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Lotte Biologics Prepares for Entry into Songdo with Major Contracts in Sight Lotte Biologics is set to officially enter the Songdo era, positioning itself at the center of the domestic contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) competition.According to industry sources on July 14, Lotte Biologics has recently completed the usage approval for its Songdo Bio Campus Phase 1 facility and aims to finalize preparations for Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliance about six months ahead of schedule by the end of this year.The Songdo Phase 1 facility is equipped to produce 120,000 liters of antibody drugs. Combined with its Syracuse, New York plant, which has a capacity of 40,000 liters, Lotte Biologics' total production capacity will expand to 160,000 liters.Market attention is focused on the company's contract achievements. Lotte Biologics secured four contracts in the first half of the year, including a contract manufacturing organization (CMO) agreement with the UK-based Otimopharma, although specific financial details have not been disclosed. An industry insider noted, "Securing long-term trust from clients to convert into large-scale commercial production contracts is ultimately more challenging and important than building the factory. We need to see substantial contract announcements that can be publicly disclosed."Previously, CEO Park James stated at the BioUSA conference in San Diego last month that discussions for contracts with U.S. and European pharmaceutical companies are in the final stages, raising expectations for contract achievements in the second half of the year.With the usage approval for the Songdo Phase 1 facility, the company is set to intensify its operational testing and validation procedures in the second half of the year, aiming to achieve 'GMP Ready' status and secure its first commercial production contract simultaneously. The second half of this year is expected to serve as a critical test for Lotte Biologics to demonstrate its capabilities through stable plant operations and contract acquisitions.Lotte Biologics is targeting major clients in the U.S. and Europe. The company emphasizes its dual-site system connecting the Syracuse and Songdo plants to enhance its global customer response capabilities. However, large clients prioritize supply stability, quality, and long-term partnerships over pricing. This highlights the need for contract achievements that can demonstrate trust, beyond merely expanding production capacity.In the bio industry, the interest of the group’s chairman holds significant symbolic value. Shin Dong-bin, chairman of Lotte Group, visited the Songdo Phase 1 facility on July 3, stating, "Biotechnology is a core industry that will lead the group's new leap forward," and urged the team to ensure that scheduled activities proceed without delays.Lotte Group is investing heavily in its bio business. Earlier this month, Lotte Biologics decided to conduct a rights offering worth 255.3 billion won for existing shareholders. If this capital increase proceeds as planned, the total funds injected by Lotte Group into Lotte Biologics since its establishment in 2022 will approach 1.5 trillion won.Lotte Biologics stated, "We will leverage the customer response experience gained at the Syracuse plant to develop the Songdo Phase 1 facility into a hub for large-scale commercial production contracts."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 16:00:00 -
DeepSeek's Liang Yuanpeng Becomes World's Richest AI Founder with $36 Billion Net Worth Liang Yuanpeng, founder and CEO of the Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) startup DeepSeek, has seen his net worth more than double following a recent funding round, making him the richest founder among global AI model developers.According to Bloomberg on July 13, Liang's net worth has surged from approximately $16.7 billion (about 25 trillion won) to $36 billion (around 53 trillion won). This figure significantly surpasses that of Anthropic co-founder Dario Amodei ($8 billion) and OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman ($25.5 billion).Bloomberg compared only the founders of companies primarily generating revenue from AI models, excluding big tech firms like Alibaba and Tencent, which operate in diverse sectors, as well as companies involved in the AI supply chain, such as data centers and semiconductor firms.The majority of Liang's wealth comes from his stake in DeepSeek. The company's valuation skyrocketed from $10 billion in April to $50 billion after securing new investments last month. DeepSeek raised $7.4 billion in funding, with Liang personally contributing $3 billion. Following the funding round, he is estimated to retain about 78% of the company's shares.His high ownership percentage is cited as a key reason for his wealth increase. In contrast to many U.S. AI companies, where equity is often diluted among big tech firms, venture capitalists, and co-founders during funding rounds, Liang has maintained most of his shares in DeepSeek, securing both his wealth and control over the company.Liang was born in 1985 in Guangdong Province, China, and studied electronic engineering at Zhejiang University. He later spun off the AI division of his hedge fund, Zhejiang Highflyer Asset Management, to establish DeepSeek in 2023.Highflyer had secured a large supply of advanced graphics processing units (GPUs) before the U.S. tightened export regulations, allowing DeepSeek to develop AI models with minimal reliance on venture capital.DeepSeek gained attention last year by unveiling a model that matched the performance of U.S. competitors like OpenAI at a significantly lower cost. Recently, the company introduced its latest model, V4, emphasizing compatibility with Huawei's semiconductor technology.Bloomberg noted that the symbol of wealth in China's tech industry is shifting from internet entrepreneurs like Jack Ma to state-supported AI founders. Liang has also been ranked eighth among China's wealthiest individuals.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 15:56:00
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Ruling and Opposition Parties Clash Over Timing of Recount of 2.47 Million Ballots The ruling and opposition parties engaged in a heated debate over the timing of a public recount of 2.47 million ballots from the June 3 local elections, currently stored at the Handball Stadium in Olympic Park, Songpa District, Seoul. During the first hearing of the National Investigation Committee (NIC) on the alleged violation of citizens' voting rights and election management reforms, the ruling party advocated for an "immediate recount," while the opposition party insisted on conducting it "in conjunction with a special investigation." Yoon Sang-hyun, chair of the NIC, urged during the hearing on July 14 that "we must conclude discussions on the public recount of the 2.47 million ballots stored underground at the Handball Stadium," adding that since the Election Commission has submitted a verification plan for the recount, both parties should quickly agree on the verification method and schedule to present it to the public. He emphasized that the Election Commission should maintain an open attitude toward thoroughly conducting a public recount of ballots amid allegations of twin votes. He also stated that the special investigation should not be delayed, proposing a resolution to expedite the processing of the special investigation law with the agreement of both parties' NIC secretaries. However, since the ruling and opposition parties have differing views on the timing and method of the public recount, further discussions appear necessary. The Democratic Party has stated that if any issues arise during the recount process, they should be addressed within the NIC, insisting that the recount should take place before the second hearing scheduled for July 22. Yoon Geon-young, a Democratic Party lawmaker and NIC secretary, remarked, "The unified voice of the Democratic Party is to conduct an immediate recount," adding that if the special investigation is to be effective, it would require nearly a month. He suggested that if both the special investigation and the recount must occur together, then both should happen right now. Democratic lawmaker Lee Hae-sik also noted, "The recount by the special investigation is part of the investigation process, so how can it be made public? Moreover, there will be those who do not trust the results." He advocated for the NIC to allow for observation and filming, and potentially live broadcasting, to ensure fairness and transparency. In contrast, Choi Bo-yoon, a People Power Party lawmaker, cautioned that the NIC's duration could be extended through committee decisions, raising concerns about how to handle any discrepancies in the recount results and whether to relocate the ballots afterward, and if so, to where. Joo Jin-woo, also from the People Power Party, emphasized that conducting a recount before the special investigation is launched could compromise the integrity of evidence related to the investigation, potentially eroding public trust. He stressed that this is not something that can be rushed, asserting that the special investigation should take precedence. In this context, Seobum-soo, the NIC secretary from the People Power Party, suggested that the best approach would be to conduct the national investigation and the special investigation concurrently, proposing that if the special investigation takes a long time, a separate date could be set during the NIC's duration for public verification. Meanwhile, during the hearing, the Central Election Commission stated that a public recount is feasible regarding the so-called "twin votes," where identical vote counts were recorded at multiple polling stations. Kang Dong-wan, acting secretary-general of the Central Election Commission, noted, "If it proceeds according to the verification procedures under the law regarding testimony and appraisal in the National Assembly, it is possible."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 15:56:00
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600,000 Women CEOs Lack Maternity Benefits Amid Low Birth Rate Policies Despite the significant role of women entrepreneurs in South Korea's economy, they face gaps in government policies aimed at addressing the country's low birth rate. While employers are legally required to support employee maternity and childcare, women CEOs do not receive any maternity leave or pay when they give birth.According to a report released on December 2023 by the Women’s Economic Research Institute, part of the Women’s Business Support Center, the number of women entrepreneurs in South Korea has reached 3.37 million, the highest ever, accounting for 40.6% of all businesses. The number of women entrepreneurs has been steadily increasing: 2.77 million in 2019, 2.95 million in 2020, 3.14 million in 2021, and 3.26 million in 2022.However, the sense of exclusion among the 600,000 women CEOs who employ staff is growing. While general female workers, including freelancers not covered by employment insurance, can apply for government maternity benefits, women entrepreneurs running businesses with at least one employee are completely excluded from all maternity and childcare support programs.A representative from the Women’s Business Support Center stated, "The issues surrounding maternity and childcare for women entrepreneurs should be viewed as management challenges that impact not only individual caregiving burdens but also the survival and sustainable growth of businesses. Many women-owned businesses are relatively small or centered around the owner, making it difficult to completely halt operations during maternity and childcare periods, and there are significant practical constraints in securing personnel to replace the owner’s duties and decision-making."During the 5th Women Entrepreneurs Week, held from July 1 to 7, some women entrepreneurs voiced the need for maternity and childcare support programs. Additionally, a recent controversy involving retaliatory actions against employees on parental leave at IKEA Korea has sparked discussions about the establishment of such support systems.The center emphasized the urgent need for tailored programs for women entrepreneurs, distinct from those designed for general workers. A representative noted, "We will establish legal grounds to extend the support period for women startup businesses to include the duration of maternity and childcare. We will also work to minimize management gaps by advocating for measures such as business suspension allowances and support for childcare and replacement personnel, engaging in ongoing dialogue with the National Assembly and the Small and Medium Business Ombudsman."The government has begun to listen to these concerns. On July 9, the Low Birth Rate and Aging Society Committee met with representatives from small businesses and the SME sector to gather opinions, planning to actively consider these voices in future national population strategy development and continue policy communication.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 15:56:00
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NC and Krafton Expand Use of AI in Game Development The gaming industry is expanding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) from a tool for production efficiency to a technology that enhances creative quality and user experience.The Korean Game Policy Association held a policy seminar on the morning of July 14 at the Youth Foundation in Jongno, Seoul, discussing AI technologies and policy challenges applicable to game production and live services. The seminar featured presentations and discussions by Na Gyu-bong, head of NC AI's Barco project team; Seong Jun-sik, head of AI for Game R&D at Krafton; Go Young-jin, head of the Cultural AI Policy Division at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; and Kim Myung-hoon, a patent attorney at Yulchon LLC.Na Gyu-bong emphasized during his session titled 'Does Technology Truly Augment Creation?' that "AI is a tool that enhances the quality of creation." He stated, "The role of AI is not just to produce new results faster and in greater quantity, but to enable creators to attempt ideas they might have abandoned due to time and technical constraints. AI is providing new opportunities, especially for resource-limited creators."He shared an example from NC's 'Lineage M' background art team, which has utilized NC AI's 'Barco 3D.' He explained that the game, characterized by its isometric view, requires precise angle and composition settings for background art, which previously took 2-3 weeks. With the introduction of Barco 3D, the team can now set the composition and produce the artwork in about a week.AI has also made it possible to implement stories in large commercial games that were previously difficult to tackle. Na noted, "In the past, due to cost and technical issues, it was challenging to attempt certain projects, but with AI, even student creators can produce new forms of games. This is evident in the award-winning entries and educational cases from competitions hosted by NC AI."Seong Jun-sik presented on 'AI in Live Services,' highlighting applications in the first-person shooter game 'PUBG: Battlegrounds.' Krafton is currently focusing on applying AI technology for anti-cheat measures and esports broadcasting.He explained that the anti-cheat system has evolved to detect abnormal gameplay based on data rather than relying solely on simple system information, such as the 'ESP' type hacks that reveal player locations behind walls.Seong also discussed the beta testing of an AI companion named 'Elai,' which communicates with users through voice. Elai features an agent that selects actions and three supporting sub-agents, with a small language model containing approximately 2 billion parameters installed on users' PCs.He stated, "The goal is to verify whether we can apply the latest AI technology to live services. We plan to refine this through multiple experiments."However, it was noted that for AI to be competitive in the gaming industry, there needs to be a balance of creator autonomy, institutional standards, and talent development policies.The Ministry of Culture is promoting a support project worth about 10 billion won this year. This includes 7.5 billion won for an AI transformation (AX) project that supports subscription fees and training for AI solutions for small game companies and startups, and 3 billion won for supporting game production using AI.In the second half of the year, the ministry plans to unveil an AI content strategy that encompasses support for small businesses in AI utilization, fostering leading companies, data infrastructure, and talent development. A bill for the 'AI Content Industry Promotion Act,' which will provide the basis for support and institutional standards for the AI content industry, is also in preparation.Go Young-jin stated, "The utilization rate of AI in games is the highest among content sectors, reaching 70% as of the fourth quarter of 2025." He added, "The government is considering research and development and cooperative support that encompasses not only small game companies and startups but also large companies leading AI utilization."Kim Myung-hoon remarked, "The attitudes of creators and companies toward AI are changing," and suggested that flexible institutional operations should consider company size, game genre, and content type. However, he cautioned that "if the standards are too flexible, it could lead to confusion," emphasizing the need for the government and industry to establish application criteria.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 15:52:00
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Used Car Prices Surge 30% in First Half of 2026 Amid Rising Demand for Eco-Friendly Vehicles This year, the used car market has seen a significant increase in average transaction prices due to rising demand for eco-friendly vehicles, which have lower maintenance costs amid high fuel prices.On July 14, Carrot's used car service, Carrot Used Cars, analyzed transaction data for the first half of 2026, revealing that the average transaction price for used cars rose approximately 30% (2.44 million won) from 8.22 million won last year to 10.66 million won this year. By vehicle type, the average transaction price for internal combustion engine vehicles (diesel and gasoline) was 9.84 million won, while eco-friendly vehicles (hybrids, electric vehicles, hydrogen, etc.) averaged 25.19 million won. The total number of listings increased by 96% compared to the same period last year.Notably, the transaction volumes for electric vehicles (up 111%) and hybrids (up 132%) more than doubled compared to the previous year, indicating a rapid shift in demand towards eco-friendly vehicles. In contrast, the transaction volumes for diesel and gasoline vehicles increased by 51% and 58%, respectively, suggesting a quicker transition to lower-maintenance eco-friendly options.Interest from users has also shifted towards eco-friendly vehicles. In the first half of the year, the total views for hybrid listings increased by 54% compared to last year. In May, the BMW i3 saw a staggering increase of 3,251% in views, while in June, the Hyundai All-New Santa Fe HEV experienced a 2,659% rise, reflecting a broadening interest in eco-friendly vehicles from older to newer models. The number of 'favorites' also surged for electric models, with the Casper EV (up 180%), Model Y (up 53%), and Ioniq 5 (up 31%) showing significant increases.In terms of transaction rankings, commercial trucks and compact cars continue to dominate the market. The top two spots for transaction volume in the first half of the year remained unchanged from last year, held by the Hyundai Porter II and Chevrolet Spark. The Kia All-New Morning and New Morning took the third and fourth spots, while the Hyundai Grandeur HG ranked fifth. A notable rise in rankings was seen for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, which saw a 128% increase in transaction volume, moving up from 33rd to 18th place, while the Carnival KA4 jumped from 19th to 12th with a 101% increase.Earlier this year, Carrot Used Cars reported that the average transaction price for compact cars was approximately 4.76 million won, reflecting a 23% increase from the previous year.A representative from Carrot Used Cars stated, "Analyzing the data from the first half of the year, it is clear that practical consumption, considering maintenance costs, has been the biggest trend in the used car market this year, from electric and hybrid vehicles to compact cars. We will continue to expand information and transaction convenience to help users make more rational choices and conduct safe transactions amid changing external conditions."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 15:52:00
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Ruling Party Rejects Youth Committee Proposal Amid Leadership Race The Democratic Party has decided to implement a preference voting system for electing its leader at the upcoming convention in August. However, the proposal to establish an elected youth committee was rejected. In response, Jung Cheong-rae, a candidate for party leadership, stated he would "coolly accept" the decision, while Kim Min-seok and Song Young-gil expressed regret, labeling it as "collective self-interest." On July 14, the party held a closed Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly, where it approved a revision to party rules to introduce the preference voting system. This system allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate receives a majority of votes, the lowest-ranked candidate's votes are redistributed to the second-choice candidates of those who voted for them, eliminating the need for a runoff. The proposal to designate one of the five elected committee members as a youth representative was voted down. This youth committee initiative will be referred back to the convention preparation committee for further discussion. The proposal was aimed at enhancing youth representation, but some factions within the party opposed it, citing a lack of legal basis in party rules. After the Supreme Council meeting, Jung took to Facebook to say he would "coolly accept" the party's decision, adding, "I have much to say but will refrain. I will protect the Democratic Party, so I ask members to support Jung Cheong-rae." Earlier, he appeared on the YouTube program "Kim Eo-jun's News Factory," arguing that there is no legal basis for a youth committee and that it would be more rational for the party leader to appoint youth representatives. Other leadership candidates criticized Jung, accusing him of engaging in "collective self-interest" while expressing their commitment to establishing a youth committee. Kim Min-seok remarked on X (formerly Twitter) that he was disappointed the proposal to introduce a youth committee, which would broaden the path for youth in politics, was thwarted by opposition from certain candidates. He emphasized that it is crucial to expand the connection between the party and the youth, stating that if he becomes the party leader, he would allocate one appointed committee seat to the youth and adopt a celebratory election method. Song also criticized the decision on Facebook, stating, "While claiming to prioritize youth, the actions taken are contrary to that. This decision will burden the party for a long time." He asserted that youth representation should not be seen as a privilege but as a right that must be guaranteed by the party's rules. He promised to include the elected youth committee in the party's constitution if he is elected as party leader. Goh Min-jeong remarked, "What can we say to the public after rejecting the alternatives we proposed for the sake of factional power? The politics of vested interests should not be the path of the Democratic Party. The future of the youth and the daily lives of the people must be at the center of our politics." 2026-07-14 15:52:00
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China's high-ranking official set to visit North Korea this week SEOUL, July 14 (AJP) - Wang Huning, one of the Chinese Communist Party's top leaders, is set to visit to Pyongyang this week, North Korean state media reported on Tuesday. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), a Chinese delegation led by Wang will visit Pyongyang for a three-day visit starting Wednesday. However, KCNA did not provide details on the purpose of the delegation's visit. The visit is believed to be the Chinese No. 4-ranked leader's first trip to North Korea since 2005, when he accompanied then-Chinese President Hu Jintao. Bolstered by a recent flurry of high-level exchanges, the visit follows on the heels of a North Korean delegation led by premier Pak Thae-song, who traveled to Beijing last week to attend events marking the 65th anniversary of the friendship treaty between the two traditional allies. During that trip, Pak's delegation met with key Chinese leaders and officials, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, just several weeks after Xi visited North Korea last month for the first time since 2019 for a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Wang is regarded as a leading theorist in the Chinese Communist Party and has been credited with shaping major policies under Xi's leadership. 2026-07-14 15:44:34 -
Seoul Mayor Criticizes Government Over Delayed Discussions on Relocation Loans Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon criticized the government for failing to properly discuss the easing of relocation loan regulations for reconstruction and redevelopment projects, an issue the city has raised for over a year. Following a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Lee Jae-myung, Oh held an emergency briefing to urge the government to improve the system, stating that the loan regulations are delaying supply in the redevelopment sector. On July 14, after the Cabinet meeting, Oh explained the contents of a report submitted to the government regarding the "normalization of the Seoul real estate market" at a briefing at Seoul City Hall. He said, "I saw recent reports indicating that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is positively considering support for relocation loans, but ultimately, this matter needs to be communicated to the Financial Services Commission, which responded that it was 'unaware' of the issue. This relocation loan has been a matter of discussion for a year, yet it has not even been communicated to the Financial Services Commission," he stated. Oh further pointed out, "The issue of relocation loans is included in the discussion list for the national public debate, but what good is it if it is only listed? The housing policy proposed by the city, which affects 10 million residents of Seoul, is not being properly discussed." During the briefing, Oh categorized the policy tasks in the report submitted to the Cabinet into three areas: redevelopment projects, private rentals, and tax reform. Regarding redevelopment projects, he emphasized the need to accelerate the pace of reconstruction and redevelopment to expand supply. He noted, "In the past three years, 90% of housing supply in Seoul has been handled by the private sector. Combining the 472 ongoing redevelopment projects with the 'Moa Town' initiative, there are over 700 projects, which exceeds the amount the government plans to supply anew, approximately 85,000 units." He added, "Many projects are delayed due to restrictions on relocation loans. Blocking relocation loans with regulations contradicts the goal of expanding supply. We need to ease the regulations on relocation loans and the legal cap on floor area ratio to ensure that redevelopment projects can proceed normally." Oh also mentioned the necessity of revitalizing private rentals, stating that non-apartment and officetel rental housing is a crucial part of housing stability for low-income residents. He argued, "If we antagonize private rental businesses, supply will inevitably decrease." He called for the relaxation of regulations that hinder the supply of new rental housing and for expanded tax support to increase the availability of rental properties. On tax policy, he suggested that tax policies should be designed to stimulate supply, proposing the maintenance of long-term holding special deductions and the realistic adjustment of property tax and comprehensive real estate tax standards. He added, "We need to alleviate the excessive tax burden on actual residents to increase the housing supply available in the market." Oh also responded to President Lee's request during the Cabinet meeting for a separate report on the causes of supply delays in Seoul, stating, "I will submit a more direct and detailed second report to ensure the president accurately understands the situation." He noted, "The report submitted today included a nuanced explanation of the reasons for the delays in Seoul's reconstruction and redevelopment efforts, and I will provide additional details on the insufficient cooperation from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport." This briefing took place immediately after the Cabinet meeting. Oh had intended to explain the 'normalization of the Seoul real estate market' during the meeting but held an emergency briefing to announce the contents of the report after not receiving an opportunity to speak. He expressed, "I feel quite disappointed and deeply regretful that I was unable to speak at the Cabinet meeting, where only the report was delivered. I do not view it as a deliberate oversight, but the Cabinet meeting should be a place for discussion."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 15:44:00
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Rival Factions in Democratic Party Clash Over Voting Reforms Ahead of August Convention The Democratic Party of Korea has approved a proposal to amend party rules to introduce a preference voting system during a closed Supreme Council meeting ahead of its convention in August. However, a proposal for a youth committee was ultimately rejected, intensifying tensions between the pro-Youth faction and the pro-Seok faction.Chief Spokesperson Kang Jun-hyun stated to reporters after the meeting on the morning of July 14 that the party aimed to minimize controversies surrounding the selection of party leadership by revising its rules. He explained that the main content includes formalizing the methods for conducting preference voting and runoff voting.However, Kang noted that the youth committee proposal was rejected during the meeting and will be referred back to the convention preparation committee for further discussion.Following the Supreme Council's decisions, both factions have expressed their dissatisfaction, leading to heightened factional conflicts.Former party leader Jung Cheong-rae took to Facebook, stating, "I have much to say but will refrain. I respect and accept the party's decision," while indirectly voicing his discontent by adding, "I will protect the Democratic Party, and now I ask party members to protect Jung Cheong-rae."The pro-Youth faction also began to criticize the pro-Seok faction following the resignation of Supreme Council member Lee Sung-yoon. Lee stated, "I raised objections citing violations of party rules, but I cannot tolerate the lack of improvement," and announced his resignation from the Supreme Council. Fellow pro-Youth members Park Kyu-hwan and Kim Young-hwan also expressed their frustrations, with Park saying, "I feel endlessly frustrated and wronged," and Kim adding, "It is truly a shameful day for the Democratic Party, which claims to uphold democracy."In contrast, the pro-Seok faction, including former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, intensified their criticism, claiming that the pro-Youth faction was responsible for the rejection of the youth committee proposal.Kim expressed disappointment that the introduction of the youth committee was thwarted due to opposition from specific candidates, stating, "If I become party leader, I will allocate one seat for a youth member among the appointed Supreme Council members and select them through a celebratory election method."Supreme Council member Hwang Myung-sun commented after the meeting, questioning, "The preference voting system was decided during Lee Jae-myung's leadership in 2025. Are we saying it was right then but wrong now?" He argued that the youth committee proposal represents an investment in the future of the Democratic Party and reflects the spirit of the times.Supreme Council member Kang Deuk-gu criticized Jung, saying, "While he claims to care about the lives of young people, he continues to use them as consumables in politics. We must respond to the call of the times to make youth the main agents of Democratic Party politics. Party members will surely judge those Supreme Council members who are solely focused on seizing party power alongside Jung."Additionally, both Song Young-gil and Ko Min-jeong, who are also vying for party leadership, voiced their concerns over the rejection of the Supreme Council proposal.During a meeting with lawmakers on the morning of July 14, Song directed criticism at the pro-Youth faction, stating, "The preference voting system is something President Yoon himself has endorsed. There is no reason to oppose it." He expressed regret over the rejection of the youth committee proposal.Ko also took to Facebook, stating, "The elected youth committee member was proposed as a starting point for the Democratic Party to engage with young people. They have kicked away the alternative they themselves proposed for a handful of power. The future of youth and the daily lives of the people must be at the center of Democratic Party politics."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 15:44:00