The Korean daily media headlines and humor

The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Monday, January 9, 2017

Your Excellency:

Here are The Korea Post notices and a roundup 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

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To convince Bejing it’s harlmess to China

Why not invite Chinese experts to inspect THAAD installation in S. Korea?

THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) missiles deployed in Korea will be no harm to China and therefore she has nothing to worry about the United Stated defense missiles in Korea. In order to convince China of this, Korea could invite Chinese missile experts to visit Korea and inspect the targeted THAAD site in Korea to see for themselves that THAAD missiles in Korea are harmless to China.
This suggestion was made by Editorial Writer Han Jong-dae of the mass-circulated Korean-language daily, Dong-A Ilbo, on Jan. 7, 2017.
Han said that the US THAAD radar, AN/TPY-2, to be deployed to Korea has a searching range of only 870 kilometers and when deployed in Sangju in South Korea the scanning range can hardly rearch Tienjin, let alone Bejing.
China says the US THAAD in Korea would not be able to defend South Korea from North Korean nuclear weapons. China is right on that point. Of all the North Korean missiles would come over the South Korean air space, the THAAD in the south could detect only three. If the North fired four, South Korea would be fully exposed to the mercy of the 4th missile from North Korea. Furthermore, North Korea has 300 Nodong missiles. In this situation, even if the US would bring scores of THAAD missiles South Korea, still the number would be far from being adequate to defend the South from the North Korean attack.
The solution is to convince China that the US THAAD missiles in South Korea would pose no threat to her and to help China believe it, Han sugguested that South Korea could invite Chinese authorities to inspect the THAAD instatallation in South Korea.

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Other major topics on The Korea Post website (www.koreapost.com) this morning:

Colombia is developingt infrastructure and various otehr projects, where Korean companies are welcom
“Colombia is currently developing infrastructure projects under the model of Public Private Partnership and we are encouraging engineering and construction companies from Korea to invest in the infrastructure sector of Colombia.” So said Ambassador Tito Saul Pinilla of Colombia at a recent inrterview with The Korea Post conducted on the occasion of the New Year. Details of the interview follow:

Free Trade Agreement between Costa Rica and Korea will form a commercial bridge with great potential
Ambassador Rodolfo Solano Quiros of Costa Rica in Seoul stated that Free Trade Agreement between Costa Rica and Korea will form a commercial bridge with great potential for both markets. Speaking at a New Year Interview with The Korea Post media, Ambassasdor Quiros said, “During 2017, Costa Rica will continue to promote its economic development and its network of global markets.” Excerpts from the interview follow:

For Spain, 2017 is full of promises after confirmation of new government
Ambassador Gonzalo Ortiz of Spain in Seoul said 2017 is a year full of promises after the confirmation of the new Spanish Government in October 2016.

U.S. stresses missile defense capabilities after N.K. doubles down on ICBM threat
The United States said Sunday it is fully capable of defending against North Korean missiles after the communist nation said it can test-launch an intercontinental ballistic missile at any time from any place.

Parliamentary committee on influence-peddling scandal to hold final hearing
South Korea's parliamentary committee on the influence-peddling scandal of President Park Geun-hye and her confidante is set to hold its last hearing Monday,
The committee has been holding a series of sessions to find details behind the allegation that Park's friend Choi Soon-sil exerted influence on state affairs for personal benefits. Park was impeached in December by the parliament over the scandal.

Carter vows to shoot down N.K. missile heading toward U.S., allies
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter vowed Sunday to shoot down any North Korean missile that flies toward the U.S. or its allies.
Carter made the remark in an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press," saying the North's nuclear and missile programs are "a serious threat to us."

S. Korea's national security adviser calls for close cooperation with U.S. on N. Korea
South Korea's National Security Office chief, Kim Kwan-jin, said Sunday that North Korea's nuclear and missile programs pose threats not only to the South but also to the United States.

N. Korea says may launch ICBM at any time, any place
North Korea on Sunday said it may launch its long-range missile at any time and anywhere its leaders choose, possibly hinting at its mobile capabilities while also asserting its right to do so.

S. Korean parties slam Abe for remarks over 'comfort women' statues
South Korea's ruling and opposition parties spoke in rare unison Sunday to denounce Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for his remarks urging the Seoul government to remove statues symbolizing thousands and thousands of Korean women forced into sexual slavery by Japan. A U.S.-owned missile system, the finance minister said Friday.

For up-to-the-minute Korea-language news, please visit www.koreapost.co.kr. ther major topics on The Korea Post website (www.koreapost.com)

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/)

Tensions Rise over Looming N. Korean ICBM Test Launch

Just a week after Kim Jong-un discussed his country's efforts to gain a missile capability to hit the U.S. mainland, the regime's Foreign Ministry said that a test launch will come at a time and place chosen by its leadership. The U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said that his military is ready to shoot down a missile approaching the U.S. or its ally's territory.

Carter: Ready to Shoot Down N. Korean ICBM

U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has vowed to shoot down a North Korean missile if it threatens the U.S. or its friends or allies.

KCTV: ICBM Launch Anytime, Anywhere

North Korea has intensified its threat to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile(ICBM), saying it can be done anytime and anywhere of its top leadership's choosing.

Nat'l Security Adviser to Meet Trump Officials

South Korea's top presidential security adviser has emphasized the importance of a close cooperation between Seoul and Washington over North Korea’s nuclear and missile program, which he said poses a threat to both sides.

Defector Diplomat: N. Korea Aims to Complete ICBM by 2017

A senior North Korean defector says that North Korea aims to complete development of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by the end of this year or early next year.

Seoul, Tokyo Collide over Symbolic Statue of Sex Slavery Victims

Tensions between South Korea and Japan are rising over the installment of a statue representing wartime sex slaves in front of Tokyo's consulate in the port city of Busan.

Danish Prosecution Accelerates Review of Chung Yoo-ra's Expedition

A senior Danish prosecutor investigating Choi Soon-sil's daughter Chung Yoo-ra says efforts are being sped up to review an extradition request for Chung by the South Korean government.

USFK to Double No. of Apache Guardian Choppers

The Pentagon will deploy two dozen state-of-the-art AH-64E Apache helicopters to U.S. Forces Korea(USFK).

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

2 dead after motel under construction collapses in Seoul

The body of a worker trapped under rubble after a building undergoing demolition work collapsed was found Monday, raising the death toll to two, rescuers said.

Samsung executives grilled over influence-peddling scandal

Senior executives of South Korea's largest business group Samsung were questioned by investigators Monday as they accelerated the probe into allegations surrounding the influence-peddling scandal that has led to President Park Geun-hye's impeachment.

S. Korea mulling over establishing tree nurseries in areas bordering N.K.

South Korea is considering setting up small tree nurseries in areas bordering North Korea in a bid to support the North's forestation, a government official said Monday.

Overseas construction orders fall to 10-yr low in 2016

South Korea's overseas construction orders dipped to a 10-year low last year, due partly to low global oil prices that led to a sharp drop in orders placed by oil-producing countries in the Middle East, market data showed Monday.

Righteous Party says main opposition attack on Ban 'excessive'

The Righteous Party, which broke away from the ruling party last month, said Monday the main opposition's criticism against the foreign ministry's plan to welcome former U.N. head Ban Ki-moon's return home with a formal event is excessive.

Gov't strengthens criminal penalty for shoddy work by construction contractors

Construction planners and supervisors will be held responsible with the builders for any faulty work as the government strengthens criminal liability for not abiding by the full required construction procedures, the land ministry said Monday.

Health ministry to do all it can to tackle low birthrate in 2017

South Korea's health ministry said Monday that it will make all-out efforts this year to tackle the nation's chronically low birthrate, as the issue has arisen as a major social problem here.

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

1,000 days on, ‘Sewol’ is still there

“One thousand days or 900 days, it’s all the same to me. I am a grieving mother who is still living that day, begging for the life of my child,” said Lee Geum-hee.

With comfort women, THAAD rows, diplomatic vacuum becoming reality

South Korea’s leadership vacuum is precipitating a diplomatic crisis, as Japan and China press their respective cases over a new “comfort women” statue and a US missile shield in an apparent bid to capitalize on Seoul’s political uncertainties for their own interests.

Impact of Korea-Japan swap deal halt limited

Japan’s decision to suspend talks on a currency swap last Friday will have limited impact while caution is still advised, according to economists and experts.

China forex reserves fall by $320b in 2016

BEIJING – China’s foreign exchange reserves fell by $320 billion last year, Beijing announced Saturday, as authorities sought to support the yuan against a soaring dollar which is encouraging capital outflows.

Idle money grows around stock market amid risk-averse sentiment

Idle money has grown sharply in South Korea, parked for proper investments in the stock market as investors remain cautious about risk-on assets, data showed Monday.

Govt. strengthens criminal penalty for shoddy work by construction contractors

Construction planners and supervisors will be held responsible with the builders for any faulty work as the government strengthens criminal liability for not abiding by the full required construction procedures, the land ministry said Monday.

Overseas construction orders fall to 10-yr low in 2016

South Korea's overseas construction orders dipped to a 10-year low last year, due partly to low global oil prices that led to a sharp drop in orders placed by oil-producing countries in the Middle East, market data showed Monday.

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

Final parliamentary probe targets Samsung, Ewha and 'blacklist'

The final round of parliamentary hearings on key witnesses linked to the corruption scandal involving President Park Geun-hye opened Monday morning.

US commando, S. Korean special forces to work together to kill Kim Jong-un in case of war

U.S. special operation forces are expected to participate in a South Korean-led operation to kill North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un in the event of war, according to military sources Sunday.

'Comfort woman' statue leaves Korean diplomacy with daunting challenges

Korea faces a deepening diplomatic crisis amid the latest retaliatory measures taken by both Japan and China against Seoul during a vacuum in the country's leadership.

Buddhist monk in critical condition after setting himself on fire in anti-president rally

A Buddhist monk set himself on fire in an anti-president protest in downtown Seoul on Saturday night, leaving a hand-written memo calling for stern punishment against President Park Geun-hye for the ongoing political scandal.

Teenage figure skater Cha Jun-hwan wins nat'l championship

Korean teenage figure skater Cha Jun-hwan won in the men's senior category at the 71st National Figure Skating Championship, Sunday.

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

'I regret meeting Choi Soon-sil,' says David Yoon in Germany

David Yoon, who reportedly knows well about the life in Germany of Choi Soon-sil and her daughter and dubbed "Choi’s steward" and…

Samsung to narrow operating profit gap with Apple significantly

As Samsung Electronics recorded better than expected in the fourth quarter of 2016, there is a prospect that Samsung will narrow …

Five killed at Florida airport, gunman in custody

The Associated Press reported that at least five were killed and six were injured Friday after the shooting accident at Fort Laud…

Presidential race picks up speed ahead of Ban’s return to Korea

Ruling and opposition party are speeding up their push to run for the upcoming presidential election ahead of former U.N. Secreta…

Iran national team coach Carlos Queiroz resigns again

Iran national football team coach Carlos Queiroz (photo) expressed his resignation again. He led the Iranian team assigned in the Group A along with South Korea vying for the final Asian qualifiers for the 2018 Russia World Cup.

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

Cheap 7-Eleven Coffee Threatens Big Franchises

Cheap brewed coffee from convenience stores is giving Starbucks a run for its money as the recession continues to bite.

Japan Recalls Envoy Over Sex-Slaves Statue

Japan on Friday recalled its ambassador to Korea and the consul general in Busan in protest over a statue in honor of sex slavery victims that has been set up in front of the consulate. Tokyo also halted negotiations to extend a currency swap agreement.

Choi Soon-sil's Daughter Refuses to Return Voluntarily

The daughter of President Park Geun-hye's longtime crony Choi Soon-sil will not return to Korea voluntarily to face questioning in the massive corruption scandal involving her mother and Park.

Suicide Dwindles Among Younger People

Suicide among younger people has dwindled over the last 25 years but increased among the older generation.

U.S. Envoy Cancels Farewell Press Meeting

Outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Korea Mark Lippert abruptly canceled a farewell press conference scheduled for Thursday.

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

18 year-old students say there’s no reason they shouldn’t have the right to vote

“Only when we have and exercise the right to vote will the President and members of the National Assembly create something of a system to help young people.”

Park Geun-hye and her secretary used illegal burner phones for conversations

The Hankyoreh has confirmed that President Park Geun-hye called her former personal secretary Jung Ho-seong (who is now in jail and facing charges) not only on the official Blue House work phone assigned to Jung but also on burner phones that he had acquired separately.

Japan’s hard-line response on comfort woman statue complicates bilateral ties

The Japanese government’s retaliatory measures on Jan. 6 in response to the setting up of a comfort woman statue in front of its consulate in Busan are being seen as highly unusual. Coming just a week after the statue was set up, they are intense enough to have even many in Japan viewing them as hard-line.

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

Lippert plays down worries about Trump, Korea relations

Deflecting concerns about change in relations between Korea and the United States in the Donald J. Trump administration, Washington’s ambassador to Seoul said the historic relationship can handle evolution.

Beijing freezes military ties with Seoul

At least seven joint military events between Korea and China have been cancelled since Seoul agreed to deploy a U.S. antimissile defense system on the peninsula…

Extradition of Chung Yoo-ra won’t be fast, says Denmark

Even though Korea and Denmark have signed a bilateral extradition agreement, a swift extradition of Chung Yoo-ra, daughter of presidential friend Choi Soon-sil…

Workforce weakens across Asia

At Chungwoon University’s campus in Incheon there’s a coffee shop called G Braun. At first glance, it looks like any other coffee shop with hot drinks and places to sit and chat…

Commercial real estate will be in oversupply

After the government instituted measures in November 2016 to cool off the real estate market, apartment prices in Seoul tumbled and analysts expect…

Start-ups find new markets in developing nations

Lee Dong-young, a researcher at Seoul National University’s Biomedical Research Institute, was volunteering in the eastern African country of Malawi…

Online retailers move to sell new cars on web

Brick-and-mortar shops will no longer be the only go-to place for buying new automobiles, as online e-commerce shops are stepping into the industry as well…

Galaxy S8 success is crucial for Samsung

After the Samsung Electronics debacle last year surrounding its fire-prone Galaxy Note7, its next model, Galaxy S8, is likely to be a game-changer in the global smartphone…

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

Moon Jae-in “Open the 24 Hours of the President... Shut Down NIS's Tasks Concerning Domestic Intelligence”

Former leader of the Minjoo Party of Korea Moon Jae-in (64) announced his policies on reforming government agencies including Cheong Wa Dae, the Prosecutors' Office and the National Intelligence Service (NIS) on January 5.

Representative of President Park, “The Candlelight Does Not Represent the People”

Attorney Seo Seok-gu (73), representative of President Park Geun-hye in her impeachment trial said in his defense at the Constitutional Court on January 5, “The candlelight demonstrations, which the National Assembly argues as a reason for impeachment, do not represent the people.”

[2017 Presidential Dreams] ③ People's Party Ahn Cheol-soo, "Cannot Block a Change of Government...

Presidential Race Will Be One Between Moon Jae-in and Me"

On January 4, former co-leader of the People's Party Ahn Cheol-soo said, "The Minjoo Party of Korea and the People's Party are the only parties qualified to steer the next government. The upcoming election will be one between Moon Jae-in and me."

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

What Drives Hyundai Motor Toward Developing Autonomous Ioniq?

Chung Eui-sun, vice chairman of Hyundai Motor, drove the autonomous Ioniq car for himself on the road of Las Vegas, before making a keynote speech at the Hyundai Motor press conference held on January 4. During the conference, Chung presented "eco-friendliness, freedom of mobility, and connectivity" as the future vision for Hyundai Motor.

Single Income Households See Incomes Fall for 3 Straight Quarters, First in History

The number of Korean households whose incomes are declining is on an upward trend as the economic slump continues. The incomes of the households headed by those in their 40s marked a negative growth in the third quarter of last year, first in history.

Food Prices Jump ahead of Lunar New Year Holidays

Concerns are growing about a possible food and consumer price crisis ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays in late January as food prices are rising frantically from the beginning of the New Year.

LG Mulls over Building Production Plant in the U.S.

Cho Sung-jin, vice chairman and CEO of LG Electronics, said on January 6 that he will determine whether to build a production plant in the United States by the first half of this year.

LNG Carrier Newbuilding Market Likely to Thaw from Late 2017

The world's LNG carrier newbuilding market which has remained frozen last year is forecast to show some recovery from late 2017. The number of LNG carrier orders placed last year stood merely at six. However, as the approval is imminent for America's massive LNG export project, at least 10 LNG carriers are expected to be ordered from late this year.

Single Income Households See Incomes Fall for 3 Straight Quarters, First in History

The number of Korean households whose incomes are declining is on an upward trend as the economic slump continues. The incomes of the households headed by those in their 40s marked a negative growth in the third quarter of last year, first in history.

Food Prices Jump ahead of Lunar New Year Holidays

Concerns are growing about a possible food and consumer price crisis ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays in late January as food prices are rising frantically from the beginning of the New Year.

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

Supporters, opponents of Park stage rallies in Seoul

Crowds of South Koreans took to streets across the country on Saturday, demanding that scandal-tainted President Park Geun-hye step down.

Singer IU promises to take strong action against cyberbullies

IU has taken a brave action against cyberbullying, risking her career, to sue 11 online users for slandering the singer-actor with malicious rumors, sexual harassment, and other types of hate comments.

LPGA rookie Park Sung-hyun wins TaylorMade sponsorship

Park Sung-hyun, a star player on the South Korean female golf tour, has signed a sponsorship deal with TaylorMade-Adidas Golf for her LPGA Tour debut this season, her management agency said.

Miss A's Suzy releases dates & teaser clips for solo debut

Miss A's Suzy is finally going solo! The singer-actress, who has contributed to a Hallyu (Korean cultural wave) boom in Asia, unleashed three short teaser video clips, giving a heads up to fans.

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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

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

Gwangmyeong Daily 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

lemonde www.ilemonde.com

Italy rarepupeul Rica 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

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

Sydney Morning Herald www.smh.com.au

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