Today's Major News (September 16, 2026)

1. Following the conclusion of the confirmation hearing for Minister of Justice nominee Kim Seung-won, the People Power Party has declared him unqualified and demanded the withdrawal of his nomination. President Lee Jae-myung is expected to directly state his positions on major pending issues, including cabinet reshuffles and the dismissal of indictments, during a national press conference on the morning of the day after tomorrow.

2. Confirmation hearings for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport nominee Hong Ji-sun and Minister of National Defense nominee Kang Shin-chul are underway at the National Assembly today. Fierce battles are taking place over controversies surrounding real estate transactions for both nominees.

3. Wage negotiations between Seoul city bus management and labor were reached early this morning. Both sides agreed on a 3.2 percent wage increase, but the issue of calculating ordinary wages, which was the biggest point of contention, failed to reach an agreement this time as well.

4. Seven years after the Constitutional Court ruled the punishment for the crime of abortion to be unconstitutional, the official introduction of abortion medication is being pursued. The government plans to permit the use of the medication for pregnancies within nine weeks, as early as next year.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.