Beauty fine fragrance sales to the Rare Impact Fund, from 10^th to 12^th October 2025. This will include Sephora sales in-store and online in 25 markets as well as at Sephora at Kohl’s locations across the United States.

Created in 2020 by Rare Beauty Founder and Creator Selena Gomez, the Rare Impact Fund’s mission is to mobilize $100 million for organizations expanding access to youth mental health services and education globally. Since its inception, the Rare Impact Fund has raised over $20 million and supports 30 organizations across five continents, expanding access to mental health services and education for young people.

“Five years ago, we launched the Rare Impact Fund with a simple goal: to help more young people around the world feel seen, supported, and cared for. Our partners like Sephora are instrumental to pursue our mission and by contributing crucial funds to expand mental health resources for the young people who need them. For the third year in a row, we are excited to continue our impactful fundraising efforts with Sephora, one of our greatest donors who share our belief in this mission and understand the need to expand mental health resources to young people around the world,” said Selena Gomez, Founder and Creator of Rare Beauty and the Rare Impact Fund.

“We are thrilled to extend our partnership for the third year,” said Jenny Cheah, Managing Director, Southeast Asia, Oceania and India, Sephora. “Sephora is deeply committed to fostering a more inclusive world in beauty, a vision shared by Rare Beauty. In Asia-Pacific, where mental health conditions disproportionately impact the population, we believe in the profound positive influence that feeling beautiful can bring. The “Make A Rare Impact” campaign underscores our shared dedication to creating a supportive beauty environment, and we invite our Sephora community to join us in making a difference!” 

Leveraging Sephora’s global reach, the campaign will be run in 25 markets where Sephora operates, including Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong SAR, Italy, India, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States, including Kohl’s network.

In 2024, Sephora’s 2023 donation specifically enabled Rare Impact Fund’s nonprofit partners to collectively reach more than two million people with 445 mental health resources developed and disbursed.

Elyse Cohen, Chief Impact Officer at Rare Beauty, and President of the Rare Impact Fund shared, “Our continued partnership with Sephora on the “Make A Rare Impact” campaign reflects a shared belief in the power of collective action. With their support, and through the work of our dedicated nonprofit partners, the Rare Impact Fund has reached over one million young people each year and supported nearly 3,000 schools and organizations around the world. This campaign is a clear example of what’s possible when brands, nonprofits and communities come together — not just to raise awareness, but to expand access and build lasting support for youth mental health.” 

“We are proud to use our global brand and raise awareness in our community to support the Rare Impact Fund and their mission to shape positive conversations around mental health,” said Deborah Yeh, Global Chief Marketing Officer of Sephora.

*Up to a maximum of US$500,000 within SEPHORA’s Distribution Network in the US; up to a maximum of US$100,000 within Kohl’s Distribution Network; up to a maximum of A$50,000 in Australia and New Zealand; up to a maximum of BRL240,000 in Brazil; up to a maximum of US$6,800 in Thailand; up to a maximum of INR810,000 in India; and, shall not exceed €200,000 regardless the actual number of Product Sales done in Europe, in all the countries of the Territory for Promotion.

About Sephora

Sephora is the world’s leading global prestige beauty retail brand. With 50 000 passionate employees operating in 35 markets, Sephora connects customers and beauty brands within the world’s most trusted and dynamic beauty community. We serve a highly engaged community of hundreds of millions of beauty followers across our global omnichannel network of more than 3 200 stores and iconic flagships, and our e-commerce and digital platforms, offering personalized and immersive seamless experiences across every touchpoint. With our curation of close to 500 brands and our own label, Sephora Collection, we offer the most unique and diverse range of prestige beauty products, tailored to our customers’ needs from fragrance to make-up, haircare, skincare and beyond, as we constantly reimagine the world of prestige beauty.

Since our inception in 1969 in Limoges, France, and as part of the LVMH Group since 1997, we have been disrupting the prestige beauty retail industry. Today, we continue to break with convention to drive our mission to expand the way the world sees beauty and empower the extraordinary in each of us.

About the Rare Impact Fund

The Rare Impact Fund was founded by Selena Gomez in 2020 as part of her commitment to addressing mental health and self-acceptance. One percent of all Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez sales are donated to the Rare Impact Fund, which supports organizations that expand access to mental health services and education for young people globally. Additional funds are raised through philanthropic foundations, individuals, corporate partners, and the Rare Beauty community. The Rare Impact Fund is a fiscally sponsored project of the Hopewell Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity. To learn more about the Fund, visit rareimpactfund.org

About Rare Beauty

Founder and creator Selena Gomez believes everyone is unique and rare. But today, too many people feel trapped by unrealistic expectations of beauty that are impossible to achieve. Rare Beauty is about celebrating who you are and what makes you different. This is makeup made to feel good in without hiding what makes you unique. We use makeup to shape positive conversations around beauty, self-acceptance, and mental health. Not only do we want everyone to feel good about themselves, we want to help them feel more authentically connected to one another and feel less alone in this world. Rare Beauty is available at SEPHORA, and RareBeauty.com.

Master Franchise Agreement to Bring Minimum of 30 Locations to Mexico; Company Adds Five New Locations Across Australia 

TAIPEI, Oct. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — World Gym Corporation (2762.TW) (“World Gym” or the “Company”), the owner of the iconic World Gym brand with over 270 locations worldwide, today announced significant progress in its global growth initiatives, highlighted by a Master Franchise Agreement (MFA) in Mexico and surging growth across Australia. The MFA will bring a minimum of 30 new World Gym facilities to Mexico while the Company has added five new locations in Australia. World Gym also reported record revenue and continued growth as well as five new corporate-owned locations in Taiwan.

John Caraccio, President of World Gym Corporation, said, “As we enter the fourth quarter, I am thrilled to share that we have been experiencing breakneck growth in both our franchised as well as corporate-owned businesses. Our MFA with Mexico establishes a secure footing in Latin America, while we have solid momentum in Australia and continued growth in Taiwan. We are committed to bringing our mission of health, wellness, and community to millions worldwide.”

Strategic Mexico MFA Drives Latin American Expansion

World Gym has signed a pivotal 30-unit Master Franchise Agreement with International Fitness Group LLC, strengthening its presence in Mexico. International Fitness Group, which operates 11 locations in the northern Mexico region, will open its first franchise locations under this agreement by the fourth quarter of 2025. This partnership marks a critical step in World Gym’s strategy to expand its footprint in Latin America and comes on the back of signing a 50-unit Master Franchise Agreement for Brazil in June.

“This agreement marks a transformative milestone for World Gym in Mexico, allowing us to bring our world-class fitness experience to new communities,” said Ivan Galvan, CEO of International Fitness Group LLC. “We are excited to expand our footprint and inspire healthier lifestyles across the region.”

Robust Growth in Australia

World Gym has strengthened its leadership in Australia’s fitness market with the addition of five new franchise locations in Australind, Bentleigh East, Marrickville, Tuggerah, and Waverley Gardens. These openings increase the total number of World Gym locations in Australia to 60, reflecting strong market demand for its innovative fitness offerings and community-focused approach.

Continued Expansion in Taiwan and Strong Financial Performance

In Taiwan, World Gym has expanded its corporate-owned portfolio with five new locations in Chiayi Xingye, Zhubei Huaxing, Hsinchu Xiangshan, Miaoli City, and Neihu Xingyun, increasing its corporate-owned sites to 141. These new facilities reflect World Gym’s commitment to providing accessible, high-quality fitness solutions to its home market. The company also reported record-breaking revenue of NT$940 million (US$31 million) for August 2025, a 13.62% year-over-year increase, underscoring the strength of its global operations and brand demand.

About World Gym Corporation

World Gym Corporation is Taiwan’s largest fitness chain, operating over 140 locations. In 2024, it acquired World Gym International, securing the iconic World Gym brand and global operating rights, establishing itself as a global fitness leader. With a franchise network spanning 10 countries and over 270 locations, it serves 900,000 members. The company continues to empower individuals worldwide to achieve their fitness goals and live healthier lives through state-of-the-art facilities, innovative programs, and technology-driven solutions.

SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — With the final long holiday of 2025 approaching, South Koreans are eagerly planning their travels for the 10-day Chuseok celebration. Digital travel platform Agoda reports a rise in travel interest during this period, with searches for both domestic and international destinations climbing by 29% and 19% year-on-year, respectively, as travelers make the most of this extended break.

Based on accommodation searches made by South Korean travelers from May to August for check-ins during the Chuseok holiday, Agoda revealed that South Koreans were most interested in traveling to Japanese destinations during the long break. Tokyo emerged as the top choice, followed by Fukuoka and Osaka. Beyond Japan, Bali (Indonesia) and Da Nang (Vietnam) round out the top five overseas destinations. The findings indicate that South Korean travelers continue to favor short- and mid-haul destinations, which allow quick getaways while still spending quality time with family during the holiday.

For domestic travel, Jeju topped the list, followed by Busan and Seoul. Notably, secondary destinations like Gyeongju and Sokcho round out the top five domestic travel destinations for South Koreans. Gyeongju has seen the highest growth in domestic travel interest, with searches increasing by 91%.

Sokcho has also emerged as a domestic travel hotspot thanks to the city’s efforts to attract visitors with ‘work-cation (work + vacation)’ initiatives and the installation of the ‘Sea of Light’ media art display at Sokcho Beach, where travelers can enjoy night ocean views paired with immersive light art, creating an ideal setting for photos.

Jay Lee, Country Director, South Korea at Agoda, said, “With the Chuseok holiday ahead, South Korean travelers are eager to make the most of their last long holiday of the year by traveling with family, friends and loved ones. Agoda is committed to offering a wide range of affordable flights, accommodations, and activity options, helping travelers create memorable experiences both at home and abroad to make this an unforgettable Chuseok holiday.”

For travelers planning their perfect Chuseok getaway, Agoda offers over 6 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, all of which can be combined in a single booking. Visit the website at www.Agoda.com or download the mobile app for the best deals.

• Hosted the first OPTECHCON event in Vietnam, inviting local science and engineering talent.
• Pursuing dual production site strategy to internalize product development and manufacturing in both Vietnam and Korea.

SEOUL, South Korea and HAIPHONG, Vietnam, Oct. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — LG Innotek (CEO Moon Hyuksoo, 011070) announced on October 2 that it had hosted OPTECHCON (Optics Tech Conference) at its subsidiary in Haiphong, Vietnam, aimed at attracting top talent in the optical R&D sector.

First launched in 2023, OPTECHCON is a signature initiative of LG Innotek designed to engage and recruit promising researchers and engineers in the field of optics. The event aims to proactively secure outstanding graduates who can contribute to optical technology advancement and cutting-edge innovation.

This marks the first time OPTECHCON has been hosted by an LG Innotek overseas subsidiary. An LG Innotek official explained, “We organized this event in Vietnam to further strengthen our optical solutions business following the completion of our new Vietnamese plant as well as actively recruit outstanding R&D talent who will contribute to advancing our technological capabilities.” 

A total of 80 people participated in the OPTECHCON event, including students and faculty members from leading universities in central and northern Vietnam, such as Vietnam National University (VNU), Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST), University of Danang, and Hue University.

LG Innotek’s leadership team, including CTO S. David Roh(Senior vice president) and CHO Lee Dong-hoon(vice president), visited Vietnam to present to prospective talent the company’s industry-leading optical solutions, vision for innovation, and corporate culture.

Local staff at LG Innotek’s Vietnamese subsidiary shared insights into their projects and R&D experiences, engaging actively with the talented students invited to the event.

The event was also attended by Honorary Professor Park Seung Han, former Executive Vice President for Research Affairs at Yonsei University and the 28th president of the Optical Society of Korea. He delivered a lecture on the current trends in and future prospects of optical technology.

Team leader Đỗ Đình Hùng, who joined the company in 2018, said, “This is a rare opportunity to build a development career at a world-class optical solutions company in Vietnam. While working hard alongside colleagues who share the vision of strengthening LG Innotek’s leadership in the global camera module market, I have grown both professionally and personally.”

Nguyễn Phương Anh, a third-year student at Hanoi University of Science and Technology who attended the event, said, “It was very meaningful to hear about the current trends in technology from various optics experts. The lectures, product exhibitions, and research center tour allowed me to experience LG Innotek’s technology and organizational culture and helped me envision my future career with the company.”

Meanwhile, LG Innotek has completed the capacity expansion at its new V3 plant in Haiphong, Vietnam, covering 150,000m², and has commenced operations there. With the V3 plant now online, the company’s production capacity in Vietnam has more than doubled.

LG Innotek has implemented a dual production site strategy in Korea and Vietnam to internalize the entire process from the development to the production of its optical products. This approach aims to accelerate improvements in cost competitiveness in the optical solutions market.

CHO Lee Dong-hoon stated, “Building on this event in Vietnam, we plan to expand our local talent recruitment efforts to other overseas subsidiaries. Through diverse and innovative hiring initiatives aimed at attracting exceptional personnel who will drive our future growth, LG Innotek will enhance its global competitiveness and continue delivering differentiated value to our customers.”