29.03.2019

KBS News

By An Dayeong

Gim Uigyeom, a spokesman for the Blue House, who was once known as the mouth of President Mun Jaein, has resigned – one day after his purchase of a high-priced building received media controversy over real estate speculation. The opposition party continued to criticise the purchase today (29th). In particular, the [main opposition] Liberty Party demanded that President Mun directly apologise to the public.

“Speculation controversy” was the expression used in the nation’s newsrooms. A spokesman for Gim told reporters: “the decision to buy the building was made without consulting [Mr Gim’s] wife.” “When I discovered the purchase [was improper], I could not rescind it, but I also take responsibility for this.”

Gim spoke to President Mun in the President’s office on the morning of the 29^th. During luncheon Gim’s resignation was accepted. Gim [is reported to have said] he came to his decision when the controversy around the real estate purchase did not settle down. The [governing] Democratic Party commented “we will take this opportunity as an opportunity for self-reflection” in response to the resignation.

Hong Ikpyo, a Democratic Party senior spokesperson, said: “There was a speculative real estate sales process that did not fit with the national sentiment.” Related to the controversy, the four parties [of the government and the opposition] are “in natural agreement”, as they have heavily criticised President Mun, especially his own party.

Min Gyeonguk, a spokesperson for the Korea Confederation of Trade Unions, said: “President Mun has failed to manage his staff – [Gim, the staff member involved in the controversy, by contrast] immediately apologised to the public.” There are now four Blue House staff members who have been disgraced by social controversy.

Analysis: This emerging story is potentially extremely damaging for President Mun. Gim Uigyeom is very closely associated with Mun’s administration (think of the link between Sarah Huckabee Sanders or Kelly Anne Conway and the Trump government in the US), and after former President Bak Geunhye’s scandalous impeachment the Korean media and general public have zero tolerance for improper behaviour from their elected politicians or unelected advisors.

23.03.2019

KBS News

By Yu Hoyun

Police have a searched a hospital seeking evidence of propofol abuse by Hotel Shilla CEO Yi Bujin. Yi was arrested in Cheomdangdong in Seoul at 2:50am today. An official stated that they were searching to secure medical records and had arrested the head of the drug department, and that forensic work was being undetaken in order to make seizures [of relevant evidence]. The police and public health departments have requested that the hospital submits medical records and drug dispensation card to the hospital, but the hospital has refused, stating “medical records can not be handed over without a court order.”

A nursing assistant who worked at the hospital stated in an interview with Newsweek that Ms Lee had made prolonged usage of propofol over nine months, beginning in January 2016. In contrast, Hotel Shilla released a statement saying that although Ms Lee had attended hospital for surgery and treatment, she did not routinely use propofol.

Police are planning to investigate whether the propofol, designated as an illegal narcotic, has been abused, and whether Ms Lee has used propofol recreationally, as soon as the hospital provides the requested medical data. As soon as the analysis of the confiscated materials is completed, the head of the hospital and its staff will be called and investigated.

Analysis: Korea has some of the world’s toughest narcotics laws – and the Korean public is increasingly holding the members of its jaebeol family conglomerates to higher standards of behaviour. The fact that recreational use of a medical anaesthetic like propofol has become somewhat common amongst elites in Korea both bears out the difficulty of smuggling more typical drugs into Korea, and speaks to the enormous pressure often experienced by people in the public eye there; propofol usage is difficult and dangerous, requiring close medical supervision, and provides the same effects as medical use – unconscousness and waking feeling refreshed.

20.03.2019

KBS News

By Byeon Jinseok

The government has apologised to citizens and taken the decision to permanently halt geothermal power generation, due to the results of an investigation into the issue. The government has not thus far mentioned compensation for damages, but said that it would watch for the results of an ongoing lawsuit

[During the earthquake] vehicles were moving up and down. 118 people were injured. The total amount of government assets [damaged] is [currently evaluated at] 85 billion won. However, it is estimated that the total bill may reach ₩300 billion.

Jeong Seungil, Vice Minister of Industry and Commerce, said: “The government humbly accepts the results of the investigation and expresses deep regrets to the citizens of Pohang who have suffered damage.”

Pohang Geothermal Power Generation Project will be suspended forever. Drill holes will be kept 4km or deeper underground. Jeong explained that the geothermal power generation project had been carried out properly, the site selection had been appropriate, and that it would be investigated separately from other national assets which had already been audited. In addition, the government will invest ₩225.5 billion won in Pohang Special Recycling Project for five years, to contribute towards housing planning and infrastructure.

However, the government is not willing to take responsibility for the earthquake damage. So far, there is no direct compensation plan.

Jeong commented further: “Since we have filed a lawsuit, I do not think it is appropriate to respond here in addition to telling the court to judge.” In addition, restoration costs can be known only by investigating further, and [finding out whether] Chinese companies participating in the drilling are also willing to take responsibility.

17.03.2019

KBS News

By Gim Sejeong

After the breakdown of talks in Hanoi and amidst strident discussion between both sides, the Blue House [Korea’s Presidential residence] released a statement reporting that neither North Korea nor the US wished to return to the past. An official at the Blue House advised that “at this time, dialogue between the two Koreas would not be appropriate.”

A high-ranking official at the Blue House today said during a meeting with journalists that “neither the US nor North Korea wish to ever return to the pre-2017 situation of conflict and confrontation. Both North Korea and the US have travelled a long way from the past, and actually going backwards would be difficult. The Hanoi negotiations laid a foundation for adopting an agreement, and both sides are clearly intending to come to a diplomatic understanding,” the official emphasised. However, the official did say that Vice-minister Choi’s completely omitted any mention of the beginning of an agreement.”

The official also said “the US, including President Donald Trump, continues to emphasise a need to resume negotiations. including President Donald Trump, and Steven Vegan, the special envoy to North Korea, even wrote that ‘diplomacy is alive.’”

16.03.2019

KBS News

By Seo Jiyeong

Denuclearisation negotiations between North Korea and the US are in serious trouble. Yesterday (the 15^th of March) we learnt that North Korea has revealed its “negotiation” card [ie threatening to end the discussions as a leverage tactic]. An official response from the US was also released.

Firstly, abiding by a stance aimed at preventing warfare, so the negotiations are becoming more and more complicated as there doesn’t seem to be any move [by the US] towards lowering the standard for denuclearisation. Let’s connect to Washington and examine the issue. Commenting on North Korean Vice-minister for Foreign Affairs Choi Seonhee’swords, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo gave a moderate reaction.

So, should the negotiations be continued? Well, the sense is that the conversation should continue with North Korea. Secretary of State Pompeo initially shed some light on Vice-minister Choi’s words. He said talks have indicated the possibility of negotiations continuing; the Trump administration also indicated that it wanted to continue the conversation. In contrast, the US was firm around the possibility of North Korea restarting nuclear tests, reminding Pyeongyang that [North Korean leader] Gim Eunjeong had promised that tests would be delayed. As Pompeo said: “I can just repeat that in Hanoi Mr Gim promised President Trump that he would not resume nuclear missile tests directly, several times.”

So with North Korea and the US both open to the possibility of negotiations, but not having softened their positions at all, when will the dialogue be resumed? That’s the hardest thing to predict. Meanwhile, the [South] Korean government’s role is receiving attention, but its ability to take part in activities is limited due to the framework of international sanctions.

Data provided by North Korea specialist 38 North analysing satellite images showed that no special activity had been found near the Yeongbyeon or Punggyeri nuclear sites.