The Korean daily media headlines and humor

The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Monday, January 23, 2017

Your Excellency:

Here are The Korea Post notices and a roundup 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

Excerpts from the editorial of leading Korean-language daily, Dong-a Ilbo

‘President Park personally instructs sports minister to help Chung Yu-ra’

It has been disclosed that in January 2015 President Park Geun-hye personally called the then Minister of Culture & Sports Kim Jong to the Presidential Mansion of Cheong Wa Dae and gave him the following instructions: “Miss Chung Yu-ra (daughter of controversial Mrs. Choi Soon-sil) is very highly talented and works very hard as a sports student and such a student must be supported as a government policy. Why are they trying to ‘kill’ (discredit) such an outstanding student?”

In July 2015, when President Park had an exclusive meeting with Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong of the Samsung Business Group, President Park is known to have scolded Vice Chairman Lee, “For a promising equestrian, a good horse must be purchased for her and she must also be provided with overseas training and yet this has not been done!”

One is just dumbfounded when one sees the President of a country, who has the highest authority and power in the nation, calling the daughter of Mrs. Choi by name and ordering a government minister and vice minister and the leader of the country’s top business conglomerate to “look after her and buy her a horse.”

(The above sentences are an unofficial English translation of excerpts from the editorial of Korea’s leading daily, Dong-a Ilbo, dated Jan. 21, 2017.)

The unbelievable story above was published by the Korean-language newspaper that is famed for “publishing all the news without fear or favor” since its inauguration during the Japanese Occupation of the Korean Peninsula up to Aug. 15, 1945.

Founded on Jan. 14, 2020 during the Japanese rule of Korea, Dong-a has continuously championed for the freedom and independence of Korea from Japan. Noteworthy from the independence movement of the newspaper is the erasing of the Flag of the Rising Sun of Japan from the chest of the 1936 Marathon Winner Son Ki-jeong on its August 25 1936 edition. For this, Dong-a was ordered by the Japanese Colonial Government in Korea suspension of publication for nine months until June 3, 1937. Motto of the newspaper, then and now, is known to be to “publish all the news without fear or favor.”

Now back to the Dong-Ah editorial concerning President Park and Mrs. Choi Soon-sil, the editorial, brave now as well as then, continues as follows on the President Park-Mrs. Choi case:

President Park is known to have trusted and depended on Mrs. Choi Soon-sil all her life. Ms. Chung used to call President Park ‘auntie’ and President Park must have loved for this. However, the President should not have handled the matter that way. President Park has obviously handled the affairs of the state as a housewife would have behind someone’s back. Isn’t President Park facing an impeachment because she has used for her own private purpose the power entrusted to her by the people violating the principle that power belongs to the people? This makes the people feel frustrated and miserable more than anything else.

Former Presidential Auxiliary Secretary Chung Ho-sung testified at the Presidential Impeachment Hearing the day before yesterday “yes” when he was asked, “Does the President also carries a phone in another person’s name?” Possessing or using a phone not in one’s own name as its owner is against the provisions of the Electronic Communications Business Law and is punishable with a pedal servitude of less than three years or fine of less than 100 million won.

It is a great shock that the close associates of President Park, such as former Senior Presidential Secretary Ahn Jong-bum for Policy Coordination and former Presidential Secretary Chung, used phones in their own name but in other people’s names. It is simply shocking that President Park, who should observe the law as a good example, should herself used such an illegal phone which is in violation of the law.

Former Secretary Chung testified, “The President used the phone in another person’s name due to the possibility of bugging.” He makes us ask back, “Do you mean to say that we are living in a ‘Republic of Telephone Buggers’ where even the President’s conversation could be eavesdropped?”

It also means that President Park used the phone in the name of a bogus owner in order to exchange illegal secret conversations. Conversations which President Park has had using these ‘ownerless’ phones with government ministers, vice ministers and the chairmen of Korea’s jaebeol business have become known one after another—together with the reasons hidden behind using such phones.

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Other major topics on The Korea Post website (www.koreapost.com) this morning:

Acting president vows 'seamless' policy coordination with Trump gov't

Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn on Monday vowed to push for seamless policy coordination with the newly launched U.S. administration on a set of key issues, including the nuclear standoff with North Korea.

Regulator urges public firms to expand employment

South Korea's top financial regulator on Monday asked the nation's public financial firms to hire more young job seekers, saying the government's top priority this year is job creation.

Hyundai Heavy predicted to have swung to black in 2016

Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. and its two local rivals -- Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. and Samsung Heavy Industries Co. -- are estimated to have recovered last year from their worst-ever performance the previous year, industry sources said Monday.

N.K. leader visits funeral altar to mourn aviation body's head

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited a funeral altar for the head of the country's aviation agency, expressing condolences over his death, Pyongyang's state media said Monday.

S. Korea likely to miss US$1 trillion trade target again

South Korea's trade has turned upward after a two-year lull, but it is likely to miss the US$1 trillion target again this year and possibly next year as well, the central bank said in its estimate Monday.

Ssangyong Motor turns to black for first time in 9 years

Ssangyong Motor Co., the local unit of Indian carmaker Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., is believed to have posted an operating profit in 2015 for the first time in nearly a decade, market observers noted Monday.The observers estimated the company's operating profit at 50 billion won (US$42.5 million) last year.

S. Korea ranks 9th in financial literacy

South Korea was ranked ninth on an international survey of financial literacy, the country's central bank said Sunday, a sign that Seoul should expand economic and financial education for its people.

Regulator toughens rules against accounting fraud

South Korea's financial regulatory body on Sunday announced a set of new measures and tougher punishment to fight accounting fraud.

The Financial Services Commission (FSC) cited the need for a "fundamental policy prescription" to enhance the transparency of accounting practice here and win public trust in it.

Park's key aides appear before independent counsel's office

South Korea's independent counsel looking into the influence-peddling scandal summoned two arrested key aides to President Park Geun-hye on Sunday over their alleged roles in the blacklisting of cultural figures critical of the government.

Trump's security adviser casts bright future for Seoul-Washington alliance

U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Flynn on Sunday held a phone conversation with his South Korean counterpart Kim Kwan-jin, expressing hope over the development of the Seoul-Washington alliance.

Two N.K. missiles on mobile launchers could either be Rodong or part of KN-08 or KN-14 ICBMs: U.S. expert

The two missiles that North Korea is believed to have readied for possible test-firing could be either part of the KN series intercontinental ballistic missiles or the Rodong medium-range missile, a U.S. expert said.

Trump reiterates pledge to renegotiate NAFTA

U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday he will soon hold bilateral meetings with the Canadian and Mexican leaders to talk about renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

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/)

Independent Counsel Grills Ex-Presidential Chief of Staff, Ex-Culture Minister

A day after he was arrested over the alleged blacklist of leftist artists, former presidential Chief of Staff Kim Ki-choon was summoned by the independent counsel team for questioning on Sunday.

Former Culture Minister Cho Yoon-sun, who tendered her resignation hours after her arrest, was also called in to face the special prosecutors’ interrogation over the blacklist scandal for the second consecutive day.

Independent Counsel Requests Arrest Warrant for Choi Soon-sil

The independent counsel team probing the Choi Soon-sil scandal on Sunday night requested an arrest warrant for the prime suspect, who has snubbed several summonses for questioning.

US Security Adviser Hopes for Development of US-S. Korea Alliance

United States National Security Adviser Michael Flynn hopes that the U.S.-South Korea alliance will strengthen and develop under the Donald Trump administration.

S. Korea to Produce Measures to Attract Overseas Talent

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Yoo Il-ho says that the government will pursue an immigration policy that will attract overseas talent.

S. Korea Develops Folding Container

South Korea has developed a shipping container that can be folded into one fourth of its original size.

The state-run Korea Railroad Research Institute said on Sunday that it developed the foldable container, which will significantly reduce the cost of shipping and storing empty containers.

RFA: N. Korea Enhances Airfield Facilities

North Korea has reportedly been enhancing airfield facilities to enable swift aircraft response to bolster the combat capabilities of its Air Force.

Danish Prosecutors Likely to Decide on Chung's Repatriation This Week

Danish prosecutors are likely to decide this week whether to repatriate the daughter of Choi Soon-sil, the woman who is at the center of a massive scandal that led to the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye.

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

'Real' unemployed reach over 4 million last year: state agency

The number of unemployed people, when the definition is increased to include those who are studying or training to get a job, reached 4.53 million last year, state statistics showed Monday.

S. Korea likely to miss US$1 trillion trade target again

South Korea's trade has turned upward after a two-year lull, but it is likely to miss the US$1 trillion target again this year and possibly next year as well, the central bank said in its estimate Monday.

N.K. leader visits funeral altar to mourn aviation body's head

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited a funeral altar for the head of the country's aviation agency, expressing condolences over his death, Pyongyang's state media said Monday.

Bareun Party gets another lawmaker from Saenuri

Another lawmaker from the ruling Saenuri Party decided to join the planned Bareun Party on Monday, increasing the number of lawmakers in the splinter group to 31.

The departure of Rep. Park Soon-ja will also reduce the number of lawmakers at Saenuri to 96. The Bareun Party, which spun off from Saenuri last month after engaging in a factional feud with loyalists to President Park Geun-hye, initially started with 30 lawmakers.

Hyundai Heavy predicted to have swung to black in 2016

Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. and its two local rivals -- Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. and Samsung Heavy Industries Co. -- are estimated to have recovered last year from their worst-ever performance the previous year, industry sources said Monday.

Stock sales surge 28 pct on Samsung units' capital increase

Stock sales in South Korea jumped 28 percent on-year in 2016, led by Samsung Group subsidiaries, while debt issuance fell more than 10 percent, data showed Monday.

The stock offerings totaled 10.2 trillion won (US$8 billion) last year, up 28 percent from 8 trillion won posted in 2015, according to the data compiled by the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS).

Trump reiterates pledge to renegotiate NAFTA

U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday he will soon hold bilateral meetings with the Canadian and Mexican leaders to talk about renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Trump's security adviser casts bright future for Seoul-Washington alliance

U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Flynn on Sunday held a phone conversation with his South Korean counterpart Kim Kwan-jin, expressing hope over the development of the Seoul-Washington alliance.

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

Women’s marches draw millions in resistance to Trump

More than two million people flooded the streets of Washington and other US cities and demonstrators around the world joined in as women opposed to Donald Trump led a peaceful, stunning rebuke against the new US president.

Park’s former aides quizzed over blacklisting leftwing artists

The special counsel investigating the scandal surrounding President Park Geun-hye quizzed her former chief of staff and culture minister on Sunday as the high-profile probe dug into the president’s alleged blacklisting of cultural figures.

SKT tests China’s Huawei LTE equipment amid controversy

South Korea’s No. 1 mobile carrier SK Telecom has purchased Long Term Evolution network equipment produced by China’s Huawei Technologies for testing before signing a final deal, amid concerns over hacking risks and Korean suppliers losing competitiveness, according to sources Sunday.

Hundreds join anti-Trump Women’s March in Seoul

Braving the snow, hundreds of Koreans and expats in South Korea took to the streets on Saturday for a Women’s March in reaction to Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 45th president of the United States. An estimated 1,000 people – according to the rally organizers -- marched for three hours across Gangnam, Seoul, joining the global grassroots campaign against the new US president they believe has stirred up hatred, sexism and misogyny.

Moon boasts solid lead in opinion poll among presidential contenders

Moon Jae-in, a front-runner presidential candidate from the liberal bloc, stood as the top contender in a local opinion poll, despite former UN

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's efforts to expand his presence after returning home.

Bareun Party gets another lawmaker from Saenuri

Another lawmaker from the ruling Saenuri Party decided to join the planned Bareun Party on Monday, increasing the number of lawmakers in the splinter group to 31.

The departure of Rep. Park Soon-ja will also reduce the number of lawmakers at Saenuri to 96.

The Bareun Party, which spun off from Saenuri last month after engaging in a factional feud with loyalists to President Park Geun-hye, initially started with 30 lawmakers.

Two NK missiles on mobile launchers could either be Rodong or part of ICBMs: US expert

The two missiles that North Korea is believed to have readied for possible test-firing could be either part of the KN series intercontinental ballistic missiles or the Rodong medium-range missile, a US expert said.

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

Korean-Nigerian model breaks through barriers

Not many people think that the 16 year-old fashion model Han Hyun-min is Korean — they think he is a foreigner. People approached Han speaking in English during Seoul Fashion Week last fall, but Han does not speak English. Some fashion designer gave him the nickname "Paul," but Han neither likes that Western name nor wants to be called by any other name than his real name, Hyun-min.

Battery cell flaws caused Note 7 fiasco: Samsung mobile chief

Samsung Electronics concluded Monday that flaws in battery cell had caused Galaxy Note 7's fire problem.

The world's largest smartphone maker pledged to improve safety of batteries used for its smartphones through enhanced quality control processes.

Homosexuality missing from sex education

Controversy has risen over educating students about homosexuality at schools, following the education ministry's refusal to include the topic in new guidelines for sex education.

Korea concerned about Trump's 'America first' policy

South Korea is taking steps to counter Donald Trump's "America first" policy that could reshape the alliance between the two countries, after he was sworn in as U.S. president Friday.

Netmarble hits jackpot with 'Revolution'

Netmarble Games has shown a successful combination of solid content intellectual property and well-proven business models can be a game changer by breaking multiple sales records in the domestic market with its megahit title "Lineage 2: Revolution."

Rookie model Mio wants to appear in Chanel's beauty campaign

It has only been half a year since rookie model Mio of Garten Agency made headlines in the local fashion scene last year, appearing in many beauty advertisements and make-up shows. Although she is very new to the industry, she already plans in the long run to move forward in her career in Paris and shoot global beauty campaigns with French luxury brand Chanel.

'Infinite Challenge' to go off air for seven weeks

Popular MBC reality show "Infinite Challenge" will be suspended for seven weeks to give directors and cast time to relax and refresh themselves.

The weekly show has been aired since 2006 with only a handful of exceptions, mostly caused by external disasters such as the Sewol sinking, leaving producers and cast chronically short of ideas.

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

Pres. Trump's words at his inauguration speech

When Donald Trump concluded his inauguration speech on Friday, a Fox News anchor said that Trump reflected his campaign rhetoric in his inauguration speech. Conservative news media Fox News is recognized as relatively favor of Trump. Likewise, his 16-minute speech was full of straightforward narratives that were rarely seen in modern American history.

White American eggs to receive lukewarm response in Korea

At a discount store in Gocheok-dong, Seoul on Sunday afternoon, a flock of customers gathered around eggs packed in pink-colored plastic boxes that were imported from the U.S. The first imported eggs gave grocery shoppers a sense of curiosity but few of them were willing to buy them. “I don’t think I would buy them as they look smaller than Korean eggs and I’m not quite sure about its sanitation,” a housewife surnamed Kim said while studying the eggs.

Minumsa chairman passes away

Writers and publishers gathered at Seoul National University Hospital Funeral Hall mourned for the funeral of Chairman Park Maeng-ho of Minumsa who passed away on Sunday. “We are numbed to lose the ‘eternally-active’ Park at a time when a strong leader’s advice is crucial for the publishing circle,” they said.

1 out of 3 salaried Koreans suffers from chronic headache

The number of Koreans with chronic pain in the head has increased sharply. One of three salaried workers on average is exposed to the risk of chronic headache due to stress, an analysis found.

Trump pledges to do things that haven’t been done in the U.S.

Real estate mogul and Washington outsider Donald Trump officially swore in as the 45th president of the U.S. and began his first day of inauguration. The world is expecting a roller-coaster ride for the next four years under a new leadership in the U.S. led by Trump who is not happy with the global order that has been shaped by the U.S. after the Second World War.

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

Mercury Plummets Again

The country will see the coldest weather so far this winter on Monday.

The mercury will hover between -17 and -2 degrees Celsius Monday, with the morning low in Seoul at -12 degrees, the Korea Meteorological Administration said.

The wind chill factor brought down the felt temperature to -17 in the capital.

More Shopkeepers Favor Chinese Students for Part-Time Jobs

A growing number of storekeepers in popular shopping districts favor Chinese students as part-time staff because they can speak Mandarin. With an increasing number of Chinese tourists here, convenience stores, restaurants and cosmetics shops favor young Chinese part-timers over their Korean rivals because they can talk to many Chinese customers.

Chinese Audiences Embrace Japanese Movies, TV Shows

Japanese movies and TV shows are starting to replace Korean ones in the affections of Chinese audiences amid signs of a rift between Seoul and Beijing.

The trend is most noticeable in cinemas.

Samsung Sues Sharp for W600 Billion

Samsung has filed a W600 billion lawsuit against Sharp for damages after the Japanese firm decided to stop supplying it with LCD TV screens.

An industry source last week said Samsung filed an arbitration request with the International Chamber of Commerce in New York against three companies, including Sharp.

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HanKyoReh-Shinmoon (http://english.hani.co.kr)

Three-way division of labor breaking down among S. Korea, China and Japan

Exports to China have fallen sharply for South Korean materials and components such as semiconductors, flat-panel displays, and automobile parts. Analysts said the phenomenon, which comes amid steps by China to hasten its own technology independence and strengthen bans on processing trade, shows an increasing collapse in the three-way division of labor with China and Japan that took shape after the rapid rise of the Japanese economy in the early ’00s.

Why Ban Ki-moon’s chances are still just fifty-fifty

If Ban Ki-moon had not decided to run for the presidency, he would be receiving red carpet treatment and touring the country right now talking about his experience and knowledge from 10 years as UN Secretary-General.

Photo of Pres. Park in prison garb going up at her birthplace in Daegu

A sign depicting President Park Geun-hye in prison uniform is being raised at her birth home in Daegu.

Daegu Citizens’ Action for the Resignation of Park Geun-hye, an alliance of 86 Daegu-area civic groups, announced plans on Jan. 20 to put up the fake sign at Park’s birth home during a 12th Resign Park Geun-hye Daegu Emergency Rally on Jan. 21.

Solar energy grid parity could come by 2022 or 2023

Every year, the Korea Energy Agency’s New and Renewable Energy Center publishes a white paper on new and renewable energy sources. Last year‘s report put South Korea’s technological solar energy potential at 7,451 gigawatts, or the equivalent of 7,451 nuclear power plants.

Court awards damages to former “comfort women” near US military bases

A court has ordered the state to pay damages to former “comfort women” in the area around a US Forces Korea military base.

The court ruled that the state violated the law by forcibly keeping the women in isolation housing to control the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

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JoongAng-Ilbo(conservative) (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/)

Trump’s speech spells rocky road ahead for Korea

The inaugural address of the new U.S. President Donald Trump and the first policy goals presented by the White House signaled a rocky road ahead for Korea, particularly in its free-trade arrangement and military alliance with the superpower.

President to sue JoongAng over report on blacklist

President Park Geun-hye decided to sue the JoongAng Ilbo and its source from the independent counsel team on charges of defamation over a report that she ordered the government to create a blacklist of artists critical of her administration to control public sentiment in the aftermath of the Sewol ferry’s sinking in 2014.

Firms face more auditing scrutiny

Conglomerates and financial companies will now be under tougher auditing scrutiny, including the government having the final choice when selecting accounting firms that will be auditing the balance sheets, while lifting the maximum ceiling on penalties for accounting fraud and raising the compensation for whistle blowers.

KT chief tell new hires to focus on innovation

KT Chairman and CEO Hwang Chang-gyu, who is vying for his second term with the leading telecommunication company, advised new recruits to become employees who push the envelope on any challenges that they face.

SKT develops LTE walkie-talkies for rescuers

The nation’s largest mobile carrier SK Telecom has developed next generation technology for walkie-talkie devices to effectively support rescue workers at massive disasters.

According to the telecommunications company on Sunday, it succeeded in creating the world’s first communications technology for walkie-talkies over long term evolution (LTE) networks in partnership with global IT company Nokia.

Over 50% of SME tech isn’t commercialized

It turns out while technologies developed by small and midsize companies have been successful, more than half failed to be commercialized due to the lack of funding or the market.

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

Three Barriers Blocking the Team of Special Prosecutor Park Young-soo

As the court dismissed the arrest warrant for Lee Jae-yong (49), vice chairman of Samsung Electronics on January 19, the team of Special Prosecutor Park Young-soo, which had been sailing toward President Park Geun-hye, has met a barrier.

Special Prosecutor's Need to Question President Park Face-to-Face Just Grew, After All, She Is Connected to the Bribery Allegations

Now that the court has dismissed the arrest warrant for Lee Jae-yong (49), vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, on charges of bribery, experts claim a greater need for a face-to-face questioning of President Park Geun-hye, suspected of receiving the bribes. The reason behind such views is because the court claimed that Lee's allegations were not fully proven and also added that the investigation of related parties had not been completed.

Ban to the Press, “You Bad Guys”

On January 18, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon flared up due to controversy over his change of words on the comfort women agreement between South Korea and Japan. He let out the steam that had built up while at the center of a heated debate over his stigma as a pro-Park candidate, alleged corruption of relatives and acquaintances, and criticism of his latest actions. Now, a week since his return to Korea, Ban‘s approval ratings also remain at a standstill.

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The Korea Economic Daily (http://english.hankyung.com/)

Priority Korea-U.S. Issues to Be THAAD and U.S. Forces Cost Sharing

The first message sent by Donald Trump upon swearing in as the President of the United States to Korea was one related to national security. Michael Flynn, National Security Advisor to President, said in a phone call to Chief of the National Security Office in Korea Kim Kwan-jin on January 22, "The U.S.-Korea security alliance is strong and will develop into something positive" while promising to work closely with the Korean government in all security matters.

Companies Suffer from Shortage of Emissions Permits

The price for emissions permits for which the government allocated to corporations in line with the goal to reduce greenhouse gases is rising rapidly due to the shortage of tradable permits. This is largely because of the government's excessively ambitious plan to meet the goal in such a short time which led to the setting of unrealistically high emissions reduction targets for individual companies. Emissions permits, also known as carbon credits, can be traded freely on the Korea Exchange like stocks.

Ssangyong Motors Returns to the Black in 9 Years

Ssangyong Motors has finally turned around to the black last year by posting an operating profit of 50 billion won. Choi Jong-shik, president of Ssangyong Motors, said on January 22 in an interview, "Even though the 2016 financial results haven't been out yet, we believe we earned a positive operating profit, the first time in nine years." Analysts estimated the car maker had an operating profit of about 50 billion won.

"Trumpnomics" to Deal Heaviest Blow to Korea, China, and Japan

With Donald Trump being inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States, his economic policy now popularly called "Trumpnomics" is set to take off in full swing.

When Trump was inaugurated, he emphasized the importance of making trade agreements more favorable for American people and making America great again by achieving an annual growth rate of 4 percent and creating 25 million jobs over the next ten years. This time again, he did not disclose detailed action plans to achieve such goals.

Hyundai and Kia See European Sales Hit Record High Last Year

Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors saw their European sales reach an all-time high last year. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors each sold 505,396 units and 435,316 units, respectively, in Europe last year.

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AJU Business Daily (http://eng.ajunews.com/korea)

One of S. Korea's most envied career women faces shameful crash-landing

Culture Minister Cho Yoon-sun, 50, has surged to fame as one of South Korea's most successful and envied career women, basking in the reflected glory of President Park Geun-hye who picked the smart and dandyish lawyer-turned-politician as a brain truster.

New foldable container to reduce shipping cost: Yonhap

South Korea has developed a new type of a container that can be folded into one-fourth of its original size, greatly reducing the cost of shipping and storing empty containers.

Rare police hunt for those suspected of killing cute mascot cat with rock

South Korean police have launched a rare manhunt for those killing a cute mascot cat with a rock in a case that aroused an online outcry and a wave of memorial posts among young student fans and animal lovers.

Ex-UN chief apologizes over US request to arrest his brother

Former UN chief Ban Ki-moon was put on the spot and issued an apology Saturday after US authorities asked South Korea to arrest his brother on charges of bribery.

Culture minister arrested for blacklisting outspoken cultural figures

South Korea's culture minister offered to resign after she was arrested Saturday over her alleged role in blacklisting thousands of artists and cultural figures regarded by the conservative government of President Park Geun-hye as anti-government.

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

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

Gwangmyeong Daily 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

Lemonde www.ilemonde.com

Italy rarepupeul Rica www.quotidiano.repubblica.it vittorio.zucconi@gmail.com

Germany Frankfurter AllgemeineZeitung www.faz.net anzeigen.ausland@faz.de

Süddeutsche Zeitung 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 http://colombiareports.com

Bogota Free Planet http://bogotafreeplanet.com bfp@bogotafreeplanet.com

El Universal http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/english

ANDES http://www.andes.info.ec/en

ECUADOR TIMES http://www.ecuadortimes.net

The Jordan Times https://www.jordantimes.com

LSM.lv http://www.lsm.lv/en

The Baltic Times http://www.baltictimes.com lithuania@baltictimes.com , estonia@baltictimes.com, editor@baltictimes.com

El Pais http://elpais.com/elpais/inenglish.html

PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER https://www.inquirer.net

Daily News Hungary http://dailynewshungary.com

Budapest Times http://budapesttimes.hu

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