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  • DB Insurance Raises Shareholder Return Goals, Plans 10% Annual Dividend Increase
    DB Insurance Raises Shareholder Return Goals, Plans 10% Annual Dividend Increase DB Insurance aims to increase its consolidated shareholder return rate to 40% and standalone rate to 50% by 2030. The company plans to raise its dividend per share (DPS) by more than 10% annually. This shift marks a transition in its growth and capital management strategy, focusing on securing stable dividend resources rather than merely expanding accounting profits.On August 28, DB Insurance announced its corporate value enhancement plan and held a conference call. The previous target of a 35% standalone return by 2028 has been raised to 50% by 2030, extending the achievement timeline by two years.Nam Seung-hyung, Chief Financial Officer of DB Insurance, stated during the call, "Achieving both 40% consolidated and 50% standalone rates means we will accomplish both, not just one. After 2030, we will also consider whether to increase the consolidated shareholder return rate to 50%." The distinction between consolidated and standalone targets is due to the acquisition of the U.S. specialty insurer Fortegra in May. While Fortegra's profits will be reflected in consolidated results, it will take time for DB Insurance to utilize dividends from its subsidiary as a source for its own dividends.The shareholder return strategy will focus on cash dividends. Over the past five years, DB Insurance has increased its DPS by an average of 21.4%. The company will not include its current repurchased shares in this target. If it has sufficient capital or determines that its stock price is significantly low, it will consider additional returns through share buybacks and cancellations.This plan reflects the assessment that the gap between accounting profits and actual dividend resources has widened since the introduction of new accounting standards. A combined analysis of ten non-life insurance companies showed that last year, accounting profits under IFRS 17 exceeded 9 trillion won, while dividend resources dropped to 700 billion won, creating a gap of 8.7 trillion won.To address this, DB Insurance will introduce a new management indicator called the dividend coverage ratio (DCR), calculated by dividing distributable profits by expected dividends. It will set safety lines at a K-ICS (Korean Insurance Capital Standard) ratio of 180% and a DCR of 200%. If both exceed a K-ICS of 220% and a DCR of 400%, the company will assess its capacity for additional shareholder returns.DB Insurance will also refrain from aggressive expansion. According to the company's simulations, excessive growth could reduce distributable profits to 400 billion won by 2030, while balanced growth that manages loss ratios and business expenses could increase profits to 2.9 trillion won.Nam emphasized, "Shareholder value is not a leftover from management results but the starting point for growth and capital allocation decisions. We will implement this plan for sustainable performance rather than short-term expansion."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-28 17:08:00
  • Ulsan Ulju World Mountain Film Festival to Explore Human Records in the AI Era with Bernadette McDonald
    Ulsan Ulju World Mountain Film Festival to Explore 'Human Records' in the AI Era with Bernadette McDonald In an era where generative artificial intelligence (AI) can produce sentences in seconds, how does an author who has spent years researching and meeting people to document a single life view the value of writing?The 11th Ulsan Ulju World Mountain Film Festival will present a program highlighting 'Human Records' featuring Bernadette McDonald, the Canadian mountain writer and this year's Ulsan Ulju Mountain Culture Award (UMCA) recipient.The festival announced that on September 19 at 10 a.m. in Theater 2 of the Alps Cinema, McDonald will participate in a special talk titled 'The Courage of the First Sentence: A Mountain Writer Discusses the Beginning and Completion of Writing in the AI Era.'This program aims to attract not only audiences familiar with mountain culture but also those interested in writing, travel, and documentation.McDonald is regarded as more than just a writer in the global mountain culture.She previously served as the director of the Banff Mountain Film Festival and was the inaugural vice president of the Banff Centre's mountain culture department. Under her leadership, the Banff Mountain Film Festival expanded its focus from film to include literature, photography, and environmental and cultural issues, evolving into a global mountain culture program that now tours over 45 countries across seven continents.As an author, she has documented the stories of people often overshadowed by climbing successes.In her notable work 'Freedom Climbers' and other publications, she has chronicled the climbing histories of Polish and Slovenian mountaineers. Her recent book, 'Alpine Rising,' highlights local climbers such as Sherpas and Baltis, who have been relatively overlooked in the early history of Himalayan climbing. The Ulsan Ulju World Mountain Film Festival cites this expansion of documentation as a key reason for her selection as this year's UMCA awardee.McDonald has received multiple accolades, including the Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain Literature and the Banff Mountain Book Festival Award. In 2011, she was honored with the highest distinction in mountain literature by the American Alpine Club.During the special talk on the 19th, she will connect her experiences to writing in the AI era.She plans to share insights on the lengthy process of researching materials and interviewing subjects for a book, her approach to starting her sentences, and the significance of human documentation that technology cannot replicate.Additional programs for mountain enthusiasts will follow.On September 20 at 10 a.m. in Theater 2 of the Alps Cinema, McDonald will join world-renowned alpinist Silvo Karo, who is a judge for this year's international competition. They will screen a documentary based on McDonald's book 'Warriors of the Mountain' and engage in a discussion about Slovenian mountain history.An exhibition showcasing McDonald's life and works will be held at the Coa Gallery from September 1 to 22. A book talk centered on her recent work 'Heroes of the Rising Himalayas' is also scheduled for September 20 at 2 p.m.A festival representative stated, "This year's UMCA program is designed to allow not only mountain experts but also modern individuals living in the AI era to experience the power of 'human analog challenges and records.' We hope that through Bernadette McDonald's shared experiences and wisdom, attendees will reflect on overlooked moments in life and take time to document them in a single sentence."The 11th Ulsan Ulju World Mountain Film Festival will take place from September 18 to 22 at the Yeongnam Alps Complex Welcome Center in Ulju County.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-28 17:08:00
  • Is KOSPI party over, or moving to Wall Street?
    Is KOSPI party over, or moving to Wall Street? SEOUL, August 28 (AJP) — South Korea's stock-market party is thinning fast. Average daily trading across the country's two equity platforms has nearly halved from June's 99.39 trillion won ($72.2 billion), cash parked in brokerage accounts has retreated sharply from its peak and the KOSPI's share turnover has sunk to the lowest level this year. Yet the missing activity does not look like a wholesale flight from Korean equities. Foreign investors still own nearly 40 percent of the KOSPI by market value, only modestly below their share near the June peak. Korean investors, meanwhile, were already deeply invested abroad before the latest slowdown and now hold more than $185 billion in U.S. stocks alone. An analyst at a South Korean brokerage said the recent increase in overseas investment does not necessarily indicate a structural shift away from the domestic market. “We have continued to see money move back and forth between Korean and overseas stocks,” he said. “At this point, it looks more like rotation within the market. Retail investors are very sensitive to returns, and recent volatility in the Korean market has also played a role.” The emerging picture, then, is less one of a party abruptly ending than of the KOSPI moving from a speculative frenzy into a plateau around 7,000, while Korean investors spread more of their money between Seoul and Wall Street. The change in market velocity is unmistakable. With investors able to trade Korean stocks on both the Korea Exchange (KRX) and alternative trading platform Nextrade (NXT), combined average daily trading value fell from 99.39 trillion won in June to 66.25 trillion won in July and 50.74 trillion won from Aug. 3 through Thursday. That represents a 48.9 percent decline from red-hot June. The fall cannot be explained by investors simply shifting trades from the KRX to NXT. Average daily turnover on the KRX dropped 46.5 percent to 32.28 trillion won this month from 60.36 trillion won in June, while NXT turnover fell 52.7 percent to 18.46 trillion won from 39.03 trillion won. The contrast becomes even starker against individual days near the height of the rally. The KOSPI closed at 9,052.42 on June 19 after touching an intraday record of 9,385.59. Trading value reached about 67.26 trillion won that day. By Thursday, when the index closed at 6,912.37, KOSPI turnover was just 22.5 trillion won — roughly one-third of the June 19 level. Market participation indicators tell much the same story. The average daily turnover ratio of KOSPI-listed shares fell to 0.54 percent from Aug. 1 through Aug. 26, the lowest this year. The ratio had risen from 0.86 percent in January to 1.74 percent in March before retreating to 1.13 percent in May, 0.81 percent in June and 0.72 percent in July. Retail trading has cooled almost as quickly. Average daily trading value by individual investors on KRX markets fell to 24.05 trillion won through Thursday from 46.77 trillion won in June, a 48.6 percent drop. Cash waiting for the next trade is also disappearing. Investor deposits at brokerage firms, a widely followed gauge of money available to buy stocks, approached 140 trillion won on June 4 as the KOSPI raced through successive milestones. The balance had fallen to 98.92 trillion won as of Aug. 26, nearly 30 percent below the June peak. Comparable data put the balance at about 102.5 trillion won on Aug. 25, after dipping into the 97 trillion won range earlier in August. The shrinking pool of trading cash is important because it suggests the slowdown is broader than investors merely waiting for a better entry point while keeping their money inside securities accounts. Still, Wall Street cannot account for all the missing money. Korean investors' U.S. stock holdings reached $185.6 billion as of Aug. 24, up 8.3 percent from $163.6 billion a month earlier, according to Korea Securities Depository (KSD) data. Net buying has also revived. Korean investors returned to net purchases of U.S. equities worth about $633 million in June after selling in April and May, before purchases surged to $4.64 billion in July. Recent buying has remained aggressive, particularly in technology and semiconductor-related assets. Leveraged semiconductor exchange-traded funds, memory-chip investments and major U.S. technology companies have ranked among the most heavily purchased securities. The analyst also pointed to the exchange rate as another factor supporting overseas investment. “Investors who had been concerned about the exchange rate are feeling less burdened about investing overseas as the won has strengthened,” he said. The currency has appreciated into the 1,370-per-dollar range from above 1,400 earlier this month, reducing the amount of won Korean investors need to acquire the dollars required for U.S. investments. The scale of Korea's overseas portfolio is already far larger than the latest monthly flows suggest. Bank of Korea data show Korean residents held a record $3.08 trillion in external financial assets at the end of June. Securities investments alone amounted to $1.38 trillion, up $142.7 billion during the second quarter as overseas equity markets rallied. The BOK's June balance-of-payments financial account also captured the two-way movement of capital. Net financial assets increased by a record $46.71 billion during the month. Korean residents increased overseas portfolio assets by $3.56 billion overall, with overseas equity investment rising $7.53 billion. Foreign portfolio investment in Korea, by contrast, decreased by $26.32 billion, including a record $31.61 billion decline in foreign investment in Korean stocks. Large foreign selling flows, however, have not translated into anything resembling foreign abandonment of the Korean market. Foreign investors' share of KOSPI market capitalization stood at about 39.49 percent in the latest reading, compared with a peak of 41.58 percent in late June. Foreigners therefore remain enormous owners of Korean stocks even after months of net selling. Earlier in August, their market-cap share was still around 39 percent despite cumulative selling that had exceeded 160 trillion won during the year. The distinction between flow and stock helps explain what is happening. Foreign investors have taken profits and reduced positions, but they have not deserted the KOSPI. Korean retail investors are trading far less at home and buying more U.S. stocks, but the increase in Wall Street purchases is nowhere near large enough to explain the entire collapse in Seoul turnover or brokerage deposits. The investor who appears to be leaving fastest is therefore the marginal trader — the investor who chased momentum, traded frequently or kept large sums immediately available during the extraordinary climb toward 9,000. The underlying pool of capital remains much larger and more patient. The KOSPI itself reflects the transition. Thursday's 6,912.37 close was 23.6 percent below its June 19 close and more than 26 percent below the record intraday high, but it was also about 22 percent above the July 29 close of 5,663.24. Instead of continuing either the June melt-up or July collapse, the index has increasingly gravitated toward the high-6,000 range, repeatedly approaching 7,000 without decisively breaking through it. The next test may therefore be less about whether Korean investors have fallen out of love with stocks than whether the KOSPI can attract enough fresh money to escape its new plateau. A sustained move above 7,000 accompanied by recovering turnover, rising investor deposits and broader foreign buying would suggest the party has merely taken an intermission. Another run at 7,000 on thin volume would tell a different story. The music may still be playing in Seoul, but many of the partygoers are no longer dancing — and a growing number are keeping Wall Street within walking distance. AJP Takeaways • KOSPI trading activity has nearly halved from June, with combined average daily turnover on the KRX and Nextrade falling 48.9 percent as South Korea's stock-market frenzy cools. • Korean investors are increasing U.S. equity exposure, with U.S. stock holdings reaching $185.6 billion in August and July net purchases surging to $4.64 billion. • Foreign investors have sold heavily but have not abandoned South Korea, retaining about 39.5 percent of KOSPI market capitalization compared with roughly 41.6 percent near the June peak. • The KOSPI increasingly looks to be forming a plateau around 7,000, leaving trading volume, brokerage deposits and foreign inflows as key signals for whether Seoul's rally can restart. 2026-08-28 17:04:46
  • High School Students Participate in Mock Trial Program at Gwangju District Court
    High School Students Participate in Mock Trial Program at Gwangju District Court High school students in Gwangju took on the roles of judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys, experiencing courtroom procedures firsthand while exploring careers in law. The Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City Office of Education announced that on August 28, it held a completion ceremony for the '2026 High School Mock Trial Career Mentoring' program, which involved 31 students from the Gwangju area at the Gwangju District Court. This program was designed to allow students to experience the concepts of law and human rights learned in the classroom through a process similar to an actual trial, enabling them to explore legal careers in detail. After recruiting participants in July, the education office selected teams from four schools—Gwangju Dongseong High School, Gwangju Jinhung High School, Daegwang Girls' High School, and Munjeong Girls' High School—through a review by current judges. The selected students prepared for the mock trial under the guidance of assigned mentor judges. They wrote trial scenarios and refined them, organizing the issues of the case and learning about the trial process and the roles of each participant. The culmination of their preparation was showcased in an actual courtroom. Before the completion ceremony, students performed the mock trial at the Gwangju District Court, taking on roles such as judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and witnesses. The focus was on moving beyond simply reading a script to examining the facts of the case and applying relevant legal principles, allowing students to experience how logical reasoning and legal thinking are conducted in a trial. Current judges also participated as expert advisors. They observed the students' logical structuring, trial progression, and legal reasoning, providing feedback to each team and individual student. After the mock trial, students were awarded certificates of completion for the program. Yang Seung-woo, a student from Gwangju Dongseong High School, said, “By writing the scenario and performing the trial in an actual courtroom, I gained a better understanding of the concerns and judgments that legal professionals face. Collaborating with my friends to complete a trial made me think more concretely about a career in law.” The Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City Office of Education plans to continue its collaboration with the Gwangju District Court to expand career experience programs that allow students to explore various professional fields outside of school. Hyung Ji-young, head of the Career Guidance Division, stated, “I hope students experience the values of law, justice, and human rights through the mock trial career mentoring and explore their aptitudes and career paths in detail. We will actively support experiential career education that allows students to learn on-site and design their career paths in collaboration with professional institutions.” Meanwhile, the mock trial career mentoring program is significant for providing students with opportunities to experience real job environments through collaboration between educational and judicial institutions. The Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City Office of Education plans to continue utilizing various professional institutions and community resources, including the legal field, to broaden opportunities for students to directly experience job environments and clarify their career paths.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-28 17:04:00
  • Labor Minister Calls for Swift Response to Fire at Paint Manufacturing Plant in Cheonan
    Labor Minister Calls for Swift Response to Fire at Paint Manufacturing Plant in Cheonan Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon has dispatched the head of the Industrial Safety and Health Policy Office to the site of a fire at a manufacturing plant in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, where three workers died and one was seriously injured. He has ordered a prompt and thorough response to the incident.According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the fire broke out at 11:44 a.m. at the Daewon Industrial plant, a manufacturer of fatty acids, for reasons that are still unknown. The incident resulted in the deaths of three workers and left one with serious injuries.Upon receiving the report of the incident, Minister Kim ordered swift action to manage the situation and prevent further damage. In response, the ministry established a Central Industrial Accident Response Headquarters and a Regional Industrial Accident Response Headquarters at both the headquarters and the Cheonan branch.The head of the Industrial Safety and Health Policy Office and the Director of the Daejeon Regional Employment and Labor Office were also sent to the scene. They will coordinate with relevant agencies to share information about the incident and assist in the response and investigation.Immediately after the incident, the Cheonan branch director and labor inspectors arrived on-site to halt operations at the facility. They are working to mitigate the risk of further accidents while verifying compliance with safety measures and the working conditions at the time of the incident.The ministry is committed to thoroughly investigating not only the direct cause of the accident but also any underlying structural issues that may have contributed. The Cheonan branch has formed a dedicated investigation team of 15 members to examine the circumstances of the accident and any potential violations of industrial safety and health laws.Minister Kim expressed condolences to the families of the deceased workers, stating, "We will do everything possible for a swift and thorough response to the incident and to prevent secondary accidents."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-28 17:00:00
  • Mokpo City Councils Yehyang Mokpo Research Group Begins Cultural Arts Activities
    Mokpo City Council's 'Yehyang Mokpo Research Group' Begins Cultural Arts Activities The Yehyang Mokpo Research Group of the Mokpo City Council has commenced its research activities by visiting local cultural arts sites to assess facility operations and identify areas for improvement. On August 28, the group conducted its first field activity at the Nohjeokbong Art Park Museum, where they viewed exhibitions and gathered feedback from museum officials. Formed after a launch ceremony on August 13, the research group aims to re-evaluate Mokpo's cultural arts assets and explore sustainable development strategies for local cultural arts. The Nohjeokbong Art Park Museum, which is directly operated and managed by the city, was chosen as the first site for their visit. Members of the research group viewed the 2026 Youth Artist Invitational Exhibition titled 'Gestures of Loving Life' in the museum's first-floor exhibition hall. Through the works of young artists, they examined the contemporary perspectives and diverse expressions of young creators, discussing the importance of fostering a cultural arts environment that expands opportunities for local youth artists. The group then visited the second floor to view works by the late artist Kim Am-ki. They reflected on the historical depictions of Mokpo's past, including the old Mokpo ferry terminal and Yudal Mountain, and discussed strategies for preserving and utilizing local artistic assets. In addition to viewing the exhibitions, the group also addressed current issues in museum operations. They received explanations from museum officials regarding problems related to facility aging and the need for repairs, exploring ways to enhance convenience for cultural facility users. All seven members of the research group, including Chairperson Park Soo-kyung, participated in the day's activities. Chairperson Park stated, "It is significant that all members attended the first field activity together," adding, "The Nohjeokbong Art Park Museum has been a cultural space in Mokpo that attracts both locals and tourists since its opening in 2009." Park specifically highlighted the need for facility improvements to enhance accessibility for disabled visitors and the installation of sunshades at the outdoor performance area. She emphasized, "We will continue to visit local cultural arts sites, listen to stakeholders' opinions, and discuss development directions with our members." Meanwhile, the Yehyang Mokpo Research Group was established as a council research group to re-evaluate the value of Mokpo's cultural arts resources and seek policy directions that can connect these resources to the region's cultural and tourism competitiveness. The group plans to visit various cultural arts facilities in the area to assess operational conditions and improvement tasks, aiming to develop policy alternatives to promote cultural arts in Mokpo based on feedback from these visits.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-28 16:56:00
  • HD Hyundai Site Solutions Partners with Small Business Agency for $22.5 Million Financial Support
    HD Hyundai Site Solutions Partners with Small Business Agency for $22.5 Million Financial Support HD Hyundai Site Solutions, a mid-holding company in the construction machinery sector, announced on August 28 that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Incheon West Branch of the Small and Medium Business Administration (SMBA) at the HD Hyundai Global R&D Center in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province, to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in strategic industries in the Incheon area through a 'Co-Growth Network Loan.' The signing ceremony was attended by Jeong Chang-hwa, head of purchasing at HD Hyundai Site Solutions, and Ban Jeong-sik, regional innovation director at SMBA, along with officials from both organizations. Under this agreement, HD Hyundai Site Solutions will utilize a fund of up to 25 billion won (approximately $22.5 million) to support the stable production activities of partner SMEs. SMBA plans to implement various win-win programs, including support for the Co-Growth Network Loan for partner SMEs, discovering and recommending excellent partners, and providing support for export marketing and workforce training. The Co-Growth Network Loan is a program where SMBA recommends partner SMEs with excellent technology and growth potential after signing agreements with ordering companies (large, mid-sized, and quality SMEs) and provides production funds to help fulfill supply contracts. The core objective is to alleviate the financial burden on SMEs during the contract fulfillment process and ensure timely access to necessary production funds. Jeong Chang-hwa stated, "It is important to expand support in areas such as automation and robotics for the continuous growth of our partners. Through this agreement, we will do our utmost to strengthen the competitiveness and sustainable growth of our partner companies."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-28 16:56:00
  • People Power Party Condemns Blue Houses Rejection of Supreme Court Nominee
    People Power Party Condemns Blue House's Rejection of Supreme Court Nominee 국민의힘은 28일 청와대가 손봉기 대법관 임명동의안을 국회에 제출하지 않고 다른 후보자 재제청을 요구한 것에 대해 "사법부와 입법부의 헌법상 권한을 훼손하는 명백한 삼권분립 부정 행위"라고 규탄했다. 정점식 원내대표는 이날 페이스북에 "이재명 대통령은 헌법에 명시된 대법원장 제청권을 부정하고 침해한 것"이라며 이같이 밝혔다. 정 원내대표는 청와대가 국회의 인사 검증과 동의 권한을 침해했다고 주장했다. 그는 "청와대의 주장은 대법관 제청에 대통령의 동의가 필요하다는 뜻인데, 이렇게 되면 대법관 임명 절차에서 대통령은 '제청'과 '임명'에 2번 개입하게 되는 것"이라며 "청와대가 손 후보자의 임명동의안을 국회에 이송하지 않은 것은 국회의 인사검증과 동의 권한을 침해한 것"이라고 지적했다. 이어 "국회 인사청문회를 거쳐 부적절하다고 판단되면 국회에서 임명동의안을 부결시킬 수도 있는데, 인사청문회의 기회를 원천 봉쇄한 것은 국회와 국민의 검증 권리를 부정한 것"이라며 "청와대 주장은 사실상 대법원장이 대법관을 제청할 때 대통령의 재가를 받아야 한다는 것으로 대법원장을 대통령의 아랫사람으로 여기는 행동"이라고 비판했다. 나아가 "임기 중 22명의 대법관을 모두 대통령 마음대로 임명하기 위한 사법부 길들이기의 신호탄"이라며 "위헌을 불사하면서까지 자기 재판의 재판관을 본인이 임명하겠다는 뜻"이라고 했다. 그는 사법부를 향해 "이 대통령의 위헌적 도발에 굴복해선 안된다. 손 후보자를 다시 제청해 국회의 동의를 구하라"며 "헌법에 어긋나는 이 대통령의 5개 재판 중단을 취소하고 즉시 재판을 재개하라"고 촉구했다. 국민의힘 법제사법위원회 위원들도 이날 기자회견을 열어 "대통령의 대법관 쇼핑은 헌정사에 유례가 없는 일"이라고 목소리 높였다. 국회 법사위 소속 박형수·주진우 의원은 "이 대통령의 헌법파괴 및 사법부의 독립 파괴 시도에 분노하지 않을 수 없다"며 "대한민국 헌법에 대통령에게 '재제청 요구권'을 준 조항은 어디에도 없다"고 꼬집었다. 이어 "없는 권한을 만들어 행사하는 것은 헌법의 해석이 아니라 권한의 창설이며 그 자체로 위헌"이라고 했다. 아울러 "마음에 들지 않는 후보자는 국회 문턱에 올리지도 않겠다는 발상"이라며 "여당이 과반 의석으로 정치적 책임을 지고 부결시키는 것과 절차 자체를 봉쇄해 책임을 회피하는 것은 전혀 다른 일"이라고 질타했다. 이들은 청와대가 국회의 인사청문권과 동의권을 침해했다며 이 대통령을 향해 "즉시 손 후보자에 대한 임명동의안을 국회에 제출하라"고 요구했다. 또한 "향후 20여 명의 대법관을 모두 대통령 입맛에 맞는 사람들로 채워서 앞으로 속개될 자신의 재판을 맡기려 한다면 이해충돌을 넘어 사법부의 독립 및 정치적 중립성, 권력분립의 원칙까지 모두 파괴하는 무모한 시도가 될 것"이라고 경고했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-28 16:56:00
  • Private Universities Oppose Governments Free Tuition Policy for National Universities
    Private Universities Oppose Government's Free Tuition Policy for National Universities The push for a 'full free tuition' policy for national universities has sparked significant backlash from private universities in South Korea. The Korea Association of Private University Presidents (KAPUP) has criticized the government's plan, arguing that concentrating full national scholarships on specific types of institutions fosters discrimination among students and is inherently unfair. They are calling for a complete redesign of the policy.From August 20 to 24, KAPUP commissioned Research & Research to survey 500 high school seniors across the country regarding the '2027 Free Tuition Support for Regional National Universities.' The results were released on August 28.The survey revealed that 64.5% of respondents believe that full national scholarships should be available regardless of whether the institution is public or private. In contrast, only 25.0% disagreed. This sentiment was consistent across different types of universities students hoped to attend, indicating a strong demand for equitable scholarship support.The impact of the free tuition policy on university choice was also evident. After presenting the full scholarship conditions, the percentage of students wishing to attend 'regional national universities' increased from 27.6% to 31.9%. Conversely, interest in 'regional private universities' dropped from 6.6% to 4.4%, raising concerns that the free tuition initiative could skew student enrollment toward national universities. Additionally, 73.6% of respondents predicted that this policy would lead to a shift toward national universities.Despite the substantial financial incentives, the preference for universities in the capital region remained strong. Students identified 'reputation and recognition' (57.1%) and 'employment prospects' (54.5%) as the most important factors in their university choice, while 'tuition and scholarships' (25.8%) ranked lower. Notably, 62.5% expressed a willingness to incur costs to attend a university in the capital region, suggesting that free tuition alone may not be sufficient to prevent talent drain from regional institutions.KAPUP issued a statement on the same day, urging the government to reconsider its policy direction. They acknowledged the intention to reduce the financial burden on local youth and support regional universities but criticized the approach of providing full support to national university students regardless of income while excluding private university students. They argued that this is not a fair system.KAPUP pointed out that tuition at national and public universities outside the capital region is already about 54% of that at private universities, and the scholarship rate per student is over 20 percentage points higher. They expressed concern that if the government fully covers tuition at regional national universities, it would create a stark disparity, effectively resulting in 'zero tuition for national universities and hundreds of thousands of won for private universities,' which could severely impact student recruitment at regional private institutions.KAPUP also emphasized that new funding sources, such as the 'Future Response Fund' from the restructuring of local education financial grants, should be distributed equitably.The association's presidents proposed three key demands to the government: 1) redesign the 'regional balance scholarship' based on students and regions rather than the type of institution; 2) ensure equitable investment of the Future Response Fund in the infrastructure and quality faculty of private universities; and 3) institutionalize a stable and continuous national investment system for higher education.Hwang In-sung, KAPUP's Secretary General, stated, 'Regional development should not be limited to the advancement of certain universities but should involve the growth of all students and institutions in the region.' He urged the government to center its policies on students and regions rather than the type of institution when redesigning scholarships and higher education financial policies.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-28 16:52:00
  • Muan County Develops Safety Leaders in Rural Areas with Improvement Association
    Muan County Develops 'Safety Leaders' in Rural Areas with Improvement Association Muan County in South Jeolla Province has initiated field-based safety training to enhance farmers' response capabilities to various safety accidents and infectious diseases that may occur during agricultural work. On August 26, Muan County conducted farm safety training for members of the Improvement Association and farmers participating in safety consulting at the Muan Fire Station's second-floor conference room. The training aimed not only to improve individual safety management skills but also to empower Improvement Association members to serve as 'rural safety leaders' by sharing safety guidelines with their families and neighbors through practical exercises and real-life case studies. During the training, safety manager Lee Myung-mi explained safety rules to prevent tick-borne diseases that must be observed in rural areas. Key topics included minimizing skin exposure during farm work, proper work attire, methods for checking the body and work clothes after completing tasks, and guidelines for responding if bitten by a tick or experiencing suspicious symptoms. Considering the outdoor nature of agricultural work, the training focused on step-by-step preventive measures before and after work, as well as easily implementable methods for daily life. Practical training for emergency situations was also included. Participants practiced CPR and emergency procedures for airway obstruction under the guidance of a first aid instructor from the Muan Fire Station. Given the importance of initial response in critical situations such as cardiac arrest or airway obstruction that can suddenly occur during farm work, the training emphasized enhancing response capabilities through simulated scenarios. Muan County plans to spread safety culture throughout rural areas by encouraging Improvement Association members, who have significant contact with local residents, to share the safety rules and first aid methods they learned during the training with their families and neighbors. Park Si-rin, head of the Rural Support Division, stated, “I hope the Improvement Association members will learn first aid and disease prevention guidelines to help spread a culture of safety throughout the village. We will continue to expand field-based safety training in collaboration with agricultural organizations to create a rural environment where farmers can work with peace of mind.” Meanwhile, as rural areas often involve outdoor work and have a high proportion of elderly farmers, it is crucial to equip them with the ability to respond to infectious disease prevention and emergencies. Muan County plans to continue its focus on preventive and practical training to ensure that safety rules are established in actual farming practices and community life through ongoing safety consulting and training for agricultural organizations.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-28 16:48:00