The Korean daily media headlines and humor
Wednesday, March 22, 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
Latest embassy video clips:-
Tunisian National Day reception: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKJwFCbwoCE
Indan Festival: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKJwFCbwoCE
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Invitation:
I hope Your Excellency and Madam will not miss the most interesting
The Gala Gaya Culture Festival of Gimhae City on Sunday April 9, 2017!
--Chairman Lee of The Korea Post media
Ambassadors and Madams are invited to the famed 2017 Grand Gaya Culture Festival of the Gimhae City on Sunday April 9, 2017.
As the suzerain state of six Gaya Kingdoms and royal capital of Geumgwan-Gaya founded in 42 A.D., Gimhae is the cradle of the Gaya culture. These small ancient states include Ara Gaya, Goryeong Gaya, Dae Gaya, Seongsan Gaya, Bihwa Gaya and Geumgwan Gaya, which formed a confederation dominated by Geumgwan Gaya. With a 500-year long history, Gaya Kingdoms created ingenious and brilliant pottery and ironware culture based on affluent iron products and outstanding iron-making technology. Taking geographical advantages, these Gaya Kingdoms actively traded with China, Japan and Nakrang as the center of international trade in Northeast Asia. Active international marine trade and exchange of these ancient states with foreign countries can be well explained by the international marriage between King Suro, the founding king of Geumgwan-Gaya, and Princess Heo Hwang-ok of Ayodhya Kingdom in India. (Scroll down to the bottom for more information and invitation.)
Royal procession of King Suro of the Gaya Kingdom.
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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/)
Park Leaves Prosecution after 21 Hours of Investigation
Former President Park Geun-hye has left the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office some 21 hours after she first appeared for the prosecution's questioning Tuesday morning. Park left the office at around 6:55 a.m. on Wednesday as the prosecution wrapped up its in-person investigation into 13 charges the impeached president is facing, including bribery, power abuse and leaks of classified information. The questioning ended shortly before midnight Wednesday. Her attorneys then spent about seven hours reviewing the transcribed responses of their client for possible corrections.
S. Korea's Tallest Building Lotte World Tower to Open Early Next Month
The fifth tallest building in the world is set to open in Seoul on April third. Lotte World Tower is easily the tallest building in South Korea, at 123 floors and 555 meters tall. The "Seoul Sky" attraction starting at the 117th floor is set to be the world’s third tallest observatory. The 118th floor sky deck will feature a glass floor from which nonacrophobic visitors can look straight down on the city of Seoul. The “Sky Shuttle” elevator holds twin records for the world's fastest double-deck elevator and the longest distance traveled by an elevator.
KOSPI Hits Five Year High
he benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index(KOSPI) on Tuesday rebounded to its highest in five years and eight months. The main index rose 21-point-37 points, or point-99 percent, to close at two-thousand-178-point-3, on the back of active buying by foreigners. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ inched up by point-62 point, or point-one percent, to close at 609-point-73. On the foreign exchange market, the value of the local currency fell point-two won against the U.S. dollar, closing at one-thousand-120-point-three won.
KOSPI Firms' Cash Dividends Hit New High
South Korean listed companies' dividend payouts surpassed the 20-trillion won threshold for the first time last year. The Korea Exchange announced Tuesday that 517 out of the 746 companies listed on the main Korea Composite Stock Price Index(KOSPI) market paid a combined total of 20-point-95 trillion won in 2016, or 18-point-seven billion dollars, in year-end cash dividends. That's up by nine-point-four percent from the previous year.
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Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
Ex-President Park heads back home after questioning over corruption scandal
Former President Park Geun-hye headed back home Wednesday after over 21 hours of questioning by the prosecution on a string of corruption allegations that removed her from office earlier this month.
Park began to undergo interrogation at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in southern Seoul early Tuesday morning as a suspect of various charges, including bribery, abuse of power, coercion and leaking government secrets.
Results of U.S. review of N. Korea policy to come 'sooner than later'
Results of the U.S. review of options to deal with North Korea will come out "sooner than later," a senior White House official said Tuesday. Christopher Ford, senior director for weapons of mass destruction and counterproliferation on the White House National Security Council, made the remark during a nuclear policy discussion, saying the North Korea problem "clearly needs a new look." "Past approaches to trying to contain that threat haven't worked as well as one would have liked them to work. So, you won't be surprised to learn that North Korea policy is, of course, subject to a broad review that does very explicitly look at the whole spectrum of possibilities," Ford said during the discussion organized by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
New N. Korea sanctions legislation introduced in U.S. House
U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce on Tuesday introduced fresh legislation tightening sanctions on North Korea, including banning any ships of countries violating U.N. sanctions on the North from U.S. waters or ports. The "Korea Interdiction and Modernization of Sanctions Act" (H.R. 1644) is designed to strengthen last year's North Korea sanctions law by adding new measures, including new U.N. Security Council resolutions that have been billed as the toughest-ever sanctions on Pyongyang.
Credit finance firms' net profits rise 16.5 pct in 2016
Earnings of South Korea's credit finance firms rose 16.5 percent last year from a year earlier, helped by a continuing rise in household and corporate lending, data showed Wednesday. The combined net income of 78 credit finance companies reached 1.54 trillion won (US$1.37 billion) in 2016, compared with 1.32 trillion won in the previous year, according to the data compiled by the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS).
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The Korea Herald (http://www.koreaherald.com)
Park receives bribery grilling
Former President Park Geun-hye, who made her long-delayed appearance at the prosecution Tuesday for face-to-face questioning, locked horns with investigators over the corruption allegations that led to her ouster from power earlier this month. The key target for both parties was Park’s liability for bribery, which constitutes the heaviest criminal penalty among the given charges and could therefore determine her arrest.
Top diplomat’s trip
For Seoul, US State Secretary Rex Tillerson’s first visit last week was significant in many aspects. He sent a strong message to North Korea on its nuclear program, issued open criticism for China’s economic retaliation against South Korea over THAAD, and helped defuse concerns about the bilateral ties under the Donald Trump administration. But his trip was overshadowed chiefly by controversy over the decision not to have a dinner meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se. Not because he skipped it, but because of how it was handled before and after.
Lotte skyscraper gets press viewing
Soaring 555 meters into the sky in southern Seoul, Lotte World Tower is a behemoth of a building filled with everything from high-end offices to serviced residences and an observation deck. South Korea’s tallest building was unveiled to the press Tuesday morning ahead of its grand opening to the public on April 3. The location for the building was chosen in December 1987, and construction began on the 4 trillion-won structure in 2010.
Samsung developing OLED without polarizer
Samsung Electronics unveiled several new display technologies at the private room during this year’s Mobile World Congress, including its development of OLED without polarizer, a source familiar with the matter said. “Samsung exhibited new technologies, including force touch, OLED (organic light-emitting diodes) without polarizer, VR (virtual reality) headsets with high resolution and blue-less OLED. They are expected to be launched within one to two years,” a source who attended the private room told The Korea Herald.
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The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
Korea ranks 6th in future preparedness
By Yoon Sung-won Korea received positive reviews in sustainability and preparedness for the future compared with all 34 member nations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), according to the Wake Up Foundation, Tuesday. In the foundation's annual assessment of the "2050 Index," Korea ranked sixth with 71.9 points overall following Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands. Japan and the United States were 14th and 23rd.
N. Korea focusing on ICBM reentry technology
North Korea will seek to show the United States its capability of striking a designated target on the American mainland in its next test of a ballistic missile, military officials and experts here said Tuesday.
Pyongyang is apparently preparing to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), and at stake is whether it has secured the necessary re-entry technology. Whether the North will prove this during the possible ICBM test will determine whether it poses a real threat to the United States.
US nuclear negotiator arrives in Seoul
The top U.S. negotiator of the six-party talks on North Korea's denuclearization arrived in Seoul, Monday, to coordinate policies on Pyongyang's nuclear threats, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
It said Joseph Yun, U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy, is scheduled to meet Kim Hong-kyun, his counterpart and special representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs, Wednesday.
Slip of finger unnerves Deutsche Securities
Deutsche Securities Korea is feared to face heavy fines from Korea's bourse operator, which is investigating the brokerage's fat-finger error from January. According to industry sources, the Korea Exchange (KRX) is set to hold a market oversight committee this Friday to discuss measures against the German financial giant's Korean subsidiary over the cancellation of its massive transaction of Samsung Electronics shares.
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DongA Ilbo (http://english.donga.com)
Korean-American female officer is in charge of THAAD unit in U.S.
It has been reported that a Korean-American female officer is currently operating one of the four Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) batteries stationed in Fort Bliss, Texas. The news has stirred quite a buzz because a Korean descendant in the U.S. is in charge of THAAD, which is one of U.S core military weapons and serves in the forefront of the U.S. missile defense system. According to the United States Forces in Korea on Tuesday, Kang Mi-seon is serving as a battery commander for the 2nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment (THAAD unit) of the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade of U.S. Army.
Bill Gates ranked the richest man for 4 consecutive years
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has kept his seat as the world’s richest man for four consecutive years. Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee saw his ranking jump from 112th last year to 68th due to Samsung Electronics’ soaring share price. Forbes' 2017-edition of the world's billionaires has been released on Monday. According to the list, Bill Gates increased his fortune to 86 billion U.S. dollars, an increase of 11 billion dollars year-on-year, maintaining his title as the world’s richest man. He has ranked atop 18 times for the past 23 years.
Park Byung-ho hits successive homers off ace pitchers
Minnesota Twins' Park Byung-ho has had a string of hits day after day. He is displaying stellar performance anew like the 2014-2015 season when he had 50 homers the South Korean baseball league. It is amazing to see how significantly a player can change over a one-year period. Park has become the hottest player in the Minnesota Twins’ spring camp. Having hit his fourth homer in exhibition games, Park has elevated his chance to join his team’s 25-member roster for the season’s opener.
'Korean pianists excel in technique and interpretation,' says veteran pianist
At the "13th Seoul International Music Competition Presented by LG," many young pianists hoping to become the next Cho Seong-jin are enthusiastically competing. From the first round started on March 14, participants have to compete at the second and semi-finals, the finals to be held on March 25 and 26. Polish pianist Katarzyna Popowa-Zydroń will be the referee at this year's competition. The Dong-A Ilbo met the veteran pianist in Seoul who is intimately connected to Cho Seong-jin.
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Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)
Southeast Asian Tourists to Take up Slack from Chinese Tour Ban
Tourists from Southeast Asia and Japan are gradually taking up some of the slack after a Chinese boycott and ban on "zero-dollar" package tours left many of Korea's top shopping districts empty. Some 1,154 employees of an Indonesian cosmetics retailer came to Korea last month on a bonus trip, followed last week by around 100 staff of a consumer products retailer from the same country. One staffer at the company said, "Our staff strongly supported Korea as the destination of their incentive tour. They're interested in Korean pop culture, and economic ties between Korea and Indonesia are growing closer as well."
Korea Ranks 56th in World Happiness Report
Korea ranked 56th out of 155 countries taking part in the latest World Happiness Report published by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network on Monday. Korea placed 47th in 2015 and dropped to 58th last year. According to the report, Norway topped the list this year, up from fourth last year, while Denmark dropped to second place from the top spot. Next came Iceland, followed by Switzerland, Finland, the Netherlands, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Sweden.
Seoul Resumes Repatriation of Chinese Soldiers' Remains
The Defense Ministry on Monday hosted a ceremonial sendoff for the remains of 28 Chinese soldiers killed during the Korean War at a temporary morgue in Incheon. The South Korean government decided to continue repatriating the remains of Chinese soldiers, who fought on the side of North Korea in the 1950-53 war, despite bilateral tensions over Seoul's decision to let the U.S. deploy a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense battery here.
Over 4 Million Koreans Work Part-Time
More than 4 million Koreans now work part-time jobs at less than 36 hours a week, according to Statistics Korea on Monday. As of February there were 4.03 million part-time workers, up 6.2 percent from the same month last year. Their proportion in the country's total workforce also increased from 14.9 percent to 15.7 percent over the same period. The number of people who work more than 36 hours a week rose only 0.9 percent. The vast majority of part-time workers are in temporary employment.
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HanKyoRehShinmoon (http://english.hani.co.kr)
In diplomatic debut, Rex Tillerson limited by lack of expertise
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made his debut on the stage of Asian diplomacy with his tour of Japan, South Korea and China from Mar. 15 to 16, but experts think he was limited by his lack of expertise.
Tillerson’s remarks about policy toward North Korea contain statements but are short on details. While he declared the end of the Obama administration’s policy of strategic patience toward North Korea while in South Korea on Mar. 17, his proposed approach toward North Korean policy remains, at least in the short term, comparable to strategic patience. Tillerson said that dialogue would not occur until Pyongyang gave up its nuclear weapons, which is similar to the Obama administration’s view that dialogue with North Korea would be a reward for the North giving up its nuclear weapons.
South Korea government raises issue of China’s economic retaliation with WTO
The South Korean government officially raised the possibility of international law violations with the World Trade Organization (WTO) in connection with China’s economic retaliation for the THAAD missile defense system deployment. “On Mar. 17th, we officially raised the possibility of violation of WTO agreements with the WTO Council for Trade in Services in connection with China’s measures in the areas of tourism and distribution,” Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Joo Hyung-hwan said in a Mar. 20 appearance before the National Assembly Trade, Industry and Energy Committee.
Economic crises the biggest threat to South Korean families
Households face a wide range of threats to their livelihood, including unemployment and poverty of the breadwinner, divorce and separation, disaster, or the suicide of a family member. At times, these threats result in a family crisis, a situation in which the entirely family is rendered helpless and unable to function on a day-to-day basis. What kinds of family crises are most often experienced by South Koreans? On Mar. 19, the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs (KIHASA) published a report titled “Diagnosis of Family Crises in a Diversifying Social Environment and Response Strategies,” with findings based on a telephone survey on family crises conducted with 1,500 ordinary South Koreans aged 20-64 in July 2016.
With global economy turning toward recovery, S. Korea stuck in low growth
The global economy shows signs of emerging from its dark tunnel since the 2008 financial crisis - but for the South Korean economy, it’s still midwinter. The US economy, where the crisis emerged, is entering a rapid recovery, raising the possibility that its annual growth rate for 2017 could overtake South Korea’s for the first time since the foreign exchange crisis of the late 1990s. A joint communique issued by G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank governors after the end of a meeting on Mar. 19 begins, “We met at a time when the global economic recovery is progressing.”
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JoongAngIlbo (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/)
Park offers ‘apology’ to the people
Park Geun-hye, ousted from her presidency earlier this month, was questioned Tuesday as a suspect in a bribery and abuse of power scandal. Park, the first Korean president to be removed from office by impeachment, arrived at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office in southern Seoul around 9:25 a.m. “I offer an apology to the people of our country,” Park said upon her arrival. “I will faithfully respond to the investigation.”
Lotte Tower opens doors for a media preview
Lotte World Tower, a 123-story skyscraper erected in Jamsil area, southern Seoul, is the culmination of Lotte Group’s past growth and future ambition. The nation’s tallest building and world’s fifth unveiled its major facilities to the media on Tuesday, seven years after it first broke ground in 2010. “Lotte World Tower will become Korea’s first landmark, taking Korea’s tourism industry to the next level,” said Lotte Corporation CEO Park Hyun-chul at a press event on Tuesday.
U.S. envoy for North Korea seeks ‘consensus’
Washington’s special representative for North Korea policy, Joseph Yun, arrived in Seoul Monday night and kicked off his three-day schedule by separately meeting with some of South Korea’s leading presidential contenders, a strong sign the Donald Trump administration was wasting no time in articulating its official stance against the Pyongyang regime. Yun, a career diplomat who was born and raised in Seoul until the age of 10, met South Chungcheong Governor An Hee-jung Tuesday morning for about an hour in a closed-door meeting and had lunch with Rep. Yoo Seong-min of the minor conservative Bareun Party, a breakaway from former President Park Geun-hye’s Liberty Korea Party.
Galaxy S8 will include AI assistant that ‘learns’
Instead of having humans adapt to new machines, Samsung wants machines to learn how to interact with humans. That’s the premise of Samsung Electronics’ new AI voice assistant Bixby, which the company will put into its upcoming Galaxy S8 smartphone. Interfaces on various smart devices currently in the market have become increasingly complicated for users, said Rhee In-jong, executive vice president and head of software R&D at Samsung Electronics, serving as barriers to human-machine communication.
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The KyungHyangShinmoon(http://english.khan.co.kr/)
Park Chung-hee's Three Children All Disgraced as Suspects
Former President Park Geun-hye (65) will appear at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office as a suspect of fourteen charges on March 21, which will mean all three children of former President Park Chung-hee will have been disgraced, having been interrogated by the prosecutors as suspects.
G20 Diplomacy for the Economy: Deputy Prime Minister Yoo Il-ho Returns Empty-Handed
A meeting of the finance ministers and central bank governors of the G20 nations held at Baden-Baden, Germany closed yesterday after a two-day schedule. This meeting was the first gathering after the launch of the Donald Trump administration in the U.S. Perhaps, it was due to pressure from the U.S., but an existing sentence denouncing protective trade was left out in the final joint declaration, suggesting change in the direction of world trade.
South Korea North Korea Rocket Engine Test
A man watches a TV news program showing an image, published in North Korea's Rodong Sinmun newspaper, of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the country's Sohae launch site, at Seoul Railway station in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, March 19, 2017. North Korea has conducted a ground test of a new type of high-thrust rocket engine that leader Kim Jong Un is calling a revolutionary breakthrough for the country's space program. The letters read " New type engine."
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The Korea Economic Daily (http://english.hankyung.com/)
Lawmakers Set to Pass Bill to Reduce Work Hours
The four parties in the National Assembly have come to an agreement to shorten the working hours in a subcommittee of the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee. The final decision will be made on March 23 in the subcommittee. Once the bill to cut the legal limit on weekly working hours, it is likely to pass the plenary session without much resistance. The gist of the bill is to reduce the current legally permitted labor hours from 68 hours (including weekend overtime) to 52 hours.
Hyundai Motor Stock Rises Fast on Expectations of Governance Reform...Regains KOSPI No. 2 Rank
Hyundai Motor rose fast on expectations of improvement in its governance structure. The share gained more than 8 percent, reclaiming the No. 2 position in terms of market value in the KOSPI market. On March 21, Hyundai Motor shares were closed at 170,000 won, up 8.63 percent (13,500 won) from the previous day. Its market capitalization of 37,447.0 billion won is now more than that of SK Hynix of 34,616.5 billion won.
POBA Shortlisted Five Overseas Private Debt Fund Operators
The Public Officials Benefit Association has completed the selection of its overseas private debt fund firms. The association selected two North American firms and three European ones who will manage its US$120-million debt funds. According to industry sources on March 19, the pension fund selected five foreign companies as its overseas private debt fund operators, including Guggenheim, Medley, Alcentra, Bluebay, and Park Square.
Opposition Party Presidential Candidates Demand Arrest of Former President
Major presidential candidates urged to the prosecutors to investigate former president Park Geun-hye in a fair but strict manner. But they differed widely in whether Park should be put in jail. Park Gwang-on, spokesperson for former head of the Minjoo Party Moon Jae-in, said in a comment, "Former president Park must tell the truth and ask for forgiveness to people. The prosecutors must find out truth without holding anything back." The spokesman referred to what Park said half-heartedly before entering the prosecutors' office "I am sorry for our people."
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AJU Business Daily (http://eng.ajunews.com/korea)
China's Doublestar pledges job security for all Kumho Tire employees
China's Doublestar disclosed a new deal with creditors Tuesday to maintain all job positions at Kumho Tire to fend off an attempt by its former owner to throw a damper on the acquisition of South Korea's second-largest tire maker. Doublestar signed a share purchase agreement this month with creditors of Kumho Tire to secure a controlling 42.01 percent stake for 955 billion won (857 million US dollars). It was this year's first major Chinese investment in South Korea which has been locked in a diplomatic row over the deployment of a US missile shield.
Second-chapter premium Balvenie whiskeys up for sale in S. Korea for $44,883
A selection of premium Balvenie whiskeys produced by William Grant & Sons Ltd. is up for sale in South Korea, carrying a price tag of 80 million won (71, 813 US dollars). Limited to 50 sets worldwide, this is among the second chapter bottles of the DCS Compendium from the Scottish company. The first chapter, released in 2015 and dubbed "Chapter One: Distillery Style," acted as a primer for the brand, using whiskeys from 1968 through 2005.
Samsung Galaxy S8 to feature voice assistant connecting everything
Samsung's new flagship Galaxy S8 features a powerful artificial intelligence (AI)-based voice assistant feature "Bixby" which would connect Samsung devices together. "Bixby is Samsung's first intelligent interface," Samsung's mobile communications division senior vice president Rhee In-jong said in a statement uploaded onto the company's Newsroom website. "It would open a new way of communicating with a smartphone."
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Maeil Business News Korea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/)
Korea’s exports up 14.8% in Mar 1-20, to extend double-digit growth
South Korea`s exports in the first 20 months of March reached $27.3 billion, up 14.8 percent and pointing to a second double-digit on-year growth after 20.2-percent jump in February, thanks to recovery in semiconductor and petrochemical shipments against poor year-ago period. But faster imports growth would also narrow the trade surplus. According to the Korea Customs Service on Tuesday, the nation’s exports that grew 19.3 percent in the first 10 days kept up steady increase during the following 10 days.
FSC chief warns of forced reorganization on DSME if debt rescheduling fails
Top financial official indicated that South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. (DSME) is headed for out-of-court or court-led reorganization program should bondholders and non-banking creditors do not agree to go along with debt rescheduling scheme to keep the shipbuilder afloat. “If there is no autonomous consensus among the stakeholders regarding debt restructuring, legal options may have to be considered (for DSME),” Yim Jong-yong, chairman of the Financial Services Commission (FSC) told a legislative hearing on Tuesday.
Korean won in strengthening trend ahead of U.S. currency report
A sharp turnaround in the Korean won due to global weakening in the U.S. dollar may come timely for Korean financial authorities ahead of the release of the U.S. Treasury Department’s next report on foreign exchange policies of major trading partners in April under President Donald Trump who accuses East Asian exporting powerhouses for exploiting foreign exchange for trade gains. The U.S. dollar finished Tuesday 1,120.3 won, down 3.4 percent from 1,160.0 won on March 9. The won’s strengthening is coupled with a surge in foreign buying in Korean shares after political uncertainty was lifted from a March 10 Constitutional Court ruling to impeach President Park Geun-hye.
Samsung Elec releases new QLED TVs in Korea
Samsung Electronics Co. showcased lineups of its super-premium quantum-dot technology based ultra high-definition (UHD) TV named MU by holding Samsung QLED TV Media Day event at Raum Art Center in Seoul on Tuesday. The company aims to target various customer groups and diversify customers’ options by dividing the premium TV lineups into two levels. Under its new vision for TV business dubbed ‘Screen Everywhere’, the company said it will lead the new trend of Lifestyle TV, which it describes as TVs that can integrate into everyday lives.
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To preserve the local culture as an outstanding world cultural asset
Gimhae City hosts a gala Gaya Culture Festival on April9
Invites Ambassadors and Madams to grace the Opening Ceremony on April 9, 2017
As the suzerain state of six Gaya Kingdoms and royal capital of Geumgwan-Gaya founded in 42 A.D., Gimhae is the cradle of the Gaya culture. These small ancient states include Ara Gaya, Goryeong Gaya, Dae Gaya, Seongsan Gaya, Bihwa Gaya and Geumgwan Gaya, which formed a confederation dominated by Geumgwan Gaya. With a 500-year long history, Gaya Kingdoms created ingenious and brilliant pottery and ironware culture based on affluent iron products and outstanding iron-making technology. Taking geographical advantages, these Gaya Kingdoms actively traded with China, Japan and Nakrang as the center of international trade in Northeast Asia. Active international marine trade and exchange of these ancient states with foreign countries can be well explained by the international marriage between King Suro, the founding king of Geumgwan-Gaya, and Princess Heo Hwang-ok of Ayodhya Kingdom in India.
Royal procession of King Suro of the Gaya Kingdom
In an effort to preserve the Gaya culture as one of world cultural heritages and widely publicize excellence of the ancient culture, the Gimhae City government has been hosting the annual Gaya Culture Festival since 1962 on the occasion of the memorial service for King Suro in spring. As ever, the municipal government will host the 41st Gaya Culture Festival for 5 days from April 7th to 11th, 2017 to include the memorial service for the King set to be held on the last day of the Festival. With the concept of ‘Gaya in the World and United Gimhae’, the Festival will be highlighted by the ‘tug-of-war’ game and ‘procession parade of King Suro’.
Different teams of the Gaya farmers’ bands are reading to present demonstrations.
Colorful programs will be provided during the Festival at the Daeseong-dong Ancient Tombs, Gimhae National Museum and Tomb of King Suro. In addition to the tug-of-war game and king’s procession parade, programs will include folk art performances, experiences of ancient ironworks, voyage routes sailed by King Suro and Princess Heo Hwang-ok, excavation of historical relics and riding on rare horses, as well as art installation events, performance of martial arts on horseback, wish lamps with Gaya patterns, and multi-cultural social gatherings of youths. Among others, visitors will have an exotic experience of boarding a traditional Indian boat ‘Dhoni’ by sailing the voyage routes taken by King Suro and Queen Heo.
A tug of war joined by hundreds of citizens.
In connection with the Festival, a number of other events will also be held simultaneously, including a local foods fair, international conference on Gaya history, contest of native foods, and folk arts festival of Gyeongsangnam-do region. The regional folk arts festival will include performances of intangible cultural property holders and performances of traditional art troupes from sister cities in Korea and other countries.
Gimhae Stone Fight is now a favorite game of merriment.
To help visitors have more enjoyable and exciting experiences, the festival organizing committee will deploy advanced information and communication technology installations in the venue. Using their smart phones or tablet PCs, visitors and tourists can get access to detailed information, statistical data, publicity materials and results of survey on the Festival by searching its QR code at information centers. It will also introduce an augmented reality (AR) game ‘Royal Capital of Gaya GO’, similar to ‘PocketMon Go’ game. If any visitors find out various historical treasures or relics through the game, they will be rewarded with due gifts.
Grand Rite of Chaste Woman Chunhyang offered to King Suro of the Garak State and his Queen Heo
The 40th Gaya Culture Festival held in April last year attracted as many as over 1.45 million visitors from Korea and other countries, and the Festival in this year is expected to attract even more visitors thanks to addition of varied new programs. The Gimhae City government seeks to register these cultural heritages as UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritages.
Night view of the Old Tombs in Daeseong-dong Village and the Daeseong History Museum. A grand opening ceremony is held at a special stage at the Daeseong-dong Tumuli.
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INVITATION
Your Excellency and Madam are cordially invited to the 2017 Grand Gaya Culture Festival on Sunday April 9
Your Excellency areMadarm are cordinaly invited to the above festival.
For details of the Festival, please visit: http://www.koreapost.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=3007.
It is a bit far, but a deluxe KTX Train travel is much more comfortable than bus ride. Here is the schedule:
0845 hours: Meet at the Seoul Railroad Station VIP Room, 3rd Floor of the Main Building.
0905-1147 hours: Move by Deluxe KTX train from Seoul to Gimhae.
1200-1230 hours: Move to the Ice Square Hotel for luncheon.
1230-1400 hours: Attend welcome ceremony, presentation of Plaques of Appreciation.
1400-1430 hours: Watch mounted Gaya Warrior performances, have personal experience in horse-riding.
1510-1700 hours: Join the Gimhae Tug-of-War match
1700-1800 hours: Watch traditional Korean music-dance performances based on Intangible National Cultural Properties
1800-2040 hours: Move from Gimhae back to the Seoul Railroad Station.
(A slight change could occur to the schedule depending on the traffic situation of the day.)