eFM News

≡ Hopes High For Trump-Kim Summit To Address N. Korea's Nuclear Issue

[Anchor] President Moon Jae-in has expressed hope that a second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will come as an opportunity to peacefully resolve the North's denuclearization issue. Preparations for a second Trump-Kim summit have been gaining momentum after a series of high-level meetings over the weekend. Hanna Choi reports. [Reporter] President Moon said today that he hopes South Korea takes the planned second Trump-Kim summit as a chance to build lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula and as a boon to the nation's economy. Moon's remarks follow U.S. President Donald Trump's meeting last week 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. Trump tweeted on Sunday that he is looking forward to meeting the North Korean leader at the end of February, raising hopes for a breakthrough in denuclearization talks that have been stalled since their first summit last June. According to an analyst at a leading Washington think tank, the two countries must further build trust through the summit. Jenny Town of the Stimson Center told tbs eFM's "This Morning" today that an ideal outcome of the summit would be an agreement on a few concrete steps that both sides could carry out to keep the denuclearization process moving forward. Hanna Choi, eFM News.■ [2019.01.21]

≡ Seoul City Announces Sweeping Expansion Of Gwanghwamun Square

Gwanghwamun Square will be expanded to nearly four times its current size by 2021, turning it into a cultural, historical and transportation hub. Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon announced the envisioned transformation project in a news conference this afternoon. According to the plan, the removal of roads between Gwanghwamun Square and the Sejong Center for Performing Arts will increase the overall size of the plaza from 19,000-square meters to 69,000-square meters, leading to the creation of a pedestrian-centered public space. The government will also build a 350-meter-long underground city between the Gwanghwamun Square and Seoul City Hall. The underground city will include a new subway station for the Great Train Express Line A that will link Gyeonggi's Paju with Dongtan via downtown Seoul by 2023.■ [2019.01.21]

≡ Additional Sexual Assault Claims Revealed In S. Korean Skating

A group of skaters and coaches has called on the government to launch a bold and swift investigation into sexual assault cases in professional sports. At a press conference this morning, the Solidarity for Young Skaters said it found five more skaters were sexually abused by their coaches in addition to Olympic champion Shim Suk-hee. Earlier, Shim came forward with a claim that she had been molested by her former coach, Cho Jae-beom, on multiple occasions since 2014. The organization also demanded the current leadership at the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee to step down for failing to safeguard athletes.■ [2019.01.21]

≡ China's Economic Growth Slows To 28-Year Low In 2018

China's economic growth has slowed to a 28-year low after activity in the final quarter of the year declined amid a trade war with the United States. China's state statistics authority said on Monday that the country's gross domestic product grew 6.6 percent in 2018. Growth held up through much of 2018 despite President Donald Trump's tariff hikes on Chinese goods in a fight over Beijing's technology ambitions. However, exports contracted in December as the penalties began to dampen demand. Growth in investment, retail sales and other indicators also slowed.■ [2019.01.21]

≡ Seoul Stocks End Nearly Flat After Recent Rally

South Korean stocks swung between positive and negative terrain to finish a tad higher on increased hopes of the trade talks between the United States and China. The benchmark KOSPI finished little changed at 2,125. Other Asian markets finished higher. Hong Kong and Tokyo rose 0.3 percent each, while Shanghai gained 0.6 percent. The local currency closed at 1,128 won against the U.S. dollar, down 6 won from the previous session's close.■ [2019.01.21]

≡ Police Begin Internal Probe Into Euthanasia Scandal Surrounding Dog Charity

Police are looking into the latest scandal surrounding a local animal shelter chief who has been accused of euthanizing rescued dogs. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said officials began an internal investigation into Park So-yeon, director of Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth or CARE. Earlier, an official at the shelter said the organization had secretly euthanized more than 230 stray dogs during the past three years. While admitting to such charges, Park maintained that the charity put the dogs down in a humane way, not arbitrarily as claimed by some staff members.■ [2019.01.21]

≡ Rising Number Of Measles Cases Causes Concern

The rising number of measles cases in the country is causing concern. According to health authorities, a total of 27 people have contracted measles in Daegu as well as North Gyeongsang, South Jeolla and Gyeonggi over the last month. South Korea has been considered safe from the infectious disease since 2014, with less than 20 outbreaks reported each year. Experts are advising the public to cover their mouths when sneezing or coughing to prevent the airborne disease from spreading.■ [2019.01.21]