AI Hacking Exposes Financial Sector.

• Following Shinhan Bank, personal data from KB Kookmin Bank, Hana Bank, Busan Bank, Yegaram Savings Bank, and Hyundai Capital—70,000 cases in total—was stolen.
• The attackers targeted loan broker inquiry services and internal employee support systems. No financial transaction data was leaked.
• The weak link between external internet and internal networks was breached.
• According to Moon Jong-hyun (Genians Security Center Director), the string ‘ARTEX-自主渗透試控制台’ was found in some HTML titles of the web servers used in the attack—an LLM-based penetration system publicly available on GitHub.
• Kim Seung-ju (Korea University Professor) noted, “The barrier to hacking has lowered, and the speed of identifying target vulnerabilities has become staggeringly fast.” Kim Myeong-ju (Seoul Women’s University Professor) added, “The core issue isn’t whether AI tools were used, but that financial institutions failed to properly manage vulnerabilities in their ancillary systems.”
• In an editorial, JoongAng Ilbo warned, “This level of breach indicates that South Korea’s entire financial sector is now exposed to AI-driven hackers’ all-around attacks.”
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Can North Korean Missiles Be Intercepted?

• North Korea launched another missile, but there are criticisms that its altitude could not be tracked. There is a possibility that a missile with a range of over 3,000 km was intentionally fired short.
• Kim Yo-jong (North Korean Party Secretary) claimed, “The enemy lost track of the target after the first jump point,” adding, “In other words, this means there is practically no way to avoid this strike.”
• Hypersonic missiles are difficult to detect because their warheads, after separating from the propulsion system, descend while bouncing upward like a skipping stone (glide-jumping) and moving sideways (lateral maneuvering), creating irregular trajectories. The Hankyoreh pointed out, “If South Korea missed the final flight trajectory by about 300 km, as Kim Yo-jong claimed, the Korean Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) system would be rendered ineffective.”
• The Ministry of National Defense countered, “Our systems are sufficiently capable of detection and interception.”
• Kim Yo-jong did not even mention the DMZ landmines.
• Donald Trump (U.S. President) said, “I get along very well with Kim Jong-un, and when someone has 112 nuclear missiles, it’s good to get along.” (According to SIPRI, the count is 60.)
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What Matters Now.

Alaska LNG Pipeline Investment: Double the Cost Without a Signature.

• “If they don’t want it, that’s fine. If they don’t sign, we can just double it,” said Donald Trump (U.S. President), implying a threat to raise tariffs.
• Oh Ki-hyung (Democratic Party lawmaker) argued, “No project can proceed without parliamentary approval if it lacks commercial viability.”
• According to an Alaska State advisory report obtained by Kyunghyang Shinmun, the liquefaction and gas processing facilities—which account for over two-thirds of the project cost—still lack even a definitive cost estimate. The ‘Class IV’ phase means costs could be 30% lower or 50% higher. No agreement has been reached on who would bear additional costs if they arise.
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“Korea Invests Again,” Trump’s Casual Claim.

• Donald Trump (U.S. President) said, “Negotiations with Korea are getting better,” adding, “They’ve agreed to invest $8.4 billion in the Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) project,” which involves injecting carbon dioxide into oil fields to boost production.
• The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy refuted that the joint Korea-U.S. announcement included such content. A government official interviewed by Chosun Ilbo insisted, “Only what’s specified in the joint factsheet and press release is agreed upon.”
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Era of the Corruption Investigation Office and Prosecutors’ Office.

• The Corruption Investigation Office and Prosecutors’ Office launched on October 2.
• The Ministry of Justice minister, Prosecutors’ Office chief, Corruption Investigation Office chief, and National Police Agency chief positions remain vacant.
• The Corruption Investigation Office has filled only 1,900 of its 2,874 authorized positions.
• The criminal justice information system is only partially operational. At the civil affairs office, a stamp on the first page of a complaint form substitutes for a receipt.
• With only desks and computers in empty offices, some say, “It looks like a failed office.”
• The Financial Times prominently covered South Korea’s prosecution reform, headlining, “South Korea brings powerful prosecution agency to heel.”
• A current prosecutor remarked, “Anyone in power tries to exploit the prosecution once they hold office.”
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Kim Ji-yong’s Confirmation Hearing: Both Parties Are Bracing.

• Lee Jae-myung (President) sent the nomination request for Kim Ji-yong (nominee for head of the Corruption Investigation Office) to the National Assembly. His stance is, “We will decide on final appointment only after the hearing.”
• Park Joo-min (Democratic Party lawmaker) said, “We need to verify whether there are official documents, evidence, or meeting minutes.”
• Kim Ji-yong leases two apartments in Bundang and lives in a Jeonse (long-term lease) apartment in Seocho-dong, Seoul. His assets amount to 3.8 billion won.
• Lee Jae-myung posted on X, “Reform should be a goal, not a means to show clarity, gain attention, or attack someone.” He added, “If we say not to use someone just because they’re from the prosecution, that’s like saying we should destroy the Corruption Investigation Office,” and “Wouldn’t it be hard to definitively label them as pro-Yoon?”
• Choo Mi-ae (Gyeonggi Province Governor) criticized, “Pro-Yoon vs. anti-Yoon is not the essence. Why prioritize someone who could turn their back on the people and justice at any moment?”
• Han Dong-hoon (independent lawmaker) criticized, “It’s an unprecedented veto debate in history, openly fighting over whether someone is ‘on our side or not.’”
• Joo Jin-woo (People Power Party lawmaker) pointed out, “It’s ‘their own fight’—a spectacle meant to impress Democratic Party’s hardcore supporters.”
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“Ukraine Must Issue a Public Apology.”.

• Lee Jae-myung (President) posted on X, “If Ukraine refuses to apologize publicly, we will take further measures.” Though written in Korean, it is a public warning directed at Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Ukrainian President).
• He claims that an agreement was violated by publicly disclosing the transfer of North Korean prisoners to South Korea. Ukraine insists no such agreement existed.
• Kim Semi (research fellow at the Asan Policy Research Institute) noted, “We must also consider opportunities for Korean companies to participate in Ukraine’s reconstruction projects.”
• A former diplomat interviewed by The Korea Times said, “We must be cautious about excessively pressuring Ukraine, which is in the position of a victim of Russia’s invasion.”
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Lee Jae-myung’s X Politics.

• There have been many calls to reduce social media use. Posts dropped from 101 in July to 37 in August, then exploded in September: 116 posts, followed by 21 in the first four days of October.
• Posts average 3–5 daily, and every post becomes news.
• Cheon Gwang-am (editorial director at Dong-A Ilbo) noted, “Late-night posts are no different from ‘potential bombs’ that bypass fact-checking and political review.”
• A ruling party official interviewed by Chosun Ilbo warned, “It’s a major issue that diplomatic messages are sent through the president’s personal channel.” Another official said, “It gives the impression that the president cannot tolerate criticism of Kim Ji-yong.”
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Let’s Re-Measure the Military Demarcation Line.

• This is a proposal by Jung Dong-young (Unification Minister).
• The baseline used by North and South Korea and the UN Command differs. Many markers installed after the armistice have disappeared, and there are discrepancies in satellite navigation systems and coordinates.
• Jung Dong-young opposed resuming loudspeaker broadcasts toward the North. He warned, “It’s irresponsible and dangerously reckless.” While stating, “Demanding an apology is only natural,” he added, “Once the final investigation results are announced, the government will take appropriate measures.”
• The Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that North Korean troops crossed the military demarcation line over 20 times in August and 30 times in September.
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The Chief Justice’s Duty to Renominate: Grounds for Impeachment if Refused.

• Lee Jun-il (Korea University professor) argued at a Democratic Party debate, “If the president rejects or returns the nomination, the chief justice has a duty to renominate. Failure to act within a reasonable period could constitute grounds for impeachment.”
• Cho Hwi-dae (Chief Justice) stated, “Under any circumstances, the fundamental values of judicial independence, fairness, and integrity must never be compromised.”
• The Democratic Party is preparing for a National Assembly audit.
• Cho Hwi-dae submitted a statement refusing to attend, citing, “It contradicts the principles of separation of powers and judicial independence.”
• Seo Young-kyo (Democratic Party lawmaker, Judiciary Committee chair) criticized, “Refusing to testify is not judicial independence—it is tyranny above the law and unilateralism.”
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Deep Dive.

Can the Ping-Pong Between Police and Prosecutors Be Stopped?

• The prosecution can request a reinvestigation of cases the police declined to indict. If the police decline again, the prosecution can request a second reinvestigation or transfer the case to another agency—but cannot conduct supplementary investigations themselves.
• There was a secondhand trade fraud case the police declined twice. Prosecutors directly traced accounts to uncover a circular payment scheme, leading to a guilty verdict in April 2026.
• Under the prosecution-led system, a case can take 11 months if all deadlines are met: a reinvestigation request, two rounds of reinvestigation, and supplementary investigation after referral. A lawyer interviewed by JoongAng Ilbo noted, “A new investigator must re-understand from scratch what the previous investigator spent months uncovering.”
• Victims can file an objection within three months of receiving a non-indictment notice. The case is then sent to a prosecutor. Since the prosecution cannot investigate directly, they must request the police to supplement evidence if needed.
• Related Link.

An American Power Plant Built with Korean Money.

• Kim Jeong-gwan (Minister of Trade, Industry, and Energy) said, “Deciding on a project without finalizing cash flow is unthinkable in our country.”
• A $22 billion investment in a Texas thermal power plant was agreed upon, yet the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) remains unsigned.
• Kim Jeong-gwan stated, “The U.S. has agreed to actively mediate the PPA.”
• Tariff issues are still unresolved. On September 22, Kim remarked, “Verbally, we’ve aligned on maintaining 15%,” adding, “The U.S. argues, ‘Why include tariffs in a project announcement?’”
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Who Pressed the Button for ‘The Assassin(s)’?

• Did the film state facts? The production team maintains it is not a work aimed at identifying specific individuals as masterminds or presenting new historical facts. From the outset, it is unlikely to constitute defamation through factual claims.
• Joo Jin-woo (People Power Party lawmaker) declared, “I will block the screening of the immoral film ‘The Assassin(s)’ as the opening film at the Singapore International Film Festival.”
• Jeon Eun-soo (Democratic Party spokesperson) countered, “The moment politicians directly intervene in culture and arts to decide what should or should not be shown, that is censorship,” and asked, “Is the People Power Party a ‘film-blocking party’?”
• Yoon Seong-eun (film critic) noted, “The film has become a populist tool for conservative politicians.”
• Park Don-kyu (Chosun Ilbo public opinion reader editor) observed, “Young adults in their 20s–30s, more sensitive to fairness than other generations, are creating parodies claiming historical distortion,” adding, “Movies that exploit the 1970s–80s are also reaching their end.”
• Hwang Kyu-kwan (poet) argued, “There is no democracy that terrorizes art.”
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Seeking Refuge in German Bonds.

• Germany’s 10-year bond yield fell by 0.17 percentage points. Over the same period, the U.S. rose by 0.07 points, France by 0.14, and Italy by 0.07. Rising yields mean bond prices fell.
• Ales Koutny (Vanguard Head of International Rates) said, “Core European countries are emerging as safe-haven investments.” Reasons include relatively low debt ratios, fiscal credibility, and minimal policy uncertainty.
• Volatility intensified as repo transactions unwound.
• Rainout De Bock (UBS Head of European Rates Strategy) remarked, “The safe bond market is narrower than expected.”

A Resolution Calling for Kim Tae-gyu’s Expulsion Has Passed.

• It has passed the National Assembly Steering Committee, but even if it clears the plenary session, it holds no legal binding force.
• To expel someone, a motion for expulsion—not just a call for expulsion—must be approved by a two-thirds majority of all lawmakers. It must first pass through the ethics special committee, currently evenly split between ruling and opposition parties.
• Kim Tae-gyu (People Power Party lawmaker) appeared on JTBC and, when asked by the host, “Was Chun Doo-hwan’s act a rebellion or not?” replied, “I don’t think so.” Pressed again, “Even though there’s a legal ruling, you say it wasn’t?” he said, “I find it hard to agree outright that it was a rebellion, and it’s a matter that requires further historical evaluation.”
• People Power Party lawmakers argue, “Majority power cannot be used to forcibly restrict freedom of expression.”
• No Jong-myeon (Democratic Party lawmaker) proposed a bill to make the ethics committee permanent and structure it proportionally to party seat counts.
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Another Take.

Midterm Check on U.S. Midterm Elections.

• Both the Senate and House races are seen as tight.
• According to Crystal Ball analysis, Democrats and Republicans are likely to secure 213 and 202 seats, respectively, out of 435 House seats. 20 seats remain competitive. In the Senate, Democrats and Republicans hold 48 and 47 seats, respectively, with 5 seats undecided.
• The Cook Political Report noted, “A national environment favoring Democrats is forming, but control of the Senate remains hard to predict.”
• When asked by Time magazine, “Is there a possibility of declaring a pre-election emergency?” the response was, “We neither rule out nor confirm anything—wait and see.”
• A New York Times survey shows Democratic Senate candidates performing well in five Republican-leaning districts. Texas, Alaska, Ohio, and Iowa are among the states potentially flipping.
• Inflation, war, and data centers are wildcards.
• For Democrats to retain Senate majority, they must hold current seats and win four Republican-held seats.
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Who Bears Responsibility for the Democratic Party’s Seoul Mayor Election Loss?

• The Democratic Party is compiling a white paper. It is said to address the surging real estate prices and the prosecution dismissal controversy in its conclusions.
• The competitiveness of candidates, campaign strategies, and the Honam region nomination turmoil are also under evaluation. Depending on which cause is emphasized, it could escalate into a blame game between pro-Myung and pro-Cheong factions.
• A Democratic Party official met by Chosun Ilbo stated, “Since highlighting certain factors could frame blame on specific factions or individuals, we cannot help but proceed cautiously.”
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U.S. Treasury Yield Hits 5.34%: Panic Selling Begets More Panic Selling.

• U.S. 10-year Treasury yields rose to 5.34% during intraday trading on October 1—the highest level since 2002.
• U.K. 30-year bonds hit 6.02% and French 10-year bonds reached 4.96% during the same session.
• Mike Bell (RBC BlueBay Asset Management Head of Market Strategy) said, “Many investors have reached a point where they are cutting long positions at a loss or thinking, ‘I don’t want to hold these anymore as rates keep rising.’”
• High oil prices, fiscal deficit pressures, and big tech’s funding needs have converged. U.S. 30-year fixed mortgage rates have surged to 7.28%.
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U.S. Job Growth Slumps to One-Third of Expectations.

• U.S. nonfarm payrolls rose by 29,000 in September—far below the 84,000–90,000 forecast. The unemployment rate edged up from 4.1% to 4.2%.
• Hiring slowed even as rate hikes aimed to curb inflation. Speculation grows that the Fed will pause its rate hikes in October.

Police Raid an Emergency Room.

• The parents of a four-month-old infant who died are claiming medical negligence. Critics question whether a raid was necessary.
• A police official interviewed by Chosun Ilbo stated, “Swift evidence preservation was required.” They explained that they waited until treatment ended and inspected the room for about two minutes.
• Kwak Young-ho (Professor of Emergency Medicine at Seoul National University Hospital) said, “Patients are always present in emergency centers, and we must constantly monitor children lying down. There is effectively no time when there are no patients.”
• Cho Jin-seok (medical attorney) said, “Separate investigative execution standards should be established for emergency rooms, operating rooms, ICUs, and similar facilities.”
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Metropolitan Housing Starts at 29% of Annual Target.

• Only 78,000 units were started by July—29.1% of the annual target of 268,000 units.
• An anonymous industry source interviewed by JoongAng Ilbo said, “Private-sector construction starts don’t simply increase because the government emphasizes them; on-site conditions are what matter.”
• Rising construction costs, financing burdens, land compensation delays, and relocation hold-ups have compounded the issue.
• Kim In-man (Director of Kim In-man Real Estate Economics Institute) argued, “Financial support and tax incentives must be strengthened.”
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The Fix.

Dead in the Next Room, Unnoticed.

• Lone deaths totaled 3,924 (as of 2024). Men in their 60s and 50s accounted for 28% and 26%, respectively.
• According to the Dong-A Ilbo, lone deaths were frequent in aging urban cores behind bustling areas like Busan Jung-gu and Daegu Nam-gu.
• Jeong Soon-dul (Ewha Womans University Professor) analyzed, “Middle-aged and elderly people struggle to re-enter the workforce, losing vitality in relationships,” adding, “Men, especially, find it hard to ask for help, making them more vulnerable to lone deaths.”
• Seo Yi-jong (Seoul National University Professor) explained, “Lone death is the cruelest inequality,” noting, “Vulnerable groups are pushed into cheaper old downtown areas where family ties have weakened, leaving them exposed to risk.”
• In Japan, local governments partner with newspaper vendors and delivery companies to check on residents. If newspapers or packages pile up, the businesses alert municipal offices or police.
• The UK established a Ministry of Loneliness. It connects at-risk individuals with exercise groups, hobby clubs, or debt counseling.
• Australia has over 1,000 ‘Men’s Sheds’—community workshops where retired men gather for woodworking or gardening.
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It’s Not About Refusing to Sell—It’s About No Buyers.

• Kyunghyang Shinmun spoke with a 70-year-old farmland owner who said, “It’s not that we’re refusing to sell; the reality in rural areas is that even after listing our land at rock-bottom prices for a decade, no one is buying.”
• Han Eun-hwa (JoongAng Ilbo reporter) pointed out, “Before blaming misunderstandings, we must first reflect on how policies have fueled this instability.”
• By the end of August, farmland bank purchase-backlog land reached 3,320 hectares—equivalent to a 13-month delay compared to the January–August average.
• Shin Jang-sik (Lawmaker, Cho Kuk Innovation Party) noted, “The farmland bank does not unconditionally purchase all land; various conditions apply, including ownership, size, legal status, and price ceilings.”
• Jeong Jeong-ho (Chairman, Gyeonggi Union of Korean Next-Generation Farm Managers) urged, “Priority should be given to purchasing land from elderly farmers,” adding, “If paying the full price at once is difficult, partial payments could be considered.”
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Expanding Senior Employment to 1.18 Million Jobs.

• Lee Jae-myung (President) made these remarks at a National Senior Citizens’ Day ceremony.
• The government will strengthen basic pension support for low-income seniors and expand health insurance coverage to include caregiving costs.
• Related Link.

Herbicide Only for Weeds.

• Kim Hyung-seok (Director of Jeonbuk National University’s Intelligent Robot Research Institute) and his research team are developing an AI robot that sprays herbicide only on weeds.
• It distinguishes between soybean leaves and weeds using a camera.
• They collected over 219,770 images of training data.
• Once commercialized, it could reduce weeding labor and avoid herbicide exposure for soybeans.
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Friendship Benches: Sitting Side by Side with Grandmothers.

• Dixon Chibanda (Zimbabwean psychiatrist) began the friendship bench program with 14 grandmothers in 2006.
• When someone struggling mentally sits on the bench and shares their story, the grandmothers listen and empathize.
• The program spread to the U.S., the U.K., Germany, and beyond, reaching over 700,000 people.
• In an interview with Chosun Ilbo, Chibanda said, “The wisdom and experience of having lived decades in the same society is itself ‘a qualification.’”
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ICYMI.

Why Older Smartphones Are Getting Pricier.

• Samsung Electronics raised prices for the Galaxy S26 series by 149,600 won. The Ultra 1TB model saw a 270,000 won increase.
• Apple also hiked the iPhone 17 price by 160,000 won with the iPhone 18 launch.
• General-purpose PC DRAM prices hit $26—four times the $6.3 level of a year ago. HBM demand has tightened supplies of standard DRAM.
• Micron projected, “Memory supply-demand conditions will be even tighter in 2025 and 2028.”
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Hybrids Gain Ground in the U.S. Too.

• Hyundai Motor Group’s U.S. third-quarter sales hit 506,000 units.
• Hybrid sales surged 53.4% to 138,000 units, while EVs dropped 51% to 22,000 units.
• Kia outsold Hyundai domestically for the first time—driven by strong SUV sales.
• They sold 141,000 and 131,000 units respectively in Q3.
• Year-to-date, Kia leads with 448,000 vs. Hyundai’s 436,000.
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Third Carrier Heads to the Middle East.

• Theodore Roosevelt has departed. It will arrive by late November.
• A possible rotation with the George Washington is under consideration.
• In an interview with Time, Trump stated, “If no agreement is reached, airstrikes on Iran could resume after the midterms.”
• Related Link.

Is Chatting with a Patronizing AI Okay?

• We learn from each other precisely because we are imperfect.
• Dena Suskind (pediatric surgeon·child development researcher) said, “Relationships and friendships are not built through agreement” but “through missteps, ruptures, and repairs.” Can AI provide such experiences?
• It’s similar to weight training: muscles don’t develop if the weight is too light. The argument is that cultivating curiosity, critical thinking, and resilience takes more time than learning to use chatbots.
• Critics also warn that AI is more likely to replace human relationships in under-resourced homes and schools.
• Related Link.

Hedge Fund Leases Two Top Floors in Manhattan for $21.2 Million.

• Castlehook Partners, a hedge fund, has leased the top two floors of a new Manhattan building—4924 square meters.
• The Financial Times analyzed that competition for talent and return-to-office policies have driven demand for premium offices. Beyond high salaries, workspaces and amenities have become tools for attracting talent.
• Jeff Blau (CEO of Related) said, “People believe in New York’s future.”

Can a Mad Pilot Be Stopped?

• Flydubai’s aircraft nearly crashed after a fight between pilots, with 170 passengers and crew on board.
• The Wall Street Journal analyzed satellite tracking data: the plane descended 5.3 km at up to 39 degrees for 92 seconds, reaching Mach 0.96.
• Two other pilots in the cabin rushed in, took control, and reduced speed from 1,100 km/h to 720 km/h in 43 seconds—experiencing 3G forces, three times the gravity.
• The Boeing 737 MAX’s operational limit is 2.5G. The impact caused part of the rudder to detach, yet the plane landed safely at Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk airport after about an hour.
• Tony Parline (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University professor) said, “I’m not sure the aircraft can be used again” and stressed “a thorough inspection is needed.”
• Joel Sercel (TransAstra CEO) stated, “If a pilot tries to crash a plane, there’s no way to stop it unless another pilot on board intervenes.”
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“Would Maduro’s Arrest Be Celebrated?” Trump’s Question to Grok.

• Trump (U.S. President) asked the AI chatbot Grok during a meeting with Elon Musk (xAI CEO).
• Grok responded, “Maduro is an oppressive and unpopular dictator, so many citizens would welcome his downfall.” Speculation suggests Trump took a liking to Grok from that moment.
• Gizmodo noted, “It’s easy to imagine other scenarios where chatbots manipulate Trump.” The argument is that Trump’s blind faith in AI—despite rarely using computers himself—is deeply dangerous.
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Non-Apartment Rental Rate at 69%.

• Offices are 91.4%, multi-family homes are 81.4%.
• A multi-family housing developer interviewed by JoongAng Ilbo said, “What use is deregulation if there’s no one in the market to buy?”
• Kim Deok-rye (Head of Housing Policy Research at the Housing Industry Research Institute) argued, “To increase non-apartment housing, regulations on multiple homeowners and rental businesses must be relaxed.”
• Related Link.

Only One in Five Teslas Has FSD.

• Tesla’s South Korean sales reached 76,776 units through August this year.
• Of the 229,311 Teslas operating in South Korea as of August, only 47,458 units (21%) are capable of using FSD (Full Self-Driving). U.S.-made vehicles qualify, but Model 3 and Model Y vehicles produced in China lack the necessary certification.
• Despite its name, FSD is not fully autonomous—it remains a Level 2 driver-assist feature, contrary to its branding.
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Four Fingers Are Enough for a Robot Hand.

• Tape your pinky finger and live that way—you’ll find it’s not significantly inconvenient.
• Boston Dynamics’ Atlas reduced its fingers to four. Fewer parts mean fewer potential failures, yet functionality remains intact.
• It retains 13 degrees of motion freedom: four for the thumb, three each for the remaining fingers. Tactile sensors in the fingertips and palm adjust the force applied to objects.
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Rescue Operation for Beluga Whale Suspended.

• Kim Chang-deok (Director of Busan’s Green City Bureau) said, “We’ve decided to wait and see if it voluntarily heads out to open sea.”
• The plan to guide it out by towing with nets has failed.
• Related Link.

ADHD Prescriptions: Over Half for Under-19s.

• Methylphenidate prescriptions reached 58.05 million units in the first half of this year alone.
• A 38% increase in just two years.
• Misconceptions abound that it’s a “study-enhancing drug.” As a controlled medical narcotic, it is illegal without a doctor’s prescription.

“I Did It for the Military Exemption—That’s the Only Reward I Sought.”.

• Yang Min-hyuk (South Korean national football team player), who won gold at the Asian Games, said this.
• Na Kyung-won (People Power Party lawmaker) argued, “Eligibility criteria for military service exemptions in sports should be re-evaluated.”
• Calls to abolish the military service exemption system are growing. Alternatives—such as a mileage system that accumulates benefits across multiple competitions or deferred service after retirement—have been proposed before but never progressed beyond discussion.
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Chey Tae-won Sells 944 Billion Won Worth of SK Shares.

• His stake will decrease from 17.76% to 15.49%, but he remains the largest shareholder.
• This amount matches the court-ordered payment in the divorce lawsuit between Chey Tae-won (SK Chairman) and No So-young (Director of Art Center Nabi). The final appeal is pending.
• 400 billion won will be sold to strategic investors, while 544 billion won will be covered by an equity swap agreement with Korea Investment & Securities. He receives cash upfront but bears any gains or losses from stock price fluctuations.
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Worth Reading.

Democratic Party Civil War.

• “There are many cases where reform failed due to a competition for ideological clarity,” clashes with the admonition, “Caution causes failure by missing both timing and public sentiment.”
• Lee Jung-ae (Hankyoreh Columnist) assessed, “The selection of Kim Ji-yong (Corruption Investigation Office nominee) has become the frontline of a decisive battle.”
• “The public sees it not as a ‘struggle over reform direction’ but as a fight for control of the political situation, future nominations, and ultimately power,” the critique asserts.
• Related Link.

Low Wages and Low Productivity: A Vicious Cycle.

• “The problem isn’t just a lack of jobs—it’s that too many are low-quality.”
• Lee Sang-heon (ILO Chief Economist) in a Financial Times column.
• 58% of the world’s workers—2.1 billion people—are in informal employment. While economic growth was expected to reduce informal jobs, they’ve stagnated in recent years.
• Low-quality jobs may absorb surplus labor immediately, but they undermine social productivity and resilience, weakening the capacity to create better jobs.
• Lee emphasized, “This is especially critical for youth.” “Because a first job shapes not just income, but expectations, capabilities, and trust in the future.”
• Related Link.

AI Predicts Cheaply, But Judgment Remains.

• AI can analyze charts and calculate probabilities, but the choice between testing and treatment lies with the doctor’s judgment.
• Lee Joon-gi (Yonsei University Professor) noted, “Predictions without judgment are merely ingredients piled in a warehouse.”
• AI bears no responsibility. Judgment involves prioritizing values, accepting consequences for errors, and taking accountability for outcomes. The same prediction can lead to different actions depending on what is deemed important.
• As generation becomes easier, the need to evaluate and select results grows. The ability to decide what to discard is as crucial as the capacity to produce drafts and ideas.
• Related Link.

Not Thucydides’ Trap, But the Great Game.

• ‘Thucydides’ Trap’ refers to the idea that once a clash between a dominant power and a rising one begins, it becomes unstoppable.
• Rana Foroohar (Financial Times Columnist) analyzed that the US-China conflict resembles the 19th-century ‘Great Game’ between Britain and Russia more than ‘Thucydides’ Trap,’ with significant potential for both competition and cooperation.
• China’s strengths lie in manufacturing, supply chains, shipbuilding, ports, and critical raw materials.
• The US’s strengths are the dollar, finance, and tech giants.
• The Arctic route is another variable. China seeks alternatives to reduce reliance on the Suez and Panama Canals.
• Climate change could also drive a new ‘Great Game.’
• Foroohar noted, “External states could reverse the tide,” emphasizing, “How India, Japan, Canada, Türkiye, ASEAN, and the European Union build cooperative networks will be crucial.”
• Related Link.

The Prosecutors’ Office Is Gone, But the Special Investigations Unit Remains.

• Kim Tae-seop (former Democratic Party lawmaker) remarked, “It’s like treating a broken leg by operating on the heart.”
• “If you eliminate or drastically reduce investigative units like the Special Investigations Unit—which initiates and decides prosecutions within a single organization—the majority of the prosecution’s problems would have been resolved. Instead, the Democratic Party absurdly stripped investigative authority from general criminal divisions handling civil cases and seized control from the police, thereby crippling the foundation of the criminal procedure system.”
• Kim warned, “If the administration changes, a special prosecutor monopolizing investigative and prosecutorial power will dig into the Yoon Suk-yeol government’s scandals.” “Then, if the Democratic Party regains power, what will they do? Abolish the special prosecutor and create a ‘super-special’ prosecutor?”
• Related Link.

Let’s Lay It All Out and Talk.

• “No one can claim ultimate authority over the reconstructed outcome of a historical event.”
• Lee Joon-woong (Seoul National University Professor) baited, “It feels like research or investigative reporting that hasn’t even properly begun, let alone concluded.”
• Did Moon Se-gwang, who couldn’t speak Korean, enter the venue without an invitation?
• Did he steal the pistol from a police station instead of receiving it from North Korea?
• Did the president, who stood up again less than a minute after the shooting, continue his speech for eight more minutes?
• Did Japanese authorities focus on Moon’s testimony due to uncooperativeness?
• Lee Joon-woong emphasized, “Historical facts are claims of sincerity, validity, and accountability—each party humbly seeking review, criticism, and recognition from others, only verifiable post hoc.”
• Related Link.