The Korean daily media headlines and humor

The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Tuesday, September 5, 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

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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/)

Moon, Trump Agree to Remove Limit on Payload of S. Korean Missiles

The agreement will allow Seoul to develop missiles capable of striking North Korean underground bunkers. The two leaders’ decision appears to have sent a strong message of warning to the North. President Moon also decided to swiftly complete the temporary deployment of four THAAD launchers. Moon and Trump shared the view that they need to put the strongest pressure and sanctions on Pyongyang, and agreed to push for stronger U.N. Security Council sanctions. Trump also reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the defense of its allies. During the phone talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Moon said that it's time for the U.N. Security Council to seriously consider ways to block North Korea's sources of foreign currency, including a halt to oil supplies to the North and a ban on its exportation of laborers.

Will Pursue Temporary Deployment of THAAD

The Defense Ministry says it will pursue the temporary deployment of THAAD in the near future. The defense and environment ministries completed consultations over a small-scale environmental assessment on the deployment of the antimissile system on Monday. As a result, the Defense Ministry will allow the U.S. to proceed with supplementary construction for the system's temporary deployment at the THAAD base. Four THAAD launchers which are being stored at Camp Carroll in North Gyeongsang Province are expected to soon be brought onto the THAAD base. Some observers say the move could be completed within this week.

Moon, Abe Discuss N. Korea's Latest Nuke Test

President Moon Jae-in on Monday spoke with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe over the phone for the sixth time since he took office. During the 20 minute-conversation, Moon said North Korea’s latest nuclear test demonstrated a stronger capacity than past tests. He then expressed serious concerns over Pyongyang’s claim to have “completely succeeded” in testing a hydrogen bomb on Sunday that can be mounted on an intercontinental ballistic missile. Moon told Abe that through cooperation with the international community, strong, substantial steps which can be actually felt by the North need to be taken. He said such steps must be of a gravity different from the ones assumed so far.

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

U.S. calls for 'strongest possible' sanctions against N.K.

The United States urged the United Nations Security Council Monday to adopt the "strongest possible" sanctions against North Korea over its sixth and most powerful nuclear test. U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley made the appeal at an emergency meeting of the Security Council, which was convened in the wake of North Korea's test Sunday of what it said was an H-bomb that can fit atop an intercontinental ballistic missile. "Enough is enough," she said. "The time has come to exhaust all of our diplomatic means before it's too late. We must now adopt the strongest possible measures." The ambassador said Washington would prepare a new sanctions resolution this week and aim for a vote next Monday. "Only the strongest sanctions will enable us to resolve this problem through diplomacy," Haley said.

S. Korea counting on stars to shine in World Cup qualifier vs. Uzbekistan

When South Korea take on Uzbekistan for a crucial World Cup qualifying match later Tuesday, they will count on their stars to shine and spark the stagnant attack. The match at Bunyodkor Stadium in Tashkent will kick off at 8 p.m. local time, or midnight Wednesday in Seoul. South Korea will qualify for their ninth consecutive FIFA World Cup with a victory. But anything less will complicate the picture, especially with both Uzbekistan and Syria sitting just two points back in Group A of the final Asian qualifying round.

S. Korea's growth ranking among OECD tumbles in Q2

South Korea's economic growth ranking among major advanced and emerging economies plunged 10 spots in the second quarter from three months earlier as its recovery lost ground, data showed Tuesday.

Asia's fourth-largest economy expanded 0.6 percent on-quarter in the April-June period, compared with a 1.1 percent expansion for the first quarter, according to the data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). It was the 18th-highest on-quarter gain among 27 OECD member nations whose growth figures were available, down from eight three months earlier.

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

Seoul hardens line on Pyongyang, eyes powerful US arms

Seoul’s North Korean policies will shift to give military issues more weight as President Moon Jae-in seeks punitive measures “of the highest order” following Sunday’s nuclear test, it was revealed Monday.

Speaking to the parliamentary defense committee, Minister of National Defense Song Young-moo said that the shift was decided at Sunday’s National Security Council meeting. “At yesterday’s NSC meeting, the consensus was that the direction the government should take is strengthening (readiness in the) military standoff rather than (focusing) on dialogue or the Berlin initiative,” Song said.

North may have succeeded in miniaturizing nuke warheads for ICBMs

With Sunday’s nuclear test, North Korea might have succeeded in making nuclear warheads small enough to be mounted on an intercontinental ballistic missile, South Korea’s defense chief said Monday.

In a parliamentary inquiry a day after the North conducted its sixth and largest nuclear test at Punggye-ri site, Defense Minister Song Young-moo told lawmakers that the military suspects the North may have secured technology to produce miniaturized nuclear warheads that weigh less than 500 kilograms.

Expats unfazed about North’s nuke test

Foreign residents in South Korea largely remained calm after North Korea’s nuclear test Sunday, although some expressed deepening worries over the escalating military standoff between the North and the US.

Most foreigners here continue to see large-scale military conflict as improbable, despite the dramatic increase in military tensions. Yann Dumont, 21, a French student who has lived here for three years, said he doesn’t feel anything special about Pyongyang’s sixth nuclear weapons detonation.

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

N. Korea seen preparing for another ICBM test

North Korea appears to have succeeded in miniaturizing a nuclear warhead, Defense Minister Song Young-moo said Monday, a day after Pyongyang conducted its sixth nuclear test. It also suspected the North will soon carry out its third test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). "We assume that North Korea has secured the capability to miniaturize its nuclear warhead to less than 500 kilograms through the six tests," Song said during a National Assembly session. He added the government presumes the warhead is small enough to be mounted on an ICBM.

4 more THAAD launchers to be deployed soon

The Ministry of National Defense said Monday the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) will soon deploy the remaining four anti-missile launchers of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province. Its announcement came hours after the Ministry of Environment gave the green light to the full deployment by concluding that the THAAD's impact on people and the neighboring environment would be very small. "North Korea's nuclear weapons technology is advancing and the threat of missiles is growing. After consultations with the U.S., we now announce that the remaining four launchers will be temporarily installed," the ministry said in a statement.

Moon's approval rating drops slightly to 73.1%

President Moon Jae-in's approval rating stood at 73.1 percent as of last week, even though the number fell slightly from a week earlier due in part to tensions with North Korea and problems with his nominees for senior positions. The Realmeter survey, conducted on 2,531 adults from Aug. 28 to Sept. 1, showed that Moon's ratings fell 0.8 percentage point from a week earlier. The survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 1.9 percentage point. Those with negative views of his performance rose 2.1 percentage points to 21.8 percent.

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

N. Korea claims successful hydrogen bomb test

North Korea conducted the sixth nuclear test in a surprise move on Sunday local time, and it has now come very close to the finish line of nuclear weapons development. The North will likely accelerate the process to consolidate its status as a nuclear and missile power by conducting more nuclear tests or making extra provocations with intermediate- and long-range missiles targeting the U.S. Pacific island of Guam and the U.S. mainland going forward.

Trump considers withdrawal of Korea-US FTA amid N. Korea crisis

U.S. President Donald Trump said he would discuss the withdrawal from Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (FTA). His remarks to consider the withdrawal from the deal that he was discontented with is expected to shake both economic cooperation and security alliance between the two countries. President Trump hinted at withdrawal from the Korea-U.S. FTA while visiting Houston, Texas to meet with victims of Hurricane Harvey on Saturday (local time). When reporters asked if he instructed advisers to prepare to withdraw the U.S. from a free-trade agreement with South Korea as posted on the Washington Post the previous day, Trump said, “It is very much on my mind.”

C-segment Genesis G70 unveiled with dynamic design

Hyundai Motor has recently showcased its third sedan "G70" for its premium Genesis line-up. As a luxury sedan brand, Hyundai G70 is expected to heighten the status of its luxury brand. The urgency came as Hyundai Motor desperately needs to go beyond a "good for price brand" and transform itself to overcome the barriers that it faces home and abroad. The C-segment luxury sedan G70 comes in a price range between 37.5 million to 52.3 million won, which is lower than its predecessors G90 (EQ900) and G80. Major competitors include the three major German automakers popular among young consumers; Mercedes-Benz C Class, BMW 3 series and Audi A4.

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

Blast from N.Korea's New Nuke 'Could Obliterate Seoul'

North Korea conducted a test of a nuclear weapon on Sunday believed to have been in the 50 to 100 kt range, way more than the 15-kt bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

The North is also thought to be close to miniaturizing a nuclear weapon so it can be mounted on a ballistic missile, though it is unclear whether the weapon was really a hydrogen bomb, as the North has claimed.

N.Korea Tests Powerful Nuke

North Korea on Sunday said it successfully tested a hydrogen bomb that can be mounted on an intercontinental ballistic missile. The official Central TV said the test of the "two-stage thermonuclear weapon" was a "complete success." South Korean analysis of tremors said the bomb was five to six times more powerful than the atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima, and U.S., Chinese and Russian assessments suggest the blast was strong enough to level Seoul. Chun Young-woo, a former presidential secretary for foreign affairs and national security, said, "It appears that the process of miniaturizing a nuclear weapon to mount on a ballistic missile has been completed."

Korea Officially Becomes Aged Society

Korea has become an "aged" society just 17 years after it reached the point officially described as "aging" in 2000, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety said Sunday. A country is defined by the UN as "aging" if the percentage of over-65s exceeds seven percent, "aged" if it exceeds 14 percent, and "super-aged" when it is over 20 percent. The population over 65 stood at 7.26 million in late August, according to the ministry, or 14.02 percent of the total population of 51.75 million. This has happened a year earlier than Statistics Korea predicted.

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

North Korea carries out sixth nuclear test, dashing hopes for negotiations

North Korea carried out its sixth nuclear test around midday on Sept. 3. The test comes one year after the fifth in Sept. 2016 and is the first to take place since the Moon Jae-in administration took office in Seoul. With Pyongyang having already ratcheted up tensions with several ballistic missile tests, the latest nuclear test, which was also North Korea’s biggest yet with a blast measuring at least 50 kilotons, appears to have ushered the nuclear crisis into a new phase. Even greater turbulence is being predicted for the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Nuclear test demonstrates international community’s lack of options on North Korea

North Korea’s sixth nuclear test – its first since both US President Donald Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in took office – means that the Korean Peninsula will face a sharp rise in tensions for the near future. With the Trump administration facing fewer and fewer options, it now looks likely to have to come to grips at some point with how to move the situation toward negotiations. Trump responded to the latest nuclear test, which took place in the middle of the night by US time, with a tweet on the morning of Sept. 3.

Sixth nuclear test demonstrates accelerated development for NK’s weapons programs

On Sept. 3, North Korea carried out a nuclear test for the first time during the administration of South Korean President Moon Jae-in. After successfully test launching the Hwasong-14 ICBM twice in recent months, North Korea declared that its sixth nuclear test had involved a hydrogen bomb designed to be mounted onto an ICBM. Pyongyang appeared to be emphasizing that it can launch an ICBM carrying a hydrogen bomb at the US mainland.

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

South hopes to deploy key U.S. military assets

South Korea’s military said Monday it will seek to deploy U.S. strategic assets such as nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and strategic bombers, while leaving open the possibility of bringing back tactical nuclear weapons. National Defense Minister Song Young-moo relayed the plan during an urgent briefing to lawmakers on the parliamentary National Defense Committee, but did not say when or how relevant talks would be held.

Trump threatens extensive secondary sanctions

Washington may cut off trade with nations doing business with North Korea, said U.S. President Donald Trump in response to Pyongyang’s sixth nuclear test Sunday, effectively warning of secondary sanctions that could particularly target China. In a series of tweets following North Korea’s most powerful nuclear test to date from its Punggye-ri test site in Kilju County, North Hamgyong Province, Trump wrote Sunday: “The United States is considering, in addition to other options, stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea.”

Ministry clears Thaad of any safety worries

The Ministry of Environment on Monday cleared the way for the U.S. military to complete the deployment of an advanced antimissile system in the southern village of Seongju, North Gyeongsang, announcing that a study found no safety problems. The Daegu Regional Environmental Office under the Ministry of Environment informed the Ministry of National Defense Monday afternoon that a summary environmental survey concluded that no serious impact on the environment is expected from the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) system. That conclusion will speed up plans to place four additional launchers at the site, where other key components were already deployed in May. A typical Thaad battery is composed of six launchers and an X-band radar system.

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

Conservatives “Evicted”

The conservative opposition parties are caught in a vicious cycle of poverty. They don't seem likely to escape from that wheel for a long time, at least not until they admit their downfall and overturn the unfounded optimism that they will reign again, which currently dominates their mind. They claim that they have not fallen, so naturally, there's no reason for them to reflect on why they have been abandoned. However, their frustration ends up magnifying the faults of others. Given that the starting point of a rebound is self-reflection, it is difficult to imagine the end of the "dark tunnel" before them.

NK Walks a Meticulously Calculated “My Way” for Nuclear Armament

North Korea's sixth nuclear test appears to be the result of long and careful preparations following their own timetable, regardless of external factors, such as the changes in the political situation on the Korean Peninsula and the North Korean policies of the U.S. Donald Trump administration and the Moon Jae-in government. In other words, North Korea did not conduct the nuclear test strategically to send a political message or warn the U.S. They were just continuing their efforts to make technical advances for a set goal: nuclear armament.

Ruling Party Calls for an Investigation into MB, the “Body” of the Intelligence Service's Intervention in State Affairs

On August 31, members of the ruling party claimed that a prosecutor's investigation of former President Lee Myung-bak (MB, image) was inevitable. Such arguments were triggered after Won Sei-hoon (66), former director of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) was arrested again on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act and the National Intelligence Service Act the previous day.

A number of circumstances suggested that "Lee Myung-bak's Cheong Wa Dae" was involved at the time of the intervention in state affairs by "Won Sei-hoon's NIS," including the illegal involvement in the presidential election, and so the ruling party members argued that an investigation of the former president was unavoidable.

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

SK E&C Wins $210 Mil. Petrochem Plant Project in Thailand by Outbidding Japanese Consortium

SK Engineering & Construction has won a large-scale petrochemical plant project in Thailand. The company said on August 29 that it clinched a deal worth US$210 million to build polyol plant within the Hemaraj industrial zone in Thailand's Rayong. This followed news that the company signed a $1.6-billion project to modernize an oil refinery in Iran earlier this month. The plant, located 150 kilometers southeast of Thailand's capital Bangkok, is commissioned jointly by PTT Global Chemical, an affiliate of the country's state-run oil company PTT Group, Japan's Sanyo Chemical, and Toyota Tsusho.

R&D-to-Sales Ratio of Most Korean Petrochem Companies Below 1%

Despite the record-high results, the R&D investment level of the nation's petrochemical industry is still miserably low. According to industry sources on August 28, the amount of R&D investment of Lotte Chemical, which achieved a record-high sales revenue of 7,849.4 billion won in the first half, fell short of 44.5 billion won. This is only 0.57 percent of the total sales. Even last year when the company posted the highest operating profit (2,547.8 billion won) among all petrochemical companies, the R&D investment sum and its share were paltry 63.6 billion won and 0.48 percent each. This is even lower than the large-company average of 1.4 percent. Hanwha Chemical barely surpassed the 1.0-percent level in the first half by spending 25.2 billion won (1.3%) in R&D.

Gov't Recouped Public Funds Only 68% for 20 Years

A government study said it had injected a total of 168.7 trillion won (US$150.8 billion) since the 1997 Asian financial crisis as part of an effort to clean up insolvent financial services firms and has only recouped 115 trillion won as of the end of the second quarter of this year. This is the recovery ratio of 68.3 percent in 20 years' time. Even though it looks good in appearance, there is a big difference from that of the U.S. government.

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

Soaking in the beauty of Hallstatt, Austria

Hallstatt is a picturesque little town nestled by Hallstatter Lake in Austria. The region was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998. From the parking area, when you walk up toward the entrance of the town, it is easy to see why it was included in the UNESCO list. The captivating beauty will dazzle any visitors. As you walk along the narrow main road to reach the heart of the village, you see swans silently gliding along the lake, adding the fairy-tale-like-charm to the scene. The beautiful town is also famous for its salt mines that date back to the Neolithic Era, making them the oldest salt mines in the world. The salt mines are still being worked and it is the popular tour destination.

McDonald's suspends sales of best-selling hamburger after people getting sick

McDonald's was mired in more trouble because of popular hamburgers that allegedly have caused enteritis as the American fast-food chain remained locked in a high-profile court battle with the alleged victim of "hamburger disease" for months. McDonald's tentatively suspended sales of "Bulgogi Burger", the best-selling localized menu, on Saturday, because seven primary school students and their teacher complained of intestinal inflammation after eating the menu in Jeonju, some 195 kilometers (121 miles) south of Seoul.

Naver starts test service for AI-based tailored mobile shopping

South Korean web service giant, Naver, has started a test service for "AiTEMS", an AI-based tailored mobile shopping assistant. "Even if a user has never used Naver's shopping mall before, the AI will be able to grasp shopping preferences by using the keyword search history," Naver said in a statement, adding shopping information about baseball equipment will be offered for those who have repeatedly watched baseball-related videos.

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

S. Korea holds ballistic missile drill, aims to stabilize mkts after North Korean nuke test

South Korea on Monday carried out a series of precision ballistic missile tests in a show of force after North Korea pushed up brinkmanship to a new level by conducting a sixth nuclear test Sunday in what appears to be the most powerful and close to completion of a nuclear warhead mountable on an intercontinental ballistic missile. The presidential office said Seoul and Washington were negotiating deployment of U.S. strategic nuclear bombers and warships and revision of the missile guideline to allow South Korea to up the maximum payload of its ballistic missiles.

Kakao mulls going public in Japan after success with webcomic app

South Korea’s top mobile chat platform operator Kakao Corp. is mulling public offering on the Tokyo stock exchange in 2020, according to media report. Kospi-listed Kakao said nothing has been decided. Kakao closed Monday in Seoul 2.05 percent lower at 119,500 won. The explosive response to its webcomic app Piccoma released in Japan in April has led the company to consider going public in Japan, according to Bloomberg report.

Hyundai Motor teases Genesis G70

Hyundai Motor Company has offered media a peek at its new mid-sized luxury marque Genesis G70 set to compete against the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3 Series and the Audi A4. “The Genesis G70 is about the same size as the C-Class, but the rear-drive sedan looks luxurious and delivers better driving performance than the BMW 3,” said Hwang Chung-yul, senior vice president at the Genesis Project Management Center, at a media preview held in Seoul on Sept. 1.

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What’s ticking around the world at this second?

See what the world media around the world have to report:

USA Today www.usatoday.com aallman@gannett.com

The New York Times www.nytimes.com inytletters@nytimes.com

Wall Street Journal www.wsj.com support@wsj.com,service@wsj-asia.com

Financial Times www.ft.com ean@ft.com

The Times www.thetimes.co.uk help@timesplus.co.uk

The Sun www.thesun.co.uk talkback@the-sun.co.uk

Chinese People's Daily www.people.com.cnkf@people.cn

China Daily www.chinadaily.com.cn circulation@chinadaily.com.cn

GwangmyeongDaily www.gmw.cn webmaster@gmw.cn