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  • Korean Air to Launch Starlink-Based In-Flight Wi-Fi Service Starting September 15
    Korean Air to Launch Starlink-Based In-Flight Wi-Fi Service Starting September 15 Korean Air announced on September 11 that it will begin offering free in-flight Wi-Fi services based on Starlink technology, starting with select flights on September 15. This marks the first time a major East Asian airline has adopted the Starlink system.The in-flight Wi-Fi service will be available on medium to large aircraft. A total of four modified planes, including three Airbus A350-900s and one Boeing 777-300ER, will provide the service. These aircraft will primarily operate on medium to long-haul routes to North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia, with some being deployed on short-haul routes as well.Korean Air plans to expand this service to most of its operating fleet by the end of 2027. The airline aims to complete all necessary preparations soon to ensure that passengers can enjoy consistent service.The Starlink-based in-flight Wi-Fi will be free for all seat classes, and the internet speed will be faster than before. Passengers will be able to use over-the-top (OTT) streaming services, watch videos, listen to music, and engage in online gaming, web browsing, news viewing, and messaging reliably.However, internet-based voice and video calls, as well as live streaming on social media, will be restricted according to airline policy. While technically feasible, these limitations are in place to maintain a comfortable cabin environment and ensure aviation security. Access to insecure or illegal websites may also be blocked.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 08:56:20
  • Naver Zs First Strike Amid Ongoing Losses and Metaverse Challenges
    Naver Z's First Strike Amid Ongoing Losses and Metaverse Challenges Naver Z, the operator of Zepeto, is facing escalating labor disputes over wage increases as it continues to report operating losses for the sixth consecutive year. The union has initiated its first partial strike in the company's history and has announced plans for further action.On September 11, the Naver Z union conducted a partial strike demanding wage increases. The union warned that if negotiations with management do not progress, a full strike could occur on September 23. The union is seeking a wage increase of 5.3%, which aligns with the wage increase agreed upon by Naver's headquarters and major affiliates this year. Management has reportedly proposed a wage freeze, citing the company's financial situation.The union's demand for a 5.3% increase stems from a trend of wage increases that has continued since the company's spin-off. A union representative stated, “When we spun off in 2020, we were assured that there would be no significant changes to our working conditions.” The union has indicated that it has applied wage increases similar to those at Naver headquarters, regardless of performance, since the spin-off.The union argues that management should not use poor performance as a reason for a wage freeze. They claim that the decision to invest in the unpredictable metaverse business was made by executives, and it is unfair to shift the responsibility for this onto employees through wage freezes.Management, however, presents a different narrative. Naver Z reported revenues of 66.3 billion won and an operating loss of 49.4 billion won last year. Revenue decreased by 14.4% compared to the previous year, and the operating loss exceeded 70% of revenue. Although the operating loss decreased by 18.6% from the previous year, it remains significant. Naver Z has recorded operating losses for six consecutive years since its spin-off in 2020.Despite six years of losses, management argues that they have applied wage increases similar to those at Naver headquarters. They contend that the growing losses and the decline of the metaverse trend have made it unavoidable to freeze wages.It is difficult to solely blame management for the situation. Naver Z rapidly expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, capitalizing on the metaverse trend. After spinning off from Naver in 2020, the company grew its global user base with Zepeto, surpassing 300 million cumulative users by 2022. At that time, Naver Z's revenue surged by 339% compared to the previous year, reflecting high expectations for the metaverse business.However, following the pandemic, enthusiasm for investing in the metaverse quickly waned, altering the business environment. According to S&P Global, private and venture capital investments in global metaverse companies plummeted from $4.09 billion in 2022 to $530 million in 2023, an 87% decrease. During the same period, the number of investment deals fell from 65 to 48. Additionally, as generative artificial intelligence emerged as a new growth area, investor interest shifted away from metaverse-related companies, further impacting their business environment.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 08:56:00
  • Body of North Korean Defector Found in Paju Apartment; Suspect Fled Abroad
    Body of North Korean Defector Found in Paju Apartment; Suspect Fled Abroad The body of a North Korean defector in her 30s was discovered in an apartment in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.According to Yonhap News and police reports, the woman, identified as A, was found dead at around 10:35 a.m. on September 9 in an apartment located in Wadong-dong, Paju.Police, in coordination with fire authorities, entered the apartment after failing to contact A and discovered her body. At the time of discovery, the body showed significant signs of decomposition, and an autopsy indicated evidence of foul play.Authorities believe the crime occurred in early August and are pursuing B, A's former partner, as a primary suspect. B is reported to have left the country following the incident.Police are seeking assistance from Interpol to track B's whereabouts.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 08:52:20
  • Samsung E&A Wins $3.5 Billion Fertilizer Project in Saudi Arabia
    Samsung E&A Wins $3.5 Billion Fertilizer Project in Saudi Arabia Samsung E&A has secured a major fertilizer project in Saudi Arabia.On September 11, Samsung E&A announced that it has signed an EPC contract for the 'SAN-7 Project' with SABIC Agri-Nutrients. The contract is valued at approximately 4.7 trillion won (about $3.5 billion), and Samsung E&A will carry out the EPC work independently, with completion expected by 2030.The contract signing took place on September 9 at SABIC's headquarters in Jubail, Saudi Arabia, attended by Hong Nam-goo, President of Samsung E&A, Faisal Mohammed Al-Faqeer, President of SABIC, Abdulrahman Al-Faqeer, Chairman of SABIC Agri-Nutrients, and Fahad Misfer Al-Battar, President of SABIC Agri-Nutrients.The plant, to be built in the Jubail Industrial Complex in Eastern Saudi Arabia, will produce 3,500 tons of ammonia daily from natural gas, which will then be used to produce 7,700 tons of urea fertilizer. All of the produced urea will be exported. Notably, the plant will incorporate PCCC (Post-Combustion Carbon Capture) technology, allowing the carbon dioxide generated during ammonia production to be utilized in urea synthesis, thereby reducing carbon emissions and enhancing economic efficiency.Samsung E&A plans to leverage its extensive experience in Saudi Arabia and the trust of its clients, along with its competitive product offerings, to successfully execute this project. The ammonia/urea plant is one of Samsung E&A's core chemical engineering products, and the company is currently engaged in a low-carbon ammonia project in the United States. Additionally, Samsung E&A intends to differentiate its project execution by applying innovative technologies such as modularization and automation.A representative from Samsung E&A stated, "We plan to successfully execute the project by consolidating our technological expertise and experience, actively responding to the growing global demand for fertilizer plants."Meanwhile, Samsung E&A has gained experience in executing large-scale projects in Saudi Arabia, including securing a $6 billion package for the Fadhili gas expansion program commissioned by Saudi Aramco in 2024. 2026-09-11 08:52:00
  • Market Preview: U.S. Interest Rates and Oil Prices Weigh on KOSPIs Stability
    Market Preview: U.S. Interest Rates and Oil Prices Weigh on KOSPI's Stability The New York Stock Exchange has seen declines for four consecutive trading days, driven by surging international oil prices and rising U.S. long-term Treasury yields. As geopolitical tensions in the Middle East escalate, oil prices have surpassed $100 per barrel, and the U.S. Producer Price Index (PPI) for August exceeded market expectations, raising inflation concerns. Attention is now focused on the domestic stock market's direction.On September 10, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 316.56 points (0.60%) at 50,064.10. The S&P 500 fell 44.66 points (0.58%) to finish at 7,591.70, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq dropped 171.62 points (0.65%) to close at 26,081.72.The U.S. stock market has shown weakness amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Reports of Yemen's Houthi rebels seizing a port city and Iran resuming ballistic missile production in underground facilities have raised concerns about a prolonged conflict between the U.S. and Iran.International oil prices have surged, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for October rising over 7% during trading to reach around $103 per barrel, marking the highest level since May.Inflation indicators have also intensified pressure for rising interest rates. The U.S. PPI for August increased by 5.4% compared to the same month last year, surpassing the market forecast of 5.3%. The higher-than-expected headline PPI has raised concerns that increases in energy and transportation costs could be passed on to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), adding pressure despite expectations for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut.Major tech stocks also faced declines, with Nvidia down 2.3%, Micron falling 4.9%, and Oracle dropping 5.4% during regular trading. However, Oracle reported quarterly revenue of $19.3 billion and a remaining performance obligation (RPO) of $66.4 billion, exceeding market expectations, and raised its annual revenue guidance to $90 billion, leading to a more than 6% increase in after-hours trading.The domestic stock market is expected to open lower due to rising U.S. interest rates and oil prices, as well as weakness in KOSPI night futures.As of 8:44 a.m. on September 11, shares of Samsung Electronics were down 3.1%, and SK Hynix fell 3.3%. Other major stocks, including SK Square (-3.7%) and Hyundai Motor (-1.6%), also showed weakness.Market analysts suggest that while macro volatility may continue due to rising international oil prices and U.S. long-term interest rates, if the August CPI aligns with market expectations, the stock market may maintain some downward rigidity. Notably, the earnings strength of leading sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors remains robust, and Oracle's strong performance could help restore some investor sentiment.Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, stated, "The U.S. stock market has declined for four consecutive days due to reduced buyback sizes by the U.S. Treasury and the August headline PPI exceeding consensus, pushing the 10-year yield above 4.9%. Concerns over Saudi Arabia's reduced oil production in August and disruptions in Middle Eastern shipping have contributed to WTI prices exceeding $100, leading to this decline. Market fatigue is increasing as it is repeatedly exposed to macro uncertainties."He added, "Today, the domestic market is expected to open lower due to the pressures of rising interest rates and oil prices, as well as caution ahead of the August U.S. CPI and the 3% decline in KOSPI night futures. However, Oracle's strong after-hours performance may help mitigate intraday losses."He concluded, "If the August CPI meets consensus expectations, it could provide some relief to the market. Given that the earnings strength of leading sectors like AI and semiconductors remains solid, the stock market may maintain some downward rigidity amid macro volatility leading up to the September FOMC meeting."Another analyst noted, "Although the KOSPI briefly fell below 7,000 during the day, it managed to recover and close above that level for two consecutive days. Depending on the August CPI results, short-term volatility may increase until next week, but if it does not deviate significantly from consensus, the rise in oil prices and interest rates may reverse, allowing the 7,000 level to shift from a resistance to a support level."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 08:52:00
  • Anti-Corruption Agency Denies Allegations Against Kim Seung-won
    Anti-Corruption Agency Denies Allegations Against Kim Seung-won The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission denied allegations on September 11 regarding Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice, related to lobbying for the approval of a new COVID-19 treatment.In a press release, the commission stated, "Article 107, Section 3 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea stipulates that 'the procedures for administrative appeals shall be determined by law, and judicial procedures shall apply.'" It added, "The Administrative Appeals Act specifically outlines the procedures from the filing of an appeal to the final decision, in accordance with judicial procedures."The commission emphasized, "According to Article 23 of the Administrative Appeals Act, a person wishing to file an administrative appeal must prepare and submit an appeal document. Article 26 of the same law requires the committee receiving the appeal document to promptly send a copy to the respondent. This is a mandatory procedure that must be followed according to legal provisions and does not require consultation with the claimant regarding the sending of the appeal document."Furthermore, it noted, "The claimant mentioned in the article submitted the appeal through the 'Online Administrative Appeals System' on August 12, 2022, designating the 'Director of the Seoul Regional Food and Drug Administration' as the respondent. The appeal submitted by the claimant was automatically sent to the respondent via the Online Administrative Appeals System, as stipulated by the Administrative Appeals Act."In conclusion, the commission stated, "Sending the administrative appeal to the designated respondent is a necessary procedure mandated by law, and the claim that 'the Anti-Corruption Agency transferred the claimant's personal information to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety without consent' is false."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 08:48:00
  • South Korea and Japan Discuss Copyright Policies in the AI Era
    South Korea and Japan Discuss Copyright Policies in the AI Era South Korea and Japan exchanged information and discussed cooperation on various copyright policies, including those related to artificial intelligence.The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of South Korea and Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology held the '2026 South Korea-Japan Government Meeting and Seminar' in Seoul from September 9 to 10.During the meeting on September 9 at the Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Botanic Park, both sides engaged in in-depth discussions on copyright issues. They particularly focused on finding a balance between copyright protection and the promotion of usage amid the rapid advancement of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, while also examining the trends in international discussions.The Ministry of Culture announced plans to triple the budget for opening public copyright materials as AI training data by 2027 and introduced a new budget of 3.1 billion won for 'AI Copyright Trust Governance Technology Development (R&D)' to prepare for the AI era.On September 10, the 'Copyright Exchange Seminar' shared information on two main topics: copyright protection systems and copyright trust management systems. The Japanese delegation noted that, in relation to South Korea's 'Comprehensive Response System for Copyright Infringement,' they secured funding to experience demonstrations of this system during the 2024 South Korea-Japan seminar and to introduce a similar system in Japan.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 08:48:00
  • Bitcoin Drops to $76,000 Despite $6 Billion U.S. Treasury Buyback
    Bitcoin Drops to $76,000 Despite $6 Billion U.S. Treasury Buyback Bitcoin fell to around $76,000 despite the U.S. Treasury's expansion of its long-term Treasury buyback program. The announced buyback amount did not meet market expectations, leading to a rise in U.S. Treasury yields and a continued lack of investor confidence in risk assets within the cryptocurrency market.According to CoinMarketCap, as of 8 a.m. on September 11, Bitcoin was trading at $76,936, down 1.38% from the previous day.Major altcoins also experienced declines. Ethereum dropped 0.18% to $2,449, while Ripple (XRP) fell 3.08% to $1.34. Solana decreased by 1.80% to $99.47, and Binance Coin (BNB) was down 1.08% at $712.47.Although the U.S. Treasury announced a significant increase in the buyback program, it failed to meet market expectations. On September 9, the Treasury revealed plans for a buyback of up to $6 billion for 10- to 20-year Treasury bonds, three times the amount of the previous long-term buyback.However, some on Wall Street had anticipated a buyback of $7 billion to $8 billion, leading to disappointment in the market following the announcement. Despite the expanded buyback, U.S. Treasury yields actually rose.Steven Zeng, a strategist at Deutsche Bank, commented, "The Treasury increased the amount threefold, but it fell short of the shock investors were hoping for, resulting in a disappointed market reaction."Meanwhile, in the domestic market, Bitcoin also showed weakness. As of 8 a.m. on the same day, Bitcoin was trading at 1,021,300 won on Bithumb, down 0.33% from the previous day. The 'Kimchi Premium,' which indicates the extent to which domestic prices are higher than international prices, was recorded at 1.33%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 08:28:10
  • US Treasury Yields Surge Amid Rising Oil Prices and Iran Conflict
    US Treasury Yields Surge Amid Rising Oil Prices and Iran Conflict The rise in oil prices is intensifying inflationary pressures, increasing the likelihood of further interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. Additionally, concerns over the prolonged conflict between the United States and Iran have pushed the yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury bonds to its highest level in over three years. According to the International Financial Center, the yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury bonds rose by 12 basis points to 4.96%, marking the highest level since October 2023. The increase is attributed to fears of an extended military conflict between the U.S. and Iran, which has driven international oil prices above $100, alongside higher-than-expected producer prices in the U.S. Concerns that the Middle East conflict may last longer than initially anticipated have contributed to the rise in oil prices. President Donald Trump had suggested that the conflict would cease after the midterm elections, but market sentiment reflects skepticism about this claim. Reports indicate that some of Trump's close associates are worried the conflict could extend until the end of his term. As a result, Brent crude oil prices surged by 6.3% in one day, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose by 6.7% to $102.48 per barrel. The military demonstrations by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea are also cited as a factor contributing to rising oil prices. Iran announced a temporary suspension of surcharges on foreign vessels transporting energy to facilitate smooth energy transport, but geopolitical tensions in the region remain high. Inflationary pressures in the U.S. are also on the rise. The Producer Price Index (PPI) for August showed a year-over-year increase of 5.4% and a month-over-month increase of 0.4%. The year-over-year increase was higher than July's 4.8%, and the month-over-month increase was up from 0.1%. These factors have heightened expectations for interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve, leading to a corresponding rise in U.S. Treasury yields. The market anticipates additional rate increases of 0.25 percentage points in December of this year and March of next year. In Japan, the possibility of further interest rate hikes is also increasing. Bank of Japan member Masu has stated that rates should continue to rise to keep the core inflation rate below 2%. A 0.25 percentage point rate hike is being strongly considered at the upcoming Bank of Japan meeting.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 08:28:00
  • KDRT Team 2 Departs for Nepal with 4 Tons of Relief Supplies
    KDRT Team 2 Departs for Nepal with 4 Tons of Relief Supplies The second team of the Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) departed for flood-affected Nepal on September 11. The team consists of eight members and will be deployed for seven days.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the KDRT team left at 2:55 a.m. on a military transport aircraft (KC-330) carrying approximately four tons of relief supplies, valued at 180 million won. According to officials, the team is composed of two members each from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Fire Agency, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and a medical team.Previously, Park Du-sun, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held a regular briefing in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on September 10, stating, "We will form a small search and rescue team and a reconstruction and recovery team to closely coordinate with the Nepalese authorities for relief activities and emergency response on the ground in Nepal."Meanwhile, the first KDRT team, which was dispatched on September 2, is scheduled to return on September 11 as their mission comes to an end. This team, consisting of 44 members, was deployed for ten days and successfully rescued one Chinese survivor ten days after the flood, but they were unable to locate any of the nine missing South Koreans.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 08:28:00