The Korean daily media headlines and humor
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
Your Excellency:
Here are The Korea Post notices and around up 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
The Korea Post News
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On condition she can stay with her baby
Ms. Chung Yu-ra arrested in Denmark, agrees to return to Seoul
The period of dention of Ms. Chung Yu-ra, daughter of the suspected woman influence peddler Ms. Choi Soon-sil, has been extended to January 30, 2017 by the Danish police authorities. This was reported by the Korean-language daily in Seoul, Chosun Ilbo, this morning.
The Danish Court studied the extension of the period of detention of Ms. Chung on Jan. 2, and decided to extend it to 9 p.m. Jan. 30.
Ms. Chung’s layer immediately said he will appeal against the decision.
Ms. Chung had been hiding in a house on the outskirts of Aalbor in Denmark when she was arrested as a result of a report provided by a South Korean rews reporter to the Danish police .
Ms. Chung was quoted saying to reproters, “I will return to Korea at any time if I am allowed to stay with my baby,” which was considered a condition-attached expresssion of her intention.
Ms. Chung was also quoted as saying, “I met only once with Presdient Choi Kyung-hee of Ewha Woman’s University and Professlor Ryu Chul-kyun” (of the same university).
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The Korea Post News
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/)
Gov't Working to Contain AI Spread After Cat Infection
The government is tightening its vigilance after two dead cats were found to be infected with a highly pathogenic avian influenza(AI) strain in Gyeonggi Province. Though the possibility of a human AI infection is low, health authorities have recommended people to report to authorities if they develop a fever and suffer from frequent coughing after coming in contact with AI-infected birds.
Wang Yi: Opposition to THAAD Among China's 2017 Foreign Policies
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi says opposition to the deployment of a U.S. THAAD antimissile battery in South Korea will be among Beijing’s key foreign policy agendas this year.
Court Receives Application for Witnesses for Impeachment Trial
The Constitutional Court has received the parliamentary impeachment committee's list of witnesses for two hearings on President Park Geun-hye's impeachment case scheduled for Thursday and next Tuesday.
Moon Jae-in Urges Alliance between Opposition Parties
Former chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party Moon Jae-in has expressed hope that his party and the minor opposition People’s Party will join forces in the upcoming presidential election.
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Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
Park considers additional meetings with press: aide
President Park Geun-hye is considering holding additional meetings with the press to rebut a slew of corruption allegations against her, an aide said Monday, in an apparent move to rally her core supporters and counter public anger over the scandal that has gripped the country for the past few months.
Trump should propose direct talks with N. Korea: U.S. expert
Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump should propose direct negotiations with North Korea and offer a package of economic and political benefits to the communist nation in exchange for restricting its nuclear and missile activities, a U.S. expert said.
Daughter of woman at center of S. Korea's political scandal arrested in Denmark
The daughter of President Park Geun-hye's close friend, who is at the heart of an influence-peddling scandal that has led to the president's impeachment, has been arrested in Denmark, police said Monday.
N. Korea's SLBM with 1-ton nuclear warhead can cover all of S. Korea: experts
North Korea's submarine-launched ballistic missile could strike the entirety of South Korea when armed with a 1-ton nuclear warhead, foreign missile experts said recently.
U.S. senator calls for 'secondary sanctions' on Chinese firms doing business with N.K.
The incoming U.S. administration of Donald Trump should impose "secondary sanctions" on Chinese firms doing business with North Korea to intensify pressure on Pyongyang to give up its nuclear program, a U.S. senator said Monday.
Top diplomat warns of bigger N. Korean provocations this year
South Korea may face a higher risk of North Korean military provocations this year, the country's foreign minister said Monday, vowing unprecedented powerful punitive actions against Pyongyang.
Ex-campaign chief of Trump met S. Korean intelligence chief, politicians
A former campaign chairman of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, Paul Manafort, visited South Korea last month during which he held meetings with the head of the country's intelligence service and senior politicians, according to the politicians who met with Manafort on Monday.
(LEAD) Special prosecutors raid state health insurance service over scandal
Special prosecutors raided the office of the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) on Monday as part of their probe into a corruption scandal that prompted lawmakers to impeach President Park Geun-hye.
Idol singer discharged from military service
Kim Jae-joong, a member of boy band JYJ, salutes fans and reporters after being discharged from military service on Dec. 30, 2016, at an Army infantry division in Yongin, south of Seoul. Kim served 21 months in compulsory military duty.
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The Korea Herald (http://www.koreaherald.com)
Chung Yoo-ra arrested in Denmark
Chung Yoo-ra, the daughter of Choi Soon-sil, has been arrested by local police in Denmark, South Korean authorities confirmed early Monday.
GS Group vows to diversify business portfolio
GS Chairman Huh Chang-soo urged the group to diversify its business portfolio and make various attempts to explore new markets.
Samsung Electronics urges drastic reform
Calling for a complete reform, Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Kwon Oh-hyun on Monday urged the South Korean tech giant to move on from the Galaxy Note 7 debacle last year and seek new opportunities for future technologies.
Korea Inc. seeks change, innovation
In an all-out effort to overcome the ongoing political ramifications affecting the entire business arena and survive economic uncertainty, heads of South Korean conglomerates set a new vision Monday, calling for change and innovation.
Lee’s exit may sever Park-Saenuri ties
Upon announcing his solo defection from the ruling Saenuri Party, Rep. Lee Jung-hyun claimed to take all responsibility as former party chairman, but his exit was seen as an attempt to prevent the mass defection of loyalists of the feud-ridden President Park Geun-hye.
South Korea has fastest growing government debt in G-20
South Korea’s government debt has grown at the fastest pace among Group of 20 major economies in recent five years, while the G-20’s combined government debt reached $57.28 trillion, international data showed Monday.
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The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
Choi Soon-sil's daughter caught in Denmark
The 20-year-old daughter of Choi Soon-sil was arrested in Denmark, Sunday (local time), Korean police said Monday.
Korean reporter instrumental in Chung Yoo-ra's arrest in Denmark
A JTBC reporter was instrumental in the arrest of Choi Soon-sil's daughter Chung Yoo-ra in Denmark, according to the Korean news outlet.
Lee Ga-hyuk, a reporter who has committed himself to tracking down Chung, reported Chung's whereabouts to Denmark police and was present during her arrest.
Korean navy plane drops REAL MISSILES into East Sea
A Korean navy's P-3CK, a maritime patrol aircraft, accidentally dropped weapons into the East Sea on Sunday.
K-pop star So Chan-whee to wed bass player
Korean rock star So Chan-whee and double bass player Roy of Street Guns plan to marry this year.
Heavy air pollution brings health warnings
If you have not yet made your New Year resolutions, delay them for now and brace for more heavy air pollution that has smothered Seoul and most of Korea.
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Dong-AIlbo (http://english.donga.com)
Gov't imposes heavy fines on Nissan, BMW, Porsche
The South Korean government has made a final confirmation on the falsely reported documents from Japan’s Nissan Motor Co. and two German automakers, BMW and Porsche, taking back its approvals and imposing the three companies with fines worth a total of 5.92 million U.S. dollars.
SK owner family members join Honor Society
Top management of SK Group has become Honor Society members on Monday. They include SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, SK Group Vice Chairman Chey Jae-won and SK Chemicals Vice Chairman Chey Chang-won.
N. Korean leader confers a three-day New Year holiday
North Korean people got to enjoy a three-day New Year’s holiday thanks to the “special benevolence” from its leader Kim Jong Un. Kim, who unprecedentedly bowed his head and spoke of his incompetence as leader in the New Year speech, appears to be stepping up his effort to win the heart of North Korean people further.
Pair skating vs. ice dancing
Main disciplines of figure skating are men’s singles, ladies’ singles, pair skating, and ice dancing. In both pair skating and ice skating, dancers compete as a couple consisting of a man and a woman, but there are some differences in terms of technical elements and requirements.
Dozens dead in terror attack on nightclub in Istanbul
Istanbul, the largest city of Turkey located between Europe and Asia, was rocked by a terror attack during New Year’s celebrations. A gunman dressed in a Santa Claus costume opened fire at a crowded nightclub in Istanbul. At least 39 people, including a police officer, died and another 69 people are receiving treatment for wounds. Turkish police are still hunting for the terrorist.
Thae Yong-ho: ‘N. Koreans should be guided to dump Kim Jong Un’
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un strongly expressed his determination to make additional provocations on Sunday, the New Year’s Day, saying, “We are in the concluding stages of the preparation to test-launch an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).”
World-famous ballet companies to perform in Korea
One of the most outstanding is Russia’s Mariinsky Ballet. The ballet company will meet Korean fans in Swan Lake at the Seoul Performing Arts Center on Nov.9-12. It will be its first visit to Korea in five years since 2012.
Park Sung-hyun joins Korean golfers in LPGA Tour in new season
Korean golfers who are active in the U.S. LPGA Tour have growing expectations about the new season, as 2017, the Year of the Rooster, has just come.
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Chosun-Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)
Park Breaks Sulk to Deny Everything
Embattled President Park Geun-hye abruptly came out of weeks of seclusion on Sunday to deny all the allegations in a massive corruption scandal and claim she was set up.
Korean Actor Sues Tesla After Crashing into His Living Room
Actor Son Ji-chang is suing U.S. electric carmaker Tesla claiming that his Model X suddenly accelerated during parking and crashed through the garage and into the actor's living room.
Choi Soon-sil's Daughter Arrested in Denmark
The fugitive daughter of President Park Geun-hye's longtime crony Choi Soon-sil was arrested in Aalborg, Denmark on Sunday.
Toxic Haze from China Descends on Korea
A thick blanket of toxic haze from China descended on most parts of Korea on New Year's Day.
What Does the Year of the Rooster Mean for Your Health?
This is the Year of the Rooster, but what does that mean for people who want to get into the spirit? In East Asia, chickens are traditionally regarded as auspicious birds that dispel evil energy, and adopting some of their qualities may help ensure good health throughout 2017.
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HanKyoReh-Shinmoon (http://english.hani.co.kr)
Poll: Moon Jae-in leading among possible presidential candidates
A poll shows Moon Jae-in, former leader of the opposition Minjoo Party and the party‘s likely candidate for the next presidential election, with a lead that exceeds the margin of error not only in a two-way race with former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon but also in a three-way race including former People’s Party leader Ahn Cheol-soo.
More than 80% of South Koreans in favor of impeachment
A new year public opinion poll by the Hankyoreh found that there is still overwhelming support for President Park Geun-hye’s impeachment, with eight out of 10 respondents wanting the Constitutional Court to uphold the motion of impeachment against her. When asked about the timing of the court‘s decision, more than half of respondents wanted the decision to be made by January, while seven out of ten wanted it to be made no later than March.
In poll, South Koreans say “communication and unity” most important for leadership
South Koreans named “communication and unity” as the most important elements of leadership for South Korea’s next president in a recent opinion poll.
On New Year’s Day, Pres. Park denies all allegations against her
During a meeting with reporters covering the Blue House on the afternoon of Jan. 1, President Park Geun-hye made what appeared to be a calculated denial of all the allegations that have been brought against her by the prosecutors, the special prosecutor and the media. Park claimed that she had not profited personally from her position: “The people who worked so hard to help me did the work they were assigned without receiving any bribes or anything inappropriate, and it hurts me to see them suffering so much.”
Air Conditioners and the Federal Reserve Board Cool Down the Economy
In early December the Federal Reserve Board moved to slow down the economy by raising interest rates. While this rate hike was widely expected, its impact will be to slow the rate of economic growth, thereby reducing the rate of job creation.
In New Year’s address, Kim Jong-un says final preparations for ICBM testing have begun
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced in a New Year’s address on Jan. 1 that final preparations had begun for testing of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Kim also sent the clear message that Pyongyang would continue working to develop nuclear weapons and other “self-defense capabilities.” Coming on the heels of an unprecedented two nuclear tests in 2016, the remarks suggest rough going ahead for the Korean Peninsula’s political situation in 2017.
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JoongAng-Ilbo(conservative) (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/)
Choi’s daughter found, held in Denmark
Chung Yoo-ra, daughter of Choi Soon-sil, was arrested in Denmark on Sunday night for staying in that country illegally.
Ban Ki-moon’s likability numbers take a 20.8% tumble
Former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s likability rating plummeted over 20 percent in Korea over the past months, while Seongnam Mayor Lee Jae-myung’s doubled, a recent poll by the JoongAng Ilbo showed.
Challenges to economy are worst since the late 1990s
It’s been nearly two decades since Korea faced its worst economic crisis. Companies went bankrupt, stock markets plummeted and households dug out gold from their safe deposit boxes for the government to restore its foreign exchange reserves.
[At Home with Her Excellency, Thailand] Bringing Thailand’s famous smiles to Seoul
To follow up last year’s “Cooking with Her Excellency” series, in which ambassadors’ spouses introduced readers to the cuisine of their homelands, the Korea JoongAng Daily presents a new series that brings readers into the residences of envoys stationed in Seoul. During each exclusive tour, an ambassador and his or her spouse will be asked to describe the history of their residence and how they made it their own. Each article will offer a glimpse of how a family adjusts to a new country - and makes Korea its second home. - Ed.
[MURKY REAL ESTATE] Gov’t regulations could keep home prices down
The year 2016 was not a bad one for real estate if you were buying in the greater Seoul area, particularly the popular Gangnam districts south of the Han River, where expectations for newly redeveloped apartments sent prices skyrocketing.
[SIGNS OF RECOVERY] Analysts: Market moderate as IT, bio grow
Local market research firms have mixed views on how this year’s Korean stock market will perform.
Iraq finally pays Hanwha construction fee of $560M
Hanwha Engineering & Construction was finally paid a $560 million construction fee by Iraq’s government last week, according to the company on Monday.
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The KyungHyang-Shinmoon(http://english.khan.co.kr/)
[Ban Ki-moon Allegations] Ban Ki-moon Becomes a Korean Citizen, "Confident about Verification"
Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (72) said, "I have no intention to avoid it," on the candidate verification. He also mentioned the need for a constitutional amendment. Ban returned to being a "citizen of the Republic of Korea" as of midnight on January 1, and it appears he has begun taking action for the presidential election with the date of his return approaching.
President Park, “Tended to Tasks as Usual on the Day of the Sewol... Just Had My Hair Done"
On January 1, President Park Geun-hye held a meeting and greeted the New Year with the Cheong Wa Dae reporters and retorted, "Misunderstanding brought forth further misunderstanding and misleading information was reproduced based on mistaken reports," on the various allegations concerning the seven hours on the day of the Sewol accident. President Park met with outsiders not related to the impeachment trial for the first time in 23 days since the National Assembly passed the impeachment vote on December 9.
Overflowing ‘Plans for Presidency’ Around Ban Ki-moon: A Circumstantial Evidence Indicating Ban’s Lack of Ability to Stand on His Own
As UN Secretary-General Ban Kim-moon (72) is soon to return to Korea, words are going back and forth regarding the political steps the emerging candidate for the next presidential election may take. Plans for presidency are discussed including a ‘third zone’ or ‘great integration,’ with Ban as one constant. But according to some observations, the flip side of the coin may be indicating the Secretary-General’s weakness, which means that it is not so easy for him to be his own man.
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The Korea Economic Daily (http://english.hankyung.com/)
Moon Jae-in Picked as Most Likely Presidential Candidate Who
A survey said the most likely Presidential candidate who will help the economy grow fast was Moon Jae-in, former Monjoo Party leader, with 13.6 percent of respondents saying so, followed by Seongnam city mayor Lee Jae-myung (12.0%) and Ban Ki-moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations (11.3%).
Korean Exports Down 5.9% in 2016
Korea's exports fell for two straight years in annual terms. The country, however, posted a trade surplus as its imports also declined. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy on January 1, the nation's exports amounted to US$495.5 billion last year, down 5.9 percent from a year ago.
Bribery Accusations Surrounding Samsung C&T-Cheil Industries Merger "Complete Fabrication"...Prez.
President Park Geun-hye, whose powers and duties have been suspended since the ratification of the impeachment proposal on December 9, said on January 1 of the bribery accusations in relation to the merger between Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries, "It was a complete fabrication. I had no intention whatsoever to give a favor to someone and I never gave an order to help someone in relation to this."
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AJU Business Daily (http://eng.ajunews.com/korea)
Daughter of President Park's crony arrested in Denmark
The daughter of President Park Geun-hye's crony who played a key role in a corruption scandal has been arrested in Denmark on charges of illegal stay, police said Monday.
Solo artist Rain unveils album jacket image
Solo artist Rain unveiled an album jacket image Monday as a preview for his comeback album scheduled for release in two weeks.
Acoustic duo Akdong Musician releases 22-minute long musical film
Brother-sister acoustic duo Akdong Musician has released a 22-minute musical film as a preview for the group's upcoming album due for release on Tuesday.
AOA's comeback stranded with unexpected low score in music charts
Girl group AOA made its ambitious comeback with double title tracks but the tracks are unexpectedly stranded in South Korean real-time music charts.
Woman wants nothing to do with $14.7 million in her bank account
The normal reaction to receiving millions of dollars overnight would be celebration. However this was not the case for Sheetal Yadav in India, according to Mashable, a New York-based digital media website.
S. Korea naval plane crew mistakely releases missiles into sea
A South Korean naval plane has accidentally dropped anti-ship missiles and other weapons into the sea during its routine flight on patrol south of the inter-Korean maritime border, sparking a search by naval ships.
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Maeil Business News Korea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/)
EVs powered by Korean batteries no longer eligible for China’s subsidy
Beijing authorities upped isolation campaign against two South Korean battery majors LG Chem and Samsung SDI by dropping electric vehicles powered by their batteries off the list of 493 vehicle models eligible for Chinese government subsidies for clean fuel.
Hyundai and Kia target 2017 sales of 8.25 mn units
South Korea’s largest auto giant Hyundai Motor Co. and smaller sibling Kia Motors Corp. will target to sell largest-ever 8.25 million vehicles this year. Its 2017 goals exceed 8.13 million set for last year and 8.2 million for 2015.
LG’s built-in brands to be equipped with smart home features
LG Electronics Inc. will equip all home electronics under its premium built-in brands such as Signature Kitchen Suite, LG Studio and LG DIOS Built-In to be rolled out this year with wireless internet connections, or Wi-Fi, hoping its latest technology drive helps it win in the smart-home race.
Heir Kang Jung-seok named as chairman Dong-A Socio Group
South Korean pharmaceutical conglomerate Dong-A Socio Group announced on Monday that Dong-A Socio Holdings vice chairman Kang Jung-seok took the chairman post as of Jan. 1, replacing his father 87-year-old Kang Shin-ho who led the country’s largest drugmaker for 35 years. The senior Kang was named as honorary chairman.
What’s ticking around the world at this second?
See what the 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
timeswww.thetimes.co.uk help@timesplus.co.uk
The Sun www.thesun.co.uk talkback@the-sun.co.uk
Chinese People's Dailywww.people.com.cn kf@people.cn
China Dailywww.chinadaily.com.cn circulation@chinadaily.com.cn
GwangmyeongDailywww.gmw.cn webmaster@gmw.cn
Japan's Yomiuriwww.yomiuri.co.jp japannews@yomiuri.com
asahiwww.asahi.com customer-support@asahi.com
mainichiwww.mainichi.jp
lemondewww.ilemonde.com
Italy rarepupeul Rica www.quotidiano.repubblica.it vittorio.zucconi@gmail.com
Germany Frankfurter AllgemeineZeitungwww.faz.net anzeigen.ausland@faz.de
SüddeutscheZeitungwww.sueddeutsche.de forum@sueddeutsche.de
Australia Brisbane Times www.brisbanetimes.com.au syndication@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Sydney Morning Heraldwww.smh.com.au
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