Thursday, October 15, 2020
Round-up of important news from major Korean dailies and from international media today
The Korea Post (http://www.koreapost.com/)
Leaving Dulles Airport
It was 11:15 in the morning when Chŏng-suk and her family arrived at Dulles Airport. Because security procedures had been tightened following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, they had come early to allow ample time for them to check-in for their Korean Air Line flight that would depart at 2 o’clock that afternoon.
As soon as they got out of the car, Chŏng-suk waved her hands in a gesture of farewell. “Now we can go by ourselves from here. You just go back home. Go!”
But her daughter and son-in-law ignored her command. “No, no, it’s okay,” they said as they walked on ahead, pulling the luggage.
Heir apparent Chung Eui-sun promoted to chairman of Hyundai Motor Group
Chung Eui-sun, senior vice chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, took office as the group's chairman on Oct.14.
Hyundai Motor Co., Kia Motors Corp. and Hyundai Mobis held an extraordinary board meeting earlier in the day and reported on Chung's appointment as chairman. The board of directors of each company fully agreed and expressed their support, Hyundai Motor Group explained.
Chung Mong-koo, who has grown Hyundai Motor Group into the world's fifth-largest automotive group in just 10 years since its launch, has been named the group's honorary chairman.
'Korea ranks 1st in forest management in the world,' FAO says
Comparing the results of forest management over the past 25 years (1990~2015), the Committee on Forestry (COFO) of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Oct. 12 that Korea is the world's No. 1 forest management in terms of "forest tress accumulation growth rate."
The Korea Forest Service (KFS), led by Minister Park Chong-ho, is participating in the global event held in Rome, Italy.
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KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)
Defense Chiefs of S. Korea, US Discuss OPCON Transfer
The defense chiefs of South Korea and the United States on Wednesday discussed pending security issues including the transfer of wartime operational control(OPCON) of South Korean troops from Washington to Seoul.
South Korean Defense Minister Suh Wook and his U.S. counterpart, Mark Esper, issued a joint statement after their annual Security Consultative Meeting(SCM) at the Pentagon in Washington.
15% of Free Flu Vaccines Allocated for Teens to be Used for Children
Health authorities allowed local governments to reallocate some of the free flu vaccines currently set aside for teenagers as some pediatric hospitals are experiencing a shortage of vaccines for children.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency(KDCA) made the decision after local governments requested a permit to use flu vaccines purchased by the government in order to address the shortage for children under the age of 12.
Pompeo: US Diplomacy on N. Korea 'Successful'
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday that his country's diplomacy on North Korea has proven absolutely successful, noting the North conducted no missile tests over the past two years.
Pompeo made the remarks during a virtual press briefing when asked about a new intercontinental ballistic missile unveiled by North Korea in its recent military parade.
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Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
New virus cases again up by double digits; new cluster infection reported in Busan
South Korea's new virus cases rose by double digits Wednesday amid concerns that a new cluster infection in the southeastern port city of Busan could potentially lead to a mass outbreak.
The country added 84 more COVID-19 cases, including 53 local infections, raising the total caseload to 24,889, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). It marked a fall from 102 cases reported on Tuesday.
Over 50 infections reported from nursing hospital in Busan
More than 50 patients and workers at a nursing hospital in Busan have been diagnosed with COVID-19, municipal authorities said Wednesday, in the southern port city's latest coronavirus cluster.
The authorities said 43 patients of the Busan nursing hospital, located in the city's Mandeok neighborhood, and its 10 staff members tested positive for the new coronavirus. One of the infected patients has already died, they added.
Esper says OPCON transfer will take time
The United States is committed to the envisioned transition of the wartime operational control (OPCON) of South Korean forces back to Seoul, but it will take time to meet the required conditions, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Wednesday.
Esper made the remark at the start of annual defense talks with his South Korean counterpart, Suh Wook, amid growing speculation that the OPCON transfer is unlikely to be completed before the term of President Moon Jae-in ends in May 2022.
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The Korea Herald (http://www.koreaherald.com)
Chung Euisun officially takes helm of Hyundai Motor Group
Chung Euisun became the official chairman of Hyundai Motor Group on Wednesday, seizing full control at a critical juncture when the manufacturing mammoth is positioning itself as a mobility solutions leader.
The group said Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors and Hyundai Mobis had held an extraordinary board meeting in the morning and unanimously approved Chung’s appointment as chairman.
Pompeo says US diplomacy toward N. Korea 'successful'
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday that his country's efforts to reduce threats from North Korea have proven successful, noting the communist state conducted "zero" missile tests over the past two years.
The top US diplomat insisted the US would not be where it is now without its diplomatic efforts toward the communist state.
N. Korean leader visits typhoon recovery area in South Hamgyong Province
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited a typhoon-hit region in the country's eastern province and urged officials to redouble recovery efforts, state media reported Thursday.
Kim visited the country's eastern area, including Sinpo City and Hongwon County in South Hamgyong Province to inspect recovery efforts and encourage division members, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
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The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
Suga follows in footstep of Abe over historical issues
Diplomatic relations between South Korea and Japan are not expected to improve after the latter's new leader, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, showed signs of following in the footsteps of his predecessor Shinzo Abe over historical issues.
This has dashed any brief hopes for progress in bilateral ties that arose after Prime Minister Suga, in his first conversation with President Moon Jae-in last month, said the two leaders should not allow bilateral ties between the neighboring countries to remain frozen.
Justice ministry hit for racist content in int'l marriage guidance program
The Ministry of Justice is facing criticism for racist content included in the educational materials for its international marriage guidance program, according to a lawmaker and foreign residents, Wednesday.
Published in 2019, the guidebook titled "Understanding the social customs and marriage culture of foreign countries" purports to explain particular characteristics of people of nationalities that commonly come to Korea through and for marriage to Korean nationals.
Chung Euisun to open new chapter for Hyundai Motor
Hyundai Motor Group Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) Chung Euisun was promoted to group chairman Wednesday, heralding a new generation leading the automobile conglomerate into the fast-changing so-called "mobility industry."
According to Hyundai, its units ― Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors and Hyundai Mobis ― each held board meetings and approved Chung as group chairman. Following the appointment, Chung's father and former chairman Chung Mong-koo stepped back to an honorary chairman position. The senior Chung decided to pass on the chairmanship to his son after acknowledging his capability to lead Hyundai's future growth and innovation, the group added.
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HanKyoReh Shinmun (http://english.hani.co.kr)
BTS faces backlash from Chinese fans after remarks on shared suffering of Koreans and Americans during Korean War
“It seemed an innocuous remark from a wildly popular boy band known more for its open-armed inclusiveness than for any overt provocation. But when the leader of the Korean pop group BTS acknowledged the shared suffering of Americans and Koreans during a recent ceremony commemorating the Korean War, internet users in China wasted no time registering their offense.”
S. Korean women show solidarity with feminism a year after Sulli’s death
A year has gone by since Sulli (real name Choi Jin-ri) passed away at the age of 25. Sulli charted a course in Korean society that was quite different from other female idols in their 20s. She had a reputation for getting into trouble. She made a stir by admitting she hadn’t really tried in a performance, and she opened up about her dating life and used profanity on TV. Some people may have seen her as being divisive simply because she refused to be constrained by a bra.
IMF adjusts projected growth rate for S. Korea from -2.1% to -1.9%
Changes in IMF growth rate projections for 2020
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) revised its projection for South Korea’s 2020 economic growth rate to -1.9% on Oct. 13. The number is 0.2 percentage points higher than a previous projection in June.
In its “World Economic Outlook” published that day, the IMF revised its projected global economic growth rate for 2020 from -5.2% to -4.4% -- an increase of 0.8 percentage points -- and raised the projected rate for South Korea from -2.1% to -1.9%.
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Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)
Mass Layoffs Start at Low-Cost Airlines
The troubles of Korea's budget airlines are deepening as the coronavirus epidemic has nearly depleted their cash reserves and government support for furloughs has stopped.
Jeju Air, the country's largest budget carrier, said Tuesday that it will seek assistance from a special government fund designed to help businesses hit by the epidemic, the first airline to do so. The fund was established in May but has drawn little interest from companies because of strict application conditions.
Moon Asks Slain Official's Son to Be Patient
President Moon Jae-in has replied to an angry letter from the son of a fisheries official who was shot and killed by North Korean soldiers, asking him to be patient.
"I firmly believe that the truth must be revealed so that those who are responsible will be held accountable and honor must be restored if there was unfair treatment," Moon wrote.
President Moon Jae-in's letter to the son of a South Korean official who was shot and killed by North Korean soldiers last month.
More Men Buy Lipstick
Sales of lipstick for women have plummeted as everyone is wearing face masks, but sales of lipstick for men -- the moisturizing kind -- are soaring.
According to health and beauty chain CJ Olive Young on Monday, sales of lip balm for men surged 67 percent from July 2019 to June this year.
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The Dong-A Ilbo (http://english.donga.com/)
RQ-4 Global Hawk 4 arrived in S. Korea last month
It has been confirmed that RQ-4 Global Hawk No. 4, an American cutting-edge high-altitude, remotely-piloted, surveillance aircraft, was delivered to the South Korean military last month in private. The delivery of four RQ-4 Global Hawks has been completed with the news, but the South Korean military has not revealed a single image of the deployment of RQ-4 Global Hawks. Such a decision seems to be in consideration of North Korea’s strong opposition against the deployment of the aircraft, which can surveil the entire territory of the North.
Samsung Vice Chairman returns from Europe
Vice Chairman of Samsung Electronics Lee Jae-yong returned to South Korean on Wednesday after his one-week business trip to Europe. Lee met with the top management team of ASML, a Dutch semiconductor equipment company, during his trip to discuss cooperation for the next-generation semiconductors.
Lee who arrived at the Gimpo International Airport in a trench coat on Wednesday morning said that he discussed plans for cooperation on extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) to correspondents.
BLACKPINK hits No. 1 on Billboard Artist 100
BLACKPINK has topped the Billboard Artist 100 that ranks pop stars in terms of their influence, becoming the third K-pop group to lead the chart following BTS and SuperM. BTS ranks at No. 2 on the same chart.
BLACKPINK surged from No. 65 to No.1 on the Billboard Artist 100 thanks to the group’s debut full-length “The Album,” according to Billboard on Sunday. The chart, which dates back to 2014, combines performance across single and album charts and social media. This is the first time an all-female group to become the top musical act.
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The KyungHyang Shinmun (http://english.khan.co.kr/)
Will BTS Be Allowed to Postpone Enrollment? Military Manpower Administration to Promote Amendment to Include Outstanding Popular Culture Artists
On October 13, the Military Manpower Administration announced that it was promoting an amendment of the Military Service Act to allow outstanding performers in popular culture and arts to postpone their military service.
At the center of the latest revision is a plan to expand the scope of people subject to the current Military Service Act to include artists of popular culture and arts who have achieved excellence and allow them to postpone enlistment until the age of thirty, on condition of a recommendation by the minister of culture, sports and tourism. If the amendment is finalized and implemented, BTS, the first South Korean artist to top the Billboard’s main single’s chart, will be able to delay enrollment.
Suga Says He Will Visit South Korea When the Issue of Compensation for Forced Labor Is Resolved: How Is He Different from Abe?
Kyodo News recently reported that the Japanese government delivered a message to South Korea late last month claiming that Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga would not attend a summit of South Korea, China and Japan, scheduled to be held in Seoul at the end of the year, if South Korea does not stop the sale of assets in South Korea owned by Japanese companies, defendants in the case on compensations for forced labor. After the first phone conversation with President Moon Jae-in on September 24 following his inauguration, Prime Minister Suga told the Japanese press that he wanted “to strongly demand an adequate response from South Korea,” and it seems Japan has linked that response to the tripartite summit. This is another provocation following Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi’s request to the German government early this month to tear down the “Girl of Peace” statue erected in Berlin, Germany. It is disappointing, for the latest actions betrayed expectations that the inauguration of Prime Minister Suga could be the beginning of better relations between South Korea and Japan.
North Korea to “Wait and See” for Now. Will the North Make a “Strategic Decision” in the Party Congress Next January?
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un stated his nation’s stance on foreign affairs in a speech at the military parade in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Workers’ Party of Korea on October 10. Simply put, the North will “wait and see.”
His words reflected the concerns of his country, which, in order to prepare for a situation that can proceed in any direction, must be open to all possibilities and handle the situation until a clear direction is set. The direction of North Korea’s foreign policy is expected to be determined at the 8th party congress, which is scheduled for next January, after considering the results of the U.S. presidential election.
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Maeil Business News Korea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/)
Big Hit stock doubles in public market debut
Shares of Big Hit Entertainment Co., the management label of K-pop sensation BTS, debuted on the main Kospi Thursday at 270,000 won ($235.6), double their initial offering price of 135,000 won.
As of 9:51 a.m., the stock was trading at 300,500 won, up 11.1 percent from the opening price, giving it a valuation of 10.1 trillion won.
S. Korean team develops water spray effective in killing Covid-19
A South Korean research team has developed a new air sterilization technology that is said to be effective in eradicating Covid-19 virus without producing health hazardous substances.
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) said on Wednesday that a research team led by Professor Lee Seung-seob of Mechanical Engineering has developed a new electrospray technology that can create micro water droplets with a sterilization effect on Covid-19.
Hyundai Motor Group is formally under Chung Euisun
Chung Euisun has finally removed ‘de facto” addition to his title as the head of South Korea’s second largest conglomerate Hyundai Motor Group after two years at the helm in place of his father and gains traction in his push to transform the automaking group as a global leader in future mobility and green fuel.
The flagship units Hyundai Motor Co., Kia Motors Corp. and Hyundai Mobis Co. unanimously endorsed Chung Euisun’s inauguration as the motor group’s chairman in separate meetings on Wednesday, the group announced.
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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
The Times www.thetimes.co.uk help@timesplus.co.uk
The Sun www.thesun.co.uk talkback@the-sun.co.uk
Chinese People's Daily www.people.com.cn kf@people.cn
China Daily www.chinadaily.com.cn circulation@chinadaily.com.cn
GwangmyeongDaily www.gmw.cn webmaster@gmw.cn
Japan's Yomiuri www.yomiuri.co.jp japannews@yomiuri.com
Asahi www.asahi.com customer-support@asahi.com
Mainichi www.mainichi.jp
Le Monde www.ilemonde.com
Italy LaRepubblica www.quotidiano.repubblica.it vittorio.zucconi@gmail.com
Germany Frankfurter AllgemeineZeitung www.faz.net anzeigen.ausland@faz.de
SüddeutscheZeitung www.sueddeutsche.de forum@sueddeutsche.de
AustraliaBrisbaneTime www.brisbanetimes.com.au syndication@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Sydney Morning Herald www.smh.com.au
Colombia Reports http://www.colombiareports.com
BogotaFree Planet http://www.bogotafreeplanet.com bfp@bogotafreeplanet.com
El Universal https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/english
Andes https://www.redaktionstest.net/andes-info-ec/
Ecuador Times https://www.ecuadortimes.net/
The Jordan Times https://www.jordantimes.com/
LSM.lv https://www.lsm.lv//
The Baltic Times http://www.baltictimes.com, lithuania@baltictimes.com, estonia@baltictimes.com, editor@baltictimes.com
El Pais https://english.elpais.com/
Philippine Daily Inquirer https://www.inquirer.net/
Daily News Hungary https://dailynewshungary.com/
Budapest Times https://www.budapesttimes.hu/
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The Korea Post is running video clips from the different embassies.
Azerbaijan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR8CBpcQ4WM
Sri Lanka: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hByX92Y2aGY&t=22s
Morocco: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfFmp2sVvSE
And many other countries.
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