eFM News

≡ Moon To Scrutinize Documents Related To Military's Proposal For Martial Law

[Anchor] President Moon Jae-in has ordered the military to submit all documents related to the Defense Security Command's proposal to declare martial law during last year's candlelight vigils against the former administration. Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said as commander-in-chief, President Moon intends to review all relevant documents to verify what happened and how far the plan materialized, if at all. Jeong-eun Lee reports. [Reporter] The move came on the very day that the defense ministry's independent team launched a one-month probe into the alleged misdeeds by the top military intelligence unit. A Cheong Wa Dae official stressed that the president's order is separate from the probe and that his will to guarantee a fair and impartial investigation remains unchanged. The rare decision by the president, however, inevitably adds a degree of pressure to the probe and to the defense ministry in general. Defense Minister Song Young-moo convened an emergency meeting with top commanders this afternoon and ordered them to actively cooperate with the president's instruction. In addition, Song defended his decision earlier this year to withhold the controversial military document. Song said he first found out about it in March but did not discuss it with the presidential office to prevent any negative impact on the April inter-Korean summit and local elections in June. He apologized for causing concern and vowed to faithfully carry out the president's order. Jeong-eun Lee, eFM News.■[2018.07.16]

≡ Moon Apologizes For 'Less-Than-Expected' Minimum Wage Hike

President Moon Jae-in has apologized for what he called his administration's apparent inability to raise the minimum wage to over 10,000 won per hour by 2020. He made the remark during a meeting with his top aides today, saying he respects the Minimum Wage Commission's decision. Moon added that the government will do its best to reach its goal of raising the minimum wage to 10,000 won at the earliest possible date as it was one of his key election pledges. Meanwhile, the government, Cheong Wa Dae and ruling Democratic Party will hold a meeting tomorrow to discuss follow-up measures to next year's minimum wage hike. Officials from the ruling bloc are expected to consider extending financial support to small businesses that are feared to be hard-hit by a sharp rise in labor costs.■ [2018.07.16]

≡ US, N. Korea Open Working-Level Talks On War Dead Repatriation (Update)

The United States and North Korea are said to be holding working-level talks today on plans to repatriate the remains of American soldiers killed during the Korean War. According to government officials, the two sides are discussing details of an agreement reached yesterday during general-level talks - they agreed to resume field operations in the North to search for the remains. Agenda topics for today's meeting could include the timing and method of the repatriation of remains of American troops which have already been excavated. Earlier, CNN cited an unnamed official as saying that work is underway to transfer the remains of some 200 American service members in two to three weeks.■ [2018.07.16]

≡ Weather Agency Issues First Heat Wave Warning For Capital Region, Gangwon

A heat wave warning has been issued for Seoul for the first time this year. The Korea Meteorological Administration issued the warning as of 11 a.m. for the capital city, as well as for most of Gyeonggi, Gangwon's Hoengseong, Hwacheon, Hongcheon and Chuncheon. A warning is issued when the daytime high reaches over 35 degrees Celsius for two consecutive days. A heat wave advisory, meanwhile, remains in effect for the rest of the country. The KMA is advising residents to refrain from unnecessary outdoor activities and to drink plenty of water.■ [2018.07.16]

≡ Korean Stocks End Lower On Lingering Trade War Woes

Korean stocks ended lower today as investors moved to lock in profits from the previous session's rally, while cautiously watching developments in global trade disputes. The benchmark KOSPI fell 0.4 percent to 2,302. Elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong dropped 0.1 percent while Shanghai lost 0.8 percent. Markets in Tokyo were closed for a holiday. The Korean currency closed at 1,129 won against the U.S. dollar, down 5.4 won from the previous session's close.■[2018.07.16]

≡ Govt Allows 7 Yemeni Asylum Seekers To Leave Jeju For Other Areas

Seven Yemeni asylum seekers have left Jeju Island for other parts of the country after the government allowed them to on humanitarian grounds. The government has grounded them on the island since hundreds of Yemenis arrived in Jeju a few months ago, seeking asylum in the country. The justice ministry said the seven Yemenis were given permission to meet their relatives and receive medical treatment in other parts of the country. The Jeju immigration office began reviewing refuge applications from Yemeni asylum seekers on June 25th, with the first results of the deliberations expected to come around next week.■ [2018.07.16]

≡ Seoul City Indefinitely Postpones Hannam 2nd Overpass Removal

Seoul city has decided to postpone by more than six months the removal of the Hannam 2nd Overpass. Demolition work was originally scheduled to begin this month. An official said the city government needs to come up with additional traffic measures before tearing down the overpass. The official added that it's unclear when demolition work will begin. The overpass, which opened in 1976, has caused considerable traffic congestion along Hannam-ro in recent years.■ [2018.07.16]

≡ Govt Cracks Down On Taking Photos, Videos Without Consent At Beaches

The government is cracking down on taking pictures or videos without consent at major beaches. The Ministry of Gender, Equality and Family said ministry officials and police officers will patrol Daecheon Beach in South Chungcheong, Gangneung's Gyeongpodae and Haeundae Beach in Busan to prevent such crimes. The ministry also plans to clamp down on prostitution at lodging facilities near beaches.■ [2018.07.16]