Monday, December 27, 2021
Round-up of important news from major Korean dailies and from international media today
The Korea Post ( www.koreapost.com )
‘New envoy of R.P. shows signs of excelling her top-rated predecessor’
Newly accredited ambassador of the Republic of Philippines in Seoul, Madam Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega, reminds the Korean people of one of the most active Philippine ambassadors in Seoul, Ambassador Francisco L. Benedicto who served in Korea from June 14, 1993 to May 16, 1995. Many Koreans agree that during that period of his service in Korea bilateral relations, cooperation and friendship flourished in the highest degree. And 16 years later today, it appears that the two countries are in for another Golden Time of win-win cooperation and friendship—with the newly accredited lady ambassador, Mme. De Vega in place. All in all, Korea and the Philippines are in for another period of most active cooperation in all areas between the two countries.
The Korea Post cites UAE envoy for support for Special Report
On the afternoon of Dec. 23, 2021, The Korea Post media presented Ambassador Abdulla Saif Alnuaimi of the United Arab Emirates in Seoul with a Plaque of Citation for the valuable support given to The Korea Post media in the publication of a Special Report on the country in its December 2021 issue on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of the Unification of the Seven Emirates on Dec. 2, 2021. The occasion also marked the presentation of a separate Plaque of Citation to Interpreter Kim Su-jin at the Embassy who rendered a good measure of support for the successful publication of the Special Report.
SK Geo Centric, Kolon Industries jointly launch eco-friendly biodegradable plastic PBAT
In collaboration with Kolon Industries, SK Geo Centric (SKGC), a subsidiary of SK Innovation, plans to commercialize and launch PBAT, an eco-friendly biodegradable plastic material, the SKGC said on Dec. 22. SK Geo Centric is expanding its client base through supplying PBAT raw materials and its marketing expertise and network. SK Geo Centric is South Korea’s only producer of 1.4-Butanediol, a key ingredient in PBAT as well as a variety of fabrics, plastics, and electro-chemical substances. Kolon Industries, on the other hand, has a high level of technological prowess in producing polyester products and will produce high-quality PBAT at Gumi Plant by combining both companies’ technological skills in terms of optimum temperature, ideal material mixing ratios, and other factors, based on a reliable supply of PBAT raw material.
KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/service)
Yoon's Wife Publicly Apologizes over Resume Falsification Allegations
Main opposition People Power Party(PPP) presidential candidate Yoon Suk Yeol’s wife, Kim Keon-hee, publicly apologized for allegations that she falsified her credentials. Kim made the apology on Sunday in a televised press conference at the PPP building in Seoul, saying that she inflated her accreditations to look good and some things were written incorrectly. Kim said that she shouldn't have done it, and she was very ashamed as she looked back on her actions. Kim also said she feels devastated as her husband is in a difficult position because of her, asking the public not to withdraw their support for Yoon. She added that even if he becomes president, she will focus on faithfully being his wife.
Moon to Hold Lunch with Business Leaders to Discuss Youth Employment
President Moon Jae-in will hold a luncheon on Monday with the heads of conglomerates to discuss youth employment. Presidential spokesperson Shin Hye-hyun said on Sunday that Moon will invite the chiefs of conglomerates that participated in a project to create jobs for youth. The luncheon will be attended by Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong and the heads of Hyundai Motor, SK, LG, POSCO and KT. It will be the first time for Moon to meet Samsung leader Lee since he was released from prison on parole in August.
Cold Wave to Let Up, More Snow for Jeju, Jeolla Province
A cold wave continued to grip the nation on Monday morning with the mercury plunging to around minus 15 degrees Celsius in central areas, but temperatures are expected to rise during the day. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, afternoon highs are forecast to reach from minus two up to five degrees Celsius on Monday, up three to eight degrees from the previous day. The mercury in Seoul plunged to minus 15-point-five degrees on Sunday morning, the lowest temperature seen in December in 41 years. The weather agency said the cold wave will slowly let up as temperatures are likely to rise further on Tuesday.
Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
DP presidential candidate calls himself 'pro-business'
Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the ruling Democratic Party (DP), said Saturday that he was a "pro-business" person keen on striving to make his country flourish by supporting companies. Lee made the remarks during a talk show aired by Yonhap News TV, stressing that the widely held public image of him having an unfavorable view toward businesses is not what he is about. "I am a pro-business person in fact, and people don't know that," he said in the show. "Those who don't communicate directly with me, or do not know me enough, suspect that I am anti-corporate, pro-labor and anti-market."
Moon stresses need for defense capabilities befitting S. Korea's geopolitical position
President Moon Jae-in has pointed out the need for South Korea to have defense capabilities not only to deter North Korean threats but also to cope with its geopolitical position "stuck between great powers," his aide said Sunday. Moon made the remarks during a meeting with his secretaries last month while commenting on the country's project to acquire a light aircraft carrier by 2033, Park Soo-hyun, his chief secretary for public communication, wrote on Facebook. "Our defense capabilities are needed not only for deterrence against North Korea, but also for the autonomy of our country stuck between great powers," Moon was quoted by Park as saying.
New infections below 6,000 for 2nd day; critical cases at 1,081
South Korea's new coronavirus cases stayed below 6,000 for the second straight day Sunday following fewer tests on Christmas Day but critical cases remained high. The country added 5,419 more COVID-19 cases, including 5,339 local infections, bringing the cumulative total to 607,463, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said. Sunday's tally fell from 5,842 cases on Saturday, 6,233 on Friday and 6,917 on Thursday, apparently helped by antivirus restrictions.
The Korea Herald (http://www.koreaherald.com)
KCCI chief urges practical approach to governance reforms
SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, who doubles as head of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has called for a justifiable and practical approach to dealing with the governance structure issue of South Korean conglomerates. “Samsung had a leader who jumped into semiconductor (business) and overcame difficult challenges. Without such structure, who could have had managed such risks?” the KCCI chief told reporters during a year-end conference held Wednesday in Seoul. “We will need more diverse governance structures that can be developed in a justifiable and practical way.”
Moon Jae-in to meet with Samsung, LG chiefs to discuss youth employment
President Moon Jae-in will meet with leaders of South Korean conglomerates, including Samsung chief Lee Jae-yong, to thank them for their efforts in participating in government-led job creation projects for young people and discuss implementation plans on Monday, Cheong Wa Dae confirmed Sunday. The meeting will be attended by Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Hyundai Motor Chairman Chung Euisun, SK Chairman Chey Tae-won, LG Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, Posco Chairman Choi Jung-woo and KT Chairman Ku Hyeon-Mo. It is the first time President Moon is meeting Samsung leader Lee since he was released on parole in August.
Container volume hits 6-month low at Incheon Port
Container volume at Incheon Port, the nation’s gateway for seaborne trade, has tumbled to a six-month low due to severe bottlenecks at major ports around the world and more lucrative offers by Chinese cargo owners. According to Incheon Port Authority on Sunday, the goods volume transported through the port was 1.64 million 20-foot-long containers in the June to November period this year, down 5.5 percent from a year ago. The port said cargo owners around the world, especially those from China, are competing to secure vessels by offering higher shipping fares and many of the vessels are now heading directly to China.
The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
'Beep' sound for unvaccinated people feared to violate human rights
Criticism is rising over the government's plan to introduce a warning sound function to the vaccine pass system to check the validity period of the permit and identify unvaccinated people. Critics say it could violate their human rights and lead to discrimination, treating unvaccinated people like shoplifters or criminals with electronic anklets. According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, the 180-day validity period of a vaccine pass from the second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine will take effect on Jan. 3 at multiuse facilities including restaurants and cafes, a measure to encourage people to get booster shots. When unvaccinated people or those with expired passes scan their QR code, the scanner will beep.
Korea-Arab Society announces winning logos for diplomatic ties with Morocco, Jordan, Saudi Arabia
The Korea Arab-Society (KAS) announced the winners of a logo contest commemorating the upcoming 60th anniversary of Korea's diplomatic relations with Morocco, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, Dec. 22. The contest was co-hosted by the KAS and Korean embassies in Morocco, Jordan and Saudi Arabia as well as Moroccan, Jordanian and Saudi Arabian embassies in Korea and sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here. According to KAS, 154 designs by 147 applicants from the four related countries were submitted between Nov. 25 and Dec. 10. "The creative level of designs was outstanding, showing great enthusiasm from people with diverse backgrounds leading to a bright future ahead," the KAS said in a statement.
Yoon seeks breakthrough with wife's apology over resume falsification allegations
The wife of main opposition People Power Party (PPP) presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol apologized, Sunday, for falsifying her credentials, reflecting the party's decision to face the issue head on amid decreasing support for the candidate. Kim Keon-hee, Yoon's wife, has remained behind the scenes during her husband's presidential campaign so far, mainly because of various allegations involving her and her mother. But on Sunday, she made her first official appearance since Yoon's presidential bid in June, to make an official apology. "I committed acts of wrongdoing while trying to work and study at once. I exaggerated my career to make it look good and there were some mistakes.
Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)
Moon Settles for Video Summit with Xi
President Moon Jae-in's has buried his hopes of a visit from his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and settled for a Zoom call. The Foreign Ministry here on Thursday said Korea and China are "in talks" to arrange a video summit between the two leaders. That scotches Moon's hopes of magically turning his party's fortunes around with a visit to from Xi before Moon leaves office in March. "Close negotiations are taking place between Korea and China over a summit," Vice Foreign Minister Yeo Seung-bae told reporters. He added the two countries "share the view that smooth communication at various levels is very important to the development of bilateral relations." National security adviser Suh Hoon and Chinese Communist Party foreign policy chief Yang Jiechi already discussed the video summit when they met in Tianjin early this month. It is expected in January before the Beijing Winter Olympics begin.
SK Hynix Clears Hurdle to Take over Intel's NAND Business
SK Hynix has cleared another hurdle in its bid to take over Intel's NAND chip business by gaining approval from China's antitrust regulator. That means SK Hynix now has approval from eight main countries including the U.S. and EU for the US$9 billion deal. China's State Administration of Market Regulation wrapped up a yearlong review of the monopoly risks based on documents submitted by the Korean chipmaker. China had been delaying the decision citing the need to hear the opinions of related parties. SK Hynix welcomed China's decision. The Korean chipmaker already accounts for a 13.5 percent share of the global NAND flash market to rank third and will become the No. 2 behind Samsung when it buys sixth-ranked Intel's business.
Korea Switches to New Passports
Korea's new passports became available on Tuesday, making personal data more secure, according to the Foreign Ministry. The personal information page is made of polycarbonate that is more durable and heat-resistant than the coated paper of the older version. The picture and information sections are engraved with lasers and are harder to forge. But resident registration numbers are not included, so the new version can no longer be used as an ID card at home. Also, the passports have shed their old green cover for a navy one featuring the taegeuk or yin-yang emblem of Korea.
HanKyoReh Shinmun (http://english.hani.co.kr)
S. Korea to secure 7,000 more hospital beds in preparation for daily caseloads above 10,000
The South Korean government plans to acquire an additional 7,000 sickbeds for COVID-19 patients by next month, including over 1,500 for patients with severe to critical symptoms. As part of its plan, it intends to exclusively task public hospitals such as the National Medical Center and Seoul Medical Center with the treatment of COVID-19 patients. These measures were included in a plan announced at a briefing Wednesday morning by Minister of Health and Welfare Kwon Deok-cheol, who serves as first vice director of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters. “By the end of January [2022], we intend to have acquired an additional 6,944 hospital beds, including 1,578 for patients with severe symptoms,” Kwon said.
China conditionally approves SK Hynix’s acquisition of Intel’s NAND flash memory business
China has granted conditional approval for SK Hynix’s acquisition of Intel’s NAND business. China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) posted on its website Wednesday that it had decided to grant conditional approval for SK Hynix’s takeover of Intel’s NAND memory chip business. SAMR said that it made its approval contingent on a ban on written or verbal contracts eliminating or restricting competition by rival Chinese businesses. The announcement Wednesday marked the conclusion of clearance procedures in the eight countries and organizations reviewing the merger of the two companies, namely South Korea, the US, Taiwan, Singapore, the European Union, the UK, Brazil and China.
Deaths of key Daejang development figures mustn’t mark the end of investigation
An official from the Seongnam Development Corporation (SDC) who had been involved in choosing the developer implicated in a corruption scandal in Seongnam’s Daejang neighborhood was found dead at his office on Tuesday evening. Kim Moon-ki, who had been the SDC’s deputy director of development, was reportedly a close associate of Yoo Dong-gyu, former head of the SDC’s strategy office, who has already been arrested and charged with taking bribes in connection with the Daejang development project. Kim’s death came after Yoo Han-gi, former director of the SCD’s development division, died by suicide on Dec. 10. Prosecutors had requested an arrest warrant for Yoo on the charge of taking bribes. This is a truly shocking and sad turn of events.
The Dong-A Ilbo (http://english.donga.com/)
Controversy over Yoon’s improper remarks on his joining of PPP
“I wish for a successful implementation of the project with the aircraft carrier of the future in mind,” South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Monday regarding the navy’s light aircraft carrier (LAC) project to be implemented by the government. President Moon said the South Korean aircraft carrier project, which is included in the next year’s budget, will take more than 10 years during a conversation, following a ceremony to name new Navy Chief of Staff and Vice Admirals held at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae on Monday.
Samsung promises to maintain top spot with SSD twice faster
Samsung Electronics on Thursday announced its plan to develop the “PM1743” solid-state drive (SSD) of high performance used to build computer networks and servers in governments and businesses to mass-produce the invention early next year. Unlike DRAM on which data are gone when a device is turned off, SSD stores data based on NAND Flash that enables data storage without power on. The development replaces HDD on PCs. There is a growing demand for HDD among governments and businesses as they prepare to build up large-scale server systems.
Key figures of party’s election committee should resign, says PPP leader
Lee Jun-seok, the head of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), said on Wednesday that everyone who holds a position in the party’s presidential campaign committee should resign and the committee should disband the current six divisions. Lee made proposals for the reform of the committee one day after stepping down from the campaign’s leadership amid internal feud. During an interview with The Dong-A Ilbo on Wednesday, Lee said it is nonsense that the presidential campaign committee is operated this way, adding the issue of Yoon Seok-youl’s so-called “close confidants” will not be addressed without disbanding the six divisions.
The KyungHyangShinmun (http://english.khan.co.kr/)
Yoon Seok-youl Goes to Honam and Says, “If You’re Poor and Uneducated, You Don’t Know What Freedom Is and Why It Is Necessary”
On December 22, Yoon Seok-youl, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party said, “People living in extreme poverty and lacking education not only do not know what freedom is, but they don’t feel the need for it because they don’t know why an individual needs freedom.” This day, Yoon met with college students at Jeonbuk National University in Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do during his two-day trip to the Honam (Jeolla provinces) region. In the meeting, Yoon argued, “Freedom exists only when there is a certain level of education and basic economic capacity.” Yoon made the comment while responding to a student who asked, “You said that even if someone had different views on ninety-nine things, you could still work with him if he shared the one goal of putting a new government in office.
“Korean Employers, We Are Not Machines or Slaves.”
“Migrant workers produce what people eat, wear, use, ride, and buy in South Korea, but they are treated like pieces of machinery and slaves.” On International Migrants Day, a rally was held to remember Sokkheng, a migrant worker who died in a vinyl greenhouse used as a dormitory last winter, and to call for a guarantee of the rights of migrant workers. The workers shouted slogans such as “Free job change” and “No discrimination.” The Migrants’ Trade Union and the Korea Confederation of Trade Unions held the International Migrants Day Rally in front of Bosingak in Jongno-gu, Seoul on December 19, the day after International Migrants Day (Dec. 18).
Half of the People Not Satisfied with the Apologies by Lee Jae-myung and Yoon Seok-youl for Their Family Problems
On December 22, a survey result showed that half the people believed “It was not enough” when it came to the apologies made by Lee Jae-myung and Yoon Seok-youl, presidential candidates of the Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party respectively, for controversies stirred by their families. When asked about the possibility of supporting another candidate because of these issues, 70.7% of the respondents answered, “I will not change my mind.” Realmeter conducted a survey of 1,027 people for YTN on December 20-21. When respondents were asked if the apologies given by the two candidates were sufficient, more than half of the respondents answered, “It was not enough”--53.6% of the respondents said Lee’s apology was not enough, while 59.2% said Yoon’s apology was lacking. Meanwhile, 38.4% answered that Lee’s apology was enough and 32.8% said Yoon’s apology was sufficient.
Maeil Business News Korea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/)
Korea’s exports keep up 26% gain to set record for ’21, prospects for ’22 less positive
South Korea’s exports kept up double-digit growth in the first 20 days of December, set to achieve an annual record with a gain of over 26 percent, but facing murky 2022 on unfavorable external trade conditions on slowdown in chip demand and the Chinese economy, data and survey showed. According to the Korea Customs Service on Tuesday, outbound shipments totaled $36.9 billion from Dec. 1 to 20, up 20 percent from a year earlier. Daily exports also grew 20 percent based on the same 15.5 working days.
Seegene airlifts diagnostic reagents to Europe as new Covid cases spike
Korean assay and reagent manufacturers have been flooded with new orders from Europe grappling with the surge of Omicron variant Covid-19 cases. Seegene, the country’s leading multiplex diagnostic assay developer, has hired a special charter flight to fly 2.8 million test kits to Europe over the weekend. It is the first time that the company used a chartered plane for shipment since the arrival of the pandemic in spring of last year.
`Test & Go` country list to change
The government is expected to revise its list of "Test & Go" countries following the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 as details on Monday emerged of the country`s earliest recorded local case of the strain. Gen Supoj Malaniyom, chief of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration`s (CCSA) operations base, said the list of of low-risk countries eligible for the tourism opening scheme will be reviewed and Covid-19 screening measures will be intensified.
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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 Heraldwww.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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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
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