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Whistleblower Calls for Investigation into Military's Alleged Illegal Actions During Martial Law A whistleblower has submitted a request for an investigation into alleged illegal actions by the military during the December 3 martial law, citing failures in the command and control systems. On July 23, Kim Hyun-seok delivered the request to the National Investigation Headquarters and the second Special Prosecutor team led by Kwon Chang-young. In a phone interview with Aju Economy the day before, Kim explained, "I requested that the National Investigation Headquarters conduct an investigation alongside the Special Prosecutor, which has a limited timeframe for its investigation." Kim, who has developed military communication systems for 27 years, reported that some units failed to operate the satellite-based command and control system (PRE) on the day of the martial law. He provided this information to lawmakers and the special prosecutor team investigating the insurrection led by Jo Eun-seok. Typically, the satellite PRE is activated during troop movements to ensure overall situational awareness, but it was not operational, which Kim believes is crucial evidence of the martial law's illegality. Kim gathered this information during a technical support visit to the martial law units, where he heard testimonies from several personnel. He concluded that the martial law involved organized illegal operations directed by higher authorities. He also received reports of illegal flights by martial law helicopters during a technical support visit to the Capital Defense Command. However, investigative agencies have not pursued these allegations, and after the insurrection special prosecutor's investigation period ended in December of last year, the case was transferred to the National Investigation Headquarters without progress. Subsequently, Kim received a notice from the National Investigation Headquarters indicating that he would be investigated as a suspect rather than receiving a case resolution. He was subjected to a search and seizure on July 3 and was interrogated by the Security Investigation Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on July 20 on charges of leaking military secrets and violating the Information and Communications Network Act. Kim's attorney, Ryu Jae-yul from the law firm Joonsim, stated in a phone call on July 21, "In the morning, we began forensic procedures, and in the afternoon, the investigation of Kim as a suspect started, lasting for 12 hours. The police seem to believe that charges may be established regarding whether Kim accessed the information network without authorization, leaving open the possibility of prosecution." He also mentioned the possibility of a re-summons next month. In relation to this, Kim held a press conference at the Participatory Justice Center on the same day, stating, "It is absurd for a whistleblower to become a suspect." He further argued, "Executing search warrants and investigating based on claims of revealing the locations of special forces or helicopters is unjust." He added, "I reported to lawmakers, the insurrection special prosecutor, and the comprehensive special prosecutor, but I have not received any inquiries about the investigation." Kim noted that he had sent relevant information to the ongoing comprehensive special prosecutor by mail but had not received a response. The special prosecutor's office told Aju Economy, "Even if related information is received, it is not communicated to the whistleblower because it is not a formal complaint or accusation." Lee Sang-hee, a lawyer from the Participatory Justice Center, plans to request protective measures for Kim from the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission. The lawyer explained, "The Public Interest Whistleblower Protection Act has specific provisions for protecting internal whistleblowers. It protects those who perform or have performed duties under contracts with public institutions or other agreements, and Kim qualifies as an internal whistleblower, so we will argue that procedures for reducing criminal liability should be initiated."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-23 16:16:00
Wang Huning Visits Tibet, Emphasizes Stability and Ethnic Unity Law Implementation Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, recently visited the Tibet Autonomous Region, stating that "the top priority in governing Tibet is its stability" and emphasized the thorough implementation of the Ethnic Unity Promotion Law.The Ethnic Unity Promotion Law, which institutionalizes the strengthening of unity and community consciousness among various ethnic groups in China, came into effect this month.According to the state-run Xinhua News Agency, Wang inspected the Tibet Autonomous Region from July 19 to 22, visiting Lhasa and the Ari region near the India-Nepal border.During his visit, Wang learned about social stability, ethnic harmony, temple management, border development, poverty alleviation, and the protection of historical and cultural heritage, engaging in discussions with various ethnic minority officials and residents.Wang emphasized, "The top priority in governing Tibet is its stability, and to achieve this, we must solidify a united and stable political and social environment." He added, "Ethnic unity is the lifeline of the people of all ethnic groups in China, and we must carry out propaganda and education to strengthen the sense of community among the Chinese nation and promote the construction of the Chinese national community in a concrete, practical, and effective manner."He also stated, "We must thoroughly implement the Ethnic Unity Promotion Law and enhance our capacity to manage ethnic affairs, ensuring that all development embodies the meaning of ethnic unity and progress."Wang further stressed the need to systematically promote the Sinicization of religion and to strengthen the rule of law in religious administration, guiding Tibetan Buddhism to adapt to socialist society.Additionally, he highlighted the importance of protecting and utilizing Tibet's historical documents, archaeological artifacts, and cultural heritage to showcase the historical processes of exchange and integration among various ethnic groups.The Ethnic Unity Promotion Law, which took effect on July 1, adopts Mandarin Chinese as the basic language for school education and official government work, and includes provisions for punishing acts of ethnic division abroad. Some have expressed concerns that this could expand the legal basis for restricting the religious, cultural, and political activities of ethnic minorities.Wang Huning has participated in establishing key theoretical systems of the party, including Jiang Zemin's "Three Represents" and Hu Jintao's "Scientific Outlook on Development," and is regarded as a prominent theorist within the party, responsible for core policy and theoretical design under Xi Jinping's leadership. He previously visited the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in June, where he also emphasized ethnic unity and stability.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-23 16:16:00
U.S. Considers Military Action Against Terror Group in Mali The Trump administration is reportedly considering military operations targeting Al-Qaeda-linked armed groups in Mali, where Russian influence has been growing.According to the Washington Post, citing current and former U.S. officials, the administration is discussing military action against the armed group Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), which has established a base in Mali.JNIM has expanded its operations from Mali to coastal West African countries, rapidly growing in strength and becoming one of the most powerful armed groups in the region.However, opinions within the Trump administration are divided on whether to proceed with military intervention. Sebastian Gorka, the senior director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council, is reportedly advocating for the use of military force.A White House official declined to comment on the potential military operations but emphasized that terrorism in the Sahel region is a complex issue involving multiple countries. The official stated, "We urge regional partners and NATO allies to support the Sahel Alliance in combating JNIM and the Islamic State (IS)." The consideration of U.S. military intervention comes amid increasing Russian influence in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, the three countries that make up the Sahel Alliance. In recent years, military coups have led to a reduction in security cooperation with Western nations like France, with these countries seeking support from Russia.The Malian military government is currently receiving support from the Russian defense ministry's Wagner Group and the African Legion. Despite the deployment of Russian troops and equipment, security conditions in Mali have reportedly not improved.A White House official criticized Russia, stating that it has "not been an effective security partner in Mali" and expressed hope that other African nations would take note of Russia's poor counterterrorism performance.Since last year, the Trump administration has expanded intelligence sharing with the Malian military, with U.S. intelligence reportedly being used in Malian airstrikes. However, direct U.S. military action could lead to potential clashes with Russian forces on the ground.Experts have raised concerns that military intervention could worsen the situation. Waseem Nasr, a senior researcher at the Suphan Center for Sahel studies, argued that despite long-term interventions by France and Russia, conditions have continued to deteriorate, suggesting that mediation between the Malian military government and JNIM would be more effective than military action.If the military action in Mali is approved, it would mark the eighth country where President Trump has ordered military strikes since taking office, contrasting with his initial pledge to end global conflicts and redirect U.S. resources to domestic needs.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-23 16:12:00
Chinese Stock Market Recovers with Lithium Stocks Leading Gains The Chinese stock market successfully rebounded on July 23 after experiencing a decline the previous day. However, the recovery was limited due to ongoing geopolitical risks.On this day, the Shanghai Composite Index closed up 0.25% at 3,876.78, the Shenzhen Component Index rose 0.44% to 14,123.31, and the ChiNext Index increased by 0.25% to 3,575.52.The rise in the Chinese market was influenced by major U.S. tech companies announcing higher-than-expected capital expenditures related to artificial intelligence during their earnings reports. This led to improved investor sentiment in AI servers, semiconductor equipment, and related sectors, contributing to the overall market increase.However, geopolitical factors, including U.S. airstrikes in Iran and attacks on oil tankers by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, limited the extent of the gains. Rising risks in the Middle East pushed Brent crude oil prices above $96 per barrel, raising concerns about global inflation and economic slowdown. Additionally, the increase in oil prices has led to expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve may maintain higher interest rates for a longer period.The lithium sector showed strong performance, with companies like Guocheng Mining and Yongsan Lithium reaching their daily price limits. The price of lithium carbonate contracts on the Guangzhou Futures Exchange rose by over 4%, reaching 147,000 yuan per ton, which positively impacted the sector. Guojin Securities projected that lithium battery demand would increase by 28% year-on-year to 2,629 GWh this year, driven by surging demand for electric vehicles and energy storage systems.The power grid sector also saw gains, with companies such as Shun Sodium and Hanlan Cable hitting their daily price limits. The news that State Grid Corporation of China announced the results of its third ultra-high voltage and transmission equipment bidding, with a total bid amount exceeding expectations at 6.3 billion yuan, stimulated related stocks.Meanwhile, the People's Bank of China set the yuan's central parity rate against the dollar at 6.7906 yuan, a decrease of 0.0027 yuan from the previous day, reflecting a 0.04% increase in the yuan's value.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-23 16:12:00
KB Financial and Shinhan Financial Report Record Half-Year Earnings KB Financial Group and Shinhan Financial Group have both reported record half-year earnings. The banks maintained stable interest income while their securities arms boosted non-interest income, contributing to their strong results. Notably, KB Financial is nearing entry into the '6 trillion club,' solidifying its position as the leading financial institution.On July 23, both KB Financial and Shinhan Financial announced that their net profits for the first half of the year reached 3.8846 trillion won and 3.4427 trillion won, respectively, marking the highest earnings on a half-year basis.KB Financial, which has held the title of leading financial institution for three consecutive years until last year, maintained its status in the first half of this year. The profit difference between KB Financial and Shinhan Financial was 441.9 billion won, widening from 398.3 billion won during the same period last year.Both KB Financial and Shinhan Financial benefited from robust interest income, while the booming stock market significantly boosted their non-interest income.For KB Financial, interest income and non-interest income for the first half of the year were 6.4783 trillion won and 3.6292 trillion won, respectively, representing increases of 1.7% and 33.3% compared to the same period last year. The stable interest income base, combined with the stock market boom, led to a substantial rise in commission income. Shinhan Financial reported interest income and non-interest income of 6.1585 trillion won and 2.6381 trillion won, reflecting increases of 7.7% and 19.7%.The performance varied among their non-bank subsidiaries. KB Financial's non-bank net income accounted for 44% of its total, while Shinhan Financial's was around 35%. To strengthen its non-bank subsidiaries, Shinhan Financial is considering mergers and acquisitions, including potential deals with insurance companies like Lotte Insurance.However, the core subsidiary 'leading bank' status belongs to Shinhan Bank. Having secured the leading bank position in the first quarter, Shinhan Bank recorded a net profit of 2.4585 trillion won in the first half, an increase of 8.5% from the previous year. In contrast, KB Kookmin Bank reported a net profit of 2.2254 trillion won, up 1.7% year-on-year.With both KB Financial and Shinhan Financial posting strong results, market analysts expect that the combined net profit of the four major financial holding companies (KB, Shinhan, Hana, and Woori) will also reach a record high for the first half of the year. According to FnGuide, the estimated net profits for Hana Financial and Woori Financial in the first half are 2.49 trillion won and 1.536 trillion won, respectively. This would bring the total net profit for the four major holding companies to an estimated 11.3533 trillion won. Hana and Woori Financial are set to announce their half-year results on July 24. 2026-07-23 16:12:00
Cultural Exchange Between China and Korea: Donation of Qing Dynasty Statues A pair of Qing Dynasty statues, which have been housed at the Gansong Museum for 87 years, are set to return to their homeland, China. This marks the first tangible outcome of a cultural heritage donation agreement signed during a Korea-China summit, and it is expected to serve as a new milestone in cultural exchange between the two countries.On July 23, the National Museum of Korea and Gansong Museum held a donation ceremony at the Gansong Museum in Seoul, where they finalized the transfer of ownership and signed a 'Artifact Transfer Confirmation' document. This initiates the process for transporting the statues back to China.The event was attended by Yoo Hong-jun, director of the National Museum of Korea, Jeon In-geon, director of Gansong Museum, and over 50 officials from both countries, including Lao Quan, director of the Chinese National Cultural Heritage Administration, and Dai Bing, the Chinese ambassador to South Korea.This donation is a follow-up to the agreement made in January during the Korea-China summit at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where the National Museum of Korea and the Chinese National Cultural Heritage Administration signed the donation agreement. With the signing of the 'Artifact Transfer Confirmation,' the transportation of the artifacts will proceed.The statues being donated were acquired by the late Gansong Jeon Hyung-pil in the 1930s at a Japanese auction and have been part of the Gansong Museum since the establishment of the Bohwa-gak in 1938. The National Museum of Korea has been entrusted with all aspects of the donation, including appraisal support and the signing of the donation agreement.Yoo Hong-jun expressed, "It is meaningful for the National Museum of Korea to establish a model for cultural communication and solidarity between Korea and China, in line with the legacy of Gansong, who protected the nation through culture. I believe this donation ceremony will serve as a new driving force for enriching cultural exchanges between the two countries."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-23 16:08:00
Reactions Split as Political Parties Address Real Estate Policy Forum On July 23, a national forum on real estate policy chaired by President Lee Jae-myung elicited contrasting reactions from political parties. The Democratic Party expressed its commitment to support the forum's outcomes with policy initiatives, while the People Power Party criticized it as a mere exercise in predetermined public opinion manipulation.Han Byeong-do, acting leader of the Democratic Party and floor leader, praised the forum during a policy coordination meeting, stating, "Listening to voices on the ground and finding feasible solutions is the governance style of the Lee Jae-myung administration."Han Jeong-ae, chair of the policy committee, listed various proposals made by President Lee through social media, including adjustments to property taxes, differential treatment for primary residences versus investment properties, and criteria for high-value homes. She expressed hope for consensus on tax equity measures and promised to gather diverse opinions to develop solutions for young people and first-time homebuyers.Spokesperson Boo Seung-chan emphasized in a written briefing that the government did not pre-determine answers and instead laid out issues as they are, stating, "We will thoroughly review the opinions presented and refine our real estate policies. We will fulfill our responsibility to ensure that the public's will is reflected in tax reform proposals and follow-up measures."In contrast, Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, expressed skepticism during a Supreme Council meeting, questioning the necessity of the forum. He remarked, "Now that the President has sold his house, he will quickly push for tax increases and the abolition of long-term capital gains tax exemptions, which will only exacerbate the suffering of the public."Chief Spokesperson Choi Bo-yoon criticized the forum, stating, "While it was presented under the guise of engaging with the public, it ultimately ignored the cries from the ground and the warnings from the market, merely justifying the government's policy failures."Choi added, "What the public wants is not one-sided policy boasting or lecturing, but an honest confession from the government and a fundamental policy shift. We must ease uniform lending restrictions that hinder genuine buyers and abandon the outdated approach of controlling housing prices through taxation."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-23 16:08:00
Monsoon Season Expected to End, Heat Wave to Follow Next Week This summer's monsoon season is expected to conclude early next week.According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) on July 22, "Following Jeju, the monsoon will end in the central and southern regions early next week, marking the start of a significant heat wave. However, localized heavy rainfall may continue due to the influence of the North Pacific High, so caution is advised."The KMA added that it has determined the monsoon in Jeju ended on July 19 as the North Pacific High expanded into the area.It was also reported that the monsoon in the central and southern regions is expected to conclude around Monday, July 27.However, rain is forecast for the capital region and Gangwon from July 24 to 25 due to a stationary front, with showers expected in areas south of Chungcheong. On July 26, the stationary front is anticipated to shift slightly south, bringing rain to the central region, North Jeolla, and North Gyeongsang.Expected precipitation on July 24 is 30 to 80 mm in the five western islands, 20 to 60 mm in the capital region, inland Gangwon, and mountainous areas of Gangwon, and 5 to 30 mm along the eastern coast of Gangwon. Showers are expected to bring 5 to 40 mm of rain (5 to 30 mm in Gwangju and South Jeolla).On July 25, rain or showers from the stationary front are expected to total around 5 to 40 mm.Once the monsoon ends, a prolonged heat wave is anticipated.By late next week, the North Pacific High in the lower atmosphere, combined with the Tibetan High in the upper atmosphere, is expected to cover the country, leading to extreme heat.From July 27 to August 2, morning temperatures are expected to range from 23 to 26 degrees Celsius, while daytime temperatures could reach between 29 and 37 degrees, similar to or slightly higher than the average (minimum 22 to 25 degrees; maximum 29 to 33 degrees).* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-23 16:08:00
Korea Coast Guard trains pilots to ease shortage SEOUL, July 23 (AJP) - The Korea Coast Guard has produced its first group of helicopter pilots through an in-house training program, part of an effort to address a chronic shortage of aviation personnel that has strained maritime rescue and patrol operations. The KCG held a graduation ceremony for the first class of its helicopter pilot training program at Hanseo University’s Taean campus on Thursday. The four graduates — Inspectors Kim Gyu-beom and Cho Hee-young, and Assistant Inspectors Park Jong-seon and Woo Hyo-jin — entered the program in February last year and completed 17 months of training. The course included 580 hours of ground instruction, 170 hours of flight training and 20 hours of simulator training. The graduates completed private, commercial and instrument helicopter pilot courses. They will be assigned to Coast Guard aviation units, where they will carry out missions such as maritime search and rescue, coastal patrols and other public safety operations. The KCG has been building its own pilot training system to reduce its shortage of helicopter pilots. Except for the military, it is the only helicopter-operating government agency in South Korea — among organizations such as the fire agency, forest service and police — to run an internal pilot training program. According to publicly available figures, the Coast Guard had 88 helicopter pilots as of March, leaving about 28 percent of positions unfilled. A parliamentary audit figure from September 2024 showed an even wider gap, with 78 rotary-wing pilots against an authorized strength of 122, or a shortage of 36 percent. The personnel gap has continued despite repeated hiring efforts. From 2019 to September 2024, the KCG hired 47 rotary-wing pilots, but 33 left during the same period. Another recent report said 27 Coast Guard helicopter pilots had left over the past five years, including departures to fire, emergency medical and other helicopter units offering better conditions. The KCG’s difficulty in retaining pilots is partly linked to the nature of its missions as they often fly at night, operate over open water and conduct shipboard takeoffs and landings, all of which are considered more demanding than many land-based helicopter missions. Flying over the sea can also increase the risk of spatial disorientation because pilots have fewer visual references, particularly in darkness or poor weather. The agency also has said Coast Guard helicopter pilots have generally been hired at lower ranks than pilots at other government agencies, making it harder to compete for experienced personnel. The shortage can increase the workload on remaining pilots, creating a cycle in which heavier operational burdens further weaken retention. The agency plans to train 20 helicopter pilots through the program by 2030, including the four graduates from the first class. It also plans to expand recruitment of experienced pilots. To improve retention, the KCG is considering upgrading aviation unit chief positions from senior inspector to superintendent, along with broader measures to improve working conditions for aviation personnel. “We will continue to train pilots who combine the Coast Guard’s field experience with aviation skills, and do our utmost to ensure maritime safety and protect maritime sovereignty,” said Yeo Sung-soo, director general of the KCG’s Guard Bureau. 2026-07-23 16:06:58
South Koreans top longevity as well as suicide in OECD scale SEOUL, July 23 (AJP)—South Koreans are among the world's longest-living people, but also have the highest suicide rate in the OECD. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's analysis of the OECD Health Statistics 2026 released Thursday, South Korea again recorded the highest suicide rate among OECD members in 2023. A total of 24.8 people per 100,000 died by suicide, more than double the OECD average of 10.9. Despite that grim statistic, the country ranked among the world's longest-lived nations. Life expectancy at birth for babies born in 2024 reached 83.7 years, 2.5 years above the OECD average of 81.2 years. Only Switzerland (84.2 years), Japan (84.1), Spain (84.0) and Sweden (83.8) ranked higher, placing South Korea among the world's longest-lived countries. South Korea also recorded relatively few deaths that could have been prevented through better public health measures or timely medical care. The rate stood at 139 deaths per 100,000 people, compared with the OECD average of 208.8. It has steadily improved over the past decade, falling from 194.0 in 2013 to 154.0 in 2018 and 139.0 in 2023. Koreans also visited doctors more frequently than people in any other OECD country. The average person made 17.9 visits a year, nearly 2.7 times the OECD average of 6.6. Healthcare spending, however, remained relatively modest. Current health expenditure accounted for 8.5 percent of GDP, below the OECD average of 9.3 percent. Annual healthcare spending reached about $5,098 per person in 2024, rising at an average annual rate of 8.5 percent over the past decade, outpacing the OECD average of 6.1 percent, partly due to the country’s rapidly aging population. At the same time, the country continued to face a shortage of doctors. It had 2.6 practicing doctors per 1,000 people, including practitioners of traditional Korean medicine, compared with the OECD average of 4.0. Only Costa Rica ranked lower. The total nursing workforce, including nurses and nursing assistants, stood at 9.8 per 1,000 people, slightly above the OECD average of 9.7. However, the number of registered nurses alone was 5.5 per 1,000, well below the OECD average of 8.8. Meanwhile, the smoking rate among people aged 15 and older was 13.2 percent, close to the OECD average of 12.7 percent, while annual alcohol consumption averaged 7.6 liters per person, below the OECD average of 8.3 liters. Weight-related indicators were comparatively favorable, although the trend is worsening. Korea had the second-lowest share of overweight and obese adults among OECD countries at 37.3 percent, behind only Japan's 25.3 percent and well below the OECD average of 58.7 percent. Still, the proportion has continued to climb, rising from 30.8 percent in 2014 to 33.7 percent in 2019 and 37.3 percent in 2024. 2026-07-23 16:04:30