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National Assembly Celebrates 78th Constitution Day; Cho Jung-sik Proposes Constitutional Amendment On July 17, a ceremony was held at the National Assembly to commemorate the 78th Constitution Day. Attendees included Cho Jung-sik, Speaker of the National Assembly, Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, Constitutional Court President Kim Sang-hwan, Prime Minister Han Seong-sook, and representatives from both ruling and opposition parties, along with members of the National Assembly.The theme of this year's Constitution Day celebration was "Opening the Constitution with National Sovereignty," and constitutional amendment emerged as a key topic. Speaker Cho stated, "Next year will be a year without nationwide elections and marks the 40th anniversary of the 1987 Constitution. I officially propose that we prepare a national sovereignty amendment proposal and conclude the 10th amendment within the 22nd National Assembly."He also outlined a specific plan to discuss the amendment proposal sequentially through the National Assembly's Constitutional Amendment Advisory Committee and the Special Committee on Constitutional Amendment. He promised to create a public participation digital platform, tentatively named "Everyone's Constitution," to allow citizens to propose and discuss amendment ideas directly.In his commemorative speech, Jeong Dae-cheol, President of the Korea Constitutional Society, emphasized the need for constitutional amendments, noting that there have been nine amendments in the 39 years since the Constitution was established, but the 1987 Constitution has remained unchanged for 39 years. In response, Han Byeong-do, acting leader of the Democratic Party and floor leader, expressed his strong agreement and welcomed the proposal for a national sovereignty amendment on his Facebook page, urging the immediate formation of a special committee for the amendment and hoping for proactive participation from the People Power Party.The Democratic Party had previously supported an amendment proposal led by former National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik in April. That proposal was presented to the National Assembly in May but was discarded after the People Power Party abstained from voting.Before the ceremony, Speaker Cho expressed gratitude to the four major leaders and the representatives from both parties, stating, "I appreciate everyone coming together, and it is meaningful to have those who practice and implement democracy here. I will do my best to uphold and develop constitutional values."Cho had strongly urged the floor leaders of both parties to finalize negotiations on the composition of the National Assembly before Constitution Day. However, as negotiations stalled, the People Power Party announced it would not attend the Constitution Day event. In this context, Jung Jeom-sik's decision to attend was interpreted as a change of heart, prompting Cho to express his appreciation.Nonetheless, Jung voiced his dissatisfaction with Cho and the Democratic Party on his Facebook page, stating, "The 22nd National Assembly, dominated by the Democratic Party, shows no respect for the opposition or willingness for dialogue and negotiation. It is trampling on the core values and principles of the Constitution, such as freedom of expression and the separation of powers, and is hesitating to investigate the infringement of the 6-3 national participation rights."He added, "Constitution Day is not an alibi for an ultimatum to the opposition. What we should honor today is not the shell of Constitution Day, but the spirit of 'discussion and consensus.'"Meanwhile, during the ceremony, former Speaker Woo received the Order of Merit for National Foundation, while former lawmakers Cho Nam-jo, Kim Jeong-sook, and Kim Tae-rang were each presented with a plaque of appreciation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-17 12:12:00 -
KAIST Professor Baesang-min Wins Top Red Dot Award for Solar Water Purification Design Baesang-min, a professor in the Department of Industrial Design at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), and his research team have received the highest design award in the world for a device that produces clean drinking water using only solar energy, without electricity or fuel.On July 17, KAIST announced that the solar-powered purification and desalination device, called the 'Solarstill Box,' won the 'Best of the Best' award in the social impact category at the Red Dot Design Award: Design Concept 2026.The Red Dot Design Award is considered one of the three major design awards globally, alongside Germany's iF Design Award and the American IDEA. The 'Best of the Best' award is given only to the top entries in each category.The Solarstill Box is a low-cost purification and desalination device that converts seawater or contaminated water into drinking water through solar distillation. It was developed for off-grid areas that rely on coastal regions, saline zones, or polluted water sources, designed to produce clean water using only solar energy, without the need for electricity, fuel, or additional filters.The device features a stepped tray inside to increase the evaporation surface area, enhancing distillation efficiency. The evaporated water vapor condenses on a transparent cover, naturally separating contaminants such as salt, heavy metals, and bacteria, resulting in clean water. It can produce up to 6 liters of water per day.Additionally, it is made from flat components based on Plaveneer sheets, allowing for flat-pack shipping and easy assembly in about 20 minutes by anyone on-site. Maintenance costs are kept low as only damaged parts need to be replaced. The design encourages local residents to participate in installation and maintenance, rather than relying solely on one-time aid supplies.Following this award, the research team plans to collaborate with World Vision to commercialize the product and establish local distribution models, with a long-term goal of expanding to a cooperative-based operational model where local residents are involved in manufacturing, distribution, and maintenance.Professor Baesang-min stated, "Design should be a tool for solving social issues, not just creating beautiful products. I hope this sustainable water system will provide practical help to communities in need of clean drinking water."In addition to this award, Professor Baesang-min has received over 70 international design awards, including three Red Dot Design Awards and four IDEA silver awards.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-17 12:04:00 -
Majority Oppose Abolishing Prosecutors' Supplementary Investigation Authority A recent public opinion survey indicates that opposition to the abolition of the prosecutors' supplementary investigation authority, promoted by the Democratic Party, surpasses support for it.According to a report by Yonhap News on July 17, a survey conducted by Gallup Korea from July 14 to 16 among 1,003 adults aged 18 and older found that 61% believe the authority should be maintained to prevent inadequate investigations and to check police power.In contrast, 23% of respondents said it should be completely abolished based on the principle of separating prosecution and investigation, while 16% withheld their opinions.Among supporters of the Democratic Party, 46% favored maintaining the authority, while 39% supported its abolition. In the progressive camp, opinions were nearly evenly split, with 46% in favor of maintenance and 42% for abolition. Among supporters of the People Power Party, 81% favored keeping the authority, while only 8% supported its abolition. In the centrist group, 64% supported maintenance, and 23% favored abolition.In a previous survey conducted by Gallup Korea in September of last year regarding a proposal to abolish the prosecution office and establish a public prosecution office and a serious crime investigation agency, 51% supported the proposal while 31% opposed it.Gallup noted, "At that time, 82% of Democratic Party supporters were in favor, but it appears that they are not as enthusiastic about the current proposal to abolish the supplementary investigation authority."Regarding the return of independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon to the People Power Party after winning a by-election in Busan's Buk-gap district, 28% supported his return, while 37% opposed it. Meanwhile, 35% withheld their opinions. Among supporters of the People Power Party, 42% were in favor, while 44% opposed.Among those who identified as "somewhat conservative," 42% supported his return, while 34% opposed it. Among those who identified as "very conservative," 38% supported it, while 53% opposed it. In the centrist and progressive groups, 28% and 19%, respectively, supported his return.Looking ahead to the economic outlook for the next year, 34% expressed optimism, while 37% were pessimistic. Compared to the previous month, optimism decreased by 2 percentage points, while pessimism increased by 2 percentage points.Regarding household financial prospects for the coming year, 48% responded that they expect things to remain the same, while 23% believe they will improve, and 26% think they will worsen.This survey was conducted using a random sampling method through telephone interviews with virtual numbers.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-17 11:48:00 -
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon Criticizes Government's Youth Debt Relief Policies Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon criticized the government's capital market policies and long-term debt relief measures on July 17, claiming they create a society where only diligent young people suffer. In a Facebook post titled 'A Government Encouraging Youth to Slacken Off,' Oh stated, 'The government sends a wrong signal that working hard leads to losses.' He pointed out that the government is treating the capital market like a gambling den while sending the message that debts do not need to be repaid. He referenced the recent activation of sidecars and circuit breakers in the KOSPI market, arguing, 'There are no external shocks like a global financial crisis or COVID-19, yet the capital market is experiencing extreme volatility.' Oh also criticized the government's handling of single-stock leveraged ETFs, saying, 'The government has effectively neglected the risks, and only after young people suffered significant losses did it begin to strengthen regulations, such as raising deposit requirements. This is not policy; it is a remedy after the fact.' Regarding the long-term debt relief policy, he remarked, 'Diligent young people who have been repaying their debts feel relative deprivation, while the message sent is that if you fall behind, you can eventually receive relief.' He emphasized, 'We must not create a country where honest people suffer.' Oh connected the capital market to the real estate market, stating, 'The rise in the KOSPI, which the government boasted about, ultimately led to excessive speculation, and the liquidity that escaped from it is now stimulating the real estate market in Seoul and the surrounding areas.' He argued that young people are facing a double burden of losing assets in the stock market while having to cope with rising housing prices. He concluded, 'A country that robs young people of healthy asset formation opportunities has no future,' calling for a comprehensive audit of the approval process for risky derivative products and fundamental measures to normalize the capital market. Oh pledged, 'The Seoul city government will do everything possible to restore the broken asset ladder for young people and create fair opportunities.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-17 11:28:00 -
Seoul Mayor Critiques Lee Administration's Economic Policies On July 17, during the national holiday, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon posted a message on his Facebook that went beyond simple criticism of the government, strongly evaluating the economic policies of the Lee Jae-myung administration. His key message can be summarized in one sentence: "The government is creating a society where those who work diligently and save are at a disadvantage." Mayor Oh diagnosed that the capital market, real estate, and debt relief policies are interconnected rather than separate issues. "A Capital Market Turned into a Gambling Den" The first issue Mayor Oh pointed out was the extreme volatility in the domestic stock market. He noted that this year, the KOSPI market has experienced numerous instances of trading halts and circuit breakers, stating, "The market is being shaken dramatically without any external shocks like a global financial crisis or a pandemic." A trading halt is a mechanism that temporarily suspends program trading when futures prices fluctuate sharply, while a circuit breaker is a system that temporarily halts all trading when stock prices rise or fall beyond a certain threshold. Originally intended as a safety measure to stabilize the market, frequent activations can signal increasing market volatility. Mayor Oh attributed this volatility to the expansion of high-risk single-stock leverage ETFs. Leverage ETFs are designed to track the returns of underlying assets at multiple times. While they can yield high returns in a rising market, they can also amplify losses in a declining market. In particular, leverage products targeting individual stocks have been criticized for their high volatility, posing significant risks to inexperienced individual investors. Although the government recently announced measures to strengthen entry requirements for individual investors, Mayor Oh described this as "a remedy after the fact, coming only after losses have occurred." "Is the Person Who Paid Off Their Debt at a Disadvantage?" The second issue Mayor Oh raised was the long-term debt adjustment policy for overdue debts. The government is promoting a policy to reduce or adjust debts of vulnerable groups that have not been repaid for an extended period under certain conditions, arguing that it serves as a social safety net to help them recover. In contrast, Mayor Oh argued that if society receives the signal that overdue debts can ultimately be forgiven, it could increase the relative deprivation felt by those who have diligently repaid their debts. This raises the so-called moral hazard debate. Moral hazard is an economic concept suggesting that policy support can weaken responsible behavior. Conversely, the government argues that some level of debt adjustment is unavoidable to support economic recovery and vulnerable groups. "Money Leaving the KOSPI Ultimately Goes to Real Estate" In his message, Mayor Oh also connected the financial market and the real estate market as part of a single flow. He asserted, "When the gambling den collapses, liquidity will ultimately move to real estate in Seoul and the surrounding metropolitan area." In reality, investment funds in asset markets tend to move toward markets with higher expected returns. However, actual fund movements are influenced by various factors, including interest rates, lending regulations, supply conditions, and economic outlook, making it difficult to explain with a single cause. Mayor Oh expressed concern that instability in the capital market could ultimately stimulate real estate prices again, placing the burden on the younger generation. Why Emphasize Youth? In this message, Mayor Oh repeatedly used the term 'youth.' In the past, accumulating savings to purchase a home was a common way to build assets, but recent high housing prices have led to the perception that financial investment has become the primary means for young people to accumulate wealth. Mayor Oh diagnosed that if the financial market is exposed to excessive risks in this situation, it could jeopardize the last opportunity for young people to build their assets. This message raises a policy philosophical question beyond mere economic criticism: "Will we create a society where diligent labor and saving are rewarded, or will we become a society where speculation and debt relief provide greater incentives?"* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-17 11:24:00 -
Cho Jung-sik Proposes Tenth Constitutional Amendment in 22nd National Assembly Cho Jung-sik, the Speaker of the National Assembly, proposed on Constitution Day, July 17, to prepare a constitutional amendment proposal focused on popular sovereignty through sufficient discussion and social consensus, aiming to finalize the tenth amendment within the 22nd National Assembly.During the 78th Constitution Day celebration held at the National Assembly, he noted, "Next year will be a year without nationwide simultaneous elections and marks the 40th anniversary of the 1987 Constitution."He outlined a plan to swiftly launch a constitutional amendment promotion organization to initiate public discussions on the amendment next year. This includes establishing a Constitutional Amendment Advisory Committee under the Speaker's direct supervision to organize a roadmap and agenda for the amendment, as well as forming a special committee to discuss the amendment proposal in stages.Cho pointed out that the current constitution was created in an era without mobile phones or the internet, stating, "In the face of crises such as an aging society and population decline, the constitution fails to clearly define the responsibilities of the state," referring to the phenomenon of 'constitutional lag' where laws do not keep pace with the times and realities.He argued that the constitution should be amended to reflect the expanded social scale and matured sense of rights of the people over the past 40 years, serving as a mirror of the times and a vessel for the lives of citizens.Cho emphasized that the amendment should include provisions such as the inclusion of the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Movement in the preamble, restrictions on the president's power to declare martial law, restructuring of power, and electoral reforms. He also promised to create a citizen participation digital platform, tentatively named 'Everyone's Constitution,' allowing the public to propose and discuss constitutional amendments directly.Additionally, Cho evaluated the gathering of numerous citizens at the National Assembly during the December 3 martial law as an unprecedented victory for democracy in world constitutional history, stating that he would designate December 3 as 'Day of Popular Sovereignty.' He emphasized, "We will engrave that day, which proved that the people are the masters, as a great milestone in our constitutional history."He also stressed the need for the legislative branch to pave the way for inter-Korean relations, proposing the holding of 'inter-Korean parliamentary talks' with the Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea. He stated, "Let us meet anytime, anywhere, whether in person or via video, with an open mind and without conditions," expressing hope for a bold response to create a dialogue for humanitarian aid, reunions of separated families, and easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-17 11:08:00 -
Choi Tae-won: SK Hynix Stock on the Rise Amid Growing Memory Demand Choi Tae-won, chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and SK Group, projected the long-term growth potential of SK Hynix, citing the expanding demand for memory in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). He emphasized the need to target niche markets focused on infrastructure and applications amid the AI power struggle between the United States and China.According to Yonhap News on July 17, Choi made these remarks during a discussion on AI at the summer forum held in Jeju. He stated, "Memory will continue to be needed, so over time, it will trend upward. I don’t know how the stock will perform next month, but holding onto it without buying and selling is a good way to preserve wealth."Choi also noted, "AI is like a 4-year-old child, but as it matures, memory will inevitably be required," stressing that demand will increase exponentially.Regarding AI industry strategy, he advised avoiding the power competition between the U.S. and China and instead focusing on niche markets.He assessed, "Future AI is not just an industry but a matter of national security," explaining that the U.S. is pursuing a quality-centered strategy while China focuses on price competitiveness.Choi pointed out that South Korea finds it difficult to lower token costs and compete with the U.S. on quality, suggesting that the country should build AI infrastructure and develop necessary applications to carve out niche markets.He added, "We should not only sell memory but also create computing capacity for export," advocating for a strategic shift towards exporting intelligence rather than just products.Choi identified four essential competencies for competitiveness in the AI era: cognitive skills, adaptability, empathy, and physical skills.He mentioned that SK Hynix recently announced it would not require college degrees for hiring, stating, "The era where only graduates are considered talent is over."Furthermore, he remarked, "AI can simulate understanding but cannot empathize," asserting that empathy and resilience in overcoming failures will become increasingly important.Choi also highlighted that the goal of AI development is not cost reduction. He stated, "Using AI agents to enhance productivity does not mean employees will lose their jobs; instead, surplus staff should be redirected to new tasks to drive company growth."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-17 11:08:00 -
Seoul Summer Beach to Open in Gwanghwamun Square on July 20 A massive urban beach will unfold in Gwanghwamun Square, offering refreshing water activities and sandy shores as the 2026 Seoul Summer Beach festival kicks off from July 20 to September 9 in the Gwanghwamun Square and Sejongro Park area.Now in its fourth year, the Seoul Summer Beach is organized by the Seoul Tourism Foundation. Last year, approximately 1.46 million visitors attended the event.This year's theme, "Wave Summer, Play Seoul," features an expanded venue that stretches from Gwanghwamun Square to Sejongro Park. The event will be divided into three main zones: the Water Wave Zone (water activities), the Play Wave Zone (sand playground, collaboration booths, flea market), and the Play Market Zone (food options).The Water Wave Zone will include a large swimming pool, an 8-meter high water slide, water buckets, and a shallow bounce pool for toddlers. To ensure safety, children under 110 cm in height will be restricted from using the water slide, and there will be limits on the number of entrants per session along with strict water quality management.The Play Wave Zone will feature a sand playground called "Sand Aji" inside a 12-meter diameter air dome, created using about 20 tons of sand sourced from five different beaches, including Yangyang, Ganghwa, Daecheon, Busan, and Gunsan. The Sand Aji will operate nine sessions daily from 1 p.m. to 9:50 p.m., with a maximum capacity of 50 people per session (30 by reservation and 20 on-site).Reservations for the Sand Aji can be made for free through the Naver reservation system and the official Instagram profile of Seoul Summer Beach. Each person can reserve up to four tickets per session, with cancellations and changes allowed until the scheduled time.This year's event will also enhance entertainment and food offerings. The newly established Play Market Zone will feature food trucks to cater to visitors' meals and snacks. Additionally, the Play Wave Zone will host a flea market for summer items from small businesses, along with experiential events from various organizations and companies, including the Busan Tourism Corporation (promotional booth and photo zone), ABC Mart (shoe rentals and giveaways), and Dongseo Foods (photo zone and tastings).Ki Gi-yeon, CEO of the Seoul Tourism Foundation, stated, "Water activities and sand play in the heart of the city create a unique summer landscape that can only be experienced in Seoul. This year, we have enhanced the offerings to ensure everyone can enjoy a cool summer with water play, sand play, relaxation, and various experiential content. We hope both locals and visitors will have an unforgettable summer through these special water activities available only in downtown Seoul."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-17 11:08:00 -
Cho Jung-sik Proposes Tenth Constitutional Amendment in 22nd National Assembly Cho Jung-sik, the Speaker of the National Assembly, proposed on Constitution Day, July 17, to prepare a constitutional amendment proposal focused on popular sovereignty through sufficient discussion and social consensus, aiming to finalize the tenth amendment within the 22nd National Assembly.During the 78th Constitution Day celebration held at the National Assembly, he noted, "Next year will be a year without nationwide simultaneous elections and marks the 40th anniversary of the 1987 Constitution."He outlined a plan to swiftly launch a constitutional amendment promotion organization to initiate public discussions on the amendment next year. This includes establishing a Constitutional Amendment Advisory Committee under the Speaker's direct supervision to organize a roadmap and agenda for the amendment, as well as forming a special committee to discuss the amendment proposal in stages.Cho pointed out that the current constitution was created in an era without mobile phones or the internet, stating, "In the face of crises such as an aging society and population decline, the constitution fails to clearly define the responsibilities of the state," referring to the phenomenon of 'constitutional lag' where laws do not keep pace with the times and realities.He argued that the constitution should be amended to reflect the expanded social scale and matured sense of rights of the people over the past 40 years, serving as a mirror of the times and a vessel for the lives of citizens.Cho emphasized that the amendment should include provisions such as the inclusion of the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Uprising in the preamble, restrictions on the president's power to declare martial law, restructuring of power, and electoral reforms. He also promised to create a public participation digital platform, tentatively named 'Everyone's Constitution,' allowing citizens to propose and discuss constitutional amendments directly.Additionally, Cho praised the actions of numerous citizens who gathered at the National Assembly during the December 3 martial law, preventing the martial law troops from taking control, calling it an unprecedented victory for democracy in world constitutional history. He pledged to designate December 3 as 'Day of Popular Sovereignty,' stating, "We will engrave that day, which proved the people are the masters, as a great milestone in our constitutional history."He also stressed the need for the legislative branch to pave the way for inter-Korean relations, proposing the holding of 'inter-Korean parliamentary talks' with the Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea. He expressed hope for a bold response to create a dialogue platform for humanitarian aid, reunions of separated families, and easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, stating, "Let us meet anytime, anywhere, whether in person or via video, with an open mind and without conditions."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-17 11:08:00 -
All Top 10 ETF Returns This Month Are 'Inverse' as Investors Bet on Market Decline Investors in inverse funds are seeing a rare upturn this month. All ten of the top-performing ETFs (exchange-traded funds) in July are inverse products, with those betting on declines in KOSPI futures and Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix leading the pack.This month, the performance of 'leveraged inverse' products has stood out. Leveraged inverse funds track the daily price movements of an underlying index or stock in the opposite direction at double the rate.According to the Korea Exchange on July 17, the 'SOL SK Hynix Futures Single Stock Inverse 2X' recorded a return of 54.08% this month, ranking first among all ETFs. Its trading volume reached approximately 34.7 trillion won, placing it second overall among ETFs. The 'PLUS Samsung Electronics Futures Single Stock Inverse 2X' also performed well, achieving a return of 45.81% and securing fourth place.The remaining top spots were occupied by products that inversely track the KOSPI 200 futures index at double the rate. The 'TIGER 200 Futures Inverse 2X' and 'PLUS 200 Futures Inverse 2X' ranked second and third, respectively, with returns of 47.22% and 46.76%. They were followed by 'RISE 200 Futures Inverse 2X' (45.07%), 'KODEX 200 Futures Inverse 2X' (44.93%), and 'KIWOOM 200 Futures Inverse 2X' (44.78%).Inverse products that track the KOSPI index's decline at a 1:1 ratio also yielded high returns. 'HANARO 200 Futures Inverse' and 'KIWOOM 200 Futures Inverse' rose by 25.73% and 23.49%, respectively. 'TIGER Inverse' recorded a return of 22.90%.Trading activity has also concentrated on inverse products. The Korea Exchange reported that the 'KODEX 200 Futures Inverse 2X' was the most traded product this month, with 1.366 billion shares exchanged. It was followed by 'SOL SK Hynix Futures Single Stock Inverse 2X' (361 million shares) and 'TIGER 200 Futures Inverse 2X' (157 million shares). The 'PLUS Samsung Electronics Futures Single Stock Inverse 2X' also made the top ranks with 23.2 million shares traded.Additionally, 'KIWOOM 200 Futures Inverse 2X' (54.2 million shares), 'RISE 200 Futures Inverse 2X' (35.1 million shares), and 'PLUS 200 Futures Inverse 2X' (10.5 million shares) saw active trading. The 1:1 inverse product 'TIGER Inverse' (66.5 million shares), 'KIWOOM 200 Futures Inverse' (1.43 million shares), and 'HANARO 200 Futures Inverse' (380,000 shares) also ranked among the top ten in trading volume.Market analysts caution against the strategy of repeatedly trading leveraged and inverse products. In volatile market conditions, losses from directional trading can accumulate quickly.An industry insider stated, "The market has been exhibiting extreme volatility, with significant fluctuations occurring even within a single day. The risk of getting caught up in volatility while trying to predict short-term direction is high, so investors should exercise particular caution with leveraged and inverse products."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-17 11:04:00


