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Han Seong-sook Inspects Housing Supply Site at Taereung Golf Course Han Seong-sook, the Prime Minister of South Korea, visited the Taereung Golf Course housing supply site in Seoul on September 18, urging the need for a comprehensive design that includes transportation, living conditions, education, and childcare infrastructure.During her visit to the Taereung and Gangneung areas in Nowon-gu, she was accompanied by key officials, including Lee Hyung-il, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance; Kim I-tak, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport; Choi Bo-gun, Deputy Minister of the Cultural Heritage Administration; Lee Seong-hoon, President of the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH); and lawmakers Woo Won-sik and Seo Jun-oh, the mayor of Nowon-gu."When designing residential environments, it is essential to enhance the quality of the homes while also improving the surrounding environment to create better living conditions," Han stated. She emphasized that efficient transportation is crucial for making the area a desirable residential location.She added, "We must not only build homes but also design policies that encompass transportation, living conditions, education, and childcare. We should plan facilities related to startups, childcare, and schools simultaneously and work on branding the community as well."Han noted that incorporating UNESCO's requirements while designing diverse housing types could help preserve the region's advantages.At the site, transportation planning was identified as a key factor for the project's success. Approximately 50,000 vehicles travel daily on the nearby Hwarang-ro from the northern part of Namyangju, while about 120,000 vehicles use the Northern Expressway, leading to chronic congestion. Concerns have been raised about increased traffic burdens due to large housing projects in nearby areas like Galmae Station and Baeksam Village.Woo warned, "If we add 6,800 housing units without properly designing the transportation network, we could face a traffic crisis. Without a transportation plan, it will be difficult to proceed with the project." Seo proposed expanding Hwarang-ro, constructing the Baeksa Tunnel, and building a railway network connecting Byeollae Station with the Taereung district and Kwangwoon University Station.Han acknowledged the severe congestion on the Northern and Eastern Expressways, stating, "I am aware of the traffic issues. The Ministry of Land is already working on a comprehensive plan that includes transportation, and we will review the proposed solutions together." Kim added that to reflect the improvements in next year's budget, the metropolitan transportation improvement plan needs to be finalized by the end of this year.Han also instructed officials to ensure sufficient green spaces, parks, and cultural and sports facilities, as well as to consider introducing carbon-neutral housing and facilities for youth startups. She emphasized the need to design the entire urban area by integrating housing with essential living elements and to comprehensively plan the transportation network considering ongoing land development in the vicinity.The Taereung district project aims to supply 6,800 housing units across an 870,000 square meter area spanning Nowon-gu in Seoul and Galmae-dong in Guri, Gyeonggi Province. The planned population is approximately 15,000, with the Taereung Golf Course occupying about 720,000 square meters of the total project area.Initially launched in 2020 under the '8-4 Plan,' the project faced delays due to ongoing discussions about preserving the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Taereung and Gangneung and addressing traffic issues. The government reaffirmed the plan to supply 6,800 housing units in the Taereung district through the January 29 supply plan this year.The government aims to complete discussions related to cultural heritage by the end of this year, designate the public housing district by March 2027, and begin construction by September 2029. A replacement golf course for the Taereung Golf Course will also be selected by the first half of next year, and the government plans to expedite the donation and transfer procedures with the Ministry of National Defense.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 14:28:00 -
Financial Authorities Strengthen Capital Regulations on High-Risk Home Loans 금융당국이 고가주택이나 담보인정비율(LTV)이 높은 주택담보대출에 대한 은행권 자본규제를 강화한다. 대출 위험도에 따라 은행이 쌓아야 할 자본을 늘리는 방식으로, 고위험 주담대를 많이 보유한 은행의 건전성 관리 부담이 커질 전망이다. 18일 금융권에 따르면 금융감독원은 최근 주요 은행권과 회의를 열고 고위험 주담대를 구분하는 세부 기준을 제시했다. 금융당국은 지난달 13일 발표한 부동산 금융대책에서 고액·고DSR(총부채원리금상환비율) 대출과 고가주택·고LTV 대출에 대한 자본규제를 강화하겠다고 밝힌 바 있다. 현재는 만기일시상환·거치식 분할상환 대출, 3건 이상 다주택자 주담대, 담보인정비율(LTV) 60% 초과 대출에 대해서만 위험가중치를 약 2배 적용하고 있다. 당국은 고위험 주담대 구간을 더욱 세분화해 관리하는 방안을 검토하고 있다. △주택가격 25억원 초과·LTV 40% 초과 △주택가격 15억원 초과 25억원 이하·LTV 40% 초과 △주택가격 15억원 이하·LTV 60% 초과 등이다. 구간별 위험가중치는 2~4배 범위에서 결정될 것으로 전망된다. 신규 대출뿐 아니라 기존 대출 잔액에도 적용한다. 단 구체적인 위험가중치 배수는 아직 정해지지 않았다. 이와 함께 대출 규모가 4억원을 넘고 DSR이 35%를 초과하는 주담대도 고위험 대출로 분류해 관리한다. 위험가중치는 은행이 보유한 대출의 위험성을 자산에 반영하는 비율을 의미한다. 위험가중치가 올라가면 위험가중자산이 늘어나 은행 입장에서는 자본을 추가로 확보하거나 고위험 대출 비중을 조절해야 한다. 자본건전성 핵심 지표인 보통주자본(CET1) 비율을 유지하기 위해서다. 아울러 당국은 가계부채가 일정 수준을 넘을 경우 은행별 주담대 비중에 따라 추가 자본을 쌓도록 하는 가계부문 시스템리스크 완충자본(SSyRB)도 도입할 예정이다. 부동산 경기 변동이 은행 건전성에 미치는 충격을 줄이기 위한 조치다. 금융당국은 은행권 의견을 반영해 구체적인 적용 기준을 마련해 내년 해당 조치를 시행할 예정이다. 금감원 관계자는 "지난 8.13 대책 발표 이후 은행권과 계속해서 협의를 진행하고 있다"며 "추가 협의를 거쳐 세부 방안을 마련하겠다"고 설명했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 14:28:00
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South Korea to begin medal hunt on Asian Games's opening weekend SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - South Korean athletes are set to begin their gold-medal hunt this weekend as the quadrennial Asian Games kick off with an opening ceremony in Nagoya, Japan on Saturday. South Korea is aiming for 40 to 45 gold medals to finish third overall, with early medal races coming in disciplines like wushu, modern pentathlon, shooting and swimming. The first chance for a gold medal comes Sunday morning in wushu, a martial art often called kung fu, when Lee Yong-hyun competes in the men's changquan taolu, a fast-paced Long Fist routine. But much of the attention will be on modern pentathlon which comprise of five different disciplines of fencing, obstacle racing, swimming, shooting and running, where athletes will vie for four gold medals in the men's and women's individual and team events. Much of the attention will be on modern pentathlon, which combines five disciplines including fencing, obstacle racing, swimming, shooting and running, with four gold medals up for grabs in the men's and women's individual and team events. In the women's competition, Seong Seung-min will lead South Korea's team after finishing runner-up in her semifinal race on Thursday, ahead of the Games' official opening. The other three South Korean athletes such as Shin Su-min, Kim Eun-ju and Jang Ha-eun also advanced to the final. In the men's event, Jeon Woong-tae, Kim Young-ha, Lee Jong-hyeon and Seo Chang-wan will compete in Sunday's final if they make it through the semifinals later in the day. South Korea also expects to win medals in shooting and swimming the same day, with triathlon, cycling, karate and teqball competitions also scheduled. As the opening weekend brings a flurry of medal chances, attention will be on whether South Korean athletes can get off to a strong start and build momentum toward their goal of up to 45 gold medals. This year's Asian Games will bring together more than 15,000 participants from 45 countries, who will compete for some 469 gold medals until Oct. 4. Meanwhile, athletes who arrived for the Games have already complained about poor lodging, the lack of a proper athletes' village and other facilities. Organizers have defended the arrangements as part of efforts to cut costs and promote sustainability, while critics have questioned whether the measures reflect poor planning, raising concerns about whether athletes will be able to perform at their best. AJP Takeaways - South Korea will begin its Asian Games gold-medal campaign on the opening weekend in Nagoya, Japan, with early medal opportunities in wushu, modern pentathlon, shooting and swimming. - South Korean modern pentathlon athletes, including Seong Seung-min, Shin Su-min, Kim Eun-ju and Jang Ha-eun, will compete for medals, with four gold medals available across the men's and women's individual and team events. - The Asian Games will feature more than 15,000 participants from 45 countries, competing for approximately 469 gold medals through Oct. 4, while athlete concerns over lodging and facilities have drawn attention ahead of competition. 2026-09-18 14:27:18 -
Gwangju City Council Approves First Organizational Restructuring Plan The Gwangju City Council has finally approved its first organizational restructuring plan.This decision stabilizes the city’s organization and allows for personnel changes.The administration plans to expedite subsequent appointments.It aims to conduct some executive promotions before Chuseok and finalize all personnel changes by October 7.On September 18, the Gwangju City Council held its third plenary session of the first regular meeting, where it passed the "Comprehensive Amendment to the Ordinance on the Establishment of Administrative Organizations for the Integrated Gwangju City of Jeollanam-do" with 46 votes in favor, 35 against, and 8 abstentions out of 89 present council members.The plan barely passed with one more vote than the majority of 45.Additionally, the "Partial Amendment to the Ordinance on Public Employee Staffing" was approved with 62 votes in favor, 15 against, and 7 abstentions out of 84 present members.Before the vote on the restructuring plan, 11 council members requested a debate against it, but only two, Jin Ho-geon and Lee Haeng-do, spoke before the discussion was concluded, and no members spoke in favor.The first restructuring plan since the integration faced challenges due to the distribution of functions among the city offices and the placement of the nationally appointed deputy mayor.The council had previously postponed the Planning and Finance Committee's review on September 9 due to disagreements over the distribution of functions among the three city offices: Gwangju, Muan, and Dongbu. The administration submitted a revised plan, which passed the committee on September 15.Before the plenary vote, there was also controversy within the Democratic Party regarding a "party-line vote."With the restructuring plan now passed, the administration is set to accelerate the subsequent personnel procedures.It plans to prioritize some executive promotions before Chuseok and conduct the remaining promotions and transfers after the holiday, aiming to complete all personnel changes by the implementation date of October 7.During the plenary session, a total of 16 items were voted on, including two ordinances related to the restructuring.The supplementary budget was ultimately passed after the council rejected an additional issuance of 27.1 billion won in local bonds that exceeded the legal limit of 119.8 billion won originally included in the budget, resulting in a total reduction of 41.5 billion won, including 40 billion won for the education office's legal transfer.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 14:20:00
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Minister Hwang Jong-woo Inspects Seafood Prices Ahead of Chuseok Hwang Jong-woo, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, visited the Busan seafood market to check on the supply and prices of key seafood items ahead of Chuseok. The ministry plans to ease the burden of holiday shopping through the largest-ever release of government stockpiles and a refund event for Onnuri gift certificates.On September 18, Minister Hwang visited Jagalchi Market and the Nampo-dong dried seafood wholesale market to assess the price trends and supply conditions of essential seafood items such as croaker, sea bream, and octopus, as well as dried goods like seaweed and anchovies.To increase the supply of Chuseok essentials, the ministry is releasing 22,000 tons of government stockpiled seafood, nearly double the amount from last year, marking the largest release in history.From September 16 to 20, a refund event for Onnuri gift certificates is being held at over 300 traditional markets nationwide. The budget for this event has been expanded from 20 billion won last year to 24 billion won this year.Consumers who purchase domestic seafood at participating traditional markets can receive an immediate refund of up to 30% of their purchase amount, capped at 20,000 won per person, in Onnuri gift certificates.During his visit, Minister Hwang spoke with market vendors about consumer trends and challenges during the holiday season. He also checked the operation of the refund booths and the waiting conditions for consumers.Minister Hwang stated, "We are making every effort to stabilize the supply of seafood essentials through the largest-ever release of stockpiles and the Onnuri gift certificate refund event, so that our citizens can enjoy a plentiful Chuseok without financial burden. We will closely monitor the supply of essentials and the progress of seafood discount events until just before the holiday."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 14:20:00
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NIS Holds In-Person National Counterintelligence Strategy Meeting for First Time in Four Years 국가정보원이 형법상 간첩죄 적용 범위 확대를 계기로, 4년 만에 국가방첩전략회의를 대면 개최했다. 외국의 기밀 탈취와 첨단기술 유출 등에 대응하기 위한 범정부 방첩 공조도 강화한다. 국정원은 18일 이종석 국정원장 주재로 외교부와 통일부, 산업통상부, 중소벤처기업부, 서울시, 군·경찰 등 22개 유관기관의 차관급 관계자들이 참석한 가운데 제13회 국가방첩전략회의를 개최했다고 밝혔다. 국가방첩전략회의는 대통령령인 ‘방첩업무규정’에 근거해 국가 방첩정책을 심의하는 최고 기구다. 2013년 출범 이후 매년 열렸으며, 올해 회의는 2022년 이후 4년 만에 대면 방식으로 진행됐다. 이번 회의는 73년 만에 개정된 형법상 간첩죄가 지난 13일부터 시행된 데 맞춰 열렸다. 개정 형법은 간첩죄 적용 대상을 기존 ‘적국’에서 ‘외국 또는 이에 준하는 단체’로 넓혀 외국을 위해 국가기밀을 탐지·수집하거나 누설·전달하는 행위도 처벌할 수 있도록 했다. 해당 개정안은 지난 2월 국회를 통과해 3월 12일 공포됐다. 참석 기관들은 이날 간첩죄 확대 시행에 따른 국가방첩 체계 확충과 국토안보 분야 협업 강화, 국가 연구개발(R&D) 성과물 보호를 위한 연구보안 강화 방안 등을 심의·의결했다. 특히 외국의 외교·국방 분야 기밀 탈취뿐 아니라 첨단기술과 방위산업 기술 유출에도 적극 대응할 수 있도록 기관별 대응 역량을 결집하고 정보 공유와 공조 체계를 강화하기로 했다. 최외곽 도서 등 전략지역의 토지 관리와 국가 R&D 연구 성과물 보호도 국가안보와 미래 경쟁력에 직결된 주요 과제로 선정했다. 이를 위해 기관별 고유 기능과 권한에 따라 역할을 나누고 협업을 확대하는 방안을 논의했다. 이 원장은 “앞으로 한층 은밀하고 고도화될 외국의 안보·국익 침해 행위에 대응해 유관기관 간 칸막이를 걷어내고 더욱 긴밀히 협력해 나가자”고 말했다. 한편, 1953년 형법 제정 이후 73년 만에 개정된 간첩죄 조항은 종전 ‘적국’을 위한 행위에 한정됐던 처벌 범위를 ‘외국 또는 이에 준하는 단체’까지 넓힌 것이 핵심이다. 신설된 형법 제98조의2는 외국 등의 지령·사주나 그 밖의 의사 연락 아래 국가기밀을 탐지·수집·누설·전달·중개하거나 이를 방조한 경우 3년 이상의 유기징역에 처하도록 했다. 국제정세가 다변화하고 반도체·배터리·인공지능(AI)·방산 등 핵심기술의 해외 유출 우려가 커진 것이 법 개정의 배경이 됐다. 2026-09-18 14:08:00
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Dongyang and Dongyangwoo Hit Upper Limits Amid AI Data Center and Airport Construction Hopes Dongyang and Dongyangwoo both reached their upper price limits on the stock market. Analysts attribute the surge to expectations of benefits from the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and the construction of the Gadeokdo New Airport.According to the Korea Exchange, as of 1:52 PM on the 18th, Dongyang was trading at 1,353 won, up 29.97% (312 won) from the previous trading day. Dongyangwoo also rose to its upper limit, increasing by 29.96% (2,460 won) to 10,670 won.On the same day, Yuanta Securities released a report highlighting the potential for improved performance in Dongyang's ready-mixed concrete business and the expansion of its AI data center operations. Dongyang operates in various sectors, including construction and textiles, with ready-mixed concrete accounting for 60.8% of its revenue in the first half of this year. Of the 17 ready-mixed concrete plants operating nationwide, eight are located in the southeastern region, with four situated in the Busan area.Yuanta Securities anticipates that the construction of the Gadeokdo New Airport will contribute to Dongyang's performance improvement after 2027. The site preparation for the airport is set to begin in November after selecting qualified contractors for the detailed design, with the main construction expected to start in the first half of next year. Kwon Myung-jun, a researcher at Yuanta Securities, stated, "This will be a driving force for the growth of the company's ready-mixed concrete performance in the coming years."Expectations surrounding the AI data center business also appear to have boosted stock prices. Since 2022, Dongyang has been preparing for urban AI data center projects in response to the growing demand for AI and data infrastructure. The first project, the 'Bucheon Samjeong AI Hub Center,' is a specialized AI data center with a total power capacity of 9.8 megawatts (MW) and an IT capacity of 7.0 MW, which broke ground in May. It is scheduled for completion in October 2028, with operations expected to begin in November of the same year.Yuanta Securities projects that the center's completion will generate over 50 billion won in profits through its sale. In addition to the Bucheon Samjeong project, Dongyang is also considering three additional sites, including one in Incheon’s Guwol-dong, indicating potential for growth in its data center business.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 14:08:00
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Netflix puts viewer attention at center of ad strategy SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - Global OTT service Netflix is putting viewer attention at the center of its advertising strategy, the company said Friday. The streaming platform is also expanding programmatic ad buying and plans to offer its ad-supported plan in 27 countries next year. Park Young-sun, Netflix's industry lead in Korea, outlined the strategy at The Trade Desk's "Open Forum: Omnichannel in the AI Era" in Seoul on Thursday. "In the past, reach and views were important. Now attention is becoming a meaningful metric," Park said. Netflix said it uses viewing data such as preferred genres, viewing times and engagement patterns to help advertisers design campaigns. Its ad formats include video, pause and interactive ads, as well as single-title sponsorships tied to specific shows or films. The company is also expanding programmatic advertising through demand-side platforms, including The Trade Desk. Netflix introduced its ad-supported plan in South Korea and 11 other countries in November 2022. It plans to add 15 markets, including Austria, Belgium, Thailand and Switzerland, next year. AJP Takeaways - Netflix is emphasizing viewer attention as a key advertising metric. - The company is expanding programmatic ad buying through partners including The Trade Desk. - Its ad formats include video, pause, interactive and single-title sponsorship ads. 2026-09-18 14:05:45 -
National Museum of Korea visitors top 5.25 million SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - The National Museum of Korea drew more than 5.25 million visitors in the first eight months of 2026, crossing the 5-million mark about six weeks earlier than last year, when it set an annual attendance record. Attendance totaled 5,254,884 from January through August, up 21.4 percent from 4,328,979 in the same period a year earlier. Visitor traffic remained heavy through the summer. The museum surpassed 3 million visitors in May and 4 million in July, drawing 688,443 people in July and 771,045 in August. The surge prompted the museum to extend opening hours by one hour from July 27 to Aug. 17 during the peak summer vacation period. Foreign attendance rose even faster, nearly doubling to 291,460 from 147,643 a year earlier. That has already surpassed the 231,192 foreign visitors recorded for all of 2025. The museum drew more than 6.5 million visitors last year, placing third worldwide in an annual ranking by The Art Newspaper behind the Louvre and the Vatican Museums. If the current pace continues, the museum could surpass last year's attendance record. Upcoming exhibitions include a special display of Dunhuang Buddhist manuscripts in October, works from Kunsthaus Zurich in November and an exhibition on Marie Antoinette's style in December. AJP Takeaways - The National Museum of Korea drew 5.25 million visitors through August, up 21.4 percent from a year earlier. - It crossed the 5-million mark about six weeks earlier than in 2025. - Foreign attendance nearly doubled to 291,460 and has already surpassed last year's full-year total. 2026-09-18 14:05:02 -
Korean Air Enhances Safety Capabilities Ahead of Integrated LCC Launch Korean Air is strengthening its safety operations ahead of the launch of its integrated low-cost carrier (LCC). On September 18, Korean Air held a predictive maintenance workshop at its headquarters in Gangseo-gu. Approximately 30 maintenance officials from the integrated LCCs, including Jin Air, Air Busan, and Air Seoul, as well as from Asiana Airlines, attended the event. The workshop aimed to share Korean Air's predictive maintenance technology and operational know-how with its group companies, supporting the stable launch of the integrated LCC. Predictive maintenance involves analyzing data accumulated during aircraft operations to anticipate potential component and system failures, allowing for necessary maintenance to be performed before issues arise. The event included presentations on the current status of predictive maintenance initiatives at Korean Air and key technologies, as well as sharing data-driven maintenance case studies from actual operations. Participants reviewed topics such as the current state and technological trends of predictive maintenance in the domestic and international aviation industries, the operational status of Korean Air's predictive maintenance, ways to utilize flight operation data, and examples of applying self-developed predictive maintenance models. Following the presentations, a free discussion was held to address current issues related to predictive maintenance and explore practical applications. Attendees shared their experiences and opinions, seeking collaborative directions for predictive maintenance following the launch of the integrated LCC. A Korean Air official stated, "This was a meaningful opportunity to share the predictive maintenance technology and know-how we have accumulated over the years with our group companies. We will continue to enhance maintenance quality and aircraft operational stability through close technical exchanges and cooperation among group companies." Meanwhile, Jin Air, Air Busan, and Air Seoul are set to launch as 'Integrated Jin Air' on March 17, 2027. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 14:00:00