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≡ N. Korean Official Travels To Vladivostok After Moscow Visit
A senior North Korean official is reportedly on his way to Vladivostok after wrapping up his five-day visit to Moscow.
Kim Chang-son, director of the North's State Affairs Commission, is North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's de facto chief of staff in charge of security and protocol issues.
His visit raised speculation that Pyongyang could be making preparations for leader Kim's first trip to Russia since taking office.■
[2019.03.24]
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≡ Countries With Highest Air Pollution Heavily Dependent On Coal Power Plants: OECD Report
Recent data show that countries with the highest levels of air pollution, including South Korea, are also heavily dependent on coal-fired power plants.
According to a recent OECD report, five countries with the highest concentrations of fine particulate matter are India, China, Vietnam, South Korea and South Africa.
India registered 90 micrograms of PM 2.5 particles per cubic meter on average each year, while South Korea recorded 25.1 micrograms per cubic meter.
The report showed that all five countries were also the most coal-reliant countries in generating electricity.■[2019.03.24]
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≡ S. Korea's Exports Suffer Sharper Decline Than Other OECD Members
South Korea's exports suffered a sharper drop than other OECD member countries in January.
According to an OECD data, South Korea's exports sank nearly 6 percent in January compared to a year earlier, coming in 26th out of the 32 OECD member countries in terms of export growth pace.
Experts attributed the slide largely due to the country's heavy dependence on semiconductors and petrochemical goods which saw their outbound shipments drop by 23 percent and 5 percent, respectively, over the same period.■
[2019.03.24]
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≡ Police Raid Clinic On Allegations Against Samsung Heiress
Police have raided a plastic surgery clinic in Gangnam yesterday as part of their investigation into allegations that the head of Hotel Shilla Lee Boo-jin may have abused propofol on a regular basis.
The police earlier said they were simply checking facts regarding the drug abuse allegation brought up by a local news outlet.
Lee has denied the allegation, saying she had only visited the clinic for legitimate treatment.
The police plan to summon related officials at the clinic for questioning after they finish reviewing seized materials.■[2019.03.24]
