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  • BHC Opens First Store in Vietnam, Expanding International Presence to 10 Countries
    BHC Opens First Store in Vietnam, Expanding International Presence to 10 Countries Dining Brands Group's chicken brand BHC has opened its first store in Ho Chi Minh City, marking its expansion into 10 countries.On September 12, BHC launched its first Vietnamese location at the Vincom Plaza Phan Van Tri shopping mall in the Go Vap district, according to a statement from Dining Brands Group on September 15. To enter the Vietnamese market, BHC signed a master franchise agreement with local food distribution company Hao Open Food in April.Vincom Plaza Phan Van Tri is a medium to large shopping mall located in a densely populated residential area in northwestern Ho Chi Minh City, attracting many university students and families, with a high proportion of local customers.The BHC store in Vietnam covers approximately 49 pyeong (161.98 square meters) and features 74 seats across 37 tables. To accommodate the short stay times of shopping mall visitors, the store operates as a Limited-Service Restaurant (LSR) to enhance order and dining efficiency.The menu includes BHC's signature chicken dishes and Korean cuisine tailored to local tastes. Chicken options include six varieties: 'Bburinkle,' 'Hot Bburinkle,' 'Fried,' 'Seasoned,' 'Macho King,' and 'Red King.' To cater to Vietnamese consumers who enjoy chicken pieces, customers can choose from chicken legs, wings, and boneless thigh meat. Additionally, white rice is offered to align with local dining customs.Side dishes include seven options such as cheese balls, Bburinkle cheese balls, French fries, Bburinkle and Hot Bburinkle fries, cheese sticks, and Bburinkle cheese sticks, along with five types of dipping sauces. Korean dishes like tteokbokki, rose tteokbokki, rabokki, rose rabokki, and kimchi fried rice are also available.Prior to the official opening, BHC Vietnam's official TikTok account gained approximately 7,000 followers with four posts over the course of a month, accumulating around 40,000 likes.Nam Hwa-yeon, head of overseas operations at Dining Brands Group, stated, "Starting with our first store in Vietnam, we will closely observe local consumer preferences and responses to showcase BHC's unique flavors and experiences, further expanding our presence as a global brand."With this entry into Vietnam, BHC has expanded its international operations to 10 countries. The company currently operates a total of 51 stores overseas, including locations in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, as well as in the United States and Canada.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 10:44:00
  • Seoul, Tokyo nearly flat amid AI and Gulf worries
    Seoul, Tokyo nearly flat amid AI and Gulf worries Verified by the AJP desk5 confirmed CONFIRMED · 5 ✓ 6,663.75 Checked against Naver Finance ✓ 20.62 Checked against Naver Finance ✓ 0.31 percent Checked against Naver Finance ✓ 63,673.78 Checked against Naver Finance ✓ Nasdaq Composite Checked against Yahoo Finance Desk review 2026-09-15 00:38 KST · 0 edits recorded SEOUL, Sep. 15 (AJP) - South Korean and Japanese stayed nearly flat in Tuesday early session as investors sidelined amid rising U.S. Treasury yields and oil prices, coupled with concerns over the pace of artificial intelligence (AI) investment. The KOSPI stood at 6,691.10, up 6.73. points or 0.1 percent at around 10:30 a.m. Seoul time. The Nikkei 225 was at 63,849.23, 355.01 points, or 0.55 percent. The KOSDAQ however added 2 percent to 823.63. Seoul's semiconductor heavyweights showed some resilience after leading Monday's selloff. Samsung Electronics was at 255,500 won ($190), up 0.60 percent. SK hynix rose 0.77 percent to 1.71 million won ($1,272). The rebound in chip stocks helped limit the KOSPI's decline, even as foreign and institutional investors remained net sellers early in the session. Investors were still digesting a sharp rise in U.S. Treasury yields, with the 10-year yield moving above 5 percent, while higher oil prices added to concerns that inflation could remain elevated. U.S. stocks also closed lower overnight, with the Standard & Poor's 500 (S&P 500) falling 0.48 percent and the Nasdaq Composite losing 0.56 percent. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index tumbled 5.86 percent. The semiconductor selloff followed renewed concerns about the sustainability of the AI investment boom. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei called for a slower pace of AI development, prompting other technology executives to voice support for greater caution. Japan's market showed greater resilience Tuesday, with the Nikkei recovering modestly after semiconductor-related shares helped drive Monday's decline. The yen and expectations for central-bank policy also remained in focus, with investors looking ahead to the Federal Reserve's policy decision Wednesday and the Bank of Japan's decision later this week. The Seoul bourse underwent a major change Monday as the Korea Exchange (KRX) launched a new real-time after-market session running from four p.m. to eight p.m., replacing the previous 10-minute batch-matching system. The first session generated 1.8177 trillion won ($1.33 billion) in turnover, equivalent to about 8.03 percent of trading on the KRX's regular session. The debut also immediately intensified competition with Nextrade (NXT), which already operates an after-market through eight p.m., with KRX and NXT recording almost identical turnover on Monday. The new KRX session covers most KOSPI and KOSDAQ stocks. It gives investors a broader pool of shares to trade after the regular market closes and allows new information released during the evening to be reflected in prices more quickly. For Tuesday, investors will watch whether Seoul's semiconductor stocks can extend their early recovery and whether Tokyo can maintain its rebound as markets await major U.S. and Japanese monetary-policy decisions. AJP Takeaways -South Korean stocks opened lower while Japanese stocks edged higher after both markets suffered sharp losses Monday. -Samsung Electronics and SK hynix showed early resilience as investors weighed higher U.S. yields and concerns over artificial intelligence investment. -Korea Exchange's new after-market session generated 1.8177 trillion won ($1.33 billion) in turnover on its first day, equivalent to about 8.03 percent of regular-session trading. Entity tags: Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, Federal Reserve, Bank of Japan, Korea Exchange, Nextrade, KOSPI, Nikkei, KOSDAQ. 2026-09-15 10:36:48
  • North Korean leader reaffirms support for Russias war in Ukraine
    North Korean leader reaffirms support for Russia's war in Ukraine SEOUL, September 15 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has vowed to strengthen ties with Russia, reaffirming his support for President Vladimir Putin and Moscow's war in Ukraine, state media reported on Tuesday. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Kim sent a reply to Putin the previous day, a day after the Russian president congratulated him on the 78th anniversary of North Korea's founding. In the message, Kim said North Korea and Russia were "writing a new chapter" in their relationship while defending what he described as "justice and peace" amid turbulent times. Kim stressed that his resolve to expand and deepen joint projects with Russia was "unshakable," citing the two countries' longstanding friendship, mutual assistance and alliance. The remarks suggest Pyongyang intends to broaden cooperation with Moscow beyond military ties while further deepening bilateral relations. Kim also described Russia's war in Ukraine as a "sacred war" to defend its national security and international justice, expressing confidence in Russia's victory and pledging his "unwavering support." The exchange of messages comes amid growing ties between the two countries after they signed a mutual defense pact in June 2024, under which North Korea sent troops several months later to support Russia in the war in Ukraine. Earlier, Kim also sent a similar message to Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying North Korea would work with its traditional ally to further develop bilateral ties. Both messages followed congratulatory letters from Xi and Putin marking North Korea's Sept. 9 founding anniversary. AJP Takeaways - Kim Jong-un vowed to deepen North Korea's ties with Russia and expand joint projects beyond military cooperation. - Kim reaffirmed North Korea's support for Vladimir Putin and Russia's war in Ukraine, calling it a "sacred war." North Korea and Russia have strengthened ties since signing a mutual defense pact in June 2024, with North Korea later sending troops to support Russian forces in Ukraine. 2026-09-15 10:36:17
  • Samik Pharmaceutical Shares Surge 17% Amid Hair Loss Treatment Investment Boom
    Samik Pharmaceutical Shares Surge 17% Amid Hair Loss Treatment Investment Boom As investment interest in hair loss treatment development companies continues to grow globally, South Korean pharmaceutical firm Samik Pharmaceutical is experiencing strong early trading gains.According to the Korea Exchange, as of 10:15 a.m. on September 15, Samik Pharmaceutical's shares rose by 1,580 won (17.04%) to 10,850 won. During the session, the stock peaked at 12,050 won, up 2,780 won (29.99%) from the previous trading day, before giving back some gains.The surge in Samik Pharmaceutical's stock is attributed to the recent announcement that the company has completed the registration of a domestic patent for its long-acting formulation technology of the immune-regulating peptide Thymosin alpha 1. This technology involves encapsulating Thymosin alpha 1 in biodegradable polymer microspheres, allowing for gradual drug release in the body. Unlike traditional oral medications taken daily, this treatment requires an injection once a month.Notably, the recent excitement in the U.S. stock market surrounding hair loss treatment developers has led to a reevaluation of companies with related technologies. Bloomberg reported on August 29 that hair loss treatment developers are becoming a new focus for investment on Wall Street, following interest in obesity treatments. For instance, shares of U.S. company Veradermix have surged nearly 500% since its listing in February, reflecting a broader trend of rising stock prices in this sector.Additionally, other companies such as JW Pharmaceutical (up 7.7%), Myungmoon Pharmaceutical (up 5.42%), and Hyundai Pharmaceutical (up 1.4%) are also seeing gains. 2026-09-15 10:32:20
  • National Stockpile of Antiviral Drugs Falls Short for Second Consecutive Year
    National Stockpile of Antiviral Drugs Falls Short for Second Consecutive Year The government’s stockpile of antiviral drugs, essential for responding to large-scale infectious disease outbreaks like COVID-19 and avian influenza, has fallen significantly short of targets for the second consecutive year. Despite new purchasing costs included in next year’s budget, a substantial amount will expire, leading to an anticipated shortfall of about 1 million doses next year, raising alarms about national health security.On September 15, Rep. Seo Mi-hwa of the Democratic Party, a member of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee, revealed data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) indicating that the actual stockpile of antiviral drugs stood at 9.3 million doses for both 2025 and 2026. This figure is approximately 3.5 million doses and 3.48 million doses short of the KDCA's target stockpile levels of 12.8 million doses for 2025 and 12.78 million doses for 2026, respectively.The government’s stockpile rate for infectious disease medications has deteriorated sharply in recent years. The stockpile rates were maintained at the target level of 25% for four consecutive years: 25.0% (12.94 million doses) in 2021, 25.0% (12.93 million doses) in 2022, 25.1% (12.89 million doses) in 2023, and 24.8% (12.70 million doses) in 2024. However, the stockpile rate plummeted to 18.2% in 2025 and remained at that level in 2026, significantly below the target. The primary reason for this sharp decline is the large-scale disposal of expired medications. In 2025 alone, 337,500 doses of antiviral drugs were confirmed to have been discarded due to expiration.The outlook for next year (2027) is also grim. The government has allocated 25.498 billion won in next year’s budget to purchase 3.15 million doses of antiviral drugs, including Tamiflu. However, even if this budget is fully executed, achieving the target stockpile level will be impossible. According to Rep. Seo's office, 1.072 million doses of the currently stockpiled antiviral drugs will expire next year, leading to their total disposal. The net increase from the new purchase (3.15 million) minus the disposal (1.072 million) will only result in an increase of 2.078 million doses, bringing the expected actual stockpile to 11.8 million doses. This figure is about 980,000 doses short of the 2027 target stockpile of 12.78 million doses, representing a stockpile rate of 23.1%.The KDCA is currently facing challenges in securing the budget for antiviral drug purchases. However, the expiration dates for stockpiled medications are clearly defined from the date of manufacture, allowing for accurate predictions of disposal timing and quantities. Critics argue that the recurring issues of large-scale disposal and purchasing delays stem from a lack of a systematic national stockpile management system.Rep. Seo stated, "Infectious disease crises like COVID-19 can arise unexpectedly at any time," emphasizing the need for sufficient stockpiling of essential medications to protect public health and safety. She urged the government to develop a 'long-term national stockpile plan' that comprehensively considers necessary quantities, patient numbers, and production timelines to maintain stable target stockpile levels.Currently, the major antiviral drugs managed by the national stockpile include Tamiflu, Yuhan Enflu, Jofluza, Teraflu, and Relenza.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 10:32:00
  • Pukyong National University Students Win Awards for Safety Innovations
    Pukyong National University Students Win Awards for Safety Innovations Students from Pukyong National University have received top honors in a competition focused on electrical and chemical safety.An undergraduate team from the Department of Safety Engineering identified gaps in the regulatory management of aging energy storage systems (ESS), while a graduate student developed an AI-based model for predicting acute toxicity of compounds.The team, consisting of Ha Dong-geun, Park Ji-yoon, Oh Na-yeon, and Ji Ho-jun, was awarded first place in the policy proposal category of the 5th National Electric Safety Contest. They also received the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment Award and a cash prize of 3 million won.Hosted by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and organized by the Korea Electric Safety Corporation, the contest included a written preliminary evaluation, public voting, and an in-person final judging round.The students highlighted that the same safety management standards apply to ESS regardless of their usage duration. They noted that the current Electric Safety Management Act lacks criteria that reflect the aging of equipment, making it difficult to proactively address performance degradation and safety risks associated with long-term operation of ESS.Their proposal suggests introducing a 'recommended usage period' for ESS safety management and conducting 'detailed safety inspections' for aging equipment that meets certain criteria. This aims to enhance the management system to identify and address risks such as fires due to aging.The team stated, "It seems we have been recognized for analyzing the issues in safety management systems using AI and data, and for the practicality of connecting this to improvements in current laws and regulations."Predicting Compound Toxicity Without Animal Testing...Risk Classification Accuracy Up to 100%Graduate student Kang Ji-won won first place at the 1st AI Hazardous Materials Competition. The awards were presented recently at the 2026 Korean Society of Hazardous Materials Conference held at the Yeosu Expo Convention Center, with Professor Lee Chang-jun as his advisor.The award-winning research focused on predicting acute toxicity values of aromatic compounds using a model based on the Group Contribution Method and Support Vector Regression.The study utilized 55 functional groups and molecular weight-related input variables for aromatic compounds, including those with benzene rings. The method combines GCM, SVR, and PSO to predict acute toxicity values.According to the Global Harmonization System (GHS), the accuracy of risk classification was found to be 90.6% for oral exposure, 100% for dermal exposure, and 80% for inhalation. This suggests the potential for rapidly predicting the acute toxicity classification of new substances that have not been tested for harmful effects without the need for animal or chemical experiments.Kang Ji-won stated, "It seems that the integration of data-driven predictive models with chemical safety management was well-received."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 10:28:00
  • Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hyung-il Emphasizes Sustainable Growth Amid Semiconductor Boom
    Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hyung-il Emphasizes Sustainable Growth Amid Semiconductor Boom Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Lee Hyung-il stated that he will focus on stabilizing people's livelihoods, securing new growth engines, and enhancing external capabilities to connect the economic recovery driven by the semiconductor boom to sustainable growth.During his opening remarks at the National Assembly's Finance and Economy Committee confirmation hearing on the 15th, he said, "Rather than resting on our current opportunities, we must prepare for future threats."He assessed that key economic indicators, such as exports and investments, are improving due to the increased demand for semiconductors. He added, "Consumption and employment are also expected to improve over time, making a 3% growth this year visible, and per capita national income is projected to rise to $40,000."Lee emphasized the need to enhance existing industries and discover new growth engines based on the policy capacity secured. He explained that it is essential to address structural issues such as polarization among industries, regions, and generations while responding to uncertainties in the global trade order and geopolitical threats like the Middle East conflict.Regarding his economic philosophy, he stated, "I believe in upholding the principles of a market economy that respects creativity and vitality while ensuring that the government plays an active role in protecting the socially vulnerable and stabilizing people's livelihoods."As a priority task, he proposed measures to spread the benefits of economic recovery across all sectors of society. He noted, "Price stability is fundamental to the livelihood economy and the starting point for resolving polarization," and pledged to work on stabilizing prices for agricultural products and oil. He plans to improve distribution structures in the medium to long term to alleviate structural factors contributing to price increases.He also stated that he would concentrate policy efforts on expanding job opportunities and income bases. This includes strengthening regional industrial and investment foundations, improving the dual structure of the labor market, and providing robust support to sectors facing difficulties, such as youth, small businesses, and medium-sized enterprises.Lee emphasized, "I will strive to broaden mobility and opportunities across society to prevent disparities from becoming entrenched in life outcomes."He identified macroeconomic stability and securing growth engines as major tasks. He plans to monitor potential risk factors such as the semiconductor market, global interest rates, and capital flows to prevent increased market volatility and support the economic recovery.He announced plans to complete three ongoing mega-projects and seven advanced technologies, including future clean energy, aerospace, and advanced biotechnology, to create new growth opportunities. He also aims to foster high-value-added service industries, including content, food, tourism, and mobility, while supporting businesses through regulatory innovation and addressing on-site challenges.In terms of foreign policy, he stated that efforts will continue to pursue inclusion in the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) developed markets index following the World Government Bond Index (WGBI) membership and to promote the internationalization of the won.He emphasized that securing supply chains has become a matter of survival amid heightened geopolitical risks, advocating for increased stockpiling and securing alternative import sources. He also pledged to manage external credibility to ensure that global credit rating agencies view South Korea as an attractive investment destination.Lee concluded, "I will work to ensure that our economic team takes responsibility for policy decisions that meet the needs of the public, going beyond inter-departmental understanding, and will ensure that policies operate effectively in the field."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 10:24:00
  • Sangnok Mukhyang Association Enhances Sino-Korean Calligraphy Exchange in Liaocheng
    Sangnok Mukhyang Association Enhances Sino-Korean Calligraphy Exchange in Liaocheng The Sangnok Mukhyang Association, led by President Song Young-mi, expanded artistic exchanges between South Korea and China through a calligraphy culture exchange event held in Liaocheng, Shandong Province.The second "Water City Ink Connection" Sino-Korean Calligraphy Culture Exchange event took place from September 10 to 13 in the Liaocheng area.The opening ceremony on September 11 at the Canal Culture Museum was attended by artists from the Sangnok Mukhyang Association and cultural figures from both countries. Chen Mo, chairman of the Liaocheng Artists Association, delivered a welcoming speech, followed by remarks from Kim Yong-nam, an advisor to the Sangnok Mukhyang Association and head of the Korean calligraphy exchange group.President Song introduced key works from both countries, explaining their significance and artistic characteristics. Chen Fei, secretary of the Liaocheng Calligraphers Association, and Zhang Shului, secretary of the Liaocheng Artists Association, presented eight works from the Chinese side, while Korean artist Jang Sang-sook shared her insights and evaluations, fostering a mutual appreciation of each other's artistic worlds.Notably, Chen Mo and Kim Yong-nam collaborated on a piece themed around the "Moon," with Chen painting and Kim adding calligraphy, symbolizing Sino-Korean friendship and the meaning of the Mid-Autumn Festival. A session was also held where artists from both countries exchanged congratulatory messages written in calligraphy.The Sangnok Mukhyang Association artists toured various sites, including Guangweirou and Sansan Hall, as well as workshops for brush-making and paper crafts, and visited museums and galleries in Dongyu County and Gaotang County. During the event, Kim Yong-nam introduced the flavors and culture of Dangjin, fostering closer ties between Dangjin and Liaocheng.This event was reported by Shandong Broadcasting and China International Broadcasting, widely promoting the international cultural and artistic exchange achievements of the Sangnok Mukhyang Association.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 10:24:00
  • Procurement Agency Adjusts Military Supply Prices to Support SMEs
    Procurement Agency Adjusts Military Supply Prices to Support SMEs The Procurement Agency is taking steps to alleviate the management difficulties faced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and ensure fair compensation in public contracts by adjusting the prices for military supplies.On September 15, the agency announced the revision of the 'Detailed Standards for Eligibility Evaluation and Contract Performance Capability for Military Supplies,' which will take effect immediately.This regulatory change is a follow-up measure to the '2026 Economic Growth Strategy.' It raises the minimum bid rate for all stages of military supply contracts by 2 percentage points and introduces new evaluation criteria related to industrial safety and domestic parts localization.To reduce the financial burden on SMEs and create an environment for fair public procurement, the minimum bid rate for all stages of military supply eligibility evaluations will be uniformly increased by 2 percentage points. Specifically, for bids below the announced price, the rate will rise from 84.245% to 86.245%, while for bids at or above the announced price, it will increase from 82.995% to 84.995%. The minimum rate for military supply contract performance capability evaluations will also be raised from 87.995% to 89.995%.New criteria for industrial safety evaluations will be established. To enhance on-site safety management awareness and prevent major accidents, companies that have experienced significant accidents will incur a penalty of -3 points, while those with KOSHA-MS certification will receive a bonus of +1 point.Additionally, measures have been put in place to encourage the use of domestically produced key components. A new bonus of +1 point will be awarded to SMEs that achieve parts localization, which will be prioritized in military supply contract performance capability evaluations. The evaluation of companies with excellent employment stability will also be enhanced to prevent adverse effects from artificially reducing total employment numbers and to contribute to genuine job security.Procurement Agency Deputy Director Kang Seong-min stated, "This revision of the military supply procurement system is designed to ensure that manufacturing and supplying SMEs receive fair compensation for their efforts and to actively support national objectives such as worker safety and the localization of key technologies. We will continue to listen to the voices from the field to assist in corporate innovation and foster a trusted military supply procurement ecosystem."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 10:20:10
  • Federal Court Blocks Trump Administrations Restrictions on International Students
    Federal Court Blocks Trump Administration's Restrictions on International Students The Trump administration's plan to limit the stay of international students and foreign journalists was halted by a federal court just one day before it was set to take effect. This decision has provided relief to over 10,000 South Korean students in the United States.On September 14, U.S. District Judge Dennis Saylor in Boston issued a preliminary injunction to temporarily block the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) new regulations, following a lawsuit filed by labor unions and education and immigration advocacy groups.The new regulations were scheduled to take effect on September 15, but the court's ruling has put them on hold. A substantive ruling on the legality of the regulations has yet to be made, with further hearings scheduled for October 2.Judge Saylor criticized the DHS for providing weak justifications for the policy changes. While the DHS cited national security and visa fraud prevention as reasons, the court found that the agency had not adequately considered the potential negative consequences of the changes or alternative solutions.The contested regulations would eliminate the 'Duration of Status' (D/S) system that has applied to international students (F visas), exchange visitors (J visas), and foreign journalists (I visas). Under the existing system, individuals could remain in the U.S. as long as they continued activities related to their visa purposes, such as study, research, or reporting, without needing to apply for an extension. The new rules would limit F and J visa holders to a maximum stay of four years, while I visa holders would be restricted to 240 days. To remain in the U.S. beyond these limits, individuals would need to apply for an extension with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).Plaintiffs argued that these changes would discourage long-term academic and research activities for students and researchers, potentially hindering U.S. universities' ability to attract international talent. Concerns were also raised that foreign journalists would face repeated extension reviews, compromising their independence in reporting.Judge Saylor, appointed by former President George W. Bush, noted that the Trump administration's actions would overturn a system that has been in place for nearly 50 years. He emphasized that the existing system has allowed millions of international students and researchers to contribute to research and economic growth in fields such as science, medicine, and technology.Currently, there are approximately 1.6 million F visa holders, 500,000 J visa holders, and 37,000 I visa holders in the U.S. Among them, South Korean students are significant in number. According to the South Korean Embassy in the U.S., there were 11,861 F-1 visa students and 1,347 F-2 dependents last year. Additionally, there were 7,985 J-1 exchange visitors and 3,180 J-2 dependents, along with 349 I visa holders.Judge Saylor specifically pointed out that major research institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University have a high proportion of foreign graduate students. He warned that if the new regulations were implemented, enrollment could decline, leading to hundreds of millions of dollars in additional costs. He stated, "The potential damage to the U.S. higher education system and economy could be catastrophic."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 10:20:10