Tuesday May 26, 2020
Round-up of important news from major Korean dailies and from international media today
The Korea Post (http://www.koreapost.com/)
Aeroflot marks 30 years of operation between Korea and Russia
“Aeroflot celebrates the 30 years of operation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Korea,” said General Manager Alexander Sychugov of the Aeroflot Russian Airlines in Korea. Then he said that his company has one of the youngest fleets of any global carrier in the world operating more than 100 aircraft with an average aircraft age of 5 years.”
Speaking at a recent interview with The Korea Post media, publisher of 3 English and 2 Korean-language news publications for the past 35 years, Sychugov said, “This not only means comfort for our passengers but also ensures their safety, which has always been Aeroflot’s top priority.” Excerpts from the interview follow:
Renowned Korean food consultant pursues urban regeneration projects to link food to culture
There is a great deal of enthusiasm for food in Korea these days, with YouTube full of eating shows and TV having lots of cooking programs and cooking-related books on the bestseller list. Chefs were once ranked next to teachers and medical doctors in jobs favored by elementary school students.
Special notice : The Korea Post is organizing a tour for the Ambassadors and Madams to the Pyeongkang Oriental Medicine Hospital on Tuesday June 9, 2010. Ambassadors and Madams are cordially invited to the Tour where an Oriental medicine pack against COVID-19 is presented to each Excellency. In the event of absence of Invitation, please advise the Editor at The Korea Post at 010-5201-1740.
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KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)
S. Korea's Consumer Sentiment Rebounds in May
South Korea's consumer sentiment rebounded for the first time in six months in May on a decline in the number of new COVID-19 cases.
According to the Bank of Korea on Tuesday, the country's composite consumer sentiment index came to 77-point-six this month, up six-point-eight points from a month earlier.
A reading below 100 means pessimists outnumber optimists.
S. Korea Expresses Regret over Japan's Extension of Entry Restrictions
The Foreign Ministry on Monday expressed regret over Japan's decision to extend its entry restrictions for South Korean travelers over COVID-19.
Earlier in the day, Japan notified South Korea of its extension, which includes the suspension of a visa-free entry program and a 14-day quarantine for arrivals from the country, by another month until end-June.
Arrest Warrants Issued for Two Paid Members of 'Baksabang'
A local court has issued arrest warrants for two paid members of a high-profile online sexual exploitation ring.
The Seoul Central District Court on Monday accepted the prosecution's request for the writ for two suspects, only identified by their surnames Yim and Jang, on charges of producing and distributing sexually exploitative content, as well as joining a criminal organization.
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The Korea Herald (http://www.koreaherald.com)
Surviving ‘comfort woman’ accuses civic group of ‘using’ victims
A surviving victim of Japan’s wartime sexual slavery on Monday slammed a longstanding advocacy group for selling out the victims to raise donations in its 30-year campaign for the victims.
Lee Yong-soo, 92, also called for due punishment of the group -- Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan -- and its former President Yoon Mi-hyang over their alleged mishandling of donations.
Moon calls for bold fiscal strategy in light of COVID-19
Addressing the officials responsible for drawing up the national fiscal strategy, President Moon Jae-in on Monday called for bold support measures, saying the state must spearhead efforts to soften the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking at the National Fiscal Strategy Meeting, Moon also downplayed concerns that his administration’s fiscal policies could threaten the country’s fiscal stability, saying Korea was more economically stable than average compared with other OECD states.
Face masks mandatory on public transport
The Korean government has decided to require all passengers on buses, taxis, subways and flights to wear masks, in order to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.
The face-covering mandate, issued by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, comes as more drivers and passengers are disregarding mask-wearing recommendations amid rising temperatures.
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Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
'Yoon uses comfort women for own interest'
Yoon Mee-hyang, an activist-turned-lawmaker-elect who led a civic group purportedly advocating for Korean victims of Japan's wartime sex slavery, aimed to become a lawmaker to gratify her own selfish interests, not to expand support for the victims, a surviving victim claimed Monday.
Yoon, who led the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan (Korean Council), was selected for a proportional representation seat at the National Assembly in the April 15 general election by the Civil Together party, a satellite of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea.
Moon's inter-Korean initiative put to test
President Moon Jae-in's proposal to deal with inter-Korean projects separately from the North's denuclearization negotiations with the United States seems to be losing steam, with Pyongyang still shunning Seoul while seeking dialog with Washington.
According to the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Sunday, leader Kim Jong-un presided over an undated key defense meeting of the ruling Workers' Party and laid out "new policies for further increasing" its nuclear war deterrence and putting its "strategic armed forces on high alert operation." However, there was no reference to Seoul's suggestion for cooperation on inter-Korean quarantine measures amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Faster COVID-19 testing kit due next month
Health authorities said Monday that a coronavirus testing kit that can produce results in about one hour.
Pharmaceutical companies including Seasun Biometerials also announced that they plan to apply for emergency use authorization from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) early next month. The KCDC will accept applications for the COVID-19 test kit for emergency use from Jun 1 to 5 and review the plan to allow doctors to use them.
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Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)
Concerns Grow as More Students Return to School
The Education Ministry on Sunday announced a student dispersion plan for schools in case of an emergency as most kids return to school this week. Schoolkids will be marshalled so that fewer of them are crowded into classrooms amid fears of coronavirus infection.
Kindergarteners, elementary schoolchildren in first and second grades, middle schoolchildren in ninth grade, and high school students in 11th grade go back to school on Wednesday.
Per-Capita Tax Burden Exceeds W10 Million
The tax burden shouldered by each Korean citizen last year surpassed W10 million for the first time ever (US$1=W1,240).
According to United Future Party lawmaker Choo Kyung-ho on Sunday, per-capita tax payments last year reached W10.1 million, up 3.2 percent from 2018. That includes state pension and health and other mandatory insurance payments and has jumped a whopping 47 percent from W6.89 million in 2013.
Bars to Adopt QR-Code System to Keep Track of Visitors
Starting next month, bars and nightclubs will be required to adopt a QR code-based system to keep track of visitors following a resurgence in coronavirus infections in Seoul's party district of Itaewon.
Health officials had faced problems tracking down scores of visitors to several nightclubs in Itaewon.
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The Dong-A Ilbo (http://english.donga.com/)
N. Korea should give up nuclear program, says Trump’s advisor
Tensions between the U.S. and North Korea are being reignited after a period of calm as U.S. national security advisor Robert O'Brien repeatedly said the U.S. is keeping an eye on the North right after North Korea’s comment about strengthening nuclear war deterrence power.
SK Planet introduces app for used smartphones
SK Planet announced Monday that consumers can find the prices of used smartphones and sell or purchase them on its app Syrup Wallet. Consumers can register their smartphones after verifying their identity on the app’s “My Finance” tab to have the performance of their device tested and get a price appraisal.
New Zealand PM keeps her cool during earthquake
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is making headlines for staying calm in the face of a 5.9 magnitude earthquake during a television interview.
The 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck near the capital Wellington around 8 a.m. Monday (local time), according to the Guardian. The prime minister, who was on a live TV interview, did not lose cool even after sensing the earthquake.
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The KyungHyang Shinmun (http://english.khan.co.kr/)
Itaewon Cluster Transmission Leads to Senary Infection: The Nation Stands Nervous as More Students Prepare to Go to School
Due to a stream of COVID-19 transmissions that started from clubs in Itaewon, sporadic cases of infection continue throughout the nation. The cluster transmission that started in Itaewon has led to senary transmission as the virus jumped across singing rooms, pubs, private academies, and the first birthday party of a child. Schools have reopened beginning with high school seniors, and on the coming May 27, kindergarteners and students in grade one, two, nine and eleven will return to school. Gradually all students are expected to return to school soon, so stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus in the next couple of weeks will be critical in making our schools safe.
Trying to Blame Yoon for the Fall out with Japan, Too?
In an interview with the Japanese Yomiuri Shimbun on May 24, Chun Young-woo, chairman of the Korean Peninsula Future Forum shared an anecdote with Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker-elect Yoon Mi-hyang, whom he met when serving as the Cheong Wa Dae senior secretary for foreign affairs and security. According to Chun, when he explained the “Saito deal,” which Japan had proposed, to Yoon at the end of 2011, when she was the head of the Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan (Korean Council), she had an expression on her face that seemed to suggest that “she was in a tight spot.”
“If Only South Koreans Would Abide by the Law in Myanmar” South Korean Company Lays Off Members of a Myanmar Labor Union Because of “COVID-19”
A sewing factory in Myanmar run by a South Korean clothing company laid off all members of the factory’s labor union, retaining only the non-union workers, after the COVID-19 outbreak. Union members argued, “The South Korean employer suppressed the union using COVID-19 as an excuse,” and asked to be reinstated. South Korean companies reaped in benefits from Southeast Asia’s cheap labor and lax regulations, but some are not abiding by the region’s labor laws.
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Maeil Business News Korea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/)
Medytox to jointly develop COVID-19 vaccine with Vaxine Pty
Medytox Inc., South Korea’s top producer of botulinum toxin, has joined hands with an Australian biotechnology company Vaxine Pty Ltd. to develop a vaccine against COVID-19.
According to Australian vaccine developer Vaxine Pty on Saturday, it signed a memorandum of understanding with Medytox to jointly develop COVAX-19, its promising vaccine candidate against COVID-19.
Maeil Business poll shows opinion divided on BOK’s rate action on Thursday
Markets have priced in another interest rate cut for South Korea this week, but experts are mixed about the effectiveness of lower rates as uncertainties over the pandemic run high.
A poll by Maeil Business Newspaper on 10 economic experts showed that opinion was evenly divided between a cut and inaction.
Masks compulsory on Korean buses and taxis, QR-based visitor log required at clubs
Unmasked people cannot ride taxis, buses or planes across South Korea, and visitors to entertainment facilities like clubs and karaoke bars can only enter after digital verification as the country tightens restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters on Monday announced drivers of public transportation such as buses, cabs and trains can deny unmasked passengers starting Tuesday.
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What’s ticking around the world at this second?
See what the world media around the world have to report:
USA Today www.usatoday.com aallman@gannett.com
The New York Times www.nytimes.com inytletters@nytimes.com
Wall Street Journal www.wsj.com support@wsj.com, service@wsj-asia.com
Financial Times www.ft.com ean@ft.com
The Times www.thetimes.co.uk help@timesplus.co.uk
The Sun www.thesun.co.uk talkback@the-sun.co.uk
Chinese People's Daily www.people.com.cn kf@people.cn
China Daily www.chinadaily.com.cn circulation@chinadaily.com.cn
GwangmyeongDaily www.gmw.cn webmaster@gmw.cn
Japan's Yomiuri www.yomiuri.co.jp japannews@yomiuri.com
Asahi www.asahi.com customer-support@asahi.com
Mainichi www.mainichi.jp
Le Monde www.ilemonde.com
Italy LaRepubblica www.quotidiano.repubblica.it vittorio.zucconi@gmail.com
Germany Frankfurter AllgemeineZeitung www.faz.net anzeigen.ausland@faz.de
SüddeutscheZeitung www.sueddeutsche.de forum@sueddeutsche.de
AustraliaBrisbaneTime
www.brisbanetimes.com.au syndication@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Sydney Morning Heraldwww.smh.com.au
Colombia Reports http://www.colombiareports.com
BogotaFree Planet http://www.bogotafreeplanet.com,bfp@bogotafreeplanet.com
El Universal https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/english
Andes https://www.redaktionstest.net/andes-info-ec/
Ecuador Times https://www.ecuadortimes.net/
The Jordan Times https://www.jordantimes.com/
LSM.lv https://www.lsm.lv//
The Baltic Times http://www.baltictimes.com lithuania@baltictimes.com, estonia@baltictimes.com, editor@baltictimes.com
El Pais https://english.elpais.com/
Philippine Daily Inquirer https://www.inquirer.net/
Daily News Hungary https://dailynewshungary.com/
Budapest Times https://www.budapesttimes.hu/
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The Korea Post is running video clips from the different embassies.
Azerbaijan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR8CBpcQ4WM
Sri Lanka: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hByX92Y2aGY&t=22s
Morocco: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfFmp2sVvSE
And many other countries.
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