Monday, January 16, 2017

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Fifth hearing of the President Park impeachment case


South Korea's Constitutional Court is holding the fifth hearing of the President Park Geun-hye impeachment case.

President Park's longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil appeared in court as witness, which is the first time the country has had a chance to hear Choi's side of the story in her own words, and not her lawyer's. Choi did acknowledge that she had been to the presidential office for personal reasons but didn't elaborate further as to how frequently she visited. Choi has also denied knowing Kim Ki-choon, the President's longest-serving chief of staff and one of several former presidential aides who are suspected of influence-peddling.

 Meanwhile, acting president and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn met with South Korea's ambassadors to the United States, China, Japan, Russia, and the United Nations today. At the meeting, Hwang said the recent challenges surrounding the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia are very difficult, and underscored the rising North Korean threats. The discussions centered around concerns about the diplomatic vacuum in South Korea, due to the political unrest. Also, tensions with China and Japan, due to the THAAD, and the recent installation of a comfort woman statue, respectively, were given spotlight.

Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se is expected to discuss these issues and ways to implement the major diplomatic tasks of the year at a separate meeting with the key ambassadors.

Source: Arirang News

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