Life Imprisonment for Coup Leader Yoon Suk-yeol.

• The court sentenced Yoon Suk-yeol (former president) to life imprisonment on charges of leading an insurrection. It marks 443 days since the December 3, 2024 emergency martial law declaration.
• The bench stated, “The crux of this case is sending troops to the National Assembly,” adding, “There is sufficient evidence that the goal was to block the Assembly, arrest key politicians, and paralyze legislative activities for an extended period.”
• Kim Yong-hyun (then-defense minister), who premeditated the insurrection, received 30 years; Roh Sang-won (former Intelligence Command chief) received 18 years. Cho Ji-ho (then-police commissioner) and Kim Bong-sik (then-Seoul police chief), who deployed police to blockade the Assembly, were sentenced to 12 and 10 years respectively.
• Near the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-dong, both pro- and anti-government rallies erupted. As the life sentence was announced, one side lamented, “The rule of law has collapsed.”
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Ruling Excludes Roh Sang-won’s Notebook as Evidence.

• Roh Sang-won led a pre-martial law declaration meeting at Lotteria. His notebook contained entries such as “ambush and occupy Yeouido,” “block access routes,” “fortify barriers,” “prepare boxed meals,” and “maintain the blockade for 2–3 weeks.”
• It also listed names of over 500 targets for arrest or assassination, including Han Dong-hoon (former People Power Party leader) and Lee Jae-myung (then-Democratic Party leader).
• The bench ruled, “The exact timing of its creation is unclear, and some details do not match verified events,” adding, “Given the crude handwriting and poor condition, it cannot be deemed a critical document.”
• Judge Ji Gwi-yeon (Seoul Central District Court) concluded, “Preparations were too sloppy to suggest a long-planned emergency martial law, and no evidence or traces were found of post-legislative paralysis plans.”
• The case must be reargued in the appellate court, which handles insurrection charges.
• Related Link.
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Insurrection Aimed at Undermining the Constitution.

• The martial law declaration and emergency orders served as criminal evidence.
• The declaration included the phrase “eradicate the anti-state forces in the National Assembly,” while the orders stated, “political activities and Assembly sessions are prohibited, with punishments for violations.”
• Troops mobilizing toward the Assembly while armed,
• boarding helicopters or scaling fences to forcibly enter the Assembly grounds,
• breaking into the National Assembly building,
• engaging in physical altercations with staff inside,
• and deploying with arrest gear to the Assembly—
• the court ruled that most of these actions constitute insurrection.

Why Not the Death Penalty?

• First, the planning did not appear highly meticulous,
• second, there was apparent restraint in the use of physical force,
• third, most of the plans failed,
• fourth, there was no prior criminal record,
• fifth, a long career as a public official,
• sixth, the relatively advanced age of 65.
• The special prosecution argued, “The only sentence above the minimum for a rebellion leader is death,” adding, “There is no mitigating factor due to a lack of remorse.” They insisted there was no reason to impose a lesser sentence on Yoon Suk-yeol.
• Woo Won-shik (National Assembly Speaker) noted, “The rebellion failed not because of poor preparation but because the Assembly and the public resisted.”

“History Is Made by Citizens.”.

• They are the citizens who fought against military dictatorship for over 30 years. In an editorial, Hankyoreh assessed, “They proved that history is made by the power of citizens.”
• The International Political Science Association’s nomination of South Korea’s Citizen Collective for the Nobel Peace Prize is also significant.
• In an editorial, Kyunghyang Shinmun pointed out, “The urgent task for Korean society is to establish measures to prevent recurrence and build a robust democratic republic, based on a clear understanding of the nature of this tragic crime.”
• The New York Times noted, “It was an act that threatened decades of democracy won through great sacrifice by Koreans after a long military dictatorship.”
• CNN stated, “This concludes a chapter of the biggest political crisis in South Korea,” adding, “The process has tested the country’s democratic safeguards.”
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Han Dong-hoon Remained Silent.

• The People Power Party issued no comment. Jeon Han-gil (YouTuber) is pressuring Han Dong-hoon to withdraw support if he remains loyal to Yoon.
• The Democratic Party assessed, “This is a highly inadequate ruling that defies the public’s sense of justice.” Chung Cheong-rae (Democratic Party leader) criticized, “Cho Hee-dae’s judiciary has shaken judicial justice.”
• Cho Kuk (Reform Party leader) stated, “Revising the pardon law to prohibit pardons for insurrectionists is necessary.”
• In an editorial, Chosun Ilbo pointed out, “If any reasonable people remain in the People Power Party, they must now completely sever ties with Yoon Suk-yeol, return to the path of conservatism, and devote all efforts to regaining public trust.”
• Related Link.

What Matters Now.

“Indictment Withdrawal Group? Insanity.”.

• Yoo Si-min (author) said this.
• “It’s natural and good for the ruling party to care for the president, but those who truly care for the president in their hearts rarely boast, ‘I am protecting the president,’” he pointed out.
• This comment was directed at the 87 pro-Lee faction lawmakers who formed a group demanding the dismissal of the indictment against Lee Jae-myung (president).
• Yoo Si-min recently faced attacks from hardline pro-Lee supporters during discussions about merging with the Cho Kuk Reform Party.
• “I identify as pro-Lee, pro-Roh, pro-Moon, yet I’m portrayed as the ringleader of anti-Lee forces. There are a few peculiar communities where only Lee Jae-myung is praised as great, and everyone else is dismissed as garbage.”
• Chosun Ilbo analyzed, “Fissures within the pro-government base are accelerating due to the Cho Kuk Reform Party merger issue.” Kim Nam-hee (Democratic Party lawmaker) stated, “Those who recently started supporting Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party do not see the Democratic-Progressive bloc as a unified entity.”
• Related Link.

190,000 Electronic Touch, Kospi 5,677.25.

• Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix surged. They hit 190,000 won and 910,000 won respectively.
• As global memory demand explodes, the term “RAM-mageddon” is emerging. It’s RAM + Armageddon.
• Individuals and foreigners sold, while institutions net-bought. Kospi and Kosdaq rose nearly 3% and 5% respectively.
• Compared to year-end last year, Kospi and Kosdaq rose 34.7% and 25.4% respectively. The U.S. market saw the S&P 500 gain only 0.5%, while Nasdaq fell 2.1%. Decoupling between Korean and U.S. markets is deepening.
• Hana Securities raised its Kospi target to 7,900. Lee Jae-man (Hana Securities researcher) analyzed, “Applying a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.1x to semiconductor sector net profits a year from now leaves 75% upside potential.”

Only 53% of Kospi Shares Are Free-Floating.

• This is because conglomerates hold large stakes to defend controlling shareholders’ influence.
• In the U.S., free-floating shares exceed 90%. The UK and Japan have over 70%.

Deep Dive.

Why a Base Salary of 3.03 Million Won Was Cut to 1.78 Million Won.

• This is the wage received by an employee of a cleaning subcontracting company under contract with Seoul’s Gangnam District Office. Although the government established regulations guaranteeing appropriate wages, they are not being properly enforced. The base salary stipulated in the contract was 3.03 million won, but in reality, only 1.78 million won was paid.
• A district office official interviewed by Kyunghyang Shinmun stated, “If there is a problem, it is an issue for workers to resolve through labor disputes.”
• Lee Jae-myung (president) shared this article and instructed, “Identify the facts through audits or comprehensive investigations.”
• Related Link.

90% Chance of U.S.-Iran Full-Scale War.

• U.S.-Iran negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, failed to find common ground.
• CNN reported, “Trump is deliberating after receiving a report that attack preparations could be completed by the weekend.”
• According to the Wall Street Journal, the largest concentration of air assets in the Middle East since the 2003 Iraq War is currently assembled.
• Related Link.

U.S. Demands LNG Terminal Investment from South Korea.

• Trump reportedly proposed the Louisiana LNG terminal as the first investment target just before raising tariffs on South Korea to 25%, according to a Dong-A Ilbo report.
• Analysis suggests Trump grew angry when the South Korean government cited unresolved special legislation as a barrier.
• The South Korean government maintains that even if the special law passes, an investment decision would only be possible after May.
• Related Link.

Friends Who Bought Homes via “Parental Chance” Are Uncatchable on Salary Alone.

• Analyzing how the 2007 youth’s asset composition changed by 2023 revealed a significant gap created by real estate and inheritance, according to the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs.
• Groups with real estate holdings and high debt saw larger asset growth. Young people who took on debt for basic needs or started as non-homeowners tended to remain in the lower asset tier over time.
• Ahn Dong-hyun (Seoul National University professor) pointed out, “The inability of wage growth to keep up with real estate price surges is South Korean society’s gravest failure.”
• Kim Sung-ah (KIHASA senior researcher) emphasized, “Asset inequality is not just an inequality issue—it directly impacts social safety nets.”
• Related Link.
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Another Take.

Why Only Wage Taxes Keep Rising?

• Yonhap News sparked the debate. “Wage taxes approach 70 trillion won, rising from 12% to 18% of national tax revenue over a decade” — a recurring narrative about workers’ “glass wallets” being picked clean.
• The Ministry of Economy and Finance responded with an explanatory document, stating, “South Korea’s personal income tax share remains relatively low compared to major economies,” and “as of 2024, 32.5% of workers are tax-exempt.”
• Corporate taxes fluctuate, but wage taxes steadily increase — a natural result as both the workforce and wages rise with inflation. It’s also true that under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, corporate and capital gains taxes were significantly reduced, relatively boosting wage tax’s share.
• Kim Ik-hwan (Korea Economic Daily reporter) noted, “While other countries redistribute income by taxing high earners more, South Korea’s tax revenue dependency on high-income groups is unusually high.” He argued, “To fix this misaligned income tax system, we must first reduce the tax-exempt population and cut unnecessary, habitual tax expenditures.”
• The Hankyoreh pointed out that South Korea’s effective wage tax rate is lower than other countries. OECD data shows the effective tax rate for a childless single worker earning the average wage is 6.9% — compared to 25.3% in Australia, 15.5% in the U.S., and 15.4% OECD average. Calls to fundamentally reduce the tax-exempt population persist.
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Four Years of Russia-Ukraine War, 2 Million Casualties.

• The war began with Russia’s invasion on February 24, 2022.
• A trilateral meeting with the U.S. in Geneva, Switzerland, also ended without results. Prospects for prolonged conflict are emerging. Russia demands the surrender of Donetsk, while Ukraine insists, “We cannot cede territory to the aggressor,” and stands firm.

Lee Jae-myung Shares Jeon Jae-soo’s Post.

• He shared a post by Jeon Jae-soo (former Minister of Oceans and Fisheries), who resigned over allegations of ties to the Unification Church.
• He shared the post stating, “The Special Act on the Maritime Capital has been enacted,” adding, “The HMM relocation will happen soon—if it’s to be done, it will be done.”
• Speculation arises that this is an attempt to bolster Jeon Jae-soo, who is preparing to run for Busan mayor. Jeon re-shared the post, praising, “The president is a Busan-style leader.”
• Related Link.

The Fix.

Cellphone-Free Schools.

• There can be both support and opposition. Oh Chang-ik (Executive Director of Human Rights Solidarity) supports the idea.
• The Elementary and Secondary Education Act prohibits cellphone use during class. What about break times or lunchtimes?
• Oh Chang-ik stated, “It’s problematic to leave it to individual discretion,” and proposed, “Educational superintendent candidates should clarify the principles of cellphone use.” Schools can follow the standards set by the education office.
• Related Link.

6.51 Million Visitors: Is Free Admission to the National Museum Sustainable?

• It ranks fourth globally, following France’s Louvre, the Vatican Museums, the British Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (based on recent data; the infographic below uses 2024 figures).
• Overcrowding has led to declining visitor satisfaction. Some argue that reintroducing fees would help manage visitor numbers. With limited budget, the acquisition fund for new collections is only around 3.9 billion won.
• The National Museum of Korea switched to free admission in 2008 after charging 2,000 won per entry.
• Simulations suggest 5,000 won fees would reduce visitors to 4.2 million, while 10,000 won would bring it down to 3.3 million.
• The foreign visitor ratio—currently 5%—also needs improvement. The Louvre and Vatican Museums attract over 70% international guests.
• Jeong Chang-soo (Director of the Korea Institute of Public Finance) argued, “Reintroducing fees is unavoidable to reduce tax burdens and invest in cultural heritage preservation, digitization, and research.”
• Related Link.

ICYMI.

January Babies Outnumber December Babies by 1.4 Times.

• There is a cultural tendency to avoid “late-born” children. This phenomenon occurs because couples preparing for artificial insemination or in-vitro fertilization prefer giving birth at the beginning of the year. The belief is that being born at the start of the year allows a child to be ahead of others.
• In 2014, January-born babies outnumbered December-born by 26%, but in 2023, the gap widened to 42%.
• Related Link.

Can We Beat BYD?

• BYD’s electric vehicle Dolphin starts at 24.5 million won.
• Chinese market share in the EV battery sector exceeds 60%. Government subsidies are also massive.
• Last year, domestic EVs held 57% of the Korean market. This year, that figure could fall below 50%.
• Jo Areum (Korea Ilbo reporter) pointed out, “If technological capabilities are similar, lowering prices is the only option.”
• This isn’t just about a few companies collapsing. There are fears that manufacturing supply chains will crumble, leading to eventual dependence on China.
• Jo Areum emphasized, “The government must heed industry calls to build at least a minimal breakwater.”
• Related Link.

Survival Comes First.

• There was once a time when over 10 memory semiconductor companies existed. Now? Only the big three remain: Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Micron Technology of the U.S.
• Batteries are no different. The market is vast, but entry barriers are high. Those who cannot endure will perish.
• Lim Seong-gyun (Battery Dive expert) emphasized, “For the secondary battery industry, the first priority must be survival.”
• Lim Seong-gyun added, “It would be ideal if the government could provide stronger support, fostering industries that could become South Korea’s strategic assets.”
• Related Link.

Pulmuone Tofu Sales in the U.S. Reach $157.6 Million.

• That’s 224.2 billion won. Market share in the U.S. nears 70%.
• Analysis suggests growth potential remains high, as less than 10% of Americans have ever tried tofu (market penetration rate).
• Tofu sold in the U.S. is firmer than Korean varieties and vacuum-packed to remove moisture, making it easier to cook.

Did the Blue House Interview the Chungju Man?

• Kim Sun-tae (Chungju City official) is a publicity expert who grew the Chungju City YouTube channel to 970,000 subscribers. He submitted his resignation on the 12th and is currently on an extended leave. Following news of the Chungju Man’s departure, ChungTV’s subscriber count temporarily dropped to 740,000.
• According to Kyunghyang Shinmun, Kang Hoon-sik (Blue House Chief of Staff) personally interviewed Kim Sun-tae, asking, “Do you have no interest in continuing public service?”
• The Blue House clarified, “This is untrue,” but Kim Sun-tae stated, “It’s true we met,” though he “did not receive any specific offer.” The digital communications advisor role he was reportedly offered was previously held by Kim Nam-guk (former Democratic Party lawmaker).
• Related Link.

Worth Reading.

Too Late to Launch the Carbon Neutrality Deliberation Committee.

• The Constitutional Court ruled in August 2024 that the Carbon Neutrality Basic Act was unconstitutional and required revisions, setting a deadline of February 28 this year.
• The National Assembly formed the deliberation committee with less than a month remaining.
• The government’s carbon reduction plan (NDC) sets targets for the next decade in five-year increments.
• The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050. The court noted the absence of a plan for 2031–2049.
• The Moon Jae-in administration in 2020 set a 40% reduction target by 2030 compared to 2018 levels, but the court deemed this insufficient. The Lee Jae-myung government raised the 2035 NDC target to 53–61% last November, yet concrete plans remain lacking.
• Though the committee launched too late, this is not a problem to be resolved in a month.
• Yun Eun-sung (poet) urged, “A just design is essential to ensure the burdens of transition do not disproportionately fall on specific industries or vulnerable groups.” He added, “I hope this becomes a starting point for responsible pathways that include those vulnerable to climate disasters, future generations yet unborn, and the ecosystem itself.”
• Related Link.
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When School Meals Become Education.

• An amendment to the School Meals Act guaranteeing better treatment for cafeteria workers passed far too late.
• Kwon Kim-hyeon-yeong (Director of the Women’s Reality Institute) pointed out, “The dangerous working conditions and low wages of cafeteria workers were the result of structural discrimination against feminized care labor.”
• “A school where cafeteria workers can work safely, their labor is respected, and children learn about relationships and responsibility through the process. That is a society where ‘school meals are education.’ Education that teaches solidarity and cooperation—not discrimination and hate—can happen not only in classrooms but also in cafeterias.”
• Related Link.

Could This Law Kill the Constitutional Court?

• This refers to the proposed amendment to the Constitutional Court Act, effectively introducing a de facto fourth trial system.
• Jeong Won-soo (Deputy Editor, Dong-A Ilbo) warned, “While it’s true that making court rulings subject to constitutional appeals could positively strengthen judicial thoroughness, the moment the Constitutional Court overestimates its own authority and capabilities, this law could become the one that kills it.”
• Constitutional Court justices are replaced with each new administration. To ensure impartial rulings, safeguards like a two-thirds parliamentary approval are needed—but that requires constitutional revision. “Constitutional issues must be resolved through constitutional means to avoid complications,” he concluded.
• Related Link.

This Must Be the Real Endgame.

• President Lee Jae-myung is waging war on real estate, yet the market remains unconvinced. The Moon Jae-in administration sent stronger messages.
• Jeon Byung-yeok (Kyunghyang Shinmun economics editor) pointed out, “The previous government swung a ‘chicken-slaughtering knife at a cow’ and brought us to this point.”
• Jeon Byung-yeok’s solutions are as follows:
• First, punishing multiple homeowners won’t work. They still supply jeonse and monthly rent.
• Second, the comprehensive real estate tax should be integrated into property tax.
• Third, considering public legal sentiment, recouping capital gains through transfer income tax should take priority. The tax system must be overhauled based on actual transaction prices.
• Fourth, raising holding taxes will increase jeonse and monthly rents. Home prices may rise temporarily. But if tax principles are firm, listings will grow, prices will fall, and rents will drop.
• Jeon Byung-yeok emphasized, “Success depends on whether they can push forward resolutely without being swayed by minor variables or backlash.”
• Related Link.