The Korean daily media headlines and humor

The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Wednesday, January 17, 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

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

Please help us update our mailing list.

It would help us speed up our transmission!

Yesterday, I was flabbergasted to learn that we were transmitting this Headlines FOUR TIMES to an Excellency.

His Excellency kindly reminded us of this, and we are so very grateful to His Excellency for his kind reminder.

Here again, thank you so much for the kind reminder!

If other Excellency or Excellencies have encountered with the same unintended nuisance from us,

please accept our sincere apology, and do us a favor and advise us of such a situation so that we can take a corrective action immediately.

Lee Kyung-sik

Chairman

Publisehr of:-

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=5912

English monthly magazine The Korea Post http://www.koreapost.com/cover/coverList.html

Incidentally, if Your Excellency happens to have a publicity requirement, please do not hestit ate to contact me at any time.

I am available at all times at 010-5201-1740 and/or edt@koreapost.com or pub@koreapost.com.

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

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.

Koreas to hold additional talks on PyeongChang Olympics

Leading a delegation to the inter-Korean talks on the North's participation in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, a senior South Korean government official said Wednesday his team will discuss key issues in a "calm" manner.

Kimchi trade deficit hits record high in 2017

South Korea's deficit in kimchi trade reached US$47.28 million last year, up 11 percent from the year before, as cheap products from China flooded in, customs office statistics showed Wednesday. Last year's deficit is the largest since the Korea Customs Service began to track data in 2000.

Fan files petition at human rights watchdog over push for joint Korean hockey team

A South Korean hockey fan has filed a petition at the national human rights watchdog over the government's push for a joint team with North Korea at the upcoming Winter Olympics, saying it infringes on the rights of homegrown athletes.

Tillerson vows to continue sanctions campaign against N. Korea

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Tuesday that North Korea will continue to face sanctions until it takes "decisive steps" to abandon its nuclear weapons program. Tillerson was speaking at a foreign ministers' meeting in Vancouver, Canada, that focused on addressing the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

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

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

Koreas Begin Working-level Talks on N. Korea's Olympic Participation

The two Koreas began working-level talks to discuss key issues on North Korea's participation in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics at 10 a.m. Wednesday. South Korea's chief delegate Chun Hae-sung told reporters before his departure to the Panmunjeom border village on Wednesday morning that the delegates will mainly discuss practical issues regarding the North's participation in the Winter Olympics and Paralympics to follow up on the agreement produced in last week's high-level inter-Korean talks.

Wednesday Sees Another Day of Emergency Finedust Reduction Measures

The minister for the environment has announced a series of measures to counter the health threat caused by the high levels of fine dust. The Seoul metropolitan area was again under emergency measures on Wednesday as dense microdust blanketed the region.

Confidant of Ex-President Lee Arrested on Bribery Charges

A close confidant of former President Lee Myung-bak has been arrested for allegedly taking bribes from the state intelligence agency. Attention is being drawn to whether prosecutors will expand the scope of their probe to include the former president.

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

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

Foreign ministers of 20 countries support inter-Korean talks, diplomatic efforts on nuke issue

Foreign ministers of 20 countries, including the United States, South Korea and Canada, on Tuesday expressed their support for ongoing inter-Korean talks, hoping that they will lead to steady eased tensions going forward.

Ruling party chief presses ex-President Lee to explain corruption allegations

The leader of the ruling Democratic Party on Wednesday pressured former President Lee Myung-bak to come clean about mounting corruption allegations involving his former aides, as prosecutors accelerated probes into them.

Michelin-starred chef opens restaurant at Incheon airport's new terminal

A two Michelin-starred chef will open a Korean restaurant in the new passenger terminal of Incheon airport, the country's main gateway, this week, he said Wednesday. Pyunghwaok, located in the second terminal of Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, will be unveiled to the public on Thursday in line with the official launch of operations of the new terminal.

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

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

Koreas in full-scale talks on PyeongChang Olympics

South and North Korea began vice ministerial talks Wednesday on key details associated with the North's plan to join the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. The two sides opened working-level talks at 10 a.m. as scheduled at the Peace House, which is on the South Korean side of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone, according to the Ministry of Unification.

Arrest warrant issued for former key presidential aides

A Seoul court issued arrest warrant Wednesday for one of the closest former aides to erstwhile President Lee Myung-bak for taking illegal funds from the state intelligence agency. Kim Paik-joon received a total of more than 400 million won ($375,000) from the National Intelligence Service while serving as senior secretary for administrative affairs to Lee between 2008 and 2012, according to prosecutors.

SK Telecom likely to acquire factory automation firm Toptec

South Korea’s leading mobile carrier SK Telecom is on track to acquire the factory automation technology firm Toptec to seek synergy with its telecom and semiconductor businesses, according to the industry Tuesday.

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

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

Stuck in metal dust town, Sawol

In an Incheon town near the world's largest landfill, residents are at their wit's end, battling with toxic air as they go about their daily lives. Now they are demanding that the central government step in to fix their plight.

Two Koreas in talks: 'everything on Olympics is on the table'

Ex-presidential aide arrested

Kim Paik-joon, a key aide of former President Lee Myung-bak, was arrested Wednesday for allegedly receiving more than 400 million won ($375,000) from the National Intelligence Service. Kim Jin-mo, Lee's presidential secretary for civil affairs from 2009-2011, was arrested on a similar charge.

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

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

N.Korea's Olympic Delegation Threatens Logistical Nightmare

Welcoming a North Korean delegation that will be up to 500 strong to the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang threatens to become a logistical nightmare. In talks on Monday, South Korea proposed that the North Koreans travel across the border by land, which will probably mean they will be funneled through the truce village of Panmunjom.

Americans Advised to Make a Will Before Traveling to N.Korea

The U.S. government has warned citizens to draft a will and make funeral arrangements if they insist on visiting North Korea.

The U.S. State Department's website on Jan. 10 started advising travelers to prepare for the worst if they should visit the North, Voice of America reported Monday.

Most Parents Would Send Small Kids to Crammers Over English Ban

Nine out of 10 parents say they would send their children to private English crammers if the government insists on banning early English education in kindergartens, a straw poll suggests. English education company Yoons English School polled 271 parents earlier this month and found that 88.9 percent would send their children to private crammers until formal English classes can start in the third grade of elementary school.

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

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

North Korean Samjiyon Band to perform during Pyeongchang Olympics

140 member band will be performing in Gangneung and Seoul. North Korea has agreed to send the Samjiyon Band, an orchestra with more than 140 members, to South Korea to perform in Seoul and in Gangneung, a city in Gangwon Province, during the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

Foreign ministers gather in Vancouver to discuss Korean Peninsula issues

The officials are from countries that fought for the UN during the Korean War. With the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics greasing the wheels of inter-Korean dialogue, foreign ministers from more than twenty countries will be gathering in Vancouver, Canada, on Jan. 16 to discuss Korean Peninsula issues.

South Korean defense and foreign affairs officials to meet with US counterparts

South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense announced on Jan. 15 that senior diplomats and defense officials from South Korea and the US will be meeting for the second round of the Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSCG), which will be held in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 17.

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

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

North Korea’s 140-strong troupe may cross over at DMZ

Pyongyang asked Seoul last Monday to allow 140 members of an orchestra to cross into the country to attend the Winter Olympics through the heavily fortified truce village of Panmunjom next month. If the troupe does travel to the South via Panmunjom - where both countries exchanged gunfire just last month after a North Korean soldier defected - it would be a symbolic gesture of amity in the world’s last country divided by the Cold War, and one with few precedents.

Ministry delays ban on preschool English

The Ministry of Education delayed a ban on public kindergartens teaching English after protests from parents and English teachers. “We realize there is a lack of a consensus in society regarding the plan,” said the Education Ministry in its statement on Tuesday.

Gov’t keeps up tough talk on its policies on bitcoin

Although the government has decided not to ban cryptocurrency trading for the time being, it wants to break the back of Korea’s cryptocurrency mania, which it considers gambling, not investing. The closing of cryptocurrency exchanges is still on the table, as is the possibility of pulling out all of the government’s indirect investments on cryptocurrency exchanges if it finds illegal activities.

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

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

NK to Send over 140 Members of the Samjiyon Orchestra to Perform in Gangneung and Seoul

North Korea decided to send the Samjiyon Orchestra, with over 140 members, to the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games. Reportedly, the Samjiyon Orchestra is a comprehensive artist troupe comprised of singers, dancers and more than eighty orchestra members. The orchestra will perform once in Gangneung and once in Seoul.

The Weight of Lee Myung-bak Grows Heavier for the Liberty Korea Party

The Liberty Korea Party is being sucked into the aftermath of the abuse of state authority by the Lee Myung-bak government following the abuse of state power by former President Park Geun-hye.

Aiming at the Prosecution Service, the Slowest to Reform

On January 14, Cheong Wa Dae Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Cho Kuk began his announcement of government plans to reform law enforcement agencies with the case of Park Jong-chul, who died after being tortured by law enforcement officers--the case was the subject of the film, 1987.

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

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

Ice fishing festival near inter-Korean border becomes international attraction

Despite high cross-border tensions, an ice fishing contest held every year near the heavily armed inter-Korean border is set to attract a record number of visitors this week, retaining its status as South Korea's most popular winter festival.

Two Koreas hold talks on N. Korean Olympic delegation

The two Koreas held talks Wednesday on the dispatch of North Korean athletes to next month's Winter Olympics as the American coach of South Korean female hockey players expressed concern over a unified Korean team. The meeting in the truce village of Panmunjom was the second of its kind since North Korea agreed to send athletes, high-ranking officials, cheerleaders, performing artists, taekwondo demonstration teams and journalists for the Winter Games in South Korea's eastern ski resort of Pyeongchang.

Doosan Heavy considers selling off power plant division

Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction, a key contractor in South Korea's nuclear power industry, is working on the possible separation of its power plant division for disposal due to an uncertain business outlook and liquidity woes.

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

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

Kakao’s $1 bn Singapore GDR IPO entirely subscribed, pricing due Jan. 23

South Korea’s dominant messaging platform operator Kakao Corp. easily pulled off a $1 billion initial public offering in global depositary receipts (GDRs) as its news shares were entirely subscribed before the book-building session finished on Wednesday.

Corporations earning more than $14 mn in Korea to face external audit from ’20

All corporations based in South Korea beyond a certain sales and payroll level would be forced to get outside auditing on their annual financial statements from fiscal 2020, which means big foreign names such as Google, Apple, and Chanel may have to disclose their books on their business in Korea.

Samsung SDS develops blockchain-based electronic authentication platform

Samsung SDS has developed a blockchain-based electronic authentication platform that could replace Active X thanks to greater security and easier-to-use design. The company aims to take leadership in blockchain-based authentication markets around the world while increasing its footprint in electronic authentication and e-government businesses in Southeast Asia.

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

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.com bfp@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.

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

Lee Kyung-sik edt@koeapost.com