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≡ Trump Warns Kim Jong-Un Against Acting In Hostile Manner
U.S. President Donald Trump says North Korean leader Kim Jong-un could lose "everything" amid reports the regime conducted an unexplained "very important test" at its Dongchang-ri satellite launching site.
Trump sent the warning in a series of tweets on Sunday.
He wrote, "Kim Jong Un is too smart and has far too much to lose, everything actually, if he acts in a hostile way," pointing out the North Korean leader signed a denuclearization agreement with him in Singapore and "does not want to void his special relationship with the President of the United States or interfere with the U.S. Presidential Election in November."
Earlier, Pyongyang announced a test had been conducted at the Sohae satellite launching station, the results of which it said will alter its "strategic position" going forward.
This prompted speculation of preparations for a new long-range missile test as negotiations remain stalled over how to match the North's denuclearization steps with U.S. sanctions relief.
Kim demanded the U.S. to come up with acceptable proposals in their negotiations before the end of this year.■
<Photo: Yonhap News>
[2019.12.09]
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≡ Parliament To Open Plenary Session To Pass Pending Bills
The National Assembly will open a plenary session today, despite continuing partisan tensions, in order to deliberate on pending legislation before the end of the year.
The ruling Democratic Party has joined hands with three minor opposition parties and other lawmakers to produce a unified plan to pass the 2020 budget as well as controversial fast-tracked bills on electoral and prosecution reforms.
The so called 4+1 consultation body aims to vote on these and other non-contentious legislation on people's livelihoods before the end of the regular parliamentary session on Tuesday.
Lawmakers from the main opposition Liberty Korea Party are expected to protest the proceedings.■
<Image: Yonhap News>
[2019.12.09]
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≡ S. Korea To Face Sharpest Labor Force Decline By 2040: WTO
South Korea is expected to see the sharpest decline of its labor force size in the next 20 years.
According to the World Trade Organization's annual report for 2019, the country's total population in the year 2040 will remain almost the same as that of last year, at just over 51.6 million, while the number of participants in the labor market will be reduced by 17 percent.
This marks the worst decline worldwide, as the global workforce is expected to increase by 17 percent on average over the same period.
In terms of gross domestic product, South Korea will likely grow only by 65 percent, far below the world average of 80 percent.
The WTO attributed the projected sharp decline to the continued aging population trend.
<Image: Yonhap News>
[2019.12.09]
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≡ Massive Rally In Hong Kong Marks 6-Months Of Pro-Democracy Movement
Hundreds of thousands of people packed the streets of Hong Kong to mark six months of an unprecedented pro-democracy movement in the city.
The large-scale rally on Sunday, organized by the Civil Human Rights Front, was the first to be officially approved by police in four months.
People assembled in various areas, including Victoria Park, showing their ongoing support for the movement as well as for five key demands, including the release of arrested demonstrators and an independent inquiry into police behavior.
Many called on Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam to meet the public's demands.
Wide-spread protests were sparked by a now-scrapped extradition bill that was introduced in April, which if passed would have allowed people to be sent to China for trial.■
<Photo: Yonhap News>
[2019.12.09]