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  • French Chamber of Commerce to Host Maison France Festival in Suwon
    French Chamber of Commerce to Host 'Maison France Festival' in Suwon The French Chamber of Commerce in Korea (FKCCI) will celebrate its 40th anniversary and the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France by hosting the 'Maison France Festival 2026' on September 12-13 at the Picnic Park in Suwon's Avenue France, in collaboration with Hoban Properties.The festival will feature 17 brands, including Renault Korea, Casa de Mont, and La Brûlerie, showcasing a variety of renowned French products in sectors such as food, furniture, clothing, perfume, and mobility. This event aims to introduce the French concept of 'savoir-faire'—expertise and know-how—to Korean consumers.Notably, the festival will include many authentic French food brands, such as Agronova – Comptoir de Provence, Clément Faugier, Crème Kankan, Guillaume, La Belle Iloise, and Olivier & Co., allowing attendees to experience the flavors of France in one location. Each brand will also offer special events and interactive programs for Korean consumers.The FKCCI plans to continue creating opportunities for brands, consumers, and the general public to connect, supporting the entry and growth of French brands in the Korean market while strengthening ties within the business communities of both countries.Meanwhile, Korea and France are celebrating 140 years of diplomatic relations this year, marked by a series of high-level visits. French President Emmanuel Macron visited Korea in April, and in response, President Yoon Suk Yeol is currently on a state visit to France from September 6 to 9. During this visit, President Yoon is scheduled to hold a summit with President Macron in Paris and participate in a Korea-France business roundtable. President Yoon also attended the G7 summit held in Évian, France, in June.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 13:48:10
  • National Assembly and Business Sector Launch Economic Leap Committee
    National Assembly and Business Sector Launch Economic Leap Committee 국회와 경제계가 손잡고 '국회 경제대도약위원회'를 9일 발족시켰다. 위원회는 기업의 제안이 신속하게 국회 입법과 제도 개선으로 이어지도록 연결하는 역할을 할 방침이다.조정식 국회의장은 이날 국회 사랑재에서 열린 경제대도약위원회 출범식에서 "경제대도약위원회가 대한민국 경제 미래지도와 신산업 생태계를 함께 그려 나가는 초당적 국가 전략 플랫폼이 되길 희망한다"고 밝혔다.조 의장과 함께 공동위원장을 맡은 최태원 대한상공회의소 회장은 "현재 국제 정세가 예측 가능한 상황이 아니다"며 "국회가 기업의 국내 변수를 줄여줘야 한다"고 말했다.이어 "최근에는 속도전이기 때문에 국제 정세가 확실해질 때까지 시간을 기다리면 기업은 대도약의 찬스를 잃는다"며 "기업의 혁신 속도와 입법 속도를 맞추는 게 중요하다. 기술을 끊임없이 개발하듯 법과 제도도 끊임없이 바꿔서 상황을 맞춰야 한다"고 강조했다.위원회는 지난 7월 제주포럼에서 조 의장이 최 회장에게 국회와 경제계의 상시적인 협력체계 구축을 제안한 것에서 비롯됐다. 조 의장과 최 회장이 공동위원장을 맡고 각 상임위원장이 분과장으로 참석한다.제1분과(산업)는 김성원 산업통상자원중소벤처기업위원장, 제2분과(조세·재정)는 조승래 재정경제기획위원장, 제3분과(공정거래·자본시장)는 유동수 정무위원장이 맡는다. 위원으로는 삼성, SK, 현대차, LG, 한화, 롯데, 포스코, GS, 이마트, CJ, 대한항공, HD현대, 두산, HS효성 등 주요 기업 최고경영자(CEO)가 참여한다.위원회는 대한상의가 국회 측에 전달한 정책제안서를 토대로 3대 분야의 입법·정책 논의에 본격 착수할 계획이다. 상의는 전략산업 경쟁력 강화 및 기업활력 제고를 위해 △첨단산업 규제 혁신 △기업 성장 유인을 위한 제도 구축 △첨단산업 해외 기술 유출 방지 등을 제안했다. 미래성장동력 확충 및 경제 안보 대응 강화 차원에서는 △인공지능(AI) 등 첨단산업 육성 및 지원 △경제안보 지원 및 공급망 안정성 강화 △기업성장 뒷받침을 위한 세제지원 등을 세부 과제로 각각 제안했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 13:48:00
  • Han Dong-hoon Threatens Legal Action Against Kim Min-seok for Spreading False Information
    Han Dong-hoon Threatens Legal Action Against Kim Min-seok for Spreading False Information Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon announced on September 9 that he plans to take legal action against Kim Min-seok, the leader of the Democratic Party, for allegedly spreading false information about him.In a post on his Facebook page, Han stated, "I will pursue criminal charges against Kim for disseminating false information," adding, "I have never received any similar materials from the prosecution. I will hold Kim accountable for his baseless lies."He indicated that he would continue to respond strictly to the dissemination of false information. Han criticized, "The Democratic Party's attempts to deflect attention with claims about 'poison lobbying' will not erase the issue at hand." He also admonished Democratic lawmaker Song Young-gil, saying, "At least in the case of the Democratic Party's scandal, you should exercise restraint. Aren't you also a member of the overseas faction?"Han has been focusing on allegations surrounding Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice, regarding lobbying for new drugs. The Democratic Party has demanded that Han disclose the sources of the materials he is using, claiming he is launching a political offensive with illegally obtained information.In response, Han questioned, "Are you trying to threaten the whistleblower with murder threats if I reveal their identity? I will protect the public interest whistleblower at all costs. I will break the drum politics of the Democratic Party brothers."He asserted, "Kim was aware that broker Yang received millions of won from CEO Kang of Genensel in exchange for lobbying the Food and Drug Administration. In fact, Yang did receive millions of won," insisting that Kim should be investigated and punished for bribery and related charges.Additionally, Han released details from a phone call between Kang and Yang from September 2021, which mentioned commissions related to investment attraction, criticizing, "Is this 'money game' what the Democratic Party calls public interest and preventing national wealth outflow?"Meanwhile, lawmakers from the Democratic Party, Justice Party, and Progressive Party held a press conference on the same day, condemning Han for allegedly leaking internal investigation materials that he obtained illegally, claiming he is distorting and inciting public opinion through malicious editing and manipulation.They pointed out that Han has deleted key content, edited unrelated information, and inflated other details, warning, "We will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the data leak and the truth behind Han's distortions and incitements. The price for deceiving the public will be paid."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 13:48:00
  • Agricultural Investment and Export Consultation Held at 2026 Financial Roadshow
    Agricultural Investment and Export Consultation Held at 2026 Financial Roadshow The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that it held the '2026 Agricultural Financial Investment Roadshow' in Seoul on September 9, bringing together agricultural companies and domestic and international investors.The event, themed 'Connecting the Potential of Agriculture and Food to Global Markets and Investment,' aimed to share global trends and forecasts in agricultural investment, while supporting companies in attracting investment, expanding their businesses, and exploring new markets.More than 300 participants included 50 agricultural companies, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT), venture capitalists, accelerators, and global retail buyers. Major food companies such as CJ CheilJedang, Nongshim, Daesang, Orion, Pulmuone, and Lotte Chilsung were also present.Participating companies received one-on-one tailored consulting in four specialized areas: mentoring for overseas expansion, sales consultations using global platforms like Amazon and Alibaba, export consultations with trade-related public institutions, and investment consultations with venture capitalists and accelerators.A product exhibition and demonstration showcased innovative products and technologies from 21 agricultural companies. Participants shared investment information and explored collaboration and new business opportunities.Deputy Minister Kim Jong-gu emphasized, 'As global interest in K-food rises and our agricultural companies are presented with new opportunities to enter the global market, bold investments in agricultural companies must be supported.' He added, 'The government will expand support for the agricultural fund and actively assist in creating a virtuous cycle of investment recovery and reinvestment to help the agricultural investment ecosystem grow to the next level.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 13:44:00
  • OpenAI Declares Universal AI Era One Year After Entering South Korea
    OpenAI Declares 'Universal AI Era' One Year After Entering South Korea OpenAI has announced significant advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) as it marks one year since its entry into the South Korean market. During a press conference on September 9 in Gangnam, Seoul, Kim Kyung-hoon, the country head of OpenAI Korea, emphasized the capabilities of the next-generation frontier model, Astra6."The most important aspect of Astra is whether AI can complete tasks independently. In the past, human intervention was necessary at various stages, but now we can trust AI to handle more complex tasks," Kim stated.He explained that for business-to-business (B2B) transactions, the goal is to increase the usage of ChatGPT among domestic companies, while for business-to-consumer (B2C) transactions, the focus is on driving steady growth in weekly active users.AI adoption among South Korean companies is rapidly increasing. According to OpenAI, since the official launch of its office in Korea, the number of users utilizing ChatGPT Enterprise has surged approximately 28 times over the past year. The usage of Codex also saw a significant increase, growing about 14 times from March to June.Kim noted that the sectors experiencing the most growth include legal, finance, and human resources, with companies such as Samsung Electronics and Seoul National University adopting ChatGPT. Currently, brands like Musinsa, Nexen Tire, LG Uplus, LG Electronics, LG CNS, Toss, and Kakao are also using ChatGPT Enterprise.OpenAI anticipates that the introduction of Astra will further accelerate AI adoption among domestic companies. With the increased token share of work and Codex based on ChatGPT 5.6, the use of AI is quickly transitioning from simple conversations to actual task execution. Kim pointed out that, prior to Astra, 64% of output tokens were used for work and Codex, with the remainder for chat, indicating that Astra will enable companies to undertake more in-depth tasks.As AI takes on the role of operating computers and performing tasks autonomously, safety measures have also been enhanced. OpenAI has implemented guardrails, including improved alignment and privacy protections, as well as restrictions on access to high-risk features. The capabilities of Astra are also being utilized in cybersecurity, with Samsung SDS participating as a pilot partner for the cyber defense program 'Daybreak,' which will expand its application to other Samsung affiliates.Additionally, OpenAI announced growth in its advertising model. The global advertising business reached an annualized revenue of $1 billion within approximately 200 days of its launch. In South Korea, initial testing is currently underway with a limited number of users. Kim mentioned that there were cautious opinions internally regarding the introduction of advertising, stating, "We are approaching this conservatively while protecting personal information." He added that initial results will be compiled and shared within the next one to two months.On the same day, OpenAI showcased a demo of Astra performing actual tasks. Astra created a 24-second video implementing a 3D store layout based on an interior order and construction plan, as well as a business plan, completing the task in under 20 minutes. The original files for the space, camera movements, and music remain available for future modifications.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 13:36:00
  • South Korea Increases Support for Chuseok Discounts with Additional $900 Million
    South Korea Increases Support for Chuseok Discounts with Additional $900 Million The South Korean government is allocating an additional 900 billion won to reduce the financial burden of Chuseok shopping. The discount program for agricultural and livestock products will be extended for an additional week until September 30, and the previous limit of 20,000 won per person per week will be removed.On September 9, the Ministry of Economy and Finance held a meeting led by Vice Minister Kang Gi-ryong to announce supplementary measures for stabilizing living conditions during the Chuseok holiday.In addition to the 1.03 trillion won in discount support announced on September 1, the government will inject an extra 900 billion won from available budgets. The aim is to enhance price stability by expanding discounts and supply for essential holiday items.The discount program for agricultural and livestock products will now run from September 3 to September 30, including the Chuseok holiday. During this period, the limit on discounts will be lifted, allowing consumers to purchase these products at lower prices.The government will also increase the supply of reserved seafood. An additional 2,000 tons will be supplied, including 1,300 tons of pollock, 300 tons of squid, 300 tons of croaker, and 100 tons of dried croaker, bringing the total to 22,000 tons, which is three times the usual amount.The price reduction for reserved seafood will be expanded, with supplies offered at up to 50% below market prices, compared to the previous maximum of 40%. These products will be distributed to wholesale markets, supermarkets, and traditional markets.The number of companies participating in the processed food discount program will increase to 20. A total of 4,765 items will be discounted by up to 64% this month, with plans to further expand the range of discounted items and rates in consultation with the industry.As the Chuseok holiday approaches, the government will strengthen inspections to prevent overcharging. From September 14 to 22, joint inspections will be conducted at markets and tourist areas, focusing on restaurants and accommodations. During the traditional market gift certificate refund event from September 16 to 20, monitoring for overcharging practices will be intensified.New enforcement standards for accommodations, restaurants, and taxis will be communicated on-site. The government plans to amend consumer dispute resolution standards by the end of the year to require compensation of 200% of the canceled fee for unjustified cancellations of accommodation reservations.Through the 'Joint Government Response Team for Living Conditions' launched on August 28, the government will continue to monitor price collusion and unfair practices related to essential goods.In a recent crackdown on abuses of the tariff quota system, illegal and unfair practices amounting to 546.8 billion won were identified across 10 companies, resulting in fines of 8.5 billion won and the recovery of 58.6 billion won in evaded taxes.Meanwhile, a survey by the Korea Consumer Agency found that the average cost of purchasing Chuseok offerings for a family of four three weeks before the holiday is 313,089 won, a 2.3% decrease from last year's 320,370 won. The government plans to enhance measures to ensure the continued effectiveness of price stabilization efforts through discount support and supply expansion.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 13:32:00
  • Government and Agricultural Cooperatives Increase Discounts on Agricultural Products Ahead of Chuseok
    Government and Agricultural Cooperatives Increase Discounts on Agricultural Products Ahead of Chuseok The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation are significantly increasing discounts on agricultural products ahead of Chuseok, tripling support compared to last year.On September 9, the Agriculture Ministry announced that it will expand its discount support to 1.49 trillion won to alleviate the price burden of essential goods during the holiday. The National Agricultural Cooperative Federation will contribute an additional 291 billion won to promote both online and offline discount events.This initiative supplements the 'Chuseok Livelihood Stabilization Measures' announced by the Agriculture Ministry on September 1. The goal is to utilize available resources from the government and cooperatives to reduce the financial strain on citizens as the holiday approaches.The Agriculture Ministry is increasing its discount support from 50 billion won last year to 1.49 trillion won this year. The duration of the discount events has also been extended from September 3-23 to September 30, allowing consumers to benefit from discounts through the Chuseok holiday.To address the high prices of Hanwoo beef and Han Dong pork, additional discount events will be organized in collaboration with self-help organizations. Popular items for Chuseok, such as Hanwoo sirloin, brisket, and pork shoulder, will be sold at discounts of 30% to 50% at Hanaromart and other locations.The National Agricultural Cooperative Federation will also invest an additional 291 billion won, bringing the total support to 877 billion won when including government contributions. The federation plans to conduct large-scale discount events through both online and offline channels, including Hanaromart and NH Sing Sing Mall.At Hanaromart, discounts of up to 57% will be offered on agricultural and marine products, including fruits, Hanwoo beef, pork, and processed foods like flour. NH Sing Sing Mall will provide discounts of up to 70% on essential goods and gift sets.The Agriculture Ministry expects that the combination of increased supply of essential goods and discount events will help reduce the cost burden for consumers during Chuseok.Seo Jun-han, Director of the Distribution and Consumption Policy Division at the Agriculture Ministry, stated, "We have mobilized all available resources from the government and cooperatives to significantly expand discount support to ease the burden on citizens' shopping baskets ahead of Chuseok. We will ensure that the supply of essential goods and discount events proceed smoothly so that the public can enjoy a bountiful and joyful Chuseok."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 13:32:00
  • Korea Zincs Extraordinary General Meeting Reshapes Board with 12-7 Vote
    Korea Zinc's Extraordinary General Meeting Reshapes Board with 12-7 Vote Current management, led by Korea Zinc Chairman Choi Yoon-bum, gained a significant advantage during the company's extraordinary general meeting. The election of Baek In-kyu, the candidate recommended by Korea Zinc, as an independent director reshaped the board to include 12 members from Choi's side and 7 from MBK and Youngpoong.On September 9, at the Mondrian Hotel in Yongsan, Seoul, the extraordinary general meeting appointed four independent directors and one audit committee member. The meeting proceeded with the first agenda item (amendment of the articles of incorporation), followed by the second item (election of four independent directors through cumulative voting), and the third item (election of one independent director as an audit committee member).The first agenda item, which included a proposal to increase the number of separately elected audit committee members, was approved. According to a recent amendment to the Commercial Act, listed companies with total assets exceeding 2 trillion won must elect at least two audit committee members separately from other directors. The first agenda item passed with unanimous support from 18,649,708 voting shares, resulting in a 91.48% approval rate based on total voting rights.In the second agenda item, two candidates from each side were elected as independent directors. From Korea Zinc, Lee Hyung-kyu, an honorary professor at Hanyang University Law School, and Seo Eun-sook, a professor at Sangmyung University, were appointed. From MBK and Youngpoong, Lee Joon-bong, a professor at Sungkyunkwan University Law School, and lawyer Shim Hye-seop were also elected.The independent directors were elected based on the number of votes received. A total of 18,649,800 shares were present, and the voting rights available for the second agenda item were four times the number of shares present, totaling 74,599,200 votes.Results showed that candidates recommended by MBK and Youngpoong secured the top two positions, while Korea Zinc's candidates placed third and fourth. Specifically, Shim Hye-seop received 18,830,581 votes, Lee Joon-bong received 18,830,848 votes, Lee Hyung-kyu received 18,378,096 votes, and Seo Eun-sook received 1,805,829 votes.In the crucial third agenda item, Baek In-kyu, the candidate recommended by Korea Zinc, was elected as the independent director for the audit committee. His appointment was approved with 81.8% of the voting rights in favor. In contrast, the nomination of Park Yoo-kyung, recommended by MBK and Youngpoong, failed with only 27.93% support.The election of the audit committee member was subject to the so-called '3% rule,' which limits the voting rights of the largest shareholders and related parties to a maximum of 3%. This restriction diminished the influence of the major shareholders, allowing significant input from key shareholders like Hanwha and LG Chem, as well as minority shareholders.With Baek's appointment, Choi's side has strengthened its position on the board, enhancing its control over management. Industry analysts view this as a favorable development for defending management rights.However, given that MBK and Youngpoong still hold substantial shares, it is unlikely that the management dispute will conclude with this extraordinary general meeting. Ongoing legal battles and the regular shareholders meeting next year are expected to prolong the conflict over management rights.Korea Zinc stated in a press release that the results of the extraordinary general meeting reflect shareholder support for the current management's continuity and efforts to enhance long-term corporate value. The company affirmed its commitment to advancing the 'Project Crucible' for the construction of a U.S. integrated smelter and the Troika Drive strategy while responding to any attempts by MBK and Youngpoong to interfere in management.MBK and Youngpoong expressed respect for the extraordinary general meeting's outcome but thanked shareholders for supporting their candidates, Shim Hye-seop and Lee Joon-bong, who ranked first and second in the independent director election. They noted that with the election of their candidates, the number of their representatives on the board has increased to seven, enhancing oversight and monitoring functions within the board. They also expressed regret over the failure to appoint Park Yoo-kyung as an audit committee member, asserting that the newly appointed Baek In-kyu has a responsibility to independently verify various allegations related to company investments and internal controls. 2026-09-09 13:16:00
  • Nexon Games Shares Rebound After Initial Drop Following Project DX Development Halt
    Nexon Games Shares Rebound After Initial Drop Following Project DX Development Halt Nexon Games experienced a decline in its stock price following the announcement of the halt in development of the sequel to 'Durango: Wild Lands,' but the shares rebounded in the afternoon.According to the Korea Exchange, as of 12:43 PM, Nexon Games' stock was trading at 11,440 won, up 90 won (0.79%) from the previous trading day. The stock opened at 10,960 won and fell to 10,830 won in early trading, a drop of 4.58%, but later recovered.The initial drop in stock price is attributed to the notification given to studio members about the cessation of development for 'Project DX,' the sequel to 'Durango: Wild Lands.'Project DX was first revealed at Nexon's pre-G-Star briefing in October 2024 and was based on 'Durango: Wild Lands,' which was released in 2018 and discontinued after about a year. It had been considered one of Nexon's key upcoming titles. However, since its announcement, there has been no detailed information regarding its development progress or release schedule.This development halt aligns with Nexon's recent strategy to reorganize its game portfolio, focusing on profitability and development progress.Nexon Chairman Patrick Söderlund stated during a capital market briefing in March that the company's product portfolio was "too broad" and indicated plans for adjustments.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 13:16:00
  • Naju Offers Accommodation and Rental Car Support for Tourists
    Naju Offers Accommodation and Rental Car Support for Tourists Naju City in Gwangju is launching the 'Naju 1 Night, 2 Benefits Plus' program to attract tourists by providing support for accommodation and rental cars.The city will begin accepting applications for this program, an expansion of the '2026 Naju Visit Year' accommodation incentive initiative, starting on the 11th.This program adds rental car support to the existing accommodation incentives, helping tourists who arrive in Naju via KTX and intercity buses to move around more conveniently.For groups of 2 to 3 travelers, the program offers an accommodation incentive of 50,000 won along with a rental car fee of 30,000 won. For groups of 4 to 5, the support increases to 100,000 won for accommodation and 40,000 won for rental cars.Groups of 6 or more will receive 130,000 won for accommodation and 50,000 won for rental cars. Additionally, families with children under 18 can receive an extra 20,000 won, bringing the total support to a maximum of 200,000 won.Tourists wishing to participate can select the '1 Night, 2 Benefits Plus' option during the application process for the existing 'Naju 1 Night, 2 Benefits' program.However, participants must rent and return the vehicle in Naju and visit at least three designated tourist areas among the four regions: the old downtown, west, east, and south.While Naju has excellent access to public transportation like KTX and intercity buses, the distribution of major tourist attractions across various regions has made it somewhat challenging for visitors without personal vehicles to travel between sites.The city aims to alleviate these mobility issues through this program, encouraging tourists to explore a wider range of Naju's diverse attractions rather than limiting their stay to the old downtown or specific sites.By integrating accommodation incentives, rental car support, and regional tourism into a single travel experience, Naju hopes to extend tourists' stay and spread spending across local accommodations, restaurants, cafes, and experiential facilities.The existing 'Naju 1 Night, 2 Benefits' program has already shown significant effects in attracting tourists and revitalizing the local economy.As of September 2, a total of 16,802 participants have utilized the program, with a total of 419.48 million won in incentives distributed.Based on spending surveys of participants, the estimated direct consumption in the region amounts to 1.648 billion won, four times the incentives provided.A survey conducted with 1,260 participating teams revealed that 92.5% of respondents felt the 'Naju 1 Night, 2 Benefits' program influenced their decision to visit and stay in Naju, while 95% expressed overall satisfaction with their trip.Naju City anticipates that by adding mobility support to the confirmed effects of accommodation and spending incentives, tourists' activity radius and length of stay will increase, further enhancing the economic impact on the region.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 13:12:00