SK Telecom Expands Chat+ PC Version for Text Messaging SK Telecom (SKT) is launching a recommendation and installation event for its 'Chat+ PC version' from September 17 to October 16. The Chat+ PC version is a text messaging service developed jointly by SKT and Samsung Electronics. SKT customers using Samsung Galaxy smartphones (models supporting One UI 6.0 and above) can send and receive text messages on their PCs using their existing phone numbers, regardless of whether the recipient is subscribed to the service. SKT is offering a total of 20 mil September 17, 2026

U.S. Rate Hike Strengthens Dollar, Pushing Exchange Rate Above 1370 Won The won-dollar exchange rate rose to the upper 1300s following the U.S. central bank's tightening measures.As of 9:05 a.m. on September 17, the exchange rate in the Seoul foreign exchange market was 1377.3 won per U.S. dollar. The rate was trading at 1377.0 won as of 6 a.m., an increase of 8.4 won from the previous day's closing rate of 3:30 p.m.The rise in the exchange rate is attributed to the strong dollar following the Federal Reserve's interest rate hike and hawkish comments from Fed Chair September 17, 2026

Bank of Korea Warns of Tightening U.S. Federal Reserve Monetary Policy Bank of Korea Vice Governor Kwon Min-soo stated on September 17 that the U.S. Federal Reserve's monetary policy is expected to remain tight in the future.Kwon made the remarks during a market situation review meeting related to the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) regular meeting held earlier that day, noting that the FOMC raised the policy interest rate as the market anticipated.During the FOMC meeting on September 15-16 (local time), the Federal Reserve raised the policy interest rate by 2 September 17, 2026

Korea Investment & Securities Maintains Target Price of 180,000 Won for Lotte Shopping Korea Investment & Securities on September 17 maintained a target price of 180,000 won and a "buy" rating for Lotte Shopping, highlighting the momentum in the retail sector, including supermarkets and department stores. Analyst Kim Myung-joo stated, "Sales at domestic department stores have grown by 9-10% compared to the same period last year, which is better than market concerns." He added that Lotte Shopping's discount stores are expected to show the strongest growth among its retail channels September 17, 2026

38.3 Million AI Training Data Sets from Magazines, Textbooks, and Academic Papers Made Public More than 38 million data sets, including books, tables, illustrations, advertisements, and photographs, will be made available to the public.The National Library of Korea announced on September 17 that it will publicly release artificial intelligence (AI) training data built from national literature for the first time.The release includes 3,974 text data sets (Hidden Text PDF, XML, TXT, JSON), 21,485 image data sets such as tables, illustrations, advertisements, and photographs, as well as 38.3 September 17, 2026

Hanwha to Develop Integrated Air Defense System with UAE's EDGE Group Hanwha is set to collaborate with the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) largest state-owned defense company, EDGE Group, to develop an integrated air defense system.On September 15, Hanwha Systems announced that it signed a key agreement with EDGE Group in Abu Dhabi regarding the UAE integrated air defense system project. The agreement outlines the direction for introducing weapon systems related to the integrated air defense system and details for phased reviews.This signing marks a significant step September 17, 2026

Fed Raises Interest Rate by 0.25%, Dollar Rises and Stocks Fall The U.S. Federal Reserve has raised its benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percentage points. The dot plot, which reflects the rate outlook of Fed officials, also indicated the possibility of another increase later this year. As a result of the stronger-than-expected tightening stance, U.S. Treasury yields and the dollar rose, while the New York stock market declined, reflecting a hawkish outcome in the financial markets.According to the International Financial Center on September 17, the Fed decid September 17, 2026

Kim Yo-jong: Nuclear Status of North Korea is Absolute 김정은 북한 국무위원장의 동생인 김여정 북한 노동당 중앙위원회 총무부장이 국제원자력기구(IAEA)의 북한 비핵화 촉구를 일축하며, 핵보유국 지위는 되돌릴 수 없다고 주장했다. 김 부장은 17일 조선중앙통신을 통해 발표한 담화에서 최근 제70차 IAEA 총회에서 제기된 유엔 안전보장이사회 결의 위반과 완전하고 검증 가능하며 불가역적인 비핵화(CVID) 촉구를 두고 “귀에 익은 잡소리”라고 비난했다. 그는 매년 되풀이되는 비핵화 요구를 “자동응답기에서 밤낮 울려나오는 소리처럼” 들린다며 북한의 현 지위를 바꾸려는 시도는 “한심 September 17, 2026

KT&G Launches 'Lil Tonino Lamborghini' Pop-Up Store in Seongsu "How long does it take to heat the Lil Tonino Lamborghini? Three seconds!"On September 15, KT&G opened a pop-up store for its new 'Lil Tonino Lamborghini' in Seongsu-dong, Seoul. Upon entering, visitors were greeted with a quiz about the product's key feature: a three-second heating time. The interior, reminiscent of a sports car, featured a large product model and a structure displaying the phrase '3sec' hanging from the ceiling, designed to help visitors remember the number.KT&G is operating t September 17, 2026

Korea and Tajikistan Sign Anti-Corruption MOU at Central Asia Summit The Anti-Corruption Commission of Korea announced on September 17 that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Tajikistan's Agency for State Financial Control and Anti-Corruption (ASFCCC) on September 16 at The Grand Lotte in Seoul.This MOU aims to strengthen cooperation and support between South Korea and Tajikistan in anti-corruption efforts, coinciding with the 2026 First Korea-Central Asia Summit. Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Tajikistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, signed the anti-corr September 17, 2026