eFM News

≡ Two Koreas Begin DMZ Guard Post Removal Verification Work

[Anchor] South and North Korea have begun work to verify the disarmament and demolition of frontline guard posts on each side of the Demilitarized Zone. Last month, the two Koreas destroyed 10 frontline guard posts while leaving one each for non-military purposes as a follow-up to a military agreement reached in Pyongyang in September. Ron Chang reports. [Reporter] The South Korean side was inspecting the disarmament and demolition of North Korean guard posts this morning. The North is scheduled to conduct its own verification work on the southern side this afternoon. The two sides are checking to see whether the guard posts are completely destroyed so that they cannot be used for military purposes again. That means the removal of weapons, equipment, soldiers as well as the burying of underground facilities. It's the first time since the armistice agreement that ended the Korean War that officials have visited guard posts on either side. Seoul's defense ministry noted the peaceful crossing of the Military Demarcation Line represents the two Koreas' will to implement the deal reached in September to ease tensions along the border. The ministry said it will brief reporters once verification work is complete. Ron Chang, eFM News.■[2018.12.12]

≡ Kim Jong-Un's Visit To Seoul Difficult This Year: Yonhap

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's visit to South Korea will not likely happen this year. A Cheong Wa Dae official told Yonhap News that the presidential office thinks it to be difficult for Kim to make the trip before the year-end. The official said the focus is now on whether it will take place before or after the second summit between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump early next year. There had been growing doubts about Kim's visit this year as Cheong Wa Dae had mentioned Seoul will not pressure the North Korean leader on his trip to the South.■ [2018.12.12]

≡ US Redesignates N. Korea As Religious Freedom Violator

The United States has again designated North Korea as a violator of religious freedom, further subjecting the regime to sanctions from Washington. North Korea has been on the annual blacklist since 2001. According to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday, North Korea is among ten countries of particular concern for engaging in or tolerating "systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom." Other countries include China, Iran and Pakistan. The move adds to pressure on Pyongyang, with the U.S. imposing sanctions on three top North Korean officials a day earlier over their alleged human rights abuses and censorship.■ [2018.12.12]

≡ S. Korea's November Jobless Rate Highest In 9 Years

South Korea's jobless rate for November hit the highest in nine years amid growing signs of an economic slowdown. Statistics Korea reported today that about 909,000 people were unemployed last month -- the worst figure for November since 2009. The unemployment rate stood at 3.2 percent last month, up 0.1 percentage point on-year. The unemployment rate for young adults -- those aged between 15 and 29 -- was 7.9 percent, down 1.3 percentage points from the previous year. Meanwhile, the number of employed people stood at some 27.2 million, showing the fastest growth in ten months.■[2018.12.12]

≡ (BBC) Huawei Executive Meng Wanzhou Released On Bail In Canada

Top Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, who was arrested earlier this month at the United States' request, has been released on bail in Canada. At the bail hearing in Vancouver Tuesday, the judge said "the risk of her non-attendance in court can be reduced to an acceptable level by imposing the bail conditions proposed by her council." The BBC's Dave Lee has this report.■(33-secs) [2018.12.12]

≡ (BBC) Gunman In France's Strasbourg Shooting Still On Run: Castaner

French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner says a gunman who opened fire in the eastern city of Strasbourg Tuesday is still on the run. He said at least three people were killed and 12 wounded in the shooting near a Christmas market. Following the attack, France raised its security alert level. The BBC's Hugh Schofield reports.■(30-sec) [2018.12.12]

≡ China Decides To Lower Tariffs On US Autos: WSJ

China has reportedly decided to lower tariffs on American cars from 40 percent to 15 percent. According to the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday, Chinese Vice Premier Liu He informed U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer of the decision to reduce the tariffs in a phone call. Following Monday night's call, President Donald Trump tweeted "very productive conversations going on with China, watch for some important announcements," hinting at a breakthrough in the prolonged trade spat between Washington and Beijing. Meanwhile, the WSJ said it is unclear when the reductions will be implemented. In July, China reduced tariffs on imported cars from 25 percent to 15 percent, with the exception of the United States which they hiked to 40 percent.■ [2018.12.12]