yna--2020-09-11--(4th LD) New virus cases under 200 for 9th day, S. Korea undecided on easing virus measures

Related to social distancing measures , other sources said that policymakers have been examining the option of retaining the present @ @ @ @ @ but making it possible for eateries , cafes and private educational academies to resume normal @ @ @ @ @ enhanced quarantine rules .
Rules that need to be followed can include maintaining detailed logs @ @ @ @ @ and restricting the number of people allowed in at any one time .

(ATTN: RECASTS lead; UPDATES with more details in para 8, possible easing of restrictions in paras 16-17; ADDS new fatalities in para 34)
SEOUL, Sept. 11 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new virus cases stayed below 200 for the ninth consecutive day Friday, as the country remains undecided on whether to extend or ease restrictions in the greater Seoul that is still struggling with sporadic cluster infections and untraceable cases.
The country added 176 more COVID-19 cases, including 161 local infections, raising the total caseload to 21,919, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
Friday's tally marked a slight increase from the 156 and 155 cases reported on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.
South Korea, which even posted fewer than 10 daily cases in late April after suffering a record high number of infections in late February at 909, had been keeping the new virus cases at around 50 with some ups and downs.
New virus cases under 200 for 9th day / BTS shares thoughts on ‘Dynamite’ success Youtube https://youtu.be/e6JtuScTq3s
Medical staff members work at Severance Hospital in western Seoul on Sept. 11, 2020. (Yonhap)
But on Aug. 14, the figure doubled from the previous day to reach a whopping 103. The recent spike was mainly attributable to cases tied to a conservative church in northern Seoul and an anti-government rally.
To curb the spread of the virus, South Korea adopted the Level 2 social distancing scheme for other parts of the country in mid-August, under which indoor meetings of more than 50 people and open-air gatherings of over 100 people are banned.
This will run through Sept. 20, though it could be extended. On the back of the efforts, the number of daily new cases has been gradually falling after hitting 441 additional cases on Aug. 27.
The country adopted an enhanced version of social distancing for the capital area on Aug. 30, which was originally slated to be maintained for a week, but was extended another week. Seoul can again decide the extend the tighter rules that are set to end on Sunday.
Under the updated measure, restaurants in the Seoul metropolitan area can operate normally from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. but then can only offer takeout after that time. Franchise coffee chains, bakeries and ice cream parlors can only offer takeaway around the clock.
Health authorities have said a daily increase of around 100 COVID-19 patients is considered a manageable level under the current medical capability.
But the prolonged social distancing scheme is heavily weighing down the livelihoods of private businesses.
South Korea believes that while the number of new cases is showing signs of a slowdown, the country also needs to take various factors into consideration, including the reproduction rate, as well as the growing number of patients in critical condition.
"The numbers are clearly slowing, but the figures will continue to go through ups and downs," Yoon Tae-ho, a senior health official, said during a daily briefing. "Asymptomatic patients can also lead to group infections."
"Health officials have discussed that the country should still take a wait-and-see approach in regards to the extension of the social distancing scheme," Yoon added, hinting that "a third option" was also on the table, without providing more details.
A university campus in western Seoul is nearly empty on Sept. 11, 2020, as students took online classes. (Yonhap)
"The decision will be made by considering the problems we have encountered while rolling out the ongoing social distancing scheme, as well as current situations," KCDC Director Jeong Eun-kyeong said in a separate briefing.
Related to social distancing measures, other sources said that policymakers have been examining the option of retaining the present level of social distancing, but making it possible for eateries, cafes and private educational academies to resume normal operations if they adhere to enhanced quarantine rules. Rules that need to be followed can include maintaining detailed logs of people using their facilities and restricting the number of people allowed in at any one time.
"Some sort of announcement could be made on Sunday," an insider said, although making clear that any decision will be based on infection numbers over the weekend. He then said that bans on high risk facilities, like indoor clubs, will likely remain in place.
The number of patients in serious or critical condition came to 175, up six from the previous day. Health authorities are worried that the recent spike will lead to shortages in hospital beds, as well as more deaths, as most of them are seniors.
Around 87 percent of the patients in such condition were aged 60 and above.
Of the newly identified local infections, 61 cases were reported in Seoul and 47 from Gyeonggi Province that surrounds the capital.
Other municipalities reported new infections, with the central city of Daejeon adding 10 cases and Incheon, west of Seoul, reporting eight new cases. South Chungcheong Province added 14 new patients.
Cases traced to Sarang Jeil Church in northern Seoul, a hotbed of the recent spike in new infections, stayed unchanged for a third day at 1,167.
Those tied to the anti-government rally in Seoul on Aug. 15 reached 564, up seven from the previous day.
Severance Hospital, one of the major general hospitals in Seoul, reported 19 cases, up nine from the previous day. There have been more cases identified throughout Friday, which were not yet reflected in the official tally.
Other sporadic cluster infections continued to pop up in the wider capital area.
Citizens wait to receive new coronavirus tests at a makeshift clinic located in central Seoul on Sept. 11, 2020. (Yonhap)
A Buddhist facility located in western Seoul has reported 22 patients, up two from Thursday. A logistics center of e-commerce giant Coupang in eastern Seoul has reported three more infections, raising the caseload to 16.
The number of cases traced to a hiking club in the greater Seoul area reached 35, up six from the previous day.
The proportion of patients with untraceable infection routes over the past two weeks came to 23.4 percent, according to the latest data, also straining the country's virus fight. A whopping 36.4 percent were linked to cluster infections.
Among the new cases added over the past few months, patients in their 60s and above accounted for 34 percent, according to the KCDC. Over the past three days, the figure shot up to 40 percent.
To prevent the spread of the virus, South Korea has decided to ban demonstrations with 10 or more participants in the capital city. On Oct. 3, a group of conservative activists vowed to stage anti-government rallies.
"We have inevitably made the decision to prevent the spread of the virus, as such rallies can lead to major outbreaks," Yoon said, warning that unlawful gatherings will be dismissed by the police.
The country, meanwhile, reported 15 imported cases.
Three patients were from Australia. The Philippines, Uzbekistan and Indonesia accounted for two patients each. There were also cases from India, Qatar, Kazakhstan, Nepal and the United States.
South Korea reported four more deaths, raising the total to 350. The fatality rate came to 1.6 percent. Health authorities later confirmed two additional fatalities that will be reflected in the official daily tally to be released on Saturday. The latest victims were in their 70s and 80s.
The total number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries stood at 17,616, up 256 from the previous day. So far, 80.4 percent of the patients reported here have been cured.
South Korea has carried out 2,119,211 COVID-19 tests since Jan. 3. The country reported its first case on Jan. 20.
A street in central Seoul is nearly empty on Sept. 11, 2020, amid the Level 2.5 social distancing scheme implemented in the capital area. (Yonhap)
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-11--(LEAD) Ex-Army colonel says he was informed of multiple calls seeking favors for justice minister's

(LEAD) Ex-Army colonel says he was informed of multiple calls seeking favors for justice minister's son

`` With these reports of special favor requests in mind , I stressed in my address that there should be @ @ @ @ @ he said in the statement , adding that the speech was not directed at Seo @ @ @ @ @ a separate meeting with them .

(ATTN: ADDS details in last 3 paras)
By Lee Haye-ah
SEOUL, Sept. 11 (Yonhap) -- A retired Army colonel said Friday that he received multiple reports of phone calls seeking special favors for Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae's son during the latter's mandatory military service in 2017.
Lee Cheol-won served as head of the Republic of Korea Army Support Group for the U.S. Eighth Army when Choo's son, surnamed Seo, served in its 2nd Infantry Division in Uijeongbu, north of the capital.
Choo has come under fire over allegations that she used her influence as the then chairwoman of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) to seek preferential treatment for her son, including extended medical leave.
In a statement to the press, Lee addressed the allegations that Choo's family pushed to get Seo, now 27, selected as an interpreter for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games. The family is also suspected of trying to get him assigned to the Yongsan Garrison in central Seoul, not in Uijeongbu.
This photo shows Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae arriving at the main government complex in Seoul on Sept. 11, 2020. (Yonhap)
"After the Ministry of National Defense announced plans to select interpreters, staff officers reported to me that there were many phone calls seeking special favors for Seo, and that (such) phone calls were also being received at the 2nd Infantry Division," Lee wrote.
The colonel said he informed his staff of the potential problems caused by such requests and ordered the selection of interpreters by lot.
He also said a staff officer told him about an inquiry regarding Seo's possible assignment to Yongsan Garrison. That officer, according to Lee, told the inquirer that it was not possible and explained the steps involved in assigning units.
The colonel is one of several whistleblowers in the case.
The allegations raised by him and others have led to calls for a swift investigation, which prosecutors began in January, and opposition demands for Choo's resignation.
Lee, however, denied reports that he met with Seo's family at a ceremony for new recruits to urge them not to request special favors.
News reports had attributed this allegation to Lee, citing his phone conversation with an aide to Rep. Shin Won-sik of the main opposition People Power Party.
"With these reports of special favor requests in mind, I stressed in my address that there should be no such requests," he said in the statement, adding that the speech was not directed at Seo's family nor was there a separate meeting with them.
"This incident must cease to be a political football and serve as the basis for changing the favor-seeking culture in the military," he added. "I wish to see this incident resolved in a just and fair manner."
As related allegations have been snowballing, it is likely that Minister Choo could express regret for causing public concern, ruling party officials said.
"Apart from fact-finding, actions would be required to appease the people who are disappointed by the ongoing controversy. Some party members share such a need," a source said.
The minister could use a parliamentary interpellation session due next week to express her stance, another official noted.
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-11--S. Korean embassy in London shuts down after employee's COVID-19 infection

As of mid-August , around 50 employees of the country 's overseas diplomatic missions , including six diplomats , have @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , according to a foreign ministry official in Seoul .
Many of them are @ @ @ @ @ administrative staff .

SEOUL, Sept. 11 (Yonhap) -- An employee at the South Korean embassy in London, tested positive for the new coronavirus Friday, forcing a shut down of the building, the diplomatic mission said.
People who came into close contact with the employee are undergoing virus tests, and the embassy will be closed until Sunday for disinfection, the embassy said in a Facebook post.
As of mid-August, around 50 employees of the country's overseas diplomatic missions, including six diplomats, have tested positive for the new coronavirus, according to a foreign ministry official in Seoul. Many of them are known to be locally hired administrative staff.
This image captured from the Korean Embassy in Great Britain on Sept. 11, 2020, shows the notice of the COVID-19 infection of its employee and the temporary shudown of the embassy. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-11--(4th LD) Chief of new disease control agency appointed in special ceremony at her local office

Speaking in a closed-door meeting with the president right after the official ceremony , Jeong presented a short-term outlook that @ @ @ @ @ , albeit not sharply , if social distancing is maintained , as the basic reproduction @ @ @ @ @ .
The number represents the expected number of cases directly generated by a single patient @

(ATTN: ADDS appointment of deputy director in last para)
By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Sept. 11 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in attended a rare ceremony outside Cheong Wa Dae to appoint Jeong Eun-kyeong, South Korea's disease control czar, as head of a new agency to operate autonomously with more authority and workforce.
Jeong, director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), has been tapped to lead the upgraded state body, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), which will be launched Saturday to replace the KCDC.
Moon made a visit to the KCDC headquarters in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, some 130 kilometers south of Seoul, to present her with a certificate of appointment in person.
Who is Jeong Eun-kyung, appointed as the first head of KDCA? Youtube https://youtu.be/KqvlhqwiboI
President Moon Jae-in (R) presents Jeong Eun-kyeong with a certificate of appointment as the first head of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) during a ceremony held at the emergency situation center of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, 130 kilometers south of Seoul, on Sept. 11, 2020. (Yonhap)
The move apparently reflects the public recognition of her dedicated service in the country's fight against COVID-19 and expectation for her role in the promoted position.
In South Korea, the prime minister usually bestows a letter of appointment on a vice ministerial official. It is also highly unusual for the president to hold such an appointment ceremony outside Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul.
"For me, I think, it's the first time to hold a ceremony outside Cheong Wa Dae to confer a letter of appointment on a high-ranking government official," Moon said.
He said he had considered Jeong's current situation in which she can't leave her work even for a moment.
Jeong's colleagues were present at the brief event instead of her family members.
Moon expressed hope that the new agency will play a bigger role, with its status enhanced.
Jeong Eun-kyeong (R), the first head of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), makes remarks with President Moon Jae-in standing next to her after receiving a certificate of appointment from him on Sept. 11, 2020. The ceremony was held at the emergency situation center of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, 130 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
He took note of public trust in the KCDC under Jeong's leadership.
Jeong pointed out that the new agency is being born in "this grave situation."
She said she is regarding its creation as reflecting the people's expectation for a "specialized, systemic and preemptive" response to novel infectious diseases that threaten their health and endanger society's safety.
She pledged that the KDCA will do its best as the "control tower" of the national campaign to overcome COVID-19 and prevent disease transmissions.
Speaking in a closed-door meeting with the president right after the official ceremony, Jeong presented a short-term outlook that coronavirus cases will likely decrease, albeit not sharply, if social distancing is maintained, as the basic reproduction number has fallen below one. The number represents the expected number of cases directly generated by a single patient.
But she voiced worries about lingering cluster infection risks from the highly contagious virus, as seen in recent cases linked with church events and door-to-door sales activities, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok.
"We are keeping a close eye (on the situation)," she was quoted as saying.
President Moon Jae-in (L) is greeted by officials at the Central Disaster Management Headquarters in the administrative town of Sejong, some 130 kilometers south of Seoul, on Sept. 11, 2020. (Yonhap)
Moon then visited the Central Disaster Management Headquarters on the coronavirus response, which is located in the nearby administrative town of Sejong, home to a government office complex. He expressed appreciation for its officials' service and encouraged them to keep up their work.
Later in the day, KCDC official Ra Sung-woong was appointed the new entity's deputy director. The 57-year-old has served various posts at the health ministry, as well as director general the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) KOREA Policy Center.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-11--(3rd LD) Seoul to inject 2.4 tln won into Asiana after deal collapse

With the collapse of the deal , Asiana will be placed under the control of the creditors , undergo some @ @ @ @ @ for sale again , the KDB said .

(ATTN: CHANGES headline; REWRITES throughout)
By Choi Kyong-ae and Kim Kwang-tae
SEOUL, Sept. 11 (Yonhap) -- South Korea said Friday it will inject 2.4 trillion won (US$2 billion) into Asiana Airlines Inc. after a local property developer scrapped its plan to acquire the debt-ridden carrier amid the growing impact of the coronavirus on the airline industry.
Kumho Industrial Co., which owns a controlling stake in the country's second-biggest airline, notified HDC Hyundai Development Co. earlier in the day of the termination of the drawn-out deal after failing to narrow differences over acquisition terms.
In an online briefing, Choi Dae-hyun, executive director of the state-run Korea Development Bank (KDB), said Kumho Industrial's decision was "regrettable" from the point of the airline's main creditor.
In this photo taken at the Korea Development Bank's headquarters in Seoul on Sept. 11, 2020, KDB Executive Director Choi Dae-hyun announces Asiana deal's rupture in an online media briefing. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
To help Asiana stay afloat, the Key Industry Stabilization Fund (KISF) operated by the KDB will extend a 2.4 trillion won credit line for the cash-strapped carrier, the state lender said in a statement.
"The KISF made the decision to avoid massive layoffs (at Asiana) following the deal's rupture and minimize the impact on the economy amid a prolonged COVID-19 pandemic," the statement said.
In the past two years, the KDB and the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Eximbank) already injected a financial lifeline totaling 3.3 trillion won into Asiana.
With the collapse of the deal, Asiana will be placed under the control of the creditors, undergo some restructuring and be put up for sale again, the KDB said.
Asiana said it will make all-out efforts to enhance the company's value by optimizing routes and cutting further costs, while carrying out self-help measures under the guidance of the creditors.
Asiana has suspended most of its flights on international routes since March, dealing a further blow to its bottom line.
Its net losses deepened to 432.88 billion won in the January-June period from 267.4 billion won a year earlier. Its overall debts reached a whopping 11.55 trillion won at the end of June.
The deal's collapse is the country's second scuttled airline deal this year following Jeju Air Co.'s decision not to acquire Eastar Jet Co. in July due to the virus impact on air travel.
In December, the HDC-led consortium signed the deal to acquire a 30.77 percent stake in Asiana Airlines from Kumho Industrial, a construction unit of airline-to-chemicals conglomerate Kumho Asiana Group, as well as new Asiana shares to be issued and the carrier's six affiliates, for 2.5 trillion won.
The consortium was scheduled to complete the acquisition by June 27. But in June, it demanded renegotiations with Kumho and the creditors over acquisition terms due to worsening business environments brought on by the infectious illness.
KDB Chairman Lee Dong-gull and HDC Chairman Chung Mong-gyu met three times to seek a breakthrough in the drawn-out deal. Lee reportedly suggested reducing the acquisition price by 1 trillion won for Asiana, to reflect the pandemic's impact on the airline industry.
But HDC didn't accept the offer and instead once again demanded another round of due diligence on the carrier, which was already rejected by the creditors and Kumho Industrial.
HDC said it will take legal action against Kumho Industrial's notification of the deal's rupture.
HDC is widely expected to recover the down payment worth 250 billion won it paid last year for Asiana. KDB Chairman Lee said HDC does not have the rights to the down payment as it failed to make a decision by the final deadline.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
entropy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-11--Scaled-down Busan film festival to be held this year, two weeks behind schedule

South Korea is struggling to stem the spread of the new coronavirus after a surge in confirmed cases since mid-August @ @ @ @ @ the Level 2 social distancing scheme in Busan and other parts of the country , @ @ @ @ @ surrounding capital area where a tougher guidance has been in place .

SEOUL, Sept. 11 (Yonhap) -- The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) will be staged two weeks behind schedule and on a lower scale due to the coronavirus pandemic, its organizer said Friday.
The biggest film festival in Asia was initially to be held from Oct. 7-16, but the secretariat decided to postpone it until Oct. 21 over COVID-19 concerns after the traditional Chuseok holiday at the end of this month.
It also decided not to stage opening and closing ceremonies as well as other outdoor events, and no one from abroad will be invited.
Some of the affiliated events, including the Asian Film Market, will be held virtually, according to the organizer.
If the coronavirus situation gets worse or the government strengthens social distancing schemes, the festival could be called off altogether, the organizer noted.
South Korea is struggling to stem the spread of the new coronavirus after a surge in confirmed cases since mid-August. It has since implemented the Level 2 social distancing scheme in Busan and other parts of the country, except for Seoul and the surrounding capital area where a tougher guidance has been in place.
Since 1996, the film festival has been held every year in the southeastern port city.
The closing ceremony of the 24th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) is held at the Busan Cinema Center in the southeastern city on Oct. 12, 2019. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-11--(News Focus) Asiana, Eastar fall prey to pandemic amid growing industry overhaul fears

Analysts said the KSIF 's financial support will help Asiana survive the COVID-19 pandemic for the time being , but @ @ @ @ @ solution to turn it around , adding that the only solution is for the company @ @ @ @ @ pre-crisis levels .

By Choi Kyong-ae
SEOUL, Sept. 11 (Yonhap) -- The prolonged impact of the new coronavirus on the airline industry has derailed two major deals in the aviation sector here, triggering concerns of massive layoffs and the overhaul of the country's airline industry amid worsening business conditions.
On Friday, Kumho Industrial Co., which owns Asiana Airlines Inc. notified HDC Hyundai Development Co. of the termination of the deal to sell the carrier to the local property developer, due to differences over acquisition terms.
The deal's rupture is the country's second scuttled airline deal following Jeju Air Co.'s decision not to acquire Eastar Jet Co. in July due to the growing coronavirus impact on air travel.
The state-run Korea Development Bank (KDB) said Kumho Industrial's decision was "regrettable" from the point of Asiana's main creditor.
To push forward the stalled Asiana deal, the KDB reportedly proposed to cut the acquisition price by 1 trillion won (US$840 million) in exchange for HDC completing the deal. But HDC refused the offer, resulting in the deal's collapse.
To help Asiana stay afloat, the Key Industry Stabilization Fund (KISF), operated by the KDB, has decided to inject 2.4 trillion won into the carrier, the state lender said in a statement.
The upcoming capital injection comes after the KDB and the Export-Import Bank of Korea made a capital injection worth a combined 3.3 trillion won into Asiana over the past two years.
Analysts said the KSIF's financial support will help Asiana survive the COVID-19 pandemic for the time being, but it is not a fundamental solution to turn it around, adding that the only solution is for the company to resume flight services to pre-crisis levels.
"The additional capital injection is a stopgap measure that will help Asiana operate until the end of this year. It will take some time for the carrier to normalize its long-haul routes even after vaccines are developed," Ryu Jae-hyun, an analyst at Mirae Asset Daewoo, said.
It will take time, as opening borders is an inter-governmental issue. Countries that have successfully contained the pandemic will gradually allow flights to and from each other, he said.
With the breakup of the deal, Asiana will be placed under the control of its creditors -- the KDB and the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Eximbank) -- and undergo restructuring to maintain its financial health, the KDB said.
But analysts expect creditors to have a hard time finding a new investor due to the lingering impact of the virus. They said Asiana needs to further focus on obtaining more cargo-carrying deals to offset a sharp decline in air travel demand and improve its bottomline for the year.
The pandemic has no doubt emerged as a major stumbling block to the two deals, as more than 180 countries and territories closed their borders or strengthened their entry restrictions amid virus fears.
In June, HDC demanded renegotiations, describing the virus crisis and the airline's snowballing debts as "unexpected and very negative factors" that would affect its takeover plan.
Hit by the pandemic and the ensuing drop in air service demand, Asiana's overall debts reached a whopping 11.55 trillion won at the end of June.
This file photo, taken July 24, 2020, shows Jeju Air's and Eastar Jet's planes at Gimpo International Airport, west of Seoul. (Yonhap)
Asiana shifted to a net profit of 116.15 billion won in the second quarter from a net loss of 183.14 billion won a year earlier, helped by increased cargo deliveries. But its first-half net losses deepened to 432.88 billion won from 267.4 billion won a year ago.
The botched Asiana sale follows a similar failed sell-off deal.
In July, Jeju Air scrapped its planned takeover of Eastar due to differences over acquisition terms amid the pandemic.
Jeju Air, the country's biggest low-cost carrier, signed a deal to acquire a 51.17 percent stake in Eastar Jet from Eastar Holdings for 54.5 billion won in March as part of its expansion strategy despite the pandemic.
Eastar is expected to go bankrupt if there are no viable investors to acquire the carrier, which has suspended all flights since March.
On Monday, Eastar announced its plan to lay off half of its 1,216 employees on Oct. 14 as it will begin the process of finding a new investor.
Last month, Eastar selected lead managers to start an auction to find a strategic investor that has interest in the carrier.
Eastar aims to pick a preferred bidder to acquire the company in the next few weeks and for an acquisition to be pushed forward in October.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-11--Foreign ministry calls for continued presence of S. Korean peacekeeping unit in Lebanon, South Sudan

`` ( The government ) confirmed the need to extend their missions in consideration of relatively stable circumstances in the @ @ @ @ @ praise that our troops have received from the U.N. and the local governments , '' @ @ @ @ @ statement .

SEOUL, Sept. 11 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's foreign ministry on Friday called for its peacekeeping troops to continue their presence in Lebanon and South Sudan for its contribution to the global peace and other factors.
Whether to extend the mandate of Dongmyung Unit in Lebanon and Hanbit Unit in South Sudan was discussed during a meeting of related government agencies, including the defense and the public administration ministries.
"(The government) confirmed the need to extend their missions in consideration of relatively stable circumstances in the host nations and the high praise that our troops have received from the U.N. and the local governments," the ministry said in a statement.
Despite the global COVID-19 pandemic, thorough quarantine and prevention measures have been in place among the dispatched troops, which keeps potential risk to minimum levels, it added.
The 280-strong Dongmyung Unit has been operating as part of the U.N. force in the conflict-ridden country since 2007. Hanbit Unit has stationed in the war-torn African country on peacekeeping missions.
The extension of the deployment is subject to parliamentary consent on a yearly basis.
During the meeting, the government also checked preparations for the U.N. Peacekeeping Ministerial Conference slated to take place in South Korea next year, the ministry said.
Seoul plans to invite some 1,300 people from about 150 countries across the world to explore ways to strengthen technological and medical capabilities to enhance U.N. peace operations, according to the ministry.
Second Vice Foreign Minister Lee Tae-ho (C) presides over a meeting of related government agencies on U.N. peacekeeping operations in Seoul on Sept. 11, 2020. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-11--(2nd LD) Asiana deal collapses, more assistance eyed for survival

In December , the HDC-led consortium signed the deal to acquire a 30.77 percent stake in Asiana Airlines from Kumho @ @ @ @ @ of Kumho Asiana Group , as well as new Asiana shares to be issued and @ @ @ @ @ , for 2.5 trillion won ( US $ 2.1 billion ) .

(ATTN: UPDATES with reactions from Kumho Industrial and Asiana Airlines in paras 10, 14)
By Choi Kyong-ae
SEOUL, Sept. 11 (Yonhap) -- Creditors of Asiana Airlines Inc. announced Friday that they decided to end a drawn-out deal to sell the country's No. 2 full service airline, as they failed to make a breakthrough in terms with property developer HDC Hyundai Development Co. (HDC).
The state-run Korea Development Bank (KDB), its main creditor, said Kumho Industrial Co., which owns a controlling stake in Asiana Airlines, notified HDC of the deal's termination.
Choi Dae-hyun, executive director handling the issue at KDB, said the deal's collapse was "regrettable."
It has become the country's second botched deal in the airline sector hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic this year, following Jeju Air Co.'s decision not to acquire smaller rival Eastar Jet Co. in July.
In December, the HDC-led consortium signed the deal to acquire a 30.77 percent stake in Asiana Airlines from Kumho Industrial, a construction unit of Kumho Asiana Group, as well as new Asiana shares to be issued and the carrier's six affiliates, for 2.5 trillion won (US$2.1 billion).
The consortium was scheduled to complete the acquisition by June 27. But in June, it demanded renegotiations with Kumho and the creditors over acquisition terms due to the worsening virus impact on airlines.
Lee Dong-gull, chairman of the main creditor, the Korea Development Bank (KDB), and HDC Chairman Chung Mong-gyu met three times to discuss ways to push the stalled deal forward this year, but they only found a rift running deep between them.
In their third meeting last week, KDB Chairman Lee reportedly suggested a sharp reduction in the acquisition price by 1 trillion won (US$840 million) for Asiana Airlines to reflect the pandemic's impact on the airline industry.
But HDC didn't accept the offer and instead once again demanded another round of due diligence on the carrier, which was already rejected by the creditors and Kumho Industrial.
Kumho Industrial said the deal's collapse could delay its investment plans, but its cash flow and business conditions are unaffected.
With the collapse of the deal, Asiana will be placed under the control of the creditors -- the KDB and the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Eximbank).
On Friday, a state-run fund set up for the country's backbone industries approved a capital injection of 2.4 trillion won into Asiana Airlines to help the carrier stay afloat, according to the KDB.
The KDB and the Eximbank already injected a combined 3.3 trillion won, including 1.7 trillion won this year, into Asiana in the past two years.
Asiana Airlines CEO Han Chang-soo said Asiana is holding close consultations with the creditors to minimize market chaos following the deal's rupture and stabilize the company.
Asiana has suspended most of its flights on international routes since March, dealing a further blow to its bottom line.
Airlines were already hurt by a sharp decline in travel demand on Japanese routes following Japan's export curbs on key industrial materials essential to Korean tech firms amid strained ties over wartime historical issues last year.
Its net losses deepened to 432.88 billion won in the January-June period from 267.4 billion won a year earlier.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-11--S. Korea, Britain agree on closer cooperation to tackle climate change

Next year , Britain will host the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference and Sharma asked Hong to step up @ @ @ @ @ of the conference , the ministry said .

SEJONG, Sept. 11 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and Britain agreed to forge closer cooperation to tackle climate change, Seoul's finance ministry said Friday.
The agreement was reached during a telephone discussion between Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki and British business minister Alok Sharma earlier in the day, the ministry said in a statement.
Next year, Britain will host the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference and Sharma asked Hong to step up cooperation for a successful hosting of the conference, the ministry said.
Hong and Sharma also shared information on each other's post-pandemic economic recovery plans, the ministry said.
In July, South Korea said it will invest 160 trillion won (US$134 billion) by 2025 under the bold stimulus package that will create 1.9 million jobs and kick-start the coronavirus-hit economy.
Unlike conventional infrastructure projects, the deal features 28 projects that will transform the nation's fossil fuel-reliant economy into an eco-friendly one and increase state investment in artificial intelligence and fifth-generation (5G) telecommunication services.
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-11--(LEAD) Asiana deal collapses, more assistance eyed for survival

(ATTN: UPDATES with details of online briefing in paras 3, 11)
By Choi Kyong-ae
SEOUL, Sept. 11 (Yonhap) -- Creditors of Asiana Airlines Inc. announced Friday that they decided to end a drawn-out deal to sell the country's No. 2 full service airline, as they failed to make a breakthrough in terms with property developer HDC Hyundai Development Co. (HDC).
The state-run Korea Development Bank (KDB), its main creditor, said Kumho Industrial Co., which owns a controlling stake in Asiana Airlines, notified HDC of the deal's termination.
Choi Dae-hyun, executive director handling the issue at KDB, said the deal's collapse was "regrettable."
It has become the country's second botched deal in the airline sector hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic this year, following Jeju Air Co.'s decision not to acquire smaller rival Eastar Jet Co. in July.
In December, the HDC-led consortium signed the deal to acquire a 30.77 percent stake in Asiana Airlines from Kumho Industrial, a construction unit of Kumho Asiana Group, as well as new Asiana shares to be issued and the carrier's six affiliates, for 2.5 trillion won (US$2.1 billion).
The consortium was scheduled to complete the acquisition by June 27. But in June, it demanded renegotiations with Kumho and the creditors over acquisition terms due to the worsening virus impact on airlines.
Lee Dong-gull, chairman of the main creditor, the Korea Development Bank (KDB), and HDC Chairman Chung Mong-gyu met three times to discuss ways to push the stalled deal forward this year, but they only found a rift running deep between them.
In their third meeting last week, KDB Chairman Lee reportedly suggested a sharp reduction in the acquisition price by 1 trillion won (US$840 million) for Asiana Airlines to reflect the pandemic's impact on the airline industry.
But HDC didn't accept the offer and instead once again demanded another round of due diligence on the carrier, which was already rejected by the creditors and Kumho Industrial.
With the collapse of the deal, Asiana will be placed under the control of the creditors -- the KDB and the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Eximbank).
On Friday, a state-run fund set up for the country's backbone industries approved a capital injection of 2.4 trillion won into Asiana Airlines to help the carrier stay afloat, according to the KDB.
The KDB and the Eximbank already injected a combined 3.3 trillion won, including 1.7 trillion won this year, into Asiana in the past two years.
Asiana has suspended most of its flights on international routes since March, dealing a further blow to its bottom line.
Airlines were already hurt by a sharp decline in travel demand on Japanese routes following Japan's export curbs on key industrial materials essential to Korean tech firms amid strained ties over wartime historical issues last year.
Its net losses deepened to 432.88 billion won in the January-June period from 267.4 billion won a year earlier.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-11--(LEAD) Creditors map out normalization plan for Asiana after deal collapses

Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki held a meeting with economy-related ministers , financial regulators and heads of state-run creditor banks earlier @ @ @ @ @ which they discussed about the plan to normalize operations of Asiana Airlines , the ministry @ @ @ @ @

(ATTN: ADDS remarks, details in last 3 paras)
SEJONG, Sept. 11 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's finance ministry said Friday that state-run creditor banks have mapped out a plan to normalize operations of debt-laden Asiana Airlines Inc. after Hyundai Development Co.'s deal to buy the airline collapsed.
Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki held a meeting with economy-related ministers, financial regulators and heads of state-run creditor banks earlier in the day, during which they discussed about the plan to normalize operations of Asiana Airlines, the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry did not elaborate about the normalization plan, but creditor banks said they will inject 2.4 trillion won (US$2 billion) into Asiana Airlines.
"During the meeting, creditors briefed participants about a plan to normalize operations of Asiana Airlines, including market stabilization measures," the ministry said in a statement.
In December last year, Hyundai Development signed a deal to acquire a 30.77 percent stake in Asiana from Kumho Asiana Group, as well as new shares to be issued and Asiana's six affiliates, for 2.5 trillion won.
But, the deal had faltered due to the airline's snowballing debt and the coronavirus pandemic's impact on the travel industry.
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-11--Both Trump, N. Korea could opt for 'October Surprise': expert

`` Trump could take advantage of the North Korea issue to restore approval ratings , and North Korea could also @ @ @ @ @ better to have a deal with Trump rather than the Biden administration , '' the @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's Democratic rival , Joe Biden .

SEOUL, Sept. 11 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump could use the issue of North Korea to boost his reelection chances, and Pyongyang could also opt to cut a deal with Trump ahead of November's presidential vote, a researcher at a state-run think tank said Friday.
Jeong Seong-yoon, an analyst at the Korean Institute for National Unification, made the case in a report on the future of the North-U.S. relations, saying that the next one year will be a critical period that will determine the North's denuclearization.
"Trump could take advantage of the North Korea issue to restore approval ratings, and North Korea could also determine that it would be better to have a deal with Trump rather than the Biden administration," the report said, referring to Trump's Democratic rival, Joe Biden.
"This is the key background behind the forecast of the so-called October Surprise," it said.
Along with the U.S. election, the coronavirus pandemic will be a key factor affecting the North's denuclearization and relations between Washington and Pyongyang, the report said.
"The protraction of COVID-19 will drag the North Korean economy further down and may lead the public to turn its back," it said.
It added that the so-called "rally around the flag effect" that the North employs to gain public support and solidify internal unity will not be effective in times of a protracted crisis.
julesyi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-11--Creditors map out normalization plan for Asiana after deal collapses

SEJONG, Sept. 11 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's finance ministry said Friday that state-run creditor banks have mapped out a plan to normalize operations of debt-laden Asiana Airlines Inc. after Hyundai Development Co.'s deal to buy the airline collapsed.
Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki held a meeting with economy-related ministers, financial regulators and heads of state-run creditor banks earlier in the day, during which they discussed about the plan to normalize operations of Asiana Airlines, the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry did not elaborate about the normalization plan, but creditor banks said they will inject 2.4 trillion won (US$2 billion) into Asiana Airlines.
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-11--(3rd LD) Chief of new disease control agency appointed in special ceremony at her local office

(ATTN: UPDATES with press briefing on comments related to short-term virus control outlook in paras 14-16; ADDS byline)
By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Sept. 11 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in attended a rare ceremony outside Cheong Wa Dae to appoint Jeong Eun-kyeong, South Korea's disease control czar, as head of a new agency to operate autonomously with more authority and workforce.
Jeong, director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), has been tapped to lead the upgraded state body, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), which will be launched Saturday to replace the KCDC.
Moon made a visit to the KCDC headquarters in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, some 130 kilometers south of Seoul, to present her with a certificate of appointment in person.
Who is Jeong Eun-kyung, appointed as the first head of KDCA? Youtube https://youtu.be/KqvlhqwiboI
President Moon Jae-in (R) presents Jeong Eun-kyeong with a certificate of appointment as the first head of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) during a ceremony held at the emergency situation center of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, 130 kilometers south of Seoul, on Sept. 11, 2020. (Yonhap)
The move apparently reflects the public recognition of her dedicated service in the country's fight against COVID-19 and expectation for her role in the promoted position.
In South Korea, the prime minister usually bestows a letter of appointment on a vice ministerial official. It is also highly unusual for the president to hold such an appointment ceremony outside Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul.
"For me, I think, it's the first time to hold a ceremony outside Cheong Wa Dae to confer a letter of appointment on a high-ranking government official," Moon said.
He said he had considered Jeong's current situation in which she can't leave her work even for a moment.
Jeong's colleagues were present at the brief event instead of her family members.
Moon expressed hope that the new agency will play a bigger role, with its status enhanced.
Jeong Eun-kyeong (R), the first head of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), makes remarks with President Moon Jae-in standing next to her after receiving a certificate of appointment from him on Sept. 11, 2020. The ceremony was held at the emergency situation center of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, 130 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
He took note of public trust in the KCDC under Jeong's leadership.
Jeong pointed out that the new agency is being born in "this grave situation."
She said she is regarding its creation as reflecting the people's expectation for a "specialized, systemic and preemptive" response to novel infectious diseases that threaten their health and endanger society's safety.
She pledged that the KDCA will do its best as the "control tower" of the national campaign to overcome COVID-19 and prevent disease transmissions.
Speaking in a closed-door meeting with the president right after the official ceremony, Jeong presented a short-term outlook that coronavirus cases will likely decrease, albeit not sharply, if social distancing is maintained, as the basic reproduction number has fallen below one. The number represents the expected number of cases directly generated by a single patient.
But she voiced worries about lingering cluster infection risks from the highly contagious virus, as seen in recent cases linked with church events and door-to-door sales activities, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok.
"We are keeping a close eye (on the situation)," she was quoted as saying.
President Moon Jae-in (L) is greeted by officials at the Central Disaster Management Headquarters in the administrative town of Sejong, some 130 kilometers south of Seoul, on Sept. 11, 2020. (Yonhap)
Moon then visited the Central Disaster Management Headquarters on the coronavirus response, which is located in the nearby administrative town of Sejong, home to a government office complex. He expressed appreciation for its officials' service and encouraged them to keep up their work.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-11--Asiana deal collapses, more assistance eyed for survival

With the collapse of the deal , Asiana will be placed under the control of the creditors -- the KDB @ @ @ @ @ Korea ( Eximbank ) -- and plans to apply for a capital injection worth up @ @ @ @ @ a state-run fund set up for the country 's backbone industries to stay afloat , @ @ @ @ @

By Choi Kyong-ae
SEOUL, Sept. 11 (Yonhap) -- Creditors of Asiana Airlines Inc. announced Friday that they decided to end a drawn-out deal to sell the country's No. 2 full service airline, as they failed to make a breakthrough in terms with property developer HDC Hyundai Development Co. (HDC).
The state-run Korea Development Bank (KDB), its main creditor said Kumho Industrial Co., which owns a controlling stake in Asiana Airlines, notified HDC of the deal's termination.
It has become the country's second botched deal in the airline sector hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic this year, following Jeju Air Co.'s decision not to acquire smaller rival Eastar Jet Co. in July.
In December, the HDC-led consortium signed the deal to acquire a 30.77 percent stake in Asiana Airlines from Kumho Industrial, a construction unit of Kumho Asiana Group, as well as new Asiana shares to be issued and the carrier's six affiliates, for 2.5 trillion won (US$2.1 billion).
The consortium was scheduled to complete the acquisition by June 27. But in June, it demanded renegotiations with Kumho and the creditors over acquisition terms due to the worsening virus impact on airlines.
Lee Dong-gull, chairman of the main creditor, the Korea Development Bank (KDB), and HDC Chairman Chung Mong-gyu met three times to discuss ways to push the stalled deal forward this year, but they only found a rift running deep between them.
In their third meeting last week, KDB Chairman Lee reportedly suggested a sharp reduction in the acquisition price by 1 trillion won (US$840 million) for Asiana Airlines to reflect the pandemic's impact on the airline industry.
But HDC didn't accept the offer and instead once again demanded another round of due diligence on the carrier, which was already rejected by the creditors and Kumho Industrial.
With the collapse of the deal, Asiana will be placed under the control of the creditors -- the KDB and the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Eximbank) -- and plans to apply for a capital injection worth up to 2.4 trillion won from a state-run fund set up for the country's backbone industries to stay afloat, according to industry sources.
The KDB and the Eximbank already injected a combined 3.3 trillion won, including 1.7 trillion won this year, into Asiana in the past two years.
Asiana has suspended most of its flights on international routes since March, dealing a further blow to its bottom line.
Airlines were already hurt by a sharp decline in travel demand on Japanese routes following Japan's export curbs on key industrial materials essential to Korean tech firms amid strained ties over wartime historical issues last year.
Its net losses deepened to 432.88 billion won in the January-June period from 267.4 billion won a year earlier.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-11--(URGENT) Creditors announce collapse of Asiana deal amid new coronavirus impact

(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--2020-09-12--(LEAD) New virus cases under 200 for 10th day, extension of tougher virus curbs again under review

`` New daily infections have not dropped below 100 , and cluster infections of more or less than 20 cases @ @ @ @ @ outside of the capital area , '' Health Minister Park Neunghoo said in a government @ @ @ @ @ the day .
`` The situation is in a very worrisome state . ''

(ATTN: UPDATES with more info in paras 8-11, 18-19, 25-26)
SEOUL, Sept. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new virus cases stayed below 200 for the 10th day in a row Saturday, but health authorities remain skittish about no letups in sporadic cluster infections and untraceable cases across the country.
Over the weekend, health authorities plan to determine whether to further extend stricter social distancing measures in the greater Seoul area by another week.
The country added 136 more COVID-19 cases, including 118 local infections, bringing the total caseload up to 22,055, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
The agency, an upgraded successor of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), officially set sail Saturday in a bid to elevate the country's capacity to contain infectious diseases, such as COVID-19.
The Saturday tally marked a solid drop from the 176 and 155 cases reported Friday and Thursday, respectively.
After several infection cases were reported, a day care center for elderly people in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, remains closed on Sept. 11, 2020, in this photo provided by a news reader. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The country's new virus cases have been in the triple digits since Aug. 14, due mainly to cases tied to a conservative church in northern Seoul and an anti-government rally in mid-August. Daily infections soared to 441 on Aug. 27.
The number of additional virus cases has recently slowed to the 100 range on the back of stricter antivirus curbs, but it has not been on a markedly downward trend.
"New daily infections have not dropped below 100, and cluster infections of more or less than 20 cases have continued to show up outside of the capital area," Health Minister Park Neunghoo said in a government COVID-19 response meeting earlier in the day. "The situation is in a very worrisome state."
The minister said about 20 percent of recent daily new infections have stemmed from untraceable transmission sources, resulting in the virus "quietly spreading among local communities."
Park said that the country needs "more stringent and thorough (virus) management" now than during its first wave of transmissions centered around the southern city of Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province in late February.
"Currently, the virus transmissions are sporadically continuing across the country ... with 35 percent of (new) infection cases reported among people aged 60 or older," he said.
On Aug. 30, the country imposed Level 2.5 social distancing measures for eight days in the wider capital region, home to half of the country's 51.6 million population, and extended it by a week until Sunday.
Under the scheme, restaurants can operate only from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and only takeaway or delivery is permitted outside of the permitted hours.
Franchise coffee houses, bakeries and ice cream shops are allowed to only offer takeaway or delivery at all times.
A restaurant in the famous Myeongdong shopping district in central Seoul is empty during lunch hours on Sept. 11, 2020, amid Level 2.5 social distancing rules in place. (Yonhap)
This weekend, health authorities will decide whether to extend the tougher curbs again.
Health authorities had initially set the goal of pushing daily cases below the 100 threshold before lifting the tougher distancing requirements.
But the prolonged business restrictions have been devastating to smaller business owners and the broader economy.
Government sources said the decision is likely to be announced Sunday.
Health authorities are warming to the option of retaining the present Level 2.5 social dinstancing while partly lifting the business restrictions imposed on restaurants and coffee shops, according to the sources.
Of the new locally transmitted cases, 50 cases were from Seoul and 28 from Gyeonggi Province that surrounds the capital. Incheon, west of Seoul, added eight cases.
Other municipalities reported new infections, with the central city of Daejeon adding seven cases and South Chungcheong Province reporting six cases.
A middle school student in Daejeon receives a COVID-19 test on Sept. 11, 2020. (Yonhap)
The country, meanwhile, reported 18 imported cases, including four from Australia and three from the United States.
South Korea reported five more deaths, raising the death toll to 355. The fatality rate came to 1.61 percent.
The number of patients in serious or critical condition came to 164, down 11 from the previous day.
The total number of COVID-19 patients released from state-designated quarantine after making full recoveries stood at 18,029, up 413 from the previous day. So far, 81.75 percent of the patients reported here have been cured.
South Korea has carried out 2,135,457 COVID-19 tests since Jan. 3. The country reported its first case on Jan. 20.
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-12--New virus cases under 200 for 10th day, extension of tougher virus curbs again under review

The country 's new virus cases have been in the triple digits since Aug. 14 , due mainly to cases @ @ @ @ @ in northern Seoul and an anti-government rally in mid-August .
Daily infections soared to 441 @ @ @ @

SEOUL, Sept. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new virus cases stayed below 200 for the 10th day in a row Saturday, but health authorities remain skittish about no letups in sporadic cluster infections and untraceable cases.
Over the weekend, health authorities plan to determine whether to further extend stricter social distancing measures in the greater Seoul area by another week.
The country added 136 more COVID-19 cases, including 118 local infections, bringing the total caseload up to 22,055, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
The agency, an upgraded successor of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), officially set sail Saturday in a bid to elevate the country's capacity to contain infectious diseases, such as COVID-19.
The Saturday tally marked a solid drop from the 176 and 155 cases reported Friday and Thursday, respectively.
After several infection cases were reported, a day care center for elderly people in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, remains closed on Sept. 11, 2020, in this photo provided by a news reader. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The country's new virus cases have been in the triple digits since Aug. 14, due mainly to cases tied to a conservative church in northern Seoul and an anti-government rally in mid-August. Daily infections soared to 441 on Aug. 27.
The number of additional virus cases has recently slowed to the 100 range on the back of stricter antivirus curbs, but it has not been on a markedly downward trend.
On Aug. 30, the country imposed Level 2.5 social distancing measures for eight days in the wider capital region, home to half of the country's 51.6 million population, and extended it by a week until Sunday.
Under the scheme, restaurants can operate only from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and only takeaway or delivery is permitted outside of the permitted hours.
Franchise coffee houses, bakeries and ice cream shops are allowed to only offer takeaway or delivery at all times.
A restaurant in the famous Myeongdong shopping district in central Seoul is empty during lunch hours on Sept. 11, 2020, amid Level 2.5 social distancing rules in place. (Yonhap)
This weekend, health authorities will decide whether to extend the tougher curbs again.
Health authorities had initially set the goal of pushing daily cases below the 100 threshold before lifting the tougher distancing requirements.
But the prolonged business restrictions have been devastating to smaller business owners and the broader economy.
Of the new locally transmitted cases, 50 cases were from Seoul and 28 from Gyeonggi Province that surrounds the capital. Incheon, west of Seoul, added eight cases.
Other municipalities reported new infections, with the central city of Daejeon adding seven cases and South Chungcheong Province reporting six cases.
A middle school student in Daejeon receives a COVID-19 test on Sept. 11, 2020. (Yonhap)
The country, meanwhile, reported 18 imported cases, including four from Australia and three from the United States.
South Korea reported five more deaths, raising the death toll to 355. The fatality rate came to 1.61 percent.
The number of patients in serious or critical condition came to 164, down 11 from the previous day.
The total number of COVID-19 patients released from state-designated quarantine after making full recoveries stood at 18,029, up 413 from the previous day.
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-12--Seoul shares to encounter volatility in coming week

The index wavered the entire week , roiled by more investors questioning whether stock prices had risen too far beyond @ @ @ @ @ hesitation was a factor in the last session , which finished nearly flat , up @ @ @

SEOUL, Sept. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares are likely to trade in a tight range in the coming week on valuation concerns, analysts said Saturday.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed at 2,396.69 points on Friday, up 1.2 percent from 2,368.25 a week ago.
The index wavered the entire week, roiled by more investors questioning whether stock prices had risen too far beyond their proper values. Such hesitation was a factor in the last session, which finished nearly flat, up 0.01 percent.
Electronic signboards at the trading room of Hana Bank dealing room in Seoul show the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed at 2,396.69 on Sept. 11, 2020, up 0.21 points or 0.01 percent from the previous session's close. (Yonhap)
Local analysts predicted another week of high uncertainties.
"The growing uncertainties from U.S. tech heavyweights are likely to strain the local stock markets, but they can help differentiate individual IT firms by their value," NH Investment & Securities analyst Noh Dong-kil said.
"As the KOSPI nears 2,400-point level, shares related to software and health care have shown lackluster performances, while IT-related stocks continue to seize investors' eyes," he added.
Analysts expected a positive push from the next U.S. Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, set to be held Tuesday-Wednesday (U.S. time).
In its last meeting, the FOMC revealed a shift of mid- and long-term policy in its inflation target.
Market consensus is that the FOMC is likely to unveil more detailed easing plans, such as stronger forward guidance and asset-buying plans, to buoy the pandemic-hit market.
"Even if the FOMC decides to take more time in considering its policy changes, it is unlikely to reduce the investor appetite for risky assets," Lim Hye-yoon, a researcher at KTB Investment & Securities, said.
In the coming week, China's August retail sales data will be published Tuesday.
U.S. August retail sales data is due Wednesday and the FOMC meeting results will be announced on Thursday in Korea time.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-12--(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on Sept. 12)

That said , the second relief package is a mixed bag of sorts that does not match its original intent @ @ @ @ @ self-employed may feel that help is inadequate .
Some people may be wondering whether it @ @ @ @ @ 20,000 won for phone bills , as the second relief package will be financed by @ @ @ @ @ We are all aware that government bonds will return to us as taxes .
Moreover @ @ @ @ @ the opinion that the one-time phone bill subsidy should be channeled into support for small @ @

Speedy distribution
:Second relief package should be handed out before Chuseok holidays
The extra budget of 7.8 trillion won ($6.57 billion) has been decided for a second relief package to help those suffering from the coronavirus pandemic. Unlike the blanket relief package distributed previously to all households in May, the second one is tailored for the small business owners and the self-employed impacted heavily in falling sales by COVID-19.
Reflecting to some extent how difficult the decision was ― in light of the government's fiscal soundness and controversy over the fairness of a selective relief grant ― President Moon Jae-in mentioned the "tremendous sense of responsibility" to come up with additional measures. The fourth extra budget pushes up the government debt ratio to 43.9 percent.
The second relief package targets the 3.77 million small business owners and the self-employed, allocating nearly half or 3.8 trillion won of the supplementary budget to that group. Out of that, 3.2 trillion won will be distributed to small business owners and the self-employed in payouts of up to 2 million won in cash.
The cafes and restaurants limited in their hours by the tightened social distancing measures will receive 1.5 million won irrespective of decline in sales; and businesses in 12 categories such as internet cafes and singing rooms closed under the distancing rules will receive 2 million won. Regular small businesses and self-employed whose annual sales stand at 400 million won or less a year will receive 1 million won if their sales have declined.
A total of 1.4 trillion won is designated for protecting the livelihoods of freelancers and workers in other special categories. The government has also thrown in extended childcare cash benefits as well as 20,000 won to all Koreans over 13 to help pay for September phone bills.
That said, the second relief package is a mixed bag of sorts that does not match its original intent. The small businesses and self-employed may feel that help is inadequate. Some people may be wondering whether it is wise to receive the 20,000 won for phone bills, as the second relief package will be financed by issuing more government bonds. We are all aware that government bonds will return to us as taxes. Moreover, people are cautiously voicing the opinion that the one-time phone bill subsidy should be channeled into support for small businesses.
There is also the issue of fairness. By limiting the pending cash relief based on annual sales of 400 million won or less for regular small businesses and self-employed recipients, those just above that line may feel unduly left out.
The tailored nature of the second relief package is unlikely to satisfy all. With Chuseok, one of the nation's largest holidays, coming up, the relief packages should arrive in time to address the recipients' needs.
(END)


yna--2020-09-12--Top headlines in major S. Korean newspapers

Korean-language dailies -- Sex education completely shelved due to conservative protests ( Kyunghyang Shinmun ) -- Ex-colonel informed of several @ @ @ @ @ justice minister 's son ( Kookmin Daily ) -- Cheong Wa Dae to launch special @ @ @ @ @ battle against national crisis ( Donga llbo ) -- Spiking home prices weigh down couples @ @ @ @ @ Segye Times ) -- Ex-colonel claims alleged private requests made for favors for justice minister @ @ @ @ @ ) -- Ex-colonel alleges requests made for favors for justice minister 's son ( JoongAng @ @ @ @ @ communication fee subsidy hot button issue in extra budget review ( Hankyoreh ) -- Prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ favors for justice minister 's son ( Hankook Ilbo ) -- Seoul to inject 2.4 @ @ @ @ @ takeover deal collapses ( Maeil Business Newspaper ) -- Half of 'Korean New Deal ' @ @ @ @ @ extra budget ( Korea Economic Daily ) ( END )

SEOUL, Sept. 12 (Yonhap) -- The following are the top headlines in major South Korean newspapers on Sept. 12.
Korean-language dailies
-- Sex education completely shelved due to conservative protests (Kyunghyang Shinmun)
-- Ex-colonel informed of several requests for preferential treatment for justice minister's son (Kookmin Daily)
-- Cheong Wa Dae to launch special inspection on those who obstruct battle against national crisis (Donga llbo)
-- Spiking home prices weigh down couples planning to get married (Segye Times)
-- Ex-colonel claims alleged private requests made for favors for justice minister's son (Chosun Ilbo)
-- Ex-colonel alleges requests made for favors for justice minister's son (JoongAng Ilbo)
-- 20,000 won communication fee subsidy hot button issue in extra budget review (Hankyoreh)
-- Prosecutors zero in on requests for favors for justice minister's son (Hankook Ilbo)
-- Seoul to inject 2.4 tln won into Asiana after takeover deal collapses (Maeil Business Newspaper)
-- Half of 'Korean New Deal' projects have not received promised extra budget (Korea Economic Daily)
(END)


yna--2020-09-12--(URGENT) 413 more patients released from coronavirus treatment, total now at 18,029: KDCA


yna--2020-09-12--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 5 additional coronavirus deaths, total now at 355: KDCA


yna--2020-09-12--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 136 more cases of new coronavirus, total now at 22,055: KDCA


Saturday's weather forecast

SEOUL , Sept. 12 ( Yonhap ) -- The following is the weather forecast for South Korea 's 12 major @ @ @ @ @ .


yna--2020-09-12--Telcos bolster education content for remote learning amid pandemic

SK Telecom Co. , the country 's top mobile carrier , said it plans to expand educational application of its @ @ @ @ @ MeetUs .
The service , launched in August , can accommodate a maximum of 100 @ @ @ @ @ offers easy presentation and content sharing options to users , it said .

SEOUL, Sept. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's major telecom companies are beefing up their education content to ride on a trend of remote learning amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, industry insiders said Saturday, as they release services using advanced IT solutions.
The resurgence of COVID-19 has forced schools to suspend in-person classes. In the greater Seoul area, schools are required to only run online classes until Sept. 20.
Against this backdrop, LG Uplus Corp., the country's third-largest mobile carrier, introduced a mobile app service for elementary school students, in which the company supplies content from popular education companies.
This photo, provided by LG Uplus Corp. on Sept. 10, 2020, shows models introducing the company's new educational service for elementary school students. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Subscribers to the service can experience educational content from Educational Broadcasting System (EBS), English books, newspapers and Chinese learning programs. The mobile app will also provide content for science and coding education.
Last July, LG Uplus established a smart education business unit directly under its CEO's management, so that it can better develop services for students and teachers.
KT Corp. joined hands with Sigong Group, the country's leading smart learning solutions provider.
Under the partnership, the two sides agreed to create educational content and services using artificial intelligence (AI) technology, and develop solutions for schools and other educational institutes.
With Sigong Group affiliates, including i-Scream media and i-Scream edu, KT said it will develop home schooling services for kindergarten, elementary and middle school students.
This photo, provided by KT Corp. on Sept. 8, 2020, shows an elementary school teacher using the company's online educational platform to teach students in Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
KT will also provide its online education platform for free to 11 schools in Seoul. Earlier this week, the company also signed a partnership with Seoul National University of Education for the research of education solutions.
SK Telecom Co., the country's top mobile carrier, said it plans to expand educational application of its group video chat service, MeetUs. The service, launched in August, can accommodate a maximum of 100 people for the chat and offers easy presentation and content sharing options to users, it said.
According to education market researcher HolonIQ, the global education tech market is expected to increase from US$152 billion in 2018 to $342 billion in 2025.
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-12--Bucheon animated film fest to kick off next month

Seven movies will compete in the international competition section for feature films .
They include the opening film `` Children @ @ @ @ @ Ayumu Watanabe , `` My Favorite War '' by Ilze Brukovska Jacobsen , `` Bungaeman @ @ @ @ @ Han Sang-ho , `` True North '' by Han Eiji Shimizu , `` Accidental Luxuriance @ @ @ @ @ '' by Dalibor Baric and `` Climbing '' by Kim Hye-mi .

SEOUL, Sept. 12 (Yonhap) -- This year's Bucheon International Animation Festival (BIAF) will kick off next month for a five-day run, the event's organizers said Saturday.
It will be held offline from Oct. 23-27 at the Korea Manhwa Museum and multiplex chain CGV's theaters in Bucheon, west of Seoul, despite the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.
This image provided by the Bucheon International Animation Festival shows a scene from "Calamity, a Childhood of Martha Jane Cannary." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
BIAF said 130 animated films from 42 countries have been invited to the 22nd edition, opening with the Asian premier of "Calamity, a Childhood of Martha Jane Cannary" by French director Remi Chaye.
"Calamity" is a biographical feature about Martha Jane Cannary, or Calamity Jane, an American frontierswoman. It won the top prize at this year's Annecy International Animation Festival held online in June.
Seven movies will compete in the international competition section for feature films. They include the opening film "Children of the Sea" by Ayumu Watanabe, "My Favorite War" by Ilze Brukovska Jacobsen, "Bungaeman: The Beginning" by Han Sang-ho, "True North" by Han Eiji Shimizu, "Accidental Luxuriance of the Translucent Watery Rebus" by Dalibor Baric and "Climbing" by Kim Hye-mi.
Romanian director Anca Damian, who won best feature for "Marona's Fantastic Tale" at last year's BIAF, will head the three-member jury including actor and director Koo Hye-sun and director Kim Bo-ra of "House of Hummingbird."
In the short film competition section, 44 titles, including "A Cat Called Jam" by Lorraine Lordan, will contend for the grand prize. The winner will be eligible for consideration in the Animated Short Film category of the U.S. Academy Awards next year, organizers said.
Five Russian animated films, like "He Can't Live Without Cosmos," will be screened at a special session to commemorate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Korea and Russia.
On the sidelines of the five-day festival, there will be a seminar to share information on job opportunities and vocational training and a contest for up-and-coming cartoonists and animators.
The main poster of the 22nd Bucheon International Animation Festival (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-12--(LEAD) N.K. leader visits flood-hit area for second time to check recovery efforts

`` Our Party has faced trouble and distress at the great damage caused by the recent series of heavy rain @ @ @ @ @ readily face the trouble and will take every possible measure for the sake of the @ @ @ @ @ great trust without fail , '' Kim was quoted as saying .

(ATTN: ADDS more info throughout; ADDS photos)
By Yi Wonju
SEOUL, Sept. 12 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited a flood-hit village in North Hwanghae Province in the country's southwest for the second time in a month to check recovery efforts, state media said Saturday.
Kim inspected the reconstruction site of the flood-ravaged Taechong-ri area in Unpha County and "acquainted himself with the progress and plan of the reconstruction," the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
It was the second time in about a month that Kim has visited the village. The previous visit came in early August after torrential rains led to the breaking of a levee and left more than 900 homes flooded or destroyed and 600 hectares of rice fields inundated.
The trip was seen as part of efforts by Kim to highlight his image as a leader caring for the livelihoods of ordinary people. During last month's visit, Kim ordered officials to send his special stock of grain to the flood victims and facilitate the use of necessary supplies.
On Saturday, the KCNA said Kim expressed his happiness with the progress of the recovery efforts.
"Such a village that has taken its shape as a fairyland within a short period of merely over 30 days is a miracle which can be created by only the service personnel of the Korean People's Army (KPA)," Kim was quoted as saying.
Kim also called on officials and workers in the agricultural field to make "redoubled efforts to minimize the damage to the crops and increase the yield in a consistent and responsible way."
Hwanghae Province is the country's major rice-producing region.
Officials were "immensely encouraged" by Kim's field guidance to the reconstruction site and vowed once again to finish the reconstruction at the highest level by the founding anniversary of the Worker's Party on Oct. 10, the KCNA said.
"Our Party has faced trouble and distress at the great damage caused by the recent series of heavy rain and typhoons but it will readily face the trouble and will take every possible measure for the sake of the great people and repay their great trust without fail," Kim was quoted as saying.
The North has been hit by three consecutive typhoons in recent weeks, with the latest one, Haishen, lashing the country's eastern regions earlier this week. Last month, heavy rainfall also pounded North Hwanghae Province.
Kim has made field visits to the flood-hit regions of Hwanghae and Hamgyong provinces. Last week, he presided over an enlarged meeting of the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers' Party to discuss damage in an eastern mining region in the country's eastern South Hamgyong Province from Typhoon Maysak.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (C) smiles during his visit to a flood-hit village in Unpha, North Hwanghae Province, in this photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on Sept. 12, 2020. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (L) inspects a flood-hit village in Unpha, North Hwanghae Province, in this photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on Sept. 12, 2020. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
julesyi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-12--Kang to attend ARF security forum with focus on N.K. dialogue resumption, peace efforts

Kang and her counterparts from more than two dozen countries , including 10 member states of the regional bloc , @ @ @ @ @ video-linked ASEAN Regional Forum ( ARF ) on the last day of a series of @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .

By Song Sang-ho
SEOUL, Sept. 12 (Yonhap) -- Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha was set to attend an annual security forum, involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), on Saturday, with a focus on mustering regional support for Seoul's push to resume stalled dialogue with North Korea.
Kang and her counterparts from more than two dozen countries, including 10 member states of the regional bloc, are expected to join the video-linked ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) on the last day of a series of ASEAN-related virtual gatherings that began Wednesday.
Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha attends the ASEAN-South Korea Ministerial Meeting via videoconference at the foreign ministry in Seoul on Sept. 9, 2020, in this photo provided by her office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Son-gwon will not join the session, Vietnam, this year's host of the ASEAN gatherings, has said. Instead, Pyongyang is expected to send a senior diplomat in Hanoi to the ARF session.
Kang is expected to use the multilateral session to reiterate Seoul's commitment to resuming dialogue with Pyongyang and pushing for inter-Korean cooperation in humanitarian and other areas that are not subject to international sanctions.
Seoul's push for inter-Korean rapprochement and lasting peace on the divided Korean Peninsula has been thrown into doubt amid a deadlock in nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang.
On Wednesday, Kang joined the ASEAN Plus Three meeting, which includes South Korea, China and Japan; the South Korea-ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting; and the East Asia Summit (EAS) session. All these sessions were held via videoconference due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the sessions, Kang called for stronger multilateral cooperation in tackling transnational issues, such as the new coronavirus, while reaffirming Seoul's resolve to deepen relations with ASEAN under its signature New Southern Policy.
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-12--N.K. leader visits flood-hit area for second time to check recovery efforts

Kim also called on officials and workers in the agricultural field to make `` redoubled efforts to minimize the damage @ @ @ @ @ the yield in a consistent and responsible way . ''

SEOUL, Sept. 12 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited a flood-hit village in North Hwanghae Province for the second time in a month to check recovery efforts, state media said Saturday.
Kim inspected the reconstruction site of the flood-ravaged Taechong-ri area in Unpha County and "acquainted himself with the progress and plan of the reconstruction," the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
Kim also called on officials and workers in the agricultural field to make "redoubled efforts to minimize the damage to the crops and increase the yield in a consistent and responsible way."
In early August, Kim first visited the region and ordered officials to send his special stock of grain to the flood victims and facilitate the use of necessary supplies.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (C), with a grave look, listens to an official during a visit to a flood-ravaged village in Unpha, North Hwanghae Province, in this photo captured from the Korean Central Television Broadcasting Station on Aug. 7, 2020. The broadcaster stopped short of saying when he made the visit, but Kim is believed to have visited the village the previous day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
julesyi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-12--(URGENT) N.K. leader visits flood-hit area in North Hwanghae Province


yna--2020-09-12--S. Korea, U.S. to discuss OPCON transfer at ministerial talks: defense dept.

The joint statement , released by the defense department , said the sides have agreed to each produce a progress @ @ @ @ @ transition by the start of their annual ministerial defense talks , known as the Security @ @ @ @ @ .
Schedules for this year 's SCM , which will be the 52nd of its @ @ @ @ @ been released .

By Byun Duk-kun
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the United States continue to move toward the transition of wartime operational control (OPCON) of troops back to Seoul and the issue will be discussed again at their annual defense ministerial meeting, the U.S. Department of Defense said Friday.
"Delegation heads affirmed the progress made in preparation for eventual wartime OPCON transition," the department said in a joint press statement for the Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue, held Wednesday and Thursday.
The biannual meeting was held virtually due to travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, involving South Korea's Deputy Defense Minister Chung Suk-hwan and U.S. Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia David Helvey.
The photo, provided by the South Korean defense ministry, shows Deputy Defense Minister Chung Suk-hwan (C) in the 18th Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD) held Sept. 9-10, 2020. The biannual talks were held via videoconference due to travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Seoul earlier said the OPCON transition was one of agenda items for the talks and that the two sides agreed their combined command post training held last month was a "step to specify conditions to evaluate a Full Operational Capability (FOC)."
The joint statement, released by the defense department, said the sides have agreed to each produce a progress report on the envisioned OPCON transition by the start of their annual ministerial defense talks, known as the Security Consultative Meeting (SCM). Schedules for this year's SCM, which will be the 52nd of its kind, have not yet been released.
"Both sides recognized the importance of the ROK forces' acquisition of critical military capabilities and committed to continue joint assessments through meetings of the special Permanent Military Committee (SPMC) to ensure a successful outcome. Both sides will provide a progress report on COTP (condition-based OPCON transition plan) requirements and discuss next steps at the SCM later this year," said the statement.
ROK stands for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea.
Earlier this week, Gen. Robert Abrams, commander of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) and the Combined Forces Command, said the allies made more progress in 2019 than they had in the previous three years toward the OPCON transition, and that their goal has not changed.
"The commitment that we have is that there's no movement of the goalposts," he has said.
"As a matter of policy, of course, we fully support a ROK four-star (general) commanding the wartime forces," he said, noting the U.S. has "only 28,500" troops stationed in South Korea.
The participants at this week's bilateral defense dialogue also highlighted the importance of the Korea-U.S. alliance to peace and security in Korean Peninsula, as well as the Northeast Asian region.
"The two sides also committed to continue bilateral security cooperation including senior-level policy consultations, information sharing, and personnel exchanges to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and throughout Northeast Asia," the joint statement said.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)


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yna--2020-09-12--(2nd LD) 55 people contract COVID-19 from Daejeon's health care product event

`` Quarantine officials are trying to administer coronavirus tests for anybody who might have come into contact with the confirmed @ @ @ @ @ , '' a municipal official said .
`` But it 's frustrating that the speed @ @ @ @ @ faster than the speed of coronavirus tests . ''

(ATTN: UPDATES with another case in headline, lead, para 8)
DAEJEON, Sept. 12 (Yonhap) -- Citizens in Daejeon, a central city about 150 kilometers south of Seoul, are getting restless as authorities announced Saturday a chain of coronavirus transmissions originating from a health care product business forum has infected 55 people so far.
Daejeon's latest cluster infection began Aug. 25, when a Seoul resident infected with COVID-19 hosted the forum on health care goods at a building in the In-dong district in the city's Dong Ward.
The entrance of a building in Daejeon's Dong Ward is closed on Sept. 11, 2020, after a cluster of coronavirus infections occurred from a health care goods event held there Aug. 25. (Yonhap)
A Daejeon woman in her 50s, codenamed Daejeon 293rd Patient, contracted the coronavirus from the Seoul resident and has since spread the virus to 28 other people, including her family members and acquaintances, according to municipal health authorities.
Soon after the business forum, the woman, a resident of Gayang-dong, Dong Ward, met with a number of family members and acquaintances, infecting six of them.
One of her infected acquaintances, identified only as a man in his 60s, visited a restaurant in Gayang-dong later, triggering a chain of coronavirus transmissions in the local community, the authorities explained.
They noted it is regrettable that the man codenamed Daejeon 311th Patient had visited the Gayang-dong restaurant twice, on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, for 20 minutes each time despite showing symptoms, such as phlegm and loss of taste.
The coronavirus then jumped from the 311th patient to as many as 19 people, including the restaurant's owner and a middle school student.
And a daughter of a patient linked to the restaurant has also tested positive, after she started showing symptoms during her quarantine.
"Quarantine officials are trying to administer coronavirus tests for anybody who might have come into contact with the confirmed patients as swiftly as possible," a municipal official said. "But it's frustrating that the speed the coronavirus is spreading is faster than the speed of coronavirus tests."
Meanwhile, the municipality of Daejeon announced it will slightly ease business restrictions on commercial and religious facilities beginning next week.
Under the eased guidelines, nine types of businesses, including karaoke establishments, bars and indoor sports facilities, will be allowed to remain open until 1 a.m., beginning Monday, on condition that quarantine rules, such as wearing masks and electronic entry registration, are strictly observed.
But those facilities will still be banned from operating from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.
Starting Sunday, the city's religious facilities will be allowed to resume in-person worship services attended by fewer than 50 people, the municipality said. Except the regular worship services, other religious gatherings and events, such as retreats and group meals, will still be prohibited.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-12--Blue Jays' Ryu Hyun-jin to face Mets on extra day's rest

Against the Yankees , Ryu served up three solo home runs , two of them off an inside four-seam fastball @ @ @ @ @ After those two dingers , Ryu got away from the fastball and relied heavily on @ @ @

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Sept. 12 (Yonhap) -- The Toronto Blue Jays' South Korean starter Ryu Hyun-jin will pitch on an extra day's rest to face the New York Mets.
Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo announced Friday (U.S. local time) that Ryu will face the Mets in the final game of a three-game series on Sunday.
The first pitch is 3:07 p.m. Sunday at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York, or 4:07 a.m. Monday in Seoul.
The left-hander has a 3-1 record and a 3.19 ERA. That ERA took a beating in his most recent start, on Monday against the New York Yankees in which he allowed five earned runs in five innings.
In this Associated Press photo, Ryu Hyun-jin of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches against the New York Yankees in the top of the first inning of a Major League Baseball regular season game at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York, on Sept. 7, 2020. (Yonhap)
Ryu will be pitching on five days' rest. He had started on four days of break before each of his last two appearances.
For the season, Ryu is 2-1 with a 2.30 ERA in five starts on five days' rest, and 1-0 with a 3.94 ERA in four starts with four days of rest.
The Blue Jays will be hoping the additional rest will help Ryu add a bit more juice behind his fastball.
Against the Yankees, Ryu served up three solo home runs, two of them off an inside four-seam fastball in the first inning. After those two dingers, Ryu got away from the fastball and relied heavily on his changeup.
Ryu failed to induce any whiffs on his 19 fastballs in that game. He averaged 88.7 miles per hour with the fastball, his lowest average velocity so far this season.
A veteran of seven years in the National League with the Los Angeles Dodgers before joining the Blue Jays, Ryu has faced the Mets eight times and compiled a 4-1 record with a 1.20 ERA. In 52 2/3 innings against the Mets, Ryu struck out 52 batters and walked just eight.
Ryu faced them twice in 2019 and tossed 14 2/3 shutout innings with 13 strikeouts against one walk.
The Blue Jays are in the thick of a playoff battle in the American League (AL). After Friday's games, they were holding on to the second place in the AL East at 24-20, half a game ahead of the Yankees.
The top two clubs from each of six divisions, plus the next two best teams in each league, will qualify for the expanded postseason this year. The baseball statistics website FanGraphs gave the Blue Jays a 92.5 percent chance of making the postseason.
In this EPA file photo from Sept. 3, 2020, Ryu Hyun-jin of the Toronto Blue Jays watches his team in action against the Boston Red Sox from the stands at Fenway Park in Boston. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-12--S. Korea reaffirms commitment to new dialogue with U.S.

As for talks on China with Biegun , Choi said he was not pressured to take one side over the @ @ @ @ @ looks to keep China 's growing presence in the Indo-Pacific in check .

SEOUL, Sept. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-kun said Saturday that Seoul and Washington are committed to launching a new working-level dialogue later in the fall, rejecting speculation that the two sides are not on the same page on the matter.
Choi returned home Saturday from a trip to Washington, where he met U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun on Thursday for discussions on ways to strengthen the countries' alliance.
Choi Jong-kun, South Korea's first vice foreign minister, speaks to reporters at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, just west of Seoul, on Sept. 12, 2020, after returning from meeting with U.S. Deputy State Secretary Stephen Biegun in Washington. (Yonhap)
Choi said following the meeting that the two sides agreed to launch the tentatively named "Alliance Dialogue," a working-level consultation body between director-level officials from Seoul's foreign ministry and Washington's state department.
There was no mention of the new dialogue in the state department's press release Friday, and a South Korean newspaper claimed Saturday, citing an unnamed source, that the U.S. never agreed to the Alliance Dialogue in the first place.
Speaking to reporters at Incheon International Airport, Choi insisted the two sides will continue to work toward holding the first Alliance Dialogue in October.
"Deputy Secretary Biegun and the U.S. side wholeheartedly agreed with (the new form of dialogue)," Choi said. "The purpose of the dialogue is to allow director-level officials and vice ministerial officials to engage in constant and quick consultation on a wide range of issues."
Choi Jong-kun, South Korea's first vice foreign minister, speaks to reporters at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, just west of Seoul, on Sept. 12, 2020, after returning from meeting with U.S. Deputy State Secretary Stephen Biegun in Washington. (Yonhap)
As for the absence of the dialogue in the state department's press release, Choi said it did not necessarily mean the two sides had disagreements.
"In our press releases, we would each include issues that we want to highlight," Choi said. "For instance, the U.S. release mentions coordination on COVID-19 response, but ours doesn't."
As for talks on China with Biegun, Choi said he was not pressured to take one side over the other, though the U.S. looks to keep China's growing presence in the Indo-Pacific in check.
"I explained that with the Korea-U.S. alliance at the foundation, we remain close to China strategically, economically and socially," Choi said.
(END)


yna--2020-09-12--(2nd LD) Kang calls for region's 'unified message' for resumption of N.K. dialogue

`` Minister Kang said that although it would be difficult to resolve the long-standing distrust on the Korean Peninsula in @ @ @ @ @ , the peninsula issue can be settled only through sustained dialogue and cooperation , '' @ @ @ @ @ a press release .

(ATTN: ADDS more info in 9th para; FIXES name in 8th para)
By Song Sang-ho
SEOUL, Sept. 12 (Yonhap) -- Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha called Saturday for Asia-Pacific countries to send a "unified message" for the resumption of dialogue with North Korea, renewing Seoul's resolve to forge ahead with efforts for lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Speaking at the video-linked ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), Kang also highlighted South Korea's push to improve inter-Korean ties through various projects for cross-border cooperation, which she called a "cornerstone" of peace on the peninsula.
Inter-Korean dialogue has remained stalled amid a deadlock in nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang, which has continued since their summit in Hanoi in February last year ended without a deal.
"Minister Kang said that although it would be difficult to resolve the long-standing distrust on the Korean Peninsula in a short period of time, the peninsula issue can be settled only through sustained dialogue and cooperation," the foreign ministry said in a press release.
"The minister said she expects the ARF to send a unified message calling for a peaceful resolution of the issue thorough an early resumption of dialogue," it added.
Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha speaks during the video-linked session of the ASEAN Regional Forum 2020 at the foreign ministry in Seoul on Sept. 12, 2020, in this photo provided by her office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Participants in the ministerial session shared the view that peace on the peninsula is directly linked to peace and prosperity in the overall region. But they also mentioned the need to implement U.N. Security Council sanctions against the North.
The virtual ARF session brought together representatives from 27 countries, including the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the United States, China and Japan.
North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Son-gwon did not participate, but An Kwang-il, a senior North Korean diplomat in Indonesia, attended the session instead.
An was said to have not made any direct remarks on Kang's call for dialogue.
On the South China Sea issue, Kang reiterated Seoul's position in support of the freedom of navigation and overflights in the strategically vital waterway, saying peace in the sea is particularly crucial at a time of the COVID-19 crisis.
Touching on the issue of refugees who fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar, Kang noted that Seoul is pushing for US$5.5 million in humanitarian aid for refugees this year.
In addition, the minister stressed the importance of the regional countries remaining vigilant against a series of nontraditional security challenges, such as terrorism and cyberincursions, noting increased cyberspace activity amid the pandemic.
On Wednesday, Kang joined the ASEAN Plus Three meeting, which includes South Korea, China and Japan; the South Korea-ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting; and the East Asia Summit (EAS) session. All these sessions were held via videoconference due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the sessions, Kang called for stronger multilateral cooperation in tackling transnational issues, such as the new coronavirus, while reaffirming Seoul's resolve to deepen relations with ASEAN under its signature New Southern Policy.
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)