Headlines, June 25, 2020

Thursday June 25, 2020

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

The Korea Post (http://www.koreapost.com/)
“Colombian troops in Korea add to friendship, brotherhood between the two countries”
Ambassador Juan Carlos Caiza Rosero of the Republic of Colombia in Seoul said, “The Embassy of Colombia in Seoul launches an online photo exhibition entitled, The Korean War through the Eyes of a Colombian Veteran, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Outbreak on June 25, 1950.
Speaking at a breakfast with Korean media representatives at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul on June 23, Ambassador Caiza Rosero said, “This year commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Korean War, an event that marked the establishment of special bilateral friendship and brotherhood relations between Colombia and Korea.” http://www.koreapost.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=20976

“Uzbek gov’t, businesses make joint effort to support the vulnerable groups”
Until mid-March, residents of Uzbekistan – a doubly landlocked state - experienced the coronavirus epidemic with some degree of surprise: the epidemic, which originally found in China, circled the center of Asia and began to spread in Europe. On March 15, Uzbekistan officially announced the detection of the first case of coronavirus infection in a citizen who arrived from France. 2 months passed and during this time the number of infected COVID-19 on May 19, 2020, has reached 2802 people, of which 2314 (82.6%) - recovered, and 13 - died. The mortality rate in Uzbekistan remains extremely low - 0.46% of the total number of cases. http://www.koreapost.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=20965

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KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)
Five S. Korean Sailors Kidnapped off Benin in Africa
Five South Koreans have reportedly been kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in waters off Benin in western Africa.
According to online media outlet Dryad Global on Wednesday, the gunmen attacked the fishing vessel Panofi Frontier from a speedboat, south of Cotonou Port. The vessel was carrying five South Koreans and one Ghanaian.
A South Korean diplomat in Africa also confirmed that five South Koreans were abducted, without providing further details.

IMF Cuts 2020 Growth Forecast for S. Korea to -2.1%
The International Monetary Fund(IMF) again cut its economic forecast for South Korea for this year to minus two-point-one percent due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The IMF's latest forecast represented a sharp decline of point-nine percentage points from its previous prediction of a one-point-two percent contraction in April. The South Korean economy is forecast to grow three percent next year.

Senior N. Korean Official Criticizes S. Korean Defense Chief for 'Foolish' Remarks
A senior North Korean ruling party official on Wednesday criticized South Korea's defense chief for his call for the complete withdrawal of the North's military plans against Seoul.
Kim Yong-chol, vice chairman of the Central Committee of the North's ruling Workers' Party, warned in a statement that careless remarks by the South Korean Defense Ministry must not result in greater crisis in inter-Korean relations.
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Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
New virus cases dip to below 30; concerns lingering over cluster infections, imported cases
South Korea's new coronavirus cases fell back to below 30 Thursday, but the country is still on alert over another wave of virus outbreak amid continued rises in cluster infections and imported cases.
The country added 28 cases, including 23 local infections, raising the total caseload to 12,563, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
The tally marked a sharp fall from 51 new cases reported Wednesday and 46 additional cases Tuesday.

Pompeo cites 3 S. Korean companies in case against Huawei
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday used the example of three South Korean companies to build his case against doing business with Chinese tech giant Huawei.
In a statement, Pompeo said the world is "waking up to the danger of the Chinese Communist Party's surveillance state," referring to U.S. allegations that Beijing could use Huawei's equipment for espionage.

Cheong Wa Dae defends Incheon airport's employment plan against public outcry
The office of President Moon Jae-in countered fierce public criticism Thursday over Incheon International Airport Corp.'s decision to grant regular employment status to 1,902 contract and part-time security officers working at its facilities.
Hwang Deok-soon, senior secretary to Moon for jobs, said the move is about enhancing "fairness in the labor market, a bit different from fairness in the hiring process."
He stressed that it has nothing to do with positions open to those who seek jobs at the company, speaking in a radio interview.

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Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
Five Korean crew members kidnapped in waters off Benin
Five South Korean nationals have been kidnapped by an unidentified armed group in waters off the western African country of Benin, officials said Thursday.
The abduction happened at about 3:40 p.m. (Benin time) when the group attacked a 994-ton fishing vessel in waters about 111 kilometers south of the country's Cotonou Port, Seoul officials said.
A total of 30 crewmen were aboard the Ghanaian-flagged Panofi Frontier, but the kidnappers took off with only six.

S. Korea reports 28 new cases of coronavirus infection
South Korea's new coronavirus cases fell back to below 30 Thursday, but the country is still on alert over another wave of virus outbreak amid continued rises in cluster infections and imported cases.
The country added 28 cases, including 23 local infections, raising the total caseload to 12,563, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). The tally marked a sharp fall from 51 new cases reported Wednesday and 46 additional cases Tuesday.

US remains focused on denuclearizing North Korea: Pentagon official
The United States remains focused on denuclearizing North Korea amid Pyongyang's increased provocations against Seoul, a senior Pentagon official said Wednesday.
David Helvey, acting assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, said the North's recent actions underscored the importance of maintaining a strong readiness posture between Washington and Seoul, with Pyongyang threatening to take military action before suspending such plans on Wednesday.

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HanKyoReh Shinmun (http://english.hani.co.kr)
Kim Jong-un suspends military actions against S. Korea mentioned by KPA General Staff
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has suspended the military actions against South Korea mentioned by the Korean People’s Army General Staff, the Rodong Sinmun newspaper reported in a front-page article on June 24.
In the article, the newspaper said that Kim had presided over a fifth meeting of the seventh Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) Central Military Commission (CMC) held via teleconference on June 23.

Bolton sabotaged the Korean Peninsula peace process at every opportunity
Former White House National Security Advisor John Bolton thwarted the momentum for peace and dialogue on the Korean Peninsula at every critical moment in talks between Pyongyang and Washington, it has emerged. His memoir “The Room Where It Happened” includes numerous instances showing him to be an ultra-hardline “super hawk” echoing the Japanese administration in its attempt to sabotage inter-Korean reconciliation.

S. Korea to introduce smartphone-based digital ID cards this year
South Korea will take a step-by-step approach to introduce smartphone-based digital identification cards this year. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) and other government agencies submitted a report entitled the “Digital Government Innovation Plan” during a State Council meeting held on the morning of June 23. The plan includes information regarding various government services that can be used with a smartphone-based identification confirmation system. A trial version of the system for public servants will be rolled out this year, and the government plans to issue smart driver’s licenses next year.

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Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)
S.Korea Cautious About N.Korea's U-Turn
South Korea reacted cautiously on Wednesday to an announcement by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un that he was calling off a military buildup at the border.
Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo told lawmakers that North Korea will have to "completely call off" its threats before any progress can be made and the government will "monitor" the situation.
The ruling Democratic Party's chairman Lee Hae-chan was more enthusiastic, saying "Peace on the Korean Peninsula can only guarantee the survival of the Korean people" and urged the two Koreas to "sit down face to face again for constructive dialogue."

U.S., S.Korea Mark 70th Anniversary of Korean War
The Pentagon has promised a "robust" defense of South Korea to warn North Korea over recent threats against the South.
"We remain committed to maintaining a robust combined defensive posture," Pentagon spokesperson John Supple said on Sunday.
The Pentagon had kept mum until then over escalating threats from North Korea, including the cut-off of all communication lines with South Korea and unspecified military action.

Single Households Surpass 6 Million
The number of single households surpassed 6 million for the first time last year.
According to Statistics Korea on Tuesday, there were 6.04 million one-person households in Korea in the second half of 2019, up 4.3 percent on-year. They accounted for 29.9 percent of all households, up 0.7 percentage points.
Singles who were employed increased 2.8 percent to 3.67 million, accounting for 60.8 percent of one-person households.
By age, 27.6 percent of them were between 50 and 64, followed by 22.6 percent in their 30s, 19.5 percent in their 40s, 18.7 percent in their 20s or younger, and 11.6 percent over 65.

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The Dong-A Ilbo (http://english.donga.com/)
Kim Jong Un suspends military action plans against S. Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has suspended military action plans against South Korea, taking a step back from the threat the North made ahead of the 70th anniversary of the Korean War. North Korea has taken a breather after the U.S. sent three aircraft carriers and B-52 strategic bombers near the Korean Peninsula to put North Korea under pressure. But the North has suggested that it might carry out another provocation that might involve submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) by stressing measures for “further bolstering the war deterrent of the country.” Tensions between the two Koreas are likely to continue to rise on the Korean Peninsula surrounding the resumption of ROK-U.S. joint military drills in August.

AI expert nominated to lead Samsung’s research
Samsung Electronics announced on Wednesday that it has nominated world renowned AI expert Sebastian Seung (Seung Hyun-jun, 54), Princeton University professor, as head of Samsung Electronics’ Global Research & Development (R&D) Centers. He will lead and manage 15 domestic and overseas R&D centers and seven AI centers leading future and convergence technologies.

Australian light train honors Korea War veterans
A light train in Sydney began its operation on Monday, featuring the images of eight Australian Korean War veterans to mark the 70th anniversary of the Korean War.
The light train named “Lest Korea Forget” has been planned to pay respect to Australian Korean War veterans. “I am so touched that the Korean War has been recognized as part of Australia’s history,” said former Rear Adm. Ian Crawford – one of the eight figures featured on the train – said at the opening ceremony held in Sydney on Wednesday.

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The KyungHyang Shinmun (http://english.khan.co.kr/)
North Korean Defectors Claim to Have Released 500,000 Propaganda Leaflets; Government Works to Silence “False Information”
Fighters for a Free North Korea, a group of North Korean defectors, claimed to have released twenty large balloons carrying 500,000 propaganda flyers from Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do on the night of June 22, but the government argued that this was “false information.” The government also said, “No leaflets went to North Korea.” The government further announced plans to crack down on the office and residence of Park Sang-hak, head of Fighters for a Free North Korea, which released plans to distribute additional flyers. As the tension builds between North and South Korea surrounding the distribution of propaganda leaflets, the government is taking strong measures to prevent the situation from deteriorating.

COVID-19 Cases Confirmed on Russian Ship Docked at Busan Port: Virus Inflow at Ports Could Become New Trigger
COVID-19 is once again fiercely spreading throughout the world, pushing the number of confirmed cases from overseas up in South Korea. In this situation, authorities confirmed seventeen cases of the novel coronavirus from two Russian boats docked in Busan. Despite that there were sailors with symptoms, the boat failed to give prior notice to the South Korean quarantine authorities. In addition, authorities were late in confirming the cases, because they only inspected documents, due to a shortage of quarantine staff. Nearly two hundred people came in contact with the confirmed cases, triggering concerns of secondary transmission.

Loudspeakers and Leaflets: Risk of Military Provocation Rises as North Korea Annuls the Panmunjom Declaration
North Korea installed loudspeakers for propaganda broadcasts aimed at South Korea in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) again following its notice of plans to distribute a large number of propaganda flyers, continuing its steps to annul the April 27 Panmunjom Declaration. Despite our government’s repeated warnings to stop aggravating the situation further, the North is sending inter-Korean relations back into the “Cold War” era. The risk of a military clash is rising as North Korea is expected to soon distribute the propaganda flyers in the border areas and at sea.
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Maeil Business News Korea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/)
Samsung Biologics adds $314 mn CMO order, achieving fivefold orders vs last yr
Korea’s top contract manufacturing organization (CMO) Samsung Biologics Co. landed a $314 million worth order tantamount to covering more than half of last year’s full revenue from a European pharmaceutical company, the company announced Wednesday.
Shares of Samsung Biologics closed Wednesday 2.12 percent higher at 819,000 won ($682.8).

AI expert Sebastian Seung to lead Samsung Electronics’ research arm
South Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co. on Wednesday named the world’s renowned artificial intelligence (AI) expert as head of its research arm in a bid to strengthen its AI competence in the fourth industrial revolution era.
The Korean tech giant said on Wednesday that it promoted Dr. Sebastian Seung, professor at the Princeton Neuroscience Institute and Department of Computer Science who has also been doubling as chief research scientist at Samsung Research since 2018, to head its research unit.

Korean IT components stocks celebrate win over Japanese export curb at 52-wk highs
South Korean components and materials makers celebrated their triumph in the war with Japan export curbs that were initially feared to break up the Korean IT habitat when first imposed last summer, with their stock prices at peaks a year later.
SKC Co. a chemical material producer, hit a new 52-week high at 64,900 won ($54.07) on Tuesday before finishing up 0.8 percent from the previous session at 62,700 won. The company will begin mass production of high-end mask blanks in the second half of the year to enable self-sufficiency of its sister chipmaker SK Hynix Co. that had relied more than 90 percent on supplies from Japan for the material.

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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
AustraliaBrisbaneTime www.brisbanetimes.com.au syndication@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Sydney Morning Herald www.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/