The Korean daily media headlines and humor

The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Friday, March 3, 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/)

Negotiations with US Begin on Land Provision for THAAD

The government said Thursday that procedures have been activated under the Status of Forces Agreement(SOFA) with the United States regarding the deployment of the U.S. antimissile shield known as THAAD.

Seoul Concerned About Chinese Treatment of Korean Firms

South Korea says it is keeping close tabs on what happens in China with regard to Seoul's impending deployment of THAAD missile defense. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Cho June-hyuck urged China Thursday to refrain from words and actions that are not conducive to advancing bilateral relations and friendship.

Court Holds 2nd Deliberation in Impeachment Trial

The Constitutional Court held a second deliberation Thursday over its impending ruling on President Park Geun-hye's impeachment. A court official says official deliberations are planned on weekday mornings, but informal talks among the justices can take place any time if needed.

Court Likely to Unveil Date of Ruling Next Tuesday

The Constitutional Court will likely announce early next week the date of its ruling in President Park Geun-hye’s impeachment trial. According to legal circles on Thursday, the court will most likely set the ruling date and announce it around next Tuesday.

People's Party Chief Says Pres. Park's Resignation Possible

Chairman of the minor opposition People’s Party Park Jie-won says there is a possibility that President Park Geun-hye will step down before the Constitutional Court issues a ruling in her impeachment trial.

Sales of Content Industry Tops W100 Tln for the First Time

For the first time ever, South Korea's content industry reported sales of more than 100 trillion won, or 88 billion U.S. dollars, in 2015. The figure is an increase of five-point-eight percent over the previous year. That growth strongly outpaced the country's overall economic growth rate of two-point-six percent.

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

S. Korea's consumer prices rise 1.9 pct in Feb.

South Korea's consumer prices rose at a faster-than-expected pace in February as prices of oil-related products picked up, government data showed Friday. The country's consumer price index gained 1.9 percent last month from a year earlier, slowing down from the previous month's 2 percent rise, according to the data compiled by Statistics Korea.

Ex-U.S. Secretary of State Kerry joins Carnegie think tank

Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has joined the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace as its inaugural visiting distinguished statesman, the think tank announced Thursday.

"John Kerry's lifelong commitment to international peace and understanding embodies the mission and purpose of the Carnegie Endowment, "said Carnegie President William J. Burns in a statement. "His experience, wisdom, and belief in the power of diplomacy are needed now more than ever."

Foreigners picky about S. Korean stock choice

Foreign investors remain picky about what they buy in South Korea's stock market amid their strong presence here, data showed Friday. Foreigners owned more than 500 trillion won (US$434 billion) worth of local shares as of January, 32 percent of the total market capitalization of all companies listed on the nation's bourse.

Chevy Trax becomes S. Korea's most exported car in 2016

The Chevrolet Trax subcompact SUV was the most exported vehicle in South Korea in 2016, market data showed Friday, indicating strong overseas demand for the car developed and produced here.

S. Korea's current account surplus narrows to US$5.28 billion in Jan.

South Korea's current account surplus narrowed in January due to an increased deficit in the service balance, central bank data showed Friday.

The country's current account surplus reached US$5.28 billion in January, compared with a surplus of $7.18 billion a year earlier, according to the preliminary data from the Bank of Korea (BOK).

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

Malaysia cancels visa waiver arrangement with N. Korea: report

Malaysia has canceled its visa waiver arrangement with North Korea amid a diplomatic spat over the assassination of the half brother of the North's leader, a news report said Thursday. The cancellation will take effect on March 6, after which North Koreans entering Malaysia will be required to obtain a visa, Malaysian news agency Bernama quoted the country's deputy prime minister, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, as saying. He cited national security as the reason.

Korea closely monitors China’s latest import rule as THAAD tension rises

The latest trade tension with China comes in the form of a new registration process for certain cosmetics imported from South Korea to China through ports in the Pudong New Area of Shanghai. The measure took effect Wednesday, according to the Korea International Trade Association Thursday.

Seoul, Washington to increase financial sanctions against NK

South Korea and the US agreed to enhance financial sanctions against North Korea amid concerns over Pyongyang’s latest ballistic missile test, the Finance Ministry in Seoul said Thursday.

South Korea’s Finance Minister Yoo Il-ho and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin held their first phone call Thursday since the inauguration of US President Donald Trump. They promised the two countries would more thoroughly implement UN Security Council sanctions as well as their own sanctions against the reclusive state, the ministry said.

What to watch: The best, worst shows on Korean TV today

A slew of entertaining shows have hit the small screens recently, featuring familiar themes and characters -- the hierarchy of the Korean office and wealthy, psychopathic villains -- but with new twists.

Korean, Chinese chipmakers raise stakes on Toshiba

Chipmakers from South Korea, Taiwan and China are beefing up moves to acquire the NAND Flash business of Japan’s cash-strapped Toshiba in their quest to spearhead the global NAND market. According to the semiconductor and financial industries Thursday, global chipmakers are doubling efforts to take over Toshiba’s NAND business after it was reported earlier this week that the financially troubled Japanese company will sell a majority stake in the NAND business

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

Backlash from China growing over THAAD

South Korea faces further retaliation including a currency swap suspension from China after it signed a land swap deal with Lotte Group for the deployment of a U.S. anti-missile system here, analysts said Thursday.

Gyeongbok Palace to resume night tours

This year's night tours at Gyeongbok Palace, one of the royal palaces in Seoul, will begin late this month, the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) said Thursday. The CHA first presented the "Gyeongbok Palace Starlight Tour" program on a trial basis in September and it gained huge popularity for offering stunning rare night views.

Role reversal: 'Jeoneop jubu' husbands take care of business at home

Does your husband cook, wash dishes, do laundry and mop the floors at home? While these chores have long been considered part of a married woman's job description in Korea, things are changing.

Will Korea-US free trade deal survive in Trump era?

The U.S. Trade Representative said Wednesday the free trade agreement with South Korea resulted in a "dramatic increase in our trade deficit," stressing it's time for a major review of how the U.S. approaches trade deals.

Busan University of Foreign Studies builds dorm to attract overseas students

Some 800 foreign students of Busan University of Foreign Studies will soon be able to stop looking for rooms or flats to rent after the school decided to build a dormitory for them. The school's campus in Namsan-dong, Geumjeong-gu, will invest 20 billion won ($17.5 million) to build the 12,000-square-meter dorm that will have 13 levels, with 10 above ground, the university said Thursday.

Malaysia revokes visa waiver arrangement with N. Korea: report

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

Malaysia scraps visa-free entry with North Korea

The Malaysian authorities have decided on Thursday that it would deport Ri Jong Chol who has been arrested for killing Kim Jong Nam. Four out of eight North Korean suspects have already fled to North Korea while the remaining three are currently hiding in North Korean Embassy in Malaysia, which is an extraterritorial jurisdiction. Given this, if Ri Jong Chol is sent back to the North, none of the suspects for the killing of Kim Jong Nam will remain in Malaysia.

Korea’s largest sewage plant to be completed by year's end

A large underground space appeared as a gigantic iron door opened wide, as if entering a secret base shown in a spy movie. As the largest of its kind in Korea, Bakdal Sewage Treatment Plant is located in Anyang City, Gyeonggi Province. Since the groundbreaking in 2013, all facilities have been installed underground, and are expected to be completed at the end of this year.

'I’ll keep singing even after retirement,' says Jose Carreras

“Seventy? I’m seventeen, haha," legendary Spanish tenor Jose Carreras joked in a press conference in the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Seoul on Thursday. When his mobile phone rang, he broke the ice, saying, “Is it a call from her or him?” Despite his age, he talked in a powerful voice, making it unbelievable that he is on his last world tour.

6 armed N. Korean soldiers crossed border to China

Six armed North Korean soldiers have crossed into the Changbai Korean Autonomous County in northeastern China, prompting the Chinese authorities to go on a manhunt for several days.

Naver, Line unveil AI platform 'Clova' project in Barcelona

An artificial intelligent (AI) platform, which comprehensively compiles the AI technology of Korea’s Internet company Naver and its mobile messaging affiliate Line, has been unveiled.

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

Malaysia Scraps Visa Waiver for N.Koreans

Malaysia on Thursday abruptly scrapped a visa-free pact with North Korea over the assassination of Kim Jong- nam at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Feb. 13. Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the move was motivated by concerns for national security, according to the Bernama news agency.

2 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.

Indonesian Siti Aisyah (25) and Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong (29) appeared in court in bullet-proof vests accused of smearing Kim with VX nerve agent, a banned chemical weapon, at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Feb. 13.

Parents Spend Over W1 million a Month Raising Young Children

Parents with young children spend around one-third of their income or W1.07 million a month on raising their kids, according to a recent poll (US$1=W1,144). The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family asked the Korea Institute of Child Care and Education to survey 1,202 mothers with children under nine years of age and found that their monthly household spending amounted to W3.46 million, of which 31 percent went to raising their kids.

S.Korea, U.S. Kick off Big Show of Force

South Korea and the U.S. kicked off joint annual military drills on Wednesday that amount to an unusually heavy show of force against North Korea. The drills, dubbed "Foal Eagle" for reasons lost in time, will carry on until late April and involve a fleet led by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, as well as F-35B vertical takeoff and landing stealth aircraft.

Seoul, Washington Vow to Punish N.Korea for Provocations

Security officials from South Korea and the U.S. on Wednesday reaffirmed their determination to punish North Korea for its provocations. National Security Advisor Kim Kwan-jin talked over the phone with his U.S. counterpart Herbert McMaster for the first time.

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

China’s opposition to Lotte over THAAD moves online

When the blog Yamajaegyeong added a post on the morning of Feb. 28 demanding to know what e-commerce company Jingdong Mall intended to do about Lotte’s wrongdoing, the post was widely discussed on WeChat, China’s largest social network. On the afternoon of the same day, the Lotte Mart section on Jingdong Mall was shut down.

Trump says Pacific allies must “pay their fair share” of defense costs

During an address to a joint session of US Congress on Feb. 28, US President Donald Trump emphasized once again his “America First” approach in the areas of commerce and trade and in regard to increasing allies‘ share of the defense burden. This suggests that American pressure in the areas of trade and the defense burden will soon become a reality.

Trump may see North Korea as the greatest threat to the US

On Feb. 28, CNN quoted a senior official in the US government as saying that US President Donald Trump regards North Korea and the North Korean nuclear issue as the greatest threat facing the US. CNN also quoted the official as saying that Trump had told a senior Chinese official on Feb. 27 that China needed to make an effort to resolve the North Korean issue. During a brief meeting on Feb. 27 with Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi, who was visiting the US, Trump apparently emphasized China’s role once again.

Village residents says they‘ve been “been cast aside as a sacrifice on the altar of security”

Lee Jong-hee pointed at police officers blocking the road in front of Jinbat Bridge in Sosung, a village in the Chojeon township of North Gyeongsang Province’s Seongju County and said, “In Chojeon, there’s no state, no ruler. Chojeon has just been cast aside as a sacrifice on the altar of security. Look at those police over there.”

On Independence Day holiday, voices supporting comfort women rise across the country

“As the one who sold out the grandmothers [comfort women survivors], Minister of Foreign Affairs Yun Byung-se needs to resign.”

“The pro-Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which called for the relocation of the [comfort women] statue, should get out,.”

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

U.S. complains about deficit and FTA with Korea

The U.S. Trade Representative has questioned the free trade agreement between the U.S. and South Korea, citing a dramatic increase in the trade deficit. But the Korean government said that doesn’t necessarily mean the Donald J. Trump administration is going to renegotiate the deal - especially since the U.S. trade agency has raised the same issue in the past.

Domestic consumption falls for third month

Domestic consumption fell for the third consecutive month as people bought fewer vehicles and cosmetics. It was the first three-month decline since the global financial meltdown of 2008.

According to Statistics Korea Thursday, domestic consumption dropped 2.2 percent in January compared to the previous month. It was the first time since December 2008 that the figure declined for three consecutive months.

Malaysia ends visa-free deal with the North

Malaysia ended visa-free entry for North Koreans traveling to the country on Thursday amid acute diplomatic strains between the countries following the assassination in Kuala Lumpur of Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half brother of the isolated regime’s leader.

Samsung creates central quality control office

Samsung Electronics has established a quality control office that will report directly to the company’s chief executive officer, part of efforts to boost safety standards after the smartphone maker’s embarrassing flub with the fire-prone Galaxy Note7 last year.

U.S., Korea finance chiefs agree on stronger ties

Korea’s finance minister and the U.S. Treasury secretary, in their first conversation since the Trump administration took office this year, agreed to strengthen economic cooperation between their countries.

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

Yellow Ribbon vs. The Stars and Stripes

On the afternoon of March 1, the 98th anniversary of the March First Movement, extreme tension filled the Sejongno crossroad near Gwanghwamun, Seoul. South of the crossroad, people took part in the candlelight demonstration calling for the Constitutional Court to ratify the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye. To the north, people took part in a demonstration against the impeachment. Both sides had warned that they would put forth their utmost effort in the demonstrations this day.

Does Hwang Have the Right to Make a Commemorative Speech on March 1 before the Comfort Women Victims

Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn spent a third of his speech in commemoration of the March First Movement stressing pressure and sanctions on North Korea, while mentioning the comfort women victims in the Japanese military in only two sentences.

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.

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

Statistical Illusion Caused by Single Income Households

Single-income households account now for 25.5 percent of Korea’s total households last year. In the government’s various statistics, however, single-income households, in general, are not covered well. A good example of this case is the household trend statistics issued by the National Statistics Office.

Daewoo Shipbuilding Wins Its First Order This Year

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, for which rumors of “April crisis” are spreading due to its liquidity problem, received its first order this year. This order came in three months after the Korean shipyard won an order for an LNG-FSRU from a Greek owner in December 2016.

How Can Samsung Affiliates Make Massive Investment Independently Without Group Control Tower?

Curiosity is high about Samsung’s future management style as the group closes its control tower Future Strategy Office, making chief executives and boards of directors of the various Samsung affiliates set their own course going forward.

USTR Claims “U.S. Trade Deficits Surged Due to Korea-US FTA”

The Office of the United States Trade Representative claimed that the U.S. trade deficits jumped due to the free trade agreement between the United States and Korea, calling for major reviews of the agreement.

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.

Police engage in midnight highway chase with renegade cattle

It was one hour before midnight when a driver came across a herd of 13 renegade cows on the dead run through the rain on a highway. The shocked driver called the police and alerted them of the stampede.

Google unsure when LG's new smartphone will have Korean AI assistant

LG's G6 gained much attention from a few months before its release, since it was known to support Google's artificial intelligence assistant software. However, the US search giant is unsure when its assistant service would start supporting Korean.

Lotte's business homepages under suspected Chinese cyber attack

South Korea expressed concern at China's apparent trade retaliation over an advanced US missile shield Thursday as the homepage of Lotte's duty-free online store was down because of a suspected cyber attack.

Portal service Naver to cooperate with Sony to develop AI tech

South Korea's top search giant Naver and its Japanese subsidiary LINE will start a joint operation with Sony to develop artificial intelligence technology. The operation, called "Project J" and disclosed at the 2017 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, is designed to combine Sony's smart devices and LINE's artificial intelligence (AI) platform.

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

China boycotts against Lotte in retaliation of land swap for THAAD

China’s outright boycott against Lotte Group has begun immediately after the Korean conglomerate signed a land swap deal with the South Korean government for the installation of U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) antimissile battery on Tuesday.

S. Korea’s January factory output up, but consumption down for 3 straight mns

South Korea’s January industrial activity picked up by the fastest pace in nine months, led by brisk exports in semiconductors, but retail sales shrank for three straight months for the first time since the 2007-2008 global financial crisis, government data showed on Thursday.

DSME wins $363.3 mn LNG carrier construction order

South Korea’s financially-troubled Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. (DSME) that is under pressure to repay debts maturing in April secured a new shipbuilding order worth 414.4 billion won ($363.3 million) in three months after it won another vessel order in December.

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.

Cheil Worldwide takes over Pricing Solutions

South Korea’s leading advertising agency Cheil Worldwide Inc. took over Canada-based pricing strategy consulting firm Pricing Solutions Ltd. (PSL) in a move to meet growing demand for business-to-business (B2B) marketing in the world. The financial terms for the deal were not disclosed.

The Korea Post

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Publisher-Chairman Lee Kyung-sik

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