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≡ Moon, Political Party Chiefs Unite Against Japan's Export Restrictions
President Moon Jae-in and the heads of the five major political parties have agreed to launch a bipartisan task force to cope with Japan's use of trade as a means of retaliation over a historical issue.
The decision came during a three-hour-long meeting at Cheong Wa Dae on Thursday.
In a joint press statement, they said they shared the perception that Japan's measures constitute unfair economic reprisal that contravenes the free trade order.
They also urged Japan to immediately retract the stricter export control of core materials used in semiconductor and displays that took effect earlier this month.
Pledging bipartisan cooperation on the matter, Moon and the party leaders made it clear that Japan's move to remove South Korea from its "whitelist" of trusted importers jeopardizes not only Seoul-Tokyo ties but also security cooperation in Northeast Asia.■
[2019.07.19]
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≡ S. Korea Establishes Diplomatic Ties With North Macedonia
South Korea has formally established diplomatic relations with North Macedonia.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador to the United Nations Cho Tae-yul signed the joint communique with his Macedonian counterpart, Sanja Zografska Krsteska.
With the move, South Korea expects to see increased bilateral exchanges as well as a boost in cooperation in the Balkan region.
Syria, Kosovo and Cuba remain the only three U.N. member states yet to forge diplomatic ties with South Korea.■
[2019.07.19]
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≡ Pence: US To Press Religious Freedom In N. Korea
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has vowed to press North Korea to respect freedom of religion.
Pence made the pledge Thursday at a high-level State Department conference on religious freedom.
He said as President Donald Trump continues to pursue the denuclearization of North Korea and lasting peace, the United States will continue to stand for the freedom of religion of all people of all faiths on the Korean Peninsula.
Pence also noted that Open Doors, an advocacy group for persecuted Christians, has ranked North Korea as its worst violator for 18 straight years.■
[2019.07.19]
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≡ Suspected Arson Attack In Japan Leaves At Least 33 Dead
At least 33 people have been killed and dozens injured in the Japanese city of Kyoto after a man set fire to an animation studio.
Authorities say the suspect, only identified as a 41-year-old man, broke into the Kyoto Animation studio on Thursday and sprayed petrol before igniting it.
He has been detained and taken to the hospital with injuries.
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the incident was "too appalling for words" and offered condolences to the victims.
This mark's Japan's deadliest fire in nearly two decades.■
[2019.07.19]
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≡ Weather Update 0700
Taking a look at the weather, monsoon rains continue to fall over the southern coastal regions.
Jeju is under a heavy rain warning, with some areas still getting up to 20 millimeters per hour.
Meanwhile, Typhoon Danas is making its way closer to the peninsula.
Expect hot, humid conditions in Seoul, with the mercury to rise to 34 degrees.
Temperatures will hover in the mid 20s to mid 30s nationwide.
As for the current reading in central Seoul, it is _____ degrees Celsius or _____ degrees Fahrenheit.■
[2019.07.19]
