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Korean Party Delays Decision on Local Committee Chair Elections Amid Internal Dissent The Supreme Council of the People Power Party did not finalize discussions on the election method for local committee chairs on August 24, postponing the agenda once again. This follows a previous delay on August 20, when the leadership decided to gather opinions from lawmakers. As opposition among party members intensified, concerns grew within the leadership, including Jang Dong-hyuk, the party leader.The Supreme Council was scheduled to discuss changes to the election method for local committee chairs but opted not to present the agenda, deciding instead to continue discussions at the next Supreme Council meeting on August 27. During this period, Jang plans to gather opinions from party members regarding a direct election method for local committee chairs and seek a reasonable solution.The decision not to present the agenda is seen as a response to the backlash from party lawmakers. At a general meeting on August 21, members expressed a consensus that the current chair should be elected through the traditional local committee operation, conveying this to the party leadership.Lawmakers are concerned that a contentious election for local committee chairs could lead to divisions within local organizations and hinder party unity, resulting in what they describe as subtraction politics. They also warn that adverse effects on local organizations could negatively impact future elections. Some speculate that Jang may be attempting to strengthen his control by filling local organizations with allies.On August 23, Yoon Sang-hyun, a party lawmaker, stated on Facebook, If we are to change the method of electing local committee chairs nationwide, we must proceed with caution. The party leader should not only lead those who share his views but must also embrace dissenting voices to guide everyone in a unified direction. Choi Hyung-doo, another lawmaker, added, Any restructuring of local committee chairs should not disregard the resolutions made at the general meeting. The People Power Party must provide new hope to the public through greater leadership and strive for a unifying leadership approach.Political observers note that the proposed direct election of local committee chairs is facing significant opposition from incumbent lawmakers. This situation differs from previous instances where the party leadership had disagreements with reformist or pro-Yoon factions. One lawmaker remarked, While the final decision rests with the Supreme Council, the backlash from lawmakers is quite strong. If they push through, the leadership may struggle to handle the backlash.Nevertheless, Jang and the party leadership remain committed to promoting a direct election system as part of their transition to a member-centered party. Cho Kwang-han, a Supreme Council member, emphasized on Facebook on August 22 that the direct election system is not about consolidating power but about relinquishing it, stating, Reform is only possible when one is willing to give up their own interests. Park Sung-hoon, the partys chief spokesperson, also clarified after the Supreme Council meeting that the decision has not been finalized, indicating that the direct election proposal is not being withdrawn or completely re-evaluated.* This article has been translated by AI. August 24, 2026 16: -
Lee So-hee and Baek Ha-na Win Korea's First Women's Doubles World Championship Gold in 31 Years Lee So-hee and Baek Ha-na Defeat World No. 1 to Claim Gold MedalBadminton players Lee So-hee and Baek Ha-na, ranked third in the world, secured a gold medal for South Korea at the World Championships for the first time in 31 years. The duo triumphed over the world’s top-ranked pair, Liu Shengsu and Tan Ning from China, with a score of 2-0 (21-15, 21-15) in the women’s doubles final held in New Delhi, India, on August 23. This victory marks the first time a South Korean women’s doubles team has won the championship since Gil Young-a and Jang Hye-ok in 1995. The pair lifted the trophy about eight months after winning back-to-back titles at the World Tour Finals last year, breaking a four-match losing streak against the top-ranked team.Movies Odyssey and Spider-Man 4 Surpass 7 Million and 8 Million ViewersThe films Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day are leading the summer box office. According to the integrated ticket sales network, Odyssey surpassed 7 million viewers as of 1:01 PM on August 23, just 19 days after its release. This milestone came only two days after it crossed the 6 million mark. The pace at which Odyssey reached 7 million matches that of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which achieved the same milestone in record time this year. Compared to previous hits, Odyssey reached this figure faster than The King’s Affection and Spring in Seoul, which took 24 and 20 days, respectively.Nvidia AI Server Prices Expected to Rise Over 15% Due to Memory CostsDue to a surge in demand for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, memory semiconductor prices have skyrocketed, leading to an expected increase of over 15% in the prices of Nvidias AI chip-equipped servers. Bloomberg reported on August 22, citing sources, that some of Nvidias major clients have been informed of the price hikes for many products. The increases will apply to systems shipped early next year, including servers equipped with Nvidias next-generation Vera Rubin and Grace Blackwell chips. The extent of the price increase will vary based on the generation of Nvidia chips and memory configurations. Bloomberg noted that even Nvidia, which has maintained high profitability, is unable to absorb the cost burden from rising memory prices, as the demand for DRAM has surged due to increased AI infrastructure investments, strengthening the bargaining power of memory manufacturers like Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Micron.President Lee to Meet with Party and Business Leaders This WeekPresident Lee Jae-myung will meet with the new leadership of the Democratic Party and major business leaders this week as part of a broad communication effort that spans both politics and the economy. Ahead of the regular National Assembly session in September, he aims to strengthen legislative and budget cooperation among the party, government, and the Blue House while reviewing large-scale investment plans and government support measures in the AI and semiconductor sectors. On August 23, political sources indicated that President Lee will host a dinner at the Blue House on August 25 with Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok, floor leader Han Byeong-do, and other key party officials. Following that, on August 28, he will invite all Democratic Party lawmakers to a luncheon at the Blue House, broadening the scope of communication to gather direct feedback on government policies and legislative issues. This schedule follows a dinner he held on August 19 with Kim and other candidates from the Democratic Partys recent convention.Police Investigate Motive Behind False Closure of Missing Persons CaseJeju police are intensively investigating the motive of Officer A, who was urgently arrested on suspicion of falsely closing a missing persons case. On August 23, Officer A left the Jeju Eastern Police Stations detention center and did not respond to reporters questions about the reasons for the false closure, keeping his head down as he boarded a transport vehicle. According to Yonhap News, a police official stated, We are investigating the motive behind Officer As false closure of the missing persons case, adding that the location of the investigation cannot be disclosed. Another police source mentioned that they may apply for a warrant by the deadline for urgent arrest on August 24, depending on the investigations progress.* This article has been translated by AI. August 23, 2026 21:
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The Legacy of Two Buddhist Monks: Myung-jin and Ja-seung Myung-jin has passed away. Myung-jin, who served as the head monk of Bongeunsa Temple and advocated for reform within the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, died in the waters off Jeju Island on August 22, 2026. He was 76 years old and had been a monk for 52 years. It is presumed that he suffered an accident while enjoying free diving, as he entered the water after taking a deep breath, never to return to the surface. This is truly a tragic and heartbreaking event. Upon hearing the news of Myung-jins passing, I was reminded of another figure: Ja-seung, who served as the head of the Jogye Orders General Affairs for two terms. Ja-seung passed away in November 2023 in a fire at the Yojangsa Temple in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province. He was 69 years old. Although both monks lived through a significant era in Korean Buddhism, they walked very different paths and are now both gone from this world. During their lifetimes, the two monks stood at the sharpest opposing points within Korean Buddhism. One criticized the politicization and power dynamics of the order, while the other exercised strong leadership as the highest administrative authority of Koreas largest Buddhist sect. Notably, during the Lee Myung-bak administration, conflicts surrounding Bongeunsa Temple and the management of the Jogye Order escalated into public confrontations that the entire Korean society observed. Myung-jin openly criticized the relationship between the orders power and political authority, often targeting Ja-seung and the leadership of the time. The conflict persisted for years. In 2017, Myung-jin faced severe disciplinary action from the Jogye Order, which cited reasons such as damaging the honor of the order and its executive body. Myung-jin countered that he was being punished for criticizing the immorality and wrongdoings within the order. Eventually, he won a legal battle, and after a long dispute, the issue of his monk status was resolved. However, what does all of this mean now? There is no longer a head of the General Affairs, nor a head monk at Bongeunsa. The power of the order has dissipated, and there are no opposing factions. There are no winners or losers. Ja-seung is gone, and Myung-jin is gone. All that remains is the fact that the two lived fiercely during the same era. Here, we are prompted to reflect on the most fundamental questions that Buddhism poses to humanity. Why do we fight so fiercely? Buddhism teaches us to be wary of greed, hatred, and ignorance, known as the three poisons. The desire for more, the anger and hatred we harbor, and the inability to see things as they truly are. Monks shave their heads and enter the monastic life to rid themselves of these three poisons. Yet, people live in temples. When people gather, organizations form, and with organizations comes power. Power brings positions and interests, and greed, anger, and ignorance seep into those realms. A practitioner who has left the secular world is not automatically free from human desires. Perhaps ordination is not a declaration that desire has vanished, but rather a vow to struggle against it for a lifetime. Thus, I do not wish to frame the long-standing conflict between the two monks as a victory or defeat for either side. To say that Myung-jin was entirely right or that Ja-seung was entirely wrong would not be Buddhist. The moment we assign absolute good or evil to humans, we begin another cycle of attachment. The Heart Sutra states, Form is emptiness, emptiness is form. What we cling to—status, honor, money, power, victory, and even love and hate—are not eternal realities. They arise and dissipate according to conditions. The power I hold today is not truly mine, nor is the title people call me originally mine. The position of head of General Affairs is empty, and so is the position of head monk at Bongeunsa. The authority of the order is empty, and even the name of reform can become another attachment the moment we cling to it. However, the emptiness in Buddhism is not nihilism. Emptiness is form. Because we have emptied ourselves, we can embrace the world again, and because we have let go, we can love others again. Where I have emptied myself, others can enter, and where hatred has been emptied, compassion can arise. This is the paradox of wisdom. The Diamond Sutra goes a step further, stating, One should not dwell anywhere but give rise to the mind there. This means not to cling to any place but to cultivate the mind from there. Reflecting on this teaching in light of the lives of the two monks, I wonder if Myung-jin did not become fixated on the definition of reform, and if Ja-seung did not become attached to the power and order of the order. And are we not also stuck in our judgments of Myung-jin is right and Ja-seung is wrong or Ja-seung is right and Myung-jin is wrong? The Diamond Sutra urges us to leave even that position behind. It also teaches, All conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, shadows, like dew and lightning; one should view them like this. Everything that arises according to the conditions of the world is like a dream, an illusion, a bubble, and a shadow, and we are taught to see it this way. How profound are these words. The power we cling to throughout our lives is but a flash of lightning. Honor is like morning dew. Organizations are bubbles, and human relationships gather and disperse according to conditions. The authority of the head of General Affairs and the reputation of a reformer will become just a few lines in history books a hundred years from now. The vast worldview of the Flower Garland Sutra shows that all existence does not stand alone but exists interdependently. It is often summarized in the teaching, All is created by the mind. When the mind is filled with hatred, the other becomes an enemy, and when compassion arises in the mind, yesterdays enemy can become todays ally. The Bodhisattva of the Lotus Sutra sees the potential for Buddhahood in everyone they meet and respects them. They do not only respect those who share their views but also seek to see the Buddha-nature even in those who insult or harm them. This is where the challenge of religion lies. It is easy to read scriptures. It is easy to memorize them. However, seeing the Buddha in someone who has attacked you is difficult. It is easy to speak of compassion in the temple, but hard to relinquish power. It is easy to preach non-attachment, but hard to let go of ones position and honor. It is easy to talk about emptiness, but truly emptying the thought of I am right is incredibly difficult. This is not just a story for monks. It applies to pastors and priests, politicians, businesspeople, and journalists. It applies to all of us. As religion and organizations grow, we must be even more vigilant. If we speak of God while seeking power, talk of the Buddha while harboring hatred, and proclaim the truth while insisting we are right, religion can transform into the most un-religious organization at any moment. The lives and deaths of Myung-jin and Ja-seung may leave us with the greatest teaching here. The two fought fiercely. They envisioned different forms of Korean Buddhism. One called for reform, while the other led the order. It is up to future generations to determine which sides merits and faults will be recorded more prominently in history. However, death has placed both of them on the same level. Birth, aging, sickness, and death. The Buddha left the palace and set out on his journey because of these four words. In the face of the human fate of being born, aging, falling ill, and dying, there is no difference between a king and a beggar, a head of General Affairs and an ordinary monk. We can now imagine meeting the two monks in our minds. Ja-seung stands at a crossroads in the Nirvana he crossed first. Myung-jin, who left the waters of Jeju, follows that path. The two meet again. At first, they may gaze at each other for a moment. They were two who fought so fiercely while alive. But there is no General Affairs office there. There is no Bongeunsa. There are no council members or authority. There is no government or politics. There are no excommunications or reinstatements. There are no reporters to record who won. Only two practitioners remain. Ja-seung may first join his hands in prayer. Myung-jin, have you arrived? Myung-jin will also smile and join his hands. You were here first. And that is the end. In that moment, the two may finally see how small the conflicts that lasted for decades in this life truly were. The person they hated so much was merely a fleeting connection, and the position they fought to protect was just a chair they borrowed for a moment. Thus, the final mantra of the Heart Sutra resonates even more profoundly today. Gate, gate, paragate, parasamgate, bodhi svaha. Let us go, let us go. Let us go beyond that hill. Let us all cross over to Nirvana and attain enlightenment. We do not read this as a call to death. We interpret it as a call to cross from greed to compassion, from anger to forgiveness, and from ignorance to wisdom. It is a call to move from I to we, from power to service, and from attachment to freedom. Myung-jin has gone. Ja-seung has gone. We too will eventually go. So, while we are alive, what are we clinging to so tightly, what are we hating so deeply, and why do we leave such profound wounds on each other? The greatness of religion does not lie in grand temples, high positions, or numerous followers. The reason for the existence of religion is to reduce human greed, calm anger, and break ignorance, making one a little more free and compassionate. Isnt that the path the Buddha left for us 2,500 years ago? Form is emptiness, emptiness is form. Existence is emptiness, and from emptiness, life arises again. Now, let us also let go of the long-standing dispute between the two monks. Let history record who was right, and let us lay down our own greed, hatred, and ignorance before the spirits of these two practitioners. And may the two now join their hands in prayer for each other. Myung-jin, Ja-seung. If there is any reconciliation left undone in this life, may it be fulfilled there. Gate, gate. Let us go, let us go. Let us cross over that hill. And finally, let us meet again in the freedom of Nirvana, where there is no hatred, no resentment, and no power.* This article has been translated by AI. August 22, 2026 20:
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Kang Kyung-sook Elected Chair of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Party Kang Kyung-sook, a proportional representative member of the Justice Innovation Party, has been elected as the chair of the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Party.According to Yonhap News on the 22nd, the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Party held a party member meeting at its office that day, where Kang was elected as the chair after running unopposed.Voting by Jeonbuk party members and national delegates took place over three days starting on the 20th. Kang received 93.1% of the votes in favor, with 6.9% opposed. Her term begins immediately and will last for two years.In her acceptance speech, Kang expressed gratitude to former chair Jeong Do-sang for his leadership and emphasized her commitment to revitalizing the party.Kang stated, The essence of politics is attitude, and I believe that if I sincerely dedicate myself to the residents, the party, and the members, everyone will come together. She added, I will lead the party to become a policy-oriented party that connects central and local issues, a small but strong party.She also highlighted the importance of communication with party members and strengthening organizational capacity. The Jeonbuk party will come to you first to share concerns and work together, she said. When facing difficult paths, I will be at the forefront, and when its time to soar high, I will support you from below.Initially, this election was expected to be a contest between Kang and former chair Jeong Do-sang. However, Jeong withdrew from the race on the 17th, leaving Kang as the sole candidate, leading to the voting process.* This article has been translated by AI. August 22, 2026 19:
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Yongsan Park Land Use Dispute: Kim Young-bae Criticizes Oh Se-hoon Kim Young-bae, chair of the Democratic Partys Seoul chapter, met with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon to discuss housing supply plans utilizing Yongsan Park, but both sides reaffirmed their differences.According to Yonhap News, after a luncheon meeting with Mayor Oh at the mayors residence on August 22, Kim told reporters at the National Assembly, It was difficult to reach a broad agreement on housing supply, and the differences were significant.The government is considering expanding housing supply through limited youth housing initiatives on parts of Yongsan Park and easing regulations in development-restricted areas (greenbelts) in Seoul. However, the Seoul City government opposes housing supply at Yongsan Park and any further greenbelt releases.Kim stated, The city strongly opposed supplying youth housing at Yongsan Park and the Yongsan maintenance depot, citing various legal and traffic issues, adding, The city party suggested that we review all issues openly.He particularly criticized Mayor Ohs stance on greenbelts, saying, Mayor Oh proposed the release of the greenbelt in the Seoripul area in 2023, and while that project proceeded, he now opposes further greenbelt releases. This raises concerns that he is engaging in self-centered politics while citizens, including youth, are struggling with housing difficulties.Kim continued, It seems that Mayor Oh wants to highlight himself as a politician with valuable vision by stating, No to greenbelts and I cannot concede even 1 cm of Yongsan Park. Is there no effort from the government to resolve housing difficulties?Mayor Oh reportedly proposed a compromise plan to develop nearby industrial sites instead of Yongsan Park. In response, Kim remarked, The residences at sites like the Gyeongnidang area are already occupied by people living and working there. It is unreasonable to unilaterally present alternatives without securing the prerequisites for development.However, the two sides did not clash on every issue. Kim noted, There is ample room for discussion regarding regulatory adjustments, such as incentives for redevelopment and reconstruction. He expressed his willingness to cooperate with Mayor Oh on budget and policy matters for the benefit of Seoul citizens, despite being from the opposition party.He also indicated that if the Seoul City government submits necessary requests regarding budget and policy by mid-next month, they would strive to actively reflect those needs.Regarding the potential use of part of the Future Response Fund for youth housing supply, Kim stated, The Seoul chapter is willing to actively pursue the use of surplus tax revenue for the benefit of citizens, adding that Mayor Oh was in strong agreement and they decided to discuss it further.Earlier, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yun-deok also met with Mayor Oh on August 20 to discuss housing supply plans for Yongsan Park, but they too were unable to narrow their differences.* This article has been translated by AI. August 22, 2026 16:
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Debate Erupts Within People Power Party Over Re-election of Local Committee Chairs The People Power Party is facing internal turmoil over the re-election of local committee chairs. Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk has expressed a desire to re-elect all local committee chairs through member voting. However, party lawmakers have reached a consensus that it would be better to re-elect the current chairs through the operating committee as per existing practices. The matter now rests with the Supreme Council.According to the partys constitution and regulations, the term of local committee chairs ends at the end of August in even-numbered years (Article 26 of the Local Organization Operation Regulations). Article 27 states that local committee chairs can be elected either by all party members or responsible party members, or by the operating committee selecting the current chair. Other methods determined by the Supreme Council are also permissible.Under these regulations, it has been customary for the operating committee to automatically re-elect the current chair even after their term ends, unless the chair resigns or is recommended for replacement by the partys audit committee under special circumstances.This issue gained traction after Jang emphasized on August 12 that he would not operate under the assumption that the term of local committee chairs would automatically extend. This announcement indicated that local committee chair elections would be held through member voting in all 253 local committees.Political analysts suggest that the position of local committee chair is closely tied to the upcoming general election in two years, making the debate intense. It is undeniable that local committee chairs hold an advantageous position during the nomination process for the general election. Additionally, since local committee councils play a crucial role in grassroots politics, there is reluctance to relinquish such significant authority in their districts.In fact, after Jang proposed a de facto unanimous re-endorsement vote, there was significant backlash within the party. During a general meeting held the day before, concerns were raised that conducting member voting in a chaotic situation could divide party members. There were also arguments emphasizing the need for internal unity to form a cohesive front against the opposition.One party lawmaker noted, While the final decision rests with the Supreme Council, there is strong opposition from lawmakers. If this is pushed through, the leadership may struggle to handle the backlash. He added, There are concerns that if current lawmakers lose in the local committee chair elections, it could weaken their sense of belonging and negatively impact party cohesion.Supporters of Jangs approach argue that holding local committee chair elections through member voting represents a significant relinquishment of power by the party leader. They contend that since the party leader has given up some authority, local committee chairs should also relinquish their vested interests for the sake of party reform. Furthermore, it is argued that since the current chair would have an advantage in member voting, if they were to lose, it would indicate a lack of competitiveness in the general election, making a change logical.Meanwhile, the People Power Party plans to hold a Supreme Council meeting on August 24 to discuss the method of electing local committee chairs, whose terms end at the end of this month.* This article has been translated by AI. August 22, 2026 07:
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Former Lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong's Lawyer Registration Canceled Kwon Seong-dong, a former lawmaker of the People Power Party, has had his lawyer registration canceled following a confirmed prison sentence for receiving illegal political funds from the Unification Church.According to Yonhap News on August 21, the Korean Bar Association recently canceled Kwons lawyer registration. This action follows a directive from the Ministry of Justice, which communicated the cancellation order to the Bar Association on August 14.Under the Lawyer Act, individuals registered as lawyers who receive a prison sentence of more than one year are disqualified from practicing law. In such cases, the Minister of Justice is required to order the cancellation of their registration.Kwon was indicted for allegedly accepting 100 million won from Yoon Young-ho, the former head of the Unification Church, in exchange for lobbying the Yoon Suk-yeol administration for support of the church. The Supreme Court upheld a two-year prison sentence and a fine of 100 million won against Kwon on July 16.As a result, Kwon also lost his position as a member of the National Assembly. The Public Official Election Act stipulates that a lawmaker loses their seat if they are convicted of violating political fund laws and receive a fine of over 1 million won.Kwon passed the bar exam in 1985 and worked as a prosecutor before opening a law practice in 2006. He served as the legal secretary to the Blue House during the Lee Myung-bak administration from 2008 to 2009 and entered politics after being elected in a by-election in 2010.* This article has been translated by AI. August 21, 2026 20:
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Kim Min-seok to Meet with Jang Dong-hyuk on August 24 Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party, is set to meet with Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, on August 24. This will be their first meeting since Kim took office, raising questions about the potential for bipartisan cooperation as he emphasizes expansion politics.According to the Democratic Party on August 21, Kim plans to meet with Jang on the 24th. On the same day, he will also hold a series of meetings with Shin Jang-sik, leader of the Justice Reform Party, Kim Jong-hoon, leader of the Progressive Party, and Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform Party.Previously, Kim and Jang were scheduled to meet on August 18 at a memorial service for former President Kim Dae-jung at the National Cemetery in Seoul. However, the meeting was canceled when Jang and other leaders from the People Power Party had to change their plans to respond to flood damage in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province.Currently, the ruling and opposition parties are at odds over the impeachment of Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae and the shortening of the U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises. With Kim advocating for the ABC (Affordability, Broadening, Competent) approach within his party, there is growing interest in whether he will seek to mend relations, unlike his predecessor Jeong Cheong-rae, who refused to shake hands with Jang, stating he could not engage with insurrectionist forces during his early tenure last year. August 21, 2026 15:
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Korean Party Faces Backlash After Disciplining Lawmakers The People Power Partys Central Ethics Committee has faced ongoing backlash as it imposed a suspension of party membership on four lawmakers, including Jo Kyung-tae, Kwon Young-jin, Seo Beom-soo, and Jin Jong-oh. Critics, particularly from the non-mainstream faction, have raised concerns that the disciplinary actions are aimed at eliminating political rivals who have called for the resignation of party leader Jang Dong-hyuk. Senior party members have also expressed their worries.Jin, who has been suspended for two years, held a press conference at the National Assembly, demanding that the Ethics Committee disclose when, where, and how he allegedly supported independent candidate Han Dong-hoon. He stated, If they cannot provide this information, the Ethics Committee will have to admit it has become a mere follower of Chairman Jang. He hinted at the possibility of legal action regarding various aspects of the committees proceedings.Kwon Young-jin, who received a 1.5-year suspension, expressed his concerns on CBS Radio, questioning whether the actions were politically motivated to eliminate dissenting voices. He remarked, Isnt this a warning that if you challenge me, you wont receive nominations next time?The Alternatives and Future group, which includes some of the disciplined lawmakers, issued a statement urging Chairman Jang and the leadership to make wise decisions. They warned that severe disciplinary measures could lead to division within the party, stating, When politics wields a sword, it can inflict wounds on the very fabric of society.Among veteran lawmakers, there were also significant concerns. Five-term lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun took to Facebook, urging a reconsideration of the harsh penalties, emphasizing that what is needed now is not exclusion but unity. He called for a return to the core principles of politics, focusing on the peoples livelihood and governance.Five-term lawmaker Na Kyung-won noted that the timing and severity of the Ethics Committees actions do not benefit the leadership. She pointed out that while punishing one person can serve as a warning to many, punishing many can harm the community. Na expressed hope that the remaining procedures, including the Supreme Councils decisions and re-examinations, would be adjusted in a way that benefits the party. Four-term lawmaker Kim Tae-ho also addressed Chairman Jang, stating, While the party constitution grants you the position, your representation comes from the people and party members. You can silence criticism with discipline, but you cannot discipline public sentiment.Meanwhile, independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon criticized the disciplinary actions as a form of political maneuvering that aids the Democratic Party amid its crises. He remarked, This disciplinary politics for personal gain is helping the beleaguered Lee Jae-myung administration by diverting attention from its issues.As for the three lawmakers, excluding Seo, who face suspensions of 1.5 years or more, if the penalties are confirmed, their chances of receiving nominations from the People Power Party in the next general election will be virtually impossible. Kwon and Seo have stated they will not take legal action for now, while Jo and Jin have not clarified their positions. August 21, 2026 15:
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Former NSC chief urges Seoul to take Trump's latest moves seriously SEOUL, August 21 (AJP) - Former White House National Security Council chief of staff Alexander B. Gray urged Seoul to take U.S. President Donald Trump seriously on investment and the treatment of American companies while defending his "unconventional" approach to North Korea, which differs from previous presidents', in an AJP interview in Seoul earlier this week, two days after Trump abruptly ordered a substantial reduction in a joint military exercise with South Korea on Sunday. Trump cited the cost of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise, among other reasons for its reduction, but many pundits speculated that the move was related to delays in implementing Seoul's US$350 billion U.S. investment commitment and Washington's complaints involving Coupang and other American companies. AJP interviewed Gray at Lotte Hotel Seoul on Tuesday as the allies were confronting an unusually broad set of challenges spanning military coordination, North Korea policy, trade and investment. Trump's Aug. 16 order had come only hours before the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise was due to begin and apparently without advance notice to officials in either Seoul or Washington. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun told lawmakers the following day that officials in both governments had been unaware of the order beforehand. At the time of the interview, Gray stressed that the exercise then underway had not yet been altered and argued that Trump's broader record demonstrated that Washington remained willing to use force when necessary to maintain deterrence. That changed within a day. South Korea and the U.S. subsequently agreed to end UFS about a week earlier than originally scheduled on Aug. 27, cutting the 11-day exercise to five days and reducing some combined field training drills. About 18,000 South Korean troops are participating in this year's exercise. Gray said Trump's decision should also be viewed in the context of his longstanding interest in personally engaging North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Gary said Trump believes his unusual personal leverage could produce a diplomatic breakthrough that previous U.S. presidents failed to achieve. "His unique position as a global leader can achieve a diplomatic outcome with North Korea that has eluded every American president since Harry Truman," Gray said. "I think he's very committed to trying to do that," he said. "As he enters the final half of his presidency, I think he's going to look for ways to reshape global politics, and North Korea is a great opportunity to do that," he added. Events since the interview have reinforced signs that Trump is seeking another encounter with Kim. Trump said Wednesday that he expected to meet the North Korean leader later this year, while the Wall Street Journal reported that he had been pressing aides to arrange a meeting as early as this fall, possibly during a November trip to Asia. Trump met Kim three times during his first term, but their nuclear diplomacy broke down without an agreement after the 2019 summit in Hanoi. The nuclear challenge has also grown substantially since those meetings. Trump said Wednesday that North Korea had 57 "very powerful" nuclear weapons. South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back told lawmakers the following day that private research estimates generally put Pyongyang's arsenal at between 80 and 120 warheads, although he stressed that the South Korean military could not officially verify an exact figure. Pyongyang, meanwhile, has offered little indication that Trump's latest gesture will immediately revive talks. Kim Yo-jong, the North Korean leader's influential sister, dismissed the scaled-back exercises as insufficient while still describing the personal relationship between Trump and Kim as "excellent." North Korea then fired about 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters on Thursday. Gray said Trump's complimentary language toward Kim should not necessarily be read as personal affection, but as part of his negotiating style. "If you want to have a positive relationship that leads to negotiations that serve U.S. interests, why would you intentionally be nasty to our adversaries?" Gray said. "President Trump thinks that there is no value in gratuitously criticizing people that we have to negotiate with," he said. "Kim Jong-un is ultimately going to have to sit across the table from President Trump and President Lee, and they are going to have to come up with a deal," he added. Gray said the same transactional approach lies behind Trump's demands on South Korea in the economic sphere. For decades, he argued, Washington was willing to tolerate trade arrangements that it did not necessarily regard as economically reciprocal because close alliances with South Korea and Japan produced larger geopolitical benefits. Trump, he said, now wants to change that bargain by coupling the security relationship with large-scale investment that creates jobs and industrial capacity inside the United States. South Korea committed to a $350 billion U.S. investment package as part of the bilateral trade agreement reached last year. The package consists of $200 billion for strategic investments and $150 billion for shipbuilding cooperation. Seoul launched the state-backed Korea-U.S. Strategic Investment Corporation in June to implement the pledge, but specific projects are still being selected. Gray warned that Seoul should not assume it could delay implementation until Trump leaves office in January 2029. He said Trump wants to see concrete projects being built and Americans employed while he remains in the White House, and that a lack of tangible progress over the coming year could create serious difficulties in bilateral relations. Looking beyond the immediate disputes, Gray said Washington still wants the alliance to broaden. "Number one, we want to see the alliance continue to grow and expand into new areas," Gray said. "We also want to see a broader consensus that China is a very serious threat to regional stability," he said. "The U.S. wants to see governments of both the left and the right in all of our partners and allies view China in a similar way," he added. Gray acknowledged that South Korea faces different economic realities because of its geographical proximity and extensive trade ties with China, leaving room for differences over tactics. But he said Washington would continue to seek broad strategic alignment from its allies regardless of which parties hold power. "The final thing is understanding that, as we talk about the investment package, we have to see some reciprocity," Gray said. "We have to see U.S. companies treated fairly," he said. "We have to see the investment deal that was made honored and turned into actual projects," he added. His comments come amid growing political pressure in Washington over the treatment of American businesses in South Korea. A report released last month by the Republican-led U.S. House Judiciary Committee alleged that South Korean regulators had engaged in discriminatory enforcement against American-owned companies, with particular attention to U.S.-listed e-commerce company Coupang and the Korea Fair Trade Commission. Seoul has rejected the broader allegation that it systematically discriminates against foreign companies. Gray was sharply critical of the regulatory environment. "If you look at the way U.S. digital companies are disproportionately receiving large fines, and the way in which the Korea Fair Trade Commission is targeting U.S. companies and going after them with very aggressive raids, frankly, some of the positions those employees have been put in are completely unfair," Gray said. "U.S. digital and tech companies right now are the backbone of the U.S. economy," he said. "They are driving our growth and productivity. They are the innovators," he said. "They have enormous economic heft in the United States," he added. Gray argued that Trump has increasingly treated major American technology companies as strategically important national assets and has shown a willingness to retaliate when he believes they are being unfairly targeted abroad. "The president has recognized that, and he has been very responsive when those companies have been treated unfairly, whether by Canada with a digital services tax or by the European Union with the Digital Markets Act," Gray said. "He has responded to every instance of unfair regulation by threatening tariffs, actually imposing tariffs or using other forms of trade retaliation," he said. "I would hate to see a situation in which Korea didn't take him seriously on this issue, didn't learn the lessons of Canada and the EU, and made the relationship more challenging by failing to understand the way in which we now view our tech companies as national champions," he said. "If they are being discriminated against, I don't think President Trump is going to stand for it," Gray added. The South Korean government publicly pushed back against that characterization a day after Gray's interview. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economy Koo Yun Cheol told an American Chamber of Commerce in Korea luncheon in Seoul on Wednesday that the government does not discriminate against foreign businesses and regards foreign companies investing and operating in South Korea as Korean companies. Koo also rejected suggestions that Seoul was deliberately delaying the $350 billion investment package, saying project selection was moving forward and identifying energy as one area drawing particular interest. Gray nevertheless argued that the economic relationship could become a source of greater alliance strength if Korean manufacturing capacity is integrated with American technology and production. He pointed to investments by Samsung and SK in the United States and to growing U.S.-Korean cooperation in shipbuilding, including Hanwha's operations in Philadelphia. "I think combining Korea's exceptional manufacturing expertise with U.S. innovation and facilities in the U.S. that can directly support our industrial base is the way to make this not a dependency, but something that benefits both sides," Gray said. Gray also rejected the common portrayal of Trump's foreign policy as impulsive, arguing that unpredictability itself is a calculated negotiating tool. "The president has always said that the unpredictability he is perceived to have by both friends and foes is one of his greatest strengths," Gray said. "He has referenced a term used by President Nixon called the 'madman theory' repeatedly," he said. Gray said the same uncertainty could help deter China from attempting to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. "I have a lot of confidence that we are going to be able to get through President Trump's term without a major escalation in Taiwan because I don't think Xi Jinping wants to find out how President Trump would handle an invasion of the Taiwan Strait or other coercion," he said. Gray, who worked with Trump inside the White House during his first term, said his personal experience differed sharply from the image of presidential improvisation often presented publicly. "What I saw personally, though, is a little bit different," Gray said. "I saw a president who uses that ambiguity and the public uncertainty about how he communicates in a very strategic way," he said. "There is a public narrative that he says things without a larger strategy. My experience is that everything he says has been thought through, has been discussed with his advisers, and is communicated in ways that tie back to a larger U.S. interest or the direction he is trying to head," he said. "The public narrative in the U.S. and globally sometimes confuses an intentional tactic with something chaotic or shooting from the hip," he said. "I think it is more intended to look that way than it actually is," Gray added. Gray met political figures during his visit to South Korea. He told AJP that he met independent Rep. Han Dong-hoon, a former leader of the People Power Party, during his stay. Gray also said PPP Chairman Jang Dong-hyeok came to Lotte Hotel Seoul on Monday, Aug. 17, a day before the AJP interview, and that the two held talks. Gray is chief executive officer of American Global Strategies LLC, a Washington-based international strategic advisory firm he co-founded with Robert C. O'Brien, who served as Trump's national security adviser. Gray served as deputy assistant to the president and chief of staff of the White House National Security Council from 2019 to 2021, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the national security adviser's immediate office as well as the NSC's budget, personnel and security functions. He is also a senior nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council. Before becoming NSC chief of staff, Gray served as special assistant to the president for the defense industrial base at the White House National Economic Council and as the NSC's first director for Oceania and Indo-Pacific security. He also served on Trump's 2016 presidential transition team at the State Department and was a defense policy adviser to Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. August 21, 2026 13: -
Han Byeong-do Criticizes Jang Dong-hyuk's Remarks on US-South Korea Joint Exercises Han Byeong-do, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, criticized Jang Dong-hyuk of the People Power Party on August 21 for attacking President Lee Jae-myung over the reduction of US-South Korea joint military exercises.Speaking at a Supreme Council meeting in Gangneung, Han stated, President Donald Trump expressed his intention to reduce the joint exercises to create conditions for dialogue with North Korea, and President Lee fully agrees with Trumps decision, emphasizing that South Korea must take responsibility for its own security.He further questioned, If you cannot criticize Trump’s decision but only attack President Lee, who is trying to strengthen US-South Korea cooperation towards the same goal, whose politics are you serving? He also emphasized that the adjustment of the exercises was made after consultations between the defense authorities of both countries, ensuring that essential readiness and training objectives would be maintained.Han added, The transfer of wartime operational control is not a weakening of the US-South Korea alliance, but a path for South Korea to lead its own defense and strengthen the history of the alliance. To equate diplomatic efforts for peace with a loss of security and to misrepresent the transfer of operational control as a withdrawal of US troops is not just criticism; it is a dangerous falsehood that incites public anxiety.He stressed, There can be no division in security between parties. There is no room for political strife in front of the public. The People Power Party must immediately stop using national security as a bargaining chip. The Democratic Party will work to ensure peace in the region and along the border based on strong defense and a solid US-South Korea alliance, contributing to the prosperity of peace on the Korean Peninsula and in East Asia.Meanwhile, the US-South Korea joint exercises are set to conclude today, earlier than the originally planned date of August 27.* This article has been translated by AI. August 21, 2026 10:
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Kim Min-seok Thanks Party Members for Calling for Disciplinary Action Against Lee Jin-sook Kim Min-seok, the leader of the Democratic Party, expressed gratitude on August 21 to members of the People Power Party who called for disciplinary action against Lee Jin-sook amid controversy over the distortion of the 5.18 Gwangju Democratization Movement.On the social media platform X, Kim stated, I respect and thank the responsible members of the People Power Party. He added, Since the late former President Kim Young-sam, I am well aware that our country’s conservative parties have also developed a democratic orientation. He emphasized that it is desirable for conservative parties to embrace democracy and for progressive parties to support growth for the sake of politics and the nation.Kim pledged, The Democratic Party will ensure that Lee is expelled or at least suspended from activities, and expressed hope that the People Power Party would begin addressing Lees situation and move toward including the 5.18 in the constitutional preamble, thereby genuinely approaching the public.Previously, Kim had formally requested disciplinary action against Lee during a meeting with National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik.Lee hosted a public forum on August 13 in the National Assembly titled Revisiting the 5.18 Democratization Movement, which sparked controversy over allegations of undermining the movement. Additionally, a heated exchange occurred between Democratic Party lawmakers and Lee during a session of the National Assemblys Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting and Communications Committee.* This article has been translated by AI. August 21, 2026 09:
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Opposition Critiques Lee Government's First Year at Policy Forum The People Power Party held a forum on August 20 to evaluate the policies of the Lee Jae-myung government, which has been in power for over a year, criticizing its failures in areas such as the economy and national security. They expressed concerns that the livelihoods of ordinary citizens and the middle class are hanging by a thread, with alarming signals emerging from various sectors of society.Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk attended the forum, organized by the partys policy committee and the Yeouido Institute, and stated, It seems that even a few nights of discussion would not be enough to cover this topic, adding, The past year of this administration has been a parade of failures and tyranny.Jang assessed that in just one year, the livelihoods have collapsed, the economy has deteriorated, public safety is unstable, and security is on the brink of collapse, declaring that the very existence of South Korea is in jeopardy. He criticized the government for propping up the stock market with public pension funds and encouraging citizens to take on debt, stating that high inflation, high exchange rates, and high interest rates have become the new normal, leaving small business owners and self-employed individuals struggling to survive.Floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik also remarked that this governments governance has been characterized by ignoring the voices of the people, legislative monopolization without cooperation, and divisive politics, emphasizing that criticism of the governments mistakes should not stop there. He pledged that the People Power Party would take the lead in correcting the current administrations failures.Jeong pointed out the governments missteps, including the devastation of the capital market and the livelihoods of ordinary citizens, the real estate policies that have become a massive threat to the lives of the people, and the issues of high inflation, high exchange rates, and high interest rates. He highlighted that the legislative monopolization by the ruling party has accelerated the exit of companies overseas, while youth employment rates have plummeted to 44%.At the forum, experts from various fields gathered to critique government policies in areas such as the stock market, real estate, high inflation, self-employment, and national security, including military disarmament, unconstitutional North Korea policies, trade with the U.S., and show diplomacy.Lim I-ja, who was appointed as the policy committee chair just before the forum, stated, We will transform into a competent policy party. Under the principle that the answers lie in the field, we will make the voices of the people the starting point of our policies, pledging to prioritize the recovery of the economy in all policy initiatives and to present effective alternatives.She added, We will firmly oppose the legislative monopolization of the ruling party, but if policies are necessary for the peoples lives, we will collaborate with anyone, emphasizing that they will earn the trust of the public through policies rather than words, and results rather than slogans.* This article has been translated by AI. August 20, 2026 17:
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Kim Min-seok Continues Efforts for Unity Within Democratic Party Kim Min-seok, the leader of the Democratic Party, is continuing his efforts to unify the party. After greeting four former and current presidents from the democratic camp—late Presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun, former President Moon Jae-in, and President Lee Jae-myung—he visited the graves of former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan and former Open Our Party Chairman Kim Geun-tae. This move is seen as an attempt to resolve factional conflicts that have intensified during the partys recent convention.On August 20, Kim visited the grave of Lee Hae-chan at the Eunha River Park in Sejong, stating, Both Lee and Kim are great figures in the democratic camp and hold a special historical significance for me. He added, If President Kim is my political mentor, then Prime Minister Lee taught me about elections. He was like a strict yet warm older brother.Kim emphasized, I believe that Lee practiced politics that created a large faction and power with the principles of putting the party first and serving the party after oneself. He noted that Lee played a central role in four governments born from the democratic camp. Notably, Lees wife, Kim Jeong-ok, served as the campaign chair for Representative Jeong Cheong-rae, who was Kims competitor during the party convention, indicating Kims efforts to rally support from Jeongs faction.Additionally, Kim paid his respects at the grave of Kim Geun-tae in Moran Park, Namyangju, stating, He was an activist, a revolutionary, and a gentleman, and expressed the need for the party to restore the path of a grand democratic coalition, as exemplified by Kim Geun-tae.Meanwhile, on the previous day, Kim dined with Representatives Jeong Cheong-rae and Song Young-gil, who competed against him in the party convention, at the Blue House, hosted by President Lee. During the dinner, President Lee emphasized that all three candidates for party leader are comrades who have shared joys and sorrows together and are responsible figures in the government of the people’s sovereignty, describing the party, government, and Blue House as a community of destiny and partners in governance.Kim also stated at a Supreme Council meeting held in Busan the day before, You may have felt that we are already speaking in unison for the success of the Lee Jae-myung government, the unity of the party, and victory in the general elections, as we set aside the excitement of the convention. The Democratic Party will remain steadfast and united.* This article has been translated by AI. August 20, 2026 12:
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Türkiye rejects Israeli claim on troop deployment at Syrian airbase SEOUL, August 19 (AJP) - The justification Israel gave for bombing a Syrian airbase this week, that Turkish soldiers were about to deploy there, was rejected in full by Ankara on Wednesday, which called the allegations untenable and said their purpose was to make unlawful strikes appear legitimate. Eight strikes hit the runway at the Abu al-Duhur airbase in eastern Idlib province early Tuesday, damaging runways and hangars without killing anyone, according to Syria's state broadcaster Ekhbariya, citing a military source. The base lies about 70 kilometers east of the Turkish border and has not operated as a dedicated military airfield since 2013, having changed hands repeatedly during the civil war. Israel said nothing for most of the day, and its military declined to comment, leaving the Turkish foreign ministry and Damascus to condemn an attack nobody had yet claimed. Ankara called on the international community to hold Israel accountable for disregarding international law, while Damascus called the strikes an act of aggression and a violation of the United Nations Charter. Confirmation came instead from Washington, where Tom Barrack, the U.S. special envoy for Syria and Iraq who also serves as ambassador to Türkiye, said Israel had carried out the attack and called it an unnecessary escalation that did not advance regional stability. The Israeli explanation arrived roughly 20 hours after the bombs fell, in an English statement posted on X by the Prime Minister's Office, which said Israel and Syria had agreed to a status quo in security matters that Syria was on the verge of breaching by permitting Turkish troops to deploy at an airbase near Aleppo, and that Damascus had ignored repeated warnings. Turkish forces have been rebuilding Syria's army since Ahmed al-Sharaa toppled Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, ending more than five decades of family rule. The two defense ministers signed a training and consultancy memorandum in Ankara last August, Syrian cadets entered Turkish military academies that October, and Syrian troops joined multinational exercises in western Türkiye in May, all of it at the invitation of the government in Damascus. Israeli forces hold their own ground in Syria without that invitation, occupying positions inside the buffer zone patrolled by the United Nations on the Golan Heights and on Mount Hermon since December 2024, taken after Netanyahu declared the 1974 disengagement agreement void. Damascus wants them gone as a condition for any security arrangement, and Defense Minister Israel Katz has said they will stay. Türkiye's Directorate of Communications answered the following day. "The untenable allegations put forward by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office are intended to legitimise Israel's unlawful airstrikes targeting Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the statement said. Ankara did not stop at denial but tied the accusations to Israeli domestic politics, saying they stem from Netanyahu's intent to pursue expansionist and destabilising policies in the region ahead of the elections in Israel, where voters go to the polls on October 27, the last date the law allows. Barrack, for his part, said the strike reflected a perception, accurate or misplaced, that Türkiye might soon expand its presence at the base, and that Washington is working to build a deconfliction channel linking Israel, Syria and Türkiye. "The sole path to this objective lies in Netanyahu's abandonment of his aggressive and coercive policies and in his respect for international law," Ankara's statement said. August 19, 2026 17: