Ancient Gunpowder Weapon Discovered in Naju, South Korea A bronze gunpowder weapon, long buried beneath Naju's Geumsongsan, has been unearthed. The body of the weapon features an inscription with 28 characters stating, 'Hwangja Hwatong was made in the 12th month of the Jeongsa year.' The 'Jeongsa year' is estimated to refer to either 1377 during the Goryeo Dynasty or 1437 during the Joseon Dynasty. Regardless of the exact date, this artifact is the earliest confirmed gunpowder weapon found in South Korea.On September 21, the Cultural Heritage Administ September 21, 2026

Ibo-mi Wins South Korea's First MMA Bronze Medal at Asian Games Ibo-mi has secured South Korea's first bronze medal in mixed martial arts (MMA), a sport newly included in the Asian Games.On September 21, at the Inae Sports Center in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Ibo-mi lost to Diana Poghosyan of Bahrain 0-3 in the women's modern 54kg semifinal. After successfully defending against Poghosyan's attacks in the first round, Ibo-mi suffered a shoulder injury and had to withdraw from the match. As a result, she was awarded the bronze medal. In this tournament, MMA awa September 21, 2026

Park Chang-seok Calls for Safe Reopening of Muan International Airport Park Chang-seok, a member of the Muan County Council, emphasized the need for the government to establish a specific timeline for the reopening of Muan International Airport, ensuring safety is prioritized. He made these remarks during the second session of the 311th Muan County Council on the morning of September 21. In his statement, which he read on behalf of the council, Park called for the government, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the Korea Airports Corporation to September 21, 2026

Emergency Medical Services Available During Chuseok Holiday During the Chuseok holiday, which runs from September 24 to 27, there is no need to panic if you suddenly fall ill or face an emergency. The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that the emergency medical system will operate 24 hours a day, with an average of over 8,300 clinics and pharmacies available each day. For mild symptoms, it is recommended to visit a nearby local clinic first, while severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing should prompt an immediate call to 119.The Ministry stat September 21, 2026

Job Insecurity Persists Among Middle-Aged Workers, Calls for Shared Family Support Job insecurity among middle-aged workers has slightly eased over the past decade, but remains a concern for more than half of this demographic. Meanwhile, there is a growing recognition that family members and society should share the responsibility of supporting aging parents, alongside increased focus on retirement planning and health management. Notably, demands for income support have expanded to include medical and caregiving services.According to a report released by the National Data Agen September 21, 2026

South Korea Promotes 'Water Positive' Initiative for Industrial Water Reuse The South Korean government is launching a 'water positive' initiative that recognizes the reduction of water intake through the reuse of industrial water. The program will initially be implemented by POSCO, with plans to expand to other water-intensive industries such as semiconductors and steel. On September 22, the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment will sign a 'Sustainable Industrial Water Management and Water Positive Cooperation Agreement' with POSCO at the POSCO Center in Gangn September 21, 2026

138 Safety Violations Found at HL Mando Pyeongtaek Plant After Worker Death Numerous safety violations have been uncovered at the HL Mando Pyeongtaek plant, where a subcontracted worker died after being caught in machinery. Labor authorities reported a total of 86 violations, including 26 related to safety regulations, resulting in a fine of approximately 280 million won.The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced the findings of its safety inspection conducted from August 18 to September 18 at the HL Mando Pyeongtaek plant and its subcontractors. The inspection foll September 21, 2026

Japan's 'Employment Ice Age' Generation Faces Housing Challenges In Tokyo, a 51-year-old woman works as a contract employee at a public institution, earning about 150,000 yen (approximately $1,320) each month, of which 70,000 yen goes toward rent. Her studio apartment has thin walls, allowing her to hear her neighbor snoring. Despite spending 100,000 yen on soundproofing, it has had little effect. Being on the top floor, her room can exceed 30 degrees Celsius even after she returns home from work in the summer.This woman is part of Japan's 'Employment Ice Age September 21, 2026

Taking KTX for Chuseok Travel Reduces Carbon Emissions by 78% 추석 귀성길에 자가용 대신 고속철도(KTX)를 이용하면 온실가스 배출량을 약 78% 줄일 수 있는 것으로 나타났다. 서울과 부산을 왕복하는 4인 가족을 기준으로 약 126㎏의 이산화탄소 배출을 줄이는 효과다.기후에너지환경부는 추석 연휴를 앞두고 오는 22일 서울역에서 '대중교통 타고 기후행동, 친환경운전으로 함께하는 귀성길' 캠페인을 실시한다고 21일 밝혔다.이번 캠페인에는 기후부와 한국자동차환경협회, 한국환경공단, 한국환경보전원, 한국철도공사(코레일) 등 5개 기관이 참여한다. 추석 귀성·귀경 차량이 몰 September 21, 2026

Vietnam's YouTube Shorts Surge Raises Concerns Over Addiction and Content Quality YouTube Shorts are rapidly gaining popularity in Vietnam, establishing short videos as a central part of digital content consumption. While local productions are attracting international viewers, concerns are growing over the repeated exposure to sensational content and the potential for youth addiction. Voices of caution regarding excessive use and video quality are emerging alongside expectations for growth in the content industry.According to recent data released by Google, the number of cont September 21, 2026