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Researchers to Face Stricter Penalties for Scientific Misconduct Researchers found guilty of scientific misconduct will face expulsion from their research positions under new policies. The measures include a ban on participating in national research and development activities for up to 20 years and significantly increased fines, which can be raised to 30 times the amount of government funding received.The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on September 8 that the amendments to the National Research and Development Innovation Act were reviewed and approved at a Cabinet meeting. The revised law is set to take effect in March 2027.The amendments aim to enhance researchers' autonomy and innovation while strengthening accountability for misconduct.Specifically, the penalties for research misconduct will be significantly increased. The current participation ban of 10 years will be extended to 20 years, and the fines for misconduct will rise from five times to 30 times the amount of government-funded research and development expenses already received.Severe misconduct, such as misappropriating student labor costs or misusing research funds, could result in fines of up to 30 times the government support received.The amendments also establish a legal basis for referring cases of misconduct to investigative agencies. If the head of a central administrative agency believes there is sufficient reason to suspect criminal activity related to research misconduct, they can formally request an investigation.Additionally, the evaluation system for research projects will be completely overhauled to encourage innovative research. The criteria for project selection will be revised to prioritize the 'innovation of research objectives.'The current results-based evaluation will be abolished. Instead, qualitative assessments will be implemented during interim and final evaluations to verify the excellence of outcomes and the innovative research processes. This change aims to identify outstanding projects and provide appropriate incentives.Notably, projects that may not achieve innovative goals but generate significant knowledge through trial and error will also be recognized as 'excellent challenging projects' and can lead to follow-up research.Furthermore, penalties for projects with extremely poor results will be reduced. Sanctions will now only apply in cases of serious misconduct, such as violations of laws, failure to meet contractual obligations, or research misconduct, addressing concerns that researchers could be penalized simply for not meeting expectations.Park In-kyu, head of the Science and Technology Innovation Bureau, stated, "This legal amendment follows the establishment of research innovation funds, the transition to negative indirect costs, and the simplification of research and development forms in June, aimed at enhancing researchers' autonomy while imposing appropriate responsibilities for serious misconduct."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 12:36:00
Chuncheon and Seogwipo Exchange Rice and Citrus for 31st Year Chuncheon County in Gangwon Province is set to exchange Odae rice and citrus fruits with its sister city, Seogwipo, in Jeju Province, in celebration of Chuseok.According to Chuncheon County on September 8, the exchange will begin with a large-scale shipment on September 15 and continue until September 21. Chuncheon will sell Odae rice, while Seogwipo will offer citrus fruits, strengthening the bond between the sister cities.The two regions have maintained an annual exchange of agricultural products centered around the Lunar New Year and Chuseok since establishing their sister city relationship in 1995. The cumulative total of exchanges has reached 67, valued at approximately 4 billion won.Sales figures indicate that Odae rice from Chuncheon and citrus from Seogwipo each account for about 2 billion won. The total volume exchanged amounts to 1,338 tons, including 698 tons of Odae rice and 640 tons of citrus.This initiative serves not only as a simple exchange of local specialties but also as a regular channel to continuously promote products to consumers in the partner region. It also highlights the collaboration in supporting local farmers' incomes by utilizing the distinct agricultural production bases of each area.Chuncheon County has been expanding its exchanges with other sister cities through agricultural products. It has held direct trading events with Gangnam District in Seoul during holidays and has engaged in the exchange of highland potatoes with Jeongseon County. Additionally, it has initiated a specialty exchange of Odae rice and seasoned seaweed with Sinan County in Jeollanam-do, which became a sister city in 2021.The head of the Chuncheon Agricultural Technology Center stated, “We hope this exchange will further strengthen the ties between sister cities and serve as an opportunity to showcase the excellence of Odae rice. We also expect it to help expand the market for agricultural products.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 12:36:00
GGM Announces Recruitment of 30 New Employees for Second Half of 2026 Gwangju Global Motors (GGM) is publicly recruiting employees for the second half of 2026. Recently, the company posted job openings for the second round of general and technical positions on its website. This recruitment aims to fill vacancies and is expected to increase the hourly production rate of vehicles next year. The hiring scale includes about 30 positions in both technical and general roles. Applications will be accepted through the recruitment site until the 21st. Final candidates will be selected after an artificial intelligence (AI) competency test, document screening, interviews, and health examinations, with new employees starting on November 16. In the first half of the year, GGM hired over 50 employees, with an average competition ratio of 34 to 1.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 12:36:00
Gwangju Bank Celebrates 58th Anniversary with Special Events Gwangju Bank has organized special events to celebrate its 58th anniversary. Until October 30, customers using Gwangju Bank's 'Wabank' will receive product recommendation vouchers. This initiative aims to express gratitude to customers and support the new beginnings of Gwangju Metropolitan City. According to Gwangju Bank on September 8, the events include the 'Special Gratitude ON Event' and the 'Shining Companionship ON Event.' The 'Special Gratitude ON Event' targets customers who sign up for specific products during the event period after entering a draw through 'Wabank.' Eligible products include: new deposits of 1 million won or more in Korean currency, new savings of 50,000 won or more, new fund subscriptions of 100,000 won or more, new individual retirement pension (IRP) subscriptions of 100,000 won, asset connections through MyData, automatic bill payment registrations, increased usage of credit and debit cards, and increased average balances in deposit accounts. Customers will receive a lottery ticket for each condition met, with a maximum of eight tickets per person. The 'Special Gratitude ON Event' will select 100 winners to receive Onnuri gift certificates, local accommodation vouchers, and regional specialty products. Prizes include Gwangju kimchi, Wando abalone, Damyang traditional sweets, Jangheung shiitake mushrooms, Gurye sansuyu juice, Gokseong baeksmi rice, Jindo seaweed, and Yeosu Dolsan pickled vegetables, all representing the Jeonnam and Gwangju regions. Additionally, to commemorate its 58th anniversary, Gwangju Bank will draw 5,800 winners to receive 2,000 won digital Onnuri gift certificates. The 'Shining Companionship ON Event' reflects the partnership with 27 local governments in Gwangju Metropolitan City, offering 2,700 digital Onnuri gift certificates worth 3,000 won to customers who sign up for related products. Winners of the events will be selected through a draw on November 11, with prizes scheduled to be sent out starting November 19.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 12:24:00
Korean Sports Organizations Successfully Retrieve Equipment from Handball Arena Sports organizations under the Korean Sports Council successfully entered the handball arena in Jamsil, Seoul, on September 8, to retrieve necessary equipment in preparation for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.With the assistance of police, 12 member organizations, including the Korea Handball Association and the Korea Fencing Association, gained access to the handball arena at Olympic Park in Songpa-gu at 9 a.m.This marked the first entry into the venue since the blockade of the ballot counting center began 95 days ago due to a shortage of voting materials during the June 3 local elections. The organizations had meticulously planned their approach and assigned roles prior to entering the arena.To ensure a smooth entry for the sports organizations, approximately 2,000 police officers, including 28 riot police units and dialogue police, were deployed to maintain order. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency sent a public safety officer to oversee the operation, with the scene being managed by the head of the riot control unit and the chief of the Songpa Police Station.The staff entered through gates 2 and 3 of the arena. As they approached, about 50 protesters attempted to block their entry, but police quickly intervened, preventing any major clashes.Once the entrance shutter was raised and the doors opened, the staff hurried into their offices to gather materials and equipment needed for the competition. Reports indicate that police allowed them about an hour to collect their items.By around 10:10 a.m., the staff had successfully moved most of their belongings, loading them onto six trucks waiting at the entrance.At 10:20 a.m., officials from the Korean Sports Council lined up the staff at the entrance, and as the doors opened, they exited the arena safely under police escort.Unlike in June when the protests began, the number of demonstrators had significantly decreased, and on this day, attendance was notably lower. Those who were unable to enter the arena due to police barriers shouted insults at the staff and police from outside the line, mentioning the name of President Lee Jae-myung and criticizing the government.On the same day, Jang Dong-hyuk, the leader of the People Power Party, made a surprise visit to the handball arena, accompanied by party members Park Jun-tae and Kim Chung-kwon. According to officials from the Korean Sports Council, Jang's visit had not been coordinated in advance.Guided by police, Jang toured various areas of the arena. Notably, in front of the storage area where election materials were kept, he asked election commission staff several questions.Speaking to reporters, Jang expressed, "I heard that the ballot boxes have been stored here in a completely uncontaminated state since the day they were moved here during the local elections. However, three months have passed since then. The police have claimed strict access control and that the CCTV has been functioning properly, but citizens cannot know the truth."He added, "Thanks to the citizens, a special investigation into the election commission was launched yesterday. I urge a thorough investigation without any doubts and to reveal the results, whatever they may be. I also ask the police to check if there were any other access routes to the handball arena and to conduct a forensic examination of the CCTV footage to confirm that no evidence has been tampered with," before leaving the arena.After the equipment retrieval was completed and the situation concluded, the Korean Sports Council expressed gratitude to the public.Kwon Dae-nyun, Secretary General of the Korean Sports Council, told reporters, "We faced many difficulties over the past 90 days. Administrative equipment, documents, and athlete support materials were stuck in the office, making it challenging. With the Asian Games approaching, we had no choice but to request police assistance twice, and they cooperated actively. We had many challenges in our preparations, but now that we have retrieved the equipment and documents, we will carefully review them to ensure there are no disruptions to the operation of the athlete delegation."Ham Se-hee, Secretary General of the Korea Underwater and Fin Swimming Federation, also expressed gratitude, stating, "We were unable to access the arena and had to prepare a temporary office to carry out our work. However, thanks to the cooperation of the citizens today, we were able to retrieve essential items such as computer units, laptops, and other documents, which I am very thankful for." 2026-09-08 12:20:00
PM Han vows to turn peace on Korean Peninsula into regional stability SEOUL, September 08 (AJP) - Prime Minister Han Seong-sook said Tuesday that South Korea will work to turn peace on the Korean Peninsula into broader stability in Northeast Asia and contribute to global peace and shared prosperity. “The peace we seek to build on the Korean Peninsula will not remain confined to the peninsula,” Han said in a keynote speech at the Seoul Defense Dialogue in Seoul. “We will build a foundation that connects peace on the Korean Peninsula to stability in Northeast Asia and, ultimately, contributes to global peace and shared prosperity,” she said. Han said growing global interconnectedness has made overseas conflicts increasingly consequential for South Korea, even when the country itself is not directly involved in war. “We live in an era when wars elsewhere can have significant economic repercussions and affect people’s livelihoods even if no war breaks out in our own country,” Han said. “The world is more closely connected than ever, yet paradoxically, conflict and fragmentation are deepening.” She stressed that peace is closely tied to economic security and growth. “When peace is shaken, the foundation for growth is also shaken,” Han said. “Peace and coexistence are not ideals, but realistic choices for our people and our national interests.” The prime minister said the government’s vision of an “indispensable Korea” does not mean a country seeking to move ahead alone. Rather, she said, South Korea aims to strengthen its independent defense capabilities and deterrence while pursuing pragmatic diplomacy centered on the national interest, seeking common interests and promoting peaceful coexistence and shared prosperity through trust and dialogue. Han also pledged to use South Korea’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, competitive defense industry, experience with democratization and global cultural influence to help build a safer and more prosperous world. “We will also fulfill our responsibilities in peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, disaster response and reconstruction,” she said. Describing the Seoul Defense Dialogue as a forum to discuss “how countries can create common interests in an era of turmoil,” Han said South Korea would take a leading role. “South Korea will lead the way,” she said. “We will demonstrate through responsible action that coexistence can lead to shared interests.” AJP Takeaways - PM Han said Korean Peninsula peace should support stability in Northeast Asia and global prosperity. - She called peace and coexistence practical choices for South Korea’s security, economy and national interests. - Han pledged stronger deterrence, pragmatic diplomacy and a greater role in global security. 2026-09-08 12:07:42
Audit Office: Corporations Should Recognize Disability Employment Contributions as Tax Deductions The Audit Office has determined that disability employment contributions, which are intended to encourage companies to hire individuals with disabilities, should be recognized as deductible expenses when calculating corporate taxes. On September 8, the Audit Office released key decisions on four tax-related cases and one industrial accident case from the first half of the year, closely related to public life. The Audit Office concluded that disability employment contributions are more of an 'incentive and regulatory special burden' aimed at promoting the employment of individuals with disabilities rather than a punitive measure for non-compliance. Therefore, it deemed the rejection of companies' requests for tax refunds based on these contributions as unlawful. A total of 525 related appeals were filed. In another decision, the Audit Office ruled that a company that outsourced the production of health supplements should not be denied small business corporate tax reductions. The ruling considered that the products bore the company's trademark and that it held relevant intellectual property rights, effectively making it a direct planner of the products produced by the contract manufacturer. Additionally, the Audit Office stated that if a property leased to a spouse is used to operate a senior welfare facility, the owner should be granted a tax reduction if they are substantially responsible for the facility's operations and decision-making. It also ruled that land acquired for the construction of a religious facility should not have its tax reduction denied simply because it could not be used directly before the legal grace period of five years had elapsed. In the industrial accident sector, the Audit Office found it unjust to impose workers' compensation insurance payment obligations on an employer when a noise-induced hearing loss victim had only worked at the current workplace for one month, having been exposed to noise for four years and eight months at a previous job. Looking ahead, the Audit Office plans to strengthen its dedicated organization and personnel for handling appeals and expand the scope of claims to include financial and personal data protection.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 12:04:20
Actress Hwang Jung-min's Stalker Fined 6 Million Won; Agency Plans Further Legal Action A woman in her 40s has been fined for stalking actress Hwang Jung-min.On September 8, the Uijeongbu District Court's Goyang branch, presided over by Judge Kim Young-ah, sentenced the woman, identified as A, to a fine of 6 million won for violating the law on the punishment of stalking crimes. She was also ordered to complete a 40-hour stalking treatment program.A did not attend the sentencing hearing, and only her attorney was present.The court stated, "Considering the frequency and number of messages, it is recognized that the victim experienced anxiety and fear. It is also judged that the defendant was aware that the victim did not wish to continue contact." The court further explained, "Even if there was a legitimate reason to contact, the content and frequency of the messages exceeded what could justify the defendant's actions." Following the first-instance ruling, Hwang Jung-min's agency released a statement saying, "The court recognized all of the defendant's continuous and malicious stalking acts as guilty and imposed a fine of 6 million won along with a 40-hour stalking treatment program." The agency added, "The defendant's actions have seriously infringed upon the daily life of our actor, clearly constituting stalking. We believe this ruling confirms that stalking behavior threatening another person's life cannot be justified for any reason, and we deeply respect the judiciary's decision." The agency also announced plans for additional legal action separate from the first-instance ruling. They stated, "We are planning all legal measures against the continued dissemination of false information and maliciously edited recordings during the trial, and we will hold the defendant legally accountable for any further actions without leniency." Previously, A was investigated and brought to trial following a complaint filed by Hwang Jung-min's team in August of last year. In February, the court issued a summary order imposing a fine of 3 million won on A, but she contested this and requested a formal trial.This case came to light when A claimed on her social media that she had a personal relationship with Hwang Jung-min, sharing recorded phone calls and message conversations.A has acknowledged sending messages to Hwang Jung-min that implied suicide, along with a will and photos of a cat's corpse, but has maintained that she did not intend to cause anxiety or fear. The prosecution sought a fine of 10 million won against A.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 12:04:10
Spring Potato Production Increases by 1.5% Despite Reduced Cultivation Area This year's spring potato production has increased by 1.5% compared to last year. Although the cultivation area has slightly decreased as some farmers have switched to other crops, improved weather conditions during the growing season have led to higher yields per unit area.According to the National Data Agency's report on the '2026 Spring Potato Production Survey' released on September 8, this year's spring potato production reached 361,167 tons, an increase of 5,469 tons (1.5%) from last year's 355,698 tons.The cultivation area decreased to 148,897 hectares, down 30 hectares (0.2%) from last year's 149,927 hectares, influenced by the shift to other crops.However, the yield per 10 ares increased to 2,424 kg, up 41 kg (1.7%) from last year's 2,383 kg. The increase in yield per unit area contributed to the overall rise in production despite the reduction in cultivation area.This improvement is attributed to favorable weather conditions during April and May, the key growing months for potatoes. During this period, sunshine hours totaled 474, a 3.3% increase from last year's 459 hours. The average temperature rose from 14.9 degrees Celsius to 16.2 degrees Celsius, and precipitation increased from 184.6 mm to 205.1 mm, an 11.1% rise.By region, South Chungcheong Province led production with 61,648 tons, accounting for 17.1% of the national total. It was followed by Gwangju in South Jeolla with 56,623 tons (15.7%) and Gangwon Province with 56,190 tons (15.6%).In terms of regional changes, Gyeonggi Province saw a 20.6% increase to 39,064 tons, while Gangwon Province increased by 16.3% to 56,190 tons. South Chungcheong Province also experienced a 5.6% rise. Conversely, North Gyeongsang Province reported a 24.5% decrease to 49,072 tons, and North Chungcheong Province saw a 22.4% drop to 21,600 tons.This year's spring potato production has rebounded slightly after last year's decline but remains about 9.2% lower than the 397,613 tons produced in 2024.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 12:04:10
Second Round of National Growth Fund Launches on September 30 with Increased Allocation for Low-Income Investors The 'National Participation National Growth Fund,' launched in May, has sold out early, prompting the release of a second fund on September 30. To expand investment opportunities for citizens who missed the first round, the allocation for low-income investors will be increased to 50% of the total sales amount.The Financial Services Commission announced on September 8 that the second National Participation Growth Fund will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis from September 30 to October 15. The fundraising target remains at 600 billion won, the same as the first fund, and the sales period may be shortened if the allocation is exhausted early.The second fund will be managed with a total of 720 billion won, combining 600 billion won from citizen investments with an additional 120 billion won from government funds. Three public fund management companies—Mirae Asset, Samsung, and KB Asset Management—will collect citizen funds and invest them in ten private fund management companies.The selected private fund managers include two large firms, four medium-sized firms, and four small firms, each managing sub-funds of 120 billion won, 80 billion won, and 40 billion won, respectively.The National Participation Growth Fund will invest in 12 advanced strategic industries, including semiconductors, secondary batteries, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, defense, robotics, and future vehicles. More than 60% of the capital raised by each sub-fund will be directed toward these primary investment targets. Additionally, over 30% will be allocated to provide new funds to unlisted companies and KOSDAQ technology-specialized listed companies through methods such as capital increases or mezzanine financing.The second fund will expand participation opportunities for low-income individuals and youth. In the first fund, 1.2 trillion won, or 20% of the total sales, was allocated for low-income investors, but the actual participation rate reached about 35%. In response, the Financial Services Commission has increased the allocation for low-income investors in the second fund to 300 billion won, or 50% of the total sales.Participants will also receive tax benefits. A maximum income deduction of 18 million won will apply to the investment amount, and dividend income will be subject to a separate tax rate of 9.9% for five years from the investment date. However, to receive these tax benefits, investors must use a dedicated account for the National Participation Growth Fund. The annual limit for this dedicated account is 100 million won, with a maximum of 200 million won over five years. Investors can also join through a regular account without tax benefits, with an annual investment limit of 30 million won.Investors from the first fund are not eligible to participate in the second fund, but those who only opened an account for the first fund without making an actual investment can join the second fund.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 12:04:00