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  • President Lee Calls for Full Mobilization Amid Extreme Heat and Drought
    President Lee Calls for Full Mobilization Amid Extreme Heat and Drought President Lee Jae-myung on August 6 directed the government and local authorities to mobilize all available personnel and resources in response to the ongoing extreme heat and drought affecting southern regions. He stated, "The heatwave we used to see in foreign reports has become our reality."During a meeting at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters in Seoul, President Lee remarked, "We are experiencing an unprecedented and severe heatwave that continues day after day." He noted that temperatures in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, have exceeded 40 degrees Celsius for several days.He emphasized the need for an emergency response system to remain active until the heatwave subsides, saying, "Given the likelihood of continued extreme heat, the government must be prepared to respond with urgency."President Lee highlighted that the most important task for the government is to protect the lives and safety of citizens. He urged all ministries and local governments to fully mobilize their available resources to minimize the impact of the heatwave.He specifically called for enhanced protective measures for vulnerable groups, such as the elderly living alone and residents of small rooms. "For those who cannot access cooling facilities, we must check on them directly and provide careful attention," he said.The president also stressed the importance of ensuring worker safety during the heatwave. He instructed officials to thoroughly inspect whether outdoor work stoppages and rest periods during the hottest hours are being properly implemented, urging authorities to ensure safety regulations are strictly followed.He called for proactive measures to prevent damage to agriculture, fisheries, and infrastructure, stating, "We must take all necessary precautions to protect livestock, aquaculture, and crops, and closely monitor the safety of roads, railways, and power supply."Regarding the worsening drought in southern regions, President Lee requested stable water supply measures. He noted, "With no rain forecasted for the time being, we must actively pursue alternative water supply and operation of pumping equipment to ensure there are no disruptions in water supply."He added that for areas without water supply, such as islands and mountainous regions, emergency water supply measures should be implemented alongside long-term water source development plans.President Lee reiterated the need to mobilize all administrative resources to minimize the damage caused by the heatwave and drought, urging agencies to respond with a sense of responsibility that citizens can feel. He also requested that the health and safety of on-site responders, including public officials, police, firefighters, and volunteers, be thoroughly managed.Attending the meeting were Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, Policy Chief Kim Yong-beom, and Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Ho-jung, along with other relevant ministers, while local governments and agencies such as the Korea Meteorological Administration, National Police Agency, and National Fire Agency participated via video conference.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-06 12:04:00
  • Koreas Fair Trade Commission Fines Seragem 430 Million Won for Unfair Practices
    Korea's Fair Trade Commission Fines Seragem 430 Million Won for Unfair Practices 안마의자 제조업체 세라젬이 하청업체의 기술자료를 정당한 대가 없이 가로채고 이를 중국 계열사에 넘기다가 공정당국에 덜미가 잡혔다. 공정거래위원회는 6일 수급사업자에 부당특약을 설정하고 기술을 유용한 세라젬에 과징금 4억3200만원을 부과한다고 밝혔다. 세라젬은 안마의자, 마사지 기기 등을 판매하는 업체다. 공정위 조사에 따르면 세라젬은 지난 2019년 8월부터 2024년 1월까지 수급사업자들에게 안마의자 부품 및 금형 제작을 위탁하면서, 이들이 작성한 금형도면 등 기술자료의 소유권을 자신에게 일방적으로 귀속시키는 특약을 설정했다. 이는 수급사업자의 권리를 부당하게 제한하는 부당특약이라는 것이 공정위의 판단이다. 또한 세라젬은 중국 현지 법인 현지 개발을 돕는다는 명목으로 수급사업자들에게 금형도면 33건을 요구해 받아낸 뒤, 이 중 7건을 수급사업자들과 아무런 협의도 없이 중국법인에 무단으로 제공한 것으로 드러났다. 아울러 수급사업자에 모터 부품의 외형도 등을 요구하면서 관련 서면도 교부하지 않은 것으로 파악됐다. 공정위는 기술자료를 부당하게 제3자에게 제공해 하도급법에 위반된다고 봤다. 이에 공정위는 세라젬에 향후 재발방지명령, 중지명령 등 시정명령과 함께 과징금 4억3200만원을 부과했다. 공정위 관계자는 "하도급계약서를 통해 수급사업자의 기술자료에 대한 권리를 일방적으로 원사업자에게 귀속시키는 약정은 부당한 특약"이라며 "공정위는 앞으로도 공정경쟁 기반을 훼손시키는 부당특약 설정행위 등에 대해 엄정 대응하겠다"고 밝혔다. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-06 12:04:00
  • Kakao picks Coupang Eats as first AI agent partner
    Kakao picks Coupang Eats as first AI agent partner SEOUL, August 06 (AJP) - Kakao announced it has chosen Coupang Eats as the inaugural partner for its artificial-intelligence agent, allowing users to receive food recommendations and complete orders and payments without leaving a KakaoTalk chat window. The tie-up announced Thursday marks the first concrete step in the South Korean internet giant's push to turn its dominant messaging app, used by about 50 million people, into what it calls an "acting AI platform" that links everyday services such as commerce, reservations and travel. "As the first stage in expanding our agentic AI ecosystem, we are forging a partnership with Coupang Eats in the food-delivery vertical," Kakao CEO Chung Shin-a told an earnings conference call for the second quarter. Under the integration, Kakao's on-device AI model will read the context of a conversation and a user's accumulated preferences to suggest dishes, after which the customer can settle payment directly inside the chat room, the company said. Chung said the collaboration reaches beyond a simple ordering feature. "This is a first step toward forming a new habit in which AI connects a user's intent to real actions and transactions," she said, adding that the two firms were in detailed talks to bring the service to market soon. Kakao chose delivery as its opening front because the category is used frequently but demands little deliberation, making the value of a fast, convenient checkout especially clear, Chung said, calling it the field that best demonstrates an AI agent's usefulness. The company said it would broaden the ecosystem from Coupang Eats into other high-frequency verticals including commerce, reservations, travel and payments, and would ramp up marketing once users have firm reasons to return. AJP Takeaway: • What happened: Kakao said on August 6, 2026 that it has selected Coupang Eats as the first partner for its AI agent, enabling KakaoTalk users to receive food recommendations and complete orders and payments inside a chat window without switching to a separate app. CEO Chung Shin-a announced the tie-up on the company's second-quarter earnings conference call. • Why it matters: The partnership is the opening move in Kakao's plan to convert KakaoTalk — used by about 50 million people — into an "acting AI platform" that turns user intent into actual transactions, positioning the messenger as a commerce and payment channel rather than a passive chat service. • By the numbers: Kakao's on-device AI model draws on conversational context and each user's accumulated preferences to suggest menu items and route the order to checkout inside the chat room. The company chose food delivery first because it is high-frequency and low-deliberation, where a fast, convenient checkout carries the clearest value. • The bigger picture: Kakao said it will extend the AI agent ecosystem beyond Coupang Eats into commerce, reservations, travel and payments, and will scale up marketing once users have firm reasons to return. The rollout tests whether Kakao can monetize AI through transactions after a restructuring-driven earnings recovery that analysts have viewed as cost-led rather than growth-led. 2026-08-06 11:56:12
  • Busan Councilor Calls for Transparency in Nuclear Safety Information and Public Facility Management
    Busan Councilor Calls for Transparency in Nuclear Safety Information and Public Facility Management Busan Metropolitan Council member Jo Yong-woo (Democratic Party, proportional representative) has called for increased transparency in the disclosure of nuclear safety information and the management of public facilities operated by private entities. He argues that these issues are crucial for citizen safety and administrative trust, necessitating a comprehensive review of information disclosure and management systems by the Busan city government.In a statement on August 3, Jo pointed out that many citizens in Busan felt tremors from the recent earthquake in Kumamoto, Japan, yet the city and related agencies, including Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, failed to promptly provide information regarding the safety of the Gori Nuclear Power Plant.Busan is home to the largest concentration of nuclear power plants in South Korea. In the event of an earthquake, citizens are most concerned about the safety of these facilities, highlighting the need for simultaneous fact-checking and information dissemination during disaster responses.Jo stated, "While disaster alerts are frequently sent during heatwaves or heavy rainfall, there was no guidance from any agency when citizens experienced the earthquake and expressed concerns about nuclear safety. The explanation that messages were not sent to avoid causing public anxiety disregards the citizens' right to know." He emphasized the need for transparency in how safety was verified, in line with the intent of the 'Nuclear Safety Information Disclosure and Communication Act,' adding that overreacting in disaster responses can actually enhance public trust.The following day, on August 4, Jo raised concerns about the operation of the Busan Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recycling Center, which is set to end its private consignment period at the end of September. Trust in the management of public recycling facilities has been shaken due to ongoing investigations into allegations of embezzlement and fraud against the previous operator in the Saenggok area, as well as suspicions of false weighing and improper receipt of subsidies.Jo remarked, "Regardless of the legal proceedings, the Busan city government must assess whether it has fulfilled its management and oversight responsibilities in delegating public facility operations to private entities. It is essential to not only select a new operating agency but also to overhaul the entire system."To this end, Jo proposed six improvement measures to the Busan city government: 1) public disclosure of the selection process and evaluation criteria for consignment agencies, 2) institutionalization of regular accounting audits and operational evaluations, 3) expansion of information disclosure regarding the volume of collected waste electronics, processing results, operational costs, and subsidies, 4) strengthening asset management and handover procedures, 5) establishing criteria for contract termination and compensation in cases of misconduct, and 6) conducting internal administrative reviews of the existing operational process.Jo concluded, "The disclosure of nuclear safety information and the management of public facilities through private consignment are fundamental responsibilities of local government and directly related to public trust. The Busan City Council will thoroughly review the nuclear disaster response system and the selection of the consignment agency for the waste recycling center from the citizens' perspective."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-06 11:56:10
  • People Power Party Calls for Disciplinary Action Against Lawmakers Over Controversial Remarks
    People Power Party Calls for Disciplinary Action Against Lawmakers Over Controversial Remarks 국민의힘은 6일 서범수·진종오 의원의 '돌려차기 실언' 논란과 관련해 당 중앙윤리위원회의 엄중한 조치가 있어야 한다고 밝혔다. 최보윤 수석대변인은 이날 비공개 최고위원회 직후 기자들과 만나 "최고위에서 언행의 심각성에 대해 모두가 공감했고, 상응하는 윤리위의 엄중한 조치가 있어야 한다는 것으로 의견이 모아졌다"며 이같이 말했다. 최 수석대변인은 "탈당을 권유하는 최고위 의견을 모을지 아니면 바로 윤리위 절차를 개시할지 논의가 있었고, 탈당 권유보다는 윤리위 절차로 엄중한 조치가 있어야 된다는 것에 의견이 모아졌다"고 했다. 친한(친한동훈)계에서 윤용근 의원이 정몽규 전 축구협회장에게 '더 잘 배려해 드려야 하는데 송구하다'고 문자를 보낸 것과 비교해 공정성에 어긋난다는 지적이 나오자 "계파의 문제라고 보지 않는다"며 "특정 계파로 지칭되는 분들께서 계파의 문제로 끌고 가는 것은 이 문제를 가볍게 보는 건지 되묻지 않을 수 없다"고 지적했다. 아울러 "부적절한 발언과 신체적인 위협 행사가 있었던 사안하고 비교하는 것 자체가 적절치 않은 것 같다"고 선을 그었다. 이날 정점식 원내대표는 입장문을 통해 "최근 우리 당 소속 국회의원들이 끔찍한 범죄 사건을 희화화하는 발언이 있었다. 결코 해서는 안 될 부적절한 언행이었다"며 "국민의힘 국회의원들을 대표하는 원내대표로서 국민 여러분께 깊이 송구하다는 말씀드린다"고 밝혔다. 이어 "우리 당은 보완수사권 폐지법이라는 악법의 통과를 막지 못했다는 것만으로도 범죄 피해자분들과 국민들께 무겁고 죄송한 마음을 가져야 한다"며 "엄중한 사안을 다루는 자리에 가벼운 태도로 임한 것부터 매우 부적절하며, 우리 스스로 책임감 있게 의정활동을 하고 있는지 반성해야 할 일"이라고 강조했다. 정 원내대표는 "국민의힘은 피해자의 당부대로 보완수사권 폐지 철회를 위해 더욱 치열하게 투쟁해 나가겠다"며 "향후 이 같은 불미스러운 일이 재발하지 않도록 할 수 있는 모든 조치를 다 하겠다"고 덧붙였다. 앞서 서범수 의원은 한동훈 무소속 의원이 '부산 돌려차기 사건' 피해자를 초청해 주최한 토론회에 참석해 행사 시작 전 국가대표 사격선수 출신인 같은 당 진종오 의원에게 "돌려차기 한 번 하죠"라고 말했고, 진 의원은 "저는 발보다 손을 잘 쓴다"라고 답해 논란이 됐다. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-06 11:52:00
  • Ruling Party Criticizes Oh Se-hoons Housing Policy as Politically Motivated
    Ruling Party Criticizes Oh Se-hoon's Housing Policy as Politically Motivated The Democratic Party criticized Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on August 6, stating that he is using his housing supply policy solely for his political agenda. The party highlighted that while Oh claims to supply 90,000 housing units, this would result in the loss of over 220,000 existing homes, urging for alternative solutions.Democratic lawmakers from Seoul held a meeting with the Seoul City Council to evaluate Oh's housing supply policy. After the meeting, Representative Kim Young-bae told reporters, "Oh claims he will supply 90,000 units through redevelopment and reconstruction, but over 220,000 homes will be lost in the process. Where have the 130,000 homes gone?"He pointed out that this policy exacerbates the housing supply crisis for young people in their 20s and 30s, emphasizing that Oh is using housing supply measures solely for his political agenda. "There has been no real housing supply under Oh's policies," he added.Representative Kim Nam-kun noted that despite a lunch meeting with Presidential Policy Chief Kim Yong-beom on August 5, Oh showed no willingness to actively cooperate on housing supply issues.He remarked that Oh's lack of proactive engagement during the meeting with Kim indicated a disregard for the urgent need for diverse housing supply in Seoul, raising doubts about whether Oh would cooperate with the government's upcoming large-scale housing projects in the city.Meanwhile, the Democratic Party and the Seoul City Council decided on August 3 to monitor the impact of the government's proposed real estate tax reform on the rental market.Representative Oh Gi-hyung stated, "We will take a wait-and-see approach regarding the tax reform plan, expressing agreement with its goals of 'fair taxation' and 'tax rationalization' while closely observing its progress."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-06 11:52:00
  • Law Firm YK Signs MOU with Correctional Committee for Inmate Rehabilitation and Legal Support
    Law Firm YK Signs MOU with Correctional Committee for Inmate Rehabilitation and Legal Support Law Firm YK announced on August 6 that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Correctional Committee of the Ministry of Justice to support inmate rehabilitation and social reintegration. The firm plans to provide legal consultations and mentoring for inmates and their families as part of this agreement.The signing ceremony took place the previous day at YK's main office in Gangnam, Seoul, and was attended by YK's representative attorney, Kang Kyung-hoon, advisory committee member Kim Dong-hyun, partner attorney Kim Bo-kyung, attorney Jang Cheol-won, and Chief Privacy Officer Lee Sang-yeop. From the Correctional Committee, President Yoo Dong-geun, Senior Vice President Lim Young-chun, and Secretary General Seong Gang-min were present.Established in 1998, the Correctional Committee is an organization under the Ministry of Justice that represents over 4,700 correctional officers nationwide. It comprises various professionals, including religious leaders, counselors, psychotherapists, and social workers, and supports inmate rehabilitation, vocational training, psychological counseling, and reintegration programs.Through this MOU, both organizations agreed to establish a successful partnership framework that includes support for inmate rehabilitation and legal advice for correctional officers and their families. YK will provide legal consultations necessary for the operation and administration of the Correctional Committee. The firm will offer various benefits, including free legal consultations for correctional officers and their families, and legal assistance for any legal issues arising during correctional volunteer activities.Prior to this agreement, YK has been actively supporting correctional facilities through its internal volunteer group, the Hope Support Team. Led by advisory committee member Kim Dong-hyun, the team consists of 56 attorneys and members who participate in mentoring, legal consultations, and rehabilitation programs across four regional correctional offices and their affiliated prisons and detention centers in Seoul, Daegu, Daejeon, and Gwangju.The Hope Support Team will also implement specific support projects for inmates and correctional officers. Plans include assistance for children of inmates, providing maternity supplies for infants born in correctional facilities, free legal consultations for underprivileged inmates, and workshops on practical legal issues. Additionally, the team will offer free legal consultations and support for litigation costs in cases involving complaints against correctional officers, along with workshops to facilitate smooth correctional administration.Kang Kyung-hoon stated, "Correction is an important process that helps inmates return to society as healthy members. YK attorneys will actively participate in providing legal consultations and mentoring to support the legal challenges faced by inmates and their families."Founded in 2012, Law Firm YK is a large comprehensive law firm in South Korea, currently employing hundreds of attorneys and professionals. It offers tailored legal solutions across various fields, including criminal law, corporate law, divorce, civil law, and real estate.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-06 11:36:10
  • Misto Holdings Expands FILA Stores in Malaysia, Plans to Enter Thailand and Indonesia
    Misto Holdings Expands FILA Stores in Malaysia, Plans to Enter Thailand and Indonesia Misto Holdings' Malaysian subsidiary is accelerating its expansion in the Southeast Asian market by increasing the number of FILA stores in key commercial areas.On August 6, Misto Holdings announced that its Malaysian branch opened four new stores in major markets, including Kuala Lumpur and Penang, during the first half of this year. This brings the total number of FILA stores in Malaysia to 14.The new openings are part of a retail expansion strategy that considers regional consumer characteristics and market competitiveness. The company noted that Malaysia serves as a hub connecting major Southeast Asian countries and has a strong consumer base along with a shopping mall-centered distribution infrastructure.Notably, the Gurney Plaza shopping mall in Penang features Southeast Asia's first 'FILA 1911 Store.' The store includes a dedicated space showcasing FILA's history and sports heritage, in addition to lifestyle and performance product lines.Misto Holdings plans to expand the FILA 1911 Store concept to other key Southeast Asian markets, including Thailand and Indonesia. A company representative stated, "Malaysia is a key strategic base for expanding into the Southeast Asian market, and we will establish a differentiated retail environment that conveys our brand's history, values, and sports heritage."Additionally, Misto Holdings released its sustainability management report in June, outlining a '2030 Sustainability Management Roadmap' based on four core values: resilience, synergy, capability enhancement, and responsibility.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-06 11:36:00
  • Korean Minister: Coupang Data Breach Wont Undermine US-South Korea Alliance
    Korean Minister: Coupang Data Breach Won't Undermine US-South Korea Alliance Kim Jung-kwan, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, stated on August 6 that the recent data breach incident involving Coupang will not jeopardize the US-South Korea alliance. He emphasized that the alliance is not fragile enough to be shaken by such issues.Speaking at the Kwanhun Forum held at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, Minister Kim responded to perceptions that the South Korean government's actions towards Coupang could be seen as discrimination against American companies. He questioned, "If the South Korean government were discriminating against Coupang simply because it is an American company, could it have grown at such a rapid pace?"He highlighted that the core issue of the Coupang incident is the data breach, not the company's nationality. "The fact that personal information of 80% of South Korean adults was leaked and that this went unnoticed for months is the crux of the matter," he said. He added, "If 80% of American adults' information were leaked abroad without proper reporting or legal procedures, how would the United States respond? Most American politicians would agree with this perspective."Minister Kim noted a difference in perspectives between US lawmakers and trade officials regarding the Coupang incident. He remarked, "When I meet with American politicians, I get the impression that they react quite sensitively to the Coupang issue. In contrast, officials from the Department of Commerce and the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) have a much better understanding of the essence of the situation."He pointed out that some in the US political sphere mistakenly view Coupang as a distribution network that could reduce the US trade deficit with South Korea. "Many American politicians believe that agricultural and livestock products from the US are imported into Korea through Coupang," he said, adding that it surprises them to learn that Korean consumers perceive Coupang as importing cheaper products from China rather than the US.Minister Kim stated that the South Korean government is working to clarify misunderstandings and bridge the perception gap with the US through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Trade, and the South Korean Embassy in the US.Regarding the additional tariffs related to the US Section 301 investigation, he expressed that efforts are being made to keep the total tariff rate below 15%, and there is a consensus among the trade authorities of both countries. Recently, the US classified South Korea, along with Japan and Switzerland, as a preferred group in the investigation results concerning the prohibition of imports of products made with forced labor. South Korean products will be subject to a total tariff rate of 12.5% if the existing most-favored-nation (MFN) tariff rate is lower than that.However, if additional tariffs are imposed due to the investigation into overproduction, there is a possibility that the total could exceed the 15% agreed upon in last year's US-South Korea trade agreement. Minister Kim emphasized, "We will do our best to maintain the Section 301 tariffs, including measures related to overproduction, at the originally agreed level of 15%. The 15% itself is not the ultimate goal; rather, the aim is to secure a tariff level that is not disadvantageous compared to competing countries."As for the timing of the investigation results announcement, he mentioned, "During discussions with the US at the end of July, I was informed that there were about 3 to 4 weeks remaining. I understand it is expected to be announced in August, but there is also a possibility it could be delayed beyond that."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-06 11:36:00
  • Court Approves Seizure of $8.5 Million in Shares from Hanmi Science Vice Chairman Im Joo-hyun
    Court Approves Seizure of $8.5 Million in Shares from Hanmi Science Vice Chairman Im Joo-hyun Tensions are rising within the Hanmi Pharmaceutical Group's management structure. A court has approved a seizure of shares worth 10 billion won (approximately $8.5 million) held by Im Joo-hyun, vice chairman of Hanmi Science, in response to a claim of violation of a 'four-party agreement' raised by Shin Dong-guk, chairman of Hanyang Precision.According to legal sources on August 6, the court recently ruled in favor of the seizure of shares owned by Vice Chairman Im.Im, along with Chairman Shin, Song Young-sook, and Killington LLC (Radiphan Partners), had formed a four-party alliance agreeing to jointly exercise the voting rights of their respective shares.However, Im disposed of 2.7% of the 9.15% stake he had claimed during the formation of the four-party agreement through a repurchase agreement with EquityFirst Fund. Subsequently, as EquityFirst sold those shares on the market, Im was unable to exercise voting rights for that 2.7% during the regular shareholder meetings in 2025 and 2026.The court determined that the four-party alliance was based on mutual trust, and thus, the joint exercise of voting rights for the entire stake was a key element of the agreement. It concluded that Im's actions constituted a breach of trust warranting penalties.As a result of this decision, it has been confirmed that a majority of the 6.6% of Hanmi Science shares held by EquityFirst (2.7% from Im, 3.44% from Im Jong-hoon, and 0.46% from Song) have been sold on the market.Consequently, the effective voting rights held by Song, Im, and Killington are expected to decrease from approximately 41% to about 34.4%.Chairman Shin holds a 35% stake in Hanyang Precision. The future of the 2.7% stake held by Im Jong-hoo, among other cousins, is becoming increasingly significant in the ongoing management dispute.Shin stated, "I do not believe there has been a fundamental fracture in the four-party alliance. I hope to establish a management system centered on professional managers at Hanmi Science and Hanmi Pharmaceutical, along with compliance management." He added, "To implement this, I have refrained from attending company meetings and vacated my office at Hanmi since the regular shareholders' meeting this year."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-06 11:28:00