The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Monday, August 5, 2019

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

The Korea Post media (www.koreapost.com) in English, (www.koreapost.co.kr) in Korean.

S. Korea to invest in 100 key strategic items for stable supply

South Korea said Monday it will heavily invest in 100 key strategic items to have a stable supply by 2024, in the latest move to cope with Japan's economic retaliation. "We will upgrade the competitiveness of the materials, parts and equipment industries," Hong Nam-ki, minister of economy and finance, said in a meeting with officials in Seoul.

N. Korea apparently not ready yet for nuke talks with U.S.: Seoul official

North Korea does not appear ready yet for the resumption of its working-level nuclear talks with the United States, a senior Seoul official has said, amid concerns that its recent saber-rattling could dampen the mood for dialogue. The foreign ministry official made the remarks on Friday when Pyongyang fired off two short-range projectiles in the third such launch in about a week. On Saturday, the regime claimed to have tested a "newly-developed large-caliber multiple launch guided rocket system."

Gov't vows to support local industries amid Japan's economic retaliation

South Korea's industry minister on Sunday vowed to provide any necessary support to local firms to help them cope with Japan's economic retaliation and export restrictions on key industrial materials. "The government will utilize all necessary assets and capabilities to ease local firms' burdens," Industry Minister Sung Yun-mo said during a meeting with representatives from different industries.

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KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)

S. Korea, US to Begin Joint Military Drills Monday

South Korea and the United States will begin scheduled joint military drills on Monday despite recent provocations and threats from North Korea. The computer-simulated command post exercise(CPX) will reportedly be held for about two weeks, and is designed to train U.S. and South Korea military personnel on how to handle emergency national security situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Victim of Japan's Wartime Sexual Slavery Dies

A South Korean victim of Japan's sexual slavery during World War II has passed away. The civic group Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan said the elderly woman, who had lived in Seoul, died on Sunday morning. The council said it hoped the deceased will be free of all her painful memories and rest in peace.

ARF Ministers Welcome DMZ Meeting, Looks Forward to Resumption of Talks

The foreign ministers who participated in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Thailand adopted a chairman's statement on Saturday welcoming the impromptu meeting of the leaders of North Korea and the United States on the inter-Korean border.

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

Typhoon Francisco forecast to pass through Korean peninsula

Typhoon Francisco, the season's eighth typhoon, is forecast to pass through the Korean Peninsula after landing on the country's south coast on Tuesday night. The typhoon was moving northwest at a speed of 32 kilometers per hour from about 1,120 km east-southeast of Kagoshima, Japan, as of 3 p.m., the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said Sunday.

Ko Jin-young still pleased after final round charge at major falls short

After coming up short in a bid for a piece of LPGA history on Sunday in England, South Korean star Ko Jin-young said she was still satisfied with her effort. Ko finished alone in third place at the AIG Women's British Open at Woburn Golf Club in Milton Keynes, England, with a four-round total of 16-under 272. Despite carding a bogey-free 66 on the final day, Ko finished two strokes behind the champion, Hinako Shibuno of Japan.

German museum removes wartime sex slave statue on Japan's pressure

Japan has allegedly pressured a German museum to remove a statue of a girl representing victims of Japan's World War II-era sexual slavery from display, a South Korean civic group said Sunday amid escalating political and trade tensions between the two neighboring countries. According to Korea Verband, a nonprofit association based in Berlin, its chairperson Han Jung-hwa donated a small statue of a girl to Ravensbruck Memorial, located in Brandenburg, northern Germany, in 2017.

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

Seoul crafts Japan countermeasures

Korea is gearing up to fire back at Japan after the neighboring country removed its fast-track export status, while seeking ways to mitigate the economic impact of the trading restrictions as the two Asian countries’ bilateral relations sink to a recent rock bottom.

Koreans hold candlelight vigil to protest Abe government

Some 680 civic groups held a candlelight vigil over the weekend in protest of the Japanese government’s decision to take South Korea off a list of preferred trading partners and to call on Tokyo to apologize for war crimes it committed in World War II.

S. Korea struggles to attain 2% range GDP growth this year

In light of the trade conflict with Japan and other external risks, concerns are mounting that South Korea’s economic growth this year may fall below 2 percent at worst, lower than the range of 2.2-2.5 percent forecast by the government and the central bank.

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

Korea to restrict imports from Japan's Fukushima

The Moon Jae-in administration will tighten its import quota on fishery and agricultural products from Fukushima in Japan in response to Tokyo's decision to remove Korea from its whitelist of Group A countries that receive preferential trade processing.

Mitsubishi, Hitachi punished for price fixing

The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) said Sunday it has decided to slap a total of 9.2 billion won ($7.6 million) in fines on four Japanese auto parts suppliers for allegedly colluding to maintain or raise prices of alternators and ignition coils.

Dairy firms to stop using Japanese ingredients

Namyang Dairy, Maeil Dairies and Seoul Dairy Cooperative are working to stop using dairy products and other ingredients imported from Japan amid the deepening trade dispute between Seoul and Tokyo, according to industry officials Wednesday. Instead, the companies are looking for suppliers in Europe and other parts of the world.

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

Sneakers Push out Cheap Cosmetic Shops in Seoul

Affordable cosmetics shops are shutting down one by one due to dwindling foreign customers and a gradual switch to online shopping. For now they are being replaced by shoe or sports apparel shops in Seoul's major shopping districts like Myeong-dong and Hongik University areas.

Global Chip Industry to 'Take Action' Over Japanese Export Curbs

Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International, a global industry association of companies that provide equipment, materials and services for semiconductor manufacturers, on Thursday warned it will "take action" should Japan's restrictions on exports of key high-tech materials to Korea worsen.

Beware of Summer Holiday Burglars

The biggest proportion of burglaries occur in the fourth week of July, when most schools close for the summer, according to security firm S1. Many people leave their homes vulnerable during this time as they go away on their summer holidays. The highest percentage or 66 percent, of break-ins occur between midnight and 6 a.m., with 59 percent of burglars break into stand-alone houses. Some 66 percent look for jewelry and 20 percent for cash.

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HanKyoReh Shinmun (http://english.hani.co.kr)

S. Korea touts trade spat as chance to surpass Japan

After the Japanese government decided in a cabinet meeting on Aug. 2 to remove South Korea from its “white list” of trusted trading partners, the South Korean government immediately announced firm retaliation through a list of prepared countermeasures. Along with a support plan centered on strengthening the country’s economic and security capabilities, Seoul called for unity, so as to best utilize the nation’s resources. South Korean President Moon Jae-in also declared that this was an opportunity to get the better of Japan. “There’s a saying that history can be accelerated but not ignored. This is a hurdle we’ll have to clear at one point or another,” he said.

"Japan has been a barrier to the Korean Peninsula peace process," Blue House official says

The Blue House recounted in detail how Japan has become an obstacle to setting the stage for peace on the Korean Peninsula and how it has rebuffed the US’s attempts to mediate in its dispute with South Korea. “Considering that our two countries have shared the values of liberal democracy and market economy for decades, Japan’s removal of South Korea from its white list on the pretext of security can be regarded as a public slap in the face,” said Kim Hyun-chong, second deputy director of the Blue House National Security Office.

Backing out of GSOMIA a option for S. Korea to retaliate?

Japan’s decision at a Cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Aug. 2 to remove South Korea from its “white list” of countries receiving favorable consideration in export reviews for strategic goods has observers watching to see whether Seoul fires back with the threat of backing out of the two sides’ General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA). With Tokyo’s decision shifting the conflict over resolving historical matters related to Japan’s colonization of Korea into the realm of security matters, many with the administration and ruling party are increasingly supporting the development of corresponding measures by Seoul.

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

The trilateral security framework at risk

The diplomatic conflicts between South Korea and Japan, caused by Tokyo’s decision to exclude Seoul from the “white list,” has shaken the foundation of the trilateral security framework among South Korea, Japan and the United States, which has continued since the Korean War was ended in 1953.

Samsung, LG top rankings in U.S. customer satisfaction poll

Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics came out on top in the customer satisfaction rankings of J.D. Power, a U.S.-based marketing company, winning all nine categories including a washing machine and refrigerator. Samsung earned good scores for its washers, and LG for its refrigerators.

Military dog 'Dalgwan' finds a missing girl in Cheongju

“I figured Joeun Nuri was nearby when Dalgwan who was leading the way sat down and made the ‘report’ gesture,” said Sergeant Major Park Sang-jin of the 32nd Division of the Army, who found and rescued a 14-year-old girl after 10 days of missing at a hill in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province.

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

[Exclusive] Six-year-old Geumbok Taken to the South Pacific Mandate Planted Cassavas under the Scorching Sun

Born in Gimje, Jeollabuk-do in 1936, Geumbok headed for Tinian Island (part of the South Pacific Mandate at the time) in the western Pacific Ocean in 1939 along with his parents and his younger sister. He can't remember what month it was, but he remembers staying in Japan for a month or two. Geumbok worked in the Aguiguan farm run by Nanyo Kohatsu, a company chartered by imperial Japan, since he was six. He planted cassavas in the scorching sun. He worked, but he has no memory of being paid proper wages. He was lucky if he wasn't beaten by the Japanese.

[Editorial] Dangerous Signs in the South Korean Economy: No Time to Hesitate, for We Could Face a Real Crisis

A series of economic indicators and performance reports raised an alarm for the South Korean economy. According to the June Industrial Activity Trend released by Statistics Korea on July 31, all major indicators, including industrial production, facility investment and consumption showed sluggish performance. Facility investment increased slightly, but this was simply a base effect following the large drop last month. In addition, indicators showing the present and future economic condition all declined. On top of all this, the performance of Samsung Electronics released this day was also shocking. Samsung continued to show poor performance in the second quarter. Operating profits in the second quarter decreased 56% compared to the same quarter last year. However, the latest result did not reflect the impact of Japan's economic retaliation. Therefore, it is obvious that various economic indicators and performance will deteriorate when the Japan-triggered effects are reflected.

Comfort Women “Peace Statue,” First Display at a Public Art Museum in Japan

The "Girl of Peace" statue (pictured) in memory of the comfort women victims in the Japanese military will be on display at the Aichi Triennale, Japan's largest international art festival. This is the first time that the "peace statue" will be exhibited at a public art museum in Japan. The display of the "peace statue" in the heart of Japan, amidst intensifying conflicts between South Korea and Japan surrounding the issues of the comfort women and forced labor, will be quite significant.

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

Japan takes S. Korea off favored trade list, Moon voices "deep regret"

Japan’s cabinet on Friday passed a bill to remove South Korea’s fast-track export status, a measure that will require Japanese exporters to seek case-by-case approvals of more than 1,100 items shipped to South Korea. South Korea has warned the measure, which goes into effect on Aug. 28, would deepen the rift between the two countries and chill bilateral relations.

SK Group to acquire 14% stake in China’s Joyvio at $188 mn

South Korea’s third largest conglomerate SK Group has decided to buy a 14-percent stake in Chinese food service company Joyvio Group, betting big on the Chinese food market that is grow rapidly on rising interests in healthy eating by Chinese consumers.

Samsung Elec may adjust output via fab upgrading: report

While Samsung Electronics Co. ruled out an artificial reduction in wafer input, it may consider line optimization and other upgrading efforts that could naturally lead to a fall in chip production, projected a Korean brokerage.Samsung Securities Co. in a report released Thursday said some investors were raising doubts about the Korean memory chip giant’s supply plans after it revealed in its recent earnings call that it would not artificially cut wafer input.

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What’s ticking around the world at this second?
See what the world media around the world have to report:

USA Today www.usatoday.com aallman@gannett.com
The New York Times www.nytimes.com inytletters@nytimes.com
Wall Street Journal www.wsj.com support@wsj.com, service@wsj-asia.com
Financial Times www.ft.com ean@ft.com
The Times www.thetimes.co.uk help@timesplus.co.uk
The Sun www.thesun.co.uk talkback@the-sun.co.uk
Chinese People's Daily www.people.com.cn kf@people.cn
China Daily www.chinadaily.com.cn circulation@chinadaily.com.cn
GwangmyeongDaily www.gmw.cn webmaster@gmw.cn
Japan's Yomiuri www.yomiuri.co.jp japannews@yomiuri.com
Asahi www.asahi.com customer-support@asahi.com
Mainichi www.mainichi.jp
Le Monde www.ilemonde.com
Italy LaRepubblica www.quotidiano.repubblica.it vittorio.zucconi@gmail.com
Germany Frankfurter AllgemeineZeitung www.faz.net anzeigen.ausland@faz.de
SüddeutscheZeitung www.sueddeutsche.de forum@sueddeutsche.de
Australia Brisbane Times www.brisbanetimes.com.au syndication@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Sydney Morning Herald http://www.smh.com.au
Colombia Reports http://colombiareports.com
Bogota Free Planet http://bogotafreeplanet.combfp@bogotafreeplanet.com
El Universal http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/english
Andes http://www.andes.info.ec/en
Ecuador Times http://www.ecuadortimes.net
The Jordan Times https://www.jordantimes.com
LSM.lv http://www.lsm.lv/en
The Baltic Times http://www.baltictimes.com lithuania@baltictimes.com, estonia@baltictimes.com, editor@baltictimes.com
El Pais http://elpais.com/elpais/inenglish.html
Philippine Daily Inquirer https://www.inquirer.net
Daily News Hungary http://dailynewshungary.com
Budapest Times http://budapesttimes.hu
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And many other countries.
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