Mar. 25, 2015

The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Your Excellency:

Here are The Korea Post notice, humor from a generous former Asian ambassador and a Korean-language economic daily 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 Korea Post notice:

Invitation to Dangjin Gijisi Tug-of-War Festival

Your Excellecency:

I am pleased to inform Your Excellency that Mayor Kim Hong-jang of the Dangjin City of Chungcheongnam-do Province, 87.5 miles (1 1/2 hours run) southwest of Seoul, cordially invites Your Excellency and Madam, together with other Ambassadors and Madams, to the Opening Ceremony of the Dangjin Gijisi Tug-of-War Culture Festival on Friday April 10, 2015 and a tour of the Hyundai Steel Plant, Cultural Assets of the Dangjin City and hands-on experience in various folk events. Two Deluxe 28-seat Limousine Buses have been reserved for the Excellencies and Madams for comfortable traveling.

Formal invitation has already been sent to each Excellency. In the vent of our transmission failure, please advise us at edt@koreapost.com, tel 2298-1740/2 or 010-5201-1740 for re-sending.

Note: Story and photos of the Dangjin Festival is at:

http://koreapost.koreafree.co.kr/news/view.html?section=165&category=192&no=879

Very Respectfully Yours

/s/

Lee Kyung-sik

Publisher-Chairman

The Korea Post phones: 2298-1745 or 2298-1740/2, mobiles 010-3388-1682 (Korean) and 010-5201-1740 (Chairman Lee Kyung-sik).

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Today’s humor:

Humor from a generous former Asian ambassador

Facebook fever

Facebook Fever beyond imagination!

A man posted his status as: 'Gonna sleep on the terrace tonight'
17 Mosquitoes 'Liked' it

All salaried people may wish to read this

After 2 years of selfless service, I realized that I had not been promoted, no salary increment, no commendation.

So I decided to walk up to my HR manager.

The manager looked at me, smiled and asked me to sit down saying: "My friend you have not worked here for even a single day."

I was shocked to hear this!!!, but the manager went on to explain, and here's the conversation that took place.

manager: How many days are there in a year?

me: 365 days and sometimes 366.

manager: How many hours make up a day?

me: 24 Hours.

manager: How long do u work in a day?

me: 10am to 6pm

(i.e 8 hours a day.)

manager: So, what fraction of the day do u work in hours?

me: 8/24, i.e 1/3 (one third).

manager: This is nice of u! what is 1/3rd of 366 days?

me: 122 (1/3 x 366=122 days)

manager: Do u come to work on weekends?

me: No sir.

manager: How many days are there in a year that are weekends?

me: 52 Saturdays and 52 Sundays equals to 104 days.

manager: Thanks for that. If u remove 104 days from 122 days. how many days do u now have?

me: 18 days.

manager: I do give u 2 weeks sick leave every year. Now remove that 14 days from the 18 days left. How many days do u have remaining?

me: 4 days.

manager: Do u work on Republic Day?

me: No sir!

manager: Do u come to work on Independence Day?

me: No sir!

manager: So how many days are left?

me: 2 days Sir!

manager: Do u come to work on New Year’s Day?

me: No sir!

manager: So how many days are left?

me: 1 day sir!

manager: Do u work on Diwali ?

me: No Sir!

manager: So how many days are left?

me: None Sir!

manager: So what are u claiming?

me: I have understood, Sir. I did not realize that I was stealing company money all these days.

moral ? never go to HR for help!!!

(HR-High Risk.)

So, How many days do you work ?

Hankuk Kyungje

Productivity

One of the firm’s efficient female employees asked the boss for a raise.

But the boss refused saying, “Your salary is already higher than that of your colleagues here and while you’re not married yet they all have families with two or three kids.”

“Why,” she countered, “I thought we got paid for our production here, not what we produce on our own time at home.”

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Top headlines of major news media of Korea this morning:

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

Seoul Rejects Pyongyang's Demand to Lift Sanctions

The government has reaffirmed that North Korea must take responsibility for the sinking of the Cheonan naval vessel if it wants South Korea to lift the so-called May 24 economic sanctions.

Gov't Asks Civic Group to Cancel Leaflet Campaign

N. Korea Repeats Call to Lift May 24 Sanctions

U.S. Adm. Haney: S. Korea Should Decide THAAD Deployment

S. Korea Urges Abe to Show Sincere Reflection on Wartime History

Park Calls for Compromises on Pension, Labor Market Reforms

KOSPI Marks This Year's Highest, Above 1,400

ADB Lowers S. Korea Growth Forecast for 2015 to 3.5%

Lotte World Tower Tops 100 Stories

Seoul Rejects Pyongyang's Demand to Lift Sanctions

N. Korea Repeats Call to Lift May 24 Sanctions

Fire in DMZ Blocks Inter-Korean Transit Office

U.S. Adm. Haney: S. Korea Should Decide THAAD Deployment

NZ Media: PM Key says FTA with S. Korea will Create Opportunities

U.S. State Dept Urges Healing and Reconciliation Regarding Historical Issues

'Lonely Deaths' Surpass 1,000

S. Korea to Strengthen Crackdown on Illegal Chinese Fishing

Seoul Ranked World's 7th Most Competitive Financial Center

World Book Capital 2015 Events to Kick off

Seoul Fashion Week: Khaki Green and Mustard

KOICA Opens Office in Kyrgyzstan

Radioactive Cesium Found in Japanese Agro-Fishery Products

S. Korean Scientists Find Epilepsy-causing Gene Mutation

Lunar Eclipse to be Visible on April 4

Swimmer Park's Suspension Won't Affect 2016 Olympic Hopes

Park Tae-hwan Suspended for 18 Months

Kim Hyo-joo Wins LPGA Founders Cup

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

Former senior presidential official under probe: report

A senior secretary to former President Lee Myung-bak is under investigation for allegedly exerting undue pressure on government agencies during the Lee administration, a media report said Wednesday.

S. Korean economy grows 3.3 pct in 2014

The South Korean economy expanded 3.3 percent in 2014 as increased facility investments offset slowing growth in construction investment and exports, the central bank said Wednesday.

U.S. military chief to discuss integrated missile defense during S. Korea visit

U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey said Tuesday that building an integrated air and missile defense system will be a key topic of discussions when he meets with South Korean officials.

Olympic swimming champ Park Tae-hwan apologizes for doping scandal

South Korean Olympic swimming champion Park Tae-hwan apologized Tuesday for his alleged anti-doping violation that led to a 18-month suspension.

Local rule making drug offenders ineligible f..

U.S. did carry out cyber operations in response to N.K.'s ..

S. Korea's ruling party chief calls N. Korea nuclear power

Activist vows leaflet launch despite N. Korean threats

Group of Korean bizmen visit Kaesong factory park

Dollar opens at 1,104.8 won UP from 1,104.6 won

S. Korean economy grows 3.3 pct in 2014

S. Korea looking to extend dominance over Uzbekistan in fo..

Gwangju begins 100-day countdown to Summer Universiade

Local rule making drug offenders ineligible f..

Olympic swimming champ Park Tae-hwan apologizes for doping..

S. Korea football coach Stielike determined to win both Ma..

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

Plane crash in France leaves 150 dead

An Airbus plane crashed in the French Alps on Tuesday, killing all 150 people on board, according to the AFP. The Airbus A320, operated by the German low-cost airline Germanwings, a subsidiary of Lufthansa, was traveling from Sp...

Robots, IoT, smart cars get big boost

The government said Tuesday that it will foster 19 new growth engines, including smart robots, smart cars and the Internet of Things (IoT), to reinvigorate the economy. A total of 5.6 trillion won ($5.1 billion) has been allocat...

Inter-Korean ties may see thaw

The suspension of the controversial anti-Pyongyang leaflet campaign is raising hopes for a thaw in icy inter-Korean relations, North Korea analysts said Tuesday. The North has used the issue of propaganda leaflets sent across th...

Swimmer Park Tae-hwan suspended 18 months for doping

Former Olympic swimming champion Park Tae-hwan was suspended 18 months for doping. In a doping hearing session in Lausanne, Switzerland, Tuesday, the world swimming governing body FINA handed down Park the ban for being tested p...

Customers switch en masse to new mortgages 

Sohn Jae-won, a teller at the Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK), came to his office in downtown Seoul early Tuesday morning to apply online for the government-in... 

Cabinet endorses anti-graft law 

The Cabinet endorsed a new anti-graft law, Tuesday, amid lingering concerns over whether the legis... 

BBQ ordered to compensate for franchisees 

An appeals court ordered “Genesis BBQ”, which operates the fried chicken franchise “BBQ”, on Tuesd...

Job competency over TOEIC scores State-run enterprises to hire rookies on job competency test 

Forget TOEIC scores or other writing tests, state-run enterprises will be hiring rookies based on their job competency rather than test scores unrelated to th... 

Long dry spell haunts nation 

Rivers and lakes in central parts of the country are drying up due to a prolonged dry spell since ...

McDonald's refutes labor exploitation allegations 

McDonald’s Korea refuted allegations by a civic group that the company has exploited its part-time workers with various unlawful business practices.

'Toxic wastewater remains unregulated' 

Toxic industrial wastewater is being discharged into waterways due to a lack of government regulation, a study shows.

Rivals wrangle over hearings on energy diplomacy 

The ruling and opposition parties are wrangling over who will appear before the National Assembly to be questioned about the failed “energy diplomacy” under t... 

Swedish Princess discusses welfare issues with President Park 

The heir to the Swedish throne kicked off her official visit to Korea with a meeting with Presiden...

Cheonan anniversary stirs debate on May 24 sanctions 

Following the 2010 deadly sinking of the frigate Cheonan off the country's west coast, South Korea slapped a package of economic penalties known as the May 24...

Seoul City helps immigrant women find jobs 

For many unskilled immigrant women who came to Korea through marriage, finding a decent job can be very difficult.

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

Samsung’s Galaxy S6 comes with Microsoft cloud service

Samsung Electronics will pre-install Microsoft mobile cloud service in most of its Android smartphones and tablets. If a business purchases a Samsung device in a business-to-business (B2B) channel, it will be able to... 

Reality show `Grandpas over Flowers in Greece` airs Friday

I was given a role of luggage carrier. Lee Seo-jin did the most difficult part and I was just a mood maker. Lee’s score as luggage carrier is 90,” said actress Choi Ji-woo. Cable channel tvN’s variety show “Grandpas...

Police bust China-based crime ring engaged in ‘body cam phishing‘

Police caught an organized crime ring engaged in "body cam phishing" from China, which created video clips on sexual acts of Korean men who access online video chatting sites, and robbed 2 billion won (1.82 million U.S....

Singapore`s founding father Lee Kuan Yew dies at 91

With the death of Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore`s first prime minister, his family is gaining spotlight as they are wielding power and wealth in Singapore society. The founding father of Singapore and his wife Kwa Geok Choo...

Civic groups postpone sending propaganda flyers to N.Korea

South Korean activist groups will postpone the plan conditionally. The groups planned to send propaganda flyers to the North to mark the fifth anniversary of North Korea’s torpedo attack on the naval corvette Cheonan on...

Paganini’s Caprice No.24 is a strong cultural gene

I listened to Paganini’s “24 Caprices” for a solo violin every day for four days from last Wednesday. The “11th Seoul International Music Competition with LG” is held for violin this year, and its first round of...

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)

N.Korean Defectors Ill Prepared to Face S.Korean Society

All North Korean defectors undergo a three-month background check at a shelter run by the National Intelligence Service and receive three months of resettlement training at Hanawon where they eat and sleep. >> Full Text

Korean Clinics Spread Their Wings Overseas

A growing number of Korean clinics are opening branches overseas, with growth more than doubling over the past four years. According to the Korea Health Industry Development Institute on Monday, clinics here opened 58 overseas branches in 11 countries in 2010, rising to 125 in 19 countries last year. >> Full Text

'Kingsman' Boosts Sales of Dapper Menswear

The box office success of "Kingsman: The Secret Service" is boosting sales of dapper menswear. The film has attracted over 5 million viewers since its release here in mid-February and has generated a number of parodies on TV shows as well. >> Full Text

Youth Unemployment Worsens

Korea, New Zealand Sign FTA

Traders Call for Reopening of New Lotte World Facilities

Kim Hyo-joo Wins LPGA Founders Cup, Reaches No. 4 Ranking

Ryu Hyun-jin to See Doctor Over Recurring Shoulder Pain

Park Tae-hwan Suspended for 18 Months Over Doping

Hot Stars Lee Min-ho, Su-zy in Relationship

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

Large corporations soak up money, while households drown in debt

Experts say the government needs policies to draw out money holed up inside large corporations and bolster households

In 2014, the cash reserves at publically traded chaebol subsidiaries ballooned by nearly 40 trillion won (US$36.12 billion), topping 500 trillion won (US$451.49 billion). This calculation only includes listed subsidiaries at South Korea’s 10 biggest chaebol.

Return of hookup website Ashley Madison sparks a debate on freedom of speech

Ashley Madison is back - and the seductive website’s return is touching off a heated debate over freedom of online expression and its limits.

Ashley Madison is a dating site launched in Canada that mainly caters to married people, using the slogan “Life is short. Have an affair”. Its arrival in South Korea briefly became a cause celebre, before it being shut down in Apr. 2014 by the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KOCSC) for “abetting adultery.”

South Koreans score low on World Happiness Day

“Did you smile or laugh a lot yesterday? Were you treated with respect all day yesterday?”

How would you answer these questions? South Koreans rated among the lowest countries in the world for positive experiences in daily life, a recent study shows.

At trilateral meeting, S. Korea, China and Japan agree to restart summit framework

The foreign ministers of South Korea, China, and Japan agreed at a trilateral meeting in Seoul on Mar. 21 to work toward an early resumption of the trilateral summit framework, which has been halted since a May 2012 meeting in Ningbo, China's Zhejiang Province.

Seoul’s decision on whether to join China-led AIIB looming this month

South Korea’s share in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the organization’s governing structure are emerging as potential issues as the deadline looms for Seoul’s decision on whether to join.

China has suggested South Korea state whether it plans to become a founding AIIB member by the end of this month, while the South Korean government plans to make an announcement as soon as this week,

On visit to Seoul, no mention of THAAD by Chinese Foreign Minister

During his visit to South Korea to participate in the trilateral meeting between the foreign ministers of South Korea, China, and Japan, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi did not make a single mention of the issue of deploying the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-ballistic m...

North Korea threatens to shoot down leaflet balloons

On Mar. 22, just four days before the fifth anniversary of the sinking of the ROKS Cheonan warship, North Korea responded to plans by North Korean refugee groups to launch propaganda leaflet balloons by threatening to carry out a physical strike if more leaflets were launched. North Korea also instructed residents in the area to evacuate, increasing tensions with South Korea.

Government pushing hard for “results” from anti-corruption campaign

The Park Geun-hye administration is sounding the alarm for “results” from its third-year crusade to root out corruption.

Office for Government Policy Coordination minister Choo Kyung-ho announced the administration’s plans to “root out vices in the three chief areas of the public sector, welfare, and economics/finance” at a Mar. 20 meeting of “corruption eradication-related organizations” at the Central Governmental Complex in Seoul. Officials at the vice ministerial or vice director level were called in for the meeting from various inspection agencies.

Young people scoff at Pres. Park’s plan for another “Middle East boom”

“Try to make it so that the young people of Korea all empty out of the country. That way, when people ask where they went, you can say they’re in the Middle East.”

Young people - who were the target of this comment made by President Park Geun-hye during the 7th Trade and Investment Promotion Meeting on Mar. 19 - are furious.

Man under investigation for leaflets critical of Pres. Park sends diapers to police

An activist who scattered dog food to protest a police investigation into leaflets that criticized President Park Geun-hye has now sent the police some baby diapers. On Mar. 19, Park Seong-soo, 41, mailed diapers to the Yeonje Police Department in Busan from a post office in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province.

While Park Seong-soo was in the post office to mail the diapers, he took a picture of the pack of diapers and a placard he had written on, which he had placed next to each other on a table, and uploaded the picture to his social media accounts.

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

Park to go for funeral diplomacy

President has skipped recent memorials but is going to Singapore

President Park Geun-hye will be one of the world leaders going to Singapore to pay their respects to Lee Kuan Yew, the late founding prime minister, and foreign affairs experts welcomed her decision to do some funeral diplomacy. After the passing of Lee was announced Monday,…

Gov’t invests 5.6 trillion won in growth areas

The government Tuesday announced a plan to spend 5.6 trillion won ($5.1 billion) by 2020 to foster 19 new growth engine industries starting this year.…

North denies Cheonan attack again

North Korea called on South Korea to lift the so-called May 24 sanctions imposed in retaliation for the deadly attack on the warship Cheonan …

Loan demand’s through the roof

Visitors inquiring over converting their current mortgage loans to a newly-launched, government-promoted mortgage program with a lowered,…

Incheon economic zone unveils promo office

The Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) opened a relocated promotion office on Tuesday on the 33rd floor of its headquarters in G Tower, …

Samsung SDS strikes logistics deal with Oracle

Samsung SDS, an information and technology service arm of Samsung Group, entered into a strategic partnership with global database company Oracle…

Star start-up Uberple focus of fintech meeting

Uberple, a start-up founded in 2013, is one of the promising fintech businesses that has attracted since the government began promoting…

Daewoo shipbuilder agrees patent sharing deal

Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) said Tuesday it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Changwon City…

Bar association rejects former justice’s plans

The Korean Bar Association has rejected a former Supreme Court justice’s announcement that he will begin practicing law as an attorney,…

Moon a focus in ‘resources’ probe

Amid a bipartisan clash over an investigation into one of the Lee Myung-bak administration’s signature initiatives, the chairman of the main opposition said…

New Zealand welcomes trade pact with Korea

New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key welcomed the signing of a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) with Korea on Tuesday…

Father held for sexually abusing kids for 12 years

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on Tuesday arrested a 54-year-old man who sexually molested his two daughters over a period of 12 years…

Gov’t job requirements changed

Starting this year, young job seekers will be able to apply for work at 130 state-run companies without including their family background, …

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

Park calls for public servant pension fund and labor reform plans within l..

South Korean President Park Geun-hye said on Tuesday, “the deadline for come up with reform plans for public servant pension fund and labor is coming up. I call on yo.. ...

Imported S. Korean products sell with premium in inland China

Products finally assembled and packaged in South Korea sell with a premium price tag at a large retail outlet in Wuhan, Hubei, China. Those products include food and b.. ... 

MK and Lee Hyo-seok Cultural Foundation to co-host ‘Lee Hyo-seok Literatu..

Lee Hyo-seok, a South Korean writer known for his novel ‘When Buckwheat Flowers Bloom’, is a legendary writer of pure literature. The novel referred to as the most b.. ...

Kim Young ran-law passed by Cabinet meeting

Korea’s new anti-corruption law widely known as Kim Young-ran law has passed the Cabinet meeting just three weeks after the passage at the National Assembly. The gov.. ...

Samsung SDS and Oracle’s joint push into Chinese IT market

Samsung SDS, a South Korean IT service provider, along with Oracle, a global IT company, would embark on joint marketing activities aiming to target the Chinese market.. ...

Gov’t to inject $900mn into 19 future growth engines

The Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE) and the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (MSIP) will invest one trillion won ($906 million) this year alon.. ...03.24 17:15

Households sitting on cash on jitters about slowing economy, retirement

South Korean households piled up over 90 trillion won ($81 billion) in excess cash reserves last year. While this seems to be good news, it is not necessarily good new.. ...

Luxurious brands enter price-cutting war

Foreign luxury brands led by Chanel are moving to lower prices in South Korea. According to retail industry sources on Monday, as Chanel’s sales spiked after last w.. ...

72% of respondents do not go shopping on big box store holidays: survey

Despite a range of the government’s stimulus measures such as interest rate cuts and increased fiscal spending, consumption does not show signs of reviving amid flagg.. ...

S. Korea, New Zealand hail free trade deal

South Korean President Park Geun-hye and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key on Monday had a summit meeting and their respective ministers signed a free trade agreemen.. ...

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

Japan, "Abe Statement, a Separate Issue from the South Korea, China, Japan Trilateral Summit"

Japan expressed its discomfort after South Korea and China cited the contents of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's statement on the 70th anniversary of the e···

A Look at the Justice Party which Adopted a Progressive Platform Based on 'Reality'

South Korea has a political system dominated by two major parties. The two parties show little difference in ideology and political views, yet South Korean poli···

South Korea, China, Japan Come out Empty-handed: Just Reconfirmed General Principles at the First Ministerial Meeting in Three Years

The foreign ministers of South Korea, China and Japan, which have repeatedly stood in confrontation and conflict with each other due to different interpretation···

New Party Platform of the Justice Party 'Progressive in Reality Rather than in Ideology'

On March 22, the Justice Party enacted a new party platform. At the center of the party's creed, the Justice Party realistically and specifically stated the di···

South Korea, China, Japan at the Diplomatic Table: Will They Be Able to Start Restoring Trilateral Cooperation?

A meeting of the foreign ministers of South Korea, China and Japan which had been suspended since April 2012 will be held in Seoul on March 21,and all eyes are ···

What We Ask of the U.S. Currently Promoting Prime Minister Abe's Address before Congress

Reportedly, the U.S. is planning to give Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe an opportunity to address the joint session of the House and Senate when he visits t···

Foreign Affairs and National Security Policies Once the Government's Favorite Child, Now a Problem Child

The Park Geun-hye government's foreign affairs and security policy has hit a brick wall. In the past, the president had maintained her approval ratings by opti···

The Joint Committee of North and South Korea Should Discuss Wages at Kaesong Industrial Park

North Korea unilaterally notified North Korean workers in the Kaesong Industrial Park that it would raise wages in March, and the South Korean government is fig···

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