South Korea’s Democratic Party to Introduce Special Act for Jeonnam-Gwangju Special City The Democratic Party said it will introduce, as a party-line bill, a special act to establish “Jeonnam-Gwangju Special City,” a key step toward administrative integration between Gwangju and South Jeolla Province. The party said on Tuesday that its special committee on the Gwangju-Jeonnam integration plan postponed the filing of the bill that had been scheduled for that day. The delay was to address shortcomings in the draft. Provincial and city officials and local lawmakers had agreed to hold a meeting Wednesday morning, but canceled it and decided to hand the bill to the party’s legislative support group. The committee said the legislative support group will review the Jeonnam-Gwangju Special City bill, along with other regional integration measures, so it can be processed quickly and introduced as the party’s official position. A day earlier, the committee agreed to name the merged local government “Jeonnam-Gwangju Special City,” and to use “Gwangju Special City” as an abbreviated name. It had said it would file the special act on Tuesday. The location of the main city hall will be left to the authority of the unified mayor, whose term begins July 1.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 21:57:00

Ruling Bloc Slams Court After Kim Keon Hee Gets 1 Year, 8 Months; Parties Agree on Chip Bill Ruling bloc blasts court after Kim Keon Hee gets 1 year, 8 months Yoon Suk Yeol’s wife, Kim Keon Hee, who was indicted on charges including stock-price manipulation involving Deutsche Motors, was sentenced in a first trial to 1 year and 8 months, far below what prosecutors sought. Lawmakers in the ruling bloc responded with broad criticism of the court. On Tuesday, Park Soo-hyun, senior spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said, “Kim, a ‘comprehensive case of power-type corruption,’ was sentenced to 1 year and 8 months.” He said it marked “the first case in constitutional history in which a former president and spouse have both been punished,” but added the sentence was “nowhere near enough” for “shaking democracy with insurrection and ruining state affairs for private gain.” Park said the ruling “left many regrets,” arguing there was clear evidence Kim “manipulated the capital market and gained more than 800 million won in illicit profits,” yet the court did not recognize her as a co-perpetrator. He criticized the court’s reasoning, quoting it as saying it was “difficult to conclude co-perpetration even if she recognized price-manipulation acts.” Parties agree to pass chip bill, filibuster chair-transfer rule at plenary The ruling and opposition parties agreed to pass a special semiconductor bill and a revision to the National Assembly Act at a plenary session on Wednesday. The agreement was reached Tuesday in a meeting in the National Assembly steering committee chair’s office between Democratic Party floor leader Han Byung-do and People Power Party floor leader Song Eon-seok. The proposed Assembly Act revision would allow the National Assembly speaker to transfer presiding authority during prolonged unlimited debate, citing fatigue. The parties decided to keep the current handwritten method for voting to end a filibuster, rejecting a switch to electronic voting. Late ex-Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan to be buried in Sejong after Jan. 31 rites Former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan, who died on Jan. 25 while on a business trip to Vietnam, will have a funeral procession on Jan. 31, followed by a memorial service at the National Assembly, and will be buried in Sejong City. Lee Hae-sik, a Democratic Party lawmaker serving as vice chair of the funeral committee’s executive body, told reporters Tuesday at the funeral hall at Seoul National University Hospital. According to Lee, the procession will be held at 6:30 a.m. on Jan. 31, followed by visits to the office of the National Unification Advisory Council and the Democratic Party headquarters for rites. A memorial service will be held at 9 a.m. at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building, followed by cremation at 11 a.m. at the Seoul Memorial Park in Seocho-dong. The cortege will then visit the deceased’s home in Jeondong-myeon, Sejong, before burial at Sejong’s Eunahsu Park. Presidential office: Real estate tax overhaul not ready within a month or two The presidential office said it is approaching discussions on real estate tax changes cautiously because of their potential market impact, while stressing the need for a long-term review to address underlying housing issues. On Tuesday, Kim Yong-beom, the presidential office’s policy chief, told a news briefing that “taxation is an important part” if the government is to find a fundamental solution to real estate problems. But he said it is “not something to announce within a month or two,” adding it is a topic that requires “long-term, in-depth discussions involving multiple ministries.” His remarks suggested the government is not immediately reviewing tax regulations, while acknowledging taxation as a possible tool for addressing deeper real estate problems. It also left room for the possibility of using tax measures if market conditions change sharply.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 21:42:00

Ruling, opposition parties agree to pass chip bill and filibuster rules change at Assembly session South Korea’s ruling and opposition parties agreed to pass a semiconductor special act and a revision to the National Assembly Act at a plenary session on Jan. 29. Democratic Party floor leader Han Byung-do and People Power Party floor leader Song Eon-seok reached the deal during a meeting on Jan. 28 in the office of the National Assembly steering committee chair. The Assembly Act revision would allow the National Assembly speaker to hand off presiding duties if an unlimited debate, or filibuster, drags on, citing the speaker’s fatigue. The parties also agreed to keep the current manual method for voting to end a filibuster, rejecting a switch to electronic voting. Separately, Democratic Party deputy floor leader for Assembly operations Chun Jun-ho and People Power Party counterpart Yoo Sang-bum agreed later that day to put noncontroversial bills on the plenary agenda. A total of 90 bills, including the semiconductor special act, were placed on the agenda. The move was seen as an effort to speed up legislation supporting national strategic industries and people’s livelihoods. An amendment to the espionage law was excluded because the parties remain divided over a provision that would create a new offense for distorting the law. The February extraordinary session of the National Assembly opens on Feb. 2. Speeches by the leaders of the two parties’ negotiating groups are scheduled for Feb. 3 and 4.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 21:33:27

Late Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan to be cremated Jan. 31, laid to rest in Sejong Late Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan, who died while on a business trip to Vietnam on Jan. 25, will be laid to rest in Sejong City after a funeral procession and memorial service on Jan. 31. Lee Hae-sik, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party who serves as vice chair of the funeral committee’s executive body, told reporters at the funeral hall at Seoul National University Hospital on Tuesday about the planned schedule. According to Lee, the funeral procession will begin at 6:30 a.m. on Jan. 31. The cortege will then visit the office of the National Unification Advisory Council and the Democratic Party headquarters for farewell rites. A memorial service will be held at 9 a.m. at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building, followed by cremation at 11 a.m. at Seoul Memorial Park in Seocho-dong. The cortege will then visit the deceased’s home in Jeondong-myeon, Sejong, before burial at Sejong’s Eunahsu Park. Explaining the choice of burial site, Lee Hae-sik said, “Both his father and mother (graves) are at Eunahsu Park,” adding, “It was his wish to go to Eunahsu Park. He was also advised to consider a national cemetery, but we decided to lay him to rest at Eunahsu Park in line with the family’s wishes.” Born in 1952 in Cheongyang, South Chungcheong province, Lee graduated from Seoul National University and entered politics after winning a seat in the 13th general election in 1988 in Seoul’s Gwanak-eul district. He served seven terms in the National Assembly. Under the Kim Dae-jung administration, he served as education minister, and under the Roh Moo-hyun administration, he served as prime minister. During the Moon Jae-in administration, he led the Democratic Party and oversaw the party’s record victory of 180 seats in the 21st general election. After stepping down as party leader in August 2020, he announced his retirement from politics. While serving as a senior vice chair of the National Unification Advisory Council, he collapsed from a heart attack on Jan. 23 during a trip to Vietnam and was treated at a local hospital. He did not regain consciousness and died at 73. The funeral’s official name was set as the “State Funeral for the Late Lee Hae-chan, 36th Prime Minister.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 21:06:00

South Korea presidential office says real estate tax overhaul not imminent The presidential office said it is taking a cautious approach to discussions on revamping real estate taxes, citing the potential impact on markets, while stressing the need for a long-term review to address housing issues at their root. In a briefing with reporters on Tuesday, Policy Chief Kim Yong Beom said that if the government is to find a fundamental solution to real estate problems, the tax system is “an important part” of that effort. But he said it is not something that can be announced “within a month or two,” given its market effects, adding that it requires “long-term, in-depth” talks involving multiple ministries. Kim’s remarks suggested the government is not immediately moving to tighten tax rules, but sees taxation as a possible tool if market conditions shift sharply. He said the government had signaled during last year’s Oct. 15 measures that it would review real estate taxes based on principles including tax fairness, and that related research projects are underway. Kim said there are “many possible combinations” for what to do and when, indicating that ministries are conducting deeper discussions and simulations. He also addressed President Lee Jae Myung’s comment at a New Year’s news conference that real estate tax regulation would be a “last resort,” saying it did not mean it would be used as a priority, but that the government would prepare thoroughly so it can be used whenever necessary. Citing Lee’s remarks about the dangers of real estate-driven national decline, Kim said the government is keeping all options open for a fundamental solution. On the closely watched issue of the temporary suspension of heavier capital gains taxes for multi-homeowners, Kim reaffirmed the principle that it will end as scheduled. “Under the principles of administration, there will be no extension,” he said, while adding that “technical” adjustments are under review. Kim noted the end date is May 9 and said, in hindsight, that date may have been set too hastily. He said the office is internally considering ending the measure not on May 9 but a month or two later, after contracts are signed and transactions are completed. He stressed this would not be an extension, but a possible shift of the cutoff date by about one or two months. He added that nothing has been decided. 2026-01-28 20:39:00

Ruling party bloc slams court after Kim Keon Hee gets 1 year, 8 months in stock case Former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s wife, Kim Keon Hee, was sentenced in a first trial to 1 year and 8 months in prison on charges including alleged stock manipulation, drawing sharp criticism from politicians aligned with the ruling camp who said the punishment was far lighter than prosecutors had sought. On Tuesday, Park Soo Hyun, senior spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said Kim — whom he called a “comprehensive case of power-related corruption” — received a 1-year, 8-month term, adding it marked the first time in South Korea’s constitutional history that a former president and spouse have both been legally punished. Still, he said the sentence was “far from enough” for wrongdoing he said shook democracy and damaged state affairs for private gain. Park said the ruling left “many regrets,” arguing there was clear evidence Kim manipulated the capital market and gained more than 800 million won in illicit profits, yet the court did not recognize her as a co-perpetrator in the stock manipulation. He criticized the court’s reasoning that even if she knew about price-rigging acts, it was hard to conclude she was a joint offender. He also pointed to the court’s partial acceptance of allegations that Kim received polling results from political broker Myung Tae Kyun and accepted valuables — including an expensive necklace and Chanel bags — while receiving requests from the Unification Church. Park said the decision left a “bizarre precedent,” with one luxury bag deemed not taken in exchange for influence-brokering while another was. Park said he deeply regretted what he called a ruling out of step with the facts, the public and legal common sense, and urged a special prosecutor to appeal. He said the sentence was so light it seemed aimed at protecting the standing of Kim, who he said was known as “V0” and wielded influence over state affairs. Rep. Park Jie Won, a member of the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee, criticized the ruling as one that “rolled out the red carpet” for Kim to walk free soon, adding, “This is too much.” Democratic Party lawmaker Kang Deuk Gu called it a biased ruling that ignored public common sense, and party Supreme Council member Lee Sung Yoon said it felt as if the judges were acting like Kim’s lawyers. Rep. Park Sung Joon asked whether Kim had become a sanctuary immune from punishment and called for judicial reform, saying he was seriously concerned about the court’s grasp of reality. Cho Kuk, leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, wrote on social media that Kim, an “unelected power,” exercised authority alongside Yoon, alleging she engaged in influence peddling, intervened in candidate nominations and used political prosecutors as underlings — but that the court saw it differently. He said Kim may have wanted to shout “manse” in court after hearing the sentence, while the public would have felt empty, drained and angry. Cho said equality before the law was still far off, arguing it was easy to find cases where people received two or three times heavier sentences for conduct that did not reach even half of Kim’s alleged wrongdoing. He said the verdict should be overturned on appeal and said he would renew his resolve, as the head of a party that has advocated prosecutorial and judicial reform. Earlier Tuesday, the Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 27, led by Presiding Judge Woo In Sung, sentenced Kim to 1 year and 8 months in prison and ordered her to forfeit 12,815,000 won. Kim had been tried on charges of violating the Capital Markets Act and the Political Funds Act, and for influence peddling under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes. Of the three main allegations, the court found her guilty only of receiving valuables tied to the Unification Church. It acquitted her of all charges related to the Deutsch Motors stock manipulation and receiving polling results from Myung. The special prosecutor team led by Min Joong Ki said the ruling was unacceptable legally and as a matter of common sense, and said it would appeal.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 19:57:00

Cold Wave to Grip Central South Korea; Snow or Rain Expected on Jeju Cold weather will persist Thursday, with the harshest conditions centered on South Korea’s central regions. Morning lows are forecast at minus 15 to 3 degrees Celsius (5 to 37 degrees Fahrenheit), with daytime highs of minus 3 to 7 C (27 to 45 F). That is colder than seasonal averages of minus 12 to 0 C (10 to 32 F) in the morning and 1 to 8 C (34 to 46 F) in the afternoon. Cold wave warnings remain in effect for Gyeonggi Province, inland and mountainous Gangwon Province, inland Chungcheong, and inland and northeastern mountainous areas of North Gyeongsang Province. In those areas, morning temperatures are expected to hover around minus 10 C (14 F), with daytime temperatures staying below freezing. Winds will be somewhat stronger, making it feel even colder. Snow or rain is expected on Jeju Island from the afternoon into the night. Forecast snowfall is 1 to 5 centimeters (0.4 to 2 inches) in Jeju’s mountains and less than 1 centimeter (0.4 inch) in mid-mountain areas. Along the west coast of North and South Jeolla provinces, some areas may see flurries from early morning through the morning. Where snow is on the ground or newly falling, roads may be slippery, with icy patches and black ice widespread. Drivers are urged to use extra caution. Dry weather advisories are in place for Seoul; parts of inland Gyeonggi; central and southern inland Gangwon; Gangwon’s east coast and mountains; the eastern coast of South Jeolla; and the Gyeongsang region. With strong winds, officials urged heightened vigilance against fires. Fine dust levels are expected to be “good” nationwide due to clean northwesterly airflow and favorable atmospheric dispersion. Seas are forecast at 1.0 to 3.5 meters (3.3 to 11.5 feet) in the East Sea, 0.5 to 2.0 meters (1.6 to 6.6 feet) in the Yellow Sea, and 0.5 to 1.5 meters (1.6 to 4.9 feet) in the South Sea. In offshore waters about 200 kilometers (124 miles) from the coast, waves are expected at 1.0 to 3.5 meters (3.3 to 11.5 feet) in the East and Yellow seas and 1.0 to 2.5 meters (3.3 to 8.2 feet) in the South Sea.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 18:06:24

Ex-DP lawmaker's aide under police investigation for alleged bribery SEOUL, January 6 (AJP) - A former aide to ex-Democratic Party lawmaker Kang Sun-woo is being questioned over bribery allegations, police said on Tuesday. Questioning began around 7 a.m. at a police station in Mapo, western Seoul, with the aide suspected of receiving 100 million won on behalf of Kang in return for the DP's candidate nominations for the 2022 local elections and holding onto the cash. The investigation came after a relevant recording surfaced last week, which led Kim Byung-ki to resign from his post as the DP's floor leader after it appeared he had overlooked the alleged bribery. Kang said she had instructed her aide to return the money and confirmed that it was returned, but the aide claimed to know nothing about it. Meanwhile, Seoul city official Kim Kyung, who is believed to have handed the money to Kang, left for the U.S. shortly after the allegations were revealed. 2026-01-06 13:52:40

Special counsel seeks 10-year jail term for ex-President Yoon over martial law case SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) -A special counsel team on Friday asked a Seoul court to sentence former President Yoon Suk Yeol to 10 years in prison on charges including obstruction of justice and abuse of power related to his short-lived martial-law declaration in December last year. It is the first request for sentencing on the disgraced president whose term was cut short in the wake of his Dec. 3 martial-law stunt. During the final hearing of Yoon’s obstruction-of-justice trial at the Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 35, the prosecution team argued the former president had abused state power to block investigators, infringed on Cabinet members’ constitutional rights and attempted to conceal evidence after the lifting of martial law. The special counsel team, led by Cho Eun-suk, sought five years in prison for allegedly obstructing the execution of an arrest warrant; three years for infringing on Cabinet members’ deliberation and voting rights, spreading false information to foreign journalists and destroying evidence linked to a secure phone; and two years for drafting a martial law proclamation after the decree had already been lifted. “This case involves a serious crime in which state institutions were effectively privatized to conceal and justify unlawful acts,” Assistant Special Counsel Park Eok-su said during closing arguments. He added that Yoon showed no remorse and instead attempted to justify his conduct, even describing efforts to detain him as “childish." Prosecutors argued that South Korea, as a democratic republic, operates on the principle that all power derives from the people, and that Yoon violated constitutional checks on presidential authority. They said his actions damaged the country’s legal order and betrayed voters who elected him, stressing the need for a heavy sentence to prevent the recurrence of abuses of power by future leaders. On the charge of obstructing arrest, the team emphasized that it was unprecedented for a president to allegedly mobilize Presidential Security Service personnel as “private soldiers” to block the execution of a warrant. The requested five-year sentence exceeds the standard sentencing guideline of one to four years for such offenses. The court has said it is likely to deliver a verdict on Jan. 16, two days before Yoon’s detention period expires. His lawyers had requested that sentencing be postponed until the conclusion of his separate insurrection trial. The article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-26 13:16:22

First verdict in impeached ex-president's martial law case set for next month SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - Disgraced former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who faces several charges related to his botched martial law debacle, will receive his first verdict next month. The Seoul Central District Court said on Tuesday it intends to deliver its ruling on January 16 on whether Yoon obstructed the law enforcement by blocking investigators and other officials who attempted to detain him in relation to the debacle. The court cited a law requiring the first ruling to be made within six months of an indictment by independent prosecutors investigating the case. In response to the court's decision, prosecutors who filed the charge against Yoon in mid-July said they would complete their final arguments for the case by next week or by the end of the month at the latest. Yoon's legal representatives immediately raised objections, arguing that the ruling should be postponed until the main trial on charges of insurrection and abuse of power concludes. But the court rejected their request, saying that the decision on the charge could be made independently, regardless of the main trial's verdict. Meanwhile, the insurrection trial is expected to conclude in January, with a verdict likely in February. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-16 16:38:59