Category: General

SEOUL, A senior official at South Korea’s unification ministry in charge of inter-Korean affairs emphasized the importance of the U.N. Command (UNC) on Wednesday as North Korea continues to dial up tensions on the Korean Peninsula after defining South Korea as its “primary foe.”

Vice Unification Minister Moon Seoung-hyun made the remarks as he attended a roundtable session of ambassadors from UNC member countries to brief them on the government’s unification policy, the ministry said.

Moon said the government takes the latest developments sternly and vowed to bolster cooperation with UNC member countries and the wider international community to contain the North’s provocations and realize the vision of a free and peaceful Korean Peninsula, it added.

During the policy briefing, the ambassadors denounced the North for using its scarce resources for weapons development and agreed on the need for stronger cooperation within the international community to induce a change, according to the ministry.

The sessio
n came as North Korea has been ramping up tensions on the Korean Peninsula in the new year — an election year for South Korea and the United States — with weapons tests and harshly worded rhetoric.

During a year-end party meeting, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un defined inter-Korean ties as relations between “two states hostile to each other” and vowed to “suppress” South Korea’s whole territory in the event of a contingency.

The UNC has jurisdiction over the area that separates the two Koreas.

As part of efforts to strengthen cooperation with the U.S.-led multinational command, Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho met with UNC chief Gen. Paul LaCamera at the command headquarters in November. It marked the first such trip by a unification minister.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

SEOUL, A senior prosecutor indicted for conspiring in 2020 with a then opposition lawmaker to have complaints filed against then ruling camp figures was sentenced to one year in prison by a court Wednesday.

The Seoul Central District Court handed out the prison term to Son Jun-sung, deputy chief prosecutor of the Daegu High Prosecutors Office, after finding him guilty of leaking official secrets and violating the personal information protection law.

Son, who formerly served as an aide to then Prosecutor General Yoon Suk Yeol, was indicted in mid-2022 on charges of secretly asking People Power Party Rep. Kim Woong, just before the general elections in April 2020, to file complaints against three pro-government figures for their alleged involvement in negative news reports about Yoon’s wife.

The indictment of Son was filed by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), an anti-corruption investigation agency launched in January 2021. Son’s case marks the first guilty verdict among
cases directly prosecuted by the CIO.

The court said it can be acknowledged that Son, then as an investigative information policy officer at the Supreme Prosecutors Office, was involved in writing and reviewing written complaints delivered to Kim and thus violated the political neutrality required of prosecutors.

In the preceding trial, the CIO requested a three-year term for Son on the charge of violating the election law and an additional two years in prison on other charges, including a leak of official secrets and a violation of the personal information protection law.

Son has been suspended from duty since being impeached by the National Assembly last month. He vowed to appeal after the court ruling.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

SEOUL, North Korea said Wednesday it will hold an eight-day cultural event next month on the occasion of the 82nd birth anniversary of the country’s late leader Kim Jong-il.

The people’s arts festival will be held Feb. 11-18 in Pyongyang to mark the anniversary, which falls on Feb. 16, according to the North’s official Korean Central News Agency.

North Korea celebrates the birthdays of its two late leaders — current leader Kim Jong-un’s grandfather and father, Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il — as two of its most important holidays.

North Korea has yet to officially confirm or designate the birthday of Kim Jong-un, presumed to be born on Jan. 8, 1984, as a national holiday.

Kim Jong-il saw his birthday designated as a national holiday in 1982, when he was 40, eight years after he was designated as the successor to his father and the country’s founder Kim Il-sung.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30 (Yonhap) — South Korea will “never be perturbed” by continued North Korean military provocations and will continue to beef up security cooperation with the United States and Japan, Seoul’s top envoy in Washington said Tuesday.

Ambassador Cho Hyun-dong made the remarks amid tensions heightened by Pyongyang’s unrelenting weapons tests, including the launches of several cruise missiles on Tuesday (Korea time) and of the claimed submarine-launched cruise missiles two days earlier.

“At a time when North Korea’s aggressive words and deeds continue, (we) will strengthen cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. and between South Korea, the U.S. and Japan,” Cho told Korean reporters as he outlined his embassy’s plan for diplomatic activities in 2024.

“As President (Yoon Suk Yeol) has stressed, we will never be perturbed or will never bow to those provocations,” he added.

Cho also pointed out that Seoul will employ a “wholistic” approach entailing a mix of “deterrence, dissuasion and dialo
gue” in an effort to create a “strategic environment” under which Pyongyang can opt to return to dialogue.

The ambassador also vowed to keep up international cooperation to sternly deal with what he termed a North Korean effort to turn the international situation in its favor through cooperation with Russia and other means.

“South Korea and the U.S. will respond to that in close communication with many friendly nations in the international community,” he said.

Cho characterized this year as a year marked by great uncertainties stemming in part from major elections across the world, including the U.S. presidential vote in November.

“An important task for our diplomacy (this year) is to navigate well through the high waves of uncertainties that have heightened across the globe,” he said. “While uncertainties shroud the international situation like a complicated maze, the South Korea-U.S. alliance is a compass for the two countries to go together toward a shared goal.”

To advance cooperation between Seoul a
nd Washington, Cho said that the two sides are expected to seek high-level talks, including those between their top diplomats on the margins of multinational forums in the not-too-distant future.

Meanwhile, Seoul and Washington share the understanding that there are no indications that Pyongyang is preparing for a full-scale war at the moment despite its bellicose rhetoric against South Korea and continued weapons tests, according to a source.

But, the allies do not rule out the possibility of North Korea engaging in future provocations, especially new military provocations, the source said.

Some experts have raised the possibility of the North having made a strategic decision to go to war, deepening concerns about evolving North Korean threats and raising calls for more proactive diplomatic efforts to curb those threats.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

Bangkok, The BoT reveals that the Thai economy in the 4th quarter of 2023 expanded at a slower pace. According to tourism-export value General inflation decreased. According to the government’s measures to reduce the price of gasoline and the price of crude oil in the world market.

The Bank of Thailand (BoT) revealed the economic and financial conditions in December and the 4th quarter of 2023. The overall Thai economy expanded at a slower pace. According to tourism sector income and export value, excluding gold, which decelerated due to a slow recovery of world demand. and partly from structural factors that hold back the recovery of the export sector. industrial production and the tourism sector, such as the Chinese economy becoming more self-reliant As a result, industrial production indicators and private investment is also in a slower direction. Government spending shrank due to capital expenditures of both the central government and state enterprises. However, private consumption indicators and the se
rvice sector continued to expand and were important driving forces of the Thai economy.

Details of the Thai economic situation in December 2023 compared to the previous month are as follows.

The value of merchandise exports excluding gold, after removing seasonal factors, was stable from the previous month. Exports decreased in many products following a slow recovery in world demand. Structural problems that hold back exports and results from drought problems White rice exports to Indonesia and South Africa decreased as rice production decreased. Exports of machinery and equipment to Japan and the United States also decreased, while exports of petrochemicals and chemicals continued to decline. After China turned to producing more within its own country. Including the demand for imports of this group of products in ASEAN decreased, however, exports in some categories continued to increase, such as passenger cars and commercial vehicles to Australia. Diesel fuel goes to ASEAN and hard disk drives to Hong Kong
and China according to delivery cycles

The industrial production index, after removing seasonal factors, continued to decline. Especially the automotive category According to the production of commercial vehicles is important. This is partly due to financial institutions being cautious in granting loans. In addition, the trend of using imported electric cars is increasing. Meanwhile, the petroleum and hard disk drive categories decreased due to the gradual release of inventories from manufacturers. After producing a lot in the previous period, however, the food and beverage category increased. according to sugar production is important

Private investment indicators that remove seasonality factors decreased. After accelerating in the past In line with industrial production and product exports. Investment in machinery and equipment decreased following imports of capital goods and commercial vehicle registrations. Meanwhile, domestic sales of machinery and equipment increased. For investment in the constructio
n category, it decreased from sales of construction materials. Meanwhile, the area permitted for construction has increased.

The value of merchandise imports excluding gold, after removing seasonal factors, decreased from the previous month in all main product categories, especially 1) raw materials and intermediate products, excluding fuel. following imports of electronic equipment parts from Taiwan; 2) fuels following imports of crude oil; and 3) consumer products. According to the import of mobile phones and electric cars from China After accelerating imports last month for the automotive expo.

Private consumption indicators, after removing seasonal factors, were stable from the previous month. Spending in non-durable goods and services increased. Part of this has benefited from measures to reduce the cost of living of the government. Meanwhile, spending on durable goods decreased. Especially the sales of personal cars. This is a factor supporting the purchasing power of the household sector. In particul
ar, consumer confidence continues to improve.

The number of foreign tourists, after removing seasonal factors, continues to increase. According to the number of Asian tourists especially Chinese nationality Partly benefited from the visa exemption measures. However, the number of tourists of some nationalities, such as Europe and the United States, slowed down slightly after accelerating in the previous month. As for tourism sector income, after removing seasonal factors, it increased from the previous month in line with the number of foreign tourists.

Government spending excluding transfer funds shrank compared to the same period last year. The central government’s investment expenditures shrank following the delayed disbursement of the 2024 budget and shrinking investment in state enterprises. According to disbursements in energy and public utility projects Meanwhile, the current expenditures of the central government expanded in line with the disbursement of educational agencies. and disbursement of the
central budget for annuities, gratuities, pensions, and medical expenses for civil servants.

Economic stability General inflation decreased from the previous month due to prices of fresh food categories. according to increased productivity and from the price of energy category following the decrease in crude oil prices in the world market. As for core inflation, it remained stable. The labor market remained stable from the previous month. However, signs of employment began to be seen in the sector. Production slows down As for the current account balance, there was a surplus from the trade balance. In addition, the balance of services, income and transfer funds decreased. Regarding the exchange rate of the baht against the US dollar The average strengthened due to the policy direction of the US Federal Reserve. The market expects that the interest rate up cycle has ended.

Source: Thai News Agency

PEA and EVme join forces to study the provision of PEA VOLTA electric charging stations and related services.

January 31, 2024, Mr. Panumas Limsuwan, Deputy Governor of the Provincial Electricity Authority and Mr. Suwicha Sudjai, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of EVme Plus Company Limited (EVme), signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to study the provision of PEA VOLTA electric charging stations and related services between PEA and EVme Plus Company. Company Limited, with executives and employees attending the ceremony at the Dvaravati Conference Room, 22nd Floor, LED Building, Head Office, Provincial Electricity Authority.

For this cooperation It is a starting point and an important step in promoting the use of electric vehicles in Thailand. Responding to service needs covering all dimensions Increase business opportunities To reach electric vehicle users nationwide through the PEA VOLTA Application, able to manage energy and services related to the EV Ecosystem more efficient
ly. For PEA VOLTA, it is a Digital Platform for managing electric charging that PEA developed to facilitate Convenience for electric vehicle users and entrepreneurs who want to invest in electric charging station business. With a commitment to promote the use of electric vehicles in Thailand

Currently, PEA has more than 200,000 users of the PEA VOLTA Application. Users can charge their electric cars at more than 400 PEA VOLTA electric charging stations and VOLTA CONNEXT stations that are ready to serve, covering the country.

Source: Thai News Agency

31 January 2024 Mr. Kritsada Chinavicharana, Deputy Minister of Finance Presided over the ceremony for presenting the Outstanding State Enterprise Award for the year 2023, with Mr. Supachai Ek-un, Governor of the Provincial Electricity Authority. along with executives receiving awards at Santi Maitri Building Government House, Bangkok

The State Enterprise Policy Office (SOE) organizes the Outstanding State Enterprise Award (SOE Award) ceremony every year. To give encouragement to all state enterprises that are involved in the development of the country. This year the event was organized under the concept ‘State enterprises create Thai power to the international level’ Enhancing Thainess Towards Global Opportunities By considering each type of award that reflects the outstanding performance of state enterprises in each area. Encourage state enterprises to be committed to operating in order to develop the organization to be more efficient.

Outstanding State Enterprise Award 2023 Provincial Electricity Author
ity (PEA) received awards in 3 categories as follows:

Digital Enterprise Development Award It represents the promotion and push for PEA to become a digital state enterprise. Reflects the organization’s direction to become ‘Smart Energy for Better Life and Sustainability Smart electricity for a sustainable quality of life’ is outstanding. Able to create and utilize digital technology to develop organizations in various dimensions. Supports changes quickly

Outstanding Service Award PEA has a policy of giving importance to service development. Both increasing product efficiency and customer service Focus on responding to the needs of customer groups We are committed to providing services to the people who come to use our services with equality and fairness. So that people can receive convenience, speed and easy access.

Outstanding Creativity and Innovation Award in the innovation category, honorable mention category (6 years in a row), showing the drive and support for the learning process. and creating innov
ation within the organization Can be used to effectively benefit the organization Both in terms of new products Work processes, increasing operational efficiency, reducing costs, result in continuously good operating results, with PEA delivering the innovation “Cable Termination Steel Supporting Frame for the 115 kV underground cable pole system (Cable Termination Steel) support for 115 kV Riser Pole)’ is an innovation designed to develop a steel frame to support the oil-free cable termination set. The supporting structure for electrical equipment is lighter and smaller. Makes it easier to construct the 115 KV underground cable towers, saving time in operations. Make construction more efficient.

Source: Thai News Agency

Mr. Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit Chairman of the Progress Committee Talking about expectations of the Constitutional Court’s decision in the case of Mr. Pitha Limjaroenrat Progressive party leader and the Progressive Party that proposed a draft bill to repeal the criminal code. Amending the Criminal Code (No. ..) B.E., Section 112, using it as a policy for campaigning for elections.

Mr. Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit Chairman of the Progress Committee Said that he did not expect the decision of the Constitutional Court today. because he believed that he could not reach the point of dissolving the party Today we will have to wait to hear the decision first.

Source: Thai News Agency

SEOUL/SUWON, South Korea, The ruling People Power Party (PPP) said Wednesday it will seek to bury railways running through major cities underground and develop the newly created overland areas into futuristic urban spaces with parks, offices and new homes.

PPP leader Han Dong-hoon unveiled the proposal as a campaign pledge ahead of April’s general elections during a visit to Suwon, a city just south of Seoul, part of which is divided by tracks of the Seoul-Busan rail line.

Such railways in cities have been blamed for the underdevelopment of areas surrounding them, and burying railways underground was part of various policy ideas the PPP has proposed to develop old urban areas across the country.

“We will deliver additional campaign pledges that go beyond just resolving regional divide, but also those that can resolve the divide in life quality between residents from different regions,” the PPP said in a release.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

SEOUL, Prosecutors on Wednesday sought a 15-year prison sentence for a former fiance of Olympic fencing medalist Nam Hyun-hee on fraud and forgery charges.

The 28-year-old former fiance, Jeon Cheong-jo, was charged with swindling a total of about 3 billion won (US$2.25 million) from 27 people under the pretext of investment between 2022 and 2023.

Jeon presented herself to the victims as a secret heir to the high-end Paradise Hotel chain, enticing them with false investment opportunities that she portrayed as exclusively reserved for rich conglomerate families, according to investigations.

Jeon gained notoriety after breaking up with Nam, the silver medalist in women’s foil at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, following revelations that Jeon was legally a woman, not an heir to the Paradise Hotel chain and had multiple records of fraud.

“Given Jeon’s actual credentials, the possibility of damage recovery by her is very unlikely, and it’s apparent that the economic and mental damage on the victims are likely to pe
rsist,” the prosecution said during a court hearing.

The prosecution concluded that Jeon’s motive was to finance a luxury lifestyle with ill-gotten money.

“I promise that I will recover the damage done, albeit taking long, and prove my pledge with actions. I repent again and again,” Jeon said during the hearing.

Nam was also under police investigation after investment fraud victims filed a complaint against her for alleged collusion with Jeon, but the fencer denied the suspicions.

A Seoul Court is expected to deliver a ruling on Jeon on Feb. 8.

Source: Yonhap News Agency