Latest by
-
President Lee Jae-myung Accepts Resignation of Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho 이재명 대통령이 24일 건강 악화를 이유로 사직서를 제출한 정성호 법무부 장관의 사의를 수리했다. 강유정 청와대 수석대변인은 이날 언론 공지를 통해 “이 대통령은 건강 악화로 더 이상 직무를 수행하기 어렵다는 뜻을 밝힌 정 장관의 사의를 수리했다”고 밝혔다. 강 수석대변인은 이어 “정부는 국정 운영에 차질이 없도록 신속히 후속 인선을 진행할 예정”이라고 말했다. 정 장관은 지난 18일 인사혁신처와 청와대에 사직서를 제출하며 공식적으로 사퇴 의사를 밝혔다. 정 장관이 건강 문제를 들어 장관직 수행의 어려움을 공개적으로 호소한 데 이어 사직서를 낸 지 엿새 만에 이 대통령이 사의를 받아들인 것이다. 정 장관은 그동안 심각한 수면장애 등으로 건강이 악화돼 법무부 장관 직무를 수행하는 데 상당한 부담이 있다고 밝혀왔다. 사직서에는 검찰의 직접 보완수사권을 폐지하는 입법이 마무리된 만큼 새로운 형사사법체계는 새로운 리더십 아래 완성되는 것이 바람직하다는 취지도 담긴 것으로 전해졌다. 후임 법무부 장관은 검찰청 폐지 이후 공소청과 중대범죄수사청 출범을 비롯한 새로운 형사사법체계 구축 작업을 지휘해야 한다. 후임 장관이 취임하기 전까지는 이진수 법무부 차관이 장관 직무를 대행할 것으로 보인다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-24 16:12:00 -
Kim Min-seok and Jang Dong-hyuk Discuss Ongoing Dialogue Amid Disagreements Kim Min-seok, the leader of the Democratic Party, met with Jang Dong-hyuk, the leader of the People Power Party, on August 24 to propose a resumption of communication between the ruling and opposition parties, which had been disrupted under former leader Jeong Cheong-rae. Jang agreed, stating he shares the sentiment that dialogue between party leaders should not cease, but he expressed concerns and publicly opposed issues such as the controversy over the Supreme Court justice nomination and real estate policies.During their first meeting since taking office, Kim welcomed Jang to the National Assembly, demonstrating a willingness to establish a foundation for cooperation, unlike Jeong, who had refused to engage with the People Power Party leadership.Kim suggested that the two party leaders should meet regularly to maintain ongoing discussions. He expressed a desire for a continuous dialogue, saying, "I hope we can build a bridge for uninterrupted communication." Jang echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for consistent opportunities for dialogue.However, both leaders showed differences in opinion regarding recent controversies, including the Supreme Court justice nomination and real estate policies. Jang recalled that during former President Roh Moo-hyun's administration, he had expressed dissatisfaction with the nomination of former Chief Justice Choi Jong-ryul but accepted it in the interest of judicial independence.Kim acknowledged that while the decision was a political one by former President Roh, he also noted that there were procedural issues involved.On real estate policy, Jang argued that if the public cannot accept certain measures or if adverse effects are anticipated, the government should boldly change its policy direction. In response, Kim stated that the government's real estate policies are being developed to address market failures and expressed a commitment to achieving bipartisan cooperation through discussions on real estate issues.After meeting with Jang, Kim also visited the leadership of minor parties, including the Justice Innovation Party, the Progressive Party, and the Basic Income Party, to request cooperation in legislative activities. A scheduled meeting with the Reform Party was canceled due to personal circumstances involving its leader, Lee Jun-seok.Notably, Kim, who had previously advocated for caution regarding a merger with the Innovation Party during the last party convention, reiterated that a thorough deliberation process is necessary before any merger.Shin Jang-sik, the leader of the Innovation Party, urged Kim, saying, "We have already experienced a strong alliance during the impeachment of Yoon Suk-yeol and the presidential election," and emphasized that trust between the two parties must be restored, starting with a roundtable discussion agreed upon during the election.In response, Kim maintained a cautious stance, stating that any merger should be decided in a way that benefits both parties through discussions among party members.Kim Jong-hoon, the leader of the Progressive Party, proposed that the government should focus on providing 300,000 housing units, which is about 30% of the 1.1 million housing supply plan, specifically for young people. Kim Min-seok responded that he would actively consider measures to ensure stable housing for the youth.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-24 16:12:00
-
How to Purchase the 20% Discounted Agricultural Product Coupons Starting Today The issuance of the 'Korea Agricultural Product Coupons,' which allow consumers to purchase domestic fresh agricultural products at a 20% discount, began today.According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on August 24, the agricultural product coupons will be sold sequentially by region, with different issuance dates and times. These coupons are mobile vouchers available through Zero Pay, aimed at reducing grocery costs and supporting the consumption of domestic fresh agricultural products, with a discount rate of 20%.With the agricultural product coupons, consumers can buy a voucher worth 100,000 won for just 80,000 won. The purchase limit is set at 100,000 won per person, combining all 16 types of vouchers issued by region. For example, if a consumer buys 60,000 won worth of one regional voucher, they can purchase an additional 40,000 won worth of vouchers from another region.The issuance for all age groups started at 2 PM today in Jeonbuk and Jeju, followed by Daejeon, Chungnam, and Chungbuk at 4 PM.On August 25, sales will begin at 2 PM for Busan, Ulsan, and Jeonnam-Gwangju, and at 4 PM for Gyeongnam and Gyeongbuk. On August 26, sales will start at 2 PM for Gangwon, Sejong, and Daegu, and at 4 PM for Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi.Prior to this, from August 18 to 23, priority purchasing opportunities were given to those born before 1961.To purchase the agricultural product coupons, consumers can use mobile apps that support the program. They can access the coupon purchase menu through convenient payment apps like Bifull Pay and OK Pay, or banking apps such as All One Bank, Shinhan SOL, Woori WON Banking, NH Cock Bank, and Hana OneQ. Users can find 'Korea Agricultural Product Coupons,' select their desired regional voucher and purchase amount, and complete the payment.Additionally, the coupons can be used with regional vouchers such as Gangwon, Gyeongnam, Changwon Nubi, Chuncheon Love, and through mobile banking apps from BNK Gyeongnam Bank, Busan Bank, Gwangju Wabank, Jeonbuk Bank Sok Bank, and IM Shop.However, the coupons can only be used within the region where they were purchased. For instance, the Seoul agricultural product coupons can only be used at participating stores in Seoul, while the Gyeonggi agricultural product coupons are valid at stores in Gyeonggi.These coupons are not limited to traditional markets. They can also be used at local food direct sales stores and other participating outlets that primarily sell domestic fresh agricultural products. Consumers can check nearby participating stores using the 'Zero Pay Map' app. The list of eligible stores may vary based on business policies.The agricultural product coupons issued this time will be valid until November 30. They can also be gifted, with a monthly gifting limit of 300,000 won.Refund conditions should also be noted. If the coupon has not been used, a refund can be requested within 15 days of purchase, excluding the government discount support amount. If more than 60% of the face value has been used, the remaining balance can be refunded after deducting the discount support amount.Since July, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has been issuing agricultural product coupons regularly at a scale of 20 billion won each month. Previously, these were mainly operated around traditional markets during holiday periods, but the usage has now expanded to include stores that primarily handle domestic agricultural products, regardless of whether they are traditional markets. Regular issuance of agricultural product coupons is expected to continue until November. 2026-08-24 16:08:20
-
Drowning Incidents Surge in France Amid Prolonged Heatwave Drowning incidents in France have surged as people jump into water to escape a prolonged heatwave.On August 23, BBC reported that Marina Ferrari, France's Minister of Sports and Youth, stated in an interview with France Inter Radio that there have been 301 drowning fatalities in France since June 19. This marks a 14% increase compared to the same period last year.Ferrari described the rise as a "tragic toll," noting that many fatal accidents occurred in areas where swimming is not permitted or supervised.Particularly, a significant number of fatal incidents have occurred in locations without lifeguards. Many drownings have also taken place in open bodies of water, such as rivers and canals.Among the elderly, there have been several drowning incidents in private swimming pools. Ferrari warned that entering cold water suddenly after being overheated can cause physical shock, and overestimating one's swimming ability can lead to accidents.The French government plans to collaborate with local authorities to increase the number of safe swimming locations and enhance safety management at related facilities.Not only France but also southern European countries like Spain and Italy are suffering from heatwaves. The ongoing hot and dry weather has led to large wildfires, devastating extensive areas of forest and land.The phenomenon of rising temperatures due to climate change is becoming increasingly severe. According to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service, Europe is warming at the fastest rate of any continent, nearly twice the global average.The impact of the heatwave extends beyond drowning incidents. In southwestern France, the temperature of the Garonne River reached 28 degrees Celsius during the June heatwave, causing a nearby nuclear power plant to temporarily halt operations. French regulations stipulate that the water used for reactor cooling must not exceed 28 degrees.In Paris, some tourist attractions, including the Eiffel Tower, reduced their operating hours due to the heatwave.The damage from wildfires has also been significant. In the Gironde region near Bordeaux, a large wildfire at the end of July forced over 200,000 residents to evacuate.Indicators of the human toll from the heatwave in France have emerged. Preliminary data from French public health authorities indicate that from late May to July 22, there were 7,300 more excess deaths than expected for that period.This summer, prolonged heatwaves across France and several European countries have led to health impacts, as well as issues related to wildfires, water quality, and energy supply.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-24 16:08:00
-
D-EXPO Showcases Deep Tech Startups in Daejeon The Korea Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups Agency (KOSME) announced that it held the 'D-EXPO' on August 24 at the Onoma Hotel in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon.D-EXPO is an integrated technology exchange program designed to share the latest trends in deep tech and investment strategies, while exploring the potential for technology convergence and collaboration among industry, academia, and research experts. Deep tech refers to innovative technologies that create new markets and industries based on advanced science and engineering.This event marked the first gathering of deep tech startups from across the country’s entrepreneurship academy. To enhance accessibility for participating companies, the event was held in Daejeon and attracted over 150 attendees, including startups from the Seoul metropolitan area and the Yeongnam and Honam regions, as well as representatives from related startup organizations and operational agencies.The program featured a lecture on ecosystem trends for deep tech startups, a presentation on intellectual property (IP) protection strategies by the Korea Intellectual Property Protection Agency, and a talk concert with industry, academia, and research experts sharing practical commercialization know-how.Ten outstanding participating companies from various regions set up separate exhibition booths to showcase their core technologies and innovative products. KOSME and the Korea Intellectual Property Protection Agency also established consultation booths to provide necessary information and advice to startups.Jo Han-kyu, Director of Human Resource Growth at KOSME, stated, "This event was a meaningful opportunity for deep tech startups nationwide to come together and explore the possibilities of technology convergence and collaborative growth. We will continue to support deep tech startups in achieving commercialization success and expanding into global markets."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-24 16:08:00
-
Naju City Proposes 1.27 Trillion Won Supplementary Budget Including 200,000 Won Recovery Support Fund Naju City in South Jeolla Province has submitted a supplementary budget proposal of 1.2711 trillion won to the city council, aimed at boosting the recovery of the local economy and increasing investments in energy and advanced industries. This amount is 128.9 billion won (11.3%) higher than the first supplementary budget of 1.1422 trillion won. According to Naju City on August 24, the supplementary budget focuses on stabilizing the livelihoods of citizens and small business owners who are struggling due to high prices, rising fuel costs, and a decline in local consumption. Funds will also be allocated to essential infrastructure expansion, enhancing the competitiveness of agriculture and livestock industries, revitalizing culture and tourism, and supporting projects necessary for sustainable regional growth. Notably, the city plans to use 28.8 billion won from the additional general transfer tax provided by the government to establish a recovery support fund of 24 billion won for all citizens. The recovery support fund, part of Mayor Yoon Byeong-tae's campaign promises, will provide each citizen with 200,000 won in Naju Love gift certificates. This initiative aims to alleviate household burdens and stimulate local consumption, thereby revitalizing small businesses and local markets, creating a positive cycle that injects real vitality into the stagnant regional economy. Naju City plans to initiate the payment process for the recovery support fund as soon as the second supplementary budget is approved by the city council, with the goal of distributing the funds before the Chuseok holiday. In the area of economic recovery, the budget includes 570 million won for revitalizing the Yeongsanpo commercial district and 310 million won for supporting job creation tailored to local industries. In the realm of citizen welfare and safety, the budget allocates 200 million won for a youth bus program, 650 million won for introducing low-floor electric buses, and 440 million won for comprehensive maintenance projects in flood-prone areas along the Najucheon River, enhancing the welfare and safety infrastructure that citizens can feel in their daily lives. Investment will continue to expand the foundation for future growth, including 440 million won for preliminary costs related to establishing a master plan for an artificial sun research facility, 700 million won for basic and detailed design services for the Noan general industrial complex, 140 million won for strengthening support for energy growth and job linkage projects, and 280 million won for supporting an energy-focused job platform, all aimed at securing future growth drivers centered on energy and advanced industries. In the agricultural and livestock sector, the budget includes 4 billion won for establishing a food tech research support center, 650 million won for supporting agricultural product distribution centers, and 180 million won for building a smart export-specialized complex, laying the groundwork for enhancing agricultural competitiveness from production to processing, distribution, and export. Naju City is particularly focused on constructing a food tech research support center in the Dongsoo-dong general industrial complex, aiming for completion in the first half of 2027. The plan is to enhance the value-added through processing and commercialization, thereby stabilizing farm incomes and boosting the competitiveness of the local agricultural and food industry. In the culture and tourism sector, the budget allocates 1.7 billion won for the Jeolla-do Millennium Historical Garden project, 1.7 billion won for national heritage landscape improvement projects, and 750 million won for the Namdo Food Culture Festival, aimed at expanding tourism content utilizing Naju's historical, cultural, and ecological resources and enhancing local tourism competitiveness. The Namdo Food Culture Festival, which has a tradition of over 30 years, is held annually to inherit and develop the unique food culture of Namdo and promote regional economic revitalization. Naju City has been selected as the host for the festival for four years until 2029.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-24 16:08:00
-
KOSPI Drops Over 3% Amid Samsung Group Stock Plunge; Retail Investors Buy 3.2 Trillion Won The KOSPI index fell more than 3% to below 6,700 points, driven by a sharp decline in Samsung Electronics shares. Disappointment over Samsung's recently announced shareholder return plan led to heavy selling by foreign and institutional investors, pulling the index down.On August 24, the KOSPI closed at 6,696.96, down 216 points (-3.12%) from the previous trading day. Foreign and institutional investors sold a net 3.6881 trillion won and 1.2925 trillion won, respectively. Retail investors, however, bought a net 3.3206 trillion won, but this was not enough to prevent the index from falling.Among large-cap stocks, Samsung Electronics saw a significant drop, falling 8.70%, while Samsung Electronics preferred shares dropped 8.55%. SK Hynix declined by 3.41%, and other major stocks like SK Square (-4.19%) and Samsung C&T (-7.84%) also faced losses. In contrast, LG Energy Solution rose by 5.39%, and Samsung Biologics increased by 1.42%.The steep decline in Samsung Electronics is attributed to disappointment over its shareholder return plan announced on August 21. The company projected a shareholder return of 90 trillion to 110 trillion won for 2024-2026, but it did not include a large-scale share buyback and cancellation that the market had anticipated. Analysts noted that Samsung Life and Samsung Fire's ownership stakes in Samsung Electronics are constrained by the 10% limit under the Financial Holding Company Act, which may restrict further share buybacks.In contrast, the KOSDAQ index closed at 813.33, up 11.39 points (1.42%) from the previous day. Foreign and institutional investors bought a net 241.7 billion won and 24.9 billion won, respectively, boosting the index, while retail investors sold a net 260.4 billion won.In the KOSDAQ, secondary battery stocks performed well, with EcoPro rising by 7.59% and EcoPro BM soaring by 10.80%. Pharma Research also increased by 3.87%. However, stocks like Rainbow Robotics (-2.09%), HLB (-2.07%), Lino Industry (-1.67%), and EoTechnics (-4.08%) experienced declines.Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, stated, “The KOSPI is testing its support at the 6,680 level due to net selling by foreign and institutional investors. Given that the number of rising stocks exceeds that of falling stocks, the sharp drop in Samsung Electronics and its affiliates has exaggerated the decline in the index.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-24 16:04:10
-
Former Presidential Aide Sentenced to 18 Months for Drafting Post-Hoc Martial Law Document Kang Ui-goo, a former aide in the presidential office, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for drafting a post-hoc martial law declaration during the emergency martial law period. The Seoul High Court's Criminal Division 12-3, presided over by judges Kim Min-a, Lee Seung-cheol, and Jo Jin-goo, upheld the initial ruling on August 24, sentencing Kang to the same term of 18 months for charges including forgery of official documents. The court found that Kang created the cover document for the martial law declaration on December 6, 2024, three days after the emergency martial law was declared, and obtained signatures from former President Yoon Suk Yeol, former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun. This was deemed a false official document intended to make it appear that the declaration was legally executed with prior approval. The judges noted, "The defendant was aware that the dates of the signatures from Yoon Suk Yeol and others differed from the actual date of the document's creation." Kang was also found guilty of unlawfully disposing of the post-hoc martial law declaration, consistent with the initial ruling. However, the court did not find him guilty of the charge that he created the false declaration to make it seem as though it had undergone cabinet review. The court also ruled that Kang's possession of the document in his office drawer did not undermine public trust in the document. Regarding sentencing, the court stated, "The original sentence is not excessively harsh or lenient and was adequately considered during the initial ruling." Kang was indicted without detention by the Special Investigation Team for Insurrection led by Special Prosecutor Cho Eun-seok in December of last year, and he was sentenced to prison in May of this year, leading to his detention in court.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-24 16:04:00
-
Skilled Workers Compete in 51 Categories at National Skills Competition Incheon is hosting 1,677 skilled workers from across the country who will compete in 51 categories, including industrial robots, cloud computing, welding, and baking.The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on August 24 that the 61st National Skills Competition will take place until the 28th at six venues in Incheon, in collaboration with the Incheon Metropolitan City and the Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education.This year's event features 1,677 representatives from 17 provinces and cities who excelled in regional competitions. Events will be held at locations including Songdo Convensia, Incheon Mechanical Technical High School, Bupyeong Technical High School, Incheon Fire Academy, Incheon Electronic Meister High School, and the Songdo campus of Jein University.The competition includes essential manufacturing skills such as molding, casting, welding, and plumbing, as well as advanced fields like industrial robots, industrial drone control, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and game development. The event also features categories in culinary arts, baking, hair design, skincare, and traditional Korean clothing. Mobile app development will be showcased as a demonstration category.This competition brings together traditional craftsmanship and digital, high-tech industries. It reflects a shift from simple manual skills to competencies involving software, robotics, and networking.Winners in each category will receive the Minister of Labor's award and cash prizes of 10 million won for first place, 6 million won for second, and 4 million won for third. The top scorer among first-place winners will receive the President's Award, while the second-highest scorer will receive the Prime Minister's Award.Outstanding participants will qualify for the national selection for the 49th WorldSkills Competition, which will be held in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, in 2028. They will also be exempt from the practical exam for the national technical qualification in their respective fields.The number of participants in the National Skills Competition has increased from 435 in its inaugural event in 1966 to 1,677 this year. The number of competition categories has also expanded from 26 to 51 during this period.Vice Minister of Labor Kwon Chang-jun stated, "The National Skills Competition is a platform for nurturing young masters who will be responsible for the future of a skilled nation, South Korea. We will support the participants in their growth as outstanding skilled workers."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-24 16:00:20
-
Over 92% of Policy Research Contracts by Finance Ministry Awarded Without Competition More than 92% of the policy research contracts issued by the Ministry of Finance were awarded without competitive bidding. Despite calls from the National Assembly to improve the practice of direct contracts and the confidentiality of research results, the proportion of such contracts has actually increased compared to the previous year.According to a report by the National Assembly Budget Office analyzing government actions regarding the 2024 fiscal year settlement, 69 out of 75 policy research contracts initiated by the Ministry in 2025 were awarded through direct contracts, accounting for 92% of all contracts.Two contracts were converted to direct contracts after failed competitive bids, and one was awarded through limited competition. Only three contracts, or 4% of the total, were awarded through open competition.The share of direct contracts rose from 86.5% in 2024 to 92% in 2025, an increase of 5.5 percentage points. In 2023, 79 out of 83 contracts, or 95.2%, were also awarded without competition.In the last three years, only five out of 247 policy research contracts were awarded through open competition. Specifically, there was one contract each in 2023 and 2024, and three contracts in 2025.Previously, during the review of the 2024 fiscal year settlement, the National Assembly pointed out issues with the contract and disclosure practices of the Ministry of Finance's policy research. Among 34 research projects examined over the past five years, 31 were awarded through direct contracts, and 27 results were not made public.Of the direct contracts, 10 were for projects with estimated costs below 20 million won. The remaining 21 contracts were awarded without competitive bidding due to the need for specific skills, experience, or specialized knowledge and technology required for academic research.The National Assembly has urged the Ministry of Finance to reduce the use of direct contracts and to disclose research results unless absolutely unavoidable. The Ministry reported that it would prioritize budget allocations for projects requiring competitive bidding and result disclosure, stating that measures were completed in October of last year.However, the annual contract performance for 2025 did not show any improvement. The Budget Office concluded that the increased proportion of direct contracts indicated that the National Assembly's recommendations had not been realized.The National Contract Act stipulates that general competition is the principle for government contracts. However, exceptions are made for academic research projects with estimated costs below 20 million won or those requiring specialized knowledge and skills.Government guidelines for budget and fund execution also mandate that contracts should be awarded through open competition, except for tasks that must be performed through direct contracts. Critics argue that while the unique nature of research may be acknowledged, the prevalence of direct contracts undermines the intent of related regulations.The Budget Office stated, "The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Budget need to minimize the proportion of direct contracts for future policy research services and pursue open competition contracts in accordance with the intent of relevant laws."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-24 16:00:00