Seoul, Nov 28 (UiTV/IANS) – Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon on Monday denounced a group of YouTubers who attempted to enter his house without notice the previous day as “political gangsters.”
Five officials of Citizen Press The Tamsa TV, a YouTube channel, went to Han’s apartment in the southern Seoul ward of Gangnam on Sunday afternoon without an appointment or permission from the minister.
They tried to open the door and looked at parcels placed there before leaving the scene one minute and 30 seconds later as there appeared to be no one home. At that time, only the minister’s wife and child were reportedly in the apartment, reports Yonhap news agency.
Han reportedly filed a complaint with the police against the YouTubers later that day on charges of trespassing and retaliatory crimes.
“These days, organs like The Tamsa TV seem to be playing the role of political gangsters. … Can all illegalities be allowed if they are conducted in the name of news coverage?” Han told reporters on his way to his office in Gwacheon, just south of Seoul, on Monday morning.
Han and Citizen Press The Tamsa TV have been at odds, as the YouTube channel has been under a police investigation for tailing the minister for nearly a month on his way home from work this fall.
Their relations further deteriorated after the YouTube channel reportedly teamed up with Rep. Kim Eui-kyeom of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) to allege in late October that Han had a late-night drinking party at a luxury bar in July with President Yoon Suk-yeol and 30 lawyers from Kim ? Chang, the country’s top law firm. Police are said to have concluded that the luxury party allegations are groundless.
Regarding the allegations, the minister said the DP and The Tamsa TV had collaborated like politicians and political gangsters did in the past, and they have not apologized even though their allegations turned out to be false.
Approves mass production plan for light armed helicopters
South Korea on Monday approved a mass production plan for light armed helicopters (LAH) to replace decrepit choppers, the country’s arms procurement agency said.
The 5.75-trillion-won ($4.3 billion) plan was endorsed to produce the homegrown LAH from 2022 through 2031, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
The domestically-developed LAH will replace the military’s aging fleet of 500MD and AH-1S Cobra attack helicopters.
According to Yonhap news agency, the DAPA would sign a deal with Korea Aerospace Industries Co., South Korea’s sole aircraft manufacturer, later this year for the mass production that is likely to begin early next year.
The first batch of the LAH could be deployed in late 2024, Yonhap reported citing an unnamed DAPA official.
Plans were also approved to locally develop a 130 mm guided-rocket system from 2022 to 2033 and a 155 mm precision-guided artillery munition from 2024 to 2036.
A 3.3-trillion-won (2.5 billion dollars) plan was also endorsed to purchase heavy attack helicopters from abroad from 2023 to 2028.
President’s aims to land spacecraft on moon in 2032
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said on Monday that his country will land a spacecraft on the moon in 2032 and begin exploring lunar resources under its ambitious roadmap for a “future space economy”.
Under the long-term plan, South Korea aims to land a spacecraft on Mars in 2045, when the nation will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Liberation Day, Yoon told a meeting on space policies, Yonhap news agency reported.
“From now on, a country with a vision for space can lead the global economy and solve the problems facing humanity,” Yoon said.
“The dream for a space power will not be a distant future, but an opportunity and hope for children and young people,” Yoon said.
South Korea will develop a homegrown rocket within five years for the moon mission, Yoon said.
The roadmap included six major policy areas, including promotion of the space industry and education of professionals.
An aerospace agency similar to the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration will be established, Yoon’s office said.
Establishing an aerospace agency was one of Yoon’s campaign promises, and the government will push to launch the agency next year through legislation of a special bill.