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Politics

Key Remarks by Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho at His Farewell Ceremony and the Indictment Withdrawal Controversy

At his farewell ceremony on August 26, 2026, Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho urged the government to prepare safeguards so that no one is treated unfairly during the implementation of the new criminal justice system. He denied speculation that concerns over withdrawing the indictment in President Lee Jae-myung’s case were connected to his resignation, saying that the prosecution should determine whether the indictment resulted from an illegal procedure.

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Politics

A Growth Strategy Led by Local Governments: Key Takeaways from the 10th Central–Local Cooperation Council

At the 10th Central–Local Cooperation Council, held on August 26, 2026, the central and local governments discussed one-team cooperation, locally led growth, balanced national development, and plans to foster regional growth engines. It was the first meeting held after the launch of the ninth elected local-government administration, and Busan presented a strategy to become an international maritime business hub.

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Politics

Kennedy Center Board Seeks to Reinscribe Trump’s Name: How Did the Federal Court View the September 8 Plan?

The Kennedy Center board voted to add President Trump’s name again to the building’s exterior as a recognition of his contributions and to call the plaza in front “President Donald J. Trump Plaza.” The board told the court that the new display could begin on September 8, but reports confirmed as of the August 27 hearing did not show that a final order blocking the plan had been issued. The Justice Department’s claim that demolition could ultimately be necessary was conditional, and no actual demolition decision has been confirmed.

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Politics

Trump Administration Appeals Mail-in Voting Case: Current Status of USPS Rules Ahead of the 2026 Midterm Elections

The Trump administration has appealed after a federal court in Massachusetts suspended key provisions of the USPS final mail-in voting rule for 14 days. The central issue is not whether the executive order’s ultimate legality has been decided, but whether the mail-in voting rules can actually be implemented ahead of the 2026 midterm elections and how far the court proceedings have progressed.

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Politics

Cho Kuk Predicts Guilty Verdict for Lee Jae-myung in Second Trial and Explains Legal Standards for Prosecution Dismissal

Cho Kuk, director of the Innovation Policy Research Institute of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, said that Lee Jae-myung is very likely to receive a guilty verdict in the second trial that could resume after his term in office in connection with his Public Official Election Act case. However, this is Cho Kuk’s personal view, not a final court judgment. Discussions about dismissing the prosecution must be examined separately from the requirement that a fabricated prosecution first be established, the Criminal Procedure Act’s rule allowing dismissal before the first-instance judgment is pronounced, and the role of the Ministry of Justice investigative body.

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Politics

Cabinet Reshuffle Officially Confirmed: Lee Hyeong-il Nominated and Koo Yun-cheol Departs for the G20 in the United||||{

On August 30, the Blue House nominated Lee Hyeong-il, the current First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, as candidate for Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economy. Koo Yun-cheol departed for the United States to attend the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Asheville, after reportedly deciding to attend as scheduled despite earlier reports that the trip had been canceled. The nomination must be distinguished from completion of the parliamentary confirmation hearing and appointment process.

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Publicly licensed image of the NACF headquarters building in Seoul
Politics

Nonghyup Act amendment proposed: direct election by members and one-term reappointment for NACF chair

Reports say Rep. Joo Cheol-hyun introduced an amendment to the Nonghyup Act on September 3 that would allow all Nonghyup members to elect the chair of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NACF) and permit one reappointment. However, the official bill number and specific standing committee review schedule have not yet been confirmed. Current law provides for election by the general meeting, a four-year term, and a ban on consecutive terms.

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Publicly licensed image of Cho Kuk
Politics

Cho Kuk: “A Prosecution Withdrawal Requires Confirmation of Fabricated Indictment”… Predicts Very High Chance of Lee Jae

Cho Kuk said that a prosecution withdrawal in President Lee Jae Myung’s case would first require confirmation that the indictment was fabricated, and predicted a very high chance of a guilty verdict in the second trial if it resumes after Lee’s term. However, this is a politician’s opinion, and a final guilty verdict has not been established solely by the Supreme Court’s remand or Cho Kuk’s remarks.

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Politics

Kim Eui-kyeom Nominated and Approved as Ruling-Party Secretary on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee; Replacement-‌

The Democratic Party of Korea nominated Representative Kim Eui-kyeom as the ruling-party secretary of the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee on September 1, and reports said the appointment was also approved at a full committee meeting. The move follows Representative Kim Seung-won’s nomination as a ministerial candidate, with the required committee reassignment procedures expected to proceed. The People Power Party protested, citing issues including the so-called ‘Cheongdam-dong drinking party allegation’ previously raised by Kim Eui-kyeom.

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Open-license image of the North Korean Kim family tree, including Kim Ju-ae
Politics

Kim Ju-ae ‘Effectively at the Designated-Successor Stage’—How Far Has the NIS Assessment Changed?

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) explained at a closed-door briefing to the National Assembly Intelligence Committee on September 1 that it assesses Kim Ju-ae as having effectively entered the stage of being designated as successor. This does not mean North Korean authorities have officially confirmed her as successor. Likewise, a North Korea–U.S. summit has not been scheduled; the possibility reflects the NIS’s assessment of the situation.

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Politics

Resignation Accepted One Day After Kim Yong-beom Announces Departure; Successor Yet to Be Named

Kim Yong-beom, head of the Policy Office of the Presidential Office, announced his resignation on August 31, and President Lee Jae-myung accepted it on September 1. The resignation was reported as the first replacement of a senior Presidential Office chief since the Lee Jae-myung administration began, but the specific reasons for the resignation and plans to appoint a successor had not been officially announced as of the time of review.

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Politics

Policy Chief Kim Yong-beom’s Resignation Accepted After Tendering His Resignation on August 31

Kim Yong-beom, policy chief at the Office of the President, tendered his resignation to President Lee Jae-myung on August 31, and the president accepted it on September 1. The specific reason for the resignation and the appointment of a successor have not been officially confirmed in the materials reviewed. The next point to watch is the follow-up policy coordination system.

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Politics

Kim Min-seok’s Condolence Visit Still Under Review, Not Confirmed Complete: Current Response to Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae

Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, asked party members to refrain from directly naming or addressing Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Jo Hee-dae during his father’s bereavement and to show the utmost respect in public remarks. As of 2:07 p.m. on August 31, 2026, reports described Kim’s condolence visit as under review or planned; completion had not been confirmed.

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Politics

Kim Min-seok Pays Condolences for Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae’s Father; Judiciary Committee Hearing Canceled

Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok visited the funeral home at Pohang St. Mary’s Hospital to pay condolences following the death of Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae’s father, after calling for respectful treatment during the funeral period. As a result, the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee canceled its planned hearing on the Supreme Court, while the dispute over the renomination of Supreme Court justice candidates was reported to have temporarily subsided during the funeral period.

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Politics

Kim Min-seok urges official respect during Cho Hee-dae’s father’s mourning period; Supreme Court nominee dispute briefly

Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, urged party members to refrain from directly naming or addressing Cho Hee-dae during the Supreme Court chief justice’s mourning period and to show the utmost respect in public remarks. Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik also paid his respects, but the dispute over renominating a Supreme Court justice candidate has not been resolved through agreement or withdrawal.

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Public-domain image of Park Jie-won
Politics

Park Jie-won: “The Democratic Party will never accept Lee Jun-seok”… No official confirmation of membership or merger

On August 31, Park Jie-won made remarks on YTN Radio that appeared to deny reports that Lee Jun-seok could be recruited by the Democratic Party of Korea or that the Reform Party and Democratic Party might merge. These were Park Jie-won’s personal public remarks, and no official announcement confirming Lee Jun-seok’s recruitment or a merger between the two parties has been identified.

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