Unification Church Special Prosecutor Accepted, Second One Looms.

• The Democratic Party has decided to accept the Unification Church special prosecutor.
• Jeong Chung-rae (Democratic Party Leader) reversed course, saying, “There’s no reason to refuse.”
• Public opinion is hard to ignore: in a recent Gallup Korea poll, 62% of respondents supported the special prosecutor.
• Opinions diverged over the prosecutor selection method. The People Power Party and Reform New Party proposed that two prosecutors be recommended by the Supreme Court’s Administrative Office and one appointed by the president.
• The Democratic Party views allegations—including those involving Jeon Jae-soo (former Minister of Oceans and Fisheries)—as baseless.
• A Democratic Party lawmaker interviewed by The Hankyoreh said, “Looking at the coverage of Jeon Jae-soo’s investigation, there doesn’t seem to be more to come, but the People Power Party’s alleged collusion with religious groups during the election is a different story.”
• The party acknowledges risks but sees little to lose.
• Related Link.

The Second Special Prosecutor Is Separate from the Unification Church Investigation.

• The internal rebellion special prosecutor failed to properly investigate No Sang-won’s (former Intelligence Command Chief) notebook, and many foreign exchange allegations remain unresolved. The Kim Keon-hee special prosecutor did not fully pursue the Yangpyeong highway controversy.
• The second special prosecutor’s investigation period can last up to 170 days—meaning it could extend until next year’s local elections.
• An anonymous Democratic Party lawmaker interviewed by Kyunghyang Shinmun said, “The likelihood of new facts emerging is not high.”

Rebellion Trial Division Bill to Be Processed Today.

• The Democratic Party’s closed-door general meeting raised the question: “What’s the difference between the revised bill and the Supreme Court’s announced guidelines?” Though amended multiple times, it remains nearly identical.
• The division’s composition will be handled by the court’s administrative committee, with an added requirement for judicial council approval.
• Most constitutional concerns have been resolved, and the courts have no reason to reject it.
• A Democratic Party lawmaker interviewed by The Hankyoreh said, “One can’t help but think the bill should have been drafted this way from the start.”
• The Chosun Ilbo highlighted in its headline some judicial council members’ opinion that “the bill should not be accepted as is, as unconstitutional elements remain.”
• Related Link.
• Related Link.

The Rebellion Trial Division Bill and Supreme Court Guidelines: Similar, Yet Distinct.

• The Democratic Party’s bill includes provisions for dedicated warrant review judges—a detail absent in the Supreme Court’s guidelines.
• Live broadcasts of trials and trial duration limits are also not mentioned in the Supreme Court’s guidelines.
• The biggest difference lies in courtroom assignment. The Supreme Court’s guidelines mandate random assignment, while the Democratic Party’s bill entrusts the court’s administrative committee and judicial council with forming the trial division.
• Critics have long questioned whether high-stakes cases like rebellion trials should be randomly assigned. The circumstances under which Judge Ji Gwi-yeon (Seoul Central District Court)—who previously handled food and health cases—came to oversee the rebellion trial remain unclear.
• Lee Choong-jae (former Korea Ilbo editor-in-chief) remarked, “Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae parrots ‘judicial independence’ until the National Assembly proposes a dedicated trial division, then hastily stages a guideline spectacle. This behavior itself starkly proves why such a division is necessary.”
• Related Link.

“No Rebellion Charges Against Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae.”.

• The special prosecutor investigating rebellion decided not to indict Cho Hee-dae (Chief Justice of the Supreme Court).
• Cho Hee-dae arrived at the Supreme Court building at 12:40 AM on December 4, shortly after Yoon Suk-yeol (then-president) declared martial law.
• Cho Hee-dae told senior court officials that emergency martial law was unconstitutional. It was also confirmed that he instructed staff not to dispatch liaison officers to the martial law command center after receiving a report about their request.
• Related Link.

What Matters Now.

Kim Byung-ki’s Hotel Accommodation Voucher Controversy.

• Kim Byung-ki (Democratic Party floor leader) was found to have received a hotel accommodation voucher worth 1.6 million won from Korean Air, potentially violating the Anti-Graft Act. Reported by Kyunghyang Shinmun and The Hankyoreh.
• Last November, a staffer of Kim Byung-ki sent a message to a Korean Air representative: “It seems the representative has received a voucher for the KAL Hotel, and they wish to stay in the Royal Suite.” The Korean Air representative confirmed the reservation.
• Kim Byung-ki stated, “It was delivered to the office like other lawmakers’ offices and was used as such,” adding, “I am unaware of how it was acquired.”
• Kim Byung-ki was part of the Land, Infrastructure, and Transport Committee until May last year and the Political Affairs Committee until June this year. Since the Land Committee handled the Korean Air-Asiana Airlines merger and the Political Affairs Committee oversees mileage policies, it cannot be said there was no connection to his duties.
• Related Link.
• Related Link.

“Rodong Sinmun: The Best Anti-Communist Education Material.”.

• These are the words of Park Ji-won (Democratic Party lawmaker).
• Kwon Young-se (People Power Party lawmaker) also said, “It’s time to trust our people and open up North Korean materials.”
• Lee Jae-myung (President) remarked, “Worrying that seeing this might turn people into communists or pro-North sympathizers is an underestimation of the public’s awareness.”
• Cho Han-beom (research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification) pointed out, “Blocking information from North Korea, where the system competition has ended, is an anachronistic measure.”

Dinosaur Police on the Horizon.

• Personnel and budget have increased by 33% and 37%, respectively.
• The National Police Agency’s new year budget is 14.2621 trillion won. Recruitment of patrol officers has also risen to 6,400.
• They decided to restore intelligence departments to all police stations nationwide. Intelligence police units will also be revived. Following the acquisition of primary investigative authority, there are predictions that their intelligence capabilities could surpass even the National Intelligence Service.
• Police will now handle industrial accident cases previously under the Labor Ministry’s jurisdiction.
• Jang Young-soo (professor at Korea University) pointed out, “The former prosecution controlled 150,000 police officers with just 2,300 personnel, but with the abolition of the prosecution office, this control mechanism will disappear.”
• Lee Jae-myung (president) emphasized during the police agency’s business report, “With greater authority comes greater responsibility.”
• Related Link.

‘Exodus’ from Coupang Grows.

• Coupang cancellations are increasing. Daily active users, which had maintained 15–16 million, have dropped to the 14 million range.
• The spike in users immediately after the personal data leak was announced reflected traffic from people logging in to check for damages. It’s estimated that at least 1 million users have since left Coupang.
• Related Link.

Deep Dive.

Fact-Based Defamation: Suspended Despite Presidential Push to Drop.

• Jeong Cheong-rae (Democratic Party leader) stated, “Eradicating false and illegal information will make beneficial information more accessible and strengthen the public’s right to know.”
• Lee Jae-myung (President) had instructed during a State Council meeting on the 11th to “review abolishing the crime of fact-based defamation,” but this has been overturned.
• The Science and Technology Committee deleted the clause, but the Judiciary Committee reinstated it—with Jeong Cheong-rae’s approval—making its submission to today’s plenary session likely. It is included in the revised Information and Communications Network Act, which imposes quintuple damages for media reports.
• The People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy issued a statement: “This could be abused to suppress media reporting on power abuses, #MeToo movements, and whistleblowing.”
• Content updated (December 23, 10:04 AM).
• The original bill by the Science and Technology Committee included abolishing fact-based defamation and converting it to a complaint-based offense, but the Judiciary Committee removed the complaint-based conversion and retained defamation clauses except for those involving private life.
• They have suspended the bill, deeming the abolition of fact-based defamation (excluding private life) meaningless. It was included in the revised Information and Communications Network Act imposing quintuple damages, but the final version has yet to be released.
• A Democratic Party official told Slow News, “Jeong Cheong-rae also agreed to abolish fact-based defamation.”
• Related Link.
• Related Link.

Polarization Deepens Along Ideological Lines.

• Kyunghyang Shinmun analyzed legislative voting data from the National Assembly. The ideological gap between Democratic Party and People Power Party lawmakers widened to 2.16 points. In the 20th and 21st assemblies, the gaps were 1.61 and 1.68 points, respectively.
• The top progressive lawmakers were Shin Jang-sik (Party for National Innovation), Lee Soo-jin (Democratic Party), and Lee Yong-woo (Democratic Party).
• The top conservatives were Han Ki-ho, Yoon Han-hong, and Choi Eun-seok (all People Power Party).
• Moderates included Kim Sang-wook, Lee So-young, and Chae Hyun-il from the Democratic Party, and Kim Ye-ji, Kwon Young-jin, and Han Ji-a from People Power Party.
• No People Power Party member was more progressive than the Democratic Party’s most conservative member (Kim Sang-wook). No Democratic Party member was more conservative than People Power Party’s most progressive member (Jo Kyung-tae).
• Related Link.

Import Prices Surge 47% Over Five Years.

• In dollar terms, prices rose 13%, but the won’s 31% depreciation amplified the increase.
• Wheat prices fell 8% in dollar terms but rose 20% in won. Coffee beans skyrocketed 289% over five years.
• A Korea Federation of SMEs survey found small businesses considered 1,362 won the appropriate exchange rate.

Another Take.

No More False Hope for Saemangeum.

• Lee Jae-myung (President) spoke these words to Kim Eui-gyeom (Saemangeum Development Agency chief).
• Thirty-four years after the seawall construction began, only 40% of the reclamation is complete. Lee cut in, “We can’t drag this ambiguously for another 20–30 years,” adding, “We must not torture the people of Jeollabuk-do with false hope.”
• When Kim Eui-gyeom promised to complete or begin construction of 5GW of floating solar and other renewable energy by 2030, Lee Jae-myung retorted, “Is that even physically feasible?” The 5GW scale is 50 times larger than the Haenam Solar Sido complex, South Korea’s largest solar facility.
• According to Han Sam-hee (environmental columnist), before the seawall construction began, Jeollabuk-do’s fisheries production was one-third of Jeollanam-do’s—now it’s one-tenth. Some analyses estimate cumulative damages at 18 trillion won. Han Sam-hee noted, “The project meant to revive Jeollabuk-do is draining its economy.”
• Related Link.

Coupang’s Leadership Standard: Public Reprimand.

• Kim Beom-seok (Coupang Inc. CEO) included this in the promotion evaluation criteria sent to Coupang executives.
• “Defending culture and the ability to punish publicly (Defend culture & Punish publicly) are critical. Culture is defined by what leaders do not tolerate. To empower the right leaders and send a strong message to the organization, wrongdoing must be publicly reprimanded.”
• In practice, Coupang workers reportedly faced frequent public humiliation. One worker said, “An older woman in her 50s was called in several times for being slow—she was visibly trembling by the third time.”
• Related Link.

Korea Zinc’s Tennessee Refinery: “A Major Win for the U.S.”.

• Howard Lutnick (U.S. Secretary of Commerce) called it a “transformational mineral deal that ends reliance on foreign supply chains.”
• The investment structure for Korea Zinc’s planned Tennessee refinery is as follows:
• First, the U.S. Department of Defense invests $1.4 billion in Crucible Joint Venture.
• Second, Korea Zinc invests $2.52 billion in Crucible Metals and secures 100% ownership.
• Third, the U.S. Department of Defense provides a $4.7 billion payment guarantee, with financial institutions like JPMorgan lending $4.7 billion to Crucible Metals.
• Fourth, the U.S. Department of Commerce supports Crucible Metals with $210 million.
• In summary, the U.S. government is both investing equity and lending money for Korea Zinc’s factory in the U.S. Why? Because the U.S. wants to reduce dependence on China, but few countries have the manufacturing base and competitiveness to rival Beijing—except Korea Zinc, which leads in this sector’s technology.
• Korea Zinc produces not only zinc but also antimony, indium, tellurium, cadmium, germanium, and other rare metals—many of which China restricts exports.
• For Choi Yoon-beom (Korea Zinc Chairman), embroiled in a management dispute, securing the U.S. government’s 10% stake as a friendly shareholder could help defend his control.
• Im Bang-jin (Daejoo Accounting Firm accountant) noted, “A noble cause doesn’t absolve wrongdoing,” adding, “Even without the management dispute, Korea Zinc must prove this funding approach would have been chosen at this time.” A critique to be considered in light of the ongoing conflict.
• Related Link.
• Related Link.

Why the U.S. Government Is Increasing Its Stake in Private Companies.

• The U.S. government has acquired or plans to acquire shares in rare earth miner MP Materials, as well as Lithium Americas, Vulcan Energy, and Trilogy Metals.
• It secured a 10% stake in Intel and negotiated a 15% profit-sharing agreement with NVIDIA from its Chinese exports.
• Donald Trump (U.S. President) is pushing a state shareholder model to counter Chinese state capitalism. This involves restructuring supply chains in strategic industries like rare earths, energy, and semiconductors.

The Fix.

Electricity Costs Higher Than the U.S.: Can Data Centers Keep Running?

• Naver, Kakao, and KT—the three major IT firms—have seen their power consumption surge 75% over five years.
• From 447 GWh in 2020 to 783 GWh last year. Electricity costs rose from 45.2 billion won to 115.5 billion won.
• With 150 new data centers expected by 2030, concerns are growing over skyrocketing electricity bills. Currently, 161 data centers consume 2.8 GW of power; by 2030, this will jump to 9.4 GW.
• South Korea’s general electricity rate is 173 won per kWh—over twice as expensive as the UAE (73 won) or Malaysia, and pricier than the U.S. (132 won).
• Son Yang-hoon (Incheon National University Professor) warned, “If South Korea fails to reform its electricity pricing system despite positioning itself as an AI and semiconductor powerhouse, its entire high-tech and digital transition strategy could be derailed.”
• Related Link.

If Emissions Aren’t Cut, Seoul’s Winter Will Last 12 Days by 2081.

• From 2041–2060, South Korea’s summer will extend to 131 days while winter shrinks to 84 days—a simulation based on current greenhouse gas emission levels.
• From 2081–2100, summer will stretch to 169 days, and winter will collapse to just 40 days.

Will the Separate Cup Fee System Work?

• The disposable cup deposit system has been scrapped in favor of a separate cup fee, yet confusion persists.
• The Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment clarified amid controversy: “No additional cost is imposed for disposable cups; it will simply be itemized on receipts.” It described the policy as “aimed at influencing consumer purchasing behavior.”
• The Hankyoreh pointed out, “If disposable cups incur no extra cost, then mug users—who previously paid the same price—should receive a discount.”
• Kim Go-eung (Director of Resource Circulation, Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment) stated, “Mugs also require washing and drying costs, so a corresponding fee should be applied.”
• In the end, nothing changes.
• Related Link.

ICYMI.

“Yoon Suk-yeol-Kim Keon-hee: People Who Don’t Know Gratitude.”.

• Jeon Seong-bae (Geonjin Law Firm) said this. Immediately after taking office, Yoon Suk-yeol drew a line, saying, “I have no relationship with Jeon Seong-bae.”
• Jeon Seong-bae said, “I felt things had changed so much that I thought, ‘I shouldn’t talk to him anymore,’ yet ‘Kim Keon-hee had aspects that made her seem appreciative, so I couldn’t do the same.’”
• “Even if they come to their senses, shouldn’t they at least say ‘thank you’? They owe favors and then act like nothing happened. There’s never really been a substantive relationship to maintain.”
• Related Link.

Self-Employed Delinquency Rate Nears 1%.

• Last year, self-employed delinquency rates shattered all previous records: from 0.31% in 2021, 0.36% in 2022, 0.65% in 2023, to 0.98% last year.
• Weak domestic demand continues to hit small business owners like a sledgehammer.
• The Kyunghyang Shinmun editorial suggested, “Overcrowded sectors with low competitiveness should be guided toward business transitions or offered closure support to create viable exits.”
• Related Link.

720,000 Daily Users for Climate Companion Card.

• A monthly pass costing 62,000 won for unlimited subway and bus rides—saving an average of 30,000 won monthly on transportation.
• After two years, transit card transactions rose from 9.88 million to 10.27 million daily. Public transit use increased by 2.3 trips per week, while private car use dropped by 0.7 trips.

Renewal Share of Jeonse+Monthly Rent Contracts Rises 11 Percentage Points.

• Renewals accounted for 42.7% of all contracts.
• Prices surged and listings dried up after the October 15 mortgage regulations.
• According to the Korea Real Estate Board, Seoul apartment monthly rents rose 3.3% from January to November this year.

Did Kim Byung-ki Pressure Coupang to Fire Former Aides?

• Newstapa reported this. Kim Byung-ki (Democratic Party floor leader) and Park Dae-jun (then-Coupang CEO) met in September ahead of the National Assembly audit, sparking controversy over their 700,000 won lunch.
• It has now emerged that during this meeting, Kim allegedly requested the dismissal of a former aide who had moved to Coupang.
• Kim Byung-ki dismissed six aides simultaneously last December. When Newstapa began investigating allegations of his son’s unfair employment, he sent certified letters to former aides threatening legal action if they contacted the media.
• Newstapa reports that Kim likely brought printed Telegram messages from aides to the meeting with Park, pressuring him to fire them.
• Indeed, after their meeting, former aides in public affairs roles were sidelined or received termination notices.
• Related Link.

Worth Reading.

Rule of Law vs. Legal Formalism.

• “The rule of law is also a means to protect democracy. Yet the judiciary appears to place law above democracy.”
• Kwon Tae-ho (Hankyoreh Editorial Director) emphasized, “The judiciary should have cried ‘unconstitutional’ on the night of December 3, 2024.”
• Kwon pointed out, “Now, citizens suspect and fear that what the judiciary seeks to protect is not the victims of the insurrection but the accused themselves.”

Will Daejeon-Chungnam Integration Happen?

• Ha Seung-soo (Representative of the Public Interest Law Center Nongbon) emphasized, “Getting bogged down in such matters means we won’t be able to do what truly needs to be done,” adding, “A ‘slapdash integration’ without a resident referendum is no different from a government that claims to represent popular sovereignty denying its own identity.”
• Ha Seung-soo argued, “If we truly think about the nation’s future, we should not pursue ‘slapdash integration’ but instead start by ‘fully reexamining the Yongsan Semiconductor National Industrial Complex.’”
• Related Link.

Yoon Suk-yeol Had No Susie Wiles.

• Susie Wiles (White House Chief of Staff) labeled Donald Trump (U.S. President) as having an “alcoholic personality.”
• Robert Jay Lifton (American psychologist) noted, “Without objections from testifying experts, falsehoods and violence will be accepted as normal reality.”
• Lee Tae-gyu (Head of Korea Ilbo’s Content Division) observed, “The absence of a Wiles-like aide who delivers uncomfortable truths is one of the tragedies of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration.”
• Related Link.

Courts Can Err, Which Makes Apologies Essential.

• Chun Doo-hwan received a first-instance verdict 169 days after his indictment. Yoon Suk-yeol? Eleven months have passed, and no sentencing has occurred.
• Cho Hee-dae (Chief Justice) must answer three questions.
• First, why did Cho Hee-dae remain silent immediately after the illegal martial law declaration?
• Second, why did Ji Gwi-yeon (Presiding Judge) release Yoon Suk-yeol?
• Third, why did the Supreme Court overturn and remand the Lee Jae-myung case with a guilty ruling just before the presidential election?
• Kim Min-ah (Kyunghyang Shinmun Columnist) emphasized, “Courts, too, are not beyond democratic oversight,” adding, “Cho Hee-dae must provide answers before the year ends.”
• Related Link.