Day: June 9, 2023

President Yoon Suk Yeol reiterated the government’s commitment to providing support for arms industry exports at a defense exhibition in Busan on Friday, officials said, vowing to put himself at the center of such efforts.

Yoon made the remarks in a speech read out by Lim Jong-deuk, second deputy national security adviser, at the biennial International Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition in Busan, 320 kilometers southeast of Seoul, according to the Navy.

“The government will expand cooperation with various friendly countries to improve trust in South Korea’s defense industry,” he was quoted as saying in the speech. “Starting from the president becoming the ‘No. 1 salesperson,’ we will make efforts to promote the exports of local defense companies.”

“For export destinations, we will offer the expertise of weapons systems operation, such as maintenance, education and training, follow-up logistics support and financial support, as a package,” he added.

He also pointed out that the country’s record defense exports of US$17.3 billion last year indicates the competitiveness of local weapons systems.

Seoul has been cranking up efforts to boost arms exports after signing major deals last year to supply various weapons systems to Poland, including FA-50 light attack aircraft, K-9 self-propelled howitzers and Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers.

Last November, the government unveiled its goal to become the world’s fourth-largest defense exporter by 2027. South Korea’s defense minister has vowed to work with defense firms to achieve $20 billion in arms exports this year.

The three-day exhibition, co-organized by South Korea’s Navy, drew to a close on Friday, after showcasing advanced maritime weapons systems and equipment and bringing together over 110 foreign delegates from 26 nations, including Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh and Britain.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

The state audit agency cautioned Jeon Hyun-heui, chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC), on Friday for providing inappropriate support for an official who faced disciplinary action over workplace bullying.

The Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) announced the result of its 10-month-long inspection regarding 13 complaints filed last year against her.

Jeon, who was appointed by former President Moon Jae-in, has been under pressure to resign by the ruling People Power Party (PPP).

The BAI said it was “inappropriate” for Jeon to file a petition in 2021 asking for leniency for her subordinate who was disciplined by the state Appeals Commission in a workplace abuse case. It cautioned Jeon not to inflict secondary harm on the victim.

But BAI cleared her of abuse of power in connection with the ACRC’s authoritative interpretation in 2020 regarding the allegations that former Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae’s son received preferential treatment during his military service.

The audit agency said she intervened in the interpretation process by a relevant official. But regarding the agency’s media activities and her remark at the National Assembly that the interpretation was done solely by working-level officials, the BAI said it is difficult to conclude Jeon abused her authority.

The BAI also said it was true the anti-corruption chief was often late for work in the central administrative city of Sejong, as written in the complaints. But it was hard to determine her work attitude solely by the time she arrives at her office, the BAI concluded.

The BAI’s audit came as Jeon has been resisting the pressure from the PPP to resign from the post before her term ends late this month. The former lawmaker was appointed by former President Moon in June 2020. She quit the main opposition Democratic Party after the appointment.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

Inventage Lab Inc.on Friday announced that it will sell stock to raise 3 billion won (US$2.3 million). The proceeds from the stock sale will be used mainly to finance its operations.

According to a regulatory filing, the company will issue 334,074 preferred shares at a price of 8,980 won per share. The stock will be sold to the investors that the firm designated.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

The National Election Commission (NEC) decided Friday to accept the state auditor’s inspection into a hiring corruption scandal involving high-ranking officials.

The election watchdog initially refused to comply with an inspection by the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) last week, citing its status as an independent agency. But the commission reversed its position amid grown criticism from the public and political circles.

“In light of the significant public suspicion surrounding the issue of preferential hiring of children of high-ranking officials, we have decided to undergo an audit by the BAI so as to promptly alleviate the suspicions and concentrate on preparations for the upcoming general election,” the NEC said in a press release.

The election watchdog has faced increasing suspicions of nepotism after revelations last week that at least several children of former and current senior officials of the election watchdog landed agency jobs thanks to the influence of their fathers.

In the press statement, issued after a four-hour meeting of commissioners, however, the NEC said it will file for adjudication on competence with the Constitutional Court, maintaining its previous position that the audit by the BAI, which belongs to the executive branch, into the NEC as an independent institution is not in line with the constitutional spirit.

The NEC indicated it would only accept the BAI’s inspection regarding the incident while still refusing an audit of overall activities.

In response, the BAI said it will promptly initiate the inspection and that the scope of the inspection is a matter to be determined by the audit agency, not the election commission.

The NEC’s decision faced criticism from the ruling People Power Party (PPP). In a party rally held after the NEC’s announcement, PPP leader Kim Gi-hyeon demanded an immediate full-scale audit of the NEC and the resignation of all commissioners.

Earlier Friday, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, which is investigating the case, announced it will expand the probe to look into all employment and promotion cases within the NEC over the past seven years.

“We plan to conduct a comprehensive investigation into all of the NEC’s hiring and promotion cases from the past seven years,” Deputy Chairman Jeong Seung-yoon of the state anti-corruption agency told a press briefing, emphasizing the scope includes retired officials as well.

Jeong further stated that the agency will request a formal prosecution investigation and seek disciplinary action based on the seriousness of any irregularities. The agency will also pursue the cancellation of employment and promotion decisions.

A total of 32 officials will be mobilized for the investigation, which will involve a 38-day on-site inspection. The extension of the investigation period will be considered upon review, Jeong said.

In addition to the ongoing investigation, Jeong said that his agency has started receiving reports regarding other potential irregularities, such as abuse of power and budget mismanagement at the NEC. The deadline for submitting such reports is June 30.

The NEC’s shift in stance also came as the ruling PPP increases pressure by passing a resolution demanding the resignation of all nine NEC commissioners, including Chairperson Rho Tae-ak, to hold them accountable.

“I am considering whether quitting immediately is a solution to everything or whether it would be a responsible attitude to resign from the chairperson position immediately,” Rho told reporters before entering the NEC headquarters in Gwacheon, south of Seoul, on Friday.

He also said that he is not reluctant to give up his position.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

The foreign ministry summoned the top Chinese envoy to South Korea on Friday to lodge a complaint over the ambassador’s controversial remarks on South Korea’s ties with the United States, denouncing the comments as interference of internal affairs.

First Vice Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin called in Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming earlier in the day, and “sternly warned” against the envoy’s “unreasonable and provocative” remarks, the ministry said in a message to reporters.

The move came a day after Xing expressed his discontent with South Korea’s diplomacy with the U.S. and that Seoul may wrongly bet on U.S.-China competition during a meeting with opposition leader Lee Jae-myung.

During the meeting, Xing called for Seoul’s support for Beijing’s “One China” principle, claiming Seoul-Beijing relations have recently faced “external challenges.”

Chang warned the remarks were in potential violation of the Vienna Convention, which regulates the mission of promoting friendly relations of diplomatic envoys, and that it could be seen as interference of South Korea’s domestic politics.

Foreign Minister Park Jin also strongly criticized Xing’s remarks, saying the ambassador “went too far.”

“There are diplomatic norms, and the role of an ambassador is to enhance friendship, not to spread misunderstandings,” Park told reporters after speaking at a forum in Seoul.

Late Friday, China’s foreign ministry called on Seoul to find ways to stabilize bilateral ties, saying the relations between the two countries face challenges that are “not caused by China.”

“It is part of Ambassador Xing’s job to have extensive engagement with the ROK government, political parties and people from all walks of life, exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest, and share China’s position and concerns,” Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters at a regular press briefing, referring to South Korea by the acronym of its formal name, the Republic of Korea.

“We hope that relevant parties in the ROK can put this into perspective and focus on how to face up to problems, and realize the stability and growth of China-ROK relations,” he said.

Source: Yonhap News Agency