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The Ministry of Education and Korean National Commission for UNESCO announced applications for the 2026 UNESCO Youth Expert Training Program (U-STEP) are open until February 1.
This year, 10 participants will be selected to gain hands-on experience at UNESCO offices in Paris and Bangkok for six months.
Eligible applicants are aged 19 to 34, with final selection through domestic screening and UNESCO interviews.

The authority for prosecutors to initiate investigations is transferred to the Major Crimes Investigation Agency, while the Prosecution Office focuses on indictment and maintenance.
The new agency will investigate nine major crimes, including corruption, economic crimes, public officials, elections, defense projects, large-scale disasters, drugs, national security, and cybercrime.
The Prosecution Office Act and Major Crimes Investigation Agency Act were announced on January 12, 2026, with follow-up measures such as organizational and system establishment underway.

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute are significantly expanding green bond and green ABS issuance support this year.
Support now covers SMEs’ working capital and extends interest cost aid up to three years, easing financial burdens.
Applications for green bond interest subsidy open June 12, and green ABS support starts June 21.

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun received a briefing from KOICA President Jang Won-sam on the agency’s project direction and operational improvement plans.
Minister Cho emphasized the importance of strategic ODA that contributes to national interests and key government policies, explaining the formation of a task force to integrate KOICA’s aid efforts and enhance accountability.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to strengthen KOICA’s organizational operations and ODA implementation based on the briefing results.

The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) will prioritize the allocation of over 4,000 advanced GPUs, including 2,296 H200s and 2,040 B200s, to industry, academia, and research institutions from the 13,000 GPUs secured this year.
This initiative aims to support AI research, development, and the creation of innovative services, with a call for project proposals open until January 28, 2025, via an online platform (AIinfrahub.kr).
Academic and research institutions can use them free of charge, while the industry (SMEs, startups) will pay 5-10% of market price, with preferential treatment for regional companies and additional reviews for large-scale projects.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that regional economic growth will be its top priority next year, focusing support on ‘5 Core + 3 Special Growth Engine’ industries.
It plans to expand AI factories nationwide to 500 by 2030 and establish 15 collaborative AI models and 13 AI demonstration industrial complexes.
In addition, it will promote region-specific clusters and implement trade strategies to respond to U.S.-China risks.