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  • Hong Ji-sun Addresses Controversy Over Apartment Purchase in Sindorim
    Hong Ji-sun Addresses Controversy Over Apartment Purchase in Sindorim Hong Ji-sun, the nominee for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, clarified that her purchase of an apartment in Sindorim, Seoul, was made for actual residence purposes ahead of the expiration of her lease. She explained that with nearby rental prices exceeding 900 million won, she decided it was better to take out a loan and buy a home priced around 1 billion won. During a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly on September 16, Hong stated, "The most challenging aspect of living in a rental was having to move every 2 to 4 years not by choice, but due to circumstances." She provided this context to explain her decision to buy a home. Democratic Party lawmaker Moon Jeong-bok challenged the notion that Hong's purchase of the Sindorim apartment last year was a speculative investment aimed at capital gains. Moon argued that plans for the GTX-B line had been in motion long before Hong's purchase, suggesting it was unlikely she intended to profit from the real estate market. He requested that Hong explain the circumstances surrounding her long-term rental before buying a home. Hong responded, "Moving to a new rental does not increase the deposit; it remains the same, but moving costs and brokerage fees continue to accumulate." She noted that the expenses from moving multiple times can add up significantly. She further explained that when her lease renewal was approaching, the landlord indicated plans to sell the property, prompting her to look for another rental. At that time, rental prices in the area had surpassed 900 million won, making it necessary to take out a rental loan regardless of whether she moved. Thus, she opted to take out a larger loan to purchase a home. Regarding the increase in property values since her purchase, Hong emphasized that her intention was not to profit from capital gains. She acknowledged that while property prices have risen since her acquisition, this was due to market conditions. Last year, Hong purchased the apartment in Sindorim-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul, co-owned with her spouse for 1.005 billion won, and its current market value has surged to 1.4 billion won. Prior to the hearing, Hong's team stated that the apartment was bought for actual residence purposes, and she continues to live there.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-16 11:28:00
  • Hyundai to supply 480 hydrogen buses for public transportation by 2032
    Hyundai to supply 480 hydrogen buses for public transportation by 2032 SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor will supply 480 hydrogen buses by 2032 for public transportation in cooperation with South Korea's largest bus operator Seonjin Group and other partners, the automaker said on Wednesday. Hyundai said it signed a multilateral memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Seonjin and other relevant institutions including the Korea Automobile Environmental Association and the Korea Natural Gas Hydrogen Charging Association to expand the use of hydrogen buses by increasing fueling facilities and related infrastructure. Under the plan, hydrogen-powered buses will be gradually introduced on the bus operator's major routes in Seoul and other metropolitan areas, while hydrogen refueling infrastructure will be expanded by converting existing compressed natural gas (CNG) stations at bus depots in Gyeonggi Province. Seonjin currently operates about 1,700 buses through 17 transportation companies in Seoul and other metropolitan areas, as well as in Jeolla provinces in the southwestern part of the country. Hyundai will also provide maintenance training for hydrogen-powered vehicles to help ensure their stable operation. Hyundai's latest move reflects its strategy of developing hydrogen and driving broader demand for it as a complement to electric cars, particularly for buses and logistics vehicles that travel long distances and carry heavy loads. The automaker aims to expand fuel-cell mobility while linking renewable energy with hydrogen. AJP Takeaways - Hyundai Motor will supply 480 hydrogen buses by 2032 for public transportation in cooperation with South Korean bus operator Seonjin Group and other partners. - Hydrogen buses will be introduced on major routes in Seoul and other metropolitan areas, with existing compressed natural gas (CNG) stations at bus depots in Gyeonggi Province to be converted into hydrogen refueling facilities. - The project supports Hyundai's broader hydrogen mobility strategy, with the automaker seeking to expand fuel-cell vehicles for long-distance, heavy-load transportation while connecting renewable energy with hydrogen. 2026-09-16 11:27:16
  • Han Byeong-do Calls for Cooperation from People Power Party Ahead of Confirmation Hearings
    Han Byeong-do Calls for Cooperation from People Power Party Ahead of Confirmation Hearings Han Byeong-do, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, urged the People Power Party to cooperate positively ahead of the confirmation hearings for Kang Shin-cheol, the nominee for Minister of National Defense, and Hong Ji-seon, the nominee for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. He also promised full support from the party, stating that both nominees are the best candidates to lead national security and housing stability.During a Supreme Council meeting held in Daejeon, Han said, "Today, the confirmation hearings for Kang and Hong will take place. Kang, a four-star general and former deputy commander of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command, is the ideal candidate to strengthen the ROK-U.S. alliance, enhance self-defense capabilities, and improve military structure."Regarding Hong, he described her as an expert in urban housing and transportation administration, having served as the director of the Urban Housing Office in Gyeonggi Province and as the second vice minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. He emphasized that since both parties agree on stabilizing the real estate market, the hearings should focus on productive alternatives rather than political disputes to expand housing supply and ensure the successful establishment of the third new towns.Han also pointed out that the confirmation hearing for Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice, held the previous day, turned into a stage for political conflict rather than a venue for assessing the nominee's qualifications or policies. He expressed regret over the People Power Party's consistent engagement in political disputes during the hearings.Additionally, Han expressed hope that President Lee Jae-myung's upcoming press conference on the 18th will serve as an opportunity to boost public support for his administration, which has been on a decline recently. He stated, "This will be a chance for the President to clearly explain his stance and direction on key national issues to the public. I hope that President Lee, who always emphasizes communication with the people, will sincerely share his views to enhance trust in his administration."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-16 11:24:10
  • Kang Shin-cheols Confirmation Hearing Sparks Tensions Over Witnesses and Evidence
    Kang Shin-cheol's Confirmation Hearing Sparks Tensions Over Witnesses and Evidence The confirmation hearing for Kang Shin-cheol, the nominee for Minister of National Defense, began with sharp disputes between the ruling and opposition parties over the selection of witnesses and the submission of evidence. Im Jong-deuk, the opposition party's representative on the National Defense Committee, criticized the hearing during a procedural statement, saying, "This has become a hearing where no one can be called to verify the facts of the allegations raised. The verification through witnesses has been effectively blocked." Im specifically pointed out that requested materials, including the military records of the nominee's children, had not been submitted. He demanded evidence regarding a loan allegation involving 700 million won, stating that documentation and explanations from relevant parties were necessary to confirm the circumstances of the loan, repayment ability, and actual repayment status. In response, Kim Byeong-joo, the ruling party's representative, argued that the opposition's proposed witnesses included personnel related to the nominee's office, stating, "The hearing should not become a platform for political attacks." He emphasized the need to thoroughly verify the nominee's capabilities and policies, cautioning against baseless allegations regarding morality. National Defense Committee Chairman Jin Sung-jun explained that the failure to reach an agreement between the parties resulted in the lack of selected witnesses. While he expressed that there was no practical benefit to additional selections, he requested that the nominee submit as much relevant material as possible with the cooperation of the Ministry of National Defense and his family. Meanwhile, during his opening remarks at the confirmation hearing, Kang stated, "I will create a victorious Republic of Korea Armed Forces," adding, "Victory will become the strategy of our defense and the policy of our defense." He further noted, "As we establish a defense posture led by our military across all domains, we will strengthen our combined defense posture under the solid trust of the South Korea-U.S. alliance."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-16 11:24:10
  • Anyang Police Conducts Code Adam Training for Missing Children Response
    Anyang Police Conducts 'Code Adam' Training for Missing Children Response The Anyang Dong-an Police Station conducted a joint drill on September 15 with the Lotte Department Store in Pyeongchon, simulating a missing child scenario under the 'Code Adam' protocol. According to the police, Code Adam is a system used in multi-use facilities like department stores and large supermarkets to quickly mobilize staff for a search when a child goes missing. When a missing child report is received, announcements and electronic displays inform the public, while entrances are secured and CCTV is used to track the child's movements. The drill simulated a situation where a child went missing inside the department store. Police and store officials reviewed initial response procedures, including receiving missing reports, issuing alerts, controlling entrances, and checking CCTV footage. They also discussed response strategies for potential unexpected situations, assessing the facility staff's ability to respond effectively. Currently, there are eight multi-use facilities designated as Code Adam locations within the jurisdiction of the Anyang Dong-an Police Station, including the Lotte Department Store in Pyeongchon. Citizens emphasized the importance of regular training to prepare for potential missing child situations in public spaces. A resident of Pyeongchon, Mr. Park, stated, "In crowded places like department stores, even a momentary lapse can lead to significant confusion. I hope such training continues so that staff can act quickly in real situations." Chief Kim Shin-jo remarked, "Initial response is crucial when a child goes missing in multi-use facilities. We will continue to assess our response system through ongoing training to ensure we can quickly locate missing individuals." The police plan to continue joint training with designated facilities to strengthen cooperation in the event of a missing child incident. 2026-09-16 11:24:10
  • Korbit Rebrands as Digital X, Completes Integration with Mirae Asset
    Korbit Rebrands as Digital X, Completes Integration with Mirae Asset Mirae Asset Group's digital asset investment platform Digital X is changing its service name from 'Korbit' to 'Digital X.' This follows the company's name change in August, completing the brand integration since joining Mirae Asset Group.Digital X announced on September 16 that it will overhaul its official domain, app icon, and brand identity alongside the name change.Current app users can transition to the new service through an update without needing to install a new app. There will be no changes to users' assets or transaction histories, and the deposit and withdrawal methods will remain the same.Digital X plans to officially inform users about the name change and will implement a gradual transition process to ensure a seamless experience after the revamp.O Se-jin, CEO of Digital X, stated, "This overhaul is more than just a name change; it marks the beginning of new growth alongside Mirae Asset Group. We will sequentially introduce products and services that provide real value to users, prioritizing the protection of customer assets as our foremost principle." 2026-09-16 11:24:00
  • Education Ministry Takes Action Amid College Application System Outage
    Education Ministry Takes Action Amid College Application System Outage The unprecedented server outage that occurred just before the deadline for the 2027 college admissions applications has sparked significant backlash. Following a one-hour extension of the application period, concerns about potential unfair practices, dubbed 'vacancy raids' (where students change their applications based on revealed competition rates), have prompted the education authorities to consider canceling applications submitted during this time.In response to the growing fallout, teachers' unions have issued statements highlighting the structural flaws of relying on a few private companies for such a critical national process and are calling for the establishment of a public application system.On September 15, the Education Ministry and the Korean Council for University Education (KCUE) released a report on the measures taken regarding the Uway application system outage, outlining principles for relief and follow-up actions. The Education Ministry stated, "We will provide relief based on objective data but will not acknowledge any unfair cases."Major teachers' unions, including the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU), the Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations (KFTA), and others, have issued statements from September 14 to 16, pointing out the chaos in schools caused by this incident and demanding accountability from the education authorities while emphasizing the need to enhance the public nature of the admissions system.Addressing 'Vacancy Raids': Reviewing Cancellation of Suspicious ApplicationsThe education authorities are focusing on preventing any unfair practices that may have occurred during the one-hour extension. There are allegations that some students checked the final competition rates released by certain universities immediately after the deadline and used the extended time to switch their applications to programs with lower competition rates.According to the Education Ministry, 17 universities disclosed their competition rates during the extension period, which was initially set to close at 6 p.m. on September 11. The ministry is currently verifying applications submitted during the extended time at these universities and stated, "We will consult with the universities and consider canceling applications identified as suspicious, such as those involving strategic maneuvering."Not All 1,200 Non-Applicants Will Be Granted Relief: Strict Criteria RequiredInitially, over 1,200 students were reported to have failed to submit their applications even after the deadline extension. However, not all of them will receive relief.To prevent indiscriminate relief, the Education Ministry and KCUE have established three strict criteria: 1) Applicants must have error logs from the system outage around 5:50 p.m. on September 11; 2) There must be a record of application attempts (including writing, saving, submitting, or payment attempts) for the university they are applying to; 3) If there are multiple application records, only the last submission will be considered for relief.An official from the Education Ministry predicted, "Applying these strict principles will significantly reduce the number of students eligible for relief from the initial 1,200."Teachers' Unions Unite in Criticism: Call for a Public Application SystemThe most significant confusion during the resolution process has been experienced in schools. Complaints from students and parents, who feel that only those who submitted their applications early are at a disadvantage, have been directed at teachers. Consequently, teachers' unions have collectively criticized the education authorities for their complacent response and the reliance on private companies for the application process.The KTU stated in a September 15 statement, "This incident stems from a structural issue where the fate of students is concentrated in the hands of a few private profit-making companies. The government must establish a public application system that ensures stability and fairness."They also demanded that the responsibility for handling relief applications and complaints not be shifted to schools and teachers, urging the Education Ministry and KCUE to take direct responsibility.The KFTA echoed this sentiment, stating, "This cannot be dismissed as a simple technical error or a one-time incident. The final responsibility for such a crucial national admissions process cannot be left to private entities, and we must reassess whether the current private-centered application system sufficiently guarantees public interest."Additionally, the Teachers' Union Federation and the Secondary Teachers' Union emphasized that students who followed school guidance and submitted their applications on time should not be placed at a disadvantage. They called for transparency regarding the circumstances surrounding the outage, the extension, and the disclosure of competition rates, urging the establishment of a unified channel for addressing grievances directly.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-16 11:20:00
  • National Assembly Approves Report on Kim Sung-soos Supreme Court Nomination
    National Assembly Approves Report on Kim Sung-soo's Supreme Court Nomination The National Assembly's Special Committee on the Nomination of Supreme Court Justices approved a report on Kim Sung-soo's nomination on September 16. During a full committee meeting, members voted to adopt the report, which included contrasting evaluations of Kim from both ruling and opposition parties.The Democratic Party stated that Kim possesses the qualifications and abilities necessary to serve as a Supreme Court Justice, asserting that he can perform his duties while upholding the independence and fairness of the judiciary.In contrast, the People Power Party criticized Kim, stating that a Supreme Court Justice must mediate social conflicts and uphold the rule of law through constitutional and legal interpretation. They argued that Kim's responses to key constitutional and social issues were neither specific nor clear, labeling him as 'unfit.'Earlier, on September 14, a confirmation hearing was held for Kim, during which lawmakers engaged in a heated debate over the nomination, touching on issues such as Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae's recommendation and President Lee Jae-myung's trial related to election law violations and judicial reform.The National Assembly is set to vote on Kim's nomination during a plenary session scheduled for September 17. The nomination will be approved if a majority of the attending lawmakers vote in favor. If the nomination passes, Kim will undergo a final appointment process by the President.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-16 11:12:00
  • Samsung and Intel Omitted from Top 200 Tax Contributors in Vietnam
    Samsung and Intel Omitted from Top 200 Tax Contributors in Vietnam Foreign direct investment (FDI) companies, which lead Vietnam's exports, have shown a relatively low contribution to tax revenues. From January to August this year, FDI firms accounted for over 80% of Vietnam's total export value, yet only 28 of them made it to the list of the top 200 tax contributors. Major exporters like Samsung, Canon, and Intel were not included in this list. According to VNTAX 2026 data reported by local media Tuoi Tre on September 15, the total tax payments from the top 200 companies in Vietnam reached 989.3 trillion dong (approximately $52.2 billion), marking a 25% increase from the previous ranking. Considering that Vietnam's national budget revenue forecast for 2025 is about 2,650 trillion dong (approximately $139.9 billion), these companies contributed over 37% of the total. Tax revenues are concentrated among the largest companies. The top 20 companies alone contributed 614 trillion dong, accounting for about 62% of the total tax revenue from the top 200 firms. In the private sector, companies like Vingroup, Sunshine Group, BRG Group's NH Smart City, Hoa Phat, Tan Cong, and Taco ranked among the top contributors. Vingroup's contribution to the national budget increased from 56.2 trillion dong to approximately 148.8 trillion dong. Among state-owned enterprises, PetroVietnam, Viettel, Petrolimex, Vinacomin, Vinataba, Vietnam Electricity (EVN), and Vietcombank were listed. PetroVietnam paid about 91 trillion dong, while Viettel contributed over 42.29 trillion dong. In the FDI and joint venture sector, Heineken Vietnam, Toyota, Honda, Vietsob Petro, Nghi Son Refinery & Petrochemical Complex, Sabeco, and Ciputra Hanoi were among the top contributors. However, FDI companies accounted for only about 18% of the total tax revenue from the top 200 firms. The disparity between export contributions and tax contributions is notable. While FDI companies represented over 80% of Vietnam's total exports from January to August, their contribution to the tax revenue of the top 200 companies was only about 18%. Major exporters like Samsung, Canon, and Intel were also absent from the list of top tax contributors. Dao Anh Tuan, Deputy Secretary-General of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), suggested that this discrepancy may stem from a business structure focused on processing and assembly, low domestic value-added, and tax incentives. He noted, "The application of a global minimum tax of 15% and the Vietnamese Communist Party's reform of foreign investment policies could bring significant changes in the future." Tuan expressed concern over the concentration of tax revenues among a few large companies. He pointed out that if the financial situation of the top 20 companies deteriorates, it could impact the overall national budget revenue. He emphasized the need to broaden the tax base while relying on large tax-paying companies to secure sustainable tax revenues. There is a need to support the growth of more companies that can contribute 10 trillion or 100 trillion dong in taxes. Improving the tax burden on companies and administrative procedures was also highlighted as a key issue. Tuan stated, "Tax policies should align with the operational conditions of businesses and maintain competitiveness compared to neighboring countries, and tax reporting procedures reform is crucial." Additionally, the stability and predictability of the tax system were identified as major challenges. He explained, "Companies are concerned about the possibility of having to pay additional taxes in the future or difficulties in the tax refund process," calling it a long-term issue that needs to be addressed.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-16 11:12:00
  • NH Nonghyup Bank Certifies 60 Branches as Dementia Prevention Leading Companies
    NH Nonghyup Bank Certifies 60 Branches as 'Dementia Prevention Leading Companies' NH Nonghyup Bank announced that 60 of its branches nationwide have received certification as 'Dementia Prevention Leading Companies' on September 16.Dementia Prevention Leading Companies are institutions where branch employees complete training to improve dementia awareness and create an environment where dementia patients and their families can feel safe. This certification is granted after an evaluation by local dementia support centers.With this certification, Nonghyup Bank aims to enhance dementia awareness capabilities across its branches and ensure that elderly customers can access financial services more comfortably and safely.The bank also offers financial products tailored for seniors. In May, it launched the 'NH All Wonderful Medical Expense Dementia Trust,' a specialized product for seniors. This product allows customers to manage their assets while healthy and, in the event of illness such as dementia, receive medical and living expenses through a designated representative.It also includes a will substitute trust feature, which helps prevent disputes during the inheritance process and facilitates the transfer of assets to designated beneficiaries.A representative from NH Nonghyup Bank stated, "We will continue to expand specialized products and services to support the stable retirement lives of our elderly customers."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-16 11:08:10