eFM News

≡ S. Korea Braces For Typhoon Danas

[Anchor] The season's fifth typhoon, Danas, is barreling towards the Korean Peninsula. The storm, which is expected to pass over the southern regions tomorrow, is forecast to bring heavy downpours. Ron Chang reports. [Reporter] According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, Danas is forecast to pass off the western coast of Jeju Island early Saturday and make landfall along the coast of South Jeolla Province later that morning. It is then expected to pass over the southern region and move towards the East Sea. The storm will likely bring torrential downpours to the areas in its projected trajectory as well as the inland regions of North Gyeongsang. Up to 300 millimeters of rain is forecast through tomorrow night. The typhoon is already causing disruptions on Jeju, with about a dozen flights departing and arriving on the island canceled earlier this afternoon while nearly 100 were delayed. An official at Jeju International Airport has urged travelers to check with their airline on the status of their flights before going to the airport. Also, entry into parts of Jeju's Hallasan National Park has been restricted while sea bathing at seven public beaches in Busan, including Haeundae, has been temporarily suspended. President Moon Jae-in has called on officials to thoroughly prepare for Typhoon Danas and warned of possible damage. Ron Chang, eFM News.■[2019.07.19]

≡ Cheong Wa Dae Accuses Japan Of Violating Intl Law

Cheong Wa Dae has rejected Japan's accusation that South Korea's push to seek ways to resolve the wartime forced labor issue violates a bilateral treaty reached in 1965. Kim Hyun-chong, deputy director of Cheong Wa Dae's National Security Office, told a briefing this afternoon that as a democratic country, South Korea cannot ignore its Supreme Court's ruling that the treaty does not cover crimes and human rights violations against victims of wartime forced labor. Kim also accused Japan of breaching international law by unilaterally imposing export regulations when the two sides did not exhaust all options to resolve the issue. He added that it is Japan that violated international law by forcing South Koreans to hard labor during World War Ⅱ. He said Seoul is still willing to resolve the historical dispute and Japan's export curbs via diplomacy, adding "all options" are on the table.■ [2019.07.19]

≡ Korean Tech Firms Seek To Reduce Dependence On Japanese Materials

[Anchor] The escalating trade dispute with Japan over its export curbs is showing how dependent major South Korean companies are on Japanese components. Samsung Electronics, LG, Hyundai Motor and others are now scrambling to diversify their supply channels while pushing for localization of key materials for their chips and displays, but some analysts say those goals won't come easy. Jenna Lee reports. [Reporter] Japan's decision this month to tighten exports of three high-tech materials to South Korea was a rude awakening for domestic firms, which have long neglected developing basic technologies. Among those expected to be hit hardest by the curbs is Korea's leading tech giant Samsung Electronics. It relies on Japan for components essential for its chips and displays, which in turn account for a fifth of South Korea's total exports. This urgent situation led Samsung Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong to fly to Tokyo to ensure an immediate supply of materials such as hydrogen fluoride and photoresists. However, he still ordered executives to seek substitutes from other countries. Analysts say it will take some time for South Korea to diversify its import channels and localize key parts. Lee Ji-pyung, from LG Economic Research Institute, also points out that decades of partnerships with Japanese suppliers aren't easy to give up. [CLIP] "Some Japanese firms in the high-tech material industry have a history of over 100 years, and have been able to build a deep level of technique and trust with Korean companies. Aspects like cost and quality assurance are why Korean companies cannot easily change the structure of dependence on Japanese firms." Russia has reportedly offered to provide hydrogen fluoride to South Korea, but local companies were said to be hesitant to accept due to quality issues. While the conflict continues, President Moon Jae-in has promised business leaders the government will provide active support to mitigate damage and reduce reliance on Japan. The trade ministry unveiled a set of countermeasures this week that includes spending 1 trillion won annually to develop home-grown technologies in areas directly competing with Japanese firms. Jenna Lee, eFM News.■ [2019.07.19]

≡ Seoul Wants To Extend Military Intelligence Sharing Pact With Japan

The defense ministry says the country wants to extend a military information-sharing deal with Japan. Ministry spokeswoman Choi Hyun-soo told reporters that South Korea wants to maintain the agreement, and they are reviewing whether to extend the deal from the perspective of utility and security cooperation. The General Security of Military Information Agreement gained attention after National Security Advisor Chung Eui-yong said yesterday that Seoul could review whether to renew the pact in the face of Tokyo's export restrictions against Seoul in a row over wartime forced labor. Signed in 2016, the deal enables the two countries to share confidential military information to better cope with nuclear and missile threats from North Korea.■[2019.07.19]

≡ S. Korean Man Dies Of Burns In Front Of Japan Embassy

A South Korean man who set his car on fire in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul early this morning has died after succumbing to his injuries. According to police, the man in his 70s died after being treated for serious burns. Authorities said the man drove onto the sidewalk in front of a building that houses the embassy in the Jongno District around 3:20 a.m. and ignited a fire inside his car. Flammable materials, including butane gas, were found inside the car. Police are still looking into the man's motive for the apparent self-immolation attempt. The man's father-in-law was reportedly a victim of Japan's wartime forced labor, an issue that has strained ties between Seoul and Tokyo.■[2019.07.19]