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  • Korean Arts Council and Uzbekistan Strengthen Cultural Exchange
    Korean Arts Council and Uzbekistan Strengthen Cultural Exchange The Korean Arts Council (ARKO) and the Uzbekistan Arts Development Foundation (ACDF) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on September 5 at the CCA Tashkent in Uzbekistan to enhance cultural and artistic cooperation between the two countries.The two organizations will collaborate over the next three years to promote exchanges among artists, art professionals, and institutions, enhance mutual understanding, develop professional skills, share cultural policies and best practices, and implement joint projects involving key art institutions, including the CCA Tashkent.Established in 2017, ACDF is an agency under the Presidential Administration responsible for planning Uzbekistan's cultural policies and international cultural exchanges. It hosted the first international biennale in Central Asia, the Bukhara Biennale, in 2025, attracting over 1.8 million visitors, and has collaborated with more than 40 international cultural institutions, including the Louvre and the British Museum.ARKO Chairman Lee Beom-hun stated, “This agreement is a significant milestone in our 'Global South Initiative' and an opportunity to expand cultural exchanges focused on Asia. We aim to build a deep network among artists from both countries and establish a sustainable model for cultural exchange in the Asian region.”ACDF Chairwoman Gayane Umerova remarked, “Korea has a long-standing cultural connection with Uzbekistan. I hope this agreement serves as a practical avenue for artists and institutions from both countries to learn from each other.”Umerova officially invited Lee to the opening ceremony of the CCA Tashkent, and the two leaders visited the CCA Tashkent residency space and Samarkand, a historic center of the Silk Road, to explore potential collaboration sites for artists from both nations.This agreement was facilitated by ARKO's 'Asia to Asia' forum held in July, where representatives from four Asian countries, including ACDF, the Thailand Cultural Affairs Department, the Lahore Biennale Foundation in Pakistan, and the Serendipity Arts Foundation in India, gathered in Seoul to discuss expanding expert exchanges, residencies, and joint funding for creative projects.Uzbekistan is home to the largest population of ethnic Koreans in Central Asia, who have maintained their unique culture since being forcibly relocated from the Russian Far East in 1937. The historical intersection of these two cultures at the crossroads of the Silk Road underscores the importance of placing “mutual cultural understanding” at the forefront of this collaboration.Last year, Korean artists such as Jeong Kwan, Choi Yoon, and Daria Kim participated in the inaugural Bukhara Biennale, addressing the historical wounds and identity of the Korean diaspora with the theme of 'healing,' garnering attention from the global art community.Meanwhile, ARKO is actively supporting international exchanges for Korean artists, including the 'Global Connect' event held in Montreal, Canada, from August 23 to 30.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 09:44:00
  • Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix Rise on AI Semiconductor Demand Expectations
    Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix Rise on AI Semiconductor Demand Expectations Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are both experiencing strong gains in early trading, driven by expectations of increased demand for artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors.According to the Korea Exchange, as of 9:23 a.m., Samsung Electronics shares rose by 10,500 won (4.11%) to 266,000 won. SK Hynix shares increased by 9,500 won (5.77%) to 1,742,000 won.The rise in both stocks is attributed to a surge in major memory semiconductor stocks in the U.S. market.On September 4 (local time), the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index climbed by 3.38%. Key memory stocks, including SanDisk (up 11.90%), Seagate (up 6.34%), Micron (up 6.10%), and Western Digital (up 5.86%), all saw significant increases, while SK Hynix's American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) surged by 8.14%.The strong performance of AI-related stocks is linked to the release of OpenAI's next-generation model, 'GPT-6 Astra.' This model reportedly enhances AI agent capabilities by combining search and program utilization to autonomously perform complex tasks.As AI models become more advanced and their applications expand, there is growing anticipation that demand for memory semiconductors, including high-bandwidth memory (HBM), DRAM, and NAND, will increase alongside the rising computational and data processing needs.Particularly, with ongoing investments in AI data centers, the demand for high-capacity and high-performance memory is expected to rise, potentially leading to an increase in memory prices. This has resulted in a surge of buying interest in domestic memory semiconductor companies, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.Meanwhile, the market is looking forward to remarks from Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, at the Goldman Sachs Technology Conference scheduled for September 10 (local time), as well as Oracle's earnings report, which will be released after the market closes on the same day. These events are anticipated to confirm the ongoing trend of increased AI investment.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 09:44:00
  • Gwangju City Launches Free Insurance Program for Small Business Owners
    Gwangju City Launches Free Insurance Program for Small Business Owners Gwangju City will implement a 'Free Insurance Program for Small Business Owners' starting September 9 to support the stability of small businesses. This initiative is part of a project selected by the Financial Services Commission in February, which involves the former Gwangju City and Jeollanam-do. The program will operate with a total budget of 4 billion won over the next three years. It consists of three types of insurance: Recovery Loan Assurance Insurance, Young Small Business Owner Assurance Insurance, and Business Liability Insurance. Each insurance type is tailored to the characteristics of small businesses in the Gwangju and Jeollanam-do regions. The Recovery Loan Assurance Insurance targets small business owners aged 20 to 65 in Gwangju and Jeollanam-do who have loans exceeding 10 million won. If a small business owner passes away or is diagnosed with cancer, cerebral hemorrhage, acute myocardial infarction, or severe disability, the insurance company will directly repay up to 10 million won of the loan to the financial institution. Multiple compensations are possible regardless of other insurance coverage, and enrollment is free. Applications can be submitted individually starting September 9 through the Gwangju Economic Promotion Foundation and the Jeollanam-do Small Business Job Economic Promotion Agency's websites. Details on eligibility and application requirements can be found on the websites. A total of 10,000 participants will be recruited, with 5,000 from Gwangju and 5,000 from Jeollanam-do, on a first-come, first-served basis. The program may close early if the budget is exhausted. The Young Small Business Owner Assurance Insurance is aimed at young small business owners aged 15 to 49 operating in Jeollanam-do. In the event of death or severe disability, 3 million won will be provided, along with compensation of 200,000 to 400,000 won for work-related injuries, and a 100,000 won congratulatory payment for childbirth. The Business Liability Insurance is for small businesses in Gwangju with annual sales of less than 3 billion won. This insurance covers legal liability for damages to others resulting from accidental incidents at the business premises, with compensation of up to 20 million won per person and 30 million won per incident for personal injury, and up to 1.5 million won for property damage. Small businesses eligible for the Young Small Business Owner Assurance Insurance and Business Liability Insurance will be automatically enrolled without a separate application process. Claims can be made within three years from the date of the incident. 2026-09-07 09:44:00
  • Lee arrives in Nice ahead of summit with Macron in Paris
    Lee arrives in Nice ahead of summit with Macron in Paris SEOUL, September 7 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung arrived in Nice on Sunday as part of his four-day trip to France before traveling to Paris later this week for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron. Lee is set to begin his itinerary by attending the Lumiere Summit in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, an international gathering of film and audiovisual industry leaders, where he and Macron will co-chair discussions on the future of cinema and the global media landscape. The gathering is expected to bring together about 150 participants from the film, broadcasting and gaming industries, along with policymakers and other cultural figures from around 30 countries. According to Cheong Wa Dae, it will provide an opportunity to further promote Korean culture in European and global markets, leveraging South Korea's growing cultural influence." On Tuesday, Lee will travel to Paris for a summit with Macron, which is expected to cover key areas of cooperation between the two countries, followed by a state dinner at the Élysée Palace. Lee is also scheduled to meet Yaël Braun-Pivet, speaker of France's lower house of parliament, and Mathias Cormann, secretary-general of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the following day before returning to home. Lee's trip comes at Macron's invitation following his visit to Seoul in April. The reciprocal visits also coincide with the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, offering an opportunity to deepen ties with France not only as a major European country but also as an important partner in culture, technology, trade and international diplomacy. Ahead of his visit, Lee told French daily Le Monde that South Korea would seek to play a "pacemaker" role in helping resume dialogue between North Korea and the U.S., saying renewed talks could help halt Pyongyang's growing nuclear weapons development. While admitting that deep mistrust between the two Koreas cannot be overcome overnight, Lee said Seoul would continue working toward peaceful coexistence with North Korea. The interview also touched on Macron's call for greater cooperation among countries seeking to reduce their reliance on major powers such as the U.S. and China, in what has been described as a "coalition of independent nations." Lee responded that South Korea has been pursuing practical and open partnerships, while pursuing stronger cooperation with countries that "share common values such as democracy, human rights and the rule of law." More specifically, he added that South Korea has been working to strengthen its alliance with the U.S. by increasing defense spending and gradually expanding military capabilities. On relations with Japan, he said the two countries could make progress by focusing on shared interests while addressing historical issues and working toward a stable, forward-looking relationship. AJP Takeaways - President Lee Jae Myung arrived in Nice on September 6, 2026, beginning a four-day visit to France that will include the Lumiere Summit and a bilateral summit with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. - Lee and Emmanuel Macron will co-chair the Lumiere Summit in Saint-Paul-de-Vence on September 7, 2026, bringing together about 150 film, broadcasting, gaming and cultural figures from around 30 countries. The summit is expected to support the global expansion of Korean culture and content. - Lee is also using the France visit to outline South Korea's foreign-policy priorities, including helping restart U.S.-North Korea dialogue, strengthening the South Korea-U.S. alliance, improving ties with Japan and expanding cooperation with countries that share democratic values. 2026-09-07 09:41:53
  • Daesang Accelerates Payment of 40 Billion Won to Partners Ahead of Chuseok
    Daesang Accelerates Payment of 40 Billion Won to Partners Ahead of Chuseok Daesang has expedited the payment of 40 billion won to 243 small and medium-sized partner companies, completing the transactions a month ahead of schedule in anticipation of Chuseok. This measure aims to alleviate the financial burden on partners, who typically face increased costs for raw materials and labor during the holiday season.On September 7, Daesang announced that it had completed the early payment of 40 billion won to support the smooth financial operations of its partner companies and reduce their financial strain before the holiday. With the payments finalized approximately three weeks before Chuseok, partners can now manage their funds more comfortably.The early payment initiative includes a total of 243 small and medium-sized enterprises that do business with Daesang, with payments executed up to 30 days earlier than the original schedule.Im Jeong-bae, CEO of Daesang, stated, "We made the early payments to provide practical assistance to our partners in managing their finances for Chuseok. We will continue to engage in various cooperative activities based on our core value of 'respect' to grow together with our partners."Daesang is implementing a range of support programs for sustainable growth alongside its small and medium-sized partners. These include financial assistance, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) consulting, domestic and international market development, employee training, and welfare support. Additionally, Daesang holds the 'GWP AWARDS' annually to share achievements in cooperative growth and reward outstanding partners, further strengthening its partnerships.This year's Chuseok holiday will take place from September 24 to 27, lasting a total of four days.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 09:40:00
  • President Lees Approval Rating Falls to 37.4%, Lowest Since Taking Office
    President Lee's Approval Rating Falls to 37.4%, Lowest Since Taking Office President Lee Jae-myung's approval rating has dropped for eight consecutive weeks, reaching its lowest point since he took office, according to a poll released on September 7. The survey conducted by Realmeter, commissioned by Energy Economy News, from August 31 to September 4, found that President Lee's positive approval rating fell by 1.5 percentage points from the previous week to 37.4%. Negative evaluations increased by 0.8 percentage points to 59.5%. The gap between positive and negative evaluations stands at 22.1 percentage points, outside the margin of error. Those who responded with 'don't know' accounted for 3.1%. Daily approval ratings declined from 38.2% on August 28 to 36.4% on September 1 and 36.3% on September 2. Although there was a slight rebound to 37.1% on September 3 and 37.2% on September 4, it did not reverse the overall downward trend. Regionally, approval ratings in Seoul dropped by 6.0 percentage points compared to the previous week. In Daegu and North Gyeongsang, it fell by 2.9 percentage points, in Incheon and Gyeonggi by 2.3 percentage points, and in Busan, Ulsan, and South Gyeongsang by 1.2 percentage points. Conversely, Daejeon, Sejong, and Chungcheong saw an increase of 5.6 percentage points. By age group, approval ratings fell by 4.9 percentage points among those in their 30s and 60s. The 40s saw a decrease of 2.1 percentage points, while those aged 70 and above dropped by 1.3 percentage points. However, approval ratings among those in their 50s increased by 3.1 percentage points. In terms of ideological orientation, the approval rating among moderates fell by 5.5 percentage points to 35.9%. Among progressives, it rose by 4.0 percentage points to 57.3%, while conservatives saw a 1.7 percentage point increase to 19.2%. Realmeter attributed the decline in approval ratings to controversies surrounding alleged favoritism and the withdrawal of ministerial candidates, as well as the government's reversal on real estate tax reform, which has eroded public trust in its personnel and policies. In a separate survey conducted from September 3 to 4 among 1,001 eligible voters aged 18 and older, the Democratic Party recorded a support rate of 41.8%, while the People Power Party stood at 37.6%. The Democratic Party's support fell by 1.3 percentage points, and the People Power Party's by 0.1 percentage points compared to the previous week. The gap between the two parties' support rates is 4.2 percentage points, remaining within the margin of error for three consecutive weeks. The Justice Innovation Party was at 4.5%, the Reform Party at 2.3%, and the Progressive Party at 1.3%. Other parties accounted for 2.1%, while 10.5% of respondents were undecided. Both surveys were conducted using a wireless automated response method. The margin of error for the presidential approval rating survey is ±2.0 percentage points at a 95% confidence level, with a response rate of 4.2%. The margin of error for the party support survey is ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level, with a response rate of 3.8%. More details can be found on the website of the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 09:36:00
  • Daishin Securities Maintains Target Price for SK Telecom Amid Growth from AIDC Expansion
    Daishin Securities Maintains Target Price for SK Telecom Amid Growth from AIDC Expansion Daishin Securities announced on September 7 that it is maintaining its target price of 110,000 won for SK Telecom, citing the recognition of the corporate value of its subsidiary SK Horizon and the growth stemming from the expansion of its artificial intelligence data centers (AIDC). The firm also reiterated its 'buy' recommendation.Kim Hee-jae, a researcher at Daishin Securities, stated, "SK Telecom's subsidiary Horizon operates a total of 318 MW, including the 100 MW AIDC in Ulsan and the 75 MW AIDC in Guro." He added that SK Telecom's other subsidiary, Hyper, is set to gradually open 5 GW starting in 2029 and a cumulative 15 GW from 2035, including the second phase of the Ulsan AIDC.He further noted, "SK Horizon operates data centers and submarine cable businesses, and its overall corporate value is estimated at around 5 trillion won, which reflects a high valuation."Additionally, he mentioned that SK Horizon plans to issue new shares worth 1.2 trillion won to global investment firms KKR and IMM Investment, projecting that SK Telecom will hold a 51% stake, KKR 29%, and IMM 20% after the issuance.The outlook for SK Telecom's other subsidiary, SK Hyper, is also positive. Kim explained, "Considering the land and power facilities for the 2 GW AIDC project, as well as customer acquisition and business model presentation, SK Hyper's equity value could be recognized at a higher level."He added, "While SK Telecom's AIDC business strategy seeks low risk, there remains potential for additional investment in SK Hyper. The effective stake in SK Hyper could exceed 10% by 2030-2031 when AIDC revenues begin to materialize."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 09:32:10
  • LG Uplus Enhances Membership Benefits Ahead of Chuseok to Ease Shopping Burden
    LG Uplus Enhances Membership Benefits Ahead of Chuseok to Ease Shopping Burden LG Uplus is expanding its shopping, outing, and dining benefits in anticipation of Chuseok. The company will also host an invitation event for long-term customers.On September 7, LG Uplus announced that it has enhanced its U+ membership offerings for the Chuseok holiday, focusing on benefits that cater to high customer demand during the festive period, including shopping, outings, and family dining.In particular, the company has prepared shopping benefits ahead of Chuseok. Key offers include: △ September 8: Kurly (coupons worth up to 27,000 won) △ September 15: Our Home Mall (discounts up to 20,000 won) △ September 16: Sajo Mall (discounts up to 15,000 won and a 100 won coupon for soy sauce for VVIP and long-term customers) △ September 16: Greeting (20,000 won discount) △ September 18: Ottogi Mall (15,000 won discount) △ September 24: Emart24 (discounts up to 3,000 won).The company has also prepared family outing benefits. These include: △ September 8: Aqua Planet (up to 35% off admission) △ September 10: Here You Go (up to 30,000 won off domestic and international accommodations) △ September 14: Lotte Rent-a-Car G car (60% off rental fees) △ September 18: CGV (free popcorn and drink set) △ September 18: Ocean World (up to 50% off at the water park).Food and beverage benefits for families have also been enhanced. Notable offers include: △ September 8: Pizza Hut (up to 55% off premium pizzas) △ September 8: Coupang Eats X No More Pizza (up to 8,000 won off) △ September 10: Baekmi-dang (up to 40% off yogurt ice cream) △ September 10: Mad for Garlic (up to 25,000 won off) △ September 14: Gong Cha (up to 50% off) △ September 15: Baekok Coffee (free Americano and popcorn) △ September 17: Twosome Place (free Americano with cake purchase) △ September 22: Baskin-Robbins (up to 9,000 won off for families).As autumn approaches, LG Uplus will also run a large-scale invitation program for long-term customers. On October 19, the company will invite 5,000 customers to Hwadam Forest in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province. Customers who are VVIP members and have used LG Uplus for over 10 years can apply for the 'Hwadam Forest Customer Invitation Event' through U+one until September 18. Winning customers will receive 1 to 4 admission tickets to Hwadam Forest.Jang Jun-young, head of LG Uplus's marketing group, stated, "To alleviate the shopping burden for customers ahead of Chuseok, we have strengthened food and daily life-related benefits and expanded cultural and dining benefits for families to enjoy during the holiday. We will continue to enhance benefits and experiences that customers can feel in their daily lives based on our Simply. U+ strategy."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 09:32:00
  • President Lee Calls for Constitutional Reform to Strengthen Accountability and Distribute Power
    President Lee Calls for Constitutional Reform to Strengthen Accountability and Distribute Power 이재명 대통령이 대통령의 책임을 강화하고 권력을 보다 균형 있게 배분하기 위해 개헌이 필요하다고 밝혔다. 계엄 선포에 대한 통제를 강화하고 5·18 민주화운동 정신을 헌법 전문에 반영하는 방안도 논의되고 있다고 강조했다. 이 대통령은 6일(현지시간) 공개된 프랑스 일간지 르몽드 서면 인터뷰에서 개헌 필요성에 대해 “대통령의 책임을 강화하고 권력을 보다 균형 있게 배분하기 위해 헌법 개정이 필요하다”고 밝혔다. 이 대통령은 전임 정부의 계엄 선포 시도로 촉발된 정치적 위기를 되짚으며 “계엄 선포를 보다 엄격하게 통제하고, 헌법 전문에 5·18 민주화운동의 정신을 담는 방안 등이 논의되고 있다”고 설명했다. 이어 “권력이 과도하게 집중되고 남용되는 것을 막기 위한 사법개혁이 필요하다”고 밝혔다. 군 개혁에 대해서도 “군이 헌정질서를 위협하지 않도록 하고, 현재와 미래의 전쟁 양상에 적극적으로 대비할 수 있도록 해야 한다”고 했다. 이 대통령은 개헌과 제도 개혁의 배경에 대해 “수많은 희생을 치러 쟁취한 민주주의가 다시는 훼손되지 않도록 하겠다”고 역설했다. 다만 개헌의 구체적인 시기나 권력구조 개편 방향까지는 제시하지 않았다. 이 대통령은 외교정책과 관련해 “민주주의, 인권, 법치 등 공동의 가치를 공유하는 국가들 간 긴밀한 협력이 중요하다”고 밝혔다. 이어 “특정 분야에서 행동할 수 있는 국가들과 실용적이고 개방적인 협력”을 통해 기존 국제질서를 보완·발전시키겠다고 했다. 북한 문제와 관련해서는 한반도의 평화적 공존을 “포용적 공존, 안정적 공존, 책임 있는 공존”의 세 원칙으로 제시했다. 북·미 대화와 교류 재개를 촉진하는 “페이스메이커” 역할을 하겠다는 입장도 전했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 09:32:00
  • Yoon Sang-hyun: Kim Seung-wons New Drug Solicitation Allegations Could Escalate
    Yoon Sang-hyun: Kim Seung-won's 'New Drug Solicitation' Allegations Could Escalate Yoon Sang-hyun, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, stated on September 7 that the allegations against Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice, regarding 'new drug solicitation' could escalate to a significant scandal. During an appearance on CBS Radio's 'Park Seong-tae's News Show,' Yoon responded to questions about the allegations against Kim, saying, "If we look at the facts, this could become a gate-level incident." Yoon explained that the allegations involve Kim soliciting favors from the CEO of Genensel and allegedly lobbying the head of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety through a broker named Yang. He noted that recordings revealed through lawmaker Han Dong-hoon suggest the actions appear to go beyond public interest. He questioned whether the lobbying was truly for public interest, stating, "Wasn't it lobbying for private gain?" He also pointed out that there were discussions about a 5 million won donation, indicating potential misconduct. Regarding the deployment to the Hormuz Strait, Yoon expressed support, stating, "It should be done," and criticized the delay, noting that President Trump had requested deployment back in March. He emphasized that non-combat support should have been sent in March or April, considering the overall national interest in the context of U.S.-South Korea and inter-Korean relations. Yoon acknowledged that overseas deployments require domestic legal procedures and parliamentary approval. He assessed that the National Assembly would likely support the deployment, similar to the situation in 2003 when former President Roh Moo-hyun sent troops to Iraq, and predicted that the People Power Party would be in favor. He also expressed a willingness to persuade opposing parties, such as the Justice Innovation Party and the Progressive Party, regarding the deployment.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-07 09:28:00