The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Round-up of important news from major Korean dailies and from international media today

The Korea Post media (www.koreapost.com) in English, (www.koreapost.co.kr) in Korean.

S. Korean president calls for increased cooperation with India

South Korean President Moon Jae-in called for efforts to further expand the bilateral cooperation between his country and India on Feb. 20, 2019, insisting their cooperation will mutually benefit the countries. "We will spur future cooperation. India is home to a world-class pool of ICT professionals and an innovative business ecosystem in addition to basic science and technology. Korea has advanced information and communication technology as well as manufacturing and commercialization capabilities," President Moon said in a special contribution to India's leading English-language daily, Times of India.

U.S. envoy en route to Vietnam ahead of N. Korea summit

The U.S. special envoy for North Korea is traveling to Hanoi on Feb. 19, 2019 to prepare for next week's summit between the two countries' leaders, the State Department said. Special Representative Stephen Biegun is en route to the Vietnamese capital, the host of the second meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un planned for Feb. 27 and 28, the department's deputy spokesperson, Robert Palladino, said.

Trump says he is in no rush to denuclearize N. Korea

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Feb. 19, 2019 that he is in no rush to denuclearize North Korea, although that remains his goal. Trump is due to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Feb. 27 and 28 to discuss the dismantling of the regime's nuclear weapons program. "I'd just like to see, ultimately, denuclearization of North Korea," he told reporters at the White House, before adding that he has "no pressing time schedule."

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

Trump Highlights Economic Potential of N. Korea

Anchor: After holding telephone talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters about his planned second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Trump repeatedly suggested that he is in no rush in dealing with North Korea. Kim Bum-soo has more. Report: U.S. President Donald Trump says "a lot of things will come out" of his second meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un next week.

Former PM Disagrees on Impeachment of Park Geun-hye

Former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn said that he does not agree with the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye. Hwang revealed his views during a TV debate on Tuesday with other contenders for the main opposition Liberty Korea Party’s leadership race which is set for next week. Park was impeached by the Constitutional Court in March 2017 for her role in a massive corruption scandal involving her close friend Choi Soon-sil.

Finance Minister: S. Korea to Begin 5G Service in March

Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki said that South Korea will become the first country in the world to start commercial operations for fifth-generation mobile network services next month. The minister made the announcement on Wednesday at a meeting on innovation-led growth in Seoul, saying the service will contribute to improving the quality of people's lives.

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

N.K. leader could visit China next month after summit with Trump: source

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un could visit China next month after his second summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, a source said Wednesday. A week after the first summit with Trump, in June last year, Kim visited Beijing to brief Chinese President Xi Jinping on the results of the talks with Trump in Singapore. Kim also visited China in May before the first summit.

Drivers use less gasoline in 2018 amid higher fuel prices

A gasoline-burning automobile consumed an average 1,159 liters last year, down 2.4 percent from a year earlier, as drivers cut back on spending probably to cope with high prices, industry data showed Wednesday. According to the Korea Petroleum Association, the figure marks the lowest since 2006, when the comparable figure was 1,153 liters of gasoline.

S. Koreans traveling more but spending less

South Koreans traveling overseas spent a record amount last year, but spending per person declined, central bank data showed Wednesday. The current account for last year showed travel expenditures of US$31.97 billion, the highest since recordkeeping began in 2006. Past figures show increases from $15 billion in 2009 to $20 billion in 2012, $25 billion in 2015 and $31.69 billion won in 2017.

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

182 cases of hiring irregularities found across public organizations

Some 182 cases of hiring irregularities were found through a three-month survey of hundreds of public institutions, the government said Wednesday. In response, the government said it would require public institutions to disclose the number of new hires with family ties to existing staff members and would also take steps to introduce legislation to address conflicts of interests, which would limit public officials’ ability to influence their relatives’ careers.

OCA director-general receives honorary degree from Kookmin University

Husain Ali Al Musallam, director-general of the Olympic Council of Asia and the first vice president of the Federation Internationale de Natation, which administers international competitions in water sports, was presented with an honorary Ph.D. in sports science by Kookmin University on Monday. At the 11 a.m. ceremony, the former swimmer received the degree from university President Yu Ji-soo and Park Chan-ryang, the dean of its graduate school.

Paroled murderer charged with larceny

A 60-year-old murderer who was paroled in October is now charged with larceny after being accused of stealing a wallet in a Gwangju internet cafe in January. As a result, his parole may be revoked. The man was originally sentenced to 11 years in jail in 2009 for murdering a Gwangju-based karaoke owner with whom he was having an affair. When he was originally questioned by police in connection with the murder, he unsuccessfully argued that the victim’s death was an accident and that a refrigerator had fallen on her.

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

'Seoul ready to resume inter-Korean cooperation to help denuclearization'

South Korea is ready and willing to resume its economic cooperation with North Korea if the move will help accelerate denuclearization of the communist state, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Tuesday in his telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump. The offer came as Trump is set to hold his second meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un next week.

US soldier relieved by Korean's recovery from Grand Canyon fall

Marcos Osuna, a U.S. Army master sergeant, contacted The Korea Times on Jan. 5 to inquire about the condition of Park Joon-hyuk, who fell off a cliff at the Grand Canyon a week earlier and had been hospitalized and remained unconscious. Osuna administered first aid to the Korean youth. Each of his emails to The Korea Times conveyed a sense of concern. Then, the Army veteran expressed relief in his short but emotional letter on Feb. 14, on hearing that Park had regained consciousness.

North Korea envoy separated from his daughter, says defector

A North Korean diplomat who reportedly defected from his embassy in Rome last year has been separated from his daughter after she was forcefully repatriated to Pyongyang, an ex-colleague who has now settled in the South said Tuesday. Jo Song Gil, who went into hiding with his wife and is reportedly seeking asylum, "could not manage to get his daughter to join them," said Thae Yong Ho, who also fled his post as the North's deputy ambassador to Britain in August 2016.

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

U.S., N.Korea Still Wrangling Over Summit Agenda

The U.S. and North Korea sit down Wednesday for more talks about the agenda for the summit between their two leaders next week in Vietnam. "At the moment, nothing has been agreed between the two sides," a diplomatic source said. "The success or failure of the summit depends on the outcome of these working-level talks a week ahead of the summit."

Iranian Firm Wins Right to Seize Korean Businesses' Assets

Iran's Dayyani group is targeting the overseas assets of Korean businesses after the Korean government failed to pay compensation for the firm's failure to acquire Daewoo in 2010. The Dayyani group won a court decision authorizing the seizure of assets in the Netherlands held by Samsung, LG and KEB Hana Bank.

Moon Discusses N.Korea Summit with Trump

President Moon Jae-in talked with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump on the phone on Tuesday night about the upcoming U.S.-North Korea summit and other issues. The two leaders chatted about the results of pre-summit talks between U.S. and North Korean officials. Their conversation went on for about 35 minutes.

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

The reasons why Yongbyon is so important to N. Korea’s nuclear program

The dismantlement of North Korea’s Yongbyon nuclear facilities in North Pyongyan Province is a key issue in the second summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump, which is now just eight days away. Despite claims that the facilities are dilapidated, Yongbyon is the center and symbol of North Korea’s nuclear development program. As such, it continues to be regarded as the first step in the North’s denuclearization process.

Where will Kim Jong-un go during his Vietnam stay?

When North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visits Vietnam at the end of this month for his second summit with US President Donald Trump, what will he choose to see while he’s there? Taking the Vietnam model of economic development and the two visits to Vietnam by Kim’s grandfather Kim Il-song into consideration, we can speculate about the sites that Kim Jong-un is likely to visit during his stay.

Moon holds luncheon with religious leaders to discuss inter-Korean cooperation

South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Feb. 18 that he predicted “great progress in North Korea’s denuclearization and the normalization of North Korea-US relations” at the upcoming second North Korea-US summit. To prepare for a possible loosening of sanctions against North Korea in the summit’s wake, he also ordered the relevant government ministries to actively support a temple stay effort at Mt. Kumgang’s Singye Temple and a project to restore Pyongyang’s Changchung Cathedral.

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The Dong-A Ilbo (http://english.donga.com/)

Study: Public officers joined movements for independence from Japan

Public officers worked under the Japanese colonial administration joined Korea's March 1st Movement for independence from Japan en masse, according to a study by Park Gyeong-mok, head of Seodaemun Prison History Hall, who analyzed 1,012 related prisoners at the Seodaemun Prison.

Hyundai Genesis launches G90 limousine

Hyundai Motor's premium brand Genesis launched its luxury flagship sedan “G90” Tuesday. The G90 limousine is 290 millimeters longer than the regular model, and boasts a majestic design and broader seating space. Plenty of room for car seats would make the sedan’s passengers feel as if they are flying in first class. Passengers can freely adjust the “First Class VIP seat” simply by pushing a button for entertainment, such as reading a book, watching a video, and taking a rest. In the casing of the central pillars, there are also “magazine pockets” where documents or newspapers can be stored. The seats have been also redesigned to improve stability and comfort.

How the Declaration of Korean Independence spread overseas

The Declaration of Korean Independence proclaimed to the world that Korea and its people are independent 100 years ago It was translated into different languages and distributed to the world, providing justification and strong will for independence. Marking the centennial anniversary of the March 1st Independence Movement, Kim Do-hyeong, a researcher at the Institute of Korean Independence Movement Studies under the Independence Hall of Korea, will present his thesis on how the Declaration of Korean Independence spread overseas at an academic conference titled, “The Declaration of Korean Independence and Joseon Gwangmunhoi.”

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

Foreigners find work in red-light districts

Hanh, a 25-year-old woman from Vietnam, works in a hostess bar in the port city of Siheung, Gyeonggi, pouring drinks and entertaining men with songs. Hanh, a pseudonym, arrived in Korea last December on a new visa policy that was implemented just days before. The C-3 visa allowed her to visit Korea multiple times for 30-day stays over for five years, with no restrictions on the number of visits. She was from Ho Chi Minh City, one of Vietnam’s three major cities - alongside Hanoi City and Da Nang - whose residents were all allowed to apply for the visa.

Gender ministry retracts controversial guideline

Following criticism over broadcasting guidelines released on Feb. 13, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family decided to remove the part of the protocol deemed controversial on Tuesday evening. The gender ministry was called out for stating that local television stations should refrain from featuring "people whose apperances are exceedingly similar to each other." The guidelines went on to say that "Most of the stars featured on music programs are from idol groups, whose musical stylings are just as limited as their appearances are […] most of the idol groups have similar skinny bodies, white skin, hairstyles, makeup and costumes that expose a lot of skin. The uniformity can be seen in both female and male [stars.]”

Indonesia, DSME set to strike deal for submarines

Korean shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) is in the final stages of negotiations for a massive deal to export submarines to Indonesia, company sources told the JoongAng Ilbo on Wednesday. According to the sources, the Indonesian Navy is planning to purchase three new submarines from DSME for $1.2 billion. Jane’s 360, an online defense media channel, also reported last week that Indonesia and DSME are close to signing an order for the three 1,400-ton submarines, a modified version of the South Korean Navy’s Chang Bogo-class diesel-electric attack submarines.

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

How Much Longer Will the Lawmakers Neglect the People's Lives and Reforms?

The special parliamentary sessions came to an end on February 17, without a single session in the National Assembly. This was the result of extreme confrontation between the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and the main opposition, the Liberty Korea Party on the introduction of a special prosecutor to investigate allegations disclosed by Kim Tae-woo and on a parliamentary inspection of lawmaker Sohn Hye-won's alleged real estate speculation. The outlook for the National Assembly in February is not too bright, either.

Original Pictures of Korean Comfort Women Victims to Be Released in Korea for the First Time

The original picture of a pregnant comfort woman in the Japanese military at a brothel in Songshan, China taken by the U.S. military in September 1944 during the Asia-Pacific War will be released in South Korea for the first time. On February 18, the city of Seoul and a research team led by Chung Chin-sung, a professor at Seoul National University announced that they would release a picture of an expecting Bak Yeong-sim (died in 2006)--a comfort women victim who once testified of her sufferings--when she was captured as a prisoner of war and two pictures of several Korean comfort women victims in Myitkyina, Burma at an exhibition commemorating the centennial of the March 1 Independence Movement, which will open on February 25.

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AJU Business Daily (http://www.ajudaily.com)

SK Telecom to demonstrate 5G car security solution at MWC

At next week's Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, South Korea's top mobile carrier, SK Telecom (SKT), will demonstrate a 5G security solution, based on its convergence technology of quantum cryptography, to protect automobile electronic devices and networks from external digital attacks. SKT said Wednesday that its quantum security gateway serves as a gatekeeper to protect and monitor sensitive devices from external threats. It transmits vehicle operation data together with the cryptographic key of a quantum random number generator to block a hacking attack through a mobile communication network.

'Nut rage' woman faces criminal investigation for assaulting husband

A divorce suit involving Cho Hyun-ah, a former Korean Air vice president known for a "nut rage" incident in 2014, took a new turn this week after her husband asked for a separate criminal investigation into her alleged assault and child abuse. The husband identified by his surname, Park, filed complaints with police Tuesday, submitting photographs and videos showing scars in his body as evidence that Cho's violent acts had caused injuries. He also accused Cho of having abused her twin sons.

LG's first 5G phone to feature notch design and five camera lenses: leak

A purported image of V50, the 5G smartphone to be showcased by LG Electronics in Spain next week, will have a notch design and five camera lenses just like its brother model V40, according to a famous Twitter user. On Tuesday, Evan Blass, who is popular on Twitter for his leaks about unreleased smart devices, uploaded a high definition image showing a phone bearing LG and V50 logos as well as three camera lenses on its back and notch design, an island area at the top edge of smartphones. Many phones in the market have adopted the notch design to maximize their display area.

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

Korea’s laborers, employers agree to extend flextime period to 6 months

South Korea’s labor representatives in a tripartite platform with employers and the government agreed to stretch the statutory flextime to six months from the current three before the February deadline for an alternative work hour arrangement. The Economic, Social and Labor Council, a tripartite panel under the president, said Tuesday it has reached an agreement to extend the flex work period up to six months from the current three to relieve certain industries struggling under the reduced 52-hour workweek.

Korea’s social science gurus to hold their first forum to address national division

South Korea’s leading political, economic and business academic societies will put their heads together to help mend the deepening divisions in the Korean society and find a way forward. The Korean Academic Society of Business Administration has invited the Korean Economic Association and the Korean Political Science Association to its spring academic conference on Apr. 26 for a heated discussion on the roles of the market and the government in the current political and economic climate.

Posco Daewoo kicks off joint LNG biz development with Petroleum Brunei

Posco Daewoo, energy development and trading unit of South Korean steelmaking giant Posco Group, has expedited its joint liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects with Brunei’s national oil company. Posco Daewoo and Brunei National Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd (Petroleum Brunei) held their first working group meeting in Korea last week to discuss the development of LNG value chain solutions, according to the Korean company on Tuesday. The working group meeting took place less than four months after the two companies in November signed a memorandum of understanding to expand the LNG value chain by developing related business sectors.

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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.cn kf@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 Herald http://www.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.com lithuania@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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