Headline, June 14, 2021

Monday, June 14, 2021

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

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

Jeju Island's 12 beaches will open on July 1

Jeju Special Self-Governing Province announced on June 11 that 12 beaches in the province, including Hyeopjae, Geumneung, Gwakji, Ihotou, Samyang, Hamdeok, will open on July 1. Related to this, it has decided to make all-out efforts to create beaches without Covid-19 infections and safety accidents. To prevent the spread of the COVID-19 infection, the 'safety band', 'safety call', 'body temperature sticker' systems will be introduced. The opening period of 12 beaches in Jeju has been decided from July 1 to August 31 and operating hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. In consideration of the recent Covid-19 situation, the night opening will not be allowed to strengthen quarantine such as maintaining social distancing. In addition, Jeju prepared a plan to operate the Jeju-style quarantine safe beach program, which is stronger than last year, as more residents and tourists are expected to visit beaches in Jeju in July due to the expansion of vaccinations and the inability to travel abroad.

Will Yoon Seok-yeol join the main opposition People Power Party under young chairman?

Newly elected Chairman Lee Jun-seok of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) on June 12 unofficially designated 58-year-old National Assemblyman Seo Bum-soo as the secretary general of the PPP and National Assemblyman Hwang Bo-seung as senior spokesman of the party. Reps. Seo and Wang are both first-time members of the National Assembly who have never been a National Assemblyman before. Reports indicate that Hwang and Seo both accepted Lee’s offer. Chief secretary is in a key position at a political party in Korea, who helps the party chairman with in a closest distance from the chairman. Reports indicate that there would be many area scenes in the future, including one where 68-year-old President Moon Jae-in would be meeting an opposition party chairman (Lee Jun-seok) who is 3 years younger even than Moon’s youngest son, Moon Joon-young.

President Moon Jae-in leaves for Britain to attend G-7 summit

President Moon Jae-in left Seoul on June 11 for Britain to attend an annual Group of Seven (G-7) summit, as part of his weeklong trip to Europe, including Austria and Spain. Moon is to return to Seoul on June 18 President Moon is scheduled to join the G-7 session as a guest invited by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the host of the three-day event to take place until June 13 at the Carbis Bay Hotel in Cornwall. President Moon Jae-in waves to well-wishers as he departs from Seoul Air Base, south of Seoul, on June 11, 2021. Moon is expected to have discussions on how to address such global challenges as a health crisis, climate change, and trade disputes at the international event. Moon said the G-7's invitation for South Korea to its annual summit reflects the rise of its international status to a level on par with G-7 countries.

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

G7 Welcomes US N. Korea Policy, Calls for Complete Denuclearization of Korean Peninsula

The Group of Seven(G7) nations on Sunday issued a joint statement calling for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, while welcoming the commitment of the U.S. to engage with North Korea. In a joint communique adopted at the end of this year's three-day G7 summit in Britain, the countries welcomed the "readiness" of Washington to continue its diplomatic efforts in coordination with all relevant partners towards Pyongyang. The nations also called for the complete denuclearization of the peninsula and demanded the "verifiable and irreversible" abandonment of Pyongyang's weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs in accordance with all UN Security Council resolutions. The leaders urged all countries to fully implement the sanctions associated with these resolutions.

Moon Arrives in Austria for State Visit

President Moon Jae-in arrived in Austria on Sunday for a three-day state visit after attending the Group of Seven(G7) summit in Britain over the weekend. He became the first South Korean president to travel to Austria officially since the two nations established diplomatic ties in 1892. Moon plans to have summit talks Monday with President Alexander Van der Bellen and hold a meeting with Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. The presidential office said Moon's visit is expected to serve as a chance to enhance bilateral cooperation in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and expand exchanges in high-tech industries.

S. Korea to Exempt People Fully Vaccinated Overseas from 2-Week Quarantine

Starting on July 1, some travelers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 overseas will be exempt from two-week quarantine measures when entering South Korea. The government made the decision on Sunday in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum. The exemption will be granted to people who enter the country to visit family, or for the purpose of business, academics or public interest. These travelers will be exempt from the mandatory two-week isolation two weeks after they have received the AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna or other vaccines. However, entrants from countries with variant COVID-19 cases, such as South Africa and Brazil, will not be subject to the exemption.

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

New virus cases back under 500; fully vaccinated travellers to be exempt from 2-week quarantine

South Korea's daily new virus cases dropped below 500 Sunday for the first time in four days due to fewer tests over the weekend, and health authorities plan to exempt people who were fully vaccinated overseas from mandatory two-week isolation from July. The country reported 452 more COVID-19 cases, including 419 local infections, raising the total caseload to 147,874, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said. Sunday's tally marked a sharp decrease from Saturday's 565 cases and dropped to the 400s for the first time since Tuesday, when the tally marked 454, the KDCA said. A total of 12,372 tests were conducted across the country on Saturday, sharply down from 29,471 a day earlier, the KDCA said. Daily caseloads here have been going through some ups and downs between the 400s and 700s in recent months with no significant signs of a letup due to sporadic cluster infections nationwide.

Moon's G-7 presence highlights S. Korea's bigger role on global stage

Photos of South Korean President Moon Jae-in sitting down with major global leaders in the Group of Seven (G-7) summit here demonstrated the enhanced international stature of his country. A key member of the Group of 20 largest economies, South Korea is now on a par with the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan in dealing with such global challenges as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and protectionism, Moon's office said on Sunday. Moon was invited to the annual G-7 summit for the second consecutive year, which reflects the international community's expectations for Seoul's bigger role and responsibility. "It means a transition from South Korea's position as a late follower in handling pending global issues to a leading one to take the initiative on an equal footing with the G-7 members," Cheong Wa Dae said.

Moon, Macron discuss bilateral cooperation in cutting-edge technology industries

The leaders of South Korea and France on Sunday shared hopes to strengthen bilateral cooperation in cutting-edge technology industries, such as semiconductors and electric vehicles, Cheong Wa Dae said. President Moon Jae-in met with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G-7) summit in the southwestern British county of Cornwall. During the 45 minute "pull aside" meeting, the two leaders shared their countries' measures against the coronavirus pandemic and economic conditions, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Park Kyung-mee. Macron told Moon that France hopes to strengthen cooperation with South Korea on key technology areas. He expressed hope the two sides will boost ties, particularly in areas of cutting-edge technology, such as semiconductors and electric vehicles, and also expressed interest in areas of public health and energy.

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

G-7 welcomes Washington’s diplomacy towards Pyongyang: communique

The Group of Seven nations on Sunday issued a joint statement calling for the complete denuclearization of North Korea, while welcoming the commitment of Washington under President Joe Biden to engage with Pyongyang through diplomacy. In a joint communique adopted at this year’s G-7 summit in the southwestern British county of Cornwall, the countries called for the complete denuclearization of North Korea and urged Pyongyang to give up its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile program. The G-7 countries welcomed Washington‘s preparation to work together with partners in engaging with North Korea through diplomacy, while also calling on Pyongyang to resume dialogue with the international community.

‘G-7 invitation signifies Korea’s elevated status’

Korea’s invitation to the G-7 summit signifies that it has risen to the ranks among developed countries standing shoulder to shoulder with global leaders, Cheong Wa Dae said Saturday. The Group of Seven is an organization of leaders from some of the world’s biggest economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. The G-7 members meet annually to discuss global issues and coordinate policies. Hosted by the UK, this year’s G-7 summit also invited the four leaders from Australia, India, South Korea and South Africa -- a shorter guest list than the 2009 meeting when leaders from 20 countries were invited. Korea was invited to the global leaders’ summit for a second consecutive year.

Will BOK hike rate before US Fed?

Herald Corp.’s first H.eco Forum opened in Seoul on Thursday, delivering a reality check -- that the Earth has about six years and 235 days to prevent the effects of global warming from becoming irreversible -- and yet signaling hope that we can still avert a climate catastrophe. Under the theme “We face the Climate Clock,” the forum, which was livestreamed, gathered global leaders, businesspeople and activists to discuss solutions to the climate emergency at every level and show a path toward a net-zero, sustainable future. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, H.eco Forum 2021 was held in a hybrid format, with speakers based in Seoul giving speeches in person and foreign speakers participating virtually -- from countries including Colombia, Switzerland and the UK.

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

G-7 calls for 'complete' denuclearization of Korean Peninsula

The Group of Seven (G-7) nations on Sunday issued a joint statement calling for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, while welcoming Washington's commitment under President Joe Biden to engage with Pyongyang through diplomacy. In a joint communique adopted at this year's G-7 summit in the southwestern British county of Cornwall, the countries called for the complete denuclearization of the peninsula and demanded for the "verifiable and irreversible" abandonment of Pyongyang's weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs. The G-7 nations also announced that they "welcome the readiness" of Washington "to continue its diplomatic efforts in coordination with all relevant partners" towards Pyongyang. The countries also called on North Korea to "engage and resume dialogue" with the international community, while demanding Pyongyang to "respect human rights for all" and "resolve the issue of abductions immediately."

Moon arrives in Austria for state visit

South Korean President Moon Jae-in arrived in Vienna on Sunday for a three-day state visit after attending the Group of Seven (G-7) summit in Britain. He became the first South Korean president to travel to Austria officially since the two sides established diplomatic ties in 1892. He plans to have summit talks Monday with President Alexander Van der Bellen and hold a meeting with Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on improving bilateral relations. Kurz made a trip to South Korea in 2019. Moon's visit here is expected to serve as a chance to further solidify traditionally friendly ties between the two sides, according to Cheong Wa Dae. It noted Austria's prowess in science and technology as well as the competitive edge of its small and medium-sized firms.

Korean folk tales now in Guatemala's public school textbooks

Most Koreans know the traditional folk tale, "Heungbu and Nolbu," a story about two brothers which contains the moral lesson that good people are blessed and greedy ones become unhappy. Now the famous folk tale is also being printed in a state-published textbook for elementary school students in Guatemala, a Central American country with a population of 18 million. The story is written in Spanish in the textbook for Guatemalan fifth-graders. Some other Korean folk tales are also provided for students in other grades there, including: "The Rabbit and the Turtle," "Two Good Brothers" and "The Brother and Sister Who Became the Sun and the Moon." Even the story of Dangun, the mythical founder of the first Korean kingdom, is in the textbook for sixth graders, according to the Gyeongsangbuk-do Office of Education (GBE).

Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)
Fever, Chills Most Common Vaccine Side Effects
Many people are still afraid of vaccine side effects after Korea passed the 10-million milestone in coronavirus vaccination. As of early Wednesday morning, there had been a total of 38,242 reports on side effects from vaccines. The rate of adverse effects is only one-third of a percent, and 94.8 percent of those who did have them complained about muscle aches, headache, a fever or chills. These can be easily alleviated with paracetamol. But those getting the AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson vaccine should be aware of a small risk of blood clots, which can occur four to 28 days after inoculation, and should visit a hospital if they notice them.

China Warns Korea Not to Side with U.S.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi telephoned his Korean counterpart Chung Eui-yong on Wednesday to protest against the U.S. strategy of containing Beijing's growing assertiveness in the region. Wang in a blunt warning told Korea to "stick to the correct position." The comments came ahead of the G7 summit in the U.K. later this week, where the U.S. is expected to tout its new cold war against China. "The Indo-Pacific strategy proposed by the United States is full of cold war mentality and stirs up confrontation among different groups, which is not conducive to regional peace, stability and development," the Chinese Foreign Ministry website quoted Wang as saying. "China is firmly opposed to it. As friendly neighbors and strategic partners, China and [Korea] should know well the rights and wrongs, stick to the correct position, abide by political consensus and never be misled.".

Korea to Open Limited Travel Bubble with Asian Countries

Hopes are rising that some overseas holidays may become possible after the government said it will open a travel bubble for vaccinated people with several other countries in the region. "Starting in July, the government plans to allow group travel for people who have completed their full vaccination regimen to countries that have a stable handle on the pandemic," Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum told reporters Wednesday. At the moment Guam, Saipan, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand are being considered, although they currently impose one to three weeks' quarantine on all arrivals from overseas. But the prospects are severely limited. Only people who have been fully vaccinated at least two weeks before departure will benefit, and only tour groups that make their bookings through travel agencies will be allowed out.

HanKyoReh Shinmun (http://english.hani.co.kr)
“Island of Overwork” highlights incidents of death by overwork, explores how society should respond

Co-written by a former Taiwanese National Assembly member’s aide and a National Assembly reporter, Huang Yi-Ling and Kao Yu-chih, “Island of Overwork” was published in Korea with the subtitle “The Dangers of a Society That Works People to Death.” This is not the sort of book that attracts notice with a strong title but lacks content. It’s a book that focuses on incidents of death by overwork based on the authors’ research. The examples include a semiconductor engineer who died at 30 years of age, slumped over in front of a computer monitor after working an average of 16 hours a day; a 29-year-old security worker who died of a cerebral hemorrhage on duty after receiving zero overtime compensation despite routinely working extra hours; and a 38-year-old physician who collapsed in the operating room after working 360 hours a month and ended up quitting due to severe memory loss.

US Indo-Pacific strategy fuels conflict, Chinese foreign minister tells S. Korean foreign minister

China sternly criticized Washington’s “Indo-Pacific strategy” and stressed the importance of “political consensus” with Seoul in a telephone conversation Wednesday between the South Korean and Chinese foreign ministers. The conversation is drawing attention for coming just ahead of South Korea’s participation as an invited guest at the G7 summit, where measures for reining Beijing in appear likely to be discussed in depth. In an announcement by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Thursday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi was quoted as saying that “under the guidance of the consensus reached by the two heads of state, China-ROK relations have been developed smoothly.”

He also reportedly said China and South Korea need to strengthen communication in a timely manner as strategic partners. “Next year will be the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the ROK. The two sides should [...] create a sound atmosphere and necessary conditions for the continued and steady development of bilateral relations,” the statement quoted Wang as saying.

Era of millennial politics

About 10 days ago, I made a bet with some friends in a KakaoTalk chatroom about the election for leadership of the People Power Party (PPP), Korea’s main opposition party. Eight out of 10 people in the chat bet that 36-year-old Lee Jun-seok would become head of the PPP, while two people — including myself — bet against him. Combined, the older candidates had far more support than Lee, and I didn’t think the party would hand over power to nominate candidates for next year’s local elections to a greenhorn in his 30s. But at the moment, my old-fashioned intuition as a reporter may likely let me down in the PPP’s national convention on Friday.

If Lee pulls through, it will go down as a monumental episode in Korean politics. The PPP’s party members and supporters seem determined to make a big gamble. Lee’s victory would once again illustrate the dynamic nature of Korean politics; even his defeat would trigger a tectonic realignment of the political landscape.

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

Heads of G7 agree to invest on B3W infrastructure

The U.S. drew an agreement among G7 countries for a large-scale global infrastructure investment project to hold China’s “One Belt, One Road project” in check. It is an attempt to unify allies in the Western world to stand against China’s expanding “economic territory”’ through a large-scale external economic cooperation scheme. According to the White House, heads of G7 countries including U.S. President Joe Biden agreed to invest on the global infrastructure at the G7 summit held in Cornwall, the U.K. on Saturday (local time). The project is called “B3W (Build Back Better World),” which was named after Biden’s presidential campaign “Build Back Better.” It is garnering attention as it is the first alternative of advanced countries against China’s project.

Moon, Suga briefly meet for first time on sidelines of G7 summit

Visiting Cornwall in the United Kingdom to attend the G7 summit, South Korean President Moon Jae-in briefly exchanged greetings with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Saturday to conclude their first meeting. Originally, the South Korean presidential office expected informal “pull-aside meeting” style talks, through which Moon and Suga would get together in a natural fashion at the site of the G7 summit, but it has not happened. “President Moon Jae-in encountered Prime Minister Suga and exchanged friendly greetings at Carbis Bay Hotel prior to the opening of the health session in the expanded G7 summit,” presidential spokeswoman Park Kyung-mi said in a written press briefing. The Japanese government announced to the Japanese media, “President Moon approached Prime Minister Suga and initiated a conversation and they exchanged greetings very briefly.

36-year-old Lee Jun-seok elected leader of the People Power Party
The support base of the opposition party looking for the change of leadership chose a drastic shift from the previous political convention. Lee Jun-seok, a 36-year-old politician with no experience as a lawmaker, won a victory Friday to become the leader of the People Power Party. He is the first leader of a ruling party or a main opposition party below 40 in the constitutional history of South Korea. With the next presidential election coming up next year, both ruling and opposition parties nervously observed dramatic changes in public sentiment and analyzed election results. South Korea’s political landscape is going through a huge shift. Lee secured 43.8 percent of the ballots cast by party members (70 percent) and private citizens (30 percent), defeating former floor leader of the party Na Kyung-won in second place by 6.7 percentage points.

TheKyungHyangShinmun (http://english.khan.co.kr/)
“I’m Listening to Both the Expectations and Concerns of the People” Yoon Seok-youl Hints at a Presidential Bid

On June 9, Yoon Seok-youl (pictured), former prosecutor general and a strong opposition candidate for the presidential election said, “I am listening to and am well aware of the expectations and concerns of the people.” Yoon appeared to be hinting at the launch of a presidential bid two days before the People Power Party convention. However, he avoided mentioning any details about joining the People Power Party. This day, Yoon appeared at the opening ceremony of the Woodang Lee Hoe-yeong Memorial at Namsan Yejang Park in Seoul and responded to questions from the press by saying, “I ask you to wait and see.” This was the first time that Yoon spoke about his political activities at a public occasion. When asked about whether he would join the People Power Party, Yoon replied that it was not yet the time to say anything about the issue and said, “You will gradually know as you observe the road I take.” Yoon appeared at a public event for the first time in two months since he showed up for early voting in the April 7 by-elections on April 2.

“Let People in Their Twenties and Thirties Run for President, Too,” Young Politicians Demand in One Voice

Young politicians in both the ruling and opposition parties demanded that the nation abolish the age restriction for presidential candidates, which is currently set at forty. Young politicians from nine political parties including the Democratic Party of Korea, the People Power Party, the Justice Party and the People’s Party held a press conference at the National Assembly on the afternoon of June 8 and announced, “We may be affiliated with different political parties, but we, in one voice, demand that the nation abolish the age restriction, which bans people under the age of forty from running in the presidential election, in order to remove an obstacle that blocks the political participation of young people.” Article 67 of the Constitution stipulates that citizens “who have reached the age of forty years or more on the date of the presidential election shall be eligible to be elected to the presidency.”

Personal Information of Parents Who Fail to Pay Child Support Will Be Disclosed Online Starting July 13

From July 13, the actual names of parents who do not pay child support will be released on the Internet. These parents can be sentenced to criminal punishment of up to a year in prison. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family announced measures for better payment of child support for underage children raised by single parents including these details at the 11th Ministerial Meeting on Education, Society and Culture at the government office in Seoul on June 9. The latest measures were based on the Act on Enforcing and Supporting Child Support Payment. According to the new measures, if a person with the obligation to pay child support fails to make the payment, the person receiving the payment can request a court order to arrest the insolvent person. If that person does not pay child support within a year after the court order, he or she can be sentenced to criminal punishment of up to a year in prison or a fine of 10 million won. If that person refuses to pay child support despite the court order, his or her personal information can be disclosed on the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family website after a review by the child support payment review board.

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

Short-term bond prices tumble on “orderly” rate normalization comment from BOK chief

South Korea’s central bank chief on Friday echoed U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in readying the market for interest rates moving up from record-low levels within the year. “If we can expect the economy to keep up solid recovery pace, current loose monetary policy would have to be normalized in timely and orderly manner,” Bank of Korea (BOK) Governor Lee Ju-yeol told bankers celebrating the 71st anniversary of the central bank founding. The timing and pace in adjusting the loose rate and monetary policy will depend on the virus developments, economic growth pace and sustainability and financial risk from private debt load, he said.

Korea’s oldest conservative party gets youngest thirty-something leader

A 36-year-old Harvard-educated politician who had never won an election became the chief of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), the traditional conservative party notorious for rigid and old-school ways. Lee Jun-seok, credited for exciting young wave in politics, won the party primary for chairmanship with 42 percent voter rate, defeating his rival Na Kyung-won, a former floor leader of the party at 31 percent, the PPP announced at its party convention on Friday. Earlier, the party’s election commission conducted a vote on 328,000 electors from Monday to Thursday and the final winner was determined by a combination of party member votes (70 percent) and opinion polls from the public (30 percent).

S. Korea’s June 1-10 exports up 41% on yr, above 40% for third month

South Korea’s exports jumped 41 percent in the first 10 days of June against a year ago, keeping up growth pace of above 40 percent for the third month. The country’s exports totaled $17.28 billion for June 1-10, up 40.9 percent from the same period last year, showed data released by the Korea Customs Service on Friday. Daily exports soared 32.6 percent based on 8.5 working days, 0.5 day more than a year ago. Even as the gains go against pandemic-battered year-ago period, Koreas has been making record streak in exports throughout the first half. Exports surged 41.2 percent in April and 46 percent in May. Outbound shipments of automobiles rose 136.9 percent on year, petroleum products 70.2 percent, semiconductors 37.5 percent and wireless communication devices 18.9 percent.

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USA Today www.usatoday.com aallman@gannett.com

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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