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Korea's Small Business Agency Offers Free Group Accident Insurance to 30,000 Workers The Korea Small Business Agency announced on August 11 that it will support free enrollment in a '2026 Group Accident Insurance' for workers participating in the performance compensation mutual aid program.The performance compensation mutual aid program is a policy initiative where small and medium-sized business owners and key personnel jointly accumulate funds to provide performance bonuses to long-serving employees. Key products include the Tomorrow Savings Mutual Aid and the Small Business Employee Preferential Savings Mutual Aid.The group accident insurance covers: △Accidental death (10 million won) and accidental disability (up to 10 million won) △Surgery for seven types of injuries (up to 500,000 won) △Fracture diagnosis (100,000 won) △Burn diagnosis (100,000 won) △Mental health support (1 million won), among others.The program is available to a maximum of 30,000 participants. The Korea Small Business Agency will cover the entire insurance premium, meaning there will be no out-of-pocket costs for enrollees.The agency has established a system that allows new mutual aid enrollees to simultaneously sign up for group accident insurance during the initial application phase. Existing enrollees can apply through the Tomorrow Savings Mutual Aid website until the budget is exhausted.Jo Han-kyu, Director of Human Resource Growth at the Korea Small Business Agency, stated, "We hope that the support for group accident insurance will serve as a strong foundation for small business workers to work with peace of mind. We will continue to contribute to reducing welfare gaps and enhancing long-term employment through various performance compensation mutual aid initiatives."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 10:28:20 -
Hayoung's Family History Linked to Pro-Japanese Group 배우 하영 측이 증조부 친일 의혹에 관한 입장을 밝혔다. 하영 소속사 비스터스엔터테인먼트는 11일 "증조부 안상호 선생이 1916년 대정친목회의 평의원 명단에 이름이 올라있는 기록이 실제로 존재함을 확인했다"며 "충분한 검증 없이 '사실무근'이라 성급히 답변하여 혼란을 드린 점 진심으로 사과드린다"고 전했다. 이어 "배우 하영은 최근 방송 프로그램 출연 중 질문에 응하는 과정에서 집안의 4대 의료가업 이력을 언급한 바 있습니다. 이로 인해 의도치 않게 논란이 빚어진데 대해 배우 본인은 마음이 매우 무거운 상황"이라고 설명했다. 소속사 측은 "역사적 사실과 한 인물의 이력을 대중에 전하는 일에 얼마나 신중한 검증이 필요한지 이번 일을 통해 깊이 깨달았다"며 "배우 하영 역시 이번 일로 심려를 끼쳐드린 점을 깊이 새기고 앞으로 더욱 신중하고 겸허한 자세로 임하겠다"고 덧붙였다. 한편 하영은 지난 7일 방송된 KBS2 '옥탑방의 문제아들'에서 증조부 안상호를 언급했다. 그는 "증조할아버지는 양의학을 일본에 가서 배워오셨다. 한양에 개원을 하신 첫 의사"라며 "고종의 진료를 본 것으로 알고 있다"고 말했다. 안상호는 1902년 일본 동경자혜의학전문학교를 졸업하고 한국인으로는 처음 일본 의사 자격증을 취득한 인물로 알려졌다. 1904년 귀국 후 서울 종로3가에 개인 진료소를 열어 의료 활동을 했고 1919년 일본인 의사와 함께 고종을 진료한 경력도 있다. 그러나 방송 이후 온라인을 중심으로 안상호를 둘러싼 친일 의혹이 제기됐고 하영 측은 전날 이를 "사실무근"이라고 부인했다. 이후 1916년 서울에서 조직된 친일 단체 대정친목회 평의원 명단에서 안상호의 이름이 확인되자 하루 만에 입장을 번복했다. 대정친목회는 일제 식민 통치에 협조하고 조선인과 일본인의 융화를 내세운 단체로 알려져 있으며, 이완용도 해당 단체에 속해 있었다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 10:28:00
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Korea's Small Business Agency Offers Free Group Accident Insurance to 30,000 Workers The Korea Small Business Agency announced on August 11 that it will provide free enrollment in a "2026 Group Accident Insurance" program for workers participating in the performance compensation mutual aid scheme.The performance compensation mutual aid program allows small and medium-sized business owners and key personnel to jointly accumulate funds to provide performance bonuses to long-term employees. Key products include the Tomorrow Savings Mutual Aid and the Small Business Employee Preferential Savings Mutual Aid.The group accident insurance covers: △Accidental death (10 million won) and accidental disability (up to 10 million won) △Surgery for seven types of injuries (up to 500,000 won) △Fracture diagnosis (100,000 won) △Burn diagnosis (100,000 won) △Mental health support (1 million won), among others.The program is available to a maximum of 30,000 participants. The Korea Small Business Agency will cover the entire insurance premium, meaning there will be no out-of-pocket costs for enrollees.The agency has established a system that allows new mutual aid enrollees to simultaneously sign up for group accident insurance during the initial application phase. Existing enrollees can apply through the Tomorrow Savings Mutual Aid website until the budget is exhausted.Jo Han-kyu, Director of Human Resource Growth at the Korea Small Business Agency, stated, "We hope that the support for group accident insurance will serve as a strong foundation for small business workers to work with peace of mind. We will continue to contribute to reducing welfare gaps and enhancing long-term employment through various performance compensation mutual aid initiatives."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 10:28:00
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NHN Q2 operating profit surges 164% on payment, tech growth SEOUL, August 11 (AJP) - South Korean internet firm NHN announced that its second-quarter operating profit jumped 164 percent from a year earlier, powered by robust demand across its payment, cloud and gaming businesses. According to regulatory filings released Tuesday, operating profit reached 57.9 billion won ($40.9 million) on a consolidated basis, while revenue climbed 25.3 percent to 757.9 billion won. Net profit rose 159 percent to 29.1 billion won. Payments, NHN's largest segment through its Payco and KCP units, generated 394 billion won, up 27.3 percent on the year, as KCP handled about 17 trillion won in transactions and captured a 30 percent share of the domestic payment-gateway market. Technology revenue, including AI cloud services, surged 52.9 percent to 159.8 billion won, lifted by an 85 percent jump at NHN Cloud after supply of Nvidia DGX B200 graphics processors from its Seoul-area data center began contributing to sales. Gaming revenue grew 21.5 percent to 139.6 billion won, buoyed by eased regulations on web-board games and offline tournaments, though total operating costs rose 20.1 percent to 700 billion won on higher fees and performance-based bonuses. "This was the first quarter in which those gains showed up as profit," Chief Executive Chung U-jin said, adding NHN would carry the momentum into the second half as it aggressively expands AI infrastructure and pursues a new stablecoin payments venture. Shares of NHN traded at 47,450 won per stock on 10:20 a.m., 13.65 percent higher than the day before. AJP Takeaways • NHN's second-quarter operating profit surged 164 percent year-on-year to 57.9 billion won, with revenue up 25.3 percent to 757.9 billion won, as its payment, cloud and gaming units all posted double-digit growth. • Payments remained the core engine, with the Payco and KCP units bringing in 394 billion won and KCP securing a 30 percent share of the domestic payment-gateway market on about 17 trillion won in transactions. • Technology revenue jumped 52.9 percent, led by an 85 percent surge at NHN Cloud tied to Nvidia DGX B200 GPU supply, signaling the company's growing bet on AI infrastructure alongside a planned stablecoin payments venture. 2026-08-11 10:25:37 -
Zelensky Claims Russia Prepares to Deploy More North Korean Troops, Urges Military Aid from South Korea Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed on August 10 that "Russia is preparing to deploy additional North Korean troops on its territory," raising concerns about increased risks for regional countries, including South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines. He reiterated the need for military cooperation with South Korea.North Korea May Deploy Up to 50,000 Troops, Zelensky WarnsAccording to the Ukrainian presidential office, Zelensky stated in a public address that "Russia, unable to secure a safe rear, can no longer conduct the war without reinforcements from North Korea," adding that North Korea has provided additional ballistic missiles to Russia. He noted that North Korean weapons, including ballistic missiles, are being improved through cooperation with Russia.On the previous day, Zelensky had projected that as many as 50,000 North Korean troops could be deployed to Russian territory, significantly exceeding earlier estimates of 30,000. He mentioned that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty in 2024 that includes provisions for automatic military intervention in case of emergencies.Zelensky expressed concern that as North Korea's missiles and troops are increasingly utilized, and as North Korea compensates for its lack of combat experience, the risks faced by other regional countries, including Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines, will also grow.He urged allied nations to provide military cooperation and support, including air defense systems, stating, "This is to deter North Korea's desire and interest in learning from the war in Ukraine."South Korea Remains Cautious Amid Concerns Over Relations with RussiaZelensky has repeatedly requested military cooperation with South Korea, including the provision of air defense weapons, in response to North Korea-Russia military collaboration. On August 8, he posted on social media urging South Korea to work closely with Ukraine. He acknowledged South Korea's legal constraints but expressed hope for support in the area of air defense systems.However, the South Korean government maintains a cautious stance, asserting that providing weapons to Ukraine is difficult. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the government has focused on humanitarian and non-military support while adhering to the principle of not supplying lethal weapons.Analysts suggest that if South Korea were to accept Zelensky's request, it could worsen relations with Russia and place additional burdens on South Korea's own air defense capabilities.On August 11, the South China Morning Post reported that experts believe while South Korea has consistently supported Ukraine against Russia and North Korea, the request for air defense system support may be challenging due to legal and policy constraints on arms transfers to conflict zones, as well as the need to consider its own defense requirements.Ongoing Attacks Between Ukraine and Russia Result in CasualtiesMeanwhile, Russia and Ukraine continue to engage in daily attacks against each other.AP reported that in recent weeks, Russian missile strikes targeting Ukrainian cities have become almost routine, with Russia exploiting Ukraine's critical shortage of Patriot missile systems for intercepting ballistic missiles. The demand for Patriot systems has surged since the outbreak of the Iran war in late February, exacerbating Ukraine's air defense deficiencies.Zelensky has been requesting support from the United States and other Western nations for several months to secure Patriot missile systems.Despite its air defense challenges, Ukraine continues to carry out drone attacks targeting key facilities within Russia. In particular, ahead of the Russian State Duma elections in September, Ukraine is intensifying its offensive in areas far from the front lines to pressure Putin's regime.According to Russian authorities, on August 10, the Tatarstan Republic's Nizhnekamsk, located over 1,000 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, was hit by a Ukrainian drone attack, resulting in 13 deaths and 75 injuries. Nizhnekamsk is known as an energy hub with two oil refineries and a petrochemical plant, situated approximately 1,200 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. 2026-08-11 10:24:10
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Shinhan Bank Launches 'Love for Country Card' Pop-Up at Yongsan Station Featuring ITZY's Yuna Shinhan Bank is set to unveil a pop-up store for the 'Love for Country Card' aimed at military personnel and reservists. The bank announced that the 'Shinhan Love for Country Card Pop-Up Store' will operate from August 14 to 20 in the KTX Yongsan Station waiting area. This pop-up store is designed to allow military personnel to experience the Love for Country Card firsthand at Yongsan Station, a location frequented by service members. It will feature a goods zone, an event zone, a pre-reservation area for the new Love for Country Card, and a customization zone, all inspired by military supply stores. Visitors will receive commemorative gifts upon entry, along with limited-edition merchandise themed around military ranks. Each area will also host experiential programs in which service members can participate. An 'Our Unit Support Event' will allow soldiers to apply for their unit or a unit they wish to support, with gift packages awarded through a lottery. Additionally, the pop-up store will offer pre-reservations for a special design card featuring ITZY's Yuna, the model for the Shinhan Love for Country Card. Customers who pre-reserve will have priority issuance of the Yuna-themed Love for Country Card from September 1 to 3, ahead of its official launch. Among those who complete their pre-reservation, a limited number will have the opportunity to create commemorative items using military cap keychains and patches. A Shinhan Bank official stated, "We organized this event to express our gratitude and support for military personnel, allowing them to participate and enjoy. We aim to provide a unique experience through the Love for Country Card and various participation programs."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 10:24:00
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Colombia Earthquake Revives Memories of 1999 Disaster as Death Toll Exceeds 100 A magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck western Colombia has resulted in over 100 fatalities, reviving memories of a devastating earthquake from 27 years ago that killed nearly 1,200 people.According to reports from Reuters and other sources, the earthquake occurred on August 10 at 7:34 a.m. local time near San José del Palmar in Chocó province. As of now, at least 111 people have died and 87 have been injured. The Colombian Geological Survey has classified this earthquake as the strongest recorded in Colombia in the 21st century.The most significant casualties have been reported in Risaralda, a key coffee-producing region. In the capital city of Pereira, a four-story building collapsed, while in nearby Manizales, part of the neo-Gothic cathedral, a city landmark, also fell. Airports in Pereira, Manizales, and Armenia temporarily halted operations for safety inspections.Risaralda, Quindio, Caldas, and Valle del Cauca are prominent coffee-growing areas in Colombia. The UNESCO World Heritage site known as the 'Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia' spans these four provinces, including Pereira, Armenia, and Manizales.This region had previously suffered extensive damage from a major earthquake 27 years ago.According to historical records from the Colombian Geological Survey, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck the coffee region on January 25, 1999, at 1:19 p.m., with a depth of 21.6 kilometers. The quake devastated the city of Armenia in Quindio.The Geological Survey reported that 921 people died and 5,377 were injured in Armenia alone, with over 21,000 homes damaged or destroyed.The overall impact was even greater. Data from the World Bank in 1999 indicated that 1,185 people died, 8,000 were injured, and approximately 150,000 were left homeless. Subsequent World Bank reports varied in injury counts, estimating around 9,000, but consistently recorded 1,185 fatalities. The U.S. Geological Survey also confirmed at least 1,185 deaths from that earthquake.The recent earthquake differs from the 1999 quake in both epicenter and depth. The 1999 earthquake occurred at a relatively shallow depth of 21.6 kilometers within the coffee region, while the recent quake's epicenter is near San José del Palmar in Chocó. Therefore, there is currently no evidence to suggest that the two earthquakes are related or occurred along the same fault line. However, cities in the coffee region, including Pereira, Armenia, and Manizales, which experienced significant damage in 1999, have again faced strong tremors and structural damage.As of now, the specific impact of the earthquake on Colombia's coffee farms, production, and exports remains unclear. As rescue and damage assessments continue, further evaluations of the earthquake's effects on the coffee industry are necessary.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 10:24:00
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Gwangju Bank's S.O.S Project Achieves Tangible Results for Small Businesses Gwangju Bank announced on August 11 that its S.O.S (Save Our Small_business) Project, launched in collaboration with the Jeonnam Credit Guarantee Foundation, is yielding positive results for struggling small businesses.Local small businesses are reportedly recovering from management difficulties and experiencing actual sales growth.The S.O.S Project aims to identify small businesses in Jeonnam facing management crises due to high interest rates and economic downturns, providing them with tailored recovery support services, including financial assistance, management consulting, and debt restructuring.In March, Gwangju Bank signed an agreement with the Jeonnam Credit Guarantee Foundation to establish a two-track support system. This includes 'Management Improvement Support' for businesses showing signs of distress and 'Recovery Support Guarantees' for small businesses that have fallen behind on payments but demonstrate a willingness to recover and potential for revival.Through this initiative, the bank has committed to supplying 5 billion won in funding.As of the end of July, the S.O.S Project has provided guarantees for 69 cases, totaling 1.55 billion won. Of these, 41 cases were for Management Improvement Support, amounting to 1.096 billion won, while 28 cases were for Recovery Support Guarantees, totaling 455 million won.Notably, Gwangju Bank's Inclusive Finance Center conducts specialized financial consultations for businesses that struggle to access traditional financial institutions due to declining credit ratings, overdue payments, or multiple debts. They assess the businesses' willingness to recover and their potential for revival to connect them with necessary funding.For businesses eligible for debt reduction, the center guides them through the relevant procedures and collaborates with local governments to lower the average interest rate on support funds to around 2%, thereby alleviating financial burdens.The effectiveness of the management improvement efforts has also been confirmed. A review of 10 businesses that received guarantees more than two months ago found that all were still operating. Among them, eight businesses reported increased sales compared to before the guarantee was executed.The average sales increase for businesses under Management Improvement Support was 18.9%, while those under Recovery Support Guarantees saw an average increase of 17.3%.Jung Il-seon, President of Gwangju Bank, stated, “The S.O.S Project is a practical example of effective inclusive finance that goes beyond mere declarative cooperation to provide actual financial support and opportunities for small businesses to recover. We will continue to work closely with the Jeonnam Credit Guarantee Foundation to actively support the recovery and resurgence of local small businesses.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 10:24:00
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Police raid state authorities in Jeju Air crash probe SEOUL, August 11 (AJP) - South Korean police investigating the 2024 Jeju Air disaster raided the transport ministry and other aviation authorities Tuesday as part of a widening probe into possible negligence linked to the crash that killed 179 people. A special investigation team began executing search warrants at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Korea Airports Corp. and the Busan Regional Office of Aviation at around 9 a.m., according to police. Investigators said the searches were aimed at securing additional evidence related to suspected professional negligence resulting in death and injury. The latest raids come as police examine the roles of government agencies and airport authorities in the disaster, including the construction and oversight of a concrete embankment at Muan International Airport that the aircraft struck after overrunning the runway. The special investigation team previously raided the transport ministry in March and again in June. Korea Airports Corp., which operates Muan International Airport, has now been searched twice since the special investigation team was launched. Police are also investigating allegations that the transport ministry sought to downplay or conceal problems surrounding the concrete structure after initially maintaining that it did not violate regulations. Jeju Air Flight 7C2216, a Boeing 737-800 flying from Bangkok, crashed at Muan International Airport in southwestern South Korea on Dec. 29, 2024. The aircraft made an emergency belly landing without its landing gear deployed, overran the runway and slammed into a concrete embankment supporting a localizer, a navigation system that helps guide aircraft during landing. Of the 181 people aboard, 179 were killed. Two flight attendants seated near the rear of the aircraft survived. It was the deadliest aviation disaster on South Korean soil. A preliminary investigation found evidence of bird strikes in both engines. The aircraft's flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder stopped recording about four minutes before the crash, complicating efforts to reconstruct the final moments of the flight. Scrutiny has increasingly focused on the concrete embankment at the end of the runway and whether it unnecessarily increased the severity of the accident. In March, South Korea's Board of Audit and Inspection found that the 2.4-meter-high embankment had been built in part to reduce earthwork costs without adequate review of relevant safety requirements. International aviation standards generally require structures supporting equipment such as localizers in runway safety areas to be designed to break away upon impact. The official investigation has also faced criticism from victims' families over its pace and independence. South Korea subsequently moved the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board from under the transport ministry to the prime minister's office, with revised legislation taking effect on Feb. 28 to strengthen the body's independence. The investigation was effectively restarted this summer under a newly constituted accident investigation board, more than a year and a half after the disaster, as authorities continue to examine the bird strike, the aircraft and crew response, airport safety facilities and possible regulatory failures. 2026-08-11 10:22:13 -
U.S. Institutional Investors Buy Shares in Chinese Semiconductor Firms U.S. institutional investors are purchasing shares in Chinese semiconductor companies.According to China Fund News, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) managed by U.S. asset management firms are actively including Chinese semiconductor companies. CXMT (Changxin Memory Technologies), China's largest DRAM manufacturer, was officially added to the MSCI China Index on August 10. With this inclusion, the potential influx of passive funds tracking global indices has increased. Based on current market capitalization, CXMT is expected to become the second-largest stock in this index, following Tencent.VanEck, a major U.S. asset management firm, manages the $70 billion semiconductor ETF SMH. In June, VanEck launched the SMHC, which focuses on investing in Chinese semiconductor companies. The SMHC comprises 25 Chinese semiconductor firms. John Patrick Lee, VanEck's senior product manager, stated in a recent interview that "U.S. institutional investors are showing increasing interest in Chinese semiconductors," adding that "CXMT will be included in VanEck's ETF by September."The DISK ETF, which focuses on memory semiconductors, included CXMT on its first trading day, July 27, with a weighting of 10.56%, the highest among U.S.-listed ETFs for CXMT.KraneShares' KSTR is another U.S.-listed ETF investing in Chinese semiconductor companies. As of the end of July, companies like Cambrios, Hygon, and AMEC ranked among the top holdings. The fund's net assets amount to approximately $375 million.China Fund News noted that "U.S. institutional investors have a positive outlook on the Chinese semiconductor industry," and that "Chinese semiconductors are evolving from an industry reliant solely on government policy support to an investment asset attracting global institutional funds."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 10:20:00