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  • Peppertones Lee Jang-won Announces Grandfathers Passing After Broadcast
    Peppertones' Lee Jang-won Announces Grandfather's Passing After Broadcast Lee Hyun-seob, the grandfather of Lee Jang-won from the band Peppertones, has passed away.On September 1, SBS aired an episode of 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2,' featuring Lee Jang-won and his wife Bae Da-hae alongside his grandfather.However, towards the end of the broadcast, news of Lee Hyun-seob's death was announced.The production team shared the news with a caption stating, "A few days after the second story, Mr. Lee Hyun-seob has passed away." On the same day, Lee Jang-won took to his social media to express, "My grandfather, who lived with us, passed away recently. We held a family funeral for him." He added, "I lived with my grandfather for a few years at the start of my career, and he prepared breakfast for me every morning. I moved in with Da-hae to repay him, but it was shorter than I expected, which is regrettable. I am very grateful that we created many good memories thanks to 'Same Bed, Different Dreams.'" In a shared photo, the two are seen sitting together at a table, enjoying a meal.Netizens have responded with comments such as, "Rest in peace," "My condolences to the deceased," and "He looked very healthy on the show..."Lee Hyun-seob was born in 1926 in Anju, South Pyongan Province, and was a graduate of the 9th class of the Army Academy, serving as a veteran of the Korean War.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 09:40:00
  • KakaoBank Launches Fourth Safe Account for Small Businesses in Seoul with Up to 20 Million Won Support
    KakaoBank Launches Fourth 'Safe Account' for Small Businesses in Seoul with Up to 20 Million Won Support KakaoBank, in partnership with the Seoul Credit Guarantee Foundation, is launching its fourth 'Safe Account' program, allowing small businesses in Seoul to borrow up to 20 million won.The program will begin on September 3, as announced by KakaoBank on September 2.The Safe Account is a non-face-to-face loan backed by a guarantee, first introduced by KakaoBank and the Seoul city government in March of last year.KakaoBank has participated in all four phases of the Safe Account program. Through the first three phases, approximately 60,000 small businesses received a total of 600 billion won in loans, with 310 billion won disbursed through KakaoBank.In this fourth phase, the loan limit has been increased from the previous maximum of 10 million won to 20 million won. The total funding available has also expanded from 200 billion won to 300 billion won. Existing users of the Safe Account from phases one to three can apply for additional loans if they meet the criteria.Eligible applicants are self-employed individuals who have operated a business in Seoul for at least one year. They must have a credit score of 600 or higher according to NICE standards and either total sales of at least 2 million won in the last three months or reported sales of at least 10 million won in the past year.Applications can be submitted starting September 3 via the Seoul Credit Guarantee Foundation's mobile app. After receiving a guarantee approval, applicants can execute the loan through the KakaoBank app.A KakaoBank representative stated, "Through the Safe Account program, we have alleviated the financial burden on small businesses in Seoul. We will continue to expand financial services that support stable operations for individual entrepreneurs."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 09:36:10
  • Labor Department Conducts Search at Coupang Fulfillment Center Following Worker Injury
    Labor Department Conducts Search at Coupang Fulfillment Center Following Worker Injury The labor authorities have launched a forced investigation related to a worker injury incident that occurred last month at the Coupang fulfillment center in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province.According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the Seongnam branch of the Gyeonggi Provincial Employment and Labor Office and the Gyeonggi Southern Police Agency began executing a search warrant at the Coupang Fulfillment Center in Gwangju on the morning of September 2.On August 23, a worker operating a forklift at the Coupang facility in Gwangju was injured when the vehicle collided with a structure, resulting in the worker's neck becoming trapped.Approximately 30 labor inspectors and police officers are involved in the search, aiming to secure computers and other materials from relevant personnel. The investigation will focus on whether the employer has fulfilled safety obligations to prevent such incidents during forklift operations.The Ministry stated, "We recognize the seriousness of accidents that repeatedly occur in logistics settings and will conduct a thorough investigation into potential violations of the Industrial Safety and Health Act and the Serious Accident Punishment Act."Additionally, the Ministry emphasized, "In cases of major fatal accidents or repeated incidents due to non-compliance with basic safety regulations, we will actively utilize search warrants and arrests as part of our enforcement measures."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 09:36:00
  • Oil and bond jitters send KOSPI, Nikkei 2% lower
    Oil and bond jitters send KOSPI, Nikkei 2% lower SEOUL, September 02 (AJP) - The global runup in interest rates and oil shock on renewed tensions in the Middle East that knocked Wall Street lower on Tuesday landed hard on oil-dependent Korea and Japan. The KOSPI, the benchmark index of the Korea Exchange, shed 186.82 points or 2.7 percent to 6,648.98 in early trade on Wednesday. The selloff panned out on a similar scale in Tokyo, also weighed down by bond and oil market jitters. Chipmakers, carmakers and power equipment names took the worst of it, while shipping and refining shares were the only sizeable group bid higher. U.S. Central Command said its forces began striking Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets in Iran on Tuesday, after two tankers were hit within minutes of each other while leaving the strait late Monday. President Donald Trump called the strikes "large and powerful." One of the two vessels, the Liberia-flagged Senegal Prosperity, is South Korean-owned. West Texas Intermediate crude settled 5.2 percent higher at $90.22 a barrel, its highest close in more than a month. Brent added 4.6 percent to $94.65. The Middle East supplied 53.1 percent of Korea's crude imports in April, down from 65.2 percent a year earlier, according to the Korea International Trade Association, a national trade body that compiles customs data. The transmission into equities runs through bonds rather than through the oil price itself. Long-dated yields rose in the U.S. and abroad on Tuesday as traders priced a higher inflation path and questioned whether the Federal Reserve could tighten later this month. Japan's 10-year bond yield on Tuesday touched 3 percent for the first time since 1996, while Korea's also neared multi-year highs by adding 5.8 basis points to 4.317 precent, moving closer to 4.75 percent yield of U.S. treasury note of corresponding maturity. Semiconductors, which carry the index, lost the most market value. Samsung Electronics fell 3.1 percent to 253,000 won ($184), and SK hynix lost 2.9 percent to 1,644,000 won ($1,198). SK square, the holding company that is SK hynix's largest shareholder, dropped 5.2 percent to 1,012,000 won ($738). Hyundai Motor fell 3.9 percent to 385,000 won ($281). The bid was narrow. Shipping was the strongest theme on the market, up 3.3 percent, with traders reading war risk premiums and longer routes as support for freight rates. Banks also held up, helped by the same yield move that hurt technology. KB Financial Group rose 0.7 percent to 172,400 won ($126) and Shinhan Financial Group added 0.5 percent to 111,700 won ($81). The KOSDAQ, the secondary market for smaller and technology companies, fell 19.26 points to 801.99, a loss of 2.4 percent. Individual investors were the only net buyers on the main board, taking a net 293.8 billion won ($214.2 million) of shares. Foreigners sold a net 203.0 billion won ($148.0 million) and institutions a net 128.7 billion won ($93.8 million). In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 was down 1,544.32 points at 64,671.02, a loss of 2.3 percent. The won was quoted at 1,371.60 to the dollar, 3.90 won stronger than the previous quote. 2026-09-02 09:35:45
  • Bank of Korea Projects Inflation to Slow in September Amid Ongoing Core Price Increases
    Bank of Korea Projects Inflation to Slow in September Amid Ongoing Core Price Increases As the consumer price inflation rate rises back to the 3% range, the Bank of Korea has projected that inflation will continue its upward trend.On September 2, the Bank of Korea held a 'Price Situation Review Meeting' led by Deputy Governor Lee Ji-ho to assess recent price trends and future forecasts.According to the National Data Agency, the consumer price index last month was 120.05 (2020=100), reflecting a 3.1% increase compared to the same month last year. The consumer price inflation rate remained in the 2% range from January to April this year, rose to the 3% range in May and June, dipped to 2.8% in July, and has now climbed back to the 3% range.The Bank of Korea noted that the significant base effect from discounts on communication fees in August contributed to the rise in consumer prices. The increase in petroleum prices was slightly lower at 14.2% compared to the previous month’s 15.5%, while prices for agricultural, livestock, and fishery products fell from a 0.9% increase in July to a decrease of 2.6% in August due to government discount policies.Core inflation, which excludes volatile items, saw a notable increase to 3.4%, up from 2.6% the previous month, driven by rising prices in personal services and durable goods, along with the base effect from communication fees.The Bank of Korea expects the consumer price inflation rate in September to be lower than in August due to the fading base effect, but anticipates that the upward trend will continue, particularly in core items.Deputy Governor Lee stated, "Given the transmission of cost shocks and increasing demand-side pressures, we expect core inflation to remain elevated, and we will monitor the price situation with vigilance."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 09:32:10
  • Dyson Enters Oral Care Market with AI-Powered Toothbrush
    Dyson Enters Oral Care Market with AI-Powered Toothbrush Dyson is making its debut in the oral care market with an electric toothbrush that uses an AI camera to automatically clean between teeth. The company is expanding its product line by integrating its vision systems, machine learning, and fluid dynamics technology, which it has developed for its vacuum cleaners and hair care products.On September 1, Dyson unveiled its first oral care system, the Dyson CameraJet electric toothbrush and oral irrigator, in Paris.The standout feature of the CameraJet is its built-in camera, which identifies hard-to-see areas between teeth for cleaning. Dyson explained that after over a decade of research into oral hygiene habits and the accumulation of bacteria in the mouth, it focused on developing a product that addresses the management of interdental spaces where plaque tends to form.The core technology is the AI machine learning-based 'Gap Optical Targeting' camera system. During development, the system was trained on 470,000 images of teeth, and a 100,000-pixel macro lens camera analyzes 28 images per second.Based on this data, the AI algorithm predicts the location and orientation of spaces between teeth. When the camera detects an interdental space, it automatically sprays a cone-shaped stream of liquid toward that point within 0.1 seconds to remove plaque. The liquid is designed to spread widely, minimizing irritation to the gums.The toothbrush's cleaning performance has also been enhanced. The three-dimensional sonic brush features firm bristles on the inside and softer bristles on the outside. The inner bristles remove surface stains, while the outer bristles clean along the gum line.The sonic motor vibrates 245 times per second, allowing the bristles to move in a three-dimensional manner. An RFID tag on the brush head detects connectivity and usage frequency, notifying users when it's time for a replacement.Smart features are supported through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Users can view their mouth in real-time via the 'MyDyson' app, which utilizes the camera mounted on the device. The camera activates only during live view or automatic jet spray functions, and the images captured are not stored on the device or in the cloud, according to the company.James Dyson, the founder and chief engineer of Dyson, stated, "We found that many people overlook the interdental spaces where plaque forms. By combining a camera, machine learning, fluid dynamics, and advanced brushing technology with Wi-Fi, we are presenting a new solution for maintaining oral health."The CameraJet will be available in two colors: Ceramic Pink and Ceramic Ultra Blue. The suggested retail price in South Korea is 749,000 won, and pre-orders began on September 1 through Dyson's official website and online channels.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 09:32:10
  • Bank of Korea Hosts International Conference on Aging Population and Low Birth Rates
    Bank of Korea Hosts International Conference on Aging Population and Low Birth Rates The Bank of Korea is hosting an international conference to reassess the impact of an aging population and low birth rates on the economy and to explore new policy responses. Research is expected to show that low birth rates do not necessarily constrain economic growth, and the scarcity of young labor may actually promote the development of labor-saving technologies such as automation.The conference, titled 'The Economics of Population Aging and Longevity: From Challenges to Opportunities,' is being co-hosted with the Center for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) from September 2 to 3 in Seoul.Following opening remarks by Bank of Korea Governor Shin Hyun-sung and OECD Economic Policy Research Director Asa Johansson, the first session will feature a keynote speech by Fumio Hayashi, an honorary professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) in Japan, on the 'Fundamental Causes of Japan's 30-Year Economic Stagnation.'Notably, the conference will present an analysis suggesting that competition for status through private education may be a significant factor contributing to declining birth rates. It is estimated that if there had been no competition for status through private education, the average number of children born to women born between 1970 and 1975 would have been 2.45, 28% higher than the current estimate of 1.92.Research will also be presented indicating that low birth rates do not necessarily lead to decreased economic growth. An analysis of data from various countries over the past 70 years shows that countries with a more significant decline in birth rates tend to have higher per capita growth rates among the working-age population. This is attributed to the promotion of labor-saving technologies due to the scarcity of young labor.Studies analyzing the impact of population aging on macroeconomics and monetary policy will also be discussed. These analyses suggest that aging may lower economic growth rates and real interest rates, thereby constraining the operational capacity of monetary policy.Research addressing the vicious cycle of population concentration in the metropolitan area and related demographic issues will be presented. It suggests that the concentration of population and jobs in the metropolitan area may reinforce regional decline and low birth rates.Discussions will also focus on whether artificial intelligence (AI) can alleviate labor market imbalances resulting from demographic changes. Research indicates that the exposure to AI is concentrated among younger individuals, suggesting that the spread of AI alone may not resolve labor market imbalances caused by aging and population decline.Finally, a high-level policy panel discussion will address 'Bold Policy Innovations for Prosperity in an Era of Aging and Population Decline' to explore policy responses.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 09:32:00
  • Bank of Korea Governor Shin Hyun-song: Prepare for Demographic Changes
    Bank of Korea Governor Shin Hyun-song: Prepare for Demographic Changes Shin Hyun-song, Governor of the Bank of Korea, described demographic changes as a "formidable challenge" but emphasized that it is possible to foresee these changes and prepare accordingly. He noted that advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and productivity could present new opportunities in an era of declining population.Shin made these remarks on September 2 during the opening of the conference titled "The Economics of Aging and Longevity: From Challenges to Opportunities," co-hosted by the Bank of Korea, the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).The governor identified demographic changes as one of the most critical long-term issues facing central banks, as they will influence productivity, potential growth rates, and long-term equilibrium interest rates.He stated, "What is happening in Korea may serve as a preview of what many other countries will soon face," adding, "Demographics are a powerful force, but as the saying goes, 'demography is not destiny.'"Shin highlighted the creation and dissemination of knowledge as key factors influencing productivity and long-term growth. He stressed the need to reassess the relationship between productivity improvements and population decline in light of the emergence of AI.He also pointed out that unlike short-term shocks, demographic changes can be anticipated decades in advance. "While we often focus on responding to short-term shocks, demographic changes can be predicted well in advance," he said. "Now is not the time to delay but to prepare."Shin assessed Korea's competitive edge in the AI ecosystem and semiconductor industry as opportunities in the face of a declining population. He remarked, "Today, Korea stands at the center of the AI ecosystem, benefiting from unprecedented semiconductor production and investments driven by AI. I believe this discussion will lay a valuable foundation for our preparations."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 09:32:00
  • Urban Zakapa and 10CM to Surprise Perform at Art Forest Festival in October
    Urban Zakapa and 10CM to Surprise Perform at Art Forest Festival in October The Korea Arts and Culture Education Service (Arko) announced on September 2 that the lineup and main programs for the '2026 Art Forest Festival WITH Background Live' will take place at the Seoul Children's Grand Park on October 3.This year's festival will feature surprise live performances by Urban Zakapa, 10CM, and a hidden artist who will be revealed on the day of the event, all without a separate stage.Experience programs with artists such as pianist Yoon Han, DJ Joseph, AnnoyingBox, artist Han Wan-jeong, and gryeobori will enrich the festival.The festival will also incorporate the Background Drive directing style from the YouTube channel 'J.K. Out,' which breaks down the barriers between the stage and the audience, allowing artists to appear unexpectedly in various moments and locations. This approach aims to provide a fresh experience of encountering art as if by chance.Three YouTube channels—'Kwon Tto Tto,' 'Jo Hyun-a's Ordinary Thursday Night,' and 'J.K. Out'—will also be present at the festival to promote the value of cultural arts support through on-site programs.These channels are running a project where they donate 10 won to the 'Theater Tomorrow Fund' for every view of their released content. The 'Theater Tomorrow Fund' is a fundraising campaign initiated by actors Shin Gu and Park Geun-hyung to support the growth of young theater artists.The Art Forest Festival will not sell tickets but will invite cultural arts supporters. Donations of 5,000 won or more to the 'Theater Tomorrow Fund' through the festival's website by September 18 will automatically enter donors into a lottery for participation. A total of 300 donors, along with one guest each, will be invited, totaling 600 attendees.Chairman Lee Beom-hun stated, “This year’s Art Forest Festival is significant in that it lowers the barriers to cultural arts support by meeting the familiar platform of YouTube. We will continue to enhance accessibility so that everyone can enjoy and participate in supporting the arts without burden.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 09:28:00
  • Busan Education Office Hosts National Robot Qualifiers Without Clear Participation Goals
    Busan Education Office Hosts National Robot Qualifiers Without Clear Participation Goals A national qualifying event for the World Youth Robot Championship will be held in Busan next year.However, the Busan City Education Office has not set any expected participation scale or goals as registration began, and it appears that the department has not specifically tracked last year's participation data or the performance of Busan students in related events.The Busan City Education Office announced that it will host the '2027 Robot National Qualifiers' on November 28 at the Busan Port International Exhibition and Convention Center (BPEX).This competition serves as the official qualifier for the '2027 Robofest World Championship,' which will take place in Korea next year, and is open for free participation to elementary, middle, and high school students nationwide. The top team in each category will receive a ticket to the world championship and more than three sessions of tailored consulting.Robofest is an international youth robot competition that began in 1999 at Lawrence Technological University in the United States. According to the Busan Education Office, over 38,700 students from 39 countries have participated to date.The world championship in Korea will be the first to be held outside the United States.The event in Busan is a national qualifier, not the world championship itself. An official from the education office explained, “We are hosting a domestic competition to qualify for the world championship,” emphasizing that the operations of the world championship and the national qualifiers are separate.Registration is open from September 1 to October 16. The junior division includes students from fifth grade to second year of middle school, while the senior division includes students from third year of middle school to second year of high school. Competing teams will participate in eight categories, including Game, Exhibition, and Unknown Mission Challenge (UMC).The issue lies in the expected participation scale. Although the education office is overseeing the official qualifiers for students nationwide, it has not set any expected number of teams or students by the first day of registration, nor has it established a separate target participation scale.When asked about the expected participation scale, an official stated, “We started registration on the 1st, so we cannot know at this point,” adding, “There is no set target.” The official further explained, “Since there are multiple categories, we will assess the level of support for each category and make adjustments after October 16.”The department was also unable to provide immediate data on past competitions. When asked about last year's domestic competition participation, the official replied, “We did not oversee it last year, so we do not have that information.”Regarding the performance of Korean students in the world championship, the official stated, “We are not well-informed about the data related to the world championship.” As for the past participation records of Busan students, the official mentioned, “There may be data, but we are not aware of it,” explaining that such information is managed separately.No specific measures have yet been proposed to address regional disparities in participation. In response to questions about varying conditions for students in rural areas, the education office stated that it has sent competition information to all city and provincial education offices and will assess the registration situation before making any judgments.An official from the education office remarked, “We have informed all city and provincial education superintendents,” adding, “We will need to evaluate the situation based on the registration we receive.”As this is a national qualifier for a ticket to the world championship, the future adjustments in operations based on registration trends, along with the enhancement of foundational data regarding past competition scales and student demand, remain challenges ahead.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 09:24:00