Today on The Korea Times Podcast: Conflicts remain over the controversial Jeju naval base and some aren't happy with KORAIL's new KTX route. Plus a bribery scandal at KEPCO and prosecutors seek a 3-year prison term for the "nut rage" heiress.
Jeju naval base construction resumed, but conflict remains
The Navy resumed construction of a naval base on Jeju, Monday, two days after the military forced a group of sit-in protesters off the construction site. "The Navy hopes there will be no more illegal action to interfere with construction. We ask for cooperation from the island residents," said Jang Min-jeong, a press officer of the construction team.
Reconciliation with with local residents may not be possible. They've cited potential environmental damage to the area designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve as well as mental stress they will have to endure as their reasons to halt base construction.
Municipalities clash over new KTX route
A new KTX route is set to begin, linking Seoul and Gwangju, but residents along its route are at odds as to where the train should pass. Daejeon is demanding the train stop at Seodaejeon Station for the convenience of its citizens; however, North Chungcheong, North Jeolla and South Jeolla provinces, as well as Gwangju, claim that doing so will significantly increase travel time for passengers to the Jeolla region. The new KTX Honam Line is scheduled to open in April, a month later than previously planned.
Bribery scandal hits KEPCO
High-ranking officials of the state-run Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and one of its affiliates were arrested on charges of taking bribes from a supplier in return for favors, the prosecution said this past weekend. As a result, Kim's company won 63 contracts from KEPCO worth 41.2 billion won.
Prosecutors seek 3 years in prison for Heather Cho
Prosecutors demanded a three-year prison term for former Korean Air Executive Vice President Heather Cho at her trial over the "nut rage" incident. "Cho still blames the chief and junior flight attendants for causing the incident," a prosecutor said at the hearing in the Seoul Western District Court. "She made a public apology only because of pressure from an angry public, but she seems to have failed to really reflect on herself," the prosecutor added.
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