Retreat on Farmland Investigation.

• The principle of “farmer ownership” — that those who farm should own the land — has dissolved into ambiguity. Threats to seize unregistered farmland were replaced by a retreat: “No action if not speculative.”
• Song Mi-rim (Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs) stated, “Working farmers need not worry — they will face no harm.”
• Among 1.36 million hectares (10.49 million parcels) of farmland acquired since 1996, 27% were suspected violations.
• Song acknowledged, “Criticism arose because the government inadequately explained how farmland would be handled post-investigation, causing widespread anxiety.”
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Five Exceptions and Three Disposal Conditions.

• The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs outlined five categories exempt from disposal.
• First, inherited farmland,
• second, customary leases entrusted by elderly farmers,
• third, farmland with complex ownership ties such as clan-held, temple-held, or unregistered inherited land,
• fourth, abandoned barren or sloped land,
• fifth, unpermitted agricultural warehouses, farmhouses, or temporary processing facilities.
• Inherited farmland will not be disposed of even if uncultivated or exceeding legal ownership limits, and elderly farmers who entrust land to neighbors or relatives need not separately prove lease compliance. Even if not in these five categories, land will be broadly exempt if deemed non-speculative.
• Disposal targets are limited to three speculative types:
• First, acquiring farmland in land transaction permit zones and then abandoning or leasing it without permission,
• second, acquiring farmland shares via auction and abandoning or leasing them without permission,
• third, real estate speculation through agricultural corporations or leases.
• If any of the three apply, a disposal order may follow after an explanation process; non-compliance incurs enforcement fines. Failure to comply within six months requires annual payments of 25% of the appraised or official land value.
• A 2–3 year grace period will be implemented. Customary leases will be legalized during this time if formalized in writing, and unpermitted facilities will be allowed retroactive approval. Mandatory farmland bank consignment has been changed to optional.
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The Limits of Bureaucratic Deskwork.

• The Chosun Ilbo assessed, “The government has effectively raised the ‘white flag.'”
• The Kyunghyang Shinmun pointed out, “It has retreated by issuing ‘indulgences’ without oversight.”
• In an editorial, the JoongAng Ilbo criticized, “Chaos escalated after policies were implemented as if directly transcribed from presidential orders, prompting a last-minute patch via a special measures law.” It added, “This is another chaos born from the Lee Jae-myung administration’s unilateral policy push, alongside leveraged ETFs.”
• The Dong-A Ilbo’s editorial labeled it “a classic case of ‘desk-based administration.'” This contrasts with the Hankyoreh’s editorial, which called it “a belated but correct direction.”
• Hwang Eui-sik (Director of GS&J Agricultural Innovation Research Institute) said, “A full audit is meaningful since the current state of farmland use is unknown, but the emphasis on forced disposal is problematic.”
• Jeong Min-na (Policy Committee Chair of the National Farmers’ Union) evaluated, “Many grievances among farmers have been significantly resolved through follow-up measures.”
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What Matters Now.

Samsung Electronics Posts 107.4 Trillion Won Operating Profit in Q3.

• It earns 1.2 trillion won per day.
• Samsung Electronics recorded 195 trillion won in revenue and 107.4 trillion won in operating profit for the third quarter — a record high for four consecutive quarters and the first among global big tech firms.
• The Chosun Ilbo assessed, “It has reached uncharted heights.” The Dong-A Ilbo noted, “An era of ‘100 trillion won in operating profit’ that even Nvidia couldn’t achieve,” while the JoongAng Ilbo called it, “The world’s most profitable company, Samsung Electronics.”
• Memory supply shortages persist. TrendForce forecasts that general DRAM contract prices will rise 10–15% in the fourth quarter.
• There are shadows to the semiconductor boom. Analysis suggests that combined operating losses in smartphones and home appliances — sectors struggling to pass on rising component costs to consumers — may exceed 1 trillion won. The phrase “two Samsungs under one roof” has emerged.
• The won’s 14%+ appreciation is also a burden for Samsung, which relies heavily on overseas sales.
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Record Profits, Slumping Shares.

• Samsung Electronics’ stock price plummeted 2.4%. Despite more than doubling this year, it remains over 25% below June’s peak.
• Hwang Se-woon (Senior Research Fellow, Capital Market Institute) assessed, “It’s a stock that functions like an ATM for foreigners.”
• Kim Dong-won (Head of Research, KB Securities) stated, “A PER of 4x is an extreme undervaluation.” Shin Joong-ho (Head of Research Center, LS Securities) noted, “We must also consider how investment burdens at clients like Google and Microsoft could impact semiconductor demand.”
• Related Link.

Three Memory Firms Post 240 Trillion Won in Operating Profit.

• Brokerage consensus estimates SK Hynix at 77.1 trillion won, Micron Technology at $4.37 billion (58.5 trillion won).
• Operating margins for all three approach 80% — compared to Korea’s manufacturing average of around 7%.

Philadelphia Semiconductor Index Plunges 3.4%.

• S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq fell -0.47%, 0.10%, and -1.25% respectively.
• Concerns over OpenAI’s revenue falling far short of expectations.
• Reports initially cited $70 billion, but estimates now suggest it may barely reach $50 billion.
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CPTPP Delayed Again.

• Kang Yu-jeong (Blue House Spokesperson) stated, “Restoring trust between the government and farmers/fishermen is the priority,” adding, “Rather than setting deadlines, we will fully listen to their opinions.”
• The CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) is a multilateral trade agreement involving 12 countries including Japan, Australia, Canada, Singapore, and Mexico. While manufacturing production is projected to grow by over 6 trillion won annually, analyses suggest agricultural and fisheries production could decline by more than 850 billion won.
• A government official interviewed by the Dong-A Ilbo said, “The President wants to pursue the CPTPP to diversify trade order beyond U.S.- and Chinese-centric systems,” but emphasized, “We must assess conditions, including farmer opinions.”
• Related Link.
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No Apology? Summoning Ukraine’s Envoy.

• Cho Jung (Minister of Foreign Affairs) said, “We received a message containing the word ‘apology,’” but added, “It fell short of our expectations, so we decided to take firm action.”
• Heorhiy Tyhyi (Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson) stated, “No apology was made,” and expressed regret that “the two countries have reached a stage of exchanging criticism.”
• Following the summoning of Andriy Beshkin (Ukrainian Chargé d’Affaires to South Korea) to protest, Seoul decided to recall Park Ki-chang (South Korea’s Ambassador to Ukraine).
• Kim Dae-sik (People Power Party lawmaker) criticized, “The government is handling diplomacy too emotionally.”
• Park Byung-hwan (Director of the Eurasia Strategy Research Institute) warned, “Ukraine is likely to retaliate,” and emphasized, “A calm response is necessary.”
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Deep Dive.

Why Won’t the U.S. Issue a Visa to Rep. Jung Chung-rae?

• Jung Chung-rae (Democratic Party lawmaker) was originally assigned to the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee and tasked with overseeing overseas missions.
• His U.S. visa was denied, so he was reassigned to the Europe inspection team.
• Jung participated in the 1989 occupation protest at the U.S. ambassador’s residence.
• He received a visa in 2012 but was denied in 2013.
• Jung stated, “I’m not sure why, but it’s regrettable.”
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North Korea Rejects Medical Equipment Aid.

• Kim Yo-jong (Director-General of the Workers’ Party of Korea) lashed out, “The Republic’s absolute and unchanging stance is that there is no need to exchange or even face South Korea.” She used strong language, calling it “a humiliation and a perverted political provocation against our state.”
• Im Eun-chul (Professor at Kyungnam University’s Institute for Far Eastern Studies) analyzed, “The government’s push for ‘publicly announced’ aid to North Korea was the key factor that provoked Kim Yo-jong’s fierce backlash.”
• Related Link.
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Syria’s Military Intervention.

• Syria is considering deploying 10,000–20,000 troops to Saudi Arabia. The Houthi rebels in Yemen have attacked Saudi Arabia, and Syria appears poised to counter the Houthis.
• Mohammed bin Salman (Saudi Crown Prince) met with Ahmed al-Shaara (Syrian President) to request troops, and speculation suggests Syria is likely to approve.
• Turkey and Pakistan have also joined the conflict. Under the Mecca Joint Defense Pact, they are focused on defending Saudi Arabia. With the U.S. withdrawing from the Middle East, some observers speculate this could evolve into a Middle Eastern version of NATO.

Another Take.

Lee Hwa-young Not Eligible for Parole Review.

• Lee Jin-soo (Acting Minister of Justice) stated, “The legal requirements have not yet been met.”
• Despite defense claims that “Lee Hwa-young (former Vice Governor of Gyeonggi Province) is extremely angry,” she submitted a handwritten statement clarifying, “There are parts that do not reflect my true intentions.”
• The phrase, “I empathize with the President’s anguish over suffering from fabricated slander,” also drew attention.
• Chosun Ilbo reported that Lee Hwa-young had 454 external meetings over the past year and four months.
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Prosecution Rejects Judicial Assistance Request in Han Dong-hoon’s Daughter’s Copyright Case.

• This is a 2022 case. Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency requested judicial assistance from the U.S. to verify copyright infringement allegations against Han Dong-hoon (then Minister of Justice)’s daughter, but Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office rejected the request.
• Han Ji-yoon (Han Dong-hoon’s daughter) was accused of creating and selling e-books on Amazon using math problems made by others.
• Kong Bong-suk (Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office prosecutor) stated, “It is highly unusual to request judicial assistance for a copyright infringement case of that scale,” adding, “Minor cases are often rejected by the U.S. in practice.”
• Related Link.

Jeonse Prices Outpace Sales Prices.

• Seoul apartment sales prices rose 0.12%, while jeonse prices increased 0.16%.
• This year’s cumulative rise: jeonse 8.35%, sales 8.31%.
• Seo Jin-hyeong (Professor at Kwangwoon University) said, “A shift toward owner-occupancy reduces jeonse suppliers in the rental market.” He warned, “Insufficient housing supply could prolong upward pressure on jeonse prices for a considerable period.”
• Nam Hyuk-woo (Woori Bank researcher) analyzed, “Rising home prices in Suwon due to Samsung Electronics’ internal loans are pushing upgrade demand to Bundang, while first-time buyers—burdened by costs—are shifting to Byeongjeom and Osan, spreading the price surge.”
• Related Link.
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The Fix.

The Betrayal of Paper Straws.

• Analysis shows plastic straws may have less environmental impact. The findings come from a study commissioned by the Ministry of Climate, Environment, and Energy.
• Paper and biodegradable plastic straws each have impacts such as ionizing radiation and ecotoxicity.
• The conclusion: “Straws are essentially non-recyclable regardless of material.” The Korea Life-Cycle Assessment Association emphasized, “A blanket ban on plastic straws while excluding other single-use alternatives is inappropriate.”
• Lee Sang-don (Professor at Ewha Womans University) stated, “Products marketed as eco-friendly may only be sustainable in specific stages like production or disposal, but not across their entire lifecycle.” He added, “When formulating environmental policies, lifecycle assessments should be standardized to rigorously evaluate their true impact.”
• Related Link.

ICYMI.

AI-Generated Music and Bot Streams? 18 Months in Prison.

• He faces charges of operating up to 10,000 bot accounts to unlawfully generate revenue. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York sentenced a music producer to 18 months in prison, two years of probation, and forfeiture of $8.09 million.
• The tracks amassed 80.9 million views on YouTube Music. During the same period, Taylor Swift (singer) had 9.3 million.
• Since music platforms distribute revenue based on views, inflated counts reduce earnings for legitimate artists.
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Captain Q Returns After 11 Years.

• It’s the legendary whiskey that sold 10 million bottles within a year after its 1980 release. Discontinued in 2015, it’s now relaunching as a limited edition of 12,000 sets.
• 360mL, 35% ABV, priced at ₩9,900.
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The Death Row Survivor.

• There is an inmate who survived lethal injection. Christa Pike (death row inmate) awoke after six days in a coma. Her first words were, “Where am I?”
• The first known case of surviving two drug administrations, leaving no precedent for follow-up procedures.
• Tennessee prosecutors are considering re-executing her. She suffers from blood clots, pneumonia, and struggles to eat. Christa Pike has been on death row since 1996 for murdering a friend.
• Discussions are emerging about reinstating the electric chair or hanging. Her defense team is demanding commutation to life without parole.
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Worth Reading.

Why We Must Read Long Texts Consciously.

• When people stop reading, politics changes. James Marriott (Times columnist) warned, “We may shift from politics where arguments are weighed in writing to one where reactions are driven by a leader’s expressions, voice, anger, or charm.”
• “Leaders adept at video and social media—like Trump and Nayib Bukele (El Salvador president)—find it easier to prioritize personal authority over deliberation and checks,” the analysis continues.
• Marriott emphasized, “Active cognitive resistance—consciously reading long texts—is necessary.”
• Related Link.

Why Men Disengage from Climate Discourse.

• Research suggests it’s due to fears of appearing “feminine.”
• Men highly invested in maintaining masculinity showed less interest in climate change, according to Michael Hasselmann (UC Riverside professor).
• When water-saving showerheads were framed as money-saving products, 80% of men chose them—but this dropped 10 percentage points when described as environmentally friendly.
• Katharine Hayhoe (Texas Tech University professor) noted, “Often, the resistance stems not from scientific denial but from rejecting solutions.”
• Admitting reluctance to solve serious problems is difficult. This can trigger motivated reasoning—seeking justification that the issue is insignificant or nonexistent.
• Philita Clark (Financial Times columnist) observed, “Sometimes the best thing for the planet is to avoid mentioning it altogether.”
• Related Link.

Land to the Tiller, a Tale of Tangled Histories.

• Jeong Eun-jung (rural sociology researcher) noted, “In rural areas, those who own but do not exist, and those who exist but do not own, are intertwined,” adding, “Even when pressed for time, effort must be made to listen carefully to their lamentations.”
• “Calculating fair compensation for elderly farmers’ ‘last remaining asset’—their land—and connecting those who need farmland with arable plots to sustain agriculture is no overnight task. It requires people, funds, time, and dedication to ensure this 78-year-old challenge does not end in vain.”
• Related Link.

Questions Left by ‘The Assassin(s).’.

• After the film ‘JFK,’ the U.S. enacted a JFK special law and declassified documents. It set a precedent: “One need not believe the conspiracy, but one must be able to verify it.”
• What about the film ‘The Assassin(s)’? Critics argue it sowed doubt but fled at the decisive moment.
• Choi Min-woo (JoongAng Ilbo deputy editor) called it “propaganda aiming to steer a specific conclusion rather than uncover substantive truth.”
• “Cover-ups only fuel conspiracy theories,” Choi added, suggesting, “It’s time to calmly revisit the full circumstances surrounding the death of Roh Moo-hyun (former president).”
• “The record should not only address whether bribes were exchanged but also whether the prosecution’s investigation was reckless and if there was higher-level involvement from the MB government. This is especially true if one genuinely mourns the deceased.”
• Related Link.

Can a Film Be Made About Roh Moo-hyun’s Alleged Puppet Masters?

• Lee Jae-sung (Hankyoreh columnist) retorted, “If it can be made, then make it.”
• Commercial filmmaking is a cold industry where profit calculations come first—ideology alone cannot sustain a film.
• This is different from the ‘Tank Day’ controversy. The truth of May 18th is clearly established, while the death of Yuk Young-soo (Park Chung-hee’s wife) remains shrouded in unresolved suspicions due to botched investigations.
• Lee labeled the stigmatizing attacks on ‘The Assassin(s)’ as “cultural vandalism,” noting, “If even this level of cinematic imagination is not permitted, it is no different from the censorship of the dictatorship era.”
• Related Link.

Shine Muscat Moment.

• Park Yong (Donga Ilbo editorial writer) noted, “When everyone speaks of prosperity, someone must prepare for a ‘Shine Muscat moment.’” This refers to the 71% price collapse of the once “king of grapes,” Shine Muscat.
• “A sudden winter could also strike the memory semiconductor market, where competitors like the U.S., China, and Japan are aggressively expanding investment and supply,” he warned.
• Related Link.

Internalizing Hostility.

• This describes the phenomenon where anger once directed at the enemy eventually targets less radical allies perceived as insufficiently combative.
• Cho Hee-yeon (former Seoul Metropolitan Education Superintendent) noted, “The starting point was a pure longing for a better world, but tragedy begins when that longing becomes absolute.”
• “In the moment one believes revolution is at hand, obstacles are no longer just the enemy but also those slowing progress within one’s own ranks. A reversal occurs: striking comrades becomes revolutionary in itself, rather than a means to revolution.”
• “Activists were once pure when dedicating themselves to sacrificial struggle, but the moment revolution (self-sacrificial movement) becomes a system (power), self-interest seeps into the foundation of purity, and the dynamics of self-politics and factional politics take hold. Here, fractures emerge between periods of mobilization and decline. Mobilization’s militancy easily targets the enemy, but during decline, the complexity of circumstances is blamed on comrades’ inadequacy. The enemy remains the same, but the gaze turns inward.”
• Cho Hee-yeon emphasized, “The lifespan of a movement or party depends on how much difference it can embrace—‘comradely pluralism.’”
• Related Link.