eFM News

≡ Trump Positive About 2nd Summit With Kim As Preparations Under Way

[Anchor] Preparations for a second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are gaining momentum after a series of high-level meetings over the weekend. Trump tweeted on Sunday that he is looking forward to meeting Kim at the end of February, raising hopes for a breakthrough in denuclearization talks that have been stalled since their first summit last June. Claudia Kim has more. [Reporter] U.S. President Donald Trump said that he had a great meeting with top representatives last week, referring to his encounter with Pyongyang's top negotiator, Kim Yong-chol, who delivered a letter from the North Korean leader and met with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to discuss details for a second summit. Meanwhile, Washington's special representative for North Korea, Stephen Biegun, and North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui have been holding working-level talks in Sweden. Their meetings, shrouded in mystery, are apparently being held on the sidelines of an "international forum" and included a three-way meeting on Sunday with South Korea's top nuclear envoy, Lee Do-hoon, a mediator between Pyongyang and Washington. The New York Times reported over the weekend that one of the subjects that has been under discussion between Washington and Pyongyang is whether the regime would freeze its nuclear fuel and weapons production, so that the country's arsenal does not grow amid denuclearization talks. U.S. media have been raising suspicions of continued nuclear activities by the North, including uranium enrichment, despite a halt to its nuclear and missile tests. Trump told reporters on Saturday the location of his second summit with the North Korean leader had been picked, but did not elaborate further. Vietnam, seen as the most likely venue, has reportedly already begun logistical preparations for the summit. Claudia Kim, eFM News.■[2019.01.21]

≡ S. Korea To Send Antiviral Medicine To N. Korea Tuesday At Earliest

Seoul's unification ministry says the government will likely send antiviral medicine and supplies to North Korea as early as tomorrow. In a regular briefing this morning, ministry spokesman Baik Tae-hyun said officials are making final arrangements for the transportation of aid materials. Earlier, the government said it plans to send 200,000 doses of Tamiflu and early medical detection kits to the North as part of an agreement between the leaders of the two Koreas last September.■ [2019.01.21]

≡ Seoul Stocks In Midday Trade

Turning to the local bourse, stocks in Seoul are trading _________ at this hour. As of noon, the benchmark KOSPI was up/down _____ percent at _______, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ was up/down _____ percent at _______. The local currency was trading at _______ won against the greenback, up/down/unchanged _____ won from last Friday's close.■ (1,122)[2019.01.21]

≡ AFC Asian Cup Produces Unexpected Teams For Quarterfinals

The AFC Asian Cup has produced some unexpected winners in the round of 16 over the weekend. China defeated Thailand 2-1, advancing to the quarterfinals in 15 years. They will face Iran, Asia's top-ranked team, which won against Oman 2-0 on Sunday. Meanwhile, Vietnam led by South Korean coach Park Hang-seo, clinched a spot in the quarterfinals for the first time ever, after scraping a shootout win over Jordan 4-2, following a tied 1-1 game. South Korea will go against Bahrain for the same chance tomorrow at 10 p.m. Korea time.■[2019.01.21]

≡ Midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng Out Of Asian Cup With Hamstring Injury

Veteran midfielder Ki Sung-yueng will miss the rest of the AFC Asian Cup due to a hamstring injury. The Korea Football Association announced Sunday the 29-year-old has been dropped from the lineup with the nagging right leg injury he sustained earlier this month during South Korea's first Group C match against the Philippines. With a strong player down, the Taeguk Warriors will go against Bahrain for a chance at the quarterfinals. The match kicks off tomorrow at 10 p.m. Korea time.■ [2019.01.21]