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  • Iran Warns South Korea Against Military Deployment in Hormuz Strait
    Iran Warns South Korea Against Military Deployment in Hormuz Strait As the Trump administration continues to press South Korea to deploy troops to the Hormuz Strait, the Iranian government has issued a warning that such a move would lead to serious consequences.Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, stated on September 7 via X (formerly Twitter), "The relationship between Iran and South Korea has a history of over 64 years, and it has always developed based on mutual respect. Iran values its friendly relations with South Korea very highly."He added, "However, the Iranian people are currently defending themselves against U.S. aggressive actions and are firmly responding to U.S. war crimes against women and children. The military presence or participation of other countries in the Persian Gulf and Hormuz Strait can only be seen as direct support for the aggressors, leading to serious consequences." He emphasized that "no sovereign nation should succumb to U.S. pressure and threats and become complicit in the invasion and horrific crimes against the great Iranian people."Baghaei included an image in his post that read, "There are costs to dangerous choices" in Korean.This message comes as the Trump administration, facing a stalemate in its conflict with Iran, has repeatedly urged South Korea to send troops to the Hormuz Strait. A White House official told Voice of America (VOA) the day before, "South Korea is one of the major importers of oil from the Middle East. We are still waiting for South Korea to commit resources to the region." Additionally, President Donald Trump threatened in an interview with Fox News on August 30 that South Korea had not assisted in the U.S. war efforts against Iran and that they should "remember that."However, Iran has consistently conveyed that South Korea should not respond to U.S. deployment demands. On September 4, an anonymous senior Iranian political and security official told the Lebanese media outlet Al-Mayadeen, "South Korea should not respond to U.S. pressure to cooperate in illegal military operations."The official noted, "The situation in which the U.S. is pressuring South Korea to cooperate in illegal military operations is worsening," and expressed hope that South Korea would not sacrifice its interests and reputation due to U.S. aggressive policies. He added, "South Korea is also aware that the instability in the Hormuz Strait is caused by the attacks from the U.S. and Israel," urging South Korea not to ignore this fact. 2026-09-07 16:24:00
  • Haenam County Offers Discounts and Cashbacks for Chuseok, Addresses Medical School Selection
    Haenam County Offers Discounts and Cashbacks for Chuseok, Addresses Medical School Selection Haenam County is launching a series of initiatives to boost local consumption ahead of the Chuseok holiday, including gift certificate discounts, cashbacks, and refund events for traditional markets and local businesses. In response to the exclusion of Mokpo National University from the list of candidates for a new national medical school, the county is also preparing measures to address concerns about medical service gaps in the southwest region.On September 7, Haenam County Mayor Myung Hyun-kwan presided over a communication meeting with department heads and town officials, urging them to actively promote and participate in various consumer incentive policies aimed at increasing local business revenues during the Chuseok period.Throughout September, Haenam County will offer a record-high discount of 18% on purchases of Haenam Love Gift Certificates, along with cashback options.From September 16 to 20, a 10% discount will be available on Onnuri Gift Certificates. Customers who shop at designated low-price stores will also receive an additional 7% cashback until the budget is exhausted.Refund events targeting traditional markets and local businesses will be concentrated ahead of Chuseok. The Haenam traditional market will hold a refund event for Onnuri Gift Certificates, offering up to 20,000 won from September 16 to 20. Additionally, from September 15 to 18, customers at Haenam town shops will be eligible for refunds of up to 20,000 won on Haenam Love Gift Certificates and Onnuri Gift Certificates.The county aims to enhance consumer benefits by linking gift certificate discounts, cashbacks, and refund events, ensuring that holiday spending supports traditional markets and local businesses.Mayor Myung emphasized, “With the significant benefits provided by Haenam Love Gift Certificates and the expanding network of Onnuri Gift Certificates, as well as discounts for local businesses, it is crucial to promote these opportunities effectively so that residents can take full advantage.”He added, “As the methods of using digital gift certificates are becoming more diverse, we must ensure that seniors can use them without difficulty, translating these benefits into tangible advantages for our residents.”During the meeting, the county also discussed strategies in response to the recent selection results for the national medical school candidates.Mayor Myung expressed disappointment over Mokpo National University’s exclusion from the list of candidates for the new national medical school and instructed the deputy mayor to develop a follow-up response plan.He highlighted the high aging rate and emergency medical access issues in the southwest region, arguing that the national medical school issue should be approached not merely as a competition for university placement but as a matter of regional healthcare systems.“The aging rate in Haenam and the southwest region is as high as 40%, and it takes over two hours to reach a university hospital from Songji in Haenam, making rapid response to severe and emergency patients critically urgent in this medically vulnerable area,” he pointed out.He continued, “The failure to secure a national medical school, a long-held aspiration of the southwest residents for the past 36 years, has led to a sense of loss among the community and heightened concerns about the persistent medical gaps in the region.”Haenam County believes that a localized healthcare system is necessary to ensure that residents can access required medical services promptly, regardless of where they live within the integrated special city. The county also urged for expedited development of regional transportation networks, such as the Gwangju-Yeongam-Haenam expressway, to improve access for emergency patients.Additionally, the meeting addressed hygiene management for food stalls during the Myeongnyang Battle Festival, strategies for preventing traffic accidents, and pest control measures for the harvest season. Mayor Myung ordered enhanced safety management at the festival site and proactive measures for managing crops and preventing accidents involving agricultural machinery and traffic.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 16:20:00
  • Lee Hyun-jung Continues NBA Pursuit with One-Year Deal from Portland
    Lee Hyun-jung Continues NBA Pursuit with One-Year Deal from Portland Lee Hyun-jung, a key player for the South Korean men's basketball team, continues his pursuit of a spot in the NBA.On September 7, his agency, Epic Sports, announced that Lee has signed an 'Exhibit 10' contract with the Portland Trail Blazers ahead of the 2026-2027 season.The Exhibit 10 contract is a one-year, non-guaranteed deal at the NBA minimum salary. While it does not guarantee a spot on the official roster, it provides Lee with the opportunity to participate in the team's official training camp to showcase his skills.Even if he does not make the final roster from the camp, there are still pathways available. He could play for the Rip City Remix, Portland's G League affiliate, and aim for a roster spot. If he performs well in the G League, he could transition to a two-way contract, allowing him to move between the NBA and the lower league, and potentially earn bonuses after fulfilling certain conditions set by the team.This offseason, Lee participated in the Summer League with the San Antonio Spurs and attended mini camps with several teams, including the Boston Celtics, to evaluate his skills. Last season, he demonstrated significant growth while playing for the Nagasaki Velca in Japan's B.League, where he led in three-point shooting percentage (47.9%) and was named the championship MVP.According to Epic Sports, after negotiating with multiple teams, including Boston and Nagasaki, Lee decided on Portland after considering the role they offered, the team's long-term vision, and their player development plans.Kim Byung-wook, CEO of Epic Sports, stated, "Although we did not ultimately secure the desired two-way contract, I am confident that this Exhibit 10 contract will serve as an important starting point for Lee Hyun-jung to build a larger career in the NBA."With his contract situation resolved, Lee will now focus on the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. He departed for Nagoya on September 7 and is set to play his first game against Saudi Arabia on September 10.Lee expressed his commitment, saying, "I will give my all on the court to help the team achieve the best possible results in this tournament."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 16:16:10
  • K-Beauty Creator Group Leferi Receives Minister of Health Award
    K-Beauty Creator Group Leferi Receives Minister of Health Award The K-Beauty creator group Leferi has been awarded the Minister of Health Award for its contributions to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) management innovation and the globalization of Korean cosmetics.On September 7, Leferi announced that it received the award during the '2026 Cosmetics Day Ceremony' held at The Plaza Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. The group was recognized for its role as a leading venture and small business in promoting the globalization of K-Beauty and contributing to national economic growth and development.Leferi has established the world's first beauty YouTube creator training system in collaboration with Google Korea, Tencent, and the Korea Ronald McDonald House.Leferi stated, "We have practiced ESG management through collaboration with government departments and public institutions, as well as participation in large public events, based on specialized personnel in various fields. We have also contributed to the globalization of K-Beauty and national economic growth by entering overseas markets such as Japan and the United States."The government designated September 7, the anniversary of the enactment of the Cosmetics Act, as Cosmetics Day to raise awareness of the importance of the cosmetics industry and to enhance interest in safety and international competitiveness. On this day, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety held a ceremony themed 'K-Beauty of Confidence, Blooming' to highlight the achievements of K-Beauty, which ranked second in global cosmetics exports last year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 16:16:10
  • Construction Delays Hinder Housing Supply Despite Government Efforts
    Construction Delays Hinder Housing Supply Despite Government Efforts The government has emphasized the need for increased housing supply and speed in its 9.7 and 8.13 measures, but construction bottlenecks continue to hinder progress. Public sector delays stem from lengthy land compensation processes, while the private sector faces challenges due to rising construction costs and tightened project financing conditions. Public Sector Faces Procedural Delays, Private Sector Struggles with ViabilityAccording to the real estate industry on September 7, the speed of public housing projects largely depends on how much time can be reduced in pre-construction procedures, such as land acquisition and compensation. Even when land is included in supply plans, various steps, including negotiations with landowners, must be completed before construction can begin.Seojin Hyung, a professor at Kwangwoon University, stated, “The problem lies in the lengthy compensation period during the land development process. Since land compensation requires negotiations with landowners, if they refuse to sell, the timeline inevitably extends.”Ham Young-jin, head of the real estate research lab at Woori Bank, noted, “Ultimately, the speed at which local governments and the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) can act is crucial. Reforms and functional changes within LH could also impact future supply speed.”For private housing supply, project viability and financing conditions are key. With ongoing burdens from construction and financing costs, many projects are unable to move from permitting to actual construction.Ham added, “The biggest obstacle for private housing projects transitioning from permitting to construction is project financing loans. As funding becomes more difficult and interest burdens increase, many projects are unable to proceed.” Government's New Measures Aim to Alleviate Construction BottlenecksThe government introduced the 8.13 rapid supply measures ahead of the one-year anniversary of the 9.7 measures to address these bottlenecks. The government plans to reduce the time from the announcement of new public land sites to construction from 68 months to 37 months, a reduction of 31 months. For private projects, the government aims to encourage construction by expanding financial support through the Housing and Urban Guarantee Corporation (HUG) and the Korea Housing Finance Corporation (HF).The key question is whether the reduction in procedures and increased financial support will lead to actual construction starts. Ham stated, “The 8.13 supplementary measures were designed for rapid supply, so the core issue is how much they can expedite construction. Support for project financing loans, direct assistance through purchases, and easing loan-to-value regulations for non-apartment rental businesses are all measures aimed at increasing supply speed.”Reducing the time required for redevelopment projects is also crucial. Kim Sang-bong, a professor of economics at Hansung University, explained, “Redevelopment takes considerable time from designating maintenance zones to establishing associations and obtaining project approvals. Reducing the duration of each project phase is essential to shorten the overall time to actual supply.”However, there are concerns that even with reduced procedures and increased financial support, attracting private participation will be difficult without solid project viability.Seojin Hyung cautioned, “Just because the government announces policies doesn’t mean supply can occur as planned; the market conditions are also challenging. Even if corporate rentals are promoted, if profitability is not achieved, there will be no companies willing to participate, indicating limits to expediting construction through policy alone.”Even if construction speeds up, there will inevitably be a lag before actual occupancy occurs. However, if pre-sales increase before occupancy, the effects of expanded supply may be felt in the subscription market and beyond.Ham concluded, “No matter how much we push for speed, it will take time before it translates into tangible occupancy. Once construction begins and general sales start, those without homes may feel a sense of relief as supply increases, allowing them to experience the effects of expanded supply even before completion.” 2026-09-07 16:16:00
  • IBK Industrial Bank to Hire 15 Digital and Financial Professionals
    IBK Industrial Bank to Hire 15 Digital and Financial Professionals IBK Industrial Bank announced on September 7 that it will conduct a '2026 Fall Regular Recruitment' to secure specialized personnel.The recruitment will total 15 positions. In the digital and IT sector, six positions will be filled in three areas: IT project management and consulting, platform architecture design and operation, and cyber threat analysis and response. In the financial sector, nine positions will be filled across five areas: global investment banking, global finance (translators), fund management, actuarial science, and certified public accounting (KICPA).Applicants must have relevant work experience or hold professional certifications in their respective fields. Applications will be accepted on the recruitment website until the 21st. After document screening, practical tests, and interviews, final candidates will be announced in November. According to relevant regulations, candidates with master's or doctoral degrees and work experience may also be considered for managerial positions.With this recruitment and the ongoing public recruitment of 175 new employees, the total number of regular positions available at IBK for the fall will reach 190. Additionally, youth internships will be conducted at the end of October. Interns will gain experience in branch operations and participate in collaborative projects with 'IBK Chang Kong' innovative companies.An IBK official stated, “We plan to continue hiring in related fields to secure future growth engines through digital transformation and enhance competitiveness in core business areas.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 16:12:20
  • Muan County Promotes Road Name Addressing at Festivals
    Muan County Promotes Road Name Addressing at Festivals Muan County in South Jeolla Province is actively promoting road name addressing at local festivals. Following the Lotus Festival at Hoisan Baengnyeonji, the county recently engaged in on-site promotion during the Muan Yellow Clay Tidal Flat Festival, focusing on educating visitors about the proper use of road name addresses.On September 7, Muan County announced that it conducted on-site promotional activities for road name addressing at the Muan Yellow Clay Tidal Flat Festival, targeting both tourists and local residents.This initiative aims to leverage the large crowds at popular regional festivals to convey the necessity and practical use of road name addressing in a more accessible and familiar manner.The county organized an online event titled 'Reading Road Name Addressing Promotion Card News' at the festival, allowing visitors to easily access address information and its applications through their smartphones.Promotional materials and leaflets related to road name addressing were distributed on-site. Staff members explained the relevant system to tourists, guiding them on how to utilize address information in their daily lives.Muan County is committed to ongoing promotion, not limiting itself to a one-time event, and plans to continue reaching out to festival-goers to raise awareness about road name addressing.Previously, the county conducted similar promotional activities during the Lotus Festival at Hoisan Baengnyeonji, expanding its outreach to the Muan Yellow Clay Tidal Flat Festival.The road name addressing system is evolving from a focus on buildings to encompass various living spaces. Address information is now being assigned to multi-level roads, parks, and parking lots to enable more accurate location identification. The county is also working on enhancing the address system to improve disaster safety and daily convenience through the establishment of indoor spatial information.Lee Seung-myung, head of the Muan County Civil Complaints and Land Information Division, stated, “It was a meaningful time to effectively promote road name addressing to the many tourists visiting the Muan Yellow Clay Tidal Flat Festival. We will continue to make efforts through various events and promotional activities to ensure that residents can use road name addressing more conveniently and increase their interest.”Meanwhile, Muan County plans to continue on-site promotions linked to local events that attract visitors, moving away from a government-centered approach to directly informing residents and tourists about road name addressing and its applications.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 16:12:20
  • One Year After Housing Supply Plan, Construction Falls Short of Goals
    One Year After Housing Supply Plan, Construction Falls Short of Goals One year after the government announced its '9·7 Housing Supply Expansion Plan' to address the housing shortage in the metropolitan area, the pace of construction has not met expectations. The target for this year is to start 268,000 homes, but as of July, only 78,000 had begun, falling short of 30% of the annual goal.According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the government set a goal last September to start a total of 1.35 million homes in the metropolitan area from this year through 2030, averaging 270,000 homes per year. The plan emphasized 'construction starts' as a key management indicator to reflect discrepancies between permits and actual housing supply. The strategy included expanding direct implementation by the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) on public land and utilizing aging public buildings and vacant sites to accelerate supply.However, as of July, cumulative construction in the metropolitan area reached only 78,894 homes, which is 29.1% of the annual target. This represents a mere 2.0% increase compared to the same period last year, when 76,339 homes were started.To meet this year's goal, approximately 190,000 homes must be started between August and December. This figure is 2.1 times the performance of the same period last year and exceeds the total number of homes started last year, making it unlikely that the target will be achieved.In the past three years, construction performance from January to July in the metropolitan area has consistently exceeded 45% of the annual total. In 2023, it accounted for 51.5%, while in 2024 and 2025, it was 48.6% and 45.8%, respectively. Historically, nearly half of the annual target has been met by July, indicating that significantly more construction must occur in the remaining months to reach this year's goal.Last year, construction from August to December in the metropolitan area totaled 90,484 homes, with an annual total of 166,823 homes. This year, with performance similar to last year by July, the remaining five months must see more construction than the entire previous year.According to data released by National Assembly member Jeong Hee-yong on August 24, there are 111 districts nationwide where housing has received project approval but has not yet begun construction, totaling 209,270 homes. Of these, 79.9% are classified as having 'immature land conditions' due to issues such as land compensation and infrastructure development. Additionally, 23,802 homes approved before 2022 remain unstarted.Legislation related to the 9·7 plan, including the special law for the redevelopment of aging public buildings and amendments to the public housing special law, only passed the National Assembly last month, 11 months after the plan was announced. Projects for utilizing vacant urban land, also proposed in the 9·7 plan, are still in the pre-construction phase. These projects are unlikely to contribute significantly to this year's construction shortfall.The government maintains that a substantial portion of public housing construction is scheduled for the second half of the year, and it will monitor performance through the end of the year. In the rapid housing supply measures announced on August 13, additional strategies were introduced to shorten the project timelines for public land and expedite the start dates for existing sites.Ham Young-jin, head of the real estate research lab at Woori Bank, stated, 'The number of construction starts has remained at a similar level to last year's first half, around 65,000 homes, so it cannot be considered fast-paced. To achieve the goals, significant acceleration is needed in the second half.'Seo Jin-hyung, a professor of real estate law at Kwangwoon University, noted, 'Even if construction is concentrated at the end of the year, land must be secured, making it difficult to significantly boost performance in the short term. Given the current situation, it will be realistically challenging to meet the annual construction targets set by the government.' 2026-09-07 16:12:20
  • Deputy Prime Minister Koo Yoon-cheol Urges Continued Policy Implementation Amid Cabinet Reshuffle
    Deputy Prime Minister Koo Yoon-cheol Urges Continued Policy Implementation Amid Cabinet Reshuffle Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yoon-cheol emphasized the need for thorough follow-up actions to ensure that recently announced policies, including tax reform and livelihood measures, lead to tangible results.On September 7, Koo held an expanded executive meeting at the Government Sejong Center with key officials, including the Vice Minister of Economy and Finance and department heads, to review the progress of major policies and future directions.Koo first commended the staff for their hard work in preparing key initiatives such as the summer tax reform plan, Chuseok livelihood measures, support for vulnerable borrowers and youth employment, the overhaul of the national contracting system, the G20 finance ministers' meeting, and reforms in public institutions.He urged that follow-up actions, including legislative amendments, detailed system designs, and consultations with relevant agencies, be implemented rigorously to ensure that the recently announced policies translate into real outcomes.With the regular National Assembly session underway, Koo also called for thorough preparations for legislative responses. He stressed the importance of being well-prepared for the review of relevant bills and proactively addressing key issues related to major policies during the national audit.Regarding the current economic situation, Koo noted that while improvements are being observed, disparities exist across different sectors, and he cautioned against complacency.He particularly highlighted the need to closely monitor areas directly affecting people's livelihoods, such as inflation and employment, and to respond promptly if necessary.During the meeting, awards were also presented for outstanding public officials in proactive administration and the '3rd Team Happiness Awards' along with the August Best Small Happiness Awards.The Team Happiness Awards recognized five departments, including the Comprehensive Policy Division, Tax Reform Promotion Team, Contract Policy Division, Development Strategy Division, and Digital Communication Team.The Comprehensive Policy Division established the '2026 Second Half Economic Growth Strategy,' aiming for a potential growth rate of 3%, a top-four export ranking, and a national income of $50,000, encapsulated in the '3-4-5 Vision.' The Tax Reform Promotion Team incorporated efforts to rationalize real estate taxation and enhance tax equity into the '2026 Tax Reform Plan.'The Contract Policy Division developed measures to reform the public construction bidding system and prevent paper company bids. The Development Strategy Division proposed institutional improvements to enhance the transparency and fairness of the Economic Cooperation Fund and developed strategies for the 'K-AI Package.' The Digital Communication Team produced content highlighting key achievements of the citizen-led government in its first year, achieving 1 million views in a short period.In August, the Best Small Happiness Award was given to Park Gi-hak, an official in the Industrial Economy Division, for his contributions to developing support measures reflecting on-site demands to alleviate management difficulties faced by small and medium-sized enterprises due to high exchange rates.Koo also urged that the 32 new youth interns starting their work today receive attention and support from each department to gain practical job experience.Furthermore, he stressed that regardless of the recent cabinet reshuffle, the policies and issues handled by the Ministry of Economy and Finance must proceed without disruption. Koo stated, 'I will also fulfill my responsibilities, and I hope you will continue to perform your roles diligently as you always have.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 16:12:10
  • South Korea and France Discuss Military Contribution in Hormuz Strait
    South Korea and France Discuss Military Contribution in Hormuz Strait Amid growing concerns over South Korea's potential military deployment to the Hormuz Strait, attention is focused on the discussions regarding the country's military contributions at the South Korea-France summit scheduled for September 8.According to the Blue House, President Lee Jae-myung, currently on a state visit to France, will hold a private lunch followed by an expanded summit with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace on September 8 (local time). The two leaders are expected to discuss cooperation in security, economy, and advanced technology.While military contributions to the Hormuz Strait are not officially on the agenda, a Blue House official noted that France has been a leading nation in advocating for international solidarity for free navigation in the strait and that discussions on this topic have occurred in previous summits. The official suggested that it would be difficult to rule out the possibility of the issue being raised during the upcoming meeting.As discussions about South Korea's deployment to the Hormuz Strait intensify, pressure from both the United States and Iran is mounting. A White House official stated on September 6 (local time) that South Korea is one of the major importers of Middle Eastern oil and emphasized that the U.S. is still waiting for South Korea to contribute resources to the region.Conversely, an anonymous senior Iranian security and political official warned through the pro-Iranian media outlet Al-Mayadeen that if South Korea takes actions against Iran in the Hormuz Strait, it would be considered a direct military invasion and participation in the war. This situation presents a dilemma for South Korea, as it seeks to respond to U.S. demands while minimizing the risk of direct conflict with Iran.Consequently, analysts suggest that rather than confirming the deployment of specific assets during the summit, South Korea may discuss its potential roles and conditions for participation in a multinational mission led by France.In April, France and the United Kingdom held a virtual summit with 51 countries, agreeing to pursue an 'independent and strictly defensive multinational military mission.' The South Korean government has already expressed principled support for this multinational mission led by France. President Lee indicated on April 17 during the virtual summit that South Korea would seek to make a tangible contribution to ensuring freedom of navigation in the Hormuz Strait.The government is also engaging in strategic communications with the U.S. and France regarding the specifics of the Hormuz deployment. However, while the U.S. is currently demanding South Korea's resource contribution, France maintains that defensive operations will commence only after hostilities have subsided. Therefore, even if the Hormuz issue is discussed at the South Korea-France summit, it is likely to focus on confirming the roles and conditions for South Korea's future participation rather than an immediate deployment decision. There is also speculation that discussions may lean towards conditional and phased contributions rather than sending forces immediately, especially given the recent escalation of maritime conflicts, including U.S. attacks on three Iranian oil tankers and claims by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard regarding targeting oil tankers and U.S. naval vessels.Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, stated, "The government is likely to consider the potential benefits it could gain from easing pressure or security issues, such as nuclear-powered submarines, when deciding on deployment. While it is unlikely that the Hormuz issue will be deeply discussed as an official agenda at the South Korea-France summit, there is a possibility that various military cooperation measures will be examined from a national interest perspective in the future."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 16:12:10