Latest by
-
Daejeon Satellite 1 Successfully Communicates with Ground Station After Nuri Launch Daejeon-based companies have successfully developed the ultra-small Cube Satellite 'Daejeon SAT 1,' which was launched into space aboard the Nuri rocket. On October 9, the city of Daejeon announced that Daejeon SAT 1 successfully established two-way communication with the ground station during its sixth communication attempt at 11:20 PM the previous day, followed by another successful communication at 12:46 AM on the same day. Prior to this, Daejeon SAT 1 had separated from the Nuri rocket and entered its target orbit, but it failed to secure a signal during five communication attempts. The issues were attributed to altitude angles, radio frequency interference, and ground station noise. Currently, the satellite's key functions, including battery operation, attitude control system, camera orientation, and GPS information reception, are confirmed to be functioning normally. The city plans to conduct additional communications to check the solar power generation status and, once satellite operations stabilize, will begin Earth observation missions. Daejeon SAT 1 was jointly developed by five local space companies, including the city of Daejeon, Steplab, CSO, EPS Tech, and MID. The satellite is equipped with an electro-optical camera, solar panels, power control devices, and space-grade memory developed by local firms. Daejeon Mayor Heo Tae-jeong emphasized, "Successfully confirming the first signal sent from Daejeon SAT in space is a significant moment that showcases the potential of Daejeon's technology and companies in the space sector." He added, "Starting with this communication, we will support Daejeon SAT in successfully carrying out its mission and will work harder to foster a space industry ecosystem that enables local companies to enter the global space market."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-10-09 10:32:00 -
President Lee: 'The Power of Our Language and Writing is South Korea's Competitiveness' on 100th Anniversary of Hangeul Day President Lee Jae-myung emphasized on Hangeul Day that "writing is the face of a nation, and language is its heart," stating that "the power of our language and writing is South Korea's competitiveness."In a Facebook post, President Lee reflected on the historical significance of the 580th anniversary of King Sejong's proclamation of Hangeul and the 100th anniversary of the first establishment of 'Gagya Day' in 1926, highlighting the historical value of Hangeul.He noted, "A century ago, our ancestors devoted themselves to preserving our language and writing," recalling that many pioneers, including educator Ju Si-gyeong, researched, recorded, and taught the Korean language despite the oppression of Japanese colonial rule. This was a testament to their determination to retain their spirit and identity even after losing their country.He added, "We now freely use the Hangeul that our ancestors preserved," stating that since the liberation, Hangeul has supported South Korea's growth and development.President Lee also highlighted the global spread of Hangeul, saying, "Hangeul has become a script that people around the world learn and love," noting that the Sejong Institute, which started in 2007 in three countries at 13 locations, has expanded to 273 locations in 89 countries this year.He concluded, "I sincerely celebrate the 100th anniversary of Hangeul Day. If the past 100 years were a time to preserve Hangeul and root it in our lives, the next 100 years will be a time to broaden the possibilities of Hangeul. I believe the people will continue to unite in their love for Hangeul to maintain South Korea as a cultural powerhouse."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-10-09 10:28:00
-
Kakao Golf leak hits 34,000; data breach reports near annual record SEOUL, October 9 (AJP) — Personal information belonging to about 34,000 Kakao Golf Reservation users was exposed in the latest breach to hit South Korea as reported data leaks approach last year’s annual record. Kakao VX said it discovered on October 7 that an unauthorized outsider had accessed and removed customer information from the golf reservation service. The breach affected customers who booked domestic golf tour packages between January 2025 and October 2026. The leaked information included names, phone numbers, reservation details and round dates. Accommodation information, payment amounts, order numbers and virtual account numbers were also exposed. Credit card numbers and resident registration numbers were not included, according to the company. Official figures show the Kakao Golf incident came during a sharp increase in reported data breaches across South Korea. The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) received 432 personal-data breach reports in the first half of 2026, nearly matching the record 447 reports filed during all of 2025. Cyber incidents also increased from a year earlier. The Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) received 1,236 incident reports in the first half, up 19.5 percent from 1,034 a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Science and ICT. The latest breach also came as financial companies reported a series of cyber intrusions and information leaks. Financial regulators began an on-site investigation after receiving a breach report from Shinhan Bank on September 30 and later confirmed additional attacks involving KB Kookmin Bank and other financial companies. The Financial Services Commission (FSC) subsequently ordered financial companies to inspect externally connected systems and strengthen authentication and access controls. A separate breach at streaming platform TVING illustrated the scale of personal-data exposure this year. An earlier tally put the number of affected TVING users at about 19.53 million, while a subsequent government investigation found information from 39.54 million accounts had been compromised. The latter figure included duplicate accounts and therefore did not represent 39.54 million individual people, with the final number of affected TVING users yet to be determined. The investigation found that an attacker stole an access key and penetrated TVING’s internal systems. Exposed data included names, birth dates, phone numbers and email addresses, as well as linked identification data. The Kakao Golf Reservation incident added another consumer-facing service to a series of information leaks spanning digital platforms and financial institutions in 2026. AJP Takeaways - Kakao Golf Reservation said personal information belonging to about 34,000 customers was exposed after unauthorized access to its service. - The PIPC received 432 personal-data breach reports in the first half of 2026, nearly matching the record 447 reports filed during all of 2025. - KISA recorded 1,236 cyber incidents in the first half, up 19.5 percent from a year earlier, as breaches also spread across financial companies and major digital platforms. 2026-10-09 10:10:24 -
Shinhan Card and Singapore Airlines Launch Popup Store in Seoul Shinhan Card has partnered with Singapore Airlines to launch a popup store where customers can experience the airline's services firsthand. On October 9, Shinhan Card announced that it will operate the 'KrisFlyer Popup Store' at The Hyundai Seoul in Yeouido, Seoul, until the 18th. The popup store, located on the 5th floor at 'EPIC SEOUL,' features five experiential zones themed 'Experience Singapore Airlines with All Five Senses.' Visitors can engage with Singapore Airlines' brand and services in each zone. A dedicated area for Shinhan Card will also be available, providing information on the benefits and usage of the 'Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer The Best Shinhan Card.' Customers who visit all five experiential zones will have a chance to win limited-edition souvenirs from Singapore Airlines through a lottery. Additionally, customers who enter the event on-site and apply for the Singapore Airlines Shinhan Card will receive up to 10,000 bonus miles based on their usage. A lucky draw event will also be held, offering up to 50,000 miles for existing cardholders and new applicants on-site.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-10-09 10:00:20
-
Heavy Traffic on Highways as Holiday Travel Begins; Seoul to Busan Takes 7 Hours 40 Minutes On the first day of the three-day holiday and Hangul Day, heavy traffic is reported on major highways across the country as travelers head out for outings.According to the Korea Expressway Corporation, as of 9 AM, the estimated travel times from the Seoul tollgate to major cities are 7 hours and 40 minutes to Busan, 7 hours and 20 minutes to Ulsan, 6 hours and 40 minutes to Daegu, 6 hours and 20 minutes to Mokpo, 5 hours and 30 minutes to Gwangju, 4 hours and 50 minutes to Gangneung, and 3 hours and 50 minutes to Daejeon.Conversely, travel times from these cities back to Seoul are estimated at 5 hours and 50 minutes from Busan, 5 hours and 30 minutes from Ulsan, 4 hours and 50 minutes from Daegu, 3 hours and 50 minutes from Mokpo, 3 hours and 40 minutes from Gwangju, and 2 hours from Daejeon.Major congestion points include a 12-kilometer stretch near the Gyeongbu Expressway from the Gyeongbu Dongtan Tunnel to the Namsa area, and a 25-kilometer stretch from Bukcheonan to the Cheonan Walnut Rest Area.On the Seoul-Yangyang Expressway, traffic is slow on the 17-kilometer stretch from Deokso Sampae to Seojong and the 8-kilometer stretch from Dongsan Tollgate to Dongsan 1 Tunnel. The West Coast Expressway towards Mokpo is also experiencing congestion on the 16-kilometer stretch from Maesong to Bal-an and the 11-kilometer stretch from Seopyeongtaek Junction to Seohae Bridge.The expressway corporation predicts that 5.62 million vehicles will be on the move nationwide today, with 440,000 vehicles traveling from the metropolitan area to regional destinations and 410,000 vehicles heading back to the capital.Congestion in the regional direction is expected to peak between 10 AM and noon, easing around 7 to 8 PM. In the direction towards Seoul, the heaviest traffic is anticipated between 6 and 7 PM, with conditions expected to improve around 9 to 10 PM.Meanwhile, major roads in Seoul, including Olympic Boulevard, Gangbyeon North Road, and the Inner Circular Road, are currently experiencing a generally smooth flow.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-10-09 09:36:00
-
LH to Implement Additional Purchase Guarantees for Unsold Homes in Public Housing Areas The Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) will implement additional purchase guarantees for unsold homes in public housing areas in the Seoul metropolitan region to encourage early construction of private housing projects.On October 9, LH announced that it would provide purchase guarantees for unsold homes in apartment sites acquired by private developers in the metropolitan area, specifically for those projects that begin construction by the end of 2027.This initiative follows the government's announcement of measures to stabilize the rental and sales markets by rapidly supplying housing, aimed at reducing the burden of unsold homes on private construction companies and accelerating the pace of housing supply.The program targets previously sold land in the metropolitan area that can be used for construction until the end of 2027, encompassing approximately 18,000 housing units.The purchase guarantee applies only to unsold homes with a floor area of 85 square meters or less, with prices set between 85% and 92% of the market value, depending on the unsold rate, early construction status, and the size of the development. This includes an incentive of up to 3 percentage points.Additional benefits are also available to encourage early construction. Projects that begin construction by the first half of 2027 will receive an additional 2 percentage points in the purchase price calculation, while developments with more than 500 units will receive an extra 1 percentage point.LH believes that this purchase guarantee will alleviate the burden on private construction companies and help expedite the timing of project launches.In particular, by committing to purchase a certain quantity of unsold homes, LH expects to enhance the creditworthiness of these projects. This is anticipated to lower financing costs and facilitate the transition to project financing for private developers, improving their business conditions.An LH official stated, "By utilizing LH's purchase guarantee, we expect not only to improve business conditions but also to provide incentives for private housing construction if projects commence in the first half of next year. We will continue to do our utmost to rapidly expand housing supply."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-10-09 09:04:10
-
2026 Hyundai Tucson: A Bold Evolution in Family SUVs The Tucson has returned with a completely new look. The body has grown larger, yet its movements feel lighter. Hyundai's fifth-generation all-new Tucson features a spacious interior, increased power and efficiency, and a more agile driving experience. While maintaining its practicality as a family SUV, it has elevated its design and driving performance.On a recent test drive from Hyundai Motorstudio in Goyang to Gimpo, covering approximately 100 kilometers, the first noticeable change was the enhanced volume. Compared to the previous model, the new Tucson is 60mm longer, 40mm wider, and has a 30mm longer wheelbase. Although classified as a compact SUV, its larger size gives it a spacious feel closer to that of a mid-size SUV. The driver's seat offers ample lateral space, and even passengers in the second row can feel the generous front-to-back space, with legroom and headroom increasing by 14mm and 29mm, respectively.Despite its larger size, the Tucson does not appear cumbersome, thanks to its design. Unlike many competitors that emphasize a sleek and sporty image, the Tucson maintains a recognized direction in both domestic and North American markets while expanding its exterior dimensions. The side profile, in particular, combines rich surfaces and sharp character lines, creating a solid yet futuristic impression.The increased size does not compromise the driving experience. As soon as the foot touches the accelerator, the engine responds without hesitation, delivering a light and agile movement that belies its larger frame. Even in short stretches where speed adjustments are necessary, pressing the pedal a bit more quickly brings the vehicle to the desired speed. When traffic clears and a lane change is needed, the car seems to anticipate the driver's intentions, moving briskly.The eight-speed automatic transmission supports this driving sensation with quick and smooth shifts. Whether accelerating after crossing a speed bump or starting from a stoplight, the power delivery feels continuous, enhancing not just comfort but also the enjoyment of driving.On real roads, the improved power is noticeable. When overtaking on the highway or changing lanes in the city, the engine's output, combined with the immediate response from the drive motor, allows for quick acceleration to the desired speed. The larger body does not feel burdensome, as the necessary power is easily accessible.However, there are some shortcomings in terms of quietness. While conversations between front and rear passengers are not uncomfortable, wind noise and road noise become more pronounced at higher speeds. Despite Hyundai's efforts to enhance soundproof glass and sound-absorbing materials, external noise can still be distinctly heard depending on driving conditions.Nonetheless, it is undeniable that the Tucson has improved its overall completeness through this generational change, maintaining basic practicality while enhancing design, body performance, space, and powertrain. Particularly, the balance between the larger body and agile driving feel makes it a more appealing option for consumers seeking a family SUV.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-10-09 09:04:00
-
KakaoBank Continues Five-Year Sponsorship of Melon Music Awards, Offering 2,800 Tickets KakaoBank will serve as the title sponsor for the Melon Music Awards (MMA2026) for the fifth consecutive year. KakaoBank announced on the 9th that it will hold a ticket giveaway event for MMA2026 until the 30th. Customers who hold a KakaoBank checking account or mini account can participate. The MMA is an annual popular music awards ceremony and music festival hosted by the music platform Melon. This year's event will take place over two days, from November 14 to 15, at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. From the 15th to the 30th, customers who participate in the 'KakaoBank Everyone's Star Award' voting will be entered into a draw for a total of 1,000 tickets. This includes 60 tickets for 'KakaoBank Special Seats' for a closer view of the stage. Voting can be done once a day through the KakaoBank app, and winners will be notified immediately. There is also an event for customers who share the event link with friends. By using the 'Send Invitation' feature in the app to share the link, participants will have a chance to win a total of 800 tickets. Winners will be notified via text message sequentially after the 5th of next month. Customers using KakaoBank debit cards and mini cards can also join the ticket giveaway event. After clicking 'Participate' on the event page and making a payment with their card, a 'Lucky Card' will be issued for the first transaction of the day. Participants can check their Lucky Card to find out if they have won, with a total of 1,000 tickets available, limited to one per winner. A KakaoBank representative stated, "This year, we are participating as the title sponsor for MMA2026 and have prepared various ticket giveaway events that are easy for customers to join. We hope they can enjoy the performances of their favorite artists up close and create special memories."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-10-09 09:04:00
-
Trump's Nobel Peace Prize Chances Dwindle, Norway on Edge As the chances of President Donald Trump receiving the Nobel Peace Prize diminish, Norway is sensing a potential backlash following the announcement of the award winners.According to the Washington Post on October 8, Norway is on alert for diplomatic repercussions if Trump does not win the prize, with the announcement set for October 9.Last year, Trump expressed a strong desire to win the Nobel Peace Prize, claiming he had ended several wars. However, this year, evaluations suggest his chances have decreased due to conflicts in Iran and tensions with European and international organizations.Henrik Syse, a research professor at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) and former vice-chair of the Nobel Committee, stated, "It seems Trump has been excluded from consideration."While the Norwegian Nobel Committee operates independently from the government, concerns have been raised that Trump might direct any dissatisfaction with the results toward the Norwegian government, as committee members are appointed by the parliament.Chetel Tronvoll, a research vice president at Oslo New University College, suggested to the Post, "It might be better to suspend the peace prize for three years until he leaves office to avoid unnecessarily provoking him."This year, nominees for the Nobel Peace Prize include Save the Children and humanitarian workers supporting the return of Ukrainian children. In South Korea, the entire citizenry that overcame the 12·3 emergency martial law has also been nominated.A total of 287 candidates have been nominated for this year's Nobel Peace Prize, including 208 individuals and 79 organizations. The winner will be announced at 6 PM Korean time on October 9.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-10-09 08:56:00
-
Kim Yo-jong Declares Intent to Ignore South Korea Amid Criticism of Medical Aid Kim Yo-jong, the Deputy Director of the Workers' Party of Korea, reiterated her government's intention to ignore and dismiss South Korea, criticizing its plans for medical equipment support. Following a statement the previous day, she has now issued two consecutive days of harsh criticism toward the South, making her hostile stance even clearer.According to the Korean Central News Agency on October 9, Kim stated in a written response, "I declare that, by the delegation of the head of state and in accordance with the will of the Korean people, we will clearly ignore and dismiss the human trash of South Korea going forward."The use of the phrase 'delegation from the head of state' is interpreted as an emphasis on the hostile policy toward South Korea being aligned with the intentions of Kim Jong-un, the General Secretary of the Workers' Party.Kim targeted both the recent landmine explosion incident in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and the South Korean government's medical equipment support plan. She remarked, "There is nothing as ugly as malice disguised as 'goodwill,'" labeling the landmine incident and the medical equipment support as 'self-made dramas' and 'farces.' She asserted that these two issues are merely two sides of the same coin reflecting a fundamental adversarial habit toward our state.She argued that the humanitarian support plan is politically motivated to tarnish North Korea's image. Kim described it as "a foolish work that compares their 'goodwill and efforts' with our 'rejectionist stance,' a continuation of their self-made farce."Kim also expressed dissatisfaction with the South Korean government for attempting to shift the blame for rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula onto North Korea. She warned, "Such abnormal behavior can only be done by an enemy or shown by a beast, and South Korea will clearly find itself in a more disadvantageous position due to its rogue actions."She mocked the landmine incident and medical equipment support as parts of a single play, referring to the landmine incident as 'Act 1' and the medical equipment support as 'Act 2,' claiming that the South Korean government is pretending to be a victim while suddenly acting with humanitarian intentions.Furthermore, she characterized the two issues as "unprecedented political-military and moral provocations." This further highlights the hostile perception toward South Korea.Meanwhile, the South Korean government is pursuing a project to provide approximately 9.3 billion won worth of medical equipment to a hospital in Kangdong County near Pyongyang through the Korea International Health and Medical Foundation (KOFIH).To facilitate this, the government received approval for sanctions exemption from the United Nations Security Council's North Korea Sanctions Committee on May 22. The support items include 1,431 pieces of equipment, such as computed tomography (CT) machines, X-ray machines, and ambulances.The Ministry of Unification disclosed related details on October 7, explaining that specific support methods have not yet been negotiated with the North Korean side.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-10-09 08:40:00