The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Thursday, August 8

Trump says U.S.-S. Korea talks on defense payment begin

U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted Wednesday that talks to get South Korea to increase its contribution to the upkeep of U.S. forces in the country have begun. "South Korea is a very wealthy nation that now feels an obligation to contribute to the military defense provided by the United States of America. The relationship between the two countries is a very good one!" Trump wrote in a tweet.

Japan promulgates bill taking S. Korea off export whitelist

Japan on Wednesday promulgated a revised bill striking South Korea off its list of trusted trading partners, following last week's Cabinet approval of the measure amid an escalating row with Seoul. The promulgation, by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, will put the bill into effect Aug. 28, as the enforcement takes 21 days.

Pompeo 'hopeful' for resumption of talks with N.K. in coming weeks

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday he is hopeful the U.S. and North Korea will resume denuclearization negotiations in the coming weeks. Pompeo's remark comes after North Korea conducted four tests of short-range ballistic missiles in protest of joint military exercises between South Korea and the U.S.

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

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

Trump: S. Korea Agreed to Pay ‘Substantially’ More Money for US Troops

U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted on Wednesday that talks to increase South Korea’s contribution to maintain American armed forces on the Korean Peninsula have begun. Saying South Korea is a “very wealthy nation that now feels an obligation to contribute to the military defense provided by the U.S.,” Trump said Seoul “has agreed to pay substantially more money” to Washington “to defend itself” from North Korea.

Finance Chief Assures S. Korea's Economic Fundamentals Remain Strong

South Korea’s top economic policymakers convened an emergency meeting Wednesday to discuss developments in the U.S.-China trade war and Seoul's own row with Tokyo. Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki promised to address volatility risks in the market, but assured attendees that the country's economic fundamentals remain strong.

KCNA: Missile Launches ‘Adequate Warning’ Against S. Korea-US Drills

North Korea says Tuesday’s missile launches were an "adequate warning" against the joint military exercise between South Korea and the United States that effectively began earlier this week. According to the North’s state-run Korean Central News Agency(KCNA) on Wednesday, leader Kim Jong-un observed the launching of two tactical guided missiles from the western area of the country.

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

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

S. Korea, China, Japan in talks over possible foreign ministers' meeting: official

South Korea, China and Japan are in talks about holding a meeting of their foreign ministers this month ahead of their possible trilateral summit in China later this year, a Seoul official said Wednesday. Japanese broadcaster NHK reported that Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and her Chinese and Japanese counterparts, Wang Yi and Taro Kono, are expected to meet in China on Aug. 21 to discuss joint efforts for North Korea's denuclearization.

Latest test indicates N. Korea's successful development of new ballistic missile: experts

North Korea's bold hurling of missiles over the capital area all the way into the East Sea this week suggests the regime has completed development of a new ballistic missile that would pose fresh security challenges to the region and beyond, experts said Wednesday. The two missiles, tested Tuesday, are believed to be a North Korean version of Russia's Iskander ballistic missile, codenamed KN-23. They were fired from an airfield in the southwestern county of Kwail and flew about 450 km across the peninsula before splashing into waters off the east coast.

Latest test indicates N. Korea's successful development of new ballistic missile: experts

North Korea's bold hurling of missiles over the capital area all the way into the East Sea this week suggests the regime has completed development of a new ballistic missile that would pose fresh security challenges to the region and beyond, experts said Wednesday. The two missiles, tested Tuesday, are believed to be a North Korean version of Russia's Iskander ballistic missile, codenamed KN-23. They were fired from an airfield in the southwestern county of Kwail and flew about 450 km across the peninsula before splashing into waters off the east coast.

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

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

Japan’s new whitelist rules exclude additional ‘strictly controlled’ export items for now

Japan on Wednesday officially declared a revised bill that excludes South Korea from its list of trusted trading partners. However, the proclamation didn’t stipulate any additional items that Japan will slap restrictions on, aside from the three chip and display materials, offering momentary relief for Korean businesses amid intensifying tension between the two nations.

Top diplomats from South Korea, China, Japan to gather in Beijing to discuss N. Korean missile tests

Discussions are underway for a foreign ministers’ meeting later this month in Beijing, where South Korea, China and Japan can discuss issues concerning Northeast Asia ahead of a trilateral summit expected to take place before the end of the year. “The three countries are in talks (for) a foreign ministers’ meeting,” Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday, adding that details, including the date of the meeting, have not been confirmed.

Trump says US-S. Korea talks on defense payment begin

US President Donald Trump tweeted Wednesday that talks to get South Korea to increase its contribution to the upkeep of US forces in the country have begun. "South Korea is a very wealthy nation that now feels an obligation to contribute to the military defense provided by the United States of America. The relationship between the two countries is a very good one!" Trump wrote in a tweet.

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

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

Moon vows support for localization of parts

President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday visited SBB Tech, a local firm, as part of his efforts to support small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) expected to be affected by Japan's recent trade regulations against Korea, according to Cheong Wa Dae. The visit highlighted the President's focus on the localization of parts and materials to deal with the aftermath of Japan's escalating trade restrictions on Korea, the presidential office said. Japan's export regulations on three high-tech materials, crucial to local manufacturers of semiconductors and display panels, have underlined the urgent need for Korea to reduce its heavy reliance on Japanese suppliers for the nation's core industries.

Cheong Wa Dae confirms largest-ever drill on Dokdo

South Korea will hold its largest military drill on a cluster of islets in the sea between South Korea and Japan, with the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard participating, a senior presidential aide confirmed. "Yes, South Korea's military will conduct a biannual defensive military dill on Dokdo. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard will participate in the upcoming exercise. Cheong Wa Dae and other relevant ministries are working on it," presidential National Security Office (NSO) chief Chung Eui-yong told lawmakers at a session of the National Assembly Steering Committee on Tuesday night. The presidential office confirmed the remarks Wednesday afternoon.

Koreans oppose gov't-led anti-Japan movements

While Korean citizens are holding voluntary campaigns to boycott Japanese products and trips to the country amid escalating diplomatic tensions, they are opposing public office- and state-driven campaigns. Many say such public or politically motivated moves can mislead Japanese and other foreigners to think the boycott campaigns are mandatory and accuse the Korean authorities of instigating anti-Japan sentiment.

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

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

College-Age Population Plummeting

The college-age population has declined drastically as the country's birthrate dropped to one of the world's lowest. By 2024 there will be 124,000 or a quarter fewer freshmen than at the moment, according to a projection from the Education Ministry on Tuesday. "It'll be inevitable to adjust the university quota because of the rapidly declining population," the ministry said.

S.Koreans Who Visited N.Korea Need Visa to U.S.

Washington said Tuesday that South Koreans who visited North Korea even once after March 1, 2011 will have to apply for a visa before entering the U.S. Normally South Koreans can visit the U.S. visa-free and simply fill in an Electronic Travel Authorization form for short-term visits. But now the U.S. is classifying South Koreans who visited North Korea in the same category as those who traveled to Syria and other Middle East conflict regions.

Japanese Prefectures Urge Korean Carriers to Keep Flights

Japanese provincial officials recently visited budget carriers in Korea to dissuade them from shutting down loss-making flights to their regions. One staffer at a budget airline said representatives from three Japanese provincial governments visited last month and three more have asked to visit. A staffer at Air Seoul said, "A majority of our flights to provincial areas of Japan are the only international flights out of that town, so the provincial governments want to keep the flights.

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

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

S. Korean individuals have the right to claim compensation from Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe claimed on Aug. 6 that South Korea was “breaching an international pact with its unilateral violation of the South Korea-Japan Claims Settlement Agreement.” Speaking in a press conference that day after attending a victims’ memorial ceremony for the 74th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Abe was quoted by Kyodo News as saying that the South Korean government “ought to first honor [the Claims Settlement Agreement],” adding that he “strenuously insist[s] on an appropriate response from South Korea.” This marks the first time Abe has publicly spoken about South Korea-Japan relations since a Japanese Cabinet decision on Aug. 2 to remove South Korea from the country’s white list.

US Defense Secretary indicates request for S. Korea and Japan to resolve conflict

US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, who is currently visiting Japan, said he plans to request that Seoul and Tokyo work quickly to resolve their recent conflict. Commenting on Aug. 6 on the recent frictions that have erupted between the two sides due to Japan’s export controls, Esper was quoted by Reuters as saying, “I would ask them to both resolve this issue quickly and let’s really focus on North Korea and China.” He also spoke out against a withdrawal from the South Korea-Japan General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), which some people in South Korea have recently been calling for.

Japan violated Hague Service Convention by returning letter containing S. Korean court order without rationale

Legal experts say that the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs violated the Hague Service Convention when it returned a letter containing a South Korean court order for the seizure of assets in connection with a damages lawsuit filed by Koreans subjected to forced labor during the Japanese colonial occupation. Critics say that the Japanese government has contravened international law in its effort to block the damages litigation.

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

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

N. Korea launches missiles in response to Moons ‘peace economy’ proposal

North Korea launched missiles and threw harsh criticism at South Korea and the U.S. on Tuesday, the day after South Korean President Moon Jae-in emphasized the “peace economy” between the two Koreas as a way to overcome the export regulations by Japan. Pyongyang denounced the U.S.-ROK joint military exercises, which began on Monday, and threatened Seoul to “avoid doing things deserving of beating.”

Japanese municipalities ask Korean airliners to maintain routes

Japanese municipalities are coming to South Korea to ask for the continuation of route operation. Since Japan imposed export limits on South Korea, the ever-increasing boycott against traveling to Japan has led to reductions in the number of Korean tourists to Japan.

Beijing, Moscow vow to counter U.S. deployment of midrange arms in Asia

Russia and China have warned about high-level military retaliation to keep the United States in check since the nation suggested a deployment of intermediate-range missiles in its allies right after pulling out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.

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

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

The Moon Jae-in Government in a Tight Spot

The international economic and security environment for the South Korean government is deteriorating. On top of the economic dispute with Japan, the U.S.-China trade conflicts have spread to a currency war, increasing the uncertainty in the domestic economy. North Korea is fiercely protesting the joint command post exercise (CPX) of the South Korean and U.S. military, which began on August 5, sending more cold winds in inter-Korean relations.

South Koreans Who Visit North Korea Cannot Enter the U.S. Without a Visa

South Koreans who have visited or stayed in North Korea since March 2011 will not be able to enter the United States without a visa. South Korean civilians who visited North Korea in the past eight years, excluding public officials who entered the North for inter-Korean summits or because of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, will only be able to enter the U.S. after applying for and undergoing an English interview for a separate visa at the U.S. Embassy in South Korea.

Why Is the U.S. Not Actively Mediating the Disputes Between South Korea and Japan?

The economic dispute between South Korea and Japan has entered a "bullet-less war" stage, but the United States, which has an alliance with both countries, is drawing the line on its role and refusing to actively mediate the situation. This comes as a surprise to the South Korean government, which had sought active U.S. intervention.

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

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

Seoul vows “all possible means” to stabilize markets including temporary ban on short-selling

Korean authorities on Wednesday vowed to take “all possible means” to stabilize the financial markets including regulatory changes as stocks and currency slid to 2016 levels despite verbal intervention and seeming actions to stop the rout spurred by the worsening trade environment.

Bond rallies to record highs amid hint of additional easing from BOK chief

Expectations of a rare back-to-back rate cut reignited bond market rally Wednesday as Bank of Korea (BOK) governor did not rule out the possibility after an emergency meeting with the government following stock and currency crash over the last two days in panicky response to multiple trade woes.

Korean LLC Eastar Jet halts 3 routes to Japan, Asiana also extends cuts

More Korean air carriers rolled back flights to Japan amid the escalating enmity between the two neighboring countries as a longstanding spat over wartime issues spilled over to trade tensions. South Korean budget carrier Eastar Jet announced Wednesday it will temporarily suspend three routes to Japan, joining its peers in the low-cost category whose revenue largely comes from Japanese routes.

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

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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What are you waiting for?

Use us!
The Korea Post media are more than eager to be used, and to serve you—with the following five news outlets, 34 years old this year!

Korean-language Internet edition: http://www.koreapost.co.kr
English-language Internet edition: http://www.koreapost.com
Korean-language print newspaper:
http://pdf.koreapost.co.kr/38/3801.pdf
http://pdf.koreapost.co.kr/38/3802.pdf
http://pdf.koreapost.co.kr/38/3803.pdf
http://www.koreapost.co.kr/pdf/list.php?category=&syear=2018&smonth=03&sday=26&hosu=40
English E-daily: http://www.koreapost.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=9759
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

저작권자 © The Korea Post 무단전재 및 재배포 금지