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  • Muan County Council Expresses Regret Over Mokpo National University Medical School Bid Failure
    Muan County Council Expresses Regret Over Mokpo National University Medical School Bid Failure The Muan County Council expressed deep regret over Mokpo National University not being selected as a candidate for the establishment of a national medical school, urging the need for concrete follow-up measures to address the marginalization of the Southwest region in healthcare, administration, and industry.On August 31, the council read a statement titled 'Regret Over the Failure to Attract a National Medical School and Call for Addressing Southwest Marginalization' during a session at 11 a.m.The Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City announced on August 30 that it had selected National Suncheon University, which scored 89.15 points, over Mokpo National University, which received 87.85 points, as the candidate university to recommend to the Ministry of Education. The score difference between the two universities was 1.30 points.However, this decision is only the first step in the process, as the government still needs to finalize the establishment of the national medical school.The council stated, 'The 36-year-long aspiration of the residents of the Southwest region to attract a national medical school has been thwarted by a mere 1.3-point difference,' adding, 'We express deep regret that the efforts of local residents, which included a signature campaign, presidential pledges, and numerous discussions, have come to naught.'It further characterized the outcome not merely as a competition between universities but as a matter of the residents' right to life and regional balanced development.The council highlighted the geographical challenges of the Southwest region, which has many islands and limited access to advanced general hospitals, stating, 'Establishing a medical system that allows emergency and critically ill patients to receive timely treatment is not a matter of local self-interest but a matter of residents' lives and safety.'Concerns were also raised regarding the unclear functions and authority of the Muan government office following the integration. The council warned that if administrative functions are weakened following the failure to attract the national medical school, the Southwest region could face double or triple marginalization during the integration process.The council demanded the immediate release of a medical support roadmap for the Southwest region and called for the allocation of biomedical research and medical personnel training functions to Mokpo National University. It also argued that joint education and research functions should be established at Mokpo National University in connection with the process of promoting the national medical school at Suncheon University.Regarding the Muan government office, the council urged that it be granted core personnel, budget, and decision-making authority appropriate to its name, and that its legal status be clarified promptly.As part of regional balanced development measures, the council called for the second relocation of public institutions to prioritize the Namak New Town and for the swift confirmation and establishment of a specialized national industrial complex for distributed energy in Muan to attract anchor companies and create actual jobs.The Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City had previously stated that it would form a dedicated organization to support Mokpo National University and the Southwest region, and would prepare separate support measures to enhance the university's medical infrastructure and competitiveness.The Muan County Council concluded, 'The integration should not be for the benefit of only a specific region,' urging the integrated special city to respond with concrete policies and actions so that the residents of the Southwest region, who have waited 36 years, are not disappointed again.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 11:08:10
  • Koreas Personal Information Protection Commission Fines GS Retail 12.8 Billion Won for Data Breach
    Korea's Personal Information Protection Commission Fines GS Retail 12.8 Billion Won for Data Breach The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) has imposed a fine of 12.836 billion won and an additional penalty of 3 million won on GS Retail for violating personal data protection regulations. Enrise and SK Telecom also received fines and penalties, while Atoz was issued a warning.On August 26, during its 17th plenary meeting, the PIPC announced that it had levied a total of 12.954 billion won in fines and 10.2 million won in penalties against GS Retail, Enrise, SK Telecom, and Atoz for breaches of personal data protection laws. The commission also ordered these companies to implement corrective measures and to publicly disclose the results on their websites.The PIPC found that all four companies had neglected safety measures, such as access control to their personal data processing systems, leading to data breaches.GS Retail was fined 12.836 billion won and received a penalty of 3 million won. According to the PIPC, an unidentified hacker successfully executed a credential stuffing attack on the GS SHOP website from June 21, 2024, to February 13, 2025, and on the GS25 website from December 26, 2024, to January 4, 2025. Credential stuffing involves using a large number of previously obtained usernames and passwords to gain unauthorized access.The hacker accessed the member information modification page, resulting in the exposure of personal data for 1,581,025 GS SHOP users and 79,128 GS25 users, including names, genders, birth dates, contact information, addresses, and email addresses.GS Retail failed to implement measures to detect and block large-scale login attempts from the same IP address within a short time frame. Despite a significant increase in login attempts and failures, the company did not recognize the anomaly, allowing the data breach to continue for an extended period.Even after becoming aware of the breach, GS Retail did not take appropriate action, leading to further data exposure on GS SHOP. Although the company first recognized the data breach on January 4, 2025, it was not until February that it identified the same attack occurring on the GS SHOP website. Consequently, data exposure continued from January 4 to February 13.Despite recognizing the breach on the GS25 website, GS Retail failed to adequately respond, resulting in the same attack on the GS SHOP website going unnoticed. Notably, 327 of the IP addresses used in the GS25 attack were also identified in the GS SHOP attack.The investigation revealed that GS Retail lacked a dedicated personal data protection organization and that its security operations were poorly structured. An additional 1,599 individuals were identified as victims during the investigation, but the company notified them of the breach more than 72 hours after the initial incident without justifiable reasons.As a result, the PIPC imposed a fine of 12.836 billion won and a penalty of 3 million won on GS Retail, ordering the company to publicly disclose the penalties on its website.The commission also mandated GS Retail to implement security policies that analyze service access patterns to identify abnormal access and to establish a governance system that includes dedicated personnel for data protection and clarifies the roles and responsibilities of the Chief Privacy Officer (CPO).The PIPC fined Enrise 118.44 million won and imposed a penalty of 360,000 won. A hacker exploited a vulnerability in the identity verification process of a dating app operated by Enrise, attempting to log in with 16,803 phone numbers from March 23 to 27, 2023. During this process, personal data, including nicknames, genders, profile pictures, birth dates, personalities, education, occupations, heights, and blood types of 736 accounts were exposed.The investigation found that Enrise neglected to check and address the vulnerability in the app's identity verification process and failed to implement policies to block excessive access from the same IP address, violating its obligation to ensure safety.The PIPC also imposed a penalty of 360,000 won and a corrective order on SK Telecom, while Atoz received a warning.Atoz was contracted by SK Telecom to manage an event for its metaverse service, 'ifland,' and created an event website. During this process, from November 21, 2022, to January 3, 2023, the administrator page was exposed to search engines, leading to the exposure of names and phone numbers of 1,140 individuals.The investigation revealed that Atoz did not implement access control measures, such as IP address restrictions, for the administrator page. SK Telecom was found to have reported the data breach more than 24 hours after becoming aware of it.This incident falls under the previous Personal Information Protection Act, which requires information and communication service providers to notify and report data breaches within 24 hours of becoming aware of them.The PIPC emphasized the importance of adhering to basic principles, such as restricting unauthorized access during the operation of personal data processing systems and conducting regular vulnerability assessments and measures. The commission urged that in the event of a data breach, affected individuals should be promptly informed and that notifications should be made within 72 hours.GS Retail stated, “We have established an 'Information Security Countermeasures Committee' involving key executives and external experts to enhance our security response system. We are thoroughly reviewing our security systems and management frameworks to strengthen our data protection levels. From a customer-first perspective, we are making data protection a key management priority and are continuously working on employee training and internal management system improvements to prevent recurrence. We will continue to do our utmost to protect customer information and prevent future data breaches.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 11:04:10
  • KOTRA Hosts Korea-Laos Net Zero Partnership to Boost Clean Energy Projects
    KOTRA Hosts Korea-Laos Net Zero Partnership to Boost Clean Energy Projects The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), in collaboration with the South Korean Embassy in Laos, has initiated support for companies aiming to enter the local international reduction and clean energy markets.KOTRA announced on August 31 that it held the 'Korea-Laos Net Zero Partnership' in Vientiane, Laos, from August 27 to 28. The event was attended by representatives from 17 domestic energy and infrastructure companies, as well as officials from the Laotian government and related organizations. Activities included a net zero partnership forum, site visits, and one-on-one partnering consultations.Laos is set to become the ninth country to sign a bilateral climate change agreement with South Korea in October 2024. The country has recently established a carbon neutrality target for 2050 and is implementing a carbon credit government decree, indicating a commitment to enhancing related systems. There are expected to be expanded opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in renewable energy sectors such as solar, wind, hydropower, and electric vehicles.On the first day of the forum, participants shared insights on Laos's latest carbon credit legislation and renewable energy policies while reviewing local foreign investment policies and incentives. The following day, approximately 50 consultations took place between domestic participants and Laotian government officials and local developers, helping to clarify strategies for reduction projects.Maraithong Kommasith, Laos's Minister of Industry and Commerce, emphasized the importance of South Korean companies' participation in clean energy projects and practical cooperation through green technology in his welcoming remarks.KOTRA plans to continue expanding support for local entry of domestic companies and achieving the national greenhouse gas reduction targets (NDC) of both countries, based on the key project information secured during this partnership.Gu Bon-kyung, head of KOTRA's Southeast Asia and Oceania headquarters, stated, "Laos is one of the regions our companies are most interested in for pursuing overseas reduction projects. We will do our utmost to support our companies in seizing business opportunities while achieving the national greenhouse gas reduction targets (NDC) of both Korea and Laos."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 11:04:10
  • Government to Support R&D Commercialization and Exports with Up to 10 Billion Won per Company
    Government to Support R&D Commercialization and Exports with Up to 10 Billion Won per Company Companies that have completed government research and development (R&D) projects can receive funding of up to 10 billion won to commercialize their technology or enter overseas markets.The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on August 31 that it will launch the 'Industrial R&D Innovation Company Preferential Package Financing Program.'This initiative aims to provide low-interest funding for post-R&D activities such as verification, mass production, and import/export. Eligible companies are those that have received a grade of excellent or completed on R&D projects from the Ministry within the last five years and have been recommended by the Korea Industrial Technology Planning and Evaluation Agency or the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology.To support this program, Hana Bank and IBK Industrial Bank have each contributed 20 billion won and 27 billion won, respectively, totaling 47 billion won. The Korea Technology Finance Corporation (KOTEC) and the Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (K-Sure) will use these contributions to provide a total of 705 billion won in preferential guarantees from 2026 to 2028.KOTEC will support 405 billion won in 'Project Commercialization Guarantees.' Unlike traditional technology guarantees that assess a company's technological capabilities and creditworthiness, this new product evaluates the business performance and growth potential of individual R&D projects to guarantee follow-up commercialization funding.Companies can receive up to 5 billion won in working capital based on technology evaluation results. If facility funds are included, the support limit increases to 10 billion won. The guarantee ratio is 100%, and the guarantee fee rate will be reduced by up to 0.5 percentage points.K-Sure will provide 300 billion won in 'R&D Innovation Company Export/Import Guarantees.' This will cover working and production funds for export preparation and raw material import funds, guaranteeing up to 10 billion won per company. The guarantee ratio is also 100%, with a 20% discount on the guarantee fee. Special limits will apply to companies in non-capital regions and those participating in the Manufacturing Artificial Intelligence Transformation (M.AX) Alliance, allowing for up to 2.5 times the standard calculation amount.Companies seeking support can obtain a qualification certificate from the R&D Technology Finance Platform and apply for guarantees from KOTEC or K-Sure. Upon passing the guarantee review, they can secure loans from Hana Bank and IBK Industrial Bank.Lee Min-woo, head of the Ministry's Industrial Growth Office, stated, "This large-scale financial support program, developed through collaboration among commercial banks, policy guarantee institutions, and R&D specialized agencies, is now in full operation. We will continue to provide close support with relevant agencies to ensure that R&D outcomes translate into actual corporate revenue, exports, and job creation."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 11:04:00
  • Korea and UK to Revise FTA, Lowering Tariff Standards and Opening Online Gaming Market
    Korea and UK to Revise FTA, Lowering Tariff Standards and Opening Online Gaming Market The regional value-added standard for South Korean automobiles to receive tariff benefits under the free trade agreement (FTA) with the United Kingdom will be relaxed from 55% to 25%. The online gaming market will also be opened, and the supply chain cooperation channels between the two countries will transition to a permanent system based on the agreement.The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on August 31 that it will release the draft of the English and Korean versions of the revised Korea-UK FTA, which was concluded last December, on the government FTA website from September 1 to 11, and will collect public opinions.This move aims to enhance the transparency of the trade agreement process and ensure the reliability of the Korean translation. The ministry plans to finalize the Korean version after reviewing the submitted opinions with relevant departments and experts.The revised agreement features amendments to 10 chapters and annexes, including tariffs and services, from the existing 27 chapters and annexes, and introduces 13 new chapters and annexes covering supply chains, gender equality, and anti-corruption. In the goods sector, regulations related to export and import permits will be strengthened, and provisions to facilitate trade in remanufactured and repaired products will be introduced. A systematic channel for consultation between the two countries will also be established to address supply chain crises, such as export controls on raw materials.The origin criteria have also been relaxed. For automobiles, the regional value-added standard will be lowered from 55% to 25%. For pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and plastics, the existing standards of 50-75% will be eased to 40%. Batteries will be eligible for duty-free benefits even if they use components produced outside the region, provided certain conditions are met. However, the current origin criteria for fresh agricultural and fishery products will be maintained due to the sensitivity of the domestic industry.In the services sector, the UK will include audiovisual services in the agreement for the first time in a bilateral FTA and will open the online gaming service market. This is expected to expand the opportunities for domestic gaming companies to enter the UK market.A new investment chapter reflecting both investor protection and the government's public regulatory authority has also been established. The two countries have tentatively agreed to terminate the Korea-UK Investment Guarantee Agreement signed in 1976.After finalizing the Korean version, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy plans to review it with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Legislation Office, and consult with the UK side before formally signing the agreement. Subsequently, it will submit a ratification proposal to the National Assembly in accordance with relevant laws.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 11:04:00
  • Democratic Party Leader Kim Min-seok Calls for Respect for Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae During Mourning Period
    Democratic Party Leader Kim Min-seok Calls for Respect for Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae During Mourning Period The Democratic Party announced that leader Kim Min-seok has instructed party members to show respect for Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, who is mourning the loss of his father. There is also speculation about Kim's potential visit to offer condolences.Park Sung-jun, the party's chief spokesperson, spoke to reporters after a Supreme Council meeting, stating, "Kim emphasized the need to refrain from official references or mentions of Cho during the mourning period for his father." He added, "It would be best to show the utmost respect towards Chief Justice Cho in all public messages and actions."Meanwhile, Chief Justice Cho has been summoned to testify before the National Assembly's Legislative and Judiciary Committee but has expressed his intention to decline, citing the separation of powers. This comes amid controversy surrounding a surprise written recommendation for Supreme Court Justice nominee Son Bong-ki.In response, the Blue House has called for a re-nomination of Son, and Chief Justice Cho plans to clarify his position on the re-nomination within two weeks. The Democratic Party believes that new candidates should be nominated from those recommended by the Supreme Court Justice Recommendation Committee. However, if Chief Justice Cho makes a different decision, the possibility of impeachment cannot be ruled out. So far, Kim has maintained a cautious stance regarding the impeachment of Chief Justice Cho.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 11:00:00
  • First National Literacy Education Policy Exhibition Concludes in South Korea
    First National Literacy Education Policy Exhibition Concludes in South Korea The first National Literacy Education Policy Exhibition in South Korea concluded successfully, showcasing the evolution of literacy education over the past 20 years and its adaptation to the era of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation. Expanding beyond basic reading and writing, the event focused on practical 'functional literacy' skills, including smartphone use, kiosks, and generative AI. Over two days, approximately 20,000 visitors attended, demonstrating widespread public interest in literacy education. The National Institute for Lifelong Education (NILE) announced on August 30 that the exhibition, hosted by the Ministry of Education and organized by NILE, took place at the Cheongju Osco Convention Center from August 27 to 28. This exhibition was a significant opportunity to share the achievements of 20 years of adult literacy education support policies and to allow the public to experience the future of literacy education expanded into the AI and digital age. An estimated 20,000 literacy learners, teachers, and lifelong education stakeholders visited the event over the two days. The opening ceremony was attended by key figures, including Minister of Education Choi Kyo-jin, NILE Director Kim Wol-yong, National Assembly member Kang Deuk-gu, Chungbuk Education Superintendent Yoon Geon-young, Incheon Education Superintendent Do Sung-hoon, and Chungbuk Deputy Governor Lee Dong-ok. Representatives from academia and related organizations, such as Korea National Open University President Kim Jong-o and EBS President Kim Yu-yeol, also participated. Documentary, Musical, and AI Golden Bell: A Diverse Communication Platform The first day featured the documentary 'Literacy: We Are Learning' and a musical gala show 'Incredibly Fun Girls,' marking a vibrant start to the event. This was followed by awards for outstanding contributions to literacy education and the 15th National Adult Literacy Poetry Contest. Notably, the 'Echoes of Learning Concert' in collaboration with TBN Traffic Broadcasting showcased the inspiring stories of learners who found new lives through education, moving the audience deeply. On the second day, a conference aimed at enhancing the capabilities of literacy teachers and a national literacy teacher competition were held. Workshops included health literacy education, an AI challenge, and demonstrations of digital literacy (AI) classes, allowing teachers from across the country to share experiences and benchmark effective teaching methods. Private Sector Collaboration: Literacy Education Enters Daily Life Three exhibition and experience spaces ('Literacy Meets AI,' 'Literacy Connects the Nation,' and 'Literacy Comes to You via Sunshine Bus') captivated visitors. Various organizations, including Naver and the Korea Road Traffic Authority, demonstrated AI-based literacy education programs, sharing best practices from different regions. In particular, experience booths operated by private companies like Hana Bank and Woori Bank, along with local lifelong education institutions, provided practical literacy education related to everyday life, such as preventing financial fraud, QR ordering at kiosks, and generative AI experiences, receiving positive feedback. A participant from Anyang Citizen University, Lee Hyo-soon, expressed, "I captured life photos at the AI photo booth, competed with an Othello robot, and enjoyed augmented reality experiences at the poetry exhibition, fully immersing myself in the diverse activities." A Naver representative stated, "Through communication with visitors, we recognized the importance of functional literacy education for living in the AI and digital age, and we will continue to support the expansion of literacy education areas needed alongside technological advancements." Kim Wol-yong, Director of NILE, emphasized, "This policy exhibition is not just a celebration of the past 20 years but a starting point for a new 20 years of literacy education in South Korea. As knowledge and technology evolve, literacy education must connect with a changing society and empower individuals to live their lives proactively. We will continue to expand literacy education in the most accessible ways, ensuring no one is left behind in learning and can share in the new opportunities of the AI and digital era."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 10:56:00
  • CMG Pharmaceutical Accelerates Commercialization of Three New Functional Materials
    CMG Pharmaceutical Accelerates Commercialization of Three New Functional Materials CMG Pharmaceutical is advancing the commercialization of three next-generation functional materials developed through open innovation with the Tea Medical Research Institute (CHARI), targeting the high-value healthcare market.The company announced on August 31 that it is pursuing research and development and productization of three materials: a leaf extract from the tea tree for cognitive function improvement, phytoestrogens for women's menopausal care, and colostrum exosomes (EV) for pet health management.The first material to enter the commercialization phase is the tea tree leaf extract. CMG Pharmaceutical completed its application for individual recognition of health functional food ingredients with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on June 4.This natural substance has been shown to inhibit the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) in the brain, which is known to cause Alzheimer's disease, and to protect nerve cells, thereby improving memory and cognitive function.In line with obtaining individual recognition from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the product launch, the company plans to establish a cultivation complex for tea trees in Jeju and build a value chain that encompasses everything from raw material production to finished product manufacturing.In the women's health sector, the development of phytoestrogens aimed at alleviating menopausal symptoms is progressing smoothly. This material is based on fermented kudzu (galgeun) and black soybean complex, utilizing the fermentation technology of the Cha Bio Group to convert active ingredients into an easily absorbable form, enhancing bioavailability.Currently, toxicity assessments are being conducted for safety verification before entering human application trials. After completing the assessments, the company will proceed with clinical trials and aim for individual recognition of the ingredient by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.The colostrum exosome (EV) for pet care is a functional material that integrates the cell-free vesicle separation and purification technology of the Tea Medical Research Institute. CMG Pharmaceutical has recently established a dedicated production facility for raw materials and obtained official production approval.Building on this, the company has begun developing premium pet healthcare products that comprehensively manage joint, skin, and digestive health for senior dogs and cats.Lee Joo-hyung, CEO of CMG Pharmaceutical, stated, "The combination of CMG Pharmaceutical's product development and commercialization capabilities with the bio R&D capabilities of the Tea Medical Research Institute and the Cha Bio Group is continuously creating differentiated functional materials. We aim to diversify our portfolio into high-profit healthcare sectors such as longevity, women's health, and pet care to achieve both growth and profitability."Meanwhile, CMG Pharmaceutical plans to vote on a 10-for-1 stock consolidation at an extraordinary shareholders' meeting on September 2. This will merge ten common shares with a par value of 500 won into one common share with a par value of 5,000 won.If approved, trading will be suspended from October 1 to 26, with the consolidated shares set to be listed again on October 27. The company explained that this measure aims to secure an appropriate number of circulating shares and establish a stable trading foundation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 10:56:00
  • Gwangju Bank Expands Financial Services Through Post Office Network
    Gwangju Bank Expands Financial Services Through Post Office Network Gwangju Bank is set to expand its financial services by utilizing the post office network. On August 31, Gwangju Bank announced that it recently signed a "Joint Use Agreement for Post Office Network" with the Korea Post, the Financial Settlement Center, and Busan Bank at the Gwanghwamun Post Office. The signing ceremony was attended by Jeong Il-seon, President of Gwangju Bank; Park In-hwan, Head of Korea Post; Chae Byeong-deuk, Head of the Financial Settlement Center; and Kim Seong-joo, President of Busan Bank. Gwangju Bank initiated this agreement in response to the increased regional living area and financial demand following the establishment of the Gwangju Special City in July, aiming to enhance financial accessibility for local residents. The agreement is expected to improve accessibility for residents in rural areas and the elderly, making it easier for them to use post office services. Gwangju Bank plans to complete the integration and development of the post office network system by September and will implement the service in October after assessing transaction stability and user convenience. Once the service is launched, Gwangju Bank customers will be able to perform basic financial transactions such as deposits, withdrawals, transfers, and inquiries at post office counters and automated machines nationwide without incurring additional fees. There are over 2,380 post office counters available across the country, with more than 320 located in the Jeonnam and Gwangju regions. Gwangju Bank aims to establish a comprehensive financial service system that encompasses urban and rural areas by integrating the post office network with its existing branches and digital channels. The bank plans to ensure that customers in areas without branches can access face-to-face financial services nearby. Jeong Il-seon, President of Gwangju Bank, stated, "This agreement is significant in broadening financial access for customers to utilize basic financial services closer to home. We will actively respond to the expanded living area and financial demand following the establishment of Gwangju Special City and strengthen our role as a regional representative bank, including customers who face challenges in using digital finance."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 10:52:00
  • Referees Inappropriate Comment Towards Ji So-yeon Sparks Outrage in Womens Football
    Referee's Inappropriate Comment Towards Ji So-yeon Sparks Outrage in Women's Football The Korea Professional Footballers Association (KPFA) has demanded strict action after Ji So-yeon (35, Suwon FC Women) reported being subjected to a sexually inappropriate comment by referee Bae Sun-young during a WK League match.KPFA President Lee Geun-ho stated in a press release on August 31, "The referee, who should protect the players, instead caused irreparable humiliation to a specific player in front of all players from both teams. The use of a card to wield power in this manner is a horrific act that cannot be tolerated in any professional league worldwide."KPFA Secretary General Kim Hoon-ki added, "Even players from the opposing team, Seoul City Hall, were shocked to hear the unbelievable comment from the referee. The urgent plea from players on the field is that a second or third incident like Ji So-yeon's could happen at any time."The KPFA also called for a complete overhaul of the referee system. They insisted, "The current problematic and unqualified interim system must be halted immediately, and a new, transparent referee assignment body free from external interference or connections should be established. The referee involved in this incident should be removed from the field immediately."They further urged that the matter be referred to the Korea Sports Council's Sports Fairness Committee for the highest level of disciplinary action.This controversy arose during the WK League match between Suwon FC Women and Seoul City Hall on August 28 at Suwon Sports Complex.According to reports, Ji So-yeon, who was the co-president of the KPFA at the time, protested after receiving a warning from referee Bae around the 30-minute mark of the first half. Bae allegedly made a comment via wireless communication suggesting, "She seems sensitive from the start. Maybe she's on her period." Ji So-yeon raised the issue after hearing the comment but was instead given a warning.After the incident became public, Bae initially denied making the comment but later changed her stance, claiming, "It was something said among ourselves."The KPFA reported that the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO) is monitoring the situation, viewing it as a matter of gender violence and human rights violations. They plan to collaborate with FIFPRO to share relevant information with FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-31 10:48:00