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South Korean Prime Minister Calls for Advance Oil Supply Securing Amid Middle East Tensions 한성숙 국무총리가 중동 정세 불안과 관련해 오는 11월 이후 필요한 원유 물량의 선제 확보를 관계 부처에 지시했다. 한 총리는 10일 정부서울청사에서 제17차 비상경제점검회의를 주재하고 “현재 원유는 10월까지 전년 대비 90% 이상의 물량을 확보해 수급에 문제가 없는 상황”이라며 “실제 국내 공급에 차질이 없는지 재차 점검하고 사태 장기화에 대비해 11월 이후 물량 확보에도 선제적으로 대응해 달라”고 말했다. 이번 회의는 지난 7월 29일 이후 약 6주 만에 총리 주재로 열렸다. 이날 회의에서는 중동 정세와 글로벌 공급망에 미칠 영향을 비롯한 대내외 위험 요인과 정부의 기존 대응책이 집중 점검됐다. 한 총리는 최근 미국과 이란 간 무력 충돌이 다시 격화하면서 중동 내 다른 지역으로 확전될 가능성까지 제기되는 등 긴장이 고조되고 있다고 진단했다. 이어 “호르무즈 해협과 홍해 등 주요 해상 수송로 상황을 실시간으로 모니터링하고 원유와 핵심 원자재의 수급 동향도 철저히 점검해 달라”고 주문했다. 국제유가 상승에 따른 민생 부담을 줄이기 위한 조치도 강조했다. 한 총리는 “국제유가 상승이 우리 경제와 민생 물가에 미칠 부정적 영향을 최소화해야 한다”며 추석 민생안정대책의 차질 없는 집행과 물가 교란 행위에 대한 엄정 대응을 지시했다. 금융·외환시장에 대해서도 면밀한 감시와 신속한 대응을 당부했다. 한 총리는 중동전쟁에도 정부의 적극적인 대응과 기업들의 수출 호조에 힘입어 올해 상반기 국내총생산(GDP) 성장률이 3.8%를 기록했다고 평가했다. 아울러 시장에서 과도한 변동성이 발생하지 않도록 대비해야 한다는 점도 강조했다. 한편 한 총리는 네팔 대홍수로 우리 국민 9명의 생사가 확인되지 않고 있다며 실종자 가족에게 위로를 전했다. 그는 “네팔 정부와 긴밀히 협력해 실종자 수색과 구조에 마지막까지 최선을 다하겠다”고 말했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-10 09:00:10 -
Yuanta Securities Upgrades Korea Gas Corporation to 'Buy' on Strong Overseas Earnings 유안타증권이 10일 한국가스공사에 대해 해외 자산이 실제 이익을 창출하기 시작했다는 점을 근거로 투자의견 '매수'와 목표주가 4만8000원을 제시했다손현정 유안타증권 연구원은 "해외 자원개발이 한국가스공사의 정상 이익 수준을 한 단계 높이고 있다"며 "캐나다 액화천연가스(LNG)의 상업생산에 힘입어 해외사업 영업이익은 전년 대비 약 90% 증가할 전망"이라고 분석했다.그러면서 "캐나다 LNG 사업은 올해 상반기에만 1430억원의 영업이익을 기록했다"며 "국내 규제사업에 집중됐던 이익원이 해외 LNG·자원개발로 넓어지면서 이익의 지속성과 성장성이 과거보다 높아졌다"고 강조했다. 다만 미수금 현황은 과제로 남아있다. 2분기 원료비 미수금은 14조원을 웃돌며 아직 재무구조 정상화를 제약하고 있어서다. 손 연구원은 "현재 목표주가는 해외 이익의 구조적 개선은 반영하되 빠른 미수금 정상화는 전제하지 않았다"며 "향후 미수금의 순감소와 차입금·금융비용 축소가 확인될 경우 추가적인 할인 축소가 가능하다"고 설명했다. 발전용 LNG수요 전망도 주가에 영향을 미칠 것으로 보인다. 손 연구원은 "현재 수립 중인 12차 전력수급기본계획에서 발전용 LNG 수요의 감소 경로가 완화될 경우 국내 도매사업의 장기 성장성에 대한 우려도 낮아질 수 있다"고 말했다. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-10 09:00:00
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One crew member found dead in Pohang, with five still missing SEOUL, September 10 (AJP) - A crew member who went missing after a tugboat capsized off Busan last week has been found dead on a beach in Pohang, coastguards said on Thursday. His body was discovered around 8:50 a.m. the previous day by a sanitation worker on a beach in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, after apparently being swept ashore. It took more than 12 hours to confirm his identity through digital forensic analysis of a cellphone and smartwatch found with the body, along with fingerprint analysis. He was later confirmed to be the tugboat's engineer. The 286-ton tugboat TNS Catcher, carrying eight crew members including two Indonesians, capsized last Wednesday in waters about 9 kilometers southeast of the Oryukdo islets while towing a container ship that had been disabled by an engine failure. One Indonesian crew member was rescued by a cargo ship that was passing nearby at the time, while a South Korean crew member was found unconscious and later died. With the recovery of the engineer, five crew members now remain missing, as search operations continue for more than a week. AJP Takeaways - A missing crew member from the 286-ton tugboat TNS Catcher was found dead on a beach in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province on Sept. 9, 2026, after apparently being swept ashore. - The Korea Coast Guard identified the deceased as the TNS Catcher's engineer after more than 12 hours of forensic work involving a cellphone, smartwatch and fingerprint analysis. - The TNS Catcher capsized off Busan on Sept. 2, 2026, with eight crew members aboard; one was rescued, one later died, and five remain missing as search operations continue. 2026-09-10 08:59:06 -
Market Preview: Oil Prices Exceed $100 Amid Middle East Tensions; Can KOSPI Hold 7000? International oil prices have surpassed $100 per barrel, and a surge in U.S. Treasury yields led to a broad decline in the New York stock market overnight. However, with semiconductor stocks remaining strong, attention turns to whether the domestic market can maintain its position above 7000 on September 10.On September 9, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 0.77% on the New York Stock Exchange, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite indices dropped by 0.48% and 0.64%, respectively.The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported the destruction of five Iranian oil tankers, prompting Iran to claim it retaliated by attacking a U.S. military base in Jordan with ballistic missiles, escalating tensions in the Middle East. This situation has dampened investor sentiment.Oil prices also surged, with November Brent crude rising by $3.29 (3.36%) to close at $101.21 per barrel. This marks the first time Brent crude has closed above $100 since July 23.The rise in oil prices has reignited concerns about inflation, increasing vigilance regarding the U.S. Federal Reserve's monetary policy. U.S. Treasury yields also rose, with the 10-year Treasury yield surpassing 4.85%, reaching its highest level since November 2023.Seo Sang-young, a researcher at Mirae Asset Securities, stated, "As tensions in the Middle East escalated, the U.S. stock market opened lower with Brent crude exceeding $100, raising concerns about inflation. The 30-year Treasury yield approaching 5.3% also contributed to the decline in investor sentiment."In contrast, semiconductor stocks continued to perform well. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose by 0.37%, marking its fifth consecutive day of gains, while SK Hynix's American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) surged by 7.05%.On this day, the domestic market is expected to experience upward pressure, driven by the strength of U.S. tech and semiconductor stocks. However, the ongoing rise in international oil prices and U.S. Treasury yields may limit the index's upside potential.In the pre-market session, as of 8:22 a.m., SK Hynix was up 1.62%, while Samsung Electronics saw a slight decline of 0.19%. SK Innovation (3.52%) and SK Square (0.26%) also showed gains.Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, predicted, "The weakness in the U.S. stock market due to rising oil prices and long-term Treasury yields, along with volatility from the simultaneous expiration of domestic futures and options, will likely lead to a partial retracement of the previous day's gains."He added, "Given the simultaneous expiration of futures and options and preemptive caution regarding the August Consumer Price Index (CPI), there remains a possibility of dipping below 7000 points again amid increasing volatility." 2026-09-10 08:56:00
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2027 College Admissions: Competition Decreases for SKY Universities In the 2027 college admissions cycle, the number of applicants for the top-tier "SKY" universities—Seoul National University, Yonsei University, and Korea University—has decreased by about 3,300 compared to the previous year, resulting in a slight drop in competition ratios. Notably, competition for medical schools has also declined across the board, while there is a significant polarization in application trends, with a surge in applicants for Korea University's essay admissions. Experts attribute this trend to a decrease in third-year high school students, an increase in repeat test-takers, and the unique circumstances surrounding the final year of the current admissions system, which has led to a noticeable preference for "stable" applications among candidates. According to an analysis by Jongno Academy, Yuwon, Etoos, and Jinhaksa on September 10, the final competition ratio for early admissions at the three universities is 14.40:1, with a total of 71,54 spots available and 103,014 applicants, a decrease of 3,362 applicants (3.2%) from last year’s ratio of 14.93:1. By university, Seoul National University’s competition ratio fell from 8.12:1 to 7.37:1, and Yonsei University’s dropped from 15.10:1 to 14.02:1. In contrast, Korea University saw a slight increase from 20.35:1 to 20.46:1. Decline in Medical School Applications The competition ratio for medical schools, a major focus for top-tier science students, has decreased at all three universities. The number of spots available remains at 210, but the number of applicants has dropped from 2,947 to 2,587, a decline of 12.2%. Consequently, the overall competition ratio fell from 14.03:1 to 12.32:1. This decline is closely related to the overall weakness in student record admissions. The number of applicants for Yonsei University’s student record (recommended type) has decreased by 25.1%, while Korea University’s school recommendation applications have dropped by 18.5%. The comprehensive student record admissions have also seen declines, with Yonsei’s activity excellence type down by 4.0% and Korea University’s academic excellence type down by 4.8%. Korea University’s Essay Admissions Surge In contrast, the essay admissions have shown clear polarization. Korea University’s essay admissions saw a significant increase of 11.5% (2,899 applicants), resulting in a competition ratio of 79.90:1, which drove the overall increase in competition for the university. The competition ratio for Korea University’s business school essay admissions reached an astonishing 198.33:1. However, Yonsei University’s essay admissions saw an increase in competition ratio due to a reduction in available spots, even as the actual number of applicants decreased by 11.4%. Competition ratios for advanced programs, such as semiconductor engineering, also varied. Korea University’s semiconductor engineering program increased from 12.04:1 to 14.57:1, while Yonsei University’s system semiconductor engineering program saw a slight decrease from 11.26:1 to 11.11:1. Experts Analyze Trends in Admissions Admissions experts have noted a clear trend toward "stable" applications in the results of this year’s SKY early admissions. Lim Seong-ho, head of Jongno Academy, stated, "Given that the 2027 admissions cycle is the last year of the current system, it is presumed that third-year students opted for stable applications rather than risky upward applications. Additionally, the introduction of the regional doctor system for local medical schools has also contributed to the dispersion of top-tier science students." Lee Man-ki, head of Yuwon Educational Assessment Research Institute, commented, "Both Yonsei University and Korea University saw decreases in applicants for student record and comprehensive admissions, leading students who find it difficult to compete in humanities student record admissions to seek upward applications through essays to top-tier universities." Kim Byeong-jin, head of Etoos Educational Assessment Research Institute, noted, "The overall decrease in applicants is influenced by a reduction in the total number of test-takers compared to the 2026 admissions cycle. All three universities have limited the eligibility for school recommendation admissions to prospective graduates, which has inevitably led to a decrease in applicants for that category due to the decline in current students." Woo Yeon-cheol, head of Jinhaksa Admissions Strategy Research Institute, remarked, "While Seoul National University and Yonsei University experienced a drop in competition ratios, Korea University’s results were similar to last year, indicating a clear trend. The decrease in current students has weakened student record and comprehensive admissions, while the influx of repeat test-takers has intensified competition in essay admissions, suggesting a need to focus on changes in competition dynamics by admission type rather than overall competition ratios."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-10 08:56:00
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SK Hynix Saves 170,000 Tons of Water Daily, Aims for 600 Million Tons by 2030 SK Hynix has reported an average daily water savings of 170,000 tons at its domestic facilities last year, equivalent to the daily water usage of approximately 550,000 people.The company announced its water conservation achievements on September 9 during the 'International Water Week 2026' held at EXCO in Daegu. It also set a goal to save a cumulative total of 600 million tons of water by 2030.The International Water Week in South Korea is an international event focused on discussing solutions to water issues, with participation from around 80 companies and organizations from approximately 50 countries this year.Since 2018, SK Hynix has operated a 'Water and Wastewater Reduction Task Force' to expand water reuse. As of last year, the cumulative water savings exceeded its target of 264 million tons, reaching 303.37 million tons.This year, the company plans to increase this figure to 329 million tons. The amount of reused water also rose by about 54%, from 47.88 million tons in 2022 to 73.59 million tons last year.SK Hynix is also enhancing customized reuse systems at its facilities. The Icheon plant supplies 94,400 tons of reused water daily to air pollution prevention facilities through its wastewater reuse system. The Cheongju plant has become the first in the domestic semiconductor industry to utilize external treated wastewater for industrial purposes in 2023.The company is applying advanced treatment processes, including ozone oxidation and activated carbon, to strengthen management throughout the entire process from water intake to discharge.SK Hynix stated, "We will continue to enhance our water resource management system, which is essential for semiconductor production, and expand investments in related technologies and facilities."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-10 08:48:10
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Apple Unveils First Foldable Smartphone, iPhone Duo, with Pricing Details Apple's first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, has generated significant buzz online following the announcement of its domestic pricing.On various online communities, posts summarizing the iPhone Duo's launch prices in South Korea have circulated widely.According to Apple Korea's official sales page, the iPhone Duo is priced at 3.29 million won for the 256GB model, 3.59 million won for the 512GB model, 4.19 million won for the 1TB model, and 5.09 million won for the 2TB model. The highest capacity model exceeds 5 million won.In response to the pricing, users expressed their thoughts, with comments such as, "The Fold 8 Ultra is 2,099 dollars but only 2.57 million won, so why is the Duo 3.29 million won?" and "Is this phone really going to hit 5 million won?" Others remarked, "I might as well buy an iPad Pro instead of this," and questioned whether the prices included VAT.One user pointed out the weight, stating, "This is as heavy as the Fold 4, so it must be quite heavy."The iPhone Duo is Apple's first foldable iPhone. It features a 7.6-inch internal display when opened and a 5.4-inch external display when closed. The internal screen is the largest ever on an iPhone, designed for multitasking with the ability to run two apps simultaneously.Apple emphasized the device's pocket-friendly design when closed, while highlighting its large screen for video viewing and multitasking when opened.The camera system includes a 48MP dual Fusion camera on the rear, combining a main camera and an ultra-wide camera, with support for up to 2x optical quality zoom. The device runs on a newly configured iOS 27, tailored for the foldable screen, supporting multitasking and various angles for device positioning.The iPhone Duo features a dual battery system, with Apple’s official specifications indicating a maximum video playback time of 31 hours on the internal display and 44 hours on the external display.Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo will begin on October 16 at 9 PM, with the official release set for October 23. 2026-09-10 08:48:10
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Bithumb Warns of Fake AI Investment Scams Bithumb is taking action to prevent a new type of cybercrime that impersonates artificial intelligence (AI) automated trading programs to steal personal information and virtual assets.On September 10, Bithumb announced a campaign to prevent malware damage.This initiative comes in response to a surge in cybercrimes exploiting the recent popularity of AI technology in virtual asset investment services. Scammers lure users with phrases like 'AI trades automatically for high profits' and 'lossless automated trading' to encourage the installation of malicious programs.If infected by such programs, users risk exposing critical information, including stored usernames and passwords, as well as private keys from personal wallets. This could lead to unauthorized access to accounts or the theft of assets.In light of this, Bithumb advises users not to download executable or compressed files from unverified sources distributed through search ads, social media, or messenger links. They emphasize the importance of using officially verified automated trading services.If users suspect malware infection, they should disconnect from the internet and use a separate secure device to change passwords and verify withdrawal addresses.A Bithumb representative stated, "There is an increasing number of data theft malware that exploits expectations of AI and the desire for high-return investments. We will continue to strengthen our security systems and conduct preventive campaigns to protect users."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-10 08:48:00
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New York City Releases 170,000 Pages of Documents on 9/11 Aftermath 9·11 테러 25주기를 앞두고 미국 뉴욕시가 테러 직후 대기질과 건강 위험, 정부 대응 과정 등을 폭로했다.New York City has revealed information about air quality, health risks, and government responses following the 9/11 attacks as the 25th anniversary approaches.On September 8, Mayor Joran Mamdani released over 170,000 pages of documents detailing air quality and pollution conditions around the World Trade Center (WTC) site.Notably, the documents include a memo from then-Deputy Mayor Robert Harding, which indicates that the city’s Law Department identified approximately 35,000 potential plaintiffs, with around 10,000 expected to file claims.The anticipated reasons for lawsuits include exposure to toxic substances as residents returned to lower Manhattan based on government health guidance, inadequate respiratory protection for first responders, and unsafe working conditions along with improper cleanup efforts.This is not the first time the Harding memo has been made public. The advocacy group 9/11 Health Watch submitted the document to the court in February, sourced from materials left by the late investigative journalist Wayne Barrett. The city has now officially released it on its records portal.The newly disclosed materials also include internal discussions regarding asbestos issues. A document from 2002 notes the presence of low levels of asbestos in dust from several buildings in lower Manhattan and expresses concerns about residents being instructed to clean up using wet cloths and mops.The city reported that records referred to as the '68 boxes' from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which had not been confirmed during the information disclosure process, were discovered in 2025. The total volume of these records is estimated to be around 340,000 pages. The city plans to release additional materials over the next 12 months.Health impacts on 9/11 rescue and recovery workers continue to persist 25 years later. According to the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), among the personnel deployed to the WTC site, 10,562 have been recognized with at least one 9/11-related physical illness, and 4,257 of those have been acknowledged as having cancer linked to 9/11-related conditions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-10 08:48:00
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Gwangju, South Korea, Secures $4.2 Million for AI-Driven Vaccine Production The city of Gwangju, South Korea, is set to develop technology that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to predict variability in vaccine production processes and manage quality in real-time. On September 10, Gwangju announced that its project, titled 'Development of AI-Based Control of Vaccine Manufacturing Variability and Intelligent Quality Management System,' led by GC Pharma, has been selected for the Ministry of Trade's 2026 Biohealth R&D program, securing 5 billion won (approximately $4.2 million) in national funding. This initiative, part of the national advanced strategic industry support for bio-specialized zones, will see a total investment of 7.6 billion won (about $6.4 million), spanning from this year until 2030. GC Pharma will lead the project, collaborating with Mokpo National University, Daegu Catholic University, and the Jeonnam Bio Promotion Agency as research partners. The core objective is to develop technology that analyzes and predicts variations in the vaccine manufacturing process using AI, leveraging the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) production base at GC Pharma's facility in Hwaseong, which specializes in messenger RNA (mRNA) and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) pharmaceuticals. This will enable the identification of changes in the manufacturing process in advance and establish an intelligent quality management system to oversee vaccine quality in real-time. Each institution has defined roles in the project. GC Pharma will provide manufacturing data from the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) to the finished product (FP) stages and validate process reproducibility through pilot and GMP-scale production. Mokpo National University and Daegu Catholic University will gather data on changes in manufacturing conditions to train and validate the AI model. The Jeonnam Bio Promotion Agency will secure manufacturing and analytical data necessary for building a purification process prediction model. This research is noteworthy for its potential to enhance the efficiency of existing production processes and quality management by integrating manufacturing data accumulated in actual vaccine production with AI technology. Seo Hyung-bin, Director of the Strategic Industry Bureau of Gwangju, stated, "The selection of this project is expected to expand the foundation for developing AI-based biopharmaceutical manufacturing technology in the Hwaseong bio-specialized zone. We will secure technological competitiveness in response to the AI transition and support the growth of related industries." Gwangju plans to link this project with medical, research, and demonstration institutions concentrated in the Hwaseong bio-specialized zone. The area is home to various bio-related infrastructures, including Chonnam National University Hospital, the National Immunotherapy Innovation Center, the Vaccine Safety Technology Support Center, the Microbial Demonstration Support Center, KTR Healthcare Research Institute, and the WHO Global Bio Campus. Additionally, Gwangju is pursuing several bio-related R&D and industrialization projects, including 30 billion won for next-generation cancer immunotherapy technology development, 43 billion won for mRNA vaccine demonstration support, 39.7 billion won for establishing a bio-health convergence knowledge industry center, 44 billion won for developing peptide advanced new drug technology platforms, and 3.8 billion won for bio scale-up projects.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-10 08:44:00