Yong Hye-in Steps Down.

• She resigned after the Democratic Party requested a decision. Yong Hye-in (Basic Income Party lawmaker) held a press conference and said, “I will step down as the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family.” This came just 14 days after her nomination.
• She did not acknowledge the allegations. She insisted, “There is nothing I am ashamed of.”
• According to The Hankyoreh, Kim Min-seok (Democratic Party leader) personally dispatched Kim Tae-seon (Democratic Party chief of staff). Kim Tae-seon noted, “Even if the issue of holding a proportional representative position concurrently is not a legal violation, it did not fully align with public expectations or sentiment.”
• She chose to remain a lawmaker over becoming a minister. While she apologized to the president, criticism arose that she did not apologize to the public.
• A Democratic Party lawmaker interviewed by Kyunghyang Shinmun said, “This incident reinforces that we must not create satellite parties anymore.”
• In an editorial, The Hankyoreh cautioned, “This should not devolve into excessive exaggeration or smear tactics.” There were many irrational criticisms, such as targeting her husband’s salary of 2.5 million won.
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Is the Personnel-Vetting Line Functioning?

• It is highly likely that the Blue House did not review whether Yong Hye-in would resign from her parliamentary seat. The Hankyoreh pointed out, “This overlooks the issue of fairness sensitivity, which the younger generation cares about most.”
• The Kyunghyang Shinmun criticized in an editorial, “Yong Hye-in’s fall is an ‘appointment failure’ born of the Blue House’s inadequate personnel vetting and lack of political judgment.”
• For minister-level appointments, Kang Hoon-sik (Blue House Chief of Staff) chairs the personnel committee, with the Personnel Secretary’s Office recommending candidates, the Civil Affairs Secretary’s Office conducting vetting, and the Political Affairs Secretary’s Office handling political coordination. The Kyunghyang Shinmun noted, “This incident suggests these roles among the secretariats did not function smoothly.”
• A Democratic Party lawmaker interviewed by Chosun Ilbo said, “Under past Democratic administrations, the Blue House would coordinate with the party before making appointments, but this process seems to have completely broken down.”
• There are whispers of “Kim Saeng Yong Sa” (save Kim Seung-won, let Yong Hye-in resign).
• Speculation also arises about whether Kim Hyun-ji (Blue House First Deputy Chief of Staff) and Jeong Jin-sang (former Democratic Party Political Coordination Director) are intervening.
• The possibility of retaining Won Min-kyung (Minister of Gender Equality and Family) is also being discussed.
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Presidential Approval Rating Drops Below 40%.

• Gallup Korea poll shows presidential job approval fell to 38%.
• A 26-point drop in 10 weeks—the first time approval has fallen into the 30s in phone surveys.
• Top negative reasons: housing policy (24%) and personnel appointments (16%).
• Regionally, Seoul lowest at 29%; Daegu-Gyeongbuk at 34%.
• Negative evaluations also higher among 40s and 50s.
• A Democratic Party lawmaker told Chosun Ilbo, “If this continues, Seoul is doomed in the 2028 general election.”
• A ruling party insider said, “Abandoning contentious issues like prosecutors’ supplementary investigation rights or tax hikes on non-resident homeowners would be seen as admitting policy failure, not a shift in governance.”
• Kang Yu-jeong (Blue House spokesperson) stated, “We are listening gravely to public sentiment.”
• Democratic Party and People Power Party support rates: 38% vs. 29%.
• A pro-Moon faction lawmaker told JoongAng Ilbo, “There’s been excessive fixation on results.”
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Lee Jae-myung Press Conference Keywords.

• Personnel appointments, troop deployments, and prosecution withdrawal are key issues.
• Shin Yul (Myongji University professor) said, “Under current circumstances, public perception could shift dramatically if the president clearly states two things: ‘I will face trial’ and ‘I will absolutely not seek re-election’—but we’ll have to see if that happens.”
• The JoongAng Ilbo pointed out, “Saying he won’t seek re-election is problematic, but not saying it is also problematic.” While some argue, “It’s better to coolly clarify he won’t run,” others worry, “This could risk disappointing supporters who might see it as surrendering to the ruling party.”
• The summit with Central Asian leaders on the 16th is likely when it will happen.
• Speculation dominates that the withdrawal of Kim Seung-won’s nomination will be decided only after observing the confirmation hearings.
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What Matters Now.

“If Kim Seung-won Falls Back, It’s Game Over.”.

• This is what a Democratic Party official told the Chosun Ilbo. The justice minister position symbolizes the completion of prosecutorial reform.
• “Even if Kim Seung-won (Justice Minister nominee) withdraws, approval ratings will drop—and if he’s appointed, they’ll drop too. So the mood is, why not appoint him anyway?”
• Kim Min-seok (Democratic Party leader) has condemned Han Dong-hoon (independent lawmaker)’s revelations as illegal leaks.
• A Democratic Party lawmaker met by The Hankyoreh said, “Beyond Kim Seung-won’s personal issues, a front has formed between Han Dong-hoon and the Democratic Party.”
• Seo Young-kyo (Democratic Party lawmaker) claimed, “Shocking evidence has emerged that Han Dong-hoon’s prosecutors tried to frame Lee Jae-myung (then Democratic Party leader).”
• Kim Min-seok said, “The more we scrutinize Kim Seung-won, the more we judge him to be a well-made appointment.”
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A Director’s Question at the Prime Minister’s Office.

• Han Dong-hoon (independent lawmaker) was holding a press conference when someone asked, “Today on Facebook, the prime minister posted that he ‘directs investigations’—what was the intent behind that?” It turned out to be Lee Byung-ho (director at the Prime Minister’s Office).
• Han Dong-hoon: “Which media outlet are you from?”
• Lee Byung-ho: “I’m a civilian. Should I leave if it’s a press briefing?”
• Coincidentally, a photo from the scene captured Lee Byung-ho’s smartphone screen, which displayed a Telegram chat titled [Prime Minister + Key Staff Room].
• Han Dong-hoon later claimed in a parliamentary session that “the Prime Minister’s Office is surveilling lawmakers.”
• Han Soo-sung (Prime Minister) responded, “If asking questions in a public setting constitutes surveillance, then aren’t we all under constant surveillance?” She added, “I think that’s an overstatement.” Her explanation: “It was an impromptu question from someone who happened to pass by an accessible press conference.”
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‘Run Jong-seop’ Case Acquittal.

• One of the nine trials facing Yoon Suk-yeol (former president).
• The trial on charges of aiding a criminal’s escape regarding Lee Jong-seop (former defense minister) resulted in a not-guilty verdict at the first instance.
• The court ruled, “Yoon Suk-yeol issued the ambassadorial appointment order without any knowledge of the travel ban on Lee Jong-seop,” adding, “There are doubts about whether this was pursued with the intent or purpose of aiding escape.”
• Lee Jong-seop stepped down as defense minister in September 2023, was appointed ambassador to Australia in November, and was subject to a travel ban by the Corruption Investigation Office in December.
• The court noted, “Since most ambassadorial activities are publicly disclosed on official websites, the appointment as ambassador is fundamentally different from typical escape methods involving concealment or evasion.”
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Deep Dive.

Partisanship Index: Cho Kuk and Na Kyung-won at the Extremes.

• Kyunghyang Shinmun and Underscore analyzed the legislative bills and public statements of 319 current and former lawmakers.
• The Democratic Party and People Power Party scored -0.414 and 0.486 on ideology, respectively, while their partisanship scores were -0.985 and 0.943—showing a wider partisan divide than ideological difference.
• Ideological extremes were Jeong Hye-kyung (Social Democratic Party lawmaker) and Yoo Yong-won (People Power Party lawmaker),
• while partisanship extremes were Cho Kuk (former Justice Party leader) and Na Kyung-won (People Power Party lawmaker).
• Even Son Myung-soo (Democratic Party lawmaker) and Kim Ye-ji (People Power Party lawmaker)—both low in partisanship—showed significant gaps.
• Ideology and partisanship were not proportional. Park Sung-jun (Democratic Party lawmaker) had the highest partisanship score in his party but ranked low on ideology. Han Min-su, Kim Byung-joo, and Park Seon-won (all Democratic Party lawmakers) also scored high on partisanship but low on ideology.
• The conclusion: “Allegiance mattered more than ideology.”
• Analyzing 259 presidential office staff, 93 were directly linked to Lee Jae-myung, followed by Moon Jae-in (12), Park Won-soon (8), and Roh Moo-hyun (6).
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86% Chance of U.S. Rate Hike.

• Inflation was the final variable. August consumer prices rose 3.4% year-on-year.
• Oil prices have risen, as expected—but the severity exceeds forecasts. In the U.S., diesel prices surpassed $200 per barrel. Compared to pre-war levels, that’s a 94% increase.
• CME FedWatch pegs the probability of a 0.25% hike at 86.3%.
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The $120 Oil Era.

• Brent crude has risen to $104 per barrel, with forecasts suggesting it could reach $120.
• South Korea’s situation is also dire. While supply hasn’t immediately halted, the issue is cost. A refining industry insider interviewed by Chosun Ilbo said, “International oil prices are merely a benchmark—the actual purchase price for refiners includes a $20–30 premium per barrel, and tanker freight rates have also surged.”
• High oil prices, high inflation, and interest rate hikes—a triple crisis—are accelerating global monetary tightening.
• Jeong Dae-young (Yonsei University professor) warned, “If central banks worldwide simultaneously raise rates, AI investment could shrink, impacting South Korea’s semiconductor exports.”
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Saudi Arabia’s Three Chokepoints.

• Three critical routes are blocked: the eastern Hormuz Strait, the western Red Sea, and inland pipelines.
• Iran blocks the east, Houthi forces the west, and Iraq the land bypass.
• Drones launched from Iraq attacked oil pipelines.
• Yemen’s Houthi rebels control Bab al-Mandeb’s Dubah and Perim Island.
• Criticism emerges that the U.S. is stepping back. According to Axios, Mohammed bin Salman (Saudi Crown Prince) twice called Trump to request strikes against Houthi rebels—but was rebuffed.

Prosecutors Reject Kim Byung-ki’s Arrest Warrant.

• Prosecutors’ rejection of Kim Byung-ki (Independent lawmaker)’s arrest warrant may stem from differing positions between police and prosecutors.
• Police investigations took exactly one year. Criticism abounded that they applied for the warrant late—missing the optimal timing for detention and fearing accusations of leniency. Some even questioned if they lacked intent from the start.
• Prosecutors stated, “Additional evidence is needed for some charges, so we also requested supplementary investigations.” Demanding supplementary investigations that will expire next month is clearly a deliberate message.
• JoongAng Ilbo pointed out, “Did police not even hold practical consultations with prosecutors before applying for the arrest warrant?”
• Most observers predict the court will likely dismiss the warrant anyway.
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Hearings Begin Today.

• 14 Kim Sung-soo (Supreme Court Justice nominee),
• 15 Kim Seung-won (Minister of Justice nominee) and Lee Hyung-il (Minister of Economy and Finance nominee), Lee So-young (Minister of SMEs and Startups nominee),
• 16 Kang Shin-chul (Minister of National Defense nominee) and Hong Ji-sun (Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport nominee),
• 18 Choi Gil-soo (Blue House Special Inspector nominee).
• Kim Sung-soo faces scrutiny over subleasing a house borrowed from his brother-in-law; Kang Shin-chul is under fire for receiving a Seocho-dong apartment allocation under a demolition resident quota. Lee So-young and Hong Ji-sun also face real estate-related controversies.
• No witnesses have been called for these hearings. Of the 39 hearings held since the Lee Jae-myung administration began, 32 had zero witnesses adopted.
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More Painful Than External Enemies: The Words That Shake from Within.

• “The biggest obstacle to reform is obstructing reform in the name of reform.”
• “Not for a moment have we abandoned the goals and values of reform.” These were President Lee Jae-myung’s words on X.
• He quoted Park Tae-hoon (director of the Youth Today Research Institute), who argued, “More painful than external enemies are the words that shake us from within,” adding, “Curses like ‘the stench of a rotten fish market’ or ‘you’ll surely perish’—uttered by figures like Yoo Si-min—are destabilizing the president from within.”
• It is significant that Lee praised Park’s attack on the Democratic Party’s hardliners as “not a single incorrect word.”
• His warning—“We must guard against using the sincere passion of some who desire revolutionary change to incite radical rhetoric that exposes one’s own clarity, thereby provoking resistance, backlash, and ultimately hindering reform and inviting reaction”—may signal a deliberate distancing from the party’s hardliners.
• Choo Mi-ae (Gyeonggi Province Governor) recently criticized, “If someone who shared a boat with Han Dong-hoon becomes the first head of the Corruption Investigation Office, is that democratization?”—a remark that raises eyebrows.
• A pro-Lee lawmaker interviewed by Chosun Ilbo said, “Choo Mi-ae, Yoo Si-min, and Kim Eo-jun’s words are not advice but malicious slander splitting the Democratic Party in two,” adding, “The president must have judged that this cannot be tolerated any longer.”
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Another Take.

Slow Down or Face Catastrophe.

• “We may face catastrophic consequences.”
• Dario Amodei (CEO of Anthropic) has joined the chorus: “Within six months, agent AI could dominate the internet and inflict hundreds of billions in damage,” he warned.
• The proposal suggests that if we secure 1–2 years before AI models reach critical thresholds and use that time to improve “alignment” technologies, we could significantly reduce severe risks.
• Sam Altman (OpenAI CEO) and Elon Musk (Tesla/xAI CEO) have also chimed in.
• Amodei’s three-step proposal is as follows:
• First, AI companies must undergo external oversight.
• Second, common safety standards and speed limits must be established.
• Third, global cooperation is essential.
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Can the Pace Be Slowed?

• An Anthropic employee said, “It’s just what we’ve all been talking about, now made public.” Late whistleblowing is pouring in.
• Calls to pause development until safety measures are in place were dismissed amid the upcoming IPO. Caught between fears of [antitrust violations if colluding] and [falling behind China if slowing down], no direction has been set.
• According to Bloomberg, Sam Altman (OpenAI CEO) said, “We’re willing to slow development if competing labs join.”
• A group called the ‘Coalition of Concerned AI Staff’ has also emerged.
• Arguments surface that “programs beyond control must be delayed or halted in development and deployment.” Demands for “third-party audits or safety rules enforced by governments or international bodies” are growing louder.
• Thomas Wolf (Hugging Face co-founder) posted on X, “I agree 75% with Amodei’s proposal—Anthropic seems to be trying to retain control.”
• The U.S. government shows little interest. Trump said, “I’m not worried at all,” adding, “Maintaining technological superiority over China is the top priority.”
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Essential Question: Can AI Control AI?

• The New York Times identifies two core issues.
• First, AI must monitor AI—but AI overseers are not strict. They have even erased traces and withheld reports from humans.
• Second, the harder challenge is “alignment.” No matter how well rules are designed, AI cannot be stopped from circumventing them.
• Nate Soares (Executive Director of the Machine Intelligence Research Institute) remarked, “It’s like saying, ‘We’ll use chimpanzees to control humans.’”
• Demands grow for stronger sandboxes or kill switches that activate upon detecting risky behavior, but critics argue these cannot be fundamental solutions.
• Related Link.

Why Overestimate New Risks?

• AI is the latest existential risk humanity has faced. Pandemics, nuclear war, climate change, asteroid collisions—these dangers have always existed, yet humans have a tendency to overestimate new risks.
• Rather, humans are not the primary threat. The New York Times noted, “At least in cases of intentional threats, mere conventional deterrence can avert crises.”
• Asteroid collisions are predictable and manageable.
• The concern over AI stems from its potential to escape control. James Hammitt (Director of the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis) analyzed, “Anxiety grows because it is seen as incomprehensible and uncontrollable.” Evan Hubinger (Anthropic Alignment Lead) warned, “It’s progressing faster than we ever imagined.”

Not Just a Math Problem.

• AI solving the Navier-Stokes equation, one of the seven Millennium Prize Problems, should not be dismissed lightly.
• Ben Cohen (Wall Street Journal columnist) noted, “It’s evidence of accelerating, frightening progress.” If this is achievable in a domain requiring top-tier reasoning, it must be assumed possible everywhere.
• AI agents are evolving to plan independently and self-correct without human oversight.
• The math problem is a gentler version of the Hugging Face incident—the logic is identical. Up to 10,000 agents worked for 88 hours, stacking and refining each other’s outputs alongside human research to solve the problem.
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Caught Attempting to Build Ballistic Missiles with Claude.

• Yemen’s Houthi rebels were blocked from developing guidance software to steer and control ballistic missiles.
• They attempted to port open-source autopilot code to smartphone-grade hardware, write control-position estimation software, tune control values, build firmware, and run flight simulations.
• Anthropic stated, “We blocked many requests, but not all.” The group used evasion tactics, splitting tasks across multiple sessions so no single session revealed the full intent.

Anthropic’s Prisoner’s Dilemma.

• If everyone slows down, it’s fortunate—but if only Anthropic stops, it will fall behind. Even if OpenAI joins, it’s meaningless if China doesn’t.
• Anthropic is building the world’s most advanced AI model, turned a profit in Q2, and has ample cash reserves. Yet if its IPO is delayed due to recent controversies, it could lose $100 billion.
• Tim Higgins (Wall Street Journal columnist) emphasized, “Dario Amodei (Anthropic CEO) created Anthropic to avoid exactly this moment.” The implication: “But they’ve yet to find a way to stop it.”
• The logic is that to prevent competitors from destroying the world, Anthropic must release first. Is this the world Dario Amodei dreamed of?
• Related Link.

No OpenAI IPO This Year.

• Sam Altman (OpenAI CEO) told Fortune in an interview, “It’s not a smart time to go public.”
• “The issue is not market conditions—it’s safety,” he added.

Did China Assist Iran?

• The Wall Street Journal reports the U.S. suspects China provided satellite imagery to Iran in the incident that killed three U.S. service members.
• There were observations that Iran’s strikes often missed targets early in the conflict but have recently grown more accurate.
• Related Link.

“JD 48.”.

• “The 48th president is JD” is the slogan. JD Vance (U.S. Vice President) seized control of the Republican National Convention.
• He denounced the Democrats, saying, “We cannot hand the country over to madmen,” and snapped, “If you love Mexico so much, get your ass over there.”
• Analysts note his political rhetoric mirrors Trump’s style.
• The venue wasn’t fully filled. Trump claimed, “Look over there—no empty seats, even at the very top,” but it wasn’t true.
• He had to joke, “I just looked up there for no reason.”
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Trump’s $5,000 Pledge.

• It would cost $1.35 trillion. Tariff revenue is optimistically estimated at around $200 billion.
• This is not the first such promise. He vowed to give $5,000 to 79 million households by cutting government spending but failed to deliver. He also promised $2,000 to adults excluding high-income earners using tariff funds, but it was empty rhetoric.
• Immediate large-scale bond issuance could shock global interest rates and exchange rates.

Won Breaks 1,300 Per Dollar Barrier.

• The rate slid from 1,554.9 won on July 1 to 1,339.2 won on September 10.
• Increased exports triggered a flood of dollar selling, compounded by dollar weakness amid yen strength and expectations of a current account surplus. The dominant view is that the won’s rally will persist for some time.
• Moon Da-un (researcher at Korea Investment & Securities) noted, “The perceived fair value of the exchange rate keeps dropping over time,” adding, “While downward rigidity will strengthen near 1,300 won, we must consider the possibility of dipping into the 1,200s.”
• U.S. rate hikes remain an upward pressure on the exchange rate. Exporters may also delay currency conversion. Kim Yu-mi (researcher at Kiwoom Securities) forecasted, “A rebound to the low 1,400s by year-end remains possible.”
• Related Link.

The Fix.

South Korea’s Population to Shrink to 7.53 Million by 2125.

• “Last year’s births were 250,000—still a historic low. What difference does it make if the fertility rate goes from 0.8 to 0.9 in this situation?”
• Kim Jong-hoon (Chairman of HanmiGlobal) stressed, “We need to set clear targets first.”
• The Korea Peninsula Future Research Institute released a study projecting that South Korea’s population will fall to 7.53 million by 2125. The working-age population is expected to drop to 2.91 million.
• Last year, the population aged 65 and older reached 10.723 million, accounting for 20.7% of the total.
• The Population Strategy Committee held its inaugural ceremony. The former Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee was expanded and reorganized into the Population Strategy Committee.
• Lee Jae-myung (President) warned, “By 2060, South Korea will have the world’s highest elderly population ratio,” adding, “It’s time for a complete paradigm shift in population policy.”
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20s Employment Hits Worst Level Since Financial Crisis.

• Through August, employment dropped by 193,000 compared to last year.
• The population fell 3.5%, but employment dropped 5.6%. The employment rate is 59.1%.
• Bin Hyun-jun (Director of Social Statistics at the National Data Bureau) explained, “Companies are not conducting large-scale open hiring and are focusing on experienced hires, leaving young people without work experience as the first to be hit.”
• Employment among 30s increased by 103,000. The employment rate is 80.9%.
• The economic outlook is positive. South Korea’s Composite Leading Indicator (CLI) in August was 102.87, the highest level in five years and three months since May 2021 (102.88).
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Finnish vs. English Education: A PISA Dilemma.

• Debate over the OECD PISA results is intensifying.
• The Financial Times analyzed the causes as twofold: first, overreliance on digital and AI tools is undermining learning; second, the Finnish model—emphasizing flexibility and autonomy—has proven problematic.
• Scotland and Wales, which adopted the Finnish curriculum, saw declining scores, while England, which maintained a strict curriculum, improved.

ICYMI.

MBC’s New President: Lee Seong-joo.

• Under the revised Broadcasting Act, a 150-member presidential recommendation committee proposed two candidates to the board, which made the final appointment.
• Lee Seong-joo (MBC’s new president) joined MBC in 1995 and served as head of the economics department in the news bureau. He chaired the MBC branch of the Korean Media Workers’ Union and has served as a managing director of iMBC since 2024.

Lee Chang-dong Wins Venice Jury Prize.

• ‘Possible Love’ was selected for a Korean film production support program but ultimately failed to secure an investor for the remaining budget. Lee Chang-dong (director) had to abandon theatrical release and complete the film with Netflix’s support.
• Lee Chang-dong said in his acceptance speech, “I made this film to ask what cinema can do—and what it must do—in an era where labor is disappearing and relationships between people are fraying.”
• The film weaves together the stories of laid-off worker Ho-seok (played by Seol Kyu-curl), his wife Mi-ok (Jeon Do-yeon), documentary director Yeo-ji (Jo Yeo-jeong) covering their struggle, and her wealthy husband Sang-woo (Jo In-sung).
• Related Link.

Civil Service Interviews: No Suits or Dress Shoes.

• Jumpers, shirts, knits, slacks, cotton pants, and jeans are acceptable.
• Hiking gear, athletic wear, shorts, and sleeveless tops are prohibited.
• Shoes: Oxfords and sneakers are allowed; dress shoes, heels, and slippers are not.
• Suits are not banned but discouraged. Ties will be removed, and overshoes provided if dress shoes are worn.
• Son Mu-jo (Director of Talent Recruitment at the Ministry of Personnel Innovation) explained, “There were many complaints that the interview atmosphere was too rigid, and some candidates incurred costs for hair and makeup to match formal attire.”
• “After a decade of recommendations with no change, we judged that some coercive measures were necessary to refresh the environment,” he added.
• The same standards apply to interviewers.

What’s the Right Length for Men’s Pants?

• Vanessa Friedman (New York Times columnist) assessed, “The rules have collapsed.”
• When post-metrosexuality was in vogue, cropped pants revealing the ankles were a sign of “knowing style,” but post-pandemic, loose and comfortable fits have dominated.
• While Thom Browne’s “shrink-to-fit” aesthetic gained popularity, no fixed rules exist. The advice is to choose freely among crops, longs, traditional fits, and baggy (exhausted) fits, as they coexist.
• Still, essential principles remain: first, wear with intention; second, consider the overall harmony with shoes, socks, and jackets.
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Promethean Theology.

• Michelle Goldberg (New York Times columnist) sees Peter Thiel (PayPal co-founder) and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs as trapped in a Promethean theology: they believe humanity must endure even if technological evolution brings destruction.
• For ordinary people, it’s just better search results and email assistance—but tech oligarchs may see confinement to finite, ordinary life as the greater peril.
• Mark Zuckerberg (Meta CEO) building a bunker in Kauai follows the same logic: aware of the risks, yet not avoiding apocalypse but trying to survive it alone. Sam Altman plans to upload his brain to the cloud, while Elon Musk devises Mars escape plans.
• Critics call this “gambling with human lives”—and with good reason.
• Related Link.

Robo-Taxis in London Too.

• Fifteen Ford Mustang electric vehicles have been deployed. Though autonomous, a driver remains seated to handle emergencies.
• Unlike other cities, London’s narrow streets pose exceptionally challenging driving conditions. A YouGov survey found 42% of Londoners oppose autonomous vehicles, yet 140,000 applied for test rides.
• The Financial Times emphasized that autonomous vehicles are already safer than humans. With 1.2 million annual traffic deaths—mostly due to human error—Alphabet’s Waymo reported 68% fewer accidents per mile than human drivers.
• Goldman Sachs estimates the autonomous vehicle market will reach $415 billion. Tesla’s market share is also growing.

Worth Reading.

Nike’s Decline: A Casualty of China’s Boycott.

• Shares have plummeted 80% from their peak—reflecting a 30% drop in Chinese sales over five years. It was also expelled from the S&P 100 index.
• Han Woo-deok (JoongAng Ilbo senior reporter, ChinLab) analyzed, “Nike became a target of ‘patriotic consumption.’” After Nike declared it would stop using Chinese cotton over Xinjiang human rights concerns, boycotts spread, including burning Nike shoes. Local brands like Anta and Li-Ning filled the void.
• Han warned, “Failing to grasp the grammar of patriotic consumption, Li-Ning’s rise, and Xiaohongshu’s distribution networks means failure. Korean companies fell into that trap first, and now Nike and Volkswagen are following.”
• Related Link.

Is There Reason to Replace Won Min-kyung?

• “The government’s attitude toward the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is enough to cause trauma. The reasons for her replacement were not properly disclosed, and the nominees’ profiles suggest a disregard for gender equality values.”
• These were the words of a civic group activist interviewed by The Hankyoreh.
• Park Soo-jin (The Hankyoreh Social Policy-Gender Team Leader) emphasized, “The president’s order to ‘study male reverse discrimination’ was repeated four times until early this year.”
• Park Soo-jin pointed out, “The president’s directive to ‘policy-research and interpret’ the perception of ‘reverse discrimination’—where some flattened sections of an uneven playing field are misconstrued as systemic bias against men—and to assign blame to the vulnerable, leaves one clutching at one’s neck in exasperation.”

Lee Jae-myung’s Cho Kuk.

• Lee Hyun-sang (JoongAng Ilbo columnist) assessed, “The Kim Seung-won (nominee for Minister of Justice) issue is becoming a mirror image of the Cho Kuk affair.” The ruling party’s attitude of defending the nominee at all costs is also the same, he added.
• There are differences. Seven years ago, citizens supporting Cho Kuk (then nominee for Minister of Justice) filled Seocho-dong, but now “the air among supporters mixes cynicism and embarrassment rather than unconditional defense,” according to the analysis.
• Seven years ago, Cho Kuk had the image of a persecuted figure, but today the prosecution is in a crippled state.
• Lee Hyun-sang warned, “The risk of turning an individual’s liability into an organizational crisis is high.”
• Related Link.

Kim Min-seok’s Gamble.

• Kim Min-seok (Democratic Party leader) has vowed to defend Kim Seung-won (nominee for Minister of Justice). Kim Seung-ryeon (Dong-A Ilbo columnist) assessed, “I’m not sure if building such a defensive wall helps him or the president.”
• “There’s a strong chance this will backfire and return to haunt Kim Min-seok.”
• “Kim Min-seok once recalled spending 18 years ashamed of people aligning with him. Yet he became prime minister and ruling party leader. What more could he possibly want? Perhaps he needs the resolve to think, ‘So what if I don’t become president?’ Letting go of that tension might make him more adaptable, reduce misjudgments out of touch with public sentiment, and ultimately bring him closer to his grand ambitions. Isn’t that how the world works?”
• Related Link.

Yoon’s Crown Prince Mimics Gotham’s Batman.

• Lee Jae-sung (Hankyoreh columnist) called it “a nauseating spectacle.”
• Kim Seung-won (nominee for Minister of Justice) is accused of promising to accept 5 million won in donations and lobbying the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. However, the donation limit was reached, so he couldn’t receive it, and there’s no evidence he pressured them despite being able to deposit the funds after the new year.
• Lee Jae-sung pointed out, “Both sides were too indifferent to prove a binding promise,” adding, “It will be difficult to secure a conviction.”
• “Even if he once ran an adult entertainment business, disparaging a PhD-holding entrepreneur as a ‘room salon sister’ and asking if he has photos taken alone with a woman at home is shockingly vulgar.”
• “Capturing public attention with sensational, salacious language and frames, then driving media with a ‘presumption of guilt’ principle—this is the signature style of the ‘Seocho-dong editor-in-chief.’”
• Lee Jae-sung noted, “The degradation of public discourse through political prosecutors’ media manipulation led to Yoon’s presidency and political chaos. Now, politicians with prosecutorial backgrounds entrenched in Yeouido are corrupting public discourse once again.”
• Related Link.