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  • Kang Chan-hee Successfully Concludes His Debut Play Dead Poets Society
    Kang Chan-hee Successfully Concludes His Debut Play 'Dead Poets Society' 배우 강찬희가 첫 연극 '죽은 시인의 사회'의 마지막 공연을 성공적으로 마쳤다. 14일 소속사 FNC엔터테인먼트에 따르면 강찬희는 지난 13일 서울 NOL 씨어터 대학로 우리카드홀에서 열린 연극 '죽은 시인의 사회' 마지막 무대에 오르며 유종의 미를 거뒀다. 동명의 명작 영화를 원작으로 한 '죽은 시인의 사회'는 1959년 미국, 엄격한 규율과 전통을 중시하는 명문 기숙학교 웰튼 아카데미를 배경으로 한다. 새로 부임한 영어 교사 존 키팅이 입시와 성공만을 강요받던 학생들에게 '카르페 디엠(Carpe Diem·현재를 즐겨라)'이라는 메시지를 전하며 벌어지는 삶의 변화를 다룬 작품이다. 극 중 강찬희는 아버지의 강압적인 통제 속에서도 남몰래 배우의 꿈을 키워나가는 우등생 소년 '닐 페리' 역을 맡아 극의 중심을 이끌었다. 그는 친구들 사이에서는 쾌활한 리더십을 발휘하는 당당한 학생이면서도, 아버지 앞에서는 한없이 위축되는 닐 페리의 양면성을 입체적인 연기로 풀어냈다. 특히 꿈과 현실의 괴리 속에서 흔들리는 소년의 복합적인 감정선을 밀도 있게 그려내며 관객들에게 먹먹한 여운을 선사했다. 마지막 공연을 마친 강찬희는 소속사를 통해 "이번 작품을 통해 많은 것들을 느끼고 배울 수 있는 시간이었다"며 "첫 연극이라 불안하고 어려운 부분도 있었지만, 마치고 나니 불안했던 마음은 사라지고 아쉬움과 뿌듯함이 남는 것 같다"고 진솔한 소회를 밝혔다. 이어 "공연을 보러 와주신 관객분들께 정말 감사드리고, 앞으로 더욱 성장하는 배우가 되겠다"고 감사를 전했다. 한편, 연극 무대에서 성공적인 연기 변신을 보여준 강찬희는 본업인 가수로 돌아가 팬들과 만난다. 그가 속한 그룹 SF9은 오는 10월 10일과 11일 양일간 서울 KBS아레나에서 데뷔 10주년 기념 콘서트 '2026 SF9 라이브 판타지 #6 축몽(十年逐夢)'을 개최하고 활발한 행보를 이어갈 예정이다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 11:08:20
  • Kumho Construction Enters Suwon Market with Artera Brand
    Kumho Construction Enters Suwon Market with Artera Brand Kumho Construction's residential brand Artera is making its debut in Suwon.On September 14, Kumho Construction announced that it has been selected as the construction company for the Pajang 1 District housing redevelopment project in the Jangan District of Suwon, Gyeonggi Province.The project will create an apartment complex consisting of four buildings, ranging from two basement levels to 28 stories, with a total of 258 units. The total construction cost is approximately 9.27 billion won, with construction set to begin in February 2031 and completion expected in February 2034.The Artera brand will be applied to the complex. Artera was launched in 2024 by merging Kumho Construction's previous brands, Eoulrim and Lichensia. This marks the brand's first entry into Suwon, and the complex is tentatively named Artera Lumiere. Lumiere means 'light' in French.The site will have access to the Pajang IC on the Northern Suwon Circular Road and the Buk Suwon IC on the Yeongdong Expressway. A new station on the Indukwon-Dongtan double-track railway, North Suwon Station, is expected to open in 2029. Nearby schools include Pajang and Dasol Elementary Schools.A Kumho Construction official stated, "Our residential brand Artera is entering Suwon for the first time. We aim to create a differentiated landmark complex based on our expertise in redevelopment projects and Artera's unique design."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 11:08:20
  • Construction of GTX C Line to Begin on September 15
    Construction of GTX C Line to Begin on September 15 The construction of the metropolitan express railway (GTX) connecting northeastern and southern areas of the Seoul metropolitan area is set to commence.The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that it will begin construction on the GTX C Line private investment project on September 15. A promotional center will also be established to allow citizens to experience the GTX C Line in advance.The GTX C Line will span 86.6 kilometers, starting from Deokjeong Station in northern Gyeonggi Province, passing through Cheongnyangni Station, Samsung Station, and Yangjae Station in downtown Seoul, and connecting to Suwon Station and Sangnok Station in southern Gyeonggi Province.Once operational, travel time from Deokjeong Station to Samsung Station is expected to decrease from approximately 80 minutes to 30 minutes, and from Suwon Station to Cheongnyangni Station from about 75 minutes to 30 minutes.To inform the public about the construction of the GTX C Line, the Ministry and the project implementers will set up promotional centers at Suwon Station and Uijeongbu Station. These centers will operate from September 16 to 18 at Suwon Station and from September 20 to 22 at Uijeongbu Station. They will feature exhibitions and interactive spaces where visitors can view train designs and route information and participate in quizzes.In the interactive space, citizens can use kiosks to check the reduced commuting times upon the opening of the C Line. They will also have the opportunity to modify the interior and exterior designs of the train and share the completed images.A Ministry official stated, "Chairman Kim Yong-seok of the Metropolitan Area Transportation Commission will announce the commencement of the long-delayed C Line project to the public during the opening ceremony tomorrow at around 5 PM. We will strive to ensure timely completion while maintaining quality and safety through thorough project management."Meanwhile, the GTX C Line faced delays for about two years due to conflicts over construction costs and funding. In January 2024, President Yoon Suk Yeol attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the GTX C Line, which aims to open by the end of 2028.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 11:08:20
  • KOSPI leads Asia lower as AI slowdown debate hits memory stocks
    KOSPI leads Asia lower as AI slowdown debate hits memory stocks SEOUL, September 14 (AJP) -Asian stocks opened the week lower Monday, with South Korea's KOSPI falling more than 3 percent as a widening debate over slowing AI development hit its memory-chip heavyweights. The KOSPI opened 3.1 percent lower and traded as low as 6,669.3. The benchmark was down 210.7 points at 6,699.2 in morning trading. SK hynix, the world's second-largest memory chipmaker, fell 5.0 percent to 1,721,000 won ($1,279). Samsung Electronics dropped 3.0 percent to 251,750 won ($187). The losses followed weekend calls from major AI industry figures for a more cautious pace of development amid growing concerns over the risks posed by increasingly powerful models. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei called for slowing advances in frontier AI, while OpenAI CEO Sam Altman publicly backed the need to pace development. U.S. President Donald Trump pushed back against the calls, saying the United States must maintain its lead over China in AI. The selloff in Seoul stood out against the broader semiconductor market. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose 1.8 percent Friday, but memory and storage names that compete more directly with the two Korean firms fell. Micron Technology slipped 0.2 percent, SanDisk 3.5 percent, Western Digital 3.0 percent and Seagate 3.7 percent. The divergence suggests investors were treating Seoul primarily as a memory trade rather than a broad semiconductor play, leaving the KOSPI particularly exposed when memory shares underperform the wider chip sector. The macro backdrop offered little cushion. Brent crude remained above $100 a barrel as the U.S.-Iran conflict continued to disrupt energy supplies and shipping, while the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note ended Friday near 5 percent. The Federal Open Market Committee meets Tuesday and Wednesday. Markets were pricing an 86 percent chance of a quarter-point rate increase from the current 3.50 percent to 3.75 percent range after hotter U.S. inflation data. Foreign investors sold a net 1.1297 trillion won ($839 million) of KOSPI shares early in the session, while institutions sold a net 290.4 billion won ($216 million). Individual investors bought a net 1.2686 trillion won ($942 million), absorbing much of the selling. The pattern marked a reversal from the first half of the month. Retail investors sold a net 5.21 trillion won of Samsung Electronics and 7.82 trillion won of SK hynix between Sept. 1 and Sept. 11. They have been heavy net sellers of the two chip majors since April, according to Korea Exchange data. Program trades showed net selling of 929.9 billion won ($691 million), almost all of it from non-arbitrage transactions. Market breadth was heavily negative, with 182 KOSPI issues rising, 666 falling and 44 unchanged. SK Square, whose main asset is its stake in SK hynix, fell 6.2 percent to 1,021,000 won ($758), a steeper decline than the chipmaker itself. Energy-linked small caps moved in the opposite direction. Heungkuk Petroleum rose 3.8 percent to 15,160 won ($11). The KOSDAQ held up better, falling 2.0 percent, or 16.2 points, to 804.4. The KOSPI 200 Volatility Index, Seoul's fear gauge, climbed 17.7 percent last week to 46.28. Monday's decline left the benchmark roughly 26 percent below its record close in June. The won was quoted at 1,346.20 against the U.S. dollar, 2.40 won weaker than Friday's close. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 1.4 percent to 63,112.92, while markets in Shanghai and Hong Kong were nearly flat. AJP Takeaways: - The KOSPI fell below 6,700 in early Monday trading, with SK hynix down 5.0 percent and Samsung Electronics off 3.0 percent. - Foreign investors sold more than 1.1 trillion won ($839 million) of KOSPI shares, while individual investors bought 1.27 trillion won and absorbed much of the selling. - Seoul underperformed broader Asian markets as memory-related stocks weakened amid renewed debate over slowing AI development, while oil above $100 and U.S. Treasury yields near 5 percent added pressure. 2026-09-14 11:08:12
  • Coupang CPLB Launches First Offline Festival for Private Brand Products
    Coupang CPLB Launches First Offline Festival for Private Brand Products Coupang's private brand subsidiary, CPLB, is set to open a pop-up space where customers can directly engage with its private brand products.CPLB announced on September 14 that it will host the 'Coupang Only Festa' from September 17 to 20 at Anderson C in Seongsu-dong, Seoul. This marks the first time since CPLB's launch in 2020 that it will hold an event for customers in an offline setting.The event aims to provide customers with the opportunity to experience familiar private brand products such as GomGom, Comet, and Tamsa, while also highlighting the excellent technology and growth stories of local small businesses that manufacture these products. As of September 14, over 6,300 people have already registered for the event, and CPLB will continue to accept reservations until September 16 in response to customer interest.The first and second floors of the venue, along with outdoor spaces, will be decorated with various themes. Attendees can explore a wide range of products, including fresh foods, ready-to-eat meals, detergents, kitchen and household items, as well as fashion, beauty, and stationery brands like Home Planet, Lolly Tree, and Vita Halo. Notably, the layout will feature colorful displays of fresh produce, a color bar, a candy shop, and a frozen showcase to enhance the experiential aspect.Significantly, the event will see participation from over 120 small manufacturers nationwide. CPLB has dedicated an entire floor of the venue to showcase these small manufacturers, introducing their best-selling production processes and company stories. Participating companies will display over 100 of their own brand products developed through in-house research and development, in addition to the private brand products supplied to Coupang.Various programs will be available on-site, including rice and grain tasting, detergent refill experiences, free samples of household items, a 'sensation challenge' to guess weights within a time limit, and a capsule lottery event. On the evenings of September 18 and 19, the outdoor area will feature 'GomGom Restaurant,' offering dishes made with private brand ingredients, such as steak, beef tteokbokki, and salads, available through a coupon exchange system.Jeon Gyeong-soo, CEO of Coupang CPLB, expressed hope that the event will allow customers to taste and experience a variety of private brand products, confirming their high quality. He emphasized that Coupang's private brand products are the result of collaboration with competitive small businesses and that the company will continue to make diverse efforts for mutual growth with them.Meanwhile, according to an audit report disclosed by the Financial Supervisory Service, CPLB's revenue last year exceeded 2 trillion won, reaching 2.1779 trillion won.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 11:08:10
  • WTO Reform Discussions Intensify as South Korea Evaluates Response Strategies
    WTO Reform Discussions Intensify as South Korea Evaluates Response Strategies As discussions on reforming the World Trade Organization (WTO) gain momentum, the South Korean government and trade experts are assessing the country's response strategies. This involves analyzing member states' proposals on key issues such as decision-making, development, and fair competition, while seeking ways to reflect the interests of domestic industries and businesses.The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on September 14 that it will hold a 'WTO Reform Forum' with experts from various fields, led by Kwon Hye-jin, Director of the Trade Negotiation Bureau, until September 15. Participants will include officials from the ministry, the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade, the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, the Korea Development Institute, the National Diplomatic Academy, as well as WTO and international trade experts from academia and the legal sector. Discussions will focus on decision-making on the first day and development, fair competition, and fundamental issues on the second day.WTO reform is essential for restoring the functionality and credibility of the multilateral trade system. Discussions that have been sporadic over the past decade began to take shape last June when the Norwegian ambassador in Geneva was appointed as the reform coordinator, focusing on decision-making, development, and fair competition.During the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference held in Cameroon in March, reform was a central agenda item. Discussions led by ministerial coordinators from six countries, including South Korea, reached a consensus on the necessity of reform and the direction of future discussions. However, due to the failure to reach an agreement on other issues, such as the e-commerce moratorium, a final agreement was not adopted.Since May, the WTO has been advancing specific reform discussions based on proposals submitted by member countries. Monthly meetings have been held since July to continue discussions in four areas: decision-making, development, fair competition, and fundamental issues.The weakening of the WTO's functionality is also evident in its dispute resolution mechanism. The Appellate Body, which hears trade disputes between member countries, is unable to function due to vacant positions. The last term of the sitting members ended on November 30, 2020. The limitations on the dispute resolution function under trade norms highlight the need to restore trust in the multilateral trade system.In response to the changing trade environment, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy launched the WTO Reform Forum in July. The upcoming meetings will review key proposals from major countries in the four areas and discuss South Korea's future response direction. The ministry plans to utilize the feedback from these meetings to develop response strategies and continuously gather opinions on WTO reform from academia and industry.Kwon Hye-jin stated, "WTO reform is a crucial process for restoring the functionality and credibility of the multilateral trade system in a rapidly changing global trade environment. As a country that has grown through exports and openness, we will actively participate in the reform discussions to faithfully reflect the interests of our industries and businesses." She added, "We will closely analyze proposals from major countries and specific issues to refine our future response strategies."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 11:08:00
  • Park Hong-geun Calls for Proactive Investment Amid Era of Transformation
    Park Hong-geun Calls for Proactive Investment Amid Era of Transformation Park Hong-geun, Minister of the Ministry of Planning and Budget, emphasized the need for proactive large-scale investments on September 14 at Korea University, stating, "To become an irreplaceable Republic of Korea, we must prepare for structural transformation as part of our national development strategy for 2045."During his visit, themed "Asking and Answering the Future from the Youth's Perspective," Park first met with student council members at the university's student center, sharing a breakfast of '1,000 won morning meals' and listening to their concerns about the rising cost of living.Students have been struggling with the financial burden of living expenses, including food, transportation, and housing, while balancing their studies and job preparations. In response, the government plans to increase the subsidy for the '1,000 won morning meal' program from 2,000 won to 3,000 won in the 2027 budget to alleviate some of this burden on university students.Following the breakfast, Park delivered a special lecture to the Korea University community on the topic of "The Path Forward for South Korea in the Era of Transformation." He reflected on the country's growth trajectory and discussed future industries such as semiconductors, K-culture, and artificial intelligence (AI).Park stressed the necessity of proactive large-scale investments to respond to the challenges of an "irreplaceable Republic of Korea" and highlighted the importance of adapting to changes through the 2045 national development strategy. He stated, "To respond quickly to the new order, we need to actively utilize the 2027 budget and future response funds for large-scale investments," and called for structural reforms, including the revision of local education financial grants to address anticipated demographic changes.After the lecture, Park visited 'Anam Living,' a youth housing facility near Korea University, to assess the living conditions for young residents. Anam Living has been repurposed from an oversupplied tourist hotel into dormitory-style housing for university students, young entrepreneurs, creators, and artists.During his visit, Park reviewed the operational status of the youth housing and discussed with officials the direction of housing support to ensure young people can live stably.The Ministry of Planning and Budget plans to continue gathering feedback on the challenges faced by youth and their policy needs, aiming to expand government support that young people can feel in their daily lives and to provide opportunities for future preparation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 11:04:20
  • Basic Construction Cost to Increase by 4.07% to 2.328 Million Won per Square Meter
    Basic Construction Cost to Increase by 4.07% to 2.328 Million Won per Square Meter The basic construction cost used to determine the sale price of homes under the price ceiling system will increase by 4.07% starting September 15.On September 14, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that the basic construction cost applicable to the price ceiling system will be officially announced on September 15.The basic construction cost is one of the components that make up the sale price ceiling for homes subject to the price ceiling system. The sale price is calculated by adding the land cost, basic construction cost, and various additional costs. This cost is regularly announced on March 1 and September 15 each year, and it is adjusted irregularly when the prices of key construction materials, such as high-strength rebar, ready-mixed concrete, window glass, reinforced plywood flooring, and aluminum formwork, surge.According to the upcoming announcement, the basic construction cost for buildings with 16 to 25 floors and a usable area of 60 to 85 square meters will rise from 223,700 won per square meter, as announced on July 15, to 232,800 won, marking a 4.07% increase. When converted to a standard of 3.3 square meters, this represents an increase from approximately 7.38 million won to 7.68 million won, an increase of about 300,000 won.Notably, in line with the government's strengthened support for safety investments at all stages of construction, the Public Procurement Service's '2026 Indirect Construction Cost Calculation Standards' announced in April will be reflected, resulting in an increase in indirect construction costs from 604,000 won to 663,000 won, a rise of 9.77%. The rate for indirect labor costs will be adjusted from 14.6% to 18.1%, and other expenses will increase from 6.0% to 6.9%.The revised basic construction cost will apply to projects that submit applications for occupancy permits after September 15. The actual sale price will be determined by the local government's price review committee, taking into account not only the basic construction cost but also land costs and various additional expenses.The price ceiling system applies to multi-family housing sold in public land and private land areas such as Gangnam, Seocho, Songpa, and Yongsan districts in Seoul.A Ministry official stated, "We will reasonably adjust the basic construction cost to reflect fluctuations in construction material prices, ensuring the supply of high-quality apartments that incorporate the latest technologies and construction methods."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 11:04:20
  • South Korea Invests $2.89 Billion to Develop Global Research Centers for SMEs
    South Korea Invests $2.89 Billion to Develop Global Research Centers for SMEs The South Korean government will invest 289.5 billion won (approximately $2.89 billion) from this year until 2031 to develop research centers for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) into global technology hubs. This initiative aims to support research and development (R&D) in advanced industries such as semiconductors and secondary batteries, linking it with overseas validation and global commercialization.On September 14, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that it will hold a ceremony in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, to award certificates to the 2026 Global Excellent Technology Research Centers (GATC). This year, 17 companies, including Sam CNS, have been selected.The GATC program supports research centers affiliated with SMEs that possess technological capabilities and export potential. The goal is to connect domestic technological competitiveness with overseas market entry and to enhance research capabilities to compete with global leading companies.The program will run for six years, from this year until 2031. Of the total budget of 289.5 billion won, 211.94 billion won will come from the national government, focusing on eight sectors: semiconductors, secondary batteries, future mobility, core materials, intelligent robotics, advanced manufacturing, advanced biotechnology, and displays.Selected companies will receive R&D funding along with global collaboration programs. They will be supported in conducting joint research with leading overseas research institutions and utilizing advanced research facilities and equipment. The program will also facilitate global talent exchange and technology validation through overseas testbeds.During the commercialization phase following technology development, the program will provide support for private investment linkage and technology and market consulting. The aim is to assist in transforming research outcomes into actual products and services and establishing a foothold in overseas markets.Since the program includes both overseas testbed validation and market consulting, the key performance indicators will likely focus on not only the results of technology development but also the implementation of products that meet local demand and securing sales channels. The extent to which joint research translates into actual exports and commercialization will be crucial in assessing the program's effectiveness.This initiative follows the Excellent Technology Research Center (ATC) program, which began in 2003, and its successor, the Excellent Enterprise Research Center (ATC+). According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, a total of 701 research centers have been designated through these two programs. Designated companies have seen an average revenue growth of 40%, with 108 companies listed on the stock market and 28 companies surpassing 100 billion won in sales.The ministry aims to enhance its support for corporate research centers by adding global collaboration and commercialization assistance to its existing experience, responding to the competition for technological supremacy.Lee Min-woo, head of the Industrial Growth Office at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, stated, "Through the GATC program, we will concentrate all government policy capabilities to ensure that our SMEs with unique technological prowess can secure super-gap technologies to lead the global market."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 11:04:20
  • AI Demand Boosts Semiconductor and Computer Exports; August ICT Exports Near $60 Billion
    AI Demand Boosts Semiconductor and Computer Exports; August ICT Exports Near $60 Billion Driven by increased demand for artificial intelligence (AI), exports of semiconductors, computers, and peripherals recorded triple-digit growth, propelling August's information and communication technology (ICT) export figures.On September 14, the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy reported that August's ICT exports totaled $59.98 billion, marking a 162.6% increase compared to the same month last year. This marks the third consecutive month of exports exceeding $50 billion, achieving the highest export figures on record.Imports reached $18.61 billion, a 48.8% increase from the previous year, resulting in a trade surplus of $41.37 billion.Leading the August ICT exports were semiconductors and computers and peripherals, which saw a 209% increase to $46.67 billion. This surge is attributed to sustained demand for AI infrastructure driven by increased capital investment from global tech giants, leading to continued excess demand for memory products.Exports of computers and peripherals were boosted by a significant rise in solid-state drive (SSD) exports, which increased by 383.1% to $6.4 billion compared to the same month last year.Mobile phone exports also saw a 23.2% increase, totaling $1.64 billion, driven by higher sales of premium new products and an increase in component exports.Exports of communication equipment rose by 11.5% to $210 million, attributed to increased shipments to countries such as Vietnam, India, and Japan.Regionally, exports centered around semiconductors and mobile phones also saw broad increases. Exports to China surged by 227.9% to $27.32 billion, while exports to the United States grew by 306.5% to $9.46 billion.Vietnam reported an 81.4% increase to $7.01 billion, Taiwan saw a 54.3% rise to $5.54 billion, and the European Union experienced a 49.1% growth to $1.93 billion. Exports to India increased by 126.7% to $1.04 billion, and Japan's exports rose by 72.4% to $560 million.In July, ICT exports were recorded at $53.36 billion, reflecting a 140.6% increase from the previous year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 11:04:20