Four Companies Under Investigation for Alleged Bid Rigging in Tablet Supply Four manufacturers and suppliers of tablet computers for digital textbooks are under investigation by the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) for alleged bid rigging.On September 17, the FTC's secretariat announced that it has submitted a report on the review of the bid rigging case involving tablet computers for digital textbooks, initiating the review process. The companies under scrutiny are iBridge.com, A-Tech Computer, Uniwide, and For You Digital.The investigators determined that these companies h September 17, 2026

New Parental Leave Policies Allow Men to Take Time Off for Spousal Births Starting soon, male employees will be able to take parental leave beginning 50 days before their spouse's expected delivery date. A new policy will also allow up to five days of leave for spouses who experience miscarriage or stillbirth, and paternity leave will be permitted for men to care for their partners during high-risk pregnancies.The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on September 17 that the 'Spousal Support Package' aimed at encouraging male participation in caregiving from pre September 17, 2026

South Korea's Knowledge Service Trade Deficit Reaches $6.4 Billion in First Half of 2026 South Korea recorded a knowledge service trade deficit exceeding $6.4 billion in the first half of 2026. This marks the second-largest deficit since statistics began being compiled, with the computer and mobile software deficit reaching an all-time high for a half-year period.According to the Bank of Korea's preliminary 'Knowledge Service Trade Statistics' released on September 17, the knowledge service trade balance for the first half of the year was a deficit of $6.44 billion. This is the seco September 17, 2026

Three out of four companies to observe four-day Chuseok holiday amid negative economic sentiment This year, most companies will observe a four-day holiday for Chuseok, but their sentiment regarding the holiday economy remains negative. The number of companies reporting a worsening economic situation compared to last year was five times greater than those reporting an improvement. Additionally, the proportion of companies planning to provide Chuseok bonuses has slightly decreased from last year.The Korea Employers Federation (KEF) conducted a survey of 601 companies with five or more employe September 17, 2026

Government to Intensify Environmental Inspections at 3,400 Sites Ahead of Chuseok The government will conduct intensive inspections at over 3,400 sites with significant environmental pollution concerns ahead of the Chuseok holiday. During the holiday period, drones and mobile measurement vehicles will be deployed to monitor illegal pollution activities, and regional situation rooms will be established. The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced on September 17 that special monitoring, inspections, and promotional activities to prevent environmental pollution w September 17, 2026

Cow Manure to Be Used as Solid Fuel: Government Begins Field Verification The government is set to begin field verification for utilizing cow manure as solid fuel. This initiative aims to investigate the entire process from the amount of manure generated on livestock farms to the production and quality of the fuel, thereby reducing the burden of livestock manure disposal while establishing a foundation for renewable energy use.The National Institute of Environmental Research, under the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, announced on September 17 that it will September 17, 2026

South Korea Boosts Nuclear Decommissioning Industry Competitiveness 정부가 고리 원전 1호기 해체를 계기로 국내 원전해체 산업의 경쟁력을 끌어올리고 해외시장 진출을 본격 지원한다. 전 세계적으로 영구정지 원전이 늘어나는 가운데 국내 기업이 원전 건설부터 해체까지 전 주기에 걸친 경쟁력을 갖출 수 있도록 기술·시장·인프라 지원 방안을 모색한다.기후에너지환경부는 오는 18일 서울 중구 웨스틴조선에서 '원전해체 글로벌 경쟁력 강화 협의회'와 '2026 원전해체 비즈니스 포럼'을 개최한다고 17일 밝혔다.기후부와 한국수력원자력이 주최하고 한국원자력산업협회가 주관하는 이번 행사에는 국내외 September 17, 2026

Interdimension Launches Apartment Auction Analysis Service 'Aljja Auction' Interdimension Co., Ltd. is launching an auction information service that analyzes apartment auction data from 60 courts across the country, providing attractiveness rankings and explanatory reports.On September 17, the proptech startup announced the official release of 'Aljja Auction,' aimed at discouraging short-term speculative investments and enabling actual buyers to analyze their rights.Aljja Auction is a proptech platform that collects and analyzes 25 types of public and private data dail September 17, 2026

Apgujeong: Building the Future Again - 50 Years of Apgujeong Hyundai Apartments The Apgujeong Hyundai Apartments, completed in 1976, are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. Once a symbol of the new apartment era in Gangnam, Apgujeong Hyundai is now preparing for a large-scale reconstruction to transform into a future residential city for the 21st century. Aju Business Daily is focusing on the 50-year history of Apgujeong Hyundai, the current status of the reconstruction efforts, project costs, public contributions, and the conditions for future apartments. Along t September 17, 2026

Sangmidang Holdings Engages in Charity Activities at 29 Welfare Institutions Nationwide for Chuseok Sangmidang Holdings is conducting charity and volunteer activities across the country in celebration of the Chuseok holiday.On September 17, Sangmidang Holdings announced that from September 14 to 23, it will carry out product donations and volunteer activities at 29 welfare institutions nationwide.On September 16, the Happy Volunteer Group, composed of employees from its subsidiaries, visited the Yangjae Senior Center in Seocho, Seoul, to host a 'Sweet Chuseok' event with local seniors. Employe September 17, 2026