Social Solidarity Economy Institutionalized After 12 Years, Expanding to Finance, Market Access, and Local Economies The Social Solidarity Economy Basic Law has been enacted after 12 years, marking a significant step in the government's implementation of social solidarity economy policies. The focus is on expanding support beyond individual organizations like social enterprises and cooperatives to include finance, market access, and local economies. There will also be a strengthened connection with the living economy, including care, housing, and energy.Yoon Ho-jung, the Minister of the Interior and Safety, ha September 21, 2026

KT Shares AI Innovations to Enhance Efficiency in Finance and Media The transition to AI in the finance and media industries is rapidly advancing. With finance-specific AI, employee efficiency is improving, and a high-engagement video production environment is being established while reducing costs.On September 21, KT shared examples of AX innovations from BC Card, KT ENA, and KT Studio Genie.BC Card has secured AI foundational technology and is implementing a public service framework based on it, promoting an 'AI Native Strategy' for overall decision-making. Th September 21, 2026

Bio Stocks Struggle Amid Interest Rate Hikes, Lagging Behind Semiconductor Sector Pharmaceutical and biotech stocks have seen significant declines in September. The burden of valuation on growth stocks has increased due to rising U.S. interest rates, and investor funds have shifted back to semiconductors, causing the recent momentum in biotech to fade after just a month. According to data from the Korea Exchange on September 21, the KRX K-AI Biotech KOSDAQ index fell by 12.08% from September 1 to 18, marking the lowest return among 39 major thematic and strategic indices. Th September 21, 2026

Public Forum Explores Future Vision for AI Era As artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to impact all areas of life, 200 members of the public deliberation group are gathering to discuss the future of society in the AI era.The Presidential Committee on Basic Society announced on September 19 that it will hold a two-day forum titled 'Public Deliberation on Basic Society in the Context of AI Transformation' at the Seoul National University Siheung Campus Convention Center until September 20.The 200 participants in the public deliberation gr September 21, 2026

KB Kookmin Bank Expands Corporate Finance Services with SAP ERP Integration KB Kookmin Bank is set to expand its services for corporate clients.On September 21, KB Kookmin Bank announced that it has signed a business agreement with SAP Korea to create a joint ecosystem for embedded finance in enterprise resource planning (ERP).The agreement aims to link SAP's ERP solutions with KB Kookmin Bank's embedded finance services, allowing businesses to handle financial tasks directly from the ERP interface without switching to a separate financial application.The two companies September 21, 2026

South Korea to Expand 3,000-Ton Coast Guard Vessels by 2030 The South Korean government plans to enhance its maritime security response system in the Yellow Sea by expanding its fleet of 3,000-ton coast guard vessels from 11 to 17 by 2030.On September 21, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, along with the Korea Coast Guard, inspected key projects in the upcoming budget at the Yellow Sea 5 Islands Special Guard Unit, Incheon Coast Guard exclusive dock, and the Yeongjongdo Sky Sea Police Station.During the visit to the Yellow Sea 5 Islands Special Guard September 21, 2026

Eco-Friendly Consumption and Public Transport Benefits Combined in 'Everyone's Green Card' Launching in October The 'Everyone's Green Card,' which offers benefits for eco-friendly purchases, public transport use, and charging electric and hydrogen vehicles, will be launched next month. This new card combines the existing green card's eco-friendly consumption benefits with advantages in transportation, including public transit and shared mobility.On September 21, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that they will sign a memorandum September 21, 2026

Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon Visits Daejeon Workers' Hospital, Promises Support for Return to Work Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon visited the Daejeon Workers' Hospital on September 21 to hear about the challenges faced by industrial accident patients undergoing treatment and promised support for rehabilitation and return to work.During his visit, Kim toured the inpatient wards and rehabilitation facilities, offering encouragement to patients who will have difficulty spending the holiday with their families.The Daejeon Workers' Hospital operates the largest number of 126 nursing care service be September 21, 2026

South Korea's Baseball Team Begins Quest for Gold Against Taiwan The South Korean baseball team, aiming for a fifth consecutive championship, will begin its gold medal quest on September 21 with a match against Taiwan. Attention is focused on the potential military service exemption for infielder Kim Do-young, who has dominated the KBO this season.The team will face Taiwan in the first match of the B group at 6:30 PM at Okazaki Central Comprehensive Park Baseball Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Taiwan is considered South Korea's strongest rival in this to September 21, 2026

Seoul's Han River to Host '2026 Seoul Light Han River Festival' Next Month Nodeul Island in Seoul will transform into a 'Light Art Island' where the Han River's waves blend with lasers and music. The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on September 21 that the '2026 Seoul Light Han River Festival' will be held on Nodeul Island from October 2 to 11. Now in its fourth year, the festival is a prominent nighttime media art event that connects art, nature, and urban life through light. It began in 2023 on Seorae Island and has since been held in Yeouido and Ttukseom September 21, 2026