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

Park Chan-woon Proposes Presidential Committee for Prosecutorial Reform Evaluation A proposal has emerged to establish a presidential committee to objectively evaluate the implementation of prosecutorial reforms ahead of the launch of the Public Prosecution Service and the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency.Park Chan-woon, a professor at Hanyang University Law School and former chair of the advisory committee for the Prosecutorial Reform Promotion Team under the Prime Minister's Office, suggested the creation of a 'Presidential Committee for Prosecutorial Reform Evaluation' o September 21, 2026

South Korea Wins Bronze in Men's 10m Air Rifle Team Event at 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games The South Korean men's air rifle team secured a bronze medal in the team event.Led by 2024 Paris Olympic silver medalist Park Ha-jun, the team, which also includes Shin Min-ki and Kwon Hyup-jun, recorded a score of 1884.2 points in the men's 10m air rifle team event held on September 21 at the Aichi Prefectural Comprehensive Shooting Range in Japan. This marks the second consecutive medal for South Korea in this event, following a silver medal in the previous competition.The team event ranks com September 21, 2026

Korean Men's 800m Freestyle Relay Team Advances to Finals at 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 한국 남자 계영대표팀이 주축 선수들을 아끼고도 2026 아이치·나고야 아시안게임 남자 계영 800ｍ 예선을 전체 3위로 통과하며 대회 2연패 도전을 이어갔다.한국은 21일 일본 도쿄 아쿠아틱스센터에서 열린 대회 수영 경영 남자 계영 800ｍ(4×200ｍ 자유형) 예선 1조에서 7분14초35를 기록해 가장 먼저 터치패드를 찍었다.같은 조 2위 베트남(7분21초62)보다 7초27 빨랐다. 싱가포르가 7분22초73으로 조 3위를 기록했다.전체 예선에서는 중국이 7분11초70으로 1위, 일본이 7분13초02로 2위에 올랐다. 한국은 두 나라에 이어 September 21, 2026

Gijang Expands Seaweed Farming to Include Sea Lettuce Amid Rising Sea Temperatures Gijang County in Busan is set to diversify its seaweed farming structure, which has primarily focused on kelp and wakame, by actively pursuing the cultivation of sea lettuce.The initiative aims to secure a new farming variety that can provide additional income for fishermen during the summer months, following the winter harvest of kelp and wakame.With rising sea temperatures and changing marine environments affecting the cultivation conditions for traditional cold-water seaweeds, there is growin September 21, 2026

U.S., South Korea, and Japan Discuss North Korea's Missile Launch South Korea, the United States, and Japan held a phone call on September 21 to share information and discuss response measures regarding North Korea's recent ballistic missile launch.According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Baek Yong-jin, director of the Korean Peninsula Policy Office, spoke with David Wilezol, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Japan and Korea, and Takashi Ariyoshi, a senior official at Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Asia and Oceania. The discussions September 21, 2026