yna--2020-12-08--(2nd LD) S. Korea confirms another case of highly pathogenic bird flu from farm

`` With sources of infection spreading around wintering sites of migratory birds all over the country , there is a @ @ @ @ @ ( AI ) outbreak if farms do not take sufficient disinfection and prevention measures , @ @ @ @ @ .

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; UPDATES throughout; ADDS photo)
By Kang Yoon-seung
SEOUL, Dec. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Tuesday confirmed this year's fifth case of highly pathogenic bird flu linked to poultry farms, as authorities warned of possible nationwide spread of the disease.
The latest case came from a quail farm in Eumseong, about 130 kilometers south of Seoul, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs. The farm was raising 726,000 birds.
The local government plans to destroy birds within a 3-kilometer radius of the infected farm in the North Chungheong Province county.
Authorities have mandated a 48-hour standstill on all poultry farms in the province since Monday.
"With sources of infection spreading around wintering sites of migratory birds all over the country, there is a high risk of avian influenza (AI) outbreak if farms do not take sufficient disinfection and prevention measures," a ministry official said.
Officials prepare to cull ducks at a farm located in Naju, 355 kilometers south of Seoul, on Dec. 8, 2020, in line with efforts to prevent the spread of avian influenza. (Yonhap)
The country's first farm-related case of this year came from Jeongeup, 290 kilometers south of Seoul, on Nov. 28, followed by a second case in Sangju, 270 kilometers southeast of the capital city last week.
The third confirmed case was from a duck farm in Yeongam, 308 kilometers south of Seoul, on Saturday. An egg farm from Yeoju, 105 kilometers south of Seoul reported the fourth case on the previous day.
Earlier on Tuesday, the ministry said it was investigating another quail farm located 10 kilometers from the fourth infected farm, along with a duck farm in Naju, 355 kilometers south of Seoul.
It will take up to three days to determine whether the suspected case is also highly pathogenic.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza is contagious and can cause severe illness and even death in poultry.
In a separate announcement, local authorities said they have found four additional suspected cases among wild birds in the provinces of Gyeonggi, South Chungcheong, South Jeolla and North Gyeongsang, indicating that farms nationwide are vulnerable to bird flu infection.
South Korea reported its first highly pathogenic AI case in 32 months in late October from Cheonan, 92 kilometers south of Seoul, from wild birds.
Since then, a whopping 19 highly pathogenic AI cases have been found from wild bird habitats across the country.
Quarantine officials block a road to a farm in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, on Dec. 8, 2020, due to an outbreak of virulent bird flu there. (Yonhap)
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-08--(2nd LD) Assembly committee passes bill on removing opposition's veto power over new investigative b

(2nd LD) Assembly committee passes bill on removing opposition's veto power over new investigative body

Known as the `` anti-leaflet law , '' the revision to the law on developing inter-Korean relations calls for punishment @ @ @ @ @ in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won ( US $ 27,600 @ @ @ @ @ accord between the two Koreas via the sending of propaganda leaflets .

(ATTN: UPDATES with passage of bills on police, state spy agency operation in paras 11-15)
SEOUL, Dec. 8 (Yonhap) -- A parliamentary committee on Tuesday passed a bill that would strip the opposition of its power to frustrate the process to launch a new agency investigating high-profile corruption cases.
The Legislation and Judiciary Committee, where the ruling Democratic Party (DP) controls a majority, railroaded the bill to revise the act on the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO).
The revision bill aims to lower the bar on picking candidates for the inaugural CIO chief, as the opposition's veto has stalled the process to officially launch the new investigative organ.
The installation of the CIO is a core part of President Moon Jae-in's determined drive to reform the country's powerful institutions, especially the state prosecution service, which has often been accused of abusing its power to prosecute as well as investigate cases.
People Power Party lawmakers on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee encircle committee chairman Rep. Yun Ho-jung as he is about to pass a bill on revising the act on the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials on Dec. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
If the revision bill is approved by the National Assembly's plenary session, the CIO chief recommendation committee would need assent from at least five of its seven members, not six, to name candidates, potentially bypassing two opposition-side members of the panel.
Due to their veto, the recommendation committee failed to produce an agreed-upon list of candidates through its three rounds of meetings last month.
The bill would also allow the committee to immediately resume its stalled recommendation process, as the DP is aiming to put the CIO into operation within this year.
A throng of PPP lawmakers gathered around the entrance to the committee meeting room, chanting slogans in protest of the unilateral passage.
PPP lawmakers on the parliamentary committee accused the committee chair, DP Rep. Yun Ho-jung, of "stealing" the revision bill and "parliamentary dictatorship."
The committee passed two other major bills on reforming so-called power institutions: one on giving police more investigative authority and the other on depriving the National Intelligence Service of the right carry out anti-communist investigations.
The revision to the police law stipulates the introduction of a local autonomous police system and the establishment of a national investigation office.
The new NIS act, which also passed the committee, would relocate its authority to investigate espionage or national security-related cases to the police and limit the scope of the agency's intelligence gathering to North Korea, overseas matters, terrorism protection and other less politically sensitive issues.
The legislation would take effect after a three-year grace period, if it is finally handled in a plenary floor session.
People Power Party lawmakers stage a protest in front of the meeting room of the parliamentary Legislation and Judiciary Committee's agenda coordination committee on Dec. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
The panel also passed a revision bill on prohibiting the launching of anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the inter-Korean border, paving the way for lawmakers to vote on it during the plenary session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, the last day of its regular session.
DP members snubbed strong protests from their conservative counterparts in the committee.
Known as the "anti-leaflet law," the revision to the law on developing inter-Korean relations calls for punishment of up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won (US$27,600) for violating a related accord between the two Koreas via the sending of propaganda leaflets.
The North has long condemned the launches of leaflets, many of which contain criticism of the Kim Jong-un regime, by activist groups mainly led by defectors.
In June, the North blew up an inter-Korean liaison office in its border town of Kaesong, citing the propaganda leaflets flown from the South.
Separately, the committee passed a revision to the special law on the May 18 Gwangju uprising, a nationwide democracy movement that originated in the namesake southern city in 1980.
Under the proposed legislation, those who release false or distorted information on the historic movement face a maximum of five years in prison or a fine of up to 70 million won.
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-08--Assembly committee passes bill to weaken corporate dominance by top shareholders

The revised bill will also pave the way for a shareholder of a parent company to file a derivative suit @ @ @ @ @ an affiliate firm .
The shareholder will need to have a stake of 0.5 percent @ @ @ @ @ .
The figure stands at 1 percent for non-listed firms .

SEOUL, Dec. 8 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean parliamentary committee on Tuesday passed a controversial bill that would require listed companies to name at least one auditor from outside their board and limit the voting powers of the biggest shareholders and their families to 3 percent in the auditor's appointment.
The proposed revision to the Commercial Act was passed by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee of the National Assembly, where the ruling Democratic Party (DP) holds a majority. The main opposition People Power Party boycotted the vote.
Businesses have strongly opposed the revision, claiming that the move will hurt shareholders' rights and that speculators can take advantage of the rule.
People Power Party lawmakers on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee encircle committee chairman Rep. Yun Ho-jung as he is about to pass a bill on revising a commercial law at the National Assembly in Seoul on Dec. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
In consideration of such concerns, the bill was changed to ease the limitation. The original bill required the combined voting power of the top shareholder and affiliated people to be limited to 3 percent but the final version allows them to cast the 3-percent vote separately.
The revised bill will also pave the way for a shareholder of a parent company to file a derivative suit against the board members of an affiliate firm. The shareholder will need to have a stake of 0.5 percent or more for listed firms. The figure stands at 1 percent for non-listed firms.
The main opposition did not participate in the vote, as the ruling party passed the bill to revise the act on the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) earlier in the day.
The installation of the CIO is a core part of President Moon Jae-in's determined drive to reform the country's powerful institutions, especially the state prosecution service, which has often been accused of abusing its power to prosecute as well as investigate cases.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-08--(3rd LD) New virus cases under 600, bigger wave of pandemic in offing

SEOUL , Dec. 8 ( Yonhap ) -- South Korea 's new virus cases fell back slightly to below 600 @ @ @ @ @ restrictions in the greater Seoul and other areas began to be implemented .
But health @ @ @ @ @ alert over a further spike in virus cases tied to a slew of cluster infections @

(ATTN: UPDATES with more info in last 2 paras; ADDS photo)
SEOUL, Dec. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new virus cases fell back slightly to below 600 on Tuesday as tougher virus restrictions in the greater Seoul and other areas began to be implemented. But health authorities still remain on utmost alert over a further spike in virus cases tied to a slew of cluster infections.
The country reported 594 new virus cases, including 566 domestically transmitted ones as of midnight Monday, raising the total caseload to 38,755, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
Tuesday's daily tally marks a slight fall from 615 the previous day and 631 on Sunday. Three additional coronavirus deaths were reported, taking the total to 552.
Health officials carry out COVID-19 tests on students and staffs of a middle school in the southeastern port city of Ulsan on Dec. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
The social distancing Level 2.5, the second-highest level under the five-tier scheme, went into effect Tuesday in the greater Seoul area covering Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, west of Seoul.
In addition, the Seoul city government decided last Saturday to reduce the city's public transportation service by 30 percent after 9 p.m.
In other areas, the third-highest social distancing, Level 2, was imposed. The new restrictions will be effective till Dec. 28.
Health officials have warned of the wider pandemic, predicting that the daily virus cases may near 1,000 next week unless the current spread of the new virus is brought under control.
In a bid to tackle the soaring number of new infections, health authorities plan to adopt a quick and accurate epidemiologic investigation by increasing the number of agents and introduce a saliva test.
It will also ease the criteria to release patients from quarantine by reducing the period of isolation to 10 days from 13 days to prevent hospital bed shortages.
"The number of confirmed cases is not showing signs of a slowdown, hovering around the 600 range," Kang Do-tae, a senior official, said at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, adding untraceable confirmed cases accounted for 26 percent of the total.
The ratio of confirmed cases to people taking virus tests rose to the 4 percent range this month from the 1 percent range seen in October and November, he said.
If the three-week restrictions fail to curb the virus spread, the wider wave of the pandemic in the greater Seoul will engulf the entire country, Kang said.
Along with the tough warning, the country's health ministry said it secured early access of COVID-19 vaccines developed by four pharmaceutical companies -- AstraZeneca Inc., Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson's Janssen and Moderna -- and from a global vaccine project for 44 million people.
Citizens wait for virus tests at makeshift facilities in Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul, on Dec. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
"People should refrain from going out during the year-end season, gathering and traveling, and must wear masks to prevent the current situation from further worsening," Kwon Joon-wook, deputy director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said in a press briefing.
The official said three kinds of vaccines developed by local companies will enter clinical trials on humans and called on more people to join the trials.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun also urged people in the greater Seoul area to stay at home for the time being, except for essential activities.
Remdesivir has been provided to 1,183 virus patients in 79 hospitals across the country, according to the KCDC.
Under the Level 2.5 social distancing guidelines, gatherings with 50 or more people are banned, while door-to-door sales businesses, karaoke rooms, indoor sports facilities and indoor concert venues that offer standing shows will be forced to close, in addition to nightclubs and bars.
Restaurants cannot receive customers after 9 p.m. but can offer takeout and delivery. Cafes are only allowed to serve takeout at all hours.
Movie theaters, internet cafes, private academies, study halls, amusement parks, beauty salons, barber shops, large grocery stores and department stores cannot operate past 9 p.m. Sports events are allowed without spectators while religious services are only available online or via broadcasts. In-person religious activities, if needed, are permitted with 20 or fewer participants.
By region, 212 confirmed cases were reported in Seoul and 146 from the surrounding Gyeonggi Province. Incheon, west of Seoul, added 27 more cases. The greater Seoul area is home to about half of the country's 51.6 million population.
The number of imported cases came to 28, down from 35 the previous day. They include 17 from the United States and one from Europe.
The number of COVID-19 patients with serious symptoms across the country reached 134, up from 126 on Monday.
The total number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries stood at 29,650, up 349 from Monday.
The country is likely to report more than 600 additional cases on Wednesday as health authorities confirmed 516 new cases Tuesday as of 6:00 p.m., which marked the highest figure for the time period in five days. The greater Seoul area accounted for nearly 80 percent.
The country announces its official tally of the previous day at 9:30 a.m.
This image provided by Yonhap News TV shows delivery riders on a nearly empty street. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
ksnam@yna.co.kr
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-08--(LEAD) Assembly committee passes bill on removing opposition's veto power over new investigative bod

(LEAD) Assembly committee passes bill on removing opposition's veto power over new investigative body

PPP has further threatened to stage a filibuster campaign to paralyze the plenary session set for Wednesday as the DP @ @ @ @ @ set of `` reform legislation '' -- the revision bill as well as bills on @ @ @ @ @ state spy agency , the National Intelligence Service -- through the National Assembly within this @ @

(ATTN: UPDATES with passage of anti-leaflet bill, bill on punishing modern history distortion in last 7 paras)
SEOUL, Dec. 8 (Yonhap) -- A parliamentary committee on Tuesday passed a bill that would strip the opposition of its power to frustrate the process to launch a new agency investigating high-profile corruption cases.
The Legislation and Judiciary Committee, where the ruling Democratic Party (DP) controls a majority, railroaded the bill to revise the act on the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO).
The revision bill aims to lower the bar on picking candidates for the inaugural CIO chief, as the opposition's veto has stalled the process to officially launch the new investigative organ.
The installation of the CIO is a core part of President Moon Jae-in's determined drive to reform the country's powerful institutions, especially the state prosecution service, which has often been accused of abusing its power to prosecute as well as investigate cases.
People Power Party lawmakers on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee encircle committee chairman Rep. Yun Ho-jung as he is about to pass a bill on revising the act on the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials on Dec. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
If the revision bill is approved by the National Assembly's plenary session, the CIO chief recommendation committee would need assent from at least five of its seven members, not six, to name candidates, potentially bypassing two opposition-side members of the panel.
Due to their veto, the recommendation committee failed to produce an agreed-upon list of candidates through its three rounds of meetings last month.
The bill would also allow the committee to immediately resume its stalled recommendation process, as the DP is aiming to put the CIO into operation within this year.
A throng of PPP lawmakers gathered around the entrance to the committee meeting room, chanting slogans in protest of the unilateral passage.
PPP lawmakers on the parliamentary committee accused the committee chair, DP Rep. Yun Ho-jung, of "stealing" the revision bill and "parliamentary dictatorship."
PPP has further threatened to stage a filibuster campaign to paralyze the plenary session set for Wednesday as the DP is rushing to pass a set of "reform legislation" -- the revision bill as well as bills on restructuring the police and the state spy agency, the National Intelligence Service -- through the National Assembly within this week.
People Power Party lawmakers stage a protest in front of the meeting room of the parliamentary Legislation and Judiciary Committee's agenda coordination committee on Dec. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
The panel also passed a revision bill on prohibiting the launching of anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the inter-Korean border, paving the way for lawmakers to vote on it during the plenary session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, the last day of its regular session.
DP members snubbed strong protests from their conservative counterparts in the committee.
Known as the "anti-leaflet law," the revision to the law on developing inter-Korean relations calls for punishment of up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won (US$27,600) for violating a related accord between the two Koreas via the sending of propaganda leaflets.
The North has long condemned the launches of leaflets, many of which contain criticism of the Kim Jong-un regime, by activist groups mainly led by defectors.
In June, the North blew up an inter-Korean liaison office in its border town of Kaesong, citing the propaganda leaflets flown from the South.
Separately, the committee passed a revision to the special law on the May 18 Gwangju uprising, a nationwide democracy movement that originated in the namesake southern city in 1980.
Under the proposed legislation, those who release false or distorted information on the historic movement face a maximum of five years in prison or a fine of up to 70 million won.
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-08--2 K League clubs avoid each other in AFC Champions League quarterfinals

The AFC Champions League kicked off in February but came to a stop in March due to the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ Zone -- covering Saudi Arabia , Iran and Qatar , among others -- resumed their @ @ @ @ @ followed by knockout matches in their half of the bracket .
With Qatar hosting all @ @ @ @ @ Iran reached the final , scheduled for Dec. 19 .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Dec. 8 (Yonhap) -- Two South Korean football teams left standing at Asia's top club competition have avoided facing each other in the quarterfinals.
The draw for the final eight at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League took place on Tuesday, with Ulsan Hyundai FC getting Beijing Guoan, and Suwon Samsung Bluewings drawing Vissel Kobe.
Both of the quarterfinal matches will take place Thursday at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, just south of the Qatari capital of Doha.
In this AFP photo, Won Du-jae of Ulsan Hyundai FC (2nd from R) high-fives teammate Park Joo-ho after scoring a goal against Melbourne Victory during the teams' round of 16 match at the Asian Football Confederation Champions League at Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, Qatar, on Dec. 6, 2020. (Yonhap)
The first match between Ulsan and Beijing kicks off at 1 p.m. local time, or 7 p.m. in South Korea. The one between Suwon and Vissel Kobe begins at 5 p.m. in Qatar, or 11 p.m. in South Korea.
The AFC Champions League kicked off in February but came to a stop in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. Teams in the West Zone -- covering Saudi Arabia, Iran and Qatar, among others -- resumed their group stage in September, followed by knockout matches in their half of the bracket. With Qatar hosting all matches, Persepolis FC from Iran reached the final, scheduled for Dec. 19.
In this AFP photo, Yoon Bitgaram of Ulsan Hyundai FC (L) takes a shot with Ben Folami of Melbourne Victory behind him during the teams' round of 16 match at the Asian Football Confederation Champions League at Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, Qatar, on Dec. 6, 2020. (Yonhap)
Clubs in the East Zone -- with teams from South Korea, Australia, China and Japan -- returned to action in November, also in Qatar. Their round of 16 wrapped up on Monday.
Ulsan won their first and only AFC title in 2012. Suwon won the Asian Club Championship, the earlier incarnation of the AFC Champions League, in 2001 and 2002.
No K League club has won the AFC crown since Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors did so in 2006.
Since the return to play, Ulsan have won all six matches -- five in group play and one in the round of 16 -- and have outscored opponents 16-4.
In this Reuters photo, Suwon Samsung Bluewings players celebrate a goal by Han Suk-jong (L) during the teams' round of 16 match at the Asian Football Confederation Champions League at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on Dec. 7, 2020. (Yonhap)
Suwon haven't been nearly as dominant but have been opportunistic. They had two consecutive draws after the group stage resumed in Qatar and then pulled out a 2-0 victory over Vissel Kobe in their final Group G match last Friday to squeeze into the knockout round.
Then in the round of 16, Suwon rallied for a 3-2 win over Yokohama F. Marinos.
Suwon and Vissel Kobe will be meeting for the second time in less than a week. The Japanese side had already secured a knockout berth prior to their earlier meeting, and they're expected to mount a more serious challenge in the knockout match this time.
Suwon are playing with no foreign player.
The semifinals are set for Saturday at 1 p.m. local time, or 7 p.m. in South Korea, back at Al Janoub Stadium.
In this EPA photo, Kim Min-woo (C) and Ko Seung-beom (R) of Suwon Samsung Bluewings are in action against Marcos Junior of Yokohama F. Marinos during the teams' round of 16 match at the Asian Football Confederation Champions League at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on Dec. 7, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-08--(LEAD) S. Korea probing 2 suspected cases of highly pathogenic bird flu from farms

The first farm-related case of this year came from Jeongeup , 290 km south of Seoul , on Nov. 28 @ @ @ @ @ case in Sangju , 270 km southeast of the capital city , on Wednesday .

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; UPDATES throughout)
By Kang Yoon-seung
SEOUL, Dec. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korea said it is investigating two suspected cases of highly pathogenic bird flu from poultry farms, casting concerns over possible nationwide spread of the illness.
The latest suspected case came from a quail farm in Yeoju, 105 kilometers south of Seoul, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs.
An egg farm from the same town reported the country's fourth highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) the previous day.
The quail farm is estimated to be raising some 110,000 birds, located around 10 kilometers from the egg farm.
It will take up to three days to determine whether the suspected case is also highly pathogenic.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza is contagious and can cause severe illness and even death in poultry.
Quarantine officials block a road to a farm in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, on Dec. 8, 2020, due to an outbreak of virulent bird flu there. (Yonhap)
Four poultry farms have reported highly pathogenic cases, with another case under investigation at a quail farm located in Eumseong, 131 kilometers south of Seoul.
The first farm-related case of this year came from Jeongeup, 290 km south of Seoul, on Nov. 28, followed by a second case in Sangju, 270 km southeast of the capital city, on Wednesday.
The third confirmed case was from a duck farm in Yeongam, 308 kilometers south of Seoul, on Saturday.
In a separate announcement, local authorities said they have found four additional suspected cases among wild birds in the provinces of Gyeonggi, South Chungcheong, South Jeolla and North Gyeongsang, indicating that farms nationwide are vulnerable to bird flu infection.
South Korea reported its first highly pathogenic AI case in 32 months in late October from Cheonan, 92 kilometers south of Seoul, from wild birds.
Since then, a whopping 19 highly pathogenic AI cases have been found from wild bird habitats across the country.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-08--(2nd LD) Biegun visits Seoul for talks on bilateral alliance, N. Korea

The trip is expected to be his last visit to Seoul as the No .
2 American diplomat and the @ @ @ @ @ under the Donald Trump administration that ends its four-year term early next year .

(ATTN: UPDATES with Biegun's arrival; ADDS more info in 9th para; RESTRUCTURES)
By Kim Seung-yeon
SEOUL, Dec. 8 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun arrived in Seoul on Tuesday for talks with South Korean officials on the bilateral alliance and the stalled nuclear negotiations with North Korea.
Biegun landed aboard a chartered plane at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, 70 kilometers south of Seoul, at about 4:15 p.m., officials said.
Among his delegation were Alex Wong, deputy assistant secretary of state for North Korea, and Allison Hooker, senior director for Asian affairs at the White House's National Security Council, according to diplomatic sources.
His four-day trip comes amid concern that North Korea could stage provocations to test the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden that has yet to unveil its detailed policy on the communist state.
The trip is expected to be his last visit to Seoul as the No. 2 American diplomat and the U.S. envoy for North Korea under the Donald Trump administration that ends its four-year term early next year.
On Wednesday, Biegun will hold talks with First Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-kun before meeting with Seoul's chief nuclear negotiator, Lee Do-hoon, to discuss the prolonged deadlock in the denuclearization talks with Pyongyang, the foreign ministry said.
Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha plans to host a banquet for him Friday.
In the file photo taken Sept. 29, 2020, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun makes remarks to the press after holding talks with Seoul's chief nuclear negotiator, Lee Do-hoon, in Washington, D.C. (Yonhap)
Biegun is scheduled to hold a breakfast meeting with Unification Minister Lee In-young on Thursday, a ministry official told reporters.
During his visit, Biegun is also expected to meet with Kent Harstedt, Swedish special envoy for the Korean Peninsula, who will also be in Seoul, sources said. Sweden has played host to key working-level talks between Washington and Pyongyang.
Biegun will meet with other senior national security officials here and could pay a courtesy call on President Moon Jae-in.
He is also due to give a lecture at a local think tank.
Biegun's discussions during the trip are expected to focus on ways to keep the situation on the Korean Peninsula stable. He is likely to send out a message urging Pyongyang to refrain from provocations and return to dialogue.
Denuclearization talks with North Korea have made little progress since the 2019 summit of Trump and the North's leader Kim Jong-un in Hanoi broke down without a deal.
Other issues he could discuss include the stalled negotiations on determining South Korea's share of the costs to maintain some 28,500 American troops stationed here.
Biegun was appointed in August 2018 as the U.S. Special Representative for North Korea and promoted to deputy secretary in December last year. Despite the promotion, he has concurrently served as the lead interlocutor with the North.
Biegun will depart for home Saturday.
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


Yonhap News Summary

SEOUL -- South Korea 's new virus cases fell back slightly to below 600 on Tuesday as tougher virus restrictions @ @ @ @ @ other areas began to be implemented .
But health authorities still remain on utmost alert @ @ @ @ @ virus cases tied to a slew of cluster infections .

The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Tuesday.
-------------------------------
(2nd LD) New virus cases under 600, bigger wave of pandemic in offing
SEOUL -- South Korea's new virus cases fell back slightly to below 600 on Tuesday as tougher virus restrictions in the greater Seoul and other areas began to be implemented. But health authorities still remain on utmost alert over a further spike in virus cases tied to a slew of cluster infections.
The country reported 594 new virus cases, including 566 domestically transmitted ones as of midnight Monday, raising the total caseload to 38,755, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
--------------------------------
Assembly committee passes bill on removing opposition's veto power over new investigative body
SEOUL -- A parliamentary committee on Tuesday passed a bill that would strip the opposition of its power to frustrate the process to launch a new agency investigating high-profile corruption cases.
The Legislation and Judiciary Committee, where the ruling Democratic Party (DP) controls
--------------------------------
Gov't designates June 10 as nat'l day to commemorate independence movement
SEOUL -- The government on Tuesday designated June 10 as a national day to commemorate an independence movement held in 1926 against Japanese colonial rule.
The interior ministry said the designation was made under a revised regulation and approved at a Cabinet meeting earlier in the day.
-----------------------------------
Spike in COVID-19 cases puts S. Korean music industry on edge
SEOUL -- Random cluster infections are breaking out across the country and the South Korean music industry is no exception from the new coronavirus.
In most cases, infections have escalated into bigger cases involving consecutive screening tests, as music programs and events often feature multiple artists and a big production staff.
----------------------------------
BTS' 6th most tweeted about people worldwide in 2020
SEOUL -- K-pop superstar BTS ranked as the sixth most tweeted about people globally, data from Twitter Inc. showed Tuesday, in apparent proof of the seven-member group's strong influence in the social media platform.
While U.S. President Donald Trump and President-elect Joe Biden topped the list, BTS was one of two musicians to be among the top 10 most tweeted about global figures, with the other being American rapper Kanye West.
--------------------------------
(LEAD) Seoul stocks dip over 1.5 pct on virus concerns
SEOUL -- South Korean stocks dipped more than 1.5 percent Tuesday, snapping a five-session winning streak on concerns over the new coronavirus resurgence around the globe. The Korean won fell against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) retreated 44.51 points, or 1.62 percent, to close at 2,700.93.
--------------------------------
Public sector aims for 37.5 percent cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030
SEOUL -- South Korea's public sector aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the coming decade by 37.5 percent from the 2017 level, the environment ministry said Tuesday.
The new target is designed to support the Moon Jae-in government's plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, which means to effectively reduce carbon emissions to zero.
---------------------------------
Korea Shipbuilding wins US$450 mln order for Myanmar offshore plant
SEOUL -- Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co. said Tuesday it has bagged a US$450 million deal to build an offshore plant in seas off Myanmar.
Under the deal, the construction of the offshore facility will be completed by 2024, the company said in an emailed statement.
The plant will be built in the Shwe undersea gas field in the Bay of Bengal, Korea Shipbuilding said.
---------------------------------
S. Korean banks' average capital adequacy ratio gains in Q3
SEOUL -- South Korean banks saw their financial health improve in the third quarter from three months earlier as they reported higher net profits and raised capital amid the coronavirus pandemic, data showed Tuesday.
The average capital adequacy ratio of 19 commercial and state-run banks stood at 16.02 percent as of end-September, up 1.46 percentage points from the end of June, according to the data from the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS).
(END)


yna--2020-12-08--S. Korea reports 4 more cases of highly pathogenic bird flu from wild birds

Local authorities have found the additional cases from the provinces of Gyeonggi , South Chungcheong , South Jeolla and North @ @ @ @ @ are vulnerable to be infected with bird flu nationwide , according to the Ministry of @ @ @ @ @ Affairs .

SEOUL, Dec. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korea reported four more highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) cases from wild birds on Tuesday, casting concerns over the disease penetrating deeper into local poultry farms.
Local authorities have found the additional cases from the provinces of Gyeonggi, South Chungcheong, South Jeolla and North Gyeongsang, indicating that farms are vulnerable to be infected with bird flu nationwide, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
South Korea reported its first highly pathogenic AI case in 32 months in late October from Cheonan, 92 kilometers south of Seoul, from wild birds.
Since then, a whopping 19 highly pathogenic AI cases have been found from wild bird habitats across the country.
Quarantine officials block a road to a farm in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, on Dec. 8, 2020, due to an outbreak of virulent bird flu there. (Yonhap)
Highly pathogenic avian influenza is contagious and can cause severe illness and even death in poultry.
The growing number of serious AI cases have put strains on local authorities' fight to prevent the disease from striking local farms.
Four poultry farms have reported highly pathogenic cases, with another case under investigation at a quail farm located in Eumseong, 131 kilometers south of Seoul.
Late Monday, an egg farm in Yeoju of Gyeonggi Province reported the country's fourth highly pathogenic case from domestic birds.
The first farm-related case of this year came from Jeongeup, 290 km south of Seoul, on Nov. 28, followed by a second case in Sangju, 270 km southeast of the capital city, on Wednesday.
The third confirmed case was from a duck farm in Yeongam, 308 kilometers south of Seoul, on Saturday.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-08--(LEAD) Seoul stocks dip over 1.5 pct on virus concerns

SEOUL , Dec. 8 ( Yonhap ) -- South Korean stocks dipped more than 1.5 percent Tuesday , snapping a @ @ @ @ @ over the new coronavirus resurgence around the globe .
The Korean won fell against the @ @ @

(ATTN: ADDS bond yields at bottom, photo)
SEOUL, Dec. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks dipped more than 1.5 percent Tuesday, snapping a five-session winning streak on concerns over the new coronavirus resurgence around the globe. The Korean won fell against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) retreated 44.51 points, or 1.62 percent, to close at 2,700.93.
Trading volume was high at about 1.4 billion shares worth some 16.9 trillion won (US$15.6 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 567 to 277.
Foreigners sold a net 846 billion won, while retail investors purchased a net 1.1 trillion won. Institutions offloaded a net 278 billion won.
Electronic signboards at a Hana Bank dealing room in Seoul show the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed at 2,700.03 on Dec. 8, 2020, down 44.51 points or 1.62 percent from the previous session's close. (Yonhap)
The KOSPI started weak after touching another all-time high the previous day.
Investor sentiment turned risk-averse as the country's daily new COVID-19 cases continued to hover near the 600-mark despite the toughened social distancing scheme.
"The local stock markets seem to be put under selling pressure amid a resurgence in virus cases," said Bookook Securities researcher Lee Won.
He also said foreign selling increased ahead of the simultaneous expiration of stock futures and options, set for Thursday.
Most large caps closed lower in Seoul.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics lost 1.65 percent to 71,700 won, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix retreated 2.54 percent to 115,000 won.
Pharmaceutical giant Samsung Biologics sank 5.91 percent to 828,000 won, and Celltrion plummeted 13.26 percent to 350,000 won after hitting an all-time high the previous day.
Hyundai Motor, the country's largest carmaker, dropped 3.62 percent to 186,500 won, and leading steelmaker POSCO declined 1.67 percent to 265,500 won.
Leading chemical firm LG Chem dropped 0.61 percent to 811,000 won, while rechargeable battery maker Samsung SDI advanced 1.28 percent to 553,000 won.
Internet portal giant Naver fell 1.55 percent to 285,000 won, with its rival Kakao down 2.73 percent to 374,500 won.
The local currency closed at 1,085.4 won against the U.S. dollar, down 3.3 won from the previous session's close.
Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed higher. The yield on three-year Treasurys fell 0.2 basis point to 0.959 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bond dropped 0.8 basis point to 1.311 percent.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-08--S. Korean Bond Yields on Dec. 8, 2020

S. Korean Bond Yields on Dec. 8, 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--2020-12-08--Rookie girl group NiziU tops Japan's weekly music chart with debut album

The nine-member group 's album , `` Step and a Step , '' ranked No .
1 on Japan 's @ @ @ @ @ the first week of this month , just five days after it topped the daily @ @ @ @ @ Japanese music publisher , according to the agency .

SEOUL, Dec. 8 (Yonhap) -- JYP Entertainment's new girl group NiziU has topped Japan's Oricon weekly music chart with its debut single album, the company said Tuesday.
The nine-member group's album, "Step and a Step," ranked No. 1 on Japan's Oricon weekly singles chart for the first week of this month, just five days after it topped the daily CD singles chart of the Japanese music publisher, according to the agency.
NiziU is only the second girl group to reach the top of the weekly Oricon chart with its debut album, following a Japanese group Hinatazaka46.
"We are surprised and grateful to rank first (on the charts) with our debut album," the group said through its management agency, while also expressing hope to advance "step by step" with fans.
The album, released last Wednesday, includes the lead track "Step and a Step," written by JYP chief and K-pop guru Park Jin-young, as well as "Make You Happy," which charted even before the group's official debut.
NiziU, formed by JYP and Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, consists of nine winners of the idol survival reality show "Nizi Project."
The band's nine members -- Mako, Rio, Maya, Riku, Ayaka, Mayuka, Rima, Miihi and Nina -- were trained by JYP, which has successfully incubated K-pop girl groups like TWICE and ITZY.
This photo, provided by JYP Entertainment, shows rookie girl group NiziU. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
nyway@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-08--Seoul stocks dip over 1.5 pct on virus concerns

SEOUL, Dec. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks dipped more than 1.5 percent Tuesday, snapping a five-session winning streak on concerns over the new coronavirus resurgence around the globe. The Korean won fell against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) retreated 44.51 points, or 1.62 percent, to close at 2,700.93.
Trading volume was high at about 1.4 billion shares worth some 16.9 trillion won (US$15.6 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 567 to 277.
Foreigners sold a net 846 billion won, while retail investors purchased a net 1.1 trillion won. Institutions offloaded a net 278 billion won.
The KOSPI started weak after touching another all-time high the previous day.
Investor sentiment turned risk-averse as the country's daily new COVID-19 cases continued to hover near the 600-mark despite the toughened social distancing scheme.
"The local stock markets seem to be put under selling pressure amid a resurgence in virus cases," said Bookook Securities researcher Lee Won.
He also said foreign selling increased ahead of the simultaneous expiration of stock futures and options, set for Thursday.
Most large caps closed lower in Seoul.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics lost 1.65 percent to 71,700 won, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix retreated 2.54 percent to 115,000 won.
Pharmaceutical giant Samsung Biologics sank 5.91 percent to 828,000 won, and Celltrion plummeted 13.26 percent to 350,000 won after hitting an all-time high the previous day.
Hyundai Motor, the country's largest carmaker, dropped 3.62 percent to 186,500 won, and leading steelmaker POSCO declined 1.67 percent to 265,500 won.
Leading chemical firm LG Chem dropped 0.61 percent to 811,000 won, while rechargeable battery maker Samsung SDI advanced 1.28 percent to 553,000 won.
Internet portal giant Naver fell 1.55 percent to 285,000 won, with its rival Kakao down 2.73 percent to 374,500 won.
The local currency closed at 1,085.4 won against the U.S. dollar, down 3.3 won from the previous session's close.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-08--(2nd LD) New virus cases under 600, bigger wave of pandemic in offing

(ATTN: UPDATES with more info in paras 14-17)
SEOUL, Dec. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new virus cases fell back slightly to below 600 on Tuesday as tougher virus restrictions in the greater Seoul and other areas began to be implemented. But health authorities still remain on utmost alert over a further spike in virus cases tied to a slew of cluster infections.
The country reported 594 new virus cases, including 566 domestically transmitted ones as of midnight Monday, raising the total caseload to 38,755, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
Tuesday's daily tally marks a slight fall from 615 the previous day and 631 on Sunday. Three additional coronavirus deaths were reported, taking the total to 552.
This image provided by Yonhap News TV shows delivery riders on a nearly empty street. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The social distancing Level 2.5, the second-highest level under the five-tier scheme, went into effect Tuesday in the greater Seoul area covering Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, west of Seoul.
In addition, the Seoul city government decided last Saturday to reduce the city's public transportation service by 30 percent after 9 p.m.
In other areas, the third-highest social distancing, Level 2, was imposed. The new restrictions will be effective till Dec. 28.
Health officials have warned of the wider pandemic, predicting that the daily virus cases may near 1,000 next week unless the current spread of the new virus is brought under control.
In a bid to tackle the soaring number of new infections, health authorities plan to adopt a quick and accurate epidemiologic investigation by increasing the number of agents and introduce a saliva test.
It will also ease the criteria to release patients from quarantine by reducing the period of isolation to 10 days from 13 days to prevent hospital bed shortages.
"The number of confirmed cases is not showing signs of a slowdown, hovering around the 600 range," Kang Do-tae, a senior official, said at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, adding untraceable confirmed cases accounted for 26 percent of the total.
The ratio of confirmed cases to people taking virus tests rose to the 4 percent range this month from the 1 percent range seen in October and November, he said.
If the three-week restrictions fail to curb the virus spread, the wider wave of the pandemic in the greater Seoul will engulf the entire country, Kang said.
Along with the tough warning, the country's health ministry said it secured early access of COVID-19 vaccines developed by four pharmaceutical companies -- AstraZeneca Inc., Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson's Janssen and Moderna -- and from a global vaccine project for 44 million people.
Citizens wait for virus tests at makeshift facilities in Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul, on Dec. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
"People should refrain from going out during the year-end season, gathering and traveling, and must wear masks to prevent the current situation from further worsening," Kwon Joon-wook, deputy director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said in a press briefing.
The official said three kinds of vaccines developed by local companies will enter clinical trials on humans and called on more people to join the trials.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun also urged people in the greater Seoul area to stay at home for the time being, except for essential activities.
Remdesivir has been provided to 1,183 virus patients in 79 hospitals across the country, according to the KCDC.
Under the Level 2.5 social distancing guidelines, gatherings with 50 or more people are banned, while door-to-door sales businesses, karaoke rooms, indoor sports facilities and indoor concert venues that offer standing shows will be forced to close, in addition to nightclubs and bars.
Restaurants cannot receive customers after 9 p.m. but can offer takeout and delivery. Cafes are only allowed to serve takeout at all hours.
Movie theaters, internet cafes, private academies, study halls, amusement parks, beauty salons, barber shops, large grocery stores and department stores cannot operate past 9 p.m. Sports events are allowed without spectators while religious services are only available online or via broadcasts. In-person religious activities, if needed, are permitted with 20 or fewer participants.
By region, 212 confirmed cases were reported in Seoul and 146 from the surrounding Gyeonggi Province. Incheon, west of Seoul, added 27 more cases. The greater Seoul area is home to about half of the country's 51.6 million population.
The number of imported cases came to 28, down from 35 the previous day. They include 17 from the United States and one from Europe.
The number of COVID-19 patients with serious symptoms across the country reached 134, up from 126 on Monday.
The total number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries stood at 29,650, up 349 from Monday.
ksnam@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-08--Assembly committee passes bill on removing opposition's veto power over new investigative body

SEOUL, Dec. 8 (Yonhap) -- A parliamentary committee on Tuesday passed a bill that would strip the opposition of its power to frustrate the process to launch a new agency investigating high-profile corruption cases.
The Legislation and Judiciary Committee, where the ruling Democratic Party (DP) controls a majority, railroaded the bill to revise the act on the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO).
The revision bill aims to lower the bar on picking candidates for the inaugural CIO chief, as the opposition's veto has stalled the process to officially launch the new investigative organ.
The installation of the CIO is a core part of President Moon Jae-in's determined drive to reform the country's powerful institutions, especially the state prosecution service, which has often been accused of abusing its power to prosecute as well as investigate cases.
People Power Party lawmakers on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee encircle committee chairman Rep. Yun Ho-jung as he is about to pass a bill on revising the act on the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials on Dec. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
If the revision bill is approved by the National Assembly's plenary session, the CIO chief recommendation committee would need assent from at least five of its seven members, not six, to name candidates, potentially bypassing two opposition-side members of the panel.
Due to their veto, the recommendation committee failed to produce an agreed-upon list of candidates through its three rounds of meetings last month.
The bill would also allow the committee to immediately resume its stalled recommendation process, as the DP is aiming to put the CIO into operation within this year.
A throng of PPP lawmakers gathered around the entrance to the committee meeting room, chanting slogans in protest of the unilateral passage.
PPP lawmakers on the parliamentary committee accused the committee chair, DP Rep. Yun Ho-jung, of "stealing" the revision bill and "parliamentary dictatorship."
PPP has further threatened to stage a filibuster campaign to paralyze the plenary session set for Wednesday as the DP is rushing to pass a set of "reform legislation" -- the revision bill as well as bills on restructuring the police and the state spy agency, the National Intelligence Service -- through the National Assembly within this week.
People Power Party lawmakers stage a protest in front of the meeting room of the parliamentary Legislation and Judiciary Committee's agenda coordination committee on Dec. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-08--KOSPI 200 Closing Price List-5

KOSPI 200 Closing Price List-5

KIH 77,800 DN 2,100 LOTTE Himart 31,050 DN 200 GS 37,050 UP 600 CJ CGV 22,950 UP 50 LIG Nex1 @ @ @ @ @ 41,350 DN 400 HYUNDAIGLOVIS 185,500 DN 8,000 HANAFINANCIALGR 34,750 DN 650 HANWHA LIFE 2,160 DN @ @ @ @ @ LF 14,700 0 FOOSUNG 9,350 UP 80 SK Innovation 176,000 DN 2,500 POONGSAN 28,750 DN @ @ @ @ @ Hansae 16,400 UP 300 LG HAUSYS 70,800 UP 800 Youngone Corp 30,850 UP 150 KOLON @ @ @ @ @ 360,000 DN 15,000 BNK Financial Group 5,700 DN 100 emart 152,500 0 지HANKOOK TIRE & @ @ @ @ @ KOREA 45,300 UP 450 HANJINKAL 66,700 DN 200 DoubleUGames 58,500 UP 1,600 CUCKOO 96,300 UP @ @ @ @ @ MANDO 56,000 DN 1,800 SAMSUNG BIOLOGICS 828,000 DN 52,000 INNOCEAN 58,700 DN 100 Doosan Bobcat @ @ @ @ @ UP 250 Netmarble 128,000 DN 1,500 HYUNDAI HEAVY INDUST RIES HOLDI NG S270000 DN1500 ORION @ @ @ @ @ 126,500 UP 500 SKCHEM 377,500 DN 11,500 HDC-OP 23,950 UP 50 WooriFinancialGroup 9,950 DN 100 @ @ @

KIH 77,800 DN 2,100
LOTTE Himart 31,050 DN 200
GS 37,050 UP 600
CJ CGV 22,950 UP 50
LIG Nex1 28,650 DN 300
Fila Holdings 41,350 DN 400
HYUNDAIGLOVIS 185,500 DN 8,000
HANAFINANCIALGR 34,750 DN 650
HANWHA LIFE 2,160 DN 5
AMOREPACIFIC 196,000 UP 2,000
LF 14,700 0
FOOSUNG 9,350 UP 80
SK Innovation 176,000 DN 2,500
POONGSAN 28,750 DN 550
KBFinancialGroup 45,900 DN 1,300
Hansae 16,400 UP 300
LG HAUSYS 70,800 UP 800
Youngone Corp 30,850 UP 150
KOLON IND 39,900 UP 300
HanmiPharm 360,000 DN 15,000
BNK Financial Group 5,700 DN 100
emart 152,500 0
지HANKOOK TIRE & TEC HNOLOGY374 50 UP350
KOLMAR KOREA 45,300 UP 450
HANJINKAL 66,700 DN 200
DoubleUGames 58,500 UP 1,600
CUCKOO 96,300 UP 1,100
COSMAX 94,200 DN 1,300
MANDO 56,000 DN 1,800
SAMSUNG BIOLOGICS 828,000 DN 52,000
INNOCEAN 58,700 DN 100
Doosan Bobcat 29,900 UP 900
H.S.ENTERPRISE 13,450 UP 250
Netmarble 128,000 DN 1,500
HYUNDAI HEAVY INDUST RIES HOLDI NG S270000 DN1500
ORION 119,500 DN 1,000
BGF Retail 126,500 UP 500
SKCHEM 377,500 DN 11,500
HDC-OP 23,950 UP 50
WooriFinancialGroup 9,950 DN 100
(END)


yna--2020-12-08--KOSPI 200 Closing Price List-4

KOSPI 200 Closing Price List-4

LOTTE SHOPPING 99,900 0 IBK 9,350 DN 110 NamhaeChem 8,270 UP 10 DONGSUH 30,550 DN 1,000 BGF 4,320 UP 15 @ @ @ @ @ C & T 124,000 UP 1,000 PanOcean 4,115 UP 60 SAMSUNG CARD 34,150 UP 250 @ @ @ @ @ 24,150 0 SHINSEGAE INTERNATIO NAL155500 DN500 LOTTE TOUR 17,650 0 LG Uplus 11,500 UP 50 @ @ @ @ @ KT & G 84,100 UP 300 DHICO 14,400 0 LG Display 16,050 DN 50 Kangwonland @ @ @ @ @ DN 4,500 Kakao 374,500 DN 10,500 NCsoft 874,000 UP 3,000 DSME 27,550 DN 600 DSINFRA @ @ @ @ @ 10 Donga ST 86,200 DN 800 POSCO INTERNATIONAL 14,100 UP 250 CJ CheilJedang 362,500 DN @ @ @ @ @ DN 1,500 KEPCO KPS 29,000 DN 200 LGH & H 1,547,000 DN 6,000 LGCHEM 811,000 @ @ @ @ @ C 16,650 DN 50 HYUNDAIHOMESHOP 76,600 0 HALLA HOLDINGS 38,950 UP 100 HYUNDAI ROTEM 15,350 @ @ @ @ @ 5,800 Huchems 22,900 DN 200 DAEWOONG PHARM 111,000 DN 8,000 HYUNDAIDEPTST 71,700 DN 400 ( @ @

LOTTE SHOPPING 99,900 0
IBK 9,350 DN 110
NamhaeChem 8,270 UP 10
DONGSUH 30,550 DN 1,000
BGF 4,320 UP 15
SamsungEng 13,200 DN 400
SAMSUNG C&T 124,000 UP 1,000
PanOcean 4,115 UP 60
SAMSUNG CARD 34,150 UP 250
CheilWorldwide 20,700 DN 200
KT 24,150 0
SHINSEGAE INTERNATIO NAL155500 DN500
LOTTE TOUR 17,650 0
LG Uplus 11,500 UP 50
SAMSUNG LIFE 72,300 UP 100
KT&G 84,100 UP 300
DHICO 14,400 0
LG Display 16,050 DN 50
Kangwonland 23,250 DN 300
NAVER 285,000 DN 4,500
Kakao 374,500 DN 10,500
NCsoft 874,000 UP 3,000
DSME 27,550 DN 600
DSINFRA 8,000 0
DWEC 3,980 DN 10
Donga ST 86,200 DN 800
POSCO INTERNATIONAL 14,100 UP 250
CJ CheilJedang 362,500 DN 500
DongwonF&B 174,000 DN 1,500
KEPCO KPS 29,000 DN 200
LGH&H 1,547,000 DN 6,000
LGCHEM 811,000 DN 5,000
KEPCO E&C 16,650 DN 50
HYUNDAIHOMESHOP 76,600 0
HALLA HOLDINGS 38,950 UP 100
HYUNDAI ROTEM 15,350 DN 50
LGELECTRONICS 95,000 UP 5,800
Huchems 22,900 DN 200
DAEWOONG PHARM 111,000 DN 8,000
HYUNDAIDEPTST 71,700 DN 400
(MORE)


yna--2020-12-08--KOSPI 200 Closing Price List-3

KOSPI 200 Closing Price List-3

HANWHA SOLUTIONS 47,150 UP 450 GS Retail 33,600 DN 200 Ottogi 553,000 DN 3,000 IlyangPharm 60,400 DN 2,500 F & @ @ @ @ @ SECU 3,740 DN 30 Hanchem 155,500 DN 1,000 KorZinc 392,000 DN 5,000 SamsungHvyInd 6,960 DN @ @ @ @ @ HyundaiMipoDock 47,350 DN 750 LS ELECTRIC 52,600 DN 100 IS DONGSEO 47,900 DN 550 S-Oil @ @ @ @ @ 162,500 DN 1,500 LOTTE CHEMICAL Corp 269,000 DN 6,500 HMM 12,750 UP 450 HYUNDAI WIA @ @ @ @ @ DN 2,100 KumhoPetrochem 139,500 UP 3,000 Mobis 242,000 DN 500 HANWHA AEROSPACE 25,950 DN 250 @ @ @ @ @ S-1 80,500 UP 400 KEPCO 21,500 DN 400 SamsungSecu 40,850 DN 750 KG DONGBU STL @ @ @ @ @ DN 450 DWS 28,800 UP 200 SKTelecom 240,000 UP 1,000 S & T MOTIV 49,250 @ @ @ @ @ 300 AEKYUNG INDUSTRIAL 24,250 DN 350 Hanon Systems 15,650 UP 200 SK 243,500 UP 5,000 @ @ @ @ @ 17,000 UP 600 Handsome 29,150 UP 400 Asiana Airlines 5,130 UP 50 COWAY 69,600 DN @ @ @ @

HANWHA SOLUTIONS 47,150 UP 450
GS Retail 33,600 DN 200
Ottogi 553,000 DN 3,000
IlyangPharm 60,400 DN 2,500
F&F 83,500 DN 1,000
MERITZ SECU 3,740 DN 30
Hanchem 155,500 DN 1,000
KorZinc 392,000 DN 5,000
SamsungHvyInd 6,960 DN 20
SYC 51,900 DN 500
HyundaiMipoDock 47,350 DN 750
LS ELECTRIC 52,600 DN 100
IS DONGSEO 47,900 DN 550
S-Oil 69,900 DN 800
LG Innotek 162,500 DN 1,500
LOTTE CHEMICAL Corp 269,000 DN 6,500
HMM 12,750 UP 450
HYUNDAI WIA 48,800 DN 1,700
OCI 67,700 DN 2,100
KumhoPetrochem 139,500 UP 3,000
Mobis 242,000 DN 500
HANWHA AEROSPACE 25,950 DN 250
HDC HOLDINGS 10,850 DN 250
S-1 80,500 UP 400
KEPCO 21,500 DN 400
SamsungSecu 40,850 DN 750
KG DONGBU STL 11,200 DN 550
UNID 43,800 DN 450
DWS 28,800 UP 200
SKTelecom 240,000 UP 1,000
S&T MOTIV 49,250 UP 200
HyundaiElev 39,950 UP 300
AEKYUNG INDUSTRIAL 24,250 DN 350
Hanon Systems 15,650 UP 200
SK 243,500 UP 5,000
DAEKYO 3,640 DN 45
GKL 17,000 UP 600
Handsome 29,150 UP 400
Asiana Airlines 5,130 UP 50
COWAY 69,600 DN 1,100
(MORE)


yna--2020-12-09--(LEAD) New infections near 700 despite enhanced social distancing rules

They have also warned of the wider pandemic , forecasting that the daily infections may approach 1,000 next week unless @ @ @ @ @ new virus is brought under control .
The officials have been worried about a possible @ @ @ @ @ treat COVID-19 patients .

(ATTN: RECASTS lead; UPDATES with more info in paras 3, 11-15; ADDS photo)
SEOUL, Dec. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new virus cases neared 700 on Wednesday on soaring community infections in the greater Seoul area despite toughened social distancing measures.
The country reported 686 new virus cases, including 662 domestically transmitted ones, raising the total caseload to 39,432, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
Of the 686 new virus cases, 524 were reported in the greater Seoul area, covering Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, just west of Seoul.
Container mobile sickbeds are set up at Seoul Medical Center in southeastern Seoul on Dec. 9, 2020, to brace for a possible shortage of hospital beds. (Yonhap)
The figure showed a sharp rise from 594 the previous day and 580 on Monday, hitting the second-highest mark since January when the first case was reported.
Four additional coronavirus deaths were reported, raising the death toll to 556.
The social distancing Level 2.5, the second-highest level under the five-tier scheme, went into effect Tuesday in the greater Seoul area, covering Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, west of Seoul.
In other areas, the third-highest level of 2 was applied.
Under the boosted guidelines to be effective till Dec. 28, a slew of measures have been taken to prevent people from gathering and traveling across the country.
Health officials said skyrocketing community infections were the main cause of the surge in new virus cases in the greater Seoul area, pointing to untraceable confirmed cases exceeding 20 percent of the total.
They have also warned of the wider pandemic, forecasting that the daily infections may approach 1,000 next week unless the current spread of the new virus is brought under control. The officials have been worried about a possible shortage of hospital beds to treat COVID-19 patients.
This image provided by Yonhap News TV on Dec. 9, 2020, shows a screening center set up in central Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Health authorities said they will take new measures as part of preemptive efforts to put the surge in virus cases under control.
The authorities have decided to carry out aggressive and preemptive tests of young and middle-aged people for the virus as they could be a main cause of the current wave of the infections due to their brisk activities.
Health authorities will increase the number of residential treatment centers and clinics specialized in treating COVID-19 patients to brace for a possible shortage of hospital beds.
Guidelines for the use of winter sports facilities such as ski resorts and ice rinks were featured in the new measures. Winter sports facilities are subject to close after 9 p.m. under Level 2 and to close down around the clock under Level 2.5.
A public advertisement starring well-known female golfer Pak Se-ri will be released to ask people to abide by the social distancing measures.
By region, 264 confirmed cases were reported in Seoul and 214 from the surrounding Gyeonggi Province. Incheon, west of Seoul, added 46 more cases. The greater Seoul area is home to about half of the country's 51.6 million population.
The number of imported cases reached 24, down from 28 the previous day. They include 11 from the United States and six from Europe.
The number of COVID-19 patients with serious symptoms across the country amounted to 149, up from 134 on Tuesday.
The total number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries came to 30,177, up 527 from Tuesday.
ksnam@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-09--S. Korea's R&D spending 5th largest among OECD members in 2019

The ministry said the latest figures place South Korea as the fifth-largest R & D spender and second in terms @ @ @ @ @ to GDP ratio among OECD countries , although figures for other countries are based on @ @ @ @

SEOUL, Dec. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea invested almost 90 trillion won (US$83 billion) in research and development (R&D) last year, making it the fifth-largest spender among members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the ICT ministry said Wednesday.
The South Korean government and the private sector's total R&D spending in 2019 amounted to 89.05 trillion won, up 3.9 percent from the previous year, according to the Ministry of Science and ICT.
The total R&D spending translates to 4.64 percent of South Korea's gross domestic product (GDP) last year.
The ministry said the latest figures place South Korea as the fifth-largest R&D spender and second in terms of R&D spending to GDP ratio among OECD countries, although figures for other countries are based on results from 2018.
The United States was the largest R&D spender that year at a total of $581.6 billion.
The ministry said South Korea's private sector spent 68.5 trillion won in R&D last year, accounting for 76.9 percent of the total, while public R&D spending amounted to 19.1 trillion won or 21.4 percent of the total.
Companies' R&D spending in manufacturing amounted to 62.6 trillion won in 2019, up 2.3 percent from the previous year, while R&D in the service sector rose 21.6 percent to 7.6 trillion won over the same period.
The number of researchers in the country also increased 4.7 percent to 538,136 in 2019.
Female researchers took up 21 percent of the total last year, lower than other major countries.
The ministry said the United Kingdom's share of female researchers stood at 38.6 percent in 2018 and Germany at 27.9 percent in 2017.
This undated file photo provided by the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute shows researchers of the government-funded institute. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-09--Banks' household loan growth accelerates in November on home-backed lending

The value of outstanding bank loans to local households came to 982.1 trillion won ( US $ 905.3 billion ) @ @ @ @ @ 13.6 trillion won from the previous month , according to the data from the Bank @ @ @ @ @ .

SEOUL, Dec. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korean banks' household loans continued to grow at a faster clip in November, fueled by the strong growth of non-mortgage loans, central bank data showed Wednesday.
The value of outstanding bank loans to local households came to 982.1 trillion won (US$905.3 billion) as of end-November, up 13.6 trillion won from the previous month, according to the data from the Bank of Korea (BOK).
The November reading, which is compared with a 10.6 trillion-won gain in October, marked the highest monthly increase.
The BOK said the rise in lending was mainly attributable to solid demand for home-backed lending.
Banks' mortgage loans grew 6.2 trillion won on-month to 715.5 trillion won November.
South Korea has unveiled a set of measures to cool the overheated housing market but has failed to put a lid on home prices.
Non-mortgage loans jumped 7.4 trillion won last month, accelerating from a 3.8 trillion-won increase in October.
Unsecured loans accounted for the bulk of banks' non-mortgage lending. South Korean households rushed in recent months to borrow money to meet demand for property-related costs and subscribe to initial public offering shares.
The financial regulator is seeking to tighten regulations on unsecured loans as excessive demand for credit loans is feared to hurt households' debt-serving capacity and banks' financial soundness.
Meanwhile, outstanding corporate loans totaled 981.9 trillion won at the end of November, up 6.7 trillion won from the previous month.
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-09--No. of newly established firms rises by most in 5 years in 2019

The statistics office said 63.7 percent of newly established companies in 2017 were operating in 2018 , down 1.3 percentage @ @ @ @ @ .
Only 31.2 percent of those that started business in 2013 were surviving in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ from a year earlier .

SEOUL, Dec. 9 (Yonhap) -- The number of newly establishment companies in South Korea increased by the most in five years in 2019, raising the number of operating firms to a record high, data showed Wednesday.
Last year, the number of newly created firms reached a record 997,000, up 77,000 or 8.4 percent from a year earlier, according to the data compiled by Statistics Korea.
It marked the largest on-year increase since 2014, when such firms grew by 94,000, according to the statistics agency.
Of the newly created firms, real estate accounted for the biggest slice of 25.3 percent, followed by the wholesale and retail sector with 20.3 percent and the accommodations and food service segment with 16.7 percent, the data showed.
The number of firms that closed down reached 69,200 in 2018, down 0.9 percent from a year earlier.
The total number of operational companies, which have employees or generate sales, reached an all-time high of 6.53 million in 2019, up 4.4 percent from a year earlier, the data showed.
The statistics office said 63.7 percent of newly established companies in 2017 were operating in 2018, down 1.3 percentage points from a year earlier. Only 31.2 percent of those that started business in 2013 were surviving in 2018, up 1.9 percentage points from a year earlier.
The possibility that a business in the lodging and food service segment could survive for five years after creation reached 20.5 percent, indicating that the sector remained vulnerable.
Of the newly created firms, 72 percent posted yearly sales of less than 50 million won (US$46,100) last year, the data showed.
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


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yna--2020-12-09--KBO's Lions bring back ace David Buchanan on one-year deal

KBO clubs can each acquire up to three foreign players , with no more than two pitchers .
Another right-hander @ @ @ @ @ been with the Lions the past two years , but he 's coming off an @ @ @ @ @ he went 6-7 with a 4.21 ERA .
The Lions have already announced they would @ @ @ @ @ from the 2020 season , Daniel Palka .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Dec. 9 (Yonhap) -- American right-hander David Buchanan will be back with his South Korean club Samsung Lions for one more season.
The Lions announced Wednesday they have retained Buchanan on a one-year deal worth up to US$1.5 million. He will get $900,000 in salary and $100,000 as a signing bonus, with a maximum $500,000 up for grabs in incentives.
Buchanan was the Lions' No. 1 starter this year, going 15-7 with a 3.45 ERA. He tied for third in wins and ranked seventh in ERA in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO).
In this file photo from Aug. 7, 2020, David Buchanan of the Samsung Lions pitches against the SK Wyverns in the bottom of the first inning of a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at SK Happy Dream Park in Incheon, 40 kilometers west of Seoul. (Yonhap)
The 31-year-old also set a franchise record for a foreign pitcher by tossing 174 2/3 innings. The Lions had some rotten luck with their foreign hurlers in recent years, and Buchanan provided much-needed stability at the top of the rotation.
The Lions said Buchanan proved himself as one of the top starters in the KBO this year and also set great examples with his work ethic.
Buchanan earned $850,000 in 2020.
KBO clubs can each acquire up to three foreign players, with no more than two pitchers. Another right-hander, Ben Lively, has been with the Lions the past two years, but he's coming off an injury-plagued 2020, in which he went 6-7 with a 4.21 ERA. The Lions have already announced they would not re-sign their import bat from the 2020 season, Daniel Palka.
In this file photo from Sept. 20, 2020, David Buchanan of the Samsung Lions pitches against the Kiwoom Heroes in the top of the second inning of a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in Daegu, 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-09--Seoul stocks extend gains on vaccine hopes, U.S. stimulus talks

Britain became the first Western nation to begin mass vaccinations , raising hope that the world may turn a corner @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .

SEOUL, Dec. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks made gains late Wednesday morning, as Britain started mass vaccinations against COVID-19 amid optimism over U.S. stimulus talks.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 38.01 points, or 1.41 percent, to 2,738.94 as of 11:20 a.m.
Britain became the first Western nation to begin mass vaccinations, raising hope that the world may turn a corner in its yearlong battle against the pandemic.
Chipmakers, automakers and steelmakers fared strongly, with reignited stimulus hopes in the United States, following Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's offer to set aside some deadlock factors from the relief package.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics gained 2.23 percent, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix advanced 3.91 percent.
Hyundai Motor, the country's largest carmaker, added 1.07 percent, and leading steelmaker POSCO moved up 1.88 percent.
Chemical firm LG Chem climbed 0.49 percent, and rechargeable battery maker Samsung SDI rose 1.45 percent.
Pharmaceutical firm Samsung Biologics lost 0.72 percent, but Celltrion edged up 0.14 percent.
Internet portal Naver went up 0.35 percent, while its rival Kakao retreated 0.27 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,084.55 won against the U.S. dollar, up 0.85 won from the previous session's close.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-09--Global Korea Convention opens to spotlight Seoul's achievements in int'l cooperation

`` The Republic of Korea , once a recipient of aid , has now become a provider of aid .
@ @ @ @ @ achieved both economic development and full democracy in a short period .
Now , it @ @ @ @ @ 's dynamic energy with others for world peace , common prosperity and sustainable development of @ @ @ @ @ declaration .

SEOUL, Dec. 9 (Yonhap) -- An international forum kicked off in Seoul on Wednesday to share South Korea's achievements in global cooperation and explore its future roles and challenges in the post-COVID-19 era.
Global Korea Convention 2020 opened in a ceremony at the K-Hotel Seoul for a three-day run, with the in-person and online attendance of about 30 dignitaries, including Angel Gurría, secretary-general of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development; Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun; and National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug.
This photo provided by the hosts of Global Korea Convention 2020 shows the event's poster. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The National Research Council for Economics, Humanities and Social Sciences and the Korea Land & Housing Corp. are hosting the convention, with sponsorship from about 150 government and public institutions.
Several dozen government departments and public institutions are to introduce various experiences on public diplomacy and international cooperation since the independence of Korea in 1945, as well as their efforts to pursue public diplomacy focused on peace, human rights, democracy and values enabling sustainable development of humankind.
In particular, the convention is to put the spotlight on South Korea's diverse and rich experience as the world's only country that has transformed from an aid recipient to a donor country.
During the opening ceremony, Chung gave a congratulatory video address, and former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland made a keynote speech under the title of "international cooperation for world peace and sustainable development."
A "Vision Declaration" was also announced at the opening ceremony, declaring a vision of South Korea's future as a world leader that contributes to international peace, prosperity and sustainable development.
"The Republic of Korea, once a recipient of aid, has now become a provider of aid. Korea overcame its challenges and achieved both economic development and full democracy in a short period. Now, it is time to share Korea's dynamic energy with others for world peace, common prosperity and sustainable development of humankind," said the declaration.
"Embracing 'inclusive multilateralism' as our core value, Korea is taking its first step forward to form a new wave of cooperation that pursues world peace, common prosperity and sustainable development," it said.
Hosts and organizers said Seoul's efforts to overcome the coronavirus pandemic, dubbed "K-Quarantine," and the Korean New Deal initiative aimed at stimulating economic growth and job creation through digital and green projects will be intensively discussed at the convention.
To that end, the convention will proceed under 19 subjects, including K-Quarantine, climate change, eco smart city and inclusive multilateralism, they noted.
The Korea International Cooperation Agency and 35 other government institutions will introduce about 100 exemplary cases of international cooperation in online and offline presentations.
In consideration of the spread of the coronavirus, all convention programs will be broadcast live at the convention's website (globalkoreaconvention.kr).
In a special event, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Moon Seong-hyeok will hold a videoconference interview with Korean researchers stationed at the nation's second Antarctic base called Jang Bogo Station and give them a message of encouragement.
Prior to the opening ceremony, South Korean alternative pop band Leenalchi gave a performance featuring a new genre of traditional Korean music that mixes traditional and modern trends with pansori, a Korean genre of musical storytelling, and group dance movements.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-09--(LEAD) Biegun holds talks with Vice FM on stalled N.K. diplomacy, alliance

`` Let me just say that in those remarks , I am looking forward to talking about the great cooperation @ @ @ @ @ of Korea not only on the alliance issues , but relations with North Korea and @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 pandemic , '' he said .

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; UPDATES throughout; CHANGES photo; ADDS photo)
By Song Sang-ho
SEOUL, Dec. 9 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun held talks with his South Korean counterpart in Seoul on Wednesday, as Seoul seeks to ensure cooperation between the allies to resume nuclear diplomacy with North Korea can continue under the incoming Joe Biden administration.
Biegun arrived in Seoul on Tuesday for what could be his last visit here in his current capacity as the State Department's No. 2 official and its point man on the reclusive regime.
Striking a jarring note hours ahead of his talks with Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-kun, Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, rebuked Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha's recent remarks on the North's COVID-19 situation and warned she might have to "pay dearly for it."
"We've done a lot of great work together and there's a lot of great work ahead for the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK)," Biegun said at the start of the talks with Choi.
"I look forward to continuing close cooperation with you and your team in the weeks and months ahead," he added.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun speaks during a meeting with Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-kun at the foreign ministry in Seoul on Dec. 9, 2020. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
Biegun said he will give "some more detailed remarks and some thoughts" when he gives a lecture at a local think tank on Thursday afternoon.
"Let me just say that in those remarks, I am looking forward to talking about the great cooperation between the U.S. and Republic of Korea not only on the alliance issues, but relations with North Korea and also combating and recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.
Choi underscored the two countries' yearslong efforts to chart an "irreversible" path toward peace on the divided peninsula.
"During the time of your service, this past two plus years, the Trump and Moon administrations have achieved so much. Both the U.S. and ROK have started on what I consider as an irreversible path toward peace making on the Korean peninsula," he said.
"I'm sure North Korea knows this as well as we do. Shooting for the stars has made our alliance even stronger. We're a rock-solid linchpin of peace security in Northeast Asia," he added.
Rather than delving deep into such hard issues, the two sides were expected to take stock of the two countries' overall partnership over the last four years and touch on cooperation in ensuring that alliance cooperation will run smoothly under the new U.S. government.
Later in the day, Biegun is set to meet with Seoul's top nuclear envoy, Lee Do-hoon, to discuss joint efforts for lasting peace on the divided peninsula, including cooperation in preventing any North Korean provocation that could constrain diplomacy down the road.
Biegun and Lee plan to have dinner together.
Before coming to the foreign ministry, Biegun had a working breakfast with U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Harry Harris and U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Robert Abrams.
Harris tweeted that Biegun has been "such a terrific asset" for the South Korea-U.S. alliance, adding, "Here's to our ironclad U.S.-ROK Alliance, friendship and partnership."
During his stay in Seoul, the deputy secretary also plans to meet other senior Seoul officials.
On Thursday, Biegun is set to have a breakfast meeting with Unification Minister Lee In-young. He is also expected to meet with senior presidential officials and Kent Harstedt, the Swedish special envoy for the Korean Peninsula, during his trip here.
On Friday, Foreign Minister Kang plans to host a dinner for Biegun at her official residence.
Biegun will depart for the United States on Saturday morning.
First Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-kun (R) and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun pose for a photo before their talks at the foreign ministry in Seoul on Dec. 9, 2020. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-09--S. Korea culls 2.7 mln birds so far to curb highly pathogenic bird flu

The country reported its first highly pathogenic case in 32 months in late October in Cheonan , 92 kilometers south @ @ @ @ @ birds .
Since then , a whopping 19 cases have been found from wild bird @ @ @ @ @

By Kang Yoon-seung
SEOUL, Dec. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea said Wednesday it has destroyed around 2.7 million poultry to prevent the spread of a highly pathogenic bird flu among local farms amid growing concerns over the disease penetrating deeper into the local livestock industry.
Local authorities have culled 361,000 ducks, 1.5 million chickens and 885,000 quails since Nov. 28 when South Korea reported its first farm-related case in Jeongeup, about 290 kilometers south of Seoul, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
South Korea has so far confirmed five cases of the highly pathogenic avian influenza from poultry farms nationwide. The country is currently studying two suspected cases as well.
Officials prepare to cull ducks at a farm in Naju, 355 kilometers south of Seoul, on Dec. 8, 2020, in line with efforts to prevent the spread of avian influenza.
The cases came from different regions, ranging from Gyeonggi Province, which surrounds Seoul, to South Jeolla Province.
Authorities cull poultry within a 3-km radius of infected farms.
Birds at farms with suspected cases are also destroyed.
The country reported its first highly pathogenic case in 32 months in late October in Cheonan, 92 kilometers south of Seoul, from wild birds. Since then, a whopping 19 cases have been found from wild bird habitats across the country.
Health authorities are investigating 17 suspected cases of highly pathogenic bird flu among wild birds as well.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza is contagious and can cause severe illness and even death in poultry.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-09--Samsung accounts for 10 pct of global feature phone market in Q3: report

By region , Samsung was the second-largest vendor in India with an 18 percent share , only behind iTel , @ @ @ @ @ share .
India was the second-largest feature phone market , representing 36 percent of the @ @ @ @ @ the third quarter .

SEOUL, Dec. 9 (Yonhap) -- Samsung Electronics Co. accounted for 10 percent of the global feature phone market in the third quarter of the year, a report showed Wednesday, amid the decline of the sector.
Global feature phone shipments declined 17 percent on-year to 74 million units in the July-September period, according to market researcher Counterpoint Research.
Samsung had a 10 percent share in the feature phone market in the third quarter, sharing third place with China's Tecno Mobile, a subsidiary of Transsion Group.
Another Transsion brand, iTel, led the feature phone market with a 24 percent share, followed by Finnish phone maker HMD Global with a 14 percent share, data showed.
By region, Samsung was the second-largest vendor in India with an 18 percent share, only behind iTel, which had a 22 percent share. India was the second-largest feature phone market, representing 36 percent of the global feature phone shipments in the third quarter.
In the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, the largest market for feature phones, Samsung came in fourth with only a 2 percent share.
This undated file photo shows feature phones displayed at a store in Seoul. (Yonhap)
When it comes to the smartphone sector, Samsung was the world's largest vendor with a 22 percent market share in the third quarter, beating China's Huawei Technologies by 8 percentage points.
Counterpoint Research data showed Samsung's third-quarter smartphone shipments reached 80.4 million units in the third quarter, up 3 percent from a year earlier.
The South Korean tech giant led major smartphone markets except in North America and Asia, where Apple Inc. and Huawei remained the top players, respectively.
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-09--(LEAD) Prime minister declares all-out fight against virus spread in Seoul, nearby areas

The meeting is to take place at the national crisis response center at the presidential compound and attendees will include @ @ @ @ @ chief of staff ; Suh Hoon , director of national security ; and Health Minister @ @ @ @ @ from the Seoul and Incheon city governments , and the Gyeonggi provincial government will also @ @ @ @ @ link .

(ATTN: UPDATES with emergency presidential meeting schedule in paras 7-8)
SEOUL, Dec. 9 (Yonhap) -- Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said Wednesday that the government will concentrate "all of its capabilities" on countering the rapid spread of COVID-19 in and around Seoul.
"(The government) will focus all of its capabilities (in the greater Seoul area)," he said, stressing the significance of turning around the situations in the region where around half of South Korea's 52-million population reside.
"The trend of COVID-19 spreading in the capital region is very serious," he said during a government meeting of top officials in charge of dealing with the pandemic.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun presides over a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters held at the provincial government office of Gyeonggi Province in Suwon, 45 kilometers south of Seoul, on Dec. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
The meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters was held at the provincial government office of Gyeonggi Province in Suwon, 45 kilometers south of Seoul.
Since Tuesday, the government has imposed the second-toughest curbs of the five-tiered virus restriction system in Seoul and the nearby city of Incheon and Gyeonggi Province, which have experienced a rapid climb in new cases, and mid-level restrictions in the rest of the country.
Chung said the government is meticulously planning its vaccine administration program, including the selection of first recipients and the logistics of vaccines, and pledged to do the utmost to administer vaccines to the general public when needed after monitoring the situations in other countries.
President Moon Jae-in, meanwhile, plans to convene an emergency meeting later in the day to review the virus response situation in the capital region, according to Cheong Wa Dae.
The meeting is to take place at the national crisis response center at the presidential compound and attendees will include Noh Young-min, Moon's chief of staff; Suh Hoon, director of national security; and Health Minister Park Neunghoo. Top officials from the Seoul and Incheon city governments, and the Gyeonggi provincial government will also participate in it through video link.
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-09--The Korea Interbank Offered Rates (KORIBOR)

SEOUL , Dec. 9 ( Yonhap ) -- The Korea Interbank Offered Rates ( KORIBOR ) as posted by Yonhap @ @ @ @ @ and information arm of Yonhap News Agency , at 11:00 a.m .

(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--2020-12-09--Steel, autos among beneficiaries of mega trade pact

`` The government and local businesses need to prepare for the official implementation of the RCEP by finding prominent export @ @ @ @ @ the changing value chain within the bloc , '' it added .

By Kang Yoon-seung
SEOUL, Dec. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea said Wednesday it will make efforts to help local exporters utilize a mega trade pact accounting for one-third of the world's gross domestic product, hinting the deal could give a boost to the steel and automobile segments.
"Amid the growing uncertainties stemming from COVID-19 and protectionism, the RCEP will grant exporters access to new markets, along with unified trade rules," the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said in a statement.
In November, members of ASEAN, along with its dialogue partners, South Korea, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, inked the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam.
The deal came in line with South Korea's New Southern Policy, which is aimed at bolstering Seoul's strategic and economic relations with Southeast Asian countries.
"The government and local businesses need to prepare for the official implementation of the RCEP by finding prominent export goods and by coping with the changing value chain within the bloc," it added.
South Korea said it especially expects to enjoy better outbound shipments for steel and automobiles.
The RCEP nations are expected to take up 53.2 percent of South Korea's outbound shipments of steel in 2020, rising sharply from 2019.
Thus, once implemented, the ministry said South Korea can further expand steel exports in sync with the growing demand from Southeast Asia.
With the annual demand of automobiles of ASEAN being estimated at around 3.5 million, the ministry added the deal will also beef up the export of cars and auto parts.
"We especially anticipate better exports to Malaysia and Cambodia," it added.
Other key beneficiaries included machinery and textiles, as the RCEP nations already account for around half of the country's exports in the segments.
South Korea's exports, meanwhile, are set to rise 6 percent in 2021 as pandemic-hit economies are expected to gradually recover, according to the Korea International Trade Association.
In November, exports rebounded 4 percent on-year in the latest sign of a possible recovery.
While the country's exports posted the first on-year increase in 14 months in February, the COVID-19 pandemic has dashed hopes for an annual recovery. Exports fell a whopping 25.6 percent in April, followed by another crash of 23.8 percent in May.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-09--S. Korea's agricultural exports up 7 pct through Nov.: data

Outbound shipments of agricultural products came to US $ 6.8 billion over the first 11 months of 2020 , according @ @ @ @ @ the Ministry of Agriculture , Food and Rural Affairs .

SEOUL, Dec. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's agricultural exports rose nearly 7 percent on-year over the January-November period, data showed Wednesday, setting a fresh high despite the new coronavirus pandemic.
Outbound shipments of agricultural products came to US$6.8 billion over the first 11 months of 2020, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
The segment was among a handful of winners in South Korean exports, which suffered from the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic this year.
Shipments to Southeast Asia and India came to $1.39 billion, soaring 8.4 percent.
The region accounted for around 20.4 percent of the total exports of the sector over the period, slightly rising from 19.6 percent posted in 2018.
Exports to India advanced 34.7 percent over the period, followed by Malaysia with 23.1 percent and Singapore with 19.8 percent, the data showed.
"(The region) has emerged as a new growth engine for South Korea's exports of agricultural goods," the ministry said in a statement.
By segment, exports of noodles advanced 15.1 percent, and those of sauce products increased 15.8 percent.
The ministry expected outbound shipments of foodstuffs may rise further down the road on the back of a major free-trade pact signed last month.
In November, members of ASEAN, along with its dialogue partners -- South Korea, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand -- inked the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-09--Korean Air ships COVID-19 vaccine ingredient to Europe

`` Korean Air 's task force is reviewing all aspects concerning the vaccine 's transport , and we are developing @ @ @ @ @ for its safe and swift distribution , '' Eum Jae-ong , head of the cargo @ @ @ @ @ , said .

SEOUL, Dec. 9 (Yonhap) -- Korean Air Co., South Korea's largest carrier, said Wednesday it has shipped a COVID-19 vaccine ingredient from Incheon to Amsterdam using its cold chain logistics as it gears up for upcoming deliveries of vaccines.
A passenger flight transporting a Korean company's vaccine ingredient departed from Incheon International Airport on Tuesday, and it was transported to a vaccine production plant in Europe on Wednesday, Korean Air said, without specifying the firm's name.
The carrier said it loaded 800 kilograms of a vaccine ingredient in special containers for medical items that maintain cryogenic temperatures of minus 60 C.
Korean Air is the first carrier in the nation to transport a vaccine ingredient that requires storage at an extremely cold temperature, attesting to its capacity for vaccine delivery.
A Korean Air passenger jet receives a container of a COVID-19 vaccine ingredient at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, to head to Amsterdam, in this photo provided by the airline on Dec. 9, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
South Korea plans to secure coronavirus vaccines for 44 million people from four pharmaceutical companies and the global vaccine project starting early next year, which would pose a tough transport challenge for airlines.
The COVID-19 vaccines require a cold chain that provides temperature-controlled environments during transportation and storage.
Korean Air said it has been preparing infrastructure and flight schedules to safely transport vaccines, while expanding cargo capacity by converting passenger jets to cargo-only flights and removing seats on passenger aircraft.
"Korean Air's task force is reviewing all aspects concerning the vaccine's transport, and we are developing a strong system and infrastructure for its safe and swift distribution," Eum Jae-ong, head of the cargo business division at Korean Air, said.
Korean Air is among 18 aircraft operators across the world that have received the Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV Pharma), a certification for the air transport of medicines.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-09--One more soldier at Army boot camp tests positive for new coronavirus

Currently , 1,649 service members are in isolation in accordance with the health authorities ' guidelines , and the military @ @ @ @ @ people under stricter antivirus schemes of its own as a preventive step , according to @ @ @

SEOUL, Dec. 9 (Yonhap) -- One soldier in the inter-Korean border town of Yeoncheon tested positive for the new coronavirus, bringing the total number of virus patents at barracks to 432, the defense ministry said Wednesday.
The enlistee at the Army boot camp in Yeoncheon developed symptoms while in isolation after coming into close contact with his colleague who earlier tested positive, according to the ministry.
The total number of COVID-19 cases there has now grown to 82, it added.
Currently, 1,649 service members are in isolation in accordance with the health authorities' guidelines, and the military has quarantined an additional 6,796 people under stricter antivirus schemes of its own as a preventive step, according to the ministry.
Nationwide, South Korea added 686 new virus cases, including 662 domestically transmitted ones, raising the total caseload to 39,432, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
A street in Myeongdong, one of the busiest shopping districts in Seoul, is nearly empty on Dec. 8, 2020, as the country adopted the second-strongest level of virus curbs in the greater Seoul area. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-09--Gov't warns of possible excessive overheating in asset markets

`` We need to be wary of the possibility that market volatility could increase at any time , '' Kim @ @ @ @ @ macroeconomics and finance with officials from the central bank , the financial watchdog and other @ @

SEOUL, Dec. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's vice finance minister warned Wednesday against potential excessive overheating in stock and property markets, saying that asset prices could spike amid ample liquidity and the economic recovery.
First Vice Finance Minister Kim Yong-beom made the remarks as the country's stock prices hit a fresh record high in recent sessions and housing prices have not stabilized despite a series of the government's measures.
"We need to be wary of the possibility that market volatility could increase at any time," Kim said at a meeting over macroeconomics and finance with officials from the central bank, the financial watchdog and other institutions.
He warned that amid ample liquidity, asset prices could shoot up when economic recovery momentum at home and abroad picks up if coronavirus vaccines roll out in a full-fledged manner.
The stock market extended its record high for the fifth straight session Monday, led by foreign buying. The local currency also rose to a 30-month high per dollar this week.
Housing prices continued to rise despite the government's efforts to stabilize soaring home prices. Housing prices rose 0.6 percent on-year in November, the fastest gain since June 2018, according to the statistics office.
"The government will do its best to stabilize sentiment and curb the flow of ample liquidity into the property market," Kim said.
This photo, taken Dec. 3, 2020, shows apartment buildings in Seoul. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)