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Hanse Apparel and Hongik University Launch Next Design School's Second Semester Hanse Apparel, a clothing manufacturer and development production (ODM) company, has launched the second semester of its global fashion talent development program, the Next Design School (NDS), in collaboration with Hongik University. The program aims to cultivate global fashion professionals through practical training led by industry experts.On September 9, Hanse Apparel announced the commencement of the second semester of the NDS program, which was established last year through a partnership between Hanse Apparel and Hongik University. The curriculum includes training in practical skills across the fashion industry, from product development to production management, with participation from corporate professionals and faculty.This semester's program features two advanced courses based on a practical curriculum: a Global Fashion Expert Practical and Job Creation course, and a CLO 3D Fashion Design and Job Creation course.The Global Fashion Expert Practical course began with a special lecture by Kim Ik-hwan, Vice Chairman of Hanse Apparel and an adjunct professor at NDS, on September 8. Following this, Hanse Apparel employees will serve as instructors, providing practical training in brand sales, fabric selection, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) management, and research and development (R&D).The CLO 3D Fashion Design and Job Creation course will be conducted in collaboration with CLO Virtual Fashion, a global 3D garment design software company. Students will receive hands-on training to design and create garments that reflect the latest trends.At the end of the program, a presentation and exhibition will showcase the students' work. Outstanding graduates will receive additional points when applying for positions at Hanse Apparel.Kim stated, "It is important to nurture talent that can immediately apply their skills in the corporate environment based on the theories learned in school. We will actively support students in developing the trend sensitivity and R&D capabilities required in the field."Meanwhile, Hanse Apparel is expanding its business into the humanoid robot clothing market, aiming to cultivate this tech-based sector as a new growth driver.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 16:32:10
New '8-Week Rule' for Auto Insurance Takes Effect on September 10 Starting September 10, a new regulation known as the '8-week rule' will require minor injury patients to undergo a review if they need treatment exceeding eight weeks following a traffic accident. The aim is to reduce excessive long-term treatment costs and alleviate the burden of rising auto insurance premiums. However, there are concerns that this could lead to a balloon effect, with increased focus on intensive treatment or higher injury classifications within the eight-week period.According to the insurance industry, the revised enforcement decree of the Automobile Damage Compensation Guarantee Act will take effect on September 10, applying to accidents occurring after that date.Under the new system, minor injury patients classified in injury grades 12 to 14 will need to provide documentation proving the necessity for treatment beyond eight weeks, including details on the severity of their injuries and treatment progress.If patients submit the required documentation to their insurance company within seven weeks of the accident, the insurer will forward it to the Automobile Damage Compensation Promotion Agency (ADCPA). The ADCPA will review the necessity for long-term treatment and appropriate treatment duration within seven days of receiving the documentation, notifying both the patient and the insurer. Patients who disagree with the decision can request a re-evaluation from the Dispute Mediation Committee within seven days of receiving the notification.Patients seeking treatment beyond four weeks will still need to submit a medical certificate as required by the insurer. However, the process has been strengthened to include additional reviews by the ADCPA for those needing treatment beyond eight weeks.The government has established this review process due to the rapid increase in treatment costs for minor injury patients. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the number of minor injury patients decreased from 1.554 million in 2019 to 1.488 million in 2024. In contrast, treatment costs rose from 1 trillion won to 1.41 trillion won during the same period, reflecting an average annual increase of 7.0%.Auto insurance profitability is also declining. The Financial Supervisory Service reported that the loss ratio for auto insurance rose from 80.7% in 2023 to 83.8% in 2024, and further to 87.5% in 2025. The insurance industry shifted from a profit of 553.9 billion won in 2023 to a loss of 9.7 billion won in 2024, with losses expanding to 708 billion won last year.The Insurance Research Institute estimates that if the 8-week rule is successfully implemented, excessive long-term treatment could decrease, improving the loss ratio by 2 to 3 percentage points. Considering that the annual gross premium for auto insurance is around 20 trillion won, a 3 percentage point reduction in the loss ratio could lower insurance payouts by approximately 600 billion won. However, actual premium rates are also influenced by accident rates, maintenance costs, and parts prices, meaning that improvements in the loss ratio may not directly lead to lower premiums.It is expected that it will take time to assess the practical effects of the new system. The new regulations will only apply to accidents occurring after September 10, and there may be a balloon effect where patients increase the number of treatments or utilize expensive procedures within the eight-week period before being subject to review.There are also concerns that the number of patients diagnosed with grade 11 injuries may increase. Patients diagnosed with conditions such as concussions or herniated discs may avoid the 8-week rule, potentially leading to higher injury classifications. However, actual changes in diagnoses and insurance claims will need to be confirmed through statistics after the implementation of the new system.Critics have raised concerns that patients' rights to treatment may be compromised. Even within the same injury grade, recovery times can vary based on factors such as age, pre-existing conditions, and disabilities, raising questions about the appropriateness of a uniform treatment duration for assessing the need for long-term care. The procedures for patients who fail to submit documentation on time or are denied recognition of their need for long-term treatment will also need to be evaluated to ensure the system's effectiveness.As a result, experts suggest that in addition to monitoring the number of long-term treatment patients, it is essential to examine the treatment costs and frequency of visits for patients within the eight-week period, as well as the proportion of patients by injury grade, to assess the effectiveness of the new system.An industry representative stated, "We need to look not only at whether the number of long-term treatment patients decreases but also at whether the frequency of visits and treatment costs for patients within eight weeks, as well as the number of grade 11 diagnoses, are increasing. It is necessary to develop supplementary measures based on the results of the implementation to prevent balloon effects or new forms of insurance payout leakage."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 16:32:10
Traffic Restrictions in Seoul for Korea-Central Asia Summit on September 16 This month, traffic will be restricted in certain areas of Seoul during the '2026 First Korea-Central Asia Summit.' The Security Control Division announced on September 9 that traffic control will be implemented on September 16 around Sowol-ro and Euljiro 1-ga to ensure the smooth conduct of the summit and the safety of the attending leaders. Sowol-ro will experience intermittent full lane closures approximately 6 to 7 times from noon to 9 p.m. on that day, coinciding with the leaders' movements. Additionally, some lanes on Euljiro 1-ga near the summit venue will be restricted before and after the event. To minimize inconvenience for citizens, the Security Control Division has convened a traffic coordination meeting involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the Seoul Police Agency, and the Korea Road Traffic Authority to establish control measures and a multi-agency information system. Starting from September 10, information about the traffic restrictions will be communicated through various channels, including the KT Building Gwanghwamun Square, the Seoul City Hall electronic billboard, and the official YouTube channel of the Security Control Division. Signage will be placed on major roads to inform drivers of the restrictions, and relevant information will also be provided on T-map, KakaoMap, and Naver Maps. Hwang In-gwon, head of the Security Control Division, stated, "The traffic control is unavoidable to ensure the successful hosting of this nationally significant event and the safety of the state guests. We urge the public to refrain from using personal vehicles during the control period and to utilize public transportation such as subways instead."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 16:32:00
LIV Golf Files for Bankruptcy Protection Amid Financial Struggles LIV Golf, which once disrupted the PGA Tour with substantial funding from Saudi Arabia, has filed for bankruptcy protection. The league is facing financial difficulties after the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) withdrew its support.According to Yonhap News, LIV Golf submitted its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing to a court in New Jersey on September 9. Chapter 11 allows companies to restructure their debts under court supervision while continuing operations.AP reports that LIV Golf's debt exceeds $500 million. Court documents estimate its assets between $100 million and $500 million, with liabilities ranging from $500 million to $1 billion. Four companies that have not received payments have already filed lawsuits against LIV.Alongside its bankruptcy filing, LIV announced plans for a restructuring with new investors. According to AP, British investment firm BC Partners will play a key role in funding LIV's restructuring efforts. The PIF has also agreed to provide $49.6 million in debtor-in-possession financing, pending court approval.LIV aims to maintain its league while transforming into a new format. CEO Scott O'Neil stated in a letter to fans that this process is aimed at creating a “stronger and more sustainable future,” assuring that tournaments will continue.In upcoming events, the number of players will increase from 57 to 75, and for the first time, a cut will be applied in 54-hole tournaments. A qualifying system will also be introduced on Mondays. While the team-based format will remain, LIV plans to focus on proven markets such as Australia, South Africa, and Asia. The league aims to launch its new iteration, dubbed 'LIV 2.0,' by 2027.However, the retention of star players remains a critical factor. According to AP, key players such as Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, and Cameron Smith are listed as major creditors in the bankruptcy filing. Among the unpaid debts, Rahm's amount is the highest at approximately $7.5 million.Rahm and DeChambeau's future with LIV is seen as a significant variable. In a recent interview with the BBC, Rahm stated, “I am still under contract with LIV 1.0 and intend to fulfill it,” but added that “time will tell” regarding his future.Since its launch in 2022, LIV has attracted numerous players from the PGA Tour by offering substantial signing bonuses and prize money. AP reports that LIV has spent over $5 billion since its inception. However, the league has faced a sharp decline after the PIF decided to halt its support this year.Once launched with the ambition to 'change the game of golf,' LIV now finds itself in a position of downsizing for survival, raising questions about how it will compete or coexist with the PGA Tour post-bankruptcy.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 16:32:00
Kakao Mobility Develops Autonomous Driving AI with Unique Data from Complex Roads "Experiencing various unexpected situations on complex roads like Gangnam is more beneficial for enhancing autonomous driving AI performance than driving for a long time on easy roads." Im In-ho, leader of the AI driving team at Kakao Mobility, made this statement on September 9 during a Q&A session at a Kakao Mobility autonomous driving study held at the Korea Automotive Mobility Industry Association in Seocho, Seoul. He outlined the goal of introducing an end-to-end (E2E) model by the end of the year, which will process everything from sensor input to driving control using a single AI model.Kakao Mobility is currently collecting autonomous driving data in the Gangnam area from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. The late-night service, which began in March with two vehicles, has expanded to six vehicles as of last month, accumulating over 13,000 kilometers of driving distance and completing 2,000 rides. Since June, additional daytime driving has been conducted to gather data during peak traffic and pedestrian times.The reason for collecting data in Gangnam is due to its complex road environment. Frequent unpredictable situations provide an advantageous setting for the autonomous driving AI to learn from rare edge cases.Based on the data collected, Kakao Mobility is pushing for the introduction of the E2E model by year-end. Unlike the existing method, which divides the process into perception, judgment, and control stages, the E2E model will handle everything from sensor input to vehicle control with a single AI model.Im explained, "This will reduce errors that occur in intermediate stages and allow for a comprehensive assessment of the entire driving situation." However, Kakao Mobility plans not to rely solely on AI for vehicle control. Instead of directly applying the E2E model's decisions to vehicle control, a separate rule-based 'safety evaluator' will be implemented. This system will revalidate the driving path chosen by the E2E model based on traffic laws, vehicle physical conditions, and safety standards, ensuring that rules such as speed limits in school zones and stop signs at intersections take precedence over AI decisions.Kakao Mobility emphasizes that the key to E2E performance lies in how efficiently 'difficult data' is selected rather than the sheer volume of data.When the vehicle collects driving data and uploads it to the server, edge cases with high learning value, such as illegal U-turns, unexpected construction, and merging, are identified. AI-based automatic labeling processes the surrounding object information, such as vehicles and pedestrians, into a learnable format. Subsequently, data mining using vision-language models (VLM) analyzes and classifies driving situations based on factors like weather, time of day, road structure, and vehicle movements, which are then reintegrated into AI model training.AI has also been applied to the data selection process, which previously required human review of driving footage. The AI analyzes uploaded driving data within minutes to identify necessary situations for learning, which are then utilized for model training.A platform and monitoring system are also being developed to connect driving technology to actual unmanned autonomous driving services. Based on Kakao T, the system will manage not only the calling and dispatching of autonomous vehicles but also the operational zones and routes suitable for each vehicle's capabilities. Through 24-hour monitoring, real-time conditions of vehicles, passengers, and road situations will be monitored. In the absence of a driver, the platform and monitoring system will take over roles previously handled by human drivers, such as managing pick-up and drop-off points and changing destinations.VLM-based monitoring and remote support features are currently under development and testing. The remote support will not involve operators directly controlling the vehicle but rather providing necessary information to the vehicle in unexpected situations like construction or road closures, with the vehicle's AI making the final driving decisions and controls.Kakao Mobility plans to gradually expand the number of vehicles, operating hours, and regions for its autonomous driving service in Gangnam after thoroughly verifying safety.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 16:24:00
Housing Loans Surge Amid Decline in Credit Loans The trends in housing-related loans and credit loans are diverging significantly. While credit loans have shifted to a downward trend due to stricter management of household loans by financial institutions and increased volatility in the stock market, mortgage loans have seen a rise as collective loans are being supported to bolster housing supply.According to the Financial Services Commission's report on household loan trends for August 2026, total household loans across all financial sectors increased by 2.6 trillion won last month, a substantial decrease from the previous month's increase of 6.4 trillion won.By sector, household loans from banks rose by 3.4 trillion won, a significant reduction from the previous month's increase of 5.5 trillion won. In contrast, the second financial sector saw a decrease of 800 billion won compared to the previous month, marking a shift to a downward trend.However, the increase in mortgage loans has expanded. In August, mortgage loans increased by 4.3 trillion won, up 700 billion won from the previous month's increase of 3.6 trillion won. The increase in mortgage loans from banks rose from 3.5 trillion won to 4 trillion won, while the second financial sector's increase grew from 1 trillion won to 3 trillion won.The growth in mortgage loans is attributed to an increase in housing transactions and a rise in the number of housing completions in July and August, leading to more execution of balance loans. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the number of housing completions nationwide doubled from 16,000 units in June to 32,000 units in July.As part of the August 13 measures to support housing supply, collective loans for moving expenses, interim payments, and balance payments are being managed separately, which has also led to an increase in collective loans. The increase in collective loans from banks rose from 900 billion won in July to 1.2 trillion won in August. In contrast, general mortgage loans decreased from 2.1 trillion won to 2 trillion won during the same period. The rise in collective loans has driven the increase in mortgage loans from banks.On the other hand, other loans decreased by 1.7 trillion won compared to the previous month, marking a shift to a downward trend for the first time in four months since April. Among these, credit loans saw a significant drop from an increase of 2.1 trillion won in July to a decrease of 500 billion won last month. A representative from a major bank stated, "Financial institutions are independently limiting credit loan limits, and with recent stock market volatility, there is a trend of investors withdrawing funds that had been directed to the stock market."Shin Jin-chang, the Secretary General of the Financial Services Commission, noted, "The trend of increasing mortgage loans may continue due to seasonal funding demands during the fall moving season and the separate management of collective loans as per the August 13 measures," urging financial institutions to maintain their management of household loans. 2026-09-09 16:20:00
Three in 100 Korean students report school violence SEOUL, September 9 (AJP) -Nearly three in every 100 South Korean students confessed they had suffered school violence, suggesting tougher monitoring and crackdowns have yet to rein in bullying, government data showed Wednesday. According to the Ministry of Education (MOE), the share of students reporting that they had experienced school violence rose to 2.9 percent in the first nationwide survey of 2026, up 0.4 percentage point from 2.5 percent a year earlier. “As young people spend more time using digital devices in their daily lives, they have fewer opportunities for face-to-face interaction and may also be losing their ability to empathize with others,” said Sung Yoon-sook, a senior research fellow at the National Youth Policy Institute (NYPI), which conducted and analyzed the survey. She said conflicts between students may therefore be more likely to develop into school violence, while greater awareness of such behavior among students and parents may also have contributed to the higher reporting rate. According to the ministry, the online survey was conducted from April 14 to May 13 and covered 3.9 million students from the fourth grade of elementary school through the third year of high school. About 3.19 million students, or 81.9 percent, took part. The survey asked students whether they had witnessed, experienced or committed school violence from the second semester of 2025 through the time they completed the questionnaire. The share of students reporting school violence rose across all school levels. Among elementary school students, it climbed 0.7 percentage point from a year earlier to 5.7 percent. The figure rose 0.2 percentage point to 2.3 percent among middle school students and 0.1 percentage point to 0.8 percent among high school students. Verbal abuse remained the most common type of school violence, accounting for 37.8 percent of reported cases. Group bullying followed at 17.1 percent, physical violence at 15.7 percent and cyberbullying at 7.0 percent. Compared with the 2025 survey, the share involving physical violence rose 1.1 percentage points and group bullying increased 0.7 percentage point. By contrast, verbal abuse fell 1.2 percentage points and cyberbullying declined 0.8 percentage point. Verbal abuse was the largest category across every school level. As students moved into higher grades, group bullying, cyberbullying and sexual violence accounted for larger shares, while physical violence and coercion became less common. The survey showed that most reported incidents occurred at school, accounting for 69.6 percent of responses, compared with 28.0 percent outside school. Classrooms alone accounted for 28.2 percent, while hallways and stairways made up 16.4 percent. Online spaces accounted for 7.1 percent. The MOE also said the proportion of students who reported committing school violence fell to 0.8 percent from 1.1 percent a year earlier. The rate dropped to 1.6 percent among elementary school students and 0.7 percent among middle school students. It remained unchanged at 0.1 percent among high school students. Among students who said they had committed violence, 30.6 percent said they had done so as a joke or for no particular reason. Another 21.7 percent said the other student had bullied them first. Another 12.6 percent pointed to misunderstandings or disagreements with the other person. The survey also found that the share of students who said they had witnessed school violence rose to 6.7 percent from 6.1 percent a year earlier. The rate was 11.0 percent among elementary school students, 6.8 percent among middle school students and 2.6 percent among high school students. Among those who witnessed violence, 33.1 percent said they comforted or helped the victim, while 17.7 percent tried to stop the aggressor and 17.2 percent reported the incident to an adult or authorities. Another 31.0 percent said they were unable to take any action. Based on the findings, the MOE said it will strengthen prevention programs that teach students practical ways to manage conflicts, express emotions and intervene when they witness violence. It also plans to expand hands-on prevention programs beginning in the second semester of 2026. Authorities will also step up their response to newer forms of school violence, including the “Yacha Rule,” a slang term referring to fights conducted without formal rules or protective equipment, as well as sparring-style assaults. The MOE and the National Police Agency (NPA) issued an alert over Yacha Rule violence in August. The government also plans to work with the Broadcast Media and Communications Commission to improve its response to videos of school violence circulated online and expand programs aimed at resolving less serious conflicts through relationship restoration. "We will do our utmost to establish effective prevention education that builds real conflict-management skills and educational solutions centered on restoring relationships," said Shim Min-chul, director general for student health and safety policy at the MOE. “We will also work closely with the National Police Agency and other relevant authorities to respond swiftly to new forms of school violence that continue to emerge.” The survey is a self-reported perception survey conducted by the NYPI at the request of the country’s 17 provincial and metropolitan education offices and is not an officially approved national statistic. AJP Takeaways - South Korea’s Ministry of Education said on September 9, 2026, that 2.9 percent of students reported experiencing school violence in its first nationwide survey of the year, up 0.4 percentage point from 2.5 percent in 2025. - The 2026 survey found verbal abuse remained the most common form of school violence at 37.8 percent of reported cases, while physical violence rose 1.1 percentage points and group bullying increased 0.7 percentage point from 2025. - The National Youth Policy Institute survey, conducted online from April 14 to May 13, 2026, covered 3.9 million students from the fourth grade of elementary school through the third year of high school, with 3.19 million students, or 81.9 percent, participating. - South Korea’s Ministry of Education said it will expand practical school violence prevention programs from the second semester of 2026 and work with the National Police Agency to respond to emerging forms of violence, including “Yacha Rule” fights and sparring-style assaults. 2026-09-09 16:16:50
School Violence Victim Response Rate Rises for Sixth Consecutive Year The victim response rate for school violence among elementary, middle, and high school students has risen for the sixth consecutive year, reaching 2.9%. In contrast, the rate of self-reported perpetrators dropped to 0.8%, highlighting a growing disparity between the pain felt by victims and the awareness of the issue among offenders. Additionally, minor conflicts among peers are increasingly being escalated to administrative reviews, with over 22% of cases concluded as 'not school violence,' indicating a troubling trend toward the 'judicialization' of school conflicts.Elementary School Victim Response Rate Hits 5.7% as Perpetrator Rate DeclinesThe Education Ministry, in collaboration with 16 regional education offices, announced the results of the '2026 First School Violence Survey' on September 9. Conducted from April 14 to May 13, the survey included 3.9 million students from fourth grade to third year of high school, with an 81.9% participation rate (3.19 million students). According to the ministry, the percentage of students reporting experiences of school violence increased to 2.9% (91,600 students), up from 2.5% the previous year.The victim response rate has shown a consistent upward trend since recording 0.9% in 2020, with increases to 1.1% in 2021, 1.7% in 2022, 1.9% in 2023, 2.1% in 2024, 2.5% in 2025, and now 2.9% in 2026.By school level, the victim response rate was highest in elementary schools at 5.7%, followed by middle schools at 2.3% and high schools at 0.8%. The increase was most pronounced in elementary schools, which saw a rise of 0.7 percentage points (from 5.0% to 5.7%), compared to middle schools (up 0.2 percentage points) and high schools (up 0.1 percentage points).Conversely, the perpetrator response rate fell to 0.8% (26,100 students), a decrease of 0.3 percentage points from the previous year. The rate for elementary school perpetrators dropped significantly from 2.4% to 1.6%, while middle schools reported 0.7% (down 0.2 percentage points) and high schools remained at 0.1%.The rate of students witnessing school violence increased to 6.7% (214,500 students), up 0.6 percentage points from the previous year. Witnessing rates also rose across all school levels, with elementary schools at 11.0% (up 0.8 percentage points), middle schools at 6.8% (up 0.7 percentage points), and high schools at 2.6% (up 0.4 percentage points).Decrease in Verbal and Cyberbullying, Increase in Physical Violence and BullyingAmong the types of victimization reported (multiple responses allowed), 'verbal violence' accounted for the highest percentage at 37.8%. This was followed by 'bullying' at 17.1%, 'physical violence' at 15.7%, 'cyberbullying' at 7.0%, 'extortion' at 6.1%, 'coercion' at 6.0%, 'sexual violence' at 5.2%, and 'stalking' at 5.2%. Notably, there were changes in the proportions of these types compared to the previous year.While the rates of verbal violence (down 1.2 percentage points) and cyberbullying (down 0.8 percentage points) decreased, physical violence increased by 1.1 percentage points (from 14.6% to 15.7%), and bullying also rose by 0.7 percentage points (from 16.4% to 17.1%).Distinct differences were observed in the types of victimization by school level. Verbal violence was the most prevalent type across all levels (elementary 37.2%, middle 38.3%, high 39.9%), while the rates of bullying (elementary 15.4% to middle 19.6% to high 19.7%), cyberbullying (elementary 6.0% to middle 8.5% to high 9.1%), and sexual violence (elementary 4.4% to middle 6.0% to high 7.4%) increased significantly as students progressed to higher grades.In contrast, the rate of physical violence decreased from elementary (17.5%) to middle (13.7%) to high school (10.8%). The majority of incidents occurred 'inside the school' at 69.6%, with classrooms (28.2%), hallways and stairs (16.4%), and playgrounds and gyms (9.1%) being the most common locations. The peak times for incidents were during breaks (29.8%), lunchtime (21.2%), and outside of school hours (14.0%).Over 22% of Cases Not Classified as School Violence, Educational Solutions LackingAnalysis of the survey results by Sung Yoon-sook, a senior researcher at the Korea Youth Policy Institute, indicated that the increase in everyday digital device usage has led to a lack of face-to-face relationship-building experiences and a decline in empathy among youth. She noted that the tendency for peer conflicts to escalate into school violence, combined with heightened sensitivity among students and parents, has contributed to this issue. She recommended enhancing preventive education and relationship recovery programs to address minor issues rather than escalating them to formal reviews.In fact, while the number of school violence cases reported to education offices decreased to 56,880 in the 2025 school year, the proportion of cases referred to the school violence response committee exceeded 51.7%. Notably, 22.1% of cases that underwent formal review were classified as 'not school violence.' This indicates that even routine disputes or minor conflicts are being escalated to administrative and judicial reviews without being resolved through mediation within the school.In response, the government has decided to take strict measures against emerging forms of violence, such as 'yacharul' and 'sparring.' Based on the newly issued alert (No. 11) in collaboration with the National Police Agency, the government plans to focus on preventive education through School Police Officers (SPOs) and expand the application of the 'relationship recovery system' to first and second graders.Korea Teachers' Union Calls for Fundamental Legal and Systemic ReformsThe teachers' union expressed deep concern over the continuous increase in the victim response rate and the indiscriminate escalation of cases to formal reviews, urging fundamental legal and systemic reforms. The Korea Federation of Teachers' Associations stated, "The fact that more than one in five cases is classified as 'not school violence' demonstrates that even everyday conflicts among peers are being recklessly escalated to judicial procedures without educational resolution. This directly relates to the loss of teachers' authority in guiding students."Kang Joo-ho, president of the union, emphasized that school violence is both an educational issue and a legal matter that carries legal responsibilities. He stated, "We must not shift the responsibility of investigating off-campus issues and making quasi-judicial judgments onto teachers who lack investigative authority."He further called for a dual structure where cases exceeding the scope of school resolution are handled by specialized agencies with judicial authority. He advocated for granting School Police Officers (SPOs) substantial investigative powers similar to those of special judicial police and significantly increasing the current number of 1,135 SPOs to establish a 'one school, one SPO' system. Additionally, the union strongly urged the government to amend the current 'School Violence Prevention Act' to limit the scope of school violence to 'during educational activities' and to ensure that the relationship recovery system is effectively implemented with dedicated personnel and budget support.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 16:16:10
Yoon Ho-jung: Kim Ji-yong's Philosophy on Prosecutorial Reform is Sound Yoon Ho-jung, the Minister of the Interior and Safety, stated on September 9 that Kim Ji-yong, the nominee for the inaugural head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, does not have issues with the fundamental philosophy of current prosecutorial reform and the protection of human rights.During a session of the National Assembly's Legislative and Judiciary Committee, Yoon responded to a question from Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun of the People Power Party, who raised concerns about Kim's past opposition to the reduction of prosecutorial investigative powers.Kim, who served as the head of the Criminal Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, expressed his opposition in 2022 when legislation aimed at completely stripping the prosecution of its investigative powers, known as 'Geumsu Wanbak,' was proposed. This has led to criticisms that his stance is inconsistent with the intent of separating investigation and prosecution as part of prosecutorial reform.In response, Yoon emphasized that Kim had been thoroughly vetted by the Serious Crimes Chief Nomination Committee and noted that specific issues could be addressed during the confirmation hearing. He explained that Kim's previous position on supplementary investigative powers was based on his role as the head of the Criminal Division, which primarily handles supplementary investigations.Addressing concerns about the readiness of personnel, equipment, and the criminal justice information system for the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, which is set to launch on October 2, Yoon reiterated that there would be no issues with its normal operation. He stated, 'We have decided to equip the necessary equipment and systems,' adding that the initial staffing would involve transferring personnel from the prosecution, with plans to hire additional staff as needed.Regarding the criticism that there are not enough prosecutors with expertise in handling serious crimes such as corruption, economic offenses, drug-related cases, and defense industry matters, Yoon clarified that the goal was not to fill all positions exclusively with former prosecutors and expressed confidence that sufficient personnel had been secured.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 16:16:10
Nexspace Reports $30.98 Million in Revenue from MapleStory Universe in First Half of 2026 Nexspace generated approximately 30.98 million NXPC in revenue from the blockchain gaming ecosystem 'MapleStory Universe' in the first half of 2026. This figure surpasses the 28.14 million NXPC distributed as rewards to players of the blockchain-based MMORPG 'MapleStory N' during the same period. Nexspace is accelerating the expansion of the MapleStory Universe ecosystem by incorporating user-generated content.On September 9, Nexspace, a blockchain subsidiary of Nexon, released its '2026 First Half Report' detailing the on-chain economic status of the MapleStory Universe ecosystem.According to the report, the revenue generated in the first half of 2026 from the MapleStory Universe totaled approximately 30.98 million NXPC, with about 95% of this revenue coming from 'core gameplay content,' which includes user-initiated spending on item enhancements and synthesis.As of June 30, the cumulative protocol revenue generated within the MapleStory Universe ecosystem reached 58.22 million NXPC.Nexspace conducted two rounds of NXPC burns in connection with its first-half revenue. On May 21, approximately 2.8765 million NXPC were burned, followed by another 3.3255 million NXPC on July 16. Since the launch of the ecosystem, the total amount burned has reached approximately 11.65 million NXPC.The amounts burned were calculated based on a quarterly burn policy introduced by Nexspace in November of last year. The company has made all burn records publicly available on-chain for external verification.Transactions within the MapleStory Universe continued in the first half of the year, with a total of 2.74 million transactions recorded in the 'MSU Marketplace,' amounting to approximately 32.10 million NXPC in transaction value (GTV).Since the launch of the ecosystem, approximately 855,500 active wallets have been recorded, with about 66%, or 564,700 wallets, participating in at least one on-chain content transaction.Nexspace is also expanding the ecosystem centered around MapleStory N to include user-generated content. Last month, during the 'MapleStory Vibe Camp' in collaboration with the AI-based game development platform Burst Eight, users created a total of 693 games using official assets from the MapleStory Universe, including characters, monsters, items, and backgrounds.Of these, 435 games passed the review process and are now available for service. The created games encompass various genres, including real-time strategy (RTS), trading card games (TCG), idle role-playing games (RPG), and tycoon simulations.According to Nexspace, users from 114 countries participated in the Vibe Camp, with a total of 29,015 individuals recording 88,037 plays. This initiative has broadened the scope of MapleStory IP utilization from traditional games to user-generated content.Nexspace plans to allocate 20% of its quarterly revenue to NXPC burns in the second half of the year, in line with its existing burn policy. The company aims to improve the NXPC economic structure and strengthen systems for protecting the open economy and major content updates for MapleStory N.Additionally, Nexspace will continue to implement strategies to expand the overall MapleStory Universe ecosystem, including user-generated content, and will regularly disclose related information.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 16:16:00