yna--2020-06-25--Moon honors fallen heroes in Korean War anniversary event

South Korea dispatched the Air Force 's KC-330 Cygnus aircraft for the repatriation of the remains .
Seven of them @ @ @ @ @ the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in the early months of the war .
One bereaved @ @ @ @ @ ceremony for a private reason , with the other 140 sets of remains not identified @ @

SEOUL, June 25 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in received and honored the remains of 147 South Korean soldiers killed in the Korean War, as his government commemorated the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the conflict Thursday amid a setback in the Korea peace process.
He greeted the flag-draped cases of remains, airlifted from Hawaii the previous day, in a rare nighttime official ceremony held at Seoul Air Base, a military compound located just southeast of Seoul.
Titled, Salute to the Heroes, the anniversary event was meant to show respect for fallen service members and demonstrate Seoul's commitment to friendly cooperation with 22 nations that fought alongside it against invading North Korea under the United Nations flag, according to Cheong Wa Dae.
Moon entered the hangar of the air base, the venue of the ceremony organized by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, together with the bereaved families of six war dead who have been identified.
Members of South Korea's Agency for KIA Recovery & Identification carry flag-draped caskets of war dead remains at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii on June 23, 2020 in this photo provided by the Defense Media Agency provided this photo. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The 147 sets of remains were among those sent to the Hawaii labs of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, mostly as a result of North Korea-U.S. joint excavation work conducted from 1990-1994. Those were found to be remains of South Koreans killed in action during the three-year conflict.
South Korea dispatched the Air Force's KC-330 Cygnus aircraft for the repatriation of the remains. Seven of them were identified as killed during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in the early months of the war. One bereaved family was absent from the ceremony for a private reason, with the other 140 sets of remains not identified yet.
"The 147 remains are a valuable result of excavation and repatriation efforts by the U.S. and North Korea over the past 25 years," Cheong Wa Dae said.
Placed next to those throughout the event were the remains of six American service members discovered by South Korean defense ministry's Agency for KIA Recovery & Identification.
While around 300 attendees stood in silence for the fallen heroes, a 21-gun salute occurred in show of respect equivalent to that for a head of state.
Moon then bestowed the Order of Military Merit on one surviving Korean War veteran. Two others were posthumously presented with medals.
Video messages of the 22 participating countries were played, with their ambassadors to South Korea in attendance at the ceremony, through which "international solidarity" has been reaffirmed, Cheong Wa Dae said.
Amb. Joanne Doornewaard of the Netherlands, received a Plague of Peace made of smelted parts of canteens, helmets and other military equipment used by the soldiers of the 22 nations as well as barb-wire fences in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
Meanwhile, the veterans ministry limited the number of participants in this year's anniversary ceremony due to the spread of the new coronavirus. The ceremony also began after sunset in consideration of elderly people's summertime health.
This year's event came days after North Korea blew up a joint liaison office with South Korea in protest against the launches of propaganda leaflets by activists here. It threatened to take military actions, including the deployment of troops in now-closed inter-Korean cooperation project sites in Kaesong and Mount Kumgang. On Wednesday, however, it announced a decision to "suspend" the move at the instruction of the North's leader Kim Jong-un.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-25--(2nd LD) 'Hamburger disease' sickens 14 kindergarten pupils in Ansan

According to the officials in Ansan , about 50 kilometers south of the capital , 100 out of 184 pupils @ @ @ @ @ unidentified kindergarten have shown symptoms of food poisoning since June 16 and 31 of them @ @ @ @ @ by Thursday .
Most of the hospitalized patients are students .

(ATTN: ADDS comments at bottom)
ANSAN/SUWON, South Korea, June 25 (Yonhap) -- One hundred students and teachers at a kindergarten in Ansan, just south of Seoul, have complained of food poisoning symptoms over the past week, with about one third of them hospitalized for hamburger disease and other disorders, municipal health officials said Thursday.
According to the officials in Ansan, about 50 kilometers south of the capital, 100 out of 184 pupils and 18 teachers from the unidentified kindergarten have shown symptoms of food poisoning since June 16 and 31 of them have been sent to hospitals by Thursday. Most of the hospitalized patients are students.
They said 14 of the patients are showing signs of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), also known as hamburger disease, which can cause severe kidney failure, noting five of them with poor kidney function are undergoing dialytic therapy.
This photo, taken on June 25, 2020, shows the exterior of a kindergarten where about 100 pupils have complained of food poisoning symptoms over the past week in Ansan, just south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
The remaining 17 patients are suffering from diarrhea, stomachache and fever symptoms, without exhibiting signs of HUS, they added.
The number of patients has been increasing since four children complained of stomachache on June 16. By June 17, 10 pupils exhibited symptoms of stomachache and diarrhea.
Authorities have collected samples from all 202 students and teachers for clinical analysis, while conducting separate examinations into 84 related people, including 58 family members and three food supplier employees.
Authorities have so far found hemorrhaging E. coli bacteria in samples taken from about 42 pupils and one teacher. HUS is one of the complications caused by E. coli bacteria. They said 147 people have tested negative for the bacteria, with 96 others waiting for test results.
The authorities are now conducting further epidemiological research, suspecting the mass food poisoning may have been caused by lunch provided by the kindergarten.
The kindergarten has been ordered to close until the end of this month.
They also fined the kindergarten for failing to preserve some of its food ingredients offered to students in case of a food poisoning outbreak.
Meanwhile, the municipality of Ansan said another kindergarten in the city, about 10 km away from the first one, has also reported a food poisoning outbreak, which has so far affected eight students and one teacher.
Since Monday, the number of students and teachers with food poisoning symptoms has been steadily growing from the second kindergarten, where 167 pupils are enrolled, it said.
Lee Jae-jeong, the superintendent of Gyeonggi Province Office of Education, apologized and vowed a thorough investigation and measures to prevent such incidents.
"We will support every possible measure for children to receive treatment and recover from the disease," Lee said. "I feel very sorry to the children and their parents."
nyway@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-25--Prosecutors seek arrest warrant for ex-Kolon chief over drug development scandal

The prosecutors are looking into suspicions that the group manipulated the accounting books of Kolon TissueGene , which had played @ @ @ @ @ development of Invossa , by reflecting some of its technology export down payments into its @ @ @ @ @ on the tech-heavy KOSDAQ market in November 2017 .

SEOUL, June 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korean prosecutors on Thursday sought an arrest warrant for former Kolon Group chief Lee Woong-yeol as part of their investigation into a controversial gene therapy drug developed by a group company.
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office said it requested the warrant to detain Lee on charges of fraud, breach of trust and violation of the pharmaceutical affairs act.
Kolon Life Science, a unit of Kolon Group, initially received approval for Invossa, a cell and gene therapy for osteoarthritis, from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in 2017. But approval was revoked last year after the drugmaker was found to have falsely reported an ingredient used in the drug and violated labeling rules.
This file photo taken on July 18, 2019, shows former Kolon Group chief Lee Woong-yeol surrounded by reporters at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul. (Yonhap)
Prosecutors also believe Lee, who stepped down from the post in November 2018, is involved in alleged listing fraud related with the Invossa development.
The prosecutors are looking into suspicions that the group manipulated the accounting books of Kolon TissueGene, which had played a key role in the development of Invossa, by reflecting some of its technology export down payments into its accounting before listing the company on the tech-heavy KOSDAQ market in November 2017.
In February, the prosecutors indicted Kolon Life Science CEO Lee Woo-suk over breach of pharmaceutical affairs and capital market laws. Other Kolon executives connected to the Invossa scandal were indicted last December.
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-25--NSC discusses N. Korea situations, vows efforts to stop tensions

They `` have decided to consult actively with the U.S. side for smooth progress in the return process , '' @ @ @ @ @ the session chaired by Chung Eui-yong , director of the national security office .

SEOUL, June 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's top national security officials agreed Thursday, during their weekly meeting, to continue efforts to prevent inter-Korean tensions from escalating, Cheong Wa Dae said.
In the session of the National Security Council (NSC) standing committee, members discussed the situations related to North Korea.
President Moon Jae-in and his security aides have been trying to figure out the background of the unpredictable communist neighbor's recent moves toward the South.
Earlier this month, it destroyed a joint liaison office in its border town of Kaesong, citing the Moon administration's failure to stop activists here from sending balloons filed with anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets across the border.
Chung Eui-yong, director of Cheong Wa Dae's national security office, in a file photo. (Yonhap)
Pyongyang cut all inter-Korean communication lines and threatened further military actions, such as the redeployment of troops in some border regions home to now-suspended joint ventures between the two Koreas.
On Wednesday, however, the North made an abrupt announcement of a decision to suspend the plans.
The NSC members, meanwhile, also checked ongoing procedures for the return of some U.S. Forces Korea bases, with a related environmental survey scheduled to finish within this year.
They "have decided to consult actively with the U.S. side for smooth progress in the return process," Cheong Wa Dae said after the session chaired by Chung Eui-yong, director of the national security office.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-25--Google to correct unfair subscription practices for YouTube Premium service in S. Korea

In January , the KCC imposed a fine of 867 million won ( US $ 720,000 ) on Google for @ @ @ @ @ the operation of its YouTube Premium service , pointing out that the tech giant did @ @ @ @ @ the fact that the streaming service converts to a charged service after a one-month free @ @

SEOUL, June 25 (Yonhap) -- Google LLC will correct unfair subscription practices related to its YouTube Premium service in South Korea, Seoul's telecommunications regulator said Thursday.
Local consumers will be able to cancel the YouTube Premium service immediately and will be eligible for refunds based on their remaining subscription period, the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) said after receiving Google's voluntary corrective measures.
Previously, YouTube Premium users had to wait until the end of their monthly subscription period even if they applied for service cancellation, while paying service charges for that month.
This file photo taken on Oct. 17, 2018, shows a logo of YouTube, the world's largest online video platform owned by Google, at an event in Seoul. (Yonhap)
The KCC said South Korea will be the first country where Google will apply service charging system based on the number of days used for its YouTube Premium service.
In January, the KCC imposed a fine of 867 million won (US$720,000) on Google for violating local telecom laws in the operation of its YouTube Premium service, pointing out that the tech giant didn't properly notify users of the fact that the streaming service converts to a charged service after a one-month free trial.
In addition to service cancellation process, Google will clearly state the end date of the free trial of the YouTube Premium service when users register. It also will inform users via email three days before the free trial turns into a charged service.
Google plans to enforce such measures from Aug. 25, the KCC said.
YouTube, the world's largest online video platform, has been operating the ad-free subscription service, since 2015 with a one-month free trial.
Premium service allows users to enjoy YouTube contents without interruption by advertisements. Users can also download content to enjoy offline and play videos in the background while using another app on their phone.
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-25--(2nd LD) Top court confirms artist not guilty of fraud for selling heavily assisted paintings

Cho Young-nam , once a popular folk singer , was accused of fraudulently selling 21 pieces of art to 17 @ @ @ @ @ 153 million won ( US $ 126,792 ) from September 2011 to January 2015 .
@ @ @ @ @ own , but it was later found out that assistants he had hired actually painted @ @ @ @ @ added some final touches .

(ATTN: UPDATES with comments from Cho, reactions from art experts at bottom)
SEOUL, June 25 (Yonhap) -- The Supreme Court on Thursday confirmed a ruling that cleared a singer-painter of fraud for selling his paintings that were created with the help of assistants.
Cho Young-nam, once a popular folk singer, was accused of fraudulently selling 21 pieces of art to 17 people for a total of 153 million won (US$126,792) from September 2011 to January 2015. Cho called the paintings his own, but it was later found out that assistants he had hired actually painted them, and he only added some final touches.
A district court sentenced him to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years for fraud. But in August 2018, the appellate court found him not guilty of fraud because his artwork embodied Cho's original ideas and the role of his assistants was limited to helping him technically.
In this file photo from May 28, 2020, singer-painter Cho Young-nam heads to a court in Seoul to attend a hearing. (Yonhap)
The fact that Cho's paintings were created with the help of another person was not deemed to be absolutely necessary information for buyers, the Supreme Court concluded, effectively accepting the defendant's argument that using assistants in art making was a widespread practice.
The court also said it would be best to respect the opinions of experts when it came to art transactions, unless there were issues of forgery or copyright violations.
The singer, who was popular in the 1970s-80s, has painted professionally since 1990. He was found to have used assistants to produce more than 300 works sold under his name since 2009.
Prosecutors claimed that Cho defrauded buyers by pretending he had painted the works all by himself and selling them at high prices. The investigation began when one of his assistants filed a complaint with the prosecution in 2016.
Cho denied the charges, saying he did not consider the use of assistants in art to be illegal and arguing that it was a customary practice.
The file photo shows one of Cho Young-nam's artworks. (Yonhap)
"I knew there was no wrongdoing from the beginning. I was flabbergasted and dumbfounded by the fact that the accuser was adamant about me being guilty," Cho told Yonhap News Agency over the phone after the ruling.
Cho also said he now faces the responsibility to be artistically competent in the future.
"I need to make sure that people don't react to my work by saying, 'People fought over this lousy art for over five years?'"
The singer-painter is also scheduled to release a modern art primer book, titled "Goddam Modern Art," next week.
Reactions from the art world were mixed, although most agreed that the ruling presented a landmark precedent in the ongoing discourse around what constitutes modern art.
"The not-guilty ruling was an expected conclusion," said Kim Young-ho, an art professor at Chung-Ang University in Seoul.
Kim argued that modern art in general lacks the very idea of core concepts or creative guidelines. "The state of modern art has arrived at a point where methods of defying previous conventions are used as means of creating new aesthetics."
"This will go down in history as a case that prompts the art community to self-examine on how it defines modern art and how it sees the relationship between art and capital," Kim said.
Others expressed more critical responses.
"It's shameful that such a matter even went to court. It's also very unpleasant to know that the court's decision could leave the impression that all artists use assistants," Kim Young-ho, secretary general of the Korean Fine Arts Association, said.
The secretary general, a painter himself, added, "Most career artists work alone. The notion of using an assistant citing excessive work rings hollow with most career artists."
"From now on, Cho will proudly use ghost painters in the future. I will not consider him a true artist," he said.
Yang Jung-moo, art history professor at Korea National University of Arts, also saw the court decision in a negative light.
"Although Cho was deemed not guilty by the court, artistically he's been given a lot of homework," said Yang.
"There have to be clear and acceptable reasons when seeking help from others. In the end, the artist himself or herself must prove his or her worth through artistic integrity and sincerity."
jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-25--Coronavirus offers rare chance for overseas Korean ballet stars to perform together at home

Han said he has gone through a two-week self quarantine in Korea and is doing his best to get in @ @ @ @ @ can for the first onstage performance in a few months .

By Kim Boram
SEOUL, June 25 (Yonhap) -- Due to the coronavirus outbreak, nearly all concerts, recitals and theater performances have been canceled around the world, with ballet companies, orchestras and opera productions also suspending their operations. Korean dancers at the world's major ballet companies had to return home.
This unprecedented situation, however, provided 10 of the stars who had led busy lives in Europe and the United States, like Kang Ho-hyun of the Paris Opera Ballet (POB) and Han Sung-woo of the American Ballet Theater (ABT) a race chance to perform together on the same stage.
They will hit the Korea World Dance Stars Festival 2020 at Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul on Saturday and Sunday, a special gala show that is part of the 11-day annual Ballet Festival Korea that kicked off on June 18.
During a news conference to promote the event on Thursday, the dancers said they have become aware of the preciousness of onstage performance through the novel coronavirus pandemic and expressed their thanks for the rare opportunity to take the stage.
"All cast and staff members of the performing art scene might be desperate and hopeless due to the COVID-19 crisis," Jo Ju-hyun, artistic director of the show, said.
"We've been deprived of the space and time for practice and onstage performances for more than a month," she said. "We haven't seen the audience for a couple of months and learned the importance, preciousness of dance and arts."
Participants of the Korea World Dance stars Festival 2020 pose at a press conference held in Seoul on June 25, 2020. (Yonhap)
"Thanks to the coronavirus, ironically, we can gather all these stars from overseas ballet companies," said Jo, a former principal dancer at the Washington Ballet. "The gala show will present a unique mix of different styles of each company."
In January, before the coronavirus outbreak, POB's Kang and ABT's Han were unable to participate in the show. But a month later, the situation changed as they came back to South Korea because of the closure of their companies.
Han said he has gone through a two-week self quarantine in Korea and is doing his best to get in shape as fast as he can for the first onstage performance in a few months.
"I've never rested for this long since I started ballet," said the ballerino, a corps member at the New York-based troupe. "I know everybody is in trouble due to the coronavirus. I hope everybody will have a good time during our show."
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-25--(LEAD) 'Hamburger disease' sickens 14 kindergarten pupils in Ansan

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with latest developments; ADDS Suwon in dateline)
ANSAN/SUWON, South Korea, June 25 (Yonhap) -- One hundred students and teachers at a kindergarten in Ansan, just south of Seoul, have complained of food poisoning symptoms over the past week, with about one third of them hospitalized for hamburger disease and other disorders, municipal health officials said Thursday.
According to the officials in Ansan, about 50 kilometers south of the capital, 100 out of 184 pupils and 18 teachers from the unidentified kindergarten have shown symptoms of food poisoning since June 16 and 31 of them have been sent to hospitals by Thursday. Most of the hospitalized patients are students.
They said 14 of the patients are showing signs of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), also known as hamburger disease, which can cause severe kidney failure, noting five of them with poor kidney function are undergoing dialytic therapy.
This photo, taken on June 25, 2020, shows the exterior of a kindergarten where about 100 pupils have complained of food poisoning symptoms over the past week in Ansan, just south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
The remaining 17 patients are suffering from diarrhea, stomachache and fever symptoms, without exhibiting signs of HUS, they added.
The number of patients has been increasing since four children complained of stomachache on June 16. By June 17, 10 pupils exhibited symptoms of stomachache and diarrhea.
Authorities have collected samples from all 202 students and teachers for clinical analysis, while conducting separate examinations into 84 related people, including 58 family members and three food supplier employees.
Authorities have so far found hemorrhaging E. coli bacteria in samples taken from about 42 pupils and one teacher. HUS is one of the complications caused by E. coli bacteria. They said 147 people have tested negative for the bacteria, with 96 others waiting for test results.
The authorities are now conducting further epidemiological research, suspecting the mass food poisoning may have been caused by lunch provided by the kindergarten.
The kindergarten has been ordered to close until the end of this month.
They also fined the kindergarten for failing to preserve some of its food ingredients offered to students in case of a food poisoning outbreak.
Meanwhile, the municipality of Ansan said another kindergarten in the city, about 10 km away from the first one, has also reported a food poisoning outbreak, which has so far affected eight students and one teacher.
Since Monday, the number of students and teachers with food poisoning symptoms has been steadily growing from the second kindergarten, where 167 pupils are enrolled, it said.
nyway@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-25--S. Korea, 22 EU nations sign pact to expand air routes

`` In 2018 , South Korea originally signed the agreement with 23 EU nations , including Britain .
Britain 's @ @ @ @ @ single largest economic bloc led to the revision in the pact .
The horizontal agreement @ @ @ @ @ 22 nations to serve flights from any of the countries to South Korea , providing @ @ @ @ @ from , '' a foreign ministry official said by phone .

SEOUL, June 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and 22 European countries have signed a "horizontal aviation agreement" to expand their air routes, the transport and foreign ministries said Thursday.
Yoon Soon-gu, South Korean ambassador to Belgium and the European Union (EU), and his counterpart from the EU signed a revised horizontal aviation pact with the 22 EU nations after Britain left the economic bloc in January, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"In 2018, South Korea originally signed the agreement with 23 EU nations, including Britain. Britain's exit from the world's single largest economic bloc led to the revision in the pact. The horizontal agreement allows all airlines of the 22 nations to serve flights from any of the countries to South Korea, providing customers more options to choose from," a foreign ministry official said by phone.
Seoul's bilateral aviation agreement with Britain remains effective, she said.
Currently, air carriers are allowed to fly to South Korea from the countries to which they belong. For example, Deutsche Lufthansa AG is required to take off from Germany, not other countries, to reach South Korea, the official said.
Under the agreement, the government also aims to expand air routes with the EU while seeking technological exchanges in helicopter production, and aircraft parts cross-certification, the official said.
The EU has 27 member nations following Britain's exit from the economic bloc. Five countries -- Ireland, Cyprus, Estonia, Lithuania and Slovenia -- have yet to sign aviation agreements with South Korea.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-25--Veteran striker set for K League return after completing coaching course

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors could n't have asked for a better time to welcome back Lee Dong-gook , who had missed @ @ @ @ @ attending a 10-day course for the Asian Football Confederation ( AFC ) `` A '' @ @ @ @ @ currently in first place in the K League 1 with 21 points , will visit @ @ @ @ @ at 6 p.m. Sunday .
Ulsan have 20 points and are the only undefeated club @ @ @ @ @ and two draws , while Jeonbuk have seven wins and one loss .
Both clubs @ @ @ @ @ streak .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, June 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korean club football's all-time leading scorer is set to rejoin his team this weekend after completing his coaching certification course.
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors couldn't have asked for a better time to welcome back Lee Dong-gook, who had missed the past two contests while attending a 10-day course for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) "A" coaching certificate. Jeonbuk, currently in first place in the K League 1 with 21 points, will visit the second-ranked Ulsan Hyundai FC at 6 p.m. Sunday. Ulsan have 20 points and are the only undefeated club this season with six wins and two draws, while Jeonbuk have seven wins and one loss. Both clubs are riding a four-match winning streak.
This photo provided by Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on June 25, 2020, shows the K League 1 club's forward Lee Dong-gook. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
"I know a lot of fans are eagerly anticipating this matchup between the top two clubs," Lee said in an interview clip posted by Jeonbuk on Thursday. "I expect it to be an aggressive, exciting contest. I'll try to play a great match for our fans."
Lee's coaching course ran from June 15 to Wednesday at the National Football Center (NFC) in Paju, just north of Seoul in Gyeonggi Province. In his absence, Jeonbuk defeated Pohang Steelers 2-1 on June 16 and then Gwangju FC 1-0 last Sunday.
Despite missing those two games, Lee remains Jeonbuk's leading scorer with four goals. No South Korean player in the entire league has more goals this year than the 41-year-old, who now has 227 career goals.
While Jeonbuk are ahead in points, Ulsan have been the more dominant team this season. They lead the league with 19 goals scored, and they're tied with Jeonbuk for the fewest goals allowed with four. Ulsan have scored at least three goals in four matches.
Five of Jeonbuk's seven wins have been by one goal, and 11 of their 13 goals have come in the second half.
"Ulsan are on a roll, and they have a lot of players who can score," Lee said. "This will be a tough match for us but hopefully we'll bring back a good result."
Holders of the AFC's A certificate may serve as an assistant coach on a national team or a club in the K League 1 or the K League 2.
In this file photo from June 15, 2020, Lee Dong-gook of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors participates in the Asian Football Confederation's "A" coaching certificate course at the National Football Center in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. (Yonhap)
There will be two certification courses this year. After the June course, the second one is scheduled for November. All candidates must pass practical and theory exams and must also write a dissertation.
Lee earned his "C" certificate in 2015 and then his "B" certificate two years later.
That Lee signed up for the course in the middle of the season fueled speculation that he was prepared to retire and move into coaching. But Lee, the oldest K League player this season, said his immediate focus is on playing, and he took the coaching course because he felt it would help his playing career.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-26--(LEAD) New virus cases rebound; community spread, imported cases on steady rise

Health authorities said the Seoul metropolitan area is already in a second wave of the new coronavirus outbreak , warning @ @ @ @ @ for a protracted virus fight .
The first wave of the virus outbreak gripped the @ @ @ @ @ .

(ATTN: CORRECTS info in 3rd para; UPDATES with more info throughout; ADDS photo)
SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus cases bounced back again Friday amid a steady rise in cluster infections and imported cases, putting continued strain on the country's efforts to contain further virus spread.
The country added 39 cases, including 27 local infections, raising the total caseload to 12,602, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
The tally rebounded from 28 new COVID-19 cases reported Thursday. New daily virus cases have remained in the 30-50 range since they hit 67, the most in a month, on June 20.
The country's health authorities remain anxious about sustained rises in local infections and imported cases, which may lead to another wave of virus outbreak in the summer. The total global virus caseload is set to top 10 million next week.
This photo, taken on June 25, 2020, shows transparent plastic dividers established at booths for a babies and kids fair event in the southeastern city of Daegu to stem the spread of the new coronavirus. (Yonhap)
Of the locally transmitted cases, 19 cases were reported in densely populated Seoul and nearby metropolitan areas. Four cases were reported in Daejeon, about 160 kilometers south of Seoul.
"The number of new locally transmitted cases has somewhat slowed, but sporadic cluster infections are spreading in the central Chungcheong provinces beyond the bigger Seoul area," Yoon Tae-ho, a senior health official, said in a briefing.
Cases tied to a door-to-door sales establishment in Daejeon came to 71 as of noon Thursday.
The country has reported five cases traced to a social club meeting near the Han River. The KCDC said those patients appear to have contracted the virus during their gatherings at indoor facilities.
At least 12 cases were traced to a church in southern Seoul, according to the city government. Health authorities are conducting virus tests on about 1,700 people who came in contact with the patients.
South Korea has been gripped by sporadic cluster infections since it relaxed stricter social distancing on May 6. The greater Seoul area accounted for most of the newly added cases this month.
Health authorities said the Seoul metropolitan area is already in a second wave of the new coronavirus outbreak, warning that the country should brace for a protracted virus fight. The first wave of the virus outbreak gripped the country between February and March.
Health officials warned that they may consider expanding tougher infection preventive measures -- currently in place only in the Seoul metropolitan area -- across the country if virus situations get worse.
Starting next month, health authorities will adopt a reservation system to limit the number of visitors to nursing homes and facilities as senior citizens are susceptible to virus infections.
Health workers disinfect areas near a port in South Korea's southeastern city of Busan on June 23, 2020, after at least 17 sailors aboard Russia-flagged ships were infected with the new coronavirus. (Yonhap)
The country is also struggling to stem cases coming in from overseas. Twelve additional imported cases were reported, with the number of such cases rising to 1,508.
Recently, cluster infections on a Russia-flagged cargo ship docked at a port in the southeastern city of Busan, the country's second-largest city, have been reported, and cases traced to overseas have been on a steady rise.
At least 17 sailors aboard two Russian ships tested positive for COVID-19. Health officials said all 163 people who came in contact with the infected crewmembers have tested negative.
The government said it has inspected about 490 dormitories for foreign migrants workers as such facilities appear to be a "blind spot" in quarantine efforts.
Of them, nearly 170 facilities were found to have failed to thoroughly implement quarantine measures, according to the KCDC. Health authorities said 271 foreign workers have tested positive so far.
Imported cases, once the main source of virus cases here, fell to a single-digit figure early this month after the country strengthened quarantine measures on all international arrivals in April.
But such cases have bounced back to double-digit numbers since mid-June.
South Korea, meanwhile, reported no additional death, bringing the total death toll to 282. The fatality rate was 2.24 percent.
The total number of people released from quarantine after full recoveries stood at 11,172, up 198 from the previous day.
The country has carried out 1,232,315 tests since Jan. 3.
Citizens wear plastic gloves to look around a housing fair event on the southern tourist island of Jeju on June 25, 2020, as part of quarantine measures to curb the spread of the virus. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-26--Wealth sharing campaign spreading in Suncheon to aid coronavirus victims

The campaign was launched in March at the proposal of Suncheon Mayor Heo Seok , who took a cue from @ @ @ @ @ Joseon Dynasty ( 1392-1910 ) , who were praised for practicing noblesse oblige by sharing @ @ @ @ @ under the so-called `` gwonbun '' movement .

SUNCHEON, South Korea, June 26 (Yonhap) -- A wealth sharing campaign has been spreading in Suncheon, a city about 415 kilometers south of Seoul, to support underprivileged citizens hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak, the municipality of Suncheon said Friday.
The campaign was launched in March at the proposal of Suncheon Mayor Heo Seok, who took a cue from the wealthy people of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), who were praised for practicing noblesse oblige by sharing their possessions with the poor under the so-called "gwonbun" movement.
Volunteers sort aid packages made with donations for delivery to the city's underprivileged citizens, in this file photo provided by the Suncheon City Hall. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
A total of 104 institutions and groups have donated 680 million won (US$567,186), including 10 million won from the mayor himself, the city said.
Using the donations, the municipal government has created 500 to 1,000 aid packages every month for distribution to low-income households, disabled people, multicultural households and other underprivileged citizens suffering economic difficulties due to the spread of COVID-19.
The aid packages made with the help of volunteers contain daily necessities, including rice, "ramyeon" (instant noodles), dried laver, fruits and face masks, it said.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-26--(LEAD) More virus infections reported in relation to Seoul church, hotel

The ward office of Jongno , where the hotel is located , plans to inspect the venue and decide whether @ @ @ @ @ accommodation upon receiving further inspection results from the ward office of Gwanak where the patient @ @

(ATTN: ADDS details throughout, CHANGES photo)
SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- New coronavirus infections traced to a central Seoul hotel and a major church were reported Friday amid concerns that the metropolitan area is facing a second wave of the infectious virus.
A man working at the men's sauna at the Four Seasons Hotel in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, has tested positive, according to hotel officials.
The employee, whose job was to assist visitors, such as opening the locker room, wore a mask while working. He did not show symptoms during fever checks conducted by the hotel twice a day.
The ward office of Jongno, where the hotel is located, plans to inspect the venue and decide whether to temporarily close down the accommodation upon receiving further inspection results from the ward office of Gwanak where the patient lives.
The hotel is verifying people who may have come into contact with the infected employee and is getting in touch with them.
A pedestrian walks past the Four Seasons Hotel in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, on June 26, 2020. An employee working at the hotel's men's sauna has tested positive for the new coronavirus. (Yonhap)
In a separate case, four more congregants of a large Protestant church with 1,700 followers in the southwestern ward of Gwanak tested positive for COVID-19, according to health authorities.
The Seoul metropolitan government said that 12 infections, including 11 patients living in Seoul, have been identified in relation to the Wangsung church as of 10 a.m.
City authorities have temporarily closed down and disinfected the church and a child care center run by the church. They have advised students who attended the Sunday service not to go to school.
The city government said that one of the patients is a teacher at a high school in the western Seoul ward of Seodaemun. The school has been disinfected and suspended classes.
Health authorities plan to set up a temporary virus screening center in front of the church to identify possible infections among local residents and churchgoers.
Authorities have yet to identify the infection route of the first patient identified at the church.
On Friday, South Korea added 39 cases, raising the country's COVID-19 caseload to 12,602, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Of the total, 27 were local infections, including 16 in Seoul and two in Gyeonggi Province.
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-26--Seoul shares trim earlier gains late Friday morning

The index got off to a strong start , tracking gains on the U.S. market , and has maintained the @ @ @ @ @ buying by individual investors .

SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks trimmed earlier gains late Friday morning after a strong start, as virus fears continued across the globe.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index was up 11.99 points, or 0.57 percent, to 2,124.36 as of 11:20 a.m.
The index got off to a strong start, tracking gains on the U.S. market, and has maintained the momentum thanks mainly to solid buying by individual investors.
In Seoul, most blue chips were mixed, with tech and telecom shares leading the gains.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics gained 2.89 percent, and major chipmaker SK hynix was up 1.42 percent.
Mobile carriers traded higher, with SK Telecom jumping 3.69 percent and its smaller rival KT gaining 2.36 percent.
Top-cap bio and chem shares, meanwhile, traded lower, with pharmaceutical giant Celltrion losing 2.06 percent and Samsung BioLogics, a biopharmaceutical affiliate of Samsung Group, shedding 2.45 percent. No.1 chem firm LG Chem went down 1.8 percent.
The South Korean currency was trading at 1,198.6 won against the U.S. dollar, up 6.1 won from the previous session's close.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-26--The Korea Interbank Offered Rates (KORIBOR)

SEOUL , Jun .
26 ( Yonhap ) -- The Korea Interbank Offered Rates ( KORIBOR ) as posted by @ @ @ @ @ news 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--2020-06-26--N.K. propaganda outlet resumes anti-Seoul criticism over 'subservient' attitude to U.S.

`` Hamstrung by the working group meetings with the U.S. , South Korean authorities have implemented none of them agreed @ @ @ @ @ have had to serve as a puppet that just justifies the U.S. 's sanctions and @ @ @ @ @ and follow its lead , '' it said .

By Koh Byung-joon
SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- A North Korean propaganda outlet on Friday accused South Korea of being subservient to the United States in inter-Korean policy, resuming anti-Seoul criticism that state media abruptly halted earlier this week after weeks of bellicose rhetoric and threats.
Tongil Voice, a propaganda radio station, criticized South Korea for depending on the "working group" meetings it has held with the U.S. to coordinate North Korea policy, saying that Seoul continues to make a "foolish attempt to gain something" from Washington at a time when inter-Korean relations are on the verge of falling apart.
"Hamstrung by the working group meetings with the U.S., South Korean authorities have implemented none of them agreed upon in North-South declarations and have had to serve as a puppet that just justifies the U.S.'s sanctions and pressure scheme against our republic and follow its lead," it said.
"If the South Korean authorities continue to follow the U.S. in such a subservient manner, the only thing they will be faced with would be bigger condemnations and curses of all Korean people," it added.
North Korea has slammed South Korea for failing to make active efforts to advance inter-Korean relations and being wary of violating U.S.-led global sanctions against its regime. In particular, the North has recently cited the working group meetings South Korea and the U.S. launched in 2018 to coordinate North Korea policy as a major obstacle to cross-border relations.
The criticism came days after North Korean propaganda outlets abruptly took down articles critical of South Korea en masse on Wednesday. The move followed North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's decision to suspend military actions plans against the South.
North Korea had raised cross-border tensions in recent weeks by issuing bellicose rhetoric and threats in anger over anti-Pyongyang leaflets flown from the South. It earlier cut all cross-border communication lines and even blew up an inter-Korean liaison office that was created in its border town of Kaesong as a result of a 2018 summit between the two Koreas.
Pyongyang had said it would redeploy troops to border areas disarmed under inter-Korean agreements for joint business projects and threatened to resume "all kinds of regular military exercises" near the border.
Despite the North's resumption of criticism of the South, observers see it as relatively toned-down since the accusation was issued through a propaganda outlet, not through official media outlets, such as the Rodong Sinmun and the Korean Central News Agency.
This photo, captured from the homepage of the Korean Central News Agency on June 9, 2020, shows one of the marches by North Korean youths and students across the nation in protest against anti-Pyongyang leaflets recently sent to the communist nation via balloons by North Korean defectors in South Korea. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-26--HDC's Asiana acquisition delayed to H2 amid pandemic

`` We once again sent a letter to HDC last week to ask the company to have a face-to-face meeting @ @ @ @ @ But we have n't received any response from the company yet , '' a KDB @ @ @ @ @ .

SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- HDC Hyundai Development Co.'s planned acquisition of Asiana Airlines Inc. has been delayed to the second half due to the new coronavirus' impact on the airline industry, industry sources said Friday.
In December, the HDC-Mirae Asset Daewoo consortium signed a deal to acquire the country's second-biggest airline from Kumho Asiana Group, with a plan to complete the acquisition by June 27.
Early this month, Asiana's main creditor Korea Development Bank (KDB) demanded that the HDC-led consortium notify the state lender of its intent to complete the deal by the initially scheduled date.
This file photo shows HDC's company logo and Asiana Airlines' planes at a local airport. (Yonhap)
In response, HDC called for renegotiations with Asiana creditors over the acquisition terms, describing the ongoing virus crisis as a "never expected and very negative factor" that will affect its planned acquisition of Asiana Airlines.
HDC also cited snowballing debts of the airline as another reason for renegotiations, noting that debts are "damaging the acquisition value of the carrier."
Asiana's debts jumped by 4.5 trillion won from July last year to March this year, and its debt-to-equity ratio skyrocketed by 16,126 percent during the same period.
HDC has demanded renegotiations with the KDB through written documents, but the policy bank asked the company to hold face-to-face talks. The two sides have yet to set the date for renegotiations.
"We once again sent a letter to HDC last week to ask the company to have a face-to-face meeting to discuss the renegotiations. But we haven't received any response from the company yet," a KDB spokesman said over the phone.
HDC said Friday the company is "in talks with Asiana's creditors and will continue negotiations with them to proceed with the deal."
HDC has reiterated its plan to acquire Asiana, dismissing speculation that it may have difficulties in taking over the company due to the economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak.
Regulators in the United States, China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkey and South Korea approved HDC's planned takeover of Asiana. Russia is the only remaining country that is still reviewing the integration.
HDC and Kumho Asiana Group will have six more months to close the deal by Dec. 27 as HDC has to receive approval from all countries to which it flies, the KDB spokesman said.
The HDC consortium signed the deal to acquire a 30.77 percent stake in Asiana from Kumho Industrial Co., a construction unit of Kumho Asiana Group, as well as new Asiana shares to be issued and Asiana's six affiliates, for 2.5 trillion won (US$2.2 billion).
Asiana has suspended most of its flights on international routes as more than 180 countries have strengthened entry restrictions amid virus fears this year.
As a result, its net losses for the January-March quarter deepened to 683.26 billion won from 89.18 billion won a year earlier.
To help Asiana stay afloat, the country's two state lenders -- the KDB and the Export-Import Bank of Korea -- plan to inject a combined 1.7 trillion won into Asiana. Last year, the two banks extended a total of 1.6 trillion won to the cash-strapped carrier.
In its latest self-help plans, Asiana has had all of its 10,500 employees take unpaid leave for 15 days a month since April until business circumstances normalize. Asiana's executives have also agreed to forgo 60 percent of their wages, though no specific time frame was given for how long the pay cuts will remain in effect.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-26--KBO club manager's in-game collapse sheds light on stressful nature of job

Youm is known as a sensitive soul who internalizes stress .
He 's listed at 65 kilograms , not much @ @ @ @ @ from the 1990s , though he has looked even thinner in recent days .
A @ @ @ @ @ baseball rat instead pores over game clips , statistics and scouting reports .
Youm does @ @ @ @ @ is a heavy smoker .
Losses have been known to keep him up at night @ @ @ @ @ said Youm had slept only about two hours the night before his collapse .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- When SK Wyverns' manager Youm Kyoung-youb fell unconscious in the dugout during a Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) game Thursday, it served as a solemn reminder of the stressful nature of his occupation.
Fortunately, Youm regained consciousness inside an ambulance on his way to a hospital, moments after his collapse during the first game of a double header against the Doosan Bears at SK Happy Dream Park in Incheon, 40 kilometers west of Seoul. The Wyverns later said Youm was able to carry on simple conversations with his family, but he was still feeling tightness around his chest. Youm will remain hospitalized for further tests.
In this file photo from May 31, 2020, SK Wyverns' manager Youm Kyoung-youb speaks at a press conference prior to the Korea Baseball Organization regular season game against the Hanwha Eagles at SK Happy Dream Park in Incheon, 40 kilometers west of Seoul. (Yonhap)
Doctors cited Youm's lack of sleep, insufficient diet and excessive stress as reasons for his poor health conditions. Youm was the first KBO manager to collapse in the middle of a game.
The 52-year-old is in his second season as the Wyverns' manager, and this has been a particularly stressful season. Considered a playoff contender for 2020, the Wyverns instead lost 10 in a row in the early going last month, and ended an eight-game slide Thursday night in the second game of the double header. They're in ninth place among 10 clubs at 13-31.
Youm is known as a sensitive soul who internalizes stress. He's listed at 65 kilograms, not much heavier than his playing weight from the 1990s, though he has looked even thinner in recent days. A notoriously light eater, the baseball rat instead pores over game clips, statistics and scouting reports. Youm doesn't drink, but he is a heavy smoker. Losses have been known to keep him up at night, and a Wyverns official said Youm had slept only about two hours the night before his collapse.
The stress to win often gets exacerbated by pressure from fans who take to online message boards or comment sections for news articles to vent their frustration. Keyboard warriors have been calling for Youm's dismissal since the team's 10-game losing skid last month.
When Youm fell in the dugout, his Doosan counterpart, Kim Tae-hyoung, came over from the other side of the field with a worried look on his face.
Members of the SK Wyverns react to their 14-6 loss to the Doosan Bears in the first game of a Korea Baseball Organization double header at SK Happy Dream Park in Incheon, 40 kilometers west of Seoul, on June 25, 2020. (Yonhap)
Kim, too, had a health scare while managing the Bears. In August 2017, he was hospitalized for three days with acute stomach pains. He was diagnosed with colonic diverticulitis, or inflammation of pouches that developed in the wall of his large intestine.
Earlier in the same year, then NC Dinos' manager Kim Kyung-moon was diagnosed with a benign tumor in his pituitary gland. The condition didn't require surgery, but Kim remained sidelined for five days.
In the 2016 season, Kim Sung-keun, then managing the Hanwha Eagles at age 73, was sent to hospital during a game because of dizziness.
One of Kim's predecessors on the Eagles' bench, Kim In-sik, suffered a stroke in December 2004, one month after being named the Eagles' new skipper. Kim In-sik, now 73, still walks with a visible limp.
Lotte Giants' manager Kim Myung-seong died of a heart attack in the middle of the 2001 season, the first and only in-season managerial fatality in KBO history.
In Youm's absence, the Wyverns lost the first game 14-6 but won the next one 7-0. Bench coach Park Kyung-oan will serve as the interim boss while Youm remains in hospital.
"Manager Youm had been stressed out, and as his bench coach, I feel responsible for not helping him out," Park said after the victory. "I'll try to lead the team the best I can until he returns."
Captain Choi Jeong, who homered and drove in two runs in the victory, said, "We played with a heavy heart. We really wanted to win this game."
Park Kyung-oan (second from L), bench coach of the SK Wyverns, and members of his staff watch their Korea Baseball Organization club in action against the Doosan Bears in the second game of a double header at SK Happy Dream Park in Incheon, 40 kilometers west of Seoul, on June 25, 2020. The Wyverns' manager, Youm Kyoung-youb, fell unconscious during the first game and was hospitalized. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-26--Defense chief thanks Colombia for Korean War participation, vows staunch posture for peace

`` Seventy years passed .
...
But we still need strong power , patience and efforts to make the Korean @ @ @ @ @ Taking the current situation seriously , we will strive to maintain a staunch readiness posture @ @ @ @ @ to prevent tensions from escalating further , '' the minister said , asking for Colombia @ @ @ @ @ efforts .

By Oh Seok-min
SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo vowed Friday to maintain a staunch readiness posture for peace on the Korean Peninsula as he honored Colombian and other Korean War veterans' sacrifice and commitment.
Jeong made the remarks during a ceremony hosted by the Colombian Embassy to mark the 70th anniversary of the onset of the 1950-53 Korean War and Colombia's participation. Colombia was the only Latin American nation to fight alongside the South during the war.
"Seventy years passed. ... But we still need strong power, patience and efforts to make the Korean Peninsula peaceful and prosperous. Taking the current situation seriously, we will strive to maintain a staunch readiness posture and to manage the situation to prevent tensions from escalating further," the minister said, asking for Colombia's continued support for such efforts.
North Korea sharply ratcheted up tensions earlier this month with a series of bellicose rhetoric and surprise measures, including the dramatic blowing up of an inter-Korean liaison office building, in anger over anti-Pyongyang leaflets.
The regime had also vowed to take a series of military actions against the South, such as redeploying troops to border areas, but it put the plans on hold after leader Kim Jong-un ordered their suspension for unclear reasons.
The two Koreas are still technically at war, as the war ended in a cease-fire, not a peace treaty.
The minister expressed deep gratitude for Colombian troops' sacrifice and commitment. As one of 22 participating nations, Colombia sent around 6,000 service members. Of them, 140 troops were killed, 71 unaccounted for and 567 wounded.
"South Korea will do its best to find and bring back the last remaining Colombian soldiers who remain buried somewhere on the peninsula to their loved ones," Jeong said.
Noting that South Korea provided 40,000 face masks and other supplies to Colombian veterans earlier this month, the minister said the government will "proactively review additional support to the veterans if the domestic COVID-19 situation stabilizes further."
The two countries have strengthened their defense ties, particularly after the conclusion of a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation in 2015, Jeong said, vowing to further beef up defense exchanges and cooperation.
Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo (3rd from L) bows during a ceremony commemorating Colombian troops' participation in the 1950-53 Korean War at the War Memorial of Korea museum in Seoul on June 26, 2020. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-26--More virus infections reported in relation to Seoul church, hotel

The patients are all in their twenties and thirties , with three of them living in Seoul and one living @ @ @ @ @

SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- New coronavirus infections traced to a central Seoul hotel and a major church were reported Friday amid concerns that the metropolitan area is facing a second wave of the infectious virus.
A man working at the men's sauna at the Four Seasons Hotel in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, has tested positive, according to hotel officials.
The hotel is contacting members who used the facilities and is considering closing down the accommodation.
In a separate case, four congregants of a large Protestant church with 1,700 followers in the southwestern ward of Gwanak have tested positive, according to health authorities.
The patients are all in their twenties and thirties, with three of them living in Seoul and one living in nearby Gyeonggi Province.
Health authorities plan to set up a temporary virus screening center in front of the church to identify possible infections among local residents and churchgoers.
This file photo shows a sign in front of the Four Seasons Hotel in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul. (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-26--New virus cases rebound; community spread, imported cases on steady rise

SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus cases bounced back again Friday amid a steady rise in cluster infections and imported cases, putting continued strain on the country's efforts to contain further virus spread.
The country added 39 cases, including 27 local infections, raising the total caseload to 12,602, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
The tally marked a rise from 28 new COVID-19 cases reported Thursday and 51 additional cases Wednesday.
The country's health authorities remain anxious about sustained rises in local infections and imported cases, which may lead to another wave of virus outbreak in the summer. The total global virus caseload is set to top 10 million next week.
This photo, taken on June 25, 2020, shows transparent plastic dividers established at booths for a babies and kids fair event in the southeastern city of Daegu to stem the spread of the new coronavirus. (Yonhap)
Of the locally transmitted cases, 19 cases were reported in densely populated Seoul and nearby metropolitan areas. Four cases were reported in Daejeon, about 160 kilometers south of Seoul.
Cases tied to a door-to-door sales establishment in Daejeon came to 71 as of noon Thursday.
The country has reported five cases traced to a social club meeting near the Han River. The KCDC said those patients appear to have contracted the virus during their gatherings at indoor facilities.
South Korea has been gripped by sporadic cluster infections since it relaxed stricter social distancing on May 6. The greater Seoul area accounted for most of the newly added cases this month.
Health authorities said the Seoul metropolitan area is already in a second wave of the new coronavirus outbreak, warning that the country should brace for a protracted virus fight. The first wave of the virus outbreak gripped the country between February and March.
Health officials warned that they may consider expanding tougher infection preventive measures -- currently in place only in the Seoul metropolitan area -- across the country if virus situations get worse.
Health workers disinfect areas near a port in South Korea's southeastern city of Busan on June 23, 2020, after at least 17 sailors aboard Russia-flagged ships were infected with the new coronavirus. (Yonhap)
The country is also struggling to stem cases coming in from overseas. Twelve additional imported cases were reported, with the number of such cases rising to 1,508.
Recently, cluster infections on a Russia-flagged cargo ship docked at a port in the southeastern city of Busan, the country's second-largest city, have been reported, and cases traced to overseas have been on a steady rise.
At least 17 sailors aboard two Russian ships tested positive for COVID-19. Health officials said all 163 people who came in contact with the infected crewmembers have tested negative.
Imported cases, once the main source of virus cases here, fell to a single-digit figure early this month after the country strengthened quarantine measures on all international arrivals in April.
But such cases have bounced back to double-digit numbers since mid-June.
South Korea, meanwhile, reported no additional death, bringing the total death toll to 282. The fatality rate was 2.24 percent.
The total number of people released from quarantine after full recoveries stood at 11,172, up 198 from the previous day.
The country has carried out 1,232,315 tests since Jan. 3.
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-26--(URGENT) 198 more people released after full recoveries from coronavirus, total cured patients at 11

(URGENT) 198 more people released after full recoveries from coronavirus, total cured patients at 11,172: KCDC


yna--2020-06-26--(LEAD) Police sent to search property of ex-N.K. defector at center of anti-Pyongyang leafleting

A probe team of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency sent officers to search the home and office in Seoul of @ @ @ @ @ Fighters for a Free North Korea , an activist group that has been leading the @ @ @ @ @ propaganda leaflets across the border .

(ATTN: UPDATES with latest development in headline, paras 1-5)
SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- Police officers were dispatched Friday to search the house and office of a former North Korean defector who has been at the center of the anti-Pyongyang leafleting campaign in South Korea, denounced vehemently by North Korea.
A probe team of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency sent officers to search the home and office in Seoul of Park Sang-hak, who heads Fighters for a Free North Korea, an activist group that has been leading the campaign to send anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets across the border.
The police officers were, however, not let into Park's house in Songpa Ward, eastern Seoul, and were on standby in front of the house as Park strongly resisted the police's search order.
"The search is part of efforts to seize materials so that we can verify if Park's activities are in breach of the law," a police officer said.
"As soon as he comes out of his house, we will carry out the search and seizure of (potential evidence)," the officer said.
Defying the government's warning against the cross-border leafleting campaign, Park claimed that activists from his group sent some 500,000 leaflets carried by 20 large helium balloons over to the North on Monday night.
The campaign to scatter leaflets that carry criticism of the North Korean political system and North Korea's ruling Kim family has recently been the major source of confrontations between South and North Korea.
Park Sang-hak, the head of Fighters for a Free North Korea (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-26--(URGENT) S. Korea reports no additional coronavirus death, total death toll at 282: KCDC


yna--2020-06-26--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 39 more cases of new coronavirus, total now at 12,602: KCDC


yna--2020-06-26--N. Korea skips anti-U.S. rallies on Korean War anniversary

It vowed to further build up its `` strength to contain the persistent nuclear threats from the U.S. '' and @ @ @ @ @ threats from the U.S. became more `` aggressive '' after their summit in Singapore .

SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- North Korea appears to have skipped an annual mass rally against the United States on the 70th anniversary of the Korean War this week amid a stalemate in nuclear negotiations and coronavirus concerns.
In the past, North Korea usually held mass anti-U.S. rallies at Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang on the June 25 anniversary of the 1950-53 Korean War, but it skipped the event in 2018 and 2019 after landmark summits between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore and Hanoi, respectively.
On Friday, North Korean media outlets, including the official Rodong Sinmun and the Korean Central News Agency, did not report on any anti-U.S. mass rallies marking the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the war.
On Thursday, the North released a paper by the foreign ministry's Institute for Disarmament and Peace, saying strengthening its war deterrence is the "final option."
It vowed to further build up its "strength to contain the persistent nuclear threats from the U.S." and claimed the policies and nuclear threats from the U.S. became more "aggressive" after their summit in Singapore.
The North appears to be toning down its anti-U.S. rhetoric to leave room for negotiations in the future by expressing discontent toward the U.S. on paper but avoiding any further provocations.
During the Korean War, which ended in a truce and not a peace treaty, the U.S. led the 21-nation Allied Forces to help South Korea repel the Chinese-backed communist troops invading from the North.
Residents in Pyongyang hold a mass rally against the United States on June 25, 2017, the 67th anniversary of the 1950-53 Korean War. The North calls the anniversary the Day of Anti-U.S. Struggle, as the U.S. and 15 other nations fought for South Korea under the United Nations flag against invading North Korea during the war. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
julesyi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-26--S. Korea approves US$75.5 mln in aid for developing nations combating pandemic

The approval is part of the nation 's plans to provide more than $ 400 million in loans and grants @ @ @ @ @ to help them push for health projects against the novel coronavirus .

SEJONG, June 26 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's finance ministry said Friday it has approved US$75.5 million in health care aid for 13 nations to better combat the coronavirus pandemic.
The approval is part of the nation's plans to provide more than $400 million in loans and grants to developing nations this year to help them push for health projects against the novel coronavirus.
The 13 nations included Ethiopia and Myanmar, the Ministry of Economy and Finance said in a statement.
The fund is expected to help developing nations build testing and tracing systems to fight the virus and expand containment facilities in the nations, the ministry said.
South Korea will also expand its funding for public health projects run by international organizations, including the Asian Development Bank, to $10 million, the ministry said.
Globally, more than 9.6 million people have been infected by the new coronavirus and more than 480,000 have died, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-26--S. Korea to suffer 1st population decline this year: vice finance minister

The 2019 figure is far below the replacement level of 2.1 that would keep South Korea 's population stable at @ @ @ @ @ also a sharp drop from the 4.53 in 1970 , when the government began to @ @ @ @

SEJONG, June 26 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's population is expected to decline this year for the first time since the nation began compiling data, as the number of monthly births has hit a record low, Vice Finance Minister Kim Yong-beom said Friday.
In April, the number of births fell on-month for the 53rd consecutive month and South Korea has seen a natural decline in population since November last year, Kim said.
A natural population decrease occurs when the number of deaths is larger than the number of births.
"This year is expected to become the first year of a decline in population," Kim told a meeting with senior officials on demographic changes.
The coronavirus pandemic is expected to further decrease the number of births as people have delayed marriages, Kim said.
The number of marriages plunged 21.8 percent on-year to a record low of 15,670 in April, Kim said.
The government will soon draw up comprehensive measures to tackle the low birthrate, Kim said.
In the first four months of this year, 97,470 babies were born in South Korea, down 10.9 percent from a year ago.
South Korea's total fertility rate hit an all-time low in 2019, a clear sign of its population decline down the road.
The country's total fertility rate, which refers to the average number of children a woman bears in her lifetime, came to 0.92 last year, down from 0.98 a year earlier.
Last year marked the second consecutive year for the rate to fall below 1. South Korea was the only member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development that had a total fertility rate below 1.
The 2019 figure is far below the replacement level of 2.1 that would keep South Korea's population stable at 51 million. It is also a sharp drop from the 4.53 in 1970, when the government began to compile related data.
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-26--Prosecution's committee to decide on validity of probe into Samsung heir

It said there was `` insufficient explanation on the need and validity to arrest the defendants against the principle of @ @ @ @ @ referring to the principle that pretrial detention should only be used as a last resort @ @ @ @ @ whether Lee is guilty should be determined through `` legal battles and court hearings .
@

SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's top prosecution is set to convene a committee on Friday to determine the validity of its probe into Samsung's de facto leader Lee Jae-yong over his suspected role in controversial merger and accounting fraud at the country's biggest conglomerate.
The 15-member committee, made up of outside experts, will meet at 10:30 a.m. at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in southern Seoul. The meeting is scheduled to wrap up at 5:50 p.m. but may be delayed depending on internal discussions.
The panel, consisting of members drawn from a pool of experts from academia, media, civic organizations and cultural industries, will review the issue and listen to preparations by the two sides -- Samsung Group and the prosecutors. Lee will not attend the meeting.
Both sides are expected to submit written opinions measuring 50 pages in length ahead of taking turns giving a presentation and answering questions from the panel.
While the committee aims for a unanimous decision, they will settle for a majority decision if opinions are divided. In case the committee turns out to be equally divided on the issue, no conclusion will be made.
The review process by external experts was established after a citizen's panel, formed by the prosecution, arrived at a decision on June 11 that the issue needed to be reassessed.
This composite image shows Samsung's heir and de facto leader Lee Jae-yong against a background of the prosecution's logo and building. (Yonhap)
Early this month, Lee requested public assessment of the investigation, an outside review system introduced two years ago to enhance neutrality and fairness of prosecutorial probes into cases that are of great public interest.
Lee, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, is under a probe for allegedly playing a role in the controversial merger in 2015 between two Samsung affiliates, Cheil Industries Inc. and Samsung C&T, and the suspected accounting fraud at the pharmaceutical unit of Samsung Biologics.
The prosecutors suspect that the merger and fraud were designed to help him gain greater control of the country's biggest conglomerate.
Lee is the grandson of Lee Byung-chull, the founder of Samsung Group. His father, Lee Kun-hee, has been incapacitated since he suffered a heart attack in 2014.
On June 9, the Seoul Central District Court rejected the prosecution's request to put Lee behind bars for a further probe into the case.
It said there was "insufficient explanation on the need and validity to arrest the defendants against the principle of trial without detention," referring to the principle that pretrial detention should only be used as a last resort. The court also said whether Lee is guilty should be determined through "legal battles and court hearings."
Although not legally binding, a conclusion by the committee is likely to affect the prosecution's legal actions against Lee.
Since the introduction of the system, the committee has given out recommendations in eight cases and the prosecution has followed all of them. But some expect the prosecution, having shown confidence all along to prove him guilty, to push ahead with its plan to indict Lee on stock manipulation and violation of capital laws.
Lee has denied the allegations against him. Samsung also has claimed that Lee was not briefed on and did not order any illegal transactions, including stock manipulation and accounting fraud.
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-26--S. Korea pledges $7.5 million aid for Sudan's response to COVID-19, economic development

SEOUL , June 26 ( Yonhap ) -- South Korea will offer US $ 7.5 million worth of aid to @ @ @ @ @ with the African country 's response to the new coronavirus and its social and economic @ @ @ @ @ said Friday .

SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will offer US$7.5 million worth of aid to Sudan this year to help with the African country's response to the new coronavirus and its social and economic development, the foreign ministry said Friday.
Vice Foreign Minister Lee Tae-ho unveiled the plan during the Sudan Partnership Conference on Thursday, a videoconference that Germany, the United Nations, the European Union and Sudan co-hosted to back Sudan's political transition, economic reforms and humanitarian efforts.
"As a country that has simultaneously achieved democratization and economic development in a short period of time, South Korea shares the political and economic aspirations of the Sudanese population," Lee was quoted by the ministry as saying.
"Capitalizing on its experience, South Korea will support the stable establishment of political institutions and economic structure reforms that Sudan's interim government is focusing on," he added.
The vice minister also said that South Korea has been contributing to Sudan's sustainable development as it pays attention to the country's economic potential stemming from its vast arable land, young workforce and rich natural resources.
Since a power-sharing agreement was signed in August last year to pave the way for a civilian-led government, Sudan has been pursuing a democratic transition with major political and economic reforms.
Vice Foreign Minister Lee Tae-ho speaks during an international videoconference on Sudan's political and economic reforms at the foreign ministry in Seoul on June 25, 2020, in this photo provided by the ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-26--(LEAD) Kia Tigers end Kiwoom Heroes' winning streak at 8

The Heroes added another in the bottom second , again with two outs .
Gagnon needed just four pitches to @ @ @ @ @ of that inning , and then Seo Geon-chang hit a triple off the top of @ @ @ @ @

(ATTN: ADDS details in para 3, comments in para 13)
By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- Veteran slugger Choi Hyoung-woo launched a go-ahead grand slam and fell a triple shy of the cycle, as the Kia Tigers defeated the Kiwoom Heroes 8-6 in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) on Friday.
Playing for the first time since Tuesday following rainouts, the visiting Tigers pounded out 12 hits at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, and ended the Heroes' winning streak at eight games.
The Tigers climbed to fourth place at 24-19, ahead of the LG Twins, who are 25-20, by 0.002 point in winning percentage. The Heroes dropped to 28-18 and sit four games back of the NC Dinos in second place.
This file photo from June 17, 2020, shows Kia Tigers celebrate their 7-6 victory over the NC Dinos in a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
The Heroes blew a 2-0 lead and lost despite out-hitting the Tigers 13-12.
The Heroes opened the scoring in the bottom first, with Huh Jung-heop drawing a bases-loaded walk against Kia starter Drew Gagnon.
After two quick outs, Gagnon gave up back-to-back singles to put runners at the corners. The right-hander walked Park Dong-won to load the bases, and then issued another free pass to Huh to push in a run.
The Heroes added another in the bottom second, again with two outs. Gagnon needed just four pitches to retire the first two batters of that inning, and then Seo Geon-chang hit a triple off the top of the right field wall.
Kim Ha-seong brought him home with a sharp single up the middle for a 2-0 Heroes lead.
But that lead disappeared in a hurry in the top third, with the Tigers going deep twice.
First, it was Na Ju-hwan leading off with a solo home run, the Tigers' first hit off Kiwoom starter Cho Young-gun.
Cho then went on to walk three batters to load the bases with two outs for cleanup Choi Hyoung-woo, who drilled a 2-2 fastball over the center field wall for a grand slam that put the Tigers ahead 5-2.
"I was trying to keep it simple at the plate," Choi said after the game. "I knew I've been swinging the bat fairly well of late. And luckily, I got a pitch in the middle of the zone."
Na Ju-hwan added his second RBI of the game with a ringing double in the fourth, giving the Tigers a 6-2 advantage and chasing Cho from the game in the process.
In this file photo from June 21, 2020, Choi Hyoung-woo of the Kia Tigers runs to first base after hitting a single against the Samsung Lions during their Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
The Heroes got a run back thanks to a pair of Kia errors in the sixth. Park Jun-tae reached on a fielding error by first baseman Yoo Min-sang. Park moved to third on Seo Geon-chang's double, and when center fielder Kim Ho-ryung overthrew the cutoff man, Park alertly slid home to make it 6-3.
But the Tigers dashed any hope of a comeback in the top seventh. With two outs, Na Ji-wan and Yoo Min-sang delivered back-to-back RBI singles for an 8-3 advantage.
The Heroes made things a bit interesting with one out in the bottom ninth against closer Moon Kyeong-chan, as Huh Jung-heop launched a two-run blast and Kim Hye-seong immediately followed with a solo homer to cut it to 8-6. Moon settled down to retire the next two batters and preserve the victory.
Gagnon celebrated his 30th birthday by earning his fourth win of the season, after holding the Heroes to three runs -- one unearned -- in 5 1/3 innings.
Choi Hyoung-woo and Na Ju-hwan combined to go 6-for-9 with six RBIs to pace the Tigers' offense.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-26--Kia Tigers end Kiwoom Heroes' winning streak at 8

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- Veteran slugger Choi Hyoung-woo launched a go-ahead grand slam and fell a triple shy of the cycle, as the Kia Tigers defeated the Kiwoom Heroes 8-6 in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) on Friday.
Playing for the first time since Tuesday following rainouts, the visiting Tigers pounded out 12 hits at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, and ended the Heroes' winning streak at eight games.
This file photo from June 17, 2020, shows Kia Tigers celebrate their 7-6 victory over the NC Dinos in a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
The Heroes blew a 2-0 lead and lost despite out-hitting the Tigers 13-12.
The Heroes opened the scoring in the bottom first, with Huh Jung-heop drawing a bases-loaded walk against Kia starter Drew Gagnon.
After two quick outs, Gagnon gave up back-to-back singles to put runners at the corners. The right-hander walked Park Dong-won to load the bases, and then issued another free pass to Huh to push in a run.
The Heroes added another in the bottom second, again with two outs. Gagnon needed just four pitches to retire the first two batters of that inning, and then Seo Geon-chang hit a triple off the top of the right field wall.
Kim Ha-seong brought him home with a sharp single up the middle for a 2-0 Heroes lead.
But that lead disappeared in a hurry in the top third, with the Tigers going deep twice.
First, it was Na Ju-hwan leading off with a solo home run, the Tigers' first hit off Kiwoom starter Cho Young-gun.
Cho then went on to walk three batters to load the bases with two outs for cleanup Choi Hyoung-woo, who drilled a 2-2 fastball over the center field wall for a grand slam that put the Tigers ahead 5-2.
Na Ju-hwan added his second RBI of the game with a ringing double in the fourth, giving the Tigers a 6-2 advantage and chasing Cho from the game in the process.
In this file photo from June 21, 2020, Choi Hyoung-woo of the Kia Tigers runs to first base after hitting a single against the Samsung Lions during their Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
The Heroes got a run back thanks to a pair of Kia errors in the sixth. Park Jun-tae reached on a fielding error by first baseman Yoo Min-sang. Park moved to third on Seo Geon-chang's double, and when center fielder Kim Ho-ryung overthrew the cutoff man, Park alertly slid home to make it 6-3.
But the Tigers dashed any hope of a comeback in the top seventh. With two outs, Na Ji-wan and Yoo Min-sang delivered back-to-back RBI singles for an 8-3 advantage.
The Heroes made things a bit interesting with one out in the bottom ninth against closer Moon Kyeong-chan, as Huh Jung-heop launched a two-run blast and Kim Hye-seong immediately followed with a solo homer to cut it to 8-6. Moon settled down to retire the next two batters and preserve the victory.
Gagnon celebrated his 30th birthday by earning his fourth win of the season, after holding the Heroes to three runs -- one unearned -- in 5 1/3 innings.
Choi Hyoung-woo and Na Ju-hwan combined to go 6-for-9 with six RBIs to pace the Tigers' offense.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-26--(3rd LD) Independent panel recommends against prosecution indictment of Samsung heir in succession c

(3rd LD) Independent panel recommends against prosecution indictment of Samsung heir in succession case

Except for one acting chairperson , 13 members participated in the deliberation process and voted in favor of Lee , @ @ @ @ @ the investigation and not indict him .
Most of them were said to conclude that @ @ @ @ @ some of the prosecution 's claims against him , including alleged violation of the capital @ @ @ @ @ also reportedly factored in Samsung 's role in the country 's coronavirus-battered economy .

(ATTN: CHANGES headline; UPDATES with responses from Samsung, prosecution in paras 5-7)
SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- An independent committee recommended Friday against an indictment of Samsung Group heir Lee Jae-yong, dealing a blow to the prosecution's plan to formally charge him over his role in a controversial merger and alleged accounting fraud.
The panel of outside experts concluded that the prosecution's investigation into the high-profile succession case was not warranted, after a lengthy discussion at the Supreme Prosecutors Office in southern Seoul.
The 14-member committee consisted of members drawn from a pool of experts from academia, media, civic organizations and cultural industries.
Except for one acting chairperson, 13 members participated in the deliberation process and voted in favor of Lee, advising the prosecution to drop the investigation and not indict him. Most of them were said to conclude that it was hard to substantiate some of the prosecution's claims against him, including alleged violation of the capital market laws. The committee also reportedly factored in Samsung's role in the country's coronavirus-battered economy.
Members of the independent committee formed by the South Korean prosecution leave the Supreme Prosecutors Office in southern Seoul on June 26, 2020. (Yonhap)
Lee's lawyers welcomed the decision.
"We respect the decision from the committee," they said in a release. "We thank the committee for giving Lee and Samsung a chance to focus on their business activities and overcome the current crisis.
In a short statement, the prosecution said it would "determine the future course of its legal action based on the investigation's results and the committee's recommendation."
During the deliberation process, Samsung Group and the prosecutors submitted written opinions totaling 50 pages in length and took turns giving presentations and answered questions from the panel. Lee, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, did not attend the meeting.
Although not legally binding, the conclusion is expected to weigh in the prosecution's decision process for further legal actions against Lee.
Since the introduction of the system in 2018, the committee had given out recommendations in eight cases and the prosecution has followed all of them.
But some expect the prosecution, having shown confidence over the ability to prove Lee's guilt, to push ahead with its plan to bring charges against Lee for stock manipulation and violation of capital market laws.
This composite image shows Samsung's heir and de facto leader Lee Jae-yong against a background of the prosecution's logo and building. (Yonhap)
The experts' review was established after a citizen's panel, formed by the prosecution, arrived at a decision on June 11 that the issue needed independent reassessment.
Early this month, the Samsung scion requested public assessment of the investigation, an outside review system introduced two years ago to enhance neutrality and fairness of prosecutorial investigations into cases that are of great public interest.
Lee is accused of playing a role in the controversial merger in 2015 between two Samsung affiliates, Cheil Industries Inc. and Samsung C&T, and suspected accounting fraud at the pharmaceutical unit of Samsung Biologics.
The prosecutors suspect that the merger and fraud were designed to help him gain greater control of the country's biggest conglomerate.
Lee is the grandson of Lee Byung-chull, the founder of Samsung Group. His father, Lee Kun-hee, has been incapacitated since he suffered a heart attack in 2014.
On June 9, the Seoul Central District Court rejected the prosecution's request to put Lee behind bars for a further investigation.
It said there was "insufficient explanation on the need and validity to arrest the defendants against the principle of trial without detention," referring to the principle that pretrial detention should only be used as a last resort. The court also said whether Lee is guilty should be determined through "legal battles and court hearings."
Lee has denied the allegations against him. Samsung also has claimed that Lee was not briefed on and did not order any illegal transactions, including stock manipulation and accounting fraud.
jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-26--(LEAD) Samsung heir wins public backing in legal battle, but uncertainty remains

The panel 's decision is not legally binding , but if history is any guide , its recommendation has been @ @ @ @ @ ' probes .
Since the introduction of the scheme , the panel has issued recommendations @ @ @ @ @ the prosecution has followed all of them .

(ATTN: ADDS more info in paras 2-4, 11-12)
By Joo Kyung-don
SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- Samsung Group heir apparent Lee Jae-yong was granted a respite Friday in a legal battle over his alleged role in a controversial merger and fraudulent accounting, as an independent panel of experts concluded that prosecutors should not indict him.
However, Samsung is still cautious as Lee's legal battle is not over.
After hours of discussion, the panel, made up of civil activists, legal experts and others, concurred that the investigation into Lee unwarranted, giving a breather to Samsung and its de facto leader.
"We respect the decision from the committee," Lee's lawyers said in a release. "We thank the committee for giving Lee and Samsung a chance to focus on their business activities and overcome the current crisis."
Early this month, a few days ahead of a court ruling over his detention, Lee, vice chairman at Samsung Electronics Co., requested the panel review whether prosecutors' investigation is fair, seeking public support for the high-stake legal battle.
The independent panel was introduced two years ago to enhance neutrality and fairness of prosecutors' probes into cases that are of great public interest. In a nutshell, the panel was created to rein in prosecutors' powers.
This file photo, taken on June 8, 2020, shows Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong leaving the Seoul Central District Court after attending a hearing on his arrest warrant. (Yonhap)
The panel's decision is not legally binding, but if history is any guide, its recommendation has been convincing enough to affect prosecutors' probes. Since the introduction of the scheme, the panel has issued recommendations in eight cases, and the prosecution has followed all of them.
Prosecutors suspect that Lee and the group's top management were involved in a calibrated scheme to intentionally lower the value of Samsung C&T Corp. prior to its merger with Cheil Industries Inc. in 2015, so as to facilitate Lee's managerial succession from his ailing father, Lee Kun-hee.
Prosecutors sought an arrest warrant for Lee, but their request was denied by the Seoul Central District Court on June 9.
Samsung has been strongly denying such allegations, saying Lee was not involved in any decision-making process regarding the 2015 merger, and there was no stock price manipulation or unfair trading.
Even though Lee avoided detention and the panel ruled in favor of his side, Samsung is not in celebration mode as uncertainties surrounding the heir apparent remain.
Though the committee's conclusion could weigh on the decision process, prosecutors could still indict Lee. Samsung hopes the prosecution follow predecents set by the panel's advisory.
This photo shows the corporate logo of Samsung Group at its office building in Seoul on June 26, 2020. (Yonhap)
In addition, Lee is still dealing with a bribery case that put him behind bars a couple years ago.
Lee was imprisoned for about a year in 2017 for bribing a confidant of former President Park Geun-hye in return for her administration's support for the 2015 merger. He was released in February 2018 after his sentence was suspended by an appeals court, but the Supreme Court last year ordered a retrial.
Despite ongoing legal battles, Lee has been active in taking care of Samsung's business to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic and renewed tensions between the United States and China.
He recently visited Samsung Electronics' chip R&D center and home appliance business unit in South Korea to check their future strategies.
Lee also met with Hyundai Motor Group heir Chung Euisun last month to discuss possible cooperation in the electric vehicle (EV) business as the group's affiliate Samsung SDI Co. produces EV batteries.
Lee has been especially focusing on Samsung's chip business since he got out of jail in 2018.
In April last year, Samsung Electronics, the group's crown jewel, announced a vision to become the world's No. 1 logic chip maker by 2030 by investing 133 trillion won (US$111 billion) and bolstering its competitiveness in the system LSI and foundry businesses.
Samsung Electronics, the world's leading memory chip and smartphone maker, recently announced the addition of new foundry and NAND flash production facilities in South Korea.
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-26--(2nd LD) Independent committee advises prosecution not to indict Samsung heir in succession case

(ATTN: CHANGES lead; UPDATES with details in paras 4-5; ADDS photo)
SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- An independent committee advised Friday against an indictment of Samsung Group heir Lee Jae-yong, dealing a blow to the prosecution's plan to formally charge him over his role in a controversial merger and alleged accounting fraud.
The panel of outside experts concluded that the prosecution's investigation into the high-profile succession case was not warranted, after a lengthy discussion at the Supreme Prosecutors Office in southern Seoul.
The 14-member committee consisted of members drawn from a pool of experts from academia, media, civic organizations and cultural industries.
Except for one acting chairperson, 13 members participated in the deliberation process and voted in favor of Lee, advising the prosecution to drop the investigation and not indict him. Most of them were said to conclude that it was hard to substantiate some of the prosecution's claims against him, including alleged violation of the capital market laws. The committee also reportedly factored in Samsung's role in the country's coronavirus-battered economy.
Members of the independent committee formed by the South Korean prosecution leave the Supreme Prosecutors Office in southern Seoul on June 26, 2020. (Yonhap)
Samsung Group and the prosecutors submitted written opinions totaling 50 pages in length ahead of taking turns giving presentations and answering questions from the panel. Lee, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, did not attend the meeting.
Although not legally binding, the conclusion is expected to weigh in the prosecution's decision process for further legal actions against Lee.
Since the introduction of the system in 2018, the committee had given out recommendations in eight cases and the prosecution has followed all of them.
But some expect the prosecution, having shown confidence over the ability to prove Lee's guilt, to push ahead with its plan to bring charges against Lee for stock manipulation and violation of capital market laws.
This composite image shows Samsung's heir and de facto leader Lee Jae-yong against a background of the prosecution's logo and building. (Yonhap)
The experts' review was established after a citizen's panel, formed by the prosecution, arrived at a decision on June 11 that the issue needed independent reassessment.
Early this month, the Samsung scion requested public assessment of the investigation, an outside review system introduced two years ago to enhance neutrality and fairness of prosecutorial investigations into cases that are of great public interest.
Lee is accused of playing a role in the controversial merger in 2015 between two Samsung affiliates, Cheil Industries Inc. and Samsung C&T, and suspected accounting fraud at the pharmaceutical unit of Samsung Biologics.
The prosecutors suspect that the merger and fraud were designed to help him gain greater control of the country's biggest conglomerate.
Lee is the grandson of Lee Byung-chull, the founder of Samsung Group. His father, Lee Kun-hee, has been incapacitated since he suffered a heart attack in 2014.
On June 9, the Seoul Central District Court rejected the prosecution's request to put Lee behind bars for a further investigation.
It said there was "insufficient explanation on the need and validity to arrest the defendants against the principle of trial without detention," referring to the principle that pretrial detention should only be used as a last resort. The court also said whether Lee is guilty should be determined through "legal battles and court hearings."
Lee has denied the allegations against him. Samsung also has claimed that Lee was not briefed on and did not order any illegal transactions, including stock manipulation and accounting fraud.
jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-26--(LEAD) HDC's Asiana acquisition delayed to H2 amid pandemic

HDC and Kumho Asiana Group will have six more months to close the deal by Dec. 27 as HDC has @ @ @ @ @ countries to which it flies , the KDB spokesman said .

(ATTN: ADDS details of chairmen's meeting in paras 9-10)
SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- HDC Hyundai Development Co.'s planned acquisition of Asiana Airlines Inc. has been delayed to the second half due to the new coronavirus' impact on the airline industry, industry sources said Friday.
In December, the HDC-Mirae Asset Daewoo consortium signed a deal to acquire the country's second-biggest airline from Kumho Asiana Group, with a plan to complete the acquisition by June 27.
Early this month, Asiana's main creditor Korea Development Bank (KDB) demanded that the HDC-led consortium notify the state lender of its intent to complete the deal by the initially scheduled date.
This file photo shows HDC's company logo and Asiana Airlines' planes at a local airport. (Yonhap)
In response, HDC called for renegotiations with Asiana creditors over the acquisition terms, describing the ongoing virus crisis as a "never expected and very negative factor" that will affect its planned acquisition of Asiana Airlines.
HDC also cited snowballing debts of the airline as another reason for renegotiations, noting that debts are "damaging the acquisition value of the carrier."
Asiana's debts jumped by 4.5 trillion won from July last year to March this year, and its debt-to-equity ratio skyrocketed by 16,126 percent during the same period.
HDC has demanded renegotiations with the KDB through written documents, but the policy lender asked the company to hold face-to-face talks.
"We once again sent a letter to HDC last week to ask the company to have a meeting in person to discuss the renegotiations," a KDB spokesman said over the phone.
On Thursday, KDB Chairman Lee Dong-gull and HDC Chairman Chung Mong-gyu met to discuss the acquisition, the KDB spokesman said without elaborating.
Lee reportedly persuaded Chung to make a decision to acquire Asiana and said the KDB will provide a wide range of financial support to help HDC ride out the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
HDC has reiterated its plan to acquire Asiana, dismissing speculation that it may have difficulties in taking over the company due to the economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak.
Regulators in the United States, China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkey and South Korea approved HDC's planned takeover of Asiana. Russia is the only remaining country that is still reviewing the integration.
HDC and Kumho Asiana Group will have six more months to close the deal by Dec. 27 as HDC has to receive approval from all countries to which it flies, the KDB spokesman said.
The HDC consortium signed the deal to acquire a 30.77 percent stake in Asiana from Kumho Industrial Co., a construction unit of Kumho Asiana Group, as well as new Asiana shares to be issued and Asiana's six affiliates, for 2.5 trillion won (US$2.2 billion).
Asiana has suspended most of its flights on international routes as more than 180 countries have strengthened entry restrictions amid virus fears this year.
As a result, its net losses for the January-March quarter deepened to 683.26 billion won from 89.18 billion won a year earlier.
To help Asiana stay afloat, the country's two state banks -- the KDB and the Export-Import Bank of Korea -- plan to inject a combined 1.7 trillion won into Asiana. Last year, the two banks extended a total of 1.6 trillion won to the cash-strapped carrier.
In its latest self-help plans, Asiana has had all of its 10,500 employees take unpaid leave for 15 days a month since April until business circumstances normalize. Asiana's executives have also agreed to forgo 60 percent of their wages, though no specific time frame was given for how long the pay cuts will remain in effect.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)