Han Byeong-do: People Power Party Should Focus on Work, Not Provocation Han Byeong-do, the acting leader of the Democratic Party, criticized the People Power Party on July 26, stating, "What the People Power Party should do is work, not incite." His remarks came in response to the party's criticism of a proposed amendment to the criminal procedure law aimed at abolishing supplementary investigation rights.In a Facebook post, Han stated, "The People Power Party is once again launching irresponsible political attacks regarding the reform of the 'criminal justice syste July 26, 2026

Song Young-gil: We Cannot Entrust the Party to Those Who Undermine Lee Jae-myung Song Young-gil, a candidate for the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated on July 26, "We cannot entrust the party to those who undermine President Lee Jae-myung." This remark appears to be a direct criticism of former party leader Jung Cheong-rae amid rising tensions within the party.In a Facebook post, Song emphasized, "Judicial reform and prosecutorial reform do not belong to any one candidate. They are promises made by all three candidates and a mandate from the party members. July 26, 2026

HMM Orders Four Cranes for WUT Terminal in Tacoma, Washington HMM announced that its WUT terminal in Tacoma, Washington, has signed a contract with HD Hyundai Samho for the supply of four cranes.Opened in 1999, WUT is located at the Port of Tacoma and spans approximately 510,000 square meters (about 15.5 acres) with a 793-meter-long berth. The terminal features an on-dock rail capable of accommodating 26 rail cars simultaneously, facilitating inland logistics.Currently, WUT operates eight berth cranes and six yard cranes. Under the new contract, two aging July 26, 2026

U.S. Nuclear Double Standards: Saudi Arabia vs. South Korea In international politics, national interests often take precedence over principles. The recent move by the United States to expand nuclear cooperation with Saudi Arabia, including allowing uranium enrichment, underscores this reality. The U.S., which has emphasized nuclear non-proliferation as a core principle of the international order, is broadening its nuclear collaboration with Saudi Arabia, a nation without a single commercial nuclear power plant. This is not merely an energy policy; it is July 26, 2026

High Interest Rates Drive Household Loan Delinquency to a Decade High 국내 주요 시중은행의 건전성 지표에 빨간불이 켜졌다. 고금리 여파로 가계대출 연체율은 10년 만에 최고치로 치솟았고 부실채권(고정이하여신) 규모 역시 8년 만에 최대 수준으로 불어났다. 26일 금융권에 따르면 5대 시중은행(KB국민·신한·하나·우리·NH농협)의 올해 2분기 말 기준 가계대출 연체율 평균은 0.33%로 집계됐다. 이는 1분기(0.32%) 대비 0.01%포인트(p) 상승한 수치로 2016년 1분기(0.36%) 이후 약 10년 만에 가장 높은 수준이다. 가계대출 연체율은 작년 말 평균 0.30%에서 올해 1분기 말 0 July 26, 2026

Yoon Suk Yeol's Trials Continue During Court Recess In accordance with the 6-3-3 principle of the Special Prosecutor Act, the trials involving former President Yoon Suk Yeol will proceed as scheduled this week, despite the court recess. The court will hold a ruling on the first trial regarding violations of the election law and the first hearing of the appeal concerning charges of general defection and abuse of authority. According to legal sources on July 26, the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 21, led by Judge Jo Soon-pyo, wi July 26, 2026

Korea Fair Trade Commission Fines Companies 870 Million Won for Bid Rigging 한국전력공사가 발주한 전력케이블 보호용 플라스틱관 구매 입찰에서 담합한 조합과 업체들이 공정당국에 적발됐다. 공정거래위원회는 2017년 11월부터 2023년 1월까지 한전이 발주한 394건의 파형관 구매 입찰에서 담합한 3개 조합과 7개 사업자에 대해 총 8억6800만원의 과징금을 부과하기로 결정했다고 26일 밝혔다. 이들은 입찰 전에 낙찰예정자와 물량비율을 합의했다.파형관은 전력케이블을 감싸 보호하는 주름진 형태의 플라스틱관이다. 당시 중소기업자 간 경쟁제품으로 지정돼 공공입찰에는 중소기업이나 이들을 대신해 입찰에 July 26, 2026

Delay in '8-Week Rule' Leads to Deteriorating Auto Insurance Profits The introduction of the so-called '8-week rule' to manage long-term treatment for minor injury patients has been delayed, leading to increased losses in auto insurance. With seasonal factors expected to continue worsening the loss ratio in the second half of the year, forecasts indicate that an annual deficit is unavoidable.According to the insurance industry on July 26, the operating loss for auto insurance among non-life insurers in the first half of this year was 189 billion won, a deteriorat July 26, 2026

Kim Min-seok Questions If Democratic Party Will Support Anti-Myeong Candidates Kim Min-seok, a candidate for the leadership of the Democratic Party, questioned on July 26 whether the party would support three anti-Myeong candidates for the Supreme Council. His remarks come amid escalating tensions between the pro-Myeong (Lee Jae-myung) and pro-Cheong (Jung Cheong-rae) factions.Speaking at a policy meeting held at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Kim stated, "I will make an important prediction." He continued, "Those who view politics as arithmetic believe t July 26, 2026

South Korean Government Expands K-Brand Challenge to Include Fashion and Lifestyle Brands The South Korean government is expanding its K-Brand Challenge to support the overseas expansion of clothing (fashion) and lifestyle brands.On July 26, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced that it will recruit nine small businesses to participate in the K-Brand Challenge from July 27 to August 7. This initiative aims to identify small consumer goods companies with high growth potential and nurture them into export firms with global competitiveness.Originally launched in 2024 as the K-Beau July 26, 2026