🇰🇷Week of October 12

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi sent an offering to Yasukuni Shrine, and her visit to the shrine itself appears to be postponed. South Korea's government responded with "deep disappointment and regret" over the offering.123

The Foreign Ministry issued the statement of "deep disappointment and regret" over Takaichi's offering to Yasukuni Shrine, a formulation carried by outlets across the political spectrum, from the right-leaning Chosun Ilbo to centre outlets MBC and Yonhap.1234

Takaichi also said she would inherit the Murayama Statement, the Japanese government's 1995 expression of remorse over its wartime conduct.56

The Yasukuni offering and the government's response drew coverage from centre-right and mixed outlets as well, including Hankyung, the Kyungbuk Domin Ilbo and the JoongAng Ilbo, which reported the government's "disappointment and regret."678

South Korean lawmaker Kim Byung-joo called on the commander of US Forces Korea, General Brunsom, to apologize, saying remarks that infringed on South Korean sovereignty crossed a line. The demand came as the ruling party pressed on the US side's change to the conditions for wartime operational control transfer, arguing the conditions should be met quickly so the transfer can proceed.123

The dispute centers on General Brunsom's abrupt change to the conditions for wartime operational control transition, a shift that prompted the ruling party's response and commentary questioning why the commander altered the terms. The episode has widened friction in the South Korea-US alliance, with attention focused on Brunsom's blunt public statements.34

JTBC reported that the government is reviewing warnings through multiple channels should Brunsom's remarks go too far, an account the outlet presented as an exclusive. The report places the government's response alongside the legislative demand for an apology and the ruling party's push on the transfer conditions.5

The government said the fundamentals of the economy and the stock market remain solid and that it was checking risk factors across financial markets.12

The Kosdaq rebounded more than 5 percent intraday, recovering the 800 level and triggering a buy-side sidecar after remarks by Fed official Kevin Warsh.32

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix shares were sold amid what the energy-focused outlet described as a Chinese DRAM offensive, with Wall Street weighing the companies' mass-production capability.42

Kim Min-seok apologized directly for Choo Mi-ae's remark describing fire service funding as a "fiscal straw," and said he had asked Choo to apologize. Choo apologized after visiting a memorial for fallen firefighters, saying she apologizes wholeheartedly because an apology is wanted. The remarks followed the deaths of firefighters in Bucheon, where ruling and opposition politicians lined up to pay respects.12345

Attributed claim: 문화일보 / 경향신문 / 조선일보: The main opposition People Power Party rejected Choo's apology as arrogant to the end, keeping the dispute alive despite the expressions of condolence. Kim Min-seok also offered deep condolences to the fallen firefighters.321

Anthropic used 21 books by Korean authors, including Han Kang and Kim Young-ha, to train its AI without permission. The titles named in coverage include Han Kang's "The Vegetarian"-era work "소년이 온다" ("Human Acts"). A compensation process has been launched for the affected works.1234

Attributed claim: The right-leaning Chosun Ilbo reported that the books were illegally downloaded and framed the remedy as compensation of about 4 million won per work. The centre outlet Yonhap and centre SBS News reported the same 21-title figure and the start of the compensation procedure without the per-work amount in their headlines.213

The case has drawn in the publishing industry, which is preparing its own response. Kyobo Book Centre received bulk-purchase inquiries for books suspected of being intended for AI training.5