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  • Classroom Realities of True Education and Family Privilege in Criminal Cases
    Classroom Realities of 'True Education' and Family Privilege in Criminal Cases MBC's investigative program 'Straight' focuses on the issues of teacher authority violations and the concealment of crimes among family members.On July 26, 'Straight' will address the reality faced by teachers who are reported for child abuse despite providing legitimate guidance, as well as the problems associated with the so-called 'family privilege' that exempts relatives from criminal responsibility for destroying evidence.The segment titled 'Classrooms in Need of True Education' will explore the deteriorating authority of teachers in schools.One teacher, who reported a student for using a cellphone during class, was ultimately forced to leave the profession after being accused of child abuse. Another teacher, who addressed a school bullying incident, faced months of investigation and scrutiny due to similar allegations.Teachers claim that the classroom depicted in the Netflix drama 'True Education' closely resembles their actual experiences. There is a pervasive fear that actions such as preventing cellphone use or addressing problematic behavior may be interpreted as 'emotional abuse.'Once a report is filed, teachers may endure investigations lasting from several months to over a year. Even if they are ultimately cleared of wrongdoing, it is often difficult to receive an apology from the accuser or compensation for damages.Critics argue that the laws and systems designed to protect teachers are not functioning effectively in schools. 'Straight' has conducted in-depth reporting on the psychological and legal burdens teachers face when legitimate guidance leads to child abuse allegations.The segment 'Family Privilege in Crime Concealment' will examine the legal concept of family privilege.In May, Jang Yoon-ki was charged with the murder of 17-year-old high school student Lee Chae-won. Investigations revealed that his father, a current police officer, allegedly destroyed evidence related to the crime while cleaning his son's apartment.Jang Yoon-ki's father dismantled a real doll identified as key evidence and hid cable ties believed to have been used for binding. He also burned his son's old cellphone.However, he did not face criminal charges due to the application of family privilege, which exempts relatives from punishment for concealing or destroying evidence on behalf of a family member.'Straight' will revisit the controversial structure of family privilege, tracing its origins from the criminal code established over 70 years ago and examining how it has been applied in serious criminal cases.'Straight' airs today at 8:30 PM.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-26 19:52:00
  • Police Summon Choi Young-jung for Questioning in Child Prostitution Case
    Police Summon Choi Young-jung for Questioning in Child Prostitution Case Police summoned Choi Young-jung, a former city councilor of Cheongju, for questioning on charges related to child prostitution on July 26.According to Yonhap News, Choi arrived at the Cheongju Cheongwon Police Station around 2 p.m. as a suspect and was questioned for approximately four hours.The charges against Choi include statutory rape of minors under the Act on the Protection of Children and Youth against Sexual Abuse, production of sexual exploitation materials, solicitation for sexual services, and engaging in conversations for sexual exploitation.This marks the second time police have summoned Choi, following a raid on the Cheongju City Council and his residence on July 15.During the investigation, police are looking into whether Choi requested nude photos from a female middle school student and if there are additional victims.It remains unclear how Choi responded to the allegations during the latest questioning. In the first round of questioning in May, he denied the charges, claiming he was unaware the individual was a minor.Choi is accused of engaging in sexual relations with middle school students on three occasions over the course of about a year, starting in October 2024, and demanding they send nude photos. He is also alleged to have offered additional money to the victim if she brought friends and sent sexually explicit videos and messages.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-26 19:40:00
  • UK Prime Minister Burnham Will Publicly Criticize Trump if National Interests Clash
    UK Prime Minister Burnham Will Publicly Criticize Trump if National Interests Clash UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated he would not hesitate to publicly oppose U.S. President Donald Trump if it conflicts with the national interest.In an interview with the BBC on July 26, Burnham responded affirmatively when asked if he could criticize Trump publicly, saying, "Of course. Above all, we must protect our national interests. This is necessary to fulfill my role as Prime Minister."On his first day in office, July 20, Burnham spoke with Trump, marking the first conversation with a foreign leader. He described the call as a "good conversation" and noted that Trump was "very warm" during their exchange.However, when asked if he trusts Trump, Burnham avoided a direct answer, stating, "Given how rapidly the world is changing, we must assess the situation as it develops."Burnham also expressed concern over Trump starting a war with Iran, emphasizing, "I will not hesitate to say what I believe is right."He dismissed the possibility of an early election, stating, "I believe the public does not want that," and added that he would focus on restoring the UK to its rightful place.The next general election in the UK is scheduled for the summer of 2029. Keir Starmer, who won a landslide victory in the July 2024 election, resigned after losing trust within the Labour Party, leading to Burnham assuming the premiership.During the interview, Burnham did not specify a timeline for increasing defense spending to 3% of GDP. He acknowledged being aware of Defense Secretary Hilary's stance on the importance of defense spending and stated, "The immediate task is to secure the funding needed for defense investment plans." He indicated that specific plans would be developed during the budget preparation process at the end of this year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-26 19:12:00
  • President Lee Aims to Halve 3rd New Town Project Duration Amid Compensation Challenges
    President Lee Aims to Halve 3rd New Town Project Duration Amid Compensation Challenges President Lee Jae-myung has set a goal to reduce the duration of the 3rd New Town project to less than half, drawing attention to how this can be achieved. The government plans to streamline procedures and revise related systems to accelerate progress, but land compensation and resident relocation processes continue to pose significant challenges.During a national discussion on real estate policy held on July 23, President Lee stated, "The delays in the commencement of the previously announced areas for the 3rd New Town are a serious issue," adding that the administration is reviewing ways to reduce the project timeline. He mentioned, "If necessary, we will change regulations or conduct procedures concurrently to save time."Earlier, on July 16, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport presented a plan during a presidential briefing to expedite land development procedures, aiming to advance the start of construction for major public housing districts, including the 3rd New Town, by one to two years.Meanwhile, areas added as candidates for the 3rd New Town during the Moon Jae-in administration in 2021, such as Gwangmyeong-Siheung (67,000 households), Uiwang-Gunpo-Ansan (41,500 households), and Hwaseong Jin-an (34,000 households), are now entering the compensation phase.The largest Gwangmyeong-Siheung district has completed property appraisals for compensation in the first half of this year and has begun negotiations with land and property owners this month, a schedule accelerated by about four months compared to the original plan.The project implementer, the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), aims to complete compensation payments by the end of this year, with construction expected to start by the end of next year and the first residents moving in by 2031. Uiwang-Gunpo-Ansan and Hwaseong Jin-an are also expected to follow suit in their compensation processes.However, it remains uncertain whether the compensation procedures will proceed smoothly. Public housing districts must complete compensation before residents can relocate and demolition can begin. Disputes over compensation amounts or refusals to relocate can lead to significant delays. If the process escalates to eviction lawsuits and enforcement actions, projects could be delayed by several months to over a year.The government is also working on system improvements to reduce compensation delays. The '9.7 Supply Plan' announced last year includes a 'cooperation incentive' program that offers additional payments to residents who assist with compensation within a specified timeframe.Additionally, if land or buildings are not surrendered and residents refuse to vacate after compensation is completed, local government officials can impose enforcement fees of up to 10 million won. However, while the cooperation incentive was included in a proposed amendment to the Special Act on Public Housing last year, it has yet to pass through the National Assembly. The enforcement fee system is expected to be implemented on December 17 of this year through amendments to the Land Compensation Act.Beyond compensation, factors such as inter-agency discussions on regional transportation plans, archaeological excavations, and the creation of alternative habitats due to the discovery of protected species like the Korean brown frog are also cited as variables that could slow project timelines.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-26 19:04:00
  • Iran Reports Progress in Maritime Safety Talks with Oman
    Iran Reports Progress in Maritime Safety Talks with Oman The Iranian Foreign Ministry announced that Iran and Oman have made progress in practical discussions aimed at ensuring safe maritime navigation.On July 26, Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported that Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, stated, "We held several meetings at the deputy foreign minister level with Oman last Friday and Saturday in Tehran."The two sides discussed joint principles and specific operational measures to manage safe navigation while respecting the sovereignty of Iran and Oman, both of which are coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz.Baghaei described the discussions as beneficial and noted that progress was made, adding, "Practical and political consultations between the two countries will continue." However, he mentioned that there has been no change in the navigation situation in the Strait of Hormuz.Iran claims the right to determine the routes and navigation methods in the Strait of Hormuz based on Article 5 of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed with the United States.This has led to heightened tensions with the U.S., as Iran has attacked vessels attempting to navigate outside the designated routes. In response, the U.S. has continued airstrikes against Iran.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-26 18:52:00
  • Jang Dong-hyuk Concludes Nationwide Tour, Shifts Focus to Election Issues
    Jang Dong-hyuk Concludes Nationwide Tour, Shifts Focus to Election Issues Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, concluded his nationwide tour aimed at addressing the voting rights crisis stemming from the June 3 election, wrapping up his schedule in Gimhae and Daegu on July 25. Political analysts predict that Jang's return to the National Assembly will usher in a new phase for the party's efforts against the opposition and in establishing internal discipline.On July 26, Jang took to Facebook to assert, "The Central Election Management Commission insisted that electronic manipulation was impossible, but it has now been proven otherwise. The people's cries for reclaiming their lost voting rights will not cease. Anyone who ignores that cry will not escape judgment."These remarks came after Jang attended rallies in Gimhae and Daegu to denounce the infringement of voting rights. Throughout July, he participated in gatherings in Incheon, Busan, Gwangju, and Yongin, engaging with young voters. Following his tour, he plans to strengthen the party's efforts against the opposition regarding the voting rights crisis, based on the sentiments he gathered from youth across the country. He is also expected to voice concerns about extending the period for a national investigation and negotiating the scope and duration of a special investigation.Jang also commented on President Lee Jae-myung's mention of the possibility of introducing electronic voting for overseas citizens, stating, "Stop making absurd claims and first accept the 'People's Special Investigation.' We need to abolish early voting and switch to a complete manual counting system."As Jang prepares to return to the National Assembly, a shift in the party's internal dynamics is becoming apparent. The Ethics Committee has recently faced turmoil, putting a halt to Jang's 'disciplinary politics.' Reports indicate that the committee has struggled to reach a quorum in recent meetings, complicating decisions related to disciplinary actions. A meeting is scheduled for July 27, but it remains uncertain whether significant deliberations will take place.In light of this, speculation is growing that Jang, who will mark his first anniversary in office next month, will announce reform measures aimed at restoring his leadership. These reforms are expected to include strengthening party member rights through amendments to party rules and regulations. Choi Bo-yun, the party's chief spokesperson, told reporters, "We are not preparing a reform plan with a set timeline. However, we anticipate that Jang will present a vision for how the party will be operated moving forward."Meanwhile, Jang is set to attend a hearing on election appeals related to the June 3 local elections at the Central Election Commission in Gwacheon on July 27, where he will present his arguments directly.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-26 18:40:00
  • Investors Pour Money into U.S. Index and AI ETFs Over Past Year
    Investors Pour Money into U.S. Index and AI ETFs Over Past Year Over the past year, the domestic exchange-traded fund (ETF) market has seen significant inflows into U.S. index ETFs and AI and semiconductor ETFs, driving market growth. Long-term investment demand has concentrated on U.S. index ETFs, while funds reflecting expectations for expanded AI investment have focused on semiconductor-themed ETFs, forming the two main pillars of the ETF market.According to asset management industry sources and ETF CHECK, the top inflow over the past year was the TIGER U.S. S&P 500 ETF, which attracted 849.32 billion won. It was followed by the SOL AI Semiconductor TOP2 Plus ETF with 647.21 billion won, KODEX SK Hynix Single Stock Leverage ETF with 516.39 billion won, KODEX U.S. Nasdaq 100 ETF with 479.89 billion won, TIGER Semiconductor TOP 10 ETF with 470.13 billion won, and KODEX 200 ETF with 446.08 billion won. The KODEX KOSDAQ 150 ETF (422.77 billion won), TIGER U.S. Nasdaq 100 ETF (399.30 billion won), and KODEX U.S. S&P 500 ETF (372.96 billion won) also ranked high in net inflows. Both U.S. index ETFs and AI and semiconductor ETFs have evenly occupied the top spots in net inflows, indicating their leading role in recent ETF market demand.U.S. index ETFs have consistently absorbed long-term funds from pensions, retirement accounts, and systematic investments, serving as a foundation for the market. In contrast, AI and semiconductor ETFs have attracted large amounts of capital in a short period, driven by expectations for AI investment growth and improvements in the semiconductor industry.The assets under management (AUM) of major index ETFs have also rapidly expanded. The total AUM of four major index ETFs—KODEX 200, KODEX U.S. S&P 500, TIGER U.S. S&P 500, and TIGER U.S. Nasdaq 100—rose from 26.437 trillion won on July 31 last year to 70.6159 trillion won as of June 30 this year. This represents an increase of 44.5722 trillion won, nearly 2.7 times the previous amount over 11 months.Among these products, KODEX 200 saw the largest increase, with its AUM rising from 7.023 trillion won to 28.8249 trillion won, a 311.6% increase. TIGER U.S. S&P 500 grew from 8.7678 trillion won to 20.3326 trillion won, a 131.9% increase, while TIGER U.S. Nasdaq 100 rose from 5.4301 trillion won to 11.8752 trillion won, an increase of 118.7%. KODEX U.S. S&P 500 also increased from 4.8436 trillion won to 9.8832 trillion won, a 104.0% rise.The increase in AUM for major index ETFs reflects not only new capital inflows but also capital gains from rising domestic and international stock markets. Nevertheless, the presence of multiple U.S. index ETFs among the top net inflows over the past year suggests a steady influx of long-term investment funds supporting the expansion of AUM. The AI and semiconductor ETFs have concentrated investment demand reflecting expectations for growth in the AI industry, having absorbed large amounts of capital in a short time.Seol Tae-hyun, a researcher at DB Financial Investment, stated, "The global semiconductor ETF market has shown accelerated cumulative inflows despite stock price adjustments. Following Alphabet's earnings announcement, the market is evaluating not only the earnings surprise but also guidance on AI capital expenditures, return on investment, and free cash flow. However, the steady flow of funds indicates ongoing market confidence in semiconductors."He added, "Domestic AI semiconductor-themed ETFs are also seeing continued inflows, particularly in high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and K-semiconductor materials, which had previously experienced significant declines, showing signs of rebound expectations."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-26 18:12:00
  • KOSDAQ Index Plummets, Returning to Last Years Levels
    KOSDAQ Index Plummets, Returning to Last Year's Levels The South Korean stock market has recently experienced a sharp decline, with the KOSDAQ index recording a significantly larger drop than the KOSPI, effectively returning to levels seen a year ago. After surpassing the 1,000 mark earlier this year, the KOSDAQ has faced a rapid deterioration in investor sentiment due to the launch of a single-stock leverage exchange-traded fund (ETF) and poor performance in the pharmaceutical and bio sectors. On July 24, the KOSDAQ index closed at 748.22, down 5.32% from the previous trading day, marking its lowest closing level since June 2 of last year (740.29). In contrast, the KOSPI rose 148.01% from 2,698.97 on June 2 last year to 6,690.62 on July 24. The KOSDAQ had recovered to the 'thousand mark' (1,000) in January for the first time in nearly four years and peaked at 1,203.84 in April. However, following the launch of the single-stock leverage ETF based on Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix at the end of May, investor funds shifted towards large-cap stocks on the KOSPI, leading to a rapid change in market dynamics. From May 27 to July 24, the average daily trading volume in the KOSDAQ market was 8.766 trillion won, a 39.29% decrease from the average of 14.44 trillion won prior to the ETF launch. This contraction in market trading has quickly cooled investor sentiment, creating a vicious cycle where reduced trading volume leads to poor index performance. The pharmaceutical and bio sectors have also faced a series of setbacks contributing to the index's decline. Some of the top market capitalization stocks have struggled due to issues such as share sales by CEOs, inadequate disclosures, and delays in new drug clinical trials. Additionally, rising interest rates have dampened investor sentiment towards growth stocks, while battery-related stocks have not shown significant rebounds, further weakening the overall upward momentum of the KOSDAQ. Individual investors have also exited the KOSDAQ. Since May 27, individuals have net sold 1.68 trillion won in the KOSDAQ market, while during the same period, they net bought 55.779 trillion won in the KOSPI. Analysts suggest that as capital flows towards large-cap and semiconductor stocks, the supply-demand gap in the KOSDAQ has widened. Market analysts believe that policies aimed at revitalizing the KOSDAQ could be a key factor in the market's recovery. The government plans to launch a second national growth fund worth 600 billion won in the third quarter and implement a 'KOSDAQ elevation system' in the first half of next year, which will categorize approximately 1,800 KOSDAQ-listed companies into premium and standard markets. Jung Sang-hwi, a researcher at Kyobo Securities, stated, "The KOSDAQ elevation system is a measure to enhance the qualitative competitiveness of listed companies, similar to the Tokyo Stock Exchange's market reform in 2022. It could serve as an opportunity to revive the investment momentum in the struggling KOSDAQ market."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-26 18:12:00
  • SK hynix holds onto rival Kioxia as AI turns NAND into battleground
    SK hynix holds onto rival Kioxia as AI turns NAND into battleground SEOUL, July 26 (AJP) — Bain Capital earlier this month has closed the book on one of the biggest private equity wins of the artificial intelligence era by fully exiting Japanese memory chipmaker Kioxia. SK hynix, however, is staying put. The South Korean memory giant continues to hold an indirect 14 percent stake in Kioxia through a special-purpose investment vehicle established during Bain's 2018 acquisition of Toshiba Memory, underscoring that the investment has evolved from a financial holding into a strategic asset in the rapidly changing AI memory market. Bain confirmed earlier this month that it had completed the sale of its remaining Kioxia shares after gradually reducing its ownership following the company's public listing. The eight-year investment reportedly generated profits exceeding $15 billion as AI-driven demand transformed Kioxia into one of Japan's highest-valued technology companies. SK hynix has taken a markedly different path. Unlike Bain, whose objective was to monetize its investment, the world's second-largest memory chipmaker appears to view Kioxia as an increasingly valuable strategic foothold in the NAND flash market, which has become an integral part of AI infrastructure alongside high-bandwidth memory. SK hynix is the global leader in HBM, supplying Nvidia and other AI chip designers with premium memory used to process AI workloads. But as hyperscale data centers expand, demand is also surging for enterprise solid-state drives built on NAND flash memory to store and retrieve the enormous datasets that AI models require. Industry analysts increasingly describe AI servers as consuming both "fast memory" and "massive memory" — HBM for computation and NAND for storage. That changing dynamic has elevated NAND from a traditionally cyclical commodity business into another critical layer of AI infrastructure. According to TrendForce, Samsung Electronics remained the world's largest NAND flash supplier in the first quarter with a 31.6 percent revenue share. SK hynix, including subsidiary Solidigm, ranked second with 17.6 percent, while Kioxia held 13.9 percent alongside Micron and SanDisk. The ownership therefore gives SK hynix exposure to one of its largest competitors while broadening its reach across the AI memory ecosystem. The holding also preserves strategic flexibility. SK hynix originally participated in Bain's $18 billion acquisition of Toshiba Memory through convertible bonds and the special-purpose vehicle rather than as a conventional equity investor. Those securities could potentially provide opportunities to increase its economic interest should market conditions or strategic priorities change. The investment comes as the NAND industry itself is undergoing structural change. Years of oversupply and volatile pricing have prompted manufacturers to become more disciplined in production expansion, while AI data centers have created a new source of sustained demand for enterprise storage. Industry forecasts expect enterprise SSD shipments to continue growing as cloud providers increase AI infrastructure investment, improving the long-term outlook for NAND producers. TrendForce expects the NAND flash market to remain undersupplied throughout 2026 as AI infrastructure spending continues to outpace manufacturers' ability to expand production. Suppliers are relying largely on process migrations rather than building new fabrication plants because memory makers continue to prioritize more profitable DRAM and HBM capacity. The research firm forecasts global NAND supply to remain 4-5 percent below demand this year, extending shortages that have supported pricing. While supply growth is expected to accelerate in 2027 as Korean, U.S. and Japanese manufacturers upgrade existing production lines and Chinese suppliers ramp up new facilities, TrendForce does not expect market balance to return until the second half of next year. Server shipments are projected to rise 17 percent this year as Intel's and AMD's next-generation platforms gain traction, with further acceleration expected in 2027 as agentic AI applications become commercialized and supply bottlenecks for CPUs and memory ease. Servers now account for more than 40 percent of global NAND flash bit demand, surpassing traditional consumer applications as the industry's primary growth engine. Although smartphones and notebook PCs together still represent nearly 40 percent of NAND consumption, both markets are expected to remain weak through 2027, reinforcing the growing importance of enterprise AI infrastructure in shaping industry profitability. For SK hynix, retaining exposure to Kioxia also provides insight into a rival that remains Japan's sole global-scale NAND manufacturer, at a time when semiconductor supply chains are increasingly shaped by geopolitical considerations as much as market competition. The contrast with Bain's exit illustrates two very different approaches to the AI boom. For the private equity firm, Kioxia represented a spectacular realization of investment gains after the company's market value soared following its listing. For SK hynix, the stake appears to have become less about locking in profits than maintaining a strategic position across the full spectrum of AI memory technologies. As AI spending shifts beyond processors to encompass the entire data-center stack, the value of controlling both computing memory and storage memory may ultimately outweigh the gains from simply cashing out. 2026-07-26 18:10:14
  • Weather Forecast: Showers Expected in Seoul and Surrounding Areas with Highs Reaching 36°C
    Weather Forecast: Showers Expected in Seoul and Surrounding Areas with Highs Reaching 36°C On Monday, July 27, showers are expected primarily in the Seoul metropolitan area and Gangwon Province, while much of the country will continue to experience a heat wave. From morning to evening, Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi Province, and the inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon will see showers ranging from 5 to 40 mm. The expected rainfall for the five western islands and the northern coast of Gangwon is between 5 and 20 mm. The morning low temperatures are forecasted to be between 22 and 26 degrees Celsius, while daytime highs are expected to reach between 28 and 36 degrees Celsius. For the time being, the perceived temperature in most regions of the country is expected to exceed 33 degrees Celsius, with some areas in the southern region surpassing 35 degrees. Tropical nights, where nighttime lows do not drop below 25 degrees, are also anticipated in various locations. Waves in the East, West, and South Seas are expected to be between 0.5 and 1.0 meters. In the offshore waters within approximately 200 km of the coastline, wave heights are forecasted to be 0.5 to 1.5 meters in the East and West Seas, and 0.5 to 1.0 meters in the South Sea. The expected morning low temperatures in major regions are as follows: Seoul 26°C, Incheon 26°C, Suwon 26°C, Chuncheon 24°C, Gangneung 24°C, Cheongju 25°C, Daejeon 25°C, Sejong 24°C, Jeonju 25°C, Gwangju 25°C, Daegu 25°C, Busan 26°C, Ulsan 25°C, Changwon 26°C, and Jeju 27°C. Daytime highs are forecasted to be: Seoul 33°C, Incheon 33°C, Suwon 33°C, Chuncheon 31°C, Gangneung 30°C, Cheongju 34°C, Daejeon 34°C, Sejong 33°C, Jeonju 34°C, Gwangju 35°C, Daegu 36°C, Busan 33°C, Ulsan 36°C, Changwon 35°C, and Jeju 34°C.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-26 18:04:00