KBS News

27.05.2019

By Jo Yejin

When driving, there are cases in which an accident cannot be avoided, but most collisions are treated [by insurance companies] as if both drivers are at fault. From now on, however, it will be possible for one driver to receive 100% of the blame, if the faults to a vehicle are obvious. In situations where a victim cannot avoid a crash, it will be treated as the one-sided fault of the perpetrator. The Korean Financial Services Commission has revised the “Automobile Accident Fee Rate Criteria”, which sets the percentage of negligence [in different given situations].

There has been a constant stream of complains from consumers, alleging that insurance companies have been charging an excess to both parties involved in accidents. In fact, the number of complaints regaridng malpractice in accident fee rates surged from 40,000 in 2015 to 75,000 last year. Korean car insurance is overseen by the Non-Life Insurance Association. Accrordingly, the Financial Supervisory Commission has decided to newly establish 22 accreditation standards for unilateral accidents and to change 11 accreditation standards. For example, if a car goes straight ahead or turns left, the car that makes a left turn on the straight lane commits a 1005 error. When there is contact between a car and a bicycle in a bike lane, it is recognised as 100% the car driver’s fault. In the case of accidents involving vehicles entering a rolling intersection and [striking] driving vehicles, a new fault ratio of 80% to 20% was newly established. In addition, according to a recent court ruling, it was decided to add another 20 standards and increase the rate of negligence in the case of motorcycle accidents.

The Financial Supervisory Commission will implement these revised standards from the 30th and will cooperate with the loss insurance association to promote the changes.

Analysis: People who have commuted by cycle within Korea will probably not be surprised to learn that, before this new set of standards was released, car/bicycle collisions within a bike lane weren’t necessarily blamed on the car driver.

KBS News

By Song Hyeongguk

26.05.2019

[Bong Junho’s new film, Parasite, has won the top prize, the Palme D’Or, at the Cannes Film Festival.]

The Cannes Film Festival ended today (26th) at dawn and here last night. But excitement is still at fever pitch. I’m currently in front of Lumiere Grand Theatre, the main screening centre of the film festival, and the atmosphere has still not yet calmed down. Director Bong Junho and star of Parasite, Song Gangho, met with reporters immediately after the award. Bong said, “I am really glad to be able to act with Gangho, who has been a compatriot of mine for the last 17 years. I did not realise that I felt like I was in a fantasy film. Song said that the win was possible due the support, encouragement and backing provided by Korean film fans.

Parasite has won big at Cannes in response to the fun of the film’s genre trappings and the flawless execution of the work. But exactly what kind of movie is it? It seems that the reason why the movie ” satisfied the audience of here of international viewers is because the film gained favourable responses by touching on issues related to social inequality and the gap between rich and poor. The majority of the audience who watched the movie found similarities with the situation in their own country. As a result, universality and speciality have been incorporated into one work, and it can be interpreted as capturing world film fans and officials. Bong’s work includes a lot of movies that have a lot of fun with social messages and so on. His body of work has involved telling the stories of the powerless. In particular he has studied the next generation, the situation of children and young people, and this work Parasite also deals with the struggles of young people. The film’s efforts to go beyond the expectations of audiences and suck them into the film, through its genre, suspense and humour, has gained Bong many fans across the world.

After this screening of Parasite [at Cannes], the expression “Bong Junho’s genre” was born here in this foreign country, and his film life has reached a peak.

Analysis: This news coverage brings new meaning to the term “puff piece”, and is notable for the awkward exchange between the anchor and location reporter as they dissect Parasite‘s appeal for the judges (summary: it’s a good film with prescient themes). Let’s not be churlish – this is the first time a Korean film has won the prestigious Palme d’Or, so it’s only natural that Koreans are intensely interested. I’m looking forward to seeing the film myself.

14.04.2019

KBS News

By Gim Jiseon

President Mun, who formulated the 4th inter-Korean summit meeting, is expected to reveal his position on the recent summit with North Korea tomorrow, along with Gim Jeongeun and the North Korean secretary of state tomorrow. A senior official at Mun’s presidential office said “the summit meeting between Korea and the US was very successful.” Mr. Moon will make further comment tomorrow. Asked if there is any comment on the possibility of a special envoy to the North the official said, “I do not think that the President is planning to address this issue.”

06.04.2016

KBS News

By O Hyeontae

10 days from now, on the April the 16^th, will be the fifth anniversary after the Sewol disaster. Today, the 6^th of April, there were memorial services all over the country. Many voices are still calling for the truth.

Five years later, 18-year-old survivors of the disaster have now reached the age of 23. They’re not hiding painful memories in their breast, they’re sharing them, making them warm. Survivor Seol Duhwan said “what’s made it even harder than losing my friends has been having to deal with the hard words of the outside world.” A student who survived the disaster with a disability said “when I spoke at Gwanghwamun[in central Seoul] I felt that people supported us in general.

Once again, we’re remembering the lessons of the that dreadful day with our brothers and sisters [throughout the country]. Bak Yongreyon, from Cheongmyeongo high school, said “my hope is that the young people in our society can live in safety.”

I asked why some adults are still struggling to discover the truth and why they still have not finished their investigation.

[O Jiwon, Secretary of the Special Investigation Committee of Social Disasters, said “when we restored the CCTV video [from the wreck], there was not footage until three minutes before the sinking.” He called for the truth to be revealed without any omissions as he [and other campaigners] marched in bad weather. Artists have also been remembering the Sewol in their work.

Analysis: Five years on, the Saewol ferry disaster, when 306 people lost their lives, continues to cast a dark shadow over Korean national life. The disaster was due at least in part to the ferry having been illegally overloaded, but the details of the tragedy which were specific to Korean culture also led to deep reflection amongst the populace; the vast majority of the passengers who died were following instructions from the crew to remain where they were as the ship began taking on water.

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.

12.01.2018

By Gim Seonghan

KBS News

Today, dust has been seen in skies all over the country. As the fine dust has reached its highest concentration this year, a high dust warning has been issued in the western area including Seoul. Tomorrow (13^th of January) emergency dust reduction measures will be implemented for the first time this year.

All of Seoul city center has been covered with fine dust.This outdoor skating rink was shut down, and

citizens who had waited for the weekend to use it have been turned away. One disappointed customer, Baek Eungyeong, said “I came out to skate, but I think I should go home because of the dust.”

Along with the Seoul metropolitan area, a dust warning was given to the Chungcheong and Jeonbuk areas. The concentration of ultrafine dust was up to 5 times the normal level – the highest this year. Due to the high pressure in the West Sea, the flow of the atmosphere is stagnating, while the east wind blows high concentrations of fine dust mainly into the western region. Tomorrow (the 13th), the high concentration fine dust is set to continue.

Coal and heavy oil power plants in the Seoul metropolitan area and Chungcheong province operate with reduced power generation and pollutant emissions are limited in the workplace. Bak Jeonghu from the National Institute of Environmental Microscopy said: “This high-concentration fine dust will lead to atmospheric congestion until the day after today, and it is expected that concentration will increase due to the influx of foreign dust on Monday afternoon.” Looking at the fine dust prediction model, it’s expected that the high concentration of Chinese dust will continue to flow and the Korean peninsula will continue to be [coloured] red

[from the dust]

. If the emergency reduction measures continue until Monday, there will be restrictions placec on the operation of public sector vehicles and older private vehicles.