It seems to me that an app developer is well within their rights to charge a commission based on what the market demands.  No one is forcing these restaurant owners to use their app service.  The owners could always take the time to learn app development themselves:

Kim Seong-ah, a 27-year-old fashion designer, loved the idea of ordering food through an app without having to leave her couch.

But she had an unsatisfactory experience with one service six months ago. Her meal from the franchise Nene Chicken, one of the choices on the app she was using, was late and the portion was smaller than what she gets when she orders from the company directly by phone.

When Kim spoke to her friends and her brother, she discovered that they had had similar experiences. She found clues on why from various news articles, which reported that some merchants deliberately provide a poorer service for app users in order to make up for the losses incurred by the fees the platforms levy.

The country’s top three food-delivery apps – Baedal Minjok, Yogiyo and Baedaltong – charge restaurant owners between 2.5 percent to 12.5 percent of commission per order.

The flare-up over the app-based delivery system is the latest testament to the fact that advanced technology meant to increase convenience can cause unexpected consequences for different parties.

In this case, the controversy stems from the fact that the apps have come up with their own charges without seeking a fair agreement with users and restaurants, critics say.  [Joong Ang Ilbo]

You can read the rest at the link, but restaurant owners now want the Korean government to get involved to force a fair fee for the app developers’ services.  If the customers keep getting poor products from app ordering then they will go back to using the telephone thus decreasing the demand for the app.  This is what would naturally force the app developers to drop their prices without government intervention.

How strong is the U.S.-Japan relationship? http://t.co/pnMHPI6Avf pic.twitter.com/mG7bdw76Zq

— Foreign Policy (@ForeignPolicy) April 15, 2015

A foreign runner is cheered by North Korean spectators during an annual marathon in Pyongyang on April 12, 2015, in this photo released by the North’s Korean Central News Agency. The marathon, which drew about 650 foreigners, was held as one of the events marking the 103rd birth anniversary of North Korea’s founder Kim Il-sung, which falls on April 15. (Yonhap)

It is going to be hard for President Park to launch an anti-corruption campaign in the wake of the Sewol ferry boat tragedy when the people around her that are supposed to implement it are all taking bribes if the allegations are true:

Sung, the chairman of Keangnam Enterprises, died in an apparent suicide after leaving the list.

Although President Park ordered the prosecution to conduct a thorough investigation into the graft scandal, Sunday, Cheong Wa Dae has refrained from commenting on the issue.

In a bid to fight corruption, she vowed again Thursday that anyone who is found to be involved in any illicit activities will face the consequences without exception.

Park’s biggest political hurdle would appear to be the besieged prime minister, because Lee is leading the government’s ambitious anti-corruption campaign.

The Kyunghyang Shinmun, which interviewed Sung hours before his death, reported Tuesday that the businessman said he had given Lee 30 million won ($27,000) during the 2013 by-elections, when Lee ran for a parliamentary seat representing Buyeo, South Chungcheong Province.

Park has set her sights on fighting graft as part of strengthening her control because the April 16, 2014 sinking of the ferry Sewol, which hit her administration hard, was blamed on collusive ties between ferry operators, regulators and politicians.

In addition, Park’s plans to reform the debt-heavy pension system for civil servants and the stiff labor market are also expected to hit a snag amid intensifying political attacks from opposition parties. The processing of economy-related bills pending before the National Assembly is also not on the cards in the short-term.  [Korea Times]

You can read the rest at the link, but I don’t understand why the Korean politicians don’t just legalize bribery and just call it campaign contributions like how the US political system works.

So does anyone disagree with the rankings on this list?:

Playboy has picked 11 hottest Korean women, with Miss Korea-turned-actress Lee Ha-nui topping the list.

Social consumer website Ranker listed the 11 Korean celebrities based on 1,300 online votes.

Lee, better known as Honey Lee, made her debut when she won the 2006 Miss Korea beauty contest. She has since been regarded in the nation’s sexiest icon.

Lee has also starred in several movies, including “Tazza: The Hidden Card,” which was released last year.

Sexy diva Lee Hyo-ri took second place. Since debuting as a member of pop girl group Fin. K.L. in 1998, she has gained nationwide popularity as one of the hottest singers. But she has kept a low profile after marrying in 2013.

Actress Kim Sa-rang third. She is famous for starring in the drama “Secret Garden.”  [Korea Times]

You can read the rest at the link, but Lee Hyo-ri is still my favorite.

Is China getting ready to pull off a “Crimea” like scenario in Asia?

Applicants walk out of an exam venue after taking the Samsung Aptitude Test (SSAT) on April 12, 2015, at Dankook University High School in Seoul. Samsung’s recruitment has become a seasonal phenomenon among recent university graduates in South Korea, as some 100,000 applicants try out every semester to be employed at the world’s top smartphone maker and its affiliates. (Yonhap)

So who thinks the North Koreans would actually being doing us all a favor if they detained these people?:

The United States on Monday reiterated a warning against traveling to North Korea as dozens of American and other activists plan to walk across the heavily fortified inter-Korean border in an effort to promote peace on the divided peninsula.

About 30 female activists from around the world, including American activist Gloria Steinem and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mairead Maguire from Ireland, plan to march from North Korea to the South via the demilitarized zone (DMZ) that bisects the two Koreas to mark the May 24 International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament.

They say they hope to help unite Korean families separated by the border, reduce military tensions between the two Koreas, and help ultimately end the Korean War by replacing the 1953 Armistice Agreement with a permanent peace treaty.  [Yonhap]

You can read more at the link, but the North Koreans won’t detain these people because they are useful idiots for the Kim regime.  As usual these people justify their actions by saying they are trying to promote peace.  It looks to me like they are more concerned about promoting themselves.

I don’t think too many world leaders would want to have a photo op with Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un; so I can’t blame President Park for turning down this invitation:

South Korean President Park Geun-hye is not expected to attend Russia’s World War II victory anniversary celebration next month, an event North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is scheduled to show up at.

Instead, Park will dispatch a special envoy to Moscow, the ruling Saenuri Party’s Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun, South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday.

There was anticipation of a possible summit between the North and South Korean leaders at the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II on May 9 should Park have chosen to accept the Kremlin’s invitation.

Russia invited world leaders, including Park and Kim, to the event last December. North Korea’s Kim accepted the invitation last month, according to Russian officials.

Kim, should he visit Russia next month for the event, would be embarking on his first foreign trip after succeeding his father in December 2011. It would mark the first time a North Korean leader did not visit China as his first overseas destination.  [Joong Ang Ilbo]

You can read the rest at the link.

What would a President Hillary mean for Asia?