■ The secret behind the diplomatic conflict over the ‘disclosure of repatriation of North Korean prisoners’… Pay attention to whether Ukraine apologizes
This issue appears to be escalating into a diplomatic conflict as President Lee Jae-myung strongly demands an apology for disclosing the repatriation of North Korean prisoners of war to Ukraine and denying an undisclosed agreement. In this regard, the trend is drawing attention as the foreign ministers of both countries are seeking ways to resolve the conflict, including an apology from Ukraine, through behind-the-scenes communication. On the 2nd, President Lee urged Ukraine to quickly acknowledge the facts and apologize on his X account.
■ North Korea continues 'border line fortification' even after landmine explosion... MDL invasion degree
It has been discovered that North Korea is continuing the so-called 'border line fortification' work even after a South Korean soldier was injured in a North Korean landmine explosion in the area south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on the western front on the 21st of last month. An official from the Joint Chiefs of Staff met with reporters on the 2nd and said, “The fortification work claimed by North Korea is still in progress.” In accordance with the policy of 'two hostile countries' between South and North Korea, North Korea has been carrying out wasteland work, building tactical roads, and installing barbed wire and mines in areas close to the MDL since April 2024.
■ President Lee "It is difficult to determine whether Kim Ji-yong is 'Chin Yoon'... decision on appointment or not after hearing"
President Lee Jae-myung said on the 2nd regarding candidate Kim Ji-yong for the head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Office, "Seeing as he was demoted by former President Yoon after ordering a reinvestigation into the acquittal of former President Yoon Seok-yeol's mother-in-law's perjury, wouldn't it be difficult to conclude that he is at least pro-Yoon?" On this day, President Lee shared a netizen's post on President Lee said, “Once we go through the National Assembly hearing, we will make a final decision on whether to appoint him or not.”
■ Trials are also confused due to the abolition of the prosecution… “It is questionable whether the dispatch of a special prosecutor to the Public Prosecution Service is valid.”
With the implementation of the revised Criminal Procedure Act on the 2nd, the Prosecutor's Office was abolished, creating confusion at the trial site. This is because it is not legally clear whether the prosecutors who were dispatched to the special prosecution under the Prosecutor's Office will continue to be dispatched even after the launch of the Public Prosecution Office, and whether they are valid to stand in court as parties to the trial. The court hearing allegations of illegal budget diversion in the process of relocating the President's official residence halted the trial, raising questions about the validity of the Public Prosecutor's Office's dispatch of a special prosecutor team.
■ Choi Tae-won decides to sell 944 billion won of SK shares in preparation for Noh So-young's property division
SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won decided to sell his shares in the holding company SK Corporation to raise 944 billion won in asset division to be paid to Noh So-young, director of the Nabi Art Center. The voting share, including specially related parties, is expected to exceed 30%, maintaining management stability. SK Corporation announced on the 2nd that its largest shareholder, Chairman Chey Tae-won, plans to sell 1,653,924 shares (2.3%). Through this, the amount secured by Chairman Choi is 944 billion won, which is the same amount as the property division amount that the court ordered Director Roh to pay.
■ Oh Se-hoon sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison in the second trial for 'charge of paying public opinion poll fees'
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who was indicted on suspicion of paying public opinion poll fees to Myung Tae-gyun, was sentenced to prison at the appeals court. Special prosecutor Min Joong-ki's team requested, "Please sentence him to 1 year and 6 months in prison and an additional fine of 33 million won" at the appellate hearing on Mayor Oh's charges of violating the Political Fund Act held at the 7th Criminal Division of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judge Koo Hoe-geun) on the 2nd. Former Seoul Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs Kang Cheol-won, a close associate of Mayor Oh, and businessman Kim, a supporter, were each sentenced to one year in prison.
■ Cho Hee-dae, “Judicial independence and fairness must not be shaken by any changes.”
Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae of the Supreme Court emphasized on the 2nd, "Amid any changes, the fundamental values of judicial independence, fairness, and integrity must never be shaken." Chief Justice Cho said this at the appointment ceremony for new judges held at the Supreme Court at 2 p.m. on this day, saying, "Independence of trials is not a privilege for individual judges, but a constitutional request to guarantee the people's right to a fair trial." Chief Justice Cho said, "Today, our society and judicial environment are changing rapidly, and the public's expectations and demands for the judiciary are also higher than ever. Please keep in mind that the way for the judiciary to gain public trust is to fully fulfill the constitutional mission given by the people by faithfully judging in accordance with laws and principles."
■ Two major domestic banks were hacked… Financial sector security emergency in the AI era
Following Shinhan Bank, KB Kookmin Bank also suffered an incident where customer information was leaked due to an artificial intelligence (AI) hacking attack, putting security in the financial sector, where trust is vital, on alert. As unprecedented leaks continue to occur at Korea's two largest commercial banks, some are pointing out that the security system and response level of the financial sector needs to be completely overhauled. According to the financial sector on the 2nd, KB Kookmin Bank confirmed that about 100 pieces of customer information were leaked due to an external intrusion.
■ ‘Military service evasion’ Yoo Seung-jun wins third appeal against visa refusal
The court's ruling that the refusal to issue a visa to enter Korea to singer Yoo Seung-jun (48, American name Stephen Seung-jun Yoo) should be canceled was upheld in the appeals court. On the 2nd, the Seoul High Court's Administrative Division 8-2 (Judges Kim Bong-won, Lee Young-chang, and Choi Bong-hee) held a sentencing hearing for a lawsuit filed by Mr. Yoo against the Consul General in Los Angeles (LA) to cancel the refusal to issue a visa, and ruled in favor of the plaintiff, the same as in the first trial. The specific reason for the ruling was not explained in court. This lawsuit is the appeal trial of the third lawsuit filed by Seungjun Yoo against the Consulate General in Los Angeles after he was denied a visa issuance.
■ [Asian Games] Korean men's archery defeats powerhouse India and wins gold in recurve team event
Korean men's archery won the recurve team event at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The men's national team, consisting of Kim Woo-jin (Cheongju City Hall), Lee Woo-seok (Kolon), and Kim Je-deok (Yecheon County Office), defeated India with a set score of 5-1 (56-56 57-50 56-54) in the archery recurve team finals held at the multi-purpose plaza of Okazaki Central General Park in Aichi Prefecture, Japan on the 2nd and became the main character on the podium. This is Korea's 33rd gold medal in this competition and the second gold medal in archery.
