The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Wednesday, March 8, 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 less than 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 for additional information. For participation in the 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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Humor from a kind-hearted former ambassador from a Middle East Country

Again, we have humor contribution from one of the Middle East country ambassadors.

Thank you, Excellency, we will share them with your former and incumbent colleagues:

A hot girl

A couple sees a hot girl.
Wife: So big, aren't they?
Husband: Yes.
Wife: Are they artificial?
Husband: I think natural.
Wife: Ear-rings are natural?
Total silence.

A joking store clerk (please present your opinion)

A woman walks into an upscale departmental store. She looks around, spots a beautiful diamond bracelet and walks over to inspect it.

As she bends over to look more closely, she unexpectedly farts.

Very embarrassed, she looks around nervously to see if anyone noticed her little woops and prays that a sales person was not anywhere near.

As she turns around, her worst nightmare materializes in the form of a salesman standing right behind her: Good looking as well as cool as a cucumber, he displays all of the qualities one would expect of a professional in a store like Harrods.

He politely greets the lady with, ‘Good day, Madam. How may we help you today?'

Blushing and uncomfortable, but still hoping that the salesman somehow missed her little ‘incident', she asks, 'what is the price of this lovely bracelet?'

He answers, "Madam, if you farted just looking at it you're going to shit when I tell you the price!"

(Please advise us of your opinion of the attitude of the salesman by leaving a note at edt@koreapost.com.—Ed.)

Intelligent Husband
Wife was busy in packing her clothes.
Husband: Where are you going ?
Wife: I'm moving to my mother.
Husband also starts packing his clothes.
Wife: Now where are you going ?
Husband: I'm also moving to my mother.
Wife: And what about the kids ?
Husband: Well I guess ... If you are moving to your mother and I'm moving to my mother ... They should move to their mother.
Clothes unpacked.

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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/)

US Urges China to Respect Defense Concern behind THAAD Decision

The U.S. is urging China to respect the national security interests of South Korea behind its decision to deploy U.S. THAAD battery on the peninsula. During a news conference on Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer addressed the U.S.' shipment of the antimissile launchers to South Korea and ensuing opposition from China.

US Slaps Record Fines on China's ZTE for Exports to N. Korea, Iran

The U.S. government has slapped a record amount of fines on China’s telecommunication giant ZTE for violating U.S. sanctions against North Korea and Iran. The U.S. Justice, Treasury and Commerce departments said Tuesday that one-point-19-billion U.S. dollars of fines were imposed on ZTE for selling U.S.-made electronic goods to Iran and the North.

Overseas Koreans Win KBS Global Korean Award

The Korean Broadcasting System(KBS) has recognized film director Park Soo-nam and four other Koreans living overseas with its annual award honoring their contributions to humanity. The public broadcaster on Tuesday bestowed the 19th KBS Global Korean Award to five people.

KCDC: AI Poses Little Transmission Risks to Humans

A recent animal test shows that avian influenza poses little transmission risks to humans. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that the level of infectiousness was found to be very low in a lab test on a weasel, which was artificially infected with the H5N6 avian influenza virus separated from domestic poultry birds. The agency added that transmissions among weasels were also rarely observed.

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

Funds run by asset management firms reach record high in 2016

Asset management firms in South Korea reaped record profits last year, as investors poured money into private equity funds amid low interest rates, data showed Wednesday Assets controlled by 165 management companies reached 907 trillion won (US$788 billion) as of the end of 2016, up 10.8 percent from the previous year, according to the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS). It marks the first time that the total exceeded the 900 trillion won mark.

Reshoring could be answer to high unemployment in S. Korea

Reshoring may be just what South Korea needs to deal with its high unemployment rate, especially for the youth, a report said Wednesday, urging additional government efforts to bring back South Korean firms that have gone offshore. According to the report from the Korea Economic Research Institute (KERI), 11,953 South Korean companies had gone offshore as of June 2016, employing a combined total of nearly 3.4 million people in their host countries.

(WBC) Jewish-American slugger hoping for baseball's expansion in Israel

Jewish-American slugger Ike Davis is hoping baseball will grow further in Israel, as the country is putting together a Cinderella run at the ongoing World Baseball Classic (WBC).

Israel has won both of its Pool A games so far in the first round under way at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. It squeezed past South Korea 2-1 in 10 innings Monday and then pounded Chinese Taipei 15-7 less than 24 hours later.

Elementary students' adult video consumption rate doubled: survey

The rate of elementary students exposed to pornography and other adult video content has more than doubled in the past few years, with Internet portals named as the primary channel, a government survey showed Wednesday.

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. The drill was conducted by Hwasong artillery units of its Strategic Force of the Korean People's Army, "tasked to strike the bases of the U.S. imperialist aggression forces in Japan," the Korean Central News Agency (KNCA) said.

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

Seoul mulls taking China to WTO over THAAD retribution

The Korean government is contemplating filing a petition with the World Trade Organization over China‘s recent moves allegedly aimed to damage Korean businesses, following Seoul’s decision to bring a US anti-missile system here.

BAT seals CBA negotiation with labor union

Global tobacco company British American Tobacco Korea has signed a collective bargaining agreement with its Sacheon factory’s labor union, agreeing to bolster cooperative relations, the company said Tuesday. The negotiation was finalized in February.

Samsung Electronics Q1 operating profit likely to jump 30%

Samsung Electronics Co. is expected to report a 30-percent jump in its first-quarter operating profit as strong sales of semiconductors continue to drive earnings, market data showed Wednesday. According to a survey of earnings forecasts by market tracker FnGuide, Samsung is likely to post an operating profit of 8.7 trillion won ($7.5 billion) for the January-March quarter, up 30.6 percent from the same quarter last year.

IAK St. Patrick’s Day fest invites Seoulites to ‘be Irish for a day’

The Irish Association of Korea will be filling the amphitheater in Seoul’s D-Cube City plaza with Celtic sounds to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 18. It’s an opportunity for Seoulites to hear some traditional Irish instruments and watch some dancing, and is a family friendly way of celebrating the day before evening celebrations in bars and pubs.

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

Hwang, Trump agree to strengthen deterrence against N.Korea

Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn and U.S. President Donald Trump have reaffirmed the need to strengthen the allies' defense posture against North Korea, according to the government, Tuesday. Hwang and Trump spoke over the phone that day and condemned the North's ballistic missile launches, Monday.

Eight of 10 Koreans back jail for Park Geun-hye

Eight out of 10 South Koreans believe President Park Geun-hye should go to jail if she is removed from power through the Constitutional Court's ruling, which is likely this week, according to polls released Tuesday. A Korea Society Opinion Institute poll conducted on March 3-4 showed that 78.2 percent of 1,015 respondents supported imprisonment.

Only 18.2 percent said Park should not be detained as a courtesy to a former president. The remaining 3.6 percent declined to answer.

Kim Chong-in vows to quit DPK

Rep. Kim Chong-in, former interim leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), vowed to leave the party Tuesday following conflict with the mainstream faction tied to Moon Jae-in, the leading presidential contender. "I will announce soon when I will leave. I'm thinking about what to do after the court's ruling on the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye," Kim told reporters.

KEPCO emerging as potential buyer for Westinghouse

The Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) has emerged as a potential buyer for the debt-ridden Westinghouse Electric Corp. as Mitsubishi, GE and other possible bidders have expressed disinterest in the American nuclear firm. Last month, Japanese electronics firm, Toshiba, announced a plan to dispose of Westinghouse, which it acquired in 2006 for $5.4 billion, to raise much-needed fresh funds to prop up its deteriorating financial health. The company also said it will sell a 60 percent stake in a consortium, NuGen, which plans to build a nuclear plant in Britain.

Banks worry over China's THAAD retaliation

Domestic banks are paying keen attention to China's retaliation over Korea's decision to deploy a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), amid growing fears that Beijing's responses may affect their business. According to sources Tuesday, five domestic banks ― KEB Hana, Shinhan, Standard Chartered Korea, the Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) and Woori ― have payment guarantees extended to Lotte's affiliates in China. The amount reportedly surpasses 328 billion won ($285.8 million).

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Dong A Ilbo (http://english.donga.com)

North Korea says it planned to bomb U.S. bases in Japan

North Korea admitted on Tuesday that its launch of four missiles on Monday was a practice to hit U.S. bases in Japan. In separate phone talks with South Korea’s Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, U.S. President Donald Trump said, "His administration is taking to enhance our ability to deter and defend against North Korea's ballistic missiles using the full range of United States military capabilities."

Japan aims to beef up its missile defense capabilities

Against the backdrop of a series of provocations by North Korea and deployment of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea, the Japanese government is expected to expedite its review on deployment of the THAAD system in Japan. North Korea’s ballistic missile fell in waters as part of Japan’s exclusive economic zone on Monday again after North Korea’s missile reached Japan’s EEZ in September.

Incheon Airport ranks 1st in service for 12 consecutive years

Incheon International Airport has taken the top spot in airport service quality in the world, staying atop for 12 consecutive years.

According to Incheon International Airport Corporation on Tuesday, the Airport Council International conducted a survey on customer satisfaction in service and facility operation last year among users of airports around the world.

Samsung expected to invest 12.5 bil. dollars in chips this year

Samsung Electronics’ capital expenditure on semiconductors this year is expected is reach 12.5 billion dollars, a market research firm said on Tuesday. According to the U.S. research firm IC Insights on Tuesday, Samsung Electronics’ capital expenditure on semiconductors this year is expected to be 11 percent higher than last year’s. Last year, the South Korean tech giant had made an investment of 11.3 billion U.S. dollars for capital expenditure, and the memory to system LSI ratio was 8 to 2. Samsung is slated to complete its plant in Pyeongtaek with the aim of mass producing V-NAND flash memory from the middle of this year.

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

THAAD Battery Arrives in Korea

A controversial Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense of THAAD battery has arrived in Korea from the U.S. sooner than expected in a bid to preempt a change of heart by the next government here. The arrival of the battery and handover of the necessary land in southern Korea practically ensures the completion of the deployment before the next election, even if President Park Geun-hye is removed from office next week.

More Lotte Marts in China Forced to Close Amid THAAD Row

Lotte Group is bearing the brunt of suspected Chinese wrath at Korea's decision to let the U.S. station a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense battery here.

Some 23 Lotte Mart supermarkets in China have now been ordered to close after surprise health-and-safety inspections. Chinese authorities on Saturday ordered another four Lotte Mart stores in Liaoning Province to close citing fire hazards, while another 19 were ordered to shut down on Sunday and Monday.

Malaysian PM Hints at Severing Ties with N.Korea

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak hinted at the possibility of severing diplomatic ties with North Korea completely after it kicked out the North Korean ambassador over the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's half-brother, Kim Jong-nam.

Asked if it was possible that all ties with the rogue nation will be severed, Najib said Malaysia has to wait and see, according to the Star daily.

Samsung Chairman's Wife Quits Art Gallery Post

Hong Ra-hee, the wife of Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee, on Monday resigned from the top post at the Leeum Samsung Museum of Art.

Hong is stepping down for "personal reasons," the Samsung Foundation of Culture, which runs the museum, said in a statement. A source at the foundation said the move is not due to health reasons.

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

North Korea may be gauging Trump administration’s response with launch of four missiles

US, China and Japan all voice condemnation of missile launch that comes during S. Korea-US military exercises. North Korea launched four missiles in succession on Mar. 6, once again announcing an end to its hiatus on missile launches since late 2016. North Korea had not launched any missiles since a Musudan on Oct. 20 of last year. The break was a relatively long one when contrasted with the one to four missiles launched every month earlier last year. The period lasted from the final stages of the US presidential election until just after the inauguration of the Donald Trump administration. Pyongyang may have waited to see the new US administration’s process of re-examining its North Korea policy.

The origins of S. Korean government’s tepid response to China on THAAD

Seoul is saying that South Korea must maintain dignity and ask questions to get to the bottom of the situation

They‘ve never officially come out and said it’s because of THAAD. They’ve put a halt to travel to South Korea, but we need to review whether that was the verbal order of an individual at the China National Tourism Administration or whether it’s an official government policy. If we respond too hastily, it could backfire on us. If the conflict between the two countries intensifies, we might be the losers.

Samsung Electronics’ stock closes at over 2 million won for the first time

Stock price apparently boosted by by improved performance in the first quarter and by expectations about the Galaxy S8 smartphone

Samsung Electronics’ stock has broken the 2 million won barrier. On Mar. 6, trading on the stock market ended with Samsung Electronics up 1.16% (23,000) to 2,004,000 won (US$1,735).

Pres. Park a suspect in demand and receiving bribes from Samsung

Investigative team announces final findings, that Park conspired with Choi Sun-sil. The investigative team of Special Prosecutor Park Young-soo announced on Mar. 6 that President Park Geun-hye is a suspect in conspiring with Choi Sun-sil to accept 43.3 billion won (US$37.5 million) in bribes from Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong. The next question is what effects the announcement will have on the Constitutional Court‘s decision in Park Geun-hye’s impeachment trial, which is expected to come around Mar. 10.

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

Thaad deployment begins months early

The first components of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) antimissile system, including two launch pads, were flown into Korea on Monday night. The deployment is months earlier than expected. Seoul’s official stance was that the system would be deployed and operated by the end of this year, though local media speculated the process could start as early as June.

Korea could go to WTO over China’s retaliations

The government and ruling party agreed Tuesday to consider complaining to the World Trade Organization (WTO) about China’s economic retaliations against Korea over its deployment of a U.S.-led antimissile system. Ranking members of the ruling Liberty Korea Party and senior foreign affairs and security officials, including Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and Vice Defense Minister Hwang In-moo, took part in a meeting about how to respond to Beijing’s retaliations for the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) battery in Korea.

Pyongyang, KL bar exit of each other’s people

North Korea on Tuesday banned Malaysians from leaving the country, a move that dramatically escalated the bitter diplomatic battle over the death of the North Korean leader’s half brother. Malaysia likened the ban to hostage-taking and responded in kind, closing its borders to North Koreans who want to leave. The tit-for-tat directives came as relations between the two countries disintegrate over the poisoning of Kim Jong-nam in a crowded airport terminal in Kuala Lumpur on Feb. 13.

Top Trump trade adviser criticizes Samsung, LG

A top trade adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday accused Korea’s largest electronics companies of unfair trade practices that hurt American companies. Speaking at an economic policy conference, Peter Navarro, head of the White House National Trade Council, said Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics have engaged in “country hopping” by moving manufacturing bases to evade antidumping tariffs.

Shinhan CEO eyes digital, global expansion

The new CEO of Shinhan Bank, the country’s largest bank by net profit, pledged to advance digital services and global expansion on Tuesday as the banking industry faces stiff competition on its home turf. Wi Sung-ho, former chief executive of Shinhan Card, is aiming to increase the proportion of overseas business to 20 percent from the current 12 percent. In boosting its presence abroad, Shinhan will take a more proactive approach, he said.

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

NANTA Theater to Close Next Month Due to Drop in Chinese Tourists

The Chinese government is heightening its retaliation of South Korea's placement of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. China has already banned the broadcast of South Korean programs in China and has canceled a number of performances by South Korean artists. China is expanding its influence to the overall cultural circle continuing to ban exhibits and performances.

THAAD and North Korea: Presidential Candidates Put to the Test in Foreign Affairs and National Security

Difficult foreign affairs and national security issues are popping up with the nineteenth presidential election approaching: the placement of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system on the Korean Peninsula, China's economic retaliation in response to the missiles, and North Korea's missile launch. The U.S. Trump administration is seeking a policy on the Korean Peninsula by placing every possible option against North Korea on the table, fueling uncertainty.

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.

"SNU Graduates Connected to Shameful Incidents" "Remove Expectations of Privilege"

"SNU Graduates Connected to Shameful Incidents" "Remove Expectations of Privilege"

Seoul National University (SNU) President Sung Nak-in called for students to look inward as he said, "Recently, Seoul National University graduates have been in the news more for shameful acts."

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

U.S. National Trade Council Head Suddenly Engages in Korea Bashing

Peter Navarro, head of the White House National Trade Council, said on March 6, "LG and Samsung must stop engaging in 'country hopping' by which they try to evade anti-dumping tariffs by moving their manufacturing bases." Mr. Navarro is in charge of the Trump administration's trade policy. This is the first time for him to name Korean companies when talking about unfair trade practices.

Health Insurance Likely to Turn into Red from Next Year

A study said the nation's health insurance balance will turn into the red from next year unless something is done to reform the insurance premium collection and spending structure fundamentally. The government held a meeting on March 7 to discuss ways to improve the soundness of social insurance finances presided over by deputy finance minister Song Eon-seok and released data on the medium-term outlook for eight social insurance schemes until 2020.

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."

China Poised to Ease or Delay "New Energy Car Credit System"

The Chinese government is reviewing an idea of easing or delaying the introduction of the new energy car credit system, designed to promote the production of new energy vehicles.

Miao Wei, the Chinese Minister of Industry and Information Technology, said in his interview with Bloomberg, "We are now reviewing the idea of easing the system compared to its original draft or delaying the date of introduction." Back in September 2016, the ministry unveiled the draft of the new energy car system to collect public opinion about the scheme.

Insurance Firms Invest 120 Bil. Won in New York Building

A group of Korea's major insurance companies, including Samsung Life, KB Insurance, and KDB Life, invested 120 billion won in a high-end office building in New York. The nation's insurance companies are expanding their exposure to upscale office buildings in the United States as part of an effort to improve their return on investment and to extend the maturity of assets.

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

Trump takes lead in diplomatic game in Northeast Asia

A game of chicken appears to be emerging around the Korean peninsula over an advanced US missile shield, an expert said, as US President Donald Trump is under pressure to make a decision on what to do with North Korea's defiant push for ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons. Trump took the lead in the game of diplomacy in Northeast Asia by endorsing the quick deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea soon after North Korea launched ballistic missiles one after another into waters near Japan.

Why do foreign countries focus on African market?

Lee Jin-sang, a professor at the State University of New York Korea and also a renowned expert in Africa, talks about "African Rush", the economic movement of foreign countries advancing into Africa, with Wondwossen Kiflu Woldemichael, Ethiopia's former Deputy Minister of Education. The former deputy minister is studying for Ph.D. in Business and Technical Management at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

Man questioned for causing in-flight drunken mayhem

A 56-year-old South Korean man will be punished for causing a disturbance under the influence of alcohol during an international flight from China, police said. Police said the man, identified by his surname Kim, was accused of acting violently and shouting at flight attendants during a flight from Beijing to the southern city of Kimhae on Monday.

Malaysians taken virtual hostage in N. Korea in diplomatic row

A diplomatic tussle between Pyongyang and Kuala Lumpur escalated Tuesday after North Korea imposed a travel ban on Malaysians, effectively taking them hostage. Malaysia retaliated by dosing the same. Malaysians should stay in North Korea until it secures the safety of its diplomats and people in the Southeast Asian country, Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

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

Chinese investors cash out from Korean stocks in February amid THAAD tension

Chinese investors have been packing out of the Korean bourse by net selling 123 billion won ($107 million) worth in Korean stocks in February in a coincidentally synchronized move with Beijing’s heightened clampdown on the Korean enterprise for Seoul’s decision to install U.S. anti-missile system dubbed Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD). Chinese nationals who had net purchased 38 billion won in local shares in January cashed out last month, while other foreign investors net bought combined 658 billion won in Korean shares.

Samsung Elec, SK Hynix to up 11%, 16% in capex spending this year

South Korean memory chipmakers Samsung Electronics Co. and SK Hynix Inc. that are the world’s largest two players in the dynamic random access memory (DRAM) market will up capital investment by 11 percent and 16 percent, respectively this year, buoyed by recovery in prices of mainstream memory and heated demand for next-generation memory to power high-performance computing and mobile devices, according to global market data provider IC Insights.

Samsung Elec ranks 16th in the world in market cap

South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics Co.’s stock is valued at $241 billion as of March 3, 16th largest in global scale which is a huge jump from the 39th with $146.2 billion a year ago, according to the Korea Exchange on Tuesday. Its market cap grew by $94.8 billion in a year, outpacing Facebook Inc. ($84.5 billion), Alphabet Inc. ($83.9 billion), Microsoft Corp. ($82.4 billion) and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ($82 billion).

Emart to close 2 stores, 23 Lotte Mart stores shut down in China

Emart Inc., South Korea’s big-box store unit of Shinsegae Group, plans to shut down two outlets in Shanghai as a part of its phase-out from China while its peer Lotte Mart may be forced out of the world’s largest consumer market from economic punishment for yielding its land for U.S. antimissile system. Emart decided not to seek rent renewal for the outlet in the downtown area of Laoximen in Shanghai. It also will close another store in Shanghai within the year, company officials said.

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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.

(A slight change could occur to the schedule depending on the traffic situation of the day.)

Very Respectfully Yours

/s/

Lee Kyung-sik

Publisher-Chairman

RSVP:

Yes, I will attend______. Regrets:_______.

Mobile phone of Korean secretary____________________ or Driver______________________

The Korea Post phones numbers are: 010-3388-1682 (Korean) or 010-5201-1740 (English), or regular phones 2298-1740/2

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Sydney Morning Heraldwww.smh.com.au

Colombia Reports http://colombiareports.com

Bogota Free Planet http://bogotafreeplanet.combfp@bogotafreeplanet.com

El Universal http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/english

ANDES http://www.andes.info.ec/en

ECUADOR TIMES http://www.ecuadortimes.net

The Jordan Times https://www.jordantimes.com

LSM.lv http://www.lsm.lv/en

The Baltic Times http://www.baltictimes.com lithuania@baltictimes.com , estonia@baltictimes.com, editor@baltictimes.com

El Paishttp://elpais.com/elpais/inenglish.html

PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER https://www.inquirer.net

Daily News Hungary http://dailynewshungary.com

Budapest Times http://budapesttimes.hu

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