Han Dong-hoon dismisses “anti-party” claims, calling them harmful only to the leadership’s authority.

▷ Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon (한동훈) countered the leadership’s criticism of his Daegu visit, labeling their “anti-party activity” claims as “anti-Jang” (harmful to Secretary General Jang Dong-hyeok) instead.

▷ Han criticized the current party leadership for acting like “Red Guards” and argued that they are using the party’s ethics committee as a political tool to eliminate rivals.

▷ While emphasizing his goal of “conservative reconstruction” over immediate election bids, Han announced plans to visit Busan on the 7th following his recent activities in Daegu.

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South Korean Government Finalizes Bills to Establish New Investigation and Prosecution Agencies

▷ The South Korean government has finalized the bills for the Central Serious Crime Investigation Agency and the Public Prosecutors’ Office, targeting an official launch on October 2nd.

▷ The revised plan narrows the investigative scope of the new agency to six major crimes and unifies its personnel into a single investigator track to improve operational efficiency.

▷ To address concerns regarding the separation of powers, the government will conduct public hearings in March and April to gather feedback on supplementary investigation rights and cooperation between the police and prosecutors.

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U.S. Signals Potential Long-Term War and Ground Troop Deployment in Iran

▷ President Donald Trump (도널드 트럼프) indicated that the conflict with Iran could last longer than the initial 4-5 week estimate, stating his readiness to sustain the effort until all objectives are met.

▷ Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (피트 헤그세스) and General Dan Kane (댄 케인) confirmed that additional troops and supplies are being sent to the Central Command, preparing for a mid-to-long-term engagement.

▷ Amid escalating attacks from Iran and its proxy Hezbollah (헤즈볼라), President Trump noted he has no “allergy” to deploying ground troops and would send them if necessary to achieve victory.

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Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae Urges Careful Deliberation on Sudden Major Changes

▷ Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae (조희대) called for careful consideration regarding sudden and major transformations, questioning whether they might harm the public.

▷ He emphasized the importance of deep deliberation to ensure that any drastic changes do not result in negative consequences for the citizens.

▷ These remarks reflect a cautious stance on rapid social or institutional shifts, prioritizing the stability and well-being of the people above all else.

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KOSPI and KOSDAQ Plunge Over 2% Amid Rising Tensions Between U.S. and Iran

▷ The KOSPI and KOSDAQ indices sharply fell by over 2% on the morning of the 3rd, driven by the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran.

▷ As of 9:20 AM, the KOSPI index dropped 2.45% to 6091.05, after opening lower than the previous trading session at 6165.15.

▷ Similarly, the KOSDAQ index is recording a significant decline of 2.39%, currently standing at 1164.25 due to the unstable geopolitical situation.

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Presidential Property Sale, New Appointments, and Election Integrity Debate

▷ President Lee Jae-myung (이재명) sold his long-held apartment to demonstrate a commitment to real estate normalization, prompting Jang Dong-hyuk (장동혁), the leader of the People Power Party, to also put his property up for sale.

▷ The government announced several high-level appointments, including Park Hong-keun (박홍근) as the nominee for the Minister of Planning and Budget, though some picks faced criticism for being “reward appointments.”

▷ Following a marathon debate on election fraud between Lee Jun-seok (이준석) and Jeon Han-gil (전한길), the ruling party decided to form an election monitoring task force, sparking further political tension.

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Record-breaking Heavy Snowfall Hits Gangwon Mountains for Two Consecutive Days

▷ Massive snowfall has buried Gangwon mountainous areas for two days, with Hyangrobong recording 61.7cm and Misiryeong Tunnel reaching 58.6cm of snow.

▷ Heavy snow warnings remain in effect as the weather agency forecasts an additional 5 to 20cm of snow in the mountains and 1 to 5cm in the inland areas until tonight.

▷ Authorities have warned of potential damage to structures like greenhouses due to the heavy, wet snow and urged drivers to be cautious of icy roads and black ice.

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Trump Warns of “Something Bigger” Following Rapid Removal of Iranian Leadership

▷ President Donald Trump (도널드 트럼프) announced that the U.S. military successfully eliminated Iran’s top leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei (아야톨라 세예드 알리 하메이니), in just one hour, much faster than the initially expected four weeks.

▷ He reported the sinking of ten Iranian vessels and the destruction of missile production facilities, asserting that the United States has the capability to sustain military operations for as long as necessary.

▷ While mentioning that ground troops could be deployed if needed, Trump emphasized that the U.S. has yet to start its strongest phase of attack and warned that a much larger operation is imminent.

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South Korean Government Escalates Response to Middle East Risks Amid Rising Tensions

▷ As military tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran escalate, the South Korean government is strengthening its response system to minimize impacts on energy supplies, exchange rates, and the overall economy.

▷ Vice Minister Kim Sung-bum (김성범) of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries noted that while there is no physical blockage of the Strait of Hormuz yet, the government is advising ships to refrain from navigating the area to ensure safety.

▷ To protect approximately 17,000 South Koreans in the region, the government has issued special travel advisories for five countries and is maintaining a 208-day reserve of crude oil to prepare for potential long-term disruptions.

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Rival parties agree to resume US Investment Special Committee amid potential for solo action by DP

▷ The ruling and opposition parties have agreed to resume the special committee for the “Special Act on Investment in the US” on the 4th, with a goal to pass the legislation by the 9th.

▷ Tensions persist as the People Power Party may boycott committee schedules in protest of other controversial bills, potentially using the special act as a bargaining chip in negotiations.

▷ Jung Tae-ho (정태호) and the Democratic Party warned that if the committee chair refuses to hold sessions, the majority party’s secretary could take over as acting chair to move forward independently.

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