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  • Ruling Party Faces Internal Conflict Over Investigative Authority Reform
    Ruling Party Faces Internal Conflict Over Investigative Authority Reform On July 14, the Democratic Party discussed amendments to the Criminal Procedure Act as part of its judicial reform efforts, revealing internal disagreements over the elimination of supplementary investigative authority. Meanwhile, the People Power Party criticized the ruling party's push for these amendments, warning that it could lead to the emergence of a "monster police force."Lee Joo-hee, the Democratic Party's floor spokesperson, spoke to reporters after a party meeting, stating, "We have officially entered the deliberation process this month. We are working to enhance the quality of the legislation to prevent any adverse effects that may arise during the judicial reform process from impacting the public."She added, "Next week, we will hold a policy meeting with experts and will actively gather public opinions." However, she cautioned against overinterpretation, noting, "No lawmakers have advocated for the complete retention of supplementary investigative authority."Currently, four bills related to the Criminal Procedure Act have been proposed. The Democratic Party is focusing on the proposal put forth by its internal task force, which includes lawmakers Kim Seung-won and Lee Hae-sik, along with Kim Han-kyu and Park Sang-hyuk. The task force is gathering opinions on the matter.Additionally, there are joint proposals from Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yong-min and Justice Party lawmaker Park Eun-jung, as well as a proposal from Justice Party lawmaker Cha Kyu-geun, and another from Democratic Party lawmaker Hong Gi-won. The legislative committee plans to review these four proposals collectively.Notably, while the task force has suggested replacing supplementary investigative authority with a supplementary investigative request authority, Hong's proposal includes provisions for retaining some supplementary investigative authority in exceptional cases, such as sexual violence. Lee emphasized, "We are striving to conduct deliberations swiftly and thoroughly," but she also noted that setting a deadline could hinder the process.The People Power Party, opposing the ruling party's move to abolish the supplementary investigative authority, has launched a campaign centered around the "Jang Yoon-ki case." Jang Dong-hyuk, the party leader, who has been focusing on external protests due to a shortage of ballots, stated, "If we hand over all investigative powers to the police, a monster police force will emerge," emphasizing the need for a vigorous campaign.During a discussion held in the National Assembly, Jang highlighted the necessity of supplementary investigative authority. He remarked, "The Jang Yoon-ki case shows that relying on the goodwill of the police for proper investigations is impossible. What is needed now is police reform, which underscores the necessity of checks and controls on the police's vast powers."Floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik also commented on the Jang Yoon-ki case, stating, "This incident, where the police, who should uncover the truth, instead turned a blind eye and concealed evidence, betrays the public trust. If the supplementary investigative authority is abolished in this context, it could nullify the minimal checks needed to prevent inadequate investigations and abuse of power by the police."Previously, the People Power Party decided at a party meeting to propose an amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act that would maintain the supplementary investigative authority as the party's official stance. Floor spokesperson Choi Eun-seok told reporters that the legal support team is preparing a proposal with supplementary opinions and that it will be submitted as soon as possible, although the timing may vary. 2026-07-14 17:32:00
  • Korean Sports Council Receives Good Rating in 2025 Management Evaluation
    Korean Sports Council Receives 'Good' Rating in 2025 Management Evaluation The Korean Sports Council has achieved a 'good' rating in the 2025 management performance evaluation conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, marking a successful recovery in organizational management.On July 14, the Sports Council announced that it received a good rating in the evaluation of management performance for public institutions and organizations in 2025, conducted by the ministry. Among the 42 institutions evaluated, only six improved their ratings compared to the previous year, with the Sports Council being the only organization to rise by two or more levels.This marks a positive outcome for the Sports Council, the first in a decade since the merger of sports organizations in 2016. Previously, the council received the lowest rating of 'insufficient' in the 2024 management performance evaluation due to criticisms regarding fairness in hiring and organizational operations, as well as ethical management.Following the appointment of Yoo Seung-min as president, the council introduced a new vision of 'Responsible Change for a Revitalized Korean Sports Council' and began a comprehensive reorganization. The council prioritized fairness and transparency, focusing on establishing a responsible management system, ensuring fair hiring and organizational operations, fostering an ethical and human rights-centered organizational culture, and enhancing transparency in financial and project management.These efforts to improve organizational health were reflected in the recent evaluation, which comprehensively assessed management strategies, safety and responsible management, organizational and human resource management, and financial budget management.Yoo Seung-min stated, "This achievement is the result of all employees working together with a shared commitment to implementing responsible sports administration based on fairness and transparency. We will continue to strive for change and innovation to build a Korean Sports Council that earns the trust of the public and athletes through responsible management and institutional improvements."Earlier, the Sports Council received a significantly improved score in the 2025 evaluation of public data provision operations, achieving an 'excellent' rating, which far exceeds the average score of 57.4 (insufficient) for other public institutions.Additionally, in the 2025 evaluation of cultural informatization levels conducted among 49 public institutions under the ministry, the Sports Council maintained an 'excellent' rating for the third consecutive year. This evaluation comprehensively examines the operational status of informatization tasks within the institutions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 17:28:00
  • KOSPI makes modest recovery after sharp plunge, but KOSDAQ stays volatile
    KOSPI makes modest recovery after sharp plunge, but KOSDAQ stays volatile SEOUL, July 14 (AJP) - South Korean stocks rebounded Tuesday after the previous session's steep selloff, although another sell-side sidecar on the junior KOSDAQ showed continued volatility in the local market. The benchmark KOSPI rose 49.90 points or 0.73 percent to close at 6,856.83. The modest gain followed another volatile session. The index opened 0.56 percent lower at 6,769.06, climbed to an intraday high of 6,979.92 and later fell to 6,448.86 before recovering into the close, a swing of more than 530 points. Foreign investors bought 952.3 billion won worth of shares, while institutions purchased 3.22 trillion won. Individuals sold 4.14 trillion won. Semiconductor heavyweights led the rebound. Samsung Electronics gained 3.34 percent to 263,000 won, while SK hynix rose 3.69 percent to 1,913,000 won. SK Square, the chipmaker's largest shareholder, added 2.50 percent. The gains came despite weakness in artificial intelligence (AI)-related semiconductor shares overseas. SK hynix's American depositary receipts (ADRs) fell more than 9 percent overnight in New York, while Japanese memory-chip maker Kioxia fell as much as 6 percent. Among other large-cap stocks, Hyundai Motor fell 4.39 percent, KB Financial dropped 3.33 percent, Samsung Life Insurance lost 2.76 percent, Samsung Biologics declined 2.29 percent and LG Energy Solution slipped 1.98 percent. Hyundai Pharm surged 29.84 percent to its daily limit after President Lee Jae Myung said during a Cabinet meeting that the government should consider allowing medication abortion. The company holds Korean distribution rights for a combination drug containing mifepristone and misoprostol that is awaiting regulatory approval. Shipping and energy-related shares also advanced as oil prices remained elevated amid renewed tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. STX Green Logistics surged 29.92 percent to its daily limit, Heung-A Shipping gained 4.46 percent and Heunggu Oil rose 8.93 percent. The KOSDAQ, however, failed to join the rebound, falling 15.38 points, or 1.92 percent, to close at 783.98. The junior index briefly climbed above the 800 mark before falling to an intraday low of 749.76, its lowest level in more than a year. Foreign investors sold 247.2 billion won worth of KOSDAQ shares, while individuals and institutions bought 72.9 billion won and 158.7 billion won, respectively. The Korea Exchange activated a sell-side sidecar at around noon after the KOSDAQ 150 futures contract fell 6.08 percent and the KOSDAQ 150 index dropped 6.25 percent, exceeding regulatory thresholds for more than one minute. It was the 20th KOSDAQ sidecar this year, surpassing the previous annual record of 19 set during the 2008 global financial crisis. The intervention came a day after both a sell-side sidecar and a circuit breaker were triggered on the junior market. Among major KOSDAQ stocks, Alteogen tumbled 11.7 percent, while semiconductor equipment makers VM and PSK gained 19.0 percent and 10.2 percent, respectively. The won strengthened 0.43 percent to 1,493.10 per dollar. Oil prices remained elevated after U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to reinstate maritime restrictions targeting Iranian shipping. West Texas Intermediate crude traded around $80 a barrel, while Brent crude hovered near US$85. Japan's Nikkei 225 gained 0.7 percent, China's Shanghai Composite rose 1.4 percent and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index added 0.6 percent. Later this week, investors will turn their attention to U.S. June consumer price data and earnings from major U.S. banks including JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs and Bank of America. 2026-07-14 17:24:11
  • Labor and Management Narrow Minimum Wage Gap to 600 Won
    Labor and Management Narrow Minimum Wage Gap to 600 Won The debate over next year's minimum wage continues as the gap between labor and management has narrowed to 600 won.On July 14, the Minimum Wage Commission held its 14th plenary meeting at the Government Sejong Center to discuss the minimum wage for the upcoming year. Both sides presented their 10th revised proposals during the meeting.The labor sector proposed a minimum wage of 11,150 won, which is 850 won lower than their initial demand, while the management sector suggested a minimum wage of 10,550 won, an increase of 230 won from their original request. Both proposals represent increases of 8.0% and 2.2%, respectively, compared to this year's minimum wage. The gap in the 10th revised proposal is 600 won, down from 690 won in the 9th revised proposal, significantly reduced from the initial gap of 1,680 won.Both sides are continuing discussions to bridge this gap. As the differences are decreasing, if the pace of narrowing slows, there is a higher likelihood that public interest representatives will propose a 'facilitation range' to encourage agreement or voting within set limits.This is crucial as the minimum wage must be determined by mid-July, considering the remaining administrative procedures. The Minister of Employment and Labor is required to finalize and announce the minimum wage based on the commission's proposal by August 5.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 17:16:00
  • Seoul to debut first privately developed UAM aircraft
    Seoul to debut first privately developed UAM aircraft SEOUL, July 14 (AJP) - Seoul will unveil its first urban air mobility aircraft developed by a domestic private company on Wednesday, with the vehicle set to perform a short flight demonstration. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said Tuesday that it will hold the K-UAM Flight Showcase at Incheon National University’s INU Innovation Center on Wednesday, featuring an aircraft under development by Sambo Motors Group. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute demonstrated OPPAV, the country’s first domestically developed UAM aircraft, in 2023. Wednesday’s event will mark the first public presentation of a UAM aircraft being developed by a South Korean private company. During the demonstration, the remotely controlled aircraft will take off vertically and hover about 5 meters above the ground. The company will also showcase its flight control and monitoring technology, electric propulsion system and safety management framework. The government has supported preparations for the commercialization of K-UAM, including vertiports, operating systems, traffic management, communications and air traffic control, while private companies have focused on aircraft development. “Under our goal of commercializing UAM in 2028, we will thoroughly verify the technology in stages, from simple to more complex operations,” Land Minister Kim Yun-duk said. 2026-07-14 17:13:30
  • Chinese-American Researcher Detained in China for 20 Months Over North Korea Nuclear Study
    Chinese-American Researcher Detained in China for 20 Months Over North Korea Nuclear Study A Chinese-American seismologist in his 50s, Chen Yulin, has been detained in China for over 20 months while researching nuclear test detection technology related to North Korea.According to Reuters on July 13, Chen, 54, was arrested by Chinese state security authorities at Beijing International Airport on November 5, 2024, while attempting to return to Boston, Massachusetts, after visiting family in China and giving lectures at two universities.U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio designated Chen as a 'wrongfully detained' individual on March 19. According to Chen's family and hostage advocacy groups, he is currently the only American in China officially recognized by the U.S. government as wrongfully detained.Chen was charged with espionage in May of last year, but he has yet to stand trial. In China, espionage charges can carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, and in severe cases, the death penalty may be imposed.There are claims in the U.S. that China may be utilizing Chen's expertise to develop technology to conceal underground nuclear tests. Chen has been studying the seismic waves generated by North Korean nuclear tests. Reports indicate that Chinese authorities have interrogated him over 100 times regarding his research on North Korean nuclear tests since his detention.His paper published in December 2020 addressed the scale of six nuclear tests believed to have been conducted by North Korea and methods to distinguish the seismic waves from those of natural earthquakes. This research was conducted in collaboration with Chinese scholars, supported by the U.S. State Department's arms control office and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, using publicly available Chinese data, with the paper marked as 'approved for public distribution.'Chen's family suspects that China aims to leverage his expertise in 'decoupling' technology, which weakens seismic signals from underground nuclear explosions, making detection more difficult. The Trump administration claimed in February that China attempted to conceal a low-yield underground nuclear test conducted on June 22, 2020, using decoupling technology. China has denied any allegations of nuclear testing.Chen's detention is expected to become another point of contention in U.S.-China relations. His wife reported that during President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing in May, he raised the issue of her husband's detention with Chinese President Xi Jinping.President Xi responded that he would look into the matter, but no significant actions have been reported since then. With Xi scheduled to visit the U.S. in September, the issue of Chen's release may be revisited as a topic of discussion between the leaders.Chen's family explained that the Trump administration did not publicly disclose his designation as a wrongfully detained individual to leave room for negotiations for his release through high-level diplomacy.Initially, Chen was reportedly required to sit in a hard chair all day, with restrictions on standing, reading, or exercising. His family claims he has not received adequate medication for pre-existing conditions like diabetes, resulting in a weight loss of 30 to 40 pounds.U.S. embassy officials in China have visited Chen multiple times, but it is reported that a Chinese official was always present, making free conversation difficult. A Chinese lawyer hired by Chen's family was only able to meet him for the first time after 13 months of his detention.The Chinese government maintains that the actions taken are in accordance with legal judicial procedures. On July 14, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated at a regular briefing, 'China is a country governed by the rule of law, and judicial authorities handle cases according to the law,' adding that the so-called 'wrongful detention' does not exist.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 17:12:00
  • Special Prosecutors Seek Arrest Warrant for Auditor Over Presidential Residence Audit
    Special Prosecutors Seek Arrest Warrant for Auditor Over Presidential Residence Audit The Special Prosecutors' Team, led by Kwon Chang-young, is seeking to secure the arrest of Yoo Byung-ho, an auditor with the Board of Audit and Inspection, over allegations related to the inadequate audit of the presidential residence move. On the afternoon of July 14, the special prosecutors announced through a media release that they have requested an arrest warrant for Yoo on charges of abuse of power during the audit process concerning the residence move. Yoo, who served as the Secretary General of the Board of Audit and Inspection during the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, is accused of improperly using his authority to downplay and conceal the audit results related to the presidential residence move. After taking office, President Yoon relocated the presidential office to the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan and the residence to the former minister of foreign affairs' residence. Various allegations arose regarding the selection process of the construction company and the costs involved, prompting civic groups to request a public audit, which initiated the investigation. In September 2024, the Board of Audit and Inspection released a report titled 'Audit Report on Illegal Allegations Related to the Presidential Office and Residence Move and Cost Usage.' According to the report, the transition committee provisionally decided in April 2022 to use the former minister of foreign affairs' residence as the new presidential residence and selected 21Gram as the interior construction company. The report also noted that the presidential office requested 21Gram to recruit a company qualified for the expansion work, which included small-scale construction in the project plans. 21Gram then asked WonDam Construction, a company with a general construction license, to participate in the expansion work. However, the special prosecutors suspect that the use of WonDam Construction was merely a facade to create a legal appearance, while 21Gram, which lacked a construction license, actually handled all the work. They believe the Board of Audit and Inspection became aware of this during the audit process but intentionally concealed it, misrepresenting that 21Gram was only responsible for the interior work. Previously, in May, the special prosecutors conducted searches of the Board of Audit and Inspection and Yoo's office to secure related documents. They subsequently summoned officials from the Board to investigate the circumstances surrounding the report's preparation and directives. The day before, they had summoned Yoo as a suspect for questioning. Upon arriving at the special prosecutors' office in Gwacheon, Yoo stated, "The audit of the residence move was carried out with the utmost effort by all staff to uphold the law and principles, risking their positions," and he completely denied the allegations. He further claimed, "The special prosecutors are creating a fictional scenario that could be found in movies, dramas, or martial arts novels, using unjust means to indiscriminately conduct searches and summons, constructing a crime that does not exist." Meanwhile, on June 16, the special prosecutors sought an arrest warrant for a current Board official who oversaw the audit process, citing charges of falsifying official documents, but the court rejected the warrant request, resulting in a failure to secure the individual.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 17:12:00
  • Woori Bank Limits Mortgage Loans to $10 Million per Branch
    Woori Bank Limits Mortgage Loans to $10 Million per Branch As household loan growth accelerates, banks are tightening overall management, with Woori Bank limiting mortgage loans to 1 billion won per branch.According to the financial sector on July 14, Woori Bank will reduce the monthly sales limit for housing-related loans (mortgage loans and jeonse loans) from 3 billion won to 1 billion won per branch starting July 16.Previously, Woori Bank had set the housing-related loan limit at 1 billion won per branch in November last year, which was later increased to 3 billion won this year. However, due to the growing need for household loan management, the bank has decided to reduce the sales limit again after eight months.Additionally, starting July 16, Woori Bank will also impose restrictions on mortgage insurance (MCI, MCG) subscriptions.MCI and MCG are insurance policies required when taking out a mortgage loan. Without this insurance, only the amount excluding small rental deposits can be borrowed, effectively reducing the loan limit. In the Seoul area, the loan limit will decrease to 55 million won, while in the Gyeonggi area, it will drop to 48 million won.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 17:12:00
  • Ministry of SMEs and Startups Prepares for Work Reports Amid Leadership Transition
    Ministry of SMEs and Startups Prepares for Work Reports Amid Leadership Transition The Ministry of SMEs and Startups is navigating a busy schedule amid a leadership vacuum. As it prepares for President Lee Jae-myung's second round of departmental work reports, the ministry is also attentive to the upcoming appointment of a new minister.According to the Blue House and industry sources on July 14, President Lee will receive work reports from various ministries nine times from July 15 to next month. This series of meetings aims to review the implementation status of key tasks outlined in last year's initial work report and discuss future plans.The upcoming work reports, the first in seven months, will take place at the Blue House's guesthouse and will be broadcast live, similar to last year. The reports will involve 19 ministries, six offices, 18 agencies, seven committees, and 140 public institutions.The work report for the Ministry of SMEs and Startups is scheduled for early next month. The ministry is making thorough preparations as the president will directly assess the progress and effectiveness of various policies, and for the first time, a public participation group will be present to engage in a Q&A session.In line with the theme of the work report, 'An Irreplaceable Republic of Korea Experienced in Life,' the Blue House has selected 200 members for the public participation group. The Blue House stated, "The public participation group will attend the ministry's work report with the president and will have the opportunity to ask questions or make suggestions from a grassroots perspective."Alongside the work reports, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups is also accelerating preparations for welcoming a new minister. The position has been vacant since former Minister Han Seong-sook was appointed as the Prime Minister of the Lee Jae-myung administration on June 7. Following her official inauguration as Prime Minister on July 1, the ministry has been operating under the acting leadership of First Vice Minister Noh Yong-seok.In government circles, there are expectations that a cabinet reshuffle, including the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, may occur as early as this week to kickstart the second year of the administration's agenda. However, since the new minister must undergo a National Assembly confirmation hearing, the appointment is anticipated to take place after the president's work reports.Once the next minister is nominated, the ministry will promptly establish a preparation team for the confirmation hearing and will also conduct departmental reports to share the direction of national agenda initiatives based on the president's work report content and directives.As the ministry prepares for the president's work reports and the appointment of a new minister simultaneously, it is reported that senior officials and key departments are postponing summer vacations to focus on related tasks.A ministry official stated, "In anticipation of the next minister's appointment and the president's work reports, both senior officials and staff are concentrating on reviewing relevant materials and preparing reports."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 17:04:00
  • Trial of Moon Jae-in Resumes After Six Months Over Bribery Allegations
    Trial of Moon Jae-in Resumes After Six Months Over Bribery Allegations The trial of Moon Jae-in, accused of using his presidential position to secure employment for his former son-in-law at a specific airline in exchange for benefits, resumed after a six-month hiatus.The 21st Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court, led by Judge Jo Soon-pyo, held the fifth pre-trial hearing on July 14 for Moon, who faces bribery charges under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, and Lee Sang-jik, a former lawmaker accused of bribery and breach of duty.Although the pre-trial hearing does not require the defendant's presence, Lee appeared in the defendant's seat wearing a light blue prison uniform.The hearing transitioned to a public trial immediately after it began. The court stated, "The previous court had conducted the preparatory procedures in private under the Criminal Procedure Act, but unless there are special circumstances that would significantly hinder the process, it is principled to hold it publicly," allowing members of the public to attend with both parties' consent.During the six-month pause, the presiding judge was replaced due to retirement, leading to a significant amount of time spent organizing existing evidence and reconfirming both parties' positions.In court, the prosecution and defense engaged in a heated debate over the prosecution's so-called 'economic community' theory and the appropriateness of the investigation.Moon's legal team strongly criticized the prosecution for including irrelevant details in the indictment, claiming it misled public opinion. They argued, "Initially, the prosecution investigated allegations of improper support related to the appointment of former Chief of Staff Cho Hyun-ok, but when the causal relationship was severed, they resorted to a broad bribery charge claiming that a job was provided to the son-in-law in exchange for presidential duties."They added, "This case should have been dismissed due to lack of evidence, but the prosecution constructed a framework of economic community to force a charge. They thoroughly investigated acquaintances who had any banking transactions, only to prove that there was no economic community at all."Additionally, the defense addressed the prosecution's claim of 'compensation' amounting to 217 million won for salary and housing expenses, stating, "If this amount is not recognized as part of the salary listed in the indictment, we need clarification on whether it will be included in the charges. The two bribery allegations are legally incompatible, so the prosecution must formally amend the indictment."In response, the court remarked, "This is not formally or logically correct. The court makes judgments based solely on the indictment, not on the opinion papers," and requested the prosecution to clarify discrepancies between the opinion papers and the indictment by the next hearing.Conversely, the prosecution maintained that they filed the charges after conducting a lawful investigation and thorough legal review, asserting that the evidentiary purpose of the submitted evidence had already been sufficiently established.The court accepted the 12th opinion paper from Moon's team, which criticized the prosecution for alleged abuse of search and indictment powers, labeling it as 'targeted investigation.' The court also requested the defense to submit a detailed rebuttal to the 'economic community' claim within three weeks.Discussions also took place regarding the possibility of a citizen participation trial, which Moon's team expressed interest in. The court indicated, "In principle, we should conduct a citizen participation trial according to court rules," but acknowledged practical limitations.Judge Jo noted, "If there are 30 to 50 witnesses, it will be difficult to maintain the schedule due to the nature of trials with juries. Both the prosecution and defense should quickly narrow down the witnesses based on importance and fatigue levels."The court plans to finalize the decision on whether to proceed with a citizen participation trial after receiving additional opinion papers from both sides over the next three weeks, followed by decisions on evidence exclusion and witness selection.The next pre-trial hearings are scheduled for August 18, August 25, and September 22.Previously, the prosecution determined that Moon received approximately 217 million won in bribes from August 2018 to April 2020 after securing the employment of his former son-in-law at Thai AirAsia, a company where Lee was a major shareholder, in exchange for Lee's appointment as the head of the Small and Medium Business Corporation. 2026-07-14 17:00:00