The Korean daily media headlines and humor

The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Your Excellency:

Here areThe Korea Postnoticesandaroundup of important headlines from all major Korean-language dailies, TV and other news media of Korea today:

Very Respectfully Yours

/s/

Lee Kyung-sik

Publisher-Chairman

Korea Post Media

The Korea Post News

A young and woman (second and third from left, foreground) walk on the street on an Indonesian island wearing a ‘confession’ sign disclosing that they have stolen a bicycle.

On an Indonesian island

Punishing the erring ones the Indonesian island way

An Australian couple suspected of having stolen a bicycle was punished the Indonesian way.

According to a report this morning by popular Korean-language daily, Dong-A Ilbo, the Australian man and woman were caught red-handed while stealing a bicycle on Dec. 11, 2016.

The suspected ‘erring ones’then were expelled from the Indonesian Island ofLombok (phonetic). The Australian couple were caught ‘red-handed’ by a CCTV which watched live the couple stealing the bicycle.

The Indonesian island is so small that the residents do not have a police organization and therefore the peace and security of the islanders were maintained by a self-governed safety-securitybody.

The punishment is given to anyone committing a crime with no discrimination between the visitors and indigenous people on the island.

Seven to nine cases of such punishment are known to take place throughout a year, according to Dang-A.

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What’s ticking in Korea today?Here is a quick roundup of important news stories from the major Korean news media today:

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

UN General Assembly Adopts N. Korean Human Rights Resolution by Consensus

Anchor: The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution accusing North Korea of continuing human rights abuses extensively despite repeated warnings from the international community. This year's resolution, in particular, includes wording urging for the need to punish the North's "leadership." Mina Cha has more.

S. Korea, Angola Hold First Defense Minister' Talks

South Korea and Angola have held defense talks for the first time since the formation of their diplomatic ties 24 years ago.

Prosecutors Say 'Beautiful Woman' is Authentic

Prosecutors say a controversial painting by late artist Chun Kyung-ja is an authentic work, despite consistent claims by the artist that it was a fake.

Trade Minister: S. Korea's Exports to Rebound in Q4

Trade Minister Joo Hyung-hwan expects South Korea’s exports to rebound in the fourth quarter for the first time in two years.

S. Korea-China FTA to Mark 1st Year Anniversary Tuesday

The government says although South Korean exports to China shrank in the past year, the fall in exports benefitting from the Seoul-Beijing free trade agreement(FTA) narrowed.

Anti-Park Faction Recommends Yoo Seong-min as Interim Saenuri Leader

Ruling Saenuri lawmakers critical of President Park Geun-hye have agreed that Representative Yoo Seong-min should lead the party’s interim leadership council.

Park's Attorneys Ask Court to Ban Disclosure of Trial-related Documents

President Park Geun-hye’s attorneys have asked the Constitutional Court to prohibit disclosure of documents related to the her impeachment trial.

S. Korea Returns Rescued Crew to N. Korea

The Unification Ministry says eight North Korean sailors recently rescued by South Korean Coast Guard officials in the East Sea have been repatriated to the North.

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

Truck slams into broadcasting firm at center of Park's impeachment

A truck driven by a South Korean man in his 40s slammed into the main gate of broadcasting channel JTBC on Monday, whose initial reports on President Park Geun-hye's alleged documents leaks led to her impeachment earlier in the month.

SME loans from nonbank lenders soar amid restructuring

A growing number of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea are turning to high-interest loans from nonbank lenders as banks tighten their loan screening, data showed Tuesday.

Newly promoted football club makes another signing

Newly promoted football club Gangwon FC announced yet another acquisition Tuesday.

Producer prices up in Nov. on rising prices of agricultural products

South Korea's producer prices rose slightly last month from a year earlier due to hikes in the prices of steel and agricultural and fisheries goods, the central bank said Tuesday.

Woman at center of scandal denies all charges at first court hearing

The close friend of President Park Geun-hye who is at the center of an influence-peddling scandal that has led to the president's impeachment appeared at her first court hearing Monday and denied all charges raised.

Korean language studies increasingly popular in India

A growing number of people in India are studying Korean to help themselves find jobs or pursue further studies in the East Asian country, officials here said Monday.

Hyundai Merchant expects profitability to improve slightly in Q1: CEO

Hyundai Merchant Marine Co., a major shipping line here, expects its profitability to improve slightly in the first quarter of next year on the back of an improvement in freight rates and its cost-cutting measures, its chief said Monday.

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

Choi Soon-sil appears at court, denies charges

Choi Soon-sil, President Park Geun-hye’s longtime friend at the center of an influence-peddling and corruption scandal, appeared at court Monday for her first hearing and denied all the charges against her.

Seoul pulls out stops to halt AI

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Monday a set of countermeasures to stop a highly pathogenic bird flu strain that is spreading toward the capital at an unprecedented pace.

A year in practice, Korea-China trade deal brings limited effect

A free trade agreement between South Korea and China has brought fewer benefits than anticipated since it came into force a year ago.

Is South Korea thawing to conscientious objection?

Lee Yong-suk, a fervent peace advocate who objects any form of violence, never imagined himself behind bars. But in the summer of 2006, that’s exactly where he ended up.

Ban ratchets up criticism of Park

Ever since the United Nations’ Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hinted at his potential bid for the 2017 presidential election, it has been speculated that he would run on a ticket led by President Park Geun-hye and her loyalists from the ruling Saenuri Party.

US congressmen reaffirm unwavering support for alliance with S. Korea

A group of United States congressmen reaffirmed Monday that their support for a strong South Korea-US alliance will remain unwavering in any circumstance, a pledge which came after President Park Geun-hye's impeachment earlier in the month.

Lawmaker: Ex-N. Korea diplomat fled due to 'reign of terror'

A high-profile North Korean defector told South Korean lawmakers on Monday that he fled because of disillusionment with what he describes as a “tyrannical reign of terror” by leader Kim Jong-un, according to one of the lawmakers who attended their private meeting.

French chamber fetes thriving ties with Korea

Marking the 130th anniversary of bilateral ties and 30th anniversary of founding, the French Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a gala on Dec. 10 in Seoul that spotlighted its feats and future.

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

Choi Soon-sil denies collusion with President

Choi Soon-sil, the central figure of the influence-peddling scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her associates, denied all the charges against her, including the allegation of collusion with Park and her key aides, at her first court hearing Tuesday.

YBM, PAGODA fined for false advertising

Korea's top foreign language learning websites have been fined for using deceptive and exaggerated advertisements, according to the Fair Trade Commission (FTC).

13 foreigners among toxic sterilizer victims

Thirteen foreign residents reported health problems allegedly from toxic humidifier sterilizers, a civic environmental health organization said Sunday.

2nd strain adds to bird flu epidemic

A second strain of avian influenza has been found in addition to an already reported one, accelerating the unprecedentedly fast-spreading epidemic.

'Pro-Park lawmakers abetted perjury'

Another Saenuri Party lawmaker allegedly told a witness in the corruption investigation of President Park Geun-hye and her friend Choi Soon-sil to give false testimony about key evidence during a National Assembly hearing.

DPK begins preping for 2017 race

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) will begin discussions this week on how to select a candidate for a possible early presidential election, party officials said Monday.

Independent counsel to raid presidential office

The independent counsel team investigating the Choi Soon-sil scandal plans to search President Park Geun-hye's office.

Chun's artwork is genuine: prosecution

The late artist Chun Kyung-ja's "Beautiful Woman" was appraised as genuine by the prosecution Monday, putting an end to the largest forgery scandal in Korean art history since the painting surfaced in 1991.

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Dong-AIlbo (http://english.donga.com)

Working 14 hours a day brings N. Korean workers only 0 a month

Darkness falls but he still wears a work uniform. His height was less than 160 centimeters and he could not hide his skinny body, although he wore both orange work clothes and an orange florescent safety vast.

Live broadcasting heralds a new era for classical music in Korea

In November this year, a showcase was held at the Mozart Hall in Seocho-gu to celebrate the release of the first studio album of Korean star pianist Cho Seong-jin. The hall’s capacity reached only about 200 seats, but the showcase was watched by some 80,000 people.

Park Tae-hwan returns with his 3 world championship gold medals

I learned important lessons not only about swimming but also about life itself while preparing everything on my own. It was a chance for me to appreciate all the help that I got from so many people," said Park Tae-hwan

Oil contaminated underground water found near Yongsan US base

Pollution of underground water around the U.S. Army base in Yongsan, Seoul, which will be returned to Korea at the end of next year, still remains very serious, a survey found.

Additional artificial fish-reef to block Chinese dragnet fishing boats

Additional artificial fish banks will be installed undersea to prohibit Chinese fishing boats from illegally operating across the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the West Sea.

All new housings to comply with earthquake-proof standards

Starting as early as July next year, all newly constructed houses must apply earthquake-resistant designs. Furthermore, regardless of levels or area, hospitals, schools, nursing homes and kindergartens should also be designed to weather earthquakes.

N. Korean sailors rescued in 3 ships adrift in East Sea

Three North Korean ships including fishing boats have been discovered in succession by South Korean military and police, while they were adrift.

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

Park to Fight Impeachment Until the Bitter End

President Park Geun-hye on Friday submitted a 24-page written statement to the Constitutional Court disputing every count of the impeachment bill against her.

More Koreans Dine Out Alone

Koreans dine out alone 6.5 times a month on average, according to a survey, and those in their 20s 7.8 times.

In the survey of 3,040 people by Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corporation, 56.5 percent said they have eaten out alone in the past month.

Rivals Samsung, LG Eye Historic Battery Deal

Samsung plans to use batteries from LG Chemical in smartphones starting next year in a deal that could break decades of bitter deadlock between the two conglomerates.

Seoul, Tokyo Share Intel on N.Korea's Nukes

Seoul and Tokyo have already started sharing intelligence on North Korea's nuclear weapons and missiles under a bilateral pact that went into effect on Nov. 23.

Korean Air Pilots to Strike for Higher Pay

Unionized Korean Air pilots go on strike for the first time in 11 years this week. Management and the pilots union have been locked in a disagreement over pay rises since the end of last year.

Kia's Niro Hybrid SUV Sets Fuel-Efficiency Record in U.S.

Kia's Niro hybrid SUV set a Guinness World Record for the lowest fuel consumption driving across the U.S. from coast to coast in a hybrid car.

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HanKyoReh-Shinmoon (http://english.hani.co.kr)

Pres. Park defending Choi Sun-sil’s government interference, dragging out impeachment

President Park Geun-hye’s legal team wrote in a response to the Constitutional Court’s impeachment review that confidante Choi Sun-sil’s involvement in state affairs amounted to “less than one percent of the President’s total governance duties,” and that even that involvement was “permissible in terms of social norms.”

Targeting Park’s bribery and Samsung, special prosecutors’ investigation to start

On Dec. 21, the special prosecution team led by Park Young-soo will be holding a “signboard-hanging ceremony,” signaling the official start of its investigation. Within the next week, South Koreans are likely to get answers for some of their biggest questions about the investigation, such as whom the prosecutors will be questioning first.

How and why South Korea’s young people organized a teenager revolution

On the afternoon of Dec. 17, a cluster of teenagers were standing in front of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts at Gwanghwamun Square holding placards that said “Lock up Park Geun-hye.” They were separated by a line of riot police from middle-aged women carrying the South Korean flag along with signs that said, “Overturn the impeachment.”

Domestic manufacturing drop-off means surplus investment of over $71 billion

A continued drop-off in growth for South Korea’s mainstay manufacturing industries has resulted in surplus investment amounting to over US$71 billion, a recent analysis found.

With ongoing uncertainty, economic growth could fall to just over 2%

As projections for South Korea’s economic growth rate next year continue to fall, analysts are losing confidence that the rate will stay above 2%.

Fifth anniversary of Kim Jong-il’s death passing uneventfully in North Korea

The fifth anniversary of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s death passed uneventfully on Dec. 17. The South Korean and US governments had been on the alert for signs of strategic military activities by the North for the occasion.

770,000 candles still burning for Pres. Park’s immediate resignation

The eighth candlelight rally calling for the resignation of President Park Geun-hye took place in central Seoul on Dec. 17. With conservative groups holding counter protests opposing Park’s impeachment, the police worked hard to prevent a clash between the two groups.

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JoongAng-Ilbo(conservative) (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/)

Choi denies all the charges against her

Choi Soon-sil, the prime suspect in the unprecedented political scandal involving her undue influence over state affairs through President Park Geun-hye, denied all charges Monday as she stood in the courtroom for her trial.

Korea’s FTA with China does little to expand trade

A valve manufacturer mentioned only as company K was one of the companies that benefited from the bilateral trade agreement made between Korea and China, the government said Monday.

Prosecutors say ‘Beautiful Woman’ is real; family says no

The prosecutors concluded that Chun Kyung-ja’s painting, “Beautiful Woman,” is authentic, going against the allegation by the artist herself during her lifetime and her descendants that the painting is a forgery. Still, the 25-year-old controversy might not end, as Chun’s descendants said they would make an appeal, citing the French art experts Lumiere Technology’s inspection result.

Samsung pushes ahead with strategy meeting

Up to 500 executives of Samsung Electronics are meeting for three days starting Monday to review output from this year’s second half and establish business strategies for 2017.

Fewer Koreans practicing religion

Koreans are slowly moving away from religion, the government said Monday. At the same time, the number of people paying monthly rent has surpassed the number with lump-sum deposit contracts.

Naver, Mirae Asset establish start-up fund

Naver, the country’s top search engine operator, has launched an investment fund worth 100 billion won ($84 million) with Mirae Asset Financial Group as part of an initiative to support the development of future growth engines, the company said Monday.

Online payments pick up steam

Online payment services, especially through mobile, are gaining more ground in Korea, according to the latest report from the Bank of Korea (BOK), which showed the number of transactions and amount of money transferred through online payment methods increased during the third quarter.

Lotte looks toward a comeback

It’d be an understatement to say 2016 hasn’t been a good year for Lotte Group, the nation’s fifth-largest conglomerate. A family feud over management succession and an ongoing investigation into alleged business malpractices have forced the group to pause many of its ambitious projects.

Dead storks found in a park near Seoul had AI virus

Two storks found dead at Seoul Grand Park on Friday were infected with the H5N6 avian influenza virus (AI), the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Monday.

Local casinos hedge their bets

Japan’s recent decision to allow casinos into the country is casting a shadow over Korea’s casino industry.

On Thursday, the Japanese government passed a bill to permit casinos in the country, which has been strongly pushed by the Shinzo Abe administration as a way to boost tourism in line with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Low-cost airlines offer even larger discounts

Low-cost air carriers are gearing up for New Year demands, offering discounts on a number of domestic and international routes.

CJ Korex pursues joint venture in Philippines

CJ Korea Express, the country’s largest logistics company, is establishing a joint corporation in the Philippines with a local partner in a bid to expand its presence in Southeast Asia.

Diplomat in Chile caught seducing ‘minor’

A Korean diplomat based in Chile is in hot water after being caught on camera sexually harassing an apparently underage local girl.

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

Park Geun-hye “The Company Owned by the Father of Chung Yoo-ra‘s Friend Supplied Parts to Hyundai Motors. It Was a Way to Support SMEs”

President Park Geun-hye referred to the grounds of the National Assembly’s impeachment as “allegations” in her response to the impeachment case, which she submitted to the Constitutional Court.

A Shameless President Who Denied All Grounds for Impeachment with an Absurd Argument

The response that President Park Geun-hye submitted to the Constitutional Court in connection to her impeachment was released. The president‘s argument against the impeachment is simply absurd.

Park Geun-hye Constitutional Court Speeds up and Demands Special Prosecutor and Prosecutors' Office to Submit Investigation Records

On December 15, the Constitutional Court requested the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, which had operated the special investigation team for the "Park Geun-hye, Choi Soon-sil scandal," and special prosecutor Park Young-soo "to send the investigation records concerning the grounds to impeach President Park Geun-hye."

Shameless Pro-Park Politicians Going Against the Public

The pro-Park members of the Saenuri Party, who make up the party‘s mainstream, are confronting the “candlelight” public sentiment head-on. The members opted to stubbornly resist, refusing to reflect on their responsibility in the “Park Geun-hye, Choi Soon-sil scandal” and to let go of their power.

The Shamelessness of the Pro-Park Members that Ruined the Party, Step Down Along with President Park

After the National Assembly passed the impeachment vote, the battle between the pro-Park members and the non-Park members within the Saenuri Party has intensified. The pro-Park members urgently gathered late Sunday night and formed a “coalition of conservatives seeking innovation and integration” and have been attacking the non-Park members.

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

Minjoo Party to Demand Gov't to Give up THAAD and Comfort Women Agreement

The opposition Minjoo Party will demand that the government and the ruling party give up the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) anti-ballistic missile defense system and the agreement on "comfort women" with the Japanese government.

Gov't to Import Eggs for First Time in the Face of Bird Flu Pandemic

As the number of poultry culled since the avian flu epidemic swept Korea approaches 20 million, the government has intervened by announcing it would strengthen preventive measures. In addition, it will try to stabilize egg prices by importing eggs for the first time in history.

Ratio of Unmarried People in Their 30s Hits 36%

The share of men and women in their 30s who are not married has increased by 7 percentage points within the past five years. About 25 percent of women with a graduate school degree has not been married.

SK Chemicals Succeeds in Getting Canadian Approval for Its Hemophilia Drug "Afstyla"

SK Chemicals said on December 18 that it has successfully won approval to sell its hemophilia drug called "Afstyla" from the Canadian health authorities. Afstyla is a proprietary drug to treat the rare hemophilia A condition.

Hanwha, Lotte Chemical, SK Hynix to Benefit from Higher Demands for Ethylene and Computer Chips

Domestic securities firms said over the weekend that one needs to focus on stocks expected for industry recovery and individual stock performance improvement, recommending companies like Hanwha Chemical, Lotte Chemical, SK Hynix, and LG Display as promising stocks to invest.

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

Outgoing UN chief criticized lack of 'good governance' in S. Korea

Breaking from his temperate indifference about politics in his homeland, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has made critical remarks on what he described as the lack of "good governance" surrounding President Park Geun-hye.

Girl group TWICE scores big pre-orders for winter special album

Girl group TWICE's popularity is skyrocketing. And the girls have sold hundreds of thousands of copies of their winter special version of "TWICEcoaster: Lane1" on pre-orders.

CheilJedang vows to double animal feed production in Southeast Asia

CJ CheilJedang, a major South Korean food and food service company, vowed to double the production of animal feed in Southeast Asia by 2020, citing the region's growing meat demand.

K-pop culture plays role in defection of senior N. Korean diplomat

The international spread of South Korea's pop culture wave "Hallyu" has played a role in the defection of a senior North Korean diplomat who has arrived in Seoul with his family, according to lawmakers.

Tottenham's Son Heung-min voted best S. Korean forward: Yonhap

Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min has been voted the top South Korean attacker of 2016 by fans.

The Korea Football Association (KFA) announced the results of its year-end fan polls on Monday, with Son earning 3,456 votes, or 53.9 percent, as the best offensive player of the year.

Nuclear disaster film sweeps S. Korean Box-office

"Pandora", a nuclear disaster movie, has swept the third weekend of December's Box-office by hoarding a total of 3.1 million accumulated viewers.

S. Korea prosecutors reject French evaluation of 'Beautiful Woman'

Prosecutors sided with local art appraisers Monday to rebut an evaluation by their French counterparts that "Beautiful Woman" by one of South Korea's most renowned artists is probably a forgery

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Maeil Business News Korea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/)

What’s ticking around the world at this second?

See what the world media around the world have to report:

USA Today:www.usatoday.com aallman@gannett.com

The New York Times:www.nytimes.com inytletters@nytimes.com

Wall Street Journal: www.wsj.com support@wsj.com ,service@wsj-asia.com

Financial Times www.ft.com ean@ft.com

timeswww.thetimes.co.uk help@timesplus.co.uk

The Sun www.thesun.co.uk talkback@the-sun.co.uk

Chinese People's Dailywww.people.com.cn kf@people.cn

China Dailywww.chinadaily.com.cn circulation@chinadaily.com.cn

GwangmyeongDailywww.gmw.cn webmaster@gmw.cn

Japan's Yomiuriwww.yomiuri.co.jp japannews@yomiuri.com

asahiwww.asahi.com customer-support@asahi.com

mainichiwww.mainichi.jp

lemondewww.ilemonde.com

Italy rarepupeul Rica www.quotidiano.repubblica.it vittorio.zucconi@gmail.com

Germany Frankfurter AllgemeineZeitungwww.faz.net anzeigen.ausland@faz.de

SüddeutscheZeitungwww.sueddeutsche.de forum@sueddeutsche.de

Australia Brisbane Times www.brisbanetimes.com.au syndication@fairfaxmedia.com.au

Sydney Morning Heraldwww.smh.com.au

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