The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Monday, August 12

Trump says S. Korea-Japan row puts U.S. in 'very bad' position

U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that South Korea and Japan need to get along, as friction between the two countries has threatened to damage trilateral cooperation against North Korea's nuclear threats. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he is "concerned" about the recent deterioration of ties between the two U.S. allies.

Exports dip 22 pct in first 10 days of Aug.

South Korea's exports dropped 22.1 percent in the first 10 days of August mainly due to decreased shipments of semiconductors, one of the country's key items, customs data showed Monday. The country's exports stood at US$11.5 billion in the Aug. 1-10 period, according to the Korea Customs Service.

N.K. says inter-Korean contact difficult until Seoul gives 'plausible excuse' for military drill with U.S.

North Korea said Sunday it won't even have contact with South Korea, let alone dialogue, unless Seoul gives a "plausible excuse" for its ongoing military exercise with the United States, calling it an "aggressive war exercise against" the North. Kwon Jong-gun, North Korean foreign ministry's director-general of the department of American affairs, made the remarks in a statement released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), blasting South Korea over the allies' joint military drill that kicked off last week.

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

N. Korea's Tactical Weapons Resembles US Army's Tactical Missile

North Korea's state media on Sunday released photos of its latest test firing, raising speculations that Pyongyang has developed a new surface-to-surface tactical missile.The Korean Central News Agency(KCNA) released photos of a missile being fired from a transporter erector launcher equipped with two launcher tubes with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un overseeing.

'S. Korea Open to Expanding Travel Restrictions to Japan'

Vice Foreign Minister Cho Sei-young said on Sunday that the government is open to expanding travel restrictions to parts of Japan and will make decisions in consideration of people's safety. Appearing on a KBS TV program, the vice minister said that the government may issue travel advisories to some parts of Japan when deemed necessary for the safety of South Korean nationals.

Two Tourists Presumed to be S. Koreans Found Dead at Croatian National Park

Two tourists presumed to be South Koreans were reportedly found dead at a national park in Croatia. Local media RTL reported on Sunday that a man and a woman were found dead the previous day in the Krka River at the Krka National Park in southeast Croatia. Croatia's state media HRT said the victims were Asian, while RTL said they were two South Koreans, including a 21-year-old woman.

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

BTS announces long-term break from music scene after back-to-back album releases

K-pop super stars BTS went on a long-term break to recharge themselves following the band's Billboard-topping back-to-back album releases, its management agency said Monday. "Group BTS will have its first official long-term vacation since its debut," Bit Hit Entertainment said on the band's Twitter account and mobile fan application late Sunday. K-pop super stars BTS went on a long-term break to recharge themselves following the band's Billboard-topping back-to-back album releases, its management agency said Monday.

Dodgers' Ryu Hyun-jin blanks Arizona over 7 innings for 12th win

Back from a sore neck, Los Angeles Dodgers' South Korean starter Ryu Hyun-jin picked up right where he left off. The left-hander resumed his Cy Young pursuit with seven shutout against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday (local time). Ryu improved to 12-2 while lowering his major league-best ERA from 1.53 to 1.45, as the Dodgers took the game 9-3.

Foreigners stay net buyers of S. Korean stocks in July

Foreigners remained net buyers of South Korean stocks in July while posting a net outflow from the bond market for the first time in five months, the financial regulator said Monday. Offshore investors bought a net 2.05 trillion won (US$1.69 billion) of local shares last month, marking the second consecutive month of net buying, according to the Financial Supervisory Service.

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

Pyongyang taunts Seoul as ‘fool,’ lambasts over military exercise with US

North Korea has slammed South Korea for the latter’s combined military exercise with the United States, which kicked off Sunday, saying it will not interact with the South until there is a plausible explanation for the “war exercise.” In a Foreign Ministry statement, released a day after it launched what are believed to be short-range ballistic missiles, Pyongyang said its recent launches are just part of the regular process of developing conventional weapons.

Justice minister nominee’s confirmation hearing to be next political battleground

Cho Kuk has been tapped as justice minister nominee two weeks after leaving his post as senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, garnering mixed reactions across the aisle Sunday. Cho, one of President Moon Jae-in’s most trusted aides, has been nominated justice minister in a Cabinet reshuffle announced last week, along with six other nominees to take key posts.

Real estate market tenses up ahead of upcoming price regulations

Tension built up in Seoul’s housing market on Sunday, a day ahead of a scheduled government announcement about details of a price ceiling system for apartment complexes in key bubble-prone areas. The forthcoming actions, intended to stabilize the overheated real estate market and discourage speculation, are set to play out amid uncertain economic conditions aggravated by US-China economic tensions and South Korea-Japan strife.

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

North Korea criticizes Seoul; 'engages' US for talks

North Korea stepped up pressure on South Korea by firing a series of short-range missiles over weeks while trying to engage the United States for denuclearization talks. Its actions may pose a further security threat to Seoul, experts say. The North fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Saturday according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, marking the fifth such firing since July 25. The North also boasted of it as a "new weapon."

Korean carriers slash flights to Japan

Anti-Japan sentiment following Japan's economic retaliation against Korean court rulings on wartime forced labor has resulted in local carriers drastically reducing or canceling flights to Japan because of a drastic reduction in the number of Korean passengers. With the "Boycott Japan" campaign expected to continue, further cuts in flights appear inevitable. In the absence of Japanese routes, local carriers have been increasing flights to other countries including China and Southeast Asia.

Seoul in dilemma over Hormuz dispute

Korea is under pressure over whether to join the U.S.-led coalition to patrol the Strait of Hormuz or decline the U.S. request to do so in favor of Iran. Seoul's dilemma comes amid tension between Iran and the West, with the former threatening to close the narrow strait in protest of U.S. sanctions. The strait off Iran is the gateway for a third of all crude oil carried by tankers. Tension heightened recently after the U.S. downed an Iranian drone in the strait and Tehran seized two British tankers.

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

Korea Loses out to Japan in China's Cosmetics Market

Japanese cosmetics are surging ahead in the Chinese market as affordable Korean products lose their luster. According to a report by the International Trade Centre, Japan exported US$770 million worth of cosmetics to China in the first quarter of this year to take the No. 1 spot. Next were France with $730 million and Korea with $720 million. Last year, Korea overtook long-reining market leader France to take the top spot, but now it has slipped to third place. This is copyrighted material owned by Digital Chosun Inc. No part of it may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission.

Export Plunge Reminiscent of 2008 Global Crisis

An export decline since May resulting from the U.S.-China trade war is reminiscent of the 2008 global financial crisis and bursting of the tech bubble in the early 2000s, experts warn. The Bank of Korea in a report on Thursday analyzed the impact of the U.S.-China trade war on Korea's economy. It said the sharp decline in exports has a "high correlation" with the intensifying trade spat.

Budget Airlines Hit Expansion Ceiling

Budget carriers seem to have hit the ceiling after years of aggressive expansion. Korea's six low-cost airlines grew at remarkable speed in the last four or five years but are estimated to have shrunk in the second quarter of this year. Jeju Air, the biggest budget airline, on Tuesday announced its biggest quarterly loss ever in the second quarter, sending shockwaves throughout the sector. The figures do not yet reflect loss of passengers because of the boycott of Japan.

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

Moon says S. Korea should not let its guard down amid Japan’s retaliatory trade measures

Noting that South Korea is “still faced with uncertainty,” President Moon Jae-in said that Seoul would treat the Japanese government’s export controls “as an opportunity to increase our economic autonomy and to diversify sources of imports on products for which we depend excessively on a single country.” When Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry removed South Korea from its white list of privileged trade partners the day before, it didn’t extend its export controls beyond the three key materials for the manufacture of semiconductors and displays that had already been restricted. But that’s no reason for South Koreans to let their guard down, Moon suggested.

S. Korea postpones decision to remove Japan from its white list

While the South Korean government had been planning to tighten controls on exports to Japan in retaliation for its removal of South Korea from its “white list” of countries that enjoy streamlined export procedures for strategic materials, Seoul ultimately postponed its decision. That postponement appears to have been motivated by the fear that scrubbing Japan from the South Korean white list could trigger a cycle of escalating retribution that could narrow the scope for diplomatic effort and also harm South Korean companies.

Pompeo says US planning on holding working-level negotiations with N. Korea within 2 weeks

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Aug. 7 that the US is planning to hold working-level negotiations with North Korea within two weeks and denied that the North’s recent missile launches would be an impediment to resuming negotiations. Following a meeting with British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab at the US State Department on Wednesday, Pompeo told a reporter that he didn’t think North Korea’s missile launches were “dampening the environment” for dialogue between the two countries.

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

Trump calls ROK-U.S. military exercises 'ridiculous and expensive'

President Donald Trump of the U.S. called the ROK-U.S. joint military exercises “ridiculous and expensive” on Saturday (local time) via Twitter. The president’s tweet on the cost aspect of the bilateral alliance, which is directly related to the security issue, was posted 15 hours after North Korea launched two missiles assumed to be short-range ballistic missiles.

N. Korea ridicules S. Korean President Moon Jae-in

North Korea made a blatant threat toward South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Sunday, the first day of the ROK- U.S. joint military exercises, saying, “(The president) shall have difficulty getting a good night of sleep,” and used a harsh language, such as an “idiot” and “scared dog.”

NEXO hydrogen fuel cell SUV earns top safety rating in U.S.

Hyundai Motor’s hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle Nexo was recognized by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the U.S. for its safety. Hyundai Motor announced on Sunday that its 2019 Nexo has earned the Top Safety Pick Plus rating – the highest rating available – from the IIHS’ car crash tests. The IIHS, a non-profit organization established in 1959, releases the results of its car crash tests conducted on hundreds of new cars every year. It was the first time that the IIHS conducted safety tests on hydrogen-electric vehicles.

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

[Editorial] The U.S. Claims to Be an Ally, While Handing an Excessive Bill

Minister of National Defense Jeong Kyeong-doo and U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper will meet at the defense ministry in Seoul on August 9 and discuss security issues. The meeting is drawing attention because a series of challenging issues for South Korea are expected to be on the table. A typical example would be the U.S. demand for a higher contribution by South Korea to cover defense costs. Already on August 7 (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at this issue, tweeting, "South Korea has agreed to pay substantially more money to the United States in order to defend itself from North Korea." Reportedly, John Bolton, the White House national security advisor, who visited South Korea earlier, asked South Korea to increase its contribution five-fold from what the nation is currently paying now. The U.S. appears to be taking advantage of South Korea's current situation, in which it is heavily reliant on the U.S. due to disputes with Japan and the North Korean nuclear problem, to raise South Korea's contribution and seize an advantageous position in negotiations with other allies. Such an attitude from the Trump administration is nothing new, but it is still surprising. The U.S. has not even been able to fully use the defense contributions provided by South Korea. Watching the U.S. demand another excessive hike makes us wonder if the U.S. regards its ally as a moneymaking opportunity.

Iranian Kim Min-hyeok's Father Denied Refugee Status

The father of Kim Min-hyeok (16), an Iranian teenager recognized as a refugee last year, failed to be recognized as a refugee in a second review. However, the Ministry of Justice did grant him humanitarian stay after considering his circumstances--he has a child to raise, a minor.

Fair Economy Retreats as Businesses Raise Their Voices Amidst Economic Crisis

As the nation faces more and more challenges in economic conditions, the government accepted a stream of requests by businesses. The government not only made it easier for business owners to pass on their wealth to their children, it also allowed--albeit in a limited scope--intra-group transactions following Japan's exclusion of South Korea from the list of countries allowed a simpler export process. The recent government decisions raised concerns that the government may be deviating from its goal of achieving a fair economy.

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

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 enhances software with Microsoft’said

Among the modest upgrades of Samsung Electronics’ latest Galaxy Note 10 flagship phone, the biggest wow factor may be its offer to make the mobile and desktop computing experience more seamless, made possible by its deeper partnership with Microsoft.

Korean Pres carries out cabinet reshuffle, replaces ambassador to the U.S.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in carried out a ministerial-level reshuffle as the government faces unprecedented challenges on the diplomatic and economic front, but still kept on foreign and defense ministers despite criticism over their performance.

Lotte Group chief to visit Israel to seek M&A, business chances on startup

Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin heads to Israel Sunday to meet with the country’s Economy and Industry Minister, political and business leaders to seek business opportunities in the nation of startup and venture power, the group said Friday.

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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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Morocco: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfFmp2sVvSE
And many other countries.
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