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  • Genians Named Outstanding IR Company at 2026 Korea IR Awards
    Genians Named Outstanding IR Company at 2026 Korea IR Awards Cybersecurity firm Genians announced on September 18 that it was named an Outstanding IR Company in the KOSDAQ market at the 2026 Korea IR Awards held at the Korea Exchange in Yeouido, Seoul.The Korea IR Awards recognize companies and IR professionals that contribute to the mutual interests of businesses, shareholders, and investors through proactive IR activities, awarding ten outstanding companies from both the KOSDAQ and KOSPI markets.This marks Genians' second consecutive year receiving the Outstanding IR Company award. The company stated, "Our continuous IR activities amid market volatility, which foster communication with investors and enhance corporate value, were key factors in this recognition." Genians focuses on reducing information asymmetry as a primary direction for its IR activities, establishing 'reliability, proactivity, and expertise' as core keywords. The company operates initiatives such as incorporating investor feedback into IR activities, expanding communication with C-level executives, and hosting tailored briefings for different types of investors.Recently, in response to changes in the capital market environment, Genians adjusted its IR approach to target 'small-cap leaders.' The company shifted from general large-scale briefings to one-on-one meetings with active asset managers, small-cap fund managers, and private banking branches through a 'D2I (Direct-to-Investor)' method to expand investor engagement.Additionally, Genians outlined its growth strategy centered on next-generation businesses like AI and quantum security, announcing its '2026 Corporate Value Enhancement Plan.' The company is also pursuing shareholder return policies, including decisions on interim dividends.The CEO and key C-level executives are directly participating in meetings with domestic and international institutional investors to explain the business vision, core technologies, and long-term global business plans.Following these IR activities, the company reported an increase in foreign ownership, noting that it has partially defended corporate value amid ongoing market volatility. This year, 21 reports from securities firms covering Genians have been published.Genians is also organizing a 'Cybersecurity Company Joint Briefing' to enhance institutional investors' understanding of the domestic security industry. This initiative aims to expand investor engagement beyond individual company IR efforts to encompass the entire domestic security sector.CEO Lee Dong-beom stated, "We will continue to enhance corporate value through accelerated global market expansion and technological innovation, realizing shareholder value as a 'small-cap leader' that grows alongside the capital market."Genians is maintaining its growth trajectory in both performance and global business this year. Its core businesses, including NAC and EDR, are expanding, along with service-oriented offerings like cloud NAC and MDR. Recently, the company has broadened its business scope by obtaining global certification for EDR and developing a quantum security gateway based on post-quantum cryptography (PQC).* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 10:28:00
  • Capital Markets Must Shift to Productive Finance to Support Long-Term Growth
    Capital Markets Must Shift to 'Productive Finance' to Support Long-Term Growth There are calls to expand the role of capital markets to facilitate the transition to 'productive finance,' which aims to supply long-term growth capital to innovative companies and strategic industries. Advocates argue for enhanced tax incentives for long-term investments and the creation of an environment that encourages the flow of long-term funds into innovative firms such as those listed on the KOSDAQ.Kim Se-wan, head of the Capital Market Research Institute, stated at the 29th anniversary conference held at the Conrad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, on September 18, "We aim to discuss the role that capital markets must play in the transition to a productive finance system."Kim added, "If we combine the presentations from experts who have conducted research over the past year with voices from the field, it will serve as a starting point for finding practical solutions."Financial authorities are set to improve regulations to attract long-term capital into the capital markets. Lee Ok-won, chairman of the Financial Services Commission, emphasized, "Long-term funds linked to personal asset formation, rather than short-term trading and borrowing, should be the backbone of the market," and announced plans to refine products and systems to make long-term investing a rational choice through initiatives like the citizen-participation National Growth Fund and the launch of a productive finance ISA (Individual Comprehensive Asset Management Account).Lee also mentioned, "We will work with relevant departments to ensure that the financial tax system rewards longer holding periods." Plans are in place to establish a KOSDAQ investment fund within the National Growth Fund, with investments expected to begin in October, alongside efforts to increase the inflow of long-term funds from institutions such as pension funds and policy funds.The financial investment industry has highlighted the need for 'patient capital' to support companies through their growth stages. Hwang Seong-yeop, chairman of the Korea Financial Investment Association, noted, "While funding for startups has become more active, there is still a lack of patient capital to support them through subsequent growth stages," pointing out that this funding gap remains an unresolved issue.Hwang also identified the shift of household assets from real estate to capital markets as a challenge. He stressed, "To facilitate the movement of funds from real estate to capital markets, continuous policy efforts are needed to foster a culture of long-term investment."During the conference, discussions and presentations by experts will cover topics such as improvements to the financial tax system, the role of finance in an economy centered on intangible assets, and strategies to enhance venture investment structures in South Korea and the United States.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 10:28:00
  • President Lees Approval Rating Hits Record Low at 37%
    President Lee's Approval Rating Hits Record Low at 37% President Lee Jae-myung's job approval rating has dropped to a record low of 37%, according to a survey released on September 18. Negative evaluations have risen to 56%, the highest level since he took office.The survey conducted by Gallup Korea from September 15 to 17 among 1,002 eligible voters aged 18 and older found that 37% believe President Lee is performing well, while 56% think he is not. Seven percent of respondents were undecided.Compared to last week's survey, the approval rating fell from 38% to 37%, a decrease of one percentage point, while the disapproval rating increased from 51% to 56%, a rise of five percentage points. The gap between positive and negative evaluations widened from 13 percentage points to 19.Among supporters of the Democratic Party, 66% rated his performance positively, while 30% rated it negatively. In the progressive camp, 57% approved and 37% disapproved. In the centrist group, only 38% gave a positive rating, while 56% disapproved. Among those without party affiliation, 25% approved and 57% disapproved.By gender, 30% of men rated his performance positively, while 64% rated it negatively. For women, 44% approved and 48% disapproved. By age group, approval and disapproval were equal at 47% among those in their 40s, while in their 50s, 46% approved and 49% disapproved. In other age groups, disapproval ratings were higher than approval ratings.The most common reason for positive evaluations was 'diplomacy' at 26%, followed by 'economy and livelihood' at 11%, 'overall performance' at 6%, and 'policies for the underprivileged and welfare' at 5%.The leading reason for negative evaluations was 'real estate policy' at 20%, followed by 'personnel issues' at 16%. Other reasons included 'economy and livelihood' at 9%, 'reduction of prosecutorial powers', 'issues of morality and evading personal trials', and 'overall poor performance', each at 5%. The real estate issue has consistently ranked as the top reason for negative evaluations since the fourth week of July.In party support, the Democratic Party stands at 40%, while the People Power Party is at 27%, creating a 13-point gap between the two parties. The Justice Party and the Reform Party each received 3%, while the Progressive Party garnered 1%. The percentage of undecided voters is 25%.In evaluations of party leaders, Kim Min-seok of the Democratic Party received a positive rating of 30% and a negative rating of 48%. Jang Dong-hyuk of the People Power Party had a positive rating of 21% and a negative rating of 61%.This survey was conducted using randomly selected virtual numbers provided by the three major mobile carriers, through telephone interviews. The response rate was 9.8%, and the margin of error is ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. More details can be found on the website of the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 10:20:00
  • Telecom Companies Launch iPhone 18 Pro Series with Up to 450,000 Won Subsidy
    Telecom Companies Launch iPhone 18 Pro Series with Up to 450,000 Won Subsidy The three major telecom companies in South Korea—SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus—have officially launched the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, with a notable demand for the Pro models.On September 18, the telecom companies began activating pre-orders for customers who reserved the devices, and sales are now available through official online stores and physical locations nationwide.According to the telecom companies, demand was concentrated on the high-end Pro models during the pre-order period. Among the color options, 'Silver' emerged as the most popular choice.SK Telecom reported that pre-orders for the iPhone 18 and 18 Pro matched the levels of the previous model. The Pro model was more popular than the Pro Max, with Silver being the preferred color for the iPhone Pro and Black for the iPhone Pro Max.KT noted an increase in pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max compared to the last generation. The iPhone 18 Pro accounted for approximately 70% of all reservations, with Silver being the most favored color for the iPhone 18 Pro and Burgundy for the iPhone 18 Pro Max.LG Uplus reported that 79.7% of pre-orders were for the iPhone 18 Pro, while 20.3% were for the iPhone 18 Pro Max, with Silver being the most selected color for both models.The telecom companies have set a maximum common subsidy of 450,000 won for the iPhone 18 Pro.They are also continuing promotional events for new customers, including offering AI subscription services and providing AirPods and Apple Watches with certain plans. Discounts on devices based on credit card usage are also available.Meanwhile, pre-orders for Apple's first foldable phone, the 'iPhone Duo,' will begin on October 16.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 10:16:00
  • North Koreas nuclear tests reactivated dormant faults, study finds
    North Korea's nuclear tests reactivated dormant faults, study finds SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - North Korea's underground nuclear tests reactivated dormant faults beneath Mt. Mantap, triggering years of seismic activity, a new study published Thursday in the U.S. academic journal Science found. Researchers led by Kim Kwang-hee, a professor of geological sciences at Pusan National University, and Xingli Fan of Chengdu University of Technology analyzed 17 years of continuous seismic data collected in South Korea and northeastern China. In an extensive study of 1,399 local earthquakes around Mount Mantap between 2008 and 2025, researchers found that seismic activity began increasing about three weeks after North Korea's sixth and largest nuclear test at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site in North Hamgyong Province in September 2017, rather than fading as is commonly seen after underground explosions. The earthquakes then became more frequent and stronger, with most occurring along two fault structures running roughly north-northwest. Kim estimated that a simultaneous rupture along the roughly 24-kilometer fault system could potentially produce an earthquake of around magnitude 6.4. The researchers concluded that repeated nuclear explosions progressively damaged the shallow crust and redistributed stress around Mt. Mantap, gradually pushing pre-existing faults that were already close to failure toward renewed movement. Most of the earthquakes occurred at unusually shallow depths, within about a kilometer of the surface. North Korea carried out six declared underground nuclear tests at Punggye-ri between 2006 and 2017. The tests took place in October 2006, May 2009, February 2013, January and September 2016 and September 2017. The final test was by far the largest, with an estimated yield of 100 to 250 kilotons and seismic signals equivalent to a magnitude 6.3 earthquake. The researchers said the findings raise a new geological concern for North Korea's nuclear program and could affect nuclear test verification, as earthquakes triggered by underground explosions may continue for years and become difficult to distinguish from natural seismic activity. The study also suggests that the effects of human activity on existing fault systems should be monitored long after underground construction, energy extraction and other activities that change stress in the Earth's crust have ended. The latest findings came just days after Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, repeatedly vowed this week to expand its nuclear arsenal. She said in an statement released on Friday that Pyongyang would make no change to its course of strengthening its nuclear deterrent, accusing U.S.-led military exercises involving South Korea and Japan of worsening tensions on the Korean Peninsula. AJP Takeaways - North Korea's underground nuclear tests at Punggye-ri reactivated dormant faults beneath Mount Mantap. - Seismic activity intensified after the 2017 nuclear test and has persisted for years. - Researchers say the findings could affect CTBT monitoring and broader assessments of human-induced seismic risks. 2026-09-18 10:13:49
  • Pacific Law Firm and Reed Smith Conclude Seminar on Semiconductor Export Controls
    Pacific Law Firm and Reed Smith Conclude Seminar on Semiconductor Export Controls The Export Control Response Center of Pacific Law Firm (BKL) announced on September 18 that it successfully concluded a seminar on "Semiconductor Export Control Issues and Corporate Response Strategies in Korea and the U.S." in collaboration with global law firm Reed Smith LLP on September 17.Over 100 representatives from major domestic and international semiconductor companies and related organizations attended the seminar, reflecting significant interest. As semiconductor export controls have emerged as a key issue for businesses, the collaboration between Pacific and Reed Smith provided a platform to discuss the major challenges and response strategies faced by domestic companies based on their expertise in the regulatory environments of both countries.With the ongoing technological rivalry between the U.S. and China, export controls surrounding semiconductors and advanced technologies are rapidly evolving. Domestic companies must now consider not only South Korea's strategic goods regulations but also the extraterritorial application of the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), making proactive management of export control risks increasingly important. The seminar aimed to examine the impact of these regulatory changes on domestic semiconductor firms and propose practical response strategies.In the first session, Lee Ji-han, Director of the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association, presented on the "Current Status of the Domestic and Global Semiconductor Industry," highlighting changes in industrial policies among major countries. He noted that countries like the U.S., EU, Japan, and China are accelerating the restructuring of global supply chains by attracting advanced semiconductor manufacturing facilities through subsidies and tax incentives.Lee explained that the uncertainty surrounding the business environment for domestic companies is growing due to the U.S. CHIPS Act, the EU Chips Act, and Japan's semiconductor support policies, along with collaborative export control efforts among allied nations.The second session featured Hwang Ho-sung, head of the Export Control Response Center at Pacific, who provided an in-depth analysis of the latest export control regulations in Korea and the U.S. Hwang discussed the recent restructuring of control standards for high-performance integrated circuits and the inclusion of various semiconductor manufacturing equipment as new controlled items under domestic regulations.Regarding the U.S. EAR, he highlighted key regulatory changes, including the Approved IC Designer system and the Affiliate Rule, and outlined major risks that companies need to proactively assess, such as item classification by semiconductor sector, extraterritorial application of FDPR, and deemed exports.The third session featured Michael J. Lowell, a partner at Reed Smith, who discussed "U.S. Enforcement Trends and Defense Strategies for Semiconductor Companies." He presented recent enforcement cases related to U.S. export controls.Lowell emphasized the importance of regular export control training, screening systems that include beneficial owners, internal escalation procedures to timely communicate compliance issues to management, and enhanced due diligence systems as responses to the intensified export controls by U.S. authorities. He noted that regulatory violations can impact not only criminal and administrative sanctions but also overall business operations, underscoring the necessity of establishing a proactive compliance framework rather than relying on reactive measures.Meanwhile, the Export Control Response Center at Pacific provides expert advice across a range of export control issues, including strategic goods, overseas export controls, economic security, customs, and foreign exchange transactions. Leveraging collaboration among experts in international trade, export controls, customs, and criminal law, the center addresses complex regulatory risks that arise during companies' global business processes, from regulatory analysis and proactive compliance establishment to investigations, prosecutions, and international dispute resolution. 2026-09-18 10:04:10
  • Hana Financial Group Partners with ADGM and Hanwha Asset Management to Build Digital Asset Infrastructure
    Hana Financial Group Partners with ADGM and Hanwha Asset Management to Build Digital Asset Infrastructure Hana Financial Group is collaborating with the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and Hanwha Asset Management to establish digital financial infrastructure, including stablecoins and cross-border payment and remittance services.On September 18, Hana Financial Group announced that it had signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MOU) with ADGM and Hanwha Asset Management to cooperate on stablecoin initiatives and cross-border financial infrastructure between South Korea and Abu Dhabi.The signing ceremony, held on September 16 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Banpo, Seoul, was attended by Eom Tae-sung, Executive Vice President of Hana Financial Group; Rashid Abdulkarim Al Blooshi, CEO of ADGM; and Baek Seung-pil, Executive Vice President of Hanwha Asset Management's Digital Innovation Division.Through this agreement, the three parties aim to explore joint business opportunities in the fields of digital assets and payment infrastructure, as well as to expand cross-border payment and remittance solutions and develop an interoperable digital asset ecosystem.ADGM, established in 2015 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, serves as an international financial center that fosters a financial ecosystem involving global financial companies, institutional investors, and fintech and digital asset firms.A representative from Hana Financial Group stated, "We will leverage the expertise and global networks of each institution to discover practical cooperation models in the digital asset and cross-border financial sectors."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 10:04:10
  • People Power Party Warns President Lee of Public Backlash Over Kim Seung-won Appointment
    People Power Party Warns President Lee of Public Backlash Over Kim Seung-won Appointment The People Power Party warned President Lee Jae-myung on September 18 that "if he pushes through the appointment of Kim Seung-won as Minister of Justice, angry public sentiment will overwhelm him."Jung Jeom-sik, the party's floor leader, made the remarks during a policy meeting at the National Assembly, stating, "An unqualified nominee is trying to become a minister without proper vetting to eliminate the president's trial."He criticized the Democratic Party for unilaterally adopting a report on Kim's confirmation hearing the previous day, saying, "Not a single allegation against Kim has been resolved, and despite a majority of the public opposing the appointment, the Democratic Party is pushing ahead recklessly."Jung pointed out that despite serious flaws, including drunk driving, drug solicitation, and family cooperative issues, the president nominated Kim because of his experience as the 'representative of the meeting to cancel charges.' He remarked, "What was a shameful history that drew public condemnation appears to the president as a highly credible qualification."Lim I-ja, the party's policy chief, also noted, "This situation is a complete repeat of the moment when former President Moon Jae-in insisted on appointing former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk despite public outcry." She warned that if the administration believes that public opinion will quiet down over time, it is mistaken.Lim, who claimed that Cho resigned just 35 days after his appointment, which dealt a significant blow to the Moon administration, emphasized that the first words of a press conference should be an apology to the public for retracting Kim's nomination and a commitment to a major shift in governance.Meanwhile, Jung criticized recent actions by Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae, who sent a notice to local governments to post banners related to the Chuseok holiday in her name but later retracted it. He accused her of attempting to promote herself and engage in self-political maneuvers using taxpayer money, stating, "There is no sincerity in her claims to rectify Gyeonggi Province's financial situation."Regarding Choo's public criticism of Kim Ji-yong, the candidate for the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, Jung remarked, "A situation is unfolding where the president's appointment power is swayed by the instigation of a governor from the same party, which is a clear sign of a lame duck administration."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 10:04:00
  • LG Electronics Wins Best IRO Award at 2026 Korea IR Awards
    LG Electronics Wins Best IRO Award at 2026 Korea IR Awards LG Electronics announced that its IR head, Park Won-jae, received the Best IRO award at the 2026 Korea IR Awards ceremony held on September 18 at the Korea Exchange's Seoul office in Yeongdeungpo. The award recognizes the company's efforts in enhancing corporate value and strengthening its IR competitiveness through proactive and transparent communication, as well as building shareholder trust.The company has consistently worked to improve transparent communication with the market. It has hosted open shareholder meetings where the CEO and business unit heads share business strategies and visions, incorporating online streaming, real-time interpretation in Korean and English, and sign language interpretation to enhance investor accessibility and participation. Since 2024, quarterly earnings conference calls led by the IR team have been elevated to be overseen by the CFO.LG Electronics has also maintained a steady approach to announcing its shareholder return policies and corporate value enhancement plans. In 2024, it introduced a value-up plan that included increasing the dividend payout ratio, implementing a minimum dividend, and conducting semi-annual dividends. Last year, the company executed a share buyback.This year, LG Electronics completed a 100 billion won share buyback aimed at enhancing shareholder value, with plans to retire the shares by the end of the year.The Korea IR Council, under the Korea Exchange, has held the Korea IR Awards annually since 2001 to honor companies and individuals that contribute to the healthy development of capital markets through effective IR activities.LG Electronics previously received the top award in the corporate category, the Financial Services Commission Chairman's Award, in 2024, and an excellence award in the corporate category last year.Park Won-jae stated, "We will continue to engage in transparent and sincere communication with the market to enhance corporate value and build investor trust."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 10:00:20
  • Jesus: The Revolutionary of Love
    Jesus: The Revolutionary of Love Many individuals have changed the course of human history. There were kings who built empires, generals who conquered continents, philosophers who established new ideas, and scientists who transformed the world. However, it is rare for a person without an army, territory, wealth, or power to continue influencing the lives and civilizations of billions of people for 2,000 years after their death.That person is Jesus of Nazareth.He was not an emperor. He did not command an army, nor did he leave behind a single book. He was not born in a palace, nor did he operate in the centers of power in Rome. Instead, he walked through small towns on the fringes of the Roman Empire, sharing his message with people, meeting the sick and the poor, and dining with his disciples. Ultimately, he was executed by crucifixion, a punishment imposed by the Roman Empire.By worldly standards, his life appears to have been a failure.Yet, after his death, history shifted. The small community that followed him spread beyond Jerusalem to Asia Minor, Greece, and Rome. A faith that was once persecuted became an officially recognized religion in the Roman Empire centuries later, eventually becoming central to European civilization. The unified church split into Western and Eastern branches over time, leading to the Catholic and Orthodox churches we know today, and later, the Protestant movement emerged from the Reformation in the 16th century.Today, what we call 'Christianity' encompasses all of this.Catholicism is Christianity, Orthodoxy is Christianity, and Protestantism is Christianity. Despite differences in doctrine, tradition, worship, and church structure, they all originate from Jesus Christ.To understand Christianity, one must first return to one person before the Pope or Luther.That person is Jesus.To understand Jesus, we must go back to an even older story.That story is Judaism.Jesus was a Jew.The first fact to remember as we begin the history of Christianity is that Jesus was a Jew.He was born into a Jewish family, read the Jewish scriptures, and was familiar with synagogues and the temple. He observed the Sabbath and Passover, and taught based on the laws of Moses and the words of the prophets. His first disciples were also Jews.Therefore, Christianity did not emerge suddenly from a place entirely unrelated to Judaism. It began in the long river of history that includes Abraham, Moses, the Exodus, the covenant at Sinai, the Torah, and the prophets.In the preceding Jewish trilogy, we witnessed Abraham's departure, followed Moses' Exodus to freedom and covenant, and explored the tradition of questioning and study through the Torah and Talmud. Ultimately, we reached out to figures like Einstein, Nobel laureates, finance, corporations, and even AI, asking:"Whom does the power you have save?"The story of Christianity continues that question. For whom will you use your power? The answer Jesus showed was unexpected. It was not a stronger power. It was love.On the Fringes of the Roman EmpireDuring the time Jesus lived, Palestine was under Roman rule. The political freedom of the Jews was limited, and the complexities of Roman governance, taxation, local power, and religious authority intertwined.The Jews waited. There was an expectation that God would save Israel and restore justice, a longing for a Messiah that permeated the air of the time. Some anticipated a political liberator, while others awaited religious renewal.Then, a man appeared in Galilee. It was Jesus.He did not form an army or create a political organization to overthrow Rome. Instead, he spoke of a completely different kingdom.The Kingdom of God.This kingdom was not merely an empire expanding its territorial map. It was a realm where people loved God and their neighbors, where the poor and oppressed were not ignored, and where the order of life was transformed from within.The Roman Empire was maintained by military might, laws, and taxes. The kingdom Jesus spoke of began with love, justice, and mercy. The Christian revolution starts here.The Revolution Begun in GalileeGalilee was not the center of the empire. Compared to Jerusalem, it was a remote area. Yet, Jesus called people from that periphery.Fishermen followed him. Tax collectors joined him, and nameless individuals gathered around him. Women also walked alongside him. He approached the sick and dined with those who were considered sinners by society.For Jesus, the table was not merely a place to eat. In a time when who you shared a meal with reflected your worldview, sitting at the same table as those excluded from society was a new declaration about humanity.People come first.This does not mean that norms are unnecessary. It was not a declaration to abolish the law. Rather, it was a call to reconsider the purpose of the law.Does man exist for the Sabbath, or does the Sabbath exist for man? Does religion save humanity, or do humans exist to uphold religious institutions? The questions that Judaism has pondered for thousands of years deepened into more fundamental inquiries through Jesus.From Law to LoveTo simplify Jesus' teachings as 'discarding the law in favor of love' is not accurate. He elevated the love of God and love of neighbor to the center of the law within the Jewish tradition.The issue was remaining fixated on the letter of the law while losing its spirit. Not killing does not justify harboring hatred in one's heart. Not committing adultery does not cleanse the desire to view others as objects of lust. Being outwardly pious does not eliminate inner greed and hypocrisy.Jesus delved deeper into human behavior.It was about the heart.If the law governs human actions, love moves the human heart. Thus, Jesus' religious revolution was not about abolishing external rules but rather bringing those rules into the human interior.Do not perform good deeds to be seen by others. Do not pray to be noticed by others. Do not fast to show off to others. He cautioned against making religion a means of self-promotion.The most challenging revolution for humanity may not be changing the world but changing oneself.The Beatitudes: Turning the World Upside DownOne of the most concise summaries of Jesus' teachings is found in the Beatitudes.By worldly standards, blessed are the wealthy, the powerful, and the victors in battle. However, Jesus called forth a different group: the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, and the peacemakers.The hierarchy of power is turned upside down.Among these teachings, the most radical may be the command to love one's enemies. It is not difficult to love friends. It is natural to do good to those who treat us well. However, the demand to love those who hate us and pray for those who persecute us conflicts with human instincts.Thus, the love Jesus spoke of is not sentimental love.Love is not weakness; it is the power to transcend oneself. It is the ability to refrain from retaliation when one could, to not become a slave to hatred when there is reason to hate, and to recognize the dignity of others even when one has the power to subjugate them.That is the challenge of the love Jesus spoke of.The Golden Rule: A Principle for Human RelationshipsAmong Jesus' teachings, one that has become widely known as a universal ethic beyond religion is the Golden Rule: treat others as you wish to be treated. It seems simple, but it is difficult to practice.Most people apply different standards to themselves than they do to others. They seek understanding for their own mistakes while holding others accountable for theirs. They are sensitive to their own pain but often indifferent to the suffering of others.The Golden Rule breaks this double standard.It asks us to switch places with others. If I were poor, if I were sick, if I were a foreigner, if I were a child in a war zone, if I were someone seeking forgiveness, how would I want to be treated?Ethics begins with that role reversal."Who is my neighbor?"In one of Jesus' parables, the story of the Good Samaritan questions the boundaries of love. A man was attacked by robbers and left for dead. Religious figures who were respected at the time passed by without helping. Instead, a Samaritan, who was in a tense and conflicted relationship with the Jews, stopped to care for the wounded man and even covered his expenses.The question Jesus posed goes beyond a simple lesson to live kindly. It asks, who is my neighbor? More deeply, it transforms the question: Before asking who is on my side, whom will I choose to be a neighbor to? It transcends ethnic, religious, and class boundaries. Can we approach those who suffer simply because they are human?This question remains relevant even after 2,000 years.To the Least of TheseJesus often directed his gaze toward the marginalized in society: the poor, the sick, the hungry, the imprisoned, the foreigners, and the socially excluded.While various historical factors contributed to the development of hospitals, schools, orphanages, and relief organizations in Christianity over the past 2,000 years, at its core lies the ethical teaching Jesus left behind.How we treat the least among us becomes a standard for evaluating humanity and community. This connects to the justice proclaimed by the Jewish prophets. While Amos condemned the powerful and wealthy who trampled the poor, Jesus took it a step further, teaching that what is done to the least of these is done to him.The focus of religion shifts from the altar to humanity.Can one claim to love God while hating people? Can one pray while ignoring the hungry? Can one worship while trampling on human dignity?This question will later serve as a judgment on the entirety of Christian history.The Most Difficult Power: ForgivenessLike love, forgiveness is a defining term in Christianity. Forgiveness does not mean erasing wrongs. It does not entail abandoning justice. It certainly does not force victims to forget.The profound meaning of forgiveness lies in breaking free from the vicious cycle where hatred begets hatred. Revenge is easy to understand; forgiveness is difficult.Thus, forgiveness requires strength.To endure without power is not forgiveness. True forgiveness is the choice not to surrender one's life to hatred, even when one has the power to retaliate.Here, love and freedom intersect.A person who has the freedom to hate but chooses not to become a slave to hatred embodies a form of freedom Jesus demonstrated.To JerusalemHowever, speaking of love does not always elicit a loving response from the world. Jesus left Galilee and headed to Jerusalem. Jerusalem had the temple, religious authority, and Roman political power.He performed a symbolic act by driving out the merchants from the temple and criticized religious hypocrisy. As more people gathered around him, he became an uncomfortable presence for the existing order. In Jerusalem, where religion and politics, popular expectations and Roman governance were intricately intertwined, Jesus was ultimately arrested.Here, the paradox of Christianity begins.The one who believed he could save the world was executed by the very powers of that world.The Last SupperFacing death, Jesus sat at the table with his disciples. This gathering is one of the most famous meals in Christian history: the Last Supper. At this moment, Jesus demonstrated a radically different view of power. The Gospel of John recounts that he washed the feet of his disciples.At that time, washing feet was a task for the lowly. Yet, the master lowered himself before his disciples. He turned the worldly order upside down, where greatness is often equated with being served. Instead, he taught that those in high positions should serve even more.Whether the church has upheld this principle in the following years is a separate issue. The church has held power and at times colluded with secular authorities, even participating in violence in the name of religion. However, this makes the scene of the Last Supper even more poignant. Each time the church rises in power, it must remember Jesus kneeling before his disciples.The Cross: Defeat or Victory?Ultimately, Jesus was crucified. The Roman method of crucifixion was a brutal public execution. It not only killed the body but also humiliated the individual socially.From a worldly perspective, it was a complete defeat.His disciples scattered, and their leader was dead. There was no organization, no power, no army. Yet, Christianity adopted the cross as its most significant symbol.Why?Christian faith does not view Jesus' death merely as a political execution. It finds theological meaning in human sin, salvation, and God's love through that death. Different Christian traditions have explained the relationship between the cross and salvation in various ways, but one central theme remains clear.Love is the ability to give oneself. The power of the world subjugates others. The power of the cross is to give oneself.Thus, the cross represents the paradox of power in Christianity. The strongest love is revealed at the moment of apparent weakness.The Resurrection: Rising from DespairHowever, if the story of Jesus ended at the cross, Christianity would not have been born. His disciples testified that he rose again after his death. The resurrection occupies a space where history and faith approach differently. A historically verifiable fact is that after Jesus' death, his community of disciples did not disappear. Instead, they gathered around the belief that Jesus had risen and began to spread that faith.In Christian belief, the resurrection is a declaration that death is not the final word.Despair is not the end. Failure is not the end. Even death is not the end. The paradox of Christianity is completed only when the cross and resurrection coexist.Through suffering to hope. Through death to life. Through despair to a new beginning. Thus, the history of Christianity does not end in the grave but begins anew from it.How Love Became ReligionAfter Jesus' death, a small community remained. There was Peter, there was James, and there were other disciples. Soon, a pivotal figure in Christian history emerged.That figure was Paul.Not a disciple during Jesus' lifetime, Paul played a crucial role in expanding the early Jesus movement beyond Jewish boundaries into the Gentile world. The faith that began in Jerusalem spread through Antioch to Asia Minor, Greece, and Rome.Here, new questions began to arise.Jesus was a Jew, so why did Christianity take a different path from Judaism? How did a small movement in Galilee spread throughout the Roman Empire? How did a religion once persecuted become one officially recognized by the empire? And how did the early unified Christianity develop into Eastern and Western traditions, eventually leading to the split between Catholicism and Orthodoxy? Following that, why did the Reformation occur within the Western Catholic Church, giving rise to Protestantism? What happened to Jesus' love when Christianity gained power?These questions will be addressed in Christian Story Part 2.The Revolution of LoveHowever, before examining the 2,000-year history of the church, we must return to Jesus. What did he leave behind? It was not a grand cathedral. It was not the Vatican. It was not a seminary or a denomination. There was no Catholicism, Orthodoxy, or Protestantism yet. What remained were people, a few words, and one life.Love God.Love your neighbor.Love even your enemies.Forgive.Do not ignore the least among you.Treat others as you wish to be treated.If you want to be great, serve.The words are simple. The practice is difficult. Thus, it remains a revolution that has not ended even after 2,000 years.Yoo Young-mo, a Korean thinker, comes to mind. He was a Christian but did not merely repeat Western Christianity. He sought to read the Bible through the depth of Eastern thought and the Korean language.For him, it was not important to view Jesus merely as an object of worship.It was about how humans could live out the path Jesus walked. The 'One' he spoke of was not something humans could possess but rather the ultimate goal humans should strive for by emptying themselves. 'Eolna' was also the path to rise as one's true self beyond the 'Jena' trapped in desire and ego.One cannot simply equate Jesus' God with Yoo's 'One.' Nor should one forcibly merge Christian theology with Yoo's thought. However, there is a profound resonance between Jesus' self-emptying and Yoo's path beyond 'Jena.'To make room for others, one must empty oneself. To see a larger world, one must lower oneself. Love ultimately involves transcending self-centeredness.Truth, Justice, FreedomIn Judaism, truth was sought through questions. In the first chapter of Christianity, truth meets love. However, love is not a sentiment that turns a blind eye to truth. It cannot be love to remain silent in the face of injustice, nor can one claim to love while ignoring the suffering of the weak.Thus, love requires justice. Justice, too, can easily become a cold judgment if it loses love. And love and justice are only truly fulfilled in free human beings. A person enslaved by money, power, or hatred finds it difficult to love genuinely.Truth, justice, and freedom are ultimately interconnected.At the center of it all is humanity. Ultimately, it is love. In the final part of the Jewish trilogy, the question was posed:"Whom does the power you have save?"The first story of Christianity offers an answer to that question. Power should exist for love. However, love here is not a weak emotion.It is the strength to reach out to the sick, the courage to sit at the same table as the excluded, and the restraint to overcome the instinct to hate one's enemies. It is the humility of a high person washing the feet of a lowly one and the determination to give what one has for the sake of another life.Abraham departed. Moses walked toward freedom. The prophets cried out for justice. The Jews held books and asked questions. And then, a man appeared in Galilee and said:"Love."Not just those closest to you. Love the stranger, love the least among you, and ultimately love your enemies. That was difficult 2,000 years ago.It is even more challenging today.Perhaps even as AI surpasses human knowledge and judgment, this will remain the most difficult task. Machines may surpass human intelligence, but whether they can take the place of humans in lowering themselves, forgiving, sharing, and loving remains uncertain.Thus, as we enter an age of intelligence, the meaning of love becomes even more significant. Knowledge alone does not complete civilization. Power alone does not make humanity great.Truth without love can become violence, justice without love can become revenge, and freedom without love can become another name for desire.Jesus did not sit on a throne. He was crucified. He left no army. He left disciples. He left no wealth. He left questions."Whom do you love?"That question began in Galilee, passed through Jerusalem to Rome, and crossed to Europe, Asia, Africa, and America.Along that path, the church sometimes practiced love and sometimes betrayed it. It cared for the poor and sometimes allied with power. It made peace and sometimes participated in war.Now we must meet the grand history of light and shadow over 2,000 years.How did Jesus' love become the church? And an even more challenging question awaits. What happened when a religion that began with love gained power?Christian Story Part 2 will begin with that question.From Jerusalem to Rome. From persecution to empire. From one church to East and West. To Catholicism and Orthodoxy. And then to the Reformation and Protestantism.When love becomes an institution and faith becomes civilization, humanity faces another test. The greatest achievements and the most painful mistakes of 2,000 years of Christian history lie along that path.Ultimately, we must return to the first question Jesus left behind.It is not about how high we have risen but how low we can love.That is the task left for today's humanity by the revolution of love that began in Galilee. 2026-09-18 10:00:20