The Korean daily media headlines and humor

The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Your Excellency:

S. Korea says it wants to candidly discuss pending issues with N.K.

South Korea on Thursday called on North Korea to accept its offer for military and family reunions talks to discuss pending issues of mutual concerns in a candid manner.

Seoul's unification ministry stressed that it seeks neither a hostile policy toward North Korea nor a regime change and absorption-based unification.

"We expect that North Korea could positively respond to our proposals for military and Red Cross talks where the two Koreas could frankly discuss issues of mutual interests," said an official at Seoul's unification ministry.

An image of South Korean President Moon Jae-in (L) and his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong-un (Yonhap)

North Korea has kept mum toward Seoul's July proposal for military talks on easing border tensions and dialogue aimed at discussing reunions for families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War.

Instead, tensions between the North and the United States had heightened amid exchanges of bellicose rhetoric between U.S. President Donald Trump and the North Korean leadership.

Pyongyang had threatened to fire four ballistic missiles toward the waters off the U.S. territory of Guam, but it backed off its threat Tuesday after key U.S. officials dismissed the risk of an imminent war with the North.

President Moon Jae-in said Tuesday that the government will make efforts to prevent a war by all means. He made the remark at a ceremony marking the 72nd anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule.

URL: http://www.koreapost.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=4550

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Moon reaffirms election pledge to revise Constitution next year

URL: http://www.koreapost.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=4551

Moon says U.S. will not take military option against N. Korea without his consent

URL: http://www.koreapost.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=4548

Chosun Ilbo daily newspaper: Moon vows stronger efforts to curb real estate price rises at first such signs.

Joongang Ilbo daily newspaper: Moon will take stronger measures against possible real estate price rise

Donga Ilbo daily newspaper: Moon says dismantling of nuclear power plants not an urgent matter. It will be done only if agreed by the people.

Hankyoreh Shinmun daily newspaper: Moon pledges, “There will be no war on the Korean peninsula. I am saying this with full confidence.

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

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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:

The Korea Post media (www.koreapost.com) in English, (www.koreapost.co.kr) in Korean.

KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)

US to Engage in Dialogue when N. Korea Halts Nuclear, Missile Tests

The U.S. State Department has reaffirmed that North Korea would have to show some serious steps and meet conditions for dialogue before the U.S. could engage in talks. Spokeswoman Heather Nauert said on Wednesday in a news briefing that Washington would like to have talks with North Korea when it stops nuclear and missile tests and halts acts that undermine stability in Northeast Asia. Nauert also said Washington has no intention to put a halt to its joint military exercises with Seoul called the Ulchi Freedom Guardian, saying that these drills will be held as scheduled.

S. Korea, US Reaffirm Solid Joint Defense Posture

South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-moo and his U.S. counterpart James Mattis had a phone conversation on Wednesday to discuss ways to bolster the Seoul-Washington alliance to deal with the North’s nuclear and missile threats. During the 40-minute talks, the defense chiefs also discussed ways to seek a complementary development of the Korea-U.S. alliance. Song and Mattis positively evaluated their joint ballistic missile drill and the swift deployment of U.S. strategic assets to Korea in response to the North’s intercontinental ballistic missile launch on July 28th. Mattis stressed that the U.S. will first take steps to put diplomatic and economic pressure on the North to realize the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and reaffirmed that Washington will closely consult Seoul on all the steps.

S. Korea Wins Bid to Host 2023 World Scout Jamboree

Saemangeum in North Jeolla Province has been chosen as the host in a vote held among the members of the World Organization of the Scout Movement at the World Scout Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan on Wednesday. Saemangeum beat Poland’s Gdansk 607 to 365 in the ballot. It will be the second time South Korea will be hosting the event since a gathering in 1991 in Goseong, Gangwon Province. The 25th World Scout Jamboree will be held in August 2023 for 12 days under the theme of “Draw your Dream.” The event is expected to draw about 50-thousand scouts from 168 countries around the world.

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

S. Korean president hails hosting of World Scout Jamboree, vows all-out support

South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Thursday welcomed the World Scout Jamboree set to be held on the country's western coast, promising full government support to make it a successful event. In a letter to a joint committee on hosting the global event, the president wished for the 2023 event in Saemangeum to be a successful and memorable event for all participants. "I promise the government too will do its utmost for the successful hosting of the 2023 World Jamboree," he said.

Samsung's earnings growth may slow in Q3

Samsung Electronics Co., which has been posting robust earnings for past quarters, may see its earnings growth slow for the third quarter of the year, analysts said Thursday. According to data compiled by industry tracker FnGuide, Samsung Electronics is expected to post an operating income of 14.8 trillion won (US$13 billion) in the July-September period, sharply up from 5.2 trillion won posted a year earlier. For the April-June period, Samsung's operating profit came to 14.1 trillion won, also up 72.7 percent from 8.14 trillion won posted last year. But on a quarterly basis, the tech giant's earnings growth may slow.

Internet-only banks yet to attract senior population

South Korea's elderly population has yet to embrace internet-only banks, data showed Thursday, raising concerns that seniors are being marginalized in tech-based financial services. The data provided to ruling party legislator Park Yong-jin by Kakao Bank showed that as of Aug. 3, the internet-only lender had some 1.87 million accountholders. Among them, only 1.6 percent, or 30,512, were users aged 60 and over. People in their 30s accounted for the largest group of users at 37.5 percent, followed by those in their 20s at 28.2 percent. People in their 40s accounted for 23.2 percent, and those under 20 came to 1.3 percent.

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

Moon proposed trilateral talks with China, US on THAAD

President Moon Jae-in proposed a trilateral discussion with the US during a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping last month in a bid to ease Beijing’s resistance to the deployment of a US missile shield here, Seoul officials said Wednesday. The two leaders held their first face-to-face talks ahead of the Group of 20 summit on July 6 in Berlin. Moon called for his counterpart to retract China’s economic retaliation over the stationing of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, while Xi argued Seoul needs to “eliminate an obstacle” and respect Beijing’s “core interests” in order to improve ties, referring to THAAD.

US open to dialogue with NK, but upcoming drills may raise tension

The US remains open to dialogue with North Korea, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Tuesday, after Pyongyang delayed its decision on a missile strike plan targeting Guam. Despite signs of eased military tensions between Washington and Pyongyang, concerns over North Korea’s provocations persist, as an annual joint military drill between South Korea and the US is to take place soon. Tillerson re-expressed willingness to establish dialogue with North Korea, but said “it is up to” the hermit state’s leader Kim Jong-un to offer grounds for the dialogue. The US top official made a similar statement at the ASEAN Regional Forum in Manila earlier this month, underlining the North’s denuclearization as a precondition for the talk.

Trump says N. Korea made 'wise' decision for stepping back
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made a "wise" choice for refraining from making imminent threats against Washington. "Kim Jong-un of North Korea made a very wise and well reasoned decision. The alternative would have been both catastrophic and unacceptable!" Trump said in a Twitter posting. Trump's remark came after Kim said Tuesday that he would watch Washington's behavior "a little more," but it will make an "important" decision if the US continues its "extremely dangerous reckless actions."

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

S. Korea, US urge Pyongyang to stop missile tests

The defense ministers of South Korea and the United States condemned North Korea's continuous nuclear and missile threats Wednesday, calling on Pyongyang to halt them. The two also confirmed that they will closely discuss all potential actions against North Korean threats, according to the Ministry of National Defense. Defense Minister Song Young-moo and his U.S. counterpart, Secretary of Defense James Mattis, had a phone conversation amid escalating tension on the Korean Peninsula following Pyongyang's continuous missile tests and its threat to launch missiles toward the U.S. territory of Guam.

Four more egg farms found contaminated

Eggs contaminated with insecticides have been found on four more farms here, the government said Wednesday, bringing the total to six. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the eggs were contaminated with either fipronil or bifenthrin. Both chemicals are used to kill insect pests; but are also harmful to humans. Seen above are eggs believed to have been contaminated with harmful insecticides. The markings on them indicate the region and farm they came from. / Courtesy of Ministry of Food and Drug Safety The ministry noted some eggs at a farm with 55,000 hens in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, were found to contain fipronil, which is banned from being used on poultry products here.

Lionsgate signs to open 'Hunger Games' theme park on Jeju Island

Audiences that raved about novel-based science fiction adventure film franchise "Hunger Games" will be able to experience the thrill at a theme park on Jeju Island. Landing Jeju Development, a wholly owned subsidiary of Landing International Development Limited, said Wednesday it signed with the United States' Lionsgate, the franchise's distributor, to build "Lionsgate Movie World" as part of recreational resort complex Jeju Shinhwa World now under construction.

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DongA Ilbo (http://english.donga.com)

USFK upgrades Patriot missile defense system to counter N. Korea

The United States Forces in Korea said on Wednesday that it has completed a large-scale improvement project of the Patriot systems (PAC-2 and PAC-3) operated by the Dragon Brigade (35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade) and confirmed its operational status. The USFK completed the Patriot modernization project intended to counter sophisticated nuclear and missile threats from North Korea in seven months after its kickoff in early January.

Remains of 33 Korean forced laborers return home from Japan

Remains of Korean forced laborers during the Japanese imperial rule have returned to the motherland. The Seoul metropolitan government held a ceremony Wednesday to bury the remains of 33 Korean forced laborers during the Japanese colonial rule at Seoul City Yongmi-ri Second Cemetery Park located in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. The remains of the 33 victims who were forced to slave labor by the Japanese imperialists, have been buried at the Memorial Hall at Second Cemetery Park, after completing a restoration ceremony at Gukpyeong-sa, a Buddhist temple for ethnic Koreans in Tokyo, Japan on August 6.

Luxury brands and fashion designers are turning to space

Luxury brands and fashion designers are turning to space as they seek breakthroughs in business. The so-called "retro-futurism" that had boomed in the space age in the 1960s has returned in 2017. Silver clothes that remind of spacesuits, silver shoes and mirror sunglasses are becoming a new trend. The Chanel 2017 Fall/Winter fashion show that opened at Grand Palais in Paris in March was full of space-like atmosphere. Chanel's creative director Karl Lagerfeld installed a 37-meter massive rocket on the event hall and had models wear chiffon blouses with astronaut prints.

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

China Halts Imports from N.Korea

China has banned imports of North Korean iron, iron ore, lead, coal, and seafood from Tuesday in compliance with the latest UN sanctions, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said Monday. But products that have already arrived will be subject to a 30-day grace period set by the UN Security Council and can go through customs before midnight on Sept. 5. The decisions comes a swift nine days after the UNSC adopted a fresh resolution against North Korea. This measure will slash North Korea's exports to China by a whopping 63 percent.

Democratic Uprising Film Sweeps Box Office Over the Weekend

"A Taxi Driver" is fast turning into the summer's second major hit after "The Battleship Island," attracting over 3 million viewers in its first four days on the screens. It broke the 1 million mark on the second day of its release and the 2 million mark on the third. Much of its success is due to word of mouth, though it remains to be seen if it can break the 10 million barrier. Starring Song Kang-ho, Thomas Kretschmann and Yoo Hae-jin, the film tells the story of a taxi driver who takes a German journalist to Gwangju during the democratic uprising in May 1980, unaware of the impending danger.

How to Play It Safe When Cycling

It is important to stay hydrated during the hot summer months, especially when enjoying a bike ride. Fluid intake should prevent dehydration, so drink 500 ml of water one or two hours before you ride.

Try to take in fluids every 20 minutes during the ride and drink plenty of them afterwards. Avoid carbonated drinks or juices, however. It is also advised to pay extra attention to your bicycle in summer, as the scorching heat can damage the surface of tires or increase the air pressure within them.

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

President Moon reasserts Korean initiative to resolve the crisis peacefully

South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s address on Liberation Day, Aug. 15, contained no new proposals for reaching a breakthrough in North and South Korea’s strained relations. Moon strongly asserted his determination to resolve the crisis on the Korean Peninsula through peaceful means and reasserted the basic principles of resolving the situation on the Korean Peninsula, which is centered around the North Korean nuclear issue. His address appeared to reflect the current security conditions on the Korean Peninsula, which have recently taken a turn for the worse because of North Korea’s ICBM launch, the UN Security Council’s adoption of a sanctions resolution against North Korea, and North Korea’s threat to launch an “enveloping strike” on Guam.

North Korea and the US step back from the brink

North Korea and the US have each taken a step back from the hostile rhetoric that had plunged the Korean Peninsula into a state of dire crisis. Tensions have ebbed significantly after being touched off by North Korea’s successive ICBM test launches and US President Donald Trump’s references to “fire and fury” [in response]. But experts pointed to a number of lurking variables that could block the two sides from engaging in open dialogue. During an Aug. 14 inspection of the strategic military command that outlined plans to strike near Guam, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un declared that he would “continue observing the actions of the foolish and stupid US bastards, who are having a tough time,” the Korean Central News Agency reported on Aug. 15. The quote confirmed that Kim has no plans to face the US head-on any time soon.

North Korea releases map of four planned missile strike zones inside South Korea

North Korea appears to have divided South Korea into four missile strike zones based on its missiles’ effective firing range. The Rodong Sinmun newspaper, Korean Central Television, and other North Korean media relayed images on Aug. 15 showing leader Kim Jong-un receiving a report at the Army Strategic Force command post from commander Kim Rak-gyom. Three maps were seen hanging on the wall behind Kim, who appeared to be receiving a report on the plan for an “enveloping strike” around Guam. The maps clearly showed text reading “South Choson [Korea] operational zone,” “Japan operational zone,” and “Pacific region US empire invading forces deployed.” The “South Choson operational zone” section in particular showed lines dividing South Korea into four sections, with text at the end that appeared to refer to missile models.

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

Contaminated eggs discovered at 4 more farms

Eggs contaminated with pesticides were found at four more farms Wednesday, and the government promised to destroy all eggs produced at such farms. But it said it will allow farms that pass inspections to distribute eggs to stabilize the market as soon as possible after major retailers suspended egg sales nationwide Tuesday. Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon said Wednesday that all eggs from contaminated farms will be destroyed by Friday and eggs from safe farms will be distributed. He said the crisis could be solved in a couple of days.

Moon apologizes to Sewol families

President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday apologized to the relatives of the people killed in the sinking of the Sewol ferry in an emotional meeting at the Blue House, saying government incompetence led to their deaths. He vowed to get to the bottom of the tragic accident that killed 304, mostly high school students on a field trip. The president’s meeting with 207 Sewol survivors and relatives of the victims was filled with emotion, with many shedding tears remembering the fateful day of April 16, 2014, when the Sewol capsized and sank in waters off Jindo Island, South Jeolla, with almost no attempt to save the 304 victims. It was the country’s worst maritime disaster.

Tillerson tries to cool off tensions

Pyongyang’s pulling back from its threat to shoot missiles at Guam is not enough for the United States to engage in dialogue, according to the U.S. Department of State on Tuesday. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said to reporters Tuesday, “We continue to be interested in finding a way to get to a dialogue, but that’s up to him,” in reference to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Heather Nauert, a spokeswoman of the U.S. State Department, elaborated in a briefing in Washington Tuesday that Pyongyang’s pulling back from its threat to launch ballistic missiles at waters near Guam was not enough for Washington to engage in dialogue.

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

Insecticide-Tainted Eggs Served on South Korean Tables

The insecticide, Fipronil has also been detected in domestic eggs, sending fears of the insecticide-tainted eggs throughout the nation. Retailers, such as large supermarkets and convenience stores, are suspending the sale of eggs one after another. Due to an inspection of all egg farms and the suspension of shipping, egg distribution in the market is expected to shake, triggering concerns of a hike in egg prices.

The three major supermarkets, Lotte Mart, E-Mart, and Homeplus, and major convenience stores announced on August 15 that they would stop selling eggs.

“No One Can Decide to Take Military Action on the Korean Peninsula Without the Consent of South Korea”

On August 15, President Moon Jae-in said, “Only the Republic of Korean can decide to take military action on the Korean Peninsula, and no one can decide to take military action without the consent of the Republic of Korea.” He continued, “The government will put everything on the line to stop a war from happening.” The president expressed his determination to play a leading role in easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, heightened due to an exchange of verbal bombs between North Korea and the U.S.

China to Resolve Fierce Conflict Between NK and US: What Is the Solution to the August Crisis?

A phone conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on August 12 (local time) may become the turning point in the political situation on the Korean Peninsula, where tensions run extremely high. Reportedly, China was the one who first suggested the latest conversation, leading some experts to believe that China is stepping up to do its part in preventing a clash between North Korea and the U.S. Now eyes are on China, which played a big role in easing the "April crisis," to see if it will be able to overcome the "August crisis" as well.

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

"No One Can Take Military Action without South's Consent"...Prez. Moon

President Moon Jae-in said on August 15, "Another war in the Korean Peninsula must be resisted at any cost. Military action on the Korean Peninsula can only be decided by South Korea and no one else can decide to take military action without the consent of South Korea." In congratulatory remarks in celebration of the 72nd Liberation Day in Seoul's Sejong Culture Center, he said in relation to the North Korean missile crisis, "The government will do everything it can to prevent a war with North Korea. No matter what we go through, the North Korean crisis must be resolved in peaceful manners."

How Daehan Shipbuilding Prospers after Undergoing 2 Workouts

Daehan Shipbuilding, a mid-sized shipbuilder in Haenam, South Jeolla Province, is seeing its order booking volume rise fast. During the first half of this year, the company won orders that exceeded twice the annual goal. Unlike any other shipyards that stopped operations of docks, Daehan has secured orders worth more than two years. It is also increasing hiring, which is rare in the shipbuilding industry. Daehan clinched deals of building 14 "Aframax" ships (115,000 metric tons) during the first half, worth 600 billion won. Including options, the total number of vessels to build will rise to 18.

China's ZZQC Int'l Business Group to Move into Korean Market in Earnest

ZZQC International Business Group, China's major investment firm, will likely take part in Cityscape Korea 2017, the nation's largest international real estate trade show, signaling that it is moving into the Korean market in earnest. According to the secretariat office of Cityscape Korea on August 8, ZZQC will set up a booth in the Korea Economic Daily-sponsored exhibition and send five top executives to meet local developers and public agency officers.

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

Ariana Grande bombarded by S. Korean fans for insincere attitude towards concert

Traditionally, popular foreign artists and bands such as Lady Gaga, Metallica, Beyoncé and Eminem have received positive marks by South Korean fans after their concerts. Some left unforgettable impressions which often have become a hot topic in online communities. Lady Gaga and Eminem were praised by music fans for pulling surprisingly sincere, superb performances during their concerts in South Korea.

However, American pop star Ariana Grande received a largely critical response from fans. Many who paid up to 143,000 won to buy tickets compared the 24-year-old to Lady Gaga and Eminem or criticized her insincere attitude during her first August 15 concert at a baseball stadium in Seoul.

Samsung urges fans to 'Do bigger things' in Note 8 teaser video

Samsung urged fan boys to "Do bigger things" in a teaser video for its new phablet Galaxy Note 8. The video revealed some key points such as a stylus pen and a bezel-less display. The smartphone will be unveiled in New York on August 23. According to leaked information, Note 8 would house Samsung's top-of-the line 6.3-inch QHD display which means the resolution is higher than other brands, as well as a glass housing on its rear side and a powerful dual-lens camera capable of taking photos in wide angles.

Spicy instant noodle Shin Ramyun available at every Walmart store

Shin Ramyun, a top South Korean brand of instant noodle well known for its spicy flavor, will be sold at all Walmart stores in the United States, reflecting its growing popularity. Nongshim said its Shin Ramyun (or ramyeon) is now available at every store of the US hypermarket chain and also at US government bodies for the first time as a South Korean product.

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

Eggs pulled out of shops in Korea amid pesticide contamination scare

Eggs were removed from grocery shop shelves and banned from distribution as ongoing government probe has discovered pesticide contamination in South Korean chicken farms. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on Tuesday issued a ban on egg production and distribution until it is finished with examination at all 1,456 farms across the nation. The action followed discovery of eggs tainted with fipronil, the same type of pesticide that sparked mass-scale egg recall across Europe recently, in a farm in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province.

Average annual wage in S. Korea reaches $29,790 in 2016

The average salary for workers in South Korea was 34 million won ($29,790) last year, with those in the top 10 percent bracket receiving almost double or more than the average amount, a local report showed Wednesday. According to a report by Korea Economic Research Institute (KERI) based on statistics from the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the average annual wage of workers in Asia’s fourth largest economy stood at 33.87 million won in 2016, up 3.3 percent, or 1.07 million won, from 32.81 million won in the previous year. The finding is based on a study of annual salary of 1,544 workers.

Naver refuses to come under traditional “chaebol” category

South Korea’s top online portal operator Naver Corp. argued against falling under the label of a chaebol (conglomerate) entity that invites tougher scrutiny in tax and other business regulations by state offices.

In a rare move, Naver on Wednesday disclosed a meeting with founder and former Naver chairman Lee Hae-jin’s visit to the office of the Fair Trade Commission where he contested against the regulator’s conglomerate guidelines.

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