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  • HMM Finalizes Lease for Temporary Office in Busan, Relocation Set for October
    HMM Finalizes Lease for Temporary Office in Busan, Relocation Set for October HMM is accelerating its relocation efforts to Busan by finalizing a lease for a temporary office. The transfer of headquarters functions, including the CEO's office, is expected to begin in October. However, the specific teams and personnel moving to Busan have yet to be determined, presenting challenges ahead.According to industry sources on August 5, HMM signed a lease agreement on July 31 for four floors of the DB Insurance building in Bujeon-dong, Busanjin-gu.Earlier, HMM approved the relocation of its headquarters to Busan during its regular shareholders' meeting in April and completed the registration of the new headquarters address on June 20. With this lease agreement, HMM has secured the physical foundation for its move to Busan, allowing the relocation process to gain momentum.The building HMM has chosen is a newly constructed DB Insurance office that was completed on August 2. It has a total floor area of 44,769.84 square meters, spanning from eight underground levels to 24 above ground. Located in the bustling Seomyeon area, it is directly connected to the Seomyeon subway station, enhancing accessibility.As part of this agreement, the CEO's office and other Seoul-based teams will gradually relocate to Busan starting in October. However, the specific teams and personnel moving from Seoul to Busan have not yet been finalized. Given that discussions regarding government support and labor negotiations are still ongoing, the relocation is likely to occur in phases.Industry analysts believe the scale of the move will not be substantial. Currently, HMM occupies nine floors in the Park One Tower in Yeouido, Seoul, housing about 1,000 employees. In contrast, the temporary office in Busan consists of only four floors. Considering that around 100 employees from HMM's sales and operations team in Busan will also be moving in, the capacity will be limited.Meanwhile, the securing of the temporary office is expected to accelerate HMM's relocation efforts to Busan. As the transfer of the CEO's office begins in October, discussions regarding the scale of employee relocations and support measures are anticipated to intensify.One industry insider noted, "Negotiations between labor and management are ongoing, but it is currently difficult to reach a concrete conclusion as the number of relocating personnel and government support measures have not been determined. Once the government support plan is established, discussions about the relocation will likely gain further momentum." 2026-08-05 16:28:00
  • Seoul aims to make public education free from age 3 to university
    Seoul aims to make public education free from age 3 to university SEOUL, August 05 (AJP) -South Korea will extend free preschool to all three-year-olds from next year and may introduce full scholarships for students at regional national universities, widening state-funded education from early childhood to higher education. The measures form part of the Education Ministry's policy roadmap for the second half of 2026, reported to President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday, as the government seeks to build what it calls a "basic education society" while narrowing regional disparities and investing in future talent. Beginning next year, children aged three will become eligible for free childcare and preschool education, expanding the current program that covers four- and five-year-olds. The government plans to complete universal free early childhood education for all children aged three to five by 2027. The ministry aims to raise the share of children using public childcare services to 55 percent by 2030 from 45.8 percent in 2025. It also plans to improve teacher-to-child ratios beyond infant classes to include two-year-olds by 2028 and expand support for children with disabilities and those from migrant families. The government will continue its nationwide after-school care initiative for elementary students. A 500,000 won ($360) annual voucher for after-school programs, introduced this year for third graders, will be expanded to fourth graders from next year. The government aims to ease the concentration of young people in the Seoul metropolitan area by expanding financial support for students studying outside the capital. A new "regional balance scholarship" will broaden existing aid beyond regional national universities to include high-achieving students attending regional private universities. Separately, the Education Ministry is considering providing full scholarships to students entering the country's 30 regional national universities as early as next year. The ministry estimates the additional annual cost at around 200 billion won ($144 million), arguing that the relatively modest budget reflects the fact that many students already receive substantial government scholarships. The scale and timing of the expanded scholarship program will be finalized later this month as the government completes next year's budget. To better align universities with local industries, the ministry also plans to introduce a regional enrollment quota system and a fast-track talent program that would allow universities to respond more quickly to corporate demand for skilled workers. Vocational high schools specializing in professional qualifications will also be introduced, enabling students to earn advanced national technical certifications before graduation. Korea's education roadmap also placed artificial intelligence at the center of public education. All 20 science high schools and eight gifted schools will establish advanced AI research programs to identify and nurture talented students at an earlier stage, while giving them access to university researchers and facilities. Universities will also expand AI education for students outside computer science by broadening pilot programs that currently operate at 20 institutions. To lower costs, the government plans to support joint AI subscription services across universities, allowing students to use commercial AI tools without additional financial burden. The ministry also aims to introduce an AI-assisted assessment system by 2029 as schools increasingly adopt essay-based and written evaluations. At the same time, it plans to strengthen the fairness of school assessments through improved monitoring and a new national certification system for assessment specialists. A dedicated center overseeing school examinations and the national College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) is also under consideration. Beyond domestic reforms, the government plans to broaden the global reach of Korean education. It aims to expand Korean-language programs overseas to 70 countries by 2030 and increase annual applicants for the Korean-language proficiency test to one million through an AI-based overhaul of the examination system. The ministry also said it would redirect more education funding across the entire learning cycle—from early childhood to higher and lifelong education—as part of a broader overhaul of local education financing. The proposal would require provincial education offices to disclose spending performance on key national policy initiatives while reducing earmarked funding for elementary and secondary schools. Education offices could also face financial penalties of up to 10 billion won ($7.2 million) for cash welfare programs deemed inconsistent with national education priorities. The package reflects the Lee administration's broader effort to treat education as a lifelong public investment—extending state support from preschool through university while using schools to address demographic decline, regional imbalances and the growing demand for AI-skilled workers. AJP takeaways South Korea will extend free preschool education to all three-year-olds from 2027, expanding state-funded early childhood education from the current coverage of four- and five-year-olds. The government is considering full scholarships for students at the country's 30 regional national universities from next year to encourage young people to study outside the Seoul metropolitan area. The Education Ministry's roadmap aims to expand public investment across the entire education cycle—from preschool through university—as part of President Lee Jae Myung's "basic education society" agenda. The plan also includes wider AI education in schools and universities, earlier AI talent development, and greater use of AI in teaching and student assessment. The education overhaul is intended to address South Korea's low birth rate, regional population decline, workforce shortages and long-term economic competitiveness. 2026-08-05 16:26:38
  • KOSPI Recovers Above 6500, KOSDAQ Rises for Fourth Consecutive Day
    KOSPI Recovers Above 6500, KOSDAQ Rises for Fourth Consecutive Day The KOSPI index recovered above 6500 on August 5, closing with a gain of over 3%. Meanwhile, the KOSDAQ approached the 800 mark amid expectations of improved supply and demand following stricter regulations on single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs).According to the Korea Exchange, the KOSPI closed at 6598.26, up 239.30 points (3.76%) from the previous trading day. A program buying halt was triggered around 9:24 a.m.Foreign investors net bought 1.4464 trillion won in the securities market, while individuals and institutions sold 1.1853 trillion won and 280.2 billion won, respectively.Major stocks in the KOSPI market all closed higher, including Samsung Electro-Mechanics (up 14.26%), Samsung C&T (7.29%), SK Hynix (5.52%), SK Square (5.47%), Samsung Life (4.32%), Hyundai Motor (3.18%), Samsung Electronics (2.71%), LG Energy Solution (1.67%), KB Financial (1.36%), and Samsung Biologics (0.88%).Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, noted, "The KOSPI, which has a high proportion of semiconductors, showed a stronger upward trend than the KOSDAQ, prompting the buying halt. The net buying by foreign investors led to a broad-based buying trend, particularly in sectors related to artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure."Meanwhile, the KOSDAQ index closed at 799.59, up 18.87 points (2.42%) from the previous day. The index started at 794.93, up 1.82% from the last close, and expanded its gains.In the KOSDAQ market, individuals net bought 395 billion won, while foreign investors and institutions sold 298 billion won and 110.8 billion won, respectively.Most of the top stocks in the KOSDAQ showed strong performance, including Simtek (up 14.21%), Juseong Engineering (5.07%), Alteogen (3.56%), Rino Technology (3.26%), Rainbow Robotics (3.00%), HLB (1.89%), Wonik IPS (1.24%), EcoPro (0.24%), and ABL Bio (0.12%). However, EcoPro BM saw a slight decline of 0.98%.The researcher added, "The KOSDAQ saw an influx of buying as the decline in forward price-to-earnings ratio eased valuation pressures, coupled with falling government bond yields and renewed interest in KOSDAQ listing issues."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 16:24:00
  • Exclusive: Why a midsized Busan shipper is taking on Koreas first Arctic voyage
    Exclusive: Why a midsized Busan shipper is taking on Korea's first Arctic voyage SEOUL, August 05 (AJP) - A midsized carrier from Busan is venturing through Russian Arctic waters in what would be South Korea's maiden container voyage along the Northern Sea Route after bigger shipping lines bowed out over sanctions risks and resistance from environmentally conscious global cargo owners. PanStar Group is keeping to its target of departing Busan for Rotterdam around Aug. 22, a source at the shipping and logistics group told AJP. "There has been no change to our Aug. 22 departure target so far," the source said. The confirmation provides greater clarity over the schedule after the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said earlier this week that it was considering a departure in either August or September but had not finalized a departure date. PanStar is preparing to deploy the 2,758-TEU HMM Mombasa, which it purchased from South Korea's largest container carrier, HMM. The vessel will be renamed PanStar Acro. Although the purchase agreement has been completed, the ship has yet to be physically delivered because HMM must first unload cargo from its final commercial voyage, the source said. Once handed over, the vessel will enter a shipyard for its name change and modifications required for Arctic navigation. The work is expected to continue until shortly before departure. The round trip between Busan and Rotterdam is expected to take about 40 to 45 days, with the return voyage calling at Hamburg and Gdansk, Poland. A project larger carriers would not take PanStar was the only company to apply for the government-backed trial despite Seoul's ambition to use the voyage as the first step toward a regular express shipping route between Northeast Asia and Europe. The Korea Ocean Business Corp. and the Korea Shipowners' Association opened applications on April 27 and accepted bids through May 11. PanStar Line Dot Com, the sole applicant, was selected as the preliminary operator on May 15 after an evaluation committee review. The source said PanStar had never intended to lead the project and believed it would ordinarily have been the domain of one of South Korea's major container carriers. "We did not raise our hand because this was something we particularly wanted to do," the source said. "Considering the scale of the project, it would have made more sense for a larger shipping company to undertake it." Instead, those carriers stayed away because of the commercial and geopolitical risks. Most of the Northern Sea Route runs through waters administered by Russia. Ships may require Russian permits, navigation information, weather services and icebreaker assistance, raising concerns that related payments could conflict with Western sanctions. Major carriers also face greater exposure because their vessels regularly call at U.S. ports and many of their largest customers are multinational companies with strict sanctions compliance requirements, the source said. Environmental opposition has added another hurdle. Nike and Ocean Conservancy launched the Arctic Corporate Shipping Pledge in 2019, under which consumer brands agree not to intentionally transport products through Arctic shipping routes. Signatories include H&M Group, Gap, Kering, Ralph Lauren, Puma and Inditex, while logistics companies such as DHL have also joined. Several major container lines, including CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd and MSC, have adopted similar commitments. MSC most recently reaffirmed in September 2025 that it would avoid the Northern Sea Route, citing potential harm to the Arctic's fragile ecosystem, melting ice caps and remote communities. "Given sanctions, international regulations and other constraints, it is difficult for major shipping lines to participate," the source said. "In the end, no carrier was willing to take it on." The Korea Shipowners' Association subsequently approached PanStar. According to the source, the association viewed the company as a practical candidate because it primarily serves Korea, China and Japan rather than the United States, has experience opening new maritime services and is headquartered in Busan, where the voyage will begin and end. PanStar ultimately agreed after internal discussions. "Our chairman decided that someone had to do it for the country," the source said. "Since nobody else was willing, we agreed to take it on even though it would be difficult." Support comes only after completion Although the project is backed by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Korea Ocean Business Corp. and the Korea Shipowners' Association, it receives no direct government budget. Instead, the Korea Shipowners' Association will provide up to 4 billion won ($2.8 million) from an industry fund. The money is also largely paid only after the voyage is completed rather than covering preparation costs in advance. Under the arrangement, 3 billion won is tied to the successful completion of the voyage, while another 1 billion won will be paid if the round-trip carries at least 2,000 TEUs. "There is no money directly provided by the government," the source said. "The support is settled afterward if we complete the Arctic voyage safely, and even the maximum amount is only 4 billion won." PanStar said it had secured or was discussing shipments of automobile parts, synthetic resins, used vehicles, food, liquid cargo, cosmetics and steel products. The company also said inquiries and bookings for transshipment cargo from Japan and China were increasing. The company has not decided whether to hold a public departure ceremony or open the vessel to the media before sailing, pending discussions with the oceans ministry. If successful, the voyage would shorten the traditional Busan-to-Rotterdam route via the Suez Canal by about 8,000 kilometers, or 36 percent. Yet PanStar's experience also illustrates the gap between the Northern Sea Route's strategic promise and its commercial reality. While the Arctic passage offers a significantly shorter link between Northeast Asia and Europe, dependence on Russian-controlled waters, sanctions uncertainty, environmental opposition and still-limited cargo demand continue to keep the world's largest container lines on the sidelines. AJP Takeaway: PanStar Group is preparing what would be South Korea's first container voyage through the Northern Sea Route, with a target departure from Busan around Aug. 22. The Russian Arctic route promises to shorten the Busan-Rotterdam voyage by about 8,000 kilometers, or 36 percent, compared with the traditional Suez Canal route. Larger global container lines declined to participate because of Russia-related sanctions risks, compliance concerns and environmental opposition from multinational cargo owners. PanStar became the sole operator of the government-backed trial after being approached by the Korea Shipowners' Association, with financial support paid largely only after the voyage is successfully completed. 2026-08-05 16:19:23
  • Seoul Apartment Jeonse Listings Drop 22% in Two Years Amid Shift to Monthly Rent
    Seoul Apartment Jeonse Listings Drop 22% in Two Years Amid Shift to Monthly Rent Recent data shows that while the number of rental listings for apartments in Seoul has increased by nearly 30% over the past three months, the availability of jeonse (long-term lease) listings has decreased by more than 20% compared to two years ago. Although the overall rental market is recovering, there is a clear trend toward a reduction in jeonse and an increase in the proportion of monthly rent.According to real estate big data platform Asil, as of August 4, there were 38,356 rental listings for Seoul apartments, up 28.9% from 29,754 listings on April 21.However, the composition of these listings has changed. Jeonse listings accounted for 20,803 units, or 54.2%, while monthly rent listings made up 17,553 units, or 45.8%. Compared to the same time in 2024, when there were 26,599 jeonse listings, this represents a 21.8% decrease. Last year, jeonse listings were also low at 22,865 units, continuing the downward trend.In contrast, monthly rent listings have increased by 20.7% from 14,547 in 2024 to 17,553 this year. The proportion of monthly rent in the total rental listings has risen from 35.4% to 45.8% during the same period. Despite the recent increase in rental listings, it is difficult to view this as a recovery in jeonse supply.Amid the shortage of jeonse supply, prices are continuing to rise. According to KB Real Estate, the jeonse price for Seoul apartments increased by 1.34% in July compared to the previous month. Although this is a slight decrease from the 1.43% increase in June, prices continue to rise in areas with high demand. The jeonse supply-demand index for Seoul apartments stands at 126.2, exceeding the transaction demand index of 112.6, indicating that demand for jeonse is greater than supply.The current decrease in jeonse listings cannot be solely attributed to recent tax reforms. It is more closely related to a combination of reduced housing supply, a slowdown in gap investment, structural changes in the rental market following jeonse fraud incidents, and landlords' preference for monthly rent. However, concerns have been raised that the government's 2026 tax reform plan, which aims to increase benefits for actual residents while raising the tax burden on non-residential and rental properties, could accelerate the shift toward monthly rent.The reform plan expands the basic deduction for comprehensive real estate tax for one-homeowners living in their properties from 1.2 billion won to 1.4 billion won, while reducing the deduction for one-homeowners not residing in their properties to 900 million won. For multiple homeowners, only 400 million won of the 900 million won basic deduction will be uniformly applied, with the remaining 500 million won subject to the proportion of the actual residence in the total value of all properties. If a homeowner does not reside in any of their properties, the basic deduction will be reduced to 400 million won.The fair market value ratio for homeowners with three or more properties and those owning properties in designated adjustment areas will gradually increase from the current 60% to 70% in 2027 and 80% in 2028. One-homeowners are exempt from this increase. The long-term holding special deduction for capital gains tax will be restructured into a long-term residence income deduction based on the duration of residence, with limits of 2 billion won in 2028 and 1 billion won starting in 2029.The government expects that by enhancing benefits for actual residents and providing a grace period for multiple homeowners regarding capital gains tax, rental properties will enter the sales market. However, it is not guaranteed that homeowners will choose to sell. If the tax burden increases while properties remain unoccupied, homeowners may either sell or move in, and if they continue to hold, they may pass the increased costs onto rent.If homeowners move in, those properties will exit the jeonse market. However, the overall impact on jeonse supply will depend on whether existing residences are reintroduced to the rental market. As the burden of property taxes increases, landlords may prefer monthly rent over jeonse to secure cash flow. Nam Hyuk-woo, a researcher at Woori Bank, noted, “There may be an increase in landlords seeking to charge monthly rent for new contracts after the expiration of existing contracts.”Even if sales increase, it does not necessarily have a positive impact on the rental market. If rental properties are purchased by actual home seekers, those properties will exit the rental market. If lending regulations restrict tenants from transitioning to buyers, a situation may arise where rental demand remains while supply decreases.Park Hoon, a professor of taxation at the University of Seoul, explained, “The market operates in conjunction with not only tax policies but also supply, interest rates, lending regulations, and economic conditions.” Even if tax incentives for sales are increased, if financial conditions for tenants to transition to buyers and alternative rental housing supply are not established, instability in the rental market may persist.Reductions in benefits related to registered rental housing are also a variable. The government plans to gradually abolish the exemption from capital gains tax and the preferential treatment for long-term holding special deductions applicable to short- and long-term registered rental apartments in designated adjustment areas. Current benefits will be maintained until the end of 2027, then reduced in 2028, and eliminated starting in 2029.Since the application is limited to certain registered rental apartments in designated adjustment areas, the overall impact on the rental market should not be overstated. However, if the taxation on non-residential properties is strengthened and the benefits for registered rentals are reduced, it could lower the incentive for private landlords to hold properties long-term and increase the motivation to recover increased costs through monthly rent.Ultimately, there is a call for measures that not only encourage the sale of existing rental properties but also establish pathways for the supply of private and public rental housing to absorb the increasing rental demand. If new supply is insufficient, even if the number of properties for sale increases, the imbalance in the rental market could worsen.Seo Jin-hyung, a professor of real estate law at Kwangwoon University, stated, “Someone must be able to purchase a property to rent it out for the rental supply to occur,” adding, “It is difficult to expect an increase in supply without addressing the demand and business viability for rental housing.”The government’s tax reform plan also includes raising the limit on the amount eligible for monthly rent tax deductions from 10 million won to 12 million won annually, and applying a 17% deduction rate for young people regardless of total income for three years starting in 2027. A young person paying 1 million won in monthly rent with an annual income of 50 million won would see their deduction increase from 1.7 million won to 2.04 million won.However, the monthly rent tax deduction is a system that reimburses a portion of already paid rent after the fact. It cannot be viewed as a supply measure to prevent the decrease in jeonse listings or the transition to monthly rent. The deduction is also limited to non-homeowning workers and diligent business owners, which may leave some tenants without benefits depending on their income or contract conditions.Lee Chang-moo, a professor of urban engineering at Hanyang University, expressed disappointment that “fundamental measures to address instability in the rental market have not been presented,” warning that if the costs and profitability for private landlords deteriorate, it could lead to a decrease in rental housing supply or an increase in burdens passed on to tenants through rent. 2026-08-05 16:12:10
  • Chinese Stock Market Rises for Second Day as AI Investment Sentiment Recovers
    Chinese Stock Market Rises for Second Day as AI Investment Sentiment Recovers On August 5, the Chinese stock market rose for the second consecutive day, buoyed by a revival in global AI investment sentiment. The Shanghai Composite Index closed up 1.47% at 3,878.43, while the Shenzhen Component Index increased by 1.86% to 14,144.20. The ChiNext Index also saw a gain of 1.32%, finishing at 3,535.14.U.S. markets had shown strength in AI-related stocks the previous night, with major tech companies reporting generally positive earnings. Concerns over the expansion of AI investments eased somewhat, leading to renewed buying interest in technology stocks. Optimism surrounding AI in the U.S. has also spilled over into China, where stocks related to AI servers, data centers, and optical modules rebounded. There is a growing consensus that AI investment in China is still in its early growth phase, supported by corporate earnings.Additionally, easing tensions related to the conflict between the U.S. and Iran positively impacted the Chinese stock market. The reduction in geopolitical tensions contributed to a decline in international oil prices, including Brent crude.In a report, Zhongxin Securities stated, "After a period of volatility, the market is returning to a fundamentals-driven logic, and there are expectations that the valuations of technology stocks will recover. Investors should pay attention to sectors that experienced excessive declines in July, particularly technology and growth stocks, as they present opportunities for rebound."However, stocks related to optical modules (CPO) faced challenges. Reports of the U.S. moving to ban imports of Chinese optical modules created negative sentiment. While these stocks initially plummeted, uncertainty about whether the U.S. would implement such a policy led to a partial recovery in losses. Zhongji Xuchuang, listed in Hong Kong, fell by about 6%, while Xinyi Technology dropped 5%, and Tianfu Tongxin saw a 2% increase.The MLCC (multi-layer ceramic capacitor) sector performed well, with companies like Bojie Co. and Boqian New Materials hitting their daily price limits. Yinhe Securities noted in a report that demand for MLCCs continues to surge due to high growth in AI server and pure electric vehicle demand, with lead times for suppliers extending. They added that there is currently a significant shortage of ultra-high-capacity MLCCs, and while manufacturers are slightly increasing production, it will take over a year to fully ramp up capacity, leading to a prolonged supply shortage.Meanwhile, the People's Bank of China set the yuan's daily reference rate at 6.7889 per dollar, a decrease of 0.0028 yuan from the previous trading day, reflecting a 0.04% increase in the value of the yuan.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 16:12:00
  • Jang Dong-hyuk Calls for Democratic Party to Provide Data in Response to Criticism
    Jang Dong-hyuk Calls for Democratic Party to Provide Data in Response to Criticism Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, criticized the Democratic Party on August 5, urging them to provide specific data to counter their criticisms. He made these remarks during a press conference at the National Assembly, responding to Han Byung-do, the acting leader of the Democratic Party, who had accused the People Power Party of engaging in "mindless criticism."In response to questions from reporters regarding Han's comments, Jang stated, "While they claim to be increasing supply, there is nothing visible, and the proposed tax reform plan will likely lock up existing properties." He questioned, "Is it appropriate for the ruling party's floor leader to label the opposition's criticism as mindless and inciting?"Jang further challenged Han, asking, "Does the Democratic Party's floor leader even understand the government's announced real estate policies? Have they considered how these policies might damage the real estate market?" He emphasized that a responsible floor leader should study the issues, acknowledge government mistakes, and provide constructive criticism to ensure the country functions properly.Additionally, Jang called for a special investigation into the introduction of single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which have been cited as a cause of the recent volatility in the stock market. He argued that an investigation is necessary due to the push for this policy by Kim Yong-beom, the head of the Blue House Policy Office, despite opposition from experts and relevant authorities."Ultimately, this has resulted in foreign investors and securities firms profiting at the expense of the public's money. Even members of the ruling coalition have begun to voice their concerns," Jang said. He stressed the need to investigate whether the decision was made based on policy judgment or if it was influenced by lobbying or improper collusion.Moreover, he pointed out that both Kim's son and the son of Lee Chan-jin, the head of the Financial Supervisory Service, work at the same securities firm. Jang insisted that a national investigation is warranted and that it should extend to a special prosecutor's inquiry.Meanwhile, regarding reports that some responsible members of the People Power Party are calling for Jang's resignation, he acknowledged that some party members may have differing opinions about the leadership. However, he questioned whether the views of just over 20,000 party members could represent the will of the more than 1 million total members of the People Power Party, noting that many issues have arisen where over 20,000 members have requested disciplinary actions without thorough consideration.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 16:12:00
  • Controversy Erupts Over Inappropriate Remarks by Lawmakers Regarding Busan Incident Victim
    Controversy Erupts Over Inappropriate Remarks by Lawmakers Regarding Busan Incident Victim 친한(친한동훈)계인 서범수·진종오 국민의힘 의원이 '부산 돌려차기 사건' 피해자 앞에서 부적절한 농담을 주고 받은 것에 대해 장동혁 대표는 "실수로라도 있을 수 없는 발언"이라며 당 차원의 조치를 예고했다. 여권에서도 비판이 이어지면서 후폭풍이 거세지는 모습이다.5일 정치권에 따르면 한동훈 무소속 의원은 전날 국회에서 '보완수사 금지, 지옥문이 열렸다' 긴급 토론회를 열었다. 이 자리에는 부산 돌려차기 사건 피해자 김진주(가명)씨와 국민의힘 소속 친한계 의원들이 대거 참석했다.토론회에 참석한 서범수 의원은 행사 시작 전 국가대표 사격선수 출신인 같은 당 진종오 의원에게 "돌려차기 한 번 하죠?"라고 말했고, 진 의원은 "저는 발보다 손을 잘 쓴다"라고 답한 것으로 전해졌다.서 의원과 진 의원은 해당 발언에 대해 비판이 거세지자 즉각 사과문을 올렸다. 서 의원은 자신의 페이스북에 "오늘 토론회 시작 전에 제가 실언을 했는데 어떤 변명도 하지 않겠다"며 "전적으로 저의 잘못이다. 범죄 피해의 고통을 결코 가볍게 입에 올려서는 안 됐다"고 밝혔다. 이어 "무엇보다 힘든 시간을 견디고 용기를 내어 참석해 주신 피해자분께서 뒤늦게 이 발언을 접하고 받으셨을 상처를 생각하면 고개를 들 수 없다"며 "피해자분과 가족분들께 머리 숙여 사죄드린다"고 했다.진 의원도 "저의 부적절한 발언으로 상처받으신 피해자와 참석자 여러분, 국민께 진심으로 사죄드린다"며 "이번 일을 계기로 피해자의 아픔을 더욱 깊이 헤아리겠다"고 고개를 숙였다.당 안팎에선 해당 발언에 대한 비판이 이어졌다. 이날 국회에서 기자회견을 진행한 장동혁 대표는 해당 발언에 대해 "실수를 할 수 있는 사안도, 상황도 아니라고 생각한다"며 "개인의 문제가 아니라 국민의힘 전체의 문제가 됐다"고 했다. 장 대표는 "그 발언을 할 수 있다는 건 돌려차기 사건을 잘 알지 못하거나, 듣긴 했지만 사건의 실체를 전혀 모르거나, 알았다 해도 피해자 고통에 전혀 공감하지 못한 것"이라고 지적했다.아울러 "보완수사권 폐지 법안이 강력 범죄 피해자와 피해당할지 모르는 잠재적 피해자 국민에게 어떤 법안으로 다가올지 공감하지 못하거나, 그런 상태에서 토론회에 참석한 것이 아니라면 실수로라도 있을 수 없는 발언"이라며 서 의원에 대해 "당 차원의 상응하는 적절한 조치가 필요하다"고 강조했다. 박충권 국민의힘 수석대변인도 KBS 라디오에서 "굉장히 부적절했다고 생각이 든다. 물론 어떤 악의적인 의도가 있어서 한 말이 아니기 때문에 실수였을 것"이라면서도 "전대미문의 악법이 통과되는 상황에 투쟁의 동력을 떨어뜨리고 토론회의 진정성을 떨어뜨리는 발언을 한 것에 무조건 사과해야 한다"고 주장했다.김효은 대변인은 "정치적 성과에 눈이 멀어 피해자의 피눈물을 가십거리로 소비한 잔인한 2차 가해"라며 "피해자의 트라우마를 가벼운 농담거리쯤으로 치부하는 공감 능력 결여와 경솔함이야말로 국민이 정치인을 향해 '돌려차기'를 날리고 싶은 이유"라고 꼬집었다.장윤미 더불어민주당 대변인은 논평을 통해 "범죄 피해는 조롱 섞인 농담의 대상이 될 수 없다"며 "강력범죄 피해자가 직접 참석한 토론회 자리에서 국민의힘 의원들이 사건을 희화화하는 말을 주고받은 것은 명백한 2차 가해이며 피해자의 아픔을 외면한 처사"라고 질타했다. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 16:08:00
  • Seongnam Youth Foundation Expands Future Industry Coding Education
    Seongnam Youth Foundation Expands Future Industry Coding Education The Jungwon Youth Center of the Seongnam Youth Foundation has been selected for the HD Hyundai Smart Marine program, launching hands-on coding education for local youth.According to the foundation, the Jungwon Youth Center was chosen for the '2026 HD Hyundai Smart Marine' program, organized by the Social Welfare Corporation Children and Future Foundation and supported by the HD Hyundai 1% Sharing Foundation. The coding education will be offered to upper-grade elementary school students from August 22 to October 24.This selection allows the Jungwon Youth Center to receive approximately 22 million won for educational programs and Lego-based coding tools, facilitating education that enhances digital skills and explores future career paths.The curriculum will focus on hands-on learning using Lego Spike Prime. Participants will engage in 11 sessions covering both basic and advanced coding, developing problem-solving skills and creative thinking.The program also includes a field trip to the Korea Job World Smart Shipping Center and an exhibition showcasing the students' projects and completion ceremony.Participants will gain indirect experience in advanced industries such as shipbuilding, marine, and petrochemical machinery, providing insights into the application of digital technologies in future industries.Notably, after the basic training, the program offers advanced education tailored to participants' interests, linking it to field experiences, creating a hands-on educational model that extends beyond simple coding education to career exploration.Local parents have shown significant interest in the program, which combines coding practice and industry experience that is often difficult to access through school education alone.There is optimism that the expanded career experience opportunities linked to future industries will simultaneously support digital skills and career planning.In the education sector, this hands-on approach, which integrates Lego-based practice, understanding of advanced industries, and field experiences, is expected to enhance youth problem-solving abilities and creativity.Meanwhile, Jungwon Youth Center Director No Seung-rim stated, "I hope this will be an opportunity for youth to become more familiar with future core technologies and explore their aptitudes and career paths. We will continue to expand various educational programs that enhance creativity and digital skills centered around the Seongnam City Fourth Industrial Career Experience Center."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 16:08:00
  • Netmarble Reports Q2 Revenue of 749.2 Billion Won, Operating Profit of 80.1 Billion Won
    Netmarble Reports Q2 Revenue of 749.2 Billion Won, Operating Profit of 80.1 Billion Won Netmarble continued its revenue growth in the second quarter of this year, but its operating profit declined. International sales accounted for 78% of total revenue, driving the company's performance.On August 5, Netmarble announced that it recorded a consolidated revenue of 749.2 billion won and an operating profit of 80.1 billion won for the second quarter. Revenue increased by 4.4% compared to the same period last year, while operating profit fell by 20.8%.International sales reached 580.8 billion won, representing 78% of total revenue. This marks a 13.4% increase from the previous quarter and a 22.6% increase year-over-year. The company attributed the growth in international sales to the update of 'The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin' and the initial success of the new title 'Soul: Enchant' released in June.By region, North America accounted for the largest share at 39%, followed by South Korea at 22%, Europe at 13%, Southeast Asia at 10%, Japan at 9%, and other regions at 7%.In terms of game genres, RPGs made up 42% of sales, followed by casual games at 35%, MMORPGs at 17%, and other genres at 6%, showcasing a diverse portfolio.Netmarble plans to continue its growth trajectory in the second half of the year with the release of new titles. The company is preparing to launch three new games: 'Solo Leveling: Karma', 'Shangri-La Frontier: Seven Strongest Species', and 'Project Aegis'.Kim Byung-kyu, CEO of Netmarble, stated, "We are enhancing our business competitiveness by expanding services across various platforms. In the second half, we aim to improve performance stability through advanced live services and maintain growth momentum with differentiated new releases."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 16:08:00