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Thursday, 13 August 2026 Reading Room

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The prices of staple foods such as bread, instant noodles and ready-to-eat meals have jumped. Major food companies, including CJ Cheiljedang, Lotte Confectionery and Nong Shim, have announced price hikes of up to 9% for their products from next month due to high oil and high exchange rates. CJ Cheiljedang said on the 24th that it will increase the prices of 25 kinds of products, including "Sempio" cooking oil and "Beksul" sugar, by 8.4% to 9.2% from the 1st of next month. Lotte Confectionery also said it will raise the price of its "Lotte" milk chocolate by 7.3% and "Dove" chocolate by 9% from next month. Nong Shim will increase the prices of its "Shin Ramyun" and "Jjajangmyeon" products by 6.7% and 7.1%, respectively, from next month. The industry predicts that the price increase will not be limited to these companies, but will spread to other food companies as well. The price increase is expected to have a significant impact on consumers, as these products are staples in many Korean households. The price hikes are attributed to high oil prices and a high exchange rate, which have increased the cost of raw materials and production. As the prices of food products continue to rise, consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about the impact on their daily lives. The government has announced measures to stabilize food prices, but it remains to be seen whether these efforts will be effective in controlling the price increases. In the meantime, consumers will have to bear the brunt of the price hikes. It is expected that the price increase will have a ripple effect on the entire food industry. The industry is watching the situation closely, as the price increase could have a significant impact on the market. The government and the industry will need to work together to find a solution to this problem. The price increase is a concern for many consumers, and it is hoped that a solution will be found soon. The situation will continue to be monitored closely.

·hani.co.kr

An 11-year-old girl who was found dead after living in a church has been identified as the victim of severe physical abuse. The pastor of the church, who allegedly perpetrated the abuse, has been arrested and charged with "child abuse resulting in death." The girl, whose name has not been released, was found dead on the 2nd of last month at a church in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. According to the police, the girl had been living at the church for about a year. During that time, she was subjected to severe physical abuse by the 55-year-old pastor, identified as Kim. The police investigation found that the girl suffered severe injuries, including a fractured skull and multiple bruises, before her death. Kim has been indicted on charges of child abuse resulting in death and is currently being held in custody. The case has sparked widespread outrage and calls for greater protection for vulnerable children. The police have not released further details about the case, citing the need to protect the victim's privacy.

·hani.co.kr

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