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  • Actor Hong Min-ki Faces Dating Violence Allegations Amid Dispute with Ex-Girlfriend
    Actor Hong Min-ki Faces Dating Violence Allegations Amid Dispute with Ex-Girlfriend Actor Hong Min-ki is embroiled in allegations of dating violence, with conflicting claims emerging from his ex-girlfriend and his agency. The ex-girlfriend, referred to as A, alleges that she was subjected to assault and threats, while the agency contends that the breakup was due to A's infidelity and that they are the ones facing stalking and intimidation, promising legal action. On August 19, influencer A shared a document on her social media that she sent to Hong Min-ki and his agency on July 28. In the document, A claims that Hong Min-ki assaulted her by throwing a soju bottle in the street out of suspicion of her infidelity and made threatening remarks suggesting he would kill her. She also accused him of invading her privacy by secretly checking her phone and injuring her while driving an electric scooter under the influence. In response, Hong Min-ki's agency, Fable Company, issued a statement on the same day, categorically denying A's allegations. The agency stated, "The document and posts shared by A contain numerous false claims," asserting that the conflict arose not from Hong Min-ki's violence but from A's infidelity. According to the agency, the two began dating in April, but after A admitted to seeing someone else, Hong Min-ki ended the relationship due to a breach of trust. The agency claims that A's stalking and harassment began when Hong Min-ki refused to meet her. They stated, "A frequently visited his home, and on the morning of August 19, she caused a disturbance by sticking stickers on the front door and kicking it, with related video evidence secured." Furthermore, the agency alleged that A exploited Hong Min-ki's status as a public figure, threatening him with statements like, 'If you file a complaint, your career is over.' They accused her of sending false documents and posting provocative misinformation on social media after he rejected her attempts to meet. Fable Company indicated that A's repeated approaches constitute stalking, and the dissemination of false information is considered defamation, vowing to take all necessary legal actions, both civil and criminal. Born in 2002, Hong Min-ki debuted in 2020 and has appeared in dramas such as 'The Thief Who Stole My Heart,' 'Love is a One-Way Bridge,' and 'Study Group.' He recently completed filming for the Tving series 'Study Group Season 2.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 18:16:00
  • KOSPI Companies Report Record Revenue of 2000 Trillion Won in First Half of 2026
    KOSPI Companies Report Record Revenue of 2000 Trillion Won in First Half of 2026 This year, the total revenue of companies listed on the KOSPI exceeded 2000 trillion won for the first time. Operating profit and net profit also surged compared to the previous year, largely due to the strong performance of semiconductor giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Together, these two companies accounted for over 60% of the total operating profit. However, even excluding Samsung and SK Hynix, other companies saw their operating profit increase by more than 75%, indicating that the improvement in performance was not limited to large semiconductor stocks.According to the '2026 Semiannual Settlement Results' released by the Korea Exchange on August 19, the combined revenue of 634 companies listed on the KOSPI reached 2000 trillion 1261 billion won, marking a 28.84% increase from the same period last year. Operating profit rose to 388 trillion 1532 billion won, a 254.15% increase, while net profit soared to 386 trillion 6740 billion won, up 333.30%.The strong results were driven by Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, whose combined revenue for the first half of the year was 437 trillion 2679 billion won, accounting for 21.86% of the total. Their combined operating profit reached 244 trillion 8781 billion won, and net profit was 253 trillion 1182 billion won, representing 63.09% and 65.46% of the total, respectively. Excluding these two companies, the revenue of other firms also increased by 15.01% compared to the previous year, with operating profit and net profit rising by 75.61% and 119.68%, respectively. While large semiconductor stocks clearly boosted overall performance, profitability improvements were widespread among other companies as well.By sector, the electrical and electronics industry, which includes semiconductors, showed remarkable growth. Revenue in this sector reached 582 trillion 7473 billion won, an increase of 80.47%, while operating profit and net profit surged by 674.92% and 697.01%, respectively. Additionally, 14 sectors, including general services and medical & precision instruments, reported increases in operating profit, while six sectors, including entertainment & culture and transportation & warehousing, experienced declines.The financial sector also demonstrated strong performance. Excluding six companies that submitted individual financial statements, the operating profit of 42 companies increased by 36.07% year-on-year, and net profit rose by 32.82%. Notably, brokerage firms reported an operating profit of 9 trillion 2066 billion won, a 163.37% increase, and net profit of 7 trillion 948 billion won, up 161%. The number of profitable companies increased to 519, up by 34 from the first half of last year, with the proportion of profitable firms rising to 81.86%, a 5.36 percentage point increase.The KOSDAQ market also showed positive results. The combined revenue of 1264 companies analyzed reached 183 trillion 5753 billion won, a 27.17% increase, while operating profit rose to 9 trillion 4279 billion won, up 61.54%, and net profit skyrocketed to 9 trillion 7069 billion won, a 286.95% increase. The number of profitable companies increased to 800, up by 121, raising the proportion of profitable firms to 63.29%.However, the rate of increase in debt outpaced that of capital, leading to greater financial burdens. As of the end of the first half, the total debt of KOSDAQ-listed companies reached 300 trillion 6154 billion won, a 17.94% increase, while total capital grew by only 6.28%. Consequently, the debt ratio rose from 113.58% at the end of last year to 126.04%, an increase of 12.46 percentage points. The company with the highest debt ratio was Bitmax, which recorded an alarming 8193.77%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 18:08:00
  • Police Determine Statute of Limitations Has Expired in Soccer Referee Prostitution Case
    Police Determine Statute of Limitations Has Expired in Soccer Referee Prostitution Case The police have concluded that the statute of limitations for prostitution-related charges in the Korea Football Association's past foreign referee scandal has expired.According to Yonhap News, a police official stated during a regular press briefing on the 19th that regarding the possibility of investigating the prostitution allegations against the football association, "It appears that the statute of limitations for prostitution-related charges has passed, but we will look into whether we can confirm this further."The issue involves allegations that the football association provided sexual services to over ten foreign referees and officials during seven matches, including three FIFA World Cup and Olympic qualifying matches, held in South Korea from March 2011 to March 2012. Payments were made using the association's corporate credit card, with amounts ranging from hundreds of thousands to over one million won per session at massage parlors located in Seoul's Gangnam, Changwon, and Ulsan.These misconducts by the football association were uncovered during an audit by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2016 but had not been made public until recently. On the 7th, related audit report details were disclosed through the office of Democratic Party lawmaker Jin Sun-mi, causing a significant stir in the soccer community.Despite the public outcry, the police face limitations in conducting a thorough investigation due to the 14 to 15 years that have passed since the incidents occurred. While there may be grounds to consider charges of breach of trust or violations of the Prostitution Punishment Act, current laws typically restrict serious crimes to those with a statute of limitations of over 15 years.Regarding past investigations, a police official confirmed, "In 2016, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism referred the case for investigation, and we confirmed that multiple suspects were investigated for breach of trust, with the case being forwarded for indictment in October 2017."However, the official added that it is still being verified whether the police conducted a direct investigation into the violations of the Prostitution Punishment Act, noting, "It has been quite some time, making it difficult to confirm the facts."Currently, the police are also investigating the broader administrative controversies surrounding the football association. They are focusing on potential misconduct and procedural violations in the appointment process of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo, which extends from the Strengthening Committee to the board of directors. On the 6th, they seized the mobile phone of former football association president Chung Mong-kyu to gather related evidence. 2026-08-19 18:08:00
  • Special Prosecutors Indict Colonel Cho Sung-hyun for Insurrection Despite Award
    Special Prosecutors Indict Colonel Cho Sung-hyun for Insurrection Despite Award The Special Prosecutors' Team led by Kwon Chang-young has indicted Colonel Cho Sung-hyun, former commander of the 1st Guard Brigade of the Army Capital Defense Command, for his involvement in insurrection. This comes despite his previous recognition for contributing to the early termination of martial law by instructing his unit not to cross the Seogang Bridge during the emergency declaration on December 3, 2024.On August 19, the Special Prosecutors' Team announced that Colonel Cho was indicted without detention on charges of performing important duties related to insurrection. Additionally, Hong Chang-sik, former legal officer of the Ministry of National Defense, was indicted for dereliction of duty, and Kim Sang-hwan, former head of the Army Legal Affairs Office, was indicted for participating in insurrection-related activities, also without detention.The Special Prosecutors' Team stated, "Colonel Cho is accused of deploying troops to the National Assembly despite knowing it was an illegal martial law. Hong Chang-sik failed to provide any legal advice to the minister and deputy minister, while Kim Sang-hwan is charged with departing to fulfill his duties as the legal officer of the martial law command, despite being aware of its illegality."Colonel Cho is alleged to have communicated orders from former Army Capital Defense Command Chief Lee Jin-woo to his subordinate units, the 2nd Special Operations Battalion and the 35th Special Operations Battalion, to mobilize troops to the National Assembly immediately after the martial law was declared. He is also accused of instructing troops waiting at the Seogang Bridge to prepare for action, stating, "Gather your riot gear and proceed. The mission is to extract personnel from inside the National Assembly."Furthermore, it is reported that a recorded phone call was obtained, in which Colonel Cho responded, "Loyalty, we will continue the operation," after receiving a call from a person believed to be former Chief Lee at around 11:50 PM that day.Previously, Colonel Cho had instructed his units not to cross the Seogang Bridge. The Special Prosecutors' Team believes that he initially supported the illegal martial law operation but changed his stance after a resolution demanding the termination of martial law was passed in the National Assembly the following morning.This indictment without detention marks a significant reversal from previous assessments by investigative agencies and the government. Colonel Cho had previously testified in the Constitutional Court impeachment trial that he received orders from Chief Lee to enter the National Assembly but deemed the mission's purpose unclear, prompting him to request a review and instruct subsequent units to withdraw.As a result, the previous insurrection investigation team, led by Jo Eun-seok, concluded that Colonel Cho had passively responded to orders from superiors and ultimately refused them, leading to a decision not to charge him. The Ministry of National Defense under the Lee Jae-myung administration also recognized Colonel Cho's contributions, awarding him the Order of National Security Merit in September of last year.However, the Special Prosecutors' Team, upon re-investigating the case, determined that Colonel Cho could not evade responsibility for participating in insurrection, given that he deployed troops to the National Assembly while aware of the martial law's illegality.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 18:04:00
  • NCT 127 to showcase new title track at comeback event next week
    NCT 127 to showcase new title track at comeback event next week SEOUL, August 19 (AJP) - K-pop boy group NCT 127 will showcase their new title track at a comeback event, SM Entertainment said on Wednesday. The group will host "NCT 127 THE 7TH ALBUM COMEBACK LIVE PARTY" at KINTEX in Ilsan, northwest of Seoul next week. The event slated for Aug. 25 comes a day after the release of the group's seventh full-length album, "BLINGY." The title track, "Blingy," is a hip-hop song built around distorted synth sounds, heavy drum beats and a chanting chorus. SM Entertainment said the song also draws on rage and dubstep elements. The choreography includes hard-hitting hip-hop movements, changes in pace and a repeated hand gesture. Member Taeyong took part in creating the choreography, according to SM. The nine-track album will be released on global music platforms at 6 p.m. on Aug. 24. AJP Takeaways · NCT 127 will premiere the performance of its new title track at a comeback event on Aug. 25. · The event will be held at KINTEX Exhibition Center 2 in Ilsan. · The seventh full-length album, "BLINGY," will be released on Aug. 24. · The title track, "Blingy," is a hip-hop song with distorted synths, heavy drum beats and a chanting 2026-08-19 18:02:50
  • K-pop girl group i-dles Soyeon to release new solo album this fall
    K-pop girl group i-dle's Soyeon to release new solo album this fall SEOUL, August 19 (AJP) - Soyeon of K-pop girl group i-dle will return as a solo artist in September, Cube Entertainment said on Wednesday. The release will mark her first solo project in five years and two months since her debut mini album, "Windy," in July 2021. Soyeon is the leader of i-dle and has played a central role in the group's self-produced music. She has written and produced several of the group's major hits including "TOMBOY," "Nxde," "Queencard" and "Fate." In 2024, she was promoted to full membership in the Korea Music Copyright Association. This year, i-dle was named to Forbes Asia's "30 Under 30" list. Soyeon has also worked under the producer name icebluerabbit, including on i-dle's January digital single "Mono," featuring skaiwater. She previewed the solo track "ICE BLUE RABBIT" during i-dle's 2026 world tour, "Syncopation." Cube said Soyeon has collaborated with overseas artists including Odetari and Anderson .Paak. Ahead of the comeback, Soyeon performed on EBS music program "Space Gonggam" on Tuesday. She is scheduled to perform at Waterbomb Sokcho 2026 on Saturday. AJP Takeaways · Soyeon of i-dle will return as a solo artist in early September. · It will be her first solo project in five years and two months since "Windy" in July 2021. · Soyeon has written and produced i-dle hits including "TOMBOY," "Nxde," "Queencard" and "Fate." · She also works under the producer name icebluerabbit. 2026-08-19 18:00:25
  • TSMCs Stock-Based Compensation Model vs. Cash Preferences in South Koreas Semiconductor Industry
    TSMC's Stock-Based Compensation Model vs. Cash Preferences in South Korea's Semiconductor Industry As SK Hynix's labor and management face last-minute struggles over stock-based performance bonuses, the preference for cash compensation in South Korea is seen as a key factor weakening the semiconductor industry's competitiveness. Concerns are growing that the massive profits, amounting to trillions of won, are being consumed as short-term cash expenses, undermining talent retention and future research and development (R&D) and capital investment capabilities.According to industry sources, TSMC has significantly expanded its stock-based compensation program for employees since 2022. This initiative aims to prevent the departure of key engineers amid fierce global competition for talent and to align the interests of the state, corporations, and individuals.TSMC operates an employee stock purchase program (ESPP) that supports 15% of the purchase price when employees buy company shares. Additionally, it offers restricted stock awards (RSA) to high performers, which are granted without charge but come with restrictions on selling for a certain period.The stock-based compensation strategy has proven effective in reducing employee turnover. According to TSMC's sustainability report, the voluntary turnover rate for employees dropped from 6.8% in 2021 to 3.7% in 2023, following the implementation of stock rewards. The turnover rate for new hires within their first year also plummeted from 17.6% to 8.9% during the same period. Over 70% of employees are participating in the stock purchase program, effectively defending against attempts by competitors to poach talent.Global tech giants are also leveraging stock compensation as a key strategy for talent retention and growth. Nvidia, in particular, has expanded restricted stock units (RSUs) to include all employees, not just executives and high performers. The significant rise in the value of shares granted upon hiring has provided strong motivation for long-term retention of key personnel.A report from U.S. consulting firm Semler Brossy indicates that 95% of S&P 500 companies implemented performance-based stock unit (PSU) compensation as a long-term incentive last year, marking a rapid shift toward stock-based compensation compared to 76% in 2012.In contrast, the South Korean semiconductor industry has a strong demand for cash-based compensation. Given the scale of performance bonuses, which can range from tens of millions to hundreds of millions of won, there is a greater incentive to secure immediate liquidity rather than future stock value. Recently, during negotiations between SK Hynix's labor and management, the company proposed stock-based performance bonuses, but faced pushback from the union, which insisted on cash payments.Samsung Electronics reached an agreement in May to pay its special management performance bonuses in full with company stock in its semiconductor (DS) division, but some employees remain skeptical. Concerns about stock price volatility and a prevailing preference for immediate cash persist, along with resistance to management's approach of tying employees to the company as long-term partners through stock compensation.However, industry experts warn that a cash-centric compensation model could impose significant financial burdens on companies. If substantial liquidity secured during prosperous times is drained as performance bonuses, it could deplete essential resources needed for R&D and capital investment during downturns. Lee Jong-hwan, a professor at Sangmyung University’s Department of System Semiconductor Engineering, stated, "If cash is excessively drained during prosperous times, companies will lack the resilience to withstand downturns. A cash-focused compensation structure diminishes financial flexibility in the highly volatile semiconductor market and ultimately weakens the survival foundation for both labor and management."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 18:00:20
  • The Need to Reassess Big Box Store Regulations in the E-Commerce Era
    The Need to Reassess Big Box Store Regulations in the E-Commerce Era In an age where fresh produce can be delivered to your doorstep by morning with just a few taps on a smartphone, many big box stores in our neighborhoods close their doors twice a month, adhering to regulations established in 2012 aimed at revitalizing local businesses and traditional markets.Misdiagnosing a problem often leads to ineffective solutions. At that time, the government and political circles identified big box stores as a major cause of the decline of small businesses and traditional markets, imposing legal restrictions on their operating hours and mandatory closures. Now, 14 years later, has the local economy truly revived? The results have fallen short of expectations.Recent empirical studies raise questions about whether the regulations on big box stores have genuinely benefited local businesses. These stores have not only been competitors to nearby small businesses but have also served as 'anchor stores' that attract foot traffic. According to a 2024 report from the Bank of Korea, sales in commercial areas within a 2-kilometer radius of closed big box stores in Seoul decreased by an average of 5.3%. In contrast, cities like Daegu and Cheongju, which shifted mandatory closure days from weekends to weekdays, saw an increase in sales for restaurants and convenience stores near big box stores. This indicates that visitors to big box stores often spend additional money at nearby retail and dining establishments.A more significant issue is the fundamental shift in the retail environment. In 2012, big box stores may have been seen as the strongest competitors to local businesses. However, today, e-commerce platforms like Coupang are transforming consumer habits with 24-hour ordering and early morning delivery. In an era where more than half of retail sales occur online, maintaining restrictions on offline big box stores lacks persuasive justification from a regulatory equity standpoint. Moreover, the inconvenience of not being able to shop on weekends falls squarely on consumers, especially as dual-income households and single-person households become more common.Retail regulations abroad are also evolving. Japan has abolished its Large-Scale Retail Store Law, which was aimed at protecting small retailers, and is transitioning to a new regulatory framework focused on living environments and site adjustments. France has similarly relaxed entry regulations for large stores and eased restrictions on Sunday and nighttime operations through the Macron Law. Many countries are moving towards loosening or redesigning regulations on large retailers to adapt to changing consumer environments.Of course, discussions about regulating big box store operations must not overlook workers' rights to rest and health. However, protecting workers is more rationally achieved through labor law measures such as managing working hours, implementing shift systems, and ensuring holiday guarantees, rather than through a blanket approach that closes entire stores. The justifications for protecting traditional markets and workers must be redesigned to align with the transformed retail landscape.It is encouraging that discussions in political circles have begun regarding the relaxation of regulations, such as allowing online deliveries on mandatory closure days. However, partial measures that only permit online deliveries are insufficient. It is time to fundamentally reassess whether the restrictions on operating hours and mandatory closures are still valid today.We must move beyond the outdated dichotomy of 'big box stores versus traditional markets.' While big box stores have been positioned as the antithesis of traditional markets, the real threat to local economies has been the rapid encroachment of large online ecosystems. Today's competitive landscape is not merely a battle between big box stores and traditional markets; it is a competition between online platforms and the entire offline retail sector.In the e-commerce era, protecting offline retail does not mean mechanically maintaining regulations. We need to expand autonomy based on local conditions and collaboratively explore specific coexistence models, such as joint marketing, linked events, and the promotion of local specialties between big box stores and traditional markets. We should not judge today's retail environment by the outdated standards of 14 years ago. To genuinely revitalize local economies, the long-standing regulations on mandatory closures for big box stores must be thoroughly reexamined.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 18:00:20
  • Weather Forecast: Showers Expected Nationwide Amid Late Summer Heat, Seoul to Reach 33 Degrees
    Weather Forecast: Showers Expected Nationwide Amid Late Summer Heat, Seoul to Reach 33 Degrees On Thursday, August 20, scattered showers are expected across southern Gyeonggi, Chungcheong, and southern regions of South Korea, with perceived temperatures rising to around 33 degrees Celsius. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the morning will see cloudy skies in the capital region and Gangwon, while the rest of the country will be generally overcast. Showers are likely in southern Gyeonggi, Chungcheong, and southern areas. Jeju Island is forecasted to receive between 10 to 40 millimeters of rain from early morning to the afternoon. Expected rainfall amounts are 5 to 40 millimeters in southern Gyeonggi and North Chungcheong, 5 to 60 millimeters in Daegu, North Gyeongsang, Busan, Ulsan, and South Gyeongsang, and 5 to 40 millimeters in Sejong, South Chungcheong, and North Chungcheong, with similar levels in North Jeolla and Gwangju, and South Jeolla. The weather agency has advised caution due to potential gusts, thunder, and lightning accompanying the showers, and warned of the risk of landslides in areas where the ground has been weakened by heavy rain. Morning low temperatures nationwide are expected to range from 21 to 26 degrees Celsius, with daytime highs between 28 and 34 degrees. In Seoul, the morning temperature will be around 24 degrees, rising to 33 degrees in the afternoon. Other cities like Daejeon will see highs of 32 degrees, while Busan will reach 32 degrees and Daegu and Gwangju will hit 33 degrees. Meanwhile, fine dust levels are expected to be at 'good' or 'moderate' levels across the country. Sea waves off Jeju are forecasted to reach heights of up to 3 meters.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 17:56:00
  • Won closes below 1,400 against greenback for 1st time in 11 months
    Won closes below 1,400 against greenback for 1st time in 11 months SEOUL, August 19 (AJP) - The South Korean won closed daytime trading below 1,400 per dollar for the first time in nearly 11 months on Wednesday, while government bond yields fell as a sharp stock selloff boosted demand for safer assets. The won strengthened 14.1 won from the previous session to close at 1,397.7 per dollar, compared with Tuesday's close of 1,411.8. It marked the first daytime close below 1,400 since Sept. 29, 2025, when the currency ended at 1,398.7. Exporter dollar selling and broader weakness in the U.S. currency supported the won despite heavy foreign selling in Korean equities. The KOSPI plunged 5.8 percent to 6,471.17 as technology shares came under heavy selling pressure, with the decline triggering a program-trading sidecar during the session. The South Korean government bonds also strengthened, with the three-year yield falling 4.9 basis points to 3.798 percent and the 10-year yield declining 4.5 basis points to 4.337 percent. The bond rally began after U.S. Treasury yields eased overnight, while the steep decline in Korean stocks added to demand for government debt. Gains extended in the afternoon after the Korea Development Institute raised its 2026 growth forecast to 3.2 percent from 2.5 percent, as the revision came in below levels some bond investors had braced for. Foreign investors also supported the short end of the market, buying more than 7,000 three-year government bond futures by early afternoon even as they remained net sellers of 10-year futures. Wednesday's decline partly reversed the previous session's bond selloff, when the three-year yield rose 5.1 basis points to 3.847 percent and the 10-year yield climbed 6.9 basis points to 4.382 percent. 2026-08-19 17:50:39