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  • HMM to open India-East Africa container route in September
    HMM to open India-East Africa container route in September SEOUL, August 05 (AJP) - HMM, South Korea's largest container carrier, said it would launch a new service linking India and East Africa in September, extending the hub-and-spoke network that has become the centerpiece of its expansion strategy. The service announced Wednesday, branded Gulf-India-East Africa (GIA), will connect the Indian gateway ports of Nhava Sheva and Mundra — where cargo from India and Central Asia converges — with Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Mombasa in Kenya. It marks the carrier's second African feeder line under a strategy pursued since Choi Won-hyuk took over as chief executive. The first vessel is scheduled to depart Nhava Sheva in the fourth week of September, with about five container ships of 2,800 twenty-foot equivalent units deployed on the loop. HMM will run the route jointly with China's COSCO Shipping Lines, Singapore's Pacific International Lines and Taiwan's Interasia Lines, and plans eventually to extend the service into the Gulf. The new line complements HMM's existing north and west African route out of Algeciras, Spain, giving the carrier what it called a firm bridgehead across the continent. Kenya and Tanzania, both undergoing steady port and inland-logistics development, rank among East Africa's principal gateways. HMM has said it aims to grow its container fleet to 1.47 million TEU across 166 ships by 2030, and is securing feeder tonnage to work in tandem with its larger ocean-going vessels as shippers increasingly prize schedule reliability and destination reach amid a fractured global supply chain. "This India-East Africa service is an important milestone in extending our hub-and-spoke strategy across the whole of Africa," said an HMM spokesperson, adding that the company would keep building out its network in high-growth markets. 2026-08-05 09:48:17
  • Inje County Expands Disaster Insurance Enrollment Amid Heat Wave Response
    Inje County Expands Disaster Insurance Enrollment Amid Heat Wave Response Inje County, Gangwon Province, is intensifying efforts to expand enrollment in disaster insurance for natural calamities such as floods and earthquakes, while also directly assessing the living conditions of vulnerable populations during the summer heat.According to Inje County on August 5, the county will operate a 'Focused Enrollment Period for Disaster Insurance' until August 31. This initiative aims to reduce property damage from natural disasters and support rapid recovery.The disaster insurance program is overseen by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and operated by private insurance companies. The government and local authorities subsidize 70% to over 92% of the premiums, significantly lowering the financial burden on enrollees.The coverage includes typhoons, floods, heavy rain, strong winds, high waves, tsunamis, heavy snowfall, and earthquakes. Eligible properties include homes, greenhouses, vinyl houses, and small business establishments. Renters can also enroll for home insurance, but unregistered buildings, vacant houses, and accessory structures are excluded.Inje County provides up to 100,000 won in premium support for homes and small businesses, and up to 200,000 won for greenhouses, allowing enrollees to pay only 1,000 won.This year, the program has been improved. Even if there are no weather warnings in the affected area, if a warning is in effect in a neighboring area and a damage verification certificate is submitted, the eligibility for insurance payouts can be reassessed. The annual coverage limit for small business insurance has also doubled, enhancing the level of protection.As of August 3, Inje County has recorded 2,503 enrollments in disaster insurance, including 1,558 homes, 787 greenhouses, and 158 small businesses. As of July 6, the county had provided 57,638,000 won in premium support for 934 enrollments this year.The county plans to work with administrative welfare centers in towns and villages to provide focused guidance on the enrollment process and support details to residents, farmers, and small businesses, particularly targeting facilities vulnerable to natural disasters.Efforts to address the heat wave are also being strengthened. Choi Sang-ki, the head of Inje County, visited households vulnerable to heat in Inje-eup to check on the availability of cooling supplies, assess living inconveniences due to the heat, and review the management status of key individuals. He instructed that any identified inconveniences be addressed promptly and emphasized the need for meticulous on-site management to protect vulnerable populations.Inje County will continue to check on the well-being of elderly individuals living alone and those with health vulnerabilities, enhancing tailored protective activities during heat advisories. The county aims to build a more robust safety net for residents by simultaneously promoting disaster insurance to reduce property damage and implementing measures to prevent loss of life during heat waves.Gwon Oh-young, head of the Safety and Traffic Division in Inje County, stated, “We hope that residents, farmers, and small business owners actively enroll in insurance to prepare for unexpected natural disasters such as heavy rain and typhoons.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 09:48:00
  • Pathos AI Acquires $1.25 Billion License for Dual-Target ADC from Chinese Firm
    Pathos AI Acquires $1.25 Billion License for Dual-Target ADC from Chinese Firm Pathos AI, a U.S.-based AI-driven biotech company, has purchased a license for next-generation cancer platform technology from a Chinese biotech firm.On August 5, Chinese company Kangning Jierui announced that it has signed a licensing agreement to transfer overseas development and commercialization rights for its proprietary TROP2/HER3 dual-specificity antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) candidate, JSKN016, to Pathos AI.Under the agreement, Kangning Jierui will receive a non-refundable upfront payment of $125 million. Additionally, it could earn up to $2.093 billion in milestone payments based on clinical development, regulatory approvals, and commercialization achievements. Including the upfront payment, the total value of the licensing deal is approximately $2.2 billion (about 3.14 trillion won). Separately, Kangning Jierui will also receive royalties based on sales revenue. Furthermore, it has secured an option to purchase $62.5 million worth of Pathos AI preferred shares.JSKN016, which Kangning Jierui is licensing for international markets, represents an advancement in dual-specificity ADC technology compared to existing antibody-drug conjugates. While most ADCs target a single antigen, dual-specificity ADCs can recognize two targets simultaneously with one antibody. JSKN016 targets both TROP2 and HER3 proteins found on the surface of cancer cells. TROP2 is known to be overexpressed in various solid tumors, including breast, lung, and gastric cancers, while HER3 is associated with cancer growth and treatment resistance. Targeting both proteins simultaneously is seen as a potential way to overcome the limitations of single-target therapies.Kangning Jierui is one of China's leading ADC development companies, focusing on the development of next-generation cancer platforms that combine dual antibodies and ADCs. Pathos AI has its own AI-based platform for developing cancer therapies, utilizing AI to discover candidate compounds. JSKN016 is the fourth candidate compound secured by Pathos AI.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 09:48:00
  • Bae, Kim & Lee Strengthens Investigative Response Capabilities with New Hires
    Bae, Kim & Lee Strengthens Investigative Response Capabilities with New Hires Bae, Kim & Lee LLC (BKL) announced on August 5 that it has strengthened its investigative response capabilities by rehiring Jang Woo-sung, a former special prosecutor in the special investigation team for insurrection, and hiring Jang Sung-won, who has served as the police chief of Paju and Suseo.Jang Woo-sung, a graduate of the 34th Judicial Research and Training Institute, joined the police force in 2005. He has held various positions, including head of the economic crime investigation unit at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, head of the cyber investigation division, and chief of the Cyber Safety Bureau. He also served as the head of the Seongbuk Police Station and the foreign affairs investigation division at the National Police Agency. After joining BKL's criminal group in 2020, he worked on corporate criminal and investigative response matters, later serving as a special prosecutor in 2025 before returning to BKL this year.Jang Sung-won, who graduated from Seoul National University Law School and completed the 34th Judicial Research and Training Institute, has extensive experience in key positions within the National Investigation Headquarters and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, covering criminal, cyber, security, and scientific investigation areas. He has built a solid foundation in investigative practice and leadership while serving as the police chief in Paju, Yangpyeong, and Suseo. Additionally, as the head of the police investigation structure reform team, he led reforms in criminal procedure law and investigative system improvements, demonstrating deep expertise in investigative practice and criminal policy.The two lawyers will provide counsel in areas such as investigative agency responses, corporate crime, white-collar crime, and major industrial accidents and safety. With this recruitment, BKL aims to enhance its investigative response capabilities by combining police investigative experience with criminal advisory expertise.BKL's criminal group has established an integrated response system that fosters close collaboration among experts from investigative agencies, internal investigations, digital forensics, and compliance. The firm has been continuously hiring experts with police backgrounds, allowing them to participate in investigative response consultations across a wide range of issues, including corporate crime, white-collar crime, public institution investigations, and complex criminal cases.Jung Soo-bong, the head of BKL's criminal group, stated, "As the investigative structure and criminal justice procedures undergo rapid changes, it is increasingly important to develop high-level response strategies tailored to specific cases and enhance our capabilities to respond to various investigative agencies. As the systems and procedures become more complex, we will further strengthen the collaborative approach of our team, which integrates lawyers with backgrounds in prosecution and police, along with field experts."Bae, Kim & Lee LLC, established in 1980, is one of South Korea's leading law firms. Headquartered in the Centro Polis building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, it provides comprehensive legal services across various fields, including corporate law, finance, fair trade, taxation, and international arbitration, with hundreds of lawyers and experts on its team.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 09:44:00
  • Jung Cheong-rae Calls Performance in Chungcheong Region Remarkable
    Jung Cheong-rae Calls Performance in Chungcheong Region 'Remarkable' Jung Cheong-rae, a candidate for the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, evaluated the results of the first week of the circuit primary on August 5, stating, "We performed remarkably." Although he narrowly lost in his home region of Chungcheong, he emphasized the lack of support from local lawmakers.During his appearance on YouTube's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory,' Jung remarked, "I was worried about a double-digit loss in Chungcheong," adding, "Kim Min-seok said he would win by a 7% margin, but I thought that was an exaggeration."In the circuit primary held on August 1, Jung secured 44.61% of the votes, finishing second to Kim, who received 45.06%. However, when combining results from Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam, Jung's total rose to 45.51%, surpassing Kim's 44.52%.Regarding his first-place finish in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam, Jung stated, "If it had been held later, I believe I would have won by a larger margin in Busan."Looking ahead to the results of the circuit primary in Jeju and Incheon on August 8, he expressed, "I do not make predictions or calculations; it is important to meet as many voters as possible."Jung also noted that if the second week results are close, public sentiment in Honam could shift. He asserted, "Organizations cannot withstand the winds of change."Additionally, Jung pointed out that banners supporting Kim from the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction are being displayed, stating, "Members of the National Assembly and local committee chairs cannot openly show support. I have filed a complaint with the election commission, as I believe this violates party rules and regulations." 2026-08-05 09:44:00
  • Jung Jeom-sik: If the Democratic Party Wants the Lee Government to Succeed, It Must Accept the National Investigation into Stock Market Turmoil
    Jung Jeom-sik: If the Democratic Party Wants the Lee Government to Succeed, It Must Accept the National Investigation into Stock Market Turmoil Jung Jeom-sik, the floor leader of the People Power Party, stated on August 5 that if the Democratic Party wishes for the success of the Lee government, it must accept a national investigation into the recent turmoil in the stock market.In a post on his Facebook page, Jung argued, "To restore the trust that has been lost in the market, both the government and the National Assembly must make continuous efforts."He added, "The Democratic Party seems to think that a national investigation would increase the political burden on the Lee government and the ruling party. Refusing the investigation simply because it poses a political burden is a one-dimensional judgment. If the Democratic Party continues to indulge the Lee government, it will repeat the same mistakes in the future."Jung emphasized the necessity of a national investigation to gather key officials, including Kim Yong-beom, head of the Presidential Policy Office, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Ku Yun-cheol, and Financial Services Commission Chairman Lee Ok-won, for questioning. He stated that it is essential to examine the background of the introduction of single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the appropriateness of the authorities' response to market conditions, and the management of pension funds during the stock market chaos, and to seek improvements if necessary.He clarified, "This is not about engaging in political strife, but about assessing the government to restore the damaged trust in the market. Let’s review and assess the government to find better governance solutions. I urge the Democratic Party to respond positively to a genuine national investigation and policy review."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 09:44:00
  • North Korea slams Japans military buildup, accusing Tokyo of pursuing rearmament
    North Korea slams Japan's military buildup, accusing Tokyo of pursuing rearmament SEOUL, August 5 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's powerful sister Yo-jong, who often speaks for the regime on foreign policy, has issued another blunt warning, this time aimed at Japan. In a statement carried on Wednesday by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim said Tokyo's recent military moves were pushing the country back toward its wartime past, describing Japan as a "war criminal state" that is accelerating its shift into what she called a "war state." Kim argued that Japan's push to acquire preemptive strike capabilities, rather than limiting itself to self-defense, has moved from planning into action. She pointed to Japan's participation in U.S.-led military exercises in the Philippines in May and a revision of its national security strategy that formally endorsed the development of preemptive strike capabilities, a significant shift for a country whose postwar constitution has long limited its military role to self-defense. Kim also placed particular blame on Washington, accusing it of paving the way for Japan's rearmament and using Japan and South Korea as a "shock brigade" to advance U.S. strategic interests in the Asia-Pacific region. She said North Korea would not stand idly by over Japan's military buildup, vowing that the country's armed forces and military leadership would take additional measures in response. The remarks followed the Japanese navy's test launch of a U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missile late last month, which was carried out in support of the U.S. military in the Pacific. It was the first time Japan had actually fired a Tomahawk missile, which is capable of precision strikes and has a range of roughly 1,600 to 2,500 kilometers, putting North Korea, China and Russia within its range. The historic test launch on July 29 came after Japan agreed in 2024 to purchase 400 Tomahawk missiles from the U.S., with deliveries scheduled between 2025 and 2027, and began preparing the crews and vessels needed to operate them. Japan, for its part, has been gradually expanding its military capabilities in recent years, citing threats from North Korea's nuclear and missile programs as well as broader regional tensions, particularly with China. 2026-08-05 09:43:33
  • Students from Progressive Student Alliance Arrested for Trespassing at US Air Force Base
    Students from Progressive Student Alliance Arrested for Trespassing at US Air Force Base Students from the Korean Progressive Student Alliance (Daejinyeon) were arrested for attempting to trespass at the US Air Force's Osan Air Base (K-55) in Pyeongtaek on August 4. This incident has drawn renewed attention to videos on the group's YouTube channel that positively portray North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and the North Korean military.On August 5, various online communities shared a post titled 'Daejinyeon TV Video List,' which included titles such as 'Kim Jong Un and the New World,' 'Kim Jong Un and the 20x10 Local Development Policy,' and 'Kim Jong Un and the Heroic Units.' These videos have sparked criticism for their content.One video, 'Kim Jong Un and the Heroic Units,' features North Korean military units and quotes evaluations from foreign figures. The video concludes with the phrases, "Who are these praises directed towards?" and "Kim Jong Un and the Heroic Units," raising eyebrows among viewers.In response, netizens commented, "Such content should be censored, not the serious issues," and "This group belittles the victims of the Korean War; why isn't there a law against them?" Others expressed outrage, saying, "They openly praise the enemy's military," and suggested, "They should go live in North Korea instead of here."According to police reports, at around 10:15 a.m. on August 4, eight students from Daejinyeon attempted to enter the Osan Air Base. Six of them managed to breach the main gate, while the other two were stopped at the entrance. The students reportedly shouted slogans such as, "Let's destroy the US 7th Air Force" while inside the base.The US military apprehended the students and handed them over to the Korean police, who are investigating the incident under the Military Facilities Protection Act.Daejinyeon is a progressive student organization composed of university students across the country. The group has previously organized various political and social activities, including protests calling for the withdrawal of US troops, opposition to US-Korea joint exercises, and campaigns against the deployment of THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense).As the controversy surrounding Daejinyeon intensifies, there are growing calls for a reevaluation of the group's activities, with critics stating, "Crossing the line by trespassing on military facilities directly related to national security is unacceptable."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 09:40:20
  • New Short-Term Parental Leave Policy Allows Parents to Take Time Off for Sick Children
    New Short-Term Parental Leave Policy Allows Parents to Take Time Off for Sick Children Parents will soon be able to take one or two weeks of parental leave when their child suddenly falls ill or when schools and daycare centers close.According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, a new 'short-term parental leave' system will be implemented starting on the 20th. Workers with children under the age of 8 or in the second grade of elementary school can use this leave once a year in one- or two-week increments when short-term caregiving gaps arise.Previously, parents had to take at least 30 days of parental leave to receive benefits, which often forced dual-income families to exhaust annual leave or rely on family members for care when their children were sick with conditions like hand, foot, and mouth disease or the flu.Short-term parental leave can be used in cases of school or daycare closures, vacations, or when a child is hospitalized due to illness or injury, or when attendance is halted due to infectious diseases.Even one week of leave will qualify for parental leave benefits. The amount is calculated based on the worker's regular wage and the monthly payment standards according to the cumulative duration of parental leave taken, proportionate to the actual days of leave.Standard parental leave benefits provide 100% of the regular wage for the first three months, up to a maximum of 2.5 million won per month; for four to six months, it is 100% of the regular wage, up to 2 million won per month; and from the seventh month onward, it is 80% of the regular wage, up to 1.6 million won per month. The minimum monthly benefit is 700,000 won.If parental leave is taken in segments, the total duration is combined to determine the applicable month for benefits. Therefore, the actual benefit amount for short-term parental leave will vary based on regular wages, cumulative usage, and the actual days of leave taken. Different criteria may apply if both parents take parental leave or if special provisions for single parents or parents of children with disabilities are in effect.Short-term parental leave is not an additional entitlement. The one or two weeks taken will be deducted from the worker's total remaining parental leave. Generally, the parental leave period is one year, but if both parents take at least three months of leave for the same child or if certain conditions are met for single parents or parents of children with disabilities, it can be extended up to 18 months.Employers cannot arbitrarily refuse the use of this leave. The amended Equal Employment Opportunity Act stipulates that employers must allow eligible workers to take short-term parental leave when requested.However, if a large number of employees request leave during school vacation periods, it may significantly disrupt business operations. In such cases, while the company cannot unilaterally cancel the leave, it must negotiate with the employee to change the timing. If the timing is altered, the reasons and new dates must be communicated in writing.It is also prohibited to terminate employment or impose disadvantages based on parental leave. The leave period counts toward the employee's length of service, and workers have the right to return to the same job or a position with the same pay after their leave ends.The short-term parental leave policy aims to reduce situations where parents exhaust all personal leave or quit their jobs due to sudden child illnesses. The government reported that in the first half of 2026, the number of recipients of parental leave benefits exceeded 100,000, with the proportion of men rising to 38.8%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 09:36:00
  • Kim Ha-seong Avoids Release Crisis, But Starting Role Remains Unlikely
    Kim Ha-seong Avoids Release Crisis, But Starting Role Remains Unlikely After avoiding a release crisis, Kim Ha-seong was left out of the starting lineup for the Atlanta Braves' home game against the Miami Marlins on August 5. He will remain on the bench for this game.According to Yonhap News, the Braves faced a decision on whether to trade or release Kim ahead of the trade deadline. Ultimately, the team opted to bring Kim back while placing Jorge Mateo, who has a batting average of .240 (11 hits in 129 at-bats), 4 home runs, and 10 stolen bases this season, on the release waiver list.Local evaluations of Kim's return to the big leagues are mixed. The Athletic reported that when Atlanta signed Kim to a one-year, $20 million contract before the season, few expected rookie Jim Jarvis to emerge as the starting shortstop by August.The report noted, "Jarvis has shown a batting average above .250 along with excellent defensive and base-running skills, which has allowed him to secure the starting position." It added that Atlanta's decision to place Mateo on the waiver list was to give Jarvis more opportunities, predicting that it would be difficult for Kim to reclaim the starting shortstop role after returning from the injured list.Sporting News commented that it was surprising Atlanta did not release Kim. The outlet stated, "Kim has not met expectations in MLB or even in Triple-A, and while it would be financially understandable to release him considering the contract, it is hard to justify based on performance."The report continued, "When healthy, Kim was a better shortstop than Mateo, but now he is closer to being a backup. He is likely to play a role as a pinch runner or in limited situations."Last winter, Kim turned down a four-year, $48 million offer from the Oakland Athletics to sign with Atlanta for one year at $20 million, aiming to boost his value for a larger contract after the 2026 season.However, Kim has struggled with injuries and poor performance throughout the season. He underwent surgery for a torn tendon in his right middle finger after slipping on ice in January and returned to the big leagues in mid-May, but managed only a .068 batting average (5 hits in 73 at-bats). Last month, he was placed back on the injured list due to inflammation in his right ring finger and has also struggled in Triple-A during his rehabilitation. 2026-08-05 09:36:00