Seoul

• South Korea is expanding its research and development support program from five to all nine regional national university hospitals, with a second phase beginning in 2028. • The program funds advanced medical research including genomic big data analysis and whole-exome sequencing, which identifies mutations across all protein-coding regions of the genome. • This expansion allows clinicians to turn patient treatment observations into active research projects, such as Jeju National University Hospital's infectious disease outbreak prediction model.

• South Korea's ruling People Power Party adopted the confirmation report for Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won on September 17, 2026. • Opposition Democratic Party lawmakers walked out of the session, halting reports on other nominees including Hong Ji-sun and Lee So-young. • The ruling bloc pushed the appointment to end a prolonged vacancy at the Justice Ministry, while the opposition claims vetting is complete regarding lobbying allegations.

• A Seoul court ordered North Korea to pay $32.5 million for the destruction of the Inter-Korean Liaison Office. • North Korean forces blew up the building in June 2020 following a period of rising tensions between the two nations. • The ruling highlights the collapse of diplomatic ties that peaked in 2018 during three summits between Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong Un.

• The KOSPI index rose 1.37% to close at 6,717.97 on September 16, ending a four-day decline. • Institutional investors bought a net 1.2 trillion won in shares, offsetting 1.6 trillion won in selling by foreign investors. • The rebound was driven by large-cap semiconductor and power equipment stocks as investors believed U.S. interest rate concerns were already reflected in prices.

• European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde urged Europe to develop its own artificial intelligence models and data centers during a speech in Vienna on the 14th. • Lagarde stated that Europe must secure its own technology to avoid threats from other nations that might cut off access to AI. • This move aims to prevent the United States and China from using AI dominance as leverage in trade and diplomatic negotiations.

Prosecutors sought jail term for chief executive of Evett after insects not approved for consumption were on menuA South Korean court has fined the operator of one of Seoul’s most celebrated restaurants and its chief executive for serving a dessert topped with ants, an insect not approved for consumption under local food safety law.The operator of Evett, a two-Michelin-star restaurant in the affluent Gangnam district, was fined 10m won (£5,400) and its chief executive 15m won, Newsis reported. Continue reading...

• Leading artificial intelligence companies are calling for a slowdown in the development of advanced AI systems. • Critics argue these firms are attempting to reduce operational costs and block new competitors from entering the market. • This push for slower development could protect the market dominance of established firms while hindering the growth of latecomers.