Tuesday, November 2, 2021
Round-up of important news from major Korean dailies and from international media today
The Korea Post (http://www.koreapost.com/)
Seoul greets a wonderful seasoned, ambitious lady ambassador from Cambodia
All these years since the resumption of diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Cambodia in 1997, the Republic of Korea has been favored with wonderful ambassadors from the country. However, this year it appears that Korea greets one of the most wonderful ambassadors. The ambassador, Madam Chring Botum Rangsay, spoke the English language in a manner which no one could really tell apart from that used by Britons or Americans. With the new ambassador from Cambodia, it appears that the two countries are now in for a one-notch upgraded level of relations, cooperation and friendship. At an exclusive interview with The Korea Post media (publisher of 3 English and 2 Korean news publications since 1985) on Oct. 26, 2021, Ambassador Chring disclosed that following the signing of free trade agreement (FTA) between Korea and Cambodia, the Cambodian Embassy planned to cohost a business investment event in Seoul in early December with the participation of economy- and business-related ministers of Cambodia.
The 15th World Forestry Congress to be held in Seoul next May
“The 15th World Forestry Congress (WFC) will be held in Seoul next May. Under the theme of ‘a green and healthy future created together with forests,’ the general meeting will focus on the role of forests as a means of responding to climate change,” said Minister Choi Byeong-am of Korea Forest Service. In an interview with Korea Post, Choi said, “The World Forestry Congress was first held in 1926, and is the most influential and largest international conference in the field of forestry held every six years. “As a host country, during this forest meeting, Korea plans to publicize its status as an advanced country in forestry by sharing with the participants its international forestry cooperation efforts and experiences, and know-how for forest reforestation that is unparalleled in the world,” he said.
Kia EV6 selected as the 2022 German Premium Car of the Year
The Kia EV6 electric crossover has been voted ‘2022 German Car of the Year’ in the ‘Premium’ category of the ‘German Car of the Year’ (GCOTY) awards, the Kia Corp. said on Oct. 27. The prestigious accolade comes at a time when the innovative crossover continues to make its highly anticipated debut around the world. The EV6 fought off competition from a series of contenders to take the top honor, with the innovative crossover beating a diverse set of rivals that included the Hyundai IONIQ 5, Volkswagen ID.4, Audi Q4 e-tron and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, among others. A jury consisting of 20 automotive journalists evaluated new models with a base price of between 25,000 and 50,000 euros to determine the overall category winner.
KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/service)
Moon Declares S. Korea's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals at COP26
President Moon Jae-in has officially declared that South Korea will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent from 2018 levels by 2030. Moon made the commitment on Monday in his keynote speech at the annual UN climate summit COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland. Moon said that the target, a sharp rise of 14 percent from the previous goal, is a very challenging task that requires a drastic reduction in a very short period of time. The president continued that South Korea also legislated the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Moon additionally announced that South Korea will join the Global Methane Pledge, a global pact to cut methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030.
S. Korea, US Hold Deputy-Level Talks on N. Korea
Senior government officials from South Korea and the United States held working-level talks to discuss ways to engage North Korea including humanitarian aid and declaring a formal end to the Korean War. The foreign ministry and U.S. State Department said that Rim Kap-soo, director-general of the ministry's Korean Peninsula Peace Regime Bureau, held talks with U.S. Deputy Special Representative for North Korea Jung Pak in Washington on Monday. The department said the two sides discussed the current situation on the Korean Peninsula, prospects for humanitarian cooperation and the potential for dialogue with Pyongyang.
S. Korea Invited as Guest Country of Honor in 2022 Cervantino Int'l Festival
South Korea has been named a guest country of honor for a major international culture and arts festival in Latin America. The Asian country was introduced as an expected honorary guest at the closing of the 49th Cervantino International Festival held in the central Mexican region of Guanajuato on Sunday. The annual comprehensive festival of theater, dance, music and visual arts was launched in 1972 and is held for around 20 days each year in October. Some three-thousand artists from around 30 countries participate in the festivities, attracting 400-thousand visitors.
Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
Prosecutors seek arrest warrants for 3 key figures in Seongnam development scandal
Prosecutors sought arrest warrants Monday for three key figures in an urban development scandal on charges of breach of trust and bribery in connection with a lucrative project in Seongnam, south of Seoul. Prosecutors have been looking into suspicions over how a previously unheard-of asset management company, Hwacheon Daeyu, and its seven affiliates reaped astronomical profits from a 2015 project to develop the Daejang-dong district in Seongnam into an apartment complex. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office sought the warrants for Kim Man-bae and Nam Wook, private partners of the project, who are alleged to have colluded with Yoo Dong-gyu, former acting president of Seongnam Development Corp., to set the terms of the public bidding in the project to allow Hwacheon Daeyu to become the preferred bidder.
Self-proclaimed prophet and maverick, ridiculed by others, makes 3rd presidential bid
Pompously clad in a Joseon-era general's suit of armor, a longsword in hand, Huh Kyung-young, honorary chief of a little known political party, showed up on horseback at an historic battlefield site northwest of Seoul in August to declare his presidential bid in yet another bout of his unique political gimmickry. Enacting the Joseon army's heroic victory over invading Japanese forces at Haengju Fortress in one of the major Imjin War battles (1592-1598), the 71-year-old made a spectacle by playing the role of a national hero who slices the enemies to death and saves the country, in front of journalists and supporters.
Office workers, students struggle to return to in-person life as 'living with COVID-19' kicks off
City centers in Seoul welcomed back the return of rush hour crowds Monday morning as office workers and students resumed their in-person lives under the government's "living with COVID-19" scheme aimed at bringing the nation gradually back to pre-pandemic normalcy. South Korea activated on Monday the first of the three-stage scheme to gradually phase out coronavirus restrictions as more than 70 percent of the population have been fully vaccinated. Under the latest measure effective for four weeks, operation hour curfews on cafes, restaurants and other businesses were fully lifted, except for nightlife establishments, while the private gathering limit was raised to 10 people for the greater Seoul area.
The Korea Herald (http://www.koreaherald.com)
Moon urges solidarity to tackle global supply chain crisis
President Moon Jae-in on Sunday attended a global supply chain summit that was convened by US President Joe Biden in an apparent move to rally allies in reshaping the global supply ecosystem less dependent on China. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the gathering of the G-20 leaders in Rome. A total of 14 countries, mostly the US’ key allies like Italy, Germany, Canada, India and Australia, attended the meeting, with China being absent. Biden stressed the urgent need for addressing the current supply chain crisis and other challenges affecting global commerce amid the protracted COVID-19 pandemic.
Ahn declares third bid for presidency, vows to create a technology-oriented Korea
Ahn Cheol-soo, head of the minor opposition People’s Party, officially declared his third bid for presidency on Monday, vowing to transform South Korea into a science and technology-oriented state. Whether Ahn will unify with the main opposition People Power Party candidate will be a major variable in the upcoming election. Announcing his candidacy at the National Assembly in Seoul, Ahn said, “I will become a president who pursues national growth engines with the power of advanced science and technology.”
Moon’s hydrogen vision is 'color-blind'
South Korea is undoubtedly among the frontrunners in the global hydrogen race, with a sweeping and ambitious national strategy to utilize the cleanest fuel to power Asia’s fourth-largest economy. In its push for the hydrogen economy, the Moon Jae-in administration takes pride in having enacted the world’s first hydrogen act, a fast rollout of hydrogen cars and charging stations, and an impressive list of big companies backing the national vision with investment pledges totaling more than 43 trillion won ($36.6 billion). But Moon’s hydrogen vision lacks attention to the most essential part of the hydrogen economy – the fuel itself.
The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
Moon declares Korea's commitment to cut carbon emissions by 40% by 2030
President Moon Jae-in officially declared South Korea's commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent from the 2018 levels by 2030 as he addressed the annual U.N. climate conference. Moon also said South Korea will try to bring carbon emissions down on the entire Korean Peninsula by pushing for tree planting campaigns in North Korea during a keynote speech at the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow. South Korea's reduction target represents a sharp raise from its previous goal of 26.3 percent. "This is a bold objective that was raised by about 14 percent from the previous target," Moon told the climate summit that brought together more than 100 heads of state, including U.S. President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Moon low-key on US chip data request at G20, passing buck to Samsung
President Moon Jae-in remained "low-key" over requests by the United States to address global supply chain issues, during a multilateral forum on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rome, Sunday, experts and sources said, Monday. Moon touched broadly on the significance of normalizing the global supply chain while being specific about ways to tackle the international shipping crisis, which needs China's support to resolve. These actions reflect an extension of Korea's balancing act to avoid getting caught in the crossfire of the U.S.-China row. Such a complex diplomatic gesture, however, may leave Samsung Electronics in an equally difficult position regarding its semiconductor business in the United States, as it may have to deal directly with the Biden administration over whether to hand over confidential information on chips, the expert said.
Korean steelmakers to suffer setbacks due to US-EU tariff deal
POSCO, Hyundai Steel and other Korean steelmakers may face setbacks in their exports to the U.S., following Washington's deal with the European Union to ease steel and aluminum tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump in 2018, according to industry sources, Monday. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy convened an emergency meeting with representatives from 11 steel mills, Monday, to discuss possible countermeasures and the industry's outlook. The U.S and the EU agreed to ease tariffs on billions of dollars of steel and aluminum to end a trade dispute dating back to the previous administration, according to reports. Under the deal reached on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Rome over the weekend, a 25 percent tariff on steel and 10 percent on aluminum will remain, while a limited volume of EU-produced metals will come into the U.S. duty free.
Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)
Moon, Biden Chat Briefly at G20
President Moon Jae-in only chatted briefly to U.S. President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rome on Saturday. They were on their way to have their group photograph taken. The last time Moon and Biden saw each other was at the G7 Summit in the U.K. in June. Cheong Wa Dae said Moon mentioned his meeting with Pope Francis the previous day and said, "The pope prayed for peace on the Korean Peninsula and said he would visit North Korea if invited." Biden welcomed the news and told Moon that he "is accomplishing progress" in resolving North Korean issues. Moon also spoke about North Korea in his meetings with other G20 leaders.
N.Korea 'Preparing for Another Submarine-Launched Missile Test'
North Korea appears to be preparing for another test-launch of a submarine-launched ballistic missile at the Sinpo shipyard in South Hamgyong Province, according to website 38 North of Johns Hopkins University last Friday. The website said satellite imagery indicates "continued activity around North Korea's Sinpo-class experimental ballistic missile submarine consistent with preparations for additional testing of submarine-launched ballistic missiles." The sub is the same 8.24 Yongung from which a new SLBM was launched on Oct. 19.
Will Koreans Go Back to the Office?
Businesses whose staff have been working from home since the coronavirus pandemic started are preparing for a return to the office. Most employees have been fully vaccinated and lockdown restrictions are being eased as Korea plans a phased return to normal next month. But many employers and workers alike are reluctant to resume the old office routines. Businesses have gotten used to reduced overheads thanks to telecommuting, and some employees like working from home instead of spending hours on public transportation. Others, however, have grown to hate working from home.
HanKyoReh Shinmun (http://english.hani.co.kr)
Top US, S. Korean diplomats hold “serious discussions” on end-of-war declaration
The South Korean and US foreign ministers held “serious discussions” on methods of quickly resuming the Korean Peninsula peace process, including a possible declaration formally ending the Korean war, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said. South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Chung Eui-yong and US Secretary of State Tony Blinken met for 30 minutes on Sunday morning in Rome, where the G20 summit was being held. According to MOFA, Chung and Blinken exchanged views on areas of mutual interest, including South Korea-US relations, Korean Peninsula issues, and the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Where will S. Korea stand in the astropolitical order?
South Korea’s homegrown Nuri rocket made its first flight into space in October. As it so happens, that’s an extremely significant month in the history of global space exploration. Oct. 4, 1957, was the day that the Soviet Union inaugurated the Space Age by launching the world’s first satellite. Oct. 10, 1967, was the day that the Outer Space Treaty took effect, governing the exploration and use of space. The UN celebrates the week spanning those two dates (Oct. 4 to Oct. 10) as World Space Week. This October also saw some new space records being set. The first feature film was shot in space last month, while a 90-year-old became the oldest person to go on a space flight.
Train services between N. Korea, China may resume in November, Seoul’s intelligence agency says
Train services between the North Korean city of Sinuiju and Dandong in China may resume as soon as November after being halted for over a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) revealed at a parliamentary briefing. The NIS also shared that Kim Jong-un had lost approximately 20 kilograms, or around 44 pounds, but has no apparent health issues while also reporting on the use of a new term: “Kim Jong-unism.” On Thursday, the National Assembly Intelligence Committee received a briefing on North Korea during a closed-door parliamentary session conducted at the National Intelligence Service offices in Seoul.
The Dong-A Ilbo (http://english.donga.com/)
Xi, Kishida send condolence for former Pres. Roh Tae-woo’s death
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sent words of condolence for South Korea’s former President Roh Tae-woo’s death on Tuesday. The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Monday that 10 countries – China, Japan, Thailand, Kuwait, Bahrain, Hungary, Guatemala, Maldives, Seychelles, and Gabon – sent condolence for the former president’s death. “It seems that China and Japan sent condolence under the leaders’ names to pay respect,” said a member of the ministry.
Over 600,000 Janssen vaccinated sign up for booster shots
The number of people vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen signing up for booster shots have exceeded 600,000 in only three days after advance booking was launched. According to the Central Disaster Management Headquarters, 619,226 of the Janssen vaccinated population signed up for booster shots as of Sunday, which is 41.7% of the 1,485,040 people who have been vaccinated with Janssen in Korea. Booster shot reservations opened at 8 p.m. on Thursday and exceeded 600,000 as of Saturday.
G20 agrees on digital taxation reforms
Major countries have agreed to proceed with a digital tax deal by which multinational businesses such as Google and Facebook will have to fulfill tax obligations in a nation where their sales are generated. G20 leaders on Saturday agreed on a digital tax proposal in a meeting held in Rome, Italy, according to Reuters and The Associated Press. The agreed proposal involves two key changes in how multinationals pay taxes. First, a new type of tax is levied on multinational businesses which dodge tax responsibilities despite a large profit generated in the global market by setting up a company in a tax haven.
The KyungHyangShinmun (http://english.khan.co.kr/)
Who Will Defeat Lee Jae-myung? Hong Joon-pyo 38.2%, Yoon Seok-youl 33.1%
On October 28, a poll showed that lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo was ahead of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl outside the margin of error in the People Power Party primaries. Hong was also ahead in a virtual two-way race against the Democratic Party of Korea’s presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung with a lead bigger than the margin of error. This day, Realmeter released the results of a survey commissioned by OhmyNews. The polling firm surveyed 2,035 people ages 18 and older nationwide on October 25-26, and the results showed that respondents supported the presidential candidates in the People Power Party in the order of Hong Joon-pyo (38.2%), Yoon Seok-youl (33.1%), former lawmaker Yoo Seong-min (10.9%), and former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong (4.1%).
“Chun Doo-hwan Is Not Worth Considering” Lee Cheol-hee on the Debate over a State Funeral for Roh Tae-woo
On October 28, Senior Cheongwadae Secretary for Political Affairs Lee Cheol-hee spoke on the controversial decision to hold a state funeral for former President Roh Tae-woo, who died on October 26, and said, “In the case of former president Chun Doo-hwan, a state funeral or a burial in the national cemetery is not worth considering.” This day, Lee appeared for an interview on the CBS radio show, Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show and said, “There are some people who mention former President Chun, but we think it (former President Roh) is a completely different case.” Lee explained, “He (Roh) left his last words seeking forgiveness and his bereaved family also visited the May 18 cemetery and apologized in the past.” He further said, “The decision to hold a state funeral does not mean that we believe the evaluation of him by history and the people is over.”
Who Will Defeat Lee Jae-myung? Hong Joon-pyo 38.2%, Yoon Seok-youl 33.1%
On October 28, a poll showed that lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo was ahead of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl outside the margin of error in the People Power Party primaries. Hong was also ahead in a virtual two-way race against the Democratic Party of Korea’s presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung with a lead bigger than the margin of error. This day, Realmeter released the results of a survey commissioned by OhmyNews. The polling firm surveyed 2,035 people ages 18 and older nationwide on October 25-26, and the results showed that respondents supported the presidential candidates in the People Power Party in the order of Hong Joon-pyo (38.2%), Yoon Seok-youl (33.1%), former lawmaker Yoo Seong-min (10.9%), and former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong (4.1%).
Maeil Business News Korea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/)
Krafton, Kakao Games likely to join MSCI Korea Index this month
Krafton Inc. and Kakao Games Corp. are expected to join the MSCI Korea Index later this month in semi-annual index review by investment research firm Morgan Stanley Capital International next week. According to Shinhan Investment Corp. on Monday, Krafton, Kakao Games, F&F, L&F, and Iljin Materials are expected to be newly included in the MSCI Korea Index when the firm announces the results of its semi-annual review on Nov. 12. Based on past track record, there were more changes in the semi-annual review in May and November than in the quarterly review in February and August. The review results will be reflected on the index after stock closing on Nov. 30.
SK Telecom starts anew after demerger of non-telecom SK Square
SK Telecom and SK Square are officially separated into two entities, a move that is expected to bolster efficiency in management and investment decisions for each telecommunications business and the non-telecom business, the company announced on Monday. The first reorganization in SK Telecom’s 37-year history gained full blessing from its shareholders last month, the company added. Under the separation, newly launched SK Square will focus on new investments in semiconductors and information and communications technologies with an aim to improve corporate value. Park Jung-ho, former CEO of SK Telecom, will spearhead bold investment in semiconductor market at home and abroad as the new head of the non-telecom business.
Korean schools to return to in-class learning in Nov. under eased Covid curbs
South Korean schools will return to complete face-to-face learning by late November, the first time in nearly two years, as the nation is set to take the first step toward ‘living with Covid-19’ next month. Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum on Friday announced the country’s first-phase ‘return-to-normal’ scheme to be implemented for the next four weeks. The first phase will go into effect on Monday. Under the eased rules, operational hour restrictions will be lifted to allow facilities except for entertainment facilities to operate around the clock. Private gatherings of up to 10 people in Seoul and its surrounding areas and 12 in non-metropolitan areas will also be allowed. But Restaurants and cafes at high risk of virus infection can have up to four customers if they are not vaccinated.
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
Australia Brisbane Times www.brisbanetimes.com.au syndication@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Sydney Morning Heraldwww.smh.com.au
Colombia Reports http://colombiareports.com
Bogota Free Planet http://bogotafreeplanet.combfp@bogotafreeplanet.com
El Universal http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/english
Andes http://www.andes.info.ec/en
Ecuador Times http://www.ecuadortimes.net
The Jordan Times https://www.jordantimes.com
LSM.lv http://www.lsm.lv/en
The Baltic Times http://www.baltictimes.com lithuania@baltictimes.com, estonia@baltictimes.com, editor@baltictimes.com
El Pais http://elpais.com/elpais/inenglish.html
Philippine Daily Inquirer https://www.inquirer.net
Daily News Hungary http://dailynewshungary.com
Budapest Times http://budapesttimes.hu
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