Dec. 11, 2015

The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Friday, Dec. 11, 2015

Your Excellency:

Here arehumor from one of the former ambassadors who served in Korea and a roundup of important headlines from all major Korean-language dailies, TV and other news media of Korea 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.

Humor from a former colleague of Your Excellency:

Two boys stole a big bag of oranges from a neighbor, and decided to go to a quiet place to share the lot equally.

One of them suggested the nearby cemetery.

As they were jumping over the gate to enter the cemetery, two oranges fell out of the big bag but they didn't bother to pick them since they had enough in the bag.

Few minutes later, a drunkard on his way from a bar, passed near the cemetery gate and heard a voice saying: "One for me, one for you, one for me, one for you…"

He immediately sobered up and ran as fast as he could to a church nearby, for the priest...

"Father, please come with me. Come and witness God and satan sharing the dead at the cemetery!"

They both ran back to the cemetery gate and the voice continued: "One for me, one for you, one for me, for you..."

Suddenly, the voice stopped counting and said:"What about the two at the Gate?"

You should have seen the marathon that followed, Wah!!!

The priest almost ran past the church gate shouting:"We are not dead yet, Ooohh!!!"

Editor’s note: The kind-hearted benefactor is the former ambassador of a Central Asian county. He remains unidentified pending our acquisition of approval from the ambassador.We also seek more humor to be shared with the incumbent and former ambassadors and other members of the Seoul Diplomatic Corps.

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A round-up of the latest news published by the Korean media:

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

Inter-Korean Vice-Ministerial Talks Begin

The two Koreas began their first regular governmental meeting under the Park Geun-hye administration on Friday....

Russia, US Question North's Hydrogen Bomb Claim

UN Security Council Discusses N. Korean Human Rights

NPAD Chief Criticizes President for Linking Birthrate to Labor Reform

Moon: Ahn Leaving NPAD Unimaginable

Gov't, Ruling Camp to Reduce Modern History Section in New Textbooks

IMF: S. Korean Household Debt Exposed to Risk from Rate Hike

KOSPI Rebounds Slightly

Foreign-Owned Shares in S. Korea Fall Below 12%, Lowest in 2 Years

Inter-Korean Vice-Ministerial Talks Begin

Two Koreas to Hold Vice-Ministerial Talks Friday

Kim Jong-un: N. Korea Can Has Nuclear, Hydrogen Bombs

Russia, US Question North's Hydrogen Bomb Claim

UN Security Council Discusses N. Korean Human Rights

N. Korean Music Group, Choir to Perform in China

Constitutional Court Holds Hearing on Anti-Corruption Law

Supreme Court Proposes Consultative Body to Discuss Bar Exam

Gov't Mulls Raising Age for Defining Seniors to 70

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

Koreas open high-level talks aimed at improving ties

South and North Korea kicked off high-level talks Friday on ways to mend frayed ties following heightened cross-border military tensions in August, government officials said.

S. Korea-EU FTA to come into full force Sunday

South Korea's free trade deal with the European Union (EU) will go into full effect this weekend, four years after it was "provisionally" implemented, the government said Friday.

Northeast China to benefit from unification of Korea: vice FM

Northeast China is expected to benefit greatly from Korean unification if achieved, a senior South Korean official said Friday.

Mobile transactions brisk at online malls

Online payments using mobile devices have continued to rise in South Korea this year thanks to the widespread use of smartphones and easier transaction options tailored for tech-savvy consumers, industry data showed Friday.

Hyundai Motor's PHEV engine picked as one of world's top 10

An eco-friendly power train of Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's leading automaker, has been selected as one of the global top 10 engines by a major U.S. automotive magazine, the company said Friday.

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The Korea Herald (http://www.koreaherald.com)

Labor union chief leaves temple, arrested by police

Han Sang-kyun, the head of the nation’s second-largest umbrella labor union, ended 24 days of hiding at JogyesaTemple ...

Korea prepared for U.S. rate hike

The looming monetary tightening in the U.S. is unlikely to have a major immediate impact on Kor...

Park connects low fertility to pending labor market reforms

President Park Geun-hye on Thursday called for efforts to tackle South Korea’s low birthrate, ...

Samsung C&T delivers first Roy Hill iron ore shipment

Marking the completion of a multibillion-dollar construction project in Australia by Samsung C&...

Merkel named person of year by Time magazine

Time magazine on Wednesday named German Chancellor Angela Merkel its person of the year for 2015, hailing...

NPAD discord

Korea’s liberal party has lost to its conservative counterpart in most elections over the p...

Prepare for rate hikes

A U.S. rate hike has become a near certainty as the U.S. economy delivered another month of ...

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

What if NK had H-bomb?

More often than not, North Korea has proved to be a habitual, pathological liar, so much so that, even in a rare event it doesn’t lie, other nations would take it as a lie in a knee-jerk reaction. Remember the boy who cried wolf...

Vice-ministerial talks between Koreas begin at 10:40 a.m. 

The first vice-ministerial talks between the North and South began at the Gaeseong Industrial Complex around 10:40 a.m., Friday. 

South Korean delegates leave for vice-ministerial talks with NK 

South Korean delegates left for the Gaeseong Industrial Complex (GIC) in North Korea this morning ...

BOK chief calls for steps to curb household debt 

Bank of Korea Governor Lee Ju-yeol called for steps to curb the nation’s snowballing household deb... 

North Korea sends female pop group to Beijing 

North Korea’s female Moranbong pop band arrived in Beijing on Thursday for a six-day tour, Yonhap ...

Gov't mulls office for immigration policy 

The government will set up a control tower for immigration policy, as part of efforts to tackle population decline amid the low birthrate and aging society. 

Lee Jae-yong bets on smart cars 

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong has picked components for self-driving smart cars a...

Gov't may cut taxes for foreign bond investors 

The government and the ruling Saenuri Party are considering lowering tax rates on gains from bond investments by foreigners, officials said Thursday.

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DongAIlbo (http://english.donga.com)

Trump Tower residents fear they could be target of a terror attack

I`m worried about a terrorist attack against the building. I wish he`d shut up. (A female resident at Trump Tower)” The Chicago Tribune on Wednesday reported that residents of 92-story “Trump International Hotel &... 

Controversy over sexy golfer Spiranac

She has 480,000 followers in her Instagram. A video of her that she uploaded on YouTube has over 1.5 million views. Does she sound like a famous celebrity? This sensational person is Paige Spiranac (22, photo), an...

Gov`t protests against Japan for revealing bombing suspect

It is said that a South Korean male surnamed Jeon (aged 27) who has been pointed as a suspect in bombing of the Yasukuni Shrine on Nov. 23 is repeatedly denying and admitting his wrong-doings at the questioning by...

Preliminary stage at 12th Seoul International Music Competition

A panel of judges is exchanging their ideas after the result of preliminary examination for Seoul International Music Competition came out on Thursday. Professors JeonSeung-hyun, Kim Gwan-dong, Gwak Shin-hyeong, Song...

Ace skater Kwak Yoon-ki vies for Olympics medals

Korean short track skating has been in a slump since the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. Some say Korean men’s national team lacks an ace skater, but it has Kwak Yoon-ki (26), the oldest skater. In the 2015-2016 first and...

Lineage to go mobile next year

Lineage, considered as one of the best Korean PC online games, will come back in the mobile world. NCSoft, the producer of Lineage, held a press conference on Wednesday in CGV CheongdamCinecity, Seoul, to mark the...

Figure skater Cha Joon-hwan emerges as ‘Male Kim Yu-na’ 

ISIL prepares for Asia attack on Christmas

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ChosunIlbo (http://english.chosun.com)

N.Korea Has H-Bomb, Says Kim Jong-un

North Korea has turned into a "powerful nuclear weapons state ready to detonate a hydrogen bomb," leader Kim Jong-un claimed Thursday. Kim was speaking during a visit to the recently renovated Pyongchon revolutionary site in Pyongyang. >> Full Text

N.Korea Sends Performers to China

The all-girl North Korean pop band Moranbong arrived in Beijing on Thursday for a six-day tour. Chinese Ambassador to North Korea Li Jinjun, who had disappeared from the radar for almost two months, reappeared to welcome the band, which lent the event some unexpected luster. >> Full Text

Croatia Becomes Favorite Destination for Koreans

The number of Korean visitors to the small central European country of Croatia crossed the 300,000 mark for the first time this year. Quoting data from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, the Korean Embassy there on Thursday said 316,566 Korean tourists visited between January and October this year. >> Full Text

Korea Loses Charm for Foreign Investors

Psy's 'Daddy' Enters Billboard Hot 100

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HankyorehShinmoon (http://english.hani.co.kr)

S. Korean man arrested in bombing of Yasukuni Shrine

Unbeknownst to his mother, suspect voluntarily returned to Japan and is cooperating with investigators

The South Korean male who has been pointed to as a suspect in the bombing of the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan, on Nov. 23 was arrested by the police upon his return to Japan.Tokyo’s Metropolitan Police Agency announced on Dec. 9 that it was questioning a South Korean surnamed Jeon, 27, who was arrested on trespassing charges. Jeon was seen entering the Yasukuni Shrine shortly before the bomb went off.

US enacts sanctions against North Korean groups and individuals

The US government has added four groups and six individuals in North Korea as subject to sanctions for allegedly proliferating or supporting the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).The list includes the “Strategic Force” involved in ballistic missile operations in North Korea. The designation could be a symbolic move aimed at ratcheting up pressure on Pyongyang instead of seeking actual results. .

Report: South Korean tax burden near the bottom of OECD

South Korea‘s ratio of tax revenues to gross domestic product (GDP) is among the lowest in the OECD, a recent report shows.The report on 2015 tax statistics published recently by the OECD lists the South Korean tax burden for 2014 at 24.6%, putting it third from the bottom among the 30 countries for which numbers were received. .

US grants “broad” approval for 21 forms of jet fighter technology

The South Korean government announced on Dec. 9 that the US had granted approval “in broad terms” for the transfer of 21 forms of technology associated with the Boramae Korean fighter plane (KFX).But with reports that additional discussions are needed on specific forms of technology, the question of whether all technology requested by South Korea will be transferred remains up in the air.

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JoongAngIlbo(conservative): (http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/)

Union leader voluntarily leaves Buddhist temple

The leader of Korea’s second-largest umbrella union group turned himself over to police early Thursday, ending 24 days of hiding in a Buddhist temple to avoid being arrested for a rally that turned violent. The standoff over Han Sang-gyun, head of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), ended without clashes on Thursday, as the police and Han responded to a last-minute compromise by the head of the Jogye Order...

Samsung’s entry into car business is a bet on future

If one traces back the deliberate steps by Samsung scion Jay Y. Lee over the past five years, Samsung Electronics’ announced entry into the automotive sector on Wednesday…

We have hydrogen bomb, says Kim Jong-un

Leader Kim Jong-un boasted that North Korea had acquired a hydrogen bomb despite decades of attempts to reel in its nuclear capabilities…

Skin care products sell best over Single’s Day

The best-selling Korean goods online during China’s Singles Day on Nov. 11 were skin care products, a report by the Korea Customs Service showed Thursday.…

Moon’s appeal wanes amid fight with Ahn

The popularity of Moon Jae-in, the leader of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD), has declined over the past few weeks amid a power struggle…

New plan aims to boost birth rate

The government revealed Thursday a new plan to allocate more than 197.5 trillion won ($167 billion) over the next five years toward bolstering…

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

Tokyo affiliate eyes major stake in Lotte Confectionery

Lotte Group chairman Shin Dong-bin step up efforts to increase his influence over Lotte Confectionery, the key company in the retail ...

S. Korean government, ruling party consider lowering tax levies on foreign

The South Korean government and the ruling Saenuri Party have decided on Thursday to review a plan to lower taxes on foreign invested ...

Bank of Korea holds key rate at 1.5%

In a widely expected decision, South Korea’s central bank kept its benchmark interest rate steady Thursday for the sixth consecutive ...

Korea anti-trust watchdog renews investigation on Apple Korea’s A/S service

The Korea Fair Trade Commission (FTC) embarked on anti-trust investigation on the Korean unit of Apple Inc. for the second time due ...

Orion to sell snacks at China’s railway stations, trains

Orion Co. will be the first South Korean confectionary company that sells its products at China’s railway stations and in trains ...

Daelim Energy to set up joint venture in partnership with IDB fund

Daelim Energy Co., an energy and infrastructure development arm of South Korea’s conglomerate Daelim Group, announced on Thursday ...

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The KyunghyangShinmoon(http://english.khan.co.kr/)

Na Kyung-won Presents a Speech for South Korea at Climate Change Conference: South Korean Government "Missing"

At the high-level segment of the Climate Change Conference in Paris, France on December 8 (local time), Na Kyung-won, chairperson of the Foreign Affairs and Uni···

[Editorial] We Need 'Park Geun-hye-nomics,' Not 'Choi-nomics'

As Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Choi Kyung-hwan'(photo)s resignation is imminent due to his bid in next year's general elections, an asse···

[Editorial] Gangnam-gu Office 'Comments Brigade': Gangnam-gu Office Operates a Team to Upload Comments Criticizing Park Won-soon

Civil servants of the Civic Awareness Advancement Team at the Gangnam-gu Office in Seoul posted comments condemning Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon and the city of Se···

December 2015, Political Leadership Missing in the Republic of Korea

On December 8, one day before the closing of the last regular session of the 19th National Assembly, the atmosphere was quite unsettled at Cheong WaDae and at ···

Young People Having a Hard Time Finding Employment, 'I Am a HomoInternus.'

"Munsong, homo internus, director intern, outback, surrogate mother for college admissions..." These are newly coined words one probably wouldn't know unless···

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The Korea Economic Daily(http://english.hankyung.com/)

Service Industry Productivity Lags Far behind That of Manufacturing

Korean industry has looked for new growth engines in service sectors since the early 2000s. That's because service industries are high in terms of employment inducement effect and also high in growth potential. It is also based on the government's judgment that the Korean economy must switch to a do...

Samsung Stocks Rise on News of Electronics Unit's Auto Electronic Business Entrance

On the news that Samsung Electronics would move into the automotive electronic business, the stocks of Samsung SDI and Samsung Electro-Mechanics, as well as Samsung Electronics, have increased by a large margin. In contrast, its rival firm LG Electronics saw its stock price plunge by more than 6 per...

Hanwha Q-Cells to Deliver 135-MW Solar Modules to America's Sunrun

Hanwha Q-Cells, a manufacturer of photovoltaic solar cells, will supply 135-megawatt solar modules for homes in the United States. The company said on December 10 that it signed a long-term supply deal with America's Sunrun Inc., a provider of residential solar electricity operating second-largest f...

Toshiba to Withdraw from TV Business to Focus on B2B Areas

Toshiba of Japan will pull out of the TV business entirely, reported the Asahi Shimbun and other on December 10. The company will likely focus on business-to-business transactions such as electric power and social infrastructure while scaling back its lifestyle unit to which the home electronics bus...

Hyundai Chairman in Deep Agony about Next Year’s Business Plan

Chung Mong-koo, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, is agonizing deeply about the 2016 business plan for Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors alike. Amid an outlook that it would be difficult for the two Korean car makers to achieve their annual sales target set at 8.2 million units this year, he is taking pai...

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AJU Business Daily(http://eng.ajunews.com/korea)

NCSOFT announces Lineage games on mobile platform

Project L by NCSOFT [Courtesy of NCSOFT] NCSOFT, Korean game development company announced its new mobile games on Wednesday at a press conference celebrating the 17th year of an online game …

Fugitive South Korean labor leader surrenders to police at Jogye temple

Han Sang-gyun, the leader of Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) is walking towards a police vehicle under custody [Photo by YooDae-gil=dbeorlf123@ajunews.com] ? A fugitive South Kore…

Falling oil prices may become threat to Korean economy

Earlier this year, Choi Kyung-hwan, the Minister of Strategy and Finance, analyzed that the oil prices sliding will benefit the South Korean economy. B…

South Korea to lead U.N. Human Rights Council

United Nations Human Rights Council held in Geneva last July [Courtesy of United Nations] ? South Korea was chosen to lead the United Nations (U.N.) Human Rights Council next year. The Foreign…

South Korean government to issue 3 billion yuan bonds in China

China’s central bank said on Tuesday the South Korean government will issue 3 billion yuan worth of bonds in China's domestic interbank market. In a statement carried in its website, the People's Bank of China said the

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ETNEWS(http://english.etnews.com/)

Software Developers Are Leaving South Korea

Software (SW) developers are leaving South Korea. Even university students are leaving South Korea to fulfill their dreams in foreign countries. Considering high in...

Daliworks Chosen as Qualcomm’s Partner

IoTstartup company that was established 3 years ago became Qualcomm¡?s strategic partner. It is meaningful that it became one of only 5 partners that Qualcomm ...

Samsung Makes Its Car Electronics Business Official

Industries are picking LG Electronics¡? Vehicle Component Business Headquarters as a model for Samsung Electronics¡? Car Electronics Business Team tha...

Samsung Electronics’ Facilities in Vietnam Emerge as Advanced Base

Samsung Electronics is going to increase proportion of production of Smartphones in Vietnam next year from 30% to 40%, and this will have production amount in Vietnam surpass production amount in China for the first time. Samsung Electronics will also start producing household appliances such as TVs, ACs, refrigerators and others in Vietnam starting from next ye...

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Special Notices:

Photo shows President Soon-Heung Chang of Handong Global University (fifth from left, front row) with ambassadors and other visiting members of the Seoul Diplomatic Corps (SDC), including Ambassador Mme Natallia Zhylevich of Belraus (dean of the visiting members of the SDC), fourth from left the same row With Ambassador and Mrs. SylvestreKouassi Bile of Cote d’ Ivoire (third and second from left, front row).

And Ambassador Roballo of Argentina (sixth from left, same row) and Ambassadors Mohamed Abdi Gello of Kenya (on the right of the rear row).

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“Why not try to change the world?”

Ambassadors, senior diplomats visit Handong Global University in Pohang

Ambassadors NatalliaZhylevich of Belarus, Kouassi Bile of Cote d’Ivoire, Jorge Roballo of Argentina and Mohamed Abdi Gello of Kenya and 20 other senior diplomats, including the charges d’affaires, visited Handong Global University in Pohang City on the Southeast Coast of Korea on Nov. 12, 2015 at the invitation of President Soon-Heung Chang of the University.

The tour, organized by The Korea Post, included also a visit to POSCO and a cruise ride around the harbor of the Pohang City.

The Korea Post has been organizing tours for the ambassadors and other senior members of the Seoul Diplomatic Corps for the past 30 years, but it must be said that the one hosted by Handong Global University is one of the most impressive in terms of the interest on the part of the host who met the guests with a true heart and warm welcome.

President Soon-Heung Chang of the University made such an excellent arrangement out of respect and special regard for the distinguished international guests by asking his Vice President Simon Kang(Administrative Affairs) and Professor JinwonAhn (School of Management and Economics) to come all the way from Pohang to Seoul to welcome and escort the ambassadors and other senior diplomats to comfortably visit his University.

The tour of the Handong Global University was a truly memorable one where many outstanding features of the University continuously surprised the visiting ambassadors and the other senior diplomats. For further details, visit:

/news/view.html?section=161&category=181&no=1119.

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