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  • Na Young-seok Leads New Netflix Show Featuring Unwilling Hikers
    Na Young-seok Leads New Netflix Show Featuring Unwilling Hikers "My ambition is to create a next-generation group that will lead Korean entertainment for the next 10 years." (Na Young-seok)Na Young-seok has returned, leading a group of young stars into the rugged mountains. His new Netflix variety show, 'Why Are We Hiking?' captures the raw survival experiences of four reluctant hikers who have spent their lives avoiding the outdoors.On August 12, a production presentation for 'Why Are We Hiking?' (referred to as 'Dae-dung-why') was held at Hotel Naru Seoul M Gallery in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Attendees included Na Young-seok, fellow producer Park Hyun-yong, singer Car the Garden, Day6's Do-woon, actor Lee Chae-min, and All Day Project's Tarzan.Set to premiere on August 18, the 10-episode series follows four individuals who have never shown interest in hiking as they embark on their first winter mountain expedition. This real hiking variety show promises to deliver authentic experiences.Na Young-seok expressed his excitement about the new project and his strong trust in the cast. He stated, "Every time I launch a new program, I feel both excited and worried, but I believe that the essence of variety shows lies in the characters. It’s a great fortune to work with this new crew of four."'Dae-dung-why' features a fresh combination of cast members, including Car the Garden, Do-woon, Lee Chae-min, and Tarzan, which has generated buzz since the planning stages. Na explained his casting choices, saying, "I wanted to find hidden gems among new faces that no one has touched before, eliciting reactions like, 'Did that person have such a sense of humor?'Initially, the production team planned a typical variety show with light games and travel. However, after conducting pre-interviews, they recognized the cast's hidden potential and character, prompting a shift in the program's direction.Na noted, "I was curious about the chemistry that would emerge in a more challenging environment, which can only be experienced at this youthful age, so I chose hiking as the theme."Co-director Park Hyun-yong also highlighted the unexpected changes in relationships that arise from forced hiking. He shared, "I once went hiking with Na Young-seok under the influence of writer Lee Woo-jung, and I found that enduring a tough experience together led to more conversations and stronger bonds. I even hid the hiking aspect from the cast when I recruited them. I wanted to capture the genuine struggles of young people facing the harsh winter mountains."Under the meticulous planning of the production team, the cast began their journey with a climb of Seoraksan in temperatures below -20 degrees Celsius, followed by early morning hikes on Taebaeksan and a trek on Hallasan, tackling some of South Korea's most challenging mountains. Na believes that this rugged backdrop will provide fresh viewing experiences for global audiences. He remarked, "It's rare to find such steep and treacherous terrain, along with blizzards, anywhere else in the world. Domestic viewers will resonate deeply, while international audiences will be curious about Korea's captivating mountains."Park also pointed out that the culture of enjoying kimbap and ramen at the mountain summit is a unique aspect of Korean hiking culture, which serves as another highlight of the program.The candid hiking experiences of the four reluctant hikers brought laughter to the event. Instead of romanticizing the allure or sense of achievement in hiking, they shared their honest feelings about the physical challenges they faced, hinting at the genuine reactions that will be featured in the show.As the eldest and leader of the group, Car the Garden humorously stated, "Every time I climbed, my only thought was, 'I just want to get down quickly.'" Day6's Do-woon echoed this sentiment, saying, "I wanted to descend immediately upon arrival, and the way down felt endless. It was a uniquely charming hiking experience."The youngest member, Lee Chae-min, reflected on moments of brief inspiration amid physical pain. He shared, "I thought it would be really tough from the start, but it was so exhausting that I couldn't even express how heavy my legs felt. However, I will always remember the moment I reached the summit of Hallasan and saw the sea of clouds. It was a special gift, but I still wanted to get down just like the others." Tarzan added, "I endured the climb thinking about the food I could eat at the summit. That sincerity alone helped me finish the hike."The contrast between the producers' romantic expectations and the cast's reality became a strong asset for 'Dae-dung-why.' Na expressed satisfaction with how the cast broke traditional variety show norms in the mountain setting.He said, "I secretly hoped that the four misfits would start off grumbling but gradually discover the joy of the mountains and bond deeply at the summit. However, times have changed. Car the Garden, despite being the leader, embodied the 'modern person' who only thought of himself without any leadership qualities."He continued, "In past variety shows, participants would cry tears of emotion while watching a majestic sunrise, but these friends shouted, 'I don’t want to see that.' I believe that genuine reactions like these reflect the codes of today's generation. I take pride in the unique variety show that has emerged from their raw experiences."At the end of the presentation, the cast shared witty remarks to entice potential viewers.Car the Garden said, "If you all watch diligently and Na PD decides to send us hiking again, I won’t be able to refuse. For those who dislike me, this is the perfect program to enjoy while lounging at home and laughing at others' struggles."Do-woon reflected, "It was tough to climb, but the filming team captured the visuals beautifully. It was a learning experience about what professionalism is." Lee Chae-min added, "The beautiful snowy mountain scenery will surely cool you down on a hot summer day when watched from a cool room." Tarzan also commented, "Watching four transparent guys climbing snowy mountains will be genuinely entertaining. I’ll try to avoid hiking next time, but I hope for your continued support."The Netflix variety show 'Why Are We Hiking?' intertwines the unfiltered survival stories of youth with the stunning scenery of snowy mountains, premiering for global audiences on August 18.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-12 12:32:00
  • China Dominates Global Ship Orders in July, South Korea Holds 16% Share
    China Dominates Global Ship Orders in July, South Korea Holds 16% Share Global ship orders in July saw a significant decline of over 50% compared to the previous month, with China capturing more than 80% of the total orders. South Korea, focusing on selective orders for high-value vessels, recorded a 16% market share.According to Clarkson Research, a UK-based maritime market analysis firm, the total global ship orders in July amounted to 3.57 million CGT (137 vessels), a 56% decrease from 8.03 million CGT in June and a 22% drop from 4.55 million CGT in the same month last year.By country, China secured 2.9 million CGT (111 vessels), accounting for 81% of the total, while South Korea obtained 570,000 CGT (21 vessels), achieving a 16% market share.In terms of cumulative orders for the year, China continued to show strength. From January to July, global cumulative orders reached 50.93 million CGT (1,778 vessels), a 65% increase from 30.95 million CGT (1,296 vessels) during the same period last year.Of this, China received 38.02 million CGT (1,394 vessels), holding a 75% market share, which is a 107% increase compared to the previous year. South Korea secured 8.7 million CGT (218 vessels), representing a 17% market share and a 61% increase from the previous year.The order backlog also continued to rise. As of the end of July, the global order backlog stood at 211.75 million CGT, an increase of 2.32 million CGT from the previous month. Among this, China accounted for 140.22 million CGT, or 66% of the total, while South Korea recorded 38.23 million CGT, representing 18%.Compared to the previous month, South Korea's order backlog decreased by 480,000 CGT, while China saw an increase of 3.61 million CGT. Year-on-year, South Korea's backlog increased by 3.03 million CGT, while China's rose by 34.64 million CGT.Ship prices also continued to rise. At the end of July, Clarkson's newbuilding price index recorded 185.49, up 0.34 points from June's 185.15. This marks a 29% increase compared to July 2021, when the index was at 143.95.By vessel type, the newbuilding prices were $248.5 million for LNG carriers, $130.5 million for very large crude carriers (VLCCs), and $259.5 million for ultra-large container ships in the 22,000 to 24,000 TEU range. 2026-08-12 12:28:00
  • Job Creation Transforms Society: 10 Senior Empowerment Projects Yield $71 Million in Social Value
    Job Creation Transforms Society: 10 Senior Empowerment Projects Yield $71 Million in Social Value Senior job programs, once seen merely as income support, are now filling gaps in community care and addressing environmental issues, generating significant social value. The Ministry of Health and Welfare has reported that ten leading model projects utilizing seniors' expertise have achieved social outcomes equivalent to 128.3% of their budget, opening new horizons for senior employment initiatives.On August 12, the Ministry released the results of the 'Senior Empowerment Leading Model Project Social Impact Assessment,' conducted to objectively confirm the contributions of senior jobs to community problem-solving.The assessment, carried out by an external agency from October to November last year, was based on the international Impact Management Project (IMP) framework. It analyzed various outcomes from the ten projects launched last year, converting employment, social services, and environmental impacts into monetary values.The results showed that the total budget of 5.548 billion won for the ten projects generated effects worth 7.116 billion won, representing a 128.3% return on investment, or approximately 12.8 million won in social value for every 100 million won spent. Additionally, the projects provided quality jobs for 942 seniors.In terms of impact types, 'income enhancement' through direct employment of seniors accounted for 4.227 billion won, or 59.4% of the total impact. This was followed by 'social service provision' for seniors and children at 2.823 billion won (39.7%), and 'environmental improvement' initiatives, such as waste recycling and greenhouse gas reduction, at 65.37 million won (0.9%).Notably, the projects were praised for their close collaboration with local governments, public institutions, and private enterprises, effectively linking community resources with the expertise of the new senior generation, thereby enhancing the impact of public funding and contributing to local problem-solving.Among the projects, the 'Grandparent-Grandchild Care Program' in Gyeongsangbuk-do achieved the highest impact at 3.41576 billion won, followed by the 'LH Living Care Service' from the Korea Land and Housing Corporation at 2.81147 billion won. These initiatives significantly contributed to filling care gaps for children in dual-income families and elderly individuals living alone over the age of 80.In terms of efficiency, the 'Senior Taste Keeper' program, which teaches multicultural families how to prepare Korean food, recorded an impressive 287.5% social impact relative to its budget, demonstrating the highest efficiency. The 'Coffee Grounds Recycling Project,' which creates deodorants from discarded coffee grounds for vulnerable groups, also achieved a high impact of 177%, validating the value of resource recycling models.The Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to continue developing successful projects into standard models and actively support their expansion in communities based on social impact. They also aim to expand senior empowerment job models linked to community needs and the expertise of the new senior generation, while strengthening ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) collaboration with private enterprises to enhance social investment.Choi Bong-geun, Director of the Ministry's Senior Policy Division, stated, "This social impact assessment has objectively confirmed that senior jobs create various social values beyond simple income support, addressing community care gaps and improving the environment. We will continue to discover and disseminate senior job models that meet community needs and enhance social value that citizens can feel."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-12 12:12:00
  • Korean Higher Education Council Proposes Full Tax Deduction for University Donations
    Korean Higher Education Council Proposes Full Tax Deduction for University Donations The Korean Higher Education Council (KHEC) has proposed a policy to diversify the income structure of universities and enhance financial stability by introducing a full tax deduction for donations of 100,000 won. The initiative aims to encourage small donations from alumni, parents, and the local community to help alleviate the financial difficulties faced by universities. On August 12, KHEC released a policy research report outlining the plan for the implementation of a full tax deduction for university donations of 100,000 won. The core of this proposal is to amend the Tax Exemption Limitation Act to provide the same full tax deduction benefits for small donations to universities as currently offered for political contributions and hometown love donations. KHEC anticipates that this will foster a decentralized funding structure with voluntary participation from alumni, faculty, staff, and the local community, which are crucial for nurturing talent, research and development, and regional innovation. The economic impact of the proposed system has also been detailed. According to KHEC's research, if the full tax deduction for donations of 100,000 won is implemented, university donations are expected to increase by approximately 9.6% compared to current levels. This translates to an additional 160 billion won annually, or about 800 million won per institution. Furthermore, the proportion of donations in total university revenue is projected to rise from the current 1.6% to 2.5% by the third year of the system's implementation. KHEC believes that the increased funding will be invested in scholarships, improving educational environments, and research and development, ultimately enhancing the quality and competitiveness of higher education. To address concerns about potential concentration of donations to specific universities, KHEC has proposed a mechanism to mitigate this issue. They suggested establishing a so-called 'University Coexistence Fund' to alleviate concentration and link it to separate funding for regional universities. Lee Kyung-hee, Secretary General of KHEC, stated, "It is necessary to reduce the high dependence on tuition and government financial support, and to diversify the income structure of universities through the activation of donations. We will actively cooperate with the National Assembly and the government to implement the full tax deduction for university donations, enabling universities to play a central role in regional development."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-12 12:00:20
  • Small Business Association Seeks Participants for Retail Opportunities
    Small Business Association Seeks Participants for Retail Opportunities The Small Business Association announced on August 12 that it is recruiting small businesses to participate in its "Second Half Integrated Product Review" aimed at supporting the entry of quality small business products into major retail channels.The target participants are small consumer goods manufacturers based in South Korea. The review will consider all consumer goods except for large appliances and furniture.Thirteen retailers will participate in the review, including Galleria, Lotte, Shinsegae, Hyundai, AK Department Store, Lotte Mart, E-Mart, Lotte Shopping eCommerce, Woowa Brothers, Post Office Shopping, Gmarket, Coupang, and Home & Shopping.The evaluation process will consist of two stages: a document review and an in-person assessment on the day of the review. Product planners (MDs) from each retailer will handle both the document and in-person evaluations.Small businesses that successfully enter these retailers will receive benefits such as reduced commission rates and dedicated sales space, as agreed upon with the retailers.Applications will be accepted until 6 p.m. on September 9. The product review is scheduled to take place on October 27 at the Small Business Association.Hwang Young-man, head of the Small Business Policy Division at the Small Business Association, stated, "This product review is significant as it allows professional MDs from large retailers to directly discover excellent small business products and connect them to actual entry opportunities." He added, "We will continue to promote various win-win projects with large retailers to ensure that competitive small businesses can gain recognition in broader markets."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-12 12:00:20
  • Jang Dong-hyuk: Party Chair Positions Should Be Held by Fighters
    Jang Dong-hyuk: Party Chair Positions Should Be Held by Fighters Jang Dong-hyuk, the leader of the People Power Party, emphasized on August 12 that he will reflect the opinions of party members as much as possible in the appointment process for party committee chairs. He stated, "I will not operate in a way that automatically extends terms after they expire."During an appearance on the YouTube program "Lee Dong-jae's News Cabinet," Jang said, "My basic thought is to receive applications and appoint new party committee chairs according to party rules and regulations."He pointed out that, "When we are not in crisis, we waste time on internal conflicts, and when we should be fighting against the government and the ruling party, we waste a lot of time and energy fighting among ourselves." He added, "I said that anyone who does not fight should take off their badge when I became party leader. I have tried, but things have not changed significantly yet."Jang warned, "If party committee chairs who have not fought hard run in the general elections, we will inevitably lose." He stressed the need to identify and appoint capable individuals as party committee chairs to strengthen the organization and unite for the fight ahead.Regarding a recent petition led by a party member calling for his resignation, Jang remarked, "We have reached a point where it is quite pitiful. This discussion about my position will continue to arise whenever there is an opportunity. Ultimately, it is all related to 'my nomination.'"He firmly stated that he is not considering reappointment or a party convention during his term, despite ongoing controversies regarding his position. Jang said, "I am focused on reforming the party and doing what I can during my term. I believe it is time to properly reform and change the party. I will stabilize the party and transform it into a fighting party where 80% of the members are engaged in the struggle until we achieve complete change through internal reform."Jang also criticized the recent policies of the Lee Jae-myung administration regarding real estate, taxation, and the stock market. He noted that despite President Lee's campaign promises to reduce taxes, increase supply, and ease real estate loan regulations, these commitments have not been fulfilled.He stated, "Even after taking office, the president has repeatedly said he would not control housing prices with taxes, but he is going in the opposite direction." He added, "And the public is facing a tax bomb after he sold his house without losing a penny, using tricks that are unimaginable to the people."Jang raised two points that further anger the public: "He must have decided after reviewing the tax reform plan, yet he speaks as if he has not seen it at all," and "When taxes change, he will inevitably be criticized, but he seems to think that if he just lowers his posture and waits a little, everything will be fine."Additionally, Jang reiterated the need for a national investigation and special prosecution into the decision-making process regarding single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs).* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-12 12:00:00
  • Construction Industry Faces Decline as Orders Drop 21.7%, Private Sector Down 41.5%
    Construction Industry Faces Decline as Orders Drop 21.7%, Private Sector Down 41.5% Despite an increase in public large-scale project orders, the construction industry's recovery remains limited due to a simultaneous decline in private sector contracts for civil engineering, housing, and non-residential projects.The Korea Construction Industry Institute reported on August 12 that construction orders in June totaled 18.7 trillion won, a 21.7% decrease compared to the same month last year.Public orders increased by 29.2% year-on-year, driven by large projects such as the Jecheon-Yeongwol Expressway and the Jeju Clean Energy Complex. In contrast, private sector orders plummeted by 41.5% as all segments—civil engineering, housing, and non-residential—contracted. Compared to the average for June over the past three years, the current level is 5.4 trillion won lower, indicating that the expansion of public orders alone is insufficient to offset the downturn in the private sector.Construction performance showed slight improvement, particularly in public and non-residential building sectors. June construction performance reached 14.1 trillion won, marking a 19.9% increase from the previous month and a 1.6% rise from the same month last year. Public performance rose by 12.2% year-on-year, while non-residential building performance increased by 22.9%.However, private sector performance declined by 1.1%, with residential building performance dropping by 8.7%. Overall performance remains 1.2 trillion won lower than the average for June over the past three years, suggesting that the construction industry has not yet entered a full recovery phase.Employment conditions have also worsened. The number of construction workers in June was 1.893 million, down 1.4% from the previous month and 3.4% from the same month last year. Although public and some non-residential construction performance increased, the decline in private orders, the contraction in residential building, and the lagging nature of employment contributed to the ongoing decrease in construction jobs.Rising construction costs have added to the burden. The construction cost index in June was 138.22, a 5.5% increase compared to the same month last year. While prices for cement and ready-mixed concrete remained relatively stable, the producer price index for rebar rose by 8.6% year-on-year, and the market price index increased by 11.8%, leading to higher material costs, particularly for rebar.Construction companies' sentiment has also deteriorated. The Construction Business Survey Index (CBSI) for July fell to 72.8, a decrease of 1.7 points from the previous month. A CBSI below the baseline of 100 indicates that more companies view the current construction market pessimistically than optimistically.Specifically, the new order index dropped to 68.6, down 4.5 points from the previous month. Conversely, the construction performance index rose to 81.7, an increase of 0.8 points, while the order backlog index climbed to 79.7, up 3.4 points. The construction receivables index also increased to 81.6, up 4.6 points, but the financing index fell to 72.8, down 1.7 points.By sector, the civil engineering index dropped to 72.4, down 7.3 points, and the housing index fell to 67.5, down 8.2 points. The non-residential building index rose to 70.1, an increase of 2.8 points. By company size, the large enterprise index fell to 83.3, down 8.4 points, while the mid-sized enterprise index rose to 74.1, up 1.7 points, and the small enterprise index increased to 60.9, up 1.5 points.Regionally, the Seoul index plummeted to 74.3, a drop of 14.9 points, while the regional index rose to 70.4, an increase of 2.2 points, indicating a slight reduction in the gap in sentiment between regions.The comprehensive outlook index for August is 72.5, down 0.3 points from July's performance. This suggests that construction companies anticipate continued sluggishness rather than a clear recovery in the near term.Lee Ji-hye, a researcher at the Korea Construction Industry Institute, stated, “Despite an increase in public large project orders in June, the simultaneous contraction in private civil engineering, housing, and non-residential orders led to a significant decrease. While performance has slightly improved in public and non-residential construction, and conditions for order backlog and payment collection have improved, challenges remain with slowing new orders, a weak private construction market, declining employment, and rising material costs such as rebar.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-12 11:52:00
  • Kolon Global Reports 174% Increase in Q2 Operating Profit Amid Improved Construction Costs
    Kolon Global Reports 174% Increase in Q2 Operating Profit Amid Improved Construction Costs Kolon Global significantly boosted its profitability in the second quarter of this year, thanks to the 'big bath' effect from proactively addressing potential losses at the end of last year and expanding its non-residential business.On August 12, Kolon Global announced that it recorded consolidated sales of 750.5 billion won, operating profit of 52.2 billion won, and net profit of 32.3 billion won for the second quarter. Compared to the same period last year, sales increased by 2.2%, while operating profit surged by 173.6%. The net profit turned positive.The construction division reported sales of 608.1 billion won and operating profit of 40.5 billion won in the second quarter. Following the proactive reflection of potential risks at the end of last year, the cost improvement effect led to a construction cost ratio of 87.7%, down 1.9 percentage points from the same period last year. Operating profit increased by 154.7% year-on-year.Sales from the non-residential business continued to contribute, with projects such as Korean Air's engine maintenance facility, Tokyo Electron Korea's research facility, Samsung Electronics' ADC DP expansion project, and the Pyeongtaek Phase 1 effluent cooling facility reflected in the revenue.New orders were primarily focused on the non-residential sector. In the first half of this year, Kolon Global secured a total of 985.4 billion won in new orders, including the 126.5 billion won integrated water supply project for the Yongin semiconductor industrial complex and the 39.9 billion won Kumho Tire manufacturing plant.The leisure and asset management (AM) sectors also saw expanded performance following their merger at the end of last year. Second-quarter sales reached 85.7 billion won, a 304.2% increase from the same period last year, while operating profit rose to 13.5 billion won, up 610.5%. The company attributed this growth to the peak season effects in hotels, resorts, and golf courses, as well as the merger benefits.Kolon Global undertook a big bath in the fourth quarter of last year to reflect potential risks in its financial statements. CEO Kim Young-beom stated during a town hall meeting with employees earlier this year that the company would pursue a restructuring focused on profitability.A Kolon Global representative said, “With the stabilization of construction costs, the expansion of the non-residential business, and the growth of the leisure and AM sectors post-merger, we are maintaining a stable growth trajectory within a balanced business structure. This year, we will continue to enhance both profitability and growth through selective orders focused on profitability and strengthening our business competitiveness.”Kolon Global has set a performance guidance of 3.1 trillion won in sales and 120 billion won in operating profit for this year.Meanwhile, Kolon Global is expanding its reach into offshore wind power projects, following its ventures into onshore wind power, with a scale of 400 MW. The company is building a business structure that secures long-term profits from power generation by participating not only in simple construction but also in equity investments and operations in power generation projects.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-12 11:52:00
  • Heerim Selected as Preferred Negotiation Partner for 600 Billion Won Jeonbuk International Finance Center Project
    Heerim Selected as Preferred Negotiation Partner for 600 Billion Won Jeonbuk International Finance Center Project Heerim has been selected as the preferred negotiation partner for the 600 billion won Jeonbuk International Finance Center (JIFC) project, marking its significant entry into a large-scale mixed-use development.On August 12, Heerim Architects announced that the Oryon Asset Management Consortium was chosen as the top candidate in the bidding for the 'Jeonbuk International Finance Center (JIFC) and Financial Town Development Project' organized by the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province. A total of four consortia participated in this bidding.The Oryon Asset Management Consortium includes the leading firm Oryon Asset Management, along with KB Securities and Truston Asset Management. Heerim will invest equity in the consortium while also handling architectural design and construction management (CM).The Jeonbuk International Finance Center project is a major initiative that will utilize the government's regional revitalization investment fund to inject approximately 600 billion won in private capital. It is set to be developed in the Munchang-dong area of Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, with a target completion date in 2030.The project site will feature a 31-story prime office building, a 14-story SOHO office, a 13-story global brand hotel, and an international conference facility with a total floor area of 7,285 square meters. The plan aims to create a complex that integrates financial institutions and asset management companies with hotel and MICE facilities, consolidating finance, business, accommodation, and convention functions in one location.Heerim aims to establish the Jeonbuk International Finance Center as a landmark representing the region, leveraging its experience in designing and managing large mixed-use facilities, including high-rise offices and hotels. By participating in equity investment and taking charge of design and CM, Heerim will be involved in the project from the early stages of development.During the evaluation process, the consortium's financial execution capability, the feasibility of its occupancy plans, and the project timeline for completion in 2030 received high marks.The Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province plans to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the consortium within the year, followed by detailed design and administrative procedures, with construction expected to begin next year.A Heerim representative stated, "The Jeonbuk International Finance Center is a crucial project that will serve as a cornerstone for revitalizing the local economy and elevating the region to an international financial city. We will concentrate Heerim's design and CM capabilities to create a world-class landmark representing Jeonbuk."Earlier, Heerim Architects was selected as the design firm for the redevelopment project of Mokdong District 1 in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, in May.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-12 11:52:00
  • Diverging Views on 52-Hour Workweek Exception Among Democratic Party Candidates
    Diverging Views on 52-Hour Workweek Exception Among Democratic Party Candidates As discussions continue regarding the application of exceptions to the 52-hour workweek under the Mega Special Zone Act, part of the Lee Jae-myung administration's local-led growth initiative, conflicting views have emerged among candidates for the leadership of the Democratic Party.On August 12, candidate Jung Cheong-rae held a press conference at the National Assembly, stating, "I believe the 52-hour workweek should be adhered to," and suggested that increasing employment could help address labor shortages. In contrast, candidate Kim Min-seok emphasized the need for consensus, noting, "There may be differences in views among businesses, the government, central and local authorities, and various ministries. I will work to address these comprehensively." Additionally, Kim Jeong-kwan, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, who has a background in business, has argued for the necessity of regulatory relaxation regarding the 52-hour workweek exception. Meanwhile, Kim Young-hoon, the Minister of Employment and Labor and a former leader of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, has taken a more cautious stance.In response, President Lee Jae-myung remarked during a Cabinet meeting on August 11 at the Government Sejong Convention Center that "debate and discussion are the most democratic methods" and described the process as a normal policy coordination effort. He urged ministries to resolve their differences through active discussions.Meanwhile, voices of opposition have emerged from the broader ruling coalition regarding the 52-hour workweek exception. The Justice Party stated, "It should not be a subject of negotiation," while the Progressive Party criticized it as a "regression in labor rights." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-12 11:48:00