The Korean daily media headlines and humor
Monday, January 15, 2018
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
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Round-up of important news stories from major Korean dailies today:
The Korea Post media (www.koreapost.com) in English, (www.koreapost.co.kr) in Korean.
Trump denies saying he has good relationship with N.K. leader
U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday a newspaper misquoted him as saying that he has a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, when in fact he said he "would" have a good relationship with Kim.
World No. 1 skeleton slider feels no pressure for PyeongChang Olympics gold
South Korean skeleton slider Yun Sung-bin said Sunday he doesn't feel pressure to win a gold medal at the upcoming Winter Olympic Games. Yun, currently ranked world No. 1 in men's skeleton, returned home after winning the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) World Cup in St. Moritz, Switzerland, on Friday. It was Yun's last international competition before he enters the PyeongChang Olympics next month.
Prosecutors probe illegal political fund suspicions involving opposition lawmaker
Prosecution investigators raided the office of a school foundation headed by an opposition lawmaker Monday over suspicions that he received illegal political funds through the foundation. Rep. Hong Moon-jong of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party is suspected of taking hundreds of millions of won from those wishing to run in the 2014 local elections when he was secretary general of the then ruling Saenuri Party.
Koreas set to hold talks on N.K. art troupe's trip during Winter Olympics
South and North Korea are set to hold working-level talks Monday to discuss the North's plan to send an art troupe to the South during next month's PyeongChang Winter Olympics. The two sides will open the talks at 10:00 a.m. on the North side of the shared border village of Panmunjom, in the follow-up to their high-level talks held last week, according to Seoul's unification ministry.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)
S. Korean Delegation Departs for Inter-Korean Working-level Talks
The South Korean delegation for inter-Korean working-level talks has departed for Panmunjeom truce village to discuss North Korea's participation in the upcoming Winter Olympics. Chief delegate Lee Woo-sung, head of the culture and arts policy office at the Culture Ministry, told reporters on Monday morning that the delegation will engage in talks in a calm manner to produce good results.
Seoul Offers Free Public Transport on Monday to Reduce Fine Dust
Seoul City will offer public transportation services free of charge during peak commute hours on Monday as part of measures to reduce fine dust. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said it will take emergency measures to mitigate the worsening air quality as the city's fine dust levels were forecast to be significantly high for two straight days.
Arrest Warrants Sought for 2 Former Aides of Ex-President Lee
Prosecutors have requested arrest warrants for two senior aides of former President Lee Myung-bak on Sunday on allegations they took bribes from the state intelligence agency. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office requested the arrest warrants for Kim Paik-joon, Lee's senior secretary for administrative affairs between 2008 and 2012, and Kim Jin-mo, an ex-official at the presidential civil affairs office.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
Gov't to make decision on proposed virtual currency exchange shutdown after sufficient consultation
The government said Monday it will make a decision on a proposed shutdown of all cryptocurrency exchanges after "sufficient consultation and coordination of opinions" as the proposal sparked confusion in the market and anger among investors.
N.K. slams U.S. for throwing cold water on warming inter-Korean ties
North Korea condemned the United States on Monday for damaging a thaw in inter-Korean ties, as Washington vows to employ maximum sanctions and pressure until the North gives up its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
FSS to lower bank, credit card transaction fees to benefit consumers
The Financial Services Commission (FSS) on Monday announced a package of pro-consumer changes that includes lowering fees on ATM transactions, credit card and foreign exchange services, and creating a separate credit rating system for youths.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Korea Herald (http://www.koreaherald.com)
Koreas to discuss NK art performances at upcoming Olympics
The two Koreas will hold working-level talks Monday to hammer out key details concerning a North Korean art troupe’s participation in the PyeongChang Olympics next month, the South’s Unification Ministry said Sunday.
Hawaii lawmaker urges Trump to speak directly with NK leader
A lawmaker from Hawaii urged US President Donald Trump on Sunday to hold talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un after the island went into a panic over a false alert about an incoming ballistic missile.
Seoul issues emergency pollution measures
The Seoul Metropolitan Government is set to waive public transportation fees during peak commute hours on Monday to mitigate the worsening air quality brought on by fine dust particles. The fee waiver is part of emergency measures that went into effect in Seoul at 5 p.m. Sunday as the fine dust level reached 57 micrograms per cubic meter as of 4 p.m.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
Two Koreas to hold working-level talks on art troupe's visit to Olympics on Monday
The two Koreas will meet Monday to discuss the North Korean performers' participation in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics next month, the Ministry of Unification said Saturday. Following the first inter-Korean talks in nearly two years, Jan. 9, the South proposed holding vice-ministerial working-level talks to the North regarding various issues related to its Olympic participation.
Seoul to offer free public transport on Monday to combat fine dust
South Korea will enforce an alternate no driving day restriction in the capital city to cope with high levels of fine dust in the atmosphere, the government said Sunday. The move that will be implemented Monday affects all vehicles operated by public organizations in Seoul, the Ministry of Environment said.
Spy agency to be stripped of espionage cases
The government announced a set of steps to reform the nation's spy agency and prosecution Sunday and delegate some of their investigation functions to the police in a move to prevent their abuse of power. Under a reform plan to reorganize the nation's three investigation agencies, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) will no longer be allowed to investigate domestic espionage cases or collect information on politicians and citizens, Cheong Wa Dae said.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)
Employers Decide on Hiring Before the Interview Is Over
Most businesses make their hiring decisions even before job interviews are over, a straw poll suggest. Job portal Saramin polled 194 companies, and 77.3 percent made their hiring decisions even before the interview was over.
More Women Propose to Men
Many women no longer bite their nails and wait until their boyfriends pop the question but propose themselves. Lee Seon-hwan (30), an office worker in Seoul, proposed to her boyfriend, Koh Jung-wook (30) last year and tied the knot in November.
N.Korea Presents 'Bill' for Olympic Participation
North Korea on Thursday demanded a halt to joint U.S.-South Korean military exercises and the deployment of strategic American weapons in the South. The demand came just two days after the two Koreas met for the first time in two years and agreed that North Korean athletes will take part in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HanKyoReh Shinmun (http://english.hani.co.kr)
NIS special activity funds investigation expands to former president Lee
Prosecutors conducted a surprise raid on former Blue House officials. Prosecutors investigating the illegal diversion of special activity funds from the National Intelligence Service (NIS) are now turning their attention to the Blue House under former President Lee Myung-bak (2008–13).
Increased police authority draws concerns about excessive monitoring
A predicted increase in the police’s investigative authority, including anti-communist investigation duties taken over from the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and new duties currently being coordinated with prosecutors, is raising fears of consequences including excessive monitoring of citizens and targeted investigations if current indiscriminate intelligence gathering organizations remain in place.
South Korea on the cutting edge for technology in the ICT revolution
An analysis of patent applications and usage suggests South Korea has world-leading levels of technology and innovation capacities for the information and communications technology (ICT) revolution, but is relatively lacking in innovation capacities for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JoongAng Ilbo (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/)
Blue House describes plan to clean up the NIS
The Blue House announced Sunday its road map for reforms of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), police and prosecution that will grant more investigative power to the police. “Under the current system, the prosecution has monopolized the power to investigate and indict, and the NIS has monopolized anti-communist investigation powers,” said Cho Kuk, senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, in a press conference at the Blue House on Sunday.
North, South will meet again over arts group’s visit
Representatives from Seoul and Pyongyang will convene again near the border today at 10 a.m. to discuss a North Korean performing arts group’s visit to the South next month for the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
Banks backtrack on cryptocurrency accounts
Banks reversed their policies on accounts for cryptocurrency exchanges over the weekend, saying that they will stick to their initial plans to allow clients to open accounts for cryptocurrency transactions using their real names within the month.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The KyungHyang Shinmun (http://english.khan.co.kr/)
The Constitutional Amendment and the Korean Peninsula, the Two Black Holes in Politics
The political circle is engaging in a heated debate over two major issues at the dawn of the new year. They are the constitutional amendment, for which President Moon Jae-in showed his strong determination at the New Year's press conference on January 10, and issues concerning the Korean Peninsula, which is slowly melting with the high-level inter-Korean talks.
We Need an Exit Strategy to Prevent Cryptocurrency Speculation Frenzy
The Ministry of Justice decided to shut down virtual currency exchanges to tame the speculation frenzy in the cryptocurrency market. The ministry opted for the ultra strong measure banning the trade of virtual currency at exchanges by enacting a special law.
National Tax Service Launches Tax Investigation on Bithumb and Coinone
The government is putting the pressure on virtual currency exchanges in all directions. The police have begun an investigation following the financial authority’s announcement to "thoroughly investigate" the exchanges, and the National Tax Service has launched a tax investigation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AJU Business Daily (http://eng.ajunews.com/korea)
Police blame negligence for causing bacterial infection in death of four babies
Police blamed negligence by nurses and doctors for causing a bacterial infection that killed four newborn babies in incubators last month at a college hospital in Seoul. A health scare erupted in December last year when four babies died one by one in their incubators at the intensive care unit of a college hospital in western Seoul.
Copycat killer inspired by movie given 18-year jail sentence
A 30-year-old copycat killer, inspired by a crime movie, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for murdering his former boss with a knife and pouring starch and brown sugar over his body to cover up the brutal crime.
Presidential website swamped with cryptocurrency-related petitions
The window for public petitions at South Korea's official presidential website has been swamped with more than 2,000 appeals opposing or supporting government regulations on cryptocurrency trading. The first petition was posted on December 28 to oppose regulations, followed by a flurry of appeals this week.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maeil Business News Korea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/)
South Korean Banks not to offer virtual currency accounts
South Korea’s major commercial bank Shinhan Bank will scrap a plan to introduce a real-name verification service that will allow its customers to open accounts for virtual currency trading under their names, citing brewing controversy over cryptocurrency trading.
S. Korea green car sales soar to record high last year
Steady demand for hybrid and electric vehicles in South Korea pushed sales of eco-friendly cars to an all-time high last year. The number of green cars sold in the country stood at 97,486 units in 2017, up 41.6 percent from the previous year, according to data from industry sources and the Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association on Sunday.
U.S. beef imports in S. Korea top $1 bn for the first time ever
According to the Korea Customs Service, U.S. beef imports amounted to $1.09 billion in the January-November period last year. December results would be released on Monday but the number has already surpassed the $966.9 million imports for full 2016.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
Japan's Yomiuri www.yomiuri.co.jp japannews@yomiuri.com
Asahi www.asahi.com customer-support@asahi.com
Mainichi www.mainichi.jp
Le Monde www.ilemonde.com
Italy LaRepubblica www.quotidiano.repubblica.it vittorio.zucconi@gmail.com
Germany Frankfurter AllgemeineZeitung www.faz.net anzeigen.ausland@faz.de
SüddeutscheZeitung www.sueddeutsche.de forum@sueddeutsche.de
Australia Brisbane Times www.brisbanetimes.com.au syndication@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Sydney Morning Heraldwww.smh.com.au
Colombia Reports http://colombiareports.com
Bogota Free Planet http://bogotafreeplanet.combfp@bogotafreeplanet.com
El Universal http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/english
Andes http://www.andes.info.ec/en
Ecuador Times http://www.ecuadortimes.net
The Jordan Times https://www.jordantimes.com
LSM.lv http://www.lsm.lv/en
The Baltic Times http://www.baltictimes.comlithuania@baltictimes.com, estonia@baltictimes.com, editor@baltictimes.com
El Pais http://elpais.com/elpais/inenglish.html
Philippine Daily Inquirer https://www.inquirer.net
Daily News Hungary http://dailynewshungary.com
Budapest Times http://budapesttimes.hu
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Korea Post is running video clips from the different embassies.
Azerbaijan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR8CBpcQ4WM
Sri Lanka: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hByX92Y2aGY&t=22s
Morocco: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfFmp2sVvSE
And many other countries.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TO ERR ON THE SAFER SIDE!
I trust that Your Excellency may be aware that we are ready to fully meet ALL the information dissemination-acquisition requirements of the Embassies—free of charge.
Please visit the following URLs and order us:
Real time-updated Korean Internet news http://www.koreapost.co.kr/
Real time-updated English Internet news http://www.koreapost.com/
20-page Korean-language newspaper http://www.koreapost.co.kr/pdf/list.php
English E-daily http://www.koreapost.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=5504
English monthly magazine The Korea Post http://www.koreapost.com/cover/coverList.html
To satisfy your information dissemination-acquisition requirements, please drop a line at edt@koreapost.com, pub@koreapost.com or yeskoreapost@gmail.com
The publisher-chairman of The Korea Post media is serving the Diplomatic Community for more than 40 years, 32 years with The Korea Post and 10 years with The Korea Herald as the Cultural Editor who covered the Diplomatic Community.
For quick response, call Chairman Lee directly at 010-5201-1740 or reporters at 010-3388-1682 or 010-7584-5873.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------