MBK Partners Targets Japan's Rental Housing Market with Leo Palace 21 Acquisition Bid Private equity firm MBK Partners will participate in a tender offer to take Japan's rental housing management company Leo Palace 21 private.MBK Partners announced on September 15 that it is joining Hikari Tsushin and a subsidiary of NEC Capital Solutions in the tender offer for Leo Palace 21.The acquisition will be conducted through a special purpose company (SPC) established by the three firms, with a total investment of up to 267.6 billion yen (approximately 3.3 trillion won).Hikari Tsushin wi September 15, 2026

Disabled Craftspeople Compete in National Skills Competition in Busan Disabled individuals from across the country, including those who learned precious metal crafts in their 60s and young people preparing to become streamers through video editing skills, have gathered in Busan. They will compete in 41 different job categories and select representatives for next year's international competition.The Ministry of Employment and Labor, in collaboration with the Busan Metropolitan City, is hosting the 43rd National Disabled Skills Competition from September 15 to 18. A September 15, 2026

Ruling Party Faces Criticism Amid Declining Presidential Approval Ratings As presidential approval ratings decline, the leader of the ruling party has invoked the impeachment of former President Roh Moo-hyun. The focus has shifted from understanding why the public is disappointed to who is shaking the presidency. However, the ruling party, which holds a majority in the National Assembly, must address a different question: how much has it improved the lives of citizens with its significant power and resources?On September 14, Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Part September 15, 2026

Central Asia: Bridging New Histories in Eurasia Central Asia, a land of deserts, steppes, snow-capped mountains, and flowers, remains a distant and unfamiliar region despite being part of the Asian continent.However, a closer look reveals that this distance is surprisingly short. The cultural resonance of Tengriism, which reveres the sky, evokes the Dangun myth, while the legacy of General Hong Beom-do, a symbol of the armed independence movement during the Japanese occupation, and the history of over 300,000 Korean compatriots are etched in September 15, 2026

Building the Future on a 3,000-Year Legacy: Uzbekistan's 'Third Renaissance' The Islamic Civilization Center in Tashkent, Uzbekistan's capital, is impressive in scale. Covering an area equivalent to 14 soccer fields, it encapsulates 3,000 years of Uzbekistan's history. The three-story building, which cost approximately $161.8 million, has a total floor area exceeding 42,000 square meters, with a central dome soaring 65 meters high. However, this massive structure aims to showcase more than just the past. The exhibition begins with ancient civilizations predating Islam, p September 15, 2026

Central Asia Emerges as Key Industrial Partner for South Korea The five countries of Central Asia are no longer just seen as resource suppliers or emerging export markets. With abundant energy, critical minerals, a young population, and a demand for industrial modernization, they are emerging as new industrial partners for South Korean companies, expanding into manufacturing, infrastructure, and the digital economy.Each country has distinct strengths. Kazakhstan is expanding its refining, petrochemical, logistics, and manufacturing sectors based on oil, nat September 15, 2026

Korea's Small Business Agency Offers Financial Aid to Disaster-Affected Companies The Small and Medium Business Administration announced on September 15 that it will provide disaster funds to small and medium-sized enterprises affected by natural disasters, including heavy rainfall.Following the designation of Geoje and Tongyeong in South Gyeongsang Province as special disaster areas due to recent heavy rains, the agency plans to offer direct loans to affected businesses.The loan period for disaster funds is two years of grace followed by three years of repayment, with a fixe September 15, 2026

Student Loan Delinquencies Near 270 Billion Won, Half Held by Those Over 40 The burden of long-term delinquencies on student loans has shifted from young adults in their 20s to middle-aged individuals in their 30s and 40s. Those aged 40 and older now account for half of the total delinquent amount, with nearly 60% of the debt being classified as 'ultra-long-term delinquency' lasting over three years.According to data submitted by Rep. Han Byeong-do of the Democratic Party to the National Assembly's Education Committee, as of the end of July 2026, there were 50,101 borro September 15, 2026

Japan Not Invited to Xiangshan Forum as Officials Rush to China Japanese government officials have reportedly not been invited to this year's Xiangshan Forum, a major multilateral security conference hosted by China. As the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit approaches in November, Japanese political and business leaders are making visits to China. However, relations between Japan and China remain strained following comments made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan.According to the Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao, no Japanese September 15, 2026

Kakao Engages Shareholders Ahead of Upcoming Corporate Split Kakao is working to persuade minority shareholders ahead of its planned corporate split. This effort comes as opposition from labor unions and some minority shareholders has emerged regarding the absorption merger of Kakao Investment, a key step in establishing the structure for the surviving company, Kakao X, which will manage investments and subsidiaries after the split.According to industry sources, Kakao will hold a shareholder meeting on September 16 at 4 p.m. to discuss the details of the September 15, 2026