[SUMMARY] Daily News Selection by Aju Business Daily on February 16, 2023

By Kim Joo-heon Posted : February 16, 2023, 17:06 Updated : February 16, 2023, 18:20
The following stories are the daily summary of news in South Korea on February 15 and 16.

SEOUL -- More celebrities from Korea give aid to earthquake-stricken Turkey and Syria
 

[Yonhap News Photo]

More celebrities from South Korea have joined international efforts to aid those affected by the deadly earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. The Korean Committee for UNICEF announced on February 15 that Jimin and J-Hope, two members of BTS, have each donated 100 million won ($77,918) to support the organization's emergency relief efforts for children in the two nations.
 
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President Yoon promises to freeze utility charges in the first half 2023
 

[Yonhap News Photo]

In order to lessen people's financial burdens, President Yoon Suk-yeol announced on February 15 that the government plans to freeze train, postal, and other public service charges in the first half of the year.
 
Yoon made the announcement at an urgent meeting on the economy and general welfare during which there was a public outcry over skyrocketing heating bills, high-interest rates, and rising inflation. Yoon also urged the financial and communications sectors to actively work to keep inflation in check in order to share the financial burden with the public.
 
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N. Korea labeled as 'enemy' again on S. Korea's defense white paper

[Courtesy of the Ministry of National Defense]

The South Korean defense ministry has, for the first time in six years, referred to the North Korean regime and military as an "enemy" in its new white paper. This appears to be in response to the North's escalating nuclear and missile threats.
 
Under the conservative Yoon Suk-yeol administration, which took office in May last year, the biannual policy paper was first released. Yoon promised when he first took office that he would deal harshly with North Korean provocations and achieve "peace through power."
 
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N. Korea's food shortages worsen
 

[Yonhap News Photo]

In response to press reports that the North has lately reduced military rations, the unification ministry of South Korea stated on February 15 that the country's food shortages appear to be becoming worse.
 
According to the ministry in charge of inter-Korean affairs, the North has acknowledged the severity of its food shortages and has designated agricultural development as a "particularly urgent" objective for this year. Daily newspaper the Dong-A Ilbo said on Wednesday that the North had reduced daily rations for soldiers to 580 grams from 620 grams per person, the first decrease since the 2000s.
 
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Prosecutors seek arrest warrant for previous presidential candidate 

[Photograph by Yoo Dae-gil = dbeorlf123@ajunews.com]

In connection with allegations of development corruption and bribery stemming from his tenure as mayor of Seongnam, a satellite city south of Seoul, prosecutors sought an arrest warrant for opposition leader Lee Jae-myung on February 16.
 
In connection with development projects in the Daejang-dong and Wirye districts of Seongnam as well as the city's municipal football team, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office requested a warrant to arrest Lee. The charges include breach of duty, conflict of interest, third-party bribery, and other offenses.

[This article was contributed by Aju Business Daily reporter Joseph Kwak]
Kim Joo-heon

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