South Korea Passes Carbon Neutrality Law Targeting 53-61% Emission Reduction by 2035
The South Korean government has legally committed to reducing national greenhouse gas emissions by 53% to 61% from 2018 levels by 2035. The law also sets sequential reduction targets for 2040 and 2045, clarifying the carbon neutrality pathway beyond 2030.On August 26, the Ministry of Climate Energy and Environment announced that the National Assembly passed amendments to the "Basic Law on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth for Responding to the Climate Crisis" and the "Law on Climate Crisis Adap
2026 Next-Generation Semiconductor Packaging Industry Exhibition Opens in Suwon
The 2026 Next-Generation Semiconductor Packaging Industry Exhibition opened on August 26 at the Suwon Convention Center.This event, co-hosted by Suwon City and Gyeonggi Province, aims to share the latest trends and future visions in advanced packaging technology while promoting technical exchanges among semiconductor companies and experts.Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun, during the opening ceremony of the Next-Generation Semiconductor Packaging Industry Exhibition (ASPS) and the International Semiconduc
Chinese Stocks Rise on Progress in U.S.-Iran Negotiations; Superconductor Stocks Surge
Chinese stocks continued their upward trend on August 26, following gains from the previous day. News of progress in negotiations between the U.S. and Iran provided a boost. The Shanghai Composite Index closed up 0.59% at 3,912.52, the Shenzhen Component Index rose 0.69% to 13,841.33, and the ChiNext Index increased by 0.51% to 3,414.88.Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported on August 25, citing sources, that the U.S. and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire proposal that includes free naviga
Resolution to Expel Lee Jin-sook Passes Amid Controversy Over May 18 Remarks
A resolution calling for the expulsion of Lee Jin-sook, a member of the People Power Party, amid controversy over her remarks regarding the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, passed in the National Assembly on August 26. A total of 36 bills, including non-controversial livelihood legislation, were also approved.During the plenary session, the resolution was passed with 157 votes in favor, 1 against, and 1 invalid vote out of 159 registered members. This move is expected to escalate the Dem
Gwangju Semiconductor Industrial Complex Project Receives Preliminary Feasibility Exemption
The development of the Gwangju Semiconductor Industrial Complex, which requires power and water supply, as well as financial support, will be expedited. This follows the exemption from the preliminary feasibility study. According to the government and Gwangju Metropolitan City on August 26, during the 37th Cabinet meeting held on August 25 at the Cheong Wa Dae Sejong Room, President Lee Jae-myung presided over the meeting where the exemption from the preliminary feasibility study for four infras
AI Conductor Initiative to Address Social Isolation and Other Challenges
The advent of artificial intelligence (AI), deepening social isolation, and the climate crisis have prompted a national initiative to support large-scale research in the humanities and social sciences. Starting in September, 94 innovative interdisciplinary research projects will begin addressing pressing societal challenges, ranging from developing new liberal education models that integrate human and AI collaboration to ecological care models for an aging society. Among the most notable project
Kakao Games Subsidiary Ocean Drive Showcases 'God Save Birmingham' at Gamescom
Kakao Games' subsidiary Ocean Drive Studio is set to showcase its upcoming global title, 'God Save Birmingham,' at Gamescom 2026 in Cologne, Germany. Kakao Games announced on the 26th that Ocean Drive Studio will participate in Gamescom 2026, taking place from the 26th to the 30th, to demonstrate 'God Save Birmingham.' Gamescom is the world's largest gaming exhibition, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors and industry professionals each year. Ocean Drive Studio will present 'God Save Bir
Big Three Life Insurers Fall Below 50% Market Share Amid Profit Focus
The combined market share of South Korea's Big Three life insurers—Samsung Life, Hanwha Life, and Kyobo Life—has fallen below 50% based on premium income. While Samsung Life's market share increased compared to the same period last year, declines in Hanwha Life and Kyobo Life pulled the overall share down. Following the introduction of the new international accounting standard (IFRS 17), the focus of insurance companies has shifted from expanding size to long-term profitability and capital effic
Korean Financial Supervisory Service May Not Be Designated as Public Institution in Exchange for Relocation
The possibility of the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) not being designated as a public institution in exchange for its relocation has been discussed among government and financial authorities. This so-called 'trade-off' would allow the FSS to accept relocation while avoiding organizational and budgetary controls associated with public institution status. However, the designation of the FSS as a public institution is a long-term commitment that the government may find difficult to guarantee,
Korea's Financial Supervisory Service May Not Be Designated as a Public Institution
The possibility of the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) not being designated as a public institution in exchange for its relocation has been discussed among government and financial authorities. This so-called 'trade-off' would allow the FSS to accept relocation while avoiding organizational and budgetary controls associated with public institution status. However, the designation of public institutions is a long-term commitment that the government may find difficult to guarantee, and the FSS