Tuesday, November 10, 2020
Round-up of important news from major Korean dailies and from international media today
The Korea Post (http://www.koreapost.com/)
“Businessmen are No. 2, bureaucrats No. 3, politicians No. 4!”
The late Chairman Lee Kun-hee of the Samsung Business Group in Seoul is well known for his witty remarks: “Politicians are No. 4, bureaucrats No. 3 and politicians No. 4!” Then who is “Number 1”?
The answer came on April 11, 2020 when Chairman Lee Nak-yon of the ruling Democratic Party said, “We should all try to correct this situation where there is an expression, ‘The people are No. 1 and politics are No. 3!”
The late Chairman Lee died at the Samsung Medical Center in Seoul on Oct. 25, 2020 at the age of 78. The late Chairman Lee was treated for lung cancer in the late 1990s and was tested again for cancer in 2005 at the MD Anderson Medical Center in Houston, Texas, with no subsequent concerns being announced.
Mayor Jung Ha-young pledged to make Gimpo a ‘warm and kind-hearted’ city
Gimpo City plans to open the Aegibong Peace Ecological Park in 2021 and actively utilize it as an educational center for security and peace, and as a space where visitors can look at North Korea and paint the future of the unified Korean Peninsula.
In an interview with The Korea Post, Gimpo City Mayor Jung Ha-young said, “Although there are ups and downs in inter-Korean relations at the moment, I don't think there are many places where we can play a better role than Gimpo when the era of peace comes."
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KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)
S. Korea Reports 100 COVID-19 Cases
South Korea reported 100 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, posting triple-digit growth for the third consecutive day.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency(KDCA) said Tuesday that the new cases raised the country's accumulated tally to 27-thousand-653.
Of the new cases detected throughout Monday, 71 are local transmissions while 29 are imported.
Top Diplomats of S. Korea, US Agree to Maintain Close Cooperation
South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday agreed to maintain close cooperation to ensure the stable management of the Korean Peninsula situation.
Seoul's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Kang and Pompeo held talks during a luncheon on Monday at the U.S. State Department in Washington to share their assessment of the current situation.
Pfizer: COVID-19 Vaccine More Than 90% Effective
U.S. drugmaker Pfizer said on Monday that human trials suggest its COVID-19 vaccine is more than 90 percent effective.
Pfizer released the interim results that its vaccine, jointly being developed with German company BioNTech, prevented more than 90 percent of symptomatic infections in a trial of tens of thousands of volunteers. That's much higher than the figures health experts had predicted.
The findings are based on an interim analysis conducted after 94 of over 43-thousand participants in the trial contracted the virus.
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Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
Moon vows close communication with Biden, efforts to prevent any 'vacuum' in alliance, Korea peace process
President Moon Jae-in said Monday his government will have "multi-sided" communication with U.S. President-elect Joe Biden in order to ensure that there is no "vacuum" in the alliance and the Korea peace process.
He expressed hope for the creation of a "new opportunity and resolution" in inter-Korean relations as well, making his first official verbal statement on the election of Biden.
New virus cases in triple digits for 3rd day; authorities warn of upping social distancing level
South Korea's new coronavirus cases rose by triple digits for a third day Tuesday due to a series of cluster infections, prompting health authorities to consider raising the level of social distancing measures.
The country added 100 more COVID-19 cases, including 71 local infections, raising the total caseload to 27,653, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
N. Korea keeps mum on Biden's victory
North Korea has stayed mum on Joe Biden's victory in the U.S. presidential election as President Donald Trump refuses to concede defeat, amid questions about when and how Pyongyang will react to the results.
Pyongyang appears to be cautiously watching the U.S. election without releasing any statements or media reports about it, as leader Kim Jong-un has maintained a close relationship with Trump through three historical meetings.
Trump has refused to accept defeat and has filed several legal complaints since Biden's victory.
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The Korea Herald (http://www.koreaherald.com)
Biden begins transition as Trump rages
US President-elect Joe Biden took the first steps Sunday towards moving into the White House in 73 days, as Donald Trump again refused to admit defeat and tried to sow doubt about the election results.
With congratulations pouring in from world leaders and supporters nursing hangovers after a night of celebrations, Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris announced they would receive a joint briefing Monday in Wilmington, Delaware from their transition Covid-19 advisory team.
Trump fires Defense Secretary Esper, names Miller as acting secretary
US President Donald Trump on Monday replaced his defense chief, Mark Esper, with less than three months left in his presidency.
"I am pleased to announce that Christopher C. Miller, the highly respected Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (unanimously confirmed by the Senate), will be Acting secretary of Defense, effectively immediately," Trump tweeted.
New virus cases in triple digits for 3rd day; authorities warn of upping social distancing level
South Korea's new coronavirus cases rose by triple digits for a third day Tuesday due to a series of cluster infections, prompting health authorities to consider raising the level of social distancing measures.
The country added 100 more COVID-19 cases, including 71 local infections, raising the total caseload to 27,653, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
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The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
Moon pledged to ensure no gap in peace process
President Moon Jae-in has underscored close cooperation with the incoming U.S. administration of Joe Biden, saying he will communicate with the president-elect and his key aides through various channels.
"We will ensure that there is no vacuum in improving our alliance and working toward a peace process on the Korean Peninsula," Moon said during a meeting with senior aides at Cheong Wa Dae, Monday. "We will do our utmost to ensure that the precious achievements made under the Donald Trump administration will be transferred to and advanced in the next administration."
Is pro-Trump Blackstone CEO's ESG commitment contradictory?
Blackstone Group Chairman Stephen Schwarzman's "righteous" speech on his company's commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles may have moved the hearts of many participants in the Institute for Global Economics-KB Financial Group International Conference in Seoul, Monday.
But at the same time, his remarks may have been considered "self-contradictory" by those who are aware that he donated a very large amount of money for the victory of U.S. President Donald Trump, who withdrew the world's largest economy from the Paris Agreement.
China-bound passengers must submit 2 negative COVID-19 test results
Passengers of China-bound flights from South Korea must provide two negative coronavirus test results before boarding, starting later this week, health authorities here said Tuesday.
Starting Wednesday, China will require all passengers arriving from South Korea, regardless of their nationalities, to submit two negative COVID-19 test results from two separate testing sites, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
Tests must be completed within 48 hours before their departure, the KDCA said, adding that the tests should be conducted at facilities designated by the Chinese Embassy in Seoul.
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HanKyoReh Shinmun (http://english.hani.co.kr)
Breaking down Biden’s approach to relations with S. Korea, China and Japan
Joe Biden’s election as the next president of the US raises questions regarding the foreign policy he’ll adopt in East Asia, at the complex and much-vexed junction of South Korea, China, and Japan.
As part of the US’ struggle with China over future hegemony, the US is expected to keep pushing for improved relations between South Korea and Japan, two key American allies in the Indo-Pacific. The relationship between the two has been allowed to reach a point of unprecedented deterioration.
Moon sends congratulatory message to Biden, closes with “Katchi Kapshida”
South Korean President Moon Jae-in sent a congratulatory message to US president-elect Joe Biden on Nov. 8, expressing his “great expectations of advancing and opening up the future development of our bilateral relations.”
“Congratulations,” Moon wrote on Twitter at 10 am on Sunday. “Our alliance is strong and the bond between our two countries is rock-solid.”
Moon’s tweet was posted 39 minutes before Biden delivered his victory speech at 8:39 pm in the US.
Environmental activists continue campaign against Japan’s plan to dump radioactive water into Pacific Ocean
Civic groups and environmental activists continue their campaign against Japan’s plan to dump radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean. As of September, there were around 1.23 million tons of contaminated water stored at the power plant, and the amount continues to increase by around 160 to 170 tons each day. On Nov. 9, activists gathered in front of the former Japanese Embassy in Seoul to protest Tokyo’s plans for the ocean dump.
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Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)
U.S. Congress Warns Anti-China Initiative Alienates Korea
A U.S. congressional report warns that outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump's anti-China initiative, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or "Quad," risks alienating traditional allies like Korea.
In the report titled "The 'Quad': Security Cooperation Among the United States, Japan, India, and Australia" on Nov. 2, the U.S. Congressional Research Service warns it could exclude "other regional countries" and marginalize "traditional bilateral alliances" like Korea.
Nightclubs Reopen for Belated Halloween Parties
Major nightclubs in Seoul beat an order to close over the Halloween weekend by simply having their parties a week later and were rewarded with roaring business.
One nightclub in Itaewon was packed with 300-400 revelers at 1 a.m. on Nov. 7 for a late Halloween party. At around the same time, another nightclub in Sinsa-dong in southern Seoul, decorated with skeletons, was also packed with more than 200 people.
Flights to Japan Resume Gradually
Flights to Japan are resuming gradually as the coronavirus lockdown here eases. T'way resumed flights between Incheon and Tokyo's Narita on Nov. 6, and Jeju Air will resume a weekly flight on the same route on Nov. 21.
Since Oct. 8, Korean businesspeople can visit Japan without self-isolating for a certain period if they go through quarantine procedures.
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The Dong-A Ilbo (http://english.donga.com/)
Late Pres. Kim Dae-jung exchanged letters with Biden in the 1980s
Letters exchanged between late former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung and U.S. President-elect Joe Biden in the 1980s have been disclosed.
“We are disclosing a letter that then-Senator Joe Biden sent to former President Kim Dae-jung in 1983 and a letter that Kim sent in 1984 for the first time,” announced Yonsei University’s Kim Dae-jung Presidential Library and Museum along with two copies of letters on Monday.
Hyundai Rotem seals $68 mil. conveyer systems deal with Ford
Hyundai Rotem is expanding its business into production facilities. Hyundai Rotem announced Monday that it signed a 76.3 billion won contract with Ford for the construction of conveyer facilities in the U.S. carmaker’s three foreign plants. Under the deal, the South Korean railway company will supply the three Ford factories in Argentina, South Africa, and Thailand until 2022. Considered vital in the field of auto production, conveyer systems are designed to deliver auto parts such as the engine or the body of a vehicle to supply lines.
Presidential pets to return to the White House
U.S. President-elect Joe Biden will bring two German shepherds, Champ and Major, to the White House in January next year. Although most U.S. presidents had presidential pets since former President Warren Harding in the early 20th century, President Trump did not have one for reasons such as mysophobia.
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The KyungHyang Shinmun (http://english.khan.co.kr/)
An Endless Wait: Despite Hunger and Sickness, “Go Home” Is the Only Answer Refugees Receive
In the deportation room at Incheon International Airport, no matter what you say, the only answer you receive is “Go home.” A, who applied for refugee status, recalled his time in the deportation room and said, “The employees there said, ‘Go home’ when you said ‘Good morning.’ ‘Go home,’ when you said ‘A person is sick.’ ‘Go home,’ when you said ‘We’re hungry.’”
On November 8, the Kyunghyang Shinmun obtained a report released by the Korea Refugee Rights Network, which stated the results of a project that monitored refugees at the airport, conducted to improve their rights. The report showed the human rights status of refugees in the airport deportation room, transfer area, and the refugee review room. Refugees stay in one of these three areas depending on when they request for refugee status and whether or not their case has been referred for review.
Choo Mi-ae Makes a Surprise Modification to the Justice Ministry Inspection Regulations
On November 8, the Kyunghyang Shinmun confirmed that Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae revised the Justice Ministry Inspection Regulations, a set of ministry instructions, on November 3. When the justice ministry inspects important subjects, such as the prosecutor general, it was mandatory to consult the ministry’s inspection committee, but now such consultation is optional. Thus the decision on disciplinary measures following the ministry’s inspection of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl will not have to undergo a review by the inspection committee, which includes outside members.
Biden Narrowly Ahead in U.S. Election: His Tasks and Policies on the Korean Peninsula
Democratic candidate Joe Biden is currently ahead in the U.S. presidential election. According to the U.S. press on the morning of November 5 (local time), Biden has secured 264 of the electoral votes and is expected to have no problem obtaining the 270 votes necessary to win the election. Thus the unilateral state administration by President Donald Trump, which had given the world a hard time the last four years, is likely to make an exit. During the campaign, Biden put a distance between himself and Trump’s “America first,” anti-globalization, protective trade, and anti-immigration policies and pledged to restore a liberal international order. We expect Biden to return the U.S. to normalcy according to the wishes of the international community
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Maeil Business News Korea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/)
Hyundai Motor invites local suppliers for unmanned air cargo delivery carrier
Hyundai Motor Co. has embarked on building a local supply chain to back its aerial mobility venture starting with unmanned freight delivery.
The South Korea’s auto giant posted on Sunday invitation by Nov. 22 for aircraft designing, testing and manufacturing as well as control and other avionic engineering to join its development of the cargo unmanned aerial system (UAS). It aims to commercialize and launch the service by 2026.
Korea’s two full-service carriers secure CEIV permit to transport Covid-19 vaccine, cure
South Korean flag-carriers Korean Air Lines and Asiana Airlines have secured an international permit to carry Covid-19 vaccines, cures and other related supplies, putting them at a competitive edge once demand across the world kicks in after commercialization.
Korean Air Lines and Asiana Airlines joined the list of 18 airlines who have gained the Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV Pharma) certification from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) so far, according to industry insiders on Sunday.
Korean export outlook more positive than negative under Biden presidency
A Joe Biden presidency is raising hopes for normalization of the multilateral global order disrupted by U.S. unilateralism under President Donald Trump to bode well for trade-reliant Korea, although the hard-line stance on China will likely be maintained.
The Democratic leadership will restore relationship with the World Trade Organization and global trade pacts disrupted by Trump`s America-first policy, local institutions predicted.
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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
Australia Brisbane Times www.brisbanetimes.com.au syndication@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Sydney Morning Herald www.smh.com.au
Colombia Reports www.colombiareports.com
Bogota Free Planet www.bogotafreeplanet.com,bfp@bogotafreeplanet.com
El Universal www.eluniversal.com.mx/english
Andes www.redaktionstest.net/andes-info-ec/
Ecuador Times www.ecuadortimes.net/
The Jordan Times www.jordantimes.com/
LSM.lv www.lsm.lv/
The Baltic Times www.baltictimes.com lithuania@baltictimes.com, estonia@baltictimes.com, editor@baltictimes.com
El Pais https://english.elpais.com/
Philippine Daily Inquirer www.inquirer.net/
Daily News Hungary https://dailynewshungary.com/
Budapest Times www.budapesttimes.hu/
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The Korea Post is running video clips from the different embassies.
Azerbaijan: www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR8CBpcQ4WM
Sri Lanka: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hByX92Y2aGY&t=22s
Morocco: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfFmp2sVvSE
And many other countries.
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