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Jindo County Wins First Minister's Award for Active Administration Jindo County has received the Minister's Award from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, marking the first time in its history that the county has been recognized for its commitment to active administration.On August 3, Jindo County announced that it was honored at the awards ceremony for the 6th Comprehensive Evaluation of Active Administration by Local Governments, held at the Government Sejong Center. The event was attended by Kim Mi-soon, the Deputy Mayor of Jindo, along with other officials who celebrated the achievement.The comprehensive evaluation assesses the active administration systems, execution results, organizational culture, and public perception of 243 local governments across the country, including 17 metropolitan and 226 basic local governments. This annual evaluation aims to establish a culture of active administration throughout the public sector and to identify and disseminate best practices.Jindo County received high marks for systematically establishing an active administration execution plan, selecting outstanding public officials, providing preferential treatment in personnel decisions, operating a pre-consultation system, and implementing an active administration mileage system.As a result of these efforts, Jindo County was recognized as an outstanding institution among basic local governments and received the Minister's Award, which is only given to the top institutions in each category, solidifying its position as a leading local government in active administration.The county has focused on creating an organizational culture that allows public officials to engage in creative and proactive administration, free from the constraints of regulations and procedures, to address the inconveniences faced by residents.Through the pre-consultation system, the county has reduced legal and administrative uncertainties that may arise during the execution of tasks, while the active administration mileage and personnel preference systems have encouraged voluntary participation from employees, leading to tangible results in the implementation of these systems.Jae-gak Lee, the Mayor of Jindo County, stated, "This award is a valuable achievement created by the hard work and passion of all public officials who actively strive to solve problems from the perspective of the residents. We will continue to expand active administration that residents can feel and strive to provide effective administrative services centered on the field."Following this recognition, Jindo County plans to further expand its exemplary cases of active administration and implement various system improvements and capacity-building initiatives to foster a culture of challenge and innovation throughout the public sector.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-03 17:20:00 -
Extreme Heat Over 104 Degrees F Causes Deaths of Farmers and Livestock As extreme heat continues across the country, there are growing concerns about the impact on agriculture, with reports of fatalities among farmers and the deaths of hundreds of thousands of livestock. The government has raised its response level as prolonged heat and lack of rainfall are expected to persist.According to the Korea Meteorological Administration and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, heat advisories were issued for most regions on this day. The highest temperatures reached 41.1 degrees Celsius (106 degrees Fahrenheit) in Gwangyang, 39.6 degrees Celsius (103.3 degrees Fahrenheit) in Miryang, 39.0 degrees Celsius (102.2 degrees Fahrenheit) in Daegu, and 38.8 degrees Celsius (101.8 degrees Fahrenheit) in Uiryeong. A major heat warning was also issued for parts of southeastern and southwestern Seoul, as well as Osan, Anseong, and western Yeoju in Gyeonggi Province. This marks the first time a major heat warning has been issued for the capital region since the system was introduced.A major heat warning is issued when the perceived temperature exceeds 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) for more than two consecutive days, with expectations of a daily maximum perceived temperature of 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) or a daily maximum temperature of 39 degrees Celsius (102.2 degrees Fahrenheit) for at least one day. This indicates extreme heat levels that pose a threat to both vulnerable populations and healthy individuals.On August 2, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety elevated the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters to Level 2. This is the first activation of Level 2 since August 2023 and the second time since heat waves were classified as natural disasters in 2018. Level 2 is activated when temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher are expected in over 60% of the national land forecast areas for three consecutive days, or when temperatures of 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher are expected in 40% to less than 60% of those areas.The most concerning issue in agriculture is the risk of fatalities among farmers. On August 2, a man in his 60s was found dead in a ditch while working in a rice field in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province. An 80-year-old man working in a field in the same city also collapsed and was taken to the hospital but later died. Additionally, a man in his 70s working in a home garden in Busan and an 80-year-old man working in a greenhouse in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, also lost their lives. Authorities suspect these individuals died from heat-related illnesses while working in the extreme heat.Farmers, who are often older and work outdoors, are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, among the 4,460 heat-related illness cases reported last year, 685, or 15.4%, were in the agricultural sector. Of the 29 estimated heat-related deaths, 7, or 24.1%, were in agriculture. Over the past three years, the agricultural sector has consistently accounted for more than 15% of all heat-related illness cases.Concerns are also rising over livestock deaths and crop damage. As of August 1, the Central Disaster Headquarters reported that 43,450 livestock had died due to the heat, including 28,194 pigs and 404,256 poultry. Apples and peaches exposed to strong sunlight for extended periods may suffer from sunburn damage, which can affect their marketability and limit their shipment.The prolonged heat, combined with insufficient rainfall, raises concerns about a shortage of agricultural water. As of today, the average water levels in reservoirs managed by the Korea Rural Community Corporation in Gwangju and Gyeongnam are 47.7% and 40.4%, respectively, which is 28% and 45% lower than the same time last year. The water levels in major local reservoirs, such as Najuho and Junam Reservoir, are also down 17% and 47%, respectively, compared to a year ago.If the drought continues, it could adversely affect the yields of key local crops. The Gwangju region is the largest rice-producing area in the country, while Gyeongnam has a high production share of facility vegetables like strawberries and peppers.In response to the severe drought in Gyeongsang and Jeolla provinces, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has decided to allocate 2.1 billion won in emergency funding. This funding will be used for river excavation, installation of pumping facilities, and mobilization of water trucks to secure agricultural water in the short term. Additionally, to prevent fatalities among farmers, authorities are urging them to refrain from outdoor work between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on days when heat advisories are in effect.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-03 17:16:00
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Naver Expands AI Agent Integration in Whale Browser for Enhanced User Experience Naver is expanding the role of artificial intelligence (AI) from the search bar to the entire Whale browser. The company aims to implement an agent service that goes beyond answering questions, allowing AI to directly browse the web and perform necessary tasks.On August 3, Naver announced that it is developing a specialized AI agent for the Whale browser, targeting implementation this month. By combining data accumulated from search and service operations with AI, the browser will serve as a tool for executing AI agent tasks. While the existing search service primarily provides information, the new direction will enable AI to understand user intent and perform necessary processes on their behalf.In Whale, AI is expected to evolve to directly explore multiple web pages, gather and summarize necessary information, and carry out required tasks. The goal is to reduce the time users spend searching for information across various sites and connect them to Naver's diverse services.This initiative is central to Naver's push for a lifestyle-oriented AI. Currently, the AI tab answers user inquiries using Naver services like Places and Shopping. For instance, if a user requests recommendations for cafes in Seoul with scenic views, the AI analyzes context, user preferences, and location information to provide relevant reviews and operating hours.With the introduction of the agent in Whale, real estate services will also be added to the AI tab. As the number of AI tab users surpasses 10 million, Naver aims to continuously integrate frequently used lifestyle services to enhance AI utilization.Based on Naver's real estate data and user-linked asset information, the AI is expected to recommend tailored properties and provide real living reviews and property analysis. This follows the recent integration of AI briefings with real estate content on Naver Pay, expanding it to the AI tab.This shift aligns with changing platform usage behaviors. While portals were once spaces for prolonged searches, they have recently transformed into purpose-driven platforms visited for specific needs like shopping or real estate. Naver's strategy is to encourage repeated use by combining lifestyle services with AI, as merely enhancing search capabilities may not be sufficient to increase user engagement.The service expansion will also extend into the health sector. Naver is preparing a health agent that connects verified medical information from research papers and conferences, real experiences from Naver Cafes, and searches for hospitals and supplements. The goal is to provide personalized information tailored to individual health histories and changing patterns.Recently, global tech giants like OpenAI have expanded their 'ChatGPT Health' features, intensifying competition in lifestyle AI. Naver is focusing on building optimized services for domestic users through AI agents that integrate data from its platforms, rather than competing with general AI models. 2026-08-03 17:16:00
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GM Korea Achieves 40,000 Vehicle Sales in July, Marking Sixth Time This Year GM Korea continued its strong sales performance in July, achieving its sixth month of 40,000 vehicle sales this year, driven by robust exports of its flagship SUVs, the Chevrolet Trax crossover and Trailblazer.On August 3, GM Korea reported total sales of 42,119 vehicles in July, which includes 766 units sold domestically and 41,353 units exported. This represents a 30.6% increase compared to the same period last year.Exports were the primary driver of this performance, with 41,353 vehicles sold overseas. Among these, the Chevrolet Trax crossover, including its variants, saw a significant increase of 48.1% year-on-year, with 26,822 units sold, marking the highest sales figures. The Chevrolet Trailblazer, including its variants, also performed well, with 14,531 units sold, reflecting a 12.6% increase from the previous year.Despite relatively low domestic sales, GM Korea is making efforts to expand its market presence. Throughout August, the company will offer cash incentives of up to 1 million won to customers purchasing the Trax crossover, Trailblazer, and Sierra.Gustavo Colossi, Vice President of Sales, Service, and Marketing at GM Korea, stated, "As the Chevrolet Trax crossover and Trailblazer continue to achieve steady sales in the global market, we will enhance our after-sales service system accordingly."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-03 17:12:00
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Busan North Port Transfer Center Faces Construction Halt Due to Design Issues The Busan Dong-gu Office has issued a pre-notice of a construction halt to PQ Construction, the builder of the North Port Transfer Center, due to a height discrepancy issue in the elevated pedestrian walkway.This action comes after the builder failed to complete the design change process for over six months.According to the Dong-gu Office, the pre-notice was sent on July 31. The problematic section connects the KTX Busan Station, the rooftop plaza of the transfer center, and a cultural park. The office confirmed that there is a height difference of approximately 3 meters in this area.Under building regulations, if the scope of changes exceeds a minor level, formal design change approval must be obtained before proceeding with construction. However, this procedure has not been completed.Earlier this year, the Dong-gu Office confirmed the builder's intention to change the design and has been encouraging compliance. Although PQ Construction began the design change process earlier this year, it has not submitted the formal approval application within the designated timeframe.The Dong-gu Office plans to receive explanatory materials from the builder by August 20 and will determine the final level and timing of any actions to be taken.A spokesperson for the office stated, "This pre-notice does not immediately halt all construction; decisions regarding the pedestrian walkway will be made after gathering opinions."Currently, construction of the transfer center is effectively stalled, with an estimated overall progress rate of about 10%. The original completion date was set for June 2029. If a formal construction halt order is issued, delays in the completion and opening schedule are expected.If the builder fails to comply with the corrective demands, the Dong-gu Office may take stronger measures, including imposing fines or filing complaints, in accordance with relevant laws. However, the office has stated that it will monitor the situation before making any decisions.Meanwhile, the exact cause of the 3-meter height discrepancy has not yet been clearly identified. The Dong-gu Office has indicated that the discrepancy is not simply due to a measurement error between the design plans and the actual construction height, but further investigation is needed to clarify the specific circumstances. Additionally, the currently reported 10% progress rate will undergo verification through written documentation in the future.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-03 17:08:20
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Hyundai Motor Reports 320,000 Global Sales in July, Down 5.1% Year-on-Year Hyundai Motor announced that its global sales in July totaled 318,454 units, a 5.1% decrease compared to the same month last year.Domestic sales fell 14.4% year-on-year to 48,113 units, while overseas sales decreased by 3.2% to 270,341 units.The best-selling vehicle type in the domestic market was sedans, with the Grandeur leading at 8,532 units, followed by the Sonata at 4,584 units and the Avante at 2,624 units, totaling 16,331 units.In the recreational vehicle (RV) category, a total of 16,767 units were sold, with the Santa Fe at 3,822 units, followed by the Kona at 2,756 units and the Palisade at 2,545 units.Sales of light commercial vehicles reached 7,281 units, including 4,280 units of the Porter and 2,904 units of the Staria. Medium and large buses and trucks sold a total of 2,304 units.Genesis models sold a total of 5,430 units, with the G80 at 1,933 units, the GV70 at 1,700 units, and the GV80 at 1,317 units.A Hyundai official stated, "In July, overall industry demand was sluggish due to production disruptions caused by strikes and waiting demand for new models. We plan to introduce competitive new models, including the all-new Avante, in the second half of the year while stabilizing production operations to strengthen our sales momentum."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-03 17:08:10
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Trading Volume Drops Over 50% After Increase in Leverage ETF Deposit Requirement Following the government's increase of the basic deposit requirement for single-stock leverage exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to 30 million won, trading volumes for Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix leverage ETFs have decreased by more than 50%. Analysts suggest that the new regulations aimed at curbing investment speculation have effectively dampened short-term trading.According to the Korea Exchange on August 3, the trading volume for 14 types of single-stock leverage ETFs based on Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix was recorded at 112,418,178 shares. This marks a 53.5% decline from the previous trading day on July 31, when the volume was 241,927,900 shares.The decline in trading volume for key products was significant. The 'KODEX SK Hynix Single Stock Leverage' ETF saw a drop from 116,923,503 shares to 44,387,596 shares, a decrease of 62.0%. Similarly, the 'KODEX Samsung Electronics Single Stock Leverage' ETF fell from 43,311,691 shares to 21,305,981 shares, a reduction of 50.8%.The 'TIGER SK Hynix Single Stock Leverage' ETF decreased from 53,364,914 shares to 35,988,627 shares, a 32.6% drop, while the 'TIGER Samsung Electronics Single Stock Leverage' ETF fell from 20,607,747 shares to 8,841,049 shares, a 57.1% decline.To mitigate excessive investment in single-stock leverage ETFs, the government implemented a policy on July 31 to raise the basic deposit requirement from 10 million won to 30 million won. Additionally, the basic deposit is now recognized only in cash, excluding stocks, ETFs, and bonds. Therefore, if an investor deposits 30 million won and purchases 20 million won worth of single-stock leverage ETFs, they must deposit an additional 20 million won in cash for further purchases. However, there are no restrictions on selling existing holdings. 2026-08-03 17:04:20
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DeepSeek's V4-Flash Offers Lowest Operating Costs Among Major AI Models Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) startup DeepSeek's new model has recorded the lowest operating costs among major global AI models. The cost per benchmark test is over 100 times cheaper than Anthropic's 'Claude Payable 5.'According to Reuters on August 2, AI model evaluation firm Artificial Analysis reported that DeepSeek's 'V4-Flash' had the lowest cost for benchmark tests among major global models.Artificial Analysis estimated the average cost per test for V4-Flash at 3 cents (approximately 43 won). In comparison, China's Moonshot AI's 'Kimi K3' costs 86 cents (about 1,230 won), OpenAI's 'GPT-5.6 Sol' costs $1.86 (about 2,600 won), and Anthropic's 'Claude Payable 5' costs $3.15 (about 4,500 won).The usage fee for V4-Flash is $0.14 (about 200 won) per million input tokens and $0.28 (about 400 won) per million output tokens. Tokens are the data units used by AI to process or generate sentences.DeepSeek officially launched V4-Flash on July 31. The company, which is reportedly preparing for an initial public offering (IPO), is leveraging its ultra-low-cost AI model to regain market leadership.However, it is challenging to assess actual operating costs based solely on token prices. Reuters noted that even with lower prices, if more inference processes and input/output tokens are required to generate responses, the final costs could increase.Additionally, V4-Flash's performance did not match some high-performance models. In the 'Intelligence Index' compiled by Artificial Analysis, which aggregates results from nine benchmarks including coding, reasoning, and task-oriented challenges, V4-Flash scored 50 out of 100.This score is on par with Google's 'Gemini 3.6 Flash' but one point lower than Meta's 'Muse Spark 1.1' and China's Z.AI's 'GLM-5.2.' Moonshot AI's Kimi K3 scored 57, while Anthropic's 'Claude Opus 5,' 'Claude Payable 5,' and OpenAI's GPT-5.6 scored at least nine points higher than V4-Flash.The index is calculated based on evaluations from nine benchmarks, including coding, reasoning, and task-oriented challenges.DeepSeek is also preparing a higher-performing model, 'V4-Pro,' but has not disclosed an official release date.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-03 17:04:10
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Seoul Sizzles as Heat Wave Hits 37°C Heat haze shimmers above a road near a bus transfer center in Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul, as heat wave warnings were issued across most parts of South Korea on Aug. 3, 2026. The daytime high in Seoul soared to 37 degrees Celsius. 2026-08-03 17:01:47 -
Ottogi Engages Gaming Fans at Gen.G Esports Home Stand Ottogi expanded its engagement with gaming fans by operating an interactive booth at a Gen.G Esports fan event.From July 31 to August 1, Ottogi participated in the '2026 LCK Team Roadshow House of Gen.G' held at KINTEX Exhibition Center in Ilsan, showcasing its brand experience space 'Gen Kitchen.''House of Gen.G' is a large-scale esports event featuring Gen.G players, fans, and streamers. The event included regular season LCK matches, player meet-and-greets, the '2026 LoL Championship with Gen.G,' and various event booths.Ottogi set up the booth to promote its global partnership with Gen.G and to enhance its connection with fans. The key message was 'Everyday TASTE, Everyday PLAY,' creating an interactive space that combined the characters of five Gen.G League of Legends players with key products.Gen Kitchen featured programs linked to the unique characteristics and play styles of players such as Kiin, Canyon, Chovy, Ruler, and Doran.At the Kiin booth, participants played a game stacking Ottogi's three-minute products within a time limit, while the Canyon booth offered UNO burrito sales and tastings along with a photo zone. The Chovy booth featured tastings of UNO hot dogs and a dice game, and the Ruler booth provided a dart game with ramen and team posters as prizes. The Doran booth hosted a game program using UNO pizza.An Ottogi representative stated, 'We were able to communicate closely with fans through interactive content that connected the personalities of Gen.G players with Ottogi products. We will continue our marketing activities based on our global partnership with Gen.G, allowing consumers to naturally experience the brand in their daily lives.'Gen.G Esports is a major esports organization operating global professional teams in key titles such as League of Legends, Valorant, and Overwatch.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-03 17:00:00