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  • Democratic Party Denies Allegations of Central Party Submission of Kim Seung-wons Petition
    Democratic Party Denies Allegations of Central Party Submission of Kim Seung-won's Petition The Democratic Party has categorically denied allegations that a petition regarding Kim Seung-won, who recently expressed his intention to resign amid various controversies, was submitted to the central party before being delivered to the Blue House. The party has also responded sharply to ongoing attacks from independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon against the former nominee.Park Sung-jun, the party's chief spokesperson, spoke to reporters after a press conference on the launch of a constitutional amendment promotion team on the morning of September 20. When asked about the claim that Kim's petition was reported to the central party before reaching the Blue House, he stated, "I have no knowledge of that. Please refer to Kim's statement for more information."Jo Gye-won, another spokesperson, added, "There has been no separate discussion about the petition being submitted to the central party. Since Kim has clarified that he is not involved, his statement will serve as the official party position."The Democratic Party has refrained from commenting on the alleged 'personnel system issues' raised following the resignations of Kim and former Minister of Gender Equality and Family, Yong Hye-in.Park emphasized, "President Lee Jae-myung mentioned this during a press conference on the 18th. There is no further position from us," and acknowledged, "We are aware that various opinions are being expressed and are listening carefully to them."Jo also indicated that there would be no additional statements from the party, explaining, "The reason Kim decided to resign was that he felt he would cause trouble for President Lee, which solidified his decision."Additionally, the Democratic Party continued to monitor Han, who has been revealing controversies surrounding Kim.Jo warned, "Han is continuing to attack the Democratic Party based on manipulated recordings. It is now time for him to face investigation and judgment. This investigation will not be political retaliation but a path to seek justice."However, he noted that there would be no separate actions such as submitting a disciplinary motion or a resolution to expel Han, stating, "He will automatically be expelled from the National Assembly after facing legal judgment."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-20 13:12:00
  • Kim Geon-hees Appeal Verdict This Week; Im Seong-geun Sentencing Also Expected
    Kim Geon-hee's Appeal Verdict This Week; Im Seong-geun Sentencing Also Expected The appeal verdict for Kim Geon-hee, who was sentenced to seven years in prison for receiving bribes under the pretext of personnel and business solicitations, is expected this week. The Seoul High Court will also announce its decision regarding Im Seong-geun, a former Marine Corps commander, who was sentenced to prison for perjury related to lobbying allegations.According to legal sources on September 20, the Seoul High Court's Criminal Division 15-3, presided over by judges Seong Eon-joo, Won Ik-seon, and Lee Hee-jun, will deliver its ruling on Kim's appeal on September 22 in connection with charges of receiving bribes under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes.Kim is accused of receiving gifts, including a necklace, earrings, a gold turtle, and a wristwatch, from Lee Bong-kwan, chairman of Seohui Construction, Lee Bae-yong, former chairman of the National Education Commission, and Seo Seong-bin, CEO of Drone Dome, in exchange for personnel and business favors.The first trial recognized the quid pro quo between the gifts and the solicitations, sentencing Kim to seven years in prison and ordering the forfeiture of some gifts along with a restitution of 64.8 million won.The special prosecutor's team, led by Min Jung-ki, argued that the original sentence was not excessive given Kim's position as the spouse of the president, which allowed her to influence public decision-making. Kim's defense contends that the connection between the solicitations and the gifts has not been proven, maintaining her innocence.On the same day, the Seoul High Court's Criminal Division 2-3, presided over by judges Kim Young-hyun, Baek Seung-yeop, and Hwang Seung-tae, will also announce its ruling on Im Seong-geun's appeal regarding charges of violating the National Assembly Witness Protection Act.Im is accused of perjury for claiming he could not recall the list of invitees for the Marine Corps' double dragon training and the password to his mobile phone during a National Assembly Judiciary Committee hearing. He is also charged with falsely testifying that he had never met or known Lee Jong-ho, a former representative of Black Pearl Invest, who is known to have managed Kim's accounts.The first trial found him guilty on all counts, sentencing him to one year and six months in prison. Although Im claims he is innocent, the special prosecutor's team for the deceased Marines has requested a harsher sentence of three years.Additionally, the formal trial for Lee Man-hee, the leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, is set to begin. The Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 27, presided over by Chief Judge Woo In-seong, will hold the first hearing on September 21 regarding charges of violating the Political Parties Act.Lee is accused of directing his followers to join the People Power Party en masse around the time of the 20th presidential election and the 22nd general election. He has been indicted and detained for allegedly coercing at least 56,472 followers to join the party from 2021 to 2024. This trial will address charges related to party membership from July 2021, which were filed in June due to the approaching statute of limitations.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-20 13:04:00
  • South Koreas Womens Tennis Team Wins Bronze in Team Event
    South Korea's Women's Tennis Team Wins Bronze in Team Event The South Korean women's tennis team secured a bronze medal in the team event.Under the guidance of coach Ko Bok-seong, South Korea faced Taiwan in the semifinals of the women's team event at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, held on September 20 at the Higashiyama Park Tennis Center in Nagoya, Japan. Despite a hard-fought match, South Korea lost 1-2 to Taiwan, earning the bronze medal.Both teams that lost in the semifinals are awarded bronze medals.The South Korean team battled through all three matches, but ultimately fell short against Taiwan. In the first doubles match, Lee Soo-jin (Okcheon County Office) and Kim Han-seol (iM Bank) lost to Taiwan's Hsu Chiao-ying and Huang Swei-yen 4-5. However, singles player Hwang Jeong-mi (NH Nonghyup Bank) managed to defeat Jiang Min-wei 4-3.In the decisive second doubles match, Eom Ye-jin (Mungyeong City Hall) and Kim Yeon-hwa (Anseong City Hall) fought valiantly against Zhou Yanzhen and Luo Shuting but lost 4-5, securing the bronze medal for South Korea.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-20 12:56:00
  • Trump Announces Creation of AI Force Amid Concerns Over AI Development
    Trump Announces Creation of 'AI Force' Amid Concerns Over AI Development President Donald Trump has announced plans to establish an 'AI Force' dedicated to the artificial intelligence (AI) industry and appoint an 'AI czar.' This announcement comes as discussions grow around slowing the pace of AI development due to safety concerns, reaffirming Trump's commitment to supporting the industry's growth to maintain U.S. leadership in AI.On September 19, Trump stated on his social media platform Truth Social, "Like the 'Space Force' we created during my first term, we will establish the AI Force." He added that he would announce the AI czar soon and encouraged only those with high IQs to apply, though he did not provide specific details.The Wall Street Journal reported that this marks the first time Trump has mentioned the possibility of a new federal organization solely focused on AI, indicating a plan to address issues related to the AI industry.This announcement comes amid rising concerns about the rapid advancement of AI. Recently, leading U.S. AI companies, including Anthropic, have warned that AI could pose serious risks to humanity, intensifying the debate over the pace and safety of AI development.Trump has taken a critical stance against the notion of 'speed control' for AI development, arguing that excessive regulation could undermine the U.S.'s technological competitiveness. He contends that to maintain an edge in the AI race with China and to foster economic growth, the development of the AI industry should not be hindered.On the same day, Trump asserted, "We will not hinder or suppress this amazing industry in any way," claiming that AI represents the next industrial revolution and could account for up to 25% of the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) due to its scale and impact.However, it remains uncertain how the AI-focused organization will be operated and who will lead it. Various U.S. government agencies, including the Department of Defense's Chief Digital and AI Office (CDAO), the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and the Department of Commerce, already handle AI and technology policy.There are concerns that differing views on AI safety within and outside the Trump administration could complicate future AI policy directions. Adam Kovacevich, head of the tech industry group Chamber of Progress, told the Wall Street Journal, "This announcement shows that President Trump feels the need to address AI issues but is uncertain about what specific actions to take."Recently, the debate over the pace of AI development has escalated into legal disputes. According to the Associated Press, a class-action lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and SpaceX AI, alleging that these companies colluded to slow down AI development, violating antitrust laws.The plaintiffs argue that while individual companies can set their own safety standards and adjust their development speeds, any agreement among competitors to collectively slow down development constitutes anti-competitive behavior prohibited by antitrust laws.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-20 12:28:00
  • South Korea triples KTX network gear for Chuseok rush
    South Korea triples KTX network gear for Chuseok rush SEOUL, September 20 (AJP) - Mobile network equipment along the main routes of South Korea's KTX bullet train has been tripled ahead of the Chuseok holiday rush, lifting average download speeds by more than 20 percent, the Ministry of Science and ICT said Sunday. Chuseok, the autumn harvest festival often likened to Thanksgiving, falls on Sept. 25 this year and sends millions streaming back to their hometowns. Carriers have added 305 base stations and 32 mobile units at highways, train stations, airports and tourist spots after about 37,000 advance inspections. SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus will staff 24-hour emergency centers throughout the break and offer free carrier-based video calls to all users, including budget-plan subscribers, from Sept. 24 to 27. About 2.8 million people logged some 310,000 hours of free video calls last Chuseok. Subscribers behind on their bills will be able to receive calls for up to three months, up from 21 days, while keeping identity verification and phishing and spam blocking. Overdue mobile micropayments will no longer be grounds for suspending service. Naver Map and Kakao Map will list hospitals, pharmacies and emergency rooms open over the holiday, along with free parking lots. Kakao will send anti-phishing alerts to about 27 million users, warning of scams such as so-called "team mission" schemes. The holiday is the first Chuseok since Korail absorbed the rival SRT service on Sept. 1, adding about 15,000 weekday seats and cutting fares by an average of 10 percent. AJP Takeaways - South Korea's three mobile carriers have tripled network equipment on key KTX routes ahead of the 2026 Chuseok holiday, raising average download speeds by more than 20 percent, the Ministry of Science and ICT said on Sept. 20, 2026. - SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus added 305 base stations and 32 mobile units nationwide and will offer free carrier video calls to all users from Sept. 24 to 27, 2026. - The holiday is the first Chuseok since Korail merged the SRT high-speed service into the KTX network on Sept. 1, 2026, a move that cut fares by an average of 10 percent. 2026-09-20 12:19:46
  • Sung Seung-min Wins First Gold Medal for South Korea at 2026 Asian Games
    Sung Seung-min Wins First Gold Medal for South Korea at 2026 Asian Games Sung Seung-min of Korea National Sport University secured the first gold medal for the South Korean team at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.On September 20, at the Anjo Sports Park in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, Sung won the women's modern pentathlon final with a total score of 1,492 points, which included fencing, obstacle course, swimming, and laser run.This marks the first gold medal for the South Korean team in this tournament.Additionally, Sung made history by becoming the first Asian athlete to win a bronze medal in the women's individual event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and now she has achieved the first gold medal for South Korean women in modern pentathlon at the Asian Games.Previously, South Korea's best results in individual events at the Asian Games were silver medals won by Yang Soo-jin in 2014, Kim Se-hee in 2018, and Kim Sun-woo in the 2022 Hangzhou Games.Sung started strong in fencing, scoring 250 points to take the overall lead. In the subsequent obstacle course, she recorded a time of 29.26 seconds, earning 358 points and placing fourth. She added 295 points with a seventh-place finish in swimming, bringing her total to 903 points and leading the competition.In the final laser run, Sung was the first to start, based on her accumulated score. The laser run format allows the top scorer to start first, with subsequent competitors beginning at intervals of one second for each point behind.Sung hit all five shots in her first shooting round, maintaining her lead against strong competition from Chinese athletes. She managed to keep a gap of 30 to 40 seconds from the second group, crossing the finish line first.Sung also contributed to the South Korean team winning a silver medal in the team event. The team event scores are based on the combined points of the top three individual competitors from each country. Sung, along with Kim Eun-joo (Gangwon Provincial Sports Council, 1,399 points, 7th place individually) and Shin Soo-min (LH, 1,380 points, 12th place individually), helped South Korea secure second place behind China. 2026-09-20 12:16:00
  • SK Hynix Faces Multiple Violations of Industrial Safety Law in Cheongju
    SK Hynix Faces Multiple Violations of Industrial Safety Law in Cheongju Numerous violations of the Industrial Safety and Health Act have been identified at SK Hynix's Cheongju campus, where there have been recent incidents of fluorine gas leaks. Additionally, at the Icheon campus, non-compliance with work procedures related to a nitric acid waste incident that affected workers has led to the cancellation of the subcontracting approval for that work.The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on September 20 that it discovered a total of 338 violations of the Industrial Safety and Health Act during focused inspections of 27 semiconductor manufacturing sites from June 26 to September 18. This inspection was prompted by two leak and fire incidents that occurred at the Cheongju campus in June.Previously, in June, two leak and fire incidents were reported at the Cheongju campus, and a worker was affected by nitric acid waste at the Icheon campus.As a result, the Ministry conducted oversight at the Cheongju campus and inspections at 26 other semiconductor facilities. The inspections revealed a total of 338 violations of safety regulations, with 28 cases referred for legal action. Additionally, 120 violations (amounting to 112 million won) are subject to fines, while 188 cases require corrective measures, and one case each involves cancellation of subcontracting approval and a work stoppage order.At the Cheongju campus, deficiencies in safety measures that increase the risk of fire and explosion were identified. For instance, blocking valves were installed before and after safety valves designed to relieve pressure in emergencies, which could prevent the safety valves from functioning properly. Instances of using electrical equipment without explosion-proof capabilities in hazardous areas were also found.Notably, the fire and explosion incidents at the Cheongju campus in June were attributed to inadequate implementation of the process safety report. It was noted that pre-inspections required by the report were not conducted, and gas work was initiated without the necessary safety work permits.Consequently, the Ministry will take legal action against 28 of the 119 violations of safety regulations at the Cheongju campus. Fines totaling approximately 32 million won will be imposed for 84 violations, including failure to display warning signs and not posting Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). Seven cases requiring amendments to the process safety report will also be addressed.At the other 26 semiconductor facilities, a total of 219 violations were identified. The Ministry found 181 violations of safety regulations, which have been addressed. These included failures to install caps on sulfuric acid piping, not marking the opening and closing directions of valves, and not installing gas detectors. Inadequate measures to prevent falls, electric shocks, and entrapment, as well as the absence of signage for confined space work, were also noted.Specifically, at the SK Hynix Icheon campus, it was found that the work procedures for subcontracted tasks were not followed, leading to the cancellation of subcontracting approval for the work involving exposure to nitric acid waste. The Icheon campus will also face 39 corrective directives and eight fines totaling 27.7 million won.In another facility, an industrial lift that had not undergone safety inspections was discovered, resulting in a work stoppage order. Among the 26 facilities excluding the Cheongju campus, 13 are subject to fines totaling 36 cases (approximately 80 million won).The semiconductor manufacturing industry uses highly toxic and corrosive chemicals and high-pressure gases in processes such as cleaning and etching. The Ministry emphasizes the importance of equipment management and adherence to work procedures, as leaks and fire or explosion incidents can lead to significant damage. The government plans to collaborate with relevant associations and organizations to disseminate information about these violations to the industry and encourage uninspected facilities to identify and improve their risk factors.Ryu Hyun-cheol, head of the Ministry's Industrial Safety and Health Bureau, stated, "Given that semiconductor plants handle hazardous and high-pressure gases, even minor lapses in management can lead to major disasters. The incidents at the SK Hynix Cheongju campus serve as a warning, and we will ensure that safety management is maintained at the highest level to match the world-class technology of the semiconductor industry."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-20 12:04:10
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions Decrease 0.9% Last Year, But Net Emissions Rise 0.5%
    Greenhouse Gas Emissions Decrease 0.9% Last Year, But Net Emissions Rise 0.5% The government has provisionally estimated that the total national greenhouse gas emissions for last year decreased by 0.9% compared to the previous year. However, due to the impact of wildfires, the absorption of greenhouse gases in the forestry and land sectors significantly declined, resulting in a 0.5% increase in net emissions. To achieve the national greenhouse gas reduction target (NDC) for 2030, an additional reduction of 149 million tons is required over the next five years.◆Nuclear Power Decrease and Coal Increase Lead to 0.2% Rise in Power EmissionsThe Greenhouse Gas Comprehensive Information Center, under the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, reported on the 20th that the provisional estimate for the national greenhouse gas emissions in 2025 is 685.71 million tons, a decrease of 6.1 million tons (0.9%) from the previous year.By sector, emissions decreased in industry, transportation, agriculture, fisheries, and waste, while they increased in power, buildings, and refrigerants.The industrial sector, which emitted the most greenhouse gases, accounted for 242.93 million tons, a 2.1% decrease from the previous year. This decline was influenced by reduced production in high-emission industries such as steel, petrochemicals, and cement. Crude steel production fell from 63.65 million tons to 62.23 million tons, and the production of six basic petrochemical products decreased from 33.13 million tons to 32.38 million tons. Cement shipments also dropped from 43.71 million tons to 38.10 million tons.Although semiconductor production activities increased, the emission growth rate was limited to 1.3% due to improved reduction efficiency of fluorinated greenhouse gases used in the processes.Emissions from the power sector rose by 0.2% to 220.43 million tons. Total power generation remained similar to the previous year, and renewable energy generation increased by 8.5%. However, nuclear power generation decreased by 2.2%, leading to a 2.2% increase in coal power generation. The number of days for nuclear maintenance and outages increased from 2,096.1 days in 2024 to 2,239.6 days last year.Nevertheless, compared to 2018, the share of zero-carbon power generation, combining nuclear and renewable energy, increased from 29% to 40.8%, while the share of coal decreased from 41.9% to 28.7%. Consequently, greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector decreased by 21.5% during the same period.Emissions from the transportation sector fell by 2.9% to 94.59 million tons, largely due to the increased adoption of electric, hydrogen, and hybrid vehicles, which led to a 6.1% reduction in diesel consumption. The cumulative registration of electric and hydrogen vehicles rose from 722,000 in 2024 to 944,000 last year.In contrast, emissions from the building sector increased by 3.3% to 45 million tons, driven by a 10.8% rise in heating degree days, which increased urban gas consumption. Emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases, such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), also rose by 3.9% to 36.28 million tons due to increased refrigerant consumption.The agriculture and fisheries sector saw emissions decrease by 3.1% to 25.25 million tons due to a reduction in rice cultivation area, while the waste sector recorded a 1.8% decrease to 18.05 million tons due to reduced landfill amounts.A significant issue is the decrease in absorption in the forestry and land sector. Last year's absorption was 31.03 million tons, a 22.8% decline from the previous year. The March wildfires in North Gyeongsang Province released 8.3 million tons of greenhouse gases due to biomass combustion. As a result, the net emissions, accounting for the absorption from forestry and land, amounted to 654.70 million tons, an increase of 3.1 million tons (0.5%) from the previous year.◆Need to Reduce 149 Million Tons More to Meet 2030 NDCLast year's total emissions decreased by 84 million tons (11.4%) compared to the baseline year of 2018 for the national greenhouse gas reduction target. According to government estimates, to achieve the 2030 NDC, an additional reduction of 149 million tons is needed by 2030. To implement the 2035 NDC, an additional reduction of 127 million to 182 million tons will be required from 2031 to 2035.The government plans to accelerate the reduction pace through the expansion of renewable energy, the phase-out of coal power, and the electrification of the industry, transportation, and building sectors. In the power sector, the goal is to achieve the 100 GW renewable energy target by 2030 ahead of schedule and to promote a roadmap for phasing out coal power. In the industrial sector, funding for green and low-carbon transitions will be increased from 8.7 trillion won this year to 10.6 trillion won, and the 'K-GX strategy' to support green transition technologies in the steel, petrochemical, and cement industries will be announced within the year.In the transportation sector, the number of electric vehicle subsidies will be expanded from 300,000 this year to 430,000 next year, with a goal of increasing the share of electric vehicles among new cars to 50% by 2030. In the building sector, efforts will be made to promote decarbonization in heating through the expansion of heat pumps and renewable heat.Choi Min-ji, head of the Greenhouse Gas Comprehensive Information Center, stated, "The foundation for accelerating decarbonization centered on renewable energy was established last year to achieve the 2030 national greenhouse gas reduction target. We plan to jointly promote the 'Carbon Neutral Green Growth National Strategy and the Second National Basic Plan,' which includes sectoral and annual targets for the 2035 national greenhouse gas reduction target, while strengthening annual implementation checks."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-20 12:04:10
  • Free Video Calls Offered During Chuseok Holiday as Government Supports Telecom Sector
    Free Video Calls Offered During Chuseok Holiday as Government Supports Telecom Sector During the Chuseok holiday, free video calls will be available to all telecom users, including those with budget mobile plans. To support small businesses working with major telecom and platform companies, early payments for supplier fees and distribution network commissions will be made.On September 20, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced a digital support initiative in collaboration with the three major telecom companies and platform firms. To address the surge in cyber threats during the holiday, the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) will enhance monitoring efforts. An emergency response system will be established with telecom, platform, and key security companies to ensure rapid responses to any incidents.The three telecom companies will operate a '24-hour emergency response team' to monitor traffic surges, security threats, and service disruptions in real time. Kakao will send messages to approximately 27 million users via 'Kakao Channel Talk' to help prevent phishing scams, including the recent rise in 'team mission fraud.'Free video call services will be provided to all users of the three telecom companies (SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus) as well as budget mobile subscribers. Major platform companies will offer guidance on transportation and medical facilities during the holiday. New tabs for 'Emergency Care' and 'Free Holiday Parking' will be added to Naver Maps and Kakao Maps, providing information on open hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and free parking locations during Chuseok.Communication quality will also be improved in key transportation areas. The telecom infrastructure along major high-speed rail routes will be expanded threefold. An additional 305 base stations will be installed at key locations such as highways, train stations, airports, and tourist sites. Furthermore, 32 mobile base stations will be deployed to ensure stable communication services.To support small partner companies and small business owners, early payments for supplier fees and distribution network commissions will be made. The bidding process for telecom construction projects will be improved to address challenges faced on-site, and safety management costs will be adjusted to enhance stability. The platform industry will also expedite payment settlements for partner companies, reducing the burden on small businesses through advertising support and lower transaction fees.To alleviate the economic burden on low-income and vulnerable groups, the telecom payment delinquency system will be improved. Previously, users with overdue payments could only receive basic voice and text services during the grace period. Now, essential services such as 'identity verification' and 'phishing and spam blocking' will be accessible. The grace period for receiving services will be extended from 21 days to a maximum of three months, nearly quadrupling the duration. Small payment delinquencies will no longer be grounds for service suspension. 2026-09-20 12:04:10
  • Semiconductor Bonuses Drive Wage Growth in Electronics Sector
    Semiconductor Bonuses Drive Wage Growth in Electronics Sector In the first half of this year, the average monthly wage for full-time workers in South Korea rose by 3.1% compared to the previous year, driven by increased bonuses in the semiconductor sector. The average monthly wage in the electronics and telecommunications industry, which includes semiconductors, reached 9,434,000 won, more than double the average in other sectors.The Korea Employers Federation released an analysis on September 20 based on the Ministry of Employment and Labor's workplace labor force survey, detailing wage increases by size and industry for the first half of 2026. According to the survey, the average monthly wage for full-time workers was 4,318,000 won, an increase of 3.1% from the same period last year. This translates to an increase of approximately 131,000 won, of which 42,000 won was attributed to the rise in special bonuses in the electronics and telecommunications sector. However, the overall increase rate was 0.4 percentage points lower than last year's 3.5%.The wage growth was primarily driven by bonuses rather than base salaries. The increase rate for fixed salaries, including base pay and regular allowances, fell from 2.9% in the first half of last year to 2.2% this year. In contrast, the increase rate for special bonuses and fixed allowances rose from 8.1% to 9.3%.As a result, the average monthly special bonus reached 601,000 won, the highest since related statistics began in 2011. This follows increases from 509,000 won in the first half of 2024 and 550,000 won last year.By company size, businesses with more than 300 employees saw a notable wage increase. The average monthly wage in these companies rose by 4.8% compared to the same period last year, while companies with fewer than 300 employees experienced a 2.1% increase. However, both sizes saw a slowdown compared to last year's increases of 5.7% and 2.7%, respectively.In companies with over 300 employees, the increase rate for special bonuses rose from 12.8% last year to 14.7% this year, while the increase rate for fixed salaries dropped from 3.4% to 1.4%. The average monthly special bonus in these companies was 1,824,000 won, an increase of 234,000 won from the previous year, surpassing the previous high of 1,661,000 won in the first half of 2022. In contrast, companies with fewer than 300 employees saw fixed salary and special bonus increase rates of only 2.2% and 0.6%, respectively.By industry, the impact of semiconductors was particularly pronounced. Among 17 industries, the wage increase rate in manufacturing rose from 4.8% in the first half of last year to 5.9% this year. The professional, scientific, and technical services sector also increased from 2.7% to 5.7%.In the manufacturing sector, the electronics and telecommunications industry, which includes semiconductors, recorded the highest increase at 23.1%. The average monthly wage in this sector reached 9,434,000 won, a 23.1% increase from the same period last year. This is more than double the average of 4,187,000 won in other sectors. While special bonuses in the electronics and telecommunications sector surged by 66%, the increase rate for fixed salaries was only 1.4%. Workers in the electronics and telecommunications sector accounted for just 2.5% of all full-time employees, approximately 377,000 individuals.When including research and development and professional services related to semiconductors, the impact is even greater. The average monthly wage in these sectors rose by 12.6% to 7,412,000 won, with special bonuses increasing by 49.8%. The wage increase in these sectors accounted for 53.9% of the total wage increase, while the increase in special bonuses represented 46.7%. These sectors also include non-semiconductor fields.Ha Sang-woo, a director at the Korea Employers Federation, stated, "The improvement in semiconductor performance this year significantly influenced the increase in special bonuses in the electronics and telecommunications sector, contributing to overall wage growth."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-20 12:04:00