Category: General

SEOUL, South Korean builder Booyoung Group said Monday it will provide employees with 100 million won (US$75,000) per birth to help boost the country’s record-low birth rate.

Booyoung has delivered a combined 7 billion won to 70 employees, either man or woman, who had one child or more since January 2021, the company said in a statement.

The company will stick to the incentive program, while planning to provide 300 million won or a permanent rental apartment for the third child given birth to by Booyoung employees, it said.

It is the first time for a South Korean company to give such a high fertility incentive in cash to its workers.

“With the current pace of declining birth rate, the country is expected to be at risk of extinction 20 years from now. The company has adopted the ‘unprecedented’ incentives for employee families to help ease their financial burdens and difficulties in balancing work and life,” Chairman Lee Joong-keun said.

South Korea’s fertility rate– the number of children that are expe
cted to be born to a woman over her lifetime — hit a record low of 0.78 in 2022, far below other major countries.

It was much lower than the replacement level of 2.1 that would keep South Korea’s population stable at the 50 million level.

Statistics Korea projected a decline in the number of newborns, which amounted to 250,000 in 2022, to 220,000 in 2025 and further drop to 160,000 by 2072.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

SEOUL, A Seoul court began a sentencing hearing Monday for Samsung Electronics Co. Chairman Lee Jae-yong on charges of stock price rigging and accounting fraud connected to the controversial 2015 merger of two Samsung affiliates.

The Seoul Central District Court commenced the sentencing hearing on Lee, three years and five months after the Samsung chief was indicted in connection with the merger of Cheil Industries Inc. and Samsung CandT Corp.

A stern-looking Lee remained tight-lipped in response to reporters’ questions as he appeared at the court to attend the hearing, amid cheering from some supporters.

Given the enormous amount of records and complexity of the charges in the case, the court is expected to take hours to make a ruling.

Lee was charged with stock price rigging, breach of trust and accounting fraud in the course of the controversial 2015 merger, where three Samsung CandT shares were offered for one Cheil share.

Prosecutors suspect that the group manipulated the stock market to inflate th
e prices of Cheil and drive down Samsung CandT prices through various unfair practices, including disseminating false market information, mass purchasing the affiliates’ stocks and illegally lobbying the National Pension Service, a major Samsung CandT shareholder, to support the merger.

Prosecutors suspect that such irregularities had been pursued since 2012 in favor of Lee, who was the biggest shareholder in Cheil with a 23.2 percent share, and with the intent to help him tighten his control of Samsung CandT, the de facto holding company of Samsung Group.

The merger was seen as crucial to Lee’s succession as the heir of the family-controlled group, as his father, Lee Kun-hee, had suffered a heart attack the previous year.

The suspected devaluation of Samsung CandT resulted in losses to other investors, prosecutors concluded.

Lee is also accused of involvement in the suspected accounting fraud at Samsung Biologics, a subsidiary of Cheil Industries.

Prosecutors demanded a five-year prison sentence for Lee
, along with a fine of 500 million won (US$373,550), pinpointing him as the ultimate person responsible for the alleged manipulation scheme.

Lee has denied the charges, claiming his personal interests were not considered during the merger of the affiliates. He has also pleaded with the court to acquit him so that he can “concentrate all resources on moving the company forward.”

Source: Yonhap News Agency

Chumphon, The case of the owner of a cockfighting arena in Chumphon Province who mysteriously disappeared. GPS picked up the signal of a car driving at an abnormal speed in the central region. Destination on the Thonburi side of Bangkok, police are rushing to follow up. But there’s still no sign of it. It’s expected that the issue stems from an affair or business.

Mr. Samran, 74 years old, a resident of Sawi District, Chumphon Province, brought a photo of a white Fortuner car with Chumphon registration belonging to Mr. Khanop, 56 years old, or Ma, who is his younger brother. Who has disappeared from home since February 1st. Come reveal to the media Worried that something bad will happen to my younger brother. It is an image from a highway police camera that saw Mr. Khanop’s car. While in the area of ??Khok Krabue Subdistrict, Mueang District, Samut Sakhon Province, on February 2, 2024, around noon.

Mr. Samran gave information that his younger brother had operated a cockfighting arena for more than 5 years,
located on Asia Road 41, Sawi Subdistrict. His younger brother had 2 wives, the first of whom was married but did not register the marriage. and have no children together They have lived together for 8-9 years at a house in Khao Khai Subdistrict, Sawi District, while the second wife lives in Lang Suan District. They have been together for almost 1 year.

Mr. Samran said that his younger brother disappeared from home on February 1st at around 8 p.m. He went to report the matter at Nasak Police Station on February 2nd. Have companies that sell cars check the GPS position in the car. Found that on the same day At around 2:00 p.m., GPS detected the car’s movement in a parking lot in the Thonburi area of ??Bangkok.

Mr. Samran further said that he had police from Sawi Police Station follow the said car. By coordinating with the local police But it appears that when the police arrived My brother’s car has disappeared. After that, I couldn’t contact him again. The GPS is expected to be removed.

Mr. Samran said that
his younger brother doesn’t meet often. Because the younger brother will be busy with the cockfighting ring business. And will travel to play chicken at various places in Chumphon Province. In my free time, I do gardening. He last spoke on the phone last month. Therefore, he appealed to the police to hurry and track him down. Because his younger brother had never behaved like this before. If going to Bangkok I’ve never gone alone. At least there were two people going, and the GPS signal detecting the movement of the car was faster than normal driving. and rarely parked anywhere

Mr. Samran further revealed that I later learned from the mouth of my first wife that There are family problems regarding money. We met and asked for money. When I don’t give it, I get angry. Most recently, before disappearing, he asked his wife for 100,000 baht, while at the time his younger brother disappeared, he was with his second wife at a house in Lang Suan District and knew that before that, a creditor had come to demand money
from his second wife. Go borrow him. and a violent argument ensued to the point of going to the police station Now he is very fascinated by his younger brother’s disappearance. That may be related to money and affairs. In the past, he had warned his younger brother about a woman not to mess with him. Because he saw that his behavior was not trustworthy.

Recently, Mr. Samran, along with Mrs. Orawan, his older sister, and Ms. Jaruwan, his niece, traveled to Nasak Police Station, Sawi District, to provide additional information to Pol. Lt. Col. Somchai Boonkerd, Police Inspector (Investigation) for Hurry to track down Mr. Khanop.

Mr. Samran, Mr. Khanob’s brother, has come to the police for further questioning. In order to be useful in tracking down the younger brother, at the same time, police said that they are in the process of following up and tracing CCTV images along the route from the younger brother’s residence to Khao Peep Intersection, Thung Tako District, and Asia Road 41, heading towards Lang Suan D
istrict, where they were found. that at one point a CCTV camera on the road captured an unidentified man wearing glasses driving Mr Khanop’s car. But I still don’t know who it is. and found that his younger brother’s car was driving towards Surat Thani Province Then drove back up and parked to rest in a car park between the border of Samut Sakhon Province and Thonburi, Bangkok.

After a short while, drive towards the northeastern region. Until the police followed and found it abandoned in the forest near the banks of the Mekong River, Nong Yat Subdistrict, Mueang Nakhon Phanom District, around 6 p.m. on February 4. and take the car to be kept at Muang Nakhon Phanom Police Station

For police investigation guidelines and from the information of Mr. Khanop’s relatives Police initially thought it might be related to an affair and finances. Because before that, I knew that the second wife already had a registered husband together. And there was once a man who claimed to be the husband of the second wife who calle
d and threatened her. And the second issue was about a loan that the second wife borrowed money outside the system. There was a raid and made demands at the front of the house. But there is still no decision on any matter.

Source: Thai News Agency

BANGKOK, Progressive Movement leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, along with former Mover Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat along with six others have been sentenced to four months in jail for violating the public assembly law in staging a flash mob gathering at the Pathumwan. skywalk on Dec 14, 2019.

The jail terms were suspended for two years.

The Pathumwan Municipal Court found eight defendants also including Piyabutr Saengkanokkul and Pannika Wanich guilty in orchestrating the protest as they failed to notify authorities, obstructed entry and exit points, disrupted railway station services, neglected their duty in managing the assembly, causing undue obstruction to the public’s use of public spaces.

The public gathering occurred within 150 meters of a royal palace and they used loudhailers for advertising without permission. The court also ordered them to pay a fine of 11,200 baht.

The defendants staged the flash mob protest at the skywalk, demanding justice after the Constitutional Court rule
d to dissolve the Future Forward party. The case involved the 191 million baht loan it received from party leader Thanathorn to be a donation, which is prohibited by the electoral laws.

Source: Thai News Agency

Bangkok, “Thanathorn-Pitha” and Future Forward Party leaders listen to the verdict in the flash mob case. “Chaithawat” declares that political rights of citizens are a basic principle in a democracy.

This morning, Pathumwan District Court Appointment to hear the judgment In the flash mob case in 2019 involving Mr. Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, Mr. Pitha Limjaroenrat, Mr. Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, Ms. Pannika Wanich and former applicants Future Forward Party MPs are defendants, while “Chaithawat”, leader of the Kao Klai Party, is confident he will win the case, but if it doesn’t go as expected, he is ready to post bail. and appeal further

All traveled to hear the verdict of the Pathumwan District Court. After being accused at the prosecutor Filed a lawsuit on 5 offenses, including: 1. Jointly organizing a public rally. without notifying the gathering 2. Jointly organize a public gathering. By blocking the entrance and exit or interfere with work or using the train station service 3.Join together to organize
public gatherings. without taking care of and taking responsibility for public gatherings Do not cause unreasonable obstruction to people using public places. 4. Public gatherings within a distance of not more than 150 meters from the palace and 5. Joint advertising using loudspeakers without permission.

From the case of inviting people to join the flash mob rally at Skywalk Pathumwan on December 14, 2019 to demand justice. After the Election Commission resolved to submit to the Constitutional Court to dissolve the Future Forward Party A case of borrowing 191 million baht from Mr. Thanathorn, in which the defendants also took turns speaking at the said rally.

By the atmosphere at the court this morning there was a group of orange shirts. Came to give roses to Mr. Thanathorn and the group. Meanwhile, Mr. Chaithawat Tulathon, leader of the Kao Klai Party, and some Kao Klai Party MPs also came to support and wait to hear the court’s verdict.

Mr. Chaithawat revealed that both the lawyer team and the defendants
are confident in the verdict that they will win this case because this case is a fight for people’s rights and freedoms. It was a peaceful assembly. The details are a matter of court battle. cannot be disclosed But if the verdict is negative We have prepared a support plan. and securities for applying for bail for the defendant to submit an appeal to continue fighting the case And no matter what the verdict will be I am confident that it will not affect politics. and did not feel worried at all Mr. Chaithawat He also concluded that The political rights of citizens are a basic principle in a democracy. that should not be violated and should not be discriminated against No matter what political beliefs you have.

Source: Thai News Agency

Samut Songkhram, Villagers in 2 sub-districts are angry against those who do not wish good. Complained to the temple for opening a news broadcasting tower for more than 40 years, twice, saying that they would continue to do so because the villagers were benefiting. Please don’t create division between the temple and the villagers.

At Lat Peng Temple, Nang Takhian Subdistrict, Mueang District, Samut Songkhram Province A public hearing was held. After there was a complaint about the news tower of Wat Lat Peng The complainant did not specify his name and surname but used a pseudonym. People of Nang Takhian subdistrict and Lat Yai Subdistrict, 2 times, the first time sending a letter of complaint to the National Office of Buddhism on 17 February 2023, and the second time sending a complaint to the Office of the Prime Minister on 8 December 2023.

Over 800 people from Nang Takhian and Lat Yai subdistricts came to the community meeting along with officials from relevant agencies. The meeting considered the issue
of the allegations on both occasions, which were handwritten. and have similar content, summarizing a total of 8 points, such as Wat Lat Peng, turning on the amplifier very loudly Releasing noise pollution creates distress for villagers in both sub-districts in the morning from 4:10 a.m. to 7:10 a.m. in the evening from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. On duty, the DJ plays music and turns on the amplifier. create annoyance and claimed that some villagers had to sleep because they worked late and students could not read their exam books. And the resort has no guests staying.

The meeting invited local leaders. Villagers in the area who are hotel employees, students, and operators of various resort accommodations Came to give opinions for more than 2 hours. It appears that everyone agreed that not affected and agreed that the temple should continue to open a news broadcasting tower and do not agree with the complaint

While Phrakru Phisan Samutkit said that the tower spread this news Will publish Dhamma stories and coun
try news Spread the sound throughout all 2 sub-districts from 5:00 AM – 7:00 AM and from 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM and the 2 small speakers will be used for daily morning and evening temple prayers. Broadcasting only in the temple area between 4:00 a.m. – 5:00 a.m. This matter has been in progress for more than 40 years. I have asked the villagers and have never been affected. Therefore, it is thought that the complainant’s objective was to provide the temple to the community. break unity It is considered a sin.

However, after this community meeting The villagers unanimously voted for the temple to continue opening the news tower. The temple can proceed with peace of mind. without causing conflict and division among the majority of villagers.

Source: Thai News Agency

SEOUL, The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) revised down its outlook for South Korea’s economic growth this year to 2.2 percent, Seoul’s finance ministry said Monday.

The figure marked a 0.1 percentage-point fall from its projection of 2.3 percent made in November, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

The projection was on par with that by the South Korean government, though the Bank of Korea (BOK) presented a 2.1 percent growth outlook for this year.

The International Monetary Fund last week projected a 2.3 percent expansion for South Korea in 2024, citing greater-than-expected resilience in major global economies.

Analysts have said the South Korean economy is forecast to recover this year on rising exports of semiconductors, vehicles and other key items.

As for the global economy, the OECD raised its earlier forecast by 0.2 percentage point to 2.9 percent.

The global economy has lost growth momentum from around the end of last year, and recent data indicated
moderate growth in 2024, the OECD said in its latest report.

Global trade remained in the doldrums, but has shown signs of a recovery on the back of rising demand for semiconductors, cars and air travel.

But the organization warned that the geopolitical uncertainty stemming from the Middle East crisis surrounding the Red Sea could push up global energy prices and aggravate a supply bottleneck.

High interest rates and their lagged effects are also feared to put pressure on the economy, the report read.

The OECD expected inflation in South Korea to come to 2.7 percent this year before reaching 2.0 percent in 2025, slowing from last year’s 3.6 percent.

The Group of 20 nations are forecast to experience a 6.6 percent price growth in 2024, accelerating from last year’s 6.3 percent, calling for maintaining a restrictive monetary policy stance for the time being to curb inflation.

The BOK has kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.5 percent since January 2023. It froze the rate eight straight times, t
hough the level is the highest since 2008.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

SEOUL, Naver Cloud Corp. said Monday it has signed an initial agreement with NHN Cloud Corp. to expand its artificial intelligence (AI) business to foster a domestic AI ecosystem.

Under the memorandum of understanding, the two companies will work together to develop multi-cloud services using Naver Corp.’s hyperscale AI model HyperCLOVA X and conduct large language model businesses in the public arena, according to officials.

Naver Cloud is the cloud affiliate of Naver Corp., South Korea’s leading internet portal operator.

In particular, Naver Cloud said it will focus on creating an AI platform centered around HyperCLOVA X to strengthen the competitiveness of the South Korean AI ecosystem and AI technologies.

“The global competition surrounding leadership of the AI industry has been intensifying such that some people say it’s the era of AI nationalism,” Naver Cloud CEO Kim Yu-won said, noting his company will work to expand the domestic AI ecosystem.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

SEOUL, President Yoon Suk Yeol reiterated the importance of public education in childcare Monday, underscoring the government’s commitment to expanding after-school programs to all elementary schools.

Yoon made the remarks during a government-public debate, the ninth in a series of sessions addressing people’s livelihood issues. The event took place at a public elementary school in Gwangju, just outside Seoul.

“Public education should be at the center of education in a democratic society, and ultimately, schools should be at the center of public education,” Yoon said, adding childcare is part of the president’s constitutional responsibility.

Yoon also emphasized the government’s plan to extend after-school education programs to all elementary schools.

According to the program, first graders can avail themselves of care services from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The initiative was pilot-tested for first graders at 459 elementary schools in 2023.

“(The program) will be expanded to 2,000 schools by the first half of t
he year, encompassing all schools by the latter half of the year, and by 2026, all elementary school children will be able to benefit from the service,” Yoon said.

Citing a survey, Yoon mentioned that 83.6 percent of prospective parents expressed a desire to participate in after-school care services.

“As the president, my top priority is to create a country for children, a country where children can be happy,” Yoon said.

After receiving various opinions from teachers and parents, Yoon said the government would allocate sufficient budgetary resources to the program while maintaining a sound fiscal policy.

According to the education ministry, the government plans to hire 2,250 temporary teachers in the first half of the year for the program and an additional 6,000 personnel in the latter half.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

Udon Thani, MSD officials further questioned a 68-year-old mother after she was physically assaulted by her daughter and son-in-law. His face was swollen, bruised and injured in many places. Recently, a daughter cried and fell at her mother’s feet. I beg your mother to forgive you.

Picture of Miss Natthawan, daughter Bowing down at the feet of Mrs. Pisamai, her mother, after Mrs. Pisamai reported the matter to Police Lieutenant Colonel Prem, preparing the Inspector (investigation) of Muang Udon Thani Police Station, that her daughter and Mr. Pracha, son-in-law, had been assaulted. The incident occurred at 9:30 p.m. on January 31st.

Previously, Ms. Phisamai traveled to meet with Police Lieutenant Colonel Prem Prepare, Inspector (Investigation), Muang Udon Thani Police Station. and Ms. Nathaporn Yossungnoen, Head of the Social Development and Welfare Group And officials from the Secondary Educational Service Area Office further questioned Ms. Phisamai after having her undergo a physical examination at the Ud
on Thani Regional Hospital. In order to request a summons to be issued to his daughter and son-in-law to come and acknowledge the allegations. After physically harming Ms. Phisamai and prosecute according to law

Later, officials from Udon Thani Police Station traveled to the house where the incident occurred. To go get documents to submit to the MSD for help, where they met Ms. Natthawan’s daughter. Ms. Natthawan sat down and bowed at her mother’s feet and said that the day of the incident, 31 January, passed. come He was sitting and working in the room. I felt tired so I sat in my room drinking. Mother was sitting on the sofa in the house drinking. The mother complained that no matter what she used it for, she couldn’t see it. Therefore, arguments and quarrels began to occur.

That day, everyone drank alcohol. So they talked loudly. And there was kicking tables at each other. until a commotion occurred Broken bottles were scattered all over the house. Then the mother grabbed the broken beer bottle and walke
d towards him. He tried to hold each other back and forth. So he injured his arm. So he called his girlfriend who was in the room out. The boyfriend tried to grab the mother to make her stop. As for the wound that happened to the mother He thought that his mother might have fallen and hit the table or the floor during the chaos.

Ms. Nattawan said that she would be very sad if she took a step back. This kind of thing probably won’t happen. Normally, myself and my mother often argue. But not as severe as this time.

As for the case, the police further questioned Ms. Phisamai. After being sent for a physical examination at the hospital After that, evidence will be collected to issue a summons to summon the offender to answer the charges. It is expected that it will take approximately 2-3 days.

Source: Thai News Agency