Friday, February 17, 2023
Round-up of important news from major Korean dailies and from international media today
The Korea Post ( www.koreapost.com )
Ven. Chief Monk Park Seung-uk of Cheonman Temple named as the Great Monk of World Buddhism
Venerable Chief Monk Hyangdeok (Park Seung-uk) of the Cheonman-sa Buddhist Temple in Ulsan held a Buddhist service with the Nepal World Buddhist Seungga Foundation to pray for world peace and inter-Korean unification. At a temple in Rumbini Park, Nepal, the birthplace of Buddha, on Nov. 1. 2022, Venerable Chief Monk Hyangdeok held a Buddhist service with about 20 Korean monks, including Chief Monk Neungin of the Gakhwang-sa Temple in Chilgok, Gyeongsangbuk-do.
“In 60-year ties, 2 countries always feel close to each other, friendly, brotherly”
Ambassador Saeed Badamchi Shabestari of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Seoul said, “In their 60-year history, Iran and Korea have experienced numerous ups and downs, but, despite their geographical distance, both Iran and Korea always feel close to each other, friendly and brotherly.” Speaking at a reception he hosted at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul on Feb. 9, 2023 in celebration of the 44th Anniversary of the Victory of the Islamic Revoultion (National Day) of Iran on Feb. 9, 2023, Ambassador Shabestari added: “The governments of the two countries have also followed and supported friendly relations between them during this period.
Uzbek chefs in the Turkish city of Gaziantep cook pilaf and other hot national dishes
A group of Uzbek chefs who arrived the day before from Uzbekistan in one of the regions of Türkiye most affected by the natural disaster - the city of Gaziantep, began their duties. The best chefs from Uzbekistan, led by a well-known pilaf master Bakhriddin Chustiy, voluntarily arrived in Türkiye to help the fraternal people in difficult times. Recognized masters of their craft work around the clock to help the fraternal people in difficult times. Every day they cook the well-known Uzbek pilaf and other national dishes in at least 6 large cauldrons and distribute it to people.
Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)
China Scraps Restrictions for Korean Tourists
China will resume short-term visas for Koreans on Saturday after Korea made the same decision on Feb. 11, the Chinese Embassy in Seoul said Wednesday. This ends a visa spat between the two countries that saw China retaliate peevishly for Korean restrictions as COVID infections surged in the world's most populous country. China will also allow Korean transit passengers to stay in Chinese cities without a visa for up to 144 hours.
Only Elderly People Found New Jobs in January
Senior citizens accounted for a staggering 97 percent of the 411,000 Koreans who found a job in January. That was the lowest growth since March 2021. The global economic slowdown impacts Korea's exports and slashes jobs in manufacturing. New employment in manufacturing dwindled by 35,000 in January, the first drop in 15 months. According to Statistics Korea on Wednesday, 97.3 percent of Koreans who found new jobs last month were senior citizens.
Koreans Donate More Than W10 Billion for Earthquake Victims
Koreans have donated over W10 billion online for earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria in less than a week since the campaign began (US$1=W1,277). Naver's online donation platform Happybean had raised W6.9 billion from 330,000 users as of 3 p.m. Monday. Separately, Naver will deliver US$1 million to the Korean Red Cross and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees for the restoration of earthquake-hit areas. Kakao has also raised about W4 billion from some 1.11 million users in cooperation with the Korean Committee for UNICEF and the Community Chest of Korea. Kakao founder Kim Beom-su is donating W1 billion worth of stocks to the Community Chest of Korea.
Joongang Ilbo (https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com )
Arrest warrant sought for DP chief Lee over corruption charges
Prosecutors requested an arrest warrant for Democratic Party (DP) chief and sitting lawmaker Lee Jae-myung on Thursday over allegations of corruption related to land development scandals and bribery related to Seongnam's football club. This is the first time ever that the prosecution has sought an arrest warrant for the chief of the main opposing party. Lee immediately decried it as a move by President Yoon Suk-yeol of the conservative People Power Party (PPP) to eliminate an "influential" political opponent.
Report says Yoon could make state visit to U.S. in spring
U.S. President Joe Biden is reportedly planning to host President Yoon Suk Yeol for a state dinner amid anticipation that the Korean leader could make a visit to Washington as early as this spring. Bloomberg News reported Thursday that preparations for a state visit by Yoon are underway and that Biden is planning to hold a state dinner at the White House, citing sources familiar with the matter, possibly for late April. It added that preparations for the visit and state dinner were underway, but the timing remained fluid.
Korea to send fresh relief team, more supplies to Turkey
The Korean government decided Wednesday to dispatch a fresh team of 21 relief personnel, mainly medical workers, to Turkey on a military aircraft Thursday following the devastating earthquake last week. They will also deliver 55 tons of relief supplies, including tents, blankets and medicine, worth around 1 billion won ($778,000). The squad will replace the first round of 118 personnel of the Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT), who will wrap up their weeklong search and rescue operations in the country Saturday, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Dong-A Ilbo (http://english.donga.com/)
Defense white paper revives the phrase ‘N. Korean regime and military equal enemies’
South Korea’s Ministry of Defense has described the North Korean regime and its military as enemies in the “2022 National Defense White Paper,” which was published for the first time under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration. It is the first time in six years since the defense white paper in 2016 that the expression “North Korean regime = enemy” has been stated in the Ministry’s white paper. The Defense White Paper, which is published every two years, is a “defense guideline” that builds a security consensus and informs the public and private sectors of its defense policies
South Korea will foster 10 trillion-won green-bio industry by 2027
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on Thursday that it would push ahead with the ‘Green-Bio Industry Fostering Strategy’ to make it become a 10 trillion-won industry reaching an export volume of five trillion won, and nurture 15 unicorn companies in the area. Green bio is a new industry that applies biotechnologies to agricultural life resources to create added value for agriculture and the entire upstream and downstream industries.
Insomnia treatment APP to be permitted as therapeutic device
The government has approved using a smartphone application (app) that treats insomnia. This app is one of the digital therapeutic devices, software forms of medical devices that treat diseases or disorders. This is the first time a digital treatment device has been clinically verified and approved in Korea. On Wednesday, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced that it has approved the use of ‘Somzz,' a cognitive treatment software for insomnia developed by Aimmed, a Korean company.
Maeil Business News Korea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/)
Samsung C&T to retire $2.33 billion of treasury shares over next 5 years
Samsung C&T Corp. Thursday announced it will retire all of its treasury shares worth about 3 trillion won ($2.33 billion) at current market price over the next five years to boost shareholder value. The company said its board approved the plan that will affect 24,718,099 common shares and 159,835 preferred shares that represent 13.2 percent and 9.8 percent of outstanding shares, respectively. The board will decide on the size of the retirement each year.
Seoul apartment transaction price logs largest decline last year
In the aftermath of interest rate hikes, the average apartment transaction price in Seoul fell by more than 20 percent last year, the largest decline since data compilation began in 2006. According to data from the Korea Real Estate Board on Thursday, the average Seoul apartment transaction price last year fell by 22.09 percent on year. It is the first time since the survey initiation in 2006 that the figure has fallen by more than 20 percent on an annual basis, and it represents the largest drop ever, surpassing a 10.21 percent decline in 2008 when the global economic crisis hit the country.
FSC to review measures to induce perfect competition in banking sector
South Korea’s financial regulator will review a measure to induce perfect competition in the consumer banking industry by breaking the current oligopoly led by the country’s five biggest commercial lenders. According to sources on Wednesday, Lee Bok-hyun, head of the Financial Supervisory Service (FSC), instructed executives to consider measures to change oligopoly system led by Woori Bank, Hana Bank, Shinhan Bank, KB Kookmin Bank and NH Nonghyup Bank.
HanKyoReh Shinmun (http://english.hani.co.kr)
Korea confronts more severe export slump than other nations
South Korea remains mired in a trend of poor export performance. After recording a 16.6% decline in export dollar value in January compared with the same month in 2022, South Korea saw its average daily export value in February fall by 14.5% for the first 10 days of the month compared with the same period last year. As trade conditions have remained in a deficit, the export slump is emerging as the biggest concern for the South Korean economy.
China presses Korea to stay “rational” on balloon incident in US
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs told the South Korean ambassador to China that it hopes South Korea will make an “objective and rational” judgment about the high-altitude balloon affair that has become a challenge for US-China relations. In a brief press release posted to its website on Wednesday, China’s Foreign Ministry said that Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong clearly articulated China’s position about the US shooting down China’s “unmanned civilian airship” in a meeting with South Korean Ambassador Chung Jae-ho the previous day.
Prosecutors likely to request arrest warrant for Democratic Party leader Lee shortly
It appears increasingly likely that South Korean prosecutors investigating allegations of corruption in a development project in the Daejang neighborhood of Seongnam will soon ask the court for an arrest warrant for Lee Jae-myung, head of the main opposition Democratic Party. “Given Lee’s attitude about giving testimony and the progress of the investigation, we don’t think there’s much point in further questioning. After reviewing the results of Lee’s second round of questioning over the next day or two, we’ll decide whether to ask for an arrest warrant and how to handle the investigation going forward,”
The KyungHyangShinmun (http://english.khan.co.kr/)
“The Garden Alone Cost 60 Million Won?” BAI Chief Struggles to Explain 140 Million Won Renovation Costs for Official Residence
On February 15, it was revealed that Choe Jae-hae, chair of the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) had spent 140 million won to renovate his official residence after entering office. Of the total expenses, 60 million won was spent on the yard and garden, triggering fierce criticism from an opposition lawmaker. In a meeting of the parliamentary Legislation and Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Lee Tahney aimed at Choe and said, “As soon as you entered (the official residence), you spent 60 million won on the garden alone.”
Kim Gi-hyeon, “Will Not Appoint Chang Je-won to Party Position.” Ahn Cheol-soo, “Will Resign as Leader after Parliamentary Election Victory”
In the first TV debate of candidates for the People Power Party (PPP) leadership, which will be determined in the party convention on March 8, all the other candidates concentrated on keeping Kim Gi-hyeon, the candidate backed by Yoon, in check. Ahn Cheol-soo questioned Kim’s competitiveness in the general elections, while Chun Ha-ram expressed his concerns about the party becoming the president’s subordinate, and Hwang Kyo-ahn raised allegations connected to Kim’s real estate. The candidates also attacked Ahn for his past and comments made before joining the party.
“People Appealing to Yoon’s Key Aides Are the Most Disgusting” Lee Jun-seok Aims at Kim Jung-jae, who Criticized Chun Ha-ram
On February 15, Lee Jun-seok, former leader of the People Power Party (PPP) attacked PPP lawmaker Kim Jung-jae, who criticized Chun Ha-ram, a candidate for PPP leader, and said, “The people who appeal to others are the most disgusting, because they have to keep appealing to them.” In an interview on CBS radio on Wednesday, Lee asked, “Have you ever seen Yoon’s key aides talk much?” and said that the people appealing to Yoon’s key aides have “begun to move.” Lee asked, “Have you ever heard lawmakers Chang Je-won or Yoon Han-hong speak?” and mentioned that lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong was recently quiet. He then said, “Kim Jung-jae has become loud, hasn’t he? He really has.”
KBS(http://world.kbs.co.kr/service)
New Tremor Rocks Southern Türkiye, Death Toll Tops 42,000
A strong aftershock with a magnitude of over five hit the border area of quake-stricken Türkiye and Syria on Thursday. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the tremor with a magnitude of five-point-two occurred in Hatay Province in southern Türkiye at around 9:47 p.m. Thursday, with the depth of the epicenter estimated at ten kilometers. Russia's state-run Sputnik news agency quoted the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Authority(AFAD) as saying that the magnitude of the quake was measured at five-point-one.
LG Uplus Apologizes for Peronal Information Leak, Service Failure
LG Uplus, the country's third-largest wireless carrier, has apologized for the recent leak of personal information of its customers and internet service failures caused by distributd denial-of-service(DDoS) attacks. CEO Hwang Hyeon-sik offered an apology over the incidents on Thursday during a press conference at the company's headquarters in Seoul. The CEO said that the company failed to respond swiftly because those incidents occurred in quick succession and the firm had to first assess the situation and therefore focused on its defense against the DDos attacks.
Biden Reportedly Planning to Host Yoon at State Dinner
U.S. President Joe Biden is reportedly planning to host President Yoon Suk Yeol at a state dinner at the White House this spring. Citing sources familiar with the matter, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday that preparations for the visit and state dinner are under way. The sources reportedly said that the visit is currently planned for late April, but the timing remains fluid. A high-ranking official in Seoul told reporters the previous day at the South Korean Embassy in Washington that close consultations are ongoing between the two nations on Yoon's visit to the U.S., adding that an announcement will be made as soon as the plan is fixed.
Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
Biden says he will not apologize for shooting down Chinese spy balloon
Biden said the U.S. military had advised against shooting the Chinese balloon down while it was traveling across the continental U.S. "because of the sheer size" of the balloon that could cause significant damage to people on the ground. "And then we shot it down, sending a clear message -- the violation of our sovereignty is unacceptable. We will act to protect our country and we did," he told a special press conference at the White House.
Opposition leader denounces arrest warrant request as personal desire to remove political enemy
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung denounced the prosecution's request for an arrest warrant for him Thursday, claiming the government of President Yoon Suk Yeol is using the prosecution for a "personal desire to remove a political enemy."Lee, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), made the remark in an emergency meeting of the party's Supreme Council after the prosecution sought a warrant to arrest him over a development corruption scandal and bribery allegations.
S. Korea to send medical team, more aid materials to Turkey: ministry.
South Korea said Wednesday it plans to send a new relief team, including 10 medical workers, to Turkey this week as well as 55 tons of aid materials. The decision to send the 21-member squad was made at an interagency meeting on ways to help the country struggling to deal with the aftermath of the devastating 7.8 magnitude quake, according to the foreign ministry. It is scheduled to depart for the city of Adana on Thursday night. Its members include those from the National Medical Center and the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare.
The Korea Herald (http://www.koreaherald.com)
‘No ceasefire without Russian withdrawal,’ says Ukrainian regional leader
Ukraine will never accept a cease-fire deal that requires Ukraine to cede more territory to Russia and allows the presence of Russian troops in illegally occupied territory, Vitaliy Kim, head of the regional military administration in the war-battered southern city of Mykolaiv in Ukraine, said in a joint interview with The Korea Herald and its sister publication Herald Business on Feb. 2. Kim was appointed the governor of the Mykolaiv region by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in November 2020.
Yoon likely to hold summit with Biden in April to build on alliance
President Yoon Suk Yeol is expected to meet with his US counterpart, Joe Biden, as early as April for the third time following their November talks in Cambodia as the two allies eye a stronger alliance that could ride out deglobalization prompted by the escalating US-China rivalry. On Thursday, Yoon’s office dismissed a Bloomberg News report that said a White House state dinner was scheduled for late April, saying the Biden administration has not officially corroborated it. The White House has yet to comment on the issue.
Yoon urges companies, cities to tame bills
President Yoon Suk Yeol said Wednesday that the government would freeze public utility fees controlled by the central government, including highway tolls, postal and railroad fees, in the first half of this year, while asking municipalities and private companies to join the efforts to contain steep increases in transportation and communications charges.
The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
Korea Times launches Global Business Club with Indonesia
The Korea Times hosted the inaugural edition of its Global Business Club (GBC) aiming to become a platform for business leaders and professionals to exchange experiences and insights to enhance international business perspectives. Korea Times President-Publisher Oh Young-jin introduced Indonesian Ambassador to Korea Gandi Sulistiyanto during the first session of the business club under the theme, "Korean Business Opportunities in Indonesia." Oh expressed hopes of Sulistiyanto's contribution to the club, which would bring unique and valuable insights not easily available from other sources.
South Korea names North Korea as 'enemy' in defense paper
South Korea named North Korea as an "enemy" and Japan as "a close neighbor" that shares common values in its 2022 Defense White Paper, in reflection of the shifting security policy and geopolitical climate under President Yoon Suk Yeol. In the biennial report released Thursday, North Korea's regime and military were described as "our enemy," which has not given up its nuclear ambitions and aims to unite the entire peninsula under its communist rule. South Korea, the paper says, was described also as the regime's "obvious enemy" in the plenary meeting of its ruling party's central committee last December.
Biden says will contact Xi in wake of balloon shoot-down
President Joe Biden on Thursday said he would talk to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in the wake of the U.S. Air Force shooting down what Washington says was a high-tech Chinese spy balloon earlier this month. "I expect to be speaking with President Xi and... we're going to get to the bottom of this," Biden said in his most extensive public remarks since the incident on Feb. 4. While stressing that the United States is "not looking for a new Cold War," Biden said "I make no apologies for taking down that balloon."
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