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England and Argentina Set for Historic World Cup Semifinal Clash England and Argentina, two of soccer's most storied rivals, will meet in the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, vying for a spot in the final.The match is set for July 16 at 4 a.m. (Korea time) at the Atlanta Stadium in Georgia, USA.England, known as the 'home of football,' is aiming for its first title in 60 years since winning on home soil in 1966. Defending champion Argentina, which triumphed in Qatar in 2022, seeks to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1962.The rivalry between the two nations extends beyond the pitch, rooted in historical conflicts. It began with the Falklands War in 1982, which deepened anti-British sentiment in Argentina after the conflict ended in a British victory.This animosity has since spilled onto the soccer field, leaving a lasting mark on World Cup history. In the 1986 quarterfinals, Diego Maradona scored the infamous 'Hand of God' goal, followed by a stunning solo effort that led Argentina to victory. Maradona later claimed, "It was not my hand, but the hand of God," igniting outrage among English fans.The 1998 World Cup Round of 16 further intensified the rivalry when England's David Beckham, in his first World Cup, was sent off for a retaliatory kick against Argentina's Diego Simeone. England ultimately lost in a penalty shootout, and Beckham faced severe backlash from fans and media.Following the tournament, Beckham was publicly criticized, with some fans even burning effigies of him. However, he redeemed himself four years later in the 2002 World Cup, scoring a decisive penalty against Argentina.This upcoming semifinal marks the first World Cup meeting between England and Argentina in 24 years.In a twist of superstition, Argentina will wear dark blue away kits instead of their traditional sky blue and white stripes. This decision comes as they have worn their home kits in five of their six matches in the tournament, making this their first appearance in away colors.FIFA regulations typically require teams to wear their home kits unless colors are too similar, prompting Argentina to voluntarily request the change ahead of the match.Some interpret this as a nod to a positive omen, as Argentina has won three of their 14 encounters against England while wearing dark blue in previous World Cups.Key players will be in the spotlight, with England relying on star striker Harry Kane and midfielder Jude Bellingham, both of whom have scored six goals and provided one assist in the tournament. They will be supported by wingers Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka, who will look to exploit Argentina's defensive vulnerabilities.On the other side, Argentina's hopes rest on 'soccer god' Lionel Messi, who continues to showcase elite form at nearly 36 years old. He has scored eight goals and provided two assists in six matches, contributing to Argentina's success. The performances of Julián Álvarez, who scored the winning goal against Switzerland in the quarterfinals, and Lautaro Martínez, who has two goals and one assist, will also be crucial.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-15 16:32:00 -
Supreme Court to Rule on Kim Sang-min's Appeal on July 23 Kim Sang-min, a former prosecutor sentenced to a suspended prison term for allegedly giving artwork worth 140 million won to Kim Geon-hee in exchange for political favors, will have his appeal heard by the Supreme Court on July 23.According to legal sources on July 15, the Supreme Court's Third Division, led by Justice Lee Heung-gu, has scheduled the ruling on Kim's appeal for 11 a.m. on that date.Kim is accused of violating the anti-corruption law by delivering Lee U-hwan's artwork 'Dot from No.800298' to Kim Geon-hee in 2023 while soliciting nominations for the 22nd National Assembly elections. The case began in earnest after Kim was arrested and indicted by Special Prosecutor Min Jung-ki's team in October of last year.Additionally, Kim faces charges of receiving illegal political funds amounting to approximately 42 million won from businessman Kim in December 2023 while preparing to run for the National Assembly elections.However, the judgments in the first and second trials differed. The first trial court found Kim guilty only of violating the political funds law related to the vehicle support, sentencing him to six months in prison with a one-year suspension and ordering him to forfeit about 41.39 million won. The court ruled there was insufficient evidence to prove that the artwork was actually delivered to Kim Geon-hee and deemed the key witness's testimony unreliable.In contrast, the appellate court reached a different conclusion. It determined, based on the testimony of an art dealer and appraisal results, that the artwork was genuine and had indeed been delivered to Kim Geon-hee. The court particularly cited the dealer's testimony that Kim had said, 'Kim Geon-hee liked the painting' as a key piece of evidence for the conviction.Furthermore, the appellate court concluded that Kim was aware of the potential influence of the president's spouse and recognized the connection between the artwork and the ruling party's nominations and high-ranking public appointments. As a result, he was sentenced to two years in prison with a three-year suspension for violating the anti-corruption law and one year in prison with a three-year suspension for violating the political funds law, while the forfeiture order was maintained.On the other hand, Kim's legal team argued that the artwork was a forgery and therefore could not be considered a bribe under the anti-corruption law, claiming that the appellate court's acknowledgment of the artwork's delivery to Kim Geon-hee was erroneous.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-15 16:32:00
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Krafton Completes First Closed Beta Test for 'Dinkum Together' Krafton announced that its 5min Lab has completed the first global closed beta test (CBT) for 'Dinkum Together.' The company plans to enhance the game's quality based on user interest, engagement, and feedback gathered during the CBT.The CBT was conducted with users in South Korea and the United States. The test utilized an early development build that excluded multiplayer and social features. Users showed strong engagement with the life simulation content focused on exploration, village growth, crafting, and construction.According to the company, there was a clear desire among users to continue playing after the official launch. Additionally, the CBT schedule was extended once at the request of users.During the initial phase of the CBT, feedback centered on content composition and volume. Later, suggestions for improvements were made regarding game balance, user interface (UI), user experience (UX), and convenience. Feedback on multiplayer and social features was also collected.5min Lab plans to improve the game's quality based on the diverse user feedback obtained during the CBT. The team aims to refine gameplay and establish a stable service environment in preparation for the official launch.Park Moon-hyung, head of 5min Lab, stated, "Through this CBT, we were able to confirm the interest and various opinions from users. We will actively incorporate this feedback into the development process to enhance the game's quality."'Dinkum Together' is a multi-platform game being developed by 5min Lab, based on the intellectual property of the survival life simulation game 'Dinkum,' created by Australian solo developer James Bendon. The game features a story where players grow their own village through gathering, crafting, building, and exploration on an island inspired by Australia's nature. It retains the survival and exploration elements of the original while enhancing multiplayer and social aspects, including sandbox features and character customization.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-15 16:28:00
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Ministry of SMEs and Startups Holds Meeting on 'Everyone's Startup' in Capital Region The Ministry of SMEs and Startups has identified areas for improvement for the first-round winners of the 'Everyone's Startup' program in the capital region.On July 15, the ministry held a meeting at the Seoul Creative Economy Innovation Center with operational and mentoring organizations, as well as first-round selected participants from the capital region, which includes Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon.The ministry plans to continue engaging with operational and mentoring organizations and selected participants across 17 cities and provinces nationwide to gather local feedback. This input will help enhance the 'Everyone's Startup' program, making it a more trusted platform that supports entrepreneurs in their endeavors.The 'Everyone's Startup' program will select a final winner by the end of the year through regional auditions and a national audition for the first-round winners.Earlier, on July 8, the ministry held a similar meeting at the Chungbuk Creative Economy Innovation Center with operational and mentoring organizations and first-round winners from the Chungcheong region, where they gathered feedback and provided guidance for the second round.During the meeting, No Yong-seok, the First Deputy Minister of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, stated, "We will listen carefully to the voices from the field and actively incorporate necessary improvements to develop 'Everyone's Startup' into a more refined program. The first-round selection is not the end but a new beginning for greater growth. We will continue to support your ideas to help them grow into competitive startups alongside operational organizations and mentors."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-15 16:28:00
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Kim Hye-kyung Visits Save the Children with Princess Anne to Promote Children's Rights Kim Hye-kyung visited Save the Children Korea on July 15 with Princess Anne of the United Kingdom to observe child rights activities and encourage staff.During the visit in Mapo District, Seoul, Kim met with child, youth, and young adult activists alongside Princess Anne, the sister of King Charles III, as reported by Deputy Spokesperson Ahn Gyu-ryeong in a written briefing.The visit aimed to raise social awareness about child rights and support activities led by children, youth, and young adults.Save the Children is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) that advocates for children's rights to survival, protection, development, and participation in over 120 countries worldwide.Kim and Princess Anne were briefed by Save the Children Korea representatives on various initiatives aimed at promoting child rights and addressing the climate crisis.They also met with members of the youth climate action group 'Assemble' and university student child rights supporters 'Young Saver' to hear their perspectives.The activists suggested strengthening public health systems, ensuring access to education and culture, establishing child-friendly disaster response systems, and incorporating children's perspectives into corporate sustainability efforts to guarantee child rights amid the climate crisis.After listening to their views, Kim and Princess Anne encouraged the youth and young adult activists working to promote child rights.The two also toured the international development cooperation project 'Sending Red Goats to Africa,' which began in response to a food crisis in Niger in 2010. This initiative aims to enhance food security for children and families while strengthening community resilience and climate crisis response capabilities.Kim stated, "This project plays a significant role in supporting the independence of children and families and creating a better future," and encouraged the staff involved.She also expressed gratitude to Princess Anne and her husband for their long-standing dedication to children's happiness, hoping that their meeting would further solidify cooperation between Korea and the UK in child protection.Princess Anne remarked, "Korea has grown from a recipient of international aid to a donor country," and expressed hope that Korea would continue to play a vital role in promoting child rights and international development cooperation.As the visit concluded, Kim thanked Princess Anne for her trip and expressed hope for continued collaboration between the two countries in promoting child rights and addressing the climate crisis.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-15 16:28:00
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Hyosung bucks trend with recruitment drive exclusively for humanities majors SEOUL, July 15 (AJP) - Hyosung Group on Wednesday launched a hiring drive open exclusively to graduates who majored in the arts and humanities. Job seekers with bachelor's or master's degrees in fields like history, philosophy, aesthetics, and language and literature can apply until July 22. The move is the first of its kind since the multi-industry conglomerate's founding in 1966, as many of South Korea's major companies are scaling back entry-level recruitment, with new hires increasingly concentrated in fields such as IT and engineering. Hyosung said the latest drive is intended to bring in candidates with strong humanities backgrounds and language skills. Applicants willing to work at overseas sites will be preferred, and once hired, they will not be restricted to a single job category. The company cited its heavy reliance on overseas markets, which account for more than 80 percent of sales, as a key reason for seeking candidates with language skills and the ability to work across different markets. The initiative also reflects chairman Cho Hyun-joon's long-standing emphasis on the importance of humanities education. Cho, who studied in the U.S. and Japan and speaks English, Japanese and Italian, has said in previous interviews that technology alone is not enough to succeed, and that the ability to embrace change and seize the right opportunities comes from the humanities. Meanwhile, an analysis by hiring platform Catch in December last year found that full-time entry-level job openings at major companies fell 43 percent from a year earlier, from 3,741 to 2,145. The decline continued into this year, with job postings down 45 percent year-on-year as of March. The trend comes as companies increasingly turn to artificial intelligence (AI) to handle routine tasks once handled by junior employees like research, drafting reports, and basic coding, pushing hiring toward more experienced workers instead. 2026-07-15 16:27:51 -
President Lee Calls for Vigilance Against Sexual Misconduct Among Public Officials President Lee Jae-myung urged public officials on July 15 to exercise caution regarding sexual misconduct, stating, "It's fine to enjoy drinking, but do not seat young women next to you or engage in such behavior." During a concluding statement at a briefing with various government agencies, including the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the National Tax Service, and the Financial Services Commission, President Lee emphasized, "I hope all public officials in South Korea hear this message." He noted, "It seems that such incidents still occur occasionally. Generally, they do not, but young female employees should not be treated as objects of amusement." President Lee criticized the mindset that allows such treatment, stating, "Being treated in that manner is an incredibly infuriating situation. In the past, people accepted and endured it, but now, that attitude and mindset itself is a humiliation of character." He added, "Such treatment does not regard individuals as equal persons. The very thought of viewing them as objects or means must be eliminated." President Lee remarked, "I mentioned this because it seems there have been recent incidents. In the past, it was not a problem, but now it is unacceptable. Nowadays, it can lead to serious consequences." He concluded, "What may seem trivial to you is viewed very differently by the world; it is a profoundly serious issue." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-15 16:24:00
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Ministry of Land to Inspect Delivery Service Contract Violations The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is set to inspect delivery service contracts for violations. The ministry plans to take strict action if unfair contract practices that circumvent the intent of standard contracts are identified.On July 15, the ministry announced it would conduct nationwide inspections following reports of irregular contracts at some delivery service locations, including agreements that specify continuous work without days off.The ministry aims to protect the rights of delivery workers and establish fair market practices by inspecting locations suspected of violations. If any infractions are confirmed, the ministry plans to issue improvement orders and impose fines in accordance with relevant laws.Since June, the ministry has mandated the use of standard contracts or contracts based on standard templates for delivery service agreements. These contracts must include key provisions to protect delivery workers, such as service areas, contract duration, and duties.However, recent findings indicate that while some contracts meet the superficial requirements of standard contracts, there are instances of unfair clauses being added through separate agreements or indirect methods that lead to prolonged continuous work. The ministry views these practices as undermining the intent of the standard contract mandate.The nationwide inspections will be based on field reports, starting with suspected irregular contracts at delivery service locations in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province.Additionally, the ministry plans to gather feedback from the field to improve the system and prevent circumvention of standard contracts. If necessary, revisions to the standard contracts will be considered.Concerns about long working hours in the delivery industry have been repeatedly raised, highlighting the need for a management system that examines not only the contracts but also any separate agreements to ensure the standard contract system operates effectively.Shim Ji-young, the ministry's logistics policy director, stated, “We are closely monitoring operational cases that may undermine the intent of the mandatory provisions of the standard contract system as it becomes established in the field.”She added, “Through this nationwide inspection, we will rigorously correct instances of non-compliance and continuously improve the system to eliminate circumvention practices after consulting with stakeholders.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-15 16:20:00
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EU Allows Ukraine to Purchase Chinese Drone Parts with Defense Loans Ukraine can now use European Union (EU) defense loan funds to purchase Chinese drone parts.The Financial Times reported on July 15, citing two sources familiar with the matter, that the EU has granted an exception allowing some of the first tranche of defense loans to Ukraine to be used for buying Chinese drone components.This support amounts to approximately €5.9 billion, part of a total of €60 billion allocated for defense procurement in Ukraine.According to EU loan regulations, defense products purchased with these funds must generally be sourced from the EU single market or approved partner countries like Ukraine and Canada. Parts produced in non-approved countries cannot exceed 35% of the contract value.However, if Ukraine cannot quickly secure sufficient quantities of necessary products from eligible countries, it can request an exception from the EU Commission.Ukraine has successfully requested an exception for the first €5.9 billion defense loan, allowing it to purchase certain Chinese components that are not sufficiently produced in Europe, according to sources.This decision highlights a significant gap in the supply chain for drone parts, even as the EU seeks to link support for Ukraine to the purchase of European weapons to bolster the regional defense industry.While Ukraine has rapidly developed its domestic defense industry during the war, the demand for drones, which have become a key weapon on the battlefield, exceeds the production capabilities of both Ukraine and its allies. Ukrainian authorities report that approximately 80% of Russian military casualties on the battlefield are caused by drone attacks.The Financial Times noted that while the EU criticizes China as a key supplier to the Russian military industry and a major supporter of the war, it also acknowledges Ukraine's dependence on Chinese components for its defense industry.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-15 16:12:00
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DL E&C and IPARK Hyundai Development Attend Seongsu 2 District Briefing, Signaling 2 Trillion Won Bid Competition The briefing for selecting a contractor for the redevelopment of Seongsu 2 District in Seoul saw attendance from DL E&C and IPARK Hyundai Development, marking the start of a competitive bidding process valued at approximately 2 trillion won. However, IPARK Hyundai Development plans to assess the project's viability before deciding whether to participate in the bidding, leaving the actual competition in question.Representatives from DL E&C and IPARK Hyundai Development attended the briefing held on July 15 at 2 p.m. The consortium had announced the bidding notice on July 7, with the bidding process set to continue until 3 p.m. on August 31.The chairman of the Seongsu 2 District redevelopment consortium stated immediately after the briefing, "Both DL E&C and IPARK Hyundai Development attended the briefing, and there are no changes to the current schedule."The Seongsu 2 District redevelopment project aims to construct up to 65 floors with 2,381 housing units and community facilities in the area of 506 Seongsu-dong 2-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul. The estimated construction cost is about 2.1 trillion won, making it the second-largest project among the four districts in the Seongsu Strategic Maintenance Zone, following Seongsu 1 District.The bidding will be conducted through a general competitive bidding process, and joint bidding is not permitted. The bid guarantee consists of 700 billion won in cash and 300 billion won in performance bond insurance, totaling 1 trillion won.This bidding process is a reinitiation after last year's project was canceled. During the first bidding last year, a competitive scenario between DL E&C and POSCO E&C was anticipated, but controversy arose between the former chairman of the consortium and a POSCO E&C public relations officer, leading POSCO E&C to withdraw from the bidding, resulting in a failure to secure a contractor. Following a prolonged hiatus due to a leadership vacuum, the new executive team has resumed the contractor selection process this year.IPARK Hyundai Development, which had previously taken a cautious stance, attended the briefing to begin its viability assessment. However, attendance at the briefing is merely a procedural step to qualify for bidding, and the company has yet to decide on its actual participation. An IPARK Hyundai Development representative stated, "It is too early to comment on our bidding participation at this stage."Industry insiders express skepticism about the likelihood of a competitive bidding process. One industry source noted, "Attendance at the briefing is also aimed at securing eligibility for future bidding, and ultimately, there is a possibility that DL E&C may bid alone."DL E&C has been focusing on Seongsu 2 District as a strategic project and has invested considerable effort into it. A DL E&C representative remarked, "We are actively reviewing the Seongsu 2 District project." Given that the company's urban maintenance project achievements this year have been limited to Mokdong 6 District, industry analysts expect it to intensify its efforts to secure Seongsu 2 District.Similarly, IPARK Hyundai Development has not secured any urban maintenance project contracts in the first half of the year. Success in winning the Seongsu 2 District contract could allow the company to secure more than half of its annual urban maintenance contract target of 3.25 trillion won, while also enhancing its brand competitiveness through a landmark project along the Han River.Meanwhile, the Seongsu Strategic Maintenance Zone is a key redevelopment project in Seoul, comprising four districts along the Han River, with a total project cost of 8 trillion won and approximately 9,500 housing units. Currently, contractors for districts 1 and 4 have been selected by GS Construction and Lotte Construction, respectively, while the contractor selection process for districts 2 and 3 is ongoing. 2026-07-15 16:12:00