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		<title>HANMIILBO - politics</title>
		<link>https://en.hanmiilbo.kr/news/list.php?mcode=m247tk9</link>
		<description><![CDATA[HANMIILBO, 한미일보]]></description>
		<language>ko-kr</language>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 03:05:11 +0900</pubDate>
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			<title>HANMIILBO - politics</title>
			<url>https://en.hanmiilbo.kr/data/file/logo/1935654343_4tv8G2VN_m_logo.png</url>
			<link>https://en.hanmiilbo.kr/news/list.php?mcode=m247tk9</link>
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			<title>President Yoon: &quot;Do You Really Think You Are Safe from a Special Counsel?&quot;... Final Statement Video Released</title>
			<link>https://en.hanmiilbo.kr/news/view.php?idx=11408</link>
			<description><![CDATA[President Yoon Suk Yeol rebuking the special prosecutor on the 24th. [Court Video / Subtitled GIF from @birds_justice X account] A video capturing the live footage of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s final statement in court during the trial for the Marine Corps case on the 24th was released on the 27th, setting social media (SNS) ablaze.The resolute tone and the atmosphere of the scene, which had only been partially conveyed through text in some media outlets, are now causing a stir as the actual video reveals the full context.During the trial held by the 22nd Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court, President Yoon faced the special prosecution team directly and delivered a poignant, hard-hitting message in his signature firm yet calm tone: "I would like to ask the special prosecution team this as well. Do you all feel safe right now?"He continued by systematically refuting the legal loopholes and the unreasonable nature of the special prosecutor's indictment.President Yoon publicly warned, "If you have indicted me without grounds despite knowing that there was no abuse of power, falsification of official documents, or violation of the Public Official Election Act regarding the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), then this itself constitutes an abuse of power, and, if necessary, could also be considered a violation of the political neutrality of public officials."He lamented, "If an investigation is conducted in this manner without any clear evidence, what will become of our country?" He then strongly expressed the injustice of the investigation, stating, "I am currently being indicted and standing trial for many cases, but this is the first time I have made a final statement in such a manner," while pointing out that the special prosecutor's investigation itself could become a subject for future legal judgment.President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol. [GIF from @jujuju12211 X account] "All responsibility lies with me, the President... The others have no fault."In his final statement that day, President Yoon drew attention by displaying "boss-like" accountability toward his staff and officials who were standing trial alongside him. He emphasized his diplomatic actions and constitutional authority in the process of state affairs, taking all responsibility upon himself.He asserted, "Even if the court sees various materials that I have not seen and holds a different view from mine, this was a matter I pursued based on the President's constitutional diplomatic authority," adding, "Therefore, all responsibility belongs to me."He then addressed the court, saying, "As far as I can see, the others present here have no particular issues. If the very act of pursuing this work is legally problematic, I ask that you hold only me accountable for it all," effectively defending the innocence of those standing in court with him and concluding with a sense of responsibility.Unlike when the content of his court remarks was summarized and reported by the media, the dissemination of the video featuring President Yoon's actual voice and expressions has triggered an even more intense reaction on social media.Netizens have flooded the platforms with supportive comments, such as: "I stand with President Yoon Suk Yeol until the end! (@51XX)," "The image of a true leader who is willing to take on the heavy burden of responsibility as the head of state. It really puts others to shame (@CoXX)," "The day will surely come when the sword of the special prosecution turns on you!! (daXX)," "A true man's man (@isXX)," "Yoon Again!! (@abXX)," and "Our true President... I hope you return soon.. (@ziXX)."President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol. [Screenshot from @yuyuyu_mimimi X account] ]]></description>
			<author>Hur Kyoum</author>
			<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 00:50:18 +0900</pubDate>
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			<title>Na Kyung-won: “NEC Election Fraud is a Crime Against the Constitution”… A ‘Comprehensive Special Prosecutor’ Excluding the Democratic Party Must Be Launched</title>
			<link>https://en.hanmiilbo.kr/news/view.php?idx=11407</link>
			<description><![CDATA[People Power Party Representative Na Kyung-won. [Photo=Yonhap News]&nbsp;People Power Party Representative Na Kyung-won has issued a scathing critique, linking allegations of election commission computer manipulation, the court’s dismissal of search warrants, and the Democratic Party of Korea’s push for amendments to the Criminal Procedure Act, labeling the situation "the worst-case scenario where the rule of law and democracy in the Republic of Korea are being simultaneously insulted."&nbsp;On the 26th, Representative Na wrote on her Facebook page, "While the Democratic Party is pushing forward with legislation to completely abolish the prosecution's direct and supplementary investigation powers to suit their own narrative, they are obstructing the launch of a special counsel to investigate the National Election Commission’s (NEC) infringement on voting rights and their atrocities involving computer manipulation, which have shaken the very foundations of the nation."&nbsp;Representative Na also strongly condemned the NEC’s conduct, noting that evidence of real-time voter count manipulation, recently uncovered during the investigation into the commission, has been found not only in the Gyeonggi region but also in the Chungcheong area.&nbsp;She defined the act—which she described as "the brazenness of inputting 100 people as 1,000, then distributing the 900-person discrepancy across nine surrounding polling stations to force the numbers to match"—as going beyond simple dereliction of duty, labeling it clear "falsification of official electronic records" and "obstruction of justice" under the Criminal Act, as well as a grave "crime of destroying the constitutional order."&nbsp;Furthermore, regarding the court's rejection of search warrants for key evidence (messenger and email records) of NEC employees conspiring to "match the numbers without reporting to superiors," she intensified her criticism, stating, "It is as if the judiciary is taking the lead in buying time for criminals to destroy or manipulate evidence and providing them with an escape route."&nbsp;She added, "It is equivalent to government soldiers, who should be catching thieves, helping the thieves hide their ledgers," and pointedly asked, "This is why people are criticizing the judiciary and the NEC for acting as one body." She asserted that this warrant dismissal itself is a clear reason why a special counsel is necessary.&nbsp;Representative Na argued that the Democratic Party of Korea must be completely excluded from the formation of this special counsel for the NEC.&nbsp;She argued that the Democratic Party, which has acted as a shield by dismissing every point regarding the NEC's systemic corruption as a "conspiracy theory," would face a serious conflict of interest and obstruction of justice if they were allowed to participate in the recommendation of a special counsel.&nbsp;In addition, she demanded high-intensity, comprehensive verification regarding the scope of the special counsel's investigation. For an investigation without sanctuary, Representative Na argued that the scope should not be limited to superficial "tail-cutting" in select regions, but must be significantly expanded to include the entire central election commission's server computer records and past elections as a whole.&nbsp;In other words, she insists that verification and technical audits of access and modification logs, counting system algorithms, source codes, and counting logic are necessary, and that the contractual relationships with outsourcing firms must be thoroughly examined.]]></description>
			<author>Lim Yo-hee</author>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 23:57:21 +0900</pubDate>
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			<title>PPP on the Risk of Returning 39.7 Billion Won in Yoon's Presidential Campaign Funds: &quot;Lee's Trial Must Also Resume&quot;</title>
			<link>https://en.hanmiilbo.kr/news/view.php?idx=11400</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Yoon Suk Yeol receives suspended prison sentence in election law case; People Power Party may have to return 39.7 billion won if upheld (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Bae Jae-man = Former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was put on trial for allegedly spreading false information during the 20th presidential election, has received a suspended prison sentence in the first trial. If this sentence is upheld, the People Power Party must return 39.7 billion won in election expenses reimbursed during the presidential campaign to the National Election Commission. The photo shows the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 27th. 2026.7.27 scoop@yna.co.krThe People Power Party launched a counterattack on the 27th, demanding the resumption of President Lee Jae-myung’s trial, as it faces the risk of having to return 39.7 billion won in election expenses to the National Election Commission following the first-instance suspended prison sentence handed down to former President Yoon Suk Yeol for violating the Public Official Election Act.The party argues that President Lee's trial for violating the Public Official Election Act—for which the Supreme Court previously ordered a retrial with a guilty verdict—should also be resumed for the sake of fairness, and that the Democratic Party of Korea must also return its 43.4 billion won in presidential election subsidies if the sentence is confirmed.However, there is also an atmosphere of bewilderment within the party over the unexpectedly heavy sentence, with some suggesting they must prepare for the final Supreme Court ruling.Chief Spokesperson Park Sung-hoon stated in a commentary, "We will solemnly watch the Supreme Court's final judgment," while emphasizing, "The Democratic Party cannot be an exception. Once the remaining procedures for President Lee's case are concluded and the sentence is finalized, the Democratic Party must return the 43.4 billion won in presidential election funds that were reimbursed with the people's tax money."He added, "While former President Yoon’s case requires waiting for the Supreme Court's final judgment, there is no reason for further delay in President Lee’s case since the Supreme Court has already reached a decision," and stated, "Follow-up trials for President Lee's case must be swiftly resumed and brought to a conclusion."Five-term lawmaker Kwon Young-se also pointed out in a Facebook post, "If this ruling is maintained, the Supreme Court's 2025 remand ruling on President Lee must be resumed immediately. That would be fair."An official from the floor leader's office also emphasized in a phone call with Yonhap News, "If the sentence for former President Yoon is finalized, the sentence for President Lee must also be finalized. That would mean the Democratic Party also has to pay back 43.4 billion won in election expenses."Yoon Suk Yeol receives suspended prison sentence in election law case; People Power Party may have to return 39.7 billion won if upheld (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Bae Jae-man = Former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was put on trial for allegedly spreading false information during the 20th presidential election, has received a suspended prison sentence in the first trial. If this sentence is upheld, the People Power Party must return 39.7 billion won in election expenses reimbursed during the presidential campaign to the National Election Commission. The photo shows the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 27th. 2026.7.27 scoop@yna.co.krHowever, there is also an internal sense of embarrassment as the party faces realistic challenges if the ruling is finalized. This is because it is difficult to cover the 39.7 billion won return amount with current cash assets alone.As of February this year, the People Power Party's total assets are approximately 131.5 billion won, most of which are real estate-related assets such as land, buildings, and lease deposits, while cash and cashable assets are reportedly only about 11.6 billion won.Even those funds are difficult to use for the return payment because they must cover fixed expenditures such as payroll, office operating costs, and organizational activity expenses.While one media outlet reported on the same day that the party might have to sell its Yeouido headquarters to secure the funds if the sentence against former President Yoon is confirmed, the People Power Party dismissed this, stating that selling the headquarters is not being considered a priority.Chief Spokesperson Park met with reporters and said, "We are not realistically considering the sale of our headquarters. We are prepared at the party level," adding, "If we have to sell a headquarters, it would be more appropriate to sell the Democratic Party's headquarters, which is worth more."A party official told Yonhap News, "If President Lee’s trial remains stalled while only the People Power Party receives a final conviction, wouldn't party members and the public be outraged?" and added, "Selling the headquarters is an exaggerated scenario because the money can be sufficiently raised through donations or loans."Another official stated, "Based on the market value of the building, collateral loans are more than feasible," and noted, "We are not even reviewing the sale of the building." (Yonhap News)]]></description>
			<author>Yonhap News</author>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 19:29:24 +0900</pubDate>
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			<title>Ruling party leadership candidates target the 'center' and party support... 'Shincheonji allegations' continue to spark clashes</title>
			<link>https://en.hanmiilbo.kr/news/view.php?idx=11399</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Democratic Party Representative Candidates Kim Min-seok, Jung Chung-rae, and Song Young-gil [Photo by Shin Hyun-woo]On the 27th, candidates for the Democratic Party's leadership focused their efforts on winning the support of party members in the "Central Region," the first stop on the campaign trail for the August 17 national convention.As the "bandwagon" effect—the tendency for voters to lean toward the frontrunner—from the first round of voting is expected to influence the rest of the convention, candidates Kim Min-seok, Jung Chung-rae, and Song Young-gil staked their political lives on securing votes in the Chungcheong region.The Democratic Party will hold voting for delegates and eligible party members in South Chungcheong, North Chungcheong, Daejeon, and Sejong starting on the 28th, with results to be announced on the 1st of next month.Candidate Kim met with Sejong Mayor Cho Sang-ho at the Sejong City Hall that day, stating, "Our government's top national agenda was the 'Sejong Administrative Capital,'" and pledged to push for a special act to establish Sejong as the administrative capital.At a meeting with party members in North Chungcheong held at the Cheongju Urban Regeneration Hub Center, Candidate Kim directly targeted Candidate Jung, stating, "We must put an end to the 'clash of the Ming and Qing' (a play on names referring to internal conflict) between the party and the government" and "We cannot have an anti-Lee (Jae-myung) leadership."Following a meeting with party members in Daejeon the previous day, Candidate Jung held a similar meeting in North Chungcheong that evening.On Facebook, Candidate Jung emphasized, "Jung Chung-rae, the son of Chungcheong, born in Chungcheong and raised in Daejeon. Only the will of the people, the will of the party, and the heart of the region. A powerful reformist party representative," adding, "I will make the Chungcheong region more convenient through the construction of a national railway network and the expansion of the metropolitan transportation network."Candidate Song held a press conference at the South Chungcheong Provincial Office, promising, "I will make South Chungcheong the AI capital and extend the GTX-C line to Cheonan-Asan."In the afternoon, he held town hall meetings for party members in South Chungcheong and Sejong.Candidates Kim and Jung also clashed over the "alleged political interference by Shincheonji."When Candidate Jung criticized the Shincheonji allegations raised by Kim as harmful to the party, Candidate Kim retorted, calling the criticism "foolish sophistry."During a party member meeting, when asked by a member to stop mentioning Shincheonji, Candidate Kim replied, "I don't like it either, but we can't pretend it's not there," adding, "It is the responsibility of the party leadership to act decisively and wisely while minimizing harm to the party."In response, Candidate Jung appeared on the YouTube channel 'Mae-bul Show' the same day, characterizing the situation as the "Shincheonji incident" and criticizing, "They attacked the party and the party members. They have put the party at risk of being labeled an unconstitutional political organization."He urged, "If these were absurd claims, the person who raised them should be disciplined."Democratic Party Representative Election narrows to a three-way race between Kim Min-seok, Jung Chung-rae, and Song Young-gil (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Shin Hyun-woo = The race for the Democratic Party representative at the August 17 national convention has narrowed to a three-way contest between candidates Kim Min-seok, Jung Chung-rae, and Song Young-gil (in order of ballot numbering). On the 23rd, candidates (from left) Kim Min-seok, Jung Chung-rae, and Song Young-gil, who passed the Democratic Party's preliminary primary for representative, are giving their greetings at the National Assembly Members' Office Building. 2026.7.23 scoop@yna.co.krConflict also persisted over the "Shincheonji allegations" between the pro-Lee (Jae-myung) faction and the candidates for Supreme Council representing the pro-Jung (Chung-rae) faction.Pro-Lee Supreme Council candidate Park Sun-won stated on CBS Radio, "According to current reports, there were attempts to support anti-Lee candidates during last year's Democratic Party presidential primary," adding, "I suggested that since this (Shincheonji issue) should not hijack the convention, we should investigate it by establishing a body within the party after the convention."Conversely, pro-Jung candidate Choi Min-hee pointed at Candidate Kim on YTN Radio, stating, "One must raise allegations with solid evidence and be cautious. It could put the party at risk."Pro-Lee Supreme Council member Kang Deuk-gu countered at a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, regarding a demand by pro-Jung Supreme Council member Park Gyu-hwan that Candidate Kim should lose his candidacy and be reported if he fails to provide evidence for the Shincheonji allegations, saying, "If it is true that a specific religious group intervened, that is election fraud; how can raising that suspicion be considered election fraud or harmful to the party?"In response, pro-Jung Supreme Council member Moon Jung-bok argued, "The situation is turning into one where party members are being branded as Shincheonji followers and the party is suffering the disgrace of being accused of having Shincheonji interfere in party affairs. The candidate who raised the issue should naturally present the evidence, and the party must investigate it accurately."Senior Spokesperson Kang Joon-hyun met with reporters at the National Assembly and said regarding the Shincheonji allegations, "It has not been discussed at the Supreme Council level," adding, "I am not aware of any relevant tips yet. We are closely monitoring the investigation by the joint investigation headquarters." (Yonhap News)]]></description>
			<author>Yonhap News</author>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 19:25:58 +0900</pubDate>
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			<title>PPP Ethics Committee initiates disciplinary proceedings against Cho Kyeong-tae, Jin Jong-oh, and Kwon Young-jin… Decision expected next month</title>
			<link>https://en.hanmiilbo.kr/news/view.php?idx=11398</link>
			<description><![CDATA[People Power Party lawmakers Cho Kyeong-tae (from left), Jin Jong-oh, and Kwon Young-jin [Photo by Bae Jae-man, Shin Hyun-woo, Hwang Kwang-mo]On the 27th, the People Power Party’s Central Ethics Committee held a plenary session and initiated disciplinary proceedings against six-term lawmaker Cho Kyeong-tae, pro-Han (pro-Han Dong-hoon) first-term lawmaker Jin Jong-oh, and two-term lawmaker Kwon Young-jin.This move realizes the "politics of discipline" aimed at establishing internal party order, which Chairman Jang Dong-hyuk had signaled shortly after the June 3 local elections. It is expected to lead to internal strife due to the intense conflict between the party leadership and the anti-Jang faction.The People Power Party Ethics Committee announced through a press release that it held a closed-door meeting at an undisclosed location in Yeouido starting at 2:00 p.m. that day and reached the decision.This was the third meeting held since the June 3 local elections. Despite speculations that initiating disciplinary action might be difficult because only three out of five members—including Ethics Committee Chairman Yoon Min-woo, excluding those who resigned—attended, it appears the committee proceeded with the decision as the quorum was met.Six-term lawmaker Cho Kyeong-tae, the most senior member of the party, was referred to the Ethics Committee for allegedly calling lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Korea and other parties to campaign against Park Duck-hyum during the parliamentary plenary session held to elect the opposition-held Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.First-term proportional representative Jin Jong-oh, classified as a pro-Han faction member, was referred to the committee for supporting independent candidate Han Dong-hoon in the Busan Buk-gap by-election despite the presence of a People Power Party candidate. Chairman Jang Dong-hyuk had previously ordered an investigation into the matter after media reports surfaced that Jin had secured housing in Busan Buk-gap to assist Han's campaign.While there had been speculation both inside and outside the party that a large number of pro-Han lawmakers who accompanied Han during his Daegu schedule last March—including Kim Ye-ji, An Sang-hoon, Jin Jong-oh, Jung Sung-kook, Bae Hyun-jin, Woo Jae-jun, and Park Jung-hoon—might face disciplinary action, it appears the committee chose Jin as the primary target instead of widening the "front," as he had publicly disclosed securing housing and sent aides to assist the campaign.Two-term Daegu lawmaker Kwon Young-jin was referred to the committee for causing a disturbance by questioning the criteria for the distribution of second-half National Assembly standing committees, and for confronting Floor Leader Jung Jeom-sik with loud protests and grabbing his collar.The party leadership had reached a consensus at the Supreme Council meeting earlier that day to recommend Kwon's voluntary departure from the party, stating that if he refused, they would pursue the highest level of discipline, including expulsion. It is reported that the Ethics Committee decided to initiate disciplinary proceedings independently, regardless of the leadership's stance.Since Kwon has been active in the reform-oriented group "Alternatives and Future" and has called for Chairman Jang's resignation, some have suggested that the "rapid-fire" disciplinary decision was made under Jang's leadership. However, the party leadership maintains that it is "a matter of establishing party order, and is a completely separate issue with no connection."Considering previous disciplinary precedents set by the committee, it is expected that a decision on whether to impose disciplinary measures will be reached by next month at the latest, following a process of hearing from the individuals involved.The Ethics Committee can impose disciplinary actions such as ▲ expulsion, ▲ recommendation to leave the party, ▲ suspension of party membership, or ▲ a warning.Although party rules allow for bypassing the hearing process with a majority vote of the members present, it is expected that the committee will follow procedural requirements, especially since previous decisions against pro-Han lawmakers Bae Hyun-jin and former Supreme Council member Kim Jong-hyuk were invalidated by court injunctions suspending their efficacy.A party official told Yonhap News, "Now that the disciplinary procedure has been initiated, we will send questionnaires, hear their explanations, and then discuss the necessity and level of disciplinary action at a future meeting to make a final decision." [Yonhap News]]]></description>
			<author>Yonhap News</author>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 19:20:31 +0900</pubDate>
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			<title>Jang Dong-hyeok: “NEC, Democratic Party, and Courts are ‘Accomplices in the Suffrage Crisis’”</title>
			<link>https://en.hanmiilbo.kr/news/view.php?idx=11395</link>
			<description><![CDATA[People Power Party Representative Jang Dong-hyeok arrives at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 27th. July 27, 2026. [Photo=Yonhap News] Jang Dong-hyeok, representative of the People Power Party, has bluntly labeled the National Election Commission (NEC), the Democratic Party of Korea, and the judiciary as &ldquo;accomplices&rdquo; regarding the infringement of suffrage during the June 3 local elections.&nbsp;At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 27th, Representative Jang stated, &ldquo;The NEC, which refuses to broadcast the proceedings live; the Democratic Party, which is delaying a special counsel investigation requested by the people; and the courts, which are rejecting search warrants for internal messengers, are all accomplices,&rdquo; adding that &ldquo;the public will never forgive this.&rdquo;&nbsp;Representative Jang was holding each party accountable: the NEC for failing to open the election objection hearings to the public, the Democratic Party for stalling the special counsel investigation into the NEC, and the judiciary for dismissing warrants to search the internal messenger logs and emails of NEC officials.&nbsp;Representative Jang, who is scheduled to personally attend the oral arguments for the election objection at the NEC that afternoon, criticized the commission, noting that &ldquo;the NEC ultimately refused the request for a live broadcast.&rdquo;&nbsp;He further argued that it is difficult to accept why the hearing process is being kept private when evidence has emerged of not only a shortage of ballots but also circumstances suggesting that NEC staff arbitrarily adjusted the number of voters and turnout figures. He demanded that the NEC explain to the public what it is trying to hide.&nbsp;Representative Jang also raised concerns regarding the reliability of the NEC's computer network. He argued that if staff were able to arbitrarily change voter counts without following proper reporting and approval procedures, then the security of the computer system, which the NEC has long touted, can no longer be trusted.&nbsp;He urged a full-scale verification of the entire election computer network, stating, &ldquo;If it is possible to manipulate computer data regarding voter turnout, then it is possible to manipulate vote counts or anything else.&rdquo;&nbsp;Prior to this, after highlighting the issue of &ldquo;election fraud&rdquo; at a rally in Daegu on the 25th, Representative Jang wrote on Facebook on the 26th: &ldquo;People called it a conspiracy theory when we alleged election fraud. Now it has been proven that such claims [by the other side] were the real conspiracy theory.&rdquo;&nbsp;He added, &ldquo;They insisted that computer manipulation was impossible, but now it has been revealed that it is possible.&rdquo; Through his comments at the Daegu rally, on Facebook, and at the Supreme Council meeting, he has increasingly escalated his rhetoric, characterizing the NEC’s adjustment of digital figures as a case of &ldquo;election fraud&rdquo; and demanding a special counsel investigation and comprehensive verification.&nbsp;The joint investigation team of the prosecution and police has booked one official each from the NEC and the Gyeonggi-do Election Commission as suspects on charges of fabricating public electronic records and obstructing the execution of official duties, and has conducted searches of the NEC’s servers and offices. It is known that circumstances involving the dispersal of excess input voter numbers to other polling stations in two locations in Gyeonggi and one in the Chungcheong region have become subjects of the investigation.&nbsp;The joint investigation also uncovered evidence that NEC staff discussed so-called &ldquo;number matching&rdquo; strategies via internal messengers without reporting the input errors to their superiors. It is reported that these findings were first confirmed through messenger records secured during the search of the NEC last June.&nbsp;However, the court recently rejected parts of the search warrant requested by the joint investigation team concerning the messenger and email records of NEC staff. While warrants for the servers and offices were issued, the effort to secure communication records that would identify internal discussions, directives, and reporting lines has been stalled.&nbsp;Supreme Council member Kim Min-soo asked at the meeting, &ldquo;If the turnout figures were altered, is the vote count safe?&rdquo; His argument is that if the number of voters was matched not through normal correction procedures but by adjusting figures from other polling stations, then all other computer data that constitutes election results must also be verified by cross-referencing original data with modification records.&nbsp;The core of this investigation is not merely the existence of simple input errors. It lies in uncovering who became aware of the errors after they occurred, whose judgment led to the omission of proper reporting and approval procedures, and the extent to which the method of adjusting figures from other polling stations was employed.&nbsp;While one should not jump to conclusions about whether the vote counts for individual candidates were manipulated at this stage, it has become difficult to avoid demands for a thorough examination of all original election network data, input/modification/deletion logs, user access and approval records, and the reporting and directive systems between local and central election commissions, now that evidence of arbitrary adjustment of the baseline voter count has been confirmed.]]></description>
			<author>Hanmiilbo Politics Team</author>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 12:38:48 +0900</pubDate>
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			<title>Lee Jae-myung’s Job Performance Rating Hits a ‘Dead Cross’… Even Realmeter Shows Positive Rating at 46.3%</title>
			<link>https://en.hanmiilbo.kr/news/view.php?idx=11394</link>
			<description><![CDATA[[Source: Realmeter]Positive assessments of Lee Jae-myung's performance in state affairs stood at 46.3%, while negative assessments were at 49.5%.&nbsp;According to the weekly results for the 4th week of July released by Realmeter on the 27th, positive assessments were 46.3% (a 2.1%p decrease from the previous week), and negative assessments were 49.5% (a 1.5%p increase from the previous week).&nbsp;This evaluation marks the first time in three weeks since the first week of July that negative assessments have surpassed positive ones. Realmeter attributed this decline to factors including the controversy over apartment collateral transactions in Bundang, remarks regarding the strengthening of holding taxes, and policy conflicts related to supplementary investigative powers and leveraged ETFs.&nbsp;Regarding political party approval ratings, the Democratic Party of Korea stood at 41.3% (-1.8%p) and the People Power Party at 40.6% (+0.6%p), resulting in a 0.7%p gap, indicating a close race within the margin of error.&nbsp;Realmeter attributed the Democratic Party's decline in approval ratings to internal primary conflicts, such as controversies over party convention deposits and debates regarding alleged connections to the Shincheonji Church, combined with the burden of pushing for the abolition of supplementary investigative powers as a party platform.&nbsp;The increase in the People Power Party’s approval rating was attributed to them gaining reflexive benefits from the Democratic Party's internal conflicts and policy confusion, while simultaneously stepping up their offensive on issues like supplementary investigative powers and special prosecutors for real estate.&nbsp;Both surveys were conducted using an automated response method with randomly generated wireless telephone numbers. The survey on Lee Jae-myung’s performance of state affairs was commissioned by Energy Economy News and conducted by Realmeter among 2,505 people aged 18 and older nationwide from the 20th to the 24th of this month. The political party approval rating survey was conducted among 1,001 people aged 18 and older nationwide from the 23rd to the 24th.&nbsp;The response rate for the presidential state performance evaluation survey was 3.6%, with a margin of error of ±2.0%p at a 95% confidence level. The response rate for the political party approval rating survey was 4.3%, with a margin of error of ±3.1%p at a 95% confidence level. For more detailed information, please refer to the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission website.]]></description>
			<author>Lim Yo-hee</author>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 12:13:44 +0900</pubDate>
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			<title>'June 3 Local Election' voter count revised by 72 cases… increase of 6,000, some changes made 12 hours later</title>
			<link>https://en.hanmiilbo.kr/news/view.php?idx=11379</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Officials from the Joint Investigation Headquarters are seen leaving the National Election Commission (NEC) headquarters in Gwacheon on the 23rd after completing a search and seizure operation. The joint prosecutorial and police investigation team, formed to uncover the truth behind the ballot paper shortage, conducted raids starting this morning at the central NEC in Gwacheon, as well as the NEC offices in Songpa-gu, Gangnam-gu, and Seocho-gu. [Yonhap News]On the day of the June 3rd local elections, the National Election Commission (NEC) received a total of 72 requests to revise voter turnout reports, with some instances showing voter numbers increasing by over 6,000 or revisions being made as late as 12 hours after the fact.Furthermore, the reasons for these revisions were not clearly documented, indicating a "haphazard" approach to the management of election data.The joint investigation headquarters, which is looking into allegations of "voter turnout manipulation" by the NEC, has secured these records and is now verifying whether there are additional instances where staff may have manipulated statistics without leaving an audit trail.According to the "Time-series Voter Turnout Revision History" submitted to the office of Representative Kim Eun-hye of the People Power Party by the NEC on the 27th, the NEC received a total of 72 revision reports from 56 district, city, and county election commissions across the country on the day of the local elections.Given that there are 255 district, city, and county election commissions nationwide, it is possible that further undisclosed revisions exist.Under the Comprehensive Local Election Management Guidelines, any revisions to data entered into the election management system must be accompanied by a detailed justification, and the provincial election commission must verify these reasons before authorizing any changes.However, the records show that the reasons provided by each local election commission were inconsistent, ranging from "correction due to omission" to simply "change in voter count."As the June 3rd local elections approach in two days, NEC officials are conducting final inspections at the counting station set up at the Daegu Gymnasium in Buk-gu, Daegu, on the 1st. [Yonhap News]According to the revision history, the election commission in Geomdan-gu, Incheon, initially reported 54,665 voters as of 4:00 PM, but later revised this figure to 61,276—an increase of more than 6,000 voters.The NEC cited the reason for this request as "total turnout discrepancies despite collection and storage after final reports from individual polling stations."In Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, the voter count was revised from 15,634 at noon to 19,631, while in Goseong County, Gangwon Province, the count increased from 4,392 at 11:00 AM to 5,639.In Baegun-dong No. 1 Polling Station in Danwon-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, 41 voters were erroneously recorded as 410, and in Gyegok-myeon, Haenam County, South Jeolla Province, 84 voters were incorrectly entered as 284 before being corrected.In some cases, corrections were not made immediately.In Gunpo, Gyeonggi Province, an error in the 7:00 AM voter count was not corrected until 7:00 PM, and in Jincheon County, North Chungcheong Province, a voter count from 6:00 PM was changed at 9:00 PM—well after voting had closed.Some figures were revised multiple times. At the No. 1 Polling Station in Yonggang-dong, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, the voter count was reduced from 2,162 to 2,161, only to be reverted back to 2,162 shortly after.In Sangdang-gu, Cheongju, and Hongseong County, South Chungcheong Province, revisions were made after the 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM voter counts were entered as identical figures.The time-series voter turnout provided by the central NEC follows a structure where polling station managers report figures by phone to the local (eup, myeon, dong) election commissions, which then report them to the district, city, or county commissions via the election management system.Subsequently, the district, city, and county commissions transmit the voter counts to the provincial and central NEC via a dedicated reporting system.The investigation team suspects that when errors occurred in the reported voter counts, NEC staff may have manipulated turnout figures by distributing numbers across inputs instead of following standard, transparent correction procedures.Currently, signs of voter manipulation have emerged in two locations in the Gyeonggi region, including Gimpo, as well as in the Chungcheong region, and officials are investigating whether similar suspicious cases exist in other areas.Representative Kim Eun-hye emphasized, "The voter turnout, which should be the most fundamental and accurate data, was tracked and revised in a haphazard manner," adding, "It is difficult to gauge how far this lax election management may have spread. This is exactly why a special investigation must be conducted thoroughly and without sanctuary."]]></description>
			<author>Yonhap News</author>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 06:10:25 +0900</pubDate>
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			<title>&quot;Global defense startup investment reaches an all-time high of 6 trillion KRW&quot;</title>
			<link>https://en.hanmiilbo.kr/news/view.php?idx=11374</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Quantum-Systems at the 2026 Farnborough Airshow [Reuters=Yonhap News File Photo]As drones and autonomous systems fundamentally reshape modern warfare, major global defense contractors are pouring record amounts of capital into startups, according to a report by the British newspaper Financial Times (FT) on the 26th (local time).According to data firm Dealroom, large defense contractors—which have long-standing relationships with governments of advanced Western nations—have participated in venture capital (VC) investments totaling $4.1 billion (approximately 5.99 trillion KRW) so far this year alone.Gwen Bion, a partner in the Aerospace & Defense division at investment bank PJT, stated, "Recent conflicts have highlighted the need for modern warfare where new technologies are integrated alongside traditional platforms," adding, "Major defense contractors are looking to secure access to these technologies."This trend was also evident at the recently held Farnborough International Airshow in the UK. While civil aerospace companies previously dominated, half of the 1,636 participating companies this year were defense-related, marking a record high.Due to recent conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, governments are increasing spending to secure weapons ranging from interceptor missiles to autonomous drones that can be produced quickly and at a lower cost.According to another data firm, Dealogic, global defense-related transactions, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and fundraising, have reached $40 billion (approximately 58.52 trillion KRW) this year. At this pace, it is expected that the annual record of $59 billion set in 2019 will be surpassed.The FT pointed out that as competition intensifies due to the rapid shifts in warfare, large firms that once focused solely on core markets—such as fighter jets, warships, and small arms—are now in a position where they must "think and adapt like venture capital investors."The French defense technology group Thales has agreed to acquire Exail Technologies, a company listed on the Paris stock exchange, for 3.9 billion euros (approximately 6.49 trillion KRW).The US-based Lockheed Martin beat out competitors to submit a bid of $3.45 billion (5.05 trillion KRW) for the acquisition of the marine technology group Ultra Maritime. Furthermore, the company announced that it would invest at least $100 million in startups in Europe, including the UK. Frank St. John, Chief Operating Officer of the company, said, "Our company is looking for untapped capabilities in Europe."German drone manufacturer Quantum-Systems recently raised $1.2 billion (1.76 trillion KRW) in new funding with support from investors including Airbus, achieving a corporate valuation of $8 billion (11.7 trillion KRW), and the UK’s Kraken Technology also announced $175 million (260 billion KRW) in funding with support from companies like Rheinmetall.&nbsp;]]></description>
			<author>Yonhap News</author>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 06:00:01 +0900</pubDate>
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			<title>Kim Young-hwan: “I was wrong to dismiss election fraud as a conspiracy theory… I prostrate myself in apology.”</title>
			<link>https://en.hanmiilbo.kr/news/view.php?idx=11362</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Kim Young-hwan, then-Governor of North Chungcheong Province, speaking at an executive meeting last January. [Photo=North Chungcheong Province]&nbsp;Former North Chungcheong Province Governor Kim Young-hwan has strongly criticized the National Election Commission (NEC) for voter turnout manipulation and illegal fraudulent election practices that have been surfacing since the start of an investigation, and has called for nationwide re-elections.On the morning of the 25th, Kim expressed his outrage via Facebook regarding evidence uncovered during an investigation by a joint police-prosecution task force into charges of falsification and alteration of public electronic records at the NEC headquarters in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, as well as local NEC offices in Seoul’s Songpa, Gangnam, and Seocho districts, and across the Chungcheong region. He stated, "Do they see the people as dogs and pigs? Are we expected to remain silent even after this?"Pointing to remarks by an NEC official to the effect that "it is enough as long as the final voter count and turnout rate match," Kim lamented, "I had no idea the NEC was so corrupt that they would manipulate real-time voter turnout, which has a decisive impact on the sentiments of the electorate and the outcome of an election.""This is a clear case of fraud, and the investigation must determine how far and wide the poisonous mushroom of corruption has spread, and who planned, overlooked, and benefited from these crimes," he added. "I bow my head in apology to the young people and the citizens for my previous stance of distancing myself from those who claimed election fraud on the grounds that there was no definitive evidence."Kim further stated, "At this very moment, I cannot accept the election results, and I cannot trust any future elections." He lashed out, saying, "The manipulation of voter counts and vote percentages is pervasive; it is a subject for a full-scale investigation. How is this any different from suggesting we close up a surgery and wait just because the patient hasn't died yet, even though they have a cancer with a 100% mortality rate?"Concluding that the current situation represents "the greatest crisis for our nation's democracy," he urged for a nationwide rally and participation to restore constitutional order, stating, "First, let us gather at Olympic Park. Let those who have been raising these allegations gather first. Let us raise the cries and banners of democracy once again."A Facebook post by former North Chungcheong Governor Kim Young-hwan. [Capture]&nbsp;]]></description>
			<author>Hur Kyoum</author>
			<pubDate>Sun, 26 Jul 2026 21:09:14 +0900</pubDate>
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			<title>Jang Dong-hyeok suggests unifying slogans, asking, &quot;Is there anyone left who still denies these were rigged or flawed elections?&quot;</title>
			<link>https://en.hanmiilbo.kr/news/view.php?idx=11344</link>
			<description><![CDATA[People Power Party Representative Jang Dong-hyeok speaks in Daegu on the 25th. [Maeil Shinmun YouTube Video GIF]As the sweat and tears shed by patriotic citizens on the asphalt over the past decade have begun to break down the once-impenetrable walls of the leftist regime and the National Election Commission, People Power Party Representative Jang Dong-hyeok has proposed unifying the movement's slogan to "Re-election for Election Fraud, Same-Day Voting and Hand Counting."&nbsp;Representative Jang, who has recently intensified his efforts in support of the long-standing election fraud struggle led by supporters of the Freedom and Innovation Party, addressed the "National Rally for the Restoration of Suffrage and the Protection of Democracy" held by the party in Daegu at 5:00 PM on the 25th. He garnered an enthusiastic response from the audience by proposing a unified call to action: "Until the day we reclaim our suffrage, our only slogan will be: 'Re-election for Election Fraud, Same-Day Voting and Hand Counting.'"&nbsp;This message is interpreted as a strategic move by Representative Jang, reflecting his view that the situation transcends simple electoral mismanagement and indicates that the very foundation of South Korea's constitutional order has been shaken, while aiming to influence the heart of institutional politics and the current special counsel landscape.&nbsp;He emphasized, "What we lost was not just a piece of ballot paper, but the Republic of Korea itself. What we lost was our democracy and our nation's future," adding, "It was our voices that started this movement, and it was our voices that opened the door to a special counsel. Now, it must be our voices that determine the nature of that special counsel."&nbsp;Standing on the final stage of his outdoor campaign, which traveled from Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, to Daegu, Representative Jang stated that the national outcry at Olympic Park led to the unprecedented search and seizure of the National Election Commission's servers. He urged for continued solidarity to ensure that a special counsel driven by the people is successfully appointed.&nbsp;He cautioned, "The outcry at Olympic Park breached the Central Election Commission's servers, which seemed impenetrable, but I still do not fully trust the joint investigation team. If they only go through the motions of a raid without truly uncovering the truth, today's search and seizure will be for nothing. We must continue to monitor and watch over this until the end. We must ensure this investigation is carried out by our own hands."&nbsp;He further declared, "I hope we can organize another 'Olympic Park Day' and then another, until a proper special counsel is appointed. Let us not stop our shouting until our voices reach the ears of every single Democratic Party lawmaker and the ears of Lee Jae-myung at the Blue House."&nbsp;At the rally, Representative Jang asked, "If anyone here still thinks we should call it 'electoral mismanagement' rather than 'election fraud,' please raise your hand," before leading the crowd in chanting, "Re-election for Election Fraud, Same-Day Voting and Hand Counting." He concluded by stating, "We have come this far through the sweat and tears of patriotic citizens who have fought in the public squares for over 10 years. Now is the time for the National Assembly to respond," urging the crowd to keep their voices heard until a proper special counsel is appointed.&nbsp;People Power Party Representative Jang Dong-hyeok (center) and Supreme Council member Kim Min-soo (right) join patriotic citizens in chanting "Election Fraud, Re-election" and "Same-Day Voting, Hand Counting" at the Jamsil protest site around 10:00 PM on July 11th. This was reported to be the first time such high-ranking officials from the People Power Party publicly joined in chanting the "election fraud" slogan in a public forum. [YouTube PenN Mike GIF]]]></description>
			<author>Hur Kyoum</author>
			<pubDate>Sun, 26 Jul 2026 02:06:28 +0900</pubDate>
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			<title>Jang Dong-hyeok: &quot;We cannot trust the courts or the joint investigation team... We must unite until a special counsel is appointed&quot;</title>
			<link>https://en.hanmiilbo.kr/news/view.php?idx=11337</link>
			<description><![CDATA[People Power Party Representative Jang Dong-hyeok displays clothing featuring the Taegeukgi (Korean flag) while delivering a speech at the Gimhae Citizens' Rally condemning the infringement of suffrage rights, held at Geobuk Park in Nae-dong, Gimhae, Gyeongnam, on the afternoon of the 25th. [Yonhap News]&nbsp;People Power Party Representative Jang Dong-hyeok concluded his series of outdoor protests regarding the ballot shortage crisis, which had continued since the June 3 local elections, with a final rally in Daegu on the 25th.At approximately 5:00 p.m. that day, Representative Jang attended the "National Resolution Rally for the Restoration of Suffrage and Protection of Democracy," hosted by the party in Daegu. Taking the podium, he urged, "Let us unite all our strength to ensure we can recommend and appoint a special prosecutor who is acceptable to the people."He continued, "The Democratic Party, which previously rejected any and all special prosecutor appointments, has now accepted one for the protection of suffrage. We have also reached an agreement on the special counsel bill to ensure that a special prosecutor cannot be appointed without the consent of the People Power Party," emphasizing, "This is all thanks to your efforts in fighting for this cause."He added, "We must continue to raise our voices until a proper special prosecutor is appointed, until the investigation begins, so that the joint investigation headquarters can conduct a thorough probe and the courts can properly hear the roar of the people."Representative Jang stated, "Thanks to your fight, we crossed the wall of the National Election Commission (NEC) that once seemed impenetrable, and breached the servers that were thought to be unhackable," and raised his voice, saying, "We have come this far through the sweat and tears of our patriotic citizens who have been fighting in the streets for over 10 years. Now, it is time for the National Assembly to provide an answer."Following this, he asked the crowd, "Please raise your hand if you think we should still call this an 'insufficient election' rather than using the term 'fraudulent election,'" before leading chants of "Re-election for electoral fraud" and "Hand-counting of same-day ballots."The event was attended by party leadership, including Supreme Council members Kim Jae-won, Kim Min-soo, Shin Dong-wook, and Cho Gwang-han, as well as Secretary-General Jeong Hee-yong. Also present were Daegu-area incumbent lawmakers, including Kim Sang-hoon, Kang Dae-sik, Kim Seung-soo, Lee In-sun, Gu Ja-geun, and Lee Jin-sook.Notably, there appeared to be a difference in tone between Representative Jang and the other lawmakers; the latter held placards reading "Protect Suffrage" rather than "Fraudulent Election," and most of the incumbent lawmakers who spoke at the event called for "Fair Elections" or the "Protection of Suffrage" rather than using the slogan "Fraudulent Election."Earlier that day, at approximately 1:00 p.m., Representative Jang also attended a citizens' rally in Gimhae, Gyeongnam, regarding the infringement of suffrage, though no incumbent lawmakers accompanied him there.At the Gimhae rally, Representative Jang raised his voice, saying, "Reports are surfacing that voter turnout rates were manipulated by the NEC. If turnout can be manipulated, what is the point of verifying our IDs at the polling station? What is the point of having dozens of poll observers? What is the point of checking the results again after electronic counting?"He further urged, "While the court issued a warrant for the NEC's servers, it dismissed the warrant for the employees' group chat rooms. We cannot trust the joint investigation headquarters or the court. We must raise our voices, take action, and continue to monitor the situation until the end."After finishing his speech, Representative Jang led a street march for about 30 minutes, chanting, "Re-election for electoral fraud, hand-counting of same-day ballots."Representative Jang plans to wrap up his official outdoor protest schedule regarding the ballot shortage crisis with today's events. However, it is reported that he will continue to attend the rallies at Olympic Park in Jamsil in a personal capacity.&nbsp;]]></description>
			<author>Yonhap News</author>
			<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 2026 22:00:38 +0900</pubDate>
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			<title>People Power Party on Chung Sung-ho’s resignation: &quot;A total victory for the ruling party’s hardliners… a signal of a lame duck.&quot;</title>
			<link>https://en.hanmiilbo.kr/news/view.php?idx=11336</link>
			<description><![CDATA[People Power Party Floor Leader Jung Jeom-sik speaking at the Supreme Council meeting [Photo = Yonhap News]On the 25th, the People Power Party launched an offensive against the Democratic Party of Korea's pursuit of the "abolition of supplementary investigation rights" as its party platform, labeling the resignation of Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho as "the signal flare of a lame duck in the Lee Jae-myung administration."People Power Party Representative Jang Dong-hyeok wrote on Facebook that day regarding Minister Jung's resignation, calling it "the final conscience of someone who witnessed a crime scene," and criticized the administration as a "regime that fears only its extreme supporters but is not afraid of the public."He further emphasized, "The dismantling of the prosecution will inevitably lead to the dismantling of the regime," adding, "At that point, it will be impossible to 'supplement' anything."Floor Leader Jung Jeom-sik remarked on Facebook, "The Democratic Party's adoption of the abolition of supplementary investigation rights as a party platform is a 'defeat for the government and a total victory for the ruling party's hardliners,'" and pointed out, "When combining Minister Jung's resignation with the remarks made by the Vice Minister of Justice at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, it has become clear that the government's stance favors caution regarding the abolition of supplementary investigation rights."He further argued, "Instead of controlling the ruling party's extreme push for the abolition of supplementary investigation rights, President Lee is only paying heed to the hardliners within the Democratic Party and being dragged along," adding, "This is likely because he will need the help of these hardline lawmakers to successfully achieve the dismissal of public prosecutions in the future."Regarding Minister Jung, he evaluated, "I highly regard his attitude of wanting to uphold his responsibility and convictions as a minister," noting, "Compared to Policy Chief Kim Yong-beom, who refuses to take responsibility even after turning the KOSPI into a gambling den, or Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-baek, who is forcing the consolidation of military academies against public opinion without resolving allegations regarding his own desertion, it is a responsible stance."Chief Spokesperson Park Sung-hoon stated in a commentary, "If he were truly worried about judicial justice, he should not have cowardly 'thrown his resignation and looked the other way,' but should have publicly advised President Lee to exercise his veto power and risked his ministerial position to fight until the end," labeling the move a "'resignation political show' lacking both justification and conviction."Five-term lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun emphasized in a Facebook post, "Why did you not try to persuade the public and raise your voice to protect the rule of law until the end?" and added, "Please clearly state your position as Minister of Justice regarding the controversy over the dismissal of public prosecutions surrounding President Lee."Five-term lawmaker Na Kyung-won wrote on Facebook, "President Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party's reckless judicial destruction, which prioritizes immediate vote counting for the national convention and the cheers of extreme supporters over the lives and safety of the people, will inevitably be judged by the public for the cost of collapsing the constitutional order."]]></description>
			<author>Yonhap News</author>
			<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 2026 21:24:47 +0900</pubDate>
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			<title>Jang Dong-hyeok to visit Gimhae and Daegu today… to attend a rally condemning the infringement of voting rights</title>
			<link>https://en.hanmiilbo.kr/news/view.php?idx=11325</link>
			<description><![CDATA[People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok speaks out against government real estate policy at the party's Real Estate Policy Normalization Forum held at the National Assembly on the 24th. [Yonhap News]&nbsp;On the 25th, People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok will visit Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, and Daegu to continue his "outdoor political" campaign, calling for the introduction of a special prosecutor to investigate the opposition-led National Election Commission and the holding of re-elections.Representative Jang is scheduled to visit Geobuk Park in Gimhae around 1:00 p.m. today to attend a rally condemning the disenfranchisement caused by the shortage of ballots during the June 3rd election.He then plans to move to the plaza at Banwoldang Intersection in Daegu to attend the "National Rally for the Restoration of Voting Rights and Defense of Democracy."It is reported that members of the party leadership, including supreme council members, as well as some incumbent lawmakers from Daegu, will be present at the site.Beginning with a roundtable meeting with youth organizations in Incheon and the metropolitan area on the 8th, Representative Jang has visited Busan and Gwangju, South Jeolla Province, in sequence to join rally sites advocating for re-elections and reform of the National Election Commission.&nbsp;]]></description>
			<author>Yonhap News</author>
			<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 2026 08:01:02 +0900</pubDate>
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			<title>People Power Party strongly criticizes: “The Democratic Party has ratified the abolition of supplementary investigation rights as its party platform… legislative tyranny that only chases extremist supporters.”</title>
			<link>https://en.hanmiilbo.kr/news/view.php?idx=11313</link>
			<description><![CDATA[&nbsp;“The Busan roundhouse kick case is a case that has impressed upon the entire nation the importance of supplementary investigations and the supplementation of evidence.”&nbsp;The People Power Party has strongly criticized the Democratic Party of Korea’s official adoption of the “abolition of the prosecution’s supplementary investigation authority” as a party platform, labeling it a “political legislative rampage that completely disregards public concern and opposition.”&nbsp;Park Sung-hoon, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, stated in a commentary on the 24th, “Supplementary investigation authority is a minimal safety net for correcting sloppy investigations, supplementing missing evidence, and uncovering the substantive truth of a case,” adding, “Abolishing this is no different from declaring that they are voluntarily abandoning the completeness of investigations and kicking away the very last safety mechanism for responding to crime.”&nbsp;Citing the Busan roundhouse kick case as an example, Chief Spokesperson Park remarked, “It is a case that has impressed upon the entire nation the importance of supplementary investigations and the supplementation of evidence.”&nbsp;He also argued, “The Jang Yoon-ki case also showed that what the public wants is not political slogans, but investigations that uncover the truth to the end,” and added, “Yet, the Democratic Party is attempting to tear down even the minimum institutional foundations for uncovering the truth.”&nbsp;Furthermore, he expressed concern that if even the prosecution's supplementary investigations were to be blocked, the harm would ultimately fall upon crime victims and the powerless public. He continued his sharp criticism, stating, “While those in power may be able to evade responsibility, victims are left with irreversible wounds. I cannot help but feel devastated by the arrogance and self-righteousness of the Democratic Party, which shows no sense of responsibility even after so easily dismantling the criminal justice system that is directly linked to the lives of the people.”&nbsp;In addition, he noted that even if the Democratic Party packages this as ‘prosecution reform,’ what the public has experienced is ‘investigative confusion’ and ‘evasion of responsibility,’ asking, “Is there no reflection on past failures, and are you intending to once again treat the criminal justice system as a subject for political experimentation?”&nbsp;Chief Spokesperson Park pointedly asked, “Who exactly is this ‘public’ that the Democratic Party refers to?” and added, “I must ask whether the cheers of their hardcore supporters and political interests are more important to them than the lives and safety of the public.” He further condemned the move, saying, “The Democratic Party’s act of violence, putting public safety at risk, is not reform, but legislative dictatorship.”&nbsp;Finally, the People Power Party made clear its firm opposition to the abolition of the supplementary investigation authority, which undermines the balance of the criminal justice system. Chief Spokesperson Park emphasized, “We will block the Democratic Party’s irresponsible attempt to dismantle the criminal justice system to the end,” adding, “We will stand firm until the end to protect the rule of law, judicial justice, and public safety.”Reporter Lim Yo-hee]]></description>
			<author>Lim Yo-hee</author>
			<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 18:36:07 +0900</pubDate>
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			<title>“Computerized manipulation was a fact, not a conspiracy theory”… Representative Hwang Kyo-ahn calls for investigation into all past elections, including the April 15 general election</title>
			<link>https://en.hanmiilbo.kr/news/view.php?idx=11309</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Freedom and Innovation Party, holds a press conference at the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium in Seoul on the 24th.As the reality of what can be described as a national emergency—'election computer manipulation'—finally begins to emerge from behind the veil, Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Freedom and Innovation Party, called on the 24th for a full-scale, unrestricted investigation into all elections, including the 2020 21st National Assembly election (April 15 General Election), which has been the subject of the greatest controversy.&nbsp;Hwang held an emergency press conference in front of Gates 1-2 of the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium in Songpa-gu, Seoul, at 4 p.m. that day, stating, "The things we have been shouting about all this time are proving to be facts, not lies or conspiracy theories."&nbsp;Drawing on his experience in state affairs as former acting president, prime minister, and minister of justice, Hwang emphasized, "Whether it be a joint investigation headquarters, a parliamentary inspection, or a special counsel, we must uncover the full truth behind the National Election Commission's servers with a sense of national and historical duty."&nbsp;He further warned, "If the investigation is limited only to the recent June 3 election, it would be another grave sin against history," adding, "We must finish this once and for all by thoroughly investigating all past elections, including the April 15 general election of 2020."&nbsp;Hwang also added, "We cannot stand idly by now that we have faced the reality of this unprecedented and shocking election fraud," and, "All citizens are now aware of how much the National Election Commission has lied while hiding the truth all this time."&nbsp;]]></description>
			<author>Hur Kyoum</author>
			<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 16:57:44 +0900</pubDate>
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			<title>[Korea-U.S. Perspective] Are we now intent on ruining even guard duty, a survival task for soldiers?</title>
			<link>https://en.hanmiilbo.kr/news/view.php?idx=11304</link>
			<description><![CDATA[A soldier from the ROK Army's 6th Division performs guard duty at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) while wearing night-vision equipment. Central front of the DMZ, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do, summer of the 65th anniversary of the Armistice. July 24, 2018. [Photo = Yonhap News]The Ministry of National Defense recently announced a proposed revision to the Military Unit Management Directive. The proposal includes provisions that allow commanders to decide whether to eliminate nighttime guard duties (night watches) in units equipped with alternative verification systems such as CCTV and patrols. It also includes the introduction of a prior notification system for random living quarters inspections, the designation of specific hours for physical training, and the clarification of criteria for restricting the display of photos of disgraced commanders.&nbsp;Rigorous guarding and surveillance are the fundamental principles of maintaining a military and the absolute basis for survival, regardless of the battlefield. Nevertheless, this policy, which allows battalion-level commanders to replace traditional night watches in barracks with CCTV and patrols at their discretion, forces us to question whether our military—a group standing on the front line of national security—has adopted an unacceptably complacent attitude.&nbsp;Even youth on a voluntary camping trip maintain a night watchThroughout history, failure in guard operations has not been a simple mistake but a catastrophic disaster, leading directly to national collapse and total annihilation. There is no need to recount the countless historical examples of nighttime raids.&nbsp;The tragedy of military forces being completely wiped out in a single night because they were caught off guard—leaving the entire encampment defenseless under the enemy's blade—is the most sobering lesson taught by military history from ancient times to the present. A fundamental tenet of military doctrine is that a commander who fails in guard operations cannot be forgiven.&nbsp;A night watch is not merely a cumbersome task of staying awake at night to kill time. In peacetime, it is a clear extension of guard operation training in preparation for wartime.&nbsp;During sleeping hours, from 10 PM until the next morning, it serves as a core unit management function and nighttime adaptation training: monitoring for external intruders, preventing emergencies such as fires or theft, and checking the hygiene and health status of soldiers in real time.&nbsp;Through this process, soldiers deployed in two-person teams learn the responsibility of protecting their comrades and develop the nighttime sensory awareness and tactical tension required for immediate response in contingencies.&nbsp;The Ministry of National Defense argues that modernized security systems and CCTV are sufficient replacements. Of course, technological advancement should rightly increase the efficiency of defense systems. However, mechanical equipment and the gaze from behind a screen cannot fully replace human senses and on-site responsiveness.&nbsp;If we rely solely on cameras and control room monitors—which inevitably have blind spots—and end up allowing an enemy infiltration or missing an unexpected fire, the responsibility falls squarely on the resulting gap in national security. Have we already forgotten the painful truth taught by military history that a failure in guard operations equals the annihilation of the military and the loss of a war?&nbsp;The raison d'être of the military is to protect the lives of the peopleMore concerning is the direction of other clauses in this proposed amendment. A prime example is the mandate that commanders or duty officers must provide advance notice when inspecting living quarters.While the stated purpose is to ensure the soldiers' right to rest and privacy, the essence of the military lies in the discipline and tension required to prepare for emergencies that could occur at any time, whether in war or peace.Unannounced, random inspections are the minimum safety mechanism for establishing discipline and maintaining military order. If one must even seek permission in advance to conduct an inspection, how can we hope to control the lethargy and complacency that might become rampant within the military?&nbsp;Provisions in this amendment, such as separating physical training hours, reflect the correct direction for modern militaries to improve the welfare and rights of soldiers. However, the pursuit of welfare and human rights must never lead to a weakening of the military's inherent combat effectiveness or a relaxation of its guard posture.&nbsp;The sole reason for a military's existence is to deter enemy provocation and protect the lives of the state and its people. Eroding the guard operation system—the bedrock of a soldier's survival and the bastion of national security—in the name of convenience and efficiency is a reversal of priorities.&nbsp;The Ministry of National Defense must ask itself whether it is dismantling the fundamentals of security in the name of soldier convenience, and it should reconsider this amendment from scratch, essentially wiping the slate clean. In actual combat, a failure in guarding means death and annihilation. In national security, there is no such thing as a remedy applied after the disaster has already occurred.]]></description>
			<author>Admin</author>
			<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 14:54:49 +0900</pubDate>
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			<title>People Power Party: &quot;President Lee mentioned 'tripling property taxes' right after selling his own house.&quot;</title>
			<link>https://en.hanmiilbo.kr/news/view.php?idx=11300</link>
			<description><![CDATA[&nbsp;A view of an apartment reconstruction site in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 23rd. At the National Open Debate on Real Estate Policy held that day, participants expressed conflicting opinions on the housing supply effects of reconstruction and redevelopment. [Photo=Yonhap News]On the 23rd, the People Power Party launched a unified offensive against the National Open Debate on Real Estate Policy presided over by President Lee Jae-myung, asking, "Have you completely given up on normalizing the real estate market?"Five-term lawmaker Na Kyung-won of Seoul fiercely criticized the event in a Facebook post, calling it "a declaration by a new socialist privileged class who intends to keep the public down with real estate loan regulations while enjoying real estate privileges for themselves."Targeting President Lee's remark during the debate that "we would need to raise property taxes by three times (the current level) even to reach the level of advanced nations," Rep. Na remarked, "I am left speechless by the hypocrisy of someone who mentions a 'tripling of property taxes' for the public right after selling off their own home."She continued, "It is truly lamentable to witness the reality of South Korea, where a president who is a slippery 'legal trickster'—bypassing real estate regulations meant to bind the public by using 1.7 billion won in private loans—broadcasts a live, pathetic show of criticizing the public's real estate while maximizing his own real estate profits."Two-term Busan lawmaker Park Soo-young also criticized the debate via Facebook, calling it a "predetermined, non-communicative show that ignores the market and the people."Rep. Park took issue with President Lee's statement that "in the case of reconstruction, the number of households sometimes increases, but it doesn't seem to increase significantly, and in the case of redevelopment, it seems normal for the total number of move-ins to decrease."He argued, "President Lee disparaged urban renewal projects, which are central to downtown supply, with absurd logic," and asked, "If you aren't going to increase private redevelopment, where exactly do you plan to supply housing for the metropolitan area?"Regarding President Lee's remark that "there is general agreement that property taxes need to be strengthened," he pushed back, stating, "This is a rehash of the populist 'divide and conquer' strategy of the Moon Jae-in administration, which failed miserably while trying to stabilize real estate through taxes instead of supply."Chief Spokesperson Choi Bo-yoon also issued a commentary criticizing the debate as nothing more than a "public opinion manipulation show," adding, "It did nothing but justify the government's policy failures while turning a blind eye to the cries from the field and warnings from the market."Chief Spokesperson Choi pointed out, "Above all, the process of President Lee's Bundang apartment sale is the pinnacle of hypocrisy. While he trampled on the dream of homeownership by building high walls of harsh loan regulations for the public, he himself resorted to an odd private loan trick by setting up a mortgage worth 1.77 billion won for the buyer while selling his own high-priced 2.9 billion won apartment."She emphasized, "If even the top authority in the country has to resort to tricks and detours because normal transactions are impossible, it is a self-admission that this administration's real estate policy has failed completely," adding, "What the people want right now is not a self-congratulatory debate by the President, but a fundamental transformation of real estate policy."]]></description>
			<author>Yonhap News</author>
			<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 12:17:22 +0900</pubDate>
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			<title>Some People Power Party lawmakers protest committee assignments… shout at floor leadership</title>
			<link>https://en.hanmiilbo.kr/news/view.php?idx=11267</link>
			<description><![CDATA[National Assembly Speaker Jo Jeong-sik announces the voting results for the six standing committee chairs allocated to the opposition parties for the second half of the 22nd National Assembly during the second plenary session of the July extraordinary session held at the National Assembly on the 23rd. The Gender Equality and Family Committee chair, one of the slots allocated to the People Power Party (PPP), was not elected on this day as Representative Im Lee-ja, who had been confirmed as the candidate, resigned. [Yonhap News]&nbsp;Uproar broke out within the People Power Party (PPP) on the 23rd as some lawmakers protested against the party leadership with shouting and even physical altercations over the assignment of standing committee positions for the second half of the parliamentary term.The PPP notified its members of their standing committee assignments for the next two years during the National Assembly plenary session on the day, around the time the party's candidates for standing committee chairs were being elected.Following the announcement, some lawmakers expressed strong discontent with the party leadership, claiming they were not assigned to their preferred committees.Rep. Kwon Young-jin, a two-term lawmaker from Daegu, reportedly visited floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik after the plenary session concluded that afternoon to demand an explanation regarding the principles of the committee assignments and raise strong objections.During this process, Rep. Kwon raised his voice, shouting, "Jeong Jeom-sik, come here," and his yelling was audible to reporters outside the office. It was reported that the protest escalated into a physical confrontation with the floor leader.As the situation worsened, Floor Leader Jeong said, "Calm down and come back later" and "How could you grab the floor leader by the collar just because you didn't get the committee you wanted?" Nearby lawmakers also attempted to intervene, but Rep. Kwon reportedly continued his protest, stating, "Explain what the principles for committee assignments are" and "I would grab you by the collar ten times. You are doing whatever you want."After the situation ended, Floor Leader Jeong left the office and told reporters only, "I do not think it is appropriate to discuss internal party matters in this manner," before departing.In a phone call with Yonhap News regarding the incident, Rep. Kwon said, "I went to the floor leader to convey the complaints of many lawmakers and to protest against 'principle-less committee assignments.'" He added, "I told the floor leader, 'How can the party be united if those who are close to you or are considered powerful figures in the party break the rules to secure spots in good committees multiple times, while those who followed the rules are made into fools?'"The explanation is that among many lawmakers who vied for popular committees like the National Policy Committee, the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, and the Trade, Industry and Energy Committee, some members were repeatedly assigned to these sought-after posts, leading to complaints of unfairness among the parliamentary group.Rep. Kwon added, "As a National Assembly member, it is only natural to strongly protest when I go to convey lawmakers' complaints regarding committee assignments to the floor leader and he responds by saying, 'I am not responsible; ask the senior deputy floor leader.'"Earlier in the day, another two-term lawmaker from the Yeongnam region reportedly approached Senior Deputy Floor Leader Kim Seung-soo around the time of the general meeting of lawmakers, expressing strong dissatisfaction with the assignments, asking, "Do you have no sense of shame?"In response, an official from the party leadership stated, "The authority for committee assignments lies solely with the floor leader. It is impossible to satisfy everyone," noting that there would be no changes to the assignments.One lawmaker who witnessed the scene told a reporter, "Grabbing a colleague by the collar because you are dissatisfied with committee assignments is behavior unworthy of a National Assembly member."An official from the floor leader’s office also commented, "If there is no official apology, disciplinary action is a matter of course. One must distinguish between expressing a protest and committing acts of violence."&nbsp;]]></description>
			<author>Yonhap News</author>
			<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 06:00:01 +0900</pubDate>
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			<title>Jang Dong-hyuk: “Election Commission’s Computer Manipulation Exposed… Parliamentary Investigation Must Be Extended”</title>
			<link>https://en.hanmiilbo.kr/news/view.php?idx=11256</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Jang Dong-hyeok, Representative of the People Power Party [Photo=Yonhap News]People Power Party Representative Jang Dong-hyeok has strongly criticized the National Election Commission (NEC) for computer system manipulation, calling for an extension of the parliamentary investigation and the appointment of a special counsel.&nbsp;On the 23rd, Representative Jang stated on his Facebook page, "The NEC's computer system manipulation has been exposed," adding, "According to what has been revealed by the joint investigation headquarters so far, they arbitrarily manipulated voter turnout by time slot."&nbsp;Representative Jang further pointed out, "The NEC has consistently claimed that 'computer manipulation is impossible,' and they unleashed all sorts of attacks, labeling even the mere suggestion of poor management in the election statistics system as a 'conspiracy theory'." He noted, "The Democratic Party even tried to send people to prison for up to 10 years for such claims, but it turns out that even the most basic voter turnout data could be manipulated so easily through the computer system."&nbsp;He criticized the situation severely, stating, "If we cannot even trust the voter turnout, how are we supposed to trust any other figures? Can they still demand that the public blindly accept election results under these circumstances?" He called it "a very grave incident that undermines the credibility of elections from the ground up."&nbsp;Emphasizing the necessity of extending the parliamentary investigation and introducing a special counsel to resolve these suspicions, Representative Jang argued, "We must extend the current parliamentary investigation period to examine the entire aspect of computer manipulation from scratch," adding, "The investigation must be entrusted to a 'People's Special Counsel' that can be trusted, rather than a 'political special counsel' of the Democratic Party's style."&nbsp;He further added, "We must investigate the entire election statistics system, including the NEC servers, and review all statistical records from past elections," asserting, "Without doing so, there is no way to resolve this major national suspicion."&nbsp;Finally, Representative Jang warned, "The foundation of democracy is elections, and the foundation of elections is fair voting and counting," adding, "South Korea's democracy is in danger of collapsing. If the Democratic Party tries to stall with a 'bed special counsel,' they will never be able to get up from that bed again."]]></description>
			<author>Lim Yo-hee</author>
			<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 16:48:14 +0900</pubDate>
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