AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

&
""
Latest by
  • Iran Warns of Severe Retaliation Against U.S. Actions
    Iran Warns of Severe Retaliation Against U.S. Actions Iran has signaled a tough response amid ongoing military clashes with the United States.On September 6, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, stated, "The era of proportional responses is over," warning that any actions infringing on Iran's interests and security would be met with faster, heavier, and more painful retaliation.In his parliamentary address, Ghalibaf referred to recent military operations targeting U.S. bases. He asserted, "The recent strikes on the invaders' bases are just the beginning," and urged that if the U.S. has not yet understood this, it must realize before it is too late that the rules of the game have completely changed.Ghalibaf also criticized the U.S., claiming that American leaders are distorting the situation by creating fake images and videos using artificial intelligence after Iranian attacks on U.S. military bases. He emphasized that internal unity and military deterrence are Iran's key responses, stating, "The two important tools against the enemy are internal cohesion and external deterrence," and warned against depicting Iran as a weak nation, in line with the Supreme Leader's guidance.Concerns about the economic situation were also raised. Ghalibaf noted that citizens are facing economic hardships due to currency fluctuations and inflation, urging the need to strengthen domestic production in response to U.S. sanctions targeting supply chains and the energy sector.Earlier, U.S. Central Command reported that Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces fired ballistic missiles at two U.S. Navy ships patrolling the waters, prompting U.S. forces to strike three Iranian oil tankers. The U.S. stated that there were no damages to its naval vessels from the Iranian attack. 2026-09-06 19:36:00
  • Saewool Nuclear Reactor 3 Stops Again Two Days After Restart Due to Steam Leak
    Saewool Nuclear Reactor 3 Stops Again Two Days After Restart Due to Steam Leak 시운전 과정에서 자동 정지됐던 울산 울주군 새울원자력발전소 3호기가 재가동 이틀 만에 또 정지했다. 6일 연합뉴스에 따르면 한국수력원자력 새울원자력본부는 이날 오후 3시 1분께 새울 3호기 원자로를 수동으로 정지했다고 밝혔다. 터빈으로 공급되는 증기 응축수를 배수하는 배관에서 누설이 확인되면서 설비를 안정화하고 정비하기 위한 조치다. 새울원자력본부는 이번 정지로 인한 방사선 영향은 없으며 발전소도 안정적인 상태라고 설명했다. 현재 누설이 발생한 원인을 조사하고 있다. 새울 3호기는 앞서 지난달 11일 시운전 중 자동 정지한 바 있다. 원자력안전위원회 조사 결과 당시 원자로 출력 80% 상태에서 송전을 차단하는 시험을 마친 뒤 출력을 복구하는 과정에서 운전원이 터빈 제어밸브 위치 제한기의 설정값을 잘못 입력한 것이 원인으로 확인됐다. 원안위는 조사를 마친 뒤 지난 4일 새울 3호기의 시운전 재개를 승인했다. 하지만 재가동 이틀 만에 이번에는 설비 누설로 수동 정지됐다. 새울 3호기는 지난해 12월 원안위로부터 운영허가를 받은 뒤 상업운전에 앞서 단계적으로 출력을 높이는 시운전 시험을 진행하고 있다. 2026-09-06 19:12:00
  • Opposition Party Launches Offensive Against Kim Seung-won Amid Allegations
    Opposition Party Launches Offensive Against Kim Seung-won Amid Allegations The People Power Party intensified its offensive against Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice, on September 6, raising various allegations. In addition to existing claims regarding lobbying for new drug approvals, it was revealed that a welfare organization where Kim's spouse works has employed their two children, paying them millions in salaries.Joo Jin-woo, a member of the People Power Party, held a press conference at the National Assembly, stating, "Of the 880 million won in taxpayer money that should be fully allocated to support people with disabilities, 38% has gone to the salaries of Kim's family." He noted that the social cooperative led by Kim's spouse received 880 million won in government vouchers over four years, with 330 million won paid as salaries to Kim's spouse and their two children.Joo criticized, "If a family member of a lawmaker is involved, it would be expected that they would volunteer, yet nearly 40% of the budget has flowed to Kim's family. Who would find that acceptable?"The attacks regarding the new drug lobbying allegations continued. Choi Soo-jin, the party's chief spokesperson, commented that the approval for the clinical trial of the COVID-19 treatment by Genensel, which was communicated to Kim, was granted in just 33 days, significantly shorter than the average of 71 days for similar companies. She further criticized that despite 14 requests for additional information from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the approval was granted just two weeks after a phone call between Kim and the ministry head.Na Kyung-won also took to Facebook, stating, "KH Philux, which invested heavily in Genensel, is behind the company. The parent company, KH Group, consistently appears whenever investigating the illicit funds related to the Daejang-dong scandal." She asserted, "Ultimately, tracing the Genensel allegations leads directly to the massive black cartel associated with President Lee Jae-myung, involving illegal remittances to North Korea and the Daejang-dong scandal. This is why the Democratic Party is mobilizing its leadership to staunchly defend Kim Seung-won."In response, the Democratic Party urged for verification rather than a witch hunt. Jeon Eun-soo, a spokesperson, issued a written briefing regarding the allegations related to the social cooperative, stating, "Inflating suspicions simply because family members worked there is not verification but a typical 'say it or not' political attack. They should provide specific evidence of any wrongdoing or favoritism."Jeon also addressed the new drug lobbying allegations, asserting, "The facts stated in the prosecutor's non-indictment decision differ from the claims of the People Power Party. The prosecution found it difficult to conclude that the request for expedited approval of the clinical trial plan was an illegal solicitation, and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety confirmed that the review was conducted according to procedures." She called for an immediate halt to baseless smear campaigns and stigmatization of individuals, urging that if there are suspicions, they should be verified with facts and evidence during the confirmation hearing.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-06 19:04:00
  • Seongnam Mayor: Seongnam Water Light Garden Will Be a Unique Space of Music, Video, and Nature
    Seongnam Mayor: Seongnam Water Light Garden Will Be a Unique Space of Music, Video, and Nature Shin Sang-jin, the mayor of Seongnam, emphasized on September 5 that the Seongnam Water Light Garden will become a unique space where music, video, and nature harmonize.On that afternoon, Mayor Shin attended the opening ceremony of the 'Seongnam Water Light Garden Media Art' in front of the music hall, where he toured the newly created media facade and media tunnel.He expressed his intention to develop the Seongnam Water Light Garden into a new cultural landmark for the city, where citizens can enjoy a distinctive nighttime experience and culture in their daily lives.The newly unveiled media art includes a media facade on the exterior of the music hall and a media tunnel created inside the old sedimentation tank of a former sewage treatment plant.The media facade features otters, raccoons, and frogs that inhabit the Tancheon River, celebrating the garden's new beginning with a performance, while the four seasons of the Tancheon are depicted in video.The site, which had been abandoned for 28 years, is being transformed into a cultural and recreational space for citizens through urban regeneration efforts by the city of Seongnam.The 29,041-square-meter area opened a walking path in June of last year, and the music hall opened in September.With the establishment of this media art, the Seongnam Water Light Garden is expanding its role as a multi-cultural space where visitors can enjoy music, video, and nighttime scenery along with walking and relaxation.Citizens visiting the site expressed their excitement about the transformation of the former sewage treatment plant into a popular cultural space.One citizen remarked, 'This used to be a place we rarely visited, but now it seems like a great spot to walk and enjoy videos at night with family.'Another citizen noted, 'The representation of the animals and the four seasons of the Tancheon in video feels friendly and highlights Seongnam's unique characteristics. I hope there will be various seasonal content rather than just one-time events.'Mayor Shin Sang-jin emphasized, 'I hope the Seongnam Water Light Garden will be loved by citizens and become a representative cultural space for Seongnam.'Meanwhile, Mayor Shin stated that the opening of this media art marks a commitment to return abandoned urban spaces to the public and expand accessible cultural and leisure spaces for everyday enjoyment.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-06 18:44:00
  • Political Tensions Rise Over Yoon Hye-ins Nomination Amid Allegations of Personnel Interference
    Political Tensions Rise Over Yoon Hye-in's Nomination Amid Allegations of Personnel Interference Political tensions are escalating as allegations of personnel interference by Kim Hyun-ji, the head of the Presidential Office's first secretariat, emerge in connection with the nomination of Yoon Hye-in as Minister of Gender Equality and Family. The ruling People Power Party is intensifying its attacks, suggesting that the upcoming confirmation hearing for Yoon could broaden to include scrutiny of the Lee Jae-myung administration and the presidential personnel system. On September 6, the People Power Party continued its offensive against the allegations of Kim's involvement in personnel decisions. Jung Jeong-sik, the party's floor leader, stated on Facebook, "More important than the phrase 'the personnel line is Kim Hyun-ji' is the question, 'Is there a personnel line in the Blue House?'" He pointed to a malfunctioning personnel verification system as a reason for the government's personnel failures. He added, "It appears that the pre-verification system has collapsed, relying instead on the political judgments of a small number of close aides like Kim Hyun-ji," criticizing her as the key figure managing personnel in the Lee administration. This response follows comments made by Seo Yong-joo, head of the Mac Political and Social Research Institute, who stated on YouTube on September 4 that "the personnel line is Kim Hyun-ji." In response, Democratic Party spokesperson Lee Yong-woo dismissed the remarks as a "joking comment," but the People Power Party has ramped up its criticism. Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk also referred to Kim as the "unofficial power broker of the Blue House" on his Facebook page, asserting that she likely played a role in Yoon's nomination. This is not the first time Kim has faced allegations of personnel interference. In December of last year, a photo surfaced showing Kim Nam-guk, then the digital communication secretary, responding to a request for personnel recommendations from Democratic Party lawmaker Moon Jin-seok with, "I will recommend (Kang) Hoon-sik and (Kim) Hyun-ji." As the opposition raises various allegations against Yoon, the renewed controversy surrounding Kim's involvement is expected to intensify the opposition's attacks. The People Power Party is anticipated to expand the scope of the confirmation hearing beyond Yoon's qualifications and policies to include the overall personnel system of the Lee administration and the Blue House. Jung also criticized Yoon's alleged "under-organization" on Facebook, referring to a "Yoon Hye-in-Kim Gil-o-Kim Hyun-ji triangular mystery in personnel matters," warning that if this continues, the confirmation hearing for the Minister of Gender Equality and Family could turn into a hearing for "Kim Gil-o's under-organization" rather than for Yoon Hye-in herself. Meanwhile, as various allegations and criticisms against Yoon grow, some voices within the ruling party are calling for her to resign. In response, Yoon stated, "I will provide detailed explanations during the confirmation hearing."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-06 18:32:00
  • U.S. Tariff and Subsidy Pressure vs. Japans Generous Cash Support: The Future of K-Semiconductors
    U.S. Tariff and Subsidy Pressure vs. Japan's Generous Cash Support: The Future of K-Semiconductors Interest is growing in the overseas expansion strategies of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix as major countries like the U.S. and Japan offer different incentives to attract global semiconductor companies. The focus is on the direction of K-semiconductor leaders' overseas production bases.According to reports on September 6, U.S. President Donald Trump has been consistently promising low tax rates and subsidies for companies that build factories in the U.S., which is accelerating Samsung's plans for its Taylor 2 plant in Texas.Samsung aims to break ground on the Taylor 2 plant by the end of the year, expanding its connections with major local tech clients like Nvidia and Tesla while seeking up to $4.75 billion in direct subsidies. With high tariff barriers becoming a reality, securing local production lines has emerged as a key strategy for trade compliance.SK Hynix is also expanding its footprint in the U.S., recently starting construction on a next-generation high-bandwidth memory (HBM) packaging plant in Indiana with an investment of $3.87 billion. The U.S. government has pledged up to $458 million in direct subsidies and $500 million in loan support.SK Hynix is exploring Japan as a potential partner for investment, keeping options open. SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won recently remarked, "Any place with good power and water is favorable," indicating a focus on efficient infrastructure.The Japanese government is rapidly implementing substantial cash subsidies, covering up to 50% of the investment for local factories established by global semiconductor firms like TSMC and Micron. It quickly approved a total of 1.208 trillion yen (approximately $10.3 billion) in subsidies for TSMC's Kumamoto plants and is providing up to 500 billion yen (about $4.27 billion) for Micron's DRAM plant expansion in Hiroshima.Japan's advanced semiconductor ecosystem, including companies like Tokyo Electron, along with abundant industrial water and power networks, makes it an attractive location for HBM and next-generation semiconductor infrastructure.However, both Samsung and SK Hynix are carefully navigating their overseas production expansion strategies. The differing environments of high U.S. tariffs and Japan's strong cash support present challenges, making it crucial to balance domestic policy and significant investment risks.The South Korean government is actively promoting the establishment of large semiconductor clusters in areas like Yongin and the southwestern region, making it essential to find a balance in investment distribution between domestic and international sites.An industry insider noted, "Expanding overseas fabs is a complex decision that involves not just the scale of subsidy support but also trade risks and the costs of operational infrastructure like industrial water and power. Samsung and SK Hynix are likely to pursue a 'two-track strategy,' focusing core advanced process production capabilities in domestic clusters while differentiating overseas bases in the U.S. and Japan for trade compliance and local customer needs."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-06 18:04:10
  • Kumho Petrochemical Accelerates R&D to Overcome Economic Downturn
    Kumho Petrochemical Accelerates R&D to Overcome Economic Downturn As the global petrochemical industry faces a dual challenge of declining demand and oversupply, Kumho Petrochemical Group is accelerating its restructuring efforts centered on research and development (R&D). The company aims to secure both profitability and growth through the expansion of high-value specialty products, the development of eco-friendly and sustainable materials, and process innovations.According to industry sources, Kumho Petrochemical is positioning itself to lead the high-value synthetic rubber market, focusing on Solution Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SSBR), a key material for electric vehicles. SSBR is a high-performance synthetic rubber that enhances tire durability, fuel efficiency, and wear performance, making it essential for the unique weight and frequent acceleration and deceleration conditions of electric vehicles. Last year, Kumho Petrochemical completed a 35,000-ton expansion and began full commercial operations, significantly enhancing its market responsiveness.Kumho P&B Chemical is concentrating on expanding its product portfolio centered around epoxy resins. The company is particularly focused on developing and commercializing water-based eco-friendly epoxy products to reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, respond to changing global regulations, and improve workplace safety.Kumho Mitsui Chemicals is channeling its R&D capabilities to strengthen its competitiveness in future eco-friendly and high-performance product sectors. The company, which produces MDI (Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate), a key raw material for polyurethane, is investing in additional debottlenecking to increase its production capacity to 710,000 tons by the end of this year, following a 100,000-ton expansion that began in December.Kumho Polychem continues to enhance its technology-driven competitiveness in the special synthetic rubber EPDM sector. Recently, the company established a production system capable of 310,000 tons annually through a 70,000-ton expansion of its fifth line. This expansion also utilizes ultra-low temperature polymerization technology, which allows for precise control of reaction conditions to improve productivity while stabilizing product quality.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-06 18:04:00
  • Hyundai Motor Group Establishes Steel Production in the U.S. to Cut Costs
    Hyundai Motor Group Establishes Steel Production in the U.S. to Cut Costs Hyundai Motor Group's establishment of a steel production line in the U.S. is directly linked to enhancing local supply chain competitiveness. This initiative will enable the company to procure materials for both automobile production and the mass manufacturing of the Atlas humanoid robot at lower costs.According to industry sources, the Hyundai Steel-Posco Louisiana Steel Mill (HPLS) in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, is set to achieve an annual production capacity of 2.7 million tons by 2029. This facility will primarily supply 1.8 million tons of automotive steel and 900,000 tons of general steel to Hyundai Motor Group, which has entered the U.S. market.The development of the Louisiana steel mill is crucial for Hyundai Motor Group's cost competitiveness in manufacturing. Previously, sourcing steel in the U.S. required importing from neighboring countries or purchasing from local suppliers, which significantly increased costs. According to the American Iron and Steel Institute, steel accounts for approximately 54% of a vehicle's weight, with an estimated 900 kilograms of steel used per vehicle.By sourcing steel locally through its affiliates, Hyundai Motor Group expects to reduce logistics and supply chain costs, thereby enhancing its mass production capabilities. The company is also considering increasing the annual production capacity of its Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Georgia from 500,000 to between 700,000 and 800,000 vehicles by 2028.There is also potential for utilizing locally produced steel in the manufacturing process of the Atlas robot by Boston Dynamics. On September 4, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Eui-sun expressed his intention to apply the steel produced at HPLS to the Atlas robot, stating, "I believe it should definitely be applied."The establishment of a local production system is driven by the goal of popularizing the Atlas robot and improving profitability. The group has begun expanding its robotics business with the opening of the U.S. Robot Metaplant Application Center (RMAC) and has confirmed the site for Boston Dynamics' robot production facility, aiming to start production in 2028 with a capacity of 30,000 units annually. Additionally, Hyundai Mobis plans to establish a system in the U.S. capable of producing 350,000 actuators, which account for about 60% of the material costs for the Atlas robot.If plans proceed as intended, Hyundai Motor Group will secure steel materials locally, with Hyundai Mobis supplying key components, and Boston Dynamics will establish a structure for mass production of the Atlas robot.The mass production system is expected to lead to cost reductions. Samsung Securities has analyzed that if the production volume of the Atlas robot expands to 30,000 units annually, the production cost per unit could drop from $130,000 to $35,000, which is comparable to the starting price of the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe SE, listed at $35,050.Hyundai Motor Group anticipates that the Louisiana steel mill will significantly enhance its production competitiveness in the U.S. A company representative stated, "Employment and parts supply will become smoother, and there will be cost-saving effects compared to sourcing from external suppliers."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-06 18:04:00
  • Korea Zinc Faces Shareholder Showdown Over Board Appointments
    Korea Zinc Faces Shareholder Showdown Over Board Appointments The management dispute between Korea Zinc and MBK Partners & Youngpoong is intensifying as both sides prepare for a shareholder meeting on September 9, where they will again face off over the election of four independent directors and one independent audit committee member.According to industry sources, Korea Zinc will hold the extraordinary general meeting at 10 a.m. at the Mondrian Hotel in Yongsan, Seoul.The agenda includes amendments to the articles of incorporation to expand the separate election of audit committee members, as well as the election of four independent directors under a cumulative voting system and one independent director based on the 3% voting rights limit for major shareholders.Currently, Korea Zinc's board consists of nine members aligned with Chairman Choi Yoon-bum and five from MBK and Youngpoong. Following a court decision in June that suspended the duties of independent directors, former outside directors Lee Sang-hoon, Lee Hyung-kyu, Kim Kyung-won, and Lee Jae-yong resigned, necessitating the election of new independent directors.There are four candidates for the independent director positions: Seo Eun-sook, a professor at Sangmyung University, and Lee Hyung-kyu, an emeritus professor at Hanyang University, are aligned with Chairman Choi, while Lee Jun-bong, a professor at Sungkyunkwan University, and attorney Shim Hye-seop are backed by MBK and Youngpoong. Given the similar voting power of both sides, it is expected that each will secure two allies on the board.The critical issue is the position of the audit committee member, which oversees the company's accounting and internal controls. Securing this position is as vital as obtaining the chairmanship in the context of the ongoing management dispute.The election of the audit committee member will be governed by the '3% rule,' which limits the voting rights of the largest shareholders and related parties to a maximum of 3%. This rule applies not only to MBK and Youngpoong but also to major shareholders of Korea Zinc, including Hanwha Group and LG Chem.Consequently, MBK and Youngpoong are demanding that the definition of related parties for Chairman Choi be expanded. For instance, they argue that P23 Partners, established by Meritz Financial Group to acquire a 2.01% stake in Korea Zinc held by Bain Capital, should be considered a related party of Chairman Choi and thus should not be allowed to exercise separate voting rights at the upcoming meeting.As a result, the votes of institutional investors, foreign shareholders, and minority shareholders are expected to play a significant role in determining the outcome of the independent audit committee member's election. The opinions of advisory firms will be crucial in influencing these decisions. If the candidate backed by Korea Zinc is elected, the board is likely to maintain a 12 to 7 advantage for Chairman Choi in the near term.Currently, Baek In-kyu, a partner at Deloitte Anjin, is competing against Park Yoo-kyung, former head of the emerging markets investment division at APG Asset Management, both of whom have been recommended by Korea Zinc and MBK & Youngpoong, respectively. Global advisory firms ISS and Glass Lewis have expressed support for Baek's candidacy.Additionally, five domestic and international advisory firms, including Egan-Jones Proxy Services, PIRC, Sustainalytics, ESG Research Institute, and Korea's Proxy Advisory, have also endorsed Baek, showing support for Chairman Choi and the Korea Zinc board's decisions.In contrast, the Korea ESG Standards Institute is the only firm to support Park's candidacy, siding with MBK and Youngpoong.Industry analysts interpret the advisory firms' decisions as a signal that supporting Chairman Choi is crucial for enhancing Korea Zinc's corporate value, particularly as the establishment of a smelter in the U.S. is expected to proceed smoothly.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-06 18:04:00
  • Monday Weather: Clear Skies Nationwide, Rain in Some Regions
    Monday Weather: Clear Skies Nationwide, Rain in Some Regions 월요일인 7일 전국이 대체로 맑겠으나 강원 동해안·산지와 경북 동해안·북동산지, 제주도에는 오전까지 비가 내리겠다.6일 연합뉴스에 따르면 예상 강수량은 강원 동해안·산지와 경북 동해안·북동산지 5~10㎜, 제주도 산지·중산간 10~40㎜, 제주도 해안 5~10㎜다.전국 대부분 지역에서는 순간풍속이 시속 55㎞를 넘는 강한 바람이 불겠다. 산지는 순간풍속이 시속 70㎞ 이상으로 예상돼 시설물 관리와 안전사고에 유의해야 한다.아침 최저기온은 16~23도, 낮 최고기온은 24~31도로 예보됐다.바다의 물결은 동해 앞바다 1.0~4.0ｍ, 서해 앞바다 0.5~1.0ｍ, 남해 앞바다 0.5~4.0ｍ로 일겠다. 먼바다에서는 동해 1.5~4.0ｍ, 서해 0.5~2.0ｍ, 남해 1.5~5.0ｍ의 높은 파도가 예상된다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-06 17:56:00