The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Your Excellency:

What’s ticking in Korea and around the world today?

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

The Korea Post media

P.S.: If the Headlines are no longer desired, please advise us at: edt@koreapost.com or pub@koreapost.com.

Samsung launching new marketing campaign for Galaxy S9

Samsung Electronics Co., which released its Galaxy S9 smartphone earlier this year, is carrying out various marketing programs around the globe to bolster weaker-than-expected sales of its flagship device, industry watchers said Wednesday. The South Korean tech giant joined forces with Ya Ge, a popular restaurant in Taiwan, showcasing a new menu to promote the new gold edition of the Galaxy S9, which was released in the market earlier this month. Samsung also introduced the Galaxy S9 Marvel giftbox in China, which comes with smartphone accessories inspired by Marvel superhero characters. The company also opened the Galaxy Studio throughout major cities in South Korea, where users can try out the new red and gold editions of the Galaxy S9.

(For further details, visit: http://www.koreapost.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=6955)

Think tank says South Korea's exports engine sputtering

South Korea's exports engine is sputtering out, as signaled by an increasing number of companies with slim profits and growing global trade protectionism, a report from a local economic research agency said Wednesday. The report from the Korea Economic Research Institute (KERI) cited five signs to back up its argument, which also includes over-reliance on semiconductors for exports and a slowdown in the world economy. Cited statistics said 464 companies in the country's 13 key exports industries, such as shipbuilding, automobiles, petrochemicals and display, are on the fringe, meaning they were unable to afford interest payments with their operational profits for three consecutive years. The number is an increase from 370 in 2015.

(For further details, visit: http://www.koreapost.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=6957)

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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.

LS Cable & System is set to build a cable manufacturing plant in Indonesia

LS Cable & System (LS C&S) has recently announced its joint venture with PT Artha Metal Sinergi (AMS) from Indonesia, a member of Artha Graha Network (AGN). The joint venture agreement was signed on June 18, 2018 at the Embassy of Indonesia in Seoul, in which the main objective is to construct electric cable manufacturing factory in Indonesia. The event was attended by LS C&S CEO Roe-Hyun Myung, LS C&S CSO Wan-Seob Ju, AGN Representative Panji Winata, AMS CEO Felix Effendi, Ambassador Umar Hadi of Indonesia in Seoul and Director Imam Soejoedi of Indonesia’s Investment Coordinating Board in Seoul. LS C&S and AMS will invest USD40 million for the factory, where the factory will be built on a 64,000 m² land area and ready by late 2019.

May 28 marks the dawn of new era of peace, development, democracy in Ethiopia’

Ambassador Shiferaw Jarso of Ethiopia in Seoul said, “May 28 every year is observed to mark the end of the oppressive Derg Regime in 1991 and the day marks the demise of the repressive military rule in 1991 and the dawn of a new era of peace, development and democracy for the Ethiopian people.” He made the remarks at a reception he and Madam Jarso hosted at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul on May 28, 2017.

Latvia, Korea sign MOU on a mutual recognition of seafarers’ certificates

On May 30, the Embassy of Latvia in Seoul hosted an official ceremony for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Korea on a mutual recognition of seafarers’ certificates. For Latvia, the document was signed by Chairman Janis Krastins of the Board of the Maritime Administration of Latvia, and for the Republic of Korea, by Director General Eom Ki-doo for the Shipping and Logistic Bureau at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.

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

N. Korean Leader Kim Holds Summit with Xi

According to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, Kim and Xi held summit talks at the People's Congress on Tuesday to exchange views on the development of North Korea-China relations and the situation on the Korean Peninsula. The two leaders agreed to maintain the development of bilateral relations and to work together to establish peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. They also agreed to actively contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the region and the world.

Unification Minister: Two Koreas to Hold Defense Ministers' Talks Soon

South Korea's Unification Minister has revealed Seoul and Pyongyang will soon hold defense minister-level talks.

Cho Myoung-gyon was speaking Tuesday during a forum of the National Unification Advisory Council, explaining the government's North Korea policy. Minister Cho said the talks will be held in the near future to discuss transforming the Demilitarized Zone(DMZ) into a peace zone and turning the Northern Limit Line, a de facto sea border in the Yellow Sea, into a maritime peace zone.

BOK Governor Highlights Need for Monetary Easing Adjustments

South Korea's central bank chief has highlighted the need to adjust the level of monetary easing. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Bank of Korea(BOK) Governor Lee Ju-yeol said that if the economy grows in line with its growth potential and consumer prices near the target inflation, there's a need to adjust the central bank's level of monetary easing. While projecting that the country's economic growth and consumer prices will be similar to the April forecast, the governor said consumer prices could surge higher than current levels in the fourth quarter.

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

LG Electronics files largest number of patents in S. Korea

LG Electronics Inc. filed the largest number of patents in South Korea among local companies in 2017, data showed Wednesday, maintaining its top standing for the second year in a row. According to the data compiled by industry tracker CEO Score, LG Electronics filed 2,892 patents to the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the highest figure among 500 companies surveyed. Samsung Electronics Co. followed with 2,742, with Hyundai Motor Co. also posting 2,643, the industry tracker said, citing the KIPO data.

N.K. leader's visit to China being 'closely' watched: State Department

The United States is "carefully" and "closely" following North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's visit to China this week, the State Department said Tuesday. Kim made his third trip to Beijing the same day to apparently brief Chinese President Xi Jinping on the results of his historic summit with U.S. President Donald Trump last week. Coming shortly after the meeting in Singapore, the trip has raised speculation the allies are coordinating their steps ahead of future U.S.-North Korea negotiations on dismantling Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program in exchange for security guarantees.

Life insurers' premium income falls 8.7 pct in Q1

The combined income of premiums at life insurance firms in South Korea fell 8.7 percent on-year in the first quarter, data showed Wednesday, as they gradually reduced capital reserves to better cope with changes in global accounting rules. Life insurers saw their combined income of premiums fall to 26.1 trillion won (US$23.5 billion) in the quarter, down 2.4 trillion won from a year earlier, according to data by the Financial Supervisory Service. In particular, their income from savings insurance products plunged 60.8 percent on year to 1.6 trillion won for the quarter, the data showed.

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

NK’s progress on denuclearization pivotal to whether joint military drills remain suspended

With South Korea and the United States declaring the halt of their joint military exercise scheduled for August, debate has emerged over the decision’s impact on the nuclear negotiation with North Korea. The Ministry of National Defense and Pentagon announced Tuesday that they suspended “all planning” for the Freedom Guardian exercise following US President Donald Trump’s pledge to end “expensive and provocative” war games.

BOK chief vows to focus on growth, inflation in rate policy

The Bank of Korea Gov. Lee Ju-yeol on Tuesday underlined that the key factors in the nation’s upcoming policy rate decisions should be growth and inflation indexes, dismissing concerns that Washington’s recent signals to accelerate its monetary tightening cycle will press Seoul to follow suit. While sidestepping direct remarks, his defensive tone regarding the nation’s economic capacity empowered speculations that Seoul will freeze its policy rate next month and delay the hike move to later in the year until inflation inches up.

S. Korea's team crosses into N. Korean border town to prepare for liaison office

South Korean officials and private businesses visited North Korea on Tuesday to prepare for the renovation of key facilities for the opening of a joint liaison office in the North’s border city of Kaesong. Setting up a joint liaison office was an agreement reached at the summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong-un on April 27 at the truce village of Panmunjeom. The 17-member delegation crossed the military demarcation line dividing the two Koreas around 8:31 a.m., according to a Unification Ministry official who requested anonymity. The initial planned timing had been 10 a.m.

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

Pyongyang uses Beijing as negotiation leverage

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's third visit to China may be aimed at seeking China's economic support and advice on his denuclearization deal with the U.S., experts said Tuesday. China can also have a stronger say in the Korean Peninsula and denuclearization issues by having an image as the North's patron, they said. Kim headed for Beijing Tuesday morning for a two-day visit, which includes bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. It was the two leaders' third meeting in three months, with the first one in late March and the second in early May, displaying the strong bond between the traditional allies.

Refugee fears grip Korea

Fears about refugees are spreading quickly across Korea after news that the number of asylum seekers on Jeju Island has soared. More than 250,000 Koreans have signed a petition against the Jeju Provincial Government's (JPG) refugee-friendly policy that allows foreigners to stay for several months without a visa and, in the meantime, helps them find jobs. "I call on the government to put Koreans' safety and other important issues first," the person who posted the petition on the Cheong Wa Dae website wrote. "I'm doubtful whether they really are refugees. Think about it. Why would they come all the way here to seek asylum?"

Girl missing for four days, man found dead in mysterious case

Hundreds of police and citizens are searching for a teenage girl who went missing in Gangjin, South Jeolla Province, four days ago. The girl, whose name was withheld, vanished after leaving her home about 2 p.m. Saturday, according to police. Her mobile phone switched off at 4:30 p.m. after sending a message: "I'm moving to Haenam to meet a friend of my father who will give me part-time work." Police said the switch-off happened at a mountain in Doan-myeon, Gangjin. They said her father's friend was found dead at a construction site near the mountain early Sunday.

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

Seoul Made No Mention of Cheonan Sinking in Cross-Border Talks

South Korean delegates to cross-border military talks last Thursday made no mention of North Korea’s 2010 torpedo attack on the Navy corvette Cheonan. Past administrations insisted that North Korea must first apologize for sinking the Cheonan before exchanges can resume, and the Defense Ministry was minded to stick to that, but Cheong Wa Dae and the Unification Ministry prevailed on it to let the matter rest. "The talks were held to sound out each other's opinions on the issue of turning the area near the Northern Limit Line in the West Sea into a maritime peace zone," a military source said Monday. "South Korean delegates did not mention the Cheonan sinking nor the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island [in November the same year], because they were not on the agenda."

Koreans Like Japanese Better, But Not Vice Versa

South Koreans' impressions of Japanese are steadily improving, but their growing affection is not reciprocated. The two countries also differ in their outlook for the North Korean nuclear crisis, with most Japanese pessimistic about the future. The East Asia Institute, Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies and the Japanese non-profit think tank Genron announced the results of a survey of mutual attitudes on Monday. The poll has been conducted annually since 2013 and the latest one covered 2,014 adults in both countries.

Nuclear Phase-out Leads to More Dirty Coal-Fired Power

Nuclear power generation fell 37 percent from two years ago and 29 percent compared to a year ago in the first quarter after President Moon Jae-in pledged last year to abandon nuclear power. Eight out of the country's 24 nuclear reactors stopped running because the government decided not to extend their life cycle, resulting in an operating rate of 58 percent, down from 80 percent in 2016. But that led to a rise in heavily polluting coal-fired power generation -- six percent on-year and 22 percent from 2016 -- despite Moon's promise to reduce it as well to improve air quality.

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

Kim Jong-un visits China third time this year

The state-run China Central Television (CCTV) has reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is visiting China for one night and two days. This is Kim's third visit to China this year, following a stay in March. In a breaking news bulletin on its mobile app, CCTV reported on the morning of June 19 that "Chairman Kim Jong-un of the Workers' Party of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will be visiting China from June 19-20." The report came directly after Air Kyoro special flight JS251, which Kim is assumed to have boarded, landed in Beijing after departing from Pyongyang.

Moon administration’s goal is to end Korean War “within the year,” foreign minister says

Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha declared on June 18 it was the “administration’s goal” to pursue the declaration of an end to the Korean War “within the year.” Kang also said Seoul would be “trying to remain flexible in its handling of the timing and format.” Speaking at a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Seoul’s Doryeom neighborhood that morning to mark her first year in office, Kang said the administration was “in close discussions with the US” on the declaration issue, adding that it was her “understanding that it has also been discussed by the North Korea and US leaders.”

Trump mentions giving Kim Jong-un a “very direct number”

“I gave [North Korean leader Kim Jong-un] a very direct number. He can now call me if he has any difficulties, [or] I can call him.” US President Donald Trump’s remarks to reporters on June 15 are raising questions about how telephone calls might actually take place between him and Kim. “I’m going to be actually calling North Korea,” Trump said of the then-upcoming Father’s Day holiday on June 17. The calls between two leaders of hostile states are seen as highly unusual.

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

Xi Jinping vows 'constructive role' in denuclearization process

Chinese President Xi Jinping showed “strong support” for North Korea’s stance on denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula and vowed to continuously play a “constructive role” in the process during his third summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Beijing, the North’s state media reported Wednesday morning. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Kim “thanked” Xi for helping him during his first summit with U.S. President Donald Trump on June 12 in Singapore, adding both leaders exchanged “valuable opinions” on issues related to denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula.

Joint exercises with U.S. put on hold indefinitely

South Korea and the United States will suspend a major joint military exercise scheduled for August, Seoul’s Ministry of National Defense announced Tuesday, after U.S. President Donald Trump pledged that he would end “war games” in South Korea as long as progress was seen in denuclearization talks between Washington and Pyongyang. Ministry spokesperson Choi Hyun-soo said the Freedom Guardian exercise won’t be held this summer - at least for now - but could be resumed if North Korea fails to carry out denuclearization measures and slacks off on talks with the United States.

Hard-hit areas can stall paying tax

The government is giving a grace period for tax payments to companies in regions slammed by the downturns in shipbuilding and automobile manufacturing. On Tuesday, the cabinet decided on tax reprieves of up to two years for some small and medium-sized companies in regions designated as “areas in crisis,” according to the Ministry of Strategy and Finance. Qualifying companies would also be given a two-year grace period on property seizures if they fail to repay debts.

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

North and South Korea to Hold “Unification” Basketball Match in Pyongyang on July 4

North and South Korea decided to appear at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Asian Games together, following their joint appearance at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. The two Koreas also decided to hold a "unification" basketball game in Pyongyang on July 4. On June 18, the two Koreas held an inter-Korean meeting on sports exchanges at the Peace House in the South's side of Panmunjom and agreed to these details.

Wind of Change Among Mayors, County Chiefs, and Local Council Members: Regionalism Falters

The regional and ideological framework that had defined South Korean politics for the past 28 years is shaking from the ground up due to the June 13 local elections. That the ruling Democratic Party of Korea swept the three gubernatorial and mayoral positions in the Busan, Gyeongsangnam-do (PK) region, regarded as the home ground of the Liberty Korea Party, is evidence of this, but signs of groundbreaking changes are more apparent in the election results of the lower-tier local governments, the capillary vessels of local autonomy.

Suspicious Attention to Claims by Lawmakers When National Court Administration Under Yang Seung-tae Promoted the Final Appeals Court

An allegation has been raised claiming that the National Court Administration, when Yang Seung-tae served as the chief justice of the Supreme Court, even drew up reports after reviewing the complaints filed by lawmakers, in the process of promoting a final appeals court. On June 13, several officials in the judiciary said, "The National Court Administration wrote a report after reviewing and summarizing the claims filed by a number of lawyers from the Democratic Party of Korea and the Saenuri Party in 2014-2015." Reportedly, the claims included questions on specific criminal trials and opinions on the relocation of court-related facilities.

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

Chinese leader supports N. Korea's denuclearizaiton commitment

Chinese President Xi Jinping promised to play a constructive role and supported denuclearization on the Korean peninsula at talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, according to the North's official news agency. At their meeting in Beijing on Tuesday, the two leaders exchanged their evaluations, views and positions on a summit between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore a week ago, the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Wednesday.

S. Korea launches special inspection of shops overusing disposable plastic cups

In an effort to reduce plastic pollution, South Korean government officials and civic groups will launch a joint inspection this month of coffee and fast food franchises to see if they abide by an agreement on the use of disposable plastic cups. The inspection, which starts on Wednesday, followed an agreement signed by 16 coffee shop brands and five fast food chain brands last month to offer 10 percent discounts to customers using their own cups or tumblers. They also agreed to provide incentives to those using glass or mug cups if they chose to drink in the shops.

Posco Daewoo forges deal to receive steel products from Russia's Amurmetal

Posco Daewoo, a trading company in South Korea, has forged a deal with Russian steel company Amurmetal to receive some 300,000 tons of steel products a year from August. Posco Daewoo officials said the two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on their long-term contract. Financial terms were not disclosed, but the contract reflects Posco Daewoo's efforts to expand steel exports with high value-added and premium products.

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

Rolls-Royce launches used car program in S. Korea

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd., a British luxury automobile brand under German motor group BMW, has launched its own used car program in South Korea with hopes to expand its consumer base in the country. Rolls-Royce said on Tuesday that it will offer customized used car services, Provenance program that certifies previously-owned Rolls-Royce vehicles, to Korean consumers. Rolls-Royce awards its own Provenance title to used cars after carrying out an extensive technical test on 100 items to guarantee full warranty to consumers that wish to buy pre-owned cars.

Korean won at 7-month low against USD on escalated U.S-China trade war

The spook of taper tantrums in emerging markets from accelerated monetary tightening in the United States coupled with the tit-for-tat tariff war between G2 spilled over to the Korean capital market, pushing the Korean won to a seven-month low and below the 1,100 threshold against the greenback. The Korean won lost ground amid U.S. dollar strengthening after the U.S. Federal Reserve warned the market of two more hikes during the remainder of the year instead of one as previously estimated earlier in the year in its June 13 meeting that delivered the second 25-basis-point increase this year.

Hyundai Rotem develops train running gear for sharp-curved track

South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem Co., the locomotive and rolling stock unit of Hyundai Motor Group, said Tuesday it has succeeded in developing a running gear that will enable trains to run on sharp-curved roads. With the new system, trains can drive on severely curved, narrow railway tracks with a mere 15-meter curve radius in busy downtown areas, according to the company. It is the world’s first development of its kind, the company claimed. Existing running gears can allow railway vehicles to run on tracks with a curve radius of more than 25 meters.

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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.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

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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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