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  • Dongkuk Steels Vice Chairman Takes Direct Role in Nurturing Future Architecture Talent
    Dongkuk Steel's Vice Chairman Takes Direct Role in Nurturing Future Architecture Talent Jang Se-wook, Vice Chairman of Dongkuk Steel Group, is taking a direct role in nurturing future architecture talent.On July 30, Dongkuk Steel Group announced that it held a ceremony at its headquarters, Ferum Tower in Suha-dong, Seoul, to officially appoint seven university students as the first class of the 2026 Songwon Future Architecture Fellowship, known as Luxteelier.During the ceremony, Jang Se-wook, who is also the chairman of the Songwon Cultural Foundation, personally presented the appointment certificates to the selected fellows.To provide differentiated experiences and growth opportunities for future architecture talent, Dongkuk Steel Group established the Songwon Future Architecture Fellowship, a practical program. This first selection saw 116 applicants from 43 universities, resulting in a competitive ratio of approximately 17 to 1. The final interviews included experts in the field of architecture, such as Professor Jang Yoon-kyu from Kookmin University and Professor Kim Jae-kyung from Hanyang University, who helped select the final seven candidates.The selected fellows are Go Yu-jin (graduated from Konkuk University, Department of Architecture), Kim Se-yeon (graduated from Kyonggi University, Department of Architecture), Baek Seung-jae (currently studying at Inha University, Department of Architecture), Oh Chang-kyung (currently studying at Hanyang University, Graduate School of Architecture), Yoo Ji-hoo (graduated from Kookmin University, Department of Architecture), Lee Soo-bin (graduated from Dankook University, Department of Architecture), and Heo Sang-hyun (currently studying at Hongik University, College of Architecture and Urban Design).The first class of Songwon Future Architecture fellows has been officially registered as members of Luxteelier and will embark on a seven-day architectural exploration in the UK from August 4 to 10, supported by Dongkuk Steel Group.During the exploration, they will participate in a one-day workshop at the studio of renowned architect Thomas Heatherwick, visit iconic architectural sites in London, and engage with architecture professionals at museums and cultural spaces.Luxteelier is an architectural talent network operated by Dongkuk Steel Group since 2017, aimed at discovering and fostering future architecture talent. This year’s selection of the Songwon Future Architecture Fellowship will expand its scale and support initiatives.Dongkuk Steel Group plans to conduct the second selection of the Songwon Future Architecture Fellowship in the first half of next year, aiming to develop it into a distinctive program through regular annual selections.Jang Se-wook expressed, "I hope the first class of fellows, selected through fierce competition, will take pride in their achievement. I look forward to seeing them grow into a close-knit community that collaborates to shape the future of architecture as members of Luxteelier."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 11:08:00
  • Injes Mountain Villages Face Delivery Challenges for 859 Households
    Inje's Mountain Villages Face Delivery Challenges for 859 Households 강원 인제군 산간마을 16곳, 859가구가 택배를 집 앞까지 받지 못하는 것으로 나타났다. 인제군은 주민 불편을 줄이고 배송업체의 부담을 덜기 위한 생활물류 지원방안 마련에 나섰다. 30일 인제군에 따르면 군은 지난 29일 군청 소회의실에서 택배 취약지역의 배송 실태를 점검하고 개선방안을 논의하는 간담회를 열었다. 이날 회의에는 최상기 인제군수와 김춘미 관광경제국장, 신선미 경제산업과장을 비롯한 군 관계자, 로젠택배와 CJ대한통운, 한진택배, 롯데택배, 우체국택배 관계자 등 11명이 참석했다. 인제군은 행정구역이 넓고 산간마을이 분산돼 있어 배송지 간 이동거리가 길다. 일부 지역은 좁은 도로와 기상 여건 등으로 택배 차량이 개별 가구까지 접근하기 어려운 실정이다. 택배가 집 앞까지 배송되지 않는 지역은 모두 16개 마을, 859가구다. 지역별로는 남면 6개 마을 405가구가 가장 많다. 기린면은 4개 마을 345가구, 상남면은 2개 마을 57가구다. 북면은 3개 마을 32가구, 서화면은 1개 마을 20가구로 집계됐다. 해당 지역 주민들은 택배를 마을회관과 노인회관, 음식점, 개인주택, 버스정류장 등 지정된 장소에서 일괄 수령하고 있다. 일부 마을에서는 주민이나 이장이 인근 지역까지 직접 나가 물품을 받아 공동수령 장소로 옮기고 있다. 이 과정에서 주민들의 이동 불편은 물론 물품 보관과 분실, 재배송에 대한 부담도 발생하고 있다. 특히 고령인구 비율이 높은 농촌지역은 생필품 구매를 택배에 의존하는 경우가 많아 안정적인 배송체계 마련이 시급하다는 목소리가 이어지고 있다. 한 주민은 “택배가 집까지 오지 않아 물건을 찾으러 가야 하는 불편이 크다”며 “어르신들도 걱정 없이 이용할 수 있도록 원활한 배송체계가 하루빨리 마련됐으면 좋겠다”고 말했다. 택배업계도 현장의 어려움을 전달했다. 업계 관계자들은 장거리·분산 배송에 따른 운송 부담과 배송인력 확보의 어려움, 지역별로 다른 도로와 배송 여건 등을 설명했다. 간담회에서는 주민단체나 이장단 등 지역 인적자원을 활용해 공동수령과 전달을 지원하는 방안이 논의됐다. 배송업체의 인력 운영 부담을 줄이기 위해 필요한 비용을 지원하는 방안도 제시됐다. 기존 배송망과 물량을 갖춘 주요 택배사들이 생활권을 기준으로 권역별 역할을 나누거나 공동 배송체계를 구축하는 방안도 의견으로 나왔다. 인제군은 특정 기관이나 주민에게 과도한 부담이 쏠리지 않도록 지원 대상과 방식, 업체 간 형평성, 책임 소재, 사업의 지속 가능성 등을 종합적으로 검토할 방침이다. 아울러 이날 제시된 의견을 토대로 택배업계와 추가 협의를 진행해 주민과 배송업체 모두가 체감할 수 있는 지원책을 마련할 계획이다. 최상기 인제군수는 “택배는 단순히 물건을 전달하는 서비스를 넘어 주민의 일상과 지역을 연결하는 필수적인 생활 기반”이라며 “주민과 배송업체 모두에게 실질적인 도움이 되고 안정적으로 운영할 수 있는 방안을 찾도록 현장의 의견을 충분히 검토하겠다”고 말했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 11:08:00
  • Korea fines KT $37 mln over rogue base station breach
    Korea fines KT $37 mln over rogue base station breach SEOUL, July 30 (AJP) - South Korea's privacy watchdog has fined KT 53.98 billion won ($37.3 million) over a data breach in which rogue miniature base stations, or femtocells, were used to siphon the personal information of about 16,000 subscribers and route unauthorized micro-payments. The Personal Information Protection Commission said Thursday it had imposed the penalty at a plenary session the previous day, alongside corrective orders and a public disclosure order, and would separately file a criminal complaint against the carrier for deleting logs and giving false statements that obstructed the probe. Hackers extracted certificates from a lost KT femtocell and planted them in illicit devices to slip onto the carrier's mobile network, intercepting traffic that passed between users' handsets and the internal system, investigators found. They then combined the stolen data with names and birth dates to hijack payment verification texts and complete fraudulent purchases. The breach exposed the phone numbers and device identifiers of 16,647 subscribers, including budget-carrier users, while 368 people suffered about 240 million won in unauthorized charges, the commission said. KT had set the femtocell certificates to remain valid for a decade and imposed no restrictions on connecting IP addresses, allowing access through rival carriers or overseas networks, according to the regulator. It also failed to detect unauthorized connections, leaving hackers free to roam its internal network for roughly 11 months. "This security breach is an extremely critical matter directly tied to public trust in telecommunications services that are part of our daily lives," Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyung-hoon said when the scheme first surfaced last year. The commission also referred rival LG Uplus to prosecutors for obstruction, saying the carrier had reinstalled operating systems and scrapped servers before the inquiry began, and vowed to tighten the law so firms that destroy evidence before a probe can face criminal charges or fines of up to 3 percent of total revenue. 2026-07-30 11:04:04
  • New Certification System for Large Wind Turbines Introduced in South Korea
    New Certification System for Large Wind Turbines Introduced in South Korea The South Korean government is introducing a new certification system for key components of large wind turbines. This initiative aims to reduce the burden on wind energy companies by minimizing the need for full turbine certifications whenever there are changes in tower height or specifications.On July 30, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced the formal implementation of RNA KS certification for the core components of large wind turbines. RNA, which includes the rotor and nacelle, is crucial for determining the power generation performance and safety of wind turbines.This regulatory change follows the announcement of a reform plan for the KS certification system during the Economic Affairs Ministers' meeting in February. The National Institute of Standards and Technology is promoting the RNA certification to align with the international renewable energy certification framework, IECRE.Previously, the KS certification applied to entire wind turbines. As a result, even if the same RNA was used, any changes in tower height or specifications required a complete re-evaluation and certification of the turbine. This led to redundant assessments for the same RNA, increasing both the time and costs associated with certification. In fact, large wind turbine companies faced an average of 1,118 days from application to certification, creating significant burdens.With the new RNA certification, companies can utilize existing certification results even if there are changes in specifications such as tower height. This is expected to reduce redundant reviews and assessments, thereby lowering certification time and costs. Applications for RNA KS certification will be accepted starting July 31 through the Korea Energy Agency, the designated certification body for large wind turbines.The RNA certification will focus on functional and performance verification, as well as structural design evaluations of the RNA, excluding the tower structure design assessment. After obtaining RNA certification, companies can apply for wind turbine KS certification using existing assessment results for the nacelle, hub, and blades. However, if changes to the tower increase the load or affect the design, additional evaluations may be required.This regulatory improvement is significant in alleviating certification bottlenecks in the domestic wind industry. Wind turbines may require different tower heights or specifications based on site conditions, and requiring full re-certification each time can slow down the commercialization process for companies. By reusing certification results for core components, uncertainties in product development and field application can be minimized.Kim Dae-ja, head of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, stated, "The introduction of RNA KS certification reflects the opinions from the field and aims to ease the certification burden on companies. We will continue to improve the KS certification system to proactively respond to changes in the industrial environment."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 11:04:00
  • Despite Record Exports, Port Cargo Volume Declines in Q2
    Despite Record Exports, Port Cargo Volume Declines in Q2 South Korea's exports reached record levels, yet cargo volume at trade ports declined in the second quarter. Both import/export and coastal cargo volumes fell, showing a 4.8% decrease compared to the same period last year.According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' report on national trade port cargo volume for the second quarter of 2026, the total cargo volume was 375.95 million tons, down 4.8% from the previous year. The import/export cargo volume decreased by 5.6% to 319.01 million tons, while coastal cargo volume fell by 0.3% to 57.94 million tons.Container cargo volume for the second quarter was recorded at 8.32 million TEU, a 0.6% increase from the same period last year. However, import/export container volume dropped by 0.9% to 4.5 million TEU. While import/export volumes increased for China (7.7%) and Japan (1.5%), declines were noted in long-distance regions such as the Middle East (-54.6%) and the United States (-9.0%).Transshipment volume increased by 2.2% year-on-year to 3.78 million TEU, driven by growth in transshipment volumes from Europe (67.7%) and China (8.4%).By major port, Busan handled 6.46 million TEU in the second quarter, a 0.5% increase from the same period last year. Import/export volume was 2.73 million TEU, while transshipment volume reached 3.73 million TEU. A Ministry official noted, "The increase is likely due to global shipping companies utilizing Busan as a major hub on the Asia-North Europe route."Incheon Port processed 900,000 TEU, a 1.9% improvement from the previous year, attributed to a low base effect from last year's performance. Import/export volume was 890,000 TEU, with transshipment volume at 9,000 TEU.Gwangyang Port reported a decline, handling 515,000 TEU, down 4.2% from the previous year. Import/export volume increased by 2.8% to 470,000 TEU, but transshipment volume plummeted by 55.5% to 30,000 TEU.In the second quarter of this year, non-container cargo volume was 230.36 million tons, a 9.4% decrease from the same period last year, with declines noted at Gwangyang, Ulsan, and Pyeongtaek-Dangjin ports.Notably, there was a significant drop in oil, ore, and chemical production products, with oil volume falling by 18.6% to 93.72 million tons, failing to exceed 100 million tons.Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Hwang Jong-woo stated, "The decline in port cargo volume in the second quarter reflects ongoing instability in the logistics and energy markets due to the Middle East conflict, particularly affecting non-container cargo. However, the monthly decline rate is easing, and container cargo has seen a slight increase compared to the previous year, serving as a stabilizing factor for overall cargo volume."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 11:04:00
  • Chungcheong Region Accelerates 392 Trillion Won Investment with First Public-Private Task Force Meeting
    Chungcheong Region Accelerates 392 Trillion Won Investment with First Public-Private Task Force Meeting The government, local authorities in the Chungcheong region, and major investment companies convened to discuss the implementation of investments in advanced industries. This meeting aims to expedite the 392 trillion won investment announced at the National Report Meeting on the Vision for Advanced Industries in the Chungcheong region.On July 30, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held the first meeting of the 'Chungcheong Advanced Strategic Industries Leap Task Force' (Chungdae TF) to discuss strategies for leading the advanced industries in the region.The Chungdae TF is a follow-up to the National Report Meeting on the Vision for Advanced Industries held on July 2 at Samsung Display's Asan Campus. The meeting was chaired by the head of the Ministry's Industrial Policy Office and included directors from relevant ministries, deputy mayors from four cities and provinces in the Chungcheong region, and executives from investment companies.During the meeting, participants discussed the operational plan for the Chungdae TF, overall investment plans from companies, support measures for businesses in South Chungcheong, SK's investment plans in the Chungcheong region, and recommendations to the government. Companies emphasized the need for government support, including stable supply of water and electricity, expanded tax benefits, and infrastructure development, to ensure timely results from investments in the Chungcheong region. The government pledged to work collaboratively with local authorities to swiftly address any challenges to ensure the smooth execution of investment plans.The Chungdae TF plans to strengthen cooperation among the central government, local governments, and investment companies to make the 392 trillion won investment visible as soon as possible. To this end, the task force will hold regular monthly meetings and aims to announce a 'comprehensive support plan for corporate investment in the Chungcheong region' within 100 days.Park Dong-il, head of the Ministry's Industrial Policy Office, stated, "The Chungcheong region is a hub where people, technology, and industries converge, and its growth will lead to the growth of South Korea. We will do our utmost to ensure that the central government, local governments, and companies work as one team to achieve timely results from the investment plans."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 11:04:00
  • Korean director Lee Chang-dong to receive TIFF Ebert Director Award
    Korean director Lee Chang-dong to receive TIFF Ebert Director Award SEOUL, July 30 (AJP) — South Korean filmmaker Lee Chang-dong will become the first Korean director to receive the Toronto International Film Festival's TIFF Ebert Director Award, Netflix said Thursday, as his latest film, "Possible Love," is also set to make its North American premiere at this year's festival. The award is part of TIFF's annual Tribute Awards, which recognize individuals for outstanding artistic achievement and contributions to cinema. Named after influential American film critic Roger Ebert, the TIFF Ebert Director Award honors filmmakers whose work has demonstrated a distinctive artistic vision and had a lasting impact on the medium. The awards ceremony will be held Sept. 13 during the festival. Lee joins previous recipients including Guillermo del Toro, Mike Leigh, Spike Lee, Sam Mendes, Denis Villeneuve and Chloé Zhao. He is the first Korean filmmaker to receive the honor. The recognition comes ahead of Lee's return with "Possible Love," his first feature film in eight years. The film has been invited to the Special Presentations section of this year's Toronto festival after earning a competition berth at the Venice International Film Festival, where it will make its world premiere. Starring Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, Zo In-sung and Cho Yeo-jeong, the Netflix-backed drama follows two married couples brought together through the production of a documentary as they confront the realities of their relationships and long-hidden desires. Netflix will give the film a limited theatrical release in South Korea beginning Sept. 23 before its global streaming debut on Nov. 6. Lee is widely regarded as one of South Korea's leading auteurs, with films including "Peppermint Candy," "Oasis," "Secret Sunshine," "Poetry" and "Burning." His work has received major honors at international film festivals, including Cannes and Venice, helping establish him as one of the country's most influential contemporary filmmakers. 2026-07-30 11:02:19
  • South Korea to Align Animal Drug Standards with International Guidelines to Boost Exports
    South Korea to Align Animal Drug Standards with International Guidelines to Boost Exports The South Korean government is set to adjust the production and quality management standards for animal drugs to align with international levels. This move aims to enhance the export competitiveness of domestically produced animal pharmaceuticals. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on July 30 that it has revised and published the 'Regulations on the Handling of Animal Drugs.' First, the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards will be strengthened to meet international benchmarks. In response to the recent trend of tightening manufacturing process and facility verification standards in the global animal pharmaceutical sector, domestic standards will also be updated. To allow the industry time to prepare, the new GMP standards will be phased in from 2030 to 2035, categorized by formulation types. Additionally, a tailored management system will be established based on product characteristics. Previously, the classification was limited to two categories: general pharmaceuticals and vaccines. This will be expanded to six categories, including raw materials, starting next year. Furthermore, within the same manufacturing facility, processes and quality management will be adapted to suit the specific characteristics of the products. Facilities that have already received GMP compliance certification will be exempt from submitting documentation when applying for product approval for the same formulation. A renewal system will also be introduced to strengthen post-market surveillance. Starting next year, facilities will undergo regular checks every three years to ensure compliance with GMP standards. A ministry official stated, "We expect that the advancement of GMP standards will enhance the global credibility of the domestic animal pharmaceutical industry and serve as a foundation for boosting export competitiveness." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 11:00:20
  • Government Moves Forward with 8-Week Rule for Auto Insurance After Year of Delays
    Government Moves Forward with '8-Week Rule' for Auto Insurance After Year of Delays The so-called '8-week rule' for assessing the long-term treatment needs of minor injury patients from traffic accidents has reached the final legislative stage after a year of challenges. The breakthrough in advancing this regulation came as a public agency, rather than insurance companies, will review the necessity of treatment and establish a process for patients to appeal, addressing concerns over potential infringement on treatment rights.According to the government's legislative update on July 30, the amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Automobile Compensation Guarantee Act was presented as an agenda item at the 29th vice ministerial meeting. This marks exactly one year since the legislative notice was completed on July 30 of last year. The amendment passed the Legislative Affairs Office review on March 31 and will proceed to cabinet approval and promulgation following the vice ministerial meeting.The 8-week rule requires patients with minor injuries, classified as injury grades 12 to 14, to confirm the necessity and appropriate duration of treatment if they seek care beyond eight weeks from the date of the accident. It does not impose a strict eight-week limit on treatment; if additional care is deemed necessary, patients can continue treatment beyond this period.Initially, the government aimed to implement this rule to reduce over-treatment and insurance payouts. However, opposition arose from the traditional medicine sector and civic groups, arguing that applying a uniform standard could infringe on patients' treatment rights, given the varying recovery speeds among individuals. Concerns were also raised that insurance companies could effectively decide on the extension of treatment, leading to delays in implementation.In response, the government established a compromise by designating the Auto Insurance Compensation Agency as the reviewing body and introducing an appeals process. Insurance companies must gather data on the severity of injuries and treatment progress from patients seeking care beyond eight weeks and submit it to the agency for review. If patients disagree with the outcome, they can request a review through the Deduction Dispute Mediation Committee, either directly or via their insurance company.The insurance industry anticipates that the implementation of this rule will help reduce deficits in auto insurance. In the first half of this year, the overall operating loss for property and casualty insurers in auto insurance reached approximately 189 billion won, marking the first deficit in this period since 2020. The increase in repair costs and parts prices, along with the rising burden of long-term treatment for minor injury patients, has contributed to the worsening loss ratio.An industry representative stated, "While the proportion of minor injury patients receiving treatment beyond eight weeks is not large, the treatment costs for these patients are significant. Establishing an objective review process for the necessity of long-term treatment will help reduce some over-treatment and insurance payouts, and we expect it will alleviate some of the pressure for insurance premium increases." 2026-07-30 11:00:00
  • HD Hyundai to help modernize U.S. shipyard under deal with Fraser Industries
    HD Hyundai to help modernize U.S. shipyard under deal with Fraser Industries SEOUL, July 30 (AJP) - HD Hyundai is moving to support the modernization of a U.S. shipyard as part of broader efforts to contribute to the revival of America’s shipbuilding industry. HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, the intermediate holding company of HD Hyundai’s shipbuilding business, said Thursday it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Fraser Industries LLC on cooperation to modernize shipyards for the revitalization of the U.S. shipbuilding industry. The signing ceremony was held in Washington and attended by senior officials from both companies, including HD KSOE CEO Kim Hyung-kwan, technical adviser Shin Jong-gye and Fraser Industries CEO Patrick V. Kelly. The agreement is the first project since HD KSOE moved in March to expand its business into digital engineering and manufacturing platforms, signaling its push to offer shipyard construction and modernization services. Under the MOU, HD KSOE plans to provide its shipyard design and construction know-how, production and operation systems and data management methods as a package, effectively offering Fraser guidance on how to build and operate a smart shipyard. The two companies plan to sign a formal contract later this year on consulting services to modernize Fraser Shipyards, located on Lake Superior in the Great Lakes region. HD Hyundai said the shipyard will serve as a test bed for efforts to rebuild the U.S. shipbuilding industry. Fraser Shipyards, Fincantieri Marine Group and Donjon Marine have formed the Great Lakes Shipbuilding Alliance and are jointly participating in a U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker project. “We are very pleased to partner with HD Hyundai, which has world-class technological capabilities, to introduce advanced practices across shipyard operations,” Kelly said. “Cooperation between the two companies will mark an important starting point for the revival of the U.S. shipbuilding industry.” Kim said HD KSOE will support Fraser Shipyards so it can become a key base for rebuilding America’s shipbuilding industry by providing expertise from shipyard design to operations. “We will expand cooperation into various areas and become a reliable partner for the U.S. shipbuilding industry,” Kim said. HD Hyundai has been expanding activities to support the reconstruction of the U.S. shipbuilding industry, including local construction cooperation and workforce training. Last October, HD Hyundai Executive Vice Chairman Chung Ki-sun said in a keynote speech at the APEC Future Tech Forum in Gyeongju that the company was ready to take part in America’s shipbuilding innovation journey as a reliable partner in opening a new maritime renaissance. 2026-07-30 10:53:48