Democratic Party lawmaker Cho Jung-sik resigns as presidential aide to seek National Assembly speaker post Cho Jung-sik, a Democratic Party lawmaker running in the race for speaker of the National Assembly in the second half of the 22nd Assembly, said Saturday he will resign as presidential special adviser for political affairs. In a Facebook post, Cho said he was stepping down from the post under President Lee Jae-myung to pursue what he called a “bolder path,” pledging to move toward a “people’s sovereignty National Assembly” and a “livelihood-focused National Assembly.” Cho said that since being appointed in December, he worked to strengthen communication and serve as a bridge linking the party, government and presidential office. “Over the past four months since my appointment, I worked with a heavy sense of responsibility as a ‘bridge of communication’ connecting the party, government and presidential office as one,” Cho wrote. He said he coordinated key state affairs so the ruling party could move “in one breath” for the success of the Lee administration. Cho added that he would devote himself to his public duty with the “proven stability” of a six-term lawmaker. Lee responded in a comment, saying, “You worked very hard. You were always with us, and I sincerely thank you.” Cho, a six-term lawmaker, is expected to register Sunday as a candidate in the Democratic Party’s primary for National Assembly speaker. The party plans to pick its speaker nominee through a two-day vote of dues-paying party members starting May 11 and an in-person vote by lawmakers on May 13.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-03 11:35:41

‘Super Mario Galaxy’ Holds No. 1 at Korea Box Office for Second Straight Day The film 'Super Mario Galaxy' continued its holiday run at the top of the Korean box office, holding the No. 1 spot for a second consecutive day. According to the Korean Film Council's integrated ticketing network, the movie drew 157,843 admissions the previous day to remain No. 1. Total attendance reached 499,472. The film opened April 29 and has been gaining momentum over the May holiday period, attracting family audiences. 'Super Mario Galaxy' follows brothers Mario and Luigi, who rise from Brooklyn plumbers to heroes who save the world. In the new installment, they launch another adventure after rescuing Yoshi, who gets lost while on a mission in the Sand Kingdom. With the previous film, 'Super Mario Bros.,' having set a record for the highest single-day admissions for an animated film on Children's Day, attention is on how the new release will perform through the May holiday stretch. 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' ranked No. 2, selling 153,933 tickets the same day for a cumulative 590,985. The story centers on Miranda, editor-in-chief of the legendary fashion magazine 'Runway,' Andy, who returns as a planning editor after 20 years, and Emily, now a luxury brand executive, as they reunite and compete for influence in fashion amid a changed media landscape. Viewers have been drawn by the reunion of Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway after two decades. The Korean film 'Salmokji' placed third, drawing 128,030 admissions the previous day for a total of 2,512,387. Released April 8, it has sustained a long run, boosted by word of mouth for its fresh premise and immersive horror. It has far surpassed its break-even point of 800,000 admissions. 'Salmokji' is a horror film about a production crew that heads to a reservoir for a reshoot after an unidentified figure appears on a road-view image, only to confront something in the dark, deep water. It was directed by Lee Sang-min and stars Kim Hye-yoon, Lee Jong-won, Kim Jun-han, Kim Young-sung, Oh Dong-min, Yoon Jae-chan and Jang Da-a.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-03 11:34:53

Reform Party’s Cho Eung-cheon calls Seoul-area candidates meeting over special counsel bill Cho Eung-cheon, the Reform Party’s candidate for Gyeonggi governor, on May 3 criticized a Democratic Party-backed bill to appoint a special counsel to probe alleged “fabricated indictments,” calling it “a special counsel bill to cancel indictments” and “a bill to erase crimes” aimed at covering up “all of President Lee Jae-myung’s offenses.” He proposed an emergency joint meeting of Seoul-area candidates for metropolitan government posts. Speaking at a morning news conference at the National Assembly, Cho said candidates who agree the country is in an emergency should meet at 3 p.m. to coordinate a response. The Democratic Party on April 30 introduced a special counsel bill to investigate allegations that prosecutors under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration fabricated indictments in cases including the Ssangbangwool remittances to North Korea case and the Daejang-dong case. Cho singled out Choo Mi-ae, the Democratic Party’s candidate for Gyeonggi governor, as the starting point of the controversy. “At the beginning of all this is candidate Choo, who is excited about her dream of becoming Gyeonggi governor,” he said, adding that as the previous chair of the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee she pushed “all kinds of strange special counsel bills” and led what he called a “monstrous” bill. He also criticized Choo for, in his words, giving up her committee post to Rep. Seo Young-kyo after deciding to run for governor and then offering no explanation “as if she has nothing to do with it.” He urged her to “stop hiding” and state clearly, “as a lawyer,” whether the bill has problems. Cho encouraged participation by People Power Party Seoul mayoral candidate Oh Se-hoon and Gyeonggi gubernatorial candidate Yang Hyang-ja. “I’m waiting for a response from Seoul-area candidates for metropolitan government posts, including candidate Oh Se-hoon, who is a lawyer,” he said, adding that it would carry weight if they gathered across party lines to speak with one voice. Asked whether the meeting had been coordinated in advance and whether it might fall through, Cho said there had been no prior coordination. If the meeting cannot be held due to time constraints, he said, he could ask to have his name included if a joint statement is issued.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-03 11:34:01

Trump Suggests Cuba Could Be Seized Quickly, Cites Carrier as Pressure U.S. President Donald Trump suggested the possibility of military action against Cuba and announced additional sanctions targeting the island nation. According to AFP, Trump said at an event in Florida on May 1 that “our military can occupy Cuba almost immediately.” He added that on the way back from Iran, he would send “one of our big assets,” possibly the USS Abraham Lincoln, which he described as among the world’s largest aircraft carriers. “If we deploy it and stop about 100 yards off the coast, they’ll say, ‘Thank you very much. We surrender,’” he said. Trump also announced new sanctions on May 2. The measures designate as targets individuals involved in key sectors including energy, defense and finance, and allow penalties for foreign financial institutions that do business with them. The administration also said it would bar entry to the United States for Cuban government officials deemed involved in human rights abuses or corruption. Since the ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January, Trump has increased pressure on Cuba, which the report described as maintaining close ties with China and Russia, by raising the prospect of military operations. Cuba is already facing broader anxiety and a sense of crisis as the Trump administration’s energy-supply blockade takes effect, the report said. Cuba strongly rejected Trump’s remarks. President Miguel Diaz-Canel wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on May 2 that Trump’s threat amounted to a “serious criminal act” and urged an international response. “The president of the United States is raising the threat of a military attack against Cuba to a dangerous and unprecedented level,” Diaz-Canel said. “No matter how powerful the aggressor, it will not obtain surrender in Cuba.” Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez criticized the sanctions, calling the U.S. actions “collective punishment” of the Cuban people and a violation of the U.N. Charter. 2026-05-03 11:33:15

South Korea Man, 60s, Found Dead After Paddleboard Disappearance in Ho Chi Minh City A South Korean man in his 60s who went missing while paddleboarding on Da Den Lake in Ho Chi Minh City was found dead about a day later, Vietnamese media reported. The case has renewed attention on a string of water recreation deaths involving stand-up paddleboards, or SUPs, in Vietnam. Vietnamese outlets including Tuoi Tre reported that on May 2, Do Chi Koi, a member of the Kim Long area People’s Committee, confirmed the victim was found near the spot where he disappeared at 12:20 p.m. He said Ho Chi Minh City police and the South Korean consulate were continuing to investigate the circumstances. Reports said the man, identified only as A, drove to the lake on the morning of May 1 with a Vietnamese acquaintance, identified as B. After parking by the shore, they rode SUP boards to the opposite bank to look around and take photos. B said that while returning to the starting point, he moved ahead briefly and then turned back and could not see A. B reported the disappearance to authorities. Local authorities deployed about 100 people, including police, militia members and rescue teams, to search the area. The body was recovered around midday the next day. Da Den Lake spans several hundred hectares across Kim Long commune and the Ngai Giao and Tan Thanh districts. It is a popular spot for camping and leisure, drawing locals and tourists for fishing, swimming and water sports. Vietnamese reports said its large area and deep water have been linked to repeated drowning incidents in the past. Other SUP-related deaths have also been reported. In October 2024, six tourists in their 20s from Lam Dong province paddled about 200 meters off Long Hai waters near Phu Quy Island to take photos when strong winds and high waves hit under the influence of Typhoon Trami, reports said. A boat from their lodging rescued three people, and one returned by swimming. Another woman drifted for more than 12 hours while holding a life buoy before being rescued by a fishing boat. One person did not return. Authorities searched for nine days using dozens of boats and about 60 divers before finding the body wedged among rocks on a coastal breakwater more than 9 kilometers from where the person went missing. The area was off-limits to paddleboards, the reports said. In August last year, two female tourists visiting a beach with family off Hai Tac Island, in Tien Hai commune of An Giang province, were reported to have died after their SUP overturned in suddenly high waves. People nearby tried to rescue them but failed, and the two were later found dead that afternoon. The An Giang tourism department had issued an official notice before the incident barring access to dangerous waters during bad weather, the reports said. 2026-05-03 11:31:02

KB Financial Discusses Digital Asset Cooperation With Pantera Capital KB Financial Group said Saturday it discussed ways to cooperate in blockchain with Pantera Capital, a U.S. blockchain-focused venture capital firm and hedge fund. Founded in 2003, Pantera Capital launched the first U.S. bitcoin fund in 2013 and specializes in blockchain investments. It currently manages about $5.2 billion in assets. The two sides shared the latest trends in the global blockchain industry and looked for areas that align with KB Financial’s digital asset agenda, the company said. They also discussed benchmarking investment approaches and cooperation models that have been proven in global markets, and ways to strengthen collaboration going forward. A KB Financial official said the group will “secure future financial competitiveness based on blockchain and accelerate efforts to identify promising new global businesses” by building close ties with leading global funds. Separately, KB Financial has been moving to strengthen cooperation with Tether and Circle, the top two global stablecoin operators, as it seeks an edge in the digital asset market. It has also signed a business agreement for the second phase of “Project Hangang,” led by the Bank of Korea. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-03 11:30:14

PPP Floor Leader Song Eon-seok Slams Ruling Party’s Special Counsel Bill to Drop Charges Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party, on May 3 criticized a bill introduced by the Democratic Party to create a special counsel empowered to cancel prosecutions, calling it “like a thief appointing the police.” Speaking at a news conference at the National Assembly, Song said it would amount to “police appointed by a thief trying to make the thief’s crime disappear.” He said President Lee Jae-myung had insisted he was the target of a “fabricated indictment” and pushed a parliamentary investigation, and was now “openly” seeking a special counsel to erase alleged wrongdoing. Song called it a privilege “ordinary citizens could not even imagine.” Song said the Democratic Party, throughout the parliamentary investigation, relied on one-sided claims by convicted criminals including Lee Hwa-young and Nam Wook, but failed to prove an alleged fabricated indictment. Instead, he said, testimony emerged that “poured out” to support Lee’s guilt. He cited testimony by Bang Yong-cheol, a former vice chairman of Ssangbangwool, who said he met Ri Ho-nam in the Philippines in July 2019 and sent $700,000 as the price for then-Gyeonggi Gov. Lee Jae-myung’s visit to North Korea. Song also cited testimony by former Ssangbangwool Chairman Kim Seong-tae, who said there was no “salmon sashimi drinking party,” calling it a point-by-point rebuttal of what he described as false claims by Democratic Party lawmakers. Song said the parliamentary investigation brought the truth “one step closer” and exposed what he called the Democratic Party’s false agitation over a fabricated indictment. He questioned why the matter should move from the investigation to a special counsel, arguing it would pressure investigators into a “false probe” and an “unreasonable” cancellation of prosecutions. He also said it violates modern rule-of-law principles for a president to appoint a special counsel and for that special counsel to seek to eliminate the appointing authority’s trial. Song said the upcoming local elections are likely to become a vote on whether canceling the president’s prosecution is justified. He added that the election would ask whether the president’s trial can be erased entirely, whether a president should enjoy such privilege, and whether the country will be one of privilege and unfairness or one of rule of law and justice.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-03 11:24:19

Second Korean tanker reroutes via Red Sea as Seoul presses Iran on Hormuz safety SEOUL, May 03 (AJP) - A second South Korean tanker carrying crude oil has safely passed through the Red Sea and is en route to South Korea, authorities said Sunday, underscoring Seoul’s growing reliance on alternative shipping routes as the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues to disrupt global energy logistics. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said Sunday the vessel had safely transited the Red Sea as of 10 a.m. after loading crude at Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port. It marks the second confirmed Korean tanker to use the Red Sea corridor since the Hormuz blockade intensified following the outbreak of war between the United States and Iran on Feb. 28. The ministry said it provided around-the-clock monitoring and operational support during the passage, including real-time communication channels with the shipping company and vessel, as well as navigation safety updates. “We supported the safety of the vessel and crew through 24-hour monitoring, provision of maritime safety information and real-time communication systems between the ministry, the shipping company and the vessel,” the ministry said in a statement. “We will continue to make every effort to stabilize domestic crude oil supplies.” The latest voyage highlights how South Korea, heavily dependent on Middle Eastern crude imports, is cautiously testing alternative routes while many vessels remain stranded or delayed around the Persian Gulf amid lingering security concerns. Seoul’s diplomatic efforts also intensified over the weekend. The Foreign Ministry said Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held a phone call Saturday with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi to discuss the regional situation and maritime security. It was the third ministerial-level communication between Seoul and Tehran since the U.S.-Iran conflict erupted earlier this year. According to the ministry, the call was requested by the Iranian side. During the talks, Araghchi explained Tehran’s position regarding ongoing negotiations with Washington, while Cho stressed the urgent need for regional stability given its impact on global security and the economy. Cho also raised concerns over multinational vessels, including Korean ships, that remain anchored near the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing the necessity of restoring safe maritime transit for all commercial shipping. The two sides agreed to maintain close communication. The diplomatic exchanges came as uncertainty deepened over cease-fire negotiations between Washington and Tehran. U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday he was reviewing Iran’s latest proposal but doubted it would be acceptable, signaling that prospects for a durable cease-fire remain fragile. “I can’t imagine that it would be acceptable,” Trump said on Truth Social, a day after saying he was “not satisfied” with Tehran’s latest offer. Trump later clarified that he had only been briefed on the “concept of the deal” and was awaiting the precise details. Iran’s latest proposal reportedly softens its previous demand that Washington lift the Hormuz blockade before direct negotiations resume. According to senior Iranian officials cited by U.S. media, Tehran is now willing to reopen the strategic waterway before formal talks proceed. The Strait of Hormuz previously handled roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments, making its disruption one of the most consequential supply shocks since the outbreak of the war. Trump has repeatedly insisted Iran must permanently halt uranium enrichment and abandon any path toward nuclear weapons capability, while Tehran continues to defend what it calls its sovereign right to nuclear enrichment. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Friday that “the ball is now in the United States’ court,” warning that Tehran remained prepared for renewed military conflict if diplomacy failed. 2026-05-03 11:07:05

The Significance of 20-Year Sentence Recommendation for Former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae The law is a sword. However, depending on whose hand wields it, it can represent justice or violence. The prosecutor is the one who holds that sword. Therefore, the essence of a prosecutor's role is not to serve power but to control it. When the tip of that sword points at the people, the state becomes ill; when it points at power, the rule of law is revived. The recent argument presented by Prosecutor Jeong Jae-in and the recommendation of a 20-year prison sentence for former Minister Park Sung-jae is not merely a matter of sentencing. It raises questions about the very existence of the Korean prosecution and serves as a litmus test for the direction of the rule of law. This is not an attempt to predict the outcome of the trial. Rather, through the special prosecutor's recommendation and the circumstances revealed in court, as well as the trajectory of the Korean prosecution, we seek to re-examine the essence of a prosecutor's role. The special prosecutor charged former Minister Park with failing to fulfill his constitutional oversight role during a state of emergency and for preparing related measures through the Ministry of Justice, recommending a 20-year prison sentence. At a moment when the extreme exercise of state power, such as martial law, was being discussed, what is required of legal professionals is not mere technicality but conscience. Those who know the law best must uphold its boundaries. However, if legal knowledge is used as a tool to refine the execution of power, then at that moment, the law retains only its form while its spirit disappears. The essence of martial law is not a military measure. It is the last safeguard of constitutional order. Therefore, all processes dealing with it must be subject to strict constitutional control. If the special prosecutor's claims are true, such as the review of dispatching prosecutors to a joint investigation headquarters, preparations for travel bans, and assessments of correctional facility capacity, these actions could be interpreted not as mere administrative responses but as preemptive arrangements for the exercise of power. The issue is the possibility that the law functions not as a mechanism to check power but as a tool to execute it. During the era of military dictatorship, soldiers took the forefront while legal professionals played a supporting role. However, today’s power structure may differ. Legal professionals are no longer mere supporting actors; they sometimes occupy positions that design the structure of power. The moment they rationalize illegality with the language of law, violence is disguised as order, and oppression is masked as administration. This is when the so-called 'legal technicians' emerge—those who rely on technique rather than the spirit of the law, who design outcomes rather than justice. Prosecutor Jeong Jae-in's argument resonated because it targeted this very point. His argument calls for self-reflection not just from individuals but from the entire community of legal professionals. He defined abuse of power as the exercise of public authority for private gain and elevated the issue of complicity in insurrection from passive to active responsibility. In particular, his warning against “the act of destroying the law in the name of the law” is not mere rhetoric but a wake-up call for the Korean legal community. Here, we cannot help but recall the archetype of the legal profession. The term 'legal triumvirate' refers not merely to the professions of prosecutor, judge, and lawyer but to three great figures who guided Korean law after liberation: Kim Byeong-ro, Choi Jae-kyu, and Kim Hong-seob. Kim Byeong-ro was a figure who embodied the independence of judicial power, Choi Jae-kyu upheld the principle that the prosecution should not become a servant of power, and Kim Hong-seob is remembered for his rulings that protected human dignity in the courtroom. Their commonality is clear. They did not view the law as a technique. Their belief that the law is for humanity and not for power was at the core of their principles. For them, the law was not a means to success but a form of conscience. However, today’s reality is far from this. The prosecution has gained immense power, but the temptations surrounding that power have also increased. The intertwining with political power, connections with capital through former officials, and viewing cases as tools for career management have all undermined the essence of the prosecutor's role. Actual cases illustrate this. The case of former chief prosecutor Kim Kwang-jun, who was charged with receiving money and valuables from individuals related to an investigation, revealed ethical issues within the prosecution. The so-called 'sponsor prosecutor' case involving former chief prosecutor Kim Hyung-jun also caused controversy, exposing the network of connections and solicitations within the prosecutorial community. The case of former prosecutor Jin Kyung-jun demonstrated how the combination of capital and power can cloud the judgment of legal elites, resulting in a deep wound to societal trust, even though some charges were acquitted while others led to confirmed prison sentences for different crimes. The essence of these cases is not individual deviation but a structural problem. When the profession of prosecutor stands at the intersection of power and capital, failing to maintain its center causes the law to waver. When the law wavers, the people lose faith in justice, and a society that does not believe in justice is ultimately ruled by the logic of power. Thus, we recall lawyer Han Seung-heon. He lived a full life as a prosecutor, lawyer, law school professor, and defendant. He stood with humanity rather than power and sought to uphold the spirit of the law rather than its technique. His life speaks volumes: legal professionals are not tools of power but the last line of defense for human dignity. For whom do prosecutors exist? For power or for the people? For money or for conscience? Prosecutors, return to the basics. Return to the spirit left by the legal triumvirate. We must return to the courage of Kim Byeong-ro, who did not bow before power; the restraint of Choi Jae-kyu, who upheld the conscience of the prosecution; the warmth of Kim Hong-seob, who protected human dignity; and the human rights spirit of Han Seung-heon. The law is not a technique. The law is conscience. Prosecutors are not the sword bearers of power but the public servants of the people. A prosecutor who loses this fundamental principle, no matter how high they rise, is not a legal professional. A prosecutor who upholds this principle, even in an unnamed position, is already at the center of the law. 2026-05-03 11:03:20

Trump Signals Deeper Cuts to U.S. Troops Stationed in Germany Beyond 5,000 The U.S. military has announced plans to cut about 5,000 troops stationed in Germany, and President Donald Trump suggested the reduction could be even larger. CNN reported that Trump told reporters in Florida on Friday, before boarding Air Force One, that the United States would “reduce troops significantly” and cut “much more” than 5,000. His comments came less than a day after the Pentagon said it would withdraw about 5,000 troops from Germany over the next six to 12 months. Trump had also signaled possible cuts earlier this week, after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the United States was being “humiliated” in talks over a ceasefire with Iran. Tensions between European leaders and the Trump administration have also intensified after the United States entered a war with Iran without giving most NATO allies advance notice, according to the report. Germany’s government has appeared to take the decision in stride. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called the U.S. troop reduction “expected” and said it underscored the need for Europe to take greater responsibility for its own security. More than about 36,000 U.S. troops are currently stationed in Germany. Ramstein Air Base is a key hub that hosts the headquarters of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and units that carry out airlift, airdrop and aeromedical evacuation missions. Germany also hosts NATO-related facilities.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-03 10:51:15