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President Lee: Peace and Prosperity Built on Heroes' Sacrifices President Lee Jae-myung stated on June 25 that "the peace and prosperity we enjoy today were forged through the noble sacrifices and dedication of heroes who fought on the battlefield when the fate of our nation hung by a thread."Speaking at the 76th anniversary ceremony of the Korean War held at the Suwon Convention Center, President Lee expressed his deep respect and gratitude to the veterans on behalf of the nation.He noted, "76 years ago, the fate of South Korea was in a precarious crisis, but we had a strong will to defend our homeland. Regular soldiers, as well as students, took up arms instead of pens, and ordinary citizens, who had never fired a gun, bravely charged into the hail of bullets with a resolute determination to protect their country and families."President Lee emphasized that remembering and honoring these heroes is a vital duty of the state and our community, as well as a rightful obligation of the descendants who enjoy the freedoms and prosperity of today.He affirmed, "Special sacrifices and dedication for the nation must be met with special compensation and due respect, which is a firm principle of a government that derives its power from the people. I promise to do my utmost to ensure that the sacrifices of our veterans lead to a more honorable and stable life, rather than just personal pride."The president announced that the government has awarded three individuals from irregular military forces who achieved remarkable feats during the Korean War but had not received recognition for many years. He expressed deep gratitude and condolences to the veterans and their families who have now regained their rightful honor, albeit belatedly.The newly honored veterans include the late Kim Jang-seong (Order of Military Merit), Lee Young-bok (Hwarang Order of Military Merit), and the late Jeon Ha-jeong (Hwarang Order of Military Merit).President Lee also mentioned that the amendment to the Veterans Act, which expands membership eligibility for veterans' organizations to include their families, has been in effect since May 20. He stated, "We will strengthen institutional support to ensure that the dedication to the nation is not only recognized in the present but is also proudly passed down through generations."He particularly highlighted the importance of not forgetting the United Nations veterans, stating, "The foundation of the freedom and peace that South Korea enjoys today is built upon the sacred dedication and sacrifices of UN veterans who willingly devoted their youth for a small Eastern nation they may have never even heard of."President Lee emphasized that the government will expand its diplomatic efforts to honor UN veterans, including responding to their requests to visit Korea, ensuring that the spirit of solidarity that blossomed in the trenches continues to thrive in future generations.He concluded by stating, "Our peaceful present is the tomorrow that those who refused to abandon this land during the relentless gunfire 76 years ago fought so fiercely for. The government, representing the will of the people, will steadfastly protect this great Republic of Korea that our heroes built."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-25 11:24:00 -
Supreme Court Overturns Damages Ruling Against Jang Ye-chan in Kim Nam-kuk Coin Allegation Case The Supreme Court of South Korea has overturned a ruling that required Jang Ye-chan, a former Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, to pay 10 million won in damages for alleging illegal cryptocurrency trading against Kim Nam-kuk, a member of the Democratic Party. On June 25, the Supreme Court's first division, led by Justice Seo Young-hwan, reversed a lower court's partial ruling in favor of Kim and sent the case back to the Seoul Southern District Court. The court determined that there is a possibility of justifiable reasons for Jang's statements, concluding that it is difficult to assert that they were malicious or excessively reckless to the point of losing significant weight. In May 2023, Kim filed a defamation lawsuit against Jang, claiming that Jang spread false information regarding his alleged cryptocurrency investment issues, seeking 50 million won in damages. At that time, Jang wrote that Kim's addiction to cryptocurrency appeared to require treatment and stated on a radio program that "even industry insiders speculate that Kim may have had access to insider information and that his trading patterns suggest possible money laundering." He also referred to Kim as a "criminal." In the first trial held in January of last year, the court acknowledged some illegality in Jang's statements, ruling that they were malicious and excessively reckless, and ordered him to pay 30 million won in damages. The appellate court recognized the illegal act of stating that Kim was a "criminal" but, considering the public interest related to allegations of a politician's asset formation, ordered Jang to pay 10 million won in damages. At the time of the allegations, Kim had resigned from the party and was indicted for allegedly concealing investment profits by falsely reporting his assets, but he was acquitted in September of last year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-25 11:20:00 -
Czech Republic and Mexico End First Half Scoreless in World Cup Match The Czech Republic and Mexico concluded the first half of their final Group A match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup without scoring. On June 25, 2026, local time, the Czech Republic faced Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, ending the first half at 0-0. Mexico, having already secured two victories and six points, has confirmed its position at the top of the group and a spot in the Round of 32. South Korea is in second place with one win and one loss (three points), while the Czech Republic and South Africa are tied with one draw and one loss (one point each). The match drew attention as it coincided with the South Korea vs. South Africa game. If South Korea wins or draws against South Africa, they will advance to the Round of 32 regardless of the outcome of the Czech Republic vs. Mexico match. However, if South Korea loses to South Africa, the result of the Czech Republic match becomes crucial. Even if South Korea ends up with the same points as the Czech Republic, they would hold the advantage due to their 2-1 victory in their first group match. However, if the Czech Republic defeats Mexico, South Korea's chances of finishing second in the group would diminish. The Czech Republic had the first opportunity in the match, with Denis Vysinsky's right-footed shot going wide in the 8th minute. They continued to press, attempting shots in the 15th and 27th minutes but failed to break through Mexico's defense. Mexico responded late in the first half, with Jorge Sanchez attempting a shot from the right side of the penalty area in the 39th minute, but it was saved by Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar. Ultimately, both teams went into halftime without scoring. In this tournament, the top two teams from each group, along with the best four third-placed teams, will advance to the Round of 32.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-25 11:20:00 -
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Expands Cultural and Sports Exchange in Czech Republic Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) has expanded its cultural and sports exchanges in regions where it is pursuing new nuclear power projects in the Czech Republic. KHNP announced that it dispatched the '2026 Czech Global Volunteer Corps,' consisting of over 50 members, including employees, university students, and a youth soccer team from Gyeongju, to Tyn nad Vltavou and Trebic from June 16 for a nine-day program focused on Korean cultural experiences and sports exchanges.The volunteer group operated a Korean culture classroom at the Tyn nad Vltavou Youth Center, introducing K-pop, Taekwondo, traditional Korean music, hanbok (traditional clothing), and traditional games. They also set up cultural performances and experience booths at a local arts festival to engage with residents.During a performance at the Tyn nad Vltavou Arts Center, the volunteer group sang the popular Czech song 'Neni nutno,' inviting the audience to join in and creating a lively atmosphere.Hong Young-ki, the South Korean Ambassador to the Czech Republic, attended the event and stated, "KHNP is a competitive company capable of constructing nuclear power plants within the promised budget and timeframe. I hope this volunteer activity serves as an opportunity to continue the long-standing cooperative relationship between Korea and the Czech Republic."Karel Hladacek, the mayor of Tyn nad Vltavou, presented honorary citizenship certificates to Ambassador Hong and Park Cheon-jung, head of KHNP's Cooperation Division, expressing gratitude for KHNP's ongoing exchange activities.The volunteer group then moved to Trebic, where they continued their interactions with residents through various programs, including Korean cooking and Korean language experiences at a local art school.Sports exchanges were also part of the initiative. The Gyeongju Hanwha FC, a youth soccer team affiliated with Gyeongju City, participated in the 'Trebic Open,' an international youth soccer tournament, fostering sports exchanges between Korean and Czech youth. During the opening ceremony, Pavel Pacal, the mayor of Trebic, and Stanislav Rambousek, the tournament organizer, expressed their gratitude for KHNP's sponsorship.The activities garnered attention from local media, with Czech public broadcasting featuring the global volunteer group's cultural exchange efforts during its evening news under the theme 'Korea-Czech Partnership Day.'A KHNP official stated, "We will continue to engage in social contribution activities that allow us to grow together with the local community."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-25 11:16:00 -
DL E&C Maintains 'AA-' Rating for Eight Consecutive Years, Demonstrating Financial Stability DL E&C has maintained its 'AA-' rating from NICE Investors Service for the eighth consecutive year, reaffirming its competitive business capabilities and financial stability. On June 25, DL E&C announced that it retained the 'AA-' rating in NICE's regular credit rating assessment. The company has held the same credit rating since 2019. NICE cited the company's diversified business portfolio, strong competitive edge, and stable operational foundation as key reasons for maintaining the rating. The recovery in profitability due to improved cost ratios in the housing sector, along with stable cash generation and excellent financial stability, were also positively evaluated. Regarding the recent corporate tax notification from Saudi Arabia's tax authorities, NICE assessed that the short- to medium-term impact would be limited. The evaluation reflects that there are currently no ongoing projects in Saudi Arabia and that the company plans to contest the tax assessment without making any payments. DL E&C's financial structure remains among the best in the industry. The company's average free cash flow over the past five years was 262.9 billion won, with net cash totaling 1.28 trillion won and a debt ratio of 87.5% as of the end of the first quarter of this year. NICE forecasts that the company will continue to generate solid cash flow based on its strong sales performance and stable business structure. Profitability is also on the rise. As the share of projects started during a period of soaring construction costs decreases and the cost ratios in the housing sector improve, the consolidated operating profit for the first quarter of this year reached 157.4 billion won, a 94.3% increase compared to the same period last year. The operating profit margin rose by 4.6 percentage points to 9.1%, while net profit surged to 160.1 billion won, up 429.5%. A financial management official at DL E&C stated, "This credit rating assessment has once again recognized our excellent business competitiveness, stable operational foundation, and top-tier financial stability in the industry. We will continue to improve our performance and enhance corporate value through profitability-focused management and thorough risk management." Meanwhile, DL E&C has recently received a notification from Saudi Arabia's tax authorities regarding an approximately 853.3 billion won corporate tax reassessment and has initiated a contesting process. However, analysts believe that the short-term financial impact, as well as the long-term effects on the company's fundamentals, will be limited.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-25 11:12:00 -
South Korea Ends First Half Scoreless Against South Africa in World Cup Match The South Korean national football team struggled in their final group stage match of the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup, failing to record a single shot on target in a lackluster performance. Under the guidance of head coach Hong Myung-bo, South Korea faced South Africa on June 25 at Monterrey Stadium, concluding the first half with a score of 0-0. In contrast to their previous match against Mexico, where they lost 1-0, South Korea made significant changes to their starting lineup, excluding captain Son Heung-min (LAFC) and Lee Jae-sung (Mainz). The team employed a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Oh Hyun-kyu (Beşiktaş) leading the attack, supported by Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton Wanderers) and Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) in the midfield. The central midfield was anchored by Baek Seung-ho (Birmingham City) and Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), while wingbacks were Lee Tae-seok (Austria Wien) and Seol Young-woo (Crvena zvezda). The back three consisted of Lee Gi-hyeok (Gangwon FC), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), and Lee Han-beom (Midtjylland), with goalkeeper Kim Seung-kyu (FC Tokyo) between the posts. South Korea missed an early scoring opportunity, with Kim Min-jae attempting a threatening header from a corner kick in the second minute, but it was blocked by a defender. In the eighth minute, after receiving a forward pass from Hwang In-beom, Seol Young-woo delivered a cross from the right flank, which Lee Kang-in connected with a left-footed shot, narrowly missing the goal. After a promising start, South Korea lost control of the match, allowing South Africa to capitalize on their defensive lapses. In the 19th minute, a counterattack led to a one-on-one opportunity for Tafel Mashego, but Lee Gi-hyeok made a crucial defensive play to prevent a goal. South Korea faced another scoring threat in the 30th minute when they allowed a dangerous long-range shot from Talente Mbata on the right side of the penalty box. Fortunately, goalkeeper Kim Seung-kyu made an initial save and followed up with another stop against Evidence Makgopa's follow-up attempt, showcasing his concentration and keeping the score level. Throughout the first half, South Korea struggled to maintain possession, conceding ten shots (three on target) to their opponents while failing to register a single shot on target themselves.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-25 11:08:00 -
Jung Jeom-sik Urges Opposition to End Threat Politics and Surrender Judiciary Committee Jung Jeom-sik, the leader of the People Power Party, called on the Democratic Party to cease its threat politics and abandon its claim to the Judiciary Committee amid discussions on the formation of the 22nd National Assembly's second half. Speaking at a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly on the 25th, Jung stated, "When coming to the negotiation table, I hope they will bring a negotiation proposal." He criticized the Democratic Party for threatening to take all 18 committees if they do not submit their list by noon on the 26th, questioning whether this was a genuine negotiation or intimidation. "Do they think the People Power Party will give up the Judiciary Committee out of fear, or is this just a buildup for monopolizing all 18 committees?" he asked. Jung pointed out that the Democratic Party has not presented any negotiation proposals to his party, merely repeating that they cannot concede the Judiciary Committee without offering any suggestions on which committees they might share with the People Power Party. He described this behavior as lacking sincerity in negotiations. He also expressed confusion over the Democratic Party's fixation on the Judiciary Committee, stating, "The source of President Lee Jae-myung's declining approval ratings is the Judiciary Committee." He added that the extreme actions led by hardliners in the committee, such as the detention and mockery of the Chief Justice and the 'salmon drinking party' incident, have contributed to the president's plummeting support. Jung remarked, "While it is understandable that former representative Jeong Cheong-rae, a symbol of hardliners, would say that the Judiciary Committee is not a bargaining chip, I cannot comprehend why even rational leader Han Byeong-do is so fixated on the position of Judiciary Committee chair. Is he merely a representative of the hardline supporters swayed by Kim Eo-jun?"* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-25 11:08:00 -
Korea's Ministry of Land to Revise 14 Regulations Affecting Newlyweds, Soldiers, and Disabled Individuals The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to revise 14 regulations closely related to the daily lives of citizens, including those affecting marriage, housing, and mobility. On June 25, the ministry announced that it would adopt measures to improve unreasonable regulations during the second meeting of the "2026 Regulatory Rationalization Task Force," chaired by First Vice Minister Kim I-tak. The proposed changes include adjustments to housing applications for newlyweds, exemptions from residency requirements for long-serving military personnel, and expanded highway toll discounts for disabled individuals. Specifically, the deadline for newlywed couples to submit their marriage certificates for the Hope Town housing application will be extended from one year after the announcement to before moving in. This change alleviates the burden of having to provide documentation before securing a home. In 2024, the ministry had already reformed the housing application system to exclude the spouse's pre-marriage application and housing ownership history. This latest proposal continues the trend of reducing what has been termed the "marriage penalty." Additionally, the scope of exemptions from residency requirements for military personnel who have served for over ten years will be expanded from special allocations to general allocations. This means that long-serving military members or their family members who relocate due to personnel changes can receive exemptions regardless of the type of housing supply. Disabled individuals will also benefit from toll discounts on vehicles leased or rented for over a year. Previously, discounts were limited to vehicles owned by the disabled, but this change reflects the diverse realities of vehicle usage. Regulations on car modifications will also be relaxed. The weight increase threshold for minor modifications will rise from 60 kg to 120 kg, reducing the approval process burden for lifestyle and recreational modifications, such as rooftop tents. Certain non-enclosed structures and boiler rooms installed in older homes will be excluded from floor area calculations. In rural construction permit processes, the scope of approvals related to rural road maintenance will also be expanded. The ministry will restructure the existing "National Land and Transport Regulatory Reform Committee" into the "National Land and Transport Regulatory Rationalization Committee," enhancing its regulatory improvement functions. The new committee will operate with four divisions—land and urban, housing and land, mobility and logistics, and construction and infrastructure—with the number of members in each division increasing from seven to nine. Kim I-tak stated, "We will boldly improve unreasonable regulations that restrict citizens' lives and business activities. We will continue to pursue regulatory rationalization to swiftly address even the smallest inconveniences, contributing to the recovery of livelihoods and revitalization of the economy."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-25 11:04:00 -
Government Offers Interest-Free Tuition Loans for Rural College Students The South Korean government is launching a student loan program to support rural college and graduate students. Eligible students who meet academic requirements will receive interest-free loans covering their full tuition. On June 25, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced the initiative aimed at reducing the financial burden of education for farmers and providing equal opportunities for higher education in rural areas. Since 2004, the ministry has supported student loans for rural college students, targeting children, spouses, or individuals from households residing in rural areas or engaged in agriculture. This year marks a significant expansion of the program to include graduate students as well. The ministry previously removed income assessment criteria in 2021 and has now broadened the eligibility. Officials believe this initiative will contribute to the systematic development of professionals in the agriculture and food sectors and strengthen the foundation for sustainable agricultural development. Applicants must have completed at least 12 credits or the minimum required credits at their university in the previous semester and maintain a grade point average of 70 or above on a 100-point scale. Selected students can borrow the full amount of their tuition without interest, with a grace period and repayment period of up to 10 years each. Applications for the student loans will be accepted from July 1 to July 28. The ministry will finalize the list of beneficiaries after a review process in August. Chun Han-young, Director of the Rural Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated, "The student loan program for rural college and graduate students is designed to support young people in continuing their education and growing into leaders of future agriculture and rural areas. We will continue to provide support for the stable settlement of young farmers and the cultivation of future talent in the agriculture and food sector."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-25 11:04:00 -
Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Combat Illegal Fishing Vessel Modifications The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will fully implement a registration system for fishing vessel construction and modification starting June 26, aiming to eradicate illegal expansions and systematically develop shipyards. On June 25, the ministry announced the standards for facilities and equipment required for the registration of fishing vessel construction and modification businesses. The registration system was established following amendments to the fishing vessel law in December 2022, but a one-year grace period was provided to ensure the stable registration of existing shipyards. As a result, companies currently operating in fishing vessel construction and modification must register with the relevant fisheries management office by December 20 of this year to continue their operations. Companies that fail to register by the deadline and continue to engage in fishing vessel construction or modification may face penalties of up to three years in prison or fines of up to 30 million won. Additionally, registered companies that illegally expand or modify vessels will be subject to administrative sanctions, including suspension of operations. This measure allows for administrative action against shipyards involved in illegal modifications, which is expected to strengthen the safety management system for fishing vessels. Alongside the implementation of the registration system, the ministry plans to establish support measures. By 2029, a fishing vessel construction support center will be established in Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do, allowing registered companies to utilize construction equipment, facilities, and infrastructure when building vessels. Financial support for small-scale companies will also be pursued. Choi Hyun-ho, head of the Fisheries Policy Office at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, stated, "We will strengthen support to ensure that the fishing vessel construction and modification industry, which has operated as a free business, can gain competitiveness. Through the registration system, we aim to significantly reduce illegal expansions and modifications, which are one of the causes of fishing vessel capsizing, thereby enhancing the stability of the working environment."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-25 11:04:00