eFM News

≡ N. Korea Likely To Dismantle Nuclear Test Site On Thursday: Seoul

[Anchor] The world's attention is focused on North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear test site that the regime promised to dismantle this week. Foreign journalists, invited to cover the dismantlement, left for the site yesterday and are expected to have arrived this afternoon. Jeong-eun Lee has more. [Reporter] Seoul's unification ministry anticipated this morning that North Korea would probably hold the dismantling event sometime today, considering that showers are forecast in the region starting tonight. However, the international journalists covering the event would not be able to give updates real-time in the remote area without Internet access. The Punggye-ri nuclear test site, located in the mountainous region of Hamgyeong Province, is where the North conducted its last six nuclear tests and is the regime's only nuclear testing facility known to outsiders. Dismantling the site could mean that the North is indeed suspending nuclear tests as its leader Kim Jong-un promised. According to North Korean monitoring website 38 North, the site is composed of four separate tunnel systems, two of which are still viable for future testing. All eyes are on if and how the North is going to destroy these tunnels. Jeong-eun Lee, eFM News.■ [2018.05.24]

≡ N. Korea Ramps Up Threat To Walk Away From US Summit

[Anchor] North Korea has renewed its threat to pull out of next month's planned summit with the United States, this time taking issue with recent comments by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence who compared the North to Libya. The North's vice foreign minister Choe Son-hui described Pence's comments as stupid and ignorant. Julie Sohn has more. [Reporter] Vice foreign minister Choe Son-hui was quoted by Pyongyang's state-run news agency today as saying that whether the summit between leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump is held as scheduled depends entirely on the U.S.' choices and behavior. She said if the U.S. offends against its goodwill and clings to unlawful and outrageous acts, she will suggest the North's supreme leadership reconsider the summit. Choe was referring to recent remarks by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence who told Fox News that North Korea could end up like Libya if leader Kim fails to make a deal. The minister added that Pyongyang will never beg Washington for dialogue or go through the trouble of persuading them if they don't want to sit together with the North. This comes as members of the White House negotiating team are preparing to head to Singapore this weekend to meet with their North Korean counterparts and discuss agenda and logistics for the unprecedented summit. Trump said he will know next week whether his meeting with Kim will take place on June 12th in Singapore as planned. Julie Sohn, eFM News.■ [2018.05.24]

≡ Constitutional Revision Bill Nullified Due To Lack Of Quorum

A government-proposed bill on a constitutional revision has been nullified as it failed to meet minimum voting requirements at the National Assembly. Parliament convened a plenary session earlier today to deal with the bill proposed by President Moon Jae-in in March, which called for changing the current single five-year presidential term to a maximum of two successive four-year terms. However, it was declared void due to the lack of a quorum. Only 114 ruling party lawmakers took part in the vote -- well short of 192 out of 288 members needed to be valid. Lawmakers of the Liberty Korea Party and the Bareunmirae Party did not attend the session to boycott the move. Today is the legal deadline to vote on the bill.■[2018.05.24]

≡ US Weighs Slapping Stiff Tariffs On Auto Imports

The U.S. Commerce Department has launched an inquiry that could allow the Trump administration to impose tariffs as high as 25 percent on auto imports. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross announced Wednesday that he initiated a so-called Section 232 investigation on auto trade to determine whether the imports of automobiles and auto parts threaten U.S. national security. Washington used the same justification to impose 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum last year. A statement released by the White House confirmed that President Trump had instructed the department to consider kicking off the probe. Though details of the investigation are not yet known, Korean automakers have expressed concerns that Washington's move could add uncertainties to the market in the short term.■ [2018.05.24]

≡ Seoul Shares End Lower On Tech, Auto Losses

Korean stocks ended lower today as investors offloaded technology and auto stocks on profit taking. The benchmark KOSPI fell 0.2 percent to 2,466. Other markets in Asia were mixed amid concerns about the China-US trade deal and the possibility of stiff tariffs by the U.S. on auto imports. Tokyo dropped 1.1 percent, Hong Kong ended flat while Shanghai shed 0.5 percent. The local currency closed at 1,080 won against the U.S. dollar, up 1 won from the previous close.■ [2018.05.24]

≡ Korean Air Heiress Questioned For Illegal Maids, Put Under Travel Ban (Update)

A Korean Air heiress known for a "nut rage" tantrum has been questioned for illegally hiring immigrants to work as maids. Cho Hyun-ah, the eldest daughter of Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Yang-ho, kept her head bowed and offered an apology for "causing trouble" as she reported to immigration authorities in early afternoon. She faces allegations that she illegally hired at least 20 Filipinas to work as housemaids in the family home by disguising them as company trainees to obtain visas. It is against the law in Korea to hire foreigners as domestic helpers. Separately, the customs office has imposed a travel ban on Cho Hyun-ah over smuggling and tax evasion allegations. A series of scandals have left the Korean Air chairman and his family facing mounting scrutiny over a spate of alleged wrongdoings. The chairman's wife, Lee Myung-hee, who is also suspected of illegally hiring foreign workers, is scheduled to report to police on Monday for questioning over separate assault and abuse cases.■[2018.05.24]