KDRT Team Returns After Rescuing One Chinese National in Nepal The first team of the Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) has returned home.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the KDRT team arrived at Seoul Airport at 1:30 a.m. on September 12 via a military transport aircraft (KC-330). The team, consisting of 44 members, was dispatched to Nepal on September 2 at the request of local authorities. During their ten-day search operation, they successfully rescued one Chinese survivor.In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Dai Bing, the Chinese ambassador t September 12, 2026

North Korea Launches Unidentified Projectile into East Sea North Korea launched an unidentified projectile into the East Sea on September 12. If confirmed as a ballistic missile, this would mark the first launch in 23 days.The Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that North Korea fired the unidentified projectile into the East Sea. They are currently analyzing the specifications and range of the projectile.If confirmed as a ballistic missile, this would be the first launch since August 20, when North Korea reportedly fired over ten short-range ballistic miss September 12, 2026

Best-Selling Book 'Seneca' Returns to Top Spot; New Works by Kim Ae-ran and Jo Jung-rae Also Rank High 'Seneca: To You Who Are Losing Today' has topped the bestseller list at major bookstores. The classic literature trend continues, fueled by the success of the film 'Odyssey.'According to Kyobo Bookstore's bestseller rankings for the first week of September, 'Seneca: To You Who Are Losing Today,' translated by Hawaii's mansion, has claimed the number one spot overall. This book also reached the top position on Yes24. Buyers aged 50 and older accounted for 36.6% of purchases, while those in their September 12, 2026

Shift from Stocks to Savings? Funds Move Amid Rising Deposit Rates Major commercial banks in South Korea have seen their one-year time deposit rates soar to the mid-3% range, prompting speculation that some funds previously directed toward riskier assets like stocks may return to banks. The increased attractiveness of deposits comes amid rising interest rates from the Bank of Korea and heightened volatility in the stock market, leading to a growing demand for safer assets.As of September 12, the representative one-year time deposit rates at the five largest ban September 12, 2026

Lotte Card to Resume Operations Next Week as Regulatory Actions Accelerate Against Woori Card and Shinhan Card 롯데카드의 영업정지가 다음 주부터 풀리는 가운데 우리카드와 신한카드에 대한 금융당국의 제재 절차도 속도를 내고 있다. According to the financial sector on September 12, regulatory authorities plan to impose sanctions on Woori Card before addressing those against Shinhan Card. In April 2024, personal information of approximately 75,000 representatives from Woori Card's partner merchants was leaked to card solicitors. Between January and April of the same year, personal data, including names, pho September 12, 2026

KOSPI's Battle for 7000: AI Momentum vs. High Oil Prices and Interest Rates The KOSPI index is currently contending for the 7000 mark, with next week’s domestic stock market focusing on whether the momentum from artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors will continue. However, with international oil prices exceeding $100 per barrel and U.S. long-term interest rates remaining high, there is potential for increased volatility due to these factors. Analysts suggest that while fluctuations driven by external variables are inevitable in the short term, the growth of th September 12, 2026

Participate Directly: 'Mugamseogi' Performance at Sejong Center "Typically, shaman rituals are performed by shamans to alleviate misfortune or provide comfort. It seems like the shaman will solve everything. However, 'Mugamseogi' conveys that if you truly want to receive blessings, you must participate in the ritual yourself. It’s about taking action to bring blessings rather than relying on someone else." (Yoon Hye-jung, Director of the Seoul City Dance Company) 'Mugamseogi' is a traditional folk practice where, at the peak of a shaman ritual, the person September 12, 2026

Gunpo City Council Reviews Funding for Major Projects and Urges Improvements in Daily Life Issues The Gunpo City Council convened on September 10 to review funding plans and financial burdens for major projects, including the modernization of the environmental management office and the public housing districts in Uiwang, Gunpo, and Ansan. The council also called for measures to improve traffic and safety issues directly affecting citizens' daily lives. According to the council, the Special Committee on Administrative Affairs held its sixth administrative audit during the 289th regular sessi September 11, 2026

Gachon University Sees 83,308 Applicants for Early Admissions, 462.8 to 1 Competition for Medical Program Gachon University has attracted over 83,000 applicants for its 2027 early admissions cycle, generating significant interest. According to Gachon University, the early admissions application period closed with a total of 32,46 spots available and 83,308 applicants, resulting in an average competition ratio of 25.7 to 1. The number of early applicants has remained above 80,000 for three consecutive years. Among the various admission types, the essay-based admissions saw the highest number of appli September 11, 2026

Robot Vacuum Confirmed as Source of Apgujeong Hanyang Apartment Fire During the fire at the Hanyang Apartment in Apgujeong, Seoul, on July 21, the robot vacuum identified as the source of the blaze has been confirmed to be a product of the Chinese company Ecovacs. Fire officials initially suspected that the fire started near the robot vacuum's charging station, but the exact cause has yet to be determined. A definitive cause is expected to be established later this month.According to industry sources, the robot vacuum used in the apartment during the fire was con September 11, 2026