Following is the speech by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, at the National Day of the Republic of Korea reception today (October 19):
 
The Honourable Consul General (Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Hong Kong, Mr Yoo Hyungcheol), Mr Fang (Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr Fang Jianming), ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good evening. It's a great pleasure to join you tonight for the Republic of Korea's National Foundation Day, a day of celebration throughout this proud nation – and well beyond.
 
     South Korea is an economic role model for the world, with real GDP growth averaging 5.9 per cent between 1982 and 2022.
 
     Hong Kong much values our Korean business ties. Last year, Korea was our fifth largest merchandise trading partner and seventh largest market for domestic exports.
 
     Last year, too, more than US$39 billion, or 10.7 per cent, of the total merchandise trade between Korea and the Chinese Mainland was routed through Hong Kong. And Korea ranked 20th among Hong Kong's sources of inward direct investment at the end of 2021, with total stock in excess of US$4 billion.
 
     Hong Kong is home to about 140 Korean companies. I'm pleased to add that more than 40 per cent of them have chosen Hong Kong as their regional headquarters or offices. That speaks clearly of their confidence in Hong Kong's economy and our future.
 
     And I'm confident that our strong trade, business and investment ties are just getting started, particularly given that Hong Kong has formally requested accession to RCEP, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement.
 
     Korea, of course, is a founding member of RCEP. And we look forward to your support of Hong Kong's accession and the dynamic role we can play in RCEP.
 
     As one of the world's most open economies, Hong Kong has long been an important trade and investment partner of RCEP's member nations. No less important, we are blessed with the "one country, two systems" framework and the wide-ranging opportunities that singular reality presents.
 
     Business aside, our cultural links are warm and welcome. I need not tell you how popular K-pop, Korean TV dramas and movies are here in Hong Kong. Later this month, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) performs in Seoul and Daegu. In both cities, the concerts will be accompanied by star Korean violinist Inmo Yang. Hong Kong music lovers get to hear prize-winning Yang and the HK Phil next week, at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.  
 
     And there's much more Korean arts and culture on offer this month and next month, too, thanks to the annual Festive Korea, now in its 13th edition here in Hong Kong.
 
     This year's Festive Korea features some 40 programmes covering the performing and visual arts, film, sports, education and K-food. Call it K-fun, and know that it all takes place under the theme of "Closer to Korea".
 
     That's a theme, and a reality, Hong Kong believes in – and counts on.
 
     Please join me now in toast – to the Republic of Korea on its national day.

     Cheers! 

  

     The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened at the dock loading area of a cruise terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui today (October 19), in which one worker fell in the sea and was certified dead later in a hospital. The LD is saddened by the death of the worker and expresses its deepest sympathy to his family.
     
     The LD's spokesman said, "We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and warned the employer concerned, and urged that they must comply with the relevant occupational safety and health regulations and adopt suitable precautions to ensure the work safety of workers."
     
     The spokesman added, "We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation."
     
     The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years on conviction on indictment, or $3 million and imprisonment for six months on summary conviction.
     
     In regard to today's accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its website and by email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers' unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.
     
     The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees' compensation under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees' compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.
     
     For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers.

     â€‹The Women Empowerment Fund is open for the second round of applications this year starting from today (October 19) until November 20. The Fund subsidises community projects that support women in juggling their jobs and family life, bringing women's awareness to their own physical and mental health, and unleashing their potential.
      
     Set up in June 2023, the Fund aims to empower women, regardless of their age, occupation and background, to unleash their full potential in their respective roles, ultimately achieving the goal of promoting women's development in Hong Kong.
      
     The Fund is divided into general and thematic projects. The funding cap of each one-year and two-year general project is $400,000 and $800,000 respectively. For thematic projects this year, namely the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Exchange Programmes, each project shall be completed within one year and the funding cap is $120,000.
      
     The Fund accepts two rounds of applications each year. The Guide to Application and the application form have been uploaded to the Fund's website (www.wef.gov.hk). Interested women's organisations and non-governmental organisations may submit an electronic or paper application.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Octopus Cards Limited relating to a phishing email, fraudulent websites and mobile apps. The relevant stored value facility (SVF) licensee has reported the case to the HKMA. 
      
     The phishing email, fraudulent websites and mobile apps reported by the SVF licensee known at the time are as follows:
do-not-reply@bling[.]com[.]br
https[:]//u[.]to/2ToGIA
https[:]//web-awerna[.]instawp[.]xyz/
https[:]//dk-b-oeznvqokm292886[.]codeanyapp[.]com/
www[.]stbd[.]top
www[.]stbd[.]cc
www[.]sitongbada[.]cc
www[.]sitongbada[.]org
xgbdb[.]com
https[:]//ldy[.]stbd[.]top/app/20230928220229[.]apk
 
     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that anyone who has provided his or her personal information or account credentials, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the email, websites or mobile apps concerned, should contact the relevant SVF licensee, and report to the Police or contact the Anti-Deception Coordination Centre of the Police at 18222.

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs yesterday (October 18) arrested a male sales manager of a wholesaler suspected of supplying fish oil soft gel capsules with false trade descriptions, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Acting on information provided by a relevant organisation, Customs earlier test-purchased at a retailer two models of fish oil soft gel capsules which were suspected of carrying false trade descriptions. Customs officers later sent samples to the Government Laboratory for examination. The analysis results showed that the DHA and EPA contents of the two products were 30 per cent to 86 per cent less than the claimed value.

     Customs officers then mounted an enforcement operation yesterday and arrested a 36-year-old male sales manager of the wholesaler involved in the case.

     An investigation is ongoing and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure products at reputable shops.

     Under the TDO, any person who applies a false trade description to goods or supplies goods with a false trade description in the course of trade or business commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected violation of the TDO to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).