The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Your Excellency:

Here are The Korea Post notice, humor from a Korean-language economic daily from and a roundup of important headlines from all major Korean-language dailies, TV and other news media this morning:

Lee Kyung-sik

Publisher-Chairman

Korea Post Media

P.S.: 1. To see the desired site, press down the Control key and click the blue URL of the media.

2. If received by a person other than the intended recipient, please kindly convey the mail to His/Her Excellency.

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The quality and accuracy of the translations are guaranteed by The Korea Post.

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Today’s humor:

Humor from a generous former Asian ambassador

Sex at 73

I just took a Leaflet out of my mailbox,

Informing me that

I can have sex at 73.

I'm so happy, because

I live at number 71.

So it's not too far to walk home afterwards.

And it's the same side of the street.

I don't even have

to cross the road!

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Husband sends the following message to his wife

My Love,

If you're sleeping, send me your dreams.

If you're smiling, send me your smiles

If you're crying, send me your tears.

I love you.

Wife texed back:

I'm in the toilet,

What should I send you?

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A man goes to the wizard to ask if he can remove a curse he has been living with for the last 40 years.

The wizard says, "Maybe, but you will have to tell me the exact words that were used to put the curse on you."

The man says without hesitation, "I now pronounce you man and wife.”

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Hankuk Kyungje

Comedian's Mother

Two guys working in show business were talking over their drinks about a comedian who was notorious for his obscene jokes.

“What’s really gets me about that guy,” said one of them, “is the way he always says he’s never told a joke he wouldn’t tell his mother.”

“It’s true,” said the other guy. “What you need to realize is the fact that his mother was a stripper.”

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Top headlines of major news media of Korea this morning:

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

Park Meets Heads of Rival Parties

President Park Geun-hye has asked the heads of the ruling and main opposition parties to support her drive for economic revival. During talks at the top...

Seoul Warns Against Outside Pressure over THAAD

KOSPI Soars over 2% on Rate Cut

Heads of Gaeseong Firms to Decline North's Wage Notice

Assembly Speakers Heads for Vietnam

Park Meets Heads of Rival Parties

Money Circulation Tops ?80 Trillion for First Time

S. Korea to Take Measures on Leaflet Campaign Involving Drones

N. Korea Calls Emergency Meeting with Heads of Gaeseong Firms

Tensions Rise Ahead of Leaflet Campaign

POW Group: Abe Should not Speak in Congress Without Apology

US State Dep. Revises Web Site's Korea Map to Include Dokdo

UN Rapporteur Calls for Action on N. Korea Abductions

Subcontractors of POSCO E&C Raided Slush Fund Probe

Gov't Probe Team: N. Korea Responsible for KHNP Hacking

Defector Shin Defends "Escape from Camp 14"

Government to Create New Symbol

Seoul to Open Experimental Curriculum for

School for Multi-cultural Children to Open

S. Korea's Arirang-3A Satellite to be Launched on March 26

Gamtae Seaweed Extract Recognized for Sleep-Enhancing Effects

Korean Scientists Discovery Could Help Treat Hearing Impaired

Sports Officials Heading to Switzerland for Park's Doping Hearing

S. Korea Grabs Gold at ISU Championships

Event Promoting 2018 Pyeongchang Paralympics Kicks Off in Seoul

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

U.S. says it's up to S. Korea to decide on AIIB

The United States said Tuesday it is up to South Korea to decide whether to join a Chinese-led international development bank.

U.S. newspaper ad to urge Abe to apologize for wartime sexual slavery

A full-page advertisement will appear in a U.S. newspaper this week to urge Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to apologize for the country's sexual enslavement of women for its troops during World War II, the ad's sponsor said Tuesday.

N. Korea behind nuke power plant data leakage: investigators

North Korea is believed to be linked to a series of recent leaks of data on South Korea's nuclear power plants, investigators said Tuesday.

Consensus reached on reforming civil service pensions

President Park Geun-hye reached a consensus with the heads of the rival political parties on reforming civil service pensions, the rival parties said Tuesday, a move that could raise the prospect of a bipartisan deal on the controversial issue.

S. Korea's jobless rate jumps to 4.6 pct in Feb.

S. Korea, U.S. to discuss THAAD at April defense talks: so..

N. Korea behind nuke power plant data leakage: in..

China defends N. Korea on human rights record

S. Korea takes a sideswipe at China's pressure on T..

Seoul seeks support from Kaesong firms over wage ro..

N. Korea behind nuke power plant data leakage: inve..

S. Korea's jobless rate jumps to 4.6 pct in Feb.

Two teen short trackers reserve highest praise for one ano..

Nat'l football coach says changes necessary for improvemen..

Defender Cha Du-ri set for international swan song ..

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

US rejects China worry on missile interceptor

The United States fired back at China, Tuesday, over Beijing’s objection to its deployment of an advanced U.S missile defense system on the Korean Peninsula. “I find it curious that a third country would presume to make strong r...

President vows zero tolerance on graft

President Park Geun-hye called for ever-tougher measures to root out corruption, Tuesday. “Chronic corruption in society, as well as the defense industry, should be sternly handled,” Park said during a Cabinet meeting at Cheong ...

Police book Uber executives 

Police booked key executives of Uber Korea and owners of rental car companies Tuesday for violating the Transport Law.

POSCO subcontractors raided in slush fund investigation 

Prosecutors raided the offices of three subcontractors of POSCO, Tuesday, as part of an investigation into allegations that the company created a slush fund i... 

US State Department restores Dokdo on its map of Korea 

The U.S. State Department has restored Dokdo on its maps of Korea, Monday, ending a controversy ov... 

Two killed, one injured in random attack in Jinju 

Two people were killed and another seriously injured by a man in a random attack in Jinju, South G... 

KT vows to build network in all islands 

BAENGNYEONGDO, Incheon - KT pledged Tuesday to establish a telecom network infrastructure on all o... 

Seoul goes green for Ireland 

Seoul’s Some Sevit, also known as the floating Islands turned green yesterday to celebrate St. Pat...

Gov't to unify symbols 

The government will introduce a new, consolidated symbol system for its departments by the end of the year, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announ...

Defense ministry counters China's pressure on THAAD 

Seoul expressed dissatisfaction Tuesday over Beijing’s apparent opposition to a possible deployment of a U.S. missile shield. 

Bullsone investigated for blocking bridge for commercial 

Police are investigating Bullsone, an automotive products company, and Wonderboys Film, its advert...

Ministry to run 30 kindergartens for multiracial children 

The Ministry of Education said Tuesday that it will run 30 kindergartens nationwide specifically for children from multiracial families.

Seoul, Beijing, Japan to hold FM meeting 

Korea, China and Japan will hold a trilateral foreign ministerial meeting in Seoul, Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday.

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DongA Ilbo (http://english.donga.com)

S. Korea urges China not to try to influence Seoul`s decision on missile defense system

South Korea`s defense ministry called on neighboring countries Tuesday not to try to influence Seoul`s policy on the proposed deployment of the U.S.-developed Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense... 

Japan mulls greater hospitality for Michelle Obama than China

Ahead of U.S First Lady Michelle Obama`s first visit to Japan from Wednesday through Friday, attention is being drawn to Tokyo`s treatment of her, amid Japan`s sense of rivalry against China. A year ago, Michelle Obama...

SK chairman`s social enterprise fund finds its first investors

The so-called "Chey Tae-won Fund," which was created by SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won to foster social enterprises, has found its first group of investors. The KAIST Youngman Start-up Investment Holdings said...

Former naval chief probed for corruption scandal

A joint government investigation team summoned Hwang Ki-chul, 58, a former naval chief, to question him over his alleged involvement in the corruption scandal related to the Tongyeong, the Navy’s state-of-the-art...

France, Germany, Italy follow Britain to join China-led bank

After Britain became the first G7 major countries to join a China-led international development bank despite the United States` opposition, France, Germany and Italy have all agreed to follow suit, the British daily...

Tribute poems published to celebrate Park Mok-wol’s 100th birthday

“A blue roe deer with clear eyes/ walking alone on the snow / raises its head and suddenly looks back. / Over the snow-covered winter ridge/ moonlight sheds light / on the withered leafless trees.” (“Park Mok-wol”...

Controversies over N. Korean leader’s call for ‘highest-level’ talks 

Ki Sung-yueng, Son Heung-min as promising Korean soccer players 

New year’s wishes change over time 

France drops its super tax on millionaires 

Samsung’s mobile phone beats Apple to top ACSI 

Actor Lee Jung-jae reported to be in a relationship with Daesang heiress 

N. Korean leader shows willingness to hold inter-Korean summit 

U.S. military base in Yongsan bans civilian drones, model aircrafts

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

More N.Korean Defectors Driven to Crime

A North Korean defector from North Hamgyong Province was given a prison sentence after getting caught smuggling drugs into South Korea from China last year. The defector told police she needed money to feed herself and felt rejected by South Korean society. >> Full Text

Scant Rain Not Enough to End Drought

The dry spell continues in the central and southeastern regions and along the east coast. In eastern Gangwon Province, rainfall for the last 105 days stood at a mere 37.5 mm, down 22 percent from the 30-year average. That is the driest winter since 1973, and it will likely continue for the next month. >> Full Text

Carriers to Raise Fuel Surcharges as Oil Price Rebounds

Fuel surcharges on international flights are set to rise as global oil prices start to rebound. Korea's two flagship carriers, Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, will raise surcharges on flights to the U.S. from US$5 to $27, and on flights to Europe and Africa from $5 to $26. >> Full Text

Asiana Plane Returns to Drop Off Wrong Passenger

N.Korean FM Arrives in Havana

Top 30 Firms to Hire Fewer Staff This Year

Insooni Determined to Promote Charitable Works

New Film Expected to Set Indie Box-Office Record

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Hankyoreh Shinmoon (http://english.hani.co.kr)

Hyundai Motor locked in a tense battle amid the “super dollar”

Sales growth for automaker appears to have hit a limit, and securing profitability becoming the priority

Hyundai Motors is struggling with profits and market share in North America after failing to take advantage of the US economic recovery and resulting “strong dollar” trend.

Instead, it is finding itself flanked in the US automobile market by Japanese and European car makers buoyed by the low yen and depreciation of the euro, along with US domestic models resurging with the post-financial crisis recovery.

US State Department doesn’t clearly show Dokdo as Korean territory

The Bureau of Consular Affairs at the US State Department has provoked controversy by depicting Dokdo as Japanese territory on a map on its website.

In a map that appears on a page providing information about South Korea (http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/korea-south.html),

Just where does patriotism end for S. Korea’s top officials?

“If there’s a conflict between the interests of the US and this country, I’m only going to think of the Republic of Korea. Why should I think of the US’s interests?”

An unusual question-and-answer exchange took place on Mar. 16 at a hearing for Lee Byung-ho’s nomination to head South Korea’s top intelligence agency. The 75-year-old Lee, who was tapped as director of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), stressed his “confidence that my national view and patriotism will never waver.”

Man being investigated tells police to go eat dog food

A man who scattered leaflets he had made that were critical of President Park Geun-hye has now scattered dog food in front of the police department to protest their investigation of him.

Around 10 am on Mar. 15, social activist Park Seong-soo, 41, scattered dog food in front of the police station in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province in defiance of the investigation into the pamphlets.

When is Samsung going to stop their old practice of tailing?

In 2012, a senior executive with the Shinsegae Group was followed by Samsung. Suspecting that someone was on his tail, a neighbor helped the executive call the police while he was in front of his house. It turned out that the person tracking him was a Samsung employee. Instead of filing a complaint with the police, Shinsegae sent a warning message to Samsung.

Is South Korea poised to board China’s runaway train?

Late March is the deadline for South Korea to decide if it plans to be a founding member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), a financial institution spearheaded by Beijing. Its establishment signals a further expansion for China as an emerging power against the traditional ...

At shareholders' meeting, Hankyoreh renews commitment to the public

“There is nowhere left in the Republic of Korea to tend to the pain and tears of the working class. I hope the Hankyoreh will listen more closely to the voices of the working class and underprivileged, and keep marching with them.”

This was the powerful message shared by Hankyoreh shareholder Song Gwang-seop at the newspaper’s 27th shareholders’ meeting on Mar. 14 at the Kim Koo Museum and Library in Seoul.

Why are politicians drumming up support for THAAD?

THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense), one of the key means of interception in the US missile defense system, is once again sparking controversy. But this time around, the controversy is rather odd.

It is unusual for politicians to step forward to lead the debate, and it is also unusual for them to insist on deploying a specific weapon system. Developed by US defense firm Lockheed Martin,

Korean-Americans take out ad calling on Obama to make peace with North Korea

A group of Korean-Americans took out an ad in the New York Times urging US President Barack Obama to take steps to sign a peace treaty with North Korea.

The group, who identified themselves as Korean-Americans who support a peace treaty between North Korea and the US, ran a full-page advertisement titled “An open letter to President Obama” on page five of the Mar. 15 edition of the newspaper.

Work is the main worry keeping South Koreans up at night

Worry about work is the number one reason that South Koreans have trouble getting to sleep, a recent survey found.

Dutch electronics company Philips surveyed 8,000 people from 10 countries about sleep. When asked about the greatest obstacle to sleep, the most common response from the 500 South Koreans who were surveyed was “worry about work” (43%, multiple answers permitted).

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JoongAng Ilbo (conservative): (http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/)

Seoul rebukes China on Thaad

Defense Ministry says decision will be based on national interests

The Ministry of National Defense issued a warning to China Tuesday over its attempts to intervene in the possible deployment of a U.S. anti-ballistic missile defense system in Korea. “Neighboring countries must not try to influence our defense policy,” Kim Min-seok, …

Moon gives Park lecture on economy

President Park Geun-hye endured pointed criticism about her economic policies from former presidential opponent Moon Jae-in during a rare meeting Tuesday…

At markets, kimchi’s loss is salad vegetables’ gain

Korean diets have changed so much that vegetables used in salads now outsell the basic ingredients used in kimchi. Lotte Mart, a major discount supermarket chain,…

Fortune teller sees future, gets it right

This is the seventh in a series of articles on the life and times of Kim Jong-pil, a two-time prime minister, based on extensive interviews with the 89-year-old. …

Hyundai rolls out third-generation Tucson

The stage for a small SUV battle among local automakers in the domestic market was set Tuesday with the start of sales for Hyundai Motor’s new Tucson.…

Gov’t makes its own map service with lots of data

A state-run geography institute launched a web mapping service on Tuesday that incorporates a vast amount of government data.…

Social commerce company Coupang to follow Amazon’s lead

Coupang, a top mobile commerce company, announced on Tuesday that it will introduce a new business model among Korea’s online retailers,…

Galaxy Gear will be free of tariffs after ruling

Samsung’s Galaxy Gear, the company’s competitor to the new Apple Watch, will be exported to most countries without tariffs thanks to an international customs…

KT’s super fast mobile Internet a sea change for remote island

Mobile carrier KT on Tuesday installed a bullet-speed mobile Internet system that is five times faster than existing service on Baengnyeong Island on the maritime border…

Pyongyang the suspected source behind hacking

Authorities looking into an antinuclear group that attempted to blackmail the country’s energy authority into shutting down its nuclear reactors provisionally concluded…

Two killed, one injured in fatal stabbing incident

Police have apprehended a 55-year-old man who allegedly stabbed two people to death and seriously injured another on Tuesday in Jinju, South Gyeongsang.…

Ministerial trilateral talks first in 3 years

The first trilateral meeting in almost three years with the foreign ministers of China, Japan and South Korea is scheduled for Saturday in Seoul,…

Oil prices to rebound, expert says

Despite a steep drop, crude prices are expected to eventually rebound with Brent crude reaching around $75 per barrel over the long term and about $60 by the end of the year,…

Kospi reaches highest in almost 6 months

Seoul’s main bourse reached its highest in nearly six

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Maeil Kyungje (neutral-oriented conservative, economic/business): (http://news.mk.co.kr/english/)

S. Korea to pump $318mn into bio-health

The South Korean government is set to invest 340 billion won ($318 million) in the bio-health industry, which is still at its infancy globally, to gain an upper hand i..

Uber says will start over from smaller cities of S. Korea

Uber, a US-based company operating a mobile-app-based transportation network, has recently stirred up controversy over its similarity to taxi in South Korea. Could Ube.. ...

SKT and Daejeon creative economy innovation center join hands to invest in..

South Korea has created a cooperative model, in which the government, the creative economy innovation center and a large company join forces to foster a global start-u.. ...

Park calls for tougher action against corruption

President Park Geun-hye Tuesday called for tougher measures to root out endemic corruption across society. “One of the most important things in efforts to shape a ne.. ...

LG Innotek taking another leap forward with auto LED lamp

Lee Woong-beom, president and chief executive of LG Innotek, underscores flawless quality, which equates to ‘zero defection rate.’ The equation of ‘100-1=0’ procla.. ...

Park’s approval rating rebounds to 40% level

South Korean president Park Geun-hye is moving to get a grip on political affairs aided by the reshuffle of the cabinet and the presidential office, or the Blue House,.. ...

POSCO to face intensive probe

Prosecutors are accelerating probe into allegations that POSCO E&C created massive slush funds overseas, targeting former and incumbent executives. They will scrutiniz.. ...

Jeju Air in last minute negotiation with Singapore Airlines over stake sale

Singapore Airlines is working to make an equity investment in Jeju Air, South Korea’s top low cost carrier. If the deal is clinched, it will establish a foothold for .. ...

Prosecution calls on FTC to file charge against SK E&C over price rigging

The South Korean prosecution has asked the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) to charge SK Engineering & Construction with price fixing. Upon the request, the prosecution’s.. ...

Engineering dept shows signs of resurgence over medical school

Engineering department, which has been behind the medical school since the 2000s, is showing signs of resurgence. The rise of engineering department comes from the bel.. ...

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The Kyunghyang Shinmoon (http://english.khan.co.kr/)

Liu Jianchao in Korea, 'Take into Consideration China's Concerns on Placement of THAAD System'

On March 16, Chinese Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Liu Jianchao (photo), 51, who is currently in South Korea, said, "We would appreciate it if South K···

Lee Byung-ho, 'May 16 Provided an Opportunity to Strengthen Security... Will Never Repeat the NIS Intervention in Politics'

On March 16, Lee Byung-ho, 75, nominee for director of the National Intelligence Service assessed, "May 16 provided a historic opportunity to strengthen nation···

'How Can One Threaten China While Raking in Money from the Country?” South Korea Has Sovereignty over the Placement of THAAD

On March 15, Mun Il-hyeon (photo), a professor at China University of Political Science and Law commented on the issue of placing the Terminal High Altitude Air···

Arrested in the Act for Distributing Flyers Criticizing the President?

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency sent guidelines telling officers to request anyone who distributes flyers criticizing the president to accompany them and a···

Base Interest Rate Down to the 1% Level for the First Time: Bombing Households with Debt to Stimulate Economy

South Korea has entered the age of the 1% level base interest rate. This is the lowest rate ever, even lower than during the global financial crisis in 2008. So···

We Support International Female Activists and Their Plan to Cross the DMZ

Early this year, the leaders of North and South Korea stressed the significance of the seventieth anniversary of national liberation and displayed their strong ···

Cheong Wa Dae Pulls the Brakes on the Ruling Party's Attempt to Raise the Issue of THAAD

On March 11, Cheong Wa Dae pulled the brakes on attempts to bring the topic of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) system to the public forum sa···

The Pope Remembers the Sewol, While South Korea Forgets

Pope Francis who visited South Korea last August and comforted the family members of those killed in the sinking of the Sewol once again mentioned the Sewol tra···

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