Top court upholds HSBC's acquittal in short-selling case

The Korea Times - Oct 8, 2026

The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a lower court's acquittal of HSBC's Hong Kong unit on charges related to violating Korea's short-selling rules. Prosecutors earlier indicted the bank in March 2024 for violating the Capital Markets Act, which bans naked short selling, marking the first criminal case of its kind in the country. Naked short selling refers to short selling stocks without first securing them or ensuring they can be secured. Prosecutors alleged three bank employees knowingly engaged in illegal naked short selling of shares of nine publicly traded companies worth about 15.8 billion won ($11.8 million) from August to December 2021. In the first-instance trial, the Seoul Southern District Court acquitted the bank, ruling the employees' alleged offenses were not proven. The court said the employees were likely unaware of the details of the trade since the short-sale orders were placed automatically through the bank's system and they only borrowed shares after trades to cover shortfalls. An appellate court upheld the acquittal before it was finalized by the top court.

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[COVER STORY] K-defense expands global footprint amid shifting security order

Oct 8, 2026

[COVER STORY] K-defense expands global footprint amid shifting security order

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Korea's rice production projected to fall 0.6% in 2026: data ministry

Oct 8, 2026

Korea's rice production projected to fall 0.6% in 2026: data ministry

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Kookmin University steps up internationalization efforts to boost students' global readiness

Oct 8, 2026

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Kookmin University is intensifying its internationalization efforts by offering students opportunities for overseas work experience, expanding international collaborative research and fostering partnerships with global institutions. The university said Tuesday that it is focusing on improving students’ global readiness by moving beyond traditional international exchanges and language training and giving them opportunities to participate in projects with overseas companies that can lead to internships and employment. “As Kookmin University celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, we have identified strengthening global capabilities and networks as one of the four key strategies under our mid- to long-term development plan, ‘KMU VISION 2035: EDGE,’” said Jeong Seung-ryul, president of the university. He added, “We will expand partnerships with overseas universities, companies and organizations, and support our students in gaining firsthand experience in global settings, enabling them to build the competitiveness they need to succeed on the international stage.” The universi

SCIA chief nominee vows to end 'politicization' of investigations

Oct 8, 2026

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Oct 8, 2026

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Oct 8, 2026

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Han River venues offer Hangeul Day events, concerts in October

Oct 8, 2026

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Oct 8, 2026

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Crowdsourced data powers Korea's official autumn foliage road map

Oct 8, 2026

Crowdsourced data powers Korea's official autumn foliage road map

As the summer heat gives way to crisp autumn air, travelers across Korea are preparing for one of the country's most cherished seasonal rituals: chasing the transformation of fall foliage. To help nature enthusiasts time their journeys, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), in partnership with the Korea National Arboretum, released the official 2026 Autumn Leaves Map, offering precise peak foliage timelines and a curated list of 36 top destinations nationwide. According to this year's forecast, the northern regions — including the Seoul metropolitan area and Gangwon Province — will see peak colors beginning in late October. Further south, regions like Gyeongsang and Jeolla will hit their colorful high point between early and mid-November. What makes this year's map particularly noteworthy is the tech-forward, crowdsourced data behind the predictions. Rather than relying solely on traditional climate models, the forecasts leverage real-time observations from the National Arboretum’s Plant Phenology Project. A network of 829 citizen scientists contributed ground-level field data to

Seoul Museum of History extends evening hours with autumn exhibitions, performances

Oct 8, 2026

Seoul Museum of History extends evening hours with autumn exhibitions, performances

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Oct 8, 2026

Seoul museum traces history of Hangeul typewriters

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