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Coupang Surpasses 5 Trillion Won in Monthly Card Payments Amid Data Breach Fallout Coupang's monthly card payment amount has surpassed 5 trillion won, recovering from the impact of a data breach, and the number of users has reached a record high. According to AI data tech company IGAWorks' mobile index, Coupang's estimated credit and debit card payment amount for July was 5.09 trillion won, a 5.4% increase from the previous month's 4.83 trillion won. After dropping to an estimated 4.02 trillion won in February following the data breach at the end of last year, the company quickly rebounded, marking its first month above 5 trillion won. However, the estimated payment amount for August saw a slight decrease to 4.93 trillion won. The number of Coupang users also appears to have recovered from the effects of the data breach. Last month, the monthly active user count reached 35.95 million, up from 35.44 million in July. In February, the figure was recorded at 33.64 million. Following the data breach in November of last year, there was a movement among some consumers to cancel their memberships, but it seems that user attrition at the consumption level has effectively ended in the short term. Earlier, Coupang Inc. Chairman Kim Beom-seok noted during a conference call for the second-quarter earnings report last month that "some customers left Coupang for other services for several months, but they returned and have since restored their previous spending levels, showing a similar high growth rate as before," adding that "the number of Wow membership subscribers has surpassed the levels prior to the data incident." It is important to note that these figures are based on estimated credit and debit card payment data using AI algorithms, and actual transaction amounts may vary. Some payment data, such as from Naver Plus Store, is excluded from this tally. 2026-09-09 17:56:00
South Korea Prepares Second Dispatch to Nepal as KDRT Readies for Return The South Korean government announced on September 9 that the Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT), currently in Nepal for flood relief operations, is preparing to return home while also planning a second dispatch. However, specific details regarding the purpose and scale of the second dispatch have not yet been disclosed.A representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made this statement from Nepal. The KDRT had departed for Nepal on September 2 at the request of the Nepalese government, but their mission is set to conclude on September 11.There had been discussions about extending the deployment of the 44-member KDRT, but this was ultimately rejected by the joint public-private overseas emergency relief council. The team achieved notable success, rescuing one Chinese survivor within ten days of the flooding, but they have not yet located nine missing South Koreans.Meanwhile, the KDRT refrained from conducting search operations on the morning of September 9, considering the Nepalese authorities' transition to the conclusion of search and rescue efforts. In response, families of the missing South Koreans held a press conference in Nepal to express their criticism of the KDRT's actions. 2026-09-09 17:56:00
Government Sets Design Power as Key Criterion for AI Data Centers The government will use 'design power' as the criterion to distinguish artificial intelligence data centers (AIDC) from general data centers (DC), rather than area or the number of servers. This approach will consider the installation of AI accelerators, power density per rack, and the ratio and scale of power used by AI equipment.On September 9, the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA) held a public discussion on AIDC regulations at Nuri Dream Square in Mapo, Seoul.The government outlined three criteria for AIDC recognition: the installation of AI accelerators such as graphics processing units (GPU) and neural processing units (NPU), securing the necessary power and cooling systems for the accelerators, and meeting the required ratio or scale of power used by AI equipment.The government plans to base AIDC classification on design power rather than actual usage, as it is difficult to determine actual consumption during the construction phase, and co-location facilities may have varying equipment configurations among tenants. A member of the regulatory research team stated, 'One rack alone cannot determine the entire facility, so we will also consider the power of the facility as a whole.'Specific criteria have yet to be established. Some industry representatives suggested that AIDCs should have a minimum of 100 kilowatts (kW) per rack.Additionally, the government aims to find a baseline that prevents existing or under-construction AIDCs from being excluded, while also avoiding situations where general DCs receive special exemptions for installing only some accelerators. To ensure that NPUs, which consume relatively less power, are not disadvantaged, the government is considering varying minimum power density requirements based on the type and configuration of accelerators.During the discussion, concerns were raised that overly specific definitions of AIDC could lead to disputes during inter-agency consultations and the application of exemptions. A member of the research team suggested, 'We can identify DCs utilizing AI based solely on power scale and equipment configuration,' emphasizing the need for a certain level of 'strategic ambiguity' in the definitions.There were also calls to minimize the details required in the application forms. A research team member noted, 'If we demand excessive detail about operational purposes and equipment configurations in the application, disputes may arise regarding the appropriateness of exemptions after business changes,' particularly in co-location scenarios where the construction and operating entities may differ, and the original plans may change.KT Cloud pointed out that co-location should be viewed as a service industry. A KT Cloud representative stated, 'Various stakeholders, including asset management firms, investors, and construction companies, are involved in AIDC projects. Since actual co-location is closer to DC service operations, the special law should clearly define the scope of the businesses it protects and supports.'The government plans to announce a draft of the regulations after gathering opinions and consulting with relevant agencies. Key figures such as minimum power density per rack, the ratio and total power of AI equipment, and design power ratios will be included in the proposed regulations.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 17:52:00
Political Parties Clash During Government Q&A Session 여야는 9일 국회에서 정치 분야를 시작으로 나흘 간 대정부질문에 돌입했다. 더불어민주당은 5·18민주화운동 정신의 헌법 전문 수록을 비롯한 개헌을 주장했고, 국민의힘은 김승원 법무부 장관 후보자와 용혜인 성평등가족부 장관 후보자에 대한 의혹을 제기하며 공세를 펼쳤다.대정부질문 첫 주자로 나선 이해식 민주당 의원은 이날 대정부질문에서 "민주주의 이름으로 민주주의를 파괴하는 것은 용납할 수 없다"며 "여야가 5·18정신을 헌법 전문에 새기자 공약한 것도 자유의 적에게 자유를 내줄 수 없고 민주주의 파괴 세력에 헌법이 유린돼선 안 된다는 다짐일 것"이라고 강조했다.그러면서 이진숙 국민의힘 의원이 5·18민주화운동 왜곡·폄훼한 토론회를 주최한 것에 대해 당 지도부는 공식 사과나 아무런 징계 조치를 하지 않았다고 지적했다. 이에 대한 의견을 한성숙 국무총리에 묻자 "소식을 듣고 믿을 수 없었다"며 "어떻게 국회에서 그런 일들이 진행될 수 있었는지 진심으로 참담한 생각이 들었다"고 말했다.한 총리는 "5·18 정신을 헌법에 수록해야 한다"고 공감하면서 "민주주의 정신을 훼손한 것에 대한 합당한 조치가 필요하다"고 강조했다.이 의원은 장동혁 국민의힘 대표가 6·25 전쟁 기념식과 제헌절 경축식 등 정부 공식 행사에 불참하고 올림픽공원을 방문한 것에 대해 "부정선거 음모론이 난무한 현장에서 정치적 행보를 이어갔다"며 "헌법을 기념하는 자리를 비우고 헌정질서를 부정하는 자리를 채웠다"고 비판했다.아울러 "비상계엄의 빌미가 되기도 했던 부정선거 음모론은 민주주의의 적"이라며 "60여 년 동안 헌법상 독립기관이란 방패막 하에 관료주의, 편의주의가 켜켜이 쌓여 투표용지 부족사태를 일으킨 선거관리위원회의 각종 비위는 특검을 통해 엄중하게 책임을 묻고 헌법을 개정해서라도 철저히 바로 잡아야 한다"고 목소리 높였다.반면 국민의힘은 이재명 정부의 지난 1년 동안 사법부가 파괴되고 국민 생활이 파탄났다며 부동산 가격 상승과 주식시장 변동 등의 문제를 꼬집었다.나경원 의원은 이재명 대통령을 향해 '연임 안 한다'는 5글자를 얘기하라고 요구하면서 한 총리를 향해 직접 건의하라고 말했다. 이에 한 총리는 "이미 여러차례 대통령이 연임 안 한다는 의미를 말했다"고 답했다.나 의원이 각종 논란에 휩싸인 장관 후보자들에 대한 인사 검증 시스템을 지적하자 한 총리는 "유능한 분들이라고 생각해 제청했다"며 "후보자에게 청문회를 통해 소명할 시간을 주는 게 필요하다"고 짚었다. 나 의원은 단일종목 레버리지 ETF(상장지수펀드)를 두고도 "김용범 전 청와대 정책실장의 사퇴로 끝날 문제가 아니다"며 책임자를 철저히 가려야 한다고 질타했다. 이에 한 총리는 "손실 입은 국민들에 대해 송구스럽게 생각한다"고 고개를 숙였다. 여야는 오는 10일 외교·통일·안보 분야, 11일 경제, 14일 교육·사회·문화 분야의 대정부질문을 이어갈 전망이다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 17:48:00
Court Halts Fair Trade Commission's Data Submission Order Against Hanwha Group The effectiveness of a data submission order issued by the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) against Hanwha Group has been suspended by a court ruling. Hanwha initiated legal action, claiming procedural issues regarding the review and retention of personal cell phones during the FTC's investigation.On September 9, the Administrative Division 7 of the Seoul High Court granted Hanwha and an employee, referred to as A, a suspension of the data submission order. As a result, the order will remain inactive until January 31, 2027.This case stems from an FTC field investigation conducted from late June to early July, which examined whether there were unfair internal transactions related to brand (trademark) usage fees among Hanwha Group affiliates.Hanwha alleges that during the investigation, the FTC accessed employee A's personal text messages without a warrant and issued a related data submission order. The company contends that the FTC exceeded its authority by directly examining the employee's personal phone without having obtained a search warrant.The retention of the phone is also a point of contention. Hanwha claims that the FTC investigators kept A's phone in a separate location for about 30 hours but did not provide a proper retention record during this time.Hanwha further asserts that the investigation involved coercive tactics, including recording statements without A's consent. A has reportedly experienced mental distress following the investigation and is currently on leave.Hanwha and A believe that the data submission order, based on materials obtained through these methods, is also unlawful. They have communicated to the court that the FTC, as an agency that conducts both investigations and sanctions, requires judicial oversight to prevent excessive exercise of investigative authority during field investigations.The court's decision to suspend the order indicates that the procedural issues raised by Hanwha will be addressed in the main lawsuit. However, the suspension does not constitute a final judgment on the legality of the data submission order; it is a temporary measure until a ruling is made in the main case.Hanwha and A have also filed a lawsuit seeking the cancellation of the FTC's data submission order, with the first hearing scheduled for October 29.The FTC has denied Hanwha's claims, asserting that the field investigation was conducted in accordance with legal procedures and that the phone was examined with the consent of A and the company's legal representative. The FTC also refutes allegations of coercive investigation tactics.Hanwha stated, "We will fully cooperate with the FTC's investigation, which is being conducted lawfully."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 17:44:00
Joint Chiefs Chairman and USFK Commander Inspect Eastern Frontline Units Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Jin Young-seung and U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson visited the eastern front GP (guard post) and GOP (general outpost) units on September 9 to assess the operational situation in the demilitarized zone and the frontline readiness posture. The two officials checked the recent activities of North Korean forces near the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) and the readiness of the frontline units. Gen. Jin expressed serious concern over North Korean activities in the MDL area, directing that "even minor signs must be closely analyzed to prevent surprise attacks by the enemy, and in the event of provocations, operations should be concluded decisively on-site." Gen. Brunson emphasized that "to maintain stability under the armistice agreement, a solid preparedness posture must be supported," highlighting that the visit demonstrates the strength of the ROK-US alliance and their shared commitment to defending South Korea and ensuring peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to joint defense readiness and agreed to continue enhancing capabilities, preparedness, and interoperability to maintain deterrence. Gen. Jin also inspected the GOP battalion's defense operation systems and readiness posture, urging all operational personnel to maintain practical capabilities and readiness to act immediately.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 17:44:00
Three domestic films set for release in time for Chuseok SEOUL, September 9 (AJP) - A slew of South Korean films are set to compete during the peak box-office season of Chuseok or Korean Thanksgiving, which begins later this month. The lineup ranges from an office drama to a historical mystery and the final installment of a long-running crime series, setting up a three-way race at the box office, which has recently been dominated by foreign big-budget films such as Hollywood's epic saga "Odyssey" and the latest installment of the American superhero franchise "Spider-Man: Brand New Day." "Odyssey," directed by acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan, has attracted more than 10 million moviegoers in South Korea in about a month since its release on Aug. 5, becoming the first foreign film this year to reach the milestone. Meanwhile, "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" has continued to draw large crowds, trailing closely behind. The first to arrive is "Intern," starring veteran actor Choi Min-sik and actress Han So-hee, which hits local theaters next Wednesday. The 132-minute comedy is the South Korean version adapted from Hollywood's 2015 hit film of the same name, starring Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway. It revolves around a young fashion company CEO and an older intern whose decades of work experience create an unexpected work chemistry. The other two movies are scheduled to be released on Sept. 23, just a day before the long holiday weekend begins. "Assassin(s)" is a thriller based on the historical incident involving the attempted assassination of South Korean strongman Park Chung-hee's wife and first lady Yuk Young-soo on Aug. 15, 1974. It stars actors Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho, who portray characters who pursue the truth behind the incident from different perspectives. "Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub" is the fourth and final film in the long-running "Tazza" series. It tells the story of two longtime friends drawn into an online casino business and a high-stakes revenge plot. With these three films set for release in time for Chuseok, it remains to be seen whether they can end the monthlong reign of the two Hollywood films currently dominating the box office and which one will come out on top. AJP Takeaways - Three South Korean films, "Intern," "Assassin(s)," and "Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub," are set for release during the Chuseok 2026 box-office season. - The films offer different genres: comedy, historical thriller, and crime drama, creating a three-way box-office race. - They will challenge Hollywood hits "Odyssey" and "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," which currently dominate South Korea's box office. 2026-09-09 17:42:06
Honda to Increase AI Experts to 1,000, Offering Up to 130,000 Won Monthly Bonus Japanese automaker Honda plans to increase its in-house artificial intelligence (AI) experts to over 1,000 in the coming years, more than tripling its current workforce. Certified professionals participating in AI projects will receive a monthly bonus of up to 150,000 yen (approximately 130,000 won) in addition to their regular salary. This strategy aims to cultivate employees familiar with automotive development into AI experts, driving innovation while preventing talent loss through additional compensation. Honda anticipates that utilizing AI could reduce vehicle development time from the current five years to around three.According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) on September 9, there are currently about 280 certified in-house AI experts. Hirotake Okubo, head of Honda's AI Innovation Department, stated in an interview with Nikkei, "It is best for someone who understands the work to utilize AI rather than having external experts dictate what to do."Focusing on developing internal capabilities rather than outsourcing is also aimed at improving efficiency. Okubo pointed out that relying entirely on external firms can lead to significant delays, from explaining needs to defining system requirements.The core of Honda's in-house AI talent development is the 'Generative AI Expert System' introduced in 2024 under the direction of President Toshihiro Mibe. This system aims to identify AI talent scattered throughout the company and reward them according to their abilities. Employees with AI skills can pass exams and undergo interviews and document evaluations to achieve certification at levels one to three. Level one supports AI utilization, while level two allows for direct system construction.The highest level, three, involves acting as an in-house consulting partner, requiring not only technical skills but also the ability to persuade the organization. Certified employees must propose AI implementation strategies to managers and continuously refine and execute these plans. Okubo explained, "While AI technology can be learned, actual utilization requires collaboration from those familiar with the work."Certified employees lead AI implementation in their departments and receive a monthly bonus of up to 150,000 yen when participating in company AI projects. Honda uses this system to monitor AI personnel and project status across departments. Okubo noted that Tochigi Prefecture, where the development department is located, is not particularly popular as a workplace, stating, "We will offer appropriate salaries to AI talent to prevent external loss."However, the additional compensation is not intended to be permanent. The company has formalized that the program will end once AI capabilities become widespread and the market wage for AI engineers aligns with that of regular employees. The intent is to reward rare expertise while ending special treatment once those skills become commonplace.The status of the AI promotion organization has also been elevated. In April, Honda upgraded its existing Advanced AI Division to the AI Innovation Department and expanded its workforce by several dozen. In June, the department was moved from the Corporate Management Headquarters, which focused on management tasks, to the Corporate Strategy Headquarters. Okubo explained that this change signals a significant enhancement in AI, digital, and data utilization.This organization also contributes to Honda's 'Triple Half' goal, which aims to halve the total working hours for vehicle development in terms of time, cost, and personnel. Nikkei reported that AI utilization could reduce vehicle development time by about 40%, from five years to around three.When asked about potential organizational restructuring due to AI implementation, Okubo stated, "There are no dramatic changes that would eliminate other organizations at this time, but groups are working to enhance efficiency through AI in each sector."Honda is also working to accumulate the knowledge of skilled technicians. Concerns arose in 2021 when Honda announced plans to phase out engine use by 2040, fearing that the retirement of engine technicians could lead to a loss of knowledge. In response, the company established a 'Knowledge Database.' When development materials are uploaded to the system, AI identifies missing information, and engineers can supplement it to meet certain criteria for registration. This initiative aims to preserve the experience and knowledge of skilled technicians for use by other employees.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 17:40:00
Financial Authority Reduces Dongyang Life's Penalty from 140 Billion to 7 Billion Won The Financial Services Commission has finalized a penalty of approximately 7 billion won against Dongyang Life for violating the Credit Information Act. This amount is one-twentieth of the 140 billion won penalty calculated during the Financial Supervisory Service's (FSS) disciplinary review. The reduction reflects a reassessment of the nature of the information provided, the purpose, and the extent of the violation, raising questions about its potential impact on penalties for Shinhan Life and Lina Life, which are also undergoing similar disciplinary procedures.According to the financial sector on September 9, the Financial Services Commission approved the penalty during its regular meeting.In 2022, Dongyang Life was found to have provided personal credit information to its subsidiary, a corporate insurance agency (GA), without customer consent. The FSS deemed this an unauthorized third-party provision under the Credit Information Act and initially calculated a penalty of around 140 billion won.During the penalty calculation process, the Financial Services Commission considered that the information was provided to a subsidiary GA responsible for insurance solicitation, contract maintenance, and customer management, rather than to a general external entity. This distinction led to adjustments in the penalty range and reduction levels, as the provision of information to a subsidiary differs from typical third-party disclosures and has some characteristics of business delegation.The final decision took over three years to reach. Following the FSS's disciplinary review, the Financial Services Commission's Legal Interpretation Review Committee and the Agenda Review Subcommittee repeatedly examined the legal nature of the information provision and the level of penalties. Discrepancies in the assessment of the violation and penalty calculation between the FSS and the Financial Services Commission resulted in a significant reduction from 140 billion won to 7 billion won.The initial calculation of the penalty at 140 billion won was influenced by the penalty structure outlined in the Credit Information Act, which allows for penalties of up to 3% of related revenue for unauthorized third-party disclosures of personal credit information. Applying this 3% to Dongyang Life's revenue would yield a penalty of approximately 140 billion won.Critics in the insurance industry have argued that this calculation method does not adequately reflect the purpose of the information provision, intent, and actual consumer harm. They contend that treating the act of providing customer information to an unspecified external entity the same as providing it to a subsidiary responsible for insurance solicitation is excessive.This decision is expected to serve as a benchmark for Shinhan Life and Lina Life, which are also facing penalties for similar issues involving the provision of customer information to their subsidiary GAs. The statutory maximum penalty, based on a simple application of 3% of revenue, would amount to approximately 209.6 billion won for Shinhan Life and about 96.2 billion won for Lina Life, totaling over 300 billion won for both companies.If the Financial Services Commission applies the rationale for the nature of information provision and reduction logic used in Dongyang Life's case to subsequent penalties, the actual penalties for these two companies may also be significantly lower than initially expected. However, given the differences in the methods, duration, number of customers involved, and extent of violations, it remains uncertain whether they will receive the same level of reduction as Dongyang Life.In light of this case, financial authorities are also considering revising the penalty criteria under the Credit Information Act to more accurately reflect the nature of violations, intent, and the scale of consumer harm. 2026-09-09 17:36:10
Nepal Flood Relief: National Railway Corporation Donates Support Funds The National Railway Corporation has joined in humanitarian solidarity by contributing to the recovery efforts for the victims of the devastating floods in Nepal.On September 9, the National Railway Corporation announced that it has donated 3 million won (approximately $2,500) to the Korean Red Cross to assist those affected by the floods.On August 26, a massive glacier collapse in the upper Himalayas triggered significant landslides and flooding along the border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. As of that date, the Nepal Disaster Management Agency reported that over 5,800 people were missing, and approximately 1,400 fatalities had been confirmed.This donation aims to support the recovery of those who have lost their homes due to the extensive flooding and landslides. The funds will be used by the Korean Red Cross to provide relief supplies and temporary shelters for the affected individuals in Nepal.Jung Jin-hyuk, the CEO of the National Railway Corporation, expressed his condolences, stating, “I extend my deepest sympathies to the people of Nepal who are suffering from this sudden disaster. I hope this donation will help in the recovery of the daily lives of the victims.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 17:36:00