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  • Prosecutors Reject Arrest Warrant for Independent Lawmaker Kim Byeong-gi
    Prosecutors Reject Arrest Warrant for Independent Lawmaker Kim Byeong-gi Prosecutors have rejected an arrest warrant requested by police for independent lawmaker Kim Byeong-gi, who is facing various misconduct allegations, and have called for further investigation. The decision was made based on the assessment that the necessity for arrest had not been sufficiently demonstrated, especially considering that Kim had cooperated with seven rounds of questioning and that five months had passed since the last summons.The Public Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office announced on September 11 that it returned the arrest warrant application for Kim, submitted by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit, without filing it with the court. This came just four days after the police submitted the request on September 7.Prosecutors explained, "Considering the fact that the suspect has responded to seven rounds of questioning and the five-month duration of the investigation leading up to the warrant request, there is insufficient justification for the necessity of arrest."They also determined that additional evidence is needed for some of the allegations. Prosecutors stated, "After closely reviewing the collected evidence and the suspect's defense, we found that some charges require further evidence, prompting us to request supplementary investigation."Previously, police had applied for the arrest warrant against Kim under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, citing allegations of bribery, breach of trust, and obstruction of business.Police believe that Kim facilitated favorable legislative activities for Jinwoo Sanjeon in exchange for securing a job for his son, resulting in benefits amounting to over 67 million won, including salary and college tuition. There are also allegations that he improperly intervened in his son's transfer to Sungkyunkwan University and employment at a virtual asset exchange.Kim is also accused of receiving sponsorship funds from Shilla Leisure in exchange for favorable legislative activities after receiving hotel accommodation vouchers from Korean Air. The warrant reportedly includes allegations that he misused the business expense card of former Dongjak District Council member Jo Jin-hee and overlooked a 100 million won campaign contribution to independent lawmaker Kang Seon-woo during the 2022 local elections.Additionally, there are suspicions that he received 30 million won in campaign contributions from two former Dongjak District Council members before the 2020 general election, which he later returned, as well as allegations regarding the personal use of a corporate card by his spouse and attempts to cover up related investigations.Police plan to conduct the supplementary investigation requested by prosecutors before deciding whether to reapply for the arrest warrant. Depending on the results of the additional investigation, there is also a possibility that they may choose not to reapply and instead send Kim for prosecution without detention.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 12:28:00
  • Democratic Party Promises Budget Support for Future Industries in Chungbuk
    Democratic Party Promises Budget Support for Future Industries in Chungbuk The Democratic Party pledged on September 11 to support budgets for key regional projects and future industries in Chungbuk, including strengthening the competitiveness of the semiconductor and bio industries and relocating secondary public institutions.During a budget policy council meeting at the Chungbuk Provincial Office in Cheongju, Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok expressed his strong trust and expectations for Chungbuk Governor Shin Yong-han, stating, "We will actively support everything you have mentioned."Floor leader Han Byeong-do emphasized the importance of addressing key issues in Chungbuk, including funding for a private runway at Cheongju International Airport and the establishment of an AI bio data center in Osong, saying, "We will ensure that the budget for Chungbuk's long-standing projects and future industries is secured."Governor Shin remarked, "If semiconductors represent Chungbuk's present, then bio will be its future," and urged the government and ruling party to provide full support for various bio projects linked to the K-Bio Square project centered in Osong, the Seoul National University R&D clinical hospital, and the synchrotron radiation facility.He also requested special attention for the construction of the private runway at Cheongju Airport, which has recorded the highest growth rate among airports nationwide, and asked for assistance from the government and ruling party when deciding on the relocation of secondary public institutions. He noted, "If Gyeonggi Province is in a state of bankruptcy, Chungbuk is in a state of emergency," highlighting the region's financial difficulties.Meanwhile, the Democratic Party plans to review whether local government heads are properly implementing the party's promises and effectively establishing and executing initial policies and budgets, as it has been 100 days since the June 3 local elections. Before the council meeting, Kim stated, "We will check whether our party's local government heads are fulfilling their promises and will ensure there are no issues with personal or public budget usage before they are raised by the media, opposition parties, or citizens." 2026-09-11 12:16:10
  • Ministry of SMEs Launches First Investment Support Program for Innovative Startups
    Ministry of SMEs Launches First Investment Support Program for Innovative Startups The Ministry of SMEs and Startups is launching a program to support innovative entrepreneurs in securing their first investments.The ministry announced on the 11th that it will kick off the 'Challenge IR Project' in collaboration with TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startups) operators starting on the 16th.The Ministry and 142 TIPS operators will hold over 300 face-to-face investment presentations (IR) this year for founders who have potential but lack access to investment.Following the initial investment discussions through IR, the Ministry and TIPS operators will continue to offer additional investment negotiations and advanced IR sessions for outstanding companies until the end of the year.Moreover, if the 'Challenge IR Project' leads to actual investment, benefits such as additional points in the TIPS selection evaluation will be provided to support further growth.Additionally, after implementing the 'Challenge IR Project' this year, the Ministry will review its performance and gather feedback to develop a permanent investment attraction support system.Deputy Minister of SMEs and Startups Noh Yong-seok stated, “There are cases where good technologies and ideas fail to secure initial investments. We aim to lower the barriers to investment attraction through the 'Challenge IR Project' so that potential entrepreneurs do not stop their challenges due to a lack of investor connections.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 12:00:20
  • South Korean Navy training squadron embarks on 130-day voyage
    South Korean Navy training squadron embarks on 130-day voyage SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - A South Korean Navy squadron carrying about 140 cadets on Friday embarked on a roughly 130-day voyage to seven countries across the Pacific Ocean for practical naval training and to strengthen defense cooperation abroad. About 390 people, including cadets, crew members and support personnel, boarded the 4,500-ton training ship Hansando. The ship is scheduled to return to Jinhae, South Gyeongsang Province on Jan. 22 next year after a roughly 50,000-kilometer voyage, making port calls in Hawaii, Pensacola and Baltimore in the United States, as well as Guam, Puerto Quetzal in Guatemala, Balboa in Panama, Callao in Peru, Valparaiso in Chile, Papeete in Tahiti and Suva in Fiji. The cadets will undergo a range of naval training including battle drills and tactical exercises. They will also visit military facilities and historic sites in the countries where they make stops to gain practical skills and strengthen their capabilities as future naval officers. The squadron will also use the voyage to strengthen military ties with partner countries. At four U.S. ports, including those in Hawaii and Baltimore, Korean War veterans and their families as well as local South Korean residents will be invited aboard the ship for a Korean War-themed photo exhibition and other events. Pensacola, Florida, home to major U.S. Navy education and training facilities, will be a first-time port of call for the Navy's cruise training program. The squadron plans to conduct exchanges with the U.S. Navy there to further strengthen the South Korea-U.S. alliance. In particular, it will mark the first time for the training squadron to make a port call to Pensacola, Florida, home to major U.S. Navy training facilities, further strengthening the bilateral alliance with the U.S. The visits to Peru and Chile will be the first since 2012. During the stops, the squadron will showcase military equipment from South Korean defense companies to promote Korean defense products and support the government's efforts to boost arms exports. Brig. Gen. Kim Jun-yeop, who is leading the training squadron, said, "All members of the squadron will unite as one and faithfully carry out our missions until we return safely home." About 30 students majoring in military studies at Sejong University, Chungnam National University and Hanyang University also joined the voyage, along with two Guatemalan naval officers and one Chilean naval officer. AJP Takeaways - A South Korean Navy training squadron carrying about 140 cadets began a roughly 130-day voyage on September 11, 2026, visiting seven countries and 10 ports across the Pacific Ocean for practical naval training and defense cooperation. - The 4,500-ton training ship Hansando will sail about 50,000 kilometers before returning to Jinhae, South Gyeongsang Province, on January 22, 2027, with stops in the United States, Guatemala, Panama, Peru, Chile, Tahiti and Fiji. - The voyage will combine naval training with military diplomacy and defense promotion, including exchanges with the U.S. Navy in Pensacola, visits to Peru and Chile for the first time since 2012, and displays of South Korean defense equipment to support the country's defense exports. 2026-09-11 11:49:11
  • Kim Min-seok Defends Kim Seung-won Amid Controversy
    Kim Min-seok Defends Kim Seung-won Amid Controversy Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, expressed support on September 11 for Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice, who is embroiled in allegations related to COVID-19 drug procurement. "The more I observe, the more I believe this is a good appointment," he stated, affirming his commitment to defend the nominee.During a Supreme Council meeting held at the Chungbuk Provincial Office in Cheongju, Kim remarked, "The confirmation hearing for the nominee should proceed smoothly. Although there have been attacks from independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, the truth will ultimately come to light."Kim specifically targeted Han, who has raised various allegations against the nominee. He noted, "Public sentiment is increasingly leaning toward the necessity of punishing Han. I believe that, without even needing to use the word 'out,' the public is already moving in that direction."He further claimed that the materials Han disclosed regarding the nominee's allegations were illegally leaked prosecution documents, emphasizing, "We will identify and punish all illegal data connections during this opportunity."Kim described the current situation as a manifestation of the remnants of the prosecution resisting reform, stating, "The essence of the current crisis is revealed through Han Dong-hoon's attention-seeking politics. Whether they leaked illegal data or knowingly utilized it, they are all part of the illegal data connection forces."He criticized Han's recent claims about the nominee, suggesting that they were baseless and likened them to previous controversies involving manipulated photographs. "Han has gone from a shooting spree to now alleging some affair involving the nominee, using photos taken at someone's home as evidence. I wonder if he is trying to present something that rivals or surpasses the manipulated photos from the Daejang-dong golf incident," he said.Kim also addressed Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who proposed a 'G3 Plan' to make Seoul a top global city. He expressed disappointment that the announcement came at a time when the mayor's stability in office could be in question. "After the first trial ruling against Mayor Oh, I have doubts about how much momentum and drive the good elements of the G3 Plan will have," he said, adding that any instability in Oh's administration would ultimately inconvenience the citizens, prompting the Democratic Party to engage in critical cooperation with the Seoul administration.He concluded, "The Democratic Party's central committee will work in critical cooperation with the Seoul City Party and the Seoul City Council solely for the citizens of Seoul. Even if Mayor Oh wavers, we are determined to protect the city. If there are good elements in the G3 Plan proposed by Mayor Oh, we will actively support them."Previously, Oh was indicted for allegedly covering the costs of opinion polls ahead of the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election and was fined 10 million won in the first trial. The appeals process began on August 21, and if a fine of over 1 million won is confirmed, he will lose his mayoral position, triggering a by-election.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 11:44:00
  • President Lees Approval Rating Hits Record Low at 38%
    President Lee's Approval Rating Hits Record Low at 38% President Lee Jae-myung's approval rating has reached a record low since taking office. Factors contributing to the negative evaluations include issues related to real estate, personnel, and the economy. Notably, there has been an increase in negative perceptions regarding personnel matters.Korea Gallup reported on September 11 that President Lee's positive approval rating stands at 38%, a decrease of 2 percentage points from the previous week’s survey. The percentage of respondents who believe he is doing a poor job remains at 51%, consistent with last week’s findings. Those who withheld their opinions accounted for 11%.Reasons for positive evaluations include 'diplomacy' (19%), 'economic and livelihood issues' (13%), 'generally doing well' (6%), 'communication' (5%), 'job competence and capability' (5%), 'real estate policy' (4%), and 'hard work and effort' (4%).Conversely, the main reasons for negative evaluations were 'real estate policy' (24%), 'personnel' (16%), 'economic and livelihood issues' (10%), 'moral issues and evasion of personal trials' (6%), and 'generally doing poorly' (4%).Regionally, Seoul recorded a 29% approval rating, a notable drop of 9 percentage points from the previous week.By age group, the approval rating among those in their 40s fell by 10 percentage points to 45%. Meanwhile, the ratings for those aged 18-29 (31%) and those in their 30s (35%) increased by 6 and 4 percentage points, respectively.Korea Gallup noted, 'The increase in mentions of personnel issues as a reason for negative evaluations suggests potential fallout from the upcoming confirmation hearings for ministerial candidates.' Ongoing controversies surrounding the nominations of Kim Seung-won for Minister of Justice and Yong Hye-in for Minister of Gender Equality and Family are believed to have influenced these perceptions.This survey was conducted from September 8 to 10, targeting 1,000 individuals aged 18 and older nationwide. The survey utilized random sampling of virtual phone numbers and was conducted through interviews with trained interviewers. The margin of error is ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level, with a contact rate of 46.7% and a response rate of 9.4%. For more details, please refer to the website of the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 11:40:00
  • Police Launch Investigation into Kim Seung-wons Alleged COVID-19 Drug Favoritism
    Police Launch Investigation into Kim Seung-won's Alleged COVID-19 Drug Favoritism Police have begun a formal investigation into allegations against Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice, regarding favoritism in the approval of a COVID-19 drug.According to police, the Yeongdeungpo Police Station summoned former Seoul City Councilor Lee Jong-bae for questioning as a complainant around 10:30 a.m. on September 11.Lee filed a complaint against Kim and former Food and Drug Safety Minister Kim Kang-rip on September 4, citing violations of the Anti-Corruption Act, abuse of power, and dereliction of duty.Kim is accused of pressuring Kim Kang-rip to expedite clinical trial approvals for a COVID-19 treatment developed by the biotech firm Genensel, following a request from broker Yang Mo.This allegation was previously investigated by prosecutors in December 2024, resulting in a decision to suspend prosecution. However, this does not preclude further investigation, as a suspension of prosecution allows for re-examination of the case despite the acknowledgment of criminal charges.The police plan to decide on the possibility of reopening the investigation after reviewing the complainant's statements and past investigation records.Meanwhile, the Yeongdeungpo Police are also continuing their investigation into various allegations surrounding Yoon Hye-in, the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family. Following a complainant's inquiry regarding Yoon's party membership fees, police are now looking into claims that she improperly used a VIP lounge at Gimpo Airport during a family trip.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 11:40:00
  • Gachon City Corporation Opens Public Sports Facilities for Chuseok Holiday
    Gachon City Corporation Opens Public Sports Facilities for Chuseok Holiday The Gachon City Corporation in Gyeonggi Province will open the Gachon Public Sports Facilities to residents free of charge during the Chuseok holiday.According to the corporation, the outdoor sports spaces will be available for four days, from September 24 to 27, allowing residents who remain in Gachon to enjoy physical activities with family and neighbors.The facilities will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. without the need for prior reservations. Available amenities include basketball courts (full and half), foot volleyball courts (A and B), futsal fields, inline skating rinks, and gateball courts.This initiative aims to encourage local residents to utilize the newly opened Gachon Public Sports Facilities, which officially launched in July, and to support citizens' recreational and physical activities during the Chuseok holiday.It is particularly expected to provide a space for families and neighbors to engage in light exercise instead of traveling long distances during the holiday.The lack of a reservation process is also anticipated to enhance convenience for users.Residents have generally responded positively to the opportunity to use public sports facilities for free during the Chuseok holiday. One resident expressed, “I wanted to spend time with my family close to home instead of traveling far for the holiday, so I’m glad we can use the sports facilities for free. I think we can enjoy futsal or basketball together with the kids.”Local residents hope that the public sports facilities will become a space that supports their everyday leisure and health, beyond just being open for use.Meanwhile, a corporation official stated, “We hope that citizens who cannot return home for Chuseok can enjoy physical activities with family and neighbors, making for a healthy and meaningful holiday.” They added, “We will continue to work on operating public sports facilities to make it easier for local residents to engage in recreational sports.” 2026-09-11 11:32:10
  • Rising Gas Prices Boost Popularity of Hybrid Cars as Hyundai and Kia Target U.S. Market
    Rising Gas Prices Boost Popularity of Hybrid Cars as Hyundai and Kia Target U.S. Market As international oil prices continue to soar above $100 per barrel, hybrid vehicles are gaining traction in the U.S. auto market. With electric vehicles facing declining interest due to policy changes and rising gasoline prices, consumers are increasingly turning to hybrids, which offer better fuel efficiency. Hyundai Motor and Kia are ramping up their market strategies by launching new models and expanding their hybrid lineups.On September 10, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures for October delivery closed at $102.48 per barrel, up $6.43 (6.69%) from the previous session. Brent crude for November delivery also rose for the fifth consecutive trading day, finishing at $107.63, an increase of $6.42 (6.34%). Concerns over oil supply disruptions have intensified due to ongoing U.S. airstrikes, retaliatory attacks from Iran, and incidents involving tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.In the U.S., rising gasoline prices are already influencing consumer vehicle choices. If high oil prices persist, the economic advantages of hybrids will become more pronounced. In contrast, the U.S. electric vehicle market is currently stalling due to reduced subsidies and policy shifts.Last month, Hyundai and Kia sold 57,735 eco-friendly vehicles in the U.S., marking a 15.5% increase from the same month last year and setting a record for monthly sales. Of these, hybrids accounted for 50,057 units, representing 86.7% of total sales, with hybrid sales up 47.7% year-over-year.In response to these market trends, Hyundai and Kia are enhancing the competitiveness of their key models in the U.S. Hyundai is preparing new versions of the Tucson and Elantra, which are currently the top-selling models in the U.S. The next-generation Tucson will be a fully redesigned fifth-generation model, available in both hybrid and internal combustion engine variants. The next-generation Elantra is expected to be based on the newly unveiled domestic model.The Genesis GV80 hybrid, the brand's first hybrid vehicle, will begin its domestic rollout this month, with plans for a global launch later this year. The company aims to introduce 10 new hybrid models by 2030, increasing the hybrid share of its total sales to 50%. Kia is also set to launch a next-generation hybrid model of its compact SUV, the Seltos, in the U.S. soon.An industry insider noted, "While the transition to electric vehicles will continue in the long term, hybrids may serve as a key transitional power in the U.S. market for the time being. As high oil prices persist and volatility increases, fuel cost will inevitably become a major purchasing criterion."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 11:32:00
  • Job Skills Bank Reduces Hiring Burden with 20 Certificates for 62 Qualifications
    Job Skills Bank Reduces Hiring Burden with 20 Certificates for 62 Qualifications Examples of effective use of the Job Skills Bank, which consolidates individual qualifications, education, training, and career information, were revealed. Utilizing the National Competency Standards (NCS), the retention rate for new employees increased by more than 13 percentage points.On September 11, the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Korea Industrial Human Resources Corporation held the '2026 Job Skills Bank Utilization Best Practices Contest and NCS Corporate Utilization Awards Ceremony' at COEX in Gangseo-gu, Seoul.This is the first year the two award ceremonies were held together. A total of 20 award-winning cases were selected, including 10 in the Job Skills Bank category and 10 in the NCS corporate utilization category.The Grand Prize in the Job Skills Bank institutional category was awarded to Kangwon Land. This year, the company required 20 applicants for new hires to submit a Job Skills Certificate, which replaced 62 individual verification documents, including certificates and training.No applicants using the certificate had to resubmit verification documents. Satisfaction regarding the company's consideration for applicants increased from 4.27 to 4.49 on a five-point scale during the hiring process.The Grand Prize in the individual category went to a case of a researcher with over 14 years of experience in cutting tool design. This individual consolidated their scattered career and education history into the Job Skills Bank, identified skill gaps, and obtained relevant training and qualifications. The time required to prepare promotion review materials was reduced from over a week to just one day.In the NCS corporate utilization category, EnterNet was recognized as the best case. The company redefined approximately 30 job roles according to the NCS and applied this framework to hiring, training, and wage systems. As a result, the retention rate for new employees rose from 69.3% to 82.6%, an increase of 13.3 percentage points, while work errors and safety incidents decreased from 31 to 23.The Job Skills Bank is a system that manages an individual's qualifications, education, training, and career in one account, allowing for the issuance of certificates based on selected information. As of the end of August this year, a total of 110,761 Job Skills Accounts have been issued, with 147,382 certificates issued. On average, each account has issued approximately 1.33 certificates, indicating that job competency information is being repeatedly utilized in hiring and promotion processes.The Ministry of Labor plans to expand the use of the Job Skills Bank and NCS cases and support the introduction of job-centered personnel management in companies.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 11:32:00