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(Bloomberg) -- Koo Cha-kyung, the LG Group former chairman who helped his father's nascent cosmetics business grow into one of South Korea's biggest conglomerates, has died. Koo died Saturday at 10 a.m. of a chronic ailment, LG said in a statement, without providing details. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- North Korea may increase provocations in the run-up to Christmas by testing an engine for its intercontinental ballistic missiles, Chosun Ilbo reported, citing an unidentified South Korean military official. North Korea's next provocation "could be testing an ICBM engine under Kim Jong Un's presence or firing a SLBM", the report cited the official as saying, referring to a submarine-launched ballistic missile. [Extracted from the article]

Trump Downplays North Korea Missile Tests, Says Kim "Too Smart" (Bloomberg) -- President Donald Trump downplayed Pyongyang's latest actions, including missile tests, saying North Korean leader Kim Jong Un "is too smart and has far too much to lose" if he acts in a hostile way toward the U.S. When new images showed that the North was rebuilding a long-range rocket site at the Sohae facility, just days after the summit collapse, Trump said he'd be very disappointed in Kim if it's true. [Extracted from the article]

North Korea Conducted "Very Important" Test at Rocket Site (Bloomberg) -- North Korea said it conducted a "very important test" at its long-range projectile launch site on Saturday, as the country declared denuclearization is off the negotiating table with the U.S. When new images showed that the North was rebuilding a long-range rocket site at the Sohae facility, just days after the summit collapse, Trump said he'd be very disappointed in Kim if it's true. [Extracted from the article]

North Korea Says It Conducted "Very Important" Test (Bloomberg) -- North Korea carried out a "very important test" at its Sohae satellite launch site, the official Korean Central News Agency said. A state-run defense science institute, which carried out the test on Saturday afternoon, reported its "successful outcome" to the ruling party's central committee, KCNA said in a statement Sunday, without elaborating on what was conducted. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. President Donald Trump and his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in said talks involving North Korea should continue, referring to the situation on the peninsula as grave. A satellite image from Thursday showed activity at North Korea's Sohae Launch Facility, which leader Kim Jong Un had once said he dismantled in a concession to Trump. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Kim Jong Un's uncle has returned to North Korea after quitting his job as the isolated nation's ambassador to the Czech Republic, Yonhap News reported, citing lawmakers. Pyong Il was once considered a potential successor of his brother, but he's been distant from power since moving out of the country in 1988 to take an ambassador job in Hungary, the report said. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Top South Korean and Japanese diplomats will likely meet on the sidelines of a gathering of Asian and European foreign ministers later this month to discuss a resolution to a year-long dispute, Yonhap News reported. Kang and Motegi last met in late November, just hours after Seoul temporarily and conditionally suspended a termination of the military information pact with Japan. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- The Seoul Central District Court will Monday open a hearing on ride-hailing provider Tada, Yonhap News said, amid criticism of the company from traditional taxi services and allegations its operations break Korean law. In October, however, prosecutors indicted Park Jae-wook, chief executive of Tada service provider VCNC Inc., and Lee Jae-woong, the head of its parent SoCar, for allegedly violating the passenger transport service act. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- South Korea's exports, a closely watched bellweather for world trade, fell more than expected in November, dealing a blow to nascent optimism that a prolonged slump in global demand may be bottoming out. Shipments to China dropped 12.2% in November from a year earlier, reflecting slowing growth in the world's second largest economy and South Korea's biggest export destination. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Japan and South Korea agreed Saturday to work toward a summit between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Moon Jae-in next month -- a breakthrough that came a day after the last-minute rescue of a military pact between the two nations. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and her Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi agreed to co-ordinate the summit on the sidelines of a trilateral meeting with China, a Japanese official told reporters. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha is set to meet her Japanese counterpart Saturday, less than 24 hours after Seoul reversed a decision to sever a military information pact with its neighbor. Japan said all such issues were settled under a 1965 treaty, while South Korea said the treaty didn't cover emotional pain and suffering. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Japan and South Korea struck a last-minute deal to rescue their expiring intelligence-sharing pact, after a high-powered push from the Trump administration averted a blow to U.S. efforts to strengthen its Asian alliance network. The pact was set to formally cease to exist at 12 a.m. Saturday, three months after South Korea moved to end the deal amid a history-laden dispute with Japan. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Japan and South Korea struck a last-minute deal to rescue their expiring intelligence-sharing pact, after a high-powered push from the Trump administration averted a blow to U.S. efforts to strengthen its Asian alliance network. The pact was set to formally cease to exist at 12 a.m. Saturday, three months after South Korea moved to end the deal amid a history-laden dispute with Japan. Esper and Pompeo faced the difficult task of asking South Korea to compromise with Japan, while carrying Trump's demands for a five-fold increase in military funding. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Japan and South Korea struck a last-minute deal to save their expiring intelligence-sharing pact, potentially averting a blow to U.S. efforts to strengthen its Asian alliance network. Esper and Pompeo faced the difficult task of asking South Korea to compromise with Japan, while carrying Trump's demands for a five-fold increase in military funding. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Japan and South Korea made a last-minute deal to save their expiring intelligence-sharing pact, broadcaster NHK reported, potentially averting a blow to U.S. efforts to strengthen its Asian alliance network. South Korea was looking to extend the deal under the condition that Japan moves toward lifting its export curbs on the country, the Yonhap News Agency of South Korea reported without citing its source. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Japan and South Korea made a last-minute deal to save their expiring intelligence-sharing pact, broadcaster NHK reported. The pact was set to formally cease to exist at 12 a.m. Saturday, three months after South Korea moved to end the deal amid a history-laden dispute with Japan. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Japan and South Korea made a last-ditch effort to save their expiring intelligence pact, after the Trump administration pressed its two allies to prevent their feud from dealing a lasting blow to the U.S.'s regional security network. Meanwhile, China has moved to improve relations with both Japan and South Korea as the two U.S. allies come under pressure from Trump on trade and security costs. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- North Korea has ruled out any denuclearization talks with the U.S. unless Washington lifts its "hostile policies" against the regime, according to the Asian nation's state-run media. "Even if talks between North Korea and the U.S. occur in the future, we will never discuss the nuclear issue unless the U.S. first puts forth proposals to withdraw its hostile policies against us, with an aim to improve our relations", the Korean Central News Agency reported Sunday, citing a foreign ministry spokesman. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- The defense chiefs of South Korea and Japan discussed a potential extension of their bilateral military intelligence-sharing pact at a meeting in Bangkok, but only at an "in principle" level, Yonhap reported. Jeong and Japanese Defense chief Taro Kono will meet their American counterpart Mark Esper later on Sunday in Bangkok. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Defense Secretary Mark Esper said during a visit to South Korea that Seoul needed to contribute more to host U.S. troops, after President Donald Trump has asked one of America's most important military allies to quintuple its current payment. The Pentagon boss was also pushing South Korea to keep alive an intelligence-sharing pact with Japan that Seoul is set to let expire on Nov. 23 due to friction with its neighbor. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Defense Secretary Mark Esper arrives in South Korea Thursday to a host of strains on one of America's most important military alliances, including a demand from President Donald Trump to pay about five times more to host U.S. troops. Seoul has also reiterated its plans to terminate the intelligence-sharing pact, a move the U.S. says could hurt it, South Korea and Japan. Esper lands in Seoul with Trump demanding South Korea pay about $5 billion for the privilege of hosting U.S. troops, about five times more than current levels. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Defense Secretary Mark Esper arrives in South Korea Thursday to a host of strains on one of America's most important military alliances, including a demand from President Donald Trump to pay about five times more to host U.S. troops. Seoul has also reiterated its plans to terminate the intelligence-sharing pact, a move the U.S. says could hurt it, South Korea and Japan. Esper lands in Seoul with Trump demanding South Korea pay about $5 billion for the privilege of hosting U.S. troops, about five times more than current levels. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in -- swept into office on a vow to clean up government after his predecessor was ousted for graft -- wanted a prosecutor who wouldn't hesitate to go after the most powerful. Almost immediately after being appointed as the nation's chief prosecutor in July, Yoon launched a series of probes that have rocked Moon's two-year-old administration. In remarks that take on new significance in light of Yoon's subsequent investigations, Moon urged the incoming chief prosecutor in July not to shy away from inquiries involving his own administration. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- South Korea reiterated its plans to terminate a military intelligence-sharing pact with Japan, a symbolic deal between the two major U.S. allies. The report followed Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha's comments at parliament earlier in the day, where she said the decision "disappointed" the U.S., and Seoul would reconsider the termination of the pact if Japan cancels its July move to restrict exports to South Korea. Japan, which says all such claims were settled under a 1965 treaty, responded with tighter checks on exports to South Korea, citing national security concerns. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- South Korea's corporate watchdog is looking into unfair inter-subsidiary transactions of mid-sized enterprises, reported Yonhap News. The anti-trust watchdog has been cracking down on undue intra-group transactions that favor companies owned by the founding family members of large conglomerates, which can frequently be intended to facilitate ownership succession. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- The U.S. and South Korea will suspend a planned air-power military drill for the second straight year to avoid increasing tensions with North Korea while denuclearization talks between Washington and Pyongyang are stalled, Yonhap News reported, citing an unidentified official. North Korean and American officials met in Stockholm in October for their first direct nuclear negotiations in eight months but the talks broke down with a disagreement over what was discussed. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in may replace his prime minister as part of a cabinet reshuffle ahead of the general election in April, Chosun Ilbo reported. In October, Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon's office denied a media report that he may offer to resign to return to the ruling party for the election. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Japan's largest clothing maker Fast Retailing Co. suspended a TV commercial in South Korea which angered consumers, the Kookmin Ilbo newspaper reported. The commercial was withdrawn from Uniqlo's Youtube account and TV networks, the paper said, citing a company official. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- South Korean trade officials will discuss the country's developing-nation status at the World Trade Organization with American counterparts this week, Yonhap News Agency reported. In July, Trump accused some countries that are among the world's richest economies of abusing the WTO's developing-nation status. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- South Korea will task a new pan-government team to foster biotechnology into one of the country's next growth engines, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki. The government plans to announce the set of policies to support the biotech industry within six months, Hong said, according to Yonhap. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- South Korea's economic growth may miss the government's target of 2.4% to 2.5% this year, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing the finance minister. Hong said he expects economic growth next year to be slightly above the 2.2% and 2.3% projected by IMF and OECD, respectively, Yonhap reported. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. officials proposed a long-term plan to help North Korea construct a tourist area in return for denuclearization during recent working-level talks in Stockholm, Hankook Ilbo newspaper reported. U.S. negotiators prepared plans on the development of the Kalma tourist area, the paper said, citing an unidentified senior South Korean diplomat familiar with the talks in Stockholm. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- A group of South Korean students broke into the residence of American ambassador Harry Harris on Friday, in a protest against Donald Trump's campaign to get the Asian nation to pay more for U.S. military support. After the incident, Seoul police dispatched 80 more officers to beef up security of the envoy's home, according to Yonhap. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Three years ago, South Korea's Moon Jae-in was among the masses in the streets of Seoul seeking to oust a president accused of ignoring the people's will. The conservative opposition -- struggling since Moon helped impeach former President Park Geun-hye in 2016 -- has climbed level with the ruling Democratic Party in opinion polls. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- South Korean economy is neither facing a crisis nor does it have risks of deflation as some analysts have suggested, said Lee Ho-seung, a top presidential aide for economy, according to Yonhap News Agency. Lee also said that "it's very risky an attitude to say conclusively that the local economy has already entered a deflation phase", reported Yonhap. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- South Korea's Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon will travel to Japan next week for the Emperor's enthronement ceremony, the first high-level visit by a Korean official after a history and trade dispute re-emerged in recent months. South Korea later terminated a U.S.-endorsed intelligence-sharing pact with Japan, while a citizen-driven "Don't Go, Don't Buy" campaign against Japan intensified. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- South Korean authorities said African swine fever was detected in two more dead wild boar near the inter-Korean border area, raising the tally to five, Yonhap News Agency reported. Kim Jong Un May Be Hiding a Hog Apocalypse From the World. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- North Korea warned Japan of undesirable consequences if its longtime adversary continues to interfere with its vessels, days after Tokyo sent fishermen back to the country following a collision in Japanese waters. The vessel suddenly turned while being warned off by a Japanese ship Monday around the Yamato Bank, one of the richest fishing grounds in Japan's exclusive economic zone, Agriculture Minister Taku Eto told reporters. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- South Korean authorities have detected the African swine fever virus in two more dead wild boar within the inter-Korean border area, the Ministry of Environment said in a statement. Earlier this month, the government found the virus in the carcass of one of the animals in the demilitarized zone bordering North Korea. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- North Korea sent a group of working-level officials to Dandong, China, last week to prepare for a possible visit by its leader Kim Jong Un, according to South Korean newspaper Dong-A Ilbo. The working-level talks will be the first in about eight months and come as North Korea has been pushing the Trump administration to ease sanctions choking its economy, while increasing its bargaining leverage through military provocations. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses business failures, political scandals and corruption and the economic downturn in South Korea during 2016, including the influence that chaebol had on impeached South Korean President Park Geun-hye. Employment in South Korea, including the earnings of temporary employees in the country, is discussed.

The article discusses the impact that a scandal involving the South Korean President Park Geun Hye has on South Korea's economy, which include allegations that she allowed her friend Choi Soon Sil to meddle in government. An overview of public opinion polls in South Korea on Park Geun Hye is provided.

President's support declines for sixth straight week to 62% Support for South Korean President Moon Jae-in fell to the lowest level since he took office last year, in the latest sign of popular dissatisfaction with his economic policies. He has pledged to advance deregulation and earlier this week created a new secretary post to support small business owners. [Extracted from the article]

North Korea released the remains of some U.S. war dead on the 65th anniversary of the armistice, the White House said, marking the first tangible outcome of President Donald Trump's summit with Kim Jong Un and signaling progress in broader nuclear talks. The exchange on the historic anniversary follows Kim's vow during his June 12 meeting with Trump to facilitate the "immediate repatriation" of identified remains. [Extracted from the article]

When South Korean President Moon Jae-in was greeted with four deep bows from de facto Samsung Group chief Jay Y. Lee earlier this month in India, the footage quickly went viral back home. Lee was also the most high-profile executive embroiled in a influence-peddling scandal that brought down former South Korean President Park Geun-hye in 2016 and spurred Moon to an election win on a promise to rein in the well-connected chaebol. [Extracted from the article]

Support for South Korean President Moon Jae-in fell by the most since he took power last year, after a minimum-wage increase that drew criticism from employers and workers alike. All nine employer representatives on the 27-seat minimum wage commission boycotted the Saturday vote to approve the increase. [Extracted from the article]

South Korean air force scrambled fighter jets, issued warning Two Russian military planes flew into South Korea's Air Defense Identification Zone four times on Friday, the Korean military said. [Extracted from the article]

Trump attached copies of a July 6 letter from Kim lauding the U.S. leader's "energetic and extraordinary efforts" and expressing "invariable trust and confidence" in his ability to advance talks. "A very nice note from Chairman Kim of North Korea", Trump said. [Extracted from the article]

American officials stood up by North Korea at border While the details are unclear, a setback on talks over the remains wouldn't bode well for broader negotiations about North Korea's nuclear program. [Extracted from the article]