Author: GIKorea

Look who wants to start a real estate corruption agency, the person accused of being involved in a massive real estate scandal:

Lee Jae-myung, the presidential nominee of the ruling Democratic Party, has said that, if elected, he will launch a real estate supervisory service in an effort to root out corruption in the property market.

Lee made the remark during an interview with Yonhap News Agency on Friday, saying he would give the service powers to conduct investigations into any irregularities that arise in the real estate market.

The pledge comes as Lee has been accused of involvement in a massive corruption scandal surrounding an apartment development project undertaken in Seongnam, south of Seoul, in 2015 when he was the city’s mayor.

“We have to create a real estate supervisory service with actual powers to wield investigative authority and investigate every day,” Lee told Yonhap at a hotel in Seongnam.

Yonhap

This is what people in Korea should probably be concerned about:

 If the envisioned supervisory service is launched, he said it will look into irregularities, such as speculative purchases of farmland, and force the sales of plots that are not being used for farming.

So if you have a plot of land you are holding on to for whatever reason Lee will make you sell it. If elected people better hurry up and put a hobby garden on whatever land they own.

Please leave anything you want to discuss in the comments section and I hope everyone has a great and safe Halloween weekend. Watch out for the COVID patrols!

It will be interesting to see how effective these COVID patrols are going to be over the weekend:

South Korean police in metropolitan districts will be cracking down on COVID-19 violations over Halloween weekend, particularly in areas frequented by foreigners and young adults.

Roughly 200 additional police officers and city workers from Yongsan, Hongdae, Itaewon and other popular districts in Seoul will conduct joint patrols between Thursday and Sunday, a senior law enforcement official told Stars and Stripes on the customary condition of anonymity.

“Patrollers, including city council officers and cops, will check whether folks are keeping a safe distance from others, wearing masks and avoiding large gatherings,” the senior law enforcement official said Wednesday. “We’ll visit businesses and guide folks to follow disinfection guidance as well.”

Although Halloween is not officially observed in the country, the holiday prompts parties and other events catered toward younger crowds and foreigners. Districts like Itaewon and Hongdae in Seoul are known for their foreigner-friendly businesses and are home to numerous bars and nightclubs.

Stars & Stripes

You can read more at the link.

Someone needs to give Presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung a lesson in capitalism:

Ruling Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung stirred controversy with his idea of putting a cap on the number of restaurants in the country, which the main opposition party described as “a totalitarian idea.”

During his visit to a traditional market in Gwanak District, Seoul, Wednesday, Lee floated the idea, saying, “I have a thought of running a system that puts a cap on the number of restaurants.”

Lee mentioned the idea while expressing concerns over the large number of people opening eateries, only to close them down after failing to make ends meet.

“Though debate is required for this idea, I think the system is necessary,” Lee said during a meeting with stall owners at the market. “I wasn’t able to introduce the system due to concerns that it could infringe on freedom, but I don’t think such a cap is a bad idea … It is not freedom to open restaurants randomly and go broke. Good regulations are needed.”

Korea Times

You can read more at the link.

According to the NIS, Kim Jong-un is not sick and instead must be hitting the local cross fit gym in North Korea:

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has lost around 20 kilograms after previously weighing about 140 kg, but he appears to have no health issues, South Korea’s spy agency was quoted as saying Thursday.

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) gave the briefing during a closed-door parliamentary session, rejecting rumors that the communist regime was using a stand-in for Kim during recent public appearances, Rep. Kim Byung-kee of the ruling Democratic Party told reporters.

The NIS made the assessment after conducting a detailed study of the North Korean leader’s health using artificial intelligence and other scientific methods, the lawmaker said.

Kim’s health has been a frequent subject of speculation due to the political implications in the event that he is unable to perform his duties. No known successor has been appointed.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link.

Maybe we will see some boyband haircuts in the ROK Army:

 The South Korean military is considering changes to “eliminate differences” in hair regulations between male officers and enlisted service members, a move welcomed by a human rights organization in the country.

Grooming standards vary across the ranks and branches. In the navy, for example, male officers may choose between a crew cut, with hair no longer than 2 inches from the front and 1.18 inches from the top; or a standard cut with a side part extending up to 3.15 inches long.

Meanwhile, male enlisted sailors are limited to a crew cut. 

In the South Korean air force, noncommissioned officers may part their hair “neatly” or wear a crew cut.

Women serving in the navy and air force must “do their hair up neat,” according to military regulations, and their lengths and styles “must not disrupt the wearing of military caps.”

A South Korean military official on Monday said the Ministry of National Defense was considering changes for men and women but that “nothing has been finalized yet.”

Stars & Stripes

You can read more at the link.