eFM News

≡ Top US Nuclear Envoy In Seoul Amid Stalled Nuclear Talks

U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun, who arrived in Seoul yesterday, is set to meet today with his South Korean counterpart, Lee Do-hoon. The nuclear envoys are expected to share their assessment of recent movements at the North's Sohae satellite launching site as well as seek out ways to revive stalled denuclearization talks with Pyongyang. They are expected to hold an informal joint press briefing afterwards. Before attending a luncheon with Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul, Biegun will pay President Moon Jae-in a courtesy call. Attention will be on whether Biegun will visit the truce village of Panmunjom during his three-day stay here to meet with North Korean officials. Pyongyang has given Washington a year-end deadline to come up with a new proposal in their stalled nuclear talks.■ <Photo: Yonhap News> [2019.12.16]

≡ Party Floor Leaders Discuss Fast-Tracked Reform Bills

The floor leaders of the ruling Democratic Party, main opposition Liberty Korea Party and minor Bareunmirae Party are meeting this morning to discuss the agenda for the provisional parliamentary session, which has been crippled due to differences over fast-tracked reform bills. Presided over by National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang, it will be the first time that the three parties will discuss the bills on election and prosecutorial reform since the LKP called for a filibuster. The floor leaders are also expected to discuss non-contentious bills related to people's livelihoods. The ruling party had aimed to put the contested bills on the table by today, the deadline Speaker Moon had set for the parties to reach a consensus.■ <Photo: Yonhap News> [2019.12.16]

≡ Top US Negotiator: China Trade Deal 'Remarkable,' Will Not Solve All Problems

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has called the trade deal between Washington and Beijing "remarkable" but added it will not solve all the problems between the two countries. In an interview with CBS' "Face the Nation" Sunday, Lighthizer said the deal "is a first step in trying to integrate two very different systems to the benefit of both of us." The so-called phase one agreement announced Friday includes elements dealing with intellectual property protections, technology, currency and financial services. While the agreement is still being translated and has yet to be signed, Lighthizer insisted that it was "totally done." He did not give an exact date for the signing but said he expected it to happen in early January.■ <Photo: Yonhap News> [2019.12.16]

≡ Bong Joon-Ho's 'Parasite' Bags 4 Chicago Film Critics Awards

South Korean black comedy "Parasite" has won top honors at this year's Chicago Film Critics Association Awards. According to online Hollywood news site Deadline on Sunday, "Parasite" took home four awards, including Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay and Best Director for Bong Joon-ho. It also bagged Best Foreign Language Film, an award the blockbuster is aiming to be nominated for at next year's Academy Awards. Last week, the thriller was nominated for three Golden Globes, including Best Director. Nominations for the Oscars' Best Foreign Language Film are scheduled to be made at 5 a.m. Monday U.S. Pacific time or tonight at 10 p.m. Seoul time.■ <Photo: Yonhap News> [2019.12.16]

≡ Taeguk Warriors Defeat China 1-0 In Second Straight Win At East Asian Tournament

The men's national football team has logged its second straight win at an East Asian tournament after beating China 1-0 on Sunday. Defensive back Kim Min-jae scored South Korea's only goal in the match at the EAFF E-1 Football Championship in Busan. The Taeguk Warriors opened the tournament with a 2-0 win over Hong Kong last week. They are scheduled to face Japan Wednesday in the final round. South Korea are chasing their third consecutive title and fifth overall, while Japan will look to win their first since 2013 and third overall. No country has won three EAFF titles in a row since the competition began in 2003.■ <Photo: Yonhap News> [2019.12.16]