The Korean daily media headlines and humor

The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Tuesday, February 28, 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

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/)

Assembly Panel Urges Court to Impeach Park

The National Assembly's impeachment committee has urged the Constitutional Court to uphold President Park Geun-hye's impeachment during the final hearing in her trial. Representative Kwon Sung-dong, the head of the impeachment panel, called on the court Monday to impeach Park and announce a victory for the people longing for justice.

S. Korean Foreign Minister Denounces Death of Kim Jong-nam at UN

South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se has called on the international community to punish North Korea for the death Kim Jong-nam. In a speech at the UN Human Rights Council meeting held in Geneva on Monday, Yun argued the murder of the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s half-brother is a “brazen challenge” to international order.

Park Denies Allegations at Impeachment Hearing

During the final hearing in her impeachment trial, President Park Geun-hye denied allegations she allowed her longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil to meddle in state affairs. Park did not appear at the final hearing on Monday, but in a statement read by lawyer Lee Dong-heub, Park claimed it is totally untrue that she gave documents on national policies, personnel appointments or diplomatic affairs to Choi and allowed her to interfere in government dealings.

S. Korea, US, Japan Reaffirm N. Korean Threat at Envoy Meeting

South Korea, the U.S. and Japan have adopted a joint statement that identifies North Korea’s nuclear program as a direct threat to their national security. In the trilateral meetings held in Washington, the three nuclear envoys also discussed the killing of Kim Jong-nam. Alannah Hill has the story.

College Grads' Starting Annual Salary at Large Firms 38Mln Won

A survey finds South Korean college graduates hired by large firms this year will receive an average annual salary of 38-point-five million won. Those hired by small firms will take home about 25-point-two million won on average, while those working for foreign firms and public companies can expect around 34-point-six million won.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

S. Korea, U.S., Japan agree to work closely together in responding to Kim Jong-nam's killing

South Korea, the United States and Japan agreed Monday to work closely together in responding to the recent killing of the half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, an official said.

S. Korea's biz sentiment improves for March

South Korean businesses continue to remain pessimistic about their business conditions in the future, but their sentiment improved slightly for the upcoming month, a survey showed Tuesday.

The business survey index (BSI) for March came to 92.1, up from 87.7 registered for this month, according to the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI).

Stock sales plunge, debt issuance rises in January

Stock sales in South Korea dropped sharply last month, while debt issuance climbed, data showed Tuesday. Corporate financing through equity issuance fell 81.8 percent on-month to 118.8 billion won (US$104 million), with IPO volume off 66.3 percent to 81.4 billion won, according to the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS). One company was listed on the KOSPI market and two others on the secondary KOSDAQ market during the month.

S. Korea's manufacturing sentiment up for March

South Korean manufacturers' business sentiment for next month improved, as they expect an increase in domestic demand and exports, central bank data showed Tuesday.

The business survey index (BSI) of manufacturing firms came to 81 in March, up from 76 in February, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK).

Top Chinese official visits White House, offer greetings to Trump

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi held talks with U.S. National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster on Monday and had a brief chance to offer greetings to President Donald Trump, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Biggest mobile tech show kicks off in Spain

The biggest tech event of the year, the Mobile World Congress 2017, kicked off Monday in Barcelona, Spain. With the theme of “The Next Element,” around 2,200 tech firms are showcasing their new devices and technologies to the estimated 100,000 visitors during the four-day event.

Hwang refuses to extend Park probe

Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn said Monday that he would not extend the outgoing special investigation into President Park Geun-hye‘s corruption allegations. Opposition parties, which have been striving to prolong the investigation until after the court’s impeachment ruling, vowed to have Hwang impeached as well, defining him as an “accomplice” to the suspended president’s wrongdoings.

Kim murder ‘sovereignty, legal breach’: Yun

Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se slammed North Korea’s suspected use of a nerve agent in the murder of Kim Jong-nam at a UN conference in Geneva on Monday, calling it a violation of Malaysia’s sovereignty and international law barring chemical weapons.

Removal of Moran dog slaughter facilities begins

The Seongnam City Government has begun the process to remove butchery facilities from South Korea’s largest dog meat market, two months after it decided to ban the slaughter of dogs and display of live dogs in cages there.

LG mobile chief confident about G6

Technical finesse, practicality and sincerity seem to be the main elements that LG Electronics are betting on for its new flagship smartphone, the G6, which the tech giant hopes will bring a long-sought-after turnaround in its handset business.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Lawmakers, attorneys clash at final hearing on Park's impeachment

The National Assembly prosecutorial panel and defense attorneys for President Park Geun-hye squared off Monday for the last time at her impeachment trial. Park did not attend the final hearing at the Constitutional Court, but instead defended herself in a submitted statement.

N. Korea's next logical step may be ICBM: 8th US Army commander

North Korea's next "logical" step may be the test-fire of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), considering its young leader's focus on the technological development of ballistic missiles, the commanding general of the Eighth U.S. Army said.

Moon Jae-in's approval rating hits new high

The approval rating for leading presidential contender Moon Jae-in hit a new high of 33.5 percent in a poll released Monday, cementing his lead in the presidential race over other hopefuls. The poll, conducted by Realmeter, also showed runner-up contender, South Chungcheong Governor An Hee-jung, is struggling to expand support after seeing an upsurge in previous weeks.

Dog meat market to close down

A move to close down the nation's largest dog meat market is underway. Moran Market in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province began disposing of dog cages and slaughtering facilities, Monday.

The move follows an agreement signed between Seongnam city and the dog meat vendors' association in December.

Koreans being overworked to death in 'kwarosa'

Korea Post says average annual working hours for postal workers in 2016 was 2,531 hours, or 48.7 hours a week ― 8.7 hours more than the national standard. But Korean Postal Workers' Union chief Kim Myung-hwan questioned the figure's credibility. With help from a Korea Labor Institute survey, he argued that the employees actually worked more than 55.1 hours a week.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Samsung to debut Galaxy S8 in New York on March 29

Samsung Electronics held Samsung Press Conference in Catalonia Congress Center in Barcelona, Spain on Sunday and unveiled Galaxy S8 teaser video and invitation letter. Galaxy8 will debut on March 29 in New York.

Park Sung-hyun starts voyage to conquer LPGA tour

Park Sung-hyun has just started her voyage to become “the queen of the field” in earnest. Park is joining the LPGA tour after preparing for the opportunity for years. Park is participating in the HSBC Women’s Champions, which kicks off at New Tanjong Course at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore on Thursday.

Chelsea, Hillary Clinton come on stage at the same time

Political moves of Chelsea and Hillary Clinton seem to be serious. Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sent a video message on last Friday to the Democratic National Committee (DNC)’s gathering where a new party chairman was elected and her daughter, Chelsea, continued to strongly criticize U.S.

483-km coastal road to be built in southern Korea

Malaga in Spain is famous for a 339-kilometer coastal road in the Mediterranean Sea. Called the Costa del Sol, the road is visited by 18 million people per year, having a huge impact on the regional economy as it accounts for 35 percent of the Andalusian tourism industry.

Chusa's beauty of maturity awoke from sleep in 165 years

The Center for Overseas Resources on Korean Studies under the Research Institute of Korean Studies at Korea University searched libraries of Kyoto University in Japan from Jan. 12 to Jan. 19 and found precious old literatures and about 400 collections of writings and paints, containing the essence of the post Joseon Dynasty.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Young Seoulites Have Gloomy Outlook on Career

Fewer than 40 percent of young people in Seoul are optimistic about their careers, according to a survey by Citi Foundation. Seoul ranked the lowest among major cities around the world when it comes to the ratio of positive outlooks at only 38 percent.

Incheon's 2nd Terminal to Open in October

The second passenger terminal at Incheon International Airport will open in October this year with a capacity to handle 18 million passengers annually. Construction is slated for completion next month.

Seoul Rents Are 24th Highest Among World Cities

Seoul ranks 24th among 87 world cities in terms of the price of renting a home. San Francisco tops the list with a staggering W 5,595 per square foot in 2017 Rental Affordability Index released by U.K. property website Nested on Sunday (US$1=W1,132).

Park Stays Away from Impeachment Trial

President Park Geun-hye will not be testifying in the final hearing of her impeachment trial on Monday, a possibility the defense had dangled before the Constitutional Court in an apparent bid to drag out proceedings.

Kim Jong-nam Died from Huge Dose of Nerve Agent

Kim Jong-nam was killed by a huge dose of the banned VX nerve agent and died a painful death within 15 to 20 minutes, AP reported Sunday quoting Malaysian authorities. Malaysian Health Minister Subramaniam Sathasivam told reporters that the autopsy showed the dose of VX given to Kim was so high that he showed symptoms within minutes.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

More than one million gather for 17th demonstration for Park’s impeachment

A million people came together once more. On Feb. 25, the fourth anniversary of Park Geun-hye’s inauguration as president, the largest crowds this year assembled at Gwanghwamun Square and called for Park’s four years to be brought to an end.

Right-wing protesters make death threats as opposition to impeachment intensifies

The backlash from opponents of President Park Geun-hye’s impeachment is intensifying as final arguments in the Constitutional Court trial approach. Police have begun offering physical protection for Constitutional Court justices and members of Special Prosecutor Park Young-soo’s team.

Use of VX nerve agent in Kim Jong-nam killing further hardens US stance on North Korea

Following the news that the VX nerve agent was used to kill Kim Jong-nam, 46, half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, attitudes toward North Korea are hardening.Efforts to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula, which had been tentatively advancing under new US President Donald Trump, are back at square one.

“Unnecessary,” “hierarchical,” “oppressive” - meetings at South Korean companies

Kim, an assistance manager, attends an average of 3.7 meetings a week, each lasting an average of 51 minutes. An average of 1.8 of those meetings are so meaningless as to make him wonder why they are being held at all. Even at necessary meetings, around one-third of the time, or 16 minutes, is usually spent on random or unrelated topics.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Park absent from closing argument

The Constitutional Court heard Monday closing arguments for President Park Geun-hye’s impeachment trial and began deliberation to decide the political fate of the disgraced leader, wrapping up the 81-day courtroom battle between Park and the National Assembly.

Opposition may impeach Hwang

Liberal opposition parties threatened Monday to impeach the country’s acting leader after he decided not to extend the independent counsel’s special investigation into the corruption scandal involving impeached President Park Geun-hye, her associates and conglomerates.

Gov’t to mend tourism industry

The government announced a set of measures on Monday to improve the tourism infrastructure in southern regions of the country, including the establishment of 438 kilometers (272 miles) of roads that will run along the southern coast of the country. The government also plans to transform abandoned establishments and buildings, such as closed-down schools or shipyards, into tourist attractions.

Galaxy S8 invite suggests Samsung moves outside box

Samsung Electronics will simultaneously unveil its Galaxy S8 flagship smartphone in New York and London on March 29. The tech giant released electronic invitations to its Unpacked event to the global press at Samsung’s press conference on Sunday to debut its tablet PCs a day before the 2017 Mobile World Congress kicked off in Barcelona, Spain.

Seoul serves Shake Shack its best sales worldwide

Shake Shack’s first Korean branch near Gangnam Station ranked No. 1 in sales among the New-York based burger franchise’s 120 locations worldwide, according to CEO Danny Meyer of the Union Square Hospitality Group, Shake Shack’s parent company.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Pro-Park Groups’ Excessive Threats on the Constitutional Court and the Special Prosecutor

As the impeachment trial of President Park Geun-hye approaches the end, some experts argue that the pro-Park groups' threats to the Constitutional Court and the investigation team of special prosecutor Park Young-soo have gone beyond the reasonable.

Samsung to Remove Future Strategy Office: How Far Will the Reforms Go?

Samsung Group is expected to announce plans to disband the future strategy office, the group's "control tower," along with measures to reform the group, soon. However, all business groups around the world have an essential internal office acting as the group's control tower to prevent conflicts between affiliates and to maximize synergy within the group.

Little Progress in a Decade, "Presidential Candidates Should Enact a Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Bill"

The civil society is criticizing major presidential candidates for their lukewarm handling of an anti-discrimination bill. The anti-discrimination bill bans unreasonable discrimination based on gender, disability, disease, age, race, religion, ideology, sexual orientation, education, and social status in all areas of life including politics, economics, society, and culture according to the principle of equality stipulated in the Constitution.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

No More Extension of Special Prosecutors' Scandal Investigation"...Acting President

Acting President Hwang Gyo-ahn has rejected on February 27 a request to extend the investigation deadline made by the special prosecutors led by attorney Park Young-soo. The three opposition parties including the Minjoo Party, the People's Party, and the Justice Party are set to impeach the acting president for obstructing the investigation.

Korea's Auto and Electronics Industry to Get Hit Hard by Adoption of Border Tax

Analysts said there may be volatility coming in March as the U.S. Trump administration is set to introduce tax reform and border adjustment tax plans. In particular, the adoption of the border adjustment tax would likely cause negative repercussions on Korean exporters.

Craft Beer to Get Reprieve from Gov't Regulation

In the government's plans to stimulate investment announced on February 27, there are proposals that will have a direct impact on consumers. These included relaxing regulations in the beer industry, expanding the number of shared parking spaces, and invigorating the eco-friendly car industry.

KB Securities Likely to Sell Hyundai Asset Management

KB Securities has decided to sell off Hyundai Asset Management as a way to restructure its asset management unit after its merger with Hyundai Securities. Until recently, the securities house was leaning toward integrating Hyundai Asset Management with KB Asset Management but changed its mind.

China Builds Giant-scale Solar Power Farms

China is building the world's largest solar power farms in the plateau of Tibet. The size of this plant is similar to that of Macau.

Hong Kong's South China Morning Post reported on February 24, "The analysis of the satellite images disclosed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the United States indicated that China is building solar farms in the northwestern area of Qinghai Province," adding that the area where the solar farms are located is fully covered with 4 million solar panels.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Shareholders endorse Hyundai shipyard's spin-off in turbulent meeting

Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world's largest shipyard, was allowed to spin off non-shipbuilding operations controlled by a holding company Monday at a turbulent shareholders meeting disrupted by protests from workers calling for job security.

S. Korea's spy agency addresses Pyongyang as mastermind behind Kim Jong-nam's death

North Korean foreign ministry and security officials have launched a joint operation in Malaysia to kill leader Kim Jong-un's half-brother with a nerve agent used in chemical warfare, South Korea's spy agency said Monday.

At least five N. Korean security officials executed with anti-aircraft machine gun: NIS

North Korea has executed at least five senior security officials with an anti-aircraft machine gun after their boss was detained for making an unspecified false report, South Korea's spy agency said Monday.

Lotte's board endorses property swap for US missile shield

Undeterred by a Chinese stranglehold, South Korea's Lotte group went ahead with a board meeting Monday to endorse a property swap for the deployment of an advanced US missile shield that sparked a thorny diplomatic spat between Asia's two major trading partners.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Shake Shack branch in Korea delivers best sales among all

American premium burger chain Shake Shack’s first store in Korea topped in sales among the restaurant’s worldwide outlets in just seven months after making its entry in the country.

Shake Shack Gangnam recreated the taste of New York branch, the home of Shake Shack, beyond expectation, said Danny Meyer, founder and chief executive officer of Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) at a press conference during his visit to Seoul on Monday.

LG Elec unveils its new flagship smartphone G6

LG Electronics Inc. in desperate moves to survive the cut-throat premium league has given up its love for innovative designs for its latest flagship smartphone G6, but is expected to fight well against its rivals in winning consumers’ hearts thanks to a great screen, enhanced water-proof feature and higher battery capacity.

Samsung Elec unveils its new tablet PC ‘Galaxy Book’ at MWC

South Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co. unveiled the Samsung Galaxy Book combining the features of a tablet PC and a laptop at an official press conference during the Mobile World Congress held in Spain on Sunday.

CJ Group Chairman Lee Jae-hyun to return to helm in March

Lee Jae-hyun, chairman of South Korean retail conglomerate CJ Group, will return to the helm next month after four years of absence due to imprisonment from criminal wrongdoings.

The Korea Post

TV:-English: www.koreapost.com

Korean: www.koreapost.co.kr

Your Excellency:

The Korea Post Internet has now begun a mini TV service on www.koreapost.com.

Please visit: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC38m7LSEw-TkTcV5P-MoD3Q

Feeback is welcome.

Please email them to edt@koreapost.com or yeskoreapost@gmail.com.

Publisher-Chairman Lee Kyung-sik

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