Editor's Letter
Staying Away from Suspicion
This week, the head of the new Serious Crimes Investigation Agency joined a Cabinet meeting for the first time. All five national newspapers said this should be reconsidered. They worried that it could make the agency look less independent. The president answered his critics by sharing a reply from an AI chatbot. The papers also wrote about a governor's remark on firefighting budgets and about losses from risky stock funds.
In Gallup Korea's new poll, 40% approve of the president's job performance and 50% disapprove. These numbers are close to last week's. More people now expect stock prices to fall in the next year (36%) than to rise (30%). In August, it was the other way around. The old saying we chose this week means "don't fix your shoes in a melon field." In other words, stay away from anything that makes people suspicious.
This week's editorial asks the four towns of the Seorak region not to build the same tourist facilities as each other. Each place should build on its own strengths. In the region, Sokcho Medical Center owes more than 1.4 billion won for medicine and supplies. Inje County protested a new government index that may reduce its support. Goseong was chosen for 48 public rental homes for young people and newlyweds. The autumn wildfire season starts on November 1.
County Notices
A Family Program, Wildfire Rules, a Library Event, and a Market
Sokcho
The Sokcho Family Center is looking for eight military families with children in elementary school. Families who moved to Sokcho less than a year ago will be chosen first. The program runs seven times, from October 29 to November 28. Ask the Family Center how to apply. Questions: Sokcho City Hall, 033-639-2114.
Goseong
The autumn wildfire season runs from November 1 to December 15. From November 1, Goseong will close 6,646 hectares of forest and six hiking trail sections. You also may not carry anything that can start a fire there. Do not burn farm waste or trash near forests — the county will fine anyone who does. Questions: Goseong County Office, 033-680-3114.
Yangyang
The small library on the 3rd floor of the Yangyang Family Center is holding an event until the end of the year. Borrow a book and enter a monthly prize draw — 20 winners are picked at the end of each month. If you borrow books on two different days in the same month, you get a snack pack. Anyone of any age can join. Questions: Yangyang County Office, 033-670-2114.
Inje
The popular Inje "Enuri" local market will hold a special market on October 31 and November 1 at the Inje County farm products store in Inje-eup. Sellers will also give out coupons with your receipt. Check the opening hours and coupon rules at the market. Questions: Inje County Office, 033-461-2122.
This Week's Terms
Words in the News, Explained
Three terms that came up often in this week's national newspaper editorials — explained simply, so you can follow the news even if you're new to Korean politics and policy.
Money the national government gives to provinces and cities for fire services. It comes from part of the tax on cigarettes. Firefighters became national public workers in 2020, but local governments still pay most of their wages. This week, a governor's remark started a debate about who should pay.
A company's share price divided by its profit per share. It shows how expensive a stock is compared with what the company earns. One newspaper reported that the expected P/E of the KOSPI fell to 4.2, the lowest since 2001. A low number means stocks are cheap compared with profits.
A line 2 kilometers south of the Military Demarcation Line between the two Koreas. The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is the 4-kilometer-wide strip between the northern and southern limit lines. Under the 1953 Armistice, the UN Command manages the southern half of the DMZ. A U.S. general's remark about this area caused debate this week.
Vocabulary Note
Today's Vocabulary
Tap a word to see its meaning and an example.
Cabinet meeting/ˈkæbɪnət ˈmiːtɪŋ/
국무회의"The agency head joined a Cabinet meeting for the first time."independent/ˌɪndɪˈpendənt/
독립적인"Investigators should be independent from politics."reconsider/ˌriːkənˈsɪdər/
재고하다"All five newspapers said the plan should be reconsidered."critic/ˈkrɪtɪk/
비판하는 사람"The president answered his critics on social media."chatbot/ˈtʃætbɑːt/
챗봇"He shared a reply from an AI chatbot."disapprove/ˌdɪsəˈpruːv/
부정적으로 평가하다"50% disapprove of the president's job performance."suspicious/səˈspɪʃəs/
의심하는"Stay away from anything that makes people suspicious."facility/fəˈsɪləti/
시설"Towns should not build the same tourist facilities."strength/streŋkθ/
강점"Each place should build on its own strengths."owe/oʊ/
(돈을) 빚지다"The medical center owes more than 1.4 billion won."public rental home/ˈpʌblɪk ˈrentl hoʊm/
공공임대주택"Goseong was chosen for 48 public rental homes."wildfire/ˈwaɪldfaɪər/
산불"The autumn wildfire season starts on November 1."hiking trail/ˈhaɪkɪŋ treɪl/
등산로"Six hiking trail sections will be closed."prize draw/praɪz drɔː/
경품 추첨"Borrow a book and enter the monthly prize draw."Was this useful to you? We'd like to know whether to keep making this every week.
📧 jcjwk54@gmail.com