Mar. 20,2015

The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Friday, March 20, 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:

Humor from a generous former Asian ambassador

Car jacking

An elderly lady did her shopping and, upon returning to her car, found four males in the act of leaving with her car.

She dropped her shopping bags and drew her handgun, proceeding to scream at them at the top of her voice, "I have a gun and I know how to use it! Get out of the car, scumbags!"

The four men didn't wait for a second invitation but got out and ran like mad, whereupon the lady, somewhat shaken, proceeded to load her shopping bags into the back of the car and get into the driver's seat.

She was so shaken that she could not get her key into the ignition. She tried and tried, and then it dawned on her why.

A few minutes later she found her own car parked four or five spaces farther down.

She loaded her bags into her car and drove to the police station.

The sergeant to whom she told the story nearly tore himself in two with laughter and pointed to the other end of the counter, where four pale white males were reporting a carjacking by a mad elderly woman described as white, less than 5' tall, glasses, and curly white hair carrying a large handgun.

A mother-in-law explaining work to her newly wed daughter-in-law.

"I am Home Minister as well as Finance Minister of this house. Your Father-in-law is the Foreign Minister.

My Son, I mean your husband, runs the Ministry of Demand and Supply, and, my Daughter runs Planning & Development Ministry...

Now you tell me which Ministry would you like to run?"

Daughter-in-Law instantly replied with a smile, "Dear Mother-in-Law, I'll be Leader of the OPPOSITION..."

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Top headlines of major news media of Korea this morning:

KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)

Gov't to Upgrade SME Factories with Internet of Things

The government has introduced a policy package aimed at revamping the manufacturing basis of its export-driven economy with the latest information...

S. Korea to Double Halal Food Exports by 2017

Gov’t to Invest 5 Trillion Won for 2nd Middle East Boom

Gov't to Invest 12.4 Trillion Won in Safety Industry

"Seoul to Make THAAD Decision based on Nat'l Interest"

BOK Preps for Possible US Rate Hike

Rival Camps Quickening Pace for By-Election

US Aid Group Sent Special Rice for Children in N. Korea

S. Korea to Double Halal Food Exports by 2017

KOSPI Rises on Eased Concerns Over US Rate Hike

S. Korea to Ask South-North Gaeseong Agencies to Discuss Wages

Gaeseong Business Heads to Hold Meeting on Raise Demand

Gaeseong Biz Delegation Discuss Wage Hike with N. Korean Officials

S. Korea Outnumbers Foreign Students at Chinese Universities

N. Korea Criticizes Possible Deployment of THAAD

KBS World 24 to Launch in Chicago

Undergraduate Admission Rate of Female Students At 75% Last Year

State Corp. Investigated Over Oil Exploration Project

Construction Firm Raided on Corruption Suspicions

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

S. Korea Advances to Semifinals of Asian Women's Handball Championship

S. Korea Unbeaten at Paralympic Ice Sledge Hockey Championships

Korean Air to Sponsor Pyeongchang Olympics

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Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)

Gov't to step up efforts to wipe out corruption

The government said Friday it plans to redouble efforts to uproot corruption and other irregularities from three major areas -- the public sector, people's lives and the economy.

Top U.S. military officer to visit S. Korea next week

The top U.S. military officer will visit South Korea next week for talks with his counterpart on boosting the bilateral alliance, Seoul officials said Friday, amid keen attention on whether the two will discuss the possible deployment of an advanced U.S. missile-defense system here. Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), is scheduled to arrive Thursday for a three-day stay, during which he plans to hold talks with South Korea's JCS chairman, Adm. Choi Yun-hee, and meet with Defense Minister Han Min-koo, according to Seoul's JCS.

S. Korea sends remains of Chinese war dead to homeland

South Korea returned the remains of 68 Chinese soldiers killed during the 1950-53 Korean War to China on Friday for final burial in their homeland, the defense ministry here said.

Sales of new Galaxy models likely to hit over 55 mln units: market report

South Korean tech powerhouse Samsung Electronics Co. is forecast to sell over 55 million units of its latest premium smartphones this year, with its advanced specs and upgraded features keeping them in firm demand, a market report said Friday.

Park to meet with foreign ministers of China, Japan

Gov't to step up efforts to wipe out corruption

N. Korea to hold key parliamentary session on April..

Top U.S. military officer to visit S. Korea next week

S. Korea sends remains of Chinese war dead to homel..

China media hopes new ambassador will warm ties with N. Ko..

N. Korean leader guides air force drill: KCNA

N. Korea to hold key parliamentary session on April 9

S. Korean parliamentary speaker asks Vietnam to show N. Ko..

Seoul shares down 0.24 pct in late-morning trade

Pace of Fed rate hike more important than timing:..

The Korea Interbank Offered Rates (KORIBOR)

Gov't to spend 3 tln won more in H1 to stimulate gr..

Trade commission likely to impose anti-dumping tariffs on ..

'Kingsman' tops 5 mln in attendance

S. Korea loses to France in race to host 2019 FIFA Women's..

Winter Games not concerned about lagg..

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The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)

Lawmaker skeptical of Kurdistan oil prospects

Rep. Hong Young-pyo has downplayed expectations over oil exploration projects by the Korea National Oil Corp. (KNOC) in Kurdistan. “Given the enormous amount of taxpayers’ money invested, it is hard to say that the projects are ...

Lotte faces anti-corruption probe

Lotte Group’s shopping subsidiary is being investigated for allegedly creating a slush fund, prosecutors said Thursday. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office said it is tracing suspicious money flows involving Lotte Sho...

BMW seeks to go electric for all models 

MUNICH - BMW Automotive Group (AG) will launch 15 new and updated models this year to further expa... 

Park calls for 2nd Middle East boom 

President Park Geun-hye said Thursday that a second Middle East boom will contribute to the nation...

Won up after Yellen speech 

The Korean won rose against the U.S. dollar after the Federal Reserve took a cautious stance toward a rate increase, bringing a brief halt to the dollar’s mon...

NK takes THAAD controversy strategically 

The China-North Korea ’blood alliance’ does not seem to be working against possible deployment of the U.S. missile shield on the Korean Peninsula. 

Adobe unveils cloud electronic document service 

Adobe Systems will launch a cloud-based document management service within a month.

BMW, Samsung SDI jointly developing battery 

MUNICH, Germany - BMW said it is closely working with Samsung SDI to develop an improved electric vehicle battery, a BMW executive said Thursday (KST).

Konkuk under fire for dismissing whistleblower 

Konkuk University is coming under fire for a 2013 decision to dismiss a whistleblower who disclosed an internal embezzlement case, which has only recently com...

KU student probed for rape attempt 

A Korea University student is under investigation for allegedly attempting to rape a fellow student at the school.

China hints at bringing up AIIB in FM meetings in Seoul 

China has hinted at discussing the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in a trilateral foreign ministerial meeting among Korea, China and Japan in Seo...

EU and Japan submit N. Korea human rights resolution 

The European Union and Japan were to submit a draft resolution on North Korean human rights to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

IKEA accused of pricing higher here 

IKEA was found to have priced its products in Korea higher than in other developed countries, a civic group said Thursday. 

FSC vows to support young entrepreneurs 

Financial Services Commission (FSC) Chairman Yim Jong-yong said Thursday that he will reform the n...

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DongA Ilbo (http://english.donga.com)

Korean, Chinese and Japanese top diplomats to meet in Seoul

China has been so far pursuing the "financial diplomacy" in which Beijing lends loans to developing nations in Latin America and Asia to expand its international influence around the globe. Asian Infrastructure... 

Putin signs treaty that integrates S. Ossetia into Russia

Having annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine, Russia has signed a treaty to integrate South Ossetia in Georgia, which is causing strong backlash from America and European nations. The AFP reported Thursday that...

IKEA Korea has second highest prices among OECD nations

A survey showed that the global furniture retailer IKEA’s sales prices in Korea is higher than the average of OECD nations. The Consumers Union of Korea converted prices of major products, which are being sold in 21...

Names of step parents can be entered on student records

Starting from 2015, students of primary, middle and high schools can fill in the names of their step parents in personal information section on student records. In an effort to protect the human rights of students, the...

Chelsea raise suspicions about judgment

Chelsea of the English Premier League have revealed discomfort without reservation even by raising "conspiracy theory." After failing to advance to the quarterfinals in the UEFA Champions League recently, the team is...

Insanity of 10 billion-dollar betting in NCAA’

An analysis has revealed that bets worth an astronomical amount have been made in the tournament of 64 teams in Division 1 of NCAA men’s basketball, not NBA games. The tournament of 64 strongest teams is called...

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

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Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)

Korean Air Also Admits Wrong Passengers

Korean Air also admitted the wrong passenger aboard a flight this week, the same day Asiana found itself with egg on its face for the same lapse. Two Koreans scheduled to board a flight to Vancouver swapped tickets with two Chinese people with tickets to Bangkok. >> Full Text

Record Numbers Abandon City for Country Life

A record 33,442 urban households packed up their belongings and headed to idyllic rural parts last year, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said Thursday. That marks a 55-percent increase compared to 2013 when 21,501 urban households moved to the countryside. >> Full Text

Remarrying Couples Opt for Prenuptial Agreements

A growing number of remarrying couples sign prenuptial pledging to relinquish an inheritance from their new spouse. Some sign them at the insistence of their children, but others do it voluntarily to make sure their offspring are provided for. >> Full Text

IKEA in the Dock Over Pricing

English Teacher Forced Students to Drink Detergent

Bodies of Pilots Found in Chopper Wreckage

China Sends Anti-Aircraft Weapons to South Sudan

Pyeongchang Making 'Big Progress' Toward Olympics

Maternity Hospitals Disappear While Pet Clinics Boom

Hollywood R-Rated Film Becomes Sleeper Hit in Korea

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Hankyoreh Shinmoon (http://english.hani.co.kr)

Big showdown over THAAD coming up in Seoul

Chinese foreign ministers will be in Seoul for talks on Saturday, and a number of high-ranking US officials also on the way

With the dust yet to settle from the vice ministerial dispute in Seoul between South Korea and China, consecutive visits by top officials from China and the US could mean an ever bigger clash ahead. South Korea’s diplomacy is once again being put to a serious test as it navigates between two major powers clashing over the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-ballistic missile system in the Korean Peninsula.

Prosecutors raid companies suspected of shady acts with “success repayable loans”

Prosecutors carried out search and seizure operations on Mar. 18 into companies suspected of embezzling or misappropriating “success repayable loans.”

The framework is one where companies that are successful after receiving funds can make large profits, while those that fail face little in the way of serious losses - an aspect that has led some critics to blast the loans as “blind money.”

Having the confidence to insist the US cleans up their own mess

“The primary mission of the Ministry of Environment is cleaning up contamination. The question of who does the cleanup is secondary. The Ministry of National Defense said that they would handle the clean up, so we allowed them to. While in principle the polluter ought to cover the cost of cleaning up the contamination, the point is that someone, whether the landowner or the tenant, has to clean it up.”

Korean-Americans speaking out against Japanese PM addressing US congress

Korean-Americans ran an advertisement in the Mar. 18 issue of American political newspaper The Hill opposing Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s address to a joint session of Congress.

The advertisement, which was sponsored by “individuals demanding historical responsibility for WWII war crimes from the Japanese government,” says that “Mr. Abe must apologize to the victims of military sexual slavery by Imperial Japan during WWII [. . .] before seeking a speech to a joint session of US Congress.”

US says no pressure on allies to not join China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

The US government is refraining from openly criticizing allies for joining the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), with a spokesperson calling the matter one for individual countries to decide.

The spokesperson also signaled another subtle shift from Washington by encouraging countries to pressure the bank into adopting high international standards to help it complement existing global financial institutions.

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 t...

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.

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JoongAng Ilbo (conservative): (http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/)

Thaad issue should be simmered down: experts

China’s tough line is inappropriate, says roundtable discussion

As Korea’s diplomatic quandary over the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system deepens, the JoongAng Ilbo hosted a roundtable Wednesday to take a detailed look into the situation. Foreign affairs and military experts urged the government, politicians and the public to treat the issue calmly as…

Seoul is a nuke power, says Einhorn

American nonproliferation expert Robert Einhorn said that Washington’s “gold standard” of nuclear cooperation agreements - which legally binds its partners…

Some prices at Ikea are eye-popping

Koreans pay more for their Ikea furniture than any other developed nation other than Sweden, a study by a consumer group showed.…

Probes freak out Korean companies

In the week since Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo declared a war on corruption in business circles, prosecutors have launched an investigation into Posco Engineering…

Hanmi agrees to $690M deal with U.S. company

Hanmi Pharmaceutical entered an agreement with U.S. pharma giant Eli Lilly to license the Korean company’s drug to fight autoimmune diseases in a deal estimated…

Local app developers go global with Google Play

Korean-made apps on the Google Play store made four times as much revenue overseas last year compared with 2013 and a wider variety of apps are becoming popular,…

Thanks to weak euro, Chanel drops Korea prices

Can it be true? Chanel dropped its prices?

That was the question being asked by customers madly calling Chanel outlets through Seoul Wednesday after rumors…

Seoul education office order stirs the ire of KFTA

The country’s largest right-leaning education organization on Thursday denounced an order issued this week by the Seoul education authority that strictly prohibits…

Tokyo-Seoul rift weighs on U.S. push into Asia

WASHINGTON - With the leaders of Japan and South Korea both set to visit Washington in the coming months, President Barack Obama has a fresh chance to nudge…

Shares benefit from the Fed’s clarity on rate

The Korean financial market welcomed news of slower and smaller increases in the U.S. benchmark interest rate as its stock index closed above the 2,030 mark Thursday…

FSC chief might relax Konex rules

Yim Jong-yong, chairman of the Financial Services Commission, hinted at loosening regulations on the Konex market and derivatives during his visit Thursday…

Petroleum and medical stocks get a boost

Korea’s main bourse reached a record high for the year thanks to a weak dollar and strong foreign markets. The Kospi opened above the 2,040 mark and peaked at 2047.13,…

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Maeil Kyungje (neutral-oriented conservative, economic/business): (http://news.mk.co.kr/english/)

S. Korea should target Asian infra market with ‘Korea package’: KNC

The Maeil Business Newspaper held the 24th Korea National Conference at Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul, on Thursday, to mark the 49th anniversary of its publication.. ...

Gov’t to provide $4bn aid for construction in Middle East

The South Korean government would offer an additional policy finance fund worth five trillion won ($4.4 billion) for constructions and large-scale plant projects condu.. ...

S. Korea to launch pan-gov’t drive to fight off corruption

In South Korea, all of the relevant authorities including prosecution, police and tax agency will be mobilized to root out corruption and irregularities pervading with.. ...03.19 17:44

Park: Asian infra market is stronghold for another growth of Korean economy

President Park Geun-hye and Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo on Thursday echoed that Korea should turn its eye to the Asian infrastructure market to overcome a slow economic.. ...03.19 17:23

Hanmi Pharm strikes deal with Eli Lilly to license out anti-cancer drug

Hanmi Pharmaceutical signed a deal with the US’s pharmaceutical company to license out its new drug, the biggest seen among the South Korean drug makers. According .. ...03.19 11:19

S. Korea’s producer prices rise in 7 months in February

South Korea’s producer price index rebounded in seven months last year as global crude price rose back. Taking into account producer price index is a leading indicato.. ...03.19 11:10

Cheil Industries looking to commercialize Korea-style super lawn ‘Green E..

Tae Hyun-sook, chief researcher of the plant environment research center in the resort and construction unit of Cheil Industries, a South Korean textile firm, and doct.. ...03.19 11:00

Prosecution zeroes in on corruption over ‘energy diplomacy’

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office raided the head offices of Keangnam Enterprises in Dongdaemunm, Seoul and the Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC) in .. ...03.19 10:34

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.. ...03.18 17:57

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 (.. ...03.18 17:46

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The Kyunghyang Shinmoon (http://english.khan.co.kr/)

Foreign Affairs and National Security Policies Once the Government's Favorite Child, Now a Problem Child

The Park Geun-hye government's foreign affairs and security policy has hit a brick wall. In the past, the president had maintained her approval ratings by opti···

[Editorial] The Joint Committee of North and South Korea Should Discuss Wages at Kaesong Industrial Park

North Korea unilaterally notified North Korean workers in the Kaesong Industrial Park that it would raise wages in March, and the South Korean government is fig···

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···

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