yna--2020-08-19--(3rd LD) Spike in church infections grips greater Seoul, gov't warns of stern response

While infections were reported at various other facilities , including several other churches in the capital , the majority of @ @ @ @ @ to Sarang Jeil Church in northern Seoul .
Its pastor Jun Kwang-hoon has led anti-government @ @ @ @ @ most recent large-scale demonstration held in Gwanghwamun on Saturday , thousands of people chanted slogans @ @ @ @ @ another .

(ATTN: UPDATES details in paras 6-8)
By Lee Minji
SEOUL, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- A continued surge in church-related infections put the greater Seoul area on edge Wednesday, prompting the government to consider tougher measures against a church at the center of the COVID-19 resurgence.
South Korea reported 297 new infections, the largest number of cases since early March, which has raised the country's total caseload to 16,058, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
A civil servant working at Seoul City Hall was confirmed to be infected with the virus. City authorities closed the main building for disinfection work.
Later in the day, at least 16 students at a sports facility tested positive, though infection routes are unclear. Authorities are looking into the possibility of the virus spreading at other such facilities or schools connected to the students.
While infections were reported at various other facilities, including several other churches in the capital, the majority of the recent infections were tied to Sarang Jeil Church in northern Seoul. Its pastor Jun Kwang-hoon has led anti-government street rallies. In the most recent large-scale demonstration held in Gwanghwamun on Saturday, thousands of people chanted slogans, sitting close to one another.
Health workers test a visitor at a temporary screening center set up at Kumnan Church in eastern Seoul on Aug. 19, 2020, after a church member who tested positive for the new coronavirus was found to have visited Sarang Jeil Church. (Yonhap)
The number of cases linked to Sarang Jeil Church reached 623 as of noon, according to the KCDC.
Jun himself has tested positive, and health authorities are screening church members and demonstrators based on a list submitted by the church. The list, however, has turned out to be inaccurate, raising concerns over infected people unconsciously spreading the virus across the country.
"The screening tests have not yet been completed as the church has not submitted an accurate list amid concerns of a nationwide spread," Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said in a daily government response meeting.
"At the moment, it's a fight against time," he said, "The Seoul city government should closely cooperate with the prosecution and police to push for legal means, such as a compulsive administrative inspection to secure (an accurate) list."
A view of Sarang Jeil Church in the northern Seoul ward of Seongbuk on Aug. 17, 2020 (Yonhap)
Chung emphasized that the government will take stern action, such as filing a compensation suit, against those who disturb ongoing screening tests and epidemiological studies.
The city government, which has filed a criminal complaint against Jun, said it plans to also file suits against individuals for "wasting administrative resources and budget by evading, lying or disobeying during screening and tracing procedures," acting Mayor Seo Jeong-hyup said in a press briefing.
Seo also imposed an order for all Seoul residents who attended rallies in Gwanghwamun on Aug. 8 and 15 to be tested for the virus. Demonstrators who later test positive will face up to 3 million won (US$2,534) in fines for breaking the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, he said.
Police, meanwhile, mobilized more than 8,500 officers to trace Sarang Jeil Church members who remain unaccounted for. Of the church's estimated 4,000 members, 3,200 are under quarantine and 2,500 have been tested. Some 800, however, have yet to be located.
The prime minister, however, said South Korea is not yet at the stage of considering Level Three social distancing, which would impose stricter anti-infection measures compared with the current Level Two scheme.
"Raising (the social distancing level) to Level Three, which would ban meetings of 10 or more people, would substantially shock the citizens' lives and economy," he said. "The priority now should be to block the current situation from developing into one that calls for Level Three."
Thousands of people attend an anti-government rally in central Seoul on Aug. 15, 2020. (Yonhap)
A police officer who was dispatched to the Liberation Day rally site is tested for the new coronavirus at a screening center set up at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in central Seoul on Aug. 19, 2020. (Yonhap)
In addition to raising the social distancing level by one notch over the weekend, the government on Tuesday announced a decision to prohibit churches in Seoul and nearby areas from carrying out all in-person activities.
Under the current social distancing measure, indoor gatherings of 50 or more people and outdoor events of 100 or more people are also prohibited, while citizens are advised to stay at home except on necessary occasions.
In Seoul, 12 types of high-risk facilities, including 5,134 nightlife facilities, 7,735 karaoke facilities and internet cafes, as well as 402 private sector education institutions with 300 or more students, have been suspended until further notice.
The Level Three calls for restrictions on all outdoor activities except for essential social and economic purposes. Gatherings of 10 or more people are not permitted, and all sports events are suspended.
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-19--Coupang warehouse workers take virus tests after 3 cases found

Health authorities found more than 100 people , including those who used the same bus as the cleaner to commute @ @ @ @ @ who shared the changing room with him inside the building , and required them to @ @ @

INCHEON, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- More than 100 workers at a logistics center run by South Korea's e-commerce giant Coupang underwent coronavirus tests Wednesday after an outsourced worker was found to have contracted the virus, officials said.
A cleaner in his 60s, who works at a Coupang warehouse in Incheon, west of Seoul, tested positive for COVID-19, prompting the company to close and disinfect the facility, according to Incheon city officials. He is among three new COVID-19 cases detected in the city Wednesday.
Health authorities were testing more than 100 warehouse workers, including those who used the same bus with the cleaner to commute to work or shared the changing room with him inside the building.
The results were not immediately available.
Since May, more than 150 cases have been linked to one of Coupang's major warehouses near Seoul.
This photo taken June 24, 2020, shows a logistics center of South Korea's e-commerce giant, Coupang, located in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, that was shut down after one of its employees was found to have contracted COVID-19. (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-08-19--Busan city toughens virus control measures as infection cases spike

Under the new measures , kindergartens and 326 schools shifted to online classes and they have to keep the number @ @ @ @ @ down to no more than one third of the whole class , except for high @ @ @ @ @ numbers under two-thirds .

BUSAN, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) --- The city government of Busan tightened measures Wednesday to stem the coronavirus as the country's second largest city saw a spike in infections.
All in-person events and gatherings at religious facilities, other than regular worship services, are now banned under an administrative order starting Wednesday, Acting Busan Mayor Byun Seong-wan told an online press briefing.
Busan, home to about 3.4 million people, reported 14 additional cases of COVID-19 infection on the day, the second-highest number after the 22 reported in late February, when the infection cases were swelling nationwide.
Busan's cumulative number of infected patients came to 241.
People wait in a line to get tested for the coronavirus at a public health center in Busan on Aug. 18, 2020. (Yonhap)
Under the new measures, kindergartens and 326 schools shifted to online classes and they have to keep the number of students in each class down to no more than one third of the whole class, except for high schools that will maintain the numbers under two-thirds.
A separate administrative order was issued for all vessels entering or docking at two major ports in Busan from Russia and the six other countries subject to stronger infection control measures. They are required to install an electronic register, also known as the quick response (QR) code system.
The law enforcement authorities in the city bolstered monitoring on door-to-door sales companies to see if they follow health guidelines and plan to file a criminal complaint against any one found to violate the rule.
The measures came as church-related infections in the greater Seoul area have continued to surge in the past several days, prompting the central government to strengthen social distancing and limit indoor and outdoor gatherings.
Of the new cases reported in Busan Wednesday, one was found to be tied to the Sarang Jeil Church in northern Seoul, the latest infection cluster driving the country into a resurgence of the outbreak with three-digit daily infections reported for the past week.
Two other cases were traced to the massive anti-government rallies held by conservative groups in central Seoul on the weekend.
Across the country, South Korea added 297 more virus cases on Wednesday, the largest figure since early March as infection traced to churches in the greater Seoul area continued to swell. The total caseload stood at 16,058.
Acting Busan Mayor Byun Seong-wan announces tougher virus control measures during an online press briefing on Aug. 19, 2020, in this photo provided by the Busan metropolitan city. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-08-19--Doctors to push forward with nationwide strike despite COVID-19 surge

`` The government suggested the opening all possibilities ( for talks ) , but doctors insisted on scrapping the reform @ @ @ @ @ take place , '' the policymaker said .
He said Seoul is still open to @ @ @ @ @ in medical services offered in rural areas , and hinted that the health ministry can @ @ @ @ @ proposal in future negotiations with doctors .

SEOUL, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- South Korean doctors vowed to move forward with their nationwide strike planned for next week, despite a spike in the number of new coronavirus cases, the country's medical association said Wednesday.
The announcement came after Health and Welfare Minister Park Neunghoo and Korea Medical Association (KMA) chief Choi Dae-zip made little headway in their talks in Seoul earlier the day, the doctors' group said.
The KMA had said its members will stage a walkout from Aug. 26 through Aug. 28 to protest the government's medical reform plan. This follows a one-day strike carried out last Friday, which marked the third major walkout in the past two decades, after those in 2000 and 2014.
Park said after the talks that that there were differences in views.
"The government suggested the opening all possibilities (for talks), but doctors insisted on scrapping the reform plan before any discussions can take place," the policymaker said. He said Seoul is still open to finding ways to ease disparity in medical services offered in rural areas, and hinted that the health ministry can discuss making adjustments to its proposal in future negotiations with doctors.
Health and Welfare Minister Park Neunghoo (L) and Korea Medical Association president Choi Dae-zip hold talks in Seoul on Aug. 19, 2020, seeking middle ground on the government's medical sector reform plan. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
The ministry said every effort will still be made to hold talks going forward to iron out differences.
Local doctors have strongly opposed plans to raise admission quotas at medical schools, claiming that increasing the number of new doctors will only lead to more competition and hurt the quality of treatment. They also argued that increasing the number of doctors will not help ease regional disparities in medical infrastructure.
Seoul said it wants to increase the number of doctors to improve weak medical infrastructure in rural areas, as well as better cope with pandemics, such as COVID-19, which is not likely to end soon and may continue to pose health challenges.
Under the new medical workforce program, the health ministry is planning to expand admission quotas at medical schools by 4,000 over the next 10 years starting in 2022, and open a new public medical school. This scheme will increase the number of students admitted annually to medical schools to 3,458 in the 2022-2031 period from the current 3,058.
Regarding the talks, the KMA said in a statement released after the two hour meeting that both sides only repeated their previously held positions. It said under such circumstances the strike will proceed as planned.
"It is regrettable that even with some 2,700 medical students threatening to boycott the state licensing exam, and many trainee doctors, such as interns and residents, submitting their resignations, the government is not changing its stance," a KMA spokesperson said.
Participants at a doctors' strike in Busan, 453 kilometers southeast of Seoul, demand the scrapping of the government medical reform plan, on Aug. 14, 2020. (Yonhap)
The breakup in talks comes as South Korea reported 297 new infections, the largest number of cases since early March, which has raised the country's total caseload to 16,058, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Infections were reported at various facilities, including several churches in the capital,
Reflecting the increase, the government raised the social distancing level by one notch over the weekend and on Tuesday announced a decision to prohibit churches in Seoul and nearby areas from carrying out all in-person activities.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-19--(LEAD) Unification minister calls for China's 'constructive' role in resumption of inter-Korean talk

(LEAD) Unification minister calls for China's 'constructive' role in resumption of inter-Korean talks

`` Now , inter-Korean relations have been in a stalemate for quite a long time but we believe that under @ @ @ @ @ and therefore our government wants to make much efforts to put inter-Korean dialogue back on @ @ @ @ @ at the start of the meeting .

(ATTN: ADDS more info in paras 7-8)
By Koh Byung-joon
SEOUL, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- Unification Minister Lee In-young called Wednesday for China to play a "constructive" role in the resumption of inter-Korean dialogue and to help bring permanent peace and stability to the Korean Peninsula.
Lee made the remark during his first meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Seoul Xing Haiming after his inauguration last month, underlining the need for the two countries to cooperate with North Korea in tackling the coronavirus pandemic.
"Now, inter-Korean relations have been in a stalemate for quite a long time but we believe that under any circumstances dialogue should continue and therefore our government wants to make much efforts to put inter-Korean dialogue back on track," Lee said at the start of the meeting.
"The Chinese government has expressed its support for dialogue between the South and the North and between the North and the United States. Our government highly appraises the Chinese government's efforts and expects it to continue to cooperate going forward," he added.
Inter-Korean relations have been stalled since the no-deal nuclear summit between the North and the U.S. early last year. The ties got worse recently when North Korea blew up a joint liaison office in its border town of Kaesong in anger over anti-Pyongyang leaflets flown from the South.
Lee said that the geographical proximity of the two Koreas and China makes it necessary for the three countries to cooperate against the global coronavirus pandemic, saying they should make joint efforts in the face of such public health threats in the region.
Lee also called on China to support his plans to "develop inter-Korean relations into a peaceful, economic and biotic community" through humanitarian cooperation and small-scale trade, the ministry said in a statement after the meeting.
Since taking office, Lee has pushed for the bartering of rice and medicine from the South for mineral water from the North as a "creative" way to avoid violating sanctions on the North while expanding cross-border exchanges.
Xing expressed Beijing's "firm" and "unwavering" support for denuclearization, peace and eventual reunification on the Korean Peninsula, which he said would benefit not just the people here but the people in China.
The ambassador also said that inter-Korean relations are important but no less important is to move forward the stalled relations between the U.S. and North Korea, saying that they should go hand-in-hand and that Beijing will provide support to make it happen.
Wednesday's meeting came a day after Lee met with U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Harry Harris and discussed their joint approach to North Korea policy.
Unification Minister Lee In-young (R), South Korea's point man for inter-Korean relations, holds talks with Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming during their meeting at Lee's office in Seoul on Aug. 19, 2020. (Yonhap)
kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-19--Pro football league prepares guideline on player pay cuts

The 12 teams in the top-flight K League 1 and the 10 teams in the K League 2 have been @ @ @ @ @ .
The start of the season was pushed back by more than two months from @ @ @ @ @ due to the coronavirus outbreak , and the season has been shortened from 38 matches @ @ @ @ @ have played most of the season without fans , limiting their gate revenue to close @ @ @

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean professional football league said Wednesday it has prepared a guideline on possible reduction of player salaries during the pandemic-hit season.
The Korea Professional Football League (K League) is the first pro sports organization in the country to openly discuss player pay cuts.
The league's board of directors on Wednesday approved the proposal by the league office on ways to cut player salaries to help address financial problems for clubs.
This image provided by the Korea Professional Football League (K League) on Aug. 12, 2020, shows its emblem. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The K League said the proposal would not affect players in the lower-income bracket and players on Sangju Sangmu, a team made up of conscripted players doing their military service. It said players with the base salary of at least 36 million won (US$30,520), 477 out of 743 non-military players, will be subject to potential pay cuts.
The league has proposed to cut 10 percent on the amount that exceeds the 36 million won base salary over the final four months of the year.
The K League insisted that its proposal is exactly that, and clubs will not be allowed to unilaterally cut pay without consent from their players.
"We've come up with the guideline so that everyone could work together to overcome the adversity that we're facing this season," a league official said. "Teams will now be speaking with individual players and reworking contracts for players who agree to take pay cuts."
The official added that the league and clubs discussed reducing the salary for the entire season, but they ultimately decided it would put too much burden on players.
This file photo from Aug. 14, 2020, shows a K League 1 match between Seongnam FC and Busan IPark at Tancheon Sports Complex in Seongnam, just south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
The 12 teams in the top-flight K League 1 and the 10 teams in the K League 2 have been experiencing financial problems all year. The start of the season was pushed back by more than two months from Feb. 29 to May 8 due to the coronavirus outbreak, and the season has been shortened from 38 matches to 27 matches. Teams have played most of the season without fans, limiting their gate revenue to close to zero.
Stadiums opened back up on Aug. 1 but the majority of the teams have shut them down again since the weekend, in light of a recent surge in COVID-19 cases nationwide.
In April, a few weeks before the opening kickoff, the K League had estimated that its 22 clubs would see their revenues fall by a combined 57.5 billion won. The actual loss will certainly come out to be higher at the end of the season.
The players' union, Korea Pro-Footballer's Association (KPFA), and the K League opened talks on the salary situation in April but they couldn't come to any agreement, prompting the league to produce its own guideline.
This image provided by the Korea Pro-Footballer's Association on April 17, 2020, shows the organization's logo. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-19--Kia Tigers become last KBO team to close down ballpark amid virus surge

KBO teams had been dealing with financial problems all season without any gate receipts .
And before they could even @ @ @ @ @ the form of fans in the seats , it 's back to square one .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- The party is over for professional baseball teams in South Korea.
The Kia Tigers on Wednesday became the 10th and last Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) club to close down its home stadium to fans in light of the recent spike in coronavirus cases.
In this file photo from Aug. 6, 2020, fans watch a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game between the home team Kia Tigers and the LG Twins at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
The Tigers said Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of the capital, will not be open to fans for their next home game on Thursday against the NC Dinos and will remain shut until further notice.
The Tigers added that they and the city of Gwangju wanted to take a preemptive step in preventing further spread of COVID-19.
Since the weekend, Seoul, Incheon and Busan, plus Gyeonggi Province in the capital region, have been placed under tougher social distancing guidelines, which required sports teams there to keep fans out of seats.
In the KBO, the Doosan Bears, the LG Twins, the Kiwoom Heroes, the SK Wyverns, the Lotte Giants and the KT Wiz are subject to those measures.
On Tuesday, the Hanwha Eagles, the NC Dinos and the Samsung Lions decided to join those half-dozen clubs, even though their home cities -- Daejeon, Changwon and Daegu -- aren't subject to stringent distancing measures.
Gwangju also isn't dealing with massive local infections that have dogged Seoul and its neighboring areas, but the city decided to join other cities in taking a precautionary step.
With the Tigers' decision, the entire KBO will be back to playing in front of empty seats, a little more than three weeks after swinging open ballpark gates to fans.
In this file photo from Aug. 4, 2020, fans watch a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game between the home team Kia Tigers and the LG Twins at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
The 2020 regular season began belatedly on May 5 without fans due to COVID-19 infection concerns. But on July 26, with encouraging signs that the virus situation was stabilizing, stadiums across the nation opened back up on a limited basis.
At first, teams were only allowed to operate ballparks at 10 percent of full capacity, with fans being asked to adhere to a series of safety protocols.
Then starting with games on Aug. 11, the cap was raised to 25 percent, while keeping safety guidelines in place.
KBO teams had been dealing with financial problems all season without any gate receipts. And before they could even enjoy their much-needed relief in the form of fans in the seats, it's back to square one.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-19--Samsung maintains No. 1 spot in global DRAM market in Q2: report

`` The DRAM market saw an increase in both prices and bit shipments , leading to a double-digit rise in @ @ @ @ @ , '' TrendForce said .
`` On the matter of profitability , all three leading @ @ @ @ @ their operating margins in the second quarter of 2020 as the overall average selling price @ @ @ @ @ . ''

SEOUL, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- Samsung Electronics Co. maintained its dominant status in the global DRAM market in the second quarter of the year, a report showed Wednesday, as the pandemic drove demand for server chips.
Samsung's market share in the global DRAM market stood at 43.5 percent in the April-June period, down 0.6 percentage point from three months earlier, while its revenue increased 13.8 percent to US$7.4 billion over the cited period, according to data from market researcher TrendForce.
Its local competitor SK hynix Inc. came in second with a 30.1 percent market share in the second quarter, up 0.8 percentage point from three months earlier. Its revenue surged 18.7 percent quarter-on-quarter to $5.1 billion in the second quarter of 2020, according to TrendForce.
U.S. chipmaker Micron Technology Inc. took third place with a 21 percent market share in the first quarter, up 0.2 percentage point from three months earlier, as its revenue jumped 16.3 percent quarter-on-quarter to $3.5 billion, TrendForce said.
This image provided by Samsung Electronics Co. on Feb. 25, 2020, shows the company's 16GB Low Power Double Data Rate 5 mobile DRAM chips. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
"The DRAM market saw an increase in both prices and bit shipments, leading to a double-digit rise in revenue for the three suppliers," TrendForce said. "On the matter of profitability, all three leading suppliers posted an increase in their operating margins in the second quarter of 2020 as the overall average selling price rose by around 10 percent."
According to TrendForce, Samsung's operating margin reached 41 percent in the second quarter, up from 32 percent three months ago. SK hynix's operating margin rose to 35 percent in the second quarter.
Regarding their capacity planning, TrendForce said that the three major chipmakers have taken a "more conservative approach" as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to undermine demand visibility.
The global DRAM industry saw forecast-beating growth in the second quarter as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) expanded procurement of components on fears of possible supply chain disruptions amid the pandemic, TrendForce said.
The global DRAM market collected $17.1 billion in revenue in the second quarter, up 15.4 percent from three months ago.
However, TrendForce said that DRAM suppliers are likely to suffer a decline in profitability in the third quarter of the year as chip prices are expected to drop while product shipments stay flat.
"Server OEMs are now carrying a rather high level of DRAM inventory after aggressively stocking up for two consecutive quarters," it said. "At the same time, customers of enterprise servers are holding back on procurement because the economic outlook is getting bleaker and more uncertain."
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


Yonhap News Summary

The latest measure , which recommends against traveling overseas , will remain valid until Sept. 18 .
The extension came @ @ @ @ @ which was imposed on June 20 after the first COVID-19-driven advisory from March 23 to @ @ @ @ @ to end Wednesday .

The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Wednesday.
----------------
Unification minister calls for China's 'constructive' role in resumption of inter-Korean talks
SEOUL -- Unification Minister Lee In-young called Wednesday for China to play a "constructive" role in the resumption of inter-Korean dialogue and to help bring permanent peace and stability to the Korean Peninsula.
Lee made the remark during his first meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Seoul Xing Haiming after his inauguration last month, underlining the need for the two countries to cooperate with North Korea in tackling the coronavirus pandemic.
----------------
(2nd LD) Top Chinese official to visit Busan for talks with Cheong Wa Dae director of national security
SEOUL -- Yang Jiechi, a senior Chinese government official, will visit Busan this week for talks with Suh Hoon, director of presidential national security, with President Xi Jinping's possible trip here likely to be discussed, Cheong Wa Dae said Wednesday.
Yang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, is scheduled to visit the southern port city from Friday through Saturday, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok. Yang, a former foreign minister, is known for his influence on diplomatic affairs.
----------------
(LEAD) 4 U.S. bombers fly simultaneously near Korean Peninsula on eve of joint exercises with S. Korea
SEOUL -- The United States flew four bombers near the Korean Peninsula simultaneously earlier this week to show its commitment to the defense of partner nations on the eve of joint military exercises with South Korea, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said.
The demonstration of airpower took place Monday, a day before the launch of the South Korea-U.S. summertime combined exercises. The drills, set to run until Aug. 28, are meant to maintain their combined defense posture, officials said.
----------------
S. Korea extends special travel advisory for all countries amid rise in new virus cases
SEOUL -- The foreign ministry on Wednesday extended its special travel advisory for all countries and territories, except for those already subject to tougher restrictions, amid resurgent coronavirus outbreaks.
The latest measure, which recommends against traveling overseas, will remain valid until Sept. 18. The extension came as the current advisory, which was imposed on June 20 after the first COVID-19-driven advisory from March 23 to June 19, was set to end Wednesday.
----------------
Three-month high of 689 schools closed nationwide due to coronavirus
SEOUL -- The number of schools closed temporarily due to the coronavirus outbreak rose to 689 nationwide Wednesday, the highest number over the past three months, authorities said, as the nation has been beleaguered by a recent spike in new infections.
The Ministry of Education said the about 700 kindergartens and elementary, middle and high schools in Seoul and five other regions suspended in-person classes as of 10 a.m.
----------------
Household credit grows faster in Q2 on home-backed lending
SEOUL -- South Korea's household credit grew at a faster pace in the second quarter compared to three months earlier amid a sustained rise in banks' home-backed loans, central bank data showed Wednesday.
Household credit reached a record high of 1,637.3 trillion won (US$1.38 trillion) as of June, up 25.9 trillion won from three months earlier, according to data from the Bank of Korea (BOK).
----------------
Nat'l football exhibition matches postponed following FIFA's scheduling change
SEOUL -- Two upcoming exhibition matches between the South Korean men's senior national football team and the under-23 national squad have been postponed from September to October, following changes to FIFA's international match fixture.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) announced Wednesday that the two matches between the two national teams, originally set for the FIFA international match window of Aug. 31-Sept. 8, will be moved to the next window, Oct. 5-13.
(END)


yna--2020-08-19--Gov't suspends discount coupon program for domestic travel industry

Following the fast growth in the number of new daily virus cases since late last week , the ministry initially @ @ @ @ @ of coupons at later dates .
But it has decided to halt the program entirely @

SEOUL, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- The culture ministry on Wednesday decided to halt its discount coupon program aimed at promoting domestic travel in light of the resurgence of new COVID-19 clusters centered on the greater Seoul region.
The decision to suspend the scheme, part of the ministry's 90.4 billion won (US$76.2 million) project to revitalize domestic spending in the arts and leisure sectors, was made during an emergency meeting between officials from the ministry, the state-run Korea Tour Organization and travel industry representatives.
Following the fast growth in the number of new daily virus cases since late last week, the ministry initially decided to allow the use of coupons at later dates. But it has decided to halt the program entirely.
Those coupons, already distributed since Friday, will be allowed to be used but only under strict adherence to social distancing guidelines, the ministry explained. There is no plan to issue new coupons.
A ministry official said the program could resume when the virus situation comes under control.
Estimated financial losses caused by the new coronavirus since January in the areas of culture, sports and tourism in South Korea have surpassed 7 trillion won, according to the ministry.
People wearing masks report to work at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on Aug. 19, 2020, as the coronavirus rages again in the country, especially in the Seoul metropolitan area. (Yonhap)
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-19--(LEAD) K League's Daegu FC, Gwangju FC close stadiums as precaution amid surging virus cases

Under those tougher measures , sports teams in those areas are required to play home games without spectators .
In @ @ @ @ @ , FC Seoul , Incheon United , Busan IPark , Suwon Samsung Bluewings and Seongnam @ @ @ @ @ closed doors .
In the second-tier K League 2 , Seoul E-Land FC , Bucheon @ @ @ @ @ Ansan Greeners FC will do the same .

(ATTN: CHANGES headline, lead; UPDATES with Gwangju FC's decision; ADDS photo; TRIMS)
By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- Two South Korean football clubs announced Wednesday they will close down their home stadiums as a precaution, with the country struggling to contain a surge in coronavirus cases.
Daegu FC of the K League 1 announced first that DGB Daegu Bank Park in Daegu, 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul, will remain closed to supporters until further notice, beginning with their next home match against Gwangju FC on Aug. 30.
"The number of COVID-19 cases has been rising rapidly across the nation, and the city of Daegu wanted to prevent further local spread," the team said in a statement.
Hours later, Gwangju FC, too, said they will start playing home matches without fans, starting with a tilt against FC Seoul on Saturday at Gwangju Football Stadium in Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul.
The club said the city of Gwangju asked the team to start playing behind closed doors in order to help prevent further spread of the virus.
This file photo, provided by the Korea Professional Football League on Aug. 10, 2020, shows DGB Daegu Bank Park, home of the K League 1 club Daegu FC, in Daegu, 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Daegu didn't report any local infection from July 4 to Aug. 14, but it has seen a dozen cases, related to cluster infections in the capital region, over the past four days.
Both Daegu and Gwangju aren't yet subject to tighter social distancing guidelines that are being applied to three other metropolitan cities, Seoul, Busan and Incheon, plus Gyeonggi Province in the capital region.
Under those tougher measures, sports teams in those areas are required to play home games without spectators. In the 12-team K League 1, FC Seoul, Incheon United, Busan IPark, Suwon Samsung Bluewings and Seongnam FC will be playing behind closed doors. In the second-tier K League 2, Seoul E-Land FC, Bucheon FC, FC Anyang and Ansan Greeners FC will do the same.
Also in the K League 2, Chungnam Asan FC, based in South Chungcheong Province, have decided to close their stadium as a preemptive step to guard against the spread of the virus.
Daegu FC and Gwangju FC are the first two K League 1 clubs to voluntarily close their stadium gates. They're expected to be joined by others in the coming days.
In this file photo from July 26, 2020, Daegu FC and Busan IPark play a K League 1 match in front of empty stands at DGB Daegu Bank Park in Daegu, 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)
The K League 1 season kicked off on May 8, more than two months behind schedule, due to the coronavirus outbreak. Teams started out without supporters in the stands, and the stadium gates finally opened on Aug. 1.
In the early going, clubs were only allowed to operate stadiums at 10 percent of capacity. The cap was raised to 25 percent only last Friday.
Without gate receipts most of the season, K League clubs have been struggling financially. They have been in talks with the players' union about possibly cutting player salaries during the pandemic-hit season.
In this file photo from July 25, 2020, Gwangju FC and Suwon Samsung Bluewings compete in a K League 1 match at Gwangju Football Stadium in Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-19--Three-month high of 689 schools closed nationwide due to coronavirus

SEOUL , Aug. 19 ( Yonhap ) -- The number of schools closed temporarily due to the coronavirus outbreak rose @ @ @ @ @ the highest number over the past three months , authorities said , as the nation @ @ @ @ @ recent spike in new infections .

SEOUL, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- The number of schools closed temporarily due to the coronavirus outbreak rose to 689 nationwide Wednesday, the highest number over the past three months, authorities said, as the nation has been beleaguered by a recent spike in new infections.
The Ministry of Education said the about 700 kindergartens and elementary, middle and high schools in Seoul and five other regions suspended in-person classes as of 10 a.m.
A teacher conducts an online class from an elementary school classroom in Yongin, south of Seoul, on Aug. 19, 2020. (Yonhap)
It is the highest number of school closures since May 29, when 830 schools were shut down following the outbreak of cluster infections at logistics warehouses.
The latest shutdown figure marked a sharp rise considering only three schools were closed nationwide as recently as July 31.
In Seoul, 107 schools shifted to online classes amid a steady rise in new COVID-19 patients traced to a church in the northern part of the capital.
In Gyeonggi Province, which surrounds Seoul, 257 schools were closed and are offering online classes. Busan, the southern port city, reported closures of 313 schools.
Since in-person classes resumed at elementary and secondary schools on May 20, 160 students and 30 school personnel had tested positive for the virus as of Tuesday.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-19--(2nd LD) Spike in church infections grips greater Seoul, gov't warns of stern response

(ATTN: UPDATES details in paras 3-5)
By Lee Minji
SEOUL, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- A continued surge in church-related infections put the greater Seoul area on edge Wednesday, prompting the government to consider tougher measures against a church at the center of the COVID-19 resurgence.
South Korea reported 297 new infections, the largest number of cases since early March, which has raised the country's total caseload to 16,058, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
A civil servant working at Seoul City Hall was confirmed to be infected with the virus. City authorities closed the main building for disinfection work.
While infections were reported at various other facilities, including several other churches in the capital, the majority of the recent infections were tied to Sarang Jeil Church in northern Seoul. Its pastor Jun Kwang-hoon has led anti-government street rallies. In the most recent large-scale demonstration held in Gwanghwamun on Saturday, thousands of people chanted slogans, sitting close to one another.
Health workers test a visitor at a temporary screening center set up at Kumnan Church in eastern Seoul on Aug. 19, 2020, after a church member who tested positive for the new coronavirus was found to have visited Sarang Jeil Church. (Yonhap)
The number of cases linked to Sarang Jeil Church reached 623 as of noon Wednesday, according to the KCDC.
Jun himself has tested positive, and health authorities are screening church members and demonstrators based on a list submitted by the church. The list, however, has turned out to be inaccurate, raising concerns over infected people unconsciously spreading the virus across the country.
"The screening tests have not yet been completed as the church has not submitted an accurate list amid concerns of a nationwide spread," Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said in a daily government response meeting.
"At the moment, it's a fight against time," he said, "The Seoul city government should closely cooperate with the prosecution and police to push for legal means, such as a compulsive administrative inspection to secure (an accurate) list."
A view of Sarang Jeil Church in the northern Seoul ward of Seongbuk on Aug. 17, 2020 (Yonhap)
Chung emphasized that the government will take stern action, such as filing a compensation suit, against those who disturb ongoing screening tests and epidemiological studies.
The city government, which has filed a criminal complaint against Jun, said it plans to also file suits against individuals for "wasting administrative resources and budget by evading, lying or disobeying during screening and tracing procedures," acting Mayor Seo Jeong-hyup said in a press briefing.
Seo also imposed an order for all Seoul residents who attended rallies in Gwanghwamun on Aug. 8 and 15 to be tested for the virus. Demonstrators who later test positive will face up to 3 million won (US$2,534) in fines for breaking the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, he said.
Police, meanwhile, mobilized more than 8,500 officers to trace Sarang Jeil Church members who remain unaccounted for. Of the church's estimated 4,000 members, 3,200 are under quarantine and 2,500 have been tested. Some 800, however, have yet to be located.
The prime minister, however, said South Korea is not yet at the stage of considering Level Three social distancing, which would impose stricter anti-infection measures compared with the current Level Two scheme.
"Raising (the social distancing level) to Level Three, which would ban meetings of 10 or more people, would substantially shock the citizens' lives and economy," he said. "The priority now should be to block the current situation from developing into one that calls for Level Three."
Thousands of people attend an anti-government rally in central Seoul on Aug. 15, 2020. (Yonhap)
A police officer who was dispatched to the Liberation Day rally site is tested for the new coronavirus at a screening center set up at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in central Seoul on Aug. 19, 2020. (Yonhap)
In addition to raising the social distancing level by one notch over the weekend, the government on Tuesday announced a decision to prohibit churches in Seoul and nearby areas from carrying out all in-person activities.
Under the current social distancing measure, indoor gatherings of 50 or more people and outdoor events of 100 or more people are also prohibited, while citizens are advised to stay at home except on necessary occasions.
In Seoul, 12 types of high-risk facilities, including 5,134 nightlife facilities, 7,735 karaoke facilities and internet cafes, as well as 402 private sector education institutions with 300 or more students, have been suspended until further notice.
The Level Three calls for restrictions on all outdoor activities except for essential social and economic purposes. Gatherings of 10 or more people are not permitted, and all sports events are suspended.
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-19--Nat'l football exhibition matches postponed following FIFA's scheduling change

The senior national team , coached by Paulo Bento , and the U-23 side , led by Kim Hak-bum , @ @ @ @ @ up players from domestic K League clubs .
Players based in overseas leagues will be @ @ @ @ @ because of the government-mandated , 14-day quarantine for all travelers coming to South Korea .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- Two upcoming exhibition matches between the South Korean men's senior national football team and the under-23 national squad have been postponed from September to October, following changes to FIFA's international match fixture.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) announced Wednesday that the two matches between the two national teams, originally set for the FIFA international match window of Aug. 31-Sept. 8, will be moved to the next window, Oct. 5-13.
This image provided by the Korea Football Association on July 24, 2020, shows Paulo Bento (L), head coach of the South Korean men's senior national football team, and Kim Hak-bum, who coaches the men's under-23 national football team. These two teams will play two tuneup matches during the FIFA international match window of Oct. 5-13. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
In response to the global disruption brought on by the coronavirus outbreak, FIFA announced earlier this week that the Aug. 31-Sept. 8 window will be replaced by the new period of Jan. 24-Feb. 1, 2022.
This means clubs will not be required to release their players for national team matches in September.
The senior national team, coached by Paulo Bento, and the U-23 side, led by Kim Hak-bum, were only going to call up players from domestic K League clubs. Players based in overseas leagues will be a no-go for these matches because of the government-mandated, 14-day quarantine for all travelers coming to South Korea.
And since K League clubs will be in a critical stretch of their season in September, they would be reluctant to make players available for exhibition matches unless they were obligated to do so.
The Oct. 5-13 window is open because FIFA World Cup qualifying matches scheduled for that period have since been postponed to 2021.
In this file photo from Dec. 18, 2019, members of the South Korean men's national football team celebrate their title at the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Football Championship at Busan Asiad Main Stadium in Busan, 450 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)
With those qualifiers no longer set for 2020, and travel restrictions related to COVID-19 making it difficult to schedule friendlies with other nations, South Korea may go the entire year without playing a meaningful match.
The last competitive matches South Korea played came last December at the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Football Championship in Busan, 450 kilometers southeast of Seoul.
Kim hasn't held any camp with the U-23 team since South Korea won the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 Championship in Thailand in January. They're also gearing up for the Tokyo Olympics, postponed by one year to 2021 because of the pandemic.
The KFA said it will be in talks with the K League about possibly rescheduling some league contests during the Aug. 31-Sept. 8 period.
The K League recently had to adjust its fixtures to accommodate clubs playing at the annual AFC Champions League later in the fall.
In this file photo from Jan. 26, 2020, South Korean players celebrate winning the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 Championship over Saudi Arabia at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-19--Weekly rally for sex slavery victims scaled down due to virus

This week 's 1,453rd Wednesday protest rally was held in front of the former Japanese Embassy site in central Seoul @ @ @ @ @ six civic activists , the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of @ @ @ @ @ said .

SEOUL, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- Seoul's weekly Wednesday rally to call for Tokyo's apology and compensation for Korean victims of Japan's wartime sex slavery was held with a minimal number of participants attending, due to the recent spike in new coronavirus infections, its organizer said.
This week's 1,453rd Wednesday protest rally was held in front of the former Japanese Embassy site in central Seoul with the attendance of only six civic activists, the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan said.
The 1,453rd Wednesday protest rally is under way in central Seoul on Aug. 19, 2020, to demand Tokyo's apology and compensation for Korean victims of Japan's wartime sex slavery. (Yonhap)
Instead, supporters of the sex slavery victims, euphemistically called comfort women, were asked to watch the event live on YouTube, the activist group said.
Until last month, the weekly rally used to draw around 50 council officials, comfort women supporters and reporters.
Unlike in the past, the council didn't play an iconic song for comfort women at the latest rally and ensured that the six participants maintained sufficient distance among one another.
On Wednesday, South Korea added 297 more COVID-19 cases, including 283 local infections, which is the largest number of new infections since early March, raising the total caseload to 16,058, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In a public notice, the council asked its supporters not to come to the rally site but to watch its livestream on YouTube as a precautionary measure against the pandemic.
Council activists who led the on-site rally read a poem sent from Sydney in commemoration of Jan Ruff O'Herne, a late Australian comfort woman who testified about Japan's acts of wartime sexual slavery for the first time in 1992 as a non-Asian victim.
O'Herne reportedly suffered sexual exploitation by the Japanese military in Indonesia during World War Ⅱ.
Meanwhile, five members of another civic group demanding the removal of the bronze Statue of Peace located just across from the former site of the Japanese Embassy also held separate one-person rallies nearby.
nyway@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-19--(LEAD) Seoul stocks swing to gains despite COVID-19 resurgence

SEOUL , Aug. 19 ( Yonhap ) -- South Korean shares closed higher Wednesday , ending a two-session losing streak @ @ @ @ @ of the novel coronavirus in Seoul and its surrounding areas .
The Korean won rose @ @ @ @ @

(ATTN: ADDS bond yields at bottom, photo)
SEOUL, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares closed higher Wednesday, ending a two-session losing streak despite fears of the resurgence of the novel coronavirus in Seoul and its surrounding areas. The Korean won rose against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) advanced 12.30 points, or 0.52 percent, to close at 2,360.54. Trading volume was moderate at about 613 million shares worth some 12 trillion won (US$10.2 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 664 to 184.
Electronic signboards at a Hana Bank dealing room in Seoul show the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed at 2,360.54 on Aug. 19, 2020, up 12.30 points, or 0.52 percent, from the previous session's close. (Yonhap)
The KOSPI erased almost half of its earlier gains after jumping more than 1 percent tracking Wall Street gains.
The trimming was largely attributed to the recent surge in the novel coronavirus outbreak, mostly occurring in Seoul and neighboring regions.
South Korea added 297 new cases Wednesday, the biggest single-day spike in five months.
The country toughened social distancing guidelines, including restricting indoor meetings of 50 or more people and ordering karaoke rooms, internet cafes and restaurants to close.
"The fact that the capital area has become the COVID-19 hotspot seems to have amplified fears of a potential consumption slump," Samsung Securities senior researcher Yoo Seung-min said.
"Such concerns also fueled investor appetite for profit-taking," he added.
Foreigners sold a net 250 billion won, while retail investors purchased a net 460 billion won. Institutions offloaded a net 231 billion won.
Large caps traded mixed.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics lost 1.03 percent to 57,800 won, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix dipped 3.97 percent to 75,000 won.
Top pharmaceutical firm Samsung Biologics gained 0.87 percent 809,000 won, while Celltrion remained flat at 304,000 won.
Leading chemical maker LG Chem shed 1.01 percent to 683,000 won, but rechargeable battery maker Samsung SDI climbed 0.81 percent to 434,500 won.
Hyundai Motor, the country's largest automaker, jumped 4.11 percent to 164,500 won.
Internet portal giant Naver added 2.44 percent to 315,000 won, while its rival Kakao retreated 0.40 percent to 376,500 won.
The local currency closed at 1,181.20 won per dollar, up 2.50 won from the previous session's close.
Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed higher. The yield on three-year Treasurys fell 0.5 basis point to 0.805 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bond lost 0.9 basis point to 1.061 percent.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-19--CGV stops ticket sales to cut seating capacity on tightened social distancing

But with the number of new virus cases growing fast , the recent upward momentum may end up short-lived .
@ @ @ @ @ the country drew some 140,000 moviegoers , down sharply from the 400,000 figure for Monday @ @ @ @ @ data .

SEOUL, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's multiplex chain GGV said Wednesday that it has suspended its ticket booking service to reduce seating capacities at screenings as part of precautionary measures against the spread of COVID-19.
From Tuesday, CGV, a movie theater operating unit of entertainment giant CJ Group, started to sell tickets for the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster film "Tenet," set to be released next Wednesday.
Nearly all available tickets for IMAX theaters had been sold out as of early Wednesday, according to CGV. The company has put about 70 percent of the seats on sale.
But following tightened social distancing guidelines placed on the greater Seoul region, CGV decided to lower seating capacities down to 50 percent, suspending its ticket booking service.
As a result, pre-sold tickets of "Tenet" for IMAX theaters were canceled and refunded, with CGV asking customers to reserve tickets again under the new seating arrangements.
Customers who have bought tickets for other movies of which booked seating capacities remain below 50 percent will be assigned new seating numbers, CGV said.
In this file photo, taken on May 24, 2020, a movie theater in Seoul is seen nearly empty. (Yonhap)
The move came as Seoul and the surrounding regions have reported hundreds of new daily COVID-19 cases for days, leading quarantine authorities to strengthen social distancing.
The recent spike in cases of the highly infectious virus has stoked a sense of foreboding within the film industry, which was hit hard by the new coronavirus this past spring.
The number of moviegoers hit rock bottom in April with an all-time low of 970,000, while dozens of homegrown and foreign movies delayed their release schedules.
Thanks to summer blockbusters, such as the zombie action adventure "Peninsula," however, total admissions rose for three straight months to reach 5.62 million in July.
But with the number of new virus cases growing fast, the recent upward momentum may end up short-lived. On Tuesday, theaters across the country drew some 140,000 moviegoers, down sharply from the 400,000 figure for Monday, according to box office data.
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-19--S. Korean Bond Yields on Aug. 19, 2020

S. Korean Bond Yields on Aug. 19, 2020

(URGENT) N. Korea says Travis King decided to come over to N. Korea because he harbored ill feeling within the U.S. Army: KCNA


yna--2020-08-19--Unification minister calls for China's 'constructive' role in resumption of inter-Korean talks

By Koh Byung-joon
SEOUL, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- Unification Minister Lee In-young called Wednesday for China to play a "constructive" role in the resumption of inter-Korean dialogue and to help bring permanent peace and stability to the Korean Peninsula.
Lee made the remark during his first meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Seoul Xing Haiming after his inauguration last month, underlining the need for the two countries to cooperate with North Korea in tackling the coronavirus pandemic.
"Now, inter-Korean relations have been in a stalemate for quite a long time but we believe that under any circumstances dialogue should continue and therefore our government wants to make much efforts to put inter-Korean dialogue back on track," Lee said at the start of the meeting.
"The Chinese government has expressed its support for dialogue between the South and the North and between the North and the United States. Our government highly appraises the Chinese government's efforts and expects it to continue to cooperate going forward," he added.
Inter-Korean relations have been stalled since the no-deal nuclear summit between the North and the U.S. early last year. The ties got worse recently when North Korea blew up a joint liaison office in its border town of Kaesong in anger over anti-Pyongyang leaflets flown from the South.
Lee said that the geographical proximity of the two Koreas and China makes it necessary for the three countries to cooperate against the global coronavirus pandemic, saying they should make joint efforts in the face of such public health threats in the region.
Xing expressed Beijing's "firm" and "unwavering" support for denuclearization, peace and eventual reunification on the Korean Peninsula, which he said would benefit not just the people here but the people in China.
The ambassador also said that inter-Korean relations are important but no less important is to move forward the stalled relations between the U.S. and North Korea, saying that they should go hand-in-hand and that Beijing will provide support to make it happen.
Wednesday's meeting came a day after Lee met with U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Harry Harris and discussed their joint approach to North Korea policy.
Unification Minister Lee In-young (R), South Korea's point man for inter-Korean relations, holds talks with Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming during their meeting at Lee's office in Seoul on Aug. 19, 2020. (Yonhap)
kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-19--Seoul stocks swing to gains despite COVID-19 resurgence

SEOUL, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares closed higher Wednesday, ending a two-session losing streak despite fears of the resurgence of the novel coronavirus in Seoul and its surrounding areas. The Korean won rose against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) advanced 12.30 points, or 0.52 percent, to close at 2,360.54. Trading volume was moderate at about 613 million shares worth some 12 trillion won (US$10.2 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 664 to 184.
The KOSPI erased almost half of its earlier gains after jumping more than 1 percent tracking Wall Street gains.
The trimming was largely attributed to the recent surge in the novel coronavirus outbreak, mostly occurring in Seoul and neighboring regions.
South Korea added 297 new cases Wednesday, the biggest single-day spike in five months.
The country toughened social distancing guidelines, including restricting indoor meetings of 50 or more people and ordering karaoke rooms, internet cafes and restaurants to close.
"The fact that the capital area has become the COVID-19 hotspot seems to have amplified fears of a potential consumption slump," Samsung Securities senior researcher Yoo Seung-min said.
"Such concerns also fueled investor appetite for profit-taking," he added.
Foreigners sold a net 250 billion won, while retail investors purchased a net 460 billion won. Institutions offloaded a net 231 billion won.
Large caps traded mixed.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics lost 1.03 percent to 57,800 won, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix dipped 3.97 percent to 75,000 won.
Top pharmaceutical firm Samsung Biologics gained 0.87 percent 809,000 won, while Celltrion remained flat at 304,000 won.
Leading chemical maker LG Chem shed 1.01 percent to 683,000 won, but rechargeable battery maker Samsung SDI climbed 0.81 percent to 434,500 won.
Hyundai Motor, the country's largest automaker, jumped 4.11 percent to 164,500 won.
Internet portal giant Naver added 2.44 percent to 315,000 won, while its rival Kakao retreated 0.40 percent to 376,500 won.
The local currency closed at 1,181.20 won per dollar, up 2.50 won from the previous session's close.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-20--Coronavirus pandemic shuts down broadcaster, halts filming

While the reporter appeared on a radio show Monday , all crew members and guests of the program , including @ @ @ @ @ , have been quarantined and gotten tested .
Lee tested negative for the virus but @ @ @ @ @ two-week self-quarantine .

SEOUL, Aug. 20 (Yonhap) -- The resurgence of the new coronavirus in the greater Seoul area has dealt a critical blow to the country's media industry, shutting down a regular radio show and halting filming of a TV series.
CBS, a Seoul-based Christian TV and radio station, has canceled its regular radio programming as one of its reporters tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, making it the first case of a shutdown of a major broadcaster due to COVID-19.
While the reporter appeared on a radio show Monday, all crew members and guests of the program, including former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon, have been quarantined and gotten tested. Lee tested negative for the virus but has to go through a two-week self-quarantine.
The broadcaster said it has disinfected its building and replaced its live programs with music streaming.
This photo taken Aug. 19, 2020, shows the Seoul headquarters of the broadcasting station CBS. (Yonhap)
Moreover, the fantasy romantic comedy "To All The Guys Who Loved Me" on KBS halted the filming Wednesday after an extra was confirmed to have contracted the virus.
KBS said all staff members who were at the filming site have been isolated and tested, while lead actress Hwang Jung-eum has reportedly not come into contact with the patient.
It is considering rescheduling the 16-episode series, which has just two episodes left to air.
EBS, a South Korean educational television and radio network, has also reported three coronavirus cases in one of its shows, including one producer.
Insiders pointed out that the media community is highly prone to virus infection as a massive number of people gather to produce a show and they participate in multiple programs.
In March, when South Korea was suffering from the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak, several TV programs were canceled after a producer of the food variety show "Bob Bless You" tested positive.
"We can't delay our schedules easily because we have to meet the deadline," a crew member of a TV show said. "Each staff member is cautious about a possible virus infection, but we can't restrain their private activities."
South Korea has reported more than 1,500 COVID-19 cases over the past week, most of which are community infections linked to church gatherings.
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-20--'Evil' beats 'Peninsula' to become most watched summer film of 2020

Meanwhile , `` Peninsula '' is set to open in the United States on Friday ( local time ) in @ @ @ @ @ theaters across the country , including on 59 IMAX screens .
The film will open @ @ @ @ @ To Busan Presents : Peninsula '' in the U.S .

SEOUL, Aug. 20 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean action thriller "Deliver Us From Evil" has emerged as the most-watched film at the country's box office this summer, outpacing the performance of homegrown zombie apocalypse movie "Peninsula," data showed Thursday.
The number of combined viewers for "Evil," starring Hwang Jung-min and Lee Jung-jae, reached 3.87 million as of early Wednesday, surpassing the 3.79 million aggregate tally for "Peninsula," according to the data by the Korean Film Council.
For the entire year to-date, "The Man Standing Next," starring Lee Byung-hun, remains the top grossing movie, with 4.75 million combined viewers from its theatrical release in January.
This still image provided by CJ Entertainment shows a scene from South Korean action thriller "Deliver Us From Evil," starring Hwang Jung-min (R) and Lee Jung-jae. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Whether "Evil" can sustain its momentum throughout the rest of the summer, however, remains unclear, as the government has place toughened social distancing guidelines in the greater Seoul area amid a rapid growth in the number of COVID-19 transmissions.
The cinema industry is also adjusting to the new government guidelines, with multiplex chain CGV having lowered the maximum audience capacity at screenings to 50 percent.
Meanwhile, "Peninsula" is set to open in the United States on Friday (local time) in a limited release in 126 theaters across the country, including on 59 IMAX screens. The film will open under the title "Train To Busan Presents: Peninsula" in the U.S.
According to its South Korean distributor NEW, "Peninsula," the sequel to director Yeon Sang-ho's 2016 smash hit "Train To Busan," has grossed over US$50 million at the global box office since its first release in Korea in mid-July.
The U.S. poster for South Korean zombie action film "Peninsula," provided by NEW (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-20--The Korea Interbank Offered Rates (KORIBOR)

SEOUL , Aug. 20 ( Yonhap ) -- The Korea Interbank Offered Rates ( KORIBOR ) as posted by Yonhap @ @ @ @ @ and information arm of Yonhap News Agency , at 11:00 a.m .


yna--2020-08-20--Instant noodle sales in H1 hit new high amid virus

The data also showed consumption of cup noodles falling in the first half due to decreased outdoor activity due to @ @ @ @ @ noodles accounted for 34.3 percent of total instant noodle sales in the first half , @ @ @ @ @ year .

SEOUL, Aug. 20 (Yonhap) -- Sales of instant noodles in South Korea soared to a fresh all-time high in the first half of the year due to the coronavirus outbreak, data showed Thursday.
Local shipments of instant noodles, or "ramyeon" in Korean, came to 1.13 trillion won (US$950 million) in the January-June period, up 7.2 percent from a year earlier, according to the data compiled by Nielsen Korea and released by industry leader Nongshim Co.
The first-half tally represents the largest half-year sales figure on record.
Nongshim said instant noodle sales increased sharply in the first half as the coronavirus forced people to stay home longer.
"The first-half data clearly shows that instant noodles sell well during a crisis. Online ramyeon sales rose sharply thanks to increased contact-free consumption due to COVID-19," it said.
Nongshim said its flagship instant noodles Shinramyeon and other steady sellers saw their sales grow at double-digit rates in the first half.
The data also showed consumption of cup noodles falling in the first half due to decreased outdoor activity due to the coronavirus outbreak. Cup noodles accounted for 34.3 percent of total instant noodle sales in the first half, down from 37.5 percent last year.
(END)


yna--2020-08-20--S. Korea moving to build additional used nuclear fuel storage

`` Feedback from residents showed the need for more communication , with efforts under way to provide text messages and @ @ @ @ @ around the nuclear plant for real-time information sharing , '' the ministry said .
It @ @ @ @ @ invited to oversee the construction , with efforts being made to provide more benefits .

SEOUL, Aug. 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea said Thursday it is moving to build an additional facility for spent nuclear fuel at one of its nuclear power plants after local residents living around the venue gave consent.
The move came after the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held extensive talks with people living near the Wolsong Nuclear Power Plant, about 370 kilometers southeast of Seoul, from April through July.
A poll, which was conducted on 150 resident representatives and released on July 24, showed 81.4 percent approving of the plan.
The ministry in charge of the country's energy policy said it has reported its plan to the policy review and coordination meeting chaired by the prime minister with the state-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP), the operator of the country's 24 reactors.
Construction can be completed in 19 months at a cost of around 40 million won (US$33.7 million).
This undated photo provided by the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. shows a modular air-cooled canister storage facility at the Wolsong Nuclear Power Plant, 370 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
South Korea has been pushing to increase storage space at Wolsong as its existing modular air-cooled canister storage (MACSTOR) installations are nearing full capacity.
MACSTOR holds spent fuel rods in dry casks after they are cooled in specially built pools of water. Wolsong has been using such a system for nearly 30 years.
"Feedback from residents showed the need for more communication, with efforts under way to provide text messages and set up special electronic billboards around the nuclear plant for real-time information sharing," the ministry said. It said resident representatives will be invited to oversee the construction, with efforts being made to provide more benefits.
Work on new MACSTORs has been a pressing issue, with KHNP warning that existing holding facilities were 95.36 percent full as of late March and will hit the ceiling in March 2022. Such a development would force the shutdown of the plant's five operational reactors.
The KHNP had asked for seven new MACSTOR structures able to hold 168,000 spent fuel bundles, which would double the existing capacity at Wolsong.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-20--(LEAD) Virus outbreaks on cusp of raging nationwide, new cases still piling up in greater Seoul

It marked a slight fall from 297 additional cases reported Wednesday , the highest since March 8 .
But the @ @ @ @ @ been in the triple digits since Friday when 103 new infections were reported .
More @ @ @ @ @ newly identified over the past week .

(ATTN: UPDATES with more details throughout)
SEOUL, Aug. 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's daily new virus cases jumped by triple digits for the seventh straight day Thursday as church-linked infections in the greater capital area continued to pile up, with more virus cases being identified across the nation.
The country added 288 more COVID-19 cases, including 276 local infections, raising the total caseload to 16,346, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
It marked a slight fall from 297 additional cases reported Wednesday, the highest since March 8. But the daily new virus cases have been in the triple digits since Friday when 103 new infections were reported. More than 1,500 cases have been newly identified over the past week.
A flare-up in coronavirus cases, mostly traced to churches, have been reported in Seoul and its surrounding Gyeonggi Province, home to half of the country's 51 million people.
The combined number of virus patients surpassed 5,000 in the wider capital area alone.
Health authorities warned that this week will be a critical time in judging whether the country will face another wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A member of a Methodist church in northeastern Seoul takes a coronavirus test at a screening test set up at the church on Aug. 19, 2020, after a virus patient was reported there.
But outside the greater Seoul area, many virus cases have been newly added over the past week, with more cases being reported in 15 cities and provinces, spawning concerns that the virus is spreading across the nation.
Of the newly identified local infections, 135 cases were reported in the capital city of Seoul, 81 from Gyeonggi Province and 10 from Incheon, just west of Seoul.
The southeastern port city of Busan reported 15 additional infections. The central city of Daejeon reported eight more cases, and two were reported from the southeastern city of Daegu and one from the southwestern city of Gwangju.
Cases traced to the Sarang Jeil Church in northern Seoul, a new hotbed of the latest spike in virus cases, reached 623 as of Wednesday noon, up 166 from a day earlier.
Of the identified patients, those from the wider Seoul area came to 588, according to health authorities.
The church-tied cluster infection has also spread to at least 114 locations, including other religious facilities, hospitals and call centers.
The Sarang Jeil Church-linked cases marked the largest cluster infection, after more than 5,000 virus cases traced to the minor religious sect of Shincheonji were reported in Daegu in late February and early March.
Health authorities also urged participants in a massive anti-government rally held in central Seoul on Saturday to immediately take virus tests regardless of showing symptoms.
The KCDC remained on higher alert over a potential explosive outbreak tied to the march as it is hard to trace the whereabouts of thousands of protesters who came to Seoul from other cities.
They were presumed to be in close contact with virus patients during the rally, in which a large number of Sarang Jeil Church members participated.
At least 10 people who joined the weekend rally were confirmed to have contracted the virus, even though they were not affiliated with the conservative church.
This photo, taken on Aug. 19, 2020, shows an empty street in Seoul's central Jongno district after the government ordered a two-week shutdown of risk-prone facilities in Seoul and neighboring area over the COVID-19 pandemic. (Yonhap)
Alarmed by soaring virus cases, South Korea raised the level of social distancing in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province on Sunday by one notch to Level 2 in the three-tier system for two weeks. Starting Wednesday, the measure was expanded to Incheon.
Indoor meetings of more than 50 people and open-air gatherings of over 100 people are banned in principle. So-called risk-prone facilities, including karaoke rooms, clubs, PC cafes and buffets, have been ordered to shut down.
The government said it is not yet the time to consider raising the level of social distancing to Level 3.
The highest anti-virus curbs can be issued when the number of daily virus cases reaches a two-week average of 100-200 and the doubling of new COVID-19 cases occurs more than twice a week.
South Korea reported 12 imported cases, with the United States accounting for three infections. Two cases came from Kazakhstan and another two from Ukraine.
Cases coming in from overseas rebounded back to double-digit numbers since mid-June for about a month, but such infections recently slowed.
South Korea, meanwhile, reported one more death, raising the tally to 307. The fatality rate was 1.88 percent.
The total number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries stood at 14,063, up 57 from the previous day.
The country has carried out 1,734,083 coronavirus tests since Jan. 3.
This photo, provided by the Seoul metropolitan government on Aug. 19, 2020, shows a quarantine official disinfecting the office of the Seoul City Hall after a public servant working on the second floor of the building was infected with the new coronavirus. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-20--Two Army enlistees test positive for new coronavirus

One trainee entered a boot camp in the border county of Cheorwon and the other a camp in Hwaseong , @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , but they were to be returned home after testing positive for COVID-19 , @ @ @ @ @

SEOUL, Aug. 20 (Yonhap) -- Two draftees who joined a miliary boot camp for their mandatory service earlier this week tested positive for the new coronavirus, the defense ministry said Thursday.
One trainee entered a boot camp in the border county of Cheorwon and the other a camp in Hwaseong, south of Seoul, on Tuesday, but they were to be returned home after testing positive for COVID-19, according to the ministry.
All others who joined the military along with them tested negative, and around 180 trainees who had close contact with the patients have been put into isolation, it added.
Since May, the military has been conducting coronavirus tests on all new enlistees.
The latest cases are not included in the military's own statistics of virus cases, as newcomers earn status as military members one week after joining a boot camp. All able-bodied South Korean men must serve about two years in the armed forces.
So far, the military has reported 90 coronavirus patients, and no fresh COVID-19 cases were reported among military members on Thursday.
Currently, 928 service members are in isolation in accordance with the health authorities' guidelines, and the military has quarantined an additional 3,833 people under stricter anti-virus schemes of its own as a preventive step.
Nationwide, South Korea reported 288 additional coronavirus cases on Thursday, including 276 local infections mostly in Seoul and the surrounding area, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
A military official collects a sample from an enlistee for a coronavirus test upon his joining the military at a Navy boot camp on July 20, 2020, in this photo provided by the Navy. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-20--(2nd LD) N.K. to unveil new 5-year economic development plan at rare party congress next year

`` It appears to be timed to coincide with the inauguration of the next U.S. president , suggesting that it @ @ @ @ @ after figuring out who will be in the White House , '' he added .
@ @ @ @ @ politically orchestrated timing to put pressure on Washington in its North Korea policy . ''

(ATTN: ADDS more info, experts' views throughout, photos)
By Koh Byung-joon
SEOUL, Aug. 20 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un pledged to unveil a new five-year economic development plan at a rare congress of the Workers' Party to be held in January, state media reported Thursday.
Kim made the remark during a plenary meeting of the party's Central Committee, assessing "achievements and shortcomings" in the current five-year development plan ending this year and noting the country "faced unexpected and inevitable challenges in various aspects," according to the Korean Central News Agency.
The current scheme was adopted when the North held a previous party congress in 2016.
"The meeting discussed as the major agenda the issue of convening the 8th Congress of the WPK to set forth a new line of struggle and strategic and tactical policies on the basis of the requirements of our developing revolution and the changed situation," the KCNA said.
"The 8th Congress would review this year's work and the work of the Central Committee of the Party in the period under review and set forth a new 5-year plan for national economic development including next year's orientation of work," the KCNA quoted Kim as saying.
Kim noted the meeting will be convened to analyze "in a comprehensive, three-dimensional and anatomical way the deviations and shortcomings" in the implementation of the decisions made at the country's previous party congress.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un presides over the 6th plenary meeting of the 7th Central Committee of the Workers' Party in Pyongyang on Aug. 19, 2020, in this photo released by the Korean Central News Agency. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
The KCNA said the country's current economic development plan has fallen far short of its objectives as it failed to improve the lives of people in the face of tough internal and external circumstances.
The current five-year plan was unveiled during the seventh party congress held in May 2016, the first such meeting convened since Kim took office as head of state in late 2011.
It is supposed to be completed by the end of this year but many suspect that many of its goals could not be achieved due to global sanctions imposed on its regime.
The challenges have been aggravated by its prolonged fight against the coronavirus pandemic and recent heavy downpours, which wrought havoc on farming and houses across the country.
North Korea earlier aimed to complete major targets of the five-year economic development plan by Oct. 10 to mark the 75th party founding anniversary, but Pyongyang appears to have shifted its priority to antivirus efforts and restoration of flood-hit areas.
Kim told a politburo meeting last week that flood damage rehabilitation and restoration of living conditions should be carried out as "an important political work for celebrating the 75th birth anniversary of the Party as a genuine holiday of the people and a revolutionary holiday."
Experts said that it is unusual for North Korea to acknowledge its failure under an economic development plan, but what seems to be more noteworthy is the fact that the party congress was timed for the inauguration of the next U.S. president, a move possibly aimed at sending a message to Washington.
"The party congress takes place every five years, which means that next year's session technically should be held in May," Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said.
"It appears to be timed to coincide with the inauguration of the next U.S. president, suggesting that it could determine its policy line after figuring out who will be in the White House," he added. "This might be highly politically orchestrated timing to put pressure on Washington in its North Korea policy."
The 6th plenary meeting of the 7th Central Committee of the Workers' Party takes place in Pyongyang on Aug. 19, 2020, in this photo released by the Korean Central News Agency. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un presided over the meeting. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
Nuclear talks between North Korea and the U.S. have stalled since their summit early last year produced no deal as they failed to find common ground over how to match Pyongyang's denuclearization steps with Washington's concessions, including sanctions relief.
North Korea had urged Washington to change tack and make a new proposal by the end of last year. In late December, however, leader Kim called for a head-on breakthrough to tackle difficulties as there was little hope for any progress in talks to lift or ease global sanctions imposed by the U.S. on his regime.
Wednesday's party meeting drew keen attention as North Korea had said it would be held "in order to discuss and decide on an issue of crucial significance in developing the Korean revolution and increasing the fighting efficiency of the Party."
Observers expected the meeting would address organization matters and other issues closely related to the lives of people who have been under heavy strain from the antivirus fight and flood damage.
It was held for the first time in eight months since the North convened a rare multiday plenary party meeting in late December.
During the December meeting, leader Kim called for a head-on breakthrough to tackle difficulties as there was little hope for any progress in talks to lift or ease global sanctions imposed by the U.S. on his regime.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-20--GC Pharma gets nod for clinical trial of COVID-19 plasma therapy

People who have recovered from COVID-19 develop natural defenses against the disease in their blood , in which antibodies are @ @ @ @ @ the blood called plasma .

By Kim Han-joo
SEOUL, Aug. 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's drug safety watchdog said Thursday that it has approved a second-phase clinical trial of the treatment for the novel coronavirus by pharmaceutical firm GC Pharma.
The plasma therapy, dubbed GC5131, is a type of hyper-immune globulin drug that uses blood plasma taken from people who have fully recovered from COVID-19 infections.
This photo, taken on May 13, 2020, shows an official of GC Pharma working to develop a COVID-19 plasma therapy at its research center in Yongin, south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety gave the green light to administer the investigational therapy to COVID-19 patients to evaluate its safety and efficacy.
The ministry said it has skipped the phase one clinical trial after evaluating the widely recognized safety profile of a plasma medication.
People who have recovered from COVID-19 develop natural defenses against the disease in their blood, in which antibodies are found in the part of the blood called plasma.
So far, clinical trials for 14 COVID-19 treatments and two vaccines are under way in the country.
On Thursday, the country added 288 more COVID-19 cases, including 276 local infections, raising the total caseload to 16,346, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-20--LG to unveil future home life at Europe's largest tech show

`` Park will present the future vision for consumers to enjoy a safer and more convenient home living as people @ @ @ @ @ into new lifestyle habits , '' LG said .
`` LG ThinQ Home Solution , @ @ @ @ @ IFA 2020 , is the company 's innovative response to the new normal and exciting @ @ @ @ @ will look in the future . ''

SEOUL, Aug. 20 (Yonhap) -- LG Electronics Inc., a major home appliance maker in South Korea, said Thursday the company will unveil its future vision for home life in the era of "new normal" amid the pandemic at Europe's largest tech expo next month.
LG's Chief Technology Officer Park Il-pyung will present the vision under the theme of "Life's Good from Home" at the press conference of Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA) 2020, which will take place in Berlin, Germany, on Sept. 3.
"Park will present the future vision for consumers to enjoy a safer and more convenient home living as people in the world over settle into new lifestyle habits," LG said. "LG ThinQ Home Solution, making its world debut at IFA 2020, is the company's innovative response to the new normal and exciting vision for how our life will look in the future."
The event will be livestreamed on IFA's website and LG's YouTube channel.
To replace its offline exhibition at IFA 2020 over virus infection risks, LG said it has set up a smart home showroom in South Korea equipped with its latest products and technologies. The company will create various online content there and show it to consumers when IFA 2020 kicks off.
LG said its online content will include K-pop star Henry Lau taking visitors on a virtual tour of the four-story home highlighting its technology and an interactive video of a family residing in the smart home.
Also starting Sept. 1, LG said it will open a virtual 3-D exhibition hall that allows people to experience their products and services through their mobile devices.
This image provided by LG Electronics Inc. on Aug. 20, 2020, shows the poster for the company's press conference at IFA 2020 in Berlin, Germany. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-20--Virus outbreaks on cusp of raging nationwide, new cases still piling up in greater Seoul

It marked a slight fall from 297 additional cases reported Wednesday , but the daily new virus cases have been @ @ @ @ @ Friday when 103 new infections were reported .
More than 1,500 cases have been newly @ @ @ @ @ .

SEOUL, Aug. 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's daily new virus cases jumped by triple digits for the seventh straight day Thursday as church-linked infections in the greater capital area continued to pile up, with more virus cases being identified across the nation.
The country added 288 more COVID-19 cases, including 276 local infections, raising the total caseload to 16,346, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
It marked a slight fall from 297 additional cases reported Wednesday, but the daily new virus cases have been in the triple digits since Friday when 103 new infections were reported. More than 1,500 cases have been newly identified over the past week.
A flare-up in coronavirus cases, mostly traced to churches, have been reported in Seoul and its surrounding Gyeonggi Province, home to half of the country's 51 million people.
Health authorities warned that this week will be a critical time in judging whether the country will face another wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A member of a Methodist church in northeastern Seoul takes a coronavirus test at a screening test set up at the church on Aug. 19, 2020, after a virus patient was reported there.
But outside the greater Seoul area, many virus cases have been newly added over the past week, with more cases being reported in 15 cities and provinces, spawning concerns that the virus is spreading across the nation.
Of the newly identified local infections, 135 cases were reported in the capital city of Seoul and 81 from Gyeonggi Province.
Incheon, just west of Seoul, added 10 more cases and the southeastern port city of Busan reported 15 additional infections.
Cases traced to the Sarang Jeil Church in northern Seoul, a new hotbed of the latest spike in virus cases, reached 623 as of Wednesday noon, up 166 from a day earlier.
Of the identified patients, those from the wider Seoul area came to 588, according to health authorities.
The Sarang Jeil Church-linked cases marked the largest cluster infection, after more than 5,000 virus cases traced to the minor religious sect of Shincheonji were reported in the southeastern city of Daegu in late February and early March.
Health authorities also urged participants in a massive anti-government rally held in central Seoul on Saturday to immediately take virus tests regardless of showing symptoms.
The KCDC remained on higher alert over a potential explosive outbreak tied to the march as it is hard to trace the whereabouts of thousands of protesters who came to Seoul from other cities.
They were presumed to be in close contact with virus patients during the rally, in which a large number of Sarang Jeil Church members participated.
At least 10 people who joined the weekend rally were confirmed to have contracted the virus, even though they were not affiliated with the conservative church.
This photo, taken on Aug. 19, 2020, shows an empty street in Seoul's central Jongno district after the government ordered a two-week shutdown of risk-prone facilities in Seoul and neighboring area over the COVID-19 pandemic. (Yonhap)
Alarmed by soaring virus cases, South Korea raised the level of social distancing in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province on Sunday by one notch to Level 2 in the three-tier system for two weeks. Starting Wednesday, the measure was expanded to Incheon.
Indoor meetings of more than 50 people and open-air gatherings of over 100 people are banned in principle. So-called risk-prone facilities, including karaoke rooms, clubs, PC cafes and buffets, have been ordered to shut down.
The government said it is not yet the time to consider raising the level of social distancing to Level 3.
The highest anti-virus curbs can be issued when the number of daily virus cases reaches a two-week average of 100-200 and the doubling of new COVID-19 cases occurs more than twice a week.
South Korea reported 12 imported cases, with the United States accounting for three infections. Two cases came from Kazakhstan and another two from Ukraine.
Cases coming in from overseas rebounded back to double-digit numbers since mid-June for about a month, but such infections recently slowed.
South Korea, meanwhile, reported one more death, raising the tally to 307. The fatality rate was 1.88 percent.
The total number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries stood at 14,063, up 57 from the previous day.
The country has carried out 1,734,083 coronavirus tests since Jan. 3.
This photo, provided by the Seoul metropolitan government on Aug. 19, 2020, shows a quarantine official disinfecting the office of the Seoul City Hall after a public servant working on the second floor of the building was infected with the new coronavirus. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-20--Football players' union balks at league proposal for pay cuts

The 12 teams in the top-flight K League 1 and the 10 teams in the K League 2 have been @ @ @ @ @ .
The start of the season was pushed back by more than two months from @ @ @ @ @ due to the coronavirus outbreak , and the season has been shortened from 38 matches @ @ @ @ @ have played most of the season without fans , limiting their gate revenue to close @ @ @

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Aug. 20 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean professional football players' union on Thursday bristled at a league proposal to cut player salaries, saying its members shouldn't be forced to accept reductions in their wages.
The Korea Pro-Footballer's Association (KPFA) released a statement opposing the guideline issued by the Korea Professional Football League (K League) less than 24 hours earlier.
The K League said its proposed salary cut would only be done with players' consent and that it would not affect players in the lower-income bracket. Also, players on Sangju Sangmu, a team made up of conscripted players doing their military service, will not be asked to take any pay cut.
In this file photo from Aug. 16, 2020, fans attend a K League 1 match between the home team Daegu FC and Incheon United at DGB Daegu Bank Park in Daegu, 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)
That leaves 477 out of 743 non-military players, whose base salary is at least 36 million won (US$30,400), as potential targets for pay reduction. The league has proposed to cut 10 percent of the amount that exceeds the 36 million-won base salary over the final four months of the year.
Despite the K League's insistence that the proposal was exactly that, the KPFA said the league was only playing semantics and that players were still in a vulnerable position where they could be nudged to accept pay cuts.
"We'll do everything in our power to prevent teams from cutting salaries without players' consent," the KPFA said. "If that happens, we'll respond sternly."
The 12 teams in the top-flight K League 1 and the 10 teams in the K League 2 have been experiencing financial problems all year. The start of the season was pushed back by more than two months from Feb. 29 to May 8 due to the coronavirus outbreak, and the season has been shortened from 38 matches to 27 matches. Teams have played most of the season without fans, limiting their gate revenue to close to zero.
This file photo from Aug. 15, 2020, shows a K League 1 match between FC Seoul and Sangju Sangmu at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul. (Yonhap)
Stadiums opened back up on Aug. 1, but the majority of the teams have shut them down again since the weekend because of a nationwide surge in COVID-19 cases.
In April, a few weeks before the opening kickoff, the K League had estimated that its 22 clubs would see their revenues fall by a combined 57.5 billion won. The actual loss will certainly come out to be higher at the end of the season.
The KPFA and the K League opened talks on the salary situation in April, but they couldn't come to any agreement, prompting the league to produce its own guideline.
This image provided by the Korea Pro-Footballer's Association on April 19, 2020, shows the organization's logo. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-20--(URGENT) Supreme Court upholds decision in favor of Kia union's claim in ordinary wage suit


yna--2020-08-20--(URGENT) 57 more patients released from coronavirus treatment, total now at 14,063: KCDC


yna--2020-08-20--(URGENT) S. Korea reports one additional coronavirus death, death toll now at 307: KCDC


yna--2020-08-20--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 288 more cases of new coronavirus, total now at 16,346: KCDC


yna--2020-08-20--(2nd LD) S. Korea to set up 400 bln-won fund for digital startups

`` The new policy aims to help South Korea beef up its competitiveness in the digital industry in sync with @ @ @ @ @ the Ministry of Trade , Industry and Energy also said in a statement .
`` @ @ @ @ @ cope with the changing global supply chain . ''

(ATTN: ADDS details in last 4 paras)
SEJONG, Aug. 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will set up a fund of 400 billion won (US$339.6 million) to help digital startups get more loans, Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki said Thursday.
The fund is expected to help promising startups commercialize their technologies, Hong said in a meeting with economy-related ministers.
Hong voiced concerns over a recent jump in daily new infections of the new coronavirus, saying, "Successful containment is a prerequisite of an economic recovery."
South Korea has tightened its social distancing guidelines as infections linked to a Seoul church continued to swell amid growing fears of a serious resurgence in the densely populated capital area.
Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki speaks at a meeting with economy-related ministers on Aug. 20, 2020, in this photo provided by the ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The ministry has set up a task force to support Korean New Deal projects that will help create 1.9 million jobs and jumpstart the coronavirus-hit economy.
Last month, South Korea said it will invest 160 trillion won by 2025 under the bold stimulus package.
Hong said the government will soon announce a plan to establish a fund for the projects.
About 20 trillion won, which will be set aside for the projects, will be included in next year's budget plan, Hong said.
Unlike conventional infrastructure projects, the deals feature 28 projects that will transform the nation's fossil fuel-reliant economy into an eco-friendly one and increase state investment in artificial intelligence and fifth-generation (5G) telecommunication services.
The projects are aimed at laying the groundwork for economic growth in the long term, while cushioning the economic blow from the pandemic and hastening an economic recovery, ministry officials said.
"The new policy aims to help South Korea beef up its competitiveness in the digital industry in sync with the COVID-19 pandemic," the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy also said in a statement. "It will help the country cope with the changing global supply chain."
South Korea said it will lend hands to companies engaging in autonomous cars, robot delivery and self-driving ships to speed up their research and development projects to create new business opportunities in the so-called digital-based industries.
The country also plans to foster some 16,000 experts in the field of big data and artificial intelligence.
South Korea will join forces with other Asian partners, including Singapore, as well to establish what it calls a "digital bloc," in which countries can expand economic cooperation in the emerging industries.
kdh@yna.co.kr
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)