Seoul City Bus Negotiations Conclude.

• The strike ended after two days. They agreed to raise wages by 2.9% and extend retirement age.
• The subsidies paid by Seoul City increased from 2.771 trillion won in 2016 to 4.576 trillion won last year.
• Ordinary wages were the key issue. The company proposed including bonuses in base pay and raising wages by 10.3%, while the union demanded a 3% increase in base pay without altering ordinary wages.
• Ultimately, the union’s demands were largely accepted.
• Related Link.

What Matters Now.

Time for Judgment.

• Yoon Suk-yeol’s (President) rebellion-leadership case is scheduled for sentencing on February 19.
• Tomorrow (16th) sees the verdict in the case of obstructing Yoon Suk-yeol’s (President) arrest.
• Sentencing for Han Duck-soo (former Prime Minister) and Lee Sang-min (former Minister of the Interior and Safety) is also set for the 21st and next month’s 12th, respectively.

1.22 Million Unemployed.

• This is the largest scale in history. It signals the collapse of the bottom as K-shaped growth accelerates.
• The unemployment rate is 4.1%, with youth unemployment at 6.1%.
• The number of “discouraged workers” has also reached a historic high: 2.56 million.
• Employment in construction and manufacturing continues to decline.

Kim Byung-ki Raid.

• Charges relate to violations of the Political Funds Act. Mobile phones and computers were seized from his home and office.
• A travel ban has also been imposed. Criticism emerged that the investigation was “late—and not just a little late”—despite allegations of nomination bribery surfacing since late last month.

Investigations Are Messages.

• Police investigations have been too slow. Kim Byung-ki (former Democratic Party floor leader) was raided only after disciplinary action, and Kim Kyung (Seoul Metropolitan Council member) was already abroad when the investigation began. Late raids revealed signs that computers had been formatted. Kang Sun-woo (independent lawmaker) has refused to provide his smartphone password.
• The police cannot escape criticism for their procrastination. Every choice is inevitably subject to political interpretation.
• Lee Sang-moo (The Korea Herald reporter) emphasized, “If the police have finally started running, what matters now is direction.” “They must prove through their process and results that they’ve taken no one’s side,” he added.
• Related Link.

Gwangju and South Jeolla to Merge.

• It could proceed faster than Daejeon-Chungnam.
• The goal is to elect a unified leader in the June 3 local elections. Kim Min-seok (Prime Minister) has stepped in.
• The plan is to push through National Assembly approval by next month.
• Related Link.

Ousted Han Dong-hoon Faces Uphill Battle in Party Creation.

• He will file for a provisional injunction, but reversal is unlikely.
• Many pro-Han lawmakers are proportional representatives who would lose their seats if they leave. Their districts—Gangnam’s three constituencies, Yeongnam, and Gangwon—are strongholds of the People Power Party, meaning any misstep could cost them nominations in the next election.
• The timing of Han Dong-hoon’s (former Minister of Justice) disciplinary action, coinciding with Yoon Suk-yeol’s (President) trial, is suspiciously convenient. It may aim to cement a “betrayer” narrative.
• The Kyunghyang Shinmun editorialized, “The People Power Party shows no sign of hitting bottom.”
• A Democratic Party insider interviewed by the Kukmin Ilbo assessed, “Ironically, Han Dong-hoon’s political maneuvering room has expanded.” Some skeptics dismiss this, arguing, “He’ll struggle to build significant influence.”
• Related Link.
• Related Link.

Truth Behind the Party Board Controversy?

• Posts on the party member board under Han Dong-hoon’s (former People Power Party leader) family names were admitted to be written by his family.
• Posts under Han Dong-hoon’s name remain unverified; he denies authorship.
• The People Power Party Ethics Committee’s disciplinary decision stated, “There is reasonable suspicion that Han Dong-hoon wrote the posts,” but later shifted tone: “It cannot be confirmed if Han Dong-hoon directly authored them,” adding, “This should be clarified during the investigation.”

Deep Dive.

What Judgment for Ji Gwi-yeon?

• The special prosecution argued, “Even if the likelihood of execution is low, it has the effect of demonstrating the community’s resolve and trust in responding to crime.”
• There is almost no possibility of dissenting opinions on whether the crime of insurrection is established.
• If insurrection is confirmed, only the death penalty or life imprisonment (with or without labor) applies. However, judges may reduce sentences at their discretion—though there are almost no grounds for leniency. Many observers predict a life sentence is likely.

Can’t Demand Supplemental Investigations vs. Can We Trust the Police?

• If the prosecution deems a police investigation inadequate, they should be able to request a supplemental investigation. The Democratic Party’s hardliners argue even that right should not exist.
• Kim Young-jin (Democratic Party lawmaker) pointed out, “We need to consider how to prevent cases where investigations are buried or not properly conducted.”
• Choo Mi-ae (Democratic Party lawmaker) stated, “It shouldn’t be a right to demand but a right to request—or the tone should be softened.”

Neither Prosecutors Nor Police Find Appeal in the New Investigative Agency.

• Prosecutors are lukewarm. They complain that even if investigative judges and specialized investigators are separated, they’ll still be judicial police officers, not prosecutors.
• Police aren’t exactly eager either. Observers suggest only senior inspectors nearing retirement might show interest.

“Beyond Embarrassment, an Insult,” Advisory Panel Rebels Against Prosecutorial Reform Bill.

• Six of the 16 members held a press conference, stating, “The government bill differs significantly from the advisory panel’s recommendations.” They went as far as to ask, “How can we not question why the prosecution office was abolished in the first place?”
• Responsibility is also being directed at Bong Wook (Blue House Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs). The Hankyoreh criticized, “The bill has worsened the prosecution cartel that should have been dismantled.” Questions arise: Is a former prosecutor as senior secretary strengthening the Central Investigative Agency?
• Jeong Cheong-rae (Democratic Party Leader) said, “I apologize as party leader.” This stance supports hardliners’ arguments. However, Jeong maintains that granting investigation request rights without investigative authority is acceptable.
• Jeong Seong-ho (Minister of Justice) stated, “There may be shortcomings, so I expect calm discussions.”

Another Take.

12,000 Dead in Iran: Trump Urges “Seize the Government.”.

• “Help is on the way,” he said. Actual airstrikes or military intervention are also being discussed.
• The 12,000 death toll comes from Iran International’s count. The New York Times reported at least 3,000.
• Donald Trump’s (U.S. President) envoy meeting Reza Pahlavi (Iranian Crown Prince), backed by anti-government factions, raises eyebrows. Speculation suggests contingency planning for regime collapse.
• China’s intervention is unlikely. Though a key ally, it is not a military partner.
• Related Link.

Kim Byung-joo’s Arrest Warrant Rejected.

• Prosecutors argued that issuing 100 billion won in corporate bonds despite foreseeing Homeplus’s credit rating downgrade constituted fraud.
• The court rejected the arrest warrant for Kim Byung-joo (MBK Partners Chairman), ruling that the evidence was insufficient and the risk of evidence tampering or flight was low.
• Kim Byung-joo maintains he merely coincidentally issued the bonds during a coinciding period and did not anticipate the credit rating downgrade notification.

Sejong Hotel Workers Touch Ground After 336 Days.

• Go Jin-soo (KCTU Sejong Hotel Branch Chief) ended his protest and descended.
• The struggle against the 2021 restructuring has now exceeded five years. His unfair dismissal appeal was rejected, and he also lost the administrative lawsuit.
• Negotiations remain at a standstill.

The Fix.

Rename Labor Inspectors to “Labor Supervisors.”.

• Increased from 3,131 to 5,131—adding 2,000 positions. The number of workplaces overseen by each inspector will drop from 950 to around 700.
• Kim Young-hoon (Minister of Employment and Labor) stated, “A nation’s level of labor and industrial safety depends on the expertise and capabilities of its supervisors.”

Coupang Effect? Coupang Card Payments Drop 7%.

• From November 1–9, before the personal data leak, average daily payments were 78.7 billion won.
• From November 20–December 31, the average fell to 73.1 billion won—a daily reduction of 5.6 billion won.
• Transaction counts also declined from 2.53 million to 2.35 million during the same period.
• Analysis suggests nearly 6,400 workers were cut from Coupang’s logistics centers.
• Daily active users (DAU) dropped 18% to 14.8 million by late December compared to the start of the month.
• Related Link.

ICYMI.

“No Discrimination Against U.S. Firms,” U.S. Federal Lawmakers Shield Coupang.

• “The South Korean government is conducting a political witch hunt,” one lawmaker claimed.
• Suzan DelBene (U.S. Congresswoman) argued, “Coupang in my home state of Washington is facing discrimination.”
• Speculation arises that Coupang’s lobbying funds exceeding 15 billion won, distributed to U.S. political circles, may be yielding results.
• Related Link.

Hanwha’s Third Son Splits Off Divisions.

• Tech and lifestyle divisions will be separated to form a new holding company.
• Hanwha Vision, Hanwha Momentum, Hanwha Semitech, Hanwha Robotics, and others in the tech sector, along with Hanwha Galleria, Hanwha Hotel & Resort, and Our Home, will be spun off under Hanwha Machinery & Service Holdings.
• Speculation grows that the succession process is accelerating under Kim Dong-kwan (Hanwha Vice Chairman).

One in Four Adults Has Hyperlipidemia.

• Caused by excessive fat in the blood. Often called a “silent killer,” untreated cases significantly increase risks of atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction.
• Hypertension decreased to 22.2%, while hyperlipidemia rose to 23.6%.
• Among those in their 60s, 50.8% have hyperlipidemia.

One in Seven Newborns Born via Fertility Treatment.

• Among 238,235 births in 2024, 36,025 were born through fertility treatments.
• The proportion of multiple births (twins or more) was 27.3%.

TOEIC Exam Royalties Alone Cost 170 Billion Won Annually.

• South Korea is the country that takes the TOEIC most frequently.
• In 2006, out of 550,000 test-takers, 100,000 were from South Korea.
• Japan long ago developed its own TOEIC alternative, EIKEN, which 2.5 million people take annually.
• China introduced CET to replace TOEIC—10 million test-takers.
• South Korea? It created TEPS, but adoption has been sluggish.
• NEAT vanished after consuming over 50 billion won in budget.
• Yoon Seung-yong (Namseoul University President) emphasized, “This long-standing issue must be resolved.”
• Related Link.

Worth Reading.

Waste to the Provinces, Factories to the Capital Region?

• Electricity is a problem, but so is water. The Yongin semiconductor cluster requires 16GW of power. It also consumes 1.07 million tons of water daily.
• Oh Chang-min (Kyunghyang Shinmun Editorial Writer) warned, “If semiconductor factories are completed in Yongin’s industrial complex, the provinces will become even more miserable, and economic and social polarization will worsen.”
• “The ideology that the pie must grow before it can be distributed is dangerous. The will to share does not emerge simply because the pie grows.”

Death as Cost-Cutting? Even Those Who Die Tomorrow Are People.

• Lee Jae-myung (President) instructed, “Consider providing economic incentives for discontinuing life-sustaining treatment.” While framed as minimizing meaningless medical prolongation, Choi Moon-seon (Korea Ilbo editorial writer) calls it “a misguided directive.”
• “It should be rephrased: Whatever the decision, the state must promise to care for its people until the end.”
• Forensic pathologist Yoo Seong-ho (Seoul National University professor) stressed, “Death belongs to the one who dies.” Im Soo-kyung (Boa Golden Care CEO) noted, “Even life in diapers has value and dignity.”
• “Must one die if they can’t clean themselves after urination or defecation? Can the value of life be judged merely by bathroom independence?”
• Hee-jung (writer) also pointed out, “Having to worry about becoming a burden before death means society is failing in its responsibilities.”
• Related Link.

We Stand with Iran.

• The New York Times emphasized that Trump must obtain congressional approval before initiating military operations in Iran.
• “The resisting citizens of Iran deserve the respect of all who believe in democracy, freedom, and equality before the law. They have united for a better, freer future. They deserve the world’s support (The People of Iran Deserve the World’s Support).”
• Related Link.