Thursday, June 2, 2022
Round-up of important news from major Korean dailies and from international media today
The Korea Post ( www.koreapost.com )
New leaders of Korea, Turkmenistan have many things in common
The Republic of Korea now has a new leader, President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is trying to steer the country, hopefully to a new height of prosperity and international prestige. A similar development is observed in Turkmenistan, which was immediately apparent at a recent interview with Charge d’Affaires Dovlet Seyitmammedov whom The Korea Post media recently met at the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Seoul. Excerpts from the interview follow:
Samsung, Red Hat join hands in next-generation memory software
Samsung Electronics and Red Hat, the world’s leading provider of open source solutions, announced a broad collaboration on software technologies for next-generation memory solutions on May 25. The partnership will focus on the development and validation of open source software for existing and emerging memory and storage products, including NVMe SSDs; CXL memory; computational memory/storage (HBM-PIM, Smart SSDs) and fabrics — in building an expansive ecosystem for closely integrated memory hardware and software.
Memorial service for the late Taekwondo Master Jhoon Rhee held
The National Assembly Correspondents’ Club held the 40th regular seminar at the National Assembly Library on May 25 and organized the memorial service for the 4th anniversary of the late world-famous Taekwondo instructor Jhoon Rhee. The seminar was co-hosted by the National Assembly Correspondents' Club and the International Leaders’ Union. It was jointly organized by the Memorial Association of Taekwondo Great Master Jhoon Rhee and the International 10021 Club Foundation.
Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)
Koreans Vote in Local Elections
Koreans head to 14,465 polling stations across the country from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday to cast their votes for their new local governments. Regular voting hours end at 6 p.m., and then coronavirus patients are given an hour from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Some 4,125 would-be mayors, provincial governors and education superintendents as well as candidates for seven vacant National Assembly seats are competing for votes. The winners are expected to emerge around midnight.
Samsung Chief Meets Intel CEO in Seoul
Samsung chief Lee Jae-yong met Intel CEO Patrick Gelsinger in Seoul on Monday to discuss cooperation between the two chip giants. The meeting follows U.S. President Joe Biden's visit to Samsung's semiconductor plant in Pyeongtaek earlier this month to highlight the importance of bolstering supply chain resilience in microchips. The head of Samsung's chip business, Kyung Kye-hyun, and Roh Tae-moon, chief of the mobile division, accompanied Lee to the meeting. "They discussed a wide range of cooperation in next-generation memory chips, system semiconductors, foundries and mobile devices," a Samsung spokesman said.
Korea Classifies Monkeypox as Lesser Epidemic
The Korean government is tightening precautions against monkeypox by classifying it as a second-grade epidemic like measles. Endemic in West and Central Africa, the disease is spreading worldwide by very close contact such as sex, especially among men. Its origins have been traced to the consumption of monkey and rodent cadavers, said Aimee Alongo, the chief of health in the Democratic Republic of Congo's Sankuru Province. "The residents enter the forest, pick up the corpses of monkeys, bats and rodents which are the reservoirs of monkeypox."
Joongang Ilbo (https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com )
PPP makes gains in local elections, exit poll shows
The People Power Party (PPP) appeared to win major victories in local elections and parliamentary by-elections Wednesday. A joint exit poll by KBS, MBC and SBS indicated PPP candidates winning 10 of 17 metropolitan mayor and provincial governor posts contested in Wednesday's elections. This included the expected reelection of the PPP's Oh Se-hoon as Seoul mayor, beating Song Young-gil, former chairman of the Democratic Party (DP). The elections took place just 22 days after the inauguration of President Yoon Suk-yeol of the PPP. The DP looked set to win four mayoral and gubernatorial posts — Gwangju, North and South Jeolla and Jeju — according to the exit poll released shortly after voting ended at 7:30 p.m.
South promises strong measures if North conducts nuclear test
South Korea will take "strong measures" to strengthen and expand its joint deterrence capabilities with the United States if the North carries out a new nuclear test, Seoul's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday. Speaking at a regular press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Choi Young-sam said, “We are closely monitoring the possibility of further provocations, including preparations for a nuclear test at Punggye-ri, in close cooperation with the United States,” referring to the remote nuclear testing site located in the mountainous North Hamgyong Province.
Korean armaments are getting into Ukraine
Other countries are supplying Ukraine with Korean-made weapons despite Seoul's own reluctance to do so, according to foreign media reports. Polish public radio reported Sunday that Poland — a European Union member that has adopted a strong stance against Russia's invasion — has given Ukraine 18 AHS Krab self-propelled howitzers as Kyiv fights to defend its eastern Donbas region from a massive Russian assault. The AHS Krab howitzer combines a British AS-90M Braveheart turret with a 155mm 52-calibre gun and WB Electronics' Topaz artillery fire control system with the chassis, or load-bearing vehicle frame, of Korean K-9 Thunder howitzers.
The Dong-A Ilbo (http://english.donga.com/)
BTS visits White House to discuss anti-Asian hate
World renowned K-pop group BTS met with U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday (local time) at the White House to discuss ways to respond to Asian hate crimes. The White House was surrounded by BTS fan club Army and more than 100 reporters flocked to the White House press room, which had 49 seat capacity, closely capturing BTS' every move on camera. The 35-minute discussion was held to deliver the U.S. government's message to fight against discrimination against Asian Americans via the widely popular BTS.
Janet Yellen admits she was ‘wrong’ about inflation threat
US. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen (in the photo) conceded she was “wrong” last year about the threat posed by rising inflation.“I think I was wrong then about the path that inflation would take,” Yellen told CNN on Tuesday (local time). Until the first half of 2021, she believed the soaring inflation was only a temporary phenomenon related to the economic recovery from Covid-19 pandemic.
U.S. to provide Ukraine with advanced rocket systems
U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday that the United States will provide Ukraine with advanced rocket system that will enable a precise strike on key enemy targets. The new munitions will allow Ukraine to launch rockets up to about 77 kilometers to stand against Russia’s air force, which outmatched Ukraine’s. Yet President Biden stated clearly that albeit providing assistance to Ukraine, the U.S. is not seeking a war between NATO and Russia, nor does it look to bring about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ouster in Moscow.
Maeil Business News Korea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/)
Korea’s output, consumption, capex turn negative, leading indices keep to south
South Korea’s factory activity retreated from the previous month in April for the first time in 7 months, coupled with contraction in consumer and corporate spending from the broad spike in production cost and consumer prices that weigh over domestic and global economy. According to data released by Statistics Korea on Tuesday, the seasonally adjusted mining and manufacturing output in April fell 3.3 percent from a month ago on weakened memory chip and processed food output.
Chiefs of Samsung Elec and Intel discuss cooperation amid Korea-U.S. chip alliance
The world’s two most powerful chipmakers Samsung Electronics Co. and U.S. Intel Corp. could seek partnership as their chiefs met in Seoul in the wake of South Korea-U.S. summit talks that agreed on enhanced cooperation in strategic industries like chips, batteries, bio, energy, and future mobility. Patrick Gelsinger, chief executive of Intel, on his way home from attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, stopped at Seoul and visited Samsung Electronics’ headquarters in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul, on Sunday.
CJ Group to invest $16 bn to produce more global winners in contents and food
South Korea’s entertainment giant CJ Group, the investor behind the two Korean Cannes award winners for this year, will spend 20 trillion won ($16.1 billion) to further strengthen Korean content and food influence across the globe over the next five years. The food and entertainment giant on Monday joined other top ranks of conglomerates releasing ambitious five-year investment schemes, timed with the launch of new presidency in Korea.
HanKyoReh Shinmun (http://english.hani.co.kr)
To whose “freedom” does Yoon refer?
Yoon Suk-yeol’s inaugural address as South Korean President was awash with “freedom” in both quantitative and qualitative terms. Speaking for a little over 16 minutes, he mentioned the word 35 times, proclaiming it as an unparalleled value that would rescue not just the Republic of Korea but humankind. But much like a Japanese haiku, Yoon’s address was also a kind of empty symbol that sought to leave behind the bounds of language. His message was merely a call for “the people” and “the citizens” to rediscover and properly recognize the value of freedom
Loud protests outside former S. Korean president’s home have sent 10 seniors to hospital
It was Monday morning in the town of Pyeongsan in Yangsan, South Gyeongnam Province, the place former President Moon Jae-in had chosen to settle after leaving the Blue House. But morning calm was nowhere to be found in this small town made up of only 48 households and 100 inhabitants. Songs maligning Moon could be heard from the loudspeaker of a car parked on a road about 80 meters away from the former president’s new civilian home. The exterior of the vehicle was plastered with photos of former Presidents Park Chung-hee and Park Geun-hye as well as with posters listing the words “liberty,” “truth,” “justice,” and “revolutionary party.”
75% of S. Korea’s key imports come from China, analysis shows
In its trade with the US, China, and Japan, South Korea relies on imports from China for three-quarters of key items that account for a large portion of import dollar value, an analysis shows. According to an analysis published Monday on a study carried out by Chonbuk National University professor Choi Nam-suk at the request of the Federation of Korean Industries, 172 out of 228 items (75.5%) considered to be “key imports requiring management” originated in China.
The KyungHyangShinmun (http://english.khan.co.kr/)
BTS Goes to the White House, “Stop Anti-Asian Hate Crimes”
The global K-pop star BTS met with U.S. President Joe Biden in the White House in Washington on May 31 (local time). BTS visited the White House briefing room and urged people to stop anti-Asian hate crimes after explaining that they were able to become one with their fans through music by acknowledging differences in language and culture. There were significantly more journalists in the White House briefing room this day than usual, and BTS fans also came out to show their support.
Voting Begins in June 1 Local Elections: Who Will Win, the Ruling or Opposition Party? Will Voter Turnout Surpass 60%?
Voting in the June 1 local elections and by-elections for lawmakers began at 6 a.m. June 1. As of this morning, voting proceeded smoothly in the 14,465 polling booths nationwide. Voters can exercise their vote in designated polling booths according to their address from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. this day. They can check the location of the polling places in the notices sent out to every home, on the National Election Commission website, or through the “Find My Polling Booth” service provided by web portals. They will need their resident registration card, passport, driver’s license, or youth ID card or an ID issued by a government office or public agency including a photo and date of birth when they go to vote.
Picture of Presidential Office Released to Kim Kun-hee’s Fan Club Stirring Controversy over Security, Followed by Inconsistent Explanation from the Presidential Office
A picture of President Yoon Suk-yeol and first lady Kim Kun-hee taken in the presidential office in Yongsan was released through the first lady’s fan club, triggering a heated debate on security regulations on May 30. The presidential office is a secured area where taking pictures without permission is restricted. The Office of the 20th President first said that the person who took the picture was not an employee at the presidential office, but later explained that a staff took the picture using Kim’s cell phone.
KBS(http://world.kbs.co.kr/service)
PPP Wins Landslide Victory in Local Elections, Parliamentary By-elections
The ruling People Power Party(PPP) won a landslide victory in the local elections on Wednesday. The PPP clinched 12 of 17 governor and mayoral posts, while the main opposition Democratic Party(DP) managed to win in just five contests, including Gyeonggi Province. The ruling party won in Seoul and Incheon in the capital region as well as Gyeongsang, Chungcheong and Gangwon Provinces in the elections held less than a month after the launch of the Yoon Suk Yeol government.
US Nuke Envoy to Visit S. Korea This Week
U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Sung Kim will visit South Korea this week for talks with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts on North Korea issues. The U.S. State Department announced on Wednesday that Kim will travel to Seoul from Thursday to Saturday. Seoul's foreign ministry said earlier that the top nuclear envoys of the three nations will meet in Seoul on Friday. The State Department said Sung Kim and Japanese Director-General for Asian and Oceanian Affairs Funakoshi Takehiro will attend a trilateral meeting hosted by South Korea’s Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Kim Gunn.
BTS Stands against Anti-Asian Hate at White House ahead of Biden Meeting
Global K-pop superstars BTS have made their first visit to the White House, on a rare invitation from U.S. President Joe Biden to discuss ways to address anti-Asian hate crimes. Prior to their meeting with Biden on Tuesday, the septet joined White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at the Briefing Room, where each band member shared their views on the matter on the last day of what is Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the U.S.
Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
Ruling party wins resounding victory in local elections
The ruling People Power Party (PPP) clinched a resounding victory in Wednesday's local elections, giving the newly inaugurated government of President Yoon Suk-yeol an added mandate to push forward with its agenda. The PPP won 12 out of 17 key races for big city mayors and provincial governors, including Seoul, while the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) won only five key races, including three in its stronghold of the Jeolla provinces.
Yoon's agenda gets boost from ruling party's sweeping triumph in local elections
The ruling People Power Party's landslide victory in local elections is expected to give significant momentum to President Yoon Suk-yeol's policy drive in his first year, while pushing the political center of gravity in local governments to the conservatives. Yoon's PPP swept up at least 12 out of 17 metropolitan mayoral and gubernatorial posts contested, while the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) won only four key races, three of which were in stronghold Jeolla provinces, with about 77 percent of the vote counted.
BTS says hopes visit to White House will be first step toward equality
South Korean supergroup BTS highlighted the need to respect one another as they made their first visit to the White House on Tuesday for a rare meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden. The group also joined White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre in a daily press briefing before meeting with the U.S. president. "It is a great honor to be invited to the White House today to discuss the important issues of anti-Asian hate crimes, Asian inclusion and diversity," group member RM said in the press briefing.
The Korea Herald (http://www.koreaherald.com)
S. Korea‘s conservative party expected to notch big win over democratic party in local elections
The ruling People Power Party was expected to score a major victory over the main opposition Democratic Party in the local elections Wednesday, taking mayorships in the country’s two largest cities, Seoul and Busan, according to an exit poll released by the country’s three major broadcasters, KBS, MBC and SBS. In Seoul, the People Power Party’s Mayor Oh Se-hoon showed a two-digit gap over the opposition’s Song Young-gil in the exit poll. According to exit polls released at 7:30 p.m., Oh garnered 58.7 percent of the vote against Song with 40.2 percent.
Exit poll results hint landslide victory for ruling party
The ruling People Power Party appeared set for a landslide win in the local elections Wednesday, with exit poll results favoring its candidates in many key regions. According to exit poll results from terrestrial broadcasters KBS, MBC and SBS released at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, the ruling People Power Party was favored to win 10 out of 17 metropolitan mayoral and provincial gubernatorial elections, as opposed to four for the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea.
Two ex-presidential candidates victorious in National Assembly bid: exit polls
Recent presidential candidates Lee Jae-myung and Ahn Cheol-soo, respectively of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea and the ruling People Power Party, appeared likely to land National Assembly seats in Wednesday’s by-election, according to exit polls. Lee Jae-myung, who was narrowly beaten in the 2022 presidential race just three months ago, trumped his People Power Party opponent Yun Hyung-sun 54 percent to 45 percent in their exit poll.
The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
Ruling party wins landslide in local elections
The ruling People Power Party (PPP) clinched a resounding victory in Wednesday's local elections, giving the newly inaugurated government of President Yoon Suk-yeol an added mandate to push forward with its agenda. The PPP won 12 out of 17 key races for big city mayors and provincial governors, including Seoul, while the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) won only five key races, including three in its stronghold of the Jeolla provinces. The biggest battleground was Gyeonggi Province where the DPK candidate, Kim Dong-yeon, came from behind to beat his PPP rival, Kim Eun-hye, by 0.14 percentage point, with 99.67 percent of the vote counted as of 7:20 a.m.
Re-elected Mayor Oh Se-hoon steps closer to big dream
Incumbent Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) has won another term in the election against Song Young-gil of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). With the victory, he is poised to become a potential candidate for the next presidential election. The Seoul mayoral post has long been considered a springboard for the presidency. Former President Lee Myung-bak was mayor of the city before his landslide victory in the 2007 presidential election. As the vote count wrapped up, Oh secured 59 percent of the votes, whereas his rival Song scored 39.2 percent.
Election results confirm nation's electorate is on Yoon's side
The victory of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) in the local elections has given President Yoon Suk-yeol more leverage in his management of state affairs, although the election results haven't changed much about the reality that the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) still controls the National Assembly. Of the 17 mayoral and governor races, the ruling party won 12, including the Seoul mayoral seat. In addition, the PPP took 5 out of seven seats that were up for grabs in parliamentary by-elections.
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