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Korean Party Begins Disciplinary Procedures Against Three Lawmakers 국민의힘 중앙윤리위원회가 27일 조경태 의원과 진종오 의원, 권영진 의원에 대한 징계 절차를 개시했다. 윤리위는 이날 오후 비공개로 회의를 열고 이같이 의결했다고 보도자료를 통해 밝혔다. 회의는 재적위원 5명 중 3명만 참석한 채 진행됐다. 당초 소수 인원 참석으로 이날 징계 개시가 이뤄지지 않을 것으로 예상됐으나 의결정족수를 채워 의결을 강행한 것으로 보인다. 6선으로 당내 최다선인 조경태 의원은 국민의힘 몫 국회부의장을 선출하는 과정에서 더불어민주당 등 다른 당 의원들에게 박덕흠 국회부의장의 낙선 전화를 했다는 이유로 윤리위에 제소된 바 있다. 친한(친한동훈)계인 진종오 의원은 6·3 국회의원 부산 북갑 보궐선거에서 국민의힘 후보가 아닌 한동훈 무소속 의원을 지원했다는 이유로 윤리위에 제소됐다. 권영진 의원은 최근 후반기 국회 상임위원회 배분에 불만을 갖고 정점식 원내대표의 멱살을 잡는 등 물의를 빚어 윤리위에 제소됐다. 윤리위가 본격적인 징계 절차에 돌입하면서 당내 반발이 커질 것으로 예상된다. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 18:20:00 -
Changing Drinking Culture Hits Alcohol Industry Amid Declining Sales A 15-year veteran employee, referred to as A, has recently felt a sense of generational change during department gatherings. Once frequent, these events have dwindled to about once a month, with younger employees often opting out, citing commitments like exercise or language classes. A noted, "Whereas past gatherings were all about drinking heavily, now it’s common to wrap up after a meal with just a light drink."The domestic alcohol market is facing a significant blow due to changing drinking cultures and a growing emphasis on health. The impact on the spirits market, particularly whiskey, has been severe. The whiskey industry, a hallmark of high-alcohol beverages, is experiencing a sharp decline in performance, leading to restructuring efforts. Both soju and beer are also facing sluggish sales, prompting alcohol companies to seek new opportunities in low-alcohol and ready-to-drink (RTD) products.According to industry sources, Diageo Korea, which operates the whiskey brand Johnnie Walker, has recently begun accepting applications for voluntary retirement from all employees, offering up to 36 months of salary and a special severance payment of 20 million won. This marks the company's second round of layoffs in about two years. Last year, Diageo Korea's operating profit plummeted by 48.1% to 9.4 billion won compared to the previous year.Competitors in the whiskey sector, including Golden Blue and Pernod Ricard, are also experiencing poor performance. Their operating profits fell by 36.3% and 71.6%, respectively. Golden Blue has not paid performance bonuses, which typically range from 100% to 130% of monthly salaries, due to last year's poor results, and discussions of a potential zero bonus for this year are ongoing.Companies focusing on soju and beer sales are also feeling the chill. Hite Jinro reported a 3.6% drop in consolidated sales (59.08 billion won) and a 10.8% decrease in operating profit (5.59 billion won) in the first quarter compared to the same period last year, with both soju (-2.2%) and beer (-7.9%) sales declining. Lotte Chilsung Beverage also saw significant drops in sales across major alcohol categories, including beer (-25.3%), wine (-2.3%), and spirits (-17.5%).In response, alcohol companies are seeking to adapt and find new paths forward. Despite an overall decline in alcohol consumption, low-alcohol and RTD products are emerging as new growth categories. Companies are strengthening their product lines and exploring new demand through sports marketing and expansion into overseas markets.Lotte Chilsung Beverage has lowered the alcohol content of its soju brand Saero from 16% to 15.7% and is expanding its fruit wine and 200ml product lines. The RTD brand Soonhari Jin is also capitalizing on the growing demand for mixed drinks. The recently launched Saero Omija sold over 2 million bottles within a month, while Soonhari Jin achieved sales of 17 billion won in the first half of the year, surpassing last year's total sales of 16.2 billion won, driving growth in RTD sales.Hite Jinro introduced the top-selling Japanese RTD brand Kirin Hyoketsu Momo to the domestic market last year and recently added a lemon flavor. They have also launched products like Terra Light, which has about one-third fewer calories than regular beer, and various flavored soju options. Their subsidiary, Hite Jinro Beverage, has expanded its non-alcoholic lineup with the addition of Hite Zero 0.00 Lemon & Yuzu.Marketing strategies that once centered around drinking gatherings are now expanding into sports and leisure activities. OB Beer has promoted its non-alcoholic and low-calorie products, such as Cass 0.0, by hosting running events in collaboration with Musinsa Standard Sports, targeting the 2030 demographic. During the North and Central American World Cup, they operated viewing pubs, pop-up stores, and AI-based participation events.To overcome domestic market limitations, companies are accelerating their efforts to penetrate overseas markets. In particular, fruit-flavored soju, which emphasizes lower alcohol content and sweetness, is emerging as a key player in international markets, coinciding with the spread of K-content. According to the Korea Customs Service, the export value of liqueurs, including fruit soju, reached $10.41 million last year, a 4.3% increase from the previous year.Hite Jinro, which offers a series of export-exclusive A-Soju flavors like plum, strawberry, peach, lemon, and melon, reported a 6.9% increase in sales of other flavored spirits, totaling 107.5 billion won last year. Lotte Chilsung Beverage is also expanding its overseas reach, with a 15% increase in fruit soju exports in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year, leveraging its distribution networks in over 40 countries, including the U.S., Southeast Asia, and Europe.Ryu In-soo, head of the Korea Alcohol Industry Research Institute, stated, "While the overall market is experiencing a downturn due to weakened consumer sentiment, trends toward lighter drinking centered on low-alcohol, low-volume, and highball beverages, as well as carbonated drinks based on low-alcohol spirits, will be important growth drivers." 2026-07-27 18:20:00
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Dong-A Socio Holdings Reports 38.3% Increase in Q2 Operating Profit Driven by Growth in Dong-A Pharmaceutical and Yongma Logistics Dong-A Socio Holdings has reported double-digit growth, driven by the performance of its key subsidiaries, Dong-A Pharmaceutical and Yongma Logistics.On July 27, Dong-A Socio Holdings announced that its consolidated revenue for the second quarter reached 412.4 billion won, with an operating profit of 39 billion won. Revenue increased by 18.9% compared to the same period last year, while operating profit rose by 38.3%.Dong-A Pharmaceutical, a healthcare specialist, saw its revenue grow by 25.7% to 228.2 billion won, thanks to strong sales of Bacchus and over-the-counter (OTC) products. Its operating profit also increased by 26.6% to 30.2 billion won.Sales in the Bacchus and OTC segments rose by 26.6% and 36.5%, respectively, while the health functional food (HTC) segment grew by 4.4%.Yongma Logistics, a logistics company, reported a 19.7% increase in revenue to 120.5 billion won, driven by an increase in existing client volumes and the acquisition of new clients. Its operating profit surged by 41.6% to 6.9 billion won.In contrast, Biogen, a contract manufacturing organization (CMO) specializing in biopharmaceuticals, experienced a 45.2% decline in revenue to 13.7 billion won, as major client orders were concentrated in the second half of the year. Its operating profit plummeted by 90.0% to 400 million won.For the first half of the year, Dong-A Socio Holdings reported consolidated revenue of 763.4 billion won, a 13.0% increase from the previous year, and an operating profit of 58.1 billion won, up 19.8%.Dong-A Pharmaceutical's revenue rose by 18.3% to 416.2 billion won, with an operating profit increase of 24.7% to 50.8 billion won.Yongma Logistics reported revenue of 231.1 billion won, a 14.6% increase, and an operating profit of 10.7 billion won, up 17.3%.Biogen's revenue fell by 28.1% to 31.7 billion won, with an operating profit down 89.7% to 600 million won.Additionally, Dong-A Socio Holdings announced on July 23 that it has resolved to absorb its wholly-owned subsidiary, Dong-A Pharmaceutical, in a board meeting. The merger is set to take place on October 1.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 18:16:00
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Decline of Bars in Seoul: 1,095 Establishments Closed in a Year A post on the community forum for small business owners in South Korea, titled "How much should I earn before deciding to close my business?" received over 140 comments. The author, who has been running a pub for two years, expressed concerns about renewing their lease. Responses included, "I decided to close after my earnings dropped to 3 million won in the off-season and 5 million won in peak season," and "Many small business owners are holding on by working side jobs, so stay strong." The post garnered 26,000 views, indicating that many bar owners share similar worries. Bars in Seoul are disappearing at an alarming rate. The number of closures is nearly double that of new openings, exacerbating the decline in demand for group dining. Amid sluggish domestic consumption and rising labor costs, bar owners are struggling, particularly as drinking culture shifts from group gatherings to individual or small-scale consumption, leading to reduced alcohol sales and a domino effect of closures. According to the Seoul Business Analysis Service, the number of pubs and taverns in the city fell to 15,595 in the first quarter of this year, down 1,095 (6.6%) from 16,690 during the same period last year. Compared to the first quarter of 2024, when there were 18,179 establishments, this marks a decrease of 2,584 (14.2%) over two years. Pubs and taverns primarily sell alcohol and snacks. The Seoul Business Analysis Service compiles quarterly data on store openings and closures based on business registration information. The number of closures is approaching double that of new openings. In the first quarter of this year, 313 new pubs and taverns opened, while 597 closed, resulting in a net loss of 284 establishments. The opening rate was 2.0%, while the closure rate was 3.8%. However, the pace of closures has slightly eased compared to last year. The number of new openings increased from 283 to 313, while closures decreased from 674 to 597. The closure rate dropped from 4.0% to 3.8%, but the number of closures continues to exceed openings, leading to an overall decline in establishments. While the overall restaurant industry showed signs of improvement in the second quarter, bar owners report that their sector is recovering more slowly than others. The Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation's "2026 Second Quarter Restaurant Industry Business Trend Index" report indicates that the current index for the overall restaurant industry rose to 78.82, up 2.04 points from the first quarter (76.78). An index below 100 indicates that more businesses reported worsening conditions compared to the same period last year. The current index for bars stands at 72.23, a slight increase of 1.15 points from the previous quarter (71.08), but remains the lowest among major sectors. The outlook index for the third quarter is also lower at 80.19, down 2.35 points from the second quarter's forecast of 82.54. The decline in bars can be attributed to various factors, including the sluggish domestic economy, but the changing drinking culture and reduced alcohol consumption are also significant contributors. Even when gatherings occur, the trend is shifting away from late-night drinking sessions to shorter lunch meetings or brief first gatherings. Analysts suggest that the decrease in pubs reflects broader changes in dining culture and household structures, such as the rise of single-person households. Overall alcohol consumption is also on the decline. According to the National Tax Service's statistics portal, domestic alcohol shipments peaked at 4,073,615 kiloliters in 2015 but plummeted by 26.7% to 2,987,726 kiloliters by 2025. Last year, beer shipments fell by 7.2% to 1,518,931 kiloliters, while diluted spirits decreased by 2.8% to 792,912 kiloliters. In contrast, shipments of general distilled spirits, which include fruit wines, increased by 6.6% to 4,056 kiloliters. Shipments of general distilled spirits rose from 1,785 kiloliters in 2023 to 3,805 kiloliters in 2024 and 4,056 kiloliters in 2025. An industry representative stated, "As the number of group gatherings decreases and single-person households increase, the consumption of large quantities of alcohol in social settings continues to decline. The industry is also shifting its focus to low-alcohol and smaller-sized products to cater to individual preferences." 2026-07-27 18:16:00
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YouTuber Baek Jin-kyung's Past Photos Spark Online Buzz YouTuber Baek Jin-kyung, known for her role as an honorary British figure, is drawing attention due to her past photos. Her recent revelations about her experiences during a working holiday in the United States have further piqued the interest of netizens.On July 27, a post featuring Baek Jin-kyung's past photos surfaced on an online community.The images showcase Baek Jin-kyung posing confidently, highlighting her glamorous figure. Notably, her curvaceous body caught the eye of many.Additionally, her past anecdotes shared on the YouTube channel 'Chimchakman' have resurfaced. During the broadcast, Baek Jin-kyung reminisced about her time in the U.S., stating, "In America, there was a preference for curvy women."She continued, "From the airport, people were staring at me, causing traffic jams. Since a curvy figure is not common among Koreans, I think I appeared as a limited edition. At that moment, I thought, 'This is my second hometown.'"Baek Jin-kyung also noted, "In Korea, my style isn't popular, so I wasn't well-received, but it was different in America. There were instances of catcalling, with men whistling or asking for my number, but I enjoyed it. If the person being catcalled is happy, isn't that what matters?" This statement has sparked considerable discussion.As her comments gained traction online, various reactions accompanied the past photos.Netizens commented, "Seeing the past photos, I can understand why," "She definitely fits the American taste," "She has that hot girl vibe," and "I would have asked for her number too."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 18:12:00
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Heat Wave Continues with Highs Reaching 39 Degrees; Showers Expected in Central Regions On Tuesday, July 28, a heat wave and tropical nights are expected to persist across most of the country.According to the Korea Meteorological Administration on July 27, the perceived temperatures will exceed 33 degrees Celsius in most areas, with southern regions reaching above 35 degrees.In particular, extreme heat is anticipated in Jeonnam's Gwangyang, Daegu (excluding Gunwi), Gyeongbuk's Gyeongsan, Cheongdo, Goryeong, Pohang, Gyeongju, and Gyeongnam's Yangsan, Changwon, Gimhae, Miryang, Uiryeong, Ham-an, Changnyeong, Jinju, and Hapcheon, where perceived temperatures are expected to exceed 38 degrees or actual highs around 39 degrees.Many areas will experience tropical nights due to insufficient temperature drops overnight.From the night of the 28th to the afternoon, showers are forecasted in central inland areas and Gyeongbuk. Some regions may experience gusts of wind along with thunder and lightning.The expected rainfall amounts from the showers are as follows: 5-40mm in Seoul and inland Gyeonggi, 5-40mm in central and southern inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon, 5-20mm in the central and southern east coast of Gangwon, 5-40mm in northern and central Chungbuk, 5-40mm in northern and central Gyeongbuk, and 5-20mm in Ulleungdo and Dokdo.The forecasted morning low temperatures in major cities are 26 degrees in Seoul, 25 degrees in Incheon, 25 degrees in Suwon, 25 degrees in Chuncheon, 26 degrees in Gangneung, 26 degrees in Daejeon, 26 degrees in Cheongju, 26 degrees in Gwangju, 26 degrees in Jeonju, 26 degrees in Busan, 26 degrees in Ulsan, 25 degrees in Daegu, and 27 degrees in Jeju.The expected daytime high temperatures are 33 degrees in Seoul, 32 degrees in Incheon, 32 degrees in Suwon, 32 degrees in Chuncheon, 34 degrees in Gangneung, 34 degrees in Daejeon, 35 degrees in Cheongju, 34 degrees in Gwangju, 34 degrees in Jeonju, 35 degrees in Busan, 36 degrees in Ulsan, 38 degrees in Daegu, and 32 degrees in Jeju.The fine dust levels are expected to be at a 'good' level across all regions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 18:12:00
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Reactions Split as Yoon Suk Yeol Receives Suspended Sentence for Election Law Violation 여야는 27일 윤석열 전 대통령이 공직선거법 위반 혐의로 1심에서 징역형의 집행유예를 선고받자 엇갈린 반응을 보였다. 범여권은 "사필귀정"이라며 국민의힘을 향해 선거비용 반환을 요구했고, 국민의힘은 이재명 대통령의 재판 재개를 주장하며 역공에 나섰다.한병도 더불어민주당 원내대표는 이날 페이스북에 "주권자의 민의를 왜곡하고, 대선 결과에 중대한 영향을 미친 윤석열의 추악한 거짓말에 철퇴를 내린 판결"이라며 환영의 뜻을 밝혔다. 이어 "지난 몇 년간 국민의힘은 민주당을 겨냥해 선거비용 반환을 겁박해 왔다"며 "특검법상 규정된 재판기간을 고려하면 앞으로 6개월 이내에 확정 판결이 나올 것으로 전망된다. 국민의힘은 자신들이 내뱉은 말을 지켜야 할 것"이라고 강조했다. 강준현 수석대변인도 국회에서 브리핑을 통해 "내란수괴 윤석열은 탄핵 이전에 이미 대통령의 자격이 없었다는 것을 증명한 판결"이라며 "거짓으로 대통령 직을 찬탈한 윤석열을 후보로 세운 국민의힘이 책임질 차례"라고 주장했다. 그러면서 "만약 2심, 3심을 지켜봐야 한다며 시간끌기에 나서거나 윤석열 개인의 탓으로 어물쩍 넘길 생각을 하고 있다면 이는 커다란 오산"이라며 "즉각 국민께 사죄하고 혈세로 보전받은 397억원의 선거비용 반환에 나서야 할 것"이라고 덧붙였다. 조국혁신당의 정춘생, 차규근, 강경숙 의원은 이날 입장문을 내고 윤 전 대통령의 선고에 대해 "사필귀정"이라며 "늦게나마 법원의 판단으로 윤 전 대통령이 법의 심판을 받게 된 것을 뜻깊게 생각한다"고 했다. 이어 "윤 전 대통령을 대통령 후보로 공천했던 국민의힘 역시 그 책임을 져야 한다"며 "국민의힘은 지금부터 선거비용 반환을 준비하고, 내란정당의 그늘에서 벗어나지 못한 국민의힘 지도부는 즉각 사퇴하라"고 주장했다. 반면 국민의힘은 윤 전 대통령의 대법원 판결까지 지켜보겠다면서 이 대통령의 재판 재개를 촉구했다. 박성훈 수석대변인은 논평에서 "아직 대법원의 최종 판단이 남아 있는 만큼 그 결과를 엄중히 지켜보겠다"며 "이 대통령 사건에 대한 후속 재판도 신속히 재개해 결론내야 한다"고 목소리 높였다.박 수석대변인은 "이 대통령의 허위사실 공표에 따른 공직선거법 위반 사건은 이미 대법원의 유죄 취지 판단이 내려진 사안"이라며 "남은 절차가 마무리돼 형이 확정되면 민주당은 국민 혈세로 보전받은 대선 선거보전금 434억원을 반드시 반환해야 한다"고 지적했다. 권영세 의원도 페이스북에서 "이 대통령에 대한 2020 대법원 판결(친형 정신병원 감금관련)에 의하면 이 사건도 당연히 무죄여야 한다"며 "상급심에서 바로 잡혀지길 기대한다"고 했다. 이어 "만에 하나 이 판결이 유지된다면 2025 대법원 파기환송 판결(김문기 관련 골프 발언 및 백현동 관련 발언)도 바로 재개돼야 한다. 그것이 공정한 일"이라고 덧붙였다.서울중앙지법 형사합의21부(조순표 부장판사)는 이날 공직선거법 위반 혐의로 기소된 윤 전 대통령에게 징역 1년 6개월에 집행유예 3년을 선고했다. 형이 확정될 경우 국민의힘은 대선 때 보전받은 선거비용 397억원을 중앙선거관리위원회에 반환해야 한다.공직선거법에 따르면 대선 후보자가 당선되거나 15% 이상 득표율을 얻으면 선거관리위원회에서 선거비용 전액을 보전받는다. 다만 이후 당선 무효형(벌금 100만원 이상)을 선고받아 확정되면 정당에서 이를 모두 반환해야 한다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 17:52:00
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Vietnam's Online Retail Market Sees Price Increases Amid Growth Vietnam's online retail market continued its rapid growth in the first half of this year. Major e-commerce platforms such as Shopee, TikTok Shop, Lazada, and Tiki significantly outpaced overall retail growth, but rising product prices and increased seller costs are also becoming apparent.According to local media reports from VnExpress on July 27, market analysis platform Metric announced on July 23 that the total transaction volume for the four major platforms in the first half of this year reached 291.6 trillion dong (approximately 16.27 trillion won). The number of products sold during this period exceeded 2.18 billion, with total transaction volume and sales increasing by over 41% and 12%, respectively, compared to the same period last year.Online Spending Grows Three Times Faster Than Overall RetailVietnamese consumers are spending an average of over 16 trillion dong daily on major e-commerce platforms. Daily transactions exceed 12 million items, with popular categories including beauty, fashion, household goods, groceries, and electronics. A total of 613,900 sellers are registered on these four platforms.The growth rate of online retail has significantly outpaced the overall retail market. Metric estimates that online retail grew nearly three times faster than total retail in the first half of the year, accounting for almost 10% of the overall retail market.Brands are also recognizing the benefits of expanding online channels. JBL, which sells Bluetooth speakers and headphones, reported that its sales on Lazada doubled in the second quarter compared to the same period last year. A JBL Vietnam representative noted that online channels allow for greater consumer reach based on high traffic and are effective for promotions targeting younger audiences.Live Commerce, Discounts, and Fast Delivery Drive GrowthKey factors driving growth in the first half of the year include live commerce and video-based sales. An online survey by Q&Me found that live commerce has become a primary shopping channel for active online consumers, accounting for about 67% of their online spending. The influence of live commerce is also notable on TikTok Shop, where Nesti's CEO, Ta Van Tan, stated last month that over half of TikTok Shop's total sales come from live commerce.Discount promotions and fast delivery have also been identified as factors boosting purchase conversions. In the Q&Me survey, 82% of respondents indicated they are attracted to discount programs. Lazada reported that total transaction volume during a promotion on June 6 increased by 276% compared to usual, while Shopee noted that orders from stores offering one- to four-hour delivery were 130% higher than those without such services.However, some consumers have expressed concerns that online product prices are not always cheaper than in physical stores. A resident of Ho Chi Minh City reported that certain clothing and shoe items are sometimes sold at higher prices online. Another consumer noted that the price of mouthwash on online platforms has risen above that of direct purchases from pharmacies.Statistics also confirm the trend of rising prices. Unet ECI reported that the average selling price across the entire online market increased by 33% in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the previous year. Based on Metric data, the average transaction amount per product rose by approximately 25.8%, from 103,760 dong in the second quarter of last year to 130,510 dong in the first quarter of 2026.The background of these price increases includes rising costs and operational burdens. Factors such as production and import prices, labor costs, packaging, logistics, as well as platform fees, advertising costs, discount coupon burdens, and transaction processing fees have all risen, making it difficult for sellers to maintain low prices.Increasing Seller Burdens and Fee Policies as VariablesAs platforms grow, seller burdens are also increasing. Shopee and TikTok Shop have adjusted their fee policies several times in the first half of the year, leading to increased selling costs for some items. In response to seller complaints, the Vietnam National Competition Commission has requested information and data from the platforms for impact assessment.Online sales training expert Julyhouse, CEO of Chan Lam, diagnosed that the market is gradually moving from a 'burning money' phase to one focused on optimizing operational efficiency. He stated, "E-commerce costs continue to rise, but consumers still expect lower prices, faster delivery, and more promotions." The expansion of the online retail market is expected to continue into the third quarter, with Metric forecasting that transaction volume on major platforms will reach 146.3 trillion dong, a 2.31% increase from the second quarter.Consequently, sellers are required to adopt more sophisticated operational strategies rather than simply expanding their presence. Metric advises sellers to build their product portfolios based on search trends, price ranges, and seasonality, rather than relying solely on intuition. Improvements in product quality, images, and information, along with the use of advertising, promotions, live commerce, affiliate marketing, and social media content, are also deemed necessary.Content creator Hoang Van Khoa emphasized the importance of a multi-platform strategy. He noted that producing one piece of content in various formats for distribution across channels like Shopee, Facebook, and Instagram has proven effective, stating, "Thanks to this approach, my content currently maintains over 30 million views per month."In the long term, competition in Vietnam's e-commerce sector is shifting from simple price competition to a focus on experience and trust. Sara Nguyen, Shopee Vietnam's Commercial Director, believes that e-commerce has entered a new stage where consumers expect better experiences, personalization, and trust. She explained that platforms need to invest more in solutions that ensure artificial intelligence, infrastructure, and a seamless shopping experience.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 17:48:00
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Jang Dong-hyuk Advocates for Re-election Amid Election Fraud Allegations Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, attended a hearing on election appeals related to the June 3 local elections at the National Election Commission in Gwacheon on July 27. Before the hearing, he held a press conference at the National Assembly, asserting, "A re-election must be conducted." He stated that if the Election Commission fails to respond to allegations of election fraud, it must acknowledge its mistakes and take responsibility, speaking passionately for over 30 minutes.After the hearing, Jang told reporters, "If the public had watched the hearing (live), they would have been outraged. With such an attitude and mindset, the Election Commission is causing South Korea to incur social costs every election cycle," adding that his feelings of anger during the hearing had not subsided. Previously, Jang had requested a live broadcast of the hearing, but the request was denied, prompting him to hold a press conference at the National Assembly. During the conference, he remarked, "Even if the Election Commission claims to be 'making soybean paste with beans,' the people of South Korea will not believe it. Based on the facts revealed so far, I believe this local election is invalid and a re-election is necessary."Jang argued that the logic claiming election fraud is impossible has lost its validity. He explained, "No matter how thoroughly monitored and supervised the vote counting is, the Election Commission can manipulate all the numbers without any oversight, procedures, or reports at the final stage, which is a serious issue. The fairness, transparency, and objectivity of past elections are also called into question."He urged, "If all facts are revealed and a special investigation is conducted, there will be no clean area among the 16 metropolitan governments. I hope they do not miss this last opportunity to correct their mistakes." He pressed for a complete re-election.Political analysts suggest that Jang's press conference before the hearing was a strategy to pressure the Election Commission and the Democratic Party. As both parties engage in behind-the-scenes negotiations regarding the extension of the National Assembly's investigation into voting rights violations and the scope and duration of the special investigation, Jang appears to be trying to create a favorable situation through public opinion.Even if the election appeal is not accepted, it seems that the strategy is to continue addressing the issue of voting rights violations politically. In fact, the People Power Party believes that Jang and other party members have generated momentum for the National Assembly investigation and special investigation by frequently visiting locations like Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, Seoul.A member of the People Power Party stated to Aju Economy, "While the allegations of manipulation by the Election Commission are currently just suspicions, if intentionality is confirmed, a re-election would be inevitable. As of now, we cannot confirm intentionality, and while Jang's claims of election fraud are political, the situation could change."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 17:48:00
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UNC commander calls for readiness on Korean War Armistice anniversary SEOUL, July 27 (AJP) - The Armistice Agreement that ended the 1950-53 Korean War has helped maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula for 73 years, the commander of the United Nations Command (UNC) said Monday as South Korea and allied nations marked the anniversary of the ceasefire. UNC Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson made the remarks in a post on X honoring the 22 countries that fought or provided medical support to South Korea, a country thousands of miles away under the U.N. flag during the war. "Today marks the 73rd anniversary of the Korean War Armistice Agreement. The Armistice is not a peace treaty, but for 73 years it has provided the framework that has helped preserve peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," Brunson said. Honoring those countries' sacrifice in defending "freedom and security in Korea" he said, "Their veterans remain the living bridge between the battlefield of yesterday and the peace we safeguard today." He also stressed the need for continued commitment and readiness to uphold the agreement. "Their legacy reminds us that preserving the Armistice requires steadfast commitment, unwavering vigilance, and credible readiness. There is no substitute for being ready," he added. Signed on July 27, 1953 by the UNC, the agreement halted active fighting but left the two Koreas technically still at war. South Korea observes the day to honor fallen troops, while North Korea marks it as "Victory Day," claiming to have defeated U.N.-led forces. 2026-07-27 17:45:47