Herald

• Gender Equality and Family Minister nominee Rep. Yong Hye-in announced Thursday that she will keep her parliamentary seat if she is appointed to the cabinet. • Yong denied allegations regarding her husband's pay, stating he earned an average monthly salary of 2.5 million won over six years while working for the Basic Income Party. • The nominee's decision to retain her seat persists despite mounting pressure from both ruling and opposition political parties.

• A presidential official announced Thursday that the government will decide whether to appoint nominees for justice and gender equality ministers after their confirmation hearings. • Senior presidential secretary Seong Ghi-hong made the statement during an MBC radio interview regarding nominees Kim Seung-won and Yong Hye-in. • The decision affects the leadership of the justice and gender equality ministries following public controversy surrounding the candidates.

• South Korea's rival political parties will clash over the Lee government's policies during a government interpellation session and minister confirmation hearings starting Wednesday. • The schedule begins with political affairs on Wednesday, followed by foreign affairs, unification, and security on Thursday, and economic affairs on Friday. • These sessions will determine the legislative scrutiny of the administration's approach to housing, security, and the national economy.

• The South Korean government has abandoned proposed eligibility reforms for the basic pension, opting for a compromise that avoids tightening requirements before upcoming elections. • The Ministry of Health and Welfare had previously considered replacing the "70 percent rule" with a median-income threshold to reduce eligibility to 80 percent by 2030. • This reversal followed the abrupt cancellation of a scheduled briefing by Health and Welfare Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong on August 27.

• Presidential chief of staff for policy Kim Yong-beom has offered his resignation, which has been formally accepted by President Lee Jae Myung. • The announcement was confirmed by a presidential spokesperson, marking a significant leadership change within the administration's policy wing. • This resignation is critical as the policy chief is responsible for coordinating the government's strategic direction and legislative priorities.

• President Lee Jae Myung has accepted the resignation of Kim Yong-beom, his top policy adviser, according to an announcement from Cheong Wa Dae on Tuesday. • The resignation marks a significant shift in the administration's inner circle, as Kim held a pivotal role in shaping the president's policy agenda. • This leadership change may impact the government's current strategic direction and the implementation of key domestic and foreign policies.

• President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating has dropped below 40% for the first time since his inauguration in June 2025, according to a Realmeter poll. • The decline is attributed to escalating friction between the liberal administration and the Supreme Court over controversial justice appointments. • This conflict highlights a deepening power struggle between the executive branch and the judiciary, currently led by Chief Justice Jo Hee-de.