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  • Prosecutors Conduct Back-to-Back Raids on Jeju Police Over Missing Persons Case
    Prosecutors Conduct Back-to-Back Raids on Jeju Police Over Missing Persons Case Prosecutors have launched back-to-back raids on the Jeju Provincial Police Agency and the Jeju Western Police Station in connection with the investigation into the false closure of missing persons cases.On the morning of September 9, the Jeju District Prosecutors' Office sent investigators to the Jeju Police Agency and the Jeju Western Police Station to secure additional internal electronic data and documents related to the handling of missing persons cases. This follow-up raid comes after the previous day's search did not yield all the necessary materials.On September 8, prosecutors conducted a rigorous nine-hour raid on key departments, including the Seoul Police Agency headquarters, the Criminal Division of the Jeju Police Agency, and the offices of the Jeju Western Police Station, including the chief's office, the Criminal Division, the missing persons team, and the duty room. Forensic investigators were deployed to seize internal messenger chat logs and electronic records, as well as to examine the operational processes of the missing persons profiling system.The main suspect in this investigation, a sergeant in the missing persons team at the Jeju Western Police Station, is accused of accessing the electronic system without verifying the whereabouts of missing persons and inputting false information, as well as unlawfully deleting cases from the management list.The sergeant is alleged to have falsely closed the missing persons report of a woman in her 30s, identified as Jang, on May 30, and later closed the report of a man in his 60s, Park, in July, citing false reasons such as 'traffic accident death.' The sergeant was transferred to custody on charges of obstruction of justice on September 1.What is particularly concerning is that the sergeant's actions were not isolated incidents. The Jeju Police Agency revealed that a review of 298 cases closed by the sergeant from March of last year to July of this year uncovered 25 additional instances of improper handling, including false closures and record deletions.As prosecutors continue their intensive investigation, attention is expected to shift toward the police leadership. Investigators will focus on whether proper oversight and approvals were conducted by superiors while the sergeant accessed the missing persons profiling system in administrator mode and input false reasons for numerous cases.In response to the incident, the Jeju Western Police Station has placed four managers, including the former and current chiefs and heads of the Criminal Division and missing persons team, on standby.Prosecutors are examining the seized digital evidence and messenger conversations to determine if there was any organizational complicity or negligence by superiors, while also considering whether to extend the custody period of the detained sergeant.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 15:00:20
  • Toyotas Key Vendor Aisin Expands Supply Chain with 28 Korean Parts Suppliers
    Toyota's Key Vendor Aisin Expands Supply Chain with 28 Korean Parts Suppliers As the Japanese automotive industry restructures its supply chain to accommodate electrification and increased overseas production, 28 domestic future car parts suppliers are seeking entry into the supply chain of Aisin, a key first-tier vendor for Toyota. With Japanese parts manufacturers beginning to look beyond their existing suppliers for innovative overseas companies, new supply opportunities are opening up for South Korean material and parts firms.The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) announced on September 9 that it held the 'Inside Aisin Mobility Technology Exchange' at Aisin's headquarters in Kariya and its Anjo Powertrain Technology Center over two days starting September 8.Aisin, a first-tier supplier for Toyota, recorded sales of 5.118 trillion yen (approximately $45 billion) last year. It ranked seventh in this year's global automotive parts supplier rankings by Automotive News.The event featured participation from 28 domestic companies with technologies in electrification components, motor thermal management, battery cases, precision processing, and sensing and autonomous driving software. The participating companies were pre-selected by KOTRA based on actual technology needs identified by Aisin's advanced development and procurement departments.Aisin currently has 2,914 first-tier suppliers, of which 1,815 are overseas companies, surpassing the 1,099 suppliers based in Japan. As Aisin expands its global procurement network in line with electrification and increased local production, South Korean companies are emerging as potential new suppliers.Aisin is enhancing its development of drive systems for electric and hybrid vehicles while strengthening production systems in North America, Europe, China, and India. The technology exchange was conducted simultaneously at the Kariya headquarters, which oversees procurement, and the Anjo Technology Center, responsible for core component development, facilitating technology reviews and procurement consultations.KOTRA's collaboration with Aisin is also gradually expanding. KOTRA began discussions with Aisin's procurement department in 2024 and held a Korea-Japan technology consultation last year. In July, they signed a memorandum of understanding to continuously identify partners in the future car sector. In November, Aisin's procurement representatives will visit South Korea for one-on-one follow-up consultations with domestic companies.Kang Kyung-sung, president of KOTRA, stated, "As the global automotive industry accelerates its transition to future vehicles, even conservative Japanese companies are beginning to expand cooperation with overseas parts suppliers. Given the importance of long-term trust, we will do our utmost to closely engage with our competitive parts suppliers to expand entry into the supply chains of Japanese automakers and major parts manufacturers."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 15:00:20
  • Lotte Hosts Global Job Fair in Indonesia, Aiming to Hire 300 Local Talents
    Lotte Hosts Global Job Fair in Indonesia, Aiming to Hire 300 Local Talents Lotte is accelerating its efforts to recruit local talent in Indonesia. The company plans to hire an additional 300 employees this year to strengthen its business foundation in the country, which has expanded its operations from retail to chemicals and logistics. On September 9, Lotte held the '2026 Lotte Global Job Fair' in Jakarta, Indonesia. Nine subsidiaries, including Lotte Chemical, Lotte Department Store, Lotte Mart, and Lotte Global Logistics, participated in the event. The fair attracted over 600 local job seekers, who were introduced to the group's major businesses and engaged in recruitment consultations and mock interviews with current employees. Promotional booths and interactive events were also set up for each subsidiary.Dimas Saputra, a participant in the job consultations, said, "It was great to hear specific information about the roles and hiring processes from current employees. This job fair helped me understand Lotte's diverse businesses and roles, which will be very helpful as I prepare for future employment." This marks Lotte's second global job fair abroad, following an event in Hanoi, Vietnam, last August. Indonesia was chosen as the second location for this initiative. Indonesia serves as a key overseas business hub for Lotte. Since launching Lotte Mart in 2008, the company has expanded to 12 subsidiaries operating in retail, chemicals, logistics, IT, and construction. Last year, Lotte's local sales exceeded 2 trillion won, and the workforce reached approximately 8,000 employees. The company plans to hire an additional 300 local staff by the end of this year. Following the job fair, Lotte will conduct 'Global Campus Recruiting' at major universities. This initiative will involve on-campus consultations about job roles after introducing the group and its positions at the fair, aiming to facilitate actual hiring. In Vietnam, where the global job fair was held last year, campus recruiting will also take place next month at major universities in Hanoi. In South Korea, Lotte operates a 'predictable rolling recruitment' system, focusing on hiring for its subsidiaries in March, June, September, and December. Currently, Lotte's recruitment website lists new positions for several subsidiaries, including Lotte Department Store, Lotte Hotel, Lotte Innovate, Lotte Construction, and Lotte Energy Materials, for September. Lotte is broadening its talent acquisition channels by regularizing recruitment periods domestically and conducting local job fairs and university recruiting abroad. A Lotte representative stated, "The global job fair is designed to allow local job seekers to explore various Lotte subsidiaries' businesses and roles in one place and communicate directly with current employees. We will continue to expand our connections with global talent who can grow with Lotte through various recruitment activities, including visits to local universities."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 15:00:00
  • Samsung partners with Mistral AI to develop semiconductor-specific AI
    Samsung partners with Mistral AI to develop semiconductor-specific AI SEOUL, September 09 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics has formed a strategic partnership with French artificial intelligence startup Mistral AI to jointly develop AI models tailored to semiconductor design and manufacturing, according to the company on Wednesday. The partnership, reached around the time of a South Korea-France summit, will combine Samsung's semiconductor technology and manufacturing data with Mistral AI's AI models to improve productivity and precision across chip operations. Samsung plans to use Mistral AI's large language models, including Mistral Large, to develop proprietary AI models optimized for data generated by its Device Solutions division, which oversees the company's semiconductor business. The models will be gradually deployed for tasks including data analysis, defect prediction and process optimization, with Samsung aiming to shorten development cycles while improving manufacturing efficiency and product quality. The two companies will also jointly develop an AI platform and operating system optimized for semiconductor operations. Samsung said the AI models will operate on its own infrastructure through an on-premises system, allowing sensitive semiconductor data to be processed without being transferred to external cloud infrastructure. The partnership is expected to expand across Samsung's memory, foundry and logic businesses, with plans to eventually connect customers and partners to a broader AI-based semiconductor ecosystem. "As the complexity of semiconductor design and manufacturing increases rapidly, the ability to securely and precisely utilize vast amounts of data is emerging as a key competitive advantage," said Jun Young-hyun, head of Samsung Electronics' Device Solutions division. "Together with Mistral AI, we will build AI models and platforms specialized for the semiconductor industry and set a new standard for AI-driven semiconductor innovation," Jun said. Samsung has also made a large-scale equity investment in Mistral AI to strengthen the strategic partnership and establish a foundation for long-term technology cooperation and joint business projects. The company did not disclose the size of the investment. AJP Takeaways - Samsung and Mistral AI will jointly develop proprietary AI models specialized for semiconductor design and manufacturing. - The models will be deployed for data analysis, defect prediction and process optimization while operating on Samsung's internal infrastructure to protect sensitive chip data. - Samsung has also invested in Mistral AI as the companies seek to expand their partnership across memory, foundry and logic businesses. 2026-09-09 14:59:41
  • Yuhan-Kimberly Launches Newborn Skincare Brand Green Finger My Baby
    Yuhan-Kimberly Launches Newborn Skincare Brand 'Green Finger My Baby' Yuhan-Kimberly has launched a premium skincare brand for newborns, 'Green Finger My Baby,' introducing its first product, 'My Baby First Serum.'According to Yuhan-Kimberly, 'Green Finger My Baby' is developed with the slogan 'First skincare for our baby starting from zero years old,' making it suitable for use right after birth.The brand focuses on the unique characteristics of newborn skin, emphasizing selected ingredients, formulation designed for skin properties, efficacy verification through human application tests, and comprehensive safety checks.Green Finger My Baby operates on the basis of plant-derived ingredients and has obtained vegan certification for all its products. The first product, 'My Baby First Serum,' is designed considering the sensitivity of newborn skin, which is still developing its temperature regulation.The serum contains panthenol for hydration and ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier, along with plant-derived sprout extracts to soothe sensitive skin.The efficacy and suitability of the product have been confirmed through human application tests, and safety verification has been enhanced given that it is intended for newborns.Meanwhile, Green Finger has ranked first in the domestic infant and toddler sun care market for six consecutive years since 2020.A representative from Green Finger stated, 'My Baby is a brand designed to create a special moment of connection between parents and their child during the first touch on the most delicate skin.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 14:56:00
  • Minister Jeong Dong-young Calls for Peace Agreement to End War Status on Korean Peninsula
    Minister Jeong Dong-young Calls for Peace Agreement to End War Status on Korean Peninsula 정동영 통일부 장관은 9일 “한반도의 전쟁 방지와 긴장 완화를 위해 전쟁 상태를 종식하는 평화협정이 체결돼야 한다”고 밝혔다.정 장관은 이날 서울 중구 대한성공회 서울주교좌성당에서 열린 ‘2026 세계 에큐메니칼 평화대회’ 개막식 축사를 통해 “한반도 평화체제의 실천을 통해 76년 전 시작된 전쟁으로 인한 근본 문제를 해결해야 한다”며 이같이 말했다.정 장관은 “한반도 평화체제를 구축하는 것은 분단 체제 안에서 끊임없이 재생산되는 증오와 적개심의 굴레를 끊고 정의로운 평화를 이 땅에 세우는 길”이라며 “끝나지 않은 전쟁의 당사국들이 모여 전쟁에 종지부를 찍고 지속 가능한 평화체제를 만들어야 한다”고 강조했다.이어 “그럴 때 증오와 적대, 불안과 위기를 멈추고 치유와 화해의 문을 활짝 열 수 있다”며 한반도 평화체제 실현을 위한 국제사회의 연대와 실천을 당부했다.정 장관은 남북 간 대화와 종교 교류가 장기간 중단된 상황에 대한 안타까움도 드러냈다. 그는 “남북 간 대화가 단절된 지 어느덧 7년이 넘었고 한국기독교교회협의회와 조선그리스도교연맹의 교류도 멈춰 섰다”고 말했다.그러면서 “한반도를 둘로 나눈 철조망은 평화와 화평, 공의라는 하나님의 뜻을 가로막을 수 없다”며 “평화의 도구가 되는 우리의 한 걸음, 한 걸음을 통해 이 땅에 다시 평화와 화합이 찾아올 것”이라고 했다.정 장관은 이재명 대통령이 광복절 경축사에서 제시한 ‘포용적·안정적·책임 있는 평화공존’의 3대 청사진도 소개했다. 그는 “불신과 증오를 씻어내고 화해와 협력을 실천하며, 참혹한 전쟁을 막고 한반도와 동북아를 넘어 세계에 평화와 화합의 길을 열자는 것”이라고 설명했다.아울러 1986년 스위스 글리온에서 남북 그리스도인들이 처음 만난 사례와 한국기독교교회협의회(NCCK)가 1988년 발표한 ‘민족의 통일과 평화에 대한 한국기독교회 선언’을 언급하며 세계 교회가 한반도 평화와 남북 교류에 기여해 왔다고 평가했다.정 장관은 “한반도에서 평화의 불꽃이 피어나 온 세상의 치유와 화해, 평화로 뻗어갈 수 있도록 뜨겁게 기도하고 치열하게 실천해야 한다”고 덧붙였다.한편 이번 대회는 NCCK가 세계교회협의회(WCC), 아시아기독교협의회(CCA)와 함께 1986년 스위스 글리온에서 열린 남북 교회 회동 40주년을 기념해 마련됐다. 당시 회동은 분단 이후 남북 그리스도인들이 처음으로 만나 예배와 성찬을 함께한 자리로, 이번 대회는 세계 교회와의 연대를 바탕으로 장기간 중단된 남북 교회 교류를 복원하고 교착 상태에 놓인 한반도 평화 논의를 다시 공론화하기 위해 마련됐다. 2026-09-09 14:56:00
  • Seongnam Cultural Foundation Presents Reimagined Shakespearean Play The Tempest
    Seongnam Cultural Foundation Presents Reimagined Shakespearean Play 'The Tempest' National Theater Company's play 'The Tempest' will be performed at the Seongnam Arts Center Opera House on November 17-18. According to the Seongnam Cultural Foundation on September 9, 'The Tempest' is based on William Shakespeare's final work, 'The Tempest,' which has undergone translation and reconfiguration for this presentation. The original story begins with Duke Prospero of Milan, who is cast out to sea with his daughter after being usurped by his brother. They spend 12 years on a deserted island. When given the chance to take revenge on those who betrayed him, Prospero chooses forgiveness and reconciliation instead. This production alters key characters and settings from the original. Prospero is reimagined as a female character named 'Prospera,' and King Alonso of Naples is transformed into 'Alonza,' transcending gender and temporal boundaries in the reinterpretation. The play explores themes of power, desire, love, and forgiveness, examining the choices individuals face in the wake of betrayal and hurt. Directed by Park Jeong-hee, the artistic director of the National Theater Company, the translation and adaptation were handled by Ma Jeong-hwa. The stage design is by Yeosindong. The production minimizes elaborate technical effects, focusing instead on the actors' performances, language, and the audience's imagination. It aims to convey the magical and fantastical atmosphere inherent in the original work through scenes that blur the lines between reality and fantasy. Actress Seo Yi-sook will portray Prospera, joined on stage by Hwang Seon-hwa, Lee Kyung-min, Koo Do-kyun, Gong Ji-soo, Lee Seung-joo, Lee So-yul, Kim Soo-hyun, Lee Kang-ho, Lim Chae-hyun, Kim Eun-woo, and Ha Jae-seong. Ahead of the performances, public interest continues to grow. Many are particularly intrigued by the modern reinterpretation of Shakespeare's classic and the story of Prospera as a female character. One citizen remarked, “I know the original work of Shakespeare, but I’m curious about how the story will unfold with the changed character settings.” Another citizen noted, “Choosing forgiveness in a situation where one could seek revenge seems like a thought-provoking theme for people today. I’m looking forward to a performance that focuses on the actors' performances and dialogue.” Meanwhile, a foundation official added, “Through this performance, we hope the audience can experience Shakespeare's work from a new perspective.” 2026-09-09 14:52:10
  • Lee Bae-yong Requests Acquittal in Appeal, Questions Special Prosecutors Authority
    Lee Bae-yong Requests Acquittal in Appeal, Questions Special Prosecutor's Authority Lee Bae-yong, the former chair of the National Education Commission, who is accused of instructing the destruction of evidence after providing money to Kim Geon-hee, requested an acquittal or dismissal of charges during his appeal, questioning the authority of the special prosecutor's investigation team. He reiterated that the golden turtle was merely a congratulatory gift for the election of former President Yoon Suk-yeol and was unrelated to any job solicitation.The Seoul High Court's Criminal Division 15-3, presided over by judges Seong Eon-joo, Won Ik-seon, and Lee Hee-jun, held a hearing on September 9 regarding Lee's appeal on charges of instigating evidence destruction.Lee's legal team argued, "There is doubt about whether the special prosecutor's team has the authority to investigate this case," stating that the search warrant did not include any mention of evidence destruction. They contended that the materials obtained for a separate investigation were improperly used in the evidence destruction case, raising questions about the validity of the search warrant.They requested the court to overturn the original ruling and either acquit Lee or dismiss the charges.Lee's team also denied the allegations of job solicitation. In his closing statement, Lee said, "I sent the golden turtle as a gesture of congratulations and good luck when the former president was elected. It was merely a traditional gift, and I did not solicit any positions."Regarding the instruction to delete mobile phone data, he claimed, "I was concerned about unnecessary exposure of a third party's private life," asserting that he did not specifically instruct the deletion of materials related to Kim Geon-hee. He emphasized that since there was no solicitation, there was no reason to request the destruction of related evidence.The special prosecutor's team, led by Min Jung-ki, requested the court to dismiss Lee's appeal, effectively seeking to uphold the original sentence of 10 months in prison with a two-year probation. The driver, identified as Mr. Yang, who was also indicted, claimed he had no intent to destroy evidence, but the special prosecutor's team requested that his appeal be dismissed as well.Lee is under investigation for allegedly providing a total of 2.65 million won worth of five golden turtles and a replica of a traditional Korean painting to Kim Geon-hee in April and June 2022, under the pretext of soliciting her appointment as chair of the National Education Commission. He was indicted for instructing his secretary, Mr. Park, and driver, Mr. Yang, to delete text messages related to Kim Geon-hee.The first trial found Lee guilty and sentenced him to 10 months in prison with a two-year probation, while Mr. Park and Mr. Yang received fines.The court concluded the arguments on this day and will announce its ruling on the appeals of Lee, Mr. Park, and Mr. Yang on the afternoon of the 22nd.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 14:52:00
  • Justice Ministry Addresses Concerns Over Prosecutors Office Staffing Gaps
    Justice Ministry Addresses Concerns Over Prosecutor's Office Staffing Gaps The Justice Ministry stated on September 9 that concerns about staffing gaps in the Prosecutor's Office due to the absence of provisions for general staff positions in the Prosecutor's Office Law are unfounded. The ministry explained that, based on a systematic interpretation of the National Public Service Act and the Public Service Appointment Regulations, there are no obstacles to the Minister of Justice exercising staffing authority as before.In a statement, the ministry clarified that it plans to clarify the legal basis during the process of revising related laws for the establishment of the Prosecutor's Office.The ministry added that preparations for the launch of the Prosecutor's Office, including staffing for general positions, are proceeding without any issues.As the Prosecutor's Office is set to launch on October 2, concerns have arisen regarding staffing gaps, as it has been confirmed that the provisions for general staff positions from the previous Prosecutor's Office Law have not been carried over.According to the proposal for the Prosecutor's Office structure announced by the Justice Ministry on September 4, the general staff quota for the Prosecutor's Office is set at 6,120, which is 2,294 (27.3%) fewer than the current general staff quota of 8,414 in the Prosecutor's Office.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 14:44:00
  • Gwangjus Talent Development System Receives Top National Rating
    Gwangju's Talent Development System Receives Top National Rating The talent development system in Gwangju has received the highest rating in the country. According to Gwangju City on September 9, the Ministry of Education awarded the region an S grade in its "2026 Regional Growth Talent Development System (Anchor) Year 1 Annual Review." The Ministry evaluated the progress and outcomes of projects across 17 metropolitan and provincial governments nationwide from the previous year. For the evaluation period of 2025, Gwangju and Jeonnam were assessed separately as they operated their respective projects during that time. Gwangju received the S grade alongside Busan and Chungnam. A grades were awarded to Gangwon, Gyeonggi, Gyeongnam, Daejeon, and Ulsan, while B grades went to Gyeongbuk, Daegu, Incheon, Jeonnam, and Jeju. C grades were given to Seoul, Sejong, Jeonbuk, and Chungbuk. Considering that this is the early stage of the project, the Ministry focused on whether the regional implementation processes could lead to substantial outcomes rather than just quantitative results. The evaluation criteria included: the establishment and operation of implementation systems, securing budgets and support strategies, project and unit task management, and the establishment and operation of performance management systems. Gwangju scored high for establishing a collaborative system where the region and universities jointly plan and operate projects, introducing competitive selection methods among universities, and implementing systematic performance management, thereby leading the way in regionally driven university innovation. In particular, Gwangju focused on identifying projects that leverage the unique characteristics and strengths of local universities, strengthening connections between universities and industries, and continuously monitoring and evaluating project progress to incorporate results into project improvements, thus establishing a performance-oriented project management system.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 14:40:00