The Korean daily media headlines and humor

A taxpayer was unhappily conversing with the IRS Tax auditor who had come to review his records.
At one point the auditor exclaimed, "Mr. Carelton, as a citizen you have an obligation to pay taxes, and we expect you to eagerly pay them with a smile."
"Thank goodness," returned Mr. Carelton, with a giant grin on his face. "I thought you were going to want me to pay with cash."

Hankuk Kyungje
Dinner Guest
Little Mary was mummy’s helper.
She helped set the table when company was due for dinner.
Soon, everything was on, Mr. Brooks the guest came in, and everyone sat down.
Then mother noticed something was missing... “Mary, dear,” she said, “You didn’t put a knife and fork at Mr. Brooks’s place.”
“But, Mummy, I thought he wouldn’t need them,” explained Mary. “Daddy says he always eats like a horse!”
 -------------------------------------------
KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)

President Not to Budge Against Striking Rail Workers
Anchor: President Park Geun-hye has made it clear her administration will sternly deal with the current rail workers’ strike. She said there will be no future if the government compromises without principle.

Gov't Completes Second Phase of Move to Sejong City
The government held a ceremony on Monday marking the completion of the second phase of government offices’ move to the Sejong Government Complex south of Seoul.

'Jang Executed by N. Korea over Biz Rights Dispute'
Anchor: The National Intelligence Service says Kim Jong-un's uncle, Jang Song-thaek, was purged for overstepping his authority and rejecting instructions from Kim Jong-un on multiple occasions.

Opp. Submits Bill for Independent Counsel Probe of Election Scandal
Opposition party lawmakers submitted a bill to parliament on Monday seeking the introduction of an independent counsel to investigate political intervention allegations.

KORAIL to Hire New Personnel to Replace Union Members on Strike
South Korea's state-run rail operator says it will hire new personnel to replace union members on strike.

Damage from Humidifier Sanitizers Qualifies as Environmental Disease
Lung diseases caused by sanitizers used to clean humidifiers will be designated as an "environmental illness."

Avg. N. Korean Made W1.37 Mln in 2012: Statistics Korea
The nation's statistics agency says North Korea's per capita Gross National Income pales in comparison to the average income of a South Korean.
-------------------------------------------
Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)

S. Korea, China hold first diplomatic-defense talks
Senior diplomats and defense officials of South Korea and China on Monday exchanged views on recent developments in North Korea after the stunning execution of leader Kim Jong-un's uncle, in their first high-level security talks, a Seoul diplomat said.

Satellite spots N. Korea's fuel fabrication facilities in Yongbyon
North Korea appears to be running a new fuel fabrication plant in Yongbyon, an apparent sign that the secretive country is making an extensive effort to modernize and restart its nuclear facilities, a U.S. think tank said Monday in a report.

Obama, Xi face significant challenges in their Asia policies: CFR
Vying for enhanced influence in the Asia-Pacific region, the United States and China have struggled to move forward their own Asia strategies throughout 2013, experts here said Monday.

Military faces backlash over probe into cyber command
Opposition lawmakers accused the military Monday of trying to cover up more pervasive election meddling in last year's presidential poll by purposely carrying out a shoddy investigation into an alleged online smear campaign by the cyber warfare command.
---------------------------------------------
The Korea Herald (http://www.koreaherald.com)

Police raid fuels labor strife
Labor unrest is fast escalating following the police’s bungled crackdown on railway strikers Sunday as a major labor confederation threatened a general strike while President Park Geun-hye pledged no tolerance against “illegal” actions.

News List‘Jang executed due to involvement in economic projects’
Seoul’s spy chief on Monday linked the recent purge of the North Korean leader’s uncle to the...

Lasting impressions of 2013; national, world news of the year
The Korea Herald presents the top 10 most memorable local and international news of the year 20...

Psy’s energy gives local fans a holiday show not to be forgotten
“Are you ready?” was projected onto the giant stage screens as the 12,000 fans who flocked to...

Andres Iniesta signs with Barcelona unti...

2 Pussy Riot members released from priso...

Military faces backlash over probe into ...

S. Korea, China hold first diplomatic-de...

KORAIL to hire 500 temps to cope with pr...

Telecom operators out to gain more forei...

Korea to send more arms to its peacekeep...

Park to offer special pardon, hold first...

Tighter admission rules sought for overs...

NIS’ domestic arm receives budget cut

Assembly approves key bills on economic ...

Second group of ministries relocating to...

Security check

EU banking union ‘too complicated, too ...

New airstrikes on Syria’s Aleppo kill d...
 -------------------------------------------
The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)

2 Iron Ladies say `no compromise'
President Park Geun-hye said Monday there will be no compromise with the union of the Korea Railroad Corp. (KORAIL), which has been on what the government has labeled an “illegal” strike for more than two weeks. Park’s comments ...

`Will Texaco people drink this water?'
LAGO AGRIO, Ecuador - Big tall broad-leaf tropical trees stand close to each other in all directions for miles. The vast green mass is only disrupted by a meandering river of brown water. Sounds are plentiful: birds, insects, pl...

KORAIL to hire 500 replacements  
Korea Railroad Corp. (KORAIL) CEO Choi Yeon-hye said Monday that she plans to hire 500 engineers a... 

Conglomerates to face ban on inter-affiliate cross-shareholding  
Conglomerates are expected to be banned from new cross-shareholding among their affiliates as the ... 

Regulators zero in on ex-KDB chief  
Former KDB Financial Group Chairman Kang Man-soo is facing an investigation over suspicions that h... 

Copyright dispute dampens Christmas spirits 
Decibel levels of Christmas songs have been dramatically reduced along the streets of Seoul’s majo... 

Mobile carriers cater to expats 
The country’s three mobile service carriers are trying to cater better to expatriates whose number... 

Worshiper assaulted in SaRang Church row 
A member of SaRang Community Church in southern Seoul on Sunday assaulted a 34-year-old in the Pre... 

Special prosecutor motion proposed  
An opposition alliance jointly proposed a motion Monday to appoint a special prosecutor to investi... 

Rep. Ahn closer to forming new party  
Independent lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo took another step toward forming a new political party Monday o... 

Drivers to get ticket for idling engine 
Drivers who sit in stationary vehicles and allow their engines to run for more than three minutes ...

First female bank CEO nominated 
Korea’s banking industry will have its first female chief. The Financial Services Commission recom...
-------------------------------------------                                   
          
Dong A (http://english.donga.com)

Labor, gov`t face full-blown collision over rail union strike
Conflict between the government and the labor community is heading towards full-blown collision. The government re-emphasized its determination to “apply law and principle without exception.” The labor community is...

Based on principles
President Park Geun-hye chairs a meeting with senior presidential secretaries at the presidential office on Monday. The president said her intention that she would follow the rules regarding the railway workers’ strike,...

Drivers’ licenses annulled for leading illegal road blockade
Police have imposed stern punishment on protesters who illegally occupied a road and masterminded illegal action. According to Seoul’s Yongsan Police Station on Monday, police informed deprivation of drivers’ licenses...

Pres. Park has no reason not to readjust her pledges 
Signs are emerging on President Park Geun-hye`s attitude in handling her pledges. At a meeting with senior secretaries on December 9 and 16, President Park is known to have ordered modification of pledges that have gap with reality and to go slow with pledges with low possibility of realization.

Difference between Korean and U.S. presidential press conference

Companies likely to be pressured by increasing penalties 

Syrian rebels capture key oil-producing state
------------------------------------------- 
Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)

N.Korean Crisis Among Top Global Concerns in 2014
U.S. officials, academics and other experts point to North Korea as one of the top global security concerns in 2014.

N.Korea Tries to Cozy Up to China Again
North Korea is cozying up to China after executing former eminence grise Jang Song-taek, who had close ties with Beijing. Chinese media on Saturday said North Korea took part in an exhibition in China's Hubei Province which opened a day earlier.

S.Koreans Like Japan No Better Than N.Korea
The affection South Koreans feel for Japan has chilled to the temperature generated in their hearts by North Korea, chiefly due to Tokyo's lurch to the far right this year. Research and Research surveyed attitudes among South Koreans to neighbors China, Japan and North Korea as well as the U.S. in December.

American Jailed in UAE for YouTube Parody Video
An American citizen was sentenced to a year in prison in the United Arab Emirates on Monday for posting a parody video on YouTube which pokes fun at young Emirati men who imitate...

Jailed Pussy Riot Members Freed
Russia has freed two jailed members of the political protest punk band Pussy Riot under an amnesty law. Nadezhda Tolokonnikova left a prison in the Siberian city Krasnoyarsk...

Massive Lake Found Under Greenland Ice
A massive lake has been found under the ice in Greenland. The 43,500 sq.km body of water could have major implications for understanding sea level rise. Researchers at the...

Rodman Returns from N.Korea Visit

Apple, China Mobile Sign Long-awaited iPhone Deal

To increase the durability of stockings
-------------------------------------------
Hankyoreh (http://english.hani.co.kr)

To cling to power, Park administration resorts to force

Umbrella trade union KCTU sets Dec. 28 for a general strike
The Park Geun-hye administration, which has maintained an “uncommunicative and proud of it” approach on contentious social issues, is ramping up its use of force and rejecting dialogue.
In the latest development, police stormed the offices of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) on Dec. 22, the fourteenth day of an ongoing strike against railway privatization. It was the first time authorities had been sent into the KCTU since it was legalized in 1999.

[Analysis] The point of conflict in the debate over railway privatization
As part of the government’s response to the controversy over the privatization of the railroad, various officials - including the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport; the Minister of Strategy and Finance; and the Prime Minister - have stepped forward to reiterate that the separation of the Suseo KTX Line does not represent privatization. But the Korean Railway Workers’ Union and civic groups refuse to believe the government’s claims, insisting that this is the first step toward privatization.

In landmark ruling, court recognizes work stress as cause of suicide
A court has ruled to recognize a worker’s suicide as an industrial accident in a first-ever case using a “psychological autopsy” to establish a connection between his workload and his death.
A psychological autopsy is a process that attempts to ascertain the cause of a suicide by interviewing and questioning family members and colleagues, rather than simply examining documents.

More indebted people apply for government assistance to stave off bankruptcy
The number of court applications for personal rehabilitation because of debts has reached the highest level in Korean history. With working class families struggling under stagnant wages and growing financial burdens, more than 100,000 people are expected to apply for personal rehabilitation this year.

[Analysis] The point of conflict in the debate over railway privatization
staff reporter As part of the government’s response to the controversy over the privatization of the railroad, various officials - including the Minister of ...
-------------------------------------------
Joong Ang (conservative): (http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/)

Amid protest, Park to stick to ‘principles’
Korail looks to add more workers with no end in sight to strike
Despite mounting criticism of the police’s forcible entry Sunday into the headquarters of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions to arrest leaders of Korea Railroad Corporation (Korail) union, President Park Geun-hye made it clear yesterday that she would stick to her “principles.”…

Police criticized after raid at KCTU headquarters
Despite their controversial raid of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) without a search warrant on Sunday, the police failed to arrest key members…

Mysteries surrounding Jang’s death uncovered
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service chief briefed lawmakers over the mysteries surrounding the execution of Jang Song-thaek…

Diabetes patients, costs of treatment on the rise
Kim Jeong-bok, a daily wage worker in his 50s, was diagnosed with diabetes when he was 35. Doctors told him to take daily insulin shots and pay attention to his diet…

Budget bills’ passage down to wire
The chance of the National Assembly passing budget bills for 2014 by the end of the year appears slim, especially given that the ruling and opposition parties…

Weapons to be given to troops in South Sudan
The Korean government will provide additional weapons and ammunition to the national Army deployed to South Sudan amid escalating violence in the African country…

Analyst faults South’s readiness
South Korea “is not well prepared” for a sudden change of situation in the North, said defense expert Bruce Bennett, following the shocking purge of Jang Song-thaek…

Talk limited for many married couples: Survey
It seems that silence is golden for most married couples, with many husbands and wives spending only a fraction of time talking to each other…

2014 promises a securities sea change
The country’s securities industry is expected to undergo major changes next year with several mergers and acquisitions taking place among big and small brokerages…

Blockbuster year puts CGV at No. 5 in world
CJ CGV, Korea’s leading multiplex cinema operator, said yesterday it expects to be No. 5 in the global theater industry by the end of 2013…

Ulsan remains top city for per capita income
Ulsan has been the richest city in Korea for four years in terms of personal income, a government report said. According to Statistics Korea yesterday…

Apple nails down China Mobile deal
Apple, ending six years of negotiations, struck a deal to sell the iPhone through China Mobile, giving both companies a means to fight declining share in the market…

Renault Samsung QM3 off to a screaming start
Renault Samsung Motors President and CEO Francois Provost introduces QM3 at the vehicle launch ceremony at Platoon Kunsthalle in Gangnam, southern Seoul, on Dec. 6…
---------------------------------------------
Edaily (http://eng.edaily.co.kr/Stock/)

[US the closing price]The U.S. Dow Jones Index, 73.47p( 0.45%) slightly up.
The U.S. Dow Jones Index Closing (At 2013.12.23) The Dow closed at 16,294.61p, slightly up 73.47p( 0.45%)...

[Closed] Domestic rate of return of final bid closed. 3-year government bond up 0bp.
This is the rate of return of final bid. Quoted by Korea Financial Investment Association, domestic rate of return of final bid of 3-year government bond recorded at 2.88%, up (0bp) from yesterday. ...
[Table]Exchange Rate Quotation
This is Exchange rate Quotation offered by Korea Exchange Bank. [table] Exchange Rate Quotation Offered by KEB ...

[Table]Exchange Rate Currency Crossrate
2013.12.24 08:10(Korean time), this is Currency Crossrate of major 12 countries. [table] FX Cross Currency ...
---------------------------------------------
Maeil Kyungje (neutral-oriented conservative, economic/business): (http://news.mk.co.kr/english/)

Samsung presidents agree on need for fundamental change
Samsung Group’s presidents and the Future Strategies Office, the group’s de facto controlling tower, agreed on the urgency of the conglomerate’s need to seek a fundamental change and innovate with respect to technologies and management system next year. According to group officials, about 400 presidents participated in an overnight workshop at Samsung Human Resources Development Center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, Monday, in which they brainstorme...

Food firms committed to restoring consumer confidence with communication
South Korea’s food firms are working to reinvent themselves after weathering tough times amid an anti-adulterated food campaign and scandal of large companies abusing market dominant power to bully distributors this year.

Ruling, opposition parties likely to pass economic democratization bills within the year
The passage of economic democratization bills are picking up pace, as the National Assembly’s National Policy Committee (NPC) has passed the bill that prohibits conglomerates with over five trillion won ($4.7 billion) assets from starting a new cross-share holdings.

Park: compromise without principle darkens future
South Korean President Park Geun-hye noted Monday regarding strike by the state-run rail operator employees, “if we neglect principles and overlook wrongdoings in the face up to the immediate difficulties, this will never guarantee the bright future of the nation’s economy and society.”

Naver chairman tops list of those making biggest stock value gains this year 
Lee Hae-jin, chairman of the board at Naver, ranked first in terms of an increase in the value of stock holdings among South Korean investors this year.

Korea Exchange tops in average salary among public firms
The Korea Exchange paid an average of 113.39 million won ($106,810) per employee last year, leading the nation’s state-run companies in terms of average salary last year, according to data by the government.

Police raids KCTU to arrest KORAIL union leaders

'One of Seven Wonders of Winter' for a 22-day run

Hwacheon Mountain Trout Ice Festival opens Jan. 4

Named one of the 'even Wonders of Winter' by CNN and Lonely Planet, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo (Mountain Trout) Ice Festival is probably the most famous winter event in Korea. During the month of January every year, more than 1,000,000 people swarm Hwacheon in Gangwon province hoping to catch mountain trout bare-hand or ice fishing.
(Mayor Chung Gap-cheol invites the ambassadors and families to attend the Festival on Friday 17, 2014.)

▲1.4 million persons reportedly visited Hwacheon Mountain Trout Festival last year having their fill of the joys of the winter--ice-fishing mountain trouts and treating their eyes to the colorful lanterns of the angels at the Seondeung Candle Light Festival that takes place in the night.

▲Who said Hwacheon offers only ice-fishing? You can land mountain trouts also from the water standing on the river bank (top left). Koreans, expats, young and old, all enjoy various events of the Festival.

▲Left: Visitors pass through the colorfully lit ice tunnel. Right: You can also enjoy a 'sky ride' down the river.

Nestled between the town of Hwacheon and the mountains, the Hwacheon River is not only covered by a thick layer of ice, but also by thousands of festival participants.

The Hwacheon Mountain Trout Ice Festival will be taking place in Hwacheon County in Gangwon-do province on Jan. 4-26, 2014. This virtually untouched region is known as the first area in Korea that freezes over in winter, and the river is covered with a thick layer of ice.

Visitors can try out ice fishing, and those who are feeling brave can try to catch mountain trout with their bare hands. Along with fun activities and performances, there is also an exhibition of ice sculptures that usually take 20 weeks to prepare. Visitors can sample raw and grilled mountain trout, both of which are delicious.

A foreign visitor said: “Unlike some Korean festivals I have been to, there is a lot to do at this festival. You can ride an ATV or go kart on the ice, go sledding, ice skating, push a metal cart on the ice, or do some regular reel fishing.”

The events that are most popular are ice fishing and bare-handed fishing. For the ice fishing, you are provided with a hole in the ice and a bag for putting your catch for 10,000 won of which you get 10,000-won Love Gift, money you can spend around the festival grounds on food and souvenirs. “If you aren’t Korean, make sure to head to the foreigner only section. It is not only less crowded, but there is English-speaking help and you are given a free fishing pole,” said the foreign visitor.

When you get on the ice, pick a hole, let out enough line to get your lure to the bottom of the river. Then, quickly flick your wrist upwards and let it float back to the bottom. Some persistence is required, he stressed.

Hwacheon is considered a “clean region” where mountain trouts and otters live. Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival is opened in every January under the slogan of “Unfrozen Hearts, Unforgettable Memories” at Hwacheon that has geographical features of the fastest ice freezing in the country because of cold valley wind and clean water.

This is a unique theme experience festival full with good shows and 40 or about various experience programs, such as ice sledding, snow sledding, snow sculpture and ice soccer, Sancheoneo experience programs combined with the image of Hwacheon that has clean natural environment with the first grade clean water in Bukhangang (river) for catching Sancheoneo by hand, Sancheoneo fishing on the ice to catch the fish easily and enjoy the fishing by everybody, breaking the ice with 40cm thickness and above and looking at Sancheoneo in the deep water for your exciting play available for experiencing at Hwacheon only and heart-warm memory in winter.

Winter Sancheoneo! Sancheoneo Fishing! To mention about ice fishing, you need to catch at least one Sancheoneo. It is an elegant fish underneath ice out of comparison to the other fishes due to moderate size and beautiful shape.

Sancheoneo is hard to catch as it is rare but everyone can catch one or two Sancheoneo at Hwacheon with somewhat good luck and knack since 32 or 3 tons of fresh Sancheoneo are being put just under the fishing place every day for visitors for Sancheoneo festival. It is just the reason why a child or young girl without fishing experience is indulged in Sancheoneo ice fishing. K
---------------------------------------------

At the KUK Cultural Foundation Building behind Ritz Carlton Hotel

KUP hosts Year-end Concert with famed World Vision

Children’s Choir of Korea

The Korea United Pharmaceutical Co. (KUP), hosts a Gala Year-end Dinner and Concert at the Cultural Foundation Building of the Company in Seoul (located behind the Ritz Carlton Hotel) on Dec. 26, 2013. It is presented by the famed World Vision of Korea Children’s Choir. Chairman Kang Duk-yung of the KUP invites the ambassadors and madams to the prestigious concert.

The repertoire consists of three parts, which include:

Part I:
Han-River Taryung (arr. Lee, Hyun Chul)
This is an arrangement of Korean folk song 'Han River Taryung' and winner of '2013 Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival' in Folk song category. Using Korean traditional musical techniques and colors, it demonstrates the beauty and prosperity of Han river. Also fan dance emphasizes its beauty.