Top biz lobby urges 33 global counterparts to support South Korean economy

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Seoul, Dec 25 (IANS) South Korea’s main business lobby said on Wednesday it has sent letters calling for support for the Korean economy from its 33 global counterparts amid the political turmoil following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s botched martial law declaration this month.

The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) said it sent the letters to chairmen of the 33 business associations in 31 countries, including the United States, Japan and China, reports Yonhap news agency.

“The South Korean economy remains in a stable condition based on its robust fundamentals and high sovereign credit ratings despite the recent political situation. The government and business circles are making all-out efforts to minimise the impact of the political fiasco,” the FKI said in a press release.

The government is in talks to provide incentives for multinational companies that are considering investments in Korea. Korean companies will make their planned investments while actively responding to changes in the global trading markets in line with the incoming Donald Trump administration next month, the release said.

The FKI said it will continue to focus on communication with overseas business entities to help South Korea maintain its current credit ratings.

Chey Tae-won, chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Yoon Jin-sik, chairman of the Korea International Trade Organization, also sent similar letters to their global counterparts.

Meanwhile, Yeol was unlikely to appear for questioning this week as requested by the investigation team handling the martial law case, his lawyer said. The probe team is seeking to question Yoon in person over his alleged involvement in the botched December 3 martial law imposition, on charges of insurrection and abuse of power, and asked him to appear for questioning on Wednesday.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) has sent summons to Yoon’s side twice, seeking his presence to undergo the interrogation as part of its probe into Yoon’s brief martial law order. Yoon did not comply with the first summons, which had requested that he show up last Wednesday.

–IANS

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BJP’s Mahila Morcha slams Kejriwal over failure on women security

New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS) Holding a protest outside Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal’s residence, the BJP’s Mahila Morcha has criticised the former Chief Minister over the failure to address the issue of women security.

Targeting Kejriwal for organising a ‘Mahila Adalat’ on Monday, the BJP leaders questioned him over the Swati Maliwal case and the allegations of AAP MLA Somnath Bharti assaulting his wife and what actions were taken by the party in these cases.

BJP MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat said that he “can’t get rid of all his wrongdoings” just by organising a ‘Mahila Adalat’.

Lashing out at him over the presence of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, she further pointed to former CM Mulayam Singh Yadav’s remarks on rape incident.

“Today the former Delhi CM organised a ‘Mahila Adalat’ and that too with a person whose father Mulayam Singh Yadav had said something during the Nirbhaya incident which still hurts. When he (Arvind Kejriwal) is organising this, has he forgotten that Somnath Bharti, who has been given a ticket again (for the Delhi assembly elections), had assaulted his wife when she was pregnant?” she said.

“When a woman Rajya Sabha MP from his own party (Swati Maliwal) was assaulted by his private secretary (Bibhav Kumar), he sided with his secretary. The biggest betrayal of women was the Excise Policy. Arvind Kejriwal cannot get rid of all the wrongdoings he has done by just organising a ‘Mahila Adalat’,” she further said.

Sehrawat further asked what actions were taken against Kejriwal’s private secretary Bibhav Kumar and why was the former CM standing with Somnath Bharti.

“In Delhi’s Mahila Aayog since last two years why SC women have not been appointed which is compulsory? Why is there no chairman in Mahila Aayog? In the Lok Sabha polls the women voters have voted for BJP which would be repeated in Assembly polls,” she added.

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj also attacked Kejriwal accusing his AAP government of not taking any responsibility in the last 10 years.

“Today, Nirbhaya’s soul must be feeling very ashamed, when that girl was raped, to gain power, AAP’s top leadership had talked many big things about women’s safety, but it is very sad that despite having a woman Chief Minister, the AAP government has only enjoyed power for a decade, without taking responsibility,” Bansuri Swaraj said.

“Today, you thought of organising ‘Mahila Adalat’, but where was (Arvind) Kejriwal when his secretary misbehaved with a woman MP of his party in his house, beat her up and Kejriwal protected the same accused and made him the Chief Advisor of Punjab. Today, he shared a stage with a leader whose father once said ‘ladke hain, galti ho jaat hai’ on the subject of women’s safety,” he added.

Arvind Kejriwal organised a ‘Mahila Adalat’ on Monday, during which he came out heavily against the BJP-led Centre over the rise in crime incidents against women in the national capital.

He also appealed the women voters to vote for AAP in the upcoming Assembly elections in Delhi.

“Women are more intelligent than men…I have a special appeal to all the mothers and sisters of Delhi, it is your responsibility to vote for the broom and get it voted for in this election,” he said in a post on X.

The former CM also thanked SP chief Akhilesh Yadav for joining the ‘Mahila Adalat’ on Monday.

Meanwhile, AAP has released the list of all 70 candidates for the Delhi Assembly polls. The Assembly polls in Delhi are expected to be held in early 2025.

After winning 67 out of 70 seats in 2015, AAP again won 62 seats in the 2020 Assembly elections. While BJP took its tally to eight seats, Congress failed to open its account for the second straight time.

–IANS

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AAP accuses BJP of orchestrating ‘dirty conspiracy,’ claims plans to arrest CM Atishi

New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating a “dirty conspiracy” against his party and its leaders in the run-up to the Delhi Assembly elections.

The accusations follow public notices issued by the Department of Women and Child Development and the Department of Health and Family Welfare, refuting claims about the existence of the ‘Sanjeevani Scheme’ and ‘Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana.’

Addressing a press conference alongside Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and AAP MP Sanjay Singh, Kejriwal also alleged that the BJP was “fabricating a fake case” against Atishi.

“BJP is facing a historic defeat in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. They have no narrative, no agenda, and no accomplishments from the past ten years. Despite having MPs, the L-G, and significant resources, they have failed to deliver on security, education, infrastructure, or healthcare,” Kejriwal stated.

He accused the BJP of lacking a chief ministerial candidate and relying solely on negative campaigning.

“While AAP is seeking votes based on its achievements such as schools, hospitals, Mohalla Clinics, free bus travel for women, and free electricity, BJP is resorting to derogatory statements and baseless accusations,” he said.

Kejriwal stressed that the AAP’s welfare schemes, including the Mahila Samman Yojana and Sanjeevani Yojana, are genuine and have been approved by the Delhi Cabinet.

“The Cabinet has approved Rs 1,000 monthly for women, and we’ve promised to increase it to Rs 2,100 after winning the elections. We have also pledged free medical treatment for senior citizens in both government and private hospitals,” he said.

The AAP chief alleged that the BJP was “unsettled” by these initiatives and was using central agencies like the ED, CBI, and the Income Tax Department to “target” AAP leaders.

“We came to know from our sources that a meeting of all three agencies, ED, CBI and Income Tax Department, was held, and in that meeting, orders have come from the top that by making any fake case, Delhi CM Atishi should be arrested,” Kejriwal claimed, adding that he is taking a “full responsibility” for this “big allegation.”

“Before the arrest, raids on senior AAP leaders, including myself, Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, Saurabh Bhardwaj, Satyendra Jain, and Atishi, are imminent,” he added.

Kejriwal further alleged that the BJP is trying to disrupt AAP’s election preparations by distracting its leaders with legal and administrative hurdles.

“A fake case is reportedly being prepared in the Transport Department to stop the free bus travel scheme for women. This dirty conspiracy has been years in the making,” he asserted.

Delhi CM Atishi also slammed the BJP, calling the public notices about the AAP schemes “fake.” She alleged that certain officials were coerced into publishing false information in newspapers under the BJP’s influence.

“These notices claim the schemes are non-existent despite Cabinet approval and notifications. Administrative and police action will be taken against the officials responsible,” Atishi said.

She further claimed that the BJP’s motive is to dismantle AAP’s public welfare programs.

“From free bus travel to schools, electricity, and Mohalla Clinics, BJP is targeting our initiatives through fabricated cases,” she said.

Atishi expressed confidence in the justice system, stating that even if false cases were filed against her, the truth would prevail.

“The BJP wants to stop Delhi’s development by filing false cases. But the people of Delhi are watching, and they will give them a befitting response,” she concluded.

–IANS

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Vanuatu earthquake death toll rises to 14

Sydney, Dec 18 (IANS) At least 14 people have been killed and hundreds more injured after a major earthquake struck Vanuatu on Tuesday.

The Red Cross reported the updated death toll early Wednesday local time, citing government sources. Local media previously reported a death toll of seven.

The 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck Vanuatu’s capital city of Port Vila on Tuesday, causing widespread damage.

Several aftershocks hit the region following the initial quake, including one measuring a magnitude of 5.5 in the early hours of Wednesday morning, according to the US Geological Survey.

The Fiji-based head of the Red Cross in the Pacific, Katie Greenwood, said on social media that more than 200 people have been injured.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said it is aware of several Australians in the region but Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said on Wednesday that none are believed to have been injured.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong said in a statement on Tuesday night that the earthquake caused significant damage and said Australia would send aid on Wednesday.

Australia’s 9News network reported that the United Nations humanitarian office said access to the airport and seaport in Port Vila was severely limited due to road damage, which could affect efforts to deliver aid.

Clement Chipokolo from World Vision Vanuatu told Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) television that he expects the death toll to rise due to the severity of the damage.

He said that damage to electricity and phone lines was hampering rescue and recovery efforts.

Vanuatu has been led by four Prime Ministers in four years and is due to go to the polls in January for a snap election. In November, Prime Minister Charlot Salwai asked President Nikenike Vurobaravu to dissolve Parliament so he did not have to face a no-confidence vote as his recent predecessors did.

But Vanuatu is accustomed to natural disasters, including havoc wrought by cyclones and volcanic eruptions. Its position on a subduction zone — where the Indo-Australia tectonic plate moves beneath the Pacific Plate — means earthquakes of greater than magnitude 6 are not uncommon and the country’s buildings are intended to withstand quake damage.

–IANS

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