Korean Women's Volleyball Team Dominates Qatar, Secures Second Straight Win at 2026 Asian Games The South Korean women's volleyball team, aiming for its first Asian Games medal in eight years, decisively defeated Qatar, achieving its second consecutive win in the group stage of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.Under the guidance of head coach Cha Sang-hyun, South Korea (ranked 28th by the International Volleyball Federation) triumphed over Qatar (ranked 106th) with a set score of 3-0 (25-6, 25-6, 25-10) in the second match of Group D held at Komaki Park Arena in Japan on September 17.This September 17, 2026

Impact of U.S. Federal Reserve Tightening on Financial Sector and Borrowers The U.S. Federal Reserve has raised its benchmark interest rate for the first time in over three years and hinted at the possibility of further increases. This prolonged tightening from the U.S., combined with domestic factors such as rising prices and housing costs, is raising concerns about increased funding and refinancing costs for financial companies, as well as heightened repayment burdens for vulnerable borrowers.According to the Korea Financial Investment Association, the yield on AAA-ra September 17, 2026

Toss Invests 30 Billion Won in Oasis and Launches Dedicated Delivery Service Toss (Viva Republica) is expanding its commerce business by partnering with early morning delivery service Oasis. The company announced on September 17 that it has opened a dedicated section for Oasis Market on Toss Shopping and made a 30 billion won equity investment. Viva Republica stated that it has signed an exclusive cooperation agreement with Oasis and launched the 'Oasis Market Dedicated Section' on Toss Shopping. The dedicated section will operate as a separate tab within Toss Shopping. September 17, 2026

IBK Industrial Bank Supports Vulnerable Single-Parent Families with $1.6 Million IBK Industrial Bank announced on September 17 that it is launching the 'On-IBK Together Care' initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family to support the stability and independence of vulnerable single-parent families.The bank is investing a total of 1.6 billion won (approximately $1.6 million) in this initiative, which will provide tailored support in three areas: housing, livelihood, and childcare.In the housing sector, IBK will partner with the Korean Single Mot September 17, 2026

Man Sentenced to Life for Killing Mother-in-Law and Hiding Body in Suitcase A 26-year-old man, Jo Jae-bok, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for killing his mother-in-law and disposing of her body in a suitcase. The prosecution requested the life sentence during the final hearing at the Daegu District Court on September 17, where Jo was charged with homicide and other offenses.The prosecution described the case as a gruesome crime that violated human ethics, occurring in the heart of a major city. They noted that both Jo and his wife have developmental disabilitie September 17, 2026

Gwangju City Launches Local R&D Initiative with $11 Million Investment in Semiconductors, Energy, and Mobility Gwangju City is launching a local autonomous research and development (R&D) initiative focused on semiconductors, energy, and mobility, aimed at identifying and developing technologies needed by local industries and businesses.According to Gwangju City, the Ministry of Science and ICT recently held a launch ceremony for the '4-Region 3-Specialty Local Autonomous R&D Project' at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), marking the start of the initiative. A total of 13.1 bi September 17, 2026

Shinhan Card Launches 'SOL LINK' Check Card to Expand Financial Ecosystem Shinhan Financial Group is accelerating the expansion of its 'SOL LINK' ecosystem by integrating banking, securities, and now card services.On September 17, Shinhan Card announced the launch of the 'SOL LINK Shinhan Card Point Plan Check Card,' designed specifically for SOL LINK accounts.This product is characterized by its connection between banking, securities accounts, and card services, aligning with Shinhan Financial's integrated platform strategy. In June, the company revamped its financia September 17, 2026

South Korea to Allow Prescription of Mifepristone for Early Abortions The South Korean government plans to officially allow the prescription and dispensing of mifepristone, a medication for medical abortions, for women within nine weeks of pregnancy starting as early as the first quarter of next year. For the first two years, prescriptions will be limited to direct orders from physicians and in-hospital dispensing to ensure patient safety. This decision comes seven years after the Constitutional Court ruled that the abortion law was unconstitutional.Mifepristone i September 17, 2026

South Korea's Men's Basketball Team Advances to Semifinals with 34-Point Victory Over Jordan The South Korean men's basketball team, aiming for its first gold medal in 12 years since the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, secured a spot in the semifinals by defeating Jordan.Under the guidance of head coach Nikolajs Mazulis from Latvia, South Korea (ranked 57th by FIBA) triumphed over Jordan (ranked 41st) with a score of 114-80 in the quarterfinals held at the Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, Japan, on September 16.This marks South Korea's first semifinal appearance in eight years, following September 17, 2026

Korea Eyes Golden Days at Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on October 2-3 The Korean delegation is expected to secure the most gold medals during the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on October 2 and 3. Key events, including finals in archery, taekwondo, golf, sports climbing, and men's soccer, are scheduled for these two days, with a potential of up to 11 gold medals.Korea will send a total of 1,052 athletes and officials across 41 sports, participating in all events except cricket and padel. This marks the largest number of sports Korea has ever entered in the Asian Games.T September 17, 2026