AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

&
""
Latest by
  • Highway Toll Evasion by Repeat Offenders Surges to 370,000 Vehicles
    Highway Toll Evasion by Repeat Offenders Surges to 370,000 Vehicles More than 370,000 vehicles were reported as repeat offenders for failing to pay highway tolls at least 20 times last year, marking an 80% increase over three years. Nearly half of all unpaid tolls originated from these habitual offenders.According to data submitted by the Korea Expressway Corporation to Jeong Jong-tae, a member of the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, the number of vehicles that failed to pay tolls 20 or more times rose from 210,000 in 2022 to 374,000 last year, a 78.1% increase.The amount of unpaid tolls from repeat offenders also surged from 22.2 billion won to 42.9 billion won during the same period, a 93.2% increase.Last year, the total number of unpaid highway tolls reached 38.5 million. Of these, 17.4 million, or 45.1%, were attributed to vehicles that failed to pay tolls 20 or more times. This means that approximately 4.5 out of every 10 unpaid tolls came from repeat offenders.Some individual vehicles have been identified as having failed to pay tolls thousands of times. The vehicle with the highest number of unpaid tolls recorded 3,550 instances of non-payment since July 2022, amounting to 14.59 million won. After measures including vehicle and bank account seizures and criminal charges, 2,550 instances and 10.3 million won were recovered, but 1,000 instances and 4.29 million won remain unpaid.The second-highest offender has not paid tolls 3,168 times since August 2021, totaling 9.92 million won. This vehicle has also faced seizure and criminal charges.Overall, unpaid tolls are on the rise. The number of unpaid instances increased from 25.3 million in 2022 to 38.5 million last year, a 52.4% rise. The total amount of unpaid tolls also grew from 65.59 billion won to 99.44 billion won, a 51.6% increase.The Korea Expressway Corporation is actively pursuing notifications, collections, and enforced recovery of unpaid tolls, noting that the collection rate reaches about 94% after approximately five years. However, the increasing number of repeat offenders and the total amount of unpaid tolls have raised concerns about the need to address habitual non-payment early.With the expansion of Hi-Pass usage and the normalization of non-stop tolling, it is essential to quickly resolve simple errors in payments while increasing collection efforts for intentional repeat offenders from the outset.Jeong stated, "To ensure fairness for citizens who diligently pay their tolls, we must reduce the situation where hundreds or thousands of unpaid instances accumulate. We need to promptly address and resolve non-payments due to device errors or simple mistakes, while implementing effective collection measures for habitual evaders from the early stages."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-13 14:40:00
  • Roberto Moreno Arrives as Interim Coach of South Korean National Soccer Team
    Roberto Moreno Arrives as Interim Coach of South Korean National Soccer Team Roberto Moreno, appointed as the interim coach of the South Korean national soccer team, arrived at Incheon International Airport on the morning of September 13 with five members of his coaching staff.Moreno succeeds Hong Myung-bo, who stepped down after the team was eliminated in the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The Korea Football Association implemented a public recruitment process for the first time in history, selecting Moreno as the final candidate on September 1.This marks the first time a Spanish national has taken the helm of the South Korean A national team.Moreno's coaching staff, referred to as 'Team Moreno,' includes head coach Eduardo Docampo, analysis and training methodology expert Hasint Magriña, coach Víctor Bravo DeSoto, physical coach Javier Chocaro, and goalkeeper coach Nico Bosch. Additionally, domestic coaches Cho Yong-hyung and Lee Jae-hong will join the team.Moreno's initial contract runs until November 27, covering approximately three months. However, it includes provisions for extension based on the team's performance in six A matches scheduled from September to November, with potential continuation through the AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia in January 2027.Moreno, who did not have a professional playing career, began as a video analyst and is known for his academic approach, having assisted current Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique for an extended period. He served as the interim coach of the Spanish national team in 2019, leading them to an unbeaten record of nine matches (seven wins and two draws) and qualification for Euro 2020. He has also coached AS Monaco in France and Granada in Spain, and most recently led FC Sochi in Russia to promotion to the top league, although he was dismissed due to poor performance.The national team, under Moreno's leadership, will face Ecuador on September 24 at Suwon World Cup Stadium and Uruguay on September 28 at Seoul World Cup Stadium. They are also scheduled to play two more A matches in October.Moreno will hold an official press conference on September 14 at 2 PM at Korea Football Park in Cheonan, where he will announce the first roster for the 'Moreno squad.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-13 14:40:00
  • Tajikistan bets on hydropower and AI 35 years after independence
    Tajikistan bets on hydropower and AI 35 years after independence A country that spent the first years of its independence in civil war now counts about 300 hydropower plants, and the next thing it plans to build is an artificial intelligence center in its capital. Emomali Rahmon set out that agenda on Sept. 8 at the National Theater in Dushanbe, where Tajikistan marked 35 years of independence. The president named industrialization, green energy, digitalization and artificial intelligence as the priorities ahead. The starting point was brutal. Nearly five years of fighting shut down the machinery of government and drove out hundreds of thousands of trained people. Rahmon said families at the time were preoccupied with getting through the day. Poverty stood at 83 percent. It is now 19 percent. Growth has averaged more than 7.7 percent a year over the past 25 years, and S&P Global Ratings raised the sovereign rating last month from B to B+ with a stable outlook. Industry thickened alongside. The 358 industrial enterprises counted in 1991 have grown to more than 4,000. Copper production and export began for the first time since independence, and iron production starts in 2027. Energy is where the government has spent the most. Roughly 300 hydropower plants, the Dushanbe-2 combined heat and power station, and new solar capacity have added more than 2,300 megawatts. Total installed capacity now reaches 6,700 megawatts. The centerpiece is the Rogun hydropower plant. The government expects that once its third unit starts running in 2027, the country will cover the electricity its people and industry need without imports. Two solar plants with a combined 500 megawatts are due to open in the Asht and Jayhun districts by November. The second track is digital, and Tajikistan has pushed that agenda abroad as well. The United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus in July last year a Tajik-initiated resolution on the role of artificial intelligence in sustainable development across Central Asia. It included a regional artificial intelligence center in Dushanbe to coordinate joint projects. A second Tajik-initiated resolution passed last month, designating Aug. 31 as the International Day of Safe and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence. It drew 144 votes in favor. The United States and Israel voted against, and Argentina, Canada, and Samoa abstained. The first observance falls in 2027. 2026-09-13 14:37:59
  • Lotte Duty Free Launches Promotions for Chuseok Holiday and Fall Travel Season
    Lotte Duty Free Launches Promotions for Chuseok Holiday and Fall Travel Season Lotte Duty Free is launching a large-scale online and offline promotion to attract travelers during the Chuseok holiday and the fall travel season.The company announced on the 10th that it will hold the 'FALL IN SALE' discount event at its online duty-free shop until November 11. The event will feature popular fall items from brands such as Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Dalba, and Jeong Kwan Jang, with discounts of up to 70% available on products updated every two weeks. Customers making purchases over $120 will also receive a $12 discount coupon, along with additional benefits from partner airlines and payment methods.A quiz and prize program will be available for online duty-free customers. Participants who answer correctly will receive additional discount coupons, and among those who make a purchase of $1 or more after entering the quiz, 100 winners will be selected to receive two movie tickets to Lotte Cinema.In offline stores, the 'Lotte Duty Free ONE PASS' promotion will run until October 31, linking domestic and international benefits. Customers who shop duty-free before departing from Korea will be able to enjoy discounts and convenience services at Lotte Duty Free locations in Japan, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Guam. The Ginza store in Tokyo will offer luggage storage services, VIP upgrades, and airport limousine tickets. Foreign visitors to Korea will receive PRE-LDF PAY and a welcome drink.Benefits for customers purchasing at domestic city stores have also been enhanced. At locations such as the Myeongdong flagship store, World Tower, Jeju, and Busan, customers can receive up to 1.54 million won in LDF PAY based on their purchase amount and category on weekdays. Customers paying with Naver Pay on weekends will receive double additional benefits, with LDF PAY reaching up to 1.88 million won.To target fall travelers, Lotte Duty Free has also organized a travel giveaway event. From the 15th, in collaboration with a resort in Macau, the company will hold a drawing for a package that includes round-trip airfare and a two-night stay at a luxury resort for 20 winners over the next two months. Additionally, a promotion offering round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations in Cebu, Philippines, will run until the end of this month.A representative from Lotte Duty Free stated, "We have organized this event to allow customers to enjoy duty-free shopping with abundant benefits during the fall holiday. We will continue to enhance shopping satisfaction both online and offline by leveraging our global network." 2026-09-13 14:32:20
  • Singer Young Tak Returns with New Album GOGO
    Singer Young Tak Returns with New Album 'GOGO' Singer Young Tak is set to return with a new regular album after three years.He will release his third studio album, 'GOGO,' on September 14 at 6 PM through various music streaming platforms. This marks his first album since the release of his second studio album, 'FORM,' in August 2023.The album features 12 tracks, including the title song 'Kkeokkeo,' as well as 'Penguin,' 'Psycho World,' 'Dosi Rasol Pamiredo,' 'Vintage Love,' 'Heo Heo' (虛虛), 'Old Radio,' 'The Weather is Nice,' 'Temporary Save,' 'I Can't Sleep Tonight,' 'VIDA LOCA,' and 'PACEMAKER.'Notably, Young Tak has a significant role in the album's production. He participated in writing, composing, and arranging 11 of the tracks, with the exception of 'I Can't Sleep Tonight.' His name appears in the production credits for most of the songs.Following the album's release, Young Tak will embark on a national tour. He is scheduled to hold a solo concert, 'TAK SHOW5,' at Korea University's Hwajeong Gymnasium in Seoul from October 3 to 5. The Seoul concert will kick off the tour, which will continue to Jeonju on October 24-25, Daegu on November 28-29, Incheon on December 19-20, and conclude in Busan on January 16-17, 2024.This Seoul concert will be the first solo performance following the release of his third studio album, where he will also showcase tracks from the new album.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-13 14:32:00
  • Minister Kwon Oh-eul Expects Swift Passage of Democracy Heroes Act
    Minister Kwon Oh-eul Expects Swift Passage of Democracy Heroes Act As the National Assembly prepares to vote on the Democracy Heroes Act, Kwon Oh-eul, Minister of Veterans Affairs, attended the '2026 Joint Memorial Ceremony' at the Democracy Movement Memorial Park in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, on September 12, honoring the spirits of democracy martyrs. This memorial ceremony was the first held since Moon Guk-joo took office as chairman of the Democracy Movement Memorial Foundation on September 8. Minister Kwon, along with Chairman Moon and others, laid flowers and incense, offering prayers for the peace of the martyrs. Following the ceremony, they toured the memorial gravesite within the park with bereaved families. After the memorial, Minister Kwon visited Moran Park in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, where democracy activists Jeon Tae-il and Park Jong-cheol are interred, to pay his respects. Minister Kwon stated, “The democracy we enjoy today is due to the sacrifices of the martyrs who stood against injustice in the face of fear and chose the future of our society over their own safety. I hope the Democracy Heroes Act is passed swiftly so that we can honor their noble sacrifices and contributions.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-13 14:28:00
  • National Assembly Speaker Cho Jung-sik Marks 100 Days in Office
    National Assembly Speaker Cho Jung-sik Marks 100 Days in Office National Assembly Speaker Cho Jung-sik emphasized the need to process livelihood legislation and the budget without delay during the regular session, while also advancing discussions on constitutional reform to realize popular sovereignty.In a press release on the 13th, Cho stated, "If the past 100 days were about establishing the groundwork for a working National Assembly, the task now is to ensure that the public can feel the changes." He marked his 100th day in office on the 12th, having been elected during a National Assembly plenary session on June 5.Since taking office, Cho has set the operational principle of 'Opening the Future with the People,' focusing on livelihood legislation, institutional improvements, economic revitalization, and national interest diplomacy. He prioritized livelihood legislation, processing 177 bills related to public welfare and reform in the past 100 days. On September 2, he convened a 'Livelihood Legislation Strategy Meeting' with chief experts from each standing committee to proactively identify legislative tasks closely related to the public's daily life.Additionally, he launched several organizations, including a task force for the revision of unconstitutional laws, the Economic Leap Committee, the National Interest Diplomacy Advisory Committee, and the second Sejong Government Complex Construction Committee. Notably, the Economic Leap Committee represents a new collaborative framework for ongoing communication between the National Assembly and the business sector to discuss legislative and policy issues.Furthermore, Cho has established parliamentary diplomacy as one of the three pillars of South Korea's diplomatic strategy, alongside government diplomacy and public diplomacy. He has also created a Foreign Affairs and Security Office within the Speaker's office, in addition to the National Interest Diplomacy Advisory Committee. On September 7 and 8, he held talks with Vuong Dinh Hue, Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam, and Raymond Chretien, Speaker of the Senate of Canada, respectively, to enhance parliamentary diplomacy.Meanwhile, Cho has been expanding communication with the executive branch. Since his inauguration, he has met with Prime Minister Han Seung-soo, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Ku Yun-cheol, Minister of Science and ICT Baek Kyung-hoon, Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin, Minister of Planning and Budget Park Hong-keun, and Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeong-kwan to discuss key national issues and legislative and budget tasks.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-13 14:12:00
  • Uzbekistan bets on IT exports 10 years after scrapping dual exchange rate
    Uzbekistan bets on IT exports 10 years after scrapping dual exchange rate Until September 2017, any company operating in Uzbekistan had to pick one of two exchange rates, and neither option was good. The government set the official rate at about 4,200 som to the dollar. On the street, a dollar fetched close to 8,000. Foreign firms either took the loss at the official counter or broke the law at the unofficial one. That ended on Sept. 5, 2017, when the central bank stopped pegging the som and lifted limits on foreign currency purchases. The two rates merged at the higher level. It was the first major move by Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who took office in 2016 after the death of Islam Karimov, the country's only leader since independence. The numbers since then tell the rest. Gross domestic product passed $145 billion last year, foreign investment inflows reached $43.1 billion, and credit rating agencies moved the country up from BB- to BB. Geography works against anyone trying to sell Uzbek goods abroad. The country is one of only two in the world that is doubly landlocked, meaning every neighbor it borders is landlocked as well. Liechtenstein is the other. A container leaving Tashkent crosses at least two borders before it reaches a port. So the government bet on something that does not travel by ship. Digital Technologies Minister Sherzod Shermatov said information technology exports were worth less than $1 million in 2017 and now approach $1 billion. The target for 2030 is $5 billion. Companies based at IT Park, the Tashkent technology campus that offers tax breaks and easier hiring rules, exported $191.8 million in services in the first quarter of this year. A presidential decree issued last October set a target of 100 artificial intelligence projects running by the end of this year. South Korea has been part of this from early on. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety opened a Korea-Uzbekistan center for electronic government and the digital economy in Tashkent on Jan. 30, 2020, as agreed at a summit the previous April. Uzbekistan has since climbed 71 places in the World Bank GovTech Maturity Index and now sits in the global top 10. One door remains shut. Uzbekistan first applied to join the World Trade Organization in 1994, let it go dormant, and restarted the process only in 2020. At a working party meeting in July, the Uzbek delegation said again that it intends to finish the accession this year. 2026-09-13 14:05:10
  • Director Lee Chang-dong Reflects on Venice Film Festival Win
    Director Lee Chang-dong Reflects on Venice Film Festival Win 제83회 베니스국제영화제에서 넷플릭스 영화 '가능한 사랑'으로 은사자상(심사위원대상)을 품에 안은 이창동 감독이 영광의 순간을 뒤로하고 관객과의 만남에 대한 벅찬 기대감을 전했다. 이 감독은 시상식과 기자회견을 마친 직후이자 제51회 토론토국제영화제 참석을 위해 출국하기 전, 일문일답을 통해 24년 만의 베니스 귀환과 뜻깊은 수상에 대한 소회를 밝혔다. 먼저 이 감독은 은사자상 수상에 대해 "매우 기쁘고 감사하다"면서도 "황금사자상이 아니어서 실망하는 분들도 계신데, 저는 이것으로 충분하다고 생각한다"고 소신을 전했다. 이어 "상도 상이지만 이번에 베니스에서 '가능한 사랑'을 처음 공개하고 관객과 만났는데, 영화를 본 관객들의 표정과 얼굴들이 저한테는 더 중요하다"며 "그분들과 감정이 오고 가는 느낌이 제게 아주 큰 힘을 주는 것 같다"고 강조했다. 일정상 시상식에 함께하지 못하고 하루 이틀 먼저 토론토로 출국한 주연 배우들에 대한 애틋함과 고마움도 상세히 전했다. 이 감독은 "배우들이 이번 시상식에 같이 있지 못해서 섭섭하다"면서도 "아마 배우들이 토론토에서 동영상을 통해 시상식을 본 것 같다. 매우 기뻐했고 저와 문자를 나눴다"고 끈끈한 팀워크를 자랑했다. 그러면서 "배우들이 이 영화 속에서 보여준 앙상블에 대해 많은 분들이 칭찬을 해주셨다. 그런 점에서 우리 배우들이 매우 자랑스럽고 또 고맙다"고 깊은 애정을 드러냈다. 베니스영화제 소식에 촉각을 곤두세우며 응원을 보낸 한국 언론과 관객들에게도 각별한 인사를 남겼다. 이 감독은 "한국에 계신 많은 관객 여러분들께서 우리 영화가 어떤 반응을 얻게 될지 대단히 궁금해하며 지켜봐 주셨는데, 그 점에 대해 매우 감사하게 생각한다"고 말했다. 또한 "이제 처음으로 여기서 관객을 만나게 됐는데, 지금부터가 시작이라고 본다"며 "앞으로 얼마나 많은 관객과 만나서 영화를 통해 서로 소통하고, 이야기를 공유하며 공감하게 될지 굉장히 기대를 많이 하고 있다. 관객 여러분들을 만날 그 순간을 지금부터 기다리고 있다"고 설렘을 내비쳤다. 마지막으로 이 감독은 이번 수상의 의미에 대해 "저에게 큰 힘이 되고 격려가 됐다"며 창작자로서의 철학을 덧붙였다. 그는 "영화를 만들면서 항상 제가 만드는 영화가 저 자신에게도, 관객들에게도, 영화 그 자체로도 의미가 있기를 바란다"며 "이 영화가 앞으로 관객 여러분들에게 의미 있게 다가가기를 바라고, 이 상이 제게 그런 힘과 격려가 되어 주는 것 같다"고 갈음했다. 한편 '가능한 사랑'은 해고 노동자와 그의 아내, 그리고 다큐멘터리 감독과 그녀의 남편 등 두 부부가 다큐멘터리 제작을 위해 만나 서로 다른 삶과 숨은 욕망을 마주하는 이야기를 그린 이창동 감독의 8년 만의 신작이다. 한국 영화의 세계적 위상을 높인 이 작품은 오는 23일 국내 일부 극장에서 선개봉하며, 11월 6일 넷플릭스를 통해 전 세계에 공개된다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-13 14:04:00
  • Korea Eximbank Launches Productive Inclusive Finance for SMEs and Startups
    Korea Eximbank Launches 'Productive Inclusive Finance' for SMEs and Startups Korea Eximbank is launching its 'Productive Inclusive Finance' program to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups from inception to growth and recovery. On September 13, the bank announced the introduction of 'technology special loans,' which will assess companies based on their technological capabilities rather than credit ratings. These loans will be available for businesses with annual sales exceeding 2 billion won, with a maximum loan amount of 5 billion won and a repayment period of up to three years. For companies with export records that require urgent operating funds, the bank will offer 'rapid special loans' of up to 500 million won without credit evaluations, relying only on financial ratings and business execution capability assessments. These special loans will feature interest rates comparable to those for high-quality SMEs, with additional preferential rates for businesses located outside the capital region. To alleviate financial burdens, Korea Eximbank will make a special contribution to the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund, covering guarantee fees for companies utilizing guarantees for up to three years, with a total reduction of up to 3 percentage points. The two institutions plan to sign a related business agreement later this month. The bank will also enhance support for growth by linking investments and loans. It plans to establish venture funds targeting artificial intelligence (AI), advanced strategic industries, and K-culture, with plans to select a management company by December. Companies receiving investments from Korea Eximbank will also have access to a package that includes technology loans. For SMEs undergoing restructuring, the bank will expand support for recovery. It will reduce the interest rates on loans for companies that are diligently repaying their principal and interest to as low as 1% annually and will also write off 16.2 billion won in special bonds that have not been collected for an extended period. A Korea Eximbank official stated, "We will create an ecosystem that supports the entire growth process of SMEs and startups, from establishment to leap forward and re-challenge."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-13 14:04:00