[The Chosun Ilbo, January 8 2008] Movie Audiences Decline for 1st Time in 12 Yrs
Korean movie theaters saw their audience numbers fall last year for the first time in 12 years. According to a report on the film industry in 2007 by multiplex chain CJ CGV on Monday, the number of moviegoers declined by 9.2 million or 5.5 percent to 157.5 million in 2007 from 166.7 million in 2006.
This is the first time that the total number of viewers has fallen since 1996, when the figure dropped by 6.5 percent from the previous year.
The biggest reason for the decline is believed to be the quantitative and qualitative stagnation of the Korean film industry, but there are concerns that the theater business itself may have reached a saturation point.
The report said that some 20 million more viewers watched foreign movies in 2007 than in 2006, while the audience for Korean movies decreased by around 27 million.
Korean movies occupied 50.8 percent of the total market in 2007, a fall from 64.7 percent in 2006 and the lowest level since 2002 (48.3 percent).
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
[The Chosun Ilbo, January 7 2008] Slim Displays to Loom Large at Vegas Electronics Show
Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Sony and Panasonic will be among electronics giants showing off their newest display products at the world’s biggest electronics show that opens in Las Vegas on Monday. The International Consumer Electronics Show 2008 is expected to see a trend for ever slimmer products. Liquid crystal and plasma display panels have gotten much thinner, equipped with wider screens but a mere 4-5 cm thick. Many new products will be unveiled as well, including Samsung’s active-matrix light-emitting diodes (AMOLED) TV and Matsushita’s laser TV.
◆ Digital TVs
◆ Convergence products
Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Sony and Panasonic will be among electronics giants showing off their newest display products at the world’s biggest electronics show that opens in Las Vegas on Monday. The International Consumer Electronics Show 2008 is expected to see a trend for ever slimmer products. Liquid crystal and plasma display panels have gotten much thinner, equipped with wider screens but a mere 4-5 cm thick. Many new products will be unveiled as well, including Samsung’s active-matrix light-emitting diodes (AMOLED) TV and Matsushita’s laser TV.
◆ Digital TVs
◆ Convergence products
[The Chosun Ilbo, January 4 2008] Qualcomm Injunction May Hit Korean Handset Makers
The Financial Times reported Thursday that Qualcomm, the world's leading chipset supplier for mobile phones, has warned its customers against possible damages after losing a patent dispute with Broadcom.
...
Samsung and LG Electronics said they have purchased a two to three months supply of the chipsets and they do not expect a significant impact from the ruling because they can continue selling handsets made with the chipsets in the U.S.
Last year Samsung sold some 30 million handsets in the U.S., 10 percent of which were 3G WCDMA phones of the sort affected by Monday's ruling.
The Financial Times reported Thursday that Qualcomm, the world's leading chipset supplier for mobile phones, has warned its customers against possible damages after losing a patent dispute with Broadcom.
...
Samsung and LG Electronics said they have purchased a two to three months supply of the chipsets and they do not expect a significant impact from the ruling because they can continue selling handsets made with the chipsets in the U.S.
Last year Samsung sold some 30 million handsets in the U.S., 10 percent of which were 3G WCDMA phones of the sort affected by Monday's ruling.
[The Chosun Ilbo, January 4 2007] The Shameless Gov’t Information Agency
Briefing the presidential Transition Committee on Thursday, the Government Information Agency claimed that its attempt to close down press rooms at government ministries and force reporters to move to a handful of briefing centers was “in line with global standards” even if its original purpose had lost luster by protests from the press. GIA officials claimed the measure was necessary to provide reporters with information and to make the process of disclosing information transparent.
It conceded that a hostile relationship had developed with the press over the measure, reducing its positive effect and making it difficult for the public to realize the need for the steps. But the GIA said its efforts to publicize state affairs had actually improved during the Roh Moo-hyun administration due to strengthened efforts to reach out to the public.
...
Actually, not many people are interested in whether the GIA will continue to exist or not -- the press and the public believe the truth will prevail in the end. But fancy such an offer, after serving five years as the lapdog of a media-hostile president!
Briefing the presidential Transition Committee on Thursday, the Government Information Agency claimed that its attempt to close down press rooms at government ministries and force reporters to move to a handful of briefing centers was “in line with global standards” even if its original purpose had lost luster by protests from the press. GIA officials claimed the measure was necessary to provide reporters with information and to make the process of disclosing information transparent.
It conceded that a hostile relationship had developed with the press over the measure, reducing its positive effect and making it difficult for the public to realize the need for the steps. But the GIA said its efforts to publicize state affairs had actually improved during the Roh Moo-hyun administration due to strengthened efforts to reach out to the public.
...
Actually, not many people are interested in whether the GIA will continue to exist or not -- the press and the public believe the truth will prevail in the end. But fancy such an offer, after serving five years as the lapdog of a media-hostile president!
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
[The Chosun Ilbo, January 4 2007] Who is KBS President Jung Yun-joo?
In his New Year’s address, KBS President Jung Yun-joo said “arrogant and domineering powers” must be subject to “ruthless criticism.” The Roh Moo-hyun administration chose a truly noble individual to lead the state-run broadcaster: nobody had ever imagined such words would come out of Jung’s own mouth.
Who is Jung? He is the man who orchestrated 48 hours of non-stop broadcasts to stir up opposition against efforts to impeach President Roh, when the motion to oust him was passed by the National Assembly. Who is Jung? He stood at the vanguard of the Roh administration’s efforts to deny the legitimacy of the Republic of Korea by broadcasting dramas, made with taxpayer’s money and aired on public airwaves, that portrayed the founders of our country as collaborators with the Japanese. Who is Jung? Trying to match the anti-American sentiment of the elite within the Roh administration, Jung tried to fool the public by authorizing the broadcast of a one-hour documentary on Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez that praised him as a freedom fighter resisting neo-liberalism and as a role model for Koreans.
...
And from the very mouth of this man came the words that arrogant and domineering powers must be subject to ruthless criticism. Words fail. Jung must think that the public is blind and deaf. He seems afraid of nothing: the public should teach him a lesson.
In his New Year’s address, KBS President Jung Yun-joo said “arrogant and domineering powers” must be subject to “ruthless criticism.” The Roh Moo-hyun administration chose a truly noble individual to lead the state-run broadcaster: nobody had ever imagined such words would come out of Jung’s own mouth.
Who is Jung? He is the man who orchestrated 48 hours of non-stop broadcasts to stir up opposition against efforts to impeach President Roh, when the motion to oust him was passed by the National Assembly. Who is Jung? He stood at the vanguard of the Roh administration’s efforts to deny the legitimacy of the Republic of Korea by broadcasting dramas, made with taxpayer’s money and aired on public airwaves, that portrayed the founders of our country as collaborators with the Japanese. Who is Jung? Trying to match the anti-American sentiment of the elite within the Roh administration, Jung tried to fool the public by authorizing the broadcast of a one-hour documentary on Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez that praised him as a freedom fighter resisting neo-liberalism and as a role model for Koreans.
...
And from the very mouth of this man came the words that arrogant and domineering powers must be subject to ruthless criticism. Words fail. Jung must think that the public is blind and deaf. He seems afraid of nothing: the public should teach him a lesson.
[The Chosun Ilbo, January 4 2007] How Ji Sung Discovered a New Side to Himself
In the on-call room for cardiothoracic surgery residents on the set of MBC medical drama “New Heart” in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, Ji Sung, who plays careless trouble-making resident Lee Eun-seong, is smiling. The new drama got off to a good start with 20 percent ratings after three episodes. Besides Lee Eun-seong, it features all the usual characters of any medial drama, including chief Choi Gang-gook who overwhelms residents with his charisma, woman resident Nam Hye-seok, who is strong but arrogant, and Min Yeong-gyu, who has political ambitions and suffers from an inferiority complex.
In the on-call room for cardiothoracic surgery residents on the set of MBC medical drama “New Heart” in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, Ji Sung, who plays careless trouble-making resident Lee Eun-seong, is smiling. The new drama got off to a good start with 20 percent ratings after three episodes. Besides Lee Eun-seong, it features all the usual characters of any medial drama, including chief Choi Gang-gook who overwhelms residents with his charisma, woman resident Nam Hye-seok, who is strong but arrogant, and Min Yeong-gyu, who has political ambitions and suffers from an inferiority complex.
[The Chosun Ilbo, January 4 2007] LG.Phillips LCD Develops Hi-Res Flexible Display
The development of a high-resolution color flexible display may herald an era of electronic newspapers that can be rolled up and stuck in a pocket. Unlike liquid crystal displays or plasma display panels used in monitors, flexible displays could be used for portable electronic newspapers or books because they can be rolled up or folded.
LG.Phillips LCD said Thursday that it has developed a 14.3-inch color flexible display with resolution of 1280x800, an industry record. The resolution is four times that of existing products, a company source said. Electronic books and newspapers made from the new display would be completely legible, the source added.
Able to show some 16 million colors, the display is expected to be used for image-rich encyclopedias, comic books and textbooks. It is the first color flexible display with such high resolution, although there have been black-and-white flexible displays with higher resolution.
The development of a high-resolution color flexible display may herald an era of electronic newspapers that can be rolled up and stuck in a pocket. Unlike liquid crystal displays or plasma display panels used in monitors, flexible displays could be used for portable electronic newspapers or books because they can be rolled up or folded.
LG.Phillips LCD said Thursday that it has developed a 14.3-inch color flexible display with resolution of 1280x800, an industry record. The resolution is four times that of existing products, a company source said. Electronic books and newspapers made from the new display would be completely legible, the source added.
Able to show some 16 million colors, the display is expected to be used for image-rich encyclopedias, comic books and textbooks. It is the first color flexible display with such high resolution, although there have been black-and-white flexible displays with higher resolution.
[The Chosun Ilbo, January 3 2007] Handset Makers Bet On Budget Phones
Korea's mobile phone makers are adopting low-price strategies in their efforts to dominate the local and overseas markets. At home they're selling handsets for almost nothing through subsidy programs, and overseas they're introducing reasonably-priced phones costing around US$100.
Samsung Electronics' Anycall SCH-W330 and SPH-W3300 phones released last month are now available for between W1 and W1,000 (US$1=W933) from some resellers and online retailers. Other models, including the Anycall SCH-W290 and SPH W2900 phones, worth around W400,000, can also be found for W1 to W1,000, as can LG Electronics' Cyon SH170 phone.
The low prices are possible through subsidy programs through which Korea's two leading mobile operators, SK Telecom and KTF, offer subsidies of around W400,000 to attract more subscribers. These handsets are 3G wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) phones with some high-tech features more typical of premium models. They include video calling, high speed data transmission, wireless Internet, automatic roaming, digital cameras and Bluetooth.
Korea's mobile phone makers are adopting low-price strategies in their efforts to dominate the local and overseas markets. At home they're selling handsets for almost nothing through subsidy programs, and overseas they're introducing reasonably-priced phones costing around US$100.
Samsung Electronics' Anycall SCH-W330 and SPH-W3300 phones released last month are now available for between W1 and W1,000 (US$1=W933) from some resellers and online retailers. Other models, including the Anycall SCH-W290 and SPH W2900 phones, worth around W400,000, can also be found for W1 to W1,000, as can LG Electronics' Cyon SH170 phone.
The low prices are possible through subsidy programs through which Korea's two leading mobile operators, SK Telecom and KTF, offer subsidies of around W400,000 to attract more subscribers. These handsets are 3G wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) phones with some high-tech features more typical of premium models. They include video calling, high speed data transmission, wireless Internet, automatic roaming, digital cameras and Bluetooth.
[The Chosun Ilbo, January 2 2007] Telecoms Miffed at Pressure to Slash Fees
Telecom service providers are disgruntled that the authorities will force them to cut their hefty charges for mobile phone use after the presidential Transition Committee announced a plan to slash oil taxes and lower mobile phone fees as a way to help the people save living costs.
The telecom industry criticized the incoming government for intervening in the fee-setting process of corporations despite ostensibly championing business-friendly policies. The Transition Committee on Sunday laid out a scheme to cut mobile phone charges by 20 percent and the Information and Communication Ministry is already promoting a revision of laws to stimulate the introduction of mobile virtual network operators (MVNO).
Once that happens, telecom providers will face stiff competition to lower mobile fees. MVNOs are companies without their own telecommunication networks that would provide the service by leasing the facilities from the big telecom firms like SK Telecom. A ministry official predicted the measure will trigger drastic fee reductions as telecom providers compete to stay in play. He said the measure could go into effect in the first half of the year if it gets parliamentary approval in January.
Telecom service providers are disgruntled that the authorities will force them to cut their hefty charges for mobile phone use after the presidential Transition Committee announced a plan to slash oil taxes and lower mobile phone fees as a way to help the people save living costs.
The telecom industry criticized the incoming government for intervening in the fee-setting process of corporations despite ostensibly championing business-friendly policies. The Transition Committee on Sunday laid out a scheme to cut mobile phone charges by 20 percent and the Information and Communication Ministry is already promoting a revision of laws to stimulate the introduction of mobile virtual network operators (MVNO).
Once that happens, telecom providers will face stiff competition to lower mobile fees. MVNOs are companies without their own telecommunication networks that would provide the service by leasing the facilities from the big telecom firms like SK Telecom. A ministry official predicted the measure will trigger drastic fee reductions as telecom providers compete to stay in play. He said the measure could go into effect in the first half of the year if it gets parliamentary approval in January.
[The Chosun Ilbo, January 2 2007] LG Develops Mobile TV Technology for North America
LG Electronics has developed mobile TV technology for U.S., Canadian and Mexican markets to watch terrestrial digital broadcasts on cell phones or navigators while on the move. LG invested W7 billion (US$1=W933) in developing the technology called mobile pedestrian handheld over the last two years. It conducted dozens of field tests for the technology in North America.
The newly developed technology is different form the existing mobile TV services like Korea’s DMB, Europe’s DVB-H and North America’s Medio FLO. The company claims it offers clear high-definition images at a speed of up to 90 km/h, but the significant point is that it doesn’t require additional frequencies in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. All that is needed is an upgrade of the existing broadcasting equipment. LG Electronics will make a demonstration of the new technology at the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this month.
LG Electronics has developed mobile TV technology for U.S., Canadian and Mexican markets to watch terrestrial digital broadcasts on cell phones or navigators while on the move. LG invested W7 billion (US$1=W933) in developing the technology called mobile pedestrian handheld over the last two years. It conducted dozens of field tests for the technology in North America.
The newly developed technology is different form the existing mobile TV services like Korea’s DMB, Europe’s DVB-H and North America’s Medio FLO. The company claims it offers clear high-definition images at a speed of up to 90 km/h, but the significant point is that it doesn’t require additional frequencies in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. All that is needed is an upgrade of the existing broadcasting equipment. LG Electronics will make a demonstration of the new technology at the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this month.
[The Chosun Ilbo, January 2 2007] Sports Car Phones Have Consumers' Pulses Racing
A few months ago a message posted in an online mobile phone-lovers club became the talk of cyberspace. "I want your opinion," it said. "Which do you think better -- to buy a Ferrari phone or an imported car that is a bit more expensive than the phone? I think carrying a Ferrari phone would make me look cool."
The luxury phone is the Ascent Ferrari 60 produced by Vertu, an affiliate of the world's largest handset maker Nokia. It costs some W24 million (US$1=W933). But Ferrari phones are not exclusive to Nokia. Motorola also produces a Ferrari series, competing with Nokia.
...
A noticeable trend in the IT industry has businesses eagerly forming partnerships with sports car makers. Nokia, which has led the market with reasonably-priced handsets, has introduced premium phones such as the Lamborghini Phone and the Aston Martin Phone.
Samsung Electronics has enhanced its image in Europe with the McLaren Phone. LG Electronics has appealed to Korean consumers in their 20s and 30s with the & FM37 New Beetle MP3 player costing some W200,000. Asus, a leading Taiwanese notebook maker, has also succeeded in gaining popularity with Lamborghini notebooks.
"It seems that the speed and power that sports cars represent match up well with IT products," an industry source said. "Such phones can make users feel as if they have a sports car worth hundreds of million of won in their hand, but costing much less money."
A few months ago a message posted in an online mobile phone-lovers club became the talk of cyberspace. "I want your opinion," it said. "Which do you think better -- to buy a Ferrari phone or an imported car that is a bit more expensive than the phone? I think carrying a Ferrari phone would make me look cool."
The luxury phone is the Ascent Ferrari 60 produced by Vertu, an affiliate of the world's largest handset maker Nokia. It costs some W24 million (US$1=W933). But Ferrari phones are not exclusive to Nokia. Motorola also produces a Ferrari series, competing with Nokia.
...
A noticeable trend in the IT industry has businesses eagerly forming partnerships with sports car makers. Nokia, which has led the market with reasonably-priced handsets, has introduced premium phones such as the Lamborghini Phone and the Aston Martin Phone.
Samsung Electronics has enhanced its image in Europe with the McLaren Phone. LG Electronics has appealed to Korean consumers in their 20s and 30s with the & FM37 New Beetle MP3 player costing some W200,000. Asus, a leading Taiwanese notebook maker, has also succeeded in gaining popularity with Lamborghini notebooks.
"It seems that the speed and power that sports cars represent match up well with IT products," an industry source said. "Such phones can make users feel as if they have a sports car worth hundreds of million of won in their hand, but costing much less money."
[The Chosun Ilbo, January 2 2007] Cultural Contents Emerge as Big Money Makers
In 2008 several businesses plan to continue exploring the value of cultunomics, a term that refers to the use of cultural contents as a tool for generating profits.
Hana Financial Group will expand its efforts to use art for marketing strategies. It not only has an advertisement inspired by American pop artist Andy Warhol but it has also named one of its products Bigpot, after an art work by a French plastics artist.
KT&G carries out cultural projects as part of its marketing efforts, including an advertising contest, concerts and inline skating festivals.
Cultunomics started gaining popularity last year. Some cultural contents made it onto the top 10 list of hit products of 2007 compiled by the Samsung Economic Research Institute.
They included user created content (UCC), the TV show "Extreme Challenge," five-girl pop group the Wonder Girls and historical TV dramas.
The institute said that cultural contents have emerged as core products of the economy, while IT products, which had led the list since 2000, began to dwindle in popularity.
In 2008 several businesses plan to continue exploring the value of cultunomics, a term that refers to the use of cultural contents as a tool for generating profits.
Hana Financial Group will expand its efforts to use art for marketing strategies. It not only has an advertisement inspired by American pop artist Andy Warhol but it has also named one of its products Bigpot, after an art work by a French plastics artist.
KT&G carries out cultural projects as part of its marketing efforts, including an advertising contest, concerts and inline skating festivals.
Cultunomics started gaining popularity last year. Some cultural contents made it onto the top 10 list of hit products of 2007 compiled by the Samsung Economic Research Institute.
They included user created content (UCC), the TV show "Extreme Challenge," five-girl pop group the Wonder Girls and historical TV dramas.
The institute said that cultural contents have emerged as core products of the economy, while IT products, which had led the list since 2000, began to dwindle in popularity.
[The Chosun Ilbo, January 2 2007] Alert Issued for Chinese Cyberattacks
South Korean military security authorities have sounded an urgent alert over China-based hackers persistently seeking access to computers belonging to South Korean soldiers. Some soldiers' private information, not military secrets, has already been leaked in such an attack.
While the South Korean military has its own closed computer network, it also uses the open Internet for some activities. Authorities are trying to find out if some soldiers and officers are carelessly keeping secret military information on non-secure computers.
According to authorities on Tuesday, hackers believed to be operating from China have been seeking access to South Korean soldiers' computers by sending e-mails infected with hacking viruses to their private e-mail accounts.
An officer with the Defense Security Command said, "As Chinese hackers have several times sought access to our soldiers' computers, we have issued an alert to military units nationwide."
South Korean military security authorities have sounded an urgent alert over China-based hackers persistently seeking access to computers belonging to South Korean soldiers. Some soldiers' private information, not military secrets, has already been leaked in such an attack.
While the South Korean military has its own closed computer network, it also uses the open Internet for some activities. Authorities are trying to find out if some soldiers and officers are carelessly keeping secret military information on non-secure computers.
According to authorities on Tuesday, hackers believed to be operating from China have been seeking access to South Korean soldiers' computers by sending e-mails infected with hacking viruses to their private e-mail accounts.
An officer with the Defense Security Command said, "As Chinese hackers have several times sought access to our soldiers' computers, we have issued an alert to military units nationwide."
[The Chosun Ilbo, December 31 2007] Born in the Year of the Rat
In the Year of the Rat, Korean pop culture is led by those born in another, in 1972. Coincidence or cosmic determination? Readers may decide for themselves. Known as the “president of culture” in the 1990s, Seo Tai-ji releasef his 15th anniversary album in November in a limited edition of 15,000 copies that sold out in no time. He plans to make a comeback after four quiet years next year.
...
The reason stars in their late 30s carry such heavy weight in the entertainment industry is that they grew on the rich cultural foundations of the mid- and late 1990s, when pop culture saw an explosive growth and survived fierce competition. It was a time when various new media -- cable, satellite and the Internet emerged and domestic contents outnumbered foreign contents, so they had more opportunities to work and exposure when they began to be recognized as rising actors and actresses in their 20s. Many of them used this advantage wisely to secure their position as an entertainer, creator and even businesspeople when the pop culture market went through industrialization.
“In Korean society, there was a weakening of Puritanism and growing interest in pop culture from the mid 1990s,” says Prof. Hwang Yong-suk of Mass Communication Department at Konkuk University. “Stars born in 1972 are beneficiaries of those changes in the social atmosphere.”
In the Year of the Rat, Korean pop culture is led by those born in another, in 1972. Coincidence or cosmic determination? Readers may decide for themselves. Known as the “president of culture” in the 1990s, Seo Tai-ji releasef his 15th anniversary album in November in a limited edition of 15,000 copies that sold out in no time. He plans to make a comeback after four quiet years next year.
...
The reason stars in their late 30s carry such heavy weight in the entertainment industry is that they grew on the rich cultural foundations of the mid- and late 1990s, when pop culture saw an explosive growth and survived fierce competition. It was a time when various new media -- cable, satellite and the Internet emerged and domestic contents outnumbered foreign contents, so they had more opportunities to work and exposure when they began to be recognized as rising actors and actresses in their 20s. Many of them used this advantage wisely to secure their position as an entertainer, creator and even businesspeople when the pop culture market went through industrialization.
“In Korean society, there was a weakening of Puritanism and growing interest in pop culture from the mid 1990s,” says Prof. Hwang Yong-suk of Mass Communication Department at Konkuk University. “Stars born in 1972 are beneficiaries of those changes in the social atmosphere.”
[The Chosun Ilbo, December 31 2007] Nat'l Assembly Passes Bill on IPTV
The National Assembly passed a bill on Internet Protocol Television on Friday, paving the way for the launch of the new media service in Korea next year.
IPTV is a next-generation broadcasting technology that uses Internet protocol instead of radio waves to deliver programs. The service is interactive, so viewers can use it to search for information for items they see on TV and even buy them without interrupting the program they are watching.
So far, KT, Hanaro Telecom and LG Dacom have provided video-on-demand services through their Mega TV, Hana TV, and My LG TV services, respectively, without relevant laws.
Right now these services offer TV programs several hours or days after terrestrial broadcasters have first relayed them. The passage of the bill means programs from terrestrial broadcasters can be made available on the Internet at the same time they are broadcast.
The National Assembly passed a bill on Internet Protocol Television on Friday, paving the way for the launch of the new media service in Korea next year.
IPTV is a next-generation broadcasting technology that uses Internet protocol instead of radio waves to deliver programs. The service is interactive, so viewers can use it to search for information for items they see on TV and even buy them without interrupting the program they are watching.
So far, KT, Hanaro Telecom and LG Dacom have provided video-on-demand services through their Mega TV, Hana TV, and My LG TV services, respectively, without relevant laws.
Right now these services offer TV programs several hours or days after terrestrial broadcasters have first relayed them. The passage of the bill means programs from terrestrial broadcasters can be made available on the Internet at the same time they are broadcast.
[The Chosun Ilbo, December 28 2007] Chosun Ilbo President to Lead Korean IPI for Second Term
Chosun Ilbo President Bang Sang-hoon will continue to serve as the head of the Korean chapter of the International Press Institute. The Korean IPI Committee at a meeting of its board of directors on Thursday reconfirmed Bang to a second two-year term. The Vienna-based IPI is a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists.
Chosun Ilbo President Bang Sang-hoon will continue to serve as the head of the Korean chapter of the International Press Institute. The Korean IPI Committee at a meeting of its board of directors on Thursday reconfirmed Bang to a second two-year term. The Vienna-based IPI is a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists.
[The Chosun Ilbo, December 28 2007] Samsung SDI Builds 31-Inch AMOLED Screen
Samsung SDI has become the world's first display maker to develop a 31-inch active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) screen.
AMOLEDs, which emit light when electricity is applied to organic materials, produce brighter and clearer images than liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and plasma display panels (PDPs).
Global screen makers are scrambling to develop AMOLED products, with Sony's 27-inch AMOLED screen being the largest one developed until now.
Samsung Electronics will reportedly showcase a 31-inch TV made from the new AMOLED screen at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas early next month.
Samsung SDI has become the world's first display maker to develop a 31-inch active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) screen.
AMOLEDs, which emit light when electricity is applied to organic materials, produce brighter and clearer images than liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and plasma display panels (PDPs).
Global screen makers are scrambling to develop AMOLED products, with Sony's 27-inch AMOLED screen being the largest one developed until now.
Samsung Electronics will reportedly showcase a 31-inch TV made from the new AMOLED screen at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas early next month.
[The Chosun Ilbo, December 27 2007] The Top 10 National News of 2007
◆ Lee Myung-bak elected president
◆ Korea-U.S. FTA
◆ Second inter-Korean summit
◆ Fund frenzy and 2,000-point stock index
◆ The downfall of Roh aides
◆ Hosting international events
◆ Press rooms nailed down ‘with big nails’
◆ Korean missionaries kidnapped in Afghanistan
◆ The worst oil spill in Korean history
◆ Chaos in education policy
◆ Lee Myung-bak elected president
◆ Korea-U.S. FTA
◆ Second inter-Korean summit
◆ Fund frenzy and 2,000-point stock index
◆ The downfall of Roh aides
◆ Hosting international events
◆ Press rooms nailed down ‘with big nails’
◆ Korean missionaries kidnapped in Afghanistan
◆ The worst oil spill in Korean history
◆ Chaos in education policy
[The Chosun Ilbo, December 27 2007] Yahoo, ESTsoft Offer Free Anti-Virus Programs
Some Internet companies are now offering free vaccine programs that can detect and treat computer viruses in real time.
Yahoo Korea said Wednesday that it will provide a free service to detect and treat viruses in real time through its Yahoo Toolbar application.
While the company has offered a free anti-virus program since September, the real-time detection function is new and a first for an Internet portal.
ESTsoft, a software developer, said it will start distributing its new vaccine program Alyac for free starting Thursday. Anyone who wants to use it can download it from the company's website (www.alyac.co.kr).
Some Internet companies are now offering free vaccine programs that can detect and treat computer viruses in real time.
Yahoo Korea said Wednesday that it will provide a free service to detect and treat viruses in real time through its Yahoo Toolbar application.
While the company has offered a free anti-virus program since September, the real-time detection function is new and a first for an Internet portal.
ESTsoft, a software developer, said it will start distributing its new vaccine program Alyac for free starting Thursday. Anyone who wants to use it can download it from the company's website (www.alyac.co.kr).
[The Chosun Ilbo, December 27 2007] Cheong Wa Dae Won not a Single Media Lawsuit
During the five years of the current administration, Cheong Wa Dae has not won a single one of the 22 civil and criminal lawsuits it brought against the media.
The Chosun Ilbo's analysis of data submitted Wednesday by Cheong Wa Dae to the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee shows Cheong Wa Dae filed a total of 19 civil lawsuits against the press over the past five years. It lost five of them and withdrew nine. Four cases were settled in compulsory mediation and one is pending.
The presidential office also filed three criminal complaints against newspapers. In two cases, no charges were brought and in the third the newspaper was indicted but acquitted.
President Roh himself filed five lawsuits against the press and withdrew four. The fifth was settled in mediation. All five targeted the Chosun Ilbo. Newspapers critical of the government were often targeted in the suits: besides the Chosun Ilbo (eight), they included the Dong-A Ilbo (five) and the Munhwa Ilbo (one). There were none against TV networks.
During the five years of the current administration, Cheong Wa Dae has not won a single one of the 22 civil and criminal lawsuits it brought against the media.
The Chosun Ilbo's analysis of data submitted Wednesday by Cheong Wa Dae to the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee shows Cheong Wa Dae filed a total of 19 civil lawsuits against the press over the past five years. It lost five of them and withdrew nine. Four cases were settled in compulsory mediation and one is pending.
The presidential office also filed three criminal complaints against newspapers. In two cases, no charges were brought and in the third the newspaper was indicted but acquitted.
President Roh himself filed five lawsuits against the press and withdrew four. The fifth was settled in mediation. All five targeted the Chosun Ilbo. Newspapers critical of the government were often targeted in the suits: besides the Chosun Ilbo (eight), they included the Dong-A Ilbo (five) and the Munhwa Ilbo (one). There were none against TV networks.
[The Chosun Ilbo, December 27 2007] Korea Readies Nation's 1st Bullet Train
The government will hold a presentation to mark the completion of the nation's first bullet train at Gwangmyeong Station on Thursday, 11 years after the project began.
The train has been in testing since 2002 and has logged around 200,000 km on the rails without a single accident.
In December 2004 it set a Korean railway speed record of 352.4 km/h, according to an official from the Ministry of Construction and Transportation.
The government will hold a presentation to mark the completion of the nation's first bullet train at Gwangmyeong Station on Thursday, 11 years after the project began.
The train has been in testing since 2002 and has logged around 200,000 km on the rails without a single accident.
In December 2004 it set a Korean railway speed record of 352.4 km/h, according to an official from the Ministry of Construction and Transportation.
[The Chosun Ilbo, December 27 2007] Fixed Phone Line Users Allowed to Switch to Internet
Starting early next year fixed-line phone users can switch over to Internet-based phones without having to change their number.
The Information and Communication Ministry announced on Wednesday that a new rule on number portability will be applied in a bid to lighten household phone bills.
Under the current rules, for users to switch to relatively low-cost Internet-based phone service they must first cancel their number and take a Web-based number using the 0-7-0 prefix.
Starting early next year fixed-line phone users can switch over to Internet-based phones without having to change their number.
The Information and Communication Ministry announced on Wednesday that a new rule on number portability will be applied in a bid to lighten household phone bills.
Under the current rules, for users to switch to relatively low-cost Internet-based phone service they must first cancel their number and take a Web-based number using the 0-7-0 prefix.
[The Chosun Ilbo, December 26 2007] Was ‘UCC’ a Storm in a Teacup?
This may sound irrelevant, but in my office I sometimes listen to a regular lecture by Marti Hearst, an associate professor in the School of Information at the University of California at Berkeley on "Search Engines: Technology, Society, and Business." I can download his latest 1-hour-40-minute lecture files by connecting an iPod to my notebook. Strapped with earphones, I can feel as if I were in a lecture hall of UC Berkeley.
...
One of the keywords in Korean society this year was "UCC", short for “user-created content.” It was to be nothing short of a media revolution: ordinary people, so the idea was, would no longer be passive consumers of information but become active creators, making their own using camcorders or blogging. Early this year, all presidential hopefuls launched UCC teams in the firm conviction that the presidential election would be determined on the Internet.
It was not to be. Just as the BBK investment scandal, which was to be the “single stroke” felling Grand National Party candidate Lee Myung-bak, proved a damp squib, so the online efforts had no tangible impact on the campaign. One presidential candidate who had overwhelming support in the "blogosphere" ended up winning far fewer votes than expected.
Korean service providers are still racking their brains for ways to make ends meet, though they invested massively in anticipation of booming business during the presidential election campaign. Some people suspect it was just a passing fad in the IT industry and “UCC” a storm in a teacup.
This may sound irrelevant, but in my office I sometimes listen to a regular lecture by Marti Hearst, an associate professor in the School of Information at the University of California at Berkeley on "Search Engines: Technology, Society, and Business." I can download his latest 1-hour-40-minute lecture files by connecting an iPod to my notebook. Strapped with earphones, I can feel as if I were in a lecture hall of UC Berkeley.
...
One of the keywords in Korean society this year was "UCC", short for “user-created content.” It was to be nothing short of a media revolution: ordinary people, so the idea was, would no longer be passive consumers of information but become active creators, making their own using camcorders or blogging. Early this year, all presidential hopefuls launched UCC teams in the firm conviction that the presidential election would be determined on the Internet.
It was not to be. Just as the BBK investment scandal, which was to be the “single stroke” felling Grand National Party candidate Lee Myung-bak, proved a damp squib, so the online efforts had no tangible impact on the campaign. One presidential candidate who had overwhelming support in the "blogosphere" ended up winning far fewer votes than expected.
Korean service providers are still racking their brains for ways to make ends meet, though they invested massively in anticipation of booming business during the presidential election campaign. Some people suspect it was just a passing fad in the IT industry and “UCC” a storm in a teacup.
[The Chosun Ilbo, December 26 2007] Korean Operatic Couple to Star at Covent Garden
A Korean soprano and tenor are going to sing the leading roles in Puccini’s "La Boheme" at the prestigious Royal Opera House, also known as Covent Garden, in London.
The production, which is to open in September next year, will feature tenor Kim Woo-kyung (30) as Rodolfo and soprano Hong Hye-kyung (48) as Mimi. The two are the first Koreans to sing the leading roles together in the Royal Opera House' 270-year history.
A Korean soprano and tenor are going to sing the leading roles in Puccini’s "La Boheme" at the prestigious Royal Opera House, also known as Covent Garden, in London.
The production, which is to open in September next year, will feature tenor Kim Woo-kyung (30) as Rodolfo and soprano Hong Hye-kyung (48) as Mimi. The two are the first Koreans to sing the leading roles together in the Royal Opera House' 270-year history.
[The Chosun Ilbo, December 26 2007] Hackers Target Korean, Japanese Gamers
Korean and Japanese Internet companies are under attack by hackers who are using malicious codes to steal the personal information of Internet users.
AhnLab, a security software company, said Monday that a study of ten security threats in 2007 revealed a growing number of hacking incidents affecting Internet game sites. The hackers pilfer users' personal information to steal virtual goods to trade for money.
"There is a 'cyber black market' where virtual valuables like game items are exchanged for cash," a company staffer said. "Because game users' IDs, credit card numbers and other personal information are frequently traded in this cyber black market, the problem is getting bigger."
Korean and Japanese Internet companies are under attack by hackers who are using malicious codes to steal the personal information of Internet users.
AhnLab, a security software company, said Monday that a study of ten security threats in 2007 revealed a growing number of hacking incidents affecting Internet game sites. The hackers pilfer users' personal information to steal virtual goods to trade for money.
"There is a 'cyber black market' where virtual valuables like game items are exchanged for cash," a company staffer said. "Because game users' IDs, credit card numbers and other personal information are frequently traded in this cyber black market, the problem is getting bigger."
[The Chosun Ilbo, December 24 2007] Adultery, Evil Mothers-in-Law: Korean Soaps in 2007
The hottest topics in Korean TV soaps in 2007 were adultery and conflicts between woman and her mother-in-law, and the resolutions were inevitably physical.
Viewers were treated to cheating spouses being cursed, kicked in the stomach and hit over the head with a washboard. The stock conflict between women and their mothers-in-law also reached new heights of intensity on TV.
◆ Coming to blows
◆ Nasty mothers-in-law
◆ Regressing
The hottest topics in Korean TV soaps in 2007 were adultery and conflicts between woman and her mother-in-law, and the resolutions were inevitably physical.
Viewers were treated to cheating spouses being cursed, kicked in the stomach and hit over the head with a washboard. The stock conflict between women and their mothers-in-law also reached new heights of intensity on TV.
◆ Coming to blows
◆ Nasty mothers-in-law
◆ Regressing
[The Chosun Ilbo, December 24 2007] Designer Park Jin-woo Stirs Comedy With Style
A few days ago an unusual Christmas tree was set up next to the Hammering Man kinetic sculpture in front of Heungkook Building in Gwanghwamun, Seoul. Called Christmas Factory, the tree features clockwork snowflakes and a phalanx of steel robots arranged around it.
"There might be a factory that churns out Christmas somewhere in the world that nobody knows about," said designer Park Jin-woo, 34, as he fiddled with his fake Warhol-imprinted Louis Vuitton wallet.
A few days ago an unusual Christmas tree was set up next to the Hammering Man kinetic sculpture in front of Heungkook Building in Gwanghwamun, Seoul. Called Christmas Factory, the tree features clockwork snowflakes and a phalanx of steel robots arranged around it.
"There might be a factory that churns out Christmas somewhere in the world that nobody knows about," said designer Park Jin-woo, 34, as he fiddled with his fake Warhol-imprinted Louis Vuitton wallet.
[The Chosun Ilbo, December 21 2007] WiBro Technology Allows Journalists to Work Faster
The reason Koreans were able to follow seemingly every movement of Lee Myung-bak after his election is wireless broadcasting, or WiBro, technology. Reporters trailed Lee on motorcycles, videotaping his every move like paparazzi. They then quickly transmitted their video footage to their networks by simply connecting their cameras to laptop computers.
What made that quick transmission possible was WiBro, which can send data at speeds of up to 24.8 Mbps, which is as fast as high-speed Internet connections used at home. With WiBro, users can send data even while traveling in a car moving at speeds of more than 60 km/h.
Satellite or optic cable systems are usually used to transmit data for broadcasting, but they need a relay vehicle or an expensive portable image compressor. WiBro enables massive amounts of data to be sent using laptops or handset-sized terminals at remarkably fast speeds, allowing users greater mobility.
The reason Koreans were able to follow seemingly every movement of Lee Myung-bak after his election is wireless broadcasting, or WiBro, technology. Reporters trailed Lee on motorcycles, videotaping his every move like paparazzi. They then quickly transmitted their video footage to their networks by simply connecting their cameras to laptop computers.
What made that quick transmission possible was WiBro, which can send data at speeds of up to 24.8 Mbps, which is as fast as high-speed Internet connections used at home. With WiBro, users can send data even while traveling in a car moving at speeds of more than 60 km/h.
Satellite or optic cable systems are usually used to transmit data for broadcasting, but they need a relay vehicle or an expensive portable image compressor. WiBro enables massive amounts of data to be sent using laptops or handset-sized terminals at remarkably fast speeds, allowing users greater mobility.
[The Chosun Ilbo, December 21 2007] Online Shopping Services Make Christmas Shopping Global
With Christmas around the corner department stores in the U.S. and Europe are holding massive sales, and the discounts grow bigger with the approach of Boxing Day, the day after Christmas.
Sales at overseas stores meant nothing to Koreans just a few years ago, but things have changed. Now Koreans can shop at those stores from home thanks to Internet shopping malls, which have staff overseas that buy from stores and ship the goods to customers in Korea. That means these online malls can hold sales that coincide with sales at overseas stores.
Meanwhile, more and more Koreans are shopping directly with overseas online retailers. Baby products and cosmetics are the most popular items. But Koreans who want to shop with overseas Internet malls should first make sure that they will ship to Korea and can accept credit cards from foreigners. Another problem is that if the product has a defect it's not easy to get a refund or an exchange. It's usually smarter to use sites that are reliable -- those with more traffic -- rather than those that offer cheap prices.
With Christmas around the corner department stores in the U.S. and Europe are holding massive sales, and the discounts grow bigger with the approach of Boxing Day, the day after Christmas.
Sales at overseas stores meant nothing to Koreans just a few years ago, but things have changed. Now Koreans can shop at those stores from home thanks to Internet shopping malls, which have staff overseas that buy from stores and ship the goods to customers in Korea. That means these online malls can hold sales that coincide with sales at overseas stores.
Meanwhile, more and more Koreans are shopping directly with overseas online retailers. Baby products and cosmetics are the most popular items. But Koreans who want to shop with overseas Internet malls should first make sure that they will ship to Korea and can accept credit cards from foreigners. Another problem is that if the product has a defect it's not easy to get a refund or an exchange. It's usually smarter to use sites that are reliable -- those with more traffic -- rather than those that offer cheap prices.
[The Chosun Ilbo, December 21 2007] Korean Researchers Develop Better Video Compressor
The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute said Thursday that it has developed an ultra low-power H.264 encoder, which can compress full high-density video. The new technology offers 50 percent greater compression and uses 40 percent less power than the existing MPEG4 encoder.
That means camcorders and digital cameras that use the new encoder could use about 70 percent less battery power than existing devices. H.264 compresses video images to one-two hundredth of their original size for storage on a hard disk, while MPEG4 reduces them to one-one hundredth of their original size.
Dr. Park Sung-mo, who developed the technology, said that the success of technologies for mobile video devices lies in reducing power consumption. "The new technology is a prototype, and will be used for digital devices from next year," he said.
The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute said Thursday that it has developed an ultra low-power H.264 encoder, which can compress full high-density video. The new technology offers 50 percent greater compression and uses 40 percent less power than the existing MPEG4 encoder.
That means camcorders and digital cameras that use the new encoder could use about 70 percent less battery power than existing devices. H.264 compresses video images to one-two hundredth of their original size for storage on a hard disk, while MPEG4 reduces them to one-one hundredth of their original size.
Dr. Park Sung-mo, who developed the technology, said that the success of technologies for mobile video devices lies in reducing power consumption. "The new technology is a prototype, and will be used for digital devices from next year," he said.
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