Author: 김남일

The National Assembly in Yeouido is back in session as the Chuseok holiday draws to a close, with the Speaker of the National Assembly calling for bipartisan cooperation on key bills. The main opposition party, People Power Party, urged for emphasis on closing gaps and revitalizing livelihoods in a rare move directed at the ruling Democratic Party. The ruling party, on the other hand, is accused of preparing for a power struggle rather than focusing on economic recovery and improving livelihoods. The upcoming session on the 19th may see key bills, including the Kim Gun-hee Special Prosecutor Act, being processed…

President Yoon Suk-yeol visited the 15th Division of the Army in Gangwon Province on the eve of the Chuseok holiday. While his visit aimed to encourage military personnel, it also demonstrated a response to the crisis in the emergency room during the holiday period. According to the presidential spokesperson Jung Hye-jeon, President Yoon conducted an inspection of the 15th Division’s emergency medical system and commended the military personnel for maintaining readiness even during the holidays. He expressed gratitude to the medical staff on duty and urged them to continue their exemplary service. The 15th Division’s medical unit, known as “Victory…

A Soulful Ode to Nam Jae-hee, an Eminent Sage of Modern Politics and Journalism The recent passing of Nam Jae-hee, the former Minister of Labor, has stirred the hearts of many in the political and journalistic spheres. Known as the “moderator of the times” and an “intra-system liberal,” Nam Jae-hee’s legacy transcended ideological divisions. Renowned for his eloquent writings and profound insights, Nam Jae-hee delved into the intricate web of Korean political and media history through his works, such as ‘Chronicles of the Press and Politics: My 40 Years of Advocacy,’ ‘Highly Personal Political Records,’ ‘Encounters with Great People by…

The scandal over the construction of the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, has exposed numerous illegalities and irregularities. Starting with the company 21gram, primarily linked to Kim Geon-hee, the majority of the violations stem from their involvement. Despite being only licensed for interior construction, 21gram planned and carried out unauthorized expansion and renovation work on the presidential residence. The illegal activities were halted by a government official from the Presidential Secretariat who pointed out the violations. The involvement of another construction company, x Construction, under suspicion of being a front for 21gram, further deepens the scandal. The audit report also…

In a recent visit, Kim Gun-hee, the wife of South Korea’s President, offered insightful advice to police officers involved in suicide prevention efforts. During her visit to various agencies, she emphasized the importance of preemptive action and listening to the voices of those on the front lines. Kim’s proactive approach and authoritative tone during her visits have raised eyebrows, as she has no official position in the government. This has sparked discussions about her involvement in political matters and her tendency to make statements that exceed the usual role of a First Lady. Despite facing controversies and criticisms, Kim Gun-hee…

As the Chuseok holiday approaches, the traditional annual political showdown between rival parties during the holiday homecoming greetings is set to take place once again. The ruling party, the People Power Party, is searching for a meaningful location to convey their message after the defeat in the April 10 parliamentary elections and the inauguration of their new leader, Han Dong-hoon. On the other hand, the Democratic Party is heading to the traditional location of Yongsan Station with the slogan “Sharing Hope for Chuseok” to highlight their policies and criticize the government’s economic policies. The smaller opposition party, the People’s Party…

In a recent political spectacle at the National Assembly, Park Ji-won and Han Duck-soo engaged in a heated exchange, showcasing their 20-year-old relationship while questioning each other on various political issues. Park raised concerns about the current administration’s disconnect with the people, leading to a spirited debate. The two politicians reminisced about their past working together at the Blue House, shedding light on their contrasting views on governance. Their banter took a lighthearted turn at times, but the discussion eventually turned cold as they delved into more contentious issues. Despite their disagreements, both Park and Han displayed a mutual respect…

The recent appointment of Park Jong-jun as the new head of presidential security highlights the significance of this role in South Korean politics. President Yoon Suk-yeol chose Park, a former police chief, for this critical position. Interestingly, both Park and the current chief of staff, Jung Jin-seok, hail from the same region of Gongju, which is uncommon in this high-pressure and influential environment. This move also reflects the historical trend of military personnel dominating these roles, especially during military regimes. The presidential security office has been a key feature of South Korean governance since the Park Chung-hee era, with a…

The controversy over the relocation of the presidential office has finally come to an end as the Audit Office is set to release its findings this week after a two-year investigation. Amid allegations of abuse of power and favoritism in the process of moving the presidential office, civic groups had demanded a national audit in October 2022. The investigation was extended multiple times before the audit results were scheduled to be released just before the Chuseok holiday. Critics have raised concerns that the Audit Office, once considered a “regime protection agency,” took too long to complete the investigation. The presidential…

Former President Yoon Suk-yeol has sparked controversy over the estimated construction cost of a residence and security facility he will occupy after retirement, amounting to 14 billion won. The Presidential Office attributed the significant increase in costs to exploring more expensive properties in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. Political circles speculate that locations like Yangpyeong in Gyeonggi Province are being considered. The presidential office released reference materials related to the construction project. The construction budget for security facilities is managed by the state asset management fund and considers the possibility of locating the residence in Seoul or Gyeonggi. Comparisons were made…