Feb. 19, 2016
The Korean daily media headlines and humor
Friday, Feb. 19, 2016
Your Excellency:
Here are The Korea Post news and 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.
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Editor’s suggestion, nay plea:
When you take a group photograph, please look around yourself and, if you are taller than those behind you please yield the position to the shorter persons. That will make a lot of shutterbugs happy?as well as the short people.
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A quick roundup of major news stories from Korean media:
KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)
US N. Korea Sanctions in Effect; UN Measures Under Way
U.S. President Barack Obama signed a bill authorizing stronger sanctions on North Korea for defying warnings by the international community and pushing ahead with its nuclear weapons program.
S. Korea Challenges N. Korea’s UN Membership
2006 N. Korean Documents Reveal Plans for Gaeseong Asset Freeze
Seoul Shifts Policy Towards N. Korea to 'Pressure-Only' Policy
Seoul: 'All Possibilities of N. Korean Terror Attack Under Control'
S. Korea Challenges N. Korea’s UN Membership
BOK Governor Expresses Concern over Economic Uncertainties
KOSPI, KOSDAQ Head North Thursday
Bloomberg: Japan, China More Active in Foreign M&As than S. Korea
[Exclusive] 2006 N. Korean Documents Reveal Plans for Gaeseong Asset Freeze
Gov't Set to Suspend Humanitarian Aid to N. Korea
'70% of Gaeseong Wages Flowed into N. Korea's Ruling Party'
US State Department Refutes China’s Peace Deal Proposal
US N. Korea Sanctions in Effect; UN Measures Under Way
Obama Signs New N. Korea Sanctions
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Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
S. Korea, U.S. agree to focus N.K. policies on pressure rather than dialogue
South Korea and the United States agreed Thursday to focus their North Korea policies on pressure rather than dialogue to make the communist regime understand it has nothing to gain from nuclear and missile development, an official said.
Police raise security for NK defector after assassination threat
Police have strengthened security for a North Korean defector who serves as a ranking official at a South Korean state-run think tank after the North ordered his assassination, a source said Friday.
Hyundai Motor's Genesis to be launched in N. America in Q3
Hyundai Motor Co.'s premium brand Genesis is expected to make its debut in North America in the third quarter, possibly intensifying competition in its high-end vehicle market there, industry sources said Friday.
BOK chief says more uncertainty in global financial market than ever before
South Korea's central bank head forecast additional difficulties for the economy Friday, saying uncertainties in the global financial market were increasing more than ever before.
S. Korea to build new passenger terminal on west coast
South Korea will build a new international maritime passenger terminal on the west coast by 2020 in a bid to meet rising demand for maritime transport with China, the government said Friday.
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The Korea Herald (http://www.koreaherald.com)
Obama signs North Korea sanctions: White House
US President Barack Obama on Thursday signed off on new sanctions against North Korea to punish the reclusive Asian nati...
Korea world’s 6th-largest exporter
Korea is now the world’s sixth-largest exporter, World Trade Organization rankings show. Shipm...
Speculation grows about Samsung’s Cheil sell-off
There is growing market speculation that Samsung Group is considering selling off its advertisi...
Bank profits plunge 46%, lending margin hits fresh low in 2015
Profits of local banks last year plunged to their lowest in more than a decade with their margi...
FBI-Apple standoff puts encryption on front ...
Apple‘s challenge of a court order to unlock an iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino k...
THAAD disputes
NIMBYism, or not-in-my-backyard syndrome, is everywhere in the world. But in Korea, it is of...
Connections matter
The Park Geun-hye administration indulges in favoritism in appointments to public office as ...
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The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
'Hell Joseon' through the eyes of Koreans overseas
DALLAS - More and more young men and women of Korea find life in their motherland so painfully tough that they literally call it hell, some even plotting to pick up and leave for another country. But what happens when you really...
Volkswagen Korea raided by prosecutors
Prosecutors raided Volkswagen Korea’s head office in Seoul, Friday, for allegations that the German carmaker runs fraudulent marketing campaigns to promote th...
More strategic assets arriving in Korea
The United States armed forces plan to send more of its powerful assets, including the Nimitz-clas...
Rep. Park cleared of bribery charges
The Supreme Court sent the ruling that found Rep. Park Jie-won guilty on bribery charges back to t...
BIFF chief steps down over censorship row
Busan Mayor Suh Byung-soo, also chairman of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), said Thu...
Parties clash over THAAD, Gaeseong
Rival parties clashed, Thursday, over the government’s moves to allow the United States to deploy a THAAD battery here and its shutdown of the Gaeseong Indust...
NIS warns of NK terror attacks
North Korea’s spy agency is currently planning to launch terrorist style attacks against South Korea on orders from its leader Kim Jong-un, said a ruling part...
Samsung teams with SAP, SEAT for Samsung Pay
BARCELONA, Spain - Samsung Electronics has teamed with SAP of Germany and Spanish carmaker SEAT to promote its mobile payment system, Samsung Pay, in the Euro...
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DongAIlbo (http://english.donga.com)
Kim Jong Un orders preparations for launching terror attacks on Seoul
North Korea's intelligence agency, the Reconnaissance General Bureau, is reportedly preparing for terror attacks against South Ko…
Review: Watcha Play versus Netflix
“Watcha Play” is a new online movie streaming service launched by “Watcha,” an app known for movie rating and recommendations. It…
Kim Soo-bin garners 9 birdies for Australia Open lead
Kim Soo-bin (23) had nine under par on the first day of the ISPS Handa Australia Open to emerge as the lone lead. Hence, the chan…
Kim Jong Un orders preparations for launching terror attacks on Seoul
North Korea's intelligence agency, the Reconnaissance General Bureau, is reportedly preparing for terror attacks against South Ko…
Referee shot dead by player during football match in Argentina
A referee was shot and killed by a player during a football match. According to AFP on Wednesday, the player shot referee C?sar F…
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ChosunIlbo (http://english.chosun.com)
40% of PhD Holders on Temporary Contracts
Vast numbers of Koreans with PhDs are employed on temporary contracts as the job market is being squeezed on all sides. Statistics show that 76 percent of recent PhDs managed to find work, but 40 percent of them only on temporary contracts. >> Full Text
N. Korea 'Preparing Terror Attacks'
A lawmaker here on Thursday claimed North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has ordered more cyber attacks against South Korea. Citing information from the National Intelligence Service, Lee Cheol-woo of the ruling Saenuri Party told an emergency security meeting of government and ruling party officials the North could also use poison or abduct South Korean citizens as part of what he described as a "terror" campaign. >> Full Text
Health Authorities Gear Up to Fight Zika
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned Zika infections cannot be completely ruled out in Korea. The KCDC said that many people are traveling to and from countries that have seen outbreaks of the Zika virus, so there are chances that the virus could enter the country at any time. >> Full Text
U.S. Stealth Fighters Land in Korea
Single Households Increase 8-Fold Over 30 Years
Kim Jong-un Visited Dad's Tomb After All, N. Korea Claims
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HankyorehShinmoon (http://english.hani.co.kr)
Geopolitical tensions now posing risk to S. Korean economy
China’s disapproval of THAAD deployment could spur trade retaliation and flight from financial markets
The current situation on the Korean Peninsula, including North Korea’s recent nuclear test and rocket launch, Seoul’s decision to close the Kaesong Industrial Complex, and ongoing discussions on the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system with US Forces Korea, is triggering growing concerns about the potential threat to economic security. The fear is that escalating geopolitical risks could exacerbate uncertainties for a domestic economy already weakened by a global downturn and international financial market jitters.
Chinese Foreign Minister calls for denuclearization and peace treaty
China issued a proposal on Feb. 17 for talks toward denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the signing of a North Korea-US peace treaty. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s remarks came during a press conference following talks with Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop in Beijing.“While China does not bear [responsibility] for the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, as chair country for the six-party talks [on the nuclear issue]
China stepping up its opposition to THAAD deployment in S. Korea
For several days, Chinese state-run media and hardliners have been mentioning the possibility of war on the Korean Peninsula and are arguing that China should increase its military presence on the border between northeast China and North Korea. China‘s Foreign Ministry also for the first time called for the US and South Korea to pull out of their deliberations about deploying THAAD.
China stepping up its opposition to THAAD deployment in S. Korea
For several days, Chinese state-run media and hardliners have been mentioning the possibility of war on the Korean Peninsula and are arguing that China should increase its military presence on the border between northeast China and North Korea. China‘s Foreign Ministry also for the first time called for the US and South Korea to pull out of their deliberations about deploying THAAD.
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JoongAngIlbo(conservative): (http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/)
Rep. Park Jie-won acquitted of bribery charges
Rep. Park Jie-won, a three-term lawmaker and long-time supporter of President Kim Dae-jung, was acquitted Thursday of bribery charges in a verdict that effectively saved his political career just ahead of April’s general election. The Supreme Court on Thursday sent the bribery conviction against Park to the Seoul High Court for a retrial, in a ruling that cleared him of all charges...
Google unveils fast-loading news page project
Google is set to launch a new service in Korea that can deliver news pages four times faster to mobile devices…
Concerns raised over North Korea terrorism threat
North Korean ruler Kim Jong-un has ordered the regime’s intelligence agencies to concentrate their capabilities and assets on terrorist attacks in the South…
Netmarble confirms its IPO plan
Netmarble Games, the country’s top mobile game developer, will go public in a deal that could fetch as much as 7 trillion won …
Cheil denies Samsung to sell its shares in firm
Shares of Cheil Worldwide have been on a roller coaster ride for weeks as rumors resurfaced that Samsung Group is considering selling its shares…
CEOs urged to increase investment
Preparing for a tough financial year ahead, the government has urged CEOs of foreign company to expand investment in Korea,…
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The KyunghyangShinmoon(http://english.khan.co.kr/)
Failure to Maintain Diplomatic Balance in Northeast Asia: Domestic Politics Falls into the Black Hole of North Korea
President Park Geun-hye's speech before the National Assembly on February 16 has triggered not so small side effects. The security crisis on the Korean Pen···
[After Stating the “Collapse” of North Korea] U.S. F-22 Displays Fighting Power, Two Will Remain in Osan
The stealth fighter, the F-22 Raptor flew low over the Korean Peninsula. On February 17, the U.S. sent a formation of F-22 stealth fighters, U.S. strategic w···
[Editorial] Inter-Korean Relations Severed after 3 Years of the Park Geun-hye Government: President's Speech Full of Sophistry, Excuses and Lack of Measures on North Korean Nuclear Program
Yesterday, in a speech before the National Assembly, President Park Geun-hye announced responses to North Korea's nuclear and rocket provocations and explained···
President Park, '90% of Aid Will Be Provided with Economic Cooperation Fund' Kaesong Businesses Reply, 'Just More Debt to Repay'
On February 16 in a speech before the National Assembly, President Park Geun-hye mentioned government aid due to the suspension of operations at Kaesong Industr···
[After the Shutdown of Kaesong] The Government that Cried Wolf, Cornered Trying to Come up with an Excuse for the Suspension of Operations at Industrial Complex
Minister of Unification Hong Yong-pyo (52) began scooping up the government's words that the money from the Kaesong Industrial Complex was used to develop nucl···
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The Korea Economic Daily (http://english.hankyung.com/)
Hong Kong's Affinity Acquires Burger King Korea
The Korean unit of Burger King will be sold to Affinity Equity Partners, a Hong Kong-based private equity firm. According to investment banking sources on February 18, Burger King's largest shareholder VIG Partners (formerly Vogo Fund) signed on the same day a stock purchase agreement with Affinity....
No. of Local Ordinances in Conflict with Superior Laws Reaches 6,400
A government study found that the number of local ordinances and regulations in violation of upper-level laws was in excess of 6,000. As of the end of last year, the total number of ordinances and regulations in place in 243 local governments was 87,613. According to a joint investigation by the Off...
OCI Stock Rises 24.5% in 5 Trading Days on Expectations of Better Results This Year
The stock of OCI, which took a huge operating loss last year, has gained 24.5 percent for the past five trading days on expectations that the solar power market would soon rebound. On February 18, the company's stock was closed at 81,300 won, up 4.36 percent, in the KOSPI market. On the 16th, the co...
Lessons from Big 3 Fashion Firms’ Failures in Overseas Markets
Korea’s big three-fashion companies--Samsung C&T, LF, and Kolon Industries--are having difficulty in creating a strong presence in the Chinese fashion market. Samsung C&T, for instance, launched its own brand “Rapido” in 1997 and later some more, including “Bean Pole” and “Mvio” in the Chines...
Hyundai Motor to Launch GBC Construction in Early Next Year
Hyundai Motor Group plans to launch the construction of the Global Business Center, including a 105-story headquarters building, at the former site of Korea Electric Power Corp. in Seoul's Gangnam early next year for completion by 2021. The group plans to foster the GBC into a MICE (meetings, incent...
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AJU Business Daily(http://eng.ajunews.com/korea)
US and South Korean troops to stage biggest joint exercise
[Aju News DB] South Korea's defense chief said Thursday that US and South Korean troops will stage their annual joint exercise this spring at its biggest, as the allies flex their muscle ag…
North Korea ready for nuke test with little or no warning: 38 North
[Screenshot captured from 38 North.com] ? North Korea is always ready to conduct a fresh nuclear test with little or no warning, although satellite imagery has yet to reveal any signs of test …
China vetoes THAAD deployment in South Korea
[Courtesy of Xinhua News] ? A diplomatic row intensified Tuesday between Beijing and Seoul after a senior Chinese envoy expressed strong opposition to the suggested deployment of a US missile …
Pyongyang accused of staging cyber attack on South Korea
[Courtesy of Warner Bros Entertainment] ? South Korea's police chief on Monday blamed North Korean hackers for staging a cyber attack with malicious e-mails after the nuclear-armed count…
Seoul accuses Pyongyang of diverting Kaesong wages to leader's fund
[Aju News DB] A shadowy body controlling North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un's slush fund was thrown into the spotlight Monday after Seoul accused Pyongyang of diverting income earned in a susp…
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ETNEWS(http://english.etnews.com/)
Galaxy Phones and iPhones Are Penetrated by Forged Fingerprints
Apple¡?s iPhones and Samsung¡?s Galaxy phones are penetrated by so-called ¡®Fake Fingerprints¡? that are made by forging fingerp...
Pantech to Introduce IoT Devices at MWC 2016
Pantech is going to participate in MWC 2016, which is the world¡?s biggest mobile exhibition that is held in Barcelona on the 22nd this year and is pl...
LG Electronics to Introduce Stylus 2 at MWC 2016
LG Electronics is going to introduce Smartphone ¡®Stylus 2¡? that allows
Samsung Focuses on Virtual Reality as Next Target after Smartphones
Virtual Reality (VR) is being focused by Samsung as the next targeted business after Smartphones. Not only will Samsung focus on selling Galaxy Smartphones, but it will also focus on forming VR ecosy
LG Innotec Develops First Pulse Sensor to Build Its Wearable Material Component Business
LG Innotec has put out pulse sensors and is targeting wearable markets. Its goal is to continuously supply components and material that are necessary for wearable devices...
Samsung Electronics to Release Galaxy Tab E in South Korea
Samsung Electronics is going to release ¡®Galaxy Tab E¡? Tablet that is optimized for entertainments and can support call functions. Galaxy Tab E, w...
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MaeilBusinessNewsKorea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/ )
Samsung Display may invest $3.3 billion on OLED display
Samsung Display Co., South Korea’s leading display maker, may invest around 4 trillion won ($3.3 billion) in the production of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) TV panels over the next two years, raising speculation that Samsung Electronics Co., its key customer, would roll out OLED TVs in 2018 at the latest.
Cheil admits Samsung Group in talks with global agencies over partnership deal
Cheil Worldwide Inc., an in-house advertising agency of Samsung Group that handles the bulk of global and domestic ads for ...
S. Korean department store sales contract for 2nd straight year in 2015
Sales at South Korea’s department stores, the country’s primary retail sector, contracted in 2015 for the second consecutive ...
Experts fear N. Korean nuclear tests could trigger volcanic eruption
A team of South Korean scientists say North Korea’s nuclear tests could cause a volcanic eruption at Mount Baekdu near the test ...
Samsung Card, Standard Chartered Bank Korea join hands to combat falling profits
Standard Chartered Bank Korea (SC Bank Korea), a subsidiary of British banking service giant Standard Chartered PLC, is joining ...
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The Korea Post is at your service.
The Korea Post is 31 years old this year and has 5 media units. They are all at your service.
The Korea Post, established 31 years ago in 1985, operates five news media outlets, two in the Korean language and three in English. They are all at your service. You can email all your English and Korean press releases and feedback for free publication to edt@koreapost.comor korpost@chol.com. The five media outlets are:
(1) A Korean print newspaper (http://www.koreapost.co.kr/pdf/list.php),
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(5) An English e-daily (/rankup_module/rankup_notice/notice_list.html)
Send your news releases and feedback:
Send the Embassy news releases to edt@koreapost.comfor publication by all its five media units, including one Korean (www.koreapost.co.kr) and one English (www.koreapost.com) Internet dailies, which are updated real-time.(Call 010-5201-1740 for further details.)
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The Korea Post news:
With age ? comes wisdom!
A 70 year old retired army officer had one hobby--he loved to fish.
He was sitting in his boat the other day when he heard a voice say, 'Pick me up!' He looked around and couldn't see anyone.
He thought he was dreaming when he heard the voice say again, ''Pick me up.'
He looked in the water and there, floating on the top, was a frog.
The retired officer said, 'Are you talking to me?'
The frog said, “Yes, I'm talking to you. Pick me up, then kiss me; and I'll turn into the most beautiful woman you have ever seen. I'll make sure that all your friends are envious and jealous, because I will be your bride!”
The retired officer looked at the frog for a short time, reached over, picked it up carefully and placed it in his shirt pocket.
The frog said, “What, are you nuts? Didn't you hear what I said?I said, ‘Kiss me, and I will be your beautiful bride.’”
He opened his pocket, looked at the frog and said, “Nah. At my age, I'd rather have a talking frog.”
With age - comes wisdom!
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*Editor’s note: 1. The above humor was contributed by a big-hearted former ambassador to Korea from a Central Asian country, who has a great heart for all his colleagues in Korea.
2. Contribution of humor is welcome from all our readers to be shared with their fellow diplomats and readers.
3. Do you have jokes and/or funny stories? Share them with your colleagues! They would be tickled and greatly love you for your contribution. The contributors are identified only when they wish to be mentioned.?Ed.
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Diplomatic functions:
Ambassador Gerhard Sabathil of the European Union Delegation (16th from left) and Mayor Park Won-soon of the Seoul Metropolitan City (13th from left) pose with other EU ambassadors at a luncheon he hosted in Seoul yesterday.
First such meeting in four years
Amb.Sabathil of EU hosts informal luncheon for Mayor Park of Seoul, EU envoys
Ambassador Gerhard Sabathil of the European Union Delegation in Seoul hosted an informal luncheon in Seoul yesterday (Feb. 7, 2016) for the 22 ambassadors of the member countries or the EU as well as Mayor Park Won-sun of the Seoul Metropolitan City.
No details of the meeting were immediately available as it was an undisclosed meeting.
However, it was learned that the participating ambassadors of Europe and Mayor Park had a round of free discussions on a wide range of topics related with environment, culture and various other topics with an eye to increasing cooperation between the participating countries and the Seoul City.
This is the first such meeting since the last one hosted by the former EU ambassador in Seoul in 2012.
3D customized total replacement and stem cell treatment
YonseiSarang Hospital stands out in specialized treatment of joint patients
What part of the body is most frequently used in man’s every-day life?
Perhaps it comes in the order of neck, waist, shoulders and legs. Many people complain pain in the neck that comes from the fast-increasing use of smart phones. Then come the patients who complain pain in the neck that comes also from excessive use of smart phones.
Also on the fast increase are people suffering from obesity from lack of exercise who complain pain in the waist and knee joints. People who spend much time on computers also complain pain in the shoulders.
(The Korea Post is organizing a tour of for the ambassadors and madams to this Hospital on Friday March 4, 2106 where the diplomats are offered a free medical check-up. Please scroll down to the end of this article for a detailed itinerary. Please scroll down to the end for a detailed article and more photos on the Hospital?Ed.)
Dr. Koh Yong-gon, CEO and president of YonseiSarang Hospital
These working people are treated at the neurosurgery and orthopedic departments of the hospitals.
There are so many hospitals in Korea that treat patients suffering from joint and spine problems and naturally competition among them is very keen.
Among them is the YonseiSarang Hospital in Seoul. This hospital was established by the graduates of Yonsei University in Seoul, a most prestigious private university in Korea, and has been growing very fast in spite of the keen competition among hospitals. YonseiSarang specializes in the treatment of patients suffering from joint and spine problems. The Hospital is one of the largest in Korea that specialize in the treatment of patients suffering from joints and spine.
Established in 2003, the Hospital has a motto and slogan reading, “We provide the best treatment and give hopes to the patients!” Thus the Hospital tries to free the patients from the pains and worries of their spine and joint.
The YonseiSarang Hospital is well known not only among the Seoulites but also the people in the countryside. This is why a large number of patients visit the Hospital also from all parts of the country.
President Koh Yong-gon (M.D.) of the Hospital makes it a rule to visit the patients in the countryside once or twice each month, who have undergone treatment at his hospital, to see how they are faring after their treatment at his hospital as well as providing the local people with medical consultation.
The Hospital has doctors specializing in the many different fields such as knees, shoulders, feet, spine and various other parts of the human body and this is why the Hospital is so widely known among the patients for fast recovery from their problems.
The YonseiSarang Hospital is located in the Gangnam District south of the Han River in Seoul, and has a staff of a total of over 300 persons, including 20 doctors.
Two main buildings of the YonseiSarang Hospital in Gangnam District in Seoul
The Hospital makes substantial investments in R&D, which makes distinction from otherhospitals covering spine and joints.
President Dr. Koh says: “We have developed a ‘3D customized total replacement system’ which has substantially improved the existing system--solving various problems in the existing system.” He said, “Furthermore, the YonseiSarang Hospital is known for the largest number of papers published overseas on the subject of ‘autologous adipose stem cell’ which is a system where cell is extracted from the patient’s buttocks, abdomen and thighs (where there is much fat) and injecting them into the knee joint.”
“Thus,” says Dr. Koh, “We have successfully differentiated ourselves from other hospitals in terms of superiority of the doctors’ competence and skills.”
Furthermore, the YonseiSarang Hospital has an International Medical Treatment Team making itself an internationalized hospital and public relations efforts are being made for a wider dissemination of this information.
Dr. Francesco Perdisa from Bologna University in Italy (fourth from right) poses with the doctors of the YonseiSarang
Hospital at the time of his visit to the Hospital for a joint research on stem cell.
As a result of this development, an increasing number of patients are visiting from various countries of the world, including Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China and the United States. The Hospital is also preparing to establish in various countries of the world rehabilitation centers and cell treatment centers for the treatment of the local patients.
At present, the Hospital has coordinators who speak fluent foreign languages such as Russian and Mongolian as well as English, which greatly helps in eliminating languages barriers faced at the time of treating patients of different nationalities.
CEO Dr. Koh (right) poses with Dr. Allan Mishra from Stanford University during a joint research
Also, doctors come to the Yonsei Hospital from various countries of the world, including Indonesia, Germany and Mongolia to learn the advanced medical skills from Yonsei. The YonseiSarang Hospital also concluded a medical cooperation agreement with various hospitals in Italy, Japan, China and Malaysia.
The YonseiSarang Hospital plans to establish for the first time among the joint-spine hospitals in Korea a Stem Cell Institute to free the knee-joint patients from their pain and anxiety and to help them have new hopes. At this hospital, cell is extracted from the fatty part of the human body such as buttocks and abdomen and injected into the joints of the patients, especially the senior citizens, who suffer much pain due to aged and over-taxed cartilage. The injected cells cause regeneration of the cartilage. Extensive studies and researches are being conducted at the Hospital in that area.
At present, the new method is being used for the patients suffering from knee bone problems but the range of its use is expected to be expanded to the shoulders, spine and other parts of the human body.
A researcher of Stem Cell Institute is doing an experiment.
Another epochal development of treatment method is through the use of ‘tailor-made’ 3D man-made joint, which was developed for the first time in Korea. The artificial joint enhances the accuracy of operation as it is done after completely checking the state of the patient.
In contrast with the existing man-made joint where the ready-made joints are used, the newly developed 3D order-made joints are created through the use of a new method where the joint of the patient is ‘reconstructed’ based on MRI photography where the patient’s knee bone is reconstructed through 3D printing. This helps the creation of an artificial knee bone that is best fit to the patient.
The new method reduces the possible complication to the minimum compared with the existing method, and substantially reduces the operation time. The life span of the man-made joint, too, is more than 25 years compared with the 15 years of the existing ones. This is why the new artificial joints at the YoniseiSarang Hospital are very popular among the knee patients.
Patients from Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan at the entrance of the YonseiSarang Hospital
Too, the YonseiSarang Hospital is equipped with special rehabilitation center facilities where the patients experience much shorter period of rehabilitation compared with other hospitals. This greatly helps the patients shorten the period of rehabilitation as well as the recovery period of the patents after operation. The patents greatly appreciate this and many of them have written letters of appreciation to the doctors who have treated them.
The Rehabilitation Center of the YonseiSarang Hospital is making preparations to enter Ulan Baatar, the capital city of Mongolia, in 2016 and this will be extended to Kazakhstan and Russia.
Mongolian staff members at the YonseiSarang Hospital booth at the 2015 Mongolian International Health Fair.
The Hospital has been selected by the Ministry of Health and Welfare as a Joint-specializing Hospital and a Globalized Hospital for Overseas Operations.
The Hospital has also won a Grand Prize in the field of joints for three consecutive years in the Medical Korea program organized by the Ministry of Health and Welfare from 2009 to 2011.
The YonseiSarang Hospital continues to make extended efforts to maintain the status of the most qualified hospital in the treatment of joints and spine.
Rehabilitation Center at the YonseiSarang Hospital
A doctors from Siloamal Int'l Hospital in Indonesia visited the YonseiSarang Hospital to discuss the possibility
of a joint research with the YonseiSarang Hospital.
Invitation to the Ambassadors and Spouses to the Tour of YonseiSarang Hospital
CEO & Doctor Koh Yong-gon of YonseiSarang Hospital in Kangnam District south of the Hann river cordially invites
the Ambassadors and their Spouses to a tour of various facilities of his Hospital on Friday March 4, 2026. Itinerary follows:
10:00-1200 Hours: Arrive at Hospital, introduction between the host and guests, presentation of a memorable gift to each
Ambassador, video showing on Hospital, tour of hospital facilities, medical check-up for diplomats,
question and answer session and various other interesting programs for the ambassadors and madams.
10:10-1330 Hours: Luncheon hosted by the CEO-President for the ambassadors and madams
1330-1700 Hours:Tour of various facilities of the Hospital and medical consultations.
For questions on the Tour, please call Ms. Kim Jung-mi at 2298-1740/2, 010-3388-1682, or
Chairman Lee Kyung-sik at 010-5201-1740 (English)
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At the Iranian National Day reception
Korean guests more than double the number at other functions
“We were informed that President Park Geun-hye has been planning her visit to Iran in the near future, which is going to be the first-ever such a state visit in the long record of relations between the two countries,” said Ambassador Hassan Taherian of Iran in Seoul at the National Day reception he hosted at Lotte Hotel in Seoul on Feb. 16, 2016. Then he said that the Presidential visit will surely open a new chapter in the bilateral relations and will provide ample opportunities for better understanding between two countries and have a positive impact on Iran-Korea cooperation as well (excerpts from the speech toward the end of this article).
The luncheon reception to celebrate the 37th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution was attended by an estimated 700 Korean and international guests as well as most of the ambassadors in Seoul, which, in the case of the Korean guests, was nearly double the number guests at previous such functions.
Why the sudden increase of interest in Iran in Korea?
Korea used to enjoy the so-called ‘Middle East Boom’ through the construction companies and trading firms and Iran was one of the prominent countries in the Middle East where the Korean companies actively took part in the economic development in the region.
The unusually large attendance of the Korean and international guests at the party is also partly due to the personal popularity of Ambassador Taherian who has a long and close connection with Korea. Also he is accredited to North Korea as Iranian ambassador and is in a good position to help improve the inter-Korean relations.
Attending the reception were many prominent Korean government and business leaders. Among them were Minister Chung Chin-youb of Health and Welfare, President Sung Nak-in of Seoul National University, Chairman Lee Hae-dong of the Busan Metropolitan Council, Directors-General Park Young-sik of the Ministry of Health & Welfare and Lee Sang-jin of the Ministry of Trade Industry & Energy, Director Kim Jae-jeong of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure & Transportation, and leaders of many leading Korean business companies (see list at the end of this article).
From the Seoul Diplomatic Corps came many ambassadors with their spouses (see list at the end of this article).
Excerpts from the speech of Ambassador Taherian of Iran:
I am honored to welcome you at the celebration of the National Day of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
We meet today to commemorate the 37th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution of Iran that falls on 11th of February.
37 years ago, the people of my country in a series of massive demonstrations and popular political movements under the wise leadership of Imam Khomeini overthrew the dictatorial regime of Pahlavi and elected and established the new system of the Islamic Republic which is based on modern Iranian-Islamic civilization and religious democracy.
Significantly this year, the anniversary of the victory of our Islamic Revolution has coincided with another victory for the Iranian nation and government in the international scene. This new achievement is the success of our government to manage and conclude one of the most complicated diplomatic crisisof this decade which was the Iran nuclear program dossier. Iran succeeded to reach a historical nuclear accord with six world power, turning the Iran nuclear program from an unnecessary crisis into a platform for cooperation. By putting some limitations on its nuclear activities and accepting the highest level of transparency and inspection on its nuclear program, Iran once again demonstrated clearly that never ever intended to build atomic bomb.
The negotiation settlement to the Iran nuclear program is a Victory for diplomacy and helped to remove the shadows of war and pseudo threats from our region. Most importantly, this settlement provides the opportunity for the region to focus its attention on current real and dangerous threat which is terrorism and violent extremism, which threatens everybody.
By the relocation of the economic sanction, the amount of interest in Iran has been unbelievable. We have hosted more than 50 foreign trade delegations to Iran during the last two or three months.
Located in the central part of Eurasia, Iran, blessed with rich civilization and culture, has long enjoying of geostrategic importance because of its central location in Eurasia and Western Asia and its proximity to the Strait of Hormoz. Iran with a diversified economy and broad industrial base, huge natural resource, young and educated population, large domestic market, access to the regional market and increasingly sophisticated infrastructure providing the foundation for an emerging economy which offers endless investment opportunities to local and international investors.
Iran and Korea established the diplomatic relations in 1962. Throughout these years, the two countries maintained a relatively friendly and strong relationship. The presence of the Tehran Street in Gangnam district of Seoul as well as the Seoul Street in North of Tehran, are the symbol and remainder of long friendship between the two countries.
We have had a number of official meetings recently, among them, the last year visit of the South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to Tehran. Fortunately, we were informed that Her Excellency, President Park, Geun-Hye, has been planning her visit to Iran in near future. This is going to be the first ever such a state visit in the long record of relations between the two countries. Surely, the upcoming presidential visit will open a new chapter in the bilateral relation and will provide ample opportunities for better understanding between officials and will have a positive impact on Iran-Korea cooperation, as well.
As far as the trade relation between the two countries is concerned, we always value and support particularly business relations between our two countries. Korean companies have a long record of involvement and successful activity in Iranian market and working in many infrastructure and construction projects in Iran. They enjoy a very good reputation as the reliable and confident partner and this is a valuable asset for their future activity in the Iranian market.
By the end of this month, on February 29, the Korea-Iran Joint Economic Commission is scheduled to be held in Tehran. Simultaneously and alongside with this Commission, there is going to be a Business Forum by the participation of huge number of businessmen from the private sector of both countries.
I believe the lifting of the sanctions, provides a plenty of opportunities for Korean firms to resume or increase their activities in the Iranian market.
We welcome and will encourage the Korean companies to boost their business in Iran.
In closing, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all of you for your attendance in our reception and hope you enjoy your time with us today.
Ambassador Hassan Taherian of Iran (third from left) cuts the celebration cake with Ambassador Hong Jong-Kyung of
Gyeongsangbuk-do Province for International Relations and Minister Chung Chin-youb of Health and Welfare (left and second from left),
Chairman Lee Hae-dong of Busan Metropolitan council, President & CEO Kim Jung-rae of Korea National Oil Corp. and CEO Jeon Sang-heon of Chungbuk Free Economic Zone Authority (four to sixth from left)
Ambassador Hassan Taherian of Iran and Minister Chung Chin-youb of Health and Welfare (seventh and eighth from right, respectively, at front row)
pose with the ambassadors at the reception.
From left: Ambassador Dato Paduka Haji ModhRosli Bin Haji Sabtu of Brunei Darussalam, Publisher-Chairman Lee Kyung-sik of The Korea Post,
Ambassadors Rodolfo Solanco Quiros of Costa Rica, Vikram Kumar Doraiswami of India and Dato Rohanabinti Ramli of Malaysia;
Chief Executive Counselor Choi Soon-hong of LS IS and Ambassador Sylvestre Kouassi Bile of Cote d'Ivoire
Attractive figurines and other art objects on display at the reception venue
Mrs. Mah Manesh Taherian (spouse of the ambassador of Iran) and their son, Mahdi Taherian
Partial list of ambassadors attending the reception:
Ambassadors Mohammad SaleemSayeb of Afghanistan, Derragui Mohammed Elamine of Algeria, Albino Malungo of Angola, Elisabeth Bertagnoli of Austria, Ramzi Teymurov of Azerbaijan, Md. Zulfiqur Rahman of Bangladesh, Natallia Jhylevich of Belarus, Guadalupe Palomeque de Taboada of Bolivia, Dato Paduka Haji ModhRosli Bin Haji Sabtu of Brunei Darussalam , Petar Andonov of Bulgaria, Tito Saul PinillaPinilla of Colombia, Rodolfo Solanco Quiros of Costa Rica, Sylvestre Kouassi Bile of Cote d'Ivoire, Grecia Fiodalicia Pichardo of Dominican Republic, Oscar Gustavo Herrera Gilbert of Ecuador, Milton Alcides Magana Herrera of El Salvador , Gerhard SABATHIL of Delegation of The Europan Union, Matti Heimonen of Finland, Carlos Victor Boungou of Gabon, Rolf Mafael of Germany, Nikoloz Apkhazava of Georgia, Gabor Csaba of Hungary, Vikram Kumar Doraiswami of India, Bessho Koro of Japan, Omar Al Nahar of Jordan, Mohammed Chraibi of Morocco, Dato Rohanabinti Ramli of Malaysia, Mohamed Salim Alharthy of Oman, ZahidNasrulah Khan of Pakistan, Irineo Raul SilveroSilvagni of Paraguay, Raul S. Hernandez of the Philippines, Krzysztof Majka of Poland, Calin Fabian of Romania, Alexander Andreevich Tomonin of Russia, MamadouNdiaye of Senegal, Zoran Kazazovic of Serbia, Milan Lajciak of Slovak Republic, Nozuko Gloria Bam of South Africa, Gonzalo Ortiz Diaz-Tortosa of Spain, Niroshani Manisha Dias Abeywickrema Gunasekera of Sri Lanka, Joerg Alois Reding of Switzerland, Kiromov Salohiddin of Tajikistan (CDA), Mohamed Ali Nafti of Tunisia, Hakan Okcal of Turkey, Andrea Veronica Bais Gastaldi (CDA) of Uruguay, BotirjonAsadov of Uzbekistan, Ms. Yadira Hidalgo de Ortiz of Venezuela (CDA), Mumba Smyth Kapumpa of Zambia
Partial list of Korean guests attending the reception:
Chairman & CEO B.S. Park of Korea Registry of Shipping, President & CEO Kim Jung-rae of Korea National Oil Corp., General Manager Son Jin-seck of Daewoo Shipping & Marine Engineering, President SohnMyong-sei of Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, Chairman Cho Hae-hyeong of Nara Holdings Corp., Head of Team Lim Tae-hoon of Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Vice President Heo, Sun-haeng of GS E&C, President & Chief Executive / Civil & Infra Lee, Sahng-ki of GS E&C / Seoul, President Kim, Kwang-min of Union Flow Control System Group, Director Kim, Jae jeong of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation, CEO Jeon, Sang-heon of Chungbuk Free Economic Zone Authority, Chairman & CEO Shin, Jae Hyun of West Aisa Economic Forum, Vice President Kim, Young ho of KCC, President Lee, Young chan of Korea Health Industry Development Institute, President Sung, Nak-in of Seoul National University, CEO Park, No hwang of The Yonhap News Agency, Director Joon Lee of LOTTE Engineering & Construction, Director General Hwang, Hyeon-gyu of KHIDI, CEO Kim, Jae-sik of Hyundai Development Co., Director Lee Kap-soo of Korea Times, President Lee Jin-sook of MBC, Daejeon, President & CEO Kim, Jae-sik of Hyundai Development Company, President Choi, Du-youlof FTE(Fluid Thermal Engineering), Vice President Lee, Soo-yeon of DAELIM, Executive Vice President Yun, Won-sok of KOTRA, Director General Park, Young-sik of Ministry of Health & Welfare, Chairman Lee, Hae-dong of BUSAN METROPOLITAN COUNCIL, Director General Lee Sang-jin of Ministry of Trade Industry & Energy
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Many countries lock horns to woo sanction-lifted country
Korea should try to show how she can do best for Iran
By Lee Kyung-sik
Publisher of The Korea Post
Following the lifting of sanctions against Iran, many countries of the world are seen locking horns with one another to be the first to enter the country for economic cooperation.
The first and obviously the most active country seems to be France who invited President Hassan Rouhani to visit France on Jan. 28, 2016. Korean-language media reports indicate that the leaders of Iran and France signed contracts totaling some 30 billion Euro (about 40 trillion Korean Won), including the purchase of 118 Airbuses.
According to an article by former President Joohum Lee of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA) published by MaeilKyungje on Feb. 15, 2016, President Rouhani of Iran has also visited Italy, in advance of his French contacts, and singed contracts totaling some 16 billion Euro (22 trillion Korean Won). According to Lee, Iran has special relations with France and Italy.
In 1997, Italy invited former President Mohammed Khatami of Iran to visit Italy and has thenceforth been pursuing a pro-Iran policy.
France provided political asylum to the late former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeiny of Iran in 1979, and has been maintaining close ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Approaching Iran for increased cooperation are not limited to France and Italy. Germany, the United States and China are also making extensive efforts to join the ‘Iran rush.’ Among the three stands out China. President Xi Jinping of China wants to rebuild a ‘New Silk Road’ to connect the Arab world and Europe through Iran.
As soon as the international sanction was lifted on Iran, President Xi visited Iran before any other head of state. Xi did not ask for money but traded automobiles, missile parts and textile goods for Iranian oil. The arrangement helped China make a big jump to the status of Iran’s biggest trade partner.
In contrast, the United Kingdom, who had monopolized the Iranian oil market until the 1950s, has become a target of total disregard. Reports say that the UK failed to change the negative image of its old ‘oil majors’ in the new surroundings.
So what should Korea do in this situation?
Former President Lee of KNDA suggests that Korea should try not to lose time. Korea should realize that she is neither a very close country to Iran nor one who is so far away. Korea should try to come up with attractive offers for Iran compared those of the competitors. For this purpose, Korea needs a systemized vision. Korea should come up with a concerted plan of cooperation with all the competent business companies to show Iran an attractive picture that other countries can’t.
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