Hong Kong leader says firms must strive to survive despite government support

Korea and the United States pledged to reinforce cooperation to accelerate the transition of wartime operational control (OPCON) to Seoul from Washington during their senior-level defense talks this week, a joint statement said Friday. The allies held the 29th Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD) in Korea's southeastern city of Busan from Wednesday to Friday, as President Lee Jae Myung's administration seeks to retake wartime OPCON before the end of its term in 2030. "Both sides evaluated the work to modernize the alliance in the face of an evolving security environment," they said in the statement. "They also assessed progress on the Conditions-based Wartime Operational Control Transition Plan, and pledged to strengthen cooperation to accelerate the transition of wartime OPCON," they added. Seoul and Washington have been working on the conditions-based OPCON transfer since they agreed on it in October 2014. The conditions include Korea's capabilities to lead combined Korea-U.S. forces, its strike and air defense capabilities, and a regional security environment conducive to suc

President Lee Jae Myung said Saturday he is considering establishing a dedicated organization to oversee youth policies. Lee raised the idea during a ceremony to mark Youth Day at the presidential office, noting the difficulties faced by young people in the job market. "With the capabilities of current policymakers, it is difficult to emerge from this emergency situation," he said. "Opportunities for the new generation are decreasing with growing polarization and industrial restructuring due to artificial intelligence." Young job seekers have faced an increasingly tough market, with the employment rate for those aged 20 to 24 at 41.3 percent in the second quarter, compared with the 2025 average of 43.6 percent, according to government data.

More than 50,000 foreign nationals are expected to enter Korea through Incheon International Airport each day from Sept. 30 to Oct. 3, around China's National Day holiday on Oct. 1, prompting immigration authorities to activate emergency measures. According to the Incheon Airport Immigration Office under the Ministry of Justice, Thursday, between 198,000 and 220,000 foreign nationals are expected to enter the country through Incheon International Airport over the four-day period. That translates to an average of 49,500 to 55,000 arrivals per day, well above the daily average of 45,640 recorded from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4 last year. The number of foreign arrivals is expected to reach as many as 60,000 on Oct. 2, ahead of the weekend. That would slightly exceed this year's record high of 59,000 foreign arrivals in a single day. In response, the Incheon Airport Immigration Office will implement emergency measures for four days starting Sept. 30. The number of immigration officers assigned to arrival halls will be increased to 188, up from 128 during normal operations and 166 during special mea

Tony Burke's proposal for tackling possible farm worker shortages has sparked a strong rebuke from the nation's peak farming body.

A southbound scheme allowing Guangdong-registered yachts to sail in Hong Kong waters is expected to launch in October, the transport minister has said, with the city continuing preparations and discussions with provincial authorities. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan revealed the plan on Saturday after the annual policy address and the city’s first five-year plan, both unveiled this week, set out proposals to develop the yacht economy. “The southbound travel scheme for yachts...

Hong Kong is mourning the loss of its first chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa, in a weekend vigil, with tributes pouring in from political and business heavyweights as well as members of the public. Tung, who died at the age of 89 on September 8, led Hong Kong through ups and downs – the Asian financial crisis in 1997, the Sars outbreak in 2003 and a V-shaped rebound in the economy that followed. Saturday’s rituals, held at Hong Kong Funeral Home in North Point, will be followed by a state funeral...

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The shark has been identified and when conditions allow, it will be killed to recover any coronial evidence.

This weekend, Hong Kong mourns the loss of former chief executive and elder statesman Tung Chee-hwa. The shipping tycoon who became the city’s first leader after its transfer of sovereignty to China in 1997 died on September 8 at the age of 89, leaving a legacy of determined stewardship and dedicated public service. This weekend, a state funeral will be held to honour Tung, who was also a former vice-chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). There will be a...

Senate Bill 954 would have rolled back parts of last year's controversial overhaul of CEQA that allowed for advanced manufacturing facilities to be sited in communities without environmental review.