A Cheong Wa Dae (Presidential Office) official on the 26th denied reports about Justice Minister Chung Sung-ho's departure, saying "no official expression of resignation has been confirmed." Minister Chung again said on the 27th that "since prosecution reform has largely been completed within the broader framework, new wine should be put in new wineskins." This has prompted interpretations that President Lee Jae-myung is dissuading Minister Chung from stepping down. The reasoning is that accepting Minister Chung's resignation would inevitably require Cheong Wa Dae to take a position opposing the abolition of the prosecution's supplementary investigation authority, which could provoke backlash from hardcore supporters. However, it now appears Cheong Wa Dae can no longer avoid responsibility on the supplementary investigation authority issue by remaining silent.
According to a Seoul Economic Daily report on the 27th, the combined delinquent loans of small and medium-sized enterprises and self-employed borrowers at the four major banks, including KB Kookmin, stood at 3.113 trillion won as of the end of June this year, up 584.6 billion won (23.1%) from the end of last year. Despite an ostensible economic growth trend, "K-shaped polarization" is deepening, with conditions in domestic demand sectors and small businesses growing increasingly difficult. Rather than being intoxicated by the semiconductor boom, urgent and detailed measures are needed for the classes and businesses left behind in the process of artificial intelligence (AI) growth.
