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Kim Hyun-ji, Kim Yong-beom as witnesses Heated clash in final stage of parliamentary audit
Deadline Deadline October 21 · Operations Committee plenary meeting on witness approval
Photo: 매일경제
In short
Parliament is arguing over whether to call witnesses related to the Presidential Office to the parliamentary audit.
People Power Party demands attendance of Kim Hyun-ji, Kim Yong-beom and others.
Democratic Party rejects it as a political attack.
Key facts
When
The National Assembly Operations Committee will discuss whether to accept witnesses at a plenary meeting on the 21st.
Who
People Power Party and Democratic Party are confronting each other over witness approval.
What
The issue is whether Kim Hyun-ji (First Senior Secretary of the Presidential Office), former Policy Director Kim Yong-beom, and former Chief Presidential Secretary Kang Hoon-sik will attend.
How
People Power Party demands clarification of personnel and policy suspicions, while Democratic Party opposes it as partisan conflict.
What it means for me
Readers interested in the progress of the parliamentary audit should check the Operations Committee results on the 21st.
Living · 2 sources combinedp. 3 / 16
Bentley Busan popup opens at Centum City
Deadline Deadline October 25 · Popup store closing date
In short
Bentley Busan is opening a popup store at Busan Shinsegae Department Store.
The new Torque model, released after 10 years, will be displayed for two days.
Test drives, one-on-one consultations, and custom-build experiences are available.
Key facts
When
Open for 6 days from October 20 to 25.
Where
Centum Plaza on the 1st floor of Shinsegae Department Store Centum City, Busan.
Who
Operated by KCC Automotive, the official partner of Bentley Motors Korea.
What
New model Torque and Flying Spur Azure will be displayed separately.
What it means for me
Busan consumers can view luxury vehicles in person by simply visiting the department store.
Living · Planned · 2 sources combinedp. 4 / 16
Seoul downtown culture tour Collect stamps, get prizes
Deadline Deadline November 3 · Stamp tour participation application deadline
Photo: 연합뉴스
In short
Seoul City will pilot a walking tour connecting four downtown cultural facilities.
On Friday, November 6th in the evening, visitors enjoy exhibitions, experiences, and performances in sequence.
The first 50 applicants will be selected, and those who collect 4 stamps receive souvenirs.
Key facts
When
The pilot program runs on Friday evening, November 6th.
Who
Seoul City has connected four downtown cultural facilities via a walking route.
What
Seoul Gallery, Sejong·Chungmugong Story, Garden of Appreciation, and a final performance·reading event are sequentially offered.
How
Collect 4 stamps to receive a souvenir. Applications accepted first-come, first-served from October 21st to November 3rd for 50 participants.
What it means for me
A free tour worth noting if you are planning an evening cultural outing in downtown Seoul.
Policies · Planned · 2 sources combinedp. 5 / 16
Private ambulance quality Certification pilot program launched
Deadline Deadline October 30 · Application deadline for private ambulance transport operator certification
Photo: 연합뉴스
In short
The government will pilot a system that grants certification marks to high-quality private ambulance companies.
The evaluation covers not only legal standards but also disinfection, staff training, and transport records.
Applications are accepted until the 30th of this month, with results announced in December.
Key facts
When
Applications are accepted from October 21st to 30th, with results announced in December.
Who
The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Medical Center's Central Emergency Medical Center jointly conduct the program.
What
Private ambulance companies licensed before January 1, 2023 and continuously operating are evaluated.
How
Companies are assessed on mandatory legal standards and quality areas including operations, staffing, equipment, infection control, and records. Qualified companies receive a 2-year-valid certification mark.
What it means for me
When using emergency patient transport services, certification marks will help gauge company quality.
Policies · Planned · 2 sources combinedp. 6 / 16
Teacher rights violations addressed 100 support coordinators appointed
Deadline Deadline October 26 · Expected announcement date for support coordinator recruitment guidelines
Photo: 연합뉴스
In short
Gangwon Provincial Office of Education strengthens systems to help teachers whose rights are violated.
It will recruit 100 coordinators to visit schools and mediate conflicts.
From July to October, 170 support requests were received.
Key facts
When
Recruitment guidelines announced October 26; appointment period runs from January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2028.
Who
Led by the Teacher Rights Protection Support Team under the Superintendent of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Office of Education.
What
100 coordinators will be appointed to assist teachers affected by educational activity violations.
How
Experts in education, law, counseling, administration, and medical care will be recruited and deployed to three regions: Chuncheon, Wonju, and Gangneung.
What it means for me
As a policy directly related to school settings, its impact on general readers is limited.
Living · 2 sources combinedp. 7 / 16
Seoul Changpo Garden hosts public art exhibition
D-35 Deadline December 13 · Seoul Changpo Garden public art exhibition closing date
Photo: 연합뉴스
In short
A public art exhibition will be held at Seoul Changpo Garden in Dobong-gu, Seoul.
The exhibition runs for about two months from the 24th to December 13th.
Six teams of emerging artists and university groups will showcase 6 artworks.
Key facts
When
Exhibition runs from the 24th to December 13th.
Where
The exhibition takes place throughout Seoul Changpo Garden area in Dobong-gu.
Who
A total of 6 teams participate, including 2 emerging artist teams and 4 university teams.
What
6 public artworks will be displayed with the theme 'Afterimage of Peace'.
What it means for me
Residents near Dobong-gu and citizens who enjoy walks can view public artworks for free.
Policies · 2 sources combinedp. 8 / 16
400,000 tons of public reserves rice Inspection begins in Pocheon
D-53 Deadline December 31 · Deadline for completion of bagged rice purchase inspection
In short
The government will begin inspection to purchase 400,000 tons of public reserve rice harvested this year.
Starting from the 23rd, bagged rice will be inspected at approximately 3,000 locations nationwide, beginning in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province.
Bagged rice (rice packed in bags) and loose grain rice (shipped as-is) will be divided and inspected using different methods respectively.
Key facts
When
Bagged rice inspection will be conducted from the 23rd through December 31st.
Where
It will be implemented at approximately 3,000 inspection sites nationwide, starting in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province.
Who
The National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service (NAQS) will oversee the inspection.
How
NAQS will inspect 280,000 tons of bagged rice through over 130 offices, and private inspectors will inspect 120,000 tons of loose grain rice.
What it means for me
Rice farming households can sell rice at different prices depending on the inspection grade.
Rice farming households must prepare shipments according to the inspection schedule for bagged rice and loose grain rice.
Economy · Planned · 2 sources combinedp. 9 / 16
Cryptocurrency taxation looming Government gathers industry input
D-54 Deadline January 1 · Cryptocurrency taxation implementation date
Photo: 연합뉴스
In short
The government heard from the industry before implementing cryptocurrency taxation next year.
The industry requested clear standards and fair treatment with overseas exchanges.
System improvements such as loss carryforward deduction and reporting convenience were also discussed.
Key facts
When
Cryptocurrency taxation scheduled to begin on January 1, 2027; preliminary forum held in Seoul on the 20th
Who
Attended by Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance Kwon Dae-young, exchanges including Dunamu and Bithumb, and experts
What
Discussed clear taxation standards, fairness with overseas exchanges, loss carryforward deduction, and others
How
Comprehensive review of taxation infrastructure, inter-country information sharing, and reporting convenience to strengthen the system
What it means for me
Cryptocurrency investors may face capital gains tax starting January next year and should prepare accordingly.
Society · Under review · 2 sources combinedp. 10 / 16
Busan Saengkok Incinerator Resident Opposition Intensifies
Deadline Deadline October 24 · Date of Seo District residents' general rally
Photo: 세계일보
In short
Residents are opposing Busan City's plan to build a new incinerator in Seo District.
Residents will hold a rally on the 24th, saying environmental facilities are concentrated in one area.
Busan City says securing facilities before the 2030 landfill ban is urgent.
Key facts
When
A general residents' rally will be held in Seo District on October 24th at 3 p.m.
Where
It will take place at Eco Delta City Neighborhood Park No. 4 in Busan's Seo District.
Who
3,000 Seo District residents and the Saengkok Incinerator Construction Opposition Committee will participate.
What
They demand the cancellation of the Saengkok incinerator project and closure of the Myeongji incinerator.
What it means for me
Readers outside Seo District are not directly affected, but this case is worth noting as an example of environmental facility siting disputes.
Living · 2 sources combinedp. 11 / 16
Gwangju International Art Fair 94 galleries participating
Deadline Deadline October 21 · Discount ticket online reservation deadline
Photo: 연합뉴스
In short
The Honam region's largest art festival will be held in Gwangju.
It runs for four days from the 22nd to the 25th.
Galleries from 12 countries will exhibit works across 94 booths.
Key facts
When
Held for four days from October 22nd to 25th.
Where
Takes place at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center exhibition hall in Seo-gu, Gwangju.
Who
Hosted by Gwangju Metropolitan City and organized by the Gwangju Culture Foundation.
What
94 galleries from 12 countries operate 113 booths.
What it means for me
Art-interested readers can view both masterworks and local artist exhibitions in one place.
