The Korean daily media headlines and humor

The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Your Excellency:

Here areThe Korea Post notices and a round-up 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 special notice:

As Your Excellency may have noticed, The Korea Post is no longer only an English monthly magazine. The Korea Post media is a small mass communications media group publishing:-

(1) a real time-updated Korean-language Internet daily (www.koreapost.co.kr)

(2) a Korean-language print biweekly newspaper (http://pdf.koreapost.co.kr/20/2001.pdf)

(3) an English Internet daily (www.koreapost.com)

(4) an English Daily Headlines

(5) an English monthly magazine.

All five media outlets are fully at the disposal of Your Excellency. Use them!

All Your Excellency has to do is: Call Chairman Lee at 010-5201-1740 and just give him your order!

Or send your information (with pix) to edt@koreapost.com to the attention of the Editor.

Very Respectfully Yours

/s/

Lee Kyung-sik

Publisher-Chairman

The Korea Post media

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The Korea Post feature on Poland on its Korean-language Internet site

One of the photos in a Korean-language feature article on the Polish ambassador couple:

Please visit: http://www.koreapost.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=18701

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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/)

Constitutional Court to Hold First Preparatory Hearing Thursday

The Constitutional Court reviewing the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye will hold the first preparatory hearing on Thursday.

Independent Council Team's Probe to Kick off Wednesday

A 70-day independent counsel investigation of the Choi Soon-sil scandal will officially begin on Wednesday.

Gov't Considers Earlier Winter Break Amid Flu Outbreak

Health authorities are considering moving up the beginning of winter vacations amid the record spread of influenza among school children.

Saenuri's Non-Park Group to Decide on Defection Wednesday

Large numbers of the ruling Saenuri Party, including its former leader Kim Moo-sung, plan to decide by Wednesday whether they will break away from the party.

Acting President: No Plan to Run for President

Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn says he has no intention at all of running for the presidency.

Finance Minister Hints at Lowering Growth Forecast for Next Year

South Korea plans to lower its economic growth forecast for next year.

KOSPI Advances; KOSDAQ Loses

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index(KOSPI) on Tuesday rose two-tenths of a percent to close at two-thousand-41.

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

Hanjin Shipping inks contract with MSC on Long Beach terminal sale

Hanjin Shipping Co., South Korea's largest but troubled shipping line, has signed a contract with a Geneva-based shipper MSC to sell its stake in the Long Beach Terminal in California, a court here said Tuesday.

Newly promoted football club acquires reigning MVP

Newly promoted football club Gangwon FC announced Wednesday they have acquired reigning league MVP Jung Jo-gook, adding another big name to its impressive list of offseason transactions.

Nearly 500 Ford cars to be recalled in S. Korea for faulty suspension

Ford Sales & Service Korea, the local importer and distributor of Ford vehicles, will recall certain model year Ford Explorer SUVs sold here for a problem related to the car...

Netmarble to acquire Kabam's Vancouver studio

Netmarble Games Corp., South Korea's leading mobile game developer and publisher, said Tuesday that it has agreed to take over Kabam's Vancouver studio, a deal estimated ...

S. Korea-China FTA bearing fruit: think tank

South Korea has benefited from its free trade agreement (FTA) with China in efforts to diversify trade items, a state-funded think tank here said Tuesday.

Nat'l team captain named top male footballer of 2016

The men's national football team captain Ki Sung-yueng was named the top South Korean male player of 2016 on Tuesday.

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

Blanked Saenuri reformers prepare to flee the party

The plausibility on the ruling Saenuri Party splitting took shape Tuesday as reformist nonmainstreamers gestured at defecting, following the pro-presidential group’s refusal to compromise over the interim party leadership.

Special probe into Choi scandal kicks off

The independent counsel looking into the corruption scandal surrounding President Park Geun-hye and her confidante Choi Soon-sil wrapped up its 20 days of preparation Tuesday, kicking off its official investigation in tandem with Park’s impeachment trial.

Hwang rules out Blue House bid

Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn on Tuesday ruled out the possibility of his presidential bid amid growing doubts on his interim leadership and speculation over his ambition for next year’s election.

Trump blames terrorists for killings in Turkey, Berlin

Jumping ahead of investigators, President-elect Donald Trump is blaming Islamic terrorism for deadly violence in Turkey and Germany and vowing anew to eradicate their regional and global networks.

China returns US underwater drone seized in South China Sea

China on Tuesday handed back to the United States an underwater drone it had seized last week in an incident that raised tensions in a relationship that has been tested by President-elect Donald Trump's signals of a tougher policy toward Beijing.

Berlin police chief says 'uncertain' Pakistani suspect behind attack

Berlin's police chief voiced doubt Tuesday that a detained Pakistani man was behind a deadly truck rampage through crowds at a Christmas market, which would mean the perpetrator remains at large.

Hyundai, Kia to go full force on SUVs and NEVs next year

Hyundai Motor Group wrapped up its year-end strategy meeting on Tuesday, with plans to expand its SUV and new energy vehicle lines next year.

Statue to honor ‘Korean Schindler’

Hyun Bong-Hak, the late doctor and civic activist who saved thousands of civilians during the Korean War, was commemorated Monday with a statue in front of the Severance Building in central Seoul

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

WORST flu sweeps Korea: 152 out of 1,000 students stricken

The worst seasonal flu outbreak in two decades is raging across the country, leaving many people coughing and sneezing and hospitals and drug stores bursting with patients seeking medication.

KT&G cigarettes smuggled into S. America, messing up local market

Billions of KT&G Esse and Pine cigarette brands have been smuggled into Chile, Guatemala and other South American nations this year, distorting the region's tobacco market, according to industry officials there Tuesday.

'South Koran diplomat also raped 12-year-old girl in Chile'

A South Korean diplomat in Chile accused of sexually assaulting teenage girls was summoned home, Tuesday, to face questioning by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to diplomatic sources.

Bird flu threatens endangered species

The outbreak of avian flu is threatening hundreds of bird species native to Korea and endangered birds at major zoos.

Damage from avian flu outbreak to reach record high

South Korea is set to face record damage from the latest outbreak of avian influenza (AI) with more than 10 percent of all poultry here already slaughtered for infection or in preventive measures, a report suggested Tuesday.

Bird flu adding to inflation pressure

The spread of the H5N6 avian influenza strain and related quarantine measures are pulling up consumer prices for eggs and other foods. With vegetable prices having already soared due to record heat and drought in summer, the recent hike is tightening household budgets and threatening small food businesses.

Special investigation team begins probe Wednesday

The special investigation team will officially launch its investigation into the influence-peddling scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her friend Choi Soon-sil on Wednesday.

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Dong-A Ilbo (http://english.donga.com)

Deadly attack in Christmas Market in Germany

A large truck rushed to the crowd enjoying Christmas shopping in Berlin on Monday night, a week before Christmas, killing at least 12 people and injuring 48, the Associated Press reported. It appears to be a terrorist attack targeting civilians.

‘N. Korea is nearing deployment of SLBM for combat,’ says Defense White Paper

"The Defense White Paper 2016" to be published by the South Korean defense ministry at the end of this month is reportedly set to keep the expression‎ "the North Korean regime and the North Korean military are our main enemy.

Hundreds of articles left by U.S. correspondent return to Korea

Hundreds of pieces of items related to Dilkusha (see photo) including those left by Albert Taylor and his wife have returned to Korea. Albert Taylor was a United Press International’s Seoul correspondent who reported the March 1 independent movement against Japanese colonial rule and the massacre in a church in Jaeamri. Dilkusa is a two-story residence with a basement in Seoul and he lived in the house for almost 20 years until 1942.

Chun In-gee displays warm heart through sharing

A senior at the department of international sports science at Korea University, Chun will graduate from the school in February next year. “I have been completely tied up these days. I have to do study that I put off due to participation in overseas tours, and take the final exam," she said. "I will finish my final exam with a sports Japanese test tomorrow, and I have mixed feelings of freedom and sadness. My friends helped me out a lot.”

Sanwoolim CEO to win the top culture and art award

"I didn't engage in theatrical performance to earn reputation or for money. I did it out of pure enthusiasm and I really appreciate that I'm given an award," said Im Yeong-woong, CEO of theater company Sanwoolim, who has devoted 60 years in producing plays. He is receiving a Golden Order of Culture Merit, a top award given to culture and arts person of merit.

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. North Korean construction worker A works at an apartment construction site near Doha, Qatar. We visited the site at around 7 p.m. at the end of October.

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

Choi Soon-sil Denies All Charges as Trial Starts

Choi Soon-sil, the woman at the center of a massive scandal that has brought down President Park Geun-hye, on Monday entered a plea of not guilty to all charges of corruption and abuse of power.

1/3 of Elderly Workers Make Less Than Minimum Wage

Three in every 10 workers over 55 make less than the minimum wage, a report says.

Air Passenger Traffic Exceeds 100 Million

Annual air passenger traffic in Korea has crossed the 100 million mark for the first time, 68 years after the first commercial airline started services.

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Hankyoreh Shinmoon (http://english.hani.co.kr)

In first hearing, Choi Sun-sil changes her tune, says she did nothing wrong

On Dec. 19, on the fourth anniversary of Park Geun-hye’s election as president, Park, her close aides and her confidante each began seeking their own way out of their predicament.

Park and Choi trying to paint themselves as fools, not villains

In a hearing in the Choi Sun-sil influence-peddling case at Seoul Central District Court on Dec. 19, Choi denied all of the charges filed against her by the prosecutors. Choi opted for the opposite strategy of former Blue House personal secretary Jung Ho-seong, whose trial began on the same day and who admitted to most of the charges against him.

Special prosecution team still mulling a raid on the Blue House

The special prosecution team led by lawyer Park Young-soo is reviewing its legal options in the event that the Blue House refuses to allow a search of the premises.

Minjoo Party announces platform inspired by candlelight revolution

The opposition Minjoo Party has announced a policy platform for the “candlelight revolution” that seeks to require the president’s schedule to be made public and to institute a recall system for the president and lawmakers. This platform is thought to be an effort to reverse policies pushed through by the current administration during the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye as well as a roadmap to gaining power in the upcoming presidential election.

Citizens become the think tanks amid calls for various reforms

The chief driving force behind the “November candlelight revolution” was the public’s anger toward President Park Geun-hye and her associates. It was a rage rooted in experiences with widespread inequality and oppression in daily life. With their calls for Park’s resignation, the ordinary people who took to Gwanghwamun Square to demonstrate brought to the surface a range of issues experienced directly and indirectly in South Korean society, from the preferential treatment extended to Jung Yu-ra in her university admission to the politicization of the prosecutors and government-business collusion. Now that Park has been impeached, the candle-carrying public’s attention is likely to turn to these areas for reform.

Worst-ever avian influenza outbreak exposing holes in government’s prevention system

The ravages of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N6 AI) have far surpassed the cumulative damages from six months in 2014 one month since breaking out. 2014 held the previous record for the worst year of damages in South Korean history.

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

Top diplomat defector will take a public role in the South

Thae Yong-ho, the senior North Korean diplomat who defected to the South with his family in August, will begin public activities starting Friday. The former deputy ambassador in London says he wants to dedicate his life to reunification.

Choi’s Germany trip was on Samsung

Samsung Electronics, the country’s largest listed company, picked up the tab for a sojourn by Choi Soon-sil, the controversial friend of President Park Geun-hye, and her daughter to Germany last year, the JoongAng Ilbo learned Tuesday.

Hyundai is member of self-driving auto group

Hyundai Motor has joined a 27-member multinational consortium created to develop autonomous driving technology. The top Korean automaker is the only Korean member of what is expected to be the largest global consortium working on the technology.

Unemployed, young face an uphill battle

The decline of Geoje and Gumi bears more meaning than mere regional economic stagnation. In fact, the backlash over delayed industrial reformation is finally materializing, even taking its toll on the region as well as the nation.

Family debt outpacing income

Average household income is growing at a slower rate than household debt, the government said Wednesday, as Koreans are spending a fourth of their earnings on principal and interest.

Hyundai, Kia execs plan strategy

Executives of Hyundai Motor Group’s global branches mulled strategies for 2017 amid a weak global economy and shrinking car demand during annual year-end meetings.

Netmarble to acquire bulk of assets in Kabam

Korea’s Netmarble Games is set to acquire a majority of assets from American game developer Kabam, including its Vancouver studio responsible for the global hit “Marvel: Contest of Champions.”

In shipbuilding towns, turmoil takes toll

GEOJE, South Gyeongsang - Just a few years ago, the sound from factories by the coastline running at full capacity day and night filled Dong District in Ulsan. Now, with the nation’s shipbuilding industry in crisis, it’s not uncommon to see some of them completely shut down.

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Kyunghyang Shinmoon (http://english.khan.co.kr/)

We Need a Hearing for the Members of the Special Parliamentary Investigation Committee

Allegations have been raised that some members of the Special Committee for the Parliamentary Investigation of the "Choi Soon-sil Case"―pro-Park lawmakers of the Saenuri Party―met with Choi's close aides and plotted perjury during the parliamentary hearing. Some even criticized that Cheong Wa Dae and the pro-Park members tried to cover up the latest scandal and attempted to manipulate the parliamentary investigation to protect President Park Geun-hye ahead of the investigation by the special prosecutor and the Constitutional Court's ratification of impeachment.

Once "Sincerely Sorry," Choi Soon-sil Changes Attitude, "Now the Truth Will Be Revealed"

It was 2:20 p.m. on December 19. Choi Soon-sil (60) dressed in a light brown prison uniform numbered 628 entered courtroom No. 417 at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-dong, Seoul for the preliminary meeting of the first trial in connection to the "Park Geun-hye, Choi Soon-sil scandal." This was the first time that Choi appeared in public wearing a prison uniform since she was arrested on October 31. When the camera flashes burst and over a hundred people watched her from the audience, Choi seemed intimidated and lowered her head. Choi's lawyer, Lee Kyung-jae stood up and escorted her to her seat. Choi bit her dry lips and let out a sigh. When Judge Kim Se-yun asked Choi, "Do you work in leasing real estate?" Choi answered, "Yes."

“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. Yet, she failed to present a specific explanation to convince the people about her leaking of confidential Cheong Wa Dae documents and the forced donations for the MI-R Foundation and the K-Sports Foundation. Rather, her reply undermined the results of the prosecutors‘ investigation and the press coverage. President Park referred to the indictment of Choi Soon-sil (60) attached to the impeachment proposal and criticized it as “simply a record of the prosecutors’ opinions.” As for the press, which raised allegations, she concluded, “In a stormy situation, they recklessly raised expose-like allegations.”

Meeting for Reforms Canceled, National Assembly Calls for Disbandment: Federation of Korean Industries Cornered

The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), currently facing a life-or-death crisis, is seeking a way to survive, but is crashing into obstacles all over. After being cited as the key link encouraging the cozy relations between the political circle and businesses, a series of member companies have declared their departure from the federation, and as the remaining members take caution, the federation is facing problems in even collecting opinions. On top of that, the National Assembly is calling for the disbandment of the federation and talking about withdrawing the government's permission of incorporation, driving FKI to a corner.

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. In short, none of the constitutional and legal violations are true and the president knew absolutely nothing about the corruption carried out by Choi Soon-sil. President Park denied all the allegations about her violating the Constitution stated in the impeachment proposal.

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

Japan to Raise "Aged Person" Definition to 70 from 65

Japan will kickstart discussions on raising the standard age to be considered an "old person" to 70 from 65 in earnest. This is intended to keep the number of working populations from decreasing too much too fast so that the government can maintain its fiscal solvency by minimizing pension obligatio...

It's Time for Gov't to Revise 50 Year Old Definition of Old Age

It has been years for the Japanese government to try to minimize the economic shock from the aging trend by raising the aged person definition by five years to 70. For Korea, there is still room for policy preparations. Still it is not the time to be complacent as Korea's aging trend is faster than ...

Average Household Debt Balance Reaches $56,000...Statistical Bureau

The financial burden for households to pay back their debts has increased year by year. A recent study said the average ratio of debt service payments to household income was 27 percent last year. This is the highest level in four years. That's largely because more people took out mortgage loans to ...

"Masan Goliath" Sold in Bargain Price to Romania

A 700-ton large gantry crane at Sungdong Heavy Industries' Masan Shipyard in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, was sold to a shipyard in Romania. This indicates that the Korean version of the "Tears of Malmo" situation is happening here and there in Korea as the nation's major shipyards mired in...

Korea-China FTA Marks First Anniversary without Good Results

The Korea-China Free Trade Agreement marked the first anniversary on December 20. However, it made little significant contribution to the increase in the bilateral trade between the two countries. Rather, Korea's shipments to China fell by more than 10 percent since the passage of the Korea-China FT...

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

Cable drama 'Goblin' becomes cultural wave in S. Korea

"Goblin", a new weekend cable TV series, has created a new trend, posting a high viewership and boosting sales of related songs and books together.

Actor Park Bo-gum chosen as Coca Cola model

Actor Park Bo-gum has been chosen to become the next Coca-Cola model in South Korea, an advertising agency said Wednesday.

Hanjin faces liquidation after Long Beach terminal sale

South Korea's embattled container carrier, Hanjin Shipping, faces liquidation after a bankruptcy court approved the proposed sale of its stake in a terminal in California to a Geneva-based shipper.

S. Korea's 25th nuclear power plant put into commercial operation

South Korea's 25th nuclear power plant was put into commercial operation Tuesday, using a new home-made reactor called "APR 1400" which has been exported to the United Arab Emirates.

Rangers' Choo Shin-soo wants to play at World Baseball Classic: Yonhap

Texas Rangers' outfielder Choo Shin-soo will ask his club to allow him to play at next year's World Baseball Classic (WBC), the player's representative said Tuesday.

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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