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≡ Trump Warns Kim Jong-Un Not To 'Void' Their Special Relationship
[Anchor]
U.S. President Donald Trump has warned North Korean leader Kim Jong-un that hostile military acts may put their "special relationship" at risk.
This comes amid additional reports of tests conducted by Pyongyang at its Sohae long-range rocket launch site, which it reportedly rebuilt after partially dismantling it at the start of denuclearization talks with Washington last year.
Our Christine Min reports.
[Reporter]
In a pair of tweets on Sunday, U.S. President Trump said North Korean leader Kim could lose "everything" if he acts in a hostile manner, warning the regime to refrain from taking further provocative acts.
Trump urged Kim to honor his commitment to denuclearization as promised at their summit in Singapore last year, while advising him not to "void" their special relationship.
Trump also wrote that Kim is "too smart" and has far too much to lose.
The remarks came after North Korean state media revealed on Sunday that the regime conducted a "very important test" at its western satellite launching site in Dongchan-ri the day prior.
The report did not specify what kind of test was performed only that it was successful and would change the "strategic position" of North Korea in the near future.
This is being seen by some as Pyongyang trying to put the pressure on Washington to come up with a new proposal on denuclearization before the end of the year.
Jeong Se-hyun, Executive Vice-Chair of the National Unification Advisory Council, told tbs FM's Kim OuJoon's News Factory today that it's likely the North will take a "new path" in the absence of substantive progress in nuclear talks with the U.S.
He said if the U.S. doesn't change its stance, the regime will continue with its tests.
[Clip: Jeong]
"North Korea may launch longer-range intercontinental ballistic missile or fire multiple ICBMs at once to show not only its military might but also its nuclear and missile capabilities. And it may no longer negotiate with the U.S."
Little progress has been made since Trump and Kim met in Hanoi in February as the two sides remain apart on how the North should denuclearize in order to receive U.S. sanctions relief.
Christine Min, eFM News.■
<Image: 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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≡ Moon Meets Irish Rock Band U2's Bono At Presidential Office
President Moon Jae-in met today with Bono, philanthropist and lead vocalist of Irish rock band U2.
Their meeting at the presidential office was arranged on the sidelines of U2's South Korea leg of its globe-trotting Joshua Tree Tour 2019.
The band performed Sunday night at Seoul's Gocheok Sky Dome.
Known for addressing social issues during their live performances, U2 sent their love to the North Korean people.
They also delivered a touching tribute to some of South Korea's historically significant women, including Sulli, the late K-pop star and actress, Seo Ji-hyun, prosecutor and catalyst for the local #MeToo movement and Park Kyung-won, the country's first female civilian pilot.
President Moon's meeting with the rocker was expected to touch upon global issues and peace-building efforts on the Korean Peninsula.
Bono, whose real name is Paul David Hewson, has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize multiple times for his philanthropic work, including a campaign to cancel Third World debt.■
<Photo: 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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≡ S. Korea Ready To Act If Financial Volatility Rises On China-US Trade War
Vice Finance Minister Kim Yong-beom has reiterated the government will take swift measures to stabilize local financial markets in case of increased volatility amid renewed concerns about the trade war between China and the United States.
During a meeting this morning with senior economic and financial officials, Kim addressed the issue and said there is a possibility of volatility increasing if the U.S. slaps additional tariffs against China later this week.
He said steps will be taken in a timely manner if there is a sharp fluctuation in the foreign exchange market.
Foreign investors have extended their selling binge to a 20th consecutive day, with the Korean won sharply falling against the U.S. dollar.
The vice minister said the recent sell-off came after growing external uncertainties and a rebalancing of the Morgan Stanley Capital International index on Korean firms.■
<Photo: Yonhap News>
[2019.12.09]
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≡ (BBC) US Democrats Claim 'Rock Solid Case' For Trump Impeachment
A senior U.S. Democrat says his party has a rock solid case for impeaching President Donald Trump.
Jerrold Nadler, who chairs the House of Representatives' Judiciary Committee, told CNN on Sunday that his panel could file specific charges by the end of the week and that and a jury would find Trump guilty in three minutes flat.
In a separate interview, Democrat Adam Schiff, chair of the House Intelligence Committee, mentioned possible charges against the president to CBS's "Face the Nation" program.
[Clip: 00:16]
"There is overwhelming evidence that the president sought to coerce Ukraine into interfering in our election, essentially sought to cheat in our next election by getting a foreign government to weigh in. That is a very serious business, and it imperils our national security. It's a gross abuse of his office."■
<Photo: Yonhap News>
[2019.12.09]
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≡ Parents Urged To Get Children Vaccinated As Winter Flu Spreads
Seasonal flu is spreading fast yet there are still many children in the country who have not received their annual vaccination.
Data from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that from September to November, 73.5 percent of children aged 12 and under got their flu shots, meaning over a quarter of kids in this age group are at risk of getting sick.
Flu activity generally starts to peak in December but it's best to get vaccinated early because it takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection.
In South Korea, flu season lingers until April.
Health authorities say it is not too late and are urging parents to take their children to a community health care center to get a free shot while supplies last.■
<Photo: Yonhap News>
[2019.12.09]