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Shipping Costs Surge Amid Fears of Logistics Crisis "Currently, there is no strategy the government can implement to respond. This makes it even more difficult."The Shanghai Container Freight Index (SCFI), a key indicator of shipping rates, has risen for seven consecutive weeks, surpassing 3,600 for the first time in over two years. With the Strait of Hormuz blocked and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels potentially threatening the Red Sea, a critical global shipping route, the SCFI could soar to its all-time high of 5,000. South Korean exporters, already struggling with rising raw material prices due to high oil costs in the first half of the year, now face the double burden of skyrocketing logistics expenses.According to the Shanghai Shipping Exchange (SSE), the SCFI reached 3,662 as of September 11, marking the first time it has exceeded 3,600 since July 12, 2024.The SCFI reflects the average freight rates for container cargo on major shipping routes departing from Shanghai, a crucial hub for South Korean companies that rely heavily on maritime transport. Currently, the SCFI is approximately 200% higher than it was in February, before the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran conflict, indicating that logistics costs for South Korean companies have tripled compared to six months ago.Industry experts cite the Houthi rebels' resurgence as the primary reason for the SCFI's surge. As the Houthis rapidly gain control over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the risk of blockages in the Red Sea and the Suez Canal has increased, which is reflected in rising shipping rates.Experts are increasingly concerned that as the U.S.-Iran conflict drags on, the SCFI could rise to levels seen during the COVID-19 pandemic in January 2022, potentially leading to a fivefold increase in shipping costs for South Korean companies.Two years ago, the SCFI also rose to 3,600 due to clashes between the Houthis and Israel and Saudi Arabia. However, U.S. airstrikes quickly led to a normalization of the situation. In contrast, the current prolonged U.S.-Iran conflict has weakened America's military capabilities in the Middle East, while the Houthis, bolstered by Iranian support, pose a greater threat of a Red Sea blockade.Additionally, oil prices, which significantly impact shipping costs, have surpassed $110 per barrel for Dubai crude, further fueling the SCFI's upward trend. While the pandemic-induced logistics crisis was characterized by port congestion in North America and explosive cargo demand, the current situation is marked by disruptions in Middle Eastern shipping routes and high oil prices, leading to a 'route and oil crisis' driving freight rate increases.Han Jong-gil, a professor of global logistics at Sungkyunkwan University, stated, "The Houthi blockade of the Red Sea could have effects beyond mere logistics disruptions, potentially halting Saudi oil exports. If the situation in the Middle East worsens, the SCFI could exceed 5,000 and go even higher."A business leader expressed concern, saying, "South Korean companies, already struggling with high oil prices and rising raw material costs in the first half of the year, now face the burden of high shipping rates. Particularly, electronics companies are likely to face a 'perfect storm' due to soaring semiconductor prices, leading to anticipated price increases for goods after Chuseok." 2026-09-13 18:04:00 -
Shin Dong-bin: 'Support to Overcome Fear of Failure' as Lotte and KAIST Open R&D Center Lotte has established an industry-academia cooperation hub with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) to jointly research future technologies and commercialize them. The initiative aims to secure foundational technologies in future growth areas such as biotechnology, carbon neutrality, advanced food, and healthcare, linking them to Lotte's business operations.Lotte announced on September 13 that it held the opening ceremony for the 'Lotte x KAIST R&D Center' on September 11 at KAIST's main campus in Daejeon. The R&D center serves as a research hub for addressing sustainability issues, including climate change and carbon neutrality, funded by a 10 billion won donation from Lotte and KAIST's own financial resources.The center spans six floors above ground and one basement level, covering a total area of 4,298 square meters. It will focus on three main areas: bio-sustainability, carbon-neutral energy, materials, and processes, as well as advanced food and healthcare, conducting research on biofuels, plastics, green hydrogen, renewable energy, and batteries.The collaboration is characterized by the integration of KAIST's research capabilities with Lotte's industry experience, allowing for a seamless process from fundamental research to experimentation, prototype development, and technology commercialization. The research will leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate technology development.Lotte and KAIST will also pursue joint research on strategic technologies for Lotte's subsidiaries, including semiconductor materials and sustainable energy, with plans to commercialize the technologies developed during the research process.Shin Dong-bin, Chairman of Lotte, attended the opening ceremony and expressed his commitment to expanding industry-academia cooperation. He stated, "I hope the R&D center will become a hub for collaboration that transcends the boundaries between schools and businesses, creating greater possibilities. Lotte will be a strong partner to ensure that professors and students can research and challenge themselves without fear of failure."KAIST President Bae Chung-sik presented a plaque of appreciation to Shin for his contributions to the development of research infrastructure and industry-academia cooperation."Today's opening is not just the completion of a building but the beginning of a new collaboration," Bae said. "By combining KAIST's research capabilities with Lotte's industrial and commercialization strengths, we will connect the ideas and technologies from our laboratories to real value in the industry, creating new growth engines and sustainable solutions for South Korea's future."The partnership between Lotte and KAIST began in 2012 with a program for master's and doctoral education and has since expanded to include technology transfer and personnel exchanges. In 2022, they established the 'Lotte Chemical-KAIST Carbon Neutral Research Center' to intensify their joint research efforts, which has led to the completion of eight projects in the carbon neutrality field and the acquisition of 15 patents.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-13 18:00:00 -
Small Businesses Report 1,092 Cases of Damage from Ongoing Middle East Conflict Domestic small businesses are facing challenges due to rising raw material costs and logistics expenses stemming from the prolonged conflict in the Middle East. According to the Ministry of SMEs and Startups on September 13, the number of reported cases of damage, difficulties, and concerns related to the Middle East conflict reached 1,092 as of noon on September 1, an increase of 10 from the previous week. Of these, 858 cases were actual damage or difficulties, while 164 were concerns. The reports were submitted online through the Ministry's website and via phone or in-person at 15 regional export support centers. In terms of the types of damage and difficulties (multiple responses allowed), rising logistics costs accounted for 348 cases (40.6%), followed by transportation disruptions at 305 cases (35.5%), contract cancellations or delays at 258 cases (30.1%), travel disruptions at 131 cases (15.3%), and unpaid invoices at 100 cases (11.7%). Among the concerns, transportation disruptions were the most significant, with 100 cases (61%), while communication breakdowns accounted for 10 cases (6.1%). By country, damages and difficulties related to Middle Eastern nations, particularly the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, comprised 661 cases (64.7%), while those from non-Middle Eastern countries totaled 436 cases (42.7%). Iran had the highest number of cases at 109 (10.7%), followed by Israel with 99 cases (9.7%). Businesses are expressing concerns about operational disruptions. One industry representative stated, "Initially, we faced challenges such as order delays due to transportation issues, but now we are proceeding with exports using air transport, which has led to increased logistics costs." Both sea and air freight rates have risen, and delays in transportation are occurring due to increased shipping costs and space shortages. Another representative noted, "While most supply chain disruptions for raw materials have been resolved since the early days of the conflict, the prices of raw materials have increased by an average of 50% compared to pre-war levels, negatively impacting company profitability." Companies are struggling with new product development due to falling exchange rates and rising costs, and they are also facing difficulties in establishing production schedules and securing new sales channels. 2026-09-13 17:52:20 -
New LE SSERAFIM single charts in 24 markets before BlizzCon set SEOUL, September 13 (AJP) - Within a day of its release, the title track from LE SSERAFIM's second single album had climbed into the upper ranks of iTunes song charts in 24 countries and territories, building momentum for the South Korean group as it prepares to close one of the world's largest gaming conventions. "Made My Night," released Sept. 11, drew more than 1.03 million streams on Spotify in its first day and entered the platform's daily top songs chart in five countries and territories, including South Korea, Japan and Hong Kong, according to Source Music, the group's label. On the worldwide iTunes song chart dated Sept. 12, the track placed 11th. It reached No. 1 in Viet Nam and ranked near the top in markets including Japan, Mexico and Taiwan. The song also entered YouTube's trending music rankings in 19 countries and territories, among them Britain, Denmark and Canada. The track is a pop dance number about meeting someone and staying out with them through the night, carried by a bright melody and an upbeat rhythm. LE SSERAFIM debuted in 2022 under Source Music, a label of the entertainment company HYBE. The group has five members, Kim Chae-won, Sakura, Huh Yun-jin, Kazuha and Hong Eun-chae. The group will take the main stage at the Anaheim Convention Center in California on Sept. 13 local time as the closing act of BlizzCon 2026, the annual fan convention staged by Blizzard Entertainment, the American game studio behind Overwatch, Diablo and World of Warcraft. LE SSERAFIM worked with Overwatch on the music video for "Made My Night." The Anaheim appearance will be the group's second at BlizzCon, following 2023, when it became the first K-pop act to perform at the convention. The group will perform "Made My Night" live for the first time anywhere at the show. AJP Takeaways - Source Music said the title track from LE SSERAFIM's second single album drew more than 1.03 million Spotify streams on its first day and entered the platform's daily top songs chart in five countries and territories, including South Korea, Japan and Hong Kong. - LE SSERAFIM ranked in the upper reaches of iTunes song charts in 24 countries and territories within a day of the Sept. 11 release, taking 11th place worldwide and first place in Viet Nam, and entered YouTube trending music rankings in 19 more. - Blizzard Entertainment, the American studio behind Overwatch, Diablo and World of Warcraft, will give the group the closing slot at BlizzCon 2026 in Anaheim on Sept. 13 local time, three years after it became the first K-pop act to play the convention. That framing and the studio's game catalog come from Blizzard's own announcement rather than the label's release. 2026-09-13 17:51:03 -
Kim Min-seok Aims to Restore Public Trust with New Initiative Kim Min-seok, the leader of the Democratic Party, emphasized on September 13 that he will work diligently to restore public trust by consistently implementing the party's principles of livelihood, practicality, and expansion. He announced plans to establish a special internal organization called the 'Livelihood Promotion Committee.'During a high-level party-government meeting held at the Prime Minister's residence in Jongno, Seoul, Kim stated, "We will push for reforms to eliminate abnormal phenomena in politics, economy, and society that hinder the normalization of South Korea."He noted that during President Lee Jae-myung's first year in office, there were achievements in exports and the stock market due to presidential leadership and public cooperation, stating, "From now on, we must focus on resolving the shadows of growth and promoting a dignified basic society."Kim also pledged that the party would fully support the government's mega-growth initiatives and accelerate policies and legislation for community coexistence. He announced plans to expand the existing special organization 'Mega 10' to 'Mega 12' to address disparities in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).He detailed the formation of the Livelihood Promotion Committee, which will play a significant role alongside the Mega Growth Special Committee. Kim plans to appoint former National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik as the senior advisor for the committee and will lead the organization himself.Additionally, Kim expressed his commitment to strengthening alliances with progressive forces, advancing discussions on political reform, and ensuring thorough personnel hearings. He also promised to end political prosecution, consistently implement the party's principles of livelihood and practicality, and provide follow-up support related to President Lee's visit to France.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-13 17:32:00 -
South Korean Prime Minister Calls for Coordination Ahead of New Crime Investigation Agencies 한성숙 국무총리는 13일 중대범죄수사청(중수청)과 공소청 출범을 앞두고 “현장에서 발생할 수 있는 공백과 혼선을 미리 찾아 보완해야 한다”고 밝혔다.한 총리는 이날 서울 종로구 삼청동 총리공관에서 열린 고위당정협의회에서 “새로운 형사사법체계가 안정적으로 출범할 수 있도록 당정청이 힘을 모으겠다”며 이같이 말했다.이날 회의에서는 중수청·공소청의 조직과 인력, 업무체계 구축 상황을 점검하고 수사기관 개편 과정에서 예상되는 혼선을 최소화할 방안 등도 함께 언급됐다.강훈식 대통령비서실장은 “새로운 형사사법체계는 권한의 집중과 남용을 막고 범죄 피해자를 더욱 두텁게 보호하는 토대가 돼야 한다”며 “두 기관이 출범 첫날부터 본연의 기능을 차질 없이 수행할 수 있도록 조직과 인력, 시스템 등 제반 사항을 꼼꼼히 점검해 달라”고 주문했다.최근 논란이 된 경찰의 실종사건 관리체계 개선 방안도 의제에 올랐다. 한 총리는 “제도적·구조적 공백이 없었는지 살펴보고 한 치의 틈도 생기지 않도록 철저히 보완하겠다”고 말했다.강 실장은 이재명 대통령이 실종사건을 자살·산업재해와 함께 정부 생명안전 관리체계에 포함하도록 지시한 사실을 언급하며 “실종자 가족을 비롯한 국민의 우려와 불안을 해소할 수 있도록 획기적인 개선 방안을 마련해 신속히 추진하겠다”고 밝혔다.당정청은 추석을 앞둔 물가와 민생 상황도 점검했다. 정부는 성수품 가격 할인 지원에 지난해 900억원보다 두 배 이상 늘어난 1930억원을 투입하고, 성수품 공급과 소상공인·취약계층 지원을 확대하기로 했다.한 총리는 “명절만큼은 국민이 걱정 없이 보낼 수 있도록 민생을 세심하게 챙기겠다”며 “준비한 할인과 공급, 명절 자금 지원의 혜택이 국민에게 실질적으로 돌아가도록 최선을 다하겠다”고 강조했다.아울러 연휴 기간 교통·의료·안전 분야의 대응체계를 점검하고 주요 관광지를 중심으로 바가지요금 단속과 계도 활동도 강화할 방침이다.한 총리는 최근의 국정 평가와 관련해 “국민의 평가가 엄중할수록 주저하거나 머뭇거리지 않고 해야 할 일을 더욱 분명히 해야 한다”며 “주권자의 생각을 듣고 국정으로 답하는 것이 국민주권 정부에 걸맞은 자세”라고 말했다. 2026-09-13 17:20:20 -
Moon Do-yeop Finishes Second at Shinhan Donghae Open Ahead of Asian Games Moon Do-yeop, representing South Korea in men's golf, secured second place at the 42nd Shinhan Donghae Open, co-hosted by the Korea Professional Golf Association (KPGA) and the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO), with a total prize pool of 1.5 billion won.On September 13, at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea Urban Links Course in Incheon, Moon shot a final round of 6-under 66, featuring eight birdies and one double bogey.With a total score of 14-under 274, Moon finished tied for second with Jang Yu-bin, Lee Sang-hee, and Japan's Yujiro Ohori.Starting the final round in a tie for 11th, Moon showcased a strong performance on the last day. He made up three strokes in the front nine, but a double bogey on the 11th hole (par 4) after his tee shot went into a penalty area briefly halted his momentum. However, he quickly regained his rhythm with a birdie on the 12th hole (par 4) and then made four consecutive birdies from the 15th hole (par 5) to the 18th hole (par 5), significantly improving his standing.Although he did not achieve his second victory of the season since the Gyeongbuk Open in May, Moon's performance heightened expectations for a medal at the Asian Games men's golf event, which will take place from September 30 at the Kasugai Country Club in Japan. He will compete alongside Kim Joo-hyung and Kim Sung-hyun, both active on the PGA Tour.The tournament was won by Japan's Kosuke Sunagawa, who finished with a total score of 16-under 272, marking his first professional victory and earning a prize of 300 million won.This marks the third consecutive year that a Japanese player has won the Shinhan Donghae Open, following Hirata Gensei in 2024 and Higa Kazuki in 2025.Park Eun-sin finished tied for sixth with a total score of 13-under 275, while Choi Seung-bin and Jeong Chan-min tied for eighth at 12-under 276. 2026-09-13 17:12:00 -
Yong Hye-in Resigns as Ministerial Candidate Amid Controversy Yong Hye-in, the candidate for the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, appears to have made her decision to resign on September 13 largely due to the advice of Kim Min-seok, the leader of the Democratic Party. On September 10, Yong had expressed her determination to address the allegations surrounding her, but as support from the ruling party waned, she ultimately stepped down. The People Power Party stated, "President Lee Jae-myung must apologize to the public for this personnel disaster." Kim Tae-sun: "I conveyed Kim Min-seok's resignation advice to Yong Hye-in"Kim Tae-sun, the chief secretary to Kim Min-seok, stated on Facebook that he conveyed the leader's advice for Yong to resign, which was based on public sentiment. He acknowledged that while the issue of holding both a ministerial and proportional representative position may not be a legal violation, it did not align with public expectations and sentiments.Yong was embroiled in controversy after being nominated as the ministerial candidate on August 30, facing scrutiny over her dual roles as a minister and proportional representative, allegations of party favoritism, and her involvement with an organization accused of fostering a discriminatory culture. The situation worsened when testimonies from colleagues highlighted the presence of a sexist culture within that organization, raising questions about her qualifications for the ministerial role. Additionally, the National Assembly was unable to schedule a confirmation hearing due to a standoff between the ruling and opposition parties over witness selection.In the midst of this controversy, Yong held a press conference on September 10, where she directly refuted the allegations against her. Regarding the dual role issue, she argued that if she resigned, the Basic Income Party, of which she is the only member in the National Assembly, would become an out-of-parliament party, asserting that holding both positions does not violate the constitution or laws. She also claimed that there were no procedural flaws in the party's operations and that her activities with the organization in question were unrelated to the Basic Income Party, as it was disbanded in 2017.Despite her clarifications and her insistence that she would provide further details during the confirmation hearing, public opinion worsened. Various polls indicated ongoing controversy surrounding her candidacy, and support for the ruling party among the younger generation, particularly those in their 20s and 30s, began to decline. The Blue House, which had previously supported holding a confirmation hearing to allow Yong to explain herself, shifted its stance after her press conference, stating, "There was no consultation with the Blue House."Ultimately, it seems that Kim Min-seok's call for Yong to make a decision led to her resignation. Yong explained, "I found it difficult to carry out my duties in light of the concerns expressed by the ruling party." Blue House: "We respect the candidate's decision"...Opposition: "This is not the end with the candidate's resignation"After Yong announced her intention to resign, Blue House spokesperson Kang Yu-jung stated, "We respect Yong's decision" and added that necessary follow-up procedures would be carried out according to established regulations. He interpreted Yong's decision as an effort to reduce the burden on national governance and public welfare.The opposition People Power Party insisted that Yong's resignation should not be the end of the matter and pressured the government and ruling party. Representative Jang Dong-hyuk emphasized on Facebook that this is not just about the candidate's resignation but that the "leftist cartel" must be thoroughly investigated.Floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik pointed out issues with the personnel verification system of the Blue House and the Democratic Party. He stated, "The various controversies surrounding the candidate should have been filtered out during the Democratic Party's two previous election nomination processes," calling it a clear failure of the party's vetting process.He also criticized the Blue House, suggesting that if a simple question had been asked before the nomination, such as, "Are you okay with resigning from your position as a lawmaker?" this situation could have been avoided. He urged President Lee Jae-myung to apologize to the public for the "Yong Hye-in personnel disaster" and to take responsible action regarding the failed vetting by the Blue House personnel team.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-13 17:08:10 -
Celine Dion Returns to the Stage After Six Years, Overcome with Emotion Pop star Celine Dion made her return to the concert stage after more than six years, performing on September 12 at the Plenitude Arena in Nanterre, just outside Paris. This marked her first regular concert since the 'Courage World Tour' in March 2020.Dion opened the show with her French hit 'On ne change pas.' Overcome with emotion, she shed tears during the performance.Addressing the audience, she said, "Thanks to your support and love, I am standing on the stage of this city I love. The road has been tough and longer than expected, but I persevered." After expressing her emotions, she added, "I promised myself I wouldn’t cry, but these are tears of joy." The concert featured her iconic songs, including 'My Heart Will Go On' and 'All By Myself.'Dion's regular performances were halted in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the cancellation of the 'Courage World Tour' after 52 shows in North America. The resumption of her concerts was delayed multiple times, compounded by health issues.In December 2022, Dion revealed her diagnosis of Stiff-Person Syndrome (SPS), a rare neurological disorder that causes muscle stiffness and spasms, leading her to cancel the remaining dates of the 'Courage World Tour.'This concert was not her first performance since the diagnosis was made public. In July 2024, she sang 'Hymne à l'amour' by Édith Piaf at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, which garnered significant attention, although it was a special performance featuring just one song.On March 30, the day of her 58th birthday, Dion announced her concert plans in Paris. Initially scheduled for ten shows in September and October, the overwhelming interest led to the addition of six more performances. This year's concerts will take place from September 12 to October 17, with ten more shows planned for May next year, bringing the total to 26 performances.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-13 17:08:00 -
Five Ministerial Nominees Under Scrutiny as Opposition Targets Kim Seung-won Yong Hye-in, the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, resigned on the 13th, leaving five other ministerial nominees under scrutiny. The National Assembly will hold confirmation hearings this week for nominees from five ministries, including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Ministry of National Defense, and Ministry of Justice.The hearings for Lee Hyung-il (Ministry of Finance), Kim Seung-won (Ministry of Justice), and Lee So-young (Ministry of SMEs and Startups) will take place on the 15th, while those for Kang Shin-cheol (Ministry of National Defense) and Hong Ji-sun (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport) are scheduled for the 16th. During this confirmation process, both ruling and opposition parties are expected to focus their efforts on attacking or defending Kim Seung-won.Within the Democratic Party, there is a sense of urgency to protect Kim, who was appointed symbolically to complete judicial reform. Members of the party's Legislative and Judiciary Committee held a press conference on the same day, targeting independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, who is at the center of the controversy surrounding Kim. They alleged that during Han's tenure as Minister of Justice, the prosecution initiated an investigation into Kim to implicate President Lee Jae-myung.Chairwoman Seo Young-kyo stated, "Immediately after the prosecution began investigating Kim, they prepared a report detailing connections between the president and individuals involved in the Daejang-dong incident," emphasizing that the report was created during a time when the prosecution was allegedly suppressing the president.Kim Eui-gyeom, the ruling party's Legislative and Judiciary Committee member, described the situation as a clear case of targeted investigation, stating that Han actively intervened by changing the investigation leader to someone from the 'Yoon Seok-yeol faction' to find a link between the president and Kim.In response, Han countered, "The Democratic Party has nothing to argue about regarding the investigation, so they revert to the narrative of targeted investigation. Who would target someone like Kim Seung-won, who was unknown at the time?" He also left open the possibility of holding an independent confirmation hearing outside the National Assembly in response to questions from reporters.Political analysts suggest that the growing public opposition to Kim's appointment, as reflected in various opinion polls, could pose a challenge for the ruling party. The People Power Party and other opposition groups are leveraging this sentiment to intensify their allegations against Kim.On the same day, People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jin-woo raised additional allegations regarding a social cooperative related to Kim's family, claiming it received preferential treatment in the selection process for service providers in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, where Kim's constituency is located. Joo pointed out that the cooperative, which had only been in Suwon for three months, was awarded five points in the re-designation process, while a competing organization that had secured two substitute workers received zero points.He further criticized the process, stating, "The cooperative only mentioned 'replacement upon vacancy' but received full points, while unfair zero points were given to competitors to eliminate them. Investigations into these allegations should be expanded."Additionally, the confirmation hearings for Kang Shin-cheol, Lee Hyung-il, Lee So-young, and Hong Ji-sun are expected to focus heavily on real estate-related allegations. The opposition is set to argue that the nominees have employed loopholes that contradict the housing policies emphasized by the Lee Jae-myung administration. 2026-09-13 17:08:00


