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  • Semiconductor Boom Fails to Boost Domestic Economy, Echoes of the 1990s
    Semiconductor Boom Fails to Boost Domestic Economy, Echoes of the 1990s The Hyundai Economic Research Institute has raised concerns about the South Korean economy, noting that while the semiconductor sector is thriving, domestic consumption is declining.In August, exports surged by 68.7% compared to the previous year, driven by strong semiconductor sales. The semiconductor sector's share of total exports jumped from 25.9% to 47.5%. However, retail sales in July fell by 2.4% from the previous month. The growth rate of household income, after government support was withdrawn, worsened from -0.3% in the first quarter to -1.3% in the second quarter.The youth unemployment rate rose to 6.8%, an increase of 1.3 percentage points from a year ago, with the number of employed young people declining for the 45th consecutive month. Despite record semiconductor exports, household sentiment has soured, illustrating a K-shaped polarization in the economy. This situation is reminiscent of past experiences where the boom in a specific industry obscured the overall economic picture, often with disappointing outcomes.The most painful precedent occurred between 1994 and 1995, when the three major semiconductor companies recorded an average growth rate of 98%. Manufacturing capacity utilization reached a historic high of 85.4%, and the unemployment rate fell to 1.9%. Many hailed it as the greatest boom since the founding of the nation.A Samsung Electronics official confidently stated that supply would not be able to keep up with demand until the early 2000s. However, the market shifted unexpectedly. By late 1995, DRAM prices began to decline, plummeting by 51% in 1996 and 65% in 1997. Currency and stock prices also fluctuated dramatically, culminating in a financial crisis by the end of that year.At the time, Kang Man-soo, then Vice Minister of Finance and Economy, later reflected that the semiconductor boom had blinded them to the downturn in other sectors. They were intoxicated by the numbers of the boom, while warning signs accumulated unnoticed.The second case mirrors the current situation. Recently, the top 10 companies in the semiconductor supercycle accounted for over 50% of exports for the first time. In contrast, exports from medium and small enterprises remained around 10%. The employment multiplier for the semiconductor industry is two jobs per 1 billion won, while the manufacturing average is six jobs, and the automotive and shipbuilding sectors generate seven jobs.Even with booming semiconductor sales and rising exports, job creation remains stagnant. Most of the gains in the KOSPI index are concentrated in Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Individual investors are heavily borrowing to invest in these two companies, creating a distorted perception of the export boom that is spilling over into the asset market.Japan is experiencing a similar situation, with its current account surplus and overseas dividend income reaching record highs. However, household consumption has declined for four consecutive months, with 55% of respondents indicating they feel financially strained. This disparity between corporate profits and household finances exemplifies K-shaped polarization.All three cases share a common message: the boom in a specific industry does not guarantee the overall health of the economy. Ignoring this gap can exacerbate asset market concentration. If household debt burdens are factored in, future shocks could be even more severe.South Korea currently faces the risks highlighted in these three cases: reliance on the semiconductor sector, asset market concentration, and stagnation in household purchasing power. This complicates monetary policy, making it difficult to tighten measures aimed at controlling inflation and debt. A nuanced approach, including sector-specific responses like adjusting fuel taxes and supporting vulnerable groups and small businesses, is necessary. Policies must be carefully tailored to each industry to facilitate a soft landing.The boom of 1995 serves as a reminder that when indicators look good, it is crucial to examine the underlying issues. This should not be dismissed as overly cautious; rather, it calls for heightened vigilance. 2026-09-07 15:52:00
  • Audit Finds Daejeon Fire Caused by Human Error, Poor Oversight
    Audit Finds Daejeon Fire Caused by Human Error, Poor Oversight Last year’s fire at the National Information Resources Management Center in Daejeon was caused by human error, stemming from poor construction by unregistered contractors, inadequate management and oversight, and insufficient initial response. The center also requested firefighters to refrain from using water to extinguish the blaze, which exacerbated the damage. On September 7, the Board of Audit and Inspection released its findings on the fire's cause and response, identifying 18 instances of illegal or improper conduct. It called for disciplinary actions against those involved and urged the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Information Resources Management Center to implement measures to prevent recurrence. The fire broke out on September 26, 2025, at 8:16 p.m. during lithium battery relocation work in the center's 7-1 computer room. It was fully extinguished by 6 p.m. the following day, after approximately 22 hours, but the computer room was completely destroyed, leading to the suspension of services for 709 information systems. Full system recovery took over three months. The National Forensic Service estimated that the fire was caused by a failure to properly implement safety measures, such as disconnecting power to the battery racks and insulating cable terminals. The audit revealed that only one of the eight battery racks had its power disconnected during the dismantling process. Additionally, the insulation of cable terminals was inadequate, resulting in sparks between the fourth and fifth battery racks. The work was carried out by contractors that were not even registered for electrical work. The National Information Resources Management Center had contracted a joint venture of companies A and B for the battery relocation project worth 3.04 billion won in June 2025. However, A subcontracted its share of the work to company C, while B effectively delegated the project to A. Company C then assigned the transportation and dismantling tasks to two unregistered firms. The National Information Resources Management Center did not verify the registration status of the actual construction entities, despite being informed that B's employees did not attend project meetings and that external personnel were involved. There were no procedures to ensure the preparation of work plans or to check for technical support from manufacturers. After the fire, the center only made internal reports and called emergency services, failing to take actions such as cutting off power or providing fire blankets. When firefighters attempted to use the indoor fire hydrant, the center requested that they refrain from using water due to concerns about damage to the network. Water suppression efforts did not begin until approximately three hours after the fire started, at 11:13 p.m. The disaster recovery system was virtually non-functional. Of the 709 systems at the time of the fire, only 54 had disaster recovery systems, accounting for just 7.6%. Among these, only seven systems were actually utilized for recovery, representing a mere 0.98% of the total systems. Data backup management was also inadequate. Of the 690 backup data storage facilities, 237 were located in the same computer room as the originals, and 349 systems had their storage devices and backup facilities installed in the same room. This resulted in the loss of both original and backup data for some systems. The Board of Audit and Inspection has recommended disciplinary actions beyond minor penalties for those responsible for the mismanagement of the battery relocation project, including a suspension for the team leader. It has also called for the National Information Resources Management Center to impose sanctions on the companies involved and to seek compensation for losses. The Board stated, "Basic standards and principles were not adhered to in all areas, from fire prevention and initial response to disaster recovery and management. If these had been followed, the fire could have been prevented or the damage minimized, indicating that this was a disaster caused by mismanagement."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 15:48:00
  • K-Coin Market Shrinks as Domestic Trading Volume Halves, Exchange Profits Plummet 80%
    K-Coin Market Shrinks as Domestic Trading Volume Halves, Exchange Profits Plummet 80% This year, the trading volume in South Korea's virtual asset market has dropped by more than half compared to last year. Analysts attribute this decline to a surge in the stock market, which has drawn investor interest away from virtual assets, coupled with a lack of investment products and regulatory uncertainties in the domestic market, prompting investors to turn to overseas exchanges.According to the financial sector on September 7, the trading volume of the five major South Korean won-based virtual asset exchanges (Upbit, Bithumb, Coinone, Korbit, and Gopax) reached $3.67 billion in the first half of the year, a 54.6% decrease from the same period last year. The decline has accelerated this month, with trading volume down 79.2% compared to a year ago.One reason for the decrease in virtual asset trading volume is the strong performance of the KOSPI index. Starting the year around 4,000 points, the KOSPI surged to nearly 9,000 points at one point, leading to a shift in investor interest and funds from virtual assets to the stock market.Additionally, the low attractiveness of the domestic market is exacerbating the outflow of investors. The South Korean market remains largely focused on individual spot trading, while the global market has seen increased accessibility for institutional investors through Bitcoin and Ethereum spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and a variety of derivative products, including perpetual futures and options.Uncertainties surrounding regulations related to virtual assets are also cited as a factor diminishing investment appeal. Each time the government announces regulatory policies, virtual asset prices and trading volumes fluctuate, making it difficult for investors to establish long-term investment plans. Consequently, many investors are seeking to trade products not available domestically on overseas exchanges.The prolonged reverse Kimchi premium, which indicates weakened domestic investment demand, is also noteworthy. From June 20 to July 24, Bitcoin was traded at lower prices in South Korea than overseas for 35 consecutive days, marking the longest such period since statistics began being recorded. The disappearance of the Kimchi premium, which previously indicated higher prices in South Korea, suggests a significant weakening of buying interest in the domestic market.According to related analyses, the volume of virtual assets moved from domestic exchanges to overseas exchanges is estimated to be around 700 trillion won from 2021 to 2026. This year, the outflow is projected to reach approximately 77 trillion won. However, this figure represents the total amount moved overseas, excluding any inflows back to South Korea.A financial sector official explained, "With minimal price differences between overseas and domestic exchanges, and the perception that investor sentiment remains strong in overseas markets, many investors are turning their attention to foreign exchanges."The decline in trading volume is hitting the performance of domestic exchanges hard. South Korean virtual asset exchanges rely heavily on trading fees for revenue, so a decrease in trading volume directly impacts their profits.Dunamu, the operator of Upbit, reported an operating profit of 111.4 billion won in the first half of the year, a 79.7% drop from the same period last year. Bithumb's operating profit fell 83.4% to 14.9 billion won during the same timeframe. Coinone and Korbit are also estimated to have incurred losses ranging from 10 billion to 20 billion won.The challenge lies in the potential difficulty of recovering performance in the second half of the year. With virtual asset taxation set to take effect in January, concerns are growing that investor sentiment may further weaken.A financial sector official stated, "The lack of diverse investment products compared to overseas markets, along with delays in the regulation of stablecoins, is diminishing the investment appeal of the domestic market." 2026-09-07 15:44:10
  • KOSPI Nears 7000 Mark, Soars 4.61% on Semiconductor Surge
    KOSPI Nears 7000 Mark, Soars 4.61% on Semiconductor Surge The KOSPI index surged to just below the 7000 mark, driven by significant gains in major semiconductor stocks like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Foreign and institutional investors each made net purchases exceeding 2.5 trillion won, propelling the index higher.On September 7, the KOSPI closed at 6995.39, up 308.18 points (4.61%) from the previous trading day, leaving it just 4.61 points shy of the 7000 mark. During the session, the index reached as high as 6995.40, coming close to the milestone.In the main stock market, foreign and institutional investors bought a net 2.55 trillion won and 2.63 trillion won worth of shares, respectively, boosting the index. In contrast, individual investors sold a net 6.82 trillion won. Program trading showed a net buying advantage of 1.86 trillion won, with 228.6 billion won in arbitrage trading and 1.63 trillion won in non-arbitrage trading.Semiconductor stocks led the market rally. Following the recent unveiling of OpenAI's new artificial intelligence (AI) model, expectations grew for increased demand for AI computing and memory semiconductors, reviving investor sentiment. On September 4, major memory semiconductor stocks like Micron and SanDisk surged in the U.S. market, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rising by 3.38%.Samsung Electronics, the top company by market capitalization, closed at 270,000 won, up 5.68%. SK Hynix saw an 8.26% increase, finishing at 1,783,000 won. Other large-cap stocks also rose, including SK Square (8.07%), Samsung Electronics Preferred (4.18%), Samsung Life (4.87%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (3.78%), Hyundai Motor (2.48%), KB Financial (2.27%), Samsung Biologics (1.31%), and LG Energy Solution (1.12%).The KOSDAQ also closed higher, with the index rising 8.69 points (1.07%) to 822.19. It peaked at 828.85 during the session but gave back some gains in the afternoon.In the KOSDAQ market, individual investors made a net purchase of 186.9 billion won, while foreign and institutional investors sold a net 67.5 billion won and 131.2 billion won, respectively. Unlike the KOSPI, the selling pressure from foreign and institutional investors limited the index's gains.Among the top market-cap stocks, JUSUNG Engineering rose 4.99%, while IOTech (2.93%), Rino Technology (2.70%), Wonik IPS (2.44%), EcoPro BM (0.66%), and EcoPro (0.12%) also saw increases. Conversely, Rainbow Robotics (-2.40%), Roboteers (-0.99%), and Alteogen (-0.87%) experienced declines.The sharp rise in the KOSPI contrasts with the decline of all three major U.S. stock indices on September 4. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 0.51%, the S&P 500 dropped by 0.38%, and the Nasdaq Composite decreased by 0.29%. However, the strong performance of semiconductor stocks continued to provide a tailwind for the domestic market.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 15:44:00
  • Prosecutors seek 27-year prison term for octogenarian JMS cult leader
    Prosecutors seek 27-year prison term for octogenarian JMS cult leader SEOUL, September 7 (AJP) - Prosecutors on Monday sought a 27-year prison sentence for cult leader Jung Myung-seok on charges of raping and sexually assaulting female followers. During a final hearing at a court in Daejeon, prosecutors also requested that Jung Myung-seok, the 81-year-old founder of the Christian Gospel Mission, better known as JMS, be ordered to undergo rehabilitation for sexual offenses, be barred from working with children, teenagers or people with disabilities for 10 years, wear an electronic monitoring device for 20 years, and be placed on probation for five years. Prosecutors said consistent accounts from the victims, testimony from other witnesses and other evidence were sufficient to support the charges, arguing that Jung used his strong power as the quasi-religious sect's leader to manipulate young female followers, some of whom were financially vulnerable, and sexually abuse them repeatedly. They also accused him of further hurting the victims by claiming that their testimonies were fabricated or motivated by money, pressuring them to remain silent and showing no remorse. The repeat offender is accused of psychologically manipulating some 16 female followers by presenting himself as a "messiah," putting them into a state where they could not resist, then sexually assaulting or molesting them more than 80 times between 2018 and 2022 at a training facility and other sites in South Chungcheong Province. He is also accused of coercing a victim into signing a statement pledging not to speak out about the assault. Jung has denied all charges, telling the court that he never had physical contact with the women and that they were not incapacitated. The octogenarian is currently serving a 17-year prison sentence in Daejeon in a separate case involving similar offenses against a Hong Kong follower and others from Australia and South Korea. He previously served a 10-year prison sentence from 2008 to 2018 for sexually assaulting four female followers in their 20s in China, Hong Kong and Malaysia between 2001 and 2006, only to face additional similar charges shortly after his release. His verdict is scheduled to be delivered on Oct. 1. AJP Takeaways - Prosecutors sought a 27-year prison sentence for Christian Gospel Mission (JMS) founder Jung Myung-seok on Sept. 7, 2026, over charges of raping and sexually assaulting female followers. - Jung Myung-seok is accused of sexually assaulting or molesting about 16 female followers more than 80 times between 2018 and 2022 in South Chungcheong Province. He denies all charges. - Jung Myung-seok is currently serving a 17-year prison sentence for similar offenses against followers from Hong Kong, Australia and South Korea, with a verdict in the latest case scheduled for Oct. 1, 2026. 2026-09-07 15:42:21
  • Regional Construction Firms Struggle Amid Unsold Homes and Rising Oil Prices
    Regional Construction Firms Struggle Amid Unsold Homes and Rising Oil Prices The prolonged downturn in the construction market is deepening the woes of regional construction firms. While demand and investment are concentrated in key areas like Seoul, regions are struggling to clear their unsold inventory. The ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran has caused international oil prices to fluctuate again, raising concerns about increased construction costs.According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Construction Industry Knowledge Information System (KISCON), there were 565 reported closures of construction businesses from January to August this year, a 29.3% increase from 437 during the same period last year. Of the 88 closures reported in August, 78 were from construction firms outside of Seoul, including Gyeonggi and Incheon.The unsold inventory issue is a significant factor exacerbating the difficulties faced by regional construction companies. The Ministry reported that as of July, there were 48,758 unsold homes in the regions, a slight decrease of 0.4% from 49,961 homes during the same period last year.In some areas, however, the number of unsold homes has surged. In South Chungcheong Province, unsold homes jumped from 4,289 to 9,982, a staggering increase of 132.7%. Other regions with notable increases include Busan (50.3%), Jeju (32.9%), and Daejeon (23.2%).Most of the so-called 'chronic unsold homes' are concentrated in the regions. In July, out of a total of 29,152 unsold homes nationwide, 84.8% (24,708 homes) were located in the regions. If homes remain unsold after construction, the delay in recovering project costs can lead to increased financial burdens.The financial struggles of these firms are evident in their performance metrics. Lee Ji-hye, a researcher at the Korea Construction Industry Institute, noted, "An analysis of the management performance of construction firms subject to external audits last year revealed that the operating profit margin for non-capital area construction firms was 2.7%, lower than the 3.9% for capital area firms. The proportion of firms unable to cover interest with operating profits was also higher in non-capital areas at 12.9%, compared to 9.8% in capital areas."Even the metropolitan areas outside of Seoul are not immune to the unsold home issue. In Incheon, unsold homes rose to 4,071, a 134.4% increase from the same month last year, while Gyeonggi Province saw a 36.9% increase to 14,394 homes.Amid a sluggish sales market, international oil prices are once again in flux. Rising oil prices can increase the costs of materials and transportation, further burdening construction firms. Past analyses by the Korea Construction Industry Institute estimate that a 10% increase in oil prices could lead to a 0.15% rise in domestic construction costs, although the actual impact may vary based on the duration of the price increase and how material costs are adjusted.According to the Korea National Oil Corporation's Opinet, the price of Brent crude futures rose approximately 34% from $71.99 per barrel on July 6 to $96.28 on September 4. During the same period, Dubai crude increased from $64.1 to $101.91, a rise of about 59%.Experts express concern that regional firms, which often lack capital and have a high dependence on local projects, are more vulnerable to external shocks compared to larger construction companies that have more financial flexibility and can diversify their operations. Kim In-man, head of the Kim In-man Real Estate Economic Research Institute, stated, "Unlike large construction firms that focus on key areas like Seoul, regional construction companies are unable to resolve their unsold inventory issues and are directly affected by external shocks such as loan regulations and rising oil prices."Kim added, "Policies focused on key areas like Seoul could inadvertently exacerbate the difficulties faced by regions. Instead of applying the same standards, there should be a 'two-track strategy' that offers tax benefits for those purchasing or long-term leasing unsold homes in regions, as well as adjustments to zoning regulations for local redevelopment and reconstruction projects." 2026-09-07 15:32:20
  • Koreas Gadeokdo New Airport Project Moves Forward with Basic Design Approval
    Korea's Gadeokdo New Airport Project Moves Forward with Basic Design Approval The Gadeokdo New Airport site development project has completed the basic design phase and is moving forward with detailed design and construction plans for priority sections to begin this year. On September 7, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Gadeokdo New Airport Construction Authority announced that they received the basic design documents from the Daewoo Engineering & Construction consortium, which is a preliminary candidate for the project. The basic design process began on March 9 during a site briefing held by the authority and was completed after a six-month (180-day) period. The submitted basic design documents will undergo review by the Central Construction Technology Review Committee to verify compliance with relevant regulations, as well as the appropriateness of construction methods, equipment, and process plans. A ministry official stated, “We will do our best to ensure that the airport opens in 2035 through thorough project management, including prompt initiation of detailed design and construction of priority sections within this year.” Meanwhile, the Gadeokdo New Airport project is a national initiative to construct an international airport in the Gadeokdo area of Gangseo-gu, Busan. The project covers a total area of 6,669,000 square meters, with a total budget of 15.9 trillion won (approximately 13.9 trillion won for the airport, 700 billion won for access roads, and 1.3 trillion won for access railways).* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 15:32:10
  • Prosecutors Seek 27-Year Sentence for JMS Leader Jung Myung-seok in Sexual Assault Case
    Prosecutors Seek 27-Year Sentence for JMS Leader Jung Myung-seok in Sexual Assault Case Prosecutors have requested a lengthy prison sentence for Jung Myung-seok, the leader of the Christian Gospel Mission (JMS), who is accused of sexually assaulting female followers after subjecting them to religious indoctrination.On September 7, during a sentencing hearing at the Daejeon District Court, the Daejeon District Prosecutor's Office asked the court to impose a 27-year prison term on Jung for charges including quasi-rape. They also sought a 10-year employment ban in institutions related to children, adolescents, and individuals with disabilities, a 20-year electronic monitoring order, and five years of probation.The prosecution criticized Jung, stating, "The defendant abused his position as the leader of a religious organization to indoctrinate young female followers through the church's human and material resources. He exploited the trust established with economically and psychologically vulnerable followers to commit ongoing and repeated offenses."They further explained their reasoning for the severe sentence, noting that Jung not only committed repeat offenses during the probation period for similar crimes but also denied all allegations and showed no remorse. They accused him of intimidating and coercing victims to prevent them from reporting the crimes.Jung is alleged to have sexually assaulted 16 female followers between 2018 and 2022 at various locations, including a training center in Wollyeong-dong, Geumsan County, by indoctrinating them to believe he was the Messiah, rendering them incapable of resisting. He is also accused of coercing victims into signing statements promising not to file complaints against him.However, Jung's defense team has denied all charges, claiming there was no physical contact with the female followers and that they were not incapacitated. Since his initial indictment in May 2024, additional victims have come forward, leading to an extended trial that has lasted over two years.According to the prosecution, this is not Jung's first offense. He served a 10-year prison sentence from 2001 to 2006 for sexually assaulting and molesting four female followers in their twenties at overseas training centers. He was released in February 2018.Immediately after his release, he allegedly committed further sexual offenses, including assaults on female followers from Hong Kong and Australia, resulting in a 17-year prison sentence confirmed by the Supreme Court last January. He is currently serving his sentence at Daejeon Correctional Facility.Additionally, prosecutors have sought a seven-year sentence for Kim Ji-sun, the second-in-command of JMS, who is also charged with aiding Jung. Four other officials accused of either facilitating the crimes or intimidating victims face sentences ranging from one to three and a half years.The first-instance verdict for Jung and the related officials is scheduled for next month.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 15:32:10
  • Koreas An Se-young Leads Badminton Team Aiming for Best Asian Games Finish in 24 Years
    Korea's An Se-young Leads Badminton Team Aiming for Best Asian Games Finish in 24 Years Korea's badminton team, led by the reigning "Queen of Shuttlecock" An Se-young, is set to pursue its best performance at the Asian Games in 24 years.Under the guidance of coach Park Joo-bong, the Korean badminton team will compete in seven events, including men's and women's team competitions and five individual events, at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games starting on September 19.Overcoming a Medal Drought to Return to GloryThe Asian Games have been a stage of ups and downs for Korean badminton. Winning a gold medal in badminton at the Asian Games is considered as challenging as at the Olympics, given the strong competition from countries like China, Japan, and Indonesia.Since the mid-1980s, Korea has begun to break through the formidable wall of China, which was the top Asian team at the time. The country enjoyed a golden era until the early 2000s, sweeping four gold medals at both the 1994 Hiroshima Games and the 2002 Busan Games. The Busan Games marked Korea's best-ever performance, with four golds, two silvers, and three bronzes.However, the following years saw a decline. Korea missed out on gold at the 2006 Doha Games and managed only one gold at both the 2010 Guangzhou and 2014 Incheon Games. The 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games were particularly disappointing, as Korea left without any medals, marking the first time since the 1978 Bangkok Games that the country finished without a medal.The tide turned at the 2022 Hangzhou Games held in 2023, where Korea secured medals in all seven events, winning two golds, two silvers, and three bronzes, marking the best performance since the 2002 Busan Games. This momentum continued into the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Korea won one gold and one silver, achieving its best results since the 2008 Beijing Olympics.At the 2026 BWF World Championships held last month in New Delhi, Korea reached the podium in three of the five individual events. An Se-young claimed the women's singles title, and the women's doubles team surprised everyone with a gold medal. The men's doubles team, a strong contender for gold, secured a bronze medal.With this positive trend in international competitions, Korea aims to surpass its performance at the Hangzhou Games in the upcoming Asian Games. Given their strong lineup, there are expectations that they could match or exceed their record of four gold medals.An Se-young, World No. 1, Aims for Historic Back-to-Back TitlesLeading the charge for gold is An Se-young. The world No. 1 in women's singles has achieved a Grand Slam, winning the Hangzhou Asian Games, the 2023 World Championships, the 2024 Paris Olympics, and the Asian Championships in April, making her the first Korean female player to do so.This season, An's performance has been exceptional. Since her loss in the finals of the All England Open in March, she has gone on a 33-match winning streak, claiming victory in ten tournaments, including team events. Her record this season stands at 49 wins and one loss, maintaining a remarkable 98% win rate, surpassing her previous record of 94.8% (72 wins, 4 losses) set last year.Her victories have come across various prestigious tournaments, including the Malaysia Open, India Open, Asian Championships, Singapore Open, and Indonesia Open. After missing the Japan Open and China Open due to injury, she returned to the World Championships and claimed the title.On September 6, An achieved her third consecutive title at the 2026 BWF World Tour China Masters (Super 750) in women's singles, defeating Japan's world No. 9, Miyazaki Tomoka, 2-0 (21-17, 21-6) in the final. She has not dropped a single game in her last two tournaments.In both the semifinals and finals, An faced Japanese opponents. She defeated world No. 3 Yamaguchi Akane in the semifinals to reach the final. With the Asian Games being held in Japan, both players are seen as key competitors. An's head-to-head record against Yamaguchi now stands at 21 wins and 15 losses, with An winning the last seven encounters. She remains undefeated against Miyazaki in eight matches.After winning the women's team gold medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, An also claimed the women's singles title by defeating China's Chen Yufei, becoming a double champion. This marked the first women's singles gold medal for Korea in 29 years since Bang Soo-hyun won in 1994.If she wins again at this tournament, An will make history by becoming the first Korean woman to win back-to-back titles in women's singles at the Asian Games. The last consecutive wins in the same event at the Asian Games were achieved by the mixed doubles pair Kim Dong-moon and Ra Kyung-min in 1998 and 2002. If the women's team also wins, it would mark two consecutive double championships.The women's team, led by An, is also in high spirits. Earlier this year, they won their first-ever title at the Asian Team Championships and claimed the Uber Cup, the women's team equivalent of the World Championships, in May. An recorded an impressive 8-0 win-loss record in both tournaments.Women's Doubles Team Eyes Gold After World Championship VictoryIn women's doubles, the duo of Lee So-hee and Baek Ha-na, ranked No. 2 in the world, are strong contenders for gold. They broke a five-match losing streak by defeating the world No. 1 pair Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning from China in the finals of the World Championships last month. This marked the first time in 31 years that a Korean women's doubles team has won the World Championships since Gil Young-a and Jang Hye-ok in 1995.The Liu and Tan pair had previously defeated Korean teams in all five encounters this year, making the victory in the World Championships final particularly significant.Lee and Baek have shown strength on the big stage, winning back-to-back titles at the World Tour Finals last December and adding the World Championships trophy to their collection about eight months later. This season, they also earned silver medals at the Malaysia Open and All England Open, and a bronze at the India Open. At the Hangzhou Games, they reached the women's doubles final for the first time since the 2002 Busan Games, securing a silver medal.Upon returning to Incheon International Airport after the World Championships on August 25, Lee expressed to reporters, "We defeated an opponent we had never beaten this year in the World Championships final, which gives us hope for the upcoming Asian Games." Baek added, "Winning the gold medal made it feel like we were in a major tournament, and I believe we can compete with more confidence next time."The world No. 6 pair of Kim Hye-jeong and Gong Hee-yong also contributed by winning their first title of the season at the Japan Open. However, Gong's injury poses a challenge. The pair did not compete in the World Championships or the China Masters to focus on recovery and preparation for the Asian Games.Men's Doubles Team Faces Challenges Ahead of Asian GamesIn contrast, the men's doubles team faces challenges as they head into the Asian Games. The world No. 1 pair Seo Seung-jae and Kim Won-ho suffered a surprising defeat in the round of 32 at the China Masters on September 1, losing 0-2 (19-21, 19-21) to the world No. 58 pair Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Martin from Indonesia. This marked their first round of 32 exit since forming the pair in January last year, excluding withdrawals due to injury.The match was disappointing, as they led 19-16 in the first game but then made several errors, allowing their opponents to score five consecutive points. In the second game, they seemed to regain momentum with four consecutive points after trailing 11-12, but quickly lost five points in a row.This year has been markedly different from last year. Seo and Kim achieved a record 11 tournament victories last year, tying for the most wins in a single season alongside An Se-young. They started this year strong, winning the Malaysia Open, All England Open, and Asian Championships in succession.However, they have not added any trophies since then, only securing two silver medals and three bronze medals in recent tournaments. They finished as runners-up at the Japan Open and China Open, and at the World Championships, they were eliminated in the semifinals by the world No. 4 pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik from Malaysia, settling for a bronze medal.Despite the challenges, they have maintained their position as world No. 1, holding the top ranking for 59 consecutive weeks.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 15:32:00
  • Increase in Respiratory Illnesses Raises Concerns in Gwangju
    Increase in Respiratory Illnesses Raises Concerns in Gwangju Concerns are growing that a resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic may be underway as respiratory illness cases rise significantly in Gwangju.According to the Gwangju Health and Environment Research Institute, the detection rate of influenza virus increased for three consecutive weeks, rising from 5.7% during the week of August 9-15 to 12.8% the following week, and 13.2% the week after.All detected influenza viruses were of type A, with most identified as A(H1N1)pdm09.Similar trends are observed nationwide, with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reporting an increase in influenza-like illness (ILI) cases.Other respiratory viruses, including COVID-19 and parainfluenza, continue to be detected at significant levels.The Gwangju Health and Environment Research Institute is implementing a multi-faceted pathogen surveillance system to protect public health.Through whole-genome sequencing, the institute is monitoring for new viral strains and is also conducting wastewater surveillance to track asymptomatic infections in the community.Seo Jeong-mi, director of the Gwangju Health and Environment Research Institute, stated, “With the Chuseok holiday approaching, we expect increased population movement and gatherings. Given the recent rise in respiratory infection detection rates in the community, heightened caution is necessary. We urge everyone to practice cough etiquette, wash their hands regularly, and wear masks if they exhibit respiratory symptoms.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 15:16:00