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  • Yoon Suk Yeol Acquitted in First Trial Over Lee Jong-seops Ambassador Appointment
    Yoon Suk Yeol Acquitted in First Trial Over Lee Jong-seop's Ambassador Appointment Yoon Suk Yeol, indicted for allegedly appointing former Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop as Ambassador to Australia to facilitate his escape from prosecution, was acquitted in a first trial. The court found no evidence that Yoon was aware of Lee's travel ban and determined that the appointment could be viewed as an exercise of presidential authority.The Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 22, presided over by Judge Cho Hyung-woo, delivered the not guilty verdict on September 11 for Yoon, who faced charges of aiding a fugitive, abuse of power, and violating the State Public Officials Act.Co-defendants including former National Security Office chief Cho Tae-yong, former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae, former presidential secretary for public integrity Lee Si-won, former National Security Office chief Jang Ho-jin, and former Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung were also acquitted.The court concluded that Yoon did not know about the travel ban imposed by the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) when he directed Lee's appointment as ambassador. It also noted that Yoon may have only perceived Lee as a 'controversial figure' in the CIO.The ruling stated, "It is difficult to infer that Yoon had a specific awareness of the possibility of criminal punishment for Lee and intended to obstruct or interfere with the CIO investigation. The appointment as Ambassador to Australia can be seen as an exercise of the unique personnel authority of a head of state."The court raised questions about whether the ambassadorial appointment constituted aiding a fugitive, explaining that foreign ambassadors are officially recognized and can be contacted regularly, which is fundamentally different from typical evasion. The crime of aiding a fugitive is established when it makes the discovery or arrest of the fugitive impossible or significantly difficult, and merely delaying or complicating the investigation is insufficient.There was also no evidence that Yoon formally advanced the appointment process to facilitate Lee's departure or improperly directed the lifting of the travel ban. The actions of the other defendants were deemed to fall within the scope of normal duties, making it difficult to recognize a conspiracy to aid a fugitive. The court concluded that there was insufficient evidence for the abuse of power charges as well.The special investigation team for the deceased Marine, led by Special Prosecutor Lee Myung-hyun, alleged that Yoon directed Lee's appointment and departure to avoid an expanded investigation into the so-called 'VIP anger' allegations related to a direct call with Lee.Lee Jong-seop left for Australia in March 2024 but returned 11 days later amid growing controversy and resigned from his ambassadorial position. The special prosecutor sought a five-year prison sentence for Yoon.Yoon's legal team stated immediately after the verdict, "This is a very natural conclusion when viewed in light of the law and the records." They added, "Being a target of political criticism does not automatically constitute a crime, and criminal responsibility should be judged based on strict legal principles and evidence."They also urged the special prosecutor to forgo an appeal regarding the abuse of power charges in the Chae Sang-byeong case, stating that accepting the ruling is appropriate.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 16:32:00
  • Korean shamanism finds new life in pop culture
    Korean shamanism finds new life in pop culture SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - Drums pound, bells shake and chants rise as a mudang, or Korean shaman, appears to slip between worlds, communicating with spirits through an electrifying ritual of music, dance and trance. For millions of moviegoers, the spectacle became familiar through a famous gut scene in director Jang Jae-hyun's 2024 occult blockbuster "Exhuma." Gut, an ancient Korean shamanic ritual performed to communicate with spirits, comfort the dead, seek blessings or ward off misfortune, has traditionally taken place largely away from public view. Now it is moving onto the stage. The Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theatre's "Gut: Whispering Steps," running at the Sejong Center in Seoul through Sunday, takes its central motif from mugamseogi, a practice found in Seoul gut in which the person for whom the ritual is held puts on a shaman's robes and dances spontaneously near its climax. Onstage, the ritual is dismantled and rebuilt in a contemporary language. The shaman's fan and bells become theatrical objects, while obangsaek, the traditional five-direction colors, runs through the costumes and choreography. Contemporary music and cinematic imagery push the ritual into a new artistic form. The production arrives as Korean shamanism is appearing far beyond ritual space. It has driven a box-office blockbuster, supplied the premise for a dating show and helped shape the spiritual world behind the most-watched original title in Netflix history. The convergence raises a question: After K-pop opened one of the world's biggest gateways into Korean culture, could the country's much older spiritual traditions become another? For artistic director Yoon Hye-jung, the attraction of mugamseogi was not primarily supernatural. Yoon said she encountered the practice while researching shamanic dances from five regions of Korea. What caught her attention was the shift in agency. A person may commission a gut in hopes of comfort or good fortune, but in mugamseogi, that person ultimately puts on the shaman's clothes and moves. "If our ancestors had a process of finding themselves through mugamseogi, I thought we also need that process today," Yoon said at a press call Thursday. In popular culture, Korean shamanism is increasingly moving beyond its long association with fortune-telling and superstition. Director Jang Jae-hyun's "Exhuma," centered on two young shamans, a feng shui expert and a mortician, sold 11.91 million tickets in South Korea and became the country's most-watched film of 2024. Its appeal did not stop at Korea's borders. By the end of March 2024, the film had drawn more than 2.23 million moviegoers in Vietnam and 2.3 million in Indonesia, setting records for a Korean film in both markets at the time. The numbers suggested that rituals, spirits and beliefs deeply rooted in Korean culture were not necessarily barriers for audiences elsewhere. Television took another route. SBS reality show "Possessed Love" placed young fortune tellers and spiritual practitioners inside a dating program, mixing romance with saju readings, tarot cards, shamanic practices and questions of fate. Its second season was sold to 62 countries. Then the imagery went fully global through "KPop Demon Hunters." The Netflix animation combines K-pop with Korean folklore and supernatural imagery in the story of three pop stars who fight demons. Since its June 20, 2025 debut, it has amassed more than 600 million views, becoming Netflix's most popular original title ever and the first to remain in its Global Top 10 for 52 consecutive weeks. It entered the Top 10 in all 93 countries where Netflix publishes rankings and reached No. 1 in 76. Those numbers do not mean hundreds of millions of viewers suddenly became interested in Korean shamanism. But they do mean imagery drawing partly on Korea's older spiritual traditions has reached a global audience on an extraordinary scale. Angie Heo, an associate professor of the anthropology and sociology of religion at the University of Chicago, has linked the spectacle of K-pop in the film with the performative character of Korean shamanism. "Shamanism is also a performance. It's dancing, it's a lot of music," Heo said in an interview published by the University of Chicago. She cautioned, however, against equating the film's demon hunters with actual Korean shamans, whose role traditionally involves dealing with restless spirits rather than hunting demons. For some Korean viewers, the film's success has nevertheless changed the scale at which they imagine such stories can travel. Jeong Je-hyeon, a 36-year-old office worker in northern Gyeonggi Province, said Korean occult films including "The Priests," "The Wailing," "Svaha: The Sixth Finger" and "Exhuma" gradually drew him into the genre. "It no longer feels like movies such as 'Exhuma' are the ones introducing Korean shamanism or occult culture to the world," Jeong told AJP. "After 'KPop Demon Hunters' became such a big hit, it almost feels like it is now leading the way in introducing Korean occult stories overseas." "I don't think Korean shamanism is any less compelling than zombies or jiangshi," he added. "The stories themselves are strong and they have a clear narrative arc. I think they could go much further." Still, a string of successful productions does not establish the arrival of a new genre called "K-shamanism." K-pop is an identifiable commercial industry backed by entertainment companies, training systems, distribution networks and global fandoms. Korean shamanism, by contrast, is a living religious and folk tradition with regional variations that cannot be reduced to demons, colorful costumes or supernatural spectacle. What appears to be happening instead is that shamanism is becoming a cultural vocabulary translated into different forms — an occult mystery in "Exhuma," a reality-TV premise in "Possessed Love," a pop fantasy in "KPop Demon Hunters" and now contemporary dance in "Gut: Whispering Steps." Yoon said the dance company deliberately avoided reproducing an actual gut. Instead, it selected recognizable elements including obangsaek, the shaman's fan and bells, and amplified them for the stage. The point, she said, was not to celebrate shamanism as a belief system. It was to recognize gut as part of the lives of earlier generations and use fragments of that tradition to tell a story for audiences today. That tension between tradition and reinvention may help explain why gut has become fertile material for contemporary creators. The ritual already contains music, dance, costumes, storytelling and collective performance. Its themes of grief, fortune, death, healing and release can travel even when audiences know little about the tradition behind them. But the further shamanic imagery moves from the ritual itself, the greater the risk that a complex living tradition is flattened into bright robes, demons and spectacle. For decades, K-pop gave audiences abroad a distinctly modern entry point into South Korea. Now Korean creators are increasingly looking in the opposite direction — toward rituals, spirits and worldviews that existed long before K-pop. Whether that eventually becomes something recognizable as "K-shamanism" remains an open question. What is already visible is the translation: a door widened by K-pop is now leading some audiences deeper into Korea's cultural past. AJP Takeaways - Korean shamanism is moving beyond ritual spaces into mainstream culture, appearing in films, reality TV, animation and contemporary dance. - "Exhuma" drew 11.91 million admissions in South Korea, while "Possessed Love" was sold to 62 countries, showing that shamanic themes can travel across formats and markets. - Netflix's "KPop Demon Hunters" pushed Korean supernatural imagery onto a far larger global stage, surpassing 600 million views and reaching the Top 10 in all 93 markets tracked by Netflix. 2026-09-11 16:28:53
  • Most New Stocks This Year Trade Below Initial Offering Price
    Most New Stocks This Year Trade Below Initial Offering Price Approximately 80% of the 28 new stocks that debuted on the Korean stock market this year are trading below their initial offering prices. Many stocks that surged on their first day have since given back most of their gains, indicating that initial popularity has not translated into sustained price increases.According to the Korea Exchange and the financial investment industry, as of September 11, 22 out of the 28 newly listed companies on the KOSPI and KOSDAQ markets (78.6%) are trading below their offering prices. Only six companies (21.4%) are above their initial prices, excluding SPACs and REITs from the count.The average return of these 28 stocks compared to their offering prices is -19.1%. However, this figure shows some improvement compared to the end of August, when 23 out of 27 listed companies (85.2%) were below their offering prices, with an average return of -26.19%. The recent uptick in September, driven by some stocks rebounding and the new listing of Sky Labs, has contributed to this change.The performance of individual stocks has varied significantly. Sky Labs, which debuted on September 4 with an offering price of 10,000 won, closed at 28,150 won, marking a 181.5% increase. Cosmo Robotics also saw a rise from its offering price of 6,000 won to 12,460 won, a 107.7% increase. Other companies like MakinaRax, Ingenia Therapeutics, Mad Up, and Axvis also traded above their offering prices.In contrast, Peace Peace Studio has seen its stock drop 73.4% from its offering price of 21,500 won to 5,710 won. Hanpass fell 73.1% from its offering price of 19,000 won to 5,120 won, while StradVision dropped 70.3% from its offering price of 12,000 won to 3,560 won.When comparing current prices to their first-day closing prices, the disparity is even more pronounced. Of the 28 companies that went public this year, 20 had closing prices above their offering prices on their first day, but 14 of those have since fallen below their offering prices. This suggests that initial surges in stock prices have not led to long-term gains.Even stocks that recorded a so-called 'double' on their first day are not immune. ESTeem, which went public in March at an offering price of 8,500 won, peaked at 34,000 won on its first day but has since dropped to 3,115 won, a 63.4% decline from its offering price. IM BioLogics also saw its stock rise from an offering price of 26,000 won to 104,000 won on its first day, but it has since fallen to 14,930 won, 42.6% below its initial price.Conversely, Cosmo Robotics and MakinaRax, which also recorded a 'double' on their first day, have given back some of their gains but remain above their offering prices. This indicates a significant divergence in stock performance among companies that initially experienced similar price surges.The initial excitement during the offering phase has not guaranteed returns post-listing. There have been several instances where companies that achieved high competition rates during institutional demand forecasts and general subscriptions, or set their offering prices at the upper end of the desired range, are now trading below their offering prices.A securities industry official noted, "The initial stock price is heavily influenced by limited supply and short-term demand, making it difficult to assess a company's value based solely on first-day performance." The official added, "After listing, factors such as earnings, growth potential, and the company's value determined during the offering phase become more reflective in stock prices, so it is essential to evaluate a company's fundamentals rather than just the success of the offering."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 16:28:00
  • Mokpo City Urges Residents to Check Environmental Improvement Fee Payment Deadline
    Mokpo City Urges Residents to Check Environmental Improvement Fee Payment Deadline Mokpo City has announced that it will impose the 2026 second installment of the environmental improvement fee on diesel vehicles manufactured before June 30, 2012, and urges residents to make payments by the 30th.The environmental improvement fee is a system designed to hold polluters accountable for the costs associated with pollution treatment and environmental enhancement, assessed twice a year in March and September.The fee for this installment is calculated based on the vehicle ownership period from January 1 to June 30 of this year.If ownership changes occur during this period, such as through sale or scrapping, the fee will be prorated based on the actual ownership duration.Notably, the environmental improvement fee operates on a post-payment basis, meaning that even if a vehicle has been sold or scrapped, additional fees may still be charged for the previous ownership period. Residents who receive a notice should be aware of this possibility.Wi Jun-cheol, head of the Climate and Environment Division in Mokpo City, stated, “There may be instances where individuals believe the environmental improvement fee has been incorrectly assessed after selling or scrapping their vehicle. It is important to first verify the actual assessment period indicated on the notice, as the fee is charged post-payment.”There are various payment methods available, including visits to financial institutions, post offices, and agricultural cooperatives, as well as virtual account transfers, ARS (1422-11), internet Giro, WeTax, and credit card payments.A 3% penalty will be applied for late payments, and failure to pay by the end of the reminder period may result in property seizure and other penalties.Wi emphasized, “The environmental improvement fee is utilized to reduce environmental pollution and create a pleasant living environment. I urge citizens to check the assessment period and payment deadline on their notices to avoid unnecessary penalties.”Additionally, the environmental improvement fee is calculated based on factors such as vehicle engine displacement, model year, and location. For newly registered or deregistered vehicles, the fee is prorated based on the actual registration period. Mokpo City provides detailed information regarding the assessment criteria and payment methods through the Climate and Environment Division's Environmental Policy Team.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 16:28:00
  • Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae Emphasizes Judicial Independence
    Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae Emphasizes Judicial Independence Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae emphasized on September 11 that the judiciary, as an independent state institution under the Constitution, must not be influenced by political power or any undue interference to properly realize the rule of law.Speaking at the 12th annual 'Court Day' ceremony held at the Supreme Court in Seocho-dong, Seoul, Cho stated, "The judiciary can fully guarantee the freedoms and rights of the people and realize the rule of law only when it adjudicates neutrally and fairly, free from undue interference or influence from other state institutions, political powers, social forces, or parties involved in litigation."He further elaborated, "Performing this constitutional mission unwaveringly, even in the face of difficulties, is the unchanging duty entrusted to our judiciary, which serves as the last bastion for protecting the fundamental rights of the people."On this occasion of Court Day, he reiterated the significance of the day, stating that the judiciary will exercise its judicial authority correctly solely for the benefit of the people.This emphasis on judicial independence comes amid ongoing tensions with the Blue House regarding the reappointment of Supreme Court justices. Following the retirement of former Justice Noh Tae-ack in March and Justice Lee Heung-gu on September 7, the Supreme Court is currently operating with 12 justices, leaving two positions vacant out of a total of 14.Last month, Cho nominated Judge Son Bong-ki of the Daegu District Court as Noh's successor, but the Blue House requested a reappointment ten days later, citing a failure to adhere to prior consultation practices. The Supreme Court is expected to announce its position on the Blue House's reappointment request soon.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 16:28:00
  • Gwangju Education Office Enhances Complaint Handling Skills
    Gwangju Education Office Enhances Complaint Handling Skills The Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education is conducting practical training to improve the quality of complaint services in schools and enhance the response capabilities of staff.On September 11, the office announced that it held the '2026 Second Half Capacity Building Training for Record Management and Complaint Handling Staff' at the Jeonnam Human Resource Development Center.More than 60 employees responsible for record management and complaint handling from various departments, affiliated organizations, and education support offices participated in the training.The training focused on sharing practical information that staff need to know in managing records and processing complaints, as well as enhancing their on-site response capabilities from the perspective of the complainants.Participants reviewed key practical skills necessary for record management, as well as important considerations in handling complaints through the National Complaint Center and processing information disclosure requests.Training also included communication and conflict resolution skills essential for directly interacting with complainants.The education office invited Hong Jeong-ye, a customer service expert from the Korea Future Education Center, to teach methods for accurately understanding complainants' needs based on listening and empathy, and how to explain complaint details in an easily understandable manner.Particularly, the training addressed response techniques for various situations that may arise in the field, including how to handle unique complaints and conflict situations.The education office plans to continuously enhance the practical capabilities of complaint staff, as the way they explain and respond during phone or in-person interactions can directly impact trust in educational administrative services.Seo Byeong-su, head of the Operations Support Division, stated, “A brief phone call or a single explanation from a staff member can leave a lasting impression of Gwangju Education on the complainant,” adding, “We will listen to the voices from the field and continue to provide necessary support to guide complainants in a simple and friendly manner.”This training not only focused on complaint handling but also covered practical aspects of record management, the National Complaint Center, and processing information disclosure requests, ensuring that staff can effectively respond to various situations that may arise during complaint processing.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 16:20:00
  • Oil Prices Surpass $100: Should Investors Choose Oil ETNs or Refinery Stocks?
    Oil Prices Surpass $100: Should Investors Choose Oil ETNs or Refinery Stocks? International oil prices are on a steep rise, surpassing the $100 per barrel mark. As oil prices increase, investments related to crude oil gain attention. Today, we will explore the differences between oil exchange-traded notes (ETNs) and refinery stocks. WTI and Brent Crude Surpass $100 per Barrel: Notable Price Surge On September 10, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures traded at $102 per barrel. Meanwhile, Brent crude futures, which had already crossed the $100 threshold, fluctuated around $107 per barrel, and Dubai crude was trading at approximately $116 per barrel. All three major crude oils are now priced above $100 per barrel. This marks the first time since July that key international oil prices have exceeded $100 per barrel. Notably, the rate of increase is significant. Compared to a month ago, WTI futures have risen by 25.22%, while Brent futures have increased by 21.26%. The surge in oil prices is attributed to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. U.S. military strikes on Iranian military facilities in the Strait of Hormuz have escalated tensions. Recently, reports emerged that Houthi rebels have taken control of the port city of Mocha in southwestern Yemen, raising concerns about the safety of trade routes through the Red Sea. Oil ETNs Outperform During Price Surges; Refinery Stocks Lag Behind In response to rising international oil prices, various financial products in the stock market are reacting. The focus is particularly on oil ETNs and refinery stocks. According to the Korea Exchange on September 11, Meritz WTI Oil Futures and Shinhan WTI Oil Futures have risen by 30.97% and 24.53%, respectively. Samsung Bloomberg WTI Oil Futures ETN also jumped by 25.47%. When including leveraged ETNs, the increase is even more pronounced, with Meritz's leveraged ETN rising by 68% compared to a month ago. Refinery stocks are also experiencing significant gains. As international oil prices rise, the refining margins increase, benefiting companies that process crude oil. Compared to a month ago, the stock prices of the three major refiners—SK Innovation (up 16.31%), GS (up 22.3%), and S-Oil (up 7.45%)—have all seen substantial increases. In the KOSDAQ, oil distribution company Heunggu Oil has surged by 39.14%. So, which has been the better investment over the past month: oil ETNs or refinery stocks? I would argue that oil futures ETNs have decisively outperformed. While the arithmetic averages may seem similar, the variables involved in choosing which refinery stock to invest in complicate the decision. However, it is important to note that ETNs have more complex tax implications compared to domestic stocks. Typically, analysts believe that during periods of rapid oil price increases, ETNs are advantageous, while refinery stocks tend to rise after the initial surge. In scenarios of geopolitical shocks, such as wars or blockades, ETNs can provide immediate returns without delays in reflecting performance. Conversely, in prolonged periods of rising oil prices, the cumulative benefits of improved refining margins favor refinery stocks. The key for oil ETNs lies in supply changes, while refinery stocks are more influenced by demand changes. This pattern was evident even before the U.S.-Iran ceasefire in the first half of the year. In July, leveraged ETNs recorded returns in the 60% range, while refinery stocks began to rise only after improvements in refining margins were confirmed, showing a delayed response to the initial surge in oil prices. Consider OPEC+ Dynamics, Dollar Index, and Exchange Rates: U.S.-China Industrial Conditions Also Impact Investors looking to capitalize on oil price fluctuations must consider several factors. South Korea is neither an oil-producing country nor a reserve currency nation. One key factor is the announcements from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries Plus (OPEC+). OPEC+ can convene emergency meetings to adjust production levels in response to market shocks, regardless of pre-scheduled meetings. Increasing production can significantly impact the market, especially when cuts are difficult to implement in the short term. The dollar index and the exchange rate between the Korean won and the U.S. dollar are also important considerations. Most crude oil is traded in dollars, so even if oil prices fall, a rising exchange rate can create conflicting effects. Additionally, monitoring the industrial production situation in China, the world's second-largest oil consumer, as well as U.S. strategic petroleum reserve releases and inventory levels, is advisable. Domestic conditions should also be periodically assessed. Implementing a maximum oil price system, as seen now, can also be a variable affecting the market. Typically, rising oil prices can negatively impact distribution companies, such as delivery services, but the recent lower-than-expected downward pressure in this sector may be attributed to this factor.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 16:20:00
  • Chinese Stock Market Declines Again Amid Rising Oil Prices and Strong Defense Sector
    Chinese Stock Market Declines Again Amid Rising Oil Prices and Strong Defense Sector The Chinese stock market continued its downward trend on September 11, following a decline the previous day. The surge in oil prices has weakened the indices. The Shanghai Composite Index closed down 1.18% at 3,888.11, the Shenzhen Component Index fell 1.08% to 13,471.26, and the ChiNext Index dropped 0.49% to 3,322.04.International oil prices have surged past $100 per barrel due to escalating tensions in the Middle East. Brent crude reached around $109 per barrel at one point on September 11. The rise in oil prices has been fueled by concerns over disruptions in oil transport as Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels seized a strategic point in the Red Sea.This situation has heightened concerns about inflation in the United States. Market analysts are now estimating a 70% likelihood that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates next week. Consequently, U.S. Treasury yields have also increased, with the 10-year note approaching 5% and the 30-year note rising to 5.38%.According to the Shanghai Securities Journal, market experts suggest that the recent weakness in the Chinese stock market is more a result of external shocks affecting investor sentiment rather than fundamental changes in corporate performance or valuations. They noted, "In a situation where investors' long-term confidence in Chinese assets has not fully recovered, external negative factors can amplify short-term fears and follow-on trading." On a positive note, the defense sector saw significant gains. Neimenggu Yiji (内蒙一机) hit its upper limit, while Beifang Changlong (北方长龙) and Changcheng Jun Gong (长城军工) also recorded substantial increases. Yinhe Securities reported that the operating cash flow of defense companies has improved significantly this year, and with large-scale deliveries of export products in the second half, the industry is expected to see rapid improvement in conditions, leading to clearer performance enhancements for these companies.The power sector also experienced gains, with Mindong Power (閩東電力) and Jiangsu Xinneng (江蘇新能) reaching their upper limits. Projections suggest that future electricity consumption may exceed current market expectations, prompting a rise in related stocks. As power supply capability becomes a key variable in the future AI competitive landscape, the value of power assets is being reassessed.Meanwhile, the People's Bank of China set the yuan's reference exchange rate at 6.7743 yuan per dollar, a decrease of 0.0023 yuan from the previous day, reflecting a 0.03% increase in the value of the yuan.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 16:16:00
  • President Lee Calls for Expanding Diplomatic Efforts Amid Global Multipolarity
    President Lee Calls for Expanding Diplomatic Efforts Amid Global Multipolarity President Lee Jae-myung emphasized on September 11 that the current global order is rapidly becoming multipolar and called for an expansion of diplomatic efforts to include more countries and regions. Following his state visit to France, he plans to accelerate diplomatic diversification centered on national interests through the upcoming first Korea-Central Asia summit.During a meeting with senior aides at the Blue House, President Lee stated, "Now is the time to partner with more countries and expand our diplomatic reach to diverse regions." He reflected on his recent state visit to France, which marked the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, noting that it strengthened partnerships across politics, economics, advanced industries, and culture.He added, "By broadening our perspective, strengthening cooperation with France, a key country in the European Union, will also expand our diplomatic horizons in Europe."President Lee also highlighted the significance of the Korea-Central Asia summit scheduled for September 16 in Seoul. He described Central Asia as a geopolitical center of the Eurasian continent, rich in energy and key minerals, with substantial growth potential, while also referencing historical and cultural ties with Korea.He stated, "This summit will solidify Korea-Central Asia relations into a high-level multilateral cooperation framework and further energize our New Northern Policy, allowing us to secure a new economic and cultural Silk Road connecting Europe and the Middle East."Amidst the current chaotic international order, President Lee stressed the need to strengthen national capabilities, broaden diplomatic horizons, and work closely with the international community to address various issues. He urged, "We must quietly forge a path with the better future of our people and national interests in mind," appealing for public interest and support.Additionally, President Lee addressed the ongoing search and rescue efforts for missing persons in Nepal, now 17 days after the devastating floods, noting that there has been little progress. He directed a swift and thorough response, mentioning that a second emergency relief team was dispatched to Nepal early that morning. He expressed gratitude to the first team for their efforts despite many challenges.He instructed relevant agencies to ensure that there are no gaps in the search and rescue operations during the transition of personnel, urging close cooperation with the Nepalese government, businesses, and local officials. He also advised that if additional personnel are deemed necessary, they should consider direct transitions on-site.President Lee emphasized the importance of supporting and communicating with the families of the missing. He stated, "Above all, it is crucial to conduct thorough and prompt search and rescue activities while caring for the families of the missing, who are suffering greatly. We must ensure that they do not feel abandoned or wronged by the state and do our utmost in both search efforts and communication with the families."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 16:16:00
  • Fencing National Team Candidates Train Together in Haenam with Teams from Philippines and Hong Kong
    Fencing National Team Candidates Train Together in Haenam with Teams from Philippines and Hong Kong Haenam County has hosted a summer training camp for the national fencing team candidates, which includes participation from national teams of the Philippines and Hong Kong, creating a platform for sports exchange among domestic and international athletes.According to Haenam County, the summer training camp for the national fencing team candidates is taking place from September 7 to 20 in Haenam. A total of 56 participants, including coaches, are involved in the training.Notably, the Philippine national team, consisting of 13 members, and the Hong Kong national team, with 8 members, have also come to Haenam to conduct joint training sessions with local athletes.This initiative goes beyond domestic training camps, as it allows international athletes to train together, thereby broadening opportunities for competition experience and skill exchange among the participants.Haenam County aims to use this joint training as a means to expand its sports marketing by attracting both domestic and international teams.This is not the first time international teams have visited Haenam. Recently, a youth soccer tournament held in Haenam also saw participation from a youth team from Japan, indicating a growing trend of international visits alongside domestic teams.Haenam County has previously hosted national teams and training camps for various sports, including soccer, badminton, basketball, table tennis, and modern pentathlon. The county continues to hold national sports events, focusing on linking sports marketing with local economic revitalization.The long-term stay of these teams is expected to benefit local businesses, such as accommodations and restaurants, utilizing training camps and national competitions as a means to increase the local population.Kim Seong-hee, head of the Haenam County Sports Business Division, stated, “The joint training of the national fencing team candidates with the Philippine and Hong Kong national teams is significant as it demonstrates that Haenam's sports infrastructure is being utilized internationally. We will further expand sports marketing to ensure that both sports and the local economy can grow together.”Meanwhile, Haenam County is attracting training teams by linking sports facilities and local infrastructure, such as accommodations and transportation, centered around Usul Sports Park. This summer, various teams, including the national fencing team candidates, as well as professional basketball and modern pentathlon teams, have chosen Haenam as their training destination, and the county plans to connect this to local business and tourism revitalization.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 16:16:00