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≡ Rallies On Prosecutorial Reform Held Across Seoul Saturday
Another large-scale candlelight vigil calling for prosecutorial reform was held yesterday evening in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido.
Participants demanded the establishment of a new investigative agency that operates independently from the prosecution to probe corruption allegations involving high-ranking government officials.
Meanwhile, rallies opposing the prosecutorial reform were held across the street.
The main opposition Liberty Korea Party also led a similar protest at Gwanghwamun Plaza, denouncing the Moon Jae-in administration and its prosecutorial reform plans.■[2019.10.20]
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≡ Parliament Set To Wrap Up Audit Of Govt Agencies This Week
The National Assembly is set to wrap up its audit of government agencies this week, with a number of witnesses scheduled to appear in the forthcoming hearings.
15 parliamentary standing committees will convene final sessions until Thursday.
During the audit session of the Financial Services Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service on Monday, lawmakers are expected to grill witnesses who have been called in to face questions regarding allegations surrounding former Justice Minister Cho Kuk and his family.
The parliamentary committee on public administration and safety, meanwhile, will question Kim Sang-gyo who triggered a probe into the Burning Sun nightclub scandal, at an audit on Ministry of Public Administration and Security and the National Police Agency on Thursday.■[2019.10.20]
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≡ S. Korea's Economic Growth Rate To Hover At 2% This Year: Finance Minister
Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki says South Korea's economic growth for the year will fall short of the government's target by 0.4 percentage points to a range of 2.0 and 2.1 percent.
Hong told reporters in Washington on Friday that Korea's economy this year is forecast to grow to the level projected by the International Monetary Fund and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
The IMF and the OECD's projections for South Korea are 2 percent and 2.1 percent, respectively.
In July, the government projected its economic growth rate for this year at between 2.4 and 2.5 percent, but has recently hinted that it may be difficult to meet the target due to Japan's export restrictions and the prolonging U.S.-China trade war.■[2019.10.20]
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≡ Four In 10 N. Koreans In Urgent Need Of Food Aid: FAO
North Korea's crop production is expected to drop to its lowest level in five years, leaving 40 percent of the population in urgent need of food aid.
According to the Food and Agricultural Organization, the food shortage is mainly due to drought which will likely further compromise food security over the coming months.
The FAO added Typhoon Lingling heavily hit North Korea's farmland during its harvest season and deteriorated the situation even more as the country relies on its domestic production.
The food agency called for action over the next three months to mitigate the effects of prolonged dry conditions on food security.■[2019.10.20]
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≡ British Parliament Votes To Withhold Support Of Brexit Deal
British lawmakers have voted to withhold its approval of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Brexit deal.
Passed in a 322 to 306 vote on Saturday, the amendment will prevent Britain from leaving the European Union until lawmakers have reviewed and passed all laws pertaining to the exit.
Johnson, however, said he would press on with his Brexit strategy adding he remained confident of completing the ratification process by October 31st as scheduled.■[2019.10.20]
