PISA 2025 reality: Nearly 2 in 3 Filipino students are ‘low performers’

Rappler - Sep 21, 2026

In PISA, 15-year-old students are considered low-performing when they fail to reach the minimum proficiency level in the subjects covered by the assessment

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Stronger won to test chip, display firms' Q3 profitability

Sep 21, 2026

Stronger won to test chip, display firms' Q3 profitability

The strengthening Korean won is emerging as a fresh earnings risk for chipmakers, display firms and other electronics companies that rely heavily on dollar-denominated transactions, prompting brokerages to cut earnings estimates for the third quarter. According to data from the Bank of Korea, Sunday, the Korean currency traded at 1,480 won against the dollar on July 16, before strengthening to 1,413 won on Aug. 17 and 1,382 won on Sept. 17. This represents a 6.6 percent narrowing in the dollar-won exchange rate over the two-month period. The change in the dollar-won exchange rate accelerated particularly from August, with the Korean currency gaining value to 1,336 won per dollar on Sept. 9. This prompted brokerages that had based their earnings forecasts at 1,450 won per dollar to begin cutting their estimates, causing the third-quarter earnings consensus for major companies such as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix to drop. According to market tracker FnGuide, brokerages’ consensus on Samsung Electronics’ third-quarter operating profit stood at 122.35 trillion won ($88.27 billion) o

Authentic Korean convenience meals attract foreigners

Sep 21, 2026

Authentic Korean convenience meals attract foreigners

The global popularity of Korean food has reached a point where convenience store meal boxes, known as “dosirak,” have become part of a new market trend where signature Korean flavors and traditional recipes have become a hit with international visitors and popular in new markets. Min Jung-hwan, who plans and oversees dosirak production for GS25 at GS Retail’s Merchandise Headquarters, is seeing the shift firsthand. Rather than creating separate products for foreign customers, the retailer is increasingly offering the same dosirak that appeal to Korean consumers, reflecting growing interest in authentic Korean flavors. “We don’t make dosirak that are specially for foreigners because many of them like what Koreans enjoy. Even at GS25 stores in Vietnam and Mongolia, visitors are interested in authentic Korean-style dosirak. We try to meet such expectations so that they can feel they are inside a Korean convenience store,” Min said in an interview with The Korea Times. “To serve the rising number of foreigners coming to Korea, we are boosting a pipeline for those with banchan

N. Korea stays quiet on Sunday's missile launches

Sep 21, 2026

N. Korea stays quiet on Sunday's missile launches

North Korean state media remained silent early Monday morning on the country's latest missile launches. The Korean Central News Agency made no mention of Sunday's launch of two short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea, fired hours apart. North Korea has typically reported its missile tests the following day, though that pattern has grown inconsistent in recent months. Three missile launches last month were not reported at all, while a Sept. 12 launch, which came a day after South Korea, the United States and Japan wrapped up a trilateral military exercise, was reported two days later. North Korea on Sunday launched two missiles from the Wonsan area, roughly three hours apart — the first around 3:00 p.m. and the second at roughly 5:50 p.m. — South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said. The first flew about 450 km, while the second traveled more than 600 km, according to the JCS. The launches came ahead of the U.N. General Assembly's high-level general debate, slated to open Tuesday (U.S. time), and the upcoming summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese Presiden

Jeonbuk National University partners with defense companies on career-linked program

Sep 21, 2026

Jeonbuk National University partners with defense companies on career-linked program

Jeonbuk National University has partnered with 15 defense companies and related organizations to offer a career-linked industry-academia cooperation program covering education, scholarships, field training and employment. The university said Friday that its Department of Advanced Defense Technology and Industry hosted a workshop titled “Customized Talent Development and Recruitment-Linked Cooperation Program for the Defense Industry” at Shilla Stay Jeonju on Thursday. The workshop was attended by university officials and representatives from defense companies and related organizations that signed a memorandum of understanding with the university in June. A university official noted that the workshop was organized to translate the memorandum of understanding on the cooperation program, signed June 26, into tangible outcomes in education and recruitment. Fifteen defense companies and related organizations are participating in the partnership. The participants included Hyundai Rotem, Korea Aerospace Industries, LIG Defense & Aerospace, HS Hyosung Advanced Materials, Danam Systems, DN Sol

President Lee to embark on trip to UN General Assembly, state visit to Mexico this week

Sep 21, 2026

President Lee to embark on trip to UN General Assembly, state visit to Mexico this week

President Lee Jae Myung was set to embark on a two-nation trip Monday that will first take him to New York, where he is set to address the United Nations General Assembly before heading to Mexico for a state visit, a presidential official said. During his attendance at the U.N. session, Lee is expected to seek contact with U.S. President Donald Trump through various forms, according to National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac. He is set to deliver a speech at the U.N. session on Tuesday (U.S. time). Following his trip to the United States, the president will make a state visit to Mexico. He is set to return home Sunday.

Journalist-turned-political critic becomes new presidential spokesperson

Sep 21, 2026

Journalist-turned-political critic becomes new presidential spokesperson

Kim Sung-wan, a journalist-turned-political commentator, has been appointed as the new presidential spokesperson, the presidential office said Monday. Kim — a former reporter with Media Today and later a radio host and political analyst —officially assumed his duties as presidential spokesperson on Monday, according to Cheong Wa Dae. "I have often had my words passed along to others, but knowing that I am now speaking directly to the media makes me feel a heavy sense of responsibility … As President Lee Jae Myung has said, I will do my best to communicate more with the public with humility," Kim told reporters. The post has remained vacant since April, when former presidential spokesperson Rep. Jeon Eun-su stepped down to prepare for the June 3 local elections. Kim's appointment adds to the current two spokespersons — Kang Yu-jung and Ahn Gwi-ryeong.

Gov't, ruling party agree to lenient approach for minor violations in farmland survey

Sep 21, 2026

Gov't, ruling party agree to lenient approach for minor violations in farmland survey

The government and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) agreed Monday to take a lenient approach to minor violations identified in an ongoing national farmland survey while cracking down on clear acts of land speculation. The country launched the comprehensive nationwide survey earlier this year in an effort to determine actual ownership of farmland and prevent it from being used as a speculative asset. The move, however, has faced criticism from the main opposition People Power Party, which has argued the survey has caused anxiety among farmers and could infringe on their property rights. "If the purpose of speculation is clear, (we) will take corrective action under the law and principles," Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung said in a policy meeting with DPK officials. "For minor or routine violations identified in the field, (we) will provide guidance or take alternative measures, such as making improvements to the system." The minister said the government would focus on ways to restore the intended purpose of farmland rather than immediately taking action against violations. Rep.

Lee's approval rating rises for 1st time in 10 weeks to 34.8%: poll

Sep 21, 2026

Lee's approval rating rises for 1st time in 10 weeks to 34.8%: poll

President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating rose for the first time in 10 weeks last week, helped by his clarification of key political issues during a press conference, a pollster said Monday. In a poll conducted on 2,507 adults nationwide from last Monday to Friday, positive assessments of Lee's job performance rose by 1 percentage point from the previous week to 34.8 percent, while negative assessments rose 0.1 percentage point to 63.4 percent, Realmeter said. It marked the first time in 10 weeks that Lee's approval rating rose following a 48.9 percent rating on July 13. There was a gradual increase throughout the week from 32.9 percent Tuesday and 32.1 percent Wednesday to 35.3 percent Thursday and 37.2 percent Friday, the day he held the press conference. "At the start of the week, his approval rating continued to decline due to controversy over personnel vetting and the repercussion of the confirmation hearings," the pollster said. Lee's approval rating was beset by controversy surrounding the qualifications of Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won and Gender Equality Minister nomin

FM Cho holds talks with Panama, Bahrain counterparts over cooperation

Sep 21, 2026

FM Cho holds talks with Panama, Bahrain counterparts over cooperation

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held separate talks with his Panamanian and Bahraini counterparts in New York and discussed ways to enhance practical cooperation and regional issues, Seoul's foreign ministry said Monday. Cho is in New York to attend the high-level segment of the U.N. General Assembly, scheduled for Tuesday through Saturday, and will hold a series of bilateral meetings with foreign counterparts on the sidelines. During talks with Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Eduardo Martinez-Acha on Sunday, Cho expressed hope that Korean companies would expand their involvement in Panama's major infrastructure projects, according to the ministry. The two sides agreed to continue close cooperation at multilateral forums, including the United Nations, following their joint work as nonpermanent members of the U.N. Security Council last year, it added. During the meeting with Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, the two sides discussed the situation in the Middle East and agreed to continue cooperating at the U.N. and other international forums to promote regional peace

S. Korea, US, Japan hold consultations over N. Korea's latest missile launches

Sep 21, 2026

S. Korea, US, Japan hold consultations over N. Korea's latest missile launches

Senior diplomats of South Korea, the United States and Japan held telephone consultations Monday to share information and discuss responses following North Korea's latest ballistic missile launches, Seoul's foreign ministry said. On Sunday, Pyongyang fired two short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea, marking the country's 14th ballistic missile launch of the year and the first in eight days, according to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). Baek Yong-jin, director general for Korean Peninsula policy at the ministry, spoke with David Wilezol, deputy assistant secretary for Northeast Asia at the U.S. State Department, and Takashi Ariyoshi, a senior official at Japan's foreign ministry, according to the ministry. "The three officials shared relevant information and discussed future responses," the ministry said in a release. "The foreign affairs authorities of the three countries operate a channel for promptly sharing information and assessments whenever North Korea launches ballistic missiles," it added. Sunday's launches appeared to have been in response to multinationa

Samsung Electronics breaks ground on HVAC production line in Gwangju

Sep 21, 2026

Samsung Electronics breaks ground on HVAC production line in Gwangju

Samsung Electronics held a groundbreaking ceremony for a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) production line in the southwestern city of Gwangju on Monday. The company plans to invest approximately 240 billion won ($173 million) to build a 21,500-square-meter HVAC production line at its Gwangju operations site. The new production line, scheduled to begin operations in 2028, will manufacture HVAC products from FlaktGroup Holding GmbH, a Germany-based ventilation company that Samsung Electronics acquired last year. "The launch of the new FlaktGroup production line will serve as another milestone in advancing our HVAC business, a key growth driver for the company," Roh Tae-moon, co-chief executive officer of Samsung Electronics and head of its device experience (DX) division, said at the ceremony. Samsung said the new production line will strengthen its global production capabilities for advanced cooling equipment and centralized HVAC solutions as demand for cooling and HVAC solutions for artificial intelligence (AI) data centers continues to grow rapidly.

LIVE UPDATES: Impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte

Sep 21, 2026

LIVE UPDATES: Impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte

Bookmark this page for Rappler's comprehensive coverage of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial at the Senate

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