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  • KOSPI Volatility Doubles, Calls for Refinement of VI Activation Criteria
    KOSPI Volatility Doubles, Calls for Refinement of VI Activation Criteria To mitigate the extreme volatility in the domestic stock market, experts suggest refining the activation criteria for the volatility control device (VI) to reflect the characteristics of individual stocks and expanding the base of long-term institutional investors in South Korea.According to a report by senior researchers Kim Jun-seok and Jang Geun-hyuk from the Capital Market Research Institute, released on August 17, the report analyzes the significant increase in KOSPI volatility during the first half of this year and proposes corresponding measures.The report indicates that the daily return volatility of the KOSPI reached 3.6% in the first half of this year, more than double last year's figure of 1.4%. Notably, volatility in March and June was recorded at 4.8% and 4.7%, respectively, surpassing the 4.2% level seen in March 2020 during the COVID-19 market crash. In contrast, the average volatility among 36 major countries only slightly increased from 1.1% last year to 1.2% this year.The increased volatility is largely attributed to the growing influence of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. The market capitalization of these two companies rose from 23% at the beginning of last year to 34% at the start of this year, and further to 55% by the end of June. Their daily return volatility also increased from 2.2% and 3.4% last year to 4.9% and 5.6% this year, respectively. The correlation coefficient of returns between the two companies reached 0.82. Consequently, the daily return volatility of the KOSPI 200 increased from 1.5% last year to 3.8% this year, with approximately one-third of this increase attributed to the volatility of these two stocks.The researchers recommend expanding the use of weighted indices to alleviate concentration in specific stocks and sectors linked to index products and suggest differentiating the VI activation criteria based on the liquidity and volatility of individual stocks.Currently, the dynamic VI applies a threshold of ±3% for KOSPI 200 stocks and ±6% for others, while the static VI applies a ±10% threshold for all stocks based on the previous day's closing price. The researchers emphasize the need to optimize the activation criteria according to the characteristics of individual stocks and to adjust them periodically instead of applying a uniform standard.Additionally, they argue for the expansion of the domestic long-term investor base through retirement pensions, personal pensions, and long-term public funds, as long-term institutional investors tend to reduce their holdings during market upswings and increase them during downturns. They also highlight the necessity of utilizing bulk trading platforms to minimize price shocks from institutional large trades and the ongoing monitoring of single-stock leveraged and inverse ETFs. 2026-08-17 14:20:10
  • SK Group and Bill Gates Strengthen SMR Alliance Targeting AI Power Market
    SK Group and Bill Gates Strengthen SMR Alliance Targeting AI Power Market Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group, and Bill Gates, chairman of TerraPower, are enhancing their energy collaboration centered around small modular reactors (SMR). As the demand for power in data centers surges due to the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI), their 'SMR alliance' is evolving from equity investments to tangible business initiatives.According to industry sources, Chey and Gates discussed next-generation nuclear power, the power needs of AI data centers, and global energy cooperation during a dinner meeting on August 14 at Seonhye-won in Jongno, Seoul. The two have maintained a consistent partnership, having met during Gates' visit to South Korea last August.The relationship between SK and TerraPower began in 2022 when SK and SK Innovation jointly invested $250 million in TerraPower, becoming its second-largest shareholder. Currently, TerraPower is advancing its sodium project, a non-water-cooled SMR, in Wyoming, USA.The sodium reactor is based on TerraPower's fourth-generation sodium-cooled fast reactor technology and is praised for overcoming the rigidity of traditional nuclear power plants with its thermal storage capabilities. In March of this year, it received construction approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) as the first commercial advanced reactor.SK plans to integrate its existing energy businesses with TerraPower's SMR technology to establish a new power model aimed at AI data centers. SK Innovation currently has a diverse portfolio in power infrastructure, including direct imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG), LNG power generation, and energy storage systems (ESS). The goal is to develop an integrated energy solution using TerraPower's sodium SMR technology for AI data centers.Initially, the plan involves supplying power to data centers using LNG power generation and ESS, with a long-term vision of establishing a phased power supply system that utilizes SMR as a carbon-free baseload power source.SK's focus on the SMR business is driven by the increasing power demand associated with AI. AI data centers require a stable and substantial power supply, leading to intense competition in the global market to secure reliable power sources such as LNG and nuclear energy.SMRs are gaining attention as a key power source in the AI era due to their flexibility in construction timelines and locations compared to traditional large nuclear plants, as well as their ability to provide stable power without carbon emissions. Industry insiders believe that as TerraPower's sodium project enters a more active execution phase, the business collaboration with SK will become more concrete.An industry source stated, "The ability to reliably supply massive amounts of power is crucial for AI data centers, increasing the potential for SMR utilization. If SK combines its existing LNG and ESS businesses with SMR technology, it will have a comprehensive portfolio to meet the power demands of AI data centers." 2026-08-17 14:20:10
  • Ministry of SMEs and Startups Mobilizes Support for Flood-Damaged Traditional Markets in Gyeongnam
    Ministry of SMEs and Startups Mobilizes Support for Flood-Damaged Traditional Markets in Gyeongnam The Ministry of SMEs and Startups is focusing its efforts on restoring facilities and supporting merchants affected by flooding in traditional markets in the Gyeongnam region.According to the ministry on August 17, record rainfall in the Gyeongnam area has caused flooding and mudslides in traditional markets, including the Seoho Market in Tongyeong. So far, damage has been reported at four markets in Tongyeong and 11 markets in Geoje.Earlier that day, as heavy rain fell in Geoje and Tongyeong, the government activated the first phase of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters at 6 a.m. The ministry is working with local governments, the regional SMEs and Startups Agency, and the Small Business Market Promotion Corporation to quickly assess damage and implement support for affected merchants.In particular, an emergency response team composed of the Gyeongnam Regional SMEs and Startups Agency and the Small Business Market Promotion Corporation has been deployed to the Seoho Market in Tongyeong, which has suffered significant flooding, to assist with waste disposal and site cleanup.The ministry is collaborating with local governments and relevant agencies to ensure that the affected traditional markets can return to normal operations as soon as possible. To prevent safety accidents related to electricity and gas due to flooding, the ministry has requested urgent safety inspections from Korea Electric Power Corporation, Korea Gas Safety Corporation, and the Korea Fire Insurance Association.For electrical and gas facilities that require repair or replacement, the ministry plans to apply a fast-track support system. A one-stop support center, staffed by employees from the regional SMEs and Startups Agency, the Small Business Market Promotion Corporation, local credit guarantee foundations, and basic local government offices, will be established to assist merchants in the severely affected Seoho Market with rapid recovery and business stabilization.Additionally, the government will provide financial support, including policy funds and guarantees, to help small business owners in the affected traditional markets quickly resume operations. The Small Business Market Promotion Corporation will offer policy funds at a 2% interest rate, up to 100 million won, to small business owners who have suffered disaster-related damage.Merchants who are enrolled in the Yellow Umbrella Fund and have received a disaster verification certificate will be eligible for interest-free disaster loans of up to 20 million won.Lee Byeong-gwon, the Second Vice Minister of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, stated, "We will do our utmost to ensure that merchants affected by this heavy rainfall can continue their operations normally ahead of the Chuseok holiday, by closely communicating with relevant departments, local governments, and related agencies for swift recovery efforts."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-17 14:12:10
  • Coupang Launches Persis Group Sale with Furniture Discounts and Free Installation
    Coupang Launches 'Persis Group Sale' with Furniture Discounts and Free Installation Coupang is launching a sale targeting back-to-school and fall moving and interior needs, featuring major furniture brands from the Persis Group, including Desk, Ilum, Sidiz, and Slow. The 'Persis Group Sale' will run from August 18 to September 1, Coupang announced on August 17. The event will showcase products from four brands, categorized by purpose, including study room and home office furniture, motion desks, children's furniture, and family furniture. Discounts are available for customers purchasing multiple items. Buyers of two or more products can receive an additional discount of up to 20,000 won, and some popular items will be offered at limited-time special prices through the 'Gold Box' feature. Customers using Hana Card will also receive additional discounts, and those who save items on the brand mall will receive coupons. Coupang has enhanced its delivery and installation services. For eligible products under the Rocket Installation service, customers can specify their preferred delivery and installation date within a month of purchase. Professional installation and ladder truck services will be provided free of charge. Additionally, some Rocket Delivery furniture will be covered by the 'Coupang Care Furniture Insurance,' which includes extended warranty and damage protection. Key products featured in this sale include the 'Desk Reading Room Desk Basic Model and Ible Chair Set,' 'Desk Motion Desk Plus,' and 'Ilum Cushino Cozy Bumper All-in-One Package Premium Low Bed.'This year, Coupang has been expanding sales in the furniture category using Rocket Installation. In May, it held a Rocket Installation furniture discount event featuring over 150 brands, including Sealy, Samik Furniture, and Dongseo Furniture, with around 3,000 products participating. The strategy aims to attract furniture buyers by emphasizing the convenience of ordering large furniture online and receiving delivery and installation on a desired date. Rocket Installation is a service Coupang launched in 2019, where professional technicians deliver and install furniture and large appliances. The service has since expanded to include items such as beds, sofas, massage chairs, exercise equipment, and pianos.Shim Jeong-hoon, head of Coupang's Home and Interior division, stated, "By offering major furniture brands from the Persis Group at reasonable prices and with differentiated services, we hope to provide various benefits to students preparing for the new school year, office workers looking to improve their home office environment, and families decorating children's rooms and bedrooms."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-17 14:12:00
  • Business Leaders Say Profit-Linked Bonuses Are Not Subject to Labor Disputes
    Business Leaders Say Profit-Linked Bonuses Are Not Subject to Labor Disputes Business leaders have stated that demands for profit-linked bonuses cannot be considered a subject of labor disputes. This position comes in response to recent demands from major companies following Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix's decision to distribute a percentage of their operating profits as bonuses, which has led to increased turmoil in the industrial sector.They also argued that the establishment of mega special zones, aimed at securing global competitiveness in national strategic industries such as semiconductors, AI robots, and autonomous vehicles, should include measures to enhance labor flexibility by relaxing regulations on working hours and employment.On August 17, the Korea Employers Federation (KEF) expressed this stance in a statement regarding recent labor issues.The KEF asserted that demands for profit-linked bonuses do not pertain to working conditions or business decisions affecting those conditions, and therefore should not be subject to collective bargaining. They noted that there are few examples in advanced countries like the U.S., Japan, and Europe where labor and management have agreed to fixed bonuses based on a certain percentage of operating profits.Consequently, the Ministry of Employment and Labor should clarify through enforcement decrees and rules that profit-linked bonuses are not a subject of collective bargaining. The KEF warned that if such demands spread across industries, it could lead to reduced investment and research and development (R&D), exacerbating labor-management conflicts and undermining global competitiveness.Regarding the government's promotion of the semiconductor mega project in the Honam region, the KEF stated that attempts by labor groups to make the establishment of semiconductor factories a subject of collective bargaining are inappropriate.In fact, the Supreme Court has ruled that management decisions, such as corporate restructuring, are generally not subjects of collective bargaining. The Ministry of Employment also interprets that business decisions affecting working conditions are difficult to consider as subjects of collective bargaining.A KEF official remarked, "Despite the Ministry's interpretive guidelines lacking legal binding force, conflicts in the industrial sector continue. It is essential to clarify through enforcement decrees and rules that high-level management decisions are not subjects of collective bargaining, and ultimately amend the definition of labor disputes in the Labor Union Act to prevent confusion."The special law for mega special zones should also reflect measures to enhance labor flexibility, such as expanding the management units for overtime work, introducing a white-collar exemption system, expanding flexible and selective working hours, extending the usage period for fixed-term workers, and broadening the scope of dispatched work, according to the KEF's recommendations.Lee Dong-geun, KEF's executive vice president, emphasized, "The competition for technological supremacy in the era of AI and semiconductor transformation ultimately hinges on how quickly and flexibly talent can be deployed. Profit distribution and high-level management decisions regarding factory establishment should not become sources of labor-management conflict, and labor flexibility must be supported for mega special zones to serve as a starting point for nurturing national strategic industries." 2026-08-17 14:12:00
  • Irans Hardliners Prepare for Escalation Amid Distrust of U.S. Peace Talks
    Iran's Hardliners Prepare for Escalation Amid Distrust of U.S. Peace Talks The hardline leadership in Iran is reportedly increasing missile and drone production and strengthening the authority of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in preparation for a prolonged conflict and potential escalation, amid distrust of U.S. peace negotiations.The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on August 16, citing Iranian and Arab officials, that the hardline leadership has been reorganizing military and security agencies and enhancing offensive capabilities over the past two months in anticipation of an expanded war.Following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran on June 17 by President Donald Trump, the U.S. initiated follow-up negotiations aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and achieving a ceasefire. However, the Iranian hardliners suspect that the U.S. and Israel are using the negotiations to alleviate pressure on the global economy and buy time for larger future attacks, according to the WSJ.In response, Iran has prepared for an escalation of conflict separate from the negotiations. The IRGC has reinforced its control over regular military forces and appointed hardliners experienced in the Iran-Iraq War and past domestic protests to key military and security positions. They have also accelerated missile and drone production while expanding intelligence activities.Arab intelligence agencies have intercepted communications between Iran and pro-Iran armed groups in Yemen and Iraq, indicating a strategic shift. Analysts suggest that Iran is preparing its military capabilities to increase the costs for the U.S. and its regional allies in the event of an expanded conflict.The IRGC is said to have sent commanders to areas controlled by the Houthi rebels in Yemen to discuss strategies for pressuring Saudi Arabia in coordination with pro-Iran militias in Iraq. Reports indicate that missile and naval weaponry, as well as drone launchers, have been positioned near the Red Sea, and intelligence on targets including Saudi ports and energy facilities has been provided to the Houthis.Threats to Gulf nations have also intensified. According to the WSJ, the IRGC has warned that if the U.S. attacks Iranian energy facilities, it will destroy energy infrastructure in Gulf countries, providing specific target lists to Arab officials.During the ceasefire period, the IRGC has accelerated its military buildup. IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohammadi stated last month that they have made the most of the ceasefire period to enhance military capabilities, increase missile production speed, and improve accuracy.Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has also expanded the IRGC's influence by reorganizing military and security agencies. Mohsen Rezaei, who led the IRGC during the Iran-Iraq War, has been appointed as the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), and Ahmad Vahidi, who has effectively commanded the IRGC since March, has been officially appointed as the commander with a mandate to conduct 'strong offensive operations against the enemy.'Reports indicate that the IRGC is also considering options for further escalation, including preemptive strikes, disrupting undersea internet cables in the Persian Gulf, inciting political instability in Kuwait and Bahrain, and even ground operations in Kuwait.This hardline stance is affecting negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz. According to mediators, Iranian diplomats agreed earlier this month to a phased reopening of the strait with Oman, but the IRGC intervened and resumed attacks on vessels.As Iran remains steadfast in its escalation strategy, President Trump has reportedly shifted his approach to observe whether sanctions and U.S. naval blockades can change Iran's position.Within Iran, some view the current negotiation phase as a temporary lull before another confrontation. Mehdi Mohammadi, a strategic advisor to chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, recently described the negotiation deadlock as 'the calm before the storm,' stating, 'Iran is preparing for a major confrontation.'Defense expert Mohammad Hassan Santarasi, close to the Iranian government, noted that there is a widespread belief within Iran that a full-scale war has not yet begun, interpreting the previous conflicts as a 'salami tactic' aimed at gradually weakening the opponent's capabilities before a larger confrontation. 2026-08-17 14:04:00
  • Today’s House Launches Major Sale to Celebrate 12th Anniversary with 120 Exclusive Items
    Today’s House Launches Major Sale to Celebrate 12th Anniversary with 120 Exclusive Items Today’s House is celebrating its 12th anniversary by offering exclusive products and significant discounts.According to Today’s House, the 'Persistent Sale' will run until the 31st, featuring a diverse array of benefits. To mark the occasion, a collection of 120 exclusive items will be sold at special prices, with 60 items released weekly in limited quantities. Featured products include the Snowman12 Portable light bulb, E. Cira Maison rugs, Today’s House layer mattresses, and Minix kimchi refrigerators.Every day at noon, a limited number of popular items will be sold at '12-year-ago prices.' Major brands such as CJ CheilJedang, Fritz Hansen, Simmons, Hanssem, Cuckoo, and Lock & Lock are participating, offering furniture, appliances, fabrics, home decor, lighting, storage solutions, daily necessities, and lifestyle products.'Today’s House PICK' is a curation section that suggests the top monthly products based on user preferences accumulated over the past 12 years. The 'NEW Home Decoration' concept features tailored products across six categories: home decor & lighting, furniture, kitchen, fabrics, appliances, and daily necessities & children’s items.Live commerce will also be expanded, with broadcasts scheduled more than twice a day during the event to showcase products from major brands like Essa, Desk, LG Electronics, Roborock, and Minix, along with exclusive benefits.Additionally, an event will reward both new subscribers and those who invite friends with prizes, along with a point payback program for purchasing customers.Last year, Today’s House reported sales of 321.5 billion won, an 11.7% increase from the previous year, marking the highest performance since its founding in 2014.A representative from Today’s House stated, "Since the time when decorating a home was not as common, Today’s House has been with people for 12 years as they beautify and take pride in their homes. Ultimately, it has been about making people want to go home, and this sale is an opportunity to return those benefits that we have diligently prepared over time."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-17 13:48:00
  • CJ targets 12 tln won North America sales by 2028
    CJ targets 12 tln won North America sales by 2028 SEOUL, August 17 (AJP) - The South Korean conglomerate behind bibigo dumplings, Olive Young beauty stores and the KCON music festival is rebuilding its American operations, betting that people who watch Korean shows will keep buying Korean food and cosmetics. CJ Group has put a number on it, aiming for 12 trillion won ($8.49 billion )in North American revenue in 2028, about a 50 percent increase from more than 8 trillion won it took in there last year. Last year's figure was already more than 10 times the roughly 800 billion won the group recorded in 2017, growth that averaged about 33 percent a year. The plan came out at a briefing on Aug. 15 (local time) at the Hilton Los Angeles North Glendale, where executives from the food, entertainment and beauty businesses described how the three will be linked so that cultural interest converts into repeat purchases. Heo Min-hoe, chief executive of CJ Corp., the group's holding company, said the pieces have been more than three decades in the making. "We will build an ecosystem that carries the popularity of the K-wave into K-lifestyle experience, and accelerate our advance into the North American market," he said. CJ invested in the American film studio DreamWorks in 1995 and staged the first U.S. edition of KCON, a festival pairing K-pop concerts with Korean food and cosmetics, in 2012. The acquisitions came later, among them the Minnesota frozen food company Schwan's in 2019 and the content studio Fifth Season in 2021, bringing cumulative investment in North America to 9.7 trillion won as of the first half of this year. Schwan's changed the arithmetic more than any other purchase, because its plants and its shelf space carried bibigo, CJ CheilJedang's Korean food brand, into roughly 80,000 American stores including Walmart, Kroger and Costco. CJ CheilJedang now runs 20 production sites across the United States and booked 4.91 trillion won in American sales last year. Kim Jin-sik, a co-chief executive of CJ America, described the sequence the group is counting on. "We will extend American consumers' interest in K-content into habitual, repeated consumption of K-food and beauty, and that will lead back into offline cultural experience, creating a virtuous cycle," he said. Food carries the largest share of the target. CJ CheilJedang plans to widen local production and distribution, and to move the advantage it built in frozen food into shelf-stable products, the category that needs no freezer space at home or in the store. Federico Arreola, president of the Asian cuisine business unit at CJ Schwan's, said the lineup will broaden well past the dumplings that opened the door. "Beyond dumplings, we will actively grow global strategic products such as Hetbahn rice, chicken, seaweed snacks, kimchi and K-sauces, and raise bibigo into a global brand enjoyed at any table in the world," he said. 2026-08-17 13:39:33
  • Special Prosecutors Investigation Nears Conclusion with Key Indictments Expected
    Special Prosecutor's Investigation Nears Conclusion with Key Indictments Expected The Special Prosecutor's Office, led by Kwon Chang-young, is accelerating its final decisions with less than a week remaining before the investigation deadline. Indictments are expected this week for key figures, including Kim Geon-hee, the wife of President Yoon Suk-yeol, and Yoon Han-hong, a current lawmaker from the ruling People Power Party.According to legal sources on August 17, the Special Prosecutor is anticipated to indict around five individuals, including Kim Geon-hee, Yoon Han-hong, and Kim Tae-young, the CEO of 21gram, in connection with allegations of favoritism regarding the relocation of the presidential residence.Kim Geon-hee is accused of facilitating the awarding of contracts for renovations to 21gram, an unqualified company, in exchange for receiving luxury clothing from brands like Dior, under charges of bribery and abuse of power.Yoon Han-hong faces allegations of improper involvement in the selection of 21gram. His team has categorically denied the accusations.Indictments related to individuals involved in the alleged cover-up of stock manipulation investigations concerning Deutsche Motors, which were initially expected last week, have been postponed. A Special Prosecutor official explained, "The delay is due to uncertainty about the scope of those to be indicted."The Special Prosecutor has charged former Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung with abuse of power, while former Seoul Central District Prosecutor Lee Chang-soo and former Anti-Corruption Investigation Division Chief Choi Jae-hoon face charges of forgery and violations of the Anti-Bribery Act. Former Deputy Chief Prosecutor Seo Min-seok, who was part of the investigation team, is also charged with forgery, and former Gongju District Prosecutor Kim Min-goo faces charges under the Anti-Bribery Act.Hwang Yu-seong, the former head of the Military Counterintelligence Command, and Moon Yeon-cheol, the former head of the Marine Corps Counterintelligence Unit, are also expected to be indicted this week. They are accused of concealing the so-called "VIP (presidential) anger" in the handling of the death of Corporal Chae. The Special Prosecutor plans to proceed with indictments without reapplying for arrest warrants.Additionally, the Special Prosecutor has decided to indict Hong Jang-won, a former deputy director of the National Intelligence Service who was a whistleblower on insurrection, and Cho Sung-hyun, a former commander of the Army's Capital Defense Command, who resisted unconstitutional orders to prevent the deployment of follow-up units to the National Assembly.Hong was not a target during the Insurrection Special Investigation led by Special Prosecutor Cho Eun-seok but was charged after the launch of the Special Prosecutor's Office, and he denies all allegations. Cho is not charged, as the Insurrection Special Prosecutor determined that he had actively instructed his subordinate units not to cross the Seogang Bridge, thereby eliminating the illegal situation he had caused.Regarding the allegations related to the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway, there are reports of internal disagreements within the Special Prosecutor's Office regarding the handling of former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong.A Special Prosecutor official stated, "With only a few days left in the investigation, it is uncertain whether we can effectively summon him again. There are differing opinions on whether to handle it directly or refer it to another investigative agency."It is understood that the charges against former Deputy Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Baek Won-guk, who is also implicated in the same allegations, will be referred to another investigative agency.The Special Prosecutor has indicted a current police officer for leaking investigation information to officials at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The officer, identified as A, was indicted without detention on charges of leaking official secrets and violating the Kim Geon-hee Special Investigation Act (obstruction of investigation) on July 7.A is accused of assisting in the destruction of evidence by informing a Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport official under investigation about the progress of the investigation, including search and seizure operations, last October.The investigation into allegations that the Yoon Suk-yeol administration intervened in the investigation of the Ssangbul North Korea remittance case has reportedly been stagnant since June.In the legal community, there are concerns that the Special Prosecutor's Office may be overreaching its authority by pursuing indictments in cases that are legally contentious.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-17 13:32:00
  • Changes to Train Ticket Booking for Chuseok Holiday
    Changes to Train Ticket Booking for Chuseok Holiday This year's Chuseok train ticket booking will see changes as it marks the first booking since the integration of KTX and SRT services.According to Korail, ticket sales for the 2026 Chuseok holiday will begin on September 3. The tickets will be for trains operating from September 23 to 27.The first thing to check during this booking period is whether you need to transition to an integrated railway membership.Starting September 1, Korail will operate high-speed trains under a unified system. As a result, this year's Chuseok tickets will be available only to integrated railway members.Members who are currently registered only with Korail will be automatically converted to integrated members without any additional steps. However, those who are members of both Korail and SR, or only with SR, will need to go through a separate process to transition to integrated membership.The transition can be completed through the conversion page available on the Korail and SR apps and websites.The Chuseok ticket booking schedule will vary based on the target users and routes.On September 3 and 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., pre-booking will be available for people with disabilities, senior members aged 65 and older, pregnant women, and veterans eligible for transportation support.On the 3rd, tickets for the Gyeongbu, Gyeongjeon, Donghae, Jungbu Inland, Gyeongbuk, Daegu, Chungbuk, and suburban lines will be available. On the 4th, tickets for the Honam, Jeolla, Jungang, Gangneung, Janghang, Yeongdong, Taebaek, Seohae, Gyeongchun, and Mokpo-Boseong lines can be booked.For those unable to use the internet for pre-booking, a dedicated phone line for holiday ticket reservations will be available. Those eligible for pre-booking, excluding senior members, must complete user verification on the Korail website before booking.General booking for all citizens will take place from September 7 to 11, daily from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.On the 7th, tickets for all regular train routes, including ITX-Saemaul, ITX-Maum, and Mugunghwa, will be available. On the 8th, KTX tickets for Gyeongjeon, Gangneung, Donghae, Jungang, and Jungbu Inland lines can be booked. On the 9th, KTX tickets for Honam and Jeolla lines will be available. On the 10th, KTX tickets departing from or arriving at Suseo Station on the Gyeongbu, Gyeongjeon, Donghae, Honam, and Jeolla lines can be booked. Finally, on the 11th, KTX tickets for the Gyeongbu line will be available.Even for the same route, the booking date may vary depending on the train and departure station, so users should check their schedules in advance.Bookings can be made through the Korail+ mobile app and the holiday ticket booking page on the Korail website.After successfully booking tickets, it is important to keep track of the payment deadlines.Payments for Chuseok tickets will start at midnight on September 12. General booking tickets must be paid for by the 15th, while tickets for pre-booking for people with disabilities must be paid by the 18th. Tickets not paid for within the specified period will be automatically canceled.This year's Chuseok falls on Friday, September 25. The official Chuseok holiday runs from the 24th to the 26th, and with Sunday the 27th included, the holiday extends over four days.Korail will begin integrated high-speed train operations on September 1, merging the previously separate KTX and SRT services under the KTX name, while the existing SRT will be renamed KTX-Sancheon.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-17 13:12:10