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  • This years biggest full moon to peak two days after Chuseok
    This year's biggest full moon to peak two days after Chuseok SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - As South Koreans are getting ready to celebrate Chuseok, one of the country's biggest holidays next week, they will have to wait for a couple of days to see the harvest moon at its fullest. With this year's Chuseok falling next Friday, the moon will rise at about 5:34 p.m. in Seoul that day, but it will be at its fullest and brightest at 1:49 a.m. on Sept. 27, the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute said on Thursday. South Koreans traditionally make wishes under the biggest full moon on the 15th day of the eighth month in the lunar calendar. Cloudy skies are expected during the long holiday weekend next week, but the moon should still be visible, allowing skywatchers to enjoy it with the naked eye. The reason the size of the full moon changes each month is that the distance between the moon and Earth varies as the moon moves around Earth in an elliptical orbit. AJP Takeaways - This year's Chuseok falls on Sept. 25, 2026, with the moon expected to rise at about 5:34 p.m. in Seoul. - The Chuseok full moon will reach its fullest and brightest point at 1:49 a.m. on Sept. 27, 2026, about two days after the holiday. - The moon's apparent size changes because its distance from Earth varies as it travels around Earth in an elliptical orbit, while cloudy skies are expected during the Chuseok holiday weekend. 2026-09-17 16:40:00
  • Korea Railroad Corporation President Kim Tae-seung Inspects Central Line Logistics Operations
    Korea Railroad Corporation President Kim Tae-seung Inspects Central Line Logistics Operations Kim Tae-seung, president of Korea Railroad Corporation (Korail), conducted an on-site inspection of the Central Line logistics operations to assess safety management practices.On September 17, Korail announced that Kim visited the logistics site in Danyang, North Chungcheong Province, where he checked vehicle handling operations and safety equipment with on-site staff.The Dodam Station on the Central Line serves as a logistics hub for Korail, primarily handling cement and gravel. The North Chungcheong branch is responsible for over 90% of cement rail transport and more than 30% of total rail logistics.A new safety fence for the Eumseong train warning system was installed at Dodam Station in July. This month, remote-controlled access doors have been implemented to enhance track access management.During his visit, Kim discussed ways to improve the working environment with logistics staff, aiming to foster a culture where safety is the top priority for all employees.Kim emphasized, "It is crucial to not overlook even the smallest risks on-site and to create an environment where employees can work with peace of mind. Let us ensure that all decision-making on-site is based on 'safety' and work together to establish safety as our guiding principle."Meanwhile, on August 29 at 7:20 a.m., a tragic incident occurred at Uiwang Station on the Gyeongbu Line, where a Korail employee in his 50s lost his life. He was reportedly struck by a train while performing vehicle handling operations.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-17 16:36:00
  • Dispute Over Responsibility for Delayed GTX-A Opening Due to Missing Rebar at Samseong Station
    Dispute Over Responsibility for Delayed GTX-A Opening Due to Missing Rebar at Samseong Station The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Seoul Metropolitan Government are at odds over responsibility for the delays in the opening of the GTX-A line due to missing rebar at Samseong Station.On September 17, the Seoul city government expressed regret over Hong Ji-sun's statement during a National Assembly confirmation hearing the previous day, in which the nominee for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport indicated plans to file a subrogation claim against the city for operational losses stemming from the missing rebar. Seoul argued that it is inappropriate to assume the city's responsibility before an objective verification of the causes of the losses has been completed.The non-stop service through Samseong Station was originally scheduled to begin in August 2026. Following the confirmation of the missing rebar in November 2025, Seoul conducted its own safety inspections and developed reinforcement plans in December. After drafting a detailed construction plan in March 2026, the city shared its specific reinforcement measures and future plans with the Korea Railroad Corporation on April 24 and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on April 29.Seoul stated that it aimed to complete the reinforcement work by July while ensuring safety during the construction and operational testing. The city emphasized that the safety of the structure was not solely determined by its own assessment. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport conducted an emergency night inspection on April 29, and the Korea Railroad Corporation carried out an urgent safety inspection with external experts from May 6 to 8, confirming that there were no safety issues. Consequently, the verification tests for the facilities, which had been suspended, resumed, leading to a total of 94 train test runs by May 19.Seoul reported that vibration measurements also yielded results below the established standards. The maximum vibration speed measured on May 5 was 0.069 cm/s, while a measurement conducted by the Ministry and the Korea Railroad Corporation on July 15-16 showed 0.049 cm/s. The city noted that both figures are less than one-fourth of the railway facility standard of 0.3 cm/s.Seoul has consistently maintained that it could proceed with the reinforcement work and the non-stop service through Samseong Station, provided safety was ensured. However, the city claims that the Ministry delayed the schedule due to additional inspections, which led to the postponement of the timeline. The inspection period, originally set to conclude by July 20, was extended by four months to November 20, resulting in delays to both the reinforcement work, which was supposed to be completed in July, and the non-stop service, initially planned for August.Seoul stated, "As the schedule for the non-stop service is delayed, the inconvenience for residents in the metropolitan area using the GTX-A, including those from Dongtan, Seongnam, and Unjeong, is also prolonged."Furthermore, the city argued, "It is inappropriate for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Korea Railroad Corporation to delay the related procedures for an extended period under the pretext of additional verification, despite having confirmed the structural safety and resumed test operations, and then to shift the increased costs onto the taxpayers of Seoul."Seoul plans to distinguish between responsibilities for the missing rebar and those arising from the additional inspections and schedule delays if a subrogation claim is actually filed in the future.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-17 16:36:00
  • Rising Rent Prices in Seouls Nowon District Squeeze Tenants
    Rising Rent Prices in Seoul's Nowon District Squeeze Tenants As rental costs rise in the outskirts of Seoul, options for tenants without homes are dwindling. In the past month, the average deposit for newly registered monthly rentals of apartments around 59 square meters in Nowon District reached 134.19 million won, with monthly rent hitting 1.08 million won. With home prices increasing, the financial burden of renting has also grown.According to data from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's real transaction disclosure system, an analysis of newly registered monthly rental contracts for apartments between 58 and 60 square meters in Nowon from August 18 to September 17 shows an average monthly rent of 1.07 million won and an average deposit of 134.19 million won.Compared to the same period last year, when the average monthly rent was 885,000 won and the deposit was 100.97 million won, these figures represent increases of 21.7% and 32.9%, respectively. However, these comparisons involve different contracts, and variations based on complex and deposit conditions are included.When annualized, the average monthly rent translates to 12.93 million won, which is 2.31 million won higher than the 10.62 million won from the same period last year. The difference in average deposits also amounts to 33.22 million won. Tenants who secure deposits through loans must also pay interest in addition to rent, further complicating their housing choices.Rental prices are also rising in the northeastern part of Seoul. According to the Korea Real Estate Agency's weekly apartment price trends for the second week of September, as of September 14, the average jeonse price for apartments in Seoul increased by 0.17% from the previous week. The 11 districts south of the Han River saw a 0.09% increase, while the 14 districts north of the river experienced a 0.27% rise, tripling the increase.Nowon District saw a 0.45% increase, while Jungnang District rose by 0.40%. Gangbuk District increased by 0.26%, and both Dobong and Seongbuk districts rose by 0.24%, all surpassing the Seoul average. In Nowon District, a new contract for a 59 square meter apartment was reported on September 5, with a deposit of 360 million won.Kim In-man, head of the Kim In-man Real Estate Economic Research Institute, stated, “Now even the outskirts of Seoul are seeing significant price increases, leaving tenants with no choice but to bear higher housing costs or move further away.”Ham Young-jin, head of the real estate research lab at Woori Bank, explained, “The recent rise in home prices has affected those who can only choose between jeonse, monthly rent, or half-rent, as well as those who must remain in Seoul due to educational or job-related pressures despite the high housing costs.”While housing construction has increased, the immediate availability of new rental units remains limited. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the number of apartment constructions in Seoul from January to July this year reached 14,995 units, a 36.1% increase compared to the same period last year. However, completions dropped from 34,339 units to 17,603 units, a decrease of 48.7%. It takes several years for newly constructed apartments to be ready for occupancy.Experts emphasize the need for supply measures that connect construction with occupancy, as well as support to alleviate the current burden on tenants. They suggest expanding public rental and jeonse programs, increasing rental assistance, and promoting the supply of non-apartment housing, which has shorter construction times.Park Won-gap, a senior real estate expert at KB Kookmin Bank, noted, “While the increase in construction is a positive indicator, it does not immediately stabilize the rental market,” adding that building officetels or urban living housing with density incentives in semi-residential or semi-industrial areas could be a solution.Ham concluded, “Ultimately, the solution lies in ‘supply,’ and expanding non-apartment housing, public rental and jeonse supply, and rental assistance for lower-income households are ways to achieve short-term results.” 2026-09-17 16:32:10
  • Major Retailers to Shorten Payment Terms for Suppliers
    Major Retailers to Shorten Payment Terms for Suppliers 대형마트와 백화점 등 대규모유통업체가 납품업체에 상품 대금을 지급해야 하는 기한이 최대 절반 수준으로 줄어든다. 특약매입·위수탁 등의 거래는 판매마감일로부터 40일에서 20일로, 직매입은 상품수령일로부터 60일에서 35일로 단축된다.공정거래위원회는 이 같은 내용을 담은 '대규모유통업에서의 거래 공정화에 관한 법률' 개정안이 17일 국회 본회의를 통과했다고 밝혔다.이번 개정은 티몬·위메프 사태와 홈플러스 회생절차 등을 계기로 대규모유통업자의 대금 지급 관행을 개선하기 위해 추진됐다. 공정위는 지난해 2월부터 11개 업태 111개 유통 브랜드를 대상으로 실태조사를 실시한 뒤 같은 해 12월 대금 지급기한 개선방안을 마련했다.개정안에 따라 특약매입·위수탁·임대을 거래의 대금 지급기한은 월 판매마감일로부터 40일에서 20일로 절반으로 단축된다. 백화점과 면세점 등에서 주로 활용하는 특약매입은 상품이 팔리지 않으면 반품하는 조건으로 외상 매입한 뒤 판매 수수료를 제외하고 대금을 지급하는 방식이다.공정위 조사 결과 특약매입 등의 실제 대금 지급기간이 평균 20일 안팎인 데다 월 정산에 필요한 실무 기간 등을 고려해 법정 지급기한을 20일로 정했다.대형마트와 편의점, 온라인몰 등에서 주로 활용하는 직매입 거래의 지급기한도 상품수령일로부터 60일에서 35일로 줄어든다. 직매입은 유통업체가 납품업체로부터 상품을 직접 사들인 뒤 자기 책임으로 판매하는 방식이다.당초 공정위는 직매입 지급기한을 30일로 단축하는 방안을 추진했다. 실태조사에서 대다수 업체가 30일 안에 대금을 지급하고 있는 것으로 나타났기 때문이다. 다만 국회 논의 과정에서 아직 판매되지 않은 상품에 대해서도 대금을 지급해야 하는 직매입의 특성과 유통업체의 부담 등을 고려해 최종적으로 35일로 결정됐다.월 1회 정산하는 직매입 거래에는 별도의 예외가 적용된다. 월말을 매입마감일로 정해 한 달 동안 매입한 상품을 한꺼번에 정산하는 경우 매입마감일로부터 20일 이내에 대금을 지급할 수 있다.천재지변이나 납품업체 채권 압류 등 유통업체의 책임이 없는 사유로 대금 지급이 어려운 경우에도 지급기한의 예외가 인정된다. 직매입의 경우 파산이나 회생, 급격한 현금흐름 악화 등 긴급한 경영상 우려가 있고 공정위 승인을 받으면 지급기한 적용에서 예외를 인정받을 수 있다.공정위는 경영상 어려움을 이유로 한 예외가 남용되지 않도록 납품대금 지급이 어려운 사실이 객관적으로 명백한 경우에 한해 승인할 방침이다. 구체적인 예외 사유와 절차는 하위 법령을 통해 마련한다.개정 법률은 정부 이송과 국무회의 의결 등을 거쳐 공포된 뒤 1년 후 시행된다. 시행 이후 상품을 수령하거나 판매한 거래부터 새로운 지급기한이 적용된다.공정위 관계자는 "1년의 유예기간 동안 유통업계와 납품업체 등의 의견을 수렴해 하위 법령을 정비할 계획"이라고 밝혔다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-17 16:32:00
  • Naver Decides Not to Acquire Delivery Heros Baedal Minjok
    Naver Decides Not to Acquire Delivery Hero's Baedal Minjok Naver has decided not to proceed with the acquisition of a stake in Baedal Minjok, operated by Woowa Brothers.On September 17, Naver announced in a public disclosure that it had considered acquiring a stake in Baedal Minjok but ultimately decided against it due to changes in the business environment. This announcement clarifies a report from May 19 by Seoul Economic Daily regarding Naver and Uber's potential acquisition of Baedal Minjok for approximately 8 trillion won.Previously, Seoul Economic Daily reported that Naver was forming a consortium with Uber to acquire Baedal Minjok for around 8 trillion won. At that time, Naver stated, “We are exploring various options to strengthen our business competitiveness, but no specific decisions have been made yet.”The sale of Baedal Minjok has been pursued by Germany's Delivery Hero (DH). The market speculated that the sale price could reach up to 8 trillion won, and it was reported that Naver and Uber were considering forming a consortium.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-17 16:28:20
  • Promoting palace etiquette with FIFTY FIFTY
    Promoting palace etiquette with FIFTY FIFTY Heo Min, head of the Korea Heritage Service, and Athena and Yewon of FIFTY FIFTY, promotional ambassadors for the agency, hand out promotional fans to visitors during a joint campaign to promote proper etiquette at royal palaces and tombs at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Jongno District, Seoul, on the morning of Sept. 17, 2026. 2026-09-17 16:25:32
  • Seoul Court Rules Against Namsan Cable Car Project
    Seoul Court Rules Against Namsan Cable Car Project A Seoul court has ruled against the city’s plan to change land use for the Namsan gondola project, deeming the action illegal.The Seoul High Court’s Administrative Division 7, led by Judge Kwon Soon-hyung, ruled on September 17 in favor of the plaintiffs, including the Namsan Cable Car operator, Korea Sacto Industrial Co., in a lawsuit seeking to annul the city’s urban management plan decision. The court did not provide specific reasons for its ruling.As a result, the Namsan gondola project, which has been stalled for two years since a court's injunction in October 2024, faces renewed legal challenges.The core issue in this dispute revolves around the legality of changing land use and height restrictions under the Park Greenery Act. Current regulations prohibit the construction of any structures exceeding 12 meters in urban natural park areas. However, the city’s gondola plan requires the installation of intermediate supports, which would be 30 to 50 meters tall.To circumvent these height restrictions, the city changed the land use designation from 'urban natural park' to 'Namsan Yejang Neighborhood Park,' classified as urban planning facilities. In response, Korea Sacto Industrial Co. filed a lawsuit against the city.Both the first and second courts found that the city’s change of land use violated relevant laws. According to the enforcement decree of the Park Greenery Act, changing or abolishing urban natural park areas requires meeting strict criteria, such as significant damage to green spaces or loss of recreational functions.During earlier hearings, the city argued that the criteria for abolishing urban natural park areas did not apply when changing to facility parks, but the court rejected this claim.The first court noted, "Urban natural parks and facility parks are strictly distinct concepts under the law." It emphasized that any change from urban natural park to facility park must adhere to the criteria for changing or abolishing urban natural parks.This ruling indicates that the city’s assertion that it could change urban natural parks to facility parks at will for administrative purposes is legally untenable.The Namsan Cable Car has been operated exclusively by Korea Sacto Industrial Co. since it obtained a business license without an expiration date in 1962.The city aims to end this long-standing monopoly and improve accessibility for the 12 million annual visitors, proposing a gondola system with 25 ten-passenger cabins to transport over 1,600 people per hour from near Myeongdong Station to the summit of Namsan, but the project is now at risk due to the court's decision.Immediately following the appellate ruling, the city expressed strong regret, stating, "This ruling perpetuates a 60-year-old private monopoly and neglects the mobility issues faced by citizens."The city also criticized the ruling as failing to adequately reflect the procedures and legal requirements for changing urban management plans, asserting that the decision was a lawful administrative action that met the criteria for changing urban natural park areas. It announced plans to appeal to the Supreme Court.Conversely, Korea Sacto Industrial Co., local university students, and environmental groups welcomed the ruling, viewing it as a reaffirmation of legal standards for preventing reckless development and preserving the environment.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-17 16:24:10
  • U.S. House Passes Russia Sanctions Bill Targeting China and India Ahead of Xi Jinpings Visit
    U.S. House Passes Russia Sanctions Bill Targeting China and India Ahead of Xi Jinping's Visit The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill on September 16 aimed at imposing sanctions on China and India, major buyers of Russian energy. The legislation grants President Donald Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on imports of Russian oil and natural gas.According to the South China Morning Post, the House approved the 'Lindsey O. Graham Russia-Iran Sanctions Act' with a vote of 262 in favor and 159 against. The Senate had previously passed the bill overwhelmingly last month with a vote of 86 to 11. The bill now awaits Trump's signature.Led by the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who passed away in July, the bill empowers Trump to impose tariffs on the top five countries importing Russian oil and natural gas.While the bill does not specify the countries targeted, China and India are expected to be the primary focus due to their significant imports of Russian energy.The legislation also includes additional sanctions on Russia's energy and defense industries. It aims to strengthen sanctions against the so-called 'shadow fleet' that transports Russian oil to evade existing sanctions and imposes further restrictions on Iran.The Chinese government responded immediately. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang stated at a regular briefing on September 17, "China has always engaged in normal trade and economic cooperation with countries based on equality and mutual benefit. Such cooperation is not aimed at any third country and should not be interfered with or coerced by third parties." He added that China opposes extraterritorial jurisdiction without a basis in international law and without approval from the United Nations Security Council.The Indian Ministry of External Affairs also issued a statement on the same day, emphasizing that it has made its position clear regarding the potential impact of the bill on U.S.-India relations and the international energy market. The ministry warned that it would take all necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests.The passage of this bill comes as negotiations between the U.S. and China are ongoing ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the United States next week. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bensent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng are expected to hold final negotiations this weekend to prepare for Xi's visit. The two sides are anticipated to discuss economic agreements, including tariff reductions on agricultural trade and the extension of a fragile trade truce established last October.This legislation targeting China, a major importer of Russian oil, is seen as a further economic pressure tactic as the U.S. intensifies sanctions against Iran and urges China to halt commercial transactions with the country. 2026-09-17 16:24:00
  • Korea and IEA forge RISE ASIA partnership to enhance energy security
    Korea and IEA forge RISE ASIA partnership to enhance energy security Kim Sung-hwan, minister of climate, energy and environment, and Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), pose for a photo after signing a memorandum of understanding on the Korea-IEA Resilient and Integrated Security of Energy in Asia (RISE ASIA) Partnership during a joint press conference at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul in Jongno District, Seoul, on the afternoon of Sept. 17, 2026. 2026-09-17 16:23:06