yna--2020-07-20--(LEAD) Moon urges 'productive' use of floating money to ease overheating real estate market

`` The government should take all policy measures so that the overflowing liquidity funds can be channeled into sound and @ @ @ @ @ ones , such as real estate , '' he said in front of pool reporters @ @ @ @ @ session .

(ATTN: UPDATES with more comments, background info in last 4 paras)
SEOUL, July 20 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in called Monday for policy measures to funnel the flood of floating money in South Korea's asset market to "productive investment," not property speculation.
His statement came amid growing concerns about a potential real estate market bubble in the nation driven by record-low interest rates and excess liquidity. The Moon administration has also adopted an expansionary fiscal policy in response to the COVID-19 crisis, like governments in many other nations.
South Korea's capital liquidity has totaled more than 3,000 trillion won (US$2,500 billion), as unprecedentedly low interest rates and huge supply of money are in place globally in a bid to counter the severe economic impact of the coronavirus, Moon pointed out while presiding over a weekly meeting with his senior Cheong Wa Dae aides.
"The government should take all policy measures so that the overflowing liquidity funds can be channeled into sound and productive investment, not unproductive ones, such as real estate," he said in front of pool reporters at the opening of the session.
President Moon Jae-in makes opening remarks during a weekly meeting with his senior secretaries at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on July 20, 2020. (Yonhap)
He instructed relevant authorities to do their best to ensure that abundant liquidity leads to corporate investment and household income.
"It's a way to make our economy healthy and advance economic recovery," he said.
He also urged the government to review "comprehensive policy methods" to protect retail stock investors and encourage long-term market investment in the local equity market.
His administration is seeking to overhaul the financial taxation system.
"Its focus is to vitalize our stock market," Moon said, adding it should be done in the direction of boosting investment by individuals here even if tax income decreases.
Moon suggested the creation of special funds for the Korean-version New Deal project, as his office has branded it a government-private team initiative aimed at creating jobs and fostering economic growth.
He then cited another investment vehicle, named the Smart Republic of Korea Fund, designed to support local start-ups and other venture firms working in new industries.
It represents a "very important try" to create six trillion won worth of funds by 2025, starting this year with the initial capital of 1 trillion won, Moon said.
He has already put the brakes on the finance ministry's move to impose taxes of up to 25 percent on annual capital gains exceeding 20 million won for retail investors starting in 2023.
A revision to the taxation law should be carried out in a way to whet retail investors' appetite for investment in the country's equity market, he said last Friday through Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-20--U.S. airman in Gunsan found dead

U.S. airman in Gunsan found dead

The soldier was assigned to the 8th Fighter Wing of the Kunsan Air Base in Gunsan , North Jeolla Province @ @ @ @ @ , the air force said , adding that it was investigating the cause of his @ @

GUNSAN, South Korea, July 20 (Yonhap) -- A U.S. service member stationed in South Korea was found dead in his room on Monday, the U.S. Air Force said.
The airman was found unresponsive in his dormitory by another soldier at around 8:50 a.m. and pronounced dead some 20 minutes later, it said in a statement.
The soldier was assigned to the 8th Fighter Wing of the Kunsan Air Base in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, and is not Korean, the air force said, adding that it was investigating the cause of his death.
Gunsan was spelled as Kunsan before the government changed its official romanization system.
"The incident is currently under investigation and further details will be provided as they become available," it said.
The undated file photo shows a fighter jet at the Kunsan Air Base in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province. (Yonhap)
jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-20--S. Korea to send chartered flight to virus-hit Iraq to bring about 300 nationals home

The government has been in talks with Iraqi authorities to arrange details , including how many flights they will need @ @ @ @ @ quarantine procedures , a foreign ministry official said .

By Kim Seung-yeon
SEOUL, July 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is planning to send at least one government chartered flight to Iraq later this week to bring home about 300 nationals amid rapid spread of the virus in the Middle Eastern country, officials said Monday.
The government has been in talks with Iraqi authorities to arrange details, including how many flights they will need to operate as well as quarantine procedures, a foreign ministry official said.
The flight will be sent around Friday, the official said.
The number of applicants seeking to board the flight rose to nearly 300 from 200 tallied late last week. They are mostly employees of large builders and their subcontractors involved in oil refinery facility projects in Karbala, southwest of Baghdad.
"We're still taking applications and the number of those wishing to return could rise further," a ministry official said.
The special flight will mark the seventh case that the government has chartered a plane to airlift its nationals stranded in virus-struck regions, after sending flights to China's Wuhan -- the initial epicenter of the pandemic -- Japan, Peru, Italy, Ethiopia and Iran.
On Friday, the government announced the plan for the chartered flight to Iraq, citing a sharp increase in infection cases by a couple of thousand per day. Iraq's total caseload has surpassed 92,500, with 3,781 deaths.
Upon their return, they will be required to isolate for two weeks at government-designated facilities and undergo virus tests.
The decision also comes after South Korea reported a group infection of some 20 people who tested positive upon arriving from Iraq last week. In June, two South Korean workers in Iraq died of coronavirus symptoms or complications from the disease.
There are 828 South Korean nationals living in Iraq. Of them, 499 are based in Karbala due to their work in the construction projects.
This photo taken April 1, 2020, shows South Korean nationals at an arrival gate in Incheon International Airport after they returned home from Milan, Italy, aboard a government chartered flight amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Yonhap)
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-20--(4th LD) New virus cases at over 3-week low, imported cases still rising

`` However , as most of the imported cases are being detected at checkpoints , there is little chance for @ @ @ @ @ local infections , '' Kim added .
`` Nevertheless , the COVID-19 pandemic will last @ @ @ @ @ become available , and we are now preparing for a long battle with the virus @

(ATTN: ADDS details in paras 21-22; CHANGES photos)
SEOUL, July 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new daily virus cases fell below 30 for the first time in more than three weeks on Monday in a potential sign of a slowdown in virus infections, but imported cases continued to rise by double-digit figures.
The country identified 26 new cases, raising the total caseload to 13,771, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). Of the newly added cases, just four were local infections.
It was the lowest daily increase since 17 cases reported on June 22.
The number of locally transmitted cases also reached a single-digit figure for the first time in two months after nine cases on May 19, the KCDC data showed.
It marked a drastic turnaround from the previous day, when the country reported more locally transmitted cases than imported cases for the first time in eight days.
The country has seen double-digit numbers of imported cases for 25 consecutive days as of Monday, adding 22 of such cases.
Health officials give instructions to arrivals at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, west of Seoul, on July 20, 2020. (Yonhap)
South Korea has recorded a sharp increase in the number of imported cases, mostly attributable to workers returning from Iraq and a series of cluster infections on Russian-flagged vessels docked in the country's southeastern port city of Busan.
The country has been struggling to curb such infections detected at border check-points, requesting foreign arrivals from six high-risk nations to submit proof of negative virus test results.
The KCDC, however, said there were three arrivals from the countries who tested positive for the virus here despite handing in the proof.
The accumulated number of imported cases reached 2,067, with Asian countries, excluding China, taking up 39 percent of the total, the KCDC data showed. Arrivals from the Americas accounted for 34 percent. Those from China were responsible for 1 percent.
Of the locally transmitted cases reported on Monday, two were from Seoul.
An office building in the capital city's southwestern ward of Gwanak reported one more case Monday, raising the total related caseload to 33.
A nursing home in western Seoul also reported nine new COVID-19 cases Monday, although this was not yet included in the daily tally. Authorities are currently tracking their infection routes.
Gwangju, located some 330 kilometers south of Seoul, added one more case Monday.
Health authorities said over the past two weeks, virus cases with unknown infection routes decreased to 7 percent of the total from around 10 percent.
"As the global COVID-19 pandemic is showing no signs of a slowdown, we are focusing more on imported cases," said Vice Health Minister Kim Ganglip during a regular briefing.
"However, as most of the imported cases are being detected at checkpoints, there is little chance for such cases to lead to local infections," Kim added. "Nevertheless, the COVID-19 pandemic will last until effective treatments or vaccines become available, and we are now preparing for a long battle with the virus.
Medical workers carry out new coronavirus tests at a makeshift drive-thru center located in western Seoul on July 20, 2020. (Yonhap)
South Korea, which did not impose a full lockdown since detecting its first COVID-19 case in January, lifted most of its social distancing rules in early May when it reported single-digit daily cases.
The country later decided to again tighten social distancing rules in Seoul and its surrounding areas in June due to growing infections from nightlife establishments, churches, and logistics centers.
With the number of daily local transmissions recently hovering around 20 or below, South Korea resumed operations of some museums and libraries in the greater Seoul area starting Monday.
The public facilities have adopted a quick response (QR) code-based registration system that can help health authorities track potential virus cases, according to the authorities.
South Korea has already applied the system at around 133,000 facilities nationwide that are deemed vulnerable to virus spread, including bars, clubs and religious facilities.
Health authorities, however, are still vigilant over the spread of the virus in vacation spots over the summer, pointing out that the season will serve as a critical juncture for the nation's anti-virus fight.
"We urge people to spend their vacation at home," KCDC Director Jeong Eun-kyeong said. "At vacation spots, people should travel in small groups and follow social distancing rules."
The country's death toll came to 296, with one more virus-caused death reported, according to the KCDC. The fatality rate reached 2.15 percent.
As of Monday, 12,572 of the infected have been released after a full recovery, up 16 from a day before.
The country has carried out 1,470,193 COVID-19 tests so far.
Of virus patients reported in South Korea, patients aged 59 and below accounted for 70 percent. No deaths were reported from those aged under 30, the data also showed.
But among 488 COVID-19 patients traced to door-to-door sales businesses in the country, a whopping 73 percent of them were aged 50 and above.
Some 9 percent of the patients identified here were in critical condition, requiring oxygen therapy.
Meanwhile, a man was detained earlier in the day for allegedly having lied to health authorities about his job and itinerary before testing positive for the virus, which eventually led to a community spread in Incheon, about 40 km west of Seoul, in May.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-20--KB Kookmin Bank to become largest stakeholder in Indonesian bank

The decision -- made at the bank 's board meeting on Thursday -- will raise the South Korean lender 's @ @ @ @ @ a mid-sized institution , to 67 percent by the end of August , making the @ @ @ @ @ shareholder of Bank Bukopin .

SEOUL, July 20 (Yonhap) -- KB Kookmin Bank, South Korea's largest retail lender, said Monday that it has decided to acquire an additional 45-percent stake in Bank Bukopin in Indonesia.
The decision -- made at the bank's board meeting on Thursday -- will raise the South Korean lender's stake in Bank Bukopin, a mid-sized institution, to 67 percent by the end of August, making the South Korean bank the largest shareholder of Bank Bukopin.
KB Kookmin Bank did not provide the value of the stake purchase.
The corporate logo of KB Kookmin Bank (Yonhap)
The move came two years after KB Kookmin Bank acquired a 22-percent stake in Bank Bukopin in the latest move to strengthen its presence in the emerging country.
Bank Bukopin experienced bank runs in recent weeks, due mainly to growing cash demand amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The cash withdrawals have since stabilized with the news of KB Kookmin Bank becoming the majority shareholder of Bank Bukopin.
Indonesian conglomerate Bosowa Corp. currently holds a 23.4-percent stake in Bank Bukopin.
entropy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-20--Hyundai, Kia's Q2 net tipped to nosedive amid pandemic

`` The carmakers ' earnings will rebound in the third quarter ( compared to a quarter earlier ) if the @ @ @ @ @ vehicle production and sales in the U.S. market improve in the third quarter , '' @ @ @ @ @ at Hanwha Investment & Securities Co. said .

By Choi Kyong-ae
SEOUL, July 20 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co. and its affiliate Kia Motors Corp., South Korea's two biggest carmakers, may suffer a sharp decline in the second-quarter earnings as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, but have fared well compared to foreign rivals, analysts said Monday.
In the three months that ended June 30, Hyundai and Kia's earnings results are estimated to have plunged as the COVID-19 pandemic affected their vehicle production and overseas sales in major markets, such as the United States and Europe.
Local brokerages expected Hyundai's net profit for the second quarter to have dipped 82 percent to 176 billion won (US$146 million) from 999.6 billion won in the same period of last year and Kia's bottom line to sink to 60 billion won from 505.4 billion won over the cited period.
Hyundai's operating profit is forecast to nosedive to 248 billion won in the just-ended quarter from 1.24 trillion won a year earlier, with sales down 26 percent to 19.84 trillion won from 26.97 trillion won.
Kia's operating income is projected to fall to 25 billion won from 533.6 billion won during the cited period, with sales down 23 percent to 11.21 trillion won from 14.51 trillion won.
They are scheduled to announce their most recent quarterly earnings on Thursday.
This file photo shows Hyundai Motor's and its affiliate Kia Motors' headquarters in southern Seoul. (Yonhap)
Analysts said robust sales of their new models in the domestic market helped Hyundai and Kia fare better than their global rivals and offset weak overseas sales in the second quarter.
"The carmakers likely have performed better than their bigger rivals, helped by strong local demand for Hyundai's G80 sedan and GV80 sport-utility vehicle (under its independent Genesis brand) and Kia's Sorento SUV and K5 sedan," Kwon Soon-woo, an analyst at SK Securities Co., said.
For instance, Daimler AG last week announced an operating loss of 1.68 billion euros ($1.9 billion) as the spreading virus led to a slump in demand, dealership closures and lockdowns.
A cut in consumption taxes also helped boost Hyundai and Kia's local sales in the second quarter, the analyst said.
Looking ahead, Kwon said that the coronavirus impact on vehicle demand in advanced and developing markets is likely to continue into the third quarter if the virus prolongs.
It remains to be seen when their domestic and overseas production facilities will return to full operations.
Hyundai and Kia suspended most of their overseas plants from March amid virus fears. All of their overseas plants returned to operations early in May, though they are not in full production. Production at their domestic plants has yet to get fully back on track.
To revive sales, Hyundai plans to launch the G70 sedan and aims to begin sales of the GV80 SUV in the North American markets later this year. Kia plans to launch the Carnival minivan in the local market later this year.
"The carmakers' earnings will rebound in the third quarter (compared to a quarter earlier) if the virus slows down and overseas vehicle production and sales in the U.S. market improve in the third quarter," Kim Dong-ha, an analyst at Hanwha Investment & Securities Co., said.
This photo, taken on April 8, 2020, shows completed vehicles waiting to be shipped at the port of Hyundai Motor's Ulsan plant, 414 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-20--S. Korea to send 2 million face masks to 28 African countries

Seoul will send the masks in cooperation with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention ( ACDCP ) , @ @ @ @ @ Union that has been charged with containing the spread of the pandemic in Africa .

SEOUL, July 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to send 2 million face masks to 28 countries in sub-Saharan Africa this month to support their fight against the new coronavirus, the foreign ministry said Monday.
Seoul will send the masks in cooperation with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (ACDCP), an organization under the African Union that has been charged with containing the spread of the pandemic in Africa.
The ministry plans to send the masks in four separate batches, with the first one set to be sent to the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa on Tuesday.
"The support this time is expected to show our government's firm willingness to contribute to the African region's efforts to respond to COVID-19 and to further strengthen the friendly relationship between South Korea and Africa," the ministry said in a press release.
South Korea has recently been strengthening its aid program for Africa, including its sharing of experience in fighting the contagious disease and a US$5 million project to help reinforce the ACDCP's overall capacity.
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-20--(2nd LD) Complaints of worm-like creatures in tap water spreading nationwide

`` We have conducted an inspection of all water-purifying facilities and reservoirs in Seoul following similar reports in Incheon , @ @ @ @ @ detected , '' an official said , `` Since there is just one complaint so @ @ @ @ @ on determining the condition of the building 's basement water tank . ''

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; ADDS details in paras 2-6, 14-18, photo)
SEOUL, July 20 (Yonhap) -- A growing number of worm-like creatures have been reported in tap water in Seoul, Busan, Gyeonggi Province and other parts of the nation over the past week after residents of Incheon, west of the capital, made the first complaints about weird-looking organisms in their drinking water about two weeks ago.
Since July 9, authorities in Incheon, 50 kilometers west of Seoul, have received nearly 600 complaints of larva-like organisms being discovered in the city's tap water. Of those, the city's water officials collected larva-like creatures from 166 cases.
Incheon officials suspect that winged insects may have laid eggs in water treatment facilities and larvae produced from them may have made their way into households through the water pipe.
Since about a week ago, authorities of Seoul, Busan, Gyeonggi and other places have been flooded with similar reports of worm-like organisms in their tap water, prodding Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun to issue an emergency instruction on Monday for inspection of all water purification plants nationwide.
Chung ordered Minister of Environment Cho Myung-rae by phone to immediately address the mounting public concerns about tap water safety.
"The environment ministry and local governments should join hands to swiftly conduct investigations and transparently disclose all relevant information to help ease public unrest," Chung was quoted as telling Cho. The prime minister also ordered an emergency inspection of all 484 water purification plants nationwide to cope with the problem.
A worm-like organism that was discovered in tap water at an apartment in Seoul's Jung Ward at around 11 p.m. on July 19, 2020, is seen in this photo provided by the resident. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
In Seoul, water authorities on Monday said they were examining local waterworks after an organism resembling a worm was discovered in the city's tap water.
Workers at the Seoul Waterworks Authority have collected and are examining the organism, about 1 centimeter long, which was discovered at an apartment in Seoul's Jung Ward and reported at around 11 p.m. Sunday.
The person who reported the organism said it had a thickness of a hair and was moving when found.
Officials are focusing on determining whether the organism flowed in through the water pipes or entered through an external channel.
An initial probe showed there were no issues at the building's basement water tank. However, there were some bugs found outside of the tank, officials said.
There are low possibilities the organism may have come in from a connected water-purifying plant or reservoir, they added.
"We have conducted an inspection of all water-purifying facilities and reservoirs in Seoul following similar reports in Incheon, and there were no issues detected," an official said, "Since there is just one complaint so far, we are focusing on determining the condition of the building's basement water tank."
An official inspects a water purification plant in eastern Seoul on July 20, 2020, after a report of a worm-like creature in the district. (Yonhap)
The government of Gyeonggi Province, which surrounds Seoul, said it has received 14 complaints of larva-like organisms in tap water and has launched an inspection into 53 purification facilities in the province.
The provincial government also rules out the possibility of such creatures originating from water purification plants, assuming that they may have entered homes via apartment water tanks, sewers or other channels.
In Busan, municipal officials said they have received 11 complaints of organisms appearing to be larvae in tap water over the past week and confirmed the existence of worms in four cases. They also said the possibility of those worms originating from water plants is very low and those creatures may have come from private water tanks or sewers.
Indeed, an apartment house in Anyang, just south of Seoul, reported a worm-like creature in its tap water but authorities later confirmed that it came from the home's drainage.
In Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, an apartment resident posted a complaint of larva-like organism on social media but municipal authorities failed to find anything strange in the apartment house's tap water and the district's purification plant.
(END)


yna--2020-07-20--LG Electronics to offer free repair of TV power boards in S. Korea

The South Korean tech firm said it will replace power board components for 18 OLED TV models , including the @ @ @ @ @ 77W9 , that were produced between February 2016 and September 2019 and sold here .

SEOUL, July 20 (Yonhap) -- LG Electronics Inc. said Monday it will offer free repair of TV power boards in South Korea due to a possible heating risk.
The South Korean tech firm said it will replace power board components for 18 OLED TV models, including the OLED 65G8 and the OLED 77W9, that were produced between February 2016 and September 2019 and sold here.
Its TVs sold overseas are not subject to the repairs, according to LG.
LG said some of its TV power boards carry the risk of current overflow after performance degradation of a current-controlling component.
LG said it has so far fixed 22,000 out of 60,000 TVs that need new power boards.
This photo taken on Feb. 28, 2020, shows the outdoor signage of LG Electronics Inc.'s office building in Seoul. (Yonhap)
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-20--S. Korean Bond Yields on Jul. 20, 2020

S. Korean Bond Yields on Jul. 20, 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--2020-07-20--(LEAD) Seoul stocks end tad lower on profit-taking, stimulus uncertainties

Investor wariness grew as European leaders came to a disagreement over a 750 billion-euro ( US $ 857 billion ) @ @ @ @ @ of the U.S. emergency relief package likely being delayed , analysts said .

(ATTN: ADDS bond yields at bottom, photo)
SEOUL, July 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares closed a tad lower Monday as investors locked in part of gains built on hopes for economic relief packages in major economies. The Korean won rose against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 2.99 points, or 0.14 percent, to close at 2,198.20. Trading volume was high at about 675 million shares worth some 11.8 trillion won (US$9.8 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 476 to 369.
The index climbed 2.4 percent last week on the back of hopes for stimulus measures in major economies, which prodded investors to cash in gains, analysts said.
Investors also kept a watchful eye on uncertainties over the additional stimulus measures under review.
Electronic signboards at the trading room of Hana Bank in Seoul show the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed at 2,198.20 on July 20, 2020, down 2.99 points or 0.14 percent from the previous session's close. (Yonhap)
Investor wariness grew as European leaders came to a disagreement over a 750 billion-euro (US$857 billion) stimulus package and the passing of the U.S. emergency relief package likely being delayed, analysts said.
"The stock market may remain on the sidelines until the U.S. stimulus bill is approved," NH Investment & Securities analyst Noh Dong-kil said.
U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing to include a payroll tax cut as part of the aid plan, raising the level of uncertainties, Noh added.
In Seoul, most large caps finished in negative terrain.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics lost 0.37 percent to 54,200 won, with No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix shedding 0.84 percent to 82,200 won.
Leading pharmaceutical firm Samsung BioLogics retreated 0.54 percent to 739,000 won, and Celltrion dipped 1.52 percent to 323,000 won.
Top automaker Hyundai Motor gained 3.4 percent to 121,500 won, with its smaller affiliate Kia Motors adding 3.26 percent to 38,000 won.
The local currency closed at 1,203.2 won per dollar, up 1.9 won from the previous session's close.
Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed higher. The yield on three-year Treasurys lost 1.1 basis points to 0.801 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bond slipped 1.4 basis points to 1.066 percent.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-21--Korea Shipbuilding bags 87 bln won order from Asian client

Under the deal , Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co. , a shipbuilding unit of Korea Shipbuilding , will start building the @ @ @ @ @ deliver them to the buyers from the second half of 2021 , Korea Shipbuilding said @ @ @ @ @

By Nam Kwang-sik
SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) -- Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co. said Tuesday that it has won an 87 billion won (US$72.6 million) deal from an Asian company to construct two petrochemicals (PC) carriers.
Under the deal, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co., a shipbuilding unit of Korea Shipbuilding, will start building the 50,000-ton ships in November and deliver them to the buyers from the second half of 2021, Korea Shipbuilding said in an e-mailed statement.
The deal has an option to build two additional PC carriers.
So far this year, Korea Shipbuilding has won orders to build a total of 22 PC carriers, including the latest deal.
Korea Shipbuilding, newly formed from Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., is the subholding firm of Hyundai Heavy Industries Holdings Co. and has three shipbuilders -- Hyundai Heavy, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard and Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co. -- under its wing.
This photo provided by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co. shows a petrochemicals carrier built by the shipbuilder. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
ksnam@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-21--S. Korea designates Aug. 17 as temporary holiday for virus-weary people

SEOUL , July 21 ( Yonhap ) -- The South Korean government on Tuesday designated Aug. 17 as a temporary @ @ @ @ @ in the nation to have three consecutive days off during the summer season that 's @ @ @ @ @ the drawn-out fight against the novel coronavirus .

SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean government on Tuesday designated Aug. 17 as a temporary national holiday, allowing workers in the nation to have three consecutive days off during the summer season that's feared to be dampened by the drawn-out fight against the novel coronavirus.
The Cabinet approved the plan to add the post-weekend holiday on the August calendar during a weekly meeting chaired by President Moon Jae-in at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul.
Moon said the designation is intended to give a "short but precious rest time" to people tired from battling the virus.
"I hope that it will serve as a small comfort to the people who are enduring inconveniences for the safety of everyone," the president said at the outset of the meeting.
President Moon Jae-in makes opening remarks during a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on July 21, 2020. (Yonhap)
The government considered the fact that this year's major holidays like June 6 Memorial Day and the Aug. 15 Liberation Day fell on Saturday, a non-workday.
Moon also took note of a decision by parcel delivery service firms here to mark "Delivery-free Day" on Aug. 14 so that delivery workers, who are suffering overwork amid the COVID-19 pandemic, can get some rest.
"It's a good thing that courier workers, busier with no opportunity to take a rest amid the coronavirus crisis, have become able to enjoy the right to rest even for a short time," Moon said.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun earlier publicly proposed making Aug. 17, a Monday, a temporary holiday in a bid to "give time for some relief to people and medical staff who've been exhausted (by the coronavirus situation) and also to help maintain the trend of recovery in domestic demand."
He pointed out that there are fewer national holidays in South Korea this year than previous years due to several falling on weekends.
Hyundai Research Institute, a Seoul-based think tank, said the upcoming extra day off is estimated to bring about 4.2 trillion won (US$3.5 billion) worth of economic effects.
"The designation of a temporary holiday is an important measure to boost domestic consumption in the midst of an unprecedented economic crisis from COVID-19," the institute said.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-21--Fire kills at least 3 in Yongin distribution center: fire department

The fire started at around 8:29 a.m. at the SLC Distribution Center in the city .
A total of 69 @ @ @ @ @ at the center , and 64 have been evacuated , of which four were injured @ @ @ @ @ is unknown , it said .

YONGIN, South Korea, July 21 (Yonhap) -- A fire broke out in a distribution center in Yongin, south of Seoul, leaving at least three people dead, the National Fire Agency said Tuesday.
The fire started at around 8:29 a.m. at the SLC Distribution Center in the city. A total of 69 people were said to be at the center, and 64 have been evacuated, of which four were injured. What caused the fire is unknown, it said.
Firefighters were working to put out the fire.
A firetruck is mobilized to put out a fire at a distribution center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, on July 21, 2020. (Yonhap)
jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-21--Daewoo Shipbuilding joins hands with Port of Rotterdam to develop smartships

Under the agreement , Daewoo Shipbuilding will push for a study to develop smartships suitable for digitized ports with the @ @ @ @ @ three years in order to dominate the future autonomous ship market , the shipbuilder said @ @ @ @ @

By Nam Kwang-sik
SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's second-largest shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. said Tuesday that it has agreed with the Netherlands' Port of Rotterdam Authority to develop ship-related smart technologies.
Under the agreement, Daewoo Shipbuilding will push for a study to develop smartships suitable for digitized ports with the port authority over the next three years in order to dominate the future autonomous ship market, the shipbuilder said in an e-mailed statement.
Port of Rotterdam has been widely known as the world's best digitized port, Daewoo Shipbuilding said.
Daewoo Shipbuilding's latest deal is the second of its kind since July 8 when it signed a deal with Busan Port Authority, the shipbuilder said.
This photo provided by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. shows a ceremony between Daewoo Shipbuilding and Port of Rotterdam Authority through video conference. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
ksnam@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-21--(2nd LD) No discussions on USFK troop reduction during S. Korea-U.S. defense chiefs' talks

`` No discussions took place related to ( the U.S. troop level ) during today 's phone talks , nor @ @ @ @ @ the past , '' deputy ministry spokesperson Col .
Moon Hong-sik said during a regular @ @ @ @ @ Korea and the U.S. have a firm shared understanding on the role and importance of @ @ @ @ @ USFK ) for the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the Northeast Asia @ @ @

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; UPDATES throughout with more info, minor edits)
By Choi Soo-hyang
SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) -- No discussions took place on U.S. troop levels in South Korea when Defense Minister Jeong Kyung-doo spoke by phone with U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Tuesday, the defense ministry said.
The 50-minute conversation came just days after the Wall Street Journal reported that the Pentagon has presented the White House with options to reduce troop levels in South Korea amid a deadlock in negotiations to share the cost of the American troop presence.
"No discussions took place related to (the U.S. troop level) during today's phone talks, nor has it been discussed in the past," deputy ministry spokesperson Col. Moon Hong-sik said during a regular press briefing. "South Korea and the U.S. have a firm shared understanding on the role and importance of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) for the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the Northeast Asia region."
Talk of troop reduction came as the two countries have made little progress in efforts to narrow differences on how to share the cost of the upkeep of the 28,500-strong USFK.
Jeong and Esper agreed on the need to promptly conclude a new cost-sharing deal, according to officials.
Another key topic was how to hold annual summertime military exercises between the two countries amid coronavirus concerns. The two sides already skipped their annual springtime exercises earlier this year due to the pandemic.
"The two countries are closely coordinating on how to hold the combined training while taking various circumstances into consideration, including the COVID-19 situation," an official said.
Jeong and Esper also agreed to "unwaveringly" push for the agreed-upon transition of the wartime operational control (OPCON) of South Korean forces from Washington to Seoul, officials said, amid concerns that canceling or scaling back joint exercises could affect the envisioned OPCON transfer.
Seoul and Washington have been working for a conditions-based OPCON transfer. No specific deadline has been set, though many see the two sides eyeing 2022, or thereabouts, as the target date.
The right conditions required to be created before the OPCON transfer are South Korea's capabilities to lead the allies' combined defense mechanism, its capacity for initial responses to the North's nuclear and missile threats, and a stable security environment on the peninsula and in the region.
In order to verify whether Seoul is on course to meet the conditions for the transition, South Korea and the U.S. carried out an initial operational capability (IOC) test in August last year, and they are planning to move on to the next step of carrying out a Full Operational Capability (FOC) test.
The two defense chiefs also shared their assessments of the security situation on the peninsula and vowed to continue supporting diplomatic efforts for denuclearization of North Korea and establishment of a lasting peace, it said.
"The two sides agreed to continue maintaining the South Korea-U.S. alliance's readiness posture and combined defense posture to respond to the changing security situation on the Korean Peninsula," the ministry said in a release.
Jeong and Esper will continue discussions on pending issues during their annual Security Consultative Meeting slated for fall, the ministry said.
In this file photo, taken Feb. 24, 2020, South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo (R) and U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper hold a joint press conference at the Pentagon in Washington. (Yonhap)
scaaet@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-21--The Korea Interbank Offered Rates (KORIBOR)

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


yna--2020-07-21--Minister nominee calls for humanitarian cooperation with N.K. independently of 'working group' with

Minister nominee calls for humanitarian cooperation with N.K. independently of 'working group' with U.S.

`` My opinion has been that there should be separation between solutions that need to be found through the working @ @ @ @ @ can do on our own , '' Lee said .
`` For example , humanitarian @ @ @ @ @ suffering and things that people want to see before they die can be pursued on @ @ @ @ @ the working group . ''

By Koh Byung-joon
SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korea should pursue inter-Korean humanitarian cooperation independently of the "working group" forum set up to coordinate North Korea policy with the United States, unification minister nominee Lee In-young said Tuesday.
Lee, a four-term lawmaker, made the remarks during a meeting with reporters in central Seoul, adding that "small-scale trade" with the North especially in humanitarian areas could be a way to overcome restraints posed by global sanctions in expanding cross-border exchange and cooperation.
"My opinion has been that there should be separation between solutions that need to be found through the working group and things that we can do on our own," Lee said. "For example, humanitarian areas related to eating, suffering and things that people want to see before they die can be pursued on our own without consultations through the working group."
Lee apparently referred to the possibility of the provision of food and medication to the North and reunions of families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War.
South Korea and the U.S. launched the working group in November 2018 to coordinate their approaches on the North's denuclearization, humanitarian aid, sanctions enforcement and inter-Korean relations.
North Korea has lambasted the working group as a hindrance to progress in inter-Korean relations. Some critics in Seoul also say it has served as a roadblock in seeking cross-border exchanges and cooperation as it mainly handles whether such projects run counter to global sanctions against the North.
Lee said that "bulk cash" that could be channeled to North Korea's nuclear and missile development programs has been a major issue when it comes to applying sanctions against the North, adding that "small-scale trade" could be a "creative" way to get over such restrictions in expanding inter-Korean exchange.
"I hope to seek small-scale trade (with the North) in humanitarian areas related to eating, suffering and things people want to see before they die," he said. "For example, water from Mount Paekdu and liquor from the Taedong River can be exchanged with our rice and medication through item-to-item trade."
Unification minister nominee Lee In-young, a lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party, speaks to reporters after arriving at the Office of Inter-Korean Dialogue in Seoul on July 21, 2020, to prepare for his parliamentary confirmation scheduled for July 23. (Yonhap)
"Once such small-scale trade starts, I hope that it could develop into larger-scale trade going forward," he added.
Lee said that cooperation with the North in the humanitarian area, along with the resumption of stalled inter-Korean talks, will be conducive to building mutual trust, which is necessary for the two Koreas to talk about the implementation of agreements made through talks and summits again.
With regard to the possibility of individual trips to North Korea as a way to improve inter-Korean relations without violating sanctions on Pyongyang, Lee expressed hope that such tours could be available first to older people who want to see their separated families in the North.
"I hope that such tours can be started first at Mount Kumgang (in the North). Otherwise, I would like to propose the tours at (the truce village of) Panmunjom in small numbers," he said.
As for summertime joint military drills with the U.S., the nominee said that he "personally" wants the exercises to be postponed.
Lee's nomination came as inter-Korean relations have been almost frozen since the North blew up a joint liaison office in its border town of Kaesong last month in anger over anti-Pyongyang leaflets sent by activists in South Korea.
The North also cut off all cross-border communication lines and threatened to take more retaliatory steps, but leader Kim Jong-un later called off military action against the South.
Lee must go through a parliamentary confirmation hearing slated for Thursday. But it is considered largely a formality as the National Assembly can only express its views on the nomination without the power to reject it.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-21--LG releases new gaming monitor with fast response-time, high picture quality

`` The new UltraGear monitor builds on the fast , accurate colors of its predecessor to deliver 4K resolution for @ @ @ @ @ LG said .
`` The generously proportioned display can also be a big advantage for @ @ @ @ @ files or accessing multiple applications simultaneously . ''

SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) -- LG Electronics Inc. on Tuesday announced the global launch of a new gaming monitor that boasts fast response time and high picture quality.
The South Korean tech firm said its new UltraGear gaming monitor, the 27GN950, features the world's first 4K in-plane switching (IPS) display with 1 millisecond response time.
"The new UltraGear monitor builds on the fast, accurate colors of its predecessor to deliver 4K resolution for maximum gaming impact," LG said. "The generously proportioned display can also be a big advantage for creative professionals when editing high-resolution files or accessing multiple applications simultaneously."
LG said the 27-inch monitor can deliver 4K ultra-high-definition (UHD) images in 10-bit color with a 144Hz refresh rate. Its display has also acquired VESA Display HDR 600 certification which guarantees a certain level of quality in color accuracy, dynamic contrast, high luminance and a wide color gamut.
LG said the 27GN950, which received a Red Dot Design Award, will be the first UltraGear monitor to have its new "wings" emblem, which is designed with a concept of victory in gaming.
In South Korea, the gaming monitor will be sold for 1.09 million won (US$910).
In this photo provided by LG Electronics Inc. on July 21, 2020, models introduce LG's new UltraGear gaming monitor, the 27GN950. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-21--Chartered flights to bring bizmen to Vietnam, China this week

The country is planning to send at least one chartered flight to Iraq later this week to bring home about @ @ @ @ @ spread of the virus in the Middle Eastern country .

By Kang Yoon-seung
SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korea said Tuesday it plans to send businessmen on chartered flights to Vietnam and China this week as the new coronavirus pandemic has virtually suspended global air traffic, disrupting their travels.
Under the plan, around 570 businessmen from 240 companies will start being sent to Vietnam on chartered airplanes Wednesday, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
Through August, South Korea plans to send 1,500 workers to the Southeast Asian nation.
The flight to China carrying around 160 business officials from small and midsized companies will also depart to Guangdong Province on Thursday, the ministry added.
The businessmen will be put under a two-week isolation after arriving in Vietnam and China before heading toward their final destinations.
South Korea said it will continue to work closely with major trade partners to eliminate business uncertainties for local companies.
China is the top trading partner for Asia's No. 4 economy. In 2019, Vietnam was the third-largest export destination.
South Korea has been sending chartered passenger and cargo flights overseas since earlier this year as most of the regular flights have been grounded in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The country is planning to send at least one chartered flight to Iraq later this week to bring home about 300 nationals amid the rapid spread of the virus in the Middle Eastern country.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-21--S. Korea to expand FTA network to overcome virus pandemic

The FTAs will also help South Korea to speed up its exports of medical supplies , whose global demand has @ @ @ @ @ virus pandemic , according to the ministry .
Shipments of biohealth products jumped a whopping @ @ @ @ @ a year earlier .

By Kang Yoon-seung
SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korea said Tuesday it will speed up efforts to expand its free trade agreement (FTA) networks to overcome the economic jitters sparked by the new coronavirus pandemic.
"South Korea will not only focus on opening markets but seek to build a sustainable partnership with developing nations on the back of FTAs," Industry Minister Sung Yun-mo said during a conference with business organizations and companies held in Seoul.
The remark came amid concerns that the COVID-19 pandemic is putting strains on Asia's No. 4 economy as it depends heavily on exports.
South Korea's exports fell 10.9 percent in June marking the fourth consecutive month of decline amid the fallout from the new coronavirus pandemic. The country's outbound shipments already suffered from the Sino-American trade war in 2019.
Exports dropped 12.8 percent on-year in the first 20 days of July as well.
With exports to the world's top two economies accounting for roughly 40 percent of its outbound shipments, the country has been making efforts to diversify its trade portfolio and create deeper ties with Southeast Asian countries.
Earlier this month, South Korea and Cambodia agreed to launch official negotiations for an FTA. In January, Seoul and Manila held the fifth round of official negotiations for their FTA. Talks with Malaysia are also in progress.
The FTAs will also help South Korea to speed up its exports of medical supplies, whose global demand has shot up due to the virus pandemic, according to the ministry. Shipments of biohealth products jumped a whopping 53 percent in June from a year earlier.
South Korea vowed to make efforts to eliminate travel uncertainties for businesses as well.
The country said it will launch discussions on adopting what it calls a "pandemic-free passport," with major trading partners to minimize travel restrictions on business officials.
South Korea, which adopted a "fast-track" entry system to minimize the travel restrictions sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic with China, said it plans to expand the program to Singapore, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-21--Incheon's iconic summer festivals postponed or canceled due to COVID-19

The Songdo Beer Festival has been held for nine days in late August annually in the spacious Pentaport Park with @ @ @ @ @ than 30,000 participants , featuring a variety of summer night entertainment events , performances and @ @ @ @ @ beer and food .
The beer festival , which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year @ @ @ @ @ participants last year .

INCHEON, July 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korean city Incheon's iconic summer events -- rock and beer festivals -- will likely be delayed for several months or canceled this year due to the coronavirus outbreak, municipal officials said Tuesday.
The Pentaport Rock Festival and the Songdo Beer Festival, which were held annually in August in Incheon's Songdo international business district, about 50 kilometers west of Seoul, have been tentatively postponed until after mid-October, because of COVID-19-related travel restrictions, the officials said.
Even if the two festivals are eventually held, their duration and scale will be reduced compared with previous years, they noted. Depending on the coronavirus situation, it cannot be ruled out that the two festivals are canceled outright, they added.
The Pentaport Rock Festival, which marks its 15th edition this year, is one of the biggest annual music festivals in South Korea, and has brought together international and local musicians largely in the rock and electronica genres.
This file photo shows the 2019 Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival under way in the port city, west of Seoul. (Yonhap)
Last year, the festival brought together about 30 rock bands from home and abroad and attracted more than 30,000 attendees per day during its three-day run in the middle of August at Incheon's Pentaport Park.
This year's Pentaport festival has been tentatively rescheduled for Oct. 16-17, the officials said.
As the invitation of foreign acts will be difficult due to mandatory quarantine rules, it will be difficult to expect the heated atmosphere seen in previous years, they speculated.
Under the compulsory quarantine measures, all entrants from overseas -- both Koreans and foreigners -- are obliged to self-isolate at their residences or government-designated facilities for 14 days.
Festival organizers said they plan to limit the number of spectators to about 1,000 a day as part of quarantine efforts, even if the festival is held in October, and offer various festival performances online.
This file photo provided by the organizing committee of the Songdo Beer Festival shows the 2019 festival under way in Incheon, west of Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The Songdo Beer Festival has been held for nine days in late August annually in the spacious Pentaport Park with the capacity to accommodate more than 30,000 participants, featuring a variety of summer night entertainment events, performances and fireworks, in addition to beer and food. The beer festival, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, drew more than 300,000 participants last year.
"It is virtually impossible to hold the beer festival in August as scheduled. Even if it is postponed, it won't be held until after the Pentaport Rock Festival," said an official informed of the beer festival.
Meanwhile, Incheon's Songdo Cruise Fireworks Festival, which was tentatively postponed from April to August or September, has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"Postponements or cancellations of planned festivals are inevitable this year because of the coronavirus-related uncertainties. Instead, scaled-down or online performances will be offered for fans and aspiring participants," an Incheon official said.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-21--Wesley Snipes praises late father-in-law, legendary S. Korean TV producer

`` From the era of reconstruction in Korea , through the years of turbulence , through vision , courage and @ @ @ @ @ people cry , laugh and grow , '' Snipes said .
He added that Park @ @ @ @ @ family and that his fans `` praise and thank you . ''

SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) -- American actor Wesley Snipes on Tuesday honored the life and career of late South Korean television producer and father-in-law Park Cheol, praising him for being a key driving force behind today's wide popularity of Korean culture overseas.
In a Korean-language eulogy in honor of Park, Snipes applauded his late father-in-law for leading South Korea "to the forefront of cultural history" and pushing the country forward as "a great powerhouse that created the Korean cultural wave that has captured the world's attention."
Park passed away on July 13 at the age of 82. He was responsible for creating the TV drama series "What is Love" on MBC TV, which saw ratings skyrocket as high as 64.9 percent during its 1991-1992 broadcast.
A file photo of Hollywood star Wesley Snipes at a news conference for the 2019 Chungbuk International Martial Arts and Action Film Festival at a Seoul hotel on Aug. 28, 2019. (Yonhap)
"What is Love" is often cited as one of the first successful Korean cultural export products, having attracted some 150 million Chinese TV viewers when aired on China's CCTV in 1997.
Snipes married Park's daughter, Na-kyung, in 2003.
The American actor noted that Park's works provided comfort and solace to the South Korean people during the country's era of post-war reconstruction.
"From the era of reconstruction in Korea, through the years of turbulence, through vision, courage and creativity, you helped the people cry, laugh and grow," Snipes said. He added that Park will be remembered by his family and that his fans "praise and thank you."
South Korean television producer Park Cheol (Yonhap)
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-21--(LEAD) New virus cases bounce back to over 40 on cluster infections, imported cases

Health authorities say South Korea is not likely to suffer a new wave of the pandemic as observed earlier this @ @ @ @ @ cases even breached 900 at one point , but they are still alert over the @ @ @ @ @ people are likely to make short trips home .

(ATTN: ADDS details throughout, photo)
SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korea reported more than 40 additional new coronavirus cases on Tuesday due to cluster infections tied to a nursing hospital in the capital city, while imported cases remained high.
The country identified 45 new cases, raising the total caseload to 13,816, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). Of the newly added cases, 20 were local infections.
The country's new daily virus cases fell below 30 for the first time in more than three weeks on Monday, driven by a sharp decline in local infections. South Korea added just four local cases, which was the first single-digit figure in two months.
Of the locally transmitted cases reported on Tuesday, 18 were from Seoul.
On Monday, health authorities said a nursing home in western Seoul reported nine new COVID-19 cases that were not included in the previous day's tally.
The country's southern resort island of Jeju added one new case.
South Korea normalized the operation of public facilities, such as museums and libraries, in the greater Seoul area this week, as local transmissions continued to hover around 20 or below recently.
Arrivals wait in line to receive instructions from officials at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, west of Seoul, on July 20, 2020. (Yonhap)
The facilities will still obligate visitors to go through quick response (QR) code-based registration system that can help health authorities track potential virus cases, according to the authorities. The system is already applied in clubs and bars.
Imported cases have risen by double-digit figures for 26 consecutive days. The latest increase was mostly attributable to workers returning from Iraq and a series of cluster infections on Russian-flagged vessels docked in the country's southeastern port city of Busan.
On Tuesday, South Korea added four imported cases each from the Philippines and Kazakhstan. Five cases were from the United States.
Of 2,092 imported cases reported here so far, 68 percent were South Korean nationals.
Health authorities worry that the number of imported cases may continue to climb down the road as global air travel is slowly being normalized, with the country also planning to send another chartered flight to Iraq to bring home 300 nationals.
The country also has been requesting foreign arrivals from six high-risk nations to hand in virus test results upon their arrivals.
But health authorities said imported cases are unlikely to lead to local infections.
Staff members disinfects facilities of Seonjam Museum in Seoul on July 20, 2020, ahead of its reopening. (Yonhap)
Health authorities say South Korea is not likely to suffer a new wave of the pandemic as observed earlier this year when the daily new cases even breached 900 at one point, but they are still alert over the summer vacation season when more people are likely to make short trips home.
The country's death toll came to 296, remaining unchanged from the previous day, according to the KCDC.
The fatality rate came to 2.14 percent.
As of Tuesday, 12,643 of the infected have been released after full recoveries, up 71 from the day before. So far, 91.5 percent of the patients reported here have been cured.
South Korea, which has a population of around 51 million, has carried out 1,482,390 COVID-19 tests since Jan. 3.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-21--Posco International Q2 net profit down 25.5 pct. to 90.5 bln won

Operating income for the April-June period was 134.4 billion won , down 25.3 percent from a year ago , the @ @ @ @ @ filing .
Revenue fell 18.2 percent to 5.25 trillion won .

SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) -- Posco International on Tuesday reported its second-quarter net income of 90.5 billion won (US$ 75.5 million), down 25.5 percent from a year earlier.
Operating income for the April-June period was 134.4 billion won, down 25.3 percent from a year ago, the company said in a regulatory filing. Revenue fell 18.2 percent to 5.25 trillion won.
※ This article was generated by Yonhap's proprietary algorithm using data from Yonhap Infomax and Korea Exchange(KRX).
(END)


yna--2020-07-21--New virus cases bounce back to over 40 on cluster infections, imported cases

SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korea reported more than 40 additional new coronavirus cases on Tuesday due to cluster infections tied to a nursing hospital in the capital city, while imported cases remained high.
The country identified 45 new cases, raising the total caseload to 13,816, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). Of the newly added cases, 20 were local infections.
The country's new daily virus cases fell below 30 for the first time in more than three weeks on Monday, driven by a sharp decline in local infections. South Korea added just four local cases, which was the first single-digit figure in two months.
Of the locally transmitted cases reported on Tuesday, 18 were from Seoul.
On Monday, health authorities said a nursing home in western Seoul reported nine new COVID-19 cases that were not included in the previous day's tally.
The country's southern resort island of Jeju added one new case.
South Korea normalized the operation of public facilities, such as museums and libraries, in the greater Seoul area this week, as local transmissions continued to hover around 20 or below recently.
Arrivals wait in line to receive instructions from officials at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, west of Seoul, on July 20, 2020. (Yonhap)
The facilities will still obligate visitors to go through quick response (QR) code-based registration system that can help health authorities track potential virus cases, according to the authorities. The system is already applied in clubs and bars.
Imported cases have risen by double-digit figures for 26 consecutive days. The latest increase was mostly attributable to workers returning from Iraq and a series of cluster infections on Russian-flagged vessels docked in the country's southeastern port city of Busan.
Health authorities worry that the number of imported cases may continue to climb down the road as global air travel is slowly being normalized, with the country also planning to send another chartered flight to Iraq to bring home 300 nationals.
The country also has been requesting foreign arrivals from six high-risk nations to hand in virus test results upon their arrivals.
But health authorities said imported cases are unlikely to lead to local infections.
Health authorities say South Korea is not likely to suffer a new wave of the pandemic as observed earlier this year when the daily new cases even breached 900 at one point, but they are still alert over the summer vacation season when more people are likely to make short trips home.
The country's death toll came to 296, remaining unchanged from the previous day, according to the KCDC.
As of Tuesday, 12,643 of the infected have been released after a full recovery, up 71 from a day before.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-21--(URGENT) 71 more released from coronavirus treatment, total now at 12,643: KCDC


yna--2020-07-21--(URGENT) S. Korea reports no additional coronavirus-related death, total now at 296: KCDC


yna--2020-07-21--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 45 more cases of new coronavirus, total now at 13,816: KCDC


yna--2020-07-21--(URGENT) No discussions on USFK troop reduction during S. Korea-U.S. defense chiefs' talks: official


yna--2020-07-21--SK Telecom to export 5G mobile edge computing tech with Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Under the deal , SK Telecom will supply the software for the technology , while HPE will provide the infrastructure @ @ @ @ @ its management .

By Chae Yun-hwan
SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's leading telecom operator SK Telecom Co. said Tuesday it has partnered with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) to export its 5G mobile edge computing (MEC) technology.
The carrier signed an agreement to form a consortium with the Asia Pacific and South Korea units of HPE to provide the key 5G technology to global telecom operators.
The consortium is currently in talks with telecom operators in Malaysia and Thailand and plans to target North American and European markets, according to the statement.
Under the deal, SK Telecom will supply the software for the technology, while HPE will provide the infrastructure and be in charge of its management.
SK Telecom Co. Vice President Lee Jong-min takes part in a videoconference held by the International Telecom Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector on MEC technology in this file photo provided by SK Telecom on March 16, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
MEC is a key technology in the delivery of ultra-low latency data transmission in 5G networks. It is expected to improve services in areas like smart factories and autonomous vehicles.
SK Telecom has focused on developing the 5G technology with other global IT firms.
It is currently preparing MEC-based cloud services with Amazon Web Services and Microsoft.
yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-21--(2nd LD) Esper says he has issued no orders to withdraw forces from S. Korea

`` We will continue to look at adjustments at every command we have in every theater to make sure we @ @ @ @ @ '' he added , saying he wants to continue to pursue more rotational force deployments @ @ @ @ @ `` greater strategic flexibility '' in responding to global challenges .

(ATTN: UPDATES with more remarks by Esper, background in last 7 paras)
By Lee Haye-ah
WASHINGTON, July 21 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Tuesday he has issued no orders to withdraw troops from South Korea but will continue to look at adjustments to deployments worldwide.
Esper's remark follows a news report that the Pentagon presented the White House with options to reduce troop levels in South Korea in March.
Speculation of a possible drawdown has increased as the U.S. has demanded South Korea pay significantly more to keep the 28,500 troops stationed there.
This AFP file photo shows U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. (Yonhap)
"I've issued no orders to withdraw forces from the Korean Peninsula," Esper said during a virtual event hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
"We will continue to look at adjustments at every command we have in every theater to make sure we are optimizing our forces," he added, saying he wants to continue to pursue more rotational force deployments that would give the U.S. "greater strategic flexibility" in responding to global challenges.
Esper and his South Korean counterpart, Jeong Kyeong-doo, spoke by phone Monday but did not discuss U.S. troop levels, according to South Korea's defense ministry.
"South Korea and the U.S. have a firm shared understanding on the role and importance of U.S. Forces Korea for the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the Northeast Asia region," deputy ministry spokesman Col. Moon Hong-sik told reporters after the call.
The possibility of a drawdown resurfaced after U.S. President Donald Trump announced in June that he would be partially withdrawing troops from Germany.
Trump has also made clear that he wants Seoul to pay more for the troop presence, leading to a deadlock in negotiations for a new cost-sharing agreement. The previous arrangement, under which South Korea agreed to pay US$870 million in 2019, lapsed at the end of December.
Several lawmakers in both the Republican and Democratic parties have voiced opposition to a pullout, noting that the American troops in South Korea serve U.S. national interests by deterring North Korean and Chinese threats to the U.S.
Esper said in his remarks that the U.S. continues to work with South Korea to achieve the "final, fully verified denuclearization" of North Korea and enduring peace on the peninsula.
He also accused China of turning a blind eye to North Korea's violations of United Nations sanctions imposed on the regime over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-21--(LEAD) Triathlon coach arrested for alleged assault

Coach Kim and a Gyeongju triathlete surnamed Jang have been banned for life by the Korea Triathlon Federation , while @ @ @ @ @ , received a 10-year ban from the sport 's governing body .
All three have @ @ @ @ @ Kim Do-hwan has so far been the only one of the three to admit to @ @ @ @ @ her surviving family .

(ATTN: ADDS background from para 7)
SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) -- A triathlon coach was arrested Tuesday for allegedly assaulting athletes, including Choi Suk-hyeon, who took her own life last month after calling for him and other abusers to be punished.
The Daegu District Court issued the arrest warrant for Kim Gyu-bong, head coach of Gyeongju City Hall's semi-pro club, citing concerns that he may flee or destroy evidence.
The 42-year-old coach, along with a team therapist and two team members, is suspected of verbally and physically abusing athletes.
The coach is also alleged to have illegally taken money from team members when they went overseas for training.
Choi filed complaints against them with local police and related sporting entities. But her pleas for help had gone unanswered, and it was only after her passing that legal and sports authorities began looking into those allegations more seriously.
The therapist, named Ahn Joo-hyeon, was also arrested last week, with the two teammates under probe for the alleged assault.
Coach Kim and a Gyeongju triathlete surnamed Jang have been banned for life by the Korea Triathlon Federation, while another athlete, Kim Do-hwan, received a 10-year ban from the sport's governing body. All three have appealed their penalties, and Kim Do-hwan has so far been the only one of the three to admit to assaulting Choi and apologize to her surviving family.
All three plus Ahn have been called to testify on their allegations during Wednesday's parliamentary hearing. Only Kim Do-hwan has said he will attend, and it's unlikely Kim Gyu-bong will join him following Tuesday's arrest.
After Choi's death, her former teammates have stepped forward with fresh allegations of physical, verbal and sexual abuse.
With the circumstances that led to Choi's death having become a national story, the South Korean sports community is facing its latest moment of reckoning.
This is far from the first abuse scandal in Korean sports, and it is serving as a reminder that the country still has a long way to go to eliminate the abusive culture that has been pervasive in sports.
The national sports community has balked at outside authorities' attempts to reform, but it hasn't yet proven capable of cleaning up itself.
Kim Gyu-bong, head coach of Gyeongju City Hall's semi-pro triathlon club, is taken out of a local court in the southern city of Daegu on July 21, 2020, in this photo provided by Yonhap News Television. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-21--(LEAD) Probe into Seoul mayor's alleged sexual misconduct possible, to some extent: police

`` We can not directly investigate the ( sex harassment ) case , '' an official from the Seoul Metropolitan @ @ @ @ @ condition of anonymity .
He said , however , that he believes it would be @ @ @ @ @ look into the case through many other ways should there be `` reasonable need for @ @ @ @ @ those who might have aided and abetted the alleged sexual misconduct by the late mayor @

(ATTN: ADDS planned press conference in last para)
SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) -- A full-blown investigation into the alleged sexual harassment by late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon is not possible for obvious reasons, but efforts to find some truth behind the accusations can be made through probes into other related cases, police said Tuesday.
"We cannot directly investigate the (sex harassment) case," an official from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency told reporters on condition of anonymity. He said, however, that he believes it would be possible for the police to look into the case through many other ways should there be "reasonable need for a forcible investigation" into those who might have aided and abetted the alleged sexual misconduct by the late mayor.
Police were mulling seeking a search and seizure warrant against officials at the Seoul metropolitan government to investigate the claims, if necessary, the official said.
The mayor was found dead on a hillside in Seoul in the early hours of July 10 in an apparent suicide, less than two days after one of his former secretaries filed a sexual abuse complaint against him.
Separately, the officer said the police have already secured online materials and hard disks to find out who created and circulated a copy of the purported complaint.
The police were also looking into the suspected information leakage regarding the complaint.
The spirit tablet and portrait of late Mayor Park Won-soon are carried by his bereaved family in Changnyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, on July 13, 2020. (Yonhap)
The police have started calling in Seoul city officials to find out if there was neglect or dereliction of duty on their side.
On Monday, Im Soon-young, the late mayor's special gender adviser, was put under police scrutiny for five hours. A key witness in the case, she is said to have asked Park if he was involved in a "disgraceful" incident at around 3 p.m. on July 8 before the complaint was filed against him, indicating she might have known about her boss's alleged sexual misconduct even before the accuser brought the case to the police.
Meanwhile, the police officer strongly denied the accusation that the police tipped the mayor about the complaint.
"It is implausible that investigators leaked their investigation information outside (the team)," he said.
The official reiterated the police's consistent position on the leakage allegation, which was reinforced Monday by Kim Chang-ryong, nominee for commissioner general of the National Police Agency, during his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly. Kim stressed that there have been no circumstances where information was leaked from the police and that he will take responsibility if police are found to have leaked information.
The police will soon begin a forensic analysis of the mayor's cell phone found near his body, a crucial process to assess the hours leading up to his death.
Civic groups representing the victim said they will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. Wednesday following their first one held last week. They are expected to present their stance on the ongoing probe and other issues.
Im Soon-young, former special gender adviser of the late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, leaves the Seongbuk Police Agency in Seoul on July 21, 2020, after undergoing a probe related to the mayor's death. (Yonhap)
jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-21--(LEAD) Fireballer wins hyped-up pitching matchup vs. crafty lefty

Jokisch held the Bears to just one single through five frames , but then the Bears woke up in the @ @ @ @ @ the left-hander for five hits -- two singles , a double , a triple and @ @ @ @ @ five runs .
Reliever Jo Seong-woon let an inherited runner to score , and Jokisch @ @ @ @ @ six earned runs .

(ATTN: ADDS comments in paras 12-13, 14-17)
By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) -- As pitching styles go, they can hardly be any more different. And both Raul Alcantara and Eric Jokisch were excellent over the first five innings for their respective Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) clubs Tuesday, with the former ultimately prevailing thanks to dominant stuff and abundance of run support.
Alcantara and the Doosan Bears beat up on Jokisch and the Kiwoom Heroes 6-1 at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. Alcantara tossed seven shutout innings, striking out eight and walking none while allowing only five singles. He won his league-leading 10th game of 2020.
Raul Alcantara of the Doosan Bears smiles as he returns to the dugout following the top of the seventh inning of a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game against the Kiwoom Heroes at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on July 21, 2020. (Yonhap)
Jokisch held the Bears to just one single through five frames, but then the Bears woke up in the bottom sixth and roughed up the left-hander for five hits -- two singles, a double, a triple and a home run -- and five runs. Reliever Jo Seong-woon let an inherited runner to score, and Jokisch was charged with his season-worst six earned runs.
This is a series between No. 2 and No. 3 teams in the league, with the Bears holding a one-game lead over the Heroes in second place prior to Tuesday. The opening pitching matchup was expected to be a dandy, pitting the league's hardest thrower in Alcantara, averaging 152.1 kilometers per hour (94.5 miles per hour) with his fastball, against the prototypical crafty lefty in Jokisch.
The first five frames were a breeze, with both pitchers dealing and neither lineup able to generate much of anything.
Alcantara pitched around a leadoff single by Seo Geon-chang in the top first, ending the inning with Lee Jung-hoo striking out and Seo getting thrown out trying to steal second
It was mostly smooth sailing from there for Alcantara, who needed just nine pitches to retire the side in order in the second. A two-out single in the third went for naught for the Heroes in the third, and Alcantara had clean fourth and fifth.
Raul Alcantara of the Doosan Bears pitches against the Kiwoom Heroes in a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on July 21, 2020. (Yonhap)
He got into a bit of a jam with two outs in the sixth, as consecutive singles put runners at the corners. It was the first time all game that either team had a man in scoring position.
Alcantara escaped unscathed by getting Lee Jung-hoo to fly out to center.
The Bears then went off for six runs in the bottom sixth, and that was all Alcantara needed.
He gave up an infield single in the seventh when he failed to cover first base in time on a grounder. The bullpen took over from there.
Alcantara said afterward he knew the magnitude of the matchup against Joksich, but he tried not to get caught up in his individual battle.
"I tried not to worry about making mistakes and just focused on giving my team a chance to win," the Dominican pitcher said through an interpreter. "The lineup gave me a lot of run support, and I was able to command all of my pitches, especially my forkball."
Alcantara touched 156 kph with his fastball Tuesday, and 68 of his 94 pitches went for strikes. He improved to 3-0 for July with a 1.00 ERA in 27 innings. He's struck out 31 and walked just one.
The right-hander credited his improving forkball for putting him on such an impressive run this month.
"It's an extra pitch that hitters have to worry about (other than my fastball)," Alcantara said. "It's obviously important to throw it well, but it works to my advantage if I can keep the hitters on their toes with that new weapon."
With the Bears' other import pitcher, Chris Flexen, out with a broken foot, Alcantara has to keep carrying the load at the top of the rotation. Alcantara said Flexen's absence hasn't changed his approach.
"I don't put any extra pressure on myself just because Chris is missing," he said. "I always take the mound with a strong sense of responsibility. And I have faith in our other starters that they will pick up the slack."
Raul Alcantara of the Doosan Bears pitches against the Kiwoom Heroes in a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on July 21, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-21--Triathlon coach arrested for alleged assault

Choi filed complaints against them with local police and related sporting entities .
But her pleas for help had gone @ @ @ @ @ only after her passing that legal and sports authorities began looking into those allegations more @ @

SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) -- A triathlon coach was arrested Tuesday for allegedly assaulting athletes, including Choi Suk-hyeon, who took her own life last month after calling for him and other abusers to be punished.
The Daegu District Court issued the arrest warrant for Kim Gyu-bong, head coach of Gyeongju City Hall's semi-pro club, citing concerns that he may flee or destroy evidence.
The 42-year-old coach, along with a team therapist and two team members, is suspected of verbally and physically abusing athletes.
The coach is also alleged to have illegally taken money from team members when they went overseas for training.
Choi filed complaints against them with local police and related sporting entities. But her pleas for help had gone unanswered, and it was only after her passing that legal and sports authorities began looking into those allegations more seriously.
The therapist, named Ahn Joo-hyeon, was also arrested last week, with the two teammates under probe for the alleged assault.
Kim Gyu-bong, head coach of Gyeongju City Hall's semi-pro triathlon club, is taken out of a local court in the southern city of Daegu on July 21, 2020, in this photo provided by Yonhap News Television. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-21--(3rd LD) No discussions on USFK troop reduction during S. Korea-U.S. defense chiefs' talks

(ATTN: ADDS Esper's remarks in paras 6-7, photo)
By Choi Soo-hyang
SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) -- No discussions took place on U.S. troop levels in South Korea when Defense Minister Jeong Kyung-doo spoke by phone with U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Tuesday, the defense ministry said.
The 50-minute conversation came just days after the Wall Street Journal reported that the Pentagon has presented the White House with options to reduce troop levels in South Korea amid a deadlock in negotiations to share the cost of the American troop presence.
"No discussions took place related to (the U.S. troop level) during today's phone talks, nor has it been discussed in the past," deputy ministry spokesperson Col. Moon Hong-sik said during a regular press briefing. "South Korea and the U.S. have a firm shared understanding on the role and importance of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) for the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the Northeast Asia region."
Talk of troop reduction came as the two countries have made little progress in efforts to narrow differences on how to share the cost of the upkeep of the 28,500-strong USFK.
Jeong and Esper agreed on the need to promptly conclude a new cost-sharing deal, according to officials.
Later in the day, Esper said he has "issued no orders to withdraw forces from the Korean Peninsula."
"We will continue to look at adjustments at every command we have in every theater to make sure we are optimizing our forces," Esper said during a virtual event hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
In this file photo, taken Feb. 24, 2020, South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo (R) and U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper hold a joint press conference at the Pentagon in Washington. (Yonhap)
Another key topic was how to hold annual summertime military exercises between the two countries amid coronavirus concerns. The two sides already skipped their annual springtime exercises earlier this year due to the pandemic.
"The two countries are closely coordinating on how to hold the combined training while taking various circumstances into consideration, including the COVID-19 situation," an official said.
Jeong and Esper also agreed to "unwaveringly" push for the agreed-upon transition of the wartime operational control (OPCON) of South Korean forces from Washington to Seoul, officials said, amid concerns that canceling or scaling back joint exercises could affect the envisioned OPCON transfer.
Seoul and Washington have been working for a conditions-based OPCON transfer. No specific deadline has been set, though many see the two sides eyeing 2022, or thereabouts, as the target date.
The right conditions required to be created before the OPCON transfer are South Korea's capabilities to lead the allies' combined defense mechanism, its capacity for initial responses to the North's nuclear and missile threats, and a stable security environment on the peninsula and in the region.
In order to verify whether Seoul is on course to meet the conditions for the transition, South Korea and the U.S. carried out an initial operational capability (IOC) test in August last year, and they are planning to move on to the next step of carrying out a Full Operational Capability (FOC) test.
The two defense chiefs also shared their assessments of the security situation on the peninsula and vowed to continue supporting diplomatic efforts for denuclearization of North Korea and establishment of a lasting peace, it said.
"The two sides agreed to continue maintaining the South Korea-U.S. alliance's readiness posture and combined defense posture to respond to the changing security situation on the Korean Peninsula," the ministry said in a release.
Jeong and Esper will continue discussions on pending issues during their annual Security Consultative Meeting slated for fall, the ministry said.
U.S. officers wait for American service personnel to arrive at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, on April 7, 2020. (Yonhap)
scaaet@yna.co.kr
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-21--Fireballer wins hyped-up pitching matchup vs. crafty lefty

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) -- As pitching styles go, they can hardly be any more different. And both Raul Alcantara and Eric Jokisch were excellent over the first five innings for their respective Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) clubs Tuesday, with the former ultimately prevailing thanks to dominant stuff and abundance of run support.
Alcantara and the Doosan Bears beat up on Jokisch and the Kiwoom Heroes 6-1 at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. Alcantara tossed seven shutout innings, striking out eight and walking none while allowing only five singles. He won his league-leading 10th game of 2020.
Raul Alcantara of the Doosan Bears smiles as he returns to the dugout following the top of the seventh inning of a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game against the Kiwoom Heroes at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on July 21, 2020. (Yonhap)
Jokisch held the Bears to just one single through five frames, but then the Bears woke up in the bottom sixth and roughed up the left-hander for five hits -- two singles, a double, a triple and a home run -- and five runs. Reliever Jo Seong-woon let an inherited runner to score, and Jokisch was charged with his season-worst six earned runs.
This is a series between No. 2 and No. 3 teams in the league, with the Bears holding a one-game lead over the Heroes in second place prior to Tuesday. The opening pitching matchup was expected to be a dandy, pitting the league's hardest thrower in Alcantara, averaging 152.1 kilometers per hour (94.5 miles per hour) with his fastball, against the prototypical crafty lefty in Jokisch.
The first five frames were a breeze, with both pitchers dealing and neither lineup able to generate much of anything.
Alcantara pitched around a leadoff single by Seo Geon-chang in the top first, ending the inning with Lee Jung-hoo striking out and Seo getting thrown out trying to steal second
It was mostly smooth sailing from there for Alcantara, who needed just nine pitches to retire the side in order in the second. A two-out single in the third went for naught for the Heroes in the third, and Alcantara had clean fourth and fifth.
Raul Alcantara of the Doosan Bears pitches against the Kiwoom Heroes in a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on July 21, 2020. (Yonhap)
He got into a bit of a jam with two outs in the sixth, as consecutive singles put runners at the corners. It was the first time all game that either team had a man in scoring position.
Alcantara escaped unscathed by getting Lee Jung-hoo to fly out to center.
The Bears then went off for six runs in the bottom sixth, and that was all Alcantara needed.
He gave up an infield single in the seventh when he failed to cover first base in time on a grounder. The bullpen took over from there.
Alcantara touched 156 kph with his fastball Tuesday, and 68 of his 94 pitches went for strikes.
The Dominican right-hander improved to 3-0 for July with a 1.00 ERA in 27 innings. He's struck out 31 and walked just one.
Raul Alcantara of the Doosan Bears pitches against the Kiwoom Heroes in a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on July 21, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-21--Doosan Bears knock out Kiwoom Heroes to open key KBO midweek series

The pitching matchup between two of the KBO 's best starters this year lived up to hype for the first @ @ @ @ @ faced just one over the minimum , doing so in contrasting fashion -- with Alcantara @ @ @ @ @ strikeouts in the first five frames , and Jokisch recording eight groundouts to get through @ @ @ @

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) -- Starter Raul Alcantara pitched seven shutout innings and the offense exploded for a six-spot in the sixth, as the Doosan Bears defeated the Kiwoom Heroes 6-1 to open an intriguing midweek series in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) on Tuesday.
Alcantara won his league-leading 10th game of the season behind an opportunistic lineup at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul while lowering his ERA from 3.13 to 2.89. He scattered five hits, all singles, while striking out eight and walking none. It was the eighth time this season, and third start in a row, that Alcantara didn't issue any free pass. He threw 68 of his 94 pitches for strikes.
Alcantara's counterpart, Eric Jokisch, was charged with his season-worst six earned runs in 5 2/3 innings to drop to 9-3 for the season.
The Bears (39-26) have opened up a two-game lead over the Heroes (38-29) in second place.
Raul Alcantara of the Doosan Bears pitches against the Kiwoom Heroes in a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on July 21, 2020. (Yonhap)
The pitching matchup between two of the KBO's best starters this year lived up to hype for the first five innings. Both starters faced just one over the minimum, doing so in contrasting fashion -- with Alcantara pumping fastballs and recording seven strikeouts in the first five frames, and Jokisch recording eight groundouts to get through his first five.
The Heroes tried to get something going with two outs in the top sixth, as two straight singles put runners at the corners for dangerous Lee Jung-hoo. Alcantara got Lee to fly out to center, and then the Bears' offense went to work in the bottom sixth.
After Oh Jae-won's leadoff single, Jung Soo-bin failed to lay down a sacrifice bunt, as he looked at a strike and fouled off the next pitch. It worked out well in the end for the Bears, as Jung smoked a triple down the right field line to cash in Oh for the game's first run.
Park Kun-woo then dumped a single to shallow right, as Jung trotted home to make it 2-0 for the Bears.
Three batters later, cleanup Kim Jae-hwan destroyed a 2-1 changeup from Jokisch and sent it well over the right field wall for a two-run homer and a 4-0 lead.
Kim Jae-hwan of the Doosan Bears tosses his bat after hitting a two-run home run off Eric Jokisch of the Kiwoom Heroes in a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on July 21, 2020. (Yonhap)
With Jokisch clearly rattled, the Bears went for the kill. Choi Joo-hwan drew a walk and stole second base. Heo Kyoung-min then lined a double to put the Bears up by 5-0 and chase Jokisch from the game.
Jo Seong-woon came on in relief but promptly gave up an RBI double to Park Sei-hyok for a 6-0 Doosan lead.
The Heroes salvaged a run in the top ninth with Kim Hye-seong's double and ended up losing despite outhitting the Bears 9-7.
Alcantara barely broke a sweat other than the sixth-inning mini crisis. In four July starts, Alcantara is 3-0 with a 1.00 ERA and has 31 strikeouts against one walk in 27 innings.
Jung Soo-bin of the Doosan Bears (R) is greeted by his teammates after scoring a run against the Kiwoom Heroes in a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on July 21, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-21--(LEAD) Esper says he has issued no orders to withdraw forces from S. Korea

(ATTN: UPDATES with Esper's remarks)
By Lee Haye-ah
WASHINGTON, July 21 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Tuesday he has issued no orders to withdraw troops from South Korea but continues to look at adjustments to deployments worldwide.
Esper's remark follows a news report that the Pentagon presented the White House with options to reduce troop levels in South Korea in March.
Speculation of a possible drawdown has increased as the U.S. has demanded South Korea pay significantly more to keep the 28,500 troops stationed there.
"I've issued no orders to withdraw forces from the Korean Peninsula," Esper said during a virtual event hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
"We will continue to look at adjustments at every command we have in every theater to make sure we are optimizing our forces," he added, saying he wants to continue to pursue more rotational force deployments that would give the U.S. "greater strategic flexibility" in responding to global challenges.
This AFP file photo shows U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. (Yonhap)
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-21--Amazon Korea pays 150 bln won in corporate tax: sources

Google Korea has filed a complaint with the Tax Tribunal over the 600 billion won the NTS levied in a @ @ @ @ @ .
Should the tribunal rule against the tax office , Google could get the money @ @

SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean unit of Amazon Web Services paid 150 billion won (US$125.42 million) in back taxes to the tax office, sources said Tuesday.
The National Tax Service (NTS) slapped the corporate tax on the company last year after carrying out a tax probe. Amazon made the payment in November without taking any legal actions, according to industry sources.
Google Korea has filed a complaint with the Tax Tribunal over the 600 billion won the NTS levied in a back corporate tax in January. Should the tribunal rule against the tax office, Google could get the money back.
At the heart of the dispute is whether multinational firms have a fixed place of business in South Korea.
Google Korea and several others have claimed that they are not subject to taxation here, as their servers are located overseas.
But the NTS has decided to impose the back taxes, saying those servers virtually operate in "countries of business" despite their overseas locations.
This EPA photo, taken on Dec. 17, 2019, shows an Amazon logistics and distribution center in Moenchengladbach, Germany. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-21--Esper says he has issued no orders to withdraw forces from S. Korea

Esper 's remark follows a news report that the Pentagon presented the White House with options to reduce troop levels @ @ @ @ @ .

WASHINGTON, July 21 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Tuesday he has issued no orders to withdraw troops from South Korea.
Esper's remark follows a news report that the Pentagon presented the White House with options to reduce troop levels in South Korea in March.
This AFP file photo shows U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. (Yonhap)
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-21--(URGENT) Esper says he has issued no orders to withdraw forces from S. Korea

(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--2020-07-21--SK Bioscience, AstraZeneca sign deal on COVID-19 vaccine supply

AZD1222 , which is being developed in cooperation with Oxford University , has generated keen interest across the world , @ @ @ @ @ vaccine material to be given permission to conduct phase III clinical tests .
The British @ @ @ @ @ research firm said earlier phase I and II tests showed the material to be safe @ @ @ @ @ given the material developing neutralizing antibodies and T cells .

SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's SK Bioscience inked a deal with global pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca to supply a candidate material for a coronavirus vaccine, the local biotech company said Tuesday.
The letter of intent (LOI) reached between the two companies and the Ministry of Health and Welfare calls for close cooperation on supplying the AZD1222 material for both domestic and global markets, SK Bioscience said.
The agreement, moreover, outlines the need for swift and stable production, and the building up of manufacturing capabilities to cope with a possible spike in demand and use of the material in South Korea.
AZD1222, which is being developed in cooperation with Oxford University, has generated keen interest across the world, as it is the first vaccine material to be given permission to conduct phase III clinical tests. The British university and the multinational bio research firm said earlier phase I and II tests showed the material to be safe to use, with people given the material developing neutralizing antibodies and T cells.
SK Bioscience said it has also signed a contract manufacturing organization contract with AstraZeneca that opens the door for it to play a role in the extended vaccine production program going forward.
Representatives from SK Bioscience, AstraZeneca and the health ministry take part in an LOI signing event in Pangyo, south of Seoul, on July 21, 2020, in this photo provided by SK Bioscience. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The company said it will be tasked with making the AZD1222 main substance at its vaccine manufacturing facility in Andong, 270 kilometers southeast of Seoul, with its partner responsible for international distribution.
It said the pact goes into effect this month and runs through early 2021, with SK Bioscience to be given more work if the candidate material is made into a COVID-19 vaccine.
The health ministry said it has played a part in facilitating two-way talks and stressed it will support production and export of the vaccine going forward.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, in charge of regulating all treatment drugs, plans to hold talks with AstraZeneca so the vaccine material can be brought into the country.
The pact was signed in Pangyo, south of Seoul, with SK Bioscience chief Ahn Jae-yong present, along with Health Minister Park Neunghoo. AstraZeneca's global CEO Pascal Soriot took part via videoconference.
"SK Bioscience has extensive know-how in the production and research of vaccines, along with good production capability," Ahn said after the LOI was signed. He added that every effort will be made to develop the COVID-19 vaccine and it will work closely with the health ministry and government.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-21--K-pop singer Zico to begin alternative military service this month

All able-bodied South Korean men are required to serve in the military , but those judged unfit for active-duty service @ @ @ @ @ alternative one .
Zico reportedly has health issues .

SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) -- K-pop artist and producer Zico will begin his alternative military service later this month, his management agency said Tuesday.
He will enter a boot camp on July 30 for four weeks of basic military training and will then serve as a social worker, according to KOZ Entertainment.
Zico enters boot camp, Kim Min-seok completes service Youtube https://youtu.be/D4akQyx4Rwo
All able-bodied South Korean men are required to serve in the military, but those judged unfit for active-duty service are allowed to serve an alternative one. Zico reportedly has health issues.
Since his debut with Block B in 2011, Zico has carved out a solid presence as a K-pop producer. Last year, he released his first full-length solo album.
This photo, provided by KOZ Entertainment, shows K-pop singer and producer Zico. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)