Journalist

Lee Hugh
  • Takaichi’s Fast-Track Leadership Meets Resistance in Japan’s Political System
    Takaichi’s Fast-Track Leadership Meets Resistance in Japan’s Political System What has the new political approach dubbed the “Takaichi style” produced in practice? There are clear cases where Takaichi’s top-down, fast-track decision-making has delivered results. A leading example was her immediate decision, soon after taking office, to abolish an additional gasoline tax that the ruling and opposition parties had agreed to end under the previous administration but repeatedly delayed. For many Japanese, it was a moment that made politics feel like it was moving again. But the approach has also brought setbacks. One prominent case was her November response in the Diet about a “survival-threatening situation in the event of a Taiwan contingency.” The Yomiuri Shimbun quoted a government official as saying the remark was an ad-lib not included in prepared materials, adding that “this wouldn’t have happened if there had been even a face-to-face review of answers with bureaucrats.” The official pointed to the abolition of the prime minister’s answer-prep sessions — a core element of the Takaichi style — as a direct cause. Even after voices within the Liberal Democratic Party urged her to contain the fallout, Takaichi did not retract the comment. The result, the article said, was that Chinese visitors to Japan fell to about half, and relations with China have continued to worsen. The pattern is not new: the article noted that when she served as internal affairs minister 10 years ago, controversy also grew after she said broadcasters that repeatedly violated political fairness could be ordered off the air, and she did not back down then either. Takaichi’s preference for refusing dinner gatherings and relying on documents has also strained ties with the party and the bureaucracy. In one example, LDP officials who visited to coordinate wording for the party’s 70th anniversary address said they were sent off after about 10 minutes, having heard only Takaichi’s brief instruction: “Please fix it like this.” During deliberations on the 2026 budget, one senior LDP figure said he had spoken directly with the prime minister about the budget only once. That communication gap has spilled into governance. Takaichi insisted the budget bill be passed within the fiscal year, but after pushing ahead without sufficient coordination with the party, it failed to clear the House of Councillors. The Nikkei said reliance on “the power of numbers” in running the Diet widened the distance between the prime minister’s office and the party and parliament. Relations with the bureaucracy have been similarly tense. Consumption tax cuts have long been opposed by the Finance Ministry over concerns about reduced revenue, and past prime ministers have typically adjusted their rhetoric after behind-the-scenes coordination. But in a February budget committee session, Takaichi said “some ministry” was spreading obstructive information in connection with discussions of a consumption tax cut — a remark the article described as an effective public rebuke of the Finance Ministry. Finance Ministry officials reacted with shock, asking whether she viewed them as resistance to the administration. A senior government official was quoted as saying that to build a long-running administration, the Finance Ministry, which controls the budget, must be made an ally, and that turning the entire bureaucracy into one team remains a task. Despite the side effects, the article said Takaichi has shown no sign of changing course. Instead, she has moved to tighten her grip within the party through personnel decisions. She sought to replace an LDP leader in the House of Councillors over responsibility for the failed budget passage and has repeatedly excluded lawmakers who challenged her from key posts. The Yomiuri said pressure is spreading within the party that even veterans will be treated coldly if they do not follow the prime minister’s line. The article said there is little open criticism inside the party. Rather, after factions were dissolved and groups reorganized, they are competing to draw closer to Takaichi. Her camp is said to be envisioning an uncontested re-election as LDP president in September next year, with no clear rival in sight. If she wins again and also prevails in the 2028 House of Councillors election, the article said, the possibility of long-term rule has been raised. Whether the “Takaichi style” becomes a new standard in Japanese politics or is forced to adjust under real-world constraints remains to be seen. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 05:08:21
  • Japan’s Takaiichi reshapes prime minister’s routine with fewer dinners and more direct messaging
    Japan’s Takaiichi reshapes prime minister’s routine with fewer dinners and more direct messaging Prime Minister Sanae Takaiichi marked six months in office on the 21st, maintaining approval ratings above 60% in polls as Japan’s political routines shift quietly but noticeably. At the center is her governing style, often described as the “Takaiichi way.” At midday on the 10th, LDP Vice President Taro Aso, Secretary-General Shunichi Suzuki and Acting Secretary-General Koichi Hagiuda gathered at the prime minister’s office for a lunch Takaiichi arranged. The menu was a set meal of grilled fish. It was their first such meal in four months. Afterward, Aso told Takaiichi, “Even if it’s not dinner, let’s eat like this again. Why not meet lightly over lunch?” Yomiuri Shimbun reported the remark as a kind of urging, reflecting concern she could become isolated. For decades, Japanese prime ministers followed a familiar rhythm: work by day, dinners by night. Meals with business leaders, politicians and bureaucrats were used to trade information and build ties, giving rise to sayings such as “politics moves at night.” Takaiichi has largely broken with that pattern. Around 6 p.m., she typically returns to the official residence next to the prime minister’s office. She eats dinner with her husband, does household chores such as laundry, and reads Diet briefing papers and policy materials. Aides say she goes back with documents in hand, saying she must study for the next day. Asahi Shimbun calculated her average return time over six months at 7:21 p.m., with only nine outside dinners or informal gatherings. She also generally eats lunch alone and often skips meals, reportedly to secure time by herself. She has joked, according to Yomiuri, “If I eat with others, I can’t touch up my lipstick.” The changes extend beyond meals. Takaiichi ended the customary “advance review” of answers, in which prime ministers receive in-person briefings from secretaries and officials before Diet questioning. Instead, she reads materials herself and submits questions in writing when something is unclear. She also edits draft answers by hand and sends revisions by fax. She has sharply reduced the number of meetings she chairs, and in ministerial meetings she keeps remarks to a minimum, relying more on written submissions. Yomiuri described this as the “Takaiichi way”: keeping distance from Nagatacho’s traditional behind-the-scenes consensus-building culture and emphasizing rationality. Another hallmark is direct communication on social media. On the night of the 7th, Takaiichi posted on X about a phone call with the president of the United Arab Emirates within 10 minutes of the call ending. The government’s official announcement came about 30 minutes later. When concerns about naphtha supplies spread on social media, she posted directly to say it was a “misunderstanding.” Takaiichi has about 2.86 million followers on X, far more than former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (520,000) and former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (810,000). At the same time, she has held fewer news conferences. Over six months, she held eight formal news conferences. Ishiba and Kishida held news conferences each time budgets passed, but Takaiichi has favored brief, informal question-and-answer sessions with reporters gathered around her rather than formal news conferences. Asahi noted that unlike news conferences, where reporters can press with follow-up questions, social media is “one-way,” making it harder to probe what a leader truly means. Her communication style aligns with a more self-directed decision-making approach. In January, in the process that led to a decision to dissolve the House of Representatives, she did not consult in advance even with Aso, described as her biggest political backer. Soon after taking office, she also moved quickly to abolish an additional gasoline tax that the ruling and opposition parties had agreed on but the previous administration had delayed. Critics called the moves “arbitrary,” but both decisions ultimately coincided with high approval ratings. The contrast has been drawn with Ishiba, who, leading a minority ruling party, promoted “deliberation” but was criticized for indecision, while Takaiichi has been credited with “decisive politics.” Asahi, citing a source at the prime minister’s office, attributed the roots of her style to resentment from having long been treated as a “non-mainstream” figure within the LDP. First elected in 1993 as an independent, Takaiichi built her career without a local political machine or a political dynasty. The paper said her pride in forging a path in an era when female politicians were rare underpins her distance from established political customs. Takaiichi herself addressed the point in the Diet in February, saying calmly, “As you all know, I’m a woman who isn’t good at these dinner gatherings.” Rationality over custom, decisions over coordination, documents over face time: the “Takaiichi way” has presented a new model of prime minister. What it ultimately produces for Japanese politics remains the next test.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 05:07:22
  • Honor’s ‘Alpha Strategy’ Bets on AI Robots as Smartphone Growth Slows
    Honor’s ‘Alpha Strategy’ Bets on AI Robots as Smartphone Growth Slows Honor’s move into humanoid robots reflects several pressures, led by a maturing smartphone market and the need for new growth. China’s smartphone market is widely seen as saturated, limiting room for expansion in Honor’s core business. Honor’s share in China has declined over the past five years. Counterpoint Research said Honor’s market share stood at 13.4% at the end of last year, below Huawei at 16.4%, Apple at 16.2%, Vivo at 16.2%, Xiaomi at 15.4% and Oppo at 15.2%, pushing Honor out of the top five. With an initial public offering in the works, Honor has been seeking a new engine to offset slowing growth. In March last year, Honor CEO Li Jian announced the company’s “Alpha strategy,” saying it would “transform into an AI smart device company centered on robots,” marking a full push into AI. In March this year, Honor presented what it called the world’s first “robot phone” at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, as the first product tied to the Alpha strategy. The phone features a protruding robotic arm on top fitted with a 20-megapixel camera designed to rotate and shoot in 360 degrees. Market reaction, however, fell short of expectations. Some experts said the product lacked polish, while consumers cited drawbacks including reduced portability and an awkward grip. That has fueled doubts that investment in the robot phone will translate into purchases. Against that backdrop, Honor’s sweep of the top spot in this year’s humanoid robot half-marathon has been viewed as a meaningful result. Chinese IT outlet Huxiu said the win would have a positive effect on Honor’s corporate value, adding that it could help boost capital-market sentiment, roadshow promotion and expectations for a “second growth curve.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 05:06:34
  • Honor’s Humanoid Robot Wins Beijing Half Marathon, Beating Unitree
    Honor’s Humanoid Robot Wins Beijing Half Marathon, Beating Unitree 50 minutes, 26 seconds. That was the winning time at this year’s humanoid robot half marathon in Beijing’s Yizhuang area, cutting last year’s top mark of 2:40:42 to about one-third. The time also beat the human half-marathon world record of 57:20. The winner was not last year’s champion, the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center’s “Tiangong,” nor Unitree’s “H1.” It was “Sandian,” a humanoid robot from Chinese smartphone maker Honor, competing for the first time. Six teams entered the race using Sandian robots. Three competed in fully autonomous mode and three used remote control. All six finished and took places 1 through 6, a result seen as evidence that Sandian is more than a prototype and has demonstrated production potential, technical stability and consistent manufacturing. Chinese IT outlet eet-china called Sandian “a vanguard that symbolically shows Honor’s technological strength.” Honor’s other humanoid robot, “Yuanqizai,” also competed and won a “best walking” award for what organizers described as the most humanlike, stable gait. The sweep is being viewed as a milestone in Honor’s push to move beyond smartphones and position itself as an artificial intelligence device-ecosystem company. ‘HUAWEI DNA’...From smartphones to an AI ecosystem company Finishing a 21-kilometer half marathon is difficult for humanoid robots, requiring stable walking along with battery endurance, heat management, mechanical durability, autonomous driving and algorithms. Last year, only about 20 teams entered and just six robots finished. This year, about 100 teams competed and nearly half finished. While most entries last year were remotely controlled, about 40% chose autonomous operation this year. The key to Honor’s first-year success, the report said, was smartphone engineering rooted in what it called “Huawei DNA.” Honor began in 2011 as a premium smartphone brand under Huawei and, during its 2020 separation from Huawei amid U.S. sanctions, absorbed many of Huawei’s core engineers and technical staff. Honor CEO Li Jian said, “Core technologies accumulated in the mobile phone field are very helpful for robot research and development.” One example is liquid cooling. Honor adapted its smartphone liquid-cooling technology for humanoid robots. Sandian carries a self-developed liquid-cooling unit in a backpack. Piping designed like a human capillary network runs into the motor, circulating about 4 liters of coolant per minute. The system is intended to remove heat quickly during high-speed running, prevent motor overheating and maintain stable output. Smartphone know-how, transplanted into a humanoid robot Power is another key factor. Sandian uses an integrated joint module capable of up to 400 newton-meters of torque, aiming to deliver strong force in compact joints while sustaining stable movement. The report said the precision miniaturization reflects know-how built from foldable smartphone hinge and internal-structure design. Software is also central. Honor combined its motion-control algorithms with multiple sensors so the robot can recognize complex surroundings in real time and automatically adjust its center of gravity and gait. The ability to process large volumes of data quickly to control movement was described as an extension of smartphone hardware-software integration. Sandian was designed from the outset for marathon running. It is 169 centimeters tall and weighs 45 kilograms, with legs measuring 95 centimeters, proportions the report compared to elite track athletes. Engineers removed nonessential structures to reduce weight, omitted hand joints, narrowed the arms, and used a foot design intended to minimize ground contact, reduce impact and efficiently transfer propulsion on a firm track. Supply chain helps lower barriers, but commercialization still needs proof China’s increasingly mature humanoid-robot supply chain has also lowered technical barriers, the report said, and open-source algorithm ecosystems have sped development. Manufacturing costs are falling quickly. According to the Gaogong Robot Industry Research Institute, the price of a humanoid robot in the first quarter was 100,000 yuan (about 21.6 million won), down 33% from a year earlier. Honor in March last year announced its “Alpha Strategy,” declaring a shift toward an AI smart-device company with robots as a core pillar. About a year later, it has demonstrated a humanoid robot capable of finishing a half marathon. Still, because Sandian is optimized for marathon performance, some observers said additional verification is needed before it can be used broadly across varied environments. They said autonomous decision-making must be strengthened through repeated learning and data accumulation in real-world settings. In that respect, the report said, a gap remains with established companies such as Unitree and Galbot, which have built up long-term data across diverse scenarios.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 05:05:28
  • South Korea Lawmaker Proposes Housing Bond Bids to Curb Lottery Apartment Profits
    South Korea Lawmaker Proposes Housing Bond Bids to Curb 'Lottery' Apartment Profits South Korea’s home subscription system, designed to support housing stability for ordinary people, has drawn criticism for enabling outsized gains that have fueled the nickname “lottery subscriptions.” Politicians are now moving to create a mechanism to recoup some of those profits. According to the industry on the 26th, Democratic Party lawmaker Ahn Tae-jun, a member of the National Assembly’s Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, introduced a revision to the Housing Act that would require buyers of private homes in areas covered by the housing price cap system to purchase National Housing Bonds through a mandatory bidding scheme. The proposal would require winners of price-capped projects to buy the bonds, allowing the public sector to reclaim part of the market premium. The bill also includes a safeguard: when the capped sale price for a private unit is 100% or less of nearby market prices, the maximum bond amount would be set below that level, limiting the additional recouped gains to the surrounding market price range. The idea has resurfaced as controversy has grown that price-capped projects have become a tool for excessive windfalls rather than serving their original purpose. The debate accelerated after President Lee Jae-myung said at a Cabinet meeting in June last year that “lottery sales” create a large gap with actual market prices because of the cap, and that the gap can drive up nearby home prices. The housing bond bidding system was used more than 20 years ago but was later scrapped after producing side effects. The government revived it during sales in Pangyo New Town in 2006 for mid- to large-size units over 85 square meters, citing concerns about overcrowding and demand surges. It set a ceiling so that the combined total of the sale price and losses from bond purchases would equal 90% of nearby market prices, differentiating it from the earlier version. But after the 2008 global financial crisis sent housing prices sharply lower, the combined total of sale prices and bond losses in some cases exceeded market prices, creating a “reverse” effect. The system was abolished in 2013. Kim Hyo-sun, a senior real estate specialist at KB Kookmin Bank, said the plan could burden even low- and middle-income households without homes by forcing additional bond purchases and could dampen subscription demand. She added that the housing price cap system was effective in the past when population growth meant most housing prices rose over time, but regional gaps have widened so much that the system is no longer effective in the long run and needs to be reworked. Some also point to overseas models. A frequently cited example is Singapore’s leasehold approach. In Singapore public housing, the state keeps land ownership while granting individuals the right to use it for 99 years. During a visit to Singapore last month, Lee said it was a policy he had been interested in since his time as Seongnam mayor and that South Korea should learn from it. The article notes challenges, including high housing-related taxes and the burden of deficits at public institutions. Singapore imposes an Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty, charging a tax of up to 20% of the purchase price starting with a second home. It also places the cost of supplying public housing solely on the Housing & Development Board, and the government injects 2% of its annual budget to cover deficits. Shared-equity housing, positioned between public rental and full ownership, has also been discussed. The United Kingdom operates programs to promote affordable ownership by recognizing split ownership for tenants, helping them transition into asset holders. In the United States, public subsidies or participation by private investors can reduce households’ purchase burdens, while resale restrictions are used to curb speculation and share gains from price increases. Such ideas were discussed last year by the Lee administration’s state affairs planning committee under the name “equity accumulation and profit-sharing housing.” Kim said shared-equity models have a strong public character aimed more at stabilizing residence than achieving full ownership. She added that Singapore’s housing policy succeeded because public-led supply continued, while South Korea’s housing is mostly privately owned. In areas with low home prices, she said, people may be unlikely to prefer shared equity, making it difficult to implement in practice.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 05:04:11
  • Proposed National Infrastructure Framework Act Seen as Chance to Modernize Korea’s Infrastructure
    Proposed National Infrastructure Framework Act Seen as Chance to Modernize Korea’s Infrastructure On April 6, lawmakers Song Seok-jun and Son Myung-soo introduced the proposed National Infrastructure Framework Act, joined by 36 members of the National Assembly. The bill focuses on building national-level governance for infrastructure, including setting strategy and carrying it out, as well as evaluation. As the bill notes, major countries have been moving aggressively to build and rebuild infrastructure. In the United Kingdom, the government announced in June 2025 a plan titled “UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy.” It lays out long-term investment and management for the next decade, covering transport, energy, water and digital infrastructure, as well as social infrastructure such as schools and hospitals, with the goal of boosting economic growth and improving quality of life. Australia, after establishing its Infrastructure Investment Program for 2024-2033 in 2023, has been pushing road and rail investment under federal leadership. The United States also set a massive $2.5 trillion infrastructure investment plan in 2021 under the Biden administration, and the second Trump administration has continued to pursue infrastructure investment, as it did in the first. Japan, Taiwan and other Asian economies are taking similar approaches. These efforts are not aimed only at fixing aging assets or generating short-term stimulus. Strategic infrastructure investment to upgrade a country’s core facilities has become a necessary task for the future, as competition intensifies in a global economy shaped by “country-first” policies. The need is also growing for investment tied to mid- and long-term goals amid rapid digitalization and climate-change response. In that context, the newly introduced bill is significant because it would provide a legal foundation for strategic investment, from planning to implementation and evaluation, through national governance. South Korea has not lacked large-scale infrastructure plans in the past: the 2017 Urban Regeneration New Deal, the 2019 plan to overhaul aging infrastructure and expand “living SOC” investment, the 2021 Digital New Deal 2.0, and a 2026 private investment plan worth 100 trillion won. National plans for major infrastructure such as roads, railways and ports are also regularly established under related laws. But many large investment plans have struggled to deliver results, often because responsibility was spread across multiple actors, making consistent execution difficult, and because projects were pushed down the priority list. Against that backdrop, building national governance and a clear legal basis has been an important task. South Korea’s infrastructure conditions make investment hard to delay, the author wrote. Aging is severe: more than half of all roads are already more than 30 years old. More than 50% of rail facilities exceed their designed service life, and 30% are more than 40 years old. Ports and airports are not much different. Demand is also rising to upgrade key infrastructure as digital technology and AI spread rapidly. Expanding economic infrastructure to foster industry has become central to creating new growth engines. The author said strategic infrastructure expansion is essential for regions facing accelerating population decline and weakening growth momentum. Fundamentally, national infrastructure is a core foundation tied not only to economic growth but also to quality of life and a safe living environment, the author wrote, arguing that government investment should be expanded continuously and systematically. A strategic approach is needed that considers aging infrastructure, future growth engines and balanced regional development at the same time. The bill’s introduction should lead to more concrete discussion and full-scale action on national infrastructure measures, the author said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 05:03:18
  • Korea Telecoms Agree to Add Basic QoS to Low-Cost Plans, Split on Price Cuts
    Korea Telecoms Agree to Add Basic QoS to Low-Cost Plans, Split on Price Cuts South Korea’s Science and ICT Ministry and the country’s three mobile carriers have agreed to apply a “data safety option” based on quality-of-service, or QoS, as a standard feature on low-cost plans as they negotiate measures aimed at lowering wireless bills.  According to the telecom industry on the 27th, SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus accepted the government proposal to make QoS standard on cheaper plans as part of the ministry’s push to roll out unified LTE and 5G rate plans. The carriers were said to have little disagreement over how the unified plans would be structured, but they maintained that keeping current data allowances while cutting monthly fees by more than 10,000 won would be difficult.  The centerpiece of the overhaul is to apply QoS by default to all plans in the 20,000- to 30,000-won range so users can maintain a minimum level of data service. Under the QoS option, customers who use up their included data can continue to use unlimited data at speeds of 400 kilobits per second.  Carriers, however, are resisting proposals to lower prices while keeping data allowances unchanged. The government is said to be seeking about a 10,000-won cut per subscriber as it merges current 5G plans in the 50,000-won range with LTE plans in the 40,000-won range into unified offerings. The three carriers argue that, given network cost structures, cutting prices without reducing data would significantly damage profitability.  An industry official said all three carriers agreed with the government’s view that low-cost users should be able to access QoS without paying extra, but added that a roughly 10,000-won cut per person would be hard to accept. “Most 5G subscribers are on plans in the 50,000-won range, and offering the same data usage at prices in the 40,000-won range would be too big a loss,” the official said.  Analysts in the securities industry estimate that if the government’s price-cut plan goes ahead, the carriers’ combined operating profit could fall by 6% to 8%. They also warned that if disputes over network usage fees with global content providers such as Google are not resolved, the carriers would have limited room to offset the revenue decline. With carriers bearing most network investment costs, prolonged pressure on profitability could also affect their capacity to invest, they said.  The ministry estimates the overhaul would benefit about 7.17 million people and reduce annual telecom spending by 322.1 billion won. Industry observers said the actual impact could vary depending on the size of any price cuts and how they are applied.  A ministry official said the timing of the unified plans has not been finalized. “Additional talks are under way on several plans, and we are working to wrap things up in the first half,” the official said. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 00:03:21
  • Ha Jeong-woo Offers to Resign as Presidential AI Secretary, Eyes Busan Buk-gu Gap By-Election
    Ha Jeong-woo Offers to Resign as Presidential AI Secretary, Eyes Busan Buk-gu Gap By-Election Ha Jeong-woo Offers to Resign as Presidential AI Secretary, Eyes Busan Buk-gu Gap Run Ha Jeong-woo, the presidential senior secretary for AI future planning, answers a question from President Lee Jae-myung during a briefing by public institutions and related agencies held April 17 at the state guesthouse in Cheong Wa Dae. Ha Jeong-woo signals resignation as presidential AI secretary; expected to run in Busan Buk-gu Gap Ha Jeong-woo, a key aide to President Lee Jae-myung and the presidential senior secretary for artificial intelligence (AI) future planning, offered to resign on Sunday, according to political circles. He is expected to step up preparations to run in the June 3 parliamentary by-election ahead of the May 4 deadline for public officials to resign in order to run for office. He is expected to submit his resignation later Sunday and to formally announce his bid on Monday for the by-election in Busan’s Buk-gu Gap district. The seat became vacant after Rep. Jeon Jae-soo launched a run for mayor of Busan. Park Min-sik, a former minister of patriots and veterans affairs, and Han Dong-hoon, a former leader of the People Power Party, have declared their candidacies. The Democratic Party plans to hold a talent recruitment event around Tuesday and make a strategic nomination through that process． Prosecutors Seek 20 Years for Park Sung-jae in Insurrection Case; Verdict Set for June 9 Prosecutors on Sunday sought a 20-year prison term for Park Sung-jae, a former justice minister, who is on trial on charges including participating in an insurrection tied to the Dec. 3 martial law declaration and allegedly acting on a request related to an investigation involving first lady Kim Keon-hee. At a sentencing hearing in Seoul Central District Court, the special counsel team led by Cho Eun-seok asked the court to impose a severe punishment, saying it was needed to warn “legal technicians” who “destroy the law in the name of the law.” Park is accused of convening a Justice Ministry executives’ meeting after martial law was declared on Dec. 3, 2024, and of directing steps including reviewing the dispatch of prosecutors to a joint investigation headquarters, checking prison capacity and ordering staff responsible for travel bans to report to work, as part of what prosecutors describe as sequential participation in former President Yoon’s insurrection crimes. He is also accused of giving improper instructions to a subordinate after receiving a request from Kim in May last year to look into how a dedicated investigative team was formed at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office for a case involving the alleged receipt of a luxury bag. The court is set to deliver its first-instance verdict on June 9. Japan Holds First Expert Meeting on Revising Three Key Security Documents Japan’s government held the first meeting Sunday of an expert panel formed to revise three major national security documents, Kyodo News and other outlets reported. Yonhap reported the panel, titled “Expert Meeting to Think About Security Through Comprehensive National Power,” includes 15 members such as former U.S. ambassador Kenichiro Sasae, former vice defense minister Tetsuro Kuroe, University of Tokyo professor Kazuto Suzuki and Waseda University researcher Noriko Endo. The meeting was held Sunday evening at the prime minister’s office. The panel follows Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s statement in October last year that Japan would revise this year the National Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy and Defense Buildup Program. Takaichi said at the meeting that the relatively stable international order since the Cold War “has become a thing of the past,” and called for Japan to “independently push forward a fundamental strengthening of defense capabilities.” Labor Panel Says Cargo Truckers Union Also Has Bargaining Rights A labor relations commission ruled that the Cargo Truckers Solidarity division, which received bargaining authority from the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers’ Union, is also a bargaining counterpart in cases involving CJ Logistics and Hanjin, according to Yonhap. The Seoul Regional Labor Relations Commission on Sunday accepted a request to correct a notice related to objections filed over the confirmation of the union seeking bargaining rights for CJ Logistics and Hanjin, Yonhap reported. The decision could affect the BGF case, where disputes have continued, including over a union member’s death, observers said. A Labor Ministry official said the situations should be viewed separately, noting that while the bargaining request came through the Cargo Truckers Solidarity in broad terms, “this case came in through the procedures,” while the BGF case involves demands for collective bargaining outside the labor commission process. Man in His 50s Tries to Set Himself on Fire Outside Democratic Party HQ; Police Stop Him A man who tried to set himself on fire outside the Democratic Party’s headquarters in Seoul was stopped by police and taken to a hospital, Yonhap reported Sunday. The man, identified only as A, poured oil on himself and attempted self-immolation at about 4:22 p.m. outside the party’s central office in Yeouido, Yonhap said. Police intervened and confirmed that his body did not catch fire. He told authorities he went to the headquarters to appeal for help resolving a grudge with an acquaintance, and he was not believed to have a specific political motive. He was transported to a hospital under procedures for handling suicide attempts. Nikkei: Samsung Electronics to Exit China Home Appliance, TV Sales This Year Samsung Electronics will withdraw from its home appliance and TV sales business in China within the year, Japan’s Nikkei reported Sunday. Yonhap reported the company may finalize a decision as early as this month to halt the business, then explain the move to business partners and local employees and gradually dispose of inventory, fully ending sales within the year. Samsung plans to maintain its local production system for products such as refrigerators, washing machines and air conditioners, using it as a supply base for nearby countries, the report said. Nikkei quoted Samsung as saying, “Nothing has been decided.” Prosecutors Dismiss Complaint Against President Lee Over Gas Corp. Land Allegations After 3 Years Prosecutors have closed, without indictment, a case in which President Lee Jae-myung was accused of granting improper development benefits related to land owned by the Korea Gas Corp. in Jeongja-dong, Seongnam, after three years, Yonhap reported Sunday. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office’s Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 3 dismissed the case on April 17, Yonhap said, rejecting allegations of abuse of authority and dereliction of duty. The allegations were raised during the 20th presidential election along with claims tied to the Daejang-dong and Baekhyeon-dong development projects. Prosecutors concluded the complaint was speculative and lacked sufficient specific grounds or circumstances to open an investigation, and dismissed the case after three years. Appeal Trial Begins for Yoon Suk Yeol on Insurrection Ringleader Charge; Constitutional Dispute Raised An appeals trial for former President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of being the ringleader of an insurrection related to the Dec. 3 martial law declaration began Sunday. The Seoul High Court’s Criminal Division 12-1 held the first pretrial hearing. Trials also began for seven senior military and police officials indicted with Yoon, including former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and former National Police Agency Commissioner Cho Ji-ho. Defendants are not required to appear at pretrial hearings. Yoon did not attend. Among the defendants, only Yoon Seung-young, former planning and coordination chief at the National Police Agency’s National Investigation Headquarters, and Mok Hyun-tae, former head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s National Assembly security unit, appeared in court. The court said it will hold a second pretrial hearing on May 7 to detail the order and method of evidence examination. Cloudy Nationwide With Rain; Wildfire Caution Tuesday is expected to be mostly cloudy nationwide. Rain is forecast at times through early morning in the Chungcheong region, through the afternoon in the Seoul metropolitan area, and through the evening in Gangwon Province, excluding the southern East Sea coast. Expected rainfall totals are 5 to 10 millimeters in Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province; around 5 millimeters in the five West Sea islands; 5 to 20 millimeters in Gangwon inland and mountainous areas; and less than 5 millimeters in Gangwon’s central and northern East Sea coast and in Daejeon, Sejong, South Chungcheong and North Chungcheong provinces. Authorities urged caution for wildfires and other fires as conditions will be very dry, especially in central regions and North Gyeongsang Province. Morning lows are forecast at 9 to 14 Celsius, with daytime highs of 14 to 24 Celsius.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 21:48:23
  • Ha Jung-woo to resign as presidential AI aide, expected to run in Busan Buk-gu A by-election
    Ha Jung-woo to resign as presidential AI aide, expected to run in Busan Buk-gu A by-election Lee Jae-myung’s key aide Ha Jung-woo, the presidential senior secretary for artificial intelligence and future planning, offered to resign on Sunday, according to political sources. Ha is expected to step up preparations to run in the June 3 parliamentary by-election, with the May 4 deadline for public officials to resign one week away, the sources said. He is expected to submit his resignation later Sunday and formally announce his candidacy Monday in the Busan Buk-gu A by-election. The seat became vacant after Rep. Jeon Jae-soo entered the Busan mayoral race. Former Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Park Min-sik and former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon have already declared their bids. The Democratic Party plans to hold a talent recruitment event around Tuesday and make strategic nominations through that process, the sources said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 21:45:18
  • Japan Holds First Expert Panel Meeting to Revise Three Key Security Documents
    Japan Holds First Expert Panel Meeting to Revise Three Key Security Documents Japan on the 27th held the first meeting of an expert panel formed to revise its three major security documents, Kyodo News and other outlets reported. Yonhap said the 15-member group, titled the “Expert Meeting to Consider Security Through Comprehensive National Power,” met in the evening at the prime minister’s office. Members include Kenichiro Sasae, a former ambassador to the United States; Tetsuro Kuroe, a former vice defense administrative vice minister; Kazuto Suzuki, a professor at the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Public Policy; and Noriko Endo, a professor at Waseda University. The panel follows Takaichi’s statement in October last year that Japan would revise this year the National Security Strategy, the National Defense Strategy and the Defense Buildup Program. At the meeting, Takaichi said the relatively stable international order since the Cold War “has become a thing of the past,” and called for Japan to “proactively pursue a fundamental strengthening of defense capabilities.” Citing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and developments in the Middle East, she also said Japan needs to examine new ways of warfare and prepare for a prolonged conflict.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 21:33:20