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Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho Resigns Amid Controversy Over Prosecutorial Powers Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho has reportedly expressed his intention to resign from his position, following backlash against the Democratic Party's push to completely abolish the prosecution's supplementary investigation and direct investigation powers. However, President Yoon Suk-yeol is said to have rejected the resignation.According to political sources on July 24, Jeong conveyed his resignation directly to President Yoon. The president reportedly urged him to remain in office until the establishment of the new Serious Crimes Investigation Agency.Jeong has consistently voiced concerns regarding the party's movement to abolish the prosecution's supplementary investigation powers. During a National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee meeting on July 15, he argued that if these powers were eliminated, alternatives such as a 'full case transfer' system, which would allow the prosecution to take over all police cases, would be necessary to prevent delays in case handling and abuse of police authority.Jeong has previously indicated his intention to resign multiple times during the legislative process for prosecutorial reform.Following the news of his resignation, some have raised questions about accountability. Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon criticized Jeong's resignation on Facebook, stating, "Running away does not absolve one of responsibility. The Minister of Justice has an obligation to prevent the increase of manipulated and distorted investigations due to the Democratic Party's ban on supplementary investigations, which could harm the public."Han further stated, "As the minister responsible, Jeong should have clearly articulated his stance against the party's ban on supplementary investigations and opposed its adoption in the Democratic Party's general meeting, given his position as a ruling party lawmaker. However, he has not done so thus far." He urged Jeong, as a former Minister of Justice, to fulfill his duties now.Jeong, a five-term lawmaker and former lawyer, was appointed as the first Minister of Justice under President Yoon's administration in July 2022 and continues to serve as a lawmaker. He is considered a close ally of President Yoon, having attended law school with him, and is recognized as a leading figure in the pro-Myeong faction.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-24 21:56:00
Kim Yong-beom: Samsung and SK Hynix to Announce Major Supply Contracts with U.S. Tech Giants The visit of President Yoon Suk-yeol to San Francisco is expected to lead to the announcement of large-scale long-term supply contracts for memory semiconductors between domestic companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix and global tech giants, as well as investment agreements for artificial intelligence data centers (AIDC).The government aims to position South Korea as a stable supply base for AI semiconductors and a testing ground for global AI services.On July 24, Kim Yong-beom, head of the Presidential Policy Office, outlined this vision during a press briefing with foreign media. He stated, "It seems that the long-term contracts and strategic investments that Samsung, SK Hynix, and Naver have been discussing will be announced all at once during this visit. We expect to see very large and significant figures."President Yoon will hold individual meetings with the CEOs of four major U.S. tech companies: Dario Amodei of Anthropic, Sam Altman of OpenAI, Jensen Huang of NVIDIA, and Hock Tan of Broadcom. Following these meetings, a summit involving representatives from these companies and Samsung, SK, Hyundai Motor, and Naver will discuss the future of the AI industry and collaboration for about an hour.The event will kick off with President Yoon's 'San Francisco AI Declaration,' which will outline plans for South Korea to ensure a steady supply of memory semiconductors essential for the AI revolution and to become a reliable market and testing ground for global AI companies.The government plans to establish a second semiconductor cluster in the Honam region, in addition to the existing one in the capital area, to enhance supply capacity. It also aims to develop a 'Everyone's AI' platform that all citizens can utilize, going beyond just developing independent foundational models.Additionally, the government will support the AI transition in developing countries through official development assistance (ODA) and will work on building a global AI hub in collaboration with international organizations.The key outcomes expected to be announced include long-term contracts for memory semiconductors and investments in AIDC. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are set to enter new contracts for the long-term supply of specific semiconductors, and the global demand and investment companies for the AIDC to be built in South Korea have been specifically confirmed. These contracts will support the government's previously announced 'Three Mega Projects for South Korea's Great Leap,' which involve an investment plan of 4,700 trillion won.Kim emphasized that the expansion of domestic semiconductor factories is not in opposition to U.S. investments. He noted, "80-90% of related orders come from the U.S.," explaining that the expansion of domestic production facilities is also a response to the explosive demand from U.S. tech giants. For these companies, the critical factor is the reliable supply of memory at the needed time, and government support for infrastructure is essential.However, he also expressed concerns about the shadows cast by AI-driven growth. Kim referred to the sharp decline in youth employment, describing it as 'K-shaped growth,' and stated, "AI is eliminating the very pathways through which intelligence enters society."The government plans to allocate a portion of the increased corporate and income taxes resulting from AI growth to a future response fund, focusing on youth, future, regional, and educational investments. The fund is expected to exceed several trillion won.To address the rising energy demand while achieving carbon neutrality goals, the government will also expand energy investments. It will broadly review offshore wind, solar power, pumped storage, energy storage systems (ESS), carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), and small modular reactors (SMR), providing necessary funding over the next five years. A separate announcement regarding the national vision and goals for next-generation energy, including hydrogen, is expected in August. 2026-07-24 20:12:00
Prosecutors Seek 30-Year Sentences for Lee In-hyung and Lee Jin-woo on Insurrection Charges On July 24, the special prosecution team presented its closing arguments in the Seoul Central District Court regarding charges of insurrection against former Army Counterintelligence Command Chief Lee In-hyung and former Capital Defense Command Chief Lee Jin-woo, seeking 30-year prison sentences for each. Former Army Chief of Staff Park An-soo was recommended for 25 years, while former Special Warfare Command Chief Kwak Jong-geun and former Military Intelligence Command Chief Moon Sang-ho each faced 20-year sentences.The prosecution stated, "The defendants' insurrection activities disregarded the lawful procedures established by the Constitution and aimed to incapacitate the functions of state institutions, fundamentally undermining the core values of democracy. They used the military to participate in insurrection for personal gain, reducing the military to a private army for insurrectionist forces."They further noted, "There is a saying in military texts: 'Life is death, and death is life.' This means that in the battlefield, one should not question orders but be prepared to fight under the command of their leaders. The unconstitutional and illegal orders from the defendants have shaken the trust in the military's command structure."The prosecution identified Lee In-hyung as the "brain" behind the insurrection preparations, stating, "From planning to execution, he acted in concert with his high school seniors Yoon Suk Yeol and Kim Yong-hyun, and formed a united front with fellow Korea Military Academy alumni Lee Jin-woo and Kwak Jong-geun, playing a significant role."They also accused the defendants of using military counterintelligence functions for political purposes aimed at seizing power, stating, "They displayed shameless behavior, showing no remorse for the counterintelligence personnel mobilized under their orders for this incident."Regarding Lee Jin-woo, the prosecution said he actively commanded military police to arrest citizens gathered at the National Assembly when it became difficult to block them, and ordered the removal of lawmakers from the assembly. Kwak Jong-geun was noted for deploying troops to the National Assembly, the Democratic Party headquarters, and the Central Election Commission in Gwacheon, participating in key acts of insurrection.In contrast, Lee In-hyung's defense argued, "The defendant consistently opposed the declaration of martial law to former President Yoon Suk Yeol and only passively carried out his duties after it was declared. While there may have been some obstacles caused during the execution of orders from the Minister of National Defense, there was no intent or awareness to incapacitate those functions for an extended period."In his final statement, Lee In-hyung said, "As a commander, I will take responsibility for what I must, and the truth will be revealed. I believe the injustices faced by my subordinates will be made known as they are."Lee Jin-woo denied giving orders to block the National Assembly or to remove lawmakers, while Moon Sang-ho claimed he was thoroughly used by the Minister of National Defense and former Military Intelligence Chief Noh Sang-won. Conversely, Kwak Jong-geun, who acknowledged his charges, expressed deep regret for deploying his beloved subordinates to the National Assembly and the Election Commission during the martial law declaration, stating, "I apologize to the public and will take full responsibility for my mistakes."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-24 19:48:00
Yoon Seok-yeol Faces 5-Year Sentence Request Amid Controversy The special prosecutor's team has requested a five-year prison sentence for Yoon Seok-yeol, who is accused of facilitating the escape of former Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop to Australia. Yoon's defense argues that his actions were a legitimate exercise of his authority.During a sentencing hearing on July 24 at the Seoul Central District Court, the special prosecutor's team asked the court to impose a five-year sentence on Yoon, who faces charges of aiding a fugitive and abusing his power.Co-defendants Cho Tae-yong, former head of the National Security Office, and Park Sung-jae, former Minister of Justice, are facing three-year sentences, while former officials Lee Si-won, Jang Ho-jin, and Shim Woo-jung are each facing two years.The special prosecutor's team stated, "The defendants turned a blind eye to the truth and conducted a formal review to facilitate Lee's appointment as ambassador, mechanically processing the procedure to lift his travel ban. This was not an isolated incident but an organized effort to conceal the truth."In contrast, Yoon's attorney argued, "The special prosecutor's team has framed the legitimate exercise of presidential authority as if it had an illegal motive from the start. If there are penalties for exercising presidential authority, it will inevitably deter future actions in the national interest."In his final statement, Yoon remarked, "For a year, despite Lee's requests for an investigation, he was not called in for questioning. I wonder if the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission truly intended to investigate." He also challenged the special prosecutor's team, saying, "You think you are safe, right? Prosecuting without clear evidence can be an abuse of power and a violation of political neutrality."All co-defendants, including Cho and Park, have denied the charges and asserted their innocence.Yoon is on trial for allegedly appointing Lee, a key suspect in the investigation into the death of Marine Chae Sang-byeong in November 2023, as ambassador to Australia to facilitate his escape. The special prosecutor's team believes Yoon aimed to obstruct the investigation against him, while Yoon's side maintains it was a normal exercise of governmental duties. The first-instance sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 11.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-24 19:20:00
South Korea Freezes 8th Oil Price Cap Amid Rising International Oil Prices The South Korean government has decided to freeze the 8th oil product price cap. Despite recent factors that could lead to price increases due to rising international oil prices, the decision was made considering the burden on the consumer economy from inflation and interest rate hikes. However, with escalating tensions in the Middle East, there remains the possibility of future price increases.The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on July 24 that the 8th oil product price cap, effective from midnight on July 25, will maintain the prices at 1,784 won per liter for regular gasoline, 1,773 won for diesel, and 1,380 won for kerosene. This price cap will apply to oil products supplied by refiners to gas stations over the next four weeks.The government has been implementing the oil product price cap system since midnight on March 13. The initial price cap was set at 1,724 won per liter for regular gasoline, 1,713 won for diesel, and 1,320 won for kerosene. The second price cap, which took effect on March 27, was set at 1,934 won for gasoline, 1,923 won for diesel, and 1,530 won for kerosene, and the prices have remained frozen up to the 6th cap.Subsequently, the government announced the 7th price cap on June 26, reducing the supply prices of gasoline, diesel, and kerosene by 150 won each. The 8th price cap announced today remains unchanged from the 7th.Recently, tensions between the U.S. and Iran have intensified, and the number of oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz has decreased, leading to an upward trend in international oil prices. Additionally, the Houthi rebels' declaration of a blockade in the Red Sea has contributed to this rise, with Brent crude prices reaching $101 per barrel on July 23. On the same day, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was priced at $92, and Dubai crude at $97.International oil product prices have also increased, with gasoline rising to $125 per barrel and diesel to $168. However, the average international oil prices for July are lower than those in June, with Brent at $82, WTI at $77, and Dubai at $75. This is why the government has not immediately reflected the recent short-term price increases in the price cap.Furthermore, the domestic consumer price inflation rate has risen to around 3%, and the Bank of Korea has increased the base interest rate from 2.50% to 2.75%, influencing the decision to maintain the price cap. The government emphasized its focus on protecting the consumer economy from fluctuations in international oil prices and minimizing the burden on essential consumers such as truck drivers, delivery workers, and those in agriculture and fisheries.As a result, domestic fuel prices at gas stations are expected to remain in the current 1,800 won range for the time being. Since the implementation of the 7th price cap on June 27, domestic fuel prices have shown a downward trend, with gasoline priced at 1,871 won per liter and diesel at 1,856 won as of July 23.Yang Gi-wook, head of the Ministry's Resource Security Division, stated, "We believe that retail prices will either remain at the current level or may slightly decrease for the time being. However, if the situation in the Middle East changes rapidly this weekend or next week, we are keeping the possibility of adjusting the price cap open before the four weeks are up." He noted that while the likelihood of the price cap system ending is low, adjustments to raise prices in response to a surge in international oil prices are likely.Currently, the price cap is set about 100 won lower than the estimated supply price for gasoline and about 300 won lower for diesel and kerosene. The government believes that the related financial burden can be managed within a reserve budget of 4.2 trillion won. If the price cap needs to be maintained for more than six months, additional measures will be considered, but the government is not currently contemplating a supplementary budget.Regarding recent allegations of collusion among refiners, the government stated, "It is not appropriate to comment as it is still in the trial process. We will objectively review the materials received from the prosecution and those submitted by the refiners through the settlement committee."Current measures for stabilizing supply and demand that have expired may be resumed if the situation in the Middle East escalates. Yang added, "We expect the supply and demand situation to remain stable until August, but if necessary in September or later, we will consider restarting measures such as strategic oil swaps and will prepare to implement other diversification measures sequentially."Regarding the situation in the Red Sea, he noted, "Some refiners are considering alternative routes related to the blockade in the Red Sea, and there are cases of reviewing the Suez Canal. We are examining whether there is anything the government can support if it is deemed to affect supply and demand."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-24 19:04:00
Choi Tae-won and Noh So-young Divorce Case Concludes with 944 Billion Won Ruling Choi Tae-won, chairman of SK Group, and Noh So-young, director of the Art Center Nabi, have received a ruling in their divorce case, while prosecutors continue their investigation into allegations of slush funds linked to former President Noh Tae-woo's family. According to legal sources on July 24, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office's Asset Recovery Division has recently requested clarification from Kim Ok-sook, the wife of the late president, regarding certain financial transactions. Prosecutors are analyzing the authenticity and timing of a memo submitted by Noh during the divorce proceedings, which claims a slush fund of 90.4 billion won. The investigation has been ongoing since Noh and Kim were reported to the authorities for allegedly hiding slush funds and tax evasion, with the 5.18 Memorial Foundation among the complainants. The complainants assert that Kim illegally gifted funds to her son, Noh Jae-hun, who is the South Korean ambassador to China, and estimate the total hidden slush funds to be around 1.266 trillion won. Prosecutors must prove the source of the funds and whether the heirs were aware of and utilized them. However, they face challenges in tracing financial flows prior to the 1993 financial real-name system, especially since the late president has passed away and Kim is now 90 years old. Meanwhile, the Seoul High Court's Family Division 1, presided over by Judge Lee Sang-joo, ruled that Choi must pay Noh 944 billion won as part of the property division. The court excluded the late president's alleged slush fund of 30 billion won from the property division calculations, stating that even if the funds were transferred to SK, they cannot be considered due to their illegal nature and thus cannot be credited to Noh's contributions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-24 19:00:00
Korean Deaf Artist Group 'HandSpeak' Holds First Sign Language Performance in China Korean deaf artist group HandSpeak held its first sign language performance in Beijing, China. According to the Korean Cultural Center in China, HandSpeak presented its inaugural performance in China on July 23 at the center, combining music, dance, sign language, and expressive acting. The performance began with 'Dokdori' and included popular songs such as 'Fighting,' 'Love and Remember,' 'Jeon Woochi,' and 'Like JENNIE,' concluding with 'This is Me,' a song celebrating dignity and pride beyond disabilities. The deaf artists also engaged with the audience by teaching simple sign language and conducting a Q&A session. The event was attended by over ten deaf individuals from the China Deaf Federation, along with local audience members who responded enthusiastically. Noh Jae-hun, the Korean Ambassador to China, stated, "This was a meaningful occasion to confirm that sign language art can connect with audiences beyond language and cultural differences. We will explore ways for deaf artists from both Korea and China to collaborate in creating sign language art together." Founded in 2018, HandSpeak is a cultural arts organization focused on producing performance, video, and educational content centered around deaf artists. This performance, organized by the Korean Cultural Center in China and the Korean Cultural Center in Shanghai, aimed to explore the artistic value and international potential of deaf art while expanding cultural exchange between Korea and China through sign language. 2026-07-24 18:52:00
Ruling Party Adopts Stance to Abolish Prosecutors' Supplementary Investigation Rights, Opposition Vows Strong Resistance The People Power Party strongly opposed the Democratic Party's decision on July 24 to adopt a stance for the complete abolition of supplementary investigation rights for prosecutors, vowing to "fight with all our strength." The party indicated it would resort to measures such as a filibuster if the amendment is presented at the National Assembly's general assembly.Jung Jeom-sik, the party's floor leader, expressed his views on Facebook, stating, "This decision is a madness fueled by hatred and revenge against the prosecution, and it reflects the cowardice of Democratic Party members bowing to extremist factions within their party. It tramples on the will of the people who want to maintain supplementary investigation rights, ignores the pleas of crime victims and their families, and disregards concerns within the Democratic Party itself."Previously, despite internal disagreements, the Democratic Party confirmed its policy to completely abolish supplementary investigation rights and subsequently endorsed the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act at a policy meeting. While the party believes it can no longer delay legislative reforms for prosecutorial reform, there are growing concerns about potential gaps in investigations and the need for enhanced victim protection measures.The proposed amendment aims to abolish the supplementary investigation rights of prosecutors while expanding protective measures for victims and strengthening mutual checks among investigative agencies. Additionally, the Democratic Party plans to quickly advance a revision of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency Act to establish dedicated departments for crimes against vulnerable groups, allowing for supplementary investigations. With the party accelerating its efforts following the adoption of its stance, the amendment is expected to be reviewed by the Legislative and Judiciary Committee next week and could be processed in the general assembly as early as July 30.Jung criticized Democratic Party members who previously advocated for maintaining supplementary investigation rights, asking, "What are the lawmakers who have proposed bills named after victims of horrific accidents and crimes doing now? Why are they silent in the face of urgent human rights cries?" He expressed his dismay as a fellow lawmaker in light of their hypocrisy and cowardice.Regarding the plan to present the amendment in the general assembly, he reiterated, "The People Power Party will fight with all our strength. I urge some members of the Democratic Party to reject this misguided party stance and follow their conscience. There should be no division between the ruling and opposition parties when it comes to the lives and safety of the people. The damage that will occur due to the abolition of supplementary investigation rights will be entirely your responsibility. You will surely face consequences." 2026-07-24 18:52:00
The Future of Universities in the Age of AGI: A Call for Qualified Educators Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is on the horizon, marking a significant shift from AI as a mere information retrieval tool to a system capable of independent thought and complex task execution. The global industrial landscape and advanced research fields are evolving rapidly, prompting the government to invest heavily in initiatives aimed at establishing South Korea as one of the world's top three AI powerhouses. However, a troubling reality emerges when we turn our attention to universities, the frontline of higher education in South Korea. There is a significant shortage of professors capable of leading practical AI integration education and effectively teaching future talent in the AGI era. Recent observations of university environments reveal that many faculty members, including those in STEM fields, lack the necessary skills for practical AI application and education. Many professors are still at a basic level of AI utilization, often limited to using chatbots for simple tasks like asking questions or refining sentences. It is challenging to find educators who can design and integrate specialized programs and AI software tailored to their respective fields to guide students in solving creative problems. Some reports from AI competency workshops indicate that while some senior faculty struggled to keep pace with rapid technological changes and practical training, doctoral students and early-career researchers adapted quickly to new tools. It is concerning that the knowledge bearers, the professors, may be less adept at navigating the tools and trends of the AI era than their students. What is needed in the AGI era is not grand technological discourse or simplistic dialogues, but the ability to organically integrate AI into various academic disciplines to produce tangible creative and research outcomes. However, the structural inertia within the academic community that fails to respond swiftly to change has become a significant bottleneck in technology adoption. The root cause of this phenomenon lies in the rigid structure of faculty training and hiring systems in universities. Currently, the professor hiring and evaluation systems in South Korean universities do not meet the demands of this monumental civilizational shift. They remain trapped in outdated metrics, such as the number of publications in traditional academic journals and doctoral dissertations obtained years ago, effectively closing off opportunities to embrace the rapidly evolving AGI technology ecosystem. Moreover, due to financial difficulties and reduced enrollment, the hiring of new faculty has essentially been frozen, leading to an aging professoriate that is extremely conservative in adopting new technologies. The industry is demanding highly skilled talent capable of using AI software to solve practical problems and projects. However, graduates from universities are entering the workforce with only superficial AI experience, akin to basic search capabilities. As one voice of self-deprecation noted, "If the industry requires a competency level of '10', the education provided by universities is only at '1.'" If this trend continues, South Korean universities risk becoming outdated institutions that fail to produce even a single qualified graduate for the industry. So, what solutions exist to overcome the serious educational disconnect and technological gap in South Korea? The most crucial step is the early involvement of emerging researchers and doctoral-level talent. A bold decision is needed to break the entrenched interests within the academic community. Instead of adhering to uniform hiring standards, universities should rapidly train and deploy young researchers, such as instructors, postdoctoral researchers, and doctoral students, as "AI-focused faculty" who are highly adaptable to AGI technologies and practical applications. Another important aspect is the innovative restructuring of university education and evaluation systems. All departments should not adhere to a one-size-fits-all curriculum; rather, a national standardization and support for "AI design and creative curricula" tailored to the characteristics of various fields, including humanities, social sciences, arts, and engineering, is essential. Instead of fixating on visible infrastructure projects like building construction, universities must prioritize the retraining of faculty in AI and invest in future human resources. The wave of AGI, a monumental civilizational shift, has already crossed the threshold of universities. Without qualified educators, universities cannot have a future. If the government and university authorities do not swiftly improve faculty capabilities and establish an innovative faculty training ecosystem, South Korean universities will remain significant outliers in the AGI era. Time is running out. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-24 18:36:00
SK Group Chairman Ordered to Pay $944 Million in Divorce Settlement SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and Art Center Nabi Director Noh So-young's divorce property division lawsuit has reached a significant turning point. On July 24, the Seoul High Court ruled that Chey must pay Noh 944 billion won in cash as part of the property settlement. This decision comes nearly nine years after the legal dispute began with a divorce mediation request in 2017. The substantial changes in the property division amounts—from 66.5 billion won in the first trial to 1.38 trillion won in the second trial, and now to 944 billion won in the retrial—highlight the core issues at stake in this case.The primary issue was whether the SK shares held by Chey should be considered joint marital property. The first trial deemed the SK shares as separate property acquired through inheritance and gifts, excluding them from division. The court found it difficult to recognize Noh's substantial contribution to the formation, maintenance, and value increase of the shares. Consequently, only shares from some affiliates, real estate, and deposits were included in the division, resulting in a settlement amount of 66.5 billion won.However, the second trial overturned this decision. It concluded that the value of the SK shares significantly increased due to Chey's management activities during the marriage, and that Noh's contributions in household management, child-rearing, and external activities also played a role in maintaining and enhancing that value. As a result, the SK shares were included as joint property, and Noh's share was recognized at 35%, raising the property division amount to 1.38 trillion won.In October of last year, the Supreme Court ruled that acknowledging the late former President Roh Tae-woo's slush fund of 30 billion won as a contribution from Noh was incorrect, stating that illegal funds cannot be considered a legitimate contribution to property formation. The court also found it erroneous to include shares gifted to relatives for maintaining management rights before the marriage breakdown in the division. Following this ruling, the case returned to the Seoul High Court.The retrial reflected the Supreme Court's intent while still determining that the SK shares are joint marital property. Although the 30 billion won slush fund and gifted shares were excluded, the court recognized that Noh's long-term contributions to household management, child-rearing, and external activities contributed to the maintenance and increase in the value of the shares. The property division ratio was set at two-thirds for Chey and one-third for Noh.This ruling is noteworthy because it does not view a businessman's shares as merely personal property while broadly recognizing the spouse's contributions. While corporate shares are foundational to management rights and governance structures, if their value has significantly increased during the marriage, the spouse's contributions in household management, child-rearing, and social activities cannot be excluded from the property formation process. Even inherited property cannot be entirely considered separate if its value has been maintained and increased during the marriage.The criteria for stock valuation also hold significant implications. The court assessed the property value based on the date of the conclusion of the appeal hearing on April 16, 2024. At that time, the SK stock price was around 160,000 won, but it rose to the 800,000 won range by the end of the retrial. However, the court did not directly reflect this increase in the property value. Following Supreme Court precedents, the valuation date for property division in confirmed divorce cases is the conclusion of the factual hearing. Nonetheless, the stock price surge was considered in determining the division ratio. This decision balances legal stability with practical equity. Given the high volatility of publicly traded stocks, subsequent price fluctuations after the divorce confirmation are influenced by both managerial actions and market conditions. If all future stock price changes were retroactively divided, it could complicate the resolution of property division cases. Conversely, failing to reflect significant value increases would contradict the intent of equitable liquidation.Deciding on cash payment for the property division was also deemed appropriate. The SK shares held by Chey are directly linked to the group's management rights. Dividing these shares directly could introduce uncertainties into corporate governance and market stability. While ensuring the spouse's property rights, it is crucial to avoid situations where corporate management rights are jeopardized due to divorce litigation. This decision considers both individual rights and corporate stability.This case sets an important precedent for property division principles in South Korea, extending beyond the personal divorce of a conglomerate leader. Household management and child-rearing are not secondary roles separate from economic activities. The roles spouses play during long-term marriages can impact corporate value and asset growth. At the same time, it has been reaffirmed that illegal funds cannot be recognized as legitimate contributions under any circumstances.The court's ruling aims to fairly evaluate the contributions of the marital partnership while preserving the continuity of corporate management. This ruling is a result of efforts to balance these two principles. In future similar cases, it will be essential to establish consistent standards by specifically examining the property formation process, the spouse's actual contributions, and the impact on corporate management rights. 2026-07-24 18:32:00