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  • Krafton Achieves Record with 10 Papers Accepted at ICML 2026
    Krafton Achieves Record with 10 Papers Accepted at ICML 2026 Krafton has had 10 papers accepted at one of the world's leading artificial intelligence (AI) conferences, highlighting the recognition of its research in multimodal large language models (LLMs) and optimization techniques.On July 11, Krafton announced that it presented a total of 20 papers, including 10 in the main track and 10 in the workshop track, at the International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML) 2026, held at COEX in Seoul from July 6. ICML is considered one of the top three AI conferences globally, and Krafton has achieved its highest performance at these three major AI events.The accepted papers cover key research findings related to Krafton's foundation model, including world models, multimodal LLMs, preference learning, reasoning, and optimization.Krafton AI has been actively presenting its deep learning research papers at global AI conferences. In total, 85 papers from Krafton AI have been accepted at the three major conferences: NeurIPS, ICML, and ICLR.In December 2023, Krafton presented five main track papers at NeurIPS 2023, the highest number among domestic gaming companies and the third highest overall among international gaming firms.In 2024, Krafton presented a total of eight main track papers at ICLR, ICML, and NeurIPS. In 2025, the company presented 15 main track papers, and this year, it has published a total of 17 papers.Additionally, during ICML, Krafton hosted an AI networking event called 'AI for Games' to promote collaboration within the ecosystem at the intersection of gaming and AI.A Krafton representative stated, “We plan to take the lead in securing technological competitiveness that can contribute to actual games and serve as a catalyst for the expansion of the domestic gaming industry and AI ecosystem.”Meanwhile, Krafton is nurturing AI as a core growth driver for the next generation. The company has established a research and development system that spans from basic deep learning research to application in game services. It is pursuing a strategy to utilize AI research outcomes in game production, AI characters, and multimodal technologies.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-11 10:28:00
  • Kim Geon-hees Supreme Court Ruling on Deutsche Motors and Unification Church Bribery Set for July 16
    Kim Geon-hee's Supreme Court Ruling on Deutsche Motors and Unification Church Bribery Set for July 16 The Supreme Court is set to deliver its final ruling on Kim Geon-hee, who was sentenced to four years in prison in the second trial for charges including stock manipulation related to Deutsche Motors and bribery involving the Unification Church, on July 16. The key issue is whether the Supreme Court will uphold the second trial's decision, which expanded the scope of guilt regarding some stock manipulation charges and the bribery allegations.According to legal sources on July 11, the Supreme Court's second division, led by Justice Park Young-jae, will announce its ruling on Kim's appeal regarding violations of the Capital Markets Act, intermediary bribery under the Special Act, and violations of the Political Funds Act at 10:15 a.m. on July 16 in the Supreme Court's courtroom No. 1 in Seocho-gu, Seoul.This ruling will mark the first Supreme Court decision in Kim's case, coming 79 days after the second trial's verdict on April 28.The expedited handling of the case is in accordance with the Special Prosecutor's Act, which prioritizes cases filed by special prosecutors. The law mandates that the first trial be concluded within six months of the indictment, and the second trial and appeals must be decided within three months of the previous ruling.Kim is accused of participating in stock manipulation from October 2010 to December 2012 in collusion with former Deutsche Motors Chairman Kwon Oh-soo, using methods such as high-priced purchases, false transactions, and collusive trading. The special prosecutor's office estimates that Kim gained approximately 811.44 million won through these illegal activities.She is also accused of receiving expensive gifts in exchange for resolving issues for the Unification Church. From April to July 2022, Kim allegedly received gifts worth about 80 million won, including a Graff diamond necklace and a Chanel bag, through Jeon Seong-bae, known as 'Geon-jin Beopsa.'Additionally, she is charged with receiving approximately 27 million won worth of free political polling results from political broker Myung-tae Kyun in collusion with former President Yoon Suk-yeol.In the first trial, only some of the intermediary bribery charges related to the Unification Church were found guilty, resulting in a sentence of one year and eight months for Kim. The charges of stock manipulation related to Deutsche Motors and the violation of the Political Funds Act concerning the free polling were ruled not guilty.The second trial, however, overturned some of the first trial's not guilty verdicts regarding Deutsche Motors' stock manipulation. It also broadened the scope of guilt concerning the gifts received from the Unification Church.As a result, Kim's sentence was increased to four years in prison and a fine of 50 million won. The court also ordered the confiscation of the Graff necklace and the recovery of 20.94 million won.However, the charge of receiving free polling results from Myung-tae Kyun was upheld as not guilty in both the first and second trials.In the appeal, a key issue will be whether the second trial misinterpreted the law regarding Kim's collusion and involvement in the stock manipulation process. The court will also review whether there was a recognized connection and compensation between the gifts from the Unification Church and the requests made to Kim.If the Supreme Court finds no legal misinterpretation or procedural violations in the lower court's ruling, it will dismiss the appeals from Kim and the special prosecutor's office, confirming the four-year sentence. Conversely, if it identifies issues with the application of the law in the lower court's ruling, it may send the case back to the Seoul High Court for retrial.On the same day, the Supreme Court's second division, led by Justice Eom Sang-pil, will also hear the appeal of Kwon Seong-dong, a member of the People Power Party, who was sentenced to two years in prison in the first and second trials for receiving illegal political funds of 100 million won.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-11 10:12:00
  • Corruption Uncovered at Gangneung Yeongdong University and Shingu University
    Corruption Uncovered at Gangneung Yeongdong University and Shingu University The Ministry of Education's comprehensive financial audit revealed serious ethical breaches at some higher education institutions. At Gangneung Yeongdong University, the son of the effective controller engaged in what is termed 'self-promotion' and was found to have misappropriated educational assets. Similarly, Shingu University was found to have misused school funds to operate a vehicle designated for the president and engaged in improper contracting practices, resulting in multiple sanctions.Gangneung Yeongdong University: Cancellations of Executive Appointments and Criminal ReferralAccording to the Ministry of Education's report on the 'Comprehensive Audit of Hyun Song Educational Foundation and Gangneung Yeongdong University' released on July 10, 31 violations were identified, leading to disciplinary actions against 49 individuals, including four who faced severe penalties. A financial recovery of 193.02 million won was also ordered. The privatization of the foundation was particularly alarming. Q, a 9th-grade employee and son of the foundation's effective controller C, approved his own appointment to the position of planning director, equivalent to a 5th-grade rank, and C subsequently approved this, granting him a salary increase of 44 million won. Additionally, C unlawfully transferred a riding school acquired in the name of the foundation to a company he controls without board approval or permission from the relevant authorities. He then arranged for the university to pay 149.9 million won in rent and usage fees to that company from school funds. It was also revealed that 29.55 billion won of compensation received from the integration of educational assets into public projects was held in the foundation's account for 23 months without being deposited into the school fund. Other ethical breaches by unqualified staff were also uncovered. After receiving a development fund, employee D manipulated donor signatures to create a performance bonus regulation, resulting in an improper payment of 9 million won. Furthermore, an employee who was recommended for dismissal due to student harassment was quietly rehired after being let go without any disciplinary action. The university's academic and administrative management was found to be severely lacking. In a special admissions process for international students, 376 applicants were admitted without submitting required documents such as proof of Korean language proficiency or academic records. Two assistant professors were promoted to associate professors without proper evaluations. Contracts were also awarded to ineligible companies during government-funded projects like HiVE and LINC3.0, with excessive payments made for construction costs.Shingu University: School Funds Misused for President's Vehicle and Favoritism in ContractsThe same day, the 'Financial Audit Results of Shingu Educational Foundation and Shingu University' revealed nine instances of misconduct, resulting in warnings and cautions for 13 individuals. A financial recovery of 6.32 million won was also mandated. Shingu University was found to have used two vehicles purchased with school funds as the president's personal cars, with maintenance costs, including fuel and insurance totaling 10.63 million won, also drawn from the school budget. The management and accounting of the foundation's profit-making enterprises were also scrutinized. The university awarded contracts worth a total of 290 million won to a profit-making entity under the foundation without following bidding procedures, despite the items exceeding 20 million won. This entity, which operates a campus café, also paid 28 million won in wages to its employees without clear payment standards. Additionally, wasteful budget execution was identified. During five overseas trips for benchmarking a botanical garden, local vehicle rentals were paid in full without any deductions for daily allowances, totaling 2.39 million won. Furthermore, when hiring new staff, specific employees were given salary adjustments based on past contract work without objective criteria, undermining fairness in personnel and accounting operations.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-11 10:12:00
  • MIKTA Youth Leaders Camp Focuses on Climate Change Solutions
    MIKTA Youth Leaders Camp Focuses on Climate Change Solutions MIKTA, a regional consultative group formed in September 2013 during the 68th UN General Assembly, includes South Korea, Mexico, Indonesia, Turkey, and Australia, aiming to enhance global governance. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the '2026 MIKTA Young Leaders' Camp' from July 8 to 10, inviting 30 university and graduate students from MIKTA member countries. This year's camp focused on 'climate action,' a key agenda for Australia, the current chair of MIKTA. Participants successfully completed a three-day program that included expert lectures, a mock MIKTA Foreign Ministers' meeting, a communication event with the MIKTA diplomatic corps in South Korea, and field studies. In his opening remarks on July 8, Jang Wook-jin, Director-General for Global Multilateral Diplomacy, emphasized the necessity of fresh and creative perspectives from youth in addressing global issues. Former UN Ambassador Oh Joon and Professor Kang Sun-joo from the National Diplomatic Academy delivered lectures on 'The Role of Youth in Multilateralism' and 'MIKTA in a Geopolitical Era,' respectively. On July 9, participants explored climate change responses during the mock MIKTA Foreign Ministers' meeting and issued a joint declaration. Additionally, the communication event with the MIKTA diplomatic corps allowed participants to reaffirm the significance and values of MIKTA while freely asking questions about the life of diplomats. On July 10, Choi Won-seok, Director of International Organizations and the Atomic Energy Agency, awarded the Minister of Foreign Affairs Prize to the best team during the closing ceremony, expressing hope that participants learned the spirit of cooperation and coexistence through the camp. After the ceremony, participants visited the DMZ to experience the value of peace amid the history of the Korean Peninsula's division. A participant remarked, 'This camp provided a valuable opportunity to discuss climate change responses, a common challenge facing the international community, through the framework of MIKTA, and to strengthen bonds as the next generation of leaders for MIKTA.' The MIKTA Young Leaders' Camp, held annually since 2016, facilitates academic, cultural, and personal exchanges among MIKTA youth aspiring to be future leaders, significantly contributing to sharing MIKTA's values with future generations and promoting private sector cooperation within MIKTA. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-11 10:12:00
  • Jang Dong-hyuk Takes to the Streets: A Political Breakthrough?
    Jang Dong-hyuk Takes to the Streets: A Political Breakthrough? Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is intensifying his outdoor activities. Following his participation in a rally at Olympic Park, he plans to tour the country, including Busan, Gwangju, and Daegu, to campaign for public support ahead of by-elections. This move comes as he faces pressure to resign due to accountability for the June 3 local elections, raising questions about whether this strategy could serve as a political breakthrough.According to political sources, Jang will visit Busan on July 12 to hold a meeting with young people regarding the voting rights deprivation incident and attend a related rally that will be held in writing.Jang's first outdoor activity outside of Seoul's Songpa Olympic Park took place in Incheon. On July 8, he visited Incheon to discuss the shortage of ballots with young voters and participated in a protest rally at Guro Rodeo Square in Namdong-gu.He stated, "The local election voting has ended, but the local election is not over yet. The root of this issue ultimately lies with President Lee Jae-myung, who is at the top of the accountability chain, and the accomplice is the Democratic Party of Korea."He added, "I thought a new beginning was necessary for the voices from Olympic Park to spread nationwide. I plan to visit Busan, Gwangju, and then Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province." Accordingly, Jang intends to engage in a nationwide campaign.However, Jang's outdoor activities have drawn criticism from within his party. Lawmaker Han Gi-ho pointed out on KBS Radio that "the party leader acting independently could lead to political isolation," while lawmaker Kim Jae-seop remarked on Channel A's YouTube program Political Signal that "the very act of being outside shows that Jang's political standing is quite narrow and that his range of activities is extremely skewed."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-11 10:12:00
  • U.S. demands Iran publicly halt attacks on Hormuz shipping
    U.S. demands Iran publicly halt attacks on Hormuz shipping SEOUL, July 11 (AJP) - The United States is demanding that Iran publicly declare it will stop attacking commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz and reopen all shipping lanes without transit fees, senior U.S. officials said Friday. According to Reuters and Axios, the officials made the comments during a background briefing with a small group of reporters, saying recent talks with Iran had been “productive” but that Washington expected Tehran to take visible steps to de-escalate tensions. “What we are asking for is a public statement that all waterways in the Strait of Hormuz are open and that they will no longer fire on vessels,” one U.S. official was quoted as saying. “If they do not make such a statement, the outcome will not be good for them.” The official said Washington wants Iran to publicly acknowledge that it will stop firing on ships and, either explicitly or implicitly, admit that the recent attacks were a mistake. The official also said Iran should declare that all routes through the strait are open and that no transit fees will be imposed. “President Trump has instructed us to talk,” the official said. “But as the president has made clear, if they continue firing on vessels or take other hostile actions, we will retaliate.” One official described the situation inside Iran as a power struggle between hard-liners and officials who favor negotiations with the Trump administration over the implementation of a ceasefire memorandum of understanding and the next stage of talks. The officials also said any nuclear agreement with Iran would depend on Tehran handing over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the United States. Iran is believed to hold more than 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium. They said Washington expects Iran to issue a statement after a meeting between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi in Muscat on Sunday. The United States and Iran signed a ceasefire memorandum of understanding on June 17, agreeing to discuss the suspension of Iran’s nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions during a 60-day ceasefire period. But the talks have effectively broken down after Iran attacked commercial vessels using routes near the coast of Oman rather than shipping lanes designated by Tehran in the Strait of Hormuz, leading to renewed military clashes between the two countries. Trump formally declared an end to the ceasefire Thursday, while Iran responded by saying there would be “no surrender,” raising fears of further escalation in one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints. 2026-07-11 10:10:48
  • Private University Budgets Surge 12.3% Amid Semiconductor Revenue Boom
    Private University Budgets Surge 12.3% Amid Semiconductor Revenue Boom 2025 marked the beginning of a trend of tuition increases at private universities, coupled with significant government financial support, leading to a historic milestone this year as the total budget for private universities in South Korea surpassed 76 trillion won for the first time.According to the "2026 Budget Analysis for Private Universities (including Junior Colleges)" released by the Korea Foundation for the Promotion of Private School Education on July 10, the total budget for private universities nationwide reached 76.3263 trillion won, a 12.3% increase from last year’s 67.9482 trillion won.The core budget for university finances, the general fund, increased by 5.8% to 26.9328 trillion won. Among the revenue sources, tuition and fees accounted for the largest share at 14.2622 trillion won, up 6.2% from the previous year. Additionally, government subsidies, bolstered by initiatives like the Glocal University 30 and the Anchor (formerly RISE) project, rose by 10.4% to 5.7604 trillion won. The budget for industry-academia cooperation, which reflects the universities' research capabilities, also saw a significant increase of 14.4%, reaching 11.6461 trillion won, driving overall budget growth.However, this apparent growth masks a serious structural financial crisis. Universities, hit hard by declining school-age populations, are unable to cover even the minimum fixed costs, such as staff salaries and building maintenance, despite fully utilizing their tuition revenue. Notably, over 60% of total tuition revenue is concentrated in universities located in the capital region, forcing non-capital region universities to invest more in education to attract students.The disparity in tuition revenue between capital and non-capital region universities is stark. This year, private universities generated a total tuition revenue (excluding fees) of 13.5023 trillion won, with capital region universities (65 institutions) accounting for 6.8963 trillion won, or 62.0% of the total. In contrast, non-capital region universities (89 institutions) garnered only 4.2348 trillion won, or 38.0%.Notably, the rate of increase in total educational investment (including salaries, research, student expenses, and industry-academia cooperation) is significant. This year, total educational investment for private universities reached 31.7307 trillion won, an 8.0% increase from the previous year. For general universities, non-capital region institutions saw an educational investment increase of 8.8% (10.4040 trillion won), surpassing the capital region's increase of 7.4% (16.3131 trillion won). Junior colleges also experienced a higher increase in non-capital regions (8.9%) compared to the capital region (7.5%). This suggests that non-capital region universities, facing a decline in school-age populations, are prioritizing educational investments for scholarships and improving educational environments to attract students.A breakdown of expenditures reveals the vulnerability of university financial structures. This year, staff salaries accounted for the largest share of the private university general fund at 10.3159 trillion won, representing 38.3% of the budget, but the increase was managed at a stable rate of 3.3%. In contrast, operational costs, including maintenance and utilities, rose by 6.0%, while research and student expenses, including scholarships, increased by 7.3%. Expenditures on assets and liabilities, such as land and building acquisitions, surged by 10.1%.The combined minimum fixed costs, including salaries and operational expenses, reached 13.9387 trillion won, exceeding the net tuition revenue of 13.5023 trillion won by 103.2%. This indicates that tuition alone is insufficient to cover the basic operational costs of universities. In response to government initiatives encouraging the use of reserve funds, universities have increased withdrawals from their reserves for comprehensive educational improvements, including 5.772 trillion won for construction funds.The analysis underscores that recent tuition increases at private universities are not merely for financial accumulation but are a necessary choice for survival. Without efforts to secure additional resources through government subsidies or donations (both up by 5.0%) and other income from the Ministry of Education, normal operations are unsustainable.While the secured resources are being directed toward enhancing student benefits and educational quality, such as increasing research and student expenses (up 7.3%) and expanding educational investments (up 8.0%), the ongoing concentration of tuition revenue in capital region universities poses a significant risk to the financial viability of non-capital region institutions.Hwang In-sung, Secretary General of the Korean Council of Private University Presidents, stated, "We should not rely solely on uniform government financial support programs. Considering the rapid inflation and the financial limitations of universities, the current tuition increase regulation policy needs to be re-evaluated. It is urgent to relax regulations to allow universities to autonomously adjust tuition and manage funds transparently, while also developing diverse financial support measures for non-capital region universities."Hwang further emphasized the need to explore ways to utilize excess tax revenue from the semiconductor boom for higher education, suggesting the establishment of a future response fund to invest in the next generation, including youth and local talent, directly supporting graduate programs and research personnel in advanced fields such as AI, semiconductors, and biotechnology by breaking down funding barriers.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-11 10:08:00
  • Ongoing Controversy Over Huons and Huons Lab Merger Amid Regulatory Uncertainty
    Ongoing Controversy Over Huons and Huons Lab Merger Amid Regulatory Uncertainty Huons Group's proposed merger of Huons and Huons Lab has become mired in controversy due to opposition from minority shareholders and increasing regulatory scrutiny from financial authorities regarding dual listings. The company cites the need to enhance research and development capabilities as the rationale for the merger, but Huons Global's common shareholders are raising concerns about the structural issue of core unlisted assets being transferred to a listed entity.According to industry sources, Huons' board of directors resolved in May to absorb its unlisted subsidiary Huons Lab, announcing plans to strengthen R&D and expand its competitiveness in the bio sector. However, minority shareholders of Huons Global have opposed the merger, arguing that it represents a transfer of key growth assets to a listed company and an attempt to avoid dual listing regulations. They have demanded reviews and investigations from the Financial Supervisory Service and the stock exchange, leading to ongoing disputes.The situation has become more complicated in light of the financial authorities' recent announcement to strengthen regulations on dual listings. On July 6, the Financial Services Commission and the Korea Exchange released detailed criteria prohibiting dual listings and allowing exceptions, stating that asymmetrical dual listings that do not consider the rights of common shareholders will be strictly prohibited.Under these new guidelines, boards of directors of parent companies pursuing dual listings are required to fulfill five obligations: assessing shareholder impact, establishing shareholder protection measures, confirming shareholder communication or consent, voting on the board's approval or disapproval, and notifying subsidiaries, along with phased disclosures. Additionally, an independent special committee must be established to conduct prior reviews and decisions, and the so-called '3% rule' for shareholder consent will be mandatory for listings of material division subsidiaries.Analysts predict that the merger between Huons and Huons Lab will inevitably be affected by these developments. The key factor determining the merger's outcome will likely be the level of shareholder protection measures the company presents during the review process.Indeed, Huons Global had initially planned to hold a temporary shareholders' meeting to gather opinions on the merger with Huons Lab but postponed it last month. The company announced that it decided to delay the meeting following the release of the dual listing guidelines. Industry insiders believe that the application of the '3% rule' and the procedures for protecting common shareholders contributed to the schedule adjustment.Distrust among minority shareholders remains high. Some investors have already raised questions about the company's intentions, citing stock price fluctuations since the merger announcement.Industry experts believe the success of the merger ultimately hinges on the company's ability to persuade shareholders. Simply citing R&D enhancement as a justification may not be enough to alleviate minority shareholders' concerns. Key variables will include the fairness of the merger ratio, the method of future value distribution, and the provision of specific shareholder protection measures such as performance-linked stock allocations, compensation, or additional dividend promises, along with procedural transparency.Another variable is the review process for the securities registration statement and the stock exchange's judgment regarding the listing. Financial authorities and the exchange are likely to closely examine whether the rights of common shareholders are being compromised, which could lead to additional requests for improvements or delays in the review process, potentially postponing the merger timeline. In such a case, the company may need to reassess the initially proposed merger scenario or present supplementary measures.The Huons case is expected to serve as a litmus test for how conflicts surrounding corporate governance restructuring and the transfer of subsidiary value unfold in the pharmaceutical and bio sectors. An industry insider stated, "As regulations regarding dual listings are being refined, companies must prepare more sophisticated shareholder protection designs and transparent communication to maintain investor trust."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-11 10:08:00
  • Kim Min-seok and Song Young-gil Target Gyeonggi and Honam as Jung Cheong-raes Candidacy Approaches
    Kim Min-seok and Song Young-gil Target Gyeonggi and Honam as Jung Cheong-rae's Candidacy Approaches Kim Min-seok, former Prime Minister, and Song Young-gil, a member of the National Assembly, who have declared their candidacies for the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, will visit Gyeonggi and Honam, respectively, on July 11 to connect with voters. Additionally, Jung Cheong-rae's candidacy appears to be imminent.Kim will visit Yongin in the morning and Seongnam in the afternoon. Notably, Seongnam is the political hometown of President Lee Jae-myung, which is expected to highlight Kim's alignment with the pro-Lee faction. He will also hold a youth forum, aiming to engage the 2030 generation amid a recent decline in youth support for the party.Meanwhile, Song plans to hold a meeting with the Traditional Market Association in Iksan, North Jeolla Province, in the morning and visit local markets. In the afternoon, he will conduct a town hall meeting with party members in Iksan to strengthen communication. Honam is significant, as it is home to about 30% of the party's active members, which could influence the outcome of the party convention.The upcoming party convention is scheduled for August 17 in Daejeon. In addition to Kim and Song, lawmakers Ko Min-jeong and former Gangjin County Council Chair Kim Bo-mi have also announced their candidacies.There are speculations that Kim and Song, both aligned with the pro-Lee faction, may unite to counter Jung, who is seen as a strong candidate. Recently, tensions have escalated between the pro-Lee and pro-Chung factions within the party.Furthermore, predictions suggest that Jung's candidacy is imminent. Candidate registration will take place over two days starting on the 16th, and he is expected to announce his candidacy soon.Jung has been actively positioning himself as a candidate, having attended the Jeonbuk Provincial Party Committee's executive meeting the previous day. At this event, he and Kim engaged in a verbal exchange, each asserting their qualifications for the party leadership.Kim remarked, "There were pains and conflicts during the process of winning the 6.3 local elections," to which Jung responded, "As far as I remember, Jeonbuk won the most significantly. We elected a metropolitan mayor and won in 14 local governments. All regional council members were elected in their districts with 100% success."The Democratic Party expelled former Jeonbuk Governor Kim Kwan-young immediately after allegations of bribery surfaced during the local election primaries. However, Kim opposed this decision and ran as an independent. In contrast, former Jeonbuk Governor Lee Won-taek completed the primary despite facing allegations of covering meal expenses and defeated lawmaker Ahn Ho-young. Ahn later protested the party's internal investigation into Lee, which he deemed insufficient, leading him to engage in a hunger strike that resulted in his hospitalization.This situation has raised concerns about fairness within the party. There are suspicions that Jung's influence may have played a role in the disciplinary discussions regarding Lee, who is aligned with the pro-Chung faction, while Kim and Ahn are associated with the pro-Lee faction.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-11 10:08:00
  • Celebrities Choose D.H. Bangbae: Reviving Bangbaes Reputation?
    Celebrities Choose 'D.H. Bangbae': Reviving Bangbae's Reputation? Bangbae-dong, a prominent residential area in Gangnam, is undergoing a major transformation with the large-scale reconstruction of 'D.H. Bangbae.' Set to welcome residents in September, this development features specialized landscaping and hotel-quality community amenities, comprising a total of 3,064 units. The absence of a residency requirement has heightened interest, especially after news broke that An Yujin, a member of the girl group IVE, secured a unit in the general sale.During a press tour held by Hyundai Engineering & Construction on July 10, the D.H. Bangbae complex showcased its striking entrance and central walkway adorned with unique landscaping, including stone mountains, water features, and large trees.The D.H. Bangbae project, which is a reconstruction of the Bangbae 5 district, consists of 29 buildings with four basement levels and rises up to 33 stories. Pre-move-in inspections for residents are scheduled from July 11 to 13, with actual move-ins commencing in September.The standout feature of the development is its landscaping, designed under the concept of 'Royal Botanic.' Hyundai has planted large trees, including a 500-year-old apricot tree sourced from Hamyang and metasequoia trees. A 340-meter-long stone mountain has been created along the central walkway, complemented by media facades and sculptures.Community facilities are concentrated in the heart of the complex. The 'The H Lounge' will host cultural programs for residents, featuring lectures and classes in collaboration with Hyundai Department Store.The indoor swimming pool is designed with five lanes, while the cinema is equipped with recliner seating and a large screen. The top-floor sky lounge offers views of Namsan and the Lotte World Tower.Notably, the design of the complex takes advantage of the site's topography. While elevation changes are often seen as a limitation in reconstruction projects, D.H. Bangbae has utilized these changes to enhance community space.A representative from Hyundai explained, "Some areas on the first floor are legally recognized as basement levels, which are not included in the floor area ratio. This allowed us to secure approximately two pyeong of community space per unit."The penthouses on the top floor feature a 164㎡ layout with a ceiling height of 2.7 meters and two entrance doors for potential unit separation. The design incorporates the premium German kitchen brand Leicht, along with hidden doors and terraces.Smart home features were also demonstrated. When a sales representative said, "Okay, Selly, I'm home," the living room lights turned on, and the homecoming mode activated. Residents can control lighting brightness, receive weather updates, and check visitors via voice commands. This feature is standard across all units, not an optional add-on.However, the D.H. Bangbae's appeal extends beyond its features; the lack of a residency requirement is a significant draw. Although the price ceiling system applies, the initial sale price was deemed not lower than the surrounding market rates, resulting in no residency obligation for general buyers.This means residents can rent out their units immediately upon moving in, and numerous rental listings have already appeared at nearby real estate agencies. Industry experts predict that the simultaneous move-in of 3,064 units will significantly impact the rental market in Bangbae-dong and the surrounding Seocho District. 2026-07-11 10:08:00