Korea and US Reach Troop Accord, Union Calls Off Strike

The Korean government and the United States have reached an agreement on a revised Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), which broadens the jurisdiction of Korean authorities over criminal suspects. The union representing bank employees has ordered them to end a strike and return to work, amid a normalization of banking operations at Kookmin and H&CB. The government is also planning to standardize high school admissions in certain cities and construct new cities in Hwasung and Osan.

Key Takeaways:

• The Korea-US agreement on SOFA revision broadens Korean authorities' jurisdiction over criminal suspects, marking a significant step in their cooperation.
• The union representing bank employees has called off the strike, with workers returning to their duties as banking operations return to normal at Kookmin and H&CB.
• The government plans to standardize high school admissions in Seongnam, Goyang, Bucheon, and Anyang through a collective test taken by high school aspirants in the same school districts.
• The construction of new cities in Hwasung and Osan is set to begin next year, as part of the government's urban development plans.
• The Kookmin and H&CB banking operations will normalize from Friday.
• The President of South Korea, Kim, and the opposition leader, Lee Hoi-chang, are set to meet next Thursday.
• Taiwan may be used as a gateway to expanded trade with China.
• The total population of Korea as of November 1, 2022, is 46.12 million.

Statistics:

• Korea's population as of November 1, 2022: 46.12 million.
• The number of banking employees on strike: Not specified.
• The number of banking operations affected by the strike: Not specified.
• The number of days the strike lasted: Not specified.

Sources:

• APA (Asian Pulse)
• DONG-A ILBO
• HANKYOREH SHINMUN
• HANKOOK ILBO
• CHOSUN ILBO
• JOONGANG ILBO
• MAEIL BUSINESS NEWSPAPER
• KOREA ECONOMIC DAILY
• KOREA HERALD
• KOREA TIMES