The Korean daily media headlines and humor

The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Thursday, February 16, 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

Ambassador Taherian of Iran in Seoul

‘I believe a second boom of bilateral economiccooperationis coming’

From left: Minister of Land, Infrastructure & Transport Kang Hoin, Ambassador Hassan Taherian of Iran in Seoul and Mayor Choi Yang-sik of the Gyeongju City of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province.

Ambassador Hassan Taherian of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Seoul said:“We always particularly value and support business relations between our two countries. Korean companies have a long record of involvement and successful activity in Iranian market and working in many infrastructure and construction projects in Iran.” Ambassador Taherian made these remarks at a reception he and Madam Taherian hosted at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul on Feb. 10, 2017 in celebration of the 38th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution of Iran.Then he said, “The Korean companies enjoy a very good reputation as the reliable and confident partner and this is a valuable asset for their future activity in the Iranian market. (Please click the URL below for full details and more photos.—Ed.)

http://www.koreapost.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=2916

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/)

Malay Police Arrest Assassination Suspect

One of the suspects in the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’shalf brother, Kim Jong-nam, has been arrested.The Malaysian police said in a statement on Wednesday that it arrested a female prime suspect at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 at 8:20 a.m.

N. Korean Officials Observe Autopsy of Kim

North Korean embassy officials in Malaysia have reportedly observed the autopsy of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’shalf brother, Kim Jong-nam, who was killed at a Malaysian airport.

Three vehicles registered to the North Korean Embassy in Malaysia arrived at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital Wednesday morning, where the autopsy was performed.

`Two Assassination Suspects Vietnamese`

Media reports say the two women who allegedly killed North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’shalf brother, Kim Jong-nam, may be Vietnamese.Citing Malaysian news, Hong Kong-based online media outlet on.cc reported Wednesday that Malaysian authorities arrested a tax driver who picked up the two women from Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The driver reportedly said the women were not North Korean but Vietnamese.

Kyodo: Kim Jong-nam's Murder Suspects Dead

Japan’s Kyodo News says the Japanese government is trying to verify reports that the two women who are said to have killed North Korean leader Kim Jong-un'shalf brother Kim Jong-nam in Malaysia are dead.

Over 1,400 Cattle Culled in 10 Days Since First FMD Outbreak

South Korea has culled more than 14-hundred cows since the first case of foot-and-mouth disease was reported ten days ago in Boeun, North ChungcheongProvince.The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said as of Tuesday, one-thousand-425 cows were destroyed at 21 farms nationwide.

Independent Counsel: Park Used Borrowed Name Phone with Choi

The independent counsel investigating the Choi Soon-sil scandal says President Park Geun-hye spoke with Choi hundreds of times using a mobile phone registered under a borrowed name.

The counsel made the claim at a hearing at the Seoul Administrative Court on Wednesday.The counsel said Park even spoke with Choi 127 times using the phone while Choi was hiding in Germany.

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

Mattis urges NATO allies to meet burden-sharing obligations

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Wednesday called emphatically for NATO members to meet their defense spending obligations, warning that the U.S. could "moderate its commitment to this alliance" unless they do so.

Feulner: It's good time to review, renegotiate Korea-U.S. FTA

After five years of implementation, it is a good time for the United States and South Korea to review their bilateral free trade agreement and improve it through renegotiation, a top adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump said.

S. Korea ranks world's 23rd in economic freedom: U.S. survey

South Korea ranks 23rd in the world in terms of economic freedom, up four notches from last year, while North Korea remains at the rock bottom of the 180-nation list, a U.S. survey showed Wednesday.

N.K. leader's half brother killed in Malaysia

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un'shalf brother was murdered with poison in Malaysia, multiple sources including South Korea's spy agency said Wednesday, with the local police tracking down two women and four men who may be implicated in the crime.

Most schools reject Park's signature history textbooks

Most schools across the nation appeared Wednesday to have rejected a set of controversial state-authored history textbooks advocated by impeached President Park Geun-hye.

S. Korea's only female ski jumper earns Olympic spot

Park Guy-lim, South Korea's lone female ski jumper, earned a spot at the upcoming Winter Olympics on Wednesday with her first-ever World Cup point.Park, 17, had a combined score of 67.1 points in the women's normal hill event at the International Ski Federation (FIS) Ski Jumping World Cup in PyeongChang, some 180km east of Seoul in Gangwon Province.

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

’NK leader’s half-brother begged for mercy amid death threats‘

South Korea’s spy agency Wednesday confirmed the killing of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s half-brother, saying Kim Jong-nam had faced murder attempts for the past five years that prompted him to “beg for mercy.”

Malaysia police arrest woman over Kim Jong-nam's death

Malaysian police probing the killing of the half-brother of North Korea's leader arrested a woman Wednesday as they tried to unravel a Cold War-style assassination the South said was carried out by Pyongyang's agents.

Kim Jong-un loyalists behind killing: experts

The murder of Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half-brother of the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, could have been engineered by a North Korean faction loyal to the current chief to eliminate a possible threat to the regime, South Korean experts said Wednesday.

Apple seen gauging Apple Pay service in Korea

Apple’s executives recently held a meeting with South Korean financial authorities, a move that can be viewed as the company testing the waters before fully reviewing a potential launch here, sources said Wednesday.

Unfortunate crown prince’s downfall

In May 2001, a man was rounded up after trying to smuggle himself into Narita International Airport in Tokyo, alongside his son and two women, using fake Dominican Republic passports.

The incident introduced Kim Jong-nam, the slain older half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, to the outside world. But his yearning 16 years ago to visit Tokyo Disneyland blew his chances to succeed in the reclusive dynasty, incurring the wrath of his father and longtime strongman Kim Jong-il.

SsangYong Motor back in the black

SsangYong Motor announced Wednesday that the company posted its highest sales volume in 14 years last year, resulting in an operating profit of 28 billion won ($25 million) and net profit of 58.1 billion won.

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

Assassins used poison to kill Kim Jong-nam

The mysterious death of Kim Jong-nam, the older half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, is spawning a lot of speculation.Intelligence agencies and local police are scrambling to reconstruct the details, gathering testimony from witnesses, analyzing surveillance camera footage, and questioning a suspect whom they detained Wednesday.

Kim Jong-un risks vital ties with China

The apparent assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's elder half-brother, Kim Jong-nam, will test the North's critical ties with China because the victim had long been protected by Beijing, sources said Wednesday.

Gov't to protest FT's article on currency manipulation

A recent article by the Financial Times (FT) which recommended the United States designate Korea as a currency manipulator is stirring controversy here. The Korean government is preparing a rebuttal to the article that market watchers here say seems to have lost neutrality while siding with Japan where the daily's owner is headquartered.

Where are Kim Jong-nam's widow and children?

Kim Han-sol, the son of the assassinated older half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, is in Macau, the South Korean spy agency confirmed Wednesday.The National Intelligence Service said Han-sol, 22, son of Jong-nam, 46, is living in the special administrative region of China. It was uncertain over the past year whether he was on the mainland or in the city after graduating from the Le Havre campus of France's Sciences Po University.

Potential threat to N. Korea leader gone

Kim Jong-nam, the eldest son of former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, was once considered a natural heir of North Korea's family dynasty. After his half-brother Kim Jong-un took power following the sudden death of their father in 2011, however, he and his family had to live abroad to avoid possible persecution. He had long been considered a potential threat to his brother's dictatorship until his death, Monday.

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

Kim Jong Nam's families are under China's protection

South Korea's spy agency on Wednesday confirmed that the family of Kim Jong Nam, the murdered half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, is under the Chinese government's protection.

Trump’s two inner circle aides implicated in a scandal

U.S. National Security Adviser Michael Flynn stepped down on an alleged illicit interaction with a top Russian official, and its aftereffects have no signs of abating. U.S. Congress urged a strict investigation to the issue while related allegations are ballooning, with the improper Russia dealings scandal gradually strangling President Donald Trump.

Special exhibition gives overview of living of ancient Korea

Glass showcases are filled with piles of earthenware including various pots and bowl stands on display. They are earthenware that has been excavated at tombs in Nobyeon-dong in Daegu, and a visitor gets surprised to see the massive volume of the exhibits that completely fill up all the showcases. It is like déjà vu of the special exhibition of more than 20,000 artifacts and items from undersea boats in Shinan, which were on display en masse at the National Museum of Korea last year.

Ssangyong Motor reports first net profits in 9 years

Ssangyong Motor on Wednesday posted its first net profits in nine years, overcoming its crisis that continued for six years from 2009. The local automobile industry says Ssangyong's case is a reminder of the basic truth that cooperation between labor and management benefits both sides. Ssangyong's strong earnings were led by the brisk sales of its small-sized sport utility vehicles (SUVs).

Hyundai’s new i30 tops in German auto review

Hyundai’s new i30 hatchback has topped among five mid-size hatchbacks in Europe in a recent review by Auto Bild, Germany’s auto magazine. The new model, which launched in the Korean market last year, started to be sold in Europe from this month.

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

Order to Assassinate Kim Jong-nam 'Would Have to Come from Leader'

The aim of the suspected assassination of Kim Jong-nam in Malaysia on Monday would have been to eliminate a focal point for dissidents and potential threat to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's rule, pundits believe.

The Short Peripatetic Life of Kim Jong-nam

Kim Jong-nam, the estranged eldest son of former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, lived a restless, peripatetic life in exile since his half brother Kim Jong-un was earmarked to succeed their father in 2009.

Japanese Schools Ordered to Teach Claim to Dokdo

The Japanese government on its website Tuesday published revised guidelines requiring all elementary and middle schools to teach that Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo are Japanese territory.

Park Swamps Court with Audio Files of Choi Soon-sil's Gigolo

President Park Geun-hye's lawyers have decided to build their defense on a massive cache of audio recordings of Koh Young-tae, the one-time sidekick of her confidante Choi Soon-sil.

Koh turned whistleblower after a tiff between the alleged lovers and has been liberally supplying insights into the vaudeville that was Park-era Cheong WaDae.

Independent Counsel Wants More Time to Probe Scandal

Independent counsel Park Young-soo on Tuesday wrote to the National Assembly to say he needs an extension of the deadline for his probe into the crony scandal. Lee Kyu-chul, a spokesman for the independent counsel, said, "We sent a reply to the National Assembly in answer to a request for our opinion about its ongoing efforts" to extend the period of the investigation.

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

Kim Jong-un’shalf brother assassinated in Malaysia

Kim Jong-nam, 46, eldest son of former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and half brother of current leader Kim Jong-un, was reportedly killed in Malaysia on the morning of Feb. 13.

The Ministry of Unification and National Intelligence confirmed that Kim Jong-nam was killed at 9 am on Feb. 13 by two women at the Kuala Lumpur airport who reportedly attacked him with poisoned spray. After Kim collapsed following the attack, he was taken to an airport clinic and then a hospital, but he eventually passed away.

Trump administration shows growing discomfort with North Korea

On Feb. 13, US President Donald Trump responded to North Korea’s ballistic missile launch by saying that he would “deal with North Korea very strongly.” His tone was tougher than when he said during his emergency joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Feb. 11 that he stood fully behind his Japanese ally without specifically mentioning North Korea.

Can THAAD intercept North Korea’s Pukguksong-2 ballistic missile?

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) reported to the National Assembly on Feb. 14 that the Pukguksong-2 ballistic missile launched by North Korea on Feb. 12 was fired at a high angle of 89 degrees and would have a firing range of 2,000 km if fired at a normal angle.The NIS also said the missile traveled at a speed of Mach 8.5, or 8.5 times the speed of sound, which conflicts with military intelligence authorities’ assessment that its speed was “Mach 9.5 or higher.” The discrepancy raised questions over whether intelligence agencies are exchanging even basic information.

Special Prosecutor makes second request for Lee Jae-yong arrest warrant

The investigative team of Special Prosecutor Park Young-soo submitted a second request on Feb. 14 for an arrest warrant against Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong.

The new request includes charges of siphoning assets overseas and concealing illegal gains. It comes 26 days after the first request was rejected on Jan. 19.

Samsung already knew the explosiveness of financial support for Choi Sun-sil

“This time, OK if opposition attacks. But prosecutors’ investigation a possibility before presidential election next year or during power transfer. If NGOs complain and prosecutors launch investigation, we must submit documents. Temporarily suspend Samsung’s explosive . . . programs . . . crack down on information leaks.”

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

Jong-un ordered hit, says NIS

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s command to kill his half brother Kim Jong-nam was a “standing order” for at least five years, South Korea’s intelligence chief said Wednesday, after admitting that the original heir apparent of former leader Kim Jong-il was assassinated in a Malaysian airport Monday morning.

Korea hopes to avoid U.S. manipulator brand

There was not much celebration when the country’s central bank announced 2016’s current account surplus of nearly $100 billion, the second highest ever. The country’s huge current account surplus, which amounted to around 7 percent of gross domestic product, only increases the chance of Korea being placed on a U.S. currency watch list again in April, when the U.S. Department of the Treasury releases its foreign exchange report.

Hyundai nods to Kona with subcompact SUV

Hyundai Motor is adding a new model to its portfolio, and it’s likely to be called Kona.The automaker’s first subcompact SUV to be launched in Korea is poised to debut in the first half of this year, the automaker said Wednesday.

Tesla on track to begin sales in May, says gov’t

Tesla completed the manufacturer registration process to sell cars in Korea on Wednesday, putting it on track to begin operations here within the first half of this year.“Tesla plans to bring its test product into the country by this month and begin sales in May,” said an official from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, which is in charge of the registration process.

Ministry orders recall of 47 household goods

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has ordered the recall of 47 household products, including 21 children’s products.Among the list of recalled products issued Wednesday were well-known global brands like Zara, Crocs for Kids, Nepa Kids and Bearpaw. The products failed to meet standards put forth by the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards, which falls under the Trade Ministry. The agency has banned the products from sale in the country, and companies will have to initiate recalls or exchanges.

Agency expands antitrust effort

The Fair Trade Commission, the country’s antitrust watchdog, will allow two groups representing the private sector to report antitrust cases to the agency and recommend cases be sent to prosecutors if they feel further investigation is needed.

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

Perhaps a Direct Order from Kim Jong-un to Remove Half-Brother, a Potential Threat to the Regime?

If Kim Jong-nam was assassinated, it was likely the result of direct orders from Kim Jong-un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, who had perceived his half-brother as a potential threat to his rule.

Is Supporting the US Calls for a Preemptive Strike on North Korea a Solution to the North Korea Problem?

After North Korea's test launch of Pukkuksong-2, a medium-range ballistic missile, the U.S. has heightened its pressure on the hermit state. Yesterday, U.S. president Donald Trump directly mentioned North Korea for the first time since his inauguration and said that North Korea was clearly a big issue and that he would deal with the North very strongly.

Pyongyang's Final Goal: Second-Strike Capability to Respond to a Nuclear Attack with Nuclear Weapons

The most significant aspect about North Korea's test fire of a medium-range ballistic missile on February 12 is that the missile used solid fuel, not liquid. Such a change shows that the ultimate goal of North Korea's nuclear missile program is to secure second-strike capability.

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

Samsung's Lee Jae-yong to Appear in Court to Hear Verdict on His Arrest Warrant

Samsung Group and the special prosecution team will confront with each other in the court again. Samsung Electronics vice chairman Lee Jae-yong will appear in the Seoul Central District Court on February 16 to hear whether the judge will approve the request for warrant for his arrest. It has been about four weeks since he stood in front of a judge on January 18 when the first request was rejected on the ground of insufficient evidence.

Fair Trade Commission May Allow Select Business Interest Groups to Report Corporate Wrongdoings

A proposal to allow the Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Korea Federation of SMEs to report any wrongdoing perpetrated by corporations to the Fair Trade Commission is in the works. Currently such reporting rights are reserved exclusively to the Fair Trade Commission.

LNG Power Plants Suffer from Low Capacity Use in Peak Winter Months

The capacity utilization of liquefied natural gas-fueled power plants has fallen to a low of 39 percent. Private power plant operators complained, "There are so many power plants left idle even during the peak winter season."

APTA Rises amid the Collapse of TPP

The Asia Pacific Trade Agreement, a new trade framework led by Korea, China, and India, will launch additional tariff reduction negotiations from the latter half of this year.In a situation where the United States declared its withdrawal from the Transpacific Partnership Agreement, with the momentum to promote multilateral free trade agreements remaining stagnant, the Korean government plans to look for new ways through the APTA.

Korea's Import Prices Hit 25 Month High

Korea's import prices hit a nearly two-year high last month due to the hike in international oil prices and the surge in the won-dollar exchange rate. Given that the hike in import prices would be reflected in domestic consumer prices with a time lag, it would likely to add more pressure on the cost of living here.

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

Leprosy patients win prolonged legal battle to get state compensation for forced sterilization

South Korean leprosy patients won a six-year-long legal battle Wednesday to get state compensation for forced sterilization and abortion performed decades ago at an isolated island shelter.

Seoul, Beijing agree to go ahead with repatriation of Chinese remains

South Korea and China put aside a bitter diplomatic row over a US missile shield Wednesday and agreed to go ahead with the repatriation of the remains of Chinese soldiers killed during the Korean War.

SK Telecom introduces intercontinental networking tech without lag

SK Telecom, South Korea's largest mobile carrier, has succeeded in demonstrating a new 5G network connecting technology for the first time in the world. The new technology will allow engineers to operate precise machines located in distant countries with virtually no network latency.

Actor JooJin-mo admits dating Chinese actress Zhang Li

South Korean actor JooJin-mo has been dating with Chinese actress Zhang Li, his management agency said Wednesday, responding to an internet video clip showing them in Sapporo on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido in early February.

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

Korea’s Jan manufacturing jobs in biggest fall in nearly 8 years

Payroll in South Korea’s manufacturing sector in January shrank by the largest scale in nearly eight years as jobs were shaved in the troubled shipbuilding and shipping sector.

Korean conglomerates going all-out in manufacturing automation business

South Korean conglomerates are accelerating manufacturing automation to bolster productivity and bandwagoning on the leading group in the so-called fourth industrial revolution.

S. Korea’s independent counsel chases Samsung heir with second arrest warrant

South Korea’s independent counsel has reapplied for arrest warrant for Samsung Group’s de facto leader Jay Y. Lee on bribery allegations in connection with a massive political scandal that led to the parliamentary impeachment of President Park Geun-hye late last year.

Saudi Arabia interested in buying Korea’s Daewoo E&C

The Saudi government is interested in taking over South Korea’s Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co. (Daewoo E&C) which state lender Korea Development Bank (KDB) plans to privatize by the end of the year, sources close to the matter said Tuesday.

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