Tuesday July 21, 2020
Round-up of important news from major Korean dailies and from international media today
The Korea Post (http://www.koreapost.com/)
India reiterates her call for a ‘reformed multilateralism’ in a post-COVID-19 world
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi delivered a keynote address virtually at this year’s High-Level Segment of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) session on Friday, 17th July 2020 at the United Nations in New York.
This was the first address by PM to the broader UN membership since India’s overwhelming election as a non-permanent member of the Security Council on 17th June, for the term 2021-22.
Korea, and the UAE have great potential for substantially increased cooperation
The Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have a great deal of areas where the two countries could substantially benefit from each other through increased cooperation.
This was immediately apparent at a recent interview with Ambassador Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi of the UAE in Seoul.
“My country takes keen interest in the advanced technology as it may be seen from the most recent cabinet shakeup,” said Ambassador Al Nuaimi at the interview with The Korea Post media, publisher of 3 English and 2 Korean-language news media since 1985.
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KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)
S. Korea Successfully Launches First Military Satellite
South Korea's first military communications satellite was successfully launched into space from Florida in the United States.
Seoul's Defense Acquisition Program Administration said that a Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Anasis-II satellite lifted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Korea time.
The Anasis-II will begin operation after reaching an orbit of some 36-thousand kilometers in two weeks.
Police Questions Late Seoul Mayor's Special Advisor on Gender Equality
Police investigating the circumstances of Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon's death questioned his special advisor on gender equality on Monday.
Im Soon-young appeared at the Seoul Seongbuk Police Station at 9:20 p.m. that day and left at around 3 a.m. Tuesday.
A police official said that Im generally cooperated and the questioning went well.
S. Korea's Producer Prices Post Growth for First Time in 5 Months in June
South Korea's producer prices posted growth for the first time in five months in June.
According to data from the Bank of Korea on Tuesday, the producer price index for all commodities and services came to 102-point-52, up point-five percent from a month earlier.
The index, a key barometer of future inflation, marks the first on-month growth since January. The index remained unchanged from a month earlier in May.
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Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
S. Korea's first military satellite launches atop SpaceX rocket
WASHINGTON/SEOUL, July 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's first military communications satellite was successfully launched into space Monday, Seoul's arms procurement agency said, making the country the world's 10th to own a communications satellite for military purposes only.
The Anasis-II satellite lifted off atop a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket manufactured by U.S commercial space firm SpaceX from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 5:30 p.m. (U.S. time), according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
After separating from the rocket, the satellite successfully communicated with the Toulouse Space Operations Center in the French city of Toulouse at 7:19 p.m.
Complaints of worm-like creatures in tap water spreading nationwide
A growing number of worm-like creatures have been reported in tap water in Seoul, Busan, Gyeonggi Province and other parts of the nation over the past week after residents of Incheon, west of the capital, made the first complaints about weird-looking organisms in their drinking water about two weeks ago.
Since July 9, authorities in Incheon, 50 kilometers west of Seoul, have received nearly 600 complaints of larva-like organisms being discovered in the city's tap water. Of those, the city's water officials collected larva-like creatures from 166 cases.
Probe into leak of sexual misconduct complaint against late Seoul mayor depends on prosecution: police chief nominee
The police will wait for the prosecution before taking action in an information leakage case pertaining to the death of Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, the police chief nominee
g"Since multiple complaints (on the suspected leak) have been filed with the prosecution, it would be better for us to decide on the launch of investigation after watching how the prosecution proceeds with the complaints," Kim Chang-ryong, who was nominated as commissioner general of the National Police Agency, said during his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly.
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The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
Gov't not to open 'greenbelt' for housing supply
The government has decided not to open up "greenbelt" zones in Seoul to protect the environment, amid a controversy over whether to lift development restrictions there to help resolve a housing supply shortage.
President Moon Jae-in and Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun agreed on preserving the greenbelts during their weekly lunch meeting at Cheong Wa Dae, according to the Prime Minister's Secretariat, Monday.
Opposition submits motion to impeach 'power abusing' justice minister
The opposition are seeking to impeach Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae for "abuse of power" amid her conflict with Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl over how to carry out an investigation into an alleged blackmail case.
The main opposition United Future Party (UFP), in partnership with the minor opposition People's Party, submitted an impeachment bill to oust the minister to the National Assembly Secretariat, Monday.
Salaried workers upset over tax increases
The tax on salaried workers' earned income has grown at nearly twice the rate of their income rise, enraging workers, data showed Monday.
Data from National Tax Service showed the agency collected 41.9 trillion won ($34.8 billion) in earned income tax in 2019, up 7.5 percent, or 2.9 trillion won from a year earlier.
This shows a much faster rise than their income that jumped only 4.1 percent in 2019 from a year earlier. Also contrasting sharply with the 7.5 percent year-on-year tax increase on earned income is the tax revenue total which jumped to 303.4 trillion won in 2019, up 3 percent from a year earlier.
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HanKyoReh Shinmun (http://english.hani.co.kr)
S. Korea rebukes US media report saying it had received USFK reduction plan from Pentagon
The South Korean government rebutted an American newspaper report that the Pentagon had presented the White House with a contingency plan for reducing the US troop presence in South Korea back in March. “We have not received any official notification of the sort from the US,” Seoul said on July 19.
US defense secretary says US will review redeployment of US troops in Indo-Pacific Command
US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said that the US would be reviewing a redeployment of American troops in the Indo-Pacific Command over the next few months. US Forces Korea (USFK) is part of that command.
Esper reviewed the major tasks of his first year as Defense Secretary in a document titled “NDS Implementation: First Year Accomplishments,” which was released on July 17. NDS stands for the National Defense Strategy.
Companies still abuse subcontractor employees despite Supreme Court ruling 10 years ago
Ten years after a Supreme Court ruling determining in-house subcontracting practices to be illegal, subcontractor employees are still dealing with illegal dispatching and abusive practices by employers, case studies show. On July 22, 2010, the Supreme Court ruled that Hyundai Motor was in violation of the law and bore responsibility for employing dispatch workers directly after maintaining the façade of “subcontracts” while actually employing the workers with authority to pay their wages and issue orders.
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Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)
Trump 'Told Pentagon to Cut Troops in Korea'
The Pentagon came under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to consider slashing American troops in Korea, the Wall Street Journal reported last Friday.
"The Pentagon has presented the White House with options to reduce the American military presence in South Korea as the two countries remain at odds over President Trump's demand that Seoul greatly increase how much it pays for the U.S. troops stationed in the country," the daily wrote.
Moon's Approval Rating Plummets Among Young Women
President Moon Jae-in's approval rating has plummeted, especially among young women, over the government's response to sexual misconduct allegations against late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon.
According to a weekly survey of 1,001 adults by Gallup Korea out on July 17, Moon's approval rating fell slightly to 46 percent from 47 percent the previous week.
Museums, Libraries in Seoul Reopen
Museums, galleries and public libraries in the Seoul metropolitan area reopen this week. They had been in lockdown since May 29 amid the coronavirus epidemic.
Health authorities made the decision Sunday because there have been only 11 new COVID-19 cases on average per day in the capital area over the past week.
But most visitors need to book in advance. Admission to 10 major public facilities, including the National Museum of Korea, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, and the National Library of Korea, is limited to 30 percent of their maximum capacity. Ten percent is set aside for spontaneous visitors.
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The Dong-A Ilbo (http://english.donga.com/)
Trump says he may not accept presidential election result
A little over 100 days left until the U.S. presidential election to be held on November 3, President Donald Trump who is significantly behind Democratic nominee Joe Biden has caused controversy with his comment indicating the possibility of not accepting the presidential election result.
Unification Ministry rejects UNC’s request to use Freedom House
South Korea’s Unification Ministry declined the request from the United Nations Command (UNC) to access the Freedom House at the peace village of Panmunjom to hold the 67th anniversary of the July 27 ceasefire agreement on the Korean War.
According to government sources on Monday, the UNC filed a request with the South Korean Unification Ministry to hold an event celebrating the anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, which will be organized by Gen.
Celltrion pursues production of COVID-19 cure from September
Celltrion, a South Korean pharmaceutical company, announced that it will embark on the commercial production of antiviral antibody treatment for COVID-19 in September. Production will begin regardless of the result of clinical trials, and if the second trials yield valid results, the company said it will immediately pursue commercialization.
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The KyungHyang Shinmun (http://english.khan.co.kr/)
Kim Jong-un Makes Adjustments, from “Nuclear War” to Just “War”
On July 19, the Korean Central News Agency reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un discussed measures to strengthen deterrence against war at the fifth enlarged meeting and a private meeting of the seventh Central Military Commission.
According to the North Korean state news agency, in a private meeting Chairman Kim presided over on July 18, North Korean officials inspected the strategic missions and operational mobilization preparedness of major units and discussed key issues to further strengthen the country’s deterrence against war in order to prepare for potential military threats and respond to the situation on the Korean Peninsula.”
“Replacement Drivers” Will Also Be Ensured the 3 Labor Rights
The Ministry of Employment and Labor recently issued a certificate of incorporation for the National Union of Replacement (daeri) Drivers. This was the first time that the government recognized a national union of designated drivers for hire or replacement drivers, allowing the drivers to exercise the three labor rights. The National Union of Replacement Drivers was officially recognized 428 days after it submitted an application of incorporation and eight years after the union was first launched in 2012.
President Moon, “Will Seek All Measures Necessary to Stabilize Housing Prices”
On July 16, President Moon Jae-in said, “The government will seek every measure necessary to deter speculation and to stabilize housing prices.” This day, the president gave a speech at the opening of the 21st National Assembly and also said, “Right now, the most important legislation that needs to be addressed in connection to the people’s livelihoods is the real estate measure.”
President Moon stressed, “We will increase the burden on property ownership for people possessing multiple homes and drastically raise the real estate sales tax on market earnings, making it clear that people will no longer be able to earn money through real estate speculation.”
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Maeil Business News Korea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/)
Appetite for Korean equity offerings remains voracious, with 2H pipeline packed
The Korean stock market euphoria after the blockbuster initial public offering of SK Biopharmaceuticals Co. has spilled over to the second half as big names line up to feed the pipeline.
Money parked in funds granted preferential rights in IPOs has surged nearly 800 billion won ($664.3 million) since June, according to local market data provider FnGuide on Sunday.
S. Korean President rules out greenbelt development in Seoul
South Korean President Moon Jae-in has made clear that the government will leave “greenbelt” zones in Seoul free of development, putting to an end a week-long controversy over whether to lift restrictions on urban green land development to increase housing supply in the capital city.
According to the Office for Government Policy Coordination on Monday, the decision was made by President Moon in a weekly meeting with Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun at the presidential office.
Household corporate names join the Korean New Deal bandwagon
South Korea’s ambitious 160 trillion won ($133 billion) New Deal initiative is picking up speed thanks to active support from major corporate names.
Of the five-year spending plan, the government proposed to shoulder 114.1 trillion won and local governments 25.2 trillion won. The rest of 20.7 trillion won would be pooled from the private sector.
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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 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/
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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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