Yonhap News Summary

On Monday , the Pohang branch of the Daegu District Court said it will serve Nippon Steel Corp. , the @ @ @ @ @ of the asset seizure by publishing the notice on its website since the Japanese foreign @ @ @ @ @ documents to the company .

The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Thursday.
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(LEAD) Seoul stocks hit over 100-day high amid recovery hopes
SEOUL -- South Korean shares extended their winning streak to a fifth consecutive session Thursday, reaching the highest in over 100 days on economic recovery hopes. The Korean won fell against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 4.18 points, or 0.19 percent, to close at 2,151.18, the highest since Feb. 21. Trading volume was high at about 1.4 billion shares worth 15.8 trillion won (US$13 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 441 to 391.
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(LEAD) Prosecutors seek arrest warrant for Samsung's Lee over 2015 merger of key affiliates
SEOUL -- South Korean prosecutors on Thursday sought an arrest warrant for Samsung Group heir Lee Jae-yong, as part of an investigation into a controversial merger between two group units and a suspected accounting fraud, allegedly aimed at cementing his control over the conglomerate.
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office said it sought arrest warrants for Lee and two former top executives, Choi Gee-sung and Kim Jong-joong, from the group's now-disbanded control tower, the Future Strategy Office.
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S. Korea vows to work with Japan to resolve forced labor row amid Tokyo's protest over asset sale procedure
SEOUL -- South Korea will continue talks with Japan to resolve a row over wartime forced labor, the foreign ministry said Thursday, as Tokyo strongly protested a local court's decision to start a procedure to forcefully sell off assets of a Japanese firm to compensate victims.
On Monday, the Pohang branch of the Daegu District Court said it will serve Nippon Steel Corp., the defendant, with a notice of the asset seizure by publishing the notice on its website since the Japanese foreign ministry failed to deliver the documents to the company.
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Cheong Wa Dae vows 'stern' response to anti-North leaflet campaigns posing threat to security
SEOUL -- Cheong Wa Dae on Thursday condemned local activists' campaigns to send anti-North Korea propaganda leaflets across the border, vowing to respond "sternly" if the campaign poses a threat to national security.
"The spreading of (such) leaflets is good for nothing," a high-profile official at the presidential office told reporters in response to the North's statement denouncing the campaigns by some South Korean activists and North Korea defectors.
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Samsung frets over another legal battle over heir's controversial succession scheme
SEOUL -- Samsung Group, South Korea's top conglomerate, remained anxious Thursday over the possibility of its heir's return to jail, as prosecutors here sought an arrest warrant for Lee Jae-yong over his alleged involvement in a controversial merger between two affiliates a few years ago and fraudulent accounting, seen as aimed at smoothing out his succession.
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office said it requested arrest warrants for Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee and two former executives as part of its investigation into the combination of the two Samsung affiliates -- Samsung C&T Corp. and Cheil Industries Inc. -- in 2015.
(END)


yna--2020-06-04--2 Korean firms win bid to supply medicine to NATO procurement agency

It is the first time that Korean firms have won a procurement contract with the NATO agency , the ministry @ @ @ @ @ the successful bid would help Korean businesses strengthen their foothold in such international markets .

SEOUL, June 4 (Yonhap) -- Two South Korean firms have won a bid, worth 1 million euros (US$1.12 million), to supply medicine for a project run by the procurement agency of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the foreign ministry said Thursday.
The companies, whose names were withheld, will ship a set of their pharmaceutical products to the NATO-run Afghanistan National Army (ANA) Trust Fund, which was established in 2006 to provide financial support to the Middle East country's security forces.
It is the first time that Korean firms have won a procurement contract with the NATO agency, the ministry noted, voicing hope that the successful bid would help Korean businesses strengthen their foothold in such international markets.
"The foreign ministry will continue efforts to support our companies seeking to advance into procurement markets of NATO and other international organizations," the ministry said in a press release.
To help foster peace in conflict-laden Afghanistan, South Korea has also made financial contributions to the ANA Trust Fund.
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-04--Rubber boat, life jackets found in another suspected illegal entry attempt on western coast

The local coast guard has arrested four of the eight Chinese who allegedly came here to look for work .
@ @ @ @ @ 45-year-old Chinese national , who had been illegally staying in South Korea , on charges @ @ @ @

TAEAN, South Korea, June 4 (Yonhap) -- A rubber boat and two life jackets were found on a beach in the country's western coast on Thursday, raising suspicion over another illegal entry attempt in the area.
Coast Guard in the seaside county of Taean, South Chungcheong Province, said they are looking into the case after a local resident reported seeing the rubber boat for five to six days at an unused seawall.
Found inside the 40 hp engine-powered rubber boat were three 1-liter bottles of fuel, a set of tools, including plyers and a plastic bread wrapper, according to officials.
The rubber boat was found roughly 15 kilometers away from another beach in Taean, where a group of eight people from China entered illegally on a leisure boat last month.
The group left Weihai, a port city in the easternmost Chinese province of Shandong, on May 20 and crossed the Yellow Sea to reach South Korea.
The local coast guard has arrested four of the eight Chinese who allegedly came here to look for work. Officials have also apprehended a 45-year-old Chinese national, who had been illegally staying in South Korea, on charges of assisting them.
The coast guard and military have launched a joint probe into the case on possibilities of an illegal entry or pro-North Korean activities.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun has urged the military and coast guard to tighten operations in coastal areas to prevent illegal entries.
This photo, provided by the Taean Coast Guard on June 4, 2020, shows a rubber boat that was found on a beach in the coastal county of Taean, South Chungcheong Province. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-06-04--Cheong Wa Dae vows 'stern' response to anti-North leaflet campaigns posing threat to security

`` Clearly speaking , the South Korean authorities will be forced to pay a dear price if they let this @ @ @ @ @ sort of excuses , '' Kim said in the statement released earlier in the day @

SEOUL, June 4 (Yonhap) -- Cheong Wa Dae on Thursday condemned local activists' campaigns to send anti-North Korea propaganda leaflets across the border, vowing to respond "sternly" if the campaign poses a threat to national security.
"The spreading of (such) leaflets is good for nothing," a high-profile official at the presidential office told reporters in response to the North's statement denouncing the campaigns by some South Korean activists and North Korea defectors.
"The government will sternly respond to any behavior that could harm national security," the official said on condition of anonymity.
In a statement laced with unusually barbed words, Kim Yo-jong, the younger sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, warned South Korea to stop the groups from scattering anti-North leaflets.
"Clearly speaking, the South Korean authorities will be forced to pay a dear price if they let this situation go on while making sort of excuses," Kim said in the statement released earlier in the day.
She said that such hostile activities, if not countered by the South, could risk termination of the two Korea's previous military deal, intended to freeze all kinds of hostility and tension-raising actions.
The Seoul official also said Cheong Wa Dae remains unchanged in its position that two key inter-Korean agreements -- the Panmunjom Declaration of April, 2018 and the following military agreement of Sept. 19 the same year -- should be respected.
Convening a regular National Security Council meeting later in the day, Cheong Wa Dae is set to discuss the latest national security issues, possibly including the latest statement by Kim Yo-jong.
Cheong Wa Dae in central Seoul (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-04--Samsung Life workers form 2nd labor union

The life insurer 's second labor union came in response to some 50 workers ' desire for an alternative to @ @ @ @ @ which they claim failed to represent the interests of Samsung Life Insurance , said Kim @ @ @ @ @ the smaller union .

SEOUL, June 4 (Yonhap) -- Employees at Samsung Life Insurance Co. can launch another labor union following approval from labor authorities, a union official said Thursday, a month after parent Samsung Group's heir apparent vowed to scrap the group's "no labor union" policy.
The life insurer's second labor union came in response to some 50 workers' desire for an alternative to their bigger labor union, which they claim failed to represent the interests of Samsung Life Insurance, said Kim Kil-soo, a co-chair of the smaller union.
Currently, Samsung Life Insurance has another labor union, which boasts about 3,200 members out of some 5,000 employees.
This file photo shows the corporate logo of Samsung Group. (Yonhap)
The move came a month after the group's apparent heir Lee Jae-yong apologized to those who were hurt by the group's "no-labor union" policy.
In March, Samsung Group's independent compliance committee recommended Lee to make a public apology and improve Samsung's behavior regarding the issue of Lee's managerial succession, labor relations and communication with civil society.
For decades, Samsung had disallowed labor unions, claiming that its policy leads the conglomerate to better ensure its workers' rights and welfare.
In 2012, Samsung said it recognizes the representative of employees as a management partner.
Samsung Group is South Korea's largest conglomerate, with 61 affiliates, whose business portfolio ranges from electronics and construction to life insurance and fashion and a theme park.
More than 10 Samsung affiliates, including Samsung Electronics, Samsung SDI and Samsung Securities, have labor unions.
entropy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-04--USFK raps local daily for false report, vows commitment to conditions-based OPCON transfer

The test was meant to verify whether South Korea is on course to meet the conditions to retake wartime operational @ @ @ @ @ its troops from Washington .
The two sides have been working for the conditions-based OPCON @ @ @ @ @ has been set , though many see the two sides eyeing 2022 , or thereabouts @ @ @ @ @ .

By Oh Seok-min
SEOUL, June 4 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) stressed Thursday that South Korea and the United States are fully committed to a transfer of the wartime operational control, heavily criticizing a local newspaper for its recent "falsely speculated" report on last year's combined exercises.
On Wednesday, the evening daily Munhwa Ilbo reported that USFK Commander Gen. Robert Abrams prematurely departed the Wartime Command Post during an initial operational capability (IOC) test in August last year, as he was "hugely disappointed" with its progression.
The test was meant to verify whether South Korea is on course to meet the conditions to retake wartime operational control (OPCON) of its troops from Washington. The two sides have been working for the conditions-based OPCON transfer. No specific deadline has been set, though many see the two sides eyeing 2022, or thereabouts, as the target date.
"Gen. Abrams' mother-in-law passed away on August 12, 2019 during the Combined Command Post Training. Upon notification, Gen. Abrams departed the wartime Command post and training event so he could fly to the United States immediately to be with his wife and family as they grieved this sudden passing," USFK said in a statement.
It said the report "grossly misreported" and "falsely speculated" what happened.
"To speculate that Gen. Abrams departed for any other reason is insulting to Gen. Abrams and dishonors his family who suffered a great loss," it added.
The U.S. military also pointed out that the article is "widely speculative, lacking factual basis and only harms" the 70-year-old alliance between the two nations.
Munwha said in the article that tensions are growing between the two sides, as USFK remains skeptical about carrying out the Full Operational Capability (FOC) test to move the OPCON transfer-related process forward.
"The ROK-US alliance is fully committed to a conditions-based OPCON transition and is working closely together to achieve that goal," USFK said, noting that the Munhwa reporters "should have followed journalistic standards and queried USFK."
Seoul and Washington are in talks to determine when and how to stage their joint military exercises in the second half of this year, after major springtime drills were called off over new coronavirus concerns, according to sources.
The summertime exercise was initially expected to take place around August to focus on the FOC test.
The conditions required to be created before the OPCON transfer are South Korea's capabilities to lead the allies' combined defense mechanism, its capacity for initial responses to the North's nuclear and missile threats, and a stable security environment on the peninsula and in the region.
U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Gen. Robert Abrams (2nd from R) inspects an artillery drill at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex in Paju, north of Seoul, on Oct. 23, 2019, in this photo captured from the USFK's Facebook page on Oct. 25. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-04--Samsung frets over another legal battle over heir's controversial succession scheme

SEOUL , June 4 ( Yonhap ) -- Samsung Group , South Korea 's top conglomerate , remained anxious Thursday @ @ @ @ @ heir 's return to jail , as prosecutors here sought an arrest warrant for Lee @ @ @ @ @ in a controversial merger between two affiliates a few years ago and fraudulent accounting , @ @ @ @ @ out his succession .

SEOUL, June 4 (Yonhap) -- Samsung Group, South Korea's top conglomerate, remained anxious Thursday over the possibility of its heir's return to jail, as prosecutors here sought an arrest warrant for Lee Jae-yong over his alleged involvement in a controversial merger between two affiliates a few years ago and fraudulent accounting, seen as aimed at smoothing out his succession.
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office said it requested arrest warrants for Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee and two former executives as part of its investigation into the combination of the two Samsung affiliates -- Samsung C&T Corp. and Cheil Industries Inc. -- in 2015.
Prosecutors suspect Lee and the group's top management were involved in a calibrated scheme to intentionally lower the value of Samsung C&T prior to its merger with Cheil Industries so as to facilitate Lee's managerial succession from his ailing father, Lee Kun-hee.
If the warrant is approved, it will be the first time in 29 months that Lee will be arrested for criminal charges.
This photo, taken on May 6, 2020, shows Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, de facto leader of Samsung Group, preparing for his press conference at the company's office building in Seoul. (Yonhap)
In February 2017, Lee was arrested for allegedly offering bribes to a confidante of former President Park Geun-hye. He was initially sentenced to five years in prison, but he was freed a year later after the Seoul High Court reduced the sentence to 2 1/2 years, suspended for four years.
Industry insiders said the prosecutors' latest move may deal a big blow to Samsung's push to overcome uncertainties caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic and renewed trade tensions between the United States and China.
The group's crown jewel, Samsung Electronics Co., saw its sales rise 5.61 percent on-year to 55.3 trillion won (US$45.3 billion) in the first quarter of the year, while its operating income increased 3.43 percent on-year to 6.4 trillion won in the January-March period.
However, compared to the company's heyday in 2018, when it racked up an operating income of at least 10 trillion won in a quarter, its performance was mediocre. Samsung expected tepid performance under the current quarter as the pandemic will significantly impact its mobile business.
Heir apparent Lee has been active in spearheading the tech giant's businesses strategy in recent years, focusing on its chip manufacturing business.
In April 2019, the company announced a plan to become the world's No. 1 logic chip maker by 2030 by investing 133 trillion won.
This photo, taken on June 4, 2020, shows the corporate logo of Samsung Group at the company's office building in Seoul. (Yonhap)
Last month, he inspected Samsung's chip plant in Xian, China, to check its expansion plan. The tech giant also announced the establishment of new foundry and NAND flash productions lines in South Korea.
If Lee is arrested, it will also tarnish Samsung's efforts to improve its compliance culture and public image.
Following Lee's bribery case, Samsung launched an independent compliance committee to better pursue law-abiding management in February.
Taking the committee's advice, Lee made a rare apology last month, saying that he is sorry for controversies related to his succession issues. He also vowed to scrap the group's "no labor union" policy and promised to gain trust by improving communication with the public.
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-05--SK Telecom enters medical imaging market, seeking to set up factory in S. Korea

SK Telecom said it is in talks with Nanox to establish an advanced medical equipment manufacturing factory in South Korea @ @ @ @ @ South Korea is the ideal place since it can create a synergy with its chipmaking @ @ @ @ @ is easy to cooperate with local biotech firms .

SEOUL, June 5 (Yonhap) -- SK Telecom Co., South Korea's largest mobile carrier, said Friday it will enter the medical imaging market after investing in Nanox Imaging Ltd., an Israel-based digital X-ray system developer.
SK Telecom said it became the second-largest shareholder of Nanox after investing a total of US$23 million.
"We passionately seek to revolutionize health care by leveraging innovative technologies," SK Telecom CEO Park Jung-ho said. "We see Nanox as one of the most promising companies to make a real difference for early detection of diseases and higher standards of care to humankind."
This photo provided by SK Telecom Co. on June 5, 2020, shows a piece of medical imaging equipment developed by Nanox Imaging Ltd. SK Telecom said it became the second-largest shareholder of Nanox and will enter the medical imaging market. (Yonhap)
While an analog X-ray system uses a metal filament as legacy sources, Nanox's digital X-ray solution utilizes its silicon microelectromechanical systems (MEMs) semiconductor technology, according to SK Telecom. It reduces radiation exposure and the device weighs only about 200 kilograms, one-fifth of existing X-ray equipment.
SK Telecom said it is in talks with Nanox to establish an advanced medical equipment manufacturing factory in South Korea. SK Telecom said that South Korea is the ideal place since it can create a synergy with its chipmaking affiliate SK hynix Inc. and is easy to cooperate with local biotech firms.
The telecom operator said it has already secured business rights for supplying Nanox's medical imaging products in South Korea and Vietnam, and will sell products once it obtains regulatory clearances.
SK Telecom said it plans to roll out various services using the digital X-ray technology with its affiliates like ADT Caps Co., a security service provider, and Invites Healthcare Co., a digital health care business.
In addition to medical use, the company said Nanox's digital X-ray technology can be applied in the screening process at airports and product quality inspections at manufacturing plants.
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-05--(News Focus) One month into eased social distancing, S. Korea at risk of erasing hard-won gains agai

(News Focus) One month into eased social distancing, S. Korea at risk of erasing hard-won gains against virus

`` We need to set up more detailed quarantine measures and check how they are executed in order to prevent @ @ @ @ @ massive infections in the fall , '' said Jung Ki-suck , a doctor at Hallym @ @ @ @ @ former head of the KCDC .

By Joo Kyung-don
SEOUL, June 5 (Yonhap) -- Since its first coronavirus case in late January, South Korea has been appraised as one of the successful countries to control the virus spread with its quick and well-organized response and tactics.
The country's virus curve, after peaking at over 900 daily new infections in late February, had flattened sharply on the back of quick and massive COVID-19 testings and monthslong strict social distancing.
After one month into a loosened quarantine scheme following a slowdown in new cases, however, the country still grapples with sporadic cluster outbreaks in the densely populated metropolitan area, with its hard-won gains against the virus at risk of being pared.
On May 6, the country shifted to an "everyday life quarantine" system, the normalization of public facilities and other business establishments, under the condition people follow basic sanitation measures.
The main feature of the eased quarantine scheme was the reopening of schools, which started on May 20.
Journalists line up at a distance from one another to get tickets to a movie event at a cinema in Seoul on June 4, 2020. (Yonhap)
When the country opted to make a transition to an everyday life quarantine system, there were high expectations of smoothly returning to daily lives because the country's new virus cases were surely on a downward trend with zero local infections reported for several days.
Between April 29 and May 5, the daily average of new virus cases was only 7.4, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
But a month later, the situation turned the other way around and put the country's everyday life quarantine scheme in jeopardy.
As cluster outbreaks emerged one after another in the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area, home to half of the country's 50 million population, the country's daily COVID-19 cases averaged 45.1 between May 27 and June 2, according to the KCDC.
The first hurdle came from Seoul's popular nightlife district of Itaewon after a 29-year-old man tested positive for COVID-19 on May 6 following visits to clubs and bars in the neighborhood.
So far, more than 270 cases have been tied to the Itaewon cluster.
This photo taken May 16, 2020, shows a street in Itaewon, central Seoul. (Yonhap)
While health authorities were focusing on breaking Itaewon-linked transmission chain, a distribution center in Bucheon, west of Seoul, also emerged as a new cluster in late May.
At least 120 cases have been traced to the logistics facility run by e-commerce giant Coupang Inc. after the first patient from the facility was identified on May 23.
Such a cluster outbreak led to South Korea's sharpest daily rise of COVID-19 infections in nearly two months on May 28 with 79 new cases.
In recent days, church-linked transmissions in Seoul and surrounding areas became a new source of concern for health authorities.
Of the 507 cases identified between May 21 and June 4, 364 were linked with cluster infections, according to the KCDC, with 350 of them coming from the Seoul metropolitan area that includes Gyeonggi Province and the city of Incheon.
The so-called reproduction rate of COVID-19, a gauge that reflects the average of number of people getting infected by a patient, stood at around 1.2 as of Thursday, according to the KCDC. The figure was around 0.5 before the Itaewon outbreak.
"Considering sporadic outbreaks occur constantly, there is a possibility that the community spread of COVID-19 has progressed to a certain level," said Uhm Joong-shik, a doctor at Gachon University Gil Medical Center. "We just do not know how big it is."
A medical worker looks at a computer monitor at a virus testing clinic at Seoul Medical Center in Seoul on June 4, 2020. (Yonhap)
The resurgence in new virus cases in recent weeks has forced health authorities to reinforce some of the virus prevention guidelines under the everyday life quarantine scheme.
After Itaewon became a hotbed for the spread of COVID-19, Seoul and other municipal governments issued an administrative order banning gatherings at entertainment establishments, which has virtually forced club and bar owners to suspend business.
When the logistics center-linked cases emerged, health authorities faced growing calls for a return to strict social distancing campaign that the country enforced between March 22 and May 5.
But instead of rolling back to the tougher quarantine scheme, health authorities last week decided to tighten virus prevention guidelines in the metropolitan area until June 14. The measures include shutdowns of some public facilities, including museums and libraries.
Experts said a setback in the country's everyday life quarantine scheme stemmed from weakened vigilance.
"The virus has not changed, but our alertness weakened," said Kim Woo-joo, a professor of infectious medicine at Korea University Guro Hospital in Seoul. "It seems people are failing to comply with social distancing measures."
This photo taken June 3, 2020, shows walk-thru virus testing facilities at a high school in Seoul. (Yonhap)
Health authorities said they have yet to consider a return to the strict, extensive social distancing campaign given that the country's quarantine capabilities are sufficient to handle the recent virus situation.
However, a steady rise of untraceable virus infections is forcing health authorities to reconsider their stance.
Of the 507 cases that were confirmed in the last two weeks, 8.9 percent, or 45, were infections with unknown transmission routes. The proportion of such cases was only 4 percent between April 29 and May 13.
"We are worried about seeing a situation that cannot be controlled with late detection of a massive virus transmission in confined environments and loosened social distancing," said KCDC chief Jeong Eun-kyeong in a recent press briefing.
Some experts said it will be difficult for the country to go back to a strict social strict scheme due to economic reasons, but health authorities need to upgrade virus prevention guidelines.
"We need to set up more detailed quarantine measures and check how they are executed in order to prevent the possible next wave of massive infections in the fall," said Jung Ki-suck, a doctor at Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital and former head of the KCDC.
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-05--(URGENT) 7 more people released after full recovery from coronavirus, total cured patients at 10,506

(URGENT) 7 more people released after full recovery from coronavirus, total cured patients at 10,506: KCDC

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


yna--2020-06-05--(URGENT) S. Korea reports no additional virus death, death toll now at 273: KCDC


yna--2020-06-05--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 39 more cases of new coronavirus, total now at 11,668: KCDC


yna--2020-06-05--Confident rookie pitcher not afraid to show his cards

Now that he 's in the rotation , Lee said he 's been trying to pick the brains of veteran @ @ @ @ @ for each game .
Lee had the luxury of resting for 11 days between his @ @ @ @ @ but his next start could be as early as next Tuesday , after six days @ @

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, June 5 (Yonhap) -- LG Twins' right-hander Lee Min-ho is a rookie brimming with confidence; so much so that the 18-year-old will throw every pitch in his arsenal and dare batters to hit it.
"I knew I could get by throwing just fastballs in high school, but I needed to offer different pitches in the pros," Lee said at a press conference Thursday before a Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) regular season game against the Samsung Lions at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul.
"I am trying to show hitters everything that I have," Lee added. "I am confident in every pitch."
Lee Min-ho of the LG Twins pitches against the Samsung Lions in a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on June 2, 2020. (Yonhap)
In particular, Lee said he's pleased with the way he's been throwing his slider and how he's been able to change speeds at will. He also likes his splitter, saying, "I feel like I can throw that against both left-handed batters and right-handed batters."
Lee made the Twins' roster out of spring training and began the regular season in the bullpen. After two relief appearances, Lee made two starts, both of which came against the Lions -- first on May 21 and then on this past Tuesday.
Lee won the first start by giving up just one hit over 5 1/3 shutout innings. He took the loss this week, despite striking out a career-high seven batters in seven innings. He gave up two earned runs on five hits. For the season, Lee is 1-1 with a 1.10 ERA in 16 1/3 innings.
Lee is part of a wave of talented teenage pitchers who have made successful debuts out of high school this year. In both of those starts, Lee went up against the 20-year-old right-hander Won Tae-in, a second-year pro and a future All-Star material for the Lions.
After losing to Lee last month and then beating Lee in their second duel Tuesday, Won said he didn't want to face the teenager again because it took so much out of him mentally and physically.
Lee shrugged off his budding rivalry with Won and said, "When I am on the mound, I don't really pay attention to who's pitching for the other team."
Lee Min-ho of the LG Twins pitches against the Samsung Lions in a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on June 2, 2020. (Yonhap)
But Lee quickly added, "Since we've split our first two games, it'd be nice to meet him again and see who comes out on top."
Now that he's in the rotation, Lee said he's been trying to pick the brains of veteran starters about how to prepare for each game. Lee had the luxury of resting for 11 days between his first and second starts, but his next start could be as early as next Tuesday, after six days off.
As confident as he is in his pitches, Lee said he needs to cut down on walks. He issued four free passes in his first start and then two more in the next one.
"I don't think I'll ever be completely satisfied with myself if I am walking batters," he said. "But I think I am getting better in that aspect."
Other than some basic stats, though, Lee said he hasn't really dived into advanced data readily available for pitchers after games.
"I only worry about control of my pitches," he said. "As long as I have control, I don't think batters will hit my pitches."
Lee Min-ho of the LG Twins returns to the dugout after completing the top of the third inning of a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game against the Samsung Lions at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on June 2, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-05--Moon preps for retirement in rural town near Tongdo Temple in Yangsan

The Presidential Security Service ( PSS ) recently bought a 3,860-square-meter plot of land , where a two-story house is @ @ @ @ @ , a famous Buddhist temple some 380 kilometers southeast of Seoul , for a private @ @ @ @ @ lady Kim Jung-sook .
It cost 1.47 billion won ( US $ 1.2 million ) @ @ @ @ @ the house .

YANGSAN, South Korea, June 5 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in plans to spend his retirement life in Yangsan, a rural city in the southeastern part of the country, according to city authorities.
The Presidential Security Service (PSS) recently bought a 3,860-square-meter plot of land, where a two-story house is located, near Tongdo Temple, a famous Buddhist temple some 380 kilometers southeast of Seoul, for a private residence of Moon and first lady Kim Jung-sook. It cost 1.47 billion won (US$1.2 million) to buy the land and the house.
A new house for them and facilities for bodyguards will be constructed there.
Moon already has a private home in Maegok-dong of the same city, about a 30-minute drive from the new site.
The PSS purchased the new plot of land, however, due to security concerns caused mainly by the limited space of the Maegok-dong site, a city official said.
Moon is scheduled to leave office in May 2022.
This undated file photo shows President Moon Jae-in taking a commemorative photo with citizens in front of his private home in Yangsang, South Gyeongsang Province. (Yonhap)
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-05--LS Cable wins 100 bln-won cable order from Singapore

Under the deal , LS Cable will deliver 400-kilometer-long cable to the Singapore Power Grid by the end of 2021 @ @ @ @ @ , the company said in a statement .

SEOUL, June 5 (Yonhap) -- LS Cable & System, the world's third-largest wire and cable maker by sales, said Friday it has received a 100 billion won (US$82 million) power cable order from Singapore.
Under the deal, LS Cable will deliver 400-kilometer-long cable to the Singapore Power Grid by the end of 2021 for power transmission and distribution, the company said in a statement.
LS Cable is the biggest cable provider in Singapore, accounting for 60 percent of the Southeast Asian country's 200 billion-won high-voltage cable market, a company spokeswoman said.
This photo, provided by LS Cable & System, shows LS Cable workers at the company's plant in Gumi, 260 kilometers south of Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-05--Seoul stocks open higher on economic recovery hopes

The gain was mainly attributed to hopes for an economic recovery , fueled by the European Central Bank 's announcement @ @ @ @ @ fight the economic fallout from the new coronavirus .

SEOUL, June 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares opened higher Friday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street helped by hopes of an economic recovery.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 6.64 points, or 0.31 percent, to 2,157.82 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
The gain was mainly attributed to hopes for an economic recovery, fueled by the European Central Bank's announcement to additionally purchase assets to fight the economic fallout from the new coronavirus.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 11.93 points, or 0.05 percent, to close at 26,281.82 on Thursday (New York time).
Large caps traded mixed.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics gained 0.92 percent, with No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix soaring 1.6 percent.
Top pharmaceutical firm Samsung BioLogics slipped 0.15 percent, while leading chemical maker LG Chem spiked 3.47 percent.
Internet portal giant Naver plunged 2.37 percent, with its local rival Kakao sliding 2.36 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,216.30 won against the U.S. dollar, up 2.4 won from the previous session's close.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-05--S. Korea to provide liquidity to startups if necessary

The government has increased financial support for startups by 500 billion won ( US $ 411 million ) and will @ @ @ @ @ 1 trillion won to aid startups in the sectors of digital , biotechnology and eco-friendly @ @ @ @ @

SEJONG, June 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will provide liquidity to promising startups if necessary, a senior official said Friday, in the latest move to boost startups.
The comments by Vice Finance Minister Kim Yong-beom came as the financial mood in venture investment, a high-risk investment sector that helped launch some prominent companies, has deteriorated due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, new investment deals involving startups fell in the first quarter, marking the first quarterly decline since 2013, Kim said.
The government has increased financial support for startups by 500 billion won (US$411 million) and will set up a fund of 1 trillion won to aid startups in the sectors of digital, biotechnology and eco-friendly services, Kim said.
Earlier this week, the government proposed a third extra budget of 35.3 trillion won to cushion the economic blow from the coronavirus pandemic.
Kim said the government will spare no efforts for the National Assembly to swiftly approve the budget.
Vice Finance Minister Kim Yong-beom speaks at a meeting with senior ministry officials on June 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)


KOSPI 2,151.17 DN 0.01 points (open)


KOSDAQ 743.65 UP 1.28 points (open)


Friday's weather forecast

SEOUL , June 5 ( Yonhap ) -- The following is the weather forecast for South Korea 's 12 major @ @ @ @ @ .


yna--2020-06-05--Dollar opens at 1,217.0 won DN from 1,218.7 won


yna--2020-06-05--(Yonhap Feature) Pandemic taking heavy toll on job market in S. Korea

The labor force participation rate , which refers to the percentage of those who are aged 15 or older and @ @ @ @ @ by either being employed or actively looking for jobs , also fell 1.6 percentage points @ @ @ @ @ , according to the data compiled by Statistics Korea .

SEJONG, June 5 (Yonhap) -- Lee Tae-in, who completed an engineering degree from a university in February, recently decided to give up searching for a job in the first half of this year in South Korea's worst economy in more than two decades.
So far, he has applied for several midsized machinery manufacturers but failed.
"Job openings have stopped due to the coronavirus pandemic. Now, I'm afraid I can't find a job this year," sighed Lee, 26.
The situation in job markets is even less promising in the second quarter of this year, with many economists predicting the pandemic will deal a heavy blow to employment.
The economy shrank 1.4 percent on-quarter in the first quarter of the year, marking the sharpest quarterly contraction since the last three months of 2008.
In April, South Korea suffered its biggest monthly job losses in 21 years as the coronavirus outbreak and containment measures hammered the economy.
The number of employed people in South Korea stood at 26.56 million in April, 476,000 people fewer than a year ago, marking the biggest on-year decline since February 1999.
People visit an office of the labor ministry in Seoul on April 13, 2020, to apply for unemployment benefits. (Yonhap)
The labor force participation rate, which refers to the percentage of those who are aged 15 or older and remain in the labor force by either being employed or actively looking for jobs, also fell 1.6 percentage points to 62 percent in April, according to the data compiled by Statistics Korea.
It also marked the sharpest decline since 2000, when the nation's job markets were crippled in the wake of the Asian financial crisis.
The nation's jobless rate fell by 0.2 percentage point on-year to 4.2 percent in April.
Although South Korea's job market is not as severe as in the United States, where a jobless rate stood at some 15 percent, weaker social safety nets make it harder for unemployed people to brace for the first pandemic in the era of globalization.
Economists said the worst has yet to come in the labor market.
Compared with February this year, the number of employed people plunged by 1.02 million in April, the Korea Labor and Society Institute (KLSI) said in a report.
In comparison, the number of employed people dropped by 920,000 between December 1998 and February 1999, when the Asian financial crisis began jolting the job market.
"The coronavirus pandemic is expected to hit the labor market more than the 1998 crisis," the KLSI said. "Unless there are unprecedented measures, the pandemic is expected to further deteriorate inequalities in the Korean society."
While the first-quarter economic contraction was led by private consumption, which shrank 6.4 percent on-year, exports are likely to hit a new low in the second quarter.
A man visits a job placement office, run by the labor ministry, in Seoul on April 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
To cushion the blow from the pandemic on the job market, the government aims to create 1.56 million jobs in the public sector.
About 1 million jobs in the public sector have not been opened due to social distancing rules, but the government will soon open such jobs by easing some rules, Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki said.
The government will also encourage public firms to create some 550,000 jobs for young people, Hong said.
"Although the government has responded to a weak job market by running a range of job support programs from employment retention and job creation support to unemployment benefits and emergency reliefs, the April data told us that we need to provide jobs to absorb shocks in the labor market," Hong said.
Hong said job losses in the service sector showed signs of spreading to the manufacturing sector in April, though temporary workers were the hardest hit.
Last month, the National Assembly passed a bill for artists to be included in unemployment insurance.
"We will work to further expand unemployment insurance to platform workers, free lancers and other contract workers. On top of that, we will improve the country's employment policies taking into consideration growing remote workers and tech jobs," Hong said.
Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki (2nd from R) speaks during a meeting with the leadership of the ruling Democratic Party during a meeting on how to create a third supplementary budget to tide over the coronavirus pandemic at the National Assembly in Seoul on June 1, 2020. (Yonhap)
To shore up the virus-hit economy, the Bank of Korea slashed its policy rate by a quarter percentage point to a record low of 0.5 percent last week.
Earlier this week, the government proposed a third extra budget of 35.3 trillion won (US$29 billion) to minimize economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, which includes 3.4 trillion won to be used to fund the employment insurance.
"The South Korean economy is faced with a combination of domestic and externally driven pressures," Moody's Analytics said in a recent report.
"While borrowing costs have been reduced to historical lows, the responsiveness of companies remains uncertain," it said. "This is because of the willingness of companies to retain their workers at a time when cash flows have been severely impacted.
"Fiscal policy is therefore expected to assume a leading role. In this context, while provisions to create additional public sector jobs will yield returns in the medium term, measures such as direct transfers are more necessary in the short term."
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-05--Bullish individuals rush to borrow money for stock investment

Margin loans refer to those that retail investors take out from brokerages to invest in stocks .
An increase in @ @ @ @ @ to rising investor hopes for price gains .

SEOUL, June 5 (Yonhap) -- Emboldened by a recent market bull run, South Korean retail investors are scrambling to borrow money to buy shares in anticipation of price gains down the road, data showed Friday.
Outstanding margin loans to retail investors stood at 11.4 trillion won (US$9.3 billion) as of Wednesday, according to the data from the Korea Financial Investment Association.
It marks the first time in 20 months that the amount has surpassed the 11 trillion-won mark.
Margin loans refer to those that retail investors take out from brokerages to invest in stocks. An increase in outstanding margin loans usually points to rising investor hopes for price gains.
Outstanding margin lending has been on a steady increase after falling to the 6 trillion-won level in late March.
Market watchers said the surge in margin loans shows retail investors' confidence has recovered to the level before the full-fledged spread of the novel coronavirus.
It also comes as the local stock market has remained strong on expectations for the reopening of major economies.
Extending its winning run to the fifth consecutive session, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) ended 0.19 percent higher at 2,151.18 on Thursday, the highest close since Feb. 21.
(END)


yna--2020-06-05--(EDITORIAL from Korea JoongAng Daily on June 5)

The Moon Jae-in administration must be worried about North Korea threatening to scrap the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement .
But @ @ @ @ @ is included under the Constitutional right to freedom of speech .
If the government attempts @ @ @ @ @ propaganda balloons , it will face resistance from the opposition , as seen in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ approval from the unification minister before dispatching leaflets to North Korea was eventually defeated .
@ @ @ @ @ wants to push such a bill by using its super majority of 177 seats in @ @ @ @ @ it will lead to an unprecedented battle in the legislature .

Kowtowing to Kim
A ludicrous farce is being played out again on the security front. Shortly after Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, criticized South Korea for allowing a group of North Korean defectors to dispatch balloons carrying propaganda leaflets across the border, our Ministry of Unification said it is preparing a bill banning the practice. The Blue House immediately threatened to strictly punish "an act of damaging our security" because "it does not help achieve peace." Such submissive attitudes to Kim Yo-jong's threats are the same as kowtowing.
The Moon Jae-in administration must be worried about North Korea threatening to scrap the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement. But launching balloons across the border is included under the Constitutional right to freedom of speech. If the government attempts to legislate a ban on propaganda balloons, it will face resistance from the opposition, as seen in 2018 when a bill calling for approval from the unification minister before dispatching leaflets to North Korea was eventually defeated. If the ruling Democratic Party wants to push such a bill by using its super majority of 177 seats in the 300-member National Assembly, it will lead to an unprecedented battle in the legislature.
The government claims that the leaflets do more harm than good. However, a direct demand for them to be stopped by Kim Yo-jong, arguably the second most powerful person in North Korea, suggests the palpable threat the leaflets pose to the regime. The Rodong Shinmun's running of Kim's statement hints at the possibility of the leaflets having been seen by a number of North Koreans.
The Moon administration is under attack for a supine attitude. When South Korea raised complaints about North Korea's firing drill on an island on the maritime border in the West Sea and about its recent shooting at our guard post on the DMZ, North Korea kept mum. The Moon administration chose to turn a blind eye to such provocations from North Korea.
The propaganda leaflets were a dilemma for conservative administrations, too. When a North Korean defectors group dispatched balloons across the border, North Korea fired at them. As tension deepened, our police blocked groups from sending balloons and government officials met with a North Korean defectors group to discourage them. After the group sued, a court ruled in favor of the defendant — with the statement that the government in principle cannot prohibit the group from sending balloons as it pertains to the realm of Constitutional rights. Therefore, the government must try to restrain the group from dispatching leaflets based on existing laws rather than enacting a new law.
(END)


yna--2020-06-05--(EDITORIAL from Korea Herald on June 5)

(EDITORIAL from Korea Herald on June 5)

The Constitution stipulates that lawmakers shall perform their duties according to their conscience .
The National Assembly Law says that @ @ @ @ @ the public , shall vote without being bound by the intention of parties they belong @ @

Concerns on tyranny
: Ruling party punishes ex-lawmaker for voting on bill according to belief
The ruling Democratic Party of Korea is raising concerns that it will abuse its large majority -- having won 177 of 300 seats in the general election.
It was belatedly discovered that the party had punished former lawmaker Keum Tae-sub on May 25 for not voting in favor of a bill pushed by the party.
The bill calls for the creation of a new agency to investigate high-ranking officials, and was passed.
Keum was the only lawmaker of the party who cast a blank ballot on the bill in December last year. He abstained according to his belief.
The party reportedly defined his abstention as violation of its official position, and gave him a "warning."
It is rare for a party to punish lawmakers for voting on a bill according to their belief.
A lawmaker is an independent constitutional representative of the people, and not a rubber stamp.
The Constitution stipulates that lawmakers shall perform their duties according to their conscience. The National Assembly Law says that lawmakers, as representatives of the public, shall vote without being bound by the intention of parties they belong to.
Keum was an object of the party's ire before voting on the bill in question. During a confirmation hearing on Cho Kuk, President Moon Jae-in's justice minister nominee, Keum was critical of him. Cho resigned as Justice Minister amid popular anger over allegations of wrongdoing against his family.
Hardline supporters of Moon condemned Keum for criticizing Cho and not voting in favor of the bill. Apparently affected by these supporters, the party dropped him from candidacy for the April 15 general election.
Then, it went further and gave him a "warning" just five days before his term as a lawmaker ended.
This smacks of retribution, and runs counter to the spirit of the National Assembly Law that guarantees the autonomy of every lawmaker.
The party keeps covering up for Rep. Yoon Mi-hyang despite popular and media criticism over her suspected embezzlement of donations to a civic group she led to protect former comfort women.
The party defends a lawmaker who faces serious allegations, while punishing someone else who votes on his belief.
Keum's punishment is likely a warning to other lawmakers to follow the decisions of the party leadership or face the consequences.
Ruling party leader Lee Hae-chan told a meeting of lawmakers Tuesday that "we should try to correct distorted parts of modern Korean history one by one."
It claims that Han Myeong-sook, former prime minister under the government of the late President Roh Moo-hyun whom Moon served as chief of staff, was not guilty, even though the Supreme Court has already found her guilty of bribery in a unanimous ruling.
A lawmaker is demanding reinvestigation of the mid-air bombing of a Korean Air 858 jet in November 1987, even though the National Intelligence Service already concluded after reinvestigation in 2007 that the bombs in the aircraft were planted by North Korean agents. One of the agents even confessed.
Another lawmaker is seeking to revise related laws, arguing that graves at the National Cemetery should be "dug up and relocated if the people buried were pro-Japanese during the Japan's colonial rule over Korea."
The party is trying to change stark historical facts to fit its viewpoint on the back of its overwhelming majority.
Its attempt to rewrite modern Korean history goes beyond the bounds of the legislative branch. Historical issues must be evaluated objectively by historians over a long time.
As Lee ordered silence over suspicions surrounding Rep. Yoon, other lawmakers are not opening their mouths, though her issues are of great interest to the people.
The party argues its lawmakers should chair all the 18 standing committees of the National Assembly. It ignores the custom of distributing the posts to parties considering the proportions of their seats.
It took procedures to open the new National Assembly even if it has to do so unilaterally, though it has not reached deals with opposition parties on the necessary issues. The unilateral opening is the first since 1967.
No other party has enough votes to stop it from acting as it pleases.
(END)


yna--2020-06-05--(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on June 5)

(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on June 5)

The third extra budget is the first of its kind in 48 years , implying that a desperate situation requires @ @ @ @ @ this sense there is no reason for the Assembly to delay its approval .
Of @ @ @ @ @ necessarily mean that the parliament should serve as a rubberstamp .
Legislators of the rival @ @ @ @ @ bill to check if the government 's additional outlays are well-calculated to help the country @ @ @ @ @ shock .

Unprecedented extra budget
: Time to maximize effect of economic stimulus
It is rare for a government to draw up a third supplementary budget in a year, but the Moon Jae-in administration has drawn one up. This shows how desperate the country is to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating impact on the economy.
On Thursday, the government presented a new extra 35.3 trillion won ($29 billion) budget bill to the National Assembly. Lawmakers from the ruling and opposition parties need to cooperate in passing the bill aimed at supporting hard-hit businesses, maintaining employment and helping those most vulnerable in the coronavirus-driven crisis.
The third extra budget is the first of its kind in 48 years, implying that a desperate situation requires a desperate measure. In this sense there is no reason for the Assembly to delay its approval. Of course, it does not necessarily mean that the parliament should serve as a rubberstamp. Legislators of the rival parties must rigorously review the bill to check if the government's additional outlays are well-calculated to help the country cushion itself from the coronavirus shock.
Another important factor is how to maximize the effects of the planned fiscal injection. The government has already spent 11.7 trillion won in its first supplementary budget in March, and 12.2 trillion won in a second one in April. If the third one is in place, the total amount of the extra budgets will reach 59.2 trillion won. The Moon administration should double its efforts to allocate the outlay properly to avoid any waste of taxpayers' money, and produce successful results to stimulate the economy.
To that end, the government should have a detailed plan of action. It says it will provide nearly half of the money, 16.4 trillion won, to reeling businesses, especially small- and medium-sized ones. About 9.4 trillion won will be used to create jobs and strengthen the country's social safety net. And the remaining roughly 10 trillion won will be spent boosting economic growth. It is necessary to overhaul the budget allocation plan in order to ensure it is efficiently used to cope with the emergency situation.
Policymakers and lawmakers also need to pay heed to some worries that the extra budgets could rapidly undermine the country's fiscal soundness. The government has promised to issue state bonds and make budgetary adjustments to finance the supplementary budgets. As a result, the national debt will account for 43.5 percent of GDP this year, a steep rise from 36.2 percent in 2017. Over 40 percent may indicate that government debt has reached an unstably high level.
Of course this is not the time to worry about debt levels. It is time to push for fiscal expansion to save the crumbling economy. Nonetheless, the government needs to take mid- to long-term measures to reduce the debt to a sustainable level and restore fiscal health after the coronavirus-triggered crisis is over.
(END)


yna--2020-06-05--Top headlines in major S. Korean newspapers

Korean-language dailies -- N. Korea threatens to scrap military deal over leaflet-sending campaign ( Kyunghyang Shinmun ) -- Cheong Wa @ @ @ @ @ more harm than good , after Kim Yo-jong 's criticism ( Kookmin Daily ) -- @ @ @ @ @ leaflets do more harm than good , after Kim Yo-jong 's statement ( Donga llbo @ @ @ @ @ advance ( Seoul Shinmun ) -- Gov't calls for halt to anti-North Korea leaflets after @ @ @ @ @ Segye Times ) -- Prosecutors seek arrest warrant for Lee Jae-yong ( Chosun Ilbo ) @ @ @ @ @ seek arrest warrant for Lee Jae-yong ( JoongAng Ilbo ) -- Prosecutors hit back , @ @ @ @ @ Jae-yong ( Hankyoreh ) -- Moon considers 'open residence ' in Yangsan after retirement ( @ @ @ @ @ seek arrest warrant for Lee Jae-yong ( Maeil Business Newspaper ) -- House prices in @ @ @ @ @ those outside Gangnam soaring ( Korea Economic Daily )

SEOUL, June 5 (Yonhap) -- The following are the top headlines in major South Korean newspapers on June 5.
Korean-language dailies
-- N. Korea threatens to scrap military deal over leaflet-sending campaign (Kyunghyang Shinmun)
-- Cheong Wa Dae says anti-Pyongyang leaflets do more harm than good, after Kim Yo-jong's criticism (Kookmin Daily)
-- Cheong Wa Dae says anti-Pyongyang leaflets do more harm than good, after Kim Yo-jong's statement (Donga llbo)
-- Democracy fails to advance (Seoul Shinmun)
-- Gov't calls for halt to anti-North Korea leaflets after Kim Yo-jong's threat (Segye Times)
-- Prosecutors seek arrest warrant for Lee Jae-yong (Chosun Ilbo)
-- Prosecutors hit back, seek arrest warrant for Lee Jae-yong (JoongAng Ilbo)
-- Prosecutors hit back, seek arrest warrant for Lee Jae-yong (Hankyoreh)
-- Moon considers 'open residence' in Yangsan after retirement (Hankook Ilbo)
-- Prosecutors seek arrest warrant for Lee Jae-yong (Maeil Business Newspaper)
-- House prices in Seoul stop falling, with those outside Gangnam soaring (Korea Economic Daily)
English-language dailies
-- Current account goes red 1st time in a year (Korea JoongAng Daily)
-- Court pushes for sales of Japanese firm's assets to compensate war time labor victims (Korea Herald)
-- North Korea threatens to scrap military agreement (Korea Times)
(END)


yna--2020-06-05--N. Korea's FM expresses strong support for China amid conflict with U.S.

In the meeting , Ri stated that the North `` will continue actively support the position of China 's party @ @ @ @ @ the sovereignty , safety and the total unification of its land . ''

SEOUL, June 5 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's top diplomat has expressed strong support for China amid the growing geopolitical conflict between Beijing and Washington, the North's media reported Friday.
North Korea's foreign minister, Ri Son-gwon, expressed support for Beijing during a meeting with Li Jinjun, Chinese ambassador to North Korea, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang on Thursday, according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency,
In the meeting, Ri stated that the North "will continue actively support the position of China's party and government aimed at defending the sovereignty, safety and the total unification of its land."
"The Hong Kong situation is a domestic affair of China, hence outside interference would be a violent violation of Chinese sovereignty and international law," Ri said.
Li responded by saying that the two countries will strengthen bilateral cooperation toward shared interests and the promotion and development of the socialist ideology.
Pyongyang as of late has been increasing public support for China in light of Beijing's growing tension with Washington and protestors in Hong Kong.
A spokesperson of North Korea's foreign ministry on May 30 backed China's controversial security legislation for Hong Kong, calling it a "legitimate step" and voicing opposition to "outside interference."
China pressed ahead with the legislation despite the U.S. warnings that it could revoke Hong Kong's trade privileges.
The legal push is expected to further escalate geopolitical tensions, posing a tricky diplomatic challenge to countries, like South Korea, that want to maintain good ties with both major powers.
In this file photo, Ri Son-gwon, then chairman of North Korea's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Country, speaks at a high-level inter-Korean meeting at the truce village of Panmunjom on Aug. 13, 2018. Ri is currently North Korea's foreign minister. (Yonhap)
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-05--Volleyball star Kim Yeon-koung nearing return to S. Korean club

Kim , widely regarded as South Korea 's greatest volleyball player ever , made her professional debut with the Pink @ @ @ @ @ four seasons with them .
She then embarked on an international career that took her @ @ @ @ @ China and then back to Turkey over the next 11 years .

SEOUL, June 5 (Yonhap) -- Volleyball great Kim Yeon-koung is nearing a reunion with her former South Korean club.
An official with the Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders in the V-League said Friday Kim has informed the team of her intention to sign. The two sides will soon sit down to finalize a contract, the official added.
Kim, widely regarded as South Korea's greatest volleyball player ever, made her professional debut with the Pink Spiders in 2005 and played four seasons with them. She then embarked on an international career that took her to Japan, Turkey, China and then back to Turkey over the next 11 years.
In this file photo from Feb. 20, 2020, South Korean volleyball player Kim Yeon-koung poses for photos at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, before departing for Turkey. (Yonhap)
After her two-year deal with the Turkish club Eczacibasi VitrA expired in May, the 32-year-old outside hitter had been eyeing a reunion with the Pink Spiders, especially given the uncertainty in overseas leagues during the coronavirus pandemic.
Kim hadn't yet earned her free agent eligibility when she left the V-League in 2009 for JT Marvelous in Japan, and the Pink Spiders had placed her on the "voluntarily retired" list and sent her to Japan on a loan deal.
The last administrative step remaining for the Pink Spiders is to ask the Korean Volleyball Federation (KOVO) to activate Kim from the list.
Kim is joining an already stacked team that features a two-time league MVP Lee Jae-yeong and her twin sister and the 2020 MVP runner-up Lee Da-yeong.
Those three, plus the returning Argentine attacker Lucia Fresco, should make the Pink Spiders the prohibitive title favorite for the 2020-2021 season.
Kim has reportedly been one of the world's highest-paid volleyball players in recent seasons, and she may have been making more than the V-League salary cap of 2.3 billion won (US$1.9 million).
Of that total, 1.8 billion won can be used in guaranteed salary and the remaining 500 million won can be used in player incentives. No player may make more than 700 million won (450 million won in salary and 250 million won in incentives) per season.
The Pink Spiders have already spent 1 billion won to sign the Lee twins, including 300 million won in incentives. This means Kim can only make 450 million won in guaranteed salary and 200 million won in incentives.
Kim made an earth-shattering V-League debut in 2005, capturing the regular season MVP, finals MVP, Rookie of the Year and the Best Scorer trophies. During her four seasons here, the Pink Spiders won three championships.
JT Marvelous finished runner-up in their league in Kim's first year there, and then earned the franchise's first championship the following season in 2010-2011, with Kim winning the regular season MVP honor.
In this photo provided by FIVB on Jan. 8, 2020, Kim Yeon-koung of South Korea celebrates a point against Iran in their Pool B match of the Asian Olympic women's volleyball qualification tournament at Korat Chatchai Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Kim then took her talent to Turkey, joining Fenerbahce for a memorable run that featured two league championships, one Turkish Super Cup, one European Champions League crown, and one Champion League MVP award.
She spent the 2017-2018 season with Shanghai Guohua Life in the Chinese Super League, and made that one season count by being named the Best Foreign Player and leading the team to second place in the league.
Kim rounded out her overseas career with two seasons at Eczacibasi. They won the back-to-back Turkish Super Cups in 2018 and 2019.
Internationally, Kim's shining moment came at the 2012 London Olympics, where she carried the underwhelming South Korean team on her back to the semifinals. Though South Korea settled for fourth place, Kim was named the MVP of the Olympics. She became just the third player to be named an Olympic MVP without winning a medal.
Kim also helped South Korea win the Asian qualifying tournament for the Tokyo Olympics in January this year, while playing through an abdominal injury that sidelined her for weeks afterward.
In this photo provided by FIVB on Jan. 9, 2020, Kim Yeon-koung of South Korea (L) hits a spike against Alessya Safronova of Kazakhstan in their countries' Pool B match of the Asian Olympic women's volleyball qualification tournament at Korat Chatchai Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-05--Creditors issue ultimatum to HDC on Asiana takeover

The agreement , however , has a clause that allows for more time due to holdups in the authorization process @ @ @ @ @ the six governments that have been contacted to approve the tieup , five , including @ @ @ @ @ have given assent , with Russia expected to follow suit shortly .

SEOUL, June 5 (Yonhap) -- Creditors of HDC Hyundai Development Co.'s planned takeover of Asiana Airlines Inc. issued an ultimatum to the company to notify them of its intent to follow through on the original deal, financial sources said Friday.
The sources said that a formal proof of intent letter was recently sent to HDC. The letter asked HDC to reply by June 27, for the process to move forward and to determine if leeway can be given on delaying the purchase, amid the novel coronavirus outbreak that has devastated the global airline industry.
The original pact, signed on Dec. 27 between creditors, such as Korea Development Bank (KDB) and the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Eximbank), and the consortium set up by HDC and Mirae Asset Daewoo, calls for the transaction to be completed in six months time. HDC and its partner pledged to buy 30.77-percent stakes in Asiana for 2.5 trillion won (US$2.06 billion).
The agreement, however, has a clause that allows for more time due to holdups in the authorization process by foreign governments. Of the six governments that have been contacted to approve the tieup, five, including the U.S. and China, have given assent, with Russia expected to follow suit shortly.
Related to the latest action taken by creditors, financial market watchers said it may be a move to lay groundwork for a legal case down the line if things do not go according to plan.
They added that HDC has received the letter, but has not responded.
"The lack of response does not mean that the agreement has fallen through, especially since the June 27 date can be extended," a source, who declined to be identified, said.
HDC and Mirae Asset, meanwhile, are at an impasse as the unexpected COVID-19 pandemic has changed the landscape of the airline sector with most companies struggling to stay afloat as air passenger traffic has nosedived across the board.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-05--S. Korea launches inter-agency team to expand humanitarian trade with Iran

`` Humanitarian trade with Iran gives an opportunity for our export enterprises at a time when international trade has contracted @ @ @ @ @ and can contribute to addressing the health care crisis in Iran , with which our @ @ @ @ @ ties , '' Lee said .

SEOUL, June 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea launched an inter-agency team Friday to help expand its humanitarian trade with Iran that had been restricted by U.S. sanctions against Tehran, the foreign ministry said.
Lee Seong-ho, deputy foreign minister for economic affairs, presided over the inaugural session of the team consisting of officials from the ministries of finance, industry, agriculture and maritime affairs, and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency.
The launch came after South Korea sent to Iran US$500,000 worth of medicine used to treat a hereditary disease late last month in the first such humanitarian exports to the Middle Eastern country since the United States tightened anti-Iran sanctions last year.
Washington gave the green light to such exports in April based on its General License No. 8 -- a mechanism to authorize certain humanitarian transactions with Iran even if they involve Iran's central bank, which is subject to U.S. sanctions.
South Korea also seeks to export to Iran coronavirus diagnostic kits and other supplies -- worth $2 million in total -- later this month.
"Humanitarian trade with Iran gives an opportunity for our export enterprises at a time when international trade has contracted due to the coronavirus pandemic and can contribute to addressing the health care crisis in Iran, with which our country has long maintained friendly ties," Lee said.
"Thus, there is a need to actively expand humanitarian trade with Iran," he added.
At the session, participants discussed ways to expand trade to cover agricultural and food products, address difficulties facing Korean businesses and link South Korean firms with their partners in Iran.
Calls for the resumption of humanitarian trade with Iran have been rising as Tehran has had difficulty securing medical items and other supplies critical to fighting the COVID-19 scourge due to U.S. sanctions.
The license export program would help meet Iran's humanitarian needs, but subjects companies and related financial institutions to "enhanced due diligence" to ensure the exports will go to Iranians in need and are not diverted for other purposes.
Amid tensions between the U.S. and Iran, Seoul has faced a tough balancing act in trying to maintain both the long-standing security alliance with Washington and its economic partnership with Tehran.
Government officials hold a session of a task force to discuss ways to expand humanitarian trade with Iran at the foreign ministry in Seoul on June 5, 2020, in this photo provided by the ministry. (Yonhap)
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-05--Seeking return to KBO, ex-MLB player Kang Jung-ho back in S. Korea

Kang is hoping to be reunited with the Kiwoom Heroes , the last KBO team he played for before signing @ @ @ @ @ 2015 .
Because Kang was n't a free agent then and went through the posting @ @ @ @ @ big league deal , the Heroes still own rights to Kang and must first activate @ @ @ @ @ retired '' list before he can play in the KBO again .

INCHEON, June 5 (Yonhap) -- Former major leaguer Kang Jung-ho, eyeing a return to the South Korean league under the cloud of multiple drunken driving cases, arrived back from the United States on Friday.
Kang left Incheon International Airport, just west of Seoul, at about 7 p.m. Friday. Following the requirement for all international arrivals during the coronavirus pandemic, Kang will enter a two-week quarantine.
Kang didn't answer any questions from the media. Kang's Seoul-based agency, Leeco Sports Agency, said earlier this week that following the quarantine period, Kang will hold a press conference to discuss his future in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO).
South Korean baseball player Kang Jung-ho carries his luggage at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, just west of Seoul, after arriving from the United States on June 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
Kang is hoping to be reunited with the Kiwoom Heroes, the last KBO team he played for before signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2015. Because Kang wasn't a free agent then and went through the posting system to land his first big league deal, the Heroes still own rights to Kang and must first activate him from the "voluntarily retired" list before he can play in the KBO again.
Based on Kang's three drunken driving cases from 2009, 2011 and 2016, the KBO handed down a one-year suspension on the infielder on May 25. The ban will take effect once Kang signs a KBO deal.
The KBO came under fire in the court of public opinion for what critics viewed as a lenient penalty and for passing the buck to the Heroes, who now have the ultimate say on whether Kang can continue his career.
The Heroes have said they'll only begin discussing their possible future with Kang after the player speaks to the media.
Once Kang comes off the voluntarily retired list, the Heroes can either sign him or trade him.
Kang received a suspended jail term in 2017 for driving into a guardrail in Seoul while under the influence, and then fleeing the scene, in December 2016. That third case effectively ended Kang's once-promising big league career.
The former KBO All-Star shortstop missed the entire 2017 season because he was unable to obtain his U.S. work permit. He appeared in only three games in 2018.
Kang's four-year deal with the Pirates expired in 2018, but the team gave him a second chance by handing him a new one-year deal for the 2019 season.
South Korean baseball player Kang Jung-ho carries his luggage at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, just west of Seoul, after arriving back from the United States on June 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
Kang led the majors with seven home runs in spring training in 2019, but in the regular season he stumbled to a .169/.222./.395 line in 65 games with 10 home runs and 24 RBIs. The Pirates released him on Aug. 4.
Kang briefly worked out with the Milwaukee Brewers' Triple-A team, but no new deal came out of it.
Kang had been among the premier sluggers in the KBO. In his last season before moving to the majors, Kang established a new KBO record for most home runs in a season by a shortstop with 40.
In 2015, Kang finished third in the National League Rookie of the Year voting, thanks to a .287/.355/.461 line, 15 home runs and 58 RBIs in 126 games.
Then in 2016, Kang posted a .513 slugging percentage while setting career highs with 21 home runs and 62 RBIs in 103 games. But following the DUI arrest in December that year, Kang never duplicated that level of production.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-05--(LEAD) S. Korea conducted Dokdo defense exercise this week

South Korea launched the Dokdo drills in 1986 .
Since 2003 , it has typically conducted the training twice a @ @ @ @ @ and December , to better fend off possible foreign infiltrations to the rocky outcroppings and @ @ @ @

(ATTN: UPDATES with Japan's reaction in paras 7-8)
By Oh Seok-min
SEOUL, June 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea conducted an annual military exercise on and around its easternmost islets of Dokdo earlier this week, sources said Friday, amid renewed tensions with Japan that has laid claims to the East Sea outcroppings.
The Navy, along with the Air Force and the Coast Guard, carried out the drill Tuesday, involving around eight vessels and five aircraft, including F-15K fighter jets, according to the sources.
The exercise was not made public in an apparent move to avoid aggravating tensions with Japan.
South Korea launched the Dokdo drills in 1986. Since 2003, it has typically conducted the training twice a year, usually in June and December, to better fend off possible foreign infiltrations to the rocky outcroppings and the surrounding waters.
The file photo taken Aug. 25, 2019, shows the South Korean armed forces holding an exercise to defend the easternmost islets of Dokdo. (Yonhap)
In December, the military replaced the drill with a simulated command post exercise due to bad weather.
The latest drill took place two weeks after Japan repeated territorial claims to South Korea's islets in its latest annual diplomatic book.
Yoshihide Suga, Japan's top government spokesman, said that Tokyo lodged an immediate protest over South Korea's military exercise.
Suga said during a press conference in Tokyo that the training was "unacceptable and gravely regretful," citing what he described as the history of the islets and "Japan's sovereignty in accordance with international law."
Bilateral relations between Seoul and Tokyo have remained badly frayed since Japan enforced the export curbs last July, seen as retaliation against the South Korean Supreme Court's 2018 rulings that ordered Japanese firms to compensate Korean victims of forced labor.
As Japan has refused to lift the curbs, Seoul's trade ministry said Tuesday it will resume the dispute settlement proceedings with the WTO over the export curbs.
Earlier this week, a South Korean local court decided to start a procedure to forcefully sell off assets of a Japanese firm to compensate victims, which drew strong protests from Japan.
South Korea has been in effective control of Dokdo with a small police detachment since its liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945.
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-05--Hyundai delays delivery of GV80 SUV following engine vibration issue

Hyundai then said that the delivery delay does not mean that it has stopped production of the SUV since it @ @ @ @ @ that have not suffered from the same problem .

SEOUL, June 5 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's No. 1 carmaker, said Friday that it will delay delivery of its diesel-powered GV80 sport utility vehicle (SUV) due to engine vibration issues.
In a notice sent to customers who ordered the company's first-ever uber luxury SUV by its high-end Genesis sub-brand, Hyundai confirmed that there have been intermittent problems with the engine.
The engine at the center of the problem is a new longitudinal in-line six diesel that is exclusive to the GV80.
The company said engineers have determined that the shaking is being caused by carbon buildup when the engine is at low rotation per minute mode for prolonged periods of time. Hyundai stressed that the problem does not directly affect safety.
"Hyundai is working to find a solution and will notify consumers once more detailed checkups become available," the automaker said. It then apologized to customers who have ordered the car for the unexpected delay.
There have been some 8,000 GV80 with the six cylinder engine delivered in South Korea, with 10,000 more on order.
Hyundai then said that the delivery delay does not mean that it has stopped production of the SUV since it has two gasoline engine models that have not suffered from the same problem.
A diesel version of the GV80 is sold in South Korea for upwards of 89 million won (US$73,600), with most of the driving assistance, safety and comfort options included.
This file photo shows the Genesis GV80 SUV at its launch event. (Yonhap)
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-05--2 Koreans convicted in U.S. cultural office attack case acquitted posthumously

Authorities concluded that the explosives were set off by university students to protest the alleged U.S. role in a massacre @ @ @ @ @ Gwangju in May 1980 , when hundreds of pro-democracy protesters were killed by the military @ @ @ @ @ Doo-hwan .

DAEGU, June 5 (Yonhap) -- Two South Korean men convicted over their alleged involvement in the 1983 explosion at the American Cultural Center in Daegu were acquitted posthumously on Friday after a retrial.
The two men, Lee Kyung-woon and Lee Bok-young, found not guilty by the Daegu District Court.
Families of the two, who both previously received probation sentences, requested retrials in 2018. Lee Kyung-woon and Lee Bok-young died in 1990 and 2011, respectively.
"The statements provided by the two cannot be recognized as evidence as the defendants were detained illegally without arrest warrants," the court ruled.
The court acquitted five previously convicted people allegedly involved in the case after retrials in October of last year.
On September 22, 1983, an explosive was detonated at the front gate of the American Cultural Center in Daegu, some 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, killing one person and wounding four others.
Authorities concluded that the explosives were set off by university students to protest the alleged U.S. role in a massacre in the southwestern city of Gwangju in May 1980, when hundreds of pro-democracy protesters were killed by the military regime of then President Chun Doo-hwan.
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-05--Crime thriller 'Evil,' work of Korean film industry veterans

It is also in the media spotlight for being the first collaboration between star actors Hwang Jung-min and Lee Jung-jae @ @ @ @ @ opera `` New World . ''
Hwang played the kingpin of a corporate crime syndicate @ @ @ @ @ deep-cover cop and his right-hand man .

SEOUL, June 5 (Yonhap) -- The upcoming action film "Deliver Us From Evil" is set to catch the attention of South Korean film buffs for its collaboration between Cannes-invited director Hong Won-chan and "Parasite" cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo.
It is also in the media spotlight for being the first collaboration between star actors Hwang Jung-min and Lee Jung-jae after their 2013 hit crime opera "New World." Hwang played the kingpin of a corporate crime syndicate, and Lee was a deep-cover cop and his right-hand man.
The new film revolves around a professional killer, played by Hwang, who plans to retire after carrying out his last mission. But he is embroiled in unexpected incidents as an unidentified pursuer, played by Lee, tries to kill him.
"I've created fresh characters that are hardly found in Korea movies," the director, whose debut feature "Office" (2015) was invited to the Midnight Screenings of the Cannes Film Festival that year, said in an online press conference Friday.
"It was risky for me to direct a movie starring two silver screen stars," he said. "But I largely depended on the two veterans and they made me feel easy as well."
A scene from "Deliver Us From Evil" by CJ Entertainment (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The two actors said they were attracted by fresh characters and unprecedentedly large-scale action scenes in "Evil," compared to "New World," which is a crime movie with mystery and suspense.
Unlike "New World," intensive and immersive action scenes, contributed by creative minds, including the "Parasite" cinematographer Hong, will keep people riveted, they noted.
"I've focused on action scenes. I've prepared to get ready for intensive fight scenes," said Hwang. "It was hard to get familiar with ideas from our martial director and cinematographer. I'd never experienced such action sequences."
Lee said he had to practice action arrangements and sequences for a whole week to film a full-scale scene, but he was satisfied with it.
"Our action director and cinematographer did their best to create creative action scenes and sequences," Lee said. "Their ideas made me feel strange and confused in the beginning, but the outcomes were so good."
Actors Hwang Jung-min (L) and Lee Jung-jae participate in an online press conference for the action film "Deliver Us From Evil" on June 5, 2020, in this photo provided by CJ Entertainment. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Director Hong asked movie fans to visit theaters and enjoy the action-packed adventure on a big screen under the safe quarantine guidelines to prevent COVID-19 infection.
"Deliver Us From Evil" will hit local theaters in July.
A poster of "Deliver Us From Evil" by CJ Entertainment (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-05--EU resumes review of Hyundai Heavy-Daewoo Shipbuilding merger, others may follow

SEOUL , June 5 ( Yonhap ) -- The European Union ( EU ) has started its review of the @ @ @ @ @ South Korean shipbuilders , and other countries may speed up their own probes into the @ @ @ @ @ world 's No .
1 shipyard , industry sources said Friday .

By Nam Kwang-sik
SEOUL, June 5 (Yonhap)-- The European Union (EU) has started its review of the proposed merger between two major South Korean shipbuilders, and other countries may speed up their own probes into the deal that could create the world's No. 1 shipyard, industry sources said Friday.
In March, the European Commission (EC), the executive body of the EU, suspended its review of the acquisition of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. (DSME) by its bigger local rival Hyundai Heavy Industries Holdings Co. (HHIH), due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But the EC resumed its investigation into the US$1.8 billion deal this week, with an aim to complete it by early September this year.
This photo shows the emblem of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) in front of its Seoul Office. (Yonhap)
The deal needs regulatory approval from six countries -- South Korea, China, Kazakhstan, Japan, European Union and Singapore. Kazakhstan approved the deal in October 2019.
Market watchers said the EU and four other countries are tipped to accelerate their probes into the deal.
But the EU and Singapore have been cautious about the deal, which may hurt shipbuilders in their countries.
Japan has been taking issue with the deal at the World Trade Organization, requesting WTO dispute consultations with South Korea regarding Seoul's alleged subsidies to its shipbuilding industry.
In March 2019, Hyundai Heavy Industries signed a deal to buy a 55.72 percent stake in Daewoo Shipbuilding, in a deal that could create the world's biggest shipbuilder with a 21 percent share in the global shipbuilding market.
In a bid to acquire Daewoo Shipbuilding, Hyundai Heavy Industry Group split Hyundai Heavy Industries into two entities -- Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co. (KSOE), a sub-holding company that governs shipbuilding units under the group and a reorganized Hyundai Heavy Industries Co.
KSOE currently manages the group's three shipbuilding units -- Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co. and Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co.
If the acquisition deal goes ahead, Hyundai Heavy Industries Group will have four shipbuilders under its wing -- Hyundai Heavy, Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard and Daewoo Shipbuilding.
This image shows an aerial view of Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., the world's largest shipyard, in Ulsan, 414 kilometers southeast of Seoul. On Feb. 12, 2019, the Korea Development Bank said Hyundai has been chosen as a candidate to buy its smaller local rival Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. (DSME). (Yonhap)
ksnam@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-05--Samsung denies heir's involvement in controversial merger of key affiliates

Samsung said there were no wrongdoings in Cheil Industries ' treasury shares trading to defend its valuation during that time @ @ @ @ @ .
It also denied suspicions that Samsung C & T deliberately made a late announcement @ @ @ @ @ to slow down its stock value increase .

SEOUL, June 5 (Yonhap) -- Samsung Group on Friday rebutted allegations that its heir was involved in a controversial merger of two group units a few years ago, saying he played no role in any decision-making process.
In a statement, South Korea's largest conglomerate strongly denied Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong's alleged involvement in the merger of the two affiliates -- Samsung C&T Corp. and Cheil Industries Inc., in 2015.
"Allegations that Lee took part in a stock price manipulation scheme are groundless," the group said in a release.
This photo taken on May 6, 2020, shows Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong at a press conference in Seoul. (Yonhap)
Samsung's statement comes one day after local prosecutors sought an arrest warrant for Lee over the 2015 merger, which was seen as a move aimed at smoothing out his succession.
Prosecutors suspect Lee and the group's top management were involved in a calibrated scheme to intentionally lower the value of Samsung C&T prior to its merger with Cheil Industries so as to facilitate Lee's managerial succession from his ailing father, Lee Kun-hee.
Lee Jae-yong was then the largest shareholder in Cheil Industries, an affiliate that produces textiles, chemicals and electronic chemical materials, with a stake of 23.2 percent, which means a fall in the valuation of Samsung C&T would pave the way for a merger ratio advantageous to the Samsung heir.
Samsung said there were no wrongdoings in Cheil Industries' treasury shares trading to defend its valuation during that time as it complies with regulations. It also denied suspicions that Samsung C&T deliberately made a late announcement of an overseas construction deal to slow down its stock value increase.
A Seoul court will hold a hearing on Monday to decide whether to issue the arrest warrant. A decision is expected to come out late at night or early Tuesday.
If the warrant is approved, it will be the first time since 2017 that Lee will be arrested on criminal charges.
In February 2017, Lee was arrested for allegedly offering bribes to a confidante of former President Park Geun-hye. He was initially sentenced to five years in prison, but he was freed a year later after the Seoul High Court reduced the sentence to 2 1/2 years, suspended for four years.
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-05--Court issues maximum 10-year jail term for alleged leader of online sex abuse ring

`` The degree of the crime they committed is heavy and critical in the sense that it can cause lasting @ @ @ @ @ to protect children and adolescents and prevent crimes that sexually exploit them is very big @ @ @ @ @ .

CHUNCHEON, South Korea, June 5 (Yonhap) -- A court on Friday handed down a maximum 10-year prison term, the heaviest penalty, to a teenager for threatening minors into filming sexually exploitative videos for pay-to-view online chat rooms.
The district court in Chuncheon, 85 kilometers east of Seoul, sentenced a 19-year-old surnamed Bae, for violating the law on protecting children and adolescents, to a minimum of five years and maximum of 10 years in prison.
The court also ordered Bae to wear an electronic anklet to trace his whereabouts for the next 10 years.
South Korea's legal system allows courts to hand down a prison term with an upper and lower limit for juvenile criminals. Following a review by prison officials, the prisoner may be released early after serving the shorter term.
The sexual abuse ring is suspected of blackmailing three victims to film 76 sexually exploitative videos and distributing them in group chat rooms on mobile messaging app Telegram.
They were also suspected of illegally collecting personal data by securing the Twitter handles and passwords of 26 victims. One of the accomplices is accused of illegally taking photos of victims' bodies and sharing them in Telegram group chat rooms.
The court sentenced a 20-year-old accomplice, surnamed Ryu, to seven years in jail and another accomplice in his twenties to eight years in jail. They were both banned from working in facilities involving children, teens and the disabled for the next 10 years.
"The degree of the crime they committed is heavy and critical in the sense that it can cause lasting damage ... The social need to protect children and adolescents and prevent crimes that sexually exploit them is very big," the court said.
Calls to strengthen punishment of criminals who exploit victims in digital sex crimes have been growing following a series of similar incidents that have angered many here.
Members of a group demanding stronger punishment for such charges held a rally outside the court during Friday's trial.
This May 1, 2020, photo taken in front of the Chuncheon District Court in Chuncheon, 85 kilometers east of Seoul, shows members of a civic group demanding stronger punishment for digital sex crimes. (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-06-05--(LEAD) Moon orders review of plan for disease control system reform

What the MOIS intended was to enlarge the center 's role and manpower to serve as a control tower of @ @ @ @ @ and link it with industrial needs .
To that end , transferring it to the @ @ @ @ @ a Cheong Wa Dae official told reporters on the condition of anonymity .

(ATTN: MODIFIES 5th para; UPDATES with health official's remarks from 8th para; ADDS photo)
SEOUL, June 5 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in instructed the authorities Friday to reconsider an announced scheme to transfer the control of a state-run research institute to the health ministry from the current top disease control body in the nation.
His call came amid controversy over the government's plan to revise the Government Organization Act unveiled by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) the previous day.
It revolves around the elevation of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) to an independent administrative organization with power to handle its own budget and personnel matters so it can better handle a public health crisis like the new coronavirus.
The KCDC has spearheaded South Korea's state quarantine measures against COVID-19. The tentative English name for the new government agency is the Disease Control and Prevention Administration.
In the envisioned organizational chart change, the Korea National Institute of Health (KNIH), the KCDC's organ in charge of infectious disease treatment and vaccine research, will be expanded and transferred to the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
This file photo shows President Moon Jae-in. (Yonhap)
KCDC Director Jeong Eun-kyeong and some civilian experts voiced a negative view about the move, saying the KCDC requires its own research arm and function even if its administrative status is upgraded.
Responding to the opinion, Moon ordered an "across-the-board" review of the plan, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok.
At issue is the Center for Infectious Disease Research, one of eight centers at the KCDC, which is supervised by the head of the KNIH.
What the MOIS intended was to enlarge the center's role and manpower to serve as a control tower of the country's virus-related research and link it with industrial needs. To that end, transferring it to the ministry was deemed appropriate, a Cheong Wa Dae official told reporters on the condition of anonymity.
In a separate press briefing later, Kwon Jun-wook, a senior health official, said consultations are under way, led by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, on "various development methods" in connection with the proposed law revision and the president's instruction.
"A decision will be made through the discussions," said Kwon, head of the KNIH, who doubles as deputy director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters.
He, however, cautiously showed his support for the reform, saying the KNIH needs to play a "forward-looking" role rather than the handling of "pending" issues.
The institute should provide support not just for the development of infectious disease treatment and vaccines but also for the preparations of research infrastructure related to such fields as chronic diseases, genome, big data, digital treatment and artificial intelligence, he added.
This photo, provided by Yonhap News TV, shows the headquarters of the Korea Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-06-05--Health product retailer emerging as new coronavirus cluster in Seoul

According to quarantine authorities , the number of COVID-19 cases traced to the health product seller , called Richway , @ @ @ @ @ ward of Gwanak , increased by 19 from the previous day to 29 as of @ @ @ @ @ the 29 patients are from Seoul , with Gyeonggi , Incheon and South Chungcheong accounting @ @ @ @ @ two , respectively .

SEOUL, June 5 (Yonhap) -- A health product retailer is emerging as a new coronavirus cluster in the Seoul metropolitan area, officials said Friday.
The densely-populated area has been hit by a string of cluster infections originating from call centers, clubs, churches and warehouses.
According to quarantine authorities, the number of COVID-19 cases traced to the health product seller, called Richway, located in Seoul's southwestern ward of Gwanak, increased by 19 from the previous day to 29 as of Friday noon. Eighteen of the 29 patients are from Seoul, with Gyeonggi, Incheon and South Chungcheong accounting for five, four and two, respectively.
The authorities are concerned, as most of Richway customers are in their 60s and 70s, who are known as the most vulnerable group for the coronavirus.
A door to health product seller Richway in Seoul's Gwanak Ward is closed on June 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
Richway, which registered itself as a door-to-door sales company, has frequently held sales promotional meetings and seminars for consumers at its office in Jowon-dong, Gwanak Ward, and most of meeting participants were reportedly elderly people.
During those gatherings, sales of health care products were allegedly intermitted by recreational activities so that the elderly participants wouldn't get bored.
The first coronavirus patient related to Richway was reported Tuesday, when a 72-year-old man living in Seoul's Guro Ward tested positive for the virus at a neighborhood hospital after collapsing at the Richway office the previous day.
While the infection route of the Guro Ward man is unknown, hundreds of senior citizens had reportedly attended Richway's sales meetings and seminars over the past two weeks, quarantine officials said.
"Participants in Richway's recent sales meetings have all been identified and most are elderly people. A total of 199 people -- 11 Richway employees and 188 who visited the company's gatherings from May 22 to June 1 -- are now taking the coronavirus test," a Seoul government official said.
South Korea has been grappling with a series of group infections after shifting to a relaxed social-distancing scheme since May 6.
The country added 39 more cases of the new coronavirus, including 34 local infections, on Friday, raising the total caseload to 11,668. Over the past two weeks, cluster infections accounted for 73 percent of new virus cases, and most mass infections were reported in the greater Seoul area.
The number of infections from clubgoers in Itaewon, a nightlife district of Seoul, reached more than 270. Another 124 cases were linked to a distribution center run by e-commerce leader Coupang as of Friday, according to the government.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)