[Today's Top Stories] Brazil's President Lula Wins Fourth Term

President Lee Jaemyung's Approval Rating Falls Again
Special Inspector General Choi Gilsu Emphasizes Political Neutrality and Independence
Vehicle Traffic on Jamsu Bridge Fully Restricted Starting Today

1. President Lee Jaemyung's approval rating fell again after a one-week rebound, to 35.3%.

A Realmeter survey of 2,517 people aged 18 and older nationwide, commissioned by The Asia Business Daily and conducted from October 19 to 23, found that 35.3% viewed President Lee's performance positively, down 2.0 percentage points (p) from the previous week. The disapproval rating rose 1.9 percentage points to 62.3%.

Realmeter said, "A combination of economic and real estate concerns, including a sharp stock market decline, controversy over the National Pension Service's postponement of stock sales, and the jeonse market crunch, as well as political disputes over North Korea's threat to resume anti-South loudspeaker broadcasts, the president's social media remarks, and controversy over the head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency attending a Cabinet meeting, appears to have led to a loss of support, particularly among progressives and residents of the Seoul metropolitan area."

2. Special Inspector General Choi Gilsu emphasized political neutrality and independence on his first day at work.

On his way to work, Choi told reporters that even if someone is a close associate of the president, he would have difficulty directly investigating them if they are not legally subject to his office's oversight, putting the scope of his authority in the spotlight. "I will uphold political neutrality and independence in carrying out my duties to the very end. I hope the Special Inspector General's Office will become like a panopticon, keeping a watchful eye on those subject to its investigations," Choi said.

Special Inspector General Choi Gilsu speaks to reporters during his first day at work at the Office of the Special Inspector General in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 26th. Photo by Kang Jinhyeong.

3. Kim Jiyong, the first head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (SCIA), said the allegations that an investigation into independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon's daughter over fabricated credentials was suppressed need to be thoroughly examined.

At a comprehensive audit by the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee on October 26, Kim answered "Yes" when Jung Chunseng, a lawmaker from the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, asked whether he agreed that the allegations of police and prosecutors suppressing an investigation into Han's case needed to be investigated.

4. Vehicle traffic on Jamsu Bridge has been completely restricted starting today.

Jamsu Bridge, which opened in 1976, has been transformed into a pedestrian-only bridge after 50 years, and vehicle traffic was fully restricted starting October 26. The Seoul Metropolitan Government has begun construction to turn the bridge into a pedestrian-focused cultural space along the waterfront by August next year. Only vehicles involved in the construction may use the bridge.

President Lee Jaemyung and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva make finger hearts toward reporters after their joint press statement at the presidential residence in Brasilia on July 27 (local time). Yonhap News Agency

5. Incumbent Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, 81, defeated Senator Flavio Bolsonaro in the country's presidential runoff to win a fourth term.

According to Brazil's Superior Electoral Court, with 99.93% of the votes counted, President Lula secured 51.77% of the vote, defeating Bolsonaro, who received 48.23%, by about 4.4 million votes. President Lee Jaemyung congratulated him, saying, "President Lula, my dear friend and comrade, I am happier than anyone to congratulate you on your election victory."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.