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  • Summer Festivals and Night Tours in South Chungcheong Province
    Summer Festivals and Night Tours in South Chungcheong Province Summer festivals and travel programs connecting the daytime and nighttime experiences are taking place across South Chungcheong Province, featuring the sunset over the West Sea, the night views of Baekje historic sites, and the violet flower paths of the Macun flower. On July 29, Chungnam Province announced the release of the August issue of 'Monthly Chungnam,' which includes information on representative tourist attractions and festivals in Boryeong, Gongju, Hongseong, Nonsan, and Seocheon, coinciding with the summer vacation season. This issue is themed 'Chungnam Night Tours! A Romantic August in Chungnam.' It presents travel routes that allow visitors to enjoy the region's beaches, lakes, historical and cultural heritage, and ecological sites from day to night. In Boryeong, visitors can explore the pine forest paths of Jukdo Sanghwan and traditional hanok houses before enjoying Daecheon Beach and the Boryeong Mud Festival.The mud festival, running until August 9, features performances and experiential programs such as the Mud Mob God, Mud Rock Festa, and a Super Concert. At Daecheon Port, visitors can taste seasonal seafood, while at Muchangpo Beach, they can enjoy the night lights along the Daecheong Island walking path and watch the sunset over the West Sea from Muchangpo Tower. Gongju is a travel destination where visitors can enjoy the history of Baekje and the retro charm of the old city along with its night views.After visiting the '1967 Hoseo Theater,' which has been transformed into a cultural complex, Gongju Hanok Village, Gongju Fortress Market, and the Jeminsan Stream, visitors can experience the night view of the UNESCO World Heritage site, Gongsanseong Fortress. From August 14 to 16, the 'Gongju Night Beer Festival' will be held at Geumgang Sin-gwan Park.Set against the night views of Gongsanseong Fortress and Geumgang Iron Bridge, attendees can enjoy beer, Gongju chestnut makgeolli, local food, and performances. In Hongseong, visitors can experience the island scenery of Cheonsuman, the sunset over the West Sea, and historical and cultural heritage.Key attractions include Jukdo, a 15-minute boat ride from Namdang Port, Namdang Port Marine Fountain Park, Namdang Rainbow Road, Namdang Sunset Observatory, and Hongseong Sky Tower. On August 14 and 15, 'Hongseong National Heritage Night Tour' will take place at Hongju Fortress. Performances, exhibitions, and experiential events will be held against the backdrop of historical sites from the Joseon Dynasty, including Jo Yangmun, Hongju Am, Anhoedang, and Yeohajeong. Nonsan offers a historical, natural, and modern cultural journey connecting the Baekje Military Museum, Chunggok Seowon, Tappjeong Lake, Sunshine Land, and Ganggyo Modern Street. At Tappjeong Lake, visitors can enjoy the scenery of the swaying bridge, lakeside walking paths, music fountains, and sunsets.On August 28 and 29, the 'Ganggyo National Heritage Night Tour' will take place in the Ganggyo Modern Street area, showcasing modern cultural heritage. In Seocheon, visitors can experience ecological sites, cultural heritage, and seasonal food.At Janghang Songrim Forest Bathing Area, the blooming Macun flowers create a violet landscape under the old pine trees, and the Janghang Skywalk offers views of the West Sea and Geumgang Estuary. From August 28 to 30, the 'Janghang Macun Flower Festival' will be held at Janghang Songrim Forest Bathing Area.Other attractions worth visiting include the National Marine Biodiversity Institute, National Ecology Institute, Hansan Mosi Museum, Munheon Seowon, and Lee Ha-bok's House. At Chunjangdae Beach, visitors can enjoy the marine experience park, splash fountains, and nighttime landscape lighting.Hongwon Port will host a natural catch mackerel and crab festival starting August 26. Additionally, Yeongdang Lake, Tappjeong Lake's swaying bridge, and Sapgyo Lake tourist sites offer lakeside night views, while Cheonan Seongseong Lake Park, Samgeori Park, Asan Sinjeong Lake, and Gyeryong Ippam Reservoir provide urban nighttime strolls. Buyeo Baekje Cultural Complex, Gungnamji, Seosan Haemi Eupseong, and Ganwoldo Marine Exploration Road are also highlighted as summer night travel destinations that blend historical and cultural heritage with night views. The province is also offering various benefits for tourists, including the Chungnam Tour Pass, half-price tourist taxis, local love railway travel, and digital tourist resident cards.Detailed travel information and event schedules can be found on the Chungnam tourism website. A provincial official stated, “We hope visitors create special summer memories in Chungnam, where both day and night are beautiful.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 10:15:00
  • Samsung Electronics Rises Over 3% While SK Hynix Turns Lower After Earnings Miss
    Samsung Electronics Rises Over 3% While SK Hynix Turns Lower After Earnings Miss Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, which both experienced sharp declines, showed diverging trends in early trading on July 29. Samsung Electronics rebounded over 3% due to buying interest, while SK Hynix turned lower after failing to meet market expectations despite reporting record earnings.According to the Korea Exchange, as of 9:40 a.m., Samsung Electronics was trading at 227,750 won, up 3.52% from the previous trading day. The stock opened at 226,500 won and surged to 234,000 won in early trading before giving back some gains but maintaining a strong performance. This rebound is attributed to buying interest following its recent sharp decline.In contrast, SK Hynix was trading at 1,535,000 won, down 0.97% from the previous day at the same time. The stock opened at 1,567,000 won and rose to 1,619,000 won but subsequently reversed all gains and turned downward.SK Hynix reported second-quarter revenues of 79.3187 trillion won and operating profit of 60.5426 trillion won, both record highs for a quarter, representing increases of 256.8% and 557.2%, respectively, compared to the same period last year.However, despite these record results, they fell short of market expectations. According to financial information provider FnGuide, the consensus forecast was for revenues of 83.9194 trillion won and operating profit of 64.6941 trillion won, with actual results slightly below these figures.Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, noted, "Given the recent adjustments, there is a need to pay more attention to the D램 and NAND supply outlook and the specifics of long-term supply contracts (LTA) during the conference call, as expectations for performance have been lowered." Additionally, the continued weakness in U.S. semiconductor stocks has been cited as a factor dampening investor sentiment. The Nasdaq index, which is heavily weighted toward technology stocks, closed down 0.22% on the New York Stock Exchange. Semiconductor stocks also continued to decline, with Micron down 8.85%, AMD down 8.15%, Intel down 5.86%, Qualcomm down 4.21%, and Western Digital down 6.91%. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index fell 4.49%, marking its fourth consecutive day of decline.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 10:15:00
  • Medical School Applicants Favor Diverse Options Over All-In Strategy
    Medical School Applicants Favor Diverse Options Over All-In Strategy Students aspiring to enter medical school are increasingly opting to distribute their applications across various medical fields, such as pharmacy and dentistry, rather than concentrating all six applications solely on medical schools. Approximately one in six medical school applicants has adopted the so-called 'all-in' strategy. On July 29, the admissions information platform JinHakSa released an analysis of application data from 3,264 students who applied to at least one medical school for the 2026 academic year, totaling 16,909 applications. According to JinHakSa, the highest percentage of applicants, 30.9%, applied to only one medical school, followed by 17.6% who applied to two. This means that nearly half, or 48.5%, of applicants submitted applications to just one or two medical schools. In contrast, only 16.1% of applicants submitted all six applications to medical schools. This indicates that students are strategically considering other options rather than forcing themselves to fill all application slots with medical schools.So where did medical school applicants focus their remaining applications? The analysis of the total 16,909 applications revealed that 82.9% were concentrated in the 'medical field,' which includes medical schools. Breaking down the application distribution, 58.2% were for medical schools, followed by 9.8% for pharmacy schools, 6.5% for dental schools, 5.2% for traditional Korean medicine schools, and 3.3% for veterinary schools. This suggests that while medical schools remain the primary target, applicants are also considering other medical fields when structuring their application portfolios. JinHakSa's Director of Admissions Strategy, Woo Hyun-cheol, stated, "Not all medical school applicants strictly follow the 'all-in' strategy. The actual application data shows that rather than solely aiming for medical schools, students are considering a portfolio that includes dental, traditional Korean medicine, pharmacy, and veterinary schools as part of a medical-centered approach." He added, "This result indicates that students targeting medical schools view the entire medical field as a single support system."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 10:15:00
  • K-Beauty Glow Week Held in São Paulo with 21 Participating Companies
    K-Beauty Glow Week Held in São Paulo with 21 Participating Companies The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced that it is hosting the 'K-Beauty Glow Week in Brazil' on July 28-29 at the Grand Hyatt São Paulo.This event is part of a global expansion project for K-brands that has previously taken place in cities such as Shanghai, Hanoi, and Rome. Brazil is recognized as the largest manufacturing and domestic market in South America, and interest in K-Beauty has been rising recently.At the São Paulo event, 21 domestic beauty companies will set up individual exhibition and experience spaces to welcome visitors. They will also hold experience events with local influencers to discover potential customers who cannot attend the venue.Notable Brazilian companies, including Natura, the leading cosmetics manufacturer and distributor in the Latin American market, and Riachuelo, which operates thousands of drugstores in Brazil, as well as Mercado Libre, the largest e-commerce platform in the region, will also visit the event.Additionally, in collaboration with Shopee, a major e-commerce platform in Latin America, an online promotional sales event will be held until the end of August. This online event will feature 2,000 popular beauty products at discounts of up to 30%.Shim Jae-yoon, the Global Growth Policy Director at the Ministry, stated, "Brazil is one of the largest beauty markets in the world and has high growth potential due to the influence of K-culture. We will implement various policy supports to help the K-Beauty trend spread widely throughout Brazil and Latin America." 2026-07-29 10:15:00
  • SK Hynix Announces Free Conversion of ADRs to Wonju Starting July 30
    SK Hynix Announces Free Conversion of ADRs to Wonju Starting July 30 SK Hynix announced during its second-quarter earnings conference call on July 29 that the conversion of American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) to Wonju will be freely available starting July 30, the day after the listing on the Korea Exchange is completed. However, the company noted that the conversion process may be limited due to procedural requirements and restrictions on the ADR conversion cap.The company added that the issuer may need to undergo regulatory reporting procedures during the conversion process, which is expected to take more than a typical order period.Additionally, the total issuance of ADRs cannot exceed the conversion limit, which is currently set at 17.79 million shares (based on Wonju).Regarding the potential for increasing the proportion of ADRs, the company stated, "We will consider the regulatory environment comprehensively before making any decisions on expanding the ADR ratio in the future," adding that no specific plans have been finalized at this time. 2026-07-29 10:15:00
  • Heatwave in South Korea isnt bad luck, but a loaded die
    Heatwave in South Korea isn't bad luck, but a loaded die SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - South Korea feels more and more like Southeast Asia — tropical humidity, scorching heat, and sudden squalls of rain. The country recorded an average of 7.8 tropical nights between June 1 and July 27, the highest number for the period since nationwide records began in 1973. Its average temperature over the same stretch reached 24.2 degrees Celsius, the second-highest on record. With the Tibetan high-pressure system now settling in above the North Pacific high, the heatwave will continue throughout the week, trapping hot, humid air over the peninsula. Tropical nights were reported nationwide overnight. In Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province — under an extreme heatwave warning — the temperature never dropped below 29.1 degrees Celsius overnight, narrowly missing the threshold for a "super tropical night," defined as a night that never cools below 30 degrees. The Korea Meteorological Administration expects daytime highs of 33 to 39 degrees Celsius from Aug. 1 to 7, with Daegu forecast to hit 39 degrees every day of that stretch. A loaded die, not a single cause Climate scientists do not generally argue that global warming independently creates every high-pressure system or blocking pattern behind an individual heatwave. Instead, they say, it raises the baseline temperature those natural systems operate from — so a heat dome that once produced exceptionally hot conditions now starts from a warmer floor and can push temperatures even higher. "The severity of heatwaves in South Korea and globally can be put down to climate change," said James Renwick, a professor of climate science and physical geography at Victoria University of Wellington. Weather extremes have always occurred, he said, but hot extremes now happen more easily and often more intensely in a warmer climate — even a 1 to 1.5 degree Celsius rise in average temperature can produce a disproportionately large jump in extreme heat. Ashish Sharma, of the Discovery Partners Institute at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, compared it to a loaded die: weather still determines the outcome of any single roll, he said, but climate change has weighted the die so that extremely hot outcomes turn up far more often. Natural atmospheric patterns still trigger heatwaves, he added — global warming simply raises how much heat those patterns can generate. Persistent high-pressure systems — heat domes — are the most direct cause of major heatwaves. Air sinks beneath them, compressing and warming as it descends, while the same sinking air suppresses cloud cover and rainfall, letting sunlight bake the surface more intensely. How long such a system lingers matters: a short-lived high may bring a few hot days, while a blocking pattern can lock a heat dome in place for a week or more. Dry soil compounds the effect. Moist ground uses some of the sun's energy to evaporate water; dry ground sends nearly all of that energy straight into heating the surface and the air above it. Unusually warm oceans add further heat and humidity, limit nighttime cooling along coastlines, and can shift where large-scale pressure systems sit. Shang-Ping Xie, a distinguished professor of climate science at the University of California San Diego, said blocking patterns are typically the direct meteorological trigger, with dry soil worsening the surface warming on top of it. The broader rise in heatwave frequency and severity, he said, comes from the "slow but relentless background warming" driven by greenhouse gases. For South Korea specifically, warming seas on both the western and eastern coasts add extra heat during summer. What attribution science can — and can't — say Scientists draw a line between this general mechanism and the attribution of any one event. Pinning down exactly how much climate change increased the odds or intensity of South Korea's current heatwave would require a formal event-attribution study, which compares today's climate against a hypothetical one without the buildup of human-caused greenhouse gases. Absent that analysis, Sharma cautioned, scientists shouldn't claim climate change made this particular heatwave precisely five or ten times more likely. That doesn't mean the underlying relationship is in doubt. "The Earth has been heated so much by fossil fuel emissions, there is no weather phenomenon — warm, cold, rainy or dry — that isn't influenced by industrial activity," said Dargan Frierson, a professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Washington. "Heat waves are much more likely to occur, and are made more extreme by the huge amount of energy that's been trapped in the climate system by fossil fuel emissions." Natural variability, including El Niño, shapes the timing and location of heat but can't explain the decades-long rise in temperatures. Francina Dominguez, also of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, said climate change and a strong El Niño can amplify each other's effects on atmospheric patterns worldwide; separating how much of a given event owes to each requires dedicated attribution research. Natural variability, in short, governs how climate swings year to year — greenhouse gases steadily raise the level those swings occur around. The scientists interviewed broadly agreed heatwaves will grow more frequent, intense, or prolonged as greenhouse gases keep accumulating. "They are predicted to get worse," Frierson said. "More fossil fuel burning leads to more extreme heat waves." How much worse depends on emissions. Lower emissions would cap the added warming and limit the rise in extreme-heat frequency; under a high-emissions path, today's exceptional temperatures could become an ordinary summer in many places. Renwick pointed to projections made after the 2003 European heatwave, which killed more than 70,000 people: U.K. Met Office simulations suggested conditions comparable to that event could recur roughly every other year by 2050. "The more greenhouse gas emitted, the more change and the more damage," he said. Xie said climate models have flagged this for years. "Climate models have been sounding the alarms for a long time," he said. "The observed widespread increase in heatwaves and wildfires is confirming this prediction." Gan Zhang, also of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, said the gap between lower- and higher-emissions scenarios may not look dramatic over the next 10 to 30 years, simply because of how much greenhouse gas has already been released — the system will keep warming for a while before it can stabilize. That makes decisions made now especially consequential for the second half of the century. "We are moving into new territories, and ongoing emissions will push the system farther before the shift stops," Zhang said. "The choices we make right now will dictate whether the climate stabilizes in the second half of the century. They matter tremendously for future generations." Some further extreme heat is already locked in; how much worse it gets is still up to how fast emissions come down. These assessments sit in stark contrast to U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated dismissal of climate change. In a September 2025 address to the United Nations, Trump called climate change a "con job" and described the carbon footprint as "a hoax." Scientists who addressed the remarks rejected them as inconsistent with established science. "They are complete rubbish," Renwick said. "Donald Trump understands nothing about climate science, or at least gives that impression." Michael B. Gerrard, a leading U.S. environmental lawyer, called Trump's claims "complete nonsense": "There is a scientific consensus — both in the United States and around the world — that climate change is happening, that it is mostly caused by the combustion of fossil fuels, and that it is already having serious negative effects that are growing worse." Zhang said political rhetoric doesn't change physical reality. "I'll leave the politics to the politicians, but as a scientist, I can tell you that the physical reality doesn't bend to rhetoric," he said. "Calling it a hoax or a consensus doesn't lower the thermometer." The stakes of that rhetoric are practical, scientists said. Whether city planners get funding to plant trees, whether emergency authorities set up cooling centers, and whether residents can heat-proof their homes are all political decisions, Zhang said — and "by the time the heatwave hits, many are caught off guard." Jennifer Marlon, executive director of the Yale Center for Geospatial Solutions, said dismissing climate concerns is dangerous because it can confuse the public and lead people to underestimate the threat to health, infrastructure, and economies. Extreme heat itself doesn't wait for political leaders to accept the science behind it. South Korea's current temperatures trace to identifiable weather systems — the North Pacific and Tibetan highs — but those systems are now operating in a climate already warmed by human activity. Weather still decides where and when a heatwave forms. Climate change has loaded the die underneath it, raising the odds that when the conditions align, the heat that follows will be more extreme than it once was. 2026-07-29 10:14:24
  • Hong Ik-pyo: Constitutional Amendment for Presidential Re-election is Impractical
    Hong Ik-pyo: Constitutional Amendment for Presidential Re-election is Impractical Hong Ik-pyo, the Chief of Staff to the President, stated on July 29 that a constitutional amendment allowing for presidential re-election is practically impossible under the current constitution, in response to recent comments by National Assembly Speaker Cho Jung-sik. During an appearance on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' Hong noted, "The President is well aware of the content of Article 128, Section 2 of the Constitution, and he has reiterated this several times." He added, "The President has already expressed his position multiple times." Regarding discussions on electoral reform for a re-election amendment, he clarified, "There has been no planning from the Blue House on this matter," and emphasized that there is no intention to reform the political landscape, stating that a constitutional amendment and re-election do not logically connect through political restructuring. On the resignation of Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho, Hong remarked, "There has been no official announcement yet," and expressed the belief that the minister should fulfill his role until the launch of the Corruption Investigation Office and the High-Ranking Officials Crime Investigation Unit in October. Hong also addressed the issue of supplementary investigative powers, stating, "There has been no change in our position that the party should decide based on the abolition of these powers." Meanwhile, regarding rumors of backdoor dealings related to the cancellation of indictments surrounding supplementary investigative powers, he dismissed them as a 'conspiracy theory,' asserting, "There is no reason to engage in backdoor dealings with the prosecution, nor do we have any intention to do so." In response to the controversy surrounding his statement that 'the re-election of the current president is a matter for the people's choice,' National Assembly Speaker Cho reiterated, "The re-election of the current president is not a subject of constitutional amendment discussions." In a post on Facebook, Cho explained, "Article 128, Section 2 of the Constitution stipulates that even if a constitutional amendment is made to extend the presidential term or change the rules for re-election, it does not apply to the sitting president at that time." He further stated, "The content of Article 128, Section 2 must be respected, and the re-election of the sitting president is not a subject of future constitutional amendment discussions," adding that his comments at a press conference were meant to clarify that any constitutional amendment, including changes to the power structure, requires agreement among political actors and the choice of the people.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 10:12:00
  • Son Heung-min Sparks Marriage Rumors with Wedding Ring on Left Hand
    Son Heung-min Sparks Marriage Rumors with Wedding Ring on Left Hand Son Heung-min, captain of the South Korean national soccer team and an All-Star in Major League Soccer (MLS) with LAFC, has been spotted wearing a ring on his left hand's ring finger, fueling marriage rumors.On July 28, various social media platforms circulated a video captured by a fan showing Son wearing a ring on his left hand's ring finger. In the video, he is seen interacting naturally with fans while wearing the ring, drawing attention.Some internet users speculated that the ring is from the French luxury jewelry brand Boucheron. The ring in question is identified as the Boucheron 'Quatre Radiant Edition Wedding Band,' valued at approximately 9.7 million won.Notably, Son has been seen wearing the ring alone in private settings, while at official events, he has layered it with a Tiffany & Co. ring he has worn previously. This has led some netizens to suggest that he may be intentionally concealing it in formal situations.This is not the first time marriage rumors have surrounded Son. In 2022, a ring was also spotted on his left hand's ring finger upon his arrival at an airport, sparking similar speculation. The same suspicions resurfaced in 2023.Additionally, Son's recent statement in an interview, where he expressed a desire to be a good father, has further fueled the marriage speculation.However, some voices caution against overinterpretation. Son is known for his attractive hands and has worked as a model for various jewelry brands.Most netizens have reacted with comments such as, "It's about time Son Heung-min got married," "Wearing it alone in private seems significant," "His statement about wanting to be a good father raises more questions," "Son has always liked rings, so this might be overanalyzed," and "We should wait for confirmed facts before jumping to conclusions."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 10:12:00
  • SK D&D Shares Plunge Nearly 30% Following Major Capital Increase Announcement
    SK D&D Shares Plunge Nearly 30% Following Major Capital Increase Announcement SK D&D's stock has plummeted following the announcement of a significant capital increase that will more than double the number of existing shares.According to the Korea Exchange, as of 9:36 a.m., SK D&D shares were trading at 3,920 won, down 1,620 won (29.24%) from the previous trading day. Early in the session, the stock fell to 3,895 won, marking a new 52-week low.The sharp decline in stock price is attributed to concerns over the dilution of existing shareholders' equity value due to the large issuance of new shares.On the previous day, SK D&D announced in a regulatory filing that its board of directors had approved a rights offering worth 136.7 billion won. The funds raised will be used entirely for debt repayment.The new shares to be issued will total 44,681,000 common shares, representing approximately 240% of the current total of 18,617,382 shares. The planned issuance price is set at 3,060 won per share, reflecting a 20% discount.The record date for the new share allocation is September 2. Existing shareholders will receive rights to purchase about 2.4 new shares for each share they currently hold. Subscription for existing shareholders will take place from October 12 to 13, with the new shares expected to be listed on October 28.Large capital increases typically lead to a decrease in stock prices as the number of shares increases, diluting the per-share value and ownership percentage of existing shareholders. While this capital increase is expected to improve the company's financial structure, the substantial size of the new issuance has raised concerns about increased short-term stock volatility.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 10:12:00
  • Kazakhstan pushes factory contracts to unblock utility overhaul
    Kazakhstan pushes factory contracts to unblock utility overhaul SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - Kazakhstan's government has set a September 1 deadline to break a logjam in the industrial side of its largest infrastructure program, a 13 trillion tenge effort to rebuild the country's aging heating, power and water systems by 2029. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov told a cabinet meeting that work to conclude potential offtake contracts for new and expanded production facilities under the national project "Modernization of Energy and Utilities Sectors" must accelerate, Kazakhstan's state-operated Qazinform News Agency reported Tuesday. Off-take contracts commit a buyer to purchase a set volume of output in advance, which is what allows a manufacturer to borrow against future revenue and build the plant in the first place. Without them, the factories the program is meant to create do not get financed. "This issue has been repeatedly discussed but remains unresolved. The Ministry of Industry and Construction must enhance oversight and coordination," Bektenov said. He also instructed the ministry to add architectural, urban planning, and construction catalog codes to the manufacturers' register within two weeks. The pressure is pointed because domestic production is not a side benefit of the program. It is one of its four stated directions. Officials have identified 2,786 product lines worth 2.24 trillion tenge that could be supplied from inside Kazakhstan, and assembled a pool of 220 Kazakh plants and 669 qualified companies to handle design work and equipment supply. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has said more than 200 new production facilities should launch within two years. The program itself dates to December 2024, when the government approved the national project for the period through 2029. Tokayev signed the enabling law on July 17, 2025, and it took effect 12 days later. Of the 13 trillion tenge total ($27.3 billion), some 6.8 trillion tenge is directed at repairing and building 86,000 kilometers of utility networks, and roughly 6.2 trillion tenge at power generation. More than 1 trillion tenge was allocated this year alone, according to Tokayev. The targets are specific. Wear on heating networks is to fall from 53 percent to 40 percent, on electricity networks from 62 percent to 45 percent, on water supply from 39 percent to 34 percent, and on wastewater systems from 54 percent to 40 percent. Emergency breakdowns are to drop by 20 percent. The energy ministry expects generation capacity to grow by 7.3 gigawatts, lifting total national output to 32.6 gigawatts, though official statements have counted the underlying generation projects differently, sometimes as 15 new plants plus 14 modernizations, sometimes as 29 projects in total. What forced all of this was one winter. On November 27, 2022, a failure at the thermal power plant in Ekibastuz, a mining city in Pavlodar region, cut heat to much of the town while outside temperatures sat near minus 30 degrees Celsius. Authorities declared a state of emergency. Residents went days without heating, pipes and radiators froze and burst, and the regional governor was dismissed. Weeks earlier, more than 20,000 people in the northeastern town of Ridder had lost heating in a similar accident. A review by the energy ministry that December put numbers to what everyone already suspected. The average thermal power plant in Kazakhstan was 61 years old. About 76 percent of them had been running for more than half a century. Average wear on core equipment stood at 66 percent. Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev, who heads the project office, has said the work will concentrate on regions where network wear exceeds 65 to 70 percent. Financing comes from domestic and international financial institutions, banks, the state budget and shareholder contributions, with the government subsidizing interest rates on loans taken by utility companies to keep the repair campaign from landing directly on household tariffs. Targeted assistance for utility bills stays in place for low-income households. Bektenov also pressed the industry and energy ministries to speed up the unified digital platform Smart Turmys. Industry and Construction Minister Yersayin Nagaspayev told the same meeting the first modules would enter pilot operation in the fourth quarter, running a single subscriber registry, digital accounting of utility payments and monitoring of electricity, gas, heat and water consumption. Kazakhstan aims for full metering of utility infrastructure in cities of republican and regional significance by 2029. 17 pilot renovation projects were funded under the national project by 2025, worth 31.7 billion tenge. 2026-07-29 10:10:14