Wednesday, February 24, 2021

 

Round-up of important news from major Korean dailies and from international media today

The Korea Post (http://www.koreapost.com/)

LR Health & Beauty launches 12 new products helping family's immune management

LR Health & Beauty, a 35 years of heritage German wellness company, will officially launch 12 products in the Korean market for the first time in the Asia-Pacific region in March, the company announced on Feb. 22, 2021.

The Khojaly genocide marks 29th anniversary

February 26, 2021 marks the 29th anniversary of the genocide committed by the Armenian armed forces in Khojaly during Armenia’s aggression against Azerbaijan that had resulted in occupation of one-fifth of the Azerbaijani territories and ethnic cleansing of more than one million Azerbaijanis.

KITA holds “SPOEX 2021” as hybrid exhibition at COEX

“Seoul International Sports & Leisure Industry Show 2021 (SPOEX 2021)”, co-hosted by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) and the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation, opened at COEX, Samseong-dong in Seoul, on Feb. 18.

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KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)

S. Korea's Daily COVID-19 Cases Climb Back to 400s

South Korea's daily COVID-19 cases climbed back over 400 on Wednesday after staying in the 300s for two days. 
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency(KDCA) said Wednesday that 440 new cases were reported throughout the previous day to raise the country's accumulated total to 88-thousand-120.  

Rollout of First Batch of AstraZeneca Vaccine Set to Begin

The rollout of the first batch of AstraZeneca vaccines manufactured by a South Korean vaccine producer will begin on Wednesday. According to health authorities, the COVID-19 vaccines manufactured at a SK Bioscience factory in the southeastern city of Andong will be transported to a distribution center in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, on Wednesday morning. 

S. Korea Calls Sex Slavery Issue 'Universal Human Rights Issue'

South Korea highlighted that Japan's wartime sexual slavery must be addressed as a "universal human rights issue," adding that the recurrence of such a rights violation in conflict must be prevented. Speaking at a virtual high-level session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday, Second Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-moon said the pressing issue at hand is sexual violence during and after conflict.

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Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)

New virus cases bounce back to over 400 ahead of vaccine rollout

South Korea's daily new coronavirus cases bounced back to over 400 on Wednesday on continued cluster infections across the country ahead of the country's COVID-19 vaccine rollout this week. The country reported 440 more virus cases, including 417 local infections, raising the total caseload to 88,120, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

Apple to open 2nd store in S. Korea this week

 Apple Inc. will launch its second official outlet in South Korea on Friday, expanding its presence in the country since its first store opened doors in 2018. The new store, located in IFC Mall in Yeouido, western Seoul, plans to open later this week to visitors, the U.S. tech giant said Wednesday.

Star football player accused of sexually, physically assaulting teammates in elementary school

 A former South Korean national football team player is facing accusations of sexually and physically assaulting teammates while in elementary school more than 20 years ago. Park Ji-hun, attorney for the Seoul-based firm Hyun Law, put out a press release on Wednesday detailing allegations put forward by two clients. Both of them are one year younger than the accused player, who, according to Park, is "a star player who recently joined a club in the greater Seoul area."

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The Korea Herald (http://www.koreaherald.com)

New virus cases bounce back to over 400 ahead of vaccine rollout

South Korea's daily new coronavirus cases bounced back to over 400 on Wednesday on continued cluster infections across the country ahead of the country's COVID-19 vaccine rollout this week.

PM says COVID-19 vaccine shipment 1st step toward return to normalcy

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said that the first shipment of new coronavirus vaccines in South Korea on Wednesday marks the beginning of the country's long-awaited return to everyday life prior to the pandemic.

US, S. Korea may discuss Iran sanctions but no money transferred yet: State Dept.

The United States and South Korea may discuss the proposed release of Iranian funds held in South Korea, but no money has yet been transferred, a State Department spokesman said Tuesday, noting the allies often discuss such issues.

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The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)

Korea reports 1st population decline in 2020; total fertility rate hits new record of 0.84

South Korea reported the first natural decline in population last year as the number of deaths outpaced that of newborns amid the country's rapid aging and chronic low birth rate, data showed Wednesday.

New virus cases rebound to over 400 ahead of vaccine rollout

South Korea's daily new coronavirus cases bounced back to over 400 on Wednesday on continued cluster infections across the country ahead of the country's COVID-19 vaccine rollout this week. The country reported 440 more virus cases, including 417 local infections, raising the total caseload to 88,120, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

Vice FM says 'comfort women' must be addressed as 'universal human rights issue'

Second Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-moon has said that the tragedy surrounding victims of Japan's wartime sexual slavery must be addressed as a "universal human rights issue," vowing to continue Seoul's efforts to restore their dignity.

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HanKyoReh Shinmun (http://english.hani.co.kr)

Bill Gates wrongly portrayed as pro-nuclear energy in S. Korean media

On Feb. 16, “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster,” written by Microsoft founder Bill Gates, 66, was published simultaneously around the world. As an avowed technophile, Gates argues that the next generation of nuclear reactors being developed by TerraPower, the nuclear energy company that he founded, should play a role in achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Dongguk University holds virtual matriculation ceremony

Dongguk University, in Seoul, held a virtual matriculation ceremony yesterday via Zoom and YouTube for its incoming freshman class for the academic year of 2021. This was the first time the university’s matriculation ceremony was held online, with 100 of the 1,000 pre-registered students attending the ceremony via Zoom while the rest watched the ceremony on YouTube live stream.

S. Korean defense ministry to move forward with light aircraft carrier program amid controversy

A defense project promotion committee chaired by the South Korean Minister of National Defense voted on Feb. 22 to approve a basic strategy for the CVX light aircraft carrier program.

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Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)

aution Advised Ahead of Coronavirus Vaccinations

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Tuesday issued guidelines for coronavirus vaccinations that bar anyone with a temperature of over 37.5 degrees Celsius or other symptoms from getting the jab.

Hyundai Unveils Long-Awaited Ioniq 5 Electric Car

Hyundai on Tuesday unveiled its much-hyped Ioniq 5 electric hatchback at an online event.
The Ioniq 5 will hit showrooms in April, while pre-orders begin on Thursday. It comes to Europe later this year.

Seoul's Biggest Mall to Open in Yeouido

Hyundai Department Store opens the capital's biggest mall on Friday in the financial district of Yeouido.
The mall has an area of of 89,100 sq.m in an eight-story building with no fewer than seven underground levels that will open to yawning emptiness until the coronavirus epidemic eases.

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The Dong-A Ilbo (http://english.donga.com/)

Myanmar protesters take to streets to oppose coup

Some of the Myanmarese who went out to the street with their blood type and emergency contact written on their arms are garnering attention as the anti-government demonstration is taking place across the country after a coup on February 1.

Washington to review N. Korea’s egregious human rights records

The U.S. State Department made opposing comments about the remarks of South Korean Unification Minister Lee In-young, who called for easing sanctions against North Korea and scaling down ROK-U.S. joint military exercises. Experts say the comments reflect Washington’s uncomfortable feelings about Minister Lee’s remarks.

Race to electric car begins in full swing

With Tesla dominating the EV market and tech companies, such as Apple and Xiaomi making a foray into EV manufacturing, the major automakers’ decision reflects a sense of crisis that they could fall behind the competition as Nokia and Motorola did in the IT market. In order not to fall behind in the reshaping market, leading automakers are going all-in on the EV market, even giving up their mid-to long-term production plans for exiting models.

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The KyungHyang Shinmun (http://english.khan.co.kr/)

Administration of AstraZeneca Vaccine Begins on Feb. 26, Pfizer Vaccine on Feb. 27

On February 22, the government announced that authorities would begin administering the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on February 26. They will start administering the Pfizer vaccine on February 27. The Central Disease Control Headquarters made the announcement this day after describing the status of preparations for the inoculation against COVID-19.

Gwanghwamun Square West Street to Be Closed: The East Street Will Become a Two-Way Street from March 6

On March 6, the street (in front of the U.S. Embassy) on the east side of Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul will become a two-way street instead of the current one-way street. The one-way street along the west side of Gwanghwamun Square stretching from the three-way intersection in front of Gwanghwamun to the crossroad where Sejong-daero meets Jongno will be closed.

The Korea Medical Association Engaging in Collective Action with the People’s Lives as Hostage at Every Critical Moment Against COVID-19

The Korea Medical Association announced that it would not cooperate with the COVID-19 vaccination if the National Assembly passed an amendment of the Medical Service Act. At a critical moment when the wave of COVID-19 can resurge, the collective action by doctors has emerged as a variable in the nation’s fight against the virus.

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Maeil Business News Korea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/)

SK Holdings sells 11% stake in SK Biopharmaceuticals for $1 bn new project funds

SK Holdings Co. sold some of its stake in its biotech subsidiary SK Biopharmaceuticals Co. for 1.1 trillion won ($1 billion) in a block sale to secure funds to foster new core growth engines – green, bio, digital and advanced materials businesses.

HHI Holdings gains $722 mn from pre-IPO sale of Hyundai Global Service

Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) Group will raise 646 billion won ($582.3 million) from the U.S. biggest private equity fund KKR & Co. in a pre-IPO funding for its wholly-owned subsidiary Hyundai Global Service to foster its future businesses.

Big Hit posts record earnings in ‘20 on strong album sales and online activities

Big Hit Entertainment Co., label behind global K-pop phenomenon BTS, delivered record earnings in 2020 after a surge in album sales and active online businesses helped it offset a plunge in artists’ offline concert revenue due to the pandemic.

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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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