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Fire Lieutenant Kim Jin-seok was dispatched around 8:38 a.m. on the 16th to a factory fire in Naedong, Ojeong District, Bucheon, was trapped, and died in the early hours of the 17th. When he was dispatched he was about 20 minutes from the end of his shift, Financial News and Jaekyung Ilbo reported. In front of the portrait at the altar on the 18th lay a letter from his seven-year-old daughter, Kyunghyang Shinmun and Hankook Ilbo reported. The memorial service is held on the 19th as a Gyeonggi provincial funeral, and Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae attends (Financial News). On Facebook on the 18th, People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok called Choo’s apology “an apology pushed out of her” and demanded her resignation (Kyunghyang Shinmun, Newspim, Kukmin Ilbo). People Power Party floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik also said it was not a true apology. The bereaved family and the union are demanding that the circumstances of the decision to go inside be made clear.

With one firefighter’s death overlapping a controversy over remarks at a parliamentary audit, mourning and partisan fighting are proceeding at the same time. There are two strands. One is a structural question: how the state and local governments divide the cost of firefighters’ personnel and equipment. The other is an operational question: the judgment to enter the site and safety standards.

How fire service funding is divided ends up affecting the staffing and equipment of your neighborhood fire station. After the funeral, you can watch whether the fire budget discussions in Gyeonggi Province and the National Assembly translate into more staff on the ground.

This is the view, held by Jang Dong-hyeok and floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik, that Choo’s apology came late and lacked sincerity. They took issue with the process from the remarks on the 13th to the apology on the 17th and demanded her resignation.

What the bereaved family and the union are asking for is not an apology but an explanation of how the decision to go inside was made. The view is that the same deaths can be prevented only by making clear why entry was ordered when workers had already evacuated.

What is confirmed is the broad outline of how he died in the line of duty, the funeral service on the 19th and the People Power Party’s demand for resignation. What is not confirmed is who decided on the entry and by what criteria, and the exact cause of ignition. Today we will watch what Choo says at the funeral service and what the police dedicated team reveals about how the entry came about.

Financial News · Jaekyung Ilbo · Kyunghyang Shinmun · Hankook Ilbo · JoongAng Economy News · Newspim · Kukmin Ilbo · Gyeongbuk Domin Ilbo · Lawissue (10/18)

Society · Line of dutyPress ✓ 9 outlets · how the decision to go inside was made is under police investigation

Funeral service today for Bucheon Fire Lieutenant Kim Jin-seok, killed in the line of duty; People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok tells Gov. Choo Mi-ae, after her apology, to “resign”

The funeral service for Fire Lieutenant Kim Jin-seok, who died on the 16th while fighting a factory fire in Bucheon, is held on the 19th as a Gyeonggi provincial funeral, and on the 18th the People Power Party demanded the resignation of Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae over her apology of the previous day.

Fire Lieutenant Kim Jin-seok, who died after being dispatched around 8:38 a.m. on the 16th to a factory fire in Naedong, Ojeong District, Bucheon, Gyeonggi, was nearly at the end of a 24-hour shift and about 20 minutes from his 9 a.m. clock-out time, Financial News and Jaekyung Ilbo reported. He died in the early hours of the 17th. In front of the portrait at the memorial altar set up at the funeral hall of Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital on the 18th lay a handwritten letter from his seven-year-old daughter, Kyunghyang Shinmun and Hankook Ilbo reported. The letter carried her wish to meet her father again when she grows up, and Democratic Party lawmaker Song Young-gil, who visited the altar, posted a photo of the letter on social media, Hankook Ilbo and JoongAng Economy News reported. It was decided to confer the Green Stripes Order of Service Merit on the deceased posthumously and to give him a one-rank special promotion. The memorial service is held on the 19th as a Gyeonggi provincial funeral, and Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae will also attend, according to the National Fire Agency and Gyeonggi Province, Financial News reported. The bereaved family and the union are demanding that the circumstances of the decision to go inside, when workers had already evacuated, be made clear, and police have formed a dedicated team to investigate the cause of the fire and how the entry came about.

People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok wrote on Facebook on the 18th that Choo’s apology was “an apology pushed out of her after five days” and demanded, “Since you are asking for a resignation, resign,” Kyunghyang Shinmun, Newspim and Kukmin Ilbo reported. It was a direct return of Choo’s words in front of the altar on the 17th, “Since you are asking for an apology, I apologize with all my heart.” Newspim reported that Jang took aim at Choo herself as a “fiscal straw,” citing that she moved into a 1.2-billion-won official residence and bought a new official car. People Power Party floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik also said, “An apology made because someone else told you to cannot be called a true apology,” Gyeongbuk Domin Ilbo and Lawissue reported. Choo had caused controversy at the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee’s parliamentary audit of Gyeonggi Province on the 13th by saying the fire budget is like “the biggest, headache-causing fiscal straw.” As of reports on the 18th, no further reaction from Choo’s side had emerged.

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By the numbers

About 20 minTime left until Lt. Kim’s end of shift when he was dispatched

SevenAge of the deceased’s daughter who left a letter at the altar

19thDate of the memorial service, held as a Gyeonggi provincial funeral

President Lee Jae-myung posted on social media on the 18th that the claim that people cannot speak because Cabinet meetings are open is a lie (Kyunghyang Shinmun, Financial News, Seoul Shinmun). The president wrote that Cabinet members and even heads of local governments say all they have to say at open meetings. He explained that after an open meeting a separate closed meeting handles security agenda items. Reports that some Cabinet members had proposed narrowing the public portion appeared three days earlier. The president also said on the 16th that he does not agree with a fully closed-door claim (Cheonji Ilbo). The government said that the claim that live broadcast keeps people from voicing opposition is not true.

Live broadcast of Cabinet meetings has the advantage of showing the public how policy is decided, but it has drawn the criticism that ministers find it hard to voice disagreement in front of cameras. That the president stepped up to rebut twice within two days is read as a sign that he intends to keep this format.

Open Cabinet meetings can be watched by anyone on video, so you can see for yourself what discussion policies go through before they are decided. By watching whether ministers’ remarks actually contain views different from the president’s, you can judge this dispute for yourself.

The president and the government see no reason to narrow the public portion, since disagreement comes out in full even at open meetings and sensitive matters are handled in closed meetings. The remark that an aide who speaks bitter truths is the real aide is in the same vein.

The Cabinet members said to have proposed narrowing the public portion were reported to hold that live broadcast blocks free discussion. The point is that it is hard to voice a view different from the president’s in front of cameras.

What is confirmed is the president’s post of the 18th, his position on the 16th and the government’s rebuttal. Who proposed narrowing the public portion, and the specifics of the proposal, are not confirmed. We will watch whether the next Cabinet meeting is open to the same extent after this dispute.

Kyunghyang Shinmun · Financial News · Seoul Shinmun · Cheonji Ilbo · Wikitree (10/18~10/19)

Politics · Cabinet meetingPress ✓ 5 outlets · which Cabinet member proposed narrowing the public portion is not confirmed

President Lee Jae-myung: “Saying people can’t speak because the Cabinet meeting is open is a lie,” rebuts renewed demand for closed doors

President Lee Jae-myung posted on social media on the 18th rebutting again the argument that the extent to which Cabinet meetings are open should be narrowed, Kyunghyang Shinmun, Financial News and Seoul Shinmun reported. The president wrote that when you watch an open Cabinet meeting, not only Cabinet members but even heads of local governments say everything they have to say, and that the claim that people cannot speak because the meeting is public is a lie. He also explained that after an open meeting a separate closed meeting follows to handle agenda items that require security. Financial News reported that the president stressed that an aide who speaks bitter truths even when it is uncomfortable is the real aide. The post came three days after reports emerged that some Cabinet members had proposed narrowing the public portion of Cabinet meetings, and Cheonji Ilbo reported that on the 16th as well the president said he could not agree with the claim that Cabinet meetings should be fully closed. The government also rebutted that the claim that Cabinet members cannot oppose the president’s views because of live broadcast is not true.

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Inside

Son Heung-min’s late shot hits the post as LAFC draw 1-1 with New York CitySon started in Round 31 of MLS as an attacking midfielder and played the full match. LAFC’s opening goal came from a free kick Son won.Sports · ✓ 5 reports

Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok apologizes over controversy of greeting onstage during Sunchang Jangryu Festival performanceOn the 15th he went onstage during a performance by singer HYNN. On the 18th Kim apologized to the singer and the audience, saying it was because the emcee called his name.Politics · ✓ 5 reports

IMF Executive Director Choi Ji-young: “Korea is the only advanced economy whose fiscal space has grown”At a press briefing in Bangkok on the 15th he cited higher tax revenue from the semiconductor boom. The IMF raised its growth forecast for Korea this year to 3.3%.Economy · ✓ 4 reports

President Lee Jae-myung approved the appointment of Kim Ji-yong as the first head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency on the 15th (Newspim, Kyunghyang Shinmun). It came right after the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee adopted the confirmation hearing report the same day. It took 37 days from nomination to appointment. Kim arrived for his first day of work on the 16th, received work briefings with no inauguration ceremony and ordered the formation of a dedicated team for the organization’s early settling-in (Hankook Ilbo). The agency was launched on the 2nd of this month. The official inauguration ceremony was reported to be scheduled for next week.

The Serious Crimes Investigation Agency is a new body that takes over the serious-crimes investigation function separated from the prosecution service. Its head was named 2 weeks after it opened, but office space, computer systems and staff are not yet in place.

Depending on which body handles investigations of serious crimes, the path that complaints and accusations take could change. The point at which the agency starts full-scale investigations is when real change occurs.

The president asked for investigations that are swift and impartial without distinguishing friend from foe. The view is that there is no problem with the appointment, given that the hearing report was adopted by agreement of ruling and opposition parties.

Some figures on the ruling side had opposed it, citing allegations that he is a so-called pro-Yoon prosecutor. The hearing report also carried an opinion of unfitness, saying his explanation of controversies during his time as a prosecutor was insufficient.

What is confirmed is the appointment on the 15th, the first day of work on the 16th and the first order. The first investigation target and the date of the inauguration ceremony are not confirmed. We will watch the announcement of internal inspection results.

Newspim · Kyunghyang Shinmun · Hankook Ilbo · Polinews · Newspost (10/15~10/18)

Kim Ji-yong, first head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, appointed 37 days after nomination and starts workPresident Lee Jae-myung approved the appointment on the 15th, and Kim arrived for his first day of work on the 16th. His first order was to form a dedicated team for early settling-in.Society · ✓ 5 reports

Sports · Fall BaseballPress ✓ 7 outlets · Game 3 starter not yet set

KIA beat LG 6-3 with 5 runs in the 1st for 2 straight Semi-Playoff wins… Oller 6 innings, 2 runs

KIA beat LG 6-3 in Game 2 of the 2026 KBO Semi-Playoff, a best-of-five series (first to 3 wins), on the 18th at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field, to make it 2 straight wins after the 5-1 victory in Game 1, Seoul Shinmun, Cheonji Ilbo and MediaPen reported. In the bottom of the 1st KIA hit 6 hits off LG starter Lim Chan-kyu and scored 5 runs. Newdaily and Seoul Shinmun reported that the 6 hits in that inning tie the Semi-Playoff record for most hits in an inning, and the 5 runs tie the postseason record for most runs in the bottom of the first. KIA starter Adam Oller was the winning pitcher, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits with 8 strikeouts over 6 innings. Sports Kyunghyang reported that Oller, who earned the win as starter on his birthday, said he had received in the fall the run support he usually does not get, calling it the best birthday present. With just 1 more win in the remaining 3 games, KIA moves on to the Playoffs, where Samsung awaits.

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Sports · BadmintonPress ✓ 6 outlets · extent of ankle injury not confirmed

An Se-young beats Yamaguchi 2-1 in comeback to win 2 straight Denmark Open titles… 61-1 this year, 10th title of the season

An Se-young beat Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi 2-1 (21-23 21-14 21-18) in the women’s singles final of the Denmark Open in Odense, Denmark, on the 18th to win the tournament for the 2nd straight year, Money Today, Newspim and Hankook Ilbo reported. It is the first time a Korean player has won the Denmark Open 2 years in a row. She lost the first game by conceding consecutive points from 21-21, then turned the tide in the second game by winning 7 points in a row. Newspim reported that An came back from a 6-point deficit in the last game even while carrying an ankle injury. Hankook Ilbo presented the win as her 10th title trophy of the year. With this win her record this year is 61 wins and 1 loss in 62 matches, a 98.4% win rate. Money Today and Financial News counted it as her 10th title of the year, including the Asian Games gold medal, and reported that she extended her winning streak against Yamaguchi to 10.

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Kim Young-gwon lost his final appeal in a suit asking to cancel the imposition of about 830 million won in comprehensive income tax (Money Today, Asia Economy, Dailian). The Supreme Court’s Third Division upheld the lower-court ruling against the plaintiff. The issue was whether about 605 million won in foreign taxes paid that had been carried over after exceeding the deduction limit in China could be combined with income from his time in Japan and deducted. The court held that the deduction must be split by country. The Ulsan Tax Office assessed about 830 million won, including penalty tax, for 2019–2021. The court treated Kim as a Korean resident on the grounds that he kept his Korean resident registration and remitted money to Korea (Jaekyung Ilbo). The 1st and 2nd trials also rejected the claim.

The deduction for foreign taxes paid is a device to prevent double taxation, where two countries tax the same income, but limits are calculated separately by country. The Supreme Court again confirmed that leftover deduction from a higher-tax country cannot be drawn on against income from a lower-tax country.

The same principle applies to people who work abroad or earn income in several countries. It is also worth noting that someone who has spent a long time abroad can still be judged a Korean resident if there are Korean resident registration and remittance records.

The tax authority and the court held that country-by-country deduction is the principle of tax law and that, having kept a base of life in Korea, he must pay tax as a Korean resident. The same conclusion came in all 3 trials.

Kim’s side argued he was a non-resident and that the foreign taxes he actually paid should be added together and deducted. The concern is that taxes overlap for athletes who play abroad.

What is confirmed is the final loss, the country-by-country deduction principle and the grounds for the residency finding. The date the ruling became final is reported differently by outlet and is not confirmed. We will watch whether there are similar suits by other players who have played in overseas leagues.

Money Today · Asia Economy · Dailian · Jaekyung Ilbo · Ilgan NTN (10/17~10/18)

Society · TaxPress ✓ 6 outlets · outlets give different dates for when the ruling became final

Footballer Kim Young-gwon loses final appeal at Supreme Court in suit to cancel roughly 830 million won comprehensive income tax

Football player Kim Young-gwon (Ulsan HD), a former national team member, lost his final appeal in a suit asking to cancel the imposition of about 830 million won in comprehensive income tax, Money Today, Asia Economy and Dailian reported on the 18th. The Supreme Court’s Third Division upheld the lower-court ruling that had not accepted Kim’s claim. Kim tried to combine about 605 million won in foreign taxes paid, which had exceeded the deduction limit while he played in China and been carried over to the following year, with his income from his time in Japan and deduct it, but the court found the tax authority’s judgment that the deduction must be split by country to be correct. The Ulsan Tax Office assessed an additional roughly 830 million won, including penalty tax, for 2019–2021. Kim argued he was a non-resident of Korea, but the court judged him a Korean resident, citing that he had kept his Korean resident registration and sent most of his income to Korea, Jaekyung Ilbo reported. The 1st and 2nd trials also both rejected Kim’s claim.

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In brief

Im Sung-jae runner-up at Macau OpenNewspim and News1 reported that he tied Wang Wei-hsuan at 17 under par, 263 strokes, then lost on the first playoff hole.
Son Heung-min’s shot hits the postNewsis and Ilgan Sports reported that LAFC drew 1-1 away at New York City FC and Son played the full match.
Leader Kim Min-seok apologizes for festival greeting onstageSeoul Shinmun and Nocut News reported that on the 18th he apologized to the singer and the audience for going onstage during a performance at the Sunchang Jangryu Festival on the 15th.
IMF director: “Only Korea’s fiscal space grew”Asia Economy and SBS reported that IMF Executive Director Choi Ji-young said it was thanks to the semiconductor boom.
Agency head Kim Ji-yong starts work at Serious Crimes Investigation AgencyNewspim and Hankook Ilbo reported that after approval of his appointment on the 15th he arrived for his first day on the 16th and ordered a dedicated team for early settling-in.
KIA’s Oller wins as starter on his birthdaySports Kyunghyang and MediaPen reported that he was the winning pitcher in Semi-Playoff Game 2 with 6 innings and 2 runs allowed.

Seven minutes every morning, one front page

Unverified — what we could not confirm

Reports differ by outlet on the age of Fire Lieutenant Kim Jin-seok’s bereaved family member Most reports, including Hankook Ilbo and JoongAng Economy News, said the daughter is seven years old.

Word is going around that An Se-young has won 10 times this year in individual events alone The count of a 10th title by Money Today and Financial News includes the Asian Games gold medal.

Posts are spreading that Kim Young-gwon’s taxes paid abroad were not recognized The court did not deny the deduction for foreign taxes paid itself but held that it must be split by country (Money Today, Asia Economy).

What to watch today

Today · Mon 10/19The memorial service for Fire Lieutenant Kim Jin-seok is held as a Gyeonggi provincial funeral, and Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae attends. Markets open, testing whether the KOSPI continues its rebound of the 16th.This weekGame 3 of the KBO Semi-Playoff is played, and KIA reaches the Playoffs with just 1 more win.LaterThe police findings on the cause of the Bucheon fire and on how the decision to go inside was made will come out. The Serious Crimes Investigation Agency’s first investigation target and the schedule for its official inauguration have not been set.For readersIf you are a resident who earns income abroad, the deduction for foreign taxes paid is calculated separately under country-by-country limits. You can check the deduction method in the National Tax Service Hometax guide.

Glossary · dotted words — economics, law, security and science terms explained in the context of the story. The list grows every day.

INSIDEFuneral service today for Bucheon Fire Lieutenant Kim Jin-seok, killed in the line of duty; People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok tells Gov. Choo Mi-ae, after her apology, to “resign”Society · Line of dutyPresident Lee Jae-myung: “Saying people can’t speak because the Cabinet meeting is open is a lie,” rebuts renewed demand for closed doorsPolitics · Cabinet meetingKIA beat LG 6-3 with 5 runs in the 1st for 2 straight Semi-Playoff wins… Oller 6 innings, 2 runsSports · Fall BaseballAn Se-young beats Yamaguchi 2-1 in comeback to win 2 straight Denmark Open titles… 61-1 this year, 10th title of the seasonSports · BadmintonFootballer Kim Young-gwon loses final appeal at Supreme Court in suit to cancel roughly 830 million won comprehensive income taxSociety · Tax