The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Monday, October 24, 2016

Your Excellency:

Here are The Korea Post notice sand a roundup 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/)

N. Korea Repeats Calls for Peace Treaty with US

North Korea has repeated its calls for signing a formal peace treaty with the United States as a precondition for talks on the North’s denuclearization or nuclear disarmament in an unofficial dialogue with the United States.

S. Korea Downplays US-N. Korea Talks in Malaysia

The South Korean government has reaffirmed that South Korea and the United States will keep strong pressure and sanctions on North Korea, downplaying the significance of a latest unofficial dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang in Malaysia.

IMF Estimates Cost of S. Korea's Corporate Restructuring at 31Tln Won

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has estimated that the cost of South Korea’s corporate restructuring in the maritime and shipbuilding industries will reach 31 trillion won, or 27 billion U.S. dollars.

iPhone 7 Hits Korean Markets amid Galaxy Note 7 Fiasco

Apple's latest iPhone 7 went on sale Friday in South Korea both online and offline.Figures show that preorders for the new phone are more than double the number for the iPhone 6.

WSJ: STX Offshore and Shipbuilding Files Court Protection in US

South Korea's fourth largest shipbuilder is reportedly filing for bankruptcy protection.

The Wall Street Journal(WSJ) says a Texas court has granted STX Offshore and Shipbuilding Company a temporary restraining order to block creditors from seizing its U.S. assets.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

U.S. pressuring S. Korea, other allies to vote against ban on nuclear weapons: report

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 (Yonhap) -- The United States is campaigning hard against a proposed U.N. General Assembly resolution banning nuclear weapons, pressuring treaty allies like South Korea, Japan and NATO members to vote against the resolution, a new report said.

U.S. gov't dismisses rare talks involving N.K. diplomats as 'Track 2' meeting

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 (Yonhap) -- The United States on Sunday dismissed recent talks between North Korean diplomats and former U.S. government officials as a private "Track 2" meeting taking place without the involvement of the U.S. government.

Kerry calls N. Korea 'illegal and illegitimate regime'

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has described North Korea as an "illegal and illegitimate regime" in a possible indication that the U.S. government is taking a harder line on the communist nation.

Senior U.S. diplomat handling THAAD to visit S. Korea this week

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 (Yonhap) -- A senior U.S. diplomat handling missile defense issues, including THAAD, will visit South Korea later this week, the State Department said.

Frank Rose, assistant secretary of state for arms control, verification and compliance, will be in Seoul on Friday and Saturday for meetings with officials of South Korea's government and U.S.

N. Korea slams S. Korean president for instigating defection

SEOUL, Oct. 23 (Yonhap) -- In the latest series of harsh and undiplomatic verbal attacks against South Korean President Park Geun-hye,

North Korea again lashed out at the head of state Sunday for trying to instigate defection by North Koreans.

Police fail to perform autopsy on farmer due to family opposition

SEOUL, Oct. 23 (Yonhap) -- Police on Sunday tried to carry out an autopsy on the body of a farmer who died after being hit by a police water cannon during a protest late last year, but withdrew in the face of strong opposition from his bereaved family.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Seoul sees little progress at informal US-NK talks

The US government remains unchanged on its commitment to retain pressure on North Korea to give up its nuclear program, Seoul officials said Sunday, downplaying speculations that Washington may resume dialogue with Pyongyang in light of a recent informal meeting.

[News Focus] Chinese real estate buying has limited impact in Seoul: experts

Chinese nationals have been increasingly making inroads into the expensive real estate market in Seoul and its surrounding cities, but the move will not be powerful enough to drive up the overall home prices, experts said.

Why Won Buddhists oppose THAAD deployment

One Saturday morning, passers-by curiously turned their heads as a group of people in white robes began to collectively pray, strike a gong and sound a wooden percussion instrument in central Seoul.

K-pop idols suffering from stress-related illnesses

This month alone the local entertainment industry has been hit with a number of K-pop idols suffering from fatigue and other stress-related mental health issues. With all these stars taking time out from their hectic schedules, one question needs to be answered -- where do we draw the line?

N. Koreans displaced by flooding hovers around 300,000: observer

The number of North Koreans displaced by devastating floods that ravaged northeastern parts of the country hovers around 300,000, a local researcher said Sunday.

The total estimate is four times larger than what Pyongyang announced in the past after Typhoon Lionrock caused heavy rainfall, landslides and flooding.

Park to deliver speech on 2017 budget at National Assembly on Monday

President Park Geun-hye will deliver an annual speech to outline her government's budget plans for next year at the National Assembly this week, her office Cheong WaDae said Sunday.

Protracted strike by railroad workers continues to cause public inconvenience

A protracted labor strike by unionized railroad workers will continue to cause public inconvenience for many passengers and cargo transportation due to lower-than-normal operation levels, observers said Sunday.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Police push for farmer's autopsy

Police attempted Sunday to forcibly execute a warrant for the autopsy on Baek Nam-ki, a farmer who died last month following a 10-month coma after being knocked over by a police water cannon, but withdrew due to strong resistance from the bereaved family and civic group members.

Investigations into 'Choi Soon-sil gate' widening

The prosecution summoned a former head of the Mir Foundation, Sunday, one of two foundations embroiled in a scandal centering on Choi Soon-sil, a close confidant of President Park Geun-hye.

Game company employee leaps to death after being fired

A male employee of Netmarble Games, Korea's top mobile game developer, leaped to his death from the company building after being fired for alleged embezzlement.

Too many slogans, too little action, citizens say

Yongin citizens have hit out at the city government for wasting time frequently updating city slogans instead of improving people's lives.

Tougher marijuana sentence for K-pop girl band member

A K-pop girl band member had her sentence increased to six months in prison, suspended for a year, in an appeal court on Saturday for growing and smoking marijuana.

Drunken woman falls down car parking lift

A reportedly drunken woman was injured when she fell into a car parking lift in Busan at 1:50 a.m. Saturday.

The woman, surnamed Kim, was apparently in a hurry to use the bathroom.

Paid seats for Busan Fireworks Festival draw criticism

Busan citizens have been disgruntled over the expensive tickets for the city's famous fireworks festival and nearby restaurants' high prices, saying the city makes money from the public event without proper supervision.

Sonata among five top-selling hybrids in US

Sonata Hybrid was one of the five top-selling hybrid cars in the U.S. in September, says a U.S.-based website, specializing in hybrid gas-electric vehicles.

US remains firm on N. Korea's nukes, dismisses speculation on talks with Pyongyang

The United States remains firm on its commitment to denuclearize North Korea, and Washington and Seoul will cooperate with the international community to keep strong pressure and sanctions on Pyongyang to make it give up its nuclear ambitions, the foreign ministry here said Sunday.

N. Korea resumes encrypted numbers broadcast after 9-day break

North Korea's state radio station resumed broadcasting mysterious numbers Sunday after a nine-day break that could be some kind of coded message to its agents operating in South Korea.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dong-A Ilbo (http://english.donga.com)

'There was partial progress,' say officials of N. Korea and the U.S

It has been said that North Korean diplomats met with the U.S. officials for two days staring from Friday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and demanded the U.S. to recognize the North as a nuclear power and to sign a peace treaty again.

A top US missile defense official visits Seoul again

A top U.S. missile defense official will visit Korea again in three months. Some say that it is to accelerate the discussion over the deployment of the U.S. Army's Terminal High Altitude Area Defense on the Korean Peninsula.

Comfort women statues set up for the first time in China

The Japanese comfort women statues has been erected in China. The International Committee for Joint Nomination to UNESCO International Memory of the World held an unveiled ceremony of two statues of young girls symbolizing the so-called "comfort women" at Shanghai Normal University on Saturday.

Nobel academy member calls Bob Dylan ‘impolite and arrogant’

As American singer and songwriter Bob Dylan has remained unresponsive and failed to even make a comment after he was named the winner of this year’s Nobel Prize for Literature, a member of the Swedish Academy that awards the Nobel literature prize openly blasted him as being “impolite and arrogant.”

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.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Widowers Die Faster Than Married Men

The mortality rate among widowers and divorced men is around three times higher than among married men.

A study by Choi Jang-hoon at the Korea Insurance Research Institute shows that the mortality rate among widowers as of 2010 stood at 13.3 for every 1,000 men, compared to 3.2 for married men. The mortality rate among divorced men was 8.7.

More Koreans Travel Solo

More and more Koreans are happy to travel the world on their own as traditional collective values erode.

Last year some 206,000 people bought plane tickets or tours for one person from Korea's biggest travel agency Hana Tour last year, up nearly five-fold from 2011.

In Most Cases, Breast Pain Not a Sign of Cancer, Survey Finds

Breast pain is a common complaint among women visiting clinics, but in most cases it is not associated with cancer, a survey shows. Daerim St. Mary's Hospital in Seoul surveyed 160 women who visited its breast clinic.

1/3 of Divorcees Are Mature Couples

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

According to Supreme Court annals, 32,626 couples who had been together for more than 20 years divorced last year, accounting for 30 percent of total divorced couples.

Another N.Korean Missile Launch Flops

North Korea botched the launch of another mid-range missile on Thursday morning, five days after the last one blew up shortly after lift-off.

The launch came around 7 a.m. Thursday, shortly after the foreign and defense ministers of South Korea and the U.S. met in Washington to discuss a response to the nuclear and missile threats from the North.

Naver Taps Woman as Next CEO

Naver said Thursday that it has tapped a female executive as the Internet giant's next CEO. If Han Seong-sook is appointed in a shareholders' meeting and board meeting next March, she becomes the first woman at the helm of a major Korean IT company.

Chinese Trawlers Decimate Squid Stocks in East Sea

Korean fishermen's squid catch in the East Sea is plummeting as voracious Chinese trawler fleets decimate stocks.

According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on Tuesday, the annual squid haul from the East Sea shrank from 88,581 tons in 2012 to 65,181 tons last year.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[News analysis] Come to the friendly South? Pres. Park’s fixation on North Korean collapse

Unlike previous South Korean presidents, Park has openly speculated about the end of the North Korean regime

There’s a scene in the film “Gyeongju” by director Zhang Lu (released in June 2014) when a university professor surnamed Park is having a drink with a guy he met randomly

Distrust of politicians creates “crisis of representation” in South Korea

Research shows that while the public’s trust in politicians is low, voter turnout is still fairly high

According to a new study, democracy in South Korea is facing a “crisis of representation” resulting from distrust of politicians, but this has not yet brought a “crisis of participation,” as evidenced by increasing voting turnout.

Number of foreign workers in South Korea nearing 1 million

Workers from overseas are generally young, and employed in low-paying, unskilled jobs,The number of foreigners employed in the South Korean labor market is nearing 1 million.

The cost of being a K-star: ravaged physical and mental health

Due to busy schedules and concerns over privacy, young idols often don’t get regular checkups or counseling

South Korea’s teen pop performers are ailing. Recent years have seen more and more calling it quits due to internal and external conditions - over ten this year alone.

[News analysis] Why did the US turn down S. Korea’s request for permanent deployment of strategic weapons?

Such deployments of strategic assets are typically only made during times of high tensions, and would change security order in northeast Asia

High income women accounting for higher percentage of childbirths

Newly released statistics also show the average childbearing age rising, and more women older than 35 giving birth

S. Korea and the US don’t reach deal on permanent deployment of strategic US weapons

Permanent rotational deployment of high-powered weapons was sought by South Korean government after North Korea’s nuclear and missile tests

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Foundation scandal probe gathers momentum

The prosecution’s investigation into a scandal involving President Park Geun-hye’s longtime friend has picked up speed as key witnesses involved in the creation of two suspicious nonprofit foundations submitted to questioning on Sunday.

North Korean and U.S. officials hold two-day meeting

North Korean top-ranking officials held two-day unofficial talks with former U.S. officials in Malaysia on Friday and Saturday, raising questions over the nature of the meeting and possibility of further dialogue between the two countries.

Mortgage qualifications tighten

The government’s tightening of mortgage loans in hopes of curbing household debt has spread to small financial institutions such as savings banks.

Trade minister asks U.S. for fairer dumping laws

JooHyung-hwan, Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, has asked the U.S government to conduct fair antidumping regulations on Korean steel products.

The trade minister’s request comes amid growing concerns over protectionism in the global market.

FTC fines doctors for colluding against rivals

The leading organization representing doctors has pressured medical equipment suppliers not to do business with oriental medicine clinics, the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) said.

For funding, start-ups turn to corporate capital

If you’re a start-up seeking investment, the traditional route would take you to a dedicated venture capital firm or angel investor. But these days, there’s another option that is becoming increasingly popular: corporate venture capital, where established companies directly invest in start-ups in return for equity.

Home away from home comes to the Han River

Citadines Han River Seoul offers safe and comfortable accommodations for tourists and business people alike, whether for a short break or a long-term stay.

How will the world look in 2036? We asked a futurist

Is the human race stepping closer to disasters depicted in climate science fiction-movies like “The Day After Tomorrow”?

Jim Dator, professor and director emeritus of the Hawaii Research Center for Futures Studies, says the scenario is highly likely. “The forces and factors that worked for Korea and the world for the past 50 years will work no more,” he says.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[Choi Soon-sil Scandal] President Orders to End "Choi Soon-sil Scandal"

On October 20, President Park Geun-hye referred to the controversy surrounding the MI-R Foundation and the K Sports Foundation, which is also connected to Choi Soon-sil, cited as a secret heavyweight in the incumbent government, and said, "Allegations concerning meaningful projects are spreading and a heated debate, which seems more like excessive personal attacks, continues."

SohnHak-kyu Returns by Leaving the Minjoo Party and by Calling for a Constitutional Amendment

SohnHak-kyu (69), former senior advisor for the New Politics Alliance for Democracy announced his return to politics along with his departure from the Minjoo Party of Korea on October 20. He returned to politics after a two-year-and-three-month absence for the purpose of creating a "new game" with "constitutional amendments." Sohn declared his retirement from politics after suffering a defeat in the by-election in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do on July 30, 2014 and had resided in Gangjin, Jeollanam-do.

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.

At around 6:20 p.m. on October 19, the police received a 112 call claiming that a citizen was hit with a blunt object near Suyu Metro Station in Gangbuk-gu.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[Market Insight] Japan's Rakuten May Acquire Hyundai Savings Bank

Rakuten, Inc., Japan's e-commerce company often called an "Alibaba of Japan," is pushing forward with a plan to acquire Hyundai Savings Bank. Even though there were cases of Japanese financial services firms like SBI Holdings, Orix, and JTrust moving into Korea's savings bank market, this is the first time for a Japanese retail company to try to break into the market.

Half of Top-30 Business Groups Didn't Complete 2017 Business Plan Drafts...Survey

Almost a half of Korea's top-30 conglomerates including Samsung, Hyundai Motor, SK, and LG have not yet drawn up their business plans for the next year. This is because the nation's economy is in one of the worst shapes since the 1997 financial crisis in terms of consumption, investment, and export while the external front is getting more complicated.

NPS to Shift Its Investment Strategy toward Acquiring Foreign Infrastructure Funds

The National Pension Service will shift its investment strategy from investing in physical assets toward acquiring stakes in foreign infrastructure management firms running electricity utilities, ports, and highways. Kang Myeon-wook, CIO of the National Pension Service Investment Management, said on October 20 in the ASK 2016 Global Real Estate and Infrastructure Investment Summit held at Conrad Seoul Hotel that his firm would diversify infrastructure investment.

Chevy Trax Ranked No. 1 Export Model by Unseating Hyundai's Accent

The No. 1 export car brand this year was taken by GM Korea's crossover SUV "Trax," unseating the Hyundai Accent that had been the best-selling export model for two years in 2014 and 2015.

"Chinese Wave" All the Rage among Young Koreans

A "Chinese Wave" is all the rage. Although the latest trend is not yet as widespread as the Korean Wave that has been going on for years in Asia, it is adopted fast by young Koreans in their late teens and 20s who buy Chinese-made smartphones and drones while enjoying Chinese foods.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[FOCUS] Popular animated penguin Pororo infiltrates into North Korea (expanded version)

Pororo, a cute animated penguin who dreams of flying and plays around with his friends, is one of South Korea’s greatest cultural exports, bringing joy to children all over the world.

Hyundai unveils new bobsleigh for Pyeongchang Winter Olympics

South Korean athletes team will compete in the 2018 Winter Olympics in the eastern ski resort of Pyeongchang with a new and upgraded bobsleigh produced by Hyundai Motor.

IMF puts S. Korea's restructuring cost at $27 bln: Yonhap

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) put the estimated cost of South Korea's ongoing corporate restructuring drive at 31 trillion won (27 billion US dollars), saying it will be offset by various benefits in a decade, according to a recent report.

Tesla says self-driving needs 'no human input at all'

Following a hint at a major upgrade to its auto-pilot or self-driving ability for months, US electric car company Tesla has released a video showing off what its new technology can do.

Hanjin Shipping's stake in Long Beach terminal up for sale

South Korea's debt-stricken Hanjin Shipping said Friday it has been allowed to sell its US operation in charge of the Long Beach terminal in California as part of efforts to secure cash through the sale of assets.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Foreign investors’ demand for Samsung BioLogics IPO shares is high

Samsung BioLogics Co., the biopharmaceutical business arm of South Korean conglomerate Samsung Group, has drawn more than double the estimated 2 trillion won ($1.76 billion) worth of its planned initial public offering (IPO) from foreign institutional investors during road shows, raising expectations for the success of this year’s blockbuster IPO in the main Korean bourse.

KB Financial Group shares attract attention from financial circles

Shares of South Korea’s KB Financial Group Inc. hit a new 52-week high, which has attracted attention from the industry. Experts analyzed that its shares have drawn attention as the group has bolstered its non-banking units.

OCI seeks to raise funds to expand polysilicon production capacity

South Korea’s leading polysilicon supplier OCI Co. is seeking to raise funds to expand its polysilicon output in a preemptive move to further cement its leading position in the global polysilicon market.

Crown Confectionery to turn into holding company system

South Korea’s Crown Confectionery Co. would turn into a holding company system 11 years after it took over the full stake in its competitor Haitai Confectionery & Foods Co.

Samsung Display makes a foray into PID panel market

South Korea’s leading display panel maker Samsung Display Co. has made a foray into the public information display (PID) market that is set to grow rapidly, launching the company’s official PID site and developing PID dedicated fabrication process.

GM Korea to unveil Chevrolet Bolt EV in Seoul

Korean motorists will have a chance to peek at the Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle (EV) before its official launch slated in the United States later this year as GM Korea Co., the local unit of U.S. automaker General Motors Co. (GM), plans to unveil the new model of the battery-powered electric vehicle in Korea next week.

저작권자 © The Korea Post 무단전재 및 재배포 금지