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Government Establishes Unified Procedures for Aircraft Accident Victim Recovery The government will implement a unified response system for large-scale aircraft accidents, encompassing survivor rescue, victim recovery, identification, and family support. A scientific identification system, known as the 'Korean Disaster Victim Identification (K-DVI),' will also be introduced.On September 7, the government announced the establishment of a 'Manual for Aircraft Accident Victim Recovery,' developed by a joint task force comprising relevant ministries.This manual was created in response to the need for a systematic approach to recover victims' remains following the December 29 passenger aircraft disaster. In May, a joint task force was formed, led by the National Fire Agency and including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the National Police Agency, the National Forensic Service, and the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Committee.The manual outlines a nine-step process from the occurrence of an accident to the completion of victim recovery. The steps include: initial site control and fire suppression, victim rescue, site assessment and joint situation assessment meetings, setting search parameters and forming joint recovery teams, pre-recovery training and preparation, search and recovery operations, dismantling large debris and recovering remains, transporting to temporary storage, verifying passenger lists and identifying victims, and finally, handing over remains to families and declaring the end of recovery operations.In the early stages of an accident, the priority will be on rescuing survivors and minimizing casualties. Efforts will focus on site control, fire suppression, victim search and rescue, and emergency medical transport. However, remains, personal belongings, and aircraft debris will be preserved in their initial state to aid in future recovery and investigation efforts.Once rescue and emergency medical transport are completed, the process will transition to victim recovery following consultations among relevant agencies. A joint site assessment and situation assessment meeting will be held to determine the scale of the accident, debris distribution, and potential hazards, which will inform the search area and recovery methods.The accident site will be divided into grid sections, with joint search and recovery teams ensuring thorough coverage of each area. When remains are found, their location and condition will be documented, and a unique recovery number will be assigned. After disinfection, the remains will be transported to temporary storage, with all processes from discovery to transport, examination, and identification meticulously recorded.The identification process will utilize the K-DVI system, comparing post-mortem data such as fingerprints, DNA, and dental records with pre-mortem medical and dental records, as well as family genetic reference samples, to legally confirm identities.Efforts to communicate with and honor the families of victims will also be strengthened. From the start of the recovery process, families will be continuously informed about the progress of search and recovery operations and the identification process. Remains and identified personal belongings will be respectfully returned to families. Before declaring the end of the recovery process, families will be thoroughly briefed on the recovery process, results, and condition of the remains.The government plans to continuously assess the manual's effectiveness through joint training and drills involving relevant agencies, incorporating improvements identified during training and actual disaster response.A government official stated, “Rescuing even one more survivor is our top priority, and the recovery of remains must be conducted with dignity for the victims and respect for their families. This manual lays the groundwork for agencies to clearly understand their roles and respond as a unified team from the initial stages of an accident to the conclusion of recovery operations, and we will enhance on-site response capabilities through ongoing training and joint exercises.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 15:16:00 -
Mayor Lee Min-keun: City Administration Must Address Areas of Citizen Discomfort Lee Min-keun, the mayor of Ansan, emphasized on September 7 that "the areas where citizens feel discomfort are precisely where the administration should focus its attention."During a recent on-site visit as part of the initiative "2026 Citizens' Dreams Reflected in the Budget," Mayor Lee inspected local issues with residents in the Seonbu 1-dong and Baegun-dong neighborhoods.On this day, the mayor visited four locations in total.In Seonbu 1-dong, he examined the illegal overnight parking of large trucks in front of Gunja Jugong Complex 11 and 12, as well as areas prone to flooding near the Urban Square shopping complex. In Baegun-dong, he checked the school routes around Won-gok Elementary School and the construction site for the Gwan-san Gymnasium.At the Gunja Jugong site, residents raised concerns about the long-term parking of large trucks, stating, "Illegal parking obstructs drivers' visibility and poses a threat to pedestrian safety." They requested stricter enforcement and the expansion of no-parking signage.After assessing the situation, Mayor Lee reviewed the city's enforcement and guidance measures, calling for effective improvement plans. He announced plans to install additional no-parking signs by November and to continue monitoring illegal parking.At the Urban Square shopping area, he acknowledged residents' concerns about rainwater potentially flowing toward the shops during heavy downpours. Residents suggested adjusting the sidewalk height and slope to direct rainwater toward the road.However, upon review, it was determined that changing the sidewalk height could increase the risk of rainwater entering the area due to differences in elevation with adjacent roads. Consequently, the mayor decided to continuously monitor the functionality of existing drainage systems and explore alternatives to reduce flooding risks.Moving to Baegun-dong, Mayor Lee also inspected the school routes around Won-gok Elementary School. Following the closure of the school's rear gate, concerns have arisen regarding the overlap of student commuting paths and vehicle traffic from the Baegun-dong Administrative Welfare Center parking lot.In response, the mayor plans to secure pedestrian access routes in the construction of the proposed Ansan Intercultural Sharing School and to establish a new crosswalk connecting Bripark and the Baegun-dong Administrative Welfare Center.At the Gwan-san Gymnasium construction site, he reviewed plans to normalize the project, which was originally scheduled for completion in October 2025 but was halted due to a bond seizure by the main contractor.After terminating the existing contract in May, the mayor is now proceeding with final settlements and the design of remaining construction work, aiming to resume construction in November and complete the project by March 2027.Regarding the community space requested by residents within the gymnasium, the mayor stated that options will be considered based on the conditions of sports promotion fund support and facility usage.After listening to residents' opinions on-site, Mayor Lee confirmed the administrative response direction for local issues. He stated, "We will find quick solutions on-site where possible, and for issues that are difficult to resolve immediately, we will provide thorough explanations and work together to find realistic alternatives." He added, "The on-site visit will not only listen to citizens' voices but will also serve as a link to actual change."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 15:12:00
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Police Seek Arrest Warrant for Independent Lawmaker Kim Byeong-gi Amid Misconduct Allegations Police have applied for an arrest warrant for independent lawmaker Kim Byeong-gi, who is facing 13 allegations of misconduct, including soliciting employment and college admissions for his son.The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit announced on September 7 that it has requested a pre-arrest warrant for Kim on charges of bribery and obstruction of duty under the Special Act on the Punishment of Specific Crimes.The police stated that they believe Kim's charges are substantiated by objective evidence and that there is a risk of evidence destruction, prompting them to seek his detention. This comes nearly a year after the investigation began in September of last year.Authorities have conducted searches at Kim's residence and his office in the National Assembly, and have summoned him for questioning seven times as a suspect between February and April.The allegations against Kim include improper involvement in his son's transfer to Soongsil University and his employment at the cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb. He is also accused of receiving money from two former council members ahead of the 2020 local elections, misusing his spouse's corporate credit card, and attempting to cover up related police investigations, as well as favoritism involving Korean Air and Boramae Hospital.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 15:12:00
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Labor Ministry Awards Employees for Wage Recovery and Safety Achievements 임금체불 청산부터 산업재해 예방, 인공지능(AI)을 활용한 수사·감독까지 노동 현장에서 성과를 낸 공무원과 부서가 특별성과 포상금을 받았다.고용노동부는 7일 서울지방고용노동청에서 노동·산업안전 분야 우수 공무원 24명과 우수 부서·팀 28곳을 대상으로 특별성과 포상금 수여식을 개최했다고 밝혔다. 지난 7월 고용 분야에 이어 노동권익 보호와 산업재해 예방 등에서 성과를 거둔 직원들을 포상하기 위한 자리다.임금체불 대응에서는 대규모 청산 사례가 눈에 띄었다. 서울남부지청 홈플러스 체불대응전담반은 전국 단위 체불신고 창구를 일원화해 임금과 상여금 등 체불액 1546억원 전액 청산을 지도했다.장기 미제사건 해결 성과도 있었다. 성남지청 노동기준조사1과 수석수사팀은 임금체불 후 10년간 해외로 도피한 피의자의 신병을 확보해 구속하고 체불임금 2억7000만원을 청산했다. 서울관악지청 박문혁 감독관 등은 디지털 포렌식을 활용해 출퇴근 시간 조작 자료를 확보하고 5억6000만원 규모의 초과근로수당 체불을 적발했다.산업안전 분야에서는 현장 중심의 예방 활동이 성과로 이어졌다. 노동부에 따르면 부산청 건설산재예방감독과 등은 소규모 건설현장 상시 순찰과 공공 발주처 합동점검을 실시해 관내 건설업 사망자를 전년 26명에서 7명으로 줄였다.산재 은폐와 중대 사고에 대한 수사 성과도 포상 대상에 포함됐다. 강원지청 고경은 감독관은 외국인 노동자 사망 현장을 압수수색해 불법 하도급과 증거 조작, 산재 은폐 시도를 적발했다. 광주청 조기훈 감독관은 대형 도서관 붕괴 사고 당시 초동 대응과 압수수색을 통해 도급구조를 규명하고 책임자를 구속했다.AI를 현장 업무에 접목하려는 시도도 이어졌다. 경기청 광역노동기준감독과는 '광역 AI 수사대'를 운영하고 자체 감독 체크리스트 앱을 개발했다. 대구청 김준연 감독관은 이중언어와 AI 실시간 상담 기능을 탑재한 모바일 안전점검 앱 '오늘의 안전'을 개발해 소규모 사업장에 보급했다.손필훈 노동부 기획조정실장은 "국민의 삶과 직결되는 현안 해결을 위해 노력해 준 직원 여러분의 노고에 감사드린다"며 "특별한 성과에는 그에 상응하는 특별한 보상이 주어진다는 원칙이 고용노동부 조직문화로 자리 잡을 수 있도록 지원할 것"이라고 밝혔다. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 15:04:00
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Taiwan's TSMC and 30 Companies Unite to Lead Silicon Photonics The world's largest foundry, TSMC, along with over 30 major Taiwanese companies, is working to establish a Silicon Photonics Industry Alliance. As the importance of silicon photonics grows with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), Taiwan aims to secure leadership in next-generation semiconductor technology.On September 6, Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs announced that TSMC, ASE, MediaTek, Foxconn, and other key Taiwanese firms are collaborating to form the 'Silicon Photonics Industry Alliance,' as reported by local media on September 7.The ministry explained that the alliance aims to jointly develop Co-Packaged Optics (CPO), a core technology of silicon photonics, to complete the domestic supply chain and secure the capability to produce related technologies in Taiwan.Silicon photonics is a technology that transmits data using light instead of electrical signals by implementing optical circuits on silicon substrates. CPO, in particular, integrates optical communication components with semiconductors into a single package, enhancing data transmission speed and energy efficiency. This technology is considered crucial for the commercialization of silicon photonics and is emerging as a key technology in the AI semiconductor industry. It was a major topic at the 'Semicon Taiwan 2026' event held in Taipei from September 2 to 4.TSMC is set to begin mass production of CPO by the end of this year, with companies like NVIDIA and Broadcom also entering the CPO product market. Other related firms, including UMC and GlobalWafers, are joining the competition to develop relevant technologies, intensifying the race for CPO commercialization.The Ministry of Economic Affairs emphasized that Taiwan possesses a complete semiconductor ecosystem, holding 90% of the global market for advanced processes below 7 nanometers and over 50% of the global semiconductor backend market, giving it a competitive edge in silicon photonics technology.Philippe Absil, vice president of the world's largest semiconductor research institute IMEC, stated at a forum in Taipei last month, "The pace of CPO adoption is faster than initially expected, and I believe this growth is being driven here in Taiwan." In fact, the Taiwanese government has included silicon photonics technology in its 'New 10 Major Construction' plan established last year, alongside high-performance computing, quantum technology, and smart robotics, accelerating the development of a silicon photonics ecosystem through collaboration among industry, academia, and research institutions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 15:00:10
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Kim Ok-bin Announces Pregnancy, Expecting First Child Actress Kim Ok-bin has shared the news of her pregnancy. On September 7, Kim announced on her social media that she is preparing to become a mother, stating, "I haven't shared much news for a long time. The truth is, I am getting ready to be a mom." She revealed that the baby’s nickname is "Ullu" and that the child is expected to be born in the Year of the Horse. She added, "It’s challenging, but I am happy and cherishing this precious time. Everything is new and exciting for me these days." Kim expressed her hopes for a healthy remaining pregnancy, saying, "I pray that I can spend the remaining time healthily with Ullu. I will share more news on the day we meet safely. I hope everyone is doing well and staying happy." Fans responded with messages of congratulations, saying, "Congratulations! I hope for a healthy delivery," and "It feels like just yesterday we heard about your marriage, and now there’s this wonderful news." Others expressed their amazement at Kim becoming a mother. Kim Ok-bin married a non-celebrity in November of last year. She made her acting debut in 2005 with the film "Voice" and gained recognition for her leading role in Park Chan-wook's 2009 film "Thirst." For her performance, she won the Best Actress award at the Sitges Film Festival, and "Thirst" competed at the Cannes Film Festival, winning the Jury Prize. Since then, Kim has appeared in numerous films, including "The Actresses," "The Front Line," "The Corpse Returns," "Minority Opinion," and "The Villainess."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 15:00:00
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Seoul station begins Chuseok holiday train ticket sales for all passengers A notice on ticket reservations for the Chuseok holiday is displayed at Seoul Station in Seoul on Sept. 7, 2026. Reservations for Chuseok holiday train tickets are available from Sept. 7 to 11 for all passengers, including senior citizens, people with disabilities and eligible national merit recipients, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. 2026-09-07 14:58:36 -
KTX and SRT Integration: Chuseok train tickets require membership conversion A notice on ticket reservations for the 2026 Chuseok holiday is displayed at Seoul Station in Seoul on Sept. 7, 2026. Following the integration of KTX and SRT services, Chuseok train tickets are available to integrated members, while existing SR members are required to convert their accounts to integrated membership to make reservations. 2026-09-07 14:56:14 -
Corruption Investigation Agency to Hire Three Investigators in Second Half of 2026 The Corruption Investigation Agency (Director Oh Dong-woon) is set to recruit three investigators in the second half of 2026 to fill vacancies and enhance its investigative capabilities. The hiring will include two level 6 positions and one level 7 position.According to the agency on September 7, the recruitment will be conducted through a public competitive process. Notably, this year marks the first introduction of 'group interviews' in the interview process, aimed at rigorously assessing practical investigative skills. The selected investigators will perform key duties as judicial police officers, including investigating crimes related to high-ranking public officials.Eligibility requirements include holding a lawyer's license, being a public servant with experience in investigative or research duties, or having practical experience in research work. For public servants, candidates for the level 6 position must have served at a level 6 (or equivalent) or higher, while those for the level 7 position must have served at a level 7 (or equivalent) or higher in investigative or research roles.General research work experience requires at least seven years for level 6 and five years for level 7. Individuals with a lawyer's license can apply for both levels. The term for investigators is six years, with the possibility of reappointment, and the mandatory retirement age is 60.The job announcement will be posted from September 7 to 18 on the agency's website, the government job portal, and the Korean Bar Association bulletin board. Applications will be accepted online from September 11 to 18 through the application site 'Uway Apply' (uwayapply.com), followed by document screening and interviews to select the final candidates.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 14:56:10
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TiumBio Shares Surge Over 8% Following US Patent Approval for Combination Therapy TiumBio is experiencing a surge of over 8% in its stock price following the announcement of a US patent registration for its immuno-oncology candidate, Tosefosertib (TU2218), in combination therapy.As of 2:48 PM on September 7, TiumBio's shares were trading at 4,730 won, up 360 won (8.24%) from the previous trading day, according to the Korea Exchange.The company confirmed that it has completed the US patent registration for the combination therapy involving Tosefosertib.This patent covers methods for preventing or treating tumors using Tosefosertib in combination with at least one of the major immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as anti-PD-1 antibodies, anti-PD-L1 antibodies, anti-CTLA-4 antibodies, or lenvatinib.Analysts view this as a significant step, as it secures exclusive rights for the development of combination therapies beyond just the ongoing clinical trials with pembrolizumab (Keytruda), encompassing a broad range of major immune checkpoint inhibitors.The patent applies to various cancer types, including melanoma, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, bile duct cancer, prostate cancer, kidney cancer, and head and neck cancer.Additionally, the administration methods include not only oral administration but also intravenous (IV), subcutaneous (SC), and intramuscular (IM) injections. The administration of combination drugs can be in single or separate formulations, as well as simultaneous, sequential, or individual dosing.TiumBio noted that the patent is valid until July 2042, with the potential for extension to July 2043 if the Patent Term Adjustment (PTA) system is applied.The company stated, "This US patent strengthens the intellectual property rights for the combination therapy of Tosefosertib and Keytruda, currently in Phase 2a clinical trials, while also expanding the scope of rights for combination therapies with various immune checkpoint inhibitors and cancer types."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 14:56:00