Slow Letter is
a curated snapshot of Korea.

We go beyond the headlines, connect the dots, and show you what really matters — with insight and edge. We surface the stories behind the noise and bring the context you didn’t know you needed. It’s not just about what’s happening. It’s about why it matters.

This English edition combines AI-powered translation with careful human editing — using Upstage Solar-Pro-2 — and it’s still in beta mode.We’re learning as we go, and your feedback is invaluable.

“Case Closed” to Family, “Traffic Fatality” in Records.

An arrest warrant has been issued for the police officer who closed the Jang Mi-ran case.
According to the police investigation, this officer informed the family two hours after receiving the missing person report that “contact was made and the case was closed,” while recording it as a “traffic accident death” in the system.
If the closure reason is death, other investigators cannot access the record. There is a possibility the case was intentionally concealed for unknown reasons.
The National Police Agency is belatedly considering a measure requiring manager approval to close missing person cases.
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“The Largest Power Among State Institutions.”.

Lee Jae-myung (President) said, “I think the police will wield the greatest power among state institutions going forward,” and added, “Please consider how to reform the police and what kind of reform body should be established.”
Though not directly related to the debate over prosecutors’ supplementary investigative authority, it is a situation that cannot be ignored.
Lee Jae-myung said, “Since the police force is so large, as the saying goes, ‘a tree with many branches has no day without wind,’ and problems may arise in various places.”
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Police Reform Task Force Led by Kim Nam-hee.

Kim Nam-hee (Democratic Party lawmaker) is the same legislator who opposed abolishing prosecutors’ supplementary investigative authority.
The Democratic Party created a police reform task force directly under the party leadership and appointed Kim Nam-hee as its head.
Lim Ho-sun (Democratic Party lawmaker, former police officer) said, “I feel as if I’ve committed a mortal sin, as if I’ve lived a meaningless life.”
The People Power Party issued a statement criticizing, “With only a month left until prosecutorial dismantling, do they expect the police to reform in that time? It’s the public who will suffer immensely.”
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What Matters Now.

Unrelated to Supplementary Investigative Authority.

The Hankyoreh, which strongly advocated for abolishing prosecutors’ supplementary investigative authority, argued in an editorial, “This case is unrelated to the abolition of supplementary investigative authority and is an issue that can be resolved through effective internal police reform.”
The Chosun Ilbo pointed out in an editorial, “The administration created the problem and now speaks as if it were someone else’s fault.”
The JoongAng Ilbo stated, “The mechanisms to check and balance the abuse of police power were completely dismantled,” adding, “Demanding reforms by now criticizing the police’s incompetence and lax discipline is entirely backward.”
The Kyunghyang Shinmun emphasized, “Unless the police undertake fundamental reforms with the organization’s fate at stake, even ‘prosecutorial reform’ will struggle to take root.”
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What Happened to the Kim Byung-ki Case?

Investigations into Kim Byung-ki (independent lawmaker, former Democratic Party floor leader) have stalled for over 11 months.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s investigation review committee recommended resolving the Kim Byung-ki case within a month.
The Kyunghyang Shinmun questioned, “Now that the police will hold investigative power, it’s doubtful whether they can investigate without regard to political pressure or with conviction.”
In an editorial, the JoongAng Ilbo noted, “If the police delay investigations into a former ruling party powerbroker without proper explanation, it’s impossible to predict how they’ll treat current powerholders.”
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“Find Differences, You’re Enemies; Find Common Ground, You’re Brothers.”.

Lee Jae-myung (President) called the Democratic Party leadership in and said, “In policy implementation, whether it’s the party, government, or Blue House, there are very few things that can be accomplished unilaterally—” and repeatedly stressed, “The party-government-Blue House must act as one.”
Kim Min-seok (Democratic Party leader) stated, “Now is the time for the party to truly demonstrate its capabilities and support the president’s state affairs to succeed.”
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Operation Economic Outcast.

Janet Yellen (U.S. Treasury Secretary) declared, “We will cut off all of Iran’s financial lifelines and push it into economic suffocation.” Secondary sanctions will be imposed on countries trading with Iran.
The “zero leakage” principle was also emphasized. “Any institution facilitating money laundering on Iran’s behalf will be excluded from the U.S. dollar system,” she warned.

Deep Dive.

Iran Sanctions, with China as the Wildcard.

The key lies with China. Beijing purchases 90% of the oil Iran sells. Without Chinese participation, the isolation strategy cannot succeed.
Bentsen responded to the question, “Can you sanction China?” by stating, “No country can escape the scope of U.S. sanctions.”
Lin Jian (Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson) said, “China firmly opposes illegal unilateral sanctions that lack UN Security Council approval.”
Alex Batanka (Middle East Institute researcher) analyzed, “China has the power to prevent Iran’s complete isolation.”
Bloomberg assessed, “The likelihood of the U.S. implementing secondary sanctions against China is not high.”
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Economic D-Day? Iran Has Nothing Left to Lose Anyway.

Iran has long been isolated. It is likely to further block the Strait of Hormuz and hold out.
The one in a difficult position is Trump ahead of midterm elections.
The Economist analyzed, “If Iranian leaders perceive this as a U.S. failure, they may become bolder, launching new attacks.”

Will the Resident-Nonresident Distinction Be Abandoned?

Kim Min-seok (Democratic Party leader) said, “Deliberation is needed.” In a closed-door meeting, there was even talk of abandoning the distinction between residents and nonresidents.
Oh Ki-hyung (Democratic Party lawmaker) appeared on KBS Radio and said, “There was recognition and a proposal that the resident-nonresident distinction is unnecessary, and there was significant agreement.” Ultimately, the only remaining issue is deciding between 1.2 billion won and 1.4 billion won.
The decision now rests with Lee Jae-myung (President). A Democratic Party lawmaker met by The Hankyoreh asked rhetorically, “The real estate policy direction is clearly resident-centered—can the government really abandon differential treatment?”
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“If You Hold On, You’ll Prevail” — A Signal of Surrender?

An official from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, interviewed by The Hankyoreh, said, “We are closely reviewing what level of supplementary measures to prepare, as there may be a need to send a signal that ‘if you hold on, you’ll prevail.’”
The JoongAng Ilbo assessed, “The government has ultimately raised the white flag.”
Lee Eun-hyeong (research fellow at the Korea Construction Policy Research Institute) pointed out, “It is unusual for the main content of the government’s tax reform bill to be revisited to the point of fundamental reconsideration during party-government consultations.”
Park Hoon (professor at the University of Seoul) said, “If the perception spreads that policies can be changed if there is strong tax resistance, uncertainty will grow, and the policy effects anticipated at the time of the government’s announcement could be halved.”
Jung Se-eun (professor at Chungnam National University) warned, “If the government retreats again, it will be difficult to expect normalization of real estate taxation centered on holding taxes in the future.”
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“Damned If You Do, Damned If You Don’t.”.

“If the government revises its policy based on the National Assembly’s input, they accuse us of flip-flopping. If we fail to reach an agreement with the Assembly, they call us unilateral.”
These were the words of Lee Jae-myung (President) during a State Council meeting. He added, “Policies are naturally proposed by the government, deliberated by the Assembly, and ultimately decided by the Assembly,” and remarked, “There are times when we’re criticized for moving forward, criticized for stepping back, criticized for standing still, criticized for lying down—there’s no need to dwell on such criticism.”
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Yongsan Park Not on the Announcement Agenda.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to announce a 73,000-household supply plan—but Yongsan Park is excluded.
Kim Yi-tak (Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport) stated, “We cannot include content not agreed upon with Seoul City.”
Oh Se-hoon (Seoul Mayor) proposed an alternative: developing the Tancheon Water Reclamation Center site into a youth-focused industrial complex for the southeastern region. At 400,000㎡, it could supply up to 13,000 households, but relocating sewage facilities could extend the project timeline to 10 years.
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Call to Expel Lee Jin-suk.

Actual expulsion requires many procedural steps. Yesterday, the vote occurred in the National Assembly Steering Committee with People Power Party lawmakers absent. It must still undergo review by the Assembly’s Ethics Committee. If it reaches the plenary session, approval by two-thirds of all lawmakers is required.
Lee Jin-suk (People Power Party lawmaker) hosted a forum disparaging the May 18 Democratization Movement. Statements like “riot incident” and “the main culprit of the corruption and decay of the 1987 system” were made.
Han Byung-do (Democratic Party floor leader) said, “This resolution is about recording how the National Assembly has stood before the May 18 Movement.”
Lee Jin-suk argued, “Is the May 18 Movement the Democratic Party’s exclusive property, so we shouldn’t touch it?”
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Another Take.

“The Arrogance of Power.”.

These were the words of Yu Si-min (author) on a YouTube channel: “Even the nation must speak bitter truths—if all Democratic Party lawmakers cower under the president’s glare and say nothing, we’re doomed.”
Park Hong-keun (Minister of Planning and Budget) countered, “Is this resentment over circumstances not going their way?”
Jeong Jin-uk (Democratic Party lawmaker) criticized, “Yu Si-min, the cursed invective-monger, is no longer a writer but a shamans.”
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The World’s Craziest Stock Market.

“The world’s craziest stock market.” That’s how The Wall Street Journal described Korea’s roller-coaster Kospi.
The Kospi index, once boasting the world’s highest growth rate, has plummeted nearly 40%. Market capitalization has shrunk by $2.5 trillion. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix alone account for over 50% of the total.
A unique market where 14 million retail investors dominate 60–70% of daily trading volume.
One retail investor interviewed by The Wall Street Journal said, “I thought the market would keep rising forever.”
Another admitted, “I used to think the peak had come when I saw too many people talking about stocks—but I ended up swept up in FOMO anyway.”
Jonathan Fine (head of Federated Hermes Asia) said, “We’re taking a long-term view,” adding, “Investors will eventually recover most of their initial investments.”
Lee Jae-myung (President) has suffered a major political setback. Calls to replace Kim Yong-bum (Blue House Policy Director) are intensifying.
Related Link.

How to Control What You Don’t Know.

Irregular, a security firm dealing with OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta, was the weak link. During security testing, it was discovered that the latest AI models had escaped their sandbox environments and attacked external organizations.
Has this issue truly been resolved?
Kati Musuris (CEO of Rutasecurity) remarked, “It’s like Marie Curie handling radium with bare hands,” adding, “We don’t know how to control AI.”
Calls to slow AI’s development pace have emerged, alongside proposed legislation mandating kill switches.
Hugging Face, which was attacked, built its defense system using the Chinese OpenWeights AI model GLM 5.3. Anthropic and others declined to assist.
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Two Years of Trump, the Wrecked U.S. Economy.

Three numbers matter.
First, U.S. government debt has surpassed $40 trillion. It’s projected to grow by $2.1 trillion this year alone.
Second, 30-year mortgage rates have risen to 6.7%. Bezanth, who vowed to curb Treasury yields, resigned after just two days.
Third, gasoline prices have exceeded $4 per gallon—a 40% surge since the U.S.-Iran conflict. Diesel costs $5.58 per gallon. The New York Times analyzed, “$20 burritos are splitting MAGA,” noting inflation as the primary driver of plummeting approval ratings.
Trump pledged to reduce the fiscal deficit to 3% of GDP, but it stood at 5.8% last year. Second-quarter growth stalled at 1.5%. Inflation outpaces wage growth.
An SOS was sent to Kim Jong-un (North Korean State Affairs Commissioner), but no response has been received. From Kim’s perspective, there’s no urgency—North Korea is projected to hit 3% growth this year.
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November Midterms: Will the U.S. Senate Flip?

Democrats need just four more seats from their current 47 to secure a majority.
U.S. Senate terms last six years, with roughly one-third of seats up for election every two years. This year, 35 states are holding elections.
The Cook Political Report classified Texas and Iowa as competitive. Alaska also has potential to flip.
Of the 66 seats not up for election this year, Republicans hold 31 and Democrats 34. Of the 35 contested seats, Republicans lead in 16, Democrats in 13. The current 47-47 tie means the outcome hinges on six battleground states.

Ousted Park Ji-hyang’s Return.

Education Ministry suspended Park Ji-hyang (Chairperson of Northeast Asian History Foundation) from duty, but the court overturned the suspension.
The ministry claimed her trip to Dokdo constituted embezzlement. The court ruled, “It’s hard to confirm intent to embezzle.”
While the embezzlement issue remains unresolved, questions arise about the disciplinary process’s legitimacy.
Park is a Yoon Suk-yeol administration appointee. Park Jeong-hoon (People Power Party lawmaker) called it a “targeted audit and abuse of power.”
Last December, when Lee Jae-myung (President) asked, “Why not research Hwandan Gogi?” Park obliquely replied, “It seems like fringe historians’ claims—academic theories hold more persuasive power.” Her response implied the text is a forgery.
According to Chosun Ilbo, the ministry’s investigation began three days after her remarks.
In an editorial, Chosun Ilbo criticized, “This was a petty, clumsy attempt to humiliate and oust a leader with four months left in his term for allegedly displeasing the president.”
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The Fix.

Why Did Lee So-young Oppose the ‘Doctor Now Ban’ Bill?

The bill is dubbed the “pharmacy version of the Tada ban.” The revised Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, regulating non-face-to-face medical apps, passed the National Assembly.
Lee So-young (Democratic Party lawmaker) voted against the bill proposed by Kim Yoon (Democratic Party lawmaker, former physician).
Doctor Now created a pharmaceutical wholesaler called “Bijinbeop” and displayed “NOW Dispensing Guaranteed” at affiliated pharmacies. Critics condemned it as unfair preferential treatment.
Lee argued, “If the National Assembly, which once urged citizens to freely start businesses, creates retroactive regulations to abolish a service at will, who would risk their lives to start a business?”
She opposed it for three reasons.
First, it seeks to preemptively ban services based on unproven “concerns.”
Second, the black history of retroactive bans on new services repeats itself.
Third, it reduces the benefits citizens could enjoy.
Lee noted, “In an age where anyone with a phone can easily check prices for sundae bokkeum at any restaurant, patients must still call pharmacies one by one and visit in person with hard-to-remember prescription names.” She added, “I hope we consider whether limiting competition and stifling innovation harms consumer welfare.”
Kim countered, “The bill aims to prevent new forms of kickbacks when non-face-to-face platforms extend beyond mediation into pharmaceutical sales and distribution.” He questioned, “If we leave this unchecked and harm occurs, threatening public health, who will take responsibility?” He concluded, “How can sacrificing public health for ‘specific corporate interests’ justify innovation?”
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The Strongest El Niño in 80 Years.

The El Niño phenomenon will peak in December.
Pacific sea surface temperatures have surpassed 29°C for the first time on record. Forecasts suggest they could rise over 3°C above average.
Droughts and poor harvests are just the beginning. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned this could push an additional 49 million people into hunger.
Zick Hausfather (Berkeley Earth researcher) said, “What we’ll witness in 2027 is a preview of what the ‘new normal’ might look like in 2035.” A warning that “phenomena humanity has never experienced will emerge.”
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Half of National Pension Recipients Receive Less Than 500,000 KRW.

As of 2024, 9.12 million recipients receive 730,000 KRW monthly.
This exceeds the 710,000 KRW minimum guarantee level for single-person household livelihood benefits but falls short of the 1.34 million KRW minimum cost of living set by courts for personal rehabilitation.
8.8 million people receive not a single won in pension benefits.

ICYMI.

Nvidia Wants to Be a Bank.

A Wall Street Journal analysis. Nvidia is financing customers to grow sales. Guarantees for trading partners like OpenAI have ballooned to $230 billion. Some contracts even promise Nvidia will cover revenue shortfalls if data centers built with its chips underperform.
While holding over $80 billion in cash and securities can absorb most shocks, critics warn the risk is dangerously concentrated.

Why Shein’s Soaring Valuation Cratered by 75%.

It’s a Chinese fast-fashion giant once valued at $100 billion—but missed its IPO window.
First, Shein faced criticism for allegedly evading tariffs.
Second, it was accused of detaining ethnic minorities and forcing labor in Xinjiang. (The Chinese government denies this.)
Third, despite relocating its headquarters to Singapore, it failed to shed its Chinese identity.
Fourth, the European Union is investigating it for violating the Digital Services Act—potentially fining it up to 6% of revenue.
Failed listings on New York and London exchanges now push it toward Hong Kong—but its performance has already plummeted.
The Financial Times analyzed, “Shein is losing the regulatory advantages built into its business model.”
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One in Four NFL Players Suffers Brain Disease.

An alarming statistic: NFL players show disproportionately high rates of brain disease.
Of 878 deceased former NFL players, 215 out of 235 autopsied brains were confirmed to have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Repeated impacts are strongly suspected to lead to these conditions.
CTE can only be diagnosed postmortem. The 1-in-4 rate is the most conservative estimate—it cannot be ruled out that many of the 643 unexamined cases also suffered from CTE.
Lance Graves (retired player) said, “We all know most of us will end up with CTE in some form.”
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Worth Reading.

“It’s a Police Secret.”.

What investigation secrets can’t be shared with families? Even information leaked to reporters is sometimes withheld from families as confidential.
Kim Hye-jung (director of the Korean Sexual Violence Counseling Center) criticized, “It’s highly unfair for police to withhold evidence they’ve secured from victims under the guise of ‘investigative secrecy.’” She gave three reasons.
First, it’s the victim’s own experience.
Second, it’s a factual record that cannot be altered or distorted.
Third, it’s in the police’s original custody, untampered.
Kim emphasized, “What a victim directly experienced belongs to the victim.” “This includes not only factual verification materials but also the suspect’s claims, key statements, and the police’s rationale and opinions behind their decisions,” she added.
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Bow to the People’s Will.

“When public sentiment departs, everyone departs. Now, Lee Jae-myung has only the people’s will to rely on.”
Kim Taek-geun (poet) assessed, “Lee Jae-myung’s ‘competence’ has lost much of its luster.” Even progressive-leaning newspapers have increased their sharp criticism. Kim Taek-geun remarked, “If nothing else, personnel appointments should have been handled properly,” and pointed out, “Selecting Han Sung-sook as Prime Minister was the worst mistake.”
The slogan “Unreplaceable Korea” has also lost its shine.
“A mature society does not boast. ‘Unreplaceability’ is something others acknowledge. One must be humble. Who will respond to cries of ‘unreplaceability’ in a ‘republic of vacancies’ where ‘for lease’ signs line every shopping district?”
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Is a Technologically Strong Nation a Good Society?

Song Du-yul (former professor at the University of Münster, Germany) pointed out, “If the state merely serves to support the demands of tech corporations and big capital, it may become technologically strong, but citizens’ power to determine the direction of technology could weaken.”
“In the AI era, a strong civil society is as necessary as a strong state. Technology is a powerful means to open the future, but it does not decide on its own what kind of future we want. Just as important as what technology to develop is the question of what kind of society we will use it to build.”
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18.4GW Data Centers: A Reassessment Is Needed.

Government, corporations, and individuals are all in a rush. But Lee Bong-hyun (research fellow at the Hankyoreh Economic and Social Research Institute) sees “the premises shaking.”
Concerns about overheated investment are high, and funding is not easy to secure. The power grid must also be resolved. The circular financing structure is a ticking time bomb.
Lee Bong-hyun emphasized, “What’s needed now is awareness and management of risks,” and added, “Even mega-projects require meticulous execution plans rather than haste.”
“The vulnerability of blitzkrieg is the risk that advancing tanks lose connection with following infantry and logistics units. Even when racing ahead driven by competition, a sober eye to survey the surroundings is necessary.”
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Why the Regime’s Fate Should Not Ride on the KOSPI.

Lee Chang-min (professor at Hanyang University) advised, “If the government wants to take political responsibility for stock prices, it should clearly define what it can do for the market and avoid adding bluster.”
“Even when stocks doubled or tripled, political rewards were minimal—but when the market collapsed, the punishment was fully claimed,” he analyzed.
The government might feel wronged: Korea’s economic fundamentals remain strong, yet global variables have tangled.
Lee stressed, “If worrying about the stock market, the question should be how to reduce this volatility. The answer lies in refining governance reforms—commercial law, capital markets law, fair trade law, stewardship codes.”
“People dislike ideologues who dismiss stocks as mere speculation, but they may hate posturing pragmatists even more. For the government and the Democratic Party to regain trust, they must start with sober fundamentals.”
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