1. The South Korean Ministry of National Defense told SBS that it is making concrete preparations to dispatch naval forces to the Strait of Hormuz. A key official at the ministry stated that the deployment forces would include P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, a logistics support ship, and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team. While the South Korean government had previously maintained a stance of pursuing deployment to the Strait of Hormuz only after the war between the US and Iran concludes, it has been learned that the policy has recently shifted. A high-ranking official at the presidential office also stated that the issue of dispatching troops to Hormuz is currently under review in accordance with domestic legal procedures and that nothing has been finalized yet. Regarding South Korea's practical contribution, the official added that there could be various options, and that combat, non-combat, and search operations are being comprehensively reviewed.
2. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) has indicted Ji Gwi-yeon, a senior judge at the Seoul Northern District Court who has been suspected of receiving entertainment at a room salon, without detention on charges of violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. Senior Judge Ji is accused of having two lawyers pay for approximately 4.09 million won worth of drinks at a bar in Gangnam, Seoul, around August 2023. The Improper Solicitation and Graft Act stipulates that if a public official receives money, valuables, or hospitality exceeding 1 million won at one time from the same person, they are subject to punishment even without job relevance or quid pro quo. The CIO explained that bribery charges were not applied because the relevance between the entertainment and the judge's official duties was not proven.
3. President Lee Jae-myung will make a state visit to France from Sunday, the 6th, to the 9th, at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. This visit follows an invitation extended by President Macron, who visited South Korea in April, asking President Lee to serve as co-chair of the Lumière Summit, an international film summit to be held in France. On the 7th, President Lee will attend the Lumière Summit in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, southern France, in his capacity as co-chair alongside President Macron. The following day, he will carry out state visit schedules in Paris, including a South Korea-France summit.
4. The Seoul World Fireworks Festival, held annually every autumn around Yeouido, will take place tomorrow (the 5th). In preparation for the possibility of large crowds exceeding 1 million people gathering, the police will completely restrict vehicle traffic from the southern end of Mapo Bridge to the 63 Building from 3:00 PM to midnight tomorrow. In addition, vehicle traffic on Wonhyo Bridge will be restricted in both directions from 9:00 AM tomorrow to 3:00 AM on the 6th. Trains will not stop at Yeouinaru Station, where the largest crowd is expected to gather, from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM tomorrow. Please take note of this information.
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.