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  • National Education Commission Expands Modern History Curriculum in Middle Schools
    National Education Commission Expands Modern History Curriculum in Middle Schools The National Education Commission has approved a curriculum revision that increases the proportion of modern history in middle school textbooks from 20% to 30%. This decision followed a heated debate among members, resulting in a public vote after attempts to reach a consensus failed.On July 16, the commission convened its seventh meeting at the Government Seoul Building, chaired by Chae Jeong-in, to discuss the Ministry of Education's request for changes to the history curriculum. The proposal to increase the share of modern history was passed with 13 votes in favor, 4 against, and 2 abstentions, despite the presence of 19 out of 20 members. The atmosphere in the meeting room was charged with intense discussions.Chairman Chae emphasized the seriousness of social controversies stemming from historical distortion and hatred, stating, "Schools must play a role in ensuring students learn accurate historical facts and receive proper education." He highlighted the importance of students understanding the context of Korea's proud industrialization and democratization, as well as honoring those who sacrificed for the country.Commission member Yang O-bong, president of Jeonbuk National University, supported the proposal, noting that the current content on modern history is insufficient and lacks context. He argued that the emphasis on ancient history is disproportionately high and expressed strong agreement with the increase in modern history content.Conversely, some members raised significant concerns about the Ministry's request for a 10% increase. Member Lee Hyun questioned whether simply increasing the volume would lead to effective history education, pointing out that even with modern history comprising 50% of high school Korean history, issues of distortion and hatred persist. He criticized the notion that a mere quantitative increase would enhance historical awareness and critical thinking.The commission also faced intense debate over the introduction of a new elective course in high school social studies, tentatively titled "History Content Critique and Analysis." A modified proposal that encompasses social studies, geography, and ethics received strong support, with two-thirds of the monitoring committee in favor. Kim Kyung-hoe, a standing committee member, suggested reaching a consensus on the new integrated subject, while Jeon Eun-young acknowledged the need for a focus on history amid rising distortions but urged the Ministry to develop effective discussion models to avoid confusion in schools.Commissioner Jeong Geun-sik raised concerns about potential conflicts with existing subjects and the assignment of teachers for the new course. Yoon Geon-young also pointed out inconsistencies in the course title and warned that hastily pushing for partial revisions could complicate textbook development ahead of the comprehensive revision planned for 2027. Jang Sin-ho emphasized the need for a thorough review of the curriculum to address the rapidly changing landscape of education, including AI integration.Tensions also flared over the voting process for the first agenda item, with Jang advocating for a secret ballot to ensure fairness. However, Lee Kwang-ho countered that as elected and appointed members, they had a duty to vote publicly. Ultimately, Chairman Chae rejected the request for a secret ballot, insisting on accountability, and the proposal passed with a vote of 13 to 4 (with 2 abstentions).With the decisions made at the seventh meeting, the National Education Commission will begin developing plans to increase the proportion of modern history in middle school curricula to 30% and establish the new elective course in high school social studies.One anonymous member expressed concern that the commission's decision to push through the sensitive textbook revisions via public voting could lead to ongoing debates about bias in textbooks and the adequacy of teacher resources. 2026-07-16 18:48:00
  • People Power Party Calls for Repeal of Gag Law and National Special Prosecutor
    People Power Party Calls for Repeal of 'Gag Law' and National Special Prosecutor 국민의힘은 16일 '입틀막법'으로 규정한 정보통신망법 개정안 폐지와 야당 추천 선거관리위원회 특검 수용을 촉구하는 규탄 대회를 열었다. 장동혁 대표는 제78주년 제헌절 경축식 행사에 불참하는 대신 잠실 올림픽공원에서 열리는 집회에 참석하겠다고 밝혔다. 장 대표는 이날 국회 본관 앞 계단에서 열린 '입틀막법 폐지 촉구 및 국민특검 동의서명 전달식'에서 "더불어민주당과 이재명 정권이 가는 재판 취소라는 길에서 국민이 어떤 말도 하지 못하게 하고, 독재의 문을 활짝 여는 시작이 입틀막법"이라며 이같이 말했다. 장 대표는 "대화와 타협을 통해 국민의 뜻을 반영해야 할 국회에서 국회의장과 법제사법위원장을 모두 여당이 차지하고 자신들이 원하는 상임위원장을 다 독식하고도 내일 이곳 국회에서 떳떳하게 제헌절 행사를 거행하겠다 한다"며 "저는 분명하게 밝힌다. 내일 거행되는 제헌절 행사에 참여하지 않겠다"고 했다. 그는 "왜 야당 대표가 한두 번 가면 됐지 한 달 반 넘게 매일 올림픽공원을 찾느냐고 비판한다"며 "저에게 왜 올림픽공원에 나가냐고 묻지 말고 국회에서 의원들이 국민 세금을 받으면서 한 달 반 동안 무엇을 했는지 스스로에게 묻고 답하는게 먼저"라고 꼬집었다. 이어 "대통령도, 국무총리도, 여야 대표와 원내대표도 투표용지 부족사태는 대한민국에서 일어나선 안되는 일이라고 입을 모았다"며 "투표용지가 부족해서 참정권이 침해된 것도 분노하고 충격적인 일이지만 한 달 반 동안 국회에서 그 어떤 문제도 해결하지 못하고 있다는 것이, 국정조사를 지켜보는 것이 유일하다는 게 충격적이고 부끄럽다"고 했다. 그는 "선관위와 선거제도를 개혁하려면 야당이 주도하는 국민 특검을 통과시키는 것이 그 출발"이라며 이재명 대통령을 향해 "아무것도 관여하지 않았는데 누가 특검을 추천하든, 누가 수사하든 무엇이 두렵느냐"고 반문했다. 아울러 "국민의힘 110석 의석만으로 국민 특검을 통과시키는 것은 쉽지 않다. 그래서 저는 매일 올림픽공원에 나간다"며 "내일을 올림픽공원데이로 정하고 제헌절을 대한민국의 헌정사를 다시 써내려가는 첫날로 만들어야 한다"고 주장했다. 규탄대회를 주최한 김장겸 의원도 "입틀막법의 문제는 가짜뉴스, 허위뉴스, 불법 정보 여부를 판단하는데 정부가 영향을 미치는 것"이라며 "정권에 불편한 보도는 허위불법 정보 딱지가 붙지 않겠느냐"고 지적했다. 그러면서 "입틀막법을 반드시 폐기되고 재논의해야 한다"고 강조했다. 이날 행사에는 장 대표를 비롯해 강명구·김민전·박대출·박준태·조배숙·주진우·최보윤 의원 등이 참석했다. 또 행사에 참석한 청년들이 야당 추천 특검 도입을 요구하는 국민 2만 5000여명의 서명을 받아 장 대표에게 전달했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-16 18:12:00
  • Job fair in Seoul helps young people discover career paths
    Job fair in Seoul helps young people discover career paths SEOUL, July 16 (AJP) - Many job seekers and recent graduates have been flocking to an annual job fair in Seoul this week. The four-day fair, organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (SMOC), kicked off at aT Center in Yangjae, southern Seoul earlier this week and runs through Friday, featuring more than 150 booths. Held under the slogan "Discover Yourself, Open Your Future," the fair offers a wide range of career-related programs including job counseling, mentoring, consultations and lectures to help young people discover their interests and prepare for their future careers. Visitors can also take part in interactive activities and receive expert guidance to learn more about different occupations across various industries. They can also explore an exhibition showcasing 73 award-winning student projects from career-themed competitions. The fair is free and open to all including elementary, middle, and high school students, parents, and teachers, though they must make reservations in advance. Expecting around 40,000 visitors, the SMOC has arranged charter buses for group visitors and strengthened safety measures in cooperation with police and fire authorities. 2026-07-16 18:05:59
  • KAI Completes Delivery of T-50i Trainer Aircraft to Indonesia, Totaling 22 Units
    KAI Completes Delivery of T-50i Trainer Aircraft to Indonesia, Totaling 22 Units Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has completed the delivery of six T-50i advanced trainer aircraft to the Indonesian Air Force. With this latest addition, Indonesia now operates a total of 22 T-50 series aircraft.KAI announced on July 16 that it has finalized the delivery procedures for the six T-50i aircraft and has received the final acceptance certificate.This delivery is part of an additional export order contracted in July 2021, with the first aircraft delivered in February of this year and the last one completed last month.Indonesia is the first overseas customer for the T-50, having initially acquired 16 T-50i aircraft in 2011 for advanced training, light attack, and special flight missions. The recent acquisition brings its total to 22 aircraft.Indonesia is also the first export customer for the KT-1 basic trainer and a co-developer of the KF-21. To date, it has imported a total of 42 domestically produced aircraft, including 20 KT-1s and 22 T-50s. KAI believes Indonesia is likely to become the first overseas customer for the KF-21 through the ongoing IF-X project.Additional purchases from existing T-50 customers are also underway. The Philippines, which acquired 12 units in 2014, signed a contract for another 12 last year. Thailand has imported a total of 14 units across three contracts in 2015, 2017, and 2021. Additionally, KAI is set to deliver 18 FA-50 light attack aircraft to Malaysia, following a contract signed in 2023, starting in the second half of this year.A KAI official stated, "The successful final delivery of the six T-50i aircraft is a significant achievement that combines customer trust with KAI's aircraft development and production capabilities."Meanwhile, KAI reported consolidated revenue of 1.09 trillion won, operating profit of 67.1 billion won, and net profit of 41.3 billion won for the first quarter of this year. The company's order backlog stands at 26.55 trillion won.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-16 18:04:00
  • Benson Expands to 20 Locations in One Year, Targeting Key Areas in Seoul
    Benson Expands to 20 Locations in One Year, Targeting Key Areas in Seoul Premium ice cream brand Benson is accelerating its expansion of offline stores in key commercial areas of Seoul and the surrounding metropolitan region.On July 16, Benson announced the opening of its Seoul National University Station location, marking its 20th store since the launch of its first outlet in Apgujeong last May. The company plans to open a new store in Seohyeon on July 23, followed by locations in Wirye and Itaewon next month.Including the recently opened Mokdong store, five new outlets have been established in major commercial areas of the metropolitan region. The new stores are strategically located in areas with high foot traffic, such as university districts, residential neighborhoods, and mixed-use commercial zones.The stable performance of existing stores has also supported this expansion. The Mokdong store recorded approximately 20 million won in cumulative sales over its first weekend, with long lines forming even before its opening.The 63 Building location, which opened last month in the Pompidou Center, has also shown consistent sales growth. Based on this momentum, Benson aims to open 30 stores nationwide this year. A representative from Verus Scoop Creamery stated, "We will strengthen our competitiveness in the premium dessert market by expanding our presence in key commercial areas."Benson was launched under the leadership of Kim Dong-seon, Vice President of Hanwha Galleria's Future Vision Division.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-16 18:04:00
  • Vietnams Parung Shipyard Launches Another Export Vessel for South Korea
    Vietnam's Parung Shipyard Launches Another Export Vessel for South Korea Vietnam's Parung Shipyard has launched the fifth vessel in a series of 13,000 DWT oil and chemical product carriers for a South Korean shipowner, and has immediately begun construction on the sixth vessel. The 'BS SINGAPORE' is set to undergo final completion and sea trials before being delivered to the owner.According to local reports from Vietnamese media, including the Observer, Parung Shipyard successfully launched the 'BS SINGAPORE' on July 15 in Haiphong. This vessel is part of a series built for a South Korean partner and will be delivered after completion and testing.This vessel is designed as a specialized ship for international routes. The 13,000 DWT series vessels measure 128.6 meters in length, 20.4 meters in width, and 11.5 meters in height, with design work by Far East Ship Design and oversight by the Korean Register (KR). The ship meets standards for technology, maritime safety, pollution prevention, and environmental protection.Immediately After Launching the Fifth Vessel, Parung Begins Work on the SixthParung has entered the construction phase for the sixth vessel simultaneously with the launch of the fifth. The company began dock work on the 13,000 DWT oil and chemical product carrier YN-06 for South Korean shipowner Yantech right after the launch of the 'BS SINGAPORE.' Yantech is a long-time partner of Parung.Parung officials noted that this series of vessels requires high levels of technology and quality control. A company representative stated, "During the construction of the 13,000 DWT fifth vessel, we had to coordinate multiple product schedules simultaneously, facing pressures regarding materials, equipment, workspace, and workforce." They emphasized that accumulated experience and collaboration led to adherence to the launch schedule. The representative added, "The conditions for safely launching the vessel were met due to the experience gained from previous ships, cooperation among all parties, and the efforts of the workers." Phu Hau Chien, the president of Parung Shipyard, also explained that the project progressed under significant workload. He stated, "There was collaboration among the shipowner, classification society, suppliers, technical staff, and workers, and based on the experience accumulated from previous projects, the vessel met the launch conditions on schedule." SBIC evaluated the launch and the start of the sixth vessel as a demonstration of Parung's production continuity. Tran Minh Ha, president of SBIC, remarked, "This is not just two technical ceremonies; it shows the continuity of production activities as one product transitions to completion and a new product begins to take shape." He further noted, "This indicates that Parung is maintaining its production rhythm and gradually mastering the organization of constructing the 13,000 DWT oil and chemical product carrier series." He explained that with each vessel, Parung's employees, technical staff, and workers are gaining more experience, standardizing procedures, and enhancing productivity and collaboration. Previously, Parung expanded its business from ship repair to shipbuilding as a shipyard under SBIC. The company originated as the Parung Ship Repair Factory and later produced a 4,200-ton floating dock for on-site ship repairs. It then expanded its newbuilding capabilities by constructing a 6,300 DWT cargo ship for Vinashinlines. Parung has since broadened its construction range to larger vessels, building various ships from 6,500 to 20,000 DWT bulk carriers and up to 34,000 DWT for domestic and international shipowners. After nearly 50 years of growth, the company now employs around 950 people and has completed thousands of ship repairs and various specialized newbuilds.Meanwhile, Parung's customer base has also expanded internationally. The company is establishing itself as a key player in the Vietnamese shipbuilding industry, partnering with clients from countries including Russia, Germany, South Korea, and Greece.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-16 17:52:00
  • Former K-pop idols face tough job market once spotlight fades
    Former K-pop idols face tough job market once spotlight fades SEOUL, July 16 (AJP) - K-pop's global rise has drawn a steady stream of young people hoping to become idols. But rising to stardom is only part of the story. When groups disband or contracts expire, many former performers must enter a job market where years of training and stage experience do not fit neatly into a conventional resume. They also face a difficult employment climate. As of February 2026, South Korea's employment rate for people aged 15 to 29 stood at 43.3 percent, down for a 22nd consecutive month, while the youth unemployment rate rose to 7.7 percent. Former idols may bring communication skills, discipline, teamwork and foreign-language ability, but employers do not necessarily view an entertainment career as a qualification in itself. Life after the stage Lee Sang-hyun, known by his stage name Q.L, debuted in 2014 with boy group BTL under Kiroy Company, later renamed Shinhu Entertainment. When the agency folded two years later, he returned to university, built a conventional resume and entered the corporate job market. After working in the sales and marketing division of hy, formerly Korea Yakult, Lee joined a major Korean conglomerate identified in local reports only as "Company S," where he now works on AI-related projects. He has since spoken publicly about the prejudice he faced after leaving the industry, saying employers often overlooked the skills he had developed as an idol. Song Chae-a, formerly Harin of the girl group Rusty, faced a different reality. After the group's activities stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic, she said her agency pressured members into unpaid livestreams and treated them as if they owed the company money. She terminated her contract in 2021, and the group officially disbanded two years later. Since leaving the industry, Song has worked a series of temporary jobs before finding steadier work as a shopping-mall livestream host, though she still takes part-time work on days without broadcasts. The presentation skills she developed as an idol helped her transition into livestream commerce, but not without years of unstable employment. Not everyone finds even that. Jeon Chi-bin, formerly of boy group MASC, left the group after being assaulted by a bandmate, and said failed stock and cryptocurrency investments left him with about 180 million won in debt after his idol career ended. He now works as a livestreamer while repaying the loans. What employers actually see For recruiters, however, an idol background is neither an automatic advantage nor a disadvantage. An HR professional in her early 30s at a major Korean corporation, who requested anonymity because she was not authorized to discuss hiring publicly, said former entertainers receive no special consideration simply because they once worked in the industry. She said many former idols possess strengths such as presentation skills, teamwork and, in some cases, foreign-language ability, but those qualities are evaluated the same way as any other applicant's experience. "The most important factor is whether the person fits the organization," she said. "An idol career alone doesn't make someone more competitive, but neither does it work against them." Ultimately, an idol career is simply one part of a candidate's resume. Whether it becomes an advantage depends on how well applicants explain the skills they developed on stage and how those experiences fit the job they are seeking. 2026-07-16 17:47:42
  • Kim Geon-hees Special Prosecutor Summons Postponed to July 21 Due to Health Issues
    Kim Geon-hee's Special Prosecutor Summons Postponed to July 21 Due to Health Issues The second special prosecutor team, led by Kwon Chang-young, has postponed the summons of Kim Geon-hee, a key figure in the investigation into allegations of bribery and external pressure during the relocation of the presidential residence, from July 19 to July 21.According to legal sources on July 16, the special prosecutor's office announced that it plans to summon Kim for questioning at 10 a.m. on July 21.Initially, Kim was scheduled to appear at the special prosecutor's office in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, on July 19, but requested a delay due to health reasons. The special prosecutor's team accepted this request and rescheduled the inquiry for two days later.The investigation will focus on whether 21Gram, an unqualified company lacking a general construction license, illegally secured contracts for the presidential residence relocation project through personal connections with Kim Geon-hee.21Gram has been linked to Kim Geon-hee due to its sponsorship of exhibitions organized by Kobana Contents, a cultural and arts exhibition planning company she previously operated, and its involvement in the design and construction of Kobana Contents' office.The special prosecutor's team began its investigation after uncovering evidence that 21Gram provided expensive gifts, including Dior clothing, to Kim Geon-hee during the 2022 relocation of the presidential residence. They are working to determine whether Kim used her influence to facilitate the awarding of contracts to 21Gram, a company without the necessary qualifications.Additionally, the role of Yoo Kyung-ok, a close aide to Kim Geon-hee and one of the so-called 'three close aides' to the former president, is also under investigation. The special prosecutor's team believes Yoo was deeply involved in the illegal contract process and summoned her for questioning on July 7 as a suspect under the Special Act on the Punishment of Certain Crimes.The special prosecutor's team is also examining the flow of funds beyond the preferential treatment in the contract process. There are allegations that the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's emergency funds were illegally diverted to cover inflated construction costs that 21Gram submitted, which exceeded the actual scale of the project. Furthermore, they are investigating claims that the Board of Audit and Inspection conducted a lax audit of the relocation, raising suspicions of favoritism.Meanwhile, the special prosecutor's team had planned to question former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun as a suspect regarding the controversial 'Noh Sang-won notebook' on July 19, but his side has indicated he will not attend.The special prosecutor's office stated, "Today, former Minister Kim expressed his intention not to attend the scheduled inquiry on July 19. We will inform you of the new schedule once it is determined." However, they requested inquiries regarding the reasons for his non-attendance be directed to Kim's representatives.Previously, the special prosecutor's team had notified Kim Yong-hyun of his status as a suspect for conspiracy to commit murder with the intent to insurrection. They are expected to investigate how far plans to arrest individuals mentioned in the Noh Sang-won notebook, including President Lee Jae-myung, former President Moon Jae-in, former Supreme Court Justice Kwon Soon-il, Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae, and Justice Party leader Cho Kuk, have progressed. 2026-07-16 17:44:00
  • Kang Hoon-sik Returns Home After Mourning Visit to Qatar
    Kang Hoon-sik Returns Home After Mourning Visit to Qatar 강훈식 대통령 비서실장을 조문 특사로 한 정부 조문사절단이 16일 카타르의 고(故) 하마드 빈 칼리파 알사니 부왕(현 타밈 빈 하마드 알사니 국왕의 부친) 조문 특사 활동을 마치고 귀국했다. 청와대에 따르면 강 실장은 이날 오후 5시 5분께 인천국제공항을 통해 귀국했다. 강 실장은 현지시각으로 전날 오전 카타르 루사일 궁에서 열린 조문 행사에 참석해 타밈 국왕에게 조의를 표했다. 강 실장이 이재명 대통령의 애도의 뜻을 전달하자, 타밈 국왕은 어려운 시기 한국 정부가 고위급 조문 사절단을 파견한 데 사의를 표하고, 이번 파견을 계기로 양국 관계가 한 차원 높은 단계로 발전할 것이라고 말했다. 강 실장은 이번 조문 참석을 계기로 모하메드 빈 압둘라흐만 빈 자심 알사니 총리 겸 외교장관, 사우드 빈 압둘라흐만 빈 하싼 알사니 부총리 겸 국방 담당 국무장관과도 면담했다. 그는 '카타르 국가 비전 2030'으로 상징되는 하마드 부왕의 업적이 2023년 양국 간 포괄적 전략 동반자 관계 수립의 기틀이 됐다고 평가하고, 앞으로도 양 정상 간 신뢰를 바탕으로 협력의 지평을 넓혀가기를 기대한다고 밝혔다. 이번 조문은 카타르 측의 요청으로 이뤄졌으며, 통상 걸프국가 국왕 서거 시 국무위원이나 국회의원을 특사로 보내온 관례와 달리 이번엔 카타르 측이 강 실장을 특사로 요청한 것으로 전해졌다. 강 실장은 앞서 지난 4월 원유 등 에너지 공급망 확보를 위해 카타르 등 4개국을 방문해 당시 타밈 국왕을 예방한 바 있다. 한편 청와대는 도널드 트럼프 미국 대통령이 한국과의 군함 건조 협력 가능성을 언급한 것과 관련해 “한·미 동맹의 미래형 포괄적 전략동맹 발전을 위해 조선 협력이 중요하다는 공감대를 바탕으로 협력 증진 방안을 모색하고 있다”고 밝혔다. 앞서 트럼프 대통령은 15일(현지시간) 펜실베이니아주 육군전쟁대에서 열린 국방혁신 서밋에서 “우리는 아마 한국과 다른 지역에서 오는 기업들 몇몇을 살펴보게 될 것”이라며 “지역 밖에서 만들어진 일부 선박도 구매할 것”이라고 언급했다. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-16 17:44:00
  • Authorities halt new single-stock leveraged products amid chip-driven market volatility
    Authorities halt new single-stock leveraged products amid chip-driven market volatility SEOUL, July 16 (AJP) - South Korea will temporarily halt new listings of single-stock leveraged products and ban advertising for existing ones, tightening regulations after their rapid growth raised concerns that they could amplify market swings in the country's semiconductor-heavy stock market. The minimum deposit required to trade domestic and overseas single-stock leveraged products will be tripled to 30 million South Korean won from 10 million won, with investors required to provide the full amount in cash. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yoon-cheol discussed the measures at a joint market monitoring meeting in Seoul on Thursday with Bank of Korea governor Shin Hyun-song, Financial Services Commission chairman Lee Eok-won and Financial Supervisory Service governor Lee Chan-jin. They attributed the recent market volatility to a combination of profit-taking and portfolio rebalancing after a sharp equity rally, divergent views on the global artificial intelligence cycle and semiconductor outlook, and South Korea's heavy economic and stock-market exposure to the chip sector. The products were introduced to address regulatory disparities between domestically and overseas-listed investment products and to broaden the domestic market. Authorities, however, said the market capitalization and trading volume of single-stock leveraged products had increased rapidly, raising concerns that they could add to market volatility. A total of 16 exchange-traded funds and two exchange-traded notes offering two-times long or inverse exposure to Samsung Electronics and SK hynix were listed on the Korea Exchange's main bourse on May 27. Since their listing, program-trading sidecars have been triggered 19 times on the KOSPI through Thursday, while marketwide circuit breakers have been activated five times. These measures reflect overall market volatility, although they do not necessarily mean that single-stock leveraged products were the direct cause of each disruption. Authorities will halt new listings of leveraged, inverse and covered-call products until market conditions stabilize. Securities firms and asset managers will also be barred from advertising or conducting promotional events for products that are already listed. Along with the higher deposit requirement, authorities will strengthen investor education and risk disclosures and increase the minimum trading unit for the products. Rules for liquidity providers will also be tightened to prevent market prices from deviating excessively from underlying asset values. The current deviation-management thresholds are 3 percent for domestic equity ETFs and ETNs and 6 percent for overseas equity products. Securities firms and asset managers that breach the strengthened requirements will face tougher sanctions. Authorities said they would continue monitoring trading flows and the market impact of single-stock leveraged products and consider additional measures if necessary. They said the immediate market reaction had been limited but pledged to closely monitor developments and proceed with measures to ease higher borrowing costs for small and midsized enterprises, self-employed owners and other financially vulnerable groups. 2026-07-16 17:41:00