The Korean daily media headlines and humor

The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Monday, February 13, 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

Major topics on The Korea Post website (www.koreapost.com) today:

U.S. senator calls for greater pressure on N. Korea after missile launch

A U.S. senator called for President Donald Trump to increase pressure on North Korea through sanctions, military exercises with allies and other measures after the communist nation carried out its first ballistic missile launch under the Trump administration.

V. Chairman Lee of Samsung questioned again over bribery allegations

The de facto leader of Samsung, South Korea's largest business group, was quizzed for a second time Monday on charges of bribery, as special prosecutors here accelerated their probe into an influence-peddling scandal centered on President Park Geun-hye.

Trump sends 'powerful, unmistakable signal' to N. Korea: Senior adviser

U.S. President Donald Trump sent a "powerful and unmistakable" message to North Korea when he held a news conference after the communist nation carried out a surprise ballistic missile launch, a senior presidential aide said Sunday.

BOK likely to cut key rate to 0.5 pct in 2017: Morgan Stanley

South Korea's central bank will likely cut the key rate to a record low of 0.5 percent this year as a way to boost the economy amid the U.S. Federal Reserve's tightening stance, global financial service firm Morgan Stanley said Monday. It expected that the Bank of Korea (BOK) will slash the rate three times throughout 2017 from the current 1.25 percent to 0.5 percent by the end of the third quarter.

South Koreans top consumers of seafood: FAO report

South Koreans were found to be the top seafood consumers among 24 countries with high demand for the products, a report showed Monday. Statistics contained in "The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture" from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) showed that South Koreans consumed an average 58.4 kilograms of seafood a year per person in the 2013-2015 period, ranking it No. 1 among the countries measured by the organization. Norway came next with 53.3 kg, followed by Japan with 50.2 kg, China 39.5 kg and Vietnam 35.4 kg.

ROK to join maritime exercise in Thailand

South Korea will join a multinational maritime military exercise led by the United States and Thailand in the Southeast Asian country this week, the Navy said Monday. In the annual Cobra Gold drills, headed by the U.S. Pacific Command and the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, the combined forces practice landing in conflict areas, resolving hostilities and engaging in humanitarian missions, it said in a statement.

For up-to-the-minute Korea-language news, please visit www.koreapost.co.kr. there major topics on The Korea Post website (www.koreapost.com)

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/)

US Expert: Sunday's N. Korean Missile Launch Testing Waters for US Policy

A U.S. expert says the latest missile launched by North Korea appears to contain a strategic message. Ken Gause, a senior North Korea analyst at CAN Corp., said the aim of the ballistic missile launch was to test for potential North Korea policies under the Donald Trump administration.

US Senator Calls for Hard Line N. Korea Policies

A senior U.S. senator has urged Washington to take hard line policies against North Korea following its launch of a ballistic missile on Sunday. Cory Gardner, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia and Pacific Affairs, emphasized the necessity to take secondary boycott actions on Chinese companies doing business with the North. He also said the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enforcement Act passed by the U.S. Congress last year should be implemented further.

S. Korea, Six Central American Countries to Meet for Legal Review on FTA

South Korea and six Central American countries will hold a meeting for a legal review on their free trade agreement. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said on Sunday that its legal review team on Monday will meet negotiation teams from the six countries for a three-day legal review in San José, Costa Rica.

S. Korean, US Security Advisers Hold Phone Talks

National Security Adviser Kim Kwan-jin and his United States counterpart Michael Flynn agreed to seek every option available to curb North Korea’s provocation during their talks over the phone on Sunday after the North’s latest missile launch.

S. Korean Military Warns against Provocations

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) denounced North Korea for its latest ballistic missile launch. Following North Korea's missile launch Sunday morning, the JCS issued a statement, calling the military action a "grave threat to peace and safety of South Korea and the international community."

Top Office Convenes NSC after N. Korea's Missile Launch

The presidential office convened a session of the National Security Council (NSC) at 9:30 am. Sunday, hours after North Korea’s missile launch. During the NSC meeting presided over by Kim Kwan-jin, chief of the National Security Office at the Presidential Office, the government decided to strongly deal with the North’s provocation in cooperation with the international community.

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

N. Korea claims successful test of medium-range ballistic missile

North Korea has claimed it successfully test-launched a new medium-range ballistic missile that is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, the country's state-run media said Monday.

U.S. senator calls for greater pressure on N. Korea after missile launch

Trump sends 'powerful, unmistakable signal' to N. Korea: senior adviser

Sixth foot-and-mouth disease case confirmed in S. Korea

A sixth foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) case was confirmed at a cow farm in South Korea, officials said Sunday, raising concerns over a nationwide spread of the animal epidemic.

Idol singers Moon Hee-joon, Soyul tie knot

Moon Hee-joon of first-generation K-pop boy band H.O.T. and Soyul of girl group Crayon Pop tied the knot at a hotel wedding attended by family and friends on Sunday. The couple wed at the upscale Hotel Shilla in Seoul as members of their respective bands congratulated them with songs and poems. Other top stars in attendance included members of boy band Shinhwa, girl group Sistar and comedian Yoo Jae-suk.

Ex-opposition leader Moon to register candidacy for presidential primaries

Moon Jae-in, the current frontrunner in the race for the presidency, will this week register his candidacy for his party's primaries, an aide said Sunday. Moon, a former leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, will sign up for the primaries through his spokesman Rep. Kim Kyung-soo at 11 a.m. Monday, the aide said on the condition of anonymity. A formal declaration of his presidential bid will come later once the fate of impeached President Park Geun-hye becomes clearer, he added.

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

Samsung heir questioned again over bribery allegations amid scandal

NK fires intermediate-range ballistic missile

North Korea launched an intermediate ballistic missile off its east coast Sunday, marking its first provocation since US President Donald Trump took office, South Korea’s military officials said. The missile lifted off at 7:55 a.m. from Banghyeon, North Pyongan Province, a town from which the regime previously fired an intermediate-range Musudan missile in October. Having reached an altitude of 550 kilometers, it flew about 500 kilometers before falling into the East Sea, according to Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Conrad hotel buffet accused of sanitary faux-pas

Zest, a buffet restaurant located at the five-star Conrad Seoul hotel, has been accused of restocking chilled steamed crabs that had already been placed in the buffet display, a move widely considered to be a faux pas in the industry.

Trump reaffirms US security commitment to Japan after N.K. missile launch

US President Donald Trump said Friday the United States stands behind Japan "100 percent" in a previously unscheduled joint news conference he held with Japan's prime minister after North Korea conducted a surprise ballistic missile launch.

Chungcheong governor, acting president narrow gaps with Moon in opinion poll

South Chungcheong Gov. An Hee-jung and Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn narrowed their gaps with liberal front-runner Moon Jae-in in a poll of potential presidential candidates released on Monday.

Ex-opposition leader Moon to register candidacy for presidential primaries

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

North fires ballistic missile, challenging Trump

North Korea fired a ballistic missile into waters off its east coast Sunday, the first provocation since the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

Thai PM preaches 'hallyu' as growth model for Asia

This is the third in a series of interviews with leaders of ASEAN and its member states to highlight the importance of strengthening relations with the 10-member bloc following the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). ― ED.

Samsung heir to be re-summoned today

The independent counsel team said Sunday it will summon Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong again today over bribery allegations involving the Choi Soon-sil scandal.

American records ROK-US friendship

Ned Forney's story is not the typical depiction of a grandfather, who served as a heroic colonel of the U.S. Marine Corps here during the Korean War (1950-1953). Forney, 53, did not grow up hearing about the extraordinary tales of his grandfather commanding forces during war ― in fact, he knew little about him. Not only did Colonel Edward H. Forney die when his grandson was two years old; the family just didn't talk much about him.

Moon-An rivalry expected in DPK primary

South Chungcheong Province Governor An Hee-jung, an emerging contender from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is challenging the leading position of former party leader Moon Jae-in in the primary race for the presidency.

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Dong-AIlbo (http://english.donga.com)

North Korea fires off new ballistic missile

North Korea fired a new ballistic missile assumed to be modified Rodong or Musudan into the East Sea on Sunday, which was the first time in four months since its last missile provocation in October 2016. This was particularly the first one since the inauguration of the Donald Trump administration.

Ahn Cheol-soo stresses measures on youth employment

Ahn Cheol-soo, former co-chairman of the minor opposition People’s Party, proposed on Sunday a two-track approach to change the industrial structure in the mid-to-long term and temporary increase wages of small-and mid-sized enterprises employees to 75 to 80 percent of that of large businesses with the government support.

Kwon You-jeong wins gold medal in Paris Grand Slam 2017

Kwon You-jeong, whose world ranking at 83rd in women’s 57 kilogram category, has beat No. 2 athlete to win the gold medal in the Paris Grand Slam 2017. The 21-year-old judoka had half-point win over Hélène Receveaux of France amid overwhelming cheering for the latter by home fans in the final round held in Paris, France on Sunday.

Koreans consume more fishery products than Japanese

A report says that Koreans eat more fish and fishery products than people of traditional maritime industry powerhouses such as Japan and Norway. However, concerns over increasing foreign dependence on fishery products are raised as production volume of domestic fishery products decreases.

Korean tourists robbed by unidentified men in Paris

A group of Korean tourists in Paris was assaulted and robbed of their money and other articles by unidentified black men who boarded the bus.

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

N.Korea Fires Missile as Trump Meets Abe

North Korea fired a ballistic missile on Sunday as an attention-getter shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The missile, which flew some 500 km and reached a height of 550 km before falling into the East Sea, is believed to be an improved version of a projectile observers call Musudan, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

Young People to Face Toughest Job Market Ever

The job market in Korea has been tough for some time now and is expected to get even tighter over the next three years as a record number of university graduates look for work.

Men who started university between 2010 and 2012 and women who did so between 2012 and 2014 are expected to bear the brunt. Student numbers had never been higher, exceeding 350,000 for the first time in 2010 and reaching 360,000 three years ago.

Gov't Tackles Rice Oversupply

The government hopes to tackle the oversupply of rice by reducing farm land dedicated to the staple crop by 8.7 percent in the coming years and sending more overseas in the form of aid.

Seoul Pays Fair Share for U.S. Troop Presence, Says Tillerson

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has said South Korea is bearing its fair share of the defense burden, it emerged on Wednesday. Seoul already contributes "large amounts to support U.S. forces" in the country, he said in his congressional confirmation hearing in January.

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

Despite frosty weather, 800,000 gather to demand Pres. Park’s impeachment

“It’s hopeless to try to delay the impeachment! Give the Special Prosecutor an extension!” “Put Park Geun-hye in jail! Lock her up right now!”

With the temperature below zero, 800,000 South Koreans gathered to a candlelight rally calling for the swift impeachment of President Park Geun-hye and for an extension of the Special Prosecutor’s investigation.

Poll shows Ahn Hee-jung challenging Moon Jae-in for Minjoo Party presidential nomination

South Chungcheong Gov. Ahn Hee-jung is threatening Moon Jae-in’s unchallenged status as Minjoo Party presidential contender, narrowing the gap in support to within 10 percentage points.

Warmth and autonomy for residents of South Korea’s first group home for the disabled

I pushed the doorbell at the entrance to the unit. It was 4:30 pm on Jan. 24, just before the Lunar New Year holiday, and I was visiting the Emmaus House group home at an apartment in Gwangju. Emmaus House is a small group home for those with disabilities, but there was no sign outside indicating as much. When the door opened, I was greeted by the residents and by two live-in rehabilitation instructors. I was joined by Jeong Jeong-ja, 65, director of Emmaus House, who warmly took the residents by their hands and asked how they were doing.

Opening of mega shopping malls a horrorshow for traditional market retailers

“There’s no one here. People… they say the economy is bad, but it’s not this bad. It’s just frustrating,” said a vendor, surnamed Oh, at Deokpung Market, in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province.

On Jan. 24, four days before the Lunar New Year holiday, the vendors at Hanam’s main traditional market were troubled. As Deokpung Market only opens every five days, on dates ending with a 4 or a 9, the holiday rush was tangible. But the vendors were unanimous in pointing out that, compared to the scene just a year before, when there was hardly room to stand, the difference was striking.

South Korean economic growth has enriched corporations, but not the public at large

The scathing conclusion of a senior South Korean economist is that while the South Korean economy has grown over the past 25 years, the country has failed to create “economic justice, where everyone prospers.” “We have forgotten the goal of helping the people prosper and have betrayed the belief that individuals prosper when the national economy is strong,” the economist said.

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

Pyongyang test-fires a midrange missile

Pyongyang fired a missile into waters off its eastern coast Sunday morning, the first test-firing by North Korea this year and since U.S. President Donald Trump took office, according to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Anti-Park rallies continue as impeachment verdict nears

An estimated 800,000 people took to the frozen streets with candles nationwide Saturday calling on the Constitutional Court to remove President Park Geun-hye from office as the court gets closer to a final verdict on her impeachment.

China beats Korea with its top-selling export items

Korea remained steady in the number of its exports that have the largest market share globally from 2013 through 2015. But China’s top products kept growing in that period and now account for almost one third of export categories, a recent report from the Institute for International Trade showed.

Hotels in Seoul struggle to fill vacant rooms

In Korea’s tourism industry, there are concerns about oversupply in accommodations. More hotels are being built, but the number of tourists is not increasing nearly as quickly. In the past four years, the number of accommodations for tourists in Seoul has expanded 72.7 percent, reaching 348 hotels by the end of 2016. Over that same period, the number of tourists visiting Korea only rose 54.7 percent to 17.24 million tourists, according to the Ministry of Culture Sports and Tourism. The increase in Seoul is even smaller, 47.5 percent to mark 13.57 million tourists.

Posco CEO searches for non-steel growth

Top steelmaker Posco plans to spend 300 billion won ($261 million) on developing anode materials through 2020, an attempt to ramp up its non-steel portfolio. According to the company Sunday, Posco Chairman Kwon Oh-joon, announced a goal to “invest an additional 300 billion won in the anode materials business through 2020” on a visit to a Posco ESM’s anode materials plant in Gumi, North Gyeongsang last Friday.

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

Park Geun-hye Blames the National Assembly for the Neglect of State Affairs and Claims She Should Have Objected the Special Prosecutor

President Park Geun-hye has revealed her naked face. On Wednesday, she refused to be questioned by the special prosecutor claiming that the schedule was released to the press, and yesterday, her attorney even made a statement claiming that the National Assembly passing the impeachment was the cause for the neglect of state affairs and that the president should have objected to the independent counsel.

Demonstrations Against Impeachment Ordered by President Park? Growing Suspicions

The Korea Freedom Federation decided to mobilize a massive crowd of 100,000 to take part in a demonstration at Gwanghwamun, Seoul on March 1, organized by conservative groups. The demonstration is expected to protest the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye.

A Suspect Above the Law: Park Geun-hye "Boycotts" a Face-to-Face Interrogation

President Park Geun-hye postponed a face-to-face interrogation by the team of Special Prosecutor Park Young-soo, because the schedule was released to the press.

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

NPS Investment Office in Crisis: 27 Fund Managers Tender Resignation This Year to Date

The National Pension Service Investment Management Office, the giant pension fund with assets under management in excess of 550 trillion won (US$480 billion), is shaken to the core due to the ongoing investigation by the special prosecutors over suspicions in relation to Samsung Group's merger deal as well as its move to Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, which has caused many highly experienced fund managers to leave the firm.

Samsung's Lee Jae-yong to Be Summoned again by Special Prosecution

The special prosecution team led by Attorney Park Young-soo will subpoena Samsung Electronics vice chairman Lee Jae-yong for the second time in relation to suspicions of giving bribes to President Park Geun-hye and her secret confidant Choi Soon-sil. It has been 25 days since the request for an arrest warrant on Lee was rejected by a judge on January 19. Based on investigation results, the prosecutors will decide whether to request an arrest warrant again.

North Korea Fires Ballistic Missile, First Since Trump's Presidency

North Korea fired on February 12 an unidentified missile assumed to be a ballistic missile, the first missile provocation this year. The firing of the ballistic missile is assumed to be a warning against the U.S. Trump administration.

Volvo's Changwon Site Emerges as Biggest Producer of Excavators

Volvo CE Korea has outpaced Doosan Infracore in terms of the number of excavators produced last year. This is the first time for Doosan to be overtaken by any other rival in the excavator market. When it comes to loaders, Doosan Infracore moved up to the No. 1 position by forcing the perennial leader Hyundai Heavy Industries out of the top spot.

Hanwha Happy with "Total" But Not So with "General Chemical"

Hanwha Total that Hanwha Group acquired from Samsung Group two years ago is positioning itself as Hanwha's biggest cash cow. In contrast, Hanwha General Chemical, another unit for which Hanwha acquired from Samsung together with Hanwha Total, is at risk of going through business restructuring due to oversupply of its flagship products.

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

Sexy icon HyunA hints at comeback with Instagram teaser post

South Korean solo artist HyunA has hinted at her comeback with a series of Instagram posts suggesting that the sexy iconic singer is filming for her new music video.

N. Korea hails 'successful" launch of new road-mobile ballistic missile

North Korea hailed the "successful" launch of a new strategic intermediate-range ballistic missile with an improved solid fuel engine capable of carrying a nuclear warhead more accurately from any place.

N. Korea launches intermediate-range missile in first provocation this year

North Korea launched an intermediate-range ballistic missile into the sea Sunday in its first provocation this year as US President Donald Trump took a tough stance against a long-range missile program pushed by the nuclear-armed country.

Seoul opposes early resumption of suspended inter-Korean industrial zone

South Korea shrugged off any irresponsible debate Friday on the reopening of an inter-Korean industrial zone which was shut down a year ago at the height of international criticism of North Korea's ballistic missile and nuclear tests.

Music channel Mnet embarks on experimental survival program for high school rappers

South Korea's popular cable music channel Mnet is set Friday to air the first episode of an experimental competition show for high school rappers following its successful adult programs that played a crucial role in boosting the popularity of hip hop and rapping.

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

Samsung Display becomes chief OLED screen supplier for Apple’s new iPhones

South Korea’s Samsung Display Co. will become the chief screen supplier for Apple Inc.’s upcoming iPhone - to be named iPhone 8 or iPhone X. According to multiple industry sources Sunday, Samsung Display recently landed on a deal to supply 60 million units of 5-inch organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays for the next-generation iPhones. The order follows the previous one struck between the two firms last year for Samsung Display to provide Apple 100 million units of 5.5-inch OLED screens worth 8 trillion won ($6.96 billion).

S. Korean PEFs to add some juice to IPO market

Korean private equity firms will forge ahead with initial public offerings (IPOs) of their companies, adding some juice to the IPO market this year. According to the investment banking industry Friday, Daehan Cement Co., solely owned by local private equity firm Hahn & Company, plans to submit an application for a preliminary IPO review to the Korea Exchange (KRX) within the first half.

S. Korea’s tax revenue rises by record high in 2016

Despite worsening economic conditions and performance, the Korean government was able to report a surplus of nearly $9 billion in tax revenue last year.

Korea’s seafood and beef consumption on the rise

South Korea consumed the most fish among the world’s 24 major economies from 2013 to 2015. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said Sunday consumption of fish by single person a year in Korea is around 128.7 pounds, citing the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s latest survey on each country’s seafood consumption from 2013 to 2015. Norway ranked second with 117.5 pounds and Japan the third with 110.7 pounds during the cited period.

NPS and KDB to name PEF operators in March

Competition among private equity fund (PEF) operators in South Korea to attract social and public funds will likely heat up as institutional investors, including the nation’s biggest investor National Pension Service (NPS) and state-run Korea Development Bank (KDB), are expected to start to pick PEF operators that will manage their funds estimated at around 1 trillion won ($868 million) next month.

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 Timeswww.nytimes.com inytletters@nytimes.com

Wall Street Journalwww.wsj.com support@wsj.com ,service@wsj-asia.com

Financial Times www.ft.com ean@ft.com

The Timeswww.thetimes.co.uk help@timesplus.co.uk

The Sun www.thesun.co.uk talkback@the-sun.co.uk

Chinese People's Dailywww.people.com.cn kf@people.cn

China Dailywww.chinadaily.com.cn circulation@chinadaily.com.cn

GwangmyeongDailywww.gmw.cn webmaster@gmw.cn

Japan's Yomiuriwww.yomiuri.co.jp japannews@yomiuri.com