AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

&
""
Latest by
  • Clean Country Develops North America-Specific Sanitary Pads with Merilus
    Clean Country Develops North America-Specific Sanitary Pads with Merilus Clean Country announced that it has developed sanitary pads specifically for the North American market in collaboration with the U.S. company Merilus.Merilus is a wellness company widely known for health supplements. The two companies have closely collaborated beyond a simple export contract, working together on product development, quality verification, and supply chain establishment to create organic feminine products tailored to U.S. consumer demands.The developed products include four types: panty liners, medium, large, and overnight sanitary pads. To enter the U.S. market, they have completed the registration process with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and secured the necessary Certificates of Analysis (COA) for local customs and distribution.The initial shipment successfully arrived in the U.S. in June and is set to reach customers through major U.S. distributors starting this month.Clean Country and Merilus plan to explore ways to expand their collaboration into the global market as a result of this partnership.A representative from Clean Country stated, "It is meaningful to showcase Clean Country's manufacturing and development capabilities in the North American market," adding, "We will continue to strengthen our presence in the global market."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-14 11:36:00
  • Kim Se-woo Files for Jury Trial in Defamation Case Involving Kim Soo-hyun
    Kim Se-woo Files for Jury Trial in Defamation Case Involving Kim Soo-hyun Kim Se-woo, the head of the Garoseyo Research Institute, has applied for a jury trial in a defamation case related to the late actress Kim Sae-ron's death. He is accused of spreading false information that actor Kim Soo-hyun pressured Kim Sae-ron regarding debt repayment, which allegedly contributed to her death.On August 14, Judge Kim Yu-rang of the Seoul Central District Court was scheduled to hold the first hearing in the case involving charges of defamation and violations of the Sexual Violence Punishment Act. However, the hearing has been postponed to a later date after Kim's legal team submitted a request for a jury trial the previous day, prompting the court to issue an order to change the hearing date.A jury trial allows citizens to participate as jurors in criminal cases, determining guilt or innocence and providing input on sentencing.Kim Se-woo is accused of disseminating false claims through platforms like YouTube, alleging that Kim Soo-hyun had a romantic relationship with the underage Kim Sae-ron and that the pressure from Kim Soo-hyun's side regarding debt repayment was a direct cause of her death.He also faces allegations of threatening Kim Soo-hyun by unlawfully disclosing private photos and suggesting he would reveal personal information unless a public apology was issued.Prosecutors argue that Kim Se-woo recklessly spread false information without verifying facts, causing significant harm to Kim Soo-hyun, leading to his arrest and indictment in June.On the previous day, Kim Se-woo denied defamation charges in a separate trial concerning popular YouTuber Tzuyang (real name Park Jeong-won).He claimed, "The prosecutor broadly stated that I spoke falsehoods, but I was forced to be included in statements regarding the Tzuyang case that I did not make." His attorney also argued that there was no intent to defame, asserting that the elements of defamation were not met.Kim Se-woo is accused of continuously producing and disseminating content related to Tzuyang's private life, as well as repeatedly threatening her by demanding a clarification broadcast and hinting at further revelations.The next hearing in the Tzuyang case is scheduled for October 15.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-14 11:24:00
  • Kazakhstan Designated as 18th Country for Employment Permit System
    Kazakhstan Designated as 18th Country for Employment Permit System Kazakhstan has been newly designated as a country for the Employment Permit System (EPS) for foreign workers. Additionally, regulations will be relaxed to allow construction companies to transfer foreign workers between different job sites under the same employer.On August 14, the government held the 49th Foreign Workforce Policy Committee meeting, where it finalized the 'Kazakhstan Employment Permit System Designation' and 'Improvement Plan for Employment Permits in the Construction Industry.' The EPS is a system that allows the introduction of foreign workers holding non-professional employment (E-9) visas based on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between governments, without private sector involvement.Currently, there are 17 countries designated as EPS sending countries, including the Philippines, Mongolia, Vietnam, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Nepal, and Myanmar. With the addition of Kazakhstan, the total number of sending countries has increased to 18. Among the EPS sending countries, Kazakhstan joins Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan as the fourth Central Asian nation.The government designated Kazakhstan as a new sending country after conducting written surveys and on-site inspections to diversify sending countries and effectively respond to domestic labor demands. Kazakhstan has a government agency responsible for foreign worker dispatch, which is expected to ensure the public nature and transparency of the dispatch process.Furthermore, it was found that there are no significant issues in establishing key infrastructure such as pre-employment training facilities, EPS centers, and health examination facilities. The government also confirmed Kazakhstan's willingness to cooperate in improving systems to prevent illegal stay.Foreign workers from Kazakhstan are expected to begin arriving in South Korea in 2028. Before the introduction of these workers, the government plans to sign an MOU for the EPS and establish local EPS centers.The operation of the EPS for foreign workers in the construction industry will also change. Currently, foreign worker employment permits in construction are granted on a project basis, allowing worker transfers only in limited cases, such as project completion or suspension.Going forward, if the new job site meets the employment permit requirements, the government will allow the transfer of foreign workers between construction sites operated by the same employer. This easing of transfer regulations will apply to applications submitted during the fourth EPS application period from September 14 to 29 this year.However, employment restrictions due to violations of labor laws will extend not only to the site where the violation occurred but also to other sites operated by the same employer. The employer-level employment restrictions are expected to be implemented in March next year after a six-month preparation period.Im Gi-geun, head of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, stated, 'The designation of Kazakhstan as a new sending country and the improvement of the EPS operation in the construction industry are expected to significantly contribute to responding quickly and efficiently to the deepening labor shortages in industrial sites.' He also urged that follow-up measures, such as the establishment of local EPS centers in Kazakhstan and the easing of worker transfers between construction sites, be effectively communicated to the field.He added, 'It is also very important to ensure that foreign workers can settle stably in industrial sites through comprehensive support for their stay and thorough industrial accident prevention activities.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-14 11:04:10
  • Anyang Youth Foundation Launches Tailored Summer Programs
    Anyang Youth Foundation Launches Tailored Summer Programs In Anyang, South Korea, the Anyang Youth Foundation is offering tailored programs this summer to assist youth in exploring career paths, enhancing creative skills, and fostering emotional growth, receiving positive feedback from local youth and residents.According to the foundation on August 14, the programs are designed to provide experiences across career, creativity, and emotional domains, aligned with the interests and developmental stages of the youth.The Seoksu Youth Cultural Center's after-school academy conducted a 'Visiting Employee Mentoring' session on August 12 in collaboration with the Samsung Welfare Foundation's Dream Class initiative. On that day, six employees from Samsung affiliates visited the center to share insights on the college admission process, their career choices, and the attitudes necessary to achieve one's dreams.Participating youth had the opportunity to ask questions about careers they were interested in, allowing them to reflect on their aptitudes and future paths.Since 2024, the Seoksu Youth Cultural Center has been designated as an operating institution for the Samsung Welfare Foundation's 'Samsung Dream Class' program, supporting youth in their learning and career exploration.At the Parkdal Youth Cultural Center, a program titled 'Goods Universe_Fashion Edition' was held for 15 elementary school students in grades 4 to 6. Participants learned about the role of fashion accessory designers, acquired basic skills in color and design, and created various fashion items, including T-shirts, socks, bags, caps, keychains, pins, and accessories.The final activity on August 13 featured a style presentation and exhibition where participants showcased and introduced their created fashion items. This experience went beyond mere participation, as the youth completed their ideas into tangible products and shared their results with one another.The Anyang Youth Counseling and Welfare Center implemented a 'Post-Support Program' for youth who have completed or are about to complete counseling. This program aims to continuously monitor the changes and adaptations of youth after counseling and connect them with necessary support. Case managers focus on maintaining a trusting relationship by meeting with youth again to check on their daily lives and offer assistance when challenges arise.Local residents have responded positively, noting that the programs allow youth to engage in their areas of interest during the vacation period rather than simply passing time. The variety of programs tailored to youth needs, from career mentoring with professionals to creative experiences and emotional support extending beyond counseling, has received commendations.A foundation official stated, “We have prepared various programs to help youth utilize their vacation not just as a break but as a time to discover their potential and grow.” They added, “We will continue to operate career, creativity, and emotional programs tailored to youth needs to support their healthy development.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-14 11:04:10
  • LG to roll out Nvidia-powered humanoid Q1 2027
    LG to roll out Nvidia-powered humanoid Q1 2027 SEOUL, August 14 (AJP) -South Korea's LG Group plans to unveil a bipedal humanoid robot powered by Nvidia's artificial intelligence technology in the first quarter of next year, pushing partnership beyond technology and component supply into joint development and commercialization across robotics, AI factories and autonomous driving. The electronics giant said Friday it signed a memorandum of understanding with Nvidia at the U.S. chipmaker's headquarters in Santa Clara, California, on Thursday, following talks between LG Chairman Koo Kwang-mo and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang in Seoul in June. The agreement puts concrete timelines behind that partnership, with the companies targeting a humanoid debut in early 2027, an Nvidia Vera Rubin-based AI factory reference site later that year and an 80-megawatt facility in Cheonan in 2028. The first major project will be a next-generation bipedal humanoid built on Nvidia's Isaac GR00T open foundation model. The robot will use Nvidia's Jetson Thor computing platform and Halos for Robotics safety system. LG will contribute hardware from across its affiliates, including actuators from LG Electronics, sensors from LG Innotek and batteries from LG Energy Solution. The group aims to unveil the robot in the first quarter of 2027. Before then, LG Electronics plans to deploy its wheeled CLOiD robot on a washing machine production line at its Tennessee factory by the end of this year for proof-of-concept testing, taking its robotics push from household demonstrations into an actual manufacturing environment. LG and Nvidia will also work on a physical AI data factory using LG CNS' PhysicalWorks robotics platform, creating a system for collecting, generating, training and validating robot data. Data gathered from factory deployments will feed back into a robot foundation model that LG is developing in-house. The partnership extends into the infrastructure needed to train and operate those AI systems. LG plans to build a reference AI factory in the first half of 2027 using Nvidia's next-generation Vera Rubin platform and DSX architecture to test its cooling, power and IT technologies. The project will expand into an 80-megawatt AI factory in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, in the first half of 2028. LG said the facility will use prefabricated modular construction, with servers, cooling equipment and power systems assembled in modules before installation on site, cutting construction time by more than 20 percent. LG plans to combine cooling technology from LG Electronics, batteries from LG Energy Solution, the data-center design and operating capabilities of LG CNS and LG Uplus, and power solutions from LS. It ultimately aims to package those technologies into integrated AI infrastructure that can be offered to global technology companies. The Cheonan facility will also serve as an operating base for physical AI and the development of robot foundation models, linking LG's infrastructure investment directly with its robotics ambitions. In mobility, the companies will develop a high-performance computing platform for AI-defined vehicles based on Nvidia's Drive Hyperion architecture and LG's in-vehicle infotainment and automotive software technologies. The project would push LG's automotive electronics business beyond its traditional strength in infotainment and further into autonomous driving and in-vehicle AI, opening another potential route to global automakers. The companies will establish a joint task force covering research and development, field testing and commercialization. "As our collaboration gains speed, the areas where we can work together in AI factories, physical AI and mobility have become clear," Koo said. "We will accelerate the adoption of AI by building industry-leading reference cases." Huang said physical AI could give machines the ability to understand and reason about the real world and operate safely alongside people. "LG and Nvidia are combining LG's leadership in product engineering and manufacturing with Nvidia's technology to usher in a new era of robotics, AI factories and autonomous vehicles," Huang said. Shares of LG Electronics rose 2.2 percent to 210,000 won ($419) as of 11:10 a.m. Friday. AJP Takeaways: LG targets the first quarter of 2027 to unveil a bipedal humanoid using Nvidia's Isaac GR00T, Jetson Thor and robotics safety technologies. The alliance stretches from robots into infrastructure, with a Vera Rubin reference site planned for 2027 and an 80 MW Cheonan AI factory in 2028. LG is using the Nvidia partnership to connect businesses spanning electronics, batteries, IT services and automotive components into a broader physical-AI platform. 2026-08-14 11:04:02
  • Household Loans Increased by 6.2 Trillion Won in July, Growth Slows Amid Stock Market Adjustments
    Household Loans Increased by 6.2 Trillion Won in July, Growth Slows Amid Stock Market Adjustments In July, the growth of household loans in the financial sector slowed down. The increase in mortgage loans diminished, and the demand for personal stock investments decreased due to stock market adjustments, leading to a reduction in other loan growth.According to the Bank of Korea's financial market trends report released on August 14, the balance of household loans at deposit banks stood at 1,194.8 trillion won at the end of July, an increase of 5.4 trillion won from the previous month. This figure is 2.2 trillion won lower than the 7.6 trillion won increase recorded in June, which was the largest rise since August 2024 (9.2 trillion won).By loan type, the balance of mortgage loans rose by 3.4 trillion won to 948.4 trillion won over the month, a decrease of 900 billion won from the 4.3 trillion won increase in June. Other loans increased by 2 trillion won to 245.4 trillion won, a reduction from the previous month's increase of 3.3 trillion won.Lee Seung-yeop, head of the Bank of Korea's market management team, explained, "The increase in mortgage loans was influenced by the rise in housing transactions in the metropolitan area during April and May. However, the ongoing decline in jeonse transactions and the slowdown in demand for interim payments on pre-sold units have contributed to the reduced growth rate."Regarding other loans, he noted, "The slowdown in personal stock investments has led to a decrease in growth, but the increase remains high compared to previous years."Looking ahead, the trend of household loans is expected to be influenced by the government's tax reform plans and comprehensive financial measures aimed at stabilizing the real estate market.Lee added, "The demand for loans after August may be affected by various factors, but it is difficult to predict the flow of household loans as it depends on loan demand, the lending attitudes of financial institutions, and the state of the housing market."At the end of July, the balance of corporate loans at deposit banks reached 1,421.1 trillion won, an increase of 7.7 trillion won from the previous month. Large corporations saw an increase of 3.8 trillion won, reflecting ongoing demand for working capital to repay corporate bonds, along with the reissuance of loans that had been temporarily repaid at the end of the quarter. Small and medium-sized enterprises also experienced a rise of 3.9 trillion won due to VAT payment demands and the expansion of lending operations by some banks.Corporate bonds continued to see net repayments, decreasing by 1.9 trillion won from the previous month due to rising interest rates and seasonal off-peak effects.Commercial paper (CP) and short-term bonds increased by 4 trillion won, transitioning to net issuance due to the reissuance of temporarily repaid amounts at the end of the quarter. Stock issuance rose by 1.5 trillion won, driven by large-scale capital increases by some major corporations.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-14 11:04:00
  • AI Demand Drives Triple-Digit Growth in Semiconductor and Computer Exports
    AI Demand Drives Triple-Digit Growth in Semiconductor and Computer Exports Exports of semiconductors and computers surged in July, driven by increased demand for artificial intelligence (AI), resulting in a triple-digit growth rate and leading the information and communication technology (ICT) export performance.According to the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, July's ICT exports totaled $53.36 billion, marking a 140.6% increase compared to the same month last year. This figure maintained over $50 billion for the second consecutive month, setting a record for July exports.Imports also rose to $18.3 billion, a 37.3% increase from the previous year. The trade balance recorded a surplus of $35.06 billion.Leading the July exports were semiconductors and computers and related devices. Semiconductor exports reached $41.02 billion, up 178.8% year-on-year. This growth was fueled by rising fixed prices for memory chips due to increased investment in AI servers, with exports exceeding 100% growth for seven consecutive months.Exports of computers and related devices also saw a significant increase of 353.9% year-on-year, totaling $4.94 billion, driven by rising demand for SSDs for AI servers.Display exports increased by 0.5% year-on-year to $1.77 billion, attributed to the rise in OLED exports for smartphones and TVs set to launch in the second half of the year.Mobile phone exports reached $1.55 billion, a 62.6% increase from the previous year, reflecting higher demand for new smartphone models and the sale of high-spec products.Telecommunication equipment exports rose to $240 million, an 18.7% increase year-on-year, driven by exports of wireless communication devices and components to Vietnam and equipment for electric vehicles to India.Exports were broadly increased across regions, with China seeing a 194.7% rise to $22.01 billion. The United States experienced a 187% increase to $7.78 billion, while Vietnam's exports grew by 115.7% to $7.82 billion.The European Union recorded a 202% increase to $3.61 billion, Taiwan saw a 26.3% growth to $4.68 billion, India increased by 128.2% to $1.09 billion, and Japan's exports rose by 39.3% to $470 million.Meanwhile, total exports for the first half of the year reached $253.86 billion, a 120.5% increase compared to the same period last year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-14 11:04:00
  • North Korean leader could reengage with Trump after US midterm elections 
    North Korean leader 'could reengage with Trump after US midterm elections'  SEOUL, August 14 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un could seek talks with Washington if U.S. President Donald Trump's Republican Party loses the U.S. midterm elections this fall, according to a U.S. Korea expert. In a post in a question-and-answer format on the website of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on Thursday, Victor Cha, the think tank's Korea Chair, raised the possibility of renewed talks between Pyoung and Washington. "The conventional policy wisdom is that Trump's enthusiasm for reengagement is not shared by the North Korean leader. But a unique set of drivers could spur a renewal of diplomacy," he said, suggesting a possible summit between Trump and Kim after the U.S. midterm elections in November, although Pyongyang has traditionally shown little interest in engaging with Washington while strengthening ties with Russia and China. "If is revisionist in his outlook, he would look to capitalize on any available opportunity to advance the core goal of cementing his status as a nuclear weapons state," he said. Many pundits argue that, given everything Kim is getting from Russia and China, the risks of another meeting with Trump "appear unattractive." But Cha dismissed their assessment, saying they may be overlooking the possibility that Kim's foreign policy is driven by a desire to reshape the current geopolitical order rather than maintain the status quo. He cited North Korea's growing cooperation with Russia following the coronavirus pandemic as an example, saying Pyongyang was widely expected to focus on restoring trade with China after years of pandemic-related border restrictions but instead moved to deepen its military ties with Moscow. "Kim may see opportunities in reengaging with Trump. Aside from the U.S. president's expressed desires to meet, North Korea surmises that Trump's commitment to denuclearization as the premise of any negotiation is malleable at best as the president alternates between supporting such a goal and admitting that North Korea is a 'nuclear power.'" Cha also said the prolonged conflict in the Middle East could have given Kim a lesson, as he may have learned that "maintaining contact may be the best way to manage Trump's unpredictability and penchant to use military force." "If revisionist, Kim may target a meeting with Trump, potentially after a U.S. midterm election loss for the party in power, to reaffirm the basic tenets of the Singapore Declaration from their first meeting in 2018," he argued. However, Cha said the two leaders would likely avoid major negotiations including talks on denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, predicting that any summit between them would produce only "modest" outcomes. "They would likely avoid detailed denuclearization negotiations, leaving it to their teams to hash out over the next six months. Instead, Kim might push the conversation toward peace treaties, stopping U.S. military exercises, and ending the hostile state of relations between the United States and North Korea, appealing to Trump's resume-building for the Nobel Peace Prize," he said. He added that even a summit without tangible progress could be "significant" for North Korea, as it could serve its "perennial goal of achieving de facto U.S. acceptance of the country as a nuclear weapons state." But Cha ruled out the possibility of Pyongyang resuming dialogue with Seoul, despite South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's efforts to improve ties with North Korea through his rapprochement policy toward the North. "In 2024, North Korea swore off any further dialogue with the South. Rather than engage in peaceful coexistence as the Lee government has proposed, a revisionist diplomatic strategy that engages Washington and Tokyo while bypassing Seoul would be most attractive," he said. But he believed that China could support such talks, as Beijing seeks to improve its relationship with the United States and also wants to curb Russia's growing influence over Pyongyang. "Under normal circumstances, China would not support U.S.-North Korea diplomacy. But for Beijing, today's circumstances are far from normal. The main driver for China in this scenario is whether Beijing wants to hedge against both Trump's unpredictability and Putin's ties to Kim," he speculated. AJP Takeaways: - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un could seek renewed talks with U.S. President Donald Trump after the U.S. midterm elections in November 2026 if Trump’s Republican Party loses, according to Victor Cha, Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. - Victor Cha said Kim could pursue a Trump summit as part of a "revisionist" strategy aimed at cementing North Korea's status as a nuclear weapons state, despite Pyongyang's growing ties with Russia and China. - A renewed Trump-Kim summit would likely avoid major negotiations on denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula and instead focus on issues such as a peace treaty, ending hostile relations and suspending U.S.-South Korea military exercises, Cha said. - Cha said even a summit without tangible progress could benefit North Korea by supporting its long-standing goal of securing de facto U.S. acceptance as a nuclear weapons state. - Cha said North Korea would likely bypass South Korea and seek closer engagement with the United States and Japan, while China could support renewed U.S.-North Korea talks to balance Trump's unpredictability and Russia's growing influence over Pyongyang. 2026-08-14 11:02:29
  • Lenovo Transforms into Leading AI Server Provider
    Lenovo Transforms into Leading AI Server Provider Lenovo, the world's leading laptop manufacturer, is rapidly transforming into an AI infrastructure company.On August 13, Lenovo announced its second-quarter revenue of 183.4 billion yuan, a 43% increase from the same period last year. Net profit surged 176% to 7.3 billion yuan, with a net profit margin nearly doubling to 4% compared to the previous year.Lenovo's business is divided into three main segments: Intelligent Devices Group (IDG), Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG), and Solutions & Services Group (SSG). The most notable growth has been in the infrastructure segment, which reported second-quarter revenue of 57.9 billion yuan, up 98% year-over-year. Operating profit also rose 98% to 5.3 billion yuan. The backlog of AI server orders exploded, increasing from 140 billion yuan at the end of the previous quarter to 360 billion yuan by the end of the second quarter, nearly a 2.6-fold increase.Lenovo provides a comprehensive range of infrastructure needed for data centers, including AI servers, storage, networking, high-performance computing, edge computing, and liquid cooling. As the demand for data center establishment surges, Lenovo's AI server orders are experiencing significant growth. AI servers are expected to become a core business for Lenovo in the future.The Intelligent Devices Group reported second-quarter revenue of 116.4 billion yuan, a 27% increase. Lenovo's global market share in PCs reached 24.2%, widening the gap with the second-place competitor for the tenth consecutive quarter. Notably, Lenovo has received considerable praise for its launch of AI PCs and plans to develop and release more AI PCs and edge AI solutions.The Solutions & Services Group saw revenue rise 28% to 19.6 billion yuan, with AI service revenue skyrocketing 141% compared to the previous year.Yang Yuanqing, Lenovo's Chairman, stated, "The demand for AI is just beginning, and there is significant room for growth. In particular, future AI computing will not be concentrated solely in large-scale clouds but will be distributed across local, edge, and personal devices."Lenovo's structural business changes have also been reflected in its stock price. On August 13, Lenovo's shares surged 20.18% on the Hong Kong stock exchange, closing at 34.9 Hong Kong dollars.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-14 11:00:00
  • Han Byeong-do: Support for Lee Administrations Real Estate Policies and Quick Legislation
    Han Byeong-do: Support for Lee Administration's Real Estate Policies and Quick Legislation Han Byeong-do, acting leader of the Democratic Party, stated on August 14 that the government’s real estate supply measures will be supported through the swift legislation of related bills, including those for shortening approval times and securing land. He urged the People Power Party and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon to cooperate positively in executing the government's supply measures.During a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, Han said, "The Democratic Party will quickly assess the implementation measures to support real estate policies, including supply, taxation, and finance, centered around the housing market stabilization task force (TF) launched on August 12. We will also promptly back necessary legislation such as shortening approval periods and securing land."He added that the party aims to actively reflect the opinions of citizens and experts to facilitate home ownership and create a stable living environment, thereby achieving housing stability for the public.Han also criticized the People Power Party, which has been launching attacks labeling the government's real estate supply measures as 'hypocritical' and 'ineffective.' He remarked, "As soon as the supply plan was announced, they began indiscriminate criticism as if they had been waiting for it. Mayor Oh, who said he would actively cooperate, also criticized the government with provocative terms like 'obsessive policies on actual residence.'"He questioned the People Power Party and Mayor Oh, asking, "Does merely increasing verbal attacks without fulfilling responsibilities speed up housing supply? What right does the People Power Party have to mention supply when they are outright rejecting the processing of bills to promote real estate supply?"Additionally, Han reflected on the upcoming party convention scheduled for August 17, noting that this would be the last Supreme Council meeting he would preside over. He expressed gratitude, saying, "It has been two months since I took on this role on June 25. We have opened the doors to a working National Assembly and completed the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which was the last piece of the puzzle for prosecutorial reform. I thank all the Supreme Council members who have been part of this process."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-14 10:52:00