PPP Faces Backlash During Protest as Supporters Confront Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok

▷ The People Power Party held a rally to protest the Democratic Party’s push for three judicial reform bills but faced criticism over the presence of far-right sentiments.

▷ Supporters gathered with the Taegeukgi and the U.S. flag, while some carried “Yoon Again” signs to show support for former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

▷ During the march, Jang Dong-hyeok (장동혁) was met with aggressive shouting from some attendees who demanded he “sell his house like a man.”

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KOSPI Plummets 7% to 5700 Level Amid Middle East Conflict and Oil Price Concerns

▷ The KOSPI index suffered its largest-ever point drop, closing at 5,791.91 as the Middle East war intensified fears of rising energy costs and global economic instability.

▷ Major semiconductor stocks fell significantly, while Chetan Ahya (체탄 아야) of Morgan Stanley noted that export-oriented Asian economies are particularly vulnerable to oil price fluctuations due to their high reliance on imported energy.

▷ Financial experts including Lee Kyoung-min (이경민) and Cho Ah-in (조아인) warned that a prolonged conflict could lead to a major market downturn and inflation pressures if oil prices remain high.

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South Korean Government Confirms Partial Evacuation of Nationals in Iran to Safe Zones

▷ Some South Korean nationals in Iran are evacuating to safe areas with the assistance of the embassy as tensions rise following airstrikes by the U.S. and Israel.

▷ The evacuees include Lee Do-hee (이도희), the head coach of the Iranian women’s national volleyball team, and Lee Ki-je (이기제), a professional soccer player active in the Iranian league.

▷ The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is monitoring the safety of about 21,000 Koreans in 13 Middle Eastern countries and is considering various evacuation options, such as moving to countries with open airspace.

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U.S. and China Continue Active Behind-the-Scenes Talks for Summit Despite Iran Conflict

▷ Despite the military conflict with Iran, the U.S. and China are actively engaging in preliminary discussions to prepare for President Donald Trump (도널드 트럼프)’s upcoming visit to China later this month.

▷ Working-level officials from both nations are exploring ways to resume mutual investments, prioritizing joint ventures and licensing agreements to minimize political and regulatory risks.

▷ Next weekend, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (스콧 베선트) and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng (허리펑) are expected to meet in Paris to coordinate the summit agenda, including aircraft purchases and arms sales to Taiwan.

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Rep. Kim Seon-gyo and Kim Keon-hee’s family deny all charges in Yangpyeong development scandal.

▷ During the first pretrial hearing, Representative Kim Seon-gyo (김선교) and Choi Eun-soon (최은순), the mother of Kim Keon-hee, denied allegations of granting and receiving illicit favors for the Yangpyeong development project.

▷ The prosecution claims that Rep. Kim, upon request from Choi and her son Kim Jin-woo (김진우), caused approximately 2.2 billion won in losses to Yangpyeong County by exempting development fees between 2011 and 2016.

▷ The defense refuted the charges, arguing that there were no improper solicitations and that the fee calculation was not an administrative matter subject to the county governor’s approval.

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People Power Party Conducts Silent Protest March Due to Lack of Assembly Notice

▷ Leaders of the People Power Party, including Representative Jang Dong-hyeok (장동혁), held a protest march toward the Blue House to criticize the Democratic Party’s unilateral passage of judicial reform bills.

▷ Since the party failed to file an official assembly notice with the police, participants had to march in silence without shouting slogans to avoid legal violations.

▷ Despite instructions from Kim Min-su (김민수), a member of the Supreme Council, for supporters not to follow, many joined the march while lawmakers wore black masks to express their silent protest.

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Lee Jun-seok Slams PPP’s Contradictory Protests Over Judicial Protection and Election Fraud

▷ Lee Jun-seok (이준석), leader of the Reform Party, criticized the People Power Party (PPP) for their logical inconsistency in claiming to “protect the judiciary” while simultaneously embracing election fraud theories that deny court rulings.

▷ He pointed out that while the PPP is protesting against “judicial evil laws,” they are also catering to supporters who label top judicial officials, such as Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae (조희대), as part of an “election fraud cartel.”

▷ Highlighting that not a single case out of 180 election-related lawsuits was recognized as fraud by the courts, Lee (이준석) urged the PPP to stop its contradictory behavior and stop disregarding judicial authority.

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MOLIT Orders Halt to Gwanghwamun ‘Garden of Gratitude’ Construction Over Legal Violations

▷ The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) has issued a stop-work order for the “Garden of Gratitude” project in Gwanghwamun Square after confirming procedural flaws in violation of the Road Act.

▷ While construction is suspended, Kim Yi-tak (김이탁), the 1st Vice Minister of MOLIT, stated that certain safety measures will be permitted to prevent accidents during the thawing season and to prepare for a BTS concert on the 21st.

▷ Seoul City has expressed its intention to respect the ministry’s decision and will supplement the necessary administrative procedures, including urban management plan revisions.

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Oceans Ministry Nominee Hwang Jong-woo Begins Hearing Prep in Busan, Prioritizing Maritime Capital Development

▷ Hwang Jong-woo (황종우), the nominee for Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, officially began his confirmation hearing preparations in Busan, pledging to foster the city as a “maritime capital” and lead the era of Arctic shipping routes.

▷ With 27 years of experience within the ministry, Hwang is expected to stabilize the organization after an 81-day leadership vacancy and enhance the global competitiveness of Korea’s maritime industry.

▷ Regarding current global tensions such as the Middle East crisis, he emphasized that the safety of Korean ships and crews remains his top priority while vowing to minimize the negative impact on international logistics chains.

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NYT Warns Asia, Especially Korea and Japan, Is Vulnerable to Middle East Energy Crisis

▷ The New York Times (뉴욕타임스) reported that South Korea and Japan are highly vulnerable to the escalating conflict in the Middle East and the potential blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

▷ While South Korea and Japan hold emergency oil reserves for over 210 and 254 days respectively, their heavy reliance on Middle Eastern oil poses a severe economic threat if the blockade persists.

▷ Experts suggest that even if the physical supply of oil continues, the inevitable rise in energy prices caused by regional tensions will significantly impact the economies of these nations.

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