The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Thursday, February 2, 2017

Your Excellency:

Here areThe Korea Postnoticesandaroundup 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

Madams, Excellencies invited to inspect Korean cooking at prestigious Korean Occupation College in Seoul

Where Madams and Excellencies are invited to have a hands-on experience in premium Korean culinary art

Excellency:

Do we hear that the Madam (or the Daughter) of Your Excellency is very well versed in culinary knowledge and skills and probably also in the traditional Korean cuisine? It yes, why 'hide' the excellent culinary skills of their chance to further promote your esteemed country and people to Korea—as well as win a coveted Plaque of Citation—as shown below?

A sample plaque of citation

Personally and privately, I would say that women control men in the Korean society today. Why not ask Madam to reveal her excellent culinary knowledge to the Korean people, and win their heart for your country?

And also, why pass up the good opportunity for her to win a much-coveted, prestigious Plaque of Citation (shown above)?

Here is a good opportunity for the Madam to further enhance the good image of your country to the Korean people by taking part in this most worthy program and exhibiting her cooking skills, which are among the highest virtues for ladies in Korea.

President Moon Sang-joo of the Korea Occupational Training College in Seoul is cordially inviting the Spouses of the Ambassadors of a selected number of countries in Korea, together with their Ambassador husbands, to have a hands-on experience in Korean food cooking and also to inspect the Culinary Class at this College on the upcoming Wednesday 8 February 2017.

An artist’s conception of the campus buildings of Korea

Occupational Training College to be dedicated this year.

For further details on the College and its Cooking Class, please visit:

http://www.koreapost.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=2571

The itinerary is as follows:

0920 hours, Wednesday 8 February 2017: Meet at the Grand Hyatt Seoul (near the Water Fountain).

0920-1020 hours: Move by Limousine Buses to the Korea Occupational Training College in Seoul.

1100-1300 hours: Madams have a hands-on experience (with Excellencies, if desired) in cooking Korean foods. Presentation of Plaque of Citation to the winning Madams.

1300-1350 hours: Luncheon with President Moon Sang-joo and the faculty members.

1400-1500 hours: Tour of the school facilities.

1500: Depart College en route back to the Grand Hyatt Seoul

Please indicate your interest in the following space:

Yes, we___(I alone___) will attend. Emergency cellphone number____________________

Contact phones of The Korea Post: 2298-1740/2, mobile 010-3388-1682 (Ms. Kim Jeong-mi for Korean callers) or 010-5201-1740 (Chairman Lee for English callers).

Very Respectfully Yours

/s/

Lee Kyung-sik

Publisher-Chairman

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From left: main opposition Minjoo Party leader Moon Jae-in, Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn,

Governor AhnHee-jung of the Chungcheongnam-do Province, Former President AhnCheol-soo

of the People’s Party, Mayor Lee Jae-myung of the Seongnam City, splinter opposition conservative

Barun Party leader YooSeung-min

Followed by Chungcheongnam-do Governor AhnHee-jung

Sans Ban, Acting President Hwang is the runner-up in the Presidential polls

Now that former UN Chief Ban Ki-moon is out of the Presidential, who is the runner-up taking Ban’s place? To the surprise of many people, he is incumbent Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn who won 12.1%. Here are the survey results published by the CBS Radio this morning:

Former Chairman Moon Jae-in of the Minjoo Party: 26.1%

Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn: 12.1%

Governor AhnHee-jung of Chungcheongnam-do Province: 11.1%

Presidential Hopeful AhnCheol-soo of the People’s Party: 9.3%

Mayor Lee Jae-myung of Seongnam City: 5

Chairman YooSeung-min of Bareun Party (breakaway group from former ruling Saenuri Party: 4.3%

Major topics on The Korea Post website (www.koreapost.com) today:

VC Lee JY of Samsung surpasses Hyundai Motor chief in dividend earnings

Samsung Group heir Lee Jae-yong is expected to earn 46.8 billion won (US$40 million) in dividend income this year, slightly higher than that of Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Mong-koo, data showed Thursday.

Seongnam mayor says: Ban's withdrawal from Presidential race will adversely impact Moon

Seongnam Mayor Lee Jae-myung, one of potential presidential candidates from the main opposition Democratic Party, said Thursday the resignation of former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon may adversely impact the party's current front-runner.

Moon's Minjoo Party to cooperate with splinter People's Party in Presidential race

South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party said Thursday it wishes to join forces with the splinter People's Party so the liberal bloc can grab a clear lead in the upcoming presidential election against conservative rivals.

President Park quietly marks birthday amid probe, impeachment trial

President Park Geun-hye's birthday a year ago was filled with an air of festivity with her secretaries and Cabinet ministers attending celebratory events at her office, though the mood was slightly dampened by North Korea's nuclear test the previous month.

Price, jobs data belie grim reality

South Korea's official unemployment and inflation figures belie the grim reality facing most Koreans who feel greater economic pain amid sluggish economic growth, a poll showed Thursday.

LG Uplus reports 63% jump in Q4 operating profit

LG Uplus Corp., South Korea's third-largest mobile carrier, said Thursday its operating profit for the fourth quarter of last year jumped 63 percent from a year earlier, helped by a steady rise in mobile phone subscribers.

Korea's imports of GMO food products top 2 million tons in 2016

South Korea's imports of genetically modified organism (GMO) food products again reached over 2 million tons last year, the government said Thursday.

Imports of GMO products for human consumption came to 2.14 million tons last year, according to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

Former Exxon Mobil CEO tapped as new US secretary of state

The U.S. Senate approved former Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson as secretary of state on Wednesday despite concerns that he is too close to Russia and lacks government or diplomacy experience.

Consumer prices growth hits over 4-yr high in January

South Korea's consumer prices rose at the fastest clip in more than four years in January on a sharp rise in food prices, government data showed Thursday.The country's consumer price index gained 2 percent last month from a year earlier, accelerating from the previous month's 1.3 percent rise, according to the data compiled by Statistics Korea.

Honda to recall 1,400 cars in Korea for Takata air bags

Honda Korea, the local importer of the Japanese car brand, will recall over 1,400 cars sold in South Korea for Takata air bags whose metal inflator can fracture and shoot at passengers when the air bag is deployed, the transportation ministry said Thursday.

Hyosung forecast to have operating income of over 1 trillion won in 2016

Hyosung Corp., a leading South Korean synthetic fiber manufacturer, is expected to have an operating income of over 1 trillion won (US$864 million) in 2016, aided by strong sales of spandex and tire cord, industry sources 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)

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/)

Former UN Chief Announces Not to Run for President

Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has announced that he will not run for president.Ban on Wednesday held a news conference at the National Assembly to deliver his unexpected decision, saying he will give up his genuine intention for a "change in politics."While expressing extreme disappointment with what he called the selfish attitudes of established politics, he said he concluded that sharing the path with such politicians is meaningless.

Moon Jae-in Calls Ban's Withdrawal Regrettable

Former chief of the main opposition Democratic Party Moon Jae-in expressed shock and regret over former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s decision to bow out of the presidential race.

Moon said on Wednesday that Ban’s decision was unexpected and regrettable, adding that he had been looking forward to good competition.

Conservative Parties Express Shock

The ruling Saenuri Party has expressed shock over former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s decision to drop out of the presidential race. Saenuri spokesman Kim Sung-won said on Wednesday that Ban’s decision is regrettable, but added the party hopes he will now make contributions to the people with his experience as the chief of the U.N.

Opposition Bloc Respects Ban Ki-moon's Decision

Opposition parties say it is unfortunate former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon dropped out of the presidential race, however, they respect his decision.Ban announced on Wednesday that he will not run for president.

Top Office Reiterates Park Should Not be Held Responsible for Sewol Sinking

The presidential office has reiterated that President Park Geun-hye should not be held responsible for the Sewol ferry sinking.Senior Presidential Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Security Kim Kyou-hyun made the claim during a hearing in Park's impeachment trial on Wednesday, where he was summoned as a witness.

JCS Chiefs of S. Korea, US Discuss Nuclear Deterrence

The heads of South Korea and the U.S.’ Joint Chiefs of Staff have spoken over the phone for the first time since the launch of the Donald Trump administration last month. The two sides emphasized the implementation of extended deterrence, including the deployment of U.S. strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula.

Moon Jae-in Vows to Create Presidential Committee on 4th Industrial Revolution

Former chief of the main opposition Democratic Party Moon Jae-in says he will create a presidential committee on the fourth Industrial Revolution if he’s elected president.

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

Consumer prices growth hits over 4-yr high in Jan.

South Korea's consumer prices rose at the fastest clip in more than four years in January on a sharp rise in food prices, government data showed Thursday.The country's consumer price index gained 2 percent last month from a year earlier, accelerating from the previous month's 1.3 percent rise, according to the data compiled by Statistics Korea.

U.S. Senate confirms Tillerson as secretary of state

The U.S. Senate approved former Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson as secretary of state on Wednesday despite concerns that he is too close to Russia and lacks government or diplomacy experience.

Hyosung forecast to have logged upbeat earnings in 2016

Hyosung Corp., a leading South Korean synthetic fiber manufacturer, is expected to have an operating income of over 1 trillion won (US$864 million) in 2016, aided by strong sales of spandex and tire cord, industry sources said Thursday.

LG Uplus reports 63 pct jump in Q4 operating profit

LG Uplus Corp., South Korea's third-largest mobile carrier, said Thursday its operating profit for the fourth quarter of last year jumped 63 percent from a year earlier, helped by a steady rise in mobile phone subscribers.

Honda to recall 1,400 cars in S. Korea for Takata air bags

Honda Korea, the local importer of the Japanese car brand, will recall over 1,400 cars sold in South Korea for Takata air bags whose metal inflator can fracture and shoot at passengers when the air bag is deployed, the transportation ministry said Thursday.

70 percent of Americans support long-term U.S. military presence in S. Korea: survey

About 70 percent of Americans believe the U.S. should have long-term military presence in South Korea, a survey showed Wednesday.The Chicago Council on Global Affairs survey, conducted jointly with research institutes in five other nations, also showed that 62 percent of South Koreans are supportive of long-term U.S. military presence in their country.

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

Ban Ki-moon renounces presidential ambition

Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday renounced his much-anticipated bid in this year’s presidential election, a move which is likely to jolt the campaign road map.

“I will give up on the pure intention to achieve a change in politics and to unite the nation,” the former top diplomat said in an urgent press conference held at the National Assembly.

Top aides deny Park inaction on Sewol, Choi’s meddling in state affairs

Incumbent presidential secretaries defended President Park Geun-hye during her impeachment trial Wednesday, denying allegations of her purported failure to respond to the 2014 ferry disaster and her confidante Choi Soon-sil’s meddling in state affairs.

Samsung loses top spot to Apple in Q4 smartphone sales

Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics lost the top spot to Apple in smartphone sales in the fourth quarter on 2016 for the first time in five years, according to US research firm Strategy Analytics. SA’s latest report showed that Samsung grabbed a 17.7 percent market share in the global smartphone market in the fourth quarter. It sold 77.5 million smartphones, a 5 percent drop on-year and its lowest quarterly sales figure in six years.

Korea’s exports grow for three straight months

Korea’s exports grew for a third consecutive month in January to show the first double-digit growth in four years, preliminary data showed on Wednesday, offering hope to the country’s ailing economy. In January, the country’s exports jumped 11.2 percent on-year, the first double-digit growth since January 2013, by logging $40.3 billion, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Hyundai Motor plans to build Korea's tallest building in Seoul

Hyundai Motor Group's new headquarters building to be constructed in southern Seoul by 2021 will be the country's tallest, a district office said Wednesday.

Its draft document for environmental impact assessment submitted to the Gangnam Ward Office showed that the main building of the planned Global Business Center (GBC) will be 569 meters tall.

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

Ban Ki-moon drops presidential bid

Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon gave up his presidential bid in a surprise announcement, Wednesday, amid stagnant approval ratings since his return from New York, Jan. 12.

Ban Ki-moon's exit may boost PM's chances

Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's exit from the presidential race is likely to place acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn as the strongest conservative presidential candidate.

Did UN advise Ban Ki-moon to give up bid?

Speculation is rampant that former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon took the U.N.'s opinion into account in his abrupt decision to withdraw his bid for presidency, Wednesday.

Upon his return home on Jan. 12, Ban said he is awaiting the U.N's opinion about whether it is a violation of a U.N. rule if he runs for the presidential race here.

Hyundai Motor to build tallest building in Korea

Hyundai Motor's new office in southern Seoul will become the country's tallest structure as the automaker is set to raise its height to 569 meters, up by 16 meters from the original plan.

The change was reflected in the company's report to the Seoul Metropolitan City for a review of the skyscraper's effects on the environment, disclosed Wednesday.

Korea, US military chiefs discuss contingency plans

Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Chairman Gen. Lee Sun-jin asked Washington, Wednesday, to strengthen its deterrence against North Korea, including deploying U.S. strategic assets in South Korea.

Zion T reflects on self-expression

Popular R&B singer Zion T revealed "OO," his first album on Black Label, one of YG Entertainment's independent sub-labels led by producer Teddy, Wednesday. His new album has received a lot of attention after he left his old record label Amoeba Culture and disappeared from the K-pop scene for a year.

Choi Soon-sil uncooperative with investigation

President Park Geun-hye's confidant Choi Soon-sil remained uncooperative with investigators Wednesday after being summoned by the special prosecution team.

The central figure in the influence-peddling scandal was forcibly brought in for questioning after the team executed a court-issued warrant to detain her for up to 48 hours.

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Dong-AIlbo (http://english.donga.com)

4 choppers deployed for combat operation against N.K. submarines

The South Korean Navy has deployed four of its eight Wildcats, the new operation helicopter, for combat missions to defend territorial waters from Wednesday. The remaining four units will be put to combat operation in July this year after combat preparation process.

Japanese man watches Korean soap operas for 10,000 hours

“I have watched more than 500 Korean soap operas, which amount to an estimated 10,000 hours in total, over the past 15 years," a 62-year-old Japanese man said. "I watched the 247-episode daily drama ‘Miss Mermaid’ while sitting in the couch at home every weekend for three months while working."

Korean scientist develops brain circuit diagram on Parkinson disease

A trailblazing invention has been developed for early diagnosis on the incurable Parkinson disease, by mapping the most complicated brain structure like a circuit diagram.

Korean Basketball League announces 12 legendary players

The Korean Basketball League on Wednesday announced a list of 12 “legendary” players to mark the 20th anniversary of the launch of Korean professional basketball.

President Park’s repeated lies, delay tactics

At the first hearing for President Park Geun-hye’s impeachment trial presided by Lee Jeong-mi, acting president of the Constitutional Court, on Wednesday, Park’s attorneys strongly criticized the top court for planning to reach a conclusion before her retirement on March 13.

Former Finance Minister Kang Bong-kyun passes away

Former Finance Minister Kang Bong-kyun was an avid fan of go but had never reached a master level. Lee Young-tak, the chairman of World Future Form, who was a close friend and colleague of Kang, recalled his memory that Kang had never accepted his offer of giving two handicap stones.

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

Korean, U.S. Defense Chiefs Reaffirm THAAD Plans

Defense Minister Han Min-goo and his new U.S. counterpart James Mattis on Tuesday reaffirmed plans to station a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense battery here.

The 30-minute phone conversation came ahead of talks between the two officials in Seoul on Friday.

THAAD Deployment 'to Go Ahead Despite Park's Ouster'

The U.S. government has made it clear that it will deploy a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense battery in Korea as scheduled no matter what happens to President Park Geun-hye in the wake of a massive corruption scandal.

Trump Vows 'Ironclad' Commitment to Defending S.Korea

U.S. President Donald Trump and Korea's acting president Hwang Kyo-ahn spoke on the phone for the first time Monday and agreed to strengthen joint defense capabilities to deal with the North Korean nuclear threats.

Outgoing Constitutional Court Chief Stands Firm on Early Ruling

Park Han-chul, the outgoing chief of the Constitutional Court, insisted Tuesday that the impeachment trial of President Park Geun-hye should end as soon as possible.

"In light of the gravity of the situation, with the president suspended from duties for nearly two months, the entire nation is united in the view that a conclusion must come as soon as possible," he said at a ceremony marking the end of his six-year tenure.

U.S. Mulls Big Show of Force in Joint Exercises

Washington is minded to put on a big show of force against North Korea in joint exercises with South Korea in March as new President Donald Trump tries to position himself as tough on the enemies of America.

Seoul Stalls Repatriation of Chinese Soldiers' Remains

Souring relations with Beijing have put the brakes on a project to repatriate the remains of Chinese soldiers who were killed in the 1950-53 Korean War. The project was a symbol of bilateral military cooperation between Seoul and Beijing.

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

Government blacklist stretched beyond culture, across South Korean society

The investigative team led by Special Prosecutor Park Young-soo has learned that the blacklist that the government of President Park Geun-hye used to suppress those on the left was composed and implemented not only in the areas of art and culture as initially believed but in fact across all areas of South Korean society.

Nearly $6 million flowed from chaebol to far right groups over three years

The investigative team of Special Prosecutors has learned that the Blue House received money from South Korea’s four largest chaebols (Samsung, the Hyundai Motor Company, SK and LG) to fund pro-government demonstrations by conservative and far-right organizations such as the Korean Parent Federation (KPF) and the Moms Brigade.

Samsung and Hyundai subsidiaries plagued by lower sales and operating profits

The parts subsidiaries of Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor are on shaky ground. The subsidiaries, which flourished within the vertically integrated structure of their conglomerate parent companies, trading services and parts, have now been directly affected by the stagnation of the main companies and showing deteriorating business performances.

Supreme Court confirms Park Chung-hee’s blood oath not a forgery

The South Korean Supreme Court has confirmed a damages ruling against Kang Yong-seok, the lawyer who argued that former president Park Chung-hee’s blood oath of allegiance to Japan was a forgery. The blood oath appears in the “Biographical Dictionary of Japanese Collaborators,” published by the Center for Historical Truth and Justice.

[Reporter’s notebook] Residents of Gangjeong Village left scarred and bloody

On Jan. 30, during the Lunar New Year holiday, I visited Gangjeong Village in Jeju Island. Faded and tattered yellow banners were fluttering in the fierce wind around the Jeju Naval Base, with slogans such as “No naval base in Gangjeong Village,” “Resolutely opposed to the naval base” and “Forfeit the right to indemnity.” The rough waves of the dark blue sea ceaselessly battered Gangjeong Port.

Park administration’s distorted history textbooks made public

The government-issued history textbooks made by the Park Geun-hye government were made public on Jan. 31. Most of the information contained within the textbooks has not been changed from the draft versions that were pointed out by academics, teachers and civic education groups as showing certain biases, such as the glorification of the Park Chung-hee regime and the chaebol conglomerates and the minimizing of pro-Japanese factions’ activities. It seems the controversy surrounding the government-issued textbooks and designated research schools will not subside.

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

Ban announces decision not to run for president

Former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon dropped his presidential bid Wednesday, capping an end to his three-week journey to the Blue House as he has found himself facing myriad controversies and questions over his political skills and qualifications.

Park blames woes on Choi Soon-sil’s boy toy

Park Geun-hye is an innocent victim of a love affair gone wrong involving her longtime friend, the president’s lawyer said Wednesday at her impeachment trial.

“The scandal started when Choi Soon-sil, the president’s friend for 40 years - who was not a public figure - started a love affair with Ko Young-tae,” attorney Lee Joong-hwan said during the 10th hearing of Park’s trial at the Constitutional Court.

Apple steals Samsung’s phone crown in Q4

Apple overtook Samsung Electronics as the world’s No. 1 smartphone vendor in the fourth quarter as a result of the flaming out of the Galaxy Note7 phablet, according to data from market researcher Strategy Analytics on Tuesday.

Hyundai to erect nation’s tallest site

Hyundai Motor Group’s new headquarters in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul, could become the tallest building in Korea, overtaking a status held by Lotte World Tower in Jamsil.

Incheon Airport opens shop bids

Incheon International Airport Corporation opened bids to select duty-free shop operators for its new passenger terminal 2 on Wednesday, despite its ongoing struggle with Korea Customs Service on who should take the lead role in the screening process.

SK starts generating electricity from U.S. shale

SK E&S, the energy subsidiary of SK Group, began generating electricity from shale gas imported from the United States at its factory in Paju, Gyeonggi, on Wednesday.

The company was the first in Korea to bring in natural gas extracted from shale formations in the United States. The first batch, totaling 66,000 tons, came from the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal in Louisiana last month. The move is in line with Donald Trump’s efforts to boost American oil and gas drilling and coal mining.

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

[State-Published History Textbook: The Final Version] Education Ministry, “We Apologize, But Nothing Has Changed”

“As a party involved in the decision-making process, the education ministry apologizes for having been a major cause in the national confusion. However, we believe our future generation needs to have a view of history based on a positive idea of our country.”

The Anachronistic Connection among Cheong WaDae, Samsung and Far-Right Groups

Samsung and other chaebol had been actively involved in “government-organized” demonstrations by over ten far-right groups including the Korea Parent Federation from the initial planning stage. Reportedly, a senior executive from Samsung even personally attended a meeting organized by the Cheong WaDae Office of the Senior Secretary for Political Affairs.

More Bad News for South Korea-Japan Relations

Conflicts between South Korea and Japan, which were triggered by the erection of the "Girl of Peace" statue in front of the Japanese consulate in Busan, are intensifying with a series of unfavorable conditions.

Is Trump Going to Stand with His Back to the World?

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order against immigration on January 27 (local time). It allows the U.S. to suspend refugees from entering the country for 120 days and to ban the citizens of seven countries including Iraq and Iran from entering the States for 90 days.

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

Worries over "Renegotiating" Korea-U.S. FTA Overblown...Heritage Foundation

"It is unlikely that President Donald Trump will demand South Korea to renegotiate the terms of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement from the ground up. It may be a partial improvement or update."

4Q 2016 Exports Rescued by Semiconductor Super Cycle

Pessimism was sweeping the nation in the fourth quarter of last year. Several private-sector economic think tanks put out such gloomy forecasts that the fourth-quarter growth would be in the negative realm. Even the state-run Korea Development Institute announced that the quarterly growth rate would be zero percent. Still, the economic policy bureau of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance was not so downbeat at the time.

SK Hynix Takes Step to Ramp up Presence in SSD Market

SK Hynix released a cutting-edge 3D NAND flash memory product in the Solid State Drive (SSD) market where Samsung Electronics is enjoying an unrivaled presence. SK Hynix is beefing up its presence in the semiconductor business by expanding its lineup of SSDs which are replacing hard disk drives at a rapid pace.

Fresh Tension Arises in Strange Relationships of Samsung, Apple, and Qualcomm

The love-hate relationship of Samsung Electronics, Qualcomm, and Apple is creaking and straining again. They compete directly in the global smartphone market but also have a symbiotic relationship of exchanging components, patents, and foundries.

Hyundai Commercial, Affinity Consortium to Acquire 43% Stake in Hyundai Card

Hyundai Commercial, a specialist in installment finance for commercial vehicles which is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor, will acquire a 19.01-percent stake in Hyundai Card from GE Capital.

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

Scientists find new ways to promote river rat value

Coypu, a large, omnivorous and semiaquatic rodent also known as nutria, has been hunted widely as a pest for destroying South Korea's ecosystem as well as agriculture.

Many Americans support US military presence in S. Korea: Yonhap

About 70 percent of Americans believe the US should have a long-term military presence in South Korea, a survey showed.

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs survey, conducted jointly with research institutes in five other nations, also showed that 62 percent of South Koreans are supportive of long-term US military presence in their country.

Ex-UN chief announces surprise decision to dump presidential ambitions

Former UN chief Ban Ki-moon announced his surprise decision Wednesday to give up his presidential bid, expressing frustration over what he called an "obsolete and selfish" mindset in South Korea's political circle.

Former UN chief heaps blame on S. Korea's 'obsolete and selfish' politics

Former UN chief Ban Ki-moon let out a barrage of criticism and disappointment at South Korea's political circle as he renounced his presidential bid Wednesday.

"The cause that led me to spearhead the transfer of power was lost among malicious political defamation and fake news which I think are tantamount to a social murder," he said, adding his political run has only hurt his image. "As a result, I have only brought trouble to the people of South Korea."

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

Korea’s exports climb 11.2% on year in Jan, first double-digit growth in four years

South Korea’s exports rose 11.2 percent to $40.3 billion in January from a year ago - the first double-digit in four years - thanks to spike in mainstay memory chips and petrochemical products. Exports kept up increasing momentum for the third consecutive month, longest streak since April 2014.

Samsung Electronics dethroned by Apple in Q4 smartphone shipment

Samsung Electronics Co. was dethroned by archrival Apple Inc. in the global smartphone market in the fourth quarter as it grappled with the worst tech recall crisis over its newest invention Galaxy Note7 which eventually had to exit from the market over safety risk.

Import Goods Fair 2017 to be held in Seoul on June 22

South Korea will hold the 15th Import Goods Fair 2017 from June 22 to 24 at COEX Hall B in Gangnam, southern Seoul. The annual fair has served as debuting and lucrative marketing means for foreign companies to promote their brands in the country.

KT Q4 OP dips, reports best performance in five yrs for full 2016

South Korean telecom giant KT Corp. reported 15.3 percent drop in fourth-quarter operating profit, but for full 2016, it reported its best performance in five years thanks to upbeat performance in wireless and Internet-based services.

S. Korea’s factory output down in Dec, up 1.0% for full 2016

South Korea’s industrial output in December lost steam after a short-lived recovery in the previous month with semiconductor and oil refining sector alone keeping up activity whereas the broader factory activity performed at its worst level last year since the Asian financial crisis of late 1990s.

LG Chem gaining traction amid price spike in chemical products

Shares of LG Chem Ltd., South Korea’s top chemical product and lithium-ion battery provider that had grappled with its disappointing lithium-ion battery business in China and concerns over its merger with LG Life Sciences until the third quarter of last year, have picked up thanks to the improved earnings in the fourth quarter and a recovery in the price of its mainstay petrochemical products.

AMCHAM Korea chief defends merits of Korea-U.S. FTA

The South Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement has served the two countries well and is necessary for mutual economic development, said James Kim, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) and head of GM Korea.

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 Timeswww.nytimes.com inytletters@nytimes.com

Wall Street Journalwww.wsj.com support@wsj.com ,service@wsj-asia.com

Financial Times www.ft.com ean@ft.com

The Timeswww.thetimes.co.uk help@timesplus.co.uk

The Sun www.thesun.co.uk talkback@the-sun.co.uk

Chinese People's Dailywww.people.com.cn kf@people.cn

China Dailywww.chinadaily.com.cn circulation@chinadaily.com.cn

GwangmyeongDailywww.gmw.cn webmaster@gmw.cn

Japan's Yomiuriwww.yomiuri.co.jp japannews@yomiuri.com

Asahi www.asahi.com customer-support@asahi.com

Mainichiwww.mainichi.jp

Lemondewww.ilemonde.com

Italy rarepupeul Rica www.quotidiano.repubblica.it vittorio.zucconi@gmail.com

Germany Frankfurter AllgemeineZeitungwww.faz.net anzeigen.ausland@faz.de

SüddeutscheZeitungwww.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 Paishttp://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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