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Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games begin 16-day run SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - The 20th Asian Games officially open in Japan on Saturday, launching 16 days of competition across Aichi Prefecture and other parts of the country as Japan hosts the continental sporting event for the first time in 32 years. The opening ceremony is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya and run for about two hours. Nagoya-born director Yukihiko Tsutsumi is overseeing the ceremony, built around a “Heartbeat” concept symbolizing the unity of athletes across Asia and combining the region’s history and culture with advanced technology. The Asian Games were previously held in Japan in Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994, making Aichi-Nagoya the country’s third edition of the event. The flames lit in Tokyo and Hiroshima were combined at Nagoya Castle last month before being carried through 40 municipalities in Aichi Prefecture. The identity of the final torchbearer has been kept secret. Athletes from 45 national Olympic committees will compete across 43 sports, with 469 gold medals at stake. South Korea has sent a 1,051-member delegation across 41 sports and is targeting 40 to 45 gold medals while seeking to remain among the top three in the overall standings. Table tennis star Shin Yu-bin and veteran rower Kim Dong-yong will carry the South Korean flag at the opening ceremony. Competition is already underway in several sports, while Korea’s women’s handball team begins its campaign against Hong Kong at 10 a.m. Saturday in Inazawa, hours before the opening ceremony. Korea, which won consecutive Asian Games titles in 2014 and 2018 before taking silver behind Japan in Hangzhou in 2023, is seeking its first Asian Games gold in eight years. Korea has held a clear advantage in its recent senior-level matchup with Hong Kong. The teams’ most recent meeting in a major Asian competition came at the 2019 Asian Olympic qualification tournament, when Korea won 41-13 on its way to securing a place at the Tokyo Olympics. Korea will also have a chance to secure a medal in teqball, one of the sports making its Asian Games debut, with Lee Jun-seok competing in the men’s singles semifinals Saturday. Separately, the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games organizing committee formally apologized to South Korea after North Korea’s national anthem was mistakenly played before the South Korean men’s hockey team’s group-stage match against Bangladesh on Friday at Green Stadium in Kakamigahara, Gifu Prefecture. Two organizing committee officials visited the South Korean delegation’s office at around 9 p.m. that day to apologize for the error. The South Korean delegation had demanded an explanation immediately after the incident and sent a formal protest letter under the name of delegation chief Lee Sang-hyun. It also called for a formal apology, a thorough investigation into how the mistake occurred and measures to prevent a recurrence. AJP Takeaways - The 20th Asian Games open in Nagoya on Saturday with a “Heartbeat”-themed ceremony. - Japan is hosting the Summer Asian Games for the first time since 1994. - Korea sends 1,051 delegation members and targets 40 to 45 gold medals. 2026-09-19 10:18:21 -
U.S. and South Korea Strengthen Cooperation at First KIDD Meeting in Busan The defense authorities of the United States and South Korea held the 29th meeting of the Integrated Defense Consultative Body (KIDD) in Busan, agreeing to strengthen cooperation to accelerate the transfer of wartime operational control. The South Korean Ministry of National Defense announced on September 19 that the 29th KIDD meeting took place in Busan from September 16 to 18, marking the first time the meeting was held in this city. Kim Hong-chul, Director of Defense Policy at the South Korean Ministry of National Defense, and George LeMeur, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia, served as the chief representatives for their respective sides. Key officials from both countries' defense and diplomatic sectors also participated. The two sides evaluated the progress and outcomes of implementing the defense-related aspects of the joint fact sheet agreed upon by the leaders of both nations last year, as well as the joint statement from the 57th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM). They also reviewed the modernization achievements of the alliance in response to the changing security environment. The two sides assessed their efforts toward a conditions-based transfer of operational control and agreed to enhance cooperation to expedite this transition. To further strengthen cooperation in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) in the shipbuilding and aviation sectors, both sides visited key defense industry sites. The Ministry of National Defense stated that this visit helped enhance mutual understanding of major defense issues. Both sides plan to continue close and ongoing consultations on security issues concerning the U.S.-South Korea alliance.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-19 10:16:00 -
Allegations of Exam Question Trading in South Korea Prompt National Assembly Inquiry Two prominent instructors, Hyun Woo-jin and Jo Jung-sik, who are accused of engaging in multi-million won 'question trading' with current teachers experienced in the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), are expected to testify at this year's national audit.Recently, a court recognized Hyun's question trading as a 'private transaction' and acquitted him in the first trial. In response, the National Assembly's Education Committee plans to summon them to rigorously investigate the allegations of undermining public education and the private education cartel.On September 18, the office of Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Moon-soo officially requested the attendance of the so-called 'top instructors' Jo Jung-sik and Hyun Woo-jin at the national audit regarding the question trading controversy.The request stems from concerns that the practice of question trading disrupts the educational ecosystem. A representative from Kim's office stated, "The practice of question trading not only undermines the credibility of public education but also clearly drives students to large private academies. We have requested the testimony of Hyun and Jo to confirm this." In March, MBC's 'PD Notebook' also delved into the issue of the private education cartel involving large academies and top instructors. Prosecutors view their actions of bribing teachers with experience in creating CSAT and mock exam questions as illicit trading and have brought the case to court, but the outcomes have been mixed.A representative from Kim's office noted, "While the trial is ongoing, the instructors and large academies are actively responding to the lawsuit with the help of major law firms. They claim it is a 'private transaction' and received an acquittal in the first trial." Indeed, at the end of last month, Hyun Woo-jin was acquitted in a first trial regarding allegations of violating the Anti-Graft Act by paying over 400 million won to current teachers for exam questions, with the court ruling it as a 'private transaction' that could not be considered a crime.Kim's office has completed its own investigation to directly counter the instructors' claims of simple private transactions. It has reportedly confirmed that several teachers and professors, who have previously served as exam question writers or contributed to EBS textbooks, were deeply involved in question trading across various subjects.Kim's office expressed its intent to thoroughly clarify the facts by bringing the two key instructors to the national audit, stating, "We aim to confirm the facts regarding the question trading. If their attendance at the national audit is finalized, the debate surrounding the court's acquittal rationale and the ethical responsibilities of the private education cartel is expected to take center stage." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-19 10:00:20
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Seoul, Washington discuss Hormuz, investment and North Korea SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio agreed Friday to deepen cooperation on the Strait of Hormuz and Korean investment in the United States, a day after President Lee Jae Myung ruled out any deployment that could draw Seoul into the Middle East war and said parts of a nearly completed U.S. investment deal remained difficult to accept. Cho and Rubio reaffirmed their commitment to the U.S.-South Korea alliance and agreed to work toward a successful outcome in ongoing talks over South Korean strategic investment projects in the United States, according to Seoul's Foreign Ministry. They also agreed to continue implementing agreements reached between the two countries' leaders, including their 2025 Joint Fact Sheet. The U.S. State Department said Rubio stressed the need for swift execution of investment commitments under the Joint Fact Sheet. He also called for a fair, transparent and equitable business environment for U.S. companies in South Korea, stronger supply chains for critical industries and continued cooperation in strategic sectors including semiconductors. On the Strait of Hormuz, Rubio emphasized cooperation to secure freedom of navigation, while Cho told him that Seoul was willing to make a practical contribution toward restoring free passage through the strategically vital waterway, which carries a significant share of global energy shipments. The two ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to North Korea's complete denuclearization. Seoul said Cho pledged to actively support a resumption of dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang, while the U.S. readout highlighted continued trilateral cooperation among the United States, South Korea and Japan on regional security. At a news conference in Seoul on Thursday, Lee said there would be no troop deployment that involved South Korea in the war, although the government was considering stronger measures to protect Korean citizens, commercial vessels and energy routes. On U.S. investment, he said negotiations were close to agreement but that there were still “parts that are not easy to agree to,” adding that any deal must protect South Korea's national interests and meet standards of commercial rationality. AJP Takeaways - Seoul and Washington agreed to keep working on Hormuz security and Korean investment in the United States. - Rubio called for swift investment implementation, while Cho signaled a practical Korean contribution to freedom of navigation. - The talks followed Lee's rejection of war-related deployment and his call for commercially rational U.S. investment terms. 2026-09-19 09:53:19 -
President Lee Strengthens Communication with Youth on Youth Day President Lee Jae-myung will engage with youth on Youth Day on September 19.According to Yonhap News and other sources, President Lee will attend the Youth Day commemoration ceremony titled 'From Youth' at the Blue House's State Guesthouse at 2 p.m. on this day.The event will host 150 attendees, including participants recruited through the official website, youth organizations, government youth advisors, members of the Youth Policy Coordination Committee, and individuals recognized for their contributions to youth policy. Prime Minister Han Seung-soo, Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, and Youth Future Secretary Kim Tae-won will also be present.In the first part of the ceremony, President Lee will deliver a message emphasizing that youth are the future of the nation and that youth issues are a shared challenge. He will also honor individuals who have made significant contributions to youth policy.The second part will feature presentations and discussions from attendees on youth policies related to the society they envision, job opportunities, and housing, followed by a Q&A session and open discussions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-19 09:36:00
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President Lee Attends First Youth Day Ceremony, Engages with 150 Young People 이재명 대통령이 취임 이후 처음으로 ‘청년의 날’ 기념식에 참석해 청년들이 겪는 일자리와 주거 문제 등을 직접 듣는다. 이 대통령은 19일 오후 2시 청와대 영빈관에서 열리는 2026년 청년의 날 기념식 ‘청년으로부터’에 참석한다. 이번 기념식에는 공식 홈페이지를 통해 모집한 청년들을 비롯해 청년단체 관계자와 정부 청년보좌역, 청년정책조정위원회 위원, 청년정책 유공자 등 150여명이 참석한다. 정부에서는 국무총리와 청와대 비서실장, 청년미래비서관 등이 함께한다. 행사는 1부 ‘청년에게’와 2부 ‘청년으로부터’로 나뉘어 진행된다. 이 대통령은 1부 행사에서 청년이 국가의 미래이며 청년이 직면한 문제가 공동체가 함께 해결해야 할 과제라는 메시지를 전달할 예정이다. 청년정책 추진과 청년의 권익 증진에 기여한 유공자들에 대한 포상도 이뤄진다. 2부는 청년들이 비전을 제시하고 자유롭게 발언하는 오픈마이크 형식으로 진행된다. 참여자들은 개인 발표 2건과 그룹 발표 4건을 통해 자신들이 꿈꾸는 사회의 모습과 일자리, 주거 등 핵심 청년정책 분야에 대한 의견을 제시한다. 이 대통령은 발표를 들은 뒤 참석자들과 질의응답을 하고 자유롭게 토론할 예정이다. 사전에 정해진 의제만 다루는 방식에서 벗어나 청년들의 고민과 정책 제안을 직접 듣는 데 행사의 초점을 맞췄다고 청와대는 설명했다. 청와대는 “이번 행사를 통해 청년들의 목소리를 더욱 가까이에서 경청하고, 앞으로도 청년들의 의견이 실질적인 정책에 반영될 수 있도록 노력할 계획”이라고 밝혔다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-19 09:08:00
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Education Ministry Faces Backlash Over College Application System Failure Following the failure of the college application system on September 11 for the 2027 academic year, students and parents have expressed confusion and anger over the Education Ministry's response. The incident left students' futures hanging in the balance as they faced a malfunctioning monitor just 10 minutes before the application deadline.The Education Ministry and the Korean Council for University Education (KCUE) extended the application deadline by one hour as a temporary measure. However, many universities had already released their final competition rates as scheduled, escalating the controversy over fairness and equity. Students who missed the opportunity due to the system failure and those who adhered to the original timeline found themselves at odds, each claiming victimhood in a distressing divide.Efforts to address the situation have only sparked further conflict. From September 14 to 16, the Education Ministry accepted applications for relief from affected students, processing 354 out of 1,588 claims that were substantiated by computer records. They recommended canceling three late applications that were submitted during the extended period, but this led to public petitions demanding the invalidation of the extended application period, arguing that it unfairly disadvantaged students who followed the rules. The situation prompted plans for a large protest in front of the National Assembly over the weekend.The fallout from the incident has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers. During a parliamentary meeting and government questioning, members from both parties accused the Education Ministry of neglecting its responsibilities by outsourcing the application system to a private company. Uway Apply, the company responsible for the system, issued an apology three days later, attributing the failure to a bug during a security update and an unexpected surge in traffic. However, it was revealed that signs of server instability had been detected the night before the incident, raising further outrage.This disaster is not merely an unfortunate technical glitch but a predictable system failure. The college application market is dominated by just two private companies, Uway Apply and Jinhak Apply, creating a duopoly that stifles competition. High costs for establishing IT infrastructure have made it difficult for new entrants to join the market, while a declining school-age population limits potential growth. In this oligopolistic environment, the agencies have focused on profit rather than investing in robust infrastructure, while universities have outsourced the safety of student applications to these companies.While some argue that it is impractical for the government to take over the entire system immediately, the notion that it can irresponsibly outsource to the private sector is unacceptable. A genuine solution lies in establishing a sophisticated public governance framework that transcends binary thinking.The government should legislate strict service level agreements (SLAs) for private companies, even if they utilize private networks, akin to those in the financial sector or national infrastructure. Measures should include mandatory backup cloud systems to manage traffic surges during deadlines, punitive damages for system failures, and revocation of agency qualifications. Additionally, the application payment system should be unified under a national standard platform to gradually bring the college application process under public control. The KCUE should also consider revising its guidelines to stagger application deadlines based on university size and location to prevent congestion.When a crisis occurs, it is essential to fix the underlying issues. If building a new system is not feasible immediately, then securing the existing structure and ensuring proper management is a logical first step. How long will we allow the constitutional guarantee of equal educational opportunities to be jeopardized by the instability of private sector servers?* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-19 09:04:00
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KakaoPay Launches Card Comparison Service Without Login KakaoPay has expanded its personalized card comparison service, previously available only through its app, to a web platform. On September 19, KakaoPay officially launched the web-based card comparison service, 'Card Research Institute.' Users can compare card products, benefits, and related promotions without needing to log in, accessible on both mobile and PC. The service allows users to find cards that match their spending habits and financial needs, as well as view a list of cards that can be issued. The platform also provides information on promotions from various card issuers and popular card options. The 'Card Issuer of the Month' feature showcases recommended cards and promotions from different issuers. Additionally, the 'Top 3 Popular Cards' section displays real-time rankings of credit and debit cards that have been most frequently viewed by KakaoPay app users in the past hour. Furthermore, the service aggregates products with concentrated benefits across key spending categories such as fuel, public transportation, telecommunications, online video services (OTT), international payments, and education and childcare. Content such as 'View Cards by Issuer' and 'Smart Card Living,' which provides information on card usage, is also available. A KakaoPay representative stated, "By expanding our card comparison and recommendation service to the web, we have made it easier for users to access card and event information across various devices. We will continue to improve the service to help users conveniently explore the financial products and benefits they need."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-19 09:04:00
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Hana Bank Launches 'Public Pension Lounge' to Target Seniors Hana Bank announced on September 19 that it is launching a new membership service called the 'Public Pension Lounge' for public pension customers.The Public Pension Lounge offers a range of financial products, benefits, and information needed from the preparation stage of pension receipt to actual pension collection and asset management, all in one place. The service features an intuitive interface designed to enhance accessibility for senior customers by simplifying complex pension information.Key products include the 'Hana The Next Pension Account,' which offers a maximum interest rate of 3.0% for deposits, the 'Pension Hana Monthly Compound Savings' that provides preferential rates for pension transfers, and the 'Pension Living Expense Loan,' a small credit loan with a fixed interest rate of 1.0% for public pension customers.Additionally, first-time recipients of the four major public pensions—National Pension, Government Employees Pension, Teachers Pension, and Military Pension—will receive a cash back of up to 50,000 won through Hana Bank. The bank also offers free enrollment in a 'Cyber Financial Crime Compensation Insurance' in partnership with Hana Insurance.A Hana Bank representative stated, "We will continue to expand practical benefits and useful financial information to help senior customers design a more stable and comfortable retirement."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-19 09:04:00
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Kim Jong Un Calls for Evolution of Ideological Work in North Korea Kim Jong Un has urged officials in North Korea's propaganda sector to adapt their ideological work to align with changing times.On September 19, during a speech at the third training session for propaganda officials of the Workers' Party of Korea held in Pyongyang, Kim stated, "We must actively explore new, innovative, and effective means and methods of propaganda that meet the demands of the party, the times, and practical needs. This will strengthen our ideological foundation."He emphasized that "every revolution and struggle era requires a unique ideological power," adding, "Today, ideological work must lead the times." He cautioned against merely repeating outdated practices, calling it both easy and dangerous, and stressed the necessity of creating new approaches.According to the Korean Central News Agency, the training session was attended by party secretaries including Ri Il-hwan, Ju Chang-il, and Park Yong-il, as well as Choi Chang-hak, the party's first vice chairman. This marks the third such training session since 2022, and it is the first time Kim's remarks from the event have been reported. 2026-09-19 08:56:00