The Korean daily media headlines and humor

The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Thursday, November 30, 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

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Show off either your own national costumes or Korean Hanbok!

Ambassadors, diplomats, families invited to wear and introduce their costumes (and win coveted citations!)

On Thurs Dec. 7, 2017

Time is running out and its only one week away to the much-coveted International Costume-Hanbok Show on Thursday December 7, 2017.

Why hide the wonderful costumes of your country? Why not show off your personality in Hanbok and make the Korean people love you?

Ambassadors, diplomats and their family members are cordially invited to

Show off the wonderful costumes of their own cotuntry, or

Wear how wonderfully Korean Hanbok fit them!

And WIN the much-coveted Plaque of Citation!

Again the time-date is Dec.7 and the place is Plaza Hotel

Call Sua Kim or Kim Jung-mi at 010-7584-5873/010-3388-1682 for participation and inquiries.

And be fully exposed to the 5 media outlets (3 English, 2 Korean) of The Korea Post!

Schedule:

1800 hours, Thursday 7 December 2017: Presentation of Seodo (Korea’s Western Province) folk songs. Photo session for group photographs

1800-1820 hours: National anthem, declaration of ceremony open, welcome address and congratulatory addresses.

18:20-1850 hours: Presentation of performing art

1850-1940 hours: Dinner amidst with presentation of performing art numbers

1940-2010 hours: Fashion parades of Korean and international costumes.

2010-2030 hours: Presentation of citations and memorial gifts.

2030 hours: Declaration of the close of the Festival.

(For further details and inquiries concerning participation, please visit: http://www.koreapost.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=5448.)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

Trump vows 'major sanctions' against N. Korea Wednesday

U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday more "major sanctions" will be imposed on North Korea in response to its latest ballistic missile launch."Just spoke to President XI JINPING of China concerning the provocative actions of North Korea," Trump wrote on Twitter. "Additional major sanctions will be imposed on North Korea today. This situation will be handled!" North Korea on Tuesday launched what it claimed was a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of carrying a "super-large heavy warhead" to all parts of the U.S. mainland.

Hyundai Mobis opens quality control center in Dubai

Hyundai Mobis Co., South Korea's biggest auto parts maker by sales, has opened a product quality control center in Dubai to strengthen services for customers in the Middle East and Africa, the company said Wednesday. The Dubai center is Hyundai Mobis' fifth overseas quality control facility following those set up in the United States, China, India and Europe. The parts maker has production facilities in the other four regions, although not in Dubai, the company said in a statement. The number of vehicles made by Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. on the streets of Middle Eastern and African countries stands at around 5.1 million, which makes the region the fourth-biggest market after China, the U.S., and Europe. That is why Hyundai Mobis has built the quality control center in Dubai, it said.

S. Korean, Japanese foreign ministers have phone talks to discuss N.K. missile

South Korea and Japan's foreign ministers had a telephone conversation Wednesday to discuss North Korea's launch of a new, longer-range ballistic missile early in the day and how to respond to the provocation, the South Korean foreign ministry said.In the 20-minute conversation that began at 4:40 p.m., South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha expressed "deep concern" over the North's resumption of provocations despite repeated warnings from the international community. She stressed that the international community should continue all sorts of diplomatic efforts, including tougher sanctions, to eliminate North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities.

S. Korean president vows strong measures against N. Korean missile launch

South Korean President Moon Jae-in strongly condemned North Korea's latest missile launch Wednesday, vowing to ramp up sanctions and pressure on Pyongyang."I strongly condemn North Korea for staging such reckless provocations," Moon said in an emergency meeting of the National Security Council held hours after the communist state launched what was believed to be an intercontinental ballistic missile."North Korea must immediately give up its reckless pursuit that will lead to its isolation and demise, and come to the dialogue table. The government will never tolerate North Korean provocations," he added, according to the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae.

Hyundai to launch all-new Veloster globally in Q1

Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's largest carmaker by sales, said Wednesday it will launch the all-new Veloster coupe early next year in global markets. he carmaker said it plans to unveil the Veloster for the first time at the Detroit motor show in January ahead of sales in the key North American automobile market. n the first quarter of 2018, the new Veloster, mated with a 1.4-liter or 1.6-liter gasoline turbo engine, will be available in the domestic market, a company spokesman said, without giving the timetable for the model's launch in the United States.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

US Ambassador: Trump Asked China to Cut off Oil Supply to N. Korea

U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley says that President Donald Trump asked China to cut off oil supply to North Korea. peaking at an emergency UN Security Council meeting in New York on Wednesday, the U.S. envoy said that Trump made the call during his phone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier on Wednesday. The U.S. ambassador also called on the international community to deepen the nuclear-armed state’s isolation, urging every country in the world to “cut off all ties with North Korea,” including a total cessation of diplomatic relations.

N. Korea Discloses Photos of Missile Launch

North Korea has disclosed footage of its latest launch of a long-range missile identified by the regime as a newly developed Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile(ICBM). The rth's official daily Rodong Sinmun on Thursday posted on its homepage about 40 photos showing the preparations, the missile launch and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un observing the launch. The photos showed the Hwasong-15 ICBM placed on a transport erector launcher, known as a TEL, and soaring into the air.The North's official Korean Central News Agency(KCNA) reported on Wednesday that North Korea tested the weapon from a new mobile TEL vehicle.

Trump Pledges More Sanctions Against N. Korea

U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. will issue additional sanctions against North Korea on Wednesday, a day after the North's missile provocation.Trump tweeted "Just spoke to President XI JINPING of China concerning the provocative actions of North Korea. Additional major sanctions will be imposed on North Korea today. The situation will be handled!"

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also said the U.S. has "a long list" of additional potential sanctions, including some that target financial institutions. egarding the phone conversation between Trump and Xi, the White House said in a statement that Trump made clear the determination of the United States to defend itself and its allies.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

N. Korea reveals photos of Hwasong-15 ICBM

North Korea released photos of its new long-range ballistic missile Thursday, which features a different shape from the previous version.The front part of the Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is round shaped and relatively blunt, while that of the Hwasong-14 ICBM is sharp, according to a photograph published by the Rodong Sinmun, a newspaper of the Workers' Party of Korea, and monitored online here.

Trump asks Xi to use 'all available levers' to stop N.K. provocations

U.S. President Donald Trump asked his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping Wednesday to use "all available levers" to stop North Korea's provocations.Trump made the request while speaking by phone with Xi a day after North Korea launched what it claimed was its most powerful ballistic missile capable of striking all parts of the U.S. mainland."President Trump underscored the determination of the United States to defend ourselves and our allies from the growing threat posed by the North Korean regime," the White House said in a statement.

Bank capital ratio edges up on profit gains in Q3

Commercial banks in South Korea saw their financial soundness improve slightly in the third quarter of the year due mainly to increased profits, the financial regulator said Thursday.

The average capital adequacy ratio of 19 lenders stood at 15.4 percent as of end-September, up 0.01 percentage point from three months earlier, according to the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS).A key barometer of financial health, the ratio measures the proportion of a bank's total capital to its risk-weighted assets. The Basel, Switzerland-based Bank for International Settlements (BIS), an international organization of central banks, advises lenders to maintain a ratio of 8 percent or higher.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Trump threatens major sanctions after latest NK missile

The Trump administration threatened new sanctions on North Korea on Wednesday after the reclusive government shattered two months of relative quiet with its most powerful weapon test yet, an intercontinental ballistic missile that some observers believe could reach Washington and the entire US Eastern Seaboard.

Ex-President Park ‘too unwell’ to be tried in detention: MH Group

MH Group, which has accused South Korean authorities of mistreating and violating the rights of former President Park Geun-hye, claimed Park “is too unwell” to be tried in detention, calling for her provisional release.

NK's missile launch to have limited impact on financial market: Seoul

South Korea’s top financial policymaker said Wednesday that North Korea’s latest missile launch is expected to have limited impact on the nation’s financial market, but vowed swift actions if necessary.“I expect that North Korea’s provocations will not have a great impact on the domestic financial market,” Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon said in a meeting with economic-related ministers at Seoul Government Complex.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

N. Korea's new ICBM can hit any target in US

North Korea launched an apparent new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) early Wednesday that reached an altitude of about 4,500 kilometers and traveled 960 kilometers before falling into the East Sea inside Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone.The missile launch, which broke a 75-day lull in the North's provocations, drew strong condemnation from South Korea as well as the international community.

Dialogue with North Korea is unrealistic: prime minister

The Moon Jae-in government thinks it is unrealistic to hold talks with North Korea, Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon said Wednesday.It is more likely to impose additional unilateral sanctions against the reclusive state, he said.The comments came after the North fired an intercontinental ballistic missile that flew almost 1,000 kilometers before falling into the East Sea earlier in the day."The prospect of dialogue with the North is getting slimmer. It is unrealistic to do so while the country is accelerating its missile development," Lee said at a debate session hosted by the Kwanhun Club, an association of senior journalists.

Cosmetic surgery brings over 200,000 foreign patients to Seoul

Over 200,000 foreign patients received medical services in Seoul last year, many of whom underwent cosmetic procedures at clinics concentrated in southern Seoul.Data from the city government shows Seoul had 216,646 foreign patients in 2016, surpassing 200,000 for the first time. In 2014 it had 154,816 patients and in 2015 165,689.By district, Gangnam-gu had the largest number of patients at 76,385, three times the figure for patients in Seocho-gu with the second-highest number. Gangnam-gu also topped the list in 2014 and 2015.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

China lifts travel ban to S. Korea while issuing ban to N. Korea

The Chinese government has partially lifted a ban on group travel to South Korea in eight months since it slapped the ban in March. But it stopped short of lifting the restriction on cooperation with Lotte Group, unwittingly admitting to the allegation that the restriction was a retaliatory move by the Chinese government in response to South Korea’s deployment of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD).

China slaps sanctions on N. Korea on top of UNSC resolutions

The Chinese government has limitedly banned its people from traveling to North Korea following a U.S. ban on its citizens travelling to the reclusive country, putting a strain on North Korea’s finances. North Korea reportedly has been earning 44 million U.S. dollars annually from tourism, with China taking up 80 percent of the total. According to the statistics released by the China National Tourism Administration in 2012, 237,000 Chinese travelled to North Korea.

Samsung’s new vacuum cleaner adopts ‘Flex Handle’ function

A Samsung Electronics designer contemplated on how to disperse the weight when he designed top-heavy (motors attached to the handle), cordless vacuum cleaner “Power Gun."

As a member of the design team of Samsung Electronics’ Consumer Electronics Division, Seo Seung-uk started the design of the vacuum cleaner with pressure that it needs to be superior to rival products due to its late advancement into the market. His aim was to hit two birds — weight and performance — with a stone.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Businesses Remain Pessimistic

Businesses remain pessimistic about the future for the 19th straight month. This is the longest period since the 1997 Asian financial crisis that business sentiment has been in below 100 on the index for a whole year. The Korea Economic Research Institute said Tuesday that a survey of the business outlook for December among the nation's top 600 companies puts the business sentiment index at 96.5.A reading below 100 means pessimists outnumber optimists.The average BSI this year stood at 93.5, the lowest since 88.7 during the global financial crisis of 2008.

U.S. Worries About 'Electromagnetic Pulse Attack' from N.Korea

The U.S. Congress has decided to revive an obscure committee that works out a response to a hypothetical "electromagnetic pulse weapon" attack on the U.S. The committee is being re-launched with 12 lifetime members under the National Defense Authorization Act, which both the Senate and the House have passed recently, according to Voice of America on Monday.U.S. President Donald Trump is to meet senators and congressmen to fine-tune the budget on Tuesday.The original committee was launched in 2000 and operated largely unnoticed for 17 years until it was disbanded this Sept. 30. But now congressmen seem to feel that the threat from North Korea is real enough to re-launch the committee.

Oyster Season Reawakens Traditions

It is oyster season, a time to recall the many traditions and benefits associated with the plump bivalves. Jeon Sun-eui, a court physician to the Chosun Dynasty, wrote in a 1460 book of recipes of medicinal food for the royal family, "To relieve high temperature and stuffiness in the chest, and quench thirst after drinking alcohol, eat fresh oysters mixed with ginger and vinegar." Oysters were a highly prized ingredient in Chosun cuisine because they were hard to get hold of, and were cooked in a variety of ways. They were eaten fresh, or grilled, cooked with rice, and were used in making kimchi.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

North Korea conducts successful test of new Hwasong-15 missile

President Moon Jae-in called an emergency general meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) on Nov. 29 in connection with a North Korean ballistic missile launch that took place earlier that morning.“An unverified North Korean launch vehicle was fired at 3:17 am today. NSC chief Chung Eui-yong made the first report to the President two minutes later at 3:19, and a second report at 3:24. President Moon ordered an NSC meeting in response,” said a spokesman for the Blue House. The NSC meeting took place at 6 am.

Chinese tourist groups set to resume visits to South Korea

Chinese tourist groups may be returning to South Korea as early as next month amid news of the lifting of a March 2017 ban on group travel imposed by Chinese authorities in response to the THAAD system deployment. Authorities in some Chinese provincial governments and cities reportedly issued guidelines at meetings with local travel agencies on Nov. 27 and 28 to allow travel to South Korea through group visas.

OECD raises projection for South Korean growth rate to 3%

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has adjusted its projection for South Korea’s economic growth rate for next year up to 3.0%. In June, it had projected a growth rate of 2.8%, reflecting the contraction of spending caused by China’s retaliation for THAAD. But the OECD believes that South Korea can sustain a growth rate of 3% thanks to the recovery of world trade and an expansionary fiscal policy.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

North’s ICBM could have traveled 10,000 km

North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the East Sea Wednesday morning, reaching the highest altitude the country has ever achieved in a missile test and breaking a more than two-month stretch of behaving itself.South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that the projectile, launched at 3:17 a.m. from Pyongsong, South Pyongan Province, in western North Korea, flew nearly 960 kilometers (596 miles) after peaking at an altitude of 4,500 kilometers before landing in waters between the North and Japan.

FSC plans to write off the loans of 1.6 million

The country’s financial regulator announced a plan to forgive debt owed by 1.59 million truly struggling borrowers.The Financial Services Commission said Wednesday that it will write off debts of less than 10 million won ($9,290.4) that have remained unpaid for more than 10 years if the borrower proves to have no ability to fulfill the obligation.

About 1.59 million people carry such relatively small, overdue loans from both public and private lenders. Among them are 830,000 people involved with the so-called National Happiness Fund, a state-run fund designed to restructure debt for struggling borrowers. The remaining 760,000 borrowers owe private sector lenders and public sector financial corporations.

NIS vows to give up anti-espionage mission

The country’s spy agency Wednesday vowed to surrender all investigative powers, including its long-held privilege to go after spies and pro-North Korea operatives, in order to reinvent itself and atone for meddling in domestic politics in the past. In a meeting with lawmakers on the Intelligence Committee of the National Assembly, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) gave a briefing about its reform plan. A series of impressive measures were presented, including a plan to stop all domestic security operations.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Lotte "Surprised" After Being Excluded from China's Lift of Anti-Korean Measures, "Expectations on South Korea-China Summit"

Lotte could not hide its surprise when China partially allowed group tourism of South Korea, but continued to ban the use of Lotte hotels and duty free shops. Lotte, which was hit directly by China's retaliatory measures for having provided the site for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missiles, had eagerly looked forward to China's lifting of its ban on South Korean companies, but THAAD continues to grab at its ankles despite that China has resumed group tours to Korea.

Thanksgiving and American Politics

Thanksgiving, America's biggest holiday, has passed. It was a holiday of massive travel, with 5.1 million Americans traveling to spend the holiday with family. Major roads in large cities overflowed with cars and flights were delayed at major airports. The niece, attending a school in a large city, and the uncle, living in another state, gathered in their home. There were also many families who traveled to warm Florida or California during the holidays.

Income Tax to Be Imposed on Religious Occupations Next Year, But “Activity Expenses” Will Be Exempt

Expenses for religious activities, such as pastoral activity expenses in Protestant churches, will be exempt from the taxation of religious occupations. In addition, accounting books recording expenditures for items other than the money and goods given to a person engaged in a religious occupation will also be excluded from a tax investigation. This has some experts concerned that the taxation of people in religious occupations beginning next year will end up as an incomplete measure.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Oil Refiners See Good Times ahead due to Rising Oil Prices

International oil prices have hit a record high in seven months as they went up over US$50 a barrel. The domestic oil refining sector raised its hopes of improving their profitability in the third quarter after suffering poor results for two consecutive quarters.The spot price for Dubai crude as compiled by the Korea National Oil Corp. was $53.64 a barrel on September 16, up by 7 cents from the previous day. This is the highest level since February this year when the figure was $54.39.

Korea's MBI to Establish EV Plant in Vietnam

MBI, a Korean manufacturer specializing in making transmissions, will build an electric car plant in Hanoi, Vietnam, jointly with local firm N&G Group. The two companies will invest a total of US$1 billion for the next seven years.The companies said on September 21 that the heads of the two companies signed an agreement to establish a joint venture called Viko Motors in South Hanoi next month. Earlier in June this year, MBI was promised by the Vietnamese government and the Hanoi city government for a 20-year free land lease, high-tech investment incentive, preferential tariffs, and designation of MBI-held patented technologies as Vietnamese standards.

Gov't Decides to Give $8 Mil. Aid to North Korea...Timing to Be Announced Later

The government has decided to give support to North Korea worth US$8 million in programs helping its vulnerable people including children and pregnant women indirectly through international organizations. It, however, has not decided when to start sending money and exactly how. This is interpreted as a choice to deflect criticism that it is undertaking an aid project at a time when North Korea is causing an international storm by launching a series of missile tests.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

N. Korea claims to have developed ICBM capable of hitting U.S. mainland

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un declared that his country has become a nuclear power with the successful launch of a powerful intercontinental ballistic missile that could carry a "super-large heavy warhead" and reach as far as the entire U.S. mainland.The Hwasong-15 ICBM launched on Wednesday was "tipped with super-large heavy warhead which is capable of striking the whole mainland of the U.S.," according to a government statement published by Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

N. Korea's missile launch sparks strong response from Seoul and allies

President Moon Jae-in warned of "resolute and effective" action after South Korean troops launched a quick simulated attack on the site of North Korea's pre-dawn launch of what appeared to be the improved version of an intercontinental ballistic missile.Moon told a high-level security meeting at his office that South Korea has been prepared well for the "anticipated" test launch of a North Korean long-range missile from a place north of Pyongyang that landed in Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

S. Korea launches state project to develop painkiller from sea snake venom

South Korea will launch a state project next year to develop painkillers and other drugs using the neurotoxin component of venomous sea snakes, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. Two species -- yellowbelly and Chinese sea snakes -- were selected for the project involving researchers at the state-run National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, the ministry said in a statement. "We will start research on the development of medicinal materials using the neurotoxin component of sea snakes."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Samsung Elec initiates foundry production on 2nd-gen 10nm process

Samsung Electronics Co. has begun mass producing customized microchips using second-generation 10-nanometer (nm) process to meet the rising demand for high-performance processors for electronics devices and in line with its ambition to elevate its foundry rank. The South Korean tech giant announced on Wednesday that it started mass production of system-on-chip (SoC) using the second-generation 10nm low power plus (LPP) process technology. The new process technology allows up to 10 percent higher performance or 15 percent lower power consumption compared to the first generation 10nm low power early (LPE) technology, according to the company.

North Korea fires longest-ever missile, does not upset Seoul markets

North Korea test-fired Wednesday what it claimed to be a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile that is capable of reaching anywhere in the U.S. mainland, to which U.S. President Donald Trump coolly responded that the launch would not change its basic approach of maximum pressure. Unlike the rout caused by the September provocation, the Seoul markets were undisturbed by the longest-range missile launch by North Korea as there was less fiery response and talk of military option from Washington.

Korean Inc. business sentiment worsens amid rising labor cost

South Korean companies facing spike in labor cost due to a series of measures and pressure from the labor-friendly government to increase income for wage-earners and permanent jobs tuned more negative about business sentiment and prospects. The Korea Economic Research Institute (KERI) business survey index (BSI) measuring business sentiment of 600 largest companies retreated to 93.2 in December from 94.4 in the previous month. A reading below 100 indicates that more businesses are pessimistic about future business conditions than those who are not.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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