eFM News

≡ Quarantine Officials Investigate Suspected ASF In Gimpo

[Anchor] Another suspected case of African swine fever has been reported at a farm in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province. Authorities have begun testing to determine whether it will be the country's third confirmed case. Christine Min has more. [Report] During an emergency meeting this morning, Agriculture Minister Kim Hyeon-soo said quarantine measures would be stepped up after another suspected case of African swine fever was reported in Gimpo. The farm is located some 20 kilometers from Paju, where the first case of ASF was confirmed last Tuesday. Kim said officials were immediately sent to collect samples from the farm to conduct a thorough examination and that the results would likely be available by this evening. The minister also reiterated that massive disinfection work was underway at local farms and that a temporary three-week movement ban is still being enforced in six key areas in Gyeonggi, including Yeoncheon, where the second confirmed case of ASF was reported. As the country was also hit by Typhoon Tapah this past weekend, Minister Kim called for quick recovery efforts in order to prevent the potential spread of the highly contagious animal disease. Local authorities are still investigating how ASF entered the country and looking into various possible routes, including inspecting waterways that connect to North Korea. Christine Min, eFM News.■[2019.09.23]

≡ Prosecution Raids Colleges Associated With Justice Minister's Children

State prosecutors have raided four universities to investigate allegations that Justice Minister Cho Kuk's children received preferential treatment in gaining admission to the elite colleges. The raided universities included those that Cho's children applied to in order to obtain information about the college admission routes. Earlier in the day, the prosecution also raided Cho's residence in southern Seoul as part of a widening probe into corruption allegations involving his family. Cho's 28-year-old daughter was listed as the primary author of a paper published in 2008 under a medical professor at Dankook University, when she was still a high school student. Critics have alleged that the paper may have helped her get into Korea University in 2010. The minister denied the allegations, saying he is "seriously" considering taking legal action about what he called a malicious media report.■[2019.09.23]

≡ Moon, Trump To Focus On N. Korea Issues On Sidelines Of UN Assembly

[Anchor] President Moon Jae-in is New York ahead of the annual United Nations General Assembly. On the sidelines, he will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of an anticipated restart in nuclear talks between Washington and Pyongyang. Claudia Kim has more. [Reporter] Moon and Trump will sit down for their ninth summit on Monday and discuss ways to continue cooperation for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and establishment of permanent peace. Their agenda may also include discussions on reaffirming the South Korea-U.S. alliance amid rising concerns about friction between the two countries after Seoul decided to scrap a military information sharing agreement with Japan last month. As North Korea's nuclear and weapons programs remain a threat to regional security, the U.S. has been pushing for its two key Asian allies to work out their latest disputes over trade and historical issues. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will also be attending General Assembly meetings but he and Moon are unlikely to meet and may not even cross paths due to their different schedules. President Moon is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech at the U.N. on Wednesday to broaden international support for North Korea's denuclearization process and may make a proposal regarding security guarantees for the regime. During his five-day trip, the South Korean leader will also hold summit talks with his counterparts from Poland, Denmark and Australia as well as U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Claudia Kim, eFM News.■ [2019.09.23]

≡ Seoul, Washington To Open Talks On Defense Cost-Sharing Tuesday

South Korea and the United States will open high-level talks tomorrow on sharing the costs of keeping American troops here. The foreign ministry said the first round of the 11th Special Measures Agreement will be held for two days. Chang Won-sam, who led the previous round of negotiations last year, will represent South Korea while James DeHart of the U.S. State Department will lead the delegation from Washington. The allies will discuss how much Seoul will shoulder for the cost of keeping the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea in the country for next year. Under this year's SMA, struck in February and due to expire on December 31st, South Korea agreed to pay 1.04 trillion won, an increase of 8.2 percent from the previous year.■[2019.09.23]

≡ Hwaseong Serial Murder Suspect Already Questioned More Than Three Decades Ago

Police say the main suspect in the Hwaseong serial murder case more than three decades ago was questioned at the time. The murders occurred between 1986 and 1991. An official from the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency said they plan to speak with the detectives that were in charge of the case then as well as examine materials that were collected at the time. The 56-year-old man denied any involvement in the murders during three recent rounds of questioning. He is currently serving a life sentence for a separate crime, raping and killing his wife's younger sister.■ [2019.09.23]

≡ Arirang Folk Song Festival To Open Oct. 11 In Seoul

A free festival highlighting the traditional Korean folk song Arirang will soon be held in the capital. The Seoul Arirang Festival will open on October 11th at Gwanghwamun Square for a three-day run. This year's event will feature royal court culture and consist of traditional songs and dance. There will also be a collaboration of pop music and Arirang. The festival has been held by the Seoul city government since 2013 to commemorate Arirang being registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.■[2019.09.23]