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Daejeon museum fair draws 151 institutions SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - Over 150 museums, galleries and related organizations will gather in Daejeon this week for a three-day fair highlighting how artificial intelligence and digital technology are reshaping the museum sector, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Wednesday. The 2026 Museum and Art Museum Fair will run from Sept. 18 to 20 at the Daejeon Convention Center. A total of 151 public, private and university museums, local governments, cultural organizations and companies will operate about 380 booths, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The event, now in its third year after previous editions in Busan and Gwangju, will focus on the theme of museums as part of the future of K-culture, with particular attention to AI and other digital technologies. Visitors will be able to take part in 10 free education and hands-on programs, while a separate immersive content zone will screen 17 digital works. The fair will also include career consulting for people seeking jobs in museums and galleries, public talks with museum directors and tours of six museums in the Daejeon and South Chungcheong region. Sixty-nine museums participating in the government's regional touring exhibition program, "Museum Ieum," will also join the event with exhibitions and hands-on booths. International conference will bring together museum officials and researchers, including National Museum of Korea Director Yoo Hong-jun, Chase F. Robinson of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art and KAIST professor Jeong Jae-seung. The ministry said the fair is intended to broaden the role of museums beyond exhibitions and explore how they can respond to technological and social change. AJP Takeaways - The 2026 Museum and Art Museum Fair will run Sept. 18-20 in Daejeon. - A total of 151 museums, galleries and related organizations will operate about 380 booths. - The fair will highlight AI, digital technology and the changing role of museums. 2026-09-16 10:59:23 -
Kang Shin-cheol Aims to Build a Winning South Korean Military Kang Shin-cheol, the nominee for Minister of National Defense, stated on September 16 that he aims to create a "winning South Korean military," asserting that victory will become the strategy and policy of national defense. During his opening remarks at the confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly's Defense Committee, Kang emphasized the need to establish a defense posture led by the military across all domains, while also strengthening the combined defense posture under the solid trust of the South Korea-U.S. alliance. Regarding the direction of defense reform, he highlighted the importance of ensuring that strong warriors can deploy anywhere, maintain visibility, and possess the capability to deter any adversary, thereby achieving victory in competition. Kang also noted that in future warfare involving artificial intelligence, the ability to understand people will dominate the battlefield. He pledged to build a system for joint operations and all-domain operations based on a culture of warriors equipped with smart defense capabilities. He further stated, "We will create a morale and welfare system that defense families can truly feel, and we will move forward as a military by the people, for the people, and of the people."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-16 10:56:00 -
Ansan Mayor Lee Min-keun Engages with Residents to Address Local Issues On September 15, Ansan Mayor Lee Min-keun accompanied residents of Ildong to address local inconveniences. As part of the upcoming budget preparation, the mayor shared local issues with residents under the theme 'Incorporating Citizens' Dreams into the Budget' and discussed ways to improve daily inconveniences. By directly observing the residents' daily challenges, Mayor Lee demonstrated his commitment to finding solutions on-site. About 70 people attended the meeting, including Mayor Lee, relevant officials, and Ildong residents. During the visit, the mayor and residents inspected the Ansan Botanical Garden and the bus stop near the Ansan Hospital of the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service, assessing facilities that residents frequently use and identifying areas needing improvement. Residents requested, "Please repair the worn-out pavement at the Ansan Botanical Garden and install a fountain in the plaza to create a more pleasant resting space for citizens." In response, Mayor Lee agreed to actively consider plans to remove the old elastic pavement around the garden, refurbish it, and install a new fountain in the plaza. The aim is to enhance the environment of the Ansan Botanical Garden, transforming it from merely a space for viewing plants into a leisure area where citizens can relax. Next, the mayor and his team visited the bus stop at the Ansan Hospital to closely examine the inconveniences faced by patients, caregivers, and nearby residents. Residents pointed out that seasonal changes significantly affect the comfort of those using the bus stop and suggested the installation of heated seats and blowers. Mayor Lee plans to comprehensively review the feasibility of installing heated seats and blowers based on the site conditions, including sidewalk width and electrical work possibilities. This initiative focuses on not just receiving residents' suggestions but also on the mayor personally visiting the site to assess the usage environment and project conditions, aiming to incorporate these into the budget and project plans. Local citizens expressed optimism, stating, "It feels promising that the mayor is here to listen to our concerns, which we have often thought about. Improving these everyday inconveniences will have a more tangible impact than grand projects." Mayor Lee emphasized, "The suggestions gathered on-site are requests aimed at improving the representative resting spaces for local residents and enhancing mobility for those with transportation difficulties. I will thoroughly review the suggestions to ensure we implement projects that citizens can truly feel the benefits of." Looking ahead, Mayor Lee plans to continue engaging with residents through 'Incorporating Citizens' Dreams into the Budget' to directly confirm key local issues and daily inconveniences, developing practical solutions based on site conditions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-16 10:52:00
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Korean Bar Association Hosts Conference on Realistic Compensation for Damages The Korean Bar Association (KBA), led by President Kim Jeong-wook, announced that it will co-host a conference on "Realistic Compensation for Damages" with Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Dong-a on September 17 at 10 a.m. in the fourth meeting room of the National Assembly.The standards for calculating damages have remained unchanged for over a decade without reflecting economic conditions, leading to ongoing criticism that they are out of touch with public sentiment. In response, the KBA has organized this event to discuss the effectiveness of damage compensation standards from the perspective of practicing attorneys.The conference will be moderated by Lee Won-jo, the Korea managing partner of the multinational law firm DLA Piper, with Jeon Seon-yi, the KBA's second planning director, serving as the host.Professor Jeong Ji-in from Ewha Womans University Law School will present on the topic of "Current Status and Improvement Measures for Damage Compensation Standards." The discussion will feature various experts, including Professor Park Dong-jin from Yonsei University Law School, Han Kyung-seok, a legislative researcher at the National Assembly's Legislative Research Service, attorney Lee Yong-myeong (a member of the KBA's task force on realistic compensation), journalist Lee Tae-jun from Sisa Journal, and former chief judge Ahn Jwa-jin from Jeonju District Court, who will share diverse opinions on the standards for calculating damages.Rational reform of damage compensation standards is crucial not only for providing substantial rights protection for victims but also for enhancing public trust in the judicial system.A KBA official stated, "We hope this conference will serve as a starting point for institutional improvements in damage compensation standards, and we will continue to play a necessary role in ensuring that citizens' rights are more effectively protected."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-16 10:48:10
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BABYMONSTER Sells Out Two Concerts in Macau, Drawing 18,000 Fans The group BABYMONSTER has sold out both performances of their second world tour in Macau.BABYMONSTER held their '2026-27 BABYMONSTER World Tour CHOOM' at The Venetian Arena in Macau on September 11 and 12, captivating over 18,000 local fans.This concert marked BABYMONSTER's first solo performance in Macau since their debut, generating significant buzz ahead of the event. Thanks to the explosive response from local fans, additional tickets were quickly sold out, showcasing their strong global ticketing power.The opening was highlighted by a high-energy band arrangement of 'WE GO UP.' The group followed with a series of hits, including the title track 'CHOOM' from their third mini-album, as well as 'SHEESH' and 'DRIP,' keeping the audience energized throughout the show.The rich live band sound accentuated the members' powerful vocals, while a variety of special effects, including fireworks and lasers, enhanced the scale and vibrancy of the performance.Most notably, BABYMONSTER's stage presence, which has grown through their world tour, captivated the audience. Members wielding handheld microphones delivered flawless live performances and solid rapping, eliciting cheers from fans.After the successful Macau concerts, BABYMONSTER expressed their joy at finally meeting their fans, known as MONSTIES, in Macau. They stated, 'We are thrilled to have met our MONSTIES in Macau. We hope today becomes a cherished memory for you, just as you have waited for us. We will continue to work hard, recalling this moment.'Meanwhile, BABYMONSTER is currently on the Asian leg of their second world tour, which began in Manila, Philippines, on September 5. They are scheduled to perform a total of 29 shows across five continents, including Oceania, South America, North America, and Europe.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-16 10:48:10
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Suwon City Launches '2026 Suwon Hwaseong Media Art' Festival Gyeonggi Suwon City (Mayor Lee Jae-jun) will host the '2026 Suwon Hwaseong Media Art' event from September 19 to October 6 at Jangan Park.Themed 'Saebit Dongrak (同樂): Suwon Hwaseong (華城), Blooming with Light Season 1 - Ayu Gabin (我有嘉賓),' the festival will take place daily from 6 PM to 10 PM at Hwaseomun, Janganmun, and Jangan Park. 'Ayu Gabin' translates to 'I have a precious guest.'The opening ceremony is scheduled for 7 PM on September 19. This marks the sixth year of the Suwon Hwaseong Media Art festival, which has expanded its performances and enhanced experiential content. The event will also feature increased seating and a pop-up store in collaboration with a global intellectual property brand to attract international tourists.At Hwaseomun, the media art piece 'Light of Connection' will be shown three times daily (7:30 PM, 8:30 PM, and 9:30 PM). Additionally, various performances incorporating light, sound, dance, and drone displays will be featured.Janganmun will showcase storytelling works related to Suwon Hwaseong under the theme 'The King's Path - Companionship,' presenting grand media art that combines lighting, sound, and special effects.Jangan Park will be transformed into a media park, utilizing the Suwon Hwaseong fortress walls for sound interactive media art. The forest area will host a giant flower and botanical healing zone. Interactive programs and photo zones will be created for visitors, along with a market featuring local specialties called 'Haenggung Store Suwon Store.'A city official stated, 'Starting with the Suwon Hwaseong Media Art on the 19th, three major autumn festivals will continue for 23 days.' They expressed hope that many people will visit Suwon's autumn festival and create wonderful memories.Suwon Hwaseong, built during the Joseon Dynasty by King Jeongjo, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. The 63rd Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival will take place from November 4 to 11, featuring various programs alongside the royal procession in Anyang and Suwon.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-16 10:48:00
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Daewoong Pharmaceutical Receives Minister's Award for Family-Friendly Practices Daewoong Pharmaceutical has been recognized for its efforts in supporting employees' childbirth, childcare, and career development by receiving the Minister's Award at the National Contribution Awards. On September 16, Daewoong Pharmaceutical announced that it won the Minister's Award from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family in the low birthrate prevention category at the 13th National Contribution Awards 2026. The company has maintained its family-friendly certification for 12 consecutive years and was also named a leading family-friendly company last year. The National Contribution Awards honor companies and organizations that contribute to the sustainable development of the nation through management innovation, social contribution, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) management. Daewoong Pharmaceutical received high marks for its long-term operation of childbirth and childcare support systems, which are linked to actual employee utilization and career continuity. The company was selected as a winner in the low birthrate prevention category based on a comprehensive evaluation of public suitability, execution and performance, innovation and differentiation, sustainability, and ripple effects. Since 2008, Daewoong Pharmaceutical has implemented a smart work system, allowing employees to autonomously choose their working hours and locations based on their personal circumstances. The company offers flexible and shortened work hours, remote work options, satellite offices, focus rooms, and workation opportunities. The company has also established systems to support career development after returning to work. Through the Career Development Program (CDP), employees are encouraged to proactively design their careers and expand their job roles. The job-based compensation system rewards employees based on their roles, capabilities, and performance, rather than age, tenure, or gender. Support is provided at various stages of pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare, including reduced working hours during pregnancy and childcare periods, maternity leave, and spousal leave. Health management programs for employees and their families are also available. The effectiveness of these programs is reflected in the high retention rate of employees returning from parental leave. Daewoong Pharmaceutical recorded a 93.5% retention rate for employees returning from parental leave and maternity leave between 2022 and 2024. Lee Chang-jae, CEO of Daewoong Pharmaceutical, stated, "We will continue to improve our systems and work environment so that employees can fully demonstrate their capabilities and grow." Meanwhile, with the complete overhaul of the innovative pharmaceutical company certification system after 14 years, Daewoong Pharmaceutical is expected to make a renewed effort in this area. Last year, the company invested 219.9 billion won in R&D, accounting for 15.8% of its revenue, and spent 115.7 billion won in the first half of this year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-16 10:48:00
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Repeated Violations by Seoul Real Estate Agencies Raise Concerns Some real estate agencies in Seoul have repeatedly violated advertising regulations despite facing penalties. One agency has been penalized 12 times in the past five years, raising concerns that fines are being treated as mere business expenses. According to data submitted by the Seoul city government to Rep. Buseung-chan of the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, Agency A has received a total of 12 penalties for advertising violations from 2022 to this year, with many of these being fines for violations related to the display and advertising of properties. Agency B has been penalized 11 times for violations of advertising and disclosure obligations, including suspensions due to repeated offenses. Agency C has received 10 fines for advertising violations. Notably, Agency B faced two suspensions in December 2024 and May 2026. Records show that violations of disclosure obligations and advertising rules occurred between these two suspensions. This raises questions about the effectiveness of post-penalty management and enforcement for agencies that have received suspensions. The limitations of the Real Estate Agent Act were also highlighted in an investigation by Aju Economy. In March, the investigative team inquired about listings from 30 real estate agencies in Seoul and found that only nine of the advertised properties were available for viewing. Instances of 'false listings,' where potential buyers are lured to view properties that are not actually available, have been frequently reported. There are also indications of 'zombie operations,' where staff move to different agencies under new names to continue business after a suspension. The problem is compounded by an increase in the number of false listing determinations, raising doubts about the current law's deterrent effect. According to data from the Korea Internet Self-Regulation Organization (KISO), the number of false listings rose from 21,553 in 2024 to 23,728 in 2025. By February of this year, there were 4,270 cases, a 33% increase compared to 3,201 during the same period last year. Rep. Buseung-chan stated, "If a real estate agency is caught more than ten times and continues to violate regulations, it raises the question of whether fines are seen as a cost of doing business rather than a penalty. We need to assess whether enhanced penalties for habitual offenders are effectively enforced and improve the system to genuinely prevent repeated violations." 2026-09-16 10:48:00
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Cho flies to Washington, Seoul holds NSC meeting SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun will travel to Washington from Thursday through Saturday for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while Seoul convenes a National Security Council meeting to review options in response to U.S. demands for a contribution to security in the Strait of Hormuz. The NSC review could give Cho a clearer position to take into his meeting with Rubio on Friday. The Foreign Ministry said Wednesday the two ministers would discuss bilateral relations, Korean Peninsula issues and a broad range of regional and global affairs. The Hormuz issue is expected to loom large over the talks. Seoul has been weighing military and nonmilitary options after Washington repeatedly called on South Korea to help secure freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway. A government assessment team returned from the United Arab Emirates last week after inspecting military facilities, ports, security conditions and logistical arrangements near the strait. The government has stressed that the mission was not conducted on the premise of a military deployment and that no final decision has been made. Options under consideration include noncombat assets such as P-8A maritime patrol aircraft and explosive ordnance disposal personnel, as well as technical assistance, according to government discussions reported this week. The government is expected to review the assessment at a National Security Council meeting Thursday as it works toward a more concrete position on South Korea's possible contribution. Economic negotiations are also entering a critical stage. South Korea pledged $350 billion in U.S. investments under its trade agreement with Washington, comprising $200 billion for strategic industries and $150 billion for shipbuilding. Industry minister Kim Jung-kwan was in Washington last week to discuss the composition and scale of individual projects. Projects under discussion include a natural gas project in Texas, nuclear power plants and an Alaska gas pipeline. Washington has sought commitments that could exceed the $200 billion earmarked for strategic industries, while Seoul has been trying to keep the projects within that ceiling. Cho and Rubio discussed both agendas during an Aug. 24 phone call. The two ministers agreed to seek progress on tariffs and investment, shipbuilding and security cooperation, while Cho expressed South Korea's willingness to make a practical contribution to restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Foreign Ministry. They also agreed to maintain close coordination on North Korea and efforts to resume dialogue on the Korean Peninsula. AJP Takeaways - Foreign Minister Cho Hyun heads to Washington as Seoul reviews options for contributing to security in the Strait of Hormuz. - Thursday’s NSC meeting could shape South Korea’s position before Cho meets U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday. - The talks will also cover South Korea’s $350 billion U.S. investment pledge, shipbuilding cooperation and coordination on North Korea. 2026-09-16 10:44:39 -
South Korean footballers to face Saudi Arabia after 4-1 win over Qatar at Asian Games SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - South Korea will face Saudi Arabia next week in its second and final group-stage match in men's football at the Asian Games in Japan, after making a strong start for a fourth consecutive gold medal with a huge victory over Qatar on Tuesday. The next match is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Sept. 22 at Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium in Nagoya, where South Korea opened the tournament with a 4-1 victory over Qatar, powered by a first-half hat trick from Eom Ji-sung of Swansea City and another goal in the second half by Kim Myung-jun, who plays for Belgian second-tier club Jong Genk. Eom scored all three of his goals in the first half, finding the net in the seventh, 20th and stoppage time, while Kim added another goal in the 66th minute. South Korea, however, conceded a late consolation goal to Qatar just minutes before the final whistle. The victory put South Korea in a favorable position in its group, which consists of only three teams, unlike the other three groups with four teams each. Of the 15 teams across four groups, the top two teams in each group will advance to the quarterfinals. If it wins against Saudi Arabia, South Korea would secure the top spot in the group, providing a more favorable route through the knockout stage. A second-place finish, however, could result in a difficult quarterfinal matchup depending on the results in the other groups, as South Korea could face a tough opponent such as Uzbekistan. South Korea won gold at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, the 2018 Games in Jakarta-Palembang and the 2022 Games in Hangzhou, which were held a year later due to the coronavirus pandemic, and now seeks an unprecedented fourth consecutive triumph in men's football. AJP Takeaways - South Korea will face Saudi Arabia on September 22, 2026, at 7 p.m. at Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium in Nagoya in its second and final group-stage match of the Asian Games men's football tournament. - South Korea opened the tournament with a 4-1 victory over Qatar, with Eom Ji-sung of Swansea City scoring a first-half hat trick and Kim Myung-jun of Jong Genk adding another goal in the second half. - A win over Saudi Arabia would secure South Korea first place in its three-team group, strengthening its path through the knockout stage as the team seeks a fourth consecutive Asian Games gold medal after titles in 2014, 2018 and 2022. 2026-09-16 10:42:54