ARIRANG NEWS 10:00 Hello and welcome... it′s 10am on Friday the nineteenth of December... you are tuned in to our mid-morning newscast here on Arirang TV. Thanks for joining us,... I′m Mark Broome. Let′s take a look at what′s making the headlines. Within the next hour or so we are expecting Korea′s Constitutional Court to deliver its ruling on whether to disband the minor opposition Unified Progressive Party. It′s accused of trying to instigate a pro-North Korean rebellion against the government. The UN General Assembly formally adopts a resolution calling for North Korea to be referred to the International Criminal Court for human rights abuses. Plus,... the White House says the cyber attack on Sony Pictures that forced a major movie release to be pulled is a national security matter. Title: Unified Progressive Party awaits Constitutional Court′s ruling on possible disbandment Our top story this morning... The Constitutional Court will deliver its ruling on whether to disband Korea′s minor opposition Unified Progressive Party within the next hour or so The left-wing party has been accused of violating South Korea′s constitutional order and of trying to instigate a rebellion against the South Korean government. The accusations date back to last year, when UPP lawmaker Lee Seok-ki and three other party members were arrested on charges of plotting to topple the government and blow up major facilities in the event of war with North Korea. However, some lawmakers from the opposition parties are urging the court to refrain from disbanding the UPP,... saying it would go against the principles of democracy. They are also calling on the court to deliver a fair ruling and not be swayed by political pressure. Last month, UPP chief Lee Jung-hee delivered her closing arguments saying the party had no affiliation whatsoever with Pyongyang and the government was guilty of political suppression. Title: UN General Assembly votes to refer N. Korea to ICC for rights abuses There′s been overwhelming support in the United Nations for a resolution condemning North Korea for its alleged human rights abuses. UN member nations want the leadership in Pyongyang referred to the International Criminal Court. As you might expect, North Korea is furious and says it′s the victim of a political takedown. Song-Ji-sun reports. The UN General Assembly has voted in favor of referring North Korea to the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity. "The result of the vote is as follows: in favor 116, against 20, abstentions 53. Draft resolution one is adopted." The non-binding resolution, drafted by the EU and Japan, was previously approved by the assembly′s Third Committee which deals with human rights. This vote comes after a UN commission released a report in February that detailed the extent of abuses in the North, including political prison camps, torture, starvation and mass killings. The UN Security Council will me

• published: 19 Dec 2014
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