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  • Korea tourism archive to help build Nexon Games Woochi
    Korea tourism archive to help build Nexon Games' 'Woochi' SEOUL, September 14 (AJP) - About 71,000 photos and videos from the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) will help build the landscapes and cultural settings of Nexon Games' upcoming fantasy adventure "Woochi the Wayfarer." The game is set in the Joseon era and draws inspiration from the classic Korean novel "The Tale of Jeon Woo-chi," which follows a mischievous wizard who uses supernatural powers to fight evil forces. Nexon Games and KTO signed an agreement Friday to use the tourism agency's visual archive from the early stages of game development. The materials will help developers recreate Korean scenery, nature and cultural heritage more realistically in the game's virtual world. KTO's nationwide tourism database contains professionally shot and reviewed images and videos. The archive was selected for the government's AI and High-Value Data Top 100 project. The tourism agency said verified materials can help reduce distortion and factual errors when Korean landscapes and cultural assets are reproduced digitally. The cooperation will also extend to tourism marketing tied to the game. Nexon Games and KTO plan to explore ways to introduce overseas players to real Korean destinations that inspired locations in the game when it is officially launched. Kim Young-mi, head of KTO's tourism AI innovation division, said the project shows how the agency's data can be used beyond AI training in industries such as gaming. AJP Takeaways - KTO will provide about 71,000 Korean tourism photos and videos to Nexon Games. - The data will be used for the upcoming game "Woochi the Wayfarer." - The game is inspired by the classic Korean novel "The Tale of Jeon Woo-chi." 2026-09-14 14:19:52
  • HD Hyundai E&F Completes LNG Cogeneration Plant in Daesan Industrial Complex
    HD Hyundai E&F Completes LNG Cogeneration Plant in Daesan Industrial Complex HD Hyundai E&F, a subsidiary of HD Hyundai Oilbank specializing in district energy, has completed a liquefied natural gas (LNG) cogeneration plant in the Daesan petrochemical complex in South Chungcheong Province, marking the start of energy supply.The completion ceremony was held on September 14 at the LNG cogeneration plant in Daesan-eup, Seosan City, attended by key officials including Song Myung-jun and Jeong Im-joo, representatives of HD Hyundai Oilbank, and Kim Myung-hyun, CEO of HD Hyundai E&F.Approximately 435 billion won was invested in the construction of this LNG cogeneration plant. Established in 2021, HD Hyundai E&F began construction of the plant in March 2024, building power generation and heat supply facilities over two years. Following a phased commissioning process to verify the performance and stability of the facilities, commercial operations commenced at the end of July.The newly constructed plant has a power generation capacity of 290 megawatts and a heat production capacity of 321 tons per hour. It utilizes a high-efficiency gas turbine combined cycle method, producing both electricity and thermal energy simultaneously.The electricity and thermal energy produced by HD Hyundai E&F will be supplied to companies located in the Daesan petrochemical complex, including H&L Advanced. This is expected to provide tenant companies with stable and competitively priced energy. H&L Advanced is a newly established corporation formed by the merger of HD Hyundai Chemical and Lotte Daesan Petrochemical, which held its launch ceremony on September 4.Song Myung-jun, CEO of HD Hyundai Oilbank, stated, "The completion of this LNG cogeneration plant is significant as it enhances the energy infrastructure of the Daesan petrochemical complex. I hope that HD Hyundai E&F will contribute to improving the competitiveness of tenant companies and the development of the local industry through stable energy supply."Kim Myung-hyun, CEO of HD Hyundai E&F, remarked, "We will do our best to operate the high-efficiency combined generation facilities stably and ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity and heat. We will also continuously improve facility efficiency to contribute to enhancing energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions for our clients."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 14:16:00
  • Kang Deuk-gu Appointed as New Head of the Democratic Research Institute
    Kang Deuk-gu Appointed as New Head of the Democratic Research Institute Representative Kang Deuk-gu, a prominent member of the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction, has been appointed as the new head of the Democratic Research Institute, the party's think tank, on September 14. The Democratic Party announced that "Kim Min-seok, the party leader, has nominated former Supreme Council member Kang as the head of the Democratic Research Institute in accordance with Article 57 of the party constitution." According to Article 57, which governs the establishment and operation of policy research institutes, the head of the Democratic Research Institute is directly appointed by the party leader and must be approved by the institute's board. The term is set for two years. Since the launch of Kim's leadership, Kang has led the Democratic Research Institute's innovation task force, working to strengthen the institute's capabilities. During the first meeting of the task force on August 25, he stated, "We will create a unique and differentiated role for the Democratic Research Institute," and outlined plans to significantly enhance its polling and public sentiment analysis functions to better gauge public opinion. Meanwhile, his predecessor, Lee Jae-young, resigned on August 31. Although Lee was appointed last December and had time remaining in his term, his departure is seen as a result of the change in the party leadership.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 14:16:00
  • Hong Ji-sun Supports Increased Tax Burden on High-Value Homes and Non-Resident Homeowners
    Hong Ji-sun Supports Increased Tax Burden on High-Value Homes and Non-Resident Homeowners Hong Ji-sun, the nominee for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, has officially endorsed the government's plan to increase the tax burden on high-value homes and non-resident homeowners. She also outlined her vision to reshape the housing market to focus on actual residents and to rapidly increase supply for genuine demand.In written responses submitted to the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee on September 14, Hong stated, "I agree with the direction of the real estate tax reform aimed at normalizing the real estate tax system and forming a housing market centered on actual residents."However, she emphasized the need to consider market impacts during the tax reform process. Hong explained, "The reform of the real estate tax system should be examined with careful consideration of various aspects, including fair taxation, tax equity, and the effects on the housing market."Regarding housing supply priorities, Hong stressed the importance of actual residents. She said, "Housing is a limited resource, so it should be prioritized for actual residents."She also raised the need to restructure the rental market. Hong noted, "The current rental market structure excessively relies on individual multiple homeowners," and suggested that to ensure housing stability for low-income households, there should be continued expansion of public rental housing and support for corporate rental businesses. This indicates a shift from a private multiple homeowner-centric rental supply structure to a more public and corporate rental focus.Hong expressed conditional support for easing regulations on reconstruction and redevelopment to expand housing supply in urban areas. She stated, "To increase housing supply in urban areas, it is necessary to relax excessive or unreasonable regulations on reconstruction and redevelopment."However, she also made it clear that any easing of regulations should be carefully managed to avoid market instability. She said, "It is necessary to examine the impact of regulatory easing on the housing market to ensure that supply expansion and market stability can be harmonized."Improving systems to reduce supply delays was also highlighted as a key task. Hong assessed that "thorough project management, including shortening construction and approval periods and expediting compensation, is crucial."She particularly emphasized the need to amend the Public Housing Special Act to accelerate the supply of public housing. Hong stated, "Amendments to the Public Housing Special Act, which would allow for compensation plans to be announced when an area is designated before the completion of basic investigations, should be swiftly pursued to implement the shortest construction model."After being nominated as a ministerial candidate, Hong had previously stated her commitment to quickly supply quality housing in preferred locations, indicating her intention to work closely with Seoul City on housing supply policies. Following the government's supply measures announced on August 13, securing new sites, adjusting redevelopment regulations, and collaborating with Seoul City are seen as major tasks for Hong.Hong's responses reaffirm the government's dual approach to housing policy: suppressing speculative demand through tax increases and accelerating supply through regulatory easing and streamlined public land procedures.However, increasing the tax burden on non-resident homeowners and easing regulations on redevelopment are both issues with significant market implications. The impact of increased tax burdens on the rental market, the potential for regulatory easing to stimulate housing prices in Seoul, and the backlash from landowners due to expedited public housing compensation procedures are expected to be contentious topics in upcoming hearings and policy implementation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 14:12:20
  • China Pushes Back Against Anthropics AI Development Regulation Claims
    China Pushes Back Against Anthropic's AI Development Regulation Claims China is reacting strongly against Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, following his comments advocating for a slowdown in AI development. Amodei identified China as a major risk factor in AI safety and called for increased regulations targeting the country. In response, Chinese experts criticized his remarks, stating that they frame AI safety issues as a geopolitical zero-sum game. As the US-China competition in AI intensifies, there are concerns that the upcoming summit on September 24 may yield limited results due to the differing positions of the two nations.CEO Amodei emphasizes need for regulations on China in AI developmentIn a blog post on September 12, Amodei mentioned China 14 times, arguing that the US should slow its AI development only if it remains ahead of China. He warned that China's advancements in AI could pose significant security threats to the US and the world. He advocated for stricter export controls on high-performance AI chips and semiconductor equipment to China, as well as measures to prevent chip smuggling and unauthorized access to remote data centers. He also stressed the need to block unauthorized distillation of US AI models by Chinese companies.Amodei argued that these actions could significantly enhance the US's AI advantage over the next three to five years, thereby increasing its negotiating power with China. He contended that if the US were to slow its AI development first, it could risk ceding technological superiority to China, making it imperative to curb China's advancements for the sake of international AI safety cooperation.China criticizes AI safety claims as zero-sum competitionChinese officials quickly condemned Amodei's statements. Xiang Ligang, a telecommunications and technology policy expert, told the state-run Global Times that Amodei's claims depict China's legitimate AI development as a threat and further fuel the US-China AI rivalry. He described the assertions as inappropriate, unfounded, and hostile. Xiao Qian, deputy director of Tsinghua University's AI International Governance Research Institute, noted that Anthropic's push for regulations stems from its competition with China's open-source AI models.On September 13, Chen Yixin, head of China's Ministry of State Security, issued a warning that some countries are using 'national security' as a pretext to impose technology controls and monopolize industrial standards, thereby fragmenting the global AI industry and supply chain. While he did not name specific countries, his remarks were interpreted as a direct reference to US regulations targeting China.China is also seeking to expand its global influence by promoting open-source AI models in contrast to the closed AI models led by US tech giants. During the BRICS summit on September 12, President Xi Jinping proposed creating a dedicated zone for open-source AI for BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) and supporting collaboration in the development and application of large language models (LLMs) to establish an open AI ecosystem.Institutional limitations complicate cooperation amid 'prisoner's dilemma'While both the US and China agree on the necessity of AI safety, they hold opposing views on how to achieve it. The US perceives China's AI advancements as a security risk and seeks to limit technology access, whereas China criticizes US technology controls as actions that lead to monopolization and supply chain disruptions.The competitive nature surrounding AI development further complicates cooperation between the two nations. Although collaboration could mitigate AI risks, mutual distrust prevents either side from halting their AI development efforts, resulting in a 'prisoner's dilemma.'Former President Donald Trump acknowledged the need for AI safety measures while emphasizing the importance of maintaining a competitive edge over China, stating, 'The one who wins in AI will win.' Although the US and China are set to hold their first official AI safety dialogue this month, analysts predict that reaching a substantive agreement will be challenging.In addition to the competition for technological supremacy and mutual distrust, institutional limitations pose further obstacles. A recent report from the Asia Society, a US think tank, highlighted that both the US and China have dispersed technical expertise and policy authority across multiple agencies in the field of AI safety, making it unclear who would be responsible for implementing any substantial agreements. 2026-09-14 14:12:10
  • Tokayev arrives for summit as Kazakhstan eyes AI and minerals deals
    Tokayev arrives for summit as Kazakhstan eyes AI and minerals deals SEOUL, September 14 (AJP) - Kazakhstan will press South Korea this week to widen a partnership built largely on car plants into artificial intelligence, data infrastructure and processed critical minerals, an agenda President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev carried into Seoul on Monday at the start of a state visit. Deputy Prime Minister and Science and ICT Minister Bae Kyung-hoon met the Kazakh leader at the airport. Tokayev came at the invitation of President Lee Jae Myung, and the two will hold a bilateral summit on Tuesday afternoon. The visit is built around the first South Korea-Central Asia Summit, which Lee will chair in Seoul on Wednesday afternoon. It gathers the leaders of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, and it is the first time South Korea has met the region as a group at the level of heads of state. Seoul and the five capitals have been talking since 2007 through the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum, but that body never rose above the ministerial level. Tokayev is one of three leaders here on a state visit, the highest category of official reception, alongside the presidents of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The leaders of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are making official visits. Lee is meeting all five in turn, starting Monday afternoon and finishing Wednesday morning, before the six of them sit down together. Cheong Wa Dae has set the summit under the theme of cooperation and partnership for stronger innovation, prosperity and connectivity. Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said the meeting will produce a Seoul Declaration laying out a framework for the medium to long term, turning what has been a series of ministerial conversations into a standing structure at the leader level. What Seoul wants from the region is material. Central Asia holds large reserves of the minerals that go into batteries, semiconductors and electric motors, and South Korea has the exploration and processing technology but almost none of the ore. Cheong Wa Dae said it will use the summit to pair the two, reducing the concentration of supply chains that now run overwhelmingly through China. Beyond minerals, the presidential office wants to open the region to South Korean construction and plant contractors through cooperation tailored to each country's infrastructure needs, and to smooth the customs procedures, regulations and intellectual property rules that trip up companies working there. Talks will also cover artificial intelligence, digital technology, science, climate response, water management and disaster preparedness. Security is on the agenda as well. Seoul will seek the region's backing on Korean Peninsula issues and press for joint work against terrorism, narcotics and cybercrime, an area where cooperation has already produced results. Kazakh and South Korean authorities recently broke up a voice phishing ring, arresting 19 people over fraud worth 5.8 billion won, about $4.3 million. People-to-people ties form the fourth strand. Next year marks 90 years since ethnic Koreans were deported to Central Asia under Stalin in 1937, and the government plans to expand Korean language and cultural education and youth exchange programs across the region ahead of that anniversary. Kazakhstan is home to roughly 120,000 ethnic Koreans. Kazakhstan arrives with a narrower and more specific list. The Kazakh Embassy in Seoul said Astana wants to move the relationship past the automotive assembly that has defined it, using that industry as a template rather than an endpoint. The template is visible on the ground. Hyundai Motor Company assembles vehicles in Almaty, Kia Corporation opened a plant last year in Kostanay, built to turn out 70,000 cars a year, Samsung Electronics runs production in the Karaganda region, and Doosan Enerbility is building a 1,000-megawatt power station in Turkestan. More than 700 companies with South Korean capital operate in the country. Artificial intelligence and data infrastructure sit at the top of what Kazakhstan wants next. The country is expanding its computing capacity, which Astana argues creates openings for South Korean firms in data centers, the power supply those centers require and the cooling systems that keep them running. On minerals, the Kazakh position is that exporting ore is not the goal. Kazakhstan holds significant reserves of uranium, copper, chromium and zinc, and wants processing plants, higher value manufacturing and a place inside South Korean battery and electronics supply chains rather than a role at the bottom of them. A planned research center for rare earth metals is part of that push. Geography is the third argument. Kazakhstan is the largest economy in Central Asia and sits astride the overland routes between Asia and Europe. It is spending heavily on railways and on the Trans-Caspian corridor, which moves freight west across the Caspian Sea and bypasses Russia, a selling point for South Korean exporters looking for alternatives to existing routes. Astana has also signaled that it will judge the summit by what comes after it rather than by the language of the declaration, saying it wants named projects, identified partners, financing arranged and timelines that can actually be met. Kazakhstan and South Korea currently have 46 joint industrial projects at various stages, worth roughly $4 billion, spanning vehicle production, engineering, metallurgy and electronics. Bilateral trade reached $3.17 billion last year. South Korean direct investment in Kazakhstan has totaled about $8 billion over the past decade. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992 and upgraded them to a strategic partnership in 2009. AJP Takeaways - Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Seoul on Monday at the invitation of President Lee Jae Myung, one of three Central Asian leaders here on a state visit, and will hold a bilateral summit with Lee on Tuesday afternoon. - Cheong Wa Dae will chair the first South Korea-Central Asia Summit on Wednesday afternoon with the leaders of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, adopting a Seoul Declaration that raises a cooperation framework running at ministerial level since 2007 to the level of heads of state. - Cheong Wa Dae is pairing Central Asia's mineral reserves with South Korean exploration and processing technology to cut supply chain dependence on China, while also pursuing infrastructure and plant contracts, customs and intellectual property rules, artificial intelligence and digital cooperation, and joint action against terrorism, narcotics and cybercrime. - The Kazakh Embassy in Seoul said Astana wants to move past automotive assembly into artificial intelligence, data center infrastructure and domestic mineral processing, and will measure the summit by named projects, identified partners, arranged financing and workable timelines rather than by the declaration text. - Kazakhstan and South Korea have 46 joint industrial projects worth roughly $4 billion under way, bilateral trade reached $3.17 billion last year, and South Korean direct investment has totaled about $8 billion over the past decade. AJP verified these figures against Kazakh government sources rather than the wire interview that first surfaced them. 2026-09-14 14:09:48
  • Korea boosts meat supply to fight Chuseok inflation
    Korea boosts meat supply to fight Chuseok inflation SEOUL, September 14 (AJP) - Beef, pork and egg supplies will be sharply increased before the Chuseok holiday as South Korea seeks to contain prices ahead of one of the country's biggest family gatherings. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said Monday that beef will be supplied at 1.3 times usual volumes and pork at 1.4 times, while egg supplies, including imports, will reach 2.4 times normal levels. Government-backed discounts and producer levy funds will cut prices of hanwoo, beef from Korea's native cattle breed, by up to 50 percent and pork by about 20 percent. Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung announced the plan during a visit to a livestock auction house run by the Nonghyup farm cooperative in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province. "We will do our utmost to supply livestock products stably so that consumers can enjoy a happy Chuseok," she said. Chuseok, the autumn harvest holiday falling on Sept. 25 this year, brings families back to their hometowns for gatherings and ancestral rites. Traditional holiday tables often include braised beef short ribs, beef soup and jeon, pan-fried savory pancakes that commonly use eggs. Demand typically peaks in the three weeks before Chuseok, when slaughterhouses add weekend shifts. Cattle slaughter during that period is forecast at about 96,000 head this year, down 13.7 percent from a year earlier, according to the Korea Rural Economic Institute. The supply increase comes as higher food prices raise the cost of preparing for the holiday. A four-person ancestral rite table costs 302,500 won ($225.1) at traditional markets, up 1.2 percent from a year earlier, according to the Korea Price Research Center. AJP Takeaways - South Korea will increase beef supplies to 1.3 times normal levels, pork to 1.4 times and eggs to 2.4 times ahead of Chuseok on Sept. 25. - Cattle slaughter during the peak holiday-demand period is forecast at about 96,000 head, down 13.7 percent from a year earlier. - Government-backed discounts will cut hanwoo beef prices by up to 50 percent and pork by about 20 percent as holiday food costs continue to rise. 2026-09-14 14:05:49
  • Samsung to Pay 1.3 Trillion Won Early to Partners Ahead of Chuseok
    Samsung to Pay 1.3 Trillion Won Early to Partners Ahead of Chuseok "Samsung must work together with society. We need to share and grow with our customers, shareholders, partners, and local communities," said Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics.In line with this philosophy, Samsung announced on September 14 that it will pay 1.3 trillion won to its partner companies ahead of the Chuseok holiday and will support small businesses and local farmers.To ease the financial burden on its partners, Samsung will make the payment of 1.3 trillion won before the Chuseok holiday. Thirteen affiliates, including Samsung Electronics, Samsung C&T, Samsung Biologics, Samsung Display, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, and Samsung SDI, will participate.Each company will pay the amounts approximately seven days earlier than the original payment date. The early payment amount has also increased by about 110 billion won compared to last year's Chuseok. This measure aims to support the liquidity of partners, who typically face increased cash flow demands for labor and raw materials during the holiday season.Additionally, an online marketplace will be operated to stimulate domestic consumption. Seventeen affiliates, including Samsung Electronics, have launched a 'Chuseok Online Marketplace' featuring local specialties and products from small businesses and farmers. Samsung employees purchase approximately 3 billion won worth of goods from this marketplace each year during the Lunar New Year and Chuseok.Notably, 31 small businesses supported by Samsung Electronics in building smart factories will offer 53 products, including Korean beef and fruits. Since 2015, Samsung Electronics has supported 3,622 smart factory projects for small businesses up to August this year. This initiative not only improves production facilities but also connects sales opportunities through the holiday marketplace.Samsung is also gradually implementing its plan to expand social contributions, announced in May, which involves 5 trillion won. In June, it held the 'Thank You Festival' where a portion of product purchases was returned as gift certificates. In July, Samsung Electronics and its financial affiliates contributed 200 billion won to the Samsung Smile Financial Foundation to support financially vulnerable groups.Lee Jae-yong previously emphasized, "Sharing and growing together with our neighbors and society is our mission and the path to becoming a century-old company." Samsung plans to introduce additional social contribution measures to further spread the benefits of growth to its partners and local communities.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 14:04:00
  • LG to Provide Early Payments of 600 Billion Won to Suppliers Ahead of Chuseok
    LG to Provide Early Payments of 600 Billion Won to Suppliers Ahead of Chuseok LG is taking steps to support its suppliers facing financial difficulties ahead of the Chuseok holiday by providing early payments and engaging in community service initiatives.On September 14, LG Electronics, LG Innotek, LG Chem, LG Energy Solution, LG Household & Health Care, LG Uplus, LG CNS, and D&O announced their decision to pay a total of 600 billion won in supplier payments up to 13 days earlier than originally scheduled.This measure aims to alleviate the operational burden on suppliers, who typically experience a spike in temporary cash demands for raw material payments and employee bonuses during the holiday season.LG's major affiliates operate financial support programs, including a 1.2 trillion won shared growth fund and direct loans, to assist suppliers in securing low-interest and interest-free financing.The company is particularly focused on strengthening its collaborative framework to extend support benefits to second-tier and lower-tier suppliers. In July, LG signed a 'Shared Growth Agreement for LG's First, Second, and Third-Tier Suppliers' with the Fair Trade Commission, committing to allocate more than 10% of the shared growth fund to second-tier and lower-tier suppliers.LG Display, LG Chem, LG Energy Solution, LG Household & Health Care, and LG Uplus are also planning various charitable activities, including the distribution of essential goods to vulnerable community members and employee volunteer work, in conjunction with the holiday season.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 14:04:00
  • Choi Hee-daes Decision on Supreme Court Nominee Delayed Again
    Choi Hee-dae's Decision on Supreme Court Nominee Delayed Again Choi Hee-dae, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, is facing delays in deciding on the nomination of a Supreme Court justice. Despite repeated calls from the Blue House for a swift nomination process due to the prolonged vacancy, it appears that a conclusion may not be reached this week.According to legal sources on the 14th, Chief Justice Choi has been deliberating since the Blue House requested the nomination of Song Bong-ki, a senior judge at the Daegu District Court, as the successor to former Justice Noh Tae-ack on August 28.On August 18, Choi nominated Song from a list of four candidates recommended by the Supreme Court Justice Candidate Recommendation Committee to succeed Noh. However, ten days later, the Blue House requested a re-nomination, stating that the initial nomination was a "unilateral written recommendation without substantial consultation." Choi had previously told reporters on his way home that he would make an official statement the following week, but the announcement was postponed due to a family bereavement, and he has remained silent since then. On his first day back to work after the Blue House's renewed calls for a swift re-nomination, he did not provide any further comments.On September 11, the Blue House stated, "We hope the Chief Justice will respect the recommendations of the committee and proceed with the re-nomination process as quickly as possible to ensure that the public's right to a fair trial is not compromised due to the long vacancy of Supreme Court justices." This comes as the vacancies of two justices have persisted for a week since the retirement of former Justice Lee Heung-gu on September 7, following Noh's departure in March.Chief Justice Choi has the option to either nominate another candidate from the existing list of four or to reconstitute the recommendation committee to restart the nomination process. There is a prevailing belief within the judiciary and legal circles that a new committee may be formed, as the current law requires the Chief Justice to establish a committee for each nomination.However, either choice carries significant implications. Nominating another candidate from the existing list could effectively limit the Chief Justice's authority to nominate, while forming a new committee could heighten tensions with the Blue House. Analysts suggest that Choi's ongoing deliberation, which includes reviewing constitutional and legal considerations and consulting external experts, is influenced by these pressures.This week's schedule also complicates the timing of a decision. A confirmation hearing for Kim Sung-soo, the nominee to succeed Lee, is set for today, and the 20th Asia-Pacific Chief Justices' Conference will take place in Seoul from September 16 to 19. As this is the third time Korea has hosted this international event, there is added pressure to avoid making politically charged statements during the conference.As a result, there is speculation that Chief Justice Choi may delay his decision until after the Asia-Pacific Chief Justices' Conference concludes.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 14:00:00