Thursday, February 4, 2021
Round-up of important news from major Korean dailies and from international media today
The Korea Post (http://www.koreapost.com/)
Amb. of Costa Rica in Seoul meets with Global Sae-A president
Mr. Alejandro Rodríguez Zamora, the Ambassador of Costa Rica in the Republic of Korea, met with the President of the Board of Directors of Global Sae-A, a manufacture in Costa Rica under the trade name Sae-A Spinning, S.R.L., a textile producer located in the Free Zone in the Cartago Province.
“For Korean companies, there are countless opportunities in Iran for win-win cooperation”
The following are excerpts from an interview with Ambassador Saeed Badamchi Shavestari of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Seoul which was conducted by The Korea Post media on the occasion of the Victory of the Islamic Revolution Day on February 11th.—Ed.
P.M. Modi: “I wish all the people of India a Happy Republic Day. Jai Hind!”
On January 22 this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, together with other leaders of the country, wished a Happy Republic Day 2021 to the people of his country. In his special message to the nation, Prime Minister Modi tweeted, "Wishing all the people of India a Happy Republic Day. Jai Hind!”
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KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)
Moon, Biden to Hold Phone Talks Thursday
The presidential office says President Moon Jae-in will hold phone talks with U.S. President Joe Biden at 8 a.m. Thursday.
The phone talks come two weeks after Biden's inauguration on January 20.
S. Korea Likely to Get 2.7 Million Vaccine Doses in 1st Half through COVAX Facility
South Korea is expected to receive at least two-point-seven million doses of COVID-19 vaccines in the first half of this year through the COVAX vaccine-sharing facility. About two million doses are likely to be allocated to North Korea.
Justice Party Decides Not to Field Candidates in Mayoral By-elections
The minor progressive Justice Party decided Wednesday not to field candidates in the April mayoral by-elections after its leader was expelled for a sexual abuse scandal last week.
The party announced the decision at a meeting of its national committee, saying that it will not compete in the mayoral by-elections in Seoul and Busan.
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Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
S. Korea confirms 5 domestic cases of COVID-19 variants, total now at 39
SEOUL, Feb. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's health authorities said Wednesday that they have identified five more cases of contagious variants of COVID-19, which were all domestically transmitted, sparking concerns over the spread of the more transmissible virus here.
Seoul says it can't accept Japan's 'unjust complaint' over defense white paper
SEOUL, Feb. 3 (Yonhap) -- The defense ministry said Wednesday it cannot accept Japan's "unjust complaint" over Seoul's latest white paper blaming Tokyo for straining relations between the two countries with a claim to South Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo.
New virus cases over 400 again on pileup of cluster infections
SEOUL, Feb. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's daily new coronavirus cases bounced back to over 400 after four days on Wednesday as cluster infections continue to rise despite extended virus curbs.
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The Korea Herald (http://www.koreaherald.com)
Iran agrees to free sailors of S. Korean tanker, but timing uncertain
Iran agreed on Tuesday to free the 19 crew members of a South Korean oil tanker that was seized a month ago, but it is uncertain when the sailors will return home.
Tehran has not yet released the ship or its captain, who is to remain in Iranian custody until the investigation into what the country has described as a breach of its environmental pollution laws is completed.
Moon, Biden to hold phone talks on Thursday
South Korean President Moon Jae-in will hold phone talks with his new US counterpart, Joe Biden, on Thursday morning, Cheong Wa Dae announced.
Their call is scheduled to start at 8 a.m., Moon's office said in a text message to reporters.
Watchdog approves Apple’s correction scheme for ‘unfair market practices’
Apple’s yearslong antitrust dispute in South Korea seemed to settle as the nation’s watchdog accepted the US tech giant’s redeeming plan to spend some 100 billion won ($89.73 million) in supporting consumers and small-sized businesses.
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The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
Ex-US Forces Korea chief says combined drills must continue
Vincent Brooks, a former commanding general of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), believes that South Korea and the United States must continue their joint military exercises this spring to maintain combined readiness, even as the government here is exploring ways to suspend the annual drills or at least keep them as low-key as possible.
'Minari' earns one Golden Globe nomination
Director Lee Isaac Chung's moving immigrant drama "Minari" was nominated in one category for the upcoming 2021 Golden Globe Awards, organizers said Wednesday.
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the organizer of the Golden Globes, released the list of nominees for its 2021 awards, and announced "Minari" had been nominated for "Best Foreign Language Film."
4th virus wave feared as Korea sees 3 variants
Concerns are growing here over a possible fourth wave of COVID-19 infections after the health authorities said they were seeing a consistent increase in the number of people infected with new variants of the coronavirus, which are known to be more transmissible.
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HanKyoReh Shinmun (http://english.hani.co.kr)
Chung Eui-yong: “Memory stick given to N. Korea was also provided to US”
The content included on a memory stick given to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un by South Korean President Moon Jae-in during their first inter-Korean summit in April 2018 was also provided to the US shortly after the meeting and positively received, Minister of Foreign Affairs nominee Chung Eui-yong said.
19 Hankuk Chemi crew members released by Iran after one month of detention
Iran and South Korea reached an agreement on the release of 19 South Korean crew members on the tanker MT Hankuk Chemi, which was seized by Iran early last month. The South Korean captain and the vessel itself remain under detention.
S. Korean defense white paper lists Japan only as “neighbor,” not “partner”
South Korea’s defense white paper for 2020 strikes a reference to Japan as “partner,” listing it only as a “neighboring country.”
On Feb. 2, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) released the 2020 version of its defense white paper, which is published every other year.
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Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)
Small Businesses Protest Against Lockdown Extension
Small businesses have launched another protest as the government has extended the 9 pm. curfew for food and leisure establishments until after the Lunar New Year.
Groups representing owners of billiard rooms, cafés, restaurants, karaoke bars and gyms said Tuesday that they will leave their lights on around the clock in protest but won't serve customers as ordered.
Nexon Hikes Pay to Attract Top Talent
Game developer Nexon is bucking the global trend to depress wages and has announced a substantial pay raise.
The game maker on Monday said it has upgraded its wage system to strengthen global competitiveness and secure excellent human resources.
Animated Film 'Soul' Attracts over 900,000 Viewers
Pixar's animated film "Soul" has attracted more than 900,000 moviegoers since its release on Jan. 20. According to the Korean Film Council, the film sold 909,675 tickets as of Monday, becoming the first film of the year to attract over 900,000 viewers amid the coronavirus lockdown.
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The Dong-A Ilbo (http://english.donga.com/)
Pentagon: Military readiness is the number one priority
Amid heated arguments about the need to delay or scale down the scheduled ROK-U.S. joint military exercises in March, the U.S. Department of Defense expressed a negative stance over the issue.
LG Chem establishes Huadong Tech Center in China
LG Chem is investing about 30 billion won to build another tech support center called the Huadong Tech Center in Wuxi of Jiangsu Province in China. The tech center offers integrated solutions, including product development and quality improvement to companies and partners that purchase LG Chem’s petrochemical products.
Police’s profiling system helps find dementia patient in 1 hour
“My mother had just disappeared on the way back from the sauna. She suffers from dementia and I wasn’t able to find her no matter how hard I looked. I don’t even have a photo of her…” the voice trailed off urgently and desperately over the phone at 10:50 a.m. on Sunday.
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The KyungHyang Shinmun (http://english.khan.co.kr/)
Chung Eui-yong, “A Copy of the USB Given to North Korea Was Also Delivered to U.S. Security Advisor Bolton”
On February 2, foreign minister nominee Chung Eui-yong (pictured) said, “A nuclear power plant was never mentioned during the talks with North Korea,” and squarely refuted the opposition party’s allegation that the government tried to build a nuclear power plant in the North.
The Status of Japan Downgraded from “Partner” to “Neighbor”
In the 2020 Defense White Paper, which the Ministry of National Defense released on February 2, the status of Japan was downgraded from a “partner” to a “neighbor.” The latest change reflected the deteriorating relations between South Korea and Japan due to export controls and compensation for the victims of forced labor and sexual slavery in the military.
Former UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, “South Korea Is Also Responsible for the Coup d’etat in Myanmar. The International Community Must Play Its Role”
On February 1, Lee Yang-hee, former UN special rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar said, “The international community including South Korea played a big part in the retreat of democracy in Myanmar due to a military coup d’etat.”
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Maeil Business News Korea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/)
Korean FTC okays Apple Korea’s self-remedial actions including better A/S, warranty
Apple Korea will address all the complaints by local wireless carriers and customers on after-sale services and warranty programs plus put up 100 billion won ($9 million) in social donation in self-remedial actions in place of fines and penalty from the Korean antitrust authority.
Kia shares test historic highs on Apple deal, Hyundai may issue statement next week
Shares of Kia Corp. (formerly Kia Motors) have tested new historic highs Wednesday on speculation about the Korean automaker nearing a 4 trillion won ($3.6 billion) consignment deal related to Apple Inc.’s electric vehicles project.
SK Telecom, LG Uplus end ’20 with over 20% profit gain as pandemic speeds up 5G biz
South Korean telcos raised over 20 percent gains in their incomes last year as their 5G-based content and application services thrived during pandemic-accelerated digital evolution.
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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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