Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Round-up of important news from major Korean dailies and from international media today
The Korea Post ( www.koreapost.com )
MG promotes savings campaign for local residents in Laos
Laos is the third foreign country to establish MG Community Credit Cooperatives after Myanmar and Uganda. Starting with Laos’ first MG Community Credit Cooperatives in December 2020, three MG Community Credit Cooperatives have been established and operated. As of the end of 2021, Laos is one of the poorest countries (48 countries in the world) designated by the United Nations with a per capita GDP of $2,514 ($34,984 for Korea).
President Yoon to attend NATO meeting, further bolster Korea’s image in the world
President Yoon Suk-yeol will meet the leaders of the United States and Japan on June 29 during the summit meeting of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Madrid, Spain. This was disclosed by the Presidential Office of the Republic of Korea on June 26. According to the press office of the President, President Yoon from June 29-30 will attend the summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Madrid, Spain, the first Korean head of state to do so.
MPVA introduces new summer uniforms for “6ㆍ25 veterans”
The 1950~53 Korean War heroes transformed into models wearing new summer group uniforms created by a famous designer. On June 20, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (MPVA) released a pictorial and video of the summer group uniform of the veterans who participated in the 1950~53 Korean War, which broke out on June 25, 1950. The uniform was produced as a project with the theme of 'Heroes in Uniform'.
Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)
Korean COVID Vaccine Poised for Approval
Korea's first homegrown COVID-19 vaccine is going through the final stage of approval. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on Monday said a review committee has preliminarily approved SKYCovione (or GBP510) by SK Bioscience, and a final review session this week is expected to give it the green light.
U.S. Lawmaker Demands Probe of Repatriation of N.Korean Fishermen
U.S. Representative Christopher Smith is demanding a "thorough audit" of the hasty repatriation of North Korean fishermen who washed up in South Korea in 2019. Smith has convened a hearing of the House of Representatives' Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission on the issue of North Korean defectors.
Seoul's Riverside Pools Reopen After Pandemic Closures
Riverside pools in the Han River Park in Seoul have reopened for the first time in three years after being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. There are six pools in the Han River Park -- in Gwangnaru, Jamwon, Nanji, Ttukseom, Yanghwa and Yeouido -- and they started welcoming visitors from last Friday. The pools serve as cool -- and very affordable -- summer getaways in the city. Adults can enjoy a pool for around the price of a coffee at just W5,000 (US$1=W1,287)
Joongang Ilbo (https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com )
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to visit Korea in July
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will be visiting Korea on July 19 and 20. According to the U.S. Treasury Department and the Korean Finance Ministry, Yellen will be stopping in Japan on July 12 and 13 and attending the G20 finance minister and central bank governor meeting in Bali July 15 and 16 before arriving in Korea.
Lee Myung-bak's prison sentence suspended for 3 months
Prosecutors on Tuesday evening suspended former President Lee Myung-bak's prison sentence for three months on grounds of ill health, less than two years after the Supreme Court finalized a 17-year sentence for corruption. The Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office decided to release Lee from the Anyang Correctional Facility after he requested a suspension of his sentence earlier this month due to his deteriorating health.
Hanjin to up investment after losing Coupang business
Hanjin Transportation will invest a total of 1.1 trillion won ($859 million) by end of 2025, and it will also open its own metaverse world on the Zepeto application. Of the total investment, 800 billion won will be used to build a logistics hub in Daejeon, another in greater Seoul and various smaller fulfillment centers nationwide. Another 150 billion won will be used for IT and digitization.
The Dong-A Ilbo (http://english.donga.com/)
Lithuania gripped by fear of potential nuclear war
“The border has been shut down as the Baltic Sea has become the frontline of a new cold war,” said Roma, a journalist in Nida, on June 22 (local time). The Kremlin deployed nuclear weapons in Kaliningrad, which is merely 90 kilometers away from Nida. Russia issued a threat to make additional deployment of nuclear missiles on Tuesday, once NATO accessions of Sweden and Finland become reality through the NATO summit meeting in Madrid, which will run for two days on Wednesday.
DP pushes forward with National Assembly provisional session
The tension between the ruling People Power Party and the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea is getting more intensified, with the Democratic Party of Korea’s submission of a request for an extra session of the National Assembly in July, in a move to push forward with its attempt to elect speaker and deputy speaker of the National Assembly practically in a unilateral way, which was strongly denunciated by the People Power Party as a “signal to restart its bossy legislation.”
Finance minister calls for business to refrain from excessive wage increase
Choo Gyung-ho, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Economy and Finance, urged the country’s business leaders not to make excessive wage increases. With the fear over “6-percent inflation rate” close to becoming reality, it appears the government is making a move to preempt an inflation crisis triggered by wage spikes.
Maeil Business News Korea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/)
KG-led consortium declared final preferred bidder for SsangYong Motor
A consortium led by KG Group, a designated stalking-horse bidder, has been declared the final winner for court-protected SsangYong Motor Co. to end the two-year-long ordeal for the Korean carmaker as no other contestant reportedly has beaten its price and other acquisition terms.
Kakao ambiguous on sale rumor on Kakao Mobility amid employee protest
Kakao leadership meeting with union representatives stayed ambiguous to the speculation on the platform giant planning to sell Kakao Mobility, according to the union. Representatives from Kakao’s labor union on Monday met with Kim Sung-soo, board chief at Kakao who doubles as the head of Corporate Alignment Center, and Chief Investment Officer Bae Jae-hyun to verify rumors on Kakao Mobility
Hike in public utility charges to worsen inflation and economy for Korea in Q3
Rises in public fuel utility rates in the third quarter have become another factor in fanning inflation to the levels in South Korea unexperienced since the wake of Asian financial crisis of 1998 and dampening domestic demand due to higher across-the-board costs. Deputy prime minister for economy and finance Choo Kyung-ho has forewarned headline inflation rate hovering above 6 percent during the summer period.
HanKyoReh Shinmun (http://english.hani.co.kr)
S. Korean Interior and Safety Ministry blitzes through plans to establish control over police
The South Korean Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) plans to share an outline on July 15 for a new “police bureau” to oversee the police’s duties and organizations, along with a plan for internal regulations to serve as a basis for the National Police Agency commissioner general’s exercise of command authority.
Yoon leaves for first trip overseas, first NATO summit, first foray into multilateral diplomacy
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol headed to Madrid on Monday in order to attend the NATO summit scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. During his first trip overseas since his inauguration on May 10, Yoon will officially make his debut in multilateral diplomacy. Yoon arrived at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam on Monday afternoon with first lady Kim Keon-hee, where they boarded Code One
Meeting of S. Korean, US officials signals possible bilateral sanctions on N. Korea
Kim Gunn, South Korea’s top nuclear envoy, sat down with Brian Nelson, the US official in charge of managing sanctions on North Korea for a meeting in which they appear to have discussed imposing bilateral sanctions on the North in the event that it carries out a seventh nuclear test, as it’s expected to do in the near future.
The KyungHyangShinmun (http://english.khan.co.kr/)
Choo Kyung-ho Visits the Korea Enterprises Federation and Asks Businessmen to Refrain from Raising Wages Too Much: “Adequate Level”, Please
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho met the Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF) on June 28 and asked businessmen to refrain from excessive wage hikes, which could further fuel the inflation. This day, Deputy Prime Minister Choo had a breakfast meeting with Sohn Kyung-shik, chairman of the Korea Enterprises Federation at the federation office in Mapo-gu
Lawmaker Park Ju-min, “When Parliamentary Leadership Is Formed, Let’s Start with Abortion Legislation First. This Is Why the National Assembly Exists”
On June 27, lawmaker Park Ju-min, who was the Democratic Party of Korea’s secretary in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee in the first half of the 21st National Assembly, suggested that lawmakers start by discussing abortion-related legislation first thing when the new parliamentary leadership is formed. This afternoon, Park wrote on social media, “Let us clearly bring abortion, which is no longer a crime, into the field of health care so that it can be conducted safely.”
“Successful Launch of Nuri, But...” The Nation Is Abuzz after the Censure of a Korean Scientist
The successful launch of Nuri on June 21 made South Korea the seventh country in the world that could launch a 1-ton satellite into orbit and praise has continued for the scientists at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) responsible for the feat. However, some point out that the hard work by the scientists should not be interpreted simply in terms a sense of duty to the nation.
KBS(http://world.kbs.co.kr/service)
Yoon Meets Australian PM, Discuss Cooperation, Shared Values
President Yoon Suk Yeol met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday and discussed cooperation between the two countries and the values they share, including democracy. Seoul’s presidential office said on Wednesday that Yoon sat down with Albanese in Madrid for the first in a series of summit meetings he is scheduled to attend this week after arriving from South Korea on Monday.
Yoon to Attend 3-Way Summit with Biden, Kishida on Wed.
President Yoon Suk Yeol will attend a trilateral summit with U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Spain on Wednesday. According to Seoul’s presidential office, the three-way summit, the first of its kind in four years and nine months, will be held at 9:30 p.m. Korea time on the sidelines of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization(NATO) summit, which is to kick off in Madrid on Wednesday.
S. Korea's Expected Inflation Reaches Highest Level in over 10 Yrs
Consumers' expected inflation hit a ten-year high in June amid growing concerns over rapid price hikes and their impact on the economy and people's livelihoods. According to the Bank of Korea(BOK) on Wednesday, expected inflation, measuring consumers’ estimates on price increases in the next 12 months, stood at three-point-nine percent this month, up zero-point-six percentage points from May.
Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
Yoon, first lady attend gala dinner hosted by King of Spain
President Yoon Suk-yeol and first lady Kim Keon-hee attended a gala dinner hosted by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain on Tuesday. Dressed in a black suit and golden tie, Yoon arrived at the Royal Palace of Madrid with Kim, who wore a white dress and white gloves. The gala dinner was held to welcome leaders attending the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit on Wednesday.
Yoon, first lady attend gala dinner hosted by King of Spain
President Yoon Suk-yeol and first lady Kim Keon-hee attended a gala dinner hosted by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain on Tuesday. Dressed in a black suit and golden tie, Yoon arrived at the Royal Palace of Madrid with Kim, who wore a white dress and white gloves. The gala dinner was held to welcome leaders attending the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit on Wednesday.
Prosecution suspends ex-President Lee's imprisonment
The prosecution suspended the imprisonment of former President Lee Myung-bak for three months due to health reasons Tuesday, more than a year and a half after the Supreme Court finalized a 17-year sentence for him for corruption. The Suwon District Prosecutors Office made the decision to release Lee from the Anyang Correctional Institution, after the 81-year-old former president filed for suspension of his imprisonment earlier this month, citing deteriorating health.
The Korea Herald (http://www.koreaherald.com)
Yoon arrives in Madrid, gears up for NATO summit
President Yoon Suk-yeol arrived in Madrid late Monday night to attend the NATO summit. Despite being his first overseas trip, Yoon remained casual and calm with reporters on the presidential plane. Before touching down in the Spanish capital, Yoon and first lady Kim Keon-hee surprised the press pool of about 100 journalists and video crew by meeting them in their section during the flight.
N. Korean leader discusses tightening party control, reorganizing party departments
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un convened a key party meeting to discuss how to reorganize party departments and strengthen party control over intelligence, surveillance and judicial apparatus, the state media reported on Tuesday. Kim on Monday presided over an enlarged meeting of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea at the party headquarters in Pyongyang, the Rodong Sinmun, a party organ, said.
Fiscal chief urges businesses to restrain drastic wage hikes
The nation’s fiscal chief on Tuesday called for employers to refrain from excessively raising wages, stressing that a sharp pay raise could possibly fan consumer prices growth. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho expressed the worries during his meeting with business leaders, including Korea Enterprises Federation and CJ Group Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik, in Seoul.
The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
S. Korea, Australia to work closely on Indo-Pacific strategy
President Yoon Suk-yeol and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese agreed on Tuesday to strengthen communication in setting up their respective Indo-Pacific strategies and their relations with China. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 2022 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit in Madrid, Spain, which will officially begin on Wednesday. Both South Korea and Australia will attend the event as partner countries of NATO.
Inflation expectations in S. Korea hit 10-year high in June
Inflation expectations in Korea hit the highest level in about 10 years in June amid worries that prices are fast increasing due to high energy and commodity costs, a central bank report showed Wednesday. Ordinary people expected consumer prices to rise 3.9 percent over the next year, the fastest pace since April 2012, according to the report from the Bank of Korea (BOK). The June figure was also higher than a 3.3 percent rise predicted the previous month.
ASEAN F&B industry eyes sustainable market in Korea
Southeast Asia is known for a variety of food products, such as coffee, tropical fruits, and coconut oil among others. The ASEAN-Korean Centre (AKC) hosted a seminar, Tuesday, to promote sustainable market expansion in the food and beverage (F&B) sector in Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Co-organized with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), the seminar centered on trends in the F&B sector.
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 Heraldwww.smh.com.au
Colombia Reports http://colombiareports.com
Bogota Free Planet http://bogotafreeplanet.combfp@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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