Gwangju's 27 Local Governments Demand $1 Billion in Consolidation Support Gwangju's 27 cities, counties, and districts are requesting $1 billion from a total of $20 billion in administrative consolidation support.On September 17, the Gwangju Mayors, County Heads, and District Heads Council held its first regular meeting in Nam-gu, where they decided on 12 proposals.Among these, they agreed to jointly request the distribution of approximately $1 billion from the consolidation support to the 27 local governments.The council expressed concern that if the principal amount September 18, 2026

NH Nonghyup Bank Incinerates 16.4 Billion Won in Long-Term Delinquent Loans to Support Farmers NH Nonghyup Bank has incinerated 16.4 billion won in long-term delinquent loans, assisting 5,430 farmers in restoring their credit and economic stability.On September 18, the bank's bad debt reserve fund held a meeting where it announced the incineration of 6,857 loans, totaling 16.4 billion won, which included expired claims and loans discharged through personal rehabilitation and bankruptcy.This debt incineration allows the 5,430 farmers burdened by long-term debt to escape their financial obl September 18, 2026

Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong Visits Korea University Guro Hospital to Discuss Nursing Care Improvements As the burden of caregiving costs for patients increases due to aging and changes in family structures, the government is preparing a long-term roadmap for a qualitative leap in integrated nursing and care services.Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong of the Ministry of Health and Welfare visited Korea University Guro Hospital on the morning of September 18 to assess the operation of the integrated nursing and care services ward and hold a meeting with staff. The meeting included Minister Jeong, Lim Eul-ki September 18, 2026

Democratic Party Leaders Express Support for President Lee's Press Conference The ruling Democratic Party issued a message of "listening more humbly" following President Lee Jae-myung's press conference on the 18th, aligning itself with the Blue House.After the press conference, Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok met with reporters at the National Assembly and stated, "Throughout the press conference, I shared the same thoughts and feelings as President Lee. The party will also listen more humbly and pay attention to the people's livelihoods," he emphasized.Han Byeong-d September 18, 2026

NH Nonghyup Bank Discusses Expansion of Global Financial Cooperation with Citigroup NH Nonghyup Bank met with Citigroup to review key issues in the global financial market and discuss ways to expand financial cooperation.On September 17, NH Nonghyup Bank held a meeting at its headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul, with senior executives from Citigroup and Korea Citibank to exchange views on current financial market issues and ways to strengthen collaboration between the two institutions.The meeting was organized to share market trends amid ongoing uncertainties in the global financial September 18, 2026

Democratic Party's Jeong Jun-ho Receives Invalid Election Ruling Democratic Party lawmaker Jeong Jun-ho has been sentenced to an invalid election ruling. On September 18, the Gwangju District Court's Criminal Division 12, led by Chief Judge Jang Woo-seok, imposed a fine of 10 million won and a forfeiture of 50 million won on Jeong for violations of the Political Fund Act and the Public Official Election Act. Two election office officials, also charged with violations of the Public Official Election Act, received fines ranging from 4 million to 7 million won. September 18, 2026

Financial Authorities Strengthen Capital Regulations on High-Risk Home Loans 금융당국이 고가주택이나 담보인정비율(LTV)이 높은 주택담보대출에 대한 은행권 자본규제를 강화한다. 대출 위험도에 따라 은행이 쌓아야 할 자본을 늘리는 방식으로, 고위험 주담대를 많이 보유한 은행의 건전성 관리 부담이 커질 전망이다. 18일 금융권에 따르면 금융감독원은 최근 주요 은행권과 회의를 열고 고위험 주담대를 구분하는 세부 기준을 제시했다. 금융당국은 지난달 13일 발표한 부동산 금융대책에서 고액·고DSR(총부채원리금상환비율) 대출과 고가주택·고LTV 대출에 대한 자본규제를 강화하겠다고 밝힌 September 18, 2026

Han Seong-sook Inspects Housing Supply Site at Taereung Golf Course Han Seong-sook, the Prime Minister of South Korea, visited the Taereung Golf Course housing supply site in Seoul on September 18, urging the need for a comprehensive design that includes transportation, living conditions, education, and childcare infrastructure.During her visit to the Taereung and Gangneung areas in Nowon-gu, she was accompanied by key officials, including Lee Hyung-il, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance; Kim I-tak, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of September 18, 2026

Minister Hwang Jong-woo Inspects Seafood Prices Ahead of Chuseok Hwang Jong-woo, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, visited the Busan seafood market to check on the supply and prices of key seafood items ahead of Chuseok. The ministry plans to ease the burden of holiday shopping through the largest-ever release of government stockpiles and a refund event for Onnuri gift certificates.On September 18, Minister Hwang visited Jagalchi Market and the Nampo-dong dried seafood wholesale market to assess the price trends and supply conditions of essential seafood September 18, 2026

Gwangju City Council Approves First Organizational Restructuring Plan The Gwangju City Council has finally approved its first organizational restructuring plan.This decision stabilizes the city’s organization and allows for personnel changes.The administration plans to expedite subsequent appointments.It aims to conduct some executive promotions before Chuseok and finalize all personnel changes by October 7.On September 18, the Gwangju City Council held its third plenary session of the first regular meeting, where it passed the "Comprehensive Amendment to the Ordi September 18, 2026