eFM News

≡ Bad Weather Delays Search For Missing S. Korean Teachers In Nepal

[Anchor] Authorities in Nepal say due to bad weather, it could take weeks to find four South Korean teachers struck by an avalanche on Mount Annapurna, one of the highest peaks in the Himalayas. Meanwhile, South Korea's education ministry is reiterating vows that all efforts will be made to find the missing and also support their families. Our Sehhyeong Kim reports. [Reporter] An official of Nepal's Department of Tourism has told Reuters that seven rescuers from the Trekking Agents' Association of Nepal had reached the accident site on Sunday but could not begin a search due to fresh avalanches and rain. The official said they are waiting for the weather to clear, adding the search operation could take 20 days. Even if the weather clears, it can still take several weeks for the snow to melt. A South Korean professional climber told Yonhap News that they seem to be facing possibly the worst situation, as large blocks of ice crashed into the site near their base camp along with heavy snowfall. Meanwhile, South Korea's Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae vowed to work with the foreign ministry to send a team consisting of experts in the area and more choppers to help with the search and rescue operation. The missing trekkers, two women and two men, are teachers who were staying in Nepal for volunteer work. Two local guides who were with them are also missing. Sehhyeong Kim, eFM News.■ <Photo: Yonhap News>[2020.01.20]

≡ S. Korea To Boost Economic Ties Through New Northern Policy

Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki says the country will focus on promoting economic cooperation this year with Russia and other countries located north of the Korean Peninsula in line with the government's New Northern Policy. He made the remark at a meeting this morning with economy-related ministers. Hong plans to bolster economic cooperation with Russia in nine sectors including gas, railroads, ports, electricity, agriculture and fisheries as the two countries mark the 30th anniversary of establishing their diplomatic relations. Hong also seeks to expand bilateral and multilateral free trade deals with other northern neighbors, including Mongolia. He said the country will spare no efforts to help conclude a mega Asia-Pacific trade deal -- the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership -- by the end of this year by forging deeper ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The minister also pledged to achieve a rebound in South Korea's exports by spending 240.5 trillion won on local firms.■ <Photo: Yonhap News>[2020.01.20]

≡ US Backs Amb. Harris After Controversial Remarks On Inter-Korean Ties

The U.S. State Department has made clear that it supports Washington's Ambassador to Seoul Harry Harris, despite opposition over remarks he made on South Korea's attempt to resume individual tours to North Korea. The Voice of America reported Sunday that the State Department said it fully trusts Harris, who is trying to strengthen the South Korea-U.S. alliance and represent President Donald Trump, in response to a request for comment on the matter. The department added that no one, including Ambassador Harris, has doubts about the sovereignty of South Korea. Last week, the top U.S. envoy said Seoul should hold prior consultations with Washington about plans to engage with North Korea to avoid any "misunderstandings" that may trigger sanctions. Cheong Wa Dae responded by calling Harris' remarks "very inappropriate" and stressed the issue of inter-Korean cooperation is a matter for the South Korean government to decide.■ <Photo: Yonhap News> [2020.01.20]

≡ Moon To Chair First Meeting With Senior Aides In New Year

President Moon Jae-in will preside over his first meeting with senior aides this year at Cheong Wa Dae. During this afternoon's session, Moon is expected to call on the government to ensure the safety and security of citizens over the Lunar New Year holiday and to properly handle issues related to the people's livelihoods as well as the economy. Attention will be drawn to whether the president addresses inter-Korean cooperation projects, as stressed in his New Year's speech and press conference earlier this month. Government officials on Friday reportedly said they are considering allowing individual tours to North Korea in a bid to improve stalled nuclear talks between Washington and Pyongyang.■ <Photo: Yonhap News>[2020.01.20]

≡ Prince Harry Expresses Sadness Over Decision To Cut Royal Ties

Prince Harry has expressed great sadness at his decision to step back from his royal duties but said he felt there was no other option. Speaking Sunday at an event to support Sentebale, his Africa-based charity supporting youth with HIV, the prince made his first public comments on the subject and said he had not made the decision lightly. He expressed hope the move will allow him and his family to achieve a "more peaceful life." [Clip: Prince Harry: 00:25] "Our hope was to continue serving the Queen, the commonwealth and my military associations but without public funding. Unfortunately, that was not possible. I've accepted this knowing that it doesn't change who I am, or how committed I am. But I hope that helps you understand what it had come to, that I would step my family back from all that I have ever known." Harry, his wife Meghan and their son Archie plan to spend most of their time in Canada and starting this spring will stop using their "royal highness" titles and lose all access to public funds once they stop carrying out official functions.■ <Photo: Yonhap News> [2020.01.20]

≡ China Reports 17 New Cases Of SARS-Like Virus

China has reported 17 new cases of the mysterious SARS-like virus in the central city of Wuhan, adding to growing concerns ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday when hundreds of millions of people move around the country. Of the new cases reported on Sunday, authorities said three were "severe," of which two patients were too critical to be moved. Those infected reportedly range from 30 to 79 years old. The virus has hit 62 people in Wuhan, according to local authorities, with eight in severe condition, 19 recovered and discharged from hospital, and the rest in isolation receiving treatment. Two people have died so far from the virus. Authorities said they had begun "optimized" testing of pneumonia cases across the city to identify those infected, and would begin "detection work" and "sampling tests" towards suspected cases as a next step. The new coronavirus strain has caused alarm because of its connection to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, which killed nearly 650 people across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003.■ <Photo: Yonhap News> [2020.01.20]