Dec. 30, 2015

The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015

Your Excellency:

Here are 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.

A round-up of the latest news published by the Korean media:

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

North's Workers' Party Secretary Kim Yang-gon Dies

North Korea’s Workers’ Party Secretary Kim Yang-gon died in a traffic accident on Tuesday.   The North’s...

North's Choe Ryong-hae Included in Kim Yang-gon Funeral Committee

S. Korea Begins Preparations for Sex Slavery Victims' Foundation

Industrial Output Falls for 2nd Straight Month

S. Korea Begins Preparations for Sex Slavery Victims' Foundation

Prime Minister Urges Japan's Faithful Implementation of Comfort Women Deal

Opposition Chief Eyes Person from Jeolla for Co-Chair of Election Committee

Output Falls for 2nd Straight Month

Business Sentiment Hits 6-Month Low

Air Passenger Traffic Grows 14% in November

North's Choe Ryong-hae Included in Kim Yang-gon Funeral Committee

North's Workers' Party Secretary Kim Yang-gon Dies

'North Korea's May 27 Fishery Station Close to Completion'

Chinese Media: Sexual Slavery Accord Made under US Pressure

Abe Orders Follow-up to Sexual Slavery Agreement

US Welcomes Settlement of Sex Slavery

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

N. Korea's senior official handling inter-Korean affairs dies

North Korea's top party official handling inter-Korean affairs has been killed in a traffic accident, Pyongyang's state media said Wednesday. He was 73.

Hyundai Motor Group ordered to cut cross-shareholding ties

South Korea's antitrust watchdog said Wednesday that it has ordered Hyundai Motor Group to resolve cross-shareholding ties derived from an intra-group merger and acquisition (M&A) between its two steel making units, amid the agency's recent push to break the cobweb-like shareholding structures of conglomerates.

S. Korea to hike security budget for diplomatic missions in 2016

South Korea will sharply increase the budget allocated to beefing up security at its diplomatic missions in 2016, in the face of mounting threats to its diplomats and facilities, the government said Wednesday.

Hyundai Motor's Santa Fe sales hit all-time high in Dec.

South Korea's top automaker Hyundai Motor Co. said Wednesday that sales of its latest version of the Santa Fe SUV hit an all-time monthly high in December.

S. Korean soldier found dead inside DMZ in gun-related incident

A South Korean soldier was found dead on the southern side of the Demilitarized Zone early Wednesday morning in a gun-related incident, the military said.

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The Korea Herald (http://www.koreaherald.com)

N. Korea's top party official dies

Kim Yang-gon, Pyongyang's top party official handling inter-Korean affairs, was killed in a traffic accident Tuesday, N...

After accord, Seoul begins work on fund for former sex slaves

Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam meets victims of Japan’s wartime sex slavery in Seoul on Tu...

Debt is Korea’s biggest economic problem

Financial Services Commission Chairman Yim Jong-yong pinpointed household and corp...

Samsung mass-produces first all-in-one bioprocessor

Samsung Electronics said Tuesday it has started mass-producin...

Iraqi prime minister vows to defeat IS

Iraqi soldiers raise the Iraqi national flag inside the government complex that was recaptured from Islam...

More than rhetoric

Independent lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo is keeping up a brisk pace on his plan to launch a new po...

Japan’s sincerity

As with all such agreements, the landmark deal on Korean women forced into sexual slavery fo...

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

Police nab armed assailant at NPAD Chairman Moon Jae-in's district office 

Police arrested an armed assailant Wednesday morning after he went on a rampage at the district office of Chairman Moon Jae-in of the New Politics Alliance fo...

UNESCO bid on sex slavery overshadowed 

The historic agreement reached with Japan over “comfort women” poses a challenge for Korea, which is also seeking to jointly win UNESCO recognition with China... 

Abe's wife visiting shrine raises ire 

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s wife said she visited the Yasukuni Shrine, Monday, the same d...

SK chairman to divorce over new lover and child 

Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group, has said through a local newspaper Tuesday that his marriage w... 

New Orioles' Kim determined to retire in US 

New Baltimore Orioles outfielder Kim Hyun-soo expressed his determination to help the Orioles reac...

Singles seek financial stability in spouses 

The level of income and financial stability have become increasingly important factors Korean singles seek in potential marriage partners, due to uncertaintie...

Minimum wage rises 8 percent to 6,030 won next year 

The minimum wage for Korean workers will rise 450 won, or 8.1 percent, to 6,030 won ($5.10) an hour next year, as posted by the Ministry of Employment and Lab...

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DongAIlbo (http://english.donga.com)

Korea’s National Assembly stalled

The delayed passage of economic bills including bills on private loan business regulation and business restructuring promotion is likely to cause a turmoil in Korea’s economy. As soon as the next year begins there will... 

Luxury express buses to start test runs in March

Starting in March next year, passengers will be able to enjoy a ride in a ‘luxury express bus,’ which is equipped with seats similar to first class airline seats, private tables and video monitors. Luxury express buses...

Seoul education office, teachers’ union under controversy over faculty duty service during vacations

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education and the Seoul chapter of the National Teacher’ and Educational Workers’ Union signed a collective agreement that includes rules exempting ordinary teachers from ‘compulsory...

Korean outfielder Kim Hyun-soo heads for Baltimore

Kim Hyun-soo (27), finally a big leaguer, was very determined. The Korean outfielder said on Tuesday at the press conference on his joining the Baltimore team, “I want to retire from the US rather than going back to the...

Paris Baguette opens its 200th overseas store in Shanghai

Paris Baguette, a top Korean bakery franchise, has opened its 200th overseas branch after 11 years since it first entered the global market. The SPC Group said on Monday that a launching event was held at its 200th...

Korea, Japan reach a deal on the comfort women issue

It has been confirmed that the proposal of establishing a foundation led by the Korean government and funded by Japan was the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae`s idea. The suggestion is based on the thought that the...

Gasoline price gap huge within single districts in Seoul 

The Beatles to offer streaming

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ChosunIlbo (http://english.chosun.com)

Gov't Tries to Placate Sex Slavery Victims

The government is trying to seek understanding from the victims of Japan's wartime sex slavery over a statement signed between the two countries on the way to settling the long-smouldering issue. The victims are reportedly upset because they were not consulted ahead of the deal. >> Full Text

Korea's National Wealth Grew 36% in 5 Years

Korea's national wealth stood at W11 quadrillion and 39 trillion as of the end of 2013, up 36 percent from 2008 despite the global financial crisis, the Bank of Korea said Tuesday. The national wealth covers total net assets owned by the public and adds financial assets and real estate, subtracting debt. >> Full Text

Tips for Staying Healthy When Eating Alone

People who live alone tend to buy foods that are simple to cook and eat as it is often uneconomical to buy ingredients for one person and deal with leftovers. Here are a few tips to stay healthy when eating alone. >> Full Text

Korean Suspect Indicted Over Yasukuni Bombing

Hyundai, Renault Samsung to Recall More Vehicles

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HankyorehShinmoon (http://english.hani.co.kr)

No final resolution without legal responsibility on comfort women issue

The South Korean and Japanese governments declared they were “finally and irreversibly resolving” the comfort women issue on Dec. 28 with their announcement of an agreement on the matter. But the actual agreement announced by their foreign ministers after talks in Seoul that day was a far cry from any real solution. Most crucially, it fails to clearly state the Japanese government’s legal responsibility for the state-level crime of enforcing a system of sexual slavery.

South Korea, Japan announce settlement to comfort women issue

The governments of South Korean President Park Geun-hye and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reached an agreement about resolving the issue of the comfort women during a meeting between their two foreign ministers on Dec. 28 and announced a “final and irreversible settlement” to the issue, assuming that both sides faithfully carry out the points agreed upon. .

Diverse interests paved the way for historic comfort women agreement

tWith the meeting between the foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan on Dec. 28 leading to a breakthrough in negotiations on the issue of the so-called comfort women change is on the horizon for relations between South Korea and Japan, despite mixed views on what changes the agreement will bring.

Korean, Japanese foreign ministers seek “creative solutions” to comfort women issue

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.

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JoongAngIlbo(conservative): (http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/)

North Korean official in charge of inter-Korean relations dies in car crash

Kim Yang-gon, North Korea’s top man in charge of inter-Korean relations, died in a car crash on Tuesday. He was 73. The North’s state-run Korean Central News Agency reported Wednesday...

SK’s Chey admits to mistress and love child

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won dropped a bombshell on Tuesday by announcing he had an extramarital affair that resulted in a daughter…

Natural gas to play bigger role in future

The Korean government has decided to expand the use of natural gas to lower the nation’s dependence on crude imports and realize…

Two women get executive positions at Lotte Group

Lotte Group announced the promotion of two females to executive positions on Tuesday in its follow-up annual reshuffle at food and chemical affiliates…

Lack of presale buyers prompts market worry

The number of presale apartments that failed to find buyers soared 54.3 percent in November compared to the previous month…

E-Mart opens first store in Vietnam

Discount retail chain E-Mart entered the Vietnamese market on Monday as part of a global expansion plan…

Comfort women deal spurs outcry

The latest deal between Seoul and Tokyo to conclude the long-running dispute over the Japanese military’s wartime sexual enslavement of Korean women…

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

Mirae Asset chief vows to create global financial company

Mirae Asset Group Chairman Park Hyeon Joo, who is in the spotlight for his winning bid for KDB Daewoo Securities, vowed to make a ...

Kospi-listed firms remain undervalued due to lagging efforts to boost stock

South Korean shares’ price-to-book value ratio hovers around the level last seen in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis ...

LG Elec develops 2nd generation smart inverter motor

LG Electronics Inc., South Korea’s leading home appliance maker, said Tuesday it has developed the second-generation smart inverter ...

Samsung Electronics to unveil IoT ready Smart TVs at CES 2016

South Korea’s electronics giant Samsung Electronics Co. on Tuesday said it will debut new Smart TVs that will come with an Internet ...

S. Korea’s new budget carrier Air Seoul gets government approval

Asiana Airlines Inc., one of the two full-service carriers of South Korea, has gained the South Korean government approval to launch ...

Eubiologics obtains WHO-PQ accreditation for cholera vaccine

South Korea’s vaccine company Eubiologics Co. achieved a milestone by winning prequalification accreditation for its inactivated ...

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The KyunghyangShinmoon(http://english.khan.co.kr/)

South Korea-Japan Reach 'Final Agreement' after 24 Years: Japan Apologizes for Military's Involvement in Comfort Women Issue, But Free from Liab

The South Korean and Japanese governments reached an agreement on the comfort women issue on December 28. South Korea was able to draw an apology and remorse fr···

Pushed ahead with the Agreement without Prior Consultation with the Victims: Whether the People Will Accept the Agreement Is Uncertain

The South Korean government stressed that the agreement on the comfort women issue reached on December 28 in the South Korea-Japan foreign ministers' meeting w···

Comfort Women Cannot Be Resolved Without Japanese Government Acknowledging 'Legal Responsibility'

South Korea and Japan are reportedly seeking a "creative solution" to the issue of Japan's "legal responsibility" concerning the comfort women. This is the···

For a Decent Job: One out of Four College Graduates Are 'NEET'

One out of every four college graduates are NEET, not receiving any formal education or training and not employed. This is a different landscape from advanced c···

[Constitutional Appeal 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···

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The Korea Economic Daily(http://english.hankyung.com/)

Korea to Lower Tariff Rates on 86 Environmental Items

The Korean government will reduce tariff rates on environmental products which can contribute to reducing or preventing environment pollution from the current 8 percent to 5 percent from next year. The Ministry of Strategy and Finance announced on December 28 that it will lower tariff rates on 86 en...

Samsung CEOs Share the Sense of Crisis

Samsung Group’s top managers, including CEOs of its affiliated companies, got together in one place and shared the sense of crisis triggered by the growing uncertainty about next year’s business environment. Choi Ji-Sung, head of the group’s future strategy office, called for the CEOs of affiliat...

Gov’t Gets Tough on Bribe-taking Public Officials

The government plans to fire any public officials who are caught taking bribes worth more than 1 million won. The Ministry of Personnel Management revised the enforcement regulation on disciplinary actions on public officials which would take effect on December 29. This is the first time for the gov...

 

China's 28 Regions out of 31 Increased Minimum Wage This Year

Despite the slowdown in the Chinese economy, the minimum wage level has increased in most regions. On December 29, the Economic Information Daily reported that 28 local provincial, city, and autonomous territory governments out of 31 have increased minimum wages at an average of 14 percent this year...

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AJU Business Daily(http://eng.ajunews.com/korea)

South Koreans’ prefer beer over hard liquor

Student at a craft beer class prepares for a tasting session [Courtesy of mcwyvern] Ordinary South Korean drinks an average of 148.7 bottles of beer ad 62.5 bottles of soju a year, a research…

South Korean opposition party changes name

The main opposition party formerly known as New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) chose to change its name to get rid of any resemblance or memory relate…

South Korea-Japan reach accord on ‘comfort women’

South Korea and Japan reached a breakthrough agreement on Monday on the thorny issue of so-called ‘comfort women’, forced to work in Japanese b…

MERS suffered Asiana to cutback, seeking to survive

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’

24.4 percent of South Korea’s university graduates are "Not in Education,

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ETNEWS(http://english.etnews.com/)

South Korean Government Eliminates Import Tariffs on Display Equipment ...

To recover exports that are struggling, South Korean Government has greatly reduced import tariffs that are levied on display equipment, semiconductor¡?s subsidi...

Samsung and LG Preparing to Strengthen Audio Businesses in 2016

Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are preparing themselves to strengthen audio businesses in 2016. Unlike TVs, businesses that specializes in audios must have many ex...

Read the full story

South Korean Government to Invest $67.5 Million into Digital Signage...

South Korean Government is going to expand size of digital signage markets to $3.42 billion (4 trillion KRW), which is 2 times more than 2014 at $1.63 billion (1.9 t...

Samsung and LG Are Close to Signing Contracts with Apple about Supplying OLED

Samsung and LG Display are going to supply OLEDs to Apple. They were able to achieve big settlement with them now having to just write signatures on final contracts. To mass-produce flexible OLEDs for next iPhones, Samsung Display and LG Display are going to invest total of $12.8 billion (15 trillion KRW) for 2 to 3 years. According to industries on the 2...

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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:

/news/view.html?section=161&category=181&no=1119.

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