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  • President Yoon Appoints Kyung-kyun Kye as Chair of National Intellectual Property Commission
    President Yoon Appoints Kyung-kyun Kye as Chair of National Intellectual Property Commission President Yoon Suk Yeol appointed Kyung-kyun Kye, a professor at Pusan National University, as the new chair of the National Intellectual Property Commission on September 1.Chief Presidential Secretary Kang Yu-jeong announced the appointment in a written briefing. The National Intellectual Property Commission serves as the control tower for national strategies related to the creation, protection, and utilization of intellectual property, coordinating policies among relevant government departments.The Blue House expressed confidence that Kye will enhance the commission's expertise and policy effectiveness, fulfilling its role as the control tower for the nation's intellectual property strategy.Born in Busan in 1966, Kye graduated from Busan Gaya High School and earned his law degree from Pusan National University. He holds both a master's and a doctoral degree in law from Pusan National University and a master's degree in law from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich in Germany.Currently, Kye is a professor at Pusan National University and serves as the president of the Korean Intellectual Property Association and a non-standing member of the Korea Copyright Commission.He is also active as a member of the Korean Language Advisory Council under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and as a specialist in the Copyright Fair Use and Infringement Prevention Support Group at the Korea Copyright Protection Agency, building a career in intellectual property rights and copyright policy and legislation.Kang described Kye as “an expert well-versed in intellectual property law, with expanded expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) and public contracts,” noting his contributions to the development of intellectual property policy and legislation through various government committees and academic activities.He added that Kye is well-suited to proactively respond to changes in the technological landscape, such as AI and digital transformation, making intellectual property a key driver of national growth.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-01 16:40:00
  • Jeju Police Under Scrutiny for False Closure of Missing Persons Cases
    Jeju Police Under Scrutiny for False Closure of Missing Persons Cases Calls are growing for enhanced internal and external oversight of police investigations following a false closure of missing person reports in Jeju. With the abolition of prosecutors' supplementary investigation rights next month, there is a pressing need for a system to filter out inadequate investigations.The Jeju Police Agency announced on September 1 that it has identified 25 additional cases of suspected false closures and record deletions among 298 missing person cases handled by Officer A from the Jeju Western Police Station.Of these, 10 cases were found to have been closed with false information without confirming the safety of the missing individuals. The remaining 15 cases involved confirming the individuals' whereabouts but entering false reasons such as 'traffic accident death' or 'sudden death' into the profiling system, leading to record deletions. All 25 missing persons have been confirmed to be safe.On the same day, police transferred Officer A, who is facing charges of dereliction of duty, to prosecutors. Officer A is accused of misleading the reporting parties into believing that safety had been confirmed for a 30-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man after receiving their missing person reports on May 30 and July, respectively. Both individuals were later found deceased.During police questioning, Officer A stated, "I thought the missing persons were typical adults and took it lightly. I felt burdened by the amount of work I had to hand over, so I falsely closed the cases."An analysis by five psychological analysts indicated that the primary motive for the misconduct stemmed from accumulated work pressure and fatigue. No external motivations such as financial gain or hostility toward the missing persons were identified. Police concluded that Officer A's evasive behavior and irresponsible attitude contributed to the offenses.However, despite categorizing the motive as an individual deviation, structural flaws in the case handling process were revealed. The missing persons unit at the Jeju Western Police Station consists of only four officers, and Officer A was on solo night duty every four days. At that time, there was no procedure for immediate verification or approval from a supervisor when an officer independently closed a case in the system.The mechanism for cross-referencing records from different police databases also failed to function properly. Officer A recorded in the 112 emergency call system that contact had been made with the missing person, but entered 'traffic accident victim' in the profiling system. Both records indicating the individual was alive and deceased remained, but police failed to notice this discrepancy.Officer A reportedly deleted related records from the profiling system out of fear that the false closure of the case would be discovered. In the case of the 60-year-old man, Officer A decided to leave the record as 'location found' because another staff member was aware of the report and believed that deleting it would lead to detection.Even after the family of the woman filed another missing person report, police did not realize for about a month that the previous records had been deleted. It was only after the police agency's relevant department checked the deletion history through the system management company that the Jeju police were informed of the situation.To prevent recurrence, police have decided to conduct a comprehensive review of approximately 310,000 closed missing person cases from the past three years and to generally prohibit non-face-to-face closures. They will implement a procedure to directly confirm the safety of missing persons and require the criminal division chief to review objective materials before approving case closures. Until a management approval function is added to the system, closed cases will be managed using manual logs.The challenge remains whether internal reviews alone can adequately filter out inadequate cases as police powers expand. Starting October 2, the abolition of prosecutors' direct supplementary investigation rights means that police will handle investigations from initiation to closure and supplementary investigations for general criminal cases. Prosecutors can request supplementary investigations but cannot directly investigate to address deficiencies.A dedicated organization for crimes against vulnerable populations will be established within the Serious Crime Investigation Agency. However, the local branches of this agency will be limited to six locations: Seoul, Suwon, Daejeon, Daegu, Busan, and Gwangju. The dedicated organization will primarily focus on crimes against vulnerable populations, such as child abuse and sexual offenses, making it difficult to view it as an external oversight body for all police cases.Legal experts are calling for measures to enhance the effectiveness of supplementary investigation requests and to strengthen external review and investigation deliberation processes for non-prosecution cases.In a survey of 403 members of the Lawyers for a Democratic Society, 67% responded that prosecutors' supplementary investigation rights should be fully or partially maintained. Among those who believe the abolition of supplementary investigation rights is necessary, 78.3% identified the need to enhance the effectiveness of the supplementary investigation request system as a necessary measure.The Jeju police have referred the additional 25 confirmed cases to the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crime Investigation Unit for further investigation. They plan to expand the scope of the investigation to include cases supported by the criminal team before Officer A was assigned to the missing persons unit. Establishing a control system that can promptly identify and correct not only individual deviations by police officers but also improper case handling is a pressing task.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-01 16:36:00
  • Renault Korea Reports 34% Drop in August Sales, Continuing Five-Month Decline
    Renault Korea Reports 34% Drop in August Sales, Continuing Five-Month Decline 르노코리아가 주력 차종의 판매 둔화 등으로 5개월 연속 판매 부진을 이어갔다. 르노코리아는 8월 국내외 판매량이 총 4261대를 기록했다고 1일 밝혔다. 이는 전년 동기 6457대 대비 34.0% 줄어든 수치다. 같은 기간 국내는 3868대에서 2024대로 47.7%, 수출은 2589대에서 2237대로 13.6% 감소 폭을 나타냈다. 이로써 르노코리아는 지난 4월부터 5개월 연속 감소세를 이어가게 됐다. 지난해 실적을 견인했던 그랑 콜레오스의 신차 효과가 둔화한 가운데 필랑트가 이를 충분히 상쇄하지 못한 영향으로 풀이된다. 여기에 수출 부진까지 겹치며 실적이 악화됐다. 실제 그랑 콜레오스 내수 판매량은 지난달 929대로 전년 동월(2903대) 대비 68.0% 줄었다. 수출도 614대에서 346대로 43.6% 감소했다. 반면 필랑트는 판매량이 저조한 상황이다. 올해 3월 국내 시장에 출시한 필랑트는 지난달 520대 판매로 전월(537대)보다 판매량이 줄었다. 수출의 경우 7월엔 220대였으나, 지난달 단 1대에 그쳤다. 한편 르노코리아는 이달부터 그랑 콜레오스의 2027년형 연식변경 모델과 화이트 에디션 ‘에뚜알’을 새로 선보인다. 또 필랑트의 엔트리 트림인 ‘테크노 트림’의 고객 인도를 시작한다. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-01 16:32:00
  • Korea Display Association Connects SMEs with Postdoctoral Researchers to Address Skilled Labor Shortage
    Korea Display Association Connects SMEs with Postdoctoral Researchers to Address Skilled Labor Shortage The Korea Display Association is taking significant steps to connect the technical needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the display sector with the research capabilities of postdoctoral researchers. On September 1, the association held a launch ceremony for the 'Advanced Manufacturing Talent Development Support Project' at the L Tower in Yangjae, Seoul. Approximately 90 participants attended, including representatives from five participating universities—Kyung Hee University, Sungkyunkwan University, Soonchunhyang University, Chung-Ang University, and Hanyang University ERICA—along with partner companies, postdoctoral researchers, and industry stakeholders.This initiative aims to address the growing demand for skilled research personnel in the display industry, particularly due to the recent expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) applications. The project seeks to match SMEs facing challenges in securing talent with postdoctoral researchers who have limited opportunities for practical application, thereby supporting industry-focused academic projects and collaborative research.A representative from the association stated, "Companies will be able to utilize specialized personnel for technology development, while postdoctoral researchers will have greater opportunities for industrial application of their research outcomes and entry into the industry."During the launch ceremony, postdoctoral researchers in the fields of process, equipment, and materials and components presented their technologies, and networking opportunities were created to identify collaborative projects.Lee Seung-woo, Vice President of the Korea Display Association, remarked, "Through this project, we will actively support the expansion of practical industry-academia collaboration by linking the specialized capabilities of postdoctoral researchers with the technical needs of companies, ultimately leading to the entry of outstanding talent into the industry."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-01 16:28:00
  • Joo Jung-sik: Ensuring Growth Benefits Everyone is the Task of the Regular National Assembly
    Joo Jung-sik: Ensuring Growth Benefits Everyone is the Task of the Regular National Assembly Joo Jung-sik, the Speaker of the National Assembly, emphasized on September 1, "Let us focus solely on the people and their livelihoods. Even if there are differences, let us take steps back for the sake of the public."During the opening ceremony of the 2026 Regular National Assembly, he stated, "The primary task of this session is to narrow the gap between the national report card and the household ledger, ensuring that the warmth of growth is felt by all."He noted that last year, South Korea's exports surpassed $700 billion for the first time, and the trade surplus has continued for 18 months. However, he acknowledged that many citizens still find their living conditions challenging. He identified the top three priorities for the National Assembly as the well-being of the public, reiterating the goal of creating a happy nation for every individual.Joo stated, "To achieve a happy nation, we need two wheels: future and integration. No matter how good the wheels are, they cannot move forward without a proper axle, which is the National Assembly." He urged that the primary duty of the legislature is to improve the lives of citizens through relevant legislation while also addressing the shadows cast by change. He called for the National Assembly and the government to respond to the public's expectations for effective governance.He outlined four key agendas for the future: artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technology, youth, climate crisis, and peace on the Korean Peninsula. For integration, he identified four agendas: basic social security, balanced development, social dialogue, and national unity. He proposed that this Regular National Assembly should gather wisdom for future and integration to lead the way in creating a happy nation for the people.Joo concluded, "The future of the nation and the lives of the people depend on this Regular National Assembly. Let us work towards a country where politics prepares for the citizens' tomorrow, rather than a nation where the public worries about politics."Meanwhile, this Regular National Assembly commenced its 100-day schedule on this day and will run until December 9. A plenary session is scheduled for September 3, with speeches from party leaders on September 7 and 8, and government questioning set for September 9-11 and 14. The National Assembly will also review the government budget proposal for the next year during this session.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-01 16:24:10
  • Daughter seen as North Koreas Kim successor, spy agency
    Daughter seen as North Korea's Kim successor, spy agency SEOUL, September 1 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's daughter Ju-ae appears to be moving closer to formally becoming his successor, South Korea's spy agency said Tuesday, citing her increasing frequency and prominence in state media. During a closed-door briefing to the National Assembly's intelligence committee, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) offered the assessment amid growing speculation over North Korea's succession plans, fueled by Ju-ae's increasing visibility. She has taken on an increasingly prominent public role this year, making frequent appearances in North Korean state media including firing a weapon, driving a new main battle tank and standing alongside her father at major events. The speculation also comes as U.S. President Donald Trump has stepped up overtures toward Kim, saying he expects to meet the North Korean leader later this year while reiterating their "very good" relationship. The NIS believes Pyongyang may be deliberately exposing Ju-ae to the public to establish her image among North Koreans as a future leader. Ju-ae has taken on a more prominent public role this year. North Korean state media have shown her firing a weapon and personally driving a new main battle tank. She also appeared alongside her father at a concert in Pyongyang in July marking the 73rd anniversary of what North Korea calls its victory in the Korean War. Rep. Han Ki-ho of the People Power Party (PPP) said Kim is likely to keep putting his daughter in the public eye to strengthen her position as a possible successor. "Kim can trust no one but his own children, but she is still young and a girl, so he will continue trying to familiarize the North Korean people with Kim Ju-ae," Han said. Some lawmakers, however, cautioned that it is still too early to conclude that Ju-ae has been chosen as Kim's successor. "It is still too early to draw that conclusion," said Rep. Kwon Young-se of the PPP, a former unification minister. Rep. Kim Gunn of the PPP, a former special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also urged caution. "We still need to watch the situation further," Kim said. "There are certainly signs that make her look like a successor, but I do not see why the relatively young North Korean leader would already designate the young girl as his successor." Kim Jong-un is 42, while Ju-ae is believed to be 13. Rep. Kim Joon-hyung of the Rebuilding Korea Party, a former chancellor of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, said he disagreed with the NIS assessment. "At this point, it would be a stretch to conclude that Ju-ae has been confirmed as the successor," he said. AJP Takeaways • North Korea's Kim Ju-ae is moving closer to being formally designated as Kim Jong-un's successor, according to South Korea's National Intelligence Service. The NIS cited her increasingly frequent appearances in state media and growing involvement in military and political events. • Kim Jong-un appears to be building public recognition of his daughter as a potential future North Korean leader. Ju-ae, believed to be 13, has recently been shown firing a weapon, driving a new main battle tank and accompanying her father at major state events. • South Korean lawmakers remain divided over whether Ju-ae has already been chosen as North Korea's next leader. While the NIS sees growing signs of succession planning, lawmakers including Kwon Young-se, Kim Gunn and Kim Joon-hyung said it is still too early to conclude that the 42-year-old Kim Jong-un has formally selected his daughter as his successor. 2026-09-01 16:23:02
  • Chinas Solar Power Capacity Surpasses Coal-Fired Generation for the First Time
    China's Solar Power Capacity Surpasses Coal-Fired Generation for the First Time China's solar power capacity has surpassed coal-fired generation for the first time. The National Energy Administration announced on September 1 that as of the end of July this year, China's solar power capacity reached 1,286 million kilowatts.Solar power capacity is divided into two main categories: centralized solar power plants and distributed solar installations on rooftops and other locations. Centralized solar accounts for 707 million kilowatts, while distributed solar makes up 582 million kilowatts. This figure exceeds the coal-fired power capacity of 1,285 million kilowatts by approximately 1 million kilowatts, making solar the largest power source in China.New installations of solar power continue to grow. In July alone, China added 13.73 million kilowatts of solar capacity, a 43% increase compared to the same month last year.Capacity refers to the maximum amount of electricity that can be produced when power plants are operating at full capacity. This metric reflects total capacity and may differ from actual generation. Solar power generation decreases at night or on cloudy days, meaning that even with equal capacity to coal-fired power, the actual electricity output may vary.From January to July this year, China's solar power generation reached 802.4 billion kilowatt-hours, a 15.5% increase from the same period last year. This growth rate is 10.8 percentage points higher than the overall electricity consumption growth rate of 4.7% in China during the same period. Solar power accounted for 13% of total electricity consumption in China from January to July, up 1.7 percentage points from the previous year. In the first half of this year, the share of electricity generated from coal-fired power plants was 49.7%.The National Energy Administration stated that the continuous expansion of solar power plays a crucial role in ensuring electricity supply while promoting the transition of the energy structure.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-01 16:20:20
  • Jipyeong Expands AI Accounting Audit Response Center
    Jipyeong Expands AI Accounting Audit Response Center Jipyeong announced on September 1 that it has expanded and restructured its existing "Accounting Regulation Team" into the "AI Accounting Audit Response Center" to respond more professionally and comprehensively to changes in accounting regulations and the financial environment. Since the comprehensive revision of the "External Audit Act for Corporations," regulations and oversight related to accounting have been continuously strengthened. In particular, investigations into directors' misconduct, sanctions for cooking the books, and liability for damages against auditors have been intensified. Additionally, a periodic designation system for auditors of listed companies and an auditing system for internal accounting management have been introduced, making the responsibilities and obligations related to accounting much stricter for company directors, auditors, and external auditors. Recently, financial authorities have been promoting improvements to related systems, such as accounting supervision and audits, to enhance accounting transparency, increasing the need for proactive responses to accounting-related risks for companies. As the adoption and utilization of AI in the financial sector expands and the AI financial environment rapidly changes, Jipyeong has launched the AI Accounting Audit Response Center to proactively respond to and support these changes. The center will systematically provide advice on complex accounting regulations related to audit supervision, delisting, legal advice on accounting, civil and criminal lawsuits, and administrative litigation, collaborating with various fields and groups as needed to offer comprehensive advice. Key members include Kim Seok-dong, a former chairman of the Financial Services Commission, and Park Soon-cheol, the center's head and former chief prosecutor of the Southern District Prosecutors' Office, along with Kim Myung-cheol, a former Financial Supervisory Service official, and numerous lawyers, certified public accountants, and experts in finance and accounting. Park Soon-cheol, head of the AI Accounting Audit Response Center, stated, "As accounting regulations and oversight are strengthened, the legal issues companies must address are becoming increasingly complex, ranging from audit supervision to maintaining listings and civil and criminal lawsuits. The AI Accounting Audit Response Center will harness the expertise of Jipyeong's specialists to respond comprehensively and professionally to accounting regulations and effectively support our clients' business activities." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-01 16:20:00
  • Seoul Requests Quick Action on Delayed Changsin 9-10 Redevelopment Project
    Seoul Requests Quick Action on Delayed Changsin 9-10 Redevelopment Project The designation of a project implementer for the Changsin 9-10 redevelopment in Jongno District, Seoul, has been delayed for nearly three months, prompting the city to officially request swift action from the district. Jongno has stated it will thoroughly review the feasibility and procedures of the trust method before making a decision to prevent future resident conflicts and lawsuits.According to documents obtained exclusively by Aju Economy, the Seoul city government sent a letter to the Jongno District mayor on August 28, requesting cooperation and the submission of relevant materials regarding the redevelopment project. The letter urged the district to expedite the review and processing of the project implementer designation application, while also asking for clarification on the reasons for the delay and the main issues at hand, along with a future processing plan and expected timeline.The Changsin 9-10 district applied for the designation of a trust operator as the project implementer on June 10-11. Both areas reportedly met the legal consent requirements for the application, but the designation process has yet to be completed after nearly three months.The designation of a project implementer is a crucial step in confirming the entity that will actually carry out the redevelopment project. Delays at this stage can push back subsequent schedules, such as the approval of the project implementation plan. Current urban and residential environment maintenance laws do not specify a processing deadline for designation applications.A Seoul city official stated, "We can no longer allow a project that is on the right track to be stalled for an extended period at the administrative level of the district."Meanwhile, the government and ruling party are pushing to transfer the authority to designate maintenance zones for redevelopment and reconstruction of fewer than 500 households from the Seoul mayor to district mayors. However, there are concerns that, similar to the Changsin 9-10 district, delays in administrative procedures at the district level could persist even after the designation of maintenance zones, raising questions about whether this transfer of authority will lead to a reduction in project timelines.A Seoul city official remarked, "It is difficult to assume that simply transferring the authority to designate maintenance zones to districts will shorten project timelines. As seen in the Changsin 9-10 district, even after the designation of maintenance zones, subsequent administrative procedures can still be delayed, so addressing the factors causing delays at each stage is a priority."In response, Jongno District has indicated that it will not designate a project implementer solely based on meeting legal consent requirements, but will also verify additional factors such as trust fees, project feasibility, and whether residents have been adequately informed. Jongno District Mayor Yoo Chan-jong stated on July 24, "We should not push forward just because the consent rate has been met; we need to properly consult with the district office and residents."On July 24, Jongno District established a 'Rapid Support Task Force for Redevelopment and Reconstruction' directly under the mayor's office. The district plans to complete the formation of a specialized advisory group for redevelopment projects this month and prioritize the review of the Changsin 9-10 district.A Jongno District official stated, "We are expediting the advisory group formation process to resolve the Changsin 9-10 district issue first, and we are reviewing the procedures, including the trust method, with caution." The district clarified that it is not trying to block the trust method itself but aims to ensure that residents are adequately informed about trust fees and project feasibility to prevent future disputes.Furthermore, the official added, "Our role is to prevent lawsuits that may arise in other districts and ensure that residents can properly advance the project. If project feasibility does not materialize later, residents' property rights could be significantly infringed, so we want to check this in advance."However, residents argue that since they have already completed the application for project implementer designation by meeting legal consent requirements, there is no reason to further delay the administrative process. On August 20, residents of the Changsin 9-10 district submitted approximately 2,500 petitions to Jongno District.The Changsin 9-10 district was designated as a new town in 2007 but was de-designated in 2013, undergoing urban regeneration projects. It was selected again as a candidate for rapid integrated planning redevelopment at the end of 2022 and completed the designation of the maintenance zone last November, marking a significant step forward in redevelopment after nearly 18 years. A total of around 4,400 housing units are planned for the two districts.Ha So-hyun, chair of the Changsin 9 district promotion committee, stated, "We have repeatedly requested meetings with the district mayor, and residents are anxious that the redevelopment may be halted again." 2026-09-01 16:20:00
  • Kim Yong-beom Resigns as Chief Policy Officer Amid Economic Challenges
    Kim Yong-beom Resigns as Chief Policy Officer Amid Economic Challenges Kim Yong-beom, the Chief Policy Officer at the Blue House, has left his position after 15 months in the administration of President Lee Jae-myung. While he was a key architect of the national growth strategy centered on artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors, ongoing instability in the real estate and financial markets placed him at the center of accountability for policy failures.Kim, a seasoned economic bureaucrat who entered public service through the 30th National Examination for Public Administration, previously served as the First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance and as the Vice Chairman of the Financial Services Commission. He was appointed as the first Chief Policy Officer under President Lee, overseeing economic, industrial, real estate, financial, and social policies.One of Kim's most significant achievements was placing AI and semiconductors at the core of the national growth strategy. He led efforts to secure graphics processing units (GPUs), establish AI data centers, and expand infrastructure for power and water, integrating industrial, financial, and fiscal policies into a cohesive package.Kim was also instrumental in detailing the three major mega projects and seven seed policies proposed by President Lee. These initiatives aim to concentrate large-scale investments in strategic industries across regions to alleviate the concentration of economic activity in the capital area and enhance the nation's potential growth rate.Expanding cooperation with global tech giants was another key responsibility for Kim. He coordinated meetings between President Lee and leaders such as Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI; Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA; and Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind.The 'productive fiscal' approach reflected in next year's budget embodies Kim's policy philosophy. This strategy aims not only to use fiscal measures to support the economy but also to invest in AI and advanced industries to expand the economic pie, which would subsequently enhance tax revenue and fiscal capacity. The establishment of a future response fund to utilize surplus tax revenue generated during economic upturns for fiscal stability and future strategic investments aligns with this vision.What set Kim apart from previous policy chiefs was his commitment to public policy communication. He actively engaged in lengthy posts on Facebook and participated in media interviews to explain the background and direction of policies. His writings were often interpreted as signals of forthcoming government initiatives.However, this proactive communication became a double-edged sword. Concerns arose when he publicly shared personal ideas that had not undergone internal coordination, leading to confusion between the official policies of the Blue House and his personal views. A notable example was his proposal for a 'national dividend' to return excess profits and tax revenues from the semiconductor and AI industries to the public.His controversial remarks, particularly the phrase “We must build, no matter what,” regarding the real estate crisis, also sparked debate. While Kim explained that he was expressing urgency in exploring all available land, including green belts, industrial zones, and public sites, critics deemed his language too harsh for a senior official overseeing economic policy.The final blow came after the introduction of a single-stock leveraged exchange-traded fund (ETF) targeting Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix in late May, which led to increased market volatility.Ultimately, President Lee's decision to accept Kim's resignation appears to be a response to declining approval ratings and a desire to demonstrate a commitment to government renewal. The swift acceptance of Kim's resignation supports this interpretation. With Kim's departure, there is growing interest in how the direction of economic policy may shift.Given the intention behind his resignation to enhance responsiveness to public sentiment, there are expectations for a more flexible approach in areas such as real estate policy.A Blue House official stated during a press briefing that it is not unusual for advisors to have an average tenure of 1 year and 2 months to 6 months, emphasizing that the current Chief of Staff and other senior officials are effectively fulfilling their roles, ensuring continuity in operations until future appointments are made. 2026-09-01 16:16:00