Today's Date:  Friday, September 07, 2012

1. ECONOMIC ISSUES

Korea's Credit Rating Now Safer Than Japan's[Korean, OYS]

http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2012/09/07/2012090700639.html

Korea's sovereign credit rating has risen above Japan's for the first time. Fitch, one of the top three largest credit rating firms, upgraded Korea's sovereign  credit rating by one notch from A+ to AA-, it said Thursday.  The upgrade came 10 days after fellow ratings firm Moody's raised Korea's rating to Aa3, the highest the country has had so far. AA-, is the fourth-highest credit rating out of Fitch's 21 and on a par with Moody's Aa3.
Now Korea ranks one notch above Japan's and China's A+.

2. MARKETING ISSUES

Gov’t to Further Restrict Advertisement and Sales Outlets of Alcohol Beverages [Korean, OSY]

http://www.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=2012090539091

Summary: Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on September 5 that it would submit a revision draft of ‘Public Health Improvement Act’ to the national assembly soon, which would further restrict advertisement and sales outlets of alcohol beverages.  If the Act is revised as proposed by the Ministry, advertisement of alcohol beverages on TV will be additionally banned before and after of programs rated for watching by juveniles.  Current regulation bans TV ads of alcohol beverages between 7 a.m. through 10:00 p.m.  Alcohol ads on Internet and digital mobile TV will also be subject to the same level of restrictions as TV.   Alcohol ads will be banned on outdoor sign boards and on public transportation sites such as buses and airports.  Sales and consumption of alcohol beverages will be banned in schools, campuses, and hospitals. 

Emart Launches ‘Half Price Cola’ … Private Brand Product Imported from the U.S. [Korean, OSY]

http://www.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=2012090672581

Summary: Emart, the leading hypermarket grocery chain in Korea, announced on September 6 that it had launched a ‘half priced cola beverage’ sourced directly from an American supplier.  Emart said the retail price of the “Best Cola” is set at 400 won per 355 ml can, 33 percent lower than current retail price of Coca-Cola in the store.  The supplier of this cola is Cote USA, one of the largest private brand beverage bottler in the world.

3. OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES

Spain’s food, culture are catching on in Korea[Korean, OYS]

http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2958557

Spanish food is replacing Koreans’ longtime favorite dining options. They include chicken steak, far left, of Roscoco. Marriott Executive Apartments in Yeouido, central Seoul, is offering a Spanish promotion with paella, center, as one of them. The Spain Club, which has branches in Gangnam, southern Seoul, and Hongdae, central Seoul, offers tapas with mushrooms