Kim Seung-won’s Confirmation Report Approved by Ruling Party 김승원 법무부 장관 후보자에 대한 인사청문경과보고서가 17일 더불어민주당 주도로 국회 법제사법위원회를 통과했다. 국민의힘은 청문보고서 채택 안건이 일방적으로 상정됐다고 항의하며 회의장에서 퇴장했다.법사위는 이날 전체회의를 열고 김 후보자 청문보고서를 의결했다. 국민의힘은 김 후보자의 의혹이 충분히 규명되지 않았는데 민주당이 기습적으로 청문보고서 채택안을 상정했다고 반발했다.국민의힘 법사위 간사인 박형수 의원은 "청문회에서 의혹이 해소된 게 하나도 없다"며 "(여야 합의 없이) 채택 안건을 September 17, 2026

Korean Cinema Expands Its Reach to North American Theaters 한국영화가 세계 무대에서 다시 존재감을 키우고 있다. 이번에는 서로 다른 색깔의 작품으로 자신만의 영화 세계를 구축해온 감독들이 그 중심에 섰다. 이창동 감독은 8년 만의 신작 '가능한 사랑'으로 베니스국제영화제 심사위원대상을 받았고, 홍상수 감독은 '눈 둘 데가 없네'로 로카르노국제영화제 3관왕에 올랐다. 나홍진 감독의 '호프'는 세계 영화제 초청을 거쳐 북미 1560개 스크린에서 개봉하며 상업시장에서도 성과를 냈다. 작품의 규모와 장르, 해외 진출 방식은 저마다 다르지만 세 감독 모두 자신만 September 17, 2026

Korea and Central Asia Expand Economic Cooperation with $14 Million in Export Contracts Economic cooperation between South Korea and Central Asia is expanding beyond exports to include key raw material supply chains and energy infrastructure. During the recent visit of buyers and suppliers from five Central Asian countries, approximately $14 million in export contracts were signed on-site.The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) announced on September 17 that it hosted the 'Korea-Central Asia Business Partnership' event at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul on September 16 September 17, 2026

Full Moon to Rise on September 25, but Roundest Moment is Two Days Later While there will be no issue enjoying the full moon on Chuseok night, those wanting to see the moon at its roundest will need to wait an extra day.This year, Chuseok falls on September 25, which is the 15th day of the 8th month in the lunar calendar. In Seoul, the moon will rise at approximately 5:34 PM on that day.However, the moment when the moon is at its roundest, known as 'mang' (望), will occur not on Chuseok itself but at 1:49 AM on September 27. 'Mang' refers to the time when the sun and September 17, 2026

LS Group Expands Energy and Mineral Cooperation in Central Asia LS Group is expanding its telecommunications infrastructure and key mineral and rare metal businesses in three Central Asian countries. LS Cable is working on establishing a communication network in Turkmenistan, while LS MnM is focusing on mineral development in Tajikistan and building a rare metal industry ecosystem in Kazakhstan. The plan aims to combine power and communication infrastructure with Central Asia's resources to secure new markets and supply chains.On September 17, LS announced t September 17, 2026

BYD May Join Xi Jinping's U.S. Visit, Paving Way for Local EV Production China's largest electric vehicle manufacturer, BYD, may be included in the economic delegation accompanying President Xi Jinping during his visit to the United States next week. This speculation arises as President Donald Trump recently expressed a positive stance on local production by Chinese automakers in the U.S., suggesting that discussions about BYD's investment in the U.S. could gain momentum during the upcoming U.S.-China summit.On September 16, Bloomberg reported, citing sources, that a September 17, 2026

Mayor Myung Hyun-kwan Proposes 'Balanced Development Strategy' to President Myung Hyun-kwan, the mayor of Haenam, has sent a letter to the president urging the development of Solar City as a national hub for artificial intelligence (AI) and renewable energy. In his proposal, he outlined four key initiatives aimed at transforming Haenam's industrial structure and accessibility, including the designation of a national AI demonstration city and a renewable energy mega zone, the construction of a high-speed highway connecting Gwangju, Yeongam, and Haenam, and the establishm September 17, 2026

North Korea Goods Require Government Approval for Import, Constitutional Court Rules North Korean goods must receive government approval for importation, and violations will result in penalties, according to a ruling by the Constitutional Court. This is the first time the court has addressed the constitutionality of this provision.On September 17, the court ruled 8-1 that the provisions regarding the import of goods in Article 13, Section 1, and Article 27, Section 1, Item 3 of the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Act are constitutional.Jin Cheon-kyu, the head of Unificatio September 17, 2026

Hampyeong County Seeks National Budget for 2027, Including Rural Basic Income Hampyeong County is actively working with local lawmakers to secure national funding for 2027, focusing on key issues including a pilot program for rural basic income.On September 16, Hampyeong County held a "Democratic Party-Hampyeong County Budget and Policy Council" meeting in the county office's small conference room to discuss major issues related to the 2027 government budget and proposed national projects. The current county mayor is Lee Nam-o.Attendees included National Assembly member L September 17, 2026

Kang Jin-won Visits Elderly and Welfare Facilities Ahead of Chuseok Kang Jin-won, the mayor of Kangjin County, has been visiting elderly individuals living alone and social welfare facilities to check on vulnerable groups ahead of the Chuseok holiday. On September 16, Kang visited homes of elderly individuals living alone, as well as three social welfare facilities: the Kangjin Senior Welfare Center, Kangjin Nursing Home, and Kangjin Charity Home, to assess their living conditions and deliver care packages. One of the homes visited by Kang was that of an elderly September 17, 2026