eFM News

≡ N. Korea To Have Appointed New Foreign Minister: Yonhap

North Korea is known to have appointed Ri Son-gwon, chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Country as its new foreign minister. Yonhap News reported today citing informed sources that the North has notified foreign ambassadors based in Pyongyang of its recent appointment late last week. The appointment, if confirmed, puts Ri in place of Ri Yong-ho. The incoming foreign minister has often represented his country in inter-Korean talks since 2006. Analysts say Ri's appointment suggests any changes are likely to be made in the near future regarding the North's policy on denuclearization talks with the United States.■ <Photo: Yonhap News> [2020.01.19]

≡ N. Korea Apparently Replaces Nearly Half Of Party Vice Chairmen

North Korea has apparently replaced nearly half of the ruling party's central committee's 12 vice chairmen, including former foreign minister Ri Su-yong. According to a list of the membership of the 70-strong committee unveiled by the North's official Korean Central News Agency on Saturday ahead of an event, Ri as well as four others, including party vice chairman Pak Kwang-ho, did not make it on the roll, indicating that they no longer retain their seats. Earlier this month, the North announced a major party personnel reshuffle after a four-day plenary meeting of the ruling Worker's Party's Central Committee, but details were not revealed at the time. Meanwhile, a South Korean unification ministry official said more information will be needed to confirm the results of the reshuffle.■ <Photo: Yonhap News> [2020.01.19]

≡ Former Minor Party Leader Ahn Cheol-Soo Set To Resume Political Activity

Minor opposition Bareunmirae Party's former leader Ahn Cheol-soo is set to return home this afternoon to resume his political career after one year and four months of hiatus. Ahn retreated from politics after his defeat in the Seoul mayoral race in June 2018 and left for Germany and the United States to continue his studies. Earlier this month, he made a surprise announcement of his plan to return to politics. His return is expected to speed up the ongoing discussions of integrating the conservative bloc ahead of the April 15 general elections.■ <Photo: Yonhap News>[2020.01.19]

≡ Record 2 Mln S. Koreans Choose To Rest Than Work In 2019

The number of South Koreans who are able to work but instead are opting to take a rest has exceeded two million for the first time. According to Statistics Korea, among the so-called economically inactive individuals, those who were skilled to work yet chose to rest reached an all-time high of 2,092,000 last year. The figure represents a 12.8 percent on-year rise, the highest increase rate seen in 8 years, rising across all ages. Analysts attribute the trend to the sluggish economy last year that affected the country's overall employment conditions.■ <Photo: Yonhap News>[2020.01.19]

≡ 98% Of Parents Rely On Private Education For Not Trusting School Teacher's Ability

A recent survey has found that nearly 98 percent of South Korean parents provide private education to their children fueled by a lack of trust in the school teachers' ability. According to the survey conducted by the Korea Educational Development Institute between August and September last year, 97.9 percent of the respondents who were parents of elementary, middle or high school students said they rely on private education in order for their children to get ahead of others. Meanwhile, 94.7 percent said they feel burdened by their children's private education expenses, up 6.3 percentage points from a year earlier.■ <Photo: Yonhap News> [2020.01.19]