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  • Reassessing China-South Korea Cooperation Amid Cross-Border Risks
    Reassessing China-South Korea Cooperation Amid Cross-Border Risks On August 26, a massive flood and debris flow struck the border area between Nepal and China's Tibet Autonomous Region. The disaster, triggered by glacier and rock collapses in Nepal's Rasuwa region, extended its impact across the border to China's Jilong, leaving nine South Koreans involved in local hydropower projects unreachable. In the same area, a rapid drainage of a glacial lake had previously caused the collapse of the Friendship Bridge connecting China and Nepal in July 2025. Following the disaster, controversy arose over the lack of advance warning, with claims that China had failed to adequately inform others despite recognizing the risks. China countered these claims by citing the complexities of the terrain and limitations in observation technology. However, the focus should shift from assigning blame to the actions taken afterward. Both countries have begun sharing real-time hydrological and meteorological data and enhancing early warning systems. This disaster underscores the importance of cooperation in reducing information gaps and accelerating responses, especially when predictive capabilities are limited.Today, we live in a hyper-connected society where people, goods, capital, and information are intricately linked, including supply chains, digital networks, and environmental systems. While this connectivity serves as a foundation for exchange and growth, risks and shocks in one region can lead to social and economic costs in another country. South Korea and China are closely connected through air and maritime transport, supply chains, and financial and digital networks. Therefore, discussions on China-South Korea cooperation should not be limited to what can be gained together; they must also address the need to jointly mitigate risks that can impact each other and minimize potential damages.In this context, several important issues warrant attention. Among them, nuclear safety is a priority. China is expanding its nuclear power plants along its eastern coast, while South Korea operates numerous reactors. If an abnormal situation arises in either country, accurate information is essential for assessing the impact on the other. Existing frameworks, such as the China-South Korea-Japan Nuclear Safety Regulators Meeting and joint disaster response drills, should be utilized to clarify notification standards and the scope of shared information rather than creating new agreements.The Yellow Sea, where both countries are in close proximity, has seen practical cooperation. On May 28, South Korea and China conducted their first joint maritime search and rescue exercise, deploying two vessels and one helicopter. The drill simulated a fire on a fishing boat, testing communication of the incident, search and rescue operations, fire suppression, and marine pollution response. In real incidents, delayed initial responses can lead to greater loss of life and damage to marine ecosystems. Therefore, regularizing joint exercises is crucial to repeatedly assess communication systems, on-site command, and resource deployment procedures for rescue and pollution control. In the long term, expanding cooperation to include joint investigations and information exchange on marine debris, water quality, and fishery resources is necessary.The most pressing area of concern is cyberspace, where information flows continuously across borders. Voice phishing organizations, servers, victims, and financial accounts are dispersed across multiple countries, making it difficult for any single nation to dismantle the entire criminal network. An MOU on cooperation against voice phishing and online fraud was signed during the 2025 South Korea-China summit, and now there is a need to establish practical systems for quickly tracking communications and financial flows, including freezing assets and preserving evidence when necessary. It is better to differentiate between issues involving national security, such as state-sponsored hacking, and transnational crimes targeting citizens, approaching areas where cooperation is feasible separately. While the nature of infectious diseases, drugs, and illegal weapons differs, early detection, information exchange, and rapid collaboration are effective in reducing harm.However, merely establishing agreements or communication networks does not guarantee actual cooperation. Information related to disasters, health, and cyber issues often intertwines with national responsibilities, security, and industrial interests, which can delay information disclosure and sharing during crises. Structural conflicts, such as North Korea's nuclear program and U.S.-China strategic competition, also pose constraints on China-South Korea cooperation. Therefore, risk management cannot rely solely on the goodwill or political trust of the other party. If nuclear accidents, marine pollution, and transnational crimes are not effectively controlled, both countries will inevitably bear the costs, and this mutual understanding should serve as the foundation for cooperation.What is crucial is not the continuous creation of new systems but enhancing the effectiveness of existing cooperative frameworks. Clear notification standards for different risk levels, a 24-hour communication network, and a minimum set of information that must be shared should be established, along with regular joint training to assess actual response procedures. Mechanisms to verify the reliability of information and compliance with agreements are also necessary. Cooperation that directly impacts the lives and safety of citizens must maintain at least minimal functionality, even if bilateral relations deteriorate.China-South Korea cooperation should not be evaluated solely based on visible economic outcomes like trade expansion or increased investment. Preventing major accidents, swiftly blocking transnational crimes, and reducing the impacts of infectious diseases and marine pollution are also significant achievements. Moving forward, China-South Korea cooperation should evolve to manage cross-border risks and minimize potential losses while expanding mutual benefits.Author's Key Background▲ Research Fellow, AI Research Lab, Gyeonggi Research Institute ▲ Adjunct Professor, Department of Strategic Information, Hanyang University ▲ Member, Special Committee on Local Governments, Presidential Committee on Basic Society ▲ Evaluator, Overseas Institutions, Economic and Social Research Council 2026-09-01 15:44:00
  • Special Prosecutor Dismisses Charges Against Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae
    Special Prosecutor Dismisses Charges Against Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae The Special Prosecutor's Office has dismissed charges against Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, who was accused of involvement in an insurrection during the martial law declared on December 3. The second special prosecutor team, led by Kwon Chang-young, announced on September 1 that "no new facts were confirmed after the investigation of the accuser on August 20, leading to the dismissal of the case." Dismissal occurs when there is a clear reason for non-prosecution or when further investigation is deemed unnecessary.Cho was accused by civic groups of participating in the insurrection by failing to publicly point out or actively oppose the unconstitutionality and illegality of the martial law, despite being the head of the judiciary at the time of its declaration. The accusers highlighted that Cho convened an emergency executive meeting immediately after the martial law was announced but did not issue an official rejection from the Supreme Court.However, a previous special prosecutor team investigating the matter (led by Jo Eun-seok) also dismissed charges against Cho last year. At that time, the team found that Cho had directly pointed out the unconstitutionality of the martial law to senior officials of the court administration shortly after its declaration and had thoroughly instructed them not to send a liaison officer to the martial law command, leading to a judgment of no wrongdoing.With the dismissal of the insurrection charges, Cho has cleared a significant judicial risk. However, he is now under investigation by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials due to recent controversies surrounding the nomination of Supreme Court justices.An official from the Corruption Investigation Office stated during a regular briefing that the case against Cho, filed by civic group Justice for All, was assigned to the first investigation division (led by Chief Prosecutor Na Chang-soo) on August 27.Previously, Justice for All submitted a complaint against Cho on August 25, accusing him of abuse of power and dereliction of duty. They claimed that Cho unilaterally nominated Supreme Court Justice nominee Son Bong-ki, disregarding established practices, thereby obstructing the president's legitimate appointment authority. They also pointed out that Cho's delay in nominating a successor to former Justice Roh Tae-uk for over seven months constituted clear dereliction of duty.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-01 15:40:10
  • Kim Yong-beom Resigns as Chief Policy Officer, Restructuring Economic Team
    Kim Yong-beom Resigns as Chief Policy Officer, Restructuring Economic Team 이재명 정부의 경제정책 전반을 총괄해왔던 김용범 청와대 정책실장이 1일 전격 사퇴했다. 실장급 청와대 고위 참모가 교체된 건 정부 출범 1년 3개월 만에 처음이다. 경제부총리와 국토교통부 장관 등 6개 부처 장관 후보자를 새로 임명한 지 이틀 만에 청와대 정책 컨트롤타워까지 교체하면서 제2기 경제라인 재정비가 본격화했다. 강유정 청와대 수석대변인은 이날 춘추관 브리핑에서 “김 실장이 지난달 31일 사의를 표명했고 이 대통령이 이날 이를 수리했다”고 밝혔다. 청와대는 이번 인사를 부동산·금융정책 실패에 따른 문책보다는 2기 경제정책의 집행력을 높이기 위한 개편으로 규정했다. 청와대 관계자는 “정책 집행에 원활한 동력을 제공하기 위해 참모진이 바뀐 것으로 이해해달라”며 “2기 경제정책 라인을 활성화하고 가속화하기 위한 조치”라고 설명했다. 김 실장은 이날 오전까지 정상적으로 회의에 참석해 참모들에게 고별 인사를 한 것으로 전해졌다. 청와대는 사의 수리가 곧바로 사직서 결재 완료를 의미하지는 않는다며 사의 의사를 받아들인 뒤 후속 절차가 진행되는 단계라고 설명했다. 김 실장은 최근 단일종목 레버리지 상장지수펀드(ETF) 도입에 따른 증시 변동성과 부동산 세제·공급정책을 둘러싸고 야권과 범여권 일부로부터 책임론을 받아왔다. 청와대는 이런 논란이 사의 수리에 반영됐느냐는 질문에 “정책 집행의 동력을 위한 인적 개편”이라고 답했다. 청와대는 후임 정책실장 인선을 신속하게 추진할 방침이다. 김 실장의 사퇴에 따라 정책실장 후임 인선을 포함한 정책라인 연쇄 이동이 있을 것이라는 예상도 제기된다. 정책라인 이동과 관련해서는 차기 정책실장 후보군으로 김정관 산업통상부 장관, 주병기 공정거래위원장, 이억원 금융위원장 등이 하마평에 오른다. 경제정책에 대한 고삐를 새롭게 당기겠다는 쇄신의 의미로 학계나 시민단체 등 외부 수혈을 할 가능성도 거론된다. 국민의힘은 김 실장의 사퇴에 대해 “늦었지만 다행”이라면서도 단순한 인적 교체가 아니라 경제정책 기조의 변화로 이어져야 한다고 주장했다. 단일종목 레버리지 ETF 도입 과정에 대한 국정조사도 요구할 방침이다. 2026-09-01 15:40:10
  • Ruling and Opposition Parties Collaborate on Legislative Agenda
    Ruling and Opposition Parties Collaborate on Legislative Agenda 여야가 정기국회 첫날인 1일 민생 법안 처리를 위해 손을 맞잡았다. 더불어민주당과 국민의힘 정책위원회는 연석회의를 정례화해 대선·총선·지방선거에서 양당이 공통으로 내건 공약을 추려 신속하게 처리하기로 합의했다. 양당 정책위 의장단은 이날 국회에서 연석회의를 열어 상견례를 갖고 민생 법안 처리를 위한 협력을 다짐했다. 회의에는 민주당의 권칠승 정책위의장, 민병덕·허영 정책위 수석부의장, 박희승·허성무 정책위 상임부의장이 참석했고, 국민의힘에서는 임이자 정책위의장, 박수영·김미애·김은혜 정책위 부의장이 함께했다.권칠승 민주당 정책위의장은 모두발언에서 "첫째도 둘째도 셋째도 민생"이라며 "쟁점 사안은 허심탄회하게 논의하되 여야가 함께할 수 있는 사안은 빨리 처리해 성과를 만들자"고 강조했다. 아울러 국민의힘을 향해 "이견을 열심히 듣겠다. 자주 만나서 논의하자"고 제안했다.임이자 국민의힘 정책위의장은 "민생 공통 공약과 과제를 신속하게 처리하고, 쟁점 법안 숙의 및 보완 입법에 협력하자"고 말했다. 또한 "정책위 의장단의 상시 소통채널을 가동하자"며 "한 번의 만남에 그치지 말고 수시로 만나 해법을 찾자"고 했다.여야는 이날 회의를 통해 2주마다 정기적으로 정책위 연석회의를 열기로 했다. 다음 회의는 오는 15일 조찬 형식으로 진행한다. 아울러 현안이 발생하면 수시로 만나 협의할 방침이다. 권 정책위의장은 회의 직후 기자들과 만나 "연석회의가 여야 협치의 새로운 모델이자 모범적인 사례가 되도록 최선을 다하겠다"고 밝혔다. 이날 회의는 양당의 상견례 성격으로, 구체적인 처리 법안을 논의하진 않은 것으로 알려졌다. 임 정책위의장은 "앞으로 연석회의를 어떻게 운영할지 논의했다"며 "대선·총선·지방선거에서 양당의 공통분모를 모아 빨리 합의 처리할 수 있도록 하고, 쟁점 법안도 연석회의에서 숙의 과정을 거쳐 될 수 있으면 합의하기로 했다"고 전했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-01 15:40:00
  • Hong Ji-sun Faces Immediate Housing Supply Challenges as Ministerial Nominee
    Hong Ji-sun Faces Immediate Housing Supply Challenges as Ministerial Nominee Hong Ji-sun, the nominee for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, will immediately confront housing supply issues if she passes the National Assembly confirmation hearing. The government is set to announce an additional 73,000 housing units, and follow-up measures from the August 13 supply plan are already in progress. Significant tasks await, including expanding the role of the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) and negotiating housing supply with Seoul.On her first day after being nominated, Hong emphasized the need for consistent and predictable policies to stabilize the housing market. She stated that the government would swiftly implement the announced housing supply measures to ensure actual construction and occupancy.This suggests a focus on executing existing supply plans rather than introducing new policies.According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the government has officially begun follow-up actions on the August 13 rapid housing supply measures. Starting today, policy briefings on improving the reconstruction and redevelopment systems have commenced, indicating that subsequent schedules are already in motion.If appointed, Hong's first performance metric will be the 'supply speed.' The government announced that the August 13 measures would yield an additional supply effect of over 230,000 units in the metropolitan area. Among the new public housing sites, 1,000 units in Yeomchang Park, Gangseo District, 21,700 units in Namyangju's urban area, and 4,500 units in Gwangju's station area have already been disclosed, totaling 27,200 units.The remaining 73,000 units are expected to be announced by the end of September or early October at the latest.A greater challenge lies in how quickly the government can move from site selection to district designation, compensation, and construction. The government aims to reduce the average time from announcement to construction from 68 months to 37 months.Given Hong's emphasis on increasing execution power until actual construction begins, this goal is likely to become a key performance indicator for her tenure.Upcoming 73,000 Units Announcement and Expanding LH's RoleReforming LH's structure and expanding its supply role are unavoidable tasks.The government's supply policy is shifting from selling public land to the private sector to increasing LH's direct involvement in projects. This approach aims to accelerate construction timelines by involving the public from the project's inception.This direction is also reflected in next year's budget. The housing supply budget for 2027 is set to increase from 21.2 trillion won this year to 30 trillion won. The public housing supply target will also rise from 194,000 units this year to 218,000 units next year.Newly introduced residential project financing (PF) loan interest subsidies and PF anchor REITs will focus on expediting construction at sites stalled due to funding shortages.As LH's supply role expands, the government's responsibility for managing financial health and housing quality will also increase.Hong has experience in public housing projects through her work with the Gyeonggi Housing and Urban Corporation (GH) while serving as the head of the Gyeonggi Province Urban Housing Office. However, she faced criticism for being slow to recognize budget increases and rent hikes in some GH projects, raising questions about how she will manage the much larger LH.She will also inherit ongoing housing supply negotiations with Seoul.Last month, Minister Kim Yoon-deok and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon met twice to discuss the utilization of Yongsan Park but failed to reach a conclusion. The government believes it can supply housing for young people and newlyweds on some sites with existing or damaged structures, while the city insists on fully preserving Yongsan Park.Seoul has proposed developing a hub that combines youth housing and physical AI industries in the area after relocating the Tancheon Water Reclamation Center. It has also raised the issue of increasing the legal limit for private redevelopment floor area by 1.2 times.Following the announcement of the ministerial change, it is likely that Hong will become the main negotiator in these discussions.On her first day, Hong did not disclose her stance on specific issues but stated, “Having worked extensively in local government, I have experience in how central government policies operate at the local level,” and assured that she would consult thoroughly with the Seoul government.She will need to decide whether to continue discussions on the Yongsan Park issue or secure supply volumes from additional sites like Tancheon. The government must also clarify its position on the regulatory easing requested by the city for redevelopment projects.Addressing Supply Issues While Restructuring the OrganizationBeyond real estate, there are numerous challenges to tackle.The fifth national railway network construction plan, which Hong has directly overseen as the second deputy minister, is set for finalization this year. She will also need to address follow-up measures regarding recent safety incidents involving railway workers.The Ministry of Land's budget proposal for next year is a record 69 trillion won. With increased funding for housing supply and transportation infrastructure projects, it will be Hong's responsibility to explain the necessity and feasibility of these projects during the National Assembly review process.While implementing significant policies, the organization will also need restructuring. As the current second deputy minister, Hong's transition to minister will necessitate appointing a successor. There is also interest in whether further appointments will follow at the first-grade and department head levels.However, some believe that maintaining policy continuity is more critical than a large-scale organizational overhaul at this time. With follow-up measures from the August 13 supply plan already underway and only about a month until the announcement of additional new housing sites, significantly disrupting the housing supply operational line could slow down policy execution.A professor of real estate noted, “Hong also emphasized 'consistency and predictability' on her first day,” adding, “If she takes office, it will be important to see how much of the existing supply system she maintains while imprinting her own execution style.”He concluded, “Hong will effectively have no 'honeymoon' period, as major schedules such as supply plans, legal amendments, new site announcements, and negotiations with Seoul are already in progress.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-01 15:36:00
  • A.A. Murakamis First Exhibition in Korea Explores Nature Through Technology
    A.A. Murakami's First Exhibition in Korea Explores Nature Through Technology Soap bubbles bloom like flowers from a 6.4-meter tall tree structure. The bubbles, formed at the tips of branches, fall into the air and quickly disappear, only to be replaced by new ones. Fog takes on different shapes depending on the flow of light and air. Even when machines repeat the same movements, the resulting scenes vary each time.The artist duo A.A. Murakami, consisting of Japan's Azusa Murakami and Britain's Alexander Grove, is holding their first exhibition in Korea.Paradise City announced the opening of A.A. Murakami's exhibition, titled New Nature, at the Paradise Art Space in Incheon on September 1. The exhibition, which runs until February 10, 2027, is themed 'Nature after Nature.' It showcases works that reconfigure phenomena and principles found in nature, such as soap bubbles, fog, and the patterns of seashells, through technology.A.A. Murakami refers to their work, which combines transient materials that do not maintain their form for long with advanced technology, as 'Ephemeral Tech.' Instead of mechanically replicating natural phenomena, they utilize the changes that occur from the movement of air and materials in their work. Their pieces are part of collections at institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and M+ in Hong Kong.Installed on the first floor, New Spring consists of a 6.4-meter tall tree-like structure. The process of soap bubbles forming, falling, and disappearing is repeated at the tips of 24 branches.While the machine operates in a consistent manner, the size and movement of the bubbles, as well as the moment they burst, vary. The scenes viewed by the audience also change continuously based on the flow of air.Another piece, Beyond the Horizon, utilizes fog and light. As the mechanical device repeats the same actions, the shape of the fog and the light change according to the air currents. Visitors experience the artwork within a space where fog and light are in constant flux.On the second floor, attendees can see a new work, Mud Paintings: From 'A Thousand Layers of Stomach' Series, which is being unveiled for the first time at this exhibition.This work originated from the two artists discovering different patterns on clam shells while eating miso soup in Tokyo. They interpreted the biological algorithm behind how shells form patterns as they grow and converted it into computer code.At the center of the exhibition, an autonomous mud painting machine moves across the canvas, layering patterns based on this code. This method translates the natural principles behind the formation of shell patterns into a visual artwork through the machine's movements.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-01 15:36:00
  • Regular National Assembly Session Begins with Legislative and Budget Competition
    Regular National Assembly Session Begins with Legislative and Budget Competition The first regular session of the 22nd National Assembly began on September 1. This session is expected to focus on legislation and budget support for the government's recently announced three major projects. Additionally, personnel hearings for six ministerial nominees, announced on August 30, are anticipated to lead to significant confrontations between the ruling and opposition parties.The National Assembly entered a 100-day regular session starting with the opening ceremony, which will run until December 9. Key dates include a plenary session on September 3, speeches by party leaders on September 7-8, and government questioning sessions on September 9-11 and 14. A three-week National Assembly inspection will also take place starting October 6. During this period, the review of next year's government budget proposal will also occur.In his opening remarks, National Assembly Speaker Cho Jung-sik stated, "The priority of this regular session is to narrow the gap between the national report card and the people's household accounts, ensuring that the warmth of growth is evenly distributed. Let us focus solely on the people and their livelihoods. Even if there are differences, let us each take a step back for the sake of the public's well-being."Ahead of the regular session, the Democratic Party and the People Power Party agreed to meet at the policy committee level to expedite the processing of livelihood-related legislation. They also decided to hold joint meetings every two weeks to expand common ground between the two parties, signaling a willingness to cooperate. However, clashes between the parties are still expected during the session.For the ruling party, the core of this regular session will be legislative support and budget allocation for the government's three major projects. In contrast, the opposition party is likely to focus on the policy failures of the Lee Jae-myung administration in areas such as real estate and finance. Given that the proposed budget for next year amounts to 821 trillion won, a thorough examination of the budget's size and appropriateness is anticipated.The personnel hearings for the six ministerial nominees, including those from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, as well as the nominee for the Special Inspector General at the Blue House and the Supreme Court nominee, are expected to be contentious. The People Power Party has identified Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice, as a top priority for withdrawal, indicating a rigorous vetting process. Conversely, the Democratic Party, which has recently had Kim as the ruling party's secretary in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, is expected to actively defend him, leading to inevitable confrontations.Furthermore, the upcoming National Assembly inspection next month is also expected to see fierce competition between the parties. With the next general election approaching, next year's inspection is likely to be less than substantive, but there are numerous contentious issues from this year, including the single-item leveraged exchange-traded fund (ETF), real estate tax reform, and the abolition of supplementary investigative powers for the prosecution, suggesting a more heated inspection than in previous years. 2026-09-01 15:32:20
  • Samsung Biologics and Labor Union to Enter Mediation on September 8
    Samsung Biologics and Labor Union to Enter Mediation on September 8 Samsung Biologics and the Win-Win Labor Union, which have been in conflict over wage and collective bargaining negotiations, will enter a mediation process on September 8. Following the company's first full strike in May, both parties are looking to this external mediation as a potential breakthrough in their long-standing negotiations.According to industry sources, Samsung Biologics and the labor union agreed to proceed with mediation through the Incheon Regional Labor Relations Commission during their 27th collective bargaining session held on August 27.The union stated, "The Incheon Regional Labor Relations Commission has agreed to facilitate a swift mediation process," adding, "Once mediation begins, the company is expected to present its proposals, which should accelerate negotiations." However, the schedule for the mediation is still being finalized, so the September 8 date is not yet confirmed.Mediation occurs after the labor dispute resolution process has concluded but remains unresolved, allowing the labor commission to step in again at the request of both parties. Samsung Biologics and the union had previously agreed to pursue mediation during their 25th collective bargaining session on August 11.Since late last year, the two sides have disagreed over wage increases, improvements to personnel systems, and collective agreements. The union staged a partial strike in April, followed by a full strike in May. The key issue in the upcoming mediation will be whether they can reach a compromise on the main points of contention regarding wages and collective agreements.Market observers are also closely watching when the impact of the strike on production will be reflected in financial results. Analysts believe that the effects of the five-day full strike in May could be seen in the third quarter's revenue.In the second quarter, despite some production disruptions, Samsung Biologics reported revenues of 1.32 trillion won and an operating profit of 586.4 billion won, marking increases of 30% and 23%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. The company anticipates achieving the upper end of its revenue growth guidance of 15-20% year-over-year, supported by increased contributions from its fifth plant and production facilities in Rockville, USA, as well as favorable exchange rates.IBK Investment & Securities has analyzed that the production disruptions from the full strike are likely to impact third-quarter revenues significantly. However, considering the recovery volumes in the fourth quarter and the increased operating rate of the fifth plant, the overall impact on annual performance is expected to be limited.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-01 15:32:10
  • Controversy Erupts Over Withdrawal of Rejuran Study, PharmaResearch Responds
    Controversy Erupts Over Withdrawal of Rejuran Study, PharmaResearch Responds The controversy surrounding Rejuran, a leading skin treatment product in South Korea, has resurfaced following revelations about the retraction of a past Phase 3 clinical study.On September 1, PharmaResearch issued a statement clarifying that the retraction of the study was not due to issues with the clinical trial results or the safety and efficacy of Rejuran. Instead, it was attributed to inaccuracies in the disclosure of funding support and conflicts of interest.The study in question was published in 2014 in the international journal Journal of Korean Medical Science (JKMS). It evaluated the effectiveness and safety of Rejuran, which contains polynucleotide (PN) components, compared to hyaluronic acid products in improving crow's feet in 72 adult participants.This paper was retracted in 2016. According to the retraction notice from JKMS, the authors stated they had no financial conflicts with related companies. However, it was later confirmed that the clinical trial costs were supported by the manufacturer, and one of the co-authors was affiliated with PharmaResearch at the time.The journal deemed this a case of inaccurate disclosure regarding the funding source and conflicts of interest. However, the retraction notice did not cite data manipulation or issues with the efficacy or safety of Rejuran as reasons for the withdrawal.Rejuran was approved in South Korea in 2014 as a medical device for temporarily improving facial wrinkles, and subsequent products have been launched since then.Nonetheless, caution is advised regarding the academic evidence supporting PN treatments. A systematic review published last year in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology analyzed nine studies related to PN in aesthetic medicine, involving a total of 219 participants, suggesting potential for wrinkle reduction and improvements in skin texture and elasticity. However, the quality of the included studies was rated as low to moderate, and the researchers emphasized the need for more rigorous, high-quality studies to confirm efficacy and safety. The 2014 Rejuran Phase 3 study, which was retracted in 2016, was among those analyzed.PharmaResearch stated, "We are comprehensively reviewing various clinical and academic research data accumulated to date, including approval documents from domestic and international regulatory agencies, to continuously verify the safety and efficacy of our products." 2026-09-01 15:32:10
  • 17% of New Loans Carry Interest Rates Above 5%, Raising Concerns
    17% of New Loans Carry Interest Rates Above 5%, Raising Concerns More than 17% of new household loans issued by banks have interest rates exceeding 5%. This figure has more than doubled in the past year due to increases in the Bank of Korea's base rate and rising market interest rates. Nearly 80% of new loans are variable-rate, indicating that households may face increased interest burdens if rates rise further.According to the Bank of Korea, as of July, the proportion of new household loans with interest rates above 5% was recorded at 17.3%, up from 7.4% in July of last year, marking a 9.9 percentage point increase. This is also 5.2 percentage points higher than the 12.1% recorded in January of this year.In contrast, the share of loans with interest rates below 4% plummeted from 57.9% in July of last year to 21.1% in July of this year, a decrease of 36.8 percentage points. The focus of new household loan interest rates has shifted rapidly from below 4% to above 4% within a year. The proportion of loans in the 4.0% to 4.5% range also expanded from 30.9% to 39.3%, an increase of 8.4 percentage points.The rise in loan interest rates is attributed to increasing market rates, including bank bonds. According to the Korea Financial Investment Association, the yield on five-year bank bonds, which serve as a benchmark for fixed-rate mortgage loans, rose to 4.343% at the end of July, up 0.715 percentage points from 3.628% at the end of January. The potential for further increases in the Bank of Korea's base rate has also contributed to higher funding costs for banks.Borrowers are feeling the impact of rising loan rates. As of now, the mixed-rate mortgage rates at the five major banks (KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Woori, and NH Nonghyup) range from 4.69% to 7.12%. This is an increase of 0.76 percentage points at the lower end and 0.89 percentage points at the upper end compared to the rates of 3.93% to 6.23% at the end of last year. The upper limit for credit loan rates has also risen to 6.26%.There remains a possibility of further increases in loan rates. As the U.S. faces an expanding budget deficit and increased Treasury supply, long-term U.S. Treasury yields are rising, which could exert upward pressure on domestic government bond and bank bond rates. If the Bank of Korea raises its base rate again, the costs for banks and household loan rates could increase further.As of now, the yield on the U.S. 10-year Treasury bond reached 4.764% during trading, the highest level since January of last year. If the rise in U.S. Treasury yields spills over into the domestic bond market, it will eventually be reflected in household loan rates through bank bond rates.The significant increase in the share of variable-rate loans is also a concern. In July, 79.0% of new household loans were variable-rate, more than double the 35.2% recorded in the same month last year. If the base rate and benchmark rates rise further, borrowers who recently took out variable-rate loans will see their interest burdens increase as well. 2026-09-01 15:28:10