eFM News

≡ People's Party Leader Ahn Garners Support For Merger With Bareun Party

[Anchor] The People's Party has voted in favor of leader Ahn Cheol-soo's push to merge with the Bareun Party. Despite this, Ahn is expected to face challenges moving forward with the plan as the vote result triggered strong resistance from the party's opposition faction. Julie Sohn reports. [Reporter] Leader Ahn Cheol-soo garnered an overwhelming 75 percent of member support in favor of his merger plan with the conservative Bareun Party. The party's election committee announced the final results of online and telephone voting held for four days this morning. 25 percent voted against the move. Earlier this month, Ahn proposed a general vote on the merger idea, and said he will consider the poll as a vote of confidence for him, putting his leadership post at stake. Following the results, Ahn is expected to push ahead with his plan to create parliament's third biggest negotiating bloc, while retaining his leadership position. However, the opposition faction within the party, which is against the merger, took issue with the fact that final turnout reached merely 23 percent out of some 260,400 eligible voters. Lawmakers of the faction held a press conference shortly after the vote result announcement, saying that the voter turnout means that over 77 percent are actually opposed to the plan. They urged Ahn to stop his push for a merger and immediately resign from his post. Julie Sohn, eFM News.■ [2017.12.31]

≡ Russia Strictly Enforcing UNSC Sanctions Against N. Korea: Moscow

Russia says it is strictly enforcing United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea. Moscow's foreign ministry made the remark Saturday in response to reports that a Russian oil tanker secretly supplied oil to a North Korean vessel earlier this year. The ministry said, however, that the latest UNSC sanctions resolution doesn't call for a total ban on fuel supply but rather a limited ban. Earlier, Reuters cited two European security sources as saying that Russian tankers recently supplied fuel to the North by ship-to-ship transfers in breach of U.N. sanctions.■ [2017.12.31]

≡ President Moon Sends New Year's Card To World Leaders: Cheong Wa Dae

President Moon Jae-in has sent New Year's cards to world leaders. Cheong Wa Dae told reporters today that the cards were sent earlier this month. Earlier, the top office said Russian President Vladimir Putin sent President Moon a New Year's greeting telegram. In the message, Putin said he hopes Moscow and Seoul will strengthen relations for the peace and stability of Northeast Asia.■ [2017.12.31]

≡ Early Morning Gwangju Fire Leaves Three Children Dead

An early morning fire at an apartment in Gwangju has left three children dead, including a 15-month old baby. Fire officials said their mother suffered burns to her legs and arms. The blaze prompted the evacuation of some 20 other residents. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Authorities believe it started in a room where all three children were sleeping but the mother has testified that she fell asleep while cooking instant noodles. Forensic officials were scheduled to conduct an onsite inspection this morning.■ [2017.12.31]

≡ New Year Sunrise Festivals Snarl Traffic On Nation's Highways

Traffic has piled up on the nation's highways as people make their way to popular attractions to watch the first sunrise of the New Year. As of 11:30 a.m., the eastbound Yeongdong Expressway and the Gwangju-Wonju Expressway heading towards Wonju are the most congested. The Korea Expressway Corporation said delays will reach their peak between 5 and 6 p.m. and ease around midnight.■ [2017.12.31]

≡ Weather Update 1000

Taking a look at the weather, the greater Seoul area is under hazy skies at this hour. Expect skies to clear as the day progresses, with temperatures hovering in the low single digits. Be aware, unhealthy levels of fine dust are affecting air quality in the capital region so take precaution when outdoors. Looking ahead, chilly conditions are forecast tomorrow, dipping to as low as minus 4 degrees during the morning hours. As for the current reading in central Seoul, it is __ degrees Celsius or ____ degrees in Fahrenheit.■ [2017.12.31]