Illegal Martial Law = Treason Confirmed, Han Duck-soo Sentenced to 23 Years.

• The first trial in the treason case. Treason is a crime committed by multiple people dividing roles, so the charge was not for aiding but for engaging in key tasks.
• Lee Jin-kwan (Seoul Central District Court judge) noted, “Yoon Suk-yeol and Kim Yong-hyun declared emergency martial law and issued decrees based on it, but the decrees were not made through constitutional procedures. Their purpose was to eliminate parliamentary democracy guaranteed by the Constitution, ban press and publications, and destroy constitutional and legal functions.”
• Han Duck-soo (then-Prime Minister) is accused not merely of assisting the crime but of knowing the treason plan and actively executing it. The court ruled that instead of stopping Yoon Suk-yeol (then-President), he actively participated in the treason by fabricating a formal appearance of Cabinet Council deliberation.
• The special prosecution team requested a 15-year sentence, but the court added 8 years for a total of 23 years.
• Lee Jin-kwan stated, “The December 3rd treason was a palace coup by Yoon Suk-yeol and his followers.” He emphasized, “As a top-down treason, its danger level is incomparable to bottom-up treason.” The judgment concluded, “Han Duck-soo chose to join the treason, disregarding his constitutional duty to defend the Constitution, under the belief that it might succeed.”
• Related Link.

Han Duck-soo Released at 99, What About Yoon Suk-yeol?

• It could significantly influence the trial of Yoon Suk-yeol, the rebellion leader.
• Yoon’s arguments—such as “there has never been a rebellion that lasted only three hours” and claims that the martial law was merely a warning—were rejected.
• Han Duck-soo, born in 1949, is 76 years old this year. If he serves his full 23-year sentence, he will be 99 when released.
• Related Link.

Martial Law Declared Before the Proclamation Was Written.

• Two key points: First, the process was utterly chaotic. Second, they tried to cover it up by falsifying official documents—and then destroyed them when it seemed problematic.
• The document titled “Emergency Martial Law Declaration” was created on December 6 and signed on December 7, yet it was backdated to December 3. It is a clear case of falsifying official documents, and the fact that there were orders to destroy it has also come to light. Both the creation of false documents and their destruction are criminal offenses. Yoon Suk-yeol’s claim that he never received the document was also ruled as perjury.

Next Up: Lee Sang-min and Park Sung-jae.

• Lee Sang-min (former Minister of the Interior and Safety) is scheduled for sentencing on the 12th of next month. He is accused of ordering media outlets to have their electricity and water cut off—a charge he completely denies.
• Park Sung-jae (former Minister of Justice) was confirmed to have instructed the establishment of detention space in correctional facilities and considered dispatching prosecutors to the joint investigation headquarters. His first trial begins on the 26th.

What Matters Now.

Greenland Conflict Eased, New York Markets Surge.

• Donald Trump (U.S. President) decided not to impose tariffs on EU member states. He stepped back from threatening military action over Greenland but continued to insist, “Only the U.S. can defend Greenland.”
• The pressure may have grown after Denmark’s pension funds announced plans to sell off all U.S. Treasury bonds. All three major New York indices rebounded after sharp declines.
• South Korea’s KOSPI is likely to break 5,000 today.
• Related Link.

Prosecution Reform Requires Supplemental Investigations.

• Lee Jae-myung (President)’s New Year press conference was a series of reversals. He addressed sensitive issues head-on, systematically countering criticisms.
• Prosecution reform hinged on supplemental investigations. Lee clarified, “I believe supplemental investigations shouldn’t be conducted, but there are exceptional cases where they’re necessary.” Some Democratic Party hardliners argue the authority should be completely stripped.
• Lee emphasized, “The prosecution’s failure to gain trust is their karma,” yet added, “Out of over 2,000 prosecutors, would even 10% be corrupt? The goal is to ensure wronged victims receive redress and aren’t harshly punished.”
• The title of Prosecutor General will remain. Even if the prosecution is split into a Public Prosecution Office and a Central Investigation Office, the Constitution retains the role of Prosecutor General—so the head of the Public Prosecution Office would hold that title.

High Posture Showdown? That’s Foolish Talk.

• This remark came up during discussions about KOSPI 5,000.
• “Peace risk? They criticize us for being too soft on North Korea, asking if we should take a hardline stance. Foolish talk like this appears in newspaper editorials. It’ll ruin the economy. Does a family breadwinner quit his job just because he’s angry? You endure, persuade, and gently guide—peaceful policies are the way.”
• Korea’s PER (price-to-earnings ratio) and PBR (price-to-book ratio) remain significantly lower than other countries. While the U.S. has a PER of 27x, Taiwan 20x, and Japan 17x, Korea’s is around 15x even as KOSPI nears 5,000. If it rises to just 20x, the index could surpass 6,000.

“Lee Hye-hoon Does Appear Problematic.”.

• It was the most sensitive issue, yet they confronted it head-on.
• While acknowledging insufficient verification, they insisted, “We must hear their explanation before judging,” and requested the National Assembly to hold a confirmation hearing.
• “We judged them to be competent. This person received five nominations from their camp and won three elections without any issues raised. Yet they’re attacking us with information we don’t have, as if executing a traitor. I wonder if this is politics or reality.”
• They emphasized balanced appointments: “Once elected, the president must represent everyone. Their origin, the camp they represented, its values, goals, beliefs—these don’t change. We must incorporate other perspectives, review conservative values and economic order, actually share opportunities, and move forward together. That’s why we tried this. But we didn’t expect such fierce resistance. It’s challenging.”

We Must Acknowledge North Korea’s Nuclear Weapons.

• It was indeed a provocative statement. “Let’s acknowledge reality, but don’t abandon our ideals,” he stressed.
• Nuclear weapons continue to proliferate, ICBMs are being developed, and they could one day become a global threat. Lee Jae-myung (President) explained, “First, halt further development, then pursue disarmament, and in the long term, work toward denuclearization. This isn’t about giving up on denuclearization—it’s about a pragmatic approach.”
• “A situation where avoiding war is already a relief, let alone unification,” but the message is, “We’re persuading and acknowledging the other side.”
• He also cited Xi Jinping’s (Chinese President) advice: “How can three feet of ice melt all at once?”

“No Government Beats the Market? No Market Beats the Government.”.

• Yongin semiconductor cluster issue was also settled bluntly.
• “Companies will do it even if parents object if there’s money. If there’s no profit, they won’t do it even if sons and daughters beg.” The government can’t force relocation, but naturally, they’ll have to go to regions with abundant renewable energy.
• “The direction is obvious. Local production for local consumption—this is the core principle. Building transmission towers and transmitting power won’t work. Will we build a nuclear plant in Yongin? Can a few gas plants handle it? How will water supply be managed?”
• “No market beats the government” means the government has many incentives. “To promote national balanced development, we’ll cut taxes, offer cheaper labor costs, relax regulations, build infrastructure, improve living conditions, etc.,” they said, emphasizing persuasion.

Deep Dive.

Three-Hour Press Conference, Lingering Questions.

• It was the longest press conference in history. The opposition leader and the president are different, and politics and administration drew lines by asserting their respective roles.
• The exchange rate was acknowledged as a limitation: “If there was a solution, we would have already implemented it.” While predicting, “I expect the rate to drop to around 1,400 won in a month or two,” no basis was provided.
• The existing principle of “not controlling housing prices with taxes” was emphasized, but tax equity was not mentioned. Beyond increasing supply, no significant real estate measures were discussed. Will the KOSPI hitting 5,000 resolve real estate overheating?
• The Yongin semiconductor cluster was ultimately left to corporate choice. Local production for local consumption is a major principle, and while it’s a national energy policy issue, discussions remain open for now.
• Lee Hye-hoon (former Minister of SMEs and Startups) shifted blame to the People Power Party. Though she is from the party, the Blue House still bears verification responsibility.
• While stressing the need to overcome K-shaped growth under the slogan of “growth for all,” no concrete solutions to polarization were offered.
• Regarding controversies like the Democratic Party’s nomination funds, the line was drawn: it’s an issue for the parties to resolve.
• Related Link.

“Nuclear Power Necessary,” 89%?

• The government commissioned polls from Gallup Korea and Realmeter, with responses stating nuclear power is “very necessary” at 48% and 53%, and “somewhat necessary” at 42% and 30%.
• Plans to build additional reactors saw “must absolutely proceed” at 33% and 43%, and “should proceed if possible” at 37% and 19%.
• Lee Jae-myung (President) stated at yesterday’s press conference, “I think the nuclear power issue has become overly politicized,” and added, “Let’s open it up and make a judgment.”
• Related Link.

Do You Support Nuclear Power? The Question Is Flawed.

• Originally, the question included an explanation: “The world is now expanding renewable energy, which does not emit carbon, to address the climate crisis. To compensate for the instability of renewable energy and meet growing electricity demand, countries are pursuing an energy mix that also utilizes nuclear power.”
• Jeon Young-hwan (Hongik University professor) pointed out, “They should have shared information about the cost of nuclear power generation.” The implication is, “The simple idea that nuclear power is cheap may change in the future.”
• Kim Hyun-woo (director of the ‘Degrowth and Alternatives Research Institute’) criticized it as “the result of irresponsible pragmatism that avoids conflict.”
• Related Link.

Another Democratic Party Figure Received Money from Kim Kyung.

• Kim Kyung (Seoul City Council member), accused of giving 100 million won to Kang Sun-woo (independent lawmaker), is now suspected of providing money or gifts to other Democratic Party figures. A report has been filed with the Election Commission.
• A ruling party official met by Dong-A Ilbo said, “After failing to secure a city council seat in Dongdaemun, he moved to Gangseo, and after being elected council member, he attempted to become a district mayor—first in Gangseo, then later preparing to run for mayor of Yeongdeungpo. It can only be seen as opportunistic maneuvering.”
• Related Link.

“I Was Told It Was 300 Million Won Initially.”.

• Kim Kyung reportedly made this statement during police questioning.
• Rumors about a “market price” for nomination donations have long circulated around the National Assembly. Yang Hyang-ja (People Power Party Supreme Council Member) once remarked, “A candidate for district council member came with a shopping bag and when I told them to leave immediately, they said, ‘You know everything already, so why act like this?’” This suggests an open secret: that donating to lawmakers is a prerequisite for securing proportional district council seats.
• Originally, Lee Soo-jin (former Democratic Party lawmaker) exposed suspicions about Kim Byung-ki (former Democratic Party floor leader) out of resentment over her nomination failure. The whistleblower who provided evidence to Lee Soo-jin is also reported to have aimed for a nomination but failed.
• Kang Chan-ho (JoongAng Ilbo editorial writer) emphasized, “A system must be created to transparently disclose nomination criteria and processes.”
• Related Link.

Another Take.

The People Power Party’s Silence Speaks Volumes.

• The reason is simple: if held properly accountable, about half of the party’s lawmakers would have to quit politics.
• Jang Dong-hyuk (People Power Party Leader) seized control by clinging to a tiny faction—“Yoon Again”—and if this continues, talk of the local elections being a lost cause may become reality.
• The decline of the People Power Party is not the party’s problem alone. Jung Jae-hyuk (Kyeongyang Shinmun columnist) warned, “The mainstreaming of far-right politics should not be underestimated.”
• “Imagine if these figures, wielding nomination power, produce multiple elected officials who then advocate for anti-China sentiment, election fraud conspiracies, hatred toward comfort women victims, ‘people’s resistance rights,’ and Yoon Suk-yeol’s political rehabilitation.”
• Related Link.

Even the President Misunderstands Separation of Church and State.

• Article 20, Clause 1 of the Constitution states, “All citizens shall have freedom of religion.” Clause 2 declares, “No state religion shall be recognized, and religion and state shall be separated.”
• Contrary to common misconception, the constitutional separation of politics and religion does not prohibit religious individuals from participating in politics. Rather, it mandates the separation of the state (politics) from religion to prevent persecution of specific faiths.
• Lee Se-young (The Hankyoreh Political Editor) noted, “Labeling a group as ‘heretical’ and excommunicating or punishing them falls under the domain of religion, not the state.”
• Whether it’s the Unification Church or Shincheonji, if they violate the law, they should be punished accordingly. They are not penalized for violating the principle of separation of church and state.
• Related Link.
• Related Link.

“There Are Churches Preaching That Killing Lee Jae-myung Would Save the Nation.”.

• Lee Jae-myung (President) remarked, “We must reconsider why the separation of church and state was enshrined in the Constitution,” adding, “Using religious beliefs as a political tool is unacceptable.”
• “There were calls to investigate Protestants, but the boundaries are unclear for now,” he said, drawing a line by stating, “I think we should punish strictly and supplement the law, but for now, we’re at the stage of removing large rocks when plowing the field.” The implication: pebbles (Christianity) may be addressed later.

“I’ll Bury You Here,” Does Jang Dong-hyuk Have an Exit Strategy?

• Special prosecutors are no longer the issue.
• Lee Jae-myung (President) also said, “Dialogue between parties seems to be the priority,” refusing to meet with Jang Dong-hyuk.
• “They first said only Unification Church, then added Shincheonji when that didn’t make sense—but insisted on handling them separately. I wonder if they’re just pretending to want investigations while secretly wanting none at all.”
• With the president speaking this way, negotiations between parties are impossible. From the People Power Party’s perspective, there’s neither timing nor justification to end the hunger strike.

Korea-Japan Funds for Alaska LNG Development?

• Donald Trump (U.S. President) stated at his first-year press conference, “We’ve started a large-scale pipeline project to export natural gas to Asia” and added, “We secured unprecedented funding by reaching an agreement with Korea-Japan.”
• This implies part of the investment pledged by South Korea and Japan could flow into Alaska.
• Kim Jeong-gwan (Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy) once remarked, “By our standards, the Alaska LNG project is high-risk, making it difficult to include in investment targets.”
• The project involves extracting gas from Alaska’s North Slope, transporting it via a 1,300km pipeline to Nikiski—a year-round port near Anchorage—and exporting it. Initial costs are projected to reach $45 billion.

AI-Generated Content Must Be Labeled.

• South Korea’s AI Basic Act takes effect today. If distributing AI-generated images, videos, or audio, the fact that it is AI-created must be disclosed. The obligation applies to AI businesses; general individuals and media outlets are exempt.
• There is also a transparency requirement: services or products using AI must inform users.
• Fines will be suspended for at least one year.
• The JoongAng Ilbo criticized, “Only Korea is running with sandbags tied to its legs.” While the EU was the first to legislate, South Korea is the first to implement such regulations.
• Related Link.

The Fix.

Regional Doctors: Salaries Raised by 48 Million Won, but…

• In reality, the influx effect was not significant. Of the 90 contract-based regional doctors recruited last year, 59 were already working in their respective regions. Critics argue this merely preserved labor costs rather than expanding local medical staff.
• A regional public health director noted, “When some doctors receive an extra 4 million won monthly under the contract system while others doing the same work don’t, fairness disputes are inevitable.” A public health center doctor remarked, “It only creates tension.”
• Only 31 doctors were recruited from outside the region.
• Jo Seung-yeon (Yeongwol Medical Center Deputy Director) pointed out, “Unless a system is established where doctors can voluntarily choose regional and public healthcare, no amount of funding will eliminate medical shortages.”
• Related Link.

National Pension to Subsidize Half of Premiums for Low-Income Enrollees—For One Year.

• The premium rate will increase from 9% to 9.5% this year, with support for low-income regional enrollees. Urban enrollees earning less than 800,000 won monthly will receive half their premiums subsidized, but only for one year of their lifetime.
• After one year of support, it reverts to the original system.
• Oh Geon-ho (Co-representative of “The Welfare State I Create”) criticized, “I’m at a loss for words—how could they design a system like this?”
• The 800,000-won threshold is already meager, but what changes after a year? Even though the government has all income data, requiring applications to receive support reflects a lack of political will.
• Oh Geon-ho argued, “Ultimately, it’s the National Assembly’s responsibility,” and insisted, “They must stop trying to reduce the budget by relying on an application-based system.”
• Related Link.

Nuclear and Renewables Together Risk Power Surplus in a Decade.

• Nuclear and renewables are fundamentally incompatible. Nuclear is a rigid power source, while renewables are highly variable.
• If nuclear is a runaway locomotive, renewables are like motorcycles flooding the roads only on sunny days—too dangerous to share the same grid.
• Hankyoreh simulated the 11th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand with Jeon Young-hwan (Hongik University professor), finding no major issues during summer and winter when demand ranges between 80–120 GW. However, oversupply became severe in spring and autumn when demand drops to 60 GW.
• Nuclear output would need to be reduced during these seasons, raising generation costs and passing the burden directly to electricity bills. Some analyses suggest that adding more nuclear reactors under these conditions could create stranded assets.
• Related Link.

“Gwangju-Jeonnam Will Definitely Be Integrated.”.

• Daejeon-Chungnam was the first to raise their hand, but the issue remains contentious. Lee Jae-myung (President) emphasized, “The key to regional integration is finance.” He explained, “The current regional funding allocation is 72:28, but it should be around 60:40. As a preliminary step toward integration, we set it at 65:35 and allocated 20 trillion won.”
• “Now is the chance. I’m worried they’ll think we’re doing too much. We considered doing it for one or two regions, but if four step forward, it’ll shock the budget.”
• Gwangju-Jeonnam is negotiating over the name of the integrated city. They are pushing for either “Gwangju-Jeonnam Special Metropolitan City” or “Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City.” The name reflects who holds the initiative and which region absorbs the other. Some argue that the name “Gwangju,” which has existed since the 23rd year of King Taejo of Goryeo (940 AD) until 1086, must not disappear.
• Related Link.
• Related Link.

ICYMI.

How to Write in the AI Era.

• Noh Yeon-suk (Seoul National University professor) uses the online reading platform Perujel. The method involves reading and underlining texts with students while leaving notes.
• Lee Eun-soo (Seoul National University professor) developed the reading platform Semicolon—a comment-based text analysis tool. Lee emphasized, “More effort should be devoted to evaluating the learning process rather than results prone to plagiarism.”
• Park Sook-ja (Sogang University professor) views prompts as writing tools. Over a semester, students create prompts spanning one-and-a-half A4 pages. “They experience that crafting precise prompts yields better outputs. They realize meticulous contextual organization is essential.”
• Related Link.

Gwangju as a Self-Driving Vehicle Testbed.

• South Korea is already far behind. Waymo has surpassed 200 million cumulative kilometers as of September last year. Baidu in China also exceeds 100 million kilometers.
• South Korea has 132 vehicles and 13.06 million kilometers—no experience in paid transportation.
• Autonomous driving is classified into six levels, from Level 0 (fully manual) to Level 5 (fully autonomous). South Korea is at around Level 3, where driver intervention is still required in specific situations.
• Cha Doo-won (CEO of FutureLink) stated, “Investment decisions depend on clarifying liability in accidents, insurance systems, and data management standards.” The implication: legal uncertainties remain significant.
• Related Link.

Worth Reading.

No Solution Exists Without Bathrooms in Apartments.

• In an editorial, Kyunghyang Shinmun stressed, “Nuclear power without waste solutions is unsustainable.”
• The argument is that “a detailed energy mix policy—expanding renewables and utilizing nuclear power—must be refined, and a blueprint for linking production and consumption (local production for local use) should be presented.”
• Related Link.

Season 3 of the Housing Price Surge.

• Lee Jae-myung (President) repeatedly promised, “We will not control housing prices through taxes.”
• Park Hyun (Hankyoreh columnist) pointed out, “Beyond resistance from vested interests, there’s even suspicion that high-ranking officials holding Gangnam apartments may have conflicting interests.”
• In an editorial, Hankyoreh emphasized, “A tax reform plan that can achieve both real estate market stability and improved tax equity must be pursued as soon as possible.”
• Related Link.
• Related Link.