The Korean daily media headlines and humor

The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Monday, January 16, 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

On charges of offering bribes and perjury

Arrest warrant to be requested against Samung VC Lee Jae-yong

Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong of Samsung Busienss Group

TV Chosun reported this morning that the Special Prosecution Investigation Team led by Special Prosecutor Park Young-soo has decided to request an arrest warrant against Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong of Samung Business Group on charges of involvement in the so-called Park Geun-hye and Choi Soon-sil Gate.

However, the Special Prosecutors are known not to request an arrest warrant against other leaders of the Samung Group such as Vice Chairman Choi Ji-sung of the Office of Samsung Future Business Strategy and Presidents Chang Chung-ki and Park Sang-jin.

Vice Chairman Lee is suspected of having offered bribes and of having committed perjury.

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Top headlines of major Korean newspapers this morning

The following are the top headlines in major South Korean newspapers on Jan. 16.

-- Special prosecutors may seek arrest warrant for Samsung's Lee today (Kyunghyang Shinmun)

-- Park fired employees at Yookyoung Foundation (Kookmin Daily)

-- Korean representative in Taiwan under fire for neglecting Korean rape victims (Donga llbo)

-- Loopholes in gov't payment system for child care services (Seoul Shinmun)

-- Special prosecutors probe into allegations of involvement by Choi Soon-sil in deal with Japan over wartime sex slavery (Segye Times)

-- Moon Jae-in: Kaesong Industrial Complex, Mt. Kumgang tourism are leverage for S. Korea (Chosun Ilbo)

-- Trump's defense secretary pick, James Mattis, to submit report on strike against N. Korea's nuclear facility (JoongAng Ilbo)

-- Moon says difficult to renegotiate THAAD, while Ban says THAAD must be deployed (Hankyoreh)

-- Hacking attempt against special prosecutors investigating 'Choi Soon-sil gate' (Hankook Ilbo)

-- Gov't to tighten lending rules for self-employed (Maeil Business Newspaper)

-- Special prosecutors to decide whether to seek arrest warrant for Samsung's Lee today (Korea Economic Daily)

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

Acting president to hold press meeting next week over policy direction

SEOUL, Jan. 16 (Yonhap)--Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn is preparing to hold a press meeting next week to explain his direction for state management this year, his office said Monday.

Choi appears at Park impeachment trial

SEOUL, Jan. 16 (Yonhap)--Choi Soon-sil, the woman accused of colluding with President Park Geun-hye for personal and business gains, appeared as a witness in the president's impeachment trial Monday.

Seoul Mayor Park criticizes Moon's flexible attitude on THAAD

SEOUL, Jan. 16 (Yonhap)--Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, a potential presidential hopeful from the main opposition Democratic Party, on Monday criticized fellow party member Moon Jae-in after he seemed to indicate a willingness to backtrack on the deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense system.

Lotto sales reach new record in 2016

SEJONG, Jan. 16 (Yonhap)--Sales of the Korean lottery Lotto hit their highest last year, statistics from the operator showed Monday, a trend that comes during economic slumps, social analysts say.

Lawmakers head to U.S. to attend Trump's inauguration

SEOUL, Jan. 16 (Yonhap)--A group of lawmakers from the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee headed to the United States on Monday to attend the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.

Market cap of foreigners' stocks top 480 trillion won

SEOUL, Jan. 16 (Yonhap)--The market value of listed stocks in Seoul owned by foreigners expanded significantly last year to surpass 480 trillion won (US$408 billion), government data showed Monday.

Ex-U.S. diplomat calls for U.S. pressure on Japan to put aside statue row with S. Korea

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 (Yonhap)--The United States should exercise "outside pressure" on Japan to get the ally to put aside its complaint over a South Korean statue symbolizing Tokyo's wartime sexual slavery and work hard to mend ties with Seoul, a former State Department official said.

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/)

Counsel Cautious over Arresting Samsung Heir

After twice delaying its decision on whether to seek an arrest warrant for Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, the independent counsel team led by Park Young-soo said it will make a final decision on the matter on Monday. Among a host of allegations, Lee is suspected of handing over large sums of money to the president's confidante Choi Soon-sil in return for the government's backing of a controversial merger of two Samsung affiliates. Kim Bum-soo has more.

Presidential Hopefuls Spend Weekend to Drum up Support

Major presidential hopefuls hit the road near and far over the weekend to drum up the public support.

Former chairman of the major opposition Democratic Party Moon Jae-in participated in a ceremony commemorating late progressive scholar Shin Young-bok at Sungkonghoe University in Seoul on Sunday.

Park Jie-won Elected People's Party Chairman

The minor opposition People's Party has elected its former floor leader Park Jie-won as its new leader.

Sales of Content Industry Top 100Tln Won

Sales of South Korea’s content industry surpassed 100 trillion won last year for the first time.

According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Sunday, sales of the content industry reached 105-point-two trillion won last year, up five-point-seven percent from a year earlier.

Global Investment Banks Forecast S. Korea to Grow 2.4% This Year

Global investment banks presented a pessimistic growth outlook for South Korea this year.

According to the Korea Center for International Finance, ten global investment banks expected South Korea will grow an average of two-point-four percent this year.

S. Korea Scales Down Events Marking Diplomatic Anniversary with Turkey amid Security Concerns

South Korea has significantly scaled down planned events marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of its diplomatic ties with Turkey amid increased security concerns in Turkey.

S. Korea to Announce Value Appraisal of THAAD Site

Amid opposition from China and Russia, the government is pushing ahead with its decision to house U.S. THAAD missile interceptors.

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

Lawmakers head to U.S. to attend Trump's inauguration

A group of lawmakers from the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee headed to the United States on Monday to attend the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.

Lotto sales reach new record in 2016

Sales of the Korean lottery Lotto hit their highest last year, statistics from the operator showed Monday, a trend that comes during economic slumps, social analysts say.

S. Korean signs with Yankees, with spring training invitation

South Korean free agent Choi Ji-man has signed with the New York Yankees, with an invitation to spring training, his agency said Monday.

Market cap of foreigners' stocks top 480 tln won

The market value of listed stocks in Seoul owned by foreigners expanded significantly last year to surpass 480 trillion won (US$408 billion), government data showed Monday.

Two S. Korean tourists report sexual assault by taxi driver in Taipei

Two South Korean women said they were sexually attacked by a taxi driver while traveling to a night market in Taipei, according to local reports and the Korean foreign ministry on Sunday.

Samsung crafts VR content on driving safety

South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co. has developed a virtual reality (VR) program on road safety in partnership with Austria's automobile association, company officials said Sunday.

Ex-U.S. diplomat calls for U.S. pressure on Japan to put aside statue row with S. Korea

The United States should exercise "outside pressure" on Japan to get the ally to put aside its complaint over a South Korean statue symbolizing Tokyo's wartime sexual slavery and work hard to mend ties with Seoul, a former State Department official said.

Choi appears at Park impeachment trial

Choi Soon-sil, the woman accused of colluding with President Park Geun-hye for personal and business gains, appeared as a witness in the president's impeachment trial Monday.

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

Choi Soon-sil to appear at Park’s impeachment trial

Choi Soon-sil will attend the impeachment trial of her longtime friend President Park Geun-hye for the first time this week, her lawyer has said, as the court seeks to expedite proceedings.

Samsung Bioepis-AbbVie Humira patent trial in UK to start Monday

The UK High Court of Justice will commence Monday its trial on Samsung Bioepis and Biogen’s lawsuit against AbbVie and its patents for its top-selling rheumatoid arthritis drug Humira, according to official court documents obtained by The Korea Herald.

Counsel delays decision on warrant for Samsung heir

Special investigators Sunday delayed a decision to seek an arrest warrant for Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong by one more day in its probe over alleged shady business exchanges between the company’s heir apparent and President Park Geun-hye.

Yoo Hae-jin still finds each film set ‘new’

The public perception of actor Yoo Hae-jin has changed over the years.

In the early years of his career, he was regarded primarily as a comical sidekick before being recognized as a colorful supporting actor in Korean cinema.

[Herald Interview] Yoo Hae-jin still finds each film set ‘new’

The public perception of actor Yoo Hae-jin has changed over the years.

In the early years of his career, he was regarded primarily as a comical sidekick before being recognized as a colorful supporting actor in Korean cinema.

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

Moon, Ban begin race for presidency

Ex-leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Moon Jae-in and former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon are squaring off ahead of the presidential election possibly slated for early this year.

Park Jie-won elected as People's Party chief

Rep. Park Jie-won was elected as chairman of the second-largest opposition People's Party, Sunday.

Fire at Yeosu market leaves W520 mil. in damages

A big fire at a fish market in the southern coastal city of Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, early Sunday burnt more than 100 stores, causing over 500 million won in damage. There were no casualties.

Foreign minister pressured to resign for statue remark

Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se is facing pressure to step down after his "lenient" response to Japan's calls for the removal of the "comfort woman" statue in front of the Japanese consulate in Busan.

'Yu-na kid' seeks Olympic gold

Skating to "Miss Saigon," Lim Eun-soo fascinated spectators with her deep interpretation of the music and successful execution of all required technical elements without mistakes.

Counsel mulls Samsung chief's arrest

The independent counsel team appears to be careful in deciding whether to seek an arrest warrant for Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong on bribery charges in the corruption scandal involving President Park Geun-hye.

'Stop wiring money illegally'

The International Organization for Migration's Korean arm hopes to help migrant laborers wire their hard-earned cash safely home amid the danger of theft from illegal channels.

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

‘THAAD deployment is inevitable,’ says Ban Ki-moon

Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited the South Korean Navy’s Second Fleet Command in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province on Sunday. “As the Korean Peninsula is almost in a quasi-war situation, the government needs to take the measure (decision to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system). The public should support the government when it comes to national security,” Ban told reporters after the visit.

57% of paper-based cultural properties need preservation treatment

Many state-designated cultural properties made of paper, including books and paintings, have been found to be in bad condition.

Trump’s inauguration expected to be marred by clashes

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s first diplomatic and security team is making some noise even before they start to fulfill their duties. Some hawkish nominees showed clashing views during the recent Senate affirmation hearings and their comments drew sharp variations of Trump’s campaign promises.

Japan’s F-35B stealth fighters likely to fly to Korea during ROK-U.S. joint drills

Both insiders and outsiders of the South Korean military are paying attention to the possibility that F35-B stealth fighters, the most advanced fighter jets to be deployed to a U.S. airbase in Japan soon, may make sorties to the Korean Peninsula.

Oh Seng-hwan focuses on work-out to overwhelm ML hulks

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Oh Seung-hwan said last year that one of his new year’s aims is to overwhelm Major League giants. Reasons behind his ambitions lied in the fact that he is one of the small players in the Major League. “When playing in Korea, I never realized I was small, but as I started to play in the U.S., there were so many tall players,” Oh said. “I might be the third smallest in our team.”

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

Danish Police to Question Choi Soon-sil's Daughter

Danish police will question the daughter of President Park Geun-hye's longtime crony Choi Soon-sil starting Monday.

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.

Cramming Now Starts in Infancy

For Korean children, cramming now starts in infancy as concerned parents try to give their kids the best start in life while decent jobs dwindle.

Accidents in Fog More Deadly Than in Rain or Snow

Fewer car accidents happen in foggy weather than in rain or snow, but if they do they tend to be more fatal, a study suggests.

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

Poll: Support for Moon Jae-in surges to 31%, over Ban Ki-moon’s 20%

A poll by Gallup Korea tracking support for presidential frontrunners in the second week of January found that Moon Jae-in, former leader of the opposition Minjoo Party, remained ahead of former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and had increased his lead to more than 10 percentage points.

The fate of THAAD will depend on the next election

The deployment of the THAAD missile defense system with US troops in South Korea is once against becoming a hot issue. The increasing uncertainty resulting from the impeachment of South Korea’s president is functioning as a catalyst. The US, apparently rattled, is calling for early deployment. China is attempting to prevent the deployment from being completed while President Park Geun-hye is still in office and hopes to make arrangements with the next South Korean administration, which will be probably be chosen in an early presidential election. South Korea is the proverbial shrimp, its back in danger of being broken in a battle between whales.

China and Russia reiterate opposition to THAAD deployment

China and Russia have reconfirmed their opposition to deploying the THAAD missile defense system in South Korea and have agreed to take “further countermeasures.”

US Ambassador Lippert gives final press conference before Jan. 20 department from S. Korea

US ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert said on Jan. 13 that North Korea’s resistance to having dialogue on denuclearization now “doesn't mean they may not want talks in the future.”

More big businesses paying more of their taxes overseas

The “biggest of the big” companies ranking in South Korea’s top ten for sales paid 20% of their tax burden from the past five years overseas, an investigation shows.

Since 2003, series of avian flu outbreaks have cost $750 million

Nearly US$750 million in government money has been spent on culling compensation and other direct damages from avian influenza (AI) since its first appearance in South Korea in 2003, a study shows.

President Park ordered Mir Foundation funding for Park Chung-hee memorial remodelling

President Park Geun-hye ordered the use of Mir Foundation money for remodeling of the Park Chung-hee Memorial Library in Seoul, prosecutors revealed on Jan. 13.

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

At naval site, Ban Ki-moon plugs Thaad

Former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon threw his weight behind the installation of a U.S. advanced missile defense system on Sunday in a move to woo security-sensitive conservatives in what is seen as his journey toward the Blue House.

Veteran lawmaker Park Jie-won will lead People’s Party

The People’s Party, a minor opposition party in the National Assembly, elected four-term lawmaker Park Jie-won as its chairman on Sunday. He will be in charge of party affairs as the prospect of an early presidential election, to be held sometime this year, looms large.

Insurers yield to pay partial benefits for suicide claims

Major insurance companies have bowed to financial authorities’ demands to pay accidental death insurance benefits on claims that have passed the statute of limitations, easing a contentious battle with the regulator.

Agency vows to introduce debt service ratio in loan evaluations

In its latest step to curb snowballing household debt, the government will introduce a stricter criterion for loan evaluations, the debt service ratio, this year.

Brokerages’ integrity questioned

The price of shares in Hanmi Pharmaceutical, the country’s top drug maker, fell more than 50 percent over the last five months for a very good reason.

LG raises standards to stop phones overheating

LG Electronics will raise safety standards for its upcoming smartphone models, including the flagship G6, in response to general concerns about smartphones overheating, the company said Sunday.

Objects of desire can be borrowed, not only bought

Ms. Lee, a 35-year old housewife, made a visit to a luxury boutique in Lotte Department Store’s Sogong-dong branch last month. She and her baby daughter tried out several gowns and dresses to wear at the child’s first birthday party. The clothes were all designer brands with prices to match - up to one million won for the adult dresses.

High inflation? The government doesn’t think so

A 56-year-old homemaker in Ulsan surnamed Song was incredulous when she heard the government had set the official inflation rate for last year at just 1 percent.

Despite regulations, Gangnam market stays hot

On Wednesday, five or six massive trucks loaded with construction debris were moving in and out of the demolition site where the five-story Siyoung Apartments once stood in Gangnam District’s Gaepo-dong in southern Seoul. The apartments, which were first built in 1984, had a total of 30 buildings, half of which have been broken down.

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

[Exclusive] The Blacklist Started with the Sewol

The Park Geun-hye government created the blacklist of cultural figures to restrict the activities of individuals in the cultural and arts circle who honored the memory of the 2014 Sewol victims. The special prosecutor temporarily concluded that the list was drawn up to block anti-government views from spreading among the public after the Sewol accident.

Ahn Hee-jung, Governor of Chungcheongnam-do, "Putting a New Government in Office Is Not Creating the World All Over Again. We Need to Reform and Improve"

On January 11, Ahn Hee-jung, the governor of Chungcheongnam-do said, "I will tend to state administration in a cabinet-centered method that the current Constitution will allow (if I enter office). The prime minister and the cabinet will be shared in union with the majority party in the National Assembly."

UN Secretary-General and Political Rookie "The Two Edges of a Sword," A Typhoon or a Breeze?

Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (73) will return on January 12. He is practically just seconds away from entering the ring of a presidential race as a strong outside candidate. The message he presents on national reforms and leadership is expected to determine whether the "Ban Ki-moon phenomenon" will be typhoon or an illusion.

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

Special Prosecutors Weigh Pros and Cons of Issuing Arrest Warrant to Samsung's Vice Chairman

The special prosecutors will decide whether to arrest Samsung Group vice chairman Lee Jae-yong for bribery charges. Lee Gyu-chul, spokesperson for the special prosecutors, said on January 15, "We are carefully reviewing legal options based on depositions of witnesses and evidence gathered so far to decide whether we should issue an arrest warrant to the Samsung Group vice chairman."

Masstige: Coffee Store Strategy for This Year

In the specialty coffee market this year, the keyword would likely be "value for money." In the face of low-priced coffee brands like Ediya Coffee, Paik's Coffee, and convenience store coffees, premium coffee purveyors selling a cup of coffee at more than 4,000 won will find it hard to compete. If high-priced coffee stores want to succeed, they will need more consumer loyalty just like Starbucks that has just opened a 1,000th location in Korea.

No. of Long-term Unemployed More Than 6 Months Hits Record High at 133,000

In a situation where the number of the unemployed has surpassed the 1-million level last year, the share of those whose length of unemployment is in excess of six months has hit a record-high level in 14 years. According to the National Statistical Office on January 15, the number of the long-term jobless for more than six months was 133,000 last year, accounting for 13.3 percent in total.

China Strengthens Investment in Key Ports Overseas

China's global sea power is getting stronger as time goes by. According to a joint study conducted by the Financial Times and the Lau China Institute of King's College in London, China has greatly expanded its investment in major ports worldwide in recent years.

Korea Ranks High in Food and Housing Prices among Major Countries

Korea's food and housing prices turned out to be one of the highest among major countries, including the United States and Japan.

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

Sales of Huggies baby products banned in S. Korea for excessive methanol

South Korean baby care communities are roaring with angry voices from young mothers as the food and drug watchdog ordered a recall Friday and banned sales of sanitary wet baby wipes manufactured by a local joint venture of US-based Kimberly-Clark Corp.

Koreans brave biting cold to demand president's resignation: Yonhap

South Koreans braved biting cold on Saturday to take to the streets to demand scandal-tainted President Park Geun-hye resign.

First batch of imported eggs arrives in S. Korea to ease supply shortage

The first batch of eggs from the United States arrived in South Korea Saturday to ease a supply shortage caused by avian influenza that left a record number of chickens and ducks culled.

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

PEF investment in Korea may rise following launch of KKR, TPG’s Asia funds worth $11.9 bn

With KKR & Co. L.P. (KKR) and TPG Capital L.P. (TPG) planning to launch large-sized Asia-focused funds this year, expectations are growing that global private equity funds (PEF) would increase their investment in companies in South Korea where foreign investors face fewer barriers to acquire stakes in local companies and to resell or list them to earn returns.

Hyundai Motor Group to freeze wages of managerial employees

South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Group that owns the country’s two biggest carmakers Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. decided to implement a wage freeze for its employees in managerial or supervisory positions for the first time in eight years as a part of its efforts to weather sluggish motor sales amid a protracted global economic slowdown.

Yuhan-Kimberly’s 10 wet wipes to be recalled for excessive methanol

The South Korean drug safety authority ordered sales freeze and recall of 10 wet wipes manufactured by Yuhan-Kimberly Ltd for containing excessive methanol.

Korea’s shipbuilders buoyant in order target amid oil recovery

South Korean dockyards that struggled throughout last year in a dearth of orders turned buoyant this year on expectation that the recovery in oil prices would revive the offshore pipeline.

Naver to become Korea’s first ICT firm to test drive autonomous car

South Korea’s leading online portal operator Naver Corp. will become the first Korean Information and Communication Technology (ICT) company to put a car run by its self-driving car technologies on the roads for test driving as early as this month, joining Hyundai Motor Co., Kia Motors Corp. and Seoul National University that have been testing more than 10 driverless cars across the country.

S. Korea’s POBA to invest $50 mn in Blackstone’s fund

South Korea’s Public Officials Benefit Association (POBA), a local public fund for government employees, will invest $50 million in a real estate mezzanine fund created by New York-based global asset manager Blackstone Group L.P. with an aim to deliver 7 to 8 percent returns a year.

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

Gwangmyeong Daily www.gmw.cn webmaster@gmw.cn

Japan's Yomiuri www.yomiuri.co.jp japannews@yomiuri.com