Kim Sae-ron’s death exposes South Korea’s celebrity culture

22 hours ago
Kelly Ng

BBC News

EPA Kim Sae-ronEPA

Actress Kim Sae-ron‘s death in an apparent suicide has renewed criticism of South Korea’s entertainment industry, which churns out stars but also subjects them to immense pressure and scrutiny.

After being found guilty of drink-driving in 2022, Kim, 24, had been bombarded with negative media coverage and online love. She became so unpopular, displays featuring her were edited out of exhibits.

According to experts, the circumstances that led to her death are bleakly comfortable. Another famous people committed suicide after their professions were ruined by abuse.

Researchers don’t believe Kim’s death may cause any significant change because she was laid to rest on Wednesday.

South Korea’s leisure business is enjoying huge popularity.

There are more than 220 million Asian pleasure fans worldwide today, which is four times the number of South Koreans.

However, the less beautiful part of the entertainment business is gaining more and more attention.

South Korea is renowned for having a highly competitive society in all areas of life, from learning to work. One of the highest suicide rates among developed nations is in it. While its total death rate is falling, incidents of those in their 20s are rising.

This force is heightened in the case of stars. They are subjected to the needs of obstinate” very viewers” who can make or break careers and are under a lot of pressure to be perfect.

Also the slightest mistake may be the end of a job because of this.

” It is not enough that the stars be held accountable by the authorities.” They become goals of continuous criticism”, Korean culture writer Kim Hern-sik told the BBC.

He made reference to K-pop musicians Sulli and Goo Hara, both of whom had endured much battles with online trolls, despite the fact that they had never had any legal encounters. Sulli and Goo Hara passed away in 2019 by death.

Sulli had offended fans for not conforming to the K-pop mould, while an internet mob had targeted Goo Hara over her relationship with an ex-boyfriend.

A true Fish Sport

Bullying has also become a money-making job for some, Asian culture critique Kim Hern-sik told the BBC.

” Influencers get the opinions, communities get the proposal, news outlets getting the traffic. I don’t think]Kim’s death ] will change the situation.

” There needs to be harsher legal consequence against leaving dirty comments, “he says.

Kim Sae-ron’s parents claims a YouTuber caused her death, claiming that the contentious films they published caused her severe emotional distress.

Others have criticized some neighborhood media outlets, who allegedly reported the unsubstantiated allegations as fueling open animosity against Kim.

Citizens ‘ Alliance for Democratic Media, a civil rights organization, said in a speech on Tuesday that” this cycle of media-driven character assassination has quit.”

The spate of star deaths in South Korea was compared to a real-life type of Squid Game, the North Korean Netflix movie that sees the obliged fighting to the dying for a sizable cash prize, according to Na Jong-ho, a psychology professor at Yale University.

How many more lives may get lost before we stop inflicting this devastationous, stifling sorrow on individuals? Our world abandons those who stumble and techniques on as if nothing happened. “he wrote on Twitter.

” Crazy moving is a huge mistake. If that continues to go unnoticed, then our legal system would suffer. However, a world that buryes those who fail without giving them a second chance is not one that is good, Prof. Na continued.

Last year, the BBC reported on how “super fans” in the notorious K-pop industry try to dictate their idols’ private lives – from their romantic relationships to their daily activities outside of work – and can be unforgiving when things go off script.

It is no surprise that Kim Sae-ron chose to withdraw from the public eye after her DUI conviction, for which she was fined 20 million won ( £11, 000 ) in April 2023.

It is worth noting nevertheless, that not all people images are subject to the same care. Officials, including opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, even have past drink-driving views but have been able to bounce back- elections show Lee is now the country’s leading presidential candidate.

In South Korea, it is” really hard” for artistes to return when they do something that puts a hole in their” hero “image, says K-pop journalist Jeff Benjamin.

He contrasts this to entertainment companies in the West, where disputes and scandals often yet” include a rockstar-like advantage” to celebrities ‘ reputations.

” While no one applause when a Hollywood superstar is arrested for DUI ( drinking under the influence of alcohol or drugs ) or sent to jail for major offences, it’s not always career-ending, “he says.

Although there have been efforts made by the Korean entertainment industry to handle artists ‘ concerns about mental money, it is unclear how efficient these efforts have been.

According to Mr. Benjamin, real change can only occur when like aggressive monitoring is no longer financially or financially supported.

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this story you can find information and support on the BBC Actionline website here.

Jake Kwon provided extra monitoring in Seoul.

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Ang Mo Kio cat abductions: Man gets jail for throwing cats down HDB blocks, killing them

SINGAPORE: A person who abused five animals in Ang Mo Kio, killing two of them by throwing them off open housing stones, has been sentenced to 14 weeks ‘ prison.

Barrie Lin Pengli, 32, was given a time to which he was not entitled to keep any creature property after his release from prison.

He previously admitted guilt to three felonies of animal cruelty against neighborhood cat, with two additional felonies being taken into account.

The trial had sought 24 weeks ‘ prison for Lin, calling his steps one of Singapore’s worst instances of animal cruelty.

The defense had requested a maximum sentence of nine to ten months in prison. This was mainly due to Lin’s significant depressive disorder, which was discovered to have contributed to his crimes.

In sentencing on Friday ( Feb 7 ), deputy principal district judge Kessler Soh said,” These were abhorrent acts that caused public disquiet.”

The prosecutor recognised that Lin suffered from a psychological condition at the time, but said that his “horrific” behavior deserved punishment however.

One of Lin’s crimes was also committed while he was already receiving mental therapy, and out on parole while being investigated. Judge Soh argued that this crime warranted a higher word.

However, based on the words in previous similar circumstances, the prison phrase sought by the trial appeared to be” significantly excessive”, said the judge.

Judge Soh likewise took into account Lin’s history of reoffending since December 2021 and his “good” chances of recovery.

The prosecutors requested more time to consider whether to file an appeal against the word, and the court will be informed on February 11.

THE Event

Prior to this hearing, Lin was alleged to have abused animals to cope with his mental suffering between 2019 and 2020.

When he was angry or frustrated, he would wander through the Ang Mo Kio housing and development board ( HDB) estates, where he was aware that there were more community cats and “options to harm the cats” in order to calm down.

He first fanned the cat. In addition, he eventually managed to capture one to three animals in little, watertight bags that he put in his car at once. When the bags were sealed, little to no heat could provide.

On April 21, 2020, at around 3.30 am, Lin killed a black and white rabbit by dropping it from the 12th ground of Block 572, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3.

He was caught on police surveillance video taking a raise and holding the rabbit by the scruff of its chest.

A list of missing animals, compiled by the Cat Welfare Society and based on reports from neighborhood cat feeds, was delivered to NParks two days later.

More area animals were missing from HDB lands in Ang Mo Kio, according to the feeder.

On May 15, 2020, even around 3.30am, Lin found a dark-coloured rabbit at the space board of Block 645, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 and threw it off the seventh floor.

When he reached the cat’s owner, he discovered that it was still intact. He stomped difficult on its neck, killing it.

Authorities cameras caught him removing the carcass. The kitten was found to have died from an outside blunt-force trauma incident when it was recovered.

The authorities also learned that a cat had been killed by falling from the same wall according to an observer statement that day.

Lin’s recognition was discovered during investigation, and the following morning, the authorities detained him.

Between December 2020 and June 2021, he was released on bail and treated psychologically. His depression signs got better, and he got a full-time career.

But, on Dec 26, 2021, after sending some companions house from a meeting at his position, he went up to Block 645, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6.

At around 5.15am, he wandered around the property to see if he could manage his instincts to harm cats.

He grabbed a kitten and hit it twice against a wall before losing control of the fledgling. An observer contacted NParks to report the incident.

Community cat feeder found the kitten on December 28, 2021, and referred it to a specialist. It had a cut on its chin, a broken arm, a tooth, and a damaged limb that was discovered.

The kitten was hospitalised for 14 days and received operation. It is anticipated to long-term gout at its hip.

At past hearings, Lin’s prosecutor said the offences took place during a “tumultuous time in his living” when he was facing stressors like employment, family conflict and economic pressures.

Mr Azri Imran Tan even argued that Lin’s enrollment about the mistreatment went further than “ordinary participation” with the government, and that he was truly remorseful.

The prosecutor argued that the word sought by the trial may be” crushing” for Lin, a first-time-offender, and not in compliance with his past history and future hopes.

The greatest punishment for causing needless pain and suffering to an animal is 18 months in jail, a S$ 15, 000 good, or both.

In a statement released after the sentencing, the National Parks Board ( NParks ) said it received an average of 1, 200 allegations of animal cruelty each year from 2019 to 2024.

No more than 6 % of the cases per season were substantiated as works of animal cruelty and abuse, according to Ms. Jessica Kwok, NParks team director for protection and analysis.” We had investigated each of the situations completely.

While other criminals received warning words or structure charges, the most severe circumstances were prosecuted in court.

NParks has begun a review of the Animals and Birds Act, which will include making sure its strict penalties stay strong and you effectively deter and punish dog violence.

Members of the public can report suspected cases of bird cruelty to NParks online&nbsp, or by calling 1800-476-1600.

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Residents seek legal help over Alpine land dispute

Ministry revoked their property ownership

Residents of the Alpine Golf Club controversy have contacted the Lawyers Council of Thailand (LC T) for legal assistance.

Wira Kaewsaitip, representing more than 10 damaged people, yesterday submitted a formal demand to the LCT, seeking legal help. The plea was received by LCT chairman Wichien Chubthaisong.

Mr. Wira claimed he was speaking for the Khlong Luang Samakkhi community residents who had purchased more than 200 plots of land for the Alpine Golf Club housing initiative in Pathum Thani’s Khlong Luang city. 30 to 40 people who have built houses on the area are included in this list.

He acquired an 80-square-wah house in 2010 through a hire-purchase deal worth over three million ringgit.

Other people have invested in one- or two-storey houses on narratives ranging from 100 to 200 square woo, with injuries exceeding one million baht per family.

Residents of the housing estate have been left in a state of uncertainty as a result of the Interior Ministry’s decision to revoke land ownership, according to Mr. Wira, who is concerned about their constitutional obligations, including paying for the cost of social energy and security services.

Past pertains to government authorities, including the Department of Special Investigation, the Interior Ministry, and the Department of Lands, have yielded no distinct decision, he said.

In response, the people have turned to the LCT to find compensation for their losses, Mr. Wira explained. This could include possible civil lawsuits against state companies or private institutions.

The Alpine Golf Club property was previously donated by a lady, Noem Chamnanchartsakda, to Wat Dhammamikaramvoraviharn in Prachuap Khiri Khan in 1971. The Mahamongkut Ratchawittayalai Foundation, which was appointed the administrator of her house after her passing, sold the land to Alpine Real Estate and the Alpine Golf and Sports Club, in which Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was a stockholder.

Previous Pheu Thai head Yongyuth Wichaidit abused his position in 2002 by allowing the purchase of religious property for the Alpine Golf Club while serving as the Interior Ministry’s acting permanent minister. In 2017, the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct cases was upheld. The lower court’s two-year jail sentence was upheld by the Appeal Court in 2019.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission, which conducted the price, determined that Yongyuth was responsible for overturning a Land Department purchase that had revoked Alpine Real Estate’s sale of the 732-rai religious property. The area was designated for religious use, which eventually led land officials to cancel the sale, which the Council of State later determined to be illegal.

Mr. Wira stated yesterday that people had used property activities issued by the DoL to legitimately and in good faith purchase their homes and land. But, the legal dispute has prevented them from taking out mortgages or selling their homes, which has caused significant pain, especially for those who are also repaid with bank loans. He claimed that their concerns weren’t motivated by politics.

The LCT will form a working group to offer legal assistance, according to Mr. Wichien.

He outlined three possible ways to address the issue, including leasing it to the present occupants from Wat Thammikaram, the land’s unique owner, with the help of religious authorities.

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‘If I was so ridiculous, I won’t be where I am today’: Ken Lim denies allegations in molest trial

LIM and SELF DID NOT DISCUSS HER: LIM

On Wednesday, Lim was questioned about his recall of his discussions with the person by the defense, led by Senior Counsel Tan Chee Meng.

Lim said that all three discussions on Nov 16, Nov 18 and Nov 23, 2021 were about work, and that in the person’s information, she” coloured” the sessions as though they were social activities.

He did not discuss any possible jobs or contracts to represent her, saying that he needed more time to examine her personality and potential positions in the field.

He was responding to Mr. Tan’s inquiries about the woman’s testimony that Lim asked her if she would have sex with someone to bring about change and do a sex work on a director at their next meeting.

Lim said that such “inappropriate” and “unprofessional” notes would not be made at a job meeting, and that if he had said this, the person would not have met him a second time.

He said” no female skills” would become willing to work with someone who asks such issues, and that it was “out of character” for him to do so as the purpose of the meeting was to work with her,” not frighten her off”.

Lim claimed she” twisted” his claim about “how connection may change the situation for two people” and that she had asked why people seemed to change around her after she became romantic with them.

He also disagreed with the person’s evidence that they had talked about the “five qualities” needed to be successful in the entertainment business, including devotion.

At their next meeting, the woman claimed that discussing having intercourse to bring about change and making sacrifices to be successful brought up when the admitted molestation took place.

WHAT HAPPENED AT THIRD MEETING

The second appointment lasted two days from about 9.40pm to 11.45pm on Nov 23, 2021. Lim said the date and time was set based on the person’s presence.

Mr Tan retraced the victim’s account of this meeting, which she gave during her evidence in a sealed judge, and asked Lim for his answer.

The girl claimed that during the meeting, Lim frequently touched on the five characteristics and put a premium on the part about surrender because she did not provide a definitive response to that.

She claimed that she understood that this was a “figure of speech” and that he was making the same place because she would refuse or remain silent until she accepted a well out of anger.

Lim responded that there was no such conversation, and that if the person did not like what she was hearing, she may have stopped and left the meeting quickly.

He even criticized the claims made by her friends, who claimed she claimed Lim had asked her to do a sex work on him, as “ridiculous.”

The woman claimed that Lim asked her to love him after moving from his head to the couch because he wanted to evaluate her capacity to give a performance.

Lim strongly refuted this happening, saying that he had never heard of them having to love during a screen test in his years of managing artistes.

” She might be thinking we’re producing videos like Basic Instinct, Game of Thrones, or Gender and the City. But the fact of the matter is in Singapore, we’re talking about displays like Under One Top, Phua Chu Kang, Ah Boys to Men.

” Being able to love on display is so unimportant. It’s simply a convenient reason she’s providing to help her argument, “he said.

The woman claimed that after one more passionate kiss with Lim, she felt horrified and that he had asked her to test again.

The girl claims that Lim was seated on her remaining on the seat at the time of the following love. She said her left hand was on his right cheek, and Lim’s right shoulder was over her head.

According to the woman, in this place, Lim allegedly reached his right arm over her throat and into her stomach.

Lim denied kissing or touching the person badly, and questioned why he would try something so” impossible” that had hurt his reputation.

He added that he had tried to recreate this scenario but found it to be illogical from a performance standpoint.

Instead of trying to perform a shot to such an extent that difficulty, he would be using the gratis, left hand, which is unlikely to be involved in the unlikely event that anyone is interested in groping her breast.

He added that it was difficult to perform like a move because he only had short hands and his hands weren’t quite long.

The girl agreed that the situation was odd during her cross-examination with the defense, but that someone who wanted to abduct another person may try their hardest.

” FELT BETTER” AFTER FINDING CCTV Film: LIM

Giving his account of the gathering, Lim said that after the lady arrived, they talked about several matters including her be” struck on “at function and the way she smiles, which she had asked Lim about before.

Lim said they likewise spent a lot of time talking about the woman’s obvious drawings, which he described as obvious and depicts body, pain, and being tied up with cords.

The girl was resentful of her work, but Lim said it was “degrading to women.” He claimed that he had shown her another artist’s picture of two men kissing as an illustration of how her work could be provocative without causing any controversy.

The woman then claimed she needed to get home, and Lim said he drove her a short distance outside the building to waited for her journey.

Lim claimed that he had told the woman to practice accepting censure in his car.

After parking outside the tower, Lim claimed that he and Lim stepped out of the car and waited with her while they exchanged a brief hello.

Mr. Tan questioned Lim if the woman next displayed signs of distress or contempt, and Lim replied low.

The woman was waiting for her ride outside his car, which was parked outside the building, and the defense then played closed-circuit television (CCTV ) footage of Lim and her.

The woman gave Lim a area hug before they entered their separate cars, according to the surveillance video from the victim’s car when it arrived.

According to the girl, Lim hugged her up. However, Lim claimed that he was surprised by her cuddle because he had never met her and that he had only apologised for it.

After being interrogated by his officers on December 6, 2021, Lim claimed to have found this Video footage himself.

” I looked at it, I felt a lot better because it plainly shows that nothing has happened, “he said.

He said he would have reacted differently to the woman’s hug if” something ( had ) happened”, and that from the CCTV footage, the woman did not appear afraid or traumatised.

The prosecution continues.

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NBTC okays amending drone regulations

Drone usage is increasingly significant in various sectors as it helps reduce human labour and increases trade advantages.
Drone use is becoming more prevalent in different industries as it reduces animal labor and increases industry advantages.

A resolution to amend the current drone regulations has been approved by the board of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission ( NBTC ) in order to improve many conditions and expand the scope of the proposed changes.

The move aims to increase aircraft use and establish policies to support and promote R&amp, D, aircraft production and distribution.

The amendment’s objectives are not just for aircraft plane, but they also apply to the entire helicopter ecosystem, including anti-drone systems and equipment to promote more effective drone use.

The current NBTC regulations, which are currently in place, were implemented in 2020, according to NBTC director AM Thanapant Raicharoen.

They intended to limit the use of frequencies for robots to certain bands and establish rules for the membership of drones that people wanted to own for personal use.

He continued, adding that other factors, such as the development and support of R&amp, D, or manufacturing or export, are also based on the general standards for using stereo communication devices.

The article seeks to support and promote both international funding and Thailand. If the conditions are adjusted correctly, this should be beneficial in the future”.

He added that the NBTC may continue to collaborate with linked state agencies like the Thai Civil Aviation Authority and the military because the restrictions on drone use are also important.

The current aircraft rules for the requirements and conditions for granting permission to use the wavelengths for autonomous aircraft is the NBTC’s.

The laws determine the aircraft control and information payload frequencies. They comprise the songs of 433.05-434.79MHZ, 2400-2500MHz and 5725-5850MHz.

The frequency must be changed in order to help more device use in the future, said AM Thanapant.

The commercial drone or unmanned aerial vehicle ( UAV ) market, according to Straits Research’s Forecast 2022-2030, is projected to have a market value of US$ 1.2 trillion by 2030, up from$ 20. 8 billion in 2021, and experience a compound annual growth rate of 14 % over the next few years.

Drone use is extremely important in several sectors as it helps minimize human labour and increases business advantages, checking stock in warehouses, watering plants and distributing fertiliser, along with taking underwater photos and video footage, according to drone industrialists.

In a related development, the NBTC committee recently approved new NBTC rules adjusting the speed and frequency registration system to conform to international standards.

The new rules aim to lower the difficulty of requesting agreement in order to encourage and support the aerospace industry.

It will take effect following the official statement in the Royal Gazette.

The fixed announcement is to determine aviation frequencies, including frequencies used in aerospace wireless services, aerodynamic smart satellite services, cellular satellite services, radio navigation services and radio location services, which are intended for communication and data transmission related to aviation, supporting aircraft navigation, navigation, aircraft tracking, emergency communication, and search and rescue for aircraft in distress.

For instance, the 2, 850-22, 000KHz channel is for aerospace wireless services on professional routes, the 130-535KHz frequency band is for directional radio location use, and the 121.5-245MHz frequency band is for emergency radio transmitter and receiver use.

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NBTC okays amending drone regulations

Drone usage is increasingly significant in various sectors as it helps reduce human labour and increases trade advantages.
Drone use is becoming more prevalent in different industries as it reduces animal labor and increases industry advantages.

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission ( NBTC ) board has approved a resolution to amend the current drone laws to improve a number of conditions and expand their application.

The move aims to increase drone use and make initiatives to encourage and support R&amp, D, drone production and distribution.

The amendment’s objectives are not just for aircraft aircraft, but they also apply to the entire helicopter ecosystem, including anti-drone systems or other tools to promote more effective drone use.

The current NBTC regulations that control the helicopter market, according to NBTC director AM Thanapant Raicharoen, came into force in 2020.

They intended to limit the use of frequencies for robots to certain bands and establish rules for the membership of drones that people wanted to own for personal use.

He continued, adding that the general requirements for using television communication devices are still being used in addition to other factors, such as the development and support of R&amp, D, or creation or export.

The article seeks to promote and help both international funding and Thailand. If the conditions are adjusted correctly, this should be beneficial in the future”.

He added that the NBTC may continue to work with linked state agencies like the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand and the defense on this matter because the laws to control device usage are also crucial.

The current helicopter rules, which specifies the conditions and requirements for granting permission to use the wavelengths for autonomous aircraft, is the only one in the NBTC.

The wavelengths for aircraft control and data load are determined by the rules. They comprise the songs of 433.05-434.79MHZ, 2400-2500MHz and 5725-5850MHz.

The frequency must be changed in order to support more device use in the future, said AM Thanapant.

The commercial drone or unmanned aerial vehicle ( UAV ) market, according to Straits Research’s Forecast 2022-2030, is projected to have a market value of US$ 1.2 trillion by 2030, up from$ 20. 8 billion in 2021, and experience a compound annual growth rate of 14 % over the next few years.

Drone use is extremely important in several sectors as it helps minimize human labour and increases business advantages, checking stock in warehouses, watering plants and distributing fertiliser, along with taking underwater photos and video footage, according to drone industrialists.

In a related development, the NBTC committee recently approved new NBTC rules adjusting the speed and frequency registration system to conform to international standards.

The new rules aim to lower the difficulty of requesting agreement in order to encourage and support the aerospace industry.

It will take effect following the official statement in the Royal Gazette.

The fixed announcement is to determine aviation frequencies, including frequencies used in aerospace wireless services, aerodynamic smart satellite services, cellular satellite services, radio navigation services and radio location services, which are intended for communication and data transmission related to aviation, supporting aircraft navigation, navigation, aircraft tracking, emergency communication, and search and rescue for aircraft in distress.

For example, the 2, 850-22, 000KHz band is for aeronautical mobile services on commercial routes, the 130-535KHz frequency band is for omnidirectional radio location use, and the 121.5-245MHz frequency band is for emergency radio transmitter and receiver use.

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Tanglin Club’s ‘toxic’ workplace culture under scrutiny after member allegedly abused employee

SINGAPORE: Tanglin Club’s” dangerous” work society is facing scrutiny by people after an incident of workers abuse that contributed to the withdrawal of the team’s general manager.

Founded in 1865, the exclusive members ‘ team has more than 4, 000 users and about 200 employees.

A part of the Tanglin Club’s general committee reportedly verballyabused another member on June 28, 2023, according to a report from the Tanglin Club’s general manager David Brightling.

Mr Brightling resigned on Sep 27, 2023. He said that” a dangerous job culture” was the primary “push” issue, according to internal documents seen by CNA.

The general manager was also hired and fired from Hong Kong’s private members ‘ club.

After a ballot called by the team’s leader Chong Zhi Cheng on October 16, 2023, the participant involved was removed from the standard commission.

The vote was called on the grounds that his alleged verbal altercation was in violation of membership rules that no club member should “reprimand or overuse” any associate of the staff.

On January 30, 2024, a commissioned separate assessment committee was established to examine the removal of the member in question.

After investigating, the review committee found that the alleged misuse did take place, according to its document dated May 23, 2024.

According to Mr Brightling, he sent an internet on Jun 28, 2023 about the league’s treadmill. The assessment agency’s report&nbsp, indicated&nbsp, that this was because a part had been seen “moving the practice bike around”.

The member in question finally called Mr. Brightling to schedule a meeting later that day after receiving a call. The representative allegedly had an issue with being named and accused in the internet. &nbsp,

The review committee found that Mr Brightling was apparent in his proof that the part used the words “evil”, “incompetent” and” stupid” towards him at this meeting.

The basic director was even yelled at over the telephone, and the member in question “banged down” the phone on him.

The review committee made up of three regular team members and determined that this constituted “plainly aggressive conduct” together with the rhetorical abuse.

In a legal charter, the public administrator stated that in about three decades working at the league, he had come across “many occurrences” of harassment and bullying.

He said the Jun 28, 2023 affair was “certainly the most severe case” in his whole career.

Mr Brightling’s study of a” dangerous” work society at Tanglin Club was also supported by people the committee interviewed, who said that staff, including management, were “afraid” of people.

If a club member misbehaved, staff had apparently tend not to make a proper complaint, but tell their head of department and allow their manager handle the matter, or just resign.

According to the assessment committee, this negatively impacted staff morale and caused the club to lose staff members.

They suggested that the team’s general committee establish a harassment policy for both employees and members, as well as a procedure for employees to report misuse without filing a strong complaint against a member.

They also suggested creating a common method to handle administrative complaints against team members to confirm “fairness and transparency” and establish expected timelines.

The review committee also pointed out that it was a problem to “get the correct folks” into the common council, as just about 300 out of 4, 000 people voted in elections.
 
Members of the general committee “tend anecdotally to be male and older”, in their 50s and 60s, so there was a need for more emphasis on diversity.

According to the report, “work needs to be done” to encourage female and male members to run for president and, in doing so, contribute to the club.”

The review committee noted that “factions, cliques and political in-fighting” were affecting working relationships within the general committee, and between the committee and the club’s president.

Members of the general committee may take into account mediation “or other efforts to heal divisions, rather than exacerbate them,” according to the report.

Finally, the review committee suggested looking into the suitability of a code of conduct” to set the right tone and improve the dynamics underlying the relationships at the club.”

CNA has reached out to Tanglin Club to ask about the implementation of the review committee’s recommendations.

Before, there have been controversy-filled disputes involving Tanglin Club members.

Yeoh En Lai, the club’s former president, resigned in 2022 amid concerns about his academic credentials, according to the Straits Times report.

Mr Brightling, then the general manager, reportedly made a police report over this.

A member sued Tanglin Club and its general committee after going through disciplinary proceedings after being subject to disciplinary proceedings in 2018, TODAY reported.

According to reports, this occurred after he was accused of sending “offensive and disrespectful emails and WhatsApp messages.”

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Man fined for injuring colleague’s neck while trying to massage him

SINGAPORE: A man who permanently injured his colleague while massaging him was fined S$ 3, 000 ( US$ 2, 230 ) on Monday ( Jan 27 ). &nbsp,

Ng Jian Ye Eugene, 32, admitted to causing severe harm as a result of an omission that endangered some ‘ personal protection. The victim’s throat was twisted, causing him to sputter or pressure during a phone call at their place of employment. &nbsp,

Mr. Suang Wijaya and  Mr. Hamza Malik from Eugene Thuraisingam LLP noted that he had represented Singapore in Wushu in his prevention appeal. He received instruction from his coach in sports massage, and he also practices Muay Thai and massage for his friends and coworkers often. &nbsp,

The defense claimed that” these treatments are intended to and had helped his colleagues and friends with their discomfort, pain, and muscle symptoms.” &nbsp,

On November 11, 2022, Ng approached the prey from behind while the victim was using a microphone to speak to a client on the phone in the office. &nbsp,

He placed one finger on the top of the victim’s mind and the other on the victim’s neck, and then twisted the victim’s chest once in a circular path and once in an anti-clockwise way.

Ng had massaged the victim several days at the latter’s request, and had massaged him in” the regular way” on the day of the event, the army claimed. &nbsp,

Since the victim, 31, was on a call, he did not react and Ng walked away. &nbsp,

The victim later complained of discomfort in his neck after the call ended, so he went to a clinic later that evening. There, he was diagnosed with a sprained neck and given five days of medical leave. &nbsp,

The victim was directed to have an MRI scan on November 16, 2022, which revealed several levels of disc desiccation. He continued to feel pain in his neck. &nbsp,

Disc desiccation is the gradual loss of hydration, or water, from an intervertebral disc in the spine. &nbsp,

On November 24, 2022, the victim consulted an orthopaedic surgeon who determined that he had suffered a cervical sprain or strain. Additionally, the doctor determined that the victim did not have pre-existing conditions and gave him a hospitalization leave until Jan. 25, 2024. &nbsp,

The victim informed the human resources department of their employer about the incident, and the department said they would treat their report as an accident at work, which might allow him to receive compensation from the Ministry of Manpower ( MOM) for the cost of his medical treatment. &nbsp,

The company, TDCX, objected to an assessment that&nbsp, the victim had sustained a permanent incapacity. The Work Injury Compensation Board finalized the assessment of” 15 per cent permanent incapacity” in September 2023 after MOM referred him to a specialist panel. &nbsp,

On December 8 of that year, the victim reported to the police. &nbsp,

The defense referred to a letter from a mutual friend who met the victim a month after the incident as a reassuring factor. In her testimony, she claimed that the victim “acted completely normally” and “did not show any signs of distress”. &nbsp,

The defence noted that this was a more superficial observation, but stressed that” contemporaneous” observation should be taken into account. &nbsp,

Due to the unsigned and undated nature of the document, Deputy Public Prosecutor Melissa Heng urged the court to not give weight to the letter from this testimony. &nbsp,

She continued, stating that this does not constitute proof that the victim was actually not in any distress or pain at the time. The medical report provided the most reliable information regarding the victim’s injuries. &nbsp,

Even though Ng had massaged coworkers or people close to him, he was still a novice masseuse, according to Ms Heng, who added that the workplace is not a place for a proper massage. &nbsp,

Up to two years in prison, a fine of up to S$ 5, 000, or both are the penalties for causing grievous harm to anyone for a negligent act.

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South Korea to release preliminary report of Jeju Air crash by Monday

At 8.58.11am, the aircraft discussed birds flying under the Boeing 737-800, subsequently declared headquarters at 8.58.56am, reporting a bird hit while the aircraft was on a go-around, the statement said.

Airport CCTV film even showed the planes making” call” with animals during the go-around, it said.

Prior to now, the government had claimed that the pilots had issued the distress signal as a result of bird strikes before moving on.

The aircraft crashed at 9.02.57am, slamming into an hillside, and inhaling flames that left only two staff members in the neck section.

The animal strike’s location was not immediately apparent in the surveillance images, which was taken from very far away to detect a flash, but it” confirmed the helicopter making contact with birds, though the precise moment is unknown,” a ministry official told Reuters.

Bird feathers and body were found in both of the aircraft’s GE Aerospace machines, the department said.

The ministry announced that it would perform a split analysis of the function of the concrete embankment, which supported “localisers” for navigation.

The government announced on Wednesday that it would clear the hillside, which experts believed may have increased the potential for disaster.

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Gold glitters at end of the world as we know it – Asia Times

Shareholders have been betting tremendously on an AI-driven coming over the past two decades, as tech stocks have led the S&amp, P 500 to a 60 % get. But they also bought the “barbarous artifact” of a financial era that preceded the economy’s identity, pushing the price of silver up by almost as much. Importantly, gold outperformed other hedges by a sizable percentage against the buck.

Why wall against severe distress amid effervescent tech-driven optimism? The answer is a bit could get wrong—catastrophically wrong, in reality. The dollar-based global economic system’s core asset is then tech stocks. The United States has sold US$ 24 trillion more of its property to immigrants than Americans have sold to immigrants.

Graphic: Asia Times

That” net international investment position” of$ 24 trillion, up from$ 18 trillion at the end of Donald Trump’s first term in office, paid for America’s cumulative trade deficit over the past 30 years. For the past 10 years, immigrants have been buying stocks rather than US Treasury bonds, as in the history.

US federal loan is now lower than it was five years ago, thanks to international central banks. If the technology bubble turns out to be a balloon, so will the US dollar. The death of the money may depend on the competition for market share for AI. If, for example, China’s open-source DeepSeek beats ChatGPT and the other British large language concepts, tech shares was tank and, with them, the money.

Graphic: Asia Times

There are many different ways to protect against the money. Some of them are interesting. An American budget deficit of 6 % to 7 % without a war or recession, as incoming Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Congress last week, is without precedent. But the currency’s position as a reserve money means that America has first rights on the nation’s capital.

The inflation-indexed US Treasury yields surge, partially fueled by hopes for a higher US gap under Trump, propelled the dollar higher against all major currencies. If US prices increases, so does US interest charges, and the economy’s transfer rate will rise against other currencies, even while the money loses value.

Graphic: Asia Times

But even while all currencies sank against the dollar in response to rising “real” ( inflation-indexed ) Treasury yields, gold rose, breaking a pattern that prevailed from 2007 through 2022.

Graphic: Asia Times

The US and its supporters seized Russian resources in March 2022, breaking the long-term connection between TIPS and metal. China, Saudi Arabia, India, and other central banks slowly shifted resources away from Treasuries into silver. On paper, TIPS and silver offer similar payments: If the money tanks and US prices increase, both assets may gain value.

The distinction is that the Treasury cannot acquire central bank vault gold in the same way it is acquire central banks holdings of its own obligations. Up to 80 basis points ( 0.8 % ) of the rise in TIPS yields during the past six months, I showed in a January 10 analysis, can be attributed to foreign central banks ‘ sales of US Treasury securities.

The hedge fund group has turned northern banks into gold. The price of real gold and the option price on the gold price are both affected by a shift in the relationship. Implied volatility is a standardized measure of the cost of metal choices, and under normal conditions, it falls as the gold rate rises.

That’s because silver mining companies have been the biggest consumers of golden choices, when the gold rate falls, they buy alternatives to lock in their revenue, and vice versa. But in 2024, something fresh happened: The cost of gold possibilities rose along with the golden value.

The gold implied volatility against price forms a” V” in the scatter chart below. That indicates that hedge funds placed wagers on a rise in silver prices.

Graphic: Asia Times

Gold is a standout in the complex of options on macro variables ( stocks, currencies, bonds, and commodities ). While other markets are softer in terms of risk and the price of gold options ( implied volatility ) is trading at a two-year high.

Graphic: Asia Times

Gold’s virtue is that it has a government decree-free value; it is the only form of currency that can be accepted if all else fails. It is the economic resource of last resort. With some exceptions, the bill of nearly all of the major markets has increased alarmingly in relation to economic output over the past ten years.

President Trump is walking a rope, trying to stimulate financial growth through tax breaks while juggling a document non-war, non-recession budget gap. The dangerous nature of this is heightened by Gold’s outperformance.

Observe David P Goldman on X at @davidpgoldman

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