President Lee Pushes Regional Growth, Drone Bans, and Labor Reform Amid Political Scrutiny
Updated (2 articles)
Lee Calls for Nationwide Backing of New Regional Hubs At a Ulsan town‑hall on Jan 23, President Lee Jae‑myung urged citizens to support a plan to dilute Seoul’s dominance by creating five regional growth hubs and granting self‑governing status to Jeju, Gangwon and North Jeolla provinces, aiming for balanced development across the country [1].
Travel Bans Imposed on Drone Suspects After North Korea Flight Police and military investigators placed travel restrictions on three civilians, including graduate student Oh and builder Jang, linked to a drone launch that entered North Korean airspace; Lee later described the act as “an attempt to start a war,” echoing media framing of the incident as a war‑like provocation [1][2].
Government Unveils Tax Incentives and Gig‑Worker Protections A tax‑break scheme offering up to 40 % relief for investors in growth funds was announced, while legislators prepared a bill to extend labor protections to roughly 8.7 million gig workers, reflecting a broader push to stimulate investment and modernize worker rights [2].
Political Turbulence: CIO Raid, Budget Nominee Scrutiny, and Coupang Denial The Corruption Investigation Office raided special counsel Min Joong‑ki’s Seoul office over alleged favoritism in a bribery probe; budget minister nominee Lee Hye‑hoon faced intense questioning over real‑estate and family‑service documents; and e‑commerce giant Coupang denied involvement in a U.S. investors’ petition alleging discriminatory treatment after a data breach [1].
Sources
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1.
Yonhap (Jan 23): South Korea president calls for public support for regional growth as investigations unfold – Details Lee’s regional hub plan, travel bans on drone suspects, Coupang’s petition denial, CIO raid, and budget minister nominee grilling .
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2.
Yonhap (Jan 20): South Korean papers highlight gig‑worker protections, prosecution reform, and drone incidents – Summarizes upcoming gig‑worker legislation, prosecution reform backing, framing of the drone flight as a war‑like act, and tax incentives for growth‑fund investors .
Timeline
Early Jan 2026 – A civilian drone flies into North Korea; President Lee calls the act “to start war,” likening it to firing a gun toward the North and heightening security concerns[2].
Jan 20, 2026 – The government announces legislation to protect roughly 8.7 million gig workers, marking a major expansion of labor‑rights coverage beyond traditional employees[2].
Jan 20, 2026 – President Lee publicly backs the prosecution‑reform plan, signaling political support for overhauling prosecutor oversight and related agencies[2].
Jan 20, 2026 – Tax incentives of up to 40 % are introduced for investors in growth funds, aiming to attract capital and stimulate economic growth[2].
Jan 23, 2026 – President Lee holds a town‑hall in Ulsan, urging public backing for balanced regional growth and outlining five regional hubs plus three special self‑governing provinces (Jeju, Gangwon, North Jeolla) to reduce Seoul’s dominance[1].
Jan 23, 2026 – Police and the military impose travel bans on three civilians suspected of the drone flights to North Korea, including graduate student Oh and builder Jang, as the investigation continues[1].
Jan 23, 2026 – Coupang denies involvement in a petition by U.S. investors seeking a U.S. government review of alleged discriminatory treatment after a major data breach, distancing itself from the filing[1].
Jan 23, 2026 – The Corruption Investigation Office raids the office of special counsel Min Joong‑ki in downtown Seoul, probing alleged favoritism and possible cover‑up of bribes tied to the Unification Church and Democratic Party figures[1].
Jan 23, 2026 – Budget minister nominee Lee Hye‑hoon is grilled in confirmation hearings over missing documents on alleged improper real‑estate deals, questions about her family’s college admissions, and her sons’ military service records, drawing criticism from both ruling and opposition parties[1].