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President Lee: 'I Will Never Abandon Reform Goals and Values' President Lee Jae-myung stated on September 12 that he has "never abandoned the goals and values of reform," but acknowledged that excessive and rapid reform processes could provoke backlash and resistance. He emphasized the need to maintain the direction of reform while achieving effective results based on public consensus and procedures. On this day, President Lee quoted a post by Park Tae-hoon, head of the Youth Research Institute, evaluating his commitment to reform, saying, "There is not a single incorrect statement in your remarks." He highlighted that whether it was the 25-year-old Lee Jae-myung who abandoned a career as a judge and prosecutor to become a human rights lawyer or the current Lee Jae-myung in 2026, who is striving to lead South Korea toward a new hope as an 'irreplaceable Korea,' his dreams of a 'world of mutual support' and 'a world where we live together' have not changed. President Lee remarked, "Reform is more difficult than revolution," noting that history is replete with unfortunate examples where the excesses and speed of revolutionary fervor led to counter-revolutionary misfortunes. He added that reform must be as empathetic as possible, delicate, and procedural, minimizing pain and resistance while proving its effectiveness. He specifically warned against the competition for clarity within the reform camp. President Lee cautioned that one must be wary of radical agitation that exploits the pure aspirations of some for revolutionary change, as it can lead to resistance and backlash. He stated, "Ultimately, this can hinder reform and provoke a backlash, and the greatest obstacle to reform is the obstruction of reform in the name of reform." He also emphasized the importance of responsibility that comes with authority. President Lee said, "When there is no authority, there is no responsibility, and the harm of irresponsible claims is not significant, but when one has authority, they must bear infinite responsibility." Furthermore, he noted, "The election that determines who will represent everyone is different from a war that decides who will take everything. Public office should be for the service of all." President Lee stressed the principle of public personnel appointments based on ability and responsibility, stating, "To appoint someone who is incompetent and corrupt simply because they are close is a shortcut to failure and an attitude of a conqueror, not a representative." He acknowledged that during the process of good change, or reform, the resistance and pain from those deprived of benefits due to change are significant, while the support and empathy from those who benefit are minimal. He remarked, "Reform inevitably comes with backlash, but without reform, there is no backlash." President Lee concluded by expressing his hope that everyone can move together toward a self-reliant, peaceful, and safe nation that is democratic, equitable, and inclusive in its growth. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-12 18:56:00 -
Which Lotto Numbers Have Not Appeared Recently? Insights Ahead of Draw 1241 As the 1241st Lotto draw approaches, attention is turning to numbers that have not appeared in recent winning combinations.The winning numbers for the 1240th Lotto draw, held on September 5, were 11, 13, 19, 20, 31, and 44, with a bonus number of 27. There were 16 first-place winners, each receiving 1.79 billion won.Looking at the last five draws (1236 to 1240), the numbers that did not appear at all include 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, 35, 39, 41, 43, and 45. This is based on a simple tally of the winning numbers during that period.Expanding the analysis to the last ten draws, the numbers 5, 9, 16, 17, 26, 28, 30, 41, and 45 have not appeared as winning numbers.Some users are examining Lotto statistics to identify 'long-absent numbers.'However, the fact that a specific number has not appeared for an extended period does not increase its chances of being drawn. The Lotto 6/45 format requires players to match six numbers from a pool of 1 to 45, and each combination has an equal probability. Therefore, past occurrences of a number do not predict its likelihood of appearing in future draws.The 1241st Lotto draw will take place today. The winning numbers will be determined through the draw, and the official results can be checked afterward through the Lotto website.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-12 18:48:00
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Free Flu Vaccinations Begin Next Week, Starting with These Groups The national vaccination program for influenza in preparation for this winter will begin next week. This year, the age limit for free vaccinations for children has been expanded from 13 to 14 years, allowing support for students up to the second year of middle school.According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the national influenza vaccination program for 2026-2027 will run from September 21 to April 30, 2027. The free vaccination targets children, pregnant women, and seniors aged 65 and older.The first group to receive vaccinations will be children who require two doses and pregnant women.Starting September 21, children aged 6 months to under 9 years who are receiving the influenza vaccine for the first time, those whose vaccination history is unknown, or those who have received only one dose by June 30, 2026, will be eligible for two doses. Pregnant women will also begin vaccinations on the same day.On September 28, vaccinations for children requiring one dose will commence. This season, the age range for children eligible for national vaccination support has been expanded to include those from 6 months to 14 years old. Specifically, children born between January 1, 2012, and August 31, 2026, are eligible.Seniors aged 65 and older will have a later start date for vaccinations. Those aged 75 and older can begin receiving vaccinations on October 12, followed by those aged 70-74 on October 15, and those aged 65-69 on October 19. The target group includes individuals born before December 31, 1961.This year, a trivalent influenza vaccine containing all virus strains recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) will be used. Vaccinations can be received at designated medical institutions or public health centers nationwide, regardless of residence, but individuals should confirm the availability of vaccines at their chosen facility before visiting.There are approximately 23,000 designated medical institutions across the country, and individuals can find nearby facilities through the vaccination assistance website.Additionally, COVID-19 vaccinations for seniors aged 65 and older will also begin on October 12, following the same schedule. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency recommends simultaneous vaccination for influenza and COVID-19.The agency emphasized that influenza vaccinations are an effective means to reduce hospitalizations and deaths from flu among children, pregnant women, and seniors, urging active participation from the newly included 14-year-old school-age adolescents.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-12 18:24:00
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Samsung finds a 'Tim Cook' who switched to Galaxy in latest Apple jab SEOUL, September 12 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics has found a Tim Cook who switched to Galaxy — just not the one running Apple. Samsung New Zealand said in a social media campaign that "Tim Cook has switched to Samsung," before clarifying that it was referring to a man from Palmerston North, New Zealand, rather than the former Apple chief executive. "A familiar name has made a new move," Samsung New Zealand said in a post, describing the Galaxy Z8 series as compelling enough to persuade users to switch regardless of their name. Cook, the New Zealander, said he had been considering the switch for some time. "Yeah, I've moved on. It felt like the right time," he said, calling his new Galaxy "the best phone I've ever had." Samsung extended the joke in a promotional video for the Galaxy Z Fold8. "Tim Cook has an announcement. And for once, it's about Galaxy," Samsung said, introducing him as "Tim Cook, Palmerston North" alongside the #SwitchToGalaxy hashtag. The campaign is deliberately tongue-in-cheek, but Samsung New Zealand said it was also intended to highlight what it described as a broader shift among local consumers. "While this campaign is tongue-in-cheek, the consumer trend behind it is real," Shannon Watts of Samsung New Zealand said. Watts said the company was seeing more New Zealand consumers switch to Samsung in search of greater flexibility and a different smartphone experience. The campaign landed as competition between Samsung and Apple moves into a new phase following Apple's entry into the foldable smartphone market. Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo, its first foldable smartphone, on Sept. 9, challenging Samsung in a category the South Korean company entered with the original Galaxy Fold in 2019. Samsung launched its latest Galaxy Z lineup this summer, including the Galaxy Z Fold8, Fold8 Ultra and Flip8. Samsung said global preorders for the new Galaxy Z series increased more than 30 percent from the previous generation. Samsung has used Apple's foldable debut as an opportunity to revive its long-running marketing rivalry with the iPhone maker, with several of its overseas operations posting advertisements and social media messages poking fun at Apple's later arrival to the category. The New Zealand campaign takes a different approach, turning the name of one of the most recognizable figures associated with Apple into the punchline: Tim Cook really did switch to Galaxy — just not that Tim Cook. AJP Takeaways - Samsung Mobile New Zealand recruited a local man named Tim Cook to promote the Galaxy Z Fold8, using his shared name with Apple's CEO as part of its latest social media campaign. - The campaign follows Apple's unveiling of its first foldable iPhone, extending an online rivalry between the two smartphone makers over who pioneered the foldable form factor. - Samsung entered the foldable smartphone market in 2019 and has repeatedly used social media to portray Apple's new iPhone Duo as a late arrival to the category. 2026-09-12 17:54:31 -
President Lee Celebrates Arrival of Arctic Route Test Voyage in the UK President Lee Jae-myung congratulated the crew of the Panstar Acro, the first South Korean container ship to embark on a test voyage along the Arctic route, upon its arrival in the United Kingdom. On September 12, President Lee expressed his gratitude on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "I extend my congratulations and thanks to Captain Seong-myeon and the crew for opening the historic first path along the Arctic route. I hope for the safe return of the Panstar Acro and the successful development of the Arctic route." He also shared a post from Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo, encouraging the citizens of Busan, saying, "I support the dream of Busan as a maritime capital and the full-scale development of the Arctic route." President Lee emphasized, "As promised, I will accelerate efforts and support to advance the era of the Arctic route and the maritime capital of Busan." The Panstar Acro departed from Busan on August 22, entered the Arctic Ocean on August 31, and exited that section on September 9. It arrived at its first port of call, Felixstowe in the UK, around 5 a.m. on September 12, 21 days after its departure. The Panstar Acro is scheduled to return to Busan via the Arctic route after visiting major European ports. The government plans to review the commercial viability of the Arctic route connecting Asia and Europe based on the navigation experience and data gathered during this test voyage, and will pursue the development of related infrastructure.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-12 17:48:00
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Weather Forecast: Cloudy Nationwide with Temperature Variations Up to 15 Degrees On Sunday, September 13, the weather across the country will be mostly cloudy, with the capital region and Gangwon Province remaining overcast until the morning. The temperature difference between day and night is expected to reach up to 15 degrees Celsius in inland areas.According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the country will be under the influence of a high-pressure system located over the East Sea. The capital region and Gangwon Province will experience cloudy conditions in the morning, while other areas will see occasional clouds.From late dawn to morning, light raindrops of less than 0.1 mm are expected in Seoul, Incheon, northern Gyeonggi Province, and central and northern Gangwon Province. In the mountainous areas of Jeju Island, rainfall of 5 to 10 mm is anticipated from the afternoon into the night.Morning low temperatures are forecasted to range from 12 to 21 degrees Celsius, while daytime highs are expected to be between 23 and 31 degrees. Although temperatures will be similar to the seasonal average, the significant day-night temperature variation of 10 to 15 degrees in inland areas may require attention to health management.Key morning low temperatures include: Seoul 18 degrees, Incheon 19 degrees, Suwon 17 degrees, Chuncheon 15 degrees, Gangneung 16 degrees, Daejeon 16 degrees, Cheongju 17 degrees, Gwangju 19 degrees, Jeonju 18 degrees, Busan 21 degrees, Ulsan 19 degrees, Daegu 17 degrees, and Jeju 22 degrees.Expected daytime high temperatures are: Seoul 25 degrees, Incheon 25 degrees, Suwon 25 degrees, Chuncheon 23 degrees, Gangneung 26 degrees, Daejeon 28 degrees, Cheongju 27 degrees, Gwangju 30 degrees, Jeonju 28 degrees, Busan 29 degrees, Ulsan 29 degrees, Daegu 30 degrees, and Jeju 27 degrees.From early dawn to morning, areas in southern Chungcheong Province, eastern North Jeolla Province, inland South Jeolla Province, inland North Gyeongsang Province, and western inland South Gyeongsang Province may experience fog with visibility of less than 1 km. Roads near rivers, lakes, and valleys may have denser fog, necessitating caution for traffic safety.Fine dust levels are expected to be at 'good' to 'moderate' levels across all regions due to favorable atmospheric dispersion.Waves in the East Sea and South Sea are expected to be 0.5 to 1.0 meters, while waves in the West Sea will be around 0.5 meters. In the offshore areas, wave heights are forecasted to be 0.5 to 1.5 meters in the East Sea and South Sea, and 0.5 to 1.0 meters in the West Sea.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-12 17:28:00
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AI boom breathes new life into mature chips as DB HiTek orders surge SEOUL, September 12 (AJP) - South Korean foundry DB HiTek is emerging as a beneficiary of tightening supplies of mature semiconductors, as booming demand from China's artificial intelligence data centers and robotics industry strains global 8-inch chip production capacity. Customer demand for DB HiTek's foundry services has risen to roughly twice its available production capacity, according to DS Investment & Securities, adding to its order backlog and strengthening expectations for further price increases. The surge underscores how the global AI boom is spreading beyond cutting-edge processors and high-bandwidth memory to mature chips used for power management and other applications. Unlike advanced chips typically manufactured on 12-inch wafers, many mature semiconductors continue to rely on 8-inch production lines. Supply has become increasingly constrained as leading foundries including Taiwan's TSMC and Samsung Electronics concentrate investment on more advanced 12-inch production, while demand for power semiconductors used in AI data centers and robots grows, particularly in China. DB HiTek's factories are operating at full capacity, according to KB Securities, which expects higher utilization and previous foundry price increases to bolster the company's earnings. DB HiTek raised prices by around 5 percent in the first half of the year and implemented an additional 10 percent increase for Chinese customers for orders entering production from July 1, according to estimates from DS Investment & Securities. The July increase is expected to begin feeding into revenue from October and gradually lift the company's average selling price in the second half. Further increases could follow. KB Securities expects DB HiTek to implement a third price hike before the end of this year and two more increases next year as the imbalance between 8-inch foundry supply and demand deepens. DS Investment & Securities said DB HiTek has already secured price increases of at least 15 percent this year and sees the possibility of another increase around December. "Supply and demand for 8-inch capacity are tightening rapidly across product categories, and DB HiTek's excess orders are greater than those of its competitors," DS Investment & Securities analyst Lee Soo-rim said. Lee said customers have also become less resistant to higher prices as rivals raise their own rates, citing capacity constraints at China's SMIC and price increases by Texas Instruments. The tightening market is also raising expectations for stronger earnings. DB HiTek is projected to post third-quarter revenue of 418 billion won ($302 million) and operating profit of 117 billion won, up 11.6 percent and 45.2 percent from a year earlier, respectively, according to consensus estimates compiled by FnGuide. For the full year, KB Securities projects revenue of 1.60 trillion won and operating profit of 424.2 billion won, representing increases of 15 percent and 53 percent, respectively. The improving outlook has already been reflected in DB HiTek's shares. The stock climbed 21 percent between Sept. 1 and Sept. 10, rising from 95,000 won to 115,200 won. DB HiTek is also scheduled to cancel 592,000 treasury shares, equivalent to about 1.3 percent of its outstanding shares, in the second half of this year, adding to expectations for shareholder returns. AJP Takeaways - Demand for DB HiTek's 8-inch foundry capacity has reached roughly twice its available production capacity as AI data centers and robotics fuel demand for mature and power semiconductors, according to DS Investment & Securities. - Tightening supply has strengthened DB HiTek's pricing power, with analysts expecting additional price increases after hikes implemented earlier this year. - DB HiTek shares climbed 21 percent in the first 10 days of September, while analysts expect full factory utilization and higher foundry prices to drive sharp earnings growth. 2026-09-12 17:25:53 -
President Lee Says Domestic Fuel Prices Stable Despite Rising Global Oil Prices President Lee Jae-myung stated that domestic gasoline and diesel prices will remain stable despite a surge in international oil prices. He explained that the government's diversification of crude oil import sources has reduced dependence on the Middle East from 70% to the 50% range, along with measures such as price caps and export volume controls to manage domestic prices and supply.On the afternoon of September 12, President Lee posted on X (formerly Twitter), "Dear citizens, do not worry. The prices of refined oil products like gasoline and diesel will continue to remain stable," adding, "You do not need to worry at all about oil prices."A key factor behind the stability of domestic oil prices is the diversification of crude oil import sources. The government has strengthened crude oil diplomacy, including sending special envoys, and has supported long-distance oil transportation costs, successfully reducing the Middle East's share of crude oil imports to the 50% range within a few months.To enhance the stability of crude oil supply, a strategic oil reserve swap system has been introduced. President Lee noted that this allows for maintaining supply stability without depleting strategic reserves and emphasized the ongoing commitment to diversifying import sources.Currently, international oil prices and domestic petroleum product prices are showing opposing trends. President Lee explained that while crude oil and international refined oil prices are soaring, domestic prices and supply volumes are being kept stable through price caps and export volume controls.To mitigate the domestic impact of rising international oil prices, the government is implementing a maximum price system for oil. The ninth maximum price, designated on August 21, is set at 1,784 won per liter for gasoline, 1,773 won for diesel, and 1,380 won for kerosene. The government is also cracking down on hoarding and collusion while promoting price competition among gas stations through the selection of 'fair gas stations.'Domestic refiners have reported high profitability due to the rise in international refined oil prices. With the government compensating for losses from domestic price and export volume controls, the surge in international refined oil prices has led to what they describe as "the largest boom in history."However, the prolonged instability in the Middle East remains a risk factor for crude oil supply and demand. President Lee remarked, "The dependence on the Middle East for crude oil imports is still high at 50%, and we do not know when the war will end, while the oil market is sinking into turmoil."He added, "We will do our utmost to secure smooth oil transportation routes and ensure the safety of oil transport vessels and crews," emphasizing that "South Korea can overcome the current crisis and turn it into an opportunity."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-12 17:08:00
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Korean singles spend $83 per date, with men paying nearly twice as much SEOUL, September 12 (AJP) - A typical date costs unmarried South Koreans 115,000 won ($83), with men spending nearly twice as much as women, a survey showed Saturday, highlighting persistent differences between the sexes over who should pick up the bill. Men aged 25 to 39 reported spending an average 145,800 won per date, compared with 84,000 won for women, according to a survey of 506 unmarried adults conducted by matchmaking agency Gayeon. The gap amounted to 61,800 won per date. The survey also found that respondents did not consider an even split necessary. When asked what they considered an appropriate division of dating expenses on a 10-point scale, respondents put men's share at 5.96 and women's at 4.04 — roughly a 60-40 split. Money was not a source of friction for most respondents, with 55.7 percent saying they had never experienced conflict over dating expenses. Some 17.8 percent said they had, including 19.7 percent of men and 15.9 percent of women. Among those who reported conflicts, 37.8 percent cited one partner paying too little or nothing as the biggest source of disagreement. Differences in spending habits and preferences over dating activities followed at 34.4 percent, while 18.9 percent pointed to demands for an equal 50-50 split despite differences in income. Disagreements over the use of joint dating accounts accounted for 7.8 percent. Men and women, however, differed over what caused the most friction. Among male respondents who had experienced conflicts, 48 percent cited differences in spending habits or preferred dating activities as the biggest issue, followed by one partner contributing too little at 36 percent. Women were more concerned about how the bill itself was divided. Forty percent cited one partner paying too little or nothing as the main source of conflict, while 30 percent pointed to demands for an equal split despite differences in income. The findings suggest that disagreements over dating expenses extend beyond the amount each partner pays, reflecting differing expectations over spending, income and what constitutes a fair financial contribution in a relationship. "Men tended to express dissatisfaction over differences in preferences and values, such as spending habits and choices of dating activities, while women were more concerned with fairness in the actual division of expenses," a Gayeon official said. "Openly discussing spending habits and how expenses will be divided early in a relationship can help prevent conflicts," the official added. AJP Takeaways - Unmarried South Koreans aged 25 to 39 spend an average 115,000 won ($83) per date, according to a survey of 506 people by matchmaking agency Gayeon. - Men reported spending 145,800 won per date, compared with 84,000 won for women, while respondents viewed a roughly 60-40 split between men and women as an appropriate way to divide dating expenses. - Men who experienced money-related conflicts were most likely to cite differences in spending habits and dating preferences, while women were more likely to point to one partner contributing too little or demands for an equal split despite income differences. 2026-09-12 17:07:44 -
Oracle Founder Larry Ellison to Sell Up to $7.5 Billion in Stock Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison plans to sell up to $7.5 billion worth of his company’s stock. According to the Financial Times, Ellison will sell up to 50 million shares of Oracle by the end of October as part of a pre-arranged trading plan. Based on the closing price of $150 per share on September 11, the sale could reach a maximum of $7.5 billion. Despite this sale, Ellison is expected to remain Oracle's largest individual shareholder, holding approximately 40% of the company's stock. Last September, he also used 346 million shares of Oracle as collateral for personal loans. Ellison's stock sale comes at a time when Oracle is investing heavily in expanding its AI infrastructure business. Traditionally focused on database software, Oracle has been rapidly increasing its investments in data centers and cloud infrastructure to meet the growing computing demands of AI companies. Ellison has been at the forefront of this AI infrastructure expansion. Last year, he unveiled a $500 billion AI infrastructure project called 'Stargate' alongside Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, and Masayoshi Son, chairman of SoftBank Group, at the White House. In September, Oracle agreed to provide OpenAI with $300 billion worth of data center capacity. The growth of the AI infrastructure business has been significant. Oracle reported on September 10 that its cloud infrastructure (OCI) revenue for the first quarter of the fiscal year reached $7.4 billion, a 121% increase from the same period last year, surpassing market expectations of $7.19 billion. Overall revenue rose by 30% to $19.3 billion, with the company adding 850 megawatts (MW) of data center capacity in the quarter. As the business expands, the financial burden is also increasing. Oracle has been raising substantial debt and issuing new shares to fund data center construction. Recently, it completed a previously announced $20 billion capital increase. Some projects have faced delays due to permitting and regulatory issues, raising concerns about investment costs and profitability. Oracle is also undergoing restructuring to cut costs. The company has allocated an additional $700 million for restructuring expenses, including severance, over the next year. While it continues to pursue aggressive AI infrastructure investments, it must also manage the increased financial pressures and investment costs. Oracle's stock price has fallen significantly since reaching a peak in June, driven by concerns over funding and data center construction costs. However, the recent announcement of better-than-expected cloud performance has alleviated some of these investment concerns. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-12 17:00:00