Mar. 19, 2015
The Korean daily media headlines and humor
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Your Excellency:
Here are The Korea Post notice, humor from a Korean-language economic daily from and a roundup of important headlines from all major Korean-language dailies, TV and other news media this morning:
Lee Kyung-sik
Publisher-Chairman
Korea Post Media
P.S.: 1. To see the desired site, press down the Control key and click the blue URL of the media.
2. If received by a person other than the intended recipient, please kindly convey the mail to His/Her Excellency.
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Today’s humor:
Hankuk Kyungje
Tardy Woman
One Sunday morning the woman was surprised to receive a phone call from her minister.
He said that he had just been in a minor car accident and asked if she could inform the congregation he’d be unable to conduct services that day.
The woman was flattered that out of the entire congregation, she was the one he had called - until the minister went on to say that she was always the last one to arrive at church, he knew she would be the only one he could still reach at home.
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Top headlines of major news media of Korea this morning:
KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)
War on Corruption Spreads to Past Resource Diplomacy Projects
Anchor: Prosecutors expanded a corruption probe on resource diplomacy projects carried out during the Lee Myung-bak administration. The prosecutors, this time,...
State Corp. Investigated Over Oil Exploration Project
Construction Firm Raided on Corruption Suspicions
Congress Likely to Allow Abe to Speak at Joint Session
Gaeseong Biz Delegation Discuss Wage Hike with N. Korean Officials
War on Corruption Spreads to Past Resource Diplomacy Projects
Seoul, Washington Not to Focus on THAAD at April KIDD
Ruling Party Calls for Swift Legislation Against Cyber Terrorism
KOSPI Ends Lower
Small SUV Market Heats Up
12.5% Unemployed or Underemployed in S. Korea
Seoul Against Linking Wage Hike and Anti-Pyongyang Leaflets
S. Korean Corporate Heads to Return After Gaeseong Wage Meeting
Rice Requests Strong Seoul-Tokyo Relations
US Lawmaker: Washington Behind N. Korea's Internet Blackout
State Corp. Investigated Over Oil Exploration Project
Subcontractors of POSCO E&C Raided Slush Fund Probe
Silla Dynasty Relics Unearthed from Historic
Government to Create New Symbol
Seoul to Open Experimental Curriculum for
Lunar Eclipse to be Visible on April 4
CO2 Levels on Korean Peninsula Reach New High
Disgraced Scientist Hwang Woo-suk to Clone Mammoth
Korean Air to Sponsor Pyeongchang Olympics
Sports Officials Heading to Switzerland for Park's Doping Hearing
S. Korea Grabs Gold at ISU Championships
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Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
Producer prices down for 7th straight month in Feb.
South Korea's producer prices fell for the seventh straight month in February as global oil prices continued to weaken, central bank data showed Thursday.
U.S. lawmaker demands Abe clearly apologize for wartime sexual slavery when addressing Congress
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe must include a clear apology for the country's sexual enslavement of women during World War II in an address he is expected to deliver at a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress, an American congressman said Wednesday.
S. Korea, China, Japan may discuss AIIB in Seoul: Beijing
The foreign ministers of South Korea, China and Japan are likely to discuss the Chinese-led multinational lender as they are set to hold a three-way meeting in Seoul later this week, China's foreign ministry said Wednesday.
S. Korea, U.S. to discuss THAAD at April defense talks: sources
South Korea and the United States are expected to discuss the possible deployment of a U.S. advanced missile-defense system on South Korean soil at their high-level defense talks next month, sources here said Wednesday.
U.S. lawmaker demands Abe clearly apologize for war..
Invitation for Abe's speech totally up to House speaker: R..
China says 'no information' on possible Kim-Xi meeting in ..
S. Korean businessmen visit N. Korea amid Kaesong..
Solving leaflet issue key to inter-Korean talks: ex..
Samsung mass produces memory chip for mid-end smartphones
Retailers, furniture makers tap homeware to compete with I..
Producer prices down for 7th straight month in Feb.
U.S. Fed opens way for interest rate hike
NC Dinos slugger Eric Thames shooting for MVP in se..
Korean Air signs on as corporate sponsor for PyeongChang W..
Two teen short trackers reserve highest praise for one ano..
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The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
S. Korean businessmen visit N. Korea amid Kaesong wage row
Prosecution raids Korea National Oil Prosecutors raided the head offices of the Korea National Oil Corp. (KNOC) and Keangnam Enterprises, Wednesday, as part of their widening investigation into allegations of corruption surrounding the failed “energy diplomacy” con...
Gender pay gap huge at big companies
Males working at conglomerates are earning on average 26.3 million won more annually than female workers. At banks, the gender wage gap was even bigger at 44 million won. The difference can largely be attributed to the fact that...
Seoul Phil's blind love for Chung
Is the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) a cult led by its musical director Chung Myung-whun? Loy...
Jin Air to fly to Hawaii
Jin Air, a low-cost carrier (LCC) affiliated with Korean Air, will operate flights between Incheon...
Gov't sued for keeping woman in mental hospital for 33 years
A mentally challenged woman who was kept in a state mental hospital for 33 years filed a compensation suit against the government Wednesday.
Seoul, Washington to discuss THAAD next month
Korea and the United States are expected to discuss the thorny issue of THAAD deployment next month, government officials said, Wednesday.
US lawmaker says N. Korea Web outage was response to Sony hack
North Korea’s Internet blackout was payback for its hacking of Sony Pictures, said a U.S. lawmaker in charge of overseeing cyber security at a Washington-base...
Museum director in quest for undiscovered jewel photos
Great photos have a lasting impact on people. This belief has motivated Song Young-sook to spend t...
Google apps to get new global age-rating system
All apps and games on Google Play will come with age-based ratings from May.
Korea, US to exchange accountholder data
Seoul and Washington will exchange data on taxpayers’ bank accounts every September to bolster their tax revenue, the National Tax Service (NTS) said Wednesda...
Korea weighing joining AIIB
Korea is still considering joining the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) amid a simmering row between Washington and Beijing over the inte...
Shinhan to solidify leading bank status
Shinhan Bank pledged Wednesday to solidify its status as a leading bank by putting a greater focus...
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DongA Ilbo (http://english.donga.com)
Seoul to take the bull by the horns over missile defense issue
The South Korean government plans to take the bull by the horn over growing pressure on the possible deployment of a U.S. advanced missile-defense system on South Korean soil as it did two years ago when Seoul expanded...
U.S. frets over EU powers joining China-led development bank
The United States is fretting as major EU powers such as Britain, France and Germany plan to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), a new China-led Asian development bank. Speaking at a congressional...
Samsung vice chairman tops stockholding value ranking among executives
Among professional managers excluding the owner families in Korea, Samsung Group Vice Chairman Choi Ji-sung is the richest in terms of stockholdings. Six former or current Samsung executives ranked within the top 10. ...
Total lunar eclipse to occur on April 4
The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute said a total lunar eclipse will occur on April 4. This day at 6 p.m., moon will pass through the earth`s penumbra shadow and the penumbral eclipse of the sun will begin....
FIFA`s lowest-ranked team Bhutan secures World Cup passage
Bhutan, the lowest ranking country in the FIFA rankings, has made a big surprise in the World Cup qualifiers at its first ever participation. At the second match of the first round Asian qualifiers for the 2018 World...
Korean church to mark 130th anniversary of the US missionaries
Rev. Henry Gerhard Appenzeller (1858-1902), an American Methodist missionary, arrived in Busan on April 2, 1885. Mary Scranton (1832-1909) and her son William (1856-1922) also arrived in Jemulpo (former name of Incheon)...
Controversies over N. Korean leader’s call for ‘highest-level’ talks
Ki Sung-yueng, Son Heung-min as promising Korean soccer players
New year’s wishes change over time
France drops its super tax on millionaires
Samsung’s mobile phone beats Apple to top ACSI
Actor Lee Jung-jae reported to be in a relationship with Daesang heiress
N. Korean leader shows willingness to hold inter-Korean summit
U.S. military base in Yongsan bans civilian drones, model aircrafts
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Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)
Employers, Jobseekers Have Different Priorities
Employers and jobseekers have very different ideas when it comes to qualities needed to land a job, a survey suggests. Jobseekers usually feel it is important for them to have as many paper qualifications as possible. >> Full Text
N.Korea Abducted Over 200,000 Foreigners
North Korea abducted more than 200,000 foreign nationals including children since 1950, according to a UN report quoted by Marzuki Darusman, the UN special rapporteur on North Korean human rights abuses. Darusman called for a multifaceted strategy to shed new light on the North's bizarre abduction campaign. >> Full Text
Is It a Watch? Is It a Phone?
the Samsung Galaxy Gear a watch or a mobile phone? The World Customs Organization put the matter to vote. The WCO's Harmonized System Committee met in Belgium earlier this week, and 31 out of 40 member nations voted Monday to classify the Galaxy Gear as a mobile phone, while eight voted to classify it as a watch. >> Full Text
Korean 1st Time Moms Oldest in OECD
Diplomatic Wrangling Over U.S. Anti-Missile Shield Heats Up
Korea Bides Time Over China-Led Development Bank
Wrong Asiana Passenger 'Keen to Get Back to Work' Evidence Links
N.Korea to Nuclear Hacking Attack China Names New Envoy to N.Korea
Ryu So-yeon Climbs to No. 6 in World Rankings
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Hankyoreh Shinmoon (http://english.hani.co.kr)
Seoul’s “strategic ambiguity” is only causing conflicts
The dispute over whether to deploy the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) with US Forces Korea is gradually intensifying. It has the potential to damage South Korea’s relationships with both the US and China.
The South Korean government bears a large portion of the blame for trying to walk the tight rope of “strategic ambiguity.” It’s time for the government to make its position clear. The same goes for the question of joining the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
South and North clashing over wage hike at Kaesong complex
Another inter-Korean conflict is escalating after North Korea unilaterally announced a wage hike for its workers at the Kaesong Industrial Complex.
North and South Korean authorities called separate briefings for tenant companies on Mar. 17 in a sign of an intensifying conflict that has the businesses caught in the middle feeling increasingly anxious.
Government team fingers North Korea in another hacking attack
A South Korean government investigation has uncovered signs suggesting a recent hacking attack on Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP) was carried out by North Korean hackers.
A joint government investigation team on personal information crimes released an interim report on Mar. 17 stating that ongoing leaks of nuclear power plant information by a party identified as the “nuclear power opposition group” were the work of a North Korean hackers‘ organization.
Pres. Park doubling-down on broad anti-corruption push
During the cabinet meeting held at the Blue House on Mar. 17, President Park Geun-hye called for a sweeping assault on corruption in all areas of society, not only the areas that prosecutors have been investigating of late.
S. Korea, China and Japan to hold first trilateral foreign ministers meeting in three years
A meeting between the foreign ministers of South Korea, China, and Japan - which has not been held for the past three years because of territorial and historical disputes - is scheduled to take place in Seoul on Mar. 21.
The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the meeting would be held in a brief released on Mar. 17.
Uber’s leadership in South Korea facing criminal charges
36 people with South Korea’s UberTaxi service are facing criminal punishments. The move comes a little over eighteen months after the service, which allows drivers to use their own cars as taxis by taking passenger requests via a smartphone app, first began operating in South Korea.
Desperate man guilty of stalking the woman he called his “destiny”
While studying in Germany in the autumn of 2011, a 36-year-old man surnamed Kim met a woman he called his “destiny”.
She was two years older than him and lived in the same building. Kim fell in love with her and began pursuing her, asking her to start a relationship with him.
Hyundai Motor locked in a tense battle amid the “super dollar”
Hyundai Motors is struggling with profits and market share in North America after failing to take advantage of the US economic recovery and resulting “strong dollar” trend.
Instead, it is finding itself flanked in the US automobile market by Japanese and European car makers buoyed by the low yen and depreciation of the euro, along with US domestic models resurging with the post-financial crisis recovery.
US State Department doesn’t clearly show Dokdo as Korean territory
The Bureau of Consular Affairs at the US State Department has provoked controversy by depicting Dokdo as Japanese territory on a map on its website.
In a map that appears on a page providing information about South Korea (http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/korea-south.html),
Just where does patriotism end for S. Korea’s top officials?
“If there’s a conflict between the interests of the US and this country, I’m only going to think of the Republic of Korea. Why should I think of the US’s interests?”
An unusual question-and-answer exchange took place on Mar. 16 at a hearing for Lee Byung-ho’s nomination to head South Korea’s top intelligence agency. The 75-year-old Lee, who was tapped as director of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), stressed his “confidence that my national view and patriotism will never waver.”
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JoongAng Ilbo (conservative): (http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/)
Conditions ripe for a Kospi rally
Owing to ample liquidity around the world and a surprise interest rate cut by the Korean central bank last week, the Kospi rallied above 2,030 Wednesday morning with growing expectations that Korea’s benchmark stock index could reach 2,100 by June. Although the index closed below the 2,030 mark…
Blue House rejects Moon’s points
The Blue House rebutted an opposition leader’s claim that President Park Geun-hye’s economic policy has failed and criticized her former campaign rival for discouraging…
Jobless rate for young Koreans rises to 11.1%
Korea’s youth unemployment rate hit a 16-year high, the latest ominous sign as Asia’s fourth-largest economy is stuck in an enduring slump.…
Probe of resources diplomacy corruption widens
Prosecutors investigating shady deals carried out in the name of resources diplomacy raided two major companies Wednesday.…
New Shinhan CEO will focus on globalization
Cho Yong-byoung, the new chief executive officer of Shinhan Bank, the nation’s top commercial bank, said Wednesday he plans to focus on overseas expansion…
Posco probe shifts to its subcontractors
Authorities investigating an alleged 10 billion won ($8.9 million) slush fund accumulated by Posco Engineering and Construction are now looking into its subcontractors…
Trillions of won spent on Posco M&As
Former Posco Group Chairman Chung Joon-yang allegedly invested some trillions of won in questionable mergers and acquisitions during his term…
Sources confirm Li Jinjun as Beijing’s top envoy to Pyongyang
BEIJING - Beijing’s new ambassador to Pyongyang was confirmed to be Li Jinjun, the vice minister of the International Department of the Central Committee…
GS25 to launch electronic services
The range of services offered by convenience stores is expanding well beyond the traditional role of selling snacks and drinks, due to stiff competition…
U.S. steak chain opens up in Seoul
New York-based steak chain Wolfgang’s Steakhouse is opening its first restaurant in Korea in Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul, on Monday.…
SKT pushes voluntary retirement
Facing the prospect of a saturated telecommunications market, Korea’s largest mobile carrier, SK Telecom, has turned to a voluntary retirement plan to reduce expenses.…
Foreign buyers fail to prop up the market
Seoul’s main bourse peaked at 2,036 early in the trading day thanks to foreign investors buying but closed at 2,028.45, 1.46 points or 0.07 percent lower than the previous day.…
For Korean food exports, FTA a recipe for success
Before the initialing of the Korea-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was completed at the end of February to include changes for agricultural products…
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Maeil Kyungje (neutral-oriented conservative, economic/business): (http://news.mk.co.kr/english/)
Youth jobless rate hit record high since financial crisis
South Korea’s youth unemployment rate touched an all-time high since 1999 when companies conducted personnel reshuffles right after the financial crisis. The rate wen.. ...
S. Korea losing out to other countries in Asian infrastructure market
“South Korea’s Incheon International Airport Corporation was selected as a preferred negotiator for the $1.1 billion dollar development project of the No. 2 Yangon ...
Nonghyup submits farming zone plan to N. Korea
South Korea’s Nonghyup, or National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, has submitted a proposal to North Korean authorities to build a large-sized farming area in t.. ...
Express train to shorten travel time from Dongtan to Samsung station to 20..
Starting from 2021, it will take only 20 minutes to travel from Dongtan, Hwasung-si, Gyeonggi Province to Samsung station, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The Ministry of Land, I.. ...
Corruption probe spreads across businesses
Prosecutors are investigating into Dongbu Group and Shinsegae following its raid on Heungwoo Industrial’s headquarters for its alleged involvement in POSCO E&C’s cre.. ...
Imprisoned SK chairman to finance social enterprises
SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won’s resolve for social enterprise has been brought to fruition. Chairman Chey even devoted his private fortune for social enterprise and .. ...
College grads have higher jobless rate than high school grads
Last year, the unemployment rate of college graduates outstripped that of high school graduates while one third of college graduates had lower average wage than high s.. ...
Park calls for bipartisan cooperation to revive economy
The tripartite meeting between President Park Geun-hye and leaders of the ruling and opposition parties was eventually held on Tuesday, but there still was a very long.. ...
S. Korea to pump $318mn into bio-health
The South Korean government is set to invest 340 billion won ($318 million) in the bio-health industry, which is still at its infancy globally, to gain an upper hand i.. ...
Uber says will start over from smaller cities of S. Korea
Uber, a US-based company operating a mobile-app-based transportation network, has recently stirred up controversy over its similarity to taxi in South Korea. Could Ube.. ...
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The Kyunghyang Shinmoon (http://english.khan.co.kr/)
Businesses Refuse to Respond to North Korea's "Summon": Crisis in the Kaesong Industrial
The ten-year-old Kaesong Industrial Park is now facing its biggest crisis. Two years ago, the industrial compound almost shut down due to tense inter-Korean rel···
[Editorial] Studying the Response of Other Countries and Buying Time: Park Geun-hye's Uneasy Diplomacy
On Monday, China's Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Liu Jianchao said, "We would appreciate it if South Korea could consider China's interest and concer···
Liu Jianchao in Korea, 'Take into Consideration China's Concerns on Placement of THAAD System'
On March 16, Chinese Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Liu Jianchao (photo), 51, who is currently in South Korea, said, "We would appreciate it if South K···
Lee Byung-ho, 'May 16 Provided an Opportunity to Strengthen Security... Will Never Repeat the NIS Intervention in Politics'
On March 16, Lee Byung-ho, 75, nominee for director of the National Intelligence Service assessed, "May 16 provided a historic opportunity to strengthen nation···
'How Can One Threaten China While Raking in Money from the Country?” South Korea Has Sovereignty over the Placement of THAAD
On March 15, Mun Il-hyeon (photo), a professor at China University of Political Science and Law commented on the issue of placing the Terminal High Altitude Air···
[Editorial] Arrested in the Act for Distributing Flyers Criticizing the President?
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency sent guidelines telling officers to request anyone who distributes flyers criticizing the president to accompany them and a···
Base Interest Rate Down to the 1% Level for the First Time: Bombing Households with Debt to Stimulate Economy
South Korea has entered the age of the 1% level base interest rate. This is the lowest rate ever, even lower than during the global financial crisis in 2008. So···
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