eFM News

≡ Heat Spell Continues To Scorch Nation, Takes Toll On People, Animals

[Anchor] Sweltering conditions continue to heat up the nation on this first of three dog days of summer. After experiencing the shortest monsoon season in decades, the nation is expected to trudge through a painfully long heat spell. Jeong-eun Lee reports. [Reporter] Heat wave advisories and warnings are intensifying nationwide. The Yeongnam and Yeongdong regions are getting the worst of it, with the mercury in Daegu hitting a sizzling 37 degrees. Over 80 schools in the North Gyeongsang Province cut their classes short. The prolonged heat spell has taken its toll on people and animals alike. According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 300 people suffered heat-related illnesses during the last four days. Meanwhile, the agriculture ministry said around 790,000 farm animals died amid the scorching conditions, inflicting some 4.2 billion won of property damage. Weather authorities warn there could be no relief for the rest of the month, with temperatures expected to climb further next week. Jeong-eun Lee, eFM News.■[2018.07.17]

≡ Govt To Expand Financial Support For Low-Income Families Over Minimum Wage Hike

The government plans to strengthen support measures for low-income households to minimize any fallout from possible side effects of minimum wage hikes. The ruling Democratic Party and the government decided at a meeting this morning to raise the basic pension for the elderly in the bottom 20 percent income bracket to 300,000 won starting next year. Other measures include increasing subsidies for youth who are seeking their first job to up to 500,000 won a month for six months. The government and the ruling party also decided to sharply expand the recipients of the "earned income tax credit" scheme that calls for refunding taxes to low-income families.■ [2018.07.17]

≡ New Parliamentary Speaker Vows To Push For Constitutional Revision

Newly-elected parliamentary speaker Moon Hee-sang has vowed to prod rival parties to reach an agreement on a bill to revise the Constitution. Speaking at an event celebrating the 70th Constitution Day, Moon pledged to make sure the bill gets finalized by the end of the year. In March, President Moon Jae-in submitted a revision bill aimed at empowering local governments and changing the current single five-year presidential term to a maximum of two successive four-year terms. The president's plan to have people vote on the proposal simultaneously with the June local elections was spoiled as the National Assembly failed in April to revise the law on national referendums.■ [2018.07.17]

≡ Foreign Ministry Denounces Japan's Renewed Claim Over Dokdo

The foreign ministry has called Japan's renewed claims over the Dokdo islets "deeply regrettable." Earlier today, Japan's education ministry announced that new high school teacher education guidelines that lay claim to the islets will take effect next year instead of from 2022 as originally planned. At a briefing this afternoon, Seoul foreign ministry spokesman Noh Kyu-duk urged Tokyo to immediately scrap the revised guidelines. Noh stressed that South Korea has sovereignty over the easternmost islets, which has been proven by historical and geographical facts as well as international law. The ministry also called in Kohei Maruyama, a minister at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, to lodge a formal protest.■ [2018.07.17]

≡ Kang, Pompeo To Jointly Brief UN On Efforts To Denuclearize N. Korea

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and her U.S. counterpart, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, will jointly brief United Nations Security Council member countries later this week on their efforts to completely denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. Foreign ministry spokesman Noh Kyu-duk told reporters that the joint briefing will take place on July 20th in New York after Kang and Pompeo sit down for talks. They will also likely seek support from the international community on the North Korean nuclear issue. Spokesman Noh noted the importance of full support and cooperation from member countries in establishing permanent peace on the peninsula. Kang, who will be in the U.S. from Thursday to Saturday, is also scheduled to meet with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.■ [2018.07.17]

≡ Seoul Stocks End Lower On Lingering Concerns Over Trade Protectionism

Korean stocks ended lower today as investors moved sideways in search of fresh momentum amid lingering concerns over global trade protectionism. The benchmark KOSPI fell 0.2 percent to 2,298. Elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong lost 1.2 percent, Shanghai dropped 0.6 percent while Tokyo gained 0.4 percent. The Korean currency closed at 1,124 won against the U.S. dollar, up 5.1 won from the previous session's close.■[2018.07.17]

≡ Military Helicopter Crashes In Pohang

A Marine Corps helicopter has crashed inside a military base in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province this afternoon. Fire authorities said the helicopter crashed on the runway of the Navy base at around 4:45 p.m., and has dispatched officials to the scene. The accident has left at least five people dead.■ [2018.07.17]

≡ 'Top Gun' To Be Re-Released In Korea Next Month

The 1986 blockbuster action-drama film, "Top Gun," will be re-released in Korea late next month. Distributor Little Big Pictures said the movie will open at all theaters nationwide on August 23rd, 31 years after it was first released here. Directed by the late Tony Scott, the movie centers around hotshot fighter pilot "Maverick," played by Tom Cruise, being sent to an elite U.S. Navy aerial combat school for the top one percent of its pilots. It also stars Val Kilmer as "Iceman," Anthony Edwards as "Goose" and Tim Robbins as "Merlin."■ [2018.07.17]