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  • 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
  • South Korea begins construction of new Arctic research icebreaker
    South Korea begins construction of new Arctic research icebreaker SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - South Korea has begun construction of a next-generation icebreaking research vessel designed to expand the country’s access to the high Arctic and strengthen research capabilities along emerging Arctic shipping routes. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said Friday that a keel-laying ceremony for the new vessel was being held at Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje shipyard in South Gyeongsang Province, with around 40 officials from the ministry, Korea Polar Research Institute, Korean Register and Hanwha Ocean attending. The new icebreaker is scheduled for completion in 2029 and is expected to officially begin Arctic research operations in 2030. The ship will become South Korea’s second icebreaking research vessel after the Araon, which entered service in 2009. The government has said relying on the Araon alone has limited available research time because of lengthy voyages and its restricted ability to reach Arctic waters above 80 degrees north latitude. The ministry and Hanwha Ocean signed a construction contract in July last year and have since carried out design work and equipment procurement. The new vessel will have about 50 percent greater icebreaking capability than the Araon, allowing it to break through ice up to 1.5 meters thick while traveling at 3 knots, compared with the Araon’s 1-meter capability at the same speed. It will also be designed to operate in temperatures as low as minus 45 degrees Celsius, 10 degrees colder than the Araon’s rating. The icebreaker will conduct research on sea ice conditions needed for safe navigation along Arctic shipping routes, as well as Arctic fishery resources and seabed geology. It will use a dual-fuel system capable of running on liquefied natural gas and marine gas oil to reduce carbon emissions, while detachable modular research facilities are expected to make more efficient use of onboard research space. At roughly 16,560 gross tons, the new vessel will be more than twice the size of the 7,507-ton Araon. It will measure 140.8 meters long and 25 meters wide and accommodate up to 100 people, including 34 crew members and 66 researchers. It will have a cruising speed of 13 knots and be capable of operating for at least 75 days without resupply. Once the vessel enters service, it will focus primarily on Arctic research, while the Araon will shift its focus toward Antarctica. The ministry expects the combined number of annual research voyage days in the Arctic and Antarctic to increase from about 85 days to around 270 days, more than tripling current capacity. “The construction of the next-generation icebreaking research vessel is an important first step toward accumulating scientific research data in preparation for the coming era of Arctic shipping routes and becoming a leading country in polar research,” Seo Jeong-ho, head of the ministry’s Ocean Policy Office, said. “We will continue to provide the necessary support to ensure that the construction project proceeds without disruption,” he said. AJP Takeaways - South Korea has begun construction of a new Arctic research icebreaker, with completion targeted for 2029 and operations from 2030. - The vessel will have 50% stronger icebreaking capability than the Araon and operate in ice up to 1.5 meters thick. - The new icebreaker will expand South Korea’s Arctic research on shipping routes, sea ice, fisheries and seabed geology. 2026-09-11 11:29:21
  • Sookmyung team secures 1.16 billion won to build AI skills assessment
    Sookmyung team secures 1.16 billion won to build AI skills assessment SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - A research team at Sookmyung Women's University will receive 1.16 billion won in government funding over the next four years to continue building artificial intelligence tools that assess students' skills, after advancing to the final stage of a national research program. The team cleared a stage review with high marks in the Social Science Korea program, which the National Research Foundation of Korea runs to support long-term social science research, the university said Thursday. The new funding covers the period from Sept. 1 this year to Aug. 31, 2030. First selected in September 2020, the team completed the program's first two stages over the following six years. Its project can run for up to 10 years under the program, and the third stage is the last. The team's goal is a system that uses AI to assess the core competencies students need for the future and to support their learning. According to the team's research plan, those assessments are based on how students actually behave and perform. Over the first two stages, the team published multiple papers in leading international social science journals, the university said. It also won best-paper awards from major Korean academic societies, including the Korean Educational Research Association, the Korean Society for the Study of Teacher Education and the Korean Society for the Gifted. The team also carried its research into practice, building an aptitude and character assessment system for aspiring teachers with Sookmyung's teacher training center. With a gifted education center at KAIST, it developed a system that uses AI to evaluate students' competencies. Led by Park, So-Young, a professor in the Department of Education who directs the Education Research Institute at Sookmyung Women's University, the team includes professor Lee, You-kyung at the Department of Education, Dong, Suh-yeon at the Department of AI Engineering, and professors from Kongju National University, KAIST, and the Educational Testing Service, the U.S. nonprofit that runs the TOEFL and GRE exams. By 2030, the team plans to build an AI-based learning system in which people and AI work together while learners stay in charge of their own learning and teachers' professional expertise is protected. It also plans to develop ethics guidelines for the use of AI in education. 2026-09-11 11:28:26
  • Chungnam National University and Kongju National University Merger Vote Fails Amid Wage Disputes
    Chungnam National University and Kongju National University Merger Vote Fails Amid Wage Disputes Chungnam National University (CNU) and Kongju National University (KNU) are facing a potential collapse of their merger plans due to opposition from CNU members. This follows the failed merger with Hanbat National University, which has left the proposal to merge with KNU without sufficient support.Underlying this opposition are complex issues, including ongoing wage disputes within the university and a lack of communication from the administration, compounded by KNU's unreasonable demands. There is growing concern that if the situation is not resolved by next month, significant government funding for key projects could be jeopardized.According to a report by Aju Economy on September 11, the recent vote on the merger proposal between CNU and KNU was rejected primarily due to accumulated wage disputes between the university administration and the faculty union, as well as a lack of detailed plans for the merger. Additionally, the day before the vote, KNU's student council sent an email to CNU faculty outlining unreasonable demands, which further fueled opposition.If the merger plan is not submitted by the October 21 deadline, which marks the end of the first year of the 'Glocal University 30' project, the project itself could be at risk of suspension.Wage Disputes Erupt, Leading to 70-80% Staff OppositionThe most significant blow from the vote came from the overwhelming opposition among staff members. In contrast to previous discussions about merging with Hanbat University, where the public employee union and the university accounting union were supportive, this time nearly 70-80% of staff voted against the merger.At the heart of this opposition is a long-standing wage dispute between the university administration and the accounting union. The union has been protesting, stating, "We are currently working under worse conditions than KNU," but the administration has reportedly failed to promise improvements in treatment to match KNU's standards after the merger.A source familiar with CNU's situation noted, "The public employee union and the accounting union are very sensitive to the pros and cons of the merger, and the administration has not adequately addressed these concerns. The internal conflicts with the unions have had a decisive impact on the vote."Lack of Details and KNU's Email Incident Affect VoteThe low level of support from faculty also contributed to the rejection of the proposal. The source indicated, "While faculty members generally support the merger, the lack of clear synergies or vision has led to increased opposition due to vague proceedings."What particularly provoked CNU members was KNU's attitude. The day before the vote, the president of KNU's student council sent an email to CNU faculty arguing that, in the event of a merger, KNU students should not be barred from attending classes on the Daejeon campus and that the campus name should not be included on diplomas. Such demands likely triggered a strong backlash among CNU members, who are sensitive to issues of campus separation and academic disparity.October 21 Deadline Approaches, Concerns GrowThe pressure is now on CNU's administration. Both CNU and KNU are participating in the Ministry of Education's 'Glocal University 30' project, and they must submit a merger plan by the October 21 deadline. Failing to meet this deadline could result in a D grade in the second-year evaluation, effectively nullifying the Glocal project.The source remarked, "Among the concerned members, there are even lamentations that it would have been better to pursue a win-win situation with Hanbat University instead. The administration must now go beyond merely presenting a vision and develop detailed measures to address the unions' and members' grievances to gain momentum for a second vote."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 11:24:00
  • Council Member Lee Jeong-woon Calls for Reduction of Predictable Budget Surplus
    Council Member Lee Jeong-woon Calls for Reduction of Predictable Budget Surplus Lee Jeong-woon, a council member from the Democratic Party representing Muan 2, emphasized the need to reduce predictable budget surpluses and strengthen management of budget reallocations during a settlement review.During the Administrative and Fire Safety Committee's review of the 2025 fiscal year on September 10, Lee addressed the execution status of personnel operation expenses, public employee training expenses, overseas travel expenses, and performance bonuses.Lee stated, "Items such as personnel operation expenses and various allowances are predictable in terms of execution scale, yet significant surpluses have occurred. Minimizing surpluses is fundamental to efficient budget management, so we must improve the structure that allows predictable budgets to remain unspent."He also suggested establishing a system for inter-departmental information sharing not only during the budget preparation phase but also throughout the execution process.Lee stressed the importance of regular checks on execution status by the personnel management and accounting departments, and he highlighted the need for a preliminary settlement in early October to identify budgets that are unlikely to be used by the end of the year.He urged that funds expected to be unspent should be reallocated to necessary projects through supplementary budgets to enhance financial efficiency.Lee remarked, "It is more efficient for public finances to assess the feasibility of execution in advance and allocate budgets to necessary areas rather than leaving them as surpluses at the end of the year."In response, Kang Jong-cheol, head of the Administrative Affairs Bureau, stated, "We will consider improving the system to allow for bold budget adjustments through preliminary settlements and inter-departmental consultations for necessary reallocations."The issue of budget reallocations also emerged as a point of contention during the settlement review.Lee cited an instance where public employee welfare funds were reduced and reallocated to temporary worker salaries, asserting that reallocations should be managed more strictly according to relevant standards.He noted, "This is a matter that must be examined rigorously under the 'Guidelines for Budget Preparation and Management of Local Governments,' and we must closely assess whether reallocations made without the council's approval infringe upon the council's budget review rights."In response, Kim Dong-hyun, the head of the Local Policy Office, explained, "This was a measure taken within permissible limits to respond to unavoidable personnel changes such as mid-term resignations and parental leave. We will strive to improve the accuracy of projections to prevent such reallocations in the future."Lee emphasized that the settlement process should not merely confirm already spent budgets but should establish a management system that reflects surpluses and reallocations in the next year's budget preparation and execution.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 11:24:00
  • Ansan City Council Approves Candidate for Ansan Environment Foundation CEO
    Ansan City Council Approves Candidate for Ansan Environment Foundation CEO The Urban Environment Committee of the Ansan City Council held a confirmation hearing on September 10 for Kim Je-yeon, the candidate for CEO of the Ansan Environment Foundation, and adopted a report stating that Kim is suitable for the position. According to the city council, the committee verified Kim's morality, job performance ability, expertise, and awareness of key issues facing the foundation during the seventh meeting of the 305th extraordinary session. This confirmation hearing was the first conducted by the Urban Environment Committee, following the revision of the 'Ansan City Council Confirmation Hearing Ordinance' in April of this year. Committee members evaluated that Kim's administrative, legislative, and external cooperation experience, gained through work with local media, the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly, and the education sector, would contribute to the foundation's operations and community communication. In particular, Kim's background as a local journalist, which has given him a strong understanding of regional issues, was viewed positively. However, concerns were raised about Kim's relatively limited professional experience in the environmental field. To effectively advance the foundation's key projects, such as climate crisis response, carbon neutrality, environmental education, and ecological conservation, ongoing learning and enhancement of expertise in environmental matters were deemed necessary. The committee also emphasized the need for strategies to resolve conflicts arising both internally and externally within the foundation and to strengthen communication and harmony among staff. Based on these considerations, the Urban Environment Committee adopted a report indicating that Kim is 'suitable' as the candidate for CEO of the Ansan Environment Foundation. The committee requested that if Kim is appointed, he actively incorporate the feedback provided during the hearing, enhance his expertise in environmental matters, and fully utilize the capabilities of the foundation's internal professionals. Meanwhile, Chairman Seon Hyun-woo stated, "As this is the first confirmation hearing, we thoroughly verified the candidate's morality, job performance ability, and expertise," adding, "I hope the foundation can develop into a leading professional institution for local environmental policy by reflecting the opinions from the hearing process."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 11:20:20
  • NH Nonghyup Bank Cuts Mortgage Rates by Up to 0.45% to Ease Borrower Burden
    NH Nonghyup Bank Cuts Mortgage Rates by Up to 0.45% to Ease Borrower Burden NH Nonghyup Bank is reducing household loan interest rates to alleviate financial burdens for borrowers.According to the financial sector on September 11, NH Nonghyup Bank will lower its face-to-face mortgage loan rates starting September 16. The upper limit will decrease by 0.45 percentage points, while the lower limit will drop by approximately 0.20 percentage points.The bank will also reduce the upper limit on credit loan rates by about 0.20 percentage points. A representative from NH Nonghyup Bank stated, "We are adjusting rates to strengthen support for actual borrowers."However, other major commercial banks currently have no plans to lower their mortgage loan rates. Hana Bank, Woori Bank, Shinhan Bank, and KB Kookmin Bank have all indicated they do not plan to reduce mortgage rates.As of today, NH Nonghyup Bank's mortgage loan rates are between 4.46% and 6.46% for variable rates, and between 5.34% and 7.24% for fixed rates. The credit loan rates are set at 4.90% to 6.10%, based on six-month financial bonds.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 11:08:00