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Vietnamese Parents Struggle to Find Textbooks as School Year Begins As the new school year begins in Vietnam, some students are starting classes without textbooks. Parents have been seen traveling dozens of kilometers in the scorching heat and visiting bookstores late into the night in search of their children's books. Despite expectations that the nationwide single textbook system would simplify demand forecasting, delays in regional procurement, late orders from schools, and controversies over reselling have led to a textbook shortage, causing chaos in the education sector.According to local media, including VnExpress, parents in Ho Chi Minh City have been flocking to bookstores in search of textbooks for the 2026-2027 school year. On September 5, over 2.6 million students in Ho Chi Minh City attended the opening ceremony, but many textbooks for certain grades and subjects were still hard to find the following day.A parent with a ninth-grade child, identified as A, visited Phuong Nam bookstore on Nguyen An Tu Street on the morning of September 6. After traveling to another bookstore 20 kilometers away, he was unable to find five textbooks, including history and geography. A expressed frustration, saying, "I checked several places, but they all said new books would arrive next week. The new school year has already started, and there are no books available."Another parent, B, also visited four bookstores that morning but could not find six textbooks, including those for ninth-grade experiential activities. He had placed an order through the school but did not receive the necessary books. B lamented, "I plan to visit a few more places tonight. It seems I will have to find at least one book from each store to make it work."In the past two weeks, the Vietnam Education Publishing House bookstore has seen about 3,000 visitors daily. On September 6, parents and students crowded the store from early morning until late afternoon. Some parents reported visiting nearly ten bookstores but still could not purchase all the required books for their children.The textbook shortage in Ho Chi Minh City is mirrored in other regions. In Gia Lai Province, demand surged ahead of the new school year, with some parents leaving their contact information at bookstores a month in advance, only to find that books sold out within an hour of arrival.In Can Tho, parents continued to search for textbooks late into the night on September 6, just before the first day of classes. In Da Nang, parents reported visiting four to five bookstores the day before school started but still could not gather all the necessary books. One high school in Da Nang resorted to copying and binding materials to distribute to students due to delays in textbook supply.Textbook Hunt Continues Until the Day Before School StartsThe textbook shortage is not limited to specific grades. The Vietnam Education Publishing House announced that textbooks for fourth-grade history and geography, fifth-grade history and geography, and second-grade Vietnamese and math would not be available until after September 20. Some bookstores have provided internet links for parents, teachers, and students to access free PDF e-books while waiting for physical copies.As the shortage persists, concerns about reselling have emerged. The Vietnam Education Publishing House reported that some individuals have been buying textbooks and reselling them to parents at three to four times the original price. In response, bookstores are limiting the number of textbook sets one person can purchase during peak demand periods.However, the publishing house maintains that the overall print volume was not insufficient. They stated that they had already published 228 million textbooks and 84 million workbooks and reference books, exceeding initial orders by more than 150%. Additionally, they supplied about 2.5 million extra books from September 1 to 6 to address late orders from schools and replenish shortages.The issue lies in the timing of orders from schools, which has led to significant discrepancies in actual receipt times. A representative from the publishing house noted that schools that completed their purchase registrations before August 14 received the necessary books, while those that applied later would receive them sequentially, with deliveries expected by mid-September.The publishing house cited differences in administrative schedules across regions as a reason for the supply issues. Each area implementing the free textbook policy has different planning, budget approval, procurement procedures, and distribution timelines, leading to fluctuating demand. To meet actual demand, the publishing house plans to print an additional 17 million textbooks and workbooks in September. The remaining stock will be reserved for natural disasters like typhoons and floods, textbook donation requests, and fluctuations in student numbers across regions.Schools are implementing temporary measures to prevent gaps in instruction. One high school is using digital materials to ensure students learn the same content. Another elementary school has instructed students to work in groups to share textbooks and is using projectors to display lesson materials so that students can follow along.Frustrated Parents: 'Why Can't We Get the Books?' As the school year approaches, parents who have been unable to find textbooks are expressing their frustration. With classes starting soon, they are struggling to find the necessary books, and relying on PDFs or photocopies is becoming increasingly difficult. One parent shared, "I still haven't bought my sixth grader's textbooks. School starts tomorrow, and I have no books. This has never happened before." Another user commented, "With a single type of textbook used nationwide, shouldn't it be easier to predict demand and print? Why do parents have to travel dozens of kilometers in the heat to find books?"Many find it hard to understand why there is a shortage of textbooks when student numbers are known in advance. One commenter asked, "Student numbers by grade are recorded every year; why are there shortages? Even if they print a little more, the books can be used next year, right?" Another parent recounted their experience trying to find a ninth-grade textbook, stating, "I visited five or six bookstores but couldn't find it. How can kids prepare for class the night before without any books?"Calls for accountability from schools and authorities have also surfaced. One user criticized, "The school knows the number of students; they say parents didn't order enough books." Another parent noted, "I started buying in June, and I still haven't received all the books for my second grader."Some parents find it even more perplexing that a shortage has occurred under the single textbook system. One user remarked, "In the past, there were multiple textbooks, and competition made it hard to print enough, but now we only use one set. If there are extras, they can be used next year, so I don't understand why they printed so few and created a shortage."Meanwhile, starting from the 2026-2027 school year, a single textbook system will be implemented across Vietnam. While there were hopes that this would simplify demand forecasting compared to the previous system with multiple textbooks, parents in Ho Chi Minh City continue to face challenges in finding textbooks as the school year begins.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 16:36:10 -
President Yoon Announces €1 Billion Investment in Film Industry at Lumière Summit 이재명 대통령이 에마뉘엘 마크롱 프랑스 대통령과 함께 2027년부터 5년간 한국과 프랑스가 영화·영상산업에 각각 5억 유로(약 8000억원)씩 투자하는 협력 구상을 선포한다. 양국의 투자 규모를 합치면 총 10억 유로, 약 1조6000억원에 달할 전망이다. 이 대통령은 7일(현지시간) 프랑스 생폴드방스에서 열리는 ‘뤼미에르 서밋’에 공동의장으로 참석해 이 같은 내용의 ‘글로벌 영화·영상산업 투자협력 이니셔티브’를 발표할 예정이다. 뤼미에르 서밋에는 세계 각국 문화장관과 국제기구 인사, 영화·영상산업 전문가, 감독·배우 등 200여명이 참석한다. 이 대통령은 개막연설에서 급변하는 영화·영상산업 환경에 대응하기 위한 의제를 제시하고, 창작 생태계 활성화와 콘텐츠 산업의 지속가능한 발전을 위한 국제 협력을 강조할 계획이다. 강유정 청와대 수석대변인의 서면 브리핑에 따르면 이번 이니셔티브를 통해 국내 영화·영상산업에 대한 투자를 확대하고 위축된 창작 생태계에 활력을 불어넣는 한편, K-콘텐츠의 해외 진출을 다변화한다. 개막연설 이후에는 한국 감독·배우들과 간담회를 갖는다. 간담회에는 이창동·정주리 감독과 설경구·전도연·김도연 배우, 김민영 넷플릭스 아시아·태평양 콘텐츠 총괄 부사장이 참석한다. 이 대통령은 국제무대에서 활동하는 창작자들을 격려하고 K-콘텐츠의 성공 비결과 현장에서 필요한 지원 방안을 청취할 예정이다. 이후 이 대통령과 김혜경 여사는 마크롱 대통령 부부 및 서밋 참석자들과 공식오찬을 함께한다. 이 대통령은 다양한 문화적 배경을 가진 참석자들의 협력을 통해 영상산업의 미래를 함께 열어가자는 메시지를 전할 예정이다. 오찬 뒤에는 CJ ENM, 네이버, 넷플릭스, 미국영화협회(MPA), 미디어완 등 국내외 콘텐츠 기업 관계자들이 참석하는 영화·영상 관련 라운드테이블을 주재한다. 지역 창작자와 글로벌 기업이 지속가능한 상생을 이어가기 위한 투자와 협력 방안이 논의될 전망이다. 이어 넷플릭스·디즈니·소니·NBC유니버설 등 주요 스튜디오와 플랫폼 관계자들을 만나 K콘텐츠 제작을 비롯한 한·미 영상산업 협력 강화 방안을 논의한다. 이 대통령은 미국영화협회 회원사들이 매년 1조원 이상을 K-콘텐츠에 투자하고 있는 데 대해 감사를 표하고, 한국 콘텐츠에 대한 지속적인 투자를 당부할 예정이다. 전날 오후 프랑스 니스에 도착한 이 대통령은 곧바로 5대륙 창작자들과 만찬을 하기도 했다. 이 대통령은 이후 8일부터는 파리에서 이틀간의 국빈 양자 방문 일정을 소화하며 마크롱 대통령과의 정상회담 등을 가질 예정이다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 16:36:00
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Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon Calls for Urgent Measures to Address Rental Crisis Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon has urged the government to implement urgent measures to revitalize the private rental market, citing a surge in monthly rents and a decrease in rental listings that have intensified housing insecurity for residents. He believes that the government's binary approach of prioritizing 'actual residence' cannot resolve the issues of housing prices and rental markets. Therefore, he is calling for a comprehensive reassessment of the government's real estate policies. On September 7, Mayor Oh posted on his Facebook page titled 'Rental Hell: Urgent Measures Needed,' stating, "The entire city of Seoul is becoming a 'housing hell' due to the rental crisis, with cries of despair from those being forced out as rental refugees, unable to live in Seoul any longer." He noted that the average monthly rent for apartments in Seoul reached a record high of 1.62 million won in July, with rental prices soaring by 9.95%, while the drought of rental listings continues. While he welcomed the government's consideration of reducing the comprehensive real estate tax burden on corporate rental operators, he criticized it as being too little, too late, stating, "This is far from sufficient to resolve the current rental crisis." Mayor Oh emphasized that since last year, he has been advocating for the government to recognize rental operators not just as subjects of regulation but as key players in providing stable rental housing. He argues for easing loan regulations for purchase-type rental operators and excluding them from the comprehensive real estate tax. He also strongly criticized the recent tax reform that abolished tax benefits for registered rental operators. He explained, "There are 407,000 registered private rental units in Seoul, accounting for about 20% of all rental housing, with approximately 93,000 registered rental operators. They have accepted mandatory rental periods and rent increase restrictions in exchange for tax benefits." He pointed out that the benefits were eliminated in the August 3 tax reform, and private rental apartments that had their mandatory rental periods automatically canceled must be sold by 2027 to maintain existing benefits. Mayor Oh expressed concern that labeling registered rental operators as speculators and removing tax benefits could lead to some housing moving to the sales market, resulting in a loss of rental housing where tenants can live long-term without worries about rent increases or contract terminations. He urged the government to reconsider regulations that could destroy the very housing stability they aim to protect, stating that private rental businesses should be institutionalized as a pillar of stable rental housing supply. Specifically, he proposed establishing a legal definition for 'corporate private rental operators' and clearly defining their support and obligations. He also argued that existing registered rental operators should be utilized as providers of stable rental housing within a predictable regulatory framework. Mayor Oh questioned, "If the government attracts private supply when needed but reverses promised benefits when policies change, who will trust the government to invest in rental housing again?" He concluded that the fundamental solution to the current rental crisis lies in a complete reassessment of the 'actual residence' focused real estate policy, emphasizing that such a binary approach cannot control housing prices or revive the rental market.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 16:36:00
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Yongam County Enhances Food and Lodging Services Ahead of 2027-2028 Visit Year Yongam County is taking significant steps to enhance food and lodging services, which shape tourists' first impressions, in preparation for the '2027-2028 Visit Year.' Hong Yeon-joo, the head of the tourism department, is focusing on creating a welcoming environment for visitors.On September 4, Yongam County conducted a joint public-private campaign at the Agricultural Museum in Samho-eup, where the '2026 Yongam Fig Festival' was held. The campaign aimed to improve hygiene and hospitality services at restaurants and lodging facilities while addressing the issue of overpricing.About 20 participants, including members of the Yongam County Food Hygiene Team, the local economic team, the restaurant association, and local business owners, took part in the initiative.The participants promoted the message, 'Safe Food! Comfortable Lodging! First Impressions of Yongam!' as they visited the festival site and surrounding businesses, emphasizing the importance of service improvement in the food and lodging sectors.The campaign particularly focused on areas that tourists can directly experience, such as restaurant hygiene, cleanliness of lodging facilities, friendly service, and the elimination of overpricing.This initiative is part of a broader strategy to not only attract tourists but also enhance the quality of services they experience during their stay in Yongam ahead of the 'Visit Year.'Yongam County recognizes that relying solely on tourist attractions and festival content has its limitations. Therefore, improving the first impressions and satisfaction levels created by local restaurants and lodging facilities is also crucial.Hong Yeon-joo views these improvements in tourism services as a key task in preparing for the Visit Year and plans to create a welcoming environment that connects food and lodging businesses with local tourism sites.Starting with the Fig Festival, the county plans to continue hygiene and hospitality campaigns during upcoming local festivals and peak tourist seasons, while also encouraging voluntary participation from the private sector.Hong Yeon-joo stated, “The impressions tourists receive from restaurants and lodging facilities are significant memories of their Yongam trip. We will ensure that visitors can eat safely and stay comfortably, fostering a desire to return.”She added that attracting a large number of tourists is important, but equally vital is the experience visitors have during their stay, emphasizing the need for ongoing collaboration between the tourism industry and local government to improve services.Meanwhile, Yongam County aims to use the '2027-2028 Visit Year' as an opportunity to enhance the competitiveness of its local tourism industry, continuing preparations to attract tourists and promote extended stays. The plan includes improving service quality at points of contact with tourists, such as food and lodging, alongside festivals and attractions, to create an image of 'Yongam, a place you want to revisit.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 16:32:00
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Jeong Yeon-wook Calls for Investigation into Kim Seung-won's Drug Lobby Allegations Jeong Yeon-wook, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, urged an investigation into the drug lobby allegations against Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice, on September 7.In a Facebook post, Jeong stated, "The facts are simple," emphasizing that the core issue is whether there was a request for clinical approval regarding a drug that caused experimental rats to bleed and die. He also shared a video of independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon’s background briefing, which included related recordings.In the video, Han revealed text messages mentioning other Democratic Party lawmakers from broker Yang Mo, related to the allegations of Kim's request for approval of new drug clinical trials. In response, Kim questioned Han about the sources of the recordings and investigation materials.Jeong criticized Kim, saying, "Kim is making excuses by questioning the source of the tip-off," and described this as an attempt to deflect attention from the core issue. He added, "This is a matter of life and death for the public," warning that if the situation is ignored or dismissed, it could lead to a 'second Cho Kuk incident.'Jeong called on Kim to clarify the situation immediately in front of the public. Meanwhile, the People Power Party is demanding that Kim resign from both his nomination as Minister of Justice and his position as a lawmaker.Previously, Kim faced an investigation over allegations of requesting approval for new drug clinical trials and received a decision of non-prosecution from the prosecution at the end of 2024.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 16:28:10
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Will the National Assembly Approve Troop Deployment to Hormuz? The South Korean government is reportedly moving towards deploying military assets and personnel to the Hormuz Strait and is considering submitting a troop deployment proposal to the National Assembly soon. The opposition has urged the government, which they claim has lost the trust of the U.S., to transparently disclose the details of negotiations between South Korea and the U.S. Meanwhile, some members of the ruling party have also expressed concerns about the deployment, indicating a cautious approach. As a result, discussions between the ruling and opposition parties have become inevitable due to the need for National Assembly approval.According to political sources on September 7, the Blue House has stated that "no decision has been made yet" regarding the Hormuz deployment, but preparations are underway based on the assumption that deployment will occur. It is expected that the government will submit the deployment proposal to the National Assembly within this month.Among the military assets being considered for deployment are the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, capable of monitoring vast ocean areas and detecting and striking submarines and surface ships, as well as the large supply ship Soyang, which can support the fleet with fuel and ammunition. The Ministry of National Defense has maintained that deployment would only be possible if the Hormuz Strait is stabilized and the safety of South Korean troops is guaranteed. The government's review of the deployment has gained momentum following repeated public pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump.Previously, President Trump publicly expressed dissatisfaction, claiming that South Korea had not provided assistance in the conflict with Iran, and subsequently ordered a reduction in joint military exercises. This has put the South Korean government in a position where it must actively respond to the Hormuz issue, considering the importance of South Korea-U.S. security cooperation.The content of the deployment proposal that the government submits to the National Assembly is expected to be a turning point in political discussions. While the Democratic Party has refrained from making an official statement, cautious opinions have emerged internally, and the People Power Party continues to criticize the government for its "diplomatic incompetence" in responding late to the situation. Even if the government solidifies its deployment policy, it must obtain National Assembly approval, meaning it will have to navigate the political landscape before making a final decision. The specifics of the deployment, including scale, mission, and duration, will be crucial for the Assembly's judgment.According to the Constitution, the government must obtain National Assembly approval for overseas deployments. In January 2020, the Moon Jae-in administration dispatched the Cheonghae Unit to the Hormuz Strait without such approval. At that time, the government believed that additional approval was unnecessary based on a clause in the previously passed deployment proposal that allowed for an expansion of operational scope in similar situations. However, the current circumstances differ, necessitating National Assembly approval.The cautious stance is also influenced by past experiences with the Iraq deployment. During the Roh Moo-hyun administration, the ruling Democratic Party faced significant internal conflict during the vote on the Iraq deployment proposal, with sharp divisions between supporters and opponents. There are concerns that similar backlash and division could arise this time as well. If opposition to the deployment grows, passing the proposal in the National Assembly could become uncertain.Lee Gi-heon, a Democratic Party member of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, stated on his Facebook page, "Under no circumstances can the deployment of our troops to the Hormuz Strait be accepted," indicating that he would not support the deployment proposal if it comes to the Assembly. This week, there are also suggestions that lawmakers may pressure the government to withdraw its deployment review during the parliamentary questioning session.The party leadership has remained cautious, citing the lack of a finalized government position. Park Sung-jun, the party's chief spokesperson, stated, "We need to gather sufficient opinions from the standing committee. It would be good to first examine the opinions coming from the National Defense Committee," while Lee Joo-hee, the party's floor spokesperson, added, "There is no special situation being reviewed in the National Assembly at this time; it seems that the National Defense Committee should discuss it first."The People Power Party has launched a full-scale offensive, criticizing the government for its delayed review of the deployment. They have also called for transparency regarding the overall South Korea-U.S. relationship and demanded an urgent inquiry from the National Defense Committee. They emphasized that "National Assembly approval is essential for deployment" and that careful consideration is necessary.Representative Jang Dong-hyuk criticized on Facebook, "What good will it do to deploy troops now?" and noted that the cancellation of joint military exercises has put security negotiations and trade talks in jeopardy. Floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik urged the government to transparently explain the background and benefits of the Hormuz deployment to the National Assembly, asserting that sending our troops abroad is not a decision to be made lightly.A political insider remarked, "The decision on whether to deploy troops is not something that can be concluded immediately. We need to consider the scale of the deployment and how it benefits our national interests," adding, "Given the National Assembly's approval process, the government must provide sufficient explanations. It should not be a case of the government seeking late approval after already determining its direction. The discussions with the U.S. must also be transparently disclosed, as this is a matter of sending our troops abroad, and careful judgment is required."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 16:28:00
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South Korea, US plan 8 nuclear reactors under investment pact SEOUL, September 07 (AJP) - South Korea and the United States are set to include a plan to pursue the construction of eight nuclear power reactors in the United States in their bilateral strategic investment framework, a ruling-party lawmaker confirmed to AJP on Monday. The lawmaker, who serves on the National Assembly’s Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee, said the plan to pursue eight reactors would be included in the framework governing the two countries’ U.S. investment projects. The proposal is expected to be reflected in a memorandum of understanding that Seoul and Washington are expected to finalize as early as Sept. 18. The reference to eight reactors is expected to set out a broad direction for bilateral nuclear cooperation rather than identify individual sites, reactor models or construction schedules, according to people familiar with the discussions. If implemented, the nuclear projects could emerge as a major component of South Korea’s $200 billion commitment to invest in strategic industries in the United States. The $200 billion program forms part of Seoul’s broader $350 billion U.S. investment pledge agreed with Washington last year. A separate $150 billion has been earmarked for shipbuilding cooperation. The investment framework was established under a Korea-U.S. strategic investment MOU signed in November 2025 and later backed by legislation passed by South Korea’s National Assembly in March. The law requires investments to be commercially viable and consistent with South Korea’s national interests. The South Korean government has been carrying out domestic administrative procedures for the first round of investments, including reviews of their commercial feasibility and potential risks. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources also briefed ruling-party lawmakers behind closed doors Monday on plans related to the first batch of U.S. investment projects. Energy projects are emerging as a central part of the investment package. Along with nuclear power, Seoul and Washington have been discussing gas-fired power generation in Texas and liquefied natural gas development in Alaska. A $22.3 billion gas-fired power project in Encinal, Texas, has been under consideration as the first project to receive funding through the investment framework. The proposed complex would have a generating capacity of about 6.3 gigawatts. The nuclear plan could create significant opportunities for South Korean companies with experience in reactor equipment, engineering and construction as Washington seeks to expand domestic power generation amid rapidly rising electricity demand. Details including the locations of the eight reactors, participating companies, reactor technologies and the division of financing between the two countries have yet to be finalized. AJP Takeaways - South Korea and the United States plan to include the construction of eight nuclear reactors in the U.S. in their first strategic investment agreement. - A ruling-party lawmaker on the National Assembly’s Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee confirmed the eight-reactor plan to AJP. - The nuclear projects could become a major pillar of Seoul’s $200 billion U.S. strategic investment program, alongside planned gas and energy projects. 2026-09-07 16:27:56 -
'Possible Love' stirs Venice sensation with 6-minute ovation SEOUL, September 07 (AJP) - Lee Chang-dong's "Possible Love" emerged as one of the early sensations of the Venice Film Festival after drawing a six-minute standing ovation and rave reviews, putting the Korean auteur's first feature in eight years among the closely watched contenders for the Golden Lion. The Netflix-backed film premiered Sunday at the Sala Grande on the Venice Lido as part of the main competition at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. The 164-minute drama stars Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, Zo In-sung and Cho Yeo-jeong. International critics praised Lee's direction and the ensemble cast while highlighting the film's examination of labor, class, human dignity and the moral responsibility involved in turning another person's suffering into art. The Guardian described "Possible Love" as a "finely judged" and "beautifully acted" work, while TIME praised its "gentle, generous spirit." Vulture went further, asking whether it could be the best film at Venice this year and describing the drama as one of the most powerful and political works of Lee's career. "Possible Love" follows two married couples from sharply different social backgrounds whose lives become entangled through a documentary project. Sul plays Ho-seok, a former factory worker struggling after losing his job, while Jeon plays his wife Mi-ok. Cho plays Ye-ji, a documentary filmmaker who approaches the couple as subjects for a film, while Zo plays Sang-woo, her wealthy husband. The film marks Lee's return to feature filmmaking after "Burning" in 2018 and brings him back to Venice more than two decades after one of the defining victories of his career. Lee won the Silver Lion for best director at Venice in 2002 for "Oasis." His return to the main competition comes 24 years after that win. "Possible Love" is among 21 films competing for the Golden Lion at this year's festival, which runs through Sept. 12. The strong Venice reception could also give the film an early boost in the coming awards season. South Korea has selected "Possible Love" as its official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards. The Korean Film Council cited the film's cinematic completeness, clear message and Lee's portrayal of its multidimensional characters in choosing it as the country's contender. The film will open in South Korean theaters on Sept. 23 before expanding to selected overseas markets in October. Netflix will stream "Possible Love" globally from Nov. 6. AJP Takeaways - Lee Chang-dong returned to the Venice Film Festival’s main competition with Possible Love, his first feature since Burning in 2018. - The 164-minute film stars Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, Zo In-sung and Cho Yeo-jeong. - The story follows two married couples drawn together through a documentary project, with themes of labor, class and human dignity. 2026-09-07 16:26:06 -
Jangheung Samhap to Debut as a Play: 'Jangheung Samhap Nalliburuseu' on October 1 The representative dish of Jangheung, 'Jangheung Samhap,' along with local tourist attractions such as Sodung Island and Toyo Market, will be transformed into a creative outdoor play filled with humor and satire.The Jangheung County announced that it will present the original outdoor play 'Jangheung Samhap Nalliburuseu' on October 1 at the Jangheung Cultural Arts Center, with performances scheduled for 2 PM and 7 PM.This production is part of the Jeonnam Cultural Foundation's '2026 Performing Arts Support Project for Collaborative Arts Organizations.' It is organized by Cultural Empathy Eum and planned by Creative Space Haewoo, with collaboration from the Jangheung branch of the Korean Traditional Music Promotion Association.'Jangheung Samhap Nalliburuseu' draws inspiration from familiar characters and stories from the classic tale of Chunhyang while combining Jangheung's tourism, cuisine, and new cultural phenomena of modern society.The story begins with the imagination of a deity, 'Seomgat,' who protects the Jangheung sea, and his daughter, 'Bomhyang,' who have lived for centuries guarding Sodung Island.As Bomhyang, who loves piano and singing and dreams of being a 'million-subscriber YouTuber,' gains popularity with her videos, young men flock to meet her on Sodung Island, leading to various incidents that unfold in the outdoor play format.Rather than merely recreating a classic story, the play incorporates modern elements such as YouTube, live streaming, franchises, and food origin, enhancing the unique humor and satire characteristic of outdoor plays.Notably, the performance integrates local color throughout, utilizing 'Jangheung Samhap,' made from clam, shiitake mushrooms, and Korean beef, as a central theme while combining songs, dances, and traditional music with local tourist attractions like Sodung Island, Jangheung Toyo Market, and Cheongwan Mountain.The aim is to go beyond simply introducing local cuisine and tourist spots, embedding them within a single narrative to create a new cultural tourism content that promotes Jangheung.Jangheung County Mayor Sa Sun-moon stated, “It is significant that local performance venues and arts organizations have collaborated to transform Jangheung's tourism and culinary resources into new performing arts content,” adding, “I hope this will be a time for both locals and tourists to laugh and enjoy while discovering the taste and charm of Jangheung anew.”Meanwhile, this performance involves local cultural and artistic entities such as Cultural Empathy Eum, Creative Space Haewoo, and the Jangheung branch of the Korean Traditional Music Promotion Association, with support from the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, the Jeonnam Cultural Foundation, and Jangheung County. Jangheung County expects that this content, linking local tourism and culinary resources with cultural arts, will provide tourists with a fresh experience of Jangheung.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 16:24:20
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Chinese Stock Market Rises as Financial Institutions Announce $60 Billion Capital Increase On September 7, the Chinese stock market closed higher, buoyed by news that financial institutions are increasing their capital. The Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.07% to 3,932.70, the Shenzhen Component Index climbed 1.91% to 13,774.91, and the ChiNext Index surged 3.41% to 3,398.68.On September 6, the Chinese Ministry of Finance announced plans for an injection of 360 billion yuan (approximately $60 billion) into eight financial institutions. The institutions involved include the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, Export-Import Bank of China, China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation, China Life Insurance, Taikang Life Insurance, People's Insurance Company of China, and China Reinsurance Group. Chinese media interpreted this move as a measure to enhance the long-term capital supply capability of the stock market, beyond merely improving the financial structure of these institutions. The market particularly welcomed the capital increase for insurance companies, as Chinese authorities have been encouraging them to expand their investments in the stock market. According to Reuters, the stock holdings of Chinese insurance companies increased by 39% year-on-year to 5.7 trillion yuan. Thus, the capital increase by insurance companies has raised expectations for expanded stock investment capacity.Additionally, the People's Bank of China conducted a 500 billion yuan reverse repurchase operation for three-month maturities on the same day, which was also seen as a positive development. Chinese media described this as a measure to stably absorb and replace liquidity maturing in September. It is also interpreted as a signal that the central bank aims to maintain stable liquidity in the market.On this day, stocks related to optical modules (CPO) showed strong performance. Companies such as XunJieXing, QingShan Paper, and HuaShengChang hit their daily price limits. YinHe Securities stated, "The computational capacity for training large AI models continues to expand, and the high-speed optical module chain is likely to be the most directly benefited sector." Furthermore, the strong performance of the optical communication sector in the U.S. stock market last Friday also contributed to the positive sentiment in the Chinese market.Grain stocks have also been rising consistently. Companies like YaSheng Group and Dunhuang Seed Industry reached their daily price limits. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) predicted that the El Niño phenomenon would continue to strengthen, impacting global precipitation and temperature patterns significantly. Related weather risks are expected to persist until February 2027.On this day, the People's Bank of China set the yuan's central parity rate against the dollar at 6.7795 yuan, an increase of 0.0008 yuan from the previous day, reflecting a 0.01% decline in the yuan's value. 2026-09-07 16:24:10