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  • Samsung Hospital Unveils Humanoid Surgical Assistant Robot
    Samsung Hospital Unveils Humanoid Surgical Assistant Robot "Hand me the scissors." The humanoid robot standing next to the operating table began to move in response to the medical staff's voice command. After scanning the tray with surgical tools using its camera, the robot picked up the scissors. It took less than two seconds for the robot to start moving after the doctor's command was given.On September 16, at the Samsung Life Insurance building in Gangnam, Seoul, Samsung Medical Center publicly unveiled its humanoid surgical assistant robot, which is currently under development, in a setting that closely resembles an actual operating room.The event showcased various scenarios, including three robots performing surgical tasks via remote control, a surgeon assisted by two robots, and participants trying out a multi-jointed robotic hand that moves like a human hand.In a simulated gallbladder removal surgery involving one surgeon and three robots, goat liver was used instead of a real patient or live animal. A large screen displayed the organ's tissue and the robot's movements in real-time, captured by a laparoscopic camera.The robot assisted in pulling the surgical site to ensure visibility and helped confirm the location of the gallbladder duct and blood vessels relative to surrounding tissues. It then demonstrated the critical steps of the gallbladder removal procedure, including securing the duct and blood vessels with clips before cutting. The robot effectively performed the role of a surgical assistant by handing tools to the medical staff, holding the endoscopic camera, and applying consistent force to tissues, thereby minimizing interruptions in the surgical flow and allowing the medical team to focus on essential tasks.◆ South Korea's Robot Collaboration is Leading the World… Key Technologies Include RCM, Visual Servoing, and Voice RecognitionSamsung Medical Center highlighted the collaboration between medical staff and multiple humanoid robots as a distinguishing feature of this demonstration. They explained that both remotely operated robots and AI-controlled surgical assistant robots were utilized together.Professor Jeong Yong-ki, the lead researcher and an otolaryngology specialist, assessed South Korea's robotic technology as being "world-class," noting that the country has a favorable environment for advancing related research due to the presence of skilled medical professionals, robotics companies, and AI researchers.The humanoid robot demonstrated clear differences from existing surgical robots like the da Vinci system. While da Vinci is a specialized robot designed for surgical procedures, the humanoid robot used in this research focuses on versatility and scalability, capable of performing various tasks depending on the tools and control methods attached to its arms.Professor Jeong stated, "Using multiple fingers on a multi-jointed robotic hand will allow for more stable handling in situations where tools are difficult to grasp or overlap with each other."The roles of the surgical robots can be categorized into three main functions: 'OR-Scrub' for preparing and delivering surgical instruments, 'OR-Scope' for holding the endoscope and pulling tissues to ensure visibility, and 'OR-TeleOp' for directly moving surgical instruments under the surgeon's remote control. Professor Jeong explained that in the future, operating rooms may feature a setup where surgeons work alongside multiple robots.The core technologies of the robots include 'RCM (Remote Center of Motion)' for maintaining consistent instrument insertion points, 'Visual Servoing' for automatically correcting movements by tracking targets with a camera, and 'Voice Recognition (AI)' for translating the surgeon's verbal commands into actions.According to Samsung Medical Center, laboratory evaluations showed that both voice command recognition and action success rates exceeded the target of 95%. The success rate for handling five types of surgical tools was 100%, and the delivery success rate was 98.7%. The time taken to start actions after command recognition was within two seconds, with a final goal of achieving this within one second.Safety features are also in place, including emergency stop voice commands and dedicated pedals and buttons. In the event of an emergency stop, the robot immediately halts and retracts, allowing medical staff to push it away as its joint power is released. However, discussions regarding liability for robot malfunctions in medical disputes have yet to take place. Professor Jeong remarked, "This is an important issue, but the technology is not yet mature enough for discussion."Addressing variables that arise during actual surgeries, such as bleeding, surgery delays, and anatomical differences among patients, remains a challenge for the future. High-difficulty procedures like incisions and suturing are still in the research phase.◆ Clinical Trials Planned for 2029… Aiming to Address Medical Workforce Shortages in Rural and Nighttime Emergency SituationsSamsung Medical Center plans to conduct its first clinical trials in 2029, targeting gallbladder and pituitary tumor surgeries across four hospitals. The plan is to gradually expand the scope of application, starting with lower-risk auxiliary tasks such as maintaining endoscopic visibility and adjusting positions during laparoscopic surgeries.Regarding the timeline for applying the technology to actual patient surgeries, they stated, "The timing will vary depending on the roles assigned to the robots." The hospital believes it may be possible to consider clinical applications for roles such as holding the endoscope and adjusting its position during surgery.The ultimate goal outlined by Samsung Medical Center is to alleviate the shortage of medical personnel. By assigning repetitive tasks to robots, medical staff can concentrate on critical surgical procedures, thereby filling gaps in rural and nighttime emergency situations where personnel are scarce. Professor Jeong stated, "We aim to provide a certain level of surgical assistance even in areas with a shortage of staff, such as rural hospitals or nighttime emergency surgeries."Recently, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, claimed that "robots will surpass human doctors within three years," a statement that some experts believe is not entirely unfounded. A joint research team from Johns Hopkins University and Stanford University previously demonstrated autonomous surgery using the da Vinci robot on excised pig gallbladders, as reported in Science Robotics. However, there are concerns about the gap between such experiments and actual clinical applications, as they do not involve live animals.This project began after Samsung Medical Center was selected as the lead institution for Korea's ARPA-H in July of last year. It will be conducted over 54 months, concluding in December 2029, with a total government-supported research and development budget of approximately 13.835 billion won.Samsung Medical Center is responsible for defining clinical requirements and overseeing the demonstration. Rainbow Robotics is developing the robot's main body, while AIDIN Robotics is responsible for the gripper and robotic hand development. Sungkyunkwan University and Seoul National University are involved in AI software development, and the National Cancer Center and Jeonbuk National University Hospital are tasked with data collection and demonstration. 2026-09-17 12:08:00
  • Four Companies Under Investigation for Alleged Bid Rigging in Tablet Supply
    Four Companies Under Investigation for Alleged Bid Rigging in Tablet Supply Four manufacturers and suppliers of tablet computers for digital textbooks are under investigation by the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) for alleged bid rigging.On September 17, the FTC's secretariat announced that it has submitted a report on the review of the bid rigging case involving tablet computers for digital textbooks, initiating the review process. The companies under scrutiny are iBridge.com, A-Tech Computer, Uniwide, and For You Digital.The investigators determined that these companies had engaged in organized collusion during the bidding process for tablets commissioned by educational authorities. The total value of the affected bids is approximately 65 billion won, with over 200,000 tablets supplied through these contracts.The tablets in question are electronic devices provided to schools, enabling elementary, middle, and high school students to access digital textbooks and utilize online learning support software. Digital textbooks are designed to digitize the content of traditional textbooks and integrate various learning materials such as videos, audio, and images. Students can interact with the content using touch screens, electronic pens, and keyboards.Unlike products purchased individually by consumers, educational tablets are supplied through bulk purchases by public institutions like educational authorities and schools, which then lend them to students. A single bid can result in the supply of thousands to tens of thousands of devices.Suppliers are selected through public bidding, and contracts typically include not only the supply of devices but also initial setup, software installation, provision of peripherals, and maintenance.The investigators classified the alleged actions as a 'serious violation' of the prohibition against bid rigging under the Fair Trade Act. The report includes recommendations for corrective measures, including a ban order, imposition of fines, and potential criminal charges against current and former executives of the companies involved.However, the report is a document outlining the facts, legality, and recommendations identified during the investigation and does not bind the commission's final judgment. The actual determination of legal violations and the level of penalties will be decided through an independent commission review.The companies under review can submit written opinions within six weeks from the date they receive the report. They are also entitled to request access to and copies of evidence materials.The FTC stated, 'Once the procedures to guarantee the right to defense are completed, we plan to convene the commission as quickly as possible to determine whether a legal violation has occurred and, if confirmed, to finalize the specific level of sanctions.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-17 12:04:20
  • Foreign Investors Withdraw $4.5 Billion from South Korean Securities for Seventh Consecutive Month
    Foreign Investors Withdraw $4.5 Billion from South Korean Securities for Seventh Consecutive Month Foreign investment in South Korea's stock and bond markets saw a net outflow of $4.5 billion last month, marking the seventh consecutive month of withdrawals. However, there was a slight net inflow in the domestic stock market.According to the Bank of Korea's report on international finance and foreign exchange market trends released on September 17, the total securities investment by foreign investors, including stocks and bonds, recorded a net outflow of $4.5 billion in August.This outflow was significantly reduced compared to the previous month's outflow of $21.65 billion. Nonetheless, the trend of net outflows has persisted for seven months.By type of securities, the stock market saw a net inflow of $400 billion last month. This marked a reversal from the net outflows that persisted from January to July of this year.A Bank of Korea official explained, "Despite the dampened investment sentiment due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and rising global long-term interest rates, the positive performance of U.S. tech companies contributed to the slight net inflow."However, the official added, "When looking at the trading days, the net outflow expanded from $5.46 billion in July to $8.66 billion in August."In the bond market, there was a net outflow of $4.53 billion. This increase in outflow was attributed to intensified incentives for short-term profit trading and rising market interest rates.The credit default swap (CDS) premium for South Korean government bonds (based on the five-year foreign exchange stabilization fund bonds) decreased from an average of 23 basis points in July to 22 basis points in August.In August, the average daily fluctuation range and rate of the won-dollar exchange rate were 4.4 won and 0.31%, respectively, significantly lower than the previous month’s figures of 8.8 won and 0.31%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-17 12:04:20
  • South Koreas Knowledge Service Trade Deficit Reaches $6.4 Billion in First Half of 2026
    South Korea's Knowledge Service Trade Deficit Reaches $6.4 Billion in First Half of 2026 South Korea recorded a knowledge service trade deficit exceeding $6.4 billion in the first half of 2026. This marks the second-largest deficit since statistics began being compiled, with the computer and mobile software deficit reaching an all-time high for a half-year period.According to the Bank of Korea's preliminary 'Knowledge Service Trade Statistics' released on September 17, the knowledge service trade balance for the first half of the year was a deficit of $6.44 billion. This is the second-largest deficit recorded since the statistics were first published in 2010, following the $7 billion deficit in the second half of 2010.The knowledge service balance is divided into four main categories: intellectual property royalties, information and communication services, cultural and leisure services, and professional and business services. While information and communication services ($2.4 billion) and cultural and leisure services ($720 million) posted surpluses, deficits were recorded in intellectual property royalties (-$4.9 billion) and professional and business services (-$4.67 billion). Notably, the cultural and leisure services sector achieved its highest surplus ever.Within intellectual property royalties, the copyright balance saw a deficit of $2.88 billion, widening by $850 million compared to the same period last year. The deficit in computer and mobile software expanded from $2.31 billion in the first half of last year to $2.84 billion this year, marking the largest deficit on record for a half-year period.The increase in software royalty payments is attributed to expanded investments in semiconductor equipment. Park Seong-gon, head of the Bank of Korea's International Balance of Payments Team, explained, "When importing semiconductor equipment from abroad, costs for software updates necessary for operating the equipment are incurred. Recently, as investments in semiconductor facilities have increased, related royalty payments have also risen."The multimedia copyright balance shifted to a deficit of $40 million due to a decrease in copyright exports from the information and communication sector and an increase in payments for overseas copyright usage. Fees for overseas online video service (OTT) subscriptions are included in multimedia copyright.Regionally, Asia recorded a surplus of $2.62 billion, while North America and Europe reported deficits of $3.32 billion and $2.25 billion, respectively.The knowledge service trade balance for the information and communication technology (ICT) industry showed a surplus of $860 million. Although there were deficits in information services (-$810 million), the game software development and production sector generated a surplus of $1.91 billion.In the first half of the year, the content industry's knowledge service trade balance also recorded a surplus of $2.14 billion, with the gaming and music industries achieving surpluses of $1.97 billion and $660 million, respectively.The expansion of generative artificial intelligence (AI) services is emerging as a new variable in the knowledge service trade balance. Subscription fees for overseas AI services are included in the intellectual property royalties under the computer and mobile software category.Park noted, "Internally compiled data on AI-related items indicate that payment amounts based on card usage have roughly doubled in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year. While the absolute amount is not large, the growth rate is very rapid." He added, "Considering that AI has recently entered the market as a new service, it is likely that AI has made a significant contribution."Looking ahead, the knowledge service trade balance is expected to continue along a similar deficit trajectory in the second half of the year. Park stated, "The fundamental deficit trend is likely to persist, although K-content presents an upside factor."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-17 12:04:10
  • New Parental Leave Policies Allow Men to Take Time Off for Spousal Births
    New Parental Leave Policies Allow Men to Take Time Off for Spousal Births Starting soon, male employees will be able to take parental leave beginning 50 days before their spouse's expected delivery date. A new policy will also allow up to five days of leave for spouses who experience miscarriage or stillbirth, and paternity leave will be permitted for men to care for their partners during high-risk pregnancies.The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on September 17 that the 'Spousal Support Package' aimed at encouraging male participation in caregiving from pregnancy through childbirth will take effect on September 18.Previously, support for male employees related to pregnancy and childbirth was primarily focused on the post-delivery period. This expansion of support addresses the lack of institutional measures for dealing with risks during pregnancy, including miscarriage and stillbirth.The newly introduced leave for miscarriage and stillbirth allows for a maximum of five days, with the first three days being paid. Employees must request and begin their leave within 20 days of the date of the miscarriage or stillbirth. The end date of the leave can extend beyond the 20-day limit.The number of leave days applies regardless of the duration of the spouse's pregnancy. Employees can request between one to five days, and non-working holidays do not count against the leave days. This policy applies to both legally married and common-law spouses.Employees can generally take their requested leave days consecutively, but they may split the leave if permitted by their employer. Even if a miscarriage or stillbirth occurs before the effective date, employees can still apply for leave within the designated timeframe.The spousal birth leave period has also been expanded. Previously, it could only be taken within 120 days after childbirth, but now it can be taken from 50 days before the expected delivery date up to 120 days after the actual birth. The leave consists of 20 paid days and can be taken in three separate instances. There is no requirement to include the expected delivery date within the leave period, allowing for all days to be taken before or after the birth.Male employees can also take paternity leave before the birth if their pregnant spouse is diagnosed with a condition that poses a risk of miscarriage or preterm birth, as defined in the relevant regulations. Applications must be submitted at least seven days before the intended start date of the leave.The duration of this leave will be deducted from the existing parental leave period but will not count against the number of times leave can be split. This policy is not universally applicable to all pregnancies and must meet specific criteria related to defined risk conditions.Recently, there has been an increasing trend in the utilization of support systems related to spousal childbirth among men. From January to August this year, approximately 269,000 individuals received benefits from maternal protection and work-family balance support programs, marking a 16.7% increase compared to the same period last year. The number of individuals receiving benefits from spousal birth leave rose by 45.1% to about 22,000.Cho Jeong-sook, Director of Employment Support Policy at the Ministry of Labor, stated, "The participation of men in caregiving throughout the entire process from pregnancy to childbirth will be significantly broadened. We will continue to develop measures to reduce the burden of balancing work and childcare for working parents, including those in small businesses and non-standard employment." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-17 12:04:10
  • Youth Deficit Grows While Ages 55-64 See Surplus, Widening Generational Economic Gap
    Youth Deficit Grows While Ages 55-64 See Surplus, Widening Generational Economic Gap The overall lifecycle deficit has decreased, but economic disparities among age groups persist. Individuals aged 55 to 64 have seen an increase in surplus due to rising labor income, while the lifecycle deficit for those aged 15 to 24 has grown compared to a decade ago. In older age groups, both consumption and labor income have increased.The National Data Agency released its "2024 National Transfer Accounts" report on September 17, detailing the relationship between consumption and labor income across different age groups.In 2024, the lifecycle deficit, calculated by subtracting labor income from consumption, totaled 220.119 trillion won, a decrease of 7.3 trillion won from the previous year. Consumption rose by 3.4% to 1,509.794 trillion won, while labor income increased by 4.6% to 1,289.675 trillion won, leading to a reduction in the deficit.By age group, those aged 0 to 14 experienced a deficit of 186.22 trillion won. The working-age group of 15 to 64 generated a surplus of 155.44 trillion won, while those aged 65 and older recorded a deficit of 188.943 trillion won.The per capita lifecycle deficit exhibited a three-stage structure of 'deficit → surplus → deficit' based on age. The largest deficit occurred at age 16, amounting to 46.04 million won. Labor income began to rise, leading to a surplus starting at age 28, peaking at 19.32 million won at age 45 before declining again to a deficit starting at age 61.The age at which individuals enter surplus has remained stable at around 27 to 28 since 2010. However, the age for reentering a deficit has increased, rising from 56 in 2010 to 61 in 2024, likely due to longer participation in the labor market.In fact, individuals aged 55 to 64 recorded a lifecycle deficit of 12.789 trillion won in 2014, but transitioned to a surplus of 19.962 trillion won by 2024. According to the National Data Agency, this age group was in deficit until 2019 but has been in surplus since 2020.Conversely, the deficit for those aged 15 to 24 increased from 113.92 trillion won in 2014 to 139.441 trillion won in 2024, an increase of 25.52 trillion won. The surplus for those aged 25 to 34 decreased from 32.922 trillion won to 24.37 trillion won, while the surplus for those aged 35 to 44 grew from 93.099 trillion won to 108.564 trillion won. The surplus for those aged 45 to 54 also expanded significantly from 72.161 trillion won to 141.589 trillion won.Differences in the growth rates of consumption and labor income were also evident by age group. Total consumption reached 1,509.794 trillion won, a 3.4% increase from the previous year. Public consumption rose by 4.5% to 447.51 trillion won, while private consumption increased by 2.9% to 1,062.285 trillion won.Consumption among those aged 65 and older reached 263.733 trillion won, an 8.1% increase from the previous year. The share of older adults in total consumption rose from 16.7% to 17.5%. Both public and private consumption among older adults grew at rates higher than the overall increase.Labor income for those aged 65 and older also increased, reaching 74.79 trillion won, a 15.7% rise that significantly outpaced the overall labor income growth rate of 4.6%. Labor income for the working-age group increased by 4.0% to 1,214.885 trillion won.A representative from the National Data Agency stated, "The youth demographic is significantly impacted by education-related consumption, while the elderly are influenced by health-related consumption," adding that "per capita labor income gradually increases after age 17, peaking at 45 years old at 46.51 million won before gradually declining." They further explained that the lifecycle deficit has decreased because the growth in consumption has been smaller than the increase in labor income. 2026-09-17 12:04:10
  • South Korea Boosts Nuclear Decommissioning Industry Competitiveness
    South Korea Boosts Nuclear Decommissioning Industry Competitiveness 정부가 고리 원전 1호기 해체를 계기로 국내 원전해체 산업의 경쟁력을 끌어올리고 해외시장 진출을 본격 지원한다. 전 세계적으로 영구정지 원전이 늘어나는 가운데 국내 기업이 원전 건설부터 해체까지 전 주기에 걸친 경쟁력을 갖출 수 있도록 기술·시장·인프라 지원 방안을 모색한다.기후에너지환경부는 오는 18일 서울 중구 웨스틴조선에서 '원전해체 글로벌 경쟁력 강화 협의회'와 '2026 원전해체 비즈니스 포럼'을 개최한다고 17일 밝혔다.기후부와 한국수력원자력이 주최하고 한국원자력산업협회가 주관하는 이번 행사에는 국내외 원전해체 전문가 300여명이 참석한다.비즈니스 포럼은 '고리 1호기에서 미래로, K-디커미셔닝(K-Decommissioning)의 글로벌 도약'을 주제로 열린다. 국내 원전해체 산업의 현황과 향후 계획을 점검하고 해외 전문기업의 원전해체 경험과 교훈을 공유한다.포럼은 △원전해체 산업 현황과 계획 △원전해체 산업 상생과 경쟁력 강화 △글로벌 원전해체 경험과 교훈 등 3개 세션으로 진행된다. 미국 에너지솔루션즈(EnergySolutions), 일본 간사이전력, 프랑스 사이클라이프(Cyclife) 등 해외 기업도 자국의 원전해체 경험을 소개한다.국제원자력기구(IAEA) 등에 따르면 지난달 31일 기준 전 세계 영구정지 원전은 220기, 설비용량으로는 110GW에 달한다. 이중 해체가 완료된 원전은 상업용 원전 14기와 연구용 원자로 9기 등 모두 23기에 그친다. 대형 상업용 원자로 해체 경험을 보유한 국가는 미국이 유일하다.정부는 원전해체 글로벌 경쟁력 강화 협의회도 열어 국내 산업의 경쟁력 확보 방안을 논의한다. 지방정부와 산·학·연 전문가들이 참여해 기술과 시장, 인프라 분야별 국내외 원전해체 사업 현황과 향후 계획을 점검하고 정부의 지원 방안을 모색할 예정이다.기후부 관계자는 "고리 1호기 해체를 비롯한 국내 원전해체 사업을 바탕으로 기업들의 관련 역량을 높이고 해외시장 진출을 지원할 계획"이라며 "원전 건설부터 운영, 해체까지 원전 산업 전 주기에 걸쳐 국내 기업의 경쟁력을 강화한다"고 밝혔다. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-17 12:04:00
  • Government to Intensify Environmental Inspections at 3,400 Sites Ahead of Chuseok
    Government to Intensify Environmental Inspections at 3,400 Sites Ahead of Chuseok The government will conduct intensive inspections at over 3,400 sites with significant environmental pollution concerns ahead of the Chuseok holiday. During the holiday period, drones and mobile measurement vehicles will be deployed to monitor illegal pollution activities, and regional situation rooms will be established. The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced on September 17 that special monitoring, inspections, and promotional activities to prevent environmental pollution will take place from September 18 to October 8. This special inspection will involve the ministry, seven regional and local environmental agencies, and local governments. They will focus on major polluting facilities and areas vulnerable to pollution before, during, and after the holiday. Before the holiday, the government will send self-inspection cooperation letters to over 31,000 key facilities and environmental infrastructure sites. Additionally, on-site monitoring and inspections will be conducted at the 3,400 sites identified as vulnerable to environmental pollution. Key targets for inspection include facilities that directly discharge pollutants into public waters, those located near water sources, and sites that emit large amounts of air pollutants. Areas with frequent complaints or repeated violations of environmental laws, as well as industrial complexes and densely populated factory areas, will also be closely examined. During the holiday, advanced monitoring equipment, including drones and mobile measurement vehicles, will enhance on-site surveillance. Facilities suspected of illegal pollution activities will be subject to immediate follow-up inspections. Regional situation rooms and reporting channels for environmental violations will be operational. Patrols in vulnerable areas and along rivers will be intensified, and rapid responses to environmental incidents will be planned. After the holiday, from September 28 to October 8, technical support will be provided to businesses vulnerable to environmental pollution or those that have experienced issues, particularly small enterprises. Officials will visit these sites to ensure that pollution prevention facilities are functioning properly. Last year, during the Chuseok holiday, inspections were conducted at 2,328 sites, resulting in the identification of environmental law violations at 103 locations (4.4%). The main violations included failure to comply with permits and reporting for pollutant discharge facilities, exceeding discharge limits, neglecting to repair pollution prevention equipment, and failing to complete training for environmental technicians and hazardous materials managers. Jin Myung-ho, the ministry's auditor, stated, "We will do our utmost to prevent illegal environmental pollution activities that may occur during the holiday and respond swiftly to any incidents, ensuring that the public can enjoy a safe Chuseok holiday." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-17 12:04:00
  • Three out of four companies to observe four-day Chuseok holiday amid negative economic sentiment
    Three out of four companies to observe four-day Chuseok holiday amid negative economic sentiment This year, most companies will observe a four-day holiday for Chuseok, but their sentiment regarding the holiday economy remains negative. The number of companies reporting a worsening economic situation compared to last year was five times greater than those reporting an improvement. Additionally, the proportion of companies planning to provide Chuseok bonuses has slightly decreased from last year.The Korea Employers Federation (KEF) conducted a survey of 601 companies with five or more employees across the country regarding the '2026 Chuseok Holiday Survey.' The results showed that 76.5% of companies will take a four-day holiday, while 14.2% will take five days or more, and 9.3% will take three days or fewer.This year, 61.0% of companies plan to provide Chuseok bonuses, down from 63.0% last year. Among larger companies with over 300 employees, 66.7% plan to give bonuses, compared to 60.3% of smaller companies with fewer than 300 employees. Both categories saw a decrease from the previous year, with larger companies dropping from 68.1% and smaller companies from 62.3%.The method of bonus distribution shows that 65.3% of companies will provide bonuses as regular bonuses only, while 30.8% will offer separate bonuses, and 3.9% will provide both types simultaneously. Among companies providing bonuses, 95.7% of those with over 300 employees will do so as regular bonuses, compared to 65.3% of those with fewer than 300 employees. Conversely, 37.9% of smaller companies will provide separate bonuses, compared to 13.0% of larger companies.Regarding the Chuseok economy, 45.2% of respondents indicated that it has worsened compared to last year, which is similar to the 45.7% who said it remains the same. Only 9.1% reported an improvement. When broken down by company size, 47.2% of companies with fewer than 300 employees reported a worsening situation, compared to 29.4% of those with 300 or more employees.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-17 12:04:00
  • Cow Manure to Be Used as Solid Fuel: Government Begins Field Verification
    Cow Manure to Be Used as Solid Fuel: Government Begins Field Verification The government is set to begin field verification for utilizing cow manure as solid fuel. This initiative aims to investigate the entire process from the amount of manure generated on livestock farms to the production and quality of the fuel, thereby reducing the burden of livestock manure disposal while establishing a foundation for renewable energy use.The National Institute of Environmental Research, under the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, announced on September 17 that it will hold a kickoff meeting for the 'Field Survey and Policy Support Research for Promoting Cow Dung Solid Fuel' on September 18 at the JK Business Center in Yongsan, Seoul.Cow dung is a biomass resource generated locally that can be processed into solid fuel for energy use. The government explains that collecting locally produced cow dung for fuel not only alleviates the burden of livestock manure disposal but also contributes to greenhouse gas reduction.On July 30, the government began revising related systems, including the permitting and quality standards for cow dung solid fuel facilities, in accordance with the 'Act on the Management and Use of Livestock Manure.' However, to implement these systems effectively, verification of the actual amount of cow dung generated, fuel quality, and economic feasibility is necessary.To this end, the National Institute of Environmental Research will gather data on the entire process from cow dung generation to solid fuel production and final quality through this research. The study will be conducted in three phases: a field-based survey of cow dung generation, quality and material-energy balance analysis at each processing stage, and tailored policy recommendations.Initially, the research will compare and analyze the actual amount of cow dung emitted from livestock facilities with the quantity and characteristics of the dung currently being processed at solid fuel production facilities. Approximately ten representative farms near the production facilities and a core sample of 300 head of cattle farms will be designated for periodic sampling and analysis of solid fuel quality standards, total solids, salinity, and phosphorus.At the production facilities, the material and energy balance, quality, and moisture content at each processing stage will be analyzed from raw cow dung to solid fuel products. This will provide scientific evidence regarding salinity and phosphorus concentration, as well as estimate the potential for solid fuel production considering actual cow dung emissions, collection rates, quality compliance rates, and processing yields.Efforts will also be made to incorporate field opinions into policy. Two meetings will be held at the end of this year and early next year, involving stakeholders such as cow dung solid fuel producers, consumers, and local governments, to prepare policy recommendations for system improvements.Park Jeong-min, head of the Environmental Resource Research Division at the National Institute of Environmental Research, stated, "This research will provide substantial scientific data on actual cow dung generation, fuel quality, and facility operation. We plan to continuously support the development of policies that consider both environmental and energy aspects in the promotion of cow dung solid fuel, tailored to local conditions."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-17 12:04:00