Latest by
-
Special Prosecutors Seek Arrest Warrant for Former Prosecutor General Sim Woo-jung Over Insurrection Allegations The second special prosecutor team, led by Kwon Chang-young, is seeking to secure the arrest of former Prosecutor General Sim Woo-jung, who is accused of participating in an insurrection under the direction of former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae during the emergency martial law declared on December 3, 2024.On July 14, the special prosecutors announced, "We have requested arrest warrants for Sim, who faces charges of engaging in insurrection and abuse of power, as well as for Jeon Mu-gon, the former head of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Planning and Coordination Department." However, the allegations against Sim related to the cover-up of the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation investigation were not included in the warrant request.Sim is accused of considering the dispatch of prosecutors to the joint investigation team on the day martial law was declared, December 3, 2024, following instructions from Park.After attending a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office, Park returned to the Ministry of Justice and convened a meeting with ten senior officials. He is suspected of having directed the Prosecutor's Office to consider the dispatch of prosecutors to the joint investigation team during this meeting.Records show that Park had three phone conversations with Sim during this time, raising suspicions that similar instructions were given to Sim.Additionally, Sim is alleged to have participated in discussions regarding crime response measures that would fall under military court jurisdiction after the declaration of martial law and was involved in drafting documents related to the "jurisdiction of trials under martial law."Jeon, as the head of the Planning and Coordination Department during the martial law, is known to have assisted Sim and participated in discussions regarding the jurisdiction of trials under martial law.The special prosecutors suspect that the Supreme Prosecutors' Office leadership may have participated in or condoned the unconstitutional and illegal declaration of martial law based on various circumstances.Earlier, the special prosecutors launched a forced investigation into the allegations against Sim in April and May, and on July 3, they conducted searches of the work computers of senior officials at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and the Prosecutor's Office's messaging server. On July 10, Sim was summoned for questioning as a suspect.Warrant hearings for Sim and Jeon are expected to take place as early as the end of this week.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 10:36:00 -
South Korea braces for heavy rain as weakening Typhoon Bavi moves inland SEOUL, July 14 (AJP) - Heavy rain and strong winds are expected nationwide as Typhoon Bavi, which made landfall in China last week, moves toward the Korean Peninsula, the Korea Meteorological Administration said on Tuesday. This year's ninth typhoon Bavi, named after a mountain range in Viet Nam, continues to carry large amounts of moisture despite weakening into a tropical cyclone after making landfall in China's Zhejiang province over the weekend, according the KMA. Rainfall of up to 100 millimeters is forecast for the Seoul metropolitan area and central regions through early Wednesday, accompanied by strong winds, thunder and lightning in some areas. Some areas of Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces are expected to receive heavy downpours of up to 50 millimeters per hour. Satellite imagery showed that Bavi persisted longer than expected, unlike most typhoons, which typically dissipate once they move inland. But the KMA said the storm's strength and path could still change depending on how quickly it weakens, urging people to stay tuned to the latest weather updates. It urged people to stay indoors if possible, avoid flood-prone and low-lying areas such as riversides and underpasses, secure outdoor objects that could be blown away. 2026-07-14 10:32:58 -
Trump May Support New Russia Sanctions Following Graham's Death Donald Trump, the President of the United States, is reportedly expected to support a new sanctions bill against Russia, led by the late Senator Lindsey Graham.Bloomberg News reported on July 13, citing White House officials, that Trump plans to back the sanctions legislation pushed by Graham.If Trump supports the bill, it could bolster congressional efforts to impose sanctions on countries purchasing Russian oil and natural gas. Bloomberg noted that this could yield significant results for Ukraine, which has long sought to cut off Russia's energy revenue.However, Trump has been cautious when directly asked about his support for the bill. He told reporters the previous evening, "We are discussing that issue" and added, "A decision will be made soon."Graham, a prominent advocate for Ukraine within the Republican Party, passed away unexpectedly on July 11. Just before his death, he visited Kyiv and met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Upon returning, he announced an agreement with bipartisan senators to push for a new sanctions bill against Russia in the Trump administration.Graham first introduced a bill in April 2022 calling for "crippling sanctions" against Russia. The legislation proposed imposing up to a 500% so-called "secondary tariff" on countries purchasing Russian energy. Details on how the new bill will differ from the previous proposal remain unclear.Senate Minority Whip John Thune stated that lawmakers are currently reviewing the bill, noting that Graham was a "driving force" behind it. He remarked, "If we can find a way to pass this bill, it would be a tremendous achievement and a wonderful tribute and legacy for Lindsey."The White House has previously opposed additional sanctions, arguing they could undermine diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine. However, as peace negotiations have stalled and Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected Zelensky's proposal for a face-to-face meeting, calls for increased pressure on Russia are growing. Additionally, Ukraine's recent use of drone capabilities to put Russia in a difficult position has further strengthened the possibility of U.S. sanctions against Russia.In fact, Trump met with Zelensky at the NATO summit in Turkey last week, where he announced plans to allow local production of Patriot missile defense systems in Ukraine.Putin Increases Pressure on OppositionMeanwhile, under pressure from Ukraine's counteroffensive, President Putin stated that he would respond "much more strongly" to Ukraine's drone attacks, asserting, "Victory is clearly waiting for us."He is also intensifying pressure on the opposition. Russian authorities arrested opposition politician Boris Nadezhdin, who attempted to run in last year's presidential election, on charges of "posting extremist symbols." Nadezhdin had sought to challenge Putin by advocating for an end to the war in Ukraine and normalization of relations with the West, but his candidacy was rejected.The Russian Ministry of Justice had previously designated Nadezhdin as a "foreign agent." His arrest raises the likelihood that he will be unable to run in the upcoming State Duma elections in September. Most major opposition figures who could effectively challenge Putin are currently imprisoned or in exile.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 10:32:00
-
President Lee to Host Second Live Government Briefing Starting July 15 President Lee Jae-myung will host the second live government briefing at the Blue House starting July 15, the Blue House announced on July 14.The theme for this briefing is 'An Irreplaceable Republic of Korea Experienced in Life,' and it will include reports from the Office for Government Policy Coordination, 19 ministries, six offices, 18 agencies, seven committees, and 140 public institutions.On the first day, July 15, the Ministry of Finance and Economy (National Tax Service, Customs Service, Public Procurement Service), the National Data Agency, the Financial Services Commission, and the Ministry of Planning and Budget will present their reports starting at 10 a.m. for approximately 100 minutes.The following day, on July 16, the Ministry of Science and ICT (Korea Aerospace Agency), the Korea Communications Commission, and the Personal Information Protection Commission will provide their updates in the morning. In the afternoon, at 2 p.m., the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (Administrative City Construction Agency, Saemangeum Development Agency), the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (Rural Development Administration, Korea Forest Service), and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (Korea Coast Guard) will follow. The Ministry of Health and Welfare (Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency), the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, and the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission will present from 4:20 p.m. Other ministries will report in early August.Each session will see about 20 citizens from a total of 200 participants attending in person.Previously, the Blue House recruited applicants through social media, reporting a competition ratio of approximately 6.3 to 1.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 10:32:00
-
NH Nonghyup Bank President Encourages Employees in Productive and Inclusive Finance 강태영 NH농협은행 은행장이 생산적·포용금융을 담당하는 직원들과 만나 소통의 시간을 가졌다. On July 14, NH Nonghyup Bank announced that President Kang Tae-young met with employees responsible for productive finance products and regulations on July 13 to offer encouragement. The event was organized to express gratitude for the employees' efforts in developing customer-centric financial products and improving regulations, as well as to listen to various opinions from the field. Participants shared challenges encountered during their work and exchanged ideas for improvement, discussing various strategies to enhance product competitiveness and innovate regulations. In particular, they engaged in in-depth discussions on ways to increase efficiency in product development and regulatory operations. NH Nonghyup Bank plans to continue expanding financial support for farmers, small and medium-sized enterprises, and small business owners this year, making productive and inclusive finance a core management task. Kang stated, "Every one of your ideas is an important asset that builds the future competitiveness of NH Nonghyup Bank. We will actively reflect the voices from the field to continuously innovate products and regulations, and create an environment where employees can further demonstrate their capabilities through AI-based work efficiency improvements." He added, "Based on this innovation, we will continue to develop differentiated new products and improve regulations to realize productive finance and inclusive finance for farmers in the second half of the year, providing greater value to our customers and farmers." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 10:24:00
-
Samsung Electronics Bounces Back After Sharp Decline Amid Bargain Buying On July 14, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, which had plummeted over 10% the previous day, are experiencing a rebound during trading hours. This recovery appears to be driven by bargain buying following the sharp decline. According to the Korea Exchange, as of 10:14 a.m., Samsung Electronics shares rose by 15,000 won (4.13%) to 265,000 won. SK Hynix also saw an increase of 35,000 won (1.90%), reaching 1,880,000 won. Both stocks had dropped significantly the day before due to concerns over a slowdown in the memory market and profit-taking sales. Notably, SK Hynix fell by more than 15%, while Samsung Electronics dropped over 10%, leading the decline in the KOSPI index. Today’s rebound is likely attributed to perceptions of excessive losses prompting bargain buying. Market analysts believe that future stock movements will depend on the outlook for the memory market and the recovery of foreign investment. Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, stated, “At the end of this month, earnings reports and conference calls from major tech companies, including Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, are scheduled. This could alleviate uncertainties regarding the AI industry and semiconductor market, potentially leading to improved earnings expectations.” KB Securities assessed that the structural improvement trend in the memory market remains valid, considering Meta's expansion of data center investments and the long-term supply agreements (LTA) by big tech companies. Kim Dong-won, a researcher at KB Securities, predicted, “2027 will be the tightest supply period in the 70-year history of semiconductors. With virtually no new production capacity for general memory and the full-scale implementation of long-term supply contracts by big tech, the supply shortage is likely to worsen.” Additionally, Meta's establishment of a 7GW AI data center this year, along with plans for further investments next year, is expected to alleviate concerns about the sustainability of AI investments. Kim noted that if Meta formalizes additional AI investment plans during its earnings announcement at the end of this month, it could help resolve market anxieties. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 10:20:00
-
From September, Applicants for Reexamination Can Access Case Records Free of Charge Starting in September, individuals applying for reexamination related to past events will be able to request access to finalized case records without any fees. The Ministry of Justice announced on the 14th that it has prepared a special provision to exempt fees for applicants seeking access to finalized case records for the purpose of reexamination. This announcement is part of a legislative notice for a partial amendment to the 'Rules on Methods and Fees for Accessing Case Records.' Previously, even victims of past events had to pay a fee of 500 won per case and an additional 50 won per page for accessing finalized case records, regardless of the purpose. However, under the revised regulations from the Ministry of Justice, starting in September, not only will individuals with reexamination rights under the Criminal Procedure Act be exempt from fees, but also those applying for reexamination related to specific historical events such as the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident, the Jeju 4.3 Incident, the March 15 Uprising, the Busan-Masan Democratic Uprising, and the Gwangju Democratization Movement. While all fees will be waived, applicants who repeatedly request access to the same case will incur fees to prevent abuse of the application rights. The government is working to improve the system so that citizens can utilize the criminal justice system without the burden of procedural costs. Earlier, the Ministry of Justice implemented a special provision that exempts all fees for accessing case records managed by the prosecution before evidence submission, in order to protect the defendant's right to defense, the constitutional right to a speedy trial, and the victim's right to participate in the trial process. This provision has been in effect since May 1. As a result, it is expected that from May onward, the annual fees of approximately 1.8 billion won (about 182,000 cases) that defendants, victims, and attorneys previously had to pay for accessing case records during trials will be eliminated. Jeong Seong-ho, Deputy Minister of Justice, stated, "We plan to pursue various improvements to ensure that related parties are not marginalized and are well protected throughout the case record access process and the criminal justice procedures." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 10:20:00
-
Han Byeong-do Criticizes People Power Party for Stalling National Assembly Han Byeong-do, the acting leader of the Democratic Party, criticized the People Power Party on July 14, stating, "While they shout about protecting voting rights, they are paralyzing the National Assembly." He specifically called out the People Power Party for declaring a boycott against the assembly's composition, urging them to participate in discussions on reforming the Election Commission.During a meeting of the party's floor leadership, Han said, "The People Power Party must fulfill its basic responsibilities as a public party." He also pointed out that Jang Dong-hyuk, the leader of the People Power Party, has been using disrespectful language towards President Lee Jae-myung and attending rallies promoting conspiracy theories about election fraud, thus continuing political strife.Han emphasized the need to finalize the assembly's composition and address the special law for the Election Commission before the Constitution Day, as suggested by National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik. He warned that if the People Power Party continues its baseless boycott of public welfare, he would demand that Speaker Cho convene a session to ensure the assembly is functional.Additionally, Han stated that the Democratic Party would thoroughly investigate the reality behind the shortage of ballots to eliminate any lingering doubts.Meanwhile, the People Power Party held a general meeting the previous day, agreeing to grant full authority to floor leader Jeong Jeong-sik regarding the assembly's composition. It is reported that Jeong is in favor of continuing the boycott among senior party members.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 10:16:00
-
Samsung Elec edges out Apple as top smartphone vendor Q2 SEOUL, July 14 (AJP) -Samsung Electronics stole back the world's top smartphone vendor title in the second quarter from Apple amid the worst slump in global smartphone market in 13 years due to spike in memory costs. According to preliminary data released Monday by Counterpoint Research, Samsung captured a 24 percent share of global smartphone shipments in the April-June period, compared with Apple's 20 percent. In the first quarter, Apple briefly moved ahead with a 21 percent market share versus Samsung's 20 percent. Samsung also recorded the strongest year-on-year shipment growth among the world's top five smartphone makers, helped by resilient demand in India and the Middle East, where it kept price increases relatively modest while rolling out aggressive seasonal promotions. "Samsung held up relatively well in India and the Middle East, supported by better product availability, fewer price hikes and aggressive summer promotions that complemented flagship momentum," Counterpoint said. Apple remained the only major smartphone manufacturer not to raise handset prices during the quarter. Its shipments rose 3 percent from a year earlier, supported by continued strength of the iPhone 17 lineup, which remained the world's best-selling smartphone family. However, the company continued to struggle in China despite early promotional campaigns ahead of the country's mid-year shopping festival. The broader smartphone market, however, continued to suffer. Global smartphone shipments fell 11 percent from a year earlier, marking the weakest second-quarter performance since 2013 as shortages of DRAM and NAND flash memory intensified. Counterpoint attributed the downturn to memory suppliers prioritizing lucrative AI data center demand over consumer electronics, sending memory prices sharply higher and forcing smartphone manufacturers to raise prices, particularly for entry-level and mid-range devices. "The global memory crisis has now overtaken every other factor as the single biggest drag on the smartphone industry," said Counterpoint Senior Analyst Shilpi Jain. "What started as a components issue last year is now a full-blown demand issue. Entry and mid-tier devices, which account for the majority of global smartphone volumes, have become structurally unfeasible at previous price points." The memory shortage was further compounded by higher shipping and energy costs linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, alongside slowing global economic growth and weak consumer sentiment, the research firm said. Chinese smartphone makers were hit hardest by the cost pressures. Xiaomi, OPPO and vivo all posted double-digit shipment declines as their heavy exposure to lower-priced devices left them particularly vulnerable to rising component costs. Consumers increasingly delayed purchases, opted for older-generation smartphones or extended replacement cycles. Outside the top five, Google posted the fastest growth with a 16 percent increase in shipments, driven by the Pixel 10 series, while Huawei expanded shipments by 6 percent on solid demand for its Mate 80 and Nova 15 lineups. Looking ahead, Counterpoint forecast global smartphone shipments to decline by about 14 percent this year, warning that the AI-driven memory shortage is likely to persist into 2027. 2026-07-14 10:15:12 -
Proponents of Han Dong-hoon's Return Criticize Ahn Cheol-soo's Opposition 국민의힘 친한(친한동훈)계 의원들은 14일 안철수 의원이 한동훈 무소속 의원의 복당을 반대한다고 밝힌 것에 대해 "잠수 정치를 하려고 하는 것 같다"며 안타까움을 드러냈다. 박정하 의원은 이날 MBC 라디오 '김종배의 시선집중'에서 안 의원이 '한동훈 복당 반대'를 주장하고 나선 것에 대해 "숙주 정치에 잘못 발을 담그신 것 아닌가라는 생각이 들어 안타깝고 안쓰럽다"고 이같이 말했다. 그는 안 의원이 이 같은 주장을 한 배경에 "장동혁 대표를 호위하는 사람들이 좀 있는데, 그런 분들의 의견일 것"이라며 "당내 많은 의원들이 여기에 동조한다고 보기에는 과하지 않을까 싶다"고 했다. 이어 안 의원이 차기 당권을 염두에 둔 행보가 아니냐는 지적에 "우리 당을 어수선하게 만들고 있는 일부 잘못된 분들에 오히려 빨려들어간 것 아닌가라는 생각이 든다"며 "'철수 정치'에 이어 '잠수 정치'까지 하려고 하는 것 같다"고 직격했다. 아울러 "안철수라는 새 정치로 한때 국민들의 열망을 받았던 분이 스스로 중진이라고 하면서 발언 하나가 어떻게 소비되고 유통되는지에 대해 충분히 알아야 하는데, 그걸 모르고 했던 것 같다"며 "과연 어떤 정치를 당원들과 국민들한테 보여주려고 하는지에 대해 의심스럽다"고 했다. 한지아 의원도 같은 날 SBS 라디오 '김태현의 정치쇼'에 출연해 안 의원의 주장에 대해 "배제의 정치를 선언하는 모습에 아쉬움이 있었다"며 "힘을 합쳐야 더 건강한 국민의힘을 만들 수 있고, 2028년 총선을 이길 수 있다는 것을 모를 리가 없는데 그렇게 말하는 것에 대해 조금 의아했다"고 했다. 그러면서 "혼자 하는 정치가 아니라 함께하는 정치가 필요한 것 아니겠느냐"며 "저 같은 후배들이 부족하다면 가르쳐 달라. 배울 마음이 있다"고 밝혔다. 한 의원은 안 의원이 한 의원의 복당을 막아 차기 당권 구도를 유리하게 구성하려는 것 아니냐는 질문에 "실제로 안 의원이 기자회견 한 전후로 당권파, 소위 말해 당 소속 대변인들이 확성기처럼 얘기를 해석하고 나왔다"며 "이런 모습들이 당권을 향한 움직임이라는 오해를 불러일으킬 수 있다"고 짚었다. 일각에서 제기된 한 의원의 신당 창당론에 대해서는 "우리가 분열될 것이 아니라 함께 힘을 합쳐야 한다. 한 의원은 언제든지 돌아온다고 했고, 그런 토양을 만들려고 많은 의원들이 지금 움직이고 있다"며 "조금 시간을 달라. 방향성은 그대로 있고, 시간의 문제"라고 선을 그었다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 10:12:00