SBS NEWS

Morning Briefing: Korea's Growth Forecast, Chief Justice Impeachment Push, and National Museum Director's Apology (October 19, 2026) 1. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Lee Hyung-il said that South Korea's economic growth rate could rise to the mid-3% range this year. SBS Oct 19, 2026 2:18 PM

JMS Leader Jeong Myung-seok Sentenced to 33 Years in Prison in 1st Trial for Sexual Assault of Female Followers The 11th Criminal Division of the Daejeon District Court sentenced Jeong, who was put on trial for quasi-rape and other charges, to 33 years in prison, ordered him to wear an electronic tracking device for 15 years, and imposed a 10-year employment restriction at institutions related to children, adolescents, and people with disabilities. SBS Oct 19, 2026 1:53 PM

Kim Ji-yong pledges to end politicization of investigations, says Cabinet meeting attendance to be decided through consultations   Kim Ji-yong, head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency , has stated that he will "eradicate the politicization of investigations and firmly secure political neutrality and investigative independence." During his first doorstep remarks on his way to work this morning , SCIA Chief Kim directly explained his vision for the early stabilization and operation of the agency to reporters. SBS Oct 19, 2026 1:46 PM

Appeal Trial Begins for Yoon Suk Yeol Over Alleged 'Australia Escape' Case; Special Counsel Seeks to Amend Indictment Following Acquittal ▲ Former President Yoon Suk Yeol The independent counsel team has announced plan… SBS Oct 19, 2026 1:42 PM

Bringing in and Burning 2.12 Million Tons... "Only Gangwon Residents Suffer" An amount eight times greater than Gangwon Province's total waste incineration volume is being burned within the province. SBS Oct 19, 2026 1:40 PM

JMS Leader Jeong Myung-seok Sentenced to 33 Years in Prison in 1st Trial for Sexually Assaulting Female Followers Jung Myung-seok, the leader of the Christian Gospel Mission who was put on trial for sexually assaulting female followers by exploiting religious brainwashing, has been handed another heavy prison sentence. SBS Oct 19, 2026 1:40 PM

"First Time Applying This Legal Provision," "Awkward Phrasing"... Criticisms Continue in Comprehensive Special Counsel Trials The court presiding over the trial regarding allegations of undue intervention in the relocation of the presidential residence by First Lady Kim Keon-hee and People Power Party Lawmaker Yoon Han-hong has expressed doubts over the application of charges by the 2nd Comprehensive Special Counsel team. SBS Oct 19, 2026 1:28 PM

Second Trial for Graduate Student Who Sent Drones to North Korea Set to Begin Next Month... Acquitted of General Treason in First Trial The 1st Criminal Division of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judge Yoon Sung-sik) will hold the first appellate hearing at 2:00 p.m. SBS Oct 19, 2026 1:27 PM

"Don't Throw Them Away"... The Identity of This Popular 100-Won Second-Hand Item The final hot topic: throwing away toilet paper rolls is a loss. We are talking about those cardboard rolls left over after finishing a roll of toilet paper. SBS Oct 19, 2026 1:25 PM

Seoul Central Prosecution Service Chief Park Chul-woo: "Never Considered Withdrawing Indictments Against President Lee" Park Chul-woo, Chief of the Seoul Central Prosecution Service, stated during a parliamentary audit held by the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee today that he has never considered withdrawing the indictments in cases involving President Lee Jae-myung. SBS Oct 19, 2026 12:53 PM