Korea JoongAng Daily - Daily News from Korea

This article is by Shin Ha-nee and read by an artificial voice.

Summer is here, and girl group Meovv is kicking off June by cooling things down with a dose of uncanny spookiness in its latest lead single, "Ddi Ro Ri."

With its second EP, "Bite Now," the girl group is declaring itself as a big cat this time, a bolder and sharper leap forward that member Gawon described by using the initials of the lead track's title, "DRR" — "Different, real and raw."

"This album shows our more genuine selves," the Meovv member said during a press showcase for the girl group's second EP, "Bite Now," held at Cube Convention Center in western Seoul on Monday. "You'll be able to see Meovv with our raw wildness this time — like tigers."

Meovv's second EP, "Bite Now," comes a year after its first EP, "My Eyes Open VVide" (2025), and eight months since digital single "Burning Up" (2025).

The album features five songs: the lead track, "Ddi Ro Ri," and B-sides, "Hit 'Em," "In My Hands," "Favorite Song" and "Revenge."

The lead single, "Ddi Ro Ri," sampled Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D minor," combining the classic's dramatic melody line with Meovv's chic, intense flair — and a touch of spookiness. The eerie mood is most vividly shown in the music video where the members appear in uncanny white wigs and unsettling scenes unfold, including one in which red-clad figures flood into a room.

The title "Toccata and Fugue in D minor" may not be familiar to everyone, but its ominous organ melody is instantly recognizable. The familiarity of classical sampling gives the song a dramatic leverage that many K-pop hits like Blackpink's "Shutdown" (2022) have leaned into before.

Asked how she imagined Bach might react to the 21st century K-pop rendition of his Baroque music, Ella answered with a smile: "The song starts off a little spooky but then goes upbeat, he might have no choice but to dance to it."

Meovv, pronounced "meow," debuted in September 2024 as the first girl group under The Black Label, founded by star producer Teddy in 2016. The quintet consists of Sooin, Gawon, Anna, Narin and Ella.

Teddy suggested the members direct one another during the recording sessions of this album, Narin said, which helped them understand and connect with each other. She also added that the producer also advised them to "smile as much as they want, without restriction, if that's how they feel on stage."

Meovv declared itself not a kitty anymore but a predator this time, promising a bold leap forward.

"In this album, Meovv shows our more predator-like, intense sides," said Narin. "With our first EP, we showed what kind of music we pursue. This time, we are taking it to the next level, leaping forward to offer a new paradigm rather than staying cautious."

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

Summer is here, and girl group Meovv is kicking off June by cooling things down with a dose of uncanny spookiness in its latest lead single, "Ddi Ro Ri."

With its second EP, "Bite Now," the girl group is declaring itself as a big cat this time, a bolder and sharper leap forward that member Gawon described by using the initials of the lead track's title, "DRR" — "Different, real and raw."

"This album shows our more genuine selves," the Meovv member said during a press showcase for the girl group's second EP, "Bite Now," held at Cube Convention Center in western Seoul on Monday. "You'll be able to see Meovv with our raw wildness this time — like tigers."

Meovv's second EP, "Bite Now," comes a year after its first EP, "My Eyes Open VVide" (2025), and eight months since digital single "Burning Up" (2025).

The album features five songs: the lead track, "Ddi Ro Ri," and B-sides, "Hit 'Em," "In My Hands," "Favorite Song" and "Revenge."

The lead single, "Ddi Ro Ri," sampled Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D minor," combining the classic's dramatic melody line with Meovv's chic, intense flair — and a touch of spookiness. The eerie mood is most vividly shown in the music video where the members appear in uncanny white wigs and unsettling scenes unfold, including one in which red-clad figures flood into a room.

The title "Toccata and Fugue in D minor" may not be familiar to everyone, but its ominous organ melody is instantly recognizable. The familiarity of classical sampling gives the song a dramatic leverage that many K-pop hits like Blackpink's "Shutdown" (2022) have leaned into before.

"We've deliberated a lot on how we should show our musical direction and identity with the latest album," Narin said. "Everyone knows the original music, so there was pressure from that expectation, but I think we've interpreted it into something completely different, paired with powerful performance."

Asked how she imagined Bach might react to the 21st century K-pop rendition of his Baroque music, Ella answered with a smile: "The song starts off a little spooky but then goes upbeat, he might have no choice but to dance to it."

Meovv, pronounced "meow," debuted in September 2024 as the first girl group under The Black Label, founded by star producer Teddy in 2016. The quintet consists of Sooin, Gawon, Anna, Narin and Ella.

Teddy suggested the members direct one another during the recording sessions of this album, Narin said, which helped them understand and connect with each other. She also added that the producer also advised them to "smile as much as they want, without restriction, if that's how they feel on stage."

Meovv declared itself not a kitty anymore but a predator this time, promising a bold leap forward.

"In this album, Meovv shows our more predator-like, intense sides," said Narin. "With our first EP, we showed what kind of music we pursue. This time, we are taking it to the next level, leaping forward to offer a new paradigm rather than staying cautious."

BY SHIN HA-NEE [[email protected]]

This article is by Cho Jung-woo and read by an artificial voice.

From technology and finance to consumer goods, international talent seeking employment in Korea had a unique opportunity on Monday to explore career options and speak directly with recruiters at the Global Talent Fair.

The Job Fair for International Students, a major track within the 2026 Global Talent Fair hosted by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (Kotra), kicked off its two-day annual run at Coex in Gangnam District, southern Seoul. Around 100 companies participated in the event this year, with Kotra expecting at least 2,500 international job seekers to attend through Tuesday.

"I'm planning to get consultations on my résumé and learn how to increase my chances as a foreigner of being recruited by these companies," Lydia Laryea, a senior majoring in business and accounting at Kangwon National University, told the Korea JoongAng Daily as she arrived at the venue.

Laryea, a Ghanaian national who came to Korea under the Global Korea Scholarship program, said working in the country became a top priority after she became fascinated by Korean conglomerates like Samsung.

"I was very curious about how Korea built its businesses, so I decided to come here to study," she added.

The exhibition hall was packed with students and recent graduates like Laryea, all eager to learn about different corporate environments and secure face time with hiring managers.

Major firms, including Dongwon Group and Hankook Tire & Technology, saw their schedules fully booked with one-on-one consultations throughout the day.

Cosmetics giant Amorepacific, which is currently scouting for talent in global sales and marketing, also ran a booth and a dedicated recruitment session on Monday.

"We usually post job openings for foreign fresh graduates once or twice a year," an Amorepacific hiring manager said, noting that the company currently employs around 100 foreign nationals, including those at overseas branches. "Sales and marketing are the primary positions open to international talent."

Blue Bottle Coffee Korea, which joined the fair to recruit baristas, also saw its interview slots completely filled. For many recruiters at the venue, Korean language proficiency emerged as the ultimate prerequisite.

"Korean language skills are vital because our baristas must interact directly with customers in Korean," Park Ji-min, a hiring manager at Blue Bottle said, adding that roughly 80 percent of the applicants who visited their booth spoke fluent Korean.

According to the manager, prospective baristas do not need prior certifications since the company provides internal training. Visitors to the booth focused their questions on store placement, visa sponsorship and required skill sets.

"We already have baristas from countries like Japan and China," the manager said. "Our goal is to hire more international employees to bring diverse perspectives and experiences to our teams."

Semiconductor packaging and testing company Hana Micron also targeted international students specifically because of their existing familiarity with local culture and language.

"Korean corporate culture can be quite conservative," Park Jun-hyun, hiring manager at Hana Micron said. "We are looking for candidates who understand this culture so they can integrate smoothly into the team."

The company, currently seeking engineers, launched a program three years ago to recruit foreign talent within Korea, train them domestically and eventually dispatch them to its branch in Vietnam.

For the job seekers, the fair provided clear insight into what Korean employers prioritize.

"Many of them were looking for fluent Korean speakers," said Valeria Medivil Gomez Llanos, a job seeker from Mexico who recently completed a two-year Korean language program. She noted that the language barrier remains the steepest hurdle when job hunting in Korea.

Nevertheless, Llanos valued the practical feedback she received on her credentials.

"One rec...

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

From technology and finance to consumer goods, international talent seeking employment in Korea had a unique opportunity on Monday to explore career options and speak directly with recruiters at the Global Talent Fair.

The Job Fair for International Students, a major track within the 2026 Global Talent Fair hosted by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (Kotra), kicked off its two-day annual run at Coex in Gangnam District, southern Seoul. Around 100 companies participated in the event this year, with Kotra expecting at least 2,500 international job seekers to attend through Tuesday.

"I'm planning to get consultations on my résumé and learn how to increase my chances as a foreigner of being recruited by these companies," Lydia Laryea, a senior majoring in business and accounting at Kangwon National University, told the Korea JoongAng Daily as she arrived at the venue.

Laryea, a Ghanaian national who came to Korea under the Global Korea Scholarship program, said working in the country became a top priority after she became fascinated by Korean conglomerates like Samsung.

"I was very curious about how Korea built its businesses, so I decided to come here to study," she added.

The exhibition hall was packed with students and recent graduates like Laryea, all eager to learn about different corporate environments and secure face time with hiring managers.

Major firms, including Dongwon Group and Hankook Tire & Technology, saw their schedules fully booked with one-on-one consultations throughout the day.

Cosmetics giant Amorepacific, which is currently scouting for talent in global sales and marketing, also ran a booth and a dedicated recruitment session on Monday.

"We usually post job openings for foreign fresh graduates once or twice a year," an Amorepacific hiring manager said, noting that the company currently employs around 100 foreign nationals, including those at overseas branches. "Sales and marketing are the primary positions open to international talent."

Blue Bottle Coffee Korea, which joined the fair to recruit baristas, also saw its interview slots completely filled. For many recruiters at the venue, Korean language proficiency emerged as the ultimate prerequisite.

"Korean language skills are vital because our baristas must interact directly with customers in Korean," Park Ji-min, a hiring manager at Blue Bottle said, adding that roughly 80 percent of the applicants who visited their booth spoke fluent Korean.

According to the manager, prospective baristas do not need prior certifications since the company provides internal training. Visitors to the booth focused their questions on store placement, visa sponsorship and required skill sets.

"We already have baristas from countries like Japan and China," the manager said. "Our goal is to hire more international employees to bring diverse perspectives and experiences to our teams."

Semiconductor packaging and testing company Hana Micron also targeted international students specifically because of their existing familiarity with local culture and language.

"Korean corporate culture can be quite conservative," Park Jun-hyun, hiring manager at Hana Micron said. "We are looking for candidates who understand this culture so they can integrate smoothly into the team."

The company, currently seeking engineers, launched a program three years ago to recruit foreign talent within Korea, train them domestically and eventually dispatch them to its branch in Vietnam.

For the job seekers, the fair provided clear insight into what Korean employers prioritize.

"Many of them were looking for fluent Korean speakers," said Valeria Medivil Gomez Llanos, a job seeker from Mexico who recently completed a two-year Korean language program. She noted that the language barrier remains the steepest hurdle when job hunting in Korea.

Nevertheless, Llanos valued the practical feedback she received on her credentials.

"One recruiter helped me cr...

This article is by Yoo Ju-hyun and read by an artificial voice.

At 17, ballerina Yeom Da-yeon is heading to the Boston Ballet as a full company member in late July, bypassing both the apprenticeship phase that typically follows a strong showing at the Prix de Lausanne and the arts-school pipeline that produced most of her peers.

Yeom placed second and won the audience favorite award at the 54th Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland in February. Past Korean winners include Kang Sue-jin, the recently retired Korea National Ballet director, who became the first Korean to receive a Lausanne scholarship in 1985 and joined the Stuttgart Ballet a year later at age 19. Yeom is skipping that one-year gap. Boston has offered her a full company contract at a rate well above the standard rate for a new hire.

She has also never set foot in a specialized arts school. Yeom was homeschooled by her parents, both former ballet dancers. Her father, Yeom Ji-hoon, is a former Royal New Zealand Ballet soloist and former Korea National Ballet master, and her mother, Saori Hara, is a Japanese-born ballerina.

Yeom Ji-hoon and Hara met in New York in the early 2000s. He had moved to the United States to chase larger stages after a stint as a soloist with the Seoul-based Universal Ballet. She had trained at the Joffrey Ballet School and danced with the El Paso Ballet in Texas and the Connecticut Ballet in Hartford, Connecticut, waitressing on the side. Hara had trained as a child in Hokkaido alongside Tetsuya Kumakawa, the former Royal Ballet principal often cited as one of the greatest male dancers Japan has produced.

Yeom Da-yeon has been performing at a professional level for more than a year. She danced the title role in "Giselle" with the Korea Ballet Stars last year at 16, the country's youngest dancer in the role, and has since taken central roles in the M Ballet Company's "Ahn Jung-geun, a Dance in the Heaven" and the contemporary work "Mondrian." The variation she danced at Lausanne, "Esmeralda," is the same one she first performed in the eighth grade, when her parents say her potential began to show.

Before her late-July departure, Yeom has five more performances to finish in Korea, including the "Seongnam Ballet Stars" gala. She is scheduled to make her Boston Ballet debut in a contemporary program in September and join a company tour to Paris in October.

The JoongAng Sunday team sat down with Yeom and her parents at home.

The following interview excerpts have been edited for length and clarity.

Q. Were you aiming for the Royal Ballet?

A. Yeom Da-yeon: I had only ever dreamed of the Royal, so going to Boston was unexpected. But the offer was so good, and I thought I could gain more experience there, so I chose Boston.

Yeom Ji-hoon: The right place is the one that values her. I looked at Boston's recent repertoire, and the balance is ideal. They mix work by the hottest choreographers right now with the Ashton pieces Da-yeon has always wanted to dance and the Balanchine works that define American ballet. That's the biggest selling point.

You're going straight from homeschool to working as a professional abroad. How do you feel about that?

Yeom Da-yeon: I've been working with adult dancers on professional stages since last year, so going to a company actually feels more natural than going to school.

Hara: I'm worried, but I left home at 19, too. You only become independent once you leave, and her time has just come a bit earlier. Unlike the kids who go to school dorms, she's a professional, so we need to find her an apartment. Rent is so expensive. I asked the company to help find her a roommate.

What was it like playing 'Giselle' and its mad scene at 16?

Yeom Ji-hoon: Her partner, a Universal Ballet principal, was so busy that they could barely rehearse together. She struggled, standing alone in front of an imaginary partner. I brought in a junior of mine who studied theater to coach the acting for a while.

Yeom Da-yeon: It's a story about love...

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

At 17, ballerina Yeom Da-yeon is heading to the Boston Ballet as a full company member in late July, bypassing both the apprenticeship phase that typically follows a strong showing at the Prix de Lausanne and the arts-school pipeline that produced most of her peers.

Yeom placed second and won the audience favorite award at the 54th Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland in February. Past Korean winners include Kang Sue-jin, the recently retired Korea National Ballet director, who became the first Korean to receive a Lausanne scholarship in 1985 and joined the Stuttgart Ballet a year later at age 19. Yeom is skipping that one-year gap. Boston has offered her a full company contract at a rate well above the standard rate for a new hire.

She has also never set foot in a specialized arts school. Yeom was homeschooled by her parents, both former ballet dancers. Her father, Yeom Ji-hoon, is a former Royal New Zealand Ballet soloist and former Korea National Ballet master, and her mother, Saori Hara, is a Japanese-born ballerina.

Yeom Ji-hoon and Hara met in New York in the early 2000s. He had moved to the United States to chase larger stages after a stint as a soloist with the Seoul-based Universal Ballet. She had trained at the Joffrey Ballet School and danced with the El Paso Ballet in Texas and the Connecticut Ballet in Hartford, Connecticut, waitressing on the side. Hara had trained as a child in Hokkaido alongside Tetsuya Kumakawa, the former Royal Ballet principal often cited as one of the greatest male dancers Japan has produced.

Yeom Da-yeon has been performing at a professional level for more than a year. She danced the title role in "Giselle" with the Korea Ballet Stars last year at 16, the country's youngest dancer in the role, and has since taken central roles in the M Ballet Company's "Ahn Jung-geun, a Dance in the Heaven" and the contemporary work "Mondrian." The variation she danced at Lausanne, "Esmeralda," is the same one she first performed in the eighth grade, when her parents say her potential began to show.

Before her late-July departure, Yeom has five more performances to finish in Korea, including the "Seongnam Ballet Stars" gala. She is scheduled to make her Boston Ballet debut in a contemporary program in September and join a company tour to Paris in October.

The JoongAng Sunday team sat down with Yeom and her parents at home.

The following interview excerpts have been edited for length and clarity.

Q. Were you aiming for the Royal Ballet?

A. Yeom Da-yeon: I had only ever dreamed of the Royal, so going to Boston was unexpected. But the offer was so good, and I thought I could gain more experience there, so I chose Boston.

Yeom Ji-hoon: The right place is the one that values her. I looked at Boston's recent repertoire, and the balance is ideal. They mix work by the hottest choreographers right now with the Ashton pieces Da-yeon has always wanted to dance and the Balanchine works that define American ballet. That's the biggest selling point.

You're going straight from homeschool to working as a professional abroad. How do you feel about that?

Yeom Da-yeon: I've been working with adult dancers on professional stages since last year, so going to a company actually feels more natural than going to school.

Hara: I'm worried, but I left home at 19, too. You only become independent once you leave, and her time has just come a bit earlier. Unlike the kids who go to school dorms, she's a professional, so we need to find her an apartment. Rent is so expensive. I asked the company to help find her a roommate.

What was it like playing 'Giselle' and its mad scene at 16?

Yeom Ji-hoon: Her partner, a Universal Ballet principal, was so busy that they could barely rehearse together. She struggled, standing alone in front of an imaginary partner. I brought in a junior of mine who studied theater to coach the acting for a while.

Yeom Da-yeon: It's a story about love, and I had no exp...

The author is a writer and senior fellow at the Institute for Social and Economic Research.

"All citizens shall have the right to receive education on an equal basis. At least elementary education shall be compulsory and free." This was the text of Article 16 of South Korea's first Constitution, approved on July 12, 1948, and promulgated on July 17 that year.

Based on that provision, the Education Act of 1949 stipulated that all citizens were entitled to six years of elementary education. With this legal foundation in place, South Korea introduced compulsory education on June 1, 1950.

Providing six years of free elementary schooling to every citizen was far from simple. In the years immediately following liberation from Japanese colonial rule, South Korea was among the poorest countries in the world, with gross national income per capita estimated at only $50 to $60. Between 70 and 80 percent of the population worked in agriculture, reflecting an economy heavily dependent on primary industries.

The country also faced severe shortages of infrastructure. Electricity self-sufficiency stood at barely 8 percent because most power plants and industrial facilities built during the colonial era were concentrated in the North. South Korea lacked not only the cement needed to build schools but often even the electricity required to light classrooms.

Yet none of these obstacles weakened the nation's determination to provide education. Politically, society was divided among competing ideologies, including left and right, conservatives and progressives. Despite those differences, there was broad agreement that education was essential to cultivating talent, overcoming poverty and building a better country.

That commitment was tested almost immediately. On June 25, 1950, just weeks after compulsory education began, North Korea launched a surprise invasion. Seoul fell, government forces retreated through Daejeon and the Nakdong River became the final defensive line. Even amid war and national crisis, the desire for education did not disappear.

After the war ended, efforts to expand compulsory education accelerated. South Korea remained devastated by conflict, with little industrial capacity and heavy dependence on foreign assistance. Nevertheless, elementary school enrollment reached 90.1 percent by 1960. By the middle of the decade, the country had effectively achieved universal enrollment.

The power of education became one of the driving forces behind South Korea's transformation from one of the world's poorest nations into a leading global economy.

The state of education today presents a different challenge. Debates over field trips, school sports days, private tutoring and university admissions have left the education system mired in controversy and public distrust. The anniversary of compulsory education offers an opportunity to revisit its founding spirit and reflect on how education can better serve future generations.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

The author is a professor emeritus at Seoul National University.

Later this month, a solid-fuel space launch vehicle is expected to rise above the waters south of Jeju Island.

From a floating launch platform in the seas south of Jeju, a plume of fire will shoot skyward as the Agency for Defense Development conducts its fourth test launch of a solid-fuel space rocket. This mission is more than a technical demonstration. It is a significant milestone for Korea's space program.

The launch will test a full-configuration vehicle integrating solid-propellant stages from the first through third stages. Its mission is to place a 100-kilogram (220-pound) synthetic aperture radar reconnaissance satellite developed by Hanwha Systems into a 500-kilometer (311-mile) sun-synchronous orbit. If successful, Korea will secure a key transportation capability that would allow it to deploy and replenish an independent low-earth-orbit surveillance satellite network around the Korean Peninsula whenever necessary.

The greatest advantage of a solid-fuel rocket is rapid responsiveness. Unlike liquid-fuel rockets, which require complex piping systems and cryogenic fuel loading before launch, solid rockets remain fueled and ready. They can place satellites into orbit within hours or days without revealing extensive launch preparations in advance.

At a time when neighboring powers are increasingly integrating space assets into military strategy, such rapid-launch capability is more than a technological achievement. It serves as a strategic national security tool and a symbol of space sovereignty. The ability to launch satellites on short notice gives a country flexibility in responding to crises and replacing damaged or disabled space assets.

This security logic helps explain why advanced space nations continue to maintain solid-fuel launch vehicles despite recurring criticism over cost and efficiency.

One of the clearest examples is the Epsilon rocket developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Although Japan possesses the H3, one of the world's most advanced large liquid-fuel rockets, it has not abandoned solid-fuel launch systems. Epsilon is closely associated with technologies relevant to long-range missile capabilities and relies heavily on automation. Launch operations can be conducted by relatively small teams using streamlined procedures.

JAXA has long promoted Epsilon as a low-cost launcher, but its strategic significance extends far beyond economics. The rocket's real value lies in deterrence. It functions as an invisible shield, strengthening Japan's ability to respond rapidly to security challenges and discouraging potential provocations from neighboring states.

Europe's Vega program provides another example. Although the newer Vega-C has experienced repeated failures associated with solid-motor control systems, Europe has not abandoned the project. The determination reflects a desire to preserve independent access to space rather than depend entirely on the United States for the launch of security-related assets. Around the world, solid-fuel rockets continue to be maintained not because they are commercially attractive but because they are regarded as strategic national assets.

Korea must nevertheless confront a difficult reality. Military value does not automatically translate into competitiveness in the global commercial space market.

The New Space era is increasingly defined by constellations of hundreds or even thousands of small satellites operating in low-Earth orbit. In this market, solid-fuel rockets face inherent limitations. Japan's Epsilon costs more than $30 million per launch, resulting in a cost per kilogram that is difficult to justify commercially. Compared to the dramatic cost reductions achieved by reusable launch systems, relying on solid-fuel rockets to build large commercial satellite constellations is economically inefficient.

Environmental concerns are even more serious. China and India have launche...

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

Kim Seung-jo

The author is a professor emeritus at Seoul National University.

Later this month, a solid-fuel space launch vehicle is expected to rise above the waters south of Jeju Island.

From a floating launch platform in the seas south of Jeju, a plume of fire will shoot skyward as the Agency for Defense Development conducts its fourth test launch of a solid-fuel space rocket. This mission is more than a technical demonstration. It is a significant milestone for Korea's space program.

The launch will test a full-configuration vehicle integrating solid-propellant stages from the first through third stages. Its mission is to place a 100-kilogram (220-pound) synthetic aperture radar reconnaissance satellite developed by Hanwha Systems into a 500-kilometer (311-mile) sun-synchronous orbit. If successful, Korea will secure a key transportation capability that would allow it to deploy and replenish an independent low-earth-orbit surveillance satellite network around the Korean Peninsula whenever necessary.

The greatest advantage of a solid-fuel rocket is rapid responsiveness. Unlike liquid-fuel rockets, which require complex piping systems and cryogenic fuel loading before launch, solid rockets remain fueled and ready. They can place satellites into orbit within hours or days without revealing extensive launch preparations in advance.

At a time when neighboring powers are increasingly integrating space assets into military strategy, such rapid-launch capability is more than a technological achievement. It serves as a strategic national security tool and a symbol of space sovereignty. The ability to launch satellites on short notice gives a country flexibility in responding to crises and replacing damaged or disabled space assets.

This security logic helps explain why advanced space nations continue to maintain solid-fuel launch vehicles despite recurring criticism over cost and efficiency.

One of the clearest examples is the Epsilon rocket developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Although Japan possesses the H3, one of the world's most advanced large liquid-fuel rockets, it has not abandoned solid-fuel launch systems. Epsilon is closely associated with technologies relevant to long-range missile capabilities and relies heavily on automation. Launch operations can be conducted by relatively small teams using streamlined procedures.

JAXA has long promoted Epsilon as a low-cost launcher, but its strategic significance extends far beyond economics. The rocket's real value lies in deterrence. It functions as an invisible shield, strengthening Japan's ability to respond rapidly to security challenges and discouraging potential provocations from neighboring states.

Europe's Vega program provides another example. Although the newer Vega-C has experienced repeated failures associated with solid-motor control systems, Europe has not abandoned the project. The determination reflects a desire to preserve independent access to space rather than depend entirely on the United States for the launch of security-related assets. Around the world, solid-fuel rockets continue to be maintained not because they are commercially attractive but because they are regarded as strategic national assets.

Korea must nevertheless confront a difficult reality. Military value does not automatically translate into competitiveness in the global commercial space market.

The New Space era is increasingly defined by constellations of hundreds or even thousands of small satellites operating in low-Earth orbit. In this market, solid-fuel rockets face inherent limitations. Japan's Epsilon costs more than $30 million per launch, resulting in a cost per kilogram that is difficult to justify commercially. Compared to the dramatic cost reductions achieved by reusable launch systems, relying on solid-fuel rockets to build large commercial satellite constellations is economically inefficient.

Environmental ...

The author is a senior columnist at the JoongAng Ilbo.

Former President Roh Tae-woo agreed after the three-party merger to pursue a constitutional revision establishing a parliamentary cabinet system with Kim Young-sam and Kim Jong-pil. When political adviser Lee Hong-koo learned of the plan through a scoop by then JoongAng Ilbo reporter Park Bo-kyoon on May 29, 1990, he objected directly to the president.

According to the biography "Lee Hong-koo" by Kim Hak-joon, Lee argued that Roh's greatest political asset was the June 29 Declaration, which promised direct presidential elections. Abandoning that principle would betray the public and discard the foundation of Roh's political legitimacy. Though personally supportive of a parliamentary system, Lee believed constitutional change should not be pursued through a secret political bargain. The proposal ultimately collapsed amid strong opposition from Kim Young-sam.

The episode offers a lesson as President Lee Jae Myung approaches the first anniversary of his inauguration. His approval ratings remain stable in the 60 percent range. By emphasizing pragmatic centrism and maintaining close attention to state affairs, he has secured broad public support. The ruling camp's local election strategy has effectively become, "We have Lee Jae Myung."

Yet a serious political threat looms: efforts to cancel criminal prosecutions involving the president.

On April 30, the Democratic Party leadership introduced the Special Counsel Act on Investigating Allegedly Fabricated Indictments by Yoon Suk Yeol's Political Prosecutors. Under the proposal, a special counsel appointed by President Lee would have authority to withdraw prosecutions.

The opposition has condemned the bill as allowing a suspect to appoint the investigator responsible for his own case. Critics have also described it as an unjust privilege. Concerned about public backlash, the ruling camp has delayed consideration of the measure until after the local elections.

The controversy raises questions that extend beyond politics. If a special counsel backed by the legislative majority can erase cases already under trial or even finalized by the courts, many would see it as violating basic fairness. It also challenges the constitutional principle of separation of powers.

Article 101 of the Constitution states that judicial authority belongs to courts composed of judges. The special counsel system was created to ensure independent investigations free from political pressure. Using such a mechanism for the benefit of a sitting president appears contrary to its original purpose.

The absence of strong internal opposition within the ruling camp is striking. Had there been an adviser willing to offer the kind of candid warning once delivered by Lee Hong-koo, the administration might have avoided becoming entangled in constitutional controversy at a politically sensitive moment.

The debate has also derailed broader constitutional reform efforts. A constitutional amendment jointly proposed by six parties, excluding the People Power Party (PPP), recently failed. The proposal sought to include the Bu-Ma (Busan-Masan) Democratic Protests and the spirit of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement in the Constitution's preamble while strengthening parliamentary oversight of martial law and expanding local autonomy.

Few objected to those goals themselves. The problem was that the ruling party was simultaneously pursuing legislation that could nullify prosecutions involving the president. Critics argued that seeking a better Constitution while appearing unwilling to respect the current one undermined the credibility of reform efforts. The PPP's opposition therefore carried some persuasive force.

A core principle of modern constitutional government is that no one should be the judge in his own case. France offers a useful example. Former President Jacques Chirac faced renewed legal proceedings after leaving office and received a suspended sentence i...