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Lotte Department Store Opens First Palace Store in South Korea at Lotte World Mall Lotte Department Store is set to enhance its street fashion lineup at Lotte World Mall in Jamsil by introducing the first Palace store in South Korea, a high-end streetwear brand from the UK. The store, measuring approximately 155 square meters, will open on the first floor of Lotte World Mall on the 22nd, making it the third Palace store in the country and the tenth globally. This marks the first time a South Korean retailer has brought Palace into its lineup. Founded in 2009 in London by Lev Tanju and Gareth Skewis, Palace has built a unique brand identity rooted in skateboarding subculture. The brand is known for its triangular 'Tri-Ferg' logo and offers a range of products including hoodies, t-shirts, and outerwear. Palace has expanded its reach beyond street fashion through collaborations with various global brands. The new store will feature a 'drop' method for showcasing products, gradually unveiling new items for the 2026 fall/winter season. For this store, Lotte Department Store has prepared exclusive products in collaboration with Palace. The special collection will include 18 items such as hoodies, jackets, and hats, available only at the World Mall. Additionally, two collaboration items with the Lotte World character Roti and one with Lori will be released. The exclusive collection features designs inspired by the Olympic rings, reflecting Seoul's Olympic heritage and the local character of the Jamsil area. The opening of the Palace store is part of Lotte Department Store's ongoing strategy to strengthen its global street and premium fashion brand offerings at Lotte World Mall. In June, the store opened the first Human Made store in Korea, created by Japanese designer NIGO, on the first floor of the mall. Lotte has also introduced the first domestic store for Porter and launched a large brand center for Adidas, expanding its lineup of international fashion and sports brands. Min Woo-ki, head of the New Generation Team at Lotte Department Store, stated, “This new store at World Mall will provide an opportunity for customers to experience Palace's unique products and culture up close, and we will continue to present differentiated brands and content that attract customer attention.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 11:16:00 -
Trump Pushes for Meeting with Kim Jong Un as China's Wang Yi Visits South Korea U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly pushing for a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, coinciding with the visit of Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China and the country's foreign minister, to South Korea. This has raised questions about a potential turning point in the situation on the Korean Peninsula.On August 19, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced that Wang Yi would visit South Korea and Indonesia. A ministry spokesperson stated, "In response to invitations from South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin and Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Wang Yi will visit South Korea and Indonesia from August 19 to 22." The spokesperson added that Wang's schedule in South Korea would take place from August 19 to 20.This marks Wang Yi's first solo visit to South Korea since September 2021, and it will be the first China-South Korea foreign ministers' meeting in about 11 months, following a meeting in Beijing last September.According to South Korea's Foreign Ministry, Wang Yi is scheduled to arrive in the afternoon and will hold a foreign ministers' meeting and an official dinner with Park Jin. On August 20, he will meet with President Yoon Suk Yeol at the Blue House. National Security Office Director Kim Sung-han is also expected to hold talks and lunch with Wang.Earlier, the Wall Street Journal reported on August 18 that President Trump has urged his aides to expedite plans for a meeting with Kim Jong Un as early as this fall, discussing the possibility of a face-to-face meeting during his next visit to Asia. Trump's upcoming trip is likely to coincide with the APEC summit in Shenzhen, China, on November 18-19.As the possibility of a North Korea-U.S. summit gains traction, Wang Yi's visit to South Korea is significant. It is anticipated that discussions during Wang's visit will include the North Korea-U.S. summit as a key agenda item, with Wang expected to articulate China's position. There is also a possibility that he may address China's role in the North Korea-U.S. summit.Meanwhile, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson noted that after completing his schedule in South Korea, Wang Yi will travel to Indonesia to preside over the first meeting of the China-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue Mechanism and attend the second ministerial-level meeting of the China-Indonesia Foreign and Defense 2+2 Dialogue Mechanism with Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 11:16:00
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LG Energy Solution's battery plant in Michigan begins production SEOUL, August 19 (AJP) - LG Energy Solution (LGES) has begun full operations at its plant in Lansing, Michigan, strengthening its production network for energy storage systems (ESS) to meet growing demand across North America, the company said on Wednesday. The facility is LGES' seventh such plant in North America and will serve as a combined manufacturing hub for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for ESS and nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) batteries for electric vehicles, with total annual battery-cell production capacity exceeding 35 gigawatt-hours (GWh). The company said LFP batteries produced at the plant will be supplied through its U.S. subsidiary Vertech to major customers involved in power infrastructure and artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. LGES had about 140 GWh of ESS orders in North America as of the end of last year and secured more than 3 trillion won (US$2.2 billion) in new orders in the first half of this year. EV batteries produced at the plant will be supplied to Toyota under a battery supply agreement signed with the Japanese automaker in 2023 and are expected to be used in vehicles including Toyota's midsize Highlander SUV, which will be produced at its plant in Georgetown, Kentucky. With the plant now in full-scale production, LGES said it has completed a five-site production network serving the North American ESS market, comprising three wholly owned facilities in Lansing and Holland, Michigan, and Ontario, Canada, as well as two joint-venture plants in Ohio and Tennessee. LGES said it aims to secure more than 50 GWh of annual ESS LFP production capacity in North America by the end of 2026, as demand rises with the expansion of AI data centers and electricity grids. "has called Michigan home for more than 20 years, and we're proud to see that investment continue with the start of production at its Lansing facility. This project will create up to 1,700 good-paying jobs, helping more working families make it in Michigan. It's part of our historic work to invest in clean energy, electric vehicle manufacturing, and battery storage in communities across Michigan," said Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer at the plant's opening ceremony. The ceremony was also attended by U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Rep. Tom Barrett, as well as LGES CEO Kim Dong-myung and other company executives. "The operation of the Lansing plant is an important milestone that will accelerate the growth of our North American business," Kim said. LGES has been pursuing a strategic restructuring of its global production network over the past two and a half years, expanding its focus beyond electric vehicles to ESS and other emerging businesses while seeking to improve the efficiency of its manufacturing facilities. The Lansing plant is a key part of this strategy, giving the company additional local production capacity as it seeks to capture a larger share of the rapidly expanding North American ESS market. AJP Takeaways • LG Energy Solution has begun full-scale operations at its Lansing, Michigan, battery plant, its seventh production facility in North America, with total annual battery-cell production capacity exceeding 35 gigawatt-hours (GWh). • The Lansing plant will produce both ESS and electric vehicle batteries, making lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for energy storage systems and nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) batteries for electric vehicles. • LG Energy Solution is expanding its North American ESS business, with about 140 GWh of ESS orders in the region as of the end of 2025 and more than 3 trillion won ($2.2 billion) in new orders secured during the first half of 2026. • LG Energy Solution aims to have more than 50 GWh of annual ESS LFP battery production capacity in North America by the end of 2026, driven by growing demand from AI data centers and expanding electricity grids. • The Lansing plant completes LG Energy Solution’s five-site North American ESS production network, comprising three wholly owned facilities in Michigan and Ontario, Canada, and two joint-venture plants in Ohio and Tennessee, as the company shifts more focus from EV batteries toward ESS and other emerging businesses. 2026-08-19 11:14:35 -
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon Declares 'Shade Walking Rights' for Citizens Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon announced the 'shade walking rights' initiative on August 19 at a press conference in City Hall, aimed at ensuring safe mobility for citizens during heatwaves. The city plans to conduct a pilot program from 2026 to 2027, with plans to expand the initiative citywide starting in 2028. The shade walking rights concept involves planning and managing urban spaces to provide citizens with uninterrupted access to shade from the moment they leave their homes until they reach their destinations, such as subway stations, schools, markets, hospitals, and parks. The focus will be on the actual area, duration, and connectivity of shade experienced by citizens, rather than just the number of trees or shade structures. An analysis of 60,729 sidewalks in Seoul, covering a total of 4,031 kilometers, revealed that the average shade coverage on pedestrian paths is 44.4%. Of this, building shade accounts for 29.2 percentage points, while tree shade contributes 15.2 percentage points. The average exposure to sunlight was recorded at 4 hours and 21 minutes, with 27.6% of sidewalks exposed to sunlight for more than 6 hours a day. The city has also noted significant heat-related incidents during travel. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's heat illness emergency room surveillance system, 31.4% of the 815 heat illness cases reported in Seoul from 2023 to 2025 occurred on the streets. To address this, the city will analyze sunlight exposure, pedestrian traffic, and the usage by vulnerable groups such as the elderly to prioritize areas in urgent need of shade. In locations where planting is feasible, large-canopy trees will be planted, while areas with narrow sidewalks or underground facilities will see the installation of canopies, awnings, seasonal shades, and small rest areas. These individual shade areas will be connected to shaded pathways leading to residential areas, subway stations, schools, markets, hospitals, and parks. The city plans to incorporate shade walking principles into the Seoul Urban Basic Plan and living area plans, gradually applying them to district unit plans, maintenance projects, and public construction projects. A 'walking shade simulation' will be introduced to measure shade area, duration, and connectivity before and after the project. Pilot projects will be conducted in 10 living streets this year and next, with successful methods standardized for citywide implementation starting in 2028. This declaration aligns with Seoul's urban policy, which views green spaces and urban parks as essential infrastructure for responding to heatwaves and climate crises. The day before, Mayor Oh emphasized the importance of preserving urban green spaces while opposing housing construction in Yongsan Park during a Cabinet meeting. Mayor Oh stated, "While we have increased living area greenery through the garden city initiative, shade walking rights represent the next step in connecting this greenery from homes to destinations. We aim to make shade a fundamental service of the city that protects citizens' health and daily lives, rather than just a convenience available in select locations." 2026-08-19 11:12:00
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Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon Opposes Housing Development in Yongsan Park Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon expressed his opposition to housing construction in Yongsan Park during a Cabinet meeting at the Blue House on August 18. Oh argued that to expand housing supply, regulations hindering redevelopment and reconstruction must be eased. He stated that relaxing restrictions on the transfer of membership status, floor area ratio, and rental housing ratios would allow for quicker housing supply in areas favored by the private sector. However, he firmly opposed the idea of utilizing Yongsan Park, the last large green space in central Seoul, for housing development. His reasoning is that while housing can be built elsewhere, once urban green spaces are lost, they are difficult to recreate. Oh highlighted the figure of 5.7 square meters of 'walkable park area per person' in Seoul. Although the city appears to have abundant green space due to its mountainous areas like Bukhansan and Gwanaksan, the actual amount of park space accessible for daily use is minimal, according to Oh. When comparing park statistics with major cities worldwide, caution is advised. Seoul primarily uses the area of parks included in walkable zones divided by the population, while cities in the U.S. and the U.K. focus on the percentage of residents who can walk to a park within 10 minutes. Despite the different calculation methods, both approaches aim to measure how easily citizens can access green spaces in their daily lives. Washington, D.C., is a prime example of a city with excellent park accessibility. According to the U.S. Public Land Trust, 99% of D.C. residents can walk to a park within 10 minutes, with 21% of the city's total area designated for parks and recreational spaces. This is significantly higher than the average 76% accessibility rate for parks in the 100 largest U.S. cities. D.C. enhances accessibility not only through large green spaces like the National Mall and Rock Creek Park but also by evenly distributing small parks, plazas, and playgrounds within residential areas. New York City also boasts that 99% of its residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park. The city's park competitiveness is not solely based on Central Park; it has developed numerous small parks, playgrounds, and waterfront parks in densely populated areas. Accessibility rates remain around 99% across different income and age groups. In London, approximately 20% of the city area consists of public green spaces accessible to citizens. The city government preserves large parks like Hyde Park and Regent's Park as historical assets while implementing policies to ensure all Londoners can reach green spaces within 10 minutes of their homes. While there are variations in green space accessibility across different areas in London, the city has not opted to convert large urban parks into residential land due to development pressures. Paris, similar to Seoul, faces challenges as a high-density city. Excluding the Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes, the per capita park and green space area in central Paris is about 1.6 square meters. Including the two forests raises this figure to around 10 square meters, demonstrating how statistics can vary significantly based on whether large outer forests are included. In response, the Paris city government is pursuing a plan to secure an additional 300 hectares of green space, aiming for 10 square meters of green space per person, particularly targeting low-income neighborhoods vulnerable to heat waves. These examples from major cities worldwide illustrate that simply increasing the total area of parks is not sufficient. It is essential to preserve large symbolic parks while also ensuring that small parks accessible to all residents are distributed throughout neighborhoods. Parks serve not only as recreational spaces but also as urban infrastructure that mitigates heat and absorbs rainwater during heavy downpours. From this perspective, Yongsan Park is distinct from typical idle public land. Spanning approximately 3 million square meters, Yongsan Park is a crucial green corridor connecting Namsan and the Han River in central Seoul. Converting even a portion of it into housing would not only reduce the area but also impact the continuity of the urban ecological axis and landscape. Why President Lee Jae-myung Cannot Abandon Yongsan Park So why does President Lee Jae-myung continue to consider housing supply in Yongsan Park? It is premature to conclude that the president is unilaterally insisting on this policy. Reports indicate that President Lee has stated, "If the Seoul city government opposes, we should first discuss it." He has also emphasized the need for housing supply in Yongsan, a favored area for young people and newlyweds in Seoul. The primary reason the government cannot easily exclude Yongsan Park from consideration is the scarcity of large land available for housing supply in central Seoul. Yongsan Park is a large state-owned site, allowing for public housing projects without land acquisition costs. The ability to provide housing for young people and newlyweds in a densely populated urban area with ample job and transportation facilities is also an attractive condition for the government. Political pressure regarding the housing supply shortage is significant. In the first half of this year, the number of completed apartments in Seoul was 12,251, a sharp decline from 29,420 during the same period last year. The government is under pressure to propose notable large-scale housing supply sites to stabilize housing prices. There is also a belief that relying solely on redevelopment and reconstruction will not allow the government to supply housing at the desired time and price. Conflicts within associations, issues of shared costs, relocation and compensation, and construction costs often delay actual occupancy. By supplying public housing on state-owned land, the government can more easily determine sale and rental prices and target demographics. However, whether Yongsan Park can serve as a short-term solution for housing supply remains questionable. To build housing, amendments to the Yongsan Park Creation Special Act are necessary, along with changes to urban planning, soil contamination cleanup, and the expansion of infrastructure such as transportation and schools. Considering the strong opposition from the Seoul city government and local residents, it is likely that significant time will pass before actual construction begins. The areas under consideration for development and the amount of housing supply have not yet been finalized. For these reasons, the government should transparently disclose the number of housing units that could be secured through the development of Yongsan Park, the timeline for construction, and the climate and environmental costs associated with the loss of green space. The Seoul city government must also go beyond merely asserting its commitment to preserving the park and demonstrate, through timelines and quantities, that it can supply more housing more quickly by easing redevelopment and reconstruction regulations than by developing Yongsan Park. The debate over Yongsan Park is not merely a choice between "parks or apartments." It is a matter of balancing the housing insecurity faced by the current generation with the environmental assets for future generations, and neither should be pushed aside for political slogans. This issue must be weighed against why major global cities have preserved large urban parks for centuries and the urgent housing crisis faced by Seoul's citizens. 2026-08-19 11:00:20
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Venture Investment Reaches Record 8.9 Trillion Won in First Half of 2026 In the first half of 2026, domestic venture investments approached 8.9 trillion won, marking the highest level ever recorded for this period. Analysts attribute this surge to significant investments in deep tech sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and robotics, indicating a robust recovery in the venture investment market.The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced these findings on August 19, detailing the trends in new venture investments and fund formations for the first half of 2026.From January to June, new venture investments totaled 8.8676 trillion won, a 54.3% increase compared to the same period last year. This figure also exceeds the levels seen during the venture investment boom in the first half of 2022, setting a new record. The amount raised for new venture funds also rose by 33.0% to 8.4366 trillion won, the second-highest figure for any first half.By type of investor, policy finance grew by 58.3%, while the private sector increased by 28.1%. In the private sector, contributions from financial institutions surged by 54.9% to 2.6061 trillion won, driving the growth.In terms of industry, investments in information and communication technology (ICT) services accounted for 1.86 trillion won, or 21.0% of the total, reflecting an expansion in AI-related technologies. This was followed by investments in electrical, mechanical, and equipment sectors at 1.5359 trillion won (17.3%) and in the bio and medical sectors at 1.5041 trillion won (17.0%).Compared to the first half of last year, investments in ICT manufacturing increased by 143.3%, while investments in electrical, mechanical, and equipment sectors and ICT services rose by 90.4% and 62.2%, respectively. Large investments exceeding 1 billion won in the semiconductor and robotics sectors, including AI semiconductors, memory chips, and humanoids, have significantly contributed to the overall investment performance.Investments increased across both new and established companies, with both those under seven years and those over seven years seeing growth in investment amounts and the number of companies funded. Notably, investments in early-stage companies within three years of establishment rose by 56.4%, driven by deep tech startups in AI, semiconductors, and robotics securing investments of over 100 million won.Regionally, venture investments in the capital area reached 3.0972 trillion won, a 49.9% increase from the first half of last year, while non-capital areas saw investments of 1.0647 trillion won, up 104.7%. Daejeon recorded the largest investment in non-capital regions at 435.9 billion won, bolstered by significant investments in key new industries such as life sciences and aerospace.Kim Bong-deok, the venture policy director at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, stated, "The substantial increase in both venture investments and fund formations in the first half of this year indicates that the domestic venture investment market has entered a phase of significant growth." He added, "We will strengthen the role of the mother fund as a catalyst for venture capital expansion, ensuring that policy support, including tax incentives, is implemented effectively in collaboration with relevant ministries to promote job creation for youth and invigorate the local economy." 2026-08-19 11:00:00
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LG shifts board leadership to independent directors ahead of tighter ESG rules SEOUL, August 19 (AJP) - LG Group has shifted the chairmanship of the boards at 11 major listed affiliates to independent directors, stepping up corporate governance changes as South Korea moves toward mandatory environmental, social and governance disclosures. LG Corp., the group's holding company, said it recently published its 2025 ESG report outlining sustainability performance and future plans across compliance, climate change and workplace safety. The report covers LG Corp., subsidiaries including LG CNS and D&O, and major affiliates including LG Electronics, LG Chem and LG Uplus. The most notable governance change is the group's transition to independent board chairs at 11 listed companies, including LG Corp., LG Electronics, LG Chem, LG Uplus and LG CNS. At LG Corp., Chairman Koo Kwang-mo had previously served concurrently as chairman of the board. LG said separating board leadership from management is intended to strengthen board independence and oversight and improve transparency in corporate decision-making. The group has also operated a board-centered compliance governance system since 2023, placing responsibility for oversight of key compliance risks with company boards while delegating implementation and monitoring duties to ESG committees, chief executives and compliance officers. The changes come as Korean companies prepare for tighter sustainability disclosure requirements. LG Corp. has applied standards being developed by the Korea Sustainability Standards Board, or KSSB, to its ESG reporting since 2024, ahead of mandatory ESG disclosures scheduled for 2028. Its latest report applies the framework across compliance, climate change and occupational health and safety. On climate, LG said it is targeting a 34 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2018 levels by 2030 and a 52 percent reduction by 2040, before reaching net zero by 2050. The group plans to periodically revise the roadmap to reflect technological advances and progress at its affiliates. LG has also incorporated AI technology into its workplace safety initiatives, showcasing AI-based safety and environmental systems through its group-wide Safety Health Environment Conference, which has been held since 2023. AJP Takeaways LG has moved 11 major listed affiliates to independent board chairmanship, separating board leadership from management as part of a broader governance overhaul. The group has incorporated KSSB sustainability standards into its ESG reporting since 2024, ahead of South Korea's planned mandatory ESG disclosures in 2028. LG is targeting a 34 percent cut in greenhouse gas emissions from 2018 levels by 2030, 52 percent by 2040 and net zero by 2050. 2026-08-19 10:57:41 -
Korean Minister Kim Jong-kwan Meets with USTR Representative to Address Trade Relations Following the dismissal of Yeohang-gu, head of the Trade Negotiation Bureau, South Korea's Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jong-kwan has taken a proactive role in addressing strategic investment and tariff issues with the United States. He has engaged in discussions not only with his counterpart, Secretary of Commerce Howard Rutnik, but also with USTR Representative Jamieson Greer, effectively stepping into the forefront of U.S.-Korea trade negotiations.According to the Ministry of Trade, Kim has been in Washington, D.C., from August 16 to 19, meeting with key U.S. officials to discuss bilateral industrial and trade issues, including strategic investment projects.On August 17 and 18, Kim met with Secretary Rutnik to discuss candidate projects for strategic investment in the U.S. This meeting comes about three weeks after their last discussion on July 22-23, with both sides reportedly working to narrow their differences on the candidate projects.Later, Kim is scheduled to meet with USTR Representative Greer to discuss trade issues, including the Section 301 investigation under U.S. trade law. During this meeting, he is expected to emphasize the importance of maintaining stable communication channels between the trade authorities of South Korea and the U.S. He will also meet with Russell Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, to discuss follow-up measures related to President Trump's policy on rebuilding the shipbuilding industry and cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. in this sector.This visit is particularly noteworthy in light of Yeoh's dismissal. Previously, the trade response to the U.S. was managed through a 'two-top' system, where Kim coordinated investment and industrial cooperation with Rutnik, while Yeoh handled tariff and non-tariff barriers with Greer. In the lead-up to the announcement of the Section 301 investigation results last month, both Kim and Yeoh had visited the U.S. in a similar division of roles. However, following Yeoh's dismissal, Kim has taken on direct responsibility for both strategic investment and trade issue discussions with the USTR, indicating a shift in strategy to maintain momentum in U.S. negotiations.There are several pressing issues to address, including the potential for additional tariffs resulting from the Section 301 investigation and the need to further develop strategic investment projects.The Ministry stated, "We plan to actively respond to ensure that the trade relationship between South Korea and the U.S. remains stable and that the balance of benefits secured through last year's tariff agreement is maintained."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 10:56:00
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Researchers find technique to boost water-based battery performance SEOUL, August 19 (AJP) - Developing safe and affordable batteries is essential for operating large-scale energy storage systems, but current water-based models struggle to store energy quickly and in large volumes. To resolve this, researchers have designed a new electrode material that increases both energy capacity and charging speeds by utilizing particles previously thought to degrade battery performance, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology said Wednesday. Conventional aqueous zinc-ion batteries face limitations because zinc ions are large and move slowly, restricting charging speeds. Additionally, smaller protons moving within the battery often create byproducts that hinder the zinc ions, leading engineers to traditionally suppress proton activity. The new design shifts this approach by controlling the sequence in which these particles are stored, allowing both the zinc ions and the protons to contribute to the battery's overall energy capacity instead of interfering with each other. The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)'s announcement outlines research led by Professor Park Sun-ah from the university's chemistry department, alongside co-first authors Park Geun-chan and Lee Kyu-won from the Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH). The research team used a two-dimensional conductive metal-organic framework with microscopic pores as the electrode material. They added amine functional groups inside these pores to act as designated storage spots for protons at specific voltages. This mechanism ensures the larger zinc ions enter the electrode first, followed by the smaller protons. The process is similar to filling an empty jar with large rocks first and then pouring in fine sand to fill the remaining gaps. By securing the zinc ions first, the researchers prevented the protons from reacting too early and blocking the movement of other ions inside the device. The newly developed material demonstrated a high storage capacity of 368.7 milliampere-hours per gram, meaning a small amount of the material can store a large volume of electricity. When the charging and discharging speed was increased by 16 times, the battery maintained 46.9 percent of its initial capacity, whereas standard batteries typically lose significant storage capability at high speeds. The material also showed stable performance after 500 rapid charge and discharge cycles. Water-based zinc-ion batteries use water as an electrolyte to help ions move inside the device. Because they are less prone to fire risks, cheaper to produce, and carry a lower environmental burden than standard lithium-ion batteries, they are considered a strong candidate for future energy storage infrastructure. "We have shown that protons, which were previously considered a hindrance that could degrade battery performance, can actually be utilized to store more energy," Professor Park Sun-ah said. "We expect that this principle can be applied to various electrode materials to develop batteries capable of rapidly storing larger amounts of energy." (Reference Information) Journal/Source: Chem Title: Sequential Zn2+–H+ Storage in a 2D Conductive Metal-Organic Framework for Advanced Aqueous Zinc-Ion Battery Link/DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2026.103129 2026-08-19 10:52:18 -
Kim Min-seok Criticizes Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae Over Controversial Appointments Kim Min-seok, the leader of the Democratic Party, criticized Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae on August 19 for his controversial nomination of two Supreme Court justices, stating, "Are you trying to walk the path of a co-conspirator in insurrection? You should resign immediately." Cho had recommended the appointments to President Lee Jae-myung the previous day.During his first on-site Supreme Council meeting held at the Busan City Party headquarters, Kim recalled former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's desperate plea for impeachment, saying, "Seeing the situation with Chief Justice Cho reminds me of Han Duck-soo, who wanted to run for president and begged for impeachment." He added, "Cho failed to uphold the authority of the judiciary during the insurrection and has not resolved suspicions of collusion to this day."Kim pointed out that while Cho acted swiftly in intervening in the presidential election, he has engaged in illegal behavior by delaying the appointments of Supreme Court justices for months. He stated, "Cho should have been impeached long ago. As soon as impeachment discussions arose, he acted unlawfully again through circumvention of the law."He emphasized the issue of judicial manipulation, questioning, "How can a Chief Justice shamelessly engage in judicial manipulation?" Kim declared, "We can no longer refer to him as Chief Justice; he is merely a legal technician."In conclusion, Kim asserted, "Before the sovereignty of the people, Cho must either resign or apologize. I urge the entire judiciary to rise up and demand his resignation. Otherwise, the judiciary of South Korea will not escape the terrifying wave of judicial reform."Earlier, Cho had nominated Judge Son Bong-ki of the Daegu District Court and Judge Kim Sung-soo of the Seoul High Court as candidates for the Supreme Court. Judge Son is set to succeed former Justice Roh Tae-ack, while Judge Kim will replace Justice Lee Heung-gu, whose term ends on September 7.Internally, the Democratic Party is expressing dissent. Song Young-gil, the party's longest-serving member, posted on Facebook the day before, criticizing the unilateral cancellation of a promised visit to the Blue House and stating, "After wasting half a year, is this how we are informed? He notified the appointment through documents without even meeting with the appointing authority, the president. As I have mentioned regarding Cho's impeachment, it is now time for the National Assembly to respond."Meanwhile, before the Supreme Council meeting, Kim met with Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo. During this meeting, Kim acknowledged President Lee's strong passion for making Busan a marine capital, stating, "The reason we are holding the Supreme Council here in Busan before Seoul is that the marine capital is a national priority." He expressed a desire to convey to the citizens of Busan how much attention the party and government are giving to this issue. Notably, Kim mentioned the absence of Democratic Party lawmakers in Busan, pledging to prioritize the prosperity of Busan's citizens. 2026-08-19 10:52:00