Yonhap’s Feb 19 Roundup Shows Legal Scrutiny, Real‑Estate Tension, and Security Moves
Updated (2 articles)
Yonhap’s headline compilation reflects South Korea’s political, economic, and social focus on Feb 19, 2026. The agency gathered top stories from both Korean‑language and English‑language dailies, highlighting issues from presidential legal battles to housing policy debates and emerging security concerns, illustrating the media agenda ahead of upcoming elections [1].
Opposition leader brands rival a “social demon” over multiple‑home ownership accusations. Kyunghyang Shinmun’s headline quotes the opposition figure condemning a politician for allegedly equalizing wealth among owners of several properties, a critique that intensifies scrutiny of real‑estate reforms as voters prepare for the general election [1].
President Yoon’s sentencing trial proceeds exactly 444 days after his martial‑law decree. Reports from Donga Ilbo, Hankyoreh and other papers note the court hearing today, underscoring continued legal challenges to Yoon’s administration and the lingering impact of the 2025 emergency measures [1].
Seoul seeks to reinstate a no‑fly zone over the DMZ amid rising drone incursions from the North. Korea Herald and Korea Times detail the government’s proposal to revive the restricted airspace, aiming to deter unauthorized UAV activity and bolster inter‑Korean security protocols [1].
Trump warns Japan’s new investment could pressure South Korea; senior care population hits one million. Seoul Shinmun, Segye Times relay former U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that Japanese capital may serve as a reminder and increase diplomatic pressure, while Chosun Ilbo reports the senior nursing‑care demographic reaching a million, adding demographic urgency to policy debates [1].
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Timeline
Oct 2023 – Yoon prepares for a potential martial‑law declaration, with internal documents showing planning began at least this month, laying groundwork for later actions that later spark legal scrutiny[2].
Dec 3, 2024 – Yoon issues a martial‑law decree, an act later described by the special counsel as intended to eliminate opposition and monopolize power, setting the stage for a high‑profile sentencing trial[2].
2025 – Donga Ilbo reports that 70,000 elderly dementia patients lose assets, with only 49 officially recognized as victims, highlighting a vulnerable population amid broader social policy debates[2].
2025 – Korea Economic Daily outlines a government plan to spin off KOSDAQ as an independent exchange modeled on Nasdaq, indicating a major restructuring of South Korea’s capital markets[2].
Dec 15, 2025 – The special counsel publicly claims Yoon’s martial‑law bid aimed to eliminate political opponents and monopolize power, quoting critics who label the move a “forceful elimination of opposition”[2].
Dec 15, 2025 – The martial‑law probe concludes after a 180‑day investigation, closing the formal inquiry but leaving the political fallout unresolved[2].
Feb 19, 2026 – President Yoon appears in a sentencing trial, marking 444 days since the Dec 3, 2024 martial‑law decree and underscoring ongoing legal challenges to his administration[1].
Feb 19, 2026 – The opposition leader brands a senior politician a “social demon” for allegedly equalizing wealth among multiple‑home owners, intensifying real‑estate criticism ahead of the upcoming general elections[1].
Feb 19, 2026 – Former U.S. President Donald Trump warns that Japan’s new investment could serve as a reminder and increase pressure on Seoul, reflecting heightened economic tension between allies[1].
Feb 19, 2026 – South Korea’s senior nursing‑care population reaches one million, while real‑estate concerns surface in the media, signaling demographic pressures that could influence voter sentiment[1].
Feb 19, 2026 – Seoul seeks to reinstate a no‑fly zone over the Demilitarized Zone to deter North Korean drone incursions, illustrating escalating security measures in inter‑Korean relations[1].
2026 (upcoming) – General elections loom later in the year, with real‑estate and demographic issues expected to dominate campaign narratives and voter priorities[1].