SK Hynix Labor Agreement Amendment Approved with 50% Stock Bonus SK Hynix's revised wage and collective bargaining agreement has been approved by union members, just three weeks after the initial tentative agreement was narrowly rejected.On September 16, industry sources reported that the SK Hynix production workers' union in Icheon and Cheongju conducted a two-day vote from September 15, resulting in 8,731 votes in favor of the amendment, or 57.08% of the total.The first tentative agreement was voted down on August 25, receiving 7,510 votes in favor (49.92%) September 16, 2026

Energy Entrepreneurs Sought for 'Spark-Up' Competition with 200 Million Won Prize The government is seeking innovative ideas from aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs in the fields of energy transition and carbon neutrality. The winner of the competition will receive a prize of 200 million won, along with support for commercialization and promotion.The Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment announced on September 16 that it will hold an information session for the 'Spark-Up' startup competition on September 17 at the Conrad Hotel in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul.This session is September 16, 2026

Unique Identification Numbers Introduced for Power Plants from Licensing to Operation A unique identification number will be introduced for each power plant to manage the entire process from licensing to construction, inspection, and operation. This system will integrate dispersed electricity business information across various agencies, allowing for the simultaneous online processing of major permits and applications.The Electricity Commission, under the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, announced on the 16th that it will sign a memorandum of understanding on the 'Est September 16, 2026

Anyang Police Conducts 'Code Adam' Training for Missing Children Response The Anyang Dong-an Police Station conducted a joint drill on September 15 with the Lotte Department Store in Pyeongchon, simulating a missing child scenario under the 'Code Adam' protocol. According to the police, Code Adam is a system used in multi-use facilities like department stores and large supermarkets to quickly mobilize staff for a search when a child goes missing. When a missing child report is received, announcements and electronic displays inform the public, while entrances are secur September 16, 2026

Hong Ji-sun Addresses Controversy Over Apartment Purchase in Sindorim Hong Ji-sun, the nominee for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, clarified that her purchase of an apartment in Sindorim, Seoul, was made for actual residence purposes ahead of the expiration of her lease. She explained that with nearby rental prices exceeding 900 million won, she decided it was better to take out a loan and buy a home priced around 1 billion won. During a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly on September 16, Hong stated, "The most challenging aspect of livi September 16, 2026

Hong Ji-sun: Tax Policy Not a Direct Tool for Housing Price Stabilization Hong Ji-sun, the nominee for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, clarified that utilizing real estate tax policy as a direct means to stabilize housing prices is not the intent. She emphasized that housing policies take time to show results and that the government will consistently pursue existing policies, including expanding supply.During a confirmation hearing on September 16, Hong stated, "(President Lee Jae-myung's real estate policy pledge) does not mean we will control housing September 16, 2026

Han Byeong-do Calls for Cooperation from People Power Party Ahead of Confirmation Hearings Han Byeong-do, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, urged the People Power Party to cooperate positively ahead of the confirmation hearings for Kang Shin-cheol, the nominee for Minister of National Defense, and Hong Ji-seon, the nominee for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. He also promised full support from the party, stating that both nominees are the best candidates to lead national security and housing stability.During a Supreme Council meeting held in Daejeon, Han said, " September 16, 2026

Kang Shin-cheol's Confirmation Hearing Sparks Tensions Over Witnesses and Evidence The confirmation hearing for Kang Shin-cheol, the nominee for Minister of National Defense, began with sharp disputes between the ruling and opposition parties over the selection of witnesses and the submission of evidence. Im Jong-deuk, the opposition party's representative on the National Defense Committee, criticized the hearing during a procedural statement, saying, "This has become a hearing where no one can be called to verify the facts of the allegations raised. The verification through w September 16, 2026

Government to Gradually Introduce Abortion Medication for Women Under Nine Weeks Pregnant The government is moving to gradually introduce abortion medication for women under nine weeks pregnant. For the first two years, prescriptions and dispensing will be handled by hospitals, with plans to expand to pharmacies once the necessary conditions are met. Prime Minister Han Seong-sook stated during the 14th National Policy Coordination Meeting at the Government Seoul Complex on September 16 that the introduction of abortion medication, commonly known as 'Mifeprex,' is necessary due to the September 16, 2026

South Korea Wins Lawsuit Against North Korea Over Liaison Office Explosion The South Korean Ministry of Unification stated on September 16 that it respects the court's ruling regarding the explosion of the Inter-Korean Liaison Office and will consider necessary measures. On this day, the Seoul Central District Court's Civil Division 46 ordered North Korea to pay the South Korean government 44.6 billion won in a damages lawsuit. This marks the first time the South Korean government has filed a direct lawsuit against North Korea. North Korea destroyed the Inter-Korean September 16, 2026