Friday June 19, 2020
Round-up of important news from major Korean dailies and from international media today
The Korea Post (http://www.koreapost.com/)
Former Premier Lee sees great potential for increased cooperation with Ecuador
Charge d’Affaires Johnny D. Reinoso-Vasquez of the Republic of Ecuador in Seoul said that Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon visited his country in May last year and greatly contributed to the enhancement of relations between the two countries in the various fields.
Currently, former Prime Minister Lee enjoys an extremely high measure of popularity among the Korean people and at present stands the best chance of winning the Presidential election in less two years later. Following his visit to Ecuador last May, former Premier Lee told the Korean press that there was great potential for increased cooperation between Korea and Ecuador.
Speaking at an exclusive interview with The Korea Post media on June 16 this year, publisher of 3 English and 2 Korean-language media for the past 35 years, CDA Reinoso-Vasquez said, “Prime Minister Lee visited our country and, on that occasion, we made a lot of improvements in international programs between Ecuador and Korea.”
President Moon regrets N. Korean leaders making fun of his well-intended efforts
There are indications that even President Moon Jae-in, who has obviously supported Chairman Kim Jong-Un of North Korea in spite of various adverse criticisms from the opposition camp, has now realized that the North Korean leaders “are getting out of hands.”
“We have overcome various difficulties and even avoided critical moments of the danger of another war and we should not step backward from these achievements.”
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KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)
Trump Blames Bolton for Deadlock with N. Korea
U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday blamed his former national security adviser, John Bolton, for the current deadlock in nuclear negotiations with North Korea.
In a tweet, Trump said “all hell broke out” when Bolton disclosed on CBS’ “Face the Nation” that he had looked at the Libyan Model for North Korea in April 2018.
Trump continued that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who he was getting along with very well, went ballistic just like his missiles. He then said that Kim didn't want Bolton anywhere near him and Bolton's dumbest of all statements set the U.S. back very badly with North Korea, even now.
Pentagon Official: N. Korea Continues to Present 'Extraordinary Threat'
A senior Pentagon official reportedly said on Thursday that North Korea's activities in recent days show that the country continues to present an "extraordinary threat" to the Asia-Pacific region.
David Helvey, acting assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, made the remarks in a teleconference with reporters, stressing that the U.S. remains in close coordination with South Korea to ensure readiness against the North's threat
Finance Minister Calls for Swift Parliamentary Approval of 3rd Extra Budget
Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki on Friday renewed calls for a swift parliamentary passage of the third extra budget to help revive the virus-hit economy.
Earlier this month, the government proposed an extra budget of 35-point-three trillion won to help the nation cope with the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a meeting with economy-related ministers, Hong said that he earnestly asked the National Assembly to approve the third extra budget bill by the end of this month.
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Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
S. Korea on cusp of erasing gains in virus fight, new cases still on higher plateau
South Korea's virus fight is dragging on, with a steady rise in new virus cases and untraceable infections, along with a spike in imported cases. Health authorities warned of another possible wave of infections.
The country added 49 new cases on Friday, including 32 local infections, raising the total caseload to 12,306, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
The number of new daily COVID-19 cases marks a slight slowdown from a three-week high of 59 a day earlier.
Lotte, Shilla to begin domestic sales of duty-free products next week
South Korea's two leading duty-free operators will begin to sell duty-free products through local retail channels next week as the government has decided to temporarily permit such sales to help the pandemic-hit sector, company officials said Friday.
Industry leader Lotte Duty Free and its rival, Shilla Duty Free, plan to release duty-free items at its local retail channels and via an online sales platform, respectively, next week.
BTS' 'Map of the Soul: 7' becomes No. 1 sold album in Japan during H1
K-pop group BTS was the biggest seller of music in album format in Japan during the first half of 2020, according to Japan's main music sales tracker Friday.
"Map of the Soul: 7," the septet's studio album released in February, has sold 429,009 copies in Japan to date to become the best-selling album so far in 2020, Oricon reported.
BTS was trailed by Japanese acts, King Gnu and Johnny's West, selling 389,449 and 220,508 copies of albums, respectively.
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The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
North Korea continues to present 'extraordinary threat': Pentagon official
North Korea's recent provocations against South Korea show that the communist country continues to present an "extraordinary" threat to the region, a senior Pentagon official said Thursday.
Speaking in a teleconference, David Helvey, acting assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, said the United States remains in close coordination with South Korea to ensure readiness against North Korea's threats.
Trump blames Bolton for deadlock with North Korea
U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday blamed his former national security adviser, John Bolton, for the current deadlock in nuclear talks with North Korea.
Trump's attack on Bolton comes as news media have reported unflattering revelations about the president using excerpts from the former adviser's yet unpublished memoir.
Woori privatization likely to back in limbo
The government is facing a bumpy road ahead in its attempt to fully privatize Woori Financial Holdings due to its lackluster stock price amid the growing market volatility triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The financial authorities unveiled specifics of the plan to privatize Woori last year. The Korea Deposit Insurance Corp. (KDIC) currently holds ownership of the banking group, as government funds were poured in 1997 to save Woori Bank during the Asian Financial Crisis.
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HanKyoReh Shinmun (http://english.hani.co.kr)
Blue House responds sternly to N. Korea’s criticism of Moon
On June 17, the Blue House issued a harshly worded statement criticizing a blunt denunciation of President Moon Jae-in by Kim Yo-jong, deputy director of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) Central Committee. The mood stood in stark contrast with its past approach of either not responding or emphasizing the basic principles of peace on the Korean Peninsula when North Korea faced international censure over nuclear testing and missile provocations or denounced the South Korean government in language bordering on vulgar.
The rise of Kim Yo-jong
“Kim Yo-jong, first deputy director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), made known [. . .] that we flatly reject the tactless and sinister proposal,” North Korea’s state-run newspaper the Rodong Sinmun said on the second page of its June 17 edition. ”
“The South Korean authorities staged the petty farce of asking us to accept special envoys on June 15,” the article began. “the South side sent a message to the effect that ‘President’ Moon Jae-in hopes to send special envoys to the Chairman of our State Affairs Commission [Kim Jong-un], they are [National Security Office Director Chung Eui-yong] and [National Intelligence Service Director Suh Hoon], the visiting period would be the earliest possible date and it would respect the date to be named by our side.”
Unification Minister announces resignation to bring change in inter-Korean relations
When Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul offered to resign on June 17, he gave two main reasons. First, he said he should step down to take full responsibility for the deterioration of inter-Korean relations. Second, he said it was his duty, under the current circumstances, to create a change of mood.
As alarm bells grow louder, this voluntary resignation by the cabinet member responsible for inter-Korean relations and North Korean policy reflects a determination to interrupt the vicious cycle in inter-Korean relations and lay the foundation for turning the situation around. Kim’s resignation can be seen as expressing Seoul’s hope that North will take a breather.
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Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)
Can S.Korea Hold N.Korea Accountable for Demolition?
North Korea's recent histrionics come at a massive cost, not to the regime but to South Korean taxpayers.
The inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong that the North blew up Tuesday cost South Korea W70.7 billion, to say nothing of the adjacent building for the Kaesong Industrial Complex, whose windows were shattered in the blast (US$1=W1,214).
Losses could mount to over W1 trillion if the regime also destroys other structures in the industrial park or the aging chalet resort and other buildings in Mt. Kumgang.
What Lies Behind N.Korea's Histrionics?
North Korea's recent histrionics have prompted head-scratching from pundits.
The prevailing view seems to be that the North is motivated by an increasingly desperate economic situation and wants to blame South Korea in case the population becomes restive.
The North demolished the inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong and threatened further provocations on Tuesday, while leader Kim Jong-un's sister Yo-jong on Wednesday issued another shrill statement denouncing President Moon Jae-in.
Low-Yield Bombs 'Could Destroy All N.Korea's Nuke Facilities'
A Pentagon simulation program suggests that the U.S.' new "low-yield" nuclear weapons could destroy all of North Korea's five nuclear facilities with collateral damage of fewer than 100 deaths.
Keir Lieber at Georgetown University claimed low-yield nuclear weapons would be more effective than high-yield nuclear bombs in deterring North Korea from its nuclear weapons program, according to VOA.
Lieber said he simulated the level of collateral damage and nuclear fallout after a nuclear attack by the U.S. on Yongbyon and other nuclear facilities there, using the Pentagon's "hazard prediction and assessment capability" software.
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The Dong-A Ilbo (http://english.donga.com/)
U.S. executive orders against N. Korea extended one more year
U.S. President Donald Trump extended the six executive orders on North Korea for another year on Wednesday (local time). The executive orders contain various economic sanctions against not only North Korea but also the individuals and corporations in third countries dealing with the North.
The first executive order of the U.S. specifically against North Korea, executive order 13466, came in June 2008 by former President of the U.S. George W. Bush. The order was made as North Korea was removed from the Trading with the Enemy Act (TWEA) list, categorizing North Korea’s nuclear proliferation threats as a “national emergency.” Freezing of North Korea’s assets in the U.S. and the prohibition of Americans’ ownership or operation of North Korean ships were included in the order.
Samsung Electronics launches blood pressure app
Samsung Electronics has launched “Samsung Health Monitor” that measures blood pressure. In April, the Samsung Health Monitor became the world’s first smart-watch paired blood pressure app that has been certified by public health authorities by getting approved by the South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The feature of electrocardiogram (ECG) measurement, which was certified by the same ministry in May, will be offered in the third quarter of the year after an update.
John Bolton reveals behind the scenes story
Former national security advisor of the U.S. John Bolton’s new memoirs, against which the White House has filed a lawsuit to stop its publication, has been released to the U.S. media. Bolton released parts of his 500-page book titled, “The Room Where It Happened,” to The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, etc. on Wednesday (local time).
The book contains big and small incidents that the former national security advisor – who is known to always take notes – had experienced at the White House for 17 months. It was originally scheduled to be published next Tuesday, but Bolton released key pages to the media as the White House has filed a lawsuit to stop its publication, which implies how sensitive the book is.
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The KyungHyang Shinmun (http://english.khan.co.kr/)
Kim Yo-jong Front and Center: Is It a Division of Roles to Avoid Risks?
While Kim Yo-jong, first deputy director of the Workers’ Party of Korea, is at the helm of “enemy affairs” and driving inter-Korean relations to a catastrophe, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is not taking any actions himself and remains silent. Experts suggest that the siblings have divided their roles in inter-Korean relations, and some even suggest that the North may have a future successor in mind.
Chairman Kim has not appeared in public for ten days, after he last presided over the thirteenth Politburo meeting of the seventh Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea on June 7. During the meeting, he only concentrated on issues concerning the people’s livelihoods. Meanwhile, Kim Yo-jong first launched an attack on the South with a statement released on June 4 and since then has led a series of measures including the cutting off of inter-Korean communication channels and the explosion of the inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong.
Cheong Wa Dae, “We Will Not Tolerate Unreasonable Actions.” Confrontation of Hardline Stances Expected Between the Two Koreas
On June 17, Cheong Wa Dae strongly criticized the statement by Kim Yo-jong, first deputy director of the Workers’ Party of Korea, in which she fiercely attacked President Moon Jae-in, and said, “We will no longer tolerate unreasonable actions.” The Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Unification also warned North Korea, which threatened to take actions annulling the September 19 military agreement, that it would “pay the price” and would “have to take rightful responsibility.” The South Korean government’s policy on North Korea has now veered towards a hardline stance, after it opted to squarely stand up to the threats by the North.
The Symbol of Reconciliation Between North and South Korea Destroyed
On June 16, North Korea demolished the North-South Korea Joint Liaison Office in Kaesong. This day, the North Korean Central Broadcasting Committee reported, “At 14:50 p.m. the North-South Korea Joint Liaison Office in Kaesong was blasted.” The liaison office, assessed as a symbol of reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula in the 2018 Panmunjom Declaration, disappeared into history after two years. Earlier this morning, North Korea suggested that it would deploy its military back to the Kaesong Industrial Complex and warned of further military action.
North Korea executed its threat three days after the release of a statement by Kim Yo-jong, first deputy director of the Workers’ Party of Korea on June 13, turning a crisis in inter-Korean relations into reality. Cheong Wa Dae held an emergency meeting of the National Security Council and expressed strong regrets to the North and opted for a stern response.
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Maeil Business News Korea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/)
Korean Air, Asiana extend mileage expiry date by one year amid COVID-19
South Korea`s two full-service airlines, Korean Air Lines and Asiana Airlines, said Thursday they have decided to extend the expiration of frequent flyer miles by one year as the coronavirus continues to impact travel across the globe, forcing many passengers to cancel their trips.
The decision followed a discussion with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Fair Trade Commission, the airlines said.
KartRider Rush+ ranks top by both player count, playing hours in May
Kartrider Rush+, a new mobile racing game published by Nexon Co., became the most played mobile game in May in South Korea, beating mega-hit titles such as Lineage M and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds Mobile.
According to data released by mobile big data platform IGAWorks on Friday, Kartrider Rush+ ranked top game by total time played from May 1 to 31 in the country, although it was released on May 12. It was played for 29,017,132 hours, accounting for 4.04 percent of all time spent gaming on Android-based mobile platforms last month.
SK Biopharma IPO oversubscribed by 10 times during book building
SK Biopharmaceuticals Co.’s initial public offering (IPO) drew 10 times higher demand from major institutional investors from home and abroad, raising expectations that the company may raise nearly 1 trillion won ($825.3 million) based on the high end of its desired IPO pricing band.
The two-day bookbuilding for SK Biopharmaceuticals ended Thursday, drawing a particularly strong response from overseas investors. Many global heavyweights, including sovereign wealth funds, long-only funds and hedge funds, participated in the offering, according to sources familiar with the matter.
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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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