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≡ Biegun Set To Arrive In Seoul To Seek Breakthrough In N. Korea Talks

U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun is set to arrive in Seoul today, amid rising tensions between Washington and Pyongyang. During his three-day visit, Biegun will hold consultations with South Korean senior officials, including his counterpart, Lee Do-hoon to discuss ways to keep up the momentum for dialogue with the North and make progress in joint efforts on denuclearization and peace on the Korean Peninsula. His trip comes amid heightened tensions in the region caused by the North's recent provocative weapons tests ahead of its year-end deadline for a nuclear deal with Washington. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump have met three times since last year to negotiate the North's denuclearization, but little progress has been made since their working-level talks broke down in Stockholm earlier in October.■ <Photo: Yonhap News>[2019.12.15]

≡ Rival Parties To Clash Over Fast-Tracked Bills At Plenary Session

Rival parties are expected to continue to clash over fast-tracked reform bills at the National Assembly. The ruling Democratic Party's floor leader Lee In-young is set to hold a press conference today where he will talk about negotiation plans regarding the bills. The ruling party is expected to push ahead with its initial plan to put forward the bills to a plenary session tomorrow to be put up for a vote on Thursday. However, the main opposition Liberty Korea Party is expected to stage a filibuster to block the proceedings. Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang plans to meet with the floor leaders of three main parties tomorrow morning. Speaker Moon had attempted to hold similar discussions earlier last week but failed as the LKP's newly elected floor leader did not attend.■ <Photo: Yonhap News>[2019.12.15]

≡ Ex-Ulsan Mayor To Face Questioning Over Alleged Top Office Election Meddling

Former Ulsan Mayor Kim Gi-hyeon will face questioning today over allegations the presidential office intervened in last year's Ulsan city mayoral election. He is scheduled to appear at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office at 2 p.m. as a witness. Prosecutors are expected to grill him regarding police investigation on alleged irregularities involving his aides in the run-up to the election. Kim claims that the top office ordered police to investigate his aides, alleging that is why he lost the election to current Ulsan Mayor Song Cheol-ho, a close confidant of President Moon Jae-in. Prosecutors are also known to be planning to summon 7 to 8 police officials involved in the case for questioning until next week.■ <Photo: Yonhap News>[2019.12.15]

≡ Japan Suffers More Damage From Seoul-Tokyo Trade Dispute: Yonhap

Recent data show Japan suffered a drop in exports by twice as much compared to South Korea amid their monthslong trade dispute. According to Yonhap news citing industry data, Japan's outbound shipments to South Korea decreased 14 percent on-year in the July to October period to 15 billion dollars. Meanwhile, South Korea's exports to Japan dropped 7 percent over the same period to 9.4 billion dollars. The two neighboring countries have been facing an unprecedented trade row following Japan's export curbs in July on three key industrial materials critical for Seoul's chip and display industries. South Korea and Japan plan to hold high-level talks centered on export control systems in Tokyo on Monday, marking the first official gathering of trade officials since Seoul conditionally suspended the termination of a military information sharing pact with Japan.■ <Photo: Yonhap News> [2019.12.15]

≡ Authorities To Crack Down On Drunk Driving Until End Of Year

Authorities will intensify crack down on drunk driving during the year-end season. The National Police Agency, the transport ministry as well as the interior ministry have together designated the next two weeks as a period for traffic safety and will launch a special campaign against drunk driving until December 31st. Police will increase patrols in areas where related crimes occur frequently and conduct nationwide sobriety checks on drivers every Friday night.■ <Photo: Yonhap News>[2019.12.15]