2009.06.30 – As part of his commitment to be more attentive to the population, President Lee Myung-Bak said that the Great Canal Project, which should connect the Han River to the Nakdong River, would not be initiated during his term of office. Already at the centerpiece of his 2007 presidential election campaign, this project created controversy again last month when a plan of $15.5 billion was announced by the government for the renovation of the four main rivers of Korea.

2009.06.30 – An OECD report released yesterday indicated that South Korea will rank third among the countries which have the biggest average economy growth between 2011 and 2017, following Luxembourg (5.5%) and Slovakia (5.3%). With an average growth of 4.9% forecasted, Korea is described by OECD as a country with solid economic fundamentals able to rebound after a global recession. OECD forecasts indicated recently that Korea’s growth should contract this year by 2.2% and increase next year by 3.5%.

2009.06.30 – “Summer sale” in Department Stores are boosting the sales. Launched only 4 days ago (June 26th), this Sales Period allowed 25 stores of Lotte Department Stores to increase their sales by 13.7% compared to last year, Hyundai Department Store won 7.8%, Shinsegae and its branch Centum City increased by 17.2%, Galleria and AK Plaza won respectively 11.5% and 15.2%. The best sales are the sport sector (39.3%) and the outdoor (31.2%), followed by the cosmetic (17.2%) and luxury products (14.3%).

2009.06.30 – Among the nation’s top 100 companies, hiring plans are being prepared for the second half of 2009. According to a survey conducted by Career, online job portal, 50.6% of the companies are planning to hire new College Graduates in H2. A total of 7,700 College Graduated should be hired in the second half, a number in decrease compared to last year 8,504 (-9.7%).

2009.06.30 – Briefly: A prison for foreigners will open in July in Korea with bilingual staff (Chinese, Russian and English); 71% of the seniors prefer to live without their children; The trends for this summer is the “Staycation” (stay + vacation), a concept consisting of staying near your home during the summer vacation and not going abroad; The Korean movie “Le Grand Chef”, comedy by Jeon Yun-Su, has been released last week in France.

2009.06.29 – During his visit in Tokyo, President Lee Myung-Bak met his homologue Taro Aso to discuss about economic relations and North Korea’s situation. Japan and Korea both agreed to call China to reinforce sanctions against Pyongyang and to propose new five-nation talks (without North Korea) on the nuclear threat. The two countries also wish to speed up FTA negotiations.

2009.06.29 – The 7th biggest Korean chaebol Kumho Asiana has decided to sell Daewoo Engineering and Construction Co., the biggest construction company, three year after its acquisition. Kumho Asiana owns 33% of Daewoo (bought $5.2 billion), 39% have been owned by financial investors and the remainder in the hand of ordinary investors. The group has been struggling to raise cash through asset sales and draw new investment funds.

2009.06.29 – Bank of Korea reported that North Korea had a GDP Growth of 3.7% in 2008, the first in the last three years (-1.1% in 2006 and -2.3% in 2007) and the first time the GDP growth is higher than the South Korean’s one (-2.2% in 2008). Agricultural sector has grown by 8.2% (-9.4% in 2007) and the GNP stood at $21.21 billion (2.7 of the South Korea GNP). Exports and imports have respectively increased by 22.8% ($1.13 billion) and 33.2% ($2.69 billion).

2009.06.29 – The European Union and South Korea once again did not conclude any Free Trade Agreement. Both parties, despite they said they will conclude the negotiation in a near future, are still facing the problem of exports’ conditions: Seoul would like to allow import tariffs to be returned to companies that use imported materials to make products for exports, conditions refused by Bruxelles.

2009.06.29 – Briefly: France won against South Korea for the 3rd day of World League in Volleyball in Toulouse; The Korea Education Research Institute, on the Lee Myung-Bak president, proposed a list of actions to improve Education, including the fact that “Hagwon” (private institute) may close before 10pm; T-Money cards will be distributed to foreign tourists from July 1st in Incheon and Gimpo airport; Despite the strike has moved in violent clashes that led to numerous injuries, unionists of Ssangyong Motor decided to continue their strike.

2009.06.26 – About 100,000 North Korean gathered in the center of Pyongyang yesterday to manifest against US sanctions. These gatherings are common in times of international diplomatic crisis with North Korea. National newspapers are denouncing the attitude of the United States, stating that the North "would never abandon its nuclear deterrence (...) and will strengthen."

2009.06.26 – Alsace and Gyeongsang North Province celebrated the 10th anniversary of their cooperation agreement signed in April 27th 1999. After welcoming a South Korean delegation in February, the Alsace Regional Council President Adrien Zeller went to Korea for a thematic trip on renewable energy, biotechnologies and tourism.

2009.06.26 – According to a report made by the Human Resources and Development Center of Sung Kyung Kwan University for the Federation of Korean Industries, it appears that young people between 15 and 19 years old in the NEET category (Not in education, employment or training) are 1.13 million in Korea. This number is bigger than the unemployment rate of young South Koreans.

2009.06.26 – The French Group Renault S.A. and the Korean Group Samsung extended their joint-venture agreement and trademark license agreement, announced Renault Samsung Motors Co. Samsung will keep it 19.9% stake in the Renault Samsung group and the carmaker will continue to use the Samsung logo and name. Both said that this extension will allow the company to improve their strategy.

2009.06.26 – Briefly: Consumer Sentiment Index increased for the third consecutive month reaching 106, a high-top since two years; Trade surplus reached $19 billion in H1, with a drop of exports of 23% to 163 billion and imports plugging by 24% to 144 billion; Players of the National Football Team who qualified for the7th consecutive World Cup, received a total bonus from the government of 1 110 500 euro, the Coach received 66.670 euro; United States are monitoring other North Korean ships.

2009.06.25 – China holds the keys to allow the US Navy, in accordance to the PSI and the sanctions of the United Nations Security Council, to intercept the North Korea ship which is going to Myanmar and which may possibly transport weapons. Actually in the South Coast of China (near Hainan), the international authorities wish that Chinese prove to the United Nations that they are ready to take part into the implementation of the resolution and help to intercept and inspect the Kang Nam.

2009.06.25 – South Korea will have in 2010 the fastest growth of the OECD after contracting this year by 2.2%. According to the biannual projections of the OECD, Korea may record a growth of 3.5%. This forecast is far different from the IMF one which estimates a contraction of 4% this year followed by a 1.5% growth next year. The Korea Employees Federation, according to their survey, said that two-thirds of the CEOs forecast a rebound next year.

2009.06.25 – Renault Samsung Motor announced yesterday that it will build a solar power generation facility on its Haman Part Center in the South Gyeongsang province. This installation should be able to produce annually 1,387 Megawatts, enough to distribute electricity to 480 homes each year. 300 tons of petroleum will be saved and 900 tons of carbon emissions will be avoid. The South Korean company K & Company will develop this project.

2009.06.25 – Seocho district in the South side of the Han River in Seoul plans to create a “Global Town” on the foot of Mount Woomeon. Still in project, this “Town” should be able to welcome 700 owners (low-rise apartments and town houses, foreign schools, small convention centers and hospitals. It will target Embassy employees and foreign companies’ staffs. Seocho-gu wishes to begin as soon as possible this construction.

2009.06.25 – Briefly: Apple Korea rejected the demand of Seoul Government regarding the recall request of iPod Nano MP3 players which have battery problems (explosion); The Seoul Global Center launches on Friday its second International Student Forum which will gather 22 university and 250 persons; 21 new cases of H1N1 have been identified yesterday for a total of 142 cases in Korea; A new Korean dictionary will be released for foreigners and new digital generation and will uniform the Romanization of the characters like “Busan” and “Pusan”.

2009.06.24 – Ambassadors for Russia, Japan, China and USA to South Korea have been gathered yesterday for session organized by a ruling party lawmaker to discuss about North Korea. Ambassador for China to Korea Cheng Yonghua insisted on the fact that, despite Pyongyang is considering Beijing as its closest ally, China was supporting the 1874 resolution decided by the United Nations Security Council.

2009.06.24 – Yesterday, the Yonsei’s Severance Hospital applyed the decision decided on May 21st by the Supreme Court according a family to stop any artificial respirator from a 77-year-old woman. This decision has been validated by an ethic committee gathering doctors and specialist on June 10th. Artificial respirator has been removed but doctors are still applying treatment and medical cares.

2009.06.24 – South Korea is ranking 9th among OECD countries on the information communication technologies. The local market’s value is about 73.1 $billion, an increase of 6.7% compared to 2007. USA are ranking first with $1.06 trillion, followed by Japan ($350.5 billion), Germany (222.9), United Kingdom (194.1), France (159.2), Italy (133), Canada (92.1) and Spain (88.3).

2009.06.24 – North Korea warned Japan that it could conduct some military exercices on the East Coast asking to the Nippon government to stay off parts of North Korean coast during 16 days. Exercices will take place in Wonsan between June 25th and July 10th, from 8am to 8pm. Japan should stay off a 110km by 450km zone.

2009.06.24 – Briefly: Whereas Ssangyong Motor meets difficulties to recover, the branch Ssangyong Engineering and Construction won a contract of $553 million in Singapore; For its first penetration inf the Korea mobile phone market, the Sony Xperia X1 is struggling with poor sales, like all the foreign brandmark in this market leaded by Samsung and LG; Yesterday was celebrated the first anniversary of the airline connection between Seoul and Noumea (New Caledonia) in presence of the President and Vice-President of the French Airline Company Aircalin; According to a survey conducted by Dahanoomall on 792 people, 79% of the people are not able to name 5 countries which fight with South Korea during the 1950-1953 War.

2009.06.23 – Korean will discover a new face in their wallet from today: Shin Saim-Dang. The new banknote of 50,000 won, the most expensive banknote in Korea, is a bit longer than other notes with a yellow-gold coloration. It represents Shin Saim-Dang, a writer and calligrapher from the 16th century. Banks are upgrading or changing their machine until the end of next month. Kim Gu, Korean independence fighter, will appear on the 100,000 won banknote.

2009.06.23 – As the continuous growing public discontent and a permanent political conflict, President Lee Myung-Bak indicated yesterday the he will refocus his politic. Thus, he accepts under the pressure of the population, professors and other parties to find a solution to changer his way of governing, maybe through reshuffling the government. His spokesman said that “to make a healthy society, centrism should be enhanced”.

2009.06.23 – Operators offering IPTV services (Internet TV) are developing the number of channels: QOOK will increase its offer to 70 from 56, SK Broadband from 61 to 80 channels, and LG Dacom will add 2 more channels to a total of 60. Today, 410.000 people subscribed to the IPTV in Korea.

2009.06.23 – South Korea will install from next year on its most advanced destroyers the Korean Anti-Submarine Missile (KASM) which will be mass-produced this year. This kind of rocket can fly about 20km in the air and carries a torpedo that is unleashed into the water to destroy the target. This missile “made in Korea” has been developed during 9 years to an investment of $80 million. Each missile named “Red Shark” will cost $1.5 million.

2009.06.23 – Briefly: The 46-years-old actress Kim Bu-Seon caused a public roar after asking on national TV MBC to legalize the use of marijuana, considering it as an Oriental medicinal herb used during thousands years (she launch a legalization campaign since 2004 and has been arrested of illegal use); The government said that foreigners will have to present health and criminal record document before getting married in Korea; The Samsung Electronics mobile phone “JET” already topped more than 2 million pre-orders in the 50 countries where it is distributed; Government spents $43 million to support corporate relocations, to develop rural business and create new jobs.

2009.06.22 – US Army is shadowing since this weekend a North Korean ship, the Kang Nam, which according to South Korean intelligence is going to Myanmar. This ship is a “subject of interest” for US Army as five similar ships have been used by NK for weapons trade. It is the first time USA is watching a NK ship since May U.N. sanctions which bar North Korea from exporting weapons (missile parts and nuclear). At the same time, South Korea decided to triple its artillery by 2020.

2009.06.22 – South Korea government has a keen attention to the new French law signed this weekend that make illegal for protesters to conceal their faces during public demonstrations. This law, prepared since the clash in Strasbourg in April during a NATO summit, has also been proposed by the ruling Grand National Party.

2009.06.22 – Economic ties between Koreas are worsening. Trades have dropped by 38% in May to $106.5 million compared to $171.9 million in 2008, a continuous decrease since 9 months. During the meeting organized this weekend in Kaesong, two Koreas did not find any common solution, North Korea proposing to lift a nearly eight-month-long restriction on South Korean travel to the joint complex.

2009.06.22 – The Seoul road map is moving. From June 30th, a new expressway between Yongin and Seoul Expressway will begin, connecting Yongin to Gangnam. The time to travel from Gyeongbu Expressway Suwon IC to Seoul Tollgate will be reduced by 16mn. From July 15th, the new expressway Seoul-Chuncheon will open reducing by 30mn the travel between the two cities.

2009.06.22 – Briefly: Global investment banks released raising GNP Growth forecasts for June 2009; More and more foreigners are visiting hospitals, with an increase of 41.3% in May (1.061 patients) compared to last year; The Japanese football club Jubilo Itawa, where South Korean Lee Keun-Ho is playing, announced that the player will go to Paris Saint Germain for a 700,000 euro transfer; Koreans are less and less consuming alcool outside in the Q1 2009 compared to Q1 2008, with a drop of 6.3% to 71.5 million litters of draft beer, whereas the canned beer consumption (at home) is increasing by 11.5% to 59.9 million litters.

2009.06.19 – The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced that the traceability system for beef, which inform consumer of origin, historic and quality of the product, will begin on Monday 22nd. This system already exists in Japan and Europe since the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy crisis (“mad cow disease”).

2009.06.19 – North Korea accuses South Korea of raising tensions between the two countries. North media indicates that military operations conducted by South Korean army in the border line have been made to intimidate the “Dear Leader” government. The situation is tenser than ever indicated newspapers. This occurs after the strong speech of Lee Myung-Bak in Washington regarding the future of inter-Korean relations.

2009.06.19 – Samsung Electronics grabbed the first place in the global market of touch screen mobile phones. The Korean group secured 23.9% of market shares with 6.1 million units sold around the world during the first quarter. LG Electronics ranks 2nd with 20.8% market shares and 5.3 million units. Apple (IPhone) follows with 14.9% (3.8 million) and Nokia, leader on the global mobile phone market, with 11.4% with 2.9 million. This market should triple by 2012 to 500 million units (170 predicted this year).

2009.06.19 – Export prices dropped in May from December 2008 to -7.6%, according to the Bank of Korea’s report. It is the biggest dropped never seen in the record of the BOK, since 38 years. This drop should continue, as export volume will probably continue to increase and the won getting stronger after the economic crisis.

2009.06.19 – Briefly: Korean newspaper publishes today a picture of Trakr, a German shepherd who worked on the World Trade Center in September 11th 2001, with its 5 South-Korean clones; Samsung Electronics launched yesterday its new camcorder, enough compact to put it in your pocket (400,000 won); More than 4 million people are using IP Phone (internet) in Korea with 1.57 in LG Dacom, 640,000 in KT, 510,000 in SKT, 450,000 in Korea Cable Telecom, 430,000 in Samsung Networks, etc.; In the “freezer babies” trial, Véronique Courjault has been condemned to 8-years prison for killing her three newborn babies.

2009.06.18 – Apple IPhone 3G arrives in South Korea in July, distributed exclusively by KT, according to a high-ranking source of the mobile communications industry. KT should be working on charging systems for wireless data usage to launch in July the IPhone 3G for less than 100,000 won ($79) and then launch the new IPhone 3G in August or September. KT already works on communication which will be on “innovating image” (this information is not yet confirmed by KT).

2009.06.18 – President Lee Myung-bak indicated that Pyongyang’s demands regarding Kaesong will be rejected. Complete turnaround from the President who recently pushes the discussion regarding a project of reconciliation in the joint complex. The meeting with US President that led to a strong and better alliance between the two countries influenced the Lee’s national political behavior. President Lee also called North Korea to release the South Korean prisoner and the two US journalists.

2009.06.18 – Whereas the tensions are increasing between South Korea and North Korea, the South helped North to qualify for its first World Cup since 44 years. By equalizing at the end of the match against Iran, South Korea allowed North Korea to make an equal score for their last match against Saudi Arabia (0-0). Both Koreas will go together in South Africa in 2010. Saudi Arabia and Bahrain will play a barrage match.

2009.06.18 – Hyundai Motor Co. have great sales in the European market. May sales increased by 25.1% compared to May 2008, despite the economic crisis. Hyundai take the opportunity as GM Corp and Chrysler LCC met difficulties. Sales reached 29.309 units. Kia also increased its sales with +1.1% to 21.924 units, as the European market is still decreasing (-4.9% in May with 1.27 million units).

2009.06.18 – Briefly: Government announced that state-run companies will adopt international accounting standards by 2011; A rich South Korea woman who has a $18 million fortune, put an announce to find the love: 8 persons have been selected among 384; Singer and poetess Kim Seok-Ok (54) has set the World Guiness Record for the longest singing marathon with 1283 songs in 76 hours and 7 minutes; The Korea Herald published in its Thursday issue an article on KCI, a chemical and polymer company which succeed thanks to L’Oréal, Rhodia and Unilever.

2009.06.17 – USA and Korea are improving their relation. 56 years after the end of the Korean War and the presence of the US army to defend the country, Presidents Lee and Obama wish to transform their alliance into a global and multifaceted partnership on a national, regional and international scale. To answer to the North Korea threats, both countries chose a deterrence strategy for which Korea will take the lead role supported by US Army.

2009.06.17 – Kim Jong-Un, official successor of Kim Jong-Il, secretly visited China last week to meet the ruling family, according to the Japanese Newspaper Asahi. He could have met Hu JinTao and other government officials, information not confirmed by the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

2009.06.17 – Today begin the World IT Show 2009, an exhibition gathering more than 700 global companies under the motto “feel the new convergence for Green IT”. For the second year, this show is a mix of other shows:SEK, IT-Korea, KIECO and Expo Comm Wireless Korea. A great opportunity for Korean companies to present the last trends: Smartphone, TV LED, IPTV, Wibro, Internet-TV-Phone services, Web services, USB Memories, etc.

2009.06.17 – Samsung Electronics launched yesterday in the world its new smartphone “JET”, an innovating phone, smarter than the IPhone, announced the South Korean companies. This phone has been launched simultaneous in London, Dubai and Singapore, first time Samsung communicate that way. This smartphone have all the common functions (wifi, online downloading, multifunction, sync systems, etc.) as well as a new Mobile Internet Browser called “Dolphin” which allow users to open 5 pages at one time.

2009.06.17 – Briefly: Former Minister of Construction Kang Dong-Suk has been named Chairman of the International Exhibition of Yeosu 2012 committee; Number of registered cars increased for the 16th months with 46.7% up compared to April, reaching approximately 134,000 units; Retailers are recovering progressively except in the luxury sector (-14.7% in May but a well start beginning of the year), indicated the Ministry of Knowledge Economy; Strike continues in Ssangyong Motor since the carmaker closed three weeks ago its main plant in Pyeongtaek.

2009.06.16 – According to the US and South Korean intelligence authorities, North Korea could be preparing a third nuke test. The eleven nuclear plants are actually under surveillance. This nuke should be made to answer the United Nation Security Council’s sanctions. The inter-Korean relations are under high-tension while President Lee Myung-Bak meets today Barack Obama to discuss about North Korea.

2009.06.16 – French and Korean governments officials met in Paris to enhance a mutual cooperation in terms of Science and Technology. It is the fourth time there is such bilateral meeting since the 1981 agreement signed in to develop this cooperation. Joint research will be conducted on nano engineering, in information and communication technology, and in aerospace engineering with the program STAR (science and technology amicable relationships). Education and formation are also strong cooperation subject.

2009.06.16 – French group Areva announced yesterday that electrician Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. Ltd. (KHNP) will enter its capital with 2.5%. KHNP operates the enrichment of the uranium plant George Besse II in France which represents an investment of three billion euro by Areva. KHNP operated 20 reactors in Korea producing 40% of the needed electricity in the peninsula.

2009.06.16 – The International Monetary Fund indicated that South Korea should avoid deficit by 2014, with a satisfactory level this year. Deficit should stagnate at 3.2% of the PIB in 2009 and deteriorate next year to 4.7%. Only three countries in the G-20 should see their finance equilibrate by 2014: Saudi Arabia (5.8%), South Korea (0%) and Canada (0.4%).

2009.06.16 – Briefly: Kim Jong-Nam, first son of Kim Jong-Il, could have avoided an assassination attempt, report the South Korean TV channel KBS, attempt made with the support of Kim Jong-Un, official successor of Kim Jong-Il, but failed with the help of China where Kim Jong-Nam could apply for asylum; The fate of the Korean woman taken in hostage in Yemen is undecided, while bodies of several hostages have been discovered; Seoul celebrated yesterday the victory of 1999 naval battle which saw the two Korea fighting, the first time since the 1950-1953 Korean War; Footballer Park Ji-Sung talked for the first time of his international retirement, stating that the 2010 World Cup would probably be his last one after 2002 and 2006.

2009.06.15 – After the sanctions voted by the United Nations (sanctions on exports and financial dealings, and inspections of ships in ports and on the high seas), North Korea responded by declaring that newly extracted plutonium will be converted into weapons, enrichment process of uranium will begin and any attempt of investigations on ships will be considered as an act of war and will met with military response.

2009.06.15 – According to KT Management Research Laboratory citing data from Merrill Lynch, Koreans spent in average 320mn per month speaking on their mobile phone, three times longer than Germany and 2,3 times longer than Japanese. It is the longest average time in the OECD countries. Korea is followed by France (246mn) and Finland (244mn).

2009.06.15 – Despite the World Health Organization declared a state of world H1N1 pandemic after 30,000 infection cases have been reported, Korea announced that they will maintain the current “attention” level. This decision taken after an urgent meeting has been made as no indication show that the virus has been transmitted from one community to another.

2009.06.15 – South Korea forecasts to export in the world in 2009 around 4.3 million LCD-TV Panels which are using LED Technology. Already 400,000 panels have been shipped in the first quarter, majority of those panels are 102cm, 117cm and 140cm, representing 96.2% of the entire LED-TV Panel controlled by Samsung Electronics. Sharp and LG Electronics should enter the market soon which will equilibrate the market with Samsung Electronics (59.8%), Sharp (27.9%) and LG Display (9.2%).

2009.06.15 –Briefly: South Korean firms established in Kaesong complex rejected the North-Korean demand regarding the increase of wages for their employees; A Korean woman has been kidnapped in Yemen with a Briton and Germans while she was visiting an hospital; According to a survey made by the job portal Incruit, 27.1% of the Korean are working during the weekends; A picture of Kim Jong-Un, successor of Kim Jong-Il, has been published by a Japan Newspaper, presenting him when he was 16 (today around 25-26 years old) during his scholarship in Swiss.

2009.06.12 – Following the meeting between North and South yesterday in Kaesong, Kim Jong-Il’s government ask South Korea to quadruple North-Korean wages and add 500 million dollars fir land leasing. This could push South Korea to leave the joint complex, but the two parts wish to continue the discussion through another meeting June 19th.

2009.06.12 – South Korea inaugurate yesterday, in the presence of President Lee Myung-Bak, the official launch of the first space launch site. This space center named “Naro”, located in Goheung in Jeollanam-do, should launch its first rocket in July. The objective for Korea is to enter the Top 7 of World Space Centers in the next 10 years (South Korea is the 13rd country to have its own infrastructure for space rocket launch).

2009.06.12 – In the first quarter, South Korea ranked 11th among world biggest exporters with a total of $74.7 billion (-24.9% compared to last year), over passing Russia which exports dropped by 47.4%. Germany ranks first with 259.5 billion (-31.6%), followed by USA with 248.7 billion (-21.7%), China with 245.6 billion (-19.7%), Japan with 119.3 billion (-40.6%) and France with 111.7 billion (-31.8%).

2009.06.12 – Car maker KIA launched, after the Soul which had a great success all over the world, its new brand icon, the Forte Koup. The Koup, presented during the New York Auto Show last year, had a development cost of 75 millions for a 26 months preparation. Sales objectives for 2009 are 5 000 units in Korea and 15 000 to be exported among a young target (20s-30s).

2009.06.12 – Briefly: Operators proposing the IPTV (KT, SK and LG) will offer a new sports channel, announced the Korea Digital Media Industry Association; Workers union in the cargo transport sectors called for a national strike to ask logistic firms to reinstate drivers who had been fired; Smartphone market demand should grow by 18.7% this year as mobile phone demand is contracting, indicated Ovum Korea, IT consulting firm; LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics are recovering faster than expected with good operation profit in the second quarter.

2009.06.11 – Despite the disapproval of the government, tens of thousands citizens gathered in Seoul Plaza to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of June 10 pro-democracy movement. Participants, gathered between 7:30pm and 10:30pm, hold candles and posters against the government and called for “recovery of democracy”, mourning the death of Former President Roh Moo-Hyun.

2009.06.11 – A delegation of 10 South Korea leaded by Kim Young-tak, chief of the Unification Ministry Headquarters, went this morning at 10am to the Kaesong complex for inter-Korean watershed discussions. Five North-Koreans is meeting this delegation. The discussion may focus on the South Korean worker still under detention since 74 days.

2009.06.11 – South Korea makes the first step regarding “the death with dignity”. The Supreme Court of Korea authorized last month a family to remove Kim Ok-Kyung (77) from live-support, patient who has no chance of recovery. Officials of Severance Hospital in North Seoul met during an ethic committee and validated the decision.

2009.06.11 – After the semi-conductors and the liquid crystal display, South Korea discovered a new growth engine : Rechargeable batteries. LG Electronics launched yesterday the construction of a new facility in Ochang and plan to invest $800 million by 2013. SB LiMotive (JV between Samsung SDI and Bosch) plans to mass produce rechargeable batteries for hybrid vehicles. Samsung SDI already signed an agreement to equip computer Apple MacBook Air with Lithium polymer batteries.

2009.06.11 – Briefly: South Korea did not make the difference for its last group match against Saudi Arabia (0-0), forcing North Korea to win its last match to get qualified of its first World Cup in 44 years; National Statistical Office reported that Economy continued to lost jobs, with -219 000 jobs in may; For the 4th month consecutively, Korea posted a trade surplus of $5.06 billion, less than the $5.79 billion of April, with exports reaching $28.14 billion (-28.5% vs 2008), and imports reaching $23.08 billion (-40.3%); Korea finalizes today the construction work for the launch of the Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1 in Naro Space Center.

2009.06.10 – Steel sector show signs of recovery after hitting the bottom in February. Posco and Hyundai Steel, two biggest groups in Korea, had facility operation rate around 80% in the second quarter compared to 70% in the first quarter. Shipping also increased. In the same time, companies of the steel sector plan to invest $7.9 billion in infrastructures, as the production capacity should represent 70 million tons by next year.

2009.06.10 – As it has been announced recently, Presidents Lee Myung-Bak and Barack Obama will meet next Tuesday (June 16th) in Washington to discuss the North-Korea provocations and to reinforce economic ties between the two countries. Discussions may also focus on financial sanctions imposed to North, as South Korea imposed sanctions for the first time to three North Korean companies, in line with United Nations resolutions.

2009.06.10 – Lots of Koreans technology geek did not sleep last night, day of the Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, and finally get frustrated as Korea is not in the 80-country list which will be able to sell the IPhone in the next two months. As trade barriers are now open since April, allowing Nokia and Apple entering the Korean market, lots of experts thought that IPhone could be available by July.

2009.06.10 – Economic forecasts for the second quarter should be better than expected, indicated analysts and experts. Korea should have a growth of 0.5 to 2% in the period April-June. At the same time, IMF Director warned countries of “rapid inflation” after a period of recession.

2009.06.10 – Briefly: South Korea, already qualified for the World Cup, plays tonight an important match against Saudi Arabia, which could allow North Korea to approach a definitive qualification (both countries rank 2nd with 11 points). Lee Keun-Ho, which will probably play in France next year, and Park Chu-Young are now key players in the selection; “Courjault” affair is beginning in France with the trial of Veronique Courjault; Samsung Electronics is the best global seller of liquid-crystal display monitors for personal computers in the first quarter (16.8%); South Korean newspaper Yonhap indicated that the 3rd son of Kim Jong-Il, his successor, had a South Korean friend, good at drawing, during his studies in Swiss.

2009.06.09 – The government will invest 22 trillion won (17 billion dollars) to restore the 4 biggest rivers of Korea (Han, Nakdong, Geum and Yeongsan) by 2012 to prevent any risk of floods and droughts but also to improve water quality and create waterside facilities. This project will create 16 reservoirs and 3 new dams that can contain 1.3 billion tons of fresh water.

2009.06.09 – The two US journalists who were held in North Korea since they entered illegally through the North border have been condemned yesterday by the Central Court to a 12-year sentence. Laura Ling and Seung-Eun Lee can not appeal as the Central Court is the last decision in a judgment (judgment from June the 4th to the 8th). Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced that US government will do all it can do to release the two journalists.

2009.06.09 – According to the Korea Communications Commission, the local market of mobile-phone contents only represented $1.53 billion in 2008, compared to $2.07 billion in 2007 and $2.4 billion in 2006. The market of mobile downloads increased in average 15% between 2005 and 2007 to a top of $4.6 billion.

2009.06.09 – All the economic indicator was in the “green” in April, according to the Ministry of Strategy and Finance. The ratio of job openings to job seekers, the capital goods imports and the value of construction orders received swung to the positive side in April, making all the components of the leading composite index positives.

2009.06.09 – Briefly: LG Electronics will launch from next week its new mobile phone Prada 2 with the Bluetooth watch Prada Link ($1,438); Car registrations increased by 45.2% to 135,255 in May and deregistration decreased by 26% to 83,415; KT has denied the rumors saying that the operator will release the IPhone by Apple during this summer; Major Korean Chaebols are more successful than others in crisis period, mainly due to weakness of the won (Hyundai vs. Toyota and Honda), situation of competitors (Samsung and Hynix Semiconductors vs. smaller competitors), and new technologies (Samsung and LG vs. Nokia and Motorola).

2009.06.08 – During his visit in France this weekend, US President Barack Obama expressed impatience against North-Korea. He insisted on the fact that USA will not continue a policy of rewarding and that they will impose own financial penalties in addition to the decision which will be made by the United Nations.

2009.06.08 – South Korea validated its qualification ticket for the next World Cup in 2010 in South Africa. Australia and Japan will also join South Korea. Park Chu-Young, AS Monaco forwarder, goaled after 5mn and Ki Sung-Yueng doubled 32mn later. Lee Keun-Ho, which will probably play for PSG next year, was on the field. Korea will attend the World Cup for the 7th time consecutively.

2009.06.08 – Most parts of exported products in value in 2008 are petroleum products with $36.63 billion, followed by ships (34.47), mobile phone (34.43), cars (31.29) and semiconductors (25.78). For the imports site, crude oil are largely leading the trades with $85.56 billion, followed by semiconductor (25.88), gas (24.89), petroleum products (17.08) and steel and other metal products (14.18). Exportations to China are the largest part of Korea’s trade, followed by USA and Japan. Importations are mainly from China also.

2009.06.08 – South Korean group Hyundai Mobis entered for the first time into the Top20 of auto parts maker ranking 19th, indicates the US magazine Automotive News. The group won 8 places compared to last year (27th). Hyundai Mobis attributes this result to the development of new technologies and core components such as steering and brake systems.

2009.06.08 – Briefly: Korea will launch tomorrow the “Global Game Hub Center” for the development of new game generation based on wireless; President Lee Myung-Bak visited the Osan air force base in Gyeonggi-do during the weekend; The country will offer 50% tax breaks for property buyers in 2010 and already plans for 2011; T-shirts sales are booming in South Korea as indicated Shinsegae and Lotte results, a new manner to make economy during the hot Korean summer.

2009.06.05 – USA do not plan to relist North Korea as “terrorist state”, despite the recent nuke test, launch of short/middle/long-range missiles and the incursion yesterday in South-Korean seas. Moreover, DPRK Central Court began yesterday a trial on two American journalists Laura Ling and Seung-Eun (Euna) Lee, arrested while they were doing a documentary on the Communist country on the North Border. They face up to 01 years in prison.

2009.06.05 – New apartment’s prices in Free Economic Zones in South Korea should be more expensive in the coming months. Government will approve a bill that lift price cap imposed on FEZs since 2007. Owner of apartments are facing difficulties to earn profits. The increase will not be more than 10%.

2009.06.05 – Government decided to support households where breadwinners are unemployed. This support will consist in providing $726 from June 5th to the end of 2009 per households of 4 people, where breadwinner has not employment insurance, has lost his job since October the 1st, is unemployed since more than one month, and has worked for more than 60 hours per week for over six months receiving 240,000 in paycheck.

2009.06.05 – Euh Yoon-Dae, chairman of the Presidential council on Nation Branding, indicated that Korea should have 10 million inbound-tourists by 2012, compared to 6.9 million in 2008. Efforts will be made on touristic resources and promotion of culture such as Taekwondo and B-Boys. South Korea ranks 33rd among 133 destinations, still behind Singapore (10), Hong-Kong (12) and Japan (25). Objective is to reach the 20th place by 2012 which will represent revenue of $13 billion against 9 last year.

2009.06.05 – Briefly: LG Electronics will launch from July in the world its new Watch Phone with touch-screen ($1,200) while Samsung Electronics will launch its new upgraded version of Ultra Haptic this month in Korea ($634) ; Kia Soul takes lead in USA market on the crossover market, better than the Nissan Cube; Internet portals and mobile phone companies wish to accelerate the development of Mobile Internet on Smart-Phone by adapting Internet portals to phone’s screen like m.naver.com; Atelier Hermès, third floor of Maison Hermès, welcome Jim Lambie for the exhibition “Nervous Track”.

2009.06.04 – Experts have various opinions regarding the future of North Korea. For some people, the nomination of Kim Jong-Un as official successor of Kim Jong-Il could push NK to come back to the negotiations and stop the provocations. For others, the time to consolidate power under the control of a 26-years-old boy could be too short against the emergence of a collective leadership around him.

2009.06.04 – South Korea launched a new Growth Engine by developing its support to the yachting industry (yacht and cruises). The objective fixed is to represent 20% of the global market by 2020, indicated Lee Youn-Ho, Minister of knowledge economy. The global market represents $47 billion, but the local market is only composed by 50 manufacturers.

2009.06.04 – South Korean group Doosan sold its stakes in four of its units raising $631 billion to ease liquidity concerns and reorganize its business portfolio. It will keep the control of the four units which are Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd., Doosan DST Co., Samhwa Crown and Closure Co. and SRS Korea Co.

2009.06.04 – Exports in the IT sector dropped by 17% last month compared to last year. Exports reached $9.66 billion while importations dropped by 22.2% to $4.90 billion, for a surplus of $4.76 billion. Exportations is continuing to increase since the last 5 months, surpassing $9 billions for the second consecutive month.

2009.06.04 – Briefly: Number of subscribers in 3G mobile services should reach 20 million in June in South Korea; Thanks to the restructuration plans and public projects, number of bankruptcies in construction sector decreased last month; The ETRI announced that they developed a voice speech-recognition software for controlling IPTV; Lee Sang-Deuk from GNP, older brother of Lee Myung-Bak, declared he will stay out of political affairs.

2009.06.03 – Kim Jong-Il named just after the 25th May Nuke test his third son Kim Jong-Un as the next “Dear Leader”, while all the experts thought it should happened in 2012, for the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il-Sung. At the same time, tension is still increasing between North and South with the preparation of a middle-range missile launch and the South Korean patroller Yoon Young-Ha positioned in the Yellow Sea (west coast).

2009.06.03 – French group Areva signed a contract of more than 80 million euro with South Korean electrician Kepco to supply the converter stations for a 400MW High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) bipole scheme linking South Korea's Jeju Island (South of the peninsula) with the mainland.

2009.06.03 – Lemonde.fr released an article on “The North Korea or the intimidation art” in which Philippe Li, President of the French Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry, talks about the North Korean situation and the corruption affairs in South Korea with the background of the death of former President Roh Moo-Hyun. Article in French: click here.

2009.06.03 – Nine Korean chaebols entered in a phase of “balance-Sheet Enhancement” in cooperation with their creditor banks. These conglomerates are Dongbu, Kumho Asiana, GM Daewoo Auto & Technology, Aekyung, Hynix Semiconductor, Eugene, Daeju, Tong Yang Major and Taihan Electric Wire.

2009.06.03 – Briefly: SC First Bank sponsored a Korean rugby team, very underdeveloped sport in South Korea; The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) will organized a contest on Korea brand image through pictures, posters or animations; The ASEAN urged North Korea to listen United Nations and wishes to develop ties with Seoul; Government approved a bill which will allow mayor of each district to identify school zones and install closed-circuit CCTVs.

2009.06.02 – Some movements have been seen in North Korea regarding the imminent launch of a long-range ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile). This missile seems to be near Dongchang-ri, North of Pyeongan Province (West Coast), a few kilometers from the launching pad. President Lee Myung-Bak declared that South Korea will not tolerate any provocation or threats from North Korea.

2009.06.02 – While GM Motors Corp. is under bankruptcy protection in the USA, allowing the company to make a big restructuration, the Korean subsidiary GM Daewoo Auto and Technology Co. stays confident. As GM would like to build around a handful of good assets including Chevrolet, GM Daewoo executives are confident as 80% of 2008 exports of GM Daewoo were Chevrolet vehicles.

2009.06.02 – Consumer prices rose 2.7% in May, the slowest increase in the last 20 moths. It slowed for the third consecutive month compared to last year. This decline is linked to price of oil-related products.

2009.06.02 – Korean government indicated that the tax support program planned from May to December could cease in September, as the auto industry fails to come up with self-help measures (restructuration, advancement in labor-management relations). Vehicles sales increased by 53% to 79,550 units between May the 1st and the 20th, compared to 51,930 units in April.

2009.06.02 – Briefly: LG Electronics named yesterday a new foreign vice-president, Peter Stickler, who will be responsible of Human Resources ; The “Design Seoul Street” project which aims at improving the quality of life of Seoul citizens will be supported by a $40 million budget for 20 new districts (added to the 30 districts already selected) by 2010; South Korea and Japan meet today for the second Council for sciences and technology cooperation to present their project in terms of Green Growth plan; Samsung Electronics presented yesterday the first mobile phone in the world which have a touch-screen technology and a 12 million pixels camera (to be sold in Europe end of June).

2009.06.01 – According to experts, North Korea is preparing a long-range missile (ICBM = intercontinental ballistic missile) launch in June, probably the 16th, day of the meeting between Lee Myung-Bak and Barack Obama in Washington. North Korea is continuously condemning United Nations, South Korea and USA. According to the standards, this ICBM should fly more than 5,500 km.

2009.06.01 – ASEAN summit, which stands in Jeju Island until today to commemorate the 20th birthday for unity between Korea and Southeast Asia, was the occasion for President Lee Myung-Bak to insist on Unity in terms of economy, culture and ecology.

2009.06.01 – Ssangyong Motor Co., actually under court bankruptcy protection, closed its main plant located in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, because of labor strike stages ahead restructuration which will cause 36% reduction of workforces.

2009.06.01 – More than one million people gathered in Seoul central last Friday for the former President Roh-Moo-Hyun’s funerals, representing a yellow wave (color of the Roh’s 2002 presidential campaign) in the South Korean capital. 2,500 personalities including President Lee Myung-Bak went to Gyeongbukgung Palace. Many controversies have sprouted regarding the President Lee’s attitude during the ceremony.

2009.06.01 – Briefly: George Casey, US Army Chief, indicated that USA was ready to fight North Korea if necessary; Four new cases of H1N1 have been confirmed, totalizing 39 people contaminated since May1st in Korea; Law-firm Yoon Yang Kim Shin and Yu received a letter from the three main national television channels for fighting against Internet companies promoting peer-to-peer and copyright violators; Brokerages said that South Korea may recover in the fourth quarter.