Ose-hun Acquitted: Same Recording, Different Interpretations.

• Ose-hun (Seoul Mayor) was acquitted in the appeal trial over the alleged proxy payment of opinion poll costs.
• The original 10 million won fine was overturned.
• Ose-hun was accused of receiving opinion polls from Myeong Tae-gyun (broker) ahead of the 2021 by-election and having a donor pay 33 million won instead. The appellate court deemed Myeong’s key testimony unreliable.
• First, the survey questionnaire was sent about an hour before the time Myeong initially claimed to have received the request. The court considered the possibility that Myeong conducted the survey independently.
• Second, a recording of Myeong surfaced: “Anyway, Ose-hun doesn’t know. He doesn’t need to worry. I’ll handle it.”
• Third, the court ruled, “If not proven beyond reasonable doubt, the benefit of doubt must go to the defendant.”
• Regarding the same recording, the special prosecution emphasized the line, “Ose-hun shouldn’t be secretly implicated in rumors,” arguing it implied his awareness.
• Kim Yong-min (Democratic Party lawmaker) claimed, “If a third party pays for opinion polls received before an election, holding the recipient accountable aligns with the intent of the Political Funds Act.” The People Power Party called it an overreach by the special prosecution.
• Han Min-su (Democratic Party lawmaker) criticized, “Another reason to impeach Cho Hee-dae (Chief Justice of the Supreme Court).”
• The Korea Daily editorialized, “To regain Seoul’s soured public sentiment, the focus should be on policy competition, not ‘attacking Ose-hun.’”
• The Hankyoreh editorial criticized, “By fixating only on testimony flaws and dismissing organic links between indirect evidence—such as the timing and circumstances of the payment, fund flow, and relationships/behavior of involved parties—it will become even harder to punish violations of the Political Funds Act by politicians in the future.”
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Why Some in the Democratic Party Say It’s a Relief.

• “It might be a relief that the mayoral election isn’t happening,” a Democratic Party lawmaker told Chosun Ilbo. It’s a sign of how little confidence they have in Seoul’s public sentiment.
• Sung Han-yong (senior Hankyeoreh reporter) warned, “If the Seoul mayoral by-election disappears, the Democratic Party’s chance for renewal vanishes entirely.” He added, “A party that thinks avoiding elections is better because it fears defeat isn’t worthy of the name,” and assessed, “The conservative opposition, which was dying after Yoon Suk-yeol’s (former president) impeachment and the People Power Party’s election defeat, now has a new rallying figure in Oh Se-hoon.”
• Kim Min-seok (Democratic Party leader) once said, “If a Seoul mayoral by-election occurs, I’ll put my leadership position on the line and seek a vote of confidence.”
• In last week’s Gallup Korea poll, Lee Jae-myung (president)’s approval rating averaged 40% nationwide but dropped to 30% in Seoul. The top reason for disapproval was real estate policy (18%).
• Khan Newspaper analyzed that the conservative camp’s competition has become a three-way race between Oh Se-hoon, Jang Dong-hyeok (People Power Party leader), and Han Dong-hoon (independent lawmaker). One People Power Party official said, “Oh Se-hoon is clearly a presidential contender, but as a metropolitan mayor, he’ll struggle to influence legislative nominations.” It’s a reminder that presidential viability and party control are separate matters.
• Oh Se-hoon attended a parliamentary photographers’ sports event yesterday and remarked, “The general election is now approaching.”
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What Matters Now.

No Law Change, Just 52-Hour Exceptions?

• Lee Jae-myung (President) said, “If the process is inconvenient, they can just pre-approve it broadly—why create a new system for that?”
• Semiconductor R&D personnel are already eligible for special extended work hours of up to six months.
• Lee Jae-myung emphasized, “Under no circumstances should there be a plan to exempt companies from compensating for overtime under a special law.”
• A business executive interviewed by Chosun Ilbo stated, “The special extended hours mentioned by the president have fundamental limitations, and companies argue that a complete exemption from the 52-hour workweek must be reflected in the law.”
• A Blue House official explained, “The intent was to review options from multiple angles, not to revise the enforcement decree.”
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Bank Delinquency Rate Hits 0.69%.

• Highest since October 2016.
• Household credit loan delinquency rate stands at 0.91%.
• A automotive parts company CEO interviewed by Dong-A Ilbo said, “Variable-rate loan interest rates have jumped from the high 4% range to the mid-5% range annually,” adding, “I can’t sleep worrying about the mounting interest.”
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Lee Jae-myung’s Approval Rating Rebounds.

• Recovered to 40% in a Gallup Korea poll.
• The Democratic Party and People Power Party stand at 37% and 28%, respectively.
• Public opinion on Cho Hee-dae (Chief Justice)’s impeachment is split: 34% in favor, 39% opposed.
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Park Gyun-taek and Yang Bu-nam.

• Both individuals reportedly being considered for justice minister have a history of demanding dismissal of charges against Lee Jae-myung (President). Park Gyun-taek also defended in the Baekhyeon-dong case.
• Yang Bu-nam (Democratic Party lawmaker) said, “If the conditions are met, charges should naturally be dismissed whether it’s a presidential case or a case involving ordinary citizens.” Park Gyun-taek (Democratic Party lawmaker) stated, “If it’s proven that the investigation and indictment were wrongful, an apology and withdrawal are only right.”
• Na Kyung-won (People Power Party lawmaker) criticized, “The public awaited a justice minister, but the president is choosing his own lawyer. Everyone knows the next step is charge dismissal.”
• A Democratic Party lawmaker interviewed by Hankyeoreh pointed out, “If someone who defended the president becomes minister, any decision they make could face political suspicion.”
• According to Kyunghyang Shinmun, three officials under the Senior Secretary to the President for Civil Affairs—Lee Tae-hyung (Public Ethics Secretary), Jeon Chi-young (Civil Affairs Secretary), and Lee Jang-hyung (Justice Secretary)—along with Jo Won-cheol (head of the Legislative Research Service) and Kim Hee-soo (director of NIS Planning and Coordination) are also former defense lawyers for Lee Jae-myung. Kyunghyang Shinmun emphasized, “A minister who won’t face doubts about political neutrality and fairness is needed.”
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Deep Dive.

Shincheonji Membership Scandal in Daejeon.

• Probe into alleged mass Shincheonji membership applications sparked clashes between the Democratic Party’s pro-Moon and pro-Cheong factions.
• Lee Sung-yoon (Democratic Party lawmaker, pro-Cheong faction) insisted, “The investigation results must be disclosed to the public and party members as they are.” Park Seon-won (Democratic Party lawmaker, pro-Moon faction) retorted, “We’ll disclose it at the press center.” According to Chosun Ilbo, Kim Min-seok (Democratic Party leader) widened his eyes in surprise, and other attendees intervened to block the press conference.
• Park Seong-jun (Democratic Party spokesperson) said, “The conclusion was that it needs further discussion.”
• Jeong Cheong-rae (Democratic Party lawmaker) argued, “Just disclose the findings as they are. If there’s something, address it; if not, move on.”
• The conflict erupted during the August party convention. The pro-Moon faction suspected Shincheonji of supporting the pro-Cheong faction, while the pro-Cheong faction dismissed it as baseless conspiracy. Claims of 30,000–50,000 mass applications circulated but remain unverified.
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North Korea’s 960,000 Landmines.

• Some of the mines laid after 2024 border fortification work may lie south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), as South and North Korea have differing interpretations of the MDL.
• According to Dong-A Ilbo, adding 960,000 to the existing estimate of 2 million brings the total to 3 million.
• Kim Hong-cheol (Director General for Defense Policy at the Ministry of National Defense) said, “We formally propose holding military talks between the two Koreas.”
• Shin Beom-chul (Senior Research Fellow at the Sejong Institute) questioned, “I doubt we have any leverage to bring North Korea to the negotiating table.”
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Kim Jong-un’s Day Trip to China.

• He crossed the newly opened Sinuiju-Yantai Bridge to visit Dandong and met Wang Huning (Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, ranked fourth in Chinese power hierarchy).
• Assessments suggest North Korea has entered an era of “security with Russia, economy with China.”
• Im Chul (professor at Kyungnam University’s Institute for Far Eastern Studies) told Kyunghyang Shinmun, “Kim’s ‘pragmatic diplomacy’ that uses rhetoric and ideology to secure tangible gains.”
• Kim Sung-bae (Director of the National Security Strategy Institute) analyzed, “It’s a signal to refocus Trump’s attention on North-Korea–U.S. dialogue.” Hong Min (research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification) forecasted, “There remains a possibility that this visit could create an opportunity for Beijing to invite Kim to the APEC summit in Shanghai.”
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Creating an HD Kiewit Korea.

• HD Hyundai and U.S. construction firm Kiewit will establish a joint venture. Construction is set to begin next year, with operations scheduled for 2029. The Texas Gulf Coast near the Gulf of Mexico is a leading candidate site.
• Hanwha Ocean’s Hanwha-Philippine Shipyard serves as a cautionary tale. It secured orders for three 3,600 TEU container ships, each priced at around $330 million—more than double the cost in South Korea or China. Labor costs are high, and skilled workers are in short supply.

Another Take.

Will Crypto Taxation Be Delayed for the Fourth Time?

• Virtual asset taxation, passed in 2020 for implementation in 2022, has been postponed twice, with January next year as the current deadline.
• Observations suggest the Blue House is considering another delay. A Blue House official met by Kyunghyang Shinmun stated, “There are aspects of respecting young people’s asset-building efforts.”
• Kim Hyung-dong (Professor at Pai Chai University) warned, “Another delay could instill the perception that ‘resisting will lead to tax abolition,’ potentially fueling unnecessary tax resistance.”
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Will the Shy Trump Effect Materialize?

• D-8, U.S. midterm elections are becoming even harder to predict.
• Cook Political Report classifies 202 seats for Democrats and 187 for Republicans as safe among 435 House seats. Of the 46 competitive districts, 34 are Republican-held. Democrats need to win 16 of these to secure a majority.
• U.S. polls tend to overestimate Democrats. While they are leading, the final outcome remains uncertain.
• Speculation also suggests Republicans may refuse to accept election results. When Reuters asked 26 Senate race candidates in battleground states about concession, only 14 pledged unconditional acceptance.

Netanyahu Likely to Fall Short of Majority.

• Israel’s general election is on October 27. It is a pivotal vote for Benjamin Netanyahu (Israeli Prime Minister), who has dominated politics for over 18 years across three terms.
• Israeli politics are split into three blocs: the right-wing+religious coalition backing Netanyahu, the opposition change bloc seeking a government turnover, and independent Arab parties.
• Of the 7.3 million voters, 77% are Jewish and 18% Arab.
• A Times of Israel poll shows Netanyahu’s allies and opponents each holding 51 of 120 seats—a razor-thin tie. A coalition of at least 61 seats is required to form a government. The final results will be confirmed on November 4.

“My Daughter Is a Liar” Ad Sparks Backlash.

• An Ohio election ad has sparked controversy. Vivek Ramaswamy (Republican candidate) featured Amy Acton (Democratic candidate)’s mother in the ad. “My daughter is a liar,” she claimed, adding, “Acton should not become governor.”
• Acton has asserted she has not been in contact with her mother since age 12. Her stepfather was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting Acton, and her mother lost custody of Acton and her younger brother.
• Mike DeWine (Ohio Governor) stated, “This ad is clearly wrong.”
• Ramaswamy said, “We will stand by what we know is right and true, and we will not apologize.”
• The New York Times noted, “The key question is whether voters will be outraged by the ad’s cruelty—or simply remember the ‘liar’ attack more strongly.”

France’s Vicious Cycle of Fiscal and Political Stagnation.

• “This country is running out of money, patience, and solutions.”
• The French government unleashed massive subsidies when energy prices soared between 2022–2024. The state absorbed costs on behalf of households, leaving a mountain of fiscal deficits. The Wall Street Journal called it “a belated inflation shock.” France spent during the first crisis and now has no funds left for the second.
• France’s public debt stands at 120% of GDP, with an annual fiscal deficit of 5%. Government spending accounts for 57% of GDP.
• Since losing its parliamentary majority in 2024, Macron’s government has struggled to pass budgets. A pension reform to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 also collapsed. Reducing the deficit requires tax hikes or spending cuts—both politically unviable.
• 32% of the education budget goes to public pensions for retired staff. Spending is high, yet education is underfunded and teachers are scarce.
• Simon Kuper (Financial Times columnist) noted, “Police used tear gas and riot gear against peaceful students, yet failed to appear when shop owners looted by rioters asked for help.”
• Jean Tirole (Toulouse School of Economics professor) observed, “Financial markets fear a scenario where nothing happens.” France’s social contract is unraveling.
• The fiscal issue ultimately boils down to who pays more and which spending gets prioritized. Concerns grow that France might drift toward the far right. Marine Le Pen (National Rally leader) insists cutting government spending and EU contributions to shrink the deficit.
• Zanny Minton Beddoes (Financial Times columnist) predicted, “Young people demand fairer competition but are increasingly likely to embrace capitalist tendencies.”
• Last weekend, 410,000 protesters joined demonstrations according to government estimates—800,000 by organizers’ counts.
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Tesla + SpaceX = Musk Inc.

• It’s a vision to consolidate space, satellites, cars, robots, and AI under one company.
• Combined, the two companies’ market caps reach $3.5 trillion. Gene Munster (Deepwater Asset Management investor) said, “No company of any scale has ever existed like this.”
• Some argue that $2 trillion of the $3.5 trillion is either a bubble or a Musk premium.
• Elon Musk (Tesla CEO) holds 20% of Tesla but controls 85% of SpaceX’s voting rights. If SpaceX acquires Tesla, Musk’s dominance could strengthen further.
• Looking at the Musk Inc. portfolio: cars have already lost competitiveness, robots are not yet delivering results. The only area still buoyed by market expectations is AI. That’s why SpaceX’s stock—with its merger of xAI—remains afloat.
• Aswath Damodaran (NYU professor) analyzed, “If SpaceX secures a 10GW-scale data center, it could become the next Nvidia.”
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Mexico’s Dilemma: Buying from China, Selling to America.

• Trump accused Mexico of serving as a backdoor for Chinese goods. Though Mexico raised tariffs to 50% under U.S. pressure, Chinese car imports keep rising.
• Mexico sends 80% of its exports to the U.S. but relies heavily on Chinese and Asian components and equipment for manufacturing.
• Jody Kin (ODI Global Senior Researcher) said, “It’s part of integrated industrial production, so tariffs can’t easily dismantle it.” If the U.S. demands Mexico reduce Chinese parts, Mexico would need to switch suppliers or produce them domestically.
• The U.S. condemns Mexico-China trade as a “Trojan horse”—a way for Beijing to bypass U.S. trade barriers.
• José Luis Bernal (former Mexican ambassador to Beijing) said, “Mexico needs China, China needs Mexico, and the U.S. needs both.”
• The U.S. insists Mexico use more American-made parts. Claudia Sheinbaum (Mexican President) chose to appease the U.S. rather than clash with Trump.
• Neil Shearing (Capital Economics Economist) noted, “Satisfying Trump risks angering Beijing.”
• Tariffs imposed to placate the U.S. also apply to imports from South Korea, India, and Brazil—raising trade costs. Mexico’s growth forecast for this year is 1.3%, below Latin America’s 2.2% average.
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Meta Joins the Negative Club.

• Even assuming 100 million users pay $20 monthly, annual revenue would be $24 billion—just 12% of the projected $200 billion in capital expenditures. The sharp stock drop despite an earnings surprise signals investors are scrutinizing the scale of investments and their return potential more closely.
• Meta’s Q3 revenue grew 26%, but cash flow was -$2.1 billion.
• Long-term debt rose from $28.8 billion at end-2024 to $80.9 billion in Q3 this year.
• Meta holds $82 billion in cash and marketable securities—still not cash-strapped.
• Fitch warned, “The risk is bills piling up long before AI operations generate enough profit to cover costs.”
• Meta’s 5-year CDS spread widened to 116 basis points. Credit markets, like equity investors, are now pricing in greater risk.

The Fix.

Health + Welfare Non-Regular Workers Double.

• Numbers rose from 980,000 in 2019 to 1.87 million this year—nearly doubling.
• Non-regular workers now account for 55% of health + welfare jobs, up from 45%.
• Oh Geon-ho (co-representative of “The Welfare State We Make”) said, “The system must be improved by expanding public care infrastructure and stabilizing employment for care workers in both public and private sectors.”
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Subsidies That Reward Heavy Oil Consumers.

• The petroleum price cap has been in place for over seven months. This year’s supplementary budget and next year’s budget proposal each reflect 4.2 trillion won and 1.4 trillion won respectively.
• Shin Hyun-song (Bank of Korea Governor) said, “Considering fiscal sustainability, it doesn’t seem like a system that can be maintained long-term.” Lee Hyung-il (Minister of Economy and Finance) stated, “The war hasn’t ended, so it’s difficult to halt immediately.”
• The Korea Institute for Industrial Economics & Technology pointed out, “Benefits disproportionately flow to high oil consumers, weakening incentives to conserve.”
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Leaves Fall Before Autumn Colors Appear.

• Premature leaf fall was observed in konara oak, mountain ash, king cherry, and staghorn maple trees starting in late August.
• Jang Hyun-do (National Arboretum Forest Researcher) explained, “Consecutive heatwaves, droughts, and pest damage are accelerating the ‘early leaf drop’ phenomenon.”
• September nationwide precipitation was 26.4mm—just 17% of the annual average. The average temperature was 1.2°C higher than usual. As trees reduce water loss, the period for accumulating energy needed for photosynthesis and growth also shortens.
• Lim Yeon-jin (National Arboretum Forest Research Officer) noted, “We’ve also observed new leaves sprouting again before winter due to leaves falling excessively early.” Repeated cycles of this process could deplete stored energy, affecting growth the following year.
• Pine wilt disease has also increased by 19% to 1.77 million trees.
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Foreigners’ Health Insurance Posts 1 Trillion Won Surplus.

• Last year, premiums amounted to 2.5 trillion won, while benefits paid were 1.5 trillion won.
• When limited to Chinese enrollees, premiums and benefits were 956.4 billion won and 997.3 billion won respectively, resulting in a 40.9 billion won deficit.
• Kang Chung-hee (Korea Health Insurance Corporation Chairman) stated, “While diplomacy is based on reciprocity, no country applies reciprocity to health security issues,” adding, “The principle is to treat people first when they are sick.”
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ICYMI.

Why All-You-Can-Eat Eel Restaurants Are Proliferating.

• Eel farmgate prices have plummeted to 15,000 won per kilogram. A franchise offering single servings at 9,800 won has even emerged.
• Farmed eels are raised using wild glass eels (fry) as seed stock. Last year’s catch surge caused fry prices to crash from 3,000–6,000 won per piece to 300–500 won.
• A hatchery owner interviewed by Chosun Ilbo explained, “With feed, electricity, and labor costs totaling 25,000 won per kilogram, every shipment deepens our debt.”
• As hanwoo beef prices rebound, more low-cost beef and shabu-shabu restaurants are switching to eel menus.
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Is Munhakdongne Becoming Daoukium?

• Daoukium Group has been selected as the preferred negotiator for acquiring Munhakdongne.
• Kang Tae-hyung (Munhakdongne founder) stated, “We considered a party that would guarantee and enhance the rights of writers and employees.”
• The plan is to sell 100% of shares, including Kang Tae-hyung’s 41.5% stake and other shareholders’ stakes.
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Why Do Leaves Turn Red Before Falling?

• As chlorophyll disappears, yellows and oranges hidden beneath the green emerge.
• Red leaves are different—they don’t reveal hidden colors but synthesize a new pigment called anthocyanin.
• Some say it’s a warning signal to aphids; others claim it’s a process to manage remaining carbohydrates.
• Lee Jeong-mo (Penguin Various Science Museum Director) emphasized, “Science isn’t a warehouse of answers but a gradual shifting of the boundary between what we know and what we don’t.”
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Worth Reading.

How to Control Courts While Ensuring Judicial Independence.

• While the Constitution guarantees judicial independence, it does not mean trials are untouchable.
• Ryu Young-jae (Uijeongbu District Court Judge) noted, “Simply ensuring independence does not automatically make the judiciary prioritize protecting minorities, guaranteeing fundamental rights, or checking executive power,” adding, “Separate from safeguarding judicial independence, there is a need to supervise whether the judiciary fulfills its role and to control it so that it does not become a dominant power under the guise of judicial authority.”
• Ryu maintains that while court rulings can be criticized, judicial independence must not be violated. He argues that even impeaching Cho Hee-dae (Chief Justice of the Supreme Court) would constitute an infringement of judicial independence rather than democratic oversight.
• Ryu emphasized, “The constitutional values of democracy and rule of law cannot be upheld by violating judicial independence.”
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Impeaching Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae.

• Cho Hee-dae (Chief Justice of the Supreme Court) has many problems.
• Lee Se-young (Hankyoreh columnist) pointed out, “The legal community broadly agrees that (impeaching Cho Hee-dae) is unlikely to meet the Constitutional Court’s standards for seriousness and proportionality.” “It’s a long shot to clear the court’s threshold for acceptance.”
• Lee Se-young added, “The political tragedy unfolding in reality doesn’t offer audiences catharsis—only tangible suffering.”
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Legality Does Not Imply Appropriateness.

• “Sometimes, knowing where to stop is more important than going all the way—this applies to life and to power.”
• Lee Hyun-sang (JoongAng Ilbo columnist) warned, “Focusing solely on asserting authority leaves only an impression of hypersensitivity to rights and stinginess in concessions.”
• These remarks address the debate over the National Forensic Service chief’s attendance issue and the Supreme Court chief justice appointment authority.
• Lee Hyun-sang noted, “Obsessed with proving the existence of authority, we overlook the fundamental question: why should it be exercised at all?”
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Trump Is Likely to Trump Even More.

• Kim Jae-cheon (Sogang University Professor) believes that even after the U.S. midterm elections, the South Korea-U.S. relationship is unlikely to recover.
• If the Republicans retain only the Senate, they will claim victory—and if they lose both the Senate and the House, they will likely insist it was election fraud.
• Regardless of the election outcome, the narrative will persist: Trumpism will continue for some time.
• Kim Jae-cheon argued, “We must urgently reassess foreign policy and security priorities and act preemptively to shift the South Korea-U.S. relationship from its vicious cycle back to a virtuous one.”
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What Do Stock Articles Sell?

• “If the direction of the market is what matters to investors, what matters to articles is amplitude.”
• Choi Jeong-bong (Ewha Womans University Professor) pointed out, “Articles act as cheerleaders.” “They report like a sports broadcast.” “Indices become the nation’s report card, and investors become supporters.”
• Rather than information, it’s the mood of optimism or pessimism that becomes the article. The more bearish the Wall Street Journal’s tone, the stronger the tendency for stocks to fall and rebound. It doesn’t stop at reporting phenomena—it accelerates movements already underway.
• “The analysis is that articles, whether venting anger on behalf of readers or offering comfort through inflated forecasts, are used to keep people hovering around the market.”
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South Korea’s Monthly Rent Refugees and Japan’s Monthly Rent Preference.

• Monthly rent for a 70㎡ exclusive-use mansion within a 30–40-minute commute from Tokyo ranges from 300,000 to 400,000 won.
• Tokyo’s housing supply already exceeds households by 113%. Annual property taxes on a 1 billion won mansion are 2–3 million won, and redevelopment is difficult.
• Monthly rent burdens are significant, yet renting is increasingly preferred over ownership.
• A key difference is that Japan’s “triple safety net”—national pension, welfare pension, and corporate pension—ensures retirees can still afford rent. Tenant protections are also robust.
• Ryu Jeong (Chosun Ilbo Tokyo correspondent) noted, “Rather than scaring us with Japan’s distant past, we need housing stability policies tailored to our reality.”
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3% Threshold to Block Far-Right: Who Did It Protect?

• The Constitutional Court ruled that the election law provision denying proportional representation seats to parties with less than 3% of the vote is unconstitutional.
• Hannes Mosler (Professor, University of Duisburg-Essen) noted, “The belief that threshold clauses prevent extremism is close to an illusion.”
• In South Korea, securing 1.5–2% is required for a single proportional seat. Mosler added, “Lowering thresholds for smaller parties is also about preparing an antidote to polarization and extremism.”
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Debt Trading and Umbrella Trading.

• In the fairy tale, the mother worries, but prediction markets allow her to funnel business to one son and bet on the opposite weather.
• Prediction markets act as a hedge against risk. A local basketball team could market, “No drinks charged if we lose,” and bet on victory. An ice cream shop might bet on rainy days to offset lost sales.
• South Korea? It views prediction markets as gambling and blocks access to Polymarket.
• Kim Oi-hyun (Woosuk University Professor) noted, “Whether prediction markets are a risk barrier or mere gambling remains unanswered—and varies by country.”
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When Platforms Cut Off, Sovereignty Cuts Off.

• Elon Musk (SpaceX CEO) temporarily cut off Starlink in Ukraine, later restoring it—but speeds remain slow. Without the satellite network, drones cannot operate.
• In Brazil, Instagram election ads were abruptly halted. Suspicions also arose that WhatsApp search results were manipulated.
• Park Tae-woong (Chair, Nokseo Forum) observed, “Platforms that now transcend individual nations no longer bother to hide their claws.”
• “How will we protect national sovereignty? We must answer this. Can we ensure safety if a specific platform or cloud service halts overnight? Can we guarantee access restrictions, policy transparency, and algorithmic accountability? Are there legal mechanisms to impose neutrality obligations on public discourse infrastructure during elections—and to verify compliance?”
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Today’s State Council Audit.

• Slow News is covering the State Council Audit intensively.
• The [State Council Audit Special Page] updates twice daily.
• In [Rep. ◯◯◯’s Audit Notes], key issues from individual lawmakers are compiled. The top 12 lawmakers of the day are also selected.
• Major corporate issues can be reviewed in [Today’s Corporate Issues].
• Committee-specific key issues and context are available in [State Council Audit Daily Report].
• The list below compiles last Friday’s audit reports:
• October 23, 2026, National Economic Planning Committee Audit Report.
• October 23, 2026, Education Committee Audit Report.
• October 23, 2026, Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee Audit Report.
• October 23, 2026, Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee Audit Report.
• October 23, 2026, Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Forestry, and Oceans Committee Audit Report.
• October 23, 2026, Trade, Industry, SMEs, and Startups Committee Audit Report.
• October 23, 2026, Climate, Energy, Environment, and Labor Committee Audit Report.
• October 23, 2026, Land, Infrastructure, and Transport Committee Audit Report.
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