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  • Lotte Card to Resume Operations Next Week as Regulatory Actions Accelerate Against Woori Card and Shinhan Card
    Lotte Card to Resume Operations Next Week as Regulatory Actions Accelerate Against Woori Card and Shinhan Card 롯데카드의 영업정지가 다음 주부터 풀리는 가운데 우리카드와 신한카드에 대한 금융당국의 제재 절차도 속도를 내고 있다. According to the financial sector on September 12, regulatory authorities plan to impose sanctions on Woori Card before addressing those against Shinhan Card. In April 2024, personal information of approximately 75,000 representatives from Woori Card's partner merchants was leaked to card solicitors. Between January and April of the same year, personal data, including names, phone numbers, and Woori Card membership status, was improperly accessed by card solicitors and used for marketing without the consent of the individuals involved. As a result, Woori Card was fined 13.45 billion won by the Personal Information Protection Commission last March. Separately, the Financial Supervisory Service is focusing on whether Woori Card violated the Credit Information Law by providing personal credit information of merchant representatives to card solicitors without consent and using it for sales purposes. A regulatory official stated, "We have roughly determined the timing of the sanctions and are working to reach a conclusion as quickly as possible." Following the sanctions against Woori Card, those against Shinhan Card are expected to follow. From March 2022 to May 2023, over 192,000 personal data records, including mobile phone numbers and business registration numbers of partner merchants, were leaked from Shinhan Card. Unlike Lotte Card, which faced a different situation, the incidents involving Woori Card and Shinhan Card were due to internal control failures, raising concerns that the severity of the sanctions may be heightened. As the fintech industry thrives and competition in the card sector intensifies, any potential sanctions could lead to unavoidable losses. Industry estimates suggest that Lotte Card incurred approximately 5 billion won in losses during its month-long suspension of operations. Meanwhile, Lotte Card is set to resume operations on the 16th. The company had its new business activities suspended from August 1 to September 15 due to sanctions related to a data breach incident that occurred last year. Lotte Card is now planning various marketing strategies to attract new customers after the suspension period.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-12 06:04:00
  • Gunpo City Council Reviews Funding for Major Projects and Urges Improvements in Daily Life Issues
    Gunpo City Council Reviews Funding for Major Projects and Urges Improvements in Daily Life Issues The Gunpo City Council convened on September 10 to review funding plans and financial burdens for major projects, including the modernization of the environmental management office and the public housing districts in Uiwang, Gunpo, and Ansan. The council also called for measures to improve traffic and safety issues directly affecting citizens' daily lives. According to the council, the Special Committee on Administrative Affairs held its sixth administrative audit during the 289th regular session, examining the key operations of the Safety and Environment Bureau, Gunpo Urban Corporation, and Gunpo Industrial Promotion Agency. A major topic of discussion was the management strategies for financial burdens that may arise during the implementation of large-scale projects. Council member Park Sang-hyun requested a review of the existing plans for the environmental management office modernization project, urging the development of a phased funding plan to respond to changes in project costs or financial conditions. Council member Park Jae-shin emphasized the need for careful examination of the financial burdens associated with the third new town projects, including the Uiwang, Gunpo, and Ansan public housing districts, as significant investments are anticipated. He called for the establishment of financial safeguards necessary for project implementation and urged proactive measures to secure living infrastructure in preparation for future residents. There were also calls for improvements in traffic and safety areas. Council member Jang Kyung-min requested a comprehensive inspection of malfunctioning pedestrian traffic signals that frequently break down. Council member Lee Hye-seung stated that to enhance mobility for the transportation disadvantaged, it is essential to improve the environment for low-floor bus usage and to proactively prepare traffic measures for the upcoming residents of the Dae-yami district. Council member Jeong Hae-dong pointed out issues with illegal parking around intersections and the long-term occupation of free on-street parking spaces, demanding improvements to related facilities and stricter enforcement. There was also a review of the project implementation processes and long-term issues concerning affiliated organizations. Council member Lee Dong-han noted the repeated delays in unexecuted projects by the Gunpo Urban Corporation and changes in the budget and schedule for the Gunpo-type youth housing project, stating, "It is necessary to thoroughly examine the feasibility and conditions for project execution before budget allocation." He also mentioned that since the operational period for the first phase of the Gunpo Complex Logistics Terminal is set to end in 2028, a future response direction should be established, and long-term measures should be developed through citizen feedback and cooperation with relevant agencies and local political circles. There were also demands for improvements related to contracts for the collection and transportation of household waste. Chairperson Shin Kyung-won pointed out that contracts have been consistently awarded to the same seven companies for an extended period, with a bid rate of about 97%. He urged a review of competitive bidding practices and the potential for budget savings by referencing operational cases from other local governments. Meanwhile, Chairperson Shin emphasized that the administrative audit is a process for creating tangible changes that citizens can feel, urging the executive branch and affiliated organizations to develop concrete plans to implement the improvement requests and promised follow-up actions proposed by the council members.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 23:20:00
  • Gachon University Sees 83,308 Applicants for Early Admissions, 462.8 to 1 Competition for Medical Program
    Gachon University Sees 83,308 Applicants for Early Admissions, 462.8 to 1 Competition for Medical Program Gachon University has attracted over 83,000 applicants for its 2027 early admissions cycle, generating significant interest. According to Gachon University, the early admissions application period closed with a total of 32,46 spots available and 83,308 applicants, resulting in an average competition ratio of 25.7 to 1. The number of early applicants has remained above 80,000 for three consecutive years. Among the various admission types, the essay-based admissions saw the highest number of applicants. With 1,036 spots available, 46,828 students applied, yielding a competition ratio of 45.2 to 1. This marks an increase of 4,886 applicants compared to last year's 41,942, with the competition ratio rising from 41.6 to 45.2. The Gachon Windmill Admission type had 437 spots available, attracting 12,084 applicants for a competition ratio of 27.7 to 1. The Regional Balance Admission type had 358 spots with 5,950 applicants, resulting in a 16.6 to 1 ratio, while the Outstanding Academic Record Admission type had 436 spots and 5,039 applicants, yielding an 11.6 to 1 ratio. Competition in the medical field was particularly intense. For the essay-based admissions in the medical program, there were 6 spots available and 2,777 applicants, resulting in a staggering competition ratio of 462.8 to 1. The Gachon Medical Admission type had 16 spots with 564 applicants, yielding a 35.3 to 1 ratio, while the Rural (Academic) Admission type had a 36 to 1 ratio, and the Outstanding Academic Record Admission type had an 18 to 1 ratio. The Pharmacy program's essay-based admissions also saw high competition, with 6 spots and 2,081 applicants, resulting in a 346.8 to 1 ratio. The Gachon Medical Admission type had 10 spots with 456 applicants, yielding a 45.6 to 1 ratio. The Korean Medicine program also saw a concentration of applicants in the essay-based admissions. For the essay-based admissions, there were 7 spots and 1,794 applicants, resulting in a 256.3 to 1 ratio, while the Outstanding Academic Record Admission type had 7 spots with 124 applicants, yielding a 17.7 to 1 ratio. This year's results confirm the high interest among applicants in the medical field and essay-based admissions. In particular, as more students seek to enhance their chances of acceptance through essays rather than relying solely on academic records, there has been a noticeable trend of increased applicants for essay-based admissions at major universities. Based on this year's early admissions results, Gachon University plans to strengthen its education in connection with advanced industries such as AI, semiconductors, batteries, and biotechnology. Lee Gil-yeo, the university president, stated, "Achieving the highest number of early admissions applicants for three consecutive years reflects the trust gained from students and parents due to Gachon University's specialization in advanced industries and its efforts to enhance educational and research capabilities." He emphasized, "We will strengthen education linked to advanced industries such as AI, semiconductors, batteries, and biotechnology to cultivate talents who will lead future industries." 2026-09-11 22:56:00
  • U.S. Consumer Prices Rise 3.4% in August
    U.S. Consumer Prices Rise 3.4% in August The U.S. consumer price index (CPI) rose 3.4% in August compared to the same month last year, with a monthly increase of 0.4%.The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on September 11 that the CPI for August increased by 3.4% year-over-year.The monthly increase of 0.4% met market expectations for both year-over-year and month-over-month comparisons.Excluding the volatile categories of food and energy, the core CPI rose 2.4% from a year earlier and 0.3% from the previous month.While the year-over-year increase in core CPI matched market expectations, the monthly rise slightly exceeded the forecast of 0.2%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 21:52:00
  • Justice Minister Nominee Kim Seung-won Faces Allegations of False Residency Registration for Children
    Justice Minister Nominee Kim Seung-won Faces Allegations of False Residency Registration for Children Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice, has been confirmed to have registered his minor children at a different address than their actual residence. Kim's team stated that this was done for educational purposes and expressed regret.According to Yonhap News on September 11, Kim's eldest daughter and son were registered at Apartment A in Seohyeon-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, in February 2006 when they were 9 and 6 years old, respectively.In contrast, Kim and his wife, along with their 2-year-old youngest daughter, registered at Apartment B in Sinheung-dong, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam, a week later. Apartments A and B are approximately 10 kilometers apart.Seohyeon-dong, where Apartment A is located, is known as a preferred school district among parents in the Bundang area.Court Rejects Public Trial Request for Kim Se-hee in Defamation CaseThe court has denied a request for a public trial for Kim Se-hee, the head of the Garosero Research Institute, who has been indicted on charges of defamation against actor Kim Soo-hyun.The Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 26 held its first pre-trial hearing on September 11 and decided to proceed with Kim's case as a regular trial rather than a public trial.Kim is charged with violations of the Information and Communications Network Act and the Sexual Violence Punishment Act.On this day, Kim's legal team denied all allegations raised during the trial.Korean Men's Basketball Team Defeats Indonesia by 54 Points for Second Straight WinThe Korean men's basketball team achieved a decisive 54-point victory over Indonesia, marking their second consecutive win. This victory places Korea at the top of Group A in the preliminary round.Under the leadership of head coach Nikolaos Maroulis, Korea (ranked 57th by FIBA) defeated Indonesia (ranked 92nd) 102-48 in their second group match of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, held at the Aichi International Arena in Japan on September 11.Similar to their previous match against Saudi Arabia, Korea took control early in the first quarter. They intensified their offensive efforts at the start of the second half, securing their lead.As they prepare for a match against Japan on September 13, Coach Maroulis stated, "Every game starts from zero, regardless of the opponent. Both our team and Japan have undergone significant roster changes since the last friendly match."LG AI Research Institute Partners with National Pension Service for AI DevelopmentLG AI Research Institute is collaborating with the National Pension Service to develop artificial intelligence (AI) specialized for pension fund management.On September 11, LG AI Research Institute announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the National Pension Service at its headquarters in Magok, Seoul, to jointly develop AI for pension fund management.The two parties plan to combine LG AI Research Institute's AI technology with the National Pension Service's investment expertise to create AI services tailored for fund management.They aim to establish reliable and safe AI services, focusing on building stable applications of AI in the fund management sector.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 21:28:00
  • Korean Mens Basketball Dominates Indonesia by 54 Points for Second Straight Win
    Korean Men's Basketball Dominates Indonesia by 54 Points for Second Straight Win The South Korean men's basketball team defeated Indonesia by 54 points, marking their second consecutive victory and securing the top spot in Group A.Under the guidance of head coach Nikolai Mazulus, South Korea (ranked 57th by FIBA) triumphed over Indonesia (ranked 92nd) with a score of 102-48 in their second group stage match of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, held at the Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, Japan.Similar to their previous game against Saudi Arabia, South Korea took control early in the first quarter. They intensified their offensive efforts at the start of the second half, solidifying their lead.After defeating Saudi Arabia 82-66 the day before, the South Korean team has now recorded two straight wins, placing them ahead of Japan (with one win) in Group A.Lee Hyun-jung led the offense with a double-double, scoring 24 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, while Yoo Gi-sang contributed 21 points, including seven three-pointers. Lee Woo-seok also added 14 points off the bench.Notably, Yoo Gi-sang made four three-pointers in the fourth quarter, helping South Korea dominate Indonesia 32-7 in that final period.With two consecutive wins, South Korea is one step closer to securing a spot in the quarterfinals. Depending on the outcome of the match between Japan and Saudi Arabia later in the day, South Korea could confirm at least a second-place finish in the group and advance to the quarterfinals.Coach Mazulus stated ahead of the upcoming match against Japan on the 13th, "No matter who we face, every game starts from zero. Both our roster and Japan's have changed significantly since our last friendly match." He acknowledged the rivalry but emphasized the need for his team to focus on their own game, adding, "I will prepare based on what I observe in Japan's game today."After the game, Yoo Gi-sang reflected, "We all agreed with the coach's assessment that the struggles in the fourth quarter were more about mental strength than physical stamina. We committed to finishing strong and focused on our basic plays, which allowed us to maintain a good performance without worrying too much about the score difference."South Korea will face Japan in their final group stage match on the 13th.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 20:24:20
  • Nexon Opens MapleStory Escape Escape Room Cafe in Hongdae
    Nexon Opens 'MapleStory Escape' Escape Room Cafe in Hongdae Nexon is set to launch an escape room cafe utilizing the MapleStory intellectual property (IP) in Hongdae, Seoul.On September 11, Nexon announced that it will open the 'MapleStory Escape' cafe on the 21st in collaboration with Isang Creative.Located in front of Hongik University, MapleStory Escape reinterprets the game's universe and key locations into escape room content. The cafe accommodates groups of 2 to 6 people, with regular reservations available every Monday at 10 a.m. through YES24.The space will feature a total of five themes, which will be unveiled sequentially. The first two themes, a thriller titled 'Kerning City' and an arcade theme called 'Mushroom Kingdom,' will launch on the 21st, followed by a spooky theme 'Haunted Mansion' on the 28th, a stealth theme 'Edelstein' on October 5, and another arcade theme 'Ludibrium' on October 12. Each theme is designed to reflect the characteristics of the game’s locations in a genre-appropriate manner.Participants will engage in the escape room experience based on a storyline where five books with empty endings are discovered deep within the 'Library of Dimensions.' Set in the Maple World, players will become heroes who enter the books to retrieve 'Dimensional Fragments' and complete the unfinished endings.Nexon developed this project to provide a new IP experience not only for MapleStory users but also for visitors to the Hongdae area and escape room enthusiasts. The collaboration with Isang Creative, which has experience in the escape room business, aims to bring the MapleStory universe and locations to life in an offline setting.MapleStory Escape is expected to operate as a permanent venue until September 20, 2028.Meanwhile, Nexon is expanding its offline content utilizing the MapleStory IP, including a fall season collaboration 'MapleStory in Lotte World Busan,' which will run until November 22 at Lotte World Adventure Busan.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 19:56:00
  • Ruling and Opposition Parties Clash Over Economic Policies in National Assembly
    Ruling and Opposition Parties Clash Over Economic Policies in National Assembly 여야는 11일 국회 대정부질문에서 이재명 정부의 확장재정과 부동산 정책 등을 놓고 정면 충돌했다. 경제 분야 질의였지만 국무총리실의 '야당 의원 사찰 의혹'과 2기 내각 후보자들에 대한 공방 등 정치적 공세도 이어졌다.국민의힘은 이날 국회에서 열린 경제 분야 대정부질문에서 정부의 국가 채무 증가와 부동산 정책의 실정을 꼬집었다.야당에서 첫 타자로 나선 송언석 의원은 "우리 경제는 늙어가는데 정부는 빠르게 비대해지고 있다"며 경제 성장보다 정부 지출이 더 크다고 지적했다. 그는 국가 채무에 대해서도 "정부 총지출이 1년 만에 100조가 늘었다"며 "이재명 정부 들어 429조 6000억원으로 국가 채무가 늘어날 것으로 예상된다"고 했다.이에 한성숙 국무총리는 "AI(인공지능), 반도체뿐만 아니라 조선, K-뷰티 등 수출이 좋아지고 있다"며 "세금이 많이 늘고 있고, 국가채무 비율은 떨어지는 상황"이라고 반박했다.이어 송 의원이 미래대응기금에 대해 빚을 내 기금을 조성하는 방식이라고 지적하자 "회사도 대출을 받을 때가 있다. 현금이 쌓여 있어도 대출을 받는 이유는 투자해야 할 중요 산업이 있고, 미래를 준비해야 하기 때문"이라고 답했다.송 의원이 김승원 법무부 장관 후보자의 주가 조작 의혹에 대해 "대통령이 주가 조작하면 패가망신시키겠다고 했는데 정부에서 조치하고 있느냐"고 묻자 한 총리는 "청문회에서 후보자가 소명할 부분은 소명하고 이후 필요한 절차가 진행될 것"이라고 언급했다.박수민 의원은 정부의 부동산 세제 개편안에 대해 "징벌적 과세"라고 비판했다. 박 의원은 "(정부가) 세금을 벌금처럼 쓰고 있다"며 "1주택자라도 실거주하지 않으면 양도소득세를 중과하는 정책이 시작됐는데, 국민 입장에서는 이를 징벌적 세금이라고 느낄 수 밖에 없다"고 주장했다.이에 대해 구윤철 부총리 겸 재정경제부 장관은 "주택을 보유하는 사람에서 실제 거주하는 사람에게 혜택을 주는 방향으로 보상 체계를 바꾼 것"이라며 "보상 체계를 바꾸지 않으면 거주 중심의 문화를 가져갈 수 없다"고 설명했다.단일종목 레버리지 상장지수펀드(ETF) 논란과 관련해 서일준 의원이 "외신에서는 우리 코스피가 오징어게임이라고 한다. 증권사만 배불린 것 아니냐"고 묻자 한 총리는 "초기 도입 취지와 달리 국민들께서 불편하신 부분은 송구스럽게 생각한다"고 사과했다.이어 "당시 해외 레버리지 ETF에 투자하는 경우가 많았고, 한국에서도 이런 상품이 있었으면 한다는 의견들이 있었다"며 "변동성이 크다는 걸 주지시키긴 했지만 더 강하게 알리는 보완이 필요했다고 생각하고, 최근에 보완책을 만들었다"고 답했다.반면 민주당은 부동산 공급 부족의 책임이 오세훈 서울시장에 있다고 지목했다. 복기왕 의원은 "서울시의 권한으로 서울시의 주택공급을 가로막고 있는 상황"이라며 "오 시장이 6년 넘게 서울시를 운영하면서 아직도 이재명 정부 탓을 한다"고 맞섰다. 이어 "수도권 주택 공급은 누구 특정인의 책임이 아니다"며 "여야, 서울시와 정부가 함께 머리를 맞대고 해법을 찾아가야 한다"고 덧붙였다.정진욱 의원은 정부가 추진 중인 3대 메가 프로젝트를 내세우며 기업에 대한 세제 혜택뿐 아니라 메가특구에서 근무하는 종사자에 대한 세제 지원도 필요하다고 했다. 이에 한 총리는 "이전에는 기업이 지역으로 덜 내려가거나 공공기관만 내려가서 효과가 적었다면 이번에는 기업이 이전한다는 게 굉장히 중요하다"며 "어디까지 기업 특례를 넣을지 준비 과정에 있어 확정적으로 말하기 어렵다"고 했다.이날 대정부질문에서는 한동훈 무소속 의원이 주장하는 국무총리실 사찰 의혹에 대한 문제도 제기됐다. 국민의힘의 송 의원이 '야당 의원 사찰 의혹'에 대해 사과를 요구하자 한 총리는 "저희 직원이 부적절한 처신을 했다. 국민께 송구스럽다"면서도 "명확하게 '사찰'이란 단어가 여기서 쓸 수 있는지에 대해서는 의문"이라며 사찰 의혹을 부인했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 19:40:00
  • Court Rejects Kim Se-hees Request for Jury Trial in Defamation Case Involving Kim Soo-hyun
    Court Rejects Kim Se-hee's Request for Jury Trial in Defamation Case Involving Kim Soo-hyun The court has denied a request for a jury trial from Kim Se-hee, the head of the Garoseoro Research Institute, who is facing charges of defamation against actor Kim Soo-hyun.The Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 26 held its first pre-trial hearing on September 11 and decided to proceed with the case as a standard trial rather than a jury trial.Kim is charged with violations of the Information and Communications Network Act and the Sexual Violence Punishment Act.During the pre-trial hearing, the prosecution expressed its opposition to a jury trial, citing the presence of a sexual violence crime victim in the case and concerns over privacy violations.Kim Soo-hyun's legal representative also appeared in court, arguing for the necessity of excluding a jury trial. The attorney stated, "Kim Se-hee is still sending messages to the public in the form of letters from prison, and given his public statements, there is a concern that a jury trial could be used for emotional manipulation."The attorney added, "We hope the court will decide to exclude a jury trial so that the proceedings can be conducted solely based on evidence and legal principles."After reviewing the arguments from both sides, the court decided to exclude a jury trial and proceed with a standard trial.On this day, Kim's legal team denied all charges raised in the trial.The defense argued that the allegations of spreading false information regarding the cause of Kim Sae-ron's death were not factual assertions but expressions of opinion.Regarding the accusation of manipulating and disseminating Kim Sae-ron's voice using artificial intelligence, the defense stated, "We confirmed with the deceased's mother that the voice in the recording file is indeed hers, and it cannot be seen as defamatory."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 19:36:00
  • Kim Seung-won, nominee for Justice Minister, faces allegations of false residency registration for children
    Kim Seung-won, nominee for Justice Minister, faces allegations of false residency registration for children Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Justice Minister, has been confirmed to have registered his minor children at a different address than their actual residence. Kim's team expressed regret, stating it was for educational purposes.According to Yonhap News on September 11, Kim's eldest daughter and son were registered at Apartment A in Seohyeon-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, in February 2006 when they were 9 and 6 years old, respectively.In contrast, Kim and his spouse, along with their then 2-year-old youngest daughter, registered at Apartment B in Sinheung-dong, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam, a week later. Apartments A and B are approximately 10 kilometers apart.Later, in October 2008, Kim and his spouse, along with their youngest daughter, moved to Apartment A, where the eldest daughter and son were registered.This means that for about 2 years and 8 months, the eldest daughter and son were registered at a different address from their parents.Seohyeon-dong, where Apartment A is located, is known as a preferred school district among parents in the Bundang area.The preparation team for Kim's confirmation hearing stated, "We regret that the actual residence and the registered residence were inconsistent for educational purposes, and we will provide a detailed explanation during the confirmation hearing."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-11 18:48:10