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Kyobo Life Attempts to Reacquire AXA General Insurance After 20 Years Kyobo Life is moving forward with plans to acquire AXA General Insurance, aiming to enhance its portfolio in the non-life insurance sector.According to financial industry sources on August 11, Kyobo Life is in the process of selecting an advisory firm for the acquisition. The company has sent out requests for proposals (RFPs) to global investment banks and accounting firms, and it is expected to begin due diligence once an advisor is chosen. Kyobo Life has confirmed its intention to pursue the acquisition of AXA General Insurance.AXA General Insurance is primarily owned by the French AXA Group, which holds a 99.76% stake. The company specializes in auto insurance and reported a net profit of 4.5 billion won in the first quarter of this year. Its solvency ratio (K-ICS) stands at 175.6% under transitional measures.AXA General Insurance was previously a subsidiary of Kyobo Life. Kyobo Life acquired Korea Automobile Insurance in 2001, operating it as Kyobo Automobile Insurance, before selling management rights to the AXA Group in 2007. The company considered reacquiring AXA General Insurance in 2020 and 2023, but those negotiations did not materialize.If Kyobo Life successfully acquires AXA General Insurance, it will establish a comprehensive financial subsidiary system that includes life insurance, non-life insurance, securities, asset management, and savings banks. In March, Kyobo Life acquired a 50% plus one share stake in SBI Savings Bank for approximately 900 billion won, and last month, it fully integrated Kyobo AXA Asset Management as a subsidiary.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 18:32:00
Paris Baguette Opens First Store in Laos, Expanding Southeast Asia Presence Paris Baguette has made its debut in Laos, becoming the first domestic bakery brand to enter the country and expanding its Southeast Asian footprint to seven nations.The company announced on August 11 that it has opened its first store in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Paris Baguette had been preparing for this entry since signing a master franchise agreement with KOLAO Group, a leading local company, in 2024.The new store is located on the first floor of the 'Kokkok Mega Mall Patuxai,' a newly built shopping complex in the bustling Patuxai area of Vientiane. The bakery café spans approximately 360 square meters and features 72 seats.Paris Baguette will offer a mix of products available globally and menu items tailored to local tastes. The offerings include 'Fresh Yogurt Cream Cake,' 'Best Ever Garlic Bread,' and 'Crunchy Choco Bun,' along with desserts like 'Mini Choco Twist' and 'Mr. & Miss Bear Madeleines.' Meal options include 'Classic PB Breakfast,' 'Baked Chicken Mushroom Risotto,' and a local specialty, 'Musang King Durian Roll Cake,' which incorporates the popular durian fruit.With this expansion, Paris Baguette now operates stores in seven Southeast Asian countries, including Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Cambodia.The company is actively enhancing its business presence in Southeast Asia. Last year, it completed a halal-certified production center in Johor, Malaysia, and in February, it obtained official halal certification from MUIS (Singapore Islamic Religious Council) for all its stores in Singapore. Last month, it also completed halal certification for all its stores in Indonesia.Heo Jin-soo, Vice Chairman of Paris Baguette, stated, "Entering Laos is significant for expanding our Southeast Asian business network and strengthening our global growth momentum. We will present an optimized business model based on our global capabilities and KOLAO Group's local market expertise."Currently, Paris Baguette operates over 730 global stores across 13 countries, including the seven Southeast Asian nations, the United States, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, China, and Mongolia.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 18:28:00
Mayor Min Hyung-bae Requests President Lee Jae-myung to Attend Yeosu World Island Expo Min Hyung-bae, the mayor of Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City, officially requested President Lee Jae-myung to attend the opening ceremony of the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo. With just 25 days until the event, he urged government departments and affiliated organizations to actively engage in ensuring the expo's success. Mayor Min attended the 35th State Council meeting at the Government Sejong Center on August 11, where he outlined the preparations for the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo and emphasized the need for government support. "The Yeosu World Island Expo is the first international event since the establishment of Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City and the first expo in the world focused on 'islands,'" he said. "It will be an opportunity to share the ecological, historical, and cultural values of islands and their growth potential with the world, presenting a blueprint for sustainable island development." He specifically requested President Lee's presence at the opening ceremony, stating, "This expo will showcase the future of Korea's islands and marine sector to the world. If the President attends, it will clearly demonstrate our national commitment to becoming a maritime powerhouse." He added, "It will also serve as a great encouragement to the citizens of Yeosu, who are facing difficulties due to the downturn in the petrochemical industry." Before Mayor Min's remarks, President Lee and the State Council members watched a promotional video for the Yeosu World Island Expo. Mayor Min also called for participation from government departments and affiliated organizations. He noted, "With government support, the facilities and exhibition preparations at the venue have been completed, and transportation and safety measures for visitors have been established. We will reassess the safety of facilities and overall event operations before the opening." He urged, "I hope each department and affiliated organization will take an interest and come to Yeosu to participate." The 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo will take place from September 5 to November 4 in Yeosu. As the opening approaches, Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City is finalizing preparations for the venue and exhibitions, including enhancing KTX services and finalizing safety management measures. During the State Council meeting, Mayor Min also proposed expanding training for professionals in artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the public sector's capabilities. He suggested that the Ministry of the Interior and Safety expand its 'AI and Data Utilization Professional Training Program' to enable civil servants with administrative experience to develop and apply AI-based administrative systems in the field. Mayor Min emphasized, "While hiring private developers is necessary, it is crucial to educate and utilize employees who understand the actual administrative processes and content." He highlighted the need for nurturing talent that combines administrative experience with AI technology by sharing examples of 7th-grade civil servants who developed systems like 'AI Yeobimon' and 'Contract Support System through Negotiation' after completing the training program. As the Yeosu World Island Expo will be the first international event since its establishment, Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City plans to continue final checks on transportation, safety, facilities, and overall event operations in the remaining time.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 18:28:00
Democratic Party Approves 'Light Revolution' Charter Amendments with 98.06% Support The Democratic Party has passed amendments to its charter that explicitly state the historical significance of the 'Light Revolution' and ensure fairness in the composition of delegates.On August 11, the party announced the results of the Central Committee vote held at the National Assembly, approving both the charter and party constitution amendments.In the charter amendment vote, 456 out of 465 participants voted in favor, resulting in a support rate of 98.06%, with 9 votes against.The party constitution amendment also passed with a 96.99% approval rate. Of the 465 voters, 351 supported the amendment while 14 opposed it.The approved charter amendment maintains the party's core values while reflecting the governance standards of the Lee Jae-myung administration. Yoo Dong-soo, the party's secretary-general, stated that the amendment aims to honor the spirit of the great citizens who defended the constitutional order during the 12.3 insurrection and to highlight the historical significance of the 'Light Revolution' in the charter's preamble.He further emphasized a commitment to a robust democracy defined by popular sovereignty, advocating for proactive labor market policies in the areas of economy, jobs, and labor, and pledging to harmonize economic growth with job security. Additionally, the charter amendment includes provisions to ensure youth participation in addressing youth issues and outlines a vision for regional balanced development, scientific technology, and educational innovation in line with the era of artificial intelligence.The party constitution amendment modifies the process for recommending delegates to ensure fairness and representation, allowing recommended delegates to be selected from party members with voting rights for public and party office elections.It also stipulates that the party affairs committee will ultimately decide on strategic regions and adjusts the voting ratio for the election of provincial party chairs to align with the one-person, one-vote system. Furthermore, the name of the social economy committee will be changed to the social solidarity economy committee to align with government policy directions.Earlier that day, the Democratic Party convened the Central Committee at the National Assembly to present the charter and party constitution amendments. Song Ok-joo, the vice chair of the Central Committee, encouraged committee members to vote, stating, "The charter and constitution are commitments to clarify what the Democratic Party aims for and the principles and values it will uphold in serving the public and party members."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 18:24:00
Lotte Sells 1.3 Trillion Won Stake in Lotte Rental to TPG Amid Restructuring Lotte has agreed to sell its management stake in Lotte Rental to global private equity firm TPG for 1.31 trillion won. This move is expected to accelerate the group's portfolio restructuring.On August 11, Lotte announced it had signed a contract with TPG for the sale of its entire 61.2% stake in Lotte Rental, which is held by Hotel Lotte and Busan Lotte Hotel. Hotel Lotte owns 38.1% of the shares, while Busan Lotte Hotel holds 23.0%. The sale price is set at 59,000 won per share, totaling 1.31 trillion won.Previously, Lotte had been negotiating with multiple potential buyers after its contract with the previous buyer, Affinity, ended in May. The company selected TPG as the final acquirer after a comprehensive review of the proposed corporate value, acquisition structure, employment guarantees, transaction completion likelihood, and funding capabilities.TPG plans to enhance Lotte Rental's competitiveness and corporate value based on its investment experience in global mobility companies like Uber.Lotte intends to use the proceeds from the sale to improve the financial health of Hotel Lotte and Busan Lotte Hotel and to invest in its core hotel business. With the increase in foreign tourist arrivals, the company aims to secure investment capacity to strengthen its global competitiveness.The group also plans to pursue further business restructuring. Lotte has already begun asset efficiency efforts, including the sale of its subsidiary Lotte Energy Materials, Lotte Eco-Wall, in May, and Lotte Chemical has achieved a turnaround to profitability through production optimization.A Lotte official stated, "We selected the acquirer after considering market conditions and our mid- to long-term growth strategy. We will focus more on strengthening the core business's fundamental competitiveness and enhancing our business portfolio."The transaction is expected to be finalized after receiving approval from the Fair Trade Commission for the business combination.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 18:20:10
Pearl Abyss Reports 2nd Quarter Operating Profit of 67.6 Billion Won, Up 7388.9% Year-Over-Year Pearl Abyss has significantly improved its second-quarter performance, driven by the global success of its new title, 'Crimson Desert.'The company announced on August 11 that it recorded consolidated revenue of 192.6 billion won and an operating profit of 67.6 billion won for the second quarter of this year. Revenue increased by 247.7% compared to the same period last year, while operating profit surged by 7388.9%. The net profit also turned positive.Overseas sales accounted for 91% of total revenue, with North America and Europe contributing 75% of that figure, highlighting the company's strong performance in the global market. Revenue from individual intellectual properties (IPs) included 55 billion won from 'Black Desert' and 136.1 billion won from 'Crimson Desert.''Crimson Desert' continues to expand its gameplay experience through updates based on user feedback since its launch. Pearl Abyss plans to enhance the value of the 'Crimson Desert' IP through storyline improvements and new content updates.The company is also pursuing follow-up strategies for long-term success. Downloadable content (DLC) is currently in the stage of assessing content direction and quality, with plans for a release by the end of the year.The Nintendo Switch 2 version of 'Crimson Desert' is focused on performance optimization, aiming for a launch in the first half of next year.As part of its package sales strategy, Pearl Abyss is considering discounts. The company is preparing various measures to expand sales, including discount policies.Meanwhile, Pearl Abyss plans to continue introducing new content and improving services in the second half of the year to enhance engagement with global users.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 18:20:00
KOSDAQ roars back as leveraged bets unwind SEOUL, August 11 (AJP) — South Korea's long-neglected KOSDAQ is suddenly outrunning its bigger sibling and major stock markets around the world, gaining 19 percent in the first seven trading sessions of August as investors look beyond the leveraged chip trade that dominated the first half. The junior market closed Tuesday at 857.84, up 19.2 percent from 719.76 at the end of July. The benchmark KOSPI, by contrast, has lost 3.8 percent over the same period to 6,345.53. Among major global benchmarks tracked by AJP, KOSDAQ is the only one posting a double-digit gain so far this month. Yet the sudden reversal has barely dented the gulf built up over the year. KOSDAQ remains 7.7 percent below its 2025-end close of 928.99, while KOSPI is still up more than 50 percent from 4,214.17 at the end of last year. KOSDAQ, largely bypassed during the AI-fueled rush into Samsung Electronics, SK hynix and leveraged products tied to the chipmakers, is benefiting from a rotation as that trade cools. But the money flows so far point more to a tactical rebound than a broad vote of confidence in the junior market's earnings prospects. Korea Exchange data show institutional investors bought a net 1.52 trillion won ($1.07 billion) of KOSDAQ-listed shares between July 31 and Aug. 10. Retail investors sold a net 552.4 billion won, while foreign investors unloaded 1.01 trillion won. Investment trusts led the institutional buying with 515.9 billion won, followed by financial investment firms at 347.6 billion won, private funds at 247.5 billion won and pension funds and other institutional accounts at 222.3 billion won. Tuesday showed how quickly that pattern can change. Retail investors bought a net 558 billion won of KOSDAQ shares by the close, absorbing net selling of 482 billion won by foreigners and 98 billion won by institutions. The reversal underscores how fluid the rally remains. Institutions drove much of the rebound through Monday, but foreign investors have yet to return on a sustained basis. Woo Seok-jin, an economics professor at Myongji University, said part of the shift reflects Korean investors' strong appetite for higher-risk assets. “Korean investors tend to have a relatively high appetite for risk, and leveraged ETFs had been one way of pursuing that,” Woo said. “Now that tighter regulations have raised the barrier for retail investors to trade those products, some of that search for opportunities appears to have shifted toward KOSDAQ.” For institutions, he said, the motivation is more straightforward. “Institutional investors are naturally focused on finding opportunities that can generate returns.” Funds rediscover KOSDAQ Investment-trust activity provides another sign that fund managers have been rebuilding exposure to the junior market. Between July 31 and Aug. 10, investment trusts bought a net 590.7 billion won of KODEX KOSDAQ 150, one of the largest ETFs tracking major KOSDAQ companies, while also accumulating KOSDAQ-listed shares. ETF purchases and direct stock buying cannot simply be added together because of differences in the way the transactions are structured. Still, demand through both channels points to greater exposure to the junior market. The contrast with the main board is striking. Institutions were net sellers of KOSPI shares over roughly the same period while buying more than 1 trillion won on KOSDAQ, suggesting their appetite had tilted toward the junior board. But Yoon Jae-hong, an analyst at Mirae Asset Securities, cautioned that not everything recorded as institutional buying represents institutions making an independent bet on KOSDAQ. “A significant portion of the inflows came through ETFs,” Yoon said. “When retail investors buy ETFs, some of that demand is recorded under the financial-investment category.” The distinction matters because it makes the rally less clearly institution-led than the headline flow numbers suggest. Still, other forces are working in KOSDAQ's favor. Kim Dae-jong, an economics professor at Sejong University, pointed to the easing concentration in giant semiconductor stocks, bargain hunting after KOSDAQ's steep fall and expectations that government reforms will favor the junior market. “Some of the money that had been concentrated in large semiconductor stocks is spreading out, while KOSDAQ is benefiting from its steep earlier losses and expectations for supportive policies,” Kim said. Selling pressure has also eased as forced liquidation of margin positions subsided, he said, while investors returned to growth sectors including biotechnology, batteries, robotics and semiconductor materials and equipment. But Kim cautioned against mistaking a sharp rotation for the beginning of a lasting bull market. “For now, the move has more of the characteristics of a rotation driven by market flows than a long-term rally backed by earnings,” he said. “For the gains to become sustainable, we need to see continued buying by institutions and foreign investors as well as improvements in corporate earnings.” Woo pointed to another, less bullish explanation for renewed retail interest. “Some retail investors may have given up after taking losses, while others appear to be making one last attempt to recover before leaving the market,” he said. From leveraged chips to KOSDAQ? One catalyst coinciding with KOSDAQ's rebound has been the abrupt cooling of the speculative trade built around Korea's two biggest chipmakers. Financial regulators tightened rules on single-stock leveraged ETFs after extreme turnover raised concerns that the products were amplifying swings in Samsung Electronics, SK hynix and the broader market. The minimum cash deposit required for retail investors was raised from 10 million won to 30 million won, while authorities also restricted new products and advertising. Trading turnover in the products subsequently plunged from 12.45 trillion won on July 30 to 845.2 billion won on Aug. 7, according to KRX data. KOSDAQ began its sharp rebound at around the same time. The overlap raises the possibility that investors who had crowded into Samsung, SK hynix and leveraged products tied to them began hunting for returns elsewhere. It does not establish that money leaving those products went directly into KOSDAQ. “Some of the money appears to have moved over,” Woo said. The timing nevertheless marks a sharp reversal in the market hierarchy of the first half, when the AI chip boom sucked capital and attention toward a handful of KOSPI giants and left much of KOSDAQ behind. Rally meets a market cleanup KOSDAQ's revival is also arriving just as regulators are making it harder for weak companies to remain there. South Korea raised the KOSDAQ market-capitalization threshold for delisting to 20 billion won from July 1, with the floor scheduled to rise again to 30 billion won in 2027. According to corporate research institute Leaders Index, 152 KOSDAQ companies, or 8.7 percent of the market, had an average market capitalization below the current 20 billion won threshold in July. Another 83 had remained below 1,000 won for 30 consecutive trading days. At next year's 30 billion won threshold, 367 companies — about 21 percent of KOSDAQ — would fall below the market-cap benchmark based on their July average valuations, although falling below the line does not automatically mean delisting. Woo said the tougher rules could improve the credibility of a market long criticized for allowing financially troubled companies to linger. “Penny stocks like these should have been removed from the market much earlier,” he said. “If a company is financially troubled, it should not be allowed to remain listed and continue trading.” Allowing distressed companies to remain listed too long can instead attract speculative capital looking for heavily discounted assets, he said. But cleaning out weak companies solves only half the problem. For KOSDAQ to sustain investor interest, Woo said, Korea also needs to rebuild the venture ecosystem that once supplied the market with companies capable of delivering rapid growth. “Investors seeking higher returns are willing to bet on innovative companies because of their strong growth potential,” Woo said. “But there are too few promising venture companies right now. The venture ecosystem itself needs to recover.” Yoon pointed to another potential catalyst: plans to introduce a tiered KOSDAQ structure that would separate stronger companies into a premium segment. Such a structure could make it easier to build ETFs and other investment products around a smaller pool of higher-quality companies, potentially drawing more long-term money into the market. “There are expectations that retail investors will come in if ETFs are created around the premium segment,” Yoon said. “For the rebound to continue, the market reforms now being introduced need to be sustained.” For now, KOSDAQ has achieved something it rarely managed during the chip-dominated first half: it has investors' attention. Whether it keeps it is the harder test. Three decades after its launch, KOSDAQ's challenge is no longer simply getting investors back. It is giving them a reason to stay. AJP Takeaways • South Korea's KOSDAQ rose 17.79 percent from July 31 through August 11, 2026, sharply outperforming the benchmark KOSPI, which fell 3.16 percent over the same period. • South Korea's tighter rules on single-stock leveraged products coincided with the KOSDAQ rebound, as turnover in products linked to major stocks plunged from 12.45 trillion won on July 30 to 845.2 billion won on August 7, 2026. Economists said some investment may have rotated toward the KOSDAQ, although a direct link cannot be established. • Economists caution that the KOSDAQ rebound remains driven more by investment flows than stronger corporate earnings, meaning sustained institutional and foreign buying and improved earnings will be needed for the rally to last. • South Korea's tougher KOSDAQ delisting standards could reshape the junior market, with 367 companies, or 21 percent of the market, below the 30 billion won market-capitalization threshold scheduled to take effect in 2027 based on July 2026 averages. 2026-08-11 18:12:35
Shift Up Reports 58.8% Drop in Q2 Operating Profit Amid New Game Gap Shift Up reported a 58.8% decrease in operating profit for the second quarter of this year, attributed to a gap in new game releases.The company announced on August 11 that it recorded revenues of 55.7 billion won and an operating profit of 27.6 billion won for Q2 2026, marking declines of 50.4% and 58.8%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. Net profit fell by 18.7% to 41.7 billion won.Shift Up explained that the acquisition of Japanese game developer Unbound, which was integrated as a consolidated subsidiary, impacted operating costs.The game 'Goddess of Victory: Nikke' generated 43.3 billion won in revenue. While this represented a 32.4% increase from the previous quarter due to a 3.5-year anniversary event, it was a 4.1% decrease year-on-year. 'Stella Blade' saw revenues of 8.8 billion won, down 31.6% from the previous quarter and 86.6% from the same period last year.The company stated, "Goddess of Victory: Nikke has shown a pattern of rebounding to the top revenue ranks during major updates, such as the 1.5-year, 2-year, and 3.5-year anniversaries," and expressed optimism for strong revenue performance from upcoming updates in the second half of the year.Regarding 'Stella Blade,' Shift Up noted, "We expect to maintain current sales momentum as we launch a Nintendo Switch 2 version in the second half, expanding to a new platform."Concerning the newly announced title 'Stella Blade: Bloodrain,' the company said, "Development is progressing smoothly to meet our targeted quality level, and we will ensure sufficient development time to deliver the highest level of completeness."'Stella Blade: Bloodrain' is a sequel being developed based on the 'Stella Blade' intellectual property (IP). Shift Up plans to self-publish starting with this title.The company added, "We aim to enhance the enjoyable combat experience praised in the previous title while strengthening the world and story, and we will actively implement a marketing strategy that highlights the unique characteristics of the IP."Additionally, another upcoming title, 'Project Spirit,' is under development with a goal for a reveal in the second half of the year. 'Project Spirit' is a global cross-platform live service game based on an Eastern fantasy universe.Shift Up also mentioned that it is developing additional new IPs that leverage its strengths, stating, "We will continue to invest in diversifying our development and pipeline."Recently, Shift Up has been hiring personnel for new IP development, indicating that this recruitment is aimed at building a future growth lineup, with further details to be disclosed as development progresses.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 18:08:00
Jung Cheong-rae Accuses Jeon Jin-sook of Illegal Campaign Activities Jung Cheong-rae, a candidate for the leadership of the Democratic Party, announced on August 11 that he has received reports alleging that Jeon Jin-sook's local committee in the North District of Gwangju, Jeollanam-do, operated an illegal phone room for campaign activities and promised monetary rewards to campaign workers.Jung's camp released a recording during a press announcement, which reportedly features a voice from Jeon's office. In the recording, a party member says, "Make sure to receive your payment," to which the response is, "Understood."According to Article 57-3 of the Public Official Election Act, campaign activities must adhere to legally prescribed methods. Additionally, Article 255, Section 2, Clause 3 of the same act stipulates penalties of up to two years in prison or fines of up to 4 million won for election misconduct.In response, Jeon Jin-sook's camp expressed regret over what they described as Jung's reckless behavior in distorting facts to portray voluntary service as a criminal act. They stated, "The young person mentioned in the recording is a pure volunteer who participated without compensation," adding that the claim of monetary rewards is a distortion stemming from leading questions.They further asserted, "Voluntary campaign activities conducted through personal mobile phones do not constitute an illegal phone room," and urged an immediate cessation of baseless accusations and media manipulation. They emphasized, "Jung's camp should stop this petty smear campaign and engage in a fair competition."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 18:08:00
Special Prosecutor's Investigation Faces Challenges with Key Cases Unresolved The second comprehensive special investigation team, led by Special Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young, is facing challenges as it approaches the end of its investigation period with unresolved key cases. Although the team has indicted around 50 individuals, there is a growing possibility that some unresolved allegations will be transferred to other investigative agencies.According to legal sources on August 11, the special investigation team is set to conclude its 180-day investigation on August 23 and will announce its final results on August 24. Following the last regular briefing, the team is focusing its efforts this week on selecting individuals for indictment and determining case dispositions. On this day, they also added former National Fire Agency Chief Heo Seok-gon and former Deputy Chief Lee Young-pal to the list of indictments for their alleged involvement in insurrection-related duties.Some cases that were passed on from the three major special investigations are at risk of remaining unresolved.A notable example is the allegation involving former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae, who is accused of attempting to suppress the investigation into Kim Geon-hee. Although the insurrection special investigation team indicted Park, the first-instance court dismissed the charges, stating they were not subject to investigation. The insurrection special investigation team then sought to transfer the case to the comprehensive special investigation team, but the latter indicated that it would be difficult to conclude the investigation within the remaining time.The so-called 'Noh Sang-won notebook' allegations involving former Director of the Defense Intelligence Command Noh Sang-won also remain unresolved. The special investigation team has conducted field verifications and interviews to confirm the feasibility of the contents in the notebook, but they are reportedly struggling with proving the facts and applying the law. As the investigation team returns, if they do not decide on indictments by the end of this week, they may consider transferring the case to another investigative agency.The case involving former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong, who is under suspicion for changing the endpoint route of the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway, also has an uncertain disposition. The special investigation team summoned Won for about 14 hours of questioning on August 5 and conducted a forensic examination of his mobile phone, keeping open the possibilities of indictment, non-indictment, or transfer.Recently, new circumstances regarding Won's involvement were revealed in court. An employee from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport testified on August 10 during a hearing at the Seoul Central District Court that Won indicated that if the change plan for Gang Sang-myeon were to proceed, he could be subject to investigation, and he directed a review of the original plan. Evidence was also presented in court suggesting that there were disagreements between the Ministry and the Presidential Office before the project was scrapped, and that the decision to scrap it reflected the intentions of former President Yoon Suk-yeol.As the investigation nears its conclusion, there are cases where the special investigation team has only recently begun questioning key suspects and securing evidence. On this day, they first summoned Lee Jin-woo, a former commander of the Capital Defense Command, as a suspect in connection with the alleged formation of a 'Guardian Task Force (TF).' They also filed for arrest warrants for former National Defense Security Command Chief Hwang Yu-seong and former Marine Corps Intelligence Unit Chief Moon Yeon-cheol regarding allegations of pressure in the investigation of the deceased Marine case.Discrepancies among the special investigation teams have also added pressure to the handling of unresolved cases. The comprehensive special investigation team has included former National Intelligence Service Deputy Director Hong Jang-won and former First Guard Command Chief Cho Sung-hyun, who were key witnesses in the insurrection special investigation, as suspects for review. Additionally, there have been conflicting opinions between the two special investigation teams regarding the application of rebellion charges under military law. Although the special investigation law was amended to ensure mutual consultation on matters that could reverse previous judgments or affect the maintenance of charges, discord has persisted during the actual investigation process.Legal experts have pointed out that while the comprehensive special investigation team may achieve quantitative results through large-scale indictments, a separate evaluation is necessary to determine how effectively it has addressed the unresolved allegations from the three major special investigations. Concerns have also been raised that as the investigation nears its end, the rush to summon key suspects, secure evidence, and determine case dispositions may lead to cases being transferred back to other investigative agencies.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 18:08:00