CJ Logistics Launches Campaign to Cut Shipping Costs, Promote Small Food Sellers CJ Logistics said Monday it is launching “Hamkke Sane, Gachi One,” a project to identify promising small and midsize food companies and support them with logistics subsidies and promotion. The campaign targets small merchants with strong products and fresh ideas who still struggle to expand sales channels because of shipping and marketing costs. Any food seller that ships and sells products by parcel delivery can apply through the campaign’s official website from Monday through May 25. CJ Logistics said it will select 30 companies after evaluating taste and quality, price competitiveness and suitability for delivery. Of those, 20 will each receive 1 million won in shipping support. Another 10 will receive up to 2 million won in shipping support and help producing promotional content called “O-NE Pick Review,” featuring a well-known influencer. The company said it partnered with mukbang review YouTuber “Heukbaek Review,” which has 830,000 subscribers, to boost credibility and reach. The videos will be uploaded to CJ Logistics’ YouTube channel, “Ige One (O-NE),” with purchase links to connect viewers to sales. Two selected companies that draw strong consumer response will also get a chance to be featured on Heukbaek Review’s main channel. A CJ Logistics official said the campaign was designed to ease small merchants’ logistics burden and help competitive products reach more consumers. The official said the company will continue practical partnership programs that allow it to grow alongside small and midsize businesses and small merchants across industries.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 14:49:00

Admiral Yi still towers over Seoul - in stone and in spirit SEOUL, April 27 (AJP) -The bronze figure of Yi Sun-sin stands immovable over Gwanghwamun, but his presence is anything but static. Centuries after his death, the admiral remains one of South Korea’s most revered figures — often mentioned alongside Sejong the Great — his legacy woven into daily life, civic pride and national memory. That legacy came alive over the weekend as Seoul citizens turned out in force for the 2026 Yi Sun-sin Festival. Seoul’s Jung-gu District said Monday that about 40,000 people visited the festival held on April 25 to mark the 481st anniversary of the admiral’s birth — roughly double the turnout from last year’s inaugural event. The district, believed to be the birthplace of Yi Sun-sin in 1545, staged the event not just as a commemoration but as a reclaiming of historical identity — a reminder that beneath the dense urban grid lies the origin story of one of Korea’s defining figures. The festival opened with a parade along a 160-meter honorary road dedicated to the admiral, stretching from Jingoogae in Chungmuro to the Myeongbo intersection. More than 90 participants joined the procession, including four children who share Yi’s April 28 birthday — a symbolic passing of legacy across generations. The march blended pageantry with intimacy: uniforms, flags and footsteps echoing through streets that now hum with traffic, but once marked the beginnings of a national hero. Naval honor guards staged ceremonial performances, bringing martial discipline into a civic setting, while cultural programs unfolded across the venue. A fitness contest titled “Iron Yi Sun-sin” crowned the district’s strongest participant — a modern reinterpretation of the admiral’s famed resilience and leadership under pressure. Across the country, similar commemorations are unfolding, notably in Asan, home to the Hyeonchungsa Shrine, where Yi’s spirit is formally enshrined. Families and visitors filled the grounds, moving between hands-on programs — from traditional games to book art, VR horseback riding and robotics exhibits — where history met technology in playful dialogue. A food zone featuring 20 local restaurants anchored the festival in the everyday rhythms of the district, while a three-meter-tall birthday cake installation, built from 481 congratulatory cards submitted by residents, offered a quiet, collective tribute. Kim Gil-sung, mayor of Jung-gu, said the district would continue to promote its identity as the birthplace of Yi Sun-sin — not as a relic of the past, but as a living narrative embedded in the city. And as long as the admiral stands watch over Gwanghwamun, that narrative is unlikely to fade. 2026-04-27 14:48:50

Fierce showdown looms in Busan as former IT expert likely to join race for local elections SEOUL, April 27 (AJP) - Ha Jung-woo, the presidential adviser for artificial intelligence and future strategies, is highly likely to declare his bid for the upcoming local elections as early as this week. The Busan native, who has been repeatedly courted by the ruling Democratic Party (DP), is expected to run in the southern port city's northwestern district of Buk-gu against Han Dong-hoon, the former leader of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), in what is likely to be a fiercely contested race between the two rival parties. The DP's leader Jung Chung-rae met him for dinner over the weekend and reportedly persuaded him to run. After repeated overtures from Jung, Ha seemed close to making up his mind about entering the race, though President Lee Jae Myung earlier made a light-hearted quip urging him "not to be swayed" by them, a comment many interpreted as a calculated move to raise Ha's profile, as he is still a political novice and largely unknown to many. Once Ha formalizes his candidacy for the seat left vacant by former incumbent Jeon Jae-soo, who stepped down to run for mayor of Busan, a heated clash with Han awaits. But Ha appears to have an advantage over Han, given his local roots, having been born and raised in the area through high school and his shared alma mater with Jeon, which could boost his appeal to voters. Han, who is running as an independent candidate after being expelled from the PPP in January this year over allegations that included hundreds of defamatory comments about disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee posted on the conservative party's online bulletin board, will also have to compete with the PPP's candidate, Park Min-sik, a former minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs. The district, the only one of Busan's 18 districts won by the DP in the 2024 general election despite being traditionally considered a conservative stronghold, has become a must-win battleground for the DP and would likewise be crucial for Han as he seeks a political comeback. But the three-way race would make it difficult for the PPP to win, with some pundits speculating that it could lead to an eventual merger between Han and Park, though that remains to be seen. Meanwhile, this year's local elections to elect about 4,000 metropolitan mayors, provincial governors and other local government heads nationwide are slated for June 3. 2026-04-27 14:48:22

Vietnam Warns of Fake Traffic-Fine Sites Stealing Bank Card Data A new scam in Vietnam is using small traffic fines as bait to steal bank card information, authorities and local media reported. The scheme typically cites a fine of 50,000 dong (about 2,800 won), encouraging victims to enter card details without suspicion. Reports say even residents of major cities have been deceived. VnExpress reported that a Hanoi resident, Ngoc Ha, received a text message on April 25 saying her vehicle had committed a traffic violation and instructing her to immediately visit a specific website to resolve the fine. She said the domain included the word “Dichvucong,” meaning public service, leading her to believe it was an official site. The site, however, was a counterfeit that copied the domain name and interface of the national public services portal. Ha said, “Because the screen looked familiar, I didn’t suspect anything.” The page claimed her vehicle had committed an “obstructing parking” violation and assessed a 50,000-dong fine. It also prompted users to pay immediately by entering a card number, cardholder name, expiration date and CVV code. Ha said she intended to pay because the amount was small, but she did not have her card and could not recall the details. “If not for that, I would have lost all my money,” she said. VnExpress reported that many people received similar messages last week. ◆ Hanoi police: No traffic-violation notices by text or phone; report fake portals Hanoi police issued an official warning, describing the scam as a tactic that sends messages about allegedly unresolved traffic violations and lures recipients to a fake link, allowing criminals to take control of cards and withdraw money from accounts. Police said the link is designed with an interface similar to the national public services portal to gain trust. If a victim enters bank card information, including a card number and an OTP code, criminals can seize control of the card and withdraw funds, police said. Police also stressed that there is currently no method of notifying traffic violations by text message or phone call. Violations are notified in writing, and vehicle owners or related parties are summoned to a police station, they said. Those who want to check violations should use the official traffic police website or the VNeTraffic app. Authorities said scams using fake websites have persisted in Vietnam for years, with tactics evolving. Fraudsters impersonate familiar banks, government agencies, e-commerce platforms and other services to steal accounts and money. Such messages may be distributed through fake base stations or unregistered SIM cards. While mobile carriers have tightened subscriber verification to block unregistered SIM use, scam attempts continue, the report said. Authorities urged the public to use only official websites and to carefully check domains, security certificates and unusual signs in interfaces and language. Passwords, OTP codes and personal information should never be provided to unverified sites. Anyone who suspects fraud should immediately lock their account and report it to authorities. Vietnamese internet users voiced concern and criticism. One commenter wrote that they hoped VNeID would quickly integrate systems under centralized management so problems could be reported through a single channel. The commenter also warned that having separate apps for traffic, taxes and other services increases risk, adding, “If people in cities are being fooled, I’m more worried about rural areas.” Another commenter said the public should recognize that the government does not impose fines or penalties by phone, adding that “if you go in person, your money stays safe.” Others also said scams have become too common during the digitization process.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 14:44:48

Korea IR Council Holds Inauguration Ceremony for New Chairman Kim Gi-gyeong The Korea IR Council said Monday it held an inauguration ceremony for its 10th chairman, Kim Gi-gyeong. According to the council, Kim, born in 1966, earned a bachelor’s degree in law from Seoul National University. He previously served at the Korea Exchange, including as head of the Stock Market Department at the KOSPI Market Division, deputy head of the Management Support Division, deputy head of the KOSDAQ Market Division and head of the Management Support Division. The Korea IR Council began in 2009 as a nonprofit incorporated association established by the Korea Exchange. It has hosted corporate investor relations briefings to support capital market development, operated training programs to cultivate IR professionals and organized IR awards. Through its affiliated Corporate Research Center, it also provides research on small and midsize companies, contributing to a sound investment culture.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 14:44:17

South Korea to Ease Loan Caps for Mid-Rate Lending; Card Issuers to Offer Saitdol Loans Financial authorities said they will ease household-loan volume caps to expand access to credit for mid-tier borrowers, excluding up to 80% of private-sector mid-rate loans from the overall lending limits. They also plan to allow credit card companies to offer Saitdol loans, aiming to increase mid-rate lending and encourage funding at lower interest rates. The Financial Services Commission announced the measures on 27 at a meeting titled the fourth Inclusive Finance Transformation Conference, held at the KB Hope Finance Center in Seoul's Dongjak district. The supply target for mid-rate loans this year is 31.9 trillion won, up 1.1 trillion won from last year. The plan calls for 3.6 trillion won in Saitdol loans and at least 28.3 trillion won in private mid-rate loans. Under the plan, when financial firms manage their overall lending volumes, private mid-rate loans will be excluded by sector by up to 80%. The FSC said the step is intended to prevent a sharp contraction in access to credit for mid-tier borrowers as lenders tighten volume controls to manage household debt. The government will also narrow eligibility for Saitdol loans to borrowers in the bottom 20% to 50% of credit scores, from the previous bottom 50%, to help mid-tier borrowers obtain sufficient funding at lower rates. Officials said the change addresses criticism that Saitdol loans, introduced as a stepping-stone for mid-tier borrowers, have in practice been supplied mainly to low-credit borrowers in the bottom 20% or below. With the overhaul, Seoul Guarantee Insurance premium rates are expected to fall by up to 5.2 percentage points, and the supply amount is projected to increase by up to 100 billion won. The FSC said it will expand Saitdol loan providers beyond banks, mutual finance institutions and savings banks to include specialized credit finance firms such as credit card companies and capital firms. It said participation by those firms, which hold customer data and credit-assessment capabilities for mid-tier borrowers, is expected to provide Saitdol loans at 8% to 12% interest and ease a so-called interest-rate cliff. That would be well below the existing 15.5% rate. Rules for private mid-rate loans will also be revised. When calculating the interest-rate criteria used to recognize mid-rate loans, the FSC will reflect actual loan costs such as funding costs and credit costs, lowering sector-specific benchmarks by up to 1.25 percentage points. Second-tier financial products will be split into mid-rate loan categories 1 and 2 depending on rate levels, and category 1 products will apply interest rates at least 3 percentage points lower than current levels. Financial Services Commission Chairman Lee Eok-won said inclusive finance must also serve as a reliable backstop so mid-tier borrowers can maintain stable financial lives. He said the government will work in balance with the private sector to support both low-credit and mid-tier borrowers and build what he called genuine inclusive finance. 2026-04-27 14:43:28

Korea National Railway Authority to Hire 127 New Workers in First Half The Korea National Railway Authority said Monday it will hire 127 new employees to help energize the job market and strengthen young people’s practical work skills. The hiring will include 110 youth interns in an experiential program, one driver in a skilled position, 13 field staff members — 11 for protection of nationally important facilities and two for facility management in Gangwon — and three contract workers: two transport equipment vehicle maintenance workers and one commissioned researcher for a national R&D project. The youth internship program will run from the appointment date through the end of the year to provide hands-on experience and help participants build career credentials. Graduates with strong performance will receive a document-screening waiver and additional points when applying for future regular positions, the authority said. Applications will be accepted online through the authority’s recruitment website from May 4 to May 11. After document screening, written tests and interviews, final successful candidates will be announced in June. “This recruitment will be a valuable opportunity for young people to gain meaningful job experience and plan their future,” said Lee An-ho, acting chairman of the Korea National Railway Authority, urging qualified applicants to apply.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 14:42:57

President Lee Jae-myung Vows Steady Push for Korean Peninsula Peaceful Coexistence Policy President Lee Jae-myung said Monday his government will "steadily push ahead" with its "peaceful coexistence policy on the Korean Peninsula." In a written congratulatory message read by Hong Ik-pyo, the presidential senior secretary for political affairs, at an event at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Seoul marking the eighth anniversary of the April 27 Panmunjom Declaration, Lee said the government will "take the steps we can take first" to restore inter-Korean trust and advance peace. He added that he hopes North Korea will "trust the sincerity" of the government and respond. Lee said ending the war, establishing a permanent peace regime, and achieving coexistence and shared prosperity between the two Koreas are the declaration's core spirit and "the future we must pursue." He urged efforts to ensure uncertainty and anxiety in the international situation, driven by the war in the Middle East, do not spill over to the peninsula, and to build a path where all people on the peninsula can live without fear of war. He said the "people-sovereignty government" has made peaceful coexistence its top policy goal since taking office and has taken preemptive steps to rebuild trust. He said it has also made clear its principles of respecting the North's system, not pursuing unification by absorption, and refraining from any hostile acts. Hong said the government's peaceful coexistence policy presented in early February was based on those principles. "No matter how long the winter lasts, spring will come," Lee said, adding that if efforts toward peaceful coexistence and shared growth are built up "step by step," he firmly believes spring will return to the Korean Peninsula. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 14:42:16

Industry Minister Kim Jeong-gwan Visits Kolmar Korea, Pledges Support for Reshoring and Regional Investment Industry Minister Kim Jeong-gwan visited Kolmar Korea, which has been named the first “reshoring” company of the year, and pledged expanded support as the government encourages firms operating overseas to bring production back to South Korea. Kolmar Korea said Kim visited its Sejong plant in Jeonui-myeon, Sejong City, on the 27th, delivered the official designation certificate in person and held a meeting with company officials. KOTRA President Kang Kyung-sung and Korea Industrial Complex Corp. Chairman Lee Sang-hoon joined the tour and reviewed the company’s cosmetics manufacturing capabilities. The Sejong plant is a key facility that serves as headquarters for Kolmar’s global production network. Built in 2014, it was the largest single plant in Asia at the time. It produces 890 million units of basic skincare products a year for about 4,500 customers in South Korea and abroad. Kolmar’s sunscreen products, which have helped drive the global K-beauty boom, are also made entirely at the site. At a reshoring roundtable held after the tour, Kolmar Group Vice Chairman Yoon Sang-hyeon and representatives from eight reshoring-designated companies, including Simtech, Nepes, Daehan Electric Wire and Sungwoo Hitech, discussed ways to boost domestic investment and improve government support programs. “Now, the competitiveness of companies and countries is determined by how stably they can secure supply chains,” Kim said. “The government will actively support companies so that returning home and investing in regional areas becomes the most reasonable and attractive choice.” Yoon said Kolmar plans to strengthen production capacity with Sejong City as its base to meet rising global demand as K-beauty’s profile grows. He said the company will work in step with government support for reshoring firms to enhance K-beauty manufacturing competitiveness and serve as a bridge for broader industry growth. Earlier, Kolmar said it consolidated its China production at its Wuxi plant and notified the industry ministry of its intention to expand its domestic production base. It was selected in January as the first reshoring company of the year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 14:40:02

Deputy PM Koo Yun-cheol Pledges Broad Support for Korea’s Bio, Beauty Industries Koo Yun-cheol, deputy prime minister and minister of finance and economy, said on 27일 that the government is focusing on the bio and beauty industries as key growth engines for the South Korean economy and will support them through measures including research and development funding and regulatory streamlining. Koo made the remarks during a visit to Inist ST, a manufacturer of raw materials for chemically synthesized pharmaceuticals, where he inspected operations and held a meeting with representatives of small and midsize companies in the bio and beauty sectors, including firms based in the central region. He urged companies not to settle for the status quo, saying they should expand the economy by developing world-leading products and services. Sustainable growth, he said, requires a “win-win ecosystem” in which large companies lead global markets while small businesses and startups provide support. He also called for closer cooperation to drive shared growth as industries undergo paradigm shifts, including the rise of artificial intelligence. Koo said the public-private consultative body for supporting corporate innovation serves as a platform for ongoing communication among the government, companies and business groups to back investment and innovation. He said the government has prepared measures to foster a startup boom under a plan dubbed “National Startup Era,” reflecting requests raised at the group’s first meeting, including steps to simplify startup procedures for professors and students. In a subsequent meeting on the bio and beauty industries, Koo again stressed the need for continued investment in R&D and ongoing upgrades to quality and safety, rather than relying on existing products and brands. He asked participants to speak candidly about problems they face in the field and possible solutions. Company representatives described their businesses and requested government support in areas they said were needed. Participants said innovation and growth require policies tailored to conditions on the ground, thanked the government for creating a forum for dialogue, and urged officials to reflect the day’s proposals in government measures. The government said it will closely review the views raised at the meeting, provide prompt feedback to those who submitted proposals, and actively incorporate them into future policy and institutional improvements.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 14:34:02