Younger Consumers Shift to Premium Single Malt Whisky The frequency of drinking has decreased, but more consumers in their 20s and 30s are opting for higher-quality alcohol. Instead of drinking more often, this demographic is embracing a trend of 'selective drinking,' prioritizing taste, quality, and rarity in premium beverages. This shift is reflected in the growth of single malt whisky in the market. According to data from the Korea Customs Service on September 9, whisky imports in South Korea from January to July this year totaled 10,658 to September 9, 2026

Major Changes in the Legal Market: New Prosecutorial Bodies and Their Impact 검찰청 폐지와 중대범죄수사청(중수청)·공소청 신설, 재판소원 도입 등 형사·사법제도의 대대적인 개편으로 국내 로펌 시장의 지형이 바뀌고 있다. 수십 년간 대형 로펌 핵심 경쟁력이던 '검찰 전관'의 독점적 지위는 흔들리는 반면 경찰과 헌법재판소(헌재) 출신의 몸값은 올라가고 있다. 오는 10월 2일 중수청과 공소청이 출범하면 '중수청 전관'과 '공소청 전관'이라는 새로운 시장까지 형성될 것으로 보인다. 또 하나의 수사기관으로 성장하고 있는 특별사법경찰관(특사경) 역시 무시할 수 없다. 선배 격인 고위공직 September 9, 2026

Mokpo University President and Students Call for Reassessment of Jeonnam National Medical School Selection National Mokpo University has raised concerns about the fairness and expertise of the selection process for the new Jeonnam National Medical School, calling for a government-level reassessment.On September 9, President Song Ha-cheol of Mokpo University and Student Council President Kwon Beom-seok held a press conference at the National Assembly with lawmakers Kim Won-i and Seo Mi-hwa, arguing that the government should review the selection process and evaluation results for the new medical schoo September 9, 2026

Choi Tae-won Accepts 700 Billion Won Property Division with ex-wife, Appeals Remaining Amount Choi Tae-won, chairman of SK Group, has filed an appeal against a ruling requiring him to pay 944 billion won to his ex-wife, Noh So-young, the director of the Art Center Nabi. However, he stated that he will only contest 244 billion won of the total amount.According to legal sources on September 9, Choi's legal team submitted a request to the Family Division of the Seoul High Court on August 31, indicating that they accept the division amount of 700 billion won but will appeal the remaining sum September 9, 2026

Naver Z, First Strike Amid Wage Freeze Dispute; Full Strike Planned for 23rd Naver Z, which operates the metaverse platform Zepeto, has entered its first strike amid a wage freeze dispute. The union plans to escalate its actions, starting with a four-hour partial strike on September 9 and a full strike scheduled for the 23rd.According to the ICT industry on September 9, members of the Naver Z union, part of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, conducted a partial strike from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. This marks the first time the union has taken actual strike action within t September 9, 2026

Hospital Non-Covered Medical Expenses Approach 750 Billion Won in Second Half of Year In September of last year, non-covered medical expenses at hospital-level medical institutions approached 750 billion won. In the medical field, expenses for single rooms and physical therapy, along with dental implants, dominated the non-covered medical expenses. The government plans to significantly strengthen management of non-covered items suspected of excessive treatment.The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) released the results of their analysi September 9, 2026

Seragem Showcases AgeTech Healthcare Solutions at K-ICT Week in Busan Seragem is participating in an information and communication technology (ICT) exhibition in Busan to showcase its AgeTech-based healthcare solutions and seek business collaborations with related companies.According to Seragem, it will operate a healthcare experience space at the 'K-ICT WEEK in BUSAN 2026,' a global exhibition of leading future technologies, taking place at BEXCO in Busan until September 11.The Busan Information Industry Promotion Agency, the event's organizing body, is hosting a September 9, 2026

Government Freezes Health Insurance Premium Rate at 7.19% Amid Increased Spending The government has decided to freeze the health insurance premium rate for next year at the current 7.19%. The Ministry of Health and Welfare held the 15th Health Insurance Policy Review Committee on September 8, where it approved the freeze for the 2027 premium rate and the 'Phase 1 Innovation Plan for Health Insurance Coverage.'The premium rate for workplace subscribers will remain unchanged, and the amount per point for regional subscribers is also fixed at 211.5 won. The government plans to September 9, 2026

HUG Introduces AI to Streamline Housing Purchase Review Process, Reducing Time by 93% The Housing and Urban Guarantee Corporation (HUG) has significantly reduced the processing time for its housing purchase review tasks by implementing an AI automated analysis system. On September 9, HUG announced the introduction of an AX-based support system for reviewing public and private auction properties for its housing lease program, automating the preparation of basic review materials. The housing lease program allows HUG to purchase homes for which it has guaranteed lease deposits, prov September 9, 2026

National Assembly and Business Sector Launch Economic Leap Committee Choi Tae-won, chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and SK Group, emphasized the need for the legislative body to minimize uncertainties in response to changing international circumstances. He stated, "To implement planned investments, businesses must know what is possible and when."On September 9, the National Assembly and the business sector held the launch ceremony for the 'National Assembly Economic Leap Committee' at the National Assembly's Sarangjae.The committee aims to r September 9, 2026