KakaoBank is accelerating its entry into the payment processing market by expanding its debit card business.As of the first half of this year, KakaoBank reported that its cumulative debit card transactions reached 154.9 trillion won since the card's launch in July 2017. This amounts to approximately 3 million won per person in South Korea.The debit card has also become a key touchpoint for KakaoBank's major financial services. Customers who used their debit cards for over 300,000 won monthly for

The Small Business Agency announced on August 18 that it is collaborating with the Korea Life Respect Hope Foundation to establish a safety net for small business owners.This initiative targets male small business owners in their 50s, who are classified as high-risk for suicide, aiming to enhance support for life respect and mental health. According to the agency, 53.0% of the primary motivations for suicide among men in this age group stem from economic issues, highlighting the need for proacti

The 23rd Cheorwon DMZ International Peace Marathon, a major sporting event in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, will take place on September 5 at Goseokjeong.According to Cheorwon County on August 18, this year's event is expected to attract 8,500 participants, including marathon enthusiasts and families from both domestic and international locations.The marathon will feature four categories: a full marathon of 42.195 kilometers, a half marathon of 21.0975 kilometers, a 10-kilometer race, and a family

The Hwacheon County in Gangwon Province is expanding its after-school care services for elementary students in the Sahae area. According to the county on August 18, applications for the after-school care program will be accepted until August 21. The program is open to 40 students in the 1st and 2nd grades from Sahae, Gwangdeok, and Silnae Elementary Schools. Students must reside in Hwacheon and be able to attend voluntarily. The after-school care program will run from September 7 until February

A ruling by South Korea's Supreme Court has determined that a prosecutor's indictment following an investigation led by a prosecutor's investigator is invalid, as it constitutes the prosecutor's 'initiation of investigation.'On August 18, the Supreme Court's third division, led by Justice Lee Suk-yeon, overturned a lower court's sentence of eight years in prison and a fine of 200 million won for an individual identified as A, who was charged with violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of

Special Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young, who indicted four lawmakers from the People Power Party for allegedly obstructing the execution of an arrest warrant for former President Yoon Suk Yeol, has been accused of distorting the law. This follows a previous investigation by the Insurrection Special Prosecutor's team, led by Jo Eun-seok, which dismissed the allegations. The differing conclusions have sparked ongoing controversy regarding the appropriateness of the indictments.According to legal sourc

Gwangju has proposed an ordinance to expand its term synchronization system, aligning the terms of the mayor and executives of investment and public institutions in Jeonnam.The draft ordinance, titled "Special Ordinance on the Terms of Executives of Gwangju Investment and Public Institutions," has been announced for public comment until September 2.This ordinance extends the existing system, which previously applied only to Gwangju's investment and public institutions, to encompass all such inst

Changwon City officially commenced the '2026 Eulji Exercise' on August 18, holding an initial situation report meeting at the city hall with over 100 participants, including Mayor Kang Ki-yoon and heads of various departments. The exercise, which will last until August 21, aims to assess the national emergency response system and inter-agency cooperation.The meeting, which began at 9 a.m., included military situation reports, initial situation assessments, and discussions on key issues during wa

If an employer withdraws from the Joint Labor Welfare Fund, the fund must report this to the administrative agency within three weeks.The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on August 18 that a revision to the Enforcement Decree of the Labor Welfare Basic Act was reviewed and approved at a Cabinet meeting.According to the ministry, the in-house labor welfare fund is a system where companies contribute a portion of their profits to create a fund that is used to enhance the stability and we