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  • South Korea Womens Volleyball Team Advances to Quarterfinals After Defeating Vietnam
    South Korea Women's Volleyball Team Advances to Quarterfinals After Defeating Vietnam The South Korea women's volleyball team secured a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games by defeating Vietnam.Under the guidance of head coach Cha Sang-hyun, South Korea (ranked 28th in the world) triumphed over Vietnam (32nd) with a set score of 3-1 (25-21, 25-21, 26-28, 25-18) in their final group match held on September 18 at the Park Arena Komaki in Aichi, Japan.Previously, South Korea had dominated Hong Kong (127th) and Qatar (107th), winning both matches 3-0. With the victory over Vietnam, South Korea finished first in Group D with a perfect record of three wins.This match was crucial in determining the quarterfinal matchups. A loss to Vietnam would have pushed South Korea to second place in the group, resulting in a matchup against China (7th), a strong contender for the championship. By defeating Vietnam, South Korea avoided facing China and secured a more favorable quarterfinal draw.South Korea will face Kazakhstan (42nd) on the 20th for a chance to advance to the semifinals.Key players in the victory included Kim Da-in (Hyundai Engineering & Construction), whose sharp serves and six service aces disrupted Vietnam's reception, and Kang So-hwi (Korea Expressway Corporation), who led the team with 27 points. Additionally, Lee Da-hyun (NEC Red Rockets) contributed 16 points, Na Hyun-soo (Hyundai Engineering & Construction) added 14 points, and Yuk Seo-young (IBK Industrial Bank) scored 12 points.South Korea faced a challenge in the first set, trailing 20-21. However, Kim Da-in's consecutive service aces turned the tide to 22-21, and the team capitalized on a series of errors and blocks to win the set 25-21.The second set was also closely contested, with Kim Da-in's serving and Lee Da-hyun's blocking shining through. After overcoming a tough stretch, South Korea took the second set 25-21.Although South Korea lost the third set in a close finish, 26-28, they regrouped in the fourth set. Midway through, Lee Da-hyun's quick attacks and Kang So-hwi's scoring widened the gap, and a final error from the opponent at match point sealed the victory.This win also served as redemption for South Korea, which had suffered a 2-3 defeat to Vietnam in the group stage of the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games three years prior, ultimately failing to reach the semifinals and finishing without a medal.With this victory, South Korea continues its pursuit of a medal at the Asian Games for the first time in eight years.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 19:48:10
  • Samsungs wage protest arrives at the chairmans doorstep
    Samsung's wage protest arrives at the chairman's doorstep SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics employees in its non-chip businesses took their protest over a widening compensation gap with semiconductor workers to Chairman Lee Jae-yong's doorstep Friday, seeking direct dialogue with the company while signaling room for compromise on their demand for 1,000 company shares per employee. The Donghaeng union, whose membership is concentrated in Samsung's Device eXperience (DX) division covering consumer electronics and mobile devices, launched a sit-in near Lee's residence in Hannam-dong, central Seoul, after earlier rallies in Suwon and near Samsung's headquarters in Seocho, southern Seoul. About 40 union members attended Friday's rally, a modest turnout than at its previous demonstrations. The move to Hannam-dong appeared intended to carry more symbolic weight than demonstrate numbers. The residential neighborhood offered far less room for protesters than the sites of the union's earlier rallies in Suwon in Gyeonggi Province and the Seoul headquarters in Seocheo. Lee was not at home at the time, according to a person familiar with the matter. His presence, however, was not central to the protest. The union's aim was to bring its months-long campaign directly to the chairman's doorstep after what it described as repeated failures to get management's attention. "We came all the way here because our voices are no longer being heard inside the company," Lee Yong-hoon, the union's welfare director, told a press conference after the rally. The union said it had already pressed its case through a July rally in Suwon, an August demonstration in Seocho and an advertisement in New York's Times Square, but had yet to receive what it considered a meaningful response from management. Its demands Friday centered on three issues: establishing a direct dialogue channel between Lee and employees, creating a framework allowing DX workers to participate in joint wage bargaining and ending what the union calls an "intentionally created loss-making narrative" surrounding the DX division. "Please create a dialogue table where the chairman and workers on the ground can speak directly," Lee said. "We will remain here until we get an answer." Mindful of the risk of alienating residents and the wider public, the union kept the rally restrained in the affluent Hannam-dong neighborhood. "This is a residential area, so we have to keep our voices below 60 decibels," Park Hyuk-jun, Donghaeng's public relations director, told participants before speaking. Park repeatedly invoked Lee's late father, former Chairman Lee Kun-hee, chanting, "Chairman Lee Kun-hee, we miss you," in a pointed reference to what the union described as the current management's continued silence. "We cried out together in Suwon and Seocho, and today we have gathered here in Hannam," Park said. "The management remains silent." Other speakers directed their appeals explicitly at Lee Jae-yong. One union member questioned why employees had been forced to come to the chairman's private neighborhood rather than resolve the dispute through the company. "This isn't the company gate or headquarters," he said. "Why did we have to come all the way here? Because the door to dialogue has been closed." The union said it plans to maintain the protest site until a meaningful and sustained channel for dialogue is established with Lee or senior management. "If a dialogue table is established and we can continue communicating, we believe that could mark the point at which we end the sit-in," Lee Yong-hoon said. The conciliatory language suggested some room for compromise in a dispute that has increasingly centered on the gulf between Samsung's booming semiconductor business and workers in its consumer electronics operations. The union has demanded 1,000 Samsung Electronics shares for each DX employee, but Lee said Friday that the figure itself was not necessarily the only basis for negotiation, putting greater emphasis on recognition of the compensation disparity and a channel for employees to participate in discussions. The protest also comes during Donghaeng's leadership election, adding uncertainty over how long the action will continue under the next executive team. The current leadership plans to maintain a presence at the Hannam-dong site at least through the end of September, according to a union official. Members will rotate through the site, while some officials are expected to remain for extended periods. The current leadership's term expires at the end of September, with a new executive team taking office Oct. 1. Candidates in the union election also attended Friday's demonstration, which means the protest would carry over into the next leadership, said Lee Yong-hoon."Whoever heads the union, the fight goes on," he said. 1,000-share demand open to negotiation The protest marks the latest escalation of a dispute that intensified after Samsung reached a wage agreement in May that introduced an additional performance-based compensation scheme for its Device Solutions (DS) division, which houses its semiconductor operations. DX workers have argued that the arrangement widened the compensation gap within Samsung Electronics despite decades of earnings from the company's smartphones, televisions and home appliances having helped finance investments across the company, including in semiconductors. Donghaeng has previously demanded that each employee receive 1,000 Samsung Electronics shares as compensation for what it sees as DX's historical contribution to the company's growth. On Friday, however, the union clarified that the figure should not be viewed as a fixed negotiating threshold. Lee said the union had arrived at the 1,000-share figure by attempting to estimate the value of past excess profits generated by DX that it believes were subsequently invested in DS. "The 1,000 shares themselves are not what's important," he said. "If the company presents a reasonable calculation and explains to us in a way we can accept that our contribution amounts to this much, we are willing to accept that." The remarks suggest room for negotiations over the size and form of compensation if Samsung management agrees to recognize DX's historical contribution and establish a formula the union considers credible. Donghaeng seeks joint bargaining despite union split The union also renewed its demand for joint bargaining between Samsung's DX and DS workforces despite an increasingly visible split between their respective unions. Samsung Group's Super Enterprise Union's Samsung Electronics branch, the company's largest union and one dominated by DS workers, has said it plans to negotiate separately from DX beginning with the 2027 wage talks. Donghaeng rejected the idea that the two sides are headed for a complete break. "Our goal is One Samsung — to negotiate with the company with one voice," Lee said. "We are not seeking conflict or mutual criticism with the Super Enterprise Union." The union also disputed criticism that it voluntarily abandoned this year's joint bargaining group. Lee acknowledged that Donghaeng left the group but said the decision came after repeated clashes with Super Enterprise Union Chairman Choi Seung-ho, who, according to Donghaeng, repeatedly dismissed DX's demands and told the union to leave if it continued raising them. "We did leave, but it was not a choice we made voluntarily," Lee said. He said Donghaeng would continue seeking a joint bargaining framework ahead of the next round of wage negotiations. Another flashpoint is how Samsung calculates the performance of individual business divisions. Donghaeng alleged Friday that Samsung's management accounting gives management discretion over how profits and costs are allocated among businesses, arguing that DX has consequently been portrayed as a drag on profitability and denied adequate compensation. The union described this as an "intentionally created loss-making narrative." 2026-09-18 19:29:59
  • Seoul Bar Association to Celebrate 119th Anniversary on September 21
    Seoul Bar Association to Celebrate 119th Anniversary on September 21 The Seoul Bar Association announced it will hold a ceremony on September 21 at the Dynasty Hall on the second floor of the Shilla Hotel in Jangchung-dong to celebrate its 119th anniversary and present awards for outstanding legal journalists.Among the seven legal journalists honored with the Outstanding Legal Journalist Award is Kwon Gyu-hong from this publication, recognized for his contributions to establishing the rule of law and promoting legal culture.The Outstanding Member of Parliament Award will be presented to Democratic Party lawmakers Nam In-soon, Jin Sung-joon, and Han Jun-ho, as well as People Power Party lawmakers Jo Bae-sook and Kwak Gyu-taek. The Outstanding Police Award will go to Jeong Tae-ho, a police inspector at the Yongsan Police Station, and to police officers Choi In-ho, Kwak Chan-hee, and Jeong Jin-hee from the Gangnam and Songpa Police Stations, respectively.The Seoul Bar Association also recognized two companies, including Dong-A Socio Holdings, as Outstanding Compliance Enterprises for their commitment to establishing robust compliance management systems and fostering a healthy corporate culture.This year marks the 32nd Citizen Human Rights Award, which will be presented to immigrant labor activist and filmmaker Sek Al Mamoon, as well as the Korean Women Workers Association. Additionally, the association plans to award members for their contributions with honors such as the Myungdeok Award, Public Service Award, Baekro Award, and Achievement Award.During the anniversary event, the Seoul Bar Association will reaffirm its commitment to its role as a civic legal organization. A representative stated, "We will reflect on our history of advocating for human rights and social justice for over a century and pledge to fulfill our role and mission as a trusted civic legal organization in front of our members and the public."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 19:24:10
  • Korean Womens Basketball Team Dominates Malaysia by 66 Points in Asian Games Opener
    Korean Women's Basketball Team Dominates Malaysia by 66 Points in Asian Games Opener The South Korean women's basketball team, aiming for their first gold medal in 12 years since the 2014 Incheon Games, achieved a resounding victory in their opening match of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.Under the guidance of head coach Park Soo-ho, South Korea (ranked 14th by FIBA) defeated Malaysia (ranked 83rd) 106-40 in the first match of Group C at the Aichi International Arena in Nagoya on September 18.Despite the absence of key players Park Ji-soo (Cheongju KB) and Park Ji-hyun (Los Angeles Sparks) due to injuries and WNBA commitments, South Korea fielded a roster of 11 players.In the early stages of the game, the players appeared to struggle with their shooting, trailing 6-8 midway through the first quarter. However, Choi Yi-sam (Busan BNK) hit a three-pointer to turn the tide, leading to a 22-10 finish in the first quarter.From the second quarter onward, South Korea showcased organized defense and effective outside shooting. Lee So-hee (BNK) and Kang Yu-rim (Yongin Samsung Life) contributed significantly, scoring a combined 37 points in the second quarter alone. South Korea ended the first half with a commanding 59-22 lead.Continuing their strong performance in the second half, South Korea maintained pressure and quick transitions, finishing the third quarter at 81-32. In the fourth quarter, they extended their lead to over 60 points, comfortably managing the game.All 10 players who took the court, excluding captain Kang Yi-seul (Asan Woori Bank), who was rested due to a foot issue, scored during the match. Lee So-hee led the team with 21 points, including five three-pointers, while Choi Yi-sam added 19 points and seven rebounds.Additionally, Lee Hae-ran (Samsung Life) scored 12 points, Heo Ye-eun (KB) contributed 11 points and eight assists, Kang Yu-rim also scored 11 points, and Jeong Hyun (Bucheon Hana Bank) added 10 points, with a total of six players reaching double figures.South Korea has won medals in every Asian Games they have participated in, except for the 2006 Doha Games, and they are looking to reclaim the title after 12 years. The women's basketball tournament features 11 teams divided into three groups, with the top two teams from each group and the two best third-place teams advancing to the quarterfinals.Having successfully started their campaign, South Korea will face Mongolia in their second group stage match on September 21 at 1 PM at the same venue.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 19:24:00
  • Kim Hye-kyung: Timely Treatment for All, Regardless of Disability or Location
    Kim Hye-kyung: Timely Treatment for All, Regardless of Disability or Location Kim Hye-kyung attended the 7th anniversary ceremony of the Central Dental Care Center for the Disabled on September 18, where she also met with Daniel Grimley, the Dean of Humanities at Oxford University, to express interest in medical support for the disabled and the promotion of Korean studies.At the ceremony held at Seoul National University Dental Hospital, Kim expressed her gratitude to the medical staff and employees for their efforts over the past seven years to ensure that severely disabled patients can receive treatment in a comfortable environment. She became emotional while discussing the challenges faced by families of disabled patients.Kim listened to the experiences of disabled patients and their caregivers, toured the facilities and specialized equipment at the Central Dental Care Center, and heard about the difficulties in hiring specialized personnel. She stated, "I will continue to pay attention and work together to ensure that disabled individuals receive the necessary treatment on time."Later, Kim met with Dean Grimley, who is visiting Korea, to discuss the preparations for the opening of the Oxford University Korean Studies Center, scheduled for October.Kim expressed her hope that the Korean Studies Center at Oxford will become a hub for in-depth research and dissemination of Korea's language, history, and contemporary culture. She added, "I expect it to grow into a global center leading Korean studies and serving as an intellectual and cultural bridge between Korea and the world."In response, Grimley expressed his desire to illuminate Korea's history and culture through collaboration and contribute to students and researchers worldwide. The two sides also discussed plans for the upcoming 'Korean Culture Week' next year, as well as sustainable strategies for the dissemination of Korean language, Korean studies, and the Korean Wave.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 19:24:00
  • Political Tensions Rise in National Assembly Following President Lees Press Conference
    Political Tensions Rise in National Assembly Following President Lee's Press Conference Reactions to President Lee Jae-myung's press conference on September 18 were sharply divided along party lines. The ruling Democratic Party praised the event as a potential turning point for restoring public trust, while the opposition People Power Party criticized it for lacking any reflection on government failures or a commitment to change. Additionally, President Lee's request to remove the right to cancel indictments from the so-called 'Special Prosecutor Bill for Manipulated Indictments' is expected to lead to further conflict between the parties.Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok expressed his agreement with the president's sentiments during a press briefing after the conference, stating, "I felt the same thoughts and emotions as President Lee throughout the press conference," and emphasized the party's commitment to listening more humbly and focusing on people's livelihoods. Han Byeong-do, the party's floor leader, also reiterated on Facebook that the president's firm commitment to recovery, reform, and unity would mark a turning point in restoring public trust.In contrast, People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk held a press conference where he criticized the president's remarks as a declaration of, "I will go my own way, regardless of what the people say, in alliance with the leftists," suggesting that the press conference aimed to regain support from core constituents amid declining approval ratings.Jeong Jeom-sik, the party's floor leader, described the press conference as a "hollow rhetoric" that merely repeated the intention to maintain the current government policy without any acknowledgment of policies that exploit the public's assets. He directed pointed criticisms at the president, labeling him as an 'irresponsible president,' 'very bad president,' and 'truly cowardly president.'Political analysts suggest that the press conference has heightened the likelihood of further tensions between the ruling and opposition parties. President Lee's request to focus the special prosecutor's authority on investigating the truth behind manipulated indictments, rather than on the transfer and disposition of existing indictment cases, has raised concerns.While the ruling party is prepared to process the special prosecutor bill now that the controversy over the right to cancel indictments has been resolved, the People Power Party remains skeptical, suspecting that President Lee will attempt to cancel indictments by any means necessary. Jeong noted, "The president never said he would face trial," implying that the president's intention is to overturn his five ongoing trials with a 'puppet' special prosecutor he appoints.This divergence in perspectives is linked to recent clashes during the confirmation process for Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice. The Democratic Party pushed through the adoption of the confirmation report without consulting the People Power Party, which has retaliated by delaying discussions on the confirmation reports for some ministerial nominees.The People Power Party accuses President Lee of intending to use Kim as the 'action leader' for canceling indictments once he is appointed as Minister of Justice. They argue that if the appointment goes through, it will demonstrate a disconnect between the president's words and actions.In response, Han urged the People Power Party to cease unnecessary political strife and irresponsible obstruction of governance, stating, "Since the president has firmly established his position with the request to remove the right to cancel indictments, the People Power Party should stop its futile political battles." Jeong countered that the Democratic Party's perspective itself is problematic, asserting that they are open to dialogue and cooperation on issues concerning the people's livelihoods, rather than on matters of presidential accountability.The 'Special Prosecutor Bill for Manipulated Indictments,' aimed at investigating allegations of manipulated investigations and indictments during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, was first proposed by Democratic Party's Deputy Floor Leader Cheon Jun-ho in April. The Democratic Party aims to clarify the facts surrounding these allegations and identify those responsible. Conversely, the People Power Party opposes the bill, claiming it is a strategy by the Democratic Party to eliminate the five ongoing trials against President Lee.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 19:16:10
  • President Lee Approves Kim Seong-soos Appointment as Supreme Court Justice
    President Lee Approves Kim Seong-soo's Appointment as Supreme Court Justice 이재명 대통령이 18일 김성수 대법관(57·사법연수원 24기)의 임명을 재가했다. 이에 따라 김 대법관은 이재명 정부 출범 이후 처음으로 취임하는 대법관이 됐다. 앞서 국회 인사청문특별위원회는 지난 14일 김 대법관 후보자에 대한 인사청문회를 열었다. 이어 16일 더불어민주당의 적격 의견과 국민의힘의 부적격 의견을 함께 담은 인사청문 경과보고서를 여야 합의로 채택했다. 국회는 17일 본회의에서 김 후보자 임명동의안을 재석 의원 268명 가운데 찬성 227명, 반대 28명, 기권 13명으로 가결했다. 국민의힘은 표결에 앞서 의원들의 판단에 맡기는 자율 투표 방침을 정했다. 김 대법관은 지난 7일 임기를 마치고 퇴임한 이흥구 전 대법관의 후임이다. 대법관후보추천위원회는 지난달 4일 심사 대상자 28명 가운데 김 대법관을 포함한 4명을 제청 후보로 추천했고, 조희대 대법원장은 같은 달 18일 김 대법관을 이 대통령에게 임명 제청했다. 대법관은 대법원장의 제청을 거쳐 국회의 동의를 받아 대통령이 임명한다. 김 대법관은 국회 인사청문회와 본회의 표결, 대통령의 임명 재가까지 관련 절차를 모두 마치면서 6년의 임기를 시작하게 됐다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 19:16:00
  • Mokpo City Choirs 84th Regular Concert Celebrates Serenade to Soul
    Mokpo City Choir's 84th Regular Concert Celebrates 'Serenade to Soul' The Mokpo City Choir delivered a profound performance that intertwined love, music, and the modern artistic history of Mokpo.The choir held its 84th regular concert, titled 'S to S: Serenade to Soul,' on September 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mokpo Cultural Arts Center.Under the direction of Artistic Director Kim Sun-hee and with narration by Kim Myung-joo, the concert broke away from traditional choral formats. It presented a 'narrative choral humanities concert' that connected opera, film music, and Mokpo's modern history into a cohesive story.The performance was divided into three parts: 'Opera - Singing of Love,' 'Film - Showing of Love,' and 'Fate - From Death to Life.'The first part featured the 'Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves' from Verdi's opera 'Nabucco,' along with selections from Mozart's 'The Marriage of Figaro,' Offenbach's 'The Tales of Hoffmann,' Bizet's 'Carmen,' Donizetti's 'The Elixir of Love,' and Verdi's 'La forza del destino,' showcasing the various facets of love, including excitement, confession, passion, freedom, longing, and anguish.The second part highlighted familiar film music, including 'Be My Love' from the movie 'The Toast of New Orleans,' 'Non ti scordar di me' from 'Forget-Me-Not,' and 'Moon River' from 'Breakfast at Tiffany's.'The concert's highlight was the third part, which brought Mokpo's history and art to the present stage.This year marks the 100th anniversary of the death of Kim Woo-jin, a playwright regarded as a pioneer of modern Korean theater from Mokpo. The choir explored the lives and artistry of Kim Woo-jin and Korea's first soprano, Yoon Sim-deok, through music, narration, and dance.Notably, they presented Kim Woo-jin's poem 'The Theory of Death and Life' alongside music, and featured Yoon Sim-deok's recording and Franz Schubert's 'The Laughing Laurel.' The original composition 'Youth,' commissioned and premiered last year to celebrate the choir's 40th anniversary, was also revisited.In honor of Kim Woo-jin's centenary, the choir introduced a newly commissioned poem by Kim Soo-young, 'Song Crossing the Night,' and 'Praise of Death,' reflecting on the meaning of youth, love, and art that blossomed in Mokpo a century ago.The performance continued to resonate with the audience even after the scheduled program concluded, leading to an encore. During the encore, the choir and audience members sang together, blurring the lines between stage and audience. This interactive engagement elevated the atmosphere, transforming the concert into a shared experience rather than a passive observation.One audience member remarked, 'The structure, starting from opera and film music and leading to the stories of Kim Woo-jin and Yoon Sim-deok, was impressive. By the end, it felt like the boundary between the stage and the audience had disappeared as we sang together.'Kim Sun-hee, the artistic director and principal conductor of the Mokpo City Choir, stated, 'This is a story of love that has transcended time to become song. I hope that from excitement to confession, through moments on screen to the youth and writings of a single author, this song reaches the hearts of the citizens.'Meanwhile, Mokpo Mayor Kang Sung-hwi was unable to attend the concert due to a rally schedule related to the establishment of a national medical school, but his spouse attended in his place to enjoy the concert with the citizens.Founded in 1985, the Mokpo City Choir is celebrating its 41st anniversary this year. The choir continues to reinterpret the region's history and culture through musical performances and will present a special year-end concert in collaboration with the Mokpo City Dance Company on December 18 at the Mokpo Citizen Cultural and Sports Center. 2026-09-18 19:08:00
  • Gwacheon City Council Concludes Regular Session, Sends 88 Administrative Improvement Proposals
    Gwacheon City Council Concludes Regular Session, Sends 88 Administrative Improvement Proposals The Gwacheon City Council concluded its 302nd regular session on the 17th, wrapping up 16 days of meetings. According to the council, this session included deliberations on the approval of the consolidated financial statements for the 2025 fiscal year, the approval of expenditures from the 2025 fiscal year reserve fund, three proposed ordinances, and the adoption of the 2026 administrative audit report. Notably, the special committee for the administrative audit, which took place from September 9 to 17, reviewed the overall city operations and the efficiency and legality of budget execution. It plans to send a total of 88 proposals and recommendations to the city of Gwacheon. Kim Dong-hyun, chair of the special committee, urged the administration during the session to treat the proposals and suggestions as valuable groundwork for city development and to prepare improvement measures going forward. Following the conclusion of the regular session, there are voices in the community expressing the need to monitor whether the issues raised during the administrative audit will lead to actual improvements in city governance. One citizen remarked, "Given that 88 improvement items were presented during the administrative audit, it is important to closely watch what follow-up actions Gwacheon City will take. I hope the process and results are made public so that citizens can easily verify the details." The session also featured seven minutes of free speeches from council members. Kim Dong-jin called for a review of the overall administration, projects, and personnel operations of the Gwacheon Cultural Foundation, urging a specific audit at the city level. Ji Tae-hoon raised the need for improvements in public contract procedures, including verifying the qualifications of contract partners and restructuring departmental accountability. Meanwhile, the council plans to conduct a report on Gwacheon City’s operations for 2027 next month and will hold its second regular session in December to review the budget for the following year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 19:00:00
  • Korea University and Ban Ki-moon Foundation to Host Peace Symposium on September 29
    Korea University and Ban Ki-moon Foundation to Host Peace Symposium on September 29 Korea University's Unification and Convergence Research Institute announced on September 18 that it will hold the 4th joint symposium with the Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future on September 29 at 2 p.m. at the Korea University Centennial Memorial Hall. The symposium, titled 'Order After Order: Restructuring International Security and Peace on the Korean Peninsula,' is organized with support from Korea University's Leading University Project for Unification. It aims to explore the conditions for peace on the Korean Peninsula amid a rapidly changing international security landscape. The opening ceremony will begin with a welcome address from Korea University President Kim Dong-won, followed by a keynote speech from Ban Ki-moon, the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations. The event will consist of two sessions. The first session will address 'The Chain Reaction of Geopolitical Conflicts and Peace on the Korean Peninsula.' Kim Sook, Executive Director of the Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future and former UN Ambassador, will moderate the session. Presentations will include: △ 'Complexity of Middle Eastern Conflicts and the Restructuring of International Order' by In Nam-sik, Director of the Strategic Area Studies Department at the National Diplomatic Academy; and △ 'International Order of Chain Crises and Conditions for Peace on the Korean Peninsula' by Park Young-jun, Director of the National Security Research Institute at the National Defense University. Following the presentations, Lee Suk-jong, a special professor at Sungkyunkwan University, Kim Dong-jung, a professor at Korea University's Graduate School of International Studies, and Lim Jae-cheon, head of the Leading University Project for Unification at Korea University, will participate in a discussion to explore the impact of crises originating in the Middle East on peace on the Korean Peninsula. The second session will focus on 'Restructuring Global Governance in the Era of Technological Hegemony and Korea's Strategy.' Lee Shin-hwa, head of the Unification and Convergence Research Institute, will moderate this session. Presentations will include: △ 'AI Technological Hegemony and Security Defense Lines: Korea's Supply Chain Sovereignty Strategy' by Kwon Tae-kyung, a professor at Yonsei University's Graduate School of Information; and △ 'Restructuring of Technology, Norms, and Institutions and Korea's Strategic Choices' by Kim Sang-bae, a professor at Seoul National University and president of the International Political Science Association. Discussion participants will include Nam Seung-wook, a distinguished professor at Sookmyung Women's University, Lim Jong-in, a senior advisor at Kim & Chang (former cyber advisor to the president and emeritus professor at Korea University), and Jang Sang-sik, head of the International Trade and Commerce Research Institute, who will delve into Korea's strategic responses amid technological hegemony competition. The two institutions have been holding annual joint academic symposiums since the first one in 2023 (focused on the Korea-U.S. alliance), the second in 2024 (on the North Korean nuclear crisis), and the third in 2025 (on the Trump 2.0 era). This event aims to present national strategic benchmarks in response to the restructuring of the international security order. 2026-09-18 18:56:00