The Korean daily media headlines and humor

The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Friday, February 02, 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

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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.

Pentagon downplays N. Korea military parade

The Pentagon on Thursday played down the significance of North Korea's military parade reportedly set for next week. The communist regime is thought to be preparing for a large parade next Thursday, the day before the opening of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, to mark the anniversary of its army's foundation. Asked if it could pose a threat to the United States, Pentagon chief spokesperson Dana White told reporters, "Well, North Korea often has parades." She added, "We're very capable of countering any threat to the United States, its allies or its partners."

S. Korea complains about strict U.S. tariffs during 2nd FTA talk with U.S.

South Korea expressed strong concerns over trade remedies on its goods during the second round of talks to amend the free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States, while the U.S. side sought ways to reduce the trade deficit in the auto sector, Seoul's trade minister said Thursday.Yoo Myung-hee, the deputy minister for FTA negotiations at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, held a two-day meeting in Seoul with Assistant U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Michael Beeman, in Seoul to rewrite terms for the five-year-old deal. The meeting came at a sensitive time, as U.S. President Donald Trump last week signed steep safeguard tariffs on washers and solar panels, including those from South Korea.

Samsung's brand value moves up to 4th place in world amid robust earnings

The brand value of Samsung Electronics Co. rose two notches from a year earlier to rank fourth in an annual report on the world's most valuable brands, a British corporate valuation and strategy consultancy said Friday.The South Korean tech giant's brand value jumped 39 percent to US$92.3 billion in 2018 from a year earlier and remains Asia's most valuable brand, Brand Finance said."As the company strives to be at the forefront of technology, and its brand philosophy 'Do What You Can't' continues to resonate with consumers, Samsung is on the right track to grow in both brand value and brand strength in the future," Brand Finance said in the report posted on its website.

President pledges more autonomy for local governments

President Moon Jae-in reaffirmed his efforts to delegate more authority to regional governments Thursday, calling for a constitutional amendment that would support such a move."Expanding local autonomy through a constitutional change is a task we must complete sooner or later," the president said while meeting with governors and other top officials from 17 provincial and major municipal governments throughout the nation.The president said there was no difference of opinion between ruling and opposition parties on the need to amend the Constitution to enhance the autonomy of local governments, and he noted that all political parties and their presidential candidates had pledges to push for a Constitutional amendment to that end while campaigning for the May 9 presidential election.

U.S. seeks S. Korea's understanding of delayed appointment of top envoy

The United States has sought South Korea's "understanding" with regard to Washington's recent withdrawal of Victor Cha from consideration for ambassador to Seoul, the foreign ministry in Seoul said Thursday, adding that the allies continue to cooperate on filling the long-vacant post as soon as possible. The White House has dropped its bid to appoint Cha as ambassador to the Asian ally, reportedly due to his disagreement with the Donald Trump administration's consideration of a limited military strike on North Korea. Cha, a Korean American, served as director for Asian affairs on the White House National Security Council in the George W. Bush administration. He is currently the Korea chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

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

Justice Minister Admits to Receiving E-mail from Prosecutor about Sexual Harassment

Justice Minister Park Sang-ki has acknowledged that he received an e-mail from a prosecutor last year about her alleged sexual harassment. The Justice Ministry, which initially denied it, said on Wednesday that Park received the e-mail and ordered an official to check the case and take proper measures. Female prosecutor Seo Ji-hyeon, who said she was sexually harassed by her former superior in 2010, claimed that she sent an e-mail to the justice minister in August last year to notify them of the case and ask for a meeting.

Ex-Maritime Minister, Vice Minister Arrested for Interfering with Sewol Probe Panel

A former maritime minister and a vice minister have been arrested on charges of interfering with an independent panel's investigation into the sinking of the Sewol ferry in 2014. The Seoul Eastern District Court on Thursday issued arrest warrants for ex-Maritime Minister Kim Young-suk and ex-Vice Minister Yoon Hag-bae, acknowledging their charges and citing the risk of the suspects fleeing or destroying evidence. The special investigative panel was set up in 2015 under a special law to determine the cause of the sinking of the Sewol ferry, in which more than 300 people were killed. The panel was composed of maritime experts, lawyers, civilians and maritime ministry officials.

N. Korean Athletes Arrive in S. Korea to Compete at PyeongChang Olympics

A North Korean delegation, including ten athletes, has arrived in South Korea to attend the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. The 32-member team, led by North Korean Vice Sports Minister Won Gil-woo, flew in on a South Korean chartered plane from the North's Kalma Airport to land at Yangyang International Airport in Gangwon Province on Thursday evening. Accompanied by three coaches and 18 assistants, the ten North Korean athletes will compete in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating pair and short track speed skating. In the South, they will join 12 female North Korean ice hockey players, who arrived in the country on Sunday and have been training at the Gangneung Olympic Village.

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

Growth in bank mortgage loans slows in Jan.

Mortgage loans extended by South Korea's five major banks grew at the slowest clip in nine months in January amid the government's all-out efforts to rein in rising housing prices, data showed Friday. The outstanding amount of home-backed loans by the lenders -- KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Woori, KEB Hana and Nonghyup -- came to 378.8 trillion won (US$353 billion) as of end-January, up slightly over 950 billion won from the previous month, according to the data. The monthly increase was the lowest since the 678 billion won posted in April last year. In the second half of last year, bank mortgage loans increased by about 2 trillion won per month. Outstanding individual collective loans stood at 117.1 trillion won as of the end of January, down 89.8 billion won from a month earlier and marking the first on-month drop in 11 months.

S. Korea to send troops to Cobra Gold training in Thailand

Hundreds of South Korean troops will be deployed to Thailand this month for an annual international exercise, the Navy here said Friday.A combat unit of more than 430 sailors and Marines will leave for the Southeast Asian nation later in the day to join the Cobra Gold drills slated for Feb. 13-23, it said. The soldiers are scheduled to arrive there Saturday on the 4,900-ton Cheonjaebong landing ship.Cobra Gold is an Asia-Pacific military exercise co-organized by the U.S. and Thai militaries with a focus on multinational peacekeeping operations.It was launched in 1981, and South Korea began formally participating in it in 2010.The upcoming training is drawing six warships, 34 amphibious armored vehicles and 86 aircraft from nine countries -- South Korea, the U.S., Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, China and India.

Samsung's brand value moves up to 4th place in world amid robust earnings

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

North Korean athletes land in South for PyeongChang Olympics

Thirty-two North Koreans, including 10 athletes, landed in South Korea at around 6:09 p.m., Thursday, Seoul’s Unification Ministry confirmed, to compete in the upcoming PyeongChang Winter Olympics. The North Koreans took off from Kalma Airport in Kangwon Province, North Korea along with the South Korean ski team that had traveled to the North on Wednesday aboard a chartered Asiana Airlines plane for a joint ski training session. The same aircraft was used to transport the group back to South Korea. The North Korean athletes are to stay at Gangneung Olympic Village, in Gangneung, Gangwon Province. Gangneung, located only about 30 kilometers away from the host city of PyeongChang, will host ice sports during the Winter Games.

US seriously considering ‘bloody nose’ strategy: US experts

With the White House abandoning its plan to nominate Victor Cha as US ambassador to Seoul allegedly over his objection to the “bloody nose” strategy, speculation is rising on whether the Trump administration is seeking to conduct a limited military strike against North Korea. In an email interview with The Korea Herald, US security and military experts said Cha’s removal indicates that Washington is giving “serious consideration” to the option of demonstrating its seriousness about preventing North Korea from achieving full-fledged nuclear capability. However, analysts added that the “bloody nose” strategy is still a “poorly reasoned” operational concept because the scheme carries the risk of prompting North Korea to retaliate in response and expanding a narrow strike into an all-out war on the Korean Peninsula.

Cha's withdrawal raises concerns about preventive strike on N. Korea

US President Donald Trump's withdrawal of his pick for ambassador to South Korea has fanned concerns that the administration is seriously considering a military strike on North Korea.Victor Cha, who served on the White House National Security Council under George W. Bush, was dropped after reportedly voicing reservations about the Trump administration's consideration of a limited strike on nuclear and missile facilities in the North.The news came amid a rare opening for reconciliation between the two Koreas. Inter-Korean dialogue has been under way since last month after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un expressed an interest in sending a delegation to the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, and Seoul has been eager to build on that momentum for peace.

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

Pokemon Korea lets foreigners play tournament

Pokemon Korea allowed foreigners to play in last weekend's competition only after they protested in person but still didn't offer them privileges given to winners such as the right to represent Korea in world-level competitions.Foreign players protested the ban by the multinational firm's Korean office, calling it a "violation" of the head firm's rules and an act of discrimination.The competition in question was the 2017-18 Winter Nintendo DS Video Game Tournament on Jan. 28 in Pangyo on the outskirts of Seoul. "We just wanted to play," said Rachel Stine, an American player. Kaity Nara, another foreign participant, told The Korea Times the organizers "confirmed foreign players may play if they play even without the potential for prizes or placing in the finals."

Cha's withdrawal raises concerns about preventive strike on North Korea

U.S. President Donald Trump's withdrawal of his pick for ambassador to South Korea has fanned concerns that the administration is seriously considering a military strike on North Korea.Victor Cha, who served on the White House National Security Council under George W. Bush, was dropped after reportedly voicing reservations about the Trump administration's consideration of a limited strike on nuclear and missile facilities in the North.The news came amid a rare opening for reconciliation between the two Koreas. Inter-Korean dialogue has been under way since last month after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un expressed an interest in sending a delegation to the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, and Seoul has been eager to build on that momentum for peace.

US military fails in missile interception test

The United States military has failed to shoot down a dummy missile off the coast of Hawaii, Wednesday (local time), in a test drill to prepare for intensifying missile threats from North Korea, according to reports.The U.S. Department of Defense established a missile launch test site on the island where the SM-3 Block IIA missile - co-developed by the U.S. and Japan - failed to hit a missile launched from an aircraft, local reports said, citing Pentagon sources.No reason was given for the test's failure. There was a similar failure in June last year, although some tests in recent years were successful."The Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. Navy sailors manning the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex conducted a live-fire missile flight test using a Standard-Missile (SM)-3 Block IIA missile launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kauai, Hawaii, Wednesday morning," Mark Wright, a spokesman from the Missile Defense Agency, was quoted as saying.

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

Seoul, Washington Start Talks on Defense Burden Sharing

A senior U.S. administration official has reiterated the importance of Seoul paying more for the upkeep of the U.S. Forces Korea than the current W950 billion per year (US$1=W1,068). Defense Department official Elbridge Colby told reporters at the Pentagon on Monday that Washington has to re-engage in talks with Seoul "about equity in the burden-sharing arrangement."

"I think given the realities of the situation, from... an equity point of view, we have to calibrate. We have to re-engage with this discussion about equity in the burden-sharing arrangement in way that, if you go back to our history, it was often a spirited and often contentious discussion that was had among friends."U.S. President Donald Trump claimed during his election campaign that Korea does not pay enough for the USFK upkeep and hates to be seen to back down.

Seoul Bewildered by Withdrawal of U.S. Ambassador Nomination

The government declined to comment on Wednesday on reports that the White House at the last minute dumped Victor Cha as the next ambassador to Korea. "We have nothing to confirm," a government spokesman said. "This is a matter for the U.S. government to explain." But privately officials here were visibly rattled by the prospect of the post remaining vacant at a time when close discussions are necessary between Seoul and Washington about the North Korean nuclear threat. A Foreign Ministry source said, "We were worried when a month passed after we granted agrément, and now our concerns have become a reality." Former U.S. ambassador Mark Lippert stepped down on Jan. 20 last year after the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump. Since then the embassy has been headed by the charge d'affaires, Mark Knapper. It is unprecedented for the position here to be left empty for so long -- the previous record was nine months back in 1955.

Rich Koreans Unfazed by Property Speculation Crackdown

Rich Koreans seem unfazed by tougher regulations intended to crack down on real estate speculation. A majority of the rich have not only held on to their real estate holdings, but half of them have no intention of selling them within the next two or three years, according to a survey by KEB Hana Bank out on Wednesday. The banking group surveyed 808 customers with financial assets of more than W1 billion since October last year (US$1=W1,068). Their real estate holdings have increased compared to a year ago and they are if anything more optimistic about the real estate market in the future. The average value of their real estate stood at W6.23 billion each, up around W1.73 billion on-year, and accounted for 50.6 percent of their total assets.

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

Trump plans to maintain pressure on North Korean regime in bid to force denuclearization

“No regime has oppressed its own citizens more totally or brutally than the cruel dictatorship in North Korea. North Korea’s reckless pursuit of nuclear missiles could very soon threaten our homeland,” US President Donald Trump said on Jan. 30. “We are waging a campaign of maximum pressure to prevent that from happening,” Trump said during his first State of the Union address, delivered in the US House of Representatives, which marks the beginning of his second year in office. These remarks appear to show that Trump is focused on a diplomatic solution such as sanctions, rather than military action, even while emphasizing the urgency of North Korea’s nuclear threat.

Successful inter-Korean ski training eases concerns prompted by cancellation of Mt. Kumgang cultural event

Skiers from South and North Korea plied the slopes together at the Masikryong Ski Resort in Wonsan, located in the North Korean half of Gangwon Province. The two-day joint training program for South and North Korean skiers on Jan. 31 proceeded without any issues, easing concerns prompted by the cancellation of a joint cultural event at Mt. Kumgang. It was during the same vice minister-level talks on Jan. 17 that South and North Korea agreed to hold both the Masikryong joint training program and the Mt. Kumgang cultural event to celebrate the hosting of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. According to this agreement, a South Korean advance team arrived in the North on Jan. 23 and reviewed facilities at Mount Kumgang, the Masikryong Ski Resort and Kalma International Airport during a three-day visit.

Joint performance schedule agreed for inter-Korean taekwondo performances

A joint performance schedule has been decided for a North Korean-led International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) demonstration team at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. The South Korean-led federation World Taekwondo headed by WT President Choue Chung-won announced on Jan. 31 that “six officials including ITF president Ri Yong-son will be arriving on Feb. 7 at Gimpo Airport from Beijing, while 28 members of the ITF demonstration team, including chief Pak Yong-chil, will be arriving in South Korea the same day by bus over the west overland route.”The six officials are scheduled to leave for Beijing on Feb. 15 for their return trip, while the 28 demonstration team members will be traveling back over the same route. Demonstration teams for the two federations will be participating jointly in a preliminary performance before the Pyeongchang Olympics opening ceremony on Feb. 9.

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

North Korea’s athletes arrive for Games

GANGNEUNG, Gangwon - North Korea’s Olympic delegation flew into South Korea Thursday on a chartered plane and checked in at the Gangneung Olympic Village Thursday night, with local media jostling to catch every image and comment. Led by Won Gil-u, Pyongyang’s vice sports minister, the 32-member delegation entered the Gangneung village around 8 p.m. Thursday surrounded by a throng of reporters and spectators. The North Koreans unpacked on the upper floors of the 25-floor building number 804 in the Gangneung village. Also staying in that building are the Norwegian and Austrian national teams. A heavy police guard was present in advance of the North Koreans’ arrival with a throng of cameramen standing near the village entrance to capture images of the visitors.

Satellite images show preparations for Pyongyang’s parade

Satellite images of North Korea’s preparations for a military parade were released Wednesday by 38 North, a website that specializes in North Korea analysis, showing at least 12,000 troops and 110 artillery pieces, tanks and other armored vehicles practicing on training grounds on the outskirts of Pyongyang. For weeks, South Korean authorities have suspected that the North was preparing to hold a “massive” and “threatening” military parade next Thursday, on the eve of the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army.But satellite images were never shown to local media, and Pyongyang has never officially acknowledged that a parade was forthcoming.

Fans will pay a lot to watch the joint ice hockey team

Demand is so hot for tickets to the inter-Korean women’s ice hockey team games at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics that sports fans are offering double the regular price to get them.The PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (Pocog) said that 74 percent of tickets to all the Games were sold out as of Wednesday. But tickets to the three games featuring the inter-Korean women’s ice hockey team have been long sold out.The team is playing against Switzerland on Feb. 10, Sweden on Feb. 12 and Japan on Feb. 14.“I want to buy your ticket to the inter-Korean women’s ice hockey game against Sweden,” wrote a desperate fan on an online site where users can buy and sell used goods on Thursday. “I will pay you a high price.”

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

If Unjust Influence Was Exerted by Ahn Tae-geun and Choi Gyo-il, They Could Be Summoned on Charges of Misfeasance

On January 31, the Prosecution Service launched an investigation team to uncover the truth and restore damages concerning the sexual harassment case involving a senior prosecutor, and now an investigation of Ahn Tae-geun (52), a former chief prosecutor and a key figure in this case, and Liberty Korea Party lawmaker Choi Gyo-il (56) seems inevitable. Prosecutor Seo Ji-hyeon pointed out both these men as the key figures involved in the sexual harassment incident and in disadvantages she suffered in personnel affairs, but since both have left the Prosecution Service, the investigation team cannot force them to cooperate with the investigation.

We Support Woo Won-sik's Efforts to Seek a Social Agreement

On January 31, the Minjoo Party of Korea floor leader Woo Won-sik suggested establishing a social solidarity committee in the National Assembly including the ruling and opposition parties and all socioeconomic actors. While addressing the National Assembly as a representative of a negotiating body, he said, "The purpose of a grand social agreement is to reach a high level of social consensus on policies overall, including labor, welfare, regulations and taxes." He further said, "The social solidarity committee should actively reflect the diverse voices of the field including representatives of the younger generation, women, temporary workers, non-labor workers, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and small store owners, and the ruling and opposition parties should also take part." In other words, Woo called for the representatives of various fields to come together and seek a solution to the challenges we face and draw a blueprint for a new country. It's a good suggestion.

"Ski Team to Travel on Chartered Plane for Joint Training... Won't Give NK Airport Fee"

On January 29, the government announced plans to have the South Korean athletes travel to North Korea's Kalma Airport in Wonsan on a charted plane to take part in the joint ski training with North Korean athletes at the Masikryong Ski Resort in North Korea. Reportedly, the government is struggling with this issue until the last minute, because of U.S. sanctions on North Korea, which prohibit ships and planes that have traveled to North Korea from entering the U.S. for six months.When asked if the government planned to fly a chartered plane to Kalma Airport during this day's regular press briefing, Baik Tae-hyun, spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification answered, "Yes." Baik said, "North Korea will allow the use of all necessary facilities including the airport," and added, "From what I know, we will not be paying for the use of the airfield and the airspace." The government determined that it would be difficult for the athletes to begin the two-day training on January 31 if they were to travel on land.

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

1988 Seoul Olympics and Pyeongchang Olympics, between stringent fear and great competition

'The 24th Seoul Olympics, which faced enormous fears and threats in the whirlwinds of a complicated international situation, was recorded as one of the most memorable events in Olympic history.' (Former IOC head Juan Antonio Samaranch was quoted as saying in an introduction of 'Great Olympics', a 1990 book written by former Korea Taekwondo Association head Kim Woon-yong.) Why did Samaranch use strong contrasting words before and after the 1988 Seoul Olympics? First, let's look at the international situation before the Seoul Olympics. At the 1972 Olympics in Munich, an Arab terrorist organization attacked Israeli athletes. At the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, 32 African countries refused to participate in protest at South Africa's racial discrimination. Some Western countries boycotted the Moscow Olympics in 1980 as a protest against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. In retaliation, At the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, the Soviet Union, some Eastern European countries and Cuba boycotted the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. The Seoul Olympics was the first in 16 years to realize a true peace festival free of terrorism and boycotts.

S. Korean court recognizes financial value of cryptocurrencies

Financial regulators turned their thumbs down, but a South Korean court recognized the value of cryptocurrencies as financial assets for the first time on Tuesday by ordering the confiscation of Bitcoin from a pornography site operator accused of obtaining criminal profits. An appeals court in Suwon, some 40 kilometers (24 miles) south of Seoul, upheld a 18-month jail sentence for a 33-year-old man, identified by his surname, Ahn, who was arrested in May last year for operating an illegal pornography site to earn 1.9 billion won (1.78 million US dollars), including Bitcoin worth 500 million won at its market value at the time. Ahn received virtual money from users of his site, and the value of Bitcoin has soared to 2.42 billion won at Tuesday's market price.

Olympic Truce Wall to greet athletes in Pyeongchang next week

A truce wall will be unveiled at the athletes' village for South Korea's first Winter Olympic next week to convey a message of peace through sport, organizers said Thursday.The three-meter-high concrete mural designed by South Korean artist Yi Je-seok will be filled with signatures from athletes when organizers unveil it on Monday in a ceremony to be attended by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach.Yi has said he was inspired by Pope Francis' message that building bridges, not walls, encourages relations among people. The IOC has set up the monument since the 2006 Turin Winter Games to inherit the spirit of ancient Greece, which stopped conflicts to allow safe travel to and from the Olympic Games,

In November last year, the U.N. General Assembly adopted an "Olympic Truce" resolution to ensure safe passage for all participants in the Olympics, urging member states to observe the resolution from seven days before the start of the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang until seven days after the end of the Paralympic Games.

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

U.S. slaps preliminary anti-dumping levies on Korean bearing, textile imports

The United States Department of Commerce set preliminary anti-dumping duties of up to 45.53 percent on tapered roller bearings and 16.48 percent on low melt polyester staple fiber from South Korea, adding to the barrage of attacks on Korean imports. The U.S. Commerce Department on Tuesday (local time) assigned preliminary anti-dumping rates of 45.53 percent on tapered roller bearings manufactured by Bearing Art Corp., 21.23 percent on Schaeffler Korea Corp. and 33.42 percent on other Korean tapered roller bearings firms. Tapered roller bearings are components designed to reduce friction when machine parts rotate around a fixed axis. Korean firms’ tapered roller bearings shipment to the U.S. was estimated at $60.1 million for full 2016.

Hyundai Samho Heavy wins $200 mn order to build LNG carrier for Japanese firm

South Korea’s Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co. affiliated with the country’s largest shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. has clinched a $200 million deal to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier with Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) Line, according to multiple industry sources on Thursday. This is the Korean shipbuilder’s seventh order it has obtained so far this year and marks the first high-value added vessel contract in the global shipbuilding industry this year. Sources said on Thursday Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries has recently won a $200 million order to build a 174,000 cubic meter LNG vessel from NYK Line. The carrier will be delivered to the Japanese shipping company in 2020 and then will be chartered to Electricite de France (EDF), a state-owned electricity group of France, for 20 years under a long-term contract with NYK Line.

Apartment price growth in Seoul slows down after government hints tougher real estate policy

The growth of housing prices in Seoul has slowed down for two straight weeks after the South Korean government hinted on imposing tougher rules on redevelopment projects last month in an effort to curb rapidly rising apartment prices particularly in the capital city’ affluent Gangnam area.

According to Korea Appraisal Board, apartment prices in Seoul as of Monday rose 0.31 percent from a week ago, slowing down from the 0.38 percent growth last week. The slowing price increase was more noticeable for apartments in the Gangnam area referring to three districts in southern Seoul where the property market has been overheated amid high expectations that prices would go up as there are a number of scheduled redevelopment projects that tend to increase home value.

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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

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

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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.

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Lee Kyung-sik edt@koeapost.com