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KOSPI Rises Over 1% as Samsung Electronics Gains More Than 5% The KOSPI has rebounded from an early decline, expanding its gains to over 1%. Samsung Electronics surged more than 5%, supported by net buying from foreign and institutional investors, which lifted the index. In contrast, the KOSDAQ initially rose above 870 but later returned to a slight decline.As of 1:34 PM, the KOSPI was trading at 6,392.91, up 93.25 points (1.48%) from the previous trading day. The index opened down 59.60 points (0.95%) at 6,240.06 and fell to 6,213.78 early on, but turned positive during the morning session. It later peaked at 6,405.81, surpassing the 6,400 mark.By investor type, individuals sold a net 248.2 billion won, while foreign and institutional investors bought a net 139.6 billion won and 120.4 billion won, respectively.Most large-cap stocks showed strength. Samsung Electronics rose 5.22%, SK Hynix increased by 1.97%, and Samsung Biologics gained 1.98%. However, LG Energy Solution fell 3.13%, Hyundai Motor dropped 0.86%, and KB Financial decreased by 2.62%.Specifically, Samsung Electronics recorded a price of 242,000 won, up 12,000 won (5.22%) from the previous day. SK Hynix also rose nearly 2%, trading at 1,448,000 won.At the same time, the KOSDAQ was trading at 849.86, down 4.61 points (0.54%) from the previous day. The index opened down 5.88 points (0.69%) at 848.59 but turned positive around 9:30 AM. It briefly rose to 875.16, exceeding the 870 mark, but later gave back those gains and turned negative again.In the KOSDAQ, individuals bought a net 439.6 billion won, while foreign and institutional investors sold a net 322 billion won and 129.1 billion won, respectively.Most large-cap stocks in the KOSDAQ were weak. Alteogen fell 6.75%, EcoPro dropped 3.74%, and EcoPro BM decreased by 4.53%. Conversely, JUSUNG Engineering rose 9.81%, HLB increased by 2.21%, and Wonik IPS gained 4.17%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 13:48:00 -
Suwon Mayor Requests Inclusion of Shinbundang Line Extension in National Rail Plan "We request the inclusion of the 'Shinbundang Line extension from Suwon to Uiwang, Gunpo, and Ansan' in the 5th National Rail Network Construction Plan," said Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun, along with Uiwang Mayor Kim Seong-je, Gunpo Mayor Han Dae-hee, and Ansan Deputy Mayor Heo Nam-seok, during a joint proposal announcement on August 11 at the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly briefing room.They emphasized that the extension of the Shinbundang Line, starting from Gwanggyo in Suwon and connecting to Uiwang, Gunpo, and Ansan, would enhance connectivity in the southwestern Gyeonggi region and serve as a crucial foundation for balanced regional development and improved quality of life for citizens. They stated, "To accelerate the transition to a sustainable era, it is essential to expand rail infrastructure that can dramatically improve access to major cities."They further noted, "This rail line aligns with the national policy of 'transportation first, housing later' and will become a key asset with strategic value for the prosperity of future generations and urban development. The Shinbundang Line extension must be included in the 5th National Rail Network Construction Plan for the benefit of citizens in southwestern metropolitan areas."The Shinbundang Line extension from Suwon to Uiwang, Gunpo, and Ansan is a proposed 14.54 km regional rail line (from Gwanggyo Station to Banwol Station in Ansan) that was submitted to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in May 2024 as part of the 5th National Rail Network Construction Plan.Mayor Lee stated, "We have been working with neighboring cities to address traffic congestion in southern Gyeonggi by focusing on the construction of the Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Rail, the GTX-C line, and the Dongtan-Indeokwon line. The Shinbundang Line extension will be a driving force in reshaping the urban landscape of southwestern Gyeonggi."Attending the joint proposal event were Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly members Park Ok-bun, Lee O-su, Choi Sang-kyu, and Han Un-ok, representing the relevant districts.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 13:48:00
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YouTube Doubles Monetization Requirements for New Creators YouTube is raising the monetization threshold for new creators, doubling the requirements for advertising and subscription revenue. Starting in February 2024, creators must achieve either 8,000 hours of watch time in the past year or 20 million views on Shorts in the last 90 days to qualify for monetization.As of now, the requirements are 4,000 hours of watch time or 10 million views on Shorts within the same time frame. The subscriber requirement of 1,000 remains unchanged.The new criteria will apply to creators who join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) after the changes take effect. Channels already enrolled in YPP will not be affected, even if they do not meet the new standards. This marks the first significant adjustment to YPP monetization criteria since 2018.With the increased monetization threshold, it is expected that new and smaller creators will find it more challenging to generate revenue. YouTube stated, "We have adjusted the monetization system to align with the growth of Shorts and TV viewership." YouTube is also expanding its low-cost subscription service, 'Premium Lite,' to all countries where YouTube Premium is available. When Premium Lite users watch videos, a portion of the subscription fee will be allocated to creators, similar to the standard Premium service.YouTube will allocate 30% of the net revenue from Premium subscriptions and 60% from Premium Lite to creator earnings, which will then be distributed based on user viewership.YouTube noted that daily Shorts views have surpassed 20 billion, and daily TV watch time has exceeded 1 billion hours, expressing optimism that the changes will lead to increased earnings for creators.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 13:44:00
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Short-Term Parental Leave for School Breaks and Hospitalizations Starting on the 20th of this month, parents will be able to take 'short-term parental leave' for one or two weeks if their child experiences a school break or sudden hospitalization. Male workers whose spouses are at risk of miscarriage or preterm birth will also be eligible for parental leave before the child is born. The government approved these provisions during a cabinet meeting on the 11th, as part of amendments to the 'Gender Equality Employment Act' and the 'Employment Insurance Act.' This amendment follows the enactment of the Gender Equality Employment Act in February and March and the Employment Insurance Act in March, detailing the specifics mandated by the laws. Short-term parental leave can be utilized when a child's school or daycare is closed for holidays or emergencies. It also applies if a child is hospitalized due to illness or injury, or is isolated or prohibited from attending school due to an infectious disease. Employees can take short-term parental leave once per year for each child, in one or two-week increments. If a parent has multiple children, they can use this leave for each child once a year. However, the duration will be deducted from the existing parental leave limit of up to 18 months and does not count towards the number of times parental leave can be split. To take leave for a school break, parents must generally apply 30 days in advance. In urgent situations, such as sudden school closures or a child's hospitalization, applications can be submitted on the same day the leave begins. During the short-term parental leave, employees will receive pay. Unlike regular parental leave, which requires a minimum of 30 days to qualify for pay, short-term parental leave can be compensated after using 7 or 14 days. The pay will be calculated based on the same criteria as parental leave, prorated for the days used. The eligibility for using short-term parental leave once a year will be assessed based on the calendar year from January 1 to December 31. If leave is taken from December 27 to January 2 of the following year, it will count as usage for the current year. When applying for leave due to a school break, the entire duration of 7 or 14 days must fall within the break period. For closures, hospitalizations, or isolation due to infectious diseases, leave can be taken even if only part of the period overlaps with the reason. Simply using 7 or 14 days of regular parental leave does not qualify as short-term parental leave, and extending leave in single-day increments is not permitted. The duration of short-term parental leave will also count towards the requirements for extending leave if both parents have taken at least three months of parental leave for the same child. Starting on the 18th of next month, support for male participation in caregiving during pregnancy and childbirth will also be expanded. Male employees will be able to take parental leave before the birth if their spouse faces health risks such as miscarriage or preterm birth. Applications must be submitted at least seven days before the intended start date of the leave. The period for using spousal maternity leave will also be extended, allowing it to be taken from 50 days before the expected delivery date up to 120 days after childbirth. During this time, a total of 20 days of paid leave can be taken in up to three segments. A new provision will allow up to five days of leave for employees whose spouses experience a miscarriage or stillbirth. The first three days will be paid, and employees from priority support companies will receive 100% of their regular wages from the government, with a maximum support amount of 252,630 won for three days. Employers' grounds for refusing to allow a reduction in working hours for childcare will also be reduced. Previously, employers could deny such requests if they could not find replacement workers, but this reason will be removed for applications submitted after the 18th of next month. Exceptions will only apply if the employee has less than six months of service or if the nature of the work makes it difficult to split hours and would significantly disrupt business operations. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 13:40:00
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Government Transfers National University Hospitals to Health Ministry to Strengthen Local Healthcare The government is transferring the oversight of national university hospitals to the Ministry of Health and Welfare to strengthen local and essential healthcare systems. This move is part of a comprehensive inter-agency strategy aimed at preventing suicides related to social isolation and caregiving burdens. The Ministry of Health and Welfare, along with the Ministry of Education and other relevant agencies, reported these plans during a Cabinet meeting. During the Cabinet meeting held on August 11 at the Government Sejong Center, chaired by President Lee Jae-myung, amendments to the enforcement decree of the National University Hospital Installation Act and the National University Dental Hospital Installation Act were approved. As a result, starting August 20, the oversight of national university hospitals and national university dental hospitals will shift from the Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The amendment will change the submission of documents such as management plans and project proposals for hospital director recommendations from the Minister of Education to the Minister of Health and Welfare. Additionally, to better respond to the rapidly changing healthcare environment, the amendment will allow for the establishment of necessary subordinate organizations through bylaws, beyond those specified in the law. The government aims to maintain the autonomy of educational institutions while enhancing the role of national university hospitals as key pillars of local, essential, and public healthcare. Furthermore, during the Cabinet meeting, joint reports were presented on the 'Suicide Prevention Measures for Isolated and At-Risk Households' and 'Suicide Prevention Measures for Caregiving Burdens' to rescue families suffering from isolation and caregiving stress. Minister of Health and Welfare Jeong Eun-kyeong stated, "The crisis of social isolation, exacerbated by the increase in single-person households, is spreading as much as suicides caused by economic crises. We will strengthen economic support and early detection of crisis signals to prevent the deepening of economic, relational, and psychological issues for isolated households." To identify 'isolated, at-risk households,' the government will utilize crisis information such as self-harm or suicide attempts to screen individuals at risk and will implement targeted outreach for various types of isolation. Minister Jeong added, "In addition to existing social security systems, we will expedite support for high-risk suicide groups by bypassing on-site verification for emergency assistance and allowing local governments to provide small emergency living expenses as a priority." The government will also initiate immediate interventions, such as providing 24-hour emergency counseling if suicide is mentioned in reports to the welfare crisis alert application. To prevent the so-called 'caregiving tragedy' caused by prolonged caregiving and caregiving burdens, close measures will be implemented. Starting in the second half of this year, the government will focus on identifying and investigating families at high risk of suicide among elderly and disabled caregiving households that do not utilize public caregiving services or involve elderly individuals caring for other elderly individuals. Minister Jeong noted, "We have identified unfortunate suicide incidents occurring when caregivers, who have been caring for family members without rest for long periods, themselves suffer from serious illnesses or depression. We will focus on identifying and investigating high-risk households caring for individuals with severe disabilities, dementia, or developmental disabilities using social security data in the second half of the year." For identified 'caregiving suicide risk' high-risk groups, emergency caregiving services will be linked for up to 72 hours (three hours a day for 24 days). Additionally, the government plans to significantly expand related services for elderly individuals requiring home care from the current 30 types to 60 types, including visiting nursing, rehabilitation, and hospital accompaniment services. Minister Jeong added, "To support families facing economic difficulties due to caregiving costs, we will introduce caregiving benefits for nursing hospitals in the first half of next year and improve support for self-care expenses for young family caregivers." 2026-08-11 13:36:10
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Public Forum to Discuss Appropriate Admission Fees for Palaces and Tombs The Cultural Heritage Administration announced that a public forum aimed at discussing appropriate admission fees for palaces and tombs will take place on September 8 at 2 p.m. in the auditorium of the National Palace Museum of Korea in Jongno, Seoul.This forum is being organized to incorporate the voices of citizens who directly use these sites into policy decisions. The government will publicly recruit 45 participants for a 'citizen discussion group.'Citizens interested in joining the discussion group can submit their applications from August 12 to 20 through a QR code found in promotional materials posted on the Cultural Heritage Administration and the Palace and Tombs Heritage Headquarters websites and social media. Selection will consider factors such as gender, age, region, and experience visiting the palaces. Results will be communicated individually by September 1.Members of the citizen discussion group will attend the forum, listen to expert presentations, and freely express their opinions.Anyone can also participate in the forum by registering on-site. There will be an opportunity for comments during the Q&A session later in the event. The forum will be live-streamed on the Cultural Heritage Administration's YouTube channel.Concerns have been raised that the admission fees for palaces, which have remained unchanged for 20 years, do not adequately reflect inflation and rising maintenance costs. Currently, the admission fee for Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung is 3,000 won per adult, while Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, Jongmyo, and the royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty charge 1,000 won each. The Sejong site charges 500 won. In comparison, admission to Buckingham Palace in the UK is £65.7 (about 120,000 won), and the Palace of Versailles in France charges between €25 and €35 (about 43,000 to 60,000 won), highlighting a significant disparity.Cultural Heritage Administration Commissioner Heo Min stated, “It is time for the wisdom of the public to enhance the value of our precious heritage and create a sustainable viewing environment. I encourage everyone to take an interest and participate, especially through the citizen discussion group, so that diverse voices can be directly reflected in policy.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 13:36:00
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Trump Publicly Supports FIFA President Infantino Amid Resignation Pressure U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly supported Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, who is facing pressure to resign amid plans to privatize part of the World Cup-related business.On August 10, Trump stated on Truth Social, "If FIFA considers replacing President Infantino for any reason, it would be a terrible mistake. He is fantastic."Trump praised Infantino for successfully leading the 2026 North American World Cup, asserting, "If he leaves, FIFA will never be as successful or profitable as it is now."Trump's endorsement comes as opposition within the soccer community against Infantino is growing.Infantino recently proposed creating a subsidiary to manage commercial and operational aspects of major tournaments, including the World Cup, and selling a portion of its shares to private investors. FIFA has valued the subsidiary at approximately $20 billion and planned to raise up to $4.2 billion by selling about 20% of its shares.However, UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and CONCACAF have strongly opposed the plan, citing concerns over the decision-making process and the transfer of FIFA's core business to private capital. Infantino ultimately withdrew the sale plan at the end of last month, but calls for his resignation have emerged from parts of the soccer community.Particularly controversial is the involvement of investors, as Joshua Kushner, brother of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, was set to lead the investor group.Trump and Infantino have maintained a publicly close relationship, with Infantino awarding Trump the inaugural 'FIFA Peace Award' during the draw for the 2026 North American World Cup last December.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 13:36:00
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Gachon University Achieves Top Rating for Four Consecutive Years, Expands Student Major Choices Gachon University has once again demonstrated its educational innovation success by receiving the highest rating of S grade for four consecutive years in the Ministry of Education's university innovation support project evaluation. On August 11, Gachon University announced that it achieved an S grade in the educational innovation category in the '2026 University Innovation Support Project Evaluation' released by the Ministry of Education and the Korea Research Foundation. As a result, the university secured a project budget of 12.69 billion won, the highest level, including incentives. This evaluation comprehensively assessed the educational innovation outcomes and self-performance management of 142 universities nationwide, focusing on the autonomous restructuring of educational systems and student-centered educational innovations. A key change at Gachon University is the strengthened support system that allows students to choose their majors based on their aptitudes and career paths. In particular, the university operates a step-by-step support program for students admitted under the autonomous major selection system, guiding them from pre-admission adaptation to major exploration and department selection. The 'Major and Career Design Care Center' has enhanced major and career counseling, and a designated full-time professor for academic management and counseling has been appointed to provide tailored support for each student. These institutional improvements have led to a significant reduction in the dropout rate. The dropout rate for students in Gachon University's autonomous major selection system, 'Infinite Major,' decreased from 15% in 2023 to 2.7% in 2025. The achievement of the highest rating for four consecutive years is significant as it indicates that Gachon University's educational innovation policies are not one-time projects but are leading to continuous performance management. The secured project budget is expected to be used to expand educational innovations, including creating a student-centered educational environment and supporting major and career choices. In response to Gachon University's four consecutive S grade achievement, the local community emphasizes the importance of the tangible changes in the educational environment that students can actually experience, rather than just the university receiving a high evaluation. Most notably, there is a focus on the expansion of choices for students who have not yet decided on their majors and the connection of career counseling and academic management, which has contributed to lowering the dropout rate. Citizens express hope that the university's achievements will ultimately connect to students' career paths and employment, as well as the development of the local community, and they expect that educational innovations supporting the choices and growth of each student will continue rather than being mere show. Meanwhile, President Lee Gil-yeo stated, "We have created an educational environment where students can freely pursue their dreams through flexible academic systems and expanded major selection rights," adding, "We will continue to innovate so that students can grow into key talents who will lead our society."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 13:32:20
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Gachon University Achieves Top Rating for Four Consecutive Years, Expands Student Major Choices Gachon University has once again demonstrated its educational innovation success by receiving the highest rating of S grade in the Ministry of Education's university innovation support project evaluation for four consecutive years. On August 11, Gachon University announced that it achieved an S grade in the educational innovation category in the '2026 University Innovation Support Project Performance Evaluation' released by the Ministry of Education and the Korea Research Foundation. As a result, the university secured a project budget of 12.69 billion won, the highest level, including incentives. This evaluation comprehensively assessed the educational innovation outcomes and self-performance management of 142 universities nationwide, focusing on the universities' autonomous educational system reforms and student-centered educational innovations. A key change at Gachon University is the strengthened support system that allows students to choose their majors based on their aptitudes and career paths. In particular, the university operates a step-by-step support program for students admitted under the autonomous major selection system, guiding them from pre-admission through university adaptation, major exploration, and department selection. The 'Major and Career Design Care Center' has enhanced major and career counseling, and a designated full-time professor for academic management and counseling has been appointed to provide tailored support for each student. These institutional improvements have led to a significant reduction in dropout rates. The dropout rate for students in Gachon University's autonomous major selection system, 'Infinite Major,' decreased from 15% in 2023 to 2.7% in 2025. The achievement of the highest rating for four consecutive years is significant as it indicates that Gachon University's educational innovation policies are not one-time projects but are leading to continuous performance management. The secured project budget is expected to be used to expand educational innovations, including creating a student-centered educational environment and supporting major and career choices. In response to Gachon University's four consecutive S grade achievement, the local community emphasizes the importance of the tangible changes in the educational environment that students can actually experience, rather than just the university receiving a high evaluation. There is particular interest in how the university has broadened options for students who have not yet decided on their majors and linked career counseling with academic management to reduce dropout rates. Citizens expect that the university's achievements will ultimately connect to students' career paths and employment, as well as the development of the local community, and hope that educational innovations supporting each student's choices and growth will continue rather than being merely performative. Meanwhile, President Lee Gil-yeo stated, "We have created an educational environment where students can freely pursue their dreams through flexible academic systems and expanded major selection rights," adding, "We will continue to innovate to ensure that students can grow into key talents who will lead our society."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 13:32:00
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Zelenskyy repeatedly warns of expanded N. Korean role in Russia's war SEOUL, August 11 (AJP) - North Korea's expanding role in Russia's war against Ukraine should raise security concerns in South Korea as Pyongyang gains battlefield experience and improves its weapons through cooperation with Moscow, Ukraine's top military commander has repeatedly warned. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday that Russia was preparing to station additional North Korean troops on its territory and had received more ballistic missiles from Pyongyang. Over the weekend, he said a decision had been made to deploy between 30,000 and 50,000 North Korean troops to Russia, though he did not disclose the source of the figure or give a timeline. Zelenskyy warned that North Korea's participation in the war poses risks extending far beyond Ukraine because its soldiers and weapons are being tested and improved under real combat conditions. "The greater the danger will later be for Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, and other countries in the region," Zelenskyy said in an address Sunday. He has also called on South Korea and Japan to provide Ukraine with greater air defense support, arguing that helping Ukraine counter North Korean weapons could prevent Pyongyang from using the conflict to strengthen its military capabilities. For South Korea, a key concern is the battlefield experience North Korean troops could bring back to the Korean Peninsula. North Korean forces fighting alongside Russia have gained exposure to drone warfare and other modern combat operations, potentially allowing Pyongyang to refine tactics for future conflicts. The changing threat is already being reflected in military preparations in South Korea. The South Korean and U.S. militaries will conduct their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise from Aug. 17 to 27, with training covering threats including drones, GPS disruption and cyberattacks. U.S. military officials said North Korean troops returning from the Ukraine war have gained combat experience that must be taken into account in defending the peninsula. North Korea has also supplied Russia with artillery ammunition, ballistic missiles and other weapons. Analysts have warned that Pyongyang could receive economic assistance and Russian military technology in return, potentially accelerating improvements to weapons that directly threaten South Korea. North Korea previously deployed an estimated 14,000 to 15,000 troops to Russia, with its forces participating in fighting in the Kursk region. Pyongyang and Moscow publicly acknowledged the deployment in 2025. 2026-08-11 13:30:29