October 21, 2016

The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Friday, October 21, 2016

Your Excellency:

Here areThe Korea Postnoticesandaroundup of important headlines from all major Korean-language dailies, TV and other news media of Korea today:

Very Respectfully Yours

/s/

Lee Kyung-sik

Publisher-Chairman

Korea Post Media

What’s ticking in Korea today?

Here is a quick roundup of important news stories from the major Korean news media today:

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

S. Korea, US Agree to Launch Extended-Deterrence Dialogue

Anchor: South Korea and the United States have agreed to establish a consultative body to discuss how to effectively put to use the U.S.' "extended deterrence" commitment for its Asian ally against North Korea's threats. The agreement was made during the biennial "two-plus-two" security talks in Washington on Wednesday. The two sides on Thursday are set to discuss the extended deterrence further in detail at the annual Security Consultative Meeting.

Prosecutors Indict Five Lotte Family Members For Corruption

Prosecutors have wrapped up their probe into alleged corruption and irregularities at Lotte Group after indicting founder Shin Kyuk-ho and four other family members without detention.

Ewha Womans University President Choi Steps down

Ewha Womans University President Choi Kyung-hee stepped down on Wednesday amid suspicions the school offered preferential treatment to the daughter of a close confidant of President Park Geun-hye.

Police Officer Shot Dead by Assailant Armed with Makeshift Guns

A South Korean police officer was shot dead after an assailant armed with makeshift guns opened fire as he tried to resist arrest on Wednesday in the Gangbuk district in northeastern Seoul.

S. Korean Spy Chief Backs Veracity of Controversial Memoir

The chief of South Korea's National Intelligence Service(NIS) has backed the veracity of a controversial memoir by former Foreign Minister Song Min-soon, in which he recalls that the former Roh Moo-hyun administration in 2007 checked with Pyongyang before deciding to abstain from a UN vote on a North Korean human rights resolution.

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

Seoul, Washington to Consider Rotational Deployment Strategic Assets in S. Korea

Seoul and Washington are considering deploying U.S. strategic military assets to South Korea on a permanent, rotational basis as one of the ways to strengthen the U.S. 'extended deterrence' pledge for its Asian ally. During the annual Security Consultative Meeting in Washington on Thursday, the defense ministers from the two sides agreed to review many options to gauge what will significantly fortify the U.S.' commitment to protect South Korea from North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.

Sohn Returns to Politics, Bolts from Minjoo Party

A veteran South Korean politician says South Korea is falling apart... and he's overhauling his political life in a campaign to make some big changes.

Park Dismisses Involvement in Mir, K-Sports Scandal

The president has addressed growing suspicions surrounding the controversial establishments of the Mir and K-Sports foundations and her alleged involvement in the scandal.

US Air Force Chief: F-35As to Enhance Combined Fighting Power

The United States' top military officer in charge of air combat has offered some formal reassurance to South Korea about a new generation of fighter jets soon to be deployed here.

US Deploys Armored Brigade Combat Team to S. Korea

Seoul city has retained its top ranking in an international survey on the e-governance of 100 major municipalities worldwide for the seventh straight time.

Seoul Ranks 1st in Int’l E-governance Study

Seoul city has retained its top ranking in an international survey on the e-governance of 100 major municipalities worldwide for the seventh straight time.

S. Korea, US to Launch Dialogue on NK Rights

Seoul and Washington have agreed to launch a joint consultative body on North Korea’s human rights issue.

Korail Warns of Serious Consequences against Railway Strike

The Korea Railroad Corporation(Korail) has issued an ultimatum against unionized rail workers on strike, warning those who don't return to work before Friday will face serious consequences.

N. Korea Fires Missile in Response to 2 2 Talks

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff(JCS) says it detected a failed missile launch attempt in North Korea's Banghyeon Airfield on Thursday morning. The latest provocation came less than a week after an intermediate-range ballistic missile launch attempt by the North last Saturday at the same spot, which was also unsuccessful.

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

Allies explore US strategic assets’ constant stay on peninsula

Seoul and Washington on Thursday explored ways to permanently station US strategic assets such as a nuclear bomber and top-notch warplane on the peninsula as part of efforts to boost their deterrence and better respond to North Korea’s evolving threats.

Tough rules curb adoption of robo advisers

When 36-year-old office worker Kim wanted to switch her 5 million won ($4,400) bank savings to a better yielding investment vehicle, the first thing that came to mind was a low-cost robo-adviser that could manage her money with an automated asset allocating algorithm.

Homemade guns raise alarm in ‘gun-free’ Korea

A rare gunfight in Seoul on Wednesday night has caused concern among the public, revealing a loophole in the country’s strict gun control policy: homemade guns.

New 3-D printing tech to fix broken bones

Three-dimensional printers have long been used to make plastic figurines and industrial parts, but soon, another material might become available through printing technology -- silk protein.

S. Korea has 4th-lowest fertility rate

The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) estimates South Korea’s average fertility rate at 1.3, the fourth lowest in the world.

More foreigners indicted for crimes in Korea

The number of crimes committed by non-Koreans in South Korea is on the rise, police said Thursday.

Webtoonist mocks hierarchy of Korean workplace

A scene from artist Yang Kyung-soo’s webtoon series depicts a senior executive and several junior employees engaged in seemingly amicable conversation. The executive cheerily tells his department members, “They say there’s a crazy person in every team, but there isn’t in ours!” The employees, smiling politely, think to themselves, “It’s you.”

Trump refuses to pledge to respect a Clinton win

Donald Trump refused Wednesday to say that he would respect an eventual Hillary Clinton victory in the US presidential race, threatening at his final debate with the Democrat to keep the country “in suspense.”

Ex-Gyeonggi govenor returns to politics

After a humiliating defeat in the 2014 by-election for a parliamentary seat, former Gyeonggi Province Gov. Sohn Hak-kyu did not just cut all ties with the world of politics, he retreated from urban life to live in a mud-walled hut in a remote village in South Jeolla Province, spending most of his time reading books and meeting with local residents.

NK’s IRBM launch fails again

North Korea’s test-firing of its Musudan missile Thursday failed, the South Korean and US militaries said, marking the second time in less than a week the communist state has botched the launch of the weapon that can supposedly strike a US base in Guam.

Young parents redefine ‘doljanchi’

Kim Kyeong-jun, a banker, invited over 150 friends, co-workers, and relatives to his second child’s first birthday party last year.

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

How to make lethal weapons just a click away

The firearm used to kill a police officer in Seoul Wednesday evening was an improvised gun, but it proved powerful enough to be deadly.

US strategic assets deployment looming

South Korea and the United States have officially begun discussions on the permanent deployment of strategic weapons such as nuclear-capable bombers on the Korean Peninsula.

N. Korea's missile launch fails again

North Korea launched what was presumed to be a Musudan intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), Thursday, which exploded soon after liftoff, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

Typhoon-damaged cars recycled for sale

Dealers are selling cars damaged by typhoon Chaba that struck the southern Korean Peninsula on Nov. 5, according to Korean broadcaster MBC on Wednesday.

N. Korea's chain-smoking chimp draws fiery response

A chain-smoking chimpanzee has become a star attraction at North Korea's newly reopened Pyongyang Zoo, but animal rights activists say the act is "cruel" and "exploitative."

Allies to push for human rights trial for N. Korea leader

South Korea and the United States agreed Thursday to make joint efforts to hold North Korean leader Kim Jong-un accountable for human rights abuses.

2 athletes' contrasting school life

The former national figure skater, Kim Yu-na, 26, impressed many with her professionalism in the sport. On Wednesday, her name was back on social media and the internet, with people highly praising her efforts for academic achievement.

Did Samsung's self-testing of batteries cause crisis

While Samsung Electronics is trying to leave no stone unturned, this time to discern the root causes of the faulty Galaxy Note 7 defect, the guessing game is intensifying and a new suspect has surfaced ― the company's battery-testing lab.

China trying to avoid conflict over illegal fishing

China has accepted South Korea's demand to punish the Chinese fishermen who are responsible for sinking a Coast Guard patrol boat cracking down on illegal fishing in the West Sea, sources said Thursday.

Foreign workers nearing 1 million

There are nearly 1 million foreigners working in Korea and their wages are rising.

Retail investors to file lawsuit against Hanmi

About 200 retail investors will file a collective action suit against Hanmi Pharmaceutical, calling for the drug maker to compensate them for losses from alleged insider trading and a belated regulatory filing of information on the collapse of a major deal.

Saudi Prince Khalid bin Al-Waleed to invest in Suncore

Khalid bin Al-Waleed, chairman of Saudi Arabia-based investment company KBW Investments, is set to become the largest shareholder of Korea's auto parts and energy storage system (ESS) maker Suncore.

Park denies link to scandalous foundations

President Park Geun-hye said Thursday that she has nothing to do with the scandal-ridden Mir and K-Sports foundations and vowed stern punishment for anyone involved in irregularities.

Public art invades Anyang

Among commercials screened at Anyang Station on Seoul Metro Line 1 is a video featuring Anyang citizens playing American rock band Guns N' Roses' "Paradise City." This is video artist Park Bo-na's "Paradise City," which aims to connect the past and present of Anyang with its future as a part of the city's efforts to encourage public art.

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

Trump refuses to say if he will accept election results

U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump openly hinted at a possibility of refusing to accept the election results in case he loses the race to Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Roam Clinton on the November 8 election. With the elections only 18 days ahead, it appears that a political mud fight will continue over the campaign trail of the U.S. presidential election to the last minute.

Seoul reaffirms commitment to ‘nuclear-free’ Korean Peninsula

South Korea has reaffirmed its position on a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. At a 2 2 meeting in Washington on Thursday (Korean time) involving foreign and defense ministers of South Korea and the United States, South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se said Seoul will adhere to the principle of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula as one of the most exemplary non-nuclear state. The remark is a clear message to the international community that South Korea will not accept calls in its political circles for Seoul’s nuclear armament.

Messi hits 3 as Barca beats Guardiola's Manchester City

Recovered from injury and back on the field, Lionel Messi has left a bruise on his former coach and teammates.

Facebook CEO defends a Trump supporting board member

We can’t create a culture that says it cares about diversity and then excludes almost half the country because they back a political candidate.”

A new perspective on Empress Myeongseong

Empress Myeongseong of the Joseon Dynasty is the most popular figure for art work in the era. The musical "The Lost Face 1895," which is being performed by the Seoul Performing Art Company, offers a unique perspective of the unfortunate empress who was killed by Japan:

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

1/3 of Divorcees Are Mature Couples

Nearly one-third of divorces are now between couples who have been together at least two decades.

Note 7 Users File Class-Action Suit Against Samsung

Some customers in Korea and the U.S. who bought Samsung's combustible Galaxy Note 7 phone are filing class-action lawsuits claiming they suffered financial losses due to the recall.

U.S. Defense Chief Reaffirms 'Pivot to Asia'

U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter on Tuesday reaffirmed his government's commitment to a "pivot to Asia" in deploying its most advanced weapons in the region.

Kim Jong-un Ordered 64 Public Executions This Year

North Korea is experiencing growing unrest amid leader Kim Jong-un's reign of terror, the National Intelligence Service here said Wednesday.

Korea Must Not Miss the 4th Industrial Revolution

Economists are warning that Korea's growth may come to a skidding halt in the fourth quarter of this year due to external and internal risks.

Hundreds to Lose Their Jobs in Hanjin Shipping Bankruptcy

Hanjin Shipping has decided to lay off all workers except a rump staff of 300 after it went bankrupt last month. The 300 remaining workers will look after the U.S. and Asian shipping routes, which Hanjin is hoping to sell intact.

Hyundai to Recall Genesis Coupes in U.S. Over Airbag Issues

Hyundai will recall around 84,000 Genesis Coupes in the U.S. due to defective airbags, the automaker said on Wednesday.

LG to Release Premium Smartphone Overseas

LG will begin sales overseas of its flagship smartphone, the V20 released here last month.

Popular Travel App Offers Ferry Bookings to Hong Kong, Macau

Inside Planet, a mobile travel guidebook for Hong Kong and Macau, now enables bookings for ferry tickets to the territories.

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

Due to aging, South Korean population headed for structural reversal

Residents of Sinpyeong township in Uiseong County, North Gyeongsang Province, were getting ready for their autumn harvest on Oct. 12. Cutting rice plants was an urgent task, they said - and all of the work is done by local village women in their seventies and older.

Survey shows Seoulites peeved with civil servants’ disinterest, overseas training jaunts

According to Seoul citizens, the worst habits of civil servants are the apathetic expressions on their faces when they deal with civil complaints, and overseas training programs that are more like vacations.

Opposition incensed over swift prosecutors investigation into memoir claims

The opposition Minjoo Party is up in arms over the assignment of complaints over charges in former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Song Min-soon’s memoirs to the prosecutors’ public security division.

Prosecutors dragging feet, claiming Choi Sun-sil charges aren’t clear

Prosecutors are dragging their feet in investigating Choi Sun-sil, claiming a “lack of clear criminal charges” despite deepening allegations surrounding the Mir and K-Sports Foundations, including claims that Choi set up shell companies overseas.

Class action lawsuit being filed seeking damages for Samsung Galaxy Note 7

A class action lawsuit being filed in South Korea and overseas over damages to consumers from two recalls of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphone.

21 South Korean companies make Dow Jones Sustainability Index

A list of 317 sustainable global companies chosen by Dow Jones included 21 companies from South Korea.

We’re happy because you’re here” - students show gratitude for cleaning and security staff

We’re happy because you’re here,” said the banner, which was hanging up in Hyowon Hall, on the second floor of Sangnam International Building on the campus of Pusan National University on Oct. 18. This message was intended to express gratitude to the cleaning and security staff who look after every part of the university. Soon after 5 pm, the guests began to trickle into the room and took their seats at roundtables.

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

Man with homemade arsenal kills cop

An ex-convict went on a shooting spree in northern Seoul’s Gangbuk District Wednesday night using a gun he manufactured himself, fatally shooting a police officer before he was apprehended.

Kepco signs $900 million nuclear deal with UAE

The Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco) signed a deal Thursday with the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation to operate four nuclear power plants being constructed in Barakah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Park gives green light to probe of foundations

President Park Geun-hye said Thursday she does not condone any illegalities in her pet projects to promote Korea’s culture and sports, giving the green light to prosecutors to go after an influence-peddling scandal involving one of her longtime friends, two nonprofit foundations and conglomerates.

Chinese visitor sneaks into Jeju very easily

A Chinese visitor avoided immigration and sneaked illegally into Jeju Island by jumping a wall and a fence at Jeju International Airport Tuesday, exposing lax security at the airport.

More foreign workers are in their 30s, 50s

The number of foreign workers reached an all-time high this year, and more of those workers are in their 30s and 50s, the government said Thursday.

Samsung may source batteries from LG Chem

Samsung Electronics is in discussions with LG Chem over batteries for future smartphones as the company seeks to diversify suppliers in the aftermath of the Galaxy Note7 debacle.

Amid probe, Lotte Group works on overhaul

Lotte Group is planning an overhaul that would it help it catch up on business activities after a four-month slowdown caused by a legal probe. The proposal may be made public as early as next week, a Lotte spokesman said.

Copycat apps raise controversy

For as long as there have been burgeoning start-ups with novel ideas, there have also been the big established companies accused of copying them.

Loans drop on tighter standards

The government’s efforts to rein in surging household debt by clamping down on mortgage lending standards appears to be working, as major commercial banks have seen the number of new loans decrease this month.

Shinhan, KB post better-than expected profit

Despite tough market conditions including low interest rates, the country’s leading financial institutions said they had better than expected earnings for the third quarter.

Naver chairman, CEO step down

Search engine operator Naver said Chairman Lee Hae-jin and CEO Kim Sang-hun are stepping down from their positions to help the company expand to other major markets, including Europe and North America. Kim will be succeeded by the company’s first female chief, Han Seong-sook.

Cream, butter are in short supply

Gong Byeong-deuk, a baker who runs a shop in Gangseo District, western Seoul, has been having difficulty sourcing domestic cream and butter since last summer. His supplier cut back his daily delivery of 30 500-milliliter (17-ounce) bottles of fresh cream to five, citing a shortage of the product.

Daewoo E&C apartments in Ansan for sale

Daewoo E&C will begin selling apartment units in its recently-completed Choji Station Majortown Prugio complex in the city of Ansan, Gyeonggi, this month.

Kerry promises politics as usual

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said he is confident the new president of the United States will remain focused in tackling the North Korea challenge, following a bilateral diplomatic and defense dialogue between Seoul and Washington that emphasized extended deterrence against Pyongyang.

NIS chief: ‘Kim sought Pyongyang’s opinion’

The head of the country’s main spy agency said the agency’s former director, Kim Man-bok, did indeed float the idea of asking North Korea for its opinion on a 2007 UN vote addressing Pyongyang’s human rights conditions, supporting the account given by a top diplomatic official’s memoir.

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

Suspect Breaks Electronic Anklet, Strikes a Citizen and Shoots a Police Officer with a Homemade Gun

A man suspected of assault fired a fatal shot at a police officer with a homemade gun in the streets of Seoul.

"Red Raincoat" Refutes, "I Reached out for the Ground So as Not to Land on Baek"

On October 19, the man in a "red raincoat," who appeared immediately after the late farmer Baek Nam-gi was hit by a police water cannon at the time of the First People's Rally on November 14, 2015, spoke on allegations that he attacked Baek.

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

Controversy Arises about Gov't Reexamination of McKinsey Report

The Korean government and the Korea Offshore & Shipbuilding Association decided to make reexamination of the McKinsey report, one which the former commissioned to find out the right way to go for the restructuring of the Korean shipbuilding industry.

Woori Bank Reports "Earnings Surprise"

Woori Bank announced on October 19 that its consolidated net profit for the third quarter of this year amounted to 355.6 billion won, up 15.9 percent from a year ago. For the January-September period of this year, Woori Bank's consolidated net profit reached 1.10 trillion won, up 31.6 percent compared to a year before.

Lotte Acquires Pakistan's Pepsi Bottling Factory

Lotte Group will acquire Lahore PepsiCo, a Pepsi-Cola bottling plant in Pakistan. This is widely interpreted as a sign that Lotte, which have been under four-month-long prosecutors' investigation, is resuming its expansion moves.

Domestic Institutional Investors Interested Most in Renewable Energy Infrastructures

A survey said Korea's major institutional investors such as pension funds, mutual aid associations, and insurance companies plan to increase their overseas infrastructure investment next year. In a situation where interest rates are low, they are keenly interested in making investments in overseas infrastructure assets which pay relatively high returns comparing to perceived risks.

Investment Focus Shifts to Houston, Denver, Rotterdam from New York and London...ASK 2016

The trend in global investment in real estate properties and infrastructures is changing in fundamental ways. If centers of gravity in global investment were big cities like New York and London, now the focus is shifting toward mid-sized cities in North America and Europe such as Houston, Denver, Calgary, Rotterdam, and the like. Type of properties for investment has also changed from official buildings to commercial buildings and apartment buildings.

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

Samsung releases world's first mobile 8GB DRAM

Samsung Electronics Thursday unveiled the world's first eight-gigabyte mobile DRAM package featuring more efficient power consumption that could be used for the company's next Galaxy S smartphone.

KEPCO hopes to earn $49 bln from UAE deal to run nuclear plants

South Korea's state-run Korea Electric Power Corp. promised to earn 49.4 billion US dollars Thursday from a deal to run nuclear power plants in the United Arab Emirates for 60 years.

Duty-free store sales soar 36% in first nine months: Yonhap

Sales at South Korea's duty-free stores rose 36.4 percent in the first nine months of this year from a year earlier on increased buying by foreign tourists, especially Chinese, data showed Thursday.

Appeals court orders retrial of divorce suit filed by Hotel Shilla CEO

A high-profile divorce suit filed by one of South Korea's richest women took a twist Thursday after an appeals court ruled in favor of her husband, ordering a new trial at a different place, citing jurisdiction of the court.

Seoul and Washington agree to launch high-level security dialogue: Yonhap

South Korea and the United States agreed to launch a high-level dialogue to discuss how to carry out the US "extended deterrence" protection of the Asian ally from nuclear and missile threats from North Korea.

US, S. Korea detect N. Korea's failed Musudan missile launch

South Korea and the United States detected North Korea's failed launch of a suspected intermediate-range ballistic missile Thursday shortly after the allies agreed on a new high-level dialogue on how to carry out "extended deterrence" against nuclear and missile threats.

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Maeil Business News Korea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/)

Korean cosmetics labels Whoo, Innisfree to hit 1 trillion won sales milestones

LG Household & Health Care Ltd.’s premium cosmetics brand Whoo and AmorePacific Corp.’s budget brand Innisfree are each expected to reach 1 trillion won ($887 million) in sales this year, becoming the second and third labels to hit the significant milestone after oriental cosmetics brand Sulwhasoo last year.

Samsung Elec. launches 8GB LPDDR4 DRAM solution for advanced mobile devices

Samsung Electronics Co. released 8-gigabyte (GB) LPDDR4 (low power, double data rate 4) mobile dynamic random access memory (DRAM) package, designed to power advanced mobile devices requiring high-performance, high-capacity, and ultra slim features.

Saudi prince to become the biggest shareholder of Suncore

Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed, son of Saudi Arabia’s Kingdom Holding Company Chairman and Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud, will become the largest shareholder of a South Korean machinery components provider Suncore Inc.

Hyundai Group chair also burned by former scheming Kosdaq member ForHuman

A well-rehearsed fraudulent scheme by a now-defunct KOSDAQ company scalded 137 investors across the country including Hyun Jung-eun, chairwoman of Hyundai Group, according to court hearing records.

Samsung Electronics mulls using Li-ion batteries of LG Chem

Samsung Electronics Co. has decided to diversify the supply chain on batteries powering its smartphones as well as other parts after its disgraceful fallout with explosion-prone Galaxy Note7 and may team up with LG Chem, battery maker for local rival LG Electronics.

Fila Korea to up stake to 50% in Titleist maker Acushnet after next week’s IPO

Fila Korea, the largest shareholder in Massachusetts-based Acushnet Holdings Corp that owns iconic golf brands Titleist and FootJoy, plans to up its stake to 50 percent when the U.S. company goes public next week.

S. Korea’s economically active foreign population hits 1 mn mark

South Korea’s economically active foreign population has hit one million mark for the first time.

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