The Minute to Read (Weekdays) series provides a quick overview of significant events in Korea everyday, conveniently condensed into a one-minute read. Here’s a recap of what happened yesterday: Mar. 4.
A government audit found that senior officials at South Korea’s National Election Commission (NEC) abused personal and regional connections to secure jobs for their children and relatives, manipulating hiring processes and covering up irregularities. The audit revealed a systemic culture of nepotism, with officials rigging interview scores, destroying evidence, and reassuring each other of mutual complicity. Despite extensive evidence, top NEC officials denied wrongdoing, claiming they merely inquired about job opportunities without exerting direct influence.
A government-affiliated survey found that political polarization in South Korea reached an all-time high in 2023, surpassing other social conflicts such as regional disparities and income inequality. Deepening ideological divides, exacerbated by President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment and martial law declaration, have strained personal relationships, leading to breakups, family disputes, and postponed marriages. Experts warn that ongoing political turmoil may further escalate tensions, urging society to foster greater mutual understanding.
South Korea's defense industry has seen rapid growth, with small and medium-sized defense firms accounting for 78% of the sector in 2024, up from 69% in 2020. Sales have surged, driven by major arms exports like K2 tanks to Poland and cost-effective, localized defense technology. The government is expanding support for smaller firms, aiming to back 100 competitive defense companies by 2026.
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