yna--2020-01-10--(EDITORIAL from Korea Herald on Jan. 10)

The country 's facility investment decreased on-year for six consecutive quarters since the April-June period of 2018 .
Industrial data @ @ @ @ @ Korea in late January are expected to show that the downward streak of facility investment @ @ @ @ @ consecutive quarter in the last three months of 2019 .
It would mark the longest @ @ @ @ @ the government statistics office began compiling related data in 1995 .

Declining investment
Moon government's anti-corporate policy makes Korea a difficult place to invest
In his New Year's address earlier this week, President Moon Jae-in pledged to strengthen efforts to increase investment in a bid to help revitalize the slumping economy.
For 2020, the government plans to push for large-scale investment projects worth 100 trillion won ($86.1 billion) in both the public and private sectors. As part of the investment drive, private companies will be encouraged to invest 25 trillion won.
Instead of setting rosy numerical targets, the Moon administration should work out a broad range of concrete measures to reverse a continuous decline in investment.
The country's facility investment decreased on-year for six consecutive quarters since the April-June period of 2018. Industrial data to be released by Statistics Korea in late January are expected to show that the downward streak of facility investment has extended to the seventh consecutive quarter in the last three months of 2019. It would mark the longest decline in facility investment since the government statistics office began compiling related data in 1995.
While reducing their investment here, Korean companies have expanded investment abroad.
According to recent data from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, direct overseas investment by local firms jumped 21.6 percent from a year earlier to $44.45 billion in the first nine months of 2019. The figure is estimated to have exceeded $50 billion by the end of the year, recording the highest since 1981 when related data began being tallied.
South Korea remains exceptional from the rising trend of corporate reshoring in most advanced economies, including the US and Germany.
A set of anti-corporate policies implemented by the Moon administration since it took office in 2017 added to Korean firms' incentives to increase overseas investment and cut domestic investment. Among them are steep minimum wage hikes, a rigid application of the shorter workweek for large companies and higher corporate tax rates.
Moon and his economic aides have not followed through with their repeated pledges to lift regulatory restrictions. Rather, they have been in step with ruling party lawmakers in putting more restraints on corporate activity by prodding the state pension operator to intervene in the management of private firms and introducing tougher safety and environmental regulations.
The worsening business conditions have also led to a fall in foreign direct investment in the country.
New FDI pledged to Korea decreased 13.3 percent on-year to $23.3 billion in 2019, recording the first contraction in six years, according to data released Monday by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
Ministry officials emphasized that the amount of FDI commitments in 2019 was the second highest on record and marked the fifth consecutive year the country had received more than $20 billion in annual FDI pledges.
They should have focused on identifying reasons for the decline in foreign direct investment.
Trying to gloss over the declining trend with selected figures would hamper efforts to put together effective measures to make the country more attractive to foreign investors.
The Moon administration should depart from its anti-corporate stance and carry out regulatory and labor reforms to encourage both local and foreign companies to increase investment in the country.
In his address, Moon vowed to drastically lift regulations that hinder the development of new technologies and new industries. While making the pledge, Moon unveiled a plan to push for the revision of laws to foster a "fair economy" and enhance the "sound management" of local conglomerates. Such revised laws would introduce a horde of new regulatory restrictions on private companies.
Moon made no mention of the need to make the labor market more flexible and rein in excessive demands from unionized workers.
Private firms cannot be expected to increase investment when they are compelled to endure high costs, complex regulations and low labor productivity.
The decline in investment will deepen economic sluggishness.
The government forecasts that the country's economy will expand 2.4 percent this year following an estimated 2 percent growth last year. But the growth target, which is below Korea's potential growth rate estimated at 2.5-2.6 percent, is likely to be out of reach as ill-conceived policies continue to dampen corporate investment.
Moon, whose five-year term passed the halfway point in November, said that 2020 should be a year when the country would "reap tangible results from the policies my administration has carried out so far."
Without changes in policy, however, the country is more likely to see a further shrinkage of investment down the road, as it lags behind other major economies in competing to forge more business-friendly conditions.
(END)


yna--2020-01-10--Top headlines in major S. Korean newspapers

Korean-language dailies -- Presidential office , gov't , ruling part tighten grips on prosecution reform ( Kyunghyang Shinmun ) -- LKP decides to join a civic groups-led committee for conservatives unity ( Kookmin Daily ) -- Presidential office , gov't , ruling party launch onslaught on prosecution general , LKP accuses justice minister of power abuse ( Donga llbo ) -- Presidential office , gov't , ruling party come together to bash prosecution general for 'disobedience ' ( Seoul Shinmun ) -- Moves to unify conservative political camps gather ground , bumpy roads ahead before opening new party ( Segye @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disobedience amid attempts to expel him ( Chosun Ilbo ) -- Following massacre , even PM lashes out at prosecution general ( JoongAng Ilbo ) -- Samsung calls for compliance committee 's activities only with info provided by the firm ( Hankyoreh ) -- Presidential office , PM , justice minister launch joint onslaught on prosecution general ( Hankook Ilbo ) -- 'All firms should be tech companies for survival ' ( Maeil Business Newspaper ) -- Surge in lawsuits in labor circle sparked by pro-labor union rulings ( Korea Economic Daily )

SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) -- The following are the top headlines in major South Korean newspapers on Jan. 10.
Korean-language dailies
-- Presidential office, gov't, ruling part tighten grips on prosecution reform (Kyunghyang Shinmun)
-- LKP decides to join a civic groups-led committee for conservatives unity (Kookmin Daily)
-- Presidential office, gov't, ruling party launch onslaught on prosecution general, LKP accuses justice minister of power abuse (Donga llbo)
-- Presidential office, gov't, ruling party come together to bash prosecution general for 'disobedience' (Seoul Shinmun)
-- Moves to unify conservative political camps gather ground, bumpy roads ahead before opening new party (Segye Times)
-- Prosecution general condemned for disobedience amid attempts to expel him (Chosun Ilbo)
-- Following massacre, even PM lashes out at prosecution general (JoongAng Ilbo)
-- Samsung calls for compliance committee's activities only with info provided by the firm (Hankyoreh)
-- Presidential office, PM, justice minister launch joint onslaught on prosecution general (Hankook Ilbo)
--'All firms should be tech companies for survival' (Maeil Business Newspaper)
-- Surge in lawsuits in labor circle sparked by pro-labor union rulings (Korea Economic Daily)
English-language dailies
-- Prosecution general loses his team in big reshuffle (Korea JoongAng Daily)
-- Kang says U.S., Korea could differ on troop dispatch to Strait of Hormuz (Korea Herald)
-- Repercussions expected after prosecution reshuffle (Korea Times)
(END)


yna--2020-01-10--(CES 2020) Korean-made cinema tech makes popular debut

`` Many people are now interested in having a giant TV to get a feeling of a movie theater , @ @ @ @ @ theater industry has come up with something more differentiated and more entertaining , '' Kim @ @ @ @ @

By Joo Kyung-don
LAS VEGAS, Nevada, Jan. 9 (Yonhap) -- The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) long was a tech expo reserved for home appliances and gadgets, although that barrier has been breached in recent years by carmakers and software firms.
This year, there's another new face: movies that add more dimensions and delivers multi-sensory experience.
A small theater inside the Las Vegas Convention Center allows people to experience movies as if they were reality.
The 4DX Screen is a small auditorium and a booth run by South Korean cinema technology firm CJ 4DPLEX Co., a CES debutant.
"This small theater can accommodate 24 people and all of our 60 screenings yesterday were sold out," Kim Dae-hee, a manager at CJ CGV Co., a parent company of CJ 4DPLEX and South Korea's largest cinema chian, said Thursday. "It's more than what we've expected at CES."
This photo provided by CJ CGV Co. on Jan. 9, 2020, shows the 4DX Screen operated by CJ 4DPLEX Co. at the Consumer Electronics Show 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
When people enter the auditorium, they can first notice four screens: front, both sides and the ceiling.
The trapezoidal side walls of the auditorium are designed to diminish image distortion and provide better panoramic viewing excitement, according to CJ 4DPLEX.
The ceiling screen is the most unique feature of the 4DX Screen and for a first-time audience it may be difficult to adjust to this vivid experience.
According to the company, the seating system reacts to more than 22 different effects.
The audience can smell a forest, feel the wind and, for example, through moving chairs, feel the motion when a bird picks up the main character in the animation film "1inch."
This photo provided by CJ CGV Co. on Jan. 9, 2020, shows a movie clip played at the 4DX Screen operated by CJ 4DPLEX Co. at Consumer Electronics Show 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
CJ 4DPLEX said its new theater concept is a blend of the company's various cinema technologies from multi-projection to a motion seating system.
"Those in the theater industry already know we're are the leading company in cinema technology, but this is CES, not Cinema Con," said Yang Joon-suk, who leads CJ 4DPLEX's brand marketing team. CinemaCon is the largest annual movie convention, which also takes place in Las Vegas.
"Through CES, we wanted to let people know South Korea has this innovative film-projection technology and hopefully further expand our presence in the United States, one of the largest movie theater markets."
This photo provided by CJ CGV Co. on Jan. 9, 2020, shows the audience at the 4DX Screen operated by CJ 4DPLEX Co. at the Consumer Electronics Show 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
CJ 4DPLEX hopes its latest technologies can bring back more young moviegoers to theaters against ultra-sized TVs, a key electronics device for creating home cinema and one of the main items at CES.
"Many people are now interested in having a giant TV to get a feeling of a movie theater, and that's why the theater industry has come up with something more differentiated and more entertaining," Kim at CJ CGV said.
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-01-10--(LEAD) Trump meets top Seoul official amid N.K. tensions

South Korea has been looking at ways to support U.S. security operations in the Middle East amid heightened tensions between @ @ @ @ @ among them is the possibility of deploying South Korean troops to the critical waterway in @ @ @ @ @

(ATTN: UPDATES with details; CHANGES headline)
By Lee Haye-ah
WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump met with the top national security advisers of South Korea and Japan in Washington on Wednesday, the White House said, as nuclear talks between Washington and North Korea remain deadlocked.
Trump met briefly with Chung Eui-yong, director of Cheong Wa Dae's national security office, and his Japanese counterpart, Shigeru Kitamura, and noted that the two countries are among the strongest U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific, according to a White House readout sent late Wednesday.
The president also expressed appreciation for the "support and deep friendship" the U.S. shares with both countries, it said.
This photo, posted on Twitter by the White House National Security Council, shows Chung Eui-yong (R), director of Cheong Wa Dae's national security office, meeting with his U.S. and Japanese counterparts -- Robert O'Brien (C) and Shigeru Kitamura, respectively -- in Washington on Jan. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
Chung arrived in the U.S. capital this week to hold three-way consultations with his American and Japanese counterparts on recent developments with North Korea.
The visit came after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un threatened in a New Year's message to take "shocking actual action" and showcase a "new strategic weapon" in protest of stalled denuclearization talks with Washington.
U.S. National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien had "great bilateral and trilateral meetings" with his Korean and Japanese counterparts on Wednesday, the White House National Security Council said on Twitter.
"Discussions covered Iran, DPRK-related developments and the importance of trilateral security cooperation," it said, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
South Korea has been looking at ways to support U.S. security operations in the Middle East amid heightened tensions between Washington and Iran. Key among them is the possibility of deploying South Korean troops to the critical waterway in the Strait of Hormuz.
Washington has also emphasized the importance of trilateral security cooperation with Seoul and Tokyo in countering rising threats from North Korea and China.
Such insistence helped stop the two U.S. allies from terminating their bilateral military intelligence-sharing pact in November.
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-01-10--Trump notes strong U.S. alliances with S. Korea, Japan

WASHINGTON , Jan. 9 ( Yonhap ) -- U.S. President Donald Trump met with the top national security advisers of @ @ @ @ @ Washington on Wednesday and noted that the two countries are among the strongest U.S. allies @ @ @ @ @ White House said .

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump met with the top national security advisers of South Korea and Japan in Washington on Wednesday and noted that the two countries are among the strongest U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific, the White House said.
Trump met briefly with Chung Eui-yong, director of Cheong Wa Dae's national security office, and his Japanese counterpart, Shigeru Kitamura, and expressed appreciation for the "support and deep friendship" the U.S. shares with both countries, the White House said in a readout sent late Wednesday.
In a post on Twitter, the White House National Security Council said National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien had "great bilateral and trilateral meetings" with his Korean and Japanese counterparts.
"Discussions covered Iran, DPRK-related developments and the importance of trilateral security cooperation," it said, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
This photo, posted on Twitter by the White House National Security Council, shows Chung Eui-yong (R), director of Cheong Wa Dae's national security office, meeting with his U.S. and Japanese counterparts -- Robert O'Brien (C) and Shigeru Kitamura, respectively -- in Washington on Jan. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-01-10--S. Korea squeeze past China to open Olympic men's football qualifying tournament

Coached by Kim Hak-bum , South Korea are trying to make it to their ninth consecutive Olympics .
They played @ @ @ @ @ as the host country and then qualified for the next seven Olympic Games .
The @ @ @ @ @ Olympics remains the country 's only medal so far .

SONGKHLA, Thailand, Jan. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea opened their Olympic men's football qualifying campaign with a 1-0 victory over China on Thursday.
Second-half sub Lee Dong-jun scored in the dying seconds of the otherwise dull match, as South Korea defeated China by the narrowest of margins to begin Group C action at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 Championship at Tinsulanon Stadium in Songkhla, Thailand.
Lee, the 2019 MVP in the second-tier K League 2, converted a pass from his Busan IPark teammate Kim Jin-kyu for the last-gasp winner.
This competition doubles as the continental qualification tournament for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, with the top three teams here to compete in Japan later this year.
There are four groups of four teams, and the top two nations from each group will reach the quarterfinals.
Lee Dong-jun of South Korea (C, No. 11) celebrates his goal against China during the teams' Group C match at the Asian Football Confederation U-23 Championship at Tinsulanon Stadium in Songkhla, Thailand, on Jan. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
South Korea's next Group C match will be against Iran on Sunday at 5:15 p.m. local time, or 7:15 p.m. in South Korea, back at Tinsulanon Stadium. The young Taeguk Warriors will close out the preliminary stage against Uzbekistan next Wednesday at Thammasat Stadium, Rangsit, at 5:15 p.m. local time.
Earlier on Thursday, Iran and Uzbekistan played to a 1-1 draw.
Coached by Kim Hak-bum, South Korea are trying to make it to their ninth consecutive Olympics. They played at the 1988 Seoul Olympics as the host country and then qualified for the next seven Olympic Games. The bronze at the 2012 London Olympics remains the country's only medal so far.
As the more talented side, South Korea had little trouble generating scoring chances, even as China, predictably, tried to tighten things up in their own zone and mount counterattacks.
South Korea had their first dangerous chance in the 14th minute, as Oh Se-hun's header off a Kang Yoon-sung cross bounced just wide of the right post. Three minutes later, Lee Dong-gyeong shot one over the net.
Following the ensuing goal kick, Chinese striker Zhang Yuning nearly gave his team a surprising lead, as he sent a well-struck shot past the right post.
At the other end, Chinese goalkeeper Chen Wei single-handedly kept this a scoreless affair. In the 22nd, Kim Dae-won stepped into a right-footed shot near from near the penalty spot, only to be denied by Chen.
Six minutes later, Chen made another outstanding save to turn aside a close-range shot from Um Won-sang.
Um Won-sang of South Korea takes a shot against China during the teams' Group C match at the Asian Football Confederation U-23 Championship at Tinsulanon Stadium in Songkhla, Thailand, on Jan. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
China knocked on the door three minutes into the second half, with Yang Liyu, who replaced injured starting forward Zhang Yuning in the 43rd minute, tested Song Bum-keun in the South Korean net from the center of the box.
South Korea continued to spend much time in the Chinese zone in the second half but failed to create any quality chances.
Second-half sub Kim Jin-kyu put on a decent header in the 62nd minute, and Chen got a piece of the ball with his fingertips and sent it over the crossbar.
But for the rest of the match, South Korea's offense stagnated, while the pesky China pushed back a bit harder.
Just when the match seemed headed for a scoreless draw, Lee Dong-jun, who came on in the 58th minute, delivered the winner for South Korea.
With the clock ticking down, Kim Jin-kyu sent a desperate pass from the center of the pitch toward the Chinese box. Lee collected the ball on the right side of the arena and cut toward the middle before firing it into the left corner of the net.
The dramatic goal salvaged three points for South Korea, who barely avoided getting held goalless by perhaps the weakest team in the group.
Oh Se-hun of South Korea (L) takes a header over Wei Zhen of China during the teams' Group C match at the Asian Football Confederation U-23 Championship at Tinsulanon Stadium in Songkhla, Thailand, on Jan. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


(Copyright)

The use of the content for any other purposes other than personal and noncommercial use is expressly prohibited without the @ @ @ @ @ News Agency .

All information carried by the Yonhap News Agency, including articles, photographs, graphics, audio and video images, and illustrations (collectively, the content) is owned by the Yonhap News Agency.
The use of the content for any other purposes other than personal and noncommercial use is expressly prohibited without the written consent of the Yonhap News Agency.
Any violation can be subject to a compensation claim or civil and criminal lawsuits.
Requests to use the content for any purpose besides the ones mentioned above should be directed in advance to Yonhap's Information Business Department at 82-2-398-3557 or 82-2-398-3552.
(END)


yna--2020-01-10--(LEAD) S. Korea named host of 2024 Winter Youth Olympics

The KSOC announced its bid for the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics in August last year .
The Future Winter Host @ @ @ @ @ the South Korean bid was based on the following : a positive technical feasibility assessment @ @ @ @ @ levels of government ; the opportunity to bring the Winter Youth Olympics to Asia for @ @ @ @ @ editions hosted in Europe ; the opportunity to build on the legacy of the 2018 @ @ @ @ @ existing venues ; and the opportunity to further leverage sport to continue dialogue for peace @ @ @ @ @

(ATTN: ADDS details in para 3)
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has been named the host country of the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded Gangwon Province in eastern South Korea the right to stage the fourth edition of the quadrennial youth competition, following a vote during its 135th Session in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Friday.
Of 81 valid votes, Gangwon received 79 votes in its favor, with only two against its bid. South Korea is now the first Asian country to host the Winter Youth Olympics.
Gangwon is home to PyeongChang, the host city of the 2018 Winter Olympics. The neighboring towns of Gangneung and Jeongseon held skating and skiing events during the Olympics, too. For the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics, the province plans to use existing facilities from 2018.
This photo provided by the sports ministry on Feb. 6, 2019, shows an aerial view of the Olympic Sliding Centre in PyeongChang, 180 kilometers east of Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Romania's Brasov, Bulgaria's Sofia and Russia's Sochi were other candidates in the preliminary stage, but Gangwon was named the lone "preferred host" by the IOC's Executive Board last December under the modified bidding process.
Last month, the IOC said its Executive Board would initiate "a targeted dialogue" with South Korea as the preferred host, following the recommendation from the IOC's Future Winter Host Commission.
The IOC created Future Host Commissions for both Winter and Summer Olympics in October 2019, to ensure more flexibility in the selection of host cities. These commissions make recommendations to the Executive Board, which in turn will make recommendations to the IOC Session. Previously, the IOC removed a rule stipulating that Olympic hosts be chosen seven years in advance, while also allowing multiple cities, regions or countries to co-host the Olympics.
The 2024 Winter Youth Olympics is the first competition whose host has been determined by this new bidding process.
IOC President Thomas Bach had said in December that the targeted dialogue between the IOC and the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee (KSOC) was "the last step before the potential election of the host."
In this Olympic Information Service photo via Reuters, South Korean figure skater You Young (front) walks in with the national flag during the opening ceremony of the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics at Lausanne Vaudoise Arena in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Jan. 9, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The KSOC announced its bid for the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics in August last year. The Future Winter Host Commission said its recommendation for the South Korean bid was based on the following: a positive technical feasibility assessment; solid support from all levels of government; the opportunity to bring the Winter Youth Olympics to Asia for the first time after three editions hosted in Europe; the opportunity to build on the legacy of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics using the existing venues; and the opportunity to further leverage sport to continue dialogue for peace on the Korean Peninsula.
South Korea is also hoping to co-host the Winter Youth Olympics with North Korea so that it can lay the groundwork for Seoul's bid to co-organize the 2032 Summer Olympics with Pyongyang.
Bach said earlier that the IOC welcomes the idea of joint-Korean hosting of the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics.
Austria's Innsbruck and Norway's Lillehammer staged the first two editions of the Winter Youth Olympics. Lausanne is currently hosting the 2020 event, set to wrap up on Jan. 22, with more than 1,800 athletes competing in 81 events.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-01-10--(LEAD) Presidential office voices strong regret over prosecution raid

The prosecution rebutted Cheong Wa Dae 's statement , saying the warrant was legitimately issued by a court with the @ @ @ @ @ searched and seized specified .
It said a list of `` detailed items '' to @ @ @ @ @ to the warrant .

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with prosecution's response, ruling party's view, other details)
SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) -- Cheong Wa Dae expressed strong regret Friday over state prosecutors' attempt at what it called a reckless search of the presidential office.
Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office in the morning sent a team of investigators to Cheong Wa Dae with a search warrant for the office of a unit that handles policies related to support for provincial governments.
It was part of an intensive probe into allegations that President Moon's aides had meddled in the 2018 Ulsan mayor election in which Song Cheol-ho, Moon's longtime friend, won.
Prosecutors failed to enforce the warrant due to Cheong Wa Dae's refusal to cooperate.
In a statement, Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Ko Min-jung said the office could not cooperate with the investigators as the prosecution did not specify the documents and materials they aimed to secure.
She said it was impossible for the prosecution to raid the presidential compound, which is a national security facility, under South Korean criminal law.
"There's no precedent to permit it," she said.
Nonetheless, she added, Moon's office has faithfully cooperated with the prosecution's investigation by providing it with materials and data stipulated in a court-issued search and seizure warrant.
"The warrant brought by the prosecution today did not specify the object of seizure ... The warrant only states 'all crime-related materials,'" Ko said.
"Cheong Wa Dae expresses strong regret over the prosecution launching a 'stunt' investigation," Ko said, adding prosecutors apparently knew that their attempt wouldn't be allowed.
If they had brought an appropriate warrant as before, Cheong Wa Dae could have offered some related materials, she said.
The prosecution rebutted Cheong Wa Dae's statement, saying the warrant was legitimately issued by a court with the location and items to be searched and seized specified. It said a list of "detailed items" to be seized had been attached to the warrant.
"Since (we) couldn't proceed with the search and seizure procedure any more, (we) stopped it and plan to push for necessary consultations," it said.
Cheong Wa Dae views the prosecution as protesting at the Moon administration's prosecution reform drive.
The prosecution's search attempt came a couple of days after the Ministry of Justice announced the replacement of some senior prosecutors close to Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl.
The ruling Democratic Party strongly condemned the prosecutors' office, calling its attitude a de-facto disobedience against the president's personnel affairs.
This photo shows the entrance of the presidential compound Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Jan. 10, 2020. Prosecution investigators raided a division of the presidential secretariat as part of an ongoing probe into an election-meddling case involving a presidential confidant. (Yonhap)
Suspicions have been raised that some presidential officials conspired to help Song, the sitting mayor of Ulsan, 400 kilometers southeast of Seoul, Kim Gi-hyeon, who was seeking re-election as the main opposition Liberty Korea Party candidate.
The election-meddling allegations triggered a massive investigation after former mayor Kim claimed that the Ulsan Metropolitan Police Agency deliberately raided his office a few months ahead of the election and that the presidential office was behind the move.
Kim alleged that Cheong Wa Dae officials compiled a document on bribery allegations involving his confidants based on tips from the city's Vice Mayor Song Byung-gi, which led to the raid that negatively affected his election campaign.
Last December, prosecutors executed a search warrant against the presidential office in connection with another probe into an alleged cover-up of an inspection into an ex-vice mayor who faces bribery charges.
They were seeking to secure evidence on why a special inspection into the former Busan vice mayor was abruptly suspended, leading him to avoid punishment for an unknown reason and become the port city's vice mayor in 2018.
(END)


yna--2020-01-10--As Winter Youth Olympics host, S. Korea to bring together teen athletes for competition, cultural ac

As Winter Youth Olympics host, S. Korea to bring together teen athletes for competition, cultural activities

During the bidding for the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics , Gangwon earned high praise for its plans to use existing @ @ @ @ @ Games in PyeongChang ( snow and sliding events ) , Gangwon ( ice events ) @ @ @ @ @ ) .
There would be no need to build new venues , and the region @ @ @ @ @ and the surrounding capital areas by KTX bullet trains , on tracks built just ahead @ @ @ @ @

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) -- The Youth Olympic Games, a fledgling sporting event organized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), are designed to bring together young athletes from around the world, not just for athletic competition, but for cultural and educational activities.
And South Korea will provide the stage for these programs in early 2024, when its eastern province of Gangwon will host the Winter Youth Olympics. It'll be the second IOC winter competition for the region, after PyeongChang hosted the 2018 Winter Olympics.
In this Olympic Information Service photo via Reuters, Swiss athletes carry the Olympic Flag during the opening ceremony of the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics at Lausanne Vaudoise Arena in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Jan. 9, 2020. Ice hockey player Florence Schelling (L) and former alpine skier Didier Cuche are in the front row, and figure skater Anais Coraducci (L) and ice hockey player Loris Uberti are in the back. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The IOC selected Gangwon as the first non-European host of the Winter Youth Olympics. Austria's Innsbruck held the first one in 2012, followed by Lillehammer, Norway, in 2016. This week, Lausanne, Switzerland, is holding the third Winter Youth Olympics, which will run through Jan. 22.
The summer edition was first held in 2010 in Singapore, with China's Nanjing (2014) and Argentina's Buenos Aires (2018) following up as hosts. Senegal's Dakar will hold the next Summer Youth Olympics in 2022.
Though these events are limited to athletes between 15 and 18, they still attract a sizable number of athletes from many different countries. The latest Summer Youth Olympics featured nearly 4,000 athletes from 206 nations. The current winter edition is hosting nearly 1,900 participants from 79 countries.
Their sports programs are mostly based on those of the main Olympic Games, with sprinkles of some new sports, such as sport climbing, beach handball, futsal, break dancing and 3-on-3 ice hockey.
In this Olympic Information Service photo via Reuters, Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, stands up and cheers during the opening ceremony of the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics at Lausanne Vaudoise Arena in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Jan. 9, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Away from stadiums, arenas and beaches, host cities have held Culture and Education Programs (CEPs), which include interactive features, workshops and team-building exercises. There have been classes designed to help participating athletes learn about other cultures and to help them improve their training and performance. Former and current Olympians have been invited to give talks to young athletes.
The first two Winter Youth Olympics host cities, Innsbruck and Lillehammer, both had experience in hosting the main Winter Games. Though Lausanne hasn't staged any Olympics before this week, it is home to the IOC headquarters and Switzerland, as a country, is no stranger to winter sports competitions.
During the bidding for the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics, Gangwon earned high praise for its plans to use existing facilities from the 2018 Winter Games in PyeongChang (snow and sliding events), Gangwon (ice events) and Jeongseon (alpine skiing). There would be no need to build new venues, and the region is already connected with Seoul and the surrounding capital areas by KTX bullet trains, on tracks built just ahead of the 2018 Olympics.
The IOC has often highlighted the importance of avoiding "white elephants," newly built sports venues that lie empty and remain unused after the Olympics.
The Youth Olympic Games have produced future Olympic medalists and world champions. For the summer, one such graduate is Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia, the 2014 Youth Olympics bronze medalist in women's doubles tennis who went on to capture the 2017 French Open. Korean-American snowboarder Chloe Kim won both the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic gold and the 2018 Olympic gold in women's halfpipe.
The Winter Youth Olympics have seen future National Hockey League (NHL) players in action, such as Kasperi Kapanen of the Toronto Maple Leafs (gold medal with Finland in 2012) and Andrei Svechnikov of the Carolina Hurricanes (bronze medal with Russia in 2016).
In this AFP photo, Swiss athlete Gina Zehnder lights the Olympic cauldron with the Olympic torch during the opening ceremony of the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics at Lausanne Vaudoise Arena in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Jan. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-01-10--S. Korea named host of 2024 Winter Youth Olympics

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has been named the host country of the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded Gangwon Province in eastern South Korea the right to stage the fourth edition of the quadrennial youth competition, following a vote during its 135th Session in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Friday.
Gangwon is home to PyeongChang, the host city of the 2018 Winter Olympics. The neighboring towns of Gangneung and Jeongseon held skating and skiing events during the Olympics, too. For the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics, the province plans to use existing facilities from 2018.
This photo provided by the sports ministry on Feb. 6, 2019, shows an aerial view of the Olympic Sliding Centre in PyeongChang, 180 kilometers east of Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Romania's Brasov, Bulgaria's Sofia and Russia's Sochi were other candidates in the preliminary stage, but Gangwon was named the lone "preferred host" by the IOC's Executive Board last December under the modified bidding process.
Last month, the IOC said its Executive Board would initiate "a targeted dialogue" with South Korea as the preferred host, following the recommendation from the IOC's Future Winter Host Commission.
The IOC created Future Host Commissions for both Winter and Summer Olympics in October 2019, to ensure more flexibility in the selection of host cities. These commissions make recommendations to the Executive Board, which in turn will make recommendations to the IOC Session. Previously, the IOC removed a rule stipulating that Olympic hosts be chosen seven years in advance, while also allowing multiple cities, regions or countries to co-host the Olympics.
The 2024 Winter Youth Olympics is the first competition whose host has been determined by this new bidding process.
IOC President Thomas Bach had said in December that the targeted dialogue between the IOC and the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee (KSOC) was "the last step before the potential election of the host."
In this Olympic Information Service photo via Reuters, South Korean figure skater You Young (front) walks in with the national flag during the opening ceremony of the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics at Lausanne Vaudoise Arena in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Jan. 9, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The KSOC announced its bid for the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics in August last year. The Future Winter Host Commission said its recommendation for the South Korean bid was based on the following: a positive technical feasibility assessment; solid support from all levels of government; the opportunity to bring the Winter Youth Olympics to Asia for the first time after three editions hosted in Europe; the opportunity to build on the legacy of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics using the existing venues; and the opportunity to further leverage sport to continue dialogue for peace on the Korean Peninsula.
South Korea is also hoping to co-host the Winter Youth Olympics with North Korea so that it can lay the groundwork for Seoul's bid to co-organize the 2032 Summer Olympics with Pyongyang.
Bach said earlier that the IOC welcomes the idea of joint-Korean hosting of the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics.
Austria's Innsbruck and Norway's Lillehammer staged the first two editions of the Winter Youth Olympics. Lausanne is currently hosting the 2020 event, set to wrap up on Jan. 22, with more than 1,800 athletes competing in 81 events.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-01-10--Presidential office voices strong regret over prosecution raid

The raid was aimed at securing evidence related to allegations that presidential officials conspired to help Mayor Song Cheol-ho of @ @ @ @ @ of Seoul , win an election in June 2018 , in which he beat then-mayor @ @ @ @ @ as the main opposition Liberty Korea Party candidate .

SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) -- The presidential office Cheong Wa Dae on Friday expressed strong regret over a prosecution raid on one of its divisions as part of an ongoing probe into an election-meddling case involving a presidential confidant.
Earlier in the day, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office sent a team of investigators to the presidential unit that handles policies related to support for provincial governments.
The presidential office said it could not cooperate with the investigators as the prosecution did not specify the documents they aimed to secure.
"Cheong Wa Dae expresses strong regret over the prosecution launching a 'stunt' investigation," Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Ko Min-jung said.
Direct search of the presidential office is not allowed under criminal law as it is designated as a special national security facility. The presidential office usually provides materials requested by the prosecution with a court-issued search and seizure warrant.
"The warrant brought by the prosecution today did not specify the object of seizure ... The warrant only states 'all crime-related materials,'" Ko said.
This photo shows the entrance of the presidential compound Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Jan. 10, 2020. Prosecution investigators raided a division of the presidential secretariat as part of an ongoing probe into an election-meddling case involving a presidential confidant. (Yonhap)
The raid was aimed at securing evidence related to allegations that presidential officials conspired to help Mayor Song Cheol-ho of Ulsan, 400 kilometers southeast of Seoul, win an election in June 2018, in which he beat then-mayor Kim Gi-hyeon, who ran as the main opposition Liberty Korea Party candidate.
Investigators were reportedly focusing on finding links between the presidential unit and Song's campaign pledge to build a public hospital in Ulsan on suspicions that some officials helped design the mayor's election pledges.
The election-meddling allegations triggered a massive investigation after former mayor Kim claimed that the Ulsan Metropolitan Police Agency deliberately raided his office a few months ahead of the election and that the presidential office was behind the move.
Kim alleged that some presidential officials compiled a document on bribery allegations involving his confidants based on tips from the city's Vice Mayor Song Byung-gi, which led to the raid that negatively affected his election campaign.
The raid marks the second search of Cheong Wa Dae in a month. In December, prosecutors searched the presidential office in connection with another probe into an alleged cover-up of an inspection into an ex-vice mayor who faces bribery charges.
Prosecutors were seeking to secure evidence on why a special inspection into the former Busan vice mayor was abruptly suspended, leading him to avoid punishment for an unknown reason and become the port city's vice mayor in 2018.
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-01-10--(LEAD) Main opposition submits motion to impeach justice minister over reshuffle row

Tensions between the prosecution and the presidential office have flared up over the prosecution 's investigations into Cho Kuk , @ @ @ @ @ as key architect of President Moon Jae-in 's drive for prosecution reform , and other @ @ @ @ @

(ATTN: ADDS info in 12th para)
SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) -- The main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) submitted a motion to impeach Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae on Friday over the recent replacement of top prosecutors probing high-profile scandals involving former and incumbent presidential officials.
The conservative party said it submitted the proposal signed by 108 of its lawmakers to the National Assembly, with its floor leader calling the reshuffle an attempt to "massacre" the prosecution service.
The Ministry of Justice replaced 32 senior prosecutors on Wednesday in a reshuffle that relegated two top prosecutors close to Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl to provincial and less important posts.
Tensions between the prosecution and the presidential office have flared up over the prosecution's investigations into Cho Kuk, the former justice minister known as key architect of President Moon Jae-in's drive for prosecution reform, and other Cheong Wa Dae officials.
Critics of the prosecution blame the prosecution for conducting excessive investigations into the cases.
A motion to impeach a Cabinet member can be passed with the approval of a majority of lawmakers, after it is proposed by one third of legislators.
The LKP holds 108 parliamentary seats in the 295-member National Assembly.
The confrontation came to the fore after Choo said at a parliamentary session Thursday that Yoon "disobeyed" her order over the reshuffle.
Yoon refused to visit Choo to present his opinions on how to replace prosecutors. Prosecution law stipulates that the justice minister recommend the appointment of prosecutors to the president after listening to opinions of the top prosecutor.
The LKP also submitted a request to commence a parliamentary probe into allegations that Cheong Wa Dae and the justice ministry sought to interfere in the prosecution probe.
The launch of a parliamentary investigation requires a majority approval.
Later in the day, a progressive civic group filed a complaint with the police seeking investigation of Prosecutor General Yoon on charges of dereliction of duty. The group accused Yoon of refusing to carry out his duty without a justifiable reason.
Cho, former senior presidential secretary of civil affairs, resigned from the post of justice minister in October after serving for a month. Scandals involving his family prompted his supporters and critics to stage separate massive street rallies over his qualification for weeks.
The prosecution is also looking into some incumbent and former presidential officials suspected of helping Moon's close friend win the Ulsan mayoral race in 2018 and covering up an inquiry into a bribery case of a former Busan vice mayor.
Lawmakers of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party submit a motion to impeach Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae on Jan. 10, 2019, over the recent replacement of top prosecutors probing high-profile scandals involving former and incumbent presidential officials, at the National Assembly in Seoul. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-01-10--(2nd LD) S. Korea conveys Trump's birthday message for Kim Jong-un

Asked whether the sensitive issue of South Korea 's possible role in the Strait of Hormuz was discussed in his @ @ @ @ @ said there was `` no direct mention '' of it .

(ATTN: UPDATES with inter-Korean communication channel, other details in paras 5-6, troop dispatch option in 13th para)
SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump has congratulated North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on his birthday, South Korea's top presidential security adviser said Friday after returning from his trip to Washington, D.C.
Chung Eui-yong, head of Cheong Wa Dae's national security office, had a brief meeting with Trump at the White House during the three-day visit.
Trump had some congratulatory words for Kim on the occasion of his Jan. 8 birthday and asked President Moon Jae-in to deliver the message, according to the Cheong Wa Dae official.
"As far as I know, the message was conveyed to North Korea yesterday in an appropriate manner," Chung told reporters at Incheon International Airport.
Chung Eui-yong, head of Cheong Wa Dae's national security office, arrives at Incheon International Airport from Washington, D.C., on Jan. 10, 2020. (Yonhap)
His remarks suggest that the two Koreas have operated a communication channel, probably at the DMZ village of Panmunjom or a North Korean diplomatic mission in New York.
Trump's birthday message also reflects his assertion of a good relationship with Kim despite a drawn-out stalemate in nuclear talks and Pyongyang's renewed saber-rattling.
Chung said he had carried Moon's message of respect and gratitude for Trump's leadership in connection with efforts to resolve the Korean Peninsula issue.
Trump gave Moon his regards as well.
Asked whether the sensitive issue of South Korea's possible role in the Strait of Hormuz was discussed in his meeting with Trump, Chung said there was "no direct mention" of it.
"There was a detailed briefing from the U.S. side on the current Middle East situations," he said.
He reiterated the government's resolve to protect South Korean people and companies in the region and contribute to the international community's efforts for the freedom of navigation in the strait.
"(We) are still reviewing how to do so," he added.
Dispatching troops there is apparently among the options considered.
In the U.S. capital, he also had talks with Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun in the wake of a bilateral meeting with National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien and a trilateral session involving his Japanese counterpart, Shigeru Kitamura.
Chung described the discussions as "very useful," saying he had "very close consultations" on the establishment of permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula.
He was guarded about whether he had talked with U.S. officials about Moon's overtures toward Pyongyang in his New Year's address earlier this week.
"I think there will be a chance later to explain" that to the media, he said.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-01-10--(LEAD) S. Korea conveys Trump's birthday message for Kim Jong-un

(ATTN: UPDATES with remarks on Hormuz issue, other details)
SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump has congratulated North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on his birthday, South Korea's top presidential security adviser said Friday after returning from his trip to Washington, D.C.
Chung Eui-yong, head of Cheong Wa Dae's national security office, had a brief meeting with Trump at the White House during the three-day visit.
Trump had some congratulatory words for Kim on the occasion of his Jan. 8 birthday and asked President Moon Jae-in to deliver the message, according to the Cheong Wa Dae official.
"As far as I know, the message was conveyed to North Korea yesterday in an appropriate manner," Chung told reporters at Incheon International Airport.
Chung Eui-yong, head of Cheong Wa Dae's national security office, arrives at Incheon International Airport from Washington, D.C. on Jan. 10, 2020. (Yonhap)
Chung said he had carried Moon's message of respect and gratitude for Trump's leadership in connection with efforts to resolve the Korean Peninsula issue.
Trump gave Moon his regards as well.
Asked whether the sensitive issue of South Korea's possible role in the Strait of Hormuz was discussed in his meeting with Trump, Chung said there was "no direct mention" of it.
"There was a detailed briefing from the U.S. side on the current Middle East situations," he said.
He reiterated the government's resolve to protect South Korean people and companies in the region and contribute to the international community's efforts for the freedom of navigation in the strait.
"(We) are still reviewing how to do so," he added.
In the U.S. capital, he also had talks with Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun in the wake of a bilateral meeting with National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien and a trilateral session involving his Japanese counterpart, Shigeru Kitamura.
Chung described the discussions as "very useful," saying he had "very close consultations" on the establishment of permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula.
He was guarded about whether he had talked with U.S. officials about Moon's overtures toward Pyongyang in his New Year's address earlier this week.
"I think there will be a chance later to explain" that to the media, he said.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-01-10--(LEAD) Nuclear safety agency approves additional spent fuel storage facility

`` Because of the time it takes to build the storage facilities , work must start as soon as possible @ @ @ @ @ said .
He said that despite some reservations , six of the eight members of @ @ @ @ @ construction plan .

(ATTN: UPDATES with more information in paras 5, 8-11; CHANGES photo)
SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's nuclear safety agency said Friday that it has approved the construction of seven additional spent fuel storage structures at the Wolsong nuclear power plant to allow for uninterrupted power generation.
The decision comes after the state-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., (KHNP) said the load at the plant hit 93.1 percent of capacity in September 2019, according to the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission.
The KHNP asked for additional storage facilities, noting it may run out of space by the end of 2021 and that the lack of storage may force it to take some reactors offline to stop producing more spent fuel.
The company currently operates 24 nuclear reactors.
"Because of the time it takes to build the storage facilities, work must start as soon as possible," a commission source said. He said that despite some reservations, six of the eight members of the commission agreed with the construction plan.
From the start, the KHNP had asked to build 14 modular air-cooled canister storage (MACSTOR) structures at the plant, located 370 kilometers southeast of Seoul, but had to get by with only seven, which have been in service since 2010.
MACSTOR facilities hold spent fuel rods in dry cask storage after they are cooled in specially built pools of water.
The Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety earlier confirmed that despite concerns raised by local environmental groups the facilities in use and those to be built will meet all regulatory requirements and pose no risk to the environment.
In addition to approving the construction of more storage facilities, the nuclear commission said it will spend 33.5 billion won (US$28.8 million) on nuclear safety research in 2020, up 10.2 percent from the year before.
It said of the total, only 4.2 billion won will be used to back new projects, with the rest being spent on existing programs centered on such areas as safeguarding nuclear facilities from natural disasters and non-proliferation activities.
Seoul has been gradually reducing its dependence on atomic energy, which meets roughly 30 percent of its electricity needs, and switching to more eco-friendly sources such as solar and wind power.
This photo provided by the KHNP shows the MACSTOR spent fuel storage facility at the Wolsong nuclear power plant, 370 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-01-10--HDC board OKs W400 bln rights issue for Asiana acquisition

The price will be finalized on March 2 , and investors are required to make their payments for the purchase @ @ @ @ @ March 13 .
The new HDC shares are set to be listed on the main @ @ @ @ @ , it said .

SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) -- HDC Hyundai Development Co. said Friday it will raise 400 billion won (US$344 million) in a rights issue to help finance its acquisition of Asiana Airlines Inc.
HDC plans to issue 21,969,110 shares, or half of its outstanding 43,938,220 shares, at about 18,550 won per share, the company said in a statement.
The price will be finalized on March 2, and investors are required to make their payments for the purchase of the new shares by March 13. The new HDC shares are set to be listed on the main KOSPI market on March 26, it said.
HDC said it will join the recapitalization to have the acquisition process go as planned.
The company will raise about 2 trillion won by issuing new shares and corporate bonds and through other means to acquire the country's second-biggest airline and its six affiliates, which include low-cost carriers Air Busan and Air Seoul Inc., the statement said.
It currently holds cash reserves worth 730 billion won.
Last month, the consortium formed between HDC and Mirae Asset Daewoo signed a deal with Kumho Industrial Co., a construction unit of Kumho Asiana Group, to take over a 30.77 percent stake in Asiana Airlines held by the construction company for 2.5 trillion won.
HDC plans to complete the overall acquisition process by April. It is expected to own a 61.5 percent stake in Asiana Airlines after the planned rights issue, with Mirae Asset Daewoo set to have a 15 percent stake in the carrier.
The company said it will initially focus on improving profitability by streamlining Asiana's routes and enhancing cost effectiveness.
In 2018, Asiana Airlines and its main creditor Korea Development Bank signed a deal that required the airline to secure liquidity through sales of assets and other means.
Asiana Airlines currently owes financial institutions a total of 3 trillion won.
From January to September, Asiana shifted to a net loss of 524.14 billion won from a net profit of 6.33 billion won a year ago due to lower demand to Japan and lower cargo-carrying volumes.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-01-10--S. Korea conveys Trump's birthday message for Kim Jong-un

Trump had some congratulatory words for Kim on the occasion of his Jan. 8 birthday and asked President Moon Jae-in @ @ @ @ @ according to the Cheong Wa Dae official .

SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump has formally congratulated North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on his birthday, South Korea's top presidential security adviser said Friday, returning from his trip to Washington, D.C.
Chung Eui-yong, head of Cheong Wa Dae's national security office, had a brief meeting with Trump at the White House during the trip.
Trump had some congratulatory words for Kim on the occasion of his Jan. 8 birthday and asked President Moon Jae-in to deliver the message, according to the Cheong Wa Dae official.
"As far as I know, the message was conveyed to North Korea in an appropriate manner," Chung told reporters at Incheon International Airport.
Chung Eui-yong, head of Cheong Wa Dae's national security office, arrives at Incheon International Airport from Washington D.C. on Jan. 10, 2020. (Yonhap)
In the U.S. capital, he also had talks with Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun in the wake of a bilateral meeting with National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien and a trilateral session involving his Japanese counterpart, Shigeru Kitamura.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-01-10--Nuclear safety agency approves additional spent fuel storage facilities

From the start , the KHNP had asked to build 14 modular air-cooled canister storage ( MACSTOR ) structures at @ @ @ @ @ kilometers southeast of Seoul , but had to get by with only seven , which @ @ @ @ @ 2010 .

SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's nuclear safety agency said Friday that it has approved the construction of seven additional spent fuel storage structures at the Wolsong nuclear power plant to allow for uninterrupted power generation.
The decision comes after the state-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., (KHNP) said the load at the plant hit 93.1 percent of capacity in September 2019, according to the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission.
The KHNP asked for additional storage facilities, noting it may run out of space by the end of 2021 and that the lack of storage may force it to take some reactors offline to stop producing more spent fuel.
The company currently operates 24 nuclear reactors.
From the start, the KHNP had asked to build 14 modular air-cooled canister storage (MACSTOR) structures at the plant, located 370 kilometers southeast of Seoul, but had to get by with only seven, which have been in service since 2010.
MACSTOR facilities hold spent fuel rods in dry cask storage after they are cooled in specially built pools of water.
This file photo shows the Wolsong nuclear power plant 370 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)


Yonhap News Summary

SEOUL -- South Korean stocks closed sharply higher for the second consecutive session Friday amid the outlook that the United @ @ @ @ @ an all-out war despite persisting tensions between them , analysts said .
The local currency @ @ @ @ @ U.S. dollar .

The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Friday.
-----------------
(LEAD) Prosecution raids presidential office in election-meddling probe
(ATTN: ADDS details in paras 3-5, 8-9)
SEOUL -- State prosecutors on Friday raided a division at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae as part of its ongoing probe into an election-meddling case involving the incumbent Ulsan mayor, a close presidential confidant.
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office said it launched a raid on a Cheong Wa Dae unit that covers policies on supporting provincial governments in relation to election-meddling allegations in the industrial city 400 kilometers southeast of Seoul.
-----------------
S. Korea, U.S. to hold defense cost talks next week after Washington hints at compromise
SEOUL -- South Korea and the United States will hold a new round of talks in Washington next week on sharing the cost for stationing American troops here amid expectations the two sides are closer to a deal.
Jeong Eun-bo, South Korea's chief negotiator for the talks, is set to meet his U.S. counterpart, James DeHart, for two-day talks starting on Tuesday (U.S. time), the foreign ministry said Friday.
-----------------
S. Korea to speed up budget spending in Q1: vice finance minister
SEJONG -- South Korea will speed up its budget spending in the first quarter as it seeks to revitalize the economy through large-scale investment projects, a vice finance minister said Friday.
Vice Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said it is most important for the economy to gain recovery momentum this year, backed by the government's expansionary fiscal policies.
-----------------
(LEAD) Seoul stocks continue to jump on eased concerns over U.S.-Iran conflict
(ATTN: ADDS details in 3rd para, bond yields at bottom; CHANGES photo)
SEOUL -- South Korean stocks closed sharply higher for the second consecutive session Friday amid the outlook that the United States and Iran may avoid an all-out war despite persisting tensions between them, analysts said. The local currency closed slightly lower against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) surged 19.94 points, or 0.91 percent, to close at 2,206.39. Trading volume was moderate at 584 million shares worth 6.32 trillion won (US$5.44 billion), with winners far outnumbering losers 569 to 265.
-----------------
BTS' 'Map of the Soul: Persona' becomes most-sold album in Gaon chart history
SEOUL -- BTS sold more than 3.71 million copies of its latest "Map of the Soul: Persona" album last year, breaking the all-time record for the most annual album sales on Gaon Charts, the band's management agency said Friday.
Sales of the "Persona" album, released in April last year, came to 3,718,230 copies, Big Hit Entertainment said, quoting data by Gaon Charts, the country's main music chart operated by the Korea Music Content Association.
-----------------
'Parasite' likely to be remade into drama series on HBO
SEOUL -- Bong Joon-ho's sensational thriller "Parasite" will be made into a TV series on U.S. premium cable channel HBO, the film's production house said Friday.
"Director Bong and Adam McKay will participate in the project as executive producers, with HBO," said an official from the film's investor-distributor CJ ENM. The film won the top prize at this year's Cannes Film Festival.
-----------------
U.S.-N. Korea talks unlikely to resume this year: expert
SEOUL -- Nuclear negotiations between the United States and North Korea are unlikely to resume this year as chances are low that Washington will come up with major concessions ahead of its upcoming presidential election, an expert said Friday.
Kim Dong-yub, a professor of the Institute for Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University, made the case during a seminar in Seoul, adding that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un appears to have calculated this when he warned of a protracted deadlock in U.S.-North Korea relations in an address to a key party meeting last month.
(END)


yna--2020-01-10--(LEAD) Seoul stocks continue to jump on eased concerns over U.S.-Iran conflict

SEOUL , Jan. 10 ( Yonhap ) -- South Korean stocks closed sharply higher for the second consecutive session Friday @ @ @ @ @ United States and Iran may avoid an all-out war despite persisting tensions between them , @ @ @ @ @ currency closed slightly lower against the U.S. dollar .

(ATTN: ADDS details in 3rd para, bond yields at bottom; CHANGES photo)
SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks closed sharply higher for the second consecutive session Friday amid the outlook that the United States and Iran may avoid an all-out war despite persisting tensions between them, analysts said. The local currency closed slightly lower against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) surged 19.94 points, or 0.91 percent, to close at 2,206.39. Trading volume was moderate at 584 million shares worth 6.32 trillion won (US$5.44 billion), with winners far outnumbering losers 569 to 265.
It marked the first time since Dec. 27 that the index closed over the 2,200 threshold, and the highest finish since 2,212.75 posted on May 2, 2019.
Local shares lost grounds earlier this week on rising concerns over a possible conflict between Washington and Teheran after Iran staged a missile attack against U.S. military bases in Iraq.
A dealer at a KEB Hana Bank trading room in Seoul watches a computer monitor after the South Korean stock market closed sharply higher on Jan. 10, 2020. (Yonhap)
South Korean shares, however, gathered ground after U.S. President Donald Trump said no U.S. personnel were killed or injured in the attack, and that the country will roll out tougher economic sanctions instead of a military retaliation.
"The uncertainties from the Middle East were eased, and the news reports that a Chinese delegation plans to visit the U.S. to sign the phase-one trade deal gave a push to local stock prices," said Lee Won, a researcher at Bookook Securities Co.
Foreigners bought a net 380 billion won, extending their buying streak to a sixth consecutive session. Institutions offloaded a net 363 billion won, while retail investors net sold 26.2 billion won.
Tech shares closed higher on the growing optimism for the chip industry, with market kingpin Samsung Electronics advancing 1.54 percent to 59,500 won. Samsung SDI, the battery unit of South Korea's top conglomerate, shot up 7.1 percent to finish at 249,000 won.
No. 1 pharmaceutical firm Samsung BioLogics climbed 3.93 percent to 436,500 won, and Hanmi Pharmaceutical added 1.56 percent to 292,500 won. Celltrion edged up 0.28 percent to 177,500 won.
Chemical shares also closed bullish, with LG Chem spiking 6.04 percent to 325,000 won and LG Household & Health Care advancing 1.44 percent to 1,343,000 won. Top cosmetics producer AmorePacific closed 4.01 percent higher at 220,500 won.
Mobile carriers finished weaker, with No. 1 SK Telecom falling 0.43 percent to 231,000 won, and KT closing unchanged at 26,050 won. LG Uplus, the smallest player, shed 1.5 percent to 13,100 won.
The local currency closed at 1,161.30 won to the dollar, down 2.20 won from the previous session's close.
Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed lower. The yield on three-year Treasurys added 0.9 basis point to 1.425 percent, while the return on the benchmark five-year government bond gained 3 basis points to 1.546 percent.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-01-10--Main opposition submits motion to impeach justice minister over reshuffle row

SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) -- The main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) submitted a motion to impeach Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae on Friday over the recent replacement of top prosecutors probing high-profile scandals involving former and incumbent presidential officials.
The conservative party said it submitted the proposal signed by 108 of its lawmakers to the National Assembly, with its floor leader calling the reshuffle an attempt to "massacre" the prosecution service.
The Ministry of Justice replaced 32 senior prosecutors on Wednesday in a reshuffle that relegated two top prosecutors close to Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl to provincial and less important posts.
Tensions between the prosecution and the presidential office have flared up over the prosecution's investigations into Cho Kuk, the former justice minister known as key architect of President Moon Jae-in's drive for prosecution reform, and other Cheong Wa Dae officials.
Critics of the prosecution blame the prosecution for conducting excessive investigations into the cases.
A motion to impeach a Cabinet member can be passed with the approval of a majority of lawmakers, after it is proposed by one third of legislators.
The LKP holds 108 parliamentary seats in the 295-member National Assembly.
The confrontation came to the fore after Choo said at a parliamentary session Thursday that Yoon "disobeyed" her order over the reshuffle.
Yoon refused to visit Choo to present his opinions on how to replace prosecutors. Prosecution law stipulates that the justice minister recommend the appointment of prosecutors to the president after listening to opinions of the top prosecutor.
The LKP also submitted a request to commence a parliamentary probe into allegations that Cheong Wa Dae and the justice ministry sought to interfere in the prosecution probe.
The launch of a parliamentary investigation requires a majority approval.
Cho, former senior presidential secretary of civil affairs, resigned from the post of justice minister in October after serving for a month. Scandals involving his family prompted his supporters and critics to stage separate massive street rallies over his qualification for weeks.
The prosecution is also looking into some incumbent and former presidential officials suspected of helping Moon's close friend win the Ulsan mayoral race in 2018 and covering up an inquiry into a bribery case of a former Busan vice mayor.
Lawmakers of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party submit a motion to impeach Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae on Jan. 10, 2019, over the recent replacement of top prosecutors probing high-profile scandals involving former and incumbent presidential officials, at the National Assembly in Seoul. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-01-10--S. Korean Bond Yields on Jan. 10, 2020

S. Korean Bond Yields on Jan. 10, 2020

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


yna--2020-01-10--S. Korea asks China for info on virus suspected of causing pneumonia-like illness

The health agency said she is currently doing well and recovering , but that she was still kept in quarantine @ @ @ @ @ tests are being conducted .

SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's public safety and health agency on Friday asked China to provide information on the new type of coronavirus that is suspected of having caused pneumonia-like illness in recent weeks.
The request comes two days after the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) reported the country's first suspected case of the illness that has caused alarm in China for weeks.
A 36 year-old Chinese woman, who visited the city of Wuhan in China's Hubei Province last month, reportedly showed symptoms of the illness.
Beijing reported on Thursday that it suspected the unidentified illness as being caused by a new strain of coronavirus.
"Once we get the genetic information, we should be able to conduct our own checks on the patient who is showing symptoms," the KCDC said.
It said at the moment, Seoul does not have enough data to determine if the person has contracted the pneumonia-like illness.
South Korea is also trying to get medical information from other countries that have reported patients with similar symptoms, it added.
The patient, whose identity has not been released, suffered from coughing and a sore throat when she was examined by local doctors late last week, and was initially diagnosed with pneumonia.
The health agency said she is currently doing well and recovering, but that she was still kept in quarantine as a precaution while more tests are being conducted.
Tests carried out so far have confirmed she was not suffering from the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), common influenza, parainfluenza or adenovirus. The authorities also said she was not suffering from severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
The KCDC said it has tightened monitoring of people entering the country, as well as of those around the patient and medical personnel who have come in contact with her.
The center is advising all travelers going to Wuhan to avoid contact with animals and birds, and to take extra care of personal hygiene.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-01-10--BTS' 'Map of the Soul: Persona' becomes most-sold album in Gaon chart history

The year 2019 was in fact the fourth year in row that BTS has topped the Gaon annual album sales @ @ @ @ @ atop the same chart in 2016 with its second full-length album , `` Wings .
@ @ @ @ @ copies of `` Wings , '' the album became the most-sold Korean album ever in @ @ @ @ @ time .

SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) -- BTS sold more than 3.71 million copies of its latest "Map of the Soul: Persona" album last year, breaking the all-time record for the most annual album sales on Gaon Charts, the band's management agency said Friday.
Sales of the "Persona" album, released in April last year, came to 3,718,230 copies, Big Hit Entertainment said, quoting data by Gaon Charts, the country's main music chart operated by the Korea Music Content Association.
The annual sales number marks the highest reading in the history of the Gaon charts launched in 2010. It smashed the previous record set by the band itself in 2018 when "Love Yourself: Answer" sold 2,197,808 copies.
The year 2019 was in fact the fourth year in row that BTS has topped the Gaon annual album sales chart after it first finished atop the same chart in 2016 with its second full-length album, "Wings." With sales of 731,301 copies of "Wings," the album became the most-sold Korean album ever in Gaon chart history at the time.
BTS broke its own record the following year by selling 1,493,443 copies of "Love Yourself: Her" and topping the Gaon annual album sales chart again.
Upon its release in April last year, "Persona" sold more than 3.22 million copies within the first 19 days of the release, registering the biggest monthly album sales in the history of Gaon Charts. The same album was BTS' third record to top the Billboard 200 album chart that month.
Now the band's next album, "Map of the Soul: 7," is on its way to hit the global music scene on Feb. 21.
This image of BTS was provided by Big Hit Entertainment. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-01-10--Samsung Electronics again hits record high amid rosy outlook

The stock rally came amid fast-spreading optimism that the company 's earnings will improve this year on the back of @ @ @ @ @ chipmaking sector and a low base effect after bottoming out in the fourth quarter of @ @ @

By Chung Joo-won
SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) -- Shares in Samsung Electronics again climbed to a record high Friday on an outlook for an earlier-than-anticipated recovery in global demand and prices for chips, while foreign investors continued to net purchase local stocks for a sixth consecutive session.
Samsung, the world's No. 1 memory chipmaker, surged 1.54 percent to close at 59,500 won (US$51.23), one day after spiking 3.17 percent to reach the highest level since its listing in 1975.
The broader KOSPI advanced 0.91 percent to close at 2,206.39 points, buoyed by massive foreign buying.
Amid optimism for the country's chipmaking industry, foreign investors scooped up 1.18 trillion won worth of local shares in six straight sessions since Jan. 3. Of the total, Samsung Electronics shares took up some 658.5 billion won.
The stock rally came amid fast-spreading optimism that the company's earnings will improve this year on the back of a recovery in the global chipmaking sector and a low base effect after bottoming out in the fourth quarter of last year.
On Wednesday, Samsung Electronics estimated its fourth-quarter operating income at 7.1 trillion won, down 34.26 percent from a year earlier but well above the median market estimate of 6.5 trillion won.
"Despite the lingering geopolitical risks (from the U.S.-Iran military tensions), we have firm expectations that the chipmaking industry will register larger earnings recovery compared to other industries," Lee Seung-woo, an analyst at Eugene Investment and Securities Co., said.
Also on Friday, SK hynix, the world's second-largest DRAM maker, fell 0.1 percent to finish at 98,900 won, after rising to an all-time high of 99,000 won the previous session.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-01-10--SK Innovation to build 2nd car battery plant in U.S.

Currently , the company has three plants in operation in South Korea , China and Hungary and two under construction @ @ @ @ @ .
When completed , the five plants will have a combined capacity of 38.5 GWh @

SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) -- SK Innovation Co., South Korea's leading refiner and chemical company, said Friday it will invest 1 trillion won (US$860 million) to build its second car battery plant in the United States.
SK Innovation has already invested 1.9 trillion won to build a car battery plant with a capacity of 9.8 GWh in Georgia.
It has decided to make an additional investment to build a second plant in the U.S. to meet soaring demand for all-electric vehicles there, a company spokesperson said.
SK Innovation chief executive officer and president Kim Jun unveiled the plan in an interview with Reuters on the sidelines of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada, according to the spokesperson.
The CEO said the company is also considering expanding its No. 2 plant in Hungary, currently under construction, to better serve its customers.
SK Innovation said the investment plans are subject to approval expected be granted at board meetings in the first half of the year.
Currently, the company has three plants in operation in South Korea, China and Hungary and two under construction in the U.S. and Hungary. When completed, the five plants will have a combined capacity of 38.5 GWh.
In this photo taken Jan. 8, 2020 (local time), and provided by SK Innovation, the company's CEO and Presient Kim Jun (2nd from left) and other executives look around the firm's booth at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
(END)


Saturday's weather forecast

SEOUL , Jan. 11 ( Yonhap ) -- The following is the weather forecast for South Korea 's 12 major @ @ @ @ @ .


yna--2020-01-11--Catholics in Korea increased nearly 50 pct over past 20 years: report

However , the year-to-year growth rate in Catholics has gradually slowed to below 1 percent .
In 2000 and 2001 @ @ @ @ @ 3.2 percent and 3.9 percent , respectively , before falling to the 2 percent range @ @ @ @ @ rate dropped to 1.7 percent in 2010 and briefly rebounded to 2.2 percent in 2014 @ @ @ @ @ visit to South Korea .
But it again dived below 1 percent to reach 0.9 @ @ @ @ @

SEOUL, Jan. 11 (Yonhap) -- The number of Catholics in South Korea has steadily increased over the past two decades, though its growth significantly slowed in recent years, a report showed Saturday.
The report issued by the Catholic Pastoral Institute of Korea said the number of Catholic Christians here increased 48.6 percent from 3,946,844 in 1999 to 5,866,510 in 2018.
By diocese, Suwon, just south of Seoul, logged the highest increase rate of 89.1 percent in the 20-year period, followed by Daejeon in central South Korea with 79.6 percent and Uijeongbu, north of the capital, with 78.9 percent, it noted.
However, the year-to-year growth rate in Catholics has gradually slowed to below 1 percent. In 2000 and 2001, the Catholic population grew 3.2 percent and 3.9 percent, respectively, before falling to the 2 percent range until 2009. The growth rate dropped to 1.7 percent in 2010 and briefly rebounded to 2.2 percent in 2014 due to Pope Francis' visit to South Korea. But it again dived below 1 percent to reach 0.9 percent two years ago.
The ratio of Catholics in the nation's total population rose from 8.3 percent to 11.1 percent in the 1999-2018 period. But their mass attendance rate, considered a key indicator of existing believers' religious life, tumbled by more than 10 percentage points from 29.5 percent to 18.3 percent during the period.
"The steep fall in the Sunday mass attendance rate is noteworthy. All dioceses have made various efforts to bring back tepid Christians and overhaul the church, but any significant change has yet to come. The same problem has repeated annually," the report said.
"It's time to reflect on our current missionary work and reconsider the direction of domestic evangelism," it said.
It said rapid aging of the Catholic population is another notable change.
Between 2003 and 2018, Catholics younger than nine years old and in their teens contracted by 32.4 percent and 33.2 percent, respectively. But those in their 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s expanded by 76.9 percent, 93 percent, 117 percent and 251.6 percent, respectively.
Meanwhile, the number of nuptial masses also decreased 41.5 percent from 24,227 in 1999 to 14,167 in 2018.
The number of priests increased 52.2 percent from 2,972 to 4,456 over the same period, though the number of seminary students fell 17.7 percent from 1,547 to 1,273. The number of overseas missionaries dispatched by Korean Catholic churches surged 204.2 percent from 356 in 1999 to 1,083 in 2018.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-01-11--Son Heung-min's wonder strike voted top goal for Dec. in Premier League

`` It 's a big honor for me , especially with this special goal , '' he told the Premier @ @ @ @ @ As soon as I got the ball , I tried to find a pass , @ @ @ @ @ lucky .
I dribbled into the space where no one was .
I tried to @ @ @ @ @ action before was really quick .
I was really focused on my finishing .
It @ @ @ @ @ ''

SEOUL, Jan. 11 (Yonhap) -- Son Heung-min's mesmerizing solo strike for Tottenham Hotspur against Burnley has been voted the best goal for December in the Premier League.
The English league announced Friday (local time) that Son earned his second career Goal of the Month award for his dazzling effort. His goal was chosen by a panel of experts, combined with a public vote.
This image captured from the Premier League's website on Jan. 11, 2020, shows Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur posing with the trophy for the Goal of the Month for December. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
On Dec. 7 against Burnley at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Son secured the ball at the edge of his own penalty box to begin his dash. Son zipped past multiple defenders and dribbled 71.4 meters in 11 seconds -- by the Premier League's calculation -- to score what he described as "unbelievable."
The goal immediately had the football world and social media buzzing, and was hyped up as an early entry for the Premier League's goal of the season.
"It's a big honor for me, especially with this special goal," he told the Premier League's website. "As soon as I got the ball, I tried to find a pass, and I was a bit lucky. I dribbled into the space where no one was. I tried to finish it well because the action before was really quick. I was really focused on my finishing. It was an amazing feeling."
Son won his first Goal of the Month award for November 2018 for a strike against Chelsea. He's the fourth multiple winner of the prize, which was introduced during the 2016-2017 season.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-01-11--U.S. Senate unanimously adopts resolution on importance of alliance with S. Korea

The Senate `` recognizes the vital role the alliance of the United States and the Republic of Korea plays in @ @ @ @ @ the Indo-Pacific region , '' the resolution reads , referring to South Korea by its @ @ @

By Lee Haye-ah
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) -- The United States Senate unanimously adopted a resolution this week recognizing the importance of the U.S. alliance with South Korea, Congress' website showed Friday.
The resolution, introduced in April by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, passed the Senate by unanimous consent on Wednesday.
It notes that the two countries "enjoy a comprehensive alliance partnership, founded in shared strategic interests and cemented by a commitment to democratic values."
It also praises the contributions of Korean-Americans in the U.S.
The Senate "recognizes the vital role the alliance of the United States and the Republic of Korea plays in promoting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region," the resolution reads, referring to South Korea by its official name.
The Senate calls for strengthening and broadening diplomatic, economic and security ties between the two countries.
It also "reaffirms the United States alliance with the Republic of Korea is central to advancing United States interests and engagement in the region, based on shared commitments to democracy, free-market economics, human rights, and the rule of law."
The resolution was submitted by Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia;
Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), ranking member of the same subcommittee; Sen. James Lankford (R-OK); and Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE).
This EPA file photo shows the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (Yonhap)
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-01-11--U.S. downplays link between N.K. provocation and Iran

`` He had said he has managed the risk , '' the secretary said , noting that he will be @ @ @ @ @ the end of the month and have a chance to meet with Abrams there .

By Lee Haye-ah
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said Friday that he recognizes the risk of North Korea taking provocative action in light of tensions between the United States and Iran, but denied there is a direct correlation.
At an event at the Brookings Institution, McCarthy was posed a question about the possibility that North Korea will launch a provocation as the U.S. military focuses its operations on the threats from Iran.
"There's always risk with that. I don't see a direct correlation right now," he said without elaborating.
Since late last year, North Korea has suggested it could test an intercontinental ballistic missile in protest of stalled denuclearization negotiations with the U.S.
In a New Year's message, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un threatened to take "shocking actual action" and soon reveal a "new strategic weapon."
Asked about the readiness of American troops stationed in South Korea following the scaling back of several allied exercises in support of the negotiations, McCarthy referred to U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Robert Abrams.
"He had said he has managed the risk," the secretary said, noting that he will be traveling to South Korea at the end of the month and have a chance to meet with Abrams there.
"We have done a remarkable job there -- as I highlighted before, 26 brigades at the highest levels of readiness. But for efforts on the ground, General Abrams is making adjustments and he thinks he can manage the risk," he said.
This photo shows U.S. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy speaking at the Brookings Institution in Washington on Jan. 10, 2020. (Yonhap)
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)


(Copyright)

The use of the content for any other purposes other than personal and noncommercial use is expressly prohibited without the @ @ @ @ @ News Agency .

All information carried by the Yonhap News Agency, including articles, photographs, graphics, audio and video images, and illustrations (collectively, the content) is owned by the Yonhap News Agency.
The use of the content for any other purposes other than personal and noncommercial use is expressly prohibited without the written consent of the Yonhap News Agency.
Any violation can be subject to a compensation claim or civil and criminal lawsuits.
Requests to use the content for any purpose besides the ones mentioned above should be directed in advance to Yonhap's Information Business Department at 82-2-398-3557 or 82-2-398-3552.
(END)


yna--2020-01-10--In June summit, Kim told Trump he won't make unilateral concession: N.K. TV

`` We consider it important to resolve problems through dialogue and negotiation and hope true peace will descend as soon @ @ @ @ @ can not comply with the American style of dialogue , which unilaterally pushes for its @ @ @ @ @ want to beg for peace at the dialogue table or trade it for something , @ @ @ @ @ having said at the meeting .

SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's state broadcaster said Friday that leader Kim Jong-un made clear he won't make unilateral concessions and will push independently for economic development, during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in June.
The leaders had an impromptu summit at the truce village of Panmunjom along the inter-Korean border on June 30 amid stalled nuclear talks.
The North's Korean Central TV reported Kim's remarks in a documentary movie that traces Kim's achievements in 2019.
"We consider it important to resolve problems through dialogue and negotiation and hope true peace will descend as soon as possible. But we cannot comply with the American style of dialogue, which unilaterally pushes for its demands. We do not want to beg for peace at the dialogue table or trade it for something," he was quoted as having said at the meeting.
"Our future is what we choose and we make, not what you guarantee and point to," he said. "The obvious thing is that if the United States insists on the current political calculations, the prospect of resolution will be murky and very dangerous," he said.
He added his county will no longer be attached to the lifting of international sanctions.
"Sanctions forced on us by you have caused our people's pain, which has now turned into anger. We are no longer interested in sanctions nor the lifting of sanctions," he said.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (L) talks with U.S. President Donald Trump at the Freedom House on the southern side of the truce village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone, which separates the two Koreas, on June 30, 2019, in this image captured from a documentary film aired by North Korea's official Korean Central TV on Jan. 10, 2020. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-01-10--Justice minister ratchets up reform pressure on prosecution

`` Prosecution reform is the people 's wish and the needs of the times , '' Choo said during an @ @ @ @ @ `` Reducing the scope of the prosecution 's direct investigation should also be carried out @ @

SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) -- Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae on Friday ordered the prosecution to get the ministry's approval before forming special investigative teams, often used to look into high-profile corruption cases.
The instruction, apparently intended to restrict the prosecution's investigative authority, came two days after a controversial reshuffle in which the new minister reassigned senior prosecutors probing those close to President Moon Jae-in to provincial posts.
"Minister Choo specifically instructed the Supreme Prosecutors Office to establish an investigative organization only with urgent and inevitable causes after receiving approvals from the minister in advance," the Ministry of Justice said.
The Moon administration is pushing for sweeping reform of the prosecution, which has often come under criticism for allegedly abusing its massive investigative power while currying favor with those in power for its own interests.
In October, the ministry, under former Minister Cho Kuk, announced a set of reform measures that includes abolishing special investigative units of the prosecution that mostly focus on high-profile corruption crimes in all prosecution offices across the country, except for three major ones.
Tensions between the prosecution and the presidential office have flared up over the prosecution's investigations into a raft of scandals involving Cho and other officials. Cho is known as key architect of President Moon's drive for prosecution reform,
Meanwhile, Choo is reportedly reviewing whether it is possible to take disciplinary action against Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl for rejecting her order to present his opinion about the personnel changes of the Supreme Prosecutors Office.
On Wednesday, the ministry replaced 32 senior prosecutors in a reshuffle that relegated some senior prosecutors close to Yoon to provincial and less important posts. Prosecution law stipulates that the justice minister recommend the appointment of prosecutors to the president after listening to opinions of the top prosecutor.
The presidential office Cheong Wa Dae, the ruling party, and others have criticized Yoon for not submitting his opinion, saying that his action is considered insubordination to his superior.
Later on Friday, Choo called on the reassigned prosecutors to make efforts so that the ongoing prosecution reform drive can be a success.
"Prosecution reform is the people's wish and the needs of the times," Choo said during an official session of appointment. "Reducing the scope of the prosecution's direct investigation should also be carried out."
Immediately after the session, they attended a similar occasion with Yoon. He vowed unwavering investigations into the cases.
"There should be no disruption in investigation into ongoing important cases and trials should be carried out with continuity," Yoon said during his speech.
Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae at the headquarters of the Ministry of Justice in Gwacheon, just south of Seoul, on Jan. 10, 2020. (Yonhap)
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-01-10--(2nd LD) S. Korea named host of 2024 Winter Youth Olympics

The KSOC announced its bid for the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics in August last year .
The Future Winter Host @ @ @ @ @ the South Korean bid was based on the following : a positive technical feasibility assessment @ @ @ @ @ levels of government ; the opportunity to bring the Winter Youth Olympics to Asia for @ @ @ @ @ editions hosted in Europe ; the opportunity to build on the legacy of the 2018 @ @ @ @ @ existing venues ; and the opportunity to further leverage sport to continue dialogue for peace @ @ @ @ @

(ATTN: ADDS photo, comments in paras 13-16)
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has been named the host country of the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded Gangwon Province in eastern South Korea the right to stage the fourth edition of the quadrennial youth competition, following a vote during its 135th Session in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Friday.
Of 81 valid votes, Gangwon received 79 votes in its favor, with only two against its bid. South Korea is now the first Asian country to host the Winter Youth Olympics.
Gangwon is home to PyeongChang, the host city of the 2018 Winter Olympics. The neighboring towns of Gangneung and Jeongseon held skating and skiing events during the Olympics, too. For the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics, the province plans to use existing facilities from 2018.
In this AFP photo, Choi Moon-soon (second from L), governor of South Korea's Gangwon Province, holds a card showing the name of Gangwon Province of South Korea as the host of the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics, following an election at the 135th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Jan. 10, 2020. Others with Lee are, from left: Lee Kee-heung, president of the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee, and to Choi's left, Thomas Bach, president of the IOC, and Park Yang-woo, South Korean minister of culture, sports and tourism. (Yonhap)
Romania's Brasov, Bulgaria's Sofia and Russia's Sochi were other candidates in the preliminary stage, but Gangwon was named the lone "preferred host" by the IOC's Executive Board last December under the modified bidding process.
Last month, the IOC said its Executive Board would initiate "a targeted dialogue" with South Korea as the preferred host, following the recommendation from the IOC's Future Winter Host Commission.
The IOC created Future Host Commissions for both Winter and Summer Olympics in October 2019, to ensure more flexibility in the selection of host cities. These commissions make recommendations to the Executive Board, which in turn will make recommendations to the IOC Session. Previously, the IOC removed a rule stipulating that Olympic hosts be chosen seven years in advance, while also allowing multiple cities, regions or countries to co-host the Olympics.
The 2024 Winter Youth Olympics is the first competition whose host has been determined by this new bidding process.
IOC President Thomas Bach had said in December that the targeted dialogue between the IOC and the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee (KSOC) was "the last step before the potential election of the host."
This photo provided by the sports ministry on Feb. 6, 2019, shows an aerial view of the Olympic Sliding Centre in PyeongChang, 180 kilometers east of Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The KSOC announced its bid for the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics in August last year. The Future Winter Host Commission said its recommendation for the South Korean bid was based on the following: a positive technical feasibility assessment; solid support from all levels of government; the opportunity to bring the Winter Youth Olympics to Asia for the first time after three editions hosted in Europe; the opportunity to build on the legacy of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics using the existing venues; and the opportunity to further leverage sport to continue dialogue for peace on the Korean Peninsula.
South Korea is also hoping to co-host the Winter Youth Olympics with North Korea so that it can lay the groundwork for Seoul's bid to co-organize the 2032 Summer Olympics with Pyongyang.
Bach said earlier that the IOC welcomes the idea of joint-Korean hosting of the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics.
Following the election, South Korean Sports Minister Park Yang-woo said the 2024 competition will "be a historic occasion that adheres to the IOC's Olympic values of peace and cooperation."
"Since President Moon Jae-in is in full support of inter-Korean sporting exchange, we'll try our best to ensure North Korea's participation," Park added.
Choi Moon-soon, governor of Gangwon Province, thanked the IOC members for giving his province another opportunity to host an IOC competition.
"It means a great deal to have this event in Asia for the first time," Choi added. "And the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics will go a long way toward extending the legacy of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics."
Austria's Innsbruck and Norway's Lillehammer staged the first two editions of the Winter Youth Olympics. Lausanne is currently hosting the 2020 event, set to wrap up on Jan. 22, with more than 1,800 athletes competing in 81 events.
In this Olympic Information Service photo via Reuters, South Korean figure skater You Young (front) walks in with the national flag during the opening ceremony of the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics at Lausanne Vaudoise Arena in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Jan. 9, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)