President Yoon visits the funeral of firefighter Kim Jin-seok, honors his sacrifice
President Yoon Suk Yeol visited the funeral of firefighter Kim Jin-seok on October 17, who died while battling a factory fire in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province.
President Yoon arrived at the funeral home at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital around 6 p.m. He was accompanied by Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Ho-joong, Fire Chief Choi Yong-cheol, Chief of Staff Im Kwang-hyun, Senior Spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong, and Chief of the First Office Kim Hyun-ji.
In the guestbook, President Yoon wrote, "The citizens will forever remember your sacrifice in the safe daily lives you protected."
President Yoon arrived at the funeral home at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital around 6 p.m. He was accompanied by Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Ho-joong, Fire Chief Choi Yong-cheol, Chief of Staff Im Kwang-hyun, Senior Spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong, and Chief of the First Office Kim Hyun-ji.
In the guestbook, President Yoon wrote, "The citizens will forever remember your sacrifice in the safe daily lives you protected."
Political leaders express condolences for firefighter's death, pledge support for safety improvements
On the same day, both ruling and opposition parties expressed their condolences for the late firefighter Kim Jin-seok and promised support for improving the safety and treatment of firefighters.
Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party, shared on Facebook, "I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family facing an unimaginable sorrow. I will work harder on policies to ensure a safe working environment for firefighters and enhance support for them."
Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, stated, "I bow my head in prayer for the deceased and offer my deepest condolences to the family. The dangers firefighters face at fire scenes are an unavoidable fate, and the government must provide unwavering support to ensure they can perform their duties safely."
Leaders from both parties continued to visit the funeral home for Kim Jin-seok. A Democratic Party floor leader and Secretary-General Han Jeong-ae visited the funeral home that afternoon, while Kim Min-seok, who was in Busan, plans to visit on the afternoon of the 18th. Jang Dong-hyuk and other leaders from the People Power Party are expected to visit on the morning of the 18th.
Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party, shared on Facebook, "I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family facing an unimaginable sorrow. I will work harder on policies to ensure a safe working environment for firefighters and enhance support for them."
Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, stated, "I bow my head in prayer for the deceased and offer my deepest condolences to the family. The dangers firefighters face at fire scenes are an unavoidable fate, and the government must provide unwavering support to ensure they can perform their duties safely."
Leaders from both parties continued to visit the funeral home for Kim Jin-seok. A Democratic Party floor leader and Secretary-General Han Jeong-ae visited the funeral home that afternoon, while Kim Min-seok, who was in Busan, plans to visit on the afternoon of the 18th. Jang Dong-hyuk and other leaders from the People Power Party are expected to visit on the morning of the 18th.
Bank of Japan Governor vows to combat inflation, maintains interest rate hike policy
Kazuo Ueda, Governor of the Bank of Japan, announced plans to continue raising interest rates to curb inflation.
According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun on October 17, Ueda held a press conference in Bangkok, Thailand, where the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting took place. He stated that Japan's core inflation rate is "generally close to 2%" and that any further increase is unacceptable.
Ueda noted that despite last month's interest rate hike, accommodative conditions persist, and he will continue to adjust the degree of accommodation through policy rate increases. He reiterated his focus on factors that could accelerate inflation, such as rising oil prices, increased demand related to artificial intelligence, and the depreciation of the yen.
The next monetary policy meeting is scheduled for October 29-30. Market forecasts suggest that rates will remain unchanged in this month's meeting, with attention turning to potential further rate hikes in December.
According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun on October 17, Ueda held a press conference in Bangkok, Thailand, where the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting took place. He stated that Japan's core inflation rate is "generally close to 2%" and that any further increase is unacceptable.
Ueda noted that despite last month's interest rate hike, accommodative conditions persist, and he will continue to adjust the degree of accommodation through policy rate increases. He reiterated his focus on factors that could accelerate inflation, such as rising oil prices, increased demand related to artificial intelligence, and the depreciation of the yen.
The next monetary policy meeting is scheduled for October 29-30. Market forecasts suggest that rates will remain unchanged in this month's meeting, with attention turning to potential further rate hikes in December.
South Korean government expresses disappointment over Japanese PM's Yasukuni Shrine offering
The South Korean government expressed regret over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's offering at the Yasukuni Shrine.
On October 17, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing "deep disappointment and regret" over the actions of responsible Japanese leaders who continue to offer tributes or visit the Yasukuni Shrine, which glorifies Japan's past invasions and enshrines war criminals.
The ministry urged Japanese leaders to confront history and demonstrate sincere reflection and genuine remorse through their actions, emphasizing that this is a crucial foundation for building a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship based on trust between nations and peoples.
Earlier, Japanese media reported that Prime Minister Takaichi offered a "masakaki" at the Yasukuni Shrine during the autumn festival that began on the same day. However, it was noted that visits to the shrine would be postponed until after the festival concludes on October 19.
On October 17, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing "deep disappointment and regret" over the actions of responsible Japanese leaders who continue to offer tributes or visit the Yasukuni Shrine, which glorifies Japan's past invasions and enshrines war criminals.
The ministry urged Japanese leaders to confront history and demonstrate sincere reflection and genuine remorse through their actions, emphasizing that this is a crucial foundation for building a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship based on trust between nations and peoples.
Earlier, Japanese media reported that Prime Minister Takaichi offered a "masakaki" at the Yasukuni Shrine during the autumn festival that began on the same day. However, it was noted that visits to the shrine would be postponed until after the festival concludes on October 19.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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