Dec. 28, 2015
The Korean daily media headlines and humor
Monday, Dec. 28, 2015
Your Excellency:
Here are The Korea Post news, a roundup of important headlines from all major Korean-language dailies, TV and other news media of Korea 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.
The Korea Post news
Excerpts from the press conference with Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo
‘We must change the present paradigm to improve our economy’
Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo (former co-chairman of the New Politics Alliance for Democracy) declared on Sunday Dec. 27, 2015 that fairness must form the basis of politics, economy and various other areas and that the educational paradigm of the Republic of Korea must also be changed.
Speaking at a press conference National Assembly on that day, Ahn said, “Disparities among the different strata of people in Korea must be eliminated so that the livelihood of the entire citizens of the country may improve together.” He said that “only this way, Korea will become an advanced country in the world.”
“We must also stick to a fixed principle in our diplomacy, national security and our unification policy,” he emphasized. He said, “Firmly based on the alliance between Korea and the United States, we must try to solve the inter-Korean problems performing a leading role.” Excerpts from his press conference follow:
There are not many days left to the end of the year 2015. We have all had a tough year. You have all worked so hard shedding a lot of sweat. However, life has been hard. There is no security for our old age and there is no future for our children. The barrier of difficult reality is so high. If today is like yesterday and if tomorrow is like today, there will be no future for the Republic of Korea.
“A lot of changes are in demand,” says Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo (right) on his future political plans.
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A round-up of the latest news published by the Korean media:
KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)
S. Korea, Japan to Hold Talks on Wartime Sex Slavery
South Korea and Japan's foreign ministers will hold talks on Monday in a bid to resolve conflict surrounding...
Director Talks Coordinate Seoul, Tokyo Stances
"No Change in Seoul's Stance on 1965 Treaty"
Seoul, Tokyo Top Diplomats to Meet in Seoul
1/4 Recent College Grads Not in Education, Employment, Training
S. Korea World's Largest Weapons Buyer
Director Talks Coordinate Seoul, Tokyo Stances
S. Korea, Japan to Hold Talks on Wartime Sex Slavery
"No Change in Seoul's Stance on 1965 Treaty"
More Money Spent Importing Cars than Exports by Small Automakers
S. Korea's Private Sector Debt at Record High 1.8 Times GDP
S. Korea's Private Sector Debt Almost Twice GDP in Third Quarter
'North Korea's May 27 Fishery Station Close to Completion'
N. Korea Accuses US of Blaming North for Mine Explosion
N. Korea Highlights Former Leader's Nuclear Achievements
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Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
Military patents new diagnostic kits for viruses
The military has developed the technology to diagnose Brucellosis and the Ebola virus in the early stages of infection, a major step forward in boosting bio defense capabilities, the military said Monday.
Court rules tweet criticizing Sewol families cannot be cause of dismissal
A local court has ruled that the dismissal of an executive of a casino operator for ridiculing the bereaved families of a ferry disaster was excessive punishment, officials said Monday.
'The Himalayas' smashes Christmas box office record
A film about South Korean mountaineers has set a new Christmas Day record with more than 700,000 viewers, data showed Monday.
S. Korea's rights watchdog eyes ways for better resettlement of N.K. defectors
South Korea's human rights watchdog is considering recommending the Unification Ministry improve resettlement programs for North Korean defectors to help ease social prejudice against them, officials said Monday.
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The Korea Herald (http://www.koreaherald.com)
Korea, Japan strive to narrow gap on sex slavery
Seoul and Tokyo are inching toward a compromise on Japan’s wartime sexual enslavement of Korean women by holding a dire...
Oil price fall spells uncertainty for Korean refiners
Korean refiners -- among the major beneficiaries of a prolonged drop in oil prices this year --...
Ahn promises ‘rational reform’
Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo said Sunday that his forthcoming political party would seek rational reform,...
1 in 4 Korean college graduates not in work or education: report
One in four young Koreans with a bachelor’s degree is not pursuing education, employment or tr...
Mirae Asset to shake up brokerage industry
In South Korea where many family-run conglomerates hold the whip hand over much of the economy, the self-...
Public sector debt
Korea’s public sector debt is continuing to grow at a fast pace, as welfare expenditures ha...
Sex slave issue
The foreign ministers of Korea and Japan are to meet today to resolve the long-standing issu...
Lotus finds niche with growth of sports cars
Lotus, the British handmade sports car brand, will step up its sales and marketing efforts with...
Buzz grows around urban beehives
Amid the well-being trend and the rise of conscious consumerism, urban apiaries have started mu...
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The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
'Seoul city government to delay re-signing maestro Chung Myung-whun'
The Seoul city government said Monday that it will reconsider re-signing Maestro Chung Myung-whun as music director of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO), Yonhap reported. The Seoul City Government’s spokesman, Kim In-cheol,...
China risk to weigh on Korea's growth
China risk is expected to put a drag on Korea’s economic growth next year as it will f...
Korea shows 3rd-highest NEET rate in OECD
One out of every four college graduates aged 29 or under in Korea is not in education, employment or training (NEET) amid the toughening job market, according...
Cigarette price hike adds 4 tril. won to tax income
The government collected an additional 4.3 trillion won in taxes after the cigarette price hike in January this year, but not as many people have quit smoking...
Ahn vows to focus on 'fair growth'
Independent lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo vowed Sunday to put priority on achieving “fair growth” when ma...
North Korea publishes report on South Korean human rights
North Korea has published a report on South Korea’s human rights situation in an apparent bid to counter mounting international pressure on Pyongyang over its...
Cook TV, retro, cable dominate small screens in 2015
Cook TV, music shows and drama series broadcast on Friday and Saturday evenings dominated the smal...
'Maestro's wife behind defamation'
The wife of Chung Myung-whun, the music director of Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO), might have... Overwork 'not necessarily linked to worker's death'
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DongAIlbo (http://english.donga.com)
Korea was the world`s largest arms importer in 2014
Korea was the world`s largest importer of arms in the world last year. Massive purchases of American weapons last year raised Korea`s ranking in arms import from the seventh in 2013 to the top in 2014. According to an...
The Beatles to offer streaming
A few months ago, a few CDs were stolen at a broadcasting station. A producer lost his employee card at work and someone borrowed CDs at the library of the station using the card. A small accident, which could have...
Korean halfpipe snowboarders vow to win medal at Pyeongchang Olympics
Kim Ho-joon (25) and Lee Gwang-gi (22), members of the Korean national halfpipe snowboarding team, have not participated in any competitions this season to focus on strengthening their basic skills. Kim Ho-joon took...
`Green Christmas` in eastern parts of U.S. and Canada
It was not a “white Christmas” across the eastern parts of the U.S. and Canada. Recording the highest temperature, the region greeted a “green Christmas” with spring flowers on green grass instead. The central and...
Nobody in pro-Roh faction wants to sacrifice, say sources from Moon Jae-in
“Nobody in the pro-Roh (pro-Roh Moo-hyun) faction is interested in not running for the election. It’s doubtful that they really work for the chairman of the party," sources of Chairman Moon Jae-in of the New Politics...
Late SNU student`s parents claim ‘rumors of depression, family poverty groundless’
The parents of Seoul National University student identified by his last name Seo (19, sophomore), who committed suicide on December 18 after leaving a suicide note that mentioned "classes of spoons," uploaded a long...
Apple seeks $180 million for additional damages for patent infringement
LG to launch high-end `LG Signature` at CES
Rival parties to hold final talks to ‘define constituencies’
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ChosunIlbo (http://english.chosun.com)
Korea Was World's Biggest Arms Buyer in 2014
Korea was the world's largest arms importer of 2014, ahead even of perennial top spender Saudi Arabia. Both countries are somewhat captive markets to U.S. arms manufacturers since Washington is a particularly vital ally to both. >> Full Text
Car Sharing Catches On in a Big Way
The car sharing industry is growing massively, from being scaled at W4 billion in 2012 to W90 billion this year. It grew by 23 times in just three years, and the number of members registered with car sharing companies multiplied 43 times from 70,000 to 3 million. >> Full Text
No Stopping the Rise of Cheap Chinese Smartphones
Cheap Chinese smartphones are selling like hot cakes in Korea. LG Uplus on Friday said accumulated sales of Huawei's Y6 dual smartphone, released on Dec. 16, had already surpassed 5,000 units a week later. >> Full Text
Apple Wants Another $180 Million in Samsung Copyright Saga
Koreans Cut Out Hard Liquor as Health Awareness Grows Hard Times Prompt
Asiana to Streamline Routes, Staff
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HankyorehShinmoon (http://english.hani.co.kr)
Korean, Japanese foreign ministers seek “creative solutions” to comfort women issue
A focus on diplomatic language could lead to concessions from Japan, but proposals likely wouldn’t go far enough to satisfy S. Korean victims and public
The administrations of South Korean President Park Geun-hye and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are reportedly in agreement about looking for “creative solutions” relying on diplomatic language for the issue of the comfort women, which includes acknowledging the legal responsibility of the Japanese government, restoring the reputations of the former comfort women, and providing those women with compensation.
A new home: Burmese refugee family arrives in South Korea
A mother and father, two sons, three daughters, and a nephew. These eight members of a Burmese refugee family arrived in South Korea on Dec. 23 after a decade spent at the Mae La refugee camp in Thailand avoiding government forces from their homeland. Kh Htoo, the father, 43, wears a prosthetic after losing his right foot to a mine explosion while working for a Thai logging company, but still shows off his muscles in a short-sleeve shirt as he tends to the livelihood of his large family. .
Survey of Korean households shows intractability of elderly poverty
A 2015 survey on South Korean household finances and welfare shows slight improvements in income distribution indicators, but no change in the overall poverty rate. Meanwhile, the rate of poverty among the elderly remained high amid an overall aging trend in the population, with mounting debt levels underscoring it as an issue in urgent need of resolution. .
Going over the “wage cliff”: Korean salaries tumble after age 50
South Korea‘s workers see their wages peak in their 40s and then start to fall sharply, a recent study shows. This appears to be the consequence of the huge growth in early retirement - voluntary or otherwise - since the Asian financial crisis in 1997. There is an urgent need for the government to take measures to provide stable employment for people in middle age, experts say.
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JoongAngIlbo(conservative): (http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/)
Seoul, Tokyo to hold talks today
Korea and Japan held director-level talks on Sunday to narrow down on differences in settling the issue of wartime sexual slavery, which stands as the biggest obstacle in the way of improving bilateral ties. The talks came ahead of ministerial-level talks today between Minister of Foreign Affairs Yun Byung-se and his counterpart, Fumio Kishida, in Seoul, a high-stakes meeting that could untangle the long-running dispute over…
Asiana plans major cuts to recover from MERS
Asiana Airlines, the nation’s No. 2 airline, has announced major cutbacks as it “desperately” struggles to recover from the impact of the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)…
One defector’s desperate wish: to return home
There are no more passionate haters of the Kim dynasty in North Korea than the people who risked their lives escaping. Most of the 28,000 defectors…
Samsung given shares deadline
Samsung SDI has been told to sell five million shares before March 1 after the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) ruled that an internal merger among the company’s affiliates…
Ahn announces political platform of rational reform
Ahn Cheol-soo, the political maverick who co-founded the main opposition party last year and abandoned it two weeks ago, said Sunday that his new party…
Lenient laws make Korea a ‘heaven for crooks’
When Park Sang-beom left his hometown in Goheung County, South Jeolla - a place so isolated he had to drive 53 kilometers (33 miles) to reach the closest city…
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MaeilKyungje (neutral-oriented conservative, economic/business): (http://news.mk.co.kr/english/)
‘Supercars’ showing stellar sales in S. Korea
The so-called ‘supercars’ with a price tag of over 200 million to one billion won ($1=1,170 won) are selling well in South Korea ...
Asian markets pose better investment opportunities post-U.S. rate hike: Chadha
There would be no “catastrophic situations with the Asian market” following the liftoff of U.S. interest rates that started with ...
S. Korean corporate CFOs to improve financial structure by cutting debt next
South Korea’s major companies seem to move to reduce debt next year. According to a survey for Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) of 36 ...
Rich Russian patients flocking into S. Korean hospitals
More and more rich Russian patients have been flocking into South Korean hospitals. In the past, Russian patients visiting Korean ...
2015 Top 10 news of Korea by Maeil Business Newspaper
MERS outbreak in Korea The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) spread out at unprecedented speed after the first patient was ...
Mirae Asset Securities picked as preferred bidder in Daewoo Securities deal
Mirae Asset Securities Co., South Korea’s leading asset management firm, has been selected as the preferred bidder for KDB Daewoo ...
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The KyunghyangShinmoon(http://english.khan.co.kr/)
On South Korea-Japan Claims Settlement Dismissed] Diplomatic Pressure Eased, but Final Supreme Court Ruling Still Remains
On December 23, the Constitutional Court dismissed the constitutional appeal on Article 2, Clause 1 of the South Korea-Japan Claims Settlement signed in 1965, w···
[DMZ Shelling - No Release of Investigation Results] The UN Command and the Joint Chiefs of Staff "Hush" on Results of Investigation into the DMZ Shelling: Why?
The United Nations Command (UNC) in Korea refused to release the results of an investigation into the shelling between North and South Korean soldiers at the de···
After Replacing the Head of Nation's Economy President Park Claims, 'Concerns of Credit Rating Fall'
The ruling party is taking advantage of "predictions of an economic crisis" more and more. After requesting the chairman of the National Assembly to bring up ···
'Economy and Distribution Are Unfair' Answers 72% of Respondents: Republic of Korea Already a Society of Distrust
More than half of the citizens of Korea think various areas in society such as the distribution structure, employment, welfare and political activities are "un···
[In the Eyes of Kyunghyang] Why So Lenient on Kim Moo-sung?
Saenuri Party leader Kim Moo-sung once again stirred controversy. On December 18, while volunteering to deliver coal briquettes, he made a racist remark at a st···
[Editorial] [Presidential Appointments - December 21 Cabinet Reshuffle] How Much Longer Must We Witness Ad Hoc State Administration and Reshuffles with No Principle?
Yesterday, President Park Geun-hye carried out a cabinet reshuffle, replacing the heads of five ministries including the Ministry of Strategy and Finance and th···
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The Korea Economic Daily(http://english.hankyung.com/)
Airline Industry to Keep Enjoying Fat Years...Dongbu Securities
Dongbu Securities said on December 25 that the passenger airline industry will be able to continue its mini-boom until next year thanks to the low oil prices and an increasing number of holidaymakers. Noh Sang-won, analyst with Dongbu Securities, said, "The number of outbound tourists is quickly on ...
Housing Market Big Chill ahead due to Government's Measure to Tighten Mortgage Screening
The average price of apartment homes in out-of-Seoul areas has fallen for the first time this week by 0.01 percent since August 2013. This is due to the so-called "three bads," including controversies over too much supply of new apartment houses, the government's announcement that it would strengthe...
80% Cigarette Tax Increase Ended up Raising Tax Revenue by 4.3 Tril. Won
The additional tax revenue from raising cigarette prices by 80 percent early this year is estimated at 4.3 trillion won. In contrast, the effect of inducing more smokers to quit was negligible, leading to criticism that the government's taxation policy failed to achieve its intended goal. According t...
Excise Tax Exemption for Hybrid Cars Extended up to 2018
The exemption of excise tax for passenger vehicles would be terminated from next year but that for hybrid cars would be sustained until 2018. Hybrid cars, electric cars, and small cars would continue to be exempted from such taxes, while the tariff imposed on the vehicles imported from the United St...
Huawei’s Y6 Enjoys Brisk Sales in Korea
The ultra-low-cost smartphone Y6 from China’s Huawei, which is now selling in Korea exclusively through LG U , is enjoying a quiet but sensational popularity. According to industry sources on December 25, the sales of the Y6, released first on December 16, reached about 5,000 units until December 2...
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AJU Business Daily(http://eng.ajunews.com/korea)
MERS suffered Asiana to cutback, seeking to survive
[Courtesy of Asiana Airlines] ? South Korea’s no’2 airline, Asiana Airlines plans to cut back after suffering from loss of sales after Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak in June.…
1 out of 4 graduates experiencing ‘life stall’
[Job seekers gathered in a job fair held in front of the parliament building=AJU NEWS CORP DB] 24.4 percent of South Korea’s university graduates are "Not in Education, Employment, or Trainin…
Doosan Infracore shares jump on machine tool unit sales
A private equity arm of Standard Chartered has been picked as the preferred bidder for industrial machinery maker Doosan Infracore Co’s machine tools business. .
Bank of Korea to hold rate meetings eight times beginning next year
[Courtesy of Bank of Korea] Starting next year, the Bank of Korea will hold rate-setting policy meetings eight times a year instead of the current practice of convening every month. This i…
Korean gov’ declares ‘MERS free’ after battle of seven months
[Photo by Namkung Jin-woong=timeid@ajunews.com] The South Korean government declared the end of Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak after seven months of fierce battle against…
President Park steps up rhetoric on labor reform bills
[Courtesy of Blue House] The controversial bills aimed at overhaul South Korea’s labor market is considered a top priority for President Park Geun-hye. But they are still stuck
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ETNEWS(http://english.etnews.com/)
Samsung Electronics to Release 2016 Big-Screen and Ultra-Light ‘Noteboo...
Samsung Electronics made an announcement on the 27th that it will introduce 2016 premium laptop ¡®Notebook 9¡? and start advance selling starting f...
Samsung and SK Hynix to Mass-Produce 1X-Nano Process D-RAM in 2016
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are set to start mass-production of 1X-nano (18-nanometer) process D-RAM in 2016. Their plans are to decrease production cost with ...
4K OLED TVs with HDR Aim for Expansion in 2016
New brand of TVs with LG Display¡?s OLED panels are lining up to be released. As more and more OLED products are made, it seems that global OLED TV ...
Galaxy S7 to Come Out in 2 Different Forms
Samsung Electronics is going to release Galaxy S7 in 5.2-inch and 5.5-inch and it can be seen as Samsung Electronics¡? response towards Apple releasing iPhone 6 Plus as a derivative model for iPhone 6 series. Galaxy S7, which is currently being developed under a project name called ¡®HERO¡?, will be mass-produced starting from February...
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Special Notices:
Photo shows President Soon-Heung Chang of Handong Global University (fifth from left, front row) with ambassadors and other visiting members of the Seoul Diplomatic Corps (SDC), including Ambassador Mme Natallia Zhylevich of Belraus (dean of the visiting members of the SDC), fourth from left the same row With Ambassador and Mrs. SylvestreKouassi Bile of Cote d’ Ivoire (third and second from left, front row).
And Ambassador Roballo of Argentina (sixth from left, same row) and Ambassadors Mohamed Abdi Gello of Kenya (on the right of the rear row).
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“Why not try to change the world?”
Ambassadors, senior diplomats visit Handong Global University in Pohang
Ambassadors NatalliaZhylevich of Belarus, Kouassi Bile of Cote d’Ivoire, Jorge Roballo of Argentina and Mohamed Abdi Gello of Kenya and 20 other senior diplomats, including the charges d’affaires, visited Handong Global University in Pohang City on the Southeast Coast of Korea on Nov. 12, 2015 at the invitation of President Soon-Heung Chang of the University.
The tour, organized by The Korea Post, included also a visit to POSCO and a cruise ride around the harbor of the Pohang City.
The Korea Post has been organizing tours for the ambassadors and other senior members of the Seoul Diplomatic Corps for the past 30 years, but it must be said that the one hosted by Handong Global University is one of the most impressive in terms of the interest on the part of the host who met the guests with a true heart and warm welcome.
President Soon-Heung Chang of the University made such an excellent arrangement out of respect and special regard for the distinguished international guests by asking his Vice President Simon Kang(Administrative Affairs) and Professor JinwonAhn (School of Management and Economics) to come all the way from Pohang to Seoul to welcome and escort the ambassadors and other senior diplomats to comfortably visit his University.
The tour of the Handong Global University was a truly memorable one where many outstanding features of the University continuously surprised the visiting ambassadors and the other senior diplomats. For further details, visit:
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