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≡ Seoul Keeps Emergency Measures In Place To Combat Fine Dust
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has kept emergency measures in place today to tackle high levels of fine dust in the capital.
The concentration of fine dust and ultra fine dust particles in Seoul and surrounding areas remain at "bad" levels.
Conditions have worsened as smog combined with yellow dust has swept down from China.
Under the city's emergency measures, government officials who drive cars with odd-numbered license plates should stay off the roads.
Individual drivers are also being encouraged to follow the alternate no driving day system.
Public transportation, meanwhile, will be offered free of charge this morning until 9 a.m. and during the evening commute hours from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.■
[2018.01.18]
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≡ South, North Korea To Form First Unified Olympic Team
South and North Korea have agreed to field a joint women's ice hockey team for next month's PyeongChang Olympics.
During working-levels talks yesterday on the North's participation in the Winter Games, the two sides also decided to march together under a so called Korean unification flag at the opening ceremony.
North Korea is expected to send a delegation of over 400 people, including athletes, top officials, performers, a cheering squad and journalists.
They will travel to the South via a land route along the western coast.
In addition, the North also agreed to open up the scenic Mt. Kumgang area for a cultural event ahead of the Olympics as well as its Masikryong Ski resort for joint training sessions.
It's expected that North Korea's participation will officially be confirmed when the two Koreas hold talks on Saturday with the International Olympics Committee in Lausanne, Switzerland.■[2018.01.18]
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≡ Trump: Russia Is Undermining N. Korea Sanctions
U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Russia of undermining international sanctions on North Korea.
Trump told Reuters on Wednesday that while China is helping international efforts to curb North Korea's nuclear weapons program, Russia is not helping at all.
The president has blamed the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election for hampering an improvement in U.S.-Russian relations and limiting his influence over President Vladimir Putin.
Meanwhile, the U.S. leader refused to say if he had directly communicated with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, although he has praised the resumption of talks between South and North Korea.■
[2018.01.18]
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≡ Lee Myung-Bak Condemns Probe Into Ex-Aides As 'Political Revenge'
Former President Lee Myung-bak has denounced the prosecution's investigation of his former aides as political retaliation.
In a rare statement yesterday, Lee said the ongoing probe is aimed at destroying the conservative bloc.
He also called it an act of political revenge for the death of late former President Roh Moo-hyun who committed suicide in 2009 amid a corruption probe into his family and aides.
Lee urged the prosecution to target him instead.
This came after two of his closest aides, Kim Paik-joon and Kim Jin-mo were arrested on charges of receiving kickbacks from the National Intelligence Service.■■[2018.01.18]
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≡ Weather Update 0700
Taking a look at the weather, expect partly cloudy skies nationwide today.
Temperatures will be similar to yesterday, with highs ranging from 2 to 11 degrees.
The capital region will see the mercury get up to around 6 degrees, nearby Incheon 4.
With the addition of yellow dust that swept in over parts of the country overnight, be aware that fine dust will reach bad to very bad levels throughout the day.
Take precautions when outdoors.
As for the current reading in central Seoul, it is _____ degrees Celsius or _____ degrees Fahrenheit.■
[2018.01.18]
