Day: September 9, 2023

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged an additional US$300 million to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) on Saturday as part of the country’s efforts to help counter climate change.

Yoon made the announcement during the first session of the Group of 20 (G20) summit under way in New Delhi, which was held under the theme “One Earth” to address climate change and the environment.

The GCF is an international organization based in the South Korean port city of Incheon and tasked with assisting developing nations fight climate change.

“The Republic of Korea will play the role of a ‘green ladder’ to assist nations vulnerable to climate change,” Yoon said, referring to South Korea by its formal name.

“We plan to additionally contribute $300 million to the Green Climate Fund, and help developing nations’ adaptation to climate change and reduction of greenhouse gases,” he said, calling for the G20’s active contribution to the fund.

South Korea has contributed funding twice — $100 million in 2013 and $200 million during the 2020-23 fundraising period — making this the third time it will contribute to the fund.

Yoon said South Korea will also lead international cooperation for the transition to clean energy, such as by using its world-class nuclear power technology to assist countries seeking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen energy security.

Furthermore, South Korea will step up its development of small modular reactors, and work with the international community to develop hydrogen technologies and establish related standards, he said.

According Seoul’s presidential office, South Korea is currently the leading nation in the world in terms of the number of hydrogen vehicles in operation.

In addition, Yoon presented a vision to build a green shipping corridor, a term referring to the reduction of carbon emissions from vessels and ports, through the development of low-carbon and carbon-free vessels as well as environment-friendly port infrastructure.

The presidential office said the move to build a green shipping corridor will help maintain the competitiveness of South Korea’s exports and provide a boost to the nation’s shipbuilding industry.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin on Saturday expressed condolences to the people of Morocco affected by a devastating earthquake that has reportedly claimed hundreds of lives in the North African country.

“I would like to express my deepest condolences to those who are affected by the devastating earthquake in Morocco which occurred on the night of September 8,” Park wrote on social media.

“We stand in solidarity with you and wish a quick recovery from the damage,” the minister added.

According to media reports, the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Morocco late Friday has claimed at least 632 lives and left over 300 people injured.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung appeared before prosecutors Saturday for questioning over allegations that he was involved in a company’s alleged illegal money transfers to North Korea.

Lee, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), showed up at the Suwon District Prosecutors Office in Suwon, 30 kilometers south of Seoul, at 10:18 a.m., marking his fifth appearance for prosecution questioning. He was last questioned on Aug. 17 over a separate case.

Lee has been under investigation over a series of corruption allegations that he claims were fabricated.

The latest probe centers on allegations that Ssangbangwool Group, an underwear manufacturer, unlawfully remitted US$8 million to North Korea between January 2019 and January 2020 on behalf of Gyeonggi Province.

Prosecutors suspect that $3 million was intended to facilitate Lee’s planned visit to Pyongyang, while the remainder was meant for Gyeonggi’s smart farm support program in North Korea.

Upon arriving at the prosecutors office, Lee told reporters that the truth cannot stay covered up forever, although the government may be able to fabricate the case using what he calls the “political prosecution.”

He urged President Yoon Suk Yeol to apologize to the people for his acts of “destroying democracy” and “denying the sovereignty” of the people. He also called on the Cabinet members to resign en masse for a complete change of government affairs.

Lee also uploaded a written statement on social media shortly after his appearance for questioning, flatly denying the charges against him.

“I tried to do business with the North for humanitarian support and exchanges when I was Gyeonggi governor but did not provide, or ask to provide, money and goods to the North in violation of South Korean laws and the United Nations’ sanctions,” Lee said.

Lee left the prosecutors office after some 11 hours of questioning. He told reporters the investigation team “failed to produce even a single piece of evidence” that incriminated him.

The questioning came amid his indefinite hunger sit-in against the Yoon administration. He launched the strike on Aug. 31, calling on the president to apologize to the people for “destroying” their livelihoods and democracy, express opposition to Japan’s release of radioactive water into the ocean and thoroughly shake up the Cabinet to improve state affairs.

The prosecution had medical staff and an ambulance on standby at its Suwon office in case the politician’s health worsens due to his hunger strike.

The DP chairman was already indicted in two corruption cases in March.

He currently faces charges of breach of duty, bribery and other counts related to an apartment development project in the city of Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province.

He was also charged with third-party bribery over allegations that while serving as the head of Seongnam FC during his Seongnam mayorship, he secured 13.3 billion won in corporate donations for the football club from four companies in exchange for administrative favors between 2014 and 2016. Lee served as Seongnam mayor from 2010 to 2018.

Source: Yonhap News Agency