The Korean daily media headlines and humor

The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Tuesday, March 7, 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

Time is running out and there are only a month to the impressive Tour of the Yeongam Wangin Culture Festival.

This year again, Mayor and Mrs. Jeon Dong-pyung of Yeongam County of Jeollanam-do Province are hosting the impressive Yeongam Wangin Culture Festival on April 6-7, 2017, and invite ambassadors and madams to attend the opening ceremony and enjoy various interesting events of the Festival in a one-night, two-day tour.

The Festival was designated as the Most Promising Culture & Tourism Festival by the Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism for the third consecutive year.

(Please scroll down to the bottom additional information. For participation in this year's tour and inquiries, please directly contact the Publisher at 010-5201-1740 or email edt@koreapost.com.--Ed.)

Wangin Culture Festival parade in Yeongam County in the southern region.

It marks the visit of Dr. Wangin of the Baekje Dynasty to Japan transferring Hanja

(Chinese characters) to Japan for the first time in the history of Korea, Japan and China.

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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/)

S. Korea, US, Japan Call for Urgent UNSC Meeting over N. Korea's Missile Launch

South Korea, the U.S. and Japan have requested the UN Security Council(UNSC) to hold an urgent meeting to coordinate an international response to North Korea’s latest missile provocations.An official of the UNSC said on Monday that the three countries delivered their joint request to the current chair country of council, the U.K.

White House: THAAD to Counter N. Korea Threats

Following North Korea’s latest ballistic missiles provocations, the White House is highlighting the need for deploying the U.S. THAAD battery in South Korea.[Sound bite: White House Spokesman Sean Spicer]"The Trump administration is taking steps to enhance our ability to defend against North Korea's ballistic missiles such as through the deployment of a THAAD battery to South Korea."

Top Diplomats Discuss N. Korean Missile Launch

South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se has discussed ways to respond to North Korea’s missile launches on Monday with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida over the phone.A Foreign Ministry official in Seoul said that Monday’s phone conversation came at Kishida’s request after the North fired four ballistic missiles into the East Sea earlier in the day.

S. Korea, U.S. Security Advisers Hold Phone Talks

National Security Adviser Kim Kwan-jin and his U.S. counterpart Herbert McMaster held telephone talks to discuss North Korea's latest ballistic missile launch. The South Korean presidential office revealed that the two sides held a telephone consultation Monday morning and agreed to boost cooperation to deal with the North.

Acting President Vows Swift THAAD Deployment

Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn strongly condemned North Korea's ballistic missile launch on Monday. Hwang said Seoul will complete THAAD deployment as soon as possible and pursue ways to strengthen Washington's extended deterrence.Our Kim In-kyung has more.

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

N. Korea says missile launch targeted U.S. bases in Japan

One day after North Korea fired four ballistic missiles, its state-run news agency said Tuesday the country has conducted a missile launch exercise targeting U.S. military bases in Japan.

After opening loss, S. Korea faced with number-crunching reality

After suffering a lethargic 2-1 loss to Israel to start the World Baseball Classic (WBC) Monday, South Korea is faced with a distinct number-crunching reality just to survive the first round.South Korea will next face the Netherlands later Tuesday and Chinese Taipei on Thursday in Pool A play at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. Only the top two nations will get to play the second round in Tokyo.

S. Korea, U.S., Japan request emergency meeting of U.N. Security Council over N.K. missile launches

South Korea, the United States and Japan requested an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council to discuss North Korea's latest missile launches, officials said Monday.

The council is likely to hold a meeting on Wednesday after British Ambassador Matthew Rycroft returns from a trip, officials said.

White House reaffirms THAAD deployment in S. Korea

The United States is working to deploy the THAAD missile defense system to defend better against missile threats from North Korea, the White House said Monday.White House press secretary Sean Spicer made the remark during a press gaggle with reporters, a day after the North fired four ballistic missiles in its second such launches since President Donald Trump took office.

N. Korean launches could have involved more than four missiles: Pentagon

North Korea's latest missile launches could have involved more missiles than the four known, but the communist nation did not attempt to carry out a threatened test of an intercontinental ballistic missile, the Pentagon said Monday.

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

Korea drops to Israel in WBC opener

No. 9 hitter Scott Burcham broke the 1-1 tie in the top of the 10th inning with an infield single, stunning some 15,500 fans at Gocheok Sky Dome.The dome will host all first round games in Pool A. South Korea will next face the Netherlands at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, and then Chinese Taipei at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

NK fires 4 ballistic missiles

North Korea launched four ballistic missiles into the Eastern Sea on Monday, Seoul’s military said, in an apparent show of force against ongoing annual South Korea-US military exercises.

The missiles lifted off at 7:34 a.m. from the North’s Dongchang-ri launch site and flew at least 1,000 kilometers, according to Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Japanese government said three of the projectiles fell in the country’s exclusive economic zone, as close as 300 kilometers to its northwestern shore.

Counsel finds Park colluded in bribery, artists blacklist

The independent counsel Monday said that President Park Geun-hye received bribes from Samsung Group in a scheme involving nonprofit foundations set up by her longtime friend Choi Soon-sil. “Park, in collusion with Choi, received bribes and illicit solicitation for her support of Samsung Group heir Lee Jae-yong’s succession process,” special counsel Park Young-soo told a news conference to announce the results of his investigation.

Haebangchon: Home to artists, once a refuge for the displaced

Navigating through the Haebangchon neighborhood of Yongsan can be a challenge. Houses are perched on steep hills. Cars squeeze past labyrinthine roads while pedestrians walk dangerously close to the traffic. It’s an inconvenient neighborhood in many ways, and hard to reach by public transportation.

Democratic Party jockeys for presidential race

President Park Geun-hye’s fate is still up in the air, but the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea is wasting no time in its preparation for the next presidential election. Four presidential contenders of the liberal party squared off at the party’s primary debate Monday, trying to prove their eligibility to become the nation’s next leader.

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

Park, Choi colluded to receive bribes from Samsung: special prosecutor

President Park Geun-hye conspired with her friend Choi Soon-sil to receive bribes from Samsung Group, the independent counsel team stated Monday.Its investigation outcome is expected to deal a serious political blow to President Park, who is awaiting the Constitutional Court's decision on her impeachment.

North Korea orders expulsion of Malaysian ambassador in diplomatic retaliation linked to Kim Jong-nam's death

North Korea said on Monday it has designated the Malaysian ambassador to the country as a "persona non grata," demanding the envoy leave the country within 48 hours from 10 a.m. on Sunday, its official KCNA news agencysaid.

North Korea fires 4 ballistic missiles

North Korea fired four ballistic missiles into the East Sea, Monday, in an apparent protest against South Korea and the United States' ongoing joint military exercise, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

China intensifies retaliatory measures

China is continuing to increase its retaliatory measures against Korea to show its discontent with the planned deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) here, officials said Monday.

Trump to force N. Korea to choose: nukes or survival

It is clear that the advent of the Trump administration will have a substantial impact on Asia and the Korean peninsula. Above all, Washington's perceived new pro-Russia and anti-China policies will introduce a geopolitical shift in Asia.

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

‘N. Korea is a new level of threat,’ says Japanese PM

Japan is being infuriated by North Korea’s launch of ballistic missiles that landed in Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) again. This was not the first time that North Korea fired missiles into sea near Japan. North Korea launched missiles into Japanese EEZ in August and September last year.

LG's new G6 tops 40,000 in pre-order sales in just four days

Pre-order volume of LG Electronics' flagship strategic smartphone G6 has topped 40,000 units between March 2 and March 5.LG touts that the popularity of its new phone comes as consumers were able to directly experience its usability and design through pre-sale experience groups and booths.

Acting President Hwang calls NSC at base bunker

Upon the launch of a ballistic missile by North Korea on Monday, South Korea’s Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn convened an emergency Standing Committee of the National Security Council (NSC). The venue was the situation room for management of national crisis, also known as the “Base Bunker.” This marks the first time that Hwang has presided over the NSC at the bunker under the presidential office since he assumed the role of acting presidency.

Dora Observatory to be relocated in June next year

The city government of Paju in Gyeonggi Province announced on Monday that it will build a new observatory in June next year to replace the old Dora Observatory. The land for the new observatory is the peak of Mt. Dora (167 meters), 207 meters northeastern from the current location. Closer to the north by 11 meters and higher in altitude by 12 meters, the new spot is expected to provide a clearer view into the northern areas.

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

Gov't Boosts Reward for Intelligence from N.Korean Defectors

The government is quadrupling the reward for North Korean defectors who come to South Korea with valuable intelligence or other crucial assets to W1 billion (US$1=W1,158). The last time the government increased the money was back in 1997.

Missing Taiwanese Woman Found in Korean Jail

A 19-year-old Taiwanese university student who was reported missing last month has turned up in Korean jail, where she awaits trial for her part in a telecom scam.

Chiang Yun-yi left Taiwan on Feb. 14, telling her parents that she had found work in Korea and later called to say she had arrived safely. But then she disappeared from the radar, prompting her parents to file a missing person's report with Taiwanese police on Feb. 25

Independent Counsel to Announce Investigation Results

The independent counsel is to announce on Monday afternoon the results of his three-month investigation into the massive corruption scandal that has brought down President Park Geun-hye.

The probe officially came to end last week after acting president Hwang Kyo-ahn refused to grant an extension of the probe.The announcement will cover details of Park's involvement after the counsel on Feb. 28, the last day of the investigation, officially named Park as a suspect and accomplice of her long-time friend Choi Soon-sil in a corruption racket.

Hyundai's Ioniq Hatchback Surpasses 30,000 Units in Global Sales

Hyundai has sold over 30,000 units of its eco-friendly Ioniq hatchback worldwide since its launch early last year, the carmaker said Sunday.

Hyundai sold a total of 31,165 Ioniqs as of the end of January. These comprised 24,350 units of the hybrid model, 6,797 of the electric model and 18 plug-in hybrids.

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

THAAD friction with China casts a chill over South Korea’s tourism industry

A cold wind is already blowing through the streets of Myeongdong, an area of Seoul popular with Chinese tourist, and China’s retaliatory measures against THAAD have not even taken effect. A crisis began to loom over the tourism industry at the end of last year, when China expressed its displeasure over South Korea‘s THAAD deployment decision, and the ban on selling travel packages to South Korea means that the industry is entering a spring without a spring.

Constitutional Court likely to rule on impeachment on Mar. 10

The Constitutional Court continued examining materials in the impeachment trial of President Park Geun-hye over the weekend as the clock counts down toward a ruling.

With many predicting a decision on Mar. 10, the court is expected to announce its ruling date sometime around Mar. 7.

85% feel Pres. Park should be further investigated even if impeachment is upheld

Over eight in ten South Koreans feel prosecutors should conduct a thorough follow-up investigation of President Park Geun-hye even if she leaves office with a Constitutional Court decision upholding her impeachment, a survey shows.

Trump administration considering redeployment of tactical nuclear weapons

The US Donald Trump administration is reportedly considering the redeployment of tactical nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula, raising questions about the back story and the outcome of future discussions.If US Forces Korea does reintroduce tactical nuclear weapons, the return will come 26 years after their removal.

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

North provokes again with four missiles

North Korea fired four ballistic missiles off its eastern coast Monday morning, according to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). Fired from the Tongchang-ri long-range missile launch site in North Pyongan Province at 7:36 a.m., the four projectiles reached an altitude of about 260 kilometers (162 miles) and flew 1,000 kilometers before splashing into the East Sea, said the JCS.

Indie counsel announces outcome of investigation

President Park Geun-hye is a suspect who received massive bribes from Samsung Group in collusion with her longtime friend, an independent counsel said Monday, unveiling a dozen other charges against her after a special investigation.

Beijing intensifies crackdown on Lotte’s stores

Lotte Group’s big supermarkets in China started falling like dominos Monday as China’s economic retaliation against Korea for accepting a U.S. antimissile system grows stronger every day.

Four Lotte Marts were shut down for alleged violations of fire regulations by Sunday. By 2 p.m. Monday, that figure more than tripled to 15. By 4 p.m., the number climbed to 23.

Gov’t bans imports of chicken, eggs from U.S.

Korea is banning imports of live fowl, raw chicken meat and fresh eggs from the United States after the U.S. confirmed a case of highly pathogenic H7 avian influenza (AI) at a commercial farm in Tennessee Sunday.

Shinhan names next card and securities CEOs

Shinhan Financial Group, Korea’s largest financial holding company in terms of assets, on Monday nominated two vice presidents, Lim Young-jin and Kim Hyung-jin, to each lead its subsidiaries Shinhan Card and Shinhan Investment.

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

President Park's "Week of Fate" Begins

Will she be dismissed or restored? The Constitutional Court's decision on the impeachment, which will determine the fate of President Park Geun-hye, is imminent. Many mention a possible announcement by the Constitutional Court on this coming March 10, but some also suggest March 9 or 13.

NIS Allegedly Had Eyes on Constitutional Court with the Impeachment Decision Approaching

SBS quoted the words of a former senior official at the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and reported that the intelligence agency had collected information related to the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye from the Constitutional Court since early this year.According to the report, a grade-4 senior NIS official who had long overseen the gathering of judiciary-related intelligence had monitored the Constitutional Court since January

Among the 13 Reasons for Impeachment, Forced Donations and Leaked Secrets Are Likely to Be Accepted

Eight justices of the Constitutional Court including Acting President Lee Jung-miand Kang Il-won, the lead judge in the impeachment trial, must reach a conclusion on whether to ratify or dismiss the impeachment by the end of next week. If the judges recognize just one of the thirteen reasons for the impeachment presented by the National Assembly, then the impeachment will be ratified.

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

Special Prosecutors Publish Investigation Report...President Received 30 Bil. Won Bribes from Samsung

The special prosecutors led by attorney Park Young-soo announced on March 6 that it found President Park Geun-hye received a total of 29.8 billion won (US$25.8 million) in bribes from Samsung Group by conspiring with her confidant Choi Soon-sil. The special prosecution released a 101-page report detailing wrongdoings of the suspects, saying, "The President and Choi received bribes in exchange for promises of helping Samsung's vice chairman Lee Jae-yong succeed his corporate leadership."

Commodities Rally Comes back in 8 Years

This year's international commodities market is expected to enjoy a boom first time in eight years since 2009. That's based on expectations that the global economy would recover and primary goods prices would bounce back which is causing investors to flock back to the commodities market.

China's Hongqi Aims to Revive Former Glory

Hongqi, China's oldest automobile brand, is set to revive its old glory. According to business media Caixin on March 6, FAW Group, which bought the Hongqi brand from FAW Car Ltd. Co. last year, has begun to establish a dealership network in 35 Chinese cities. The company will launch a new luxury sedan model "Hongqi H7" in the second half of this year, with a plan to introduce an SUV next year.

It Takes 11 Months for Japan's Chinese Tourist No. to Recover to Normal Level...Eugene Investment

Eugene Investment & Securities said on March 6 that it took 11 months for the number of Chinese tourists in Japan to recover to the previous high after the Chinese government ordered the country's travel agencies from selling package tour programs to Japan. The order was made in 2012 after China and Japan were mired in a dispute over the Diaoyudao Islands (Senkaku Islands in Japanese). Beginning in August of the same year when people started protesting against Japan in major Chinese cities, the number of Chinese visitors to Japan shrank 31.2 percent from November 2012 to April 2013.

OCI Won't Be Negatively Affected by THAAD Factor...KTB

KTB Investment & Securities commented on March 6 that there is a low possibility for OCI to be hit by the Chinese government's retaliation in response to Korea's decision to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system. The securities house added that the stock's decline on worries over THAAD would be an opportunity to buy while maintaining its rating at "buy" and the target price at 100,000 won.

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

N. Korea rattles sabres at US military bases in Japan

North Korea rattled sabres at the United States Tuesday, warning its missile unit has conducted an exercise aimed at wiping out US troops based in Japan with nuclear weapons.The threat came a day after North Korea fired several missiles into the sea amid high military tensions elevated by a major military exercise by US and South Korean troops.Three fell into Japan's exclusive economic zone after flying about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles).

Malaysian envoy ordered to leave N. Korea: Yonhap

North Korea said it has decided to expel the Malaysian ambassador to Pyongyang in a deepening row over the killing of the half-brother of the North's leader Kim Jong-un.The North's official KCNA news agency said Pyongyang designated the Malaysian envoy as "persona non grata" and ordered the envoy to leave the country within 48 hours from 10 a.m. on Sunday.

S. Korea policymakers desk warm after Lotte's call for help

South Korean policymakers desk warmed this week after Lotte, the country's fifth-largest conglomerate, called for government help to ride out a Chinese onslaught caused by the planned installment of an advanced US missile shield that soured ties between Asia's two major economies.

Confirmed wealth held by president's crony and relatives stands at $214 mln

The jailed crony of President Park Geun-hye and her relatives are suspected of holding confirmed personal wealth worth 214 million US dollars, investigators said Monday, suggesting there could be hidden assets amassed illegally.

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

Soured trade with China to cost 0.2% in Korean GDP, $4bn in corporate income

Damages from reduced trade in Korea’s biggest export market and increased business risks from soured relationship with China over deployment of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) would pare income of Korean listed companies by more than 5 trillion won ($4.3 billion) and the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 0.2 percent, studies showed.

Lotte in THAAD conundrum seeks govt help to save Chinese operation

South Korea’s Lotte Group officially called on the government to come to its aid to protect its operations in China and business from all-around bombardment from China after it finalized a deal to yield its location for the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) antimissile battery.

Goldman Sachs Korean chief confirms global investors still have solid trust in Korean market

Overseas enterprises are interested and eager in pursuit of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) opportunities in Korea regardless of the impeachment procedure on President Park Geun-hye, said David Chung, co-country head of Goldman Sachs Korea, the world’s biggest investment banker.

Korean legislative mulls easier refund and exchange for lemon cars

The South Korean government will compel easier exchange or refund for car defects from the second half of next year by revising the automobile control law in the wake of the emission and certification rigging scandal of Volkswagen.

Korea to stop importing eggs from U.S on bird flu outbreak

South Korea will stop importing eggs and poultry from the United States on confirmed outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza in an American chicken farm.The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on Monday that it will forbid importing all living fowls and birds including chicks and ducklings as well as fresh eggs from the U.S. upon report of an outbreak of highly pathogenic H7 avian influenza in a commercial chicken breeder flock of 73,500 birds in Tennessee, the U.S. The investigation over the N-subtype bird flu virus reportedly is under way.

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Invitation to Wangin Culture Festival on Thurs. 6 April 2017

To celebrate the birth and outstanding achievements of Wangin, the great scholar of the Baekje Dynasty, the Yeongam County has been hosting the Festival in April since 1992.

Born in the Yeongam County, Dr. Wangin went to Japan to teach scholastic knowledge and culture to the leaders of Japan including the Crown Prince at the time. Major programs of the Festival consist of an exhibition of artifacts and rituals related to Dr. Wangin, and performance of traditional folk arts, including spring rites, performance of folk music and dances, folk games, parades, shamanistic ritual, and fashion show of the Baekje costumes. The designation as the most promising culture and tourism festival for the third consecutive year is more significant as it was selected when screening processes got more rigorous in fiercer competition since 2015.

Ambassadors and leaders of the Yeongam County officially open the 2016

Yeongam Wangjin Baksa Culture Festival.

Notably, the Festival demonstrated potential of evolving into a global event as it has been visited by ambassadors and senior diplomats of many foreign embassies in Korea, including Russia and Poland, as well as delegations from Hirakata and Kanzaki, Japan. In addition, the Festival largely expanded programs that can easily be participated in and enjoyed by tourists and regional residents.

For example, a musical entitled, ‘Scholar Wangin Leaves for Japan,’ enhanced the degree of enjoyment and understanding by the tourists through re-enactment activities of Dr. Wangin who helped Japan create and flourish the Asuka Culture.

The musical provided over 1,000 local residents and foreign tourists with excitement and invited them to join the subsequent street parade. Moreover, colorful folk games and programs aroused strong interest among international visitors, evaluating the event as a premium and safe festival.

Mayor and Mrs. Jeon Dong-pyung of Yeongam County (seventh and eights from left,

front row, respectively) pose with Amb. and Mrs. Majka of Poland on their right and

other ambassadors and spouses visiting Yeongnam County .

Invitation to YeongamWangin Culture Festival on April 6-7

I am pleased to inform Your Excellency that Mayor Jeon Dong-pyung of the Yeongam County, near Gwangju, invites Your Excellency to attend the Opening Ceremony of the 2017 Wangin Culture Festival on Thursday-Friday April 6-7, 2017, and tour the historical and cultural sights in the area. Asiana Airlines will be used on the way to and from Yeongam.

Please visit:

http://www.koreapost.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=2559

http://www.koreapost.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=19568

Noted Korean scholar of the Baekje Dynasty of Korea, WanginBaksa, visited Japan at the invitation of Emperor Ojin of Japan (15th Monarch of Japan) in the 17th Year of King Asin of Baekje (AD 392 to 405), and spread in Japan the Confucian Classic (including Chinese characters), Calligraphy, Blacksmith, Pottery, Weaving and various other forms of art and craftsmanship. This year marks the 51st anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan and it is all the more meaningful to host the WanginBaekje Culture Festival. The schedule:

DAY ONE:1310 hours, Thurs. 6 April 2017: Meet at Youngsan Station

1335-1523 hours: Move from Seoul to the Gwagjusongjeong Station.

1523-1623 hours: Move from Gwagjusongjeong Station to Yeongam Country by bus.

1623-1800 hours: Welcome dinner hosted by Mayor and Mrs. Jeon

1830-1930 hours: Attend Opening Ceremony

1930 hours: Check in at the Mokpo Hyundai Hotel for the night.

DAY TWO: 0800-0900 hours breakfast at the hotel.

1000-1030 hours:Wangin Art Festival.

1030-1200 hours: Tour Dogap-sa Buddhist Temple.

1200-1330 hours: Luncheon.

1330-1500 hours: Tour GichanLand.

1500-1702 hours: Move from Yeongam to Gwangju.