The Korean daily media headlines and humor

The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Thursday, January 19, 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

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Dealing a blow to investigators digging into influence-peddling case

Court rejects arrest warrant sought for Samsung heir

SEOUL, Jan. 19 (Yonhap) - A Seoul court on Thursday rejected an arrest warrant sought for Lee Jae-yong, Samsung Group's de facto leader, dealing a blow to investigators who have been accelerating the probe into an influence-peddling scandal centered on President Park Geun-hye and her friend.

On Monday, an independent counsel team looking into the scandal announced that it sought the warrant against Lee, the vice chairman of Samsung Electronics Co., on charges of bribery, embezzlement and perjury.

As the Seoul Central District court declined the request, Lee has avoided becoming the first senior executive in the country to be arrested following the outbreak of the scandal in late October.

"It is hard to find a reason, necessity and appropriateness for the arrest at the current stage," the court said, pointing out that key issues, such as whether the money was for any kind of reciprocal favors, are still debated.

Lee Jae-yong, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics Co., walks out of a detention center in Uiwang, south of Seoul, on Jan. 19, 2017. (Yonhap)

After the request for the warrant was rejected, Lee left a detention center in Uiwang, south of Seoul, where he stayed for some 14 hours pending the court's decision.

Lee remained silent when a throng of reporters hurled a volley of questions, including whether he feels a moral responsibility for the bribery allegations.

Lee plans to go to his office in southern Seoul later in the day.

Investigators suspect that Lee gave or promised some 43 billion won (US$36.3 million) worth of bribes to Park's jailed friend Choi Soon-sil in return for the state-run pension fund's backing of a merger of two Samsung affiliates.

The probe team's spokesman Lee Kyu-chul said this week the kickbacks given to Choi were tantamount to bribes to Park, adding there is enough evidence to prove that the two shared profits.

The merger was seen as critical for the smooth management succession of the group from ailing Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-hee to his only son Jae-yong.

The younger Lee became a board member of Samsung Electronics, the world's largest smartphone maker, in October, and his father has been hospitalized since suffering a heart attack in 2014.

Lee Jae-yong, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics Co., leaves the Seoul Central District Court on Jan. 18, 2017, after attending a hearing to review the legality of his detention. The special prosecutor sought an arrest warrant for Lee, Samsung's de facto leader, on bribery charges in connection with the scandal that has led to President Park Geun-hye's impeachment. (Yonhap)

The business group has admitted to making contributions to two foundations allegedly controlled by Choi and her Germany-based firm, but denied such contributions were related to the 2015 merger.

The probe team earlier said it will carry out its investigation into other conglomerates who gave money to the foundations as planned, regardless of the court's decision on the warrant request.

It also plans to question President Park, who is awaiting the Constitutional Court's decision on her impeachment, in the near future. The spokesman Lee said a face-to-face interrogation will take place by the beginning of February at the latest.

Park and Choi have both denied all charges of colluding to extort money from big businesses and rejected allegations of influence peddling. The president, who was stripped of her executive powers by parliament on Dec. 9, said she will prove her innocence in court.

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

S. Korea targets Central America's infrastructure projects

South Korea's transportation and construction ministry said Thursday that it is seeking to sign a memorandum of understanding with a development bank in Central America to widen cooperation in building infrastructure in the region.

Bareun Party calls Moon's job pledge populist deceit

The Bareun Party, a splinter group of the ruling Saenuri Party, on Thursday dismissed liberal presidential front-runner Moon Jae-in's pledge to create 1.31 million jobs as populist "sweet talk."

N. Korean leader conducts first inspection of military unit this year

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited a military unit, Pyongyang's state media said Thursday, marking his first inspection of the country's defense establishment in the new year.

S. Korea expects trade with Sudan to rise

South Korea is expecting exports to Sudan to rise down the road as the United States decided to lift sanctions on the African country, a trade promotion agency said Thursday.

Producer prices up in December on price hikes of manufactured goods

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

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

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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/)

Court Rejects Arrest Warrant Request for Samsung Heir

The court has rejected the independent counsel's warrant request to place Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong behind bars. The special prosecution said that it will continue focusing on bribery allegations between President Park Geun-hye and conglomerates.

Counsel Seeks to Arrest Culture Minister, Ex-Chief of Staff

The independent counsel team probing the Choi Soon-sil scandal has requested arrest warrants for Culture Minister Cho Yoon-sun and former presidential chief of staff Kim Ki-choon over their alleged roles in the creation of a blacklist of leftist artists.

Korean Victim of Japan's Wartime Sex Slavery Passes Away

Another Korean victim of Japan’s wartime sexual slavery has passed away in China at the age of 94.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family said Park Cha-soon died at her home in Xiaogan in China's Hubei Province at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday due to the aggravation of chronic illnesses, such as spinal stenosis, colitis and a cerebral infarction.

Moon Pledges Jobs; Ban Stresses Unity

The country's two main presidential hopefuls continued their drives to gain public support for the election possibly coming earlier this year. Former chairman of the Democratic Party Moon Jae-in vowed to increase jobs while ex-UN chief Ban Ki-moon visited both the Jeolla and Gyeongsang regions to emphasize unity.

Samsung Welcomes Court's Warrant Rejection

Samsung Group has welcomed the Seoul Central District Court's decision to reject a warrant request to arrest the group’s de-facto leader Lee Jae-yong. However, the business group is likely to remain on edge as the independent counsel team plans to power through in its investigation into other executives as well as leaders of other local conglomerates over bribery suspicions.

Acting Pres. Vows Full Support for Research to Develop Core Technologies

Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn has pledged full government support for research to develop new technologies in artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things(IoT) and smart vehicles.

Samsung Heavy Wins $230Mln Order to Build FSRU Vessel

Samsung Heavy Industries has won a 230-million U.S. dollar deal to build a floating storage and regasification unit(FSRU).

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

Court rejects arrest warrant sought for Samsung heir

A Seoul court on Thursday rejected an arrest warrant sought for Lee Jae-yong, Samsung Group's de facto leader, dealing a blow to investigators who have been accelerating the probe into an influence-peddling scandal centered on President Park Geun-hye and her friend.

Producer prices up in Dec. on price hike of manufactured goods

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

Trump's pick for U.N. envoy: 'We can't let up on North Korea'

The nominee to become new U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said Wednesday the U.S. "can't let up on North Korea" forging ahead with its nuclear program, as she vowed to increase pressure on Pyongyang in close cooperation with China.

Rice says nuclear N. Korea 'worries me'

U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice said that a nuclear North Korea is one of the issues that worries her most as she prepares to leave office.

Arrest sought for minister, ex-presidential chief of staff over artist blacklist

South Korean investigators on Wednesday sought warrants to formally arrest the country's culture minister and a former presidential chief of staff over allegations the Park Geun-hye administration blacklisted cultural figures deemed critical of the government.

Ban touts national unity by visiting liberal, conservative bastions

Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon highlighted his likely campaign credo of "grand integration" by visiting both the liberal and conservative bastions of South Korea on Wednesday as he is angling for the country's top elected office.

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

Court rejects arrest warrant for Samsung’s Lee Jae-yong

A South Korean court Thursday rejected an arrest warrant for Samsung Group’s heir apparent Lee Jae-yong over a corruption scandal that led to President Park Geun-hye’s impeachment.

Korea Inc. fears spillover from Samsung heir’s fate

A court review of a request by the special counsel to arrest Lee Jae-yong, the de facto leader of Samsung Group, spread fear through the business community here on Wednesday that the unprecedented case could only be the beginning of a long list of “corporate hunt.”

Lee Jae-yong’s grueling day

Samsung Group’s de facto leader Lee Jae-yong is possibly at the lowest point of his life as he nervously waits for a court’s decision on his arrest warrant.

The heir apparent of the nation’s largest conglomerate has been placed behind bars until the court decides on his and his company’s fate, most likely by early Thursday morning.

Marginal firms drag down corporate Korea

Corporate Korea is becoming polarized between the largest, most profitable corporations and a growing number of marginal companies unable to service their debts with their operating profits.

Distraught Davos finds globalization savior in Xi

With Donald Trump about to get the keys to the White House and the political winds blowing a populist gale through Europe,

Enter stage left Chinese President Xi Jinping, who in an hourlong speech Tuesday won over a crowd of ardent capitalists gathered at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

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

Bareun Party calls Moon's job pledge populist deceit

The Bareun Party, a splinter group of the ruling Saenuri Party, on Thursday dismissed liberal presidential front-runner Moon Jae-in's pledge to create 1.31 million jobs as populist "sweet talk."

NK leader conducts first inspection of military unit this year

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited a military unit, Pyongyang's state media said Thursday, marking his first inspection of the country's defense establishment in the new year.

MMFs absorb over 21 tln won this year

Investors here are increasingly shifting their money to short-term investment vehicles amid lingering uncertainties ahead of the launch of the new US administration and further interest rate rises in the world's largest economy, data showed Thursday.

NK has likely built 2 ICBMs, placed them on mobile launchers: sources

North Korea has probably built two missiles presumed to be intercontinental ballistic missiles and placed them on mobile launchers for test-firing in the near future, military officials said Thursday.

Civic group asks UN for meeting with S. Koreans abducted by N. Korea

A local civic group said Wednesday it has asked the UN to arrange a meeting with South Koreans abducted by North Korea.

Report shows heavy debt burden on low-income group

More than a quarter of the low-income group are indebted, with the amount of the debts rising with age, a welfare agency report said Thursday.

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

Samsung Exynos chips to power Audi’s in-car entertainment system

Samsung Electronics will supply its "Exynos" application processor to German automaker Audi, the first time for the Korean giant to provide its self-developed chip to a car maker. Samsung is expanding its Exynos sales channel to the automobile chip market, a sign that it is aggressively making inroads into the auto parts technology business.

Japanese animation ‘Your Name’ dominates local box office

Japanese block buster animated film “Your Name” continues to dominate the local box office in Korea, drawing in more than 2.6 million viewers in just two weeks since its release. Against the backdrop, Makoto Shinkai, director of animated film, will visit Korea to keep his promise with Korean audience. During his visit to Korea in order to celebrate an opening of his animated film on January 4, he said, “Though it looks highly unlikely, I would come back if admissions surpass 3 million.”

Trump to start off as least popular incoming U.S. president

"(Donald) Trump said in his victory speech that Now it is time for America to bind the wounds of division.' His time since then shows little evidence of binding, and he's opened up new wounds along the way," U.S. political journal Politico said of the incoming U.S. president on Monday.

People's Party chief changes attitude on Ban Ki-moon

The leader of the minor opposition People's Party has completely changed his attitude toward former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to his party.

World’s first ‘skin avatar’ to replace animal-human clinical trials

Korean researchers have recently developed the world’s first skin model microchip, or the so-called “skin avatar” which can replace clinical trials currently done to animals and humans when manufacturing new drugs or cosmetics.

Choo is unavailable for Korean National Team to WBC

Major League right fielder Choo Shin-soo may not be able to wear the national team uniform to play for World Baseball Classic (WBC) 2017, due to objections from his team Texas Rangers.

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

Phone Records Prove Nonstop Contact Between Choi and Cheong Wa Dae

Phone records show that President Park Geun-hye's longtime crony Choi Soon-sil was in touch with Cheong Wa Dae three times a day till at least the end of 2014.

Constitutional Court Won't Use Tablet PC as Evidence

The Constitutional Court on Tuesday decided not to admit a tablet PC allegedly used by President Park Geun-hye's longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil as evidence in the impeachment trial.

Text Message Highlight Park's Reliance on Choi Soon-sil

Prosecutors have discovered text messages on the mobile phone of a former presidential secretary showing the bizarre extent to which President Park Geun-hye relied on her longtime friend Choi-soon-sil's opinion in running the country.

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

Special Prosecutors team to question Pres. Park in person before early Feb.

The investigative team of special prosecutor Park Young-soo announced plans on Jan. 17 to question President Park Geun-hye in person no later than early February.

Samsung could run up against international regulations after involvement in bribery scandal

A heavily global market-dependent Samsung stands to face international anti-corruption regulations and the loss of key leading company workers it acquired as drivers of future growth if bribery and embezzlement charges against Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong and other senior managers by the special prosecutor investigating the Choi Sun-sil government interference case are upheld in court, experts predicted.

Hyundai Motor announces $3.1 billion investment in the US over five years

Hyundai Motor Company President Jung Jin-haeng announced on Jan. 17 that the Hyundai Motor Group would be investing US$3.1 billion in the US over the next five years. This represents a major increase from the US$2.1 billion invested over the previous five years.

Plan for comfort woman statue on Dokdo escalates row with Japan

The history wars that resurfaced between South Korea and Japan over the setting up of a comfort woman statue in front of the Japanese consulate in Busan late last month now appears poised to escalate into a territorial conflict over the Dokdo islets.

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

Detention warrant for Samsung head rejected

A local court on Thursday struck down an independent counsel’s request to detain Samsung leader Lee Jae-yong as a suspect in its investigation into his alleged bribing of President Park Geun-hye through her controversial friend.

Trusted aide admits Park leaked secret documents

A longtime aide to President Park Geun-hye admitted Wednesday that he obeyed Park’s order to leak confidential government documents to her controversial friend, Choi Soon-sil, for years.

Watchdog takes on fake news

Over the weekend, a 13-second video clip went viral that wasn’t what former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon wanted anyone to see.

Chinese firm named as top bidder for Kumho Tire

Creditors of Kumho Tire named China’s Doublestar Tyre as preferred bidder for a 42.01 percent stake in Korea’s second largest tire producer on Wednesday.

Dubious car discounts did no harm, says FTC

Three popular imported vehicle brands were let off the hook by the antitrust agency for false advertising Wednesday.

Ministry plan grooms talent in emerging industries

In an effort to cultivate growth engines for the Korean economy, the government will try to foster necessary talents in newly emerging industries.

Hanjin drops off top 10 chaebol list

The list of Korea’s 10 wealthiest conglomerates, or chaebol, rarely changes, but for the first time in six years, Hanjin has been pushed off the list, a sign that the downfall of its shipping unit has hurt its assets, according to the latest ranking from CEO Score, a research firm that tracks the management activities of Korea’s major companies.

Officials unveil plans for 17,000 jobs this quarter

The government has announced measures to boost the labor market as a weak manufacturing sector is taking its toll on the market.

SUV Kenbo 600 marks China entry into Korea

A Chinese SUV, the Kenbo 600, made its debut in Korea on Wednesday, becoming the first Chinese passenger vehicle to be marketed in the country.

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

Ban Ki-moon Visits Bongha Village, "Will Remember the Remaining Tasks of President Roh" Moderate Cosplay

Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (73) visited the grave of former President Roh Moo-hyun and the memorial for the Sewol victims on January 17. Ban revealed his conservative nature on issues such as security and labor after his return, but this day, his schedules were aimed at the moderate and progressive voters. As he followed a carefully planned route between the conservatives and the progressives in the name of grand unity, some peopled accused him of doing a moderate cosplay.

[Park Geun-hye, Choi Soon-sil Scandal] Lee Jae-yong, "Day of Destiny"

On January 17, the team of Special Prosecutor Park Young-soo announced that they only requested an arrest warrant for Lee Jae-yong (49, photo), vice chairman of Samsung Electronics in connection to the alleged bribery concerning President Park Geun-hye and Samsung due concerns of an absence in management at Samsung.

[Park Geun-hye, Choi Soon-sil Scandal] "Accomplice in the Warrant" Name Not Mentioned, but the Tip of the Blade Points to Park Geun-hye

Special Prosecutor Park Young-soo and his team requested an arrest warrant for Lee Jae-yong (49), vice chairman of Samsung Electronics on January 16 on charges of bribery, practically making the bribery charges of President Park Geun-hye official. Since Choi Soon-sil (61), a civilian and not a civil servant, cannot be charged with bribery, if Samsung is charged with providing bribes, the recipient can only include the president. The special prosecutor's investigation of President Park has gone beyond Lee and is headed to the peak.

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

Court Dismisses Arrest Warrant for Samsung's Lee

The court has dismissed the request by the prosecutors to issue an arrest warrant to Samsung Electronics vice chairman Lee Jae-yong. This will be a big setback for the special prosecution team led by specially appointed head prosecutor Park Young-soo that has investigated bribery and other charges in relation to the so-called Choi Soon-sil scandal.

Alarm Bell Rings for Korea-China Currency Swap

Song In-chang, Deputy Vice Minister of International Economy at the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, said on January 17, "The possibility cannot be ruled out that the Korea-China currency swap may not be extended."

Content Industry Tops 100 Tril. Won Mark in Annual Sales Last Year

Korea's content industry topped the 100-trillion-won mark in annual sales last year, first in its history. According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and the Korea Creative Contents Agency on January 15, the nation's content revenues amounted to 105.2 trillion won (tentative figures) last year, up 5.7 percent from a year ago. The growth rate was higher than 4.8 percent in 2015.

Nexen Tire Japan Sets Sail by Joining Forces with Toyota Tsusho

Nexen Tire Corp. has agreed with Toyota Tsusho Corp., a trading arm of Japan's Toyota Group, to establish a joint venture in Japan. The Korean tire supplier said on January 16 that it held a launching ceremony for the joint venture at the trading company's Tokyo office in Roppongi. The event was attended by Nexen Tire CEO Kang Ho-chan and Toyota Tsusho chief division officer of the automotive division Ichiro Kashitani.

DSME Faces Another Accounting Fraud Risk

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering is down in the dumps, facing multiple investigations by a string of law enforcement entities, including the prosecutors' office, the national tax office, and the financial watchdogs.

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

Charlie the Beagle steals his human sister's toy then apologizes

Remember the internet sensation Charlie the Beagle who apologized to his human baby sister Laura for stealing her toy?

Girl group TWICE to continue hit streak with new track in February

Girl group TWICE will reportedly continue a streak of hit songs with another fresh new track, scheduled for release in February.

N. Korea suspected of placing two ICBMs on mobile launchers

North Korea has probably built two missiles presumed to be intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and placed them on mobile launchers for test-firing in the near future, military officials said Thursday.

Samsung's actual head released from detention center

The actual head of South Korea's top conglomerate, Samsung Group, walked out of a detention center Thursday after a court rejected his arrest on charges of bribery, embezzlement and perjury over his role in a corruption scandal.

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

Lineage 2: Revolution reports surprising 1st month sales of $176.6 mn

Mobile role-playing game Lineage 2: Revolution launched last month by Netmarble Games Corp. wowed the market with its better-than-expected first-month revenue of 206.5 billion won ($176.6 million).

BAIC Kenbo 600 becomes first Chinese car to tap Korean market

The Kenbo 600, a sports utility vehicle going as S6 in China made by state-owned BAIC Motor, became the first Chinese passenger vehicle to venture into the Korean market.

Hyundai Heavy and Samsung Heavy win patent invalidation suit against DSME

Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. and Samsung Heavy Industries Co. won a suit they had filed against Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. (DSME) to seek to nullify DSME’s patent on partial re-liquefaction technology that has helped DSME to outperform its competitors in winning orders to build liquid natural gas (LNG) carriers.

Samsung to supply infotainment SoC solution to Audi

South Korea’s chip-making behemoth Samsung Electronics Wednesday said its system-on-chip solution Exynos processors have been chosen to feed German auto brand Audi’s in-vehicle infotainment system.

Hyundai Motor Group to invest $3.1 bn in U.S. till 2021, may expand facilities

South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Group that runs the country’s two largest automakers Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. pledged investment of around $3.1 billion in the United States over the next five years.

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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

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