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  • Han Yuwon Announces Second Round of Public Institution Support for Technology Development Products
    Han Yuwon Announces Second Round of Public Institution Support for Technology Development Products The Korea Small Business and Startups Agency announced on the 11th that it will accept applications for the second round of the 'Public Institution Support Project for Technology Development Products' until the 24th.This initiative aims to assist technology-driven small and medium enterprises, including startups, in establishing a foundation for entering public procurement and private markets by providing support for field verification costs.Eligible applicants include small and medium enterprises that possess certification for 12 technology development products and cooperative products.Notably, the second round will grant an additional 2 points to startups with less than seven years of experience in entering the public market. This measure is designed to support the entry of early-stage startups into public markets and help establish a stable growth foundation.Applications can be submitted through the public procurement comprehensive information network application page.Lee Tae-sik, CEO of Han Yuwon, stated, "We will ensure that the demonstration support project provides substantial assistance to various small and medium enterprises, including startups."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 09:16:00
  • Massive blaze hits hazardous chemical warehouse in Pyeongtaek, no casualities
    Massive blaze hits hazardous chemical warehouse in Pyeongtaek, no casualities SEOUL, August 11 (AJP) - No casualties were reported after a massive fire tore through a hazardous-chemical warehouse in Pyeongtaek early Tuesday, with firefighters bringing the main blaze under control in about five hours while the extent of property and chemical damage remained unclear. The fire broke out at 12:03 a.m. at PJK's Pyeongtaek No. 1 Center in Cheongbuk-eup, Pyeongtaek, about 70 kilometers south of Seoul, according to the Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters. The warehouse where the fire started contained about 1.91 million liters of chemicals, including around 100 types of Class 4 hazardous materials — a category covering highly flammable liquids such as petroleum products, alcohols and other combustible chemicals. Fire authorities said no casualties had been confirmed as of Tuesday morning. The blaze prompted one of the country's highest levels of emergency firefighting mobilization because of concerns that flames could spread through the chemical storage complex. Authorities raised their response to Level 1 at 1:32 a.m. and Level 2 at 2:40 a.m. before issuing a national fire mobilization order at 3:39 a.m. Fire engines, water tankers and chemical-response vehicles were dispatched from neighboring Chungcheong provinces, Sejong and Daejeon. A total of 95 vehicles and 238 personnel were deployed to the scene. The main fire was brought under control at around 5:16 a.m., prompting authorities to lower the emergency response from Level 2 to Level 1. The national mobilization order remained in place as firefighters guarded against the possibility of the blaze flaring up again. The warehouse directly affected by the fire has a floor area of about 937 square meters. It forms part of a much larger specialized logistics complex operated by PJK. According to company information, the Pyeongtaek No. 1 Center occupies a 26,793-square-meter site with total floor space of about 9,214 square meters. It consists of six warehouse buildings and one management building. The warehouses are equipped for frozen, refrigerated, temperature-controlled and humidity-controlled storage of hazardous materials and regulated chemicals. PJK specializes in the storage and transportation of dangerous goods, hazardous chemicals and materials used in the rechargeable-battery industry. Company materials show that its logistics business has handled products ranging from finished electric-vehicle and energy-storage-system batteries to cathode and precursor materials, lithium hydroxide, lithium carbonate and nickel sulfate. In a company post describing its nickel sulfate logistics operation, PJK said the material is used in applications including battery cathode production and that it provides both storage and transportation services for it. PJK has also described the Pyeongtaek operation as a top-tier facility under Korea's Chemical Accident Prevention Management Plan. In a May 2025 company posting, it said the facility had permits covering 359 chemical substances. The company also obtained authorization from Pyeongtaek Customs in 2025 to operate a bonded area of about 2,678 square meters, allowing hazardous materials and chemicals to be stored as part of import and export logistics. That combination has made the site an important specialized warehouse for chemicals and battery-related cargo rather than a conventional distribution center. Fire authorities, however, had not confirmed whether rechargeable batteries, battery materials or specific substances such as nickel sulfate were actually stored inside the warehouse that caught fire Tuesday. PJK's ability to handle those products does not establish that they were involved in the blaze. Pyeongtaek city sent emergency alerts urging nearby residents to keep windows closed and avoid going outdoors because of the fire and smoke, while motorists were advised to stay away from the area. Interior and Safety Minister Yun Ho-jung ordered fire, police and local authorities to mobilize available personnel and equipment, protect firefighters working at the scene and prevent secondary damage to nearby residents and businesses. Authorities were continuing firefighting and safety operations Tuesday morning. The precise cause of the fire, the amount of chemicals destroyed or damaged and the resulting property losses will be investigated after the blaze is fully extinguished. 2026-08-11 09:14:14
  • 12% of Wage Workers Earn Below Minimum Wage, Many Are Women and Non-Regular Workers
    12% of Wage Workers Earn Below Minimum Wage, Many Are Women and Non-Regular Workers A recent report reveals that 12% of wage workers in South Korea earn less than the minimum wage. The data indicates a higher prevalence among temporary workers, with a significant proportion being women.According to the Minimum Wage Commission's '2026 Minimum Wage Review Manual' released on August 11, the number of workers earning below the minimum wage last year was 2.769 million, accounting for 12.4% of the total wage workforce of 22.413 million.Over the past decade, the percentage of workers earning below the minimum wage rose until 2019, then began to decline, fluctuating since 2021.The number of workers earning below the minimum wage by year includes 3.215 million (15.3%) in 2021, 2.756 million (12.7%) in 2022, 3.011 million (13.7%) in 2023, 2.761 million (12.5%) in 2024, and 2.769 million (12.4%) in 2025.The proportion of workers earning below the minimum wage was higher in smaller businesses and among unstable employment types. Last year, 30.3% of workers in microbusinesses with 1 to 4 employees earned below the minimum wage, while 17.6% of those in businesses with 5 to 9 employees also fell below this threshold.In contrast, only 1.8% of workers in businesses with over 300 employees earned less than the minimum wage. Among employment types, temporary workers (38.5%) and daily workers (32.0%) had higher rates of earning below the minimum wage, while regular workers stood at 3.6%.Gender disparities were also evident, with 9.0% of men and 16.2% of women earning below the minimum wage.Age and education level disparities were pronounced as well. Nearly half (49.5%) of workers under 19 earned below the minimum wage, and 31.9% of those aged 60 and older also received less than the minimum wage.In terms of education, those with a high school diploma or less (22.5%) had a significantly higher rate of earning below the minimum wage compared to those with an associate degree (5.8%) or a bachelor's degree (4.3%).* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 09:12:10
  • KOTRA and Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources Collaborate to Secure Key Minerals
    KOTRA and Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources Collaborate to Secure Key Minerals 한무역투자진흥공사(코트라)는 한국지질자원연구원(지자연)과 핵심광물 확보 및 공급선 다변화 협력에 나섰다고 11일 밝혔다. 양 측은 지난 10일 서울 코트라 본사에서 '핵심광물 분야 협력 강화를 위한 업무협약'을 체결했다.코트라가 운영 중인 해외 조직망 네트워크와 지자연의 자원개발 전문성을 결합해 해외에서의 핵심광물 확보 효과를 높이고, 국가 공급망 안보 확보에 기여한다는 방침이다. 협력 분야는 △핵심광물의 생산·수출·투자 및 해외 공급망 동향 정보 공유 △해외 자원개발 프로젝트 및 투자 정보 공유 △세미나·포럼·공동연구 △해외 정부·기관·기업과 ODA 등 협력 공동 추진 △기업의 공급망 애로 발굴 및 지원 협력이다. 이번 협약은 핵심광물 공급망 안정화를 위해서는 해외발 위기에 네트워크와 전문성을 결합해 대응하는 것이 필요하다는 양 기관 합의에 따라 추진됐다. 양 측은 협약 이행으로 공급망 위기 조기 대응 역량을 키우고, 해외 핵심광물 확보와 공급망 다변화를 위한 실질적 협력 사업 발굴도 계속해 나가기로 했다.강경성 코트라 사장은 "기술 패권 시대, 지정학적 불안과 자국 중심주의 확산으로 핵심광물 확보 중요성이 갈수록 커지고 있다"며 "한국지질자원연구원의 전문성과 코트라 해외 조직망을 결합해 핵심광물 확보 및 공급선 다변화에 최선을 다하겠다"고 말했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 09:12:00
  • Gwangju Mayor Welcomes President Yoons Directive on Military Airport Site Utilization
    Gwangju Mayor Welcomes President Yoon's Directive on Military Airport Site Utilization Gwangju Mayor Min Hyung-bae expressed his support on August 10 for President Yoon Suk Yeol's directive to temporarily utilize the Gwangju military airport by 2028.During the second joint inspection meeting for the mega project, Mayor Min stated, "A specific timeline for the early utilization of the Gwangju military airport site was presented today," adding, "The city of Gwangju welcomes this initiative along with its 3.2 million special citizens." He further noted, "The President urged that even before the temporary deployment, efforts should be made to commence construction of an industrial complex on nearby land," explaining, "It has become clear that we can expedite the use of the site in line with the urgent schedule for semiconductor investments, even before the entire process of relocating the military airport is completed." Mayor Min emphasized, "As the President highlighted, now is the time for a rapid offensive rather than just speed. The next year is a golden time, and the city of Gwangju will concentrate all its efforts." He also stated, "We will closely cooperate with the government, businesses, and relevant agencies to expedite the establishment of the industrial complex and the permitting process. We will ensure that the power and water supply infrastructure, which is crucial for the success of the semiconductor cluster, is in place without any disruptions." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 09:08:00
  • Colombia Earthquake Kills 111 Despite Depth of 100 km
    Colombia Earthquake Kills 111 Despite Depth of 100 km A magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck western Colombia has resulted in over 100 fatalities, raising questions about the significant damage caused despite the quake originating from a depth exceeding 100 kilometers.According to reports from the Associated Press and Reuters, the earthquake occurred at 7:34 a.m. local time on August 10 near San José del Palmar in Chocó province. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported the epicenter was at a depth of 107 kilometers, marking it as the strongest earthquake recorded in Colombia in the 21st century.At least 111 people have died, and 87 others have been injured. The Colombian government reported that approximately 1,600 buildings were damaged, with at least 61 completely collapsed. Areas such as Pereira, Cali, Chocó, and Manizales experienced significant destruction.Typically, earthquakes that occur at greater depths result in weaker surface shaking. The USGS explains that for earthquakes of the same magnitude, the shaking diminishes with distance from the epicenter, indicating that a quake at a depth of 500 kilometers would produce much less surface shaking than one at 20 kilometers.The depth of this earthquake, between 103 and 107 kilometers, is classified as a 'mid-depth earthquake' in seismology. The USGS categorizes earthquakes based on depth: shallow (0-70 km), mid-depth (70-300 km), and deep (300-700 km). Thus, this earthquake was considerably deeper than shallow earthquakes.Despite its depth, the earthquake's magnitude of 7.4 is cited as a primary reason for the extensive shaking experienced. Earthquake magnitude is measured on a logarithmic scale, and according to the USGS, an increase of 1 in magnitude results in a tenfold increase in the amplitude of seismic waves and approximately 32 times more energy released. This indicates that even with reduced surface shaking due to depth, the energy released by the earthquake was substantial.Susan Vanderleest, a seismologist at Northwestern University, noted that while the earthquake occurred at a significant depth, the large magnitude resulted in strong shaking. She suggested that the quake's size, its inland location, and the strike-slip fault movement may have contributed to the damage in densely populated valley areas.The impact of an earthquake is not determined solely by depth or magnitude. The USGS states that the intensity of shaking felt in a specific area can vary based on several factors, including the distance from the fault rupture, the direction of the rupture, and the geological conditions of the surface. This means that even the same earthquake can result in different levels of shaking and damage in different locations.Meanwhile, the Colombian Geological Survey reported that 21 aftershocks were recorded by late on August 10, with the possibility of additional aftershocks occurring.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 09:04:10
  • Ecovacs Enhances Data Security System, Empowering User Control
    Ecovacs Enhances Data Security System, Empowering User Control Ecovacs Robotics has officially announced its "2026 Data Security Innovation Plan," aimed at enhancing user control over data and improving customer service capabilities.According to Ecovacs on the 10th, the new security initiative significantly expands privacy protection features, allowing users to verify and control their data directly. The plan strengthens local network-based data communication, increasing the proportion of data processed within homes while minimizing cloud transmission.The safety of data throughout the process is also enhanced through encryption of communications and stored data between devices and the cloud, as well as improvements to the over-the-air (OTA) security update system.The "Ecovacs Product Security Center" will also officially open. The company has completed the establishment of a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) system and the implementation of a Security Development Lifecycle (SDL) process.Ecovacs, which holds global certifications such as ISO 27001 and ISO 27701, plans to actively respond to the latest regulations, including the European Union's Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) and the AI Act.The convenience of purchasing and after-sales service will also be significantly enhanced. The company will support delivery and professional installation of key direct delivery products through Naver's "Hope Delivery" and Coupang's "Rocket Installation." For after-sales service, it will operate an integrated care service called "CareBot," providing diversified customer service channels, including on-site visits, in-store support, and GS25 convenience store delivery.An Ecovacs representative stated, "In the smart home era, data security capabilities are a core brand competitiveness. We will continue to strengthen security technologies and customer care services in line with global standards to provide a trustworthy and satisfying brand experience."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 09:04:10
  • Kim Min-seok Leads Democratic Party Leadership Poll with 46.8%
    Kim Min-seok Leads Democratic Party Leadership Poll with 46.8% A recent preference survey conducted ahead of the Democratic Party's leadership convention shows candidate Kim Min-seok leading Jeong Cheong-rae by a significant margin. Notably, Kim is also ahead in the party's traditional stronghold of Honam by 29.5 percentage points.According to a Realmeter poll conducted from August 9 to 10 among 2,003 adults aged 18 and older who support the Democratic Party or are undecided, Kim received 46.8% support, placing him in first place. Jeong followed with 35.2%, while Song Young-gil garnered 6.5%.In the upcoming regional primaries in Honam and Seoul this weekend, Kim is expected to maintain his lead over Jeong.In Honam, Kim achieved the highest support rate at 57.7%, significantly outpacing Jeong, who received 28.2%. In Seoul, Kim secured 39.9%, leading Jeong by 5.4 percentage points, who recorded 34.5%. Song trailed with 6.8% in Honam and 5.1% in Seoul.Specifically, in the metropolitan areas of Gyeonggi and Incheon, Kim received 45.5% support, while Jeong garnered 40.3%. In Seoul, Kim's support was 39.9% compared to Jeong's 34.5%.This survey was conducted using a 100% automated response method, with a margin of error of ±2.2 percentage points at a 95% confidence level, and a response rate of 3.7%. For more details, please refer to the Central Election Survey Deliberation Commission's website.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 09:04:10
  • LG Uplus Unveils Integrated Security Portfolio at ISEC 2026
    LG Uplus Unveils Integrated Security Portfolio at ISEC 2026 LG Uplus is enhancing its competitive edge in the security business by introducing an integrated security portfolio for corporate clients. The company announced on August 11 that it will participate in the 'ISEC 2026,' a leading information security conference in South Korea. 'ISEC 2026' marks its 20th anniversary this year and is the largest security conference in the country, taking place at COEX in Seoul until August 12, with the theme 'The Future of Autonomous Security Realized by AI.' Last year's theme was 'AI and Security.' At the event, LG Uplus will showcase several key offerings, including: △ AlphaKey, an integrated account management service (IDaaS, Identity as a Service) △ U+SASE, a cloud-based network and security integration platform △ A cloud security pack aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises. The exhibition will focus on providing corporate clients with a comprehensive environment for major security services through a single provider. AlphaKey, launched by LG Uplus in 2025, is a cloud-based integrated account management service that allows corporate employees to securely access various work systems and cloud services with a single account. It enhances security and convenience through features like single sign-on (SSO), multi-factor authentication (MFA), and homomorphic encryption technology. LG Uplus plans to expand its presence in the public sector based on AlphaKey, which is the first IDaaS service in South Korea to obtain CSAP certification. The company will also showcase the U+SASE platform, which is set to launch soon. U+SASE enables businesses to manage their networks and security across various workspaces, including headquarters, branch offices, and remote work environments, all from a single platform. Additionally, LG Uplus will present a 'Cloud Security Pack' for small and medium-sized enterprises. This pack integrates essential security functions needed for business operations, including AI-based ransomware detection and prevention, email security, data backup, and information leakage prevention. Choi Jong-bo, head of LG Uplus's security business, stated, 'LG Uplus will expand differentiated services that combine telecommunications and security based on AlphaKey, U+SASE, and the Cloud Security Pack, supporting our clients to operate their businesses with peace of mind.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 09:04:00
  • Samsung Electronics Plans Major Shareholder Return Policy
    Samsung Electronics Plans Major Shareholder Return Policy Claims are circulating online that Samsung Electronics is set to announce a large-scale shareholder return policy.On August 11, a post titled 'Shareholder Return Rumor from Samsung Electronics Finance Team' appeared on the anonymous workplace community 'Blind.'The author, identified as 'A,' who claims to be affiliated with Hyundai Motor's finance department, stated, 'I will share a story from a drinking session with former colleagues who work in Samsung's finance team last weekend.'According to the post, Samsung Electronics is expected to announce its shareholder return policy in August. The author claimed that the scale would be 'unprecedented,' suggesting it could reach approximately 100 trillion won this year.A also noted that the policy would focus on dividends, stating, 'The chairman is very concerned about public opinion, and the friendly image is part of a planned image-making strategy. There is significant stress from the collapse of the no-union Samsung, and they do not want to be swayed by labor unions.'Furthermore, A mentioned that Hynix is expected to announce its shareholder return policy on August 21 or 28, with a scale of 100 trillion won from this year to next, including 6 trillion in dividends, 3 trillion in treasury stock cancellation, and 1 trillion in treasury stock buybacks (performance bonuses).A stated, 'The purpose of Hynix's shareholder return is twofold: first, to secure cash for the chairman's divorce settlement, and second, as an incentive for Solidigm's IPO.' They added, 'The IPO was intended to occur when the stock price was favorable, but the price has dropped, leading to negative public sentiment. The chairman's call for stock purchases and holding shares has also come sooner than planned. There is a desire to receive more spotlight than Samsung Electronics.'Finally, A concluded, 'Commonly, the Honam semiconductor cluster will not be pursued. It will be dragged out until the government loses its strength. They are considering ways to minimize performance bonuses.'However, the '100 trillion won shareholder return' mentioned in the post is not an official figure released by these companies. Therefore, it remains uncertain whether the claimed '100 trillion won' will actually be announced. Notably, the post itself specifies that the scale is 'undetermined,' leading to heightened interest in the future scale and method of shareholder returns.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 08:56:00