Todays Headline from New BLCTV News. Full stories available on www.newblctvnews.bl (Articles also available in English, Dannistrian and Dovakhanese)
BREAKING NEWS: Opposition leader to speak to press over embezzlement scandal.
Conservative leader Stephen T. Ding will be holding a press conference at the Conservative headquarters in South Pyongjing, a spokesperson for Mr Ding has confirmed today. Speaking on behalf of Mr Ding, Mr Huang Shek has confirmed that the press conference will take place at 9.00AM on Saturday.
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“Last month, an unfortunate financial dispute took place between my leader [Stephen T. Ding] and his business partner [Johnnie Huang]. Mr Ding would like to thank you all for giving him the time and courtesy to resolve a very serious dispute in private without additional public interference. This incident is a largely isolated case and will not affect the future of the Conservative Party, for which we all express our overwhelming support to Mr Ding and aim to put this dispute to rest…Mr Ding will hold an official party to media conference on this Saturday at 9:00AM and will answer unsubstantiated falsehoods that have been circulating in the press and of that of the government…again many thank you for your patience.”
-Huang Shek, Spokesman to Stephen T. Ding
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It will be the first interview with the media for the opposition leader since he was embroiled in an embezzlement scandal with business partner ‘Johnnie’ Huang Tse Cai, in which Mr Huang has accused Mr Ding of stealing over $50 million of stocks, shares and bearer bonds. Mr Ding has not spoken to the press since the scandal took place.
Known to outside world as Ding-gate, Mr Ding has denied stealing any money from their joint account and according to went further in accusing Mr Huang of framing him in order to advance the policies of the governing Labour party and to marginalise the Conservative opposition.
Mr Ding’s approval ratings have dropped dramatically especially with the cat eating scandal, his consumption of alcohol and his eldest daughter publicly outing herself as a lesbian last month. Only 37% approve of his performance with 63% expressing disapproval. By contrast, President Im is experiencing relatively high approval ratings at 67% compared to 33% disapproval, mostly due to his role in implementing universal health care in the country and for his stance against the Nahrin Union.
Nationalist gift to be sold in auction.
Controversy is stirring up amongst the nation as a gift to the right-wing Nationalists by a former Nahrin Union dictator, is to be put in an auction in a months time despite a lengthy debate in parliament whether to confiscate the item and contact the Nahrin government or allow it to go through the auction. Back in February, cleaner Baek To Ni claims to have discovered the watch during the Bai Lung-Dannistaan war 2007 and has since been identified as a genuine antique from the era.
The watch which was given in 1955 by General Alan Theodore Smyth as a gift to the Nationalist general Kong Chi-Hom during Smyth’s 2 day visit of the country. Visiting the country for a total 17 times and one point making 8 visits in one year, Smyth showered his Bai Lungese counterpart with gifts as a goodwill gesture. The Bai Lung-Nahrin Union has since been severed in 1962 when the Nationalist government was overthrown by Chen Jong Sun and since Smyth’s overthrowing in 1975, there has been no diplomatic relations since.
The most notable features found in the wrist watch are the number of minerals which comprise the clock face. Antique experts have confirmed that at least 20 different kinds of mineral were used in the making of the 55 year old watch, some very rare and expensive. It also features the insignia of the general behind the clock face.
The exotic nature of the watch suggests that a bidding price will start at BL$2 million at Christie’s Pyongjing, with watch enthusiasts from Kelssek, Dannistaan, Dovakhan, Warre and Bai Lung are amongst the fiercest bidders to claim a piece of history.
Due to the claims that it was found by Mr Baek during the Bai Lung-Dannistaan war 2007, the government are unable to the Government Property Act 2007 which claims of discovered important heirlooms (such as Chen Jong Sun statuettes and gifts from the late Stalinst dictator) by anyone after January 2008 are considered to be government property. Failure to hand in any important antiques of the era will result in 10 years jail and BL$35,000 fine for theft of government property. There has been calls to apply this law retroactively, to prevent controversies like with the watch gift. This is currently opposed by the Conservatives but supported by Democrats and Marxists, but Labour support has been mixed.
In addition to accusations of government theft, there has been fears that it would invoke hurtful memories of the brutal atrocities perpetuated by the Nationalist junta at the time. The sale of the watch would also cause further tensions between Bai Lung and the Nahrin Union, with the Cuthbert government likely to demand the return of the watch, with an apology from President as well as reparations.
