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Park Jong-won Appointed as First President of Korea-U.S. Strategic Investment Corporation Park Jong-won was appointed as the first president of the Korea-U.S. Strategic Investment Corporation on June 17. Born in 1969, Park graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in international economics and earned a Master of Laws from Indiana University School of Law in the United States. He entered public service through the 40th National Civil Service Examination and has held various key positions at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, including Deputy Minister for Trade, Director of Regional Economic Policy, and Director of Medium-sized Enterprises Policy. He also served as the Vice Governor for Economic Affairs in Gyeongsangnam-do, gaining experience in both central and local government administration. Additionally, Park has held roles such as Director of the Semiconductor and Display Division, Director of the Automotive and Aerospace Division, Administrative Officer in the Office of the Secretary for Trade, Industry and Energy at the Presidential Office, and Commercial Attaché at the Korean Embassy in the UK. The Korea-U.S. Strategic Investment Corporation is set to hold its founding ceremony on June 18 at its headquarters in Sejong City, officially launching its operations.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-17 13:04:00 -
Choo Kyung-ho Attends First Trial After Winning Daegu Mayor Election Choo Kyung-ho, the newly elected mayor of Daegu, attended his first trial since the election on charges of insurrection for allegedly obstructing a parliamentary vote to lift martial law on December 3. On June 17, the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 34, presided over by Judge Han Seong-jin, held a hearing in Choo's case. Originally, the trial was set to include testimony from National Assembly member Seo Beom-soo of the People Power Party, but he submitted a notice of absence to the court the day before, leading to the session concluding in just 20 minutes. Previously, another witness, Ahn Cheol-soo, also failed to appear after submitting a notice, causing further delays in the proceedings. With witnesses repeatedly absent, the prosecution and Choo's defense engaged in a heated exchange over evidence and witness selection. The special prosecution team, led by Jo Eun-seok, presented materials related to a meeting with former President Yoon Suk-yeol as evidence. However, Choo's legal team objected, arguing the evidence was inappropriate. The prosecution stated, "This evidence includes statements from former President Yoon, but it is not intended to prove specific remarks made by Choo. It is meant to establish that Choo was present at the meeting and engaged in conversation there." In response, Choo's attorney countered, "Just because he was present does not mean he remembers what was said at the time. We cannot agree to this as substantive evidence." As both sides remained at an impasse, the judge suggested, "How about acknowledging the fact that the defendant was present at the meeting?" Both parties agreed, allowing the evidence to be accepted. Additionally, a dispute arose over the selection of Kim Jong-hyuk, a former senior member of the People Power Party, as a witness. The prosecution proposed him for the next trial, but Choo's team argued, "It is contradictory to request a witness who was not even investigated during the inquiry. Kim was neither a member of the National Assembly nor a subject of the meeting, so it is hard to understand what more he could clarify beyond existing evidence." They further stated, "Moreover, since there are already several witnesses with similar testimony, calling another witness for redundant statements is inappropriate." The prosecution responded, "It is not that he was not investigated; rather, the lack of coercion meant he was not questioned. Kim was present at the People Power Party headquarters and the National Assembly during the martial law declaration and was with Representative Han Dong-hoon at the time," reiterating the need for his testimony. After hearing both sides, the court approved Kim's witness selection, stating, "Since witness selection has already been completed, the defense should respond with cross-examination." Testimony from Kim is expected in the next session. Choo's team also requested a change to the trial schedule set for July 1, citing that it coincides with the start of the terms for local government heads, making it difficult for Choo to attend due to official ceremonies. The prosecution countered, "While the start date is already set, we ask that the trial be rescheduled for another day that week to avoid delays." However, the court reviewed the calendar and decided not to hold the trial on July 1. The court announced that Seo would be questioned on July 15 and Ahn on July 18. Additionally, the trial will resume after the court's recess on August 12, 19, and 26.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-17 12:40:00 -
Lee Nam-woo Appointed as First Civilian Vice President of Defense Industry Association The Korea Defense Industry Association (KDIA), led by President Kim Yoo-jin, announced the appointment of Lee Nam-woo as its 22nd Vice President, effective June 17, for a three-year term. This appointment is significant as it marks the first time in nearly 50 years since the association's establishment that a civilian has been selected for the role of Vice President. To adapt to recent changes in the defense industry landscape, the KDIA revised its bylaws earlier this year, focusing the qualifications for the Vice President on expertise and capability. Following a public recruitment process conducted over the past three to four months, Lee Nam-woo was ultimately selected after deliberation by the executive personnel committee on June 5 and approval from the board of directors and general assembly on June 8. In his inaugural remarks, Lee stated, “The defense industry in South Korea is a core sector supporting national security and a new growth engine for the national economy. I will serve as a practical bridge connecting the industry and government policies, creating tangible results that our member companies can feel.” He added, “Based on close communication with member companies, I will support the development of the defense industry and enhance export competitiveness, while expanding cooperation with the government and relevant agencies to establish a sustainable growth foundation for K-defense. I will listen more closely to the voices from the field to ensure that the KDIA fulfills its role as a reliable partner for its members.” Lee Nam-woo graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in law and obtained a master’s degree in international relations from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). He completed his doctoral coursework at Sungkyunkwan University’s law school. Entering public service through the 35th National Civil Service Examination, he has held key positions in the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, accumulating expertise in defense policy, defense procurement, and veterans administration. Notably, he served as the team leader for the organizational personnel team in the Defense Acquisition Program Administration's preparatory office, as well as in the Prime Minister's Office for improving procurement systems, and as the Director of Personnel Welfare at the Ministry of National Defense, gaining extensive experience in the development of defense procurement systems and the formulation of defense policies. After serving as the Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs, where he led the recognition and development of policies for national merit holders, he has also worked as a special professor at Korea University’s Graduate School of Information Security after retiring from public office. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-17 12:12:00 -
IITP Unveils AX 2.0 Blueprint, Establishes Military AI Data Hub The Institute for Information and Communications Technology Planning and Evaluation (IITP) is accelerating the development of key technologies such as semiconductors, Physical AI, sixth-generation mobile communications (6G), and military AI in response to the advent of the AI 2.0 era. This year, the agency plans to invest 1.3 trillion won in AI and information and communications technology (ICT) research and development (R&D) to establish a full-stack technology ecosystem aimed at enhancing national AI sovereignty. At the '2026 Performance Media Day' held on June 17 in Mapo-gu, Seoul, Hong Jin-bae, Director of IITP, stated, "In the AX 2.0 era, there is a full-stack competition that connects semiconductors, networks, security, Physical AI, and talent. Securing core sovereign technologies is of utmost importance." Hong differentiated between AI transformation (AX) 1.0 and 2.0. He explained that while AX 1.0 focused on generative AI as an intellectual assistance tool, AX 2.0 enables actual actions and decision-making through agentic AI and Physical AI. He emphasized, "AX 2.0 will bring about a productivity revolution, and it is crucial to secure competitiveness across entire industries rather than just individual models." On this day, IITP also introduced its major R&D achievements. In the AI semiconductor sector, since 2019, the agency has been planning projects related to neural processing units (NPUs) and has been promoting next-generation intelligent semiconductor initiatives since 2020, resulting in the growth of domestic AI semiconductor companies such as Rebellion, FuriosaAI, DeepX, and Mobilint. Hong noted, "Through proactive R&D investments, we have laid the groundwork for domestic AI semiconductor companies to grow, securing competitiveness to respond to the inference-centered AI era." In the Physical AI field, he highlighted the importance of securing world models. He stated, "There are limitations to building services on others' models without a world model. It is necessary to secure independent Physical AI foundation models and core technologies." In the telecommunications sector, IITP presented achievements in Open RAN and 5G equipment. The agency plans to respond to early commercialization of 6G through events such as the '2026 6G Vision Fest' scheduled for December. Hong remarked, "The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will be a turning point for early commercialization, and Korea must secure relevant technological competitiveness." In the security sector, IITP showcased achievements in AI-based attack response technologies, zero trust, supply chain security, homomorphic encryption, and quantum-resistant encryption. He particularly praised the homomorphic encryption technology from Cryptolab, stating, "We have secured world-class competitiveness, significantly increasing the potential for commercialization." In terms of talent development, IITP is simultaneously expanding the base of AI and ICT talent while nurturing advanced professionals. This year, the agency plans to select 10 AI-centered universities and 10 AX graduate schools to address the shortage of core AI talent. Additionally, IITP is working to enhance global AI talent competitiveness through initiatives like the Information and Communications Technology Research Center (ITRC) and the AI Early Career Researcher Program. Furthermore, plans were unveiled to establish military AI data hubs to create a military AI ecosystem. Hong stated, "Military data is difficult to access, making it challenging for AI companies to utilize. We plan to establish AI learning and demonstration hubs using military data in five regions: Yongsan, Yangjae, Pangyo, Daejeon, and Busan." He added, "Applying AI, communication, and security technologies developed in the private sector to the defense field can significantly reduce time and costs, laying the foundation for the growth of defense AI companies and nurturing firms like 'K-Palantir.'"* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-17 12:08:00 -
Labor Ministry Launches K-New Deal Academy with Major Companies to Train Youth 정부가 삼성전자와 SK하이닉스, 현대자동차 등 국내 주요 기업들과 청년 인재 양성에 나선다. The South Korean government is partnering with major domestic companies, including Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Hyundai Motor, to cultivate young talent. On June 17, the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training announced the selection results for companies participating in the "K-New Deal Academy" and the operational support centers. The K-New Deal Academy aims to enhance the skills of young people and support their entry into the labor market by designing and operating job training programs tailored to specific industries led by large corporations. This initiative is a key component of the "Youth New Deal Promotion Plan" announced in April. Amid worsening youth employment conditions, it is being recognized as a new model for supporting youth employment, where companies directly engage in education and recruitment. A total of 107 companies applied for the program, and after evaluations by a youth verification panel and job experts, 53 companies (50 based on company count) and 72 academies were selected. Recruitment for trainees will begin later this month, with training programs set to roll out in July. The selected companies include prominent firms in advanced industries such as Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, Hyundai Motor, LG Electronics, LG Chem, POSCO Talent Development Center, KT, Microsoft Korea, and Intel. In the finance sector, KB Kookmin Bank, Shinhan Financial Group, Woori Financial Group, and Hana Bank are participating, while cultural content companies like CJ ENM, HYBE, and SM Universe are also on the list. Notably, numerous courses related to artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, smart factories, and digital transformation (DX) have been established. SK Hynix operates a semiconductor academy called "Hy-Po," while POSCO Talent Development Center offers courses in on-device AI-based industrial software development and smart factory AI assistant development. Samsung Electronics will run six courses, including those for electronic and IT manufacturing technicians, refrigeration and air conditioning technicians, and shipbuilding technicians. A distinctive feature of this initiative is that, unlike traditional government-led vocational training, companies directly design the training programs and provide mentoring from current employees, project execution, and onboarding programs. This approach is expected to reduce the mismatch between education and hiring by focusing on the job competencies that companies actually need. Support for local youth will also be strengthened. The government will provide additional support for academies established outside the capital region and offer monthly training allowances of up to 300,000 won for participants in the capital and up to 500,000 won for those in non-capital areas. Training periods will last for more than three months and involve over 400 hours of instruction. Examples of selected programs include Doosan Robotics' collaborative robot-based business development course, Celltrion's practical training in the entire bio cycle, and CJ ENM's K-content storyteller training course. These programs go beyond simple job training to include mentoring from industry professionals, project execution, and pathways to industry entry. With a focus on advanced industries centered around AI and semiconductors, as well as diverse sectors such as finance, bio, cultural content, construction, and manufacturing, the range of options for young people has significantly expanded. The government expects that this initiative will enable youth to gain job experience and skills in their desired fields without being overly concentrated in specific industries. Kim Young-hoon, Minister of Employment and Labor, stated, "In light of the recent challenges in youth employment, we have reaffirmed the commitment of companies to nurture young talent. We will continue to support the K-New Deal Academy to establish it as a new model for mutual growth between companies and youth."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-17 12:04:00 -
Banks and Credit Card Companies Responsible for Illegal Debt Collection Financial authorities are taking steps to prevent financial companies from evading responsibility for debtor protection after selling delinquent debts. Going forward, banks and credit card companies that originally issued loans will be required to verify whether illegal debt collection occurs after selling delinquent debts to other firms. The Financial Services Commission announced on June 17 that it will pre-announce a revision of the "Debt Collection and Loan Debt Sale Guidelines." The revised guidelines are expected to be finalized next month and implemented immediately. Previously, financial companies faced various regulations under the Personal Debtor Protection Act when they held and collected delinquent debts directly. These regulations included limits on the number of collection contacts, restrictions on contacting debtors during certain hours, and provisions to postpone collections in cases of surgery or hospitalization. Even when outsourcing collections to external firms, the original lenders were responsible for any illegal actions taken by those firms. However, once delinquent debts were sold, financial companies could effectively escape their debtor protection responsibilities. This allowed them to recover debts quickly while reducing the burden of collection management. Consequently, as delinquent debts were resold multiple times, debtors often faced unexpectedly aggressive collection efforts or suffered negative impacts such as declines in their credit scores. Under the new guidelines, original creditors must monitor the actions of the debt buyers even after the sale. If the buyer is found to have violated the Personal Debtor Protection Act or the Debt Collection Act, the original creditor must demand corrective action and report the findings to the Financial Supervisory Service within seven days. The process of reselling debts will also be subject to oversight. Financial companies must specify the conditions for resale, including the possibility of resale, the duration of resale restrictions, and the debtor protection conditions that will apply during resale, in the debt sale contracts. This aims to ensure that minimal protective measures remain in place, even as debts pass through multiple companies. The Financial Services Commission plans to establish a system for disclosing each financial company's debt adjustment performance, key details of debt sales, and the status of the expiration of debt claims. Regulations limiting the sale of debts under rapid debt adjustment by the Credit Recovery Commission will also be implemented in July.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-17 12:04:00 -
Korea's Fair Trade Commission to Reward Whistleblowers Up to 10% of Fines Starting June 18, individuals who report unfair trade practices, including collusion, will be eligible for rewards of up to 10% of the fines imposed. The Fair Trade Commission announced this change on June 17, following an amendment to the regulations governing whistleblower rewards for violations of the Fair Trade Act.President Lee Jae-myung emphasized the importance of incentivizing reports of unfair practices during a Cabinet meeting in February, stating, "We need to make it so that people would rather report collusion than play the lottery. Even if it costs hundreds of millions, giving 10-20% of the fines is acceptable."Previously, the maximum reward limit was capped at 3 billion won, and the reward rate decreased as the fines increased, which limited the effectiveness of the program. The new amendment removes this cap and allows for rewards of up to 10% of the fines.For instance, in a recent case involving collusion among flour mills, a whistleblower who provides top-tier evidence could receive a reward of 671 million won, which is 10% of the 6.71 billion won fine. While the reward is typically paid after the final legal determination regarding the fines, if there are delays due to litigation, the basic reward will be paid first, with the remaining amount settled after the conclusion of any appeals.The scope of evidence accepted for claims of unfair support and self-dealing will also be expanded. Previously, only transaction records and conditions were considered valid evidence, but now information related to the intent of support will also be included.Additionally, the Fair Trade Commission has established a basis for increasing the reward rate for technology protection monitors to combat technology theft. The revised regulations also stipulate that rewards may be reduced if the whistleblower fails to cooperate with investigations or does not fulfill their social responsibilities.A Fair Trade Commission official stated, "We expect that internal reporting of large-scale collusion violations will be activated and we will do our utmost to prevent unfair trade practices to promote a fair market economy."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-17 12:04:00 -
22nd National Assembly Achieves 27.4% Legislative Reflection Rate The legislative reflection rate for the first half of the 22nd National Assembly stands at 27.4%, surpassing the rate of the 20th National Assembly and aligning closely with the 19th and 21st assemblies. According to a report from the National Assembly Secretariat on June 17, the legislative reflection rates for previous assemblies were 28.8% for the 19th, 26.6% for the 20th, and 29.5% for the 21st. Additionally, the number of legislative reflections reached 5,083 in the first half, marking the highest legislative achievement to date, compared to 2,960 for the 19th, 3,548 for the 20th, and 4,516 for the 21st assemblies. 2026-06-17 12:04:00 -
Democratic Party Calls for Protection of Sports Organizations Amid Ongoing Vote Counting Protest A protest at the Olympic Park handball stadium in Songpa, Seoul, which began due to a shortage of ballots for the June 3 local elections, has entered its 13th day. Police have launched an investigation into protesters who obstructed access for sports officials. Lawmakers from the Democratic Party visited the site, urging the protection of sports organizations' activities, but the blockade continues. On June 16, the Songpa Police Station announced that they are reviewing whether to apply charges of obstruction of duty against a woman identified as A, who prevented officials from the Korean Sports Council from entering the handball stadium. The police stated, "On the previous day, sports officials attempted to access their office for preparations for international competitions and accounting tasks, but their efforts were thwarted by some citizens. We are currently analyzing the situation and evidence to identify illegal activities and suspects." A reportedly blocked the entrance for about two hours, even after an agreement was reached between the protest participants and Jang Dong-hyuk, the leader of the People Power Party, regarding limited access for sports organizations. Despite attempts to persuade her, A insisted that preserving ballots and ballot boxes was a priority, ultimately preventing entry. Additionally, police are investigating 15 other illegal activities that occurred during the protest, including derogatory remarks directed at officers on site and online postings by conservative YouTubers. Around 200 citizens gathered near the handball stadium at 9:30 a.m. on June 17. Signs reading "June 3 local elections null and void," "preserve evidence," and "U.S.-Korea joint investigation" were displayed at the 2-1 entrance, while participants held placards stating, "National re-election, preserving evidence." As the protest continues, internal disagreements have emerged among participants regarding whether to allow sports officials to enter. Some argued, "They should be let in," while others countered, "We must block them completely." Tensions escalated when one participant confronted a YouTube broadcaster, questioning why they wouldn't share their channel name, accusing them of being a mole. Democratic Party lawmakers Cheon Jun-ho, Im Ok-kyung, and Jeon Yong-ki visited the site to hear reports from sports officials about the impact of the blockade and to advocate for the protection of sports activities. Cheon stated, "The voices expressing that the shortage of ballots has infringed on citizens' voting rights must be respected. However, the activities of athletes who participate in international competitions as national representatives must also be guaranteed." He added, "Fencing national team members are unable to bring their competition swords to international events, causing significant disruptions to their activities. Only by ensuring the operations of the Sports Council can we fully convey the call to protect citizens' voting rights." Jeon pointed out, "With less than 100 days until the Asian Games, the administrative processes related to hosting international competitions are effectively paralyzed. Fencing athletes are even forced to use practice swords instead of competition swords." Im noted that on-site officials have expressed concerns for their safety due to exposure on YouTube, stating, "They have reported experiencing trauma to the extent that they become tense just seeing a camera." While the Democratic Party lawmakers agree on the need to investigate the ballot shortage issue, they insist that the activities of sports organizations must be protected. Cheon remarked, "Both parties have agreed on a plan for a national investigation into the infringement of citizens' voting rights and electoral reform, which is expected to be adopted in tomorrow's plenary session. Your voices are being reflected in the process, but the activities of the Sports Council must be guaranteed." He emphasized, "Basic freedom of movement must be protected, and any obstruction to this can only be viewed as illegal." Earlier, on June 15, the Sports Council and nine sports organizations, including billiards, fencing, and handball, held a press conference requesting the intervention of public authorities. They stated that the prolonged restrictions on access have paralyzed essential functions such as supporting national representatives and preparing for international competitions, estimating the damage at approximately 6 billion won (about $5 million). 2026-06-17 11:56:00 -
Military Adjusts Civilian Control Line, Eases Regulations in Border Areas Military authorities are adjusting the Civilian Control Line (CCL) and optimizing restricted protection zones to minimize inconveniences for residents in border areas. The Defense Ministry plans to reduce the CCL from an average of 8 kilometers to 6 kilometers from the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) after carefully reviewing geographical conditions and operational plans for each region. This adjustment is expected to convert a control zone covering an area 90 times the size of Yeouido (approximately 270 square kilometers) into a restricted protection zone, while efforts are underway to dismantle a restricted protection zone estimated to be 150 times the size of Yeouido (approximately 450 square kilometers) through a redefinition of the criteria. On June 17, Defense Minister An Gyu-baek stated at the Defense Ministry in Yongsan that the government is actively implementing the key national policy of "regulatory relaxation in the defense sector for civil-military coexistence." Starting next year, adjustments to the CCL will be implemented across the entire border area. The CCL serves as a boundary to restrict civilian access in areas adjacent to the MDL, where high levels of military activity are required, and is designated within a 10-kilometer range south of the MDL. Currently, the CCL is set at an average distance of 8 kilometers south of the MDL. The Defense Ministry believes it can adjust the CCL to an average of about 6 kilometers from the MDL, which is expected to reduce a control zone covering an area 90 times the size of Yeouido to a restricted protection zone. The ministry plans to gradually implement the CCL adjustments starting next year, supplementing control measures such as relocating CCL posts and installing fences and closed-circuit television (CCTV). Additionally, efforts are underway to dismantle a restricted protection zone estimated to be 150 times the size of Yeouido through a redefinition of its criteria. The restricted protection zone encompasses areas within 25 kilometers south of the MDL, specifically south of the CCL, with approximately 2,900 square kilometers currently designated. Development in these areas is restricted, requiring prior consultation with the military for any new construction. Currently, even areas of lesser military operational importance are uniformly designated as restricted protection zones. The Defense Ministry plans to optimize the scope of these zones by reviewing the necessary protective distances for military bases and facilities, taking into account actual operational factors. Beginning in the second half of this year, the ministry will sequentially lift restrictions in these zones through operational reviews and geographical surveys. The total area of protection zones to be dismantled or eased through the CCL adjustment and redefinition of restricted protection zone criteria is equivalent to 240 times the size of Yeouido. However, the Defense Ministry noted that this figure is based on map assessments and may vary during actual geographical surveys and operational reviews. The ministry will also work to remove unnecessary military obstacles that cause traffic congestion and detract from the surrounding landscape in border areas. Next year, the Defense Ministry plans to prioritize the removal of 23 military obstacles in areas such as Yangju and Paju, where their military utility has diminished, as requested by local governments. A comprehensive survey will be conducted in the second half of this year to establish an annual improvement plan. Additionally, to improve delays in access to the CCL, the ministry will implement a management system utilizing a mobile app and simplified authentication starting next year. Furthermore, the ministry will significantly simplify the approval and licensing procedures for agricultural drones in border areas and provide local governments with regular updates on military surplus land twice a year. Defense Minister An Gyu-baek stated, "The military facility regulations of the past were suitable for the environment at that time, but today's reality demands new approaches. To respond to the changing security environment and ensure that the military can focus on its core combat missions, improving military facility regulations is an essential choice." Rep. Han Gi-ho of the People Power Party expressed relief that the persistent efforts to persuade authorities on behalf of residents in border areas, who have endured significant infringements on property rights and daily inconveniences for national security, are finally bearing fruit. He added, "We will ensure that the adjustments to the CCL lead to tangible regional development that residents can feel, and we will take thorough measures for subsequent actions." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-17 11:56:00