Podcast: Lee's memoir, NK nuke talks, and the ruling on suicidal 'English stress'
Today on The Korea Times Podcast: The Blue House cries foul over former President Lee's memoirs and US spearheads talks on North Korea. Plus learning English led one to commit suicide and one councilman seeks to expand the smoking ban.
Cheong Wa Dae calls foul over Lee memoir
Cheong Wa Dae had strong criticism for former President Lee Myung-bak's memoir. The Blue House refuted Lee’s claim that Park Geun-hye opposed Lee’s revision of a 2009 plan to relocate government ministries and agencies for political reasons. It also criticized Lee for unveiling North Korea’s secret demands on a conditional inter-Korean summit when he was in office. It said such a disclosure could undermine Park’s efforts to thaw inter-Korean relations.
Talks on NK nukes pick up steam
Countries surrounding the Korean Peninsula are more actively engaging in talks to find solutions to regional security issues including North Korea’s nuclear program. Washington is taking lead in the diplomatic initiative, activities involving the members of the long-stalled six-party talks aimed at North Korea’s denuclearization.
Suicide from 'English stress' ruled as industrial mishap
The Supreme Court ruled the family of a worker who committed suicide after suffering depression due to his inability to learn English is entitled to state compensation. The highest court overturned the lower courts’ decisions that did not recognize the man’s death as an industrial accident, saying he deserves state compensation.
Councilman moves to ban sidewalk smoking
A Seoul Metropolitan councilman is pushing to ban smoking on city sidewalks and streets where school buses operate. Rep. Nam Jae-kyung of the ruling Saenuri Party submitted a bill to the council’s Health and Welfare Committee, calling for such areas to be added to the no smoking zones outlined in the city’s Road Traffic Act.
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