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  • Christopher Nolans Odyssey surpasses 5 million admissions in South Korea
    Christopher Nolan's 'Odyssey' surpasses 5 million admissions in South Korea Moviegoers purchase tickets for Christopher Nolan's Odyssey at a cinema in Seoul on August 18, 2026. AJP 2026-08-18 20:11:30
  • Christopher Nolans Odyssey surpasses 5 million admissions in South Korea
    Christopher Nolan's 'Odyssey' surpasses 5 million admissions in South Korea A promotional display for Christopher Nolan's film Odyssey is shown at a cinema in Seoul on August 18, 2026. 2026-08-18 20:10:39
  • Weather Forecast: Rain in Southern Regions and Showers Nationwide, Heat Continues
    Weather Forecast: Rain in Southern Regions and Showers Nationwide, Heat Continues On Wednesday, August 19, rain is expected primarily in the southern regions, with showers forecasted across the country starting in the afternoon. After the rain, temperatures are likely to rise again, leading to continued heat.According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, areas including southern Daejeon, southern Chungcheongnam-do, southern Chungcheongbuk-do, Jeollabuk-do, Gwangju, Jeollanam-do, western Gyeongsangbuk-do are expected to receive between 5 to 30 millimeters of rain.From the afternoon to the evening, showers may occur in southern Gyeonggi, southern Gangwon, inland mountainous areas, Chungcheong, and southern regions. Expected rainfall amounts are 5 to 40 millimeters in southern Gyeonggi and southern Gangwon, 5 to 50 millimeters in Daejeon, Sejong, Chungcheongnam-do, and Chungcheongbuk-do, and 5 to 60 millimeters in Gwangju, Jeollanam-do, Jeollabuk-do, Busan, Ulsan, Gyeongsangnam-do, Daegu, and Gyeongsangbuk-do.In areas experiencing showers, strong winds and thunderstorms may occur, necessitating caution regarding facility management and safety incidents. Additionally, due to recent heavy rainfall, the ground in Gyeongsangnam-do has become unstable, raising concerns about potential landslides and other secondary damage.The heat is also expected to intensify again. A heat wave warning has been issued for parts of the western coast of Jeolla, with the perceived temperature in the metropolitan area, Chungcheong, and southern regions expected to rise to around 33 degrees Celsius.While temperatures may temporarily drop during the rain or showers, they are likely to rise again after the rain, with the possibility of expanding heat wave warnings due to high humidity.In some urban and coastal areas, tropical nights with minimum temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius are expected to continue overnight.On the morning of August 19, the minimum temperature is forecasted to be between 20 to 25 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature during the day is expected to reach 29 to 33 degrees Celsius.Wave heights are expected to be 0.5 to 1.5 meters in the East Sea, 0.5 meters in the West Sea, and 0.5 to 1.0 meters in the South Sea. In the offshore areas, wave heights are anticipated to be 0.5 to 1.5 meters in the East Sea, West Sea, and South Sea.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-18 19:56:00
  • Shinsegae Centum City Opens First TEKET Store in Busan
    Shinsegae Centum City Opens First TEKET Store in Busan Shinsegae Centum City announced the opening of its first TEKET store in Busan on August 17, located in the Hyperground on the basement level 2 of the department store.This new store is TEKET's second offline location in South Korea, following its store in Hapjeong, Seoul, and marks the brand's debut in the Busan area.To celebrate the opening, the store is hosting an SNS event until August 29, offering up to 1 million won in rewards for customers who verify their visit. Participants can take a photo at the Centum City store, tag the official Instagram account, and post it to their story for a chance to win store-specific rewards.Prizes include 1 million won for one grand prize winner, 500,000 won for one second-place winner, and 300,000 won each for three third-place winners. The rewards can be used like cash in the online store without any minimum purchase requirements and are valid for one year from the date of issuance.While Instagram stories disappear after 24 hours, participants can upload their posts in a regram format, ensuring their entries are recorded by the brand. Winners will be notified individually on August 31.Additionally, the store will offer exclusive early releases of new products and a promotion for the first 200 customers who spend over 100,000 won, receiving a commemorative mug celebrating the opening of the TEKET store at Shinsegae Centum City.TEKET, launched in 2021 under the slogan 'Welcome to Teket,' is a brand that modernizes aesthetics from the 1990s to early 2000s. It has gained attention among the MZ generation for its vintage mood and relaxed silhouettes, expanding fashion into a cultural phenomenon through collaborations in music, art, and other fields.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-18 19:56:00
  • Gwangju Mayor Park Kwan-yeol Advocates Proactive Disaster Prevention
    Gwangju Mayor Park Kwan-yeol Advocates Proactive Disaster Prevention Gwangju Mayor Park Kwan-yeol emphasized on August 18 that the establishment of a flood prediction system will transition the focus from reactive measures to a proactive disaster prevention framework based on scientific data. On this day, Mayor Park announced plans to implement a three-dimensional flood prediction system for 80 small rivers in the region, covering a total length of 116 kilometers. In response to localized heavy rainfall due to climate change, Gwangju will be the first in the country to develop a flood prediction system at the small river level. The total project cost is 700 million won, fully funded by the provincial government, according to Mayor Park. He noted that the budget was finalized through the first supplementary budget in August, with the project set to begin in earnest in October. The system will analyze river discharge and flooding scenarios based on hypothetical rainfall amounts and durations, using both two-dimensional and three-dimensional maps. Importantly, this system will allow for the identification of potential flooding areas in advance, moving away from the previous approach of responding only after river levels rise. As a result, it is expected that disaster response measures, such as evacuation guidance and traffic restrictions, can be implemented more swiftly and accurately in the event of heavy rainfall and weather alerts. Local residents have expressed the need for a system that can quickly identify and inform them of risk areas to prepare for recurring river flooding and road inundation during heavy rains. Citizens hope that instead of merely assessing the situation after rainfall, they will receive timely alerts about which areas are likely to flood based on rainfall amounts, aiding in evacuation and vehicle movement during actual disasters. Mayor Park stated, “We will continue to do our utmost to protect the precious lives and property of Gwangju citizens through thorough river management.” Furthermore, the mayor aims to establish a proactive disaster safety system that analyzes flooding risks for each small river in advance and enhances on-site response capabilities to safeguard citizens' lives and property. 2026-08-18 19:48:00
  • Seongnam City Medical Center Receives Top Certification for Medical Imaging Quality
    Seongnam City Medical Center Receives Top Certification for Medical Imaging Quality Seongnam City Medical Center's Department of Radiology has once again demonstrated its competitiveness as a local public healthcare institution by receiving objective recognition for the quality and safety of medical imaging provided to patients on August 18.According to the medical center, it has obtained the 'Model Hospital for Medical Imaging Quality Management' certification from the Korean Society of Radiology. The certification is valid for three years, from July 2026 to June 2029.Notably, Seongnam City Medical Center is the only local medical center in the country to be designated as a 'Model Hospital.'This recognition is significant as it establishes a foundation for local residents to confidently utilize healthcare services.The 'Model Hospital for Medical Imaging Quality Management' certification program is operated by the Korean Society of Radiology to enhance the quality of medical imaging examinations and strengthen patient safety.It evaluates not only the quality of medical imaging but also the safety of the examination process and the management level of related facilities and equipment, certifying outstanding medical institutions.This certification signifies not just an assessment of imaging equipment performance but also a comprehensive acknowledgment of the medical imaging quality management system that supports accurate diagnoses and the management level for patient safety.Particularly, medical imaging examinations such as CT, MRI, and X-rays play a crucial role in disease detection, diagnosis, and treatment direction, making the quality of imaging and the safety of the examination process directly linked to the reliability of patient care.With this certification, the medical center plans to continuously strengthen its medical imaging quality management and establish a trustworthy treatment environment for local residents.From the perspective of local citizens, this certification holds significance as well.When choosing a medical institution, patients often consider not only the expertise of the medical department but also the safety of the examination process and the accuracy of imaging for diagnosis.The fact that Seongnam City Medical Center has received certification after undergoing rigorous evaluation by an external professional organization will likely enhance trust in the local public hospital.Moreover, for citizens seeking high-quality medical services nearby, this certification provides a solid foundation for receiving medical imaging examinations with greater peace of mind.It is expected that the continuous enhancement of expertise in quality of care and patient safety by public healthcare institutions will not only improve medical accessibility for local residents but also strengthen the foundation supporting essential medical services in the area.Song Hwa-young, head of the Department of Radiology, stated, “This Model Hospital certification is a meaningful achievement that recognizes the level of medical imaging quality management and efforts for patient safety at Seongnam City Medical Center.”She added, “We will continue to strengthen quality management to ensure that local residents receive accurate and reliable medical imaging, and we will do our best to enhance the quality of local healthcare services as a public hospital.”Meanwhile, the medical center plans to further enhance systematic quality management and safety management levels for medical imaging examinations, reinforcing its role as a trusted local public healthcare institution.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-18 19:32:00
  • People Power Party Calls for Thorough Investigation into Election Irregularities
    People Power Party Calls for Thorough Investigation into Election Irregularities The People Power Party urged Lee Tae-han, the special prosecutor investigating allegations of voter rights violations during the June 3 local elections, to conduct a thorough investigation without yielding to any external pressure. Jang Dong-hyuk, the party's leader, emphasized on Facebook on August 18 that this special prosecutor is a historic 'People's Special Investigation' initiated by citizens, stating, "We must never forget the voices of the citizens at Olympic Park." He added, "The restoration of voting rights, reform of the Election Commission, and changes to the electoral system depend on this special investigation. No one knows where this will lead, but one thing is clear: the public will be watching closely until the end." Park Chung-kwon, the party's chief spokesperson, also commented, saying, "What happens from now on is crucial. We must focus solely on uncovering the truth, without considering political advantages or disadvantages. The special prosecutor must thoroughly investigate what went wrong, why, and how, reflecting the public's desire for the restoration of voting rights." He further stated, "If necessary, we must uncover any allegations of electronic manipulation without any sacred cows, leaving no stone unturned. We will closely monitor whether the special prosecutor can deliver results that the public can accept, even in the face of powerful interests." Meanwhile, President Lee Jae-myung appointed Lee Tae-han, a non-standing member of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, as the special prosecutor for the Election Commission. The special investigation team is expected to accelerate its work by receiving information from the joint investigation team formed in June, which includes search and seizure operations and interviews with related parties. The team will undergo preparation procedures, including forming a task force and setting up an office, for up to 20 days before investigating allegations related to the Election Commission for a maximum of 150 days. The special investigation team will consist of up to 165 members, including five special prosecutors and 20 dispatched prosecutors. In a meeting with reporters, the special prosecutor stated, "The most important duty of the special investigation is to uncover the substantive truth based on facts and evidence, without political considerations or biases. We will not pre-determine conclusions that favor or disadvantage either the ruling or opposition parties or the Election Commission. Our investigation will be based solely on law, principles, and objective evidence and facts."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-18 19:28:00
  • Domestic Companies Form New Alliances in Everyones AI Project
    Domestic Companies Form New Alliances in 'Everyone's AI' Project Domestic companies that competed in the Ministry of Science and ICT's independent AI foundation model (AI foundation model) project are forming new alliances for the 'Everyone's AI' initiative.On August 18, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced the results of the 'Everyone's AI' project participation. According to the ministry and industry sources, major telecom companies SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus, as well as Kakao and Eastsoft, are participating. Notably, SK Telecom and LG AI Research Institute, Upstage, and Motif Technologies, which were involved in the AI foundation model, have aligned with different consortiums, creating a new competitive landscape.The 'Everyone's AI' project aims to develop AI chatbots and public AI agents that can be used by all citizens without cost or usage limitations. Participants must utilize more than 50% of their own domestic AI models that meet the foundation model criteria and at least 30% of other domestic companies' models.The three telecom companies are participating by forming consortiums or joining those led by other companies. The SK Telecom consortium includes startups such as Liner, Nota, SelectStar, Shinhanard, SK Broadband, Ellice Group, Tmap Mobility, Hana Card, Channel Corporation, Persona AI, the Korea Tax Association Computer Corporation, Habit Factory, and Hashed Ventures. KT has partnered with Upstage, Daum, Motif Technologies, Rebellion, Level Up, Masspresso, Musinsa, Vessel AI Korea, BC Card, Saltlux, Action Power, NC AI, Zigbang, Connect Wave, and the Korea Educational Broadcasting System.While Naver has not expressed its intention to participate, Kakao has formed a consortium with LG AI Research Institute and LG Uplus. Kakao plans to spread AI into daily life based on its self-developed AI model, 'Kanana.' The Kakao consortium includes Day One Company, Lunit, Seoul National University Hospital, Shinhan Bank, LG CNS, LG Electronics, Worksphere LLC, Wonderfull Platform, Jarvis & Villains, Kakao Enterprise, Crowdworks, and Furiosa AI.Eastsoft is participating by forming a consortium with Megazone, Polaris Office, WiseNut, and SureSoft Tech. Additionally, MKD and Zenon have expressed their intention to participate independently.The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to hold a signing ceremony for 'Everyone's AI' on September 1 and operate a beta service until December. Ultimately, it aims to select 2 to 3 companies to launch official services next year. Selected companies will receive support of 512 graphic processing units (GPUs) B200. 2026-08-18 19:20:00
  • Gwangju City Council Enhances Communication with Residents on Local Issues
    Gwangju City Council Enhances Communication with Residents on Local Issues The Gwangju City Council has embarked on a communication initiative to closely examine local issues by visiting various districts. According to the council, from August 18 to 21, it will visit 16 districts in Gwangju to meet with local officials and hear residents' concerns. This initiative aims to encourage local officials who interact with residents at the grassroots level, while also directly identifying living inconveniences and key issues in each area to incorporate into legislative activities. By having council members visit each district, the council hopes to enhance understanding of local characteristics and issues, allowing for a more detailed examination of the inconveniences and improvement requests felt by citizens in their daily lives. The council plans to use this on-site communication as a stepping stone to bridge the gap between citizens and the council, rather than treating it as a one-time visit. Feedback gathered during these visits will be actively reflected in legislative activities and policy reviews to create tangible changes that citizens can feel. Residents have generally responded positively to the council's initiative to step outside the meeting room and visit local districts. One resident stated, “Since each area has different needs, it is meaningful for council members to see the sites and listen to residents' stories. I hope the visits lead to actual changes in policies or budgets.” Another resident remarked, “From a resident's perspective, there are not many opportunities to meet city council members and discuss local inconveniences directly. I hope they thoroughly examine issues like traffic, parking, roads, and the environment on-site.” Meanwhile, Council Chair Park Sang-young emphasized, “The council should not remain in an authoritative posture but should always listen to the voices from the field with humility. We will carefully consider the opinions gathered and actively reflect them in our legislative activities to build a council that earns the trust of citizens.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-18 19:12:00
  • Kwon Young-se and Oh Se-hoon Discuss Withdrawal of Housing Supply at Yongsan Park
    Kwon Young-se and Oh Se-hoon Discuss Withdrawal of Housing Supply at Yongsan Park Kwon Young-se, a lawmaker representing Yongsan, met with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on August 18 at Seoul City Hall to discuss the government's housing supply policy utilizing Yongsan Park.Before the meeting, Kwon told reporters, "Yongsan Park should become a landmark of South Korea," adding, "The idea of dismantling Yongsan Park to build apartments is something even a military government would not consider."Mayor Oh also stated, "As national income increases, green spaces and park areas must be secured," emphasizing that incorporating apartments into Yongsan Park through amendments to related laws cannot be a policy chosen at the discretion of a single administration. He noted that without public discourse, it would be difficult to gain the agreement of Yongsan residents and Seoul citizens.After their 30-minute private meeting, Kwon spoke to reporters again, suggesting alternative sites such as the National Defense Financial Management Agency site, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs parking lot, and the Bank of Korea staff housing in Huam-dong. He expressed his anger at the lack of effort to explore alternatives, stating, "The plan to utilize Yongsan Park must be withdrawn."Meanwhile, Mayor Oh is scheduled to meet with Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoon-deok on August 20. He explained, "It will take years just to clean up contaminated soil, which must be addressed in our relationship with the U.S. military," adding that he would listen to the government's position before making a judgment.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-18 19:00:00