eFM News

≡ Heavy Snow Warning For Seoul, Gyeonggi Lifted

Heavy snow warnings issued for Seoul and parts of Gyeonggi Province -- the first this winter -- have now been lifted. They were lifted for Gwacheon, Gimpo, Seongnam and Gwangju as of 12:30 p.m. and in Guri, Namyangju, Hanam and Yangpyeong an hour later. So far, between three and five centimeters of snow have been recorded in the area. Weather authorities forecast the snowfall, which stopped briefly during the day, to come back later in the evening and pile on a further one to five centimeters. The snow and subzero temperatures are making road conditions dangerous and officials are urging drivers to be cautious.■[2017.12.18]

≡ Chinese Warplanes Breached Korean Air Defense Zone: Military

Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff says five Chinese military planes breached the Korean Air Defense Identification Zone earlier this morning. The JCS said the aircraft -- two bombers, two fighter jets and a reconnaissance plane -- were detected infringing on the KADIZ from the southwest of Ieo Island just after 10:00 a.m. and flying out of the zone a few hours later. South Korean fighters were deployed to take what the JCS called "normal tactical measures." China's military is said to have explained that the operation was part of a routine exercise. The JCS said it is analyzing the move's "exact intention."■[2017.12.18]

≡ FM Kang Set To Depart For Japan Tuesday

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha heads to Japan tomorrow for a two-day trip. There, she will sit down with her Japanese counterpart, Taro Kono, to discuss a range of issues, including Seoul-Tokyo relations and North Korea. The ministry said her trip comes at the invitation of Kono.■[2017.12.18]

≡ Prosecutors Question Ex-Cheong Wa Dae Aide Woo Byung-Woo Over Corruption Allegations

Seoul prosecutors are questioning former senior presidential secretary Woo Byung-woo for the first time since his arrest last week over a slew of corruption charges. He appeared at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office earlier this afternoon. Woo is accused of being involved in illegal surveillance operations against various figures, including Lee Seok-su, who served as the independent inspector-general from 2015 to last year. The former aide to ex-President Park Geun-hye is also suspected of being involved in creating and managing a blacklist of cultural figures deemed critical of the conservative government.■[2017.12.18]

≡ Ex-NIS Chief Won Sei-Hoon Denies Corruption Allegations

Former National Intelligence Service chief Won Sei-hoon has denied all charges against him, which include bribery and loss of state funds. In today's first preparatory hearing for his trial, his lawyer said the charges were disputable. Won is suspected of using 6.3 billion won of the spy agency's budget running cyber teams for illegal political activities between 2010 and 2012 during the Lee Myung-bak administration. Prosecutors believe his actions amount to embezzling government money as he is suspected to have backed illegal political activities. An attorney for another former senior NIS official, Lee Jong-myeong, who was indicted on the same charges, has also denied any wrongdoing by his client. The suspects' second hearing is set for January 16th.■[2017.12.18]

≡ KOSPI Nearly Flat As Investors Wait For US Tax Reform

Korean stocks closed nearly flat today as investors offloaded local shares on anticipated U.S. tax reform. The KOSPI closed at 2,482. Elsewhere in Asia, Tokyo rose 1.5 percent, Shanghai was also almost flat and Hong Kong was up two-thirds of a percent. The local currency ended at 1,088 won to the U.S. dollar, up a single won from the previous close.■[2017.12.18]

≡ Seoul Plaza Skating Rink To Open This Friday

An outdoor ice skating rink at Seoul Plaza will open on Friday and run until February 25th. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. every Sunday to Thursday, and until 11 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays. It will cost 1,000 won per person for using the rink and renting skates. In celebration of next year's PyeongChang Winter Olympics, a special area will be set up from February 1st to the 14th for visitors to try their hand at curling.■[2017.12.18]