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  • Iksan City Advances Solar Income Village Initiative
    Iksan City Advances Solar Income Village Initiative Iksan City in North Jeolla Province has reaffirmed its status as a leading city in resident-participatory renewable energy income projects.On August 4, the city announced that four locations in Yeosan-myeon were selected in the first round of the government's solar income village project, paving the way for national funding and rural income expansion.The solar income village initiative allows residents to form cooperatives and directly participate in solar power generation projects. The profits generated from these projects are distributed for public purposes, such as community welfare and village funds, ensuring stable rural income.With a 1MW power plant, it is projected that monthly profit distributions could reach approximately 450,000 won for 30 households during the initial five-year grace period.In this selection process, a total of 17 locations were chosen in North Jeolla Province, with Iksan City securing the highest number at four.The selected locations include: △Cheonho Cooperative (Hakdong, Sinri) △Wonsu Cooperative (Yeonmyeong, Dogyang, Sangyang) △Jeonam Cooperative (Sangok, Haok, Sawol, Namsan, Seokgyo) △Taeseong Cooperative (Nuhang, Deoksan, Nodong, Hyeoncheon).This achievement is attributed to the solid experience gained from the village autonomous pension program, which was the first of its kind in the country.The city has already established and operates the nation’s first training center for village autonomous pensions in Seongdangpogu Village, successfully returning solar power profits to residents as pensions.The four selected locations are conditional selections, subject to the implementation of certain supplementary measures, including support for energy storage systems (ESS) for grid connection.The city plans to focus on administrative support, including expert technical guidance and expedited permitting, to ensure smooth project execution.Meanwhile, the government aims to expand the initiative to discover 700 solar income villages nationwide this year.Iksan City to Detail Future Vision Plans through August 7Iksan City is set to clarify its future vision execution strategies to realize the 'Iksan Transformation' initiative under the 9th civil election.From August 4 to 7, Iksan Mayor Choi Jeong-ho will preside over the 'Future Vision and Administrative Operation Plan Report Meeting' for the 9th civil election.This meeting aims to systematically devise execution plans for key objectives of the 9th civil election and ensure consistency and effectiveness in future administrative operations.The city will focus on establishing basic directions for administration, including creating job opportunities, attracting residents, and serving citizens, while detailing sector-specific goals and core strategies to enhance both quality of life and urban competitiveness.During the meeting, heads of national and local departments will present policy conditions, objectives, implementation strategies, key projects, and phased execution plans for their respective areas.Key discussion areas will include: △expansion of metropolitan transportation networks △nurturing future industries △advancing agricultural and bio-industries △revitalizing history, culture, tourism, and sports △expanding welfare that citizens can feel and improving living environments.In particular, the city plans to discuss not only short-term project implementation plans but also core achievements to be realized during the term and long-term development directions for the next decade to seek a foundation for sustainable urban growth.Based on the feedback provided during the meeting, the city will prioritize projects and refine implementation schedules, developing sector-specific plans into concrete execution tasks.Additionally, for projects requiring collaboration among multiple departments, a joint implementation system will be established, and projects that can be linked to government policies will actively seek national budget allocations and participation in public projects to strengthen policy implementation momentum.Mayor Choi Jeong-ho stated, “This meeting is an important starting point for materializing Iksan's future vision into actionable policies. We will meticulously prepare detailed execution plans to ensure that strategies in each sector lead to tangible changes in citizens' lives and achieve the 'Iksan Transformation' that residents can feel.”Mayor Choi was elected as the 9th Iksan Mayor with 74.70% of the vote in the June 3 local elections.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-04 11:40:00
  • Disagreement Between Parties on Special Inspector Appointment Process
    Disagreement Between Parties on Special Inspector Appointment Process The ruling and opposition parties are discussing the appointment process for a special inspector to monitor misconduct involving President Lee Jae-myung and individuals with special ties to the presidency, but they are showing differences in their positions. The Democratic Party has pointed out that the People Power Party is delaying negotiations, while the People Power Party has countered that discussions will conclude early next week. Attention is focused on whether the matter can be resolved by the end of August, as the Democratic Party has stated.Kim Sung-hwa, the Democratic Party's floor spokesperson, told reporters after a meeting of the party's floor leadership on August 4, "The People Power Party has said that discussions on the special inspector are difficult this week, which is causing delays in negotiations." The day before, Han Byung-do, the party's acting leader and floor leader, had announced plans to send a recommendation letter to the Korean Bar Association with the cooperation of the People Power Party, but this did not materialize.However, Choi Eun-seok, the People Power Party's chief floor spokesperson, stated in a phone interview with Aju Economy that "it seems likely that negotiations can be concluded early next week. We are not opposed to the appointment of a special inspector."Previously, the ruling and opposition parties agreed in April to each recommend one candidate, with the remaining candidate to be recommended by the Korean Bar Association. Under the special inspector system, the National Assembly recommends three candidates, from which the president appoints one. If the president appoints a special inspector, the system will be revived for the first time in ten years, as neither the Moon Jae-in nor Yoon Suk-yeol administrations appointed one.However, the People Power Party recommended lawyer Kang Ji-sik in April, but the Democratic Party delayed its recommendation, causing the process to stall. In this regard, Cheon Jun-ho, the Democratic Party's deputy floor leader, explained to reporters on July 31, "In April, the president strongly requested that the appointment be made, and we discussed proceeding together through a 2+2 meeting with the People Power Party, but they announced it first. There were difficulties in proceeding with the process before the local elections."He added, "If we had announced it before the local elections, it could have influenced the election. If the National Assembly had been organized after the elections, we would have proceeded immediately, but the organization was delayed. If we delay further, it will be difficult to finalize before the regular session of the National Assembly begins."Meanwhile, President Lee stated during a press conference on July 30 last year, "For the sake of my own safety as someone in power, it is better to be subject to checks," emphasizing the need for the appointment of a special inspector. The special inspector must be a legal professional with over 15 years of experience as a judge, prosecutor, or lawyer, and both Kang and Choi Gil-soo, recommended by the Democratic Party, are former prosecutors. 2026-08-04 11:36:20
  • Imsil County Mayor Han Deuk-soo Prioritizes Citizen Safety Amid Heatwave
    Imsil County Mayor Han Deuk-soo Prioritizes Citizen Safety Amid Heatwave Han Deuk-soo, the mayor of Imsil County in North Jeolla Province, is prioritizing citizen safety as he conducts on-site inspections in response to the ongoing record heatwave.According to the county, Imsil has been under a heatwave warning since August 1, with temperatures exceeding 35°C this month.On August 3, temperatures reached 38°C, with a perceived temperature of 37.2°C, resulting in four reported cases of heat-related illnesses.In response, Mayor Han visited the Sangseong Senior Center in Imsil-eup, the Huri Senior Center in Osu-myeon, and various poultry and pig farms to assess the heatwave response and listen to the concerns of residents and farmers.During his visits, Han checked the operation of cooling systems at the heat relief centers, ensuring they were functioning properly, and addressed any issues faced by users while also checking on the health of elderly residents to encourage safe summer practices.He then inspected poultry and pig farms, focusing on temperature management within barns, ventilation systems, and water supply management, while gathering feedback from farmers on their experiences.The county is operating a task force for heatwave response until September 30, establishing a close collaboration system among departments. They are maintaining an emergency response system and a 24-hour situation management system during heatwave warnings.This year, the county has incorporated a new emergency response standard for heatwaves with perceived temperatures above 38°C, enhancing their response measures.Imsil has completed inspections of cooling facilities at 334 heat relief centers, and in the event of continued tropical nights, some centers will extend their operating hours from 6 PM to 10 PM to ensure the safety of residents in poor living conditions.Additionally, the county operates 23 fixed and smart shade structures in areas with high foot traffic, and during heatwave warnings, five water trucks will be deployed to spray water along 23 kilometers of major roads to mitigate the urban heat island effect.Efforts to protect vulnerable populations have also been strengthened.Outreach programs are being conducted for 6,253 elderly and vulnerable individuals, including health checks and emergency first aid training. Guidelines for heatwave preparedness are being distributed at health centers and welfare facilities to promote preventive measures.In the agricultural sector, local safety networks, including village leaders and self-defense teams, are collaborating to advise elderly farmers against working during peak heat hours and to encourage adequate rest, while enhancing awareness through village broadcasts and on-site monitoring.In the livestock sector, the county is focusing on guiding farmers in checking ventilation systems, operating cooling equipment, and ensuring adequate water supply to prevent livestock deaths.Moving forward, the county plans to continuously monitor the situation and strengthen on-site responses, including operating water trucks and providing heat prevention supplies, to minimize harm to residents during heatwave warnings.Mayor Han stated, "Finding solutions to heatwave responses is crucial on the ground. We will enhance our field administration to ensure that we hear the voices of our citizens directly and focus all administrative efforts to prevent any loss of life or property."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-04 11:36:00
  • Jang Dong-hyuk Urges President Yoon to Reject Criminal Procedure Law Amendment
    Jang Dong-hyuk Urges President Yoon to Reject Criminal Procedure Law Amendment The People Power Party held an urgent discussion on August 4, urging President Yoon Suk Yeol to exercise his veto power against the proposed amendment to the Criminal Procedure Law.Jang Dong-hyuk, the party leader, warned during the discussion titled 'Urgent Forum on the Unconstitutionality of Abolishing Supplementary Investigation Rights and Dismissal of Charges' that "if the grounds for dismissal of charges are added to cover President Yoon's offenses, the public will begin to erase the Yoon administration."He referenced the recent plea from Kim Jin-joo (pseudonym), a victim of the 'Busan kickback incident,' who asked the president to exercise his veto. Jang lamented, "What better illustrates the essence of this malicious law than the reality where citizens are pleading for the state to 'be on the side of the victims'?"He added, "If the president refuses to exercise his veto, the public will reject the Yoon administration. I hope he does not squander the last opportunity to prevent the downfall of his government."Na Kyung-won, a co-host of the forum, criticized the administration's approach, stating, "They say they will gradually discuss all means and legal amendments for victim protection, but they have not provided any specifics on the timeline." She questioned, "Will establishing a dedicated department for victim protection within the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency truly protect victims?"Na further pointed out, "From President Yoon's words and actions, it is clear that he understands the complete abolition of supplementary investigation rights will harm the public. The only change is the addition of a clause in Article 327 of the amendment that covers the president's offenses, which signals a self-serving interest to the public."Experts who presented at the forum expressed concerns that the proposed amendment contains unconstitutional elements and could lead to serious confusion within the criminal justice system.Professor Ji Sung-woo from Sungkyunkwan University Law School noted, "Terms like 'serious' and 'significantly' lack clear standards and scope in the law. The Ministry of Justice has also suggested further review regarding the principle of clarity."He explained, "Cases where the Supreme Court recognized the abuse of prosecutorial discretion are based on exceptional and specific factual circumstances. The amendment effectively relaxes and expands the criteria compared to existing precedents, which could lead to arbitrary interpretations by the judiciary."Professor Ji advised that the issues should be re-evaluated before implementation to dispel any misconceptions that the Criminal Procedure Law could be misused for specific political purposes. He recommended institutional safeguards, such as stipulating that cases already filed before the law's enactment would not be subject to its provisions.Meanwhile, following President Yoon's remarks at a Cabinet meeting suggesting the passage of the amendment, Na emphasized, "The root cause of the destruction of the entire criminal justice system is solely the 'covering up of presidential offenses.' To prevent this destruction, the courts must resume the president's trial and deliver a swift verdict according to the law."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-04 11:36:00
  • China Accelerates Relationship Improvement with India While Managing Anti-India Sentiment
    China Accelerates Relationship Improvement with India While Managing Anti-India Sentiment China is intensifying efforts to improve its relationship with India while also taking steps to manage the growing anti-India sentiment within its borders.Vikram Doraiswami, India’s Ambassador to China, stated on July 31 during an open day event at the Indian Embassy in Beijing that the Chinese government is concerned about the increasing anti-India content on its social media platforms and is taking measures to address the issue. Attendees at the event, including Indian residents in China, raised concerns about the rise of hate and defamatory posts targeting Indians on Chinese social media. Doraiswami noted that the Indian Embassy is actively responding to these issues and that Chinese authorities are also implementing related measures.Recently, some bloggers in China have stirred controversy by spreading false information targeting Indians. A notable example involved a post claiming that an Indian team leader at a software company in Shanghai had monopolized access to key source code and leaked company secrets to India. This post gained significant attention, even trending on Weibo's real-time search, but was later revealed to be fabricated. Chinese police have arrested the individual responsible for posting this misinformation.The Chinese Embassy in India also criticized the anti-India sentiment, stating on its website that some Chinese individuals are promoting confrontation and exclusivity, which does not align with an open and confident stance that China aims to project.This initiative aligns with China's recent shift towards improving relations with India. Following a rapid deterioration in ties after a border clash in 2020, both countries have recently resumed high-level exchanges and are working to normalize relations by easing visa procedures. Analysts suggest that the Chinese government views the improvement of bilateral relations as a strategic priority, prompting it to manage anti-India sentiment actively.Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi proposed expanding high-level exchanges and enhancing cooperation in economic, trade, media, and cultural fields during a meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on July 22, stating, "Let us help our peoples understand each other correctly."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-04 11:28:00
  • A Twosome Place gains ground as Starbucks struggles with Tank Day controversy
    A Twosome Place gains ground as Starbucks struggles with 'Tank Day' controversy SEOUL, August 4 (AJP) - South Korea's oversaturated coffee market is showing signs of a potential seismic shift, as Starbucks, the long-dominant market leader, has taken a hit to sales and reputation following its so-called "Tank Day" controversy, while rivals such as A Twosome Place have gained ground in recent months. A Twosome Place recorded an estimated 117.05 billion won in card payment transactions in July, according to Mobile Index, a data platform operated by IGAWorks, while Starbucks Korea posted 110.06 billion won during the same period, a gap of about 7 billion won. The figures are based on estimates rather than audited sales, but they offer a snapshot of changing consumer spending patterns across South Korea's major coffee chains. A Twosome Place first overtook Starbucks Korea in monthly card payments in May, marking the first such reversal in the three years of available data, and has remained ahead every month since. From May to July, A Twosome Place saw cumulative estimated card payment transactions of 361.38 billion won, compared with 331.64 billion won for Starbucks Korea, a gap of roughly 30 billion won. The shift followed intense backlash over a May 18 promotion for Starbucks Korea's "Tank" tumbler line. The date marks the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju pro-democracy uprising, when South Korea's military government violently suppressed demonstrations. Critics said the campaign's language and timing were insensitive to victims of state violence and to the family of Park Jong-chul, a student activist whose 1987 torture death helped galvanize the country's democracy movement. Starbucks Korea halted the promotion and issued an apology. Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin, whose E-Mart affiliate operates Starbucks Korea, dismissed SCK Company CEO Son Jung-hyun and ordered disciplinary measures against the executive who oversaw the campaign, as well as other staff involved. Chung later issued a public apology over the controversy. The gap narrowed in July. Starbucks Korea's estimated payments rose 9.6 percent from June, while A Twosome Place's fell 3 percent, suggesting the shift in consumer spending may not be settled. The data also suggest that the controversy may have accelerated a trend that was already building before May, as A Twosome Place and low-cost chains gained ground. A Twosome Place has topped 100 billion won in monthly estimated payments for 15 consecutive months as of July. Mega MGC Coffee, one of South Korea's fast-growing low-cost chains, reached 98.21 billion won in July, closing in on the 100 billion won mark, up 1.6 percent from June. Paik's Coffee recorded 24.5 billion won, roughly flat from the previous month. The numbers point to a more crowded coffee market, where Starbucks Korea is no longer competing only with premium rivals like A Twosome Place, but also with lower-priced chains that have expanded rapidly through smaller-format stores and cheaper drinks. For Starbucks, the question is whether July's rebound will continue. For its rivals, the past three months have offered a rare opening in a market long defined by Starbucks' brand power. 2026-08-04 11:27:07
  • South Korea says AI factories lift factory output, cut defects
    South Korea says AI factories lift factory output, cut defects SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) - South Korea's manufacturers have posted measurable gains from deploying artificial intelligence on their production lines, the industry ministry said, pointing to sharper output and fewer defects across semiconductor, automobile and shipbuilding plants. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Tuesday that its flagship AI Factory initiative has backed the AI transformation of about 170 worksites, and that an inspection of 42 early adopters found productivity had climbed an average of 30.1 percent while defect rates fell 15.5 percent. The results were released ahead of the ministry's second-half briefing to the government, part of a drive it calls M.AX to steer traditional industry toward automation. Individual cases were striking. Surplus Global, which dismantles and recovers parts from used chip equipment, raised productivity by 66.7 percent after weaving AI into its sorting process, while Asan Sungwoo Hitech slashed quality-inspection time for electric-vehicle batteries by 90 percent through an unmanned manufacturing system. In shipbuilding, HD Hyundai Samho lifted productivity by 50 percent after adopting AI-driven autonomous welding for rudder trunks, the ministry said, adding that it now aims to spread such field-tested models to smaller firms that lack the expertise to build their own. The ministry plans to establish 500 AI factories by 2030 and expand its cluster of testbed industrial complexes to 25, alongside developing full-stack facilities that run entire production processes without human intervention. "As gains in productivity and quality have now been confirmed on the ground, we will move quickly to spread these proven models to small and mid-sized firms and regional industrial complexes," Minister Kim Jung-kwan said, pledging support to make the country a manufacturing-AI powerhouse by 2030. 2026-08-04 11:24:36
  • KOSPI slips as chipmakers fall; KOSDAQ surges 5%
    KOSPI slips as chipmakers fall; KOSDAQ surges 5% SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) - Korean shares diverged sharply Tuesday morning, with the benchmark KOSPI slipping as heavyweight semiconductor and automobile stocks declined, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ surged 5 percent on institutional buying and gains in biotechnology and optical communications shares. As of 10:30 a.m., the KOSPI stood at 6,217.20, down 0.6 percent from the previous session. The index moved between an intraday high of 6,389.40 and a low of 6,080.30. Retail investors bought 426 billion won ($299 million) worth of shares, while foreign investors purchased 226.6 billion won. Institutions sold 706.2 billion won. Samsung Electronics fell 2.3 percent to 234,000 won, while SK hynix declined 2.7 percent to 1,524,000 won. SK hynix said it and U.S. storage company SanDisk had unveiled the first standard specifications for high-bandwidth flash, or HBF, at the Future of Memory and Storage 2026 conference in California. The standard supports eight- and 16-layer NAND structures with capacities of up to 512 gigabytes and data-transfer speeds ranging from about 0.4 terabytes to 3 terabytes per second. It uses the Universal Chiplet Interconnect Express interface to connect with processors including graphics and central processing units. Automobile stocks also weakened. Hyundai Motor fell 3.2 percent to 380,500 won, while Hyundai Mobis dropped 4.5 percent to 471,500 won. Naver surged 9.9 percent to 228,000 won amid reports that the company was preparing to establish a new operator for an artificial intelligence factory and had outlined the business structure for the first phase of a 200-megawatt project. SK Eternix jumped 22 percent to 56,800 won, while SK Telecom climbed 12.2 percent to 92,000 won. The KOSDAQ stood at 773.96 at 10:30 a.m., up 5 percent. The index traded between an intraday high of 774.93 and a low of 748.20. Institutions bought 254.4 billion won worth of KOSDAQ shares. Retail investors sold 85.5 billion won, while foreign investors offloaded 166.1 billion won. Internet and catalog retailing shares rose 10.21 percent. Silicon2 advanced 12.03 percent, while Gradient gained 3.59 percent. Biotechnology stocks climbed 9.4 percent. AbClon surged 23.23 percent and Rznomics rose 22.2 percent. Optical communications shares gained 9 percent, with Raicom jumping 28.6 percent and RF Materials advancing 20.8 percent. Immuno-oncology stocks rose 8.1 percent. Qriant surged 29.9 percent, while AbClon gained more than 23 percent. Among other KOSDAQ stocks, Taihan Fiberoptics rose 8.5 percent to 10,040 won and Winix gained 7 percent to 6,270 won. ICH dropped 9.7 percent to 906 won, while Deepnoid fell 3.3 percent to 1,546 won. U.S. stocks closed sharply higher overnight. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.32 percent to a record 53,178.41, while the S&P 500 gained 1.48 percent to 7,600.50. The Nasdaq Composite climbed 2.13 percent to 25,913.90. U.S. Treasury yields declined, with the two-year yield falling 5.4 basis points to 4.237 percent and the 10-year yield dropping 5.9 basis points to 4.676 percent. Oil prices rebounded modestly during Asian trading after sharp overnight losses triggered by renewed hopes for a diplomatic easing between the United States and Iran. Expectations that talks could lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz reduced concerns over disruptions to global crude shipments. Supply conditions also improved as Kazakhstan resumed exports through the Caspian Pipeline Consortium and Turkey and Iraq extended a major pipeline agreement. West Texas Intermediate crude had settled 5.11 percent lower at $80.34 a barrel, while Brent crude rose 0.7 percent to $84.36 in the previous session. WTI rose 0.7 percent to $80.90 during Asian trading Tuesday morning. The Korean won strengthened by 6.6 won, or 0.5 percent, to 1,424.2 won against the U.S. dollar. Moreover, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.9 percent to 63,206.08. China’s Shanghai Composite edged up 0.04 percent to 3,811.30, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index was nearly unchanged, rising 0.01 percent to 26,012.10. 2026-08-04 11:20:30
  • Seongnam Youth Foundation Launches AI Camp for Young Adults
    Seongnam Youth Foundation Launches AI Camp for Young Adults The Seongnam Youth Foundation in Gyeonggi Province kicked off its 2026 Seongnam Youth AI Camp with an orientation and hands-on workshop on August 1, marking the start of a three-month practical AI training program. According to the foundation on August 4, all 30 participants, selected through in-person interviews in July, attended the training. Participants shared the training schedule and operational methods, networked with each other, and engaged in basic exercises using natural language prompts to create AI-based web services through a program called 'Vibe Coding.' The training is designed to allow non-majors to directly implement AI services. The curriculum will be conducted in a hybrid format over approximately three months, combining online and offline sessions. Every Wednesday will feature an online pre-learning and project design day, while Saturdays will be dedicated to 'Meetup Days' for planning and developing AI web services (MVPs). The 2026 Seongnam Youth AI Camp aims to enhance the AI capabilities and digital skills of young people in the Seongnam area. All training costs are fully covered, and practical sessions will utilize AI development environments such as Cursor Pro and Claude API. After the program concludes, outstanding participants will receive awards from the foundation's CEO. Participants at the orientation expressed their enthusiasm, stating, "I used to think AI was daunting, but it's impressive that we can create services ourselves," and "I'm excited about the practical training that can be applied to employment and entrepreneurship. Working on projects with local youth who share similar interests is motivating." Meanwhile, Yang Kyung-seok, the foundation's CEO, remarked, "All selected participants attended the first training session, and we will support them in building their AI practical skills and gaining project experience and portfolios through this program."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-04 11:20:20
  • S. Korea expands missile defense with additional Cheongung-II deployment
    S. Korea expands missile defense with additional Cheongung-II deployment SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) - South Korea has added another domestically developed Cheongung-II missile defense system to its network, putting the first system scheduled under its 2026 fielding plan into operation, the Defense Ministry said Tuesday. Cheongung-II, also known as the M-SAM-II, is a medium-range surface-to-air missile system designed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles at lower altitudes during the terminal phase of flight. The latest system was deployed to a missile defense battery in Gyeonggi Province in May and began full operational missions on Aug. 1 after completing simulated training reflecting the unit’s actual operating environment. The South Korean military has progressively fielded Cheongung-II systems since 2020 as part of efforts to strengthen its defenses against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats. The ministry said the expansion of units operating the system would further enhance the country’s lower-tier terminal missile defense capability. South Korea plans to build a denser multilayered defense network by deploying the long-range surface-to-air missile system (L-SAM) in the late 2020s. The L-SAM, South Korea’s first domestically developed upper-tier terminal defense system, is designed to intercept missiles at higher altitudes and protect a wider area using advanced precision-guidance technology. Under the planned layered structure, the L-SAM would first attempt to intercept an incoming missile in the upper tier of the terminal phase. Patriot and Cheongung-II systems would then provide additional interception opportunities at lower altitudes. The military is also developing next-generation interception systems based on technologies accumulated through its existing air and missile defense programs. Projects currently under development include the M-SAM-III, which is expected to have improved engagement capabilities, and the L-SAM-II high-altitude interceptor, designed to cover an expanded defense area. South Korea is also developing a long-range artillery interception system to counter North Korean artillery threats and is considering high-power laser weapons as another potential missile defense capability. “We will deploy the remaining systems as scheduled and further strengthen the military’s missile response capabilities,” said Kim Ki-young, director general for force policy at the Defense Ministry. “The military will continue building an overlapping, integrated and multilayered defense system capable of responding rapidly and accurately to increasingly sophisticated and diverse aerial threats by bringing together its advanced defense science and technology capabilities,” Kim said. 2026-08-04 11:14:05