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  • Korea Wins Gold in Mens Modern Pentathlon Team Event at 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games
    Korea Wins Gold in Men's Modern Pentathlon Team Event at 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Korea's men's modern pentathlon team claimed the gold medal in the team event at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, marking the second gold medal for the Korean delegation. Veteran athlete Jeon Woong-tae also earned a silver medal in the individual event, achieving medals in three consecutive Asian Games.On September 20, at the Anjo Sports Park in Aichi, Japan, Jeon Woong-tae (Gangwon Provincial Sports Council), Seo Chang-wan (Jeonnam Provincial Office), and Lee Jong-hyun (Daejeon City Hall) secured the gold medal in the men's team event. This victory follows their gold medal win at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, resulting in back-to-back championships.The team event in modern pentathlon does not feature separate competitions; instead, the top three individual scores from each country's athletes are combined to determine the overall ranking. The Korean team achieved the highest total score from Jeon Woong-tae, Seo Chang-wan, and Lee Jong-hyun.This year's modern pentathlon at the Asian Games included fencing, swimming, obstacle course, and laser run (athletics and shooting), marking the first time the obstacle course was introduced after the removal of equestrian events.Jeon Woong-tae won both the team gold and individual silver medals, achieving a record of medals in three consecutive Asian Games. He previously won gold in the individual event at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games and the 2023 Hangzhou Games, where he also claimed the team gold, making him a two-time champion.On this day, Jeon Woong-tae placed in the middle ranks during fencing, the obstacle course, and the 100m swimming events, starting ninth out of 18 in the laser run. However, he made a strong comeback in the running and shooting segments, finishing second overall.Additionally, this gold medal is the second for the Korean delegation at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Earlier that day, Sung Seung-min (Korea National Sport University) won the women's individual modern pentathlon event with a score of 1492, earning the first gold medal for Korea in women's individual modern pentathlon at the Asian Games.In the women's team event held earlier that morning, Sung Seung-min, Kim Eun-joo (Gangwon Provincial Sports Council), and Shin Soo-min (LH) combined for a total of 4271 points, securing a silver medal behind China, which scored 4318 points. 2026-09-20 17:04:00
  • Democratic Party Unveils Constitutional Amendment Plan Amid Opposition
    Democratic Party Unveils Constitutional Amendment Plan Amid Opposition The Democratic Party of Korea presented a blueprint on September 20 for a constitutional amendment, aiming to announce a proposal in the first half of next year. Party leader Kim Min-seok urged the opposition to cooperate, but the People Power Party is expected to respond with a boycott.During the launch of the constitutional amendment promotion committee at the National Assembly, the Democratic Party outlined its specific plans. This follows President Lee Jae-myung's declaration of his commitment to completing the amendment during a press conference on September 18, signaling the ruling party's intent to engage in serious discussions.Kim emphasized that President Lee's announcement of not seeking re-election has removed obstacles to the amendment process, stating, "It is now time to engage in serious discussions about the amendment rather than getting caught up in semantics."The promotion committee, in line with Kim's directive, expressed its intention to present a constitutional amendment proposal in the first half of next year. Committee chair Kim Tae-nyeon stated, "We will keep the amendment process separate from the general elections. A national referendum on the amendment should be held at least one year before the elections," indicating that the amendment is not a political maneuver for the elections.The Democratic Party also called for introspection from the People Power Party leadership, including Jang Dong-hyuk, while signaling a willingness to reach an agreement with the opposition. Notably, the Democratic Party plans to individually persuade lawmakers within the People Power Party who support the amendment to bolster its chances.Kim urged the People Power Party to participate in discussions, noting that even within their ranks, there is a recognition of the need for constitutional reform. He stated, "I hope they will engage seriously in the discussions."Jeong Tae-ho, the committee's secretary, highlighted that the People Power Party established a special committee for constitutional amendments last year, indicating a growing consensus on the need for reform within the National Assembly. He stressed the importance of quickly forming a special committee for constitutional amendments at the parliamentary level.However, the Democratic Party's plans face significant challenges, as the People Power Party has vocally opposed the amendment. They have questioned the credibility of President Lee's statement about not seeking re-election and are ramping up their attacks on the administration.Jang Dong-hyuk criticized the president's declaration on Facebook after the press conference, asking, "Is it really that difficult to declare 'I will not seek re-election'?" He accused the president of merely engaging in rhetoric while only reaching out to leftist groups.On the same day, floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik expressed skepticism about the significance of the president's statement, asserting, "I doubt anyone would find that statement meaningful," and reiterated that there will be no constitutional amendment during this administration.Previously, the Democratic Party attempted to process a constitutional amendment during the 22nd National Assembly under former Speaker Woo Won-sik, but it was thwarted on May 8 due to the People Power Party's boycott of the vote. At that time, Woo announced, "We will not present the amendment to the plenary session," effectively ending the discussion after the People Power Party expressed its opposition through tactics like unlimited debate (filibuster).* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-20 17:00:20
  • People Power Party to Challenge Presidential Rejection of Supreme Court Nominee
    People Power Party to Challenge Presidential Rejection of Supreme Court Nominee The People Power Party announced on September 20 that it will file a petition with the Constitutional Court regarding the Blue House's request to reconsider the nomination of Supreme Court Justice candidate Son Bong-ki, which was not submitted to the National Assembly for approval. In a media statement, the party said, "We plan to submit a petition to the Constitutional Court on the 21st concerning the infringement of the National Assembly's right to approve Supreme Court justices and the voting rights of its members due to President Lee Jae-myung's failure to submit the nomination for Justice Son and his request for reconsideration." Accompanying the petition will be Kim Tae-kyu, the party's legal advisor, along with Choi Soo-jin, the chief spokesperson, and Choi Ji-woo, the deputy legal advisor. Previously, on August 18, Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae recommended Son Bong-ki, a senior judge at the Daegu District Court, and Kim Sung-soo, a senior judge at the Seoul High Court, to President Lee as candidates to succeed former Justices Roh Tae-ak and Lee Heung-gu. On August 28, the Blue House requested reconsideration from the Supreme Court, citing reasons such as the "unilateral written recommendation without consultation" and did not submit the nomination to the National Assembly. The People Power Party has argued that the Blue House's request for reconsideration is unconstitutional and has been demanding that the nomination for Justice Son be submitted to the National Assembly. In this context, People Power Party leader Jeong Jeom-sik criticized on his Facebook, stating, "President Lee has denied and infringed upon the Chief Justice's recommendation authority as stipulated in the Constitution. This is a clear violation of the Constitution," adding, "The President is intervening twice in both the 'recommendation' and 'appointment.'" He further claimed it is a blatant act of undermining the constitutional separation of powers between the judiciary and the legislature.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-20 16:52:00
  • Shark Sightings Draw Crowds to Busans North Port
    Shark Sightings Draw Crowds to Busan's North Port As citizens flocked to see a shark spotted in Busan's North Port, the area around the waterfront park became crowded.According to the Busan Coast Guard, the first report of a shark sighting in the North Port waterfront park's channel was received at 8:57 a.m. on September 18, and the shark has been observed for three consecutive days.The National Fisheries Research Institute estimates the shark, which is brown and measures about 3 to 4 meters in length, to be a bull shark. However, it has not been confirmed whether all sightings from the 18th to the 20th are of the same individual.News of the shark's appearance spread rapidly on social media, turning the North Port into an unexpected tourist attraction. Citizens took out their phones to capture photos and videos whenever the shark's fin broke the surface, and social media posts inquired about the shark's current location and visibility.On the 20th, the parking lot at the North Port waterfront park was filled with vehicles from visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of the shark, and long lines of people formed along the walking paths, waiting for the shark to reappear. Some visitors even traveled from Daegu on the KTX train to see the shark.As the crowd continued to grow, safety measures were implemented. Access to the pedestrian bridge, known for providing good views of the shark, was restricted for safety reasons, and park officials urged visitors to be cautious to prevent accidents.The National Fisheries Research Institute classifies the bull shark as a potentially dangerous species to humans among the sharks found in domestic coastal waters.There are also records of incidents involving bull sharks. According to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF) operated by the Florida Museum of Natural History, there have been 119 cases of bull shark attacks where the person did not provoke the shark. Of these, 26 resulted in fatalities.The authorities have refrained from actively capturing or driving away the shark due to safety concerns. After the first report on the 18th, the Coast Guard deployed the Central Maritime Special Rescue Team, coastal rescue boats, and patrol vessels to guide the shark back to sea. They even used equipment designed to remove dangerous species, but after about six hours, the operation was halted when the shark did not leave the channel. This decision was made based on the recommendation from the fisheries institute that forcing the shark could provoke aggressive behavior, and it is better to allow it to leave on its own.There has been an increase in sightings of large sharks along the coast recently. According to the fisheries institute, there were 46 confirmed sightings of large shark species along the East Coast from January to June this year, a 3.8-fold increase from 12 sightings during the same period last year. The average surface water temperature along the East Coast from April to June this year was 16.3 degrees Celsius, which is 1.1 degrees higher than the average. The fisheries institute suggests that the expansion of warm-water prey species, such as mackerel and bluefin tuna, has contributed to the increase in large shark sightings.It is also speculated that the shark in the North Port may have entered the channel in search of food. Ji Hwan-seong, a researcher at the National Fisheries Research Institute, explained that the shark likely came into the North Port in search of prey.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-20 16:44:00
  • Lee Jun-seok Wins Gold in Mens Techball at 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games
    Lee Jun-seok Wins Gold in Men's Techball at 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Lee Jun-seok has been crowned the inaugural champion in men's techball at the Asian Games.On September 20, at the Higashi Sports Center in Nagoya, Japan, Lee defeated Iraq's Ali Jalil Mezher Alalaywi in the final with a set score of 2-0 (12-11, 12-5). Throughout the tournament, Lee did not lose a single set, establishing himself as a dominant champion.In the first set, Lee initially fell behind, trailing 0-3 due to a service error. However, he calmly rallied to tie the score at 4-4. Despite Alalaywi's fierce attacks that pushed the score to 4-7, Lee responded with powerful smashes, leveling the score at 9-9 and then taking the lead. In a tense moment at 11-11, Lee showcased his composure, clinching the set 12-11.The second set began with Lee scoring first, but the match remained tight at 2-2. Lee's focus intensified, and he quickly extended his lead to 9-2. Although Alalaywi managed to score once, Lee maintained his momentum, and despite Alalaywi's late surge, the gap was too wide. Lee secured the victory with a final score of 12-5.Techball, a sport developed in Hungary, made its debut at this Asian Games. The game is played on a 3-meter curved table using a soccer ball, often referred to as 'foot table tennis.' 2026-09-20 16:36:00
  • South Korea Holds Emergency Meeting After North Koreas Missile Launch
    South Korea Holds Emergency Meeting After North Korea's Missile Launch The Blue House National Security Office convened an emergency security situation assessment meeting on September 20, involving the Ministry of National Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in response to North Korea's short-range ballistic missile launch.During the meeting, officials reviewed the military's response and analyzed the impact of the launch on national security. They also assessed necessary measures in preparation for potential further launches by North Korea.The National Security Office emphasized the need for military and relevant agencies to maintain a thorough state of readiness following North Korea's missile launch, which occurred eight days after a previous launch on September 12.The government stated, "North Korea's ballistic missile launch is a serious act that violates UN Security Council resolutions," urging the North to immediately cease such activities.Earlier that afternoon, the Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that North Korea had launched a short-range ballistic missile into the East Sea from the Wonsan area in Gangwon Province.At approximately 3:08 PM, the military informed reporters that an unidentified projectile had been launched into the East Sea. Authorities later assessed the projectile as a short-range ballistic missile and are currently analyzing its specifications and flight distance.On September 12, at around 5:20 AM, North Korea also launched several short-range ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area, which were determined to have flown approximately 250 kilometers.Two days later, on September 14, North Korea's state media reported that it conducted a "combined fire assault drill" involving long-range artillery and missile units. Kim Jong Un did not observe the drill, but Pak Jong-chon, vice chairman of the Workers' Party Central Military Commission, was present at the site.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-20 16:32:00
  • Korea Export-Import Bank Donates 360 Million Won to Social Welfare Facilities for Chuseok
    Korea Export-Import Bank Donates 360 Million Won to Social Welfare Facilities for Chuseok The Korea Export-Import Bank announced on September 20 that it has donated 360 million won to social welfare facilities nationwide in celebration of Chuseok.Employee volunteer activities were also carried out. Staff from 13 branches across the country, including Busan, Daejeon, and Gwangju, visited local social welfare facilities to deliver holiday food and essential items to children, people with disabilities, and vulnerable elderly individuals.Head office employees also participated in the charitable efforts. On September 17, they delivered donations to a free meal service for the homeless near Seoul Station and engaged in serving food. Earlier, on September 15, they visited homes of vulnerable elderly residents in the area to provide rice and essential goods.Hwang Gi-yeon, president of the bank, stated, "We conducted volunteer activities to convey warmth to our marginalized neighbors during the Chuseok holiday. We will continue to expand our social contribution activities for vulnerable groups throughout society."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-20 16:32:00
  • Chip bonuses drive a third of Koreas wage gains
    Chip bonuses drive a third of Korea's wage gains SEOUL, September 20 (AJP) - Semiconductor bonuses accounted for about a third of the rise in South Korean workers' average monthly pay in the first half of 2026, the Korea Enterprises Federation said Sunday. Regular employees earned an average 4.318 million won ($3,115.3) a month in January to June, up 3.1 percent from a year earlier, based on Ministry of Employment and Labor survey data. Bonuses and other special pay jumped 9.3 percent to a record 601,000 won, while base pay growth cooled to 2.2 percent. Pay in the electronics and telecommunications sector, home to the country's chipmakers, soared 23.1 percent to 9.434 million won as special pay surged 66 percent. The sector employs just 2.5 percent of regular workers, yet its bonuses alone added 42,000 won to the national average, or 32.4 percent of the total gain. Ha Sang-woo, a economic researcher at the federation, said companies should share their gains with workers but size payouts with future investment in mind. "Demands for pay raises beyond a company's ability to pay, benchmarked against compensation at other high-performing firms, should be guarded against," Ha said. Semiconductors made up 47.5 percent of South Korea's exports in August, as chip shipments more than tripled from a year earlier to $46.65 billion, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources data showed. The 10 largest exporters accounted for 55.3 percent of second-quarter exports, up 17 percentage points from a year earlier. AJP Takeaways - Chip bonuses accounted for 32.4 percent of the 131,000-won rise in South Korean regular workers' average monthly pay in January-June 2026, the Korea Enterprises Federation said on September 20, 2026. - Monthly pay in the electronics and telecommunications sector rose 23.1 percent to 9.434 million won, while the sector employs only 2.5 percent of regular workers. - Semiconductors made up 47.5 percent of South Korea's exports in August 2026, and the Bank of Korea has warned that concentrated gains limit consumption growth. 2026-09-20 16:15:35
  • People Power Party Intensifies Criticism of Government Following Kim Seung-wons Withdrawal
    People Power Party Intensifies Criticism of Government Following Kim Seung-won's Withdrawal The People Power Party is tightening its criticism of the government following the withdrawal of Kim Seung-won as a candidate for Minister of Justice. The party plans to highlight the government's failures in personnel verification, especially after the recent resignations of Kim and former Minister of Gender Equality and Family, Yong Hye-in, while expanding its focus to broader government policies. However, the party is grappling with the complexities of initiating external protests that were initially considered contingent on Kim's appointment.According to political sources on the 20th, the People Power Party will hold a 'Public Report Meeting on the Failures of the Lee Jae-myung Administration' on the steps of the National Assembly on the 22nd. The party aims to raise issues regarding the personnel verification system and call for the withdrawal of the nomination of Kang Shin-cheol as Minister of National Defense, following the recent resignations.In addition, the party plans to escalate its criticism of the government and ruling party on various issues, including real estate problems in the metropolitan area, the introduction of single-item leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the abolition of supplementary investigative powers for prosecutors, and a comprehensive survey of farmland.However, there are deep concerns within the party regarding whether to proceed with external protests. Initially, the party intended to use Kim's forced resignation as a key motivator for protests, but with his voluntary withdrawal, the justification for taking to the streets has weakened. Chief Spokesperson Choi Bo-yoon stated after a press conference, "We have prepared for external protests and are ready to go at any time, but nothing has been confirmed yet."With the National Assembly audit scheduled immediately after the Chuseok holiday, there are worries that engaging in external protests could dilute their effectiveness. On the 18th, Floor Leader Jeong Jeom-sik expressed concerns about the feasibility of combining external protests with the audit, stating, "There are many aspects we need to examine for future response funds and people's livelihoods during the audit," emphasizing the importance of focusing on internal criticism of the government ahead of the audit.Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon has also been vocal about the need for external protests since the early days of the controversy surrounding Kim. He argued that if Kim's appointment were to be pushed through, "we must take to the streets," positioning himself at the forefront of the criticism.Han held a back briefing at the National Assembly and stated, "The accountability and truth-seeking regarding the 'Kim Seung-won incident' starts now," continuing to escalate the criticism even after Kim's resignation.Ultimately, securing new momentum for criticism of the government following Kim's withdrawal is seen as a key task for the People Power Party. There remain issues to address, such as the nomination of Kim Ji-yong as the head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, the agency's launch, the issue of supplementary investigative powers, the comprehensive survey of farmland, and the controversy over the failure of the online application system. However, some voices in the political arena suggest that these issues may not provide sufficient impetus for external protests.The fact that the government's setbacks have not translated into increased support for the People Power Party is also a concern. According to a recent Gallup Korea poll conducted from the 15th to the 17th, President Yoon Suk-yeol's approval rating hit a record low of 37%, while disapproval reached a high of 56%. The People Power Party's support dropped by 2 percentage points to 27%, while the Democratic Party rose by 2 percentage points to 40%. This survey was conducted with 1,002 randomly selected voters aged 18 and older, using a telephone interview method. The margin of error is ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level, with a contact rate of 45.4% and a response rate of 9.9%. (For more details, refer to the Central Election Survey Deliberation Commission website.)For the People Power Party, the challenge is to expand the momentum gained from Kim's withdrawal beyond personnel issues to encompass livelihood and policy matters, ultimately linking this to a recovery in support. While there are numerous issues to pursue, the lack of a clear single issue to drive external protests means that the focus on internal criticism during the National Assembly audit and the public sentiment following Chuseok will likely determine the future of external protests and their intensity.Jo Won-bin, a scholar at the Korean Political Science Association, commented, "It is uncertain how much support the public or opposition party supporters would provide if we take to the streets following Kim's resignation. The internal conflicts within the ruling party are becoming more prominent than strong criticisms from the opposition regarding the candidate for the head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency." 2026-09-20 16:12:00
  • Kang Ho-dong Inspects NH Agricultural Cooperatives in the U.S. to Boost Food Exports
    Kang Ho-dong Inspects NH Agricultural Cooperatives in the U.S. to Boost Food Exports Kang Ho-dong, the chairman of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NACF), visited NH agricultural cooperatives in the United States to assess business conditions and discuss ways to expand agricultural exports using local networks.On September 20, NACF announced that Kang conducted on-site management of NH cooperatives in Los Angeles on September 17 (local time). The visit included representatives from economic affiliates such as NH Agricultural Trade (NACF America), NH Nongwoo Bio (Nongwoo Seed America), and NH Feed (NH-HAY), as well as financial affiliates like NH Bank's New York branch and NH Investment & Securities' local office.Kang received updates on the business progress of each entity and discussed strategies to enhance competitiveness in the U.S. market. NH Agricultural Trade is focused on expanding its agricultural distribution network and developing new sales channels, while NH Nongwoo Bio is working on seed development tailored to the North American market and increasing its sales capabilities. NH Feed is also securing a stable supply of forage. Financial affiliates NH Bank and NH Investment & Securities are sharing information about the local financial market and exploring collaborative opportunities across the NACF.Key agenda items included strategies for expanding agricultural exports to the U.S., responding to changes in the local market, and enhancing collaboration among economic and financial affiliates while utilizing local networks. Kang also listened to the concerns of employees working to expand local operations.Following the meetings, Kang met with executives from major U.S. retailers, including H Mart and Han Nam Chain, to discuss cooperation for expanding the market presence of NACF agricultural products. He also visited the Galleria Mart Olympic location to check on promotional events for agricultural products, assessing consumer reactions and sales trends while exploring ways to enhance the recognition of NACF products.Kang stated, "The U.S. is a key strategic market for expanding NACF's global business, and securing local operational capabilities and distribution networks is crucial. We will strengthen cooperation with local affiliates and retailers to enhance the competitiveness of agricultural products in the U.S. market and work towards increasing exports to benefit farmers."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-20 16:04:10