yna--2020-11-09--(LEAD) BTS wins four prizes at MTV Europe Music Awards, including Best Song

The big EMA win is the latest in what has turned out to be an unprecedented year for the band @ @ @ @ @ music charts and made history by becoming the first K-pop act to debut at No @ @ @ @ @ Hot 100 with its single `` Dynamite . ''

(ATTN: RECASTS headline; UPDATES with quotes, details throughout, photo)
By Lee Minji
SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- K-pop megastar BTS has clinched four trophies at this year's MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA), including the coveted Best Song prize.
The seven-member act took home four prizes in total, winning the Best Song category with its latest hit "Dynamite" and Best Virtual Live for its concert that was held online amid the new coronavirus pandemic. The ceremony was streamed live earlier Monday.
Other nominees who competed for Best Song included DaBaby with "Rockstar," featuring Roddy Ricch, Dua Lipa with "Don't Start Now," Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande with "Rain on Me," Roddy Ricch with "The Box" and The Weeknd with "Blinding Lights."
BTS also won trophies for Best Group and Biggest Fan.
"This means so much for us because we really wanted to enjoy this song with our fans in this difficult time," BTS member Jungkook said in a video message following the Best Song win.
"We'll keep working hard to be a group that can touch the hearts of people and give them hope through music," RM said after the group won the Best Group prize.
BTS voiced gratitude to its dedicated fan base known as ARMY, stressing how it would like to meet them in person soon.
The band has held two online concerts after canceling in-person concerts amid virus risks. Its "Bang Bang Con: The Live" online concert, held in June, drew some 756,000 viewers from across the world, while some 993,000 paid viewers from more than 190 countries tuned in to watch the "BTS MAP OF THE SOUL ON:E" online concert held in October.
The group has now won multiple trophies at the EMA for three straight years. It won Best Group and Biggest Fan awards in 2018 and Best Group, Best Live and Biggest Fans prizes in 2019.
This year's EMA featured performances filmed at various locations around the world amid the global pandemic, compared with the 2019 event that was hosted in Seville, Spain.
The big EMA win is the latest in what has turned out to be an unprecedented year for the band. BTS has topped global music charts and made history by becoming the first K-pop act to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with its single "Dynamite."
Earlier this year, it picked up Top Social Artist for a fourth straight year at the Billboard Music Awards and four awards at the MTV Video Music Awards, including the highly competitive category of Best Pop.
BTS is set to return with its new album "BE" on Nov. 20.
This photo, from MTV 2020 Europe Music Awards, shows the categories K-pop megastars won in this year's ceremony. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
This photo, provided by Big Hit Entertainment, shows K-pop megastars BTS. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
This photo, provided by Big Hit Entertainment, shows BTS holding its online concert "BTS MAP OF THE SOUL ON:E" on Oct. 11, 2020. The screen behind the band shows faces of fans watching from around the world. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--High-profile sex offender faces another arrest after avoiding U.S. extradition

The court hearing came after Son 's father filed complaints with the Seoul police in May this year against the @ @ @ @ @ sexual exploitation site `` Welcome to Video '' on the darknet from June 2015 to @ @ @ @ @ his son was not punished on money laundering charges in his previous indictment .

SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean sex offender, who was indicted in the United States in 2018 for operating one of the world's biggest child sex exploitation sites but avoided extradition to Washington by a court ruling earlier this year, attended a court hearing in Seoul on Monday to be additionally questioned about money laundering allegations.
Son Jong-woo, released from a Seoul prison in July after completing an 18-month prison term on child sex exploitation charges, showed up in his detention warrant hearing at the Seoul Central District Court around 9 a.m., as he faces another arrest on a separate charge of concealing his criminal proceeds.
The court is expected to decide later in the day whether to put the 24-year-old Son under pre-trial detention.
This file photo taken on July 6, 2020, shows South Korean sex offender Son Jong-woo leaving the Seoul Detention Center after serving an 18-month prison term and a Seoul court rejected a U.S. extradition request for him. (Yonhap)
The court hearing came after Son's father filed complaints with the Seoul police in May this year against the operator of the notorious child sexual exploitation site "Welcome to Video" on the darknet from June 2015 to March 2018, alleging that his son was not punished on money laundering charges in his previous indictment.
The father also claimed that his son damaged his mother's reputation by paying for her medical care with criminal proceeds. But the father's complaint was widely seen as intended to open a new legal case, thereby keeping his son in Korea ahead of a court ruling on his son's extradition to the U.S.
U.S. authorities had filed an extradition request for Son after a federal grand jury in D.C. indicted him in August 2018 on nine counts related to his operation of Welcome to Video, which was taken down by law enforcement in March of the same year.
But the Seoul High Court ruled against the U.S. extradition request in July, citing a need for Korean authorities to fully fight against child sexual exploitation by having the main culprit in the country.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--Ruling party calls for early summit between Moon, Biden

In that regard , he said , the coming 100 days are crucial , as South Korea would be able @ @ @ @ @ facilitator role in the region and secure more room in terms of inter-Korean relations , @ @ @ @ @ `` strategy and efforts . ''

SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's ruling Democratic Party stressed the need Monday for early talks between President Moon Jae-in and his incoming U.S. counterpart Joe Biden.
"It's necessary to hold a South Korea-U.S. summit at an early date following President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration," the party's floor leader Rep. Kim Tae-nyeon said during a meeting of the top party council.
He added, "It's important for (South Korea) to have close diplomatic communications (with the U.S.) so that the South Korean government's position can be sufficiently reflected in the process of the new American administration's review of Korean Peninsula and North Korea policies."
In that regard, he said, the coming 100 days are crucial, as South Korea would be able to expand its mediator or facilitator role in the region and secure more room in terms of inter-Korean relations, a task dependent on its "strategy and efforts."
He said his party, which holds a majority of seats at the 300-member National Assembly, will fully support efforts for progress in the Korea peace process via "multi-sided" lawmakers-level diplomacy.
Rep. Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the ruling Democratic Party, speaks during a top party council meeting on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--Seoul stocks extend gains on Biden effect

The local currency was trading at 1,117.35 won against the U.S. dollar , up 3.05 won from the previous session @ @ @

SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares extended momentum late Monday morning on tech, renewable energy and battery gains, following Joe Biden's victory in the U.S. presidential election.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 1.02 points, or 24.66 percent, to 2,441.16 as of 11:20 a.m.
Stocks fared strong after a five-session winning streak, briefly touching the year's high of 2,459.15 points.
Investors pinned hopes that a Biden presidency and Republican-controlled Senate would benefit local chip and battery suppliers.
Most large caps traded mixed.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics added 0.67 percent, but No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix lost 0.46 percent.
Leading chemical firm LG Chem advanced 0.69 percent, and rechargeable battery maker Samsung SDI spiked 5.01 percent.
Pharmaceutical giant Samsung Biologics retreated 2.06 percent, while Celltrion gained 1.8 percent.
Hyundai Motor, the country's largest carmaker, moved up 0.88 percent.
Internet portal giant Naver fell 0.66 percent, and its rival Kakao slid 0.27 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,117.35 won against the U.S. dollar, up 3.05 won from the previous session's close.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--Defense ministry vows to continue close work with Pentagon under Biden

North Korea , in the meantime , has not shown any unusual military moves up until now , the Joint @ @ @ @ @ ) said , amid speculation that the communist country could take provocative moves , such @ @ @ @ @ its track record of being provocative when a new U.S. government takes office .

SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- The defense ministry vowed Monday to continue to work closely with the United States under the incoming Biden administration to maintain a firm combined readiness posture for peace on the Korean Peninsula.
"The South Korean and the U.S. defense authorities will strive for maintaining a strong combined defense posture to militarily support the peace process on the Korean Peninsula," ministry spokesperson Col. Moon Hong-sik told a regular briefing.
After setting up a task force led by Vice Defense Minister Park Jae-min, the ministry has been reviewing policy measures to be fully prepared for possible changes to defense issues between the two sides, Moon added.
Key issues include the envisioned transfer of the wartime operational control (OPCON) of South Korean troops from Washington to Seoul, and the possible adjustment of the troop level stationed in South Korea, though the two sides have said the matter has not been officially discussed.
North Korea, in the meantime, has not shown any unusual military moves up until now, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, amid speculation that the communist country could take provocative moves, such as missile launches, given its track record of being provocative when a new U.S. government takes office.
North Korea has not made any official response to the U.S. election result.
This file photo, taken on Dec. 8, 2013, shows then U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (L), along with his granddaughter, looking at North Korea through binoculars during a visit to a guard post near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--Korea Shipbuilding wins 200 bln won oil crude carrier order from Europe

The company also said it will bring its energies to bear on getting more orders till the end of the @ @ @ @ @ about various ships , including oil tankers , from shippers .

By Nam Kwang-sik
SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co. said Monday that it has signed a 200 billion won (US$179 million) deal with a European shipping firm to build two very large crude-oil carriers (VLCCs).
The 300,000-ton vessels to be built by Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., a unit of Korea Shipbuilding, will be delivered from June 2022, the company said in an e-mailed statement.
So far this year, Korea Shipbuilding has won orders to build 11 VLCCs, accounting for 55 percent of the global VLCC market, the shipbuilding holding company said.
The company also said it will bring its energies to bear on getting more orders till the end of the year, citing increased inquiries about various ships, including oil tankers, from shippers.
This photo provided by Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co. on Nov. 9, 2020, shows a crude-oil carrier built by Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
ksnam@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--The Korea Interbank Offered Rates (KORIBOR)

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

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


yna--2020-11-09--BTS wins four prizes at MTV Europe Music Awards

The seven-member act took home four prizes in total , winning the Best Song category with its latest hit `` @ @ @ @ @ Live for its concerts that were held online amid the new coronavirus .
The ceremony @ @ @ @ @ .

SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- K-pop megastars BTS has clinched four trophies at this year's MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA), including the coveted Best Song prize.
The seven-member act took home four prizes in total, winning the Best Song category with its latest hit "Dynamite" and Best Virtual Live for its concerts that were held online amid the new coronavirus. The ceremony was streamed live earlier Monday.
BTS also won trophies for Best Group and Biggest Fan.
The group has now won multiple trophies at the EMA for three straight years. It won Best Group and Biggest Fan awards in 2018 and Best Group, Best Live and Biggest Fans prizes in 2019.
This year's EMA featured performances filmed at various locations around the world amid the global pandemic, compared with the 2019 event that was hosted in Seville, Spain.
BTS, which made history by becoming the first K-pop act to top the Billboard Hot 100 with its single "Dynamite," is set to return with its new album "BE" on Nov. 20.
This photo, from MTV 2020 Europe Music Awards, shows the categories K-pop megastars won in this year's ceremony. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
This photo, provided by Big Hit Entertainment, shows K-pop megastars BTS. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--S. Korea airs thank-you video in Times Square for Korean War veterans

The `` Turn Toward Busan '' ceremony , set to take place at the U.N. Memorial Cemetery in the country @ @ @ @ @ Busan , will bring together around 150 international war veterans , families of fallen soldiers @ @ @ @ @ sent troops or medical support to South Korea during the war , according to the @ @

SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea put up a thank-you video in New York's Times Square on Monday (Seoul time) in honor of foreign service members who fought alongside the South during the 1950-53 Korean War as the country marks the 70th anniversary of the war's outbreak, the veterans affairs ministry said.
The 30-second clip is one of a series of similar videos to be aired on 13 electronic billboards in the United States, Britain and Thailand to honor the foreign veterans, according to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.
The public ad will also be provided to 103 broadcasters in 22 U.N. member countries, the ministry said.
The ad was launched as South Korea could not host various events originally planned due to the COVID-19 situation.
"The 70th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee is launching the public advertisement project in order to express the country's gratitude to U.N. veterans of the Korean War and let them know the country still remembers them after 70 years," the ministry said in a release.
On Tuesday, the ministry will host an international conference on veterans' issues, followed by a ceremony to honor the foreign veterans killed during the Korean War the next day.
The "Turn Toward Busan" ceremony, set to take place at the U.N. Memorial Cemetery in the country's southern port city of Busan, will bring together around 150 international war veterans, families of fallen soldiers and diplomats from countries that sent troops or medical support to South Korea during the war, according to the ministry.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun plans to visit the cemetery and present medals to express gratitude for their sacrifice and commitment, the ministry added.
This image, provided by the veterans affairs ministry, shows part of a thank-you video the ministry launched at Times Square in New York on Nov. 9, 2020, for foreign veterans who fought during the 1950-53 Korean War. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
scaaet@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--Marine officer tests positive for new coronavirus after overseas work-related trip

The officer was confirmed to have been infected with COVID-19 on Sunday upon arrival at Incheon International Airport , west @ @ @ @ @ work-related trip to the Southeast Asian nation , according to the ministry .

SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- A Marine Corps officer has tested positive for the new coronavirus after returning from a recent trip to Thailand, the defense ministry said Monday.
The officer was confirmed to have been infected with COVID-19 on Sunday upon arrival at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, following a work-related trip to the Southeast Asian nation, according to the ministry.
The latest case raised the total number of infections reported among the military population to 166.
Currently, 120 service members are in isolation in accordance with the health authorities' guidelines, and the military has quarantined an additional 1,014 people under stricter anti-virus schemes of its own as a preventive step.
Nationwide, the country added 126 more COVID-19 cases, including 99 local infections, raising the total caseload to 27,553, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
Quarantine officials await inbound passengers at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, on Oct. 22, 2020. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--Korean won hits 21-month high after Biden win

The won was quoted at 1,120.0 won per U.S. dollar at Monday 's opening , up 0.4 won from the @ @ @ @ @ point , the won was at 1,119.3 won to the dollar , its highest level @ @ @ @

SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's won currency surged to a 21-month high against the U.S. dollar on Monday after the election of Joe Biden as the next U.S. president.
The won was quoted at 1,120.0 won per U.S. dollar at Monday's opening, up 0.4 won from the previous session. At one point, the won was at 1,119.3 won to the dollar, its highest level since February 2019.
It was the first time in 21 months that the currency breached the key support level of 1,120 won to the greenback.
Analysts said the won is expected to further strengthen for the time being, as uncertainty over the U.S. presidential election eased.
Jeon Seung-ji, a currency analyst at Samsung Futures Inc., said the won is expected to show "upward rigidity for the time being" due to the fall of the U.S. dollar.
The U.S. dollar is likely to fall further as the Biden administration is expected to draw up massive stimulus measures to prop up the pandemic-hit economy, Jeon said.
However, the won's strength may be limited as new waves of coronavirus infections hit the United States and European nations, analysts said.
This file photo shows U.S. President-elect Joe Biden during his visit to South Korea in 2013 as then vice president of the U.S. (Yonhap)
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--S. Korea to hold weeklong online 'Hallyu' event

A room will be set up at the COEX convention facility in southern Seoul for 79 businesses here to meet @ @ @ @ @ countries in online meetings .
Similar events will also take place at the Korea Creative @ @ @ @ @ in Jakarta and Beijing .

SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- A weeklong event aimed at promoting the Korean cultural industry will be held online this month amid the new coronavirus, the cultural ministry said Monday.
The "ON: Hallyu Festival" will take place from Nov. 16 to 23, with trade meetings, live commerce sessions and an online concert scheduled for the event, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
"Hallyu" refers to the wave of Korean popular culture.
This image, provided by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, shows a poster for "ON: Hallyu Festival" (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
As part of the event, the ministry said it will sell products by 12 companies in the character, beauty and fashion businesses through "live commerce," or real-time sales sessions.
A room will be set up at the COEX convention facility in southern Seoul for 79 businesses here to meet with potential buyers from 200 countries in online meetings. Similar events will also take place at the Korea Creative Content Agency's business centers in Jakarta and Beijing.
The weeklong event will wrap up with an online concert featuring K-pop stars SuperM, MONSTA X and ITZY as well as Indonesia singer-songwriter Raisa and Thai boy group Trinity. The session will be livestreamed to some 230 countries through VLive, according to the ministry.
"This event will provide comfort to people around the world who are exhausted from COVID-19 while providing helpful opportunities to local businesses through the power of Hallyu," Cultural Minister Park Yang-woo said.
More details on the event are available at the event's web site (http://on-hallyufestival.kr).
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--(LEAD) New virus cases above 100 for 2nd day; cluster infections veer out of control

To identify possible `` silent spreaders '' who are infected with COVID-19 but do not have related symptoms , South @ @ @ @ @ out tests on people at all senior nursing homes across the country starting Monday .
@ @ @ @ @ all-out examinations for those in the greater Seoul area .

(ATTN: ADDS details throughout; CHANGES photo)
SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus cases rose by triple digits for the second day Monday, with a series of cluster infections being reported from venues of everyday life, ranging from markets to family gatherings, straining the country's anti-virus fight.
The country added 126 more COVID-19 cases, including 99 local infections, raising the total caseload to 27,553, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
It marked a slight drop from 143 cases added on Sunday, but Monday's caseloads are relatively high given the lower number of tests carried out over the weekend.
South Korea, which has been striving to curb COVID-19 from hospitals and nursing homes, recently saw more sporadic cluster infections at risk-prone facilities, such as nursing homes and private gatherings.
A commuter wearing a protective mask walks near Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
Over the past two weeks, around 36 percent of the newly added cases have been group infections, with some 13.7 percent not having clear transmission routes.
To identify possible "silent spreaders" who are infected with COVID-19 but do not have related symptoms, South Korea also plans to carry out tests on people at all senior nursing homes across the country starting Monday. Health authorities previously carried out all-out examinations for those in the greater Seoul area.
Seniors are considered to be more vulnerable to COVID-19 than younger people. So far, more than 80 percent of people who died of the virus here were aged 70 and above.
The country adopted the lowest level of its social distancing scheme Saturday under revised five-tier infection preventive measures. The country previously operated a three-tier system.
Level 1 -- the lowest in the five-tier scheme -- signifies a controllable level of transmission that allows people to carry on with their ordinary lives while wearing masks and following social distancing rules at designated facilities.
But health authorities warned that the Level 1.5 scheme can be applied nationwide if the daily virus curve does not flatten soon. The higher social distancing level has been in place in Asan and Cheonan, both located in central South Chungcheong Province.
Citizens wearing protective masks walk around a park in eastern Seoul on Nov. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
The capital city of Seoul accounted for 39 cases, followed by Gyeonggi Province that surrounds Seoul with 21. Incheon, west of Seoul, reported one new case, while Gangwon Province added 11 cases.
The greater Seoul area accounts for around half of the nation's population.
The southeastern city of Daegu added six new cases and North Chungcheong Province reported two more infections. South Chungcheong Province saw 10 additional infections. North and South Jeolla Provinces added three and two cases each.
As of noon Sunday, an office building in southern Seoul had reported 13 patients. A brokerage house in western Seoul reported three more COVID-19 cases, raising the total to 22.
The number of patients tied to medical facilities in Gunpo and Anyang, south of Seoul, reached 104, according to the KDCA data.
The country added 27 imported cases.
Five of the newly added imported infections were Russian nationals, followed by four Americans. Others included those traced to Myanmar, India, and Italy.
The number of seriously or critically ill COVID-19 patients came to 57, down one from Sunday.
South Korea reported two additional deaths, raising the total to 480.
The fatality rate was 1.74 percent.
The number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries stood at 25,029, up 61 from the previous day. This indicates around 90.8 percent of the COVID-19 patients reported here being fully cured.
South Korea has carried out 2,709,199 COVID-19 tests, including 6,319 from the previous day. The country normally carries out more than 10,000 tests on weekdays, which indicates that the daily new infections can further rise down the road this week.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--Half of S. Koreans expect no major change in inter-Korean ties due to Biden presidency, poll shows

Many observers say Biden will likely take a more prudent and step-by-step approach toward Pyongyang , as the Moon Jae-in @ @ @ @ @ to advance the Korea peace process and create a `` virtuous cycle '' of improving @ @ @ @ @

SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- Nearly half of South Koreans believe that there will be no major impact on inter-Korean relations when U.S. President-elect Joe Biden takes office early next year, a poll showed Monday.
In the Realmeter survey of 500 people nationwide, aged 18 or older, conducted last Friday on prospects for Seoul-Pyongyang relations during Biden's term, 48.8 percent said there would be "little difference."
Only 16.4 percent betted on an improvement in relations, while 26.5 percent said relations are likely to worsen.
Many observers say Biden will likely take a more prudent and step-by-step approach toward Pyongyang, as the Moon Jae-in administration of South Korea seeks to advance the Korea peace process and create a "virtuous cycle" of improving relations with the North.
The poll was commissioned by a local broadcaster YTN and the margin of error is plus and minus 4.4 percentage points.
This image, provided by Realmeter, shows the results of a poll on prospects for inter-Korean ties, as Joe Biden has been elected as the new U.S. president. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
nyway@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--Hyundai Rotem wins US$76 bln conveyer system order from Ford

Hyundai Rotem will provide the conveyer systems to the U.S. carmaker 's plants in Argentina , South Africa and Thailand @ @ @ @ @ , the company said in a statement .

SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Rotem Co., a South Korean railway system and plant equipment maker, said Monday it has received a US$76 billion order to supply conveyer systems to Ford Motor Co.'s plants by 2022.
Hyundai Rotem will provide the conveyer systems to the U.S. carmaker's plants in Argentina, South Africa and Thailand in the next two years, the company said in a statement.
Hyundai Rotem has received orders for an accumulated 280 billion won ($250 million) worth of production facilities for Ford's assembly lines since 2008, it said.
The company said it aims to further win such deals from multinational carmakers as the global vehicle production facility market is estimated to reach over 2 trillion won per year.
Hyundai Rotem is an affiliate of Hyundai Motor Group, which has Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. under its wing.
This file photo provided by Hyundai Rotem shows the conveyer system it delivered to Ford Motor's plant in the United States in 2016. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--New virus cases above 100 for 2nd day; cluster infections veer out of control

SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus cases rose by triple digits for the second day Monday, with a series of cluster infections being reported from venues of everyday life, ranging from markets to family gatherings, straining the country's anti-virus fight.
The country added 126 more COVID-19 cases, including 99 local infections, raising the total caseload to 27,553, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
It marked a slight drop from 143 cases added on Sunday, but Monday's caseloads are relatively high given the lower number of tests carried out over the weekend.
South Korea, which has been striving to curb COVID-19 from hospitals and nursing homes, recently saw more sporadic cluster infections at risk-prone facilities, such as nursing homes and private gatherings.
A visitor receives COVID-19 test at a makeshift clinic in Suncheon, 415 kilometers south of Seoul, on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
Over the past two weeks, around 36 percent of the newly added cases have been group infections, with some 13.7 percent not having clear transmission routes.
To identify possible "silent spreaders" who are infected with COVID-19 but do not have related symptoms, South Korea also plans to carry out tests on people at all senior nursing homes across the country starting Monday. Health authorities previously carried out all-out examinations for those in the greater Seoul area.
Seniors are considered to be more vulnerable to COVID-19 than younger people. So far, more than 80 percent of people who died of the virus here were aged 70 and above.
The country adopted the lowest level of its social distancing scheme Saturday under revised five-tier infection preventive measures. The country previously operated a three-tier system.
Level 1 -- the lowest in the five-tier scheme -- signifies a controllable level of transmission that allows people to carry on with their ordinary lives while wearing masks and following social distancing rules at designated facilities.
But health authorities warned that the Level 1.5 scheme can be applied nationwide if the daily virus curve does not flatten soon. The higher social distancing level has been in place in Asan and Cheonan, both located in central South Chungcheong Province.
Citizens wearing protective masks walk around a park in eastern Seoul on Nov. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
The capital city of Seoul accounted for 39 cases, followed by Gyeonggi Province that surrounds Seoul with 21. Incheon, west of Seoul, reported one new case, while Gangwon Province added 11 cases.
The greater Seoul area accounts for around half of the nation's population.
As of noon Sunday, an office building in southern Seoul had reported 13 patients. A brokerage house in western Seoul reported three more COVID-19 cases, raising the total to 22.
The number of patients tied to medical facilities in Gunpo and Anyang, south of Seoul, reached 104, according to the KDCA data.
The country added 27 imported cases.
The number of seriously or critically ill COVID-19 patients came to 57, down one from Sunday.
South Korea reported two additional deaths, raising the total to 480.
The number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries stood at 25,029, up 61 from the previous day.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--Army secures new medical evacuation helicopters

SEOUL , Nov. 9 ( Yonhap ) -- The arms procurement agency said Monday it completed the delivery of new @ @ @ @ @ last week to improve the military 's capabilities to carry out evacuations of troops and @ @ @ @ @

SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- The arms procurement agency said Monday it completed the delivery of new medical helicopters to the Army last week to improve the military's capabilities to carry out evacuations of troops and citizens in emergency situations.
The chopper was developed from 2014 to 2016 by adding emergency medical service equipment on South Korea's indigenous multi-role helicopter Surion, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration.
It is capable of transporting six patients, including two in critical condition, at the same time, and secured flight stability by installing a weather radar and an alarm device to prevent collisions, the agency said.
The Army plans to deploy them in Yongin, Pocheon and Yanggu. Under government regulations, the choppers can also be used to evacuate civilians at the request of firefighting authorities.
"Their deployment is expected to ... greatly contribute to our citizens' security and welfare," agency chief Wang Jung-hong said.
This undated photo, provided by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration on Nov. 9, 2020, shows the interior of a Surion-based medical evacuation helicopter delivered to the Army. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
This undated photo, provided by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration on Nov. 9, 2020, shows a Surion-based medical evacuation helicopter delivered to the Army. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
scaaet@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--(LEAD) Bears squeeze past Wiz to open 2nd round in KBO postseason

The Wiz 's bullpen , though , fell apart in the top of the ninth .
Closer Kim Jae-yoon , @ @ @ @ @ in the eighth , gave up a leadoff single in the ninth to Kim Jae-ho @ @ @ @ @ stole second and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt .
New pitcher Jo Hyun-woo @ @ @ @ @ hitter Kim In-tae , who sent a single to right field to score Lee for @ @ @ @

(ATTN: ADDS comments at bottom)
By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- Pinch hitter Kim In-tae came through with a go-ahead single in the top ninth as the Doosan Bears got past the KT Wiz 3-2 to begin their South Korean baseball postseason series on Monday.
Kim Jae-hwan and Heo Kyoung-min each delivered an RBI single for the Bears in the top eighth at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, as the Bears won the crucial first game of the best-of-five second round.
In the current format, Game 1 winners have gone on to take this series 26 out of 32 times.
Kim In-tae of the Doosan Bears (R) hits an RBI single against the KT Wiz in the top of the ninth inning of Game 1 of the Korea Baseball Organization second-round postseason series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
After the Bears went up 2-0 in the top eighth, Wiz captain Yoo Han-joon responded with a two-out, two-run single in the bottom eighth.
The Wiz's bullpen, though, fell apart in the top of the ninth. Closer Kim Jae-yoon, who had allowed two runs in the eighth, gave up a leadoff single in the ninth to Kim Jae-ho. Pinch runner Lee Yu-chan stole second and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. New pitcher Jo Hyun-woo came on to face pinch hitter Kim In-tae, who sent a single to right field to score Lee for a 3-2 lead.
Kim In-tae of the Doosan Bears (L) celebrates his RBI single against the KT Wiz in the top of the ninth inning of Game 1 of the Korea Baseball Organization second-round postseason series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
Doosan closer Lee Young-ha, who served up the single to Yoo, held his ground in the bottom ninth
Both starters pitched a gem but didn't factor into a decision. KT's rookie right-hander So Hyeong-jun pitched 6 2/3 shutout innings, and his counterpart, right-hander Chris Flexen, was charged with two earned runs in 7 1/3 innings while striking out 11. Flexen became the first KBO pitcher to record 10 or more strikeouts in consecutive postseason starts.
Kim Jae-hwan of the Doosan Bears hits an RBI single against the KT Wiz in the top of the eighth inning of Game 1 of the Korea Baseball Organization second-round postseason series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
While their starters were dealing on the mound, both teams missed out on early opportunities. In the top first, Doosan leadoff Jung Soo-bin reached on an error and stole second to get himself into scoring position, but Oh Jae-il and Kim Jae-hwan, the No. 3 and 4 hitters, each grounded out.
In the bottom second, the Wiz put men at the corners with two outs, and No. 9 hitter Shim Woo-jun lined out softly to second.
The Bears then wasted a two-out double by Kim Jae-hwan in the top fourth.
Heo Kyoung-min of the Doosan Bears celebrates his RBI single against the KT Wiz in the top of the eighth inning of Game 1 of the Korea Baseball Organization second-round postseason series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
After one out in the bottom fourth, KT's Jang Sung-woo reached with an error but was erased in a 5-4-3 double play ball by Park Kyung-su.
With one out in the top seventh, Heo Kyoung-min lined one off the top of the left field fence for what looked to be a sure double for the Bears. But left fielder Cho Yong-ho fielded the ball quickly and fired a strike to second base to nab Heo at the bag.
The Bears finally broke though in the eighth against William Cuevas, normally a starter who came out of the bullpen to begin that inning.
Cuevas hit pinch hitter Choi Joo-hwan, and Jo Soo-haeng, running for Choi, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. A two-out infield single put the runners at the corners and knocked Cuevas out of the game.
Then facing closer Kim Jae-yoon, Kim Jae-hwan lined a single to right field to put the Bears ahead 1-0. Heo immediately doubled the lead with a single to center.
But the Wiz tied it up in the bottom eighth. Running on fumes, Flexen walked Bae Jung-dae to begin that inning, and two batters later, Hwang Jae-gyun doubled to left field to chase Flexen from the game.
Chris Flexen of the Doosan Bears pitches against the KT Wiz in the bottom of the first inning of Game 1 of the Korea Baseball Organization second-round postseason series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
Closer Lee Young-ha came on and retired the dangerous Kang Baek-ho on a pop fly to second.
Lee intentionally walked Mel Rojas Jr., a leading MVP candidate as the regular season home run and RBI king, to load the bases and set up a force play at every base. Yoo Han-joon then fell behind 0-2 in the count before bouncing a single up the middle to tie the score at 2-2.
The Bears came back with a go-ahead run in the top ninth, courtesy of Kim In-tae, who now has two RBIs in two career postseason plate appearances.
The Wiz put some pressure on Lee Young-ha, who returned for the ninth, with Park Kyung-su reaching with an infield single. But Lee stood his ground and retired pinch hitter Moon Sang-chul on a fly to left after a seven-pitch battle.
Doosan manager Kim Tae-hyoung gave his thumbs-up to Flexen for his overpowering start, which followed six shutout innings last week against the LG Twins in the previous round.
"He did his job, and he has been executing all of his pitches effectively," the manager said. "He's in a groove."
As for his closer Lee, who blew the save but got the win in the ninth, "I think the veteran hitters for KT were ready for his breaking pitches. He still pitched a solid game."
Game 2 is back at the dome at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. It'll be right-hander Choi Won-jun for the Bears against right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne for the Wiz.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--(LEAD) Teen rookie for Wiz fires gem in KBO postseason debut

The right-hander was a surprise choice to start the very first postseason game of Wiz franchise history , ahead of @ @ @ @ @ Despaigne .
So had pitched well against the Bears during the regular season -- 3-1 @ @ @ @ @ six games -- but the postseason , as they say , is a different animal @

(ATTN: ADDS comments at bottom)
By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- So Hyeong-jun pitched like he's been there before.
The 19-year-old rookie starter for the KT Wiz tossed 6 2/3 shutout innings in his Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason debut against the Doosan Bears on Monday. So allowed just three hits and struck out four while walking one, before leaving Game 1 of the best-of-five second round scoreless with two outs in the seventh.
The right-hander was a surprise choice to start the very first postseason game of Wiz franchise history, ahead of former major league veteran Odrisamer Despaigne. So had pitched well against the Bears during the regular season -- 3-1 with a 2.51 ERA in six games -- but the postseason, as they say, is a different animal.
So Hyeong-jun of the KT Wiz pitches against the Doosan Bears in the top of the first inning of Game 1 of the Korea Baseball Organization second-round postseason series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
But it turned out So was ready for that test.
So allowed the speedy leadoff man, Jung Soo-bin, to reach on an error. But the teenager settled down after that, as he sat down 11 straight batters.
He continued to stay low in the zone, with a mix of two-seam fastballs, sliders and occasional changeups. Through six innings, he held the Bears to just one hit while inducing 10 groundouts, four flyouts and four strikeouts.
So also received plenty of help from his defense. Shortstop Shim Woo-jun made a fielding error on Jung in the first, but immediately made up for it by making a brilliant basket catch on a pop fly by the next hitter, Jose Miguel Fernandez.
In the fifth, Shim showed off his range, moving to his right to rob Park Sei-hyok of a single up the middle.
When So ran into some trouble in the seventh, defense bailed him out once again.
Heo Kyoung-min hammered a line drive off the left field wall in the seventh, but left fielder Cho Yong-ho caught the carom perfectly and threw a strike to second baseman Park Kyung-su, who tagged Heo with time to spare for the second out.
The long single seemed to wake up the Bears, though, as Park Sei-hyok kept the inning moving with a single and Kim Jae-ho drew a walk. That walk, which came on So's 100th pitch of the game, chased the young right-hander from the game.
Reliever Ju Kwon struck out Oh Jae-won to end the inning and erase the two inherited runners, thereby ensuring a scoreless start for So.
Though So didn't factor into a decision in the Wiz's 3-2 loss, both managers were effusive about the teenager.
His own skipper, Lee Kang-chul, said it was only thanks to So that the game was so close.
"I don't even have words to describe his performance. He was outstanding," Lee said. "The game could've gone out of control, but he kept us in the game."
Kim Tae-hyoung, the Bears' manager, said he now realizes why So got the coveted and pressure-packed Game 1 nod.
"He looked the part of a No. 1 starter today, whether it was the way he pitched or how he handled himself on the mound," Kim said.
So Hyeong-jun of the KT Wiz pitches against the Doosan Bears in the top of the first inning of Game 1 of the Korea Baseball Organization second-round postseason series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--(LEAD) Bears' Flexen dominant in 2nd straight KBO postseason start

Flexen was charged with two earned runs , when closer Lee Young-ha allowed two inherited runners to score in the @ @ @ @ @ save spoiled a record-setting night for Flexen , who became the first KBO pitcher ever @ @ @ @ @ strikeouts in consecutive postseason starts .
He had struck out 11 batters in six shutout @ @ @ @ @ during the first-round game last Wednesday .

(ATTN: ADDS comments throughout, photo)
By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- Twice he has pitched in the South Korean baseball postseason. And twice opposing hitters could barely touch him.
Chris Flexen of the Doosan Bears fired 7 1/3 dominant innings, striking out 11 while allowing four singles and two walks in the Bears' 3-2 victory over the KT Wiz that opened the best-of-five second round in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason.
Chris Flexen of the Doosan Bears pitches against the KT Wiz in the bottom of the first inning of Game 1 of the Korea Baseball Organization second-round postseason series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
Flexen was charged with two earned runs, when closer Lee Young-ha allowed two inherited runners to score in the eighth inning. The blown save spoiled a record-setting night for Flexen, who became the first KBO pitcher ever to record 10 or more strikeouts in consecutive postseason starts. He had struck out 11 batters in six shutout innings against the LG Twins during the first-round game last Wednesday.
Flexen said he got into "a great groove" with his catcher Park Sei-hyok.
"We were able to mix it up and execute (pitches) when we need to," he said. "There were times when we got groundouts and a couple of double plays when we needed them the most."
This was a pitching duel for the first seven innings, with the Wiz's rookie starter So Hyeong-jun firing 6 2/3 scoreless innings himself.
Flexen was even more dominant and efficient than So.
Flexen had five strikeouts through first three innings. After a clean third inning, Flexen worked around a one-out error by shortstop Kim Jae-ho in the fourth by getting Park Kyung-su to hit into a 5-4-3 double play.
Flexen then struck out the bottom third of the lineup in order in the fifth inning -- all of them by swinging.
Another three-up, three-down inning followed in the sixth. Flexen issued his first walk with two outs in the seventh but struck out Cho Yong-ho to end that inning.
After making 95 pitches through seven innings, Flexen came back out for the bottom eighth -- after the Bears broke the scoreless tie with two runs in the top half of that inning.
Chris Flexen of the Doosan Bears hoists the sign showing him as the Player of the Game for Game 1 of the Korea Baseball Organization second-round playoff series against the KT Wiz at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
Flexen walked Bae Jung-dae to begin the eighth, and after one out, gave up a double to Hwang Jae-gyun that put runners at second and third.
The trusted closer Lee Young-ha came on for a potential five-out save, but he ended up giving up a game-tying, two-out single to Yoo Han-joon.
Lee had Yoo in a 0-2 hole but hung a breaking ball over the middle of the plate. Flexen came within a strike of walking away with 7 1/3 scoreless innings and qualifying for a win.
Though Flexen didn't get a decision, he got the last laugh. The Bears scored in the top ninth, and Lee held his ground to lock down a 3-2 victory.
"We battled and the offense did a great job putting up the runs when we needed to," Flexen said. "It was a tough pitching duel early on and we came out on top."
Flexen has been on form since October. He was 4-0 in five October starts, closing out the regular season with a 0.85 ERA.
He has now allowed just two earned runs in 13 1/3 innings with 21 strikeouts.
"I honestly can't recall being this efficient for this kind of period of time," he said. "The way Park Sei-hyok (catcher) and I have been able to get into the groove is definitely one of my best."
Chris Flexen of the Doosan Bears pitches against the KT Wiz in the bottom of the first inning of Game 1 of the Korea Baseball Organization second-round postseason series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--Backup outfielder delivers key hit for Bears' postseason win

Against the KT Wiz in a playoff series opener on Monday , the backup outfielder -- fourth on the depth @ @ @ @ @ through with a pinch-hit , RBI single in the top ninth in the 3-2 Bears @ @ @ @ @ lead the best-of-five second round 1-0 , with Game 2 back at Gocheok Sky Dome @ @ @ @ @

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- As postseason heroes go, Doosan Bears' Kim In-tae was as unexpected as they come.
Against the KT Wiz in a playoff series opener on Monday, the backup outfielder -- fourth on the depth chart at best -- came through with a pinch-hit, RBI single in the top ninth in the 3-2 Bears' victory. They now lead the best-of-five second round 1-0, with Game 2 back at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Tuesday.
The teams traded zeroes through seven innings, and each put up a two-spot in the top and bottom half of the eighth inning.
Kim In-tae of the Doosan Bears celebrates his RBI single against the KT Wiz in the top of the ninth inning of Game 1 of the Korea Baseball Organization second-round postseason series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
With the specter of extra innings looming, Kim came off the bench with one out in the top ninth and knocked in the go-ahead run against reliever Jo Hyun-woo.
Kim Jae-ho began the rally with a leadoff single against closer Kim Jae-yoon. Pinch runner Lee Yu-chan stole second and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt.
When the left-handed hitting Kim In-tae came in as a pinch hitter, the Wiz countered by replacing righty Kim Jae-yoon with lefty Jo.
The battle ended quickly, as Kim swung on a 1-0 pitch and rolled it through the right side to score Lee for a 3-2 lead.
Kim was promptly lifted for a pinch runner, but he'd already had his moment.
"My manager (Kim Tae-hyoung) told me the infielders were playing in and I only needed to make solid contact to get a hit," Kim In-tae said. "After seeing one ball, I concentrated on making contact and just getting the ball through the infield."
Kim was the fourth overall pick at the 2013 draft. Armed with great bat-to-ball skills, speed and steady defense, he was at first considered an outfielder for the future for the Bears.
But he was blocked in the path by more accomplished outfielders in the Bears' lineup. He has mostly been limited to pinch-hitting duties since making his KBO debut in 2016.
This year, he played in only 77 out of 144 games, but that was his career high. He only batted .202 in those games.
But for teams to have playoff success, they sometimes need contributions from unlikely sources.
This was only Kim's second postseason appearance. He had one plate appearance in the Korean Series last year. He didn't even come off the bench in the first round against the LG Twins.
Kim, 26, said he tries to go into every game thinking he's going to enter at some point.
"Every batting practice, I walk into the cage trying to get ready for that game," Kim said. "I am the kind of guy who has to stay prepared at all times. And getting that one at-bat in the Korean Series last year helped. I wasn't as nervous this time around."
Kim In-tae of the Doosan Bears hits an RBI single against the KT Wiz in the top of the ninth inning of Game 1 of the Korea Baseball Organization second-round postseason series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--Bears' Flexen dominant in 2nd straight KBO postseason start

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- Twice he has pitched in the South Korean baseball postseason. And twice opposing hitters could barely touch him.
Chris Flexen of the Doosan Bears fired 7 1/3 dominant innings, striking out 11 while allowing four singles and two walks in the Bears' 3-2 victory over the KT Wiz that opened the best-of-five second round in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason.
Chris Flexen of the Doosan Bears pitches against the KT Wiz in the bottom of the first inning of Game 1 of the Korea Baseball Organization second-round postseason series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
Flexen was charged with two earned runs, when closer Lee Young-ha allowed two inherited runners to score in the eighth inning. The blown save spoiled a record-setting night for Flexen, who became the first KBO pitcher ever to record 10 or more strikeouts in consecutive postseason starts. He had struck out 11 batters in six shutout innings against the LG Twins during the first-round game last Wednesday.
This was a pitching duel for the first seven innings, with the Wiz's rookie starter So Hyeong-jun firing 6 2/3 scoreless innings himself.
Flexen was even more dominant and efficient than So.
Flexen had five strikeouts through first three innings. After a clean third inning, Flexen worked around a one-out error by shortstop Kim Jae-ho in the fourth by getting Park Kyung-su to hit into a 5-4-3 double play.
Flexen then struck out the bottom third of the lineup in order in the fifth inning -- all of them by swinging.
Another three-up, three-down inning followed in the sixth. Flexen issued his first walk with two outs in the seventh but struck out Cho Yong-ho to end that inning.
After making 95 pitches through seven innings, Flexen came back out for the bottom eighth -- after the Bears broke the scoreless tie with two runs in the top half of that inning.
Flexen walked Bae Jung-dae to begin the eighth, and after one out, gave up a double to Hwang Jae-gyun that put runners at second and third.
The trusted closer Lee Young-ha came on for a potential five-out save, but he ended up giving up a game-tying, two-out single to Yoo Han-joon.
Lee had Yoo in a 0-2 hole but hung a breaking ball over the middle of the plate. Flexen came within a strike of walking away with 7 1/3 scoreless innings and qualifying for a win.
Though Flexen didn't get a decision, he got the last laugh. The Bears scored in the top ninth, and Lee held his ground to lock down a 3-2 victory.
Chris Flexen of the Doosan Bears pitches against the KT Wiz in the bottom of the first inning of Game 1 of the Korea Baseball Organization second-round postseason series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--Sidearm pitcher looking to give Bears commanding postseason lead

Despaigne had the worst ERA against the Bears among all opponents during the regular season .
He had a 7.04 @ @ @ @ @ them while posting a 0-1 record .
He gave up four home runs in 23 @ @ @ @ @ the cleanup hitter Kim Jae-hwan .
Kim batted 5-for-9 with three RBIs , four runs @ @ @ @ @ .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- Right-hander Choi Won-jun will try to give the Doosan Bears a commanding postseason series lead against the KT Wiz on Tuesday.
The Bears defeated the Wiz 3-2 in Game 1 of the best-of-five second round in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason on Monday. They announced Choi as their Game 2 starter at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, with the first pitch at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Choi Won-jun of the Doosan Bears pitches against the LG Twins in the bottom of the sixth inning of Game 2 of the Korea Baseball Organization first-round postseason series at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on Nov. 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
Choi was 10-2 with a 3.80 ERA while splitting his 42 games between the bullpen and the rotation.
He faced the Wiz five times and had a 6.89 ERA without recording any wins or losses. He served up three homers in 15 2/3 innings.
Catcher Jang Sung-woo had the best numbers against Choi, as he batted 3-for-5 with a home run, five RBIs and two runs scored. Mel Rojas Jr., a leading MVP candidate, also homered once off Choi.
In the previous postseason round against the LG Twins last week, Choi made two relief appearances and pitched 2 2/3 innings of one-run ball.
The Wiz will try to tie up the series with Cuban right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne on the mound.
Despaigne was 15-8 with a 4.33 ERA and the league-best 207 2/3 innings pitched.
Despaigne had the worst ERA against the Bears among all opponents during the regular season. He had a 7.04 ERA in four starts against them while posting a 0-1 record. He gave up four home runs in 23 innings, including two by the cleanup hitter Kim Jae-hwan. Kim batted 5-for-9 with three RBIs, four runs and three walks against Despaigne.
Fellow Cuban Jose Miguel Fernandez batted 5-for-13 against Despaigne with a home run and five RBIs.
In this file photo from Oct. 27, 2020, Odrisamer Despaigne of the KT Wiz pitches against the Kia Tigers in a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--Bears squeeze past Wiz to open 2nd round in KBO postseason

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- Pinch hitter Kim In-tae came through with a go-ahead single in the top ninth as the Doosan Bears got past the KT Wiz 3-2 to begin their South Korean baseball postseason series on Monday.
Kim Jae-hwan and Heo Kyoung-min each delivered an RBI single for the Bears in the top eighth at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, as the Bears won the crucial first game of the best-of-five second round.
In the current format, Game 1 winners have gone on to take this series 26 out of 32 times.
Kim In-tae of the Doosan Bears (R) hits an RBI single against the KT Wiz in the top of the ninth inning of Game 1 of the Korea Baseball Organization second-round postseason series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
After the Bears went up 2-0 in the top eighth, Wiz captain Yoo Han-joon responded with a two-out, two-run single in the bottom eighth.
The Wiz's bullpen, though, fell apart in the top of the ninth. Closer Kim Jae-yoon, who had allowed two runs in the eighth, gave up a leadoff single in the ninth to Kim Jae-ho. Pinch runner Lee Yu-chan stole second and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. New pitcher Jo Hyun-woo came on to face pinch hitter Kim In-tae, who sent a single to right field to score Lee for a 3-2 lead.
Kim In-tae of the Doosan Bears (L) celebrates his RBI single against the KT Wiz in the top of the ninth inning of Game 1 of the Korea Baseball Organization second-round postseason series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
Doosan closer Lee Young-ha, who served up the single to Yoo, held his ground in the bottom ninth
Both starters pitched a gem but didn't factor into a decision. KT's rookie right-hander So Hyeong-jun pitched 6 2/3 shutout innings, and his counterpart, right-hander Chris Flexen, was charged with two earned runs in 7 1/3 innings while striking out 11. Flexen became the first KBO pitcher to record 10 or more strikeouts in consecutive postseason starts.
Kim Jae-hwan of the Doosan Bears hits an RBI single against the KT Wiz in the top of the eighth inning of Game 1 of the Korea Baseball Organization second-round postseason series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
While their starters were dealing on the mound, both teams missed out on early opportunities. In the top first, Doosan leadoff Jung Soo-bin reached on an error and stole second to get himself into scoring position, but Oh Jae-il and Kim Jae-hwan, the No. 3 and 4 hitters, each grounded out.
In the bottom second, the Wiz put men at the corners with two outs, and No. 9 hitter Shim Woo-jun lined out softly to second.
The Bears then wasted a two-out double by Kim Jae-hwan in the top fourth.
Heo Kyoung-min of the Doosan Bears celebrates his RBI single against the KT Wiz in the top of the eighth inning of Game 1 of the Korea Baseball Organization second-round postseason series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
After one out in the bottom fourth, KT's Jang Sung-woo reached with an error but was erased in a 5-4-3 double play ball by Park Kyung-su.
With one out in the top seventh, Heo Kyoung-min lined one off the top of the left field fence for what looked to be a sure double for the Bears. But left fielder Cho Yong-ho fielded the ball quickly and fired a strike to second base to nab Heo at the bag.
The Bears finally broke though in the eighth against William Cuevas, normally a starter who came out of the bullpen to begin that inning.
Cuevas hit pinch hitter Choi Joo-hwan, and Jo Soo-haeng, running for Choi, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. A two-out infield single put the runners at the corners and knocked Cuevas out of the game.
Then facing closer Kim Jae-yoon, Kim Jae-hwan lined a single to right field to put the Bears ahead 1-0. Heo immediately doubled the lead with a single to center.
But the Wiz tied it up in the bottom eighth. Running on fumes, Flexen walked Bae Jung-dae to begin that inning, and two batters later, Hwang Jae-gyun doubled to left field to chase Flexen from the game.
Chris Flexen of the Doosan Bears pitches against the KT Wiz in the bottom of the first inning of Game 1 of the Korea Baseball Organization second-round postseason series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
Closer Lee Young-ha came on and retired the dangerous Kang Baek-ho on a pop fly to second.
Lee intentionally walked Mel Rojas Jr., a leading MVP candidate as the regular season home run and RBI king, to load the bases and set up a force play at every base. Yoo Han-joon then fell behind 0-2 in the count before bouncing a single up the middle to tie the score at 2-2.
The Bears came back with a go-ahead run in the top ninth, courtesy of Kim In-tae, who now has two RBIs in two career postseason plate appearances.
The Wiz put some pressure on Lee Young-ha, who returned for the ninth, with Park Kyung-su reaching with an infield single. But Lee stood his ground and retired pinch hitter Moon Sang-chul on a fly to left after a seven-pitch battle.
Game 2 is back at the dome at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. It'll be right-hander Choi Won-jun for the Bears against right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne for the Wiz.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--(LEAD) Court rejects arrest warrant for high-profile sex offender

U.S. authorities filed an extradition request for Son after a federal grand jury in Washington , D.C. , indicted him @ @ @ @ @ counts related to his operation of the site , which was taken down by law @ @ @ @ @ same year .

(ATTN: CHANGES headline, lead, photo; UPDATES throughout with court decision)
SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- A Seoul court on Monday night denied an arrest warrant for Son Jong-woo, operator of one of the world's biggest known child sexual abuse websites, over additional charges, including concealing profits from criminal activities.
The Seoul Central District Court said he is a low flight risk and is cooperating with an ongoing investigation.
"The suspect largely admitted to the allegations against him, and there is a slim chance of him destroying evidence since basic evidence has already been secured," the court said.
Son was indicted in the United States in 2018 for operating one of the world's biggest child sex exploitation sites, Welcome to Video, on the darknet from June 2015 to March 2018. A Seoul court rejected a U.S. request for his extradition in July.
He was released from a Seoul prison in July after completing an 18-month prison term on child sex exploitation charges.
On Monday, the court held a hearing to review the prosecution's request for a detention warrant for him on charges of concealing his criminal proceeds and forging documents.
Son Jong-woo (C) leaves the Seoul Central District Court after attending a hearing on a pre-trial arrest warrant for him on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
Son's father filed complaints with the Seoul police in May this year, alleging that his son was not punished on such charges. The father claimed that Son paid for his grandmother's medical care with criminal proceeds and damaged her reputation by doing so.
But the father's complaint was widely seen as intended to open a new legal case, thereby keeping his son in Korea ahead of a court ruling on his son's extradition to the U.S.
U.S. authorities filed an extradition request for Son after a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., indicted him in August 2018 on nine counts related to his operation of the site, which was taken down by law enforcement in March of the same year.
But the Seoul High Court ruled against the U.S. extradition request in July, citing a need for Korean authorities to fully fight against child sexual exploitation by having the main culprit in the country.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--(3rd LD) New virus cases above 100 for 2nd day; cluster infections veer out of control

`` Infections are rising sharply around the globe .
The U.S. alone is reporting more than 100,000 patients on a @ @ @ @ @ official also said .
`` Although South Korea 's figures are relatively lower than those @ @ @ @ @ , we need to stay alert as sporadic cluster infections are lingering from communities .
@

(ATTN: UPDATES latest death toll in paras 25-26)
SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus cases rose by triple digits for the second day Monday, with a series of cluster infections being reported from venues of everyday life, ranging from markets to family gatherings, straining the country's anti-virus fight.
The country added 126 more COVID-19 cases, including 99 local infections, raising the total caseload to 27,553, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
It marked a slight drop from 143 cases added on Sunday, but Monday's caseloads are relatively high given the lower number of tests carried out over the weekend.
South Korea, which has been striving to curb COVID-19 from hospitals and nursing homes, recently saw more sporadic cluster infections at risk-prone facilities, such as nursing homes and private gatherings.
Visitors wait in a line at a makeshift clinic in central Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
Over the past two weeks, around 35.7 percent of the newly added cases have been group infections, with some 13.6 percent not having clear transmission routes.
"When it comes to small-sized cluster infections, it is more complicated to identify their transmission routes," a local health official said during a daily briefing, adding the country will speed up efforts to curb the spread of the virus nationwide.
To identify possible "silent spreaders" who are infected with COVID-19 but do not have related symptoms, South Korea plans to carry out tests on people at all senior nursing homes across the country starting Monday. Health authorities previously carried out all-out examinations for those in the greater Seoul area.
Seniors are considered to be more vulnerable to COVID-19 than younger people. So far, more than 80 percent of people who died of the virus here were aged 70 and above.
The country adopted the lowest level of its social distancing scheme Saturday under revised five-tier infection preventive measures. The country previously operated a three-tier system.
Level 1 -- the lowest in the five-tier scheme -- signifies a controllable level of transmission that allows people to carry on with their ordinary lives while wearing masks and following social distancing rules at designated facilities.
But health authorities warned that the Level 1.5 scheme can be applied nationwide if the daily virus curve does not flatten soon. The higher social distancing level has been in place in Asan and Cheonan, both located in central South Chungcheong Province.
A commuter wearing a protective mask walks near Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
The capital city of Seoul accounted for 39 cases, followed by Gyeonggi Province that surrounds Seoul with 21. Incheon, west of Seoul, reported one new case, while Gangwon Province added 11 cases.
The greater Seoul area accounts for around half of the nation's population.
The southeastern city of Daegu added six new cases and North Chungcheong Province reported two more infections. South Chungcheong Province saw 10 additional infections. North and South Jeolla Provinces added three and two cases each.
A commercial building in southern Seoul added three more patients as of Monday noon, raising the tally to 16.
A sauna facility in southern Seoul reported two additional COVID-19 cases, with the total caseload reaching 44.
A total of 67 cases were traced to a golf gathering from Yongin, south of Seoul.
A bank in Suncheon, 415 kilometers south of Seoul, identified six more patients, raising the total to seven.
Health authorities said they remain vigilant over potential cases tied to Halloween parties from late October as well, although no infections tied to related gatherings have been reported.
The country added 27 imported cases.
Five of the newly added imported infections were Russian nationals, followed by four Americans. Others included those traced to Myanmar, India, and Italy.
"Infections are rising sharply around the globe. The U.S. alone is reporting more than 100,000 patients on a daily basis," the official also said. "Although South Korea's figures are relatively lower than those in the U.S. or Europe, we need to stay alert as sporadic cluster infections are lingering from communities."
Protective masks are displayed at a supermarket in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
The number of seriously or critically ill COVID-19 patients came to 57, down one from Sunday.
The KDCA reported two additional deaths, raising the total to 480. The fatality rate was 1.74 percent.
Later on Monday, the agency reported four more deaths, with all the deceased in their 60s or older.
Compared with the last week of October when the death toll stood at seven, the first week of November saw the tally nearly double to 13. All of the patients had underlying medical conditions, and eight of them were in their 80s.
The number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries stood at 25,029, up 61 from the previous day. This indicates around 90.8 percent of the COVID-19 patients reported here being fully cured.
South Korea has carried out 2,709,199 COVID-19 tests, including 6,319 from the previous day. The country normally carries out more than 10,000 tests on weekdays, which indicates that the daily new infections can further rise down the road this week.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--Teen rookie for Wiz fires gem in KBO postseason debut

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- So Hyeong-jun pitched like he's been there before.
The 19-year-old rookie starter for the KT Wiz tossed 6 2/3 shutout innings in his Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason debut against the Doosan Bears on Monday. So allowed just three hits and struck out four while walking one, before leaving Game 1 of the best-of-five second round scoreless with two outs in the seventh.
The right-hander was a surprise choice to start the very first postseason game of Wiz franchise history, ahead of former major league veteran Odrisamer Despaigne. So had pitched well against the Bears during the regular season -- 3-1 with a 2.51 ERA in six games -- but the postseason, as they say, is a different animal.
So Hyeong-jun of the KT Wiz pitches against the Doosan Bears in the top of the first inning of Game 1 of the Korea Baseball Organization second-round postseason series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
But it turned out So was ready for that test.
So allowed the speedy leadoff man, Jung Soo-bin, to reach on an error. But the teenager settled down after that, as he sat down 11 straight batters.
He continued to stay low in the zone, with a mix of two-seam fastballs, sliders and occasional changeups. Through six innings, he held the Bears to just one hit while inducing 10 groundouts, four flyouts and four strikeouts.
So also received plenty of help from his defense. Shortstop Shim Woo-jun made a fielding error on Jung in the first, but immediately made up for it by making a brilliant basket catch on a pop fly by the next hitter, Jose Miguel Fernandez.
In the fifth, Shim showed off his range, moving to his right to rob Park Sei-hyok of a single up the middle.
When So ran into some trouble in the seventh, defense bailed him out once again.
Heo Kyoung-min hammered a line drive off the left field wall in the seventh, but left fielder Cho Yong-ho caught the carom perfectly and threw a strike to second baseman Park Kyung-su, who tagged Heo with time to spare for the second out.
The long single seemed to wake up the Bears, though, as Park Sei-hyok kept the inning moving with a single and Kim Jae-ho drew a walk. That walk, which came on So's 100th pitch of the game, chased the young right-hander from the game.
Reliever Ju Kwon struck out Oh Jae-won to end the inning and erase the two inherited runners, thereby ensuring a scoreless start for So.
So Hyeong-jun of the KT Wiz pitches against the Doosan Bears in the top of the first inning of Game 1 of the Korea Baseball Organization second-round postseason series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--Senior diplomats of S. Korea, China hold virtual talks ahead of ASEAN summits

Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Gunn met virtually with his Chinese counterpart , Luo Zhaohui , ahead of the ASEAN Plus @ @ @ @ @ and Japan and the East Asia Summit to be joined by 18 countries including the @ @ @ @ @ Australia , New Zealand and India .

SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- Senior diplomats of South Korea and China held video talks on Monday to discuss upcoming summits involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other bilateral issues, the foreign ministry said.
Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Gunn met virtually with his Chinese counterpart, Luo Zhaohui, ahead of the ASEAN Plus Three summit involving their countries and Japan and the East Asia Summit to be joined by 18 countries including the United States, Russia, Australia, New Zealand and India.
Vietnam, this year's host, has announced its decision to hold the talks via videoconferencing due to coronavirus concerns. The meetings are scheduled to take place from Thursday through Sunday.
In Mondays' talks, Kim and Luo exchanged opinions about the summit agenda and agreed that the virtual meetings will help ASEAN and its partners continue cooperation and coordination despite the pandemic.
Kim said that expanding cooperation in public health and medicine among the participating countries will help fuel economic recovery in the region.
On bilateral ties, the two sides discussed efforts to strengthen cooperation in COVID-19 responses and to further develop the relationship through promoting friendly sentiment and close communication at each level, the ministry said.
Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Gunn (C) speaks during a virtual meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Luo Zhaohui, on Nov. 9, 2020, in this photo provided by the foreign ministry in Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--GFriend returns with sassy disco for 3rd full album 'Walpurgis Night'

`` We were known as a group that is associated with concepts like pure and delicate yet powerful ... We @ @ @ @ @ and that we are not confined by one frame , '' SinB said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ an irreplaceable group that is known as a 'performance queen ' or 'performance artisan .
@ @

By Lee Minji
SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- GFriend is the latest K-pop act to turn to disco.
The six-member girl group unveiled its new title track "MAGO" in a media showcase Monday ahead of dropping its third studio album "回: Walpurgis Night" at 6 p.m.
The album, which succeeds EPs "LABYRINTH" and "Song of the Sirens," is the final album of the "回" series, in which GFriend has shown a darker and more powerful side compared with early hits that were characterized by melodic and cheerful high school concept songs.
"(MAGO) is a song that confidently expresses desire. There's a lot of retro disco since it's a global trend, but we added our signature sentiment to the song. It also blends quite well with our group choreography," leader Sowon said in the media showcase held in Seoul.
A preview of the music video showed the six members donning sparkling outfits under mirror balls, showing off disco moves like pointing their fingers to the sky. It also showed a dance symbolizing a chanting witch, with hands raised up above the head.
This photo, provided by Source Music, shows K-pop girl group GFriend. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The bad girl vibe was in fact the core concept of the album, member Eunha chimed in.
"If 'LABYRINTH' expresses a child who is confused in front of a crossroad and 'Song of the Sirens' an inner voice that comes to understand the consequences of a choice, this album embodies the voice of a girl who has grown up to be a witch ... it's like a modern version of a festival of witches," she said.
The band's six members said the 11-track album marked a milestone in their musical growth. Some members took part in the title track, while all six members teamed up in pairs of two for so-called unit songs.
Sowon and Umji worked on "Better Me," a Latin style pop song, while Yuju and Eunha worked on "Night Drive," an R&B song with simple instrumental arrangements that highlight the vocals. Yerin and SinB teamed up for "Secret Diary," also an R&B track, where they talk about friendship and growth.
"It's our first time working on unit songs since our debut, which made me a bit anxious but also flutter in a good way. I felt I had moved closer to music and that I wanted to be more ambitious, like (attempting to) write lyrics," Yerin said.
K-pop group GFriend poses for the cameras during a media showcase in western Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
Gfriend, whose agency Source Music was acquired by Big Hit Entertainment, the label-agency behind K-pop megastar BTS, said that chief producer Bang Si-hyuk is a great source of support.
"He helped us break out of our boxes and to try things that go beyond. We feel thankful that he is contemplating a lot on our music and our career," Umji said.
Having celebrated their fifth year as a group, GFriend said they would like to be identified as an irreplaceable group with good performances.
"We were known as a group that is associated with concepts like pure and delicate yet powerful ... We believe that we are growing and that we are not confined by one frame," SinB said. "We would like to become an irreplaceable group that is known as a 'performance queen' or 'performance artisan.'"
GFriend is scheduled to showcase its new album on SBS MTV at 8 p.m.
This photo, provided by Source Music, shows parts of K-pop girl group GFriend's latest music video "MAGO." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--S. Korea raises travel warning for Tanzania's southeastern region

A `` red '' alert , the second-highest level out of a four-scale system , now applies to the Mtwara @ @ @ @ @ in a release .
It calls for travelers to cancel their trips and citizens staying @ @ @ @ @ unless they have essential reasons .

SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- The foreign ministry raised the travel warning for Tanzania's southeastern region of Mtwara on Monday, due to heightened risks after growing violence by Islamic extremists based in neighboring Mozambique.
A "red" alert, the second-highest level out of a four-scale system, now applies to the Mtwara region, the ministry said in a release. It calls for travelers to cancel their trips and citizens staying there to leave the place unless they have essential reasons.
Tanzania has been a target of attacks by Islamic extremists in recent years, whose terrorist activities appear to be expanding from northern Mozambique. Late last month, Tanzanian police announced that a border village in the Mtwara region was hit by some 300 attackers, according to news reports.
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--(LEAD) Starter available in bullpen for KT Wiz in postseason series opener

Though the Wiz finished with a better regular season record than the Bears and won their season series 9-7 , @ @ @ @ @ the favorites in this series because of their playoff experience .
They 've played in @ @ @ @ @ and won three titles .
The Wiz are in their first postseason , and 23 @ @ @ @ @ the playoff roster have never been to the postseason until now .

(ATTN: ADDS comments at bottom, photo)
By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- The opening game of his club's playoff series against the Doosan Bears on Monday is so important for KT Wiz manager Lee Kang-chul that he is prepared to use one of his starting pitchers out of the bullpen to protect a late lead.
The Wiz will make their Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason debut Monday in Game 1 of the best-of-five second round at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. The 19-year-old rookie So Hyeong-jun will start for the Wiz, and Lee said the young right-hander will be asked to keep the Wiz in the game for five or six innings.
KT Wiz manager Lee Kang-chul speaks to reporters at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020, before Game 1 of the second-round Korea Baseball Organization postseason series against the Doosan Bears. (Yonhap)
And if they have a lead of two or three runs, starter William Cuevas will be summoned from the pen.
"He could go for an inning. We'll use him at the start of a new inning, without any runner on base," Lee said in his pregame media availability. "The first game is crucial."
Indeed, the team that wins the first game of the second round has gone on to take the series 26 out of 32 times, a success rate of over 81 percent.
Using Cuevas in the relief role for the first time all year, after he made 27 regular season starts, is still a gamble. The Venezuelan right-hander went 10-8 with a 4.10 ERA, including a 1-1 record and a 5.02 ERA in three starts against the Bears. If he doesn't pitch in either of the first two games on Monday and Tuesday, he'd be a candidate to start Game 3, a potential elimination game, on Thursday.
"Our bullpen is considered our weak link, and so I figured Cuevas could help us there," Lee said. "If we win the first game (with Cuevas pitching Monday), then we may be able to win the series in four games. Then Cuevas would be available to start in Game 4."
Doosan Bears manager Kim Tae-hyoung walks on the field at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul during his Korea Baseball Organization club's practice on Nov. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
When informed of Lee's plan to possibly bring Cuevas out of the pen, Doosan manager Kim Tae-hyoung quipped, "Let him do whatever he wants. I'm not going to stop him."
Kim added that in a postseason series like this, a potential Game 3 starter should always be ready to come in for Game 1. But the Bears plan to start their 20-game winner Raul Alcantara for Game 3, and Kim said using him in a relief role is not an option.
Kim said he wasn't surprised that the Wiz will start So. The teenager had a 3-1 record and a 2.51 ERA in six games against the Bears during the regular season.
"It doesn't matter who's pitching in the series," Kim said. "We have to get to their starters."
Though the Wiz finished with a better regular season record than the Bears and won their season series 9-7, the Bears are seen as the favorites in this series because of their playoff experience. They've played in every Korean Series since 2015 and won three titles. The Wiz are in their first postseason, and 23 of their 30 players on the playoff roster have never been to the postseason until now.
Kim guarded against any premature talk of an easy series win for his team and said, "I don't think KT's lack of playoff experience will matter that much. They have some veterans there."
In this file photo from Oct. 28, 2020, William Cuevas of the KT Wiz pitches against the Kia Tigers in a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--Unification minister urges N.K. to act in 'discreet, wise and flexible' manner during U.S. leadershi

Unification minister urges N.K. to act in 'discreet, wise and flexible' manner during U.S. leadership change

Lee said the South will do its best to maintain close coordination with the incoming U.S. administration through various channels @ @ @ @ @ of the need for cooperation with the North to help build a lasting peace on @ @ @ @

By Koh Byung-joon and Yi Wonju
SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- Unification Minister Lee In-young called for North Korea on Monday to act in a "discreet, wise and flexible" manner and refrain from provocations during the U.S. leadership transition so as to keep chances of progress in nuclear negotiations alive.
During a press meeting held at the ministry's inter-Korean dialogue office in Seoul, Lee also urged the North to carry out existing peace deals concluded with the United States and the South and demonstrate its denuclearization commitment to move the stalled peace process forward.
The remarks came amid heightening uncertainty over U.S. policy on the North in the wake of Joe Biden's election as U.S. president as well as concern that Pyongyang could carry out provocations to test the incoming administration.
"The U.S. presidential election was held a few days ago, which represented a major turning point in a large change in situations," Lee told reporters. "I hope that the North will take a discreet, wise and flexible approach amid this period of transition."
"Should North Korea faithfully carry out agreements with the South and the U.S. and demonstrate a forward-looking attitude in denuclearization, it could not only move forward peace on the Korean Peninsula but also expand peace space between the two Koreas," he added.
Lee said the South will do its best to maintain close coordination with the incoming U.S. administration through various channels to try to convince Washington of the need for cooperation with the North to help build a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Unification Minister Lee In-young speaks during a press meeting held at the ministry's inter-Korean dialogue office in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
Nuclear talks between North Korea and the U.S. have stalled since a no-deal summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump in Hanoi early last year. The two failed to meet halfway in how much Washington eases its sanctions in exchange for Pyongyang's denuclearization steps.
Biden's "principled" diplomacy on North Korea is also cited as a reason for the possibility of a further deadlock in nuclear talks, which experts worried could make it harder for Seoul to pursue many of its envisioned cooperative and cross-border projects.
Some speculate that the North could carry out provocations to strengthen its negotiating hand before coming out for talks.
South Korea has, for its part, sought to expand cross-border exchanges to create a mood for peace and help facilitate the long-stalled nuclear talks. The efforts, however, have been hamstrung by Washington's worries that it could undercut the global sanctions regime before the North's denuclearization.
The minister said that South Korea will make the most of the transition period in Washington to convey its positions on North Korea through "various channels" and work hard to get Washington to engage with the North.
"Historically, the U.S. has listened closely to South Korea's positions. It is also true that the U.S.' engagement policy toward North Korea has to some extent been affected by (our) inter-Korean policy trend," Lee said.
"We will use (the transition period) as a chance to solidify the foundation for cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. and support for the Korean Peninsula peace process. I really hope that President-elect Biden will become a wise man for peace and come as a good friend for Korean people," he added.
Meanwhile, a high-ranking unification ministry official who attended the press meeting noted that Biden's emphasis on respecting the alliance with South Korea and his push for a "bottom-up" approach in handling North Korea issues could provide "more room" for Seoul to get its views reflected in Washington's North Korea policy.
"We believe that chances are quite high for (better) coordination and sharing in terms of Korean Peninsula policy and our peace process when the U.S. government takes office," he said.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--(LEAD) Defense ministry vows to continue close work with Pentagon under Biden

North Korea , in the meantime , has not shown any unusual military moves up until now , the Joint @ @ @ @ @ ) said , amid speculation that the communist country could take provocative moves , such @ @ @ @ @ its track record of being provocative when a new U.S. government takes office .

(ATTN: ADDS minister's remarks in paras 5-8)
By Oh Seok-min and Choi Soo-hyang
SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- The defense ministry vowed Monday to continue to work closely with the United States under the incoming Biden administration to maintain a firm combined readiness posture for peace on the Korean Peninsula.
"The South Korean and the U.S. defense authorities will strive for maintaining a strong combined defense posture to militarily support the peace process on the Korean Peninsula," ministry spokesperson Col. Moon Hong-sik told a regular briefing.
After setting up a task force led by Vice Defense Minister Park Jae-min, the ministry has been reviewing policy measures to be fully prepared for possible changes to defense issues between the two sides, Moon added.
Key issues include the envisioned transfer of the wartime operational control (OPCON) of South Korean troops from Washington to Seoul, and the possible adjustment of the troop level stationed in South Korea, though the two sides have said the matter has not been officially discussed.
Defense Minister Suh Wook said the new U.S. administration could demand a smaller raise in Seoul's payment for the upkeep of American troops in South Korea than the Trump administration did, though Seoul's overall payment will likely have to increase from previous years.
On North Korea, Suh said Washington's policy is expected to shift to a bottom-up approach based on Biden's pledge to pursue a "principled diplomacy" toward the North.
Suh, however, doubted that Biden would repeat the Obama administration's "strategic patience" policy of applying pressure while waiting for the North to return to the negotiating table.
"They would have had sort of a self-reflection on the policy, and my personal assessment is that they would opt for an evolved form of pressure with sanctions on the North and diplomatic engagement," Suh said during a parliamentary session.
North Korea, in the meantime, has not shown any unusual military moves up until now, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, amid speculation that the communist country could take provocative moves, such as missile launches, given its track record of being provocative when a new U.S. government takes office.
North Korea has not made any official response to the U.S. election result.
This file photo, taken on Dec. 8, 2013, shows then U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (L), along with his granddaughter, looking at North Korea through binoculars during a visit to a guard post near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
scaaet@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--18-year veteran excited for postseason debut

The 36-year-old Park made his KBO debut in 2003 .
He spent the first 12 years with the LG Twins @ @ @ @ @ their inaugural season in 2015 .
The late bloomer has found his power stroke as @ @ @ @ @ , with three 20-homer seasons since 2015 after never hitting more than eight in any @ @ @ @ @ .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- Nearly two decades into his professional career, KT Wiz infielder Park Kyung-su will finally make his postseason debut on Monday. At 36, he'll be the oldest player in Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) history to play in his first playoff game.
Park Kyung-su of the KT Wiz speaks to reporters at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020, before Game 1 of the second round Korea Baseball Organization postseason series against the Doosan Bears. (Yonhap)
"I guess I'll have to go out there and play like the savvy veteran that I am," Park said with a smile before facing the Doosan Bears to begin the second round of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason on Monday. Park will play second base and bat sixth at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul.
"I don't know how it will feel because I've never been there," Park said. "But I arrived at the ballpark today feeling great. Enjoying this experience will be easier said than done, but we'll all try to have fun."
The 36-year-old Park made his KBO debut in 2003. He spent the first 12 years with the LG Twins and joined the Wiz for their inaugural season in 2015. The late bloomer has found his power stroke as a member of the Wiz, with three 20-homer seasons since 2015 after never hitting more than eight in any of his first dozen years.
Park said he has received congratulatory calls and texts from other 30-something players, and said they were more excited than he was that he was finally getting his chance to shine in the postseason.
And Park almost never made it this far, because he suffered a hamstring injury late in the regular season that threatened to sideline him for the postseason.
"When I hurt my hamstring (in early October), I thought I would be done for the year," Park said. "Thankfully, we finished in second place (to earn a bye to the second round) and our trainers helped me so much. I am grateful to be playing in these games."
Park, who had 59 RBIs in 119 games during the regular season, said, "If I get a chance (to drive in runs), I won't hesitate to take a swing."
In this file photo from Sept. 10, 2020, Park Kyung-su of the KT Wiz hits a three-run home run against the NC Dinos during the top of the sixth inning of a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Changwon NC Park in Changwon, 400 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--Salaried employees work 8.05 hours per day, take 8.25 days off per month: poll

According to the survey of 1,000 workers aged between 19 and 55 by local pollster Embrain Public , 811 respondents @ @ @ @ @ for more than eight hours per weekday , with 54.7 percent of them saying their @ @ @ @ @ workload .
Another 30 percent said they work longer than eight hours to earn more @ @ @ @ @ they are forced by employers to work late .

SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- Salaried employees in South Korea work for 8.05 hours on average per work day and take an average of 8.25 days off per month, a poll showed Monday.
According to the survey of 1,000 workers aged between 19 and 55 by local pollster Embrain Public, 811 respondents said they stay at work for more than eight hours per weekday, with 54.7 percent of them saying their overtime is caused by excessive workload. Another 30 percent said they work longer than eight hours to earn more, while 15.3 percent said they are forced by employers to work late.
Notably, 35.3 percent said their health is currently not good.
This file photo taken on Oct. 14, 2020, shows pedestrians in downtown Seoul. (Yonhap)
The poll was conducted from Oct. 22-26 nationwide at the request of the civic organization Gapjil 119, dedicated to stamping out power abuse by people in higher positions.
The ratio of workers taking less than eight days off a month was higher among non-regular workers, at 28 percent, than regular workers at 21.3 percent.
Less than half of the pollees, 45.2 percent, said they can go on leave on any day they want, the pollster said, adding the ratio was lower among female, non-regular and low-income workers.
It also found 64.5 percent saying the Labor Standards Act is well observed at work, while 58.4 percent said they don't trust the government and government labor inspectors.
About 57 percent of regular workers said their working conditions will improve in the future, whereas 54.5 percent of non-regulars gave the opposite answer.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--Employment insurance subscriptions return to pre-pandemic level: data

The additions brought last month 's subscription number to 14.23 million , amid the creation of new extra jobs by @ @ @ @ @ in the service sector in recent months to lessen the blow of the new coronavirus @ @

SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- The number of people covered by state employment insurance rose by 364,000 on-year in October, with growth in monthly new subscribers returning to pre-COVID-19 levels of earlier this year, the labor ministry said Monday.
The additions brought last month's subscription number to 14.23 million, amid the creation of new extra jobs by the state and local governments in the service sector in recent months to lessen the blow of the new coronavirus pandemic.
In February, shortly before the pandemic hit, the on-year increase in subscriptions stood at 376,000. The figure dropped to 253,000 in March and 155,000 in May.
This file photo shows job seekers at the Seoul District Employment and Labor Office in Seoul on Sept. 11, 2020. (Yonhap)
By industry, the service sector added 393,000 subscribers last month from a year earlier for a total of 9.84 million people, according to the monthly statistics released by the ministry.
Within the service sector, subscribers in public administration sharply increased by 199,000, a record high in that field.
By contrast, subscribers in the hotel and restaurant industries dropped by 22,000 from the same month last year, marking a sharper decline than in September (13,000).
The figure suggests that the resurgence of COVID-19 that began in mid-August continued to impact jobs in the hotel and restaurant industries.
The manufacturing industry continued to see a decline in employment, with 45,000 fewer insurance subscribers than in October last year.
hague@yna.co.kr
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