Some ivory factories closed South Korea detains former president
HONG KONG: China, the world’s largest importer and end user of elephant ivory tusks, shut a third of its ivory factories and retail stores yesterday, the first major step ahead of a formal ban on ivory sales by the end of the year.
China will shut 67 carving factories and stores and the remaining 105 outlets will be shut before the end of the year, according to documents released by China’s Forestry Administration.
The highprofile move has been hailed by activists, but they caution that Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China, remains a prime obstacle in eradicating the illegal elephant poaching trade.
The former British colony, which has the largest retail market for ivory and has traded it for more than 150 years, is a prime transit and consumption hub with more than 90% of consumers from mainland China.
Hong Kong set a timetable for a ban on ivory trading last year with a phaseout time of five years. Lawmakers met this week to discuss the ban but are yet to decide on details and whether to shorten the phaseout process.
Rights groups say a fiveyear horizon is too long and the problem of laundering ivory will become far more rampant before a total ban is in place.
WildAid, a wildlife NGO, estimates up to 30,000 elephants are killed illegally every year. It said markets like Hong Kong had provided ‘‘laundering mechanisms for poached ivory and perpetuated the demand’’.
While the price of ivory has fallen by almost twothirds in the past three years, according to a report by Save the Elephants, the danger from poaching remains acute.
China has pushed to eradicate ivory sales and demand has fallen since early 2014 due to a crackdown on corruption and slowing economic growth. Awareness campaigns starring Chinese celebrities have also highlighted the impact of poaching.
The wholesale price of raw ivory fell to $US730 a kg in February from $US1100 in November 2015 and $2100 in early 2014, according to Save the Elephants. — Reuters SEOUL: A South Korean court yesterday approved a warrant to arrest ousted president Park Geunhye, the country’s first democratically elected leader to be thrown out of office, on accusations of bribery and abuse of power.
Park (65) can be held in a cell for up to 20 days while she is investigated over allegations that she colluded with a friend, Choi Soonsil, to pressure big businesses to contribute to nowdefunct foundations set up to back her policy initiatives.
A judge at the Seoul Central District Court said in a statement that ‘‘the cause and the need for the warrant are recognised as the main charges against her have been verified and as evidence could be destroyed’’.
About two hours after the ruling, Park was driven to the Seoul Detention Centre located just outside the city, in a black car, with two female investigators escorting her, televised news showed.
Her supporters shouted her name and waved South Korean flags as she arrived at the detention centre, behind a cordon formed by the police to prevent the crowd from following her in and mixing with any Park opponents, who were also at the scene.
Park and Choi have both denied any wrongdoing. — Reuters