Government to Support Recovery of Key Minerals from Semiconductor Byproducts The government will support the demonstration of technologies to recover key minerals from semiconductor process byproducts, waste batteries, and solar panel waste. It is also promoting a project to secure sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) raw materials from food waste.The Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment announced on September 15 that it will recruit participants for three planned regulatory exemption projects in the circular economy sector from September 16 to October 30. The project September 15, 2026

Joint Response Team Raids Bio Company A for Insider Trading Allegations The Joint Response Team, tasked with eradicating stock manipulation, is conducting a raid on Bio Company A, a KOSDAQ-listed firm, for allegedly profiting from undisclosed information prior to a favorable announcement regarding a contract with a global pharmaceutical company.According to financial sources, the team began its search early on September 15 at the headquarters of Company A in Gangnam, Seoul, as well as the residences of employees implicated in the case.Company A specializes in develo September 15, 2026

Government Plans to Reduce Power Tower Construction by Up to 40% and Expand Underground Wiring in Daejeon and Sejong The government plans to reduce the construction of new power towers by up to 2,214 and expand underground wiring in densely populated areas. It will also support the installation of solar power facilities in villages near the national power grid, allowing residents to earn income from power generation.The Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment reported these measures during a cabinet meeting on September 15. The initiative aims to expand the power grid in response to increasing electricity September 15, 2026

Kimhae Yongdu District Development Project Surpasses 80% Compensation Rate The land compensation rate for the Kimhae Yongdu District development project has exceeded 80%, signaling a green light for the commencement of site preparation work within the year.The Kimhae Urban Development Corporation announced that it is currently in the process of expropriation resolution and compensation payment for unagreed land.According to the corporation, the reported compensation rate of 80% is calculated based on the 'total compensation amount' rather than the number of landowners September 15, 2026

Kim Young-shin Inspects Outstanding Companies in Regional Industry Development Project The Small and Medium Business Technology Information Promotion Agency reported that Kim Young-shin visited H.E.V., a specialized automotive component manufacturer, on the 14th. This visit aimed to share the achievements of outstanding companies in the regional industry development project and to explore ways to enhance the competitiveness of local small and medium enterprises in the automotive component sector and their entry into domestic and international markets. Located in Sejong, H.E.V. spe September 15, 2026

Han Byeong-do Criticizes Opposition for Attacking Kim Seung-won Ahead of Confirmation Hearing Han Byeong-do, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, criticized the People Power Party on September 15 for focusing on insulting Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice, ahead of his confirmation hearing. He stated, "They are preoccupied with making provocative remarks that are unrelated to the essence of the matter, and the real target is not Kim Seung-won himself but the reform of the criminal justice system."During a policy meeting at the National Assembly, Han emphasized that September 15, 2026

KOSPI Rises Over 2% Following Strong NVIDIA Performance The South Korean stock market opened lower on September 15 but quickly rebounded, with the KOSPI turning positive and the KOSDAQ rising nearly 2%.The domestic market began the day with the KOSPI down 25.00 points (0.38%) at 6,659.25, dipping to as low as 6,625.15 before recovering to 6,686.87, up 2.50 points (0.04%) as of 11:26 a.m. The KOSDAQ also started lower, down 0.30 points (0.04%) at 806.49, but reversed course to rise 15.80 points (1.96%) to 822.59.Early trading was affected by U.S. Tr September 15, 2026

Revisions to Construction Industry Law and Saemangeum Project Law Approved On September 15, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that revisions to the Construction Industry Law and the Saemangeum Project Law were approved during a Cabinet meeting.The amendment to the Construction Industry Law grants the Minister of Land the authority to take administrative action against serious illegal subcontracting practices on construction sites. It also establishes grounds for reducing penalties for those who voluntarily report such violations. The new prov September 15, 2026

Seoul Bus Strike Looms as City Prepares Emergency Transport Measures As negotiations continue just one day before a planned bus strike in Seoul, the city is preparing emergency transport measures.On September 15, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon chaired an urgent meeting to review the city's emergency transport plans in anticipation of the bus strike.Mayor Oh urged both labor and management to consider the impact on citizens' daily lives and to approach negotiations with a sense of responsibility. He noted, "The two-day bus strike in January caused significant inconvenienc September 15, 2026

U.S. Considers Gradual Agreement with Iran Amid Ongoing Tensions As tensions between the United States and Iran show little sign of resolution, the U.S. is reportedly considering a gradual agreement with Iran.On September 14, the UAE media outlet Erem News reported, citing a Pakistani source familiar with U.S.-Iran negotiations, that the Trump administration appears to be maintaining high levels of military and economic pressure on Iran while keeping communication channels open. The report added that if a comprehensive agreement with Iran proves difficult to September 15, 2026