The Korean daily media headlines and humor

The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Thursday, March 2, 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/)

Acting Pres. Vows Stern Response to N. Korea's Provocation

Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn says that the country will enhance the South Korea-U.S. combined defense capabilities and deploy a US THAAD antimissile system to ensure North Korea will realize the uselessness of nuclear weapons.

S. Korea, US Begin Largest-ever Joint Military Drills

South Korea and the United States kicked off their largest-ever annual joint military drills on Wednesday.

The Foal Eagle exercises will continue until the end of next month, while the Key Resolve exercises will start next week.

S. Korea's Foreign Minister Calls for Suspending N. Korea's UN Seat

South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se has called for stern and collective measures against North Korea, including possible suspension of its UN membership.

S. Korea, US Begin Largest-ever Joint Military Drills

South Korea and the United States kicked off their largest-ever annual joint military drills on Wednesday.

Defense Chiefs of S. Korea, US to Swiftly Install THAAD Battery

Defense chiefs of South Korea and the United States have held talks over the phone on the first day of the Foal Eagle joint military exercises.

S. Korea's Exports Jump 20% in February

South Korea's exports jumped 20-point-two percent last month from a year earlier, posting the largest growth in five years.

Samsung Group Disbands Future Strategy Office

Samsung Group has announced a set of reform plans, including the dismantlement of its key Future Strategy Office, which has been responsible for major decisions concerning the group.

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

Industrial output gains 1.7 pct on-yr in Jan.

South Korea's industrial output rose for three months in a row in January on a continued recovery of exports, government data showed Thursday.

Victor Cha: N. Korean provocations likely during U.S-S. Korea military exercises

North Korea is likely to undertake provocations in coming weeks as South Korea and the U.S. conduct annual joint military exercises that the communist nation has bristled at, a U.S. think tank said Wednesday.

Rising LNG demand bodes well for S. Korean shipbuilders

An expected rise in demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) is likely to boost demand for LNG carriers, which in turn will help South Korean shipbuilders clinch more LNG ships and related facilities, industry sources said Thursday.

Hyundai, Kia see U.S. sales drop nearly 7 percent in Feb.

Hyundai Motor Co. and its smaller affiliate, Kia Motors Corp., saw their combined sales in the United States drop nearly 7 percent in February as Kia's sales slumped, industry data showed Wednesday.

Trump calls N. Korea 'world menace' that should be dealt with 'soon'

U.S. President Donald Trump called North Korea "a world menace" and "a world problem" that must be dealt with "soon" on the eve of his first speech to a joint session of Congress, even though he made no mention of the problem during the address, a report said.

Ex-U.S. diplomat: Kim Jong-nam's killing raises specter of N. Korea selling chemical weapons to terror groups

The use of the nerve agent VX in the killing of Kim Jong-nam, the half brother of North Korea's leader, raises the dangerous specter of a cash-strapped Pyongyang ultimately selling such a chemical weapon to terrorist groups like al-Qaida, a former senior diplomat warned Wednesday.

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

Divided nation marks Independence Movement Day

Marking Independence Movement Day, millions of South Koreans poured onto the streets, turning central Seoul into a sea of national flags Wednesday. But this time, the nation is deeply divided, protesting for and against President Park Geun-hye’s impeachment.

Chinese firms raise presence at MWC

Shaking off their copycat reputation, Chinese tech firms are enjoying a growing presence at this week’s Mobile World Congress, previously dominated by Korean and Japanese companies.

Samsung affiliates scramble to adapt to new structure

Sixty Samsung affiliates are expected to seek strategies to survive on their own -- or together -- in the absence of their control tower that was officially dismantled as of Wednesday.

With age, MC Sniper explores ‘lighter’ side of music

In the late 1990s, the “bard of Korean hip-hop” shook up the music scene with lyrics about society.

Considered one of Korea’s first-generation rappers, MC Sniper is now exploring a different, less aggressive side to his music, one which is easier on both the artist and the listeners.

KOTRA to hold forum on 'affordable' overseas firms

South Korea's state-run trade and investment promotion agency will hold a forum next week, providing information on dozens of small and midsized overseas firms that are or will soon be available for investment or a takeover, the agency said Thursday.

Acting president calls for public unity

Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn on Thursday deplored a growing division among the public ahead of a court ruling on the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye.

2PM cancels concert following member's stage injury

2PM, a South Korean pop idol band, canceled the remainder of its concerts in Seoul following an onstage injury of member Jun. K, according to the group's agency Thursday.

NK warns of 'toughest' actions against S. Korea-US military drill

North Korea on Thursday vowed to take its "toughest' military counteractions against South Korea and the United States as the allies kicked off their annual military exercise.

Trump calls N. Korea 'world menace' that should be dealt with 'soon'

US President Donald Trump called North Korea "a world menace" and "a world problem" that must be dealt with "soon" on the eve of his first speech to a joint session of Congress, even though he made no mention of the problem during the address, a report said.

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

S. Korea divided over impeachment with court's ruling up in the air

Both supporters and opponents of President Park Geun-hye staged rallies in downtown Seoul, Wednesday, on the occasion of the nation's Independence Movement Day, to press their demands for upholding or rejecting her impeachment.

Salvage of Sewol ferry to resume this month: ocean minister Posted

Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kim Young-suk said the salvaging of the ferry Sewol will resume this month at the earliest, regardless of a widely expected presidential election and government change in the first half of the year.

Impeachment deliberation kicks off

The Constitutional Court's deliberations to decide whether to permanently remove or reinstate impeached President Park Geun-hye began, Tuesday, following the final court hearing a day earlier.

'Constitutional Court likely to uphold impeachment'

Expectations are growing that the Constitutional Court will uphold the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye, after a district court issued an arrest warrant for Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee jae-yong, Friday, a month after the first such request was denied.

Concerns grow over 'misuse' of national flag

The Taegeukgi, the national flag of Korea, is a symbol of the March 1 Independence Movement Day as people holding the flags called for Korea's independence from Japanese colonial rule in 1919.

Korea, US kickoff annual exercise

South Korea and the United States began their annual Foal Eagle military exercise Wednesday, sending a strong warning to North Korea over its escalating saber-rattling.

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

Nigerian and Somalian children face dire situations in Libya

A 15-year-old boy was heading towards Libya from Nigeria to escape the Nigerian militant Islamist group Boko Haram. On a broker's recommendation who said he can go to Europe via the Mediterranean Sea and get a job and be able to send money to his family. He crossed the Sahara Desert.

Spring flowers start to bloom across the nation

“Flower viewing” is one of the famous types of spring picnic. As March begins with warmer spring temperature, springtime picnickers are preparing for flowering viewing. This week’s peak day temperature is expected to hover around 10 degrees Celsius.

From SNS to movie CG, we owe a lot to math

“It’s boring. What good is it? It’s nothing more than an SAT subject.” It has been a while since mathematics has become a nuisance in Korea.

Korean scientists develop long-life LED light

A team of Korean scientists has developed a fundamental technology that would prolong the life expectancy of light-emitting diode (LED) fluorescent lamps. The team, led by Im Won-bin, a professor of new materials engineering at Chonnam National University, said Wednesday that the research team developed a new fluorescent substance that the scientists claimed would address the issue of heat stability and maintain the intensity of light.

Politicians's different approaches to rallies in Gwanghwamun

Ruling and opposition party politicians were fully mobilized to join the protests in the Gwanghwamun area in downtown Seoul on Wednesday in accordance with their political interest.

Many U.S. eggs are left unsold in Korean market

American eggs that the government actively promoted along with rising egg prices on AI outbreak are left unsold. Many point out that the government has failed to predict the supply and demand of eggs and it gave reasons for the U.S. poultry exporters to demand to completely open the egg market.

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

N.Korean Officials in Kuala Lumpur as Women Charged with Kim Jong-nam's Murder

Two Southeast Asian women were charged with first-degree murder in Malaysia on Wednesday in the assassination of Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Kim Jong-nam's Killers Handled Poison 'with Bare Hands'

Police in Malaysia on Wednesday said the two women accused of murdering Kim Jong-nam in Kuala Lumpur knowingly handled the poison with their bare hands.

N.Korean Diplomat Wanted Over Kim Jong-nam Killing

Malaysian police are looking for a senior North Korean diplomat and a staffer of the renegade country's flag carrier Air Koryo in connection with the murder of Kim Jong-nam.

N.Korea Denies Chemical Weapons Arsenal

North Korea on Tuesday claimed it has no chemical weapons after allegations that the regime used the world's deadliest nerve agent to assassinate Kim Jong-nam at a busy airport in Malaysia last month.

Around 40% of Koreans Eat Pork Every Week

Some four out of 10 Koreans eat pork at least once a week, according to a recent straw poll.

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

Special Prosecutor ends 90-day investigation referring 17 people for trial

The investigative team of Special Prosecutor Park Young-soo concluded its 90-day investigation by referring 17 people for trial, including Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, who is under detention on charges of giving 43.3 billion won (US$38.3 million) in bribes to President Park Geun-hye.

Special Prosecutors to indict Lee Jae-jong and others on Feb. 28

The breathless 90-day sprint of Special Prosecutor Park Young-soo’s investigative team was forced to a halt on Feb. 27 by Prime Minister and acting president Hwang Kyo-ahn.

Pres. Park’s protector Hwang Kyo-ahn refusing extension of Special Prosecutor’s investigation

Hwang Kyo-ahn took on the role of warrior defending President Park Geun-hye with his refusal on Feb. 27 to extend the investigation period for the investigative team led by Special Prosecutor Park Young-soo. His decision, which is now fanning a political civil war, is a sign of just how deep a step the acting president and Prime Minister has taken into the political fray.

With consumer boycotts over THAAD, S. Korea-China relations in a tailspin

With the Lotte Group agreeing to provide the site for deploying the THAAD missile defense system and South Korea’s Defense Ministry announcing plans to deploy THAAD between May and July, the deployment is on the verge of becoming a reality. As China begins to push back even harder, there are indications that South Korea’s relations with China are moving into a time of turbulence and uncertainty.

Lotte keeping quiet about motion to use golf course as THAAD deployment site

Although the board of directors of Lotte International passed a motion on Feb. 27 to provide the golf course in Seongju County as the site for deploying the THAAD missile defense system, the Lotte Group neither made a related announcement nor released a separate statement. Along with sending the message that the decision was not Lotte’s but the government’s, the move also represents a clear effort not to provoke China, given the group’s substantial business operations in the country.

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

Rallies mirror Korea’s division

The streets of central Seoul were flooded with people on the national holiday to commemorate the country’s independence movement nearly a century ago - but they were more divided than united.

Beijing encourages boycott of Lotte over Thaad

Two days after Lotte Group made its final decision to swap land that will be used for the American Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) system, boycotts of the company began in China along with targeted cyberattacks.

Women charged with killing Kim Jong-nam

Two women implicated in the killing of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s half brother were charged with murder in a Kuala Lumpur court Wednesday.

LG to start building Tennessee plant this year

LG Electronics’ plans to build a washing machine factory in Tennessee are taking shape as it seeks to sustain growth in the key American market while avoiding punitive protectionist measures from Donald Trump’s administration.

Samsung SDI powers California ESS project

Samsung SDI, a manufacturer of batteries and components for solar energy and displays, provided batteries for an energy storage project in California in the largest supply deal to date in the ESS industry.

Hanjin delisting sends investors on wild ride

On an online stock investment community Friday there were several postings related to trading Hanjin Shipping shares. One of the posters claimed to have purchased 300,000 shares of the defunct shipping company for 197 won (17 cents) per share. An hour later, the stock price rose 6.6 percent to 210 won.

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

Park Geun-hye Claims "Innocence" on Facts Others Have Already Confessed

In her final argument in the impeachment trial on February 27, President Park Geun-hye claimed she was innocent saying, "I have never once abused my authority as president for my personal interests or for assisting a certain individual pursue her interests.

President Turned Her Back on Her Promise to "Cooperate with the Investigation"

The team of special prosecutor Park Young-soo officially declared their failure to conduct a face-to-face interview of President Park Geun-hye and a search of Cheong Wa Dae. Despite a ninety-day investigation (including the preparation stage) by the special prosecutor following the one carried out by the Prosecutors' Office, the investigation of President Park will remain an unfinished task. Future investigation schedules and methods concerning the president along with the level of judicial action, such as an arrest warrant, will now be determined by the Prosecutors' Office.

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.

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

Korea's Exports Surge More Than 20%, First in 5 Years

After years of remaining sluggish, Korea's exports took a sharp rebound, rising by more than 20 percent in February 2017. The figure was the highest monthly growth in five years. The rebound was led by the nation's flagship export items, including semiconductors, automobiles, steel products, and petrochemicals.

CJ Chairman Back to Management in 4 Years

Lee Jae-hyun, chairman of CJ Group, is set to make a comeback to the top management post on March 15. His official comeback to the management will be realized through the CJ OnlyOne Fair, an idea competition for the group's new employees.

Retail Sales Fall for Three Straight Months, First Since 2008

Domestic consumer spending contracted for three straight months, first since the global financial crisis in 2008. According to the industrial activity trend for January 2017, released by the National Statistics Office on March 2, the nation's retail sales fell 2.2 percent compared to a month ago primarily due to the decline in domestic sales of durable goods including automobiles.

NPS to Introduce Deputy CIO Post as Part of Organizational Reform Move

The National Pension Service will restructure its organization first time in ten years including a new deputy chief investment officer position right underneath the current chief investment officer. In addition, it will offer salary hikes in stages as a way to stem the outflow of veteran fund managers.

GM Korea Postpones Delivery Date of New Cruze to March Due to Airbag Quality Issue

GM Korea has postponed the delivery of its new compact car model Chevrolet Cruze to March due to defects in some of the parts. The car maker was going to deliver the news cars to pre-order customers beginning in late February.

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

Indie artist puts music trophy up for auction to pay rent

A prestigious music award ceremony this week in South Korea saw an unusual award acceptance speech by a 32-year-old indie artist who extemporaneously held an onstage auction to pay her rent by trading her trophy for cash.

N. Korea warns of 'merciless' retaliation over military exercise in S. Korea

North Korea warned of "merciless" retaliation Thursday as US and South Korean troops flexed their muscle with a major joint military exercise involving powerful strategic weapons.

Temperature sensitive color changing hair dye will change beauty industry

San Francisco, USA - For fashion chameleons with commitment phobia, there is now color changing hair dye.

Ex-N.K. envoy to UN visits Malaysia over Kim's death: Yonhap

A former North Korean deputy ambassador to the United Nations arrived in Malaysia on Tuesday as his country seeks to retrieve the body of the killed half brother of leader Kim Jong-un.

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

Creditors to discuss additional loan guarantee for Hanjin Heavy

State-run Korea Development Bank (KDB) and other creditor banks have decided to discuss an additional loan guarantee of 200 billion won ($175 million) for Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Co. as the shipbuilder faces a hurdle in building new specialty vessels like military vessels due to a loan guarantee rejection from local guarantee insurers.

Samsung Elec teams up with India’s Reliance Jio to expand 4G LTE network in India

Samsung Electronics Co. will strengthen its partnership with India’s long-term evolution (LTE) mobile network operator Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. to expand both network capacity and coverage across India, the company said on Tuesday at the 2017 Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain.

LG Elec to build home appliance factory in Tennessee, U.S.

LG Electronics Inc. will build a 74,000-square-meter home appliances manufacturing plant in Tennessee, the United States.

Korea’s exports climb 20.2% on year in February

South Korea’s exports in February jumped 20.2 percent from the same period a year ago, the fastest pace in five years, thanks to spike in shipments of its mainstay products such as semiconductors and petrochemical products.

The Korea Post

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Your Excellency:

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