Wednesday, January 23, 2008

AsiaMedia :: KOREA: IPTV providers to charge W500 for terrestrial programs

AsiaMedia :: KOREA: IPTV providers to charge W500 for terrestrial programs: "KT and Hanarotelecom to provide rebate plans to help offset charges

The Korea Times
Monday, January 21, 2008
By Cho Jin-seo

The two Internet-Protocol TV (IPTV) service providers have submitted to the demands of powerful broadcasting companies, agreeing to charge their users additional fees for viewing popular terrestrial broadcasting content such as dramas and sports shows.

KT and Hanarotelecom both began to charge their users 500 won per program to watch MBC content within a week of its airing. The same fee will also be charged for KBS and SBS programs from Feb. 15. However, after one week, the programs can be viewed for free."

AsiaMedia :: KOREA: Daum, Microsoft team up for Internet TV market

AsiaMedia :: KOREA: Daum, Microsoft team up for Internet TV market: "Daum to launch IPTV service in second quarter of 2008

The Korea Times
Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Daum Communications Corp., South Korea's second-largest portal operator, said Tuesday that it has teamed up with global software giant Microsoft Corp. and local set-top box maker Celrun Co. to enter the local Internet TV market."

AsiaMedia :: KOREA: Prosecutors probe spy chief over leak

AsiaMedia :: KOREA: Prosecutors probe spy chief over leak: "Senior prosecutor Shin Joong-dae says information leaked to 'JoongAng Daily' tentatively determined as an 'official secret'

The Korea Herald
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
By Song Sang-ho

State prosecutors yesterday launched an investigation into the nation's top intelligence official, who leaked excerpts from a confidential meeting with his North Korean counterpart, a senior prosecutor said.
'Based on our analysis of the content of the documents and how they were leaked, we tentatively determined that the leaked information is an official secret,' said Shin Joong-dae, a senior prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, yesterday.

'The focus of our investigation is whether (the spy chief) contravened the law regarding disclosure of official secrets. We will piece together all circumstantial evidence to determine whether the leakage constitutes a crime,' he added.

Kim Man-bok last Tuesday offered to resign as the director of the National Intelligence Service, admitting the leak. President Roh Moo-hyun has yet to accept it."

AsiaMedia :: KOREA: Media checks leak damages Lee team

AsiaMedia :: KOREA: Media checks leak damages Lee team: "The press continues to criticize President-elect Lee, considers his reaction to compilation of media personnel backgrounds not contrite enough

The Korea Herald
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
By Kim Ji-hyun

President-elect Lee Myung-bak's transition team is facing mounting public backlash over critical information leaks that are threatening to tarnish the incoming government's image.
The transition committee is scrambling to soothe the press over an impromptu reference check on executives at the nation's top 10 vernacular dailies.

The president-elect has expressed his regret and called for the committee member who compiled the information to be severely punished. But the criticism does not appear to be dying down, especially since this particular incident recalls past military and even post-military administrations that often categorized the press into pro and antigovernment.

Lee was also not as apologetic as the press expected, calling the incident a 'blemish.'
Yesterday, the committee member who compiled the sensitive data acknowledged that his behavior was not based on sound judgment. He was a Culture Ministry director who was temporarily dispatched to the transition committee.

He said the document was innocuous as he only meant to use them to 'get to know the executives before actually meeting them.'"

AsiaMedia :: KOREA: Roh may veto Lee's gov't downsizing bill

AsiaMedia :: KOREA: Roh may veto Lee's gov't downsizing bill: "President Roh and UNDP oppose President-elect Lee's plan to close ministries such as information-communication and science-technology

The Korea Herald
Tuesday, January 22, 2008

President Roh Moo-hyun on Tuesday said that he may veto a bill to consolidate 18 ministries into 13, presented by President-elect Lee Myung-bak's transition team, according to Yonhap News Agency.
Denouncing the incoming president's downsizing plan as 'irrational and undemocratic,' Roh said at a Cabinet meeting that he will seriously consider vetoing the bill, even if it passes in parliament.

Political pundits say Roh's controversial remark has further dimmed the outlook for parliamentary approval of Lee's reform bill, as the pro-government United New Democratic Party and minor liberal parties, which can muster a majority of 150 votes in parliament, have already declared their opposition to the proposed closure of the Unification Ministry and the ministries of maritime affairs, information-communication, science-technology and gender equality."