The Korean daily media headlines and humor
Monday, November 21, 2016
Your Excellency:
Here are The Korea Post notices and a roundup of important headlines from all major Korean-language dailies, TV and other news media of Korea today:
Very Respectfully Yours
/s/
Lee Kyung-sik
Publisher-Chairman
Korea Post Media
Turkmenistan hosts party to celebrate 25th year of independence
‘Frequent exchange of visits at highest level a great impetus to upping bilateral relations’
Ambassador Myrat Mammetalyyev of Turkmenistan in Seoul said, “The Republic of Korea is one of the most friendly and reliable partners of the Republic of Korea.” Speaking at a reception he hosted at the Grand Hyatt Seoul on Nov. 9, 2016 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of independence of his country, Ambassador Mammaetalyyv said, “Frequent exchanges of the visits on a highest level during the past few years has given a great impetus for the increasing the level of bilateral relations between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea.” (See excerpts from his speech toward the end of this article.)
An estimated 500 Korean and international dignitaries from all walks of life attended the reception, including many ambassadors.
Among the Korean guests in attendance were Deputy Minister Choi Jong-moon of Multilateral and Global Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and leading figures from various segments of Korean society, including the media where Publisher-Chairman Lee Kyung-sik of The Korea Post media. From the international community also came many dignitaries including the Seoul Diplomatic Corps, from which many ambassadors attended the function with their spouses.
(Please scroll down to the bottom for further details on the function.—Ed.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
‘President Park suspected of involvement in Choi corruption case’: Prosecution
Yonhap news, Nov. 20, 2016: President Park Geun-hye is suspected of having played a part in the corruption and influence-peddling scheme involving her close friend and key aides, prosecutors said Sunday, after weeks of an intensive investigation into the scandal that has been rocking the country.
Park allegedly "colluded" with her longtime friend Choi Soon-sil, suspected of interfering in various state affairs and bullying local conglomerates in collaboration with two former presidential aides, the prosecution team looking into the scandal said in an interim probe result.
Still, the prosecution said it cannot indict Park, citing the Constitution, which stipulates that the country's president is immune from prosecution except in cases of insurrection or treason.
"Based on such judgment, the special probe team will continue investigating the president," Lee Young-ryeol, the chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office who heads the team, told a press briefing.
Choi Soon-sil, a long-time friend of Park, was indicted earlier in the day on a string of charges, including abuse of authority, coercion, attempted coercion and attempted fraud, according to the prosecution.
The 60-year-old is suspected of pressuring 53 companies to donate a combined 77.4 billion won (US$65.7 million) to two nonprofit foundations she allegedly controlled. Choi was also charged with attempting to funnel money from one of the foundations to a company she controlled.
South Korea's retail giant Lotte, No. 1 carmaker Hyundai Motor Group, steelmaker POSCO and telecom giant KT are some of the big business groups that were forced to give business favors to Choi.
Lee Young-ryeol, the chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office who headed the team investigating the influence-peddling scandal surrounding President Park Geun-hye and her confidante, announces the interim probe results during a press briefing at the prosecution's office in Seoul on Nov. 20, 2016. (Yonhap)
An Chong-bum, former senior secretary for policy coordination, was indicted on the same day for allegedly collaborating with Choi in the process, the prosecution said.
Prosecutors also pressed charges against Jeong Ho-seong, who served as former senior secretary for private presidential affairs, on suspicions of handing over confidential government and presidential documents to Park's confidante.
Jeong is suspected of delivering a total of 180 documents, including 47 confidential materials, to Choi from January 2013, when the Park Geun-hye administration was launched, to April this year.
The documents -- which ranged from Park's speech notes for meetings with the Cabinet and chief secretaries, schedules of her overseas trips and plans on a government reshuffle to those related to diplomatic issues -- were handed over via emails, fax and courier, according to the prosecution.
An and Jeong are Park's top aides who resigned late last month in the wake of the scandal. The two, as well as Choi, are currently in custody.
The president was booked as a suspect as she is known to have been involved in most of the allegations raised against the three indicted Sunday.
The prosecution stipulated in their written indictment that the irregularities were committed "in collusion with President Park Geun-hye," said Roh Seung-kwon, a senior prosecutor at the investigation team.
The indictment came as Park accelerated her resumption of state affairs, naming new vice ministers, despite calls for her to step down over the scandal.
On Thursday, her attorney Yoo Yeong-ha effectively rejected prosecutors' repeated demand for her to undergo questioning over her possible role in the alleged irregularities before they press charges against Choi. Yoo said he will prepare for the interrogation so it can take place sometime this week.
Park's approval rating remained at a record-low 5 percent last week, according to local pollster Gallup Korea, amid a series of anti-Park rallies held throughout the country.
On Nov. 12, some hundreds of thousands of citizens took to the streets in the largest number since the democratization of the country decades ago. Organizers said up to 1 million people took part in the protest, demanding Park's resignation, while police put the number at 260,000. Another massive anti-Park rally was held in downtown Seoul on Saturday for the fourth straight weekend.
---------------------------------
What’s ticking in Korea today?
Here is a quick roundup of important news stories from the major Korean news media today:
KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)
Attorney: Park Not to Cooperate with Investigation
Anchor: President Park Geun-hye's attorney says the president will not comply with the prosecution's request to undergo questioning in person after it identified her as an accomplice in the Choi Soon-sil case on Sunday. Park, who is mired in the biggest political crisis of her life, will likely face an immense uphill battle including efforts for her impeachment.
Opp. Heavyweights Call for Discussion on Park's Impeachment
As the prosecution specified President Park Geun-hye's alleged involvement in the influence-peddling scandal, opposition heavyweights have called for discussions to impeach the president.
Prosecution: Park an Accomplice to Choi Scandal
Anchor: The prosecution is zeroing in on the president to shed light on her involvement in the Choi Soon-sil influence-peddling scandal. While indicting President Park Geun-hye's friend Choi and former presidential aides on Sunday, the special investigation team said that the president is an accomplice in the case despite her immunity from criminal lawsuits.
Opposition: Conditions Met to Impeach Park
The main opposition Democratic Party said on Sunday that the grounds for impeaching President Park Geun-hye have been met as the prosecution announced that the president played a role in the corruption and influence-peddling scandal involving her close confidant and aides.
Exports to China Post Minus Growth for 16th Month
South Korean exports to China continued to post negative growth for the 16th straight month since July last year.
Overseas Card Spending Record High in Q3
South Koreans' credit card spending overseas sharply rose to reach a quarterly high in the third quarter.
KOSPI, KOSDAQ Close the Week in Negative Territory
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index(KOSPI) on Friday lost five-point-97 points, or zero-point-three percent, to close at one-thousand-974-point-58, after U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen hinted that interest rates may be raised soon.
Trump's Security Adviser Calls S. Korea-US Alliance 'Vital'
Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, who was tapped as President-elect Donald Trump's national security adviser, told a South Korean delegation in Washington that the South Korea-U.S. alliance is a "vital" partnership that should be further strengthened.
Trump Makes More Appointments; Romney Mentioned as Possible Secretary of State
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has announced more appointments to his administration following the naming of Reince Priebus as his chief of staff.
950,000 Protesters Hold Rallies Nationwide Calling for Park's Resignation
About 950-thousand protesters held rallies nationwide on Saturday demanding President Park Geun-hye’s resignation over the Choi Soon-sil scandal.
Rallies Calling for Park's Resignation Being Held Nationwide
Rallies are being held for the fourth weekend in a row in 46 locations nationwide on Saturday demanding the president's resignation over the Choi Soon-sil scandal.
Gov't Issues 36-Hour Ban on Movement of Poultry, Related Personnel
In the wake of outbreaks of avian influenza(AI) at two farms on Thursday, the government imposed a ban on the movement of poultry and related products and personnel to prevent the virus from spreading.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
Obama, Xi reaffirms commitment to nuclear-free Korean Peninsula in last summit
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed their commitment to a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula as they held their last meeting on the sidelines of a regional summit, the White House said.
Bolton says in jest N. Korea would be happy if he becomes top U.S. diplomat
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (Yonhap) -- John Bolton, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and one of President-elect Donald Trump's candidates for secretary of state, sarcastically said Sunday that North Korea would be happy if he gets the job.
Trump discusses N. Korea with top defense secretary candidate
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (Yonhap) -- North Korea was one of the key topics when U.S. President-elect Donald Trump met with a retired Marine Corps general considered a top candidate for defense secretary, according to the transition team.
Park Tae-hwan anchors S. Korea to bronze in freestyle relay at Asian championships
SEOUL, Nov. 20 (Yonhap) -- Former Olympic swimming champion Park Tae-hwan closed out his Asian Swimming Championships in Tokyo with a bronze medal in the men's 4x100m freestyle relay event on Sunday.
Park's attorney rejects prosecution's interim investigation results
SEOUL, Nov. 20 (Yonhap) -- President Park Geun-hye's attorney on Sunday rejected the prosecution's investigation results, saying he cannot accept any allegations that implicated the president as an accomplice in the corruption and influence-peddling scandal involving her confidante.
Park suspected of colluding with friend, aides in corruption: prosecution
SEOUL, Nov. 20 (Yonhap) -- President Park Geun-hye is suspected of having played a part in the corruption and influence-peddling scheme involving her close friend and key aides, prosecutors said Sunday, after weeks of an intensive investigation into the scandal that has been rocking the country.
S. Korean military fully prepared to cope with NK provocation
SEOUL, Nov. 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's military said Sunday it is fully prepared to cope with any provocations on the Seohae Islands, along the inter-Korean maritime border.
Hyundai's Ioniq Electric gets top ratings on fuel economy in U.S.
SEOUL, Nov. 20 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co.'s Ioniq Electric car has received the top rating on fuel economy from the U.S. government, making it the most fuel efficient electric car.
Biotech firm Medipost sets up joint venture in Japan
SEOUL, Nov. 20 (Yonhap) -- Medipost Co., a South Korean biotechnology firm, said Sunday it has set up a joint venture in Japan to sell stem cell-based drugs in the Japanese market.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Korea Herald (http://www.koreaherald.com)
President a suspect in Choi case
President Park Geun-hye is officially a suspect in a criminal investigation, South Korean prosecutors investigating the alleged influence-peddling and corruption scandal involving her confidante Choi Soon-sil said Friday.
Opposition vows to impeach Park
Opposition heavyweights Sunday vowed to pursue the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye over the influence-peddling and corruption scandal tied to her longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil.
Demonstrations turn whimsical
With South Korea seeing a series of street rallies against scandal-hit President Park Geun-hye in recent weeks, the protests are turning more creative with satirical performances, open microphone sessions, comedy and music.
No time to delay corporate restructuring: experts
The South Korean government’s almost nonexistent measures to speed up corporate restructuring in ailing industries under no clear economic leadership has exacerbated the country’s already-weak long-term growth prospects.
Park's attorney rejects prosecution's interim investigation results
President Park Geun-hye's attorney on Sunday rejected the prosecution's investigation results, saying he cannot accept any allegations that implicated the president as an accomplice in the corruption and influence-peddling scandal involving her confidante.
Cheong Wa Dae says Park was in residence during Sewol disaster
President Park Geun-hye attended to official duties at her private residence during the 2014 ferry disaster, Cheong Wa Dae said Saturday, in yet another effort to defuse rumors about Park’s so-called “seven missing hours.”
Incheon Airport opens clothing rental service
Incheon Airport’s passenger terminal launched a unique clothes sharing service named “Seinustar” last Thursday, company officials said.
Scandal-hit companies cautious but relieved over interim probe results
South Korea’s major conglomerates on Sunday remained cautious, but relieved upon the prosecution’s announcement of its interim probe results, which officially named President Park Geun-hye as an accomplice, but did not treat their vast donations as bribes.
Future car around the corner: Tesla Model S 90D
TOKYO -- US Tesla’s electric vehicles are about to hit the South Korean market with its flagship store set to open in Starfield Hanam, located some 20 kilometers east of Seoul, as early as the end of November.
‘NPS suffers 28% loss in Samsung C&T stocks since merger’
The National Pension Service’s stock investment in Samsung C&T has suffered a loss of 590 billion won ($500 million) since it voted to approve the merger of Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries in July last year, industry data showed Sunday.
Train derails in north India, killing 104; many trapped
PUKHRAYAN, India (AP) -- At least 104 people were killed when 14 coaches of an overnight passenger train rolled off the track in northern India on Sunday, with rescue workers using cutting torches to try to pull out survivors, police said.
Trump signals shift to right in US security policy
President-elect Donald Trump has picked Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions for attorney general and Kansas Rep. Mike Pompeo to head the CIA, signaling a sharp rightward shift in US security policy as he begins to form his Cabinet.
Time magazine picks 100 most influential photos of all time
A single drop of milk. A newborn baby. The ravages of war and terrorism. The defiance of those who protest and the fear of those entrapped.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
President cited as 'criminal suspect'
The prosecution called President Park Geun-hye an "accomplice" to her friend Choi Soon-sil and pledged to investigate the President as a "criminal suspect" in the unfolding influence-peddling scandal, Sunday, dealing a severe blow to Park who faces growing calls to step down.
Candlelit protests unlikely to wane
Saturday's mass candlelit rallies against President Park Geun-hye showed the people calling for her resignation is strengthening amid the swirling influence-peddling and corruption scandal involving her longtime friend Choi Soon-sil.
Unfolding history, coloring humanity
Cartoonist Kim Kwang-sung captures people's intrinsic down-to-earth warmth from some of the darkest moments in modern Korean history.
Politicians' foul play hurts sports
In the past, some political leaders, particularly those who rose to power through a military coup, used sports to turn the public's attention away from political turmoil to fun, enjoyable sporting events.
Choi, An indicted over abuse of power, coercion
The prosecution on Sunday indicted President Park Geun-hye's confidant Choi Soon-sil and two former presidential aides for their roles in the influence-peddling scandal.
Cheong Wa Dae's fact checker under fire
Cheong Wa Dae's new fact-checking section ,on its website, addressing reports and rumors regarding President Park Geun-hye is drawing criticism as it selectively explains the administration's wishes, avoiding answering allegations linking her to the corruption scandal involving her confidant Choi Soon-sil.
Kim Yu-na may be another scandal victim
Suspicion is rising that the government disadvantaged Olympic champion figure skater Kim Yu-na because she would not cooperate with the scandal-ridden manipulative ties of President Park Geun-hye.
Park supporters 'hit JTBC reporters'
President Park Geun-hye supporters allegedly attacked JTBC reporters preparing to broadcast a pro-Park rally at Seoul Station Square on Saturday afternoon.
Choi scandal opens floodgates for political mockery
In the third mass anti-president rally in downtown Seoul on Nov. 12, where 1 million citizens holding candles chanted slogans calling for scandal-plagued President Park Geun-hye's immediate resignation, K-pop singer Lee Seung-hwan graced the finale of a street concert.
Korean AI beats humans in quiz contest
Exobrain, an artificial intelligence (AI) system developed by the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), overwhelmed human quiz champions, the institute said Sunday
Mobile sector at forefront of top game expo
BUSAN ― This year's G-Star, Korea's largest international gaming exhibition, has shown that mobile games can offer substantial, entertaining exhibition content.
Fiction writer decodes mystery about president's 7-hour whereabouts
President Park Geun-hye's seven-hour whereabouts during the sinking of the passenger ferry Sewol on April 16, 2014, has remained a mystery, despite the passage of two and half years after the tragedy.
Government stops officials from watching anti-president rally
Seoul Government Complex ordered public officials to close the curtains on Saturday night when about 600,000 people gathered near the buildings at Gwanghwamun Square calling for President Park Geun-hye's resignation.
2017 Grandeur suggests Hyundai Motor's future identity
Hyundai Motor's ambition to enter the premium sedan market segment has started to gel after Korea's largest carmaker introduced the Genesis brand as its new luxury vehicle division, November last year.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dong-A Ilbo (http://english.donga.com)
Incoming U.S. national security advisor calls S. Korea ‘vital alliance’
Relations between South Korea and the U.S. are a “vital alliance” and should be further strengthened and he plans to tackle the nuclear issue of North Korea as a priority, said Michael Flynn (photo), U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for national security advisor.
Homebred AI wins a landslide victory over quiz wizards
Led by the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) and co-developed by 20 other research labs, the "Made in Korea" artificial intelligence (AI) Exobrain gained a landslide victory over humans in its first quiz contest.
Renewing contracts with foreign baseball players ends on Friday
The deadline for renewing contracts with foreign baseball players are four days ahead, and Korean baseball teams are still contemplating over their global mercenaries. Indeed, a team's final rank is decided upon diligent foreign starters and sluggers who will make it to the last game of the over six-month regular season.
Talk about impeaching the president grows in political parties
As the prosecution labeled President Park Geun-hye as a suspect when announcing an interim result of its investigation into the Choi Soon-sil gate on Sunday, talk about impeaching the president is growing in the political circle.
New classics theater to open at Cheongna
The "Elim Arts Center" - theater exclusively designed for classical music - will open on Dec. 9 at Cheongna International City in Incheon.
Gov't rejects Google's request for map data
Efforts of Google to take the South Korean government’s mapping data out of country have failed at last. For the past nine years, the U.S.-based Internet service provider had asked the government to allow it to export detailed mapping data of the Korean Peninsula and the government rejected its request.
Abe meets Trump in New York
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in New York to discuss bilateral matters including U.S.-Japan alliance and Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) on Thursday (local time). Abe became the first leader to hold a summit with the next U.S. president since his victory on Nov. 9.
Heritage Foundation: 'Seoul pays substantial resources for U.S. Forces Korea'
Washington-based think tank Heritage Foundation, which is deeply involved in the transition team for the newly-elected U.S. President Donald Trump, said on Wednesday (local time) that South Korea provides "substantial resources" for the upkeep of U.S. forces stationed in the country.
Hyundai Ioniq Electric gets better fuel economy than Tesla
Hyundai Motor's pure electric vehicle (EV) Ioniq is confirmed to have the highest fuel economy among other global rivals such as BMW, General Motors (GM), and Tesla.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chosun-Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)
Low Income, Poor Education Dim Marriage Prospects for Men
Men in their 20s and 30s with low levels of education or non-regular jobs have trouble finding someone who will marry them, according to a study by the Korea Labor and Society Institute.
Germany's Merkel Announces Run for 4th Term
German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced Sunday she is seeking a fourth term as head of government. Merkel told reporters she had a meeting with high ranking members of her Christian Democrats (CDU) before officially sharing the decision.
Global Press Has Field Day with Korea's Crony Scand
The global press is having a field day with the crony scandal that has engulfed President Park Geun-hye, watching in disbelief as ever more bizarre revelations make the headlines every day.
Korea Braces for Massive Protests on Saturday
Police are bracing for another massive candle-light rally in downtown Seoul on Saturday after last week's protests drew up to 1 million people from all walks of life to the streets of downtown Seoul.
Hard Times Ahead for Korean Businesses
Awkward times lie ahead for Korea's big businesses.
The ongoing probe into conglomerates involved in the crony scandal that has engulfed President Park Geun-hye will probably take a long time now the National Assembly has agreed to appoint an independent counsel and set up an investigative committee.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HanKyoReh-Shinmoon (http://english.hani.co.kr)
Dreaming of a new world, one million candles again burn nationwide
The million candles are growing even stronger. The beacon that began burning on Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square has now spread nationwide: 600,000 in Seoul, 100,000 in Busan, 40,000 in Gwangju, 25,000 in South Gyeongsang Province, 25,000 in Daegu, 15,000 in South Jeolla Province, 12,000 in Gangwon Province.
US experts: In short term, Pres. Trump likely to strengthen sanctions on North Korea
American experts on Korean affairs mostly agree that, in the short term, the US administration of president-elect Donald Trump will continue the policy of putting pressure on North Korea, which could include imposing tougher sanctions.
Majority of US experts support negotiations to freeze N. Korea’s nuclear program
Amid a sharp public debate over the North Korean policy of the next administration that has taken place between hardliners and pragmatists in Washington since before the US presidential election, it turns out that a significant number of pragmatists support the idea of entering negotiations with North Korea with the short-term goal of freezing the North’s nuclear program.
Number of multicultural marriages have decreased for five consecutive years
Marriages between South Koreans and non-Koreans – which are called “multicultural marriages” or “international marriages” – are steadily decreasing. The number of babies being born to such families is on the decline as well. This is the result of tougher regulations put in place in 2010 in response to the social consequences of the rampant proliferation of multicultural marriage brokers.
What does a population decline mean for employment?
It’s a question with no correct answer. Even if the population declines in absolute terms, it is unclear whether job numbers will be sustained at their current levels. Experts predict an imminent decline in the economically active population and a continued low birth rate situation will result in a practical labor shortage.
South Korean government refuses Google’s request to provide detailed map data
The South Korean government has ruled not to grant Google’s request to allow detailed map data to be provided.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JoongAng-Ilbo(conservative) (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/)
Prosecutors name Park as criminal suspect
President Park Geun-hye is now a suspect in an ongoing criminal investigation into the massive influence-peddling scandal involving her friend and former Blue House aides, the prosecution said Sunday.
BOK buys 1.5 trillion won in bonds to stabilize market
With the financial market jittery since U.S. Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen’s hinted at raising U.S. interest rates, Korea’s central bank announced it intends to intervene in the local market with the hopes of stabilizing it for the first time in eight years.
U.S.-Korea relations are a ‘vital alliance,’ says Flynn
Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, the nominee for national security adviser to U.S. President-elect Donald J. Trump, called U.S.-South Korea relations a “vital alliance” in his meeting with South Korea’s deputy chief of the National Security Office Cho Tae-yong in New York on Friday, according to a Korean official.
Google’s DeepMind uses ‘dreams’ to learn
Androids may not, as science fiction writer Philip K. Dick once posited, dream of electric sheep. But the newest artificial intelligence system from Google’s DeepMind division does indeed dream, metaphorically at least, about finding apples in a maze.
Sonokong head excited to team up with Mattel
Choi Shin-kyu, chairman of Korea’s top animation and toy company, Sonokong, announced on Oct. 10 that he had sold 11.99 percent of the company’s shares to Mattel, a major toy manufacturing company based in the United States. The shares sold used to belong to Choi, who had previously owned 16.93 percent of the company’s shares. The stock was sold for 13.968 billion won ($11.8 million).
Foreigners fear scandal fallout
Han Jin-young, a 42-year-old worker at an overseas-based trading company, is frequently asked about the troubles these days in Korean politics from foreign customers. Han can’t help but worry about the impact Korea’s recent political affairs related to President Park Geun-hye’s close friend Choi Soon-sil could have on his brisk business.
‘Lee lobbied officials in Gangnam hostess bar’
Lee Yeong-bok, CEO of Cheongan Construction and head of a lush urban development project in Busan, who is accused of amassing 57 billion won ($48.8 million) in slush funds, used to rent out a hostess bar in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, where he would “lobby people related to the prosecution and Blue House,” according to a source who spoke exclusively with the JoongAng Ilbo on Friday.
Shenzhen-Hong Kong Connect attracts Koreans
When Korean investors gained access to some Shanghai Stock Exchange indexes through a trading link called Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect two years ago, they were betting big.
Candlelit vigils spread across the nation
Some 950,000 people lit candles throughout the country on Saturday in the fourth mass rally to demand President Park Geun-hye’s resignation over the corruption scandal surrounding Park and her friend, Choi Soon-sil.
Shared offices is rising trend in commercial space
Pioneering the so-called sharing economy, Silicon Valley companies such as Airbnb and Uber and have been letting people around the world share houses and cars. Next rose the notion of shared office space, led by another company, WeWork.
Smart watches still looking for a raison d’etre
As more companies try to make a splash with smart watches, the purpose of such a product is still unclear. Could smart watches prove themselves to be more than expensive step counters?
CU’s delivery service soars since its launch
It has been a year since CU, the biggest convenience store chain in Korea, officially started delivery to its customers, and the company said this week that the number of delivery orders increased more than 10 times since last year. The delivery service had been in trial from 2010 until November 2015, its official launch.
Park comes away from Asian meet with 4 golds
Korean swimmer Park Tae-hwan claimed four golds from a major swimming competition in Asia, raising hopes among Korean fans that he may stay in the pool until the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The KyungHyang-Shinmoon(http://english.khan.co.kr/)
Claiming to Defend the Constitution after Disregarding It: "Stubborn President" Deceiving the People
President Park Geun-hye is going against public opinion, ignoring any efforts to resolve the situation triggered by the "secret heavyweight" Choi Soon-sil's involvement in state affairs, an incident that also involves the president.
Teenagers Enraged at "Privileges Enjoyed by Chung Yoo-ra" Light Candles After CSATs
On November 17, high school seniors who had completed taking the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) carried candles calling for President Park Geun-hye to step down.
A Diplomatic Embarrassment by a "Vegetable Government" Sending a Delegation to Trump, Yet to Be Inaugurated
On November 16, the government sent a government delegation led by Cho Tae-yong (photo), first director of the National Security Council in Cheong Wa Dae (vice ministerial position) to meet with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's aides, triggering fierce criticism.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Korea Economic Daily (http://english.hankyung.com/)
Prosecutors Find Incontrovertible Evidence of Presidential Wrongdoings
An unprecedented incident is under way in which the sitting President is investigated for violating laws.
Presidential Palace Hits back with Impeachment Card
President Park Geun-hye made clear her stance of not complying with the prosecutors' investigation earlier expected this week and said she would rather go through an impeachment process.
Companies Have Hard Time Securing Funds Due to Higher Bond Rates
Companies are having a hard time securing funds due to a rise in interest rates and the won-dollar exchange rate. It was largely because of the "Trump shock" that hit global bond markets hard.
Ssangyong Motor's Tivoli Enjoy Rising Popularity in Iran
Ssangyong Motor is gaining a larger share at a rapid pace in the Middle East-North African market on the back of the rising popularity of its SUV Tivoli.
Merger between Mirae Asset Daewoo and Securities Breaks through Final Barrier
With respect to the merger between Mirae Asset Daewoo and Mirae Asset Securities, the National Pension Service, which has about 400 billion won shares in them, decided not to exercise its rights to request the purchase of its shares.
Oct. Producer Prices Hit Record High Level in 12 Months
Amid a situation in which fears of inflation are rising in the wake of Donald Trump's win in the November 8 U.S. Presidential election, the same worries are mounting in Korea as well. The paths through which the inflation may materialize are two-folds. First, supply-side inflation may arise by means of increases in oil and coal prices.
Qualcomm Consigns Production of Next-generation AP to Samsung, Instead of TSMC
Qualcomm consigned the production of next-generation mobile application processors to Samsung Electronics instead of TSMC of Taiwan. Samsung announced on November 17 that it will produce Qualcomm's AP "SnapDragon 835" through a 10-nanometer FinFET processing technology.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AJU Business Daily (http://eng.ajunews.com/korea)
Prosecutors define president as criminal suspect in corruption scandal
South Korean prosecutors defined President Park Geun-hye as a criminal suspect Sunday after indicting her longtime friend and two former presidential aides for their involvement in a massive corruption scandal.
Opposition presidential candidates urge Park's early resignation
Opposition presidential candidates challenged South Korea's scandal-stricken President Park Geun-hye Sunday to resign or face a humiliating impeachment after prosecutors promised to investigate the president as a criminal suspect.
Citizens stage candle-lit rallies nationwide demanding President Park's resignation
Hundreds of thousands of citizens staged peaceful candle-lit rallies in Seoul and elsewhere Saturday, calling for the immediate resignation of South Korea's scandal-stricken President Park Geun-hye.
Biotech firm Medipost sets up joint venture in Japan: Yonhap
Medipost Co., a South Korean biotechnology firm, said Sunday it has set up a joint venture in Japan to sell stem cell-based drugs in the Japanese market.
S. Korea rejects Google's new request to use map data
South Korea on Friday rejected a fresh request from global search engine Google to use government-supplied digital map data for global services, citing concerns about the exposure of sensitive security facilities.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maeil Business News Korea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/)
BOK to purchase government bonds worth 1.5 tr won to stabilize bond market
South Korea’s central bank will buy government bonds worth 1.5 trillion won ($1.27 billion) to stabilize markets facing rising uncertainties and volatility triggered by Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election and imminent U.S. rate hike.
New insurance standard IFRS 17 to swell Korean insurers’ debt
South Korean insurance companies should hurry up with capital expansion as a new global insurance standard, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 17, will take effect in 2021.
Seoul confirms it cannot allow Google use map data outside Korea
The South Korean government decided to disallow Google Inc. using and processing the nation’s map data outside the country citing security concerns.
LG OLED TV tops U.S. Consumer Reports TV ratings
LG Electronics Inc.’s organic light-emitting diode (OLED) TV has topped TV ratings of the U.S. Consumer Reports published on November 10 with the highest-ever score of 86 in the history of TV ratings since the magazine was published in 1936.
Korean households in standstill income and spending
In further indication of how tough the economy has been for Koreans, income remains stagnant as well as spending, widening the gap between the higher and lower cadre, a government data showed.
S. Korea’s Daesang Group speeds up hereditary succession to daughters
Two heiresses to family-owned Korean food conglomerate Daesang Group were promoted to senior executive level, indicating acceleration in the hereditary succession.
U.S. sports label Under Armour to make bold move in Korea
Under Armour Inc., a United States-based leading athletic brand, has decided to sell its products in South Korea through its directly managed brand stores, in a bid to boost its presence in the burgeoning local sportswear market.
Korea’s Dong-A Socio management turns younger
South Korean pharmaceutical conglomerate Dong-A Socio Group reorganized the senior executive level with younger generation to be bolder and adventurous in management style under 50-something chairman.
S. Koreans’ overseas card spending hit a new record high in Q3
Despite the sluggish economy, the amount of overseas card spending by South Koreans reached a record high in the third quarter of this year.
BOK vows to take timely actions as markets rock in post-Trump, Fed hike fear
South Korea’s central bank is keeping watch on market developments at home and abroad with ”utmost vigilance” and will take “timely” actions upon signs of spread in market jitters, said Bank of Korea governor Lee Ju-yeol.
S. Korea reaches free trade agreement with six Central American countries
South Korea struck chain free trade agreements with six Latin American countries -Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama and Guatemala, the trade ministry said.
What’s ticking around the world at this second?
See what the world media around the world have to report:
USA Today: www.usatoday.com aallman@gannett.com
The New York Times: www.nytimes.com inytletters@nytimes.com
Wall Street Journal: www.wsj.com support@wsj.com ,service@wsj-asia.com
Financial Times www.ft.com ean@ft.com
times www.thetimes.co.uk help@timesplus.co.uk
The Sun www.thesun.co.uk talkback@the-sun.co.uk
Chinese People's Daily www.people.com.cn kf@people.cn
China Daily www.chinadaily.com.cn circulation@chinadaily.com.cn
Gwangmyeong Daily www.gmw.cn webmaster@gmw.cn
Japan's Yomiuri www.yomiuri.co.jp japannews@yomiuri.com
asahi www.asahi.com customer-support@asahi.com
mainichi www.mainichi.jp
lemonde www.ilemonde.com
Italy rarepupeul Rica www.quotidiano.repubblica.it vittorio.zucconi@gmail.com
Germany Frankfurter AllgemeineZeitung www.faz.net anzeigen.ausland@faz.de
SüddeutscheZeitung www.sueddeutsche.de forum@sueddeutsche.de
Australia Brisbane Times www.brisbanetimes.com.au syndication@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Sydney Morning Herald www.smh.com.au