Week of October 26

2026-W44: Oct 26 – November 1, 2026
FINAL: Last update October 30, 2026
COUNTRIES IN THE NEWS: North Korea
Brazil
United States
NEWS LANGUAGE: English
한국어 (original)

Special counsel seeks death penalty again for Yoon Suk Yeol at insurrection appeal

First published Thu, Oct 29

A special counsel investigating the insurrection case asked the appeals court to sentence former President Yoon Suk Yeol to death on the charge of leading the insurrection, the same penalty sought at his first trial. The request was made at Yoon's appellate hearing.1 2 3

The special counsel argued the sentence should not be reduced because the public blocked the insurrection. "The insurrection the people stopped is no reason for a reduced sentence," the prosecution said, according to Kyunghyang Shinmun's account of the hearing.4 1

Prosecutors framed the request around deterrence, saying the penalty should ensure that "a second Yoon Suk Yeol does not emerge." JTBC carried that line in its report on the appeal hearing.3

Lula wins Brazil's presidency for a fourth term, defeating Bolsonaro by 3.52 percentage points

First published Mon, Oct 26

Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won Brazil's presidential election, becoming the country's first four-term president. He defeated Jair Bolsonaro by 3.52 percentage points in a result described as a comeback.1 2 3

Bolsonaro said he cannot accept the election result and announced he would file a request to annul the vote. His refusal to concede followed the narrow loss to Lula.2 4

Attributed claim: The result was reported across South Korea's political spectrum, with centre-left Hankyoreh leading on Lula's comeback and the 3.52-point margin, while right-leaning Chosun Ilbo led on Bolsonaro's refusal to accept the outcome and his pledge to seek annulment. Both accounts agree on the winner and the margin.1 4

The Brazilian election is one of four national votes in ten days that will test right-wing solidarity between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, according to Newsis.3

South Korea marks fourth anniversary of Itaewon crowd crush as Lee attends memorial first time

First published Fri, Oct 30

South Korea marked the fourth anniversary of the October 29 Itaewon crowd crush with a memorial ceremony on Thursday. President Lee Jae-myung attended the memorial for the first time, YTN reported. A bereaved family member asked that the public remember the life that lay ahead of 'a son who loved Korea.'1 2 3

A memorial path titled 'October 29, a road of memory and safety' was laid with chrysanthemums, and the government published photographs of the fourth-anniversary ceremony.4 3

News coverage of the anniversary centred on witnesses to the moments when the state was absent, in a News Tapa weekly report on the fourth anniversary.5

KBS reported that commenters posting secondary attacks against the bereaved families face no action, with investigative agencies and courts accused of standing by.6

Police search of pediatric emergency room draws doctors' protest and ministerial talks on guidelines

First published Fri, Oct 30

Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.

Attributed claim: A police seizure of material at a pediatric emergency room during patient care has become a dispute between the medical community and the police. Doctors' groups say the search disrupted treatment and threatened patient safety, while police say the operation was carried out lawfully and kept to a minimum. The Korean Medical Association said the search threatened patient safety, and police countered that it was executed with minimal disruption.1 2

Doctors and patients protested in front of the National Police Agency, carrying signs that read "There are no thieves here" to condemn the seizure at the pediatric emergency room. The hospital's own leadership was drawn into the fallout: the head of Ajou University Hospital said police apologized repeatedly, saying they were "sorry," and that he would try to persuade three staff members who had submitted resignations.3 4

The controversy has reached the government. The welfare minister will meet the acting police chief next week to discuss investigation guidelines for essential medical care, a sign the dispute now involves how police conduct probes inside hospitals providing critical treatment.5

Attributed claim: Weekly Chosun described the pediatric emergency room as the "last line of defense" and focused on the warrant served inside it, while Hankyoreh framed the episode around the medical community's charge that treatment was obstructed against the police position that the execution was lawful. Both accounts agree on the core events: a search took place during care, doctors objected, and police defended the action.6 1

Supreme Court opens warrant hearing on Kim Keon-hee four days before detention expires

First published Tue, Oct 27 · Updated Wed, Oct 28

BACKGROUND

Kim Keon-hee is South Korea's former first lady. In September 2026 an appeals court cut her prison term to five years, and a full-bench review of her case was pending before the Supreme Court. In mid-October a special counsel sought a new arrest warrant as her detention was nearing its end, and the Supreme Court scheduled a hearing on that request for the 27th.

Separately, the Innovation Party published a draft motion to impeach Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae and pressed the Democratic Party to take a position, a move critics called a parliamentary coup. The Democratic Party said it was gathering internal views on impeaching Cho and would decide its course calmly after the parliamentary audit, with one lawmaker proposing a parliamentary inspection of the Supreme Court instead.

The Supreme Court began a hearing on an additional arrest warrant for Kim Keon-hee, with her existing detention due to expire in four days. Kim said she would "calmly comply with the questioning procedure." A decision on whether her detention is maintained was expected as early as the evening.1 2 3

The hearing puts the question of Kim's custody before the country's highest court, and the outcome could land within hours of the session. The proceedings were convened on the day the court took up the warrant request.1 3

Democratic Party lawmaker Jang Cheol-min said the decision on whether Kim is detained will be a watershed for the impeachment of Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae. The Innovation Party has already published a draft motion to impeach Cho and pressed the Democratic Party to take a position.4

The Supreme Court's ruling will also shape the full-bench review of Kim's case, Newsis reported. Attention had already focused on how the same court would rule in the sentencing of Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, after an appeals court acquitted him of political funding law charges tied to free opinion polling.5

UPDATES

Wed, Oct 28 · New development

The court cited concerns that evidence could be destroyed and that she might flee.6 7

Also this week

Published earlier this week and since overtaken by bigger stories. Open one to read it in full.

South Korea's ruling party and government fail to agree on a delay to cryptocurrency taxationFri, Oct 30South Korea's ruling party and the government ended a meeting without a conclusion on whether to postpone taxation of virtual assets. Participants said a "pragmatic, fact-based attitude" is needed, and the party said it will review the matter at party level.

South Korea's ruling party and government fail to agree on a delay to cryptocurrency taxation

First published Fri, Oct 30

Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.

South Korea's ruling party and the government ended a meeting without a conclusion on whether to postpone taxation of virtual assets. Participants said a "pragmatic, fact-based attitude" is needed, and the party said it will review the matter at party level.1 2

Kim Min-seok, the party leader, and Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hyung-il attended the session where the virtual asset tax delay was discussed.3

The government denied that any plan to levy an education tax on digital asset businesses, including digital asset market exchanges, has been considered. The denial was issued as a press clarification.4

Attributed claim: A Munhwa Ilbo forum column described the virtual asset tax confusion as showing a double standard in the Lee Jae-myung government, while the party said it would keep checking the issue at party level.5 2

President Lee Jae-myung said foreign workers do not greatly help the economyThu, Oct 29President Lee Jae-myung said foreign workers do not greatly help the economy, a remark that drew criticism from progressive groups and calls for him to apologize. Progressive circles demanded an apology, and critics said he should apologize before blaming the press.

President Lee Jae-myung said foreign workers do not greatly help the economy

First published Thu, Oct 29

Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.

President Lee Jae-myung said foreign workers do not greatly help the economy, a remark that drew criticism from progressive groups and calls for him to apologize. Progressive circles demanded an apology, and critics said he should apologize before blaming the press.1 2

The presidential office called the hate-speech controversy inappropriate. The dispute widened as the remark spread through South Korean media and drew responses from across the political spectrum.3 1

Attributed claim: Hankyoreh, a centre-left outlet, reported that criticism of the president's remark was spreading and that critics said an apology should come before any blame directed at the media. Chosun Ilbo, a right-leaning outlet, led on the president's statement that foreign workers do not greatly help the economy and on progressive groups' demand that he apologize.2 1

US refuses visa for South Korea's defence committee chair Jin Seong-jun, prompting strong regretThu, Oct 29The United States refused to issue a visa to Jin Seong-jun, chair of the National Assembly's National Defense Committee. Jin expressed "strong regret" over the refusal. The visa denial was reported by Yonhap News and MBC News.

US refuses visa for South Korea's defence committee chair Jin Seong-jun, prompting strong regret

First published Thu, Oct 29

The United States refused to issue a visa to Jin Seong-jun, chair of the National Assembly's National Defense Committee. Jin expressed "strong regret" over the refusal. The visa denial was reported by Yonhap News and MBC News.1 2

Shin Jang-sik said the US visa refusal damages the South Korea-US alliance and voiced strong regret over it. The lawmaker's statement was carried by Newsis.3

Lee Jun-seok said the visa refusal makes the South Korea-US alliance a laughingstock. His remark was reported by Gyeonggi Ilbo.4

The visa refusal follows a delay in a US visa for Chung Cheong-rae. Lee Jun-seok, responding to that delay, said South Korea could likewise restrict entry for Stephen Yoo. Munhwa Ilbo reported the remark.5

Rep. Cho Hyun said he would raise the hold on Chung Cheong-rae's US visa in a meeting with Rubio. Kyunghyang Shinmun reported the plan.6

A woman in her 30s crossed the civilian control line in CheorwonTue, Oct 27A woman in her 30s crossed the civilian control line in Cheorwon and approached the General Outpost fence at the front line, damaging it, before the military took her into custody. The breach took the army about 20 hours to resolve, from the crossing to the arrest.

A woman in her 30s crossed the civilian control line in Cheorwon

First published Tue, Oct 27

A woman in her 30s crossed the civilian control line in Cheorwon and approached the General Outpost fence at the front line, damaging it, before the military took her into custody. The breach took the army about 20 hours to resolve, from the crossing to the arrest.1 2 3 4

An alarm sounded at the DMZ fence during the intrusion, but the military failed to catch the woman at that point. The episode left the civilian control line breached by a single civilian and the forward fence reached and damaged.2 3 5

The Joint Chiefs of Staff has said the military will carry out operations to strengthen its initiative inside the Demilitarized Zone, and has called North Korea's stance unacceptable while pledging a firm response to any additional provocation.1 4

North Korean 122mm self-propelled guns seen at western front line with barrels pointed southMon, Oct 26North Korean 122mm self-propelled artillery has been spotted at the western front line, with gun barrels aimed south toward South Korea. Three such guns were identified at the forward-most positions, according to weekly Chosun. The pieces were moved close to the border, and the deployment was described as an armed demonstration.

North Korean 122mm self-propelled guns seen at western front line with barrels pointed south

First published Mon, Oct 26

BACKGROUND

In mid-October 2026, Kim Yo-jong said the southern border was very unstable and that Pyongyang was reviewing a military buildup and the resumption of loudspeaker broadcasts toward South Korea. The broadcasts had been suspended for one year and four months, and she presented the statement as a threat to restart them, describing the Lee government's confrontational moves as surpassing those of the Yoon government. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff called the stance unacceptable and said the military would respond firmly to any additional provocation.

Kim Yo-jong is a North Korean official who has delivered the North's public statements on border policy in this episode.

EARLIER ON KÜRESEL

North Korean 122mm self-propelled artillery has been spotted at the western front line, with gun barrels aimed south toward South Korea. Three such guns were identified at the forward-most positions, according to weekly Chosun. The pieces were moved close to the border, and the deployment was described as an armed demonstration.1 2 3

Munhwa Ilbo reported that the North Korean army's self-propelled guns have come down close to the south and are visible from Gimpo, raising tension in the border region. The weekly Kyunghyang asked whether the guns are the "tactical strike means" that Kim Yo-jong has referenced.3 4

The reports describe the guns as being operated by North Korean troops and positioned at the inter-Korean border area. The forward deployment follows Kim Yo-jong's earlier statements that the southern border is very unstable and that Pyongyang is reviewing a military buildup.5 4

South Korea's basic pension has been reduced for elderly recipients who also draw a national pensionMon, Oct 26South Korea's basic pension has been reduced for elderly recipients who also draw a national pension, with the total cut reaching 2.8 trillion won over five years. About 80 percent of the seniors whose basic pension was reduced are small national pension recipients paid 1 million won a month or less.

South Korea's basic pension has been reduced for elderly recipients who also draw a national pension

First published Mon, Oct 26

South Korea's basic pension has been reduced for elderly recipients who also draw a national pension, with the total cut reaching 2.8 trillion won over five years. About 80 percent of the seniors whose basic pension was reduced are small national pension recipients paid 1 million won a month or less.1 2

A column argued the basic pension design that once fit the system no longer does, as the linked reduction spreads among low national pension earners.3

Kim Ji-yong, head of the Central Investigation Bureau at the Anti-CorruptionMon, Oct 26Kim Ji-yong, head of the Central Investigation Bureau at the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, said he would not answer if President Lee Jae-myung asked him about a specific case. Kim said broad categories of cases should follow the direction of state administration, and that investigative agencies should follow state administration. He also said he understands public concern about his attendance at Cabinet meetings.

Kim Ji-yong, head of the Central Investigation Bureau at the Anti-Corruption

First published Mon, Oct 26

BACKGROUND

Kim Ji-yong became the first head of the Central Investigation Bureau at the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, nominated in early October 2026 and vowing at the time to end the politicisation of investigations. President Lee Jae-myung has since defended the bureau chief's attendance at Cabinet meetings, calling attempts to exclude him an unconstitutional overreach and saying that abandoning command and supervision of the bureau would itself be grounds for impeachment.

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission is the state body that houses the Central Investigation Bureau, which examines corruption and related cases involving public officials. The bureau chief's Cabinet attendance has drawn criticism from lawyers who warned it could sway cases, and some in the ruling camp said the attendance was not desirable.

Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.

Kim Ji-yong, head of the Central Investigation Bureau at the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, said he would not answer if President Lee Jae-myung asked him about a specific case. Kim said broad categories of cases should follow the direction of state administration, and that investigative agencies should follow state administration. He also said he understands public concern about his attendance at Cabinet meetings.1 2 3

The dispute over the bureau chief's attendance at Cabinet meetings has run for days, with President Lee arguing that excluding him from those meetings is an unconstitutional overreach. The Democratic Party defended the attendance, saying it does not undermine investigative independence, while the main opposition People Power Party pressed the issue for a second day and criticised the failure to adopt a parliamentary audit item on a Blue House personnel matter. Some in the ruling camp said the attendance was not desirable.2 3

Attributed claim: The Chosun Ilbo reported that cases President Lee ordered investigated for the truth have each ended in acquittal or a finding of professional negligence, framing the bureau chief's remarks as part of that pattern. Kyunghyang Shinmun and MBC News led instead on Kim's own statements about Cabinet attendance and investigative agencies following state administration. The accounts agree on what Kim said; they differ in what they put at the centre of the story.1 2 3

Munhwa Ilbo argued in a forum piece that constitutional command over the bureau and attendance at Cabinet meetings are separate matters. The bureau chief's appearance was also carried in a Newsis photo report.4 5

South Korea's National Growth Fund returns 0.5% in three months as some sub-funds lose nearly 20%Mon, Oct 26The National Participation Growth Fund, South Korea's state-backed retail investment vehicle, returned 0.5% over its first three months of operation, its first published performance figure. The fund held about 80% of its assets in advanced strategic industries, according to Marketin. Listed holdings booked valuation losses as the stock market fell, Asia Economy reported.

South Korea's National Growth Fund returns 0.5% in three months as some sub-funds lose nearly 20%

First published Mon, Oct 26

The National Participation Growth Fund, South Korea's state-backed retail investment vehicle, returned 0.5% over its first three months of operation, its first published performance figure. The fund held about 80% of its assets in advanced strategic industries, according to Marketin. Listed holdings booked valuation losses as the stock market fell, Asia Economy reported.1 2 3

Returns varied sharply across the fund's sub-funds: some lost close to 20% over the same period, MBC News reported. The headline 0.5% figure covers the fund as a whole rather than any single sub-fund.4 1

Yonhap Infomax attributed the overall gain to the fund's loss-sharing structure, which limited the damage from the market decline. The same structure means losses are distributed unevenly between the fund and its investors.5