Mar. 26, 2015

The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Thursday, March 26, 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:

Wouldn’t you wish to have your country represented by your students with traditional costumes on?

Your Excellency:

Mayor Mayor Kim Hong-jang of the Dangjin City, 87.5 miles (1 1/2 hours run) invites the student leaders of your country to take part in the Dangjin Gijisi Tug-of-War Culture Festival on Sunday 12 April 2015 (2 days after the invitation date for the ambassadors) wearing their own traditional costumes to beautifully represent your country. This is an additional separate invitation in addition to the Invitation of the Ambassadors and their Spouses two days earlier on Friday 10 April 2015. The entire cost of the event, including transportation and luncheon, is paid for by the Government of the Dangjin City.

Please send the contact information (telephone number and email address of the Student Association of your country in Korea.

Please waste no time because it is “first come first served”?and late comers could miss the bus!

Please advise us the contact information of the Student Association of your esteemed country (edt@koreapost.com).

Invitation for the Ambassadors for the Dangjin Tug-of-War Culture Festival

Invitation of the Ambassadors and to the Dangjin Tug-of-War Festival is two days earlier on Friday 10 April 2015.

Mayor Kim 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 that day 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).-------------------------------------------

Today’s humor:

Humor from a generous former Asian ambassador

God & Gujrati!!

A Gujarati having no children, no money, no home and a blind mother.

Prays sincerely to God for improving this life style.

God is very pleased with his prayer, and grants him one wish, just one only.

The Gujarati says OK God, thanks, my one and only wish is- :

'I want my Mom to SEE my wife putting Rupees twenty million worth of diamond around on my CHILD's neck, in my Mercedes Benz parked near the swimming pool of our new 5 acre bungalow in Beverly Hills - this is my only wish.'

GOD: Damn it! I still have a lot to learn from these Gujarati's.

Want a fight, eh?

My wife sat down on the couch next to me as I was flipping channels.

She asked, 'What's on TV?'

I said, 'Dust.'

And then the fight started....

My wife was hinting about what she wanted for our upcoming anniversary.

She said, 'I want something shiny that goes from 0 to 100 in about 3 seconds.

'I bought her a weighing scale.

And then the fight started....

When I got home last night, my wife demanded that I take her someplace expensive.

So, I took her to a petrol pump

And then the fight started....

My wife is standing & looking in the bedroom mirror. She was not happy with what she saw and said to me, 'I feel horrible; I look old, fat and ugly. I really need you to give me a compliment.

'I replied, 'Your eyesight's perfect.

'And then the fight started....

I asked my wife, "Where do you want to go for our anniversary?

"It warmed my heart to see her face melt in sweet appreciation."

Somewhere I've not been in a long time."

So I took her to the kitchen.

And then the fight started....

Dedicated to all married couples... But don't send to all

I sent to my friend. He sent to his wife and then the fight started

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Hankuk Kyungje

Paradigm shift

Years ago a large American shoe-making company sent out two salesmen to the African continent.

On the third day, there was a cable from one of the salesmen:

“Returning on next place. Can’t sell shoes here. Everybody goes bare foot.”

Two weeks later, the company was overjoyed at the letter it received from the other man on the African assignment:

“Fifty orders are enclosed. Prospects are unlimited here, because nobody has shoes.”

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Top headlines of major news media of Korea this morning:

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

S. Korea's New Science Satellite Launched into Space

South Korea's new multipurpose satellite deployed successfully from a space rocket after its launch from a Russian site Thursday.

Inter-American Development Bank Meeting Opens in Busan

S. Korea to Spend 9Tln Won in ICT Industry

S. Korea Delegation Denied by North to Observe Medical Facilities at Gaeseong

Opposition NPAD Unveils Proposal on Pension Reform

Russian Bombers Penetrate S. Korea's Air Defense Zone

Inter-American Development Bank Meeting Opens in Busan

KOSDAQ hits Six-Year High, KOSPI Ends Flat

Firefighting Efforts Resume at DMZ

N. Korea Accuses US of Cheonan Sinking

Members of Unification Preparation Committee to Visit Gaeseong

Historian Won't Back Down from Criticism of Japan

WSJ: Unprecedented Number of Intl Students Studying at U.S. Colleges

DMZ Fire Contained after Burning 1 Million Forest

Gov't Strengthens Regulation on i-PIN Authentication System

'Lonely Deaths' Surpass 1,000

S. Korea to Strengthen Crackdown on Illegal Chinese Fishing

Joseon Seal in US to be Returned to S. Korea

Two S. Korean Films Listed on Top 10 Foreign

Shopping Causes Most Discomfort for Foreign

S. Korea's New Science Satellite Launched into Space

S. Korean Researchers Develop Artificial Fingerprint

Radioactive Cesium Found in Japanese Agro-Fishery Products

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)

Samsung cuts wages, ad spending amid earnings slump

South Korea's top tech giant, Samsung Electronics Co., reduced its combined expenditures on wages and advertisements in 2014 apparently due to its lackluster earnings, data showed Thursday The market behemoth handed out 9.3 trillion won (US$8.44 billion) to its employees in 2014, down 0.3 percent from a year earlier, its regulatory data showed.

U.S. historian denounces Japanese scholars' statement over wartime sexual slavery

An American history scholar expressed strong displeasure Wednesday after a group of Japanese historians demanded a U.S. publisher revise the description of Japan's sexual enslavement of women during World War II in a textbook.

Corporate direct financing rises in Feb.

Direct financing by South Korean companies rose in February from a month earlier due to a jump in corporate bond sales, the financial watchdog said Thursday.

Top U.S. military officer to visit S. Korea for defense talks

The top U.S. military officer was to arrive in South Korea on Thursday for talks with his counterpart on boosting the bilateral alliance, Seoul officials said, amid keen attention on whether the two sides will discuss the possible deployment of an advanced U.S. missile-defense system here. Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), will fly into Seoul for a three-day stay, during which he plans to hold talks with South Korea's JCS chairman, Adm. Choi Yun-hee, and meet with President Park Geun-hye and Defense Minister Han Min-koo, according to Seoul's JCS.

N. Korean leader calls for participation in more global sp..

U.S. historian denounces Japanese scholars' stateme..

N. Korean leader calls for participation in more global sp..

BMW launches plug-in EV in S. Korea

Samsung heir meets CITIC head, discusses business ties

Seoul shares open lower on U.S. woes

KOSDAQ 647.17 DN 3.88 points (open)

KOSPI 2,027.20 DN 15.61 points (open)

S. Korea hockey coach Jim Paek focuses ..

Gwangju begins 100-day countdown to Summer Universi..

Royal seal of Deokjong to return to S. Korea next w..

Seoul city to create cinema park on central street

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

S. Korea's new science satellite successfully deployed after launch

South Korea's new science satellite launched Thursday from a Russian site made radio contact, confirming its successful deployment in space, South Korean developers of the satellite said. Officials from the Korea Aerospace Resea...

One killed in construction site collapse

At least one construction worker was killed and seven others injured - one of them seriously - at a road construction site in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday. They were among 16 workers trapped under debris after part of a ...

Korea finishes balancing act between US, China

The government is seen to be in the last stages of a delicate balancing act of joining a China-led regional bank, while bringing in advanced U.S. missile interceptors. The United States opposes Korea joining the Asian Infrastruc...

Few feel benefits of $28,000 in GNI

Korea’s per capita gross national income (GNI), a key indicator of the population’s purchasing power, reached $28,180 in 2014, up $2,001 from a year earlier, the Bank of Korea (BOK) said Wednesday. The revised gross domestic pro...

Seoul aims to be Asia's filmmaking center 

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon Wednesday unveiled a plan to turn the city into Asia’s filmmaking hub. 

Probe zeroes in on ex-POSCO E&C executive 

Former POSCO Engineering and Construction (E&C) Vice Chairman Chung Dong-hwa has emerged as a cent... 

Lotte chief, IBM CEO get together 

IBM CEO Ginni Rometty visited Korea, Wednesday, to meet Korean business leaders and government off... 

Poor households miss out on relief loans 

Low-income households remain on the outside looking in, unable to take advantage of the new amorti... 

'Ex-justices must not practice law' 

A lawyers’ group is moving to stop former Supreme Court justices from practicing law. 

Leaders in fierce campaigning 

The respective chairmen of rival parties are gearing up their campaigns for the April 29 by-electi...

South Korea seeks to host UN office on NK human rights by June 

South Korea is expected to host a United Nations field office on North Korean human rights in Seoul in the next few months, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sa...

Mentally ill Kyrgyz sent back with no due care 

The National Human Rights Commission is looking into allegations that a mentally ill Kyrgyz woman was deported without receiving proper care from immigra... 

YouTube video promotes Japan's role in Asian growth 

Japan is promoting itself as a key contributor to Asia’s post-war leap through an online video. 

Eat, swim, and love 

A honeymoon is as sweet as honey. It is a trip where you share love with your special other. What ...

Baby born in an ambulance 

A mother delivered a baby boy in an ambulance on her way to hospital, Sunday, according to officials from the 119 emergency rescue services, Wednesday.

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

Germanwings crash: 16 high school students are dead

The crashed Germanwings plane had a wide range of passengers including German high school students and opera singers. They were on their way back from a language program or an opera in Spain, according to the AFP. ... 

Main opposition leader visits Marine Corps unit

"At the time of the torpedo attack on the (South Korean) warship Cheonan, a North Korean submersible sneaked into (the South Korean waters) and ran away after striking the vessel, but the (South Korean) Navy failed to...

Tech-heavy KOSDAQ market extends its rally

The tech-heavy KOSDAQ market is extending its rally. Helped by net buying by institutional and foreign investors, the KOSDAQ Index topped 650 for the first time in six years and nine months. The main KOSPI also broke a...

Increasing cormorants bleach Han River Island white

A big cleanup was held in Seoul`s Bamseom Island in the Han River for the first time in three years. At around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, two water cannons were blasted from the ship owned by Seoul Metropolitan Government`s...

Despite shoulder injury, Ryu likely to return to mound in late April

Pain in his left shoulder is causing a setback in pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin’s performance. MRI images showed no signs of abnormal conditions, but Ryu is set to find his name in the Disabled List at a time when the 2015...

Smithsonian Museum to release Paik Nam-june’s new works

Two new works of Paik Nam-june (1932-2006), a Korean video artist whose death marks 10th anniversary next year, have been discovered. The Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington said Tuesday that it discovered...

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 

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 

Japanese police on 14-year manhunt for cruel murderer

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

More N.Koreans Escape for Freedom Than Food

Most North Koreans who flee the country seek freedom from oppression rather than escape from hunger. The findings contradict claims by some sections of South Korean society who see North Korean defectors as mainly economic migrants. >> Full Text

N.Korea Blames U.S. for Cheonan Sinking

North Korea on Wednesday again denied responsibility for sinking the South Korean navy corvette Cheonan in 2010 and blamed the U.S. for "fabricating" the incident. Thursday marks the fifth anniversary of the sinking. >> Full Text

Caesarian Births Remain Unusually High in Korea

The proportion of mothers giving birth by Caesarian section has been above 36 percent for a decade despite efforts to promote natural birth. A research team led by Seol Hyun-joo and Bae Chong-woo at Kyunghee University Hospital analyzed statistics on C-sections from 1982 to 2012. >> Full Text

Japan Boasts of Postwar Aid to Colonial Victims

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

S.Korean Groups Help N.Korea Fight Tuberculosis

Korea Plaza Opens in Dresden Korean-American Kids Win White House Student Film Awards

Samsung, Microsoft Form Uneasy Alliance 100 Days to Go Until Gwangju Universiad

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

Oral history captures the lives of elderly that lived Korea’s turbulent history

Now nearing the end of their days living alone in Jongo district, elderly folks record their experiences

The house where Kim Ok-soon, 85, has been living for 60 years is located right next to Naksan Park, in Seoul’s Jongno District, which young people have recently began flocking to.

After hurting her legs in a car accident, Kim has had trouble moving around. She says it takes her nearly half an hour to climb the steep alleys to her house around Naksan.

Contaminated US military bases need an explanation, not an alibi

Two former US military bases were officially returned to South Korea on Mar. 13 after an agreement by the South Korean government that did not require environment cleanup efforts by USFK, it was belatedly confirmed recently.

The two bases, Camp Castle in Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province, and the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office (DRMO) in Busan, have been the subject of controversy over the presence of untreated contaminants.

Japanese embassy video promotes questionable depiction of postwar aid

A promotional video posted to the website of the Japanese embassy to the United States is attracting controversy.

The video claims that the Japanese government laid the groundwork for Asian economic growth with its postwar development aid.

German economist pokes holes in S. Korean plans to imitate labor reforms

During a press conference in Dec. 2014, Choi Kyung-hwan, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, focused on government efforts to restructure the labor market and described the Hartz reforms in Germany as an ideal model.

Large corporations soak up money, while households drown in debt

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 arri...

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 missile system on the Korean Peninsula.

He appears to have refrained from mentioning the issue, taking into account that the meeting brought together the chief diplomats of the three countries.

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

NPAD finally admits North torpedoed Cheonan

A day before the fifth anniversary of the sinking of a South Korean warship, New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) Chairman Moon Jae-in acknowledged for the first time that the Cheonan sinking was due to a torpedo attack by a North Korean submarine. Moon made the remarks as he spoke…

Dempsey flies to Tokyo and Seoul

Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said on Tuesday that Korean and Japanese participation in a U.S.-led integrated missile defense regime…

Korea’s per capita GNI rose to $28,000 last year

Korea’s per capita income hit a record high of $28,000 last year thanks to a weak dollar against the won, but households felt only a mild improvement.…

360 partners at Hyundai-Kia job fair

Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors held their fourth annual job fair for partners Wednesday as part of efforts to promote shared growth in the auto industry. …

Samsung heir-apparent to speak at Boao forum

Jay Y. Lee, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, will deliver a speech at the Boao Forum for Asia in China on Friday and is expected to hold a one-on-one meeting …

Asiana’s new LCC poses a threat to other carriers

Asiana Airlines is expanding its business in the low cost carrier (LCC) market as part of its work to improve profitability…

Scope of Posco probe expanded

A large-scale investigation into slush fund allegations surrounding Posco Engineering & Construction (E&C) has shifted its focus on the possible involvement…

Park meets with artists in a bid to engage public

President Park Geun-hye met with a group of young artists on Wednesday to listen to their thoughts on the future. According to the Blue House,…

NPAD presents plan to overhaul civil servant pension system

The main opposition party announced its own plan to reform the deficit-stricken state-run pension system for civil servants, proposing that officials contribute more …

New UN field office is set to open in Seoul

South Korea is planning to open a United Nations field office in Seoul within the next several months to look into information on the North Korean human rights situation.…

Loan program won’t be expanded

The Financial Services Commission said Wednesday it has no plan to expand its new fixed-rate loan program to include nonbanking financial institutions,…

FSC chairman discusses reforms with new group

Financial Services Commission Chairman Yim Jong-yong presided over the first meeting of a consultative body of experts who will push forward with what he calls …

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

Seoul to build visual culture complex in Chungmuro

Seoul Metropolitan Government will transform Chungmuro known as the street of culture and artists into the hub of Korea’s film industry. City authorities Wednesday a.. ...

Opposition party’s pension reform proposal just beats around the bush

The main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) came up with its own reform plan on Wednesday, two days ahead of the grand compromise committee for civi.. ...

S. Korea’s per capita GNI stands at below $30,000 for 9 straight years

South Korea’s gross national income (GNI) per capita surpassed $28,000 last year. It topped the $20,000 mark for the first time in 2006 and it seems to approach $30,0.. ...

Korea-style chewy pizza to be exported around the world

The ‘Korea-style pizza’ developed by South Korea would be exported to Pizza Hut chains around the world. According to Pizza Hut Korea on Wednesday, the headquarters.. ...

Amazon backtracks on plan to build global data center in S. Korea

Amazon, the US’s biggest e-commerce operator, withdrew its plan to set up a global data center in South Korea to meet soaring demand for mobile data in the country. T.. ...

Experts say tax deduction on credit card spending should remain intact: po..

Most of the South Korean adults have at least one credit card. According to the Bank of Korea on Tuesday, the credit card holding rate came to 88.7 percent in the coun.. ...

Samsung and Microsoft accelerate cooperation to cement relationship

In last September, Satya Nadella, chief executive of Microsoft, visited South Korea. Mr Nadella, who was appointed as the third CEO in Microsoft’s history after Bill .. ...

Kim Moo-sung says North Korea should be seen as nuclear power

Kim Moo-sung, chairman of the South Korean ruling Saenuri Party, said on Tuesday, “North Korea should be regarded as a nuclear power. It is a matter of survival to pr.. ...

S. Korea’s GDP up 3.3% last year

South Korea’s economy grew 3.3 percent year-on-year (yoy) last year, the same as the advance estimate released by the central bank in January. According to the Bank.. ...

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

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.. ...

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

How the Park Geun-hye Government Responds to Disasters: Close It or Remove It

On March 24, the government and the Saenuri Party decided to promote measures to close down unregistered camping sites after a fatal fire broke out at a camping···

Happiness

In the book, In Search of Happiness: Understanding an Endangered State of Mind, American clinical psychologist John F. Schumaker criticizes the formula that con···

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

apan 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···

[Editorial] 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 ···

[Editorial] 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···

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