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≡ Finance Minister Promises Financial Support To Tackle Minimum Wage Hike Fallout
Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon says the government will expand its financial support to minimize any fallout from next year's minimum wage hike.
In opening remarks delivered this morning at a meeting with officials from the ruling Democratic Party and the government, Kim said he will do his best to come up with follow-up support measures such as tax benefits for low-income earners.
He added that the government will also strengthen countermeasures such as raising basic pension for the elderly and cuts in credit card commissions for small business owners.■[2018.07.17]
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≡ LKP Reviews Nomination Of Kim Byong-Joon As New Chair
The main opposition Liberty Korea Party's national committee will decide today whether to approve a professor and former liberal government aide as their new leader.
Floor leader Kim Sung-tae, who is also standing in as acting chief, told reporters yesterday that Kim Byong-joon will help spearhead reform measures for the troubled party as chairman of the LKP's emergency task force.
The nominee served as a senior policy secretary under former President Roh Moo-hyun and also worked as deputy prime minister for education in 2006.
He currently teaches public administration at Kookmin University in Seoul.■[2018.07.17]
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≡ Military Officials Face Questioning Over Martial Law Allegations
An independent probe team investigating the military intelligence unit's alleged plan for martial law last year, has called in officials for questioning over their involvement in the drafting of the scheme.
The team plans to focus on how the Defense Security Command came to draw up the plans against the candlelight vigils, including who may have issued related orders.
The DSC's current Chief of Staff So Kang-won is also expected to be summoned.
Meanwhile, former head of the DSC, Cho Hyun-chun, who is currently residing in the U.S., is reportedly planning to return to South Korea to face the investigation and give a detailed recount of the case.■[2018.07.17]
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≡ Foreign Minister Heads For London To Talk Security
Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha is embarking on her first official visit to England.
During her three-day stay, she is scheduled to sit down with new British foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt on Wednesday to discuss regional and global security issues.
Kang will also hold a luncheon meeting with British lawmakers and deliver a speech at Chatham House, an esteemed international policy think tank in London.■[2018.07.17]
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≡ Number of People Suffering From Heat-Related Illness Surges
The heat wave gripping the nation has led to a rise in the number of heat-related illnesses.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says nearly 300 people have suffered from heat stroke, exhaustion and other related ailments over the last four days.
Among them, two have died -- both were elderly men in their 80s from the South Gyeongsang region who were exposed to extreme heat while outdoors.
Health officials recommend drinking plenty of water, staying in cool, shaded areas, and avoiding unnecessary outdoors activities during peak afternoon hours.■
[2018.07.17]
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≡ Weather Update 1100
Taking a look at the weather, it's sunny skies nationwide.
Daytime highs will again range between 31 and 37 degrees as scorching conditions continue.
The local mercury will get up to around 34 degrees.
Take precautions when outside as heat wave warnings remain in effect.
As for the current reading in central Seoul, it is _____ degrees Celsius or _____ degrees in Fahrenheit.■[2018.07.17]