President Lee Jae-myung: My Term is Constitutionally Limited, Restraint Needed When Energy Abounds

President Lee Jae-myung: My Term is Constitutionally Limited, Restraint Needed When Energy Abounds

President Lee Jae-myung stated on September 9 that his term is clearly limited by the constitution, emphasizing the need to act quickly to maximize its benefits. Speaking at a luncheon with expatriates in Paris, during the final leg of his state visit to France, he noted that establishing good relationships in the latter part of his term may lead to limited opportunities. He added that meetings between heads of state and diplomatic engagements provide South Korea, known as an open trading nation, with valuable opportunities for trade, investment, economic cooperation, and security collaboration. Lee remarked, "The countries I have visited as part of my initiatives have seen significant increases in export growth, and there has been a rise in private exchanges and corporate cooperation, as well as revitalization within the expatriate community."

Court Rules on Kwon Hyuk-bin's Divorce Case: 2.5 Trillion Won Asset Division

The Seoul Family Court ruled on September 9 that Kwon Hyuk-bin, Chief Vision Officer of Smilegate, must divide 35% of his shares in the company and pay 65 billion won in cash as part of his divorce settlement. The court dismissed claims for alimony from his spouse, determining that Kwon was not responsible for the breakdown of the marriage. The ruling came nearly three years after the case was filed in November 2022. The court assessed Kwon's net worth at approximately 73.375 trillion won, with the value of his Smilegate shares accounting for about 99.8% of that total. The court decided to divide the shares in kind rather than in cash, considering that Kwon holds 100% ownership of the company, thus posing no risk to his control over it.

Political Parties Clash During Government Q&A on Constitutional Amendments

On September 9, lawmakers began a four-day government Q&A session in the National Assembly, focusing on political issues. The Democratic Party called for the inclusion of the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Uprising in the constitution, while the People Power Party raised concerns regarding allegations against Minister of Justice nominee Kim Seung-won and Minister of Gender Equality and Family nominee Yong Hye-in. Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Hae-sik stated, "It is unacceptable to destroy democracy in the name of democracy," urging that the spirit of May 18 be enshrined in the constitution to prevent the erosion of freedom. He criticized the People Power Party for not taking action against lawmaker Lee Jin-sook, who hosted a forum that distorted the May 18 movement. In response, Prime Minister Han Seung-sook expressed disbelief at the events occurring in the National Assembly and emphasized the need for appropriate measures against actions that undermine democratic values.

Foreign Ministry: Nepal Relief Team to Return on 11th, Second Team Being Deployed

The first team of the Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT), dispatched to assist in the aftermath of severe flooding in Nepal, is set to return on September 11 after ten days of search and rescue operations. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the team, which was sent on September 1, will return aboard a KC-330 multi-purpose air refueling transport aircraft. The team began preparations to withdraw two days before the scheduled return date, as the Nepalese government shifted its focus from search and rescue to recovery efforts, significantly reducing support such as helicopter assistance. Additionally, with no signs of life detected for nine missing South Koreans two weeks after the flooding began on August 26, the government decided to proceed with the return. The KC-330 will also carry relief supplies, including blankets, clothing, and tents donated by civic groups and domestic companies.

Prime Minister Han Seung-sook: Listening Closely to Public Concerns Amid Declining Approval Ratings

Prime Minister Han Seung-sook addressed the recent decline in President Lee Jae-myung's approval ratings on September 9, stating, "We are seriously listening to the voices of the public." During the government Q&A session, she responded to a question from People Power Party lawmaker Yoon Jae-ok regarding the survey results, emphasizing the need to accurately assess what is being done well and what needs improvement. She attributed the decline in approval ratings to the government's failure to meet public expectations and the need for better communication regarding its successes. Regarding recent cabinet reshuffles, she noted that any allegations or issues raised should be addressed through hearings and that it is essential to follow democratic procedures that align with public expectations.

* This article has been translated by AI.