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KFA Hearing Faces Backlash as Officials Deny Favoritism The National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee is facing intense criticism over a hearing aimed at addressing various administrative issues and allegations of favoritism in the appointment of coaches within the Korea Football Association (KFA). The lack of accountability from KFA officials and the inadequate questioning by lawmakers have sparked outrage among netizens.During the hearing, lawmakers questioned the so-called "Korea University cartel" within the KFA. One committee member raised their voice, asking KFA President Chung Mong-kyu, "Have you heard of the 'Korea University cartel'? You, the head of the association, and the coach are both from Korea University. There are claims that if you are not from Korea University, you can't even step into the association."In response, President Chung denied the cartel allegations, stating, "Out of the 25 men's national team coaches I appointed, only one was from Korea University, and there were no Korea University graduates among the more than 20 women’s national team coaches I appointed."However, he later remarked, "If we had reached the Round of 16 in the World Cup, this hearing would not have even taken place," which left attendees and viewers stunned. This comment trivialized the core issue of procedural fairness and administrative dysfunction, reducing it to mere complaints about game outcomes.Additionally, the explanation provided by coach Hong Myung-bo regarding his appointment process, which involved meeting the technical director at his home rather than through a formal interview, has also raised concerns.Coach Hong acknowledged, "Meeting at my home may appear opaque to the public, but I have never requested any favoritism or benefits." He maintained that there were no procedural issues in his appointment.As he continued to assert that he was selected through a normal process, many criticized him, noting that as the former technical committee chair during the appointment of coach Paulo Bento, he had established a proper system.Netizens watching the hearing in real-time strongly criticized both the KFA officials' lack of awareness and the lawmakers' superficial questioning.Comments included, "The problem is that Choi Young-il and Lee Im-sang pleaded with him to take the position; just because he claims he didn't ask for favoritism doesn't mean it wasn't favoritism," and "It's absurd that someone who created the appointment process for Bento didn't realize it was favoritism when it came to his own selection." Others remarked, "If we had reached the Round of 16, would this all have been overlooked?" and "There are too many who think results matter more than processes. But we didn't make it, did we? It's unfortunate to see someone still not grasping what went wrong."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 11:36:00 -
People Power Party Appoints Two Additional Ethics Committee Members The People Power Party appointed two additional members to its Central Ethics Committee on July 30, restoring the committee to a seven-member structure after two members recently resigned. This move is expected to expedite the disciplinary procedures against lawmakers Cho Kyung-tae, Kwon Young-jin, and Jin Jong-o. Choi Bo-yoon, the party's chief spokesperson, announced the appointments following a Supreme Council meeting, stating, "The appointment of the two members to the Central Ethics Committee was approved by the Supreme Council." Choi explained that the previous resignations were partly due to the public disclosure of the members' names, which created pressure and discomfort. To address this issue, the party decided to appoint two new members. She added, "The party's constitution allows for the appointment of up to nine members, so we proceeded with the appointments to ensure smooth operations." The decision was made through a vote. Choi also noted that there were strong concerns raised by several Supreme Council members regarding the repeated leaks of the ethics committee's member list, as well as criticisms of inappropriate behavior by some members that could disrupt the committee's functions. During the voting process for the additional appointments, Woo Jae-jun, a youth Supreme Council member, publicly expressed his opposition. He stated, "I believe we need to investigate what is happening within the ethics committee and whether it is being operated in a biased manner. I cannot agree with the approach of simply filling the vacancies left by resignations to continue the committee's operations." In response, party leader Jang Dong-hyuk explained that the committee does not have the authority to investigate non-party members and emphasized the necessity of appointing new members to avoid leaving the committee in a state of vacancy. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 11:32:00
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Han Byeong-do Proposes Coalition of Five Progressive Parties for Political Reform Han Byeong-do, acting leader of the Democratic Party and floor leader, met with Kim Jong-hoon, leader of the Progressive Party, on July 30 and pledged to establish a coalition of five progressive parties: the Democratic Party, Justice Innovation Party, Progressive Party, Basic Income Party, and Social Democratic Party. Following a meeting with Shin Jang-sik, leader of the Justice Innovation Party, on July 28, Han's remarks to Kim suggest that this coalition could signal a revival of discussions on political reform, including the resumption of the Special Committee on Political Reform.During the meeting, Han stated, "I clearly remember the bold unification with Ulsan Mayor Kim Sang-wook during the local elections, which led to a victory for the progressive camp. The experience of joining hands for a greater cause is the cornerstone and model of solidarity that the democratic progressive camp has shown to the public."He added, "The Democratic Party and the Progressive Party are partners who have together driven away darkness and sparked a revolution of light. We face a historic mission to overcome the crisis in people's livelihoods, protect the lives of the socially vulnerable, and achieve significant social reform."Han emphasized, "I hope the Democratic Party and the Progressive Party can complete legislation for people's livelihoods and reforms to provide great hope to the public."In response, Kim proposed forming a committee to address the 100 trillion won surplus tax, suggesting that it could help restore the lives of citizens and provide concrete plans based on social principles.After the meeting, Park Ji-hye, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, told reporters, "As Han mentioned in his previous meeting with Shin, he stated that they would create a unit to discuss key tasks centered around the five parties. We agreed to work closely to expedite reform legislation and recovery of livelihoods."Park also noted, "There was no separate discussion on political reform," but expressed optimism that discussions would progress quickly through the coalition of five parties.Additionally, Noh Jeong-hyun, chief spokesperson for the Progressive Party, remarked, "National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik announced the formation of a special committee for constitutional reform, and there is a strong demand from various parties for a discussion table to address political reform issues."Meanwhile, voices for political reform are also emerging within the Democratic Party. Ahead of the party convention on August 17, candidate Song Young-gil has argued for reducing the threshold for parliamentary negotiation groups from the current 20 seats to 10. 2026-07-30 11:24:10
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Yanggu County Strengthens Joint Response to Malaria with Military and Medical Institutions 강원 양구군이 말라리아 유행 시기를 맞아 군부대와 의료기관 등 관계기관과 함께 공동 대응체계를 점검하고 감염병 예방에 나섰다. 30일 양구군에 따르면 군은 이날 보건소 회의실에서 ‘2026년 말라리아 퇴치사업단 하반기 운영회의’를 열고 최근 말라리아 발생 현황과 기관별 대응 상황을 공유했다. 회의에는 양구군보건소를 비롯해 군부대, 양구성심병원, 양구우리병원 등 말라리아 퇴치사업단 관계자들이 참석했다. 참석자들은 최근 말라리아 발생 동향과 매개모기 감시 결과를 점검하고 기관별 대응 현황과 향후 추진계획을 논의했다. 양구군보건소는 의료기관 말라리아 신속진단검사(RDT) 운영 현황과 외국인 근로자·군 장병 대상 예방 홍보, 어린이와 주민 대상 기피제 배부, 매개모기 감시와 유충 방제, 여름철 야간 방역, 배꼽축제 기간 예방 캠페인 추진 계획 등을 설명했다. 회의에서는 의료기관의 신속한 환자 신고와 진단체계 유지, 군부대와의 환자 발생 정보 공유, 지역사회 예방 홍보 강화 등 기관별 협조 방안도 함께 논의됐다. 사업단은 말라리아 환자가 발생하거나 감염 위험이 높아질 경우 관계기관이 신속하게 공동 대응할 수 있도록 협력체계를 지속적으로 유지해 나갈 계획이다. 말라리아는 국내에서는 주로 5월부터 10월까지 발생하며, 특히 7∼9월 환자가 집중되는 대표적인 모기 매개 감염병이다. 접경지역인 양구를 비롯한 강원 북부와 경기 북부 지역은 위험지역으로 분류돼 지속적인 감시와 예방 활동이 중요하다. 예방을 위해서는 야간 외출 시 긴소매와 긴바지를 착용하고, 모기 기피제를 사용하는 것이 도움이 된다. 방충망과 모기장을 점검하고 집 주변 고인 물을 제거하는 것도 매개모기 발생을 줄이는 데 효과적이다. 발열과 오한, 두통 등 말라리아 의심 증상이 나타나면 의료기관을 찾아 신속하게 진료를 받아야 한다. 김경희 양구군 보건정책과장은 “말라리아는 관계기관 간 긴밀한 협력과 신속한 대응이 무엇보다 중요한 감염병”이라며 “앞으로도 매개모기 감시와 예방사업을 꾸준히 추진하고 군부대와 의료기관 등 관계기관과 협력해 지역사회 말라리아 예방에 최선을 다하겠다”고 말했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 11:20:10
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SM Group's Kyungnam Construction Holds Meeting to Prevent Heat-Related Illnesses SM Group's construction subsidiary, Kyungnam Construction, announced on July 30 that it held a joint meeting with the Gyeonggi Regional Employment and Labor Agency and the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) on July 28 at the construction site of an apartment complex in Suwon's Dangsu District to discuss measures for preventing heat-related illnesses during the summer.The meeting aimed to review and enhance the response system for potential heat-related illnesses and electrical accidents that can occur at construction sites during the summer months. Kyungnam Construction CEO Lee Gi-dong, Gyeonggi Regional Employment and Labor Agency head Kim Do-hyung, and LH Gyeonggi Southern Regional Headquarters head Kwon Un-hyuk, along with over 30 representatives from the contracting, construction, and supervisory sectors, assessed safety management status and shared preventive measures.Kyungnam Construction introduced its ongoing heat wave preparedness campaign and examples of safety rule compliance at the site. Participants discussed improving working conditions to protect worker health and prevent electrical accidents, implementing risk assessments, adhering to safety protocols, and emergency response strategies.CEO Lee Gi-dong stated, "We will maintain an active safety management system and continue site-specific inspections and training. We aim to create a safe and healthy workplace by actively reflecting the voices from the field."Kim Do-hyung, head of the Gyeonggi Regional Employment and Labor Agency, urged, "During the summer, when heat waves and heavy rains occur, even minor oversights can lead to serious accidents. Please eliminate risk factors in advance." Kwon Un-hyuk, head of LH, also emphasized, "We will strengthen communication and cooperation to ensure there are no safety blind spots and manage the site thoroughly."Meanwhile, on July 28, SM Group's Samhwan Construction announced that it had been selected as the contractor for the Mihocheon Bridge improvement project located in Osong-eup, Cheongju, along the Gyeongbu Line connecting Jochiwon and Naepan.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 11:20:10
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Debate Ignites Over Proposed East-West Peace Highway in Korea There has been a surge of online reactions regarding the proposed East-West Peace Highway, which would connect Incheon to Goseong in Gangwon Province, linking the Yellow Sea and the East Sea. Given the highway's route through border areas, many are expressing hopes for regional balanced development and improved transportation infrastructure, while others are raising concerns about its potential military applications due to its proximity to frontline military bases.Recently, a map depicting the anticipated route of the East-West Peace Highway has circulated on online communities. The image shows a proposed 200-kilometer road starting from Incheon Airport, passing through Ganghwa, Paju, Yeoncheon, Cheorwon, Hwacheon, Yanggu, and Inje, and ending in Goseong.Notably, the map includes emblems of various military units stationed along the route, such as the 103rd Infantry Brigade in Incheon, the 2nd Marine Division in Ganghwa, the 1st Infantry Division in Paju, the 3rd Infantry Division in Cheorwon, the 7th Infantry Division in Hwacheon, the 21st Infantry Division in Yanggu, the 12th Infantry Division in Inje, and the 22nd Infantry Division in Goseong, all of which are responsible for maintaining the front-line defense.Online users have pointed out that the proposed route closely follows the border areas of the western and eastern front lines and passes near key frontline locations. One user remarked, "I don't know why, but it seems designed to withstand around 60 tons. It goes through all the military bases. The intent is clear, isn't it?" Another commented, "Is this a road for tank movements? It looks like a supply line, right? Isn't it a military road?" with a mix of humor and concern about its military potential.Some users have interpreted the name 'Peace' as potentially misleading, suggesting that military purposes may be included. One user noted, "The name gives a hint. There are various types of unification, right?" to which another responded, "It's peace maintained by strength."Supporters of the highway's construction argue that it would be beneficial, improving transportation for soldiers stationed at the front and addressing the transportation rights of residents in border areas, emphasizing the need for such a road for balanced development.The primary motivation behind the East-West Peace Highway proposal is the lack of an east-west transportation network connecting the metropolitan area to the northern border regions of Gangwon. While major highways in South Korea are relatively well-developed in a north-south direction, the east-west transportation network in the border areas from Ganghwa to Goseong has been consistently criticized for its inadequacy.Additionally, there are expectations that improving access to the border areas, which have been restricted due to military regulations, could promote tourism and invigorate the local economy. Connecting border regions such as Ganghwa, Paju, Cheorwon, Hwacheon, Yanggu, Inje, and Goseong into a single tourism and logistics axis is seen as a potential avenue for regional development.Some have also pointed out that North Korea has recently constructed roads connecting areas near the demilitarized zone, raising concerns that this could lead to both sides solidifying their respective borders.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 11:20:00
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SeAH Steel Holdings Reports 35.9% Increase in Q2 Operating Profit Amid Economic Challenges SeAH Steel Holdings has successfully improved its second-quarter performance despite a challenging business environment marked by low-priced Chinese specialty steel imports. The company attributed its success to strategic sales efforts and an increase in high-value product sales.On July 30, SeAH Steel Holdings announced its preliminary results for the second quarter, reporting consolidated sales of 1.1363 trillion won and an operating profit of 60.5 billion won. Compared to the same period last year, sales increased by 17.8%, while operating profit rose by 35.9%. Compared to the previous quarter, sales grew by 17.4%, and operating profit surged by 94.5%, indicating a clear recovery.This performance improvement is attributed to the sales expansion of key subsidiaries, including SeAH Steel and SeAH Changwon Specialty Steel, along with a sales strategy focused on high-value products. Additionally, rising prices of key raw materials and seasonal demand recovery contributed to the improved results.SeAH Steel, the core subsidiary, faced ongoing market challenges due to increased domestic imports of low-priced Chinese specialty steel bars. However, it successfully defended its performance by strengthening sales in growth sectors such as oil and gas, defense, and renewable energy. In the second quarter, sales increased by 10.6% year-on-year, and operating profit rose by 11.5%. Compared to the previous quarter, sales jumped by 13.4%, and operating profit soared by 129.5%, highlighting a significant recovery.SeAH Changwon Specialty Steel also continued its growth despite sluggish demand in traditional sectors like industrial machinery and plants. The company benefited from increased semiconductor equipment demand driven by investments in artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and rising stainless steel demand in the energy and power sectors. Sales surged by 15.9% year-on-year, and operating profit skyrocketed by 81.7%. Compared to the previous quarter, sales increased by 18.7%, and operating profit rose by 148.0%, significantly improving profitability.However, SeAH Aerospace Defense Materials saw a 4.2% increase in sales compared to the previous quarter due to strong demand in the aerospace and defense sectors, but operating profit fell by 7.9% due to rising aluminum prices impacting costs.Looking ahead, SeAH Steel Holdings plans to expand sales of high-value products in growth sectors such as eco-friendly vehicles, semiconductors, defense, and energy in the second half of the year. The recent initiation of an anti-dumping investigation by the Trade Commission into Chinese specialty steel bars is also expected to positively impact the reduction of low-priced imports and the normalization of the domestic market.A company official stated, "We will strengthen our sales strategy focused on high-value products by leveraging our quality and delivery competitiveness, and we plan to actively expand our specialty metal materials business for aerospace and defense in response to global supply chain diversification. We aim to enhance our global competitiveness in specialty steel based on synergies among domestic and international subsidiaries."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 11:20:00
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Youth Concerns on Military Service, Employment, and Parenting: Analysis of 410,000 Complaints The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission reported on July 30 that complaints filed by young people aged 19 to 34 increased by approximately 5% over the past year, averaging 37,000 per month. Analyzing over 410,000 complaints submitted to the National Complaint Center from July 2025 to June 2026, the commission found that the majority of complainants were male (70.1%), aged 30 to 34 (52.8%), and residing in the metropolitan area (58.2%). Complaints related to military service were most prevalent among men, while women primarily raised issues regarding employment and parenting. In terms of military service, many complaints focused on difficulties in obtaining military service certificates and issues related to reserve training. In the employment sector, there were numerous requests for improvements in vocational training, resolution of wage arrears, and protection of retirement benefits. Complaints regarding pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting often reported workplaces failing to implement work-family balance policies, such as maternity leave, parental leave, and reduced working hours. There were also calls for improvements in support policies, such as expanding health insurance coverage for infertility treatments. Additionally, there were demands for realistic housing supply and loan conditions, support for victims of rental fraud, and improvements in policy finance, including the mid-term termination and conversion criteria for youth leap accounts. The commission stated that it provided the analysis results to relevant agencies, including the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the Financial Services Commission, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, to aid in the improvement of youth policies. Jeong Il-yeon, chair of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, emphasized, "Youth complaints are not merely inconveniences; they represent significant voices reflecting the challenges and policy needs faced by young people in our society. We will strive to convey the diverse opinions of youth raised through the National Complaint Center to the relevant departments and work towards policy improvements that young people can truly feel."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 11:20:00
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Latest 'Spider-Man' installment tops domestic box office SEOUL, July 30 (AJP) - American superhero film "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" topped the domestic box office, attracting about 680,000 moviegoers on its opening day this week. According to ticket sales data compiled by the Korean Film Council on Thursday, the film drew 689,076 moviegoers the previous day. The film had the best opening day among movies released in recent years, drawing more viewers than Hollywood animated film "Zootopia 2" and Japanese fantasy animation "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba The Movie: Infinity Castle," which attracted 309,168 and 517,922 moviegoers, respectively, on their first days in theaters last year. It also outperformed previous Spider-Man franchise films on their opening days, surpassing "Spider-Man: Homecoming" (2017) with 540,000 moviegoers, "Spider-Man: Far From Home" (2019) with 670,000, and "Spider-Man: No Way Home" (2021) with 630,000. The star-studded action blockbuster, featuring Tom Holland, Zendaya and Mark Ruffalo, follows a superhero who has been forgotten by everyone as he faces a mysterious enemy who still remembers his true identity. After gaining uncontrollable new powers through a DNA mutation, he must confront a dangerous new threat to protect those closest to him. The 145-minute film was released in South Korea on Wednesday, two days ahead of its North American release on the last day of this month. 2026-07-30 11:18:47 -
Samsung Electronics to Begin Construction of Second Texas Fab This Year Samsung Electronics announced during its second-quarter earnings conference call on July 30 that it is facing a shortage in foundry capacity for advanced processes, which has prevented it from meeting all customer demand. The company stated it plans to accelerate the operation of its first Texas fab in the United States this year.Additionally, Samsung confirmed that it will begin construction of a second fab with the goal of establishing mass production by 2030. The company noted that demand from customers for its 1.4-nanometer process is increasing, and it is currently reviewing options for securing additional fabs.According to Samsung, the current foundry utilization rate has improved compared to the previous year, and the advanced processes below 8 nanometers have reached maximum levels. In terms of yield, the company is preparing for the mass production of its second-generation 2-nanometer process in the second half of this year.As a result, profitability is expected to improve significantly due to increased utilization rates, better yields, and rising prices.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 11:08:10