Renters Struggle with Housing Crisis as Banks Tighten Loan Access As renters face a shortage of jeonse properties and rising prices, many are turning to home purchases, only to encounter another barrier: bank loans. By mid-September, the annual household loan capacity of banks had already been exhausted, compounded by rising mortgage rates. This situation raises concerns that first-time homebuyers may remain in their current homes or be pushed into monthly rentals due to difficulties in securing funds for home purchases.According to the financial sector, as of September 22, 2026

South Korea Selects Texas LNG Power Plant for First U.S. Strategic Investment South Korea has chosen to construct a gas combined cycle power plant in the Encinada region of Texas as its first strategic investment project in the United States. The government believes that operating the plant over a long period will allow for the recovery of the investment. Subsequent projects will include discussions on building nuclear power plants in the U.S. and developing liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Alaska.On September 22, Kim Jeong-kwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, repo September 22, 2026

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organizers Address Accommodation and Meal Controversies The organizing committee for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games has addressed recent controversies regarding delays in cruise ship accommodations and meal issues at the venues. On September 22, the organizing committee released a statement on its official website regarding reports related to the accommodation and meal services for the athletes. The committee explained that the delays and confusion experienced by some teams boarding the cruise ship on September 16 were not due to issues with the a September 22, 2026

Meta's AI Agent Muse Sparks Surge in Semiconductor Stocks On September 21, the surge in semiconductor stocks was fueled by Meta's personal AI agent, Muse. On that day, Meta's stock closed up 11.43% at $741.24, marking its highest closing price in nearly a year since October. AMD, a major client of Meta, saw its stock rise 9.95% to $615.52, reaching an all-time high and pushing its market capitalization above $1 trillion (approximately 1,361 trillion won) for the first time. Intel's stock jumped 12.14%, while Nvidia, known as the leader in AI, increas September 22, 2026

Discrepancies Emerge Over Construction Standards for Yeongam Flood Control Project The Yeongsan River Project Office of the Korea Rural Community Corporation is facing controversy over the construction status of concrete structures in the Yeongam flood control project, as conflicting explanations regarding 'construction tolerances' have emerged from the project office and the head office's audit department. According to the Korea Rural Community Corporation, this project involves the renovation of a national flood control embankment in Samho-eup, Yeongam County, and Sanim-myeo September 22, 2026

What to Watch This Chuseok: OTT Platforms Offer Diverse Lineup As the Chuseok holiday approaches, major OTT platforms have prepared a rich lineup of content to entertain viewers, whether they are staying home or traveling. From relatable office dramas and variety shows to well-crafted films and audio content, there are plenty of options to choose from based on personal preferences and situations. Tving: From Lottery Winning Office Drama to New Works by Park Chan-wook Tving has curated a diverse lineup that balances healing and excitement for the holiday September 22, 2026

Government Increases Crackdown on Overcharging Ahead of Fall Travel Season Businesses in the lodging and food sectors that fail to adhere to posted prices may face a business suspension from the first offense. Taxi drivers caught overcharging tourists will have their licenses suspended immediately. As the Chuseok holiday and fall travel season approach, the government is intensifying its crackdown on overcharging in tourist areas.The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization announced on September 22 that they conducted the second half September 22, 2026

93-Year-Old Father’s Request for Seasoned Fried Chicken Leads to Community Celebration A 93-year-old father’s heartfelt request for seasoned fried chicken has sparked a community celebration after a local chicken company gifted a voucher for a chicken party for seniors in the neighborhood.On September 22, social media user A shared a phone call in which her elderly father expressed his desire for the seasoned fried chicken she had previously bought for him. The post quickly gained traction, amassing over 870,000 views within a day.A recounted that on September 10, her father calle September 22, 2026

Former Audit Officials Face Trial for Allegedly Manipulating Presidential Residence Audit The trial of former officials from the Board of Audit and Inspection, accused of manipulating evidence and audit reports to cover up the audit of the presidential residence relocation project, has begun. The Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 27, presided over by Judge Woo In-seong, held the first preparatory hearing on September 22 for Choi Mo, the former head of the Administrative Safety Audit Bureau, who faces charges of abuse of power, and Son Mo, the former first division chie September 22, 2026

NH Bank Donates 500 Million Won for Flood Recovery in Gyeongnam Ahead of Chuseok NH Bank will donate an additional 500 million won to support flood victims in the Gyeongnam region, who were affected by heavy rainfall in August, ahead of the Chuseok holiday.On September 22, NH Bank announced that it would provide the donation through the Gyeongnam branch of the Korean Red Cross to assist flood victims in their recovery. This support is part of a comprehensive recovery effort for areas like Geoje and Tongyeong.To help farmers resume their agricultural activities after sufferin September 22, 2026