Wednesday, December 1, 2021

 

Round-up of important news from major Korean dailies and from international media today

 

The Korea Post ( www.koreapost.com )

Exchange of visits by Heads of State greatly contribute to furthering bilateral ties”

Economic & Commercial Counsellor Dario Jose Saez Mendez at the Embassy of the Kingdom Spain in Seoul said that Spain takes great interest in the promotion of relations, cooperation and friendship with Koreain the economic, commercial and many other fields. Speaking at a recent interview with The Korea Post media at his office in Seoul, Counsellor Darío Sáez said that amidst the growing ties of bilateral cooperation there was a visit by H.M. King Felipe VI of Spain toKorea on Oct. 23, 2019. Then in return, he said, President Moon Jae-in visited Spain at the invitation of H.M. King Felipe VI on June 15 this year.

 

ECO has turned into a large regional structure with huge economic potential”

On November 28, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in the Fifteenth Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), in Ashgabat. Issues of further enhancing the multilateral partnership aimed at strengthening the ECO as a dynamic organization, deepening cooperation between its member states in trade, transport-communication connectivity,  industrial cooperation, green energy and tourism were the main topics of the meeting’s agenda. The President of Uzbekistan congratulated Turkmenistan on the successful chairmanship of the organization and noted the importance of the adoption of the UN General Assembly Resolution on Cooperation between the UN and ECO in September this year.

 

SK On develops battery diagnosis tech for electric vehicle drivers to self-check

SK On has started a battery diagnosis service based on the development of a technology that allows drivers to self-check the battery status of their electric vehicles (EVs), the company said on Nov. 26. The battery diagnosis service measures the changes in battery in every use setting in which the EV operates and charges. The collected data is examined using SK On’ self-developed “BaaS AI” (Battery as a Service Artificial Intelligence). It informs users of the battery’s longevity, abnormalities, driving habits, risky situations, driving habits that will help extend the battery’s lifespan, and so on.

 

                                                                                                              

KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/service)

Moon Orders Strengthened Quarantine on New Arrivals amid Omicron Concerns

President Moon Jae-in has ordered immediate strengthening of quarantine measures on those arriving from overseas to contain the spread of the alarming new COVID-19 variant, omicron. Presidential spokesperson Park Kyung-mee said on Tuesday that Moon made the instruction after being briefed on the nation’s first suspect cases of the omicron strain earlier in the day. Moon assessed that although analysis on the new variant has yet to be sufficiently conducted, South Korea’s response to the pandemic could reach a critical juncture because of it. Moon also ordered officials to swiftly develop testing kits to detect omicron and draft quarantine measures to effectively respond to the new variant.

 

Court to Review Arrest Warrant for ex-Lawmaker Mired in Land Development Scandal

A Seoul court will deliberate Wednesday on a request by prosecutors for an arrest warrant for a former lawmaker Kwak Sang-do over allegations that he had indirectly received bribes via a massive severance pay given to his son. The Seoul Central District Court is set to hold a hearing on Wednesday morning to decide whether to issue an arrest warrant for Kwak. The former main opposition People Power Party representative resigned amid the suspicion that his son received an exorbitant severance package from a firm at the center of a land development scandal in Seongnam. The parliament approved his resignation last month.


First Suspect Cases of Omicron Variant Reported in S. Korea

South Korea has detected its first COVID-19 cases suspected to be the new strain, omicron. The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency(KDCA) said on Tuesday that a couple who recently returned from a trip to Nigeria underwent tests to see whether they are omicron cases. The tests result will likely come out on Wednesday night. The couple, who are both in their 40s and visited the African country between November 14 and Tuesday of last week after completing Moderna vaccination on October 28, were diagnosed with COVID-19 last Thursday, a day after arriving in Incheon, where they reside.


                                                                                                                

 

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

First suspected cases of omicron variant detected in S. Korea

The first suspected cases of the omicron variant of COVID-19 have been detected in South Korea, health authorities said Tuesday, as the nation tightened its entry restrictions for the African region to prevent it from spreading into the country. Health authorities have conducted a genome sequencing test on a couple who recently arrived in South Korea from Nigeria and the couple's acquaintance. They tested positive for COVID-19. The authorities expected the result to be announced after 9 p.m. Wednesday. The couple, who were fully vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine, visited Nigeria on Nov. 14-23 and tested positive for COVID-19 last Thursday, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

 

Pentagon chief due in Seoul for annual security talks on N. Korea, alliance

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is set to arrive in Seoul on Wednesday for annual security talks with his South Korean counterpart on the envisioned wartime operational control (OPCON) transfer, North Korean threats and the bilateral alliance, Seoul officials said. Austin is scheduled to land at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, 70 kilometers south of Seoul, in the afternoon, for a three-day trip on the eve of the 53rd Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) at the defense ministry here. This year's SCM comes days after Washington concluded nine months of a global defense posture review, calling for tighter cooperation with allies to confront security challenges from an increasingly assertive China and a recalcitrant North Korea.

 

Main opposition leader cancels schedule amid speculation of possible resignation

The leader of the main opposition People Power Party canceled all official activities Tuesday, adding weight to speculation he could resign as party chief over disagreements with the party's presidential nominee, Yoon Seok-youl. All of PPP Chairman Lee Jun-seok's "official schedules have been canceled from this day forward," his office said without elaborating. It added, "Everything that has been reported in the press regarding the chairman is not true." The highly unusual move deepened speculation Lee could be considering resigning from at least one of his official titles, including co-chair of the PPP election committee and party chairman, after he appeared to have been sidelined in several decisions made by Yoon's campaign.

 

                                                                                    

 

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

Consideration of Cho Min’s university admission to take more time

Korea University’s deliberation on the admission of the ex-justice minister’s daughter is to take more time, after her high school was barred from providing her school transcript record to the university. On Monday, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education said it ordered the Hanyoung Foreign Language High School to withhold their transcript of ex-Justice Minister Cho Kuk’s daughter, Cho Min. Though Rep. Hwangbo Seung-hee of the main opposition People Power Party claimed the education office prohibited the high school from submitting the data on its own accord, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education said the decision was based on legal grounds.

 

Yoon’s leadership put to test as interim conflict deepens

The leadership of the presidential candidate of the main opposition party is being put to the test, as strife appears to deepen between the election committee and party chief. On Tuesday, main opposition People Power Party Chairman Lee Jun-seok canceled all scheduled activities for the day without explanation, amid a growing gap between him and the party’s presidential nominee Yoon Seok-youl. A day earlier, Lee uploaded a Facebook post, reading “If that is the case, this is it,” without elaborating. Soon after, he uploaded a separate post that in its entirety showed a text emoji of a smiling face with a thumbs-down gesture.

 

Pentagon calls for enhancing alliance to deter China, NK in review

The US Defense Department on Monday called for enhanced cooperation with allies, including South Korea, to deter challenges posed by China and North Korea and to sustain stability in the Indo-Pacific region in its global posture review, or GPR. After a nearly 10-month review, the Joe Biden administration released its first GPR since taking office, although most details remain classified. The review shows the assessment of the US posture across major regions outside the US, such as overseas forces, and gives a glimpse of its near- and long-term defense strategy.

 

                                                                                     

 

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

First suspected case of omicron variant detected in Korea

The first suspected case of the omicron variant of COVID-19 has been detected in South Korea, health authorities said Tuesday, as the nation tightened its entry restrictions for the African region to prevent it from spreading into the country. Health authorities have conducted a genome sequencing test on a couple who recently arrived in South Korea from Nigeria and tested positive for COVID-19. The result will be announced on Wednesday. The couple, who were fully vaccinated, visited Nigeria on Nov. 14-23 and tested positive for COVID-19 last Thursday, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

 

69 foreign students accused of alleged statutory rape

Nearly 70 foreign students at a local university have been accused of alleged statutory rape of a teenage girl, according to police, Tuesday. Gangwon Provincial Police Agency said it is questioning 69 foreign students and graduates of a university in the province for allegedly engaging in unlawful sexual intercourse with the middle school student on nearly a 100 occasions since last December. including those from Nepal and Bangladesh. According to the police, they lured the victim into having sex through social media by offering snacks and asking her to hang out at their house. The law enforcement authorities viewed this as statutory rape as the students were aware of the fact that the victim was a minor.

 

'Special quarantine measures' won't contain COVID spread: experts

The government's latest "special quarantine measures" may be ineffective in responding to the current COVID-19 crisis here, according to medical experts, who warned of a harsh winter unless stronger measures are introduced. Amid an unrelenting surge in new infections and critical cases, the government announced Monday that it would not move on to the second phase of its "Living with COVID-19" strategy, but instead remain in the current first stage for the next four weeks, while implementing additional special quarantine measures. These measures include an expansion of the provision of booster shots to people aged under 50 if five months have passed since their "primary vaccination," as well as setting a six-month limit on its "vaccine pass."

 

                                                                                                               

 

Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)
4 Suspected Omicron Infections Found in Korea

Four suspected cases of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19 have been reported in Korea. The government said Tuesday that four people including a couple who recently returned from Nigeria are suspected of having contracted the strain and health officials are tracing their routes of transmission. The couple visited Nigeria between Nov. 14 and 23, arrived at Incheon International Airport on Nov. 24 and tested positive for COVID-19 the following day. The couple had only been given their second dose of the Moderna vaccine on Oct. 28. The plane they boarded took off from Nigeria with 81 passengers but stopped over in Ethiopia, and 45 passengers arrived in Korea.

Incheon-Jeju Ferry to Resume on Dec. 10
Ferry services between Incheon and Jeju will finally resume seven years after the deadly 2014 ferry disaster, on a safer, state-of-the-art passenger ship. Hydex Storage, the new operator, said Sunday that the 27,000-ton Beyond Trust will set out from Incheon on Dec. 10. The new ferry is 170 m long, 26 m wide and 28 m high and can make a maximum speed of about 24 knots while carrying 854 passengers, 487 passenger cars, and 65 10-foot shipping containers. It has 90 cabins, a business lounge with WiFi, a convenience store, a coffee shop and a restaurant. It even has cabins for families traveling with pets.

Korea Bans Flights from South Africa over Omicron Variant
Korea on Sunday banned flight from eight southern African countries as the Omicron variant of coronavirus, a potentially more contagious variant of COVID-19, sparked renewed panic around the world and sent stock markets and oil prices tumbling. The government in an emergency meeting on Saturday decided to ban flights from South Africa, where the Omicron variant was first detected, as well as Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Korean citizens who are arriving from those countries must spend 10 days in a government-designated quarantine center whether they are vaccinated or not, and have repeated COVID-19 tests.

                                                                                                

HanKyoReh Shinmun (http://english.hani.co.kr)
Lee and Yoon tied at 35.5% in newest poll

Polls published by all three of Korea’s terrestrial broadcasters on Monday show that People Power Party candidate Yoon Seok-yeol and Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung are running a close race for president, within the margin of error. When Hankook Research surveyed 1,000 Koreans on Friday through Sunday at the request of KBS, Yoon and Lee were both supported by 35.5% of respondents. The same poll had Justice Party presidential candidate Sim Sang-jung at 4.4% and People’s Party candidate Ahn Cheol-soo at 3.5%. A poll of 1,007 Koreans carried out by Next Research for SBS over Saturday and Sunday found Yoon at 34.4% and Lee at 32.7%, with Sim (4.2%) and Ahn (2.8%) trailing behind.

 

Omicron variant emerges at worst moment, a consequence of vaccine inequity

The Omicron variant of the coronavirus, which was first detected in southern Africa, has now been spotted in European countries including the UK and Germany, prompting a global panic over the new viral strain. This turn of events is fueling criticisms that the world won’t be rid of the COVID-19 pandemic until developing countries receive their fair share of vaccines. While it’s still unclear how dangerous Omicron will be, the variant has cropped up at a very bad time. Europe was already dealing with its worst wave of COVID-19, and people in the Northern Hemisphere are staying indoors as winter sets in. In addition, around six months have passed since the world’s major countries vaccinated their populations, meaning that vaccine efficacy may be waning. That’s raising the risk that the world will enter another phase of lockdowns.

 

S. Korea pauses further easing of COVID-19 curbs, makes at-home treatment standard

The South Korean government has decided to postpone the further easing of COVID-19 prevention measures that had been planned for mid-December as the second stage of its gradual return to everyday life. Instead, it is implementing special disease control measures for a four-week period lasting until Dec. 26. Booster shots of COVID-19 vaccines are to be provided for people aged 18 to 48, and expiration dates are to be imposed on vaccine passports, which certify that an individual has been fully vaccinated or produced a negative COVID-19 test result. Speaking at a special disease control review meeting conducted via videoconference at the Blue House on Monday afternoon, President Moon Jae-in said, “After all the difficulties in starting, we cannot simply turn back the gradual return to everyday life and retreat into the past.”

 

                                                                                     

 

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

NIS chief Suh Hoon to visit China on Thursday

The Financial Times reported that the Chinese market for adult diapers could exceed infant products by 2025, reflecting China’s low birth rates and aging population trends. The article said on Monday that while the demand for children’s diapers was dwindling, there is surging demand for adult nappies at care homes. Chinese manufacturers told The Financial Times that the sales of adult diapers would exceed children’s diapers in terms of annual sales by 2025. Unicharm, the best-selling diaper brand in China, is spending more of its marketing budget to adult diapers than baby diapers.

 

China faces demographic change

The Seoul city government is set to usher in a new era of self-driving vehicles. On Monday, a “declaration ceremony for the commercial operation of autonomous vehicles” was held at S-Plex Center Building in Mapo-gu, Seoul. The service will kick off on Tuesday with three self-driving sedans hovering around the DMC metro station and the clusters of apartments and offices. Passengers can hail them by using a smartphone app. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon became the first passenger to use the service, traveling about 2.9 kilometers from the S-Plex Center to the headquarters of Gugak FM in an autonomous vehicle.

 

Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong visions ‘New Samsung’

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong is bringing a major innovation in the company’s personnel management system for the first time in five years. The key is to get rid of seniority rules, such as the number of years required for promotion from one position to another. This means there will be executives in their 30s and CEOs in their 40s at Samsung, just like startup companies. The South Korean tech giant on Monday unveiled its new personnel management system, saying it is bringing innovation in personnel management system and organizational culture in order to usher in a new era and new changes.

 

                                                                                                

 

The KyungHyangShinmun (http://english.khan.co.kr/)
Italian Healthcare Fund Linked to a Massive Mafia Organization

The Italian Healthcare Fund (Italian Fund), in which over 110 billion won has been frozen since authorities suspended the repurchase of the fund, invested in a fund managed by a huge Italian mafia organization. Investigators discovered that Shin, a former employee of Hana Bank who led the design and sales of the Italian Fund, visited Italy while the fund was being sold. Prosecutors have identified Shin as the key figure in the Italian Fund fraud. Hana Bank sold 150 billion won worth of the Italian Fund, which is a fund of funds (FOF), a fund that invested in an overseas fund that in turn purchased trade receivables for medical expenses that Italian hospitals were to receive from the Italian government. Overseas funds invested in Italian hospitals through Italian special purpose vehicles (SPV).

 

Lee Jun-seok Abruptly Cancels Morning Schedule, Triggering Various Interpretations of His Words, “This Is as Far as I Go.”

People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok canceled his morning schedule for November 30. The previous evening, he wrote on his social media account, “Then this is as far as I go,” leading to speculations that he was suggesting a major decision, such as his resignation as co-leader of the party’s election campaign. So this morning’s cancellation also triggered all kinds of speculations. Recently, Lee had expressed his discomfort with how the party’s presidential candidate Yoon Seok-youl did not notify him of his camp’s schedule in advance. The People Power Party announced that at 7:55 this morning, Lee canceled plans to attend the Asia Vision Forum 2021.

 

Lee Jae-myung, “I Will Personally Meet with Biden and Kim Jong-un to Solve the North Korean Nuclear Problem”

On November 25, Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, spoke on his policy on North Korea and said, “I believe the current appeasement policy is more effective than a hardline policy of sanctions.” As for South Korea’s relations with Japan, Lee said, “I think it best that we approach in two tracks by separating the issue of history and territory from socio-economic issues.” Lee appears to have presented a practical route centered on national interests in his foreign policy. At a debate organized by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club held at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul this day, Lee said, “If we can improve the lives of the people, there is no reason to be caught up in the black-and-white mindset of conservatives versus progressives. It’s the same in foreign affairs, national defense and the economy, as well as domestic politics.”

 

                                                                                                 

 

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

S. Korea’s Oct factory output in steepest fall in 17 mos amid supply disruption

South Korea’s factory output extended losing streak into the third month in the steepest pace in 17 months in October while leading indices pointed to negative outlook as global supply instability weighed on production and corporate investments. According to data released by Statistics Korea on Tuesday, the seasonally adjusted mining and manufacturing output in October fell 3.0 percent from a month ago on weaker vehicle and primary metal output amid chip supply setback, marking the biggest fall since 7.7 percent in May last year.

 

Hyundai Engineering-Hyundai E&C JV wins $1.7 bn Saudi gas processing project

A joint venture between South Korea’s Hyundai Engineering Co. and Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. (Hyundai E&C) has clinched a 2 trillion won ($1.7 billion) deal from Saudi Aramco to build a large-scale gas processing facility, the company said Tuesday. The Saudi Arabia Jafurah Gas Processing Facilities Project involves building a facility that processes gas produced from Jafurah field and sulfur recovery unit. The joint venture will be responsible for a package of sulfur recovery units and utility and offsite facilities.

 

KITA and Hanwha vie for a new southern Seoul landmark of Jamsil MICE center project

Consortia led by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) and Hanwha Group are vying for a state-led project to build a new landmark in southern Seoul by upgrading the Jamsil Sports Complex to a global MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) venue by 2029. KITA and Hanwha Engineering & Construction Co. said Monday that they submitted bids to participate in the project. KITA’s consortium includes COEX, Hyundai Engineering & Construction and KB Financial Group, and Hanwha Group’s consortium is comprised of HDC Group, Hana Financial Investment and Shinhan Bank. Hanwha E&C and HDC Hyundai Development Co. have teamed up with the country’s another MICE operator KINTEX for the tender.

                                                                                                                   

 

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
                                                                                                               

 

The Korea Post is running video clips from the different embassies.

Azerbaijan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR8CBpcQ4WM

Sri Lanka: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hByX92Y2aGY&t=22s

Morocco: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfFmp2sVvSE

And many other countries.
 

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