Tuesday, February 15, 2022
Round-up of important news from major Korean dailies and from international media today
The Korea Post ( www.koreapost.com )
Argentina has many areas, projects where Korean businesses can actively participate
Ambassador Alfredo Bascou of the Argentine Republic in Seoul said, “There are many sectors and projects in Argentina that may be of interest for Korean companies.” Speaking at a recent interview with The Korea Post media (publisher of 3 English and 2 Korean news publications since 1985, Ambassador Bascou then added, “Above all, Argentina has ideal conditions for the development of renewable energies.” Ambassador Bascou also stated that on a larger scale Argentina implements the most ambitious infrastructure plan of transport section in the history of the country, fostering its growth and development.”
Orji Uzor Kalu: The Presidential aspirant who'll strengthen South Korea - Nigeria relationship
The 2023 Nigerian presidential election will be held on February 18, 2023 to elect the President and Vice President. Incumbent APC President Muhammadu Buhari is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a third term. The primaries will be scheduled for late 2022 or early 2023. The winners of the election will be inaugurated on 29 May 2023, the former date of Democracy Day. With the tenure of the Buhari administration winding down, another set of politicians is being positioned as the country’s saviors come 2023. To steady the ship of the Nigerian state, Nigerians must elect a candidate who has the capacity and demonstrated ability to deliver as president in 2023.
Human rights, legitimate interests of the people are the highest value of the state, society
In the Republic of Uzbekistan, where more than 35 million people, representing more than 140 nationalities and ethnicities live, everyone has equal rights and obligations. It must be recognized that ensuring fundamental human rights and freedoms is a priority among the reforms carried out in Uzbekistan. First and foremost, reforms in the field of human rights are directly related to The Strategy of Actions on five priority areas of development of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2017-2021, which was adopted at the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/service)
Official Campaigning for Presidential Election Kicks Off
The official campaign for the March 9 presidential election kicked off on Tuesday. The candidates will be allowed to campaign for the 20th presidency wearing sashes, name tags or other props until March 8, one day before the election. During the 22-day period, parties and their candidates are permitted to deliver speeches in public places using vehicles or loudspeakers and put up placards. Candidates are also allowed to place ads in newspapers or TV, deliver speeches on radio or TV, and release campaign commercials on the homepage of media outlets. According to the National Election Commission, a total of 14 candidates registered for the election on Sunday and Monday.
US Raises Travel Advisory for S. Korea to Highest Level 4
The U.S. has raised its travel advisory for South Korea by a notch to the highest level due to COVID-19 amid the rapid spread of the omicron variant. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) designated South Korea as a Level Four destination in its four-tier travel alert system due to "very high" levels of the virus. Per the CDC’s metrics, countries are considered to have "very high" COVID-19 levels when they report more than 500 new cases per 100-thousand people over the past 28 days. Azerbaijan, Belarus, Comoros, Saint Pierre and Miquelon and French Polynesia were also moved to the highest category.
Import Prices Rise 4.1% in January on Oil Price Hikes
Import prices rose in January for the first time in three months as global oil prices saw another increase. According to data by the Bank of Korea on Tuesday, the country's import price index rose to 132-point-27 last month, up four-point-one percent from a month earlier. The index soared 30-point-one percent compared to a year ago, posting an increase for the eleventh consecutive month. Import prices fell one percent in November and two percent in December, but reversed in January as the rising prices of crude oil boosted the prices of coal and petroleum products. The price of Dubai crude, South Korea's benchmark, jumped 14 percent in January.
Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
Moon orders 'urgent' measures in response to Ukraine crisis
President Moon Jae-in ordered the government on Monday to come up with "urgent" measures in response to the political situation in Ukraine amid fears the security crisis could hurt South Korean interests. Moon made the remark as he presided over a Cabinet-level meeting discussing strategies to cope with the external economy and security situation. The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki and 23 other senior-level officials of related ministries and state-run institutions.
Yoon leads Lee within margins of error in 2 polls
Main opposition presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol is leading his ruling party rival Lee Jae-myung within margins of error, two polls showed Monday. In a survey by the Korea Society Opinion Institute (KSOI), Yoon of the conservative People Power Party garnered a 43.5 percent support, while Lee of the liberal Democratic Party received 40.4 percent. The 3.1 percentage-point gap is within the margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. The poll conducted on 1,005 adults Friday and Saturday has a 95 percent confidence level.
New COVID-19 cases over 50,000 for 5th day amid worries over further spike
South Korea's daily COVID-19 cases exceeded 50,000 for the fifth day in a row Monday as health authorities brace for a further spike amid the fast spread of the highly transmissible omicron variant across the nation. On Monday, the country began administering the fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccines, starting with people with weak immune systems, but health authorities said they are not considering giving such shots to ordinary people. The country reported 54,619 new COVID-19 infections, including 54,513 local cases, raising the total to 1,405,246, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
The Korea Herald (http://www.koreaherald.com)
Two natural quakes hit near N. Korea's nuclear test site: KMA
Two minor natural earthquakes hit near North Korea's nuclear testing site Monday, South Korea's state weather agency said. A 2.3 magnitude tremor occurred about 36 kilometers north-northwest of Kilju, North Hamgyong Province, at 2:33 p.m., according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). At 7:47 p.m., another 2.3 magnitude quake struck about 37 kilometers north of the region, where North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear testing site is located, the KMA said.
14 candidates register for March presidential election
A total of 14 candidates will run in the March 9 presidential election, the state election commission said Monday as it concluded the two-day candidate registration. The National Election Commission said 11 people registered their names Sunday and three more joined the race Monday. On Sunday, Lee Jae-myung of the ruling Democratic Party (DP), Yoon Suk-yeol of the main opposition People Power Party, Ahn Cheol-soo of the centrist People's Party and Sim Sang-jeung of the minor progressive Justice Party registered their candidacies.
Moon orders plans for safe evacuation amid Ukraine crisis
President Moon Jae-in on Monday ordered government ministries to prepare for the safe evacuation of Koreans in Ukraine, and draw up measures to mitigate damages to Korean companies, citing the threat of a looming Russian invasion of Ukraine.“We need to implement what we can do right away and prepare closely for the worst,” Moon said, presiding over an external economic security strategy meeting. “In case of emergency, it is necessary to make every effort to evacuate and withdraw the Korean people and devise measures to minimize damage to our companies in advance.”
The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
Children of multicultural backgrounds still face discrimination in schools
ANSAN, Gyeonggi Province ― Gu Young-chan, 16, still remembers the first day when he moved to new school a few years ago. He was introduced as a "multicultural child" by his homeroom teacher in front of the whole class. "I immediately saw the uncomfortable looks on my classmates' faces, which made me feel nervous and awkward," said Gu, whose mother is Chinese and father Korean. Being labeled as a multicultural student on the first day of school was not only unpleasant, but it also made it harder for him to make new friends. "It felt like my classmates were keeping a distance from me," he said.
Yoon, Ahn disagree on how to field unified candidate
The opposition bloc still remained far apart on how to field a unified presidential candidate, Monday, a day after People's Party candidate Ahn Cheol-soo made a dramatic offer to field a single contender. While proposing a unified candidacy to Yoon Suk-yeol of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), Sunday, Ahn floated the idea of selecting a candidate based on public opinion polls. The PPP, which initially welcomed the offer with open arms, however, came to think twice as it has a different view about the format of deciding a candidate based on surveys.
Among foreign health insurance subscribers, Chinese reap highest benefits
Among foreign residents who subscribe to Korea's national health insurance program, Chinese nationals were the only group whose total reimbursed medical expenses surpassed their total insurance premiums, according to National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) data. According to data obtained by Rep. Seo Jeong-suk of main opposition People Power Party (PPP) from the NHIS, among the foreign nationals of the top 20 countries subscribed to the state-run healthcare system between 2017 and 2020, only the Chinese residents' reimbursement-to-premium ratio exceeded 100 percent, the group in total received more benefits than the amount paid.
Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)
Ahn Cheol-soo Proposes Fielding Single Opposition Candidate
Perpetual presidential hopeful Ahn Cheol-soo of the People's Party on Sunday proposed to rival Yoon Seok-youl of the main opposition People Power Party fielding a single opposition candidate in the presidential election. "We must walk the path of unifying the people," Ahn said in a YouTube stream and proposed choosing the single candidate through a public opinion poll. Yoon said he is "positively" considering the offer but added that it "leaves something to be desired," suggesting he disagrees with the method. Ahn made the proposal after registering his candidacy with the National Election Commission earlier in the day. "I hope we can achieve a change in leadership for the better and end old-style politics," he said.
11 Candidates Register for Presidential Race
Eleven contenders for president in next month's election registered their candidacy with the National Election Commission on Sunday. Registration ends Monday and official campaigning starts Tuesday for the election on March 9. Among lesser-known hopefuls are former Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon of the New Wave Party and Huh Kyung-young of the National Revolutionary Dividends Party. Candidates had to declare their assets, which revealed that Minjoo candidate Lee Jae-myung is worth W3.22 billion, and main opposition People Power Party candidate Yoon Seok-youl W7.75 billion, including W6.9 billion belonging to his wife.
Young People Snap up Seoul's Overpriced Apartments
More than four out of 10 apartments on the market at eye-watering prices in Seoul last year were snapped up by people in their 20s and 30s. This raises concerns that young people borrowed heavily and will feel the brunt of rising interest rates and a price collapse triggered by tightened lending rules. According to the Korea Real Estate Board on Sunday, the proportion of apartments bought by people in their 20s and 30s stood at 31 percent last year, up 1.8 percentage points from a year earlier and the first time it rose above 30 percent. In Seoul the proportion reached a staggering 41.7 percent, up around 10 percentage point from two years ago, even though people in that age group normally earn significantly less than those in their 40s and 50s.
HanKyoReh Shinmun (http://english.hani.co.kr)
S. Korean foreign minister proposes new ways to engage N. Korea in summit with US
The foreign ministers of South Korea, the US, and Japan issued a statement Saturday condemning North Korea’s ballistic missile launches and urging the country to halt illegal activities such as missile testing and take part in dialogue.
The joint statement was announced after a trilateral meeting in Honolulu that day among South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Chung Eui-yong, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Yoshimasa Hayashi.
Biden’s Indo-Pacific strategy aims to rein in China via alliances with S. Korea, Japan
The administration of US President Joe Biden has put forward a strategy for the Indo-Pacific with the chief aim of containing China’s rise. In particular, the Biden administration’s foreign policy has stressed the importance of alliances, with a noticeable emphasis on the role of allies in the Quad framework and trilateral cooperation with South Korea and Japan. A 12-page document titled “Indo-Pacific Strategy of the United States” released by the White House on Friday referred to the US as “an Indo-Pacific power,” stressing that the US would “focus on every corner of the region, from Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia, to South Asia and Oceania, including the Pacific Islands.”
Former USFK commander said S. Korea does not need another THAAD battery
Following debate by presidential candidates over whether a former US Forces Korea commander said that an additional Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-missile system does not need to be deployed in South Korea, the reporter who originally interviewed the commander in question said Sunday that former USFK Commander Vincent Brooks indeed said at the time that an additional THAAD battery was “not necessary in South Korea.” Radio Free Asia reporter Lee Sang-min, who wrote the article that quoted Brooks in November of 2020, responded to the Hankyoreh’s email asking for a fact check, writing that former Commander Brooks said he thought an additional THAAD deployment is not necessary in South Korea because the existing THAAD battery in the country can be integrated with other missile defense systems to protect South Korea from the threat of North Korean missiles.
The Dong-A Ilbo (http://english.donga.com/)
NIS is trying to destroy evidence ahead of election, says PPP
The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) said on Monday that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) is trying to replace its main server, where all the details of its activities are stored, raising suspicions that the spy agency is attempting to destroy evidence ahead of the presidential election. The NIS immediately issued a statement and dismissed the claim, saying it has no plans to replace the main server this year.
Fourth vaccine dose begins for people with suppressed immune system
The administration of fourth COVID-19 vaccine doses began on Monday for high-risk groups – about 1.3 million people with the suppressed immune system, such as cancer patients and those who had an organ transplant. This group of people can get vaccinated from Monday using the remaining available vaccines or designate a date to receive a dose from February 28. The South Korean government announced its fourth vaccine dose administration plan on Monday as above. Following the group with the weakened immune system, about 0.5 million people admitted in or working at care hospitals or facilities will receive a fourth dose from March.
Ahn proposes unifying of candidates through opinion poll
Ahn Chul-soo, the presidential candidate for the minor opposition People’s Party, told People’s Power Party candidate Yoon Suk-yeol that he proposes ‘the unification of opposition party candidates for the grand cause of terminating the old system and change of the administration.’ Yoon replied by saying, “I am positively considering.” As for the way of unifying candidates, Ahn suggested an opinion poll and Yoon said that he will think about the method but there is something insufficient. Depending on the situation surrounding the discussion about the envisaged candidacy unification and results thereof, the structure of the race for the presidential election, which is just 24 days to go, could be fluctuating.
The KyungHyangShinmun (http://english.khan.co.kr/)
“The Legs Were Up for 10 Minutes. We Apologize” Lee Jun-seok Speaks on Yoon Seok-youl’s Controversial Shoes on Train Seat
People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok explained about how the party’s presidential candidate Yoon Seok-youl had placed his feet, shoes and all, on a train seat and said, “The candidate put his legs up for a while when speaking with his aides, while I was away (in the broadcasting car).” On February 13, Lee wrote on his social media account, “The seat in question was where I sat and talked face to face with the candidate, and while I was away for about ten minutes in the broadcasting car, he put his legs up because he had cramps from talking with me for nearly an hour knee to knee.”
Government to Start Administering Fourth Dose of Covid Vaccine to People in Care Facilities and with Weak Immune Systems at the End of February
The government will begin administering the fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the end of this month. People with weak immune systems and those in care hospitals and care facilities will be subject to the fourth shot. In a meeting on February 14, Kwon Deok-cheol (minister of health and welfare), first assistant director of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, made the announcement and said, “The number of people testing positive is increasing again among those ages sixty and older.” In the fourth week of January, people ages sixty and older accounted for 8.0% of positive test results, but the rate increased to 9.2% in the first week of February, and to 11.7% in the second week.
No Kit, No Answer: People in Home Treatment, “It Feels Like Being Locked Up and Neglected”
On February 10, the new home treatment policy, including the self-care of COVID-19 patients under the age of sixty with light or no symptoms, was implemented nationwide. However, the new policy was introduced without giving local governments and hospitals ample time to familiarize themselves with the new guidelines, causing confusion on the field. Demand for the self-test kit surged, pushing prices up and hinting at a possible fiasco like the one when the price of masks soared in the early days of the outbreak. Thus, the government decided to distribute enough rapid antigen test kits for 1-2 tests a week for 2.1 million people in facilities vulnerable to infection, such as daycare centers and welfare facilities for the elderly from February 21. The government will also ban the online sales of test kits beginning February 13.
Maeil Business News Korea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/)
Imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine adds more woes to energy-reliant Korea
Imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine raises greater alarm for South Korea whose trade and inflation have already been bruised by spikes in energy and commodity prices, while Korean businesses in Eastern Europe could be damaged by the regional tensions. Russia is a major crude oil producer and the world`s largest natural gas exporter. Global oil prices already have topped $90 per barrel to record seven-year high on rising geopolitical risk, with some projecting the price to hit $120 if Russia invades its neighbor.
Foreigners exiting from Kosdaq as fast as in the wake of ’08 financial crisis
Foreign investors are exiting from Korea’s secondary Kosdaq market as fast as in the wake of 2008 financial crisis on major disappointments related to bio and game growth stocks amid risk aversion sentiment during monetary tightening environment. Offshore investors net sold 2.87 trillion won ($2.4 billion) on the secondary Kosdaq from Jan. 3 to Feb. 11, close to 3.48 trillion won in foreign net sale for full 2008. The Kosdaq which started the year above 1,000 slipped under 870. The Kosdaq finished 2.81 percent lower at 852.79 on Monday.
HMM reports milestone $6 bn income for ’21 on doubled revenue
South Korea’s sea flag carrier HMM Co. reported milestone income of over $6 billion last year on soaring freight rates amid continued shipping bottlenecks across the world. The company disclosed Monday its operating income for 2021 jumped 652 percent to 7.4 trillion won ($6.2 billion) from 980.8 billion won a year ago. Sales more than doubled to 13.8 trillion won from 6.4 trillion won in 2020. Shares of HMM ended Monday 3.3 percent up at 25,150 won.
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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
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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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