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DC5m United States korea in english 15 articles, created at 2016-12-15 16:31 articles set mostly positive rate 0.9

1 1.1 South Korean presidential contender says Seoul SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A possible South Korean presidential contender says the country should reconsider its plans to deploy an advanced U. S. missile defense (3.09/4) system to cope with North Korean threats. ... 2016-12-15 06:37 706Bytes article.wn.com

2 0.0 South Korea former opposition leader Moon says will run for president

(1.05/4) SEOUL, Dec 15 (Reuters) - The former leader of South Korea's main opposition party said on Thursday he would run for president, while adding that the issue o... 2016-12-15 02:43 1KB www.dailymail.co.uk

3 0.8 North Korea tourist photos, as seen by defectors Travel to secretive North Korea is more common than it's ever been before. NK News (1.03/4) recently asked a group of defectors and experts to explain the story behind photos captured in 2016 by photographer Chris Petersen-Clausen. 2016-12-15 09:10 5KB edition.cnn.com

4 1.4 Gunning for science and power in N. Korea In North Korea's heavily militarised society, even learning the periodic table can be

(1.03/4) done at the barrel of a gun. 2016-12-15 03:10 5KB www.dailymail.co.uk

5 0.7 Canadian officials meet detained Canadian in North Korea (1.02/4) SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- Canadian officials visited North Korea and met with Canadian detainee Hyeon Soo Lim, who was sentenced to life in prison last ye 2016-12-15 08:30 2KB mynorthwest.com

6 2.9 South Korea political scandal puts corporate decisions on ice (1.00/4) By Hyunjoo Jin and Miyoung Kim SEOUL/SINGAPORE, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Korea Inc is moving in slow-motion, mired by the country's political crisis, with a vacuum... 2016-12-15 07:55 6KB www.dailymail.co.uk

7 0.0 Ready or not South Korea debuts in Sydney-Hobart The skipper of South Korea's first ever entry in the Sydney-Hobart blue water classic

(0.03/4) says he has been preparing for years but fears he is still not ready fo... 2016-12-15 04:55 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk 8 2.6 North Korean women are hand-picked for their looks for traffic cop job Believed to be hand-picked for their looks, Pyongyang's female traffic police are a familiar sight at intersections around the capital, where traffic volumes have noticeably increased in recent years. 2016-12-15 07:49 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk

9 0.0 Race complaint lodged over 'comfort women' statue in Australian church A Japanese community group in Australia has lodged a legal complaint under racial vilification laws objecting to a statue commemorating Korean 2016-12-15 06:40 2KB www.timeslive.co.za

10 0.0 N. Korea calls time on 200-day mass mobilisation North Korea on Thursday wrapped up a 200-day mass mobilisation campaign aimed at boosting an economy struggling with upgraded UN sanctions imposed after its two nuclear tests this year. 2016-12-15 05:30 3KB www.digitaljournal.com

11 2.9 Indian Multiplex Leader PVR Expands 4DX Rollout PVR Cinemas, India’s largest cinema exhibition company, is to install Korea’s 4DX motion and olfactory technology to ten of its multiplexes. The deal is an extension of an existing agreement betwee… 2016-12-15 04:52 1KB variety.com

12 1.4 Lisa Vanderpump revels in activism triumph as South Korea implements ban on dog butchering The reality star of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Vanderpump Rules fame, and a staunch activist for dogs, expressed her elation over the announcement in a series of tweets Tuesday. 2016-12-15 03:54 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk

13 2.3 Global Positron-Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography Market Research Report 2016 Positron-Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography Report by Material, Application, and Geography – Global Forecast to 2020 is a professional and in-depth research report on the world’s major regional market conditions, focusing on the main regions (North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific) and the... 2016-12-15 01:50 3KB article.wn.com

14 0.4 Drunken Kim Jong-Un has top military leaders crying Contact WND (Fox News) Kim Jong Un is not a happy drunk. The ruthless North Korean dictator overindulged on spirits this September when he ordered several top military vets to write apology and self-criticism letters, according to a Japanese media report. “That none of you were... 2016-12-15 01:07 1KB www.wnd.com 15 3.6 NHL roundup: Decision looms on Olympic role For scheduling purposes, the league needs to know by January if players will take part in the Olympic Games at South Korea in 2018. 2016-12-15 00:10 3KB www.pressherald.com Articles

DC5m United States korea in english 15 articles, created at 2016-12-15 16:31

1 /15 1.1 South Korean presidential contender says Seoul

(3.09/4) SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A possible South Korean presidential contender says the country should reconsider its plans to deploy an advanced U. S. missile defense system to cope with North Korean threats. ...

S.Korea says no response from Pyongyang on offer to repatriate N.Koreans rescued at sea dailymail.co.uk

S. Korean presidential South Korean Presidential hopeful casts doubt over US Contender Says Seoul missiles abcnews.go.com heraldonline.com

2016-12-15 06:37 system article.wn.com

2 /15 0.0 South Korea former opposition leader Moon says will run for president (1.05/4) SEOUL, Dec 15 (Reuters) - The former leader of South Korea's main opposition party said on Thursday he would run for president, while adding that the issue of deploying a U. S. anti-missile system should be pushed back to the next presidential administration. "It would be a great honour for me to run for president," Moon Jae-in, the former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea told a news conference, when asked to clarify whether he would run or not. South Korea's next presidential election is due in 2018, but one could be held sooner if a Constitutional Court upholds a parliamentary vote to impeach President Park Geun-hye. On the contentious missile system, Moon said: "It is inappropriate for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense deployment process to go on under the current political circumstances. " (Reporting by Christine Kim; Additional reporting by James Pearson; Editing by Robert Birsel)

S.Korea says no response S.Korea presidential hopeful: from Pyongyang on offer to U.S. missile defense should repatriate N.Koreans wait rescued at sea dailymail.co.uk dailymail.co.uk

2016-12-15 02:43 Reuters www.dailymail.co.uk

3 /15 0.8 North Korea tourist photos, as seen by defectors

(1.03/4) The number of people curious to see inside one of the most isolated, unfathomable and feared nations on the planet is increasing, and, compared to his predecessors, leader Kim Jong Un seems happy enough to welcome them.

To a degree.

There are strict guidelines in place governing what tourists can and can do, what they can see, and even what questions they can ask. Break with protocol, or even be suspected of doing so, and you'll pay the price. That means not disrespecting the country's past and present leaders, wandering off on your own, or trying to speak to the locals without permission.

To provide a fuller picture of North Korea, NK News recently asked a group of defectors and experts to explain the story behind photos captured in 2016 by photographer Chris Petersen- Clausen .

"This picture reminds me how Pyongyang used to turn into absolute mayhem during rush hour ," says Kang Jimin , who left Pyongyang for the UK in 2005.

"I also remember how nervous I got worrying about a power shortage and the bus stopping in the middle of the roads. "

"The only time when North Koreans are staring at one place like that is when foreigners are passing by," adds Kim Jun Hyok, who left Pyongyang for South Korea in 2014.

"Looks like these girls are in a North Korean varsity sports team ," says Han Song Chol, who left the city in 2014 for South Korea. "They are training with sneakers instead of proper training shoes. "

"There was once a time when (North Korean) female soccer players used to rock in the Asian region," says Kang Jimin. "As seen in the photo, they have no choice but to train on the asphalt or dirt schoolyards like that, instead of on a proper lawn. "

" This is an Arc of Triumph , erected to commemorate Kim Il Sung allegedly liberating Korea from the Japanese," explains Russian North Korean studies researcher, Fyodor Tertitskiy. "It may be the biggest building in honor of an event which never happened. "

"Allegedly, the people of Pyongyang were expecting to see a veteran general with gray hair," says Kang Jimin about the dedication ceremony. "But the crowd was rather disappointed to see Kim Il Sung emerge, who was only in his thirties at the time and looked like a Chinese food delivery guy. "

"This is a mobile propaganda vehicle ," says Han Song Chol. "Due to shortages in gasoline, there are man-powered vehicles like this. In the countryside, during the spring and fall farming seasons, the North engages in propaganda activities using vehicles like this. "

"There were once rumors that prisoners executed by the firing squad were fed to the beasts in this zoo," says Kang Jimin of the remodeled Korea Central Zoo.

" These are buildings that weren't there when I was in Pyongyang," he says of the city's new Mirae "Future Scientists" Street.

"Back when I lived there, people used to get expelled from the city if they were caught using even an electric heater. I am certain that you will still be able to find numbers of smoke-stained windows and oblique chimneys built around Gwangbok Street. "

" Owning a fridge is a sign of being rich in North Korea," says Tertitskiy. "Sometimes people buy them even if they don't have power supply! "

"This guy is a 'Daehaksaeng gyuchaldae' or a university student disciplinary officer ," says Han Song Chol.

"There are many of them in Pyongyang. They mainly target women, which is why women in Pyongyang might face some 'difficulties' in the streets. Their job is to regulate women who are wearing pants or clothes that are too colorful. "

"When I was a student, I remember being drafted to work in the fields during rice-planting season ," remembers Kang Jimin.

He says the more squeamish students would "scream even at the sight of leeches" at the start but soon get used to working in the environment. "They would not be surprised to see a thick snake passing by them," he says.

"Here we can see donju (the elite of North Korea) enjoying their time at the Mirim horse riding club ," says Han Song Chol.

"It costs about 100,000 KPW an hour to ride horses. Now, that would be equivalent to a four years worth of salary of a normal worker in North Korea. "

"The man on the right is doing the greeting gesture of the Korean Children's Union: 'Hansang Junbi,' or 'always ready'," says Tertitskiy.

"This gesture and phrase was taken from the Soviet Young Pioneers. "

Kang Jimin has fond memories of Pyongyang's traffic girls.

"I remember how awesome they used to look when I was younger," he says. "Me, reaching the age of puberty at the time, would have secretly wanted her skirt to be shorter! "

"That device on her waist is the manual traffic light remote," adds Kim Jun Hyok.

"This truck is carrying chaff to a pig farm. They are still using a truck from 1958. "

"The fact that this sort of stuff is still running around is a miracle," adds Kang Jimin.

Gunning for science and power in North Korea timeslive.co.za

2016-12-15 09:10 Republished with edition.cnn.com

4 /15 (1.03/4) 1.4 Gunning for science and power in N. Korea In North Korea's heavily militarised society, even learning the periodic table can be done at the barrel of a gun. "The young students enjoy it," said the assistant, picking up a model rifle and aiming it at the familiar table of elements projected on a screen about 10 feet away. A hit on Po brings up an explanation of Polonium -- its discovery, properties and uses. The shooting range is one of a number of teaching aids housed in the Science and Technology Center, a vast complex built in the shape of an atom on a river islet in Pyongyang. Opened earlier this year, the centre shares characteristics common to other grandiose projects constructed in the showcase capital under the direct orders of supreme leader Kim Jong-Un, using scarce money and resources siphoned from North Korea's threadbare economy. It was built at lightning speed -- just over 10 months using soldier labour -- looks impressive, and is almost eerily empty. The complex reportedly receives several thousand visitors a day, but on a recent Saturday afternoon, only a few dozen of the more than 3,000 computer console study stations were occupied -- several of those by members of staff. Like other prestige projects, the centre is as much a symbol of intent as anything else. - Wealth and power - In numerous speeches and statements, including a keynote address to a rare party congress in May, Kim has put science and technology front and centre of the effort to build a "rich and powerful fatherland. " The power element is firmly focused on national defence, and a science-based weapons system ranging from cyber warfare to a sophisticated nuclear deterrent. The country's nuclear and missile scientists are treated as national heroes, feted with personal congratulations from the top leadership and rewarded with modern high-rise apartments in Pyongyang and multiple other benefits for themselves and their families. The Sci-Tech Center's main structure is built around a large mock-up of the North's Unha 3 rocket -- a satellite launcher seen as a prototype for an eventual inter-continental ballistic missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the mainland United States. Pyongyang insists the rocket's uses are purely scientific and space-based. On the cyber warfare front, the North has already proved its technical capabilities, launching a damaging attack on South Korean banks and broadcasters in 2013 and blamed by Washington for an audacious hacking assault on Sony Pictures the following year. - 'World-class' cyber warriors - In testimony to the US Senate Armed Services Committee in April, the newly-appointed commander of US forces in South Korea, General Vincent Brooks, said the North's elite cyber units "are among the best in the world and the best organised. " This in a country where access to the full internet is the privilege of an elite few. The Sci-Tech complex's computer consoles are segregated, with those in the main hall only capable of accessing a home-page hosted on an internal server with a limited menu of subjects ranging from children' cartoons to educational material. Users over the age of 17 and with the required permission, can surf the North's tightly-controlled, closed- network intranet system, allowing access to state media and some officially approved sites. There are also links to North Korean university e-libraries and large wall posters boast -- or at least suggest -- the availability of well-known Western scientific databases like Elsevier and Springer. The intranet runs on an indigenously developed Linux-based operating system, Red Star. Niklaus Scheiss and Florian Grunow, two German researchers who downloaded and conducted an exhaustive analysis of Red Star, described it as the "wet dream of a surveillance state. " - Keeping tabs - The system notes and reacts to any attempt to tinker with its core functions and creates tabs, or "watermarks," on the files of a computer or any USB stick connected to it. The purpose, Scheiss and Grunow told a conference in Hamburg last year, is to track any user who created, possessed or opened any particular file. It's a powerful tool in a country where unauthorised material, including foreign films, news articles or music are often shared illicitly using USB sticks or other data cards. Visitors to the Sci-Tech centre are issued temporary ID cards that allocate and log them in and out of a specific console. "It's a good place to study and I work here during my lunch breaks," said Ri Yong-Hwa, a college student with a part-time job at the centre. "I wanted to put into action our Dear Leader's words to place our country at the forefront of science and technology," Ri told AFP. Ordinary North Koreans usually express only officially-sanctioned views when questioned by foreign news organisations.

Gunning for science and power in North Korea timeslive.co.za

2016-12-15 03:10 Afp www.dailymail.co.uk

5 /15 5 /15 0.7 Canadian officials meet detained Canadian in North Korea (1.02/4) SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Canadian officials visited North Korea and met with Canadian detainee Hyeon Soo Lim, who was sentenced to life in prison last year over what Pyongyang described as anti-state activities, the North’s state media said Thursday.

A Canadian government delegation led by Sarah Taylor, director general for North Asia and Oceania for Global Affairs Canada, arrived in North Korea on Tuesday for a three-day visit to discuss Lim’s case and other issues, Pyongyang’s Korean Central News Agency said.

The agency said the Canadian officials met Lim, but provided no further details.

Lim, a Christian pastor, was convicted by Pyongyang’s Supreme Court for trying to use religion to destroy the North Korean system and helping U. S. and South Korean authorities lure and abduct North Korean citizens.

North Korea is often accused of using foreign detainees as a way to win concessions from other countries. The country is locked in a standoff with the international community over its expanding nuclear weapons and missiles program.

North Korea is also holding at least two Americans for alleged espionage, subversion and other charges. Korean-American Kim Tong Chol is serving a 10-year prison term with hard labor, while University of Virginia undergraduate Otto Warmbier has received 15 years.

In July, North Korea announced that it would handle all issues with the United States in line with a wartime law in response to U. S. sanctions that target leader Kim Jong Un. It has not elaborated on what wartime law means, although analysts say that suggests North Korea could deal with U. S. detainees in a harsher manner.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Canadian Officials Meet Detained Canadian in North Korea abcnews.go.com

2016-12-15 08:30 By Associated mynorthwest.com

6 /15 2.9 South Korea political scandal puts corporate decisions on ice (1.00/4) By Hyunjoo Jin and Miyoung Kim SEOUL/SINGAPORE, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Korea Inc is moving in slow-motion, mired by the country's political crisis, with a vacuum in planning and decision making as corporate giants such as Samsung and Lotte delay traditional year- end management reshuffles, company insiders say. Last week, the heads of nine of the biggest conglomerates, or chaebol, were subjected to an unprecedented 13-hour grilling by a parliamentary panel investigating the scandal that led to Friday's vote to impeach President Park Geun-hye. While no executives have been charged with wrongdoing, many have been questioned by investigators and the offices of the Samsung, Lotte and SK groups were raided. "With no hint on when top management changes will be announced, what we are seeing right now is a chain reaction that slows down lots of things," said an executive at a key Samsung Group unit that makes electronics components, who declined to be identified given the sensitivity of the matter. Between them, the nine groups have revenue of 910.5 trillion won ($780 billion), equivalent to more than half of South Korea's GDP. Executive promotions, an annual ritual at the big family-controlled conglomerates that dominate South Korea's economy, typically set the stage for new initiatives in the coming year, with decision-making tailing off in the weeks beforehand. With that period of uncertainty stretching on longer than usual, an employee at a Samsung affiliate said staff had been occupying themselves reading news reports and surfing the corporate intranet. "There is a definite slowdown in day-to-day work as well, because companies are holding off on concrete expansionary plans or changes," said the person, who declined to be named. The scandal has also sown uncertainty about government policies and the economy, coming at an inopportune time for companies such as Samsung Electronics Co Ltd and Hyundai Motor Co, which are looking to reverse sliding market share in core businesses. Hyundai, which is bracing for its fourth consecutive year of annual profit decline, said it was also undecided on whether it would announce personnel changes in late December as usual. "The mood is not great and our chairman had a very tough time at the parliamentary hearing," said a Hyundai Motor Group executive who declined to be named. "It would be fortunate if I don't get sacked in these difficult times. " WHO'S IN, WHO'S OUT? Park has been accused of colluding with long-time friend Choi Soon-sil and an aide to pressure big businesses to contribute tens of millions of dollars to two foundations set up to back presidential initiatives. Samsung Electronics, part of the conglomerate that donated 20.4 billion won ($17.5 million) to the two foundations - the most of any group - has seen delays in setting next year's sales targets, a company source said, declining to elaborate. The company has also yet to announce its yearly management reshuffle. Samsung traditionally announces executive changes in early December, with some investors expecting a major shake-up after it was forced to discontinue its fire-prone Galaxy Note 7 smartphone. It declined to give a timeframe, or to comment on when it would announce annual personnel moves. "There's a lot of anxiety," said an employee at Samsung Electronics' chip division, who said employees were huddling over lunch to discuss rumours of changes that would normally have been completed by now. "I am curious to know whether my current boss will stay, or I will be moving to another team or not. " A Lotte Group spokesman said its annual reshuffle, which usually takes place in late December, was likely to be delayed to next year because of "various situations". "Our group companies are having more difficulty in setting up business plans than usual," the spokesman said. "HOLD TIGHT, LOOK BUSY" Friday's impeachment vote means the country's Constitutional Court has up to 180 days to uphold or overturn it, setting the stage for Park to be the country's first democratically elected leader to be ejected from office. Ratings agency Moody's said on Monday that the impeachment increased the likelihood that no new policy changes would be implemented until a permanent replacement was in office, which would weigh on the economy as hiring and investment decisions are put off. "The biggest fallout we can expect from this issue, economy-wise, is companies hesitating to invest," a Bank of Korea official told Reuters, declining to be named. Samsung, which usually announces its annual investment plan around late January, told Reuters in a statement that it was "currently in the process of making comprehensive plans for next year. " In 2016, it earmarked a record 27 trillion won ($23 billion) of capital spending. South Korea' finance ministry said last week it was concerned that "domestic issues" may put more pressure on an economy that is grappling with record household debt and weak exports, as well as global uncertainties. The Federation of Korean Industries, which represents big conglomerates, typically announces annual investment plans by the 30 biggest business groups in March, but an official there said it was not clear whether it would be able to keep to that schedule. "The current crisis is similar to or worse than that of the 2008 subprime mortgage crisis," he said, also declining to be identified. "We are at a standstill. " That has left employees "holding tight and trying to keep busy" said an official at another Samsung Electronics affiliate. "Many executives eligible for promotion or other reshuffle prefer to stay low profile... you don't want to get unnecessary attention," he said. ($1 = 1,166.8000 won) (Additional reporting by Christine Kim and Joyce Lee; Editing by Tony Munroe and Alex Richardson)

S.Korea presidential hopeful: U.S. missile defense should wait dailymail.co.uk

2016-12-15 07:55 Reuters www.dailymail.co.uk

7 /15 0.0 Ready or not South Korea debuts in Sydney-Hobart

(0.03/4) The skipper of South Korea's first ever entry in the Sydney-Hobart blue water classic says he has been preparing for years but fears he is still not ready for the punishing yacht race. "We have spent eight years getting ready for the race," Kwangmin ‘Andrew’ Rho told reporters Thursday ahead of the December 26 start. "We chartered a TP52 to practise on for five years,” he added of the local 52-footer Frantic after plans to buy a boat in Sydney fell through. "Frankly, I am not ready," Rho admitted. "We will be much better next week -- I hope. " Rho speaks from experience, having crewed in the 2015 race, which was hit by savage southerly winds, forcing dozens of boats to pull out. "It was much harder than I expected,” he said. Storms are a routine part of the event with six men dying, five boats sinking and 55 sailors rescued in 1998 when ferocious weather hit the fleet. Rho said that while Korean sailors travel to compete in Japan and other Asian countries they mostly race inshore. There is little offshore racing to gain experience, but efforts are under way to change that. Among a dozen international entries, the Korea Ocean Sailing Club has renamed Frantic, which retired from last year's race with a torn mainsail, as Sonic for the nation's first tilt at the gruelling 628-nautical-mile event. "We are under a lot of pressure," Rho said, hoping for clement weather for the sprint down Australia's east coast and across the wild Bass Strait to Hobart. "Every Korean will be looking at us. " Team Korea is mostly from Seoul and Busan with some experience of America's Cup sailing. Line honours are forecast to go to eight-time winner Wild Oats from Australia. Three other super-maxis will challenge for the fastest time among a field of more than 90 yachts.

S.Korea says no response from Pyongyang on offer to repatriate N.Koreans rescued at sea dailymail.co.uk

2016-12-15 04:55 Afp www.dailymail.co.uk

8 /15 2.6 North Korean women are hand-picked for their looks for traffic cop job To land the prestigious job of being a traffic officer in the country, it helps to be tall, beautiful and female. Traffic girls are perhaps the most iconic symbols of the capital though they can also be found in other cities throughout North Korea. As well as directing vehicles through Pyongyang, the traffic girls customarily give a crisp salute to passing military and government officials. The women have developed something of a cult following, and even have a website dedicated to them, which features a 'Pyongyang Traffic Girl Of The Month'. The website also has a game, and a forum where lovesick fans share messages and even poetry expressing their feelings about the traffic policewomen. And it's not just online that Traffic girls are held in such esteem - in North Korea itself the women are obsessed over to the point of near absurdity. Images of the women are widely used on stamps, flyers, posters and billboards as a form of propaganda - and traffic girl dolls have even been produced as toys for children. In 2013, a 22-year-old traffic girl named Ri Kyong Sim was awarded the country's highest civilian honour, the ‘Hero of the Republic’, for ‘helping traffic safety in the city’. However, it was rumoured that she may actually have saved the life of Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Un during a failed assassination attempt. The emotional ceremony broadcast on state sponsored TV, and Ri now has her own dedicated fan-page on the Pyongyang Traffic Girls site.

2016-12-15 07:49 Hannah Al www.dailymail.co.uk

9 /15 0.0 Race complaint lodged over 'comfort women' statue in Australian church The memorial, a 1.5-metre statue imported from Korea, has been a flashpoint for tensions between Korean and Japanese communities in Sydney since it was unveiled in August.

The issue of "comfort women", those who were forced to work in Japan's wartime brothels were euphemistically known, has long plagued ties between Korea and Japan.

Scholars continue to debate the number of women exploited. Activists in South Korea say there may have been as many as 200,000 Korean victims, although only 238 women have come forward and identified themselves as former "comfort women".

Sydney-based Australia Japan Community Network (AJCN) made its complaint to Australia's Human Rights Commission on Wednesday on behalf of local parents of Japanese origin concerned the memorial stirred anti-Japanese feeling, AJCN President Tetsuhide Yamaoka told Reuters by phone from Tokyo.

"If we are commemorating something in the past, you just have to do it in the right way and by that I mean that you do not cause any issues in today's community," he said, adding that the 20- 30 Sydney-based members felt too intimidated to speak themselves.

"If the Korean people want to believe what they are believing, they should do it discreetly among themselves... I want the Korean people to stop pushing this in the public domain," he said.

Australia's Human Rights Commission does not publicly acknowledge receipt of complaints for privacy reasons, spokeswoman Georgia Flynn told Reuters.

Under Australian law it is illegal to "offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate" a person on the basis of "race, colour or national or ethnic origin".

The statue in Sydney, which depicts a Korean "comfort woman" sitting beside an empty chair to symbolise the victims of the prostitution programme, was erected in Sydney's Ashfield Uniting Church after Japanese groups successfully campaigned to have it prohibited from a public park.

"It's not about denigrating any country or race, anything like that," said Reverend Bill Crews. "It's saying God help these suffering women and let's move on...you're never able to move on until you acknowledge it. "

In December 2015 Japan agreed to apologise and promised about one billion yen ($8.50 million) for a fund to help victims, a deal that foreign ministers from both countries said resolved the issue.

2016-12-15 06:40 REUTERS www.timeslive.co.za

10 /15 0.0 N. Korea calls time on 200-day mass mobilisation North Korea on Thursday wrapped up a 200-day mass mobilisation campaign aimed at boosting an economy struggling with upgraded UN sanctions imposed after its two nuclear tests this year.

Coming hard on the heels of a similar 70-day campaign that ended in May, the 200-day version kicked off in early June, pushing extra hours and working weekends.

On the final day Thursday, as on every day for the entirety of the campaign, dozens of female propaganda troupes armed with drums and flags put on early morning performances at strategic locations across the city, encouraging commuters on their way to work.

A large placard erected in front of each troupe – and replicated in work units across the country – asked the question: "Comrade, have you carried out your battle plan today? "

On Thursday the section on the placard counting down to the end of the campaign read: "Days remaining - 1"

Outside experts say the economic benefits of such campaigns are dubious at best, with some suggesting they have a negative net impact on productivity as exhaustion fuels inefficiency. New York-based Human Rights Watch has condemned them as mass exercises in "forced labour" that use political coercion to extract economic gain.

North Koreans are used to mandatory mass mobilisation campaigns, with participation rigorously monitored and used as a measurement of loyalty to the regime.

But Andrei Lankov, a veteran North Korea watcher and professor at Kookmin University in Seoul, said the modern-day campaigns were more show than substance -- a strategy from a bygone socialist era that was long past its sell-by date.

The primary focus is on industrial output, with top priority given to reducing a yawning energy deficit that acts as a constantly tripping circuit breaker on economic growth.

Power outages remain commonplace in Pyongyang which, as the country's showcase capital, receives privileged utilities supplies.

Heavy batteries and power-saving LED lights are popular items in markets for those who can afford them, while the balconies of Pyongyang's apartment blocks bristle with solar panels to keep basic household appliances running.

The current 200-day campaign was launched to kick-start a new five-year economic plan unveiled by supreme leader Kim Jong-Un at a ruling party congress in May.

The plan was long on ambition but short on detail, offering no clear hint of reform despite Kim's call to "expand our method of economic management".

According to South Korea's central bank, the North Korean economy contracted by 1.1 percent last year -- the first downturn since 2010.

Given the paucity of economic data released by the North, estimating its GDP is a hazardous exercise, but experts say upgraded sanctions are clearly posing a challenge that old-school, mass mobilisation campaigns are simply no match for.

North Korea carried out two nuclear tests this year, in January and September, drawing two separate rounds of UN sanctions aimed at blocking Pyongyang's access to hard currency revenues.

The latest measures included a cap on North Korea's coal exports -- a key foreign exchange earner.

2016-12-15 05:30 www.digitaljournal.com

11 /15 2.9 Indian Multiplex Leader PVR Expands 4DX Rollout PVR Cinemas, India ’s largest cinema exhibition company, is to install Korea’s 4DX motion and olfactory technology to ten of its multiplexes.

The deal is an extension of an existing agreement between PVR and CJ 4Dplex, part of CJ- CGV. The deal was announced last week on the sidelines of the CineAsia convention in Hong Kong. “4DX offers an experience that is not only impossible to replicate at home, but also enhances the overall viewing experience. With more global exposure, the expectations of audiences are increasing as they look for added experiences that supplement the on-screen viewing. PVR, being an innovator in the cinema exhibition space in India, aims to fulfill this expectation by aligning itself with the world leaders in motion picture technology,” said Ajay Bijli, Ajay Bijli, PVR’s chairman & MD.

PVR cinemas currently have a total count of 557 screens at 121 properties in 48 cities. The company first installed 4DX in one of its complexes in New Delhi. The new roll-out includes PVR’s highest grossing theaters in prime in Bangalore and Mumbai.

2016-12-15 04:52 Patrick Frater variety.com

12 /15 1.4 Lisa Vanderpump revels in activism triumph as South Korea implements ban on dog butchering Score a big win for Lisa Vanderpump. The 56-year-old beauty on Wednesday reveled in the huge news that South Korea has implemented practices banning the butchering and killing of dogs at Moran market, the biggest of its kind in the country. The reality star of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Vanderpump Rules fame, and a staunch activist for dogs, expressed her elation over the announcement in a series of tweets Tuesday. Scroll below for video It came about three months after she delivered an impassioned speech to Congress about her The Yulin Meat Festival in Yulin, Guangxi, China, a controversial annual tradition that includes the consumption of dog meat. Lisa said she was 'incredulous and shocked' at taking in pictures and stories of the event, calling the related activities 'some of the most barbaric, repulsive atrocities' she'd ever come across. The ravishing restaurateur tweeted Tuesday, 'This is soooooo good. They are hearing us! It is what I said in my speech about a nation being judged! Success.' In September, the Bravo beauty sat before Congress explaining that 'as a country, we are judged by our actions and our beliefs.' She said that if Americans 'turn our heads and do nothing, we are condoning that this Festival continues' and 'by not doing anything, we are silently giving Yulin our blessing.' Lisa, who has set up The Vanderpump Dog Foundation to spread awareness against the festival and others of its kind, urged the politicians and those watching to 'not stand passive while watching this barbaric practice continue.' According to the Korea Herald newspaper, facilities to abet the killing of dogs are slated to be dismantled in the near future after the market's vendor association and South Korean city of Seongnam came to an accord. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, Seongnam Mayor Lee Jae-myung explained the rationale behind the decision. 'Seongnam City will take the initiative to transform South Korea's image since "the greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated,"' he said.

2016-12-15 03:54 Dailymail.com www.dailymail.co.uk

13 /15 2.3 Global Positron-Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography Market Research Report 2016 A PET scan makes use of imaging of nuclear medicine or radiation to create colour, 3-dimensional images of functioning of different conditions inside the body of humans. ...

Sarasota, FL, Dec. 13, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zion Research has published a new report titled “Computer Aided Detection Market by Imaging Modalities (Magnetic, Resonance ...

(Source: University of Missouri ) Dec. 12, 2016 Story Contact(s): Jeff Sossamon, [email protected], 573-882-3346 COLUMBIA, Mo. - According to estimates, the current ...

GosReports ( http://www.gosreports.com ) has announced the addition of the " Global Molecular Beam Spectroscopy Industry 2016 Market Research Report " report to their ...

GosReports ( http://www.gosreports.com ) has announced the addition of the " Global RF Bandpass Filter Industry 2016 Market Research Report " report to their offering. ...

GosReports ( http://www.gosreports.com ) has announced the addition of the " Global Bioactive Wound Care Industry 2016 Market Research Report " report to their offering. Global Bioactive Wound Care Market Research Report 2016 is a professional and in-depth market survey on Global. The report firstly reviews the basic information of Bioactive Wound Care including its...

GosReports ( http://www.gosreports.com ) has announced the addition of the " Global Gas Pressure Meter Industry 2016 Market Research Report " report to their offering. Global Gas Pressure Meter Market Research Report 2016 is a professional and in-depth market survey on Global. The report firstly reviews the basic information of Gas Pressure Meter including its classification,...

GosReports ( http://www.gosreports.com ) has announced the addition of the " Global Combined Liver Kidney Transplantation Industry 2016 Market Research Report " report to their offering. Global Combined Liver Kidney Transplantation Market Research Report 2016 is a professional and in-depth market survey on Global. The report firstly reviews the basic information of Combined...

(Source: Australian Government ) The Hon Sussan Ley MP Minister for Health and Aged Care Minister for Sport Australian Government Cancer Australia Joint Media Release 12 December 2016 The Minister for Health and Aged Care, Sussan Ley, and Cancer Australia today announced a further $10.39 million in funding for cancer research through Cancer Australia's Priority-driven ...

(Source: University of California - Davis ) The National Academy of Inventors today (Dec. 13) announced its 2016 class of fellows, including one from UC Davis: Simon Cherry, distinguished professor of biomedical engineering. The academy accords fellowship status to 'academic inventors who have demonstrated a prolific spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding...

2016-12-15 01:50 freedomkissing article.wn.com

14 /15 0.4 Drunken Kim Jong-Un has top military leaders crying Contact WND (Fox News) Kim Jong Un is not a happy drunk.

The ruthless North Korean dictator overindulged on spirits this September when he ordered several top military vets to write apology and self- criticism letters, according to a Japanese media report.

“That none of you were able to produce not even one military satellite is a misconduct that is commensurate to treason,” the sauced despot allegedly told his country’s top military brass during an all-night reprimand.

But the next morning, the tyrant was no longer inebriated and asked why the elderly officials were at his villa, apparently having no memory of his tanked-up tirade, UPI reported.

2016-12-15 01:07 www.wnd.com

15 /15 3.6 NHL roundup: Decision looms on Olympic role The NHL seems set up to enjoy hockey without labor-related headaches for at least two-plus seasons. That doesn’t mean it’s a drama-free league.

A decision must be made soon about whether the world’s best hockey players will be at the Olympics in South Korea in 14 months. And there are financial issues bubbling up among the players, particularly when it comes to escrow and how they believe it has become a heavy tax on their salaries.

The collective bargaining agreement and the Olympics were tied together recently by the NHL itself. The league made an offer, asking if the Players’ Association would eliminate its opt-out option in 2019 and extend the labor pact three years through the 2024-2025 season in exchange for participating in a sixth consecutive Olympics. The union rejected the idea. The NHL, which has been stunted by three lockouts since 1993, provided a public spin on why it would have been good for the game.

“Most importantly, it tells the world and our fans there’s nine years of labor peace after this season which we thought would be a good thing even if there were things that we might want to change,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said at last week’s board of governors meeting.

NHLPA executive director Don Fehr said the league didn’t make a formal proposal, but floated it as an option.

“We took it seriously and ran it by the players and it’s not something players are interested in at the moment,” Fehr said. “Hopefully we will continue to try to resolve our issues, including the Olympics.”

The Olympic-related problems revolve around travel expenses and insurance because the International Olympic Committee does not plan to pay those bills, as it has to get NHL players to the Winter Olympics since 1998. The IOC spent about $14 million to cover travel and insurance for NHL players for the 2014 Olympics in Russia. Even if interested parties come up with enough money for travel and insurance, there’s no guarantee the league and union will agree to participate in the next Olympics in part because, according to Bettman, owners have a “negative sentiment ” about it at this point.

Bettman has said a decision would need to be made by early January at the latest, giving the league time to create a schedule for next season with or without a two-plus week break for the Olympics.

Joe Pavelski, Brent Burns and Chris Tierney scored in regulation for San Jose, and Martin Jones made 29 saves.

Bobby Ryan, Kyle Turris and Dion Phaneuf scored for the Senators, and Mike Condon stopped 26 shots.

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2016-12-15 00:10 Associated Press www.pressherald.com

Total 15 articles.

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Created at 2016-12-15 16:31