Tuesday June 16, 2020
Round-up of important news from major Korean dailies and from international media today
The Korea Post (http://www.koreapost.com/)
“Dr. Seo gives Oriental medicine tips on how to stay away from COVID-19 woes”
Some 30 ambassadors, other senior diplomats and spouses heard the important tips at the El Tower in Seoul on this morning (June 9, 2020) which are viewed to be helpful on how to beat the on-going (and, in some countries, continuously aggravating) COVID-19 cases.
Some 30 ambassadors, other senior diplomats and spouses heard the important tips at the El Tower in Seoul on this morning (June 9, 2020) which are viewed to be helpful on how to beat the on-going (and, in some countries, continuously aggravating) COVID-19 cases.
EcoBizNet operates a microbial business platform CellAct; recruits franchisees from around the world
EcoBiznet, situated in the Bio Complex in Chuncheon Bioindustry Foundation, is a Small and medium-sized promising venture company that started out as a corporation which became independent from Doosan Group in 2000. In the beginning, the company mainly focused on consulting, but with the establishment of a R&D institute in 2006, it has remained committed to developing business models.
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KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)
N. Korea Destroys Inter-Korean Liaison Office
North Korea has blown up the inter-Korean liaison office days after it threatened to do so over Seoul’s handling of anti-Pyongyang leaflet campaigns.
The South Korean Unification Ministry reported on Tuesday that there was an explosion at the office within the Gaeseong Industrial Complex at 2:49 p.m.
Earlier reports said that an explosion was heard from the inter-Korean industrial park with smoke seen billowing from the same site.
S. Korea Continues to Grapple with COVID-19 as Global Tally Reaches 8 Mln
Anchor: Amid growing concerns over a COVID-19 resurgence across the globe, the number of confirmed cases in the world reached eight million. South Korea, which is wary of recent flare-ups in the Seoul metro area, continues its struggle to contain a possible second wave.
Moon Gwang-lip has more.
Trump's Troop Cut in Germany Sparks Concerns in Korea
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States would cut the number of troops deployed in Germany to 25-thousand. While unveiling the plan at the White House, Trump accused Germany of being "delinquent" in its payments to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization(NATO), and hinted at a possible troop reduction in other U.S. ally countries.
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Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
N. Korea blows up joint liaison office in Kaesong
North Korea blew up the inter-Korean joint liaison office in its border town of Kaesong on Tuesday, sharply escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula after near-daily threats to punish Seoul over anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets.
The North exploded the liaison office at 2:49 p.m., the unification ministry said.
Earlier, military sources said that smoke was seen and an explosion was heard from the border town.
S. Korean universities seek to ensure both academic integrity and anti-virus measures
As campuses have transitioned to online institutions due to the coronavirus pandemic, schools are left with an agonizing question: Should students be trusted to take online exams and not cheat?
While most students uphold academic honesty, some care more about receiving better grades by looking up answers online or consulting their friends while taking remote tests.
With the number of such cases showing no signs of slowing, schools have come up with a variety of measures to ensure a level playing field.
S. Korea to extend mask rationing to mid-July but up purchase limit
South Korea will extend a state-led mask rationing scheme, originally set to end this month, to mid-July, to help citizens easily buy protective masks to fight the new coronavirus outbreak, the country's drug safety agency said Tuesday.
The government has decided to extend the scheme, supposed to end on June 30, to July 11 and review whether to further extend the scheme later after closely monitoring market situations. according to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.
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The Korea Herald (http://www.koreaherald.com)
North Korea demolishes inter-Korean liaison office
North Korea on Tuesday demolished the inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong, stepping up its actions against the South.
According to Seoul’s Ministry of Unification, the North demolished the office at 2:49 p.m.
The North had been ratcheting up its rhetoric against the South in a series of statements from top officials including Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
South Korea adds 34 coronavirus patients, one death
South Korea on Tuesday reported 34 coronavirus patients amid an uptick in cases with unknown sources and small-scale clusters in the capital area, health authorities said.
The country’s total stood at 12,155 cases, and the death toll rose by one to 278 from the previous day as of 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Graduating into COVID-19 pandemic
Landing a job has long been no easy task for Koreans freshly out of college, but the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic has taken the job hunt to a whole new level.
In the unprecedented unemployment crisis, many young Koreans are forced to endure delays to their lives and careers, as job offers have been rescinded, new openings vanish and start dates at hard-won jobs are pushed back.
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The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
North Korea destroys inter-Korean liaison office
North Korea blew up the inter-Korean joint liaison office in its border town of Kaesong on Tuesday, sharply escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula after near-daily threats to punish Seoul over anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets.
The North exploded the liaison office at 2:49 p.m., the unification ministry said.
Earlier, military sources said that smoke was seen and an explosion was heard from the border town.
North Korea's military threatens to reenter disarmed border areas
North Korea's military said Tuesday it is reviewing plans to reenter border areas disarmed under inter-Korean agreements, days after the North threatened to take military action over the sending of leaflets by activists from South Korea.
The General Staff of the Korean People's Army (KPA) also revealed that the North would send its own propaganda leaflets into the South, saying it is considering opening front-line areas and waters off the southwest coast to cooperate for a "large-scale leaflet scattering struggle against the enemy."
'Unqualified' expats question Seoul's guidelines for relief fund payments
A tenured Indian university professor of economics in Seoul did not expect he would not receive the national disaster relief fund he thought was for all residents.
Having lived in Korea with his family for 17 years, he contacted his local community center in Songpa District and called the Seoul City Help Center for Foreigners hotline to find out why ― only to be told he was not eligible because he and his family members were not permanent residents.
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HanKyoReh Shinmun (http://english.hani.co.kr)
N. Korea needs to stop pressuring S. Korea and return to spirit of inter-Korean agreements
Just two days before the 20th anniversary of the inter-Korean summit that took place on June 15, 2020, North Korea released a highly belligerent statement in which it promised to “surely break with the South Korean authorities” and take “retaliatory actions.” This June 13 statement by Kim Yo-jong, first vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), warned of military action against South Korea. “The right to [take] the next action against the enemy will be entrusted to the general staff of our army,” Kim said.
N. Korea’s hostile attitude expected to continue
In a “statement” first published by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on the evening of June 13 and reprinted on page two of the Rodong Sinmun newspaper on June 14, Kim Yo-jong, first deputy director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), said, “By exercising my power authorized by the Supreme Leader [Kim Jong-un], our Party and the state, I gave an instruction to the arms of the department in charge of the affairs with enemy to decisively carry out the next action.”
Tokyo exhibit on Hashima complete omits history of forced labor
“During the 1940s, Koreans were mobilized against their will for forced labor in harsh environments [on Hashima Island and at other industrial facilities]. [. . .] In memory of the victims, we will undertake measures such as the establishment of an information center.”
On June 15, the “Industrial Heritage Information Center” in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward is opening to the public as an exhibition facility on the “legacy of the industrial revolution in Meiji-era Japan” -- including Hashima (Gunkanjima), an island where hundreds of Koreans were mobilized to perform forced labor. The facility opened to members of the domestic and foreign press on June 14.
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Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)
N.Korea's Threats Continue But Kim Jong-un Keeps in Background
North Korea's official mouthpieces on Monday continued to threaten South Korea even as the South mutedly celebrated the 20th anniversary of the first inter-Korean summit.
There was no mention of the anniversary in the North Korean state media, which instead foamed at the mouth about South Korean activists who send helium balloons carrying propaganda leaflets across the border.
Spousal Abuse Among Elderly on the Rise
Spousal and other domestic abuse among the elderly has doubled over the last four years, while theft of pensions, rent and other assets from senior citizens rose 12 percent last year.
According to a report by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Monday, 5,243 cases of abuse targeting senior citizens were reported last year, 55 more than a year earlier.
Auto Camping Enjoys Boom Amid Coronavirus Fears
Coronavirus fears have led to surging demand for auto camping equipment as many people convert their SUVs or minivans into campers.
Auto camping allows families to enjoy the outdoors while avoiding contact with others in hotels.
Ulsan resident Lee Dong-myeong (40) camped out in his vehicle for the first time in March on a beach near his home and has become a fan.
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The Dong-A Ilbo (http://english.donga.com/)
Moon speaks of the need for independent inter-Korean projects
South Korean President Moon Jae-in has expressed his wishes to continue inter-Korean economic cooperation to cushion the impact of sanctions against North Korea, despite the recent military threats from it. “I cannot break the promise I made with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in front of 80 million Korean people to bring peace to the Korean Peninsula,” said President Moon Monday. “It is high time the two Koreas work together to make a breakthrough. We can no longer simply wait for the right time to come.”
SK Energy develops unmanned toxic gas detection system
SK Energy has succeeded in developing an unmanned detection system that automatically detects toxic gas in confined spaces without the need for human intervention. The company aims to promote safety in factories and improve work efficiency through digital transformation.
The South Korean energy and petrochemical company said on Monday that it has developed an IoT-based unmanned system that detects toxic gas in confined spaces and completed its patent registration.
Partial solar eclipse to be witnessed on June 21
A partial solar eclipse of the Moon covering part of the Sun will be witnessed across South Korea in the afternoon of June 21. The eclipse will be the last one that can be observed in South Korea within the next 10 years with the next one arriving in June 2030.
The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute announced on Sunday that a partial solar eclipse can be observed across the country from 3:52 p.m. to 6 p.m. on June 21. It can be first witnessed at 3:52:37 p.m. in Incheon, 3:52:50 p.m. in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, and 3:53:04 p.m. in Seoul, followed by Daegu (3:56:04), Busan (3:57:03), Ulleungdo (3:59:13), and Dokdo (4:00:40).
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The KyungHyang Shinmun (http://english.khan.co.kr/)
North Korea Goes “My Way” Regardless of What the South Does
Inter-Korean relations are on the brink of collapse as North Korea declares a “clear break-up” with South Korea and warns of a possible military response. Despite the South Korean government’s stern measures against the distribution of propaganda flyers, North Korea heightened the level of its attacks on the South claiming it “will engage in action against the enemy.” This has led to growing concerns that any hopes of progress that the two Koreas had made in the last two years to build trust and to establish peace on the peninsula could go down the drain
North Korea Has Nothing to Gain by Parting with the South
In a statement released on June 13, Kim Yo-jong, first deputy director of the Workers’ Party of Korea said, “It seems it is now time to clearly part with South Korea,” and added, “We will soon take the next stage of actions.” She went on and said, “In the near future, they will see the miserable sight of the useless North-South Korea Joint Liaison Office collapsing without a trace,” and “I plan to hand over the authority to execute the next actions against the enemy to the General Staff of our army.” Her statement was a notice of a break-up and a threat of an end, turning inter-Korean relations, which had developed in the Moon Jae-in government, into something that had never existed.
Cheong Wa Dae, “We Find the Distribution of Propaganda Flyers Regrettable and Will Sternly Respond to Future Attempts”
On June 11, Cheong Wa Dae announced, “In the future, the government will strictly crack down on the distribution of propaganda flyers and goods to North Korea and take stern measures according to the law when there is a legal violation.” The Ministry of Unification has requested an investigation on Fighters for a Free North Korea and KeunSaem, organizations that have distributed propaganda leaflets. The government further accused these groups of violating the Aviation Safety Act and the Public Waters Management and Reclamation Act. As concerns rise that inter-Korean relations could return to the state before the 2018 Panmunjom Declaration, the government appears to be taking a firm response at a government-wide level to manage the situation despite public criticism.
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Maeil Business News Korea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/)
COVID-19 wrecks bottom, top line and financial statement of Korean companies Q1
The unexpected outbreak of COVID-19 sharply hurt the top and bottom line as well as financial statement of Korean companies during the first quarter.
According to a study by the Bank of Korea on Tuesday, the operating margin ratio, or income to sales, of non-financial enterprises averaged at 4.1 percent in the January-March period, compared with 5.3 percent in the same period a year ago.
Korean banks, credit card firms team up to entice users with high-yield savings plans
South Korean banks are teaming up with credit card issuers to keep customers from migrating to big tech players like Naver and Kakao that are eager to expand their financial footprint.
Shinhan Financial Group on Monday released an installment savings account that offers an annual interest rate of up to 8.3 percent. The base rate is 1.2 percent, and customers can receive an additional 0.3 percent each if their account is set to automatic transfer or if they haven’t owned an installment savings account in the past three months. By meeting other requirements, such as signing up for a Shinhan card or insurance plan, they can receive up to 6.5 percent in Shinhan points or cashback rewards. Maturity is six months, with monthly installment capped to 300,000 won ($249).
Tougher regulations, higher tax may prompt huge selloff in Korean stocks
The Korean markets that maintained resilience against virus scare and global recession through robust individual buying backed by cheap and ample liquidity could lose momentum in the second half when a handful of capital regulations pose as a damper.
Starting April 1 in 2021, individuals who own more than 300 million won ($24.8 million) in a single stock are subject to pay a hefty stock profit income tax, with their status elevated to a major shareholder. Currently investors holding more than 1 billion won worth stocks are considered major shareholders.
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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
AustraliaBrisbaneTime
www.brisbanetimes.com.au syndication@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Sydney Morning Heraldwww.smh.com.au
Colombia Reports http://www.colombiareports.com
BogotaFree Planet http://www.bogotafreeplanet.com,bfp@bogotafreeplanet.com
El Universal https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/english
Andes https://www.redaktionstest.net/andes-info-ec/
Ecuador Times https://www.ecuadortimes.net/
The Jordan Times https://www.jordantimes.com/
LSM.lv https://www.lsm.lv//
The Baltic Times http://www.baltictimes.com lithuania@baltictimes.com, estonia@baltictimes.com, editor@baltictimes.com
El Pais https://english.elpais.com/
Philippine Daily Inquirer https://www.inquirer.net/
Daily News Hungary https://dailynewshungary.com/
Budapest Times https://www.budapesttimes.hu/
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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.
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