Every single day on TV and in print, there are favorable articles about President Yoon and article attacking and insinuating corruption and wrongdoing by his political opponents.
Cases against his political opponents are started right away with search warrants and arrests and last years, while cases against conservative politicians are delayed with almost no search warrants or arrests.
Smells fishy to me.
Most probably to attract interest in Twitter and generate money to offset losses incurred by acquisition.
Maybe also have a histrionic personality disorder (mental health condition marked by unstable emotions, a distorted self-image and an overwhelming desire to be noticed).
I had treatment for kidney stones and was scolded by my doctor for skipping my bladder cancer exam for the past ten years.
So I underwent the test today and they found one small tumor which needs to be removed by surgery. It could be benign or malignant. After it is removed, tests will be conducted.
Lucky that the doctor insisted on the cystoscopy to look at my bladder. Unluckily, the cancer returned after over 23 years.
Hopefully, no more tumors for another two decades.
Luckily, I live in South Korea where there is national medical insurance and medical care is affordable. The government keeps raising premiums and lowering the income threshold requiring people to make insurance payments.
Previously, if annual income was below around $30,000, you could be covered by your spouse's or children's medical insurance. They lowered it to around $16,000.
Medical costs have greatly increased during the past few years. Some procedures like MRIs and others have rocketed and many hospitals/clinics seem to be abusing the system.
How much does the average person spend on medical services?
Googled it.
"The US spends around $12,530 a year per person on healthcare. Canada spends $6,413 less per person each year than the US. South Koreans spent approximately $3,500 per capita on health."
Before the district elections in May, or around there, big corporations pledged to invest billions of dollars into Korea to create jobs and growth in order to support the conservative party candidates and it worked again. Seems to be a time-honored tradition.
But only Samsung has announced plans to invest billions in new semiconductor plants.
The rest?
Nearly half of big firms have yet to set up 2023 investment plans: poll
The article said, "Of the companies that have established 2023 plans, 67.3 percent said their 2023 investments will be similar to this year's levels. Nearly 14 percent replied they will increase investments next year, while 19.2 percent answered they will cut back on their investments".
I noticed that about three gas stations and around five car repair shops have closed in Seoul. There are plenty more, but it seems to be a trend as I also see a lot of electric vehicles, which have a different color license plate.
The Seoul City government has been giving out low interest loans to develop real estate in the old parts of Seoul with old and worn out houses and buildings.
Several neighborhoods have been renovated with new buildings and apartments.
Even some of the old houses and building in my neighborhood have been turned into condominiums, townhouses and apartments.
These were built when property prices in Seoul were rapidly rising. Now, they are rapidly falling.
One of the studio apartment buildings charges too much for rent and has been completely vacant for a year now. I wonder if the owner will ever decide to lower the rent. Probably rich enough to wait it out indefinitely.
Lots of vacant apartments and office space in Seoul these days. Some have started to lower rent prices slightly.
That could lead to people consuming and wasting too much food.
Scientists found a chemical that attaches to fat cells and keeps them from growing too big,
Testing it on humans. Applications for other medical uses.
Positively charged nanomaterials treat obesity anywhere you want
As predicted, Yoon's approval rating went up to the low to mid-thirty percent range depending on poll after he stopped the informal daily brief meeting with reporters on his way to work at the entrance of the building.
Wonder if he will continue to stop?
Yoon and the conservative party has accused the Democratic Party of being criminals, commie lovers, corrupt and even has the ministry of justice investigating everyone and their families.
And now they ask the Democratic Party for cooperation on passing next year's budget in the parliament but won't compromise?
The leader of the Democratic Party stated that if the ruling party isn't willing to negotiate the budget, the Democratic Party will have no choice but to make amendments to the budget and approve it unilaterally with their majority in the parliament.
It has been a week since Yoon stopped the Q&As.
S. Korean presidential office installs wall blocking reporters after halting informal Q&A sessions
Hope his underlings don't realize that stopping the daily Q&As will help his approval rating.
There is a regulation for insurance companies, like Samsung Life Insurance where assets, like shares of Samsung Electronics, are valued at their purchased price instead of current price. This regulation helps Samsung Chairman Lee maintain control of Samsung Electronics, while he only holds a 1.63% stake.
Samsung Life Insurance and Samsung C&T Corporation hold 8.5% and 5% stakes, respectively, in Samsung Electronics. Other group companies also hold stakes in Samsung Electronics.
Lee holds a 10% stake in Samsung Life Insurance. Other group companies also hold stakes Samsung Life. Through these stakes in controls Samsung Life Insurance which has an 8.5% stake in Samsung Electronics. Lee's 10% stake in Samsung Life Insurance is worth KRW 1.4 trillion (about USD 1 billion), while the 8.5% stake in Samsung Electronics that it holds is worth over KRW 30 trillion.
Anyway, if the regulation is changed, then due to other regulations, Samsung Life Insurance will have to sell a 5% stake in Samsung Electronics within seven years, at most.
The bill to revise the regulation is being discussed in committee meetings. If the bill passes, then it will be sent for vote to the parliament.
Samsung has managed to prevent this bill from being voted on twice before since 2017. While the ownership structure of Samsung Electronics will remain basically the same, the bill could slightly reduce Lee's hold on the company.
Korean media states the comprehensive real estate tax (tax on multiple residences or a single residence valued at more than $2 million or so) is not just a tax on the rich anymore and that it is being imposed on over a million people.
Korea has relatively low real estate tax. So, they created a comprehensive real estate tax in an attempt to make the rich pay some taxes.
The mostly conservative media, run by people who probably pay a comprehensive real estate tax, are complaining that the tax is unfair, a burden on ordinary citizens, depressing real estate market prices, and such.
Hope the majority opposition party (liberal) puts a stop to any proposals to reduce taxes. :)
My home is valued at way under $2 million.
The media present all kinds of claims of economic disaster from professors and other supposedly knowledgeable commentators.
Koreans pay capital gains tax for stock transactions in the US and other countries. Should foreigners pay capital gains tax on stock transactions in Korea? Only fair.
If the foreigners do not pay capital gains tax on stock transactions in Korea, most are required to pay capital gains tax on the transactions in Korea in their home country. Have to pay.
Only rich Koreans are not paying.
But no mention of this in any of the media to date.
For profits over about USD 40,000.
There is no capital gains tax on stock sale profits, unlike the US, UK, EU countries, and other countries,
The Korean conservative party and most media claim the tax will ruin the stock market and cause foreigner investors to abandon Korea.
What bull***.
25 years ago, it was bladder cancer.
This time, a kidney stone, but painful for several days. Luckily, it was at the bottom of the ureter and could be treated using shock waves to break up the stone (lithotripsy).
According to CNN: 1 in 5 deaths of US adults 20 to 49 is from excessive drinking
Luckily, I stopped drinking alcohol decades ago. Used to be an alcoholic.
At every big accident, flood, murder, North Korean missile tests, and other newsworthy incident, Prez Yoon always seems to visit and order that preventive steps be taken to try and improve his image and popularity.
If I think this, then many other Koreans have noticed also.
It seems Yoon is being alienated by liberal leaders of major countries which continue to maintain close ties with South Korea, in spite of Yoon's antics.
While I still go to the wholesale market to buy vegetables and fruit, I'm starting to buy more things online.
Used to go and spend time at stores. Was more active, but congested traffic and unpleasant people have overcome my desire to go out.
No masks are required outdoors in Korea. Still, over 90% wear them.
Traffic is back to before COVID. Miles of cars moving a snail's pace during rush hours in downtown Seoul.
Most everyone gets away from Seoul on weekends, so highways are clogged. Many decide to go abroad to escape for leisure time.
Theories in physics are usually proved by math and formulas.
Scientists are now connecting math with consciousness and trying to evolve understanding of consciousness, or us.
David Hoffman explains in the video below:
President Yoon “War on drugs, please win”
US expert proposes arm reductions approach over denuclearization of N. Korea
Best idea so far. China will not push North Korea to denuclearize, so sanctions have failed. North Korea will not accept rewards to denuclearize as several agreements the past have been nullified.
Only option left is to limit the number of nuclear weapons and prevent proliferation, or keep sanctioning and try to isolate North Korea but it will have Russia, China, Iran and other allies.
According to Wikipedia -
The free energy principle is a theory in cognitive science that attempts to explain how living and non-living systems remain in non-equilibrium steady-states by restricting themselves to a limited number of states. It establishes that systems minimise a free energy function of their internal states (not to be confused with thermodynamic free energy), which entail beliefs about hidden states in their environment. The implicit minimisation of free energy is formally related to variational Bayesian methods and was originally introduced by Karl Friston as an explanation for embodied perception in neuroscience,[1] where it is also known as active inference.
The notion that self-organising biological systems – like a cell or brain – can be understood as minimising variational free energy is based upon Helmholtz’s work on unconscious inference[8] and subsequent treatments in psychology[9] and machine learning.
Free energy principle is also used in psychology and artificial intelligence.
Using the free energy principle, researches were able to grow neurons and enable them to play Pong.
Minibrains grown from human and mouse neurons learn to play Pong
Propecia, treatment for hair loss, costs $124 a month in the US and around $40 a month in Korea. I used to buy Propecia until a few years ago when I found out that the generic version, Finasteride, costs about $15 a month.
Black Holes May Hide a Mind-Bending Secret About Our Universe
The New York Times article is about black holes, wormholes, and quantum entanglement.
Keep imagining that wormholes and quantum entanglement are evidence of a non-local dimension. Why?
This has not ever happened before. The mostly conservative media has always criticized and incited anger against the Moon administration. Why become objective all of a sudden? Sort of scary.
If President Yoon, the ruling conservative party, and most of the Korean media criticize and slander the previous Moon Jae-in administration in concert, then Korean media would likely lose credibility and seem to be under Yoon's control.
In an unusual move, Korean media has complimented the Moon administration efforts to reel in real estate loans the past few years due a booming real estate market caused by low interest rates. Recent drops in real estate prices have caused concern about foreclosures. Luckily, the criteria for real estate loans were set high enough that the drop in real estate prices will not result in foreclosures.
There was another report that stated that Yoon's policy on North Korea is the same as Moon's since they both promise economic aid in return for nuclear disarmament. Normally, the media states that Moon's administration is giving money to North Korea while South Koreans go lacking, is pro-North Korea, ignoring North Korea's human rights violations, and the like. Never a good word or comparison.
A lot of Koreans like and respect former President Moon, all the criticism is probably reflected in Yoon's low approval ratings in spite of the president's office constant daily public relations efforts.
Most major American corporations employ remote workers. Why? They are contracted workers with little benefits and paid less than in-office employees. So, the trend should become even more pervasive.
Several decades ago, there were many homeless people in Seoul living in the streets.
About a decade or so ago, after the National Basic Living Security Act was enacted and other government policies (shelters, etc.). the number of people living in the streets dropped significantly.
Now, I have not seen any homeless people living in the streets for a year now. I saw one person last year.
Korea must be doing at least some things right, including national medical insurance for all Koreans and legal foreign residents. National medical insurance working well in Korea, even though my insurance payments went up this year. Supposedly earned a lot more than usual last year.
If I were North Korea, I would shoot missiles too, but maybe not develop nuclear weapons. South Korea, United Nations Command and the US hold periodically training exercises to show their overwhelming military superiority over North Korea, and test out weapons all the time.
If North Korea were less authoritarian, Kim Jong-un would likely be deposed in short order. Same for Xi, Putin and other authoritarian leaders. Free speech, dissent and liberal democracy are the greatest threats to their rule.
Just reflecting. President Yoon seems to be intent on stomping out any opposition and dissent, especially from labor unions. Acting like ___ ?
Yoon administration’s trouble with freedom of expression
Yoon is on the news EVERY DAY stating obvious things and most media reports on Yoon are almost always very favorable. Reminds me of North Korea, for some reason.
Yoon bashing. Good for relieving stress resulting from Yoon's actions and words. Rhetorical revenge is sweet.
Despite denials from the president's office that Yoon used cuss words and subsequent media blitz trying to limit damage from the incident, 70% of Koreans feel that Yoon should apologize.
70% of Koreans think Yoon should apologize for hot mic gaffe
Korean media is reporting on drug arrests and condemning drug use almost daily, while even Japan and other Asian countries are looking to legalize medical marijuana.
My credit card bill was so large, I checked the items. Forgot a donation to UNHCR for the flooding disaster in Pakistan using my credit card, in addition to monthly contributions direct from my account.
Most large companies, in Korea and elsewhere, donate and encourage employees to donate to charity.
Take time to look at the good side of life. Good living.
Study Finds Decreased Proteins – Not Amyloid Plaques – Cause Alzheimer’s Disease
The article states "The research found that people can remain cognitively normal regardless of the amount of amyloid plaques in their brains as long as they maintain a baseline level of soluble amyloid-beta in the brain above 270 picograms per milliliter."
In other words, low levels of soluble amyloid-beta result in dementia
NATIONAL BASIC LIVING SECURITY ACT
Yoon has not been able to fill many ministerial positions since his inauguration.
He just appointed the most ultra-radical anti-labor right winger as head of the Economic, Social and Labor Council (minister level) and a similar narrow-minded advocate for private education for Education minister. They must go through parliamentary hearings, but Yoon can override any objections and appoint them.
All the prior candidates had scandals or other skeletons in the closet revealed during parliamentary hearings on their appointments and withdrew, were withdrawn, or forced to leave office after a short while.
Taking revenge on the Korean public for his low approval rating, again at 24%?
The low rating is despite all the media reporting hourly on the 'great accomplishments' of his visits to England, US and Canada, as well as other propaganda from the president's office.
Could be appointing radicals to deflect attention from him and his wife? All the opposition parties, teachers, labor unions, and parents will be focusing their attention and wrath on the two candidates.
Then there should at least have some form of basic subsistence insurance where coupons, services, or money are given to subsidize people who cannot afford food or rent based on their income.
There are some similar programs in Europe.
In Korea, there is around a $200 a month basic pension for people with no income. The pension system was established in 1986 and it was not mandatory for companies until much later. So, there is a problem with a lot of old people without pensions, living in poverty and ignored by society.
Maybe, there types of programs may become more widespread in the future against almost certain conservative opposition.
Conservatives are not only against socialism but also seem to be against society as socialism and society are intertwined.
S. Korean presidential office press pool says hot mic footage “not distorted or edited”
Excerpt
"A statement by video journalists claims that the presidential office asked if the press could “do something” so that the footage would not be released."
“Instead, we became aware of the content [of the footage] because the [presidential office’s] external affairs department asked us to check the footage,” the reporters stated.
“Upon checking the footage, the external affairs department asked us if we could ‘do something’ about it so that it would not be reported, but the video journalists did not accept this request and it was decided that each broadcasting company would make their own choice of whether or not to report on the remarks.”
The ruling conservative party promised to take action against the journalist and employer Munwha Broadcasting Company (MBC).
Ruling party lawmakers to take legal measures against MBC TV over Yoon's hot mic report
Yoon’s office, ruling party step up offensive against MBC
A commentator on a Korean news channel stated that it is unlikely legal charges will be filed since it would be hard to get any kind of conviction. LOL.
The conservative party filed charges against the head of MBC, and are pressuring and slandering MBC.
US Navy sends its most advanced surface warship to east Asia
The CNN article states USS Zumwalt will be upgraded next year to accommodate the Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB), a weapons system that uses a booster rocket motor to fire missiles at hypersonic speed.
A missile defense system utilizing hypersonic missiles would be ideal for Korea's defense, much better than the THAAD system that Prez Yoon wants to buy for some unknown reason.
I read that that integrating THAAD's radar system with a new missile system is probably a good idea.
Wow! Hypersonic missiles have arrived. I know China and Russia demonstrated hypersonic missiles, but I doubt that they are as sophisticated and reliable as the American ones.
Soon, the US should be able to destroy nuclear missiles right within a few minutes after launch. Cool.
An article in the usually staunchly conservative Korea Herald reported the truth on Yoon's supposed summit with Japan's prime minister at the UN.
Critics tear into Yoon for 'ill-planned' Kishida meeting
According to the article, the Korean government called the brief 30 minute meeting as an "informal summit" and the Japanese government as a "meeting." The article also cited Professor Lee Young-chae of Keisen University in Tokyo as stating Japan had no need to hold a summit, but they think they will eventually be able to get something from South Korea by accepting the Yoon administration’s request.”
While Korea media parrots Yoon's claims that the summit with Kishida repaired relations with Japan and was meaningful, the article states that many people feel that the meeting was completely unnecessary, ill-prepared and achieved nothing.
Prez Yoon has been blaming former President Moon's administration for policy towards China with regards to the THAAD missile defense system.
A report in Hankyoreh (Outmoded as security system, THAAD retains rhetorical utility in Korea) stated as follows:
"Not only that, but the “three noes” are not “pledges” that the Moon Jae-in administration made, as Beijing has described them. They’re a military policy that has been in place since the Park Geun-hye administration.
It was the Park administration that declared from the time of the deployment controversy in 2016 that THAAD was “not a US missile defense system.” And it was the US Defense Department and USFK that affirmed that THAAD radar was “not monitoring China.”
In its efforts to denounce the Moon administration’s “capitulations to Beijing” and condemn it for a military policy that had existed since the time the conservatives were in office, the Yoon administration has been twisting the facts."
And most Korean news media promote Yoon's claims that the Moon administration implemented the THAAD policy with regards to China, when it was former President Park Geun-hye's administration that started the policy. Completely distorting history and facts.
Yoon states that he will install more THAAD systems in Korea, but THAAD will soon be outdated and both Korea and the US military are planning other more appropriate defense systems for Korea. THAAD is not ideal for defense of Korea. It is more effective as early warning for US missile defense systems.
Korea receives no data from THAAD or has any say in their operation. Why does Yoon want them? It is mainly for defense from long range missiles. Korea is a short range from China and North Korea, not long range. Pretty ignorant.
Considering 86.3% of Koreans are fully vaccinated and about 98% have antibodies for COVID and the number of new cases has dropped from around 100,000 to under 30,000 a day, it should be okay to get rid of masks finally.
S. Korea to lift outdoor mask mandate starting 26 September
The brief meeting with Biden that reportedly touched on security, Japan, and many other topics lasted for 48 seconds? Maybe they had a separate brief meeting or Korean news is really distorting facts.
Prez Yoon's office and leading conservative politicians, the deputy prime minister and foreign minister claim that he did not use a cuss word to refer to the US Congress and that the comments were directed at the Korean opposition party. The news all reported and showed footage of these people denying that Yoon called US Congress a bad name.
So, I searched for the video on Youtube and listened. I can distinctly hear, loosely translated, as below;
"If those sons of b****s (or any derogatory slang of your choosing) in congress (can also mean parliament) don't pass the bill, it will be so embarrassing for Biden."
Yoon's cussing in Korean is towards the end of the video linked below after his 48 second alleged 'meeting' with Biden.
[오늘 이 뉴스] "이 XX들이 승인 안 해주면 바이든은 쪽팔려서 어떡하나"
There is irrefutable evidence that Yoon did use a cuss word to describe US Congress, yet all these Korean government officials are blatantly lying and denying that he did, and Korean media is misleading the public by repeating these false denials as headline news.
They must think that the average Korean is brainless and believes whatever lies the conservatives come up with.
Luckily, there is are videos on Youtube and Twitter! Wonder if those government officials are hard of hearing?
The sound of the video on Twitter is clearer. Yoon hot-mic incident in NY.
South Korea president criticised over gaffes at Queen’s funeral and UN
Eat weed. Like people in Asian countries (Himalayas region, Golden Triangle, etc.).
Active ingredient in cannabis protects aging brain cells
Cannabinoids and Neurogenesis: The Promised Solution for Neurodegeneration?
Studies also show that it can regenerate brain cells.
Marijuana might cause new cell growth in the brain
Why hasn't this news been publicized widely? Maybe most news outlets are run by conservatives who do not want to indirectly promote marijuana use?
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's profanity-laced hot mic criticism of U.S. goes viral
Excerpt - "How could Biden not lose damn face if these f****rs do not pass it in Congress?"
Yoon didn't pay respects to Queen Elizabeth II's coffin lying in state even though he went to the UK to go to the funeral. Yoon did not arrange a warm welcome for U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to South Korea in August.
There was no welcoming delegation for Pelosi when she arrived. No one of similar position to welcome her. And Yoon did not meet her, probably because he is conservative and hates liberals and progressives.
And the media says Yoon is strengthening ties with the US and that the US made new promises to protect Korea.
Korean media also emphasizes Yoon met with Biden and the Japanese Prime Minister and talked about important matters. He met very briefly with Biden and with the Japanese Prime Minister for less than 30 minutes. Making it seem like they had serious discussions.
Media says Yoon is repairing relations with Japan that the previous administration messed up. Japan took unilateral actions against Korean and refused to talk.
How could Yoon blame that on the previous administration? Average Koreans boycotted Japanese products and Japan trips for over a year because Japan abruptly restricted exports of chemicals needed for production of semiconductors to Korea. Tried to negotiate and talk, but Japan was very arrogant. Korea now produces the chemicals locally. LOL
Yoon seems to assume that most Koreans have forgotten this.
Calling the US congress f***kers. Showing Yoon's true colors! Very uncouth.
Other people have started to flag scams on Korean Craiglist posts. LOL
There were a couple persistent scammers and they attracted more scammers. Luckily, more scams result in more people flagging them.
After over a month of intense media promotion of Yoon with pictures of him holding semiconductor wafers, visiting flooded areas, ordering compensation for flood victims and prevention of floods, and other mundane actions, his approval rating has risen to 32%.
Trying to conduct deals and meet other leaders at a funeral? Very uncouth. Guess who.
I thought Yoon had the lowest ever approval rating for a Korean president after 100 days. I was wrong. It was former conservative president and current convict Lee Myung-bak with 21% (out of prison for health reasons, applied for extension of medical stay)
Yoon is trying to spend government money to help construction of infrastructure for semiconductor plants near Seoul. The government department in charge of planning and budget refused to allocate any funds stating that Samsung and SK Hynix had already planned the project and stepping in now to provide funding assistance would be inappropriate and would only serve to help Samsung and SK Hynix's spend less money on their projects.
Yoon is stated to have lost his temper and ordered his staff to get the funding. Very autocratic, yes? Seems like something Kim Jon-un would do.
“반도체, 중요한 분야” 尹 수차례 강조…국비 1000억원 요청 ‘No’ 한 기재부 예산실, Yes로 바뀔까 (Yoon stresses semiconductors are important. Will Planning and Budget change decision to yes)
The article tries to make it look as if the future of the semiconductor industry is dependent on government funding of $ 2bn over 5 years. Samsung and SK Hynix can afford to pay many tens of billions of dollars.
There's a whole ecosystem for semiconductors. Korea, US also, needs to promote the entire ecosystem. Specialized solvents, wafers, process and production equipment, parts, Korea learned that when Japan restricted exports for specialized solvents used in chip manufacturing. Took a couple of years to develop local production. The other smaller companies and workers involved need help, not so much Samsung and SK Hynix, in my opinion. TSMC, Intel, ARM and others do well without government assistance.
Would the US federal government give $ 2bn to help build infrastructure for an Apple or Tesla plant after the companies had already planned it? Before, maybe as an incentive to get something.
Yoon says Korea's survival depends on chip industry (no concrete plans, just chips are important and I will make plans to promote the industry - 20 September 2022). Tried to push government to pay for infrastructure but still making plans?
Yoon Suk-yeol’s poor approval ratings undermine South Korea’s ambitious foreign policy agenda
POSCO Group, Samsung Group, ILJIN Group and 5 top Korean financial groups announced hiring of new employees this year.
Employment at Korea’s top 5 fin groups set to recover to pre-pandemic level
The top five financial groups are hiring, maybe, a total of 4,000 new employees with only a portion of being entry level.
Samsung starts group-wide recruitment for H2 under plan to hire 80,000 in 5 yrs
The large conglomerates account for majority of the GDP, but not employment.
And news media keep spouting conspiracy theories and tenuous connections to alleged crimes by people not even remotely connected to Lee Jae-myung.
This has been going on for the past three years or so.
Blatantly political character assassination by Prez Yoon and his former prosecutor colleagues. And news media says it isn't so.
Crimes committed by corporations and conservatives go unpunished or are granted pardons.
Only prosecute allegations against opposition. Sounds like Russia.
Democrats say prosecutors should focus on first lady, not Lee Jae-myung
Prosecution summons Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung for questioning
Korean prosecutors take aim at Lee Jae-myung with raids over new development scandal
Actually, Lee is the one who said why are the developers getting all this profit and got them to pay for parks and other community infrastructure. Conservatives hate him.
They both periodically spout praises and accomplishments of their leaders, Kim Jong-un and President Yoon.
Like SBS News where commentators are criticizing political parties, but interrupt to state Yoon is going abroad and working hard to further Korea's economy and status, and that it isn't right for the ruling conservative party to be in a fight with its suspended party leader.
Yoon is going to Queen Elizabeth's funeral and to speak at the UN. It's a sudden trip and not planned for business deals or economic policies.
First time, I've heard Korean news stating that the president is going abroad to work hard for the economy. Doubt news in other countries report it that way either. Seems to occur in mainly autocratic countries.
Plans for first S. Korea-Japan summit in years off to rocky start
Could be investigated by prosecutors for posts like this. LOL.
Inserting news about opposition parties among bad news (deaths, accidents, bad economy, etc.) and news about Yoon and the conservative party among good and pleasant news.
Wonder if this occurs, or will catch on (become popular) in other countries?
Am I the only one noticing this? Must be others.
President Yoon and his former lackey at the prosecutor's office, Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon?
Seems like it.
High-ranking prosecutor close to Yoon cleared of charges in blackmail case
They found evidence, but Han stated he meant something else in the text messages. Also they couldn't unlock his phone and his fellow prosecutors investigated the case.
Prosecutors are filing all these charges against any opposition, including the conservative party leader, under suspension for disagreeing with Yoon's underlings, not to mention opposition party leaders.
Similar mindset and personality as Trump. Wants the attention. Will probably run in the future. Following Trump's footsteps.
At the start of Korean president Yoon's administration and just before district elections, corporations pledged to invest, create jobs and other things in Korea.
Korea's leading companies, start-ups pledge to improve corporate culture, environment
As I said previously, it is an overused election gimmick to promote the conservative party.
Surprise! Today, 63% of corporations have no plans to hire new employees in the second half of this year, blaming it on the economy as always. No announcement of the hundreds of billions of dollars in investments yet. Probably have to wait till 2024, except for Samsung which has to invest its billions in surplus sometime soon. Plans to spend billions on chips and acquisitions, but no details yet.
"대기업 10곳 중 6곳, '3高'로 하반기 채용계획 미정 또는 없다" (6 out of 10 corporations have no plans to hire new employees or have not yet decided)
Every single election, a large portion of the populations is mislead by false promises, false news, allegations of wrongdoing, insults, media reports stirring up indignation, etc.
When will those people learn? Maybe never.
Apparently, because they are going to die soon and won't be around.
Yet, the younger generation...
Obey and respect your elders? It depends. Some are mad and they control companies which pollute substantially.
Korean president Yoon really doesn't care about polls. Approval rating still at 27% according to Gallup. Suspiciously, polls used in Korean media state 32%.
His administration doing some really bad things, while pretending to be governing ethically. Keeps lying about things and making false excuses.
Mounting issues renew calls for oversight into presidential office, first lady
To defect people's attention from the real estate crash, bank scandals, and COVID policy in China?
Sort of obvious, like Trump's likelihood of being convicted of crimes.
I don't normally watch Korean TV news as the reports are pretty biased, but some very interesting things happened recently.
The conservative People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok was ousted by allies of President Yoon in a suspicious power play.
First, someone dug up an old case and got someone convicted of a crime to claim that he provided a woman to Lee for sex many many years ago. Yoon's allies, mostly former prosecutors like Yoon, don't like Lee, who is not a former prosecutor.
Yoon's underlings in the conservative party called an ethics meeting and ruled that Lee tried to destroy evidence regarding the allegations and suspended him for six months. Then they got some members of the party's leading board to resign, so that the board would not have enough members to pass proposals. Then, they claimed that it was an emergency situation because the board could not lead the party, dissolved the board and set up an emergency committee to lead the party. Then, they tried to hold a vote to choose a new leader in January, so that Lee could not participate since he is suspended.
So, Lee filed for an injunction against the appointment of the emergency committee and won. LOL
Court suspends PPP's emergency committee chairman, siding with ex-chief
Something like Trump trying to remove Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell using dirty tricks, but failing. Party power struggle.
The emergency committee chairman is claiming that the judge is biased and has questionable ideologies. Usually, the Minister of Justice should defend the judge, but in this case, the Minister of Justice is a former prosecutor and Yoon's underling.
When rulings go their way, the People Power Party insists that the law must be respected and obeyed, but when they lose, judges are biased and might be a liberal or progressive, even worse, a socialist.
The prosecutors have been sitting on investigations involving violence by People Power Party in the parliament, which is illegal, for about five years. In cases involving trumped up allegations against progressive party members, investigations are publicized right away and cases go to court within months.
President Yoon is on TV every day visiting the public and issuing orders, while the media continues to report very favorably on Yoon's actions. Some polls even claim that his approval rating has risen to 32%, but a Gallup poll disagrees and says 28%.
Wholeheartedly agree?
Don’t Blame Inflation on Stimulus Checks. Blame It on Corporate Greed.
Economists Say Life Is Going to Be More Expensive Forever, Sorry
Record profits for grain firms amid food crisis prompt calls for windfall tax
Companies do not pass on cost savings to consumers. They spend tons of money lobbying governments and controlling policy to generate maximum profit, while using media to spread misinformation.
Conservatives (Korean and American) and the wealthy seem to rely on misinformation to con people. At least, more people are noticing and speaking out.
I read about a new algorithm for noise cancelling earphones/headphones based on time delay. The music coming through the speakers left and right are the same, no delay in signals between left and right. Outside noise is picked up from microphones outside the case of earphones/headphones. Any signals with delay between the right and left microphones are actively cancelled through the speakers to suppress them.
There were examples of the algorithm being used in real life situations, and the noise cancelling was impressive. Present noise cancelling earphones/headphones do a good job cancelling low frequency noise, but not mid and high frequencies. The new algorithm suppressed mid and high frequency noise really well.
I tried to find the article but couldn't remember where I saw it.
I have Bose headphones and Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 earphones. I wonder which company will come out with products using the new algorithm.
Some brand just launched earbuds with 12mm drivers. I would like 12mm drivers and the new algorithm. It's nice listening to music at a low volume with clear bass and high notes. Very peaceful.
Wonder when noise cancelling earphone/headphone manufacturers will start to sell out their present inventory before introducing products with the new algorithm. It could take another year or two for a product to be developed and launched.
Did you know that earbuds and headphones generate great profit margins for the manufacturer? Far greater than most other products, excluding medicine, of course.
So, other people have noticed that Yoon is trying to act like Trump.
Hankyoreh: 100 days into his term, Yoon is acting more like Trump than ever
Hankyoreh is one of the very few non-conservative news outlets. Most of the media is trying to defend and support Yoon.
But I doubt that the cause is the rising interest rates.
It could be due to the downturn in the Chinese real estate market.
The Chinese have bought a lot of real estate in Korea, Canada (Vancouver), and other countries.
Korean media blames previous progressive administrations for the rise in real estate prices, but it is the conservative government that always has implemented policies that increase real estate prices. Then the progressive government and tries to reel those policies in, while being blamed by the media (and most of the public believes this nonsense).
It is now trying to ease restrictions on real estate development, reduce property taxes and extending credit to home buyers in order to resolve the supposed "housing shortage" (plenty of rentals).
In reality, the rich have a lot of real estate and do not want the prices to fall. The rich also fear inflation. Argentina still has around 60% inflation, I think. Hasn't gone down the drain.
Four of the past twelve former Korean presidents have been jailed with three pardoned to date - Chun Do-hwan, Roh Tae-woo, Park Geun-hye, Lee Myung-bak (out on bail).
The heads of Samsung, SK, Lotte, Hanwha, many more conglomerate heads, and countless corporate executives have been convicted of all sorts of crimes with many receiving pardons.
South Korea's Hanwha chief jailed for 4 years
Lotte shares dive after chairman is jailed
SK Group chief's 4-year jail term confirmed by Supreme Court
There are seemingly countless articles on jailed corporate heads. In their thinking, it's my company and my money, but in reality, it is the shareholders' company and money. That's why there is a Korean discount on Korean stocks. Need to tighten the laws and strengthen enforcement a little more.
Former president Moon Jae-in didn't grant pardons to corporate heads.
Why did incumbent Yoon pardoned them at the first opportunity? Didn't even wait till the end of the year. Why do most media praise Yoon and vilify Moon?
Why didn't Yoon pardon conservative former president Lee Myung-bak? He was just released from prison on bail. Pardoning him too would have probably been too much for the public. His pardon will come later.
Insider trading is rampant. Stock prices go up before major announcements all the time and no investigations from the prosecutors office. Almost no convictions for insider trading, I think.
Wonder if the corrupt four former Korean presidents and corrupt business heads did any business together. Robbed the country blind?
South Korea’s Troubling History of Jailing Ex-presidents
Some conglomerate group heads have received more than one pardon. No wonder they act like Trump.
Wonder if Trump will be indicted? Why not? Other countries indict presidents for crimes. Many think that he should have been jailed long ago? He'll probably be pardoned something in the future.
Wonder how vocal pro-Trump GOP members will be when Trump is indicted. It seems the most vocal are the ones that sought pardons.
There are more articles stating that it is likely that JY Lee, the head of Samsung, will be pardoned on 15 August. The articles also claim that due to his conviction, Samsung cannot do M&A deals and prepare large investment plans for the future.
Apparently testing the waters. If there is public outrage, then no pardon. If less outrage than expected, then pardon.
SK 159곳 투자할 때 삼성은 5곳뿐…"JY 사면땐 M&A 재시동" (Translated - While SK invested in 159 companies, Samsung invested in only 5... "If JY Lee is pardoned, M&As will resume")
Republic of Samsung
The pardons were just announced.
Lee Jae-yong: Why did South Korea pardon the Samsung 'prince'?
Heads of Lotte Group, Dongkuk Steel, and STX Group were also pardoned. Lots of business heads convicted of crimes, almost always pardoned. Same with their companies. Fined and barred for bid rigging and such, then re-allowed to resume business.
Samsung heir Lee granted special presidential pardon
Alas, all is not perfect. Time to listen to music. :)
The first two days of flooding saw Prez Yoon plastered on TV news visiting flooded areas, giving orders, stating that all agencies should prevent further flooding, ordering that aid be given, and such.
Reminded me of North Korean news broadcasts on Kim Jong-un. Both walking, looking serious, giving orders and expecting others to be subservient.
Yoon visits flood-hit area in Seoul
Anyway, there are now floods in southern Korea and Yoon is nowhere on TV, for some reason. Yoon will probably not visit the flooded areas in the south, despite the danger of seeming to not care by not visiting.
It seems public opinion is against mostly conservative politicians using the floods for publicity photos, as per their leader.
Would it be wiser to collaborate and team up to develop technology?
Would collaboration waste less resources (people, money, equipment, energy, etc.)?
Would a country that coordinates R&D efforts hold an advantage over ones that didn't?
Maybe a little less competition and a little more collaboration?
Employees are supposed to collaborate, why not companies?
Get compensated according to effort put in and results of those efforts, or split it evenly.
Maybe, form a consortium for companies interested in developing that technology and everyone gets to share the results of the research and development.
Usually when companies need money for R&D, they issue bonds or new shares. The wise ones get the government to give them money and use media to persuade the public with promises of jobs and a good economy.
If governments continue to give money to companies for no return but promises of jobs and good economy, then the poor will continue to be poor. Give the poor bonds or stock in the companies receiving government money. That will definitely help the poor with no loopholes and minimal overhead.
There are many more things wrong with society. Stop believing the media which disproportionately represents the rich and take TIME to THINK about things. Some poor people envy and try to emulate the rich, compounding the problem. Some poor people even think that the rich are smarter and better. Why? Society and peer pressure.
People need to look at things from more than just one perspective. Being slightly poor and being rich both have their advantages and disadvantages.
Why do people envy Chanel handbags and such? Because they probably don't have one. I don't have one and I don't care. But if you are of the opposite sex...
Cartier watches? I have one. Would never buy one. Got it as a gift. Over $6,000 for an electronic movement watch, albeit in gold and steel. The mechanical ones are over $14,000, I think. Used to envy expensive things, not anymore.
Expensive things are not of much use to one who endeavors to be alone. No one to impress. Haven't worn a watch in over a decade, almost two.
Articles are calling for government aid to help Samsung overtake TSMC? Samsung probably has over 100 billion dollars or more on hand.
Also articles claiming that Samsung is rudderless and will probably go down the drain if vice chairman Lee is not pardoned. Since he has a conviction, they say he cannot manage the group properly. Lee has gone on business trips for Samsung all over the world recently.
지금껏 싸운 것도 용하네…삼성, 세제·임금·인력수급 TSMC보다 열악 (Samsung is weaker than TSMC in terms of wages, taxes, and hiring. It's amazing that Samsung managed to compete)
A peer-reviewed study found that cannabis use could lessen the chances of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, considered the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the world.
Lower Rates of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Observed Among Cannabis Users: A Population-Based Study
Study conclusion: "Based on our large database analysis, we found that cannabis use patients were 55% less likely to have HCC compared to patients without cannabis use. Further prospective studies are needed to assess the role of cannabis use on HCC."
The cannabis users group had a higher prevalence of alcohol abuse, smoking history, HBV, HCV, and liver cirrhosis, but still were less likely to get liver cancer!
AR-15s to Be Stored in County Schools to Protect Against Mass Shootings
Geez, instead of 'AR-15s to be banned', it's 'AR-15s to come to your neighborhood school soon'.
Gun manufacturers seem to be banking on weak-minded people, weak government and civil chaos in hopes that everyone will want AR-15s. Why else would they back loonies for congress?
Something seems amiss.
The cops and school police at Uvalde had automatic weapons, armor, bulletproof shields, hazard pay and SWAT, but didn't do anything. What makes them think teachers will turn into heroes with no hazard pay or insurance and use AR-15s to defeat attackers? I thought teachers were paid to teach, not use AR-15s in emergencies.
If people start using bombs/tanks to attack schools, is the solution to have bombs/tanks stored at schools? Duh!
A lot of corporations pushing for lesser government and fewer regulations. Betcha financial institutions and crypto companies want to revoke a lot of regulations, not to mention pharmaceutical companies and conglomerates with enormous political clout.
China threatened to prevent airlines from flying to China, if they used the name Taiwan.
China threatened to cut off diplomatic and trade relations, if countries had diplomatic relations with Taiwan or called it Taiwan.
Now, China is threatening with military force, if important people from other countries visit Taiwan.
Next step? Threaten or sanction people if they visit Taiwan, or call it Taiwan on social networks, like Tiktok?
Ultimate step? Peaceful or forceful. It seems China will cut off Taiwan until a show of force is not needed.
China is a bully and aggressor. Just like Japan, in its imperialist age. Korea does not have free trade with China. Trade to China is restricted by Chinese regulations and government incitement of nationalism. China does not have free trade with other countries. You cannot do business in China unless the company is majority owned by Chinese companies, in the case of online gaming and other selected industries.
China says they have free trade with others, bull. No country has free trade with China. China can export freely to other countries, but other countries cannot freely export to China. There are lots of restrictions..
Curiously, some decades ago, Korea had to expand trade to China due to its reliance on the US and Europe, and escalating trade frictions (anti-dumping, trade imbalances).
Korea allowed US missile defense systems to be installed in Korea and China retaliated by kicking Lotte Group out of China, through use of regulations and nationalism. Tour groups cannot come to Korea, Korean cosmetics and other goods are now shunned by Chinese. Billions, maybe tens of billions in investment losses, not to mention loss of sales.
Then Japan restricted exports of strategic materials to South Korea, officially because we are negotiating with North Korea and cannot be trusted, in reality because of Korea's Supreme Court decisions against Mitsubishi for enslaving Koreans for Japan's war effort.
Apparently, every country is a bully when it comes to their national interest, their politicians or leader's interest. Always be careful, even in personal life. Avoiding people but staying distantly empathetic works for me.
South Korea never took retaliatory actions because it would invite the same from China and worsen the situation. However, Korea has probably taken long term strategic actions, especially in the aftermath of the US's commitment to form a global partnership in semiconductors, excluding Russia and China.
China and Russia used to be undeveloped countries before free trade with the world. They are now taking advantage and bullying other countries. If these bullies grow stronger, will they suddenly become generous and understanding of others? Will their leaders and the people's mentality change?
That was the reasoning in the beginning. I hope it holds true, eventually. With unbiased educations, it could be possible, but with indoctrinated education and autocratic control of media, it might not.
China will continue to back North Korea, Russia and Iran to deflect attention on its own atrocities and violations of civil rights.
Korean Prez Yoon promised to 'get tough' on China and claimed that former President Moon's administration was cowardly towards China. Yoon didn't meet Pelosi for fears of retaliation from China. Then when there was public criticism for no welcoming ceremony for Pelosi at the airport, Yoon's office suddenly stated there would be a meeting, then no meeting, and then a phone call.
[Editorial] Yoon’s clumsy diplomacy adds to confusion with Pelosi
Korea often is hit with smog emanating from China to which China stated 'prove it'. Korea did prove it, but China still does not do anything to reduce air pollution. Very impolite and boisterous neighbors - China, Russia, Japan.
A new Gallup poll shows Yoon's approval rating has fallen to 24%. LOL
No English news articles, but there is a Korean article. Use the translation feature in Chrome or Google.
尹대통령 직무 긍정 24%, 부정 66%…취임 후 최저치 [갤럽]
Yoon says he isn't affected by polls. What a narcissist. Polls reflect public opinion. Doesn't give a damn if people think he is doing bad or wrong things.
Yoon is always claiming that the previous administration did a horrible job. When someone asks a tough question, he just says 'Look at the horrible job the previous administration did'. Someone already ordered spiderweb-like investigations into the previous administration and opposition politicians. Prosecutors already leaking claims of fictional criminality and conspiracies.
Justice Party Calls on President Yoon to Refrain from Political Retaliation
When Yoon speaks to others and to the public, he fails to show mutual respect and manners. It shows contempt and feelings of superiority over others, little does he realize. Makes him seem very arrogant and condescending, ala Trump. Media is hinting that his low approval ratings is due to his advisors, government policies, internal strife in the conservative party, wife, and anything but Yoon. LOL
Put the blame where it is due.
When billions of dollars are given to corporations, universities and others to support development of technologies and industries, shares of the companies or resultant patents should be given to taxpayers.
How? Set up a special purpose company (SPC) for the investment. Have corporations issue new shares at a generous price to the SPC in return for the investment. Then SPC in return issue shares to taxpayers. Using an SPC makes it easier to divide shares for taxpayers.
For example, if the SPC is given a 1% stake, then the SPC can issue new 200 million shares in the SPC to 200 million taxpayers. Just give everyone who pays taxes a share. Don't give more shares to those who pay more taxes. That's not good for wealth redistribution. Think of it as a sort of a bridge to universal income.
Same thing for patents, the SPC signs a contract to receive a share of royalties in return for the investment.
Just don't keep giving money to corporations and giving tax incentives for nothing in return but false promises of JOBS and a good ECONOMY. Hello! Can you hear me? LOL
Samsung plans to have a fully automated semiconductor plant by 2030. Seems contrary to their promise to create tons of jobs. Apparently, the condition 'unless employing people is unprofitable' applies.
The present system of describing dimensions is confusing? Yes?
People say space-time is a dimension. Then people also state that space has three dimensions with time being a fourth dimension. Let's clear this confusion up, people.
Should we describe space-time as a fundamental dimension or base dimension?
If space and time are really one thing, then maybe there are other similar relationships.
Structure-information? If something has structure, there is information.
Energy-life? Where there is life, there is energy.
Life-intelligence? Where there is life, there seems to be intelligence of some sort. Life reacts to environment and survives.
For me, the fundamental dimensions should be energy-life, space-time, structure-information, and maybe some more.
In DNA, scientists find solution to engineering transformative electronics
Engineered DNA assemble carbon nanotubes into the desired structures. The new material could lead to room temperature superconductivity.
A 'nano-robot' built entirely from DNA to explore cell processes
The "nano-robot" is composed of three DNA origami structures and can go around and squeeze individual cells to better understand the molecular mechanisms involved in cell mechanosensitivity and discover new cell receptors sensitive to mechanical forces (blood vessel constriction, pain perception, breathing or even the detection of sound waves in the ear, cancer cell migration, etc.).
That's pretty advanced.
A human's consciousness appears to be a collective consciousness of all or most of the body's cells and maybe some other things (books, environment, accessible information).
While a body's collective consciousness knows what a cell is, does the cell know the body's collective consciousness?
Maybe a universal collective consciousness (or data/knowledge dimension) knows humans, while humans are like a cell?
Yoon's approval rating dropped to 28% despite all the favorable coverage from the mostly conservative Korean media.
Yoon's approval rating sinks below 30 pct amid inflation, controversy over personnel appointments
Korean economy is forecast to grow 2.7%. Media says the economy is doing great. I remember media vehemently argued that around a grow rate of around 2.7% is extremely disappointing and due to the 'bad' economic policies of former President Moon.
Many like Musk and Trump apparently are.
Craving the recognition and attention. The life of the rich and famous.
Craving privacy and solitude, until society catches up? The life of the cognitively consonant.
Overcoming addiction to honey might prove impossible. LOL
Would two teaspoons once every week, or three days be considered an addiction? Hope not, but probably so, in strict terms.
If there is honey, it's hard to skip a day or two without honey with milk and/or tea. Mostly tied to enjoyment and pleasure.
Sugar? Even bacteria and viruses can't eat it raw or in high concentrations. Same with honey.
Soap and shampoo? Mostly made of corrosive and poisonous chemicals. Will probably change a lot in the future. Some cosmetics and hygiene products are already making the change, in terms of marketing and some ingredients.
Re-entered stock market for the time being.
According to a BBC program Animal Einstein (Builder), the intelligence of orangutans was tested before and after they were given human bedding materials.
Orangutans normally build beds in trees using branches and leaves. Their intelligence was tested using images on a touchscreen.
They were then given sheets, pillows, blankets, and other materials. Their quality of sleep was measured through brain waves.
With the given materials, the orangutans were able to achieve a more restful sleep than before and they immediately showed improvements in their intelligence tests.
How does sleep improve intelligence?
Why is sleep needed? Probably many reasons, as eerily stated before.
The BBC program proposes that better sleep led to higher intelligence. Monkey, chimps, orangutans built hammocks or beds in trees and slept better. They learned to build better beds and hammocks, some with roofs to protect from rain. Got more intelligent.