The semiconductor boom is beginning to translate into consumption through wages, the Bank of Korea said. After bonus payouts at Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, consumption in chip-exposed areas such as Icheon, Hwaseong and Cheongju was up to 4 percent higher than in non-exposed regions. The central bank said the spillover differs by region, with Icheon residents likely directing extra income to home purchases while Cheongju showed stronger spending.

LG Electronics will hold hands-on events for its new cleaning robot, LG Homebot AI Objet Collection RONi, at major department stores nationwide. It will operate a pop-up experience zone on the first floor of Hyundai Department Store\'s Pangyo branch through Aug. 12. The zone showcases a hidden station designed to fit under a kitchen sink and an Objet station with a bedside-table-style exterior.