Feb. 29, 2016
The Korean daily media headlines and humor
Monday, Feb. 29, 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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A quick roundup of major news stories from Korean media:
KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)
Nuclear Envoys of S. Korea, China Agree N. Korea Must Change
The nuclear envoys of South Korea and China have agreed North Korea must make "qualitative improvement in thoughts and...
Assembly Committee Passes Bill on Redrawing Electoral Map
G20 Pledge to Fight Terror Funding
Nuclear Envoys of S. Korea, China Agree N. Korea Must Change
Assembly Committee Passes Bill on Redrawing Electoral Map
China's Chief Nuke Envoy in Seoul for Talks
Transportation Ministry Reports Rise in Air Passengers
S. Korean Firms Diffident About Growth
Suspended Nuclear Reactor Expected to Restart Operations in Mid-March
'N. Korea Will not Die However it is Sanctioned'
Mineral Ban on N. Korea to Cut Growth by 4.3%p
Gov’t to Provide 550 Billion Won in Special Loans to Gaeseong Firms
G20 Pledge to Fight Terror Funding
'New UN Sanctions on N. Korea Insufficient'
UNSC Vote on New Sanctions on N. Korea Likely to be Delayed
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Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
S. Korean manufacturing sentiment remains low for March
South Korean manufacturers' business sentiments continued to remain bleak for the upcoming month while their actual business conditions in February turned out to be worse than anticipated, a poll showed Monday.
Son Yeon-jae wins season's first title in Finland
South Korean rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae captured her first title of the season in Finland on Sunday.
Light aircraft crashes in western Seoul, kills 2
A light aircraft crashed at Gimpo International Airport in western Seoul, sources said Sunday, killing two on board after losing communication shortly after takeoff.
Presidential office nominates new deputy cultural minister
South Korea's presidential office said Sunday it has nominated a communications secretary as the new deputy cultural minister, reflecting the government's bid to promote changes through naming outside officials.
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The Korea Herald (http://www.koreaherald.com)
U.N. resolution against N.K. expected this week
Chief six-party talks negotiators Hwang Joon-kook of South Korea (left) and Wu Dawei of China meet for their meeting in ...
Korea to inject W200b into moon exploration plan for 3 years
South Korea will spend a total of 746.4 billion won ($603 million) on its space program this ye...
Samsung wins U.S. appeal in Apple patent case
A U.S. appeals court on Friday handed Samsung a win over Apple in a long-running patent fight, ...
Electoral map bill submitted to Assembly
The new electoral map was finally submitted to the National Assembly on Sunday, avoiding furthe...
Infantino: from Platini prodigy to FIFA chief
Gianni Infantino made his name as UEFA‘s master of ceremonies until scandal forced his boss Michel Plati...
Elliott didn’t matter
In September, Samsung Group successfully completed its plan to merge Samsung C&T and Cheil I...
New FIFA chief
The world is pinning hopes on the new president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, for his new role ...
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The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
Telegram founder expresses concern over anti-terror bill
Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of secure messaging app Telegram, has expressed concern over the South Korean government’s push for an anti-terrorism bill, citing possible infringements of privacy and potenti...
Increased overseas travel reduces domestic consumption
The sharp increase in overseas travel is stifling the already sluggish domestic consumption as Koreans splurge abroad and squeeze at home, government and busi...
China to follow UN resolution on North Korea
Wu Dawei, China’s top nuclear envoy, said Sunday that Beijing will fully enforce the upcoming Unit...
Georgia attracting Korean logistics firms
Georgia expects more Korean companies in the energy and cargo transportation sectors to operate wi...
New electoral boundaries finalized
The electoral map for the April 13 general election was finalized Sunday, just 45 days before vote...
Former 7-term lawmaker dies
Lee Chul-seung, a former seven-term lawmaker who was a political rival of former presidents Kim Yo...
President's welfare policy still adrift
President Park Geun-hye pledged to expand welfare benefits to the elderly and children “without ra...
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DongAIlbo (http://english.donga.com)
Samsung to take pre-orders for Galaxy S7 on March 4-10 in Korea
Samsung Electronics will take pre-orders for its strategic smartphones the Galaxy S7 and the Galaxy S7 Edge in Korea from March 4…
Rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae wins another silver medal
South Korean rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae (see photo) is ready for the 2016 Rio Olympics.On Saturday, Son claimed the silver in …
Moon Jae-in, gives thumbs up to filibuster but silent about cut-off"
The critical variable for the cut-off was 'silent stigmatization' by intimate relationships," said a reelected member of the Min…
Gov’t approves the third license for a casino resort on Yeongjong Island
An integrated resort, which the Korean government has supported in an attempt to encourage investments in Korea, will be created …
All N. Korea's vessels, planes carrying freight to be intercepted
The U.S. and China agreed to the first draft of UN Security Council resolution to impose sanctions against North Korea on Wednesd…
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ChosunIlbo (http://english.chosun.com)
Spending on Private Crammers Hits New Record
Average per-capita spending on private crammers for schoolkids reached W240,000 a month last year, the most since the government began tallying statistics in 2007. >> Full Text
Samsung to Take Pre-Orders for New Phone This Week
Samsung will start taking pre-orders for its new flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S7, on March 4 ahead of the official release a week later. The gadget already went on display at some 2,100 electronics shops including Samsung outlets and mobile phone shops. >> Full Text
New Shinsegae Mall in Busan Set to Open
Shinsegae Department Store is opening yet another new mall next to its Centum City department store in Busan on Thursday. Centum City is already registered as the world’s largest department store in the Guinness Book of Records and the new mall will increase the area of Shinsegae stores by 50 percent. >> Full Text
N.Korean Spy Chief Says Pyongyang Not Scared of Sanctions
Korea, China Mull Renewal of Currency Swap Deal
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HankyorehShinmoon (http://english.hani.co.kr)
Russia emerges as a new factor complicating sanctions against North Korea
Officials representing Russia at the UN say they need more time to assess sanctions bill agreed to by the US and China
Russia is becoming a new variable in UN Security Council deliberations about a sanctions resolution against North Korea, declining to give its consent to a draft agreed to by the US and China and stating that it needs more time to review it. This also decreases the likelihood that the resolution will be adopted before the end of February, as the South Korean and US governments had hoped.
[Analysis] How effective will the “strongest sanctions” on North Korea really be?
“The strongest set of sanctions imposed by the Security Council in more than two decades,” said US United Nations Ambassador Samantha Power.“The strongest UNSC [United Nations Security Council] economic sanctions short of punishment through war and invasion. There has never been this kind of intensity and comprehensive content in any UNSC sanctions in the past,” said a South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs official. .
[Cine feature] Korean films provide voice to the disenfranchised in Berlin[Cine features] 8 Korean titles to keep an eye out for in 2016
[Cine feature] Korean masterpieces getting re-mastered in 4K [Cine feature] Korean films provide voice to the disenfranchised in BerlinThe film world descended on PotsdamerPlatz for the 66th edition of the Berlin International Film Festival this month. Fans thronged the BerlinalePalasttheater to glimpse their favorite stars walking the red carpet while film professionals from all around the world converged on the Martin-Gropius-Bau and Marriott Hotel for this year’s European Film Market (EFM).
[Cine feature] Korean films provide voice to the disenfranchised in Berlin
The film world descended on PotsdamerPlatz for the 66th edition of the Berlin International Film Festival this month. Fans thronged the BerlinalePalasttheater to glimpse their favorite stars walking the red carpet while film professionals from all around the world converged on the Martin-Gropius-Bau and Marriott Hotel for this year’s European Film Market (EFM).
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JoongAngIlbo(conservative): (http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/)
Russia delays new UN sanctions
A United Nations Security Council resolution calling for strong sanctions on North Korea to punish it for a fourth nuclear test and long-range missile launch is being delayed as Russia, a veto-wielding member of the council, has asked for more time to review it. This resolution had been expected to be voted on by the 15-member council over the weekend in New York…
Hong urges U.S., China to show mutual respect
Hong Seok-hyun, chairman of the JoongAngIlbo and JTBC, received the Pacific Century Institute’s Building Bridges Award on Thursday…
‘The Rise of China and the Future of the American Role in Asia’
Hyundai’s EQ900 named 2016 Car of the YearThe EQ900, Hyundai Motor’s top-of-the-line model for its new Genesis luxury brand, was named 2016 Car of the Year…
Hi-Tech super fibers connect to the future
Korean company Kolon Industries is the first in the world to successfully develop a super fiber that is six times stronger than steel.…
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The KyunghyangShinmoon(http://english.khan.co.kr/)
Court Decides Search and Seizure of KakaoTalk Was Illegal, Showing the Dangers of the Terrorism Prevention Act
The court ruled that a search and seizure of the conversations of some KakaoTalk users carried out by the prosecutors and the police without informing the relev···
[News in Depth] U.S. and China Hold Hands on Korean Peninsula Issue: South Korea Is Missing
On February 24 (local time), the White House announced that the U.S. had reached an agreement with China on the United Nations (UN) Security Council resolution ···
[Filibuster against Bill Granting NIS Supreme Powers] EunSoo-mi, 'The Anti-Terrorism Bill Will Put a Dog Collar on the Master, the People'
* Kim Kwang-jin, Moon Byeong-ho, EunSoo-mi, Park Won-suk, YouSeung-hee Make a Desperate Effort for Three Days * Ruling Party Takes Turns Waiting Overnight *···
Human Rights in the Republic of Idols
Don’t people say that you resemble each other when you fight? After the conservative government took office, conflicts between North and South Korea have inten···
[Editorial] Terrorism Prevention Act: Danger! A Law that Allows the NIS to Abuse Its Powers
A Terrorism Prevention Act to protect the people and secure public safety, but one that poses great risks of a state agency abusing its powers and violating hum···
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The Korea Economic Daily (http://english.hankyung.com/)
Has "Sell Korea" Begun or a Temporary Setback?
Foreign investors have sold 5 percent of their bond holdings this month to date. The market analysts and monetary authorities are busy finding out why they did so. Some suggested it is a sign that foreign investors are moving out of Korea. Others said this is a transitory phenomenon due to the weake...
Global Economy Faces Critical Moment in March
The world economy is waiting crucial moments in March as a handful of major events, including the monetary policy meetings of the United States, Japan, the Eurozone, and the hosting of China's annual "two sessions," are scheduled. In addition, a string of political issues, including "Brexit" and san...
Asia's Largest Int'l Real Estate Expo "Cityscape Korea" to Be Held in June This Year
"Cityscape Korea," East Asia's largest trade show for real estate professionals, will be held in June this year at the Kintex exhibition center in Seoul's northwest. The second expo following last year's first gathering is expected to be much bigger in size as the China Real Estate Chamber of Commer...
Samsung Brings Galaxy S7 and Edge Closer to You
Samsung Electronics announced on February 28 that it will host a large-scale pre-experience event before launching domestic sales of the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge. The pre-order sales will begin from March 4 in Korea. Starting from February 28, Samsung displayed the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge a...
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AJU Business Daily(http://eng.ajunews.com/korea)
New naval base built on South Korea's southern island
[Courtesy of Republic of Korea Armed Forces] South Korea on Friday celebrated the completion of a major naval base on the southern resort island of Jeju, showing off its bolstered naval power t…
Massive special loans for firms in Kaesong
South Korean government officials wait in an office to support firms in Kaesong.[Photo by YooDae-gil] South Korea decided Thursday to extend 550 billion won (445 million US dollars) in special…
Amnesty stages holographic 'ghost' march in Seoul
Holographic Rally is displayed at Gwanghwamun, Seoul. [Courtesy of Amnesty International Korea] Human right group Amnesty International has staged a "ghost" rally using hologram images of pro…
South Korea warns of North Korea regime collapse
[Courtesy of Korean Air Force] ? South Korea warned of North Korea's regime collapse Wednesday after Pyongyang threatened to strike Seoul's presidential office and US military installa…
[UPDATES]Tearful female lawmaker breaks record in filibustering
EunSoo-mi wipes her tears after filibusting for more than 10 hours in a row. [Courtesy of Kang Ki-jung, A Member of the National Assembly] A tearful South Korean female
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ETNEWS(http://english.etnews.com/)
Dispute on RGBW 4K Quality Settles Down for Time Being
Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics and LG Display that had been arguing each other on UHD standards of RGBW Display have decided to improve current measuring met...
Vice-Chairman Kwon Oh-hyun to Overcome Difficult Times with Electronic...
Vice-Chairman Kwon Oh-hyun of Samsung Electronics emphasized that Samsung Electronics needs to strengthen its competitive edge in electronic and IT industries and creat...
Text Messages from Smartphones of Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics...
Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics¡? Smartphone text messages, which will be
Edge Displays to Be Used for Chinese Smartphones Also
Edge OLED Display, which is used for Samsung Display¡?s Smartphones, is going to be used for Chinese Smartphones. This is a result of diversifying its customers. China¡?s Vivo, Huawei, and Xiaomiar
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MaeilBusinessNewsKorea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/ )
Race to buy Hyundai Securities heats up with PEFs joining bid
A bidding race to take over South Korea’s brokerage Hyundai Securities Co. is heating up after 3 or 4 more private equity funds ...
GS Caltex Chairman Hur Dong-soo to leave board chairman position
South Korea’s second largest oil refiner GS Caltex Corp. Chairman Hur Dong-soo, dubbed “Mr. Oil”, is leaving the management ...
Hanwha Life Insurance exceeds $81 bn in total assets
Hanwha Life Insurance Co. became the second after Samsung Life Insurance Co. to accumulate 100 trillion won ($81 billion) in ...
S. Korean government assigns $4.4 billion to ramp up cultural contents industry
South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Financial Services Commission on Friday jointly announced that ...
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The Korea Post news:
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.Sabathilof 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.
PresidentKoh 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 rehabilitationcenters and cell treatment centers for the treatment of the local patients.
At present, the Hospital has coordinators who speak fluent foreign languagessuch 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 Instituteis 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 YoniseiSarangHospitalare 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 RehabilitationCenterof 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 DatoPaduka Haji ModhRosli Bin Haji Sabtu of Brunei Darussalam, Publisher-Chairman Lee Kyung-sik of The Korea Post,
Ambassadors Rodolfo SolancoQuiros of Costa Rica, Vikram Kumar Doraiswami of IndiaandDatoRohanabintiRamli of Malaysia;
Chief Executive Counselor Choi Soon-hong of LS IS and AmbassadorSylvestreKouassi Bile of Cote d'Ivoire
Attractive figurines and other art objects on display at the reception venue
Mrs. MahManeshTaherian (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, RamziTeymurov of Azerbaijan, Md. Zulfiqur Rahman of Bangladesh, NatalliaJhylevich of Belarus, Guadalupe Palomeque de Taboada of Bolivia, DatoPaduka Haji ModhRosli Bin Haji Sabtu of Brunei Darussalam , PetarAndonov of Bulgaria, Tito Saul PinillaPinilla of Colombia, Rodolfo SolancoQuiros of Costa Rica, SylvestreKouassi Bile of Cote d'Ivoire, GreciaFiodaliciaPichardo of Dominican Republic, Oscar Gustavo Herrera Gilbert of Ecuador, Milton Alcides Magana Herrera of El Salvador , Gerhard SABATHIL of Delegation of The Europan Union, MattiHeimonen of Finland, Carlos Victor Boungou of Gabon, Rolf Mafael of Germany, NikolozApkhazava of Georgia, Gabor Csaba of Hungary, Vikram Kumar Doraiswami of India, Bessho Koro of Japan, Omar Al Nahar of Jordan, Mohammed Chraibi of Morocco, DatoRohanabintiRamli 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 AndreevichTomonin 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 AbeywickremaGunasekera of Sri Lanka, JoergAloisReding of Switzerland, KiromovSalohiddin of Tajikistan (CDA), Mohamed Ali Nafti of Tunisia, HakanOkcal of Turkey, Andrea Veronica BaisGastaldi (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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