Overworked S. Korea reduces work hours
SEOUL • South Korea's Parliament yesterday approved a Bill to lower the limit on weekly work hours to 52 from 68, following years of battle among lawmakers, labour unions and businesses.
The passage of the legislation is a win for President Moon Jae In, who was elected last year promising workers a better life, including shorter work hours and higher incomes.
South Koreans work 2,069 hours a year, the second-most after Mexico among the 35 members of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.
BLOOMBERG
Taiwan protesters deface leader's tomb
TAIPEI • Taiwanese protesters yesterday splashed red paint on the tomb of former Nationalist ruler Chiang Kai-shek, urging the government to speed up a plan to erase symbols of the island's authoritarian past.
The protest came on the 71st anniversary of a Nationalist massacre estimated to have killed as many as 28,000, the prelude to a "White Terror" political purge that saw thousands executed.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Suspect in HK bank robbery arrested
HONG KONG • Hong Kong police arrested a 57-year-old man for robbing a bank of HK$70,000 (S$11,850) after a five-hour manhunt yesterday.
A video clip of the robbery went viral on social media, showing an Asian-looking man clad in a black top pointing a pistol at a staff member sitting behind a counter at the Bank of East Asia headquarters in Central.
Local media reported that the suspect has an extensive criminal record, including one robbery in 1987 on Dao Heng Bank in Hennessy Road, Wanchai, and later a hostage crisis on a mini bus during his escape.
Indonesia seizes yacht linked to 1MDB
DENPASAR (Indonesia) • A luxury yacht sought by the United States authorities was seized yesterday off the Indonesian tourist island of Bali, officials said.
The vessel is reportedly linked to a corruption scandal at Malaysia's state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
The authorities boarded and searched the Cayman Island-registered vessel, which is reportedly worth some US$250 million (S$330 million) and is owned by Malaysian tycoon Jho Low, a former unofficial adviser to the fund.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
