-
≡ Moon Expresses Outrage Over Lee Myung-Bak's Political Revenge Accusations
President Moon Jae-in is not taking lightly accusations by former President Lee Myung-bak that an ongoing investigation into his ex-aides is part of a revenge plot.
According to presidential spokesman Park Soo-hyun, Moon said he cannot hide his anger over Lee's press conference yesterday, during which he claimed the top office was using the prosecution to get back at him as an act of political retaliation over the death of former President Roh Moo-hyun.
Moon said Lee's claim was not only an insult to the government but also an unjust accusation against the judicial system.■[2018.01.18]
-
≡ Leaders Of People's Party, Bareun Party Declare Merger
People's Party leader Ahn Cheol-soo and Bareun Party leader Yoo Seong-min have officially declared their plan to merge.
In a joint statement this afternoon, the two chairmen said they decided to make efforts for the success of a new unified, reformist party despite deepening internal dissension and defections.
They vowed to break with what they called "old, corrupt and factional" politics and bring together "reform-minded conservatives and rational centrists" to live up to people's aspirations for political reform.
The merger will create the National Assembly's third biggest negotiating bloc with 48 parliamentary seats.■
[2018.01.18]
-
≡ Central Bank Raises 2018 GDP Forecast To 3%
The Bank of Korea has raised its economic growth forecast for the year to 3 percent.
It is up 0.1 percentage point from the previous estimate of 2.9 percent made last October.
BOK Governor Lee Ju-yeol said the latest forecast was made in line with expectations of continued domestic demand recovery and robust export growth.
The central bank forecast the consumer price index to rise 1.7 percent.
Earlier, it left its key interest rate unchanged at 1.5 percent.■
[2018.01.18]
-
≡ Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot Recall Over 1,800 Cars For Faulty Parts
Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot and Citroen are recalling more than 1,800 vehicles sold in South Korea due to faulty parts.
Together, the action affects 15 different models including Mercedes-Benz's GLC 220d 4MATIC coupe, Peugeot's 3008 1.6 Blue-HDi SUV and Citroen's Grand C4 Picasso 1.6 Blue-HDi SUV.
Problems include faulty fuel pipes and fuel tank shields and flawed headlights, among others.
Affected vehicle owners can visit designated repair and service centers to have the parts replaced free of charge.■
[2018.01.18]
-
≡ Victims' Families Of Jecheon Blaze Call For Parliamentary Probe
The families of victims of last month's deadly fire in Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province have called for a parliamentary investigation into the blaze.
The families made the request during a meeting with six Liberty Korea Party lawmakers at Jecheon Gymnasium this morning.
They said they don't trust a probe by fire officials.
The blaze left 29 people dead and over 30 others injured.■
[2018.01.18]
-
≡ Naver To Introduce Foreign Language Online Maps
Naver says it will introduce foreign language versions of its online map service at the end of the month.
The launch of English, Japanese and Chinese language maps comes just ahead of the PyeongChang Olympics.
Naver said it is thoroughly checking for errors and will make further steps to ensure that users won't have any difficulty navigating through the maps.■
[2018.01.18]
-
≡ Weather Update 1400
Taking a look at the weather, the entire nation is under gray skies, compounded by bad levels of fine dust.
Current readings stand at more than 100 micrograms per cubic meter.
Make sure to take precautions when outdoors such as wearing protective face masks.
Meanwhile, temperatures are milder than seasonal norms, with the local daytime high expected to peak at 6 degrees.
As for the current reading in central Seoul, it is _____ degrees Celsius or _____ degrees Fahrenheit.■
[2018.01.18]
