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College Application Period for 2027 Begins Monday; Key Details to Avoid Mistakes The application period for early admissions to four-year universities for the 2027 academic year begins next week. As each university has different application periods and deadlines, students should verify the admission guidelines for their chosen institutions this weekend.According to the Korea Council for University Education on September 4, the application period for early admissions to four-year universities is from September 7 to 11. Each university will accept applications for at least three days during this period. The first round of applications for two-year colleges will take place from September 7 to 30.The first thing to check is the number of applications allowed. For early admissions to general four-year universities, students can apply to a maximum of six different admissions types, not six universities.If permitted by the university, students can apply to multiple admissions types within the same institution. Each application counts toward the total limit. Applications to industrial universities and two-year colleges do not count toward the six-application limit.Students should also be cautious not to exceed the six-application limit. The basic guidelines for university admissions for the 2027 academic year stipulate that any applications exceeding this limit will be canceled.In the 2026 academic year, a total of 519,944 students submitted 2,548,838 applications, averaging 4.89 applications per student. Preventive measures were taken against 402 students who violated the six-application limit.It is essential to confirm the application deadlines for each university. While the overall application period is from September 7 to 11, not all universities will close applications on the same day. Students should check the specific schedules and deadlines on each university's admissions website.Students should also review the required documents for each admissions type. Depending on the university and admissions type, additional documents may be required, and the submission targets, methods, and deadlines can vary.Restrictions on applying after being accepted in early admissions are also important. Students who are accepted in early admissions, including those who are waitlisted, cannot apply for regular admissions or additional admissions, regardless of their registration status.The early admissions process for four-year universities for the 2027 academic year will take place from the day after the application period ends, from September 12 to December 17. Results will be announced by December 18.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-04 16:08:10 -
Election Law Provision Limiting Voting Rights for Convicts Found Unconstitutional 1-year prison sentences that restrict voting rights for convicts are unconstitutional, according to calls for a ruling from the Constitutional Court. The Public Interest and Human Rights Center of the Lawyers for a Democratic Society announced on September 4 that it filed a constitutional complaint on August 31 after two individuals, referred to as A and B, were deprived of their voting rights in the June 3 local elections.Article 18, Section 2 of the Election Law states that those who have been sentenced to a prison term of one year or more, whose sentence has not been completed or whose execution has not been suspended, are among those without voting rights.The center argued, "The purpose of the Election Law that restricts voting rights for convicts is fundamentally unjust. The principle of universal suffrage means that all citizens who reach a certain age should be granted voting rights without regard to social status, race, gender, religion, or education."It continued, "While the legislative intent behind restricting voting rights often cites crime prevention and fostering a sense of lawfulness, the argument that depriving individuals of their voting rights serves as a deterrent to crime lacks credibility. No one considers that the fear of imprisonment would prevent them from committing a crime, especially when they know their voting rights will be restricted during their sentence."The center emphasized that granting voting rights is essential for the reintegration of convicts into society, stating, "To help convicts reintegrate and maintain their identity as members of society, they should be granted the fundamental right to vote. Criminal responsibility and exercising citizenship are entirely different issues, and limiting the voting rights of citizens who bear criminal responsibility violates the constitution."It also criticized the uniform restriction of voting rights based solely on a prison sentence of one year or more, arguing that this violates the constitutional principle of minimal infringement.The center pointed out that even for individuals convicted of the same crime, the specifics of their sentences can vary based on the nature of the crime, prior convictions, and the judge's discretion. Yet, the Election Law treats all individuals sentenced to one year or more uniformly, depriving them of their voting rights without considering the nature of their offenses.The center concluded that the National Assembly's choice of a one-year prison term as the threshold for voting rights deprivation lacks rational justification and is based on an irrational bias that some convicts' voting rights should be restricted, reflecting a purely legislative convenience.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-04 16:08:00
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Korea Exchange Establishes Guidelines for Aftermarket Trading Suspension The Korea Exchange is enhancing investor protection measures to minimize disclosure gaps ahead of the opening of its aftermarket on the 14th.According to the Korea Exchange's legal portal on the 4th, the exchange announced a revision to the implementation rules for disclosure regulations in the securities and KOSDAQ markets the previous day. This is to address trading suspension matters after the disclosure operating hours (7:30 AM to 6:00 PM) in preparation for the aftermarket.The revision allows for the suspension of trading in stocks if significant information related to those stocks becomes known through media reports after the disclosure operating hours.Specifically, the reasons for suspension include: ▲ occurrence of bankruptcy ▲ failure to meet audit opinions ▲ embezzlement or breach of trust by executives ▲ referral or indictment by investigative agencies for violations of accounting standards ▲ dismissal of applications for rehabilitation procedures. If such facts are confirmed through rumors or reports, market actions can be taken.Currently, in regular trading hours, if a reason for trading suspension is disclosed, the exchange immediately halts trading. This revision extends such investor protection measures to the aftermarket. The revised rules will take effect from the opening of the aftermarket.This measure is expected to apply similarly to the alternative trading system (ATS) NextTrade's aftermarket starting on the 14th. 2026-09-04 16:04:00
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Seongnam Industry Promotion Agency Supports Global Expansion of Indie Games at Gamescom Indie Craft 2026, which supports the global expansion of domestic indie games, participated in Gamescom 2026, the world's largest game exhibition held in Cologne, Germany, where it engaged with global game industry representatives to explore international opportunities.The Seongnam Industry Promotion Agency announced on September 4 that the Indie Craft organizing committee operated a promotional booth at Gamescom from August 26 to 28.This year's participation marked the second consecutive year, with an expanded booth size compared to last year, focusing on introducing domestic indie games and developers.The booth displayed images and key information about selected indie games, and an English directory was made available online via QR codes.Notably, international representatives were able to directly access game information on-site and review related materials afterward.Industry stakeholders, including overseas investors and publishers, visited the booth to experience the selected games firsthand, demonstrating interest in domestic indie games.Discussions were held with some representatives regarding specific collaboration opportunities for global publishing and investment.During the 'Indie Craft Networking Time' on August 27, domestic and international game industry representatives attended, facilitating exchanges between developers and foreign companies.Discussions were also held regarding potential memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with overseas game-related organizations from New Zealand and Quebec.This event is seen as significant in showcasing the potential for the Seongnam indie game ecosystem to connect with international markets.Local citizens have expressed interest in the participation of game developers that have grown in the region at international exhibitions.There is a prevailing hope among citizens that, as Seongnam is a city with a strong IT and gaming industry foundation, opportunities will continue to arise for local developers to showcase their competitiveness in overseas markets.Moreover, there are calls for follow-up support that can lead to actual exports, investments, and overseas publishing, rather than merely participating in exhibitions.Lee Joo-yeon, head of the Seongnam Industry Promotion Agency, stated, “Through our participation in Gamescom, we were able to showcase the capabilities of domestic indie games and developers to international industry stakeholders. We will continue to pursue various initiatives to support the overseas expansion of domestic indie game developers.”Hwang Seong-ik, president of the Korea Mobile Game Association, added, “We will continue discussions on follow-up MOUs and promote selected works overseas to ensure that the interest shown by international representatives at Gamescom translates into tangible results.”Indie Craft is set to hold an offline exhibition in conjunction with 'GXG 2026' from November 11 to 12.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-04 16:04:00
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Financial Supervisory Service Union Submits Petition Against Regional Relocation 금감원 노동조합이 금융감독원과 금융 공공기관의 지방이전에 반대하는 탄원서를 이재명 대통령에게 제출했다. 앞서 실시된 직원 설문조사에서도 응답자의 80% 이상이 지방이전 시 이직을 고려하겠다고 답한 만큼, 지방이전 논의가 본격화될 경우 대규모 인력 이탈이 현실화할 수 있다는 우려가 커지고 있다. 금감원 노조는 4일 김상우 위원장 명의로 금융감독원 및 금융 공공기관의 지방이전에 대한 우려를 담은 탄원서를 대통령 앞으로 제출했다고 밝혔다. 이번 탄원서에는 금감원 임직원 1720명이 서명했다. 노조는 금융감독원과 금융 공공기관이 지방으로 이전할 경우 금융산업의 경쟁력이 약화되고 금융소비자 피해에 대한 대응력도 떨어질 수 있다고 주장했다. 특히 노조는 지방이전으로 인한 전문인력 이탈 가능성을 핵심 문제로 제기했다. 앞서 금감원 노조가 직원들을 대상으로 실시한 설문조사에서도 지방이전이 현실화될 경우 대규모 이직 가능성이 확인됐다. 전체 응답자 1538명 가운데 85.6%가 지방이전 시 이직을 고려하겠다고 답했고, 이 중 69.7%는 적극적으로 이직을 고려하고 있다고 응답했다. 지방이전이 공식화될 경우 만 40세 미만 직원 757명 중 609명(80.4%), 변호사 172명 중 147명(85.5%), 회계사 361명 중 285명(78.9%)의 이탈이 우려되는 것으로 조사됐다. 석·박사 인력 역시 310명 중 203명(65.5%)이 이탈 가능성을 보였다. 노조는 금융산업이 전문 인력과 금융회사, 정책금융기관, 감독기구 간 긴밀한 정보 교류를 기반으로 성장하는 산업인 만큼 금융중심지인 서울, 특히 여의도에 관련 기관이 집적돼야 한다고 강조했다. 금융감독원과 금융 공공기관의 지방이전이 서울 금융중심지 정책과 충돌할 수 있다는 점도 지적했다. 참여정부가 2003년 동북아 금융허브 구축을 국가 과제로 추진한 이후 서울을 금융중심지로 지정해 20년 넘게 금융산업 기반을 구축해왔는데, 주요 금융기관의 이전이 이 같은 금융 생태계를 흔들 수 있다는 주장이다. 노조는 산업은행의 부산 이전 추진 과정도 사례로 제시했다. 산업은행의 연간 퇴사자가 통상 30~40명 수준이었지만 부산 이전 계획이 추진된 이후 2022년과 2023년에는 각각 100명 가까이로 증가했다는 것이다. 금융소비자의 접근성 문제도 제기했다. 노조에 따르면 연간 80만건에 달하는 금융민원 가운데 80% 이상이 수도권에 집중돼 있으며, 금융감독원 내방 민원도 연간 3468건에 달한다. 김상우 금감원 노조위원장은 "금융감독원과 금융 공공기관이 지방으로 이전할 경우 금융산업의 경쟁력 약화는 불 보듯 뻔한 일"이라며 "대다수 금융소비자와의 물리적 거리가 멀어짐에 따라 금융소비자 피해에 효과적으로 대응하지 못하게 될 것이 심히 우려스럽다"고 말했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-04 16:00:00
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President Lee Calls for Collaborative Efforts in Social Reform with Civil Society President Lee Jae-myung met with key civil society leaders to discuss social reform initiatives. This meeting, held at the Blue House, reaffirms the role of civil society as a collaborative partner in reform agendas as his administration enters its second year. During the meeting on the morning of September 4, President Lee stated, "Civil society has always played a crucial role in the history of democratization in South Korea. The contribution of civil society organizations will be significant in the social reforms we need to pursue going forward." He added, "It seems this is the first time we are meeting since December 3, 2024. In the early days of my presidency, I was unable to hear your voices in detail due to various matters, but today I will listen attentively." President Lee emphasized that the goals of the government and civil society are largely aligned. He remarked, "The world you wish to create and the world I want to create are not very different. While the paths and methods to reach our goals may vary slightly, I believe the differences are not significant." He continued, "I believe your dream is a community where everyone is treated fairly and lives together. It would be great to create a country where people have hope, and a fair and transparent system operates, by developing good plans and programs together." The meeting included representatives from 19 organizations, such as Lee Seung-hoon, co-chair of the Civil Society Organization Alliance, and Joo Se-jun, policy chair of the Korean Progressive Alliance, along with members from various groups including the Lawyers for a Democratic Society, the Economic Justice Action Alliance, and the National Farmers' Association. This gathering aimed to strengthen communication with civil society and broadly reflect the voices of grassroots activists in government policy. Participants were primarily frontline practitioners to ensure that the voices from the field were directly heard. The meeting's main background was to maintain a communication foundation regarding social reform agendas as the administration marks its second year. As a representative speaker, Lee Seung-hoon proposed establishing a 'National Citizen Participation Committee' as a national task to create a model for resolving social conflicts and to develop a governance system that allows citizens to participate in government affairs. He also requested that the voices from the field and local areas be adequately reflected in the policy-making process. Joo Se-jun presented ideas on utilizing the Future Response Fund, enhancing housing welfare, solidifying integrated care, and securing 'decent jobs.' During the subsequent open discussion, issues related to human rights, the environment, agriculture and fisheries, women's rights, peace, and historical matters were addressed. After listening to the participants' opinions, President Lee responded that he would actively consider incorporating feasible suggestions into government policy. He also emphasized his commitment to continuously listen to and communicate with diverse voices from civil society. Meanwhile, the meeting exceeded its scheduled time, lasting approximately three and a half hours. Following the gathering, President Lee posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "I lost track of time as I listened to various comments, from the difficulties faced on the ground to proposals for social reform. I will ensure that the insights shared today are well integrated into our policies. Together with civil society, we will address these issues one by one." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-04 16:00:00
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Police brace for huge crowds at annual fireworks festival this weekend SEOUL, September 4 (AJP) - More than 5,000 police officers and other security personnel will be deployed to manage crowds and respond to emergencies in Yeouido along the Han River this weekend, as about 1 million people are expected to gather for the annual Seoul International Fireworks Festival, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The festival, hosted by Hanwha Group, has drawn more than 1 million visitors every year since it began in 2000, as crowds gather along the Han River to watch fireworks light up the night sky for about two hours. This year's spectacular fireworks display is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. on Saturday, featuring teams from Britain, the U.S. and South Korea. In anticipation of huge crowds, the city government will deploy 45 patrol boats to monitor areas along the river, while Hanwha will track crowd density in real time through surveillance cameras. Traffic will also be restricted from 3 p.m. to midnight in the affected areas, with some bus routes temporarily detoured. Retailers and restaurants nearby are also gearing up for a surge in demand as large crowds are expected. Convenience store chains including 7-Eleven, CU, Emart24 and GS25 are increasing their inventories and adding staff. GS25 said some of its key stores have stocked up to 100 times their usual inventory of drinks, beer, ready-to-eat meals and other festival essentials. 7-Eleven is also preparing up to 20 times its usual supply of ice cups, drinks and beer. Restaurants and cafés are also catering to visitors willing to pay for premium viewing spots. Starbucks sold more than 50 viewing seats at its store there for a whopping 200,000 won (US$148) to 300,000 won each, with all seats selling out in less than a minute. Ashley Queens also offered special festival-themed packages priced from 590,000 won to 1.29 million won, combining buffet dining with a spot to watch the fireworks. Despite the exorbitant prices, the packages sold out almost immediately. AJP Takeaways - Seoul is preparing for about 1 million visitors at this weekend’s Seoul International Fireworks Festival, with more than 5,000 police and security personnel and 45 patrol boats deployed for crowd and emergency management. - Businesses near the Han River are stocking up for a surge in demand, with convenience stores increasing supplies and staffing. Some GS25 stores have prepared up to 100 times their usual inventory of festival essentials. - Premium fireworks viewing spots are in high demand despite steep prices. Starbucks sold viewing seats for 200,000 won to 300,000 won each, while Ashley Queens offered packages costing up to 1.29 million won, with both selling out almost immediately. 2026-09-04 15:53:06 -
Naver deepens AI factory push in Brookfield talks SEOUL, September 04 (AJP) - Naver is accelerating its bid to build one of Asia's largest artificial intelligence computing hubs. Founder and board chair Lee Hae-jin met Brookfield Asset Management Chief Executive Bruce Flatt in Seoul on Thursday to review progress on a gigawatt-scale AI factory backed by up to $60 billion in investment. The two met at Naver's 1784 headquarters in Seongnam, south of Seoul, to advance a project the company is pursuing with Nvidia to construct AI factories, facilities that bundle AI chips, servers, networking and software to train and run large models. Brookfield, which manages more than $1 trillion in assets, has committed up to $9 billion to the first 200-megawatt phase. "We aim to combine Brookfield's expertise in infrastructure investment with Naver's AI capabilities to lead the global AI infrastructure market," Lee said. Flatt said Brookfield would act as more than a capital partner, helping with equipment procurement and customer acquisition, according to Naver. The company said the partnership would continue through later phases of the project, which requires $60 billion in total to reach 1 gigawatt. The financing marks the clearest sign yet that Naver intends to fund the full 1-gigawatt build-out, a scale that would rank among the region's most ambitious data-center undertakings. Lee and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang unveiled the AI factory plan in Seoul in June, and the Naver chief joined Samsung Electronics and SK Group leaders for a roundtable with Huang near Silicon Valley in July. AJP Takeaways - Naver and Brookfield Asset Management met in Seoul to advance a gigawatt-scale AI factory that Naver is building with Nvidia, part of a decade-long expansion of the South Korean firm's computing infrastructure. - Brookfield, which manages more than $1 trillion in assets, has committed up to $9 billion to the project's first 200-megawatt phase, completing the full 1-gigawatt facility requires $60 billion. - The buildout follows Naver's earlier data centers, Gak Chuncheon, opened in 2013, and the 270-megawatt Gak Sejong campus, opened in 2023, and ties into a partnership unveiled by Lee Hae-jin and Jensen Huang in Seoul in June 2026. 2026-09-04 15:51:28 -
KOSPI Rises Over 1% as Foreign and Institutional Investors Buy The KOSPI closed up over 1% thanks to simultaneous net buying by foreign and institutional investors. With U.S. long-term interest rates stabilizing and a strong performance in the New York stock market, buying interest surged, particularly in semiconductor stocks like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. The KOSDAQ also rose nearly 3%, recovering above the 810 mark.According to the Korea Exchange, the KOSPI finished the day at 6,687.21, up 107.73 points (1.64%) from the previous trading day.The index opened at 6,654.36, up 74.88 points (1.14%), and expanded its gains throughout the session. At one point, it surpassed the 6,700 mark but gave back some gains in the afternoon, closing around 6,680.In the securities market, foreign and institutional investors net bought 943.4 billion won and 1.9273 trillion won, respectively, while individual investors net sold 4.4176 trillion won. The large-scale buying by foreign and institutional investors absorbed the profit-taking sales from individuals, driving the index higher.Buying interest in semiconductor stocks began early in the session, influenced by the stabilization of U.S. long-term interest rates and a rotation into tech stocks in the New York market.Among the top market capitalization stocks, Samsung Electronics rose 2.20%, SK Hynix increased 3.20%, SK Square climbed 6.12%, and Samsung Electro-Mechanics gained 3.93%. Conversely, LG Energy Solution fell 1.92%, Samsung Biologics dropped 2.03%, KB Financial decreased 3.32%, Samsung C&T declined 1.34%, and Samsung Life Insurance fell 1.82%.The domestic stock market rose, buoyed by the strong performance of the New York market and the stabilization of U.S. long-term interest rates. On September 3 (local time), the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.18%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq increased by 1.06% and 1.40%, respectively.The KOSDAQ index closed at 813.50, up 23.29 points (2.95%) from the previous trading day.In the KOSDAQ market, foreign and institutional investors net bought 378.6 billion won and 164.9 billion won, while individuals net sold 529.5 billion won.Among the top market capitalization stocks, Alteogen rose 1.94%, EcoPro increased 0.86%, Rainbow Robotics climbed 5.15%, JUSUNG Engineering gained 6.13%, Wonik IPS rose 9.33%, EO Technics increased 5.98%, LinoTech rose 3.58%, HLB gained 2.90%, and Simtec rose 0.34%, with most stocks closing higher.Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, stated, "The domestic market recovered above the 6,700 mark during the session, supported by simultaneous net buying from foreign and institutional investors, despite ongoing external uncertainties. With the stabilization of U.S. Treasury yields, undervalued sectors attracted bargain-hunting, leading to a differentiated market performance."He added, "While dovish comments from Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller eased interest rate concerns, risks from military conflicts between the U.S. and Iran and worries about unwinding yen carry trades due to the strengthening yen remain burdensome for the market. Moving forward, vigilance regarding interest rates, oil prices, and yen movements is necessary in light of external variables."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-04 15:44:20
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Gunpo City Council Discusses Improvements for Small Business Support and Local Currency Operations On September 4, the Gunpo City Council held a meeting to address the challenges faced by local small businesses and discuss improvements to support programs and local currency operations. According to the council, they met with executives from the Gunpo Small Business Association to discuss the budget for small business support programs for 2027, operational support for the secretariat, and enhancements to local commercial district support initiatives. The association requested the council's cooperation in the budget preparation and execution process to ensure that next year's support programs proceed without delays. They also suggested improving the system and funding methods to allow for the hiring of full-time staff for stable secretariat operations. The Gunpo City Economic Department plans to review the feasibility of these suggestions and develop improvement measures. This year, an additional budget proposal reflecting the extra needs for small business support programs has been submitted, and there are plans to expand the budget for related projects in 2027. The operational methods for the local commercial district support program were also discussed. Instead of assigning managers to each commercial area, a proposal was made to manage operations regionally based on the size and workload of the districts, with the Small Business Association overseeing the overall management. Improvements to the incentive operation for the local currency, Gunpo Love Money, were also on the agenda. To reduce congestion during incentive distribution days and early budget depletion, adjustments to the timing of payments and recharge limits were considered to allow more citizens to benefit from the same budget. One citizen expressed, "I hope that support for small businesses goes beyond being a one-time initiative and actually contributes to sales and management stability." Another citizen noted, "If local commercial districts thrive, it would allow residents to shop locally, positively impacting the local economy." Meanwhile, Lee Woo-cheon, the council chairman, stated, "We will closely examine the necessity and effectiveness of small business support programs during the budget review process and will work with the administration to ensure that the voices from the field lead to practical policy improvements."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-04 15:44:00