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  • Gachon University to Admit 3,365 Students Through Early Admissions Next Year
    Gachon University to Admit 3,365 Students Through Early Admissions Next Year Gachon University will select 3,365 students for its 2027 academic year through early admissions. According to Gachon University on September 2, this number represents about 72% of the total enrollment of 4,672 students. The application period for early admissions will run from September 7 to 11, closing at 6 p.m. This year's early admissions feature changes in the selection process, including an expansion of the essay admissions program and the introduction of a new regional doctor selection system. Notably, the essay admissions program, which was previously limited to the medical school, has been expanded this year to include the Korean medicine and pharmacy programs, likely increasing interest among prospective students in these fields. Gachon University's early admissions are divided into three main categories: essay admissions, academic record-based admissions, and comprehensive evaluation admissions. The essay admissions will select 1,036 students, with the evaluation based entirely on an essay exam, which will be conducted after the national college entrance exam. Minimum academic standards will apply. The number of essay questions for the humanities and natural sciences has been reduced from 15 to 13. The humanities section will consist of eight Korean language questions and five math questions, while the natural sciences will have five Korean language questions and eight math questions. The exam duration is 80 minutes, and it will utilize materials linked to the national college entrance exam. For the medical, Korean medicine, and pharmacy programs, the evaluation will include eight math questions, but minimum academic standards will vary by program, so applicants should check the admission guidelines before applying. The academic record-based admissions will select 942 students, including 436 from the academic excellence category, 358 from the regional balance category, 84 from rural areas, 57 from specialized high schools, and 7 from the regional doctor selection category. The academic excellence category will select students based solely on their academic records, and starting this year, two methods will be used to calculate academic performance, applying the more favorable method for applicants. The regional balance category will use a principal recommendation system, selecting five times the number of students based on academic records in the first stage, followed by a second stage that combines 50% of the first stage evaluation with 50% from interviews. The free major program will have 321 spots available. The new regional doctor selection category will admit 7 students based entirely on academic records. Applicants must meet specific regional qualifications, and additional conditions such as minimum academic standards, duration of residency in the region, and mandatory service will apply. The comprehensive evaluation admissions will enroll 1,050 students, operating through various programs including the Gachon Windmill program, Gachon Medical Science program, opportunity balance program, rural (comprehensive) program, educational opportunity balance program, and specialized high school graduate program. The general comprehensive evaluation admissions will select four times the number of students based on a 100% document evaluation in the first stage, followed by a second stage that combines 50% of the first stage evaluation with 50% from interviews. The humanities and natural sciences will not apply minimum academic standards, while the medical and pharmacy programs will. The early employment contract programs will select 260 students across five departments, including biomedical device engineering, game and video studies, semiconductor and display engineering, semiconductor design, and future automotive engineering. These early employment contract programs are designed to link education with employment from the start. Students will earn a bachelor's degree over four years, receiving full government scholarships in the first year and 50% scholarships from the second year onward. From the third year, students will work while studying, receiving a salary. This year, the selection ratio for the first stage has changed from five times to three times. As the early admissions approach, students are reassessing their application strategies in light of the changes in selection processes. Students preparing for the essay admissions are particularly noting the inclusion of the Korean medicine and pharmacy programs, while those applying for academic record-based admissions are keen to understand how the changes in performance calculation will affect their grades. One applicant stated, "With changes in both the number of admissions and evaluation methods, it feels burdensome to rely solely on last year's results for applications. I plan to carefully compare the admissions processes to find the one that best suits my strengths in grades, essays, or interviews." Another student expressed interest in the expanded options for applying to the medical and pharmacy fields through essay admissions, but noted the need to check the minimum academic standards and specific conditions for each program before applying.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 14:48:10
  • Tugboat Capsizes Off Busan, Coast Guard Conducts Rescue Operations
    Tugboat Capsizes Off Busan, Coast Guard Conducts Rescue Operations A tugboat capsized off the coast of Busan.According to Yonhap News and the Busan Coast Guard, at around 1:30 p.m. on September 2, a 286-ton tugboat registered in Busan capsized approximately 9 kilometers southeast of Oryukdo.The vessel had eight crew members on board, one of whom was rescued by a passing cargo ship.The Coast Guard is currently conducting rescue operations using personnel and equipment at the scene.Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Hwang Jong-woo stated, "We will mobilize all available resources for rescue efforts to save lives."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 14:48:00
  • All 1,237 Employees of Haenam County Take Anti-Corruption Pledge
    All 1,237 Employees of Haenam County Take Anti-Corruption Pledge One thousand two hundred thirty-seven public officials in Haenam County have pledged to uphold anti-corruption and integrity principles, committing to fair and transparent administration. On September 1, Haenam County held a ceremony for all employees to take the anti-corruption and integrity pledge, sharing their commitment to establishing a culture of integrity in the public sector and preventing corruption, the county announced on September 2. The pledge aims to enhance public officials' awareness of integrity and reaffirm the principles of fairness and transparency that must be upheld during their duties. During the ceremony, a representative of the employees and Haenam County Mayor Myung-Hyeon Kwan read the 'Anti-Corruption and Integrity Pledge.' Following this, all 1,237 employees of Haenam County submitted their signed pledges as of August 2026. The pledge includes commitments to prioritize fair and transparent job performance over personal gain, exclude gifts, favors, and inappropriate requests related to their duties, ensure fair treatment of all stakeholders, prevent biased administration and unfair privileges, and practice integrity in daily activities to prevent corruption and irregularities. Particularly, the focus is on public officials treating stakeholders fairly during their work processes and being vigilant against the potential for inappropriate requests or privileges, thereby adhering to public ethics. After the ceremony, attending employees shared their commitment to integrity through a card section. The cards featured phrases such as 'Fairness, Equity, Transparency' and 'Integrity,' which Haenam County promotes as principles of administrative operation. Myung-Hyeon Kwan, the mayor of Haenam County, stated, “Let us strive to go beyond just integrity in administration and work towards providing satisfactory services to the public. All public officials, including myself, should reflect on each other and unite to create a clean Haenam County.” Meanwhile, Haenam County is implementing various anti-corruption and integrity programs to promote a culture of integrity in the public sector, including Integrity Golden Bell, integrity theater, integrity live concerts, integrity letters, healthy holiday campaigns, and integrity alerts.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 14:44:20
  • President Lee Directs Full Resource Mobilization for Rescue Efforts After Tugboat Capsizes Near Busan
    President Lee Directs Full Resource Mobilization for Rescue Efforts After Tugboat Capsizes Near Busan President Lee Jae-myung has ordered the mobilization of all available resources for rescue operations following the capsizing of a tugboat near Oryukdo, Busan, on September 2. Chief Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong announced that President Lee received a report on the incident and instructed officials to ensure thorough rescue efforts and accident management.Prime Minister Han Seung-soo also issued an urgent directive to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Korea Coast Guard, emphasizing the need to prioritize rescue operations and to make every effort to confirm the identities of those on board to locate any missing persons.According to the Busan Coast Guard, the tugboat capsized around 1:30 PM, with approximately 10 crew members reported to be on board. Rescue personnel and equipment have been urgently deployed to the scene to carry out the rescue operations. 2026-09-02 14:44:00
  • Gwangju and Jeonnam Police Chiefs Replaced Simultaneously
    Gwangju and Jeonnam Police Chiefs Replaced Simultaneously The chiefs of the Gwangju and Jeonnam police agencies have been replaced simultaneously. The National Police Agency announced on September 1 the appointment of new high-ranking officials, including the chiefs of the Gwangju and Jeonnam police. Yang Young-woo, head of the 101st Security Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, has been appointed as the new chief of the Gwangju Police Agency, while Kim Ho-seung, chief of the Chungnam Police Agency, will lead the Jeonnam Police Agency. Yang, 56, has been promoted to the rank of police commissioner in this reshuffle. A native of Cheongju, he graduated from Shinheung High School and the Police University Law Department, and he was appointed as a police officer in 1992. His previous roles include serving as the chief of the Dongducheon Police Station in the Northern Gyeonggi Police Agency, the chief of the Jongam Police Station in Seoul, the head of the Public Safety Division in the Chungbuk Police Agency, the head of the Public Safety Division in the Daegu Police Agency, and a police management officer in the Presidential Security Service. Kim, 57, hails from Daejeon and graduated from Daeseong High School and the Police Administration Department at Dongguk University before joining the police force in 1995. His career includes positions as the head of the Planning Division in the Chungnam Police Agency, chief of the Boryeong Police Station, and various roles in the National Police Agency, including the Information Planning Officer, Crime Analysis Officer, and Audit Officer. He has also served as the chief of the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul and the head of the Public Safety Division in the Northern Gyeonggi Police Agency. Former Jeonnam Police Chief Go Beom-seok has been promoted to the rank of police commissioner and appointed as the chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. Kim Young-geun, the outgoing chief of the Gwangju Police Agency, will move to the National Police Agency as the director of the Crime Prevention and Response Division.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 14:44:00
  • Additional rescue workers arrive in Nepal as nine South Koreans remain missing
    Additional rescue workers arrive in Nepal as nine South Koreans remain missing SEOUL, September 2 (AJP) - An additional group of South Korean rescue workers arrived in Kathmandu to join search and rescue efforts led by a government-led team dispatched last week, shortly after devastating floods and landslides in Nepal left thousands of people missing including nine South Koreans, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday. The group, comprising 44 members including ministry officials as well as personnel from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the National Fire Agency and other agencies, will conduct joint operations with Nepali authorities in areas affected by severe flooding, particularly in Rasuwa, located in Nepal's north-central Himalayan region near the border with Tibet. Their mission, which marks their 12th overseas deployment and first in three years since being dispatched to Canada following wildfires in 2023, is expected to last about 10 days and could be extended if necessary. The missing workers include six employees of Doosan Enerbility and three from Korea South East Power Co. They were working at a hydropower construction site when the floods struck the area. The South Korean rescue team conducted a joint aerial search with Nepali authorities aboard a helicopter the previous day, about a week after last Wednesday's catastrophic disaster, but made no progress. About 10 stranded Doosan Enerbility workers who were evacuated from the affected area returned home on Monday, except for its site manager, who chose to remain behind to support rescue efforts. Meanwhile, the death toll from the disaster has risen to more than 1,000 as of Wednesday, with over 4,000 people still missing. AJP Takeaways • An additional 44 South Korean rescue workers arrived in Kathmandu to join search efforts for nine missing South Koreans. • The group will work with Nepali authorities in flood-hit areas, particularly Rasuwa, for about 10 days. • Nepal's disaster death toll has surpassed 1,000, with more than 4,000 people still missing. 2026-09-02 14:41:59
  • Prime Minister Han Seung-soo: Combining Manufacturing and Behavioral Data to Propel Physical AI
    Prime Minister Han Seung-soo: Combining Manufacturing and Behavioral Data to Propel Physical AI Prime Minister Han Seung-soo stated on September 2 that combining South Korea's manufacturing competitiveness with behavioral data accumulated in industrial settings could elevate the nation to become a global leader in Physical AI.During a video address at the '2026 GGGF' held at The Plaza in Seoul, Han remarked, "If the behavioral data accumulated in industrial settings is combined with our globally competitive manufacturing, achieving the goal of becoming a global leader in Physical AI is entirely feasible."Han assessed that the global artificial intelligence (AI) market is rapidly expanding beyond generative AI to include Physical AI, which operates robots and machines in real-world environments. He noted that this has intensified competition among nations for global AI leadership.He also highlighted President Lee Jae-myung's vision, presented during a trip to three countries in North and South America in July, to position South Korea as a global AI production hub and a key player in the AI supply chain.Han described semiconductors as the brain of AI, Physical AI as its body, and AI data centers as its heart.The government plans to establish a growth ecosystem that interlinks semiconductors, Physical AI, and AI data centers as its three main pillars. Han stated, "Through these three mega projects, the government will create an organic virtuous cycle among these pillars."He emphasized that integrating motion and process data generated in manufacturing with the technological capabilities of South Korea's manufacturing sector is a core competitive advantage of the country's Physical AI strategy. The aim is to secure differentiated competitiveness in the global market by leveraging the manufacturing base and industrial data.Han also committed to addressing potential side effects that may arise during the dissemination of AI technology. He asserted, "We will minimize the risks posed by artificial intelligence while maximizing the opportunities and potential for innovation." 2026-09-02 14:40:00
  • HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Wins IR52 Jang Young-sil Award for CO2 Carrier Technology
    HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Wins IR52 Jang Young-sil Award for CO2 Carrier Technology HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has been awarded the 'IR52 Jang Young-sil Award' for its core technology in liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO₂) carriers.The company announced on September 2 that its self-developed 'low-pressure cargo system for liquefied CO₂ carriers' received the 35th 'IR52 Jang Young-sil Award.'This technology is centered on the mass transport of liquefied CO₂ at ultra-low temperatures of -50°C and a pressure of 7 bar. Existing LCO₂ carriers typically operate at -30°C and 20 bar, requiring thicker cargo tanks to withstand high pressure. This limitation has capped the size of the tanks, with average transport capacity around 7,500 cubic meters.HD Hyundai Heavy Industries successfully developed technology to reduce pressure to 7 bar, allowing for larger cargo tanks. The biggest challenge in this development was preventing dry ice formation, which can block pipes and valves due to slight temperature and pressure changes at -50°C. The company refined its temperature and pressure control technology to maintain the stable state of liquefied CO₂ over several months.Using this technology, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries constructed the world's largest LCO₂ carrier, with a capacity of 22,000 cubic meters, which was delivered to the Greek shipping company 'Capital Clean Energy Carrier' in January.As the CCUS (carbon capture, utilization, and storage) market expands, demand for large LCO₂ carriers is expected to rise. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries anticipates that its core technology will enable it to capture a significant share of this market.An official from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries stated, "This award recognizes our unique technological capabilities that made the world's largest liquefied CO₂ carrier possible. We will continue to proactively develop differentiated eco-friendly ship technologies to lead the global carbon neutrality market."Meanwhile, the 'IR52 Jang Young-sil Award' is the highest industrial technology award in South Korea, hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and organized by the Korea Industrial Technology Association. Established in 1991, it honors new technological products and innovations developed by domestic companies and research institutions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 14:32:00
  • Former KFA President Jeong Mong-kyu Investigated for Alleged Interference in Coach Selection
    Former KFA President Jeong Mong-kyu Investigated for Alleged Interference in Coach Selection Jeong Mong-kyu, the former president of the Korea Football Association (KFA), is being investigated by police as a suspect for allegedly interfering in the selection process of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo. This marks the first time Jeong has been summoned since the case was transferred to the Seoul Police.The Seoul Police's Financial Crime Investigation Unit summoned Jeong around noon on September 2, questioning him on charges of obstruction of business by deception.Upon arriving at the Mapo Police Station at 11:54 a.m., Jeong denied any wrongdoing when asked by reporters about his alleged interference in the coach selection process, stating, "I believe I did not interfere at all." He added, "I will cooperate fully with the police investigation." Jeong is accused of using his position to obstruct the board's final approval process and provide undue advantages during the selection of Hong as the national team coach in 2024. A civic group, the Citizens' Livelihood Countermeasure Committee, previously filed a complaint against Jeong for coercion, intimidation, and obstruction of business.Concerns about the allegations have also emerged from within the association. Lee Im-sang, the former technical director of the KFA, claimed in a lawsuit filed with the Seoul High Court, which is mediating a dispute between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the KFA, that he interviewed three coaching candidates, including Hong, at Jeong's direction.The case was initially handled by the Jongno Police Station, which received eight related complaints starting in July 2024. However, after nearly two years without significant progress, the investigation faced criticism for being sluggish. The controversy intensified following the national team's early exit from the World Cup and comments from President Lee Jae-myung regarding personnel failures. Consequently, the investigation was transferred to the Seoul Police's Special Investigation Unit on July 1.Since taking over the case, the police have accelerated their investigation. On August 6, they conducted searches at the KFA headquarters in Jongno and the KFA office in Cheonan, securing relevant documents. They have also summoned board members and several members of the Strengthening Committee to verify the facts. On August 26, they questioned Kim Jeong-bae, the former KFA vice president.Hong, the former coach, was also summoned for a closed-door investigation as a suspect on August 4. However, he reportedly stated that he had no direct communication with Jeong during his selection process.The police are expected to investigate whether Jeong directly influenced the entire process from recommending candidates to the final selection and whether he exerted pressure on other KFA executives, including the former technical director.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 14:28:10
  • 31 Young People in Yeongam Propose Local Youth Policies
    31 Young People in Yeongam Propose Local Youth Policies Young people in Yeongam are addressing issues related to jobs, agriculture, and welfare and culture in their daily lives while working to identify necessary youth policies for the region. Yeongam County announced on September 2 that it held an additional appointment ceremony for the 4th Yeongam Youth Council and an orientation for the youth policy network on August 28, where five new youth members were appointed. With the addition of these five members to the 26 appointed in July, the 4th Yeongam Youth Council now consists of 31 members. The council will operate in four working groups focused on agriculture, communication and participation, welfare and culture, and entrepreneurship and jobs until December. The initiative aims to move away from a top-down approach to policy-making, instead focusing on identifying issues that local youth experience firsthand and developing them into concrete policy ideas. During their term, council members will receive three training sessions to enhance their understanding of policies and learn how to propose and implement them. They also plan to refine ideas generated through four group activities, learning trips, and a sharing session. In the preliminary training held on August 28, experts and youth council members participated to share the direction of upcoming activities and discuss plans for each group. Ha Hae-sung, head of the Yeongam County Population and Youth Division, stated, “Youth are the best at understanding the issues they face and the policies they need in their community,” adding, “We will ensure that the ideas generated by the youth council do not remain mere suggestions but are translated into actual policies.” Meanwhile, the 4th Yeongam Youth Council will serve as a platform for youth to not only express their policy needs but also to identify local issues and propose solutions. Yeongam County plans to share the results of group activities and policy proposals at a sharing session in December and will review the feasibility of incorporating the suggestions into policy.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 14:28:10