PPP walks out over DP nominees | Data center investment push

It's Thursday! We've almost arrived at the end of the week. Here are the stories you need to know in Korea

In today's news, lawmakers from the People Power Party walked out or boycotted the Democratic Party's railroading of confirmation hearing reports for two controversial nominees. Meanwhile, we look at investment in Korea's data centers, which is set to heat up.

In other news, staff at Seoul's royal palaces are reporting a rise in visitor misconduct at the heritage sites.

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Today's top story

KOREA

‘A Blue House order?’: Opposition walks out as justice, defense minister nominees clear committees

Two controversial ministerial nominees cleared key parliamentary committees Thursday despite strong opposition from the People Power Party (PPP), which boycotted or walked out of votes on their confirmation hearing reports.

The Democratic Party (DP) railroaded the adoption of the confirmation hearing report for Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on Thursday. The National Defense Committee also adopted the confirmation hearing report for Defense Minister nominee Ret. Gen. Kang Shin-chul the same day.

PPP lawmakers walked out just 10 minutes after the judiciary committee meeting began to protest the decision to put Kim's hearing report to a vote.

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Feature of the day

BEHIND THE NUMBERS

KKR, Brookfield lead global rush into Korea’s AI data centers

Investments are pouring in — and potentially spreading out as power demand may send facilities to less-dense regions.


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More stories

Fed’s rate hike puts pressure on the BOK to tighten further

Deaths to outpace births in every corner of the country by 2043

President vows to claw back illegal profits from ticket scalpers

Foreign minister says $350 billion U.S. investment delay is procedural

IVE’s Jang Won-young named Asia-Pacific face of UGG

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Editor's picks

KOREA

Smoking, peeing and open hostility: Visitor misconduct blights Seoul's royal palaces as tourism surges

Palace staff report rising rule violations, damage and confrontations as visitors to Seoul's royal heritage sites continue to climb.




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KOREA

North Korean defector recounts trafficking, sexual abuse in China in U.S. congressional hearing

A subcommittee hearing discussed human rights violations and other collusion between Pyongyang and Beijing.


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KOREA

Chuseok traffic forecast: Busan-Seoul trip to take up to 8 hours on Sept. 25

Chuseok holiday traffic returning to Seoul is expected to peak on Sept. 25, with the Busan-Seoul drive forecast to take up to eight hours. Check the busiest routes and best departure times.

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LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT

Small stages, foreign festivals, no shortcuts: A Korean musical's long and winding road to London

After years on small stages and the festival circuit, “You & It” is bringing its distinctly Korean story of grief and memory to audiences in Britain at London’s King’s Head Theatre.

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