Opposition Critiques Lee Government's First Year at Policy Forum
The People Power Party held a forum on August 20 to evaluate the policies of the Lee Jae-myung government, which has been in power for over a year, criticizing its failures in areas such as the economy and national security. They expressed concerns that the livelihoods of ordinary citizens and the middle class are hanging by a thread, with alarming signals emerging from various sectors of society.Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk attended the forum, organized by the party's policy committee and the Ye
New Regulations Limit Loans from Prepaid Funeral Companies to 50% of Capital
Prepaid funeral companies and other installment service providers will be restricted to lending no more than 50% of their capital to controlling shareholders and related parties. Additionally, a unified information system will be established to allow approximately 11 million prepaid funeral subscribers to verify their payments and compensation procedures all at once.The Fair Trade Commission announced that the amendment to the installment sales law passed the National Assembly on August 20.There
Korean 30-Year Treasury Bond Rates Hit Record High Amid Global Trends
The yield on South Korea's 30-year government bonds has soared to an all-time high, a trend that cannot be solely attributed to interest rate hikes. Analysts suggest that a combination of global long-term interest rates, inflation uncertainties, and government bond supply pressures are contributing to the increased 'term premium' on long-term bonds.According to the Financial Investment Association, as of August 19, the yield on 3-year government bonds was 3.798%, 10-year bonds were at 4.337%, an
AI Enhancements Streamline Flower Delivery Orders
Plasystem, a floral platform company based in Busan, announced on August 20 that it has revamped the AI ordering feature of its flower delivery service, "Flower Selling Guy," which officially launched on August 12.Customers can now attach images of invitations or obituaries, allowing the AI to read the content and automatically fill out the order form.To use the service, customers activate the "AI ordering" feature on the Flower Selling Guy website and attach images or URLs of invitations or obi
Korea Zinc and MBK Partners Engage in Heated Dispute Ahead of Shareholder Meeting
The conflict over management control of Korea Zinc between Chairman Choi Yoon-beom and MBK Partners & Youngpoong is intensifying ahead of the extraordinary shareholder meeting scheduled for September. As both sides continue to challenge each other's management capabilities and credibility, the dispute has escalated to include allegations of 'false and misleading' information in the meeting materials, with potential criminal charges being discussed.On August 20, Youngpoong and MBK Partners announ
Japan to Eliminate Mandatory 45-Hour Monthly Overtime Limit
The Japanese government will abolish its uniform guidance requiring companies to limit overtime work to 45 hours per month, starting next month. This decision comes as discussions on labor time regulation flexibility have intensified since the appointment of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.The move reflects demands from the business sector for more flexible labor hours within the legal framework, but it has raised concerns about potentially encouraging long working hours. In Japan, debates continu
Gachon University Holds 2025 Graduation Ceremony for 1,890 Students
Gachon University held its 2025 graduation ceremony on August 20, awarding degrees to a total of 1,890 students, including 1,118 bachelor's, 687 master's, and 85 doctoral degrees. Graduates and their families gathered to celebrate the achievement, capturing their final moments at the university with photos in their caps and gowns. The ceremony was attended by approximately 3,000 people, including President Lee Gil-yeo, Gachon Foundation Chairman Song Seok-hyung, Vice President Choi Mi-ri, and Al
KFTC Investigation Data Can Be Used in Damage Lawsuits; New Right for Whistleblowers to Request Reinvestigation
The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) has expanded the use of its investigation data for damage lawsuits filed by affected companies. The revised law will also establish a procedure allowing whistleblowers to request a reinvestigation when the KFTC determines there is no violation.The KFTC announced that amendments to the Fair Trade Act and the Subcontracting Act passed the National Assembly on August 20.Under current law, while courts can request the KFTC to send case records, the KFTC is not
Copper Prices Surge Amid Growing Demand and Supply Constraints
For investors finding gold prices prohibitive, copper is worth considering. With increasing demand driven by investments in artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and power grids, coupled with supply constraints, copper prices have reached record highs. However, even among copper exchange-traded funds (ETFs), returns can vary significantly based on the underlying assets, necessitating careful evaluation.According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, on August 17, the London Metal Ex
Global Container Shipping Rates Surge 2.5 Times Amid Middle East Crisis
The prolonged crisis in the Middle East has caused global container shipping rates to soar more than 2.5 times in six months, creating a mixed impact on domestic companies. While shipping firms are poised to benefit from higher rates, export manufacturers are facing increased logistics costs that pressure their profitability.According to the shipping industry on August 20, the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI), which reflects global container shipping trends, reached a record high of 3