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  • Naju Launches Citizen Petition for Second Phase of Public Institution Relocation
    Naju Launches Citizen Petition for Second Phase of Public Institution Relocation The city of Naju in Gwangju is actively promoting a citizen petition for the second phase of public institution relocation and has officially launched a task force to attract these institutions. From September 11 to 12, Naju held a signature campaign at the Bitgaram Festival, which took place at Bitgaram Lake Park. The campaign aimed to gather support for the successful relocation of public institutions and the integrated headquarters of the five power companies. This initiative follows the government's announcement on September 3 regarding the principles and direction for the second phase of public institution relocation, emphasizing the need for clustering public institutions in Bitgaram Innovation City and rallying community support for this effort. The government outlined five key principles, including minimizing the retention of over 350 public institutions in the metropolitan area and promoting the clustering of institutions in existing innovation cities. In collaboration with the Jeonnam Research Institute, Naju informed festival attendees about the strengths of Bitgaram Innovation City, which has become the largest innovation city in the country with 16 public institutions relocated as a result of cooperation between Jeonnam and Gwangju during the first phase of relocation. Particularly, Naju highlighted that Bitgaram Innovation City is the only inter-regional joint innovation city in South Korea, showcasing its achievements in establishing a growth hub through the clustering of large public institutions, including Korea Electric Power Corporation. As the administrative integration of Jeonnam and Gwangju forms a single metropolitan economic zone, Naju promoted the necessity of prioritizing the clustering of relevant institutions in Bitgaram Innovation City, considering the connectivity with existing functional groups and local industries. Currently, Bitgaram Innovation City hosts 16 public institutions in energy, agriculture, information and communication, and culture, including Korea Electric Power Corporation and Korea Rural Community Corporation, and has developed an industrial ecosystem linked with companies, research institutions, and Korea Energy Engineering University (KENTECH). Naju is also rallying citizen support for the integrated headquarters of the five power companies. The city plans to attract the headquarters to Bitgaram Innovation City, which is positioned as a core hub of South Korea's energy industry, maximizing synergy with existing energy public institutions. If the integrated headquarters of the five power companies, including Korea Electric Power Corporation, the Korea Power Exchange, and KDN, are established in Naju, it is expected to strengthen the energy industry ecosystem that connects generation, transmission, trading, and research and development. Alongside the citizen petition, Naju plans to accelerate its efforts through the already operational task force for attracting the second phase of public institutions. The city aims to actively promote the competitive advantages of Bitgaram Innovation City, including its industrial infrastructure, connectivity among public institutions, universities, and research organizations, as well as living conditions such as transportation, education, healthcare, and culture, along with immediately available office spaces. Naju also plans to establish a cooperative system with local political circles and relevant organizations. Meanwhile, Bitgaram Innovation City ranked first in the 'Innovation City Coexistence Index' evaluation released by the Innovation City Policy Research Institute last year, marking its second consecutive year in the top position among ten innovation cities nationwide.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 12:48:00
  • Min Eun-kyung Wins Presidential Prize at Imbangul National Music Festival
    Min Eun-kyung Wins Presidential Prize at Imbangul National Music Festival Min Eun-kyung, 44, from Seoul, won the top prize at this year's Imbangul National Music Festival, receiving the Presidential Prize.The Imbangul National Music Festival is a major traditional Korean music festival that honors the artistic spirit of Imbangul, a renowned singer who soothed the national sorrow during the Japanese colonial period (1905-1961).Min earned the Presidential Prize by scoring high marks from the judges for her performance of 'Chogyeong-ikyeong' from Chunhyangga.In addition to the Presidential Prize, Min received a cash award of 50 million won.The Best Performer Award in the master category went to Jeong Se-yeon, while the top prize in the Nongak category (Speaker of the National Assembly Award) was awarded to the Honam Women’s Nongak Preservation Association.This year's festival, the 34th edition, was hosted by Gwangju Metropolitan City and organized by the Imbangul National Music Promotion Association.The festival featured preliminary and final rounds for students from the 4th to 5th, and for the general and master categories on the 12th and 13th at the Bitgoeul Citizen Cultural Center, the May 18 Memorial Culture Center, and Gwangju Park's Youth Light Pocha.A total of 398 teams with 724 participants competed in various categories, including student performances in pansori, instrumental music, and dance, as well as general performances in pansori, instrumental music, dance, sijo, gayageum, and fusion traditional music.From these, 120 winners were selected, with a total prize pool of 196.5 million won.On the first day of the festival, the 'Imbangul Pansori Talent Show,' a celebration for pure amateur traditional musicians, took place.One hundred teams participated, showcasing their skills by performing a song of their choice from those favored by Imbangul, including 'Memories,' 'Sukdaemari,' and 'Honamga.'That evening, a pre-festival event featured a performance of folk songs by master Won Jang-hyeon and a traditional music concert by trot singer Shin Seung-tae.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 12:24:00
  • Gimhae City Celebrates Family Unity and Indian Culture
    Gimhae City Celebrates Family Unity and Indian Culture Gimhae City is drawing attention with a series of vibrant cultural events that connect the past and present, from a special international cultural exchange honoring the relationship between King Kim Suro and Queen Heo Hwang-ok 2,000 years ago to family-oriented activities for vulnerable children in the community.On September 17, from 3:40 PM to 5 PM, the '2026 Love-India Cultural Festival' will take place at the Gimhae Culture Center's Aedureum Square, organized by the Indian Embassy in Korea and the Indian Cultural Center in Korea.'Sarang' means 'love' in Korean and also signifies 'harmony of various colors' in Hindi. This festival aims to introduce the diverse charms of Indian classical dance, music, and art to Korea. It will kick off in Seoul on September 15 and will tour major cities including Gimhae, Busan, and Miryang until September 22. Gimhae, known for its historical connection to the meeting of Queen Heo Hwang-ok and King Kim Suro, holds significant symbolic value for cultural exchange between the two countries.The highlight of the event will be a performance by the Nrityantar Dance Ensemble, led by Madhulita Mohapatra, which will showcase 'Odissi,' one of India's eight classical dance forms. The graceful poses and intricate hand gestures of Odissi will be complemented by the beautiful melodies of the Gimhae City Gayageum Ensemble, demonstrating a fusion of Eastern and Western arts. The performance is free for all citizens to attend.Families Come Together at Dream Start's 'Memory Adding Dream Festival'Prior to this, on September 12, a meaningful event for local children was held at the Gimhae City Hall conference room, organized by Gimhae City as part of the 'Memory Adding Dream Festival.'About 100 Dream Start children and their caregivers participated in various recreational activities and a cooperative mini-sports event. The festival aimed to strengthen family bonds in homes where communication has been limited due to busy schedules and a lack of leisure activities. Participants were also provided with warm lunch boxes and snacks.Currently, Gimhae City's Dream Start program has invested a total of 571 million won this year to ensure equitable nurturing conditions for vulnerable children aged 0 to 12. The program offers 27 tailored initiatives for 300 case-managed children and their families.Kim Joo-yeon, head of the city's Child and Youth Department, stated, "We wanted to create unforgettable happy memories for the children and a healing time for the parents to connect fully. We will continue to expand family-centered programs to help Dream Start children grow up bright and healthy."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 12:12:00
  • Government Accelerates Climate Finance Supply, Achieving 127% of July Target
    Government Accelerates Climate Finance Supply, Achieving 127% of July Target The South Korean government plans to supply a total of 790 trillion won in climate finance by 2035, with 42 trillion won already disbursed as of July this year. The government also aims to establish practical standards for transition finance by next month to support its implementation in the financial sector. On September 14, the Financial Services Commission (FSC) announced that it held the first meeting of the Climate Finance Activation Task Force (TF), chaired by the Director of the Financial Policy Bureau, with participation from the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and the Financial Supervisory Service. According to the FSC, the government established a plan to supply a total of 790 trillion won in climate finance from 2026 to 2035, as announced in February. As of July, the amount supplied reached 42 trillion won, achieving 74.1% of the annual target and 127% of the cumulative target for July. Support through policy finance institutions is also increasing. The Korea Development Bank invested 20 billion won in a manufacturer of electric motors and generators focused on hydrogen and ammonia-based energy production. The Export-Import Bank of Korea provided a loan of 200 billion won to a cable manufacturer involved in wind energy production. The Korea Credit Guarantee Fund supported an automotive parts company producing renewable and recycled materials with 7 billion won through a bond-backed security (P-CBO) method. The government plans to regularly review the progress of policy implementation through the operation of the Climate Finance Related Institutions TF while also listening to the challenges faced by the financial sector. Additionally, discussions will be held to strengthen the legal and institutional framework for promoting climate finance, enhance sustainability disclosures, and explore linkages between transition finance. Efforts to establish practical standards for the application of transition finance are also accelerating. The Financial Supervisory Service announced the 'Transition Finance Guidelines' in February and has been operating a practical TF with the financial sector. By the end of last month, the Financial Supervisory Service had supplemented detailed standards for each guideline provision and prepared a draft of practical best practices for handling transition finance. The Financial Supervisory Service plans to finalize the guidelines by the end of next month after gathering feedback from the financial sector. Based on this, it will support the launch of pilot products for transition finance by financial companies and will review and discuss ways to link these with the 'industry-specific carbon reduction roadmap' by the end of the year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 12:04:20
  • Double Fees for Canceled Flights: 7,438 Cases of Consumer Complaints in Three Years
    Double Fees for Canceled Flights: 7,438 Cases of Consumer Complaints in Three Years Consumers are advised to be cautious when purchasing airline tickets through online travel agencies, as both airline penalties and separate cancellation fees may apply.The Fair Trade Commission and the Korea Consumer Agency issued a consumer warning on September 14 ahead of the Chuseok holiday.Complaints regarding airline services have surged, with applications for consumer redress rising from 1,705 cases in 2023 to 2,532 in 2024, and reaching 3,201 last year. The number of applications last year increased by 26.4% compared to the previous year.Over the past three years, the primary reasons for complaints included contract cancellations, refusals to terminate contracts, and excessive penalties, accounting for 4,341 cases or 58.4% of total complaints. Issues related to flight cancellations and delays made up 2,000 cases, or 27.2%, while unfair practices accounted for 394 cases, or 5.3%.When comparing 2023 and last year, the number of redress applications increased by 87.7%. This rise outpaced the growth in international travelers, which increased by 30.1% from 22.71 million to 29.55 million during the same period. However, the statistics on redress applications alone do not provide a complete picture of the overall incidence of consumer issues in airline services.One notable case involved a consumer who purchased seven round-trip tickets from Incheon to Da Nang for 2,918,000 won through a travel agency. After canceling the tickets five days later, the consumer faced a total fee of 770,000 won, which included a 30,000 won fee from the travel agency and an 80,000 won fee from the airline.The Fair Trade Commission and the Consumer Agency explained that purchases through travel agencies or online travel agencies (OTAs) may incur additional fees for ticket issuance, changes, and refunds, in addition to airline fees. They advised consumers to compare not only the ticket prices but also the costs associated with cancellations and changes if there is a possibility of schedule changes.Flight delays and baggage issues have also been reported. In another case, a consumer experienced a four-hour wait on an Incheon to Da Nang flight due to an aircraft malfunction. The airline denied compensation, stating that the delay was necessary for safety checks.Among the 131 cases of baggage-related complaints last year, 103 involved damage, 16 were related to delays, and 12 involved lost baggage. There were instances where compensation was denied due to claims of minor damage, such as scratches or wear and tear.Consumers should also be aware of issues related to the inability to correct the English name on their tickets. Even if airlines allow minor spelling corrections, some travel agencies may refuse to process these changes, making it essential to verify passport information and English names before payment.The Fair Trade Commission and the Consumer Agency recommend that travelers regularly check for flight schedule changes via text messages and emails before departure and ensure that the contact information of actual passengers is registered with the seller and airline.If baggage is damaged or lost, it is crucial to report it immediately at the airline desk in the airport and obtain a confirmation. Travelers should carry valuables with them and check the coverage conditions for flight and baggage delays when purchasing travel insurance.In the event of a problem, consumers can seek advice or apply for redress through Consumer24 or the 1372 Consumer Counseling Center, armed with transaction records and supporting documents.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 12:04:10
  • Minister Song Mi-ryeong Inspects Livestock Supply Ahead of Chuseok
    Minister Song Mi-ryeong Inspects Livestock Supply Ahead of Chuseok Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryeong inspected the livestock supply situation and price stability ahead of the Chuseok holiday. The government is expanding beef and pork supplies in response to increased demand during the holiday and is also promoting discount events.On the morning of September 14, Minister Song visited a livestock auction house in Eumseong County, Chungcheongbuk-do, to assess the supply situation for beef and pork and held a meeting with local officials.This visit was organized to confirm stable supply conditions in anticipation of increased consumption of livestock products during the Chuseok holiday.In response to the expected rise in holiday consumption, the government plans to increase beef supply by 1.3 times, pork by 1.4 times, and egg supply, including imports, by 2.4 times compared to normal levels.To alleviate consumer price burdens, discount events for livestock products will also be held. Utilizing government discount support and producer group funds, discounts of up to 50% on Hanwoo beef and around 20% on pork will be offered.Minister Song stated, "We will do our utmost to ensure a stable supply of livestock products so that consumers can enjoy a meaningful and joyful Chuseok. As slaughtering operations increase, I urge everyone to prioritize safety management for those working on-site."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 12:04:10
  • Audit Agency Directs Changes to YTN Stake Sale Agreement by Industry Ministry and Broadcasting Commission
    Audit Agency Directs Changes to YTN Stake Sale Agreement by Industry Ministry and Broadcasting Commission 감사원이 한전KDN과 한국마사회가 보유한 YTN 지분 매각 과정에서 옛 산업통상자원부와 당시 방송통신위원회가 두 기관의 공동매각협약을 변경하도록 지시·요구했다고 판단했다. 감사원은 이로 인해 대기업 등 일부 업체의 입찰 참여가 제한됐다며 관련 기관에 주의를 요구하고, 관련자 2명에 대한 수사참고자료를 고위공직자범죄수사처에 송부했다. 감사원은 14일 이 같은 내용을 담은 ‘공공기관 자산관리 실태’ 우선처리 감사 결과를 발표했다. 한전KDN과 한국마사회는 2023년 8월 보유한 YTN 주식 1300만주 가운데 30% 미만인 1259만9999주만 공동 매각하기로 협약을 체결했다. 방송법상 대기업 등의 방송사 지분 30% 이상 소유 제한을 고려해 잠재적 매수자의 입찰 참여를 넓히고 매각 이익을 극대화하기 위한 결정이었다. 그러나 당시 산업부 차관 A씨는 같은 해 9월 당시 방통위원장 B씨로부터 YTN 지분 전량 매각을 요구받은 뒤 한전KDN과 한국마사회, 매각주관사 관계자들을 불러 두 기관의 지분을 동시에 전량 매각하도록 지시·요구한 것으로 조사됐다. B씨 역시 방통위 실무 부서에 두 기관의 지분을 통합해 전량 매각하는 것이 바람직하다는 취지의 공문을 주무 부처와 매각주관사에 보내도록 지시한 것으로 나타났다. 감사원은 당시 방통위 내부 논의나 심의는 없었다고 밝혔다. 이에 따라 두 기관은 기존 공동매각협약을 변경해 YTN 지분 1300만주 전량을 매각하기로 하고 2023년 9월 21일 입찰 공고를 냈다. 감사원은 협약 변경으로 대기업 등 잠재적 매수자의 참여가 제한됐고, 실제 입찰에는 3개 업체만 참여했다고 설명했다. YTN 지분은 같은 해 10월 23일 한 업체에 주당 2만4610원, 총 3199억원에 낙찰됐다. 감사원은 “공공기관의 자율적 매각과정에 개입한 행위가 확인됐다”며 구 산업부와 방송미디어통신위원회에 주의를 요구했다. 다만 감사원은 저가 매각 여부에 대해서는 판단을 유보했다. 한전KDN과 한국마사회가 최고가격 입찰 방식과 매각주관사의 평가금액에 따른 예정가격으로 경쟁입찰을 진행했고, 대기업 등이 참여했다면 경영권 프리미엄이 더해질 가능성은 있지만 그 규모를 확정할 수 없다는 이유에서다. 감사원은 “이번에 공개한 우선처리 결과 외에 공공기관 자산관리 과정에서 확인된 나머지 문제점도 신속하고 공정하게 처리해 공개할 예정”이라고 말했다. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 12:04:10
  • Korean Tax Agency Launches Investigations into 41 Companies for Tax Evasion
    Korean Tax Agency Launches Investigations into 41 Companies for Tax Evasion The National Tax Service has initiated tax investigations into 41 companies closely linked to living costs, including agricultural products, processed foods, restaurant franchises, and delivery and fashion platforms, ahead of the Chuseok holiday. The suspected amount of tax evasion identified among these companies totals 1 trillion won.On September 14, the National Tax Service announced that it is conducting investigations into businesses accused of inflating costs to pass price burdens onto consumers while omitting sales or falsely accounting for expenses.The companies under investigation include 11 egg production farms, 12 agricultural import and distribution companies, 12 processed food manufacturers, three restaurant franchise headquarters, one delivery platform, and two fashion platforms.In the case of egg production farms, allegations have emerged regarding unreported transactions and income reduction through sales dispersion. Some companies reportedly demanded transactions without invoices from their partners and concealed sales proceeds by receiving payments into non-business accounts. There are also indications that they supplied chicks at low prices to agricultural corporations run by family members or omitted local government subsidies from their reported income.Investigations also include cases where fictitious poultry farms were created under spouses' names to split sales. The National Tax Service views this as an abuse of tax exemptions applicable to livestock income below a certain number of animals.Among agricultural import and distribution companies, evidence has surfaced suggesting that customs benefits were exploited for personal gain. One company, which imported pork under a 0% tariff rate, is accused of inserting a ghost business under the name of the owner's child into the transaction process to pocket distribution margins before closing down shortly thereafter.Another company importing sesame and other products reportedly secured additional low-tariff quota amounts through a shell company and dispersed sales. They are under investigation for inflating purchase costs by receiving false invoices without actual transactions, and for allegations that the owner's spouse misappropriated corporate funds to acquire an apartment.Processed food companies are accused of distorting costs by covering expenses for related companies. One comprehensive food company reportedly included costs that should have been borne by domestic and foreign affiliates in its product costs while raising prices due to increases in raw material and logistics costs. There are also allegations of providing funds to overseas affiliates without receiving interest.In the restaurant franchise headquarters, there are indications that personal expenses of the owners were processed as support costs for franchisees, or that direct management stores were transferred free of charge to corporations controlled by their children, with materials supplied at low prices.Another franchise headquarters is under suspicion for failing to report supervisory fees and referral commissions received from interior contractors. The owner is also suspected of operating franchises under employees' names to disperse income and using a supercar acquired in the corporation's name for personal use.For the delivery platform company, the investigation will verify allegations of providing free business support services to overseas affiliates and improperly claiming value-added tax deductions. Fashion platform companies are being investigated for sales omissions and for overpaying advertising and service fees to related companies or inflating costs by purchasing inventory at high prices.The National Tax Service plans to focus on the appropriateness of production costs presented as the basis for price increases, the legitimacy of transactions with partners, and the wealth formation process of the owners during the investigation. If tax crimes such as income concealment through borrowed-name accounts, receipt of false tax invoices, or name lending are revealed during the investigation, the cases will be converted into tax violation cases. 2026-09-14 12:04:10
  • Asia-Pacific Nations Discuss Green Transition Policies in Seoul
    Asia-Pacific Nations Discuss Green Transition Policies in Seoul A forum connecting the demand for green transition in Asia-Pacific countries with financial support from international organizations and technology from businesses will be held in Seoul.The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced on September 14 that it will co-host the 21st Seoul Policy Initiative Policy Forum from September 15 to 17 at the Courtyard Marriott Seoul Botanic Park in Gangseo-gu.The Seoul Policy Initiative is a regional cooperation framework adopted at the 5th Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on the Environment in 2005, proposed by South Korea. It has been promoting policy sharing and collaborative projects to support green growth in Asia-Pacific countries. This forum marks the beginning of a five-phase project running from this year until 2030, themed 'From Crisis to Action: Accelerating Green Transition in the Asia-Pacific Region.'About 100 participants will attend the meeting, including over 30 officials from 16 countries such as Nepal, Fiji, Turkey, and Cambodia, representatives from nine international organizations, and over 40 representatives from green innovation companies. The first day will focus on reviewing the achievements, challenges, and future opportunities for green transition in the Asia-Pacific region. South Korea will share its green transition policies, along with case studies from Turkey and Cambodia, and a special session will discuss strategies for advancing the Seoul Policy Initiative and propose new collaborative projects.On the second day, the Ministry of Climate and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups will jointly host a technology showcase and networking event for green innovation companies. Businesses will discuss the local applicability of technologies and commercialization strategies with government officials from various countries.In the afternoon, discussions will address securing funding necessary for implementing collaborative projects. The United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability will participate in discussions on executing regional collaborative projects, while the World Bank will focus on financial support for climate and carbon-related initiatives. The Global Green Growth Institute will engage in discussions on developing green investment projects and connecting with investors.There will also be sub-discussions in three areas: institutions and governance, finance and resources, and data and implementation plans. The aim is to review policies, technologies, and funding to find actionable solutions tailored to each country's circumstances. This forum is expected to provide domestic green companies with opportunities to explore overseas business prospects by connecting the policy needs of member countries with corporate technologies and financial support from international organizations.On the final day, participants will visit the Western Resource Recycling Center in Hwaseong and the Sihwa Tidal Power Plant in Ansan to observe South Korea's resource recycling and renewable energy facilities.Kim Ji-young, the International Cooperation Officer at the Ministry of Climate, stated, 'Through this policy initiative, we will strengthen our role as a green bridge to connect the challenges that member countries need on the ground with the expertise and solutions of international organizations and businesses, leading to actual collaborative projects.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 12:04:00
  • Ministry of Science and ICT and KITA Announce September 2026 Engineer Award Winners
    Ministry of Science and ICT and KITA Announce September 2026 Engineer Award Winners The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Industrial Technology Association announced on September 14 the winners of the September 2026 Korea Engineer Award: Lee Hu-man, CEO of Exosystems, and Jeon Chang-hoon from LG Display.The Korea Engineer Award is a recognition program that honors engineers who have made significant contributions to technological innovation in the industry, awarding them with a Deputy Prime Minister's Award (Minister of Science and ICT Award) and a cash prize of 5 million won.Exosystems was founded by a researcher from the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) through the Ministry of Science and ICT's laboratory startup support program (TeX-Corps). Since its establishment in 2017, the company has strengthened its innovative capabilities by participating in government research and development (R&D) projects, registering over 15 domestic and international patents related to digital healthcare, and winning the CES Innovation Award three times.Lee was recognized for developing a solution that analyzes muscle signals responding to frequency stimulation using AI to improve the evaluation and diagnosis of sarcopenia.LG Display operates five corporate research institutes recognized by the Ministry of Science and ICT. The company contributes to the advancement of the national high-tech industry and the enhancement of technological competitiveness by participating in government R&D for next-generation display core technologies.Jeon, affiliated with LG Display's Paju Research Institute, developed an AI-based image quality correction technology to address quality degradation caused by uneven electrical switch performance during the production process of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels. His research has improved image quality uniformity and reduced correction time, leading to his selection as a winner.Looking ahead, the Ministry of Science and ICT plans to enhance rewards and recognition for outstanding engineers who have driven significant advancements in the lives of citizens through technological innovation, while also supporting the dissemination of research outcomes based on collaboration among industry, academia, and research institutions, promoting technology-driven growth in partnership with the private sector.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 12:04:00