yna--2020-04-24--(LEAD) Trump says report on N.K. leader's health was 'incorrect'

`` I hope he 's not in medical trouble , '' Trump said .
`` We have a good relationship @ @ @ @ @ good as you can have .
I mean we have a good relationship with North @ @ @ @ @ good relationship with Kim Jong-un , and I hope he 's OK . ''

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with more Trump remarks, background)
By Lee Haye-ah
WASHINGTON, April 23 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that he believes a recent CNN report on Kim Jong-un's failing health was "incorrect."
"I'm hearing they used old documents. That's what I hear," he said during a White House coronavirus press briefing. "I'm hearing that the report was an incorrect report. I hope it was an incorrect report."
Trump's comments come two days after he said the United States doesn't know if the reports are true and added that he wishes Kim well.
"I think the report was done by a network that was incorrect," he said Thursday. "I think it was a fake report done by CNN."
This EPA photo shows U.S. President Donald Trump at a White House coronavirus press briefing on April 23, 2020. (Yonhap)
On Monday, CNN cited a U.S. official as saying that the U.S. is looking into intelligence that Kim is in "grave danger" after surgery.
That followed a report by the Daily NK, a South Korean news outlet focusing on North Korea issues, that Kim was receiving medical treatment after a cardiovascular procedure.
Trump emphasized his good relations with Kim and repeated his wish for his good health.
"I hope he's not in medical trouble," Trump said. "We have a good relationship with North Korea. As good as you can have. I mean we have a good relationship with North Korea. I have a good relationship with Kim Jong-un, and I hope he's OK."
Trump refused to say whether he has made contact with the North. On Tuesday he had said he may reach out to check on Kim's condition.
"I don't want to say. I won't say that," he said.
Asked when he last heard from Kim, he said, "I don't want to say."
There was confusion after Trump said over the weekend that he recently received a "nice note" from Kim, but then North Korea denied shortly afterward that any message had been sent.
South Korean officials have dismissed recent media reports about Kim's health, saying no unusual signs have been detected in North Korea.
U.S. officials have said that Washington is watching closely what's happening inside the regime. U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman Gen. John Hyten said Wednesday that he assumes Kim is still in full control of the North's armed forces.
North Korean media remains mum on Kim's whereabouts, putting out no reports on his public activities.
Kim was last seen on April 11 when he presided over a political bureau meeting of the ruling Workers' Party. He skipped a major celebration marking the birthday of state founder and his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, on April 15, sparking rumors about his health.
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)


KOSPI 1,906.07 DN 8.66 points (open)

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


KOSDAQ 640.19 DN 3.60 points (open)


yna--2020-04-24--Dollar opens at 1,233.5 won UP from 1,229.7 won


yna--2020-04-24--Trump says report on N.K. leader's health was 'incorrect'

On Monday , CNN cited a U.S. official as saying that the U.S. is looking into intelligence that Kim is @ @ @ @ @ after surgery .

By Lee Haye-ah
WASHINGTON, April 23 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that he believes a recent CNN report on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's failing health was "incorrect."
"I'm hearing they used old documents," he said during a White House coronavirus press briefing. "I'm hearing that the report was an incorrect report."
Trump's comments come two days after he said the United States doesn't know if the reports are true.
On Monday, CNN cited a U.S. official as saying that the U.S. is looking into intelligence that Kim is in "grave danger" after surgery.
This EPA photo shows U.S. President Donald Trump at a White House coronavirus press briefing on April 23, 2020. (Yonhap)
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-24--(LEAD) Golf caddie hit by stray bullet from Army shooting range

The maximum range of the K-1 or K-2 rifles that use the bullet is estimated at around 2.4 to 2.5 @ @ @ @ @ at which they can cause fatalities is around 250 to 260 meters .

(ATTN: ADDS more info in paras 5, 10; CHANGES photo)
SEOUL, April 24 (Yonhap) -- A female caddie at a South Korean golf club has been injured by a stray bullet fired from a nearby military shooting range, the Army headquarters and police said Friday.
The incident occurred at a golf course in Damyang, 350 kilometers south of Seoul, at 4:40 p.m. Thursday when the 20-year-old assistant collapsed with a head injury and was taken to a hospital.
She was initially thought to have been hit by a golf ball. But an examination found an object stuck in her brain and she underwent an emergency operation.
The object turned out to be a 5.56-millimeter caliber bullet. The wound is not considered life-threatening, police said.
This photo provided by a reader on April 24, 2020, shows a golf course in Damyang, 350 kilometers south of Seoul, where a female caddie has been injured by a stray bullet fired from a nearby military shooting range. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The maximum range of the K-1 or K-2 rifles that use the bullet is estimated at around 2.4 to 2.5 kilometers, although the distance at which they can cause fatalities is around 250 to 260 meters.
At the time of accident, a firing exercise was conducted at the shooting range, 1.7 kilometers away from the golf links.
If it is confirmed that the injury was caused by the firing drill, the Army will proceed to compensate the woman, an Army official said.
The military and police, which are jointly investigating the accident, suspect the bullet may have gone astray after missing the mark or striking an obstacle.
Military authorities are looking into whether there were any breaches of safety rules. The Army shut down the shooting range and suspended firing drills at all its units.
The Army plans to provide the victim with compensation pending results of the investigation.
(END)


yna--2020-04-24--S. Korea to double contributions to U.N. humanitarian air service: foreign ministry

During the talks , Kang said that although Korea 's response to the pandemic has made progress , it is @ @ @ @ @ evaluated that despite such challenges as border closures aimed at stemming the virus , the @ @ @ @ @ out its humanitarian endeavors .

SEOUL, April 24 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to double its contributions to a U.N. humanitarian air service program to US$5 million over the next three years, the foreign ministry said Friday, amid global efforts to help countries vulnerable to the new coronavirus overcome the pandemic.
Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha explained Seoul's plan to expand the contributions to David Beasley, executive director of the World Food Programme (WFP), during phone talks on cooperation in responding to the COVID-19 scourge.
Managed by the WFP, the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) offers passenger and light cargo transport services to and from areas of crisis and intervention, with a view to providing equal access to all humanitarian entities.
In the 2017-2019 period, South Korea contributed $2.5 million in total to the UNHAS. It plans to offer $5 million for the 2020-2022 period.
During the talks, Kang said that although Korea's response to the pandemic has made progress, it is maintaining vigilance. She also evaluated that despite such challenges as border closures aimed at stemming the virus, the WFP has been effectively carrying out its humanitarian endeavors.
Beasley expressed his appreciation for South Korea's support for the WFP activities, calling for the international community to strengthen cooperation in responding to the global health care crisis, the ministry said.
The WFP warned that if the world fails to swiftly respond to the pandemic, some 265 million people in 36 countries could face a food crisis by the end of this year.
Separately, Vice Foreign Minister Cho Sei-young held the sixth weekly videoconference with his counterparts from six countries, including the United States, Japan and Australia, to discuss cooperation on tackling the pandemic.
This photo, taken on May 13, 2019, shows Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha talking with David Beasley, executive director of the World Food Programme, at the foreign ministry in Seoul. (Yonhap)
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-24--S. Korean slugger pleased with Miguel Cabrera comparison

Earlier in the day , The Athletic 's Cincinnati Reds writer C. Trent Rosecrans published an article titled `` Baseball @ @ @ @ @ -- Here 's a Primer to Get You up to Speed . ''
Introducing U.S. @ @ @ @ @ KBO as it moves closer to the May 5 Opening Day while Major League Baseball @ @ @ @ @ wrote a blurb for each of the 10 teams and highlighted a few players to @ @ @ @ @ ' section , Rosecrans said Choi `` may be the Korean Miguel Cabrera . ''

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, April 24 (Yonhap) -- At 33 entering his 16th season in South Korean baseball, veteran slugger Choi Jeong thinks he's too jaded to get excited about much.
But when the SK Wyverns' third baseman learned Friday that a U.S. article had compared him to Miguel Cabrera, a two-time American League (AL) MVP and a future Hall of Famer, Choi broke into a smile -- so wide that it was visible behind the white mask he was wearing.
"Back around 2011 and 2012, I was inspired by Cabrera's swing," Choi told reporters Friday at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul, after the Wyverns beat the LG Twins 4-3 in a Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) preseason game. "I tried to emulate his swing and I put up some good numbers. I was pretty happy about that. When people asked me who my favorite player was, I would say it was Miguel Cabrera. It feels great to be mentioned alongside Cabrera."
Choi Jeong of the SK Wyverns celebrates his solo home run during a Korea Baseball Organization preseason game against the LG Twins at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on April 24, 2020. (Yonhap)
Cabrera was at the peak of his powers during those two years, especially in 2012, when he won the batting Triple Crown as the AL leader in home runs, RBIs and batting average, and captured the first of his two straight MVP awards.
Choi had his second-straight 20-homer season in 2011. Then in 2012, copying Cabrera's swing, Choi set a new career highs with 26 home runs, 84 RBIs, 33 doubles and a .538 slugging percentage.
Earlier in the day, The Athletic's Cincinnati Reds writer C. Trent Rosecrans published an article titled "Baseball is back in South Korea -- Here's a Primer to Get You up to Speed." Introducing U.S. and international readers to the KBO as it moves closer to the May 5 Opening Day while Major League Baseball remains on hold, Rosecrans wrote a blurb for each of the 10 teams and highlighted a few players to watch. Under the Wyverns' section, Rosecrans said Choi "may be the Korean Miguel Cabrera."
Cabrera, with 477 home runs and 1,694 RBIs, is headed to Hall of Fame. And if the KBO had one, Choi would certainly be a first ballot inductee.
Choi Jeong of the SK Wyverns (L) returns to the dugout after hitting a solo home run during a Korea Baseball Organization preseason game against the LG Twins at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on April 24, 2020. (Yonhap)
Choi is the active leader in home runs with 335, which puts him in fifth place all time with No. 2, Yang Joon-hyuk (351), well in sight this year. Choi is fifth among current players and 12th overall with 1,084 RBIs, and should crack top 10 in 2020.
Choi delivered a solo home run in Friday's game, one of three solo shots by the Wyverns.
They've hit six home runs in two preseason contests so far, but Choi is taking these numbers with a grain of salt.
"It's just preseason, but at least it's certainly encouraging that we've been swinging the bat well since spring training," he said. "We may be peaking too early, but we shouldn't get too conscious about that."
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-24--(2nd LD) Creditors to inject 1.2 tln won into virus-affected Korean Air

On Tuesday , the two policy lenders also said they will inject 1.7 trillion won into Asiana Airlines Inc. , @ @ @ @ @ , to help it stay afloat and dispel growing concerns that the creditor banks ' @ @ @ @ @ fall through due to the virus impact .

(ATTN: ADDS Korean Air's response in 6th para and stock prices in 9th para)
By Choi Kyong-ae
SEOUL, April 24 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's two state-owned lenders said Friday that they will inject 1.2 trillion won (US$972 million) into the country's top airline, Korean Air Lines Co., to help the company weather the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the airline sector.
The Korea Development Bank (KDB) and the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Exim Bank) plan to extend fresh capital to Korean Air, as the country's flag carrier is in dire need of liquidity following suspended flights, the KDB said in a statement.
In the financial assistance, the two lenders will extend a loan of 200 billion won to Korean Air for operating capital, purchase 700 billion won worth of securities backed by future cargo deliveries and buy the carrier's 300 billion won in perpetual bonds convertible into stocks, a KDB official said.
If the lenders convert the perpetual bonds with no maturity date into Korean Air stocks, they will have a collective 10.8 percent stake in the carrier, he said.
This file photo shows Korean Air aircraft at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul. (Yonhap)
The two creditor banks made the decision as the national flag carrier agreed to take measures to improve its financial status through sales of assets, job guarantees for employees and dividend restrictions, it said.
Korean Air welcomed the aid package, saying it will put top priority on putting the airline industry back on track and enhancing its financial health.
As part of self-rescue efforts, Korean Air had 70 percent of its 20,000-strong workforce take paid leave for six months from April 16 and is in the process of selling non-core assets to secure cash.
Korean Air has to repay or refinance 240 billion won worth of corporate bonds maturing this month and shoulder up to 500 billion won in fixed costs a month.
The news sent Korean Air 0.3 percent higher at 19,800 won and its parent Hanjin KAL Corp. 9.3 percent higher at 93,000 won, outperforming the broader KOSPI's 1.3 percent loss.
On Tuesday, the two policy lenders also said they will inject 1.7 trillion won into Asiana Airlines Inc., the country's second-biggest airline, to help it stay afloat and dispel growing concerns that the creditor banks' plan to sell Asiana may fall through due to the virus impact.
In December, the consortium led by HDC Hyundai Development Co. signed a deal to acquire a 30.77-percent stake in Asiana from Kumho Industrial Co., a construction unit of Kumho Asiana Group, as well as new shares to be issued and the airline's six affiliates, for 2.5 trillion won.
HDC said Friday it is in the process to acquire Asiana by the end of April, dismissing speculation that it may have difficulties in taking over the airline due to fallout from the coronavirus outbreak.
Local airlines have suspended most of their flights on international routes as an increasing number of countries have enacted entry restrictions amid virus fears.
South Korea has two full-service carriers -- Korean Air and Asiana -- and seven low-cost carriers (LCCs) -- Jeju Air, Jin Air Co., Air Busan Co., Air Seoul Inc., Eastar Jet, T'way and Fly Gangwon.
Last month, the government announced it would inject 300 billion won into LCCs. Full-service carriers also demanded emergency financial aid from the government.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-24--CGV to reopen 36 theaters next week after coronavirus shutdown

`` We are still struggling with decreasing moviegoers and mounting expenses like rent , '' the CGV official said .
@ @ @ @ @ reopen the theaters in consideration of the whole industry involving investors , producers and distributors @ @

SEOUL, April 24 (Yonhap) -- CGV, South Korea's largest multiplex chain, said Friday that it will reopen 36 theaters next week that have been shut down for about a month due to business disruptions stemming from the novel coronavirus pandemic.
"We will restart operations in a bid to overcome the crisis by revitalizing the virus-hit film industry and our neighborhood economy," an official from the company said.
Theaters, including those in Myeongdong and Daehangno, central Seoul, will resume operations from Wednesday, she said.
CGV, an affiliate of Korean entertainment giant CJ Group, has closed 36 out of 116 cinemas nationwide since March 28, to deal with a sharp drop in ticket sales.
With the spread of COVID-19 peaking in March, the number of moviegoers fell to an all-time low of 1.83 million last month. A year ago, 14.67 million tickets were sold across the nation over the one-month period.
"We are still struggling with decreasing moviegoers and mounting expenses like rent," the CGV official said. "But we decided to reopen the theaters in consideration of the whole industry involving investors, producers and distributors."
The company said it will keep its clients spread out in theaters by limiting the number of tickets available for showings as part of social distancing.
The reopening came as South Korea's daily confirmed cases of the coronavirus have remained around 10 for the past few days.
Some homegrown and foreign-made movies that have pushed back their premieres in the spring are reportedly considering setting up release schedules in the near future.
A CGV theater in Myeongdong, central Seoul, is closed on March 28, 2020. (Yonhap)
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-24--SK Wyverns beat LG Twins in KBO preseason behind 3 home runs

The Wyverns got the last run the same way they scored the first one -- via a long ball .
@ @ @ @ @ infielder who did n't have any homers in 18 games as a rookie last year @ @ @ @ @ pitch from closer Go Woo-suk and sent it just over the right field wall .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, April 24 (Yonhap) -- The SK Wyverns launched three solo home runs to defeat the LG Twins 4-3 in a Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) preseason game on Friday.
Han Dong-min put the Wyverns on the board with a solo blast in the top of the second inning at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul. Choi Jeong then smacked a solo shot in the eighth, and Kim Chang-pyeong, a light-hitting second baseman with zero career regular season home runs, delivered the knockout punch with a tie-breaking solo homer in the top ninth.
The Wyverns have hit six home runs in two preseason games this week, both of them victories.
Kim Chang-pyeong of the SK Wyverns (R) celebrates his solo home run with third base coach Jung Soo-sung during a Korea Baseball Organization preseason game against the LG Twins at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on April 24, 2020. (Yonhap)
The KBO's regular season will begin on May 5, moved from the original Opening Day of March 28 due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Nick Kingham, named the Wyverns' Opening Day starter before Friday's game, tossed four shutout innings in a no-decision. He was scheduled to pitch up to six innings or make around 90 pitches. Instead, the right-hander was pulled after needing 79 pitches for four innings.
Han's homer opened the scoring for the Wyverns in the second. Kingham made the lead stand while he was on the mound. But reliever Kim Taek-hyoung promptly blew it in the fifth, when Oh Ji-hwan greeted Kim with a leadoff triple and scored the tying run on a groundout by Lee Chun-woong.
Nick Kingham of the SK Wyverns pitches against the LG Twins in a Korea Baseball Organization preseason game at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on April 24, 2020. (Yonhap)
The Twins went ahead in the bottom sixth, thanks to Park Yong-taik's pinch-hit, RBI single that rolled through the hole on the left.
The Wyverns responded right away in the top seventh with Yoon Suk-min coming off the bench for a game-tying single.
And the Wyverns reclaimed the lead at 3-2, as Choi took reliever Jung Woo-young over the left field to lead off the top eighth.
The Twins wouldn't go away, as Gu Bon-hyeok's towering double evened things up again at 3-3.
The Wyverns got the last run the same way they scored the first one -- via a long ball. Kim Chang-pyeong, a 19-year-old infielder who didn't have any homers in 18 games as a rookie last year, jumped on the first pitch from closer Go Woo-suk and sent it just over the right field wall.
The Wyverns have been among the league's top home run-hitting clubs in recent seasons. They set a single-season record with 234 home runs in 2017, and nearly matched that with 233 dingers in 2018. As the de-juiced ball brought offensive numbers down across the league, the Wyverns were limited to 117 home runs last year, but still ranked third in that department.
Oh Ji-hwan of the LG Twins (C) tries to stay on the third base bag after hitting a triple against the SK Wyverns in a Korea Baseball Organization preseason game at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on April 24, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-24--(LEAD) Creditors to inject 1.2 tln won into virus-affected Korean Air

(ATTN: ADDS details in paras 3-4)
By Choi Kyong-ae
SEOUL, April 24 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's two state-owned lenders said Friday that they will inject 1.2 trillion won (US$972 million) into the country's top airline, Korean Air Lines Co., to help the company weather the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the airline sector.
The Korea Development Bank (KDB) and the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Exim Bank) plan to extend fresh capital to Korean Air, as the country's flag carrier is in dire need of liquidity following suspended flights, the KDB said in a statement.
In the financial assistance, the two lenders will extend a loan of 200 billion won to Korean Air for operating capital, purchase 700 billion won worth of securities backed by future cargo deliveries and buy the carrier's 300 billion won in perpetual bonds convertible into stocks, a KDB official said.
If the lenders convert the perpetual bonds with no maturity date into Korean Air stocks, they will have a collective 10.8 percent stake in the carrier, he said.
This file photo shows Korean Air aircraft at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul. (Yonhap)
The two creditor banks made the decision as the national flag carrier agreed to take measures to improve its financial status through sales of assets, job guarantees for employees and dividend restrictions, it said.
As part of self-rescue efforts, Korean Air had 70 percent of its 20,000-strong workforce take paid leave for six months from April 16 and is in the process of selling non-core assets to secure cash.
Korean Air has to repay or refinance 240 billion won worth of corporate bonds maturing this month and shoulder up to 500 billion won in fixed costs a month.
On Tuesday, the two policy lenders also said they will inject 1.7 trillion won into Asiana Airlines Inc., the country's second-biggest airline, to help it stay afloat and dispel growing concerns that the creditor banks' plan to sell Asiana may fall through due to the virus impact.
In December, the consortium led by HDC Hyundai Development Co. signed a deal to acquire a 30.77-percent stake in Asiana from Kumho Industrial Co., a construction unit of Kumho Asiana Group, as well as new shares to be issued and the airline's six affiliates, for 2.5 trillion won.
HDC said Friday it is in the process to acquire Asiana by the end of April, dismissing speculation that it may have difficulties in taking over the airline due to fallout from the coronavirus outbreak.
Local airlines have suspended most of their flights on international routes as an increasing number of countries have enacted entry restrictions amid virus fears.
South Korea has two full-service carriers -- Korean Air and Asiana -- and seven low-cost carriers (LCCs) -- Jeju Air, Jin Air Co., Air Busan Co., Air Seoul Inc., Eastar Jet, T'way and Fly Gangwon.
Last month, the government announced it would inject 300 billion won into LCCs. Full-service carriers also demanded emergency financial aid from the government.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-24--Samsung ranks No. 1 in 5G patents

Samsung ranks No. 1 in 5G patents

The South Korean tech giant has the most 5G patents that are granted by at least one of the patent @ @ @ @ @ United States , or the Patent Cooperation Treaty ( PCT ) , according to the @ @ @ @ @ of Berlin and intellectual property research firm Iplytics in January .

SEOUL, April 24 (Yonhap) -- Samsung Electronics Co. said Friday it has the highest number of granted 5G patents in the world, citing a study commissioned in Germany.
The South Korean tech giant has the most 5G patents that are granted by at least one of the patent offices in Europe, the United States, or the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), according to the study conducted by Technical University of Berlin and intellectual property research firm Iplytics in January.
The report showed that Samsung has 1,728 granted 5G patents, outnumbering Nokia Corp. with 1,584.
LG Electronics Inc., South Korea's No. 2 electronics firm, came in third with 1,415 granted 5G patents, followed by China's Huawei Technologies Co. with 1,274.
Samsung said the number of 5G patents shows its technological prowess in the sector, adding that it will further strive to develop solutions for the next-generation mobile network.
Samsung is a major vendor of 5G equipment to telecom operators. The company also makes 5G smartphones.
This image provided by Samsung Electronics Co. shows a 5G logo used by the company. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-24--Actress Kim Hee-ae thinks 'The World of the Married' is unexpected present for her

`` When I started this drama , I thought it would not be watched by many people because it 's @ @ @ @ @ in an online press conference .
`` I ca n't believe that my drama has @ @ @ @ @ It 's like a miraculous gift for me . ''

By Kim Boram
SEOUL, April 24 (Yonhap) -- Actress Kim Hee-ae said Friday that the smash-hit South Korean TV series "The World of the Married," in which she plays the lead role, is a surprise present for her as she did not expect it to be popular.
"When I started this drama, I thought it would not be watched by many people because it's R-rated," she said in an online press conference. "I can't believe that my drama has achieved such big popularity. It's like a miraculous gift for me."
A scene from "The World of the Married" provided by JTBC (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Based on the BBC One TV series "Doctor Foster," which aired in 2015 and 2017, the JTBC series is about a dedicated wife, played by Kim, who finds out about her husband's betrayal and takes revenge against him.
Premiering on March 28, "The World of the Married" saw its viewership ratings reach 20 percent for its eighth episode on Saturday, marking the second-highest percentage won by a JTBC drama series following "Sky Castle" (2018).
The 16-episode Friday-Saturday drama has caught the eyes of Korean viewers with a streak of intense suspense and sensual scenes that are smartly altered from the original story. A whirlwind of emotions and excitement and a cliffhanging love affair storyline have been the talk of the town in South Korea.
"Everything is perfect in our drama. The original BBC series and the dedication of director Mo Wan-il, the screenwriter and other staff members are working in perfect harmony," Kim said. "This perfection has produced the good results, I think."
Kim, who started her acting career in 1983, has won rave reviews for her role in the series. She plays a physician named Ji Sun-woo, who leads a perfectly happy life with a husband and a son but faces a critical situation when she finds out that her husband is having an affair.
The veteran actress said it was difficult to express intense emotions in most scenes throughout the story. She even went through some action scenes including a scuffle with her husband played by Park Hae-joon in the sixth episode.
"All of my scenes in this project require intense and powerful feelings and sentiment," she said. "It was a challenge for me."
She asked more viewers to tune in for the remaining episodes, saying Sun-woo will fall into grave danger in the 12th episode scheduled to air on May 2 and that the episode will be a fresh turning point for the character's life.
"Before shooting that scene, I was afraid of doing it as Sun-woo's emotion peaks and gets pinched," she said. "But all the crew members, including the director, approved of my acting, and I'm satisfied with it. It must be worth watching."
Actress Kim Hee-ae speaks at a press conference streamed online on April 24, 2020, in this photo provided by JTBC. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)


Yonhap News Summary

The latest guidelines are detailed virus prevention instructions introduced by the government earlier this week that communities and individuals should @ @ @ @ @ the `` everyday life quarantine , '' a quarantine scheme allowing people to engage in @ @ @ @ @ and social activities while maintaining distance to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus .

The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Friday.
-----------------
Cheong Wa Dae urges lawmakers to pass extra budget bill for coronavirus relief funds
SEOUL -- The office of President Moon Jae-in pressed South Korea's parliament Friday to pass a multibillion-dollar supplementary budget bill designed for the payment of "emergency disaster relief money" to most households in the nation.
Cheong Wa Dae said it's preparing to begin paying cash early next month, emphasizing the urgency of handing out the money.
-----------------
(2nd LD) Ex-campaign chief to head emergency leadership of main opposition party
SEOUL -- South Korea's main opposition party, reeling from a crushing defeat in last week's parliamentary elections, decided Friday to form an emergency leadership body headed by its former campaign chief.
The United Future Party (UFP) said Kim Chong-in, a veteran politician who led its campaign for the April 15 elections, accepted its request to chair the new interim leadership committee, which it plans to launch Tuesday.
-----------------
S. Korea unveils detailed guidelines for 'everyday life quarantine'
SEOUL -- South Korea on Friday unveiled a set of guidelines for each facility and occasion to better implement an "everyday life quarantine" amid a slowdown in new coronavirus cases.
The latest guidelines are detailed virus prevention instructions introduced by the government earlier this week that communities and individuals should follow when the country initiates the "everyday life quarantine," a quarantine scheme allowing people to engage in a certain level of economic and social activities while maintaining distance to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
-----------------
S. Korea to shorten approval process to help develop coronavirus vaccine, treatment
SEOUL -- South Korea said Friday it will shorten an approval process later this month for clinical trials and research for experimental vaccines and treatment to combat the novel coronavirus.
Under the move, an approval process will be shortened to less than a week from the current one or two months, Health Minister Park Neung-hoo said.
-----------------
Golf caddie hit by stray bullet from Army shooting range
SEOUL -- A female caddie at a South Korean golf club has been injured by a stray bullet fired from a nearby military shooting range, the Army headquarters and police said Friday.
The incident occurred at a golf course in Damyang, 350 kilometers south of Seoul, at 4:40 p.m. Thursday when the 20-year-old assistance collapsed with a head injury and was taken to a hospital.
-----------------
(2nd LD) Kia Q1 net dips 59 pct on virus impact
SEOUL -- Kia Motors Corp., South Korea's second-biggest carmaker by sales, said Friday its first-quarter net profit plunged 59 percent from a year earlier as the coronavirus outbreak affected its production and sales.
Net profit for the January-March period fell to 265.97 billion won (US$215 million) from 649.1 billion won a year ago over the cited period, Kia said in a statement.
-----------------
(3rd LD) New virus cases surely on downward trend, no additional death reported
SEOUL -- South Korea reported another single-digit number of new coronavirus cases with no deaths Friday, but health authorities again urged citizens to abide by the social distancing campaign to further contain the virus outbreak. The country also decided to use electronic wristbands on self-isolation violators starting next week.
The country added six new COVID-19 cases, bringing the nation's total infections to 10,708, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
-----------------
N. Korea opens some 190 technical schools: propaganda outlet
SEOUL -- North Korea has opened around 190 high schools specializing in information technology across the country, a propaganda outlet reported on Friday.
North Korea has emphasized the importance of science and technology, calling it a "strategic asset" needed to build a self-reliant economy as it wages a protracted struggle against crippling international sanctions amid stalemated denuclearization negotiations.
(END)


yna--2020-04-24--(LEAD) Cheong Wa Dae urges lawmakers to pass extra budget bill for coronavirus relief funds

Later in the day , the Ministry of Economy and Finance made public a decision to increase the size of @ @ @ @ @ 11.2 trillion won to hand out payments to all 21.7 million households here , instead @ @ @ @ @ suggested the issuance of 3.6 trillion won worth of bonds to fill the gap .

(ATTN: UPDATES with details in last 5 paras; ADDS photo, byline)
By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, April 24 (Yonhap) -- The office of President Moon Jae-in pressed South Korea's parliament Friday to pass a multibillion-dollar supplementary budget bill designed for the payment of "emergency disaster relief money" to most households in the nation.
Cheong Wa Dae said it's preparing to begin paying cash early next month, emphasizing the urgency of handing out the money.
"President Moon stressed that the government should pay the money at the earliest possible date so that the people can get it in a rapid and convenient way," Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok said at a press briefing.
The Moon administration announced at the end of March that it would grant the direct financial support of up to 1 million won (US$808) to all families here except the top 30 percent by income.
The government soon submitted a 7.6 trillion-won extra budget bill to the National Assembly to fund the program.
The ruling Democratic Party has proposed expanding the scope of beneficiaries to all households amid concern about the time and cost necessary for administrative procedures to sort out the eligible.
The liberal party has set April 29 as the deadline for the handling of the bill.
The conservative main opposition United Future Party, however, has been apparently dragging its feet about another supplementary budget.
Cheong Wa Dae said related authorities are working to start sending cash to around 2.7 million of the low-income families and those living on the disability pension, already listed for a welfare policy, on May 4 mainly through online accounts.
Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok holds a press briefing in this file photo. (Yonhap)
The government would then receive applications from the other families starting on May 11 to begin payments two days later, a senior Cheong Wa Dae official told reporters on the condition of anonymity.
In order to meet the schedule, lawmakers should pass the budget bill no later than the end of this month, he added.
"We are considering various methods" in case of a scenario where the National Assembly does not approve the budget scheme, he said without elaborating.
Vice Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol (R) talks with Rep. Kim Jae-won of the main opposition United Future Party (L), who chairs the National Assembly's state budget committee, on April 24, 2020. (Yonhap)
Later in the day, the Ministry of Economy and Finance made public a decision to increase the size of the planned extra budget to 11.2 trillion won to hand out payments to all 21.7 million households here, instead of 70 percent. It suggested the issuance of 3.6 trillion won worth of bonds to fill the gap.
The ministry was initially negative about the offer, citing budget constraints. After several rounds of consultations, the government and the DP agreed to broaden the program, which is the party's latest parliamentary election campaign pledge.
As part of efforts to reduce budget burden, the government plans to ask the wealthy to voluntarily give their share back as donations.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-24--Hanssem Q1 net income down 9.5 pct. to 11 bln won

The operating profit was 9.0 percent higher than the average estimate , according to the survey by Yonhap Infomax , @ @ @ @ @ Yonhap News Agency .
The estimate of net profit was not available .

SEOUL, April 24 (Yonhap) -- Hanssem Co. on Friday reported its first-quarter net income of 10.5 billion won (US$ 8.5 million), down 9.5 percent from a year earlier.
The company said in a regulatory filing that operating profit for the January-March period fell 9.2 percent on-year to 16.8 billion won. Sales increased 11.5 percent to 493.5 billion won.
The operating profit was 9.0 percent higher than the average estimate, according to the survey by Yonhap Infomax, the financial data firm of Yonhap News Agency. The estimate of net profit was not available.
※ This article was generated by Yonhap's proprietary algorithm using data from Yonhap Infomax and Korea Exchange(KRX).
(END)


yna--2020-04-24--(LEAD) Pro football season to kick off May 8

There 's a new twist to the relegation system this year .
The city of Sangju , some 270 kilometers @ @ @ @ @ looking to found a new pro club , as its host city contract with the @ @ @ @ @ club Sangmu is set to expire this year .
If Sangju gets a new team @ @ @ @ @ new city , then both teams will end up in the K League 2 in @ @

(ATTN: ADDS details throughout)
SEOUL, April 24 (Yonhap) -- After more than two months of delay caused by the coronavirus outbreak, the South Korean men's professional football season will kick off on May 8.
The Korea Professional Football League (K League) announced Friday that its top-flight K League 1 and the second-tier K League 2 will both begin their 2020 season on May 8.
The official opening match will have three-time defending champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors host Suwon Samsung Bluewings at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, 240 kilometers south of Seoul.
The decision was reached during the league's meeting with club representatives in a board meeting at the league headquarters in Seoul.
Matches early in the season will be played without fans. It's not clear how long K League games will be played behind closed doors.
A practice match between Incheon United (in blue) and Suwon FC takes place at Incheon Football Stadium in Incheon, 40 kilometers west of Seoul, on April 23, 2020. (Yonhap)
The season was slated to begin on Feb. 29, but the start was postponed five days prior to that date because of the raging coronavirus.
The K League said there will also be matches on May 9 and 10, and specific matchups and kickoff times will be announced next week.
In the K League 1, its 12 teams will each play 27 matches, down from the usual 38. They will first play 22 matches and then will be divided into two tiers, the top six getting grouped into Final A and the bottom six falling into Final B. Then teams will play five matches within their group.
There's a new twist to the relegation system this year. The city of Sangju, some 270 kilometers southeast of Seoul, is looking to found a new pro club, as its host city contract with the K League 1's military club Sangmu is set to expire this year. If Sangju gets a new team and Sangmu settle in a new city, then both teams will end up in the K League 2 in 2021.
If Sangmu finish last in the K League 1 this year, they'll be automatically relegated to the K League 2. The 11th-ranked team in the K League 1 and a playoff winner from the K League 2 will then meet in a promotion-relegation playoff, with the loser going to the second division for 2021.
If Sangmu stay out of the K League 1 cellar this year, then the two worst teams will be sent down to the K League 2 without a playoff. They will trade places with the K League 2 champions and the playoff-winning team.
Thanks to a recent decline in new COVID-19 cases and the government's easing of social distancing guidelines, the K League has been able to move closer to the new season. On Monday, the league announced clubs will now be allowed to play practice matches against one another -- they'd been limited to practices and intrasquad matches since March -- and also introduced safety guidelines for teams and media.
Friday's meeting was only the league's second with team officials since Feb. 24, when the season was postponed.
Kwon Oh-gap (L), president of the Korea Professional Football League (K League), opens a board meeting with K League club officials at the Korea Football Association House in Seoul on April 24. (Yonhap)
Following its first meeting with team reps on March 30, the K League said playing without fans wasn't an option, because if it wasn't safe enough to have spectators in the stands, then players, coaches and referees would still be vulnerable to infection.
But with the number of new cases staying around single digits of late, the K League felt it could go ahead playing before empty seats. Coaches and other match-day personnel must wear masks, and players are banned from talking to their teammates, opponents or referees during matches.
If a player or a coach is diagnosed with the coronavirus during the season, that club will be kept off the field for at least two weeks. And the team's recent opponents may also be shut down for a minimum two weeks, depending on the results of contact tracing.
In such cases, the league office will reserve rights to adjust match fixtures.
If a player or a coach shows COVID-19 symptoms, the team will still go ahead and play without the ailing individual.
Should the K League 1 be forced to scrap its season because of COVID-19, the championship and other awards will presented only if teams have played at least 22 matches.
But if the season is canceled before the 22-match mark, then no champions will be crowned. Team and individual stats will still count in the record books.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-24--Creditors to inject 1.2 tln won into virus-affected Korean Air

SEOUL, April 24 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's two state-owned lenders said Friday that they will inject 1.2 trillion won (US$972 million) into the country's top airline, Korean Air Lines Co., to help the company weather the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on the airline sector.
The Korea Development Bank (KDB) and the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Exim Bank) plan to extend new loans to Korean Air, as the country's flag carrier is in dire need of liquidity following suspended flights, the KDB said in a statement.
The two creditor banks made the decision as the national flag carrier agreed to take measures to improve its financial status through sales of assets, job guarantees for employees and dividend restrictions, it said.
This file photo shows Korean Air aircraft at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul. (Yonhap)
As part of self-rescue efforts, Korean Air had 70 percent of its 20,000-strong workforce take paid leave for six months from April 16 and is in the process of selling non-core assets to secure cash.
Korean Air has to repay or refinance 240 billion won worth of corporate bonds maturing this month and shoulder up to 500 billion won in fixed costs a month.
On Tuesday, the two policy lenders also said they will inject 1.7 trillion won into Asiana Airlines Inc., the country's second-biggest airline, to help it stay afloat and dispel growing concerns that the creditor banks' plan to sell Asiana may fall through due to the virus impact.
In December, the consortium led by HDC Hyundai Development Co. signed a deal to acquire a 30.77-percent stake in Asiana from Kumho Industrial Co., a construction unit of Kumho Asiana Group, as well as new shares to be issued and the airline's six affiliates, for 2.5 trillion won.
HDC said Friday it is in the process to acquire Asiana by the end of April, dismissing speculation that it may have difficulties in taking over the airline due to fallout from the coronavirus outbreak.
Local airlines have suspended most of their flights on international routes as an increasing number of countries have enacted entry restrictions amid virus fears.
South Korea has two full-service carriers -- Korean Air and Asiana -- and seven low-cost carriers (LCCs) -- Jeju Air, Jin Air Co., Air Busan Co., Air Seoul Inc., Eastar Jet, T'way and Fly Gangwon.
Last month, the government announced it would inject 300 billion won into LCCs. Full-service carriers also demanded emergency financial aid from the government.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-24--(LEAD) Seoul stocks dip 1.34 pct on doubt over virus drug, earnings concerns

`` The index 's gains will be limited as investors will continue to assess the COVID-19 pandemic 's impact on @ @ @ @ @ profitability to take a cue for asset readjustment , '' Ha In-hwan , an analyst @ @ @ @ @ said .

(ATTN: ADDS photo and bond yields at bottom)
SEOUL, April 24 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares ended lower Friday, snapping a two-day winning streak, as investors remain concerned about progress in the development of drugs to treat COVID-19 despite rebounding oil prices. The Korean won fell against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 25.72 points, or 1.34 percent, to 1,889.01. Trading volume was moderate at 922 million shares worth 9.5 trillion won (US$7.7 billion), with losers far outpacing gainers 684 to 165.
This photo taken on April 24, 2020 shows the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul. (Yonhap)
The main index got off to a weak start and extended losses in the afternoon trading on reports that Gilead Sciences Inc.'s antiviral drug remdesivir failed to help seriously ill COVID-19 patients in its first clinical trial, analysts said.
They expected the KOSPI may trade in a tight range next week amid lingering concerns over the COVID-19 outbreak and its economic impact.
"The index's gains will be limited as investors will continue to assess the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the global economy and corporate profitability to take a cue for asset readjustment," Ha In-hwan, an analyst at Meritz Securities Co., said.
Institutions and foreigners sold a combined 654 billion won worth of stocks, offsetting individuals' stock purchases valued at 633 billion won.
Most large-cap stocks retreated.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics Co. fell 1 percent to 49,350 won, top carmaker Hyundai Motor Co. declined 2.5 percent to 90,100 won, and the state-run Korea Electric Power Corp. shed 2.8 percent to 22,550 won.
Among gainers, leading steelmaker POSCO rose 0.9 percent to 173,000 won and Hanjin KAL Corp., parent firm of national flag carrier Korean Air Lines Co., jumped 9.2 percent to 93,000 won.
The local currency closed at 1,235.50 won against the U.S. dollar, down 5.80 won from the previous session's close.
Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed higher. The yield on three-year Treasurys fell 1.8 basis points to 1.018 percent, but the return on the benchmark five-year government bond declined 1.4 basis points to 1.277 percent.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-24--(LEAD) Hana Financial Q1 profit up 20 pct on cost-cutting efforts

The banking group said its cost-cutting efforts and strengthened risk management as well as good performance in its non-banking units @ @ @ @ @ its net profit .

(ATTN: UPDATES with company's comment and stock prices in paras 1, 3, 6; ADDS photo)
SEOUL, April 24 (Yonhap) -- Hana Financial Group Inc., a major South Korean banking group, said Friday its first-quarter net profit jumped 20.3 percent on-year due to cost-cutting efforts.
Net profit stood at 657 billion won (US$532 million) for the January-March period, up 111 billion won from a year earlier, Hana Financial said in a statement.
The banking group said its cost-cutting efforts and strengthened risk management as well as good performance in its non-banking units contributed to the hike in its net profit.
Its interest income and earnings from commission fees rose 0.6 percent on-year to 1.96 trillion won for the first quarter.
Hana Financial said its net interest margin, a key barometer of profitability, stood at 1.62 percent at the end of March, down 0.06 percentage point from the end of December.
Its flagship Hana Bank posted a net profit of 554.6 billion won for the first quarter, up 15.6 percent from a year earlier.
Shares in Hana Financial fell 1.91 percent to 23,150 won on Friday, roughly in line with the broader KOSPI's 1.34 percent loss.
entropy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-24--S. Korean Bond Yields on Apr. 24, 2020

S. Korean Bond Yields on Apr. 24, 2020

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


yna--2020-04-24--Hotel Shilla swings to red in Q1

Hotel Shilla swings to red in Q1

The operating profit was 322.3 percent higher than the average estimate , according to the survey by Yonhap Infomax , @ @ @ @ @ Yonhap News Agency .
The estimate of net profit was not available .

SEOUL, April 24 (Yonhap) -- Hotel Shilla Co. on Friday reported its first-quarter net loss of 73.6 billion won (US$ 59.5 million), turning from a profit of 51.9 billion won a year earlier.
The company said in a regulatory filing that it posted an operating loss of 66.8 billion won for the January-March period, compared with a profit of 81.7 billion won a year ago. Revenue fell 29.7 percent to 943.7 billion won.
The operating profit was 322.3 percent higher than the average estimate, according to the survey by Yonhap Infomax, the financial data firm of Yonhap News Agency. The estimate of net profit was not available.
※ This article was generated by Yonhap's proprietary algorithm using data from Yonhap Infomax and Korea Exchange(KRX).
(END)


yna--2020-04-24--LG Hausys swings to black in Q1

LG Hausys swings to black in Q1

The company said in a regulatory filing that it posted 20.8 billion won in operating profit for the quarter , @ @ @ @ @ a year ago .
Sales fell 4.4 percent to 723.7 billion won .

SEOUL, April 24 (Yonhap) -- LG Hausys Ltd. on Friday reported its first-quarter net profit of 4.3 billion won (US$ 3.5 million), shifting from a loss of 870 million won a year earlier.
The company said in a regulatory filing that it posted 20.8 billion won in operating profit for the quarter, compared with 11 billion won a year ago. Sales fell 4.4 percent to 723.7 billion won.
※ This article was generated by Yonhap's proprietary algorithm using data from Yonhap Infomax and Korea Exchange(KRX).
(END)


yna--2020-04-24--(2nd LD) Ex-campaign chief to head emergency leadership of main opposition party

The party also plans to revise a rule under which the party should hold a national congress to elect a @ @ @ @ @ of August and the interim leadership panel should be disbanded before the election .

(ATTN: ADDS details in paras 10-17)
SEOUL, April 24 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's main opposition party, reeling from a crushing defeat in last week's parliamentary elections, decided Friday to form an emergency leadership body headed by its former campaign chief.
The United Future Party (UFP) said Kim Chong-in, a veteran politician who led its campaign for the April 15 elections, accepted its request to chair the new interim leadership committee, which it plans to launch Tuesday.
The conservative party has been rudderless since last Wednesday, when former chief, Hwang Kyo-ahn, resigned immediately after he was defeated in a constituency in central Seoul.
"Based on an opinion survey of the Supreme Council and party legislators, (the UFP) formerly requested that former campaign committee chairman Kim lead the emergency committee, and it was accepted," Shim Jae-chul, acting party chief and floor leader, told reporters.
Kim Chong-in, former campaign chief of the United Future Party, leaves his home in Seoul on April 24, 2020. (Yonhap)
National delegates will convene Tuesday to endorse the decision, he said.
The party also plans to revise a rule under which the party should hold a national congress to elect a new leader by the end of August and the interim leadership panel should be disbanded before the election.
Shim said the party will push a revision to grant the emergency committee an extensive term.
In an interview on Wednesday, Kim said he would accept the UFP's proposal on the condition that it guarantee an indefinite term and the same power as a regular party chairman.
During his decadeslong career, Kim engaged in campaigning and crisis management in both conservative and liberal parties.
Later Friday, the seasoned politician affirmed his position.
"There is no need to fix the term of office," he told reporters before a public forum.
"The term of the emergency committee chairman may be shorter than one year. If I think I have done all I have to do, I can quit anytime," he said.
He also tried to reassure his opponents in the party who suspect he may be aiming to seize party powers.
"I am in a position to help the UFP and I have nothing to pursue there," he stressed.
Some in the UFP are opposed to ushering in Kim and called for an early election for the next leader.
"I object to the creation of an emergency committee in a way that does not set a definite time limit and gives power beyond the party constitution and regulations," said Cho Kyoung-tae, the only Supreme Council member who won in last week's legislative elections.
He said if Kim wants to contribute to the party, he must not pursue an unwarranted mandate, but run in the party leadership election.
In the elections, the Democratic Party (DP) and its affiliate party won a combined 180 seats in the 300-seat National Assembly, largely on voter support for the Moon Jae-in administration's response to the coronavirus. The UFP and its satellite party won only 103 seats.
(END)


yna--2020-04-25--10 new virus cases confirmed, no new deaths again

Ten more people in the country were diagnosed with COVID-19 the day before , bringing the total number of patients @ @ @ @ @ the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( KCDC ) .
Four of them @ @ @ @ @

SEOUL, April 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korea reported 10 additional coronavirus cases Saturday amid no new deaths linked with the disease.
Ten more people in the country were diagnosed with COVID-19 the day before, bringing the total number of patients to 10,718, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). Four of them arrived from foreign countries.
The death toll remained at 240 for the third consecutive day, with no report of new deaths for the past two days.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-25--Seoul stocks set to extend losses next week amid virus woes: analysts

Analysts said the KOSPI may fall to the 1,850-point level next week as U.S. consumption and investment data for April @ @ @ @ @ and Gilead Sciences Inc. 's antiviral drug remdesivir may end up failing .

SEOUL, April 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks are expected to fall further next week amid concerns over the prolonged economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak and an antiviral drug's disappointing clinical results, analysts said Saturday.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 25.72 points, or 1.34 percent, to 1,889.01 on Friday. The main index shed 1.3 percent this week amid deepening virus woes.
This week, foreigners sold a net 1.4 trillion won (US$1.1 billion) worth of local stocks and institutions offloaded 1.3 trillion won worth of stocks. But individuals bought 2.6 trillion won worth of stocks.
Analysts said the KOSPI may fall to the 1,850-point level next week as U.S. consumption and investment data for April are expected to be weak and Gilead Sciences Inc.'s antiviral drug remdesivir may end up failing.
"First-quarter corporate earnings results were definitely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. But the real concern for investors is second-quarter business results, in case of an extended coronavirus outbreak through June," Noh Dong-kil, an analyst at NH Investment & Securities Co., said.
This week, major chipmaker SK hynix Inc. posted a 41 percent on-year drop in first-quarter net profit at 649.1 billion won. Hyundai Motor Co.'s net profit plunged 42 percent on-year to 552.7 billion won in the first quarter.
Their earnings results were better than expected, but concerns over a further slump may limit a rise in the local stock market.
"Investors are shifting their focus to earnings outlooks of major exporters, such as Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor, for the second quarter," he said.
(END)


yna--2020-04-25--(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on April 25)

We believe the astronomical sum of relief money is crucial for riding out the ongoing economic calamity , which is @ @ @ @ @ the Great Depression of the 1930s .
But we have to point out that `` @ @ @ @ @ a magic solution .
The country can not print money with no-holds barred as seen @ @ @ @ @ advanced economies .

Worst has yet to come
New policies needed to ride out economic crisis
South Korea suffered its worst economic performance in 11 years, battered by the coronavirus pandemic. More seriously, the worst is yet to come. The country is expected to feel a more severe economic impact in the coming months, so it is urgent to take bolder action to avoid a worst-case scenario.
The economy contracted 1.4 percent in the first three months of this year from the previous quarter, according to the Bank of Korea. This figure represents the steepest quarterly contraction since the fourth quarter of 2008 when the economy shrank 3.3 percent amid the global financial crisis.
Given the severity of the economic fallout from COVID-19, the contraction is not surprising. Private consumption nosedived 6.4 percent in the first quarter, leading the economic shrinkage. The decline was the sharpest since the first quarter of 1998 following the Asian financial turmoil. The figure indicates that people cut back on consumption by a big margin in the face of the health crisis.
Exports, the country's growth engine, dropped 2 percent on a quarter-on-quarter basis. This figure is not so bad, compared with domestic consumption. But overseas shipments are predicted to fall further in the second quarter when economic damage from the pandemic becomes more intense.
Last week, the International Monetary Fund predicted the Korean economy would contract 1.2 percent this year with the global economy shrinking 3 percent. Yet no one can be sure that the country's economy will outperform the world's average. There are concerns that our export-oriented economy might be harder hit by the COVID-19 catastrophe than any other economies.
For this reason, the Moon Jae-in administration has committed to providing 240 trillion won ($194 billion) in economic relief packages to help businesses, stabilize financial markets, create jobs and boost people's livelihoods. However, it is uncertain if the fiscal stimulus is big enough to prevent the looming economic woes. Some critics argue that the support packages could risk wasting taxpayers' money and hurt the country's fiscal health creating a huge budget deficit.
We believe the astronomical sum of relief money is crucial for riding out the ongoing economic calamity, which is seen as the worst since the Great Depression of the 1930s. But we have to point out that "helicopter money" is not a magic solution. The country cannot print money with no-holds barred as seen in the U.S. and other advanced economies.
Therefore, the Moon government should map out detailed action plans to maximize the effects of the relief packages. It also needs to ensure that financial support is funneled into hard-hit key industries such as airlines, shipbuilding, auto manufacturing and petrochemicals. The administration must also be careful not to pour money into a bottomless pit.
In addition, the government needs to change its rigid "income-led" growth policy, which has failed to generate jobs and bring about higher wages. It ought to produce more market-friendly policies to promote deregulation and innovation. At the same time structural economic and labor market reform is imperative to revive Corporate Korea and shore up the economy.
(END)


yna--2020-04-25--Top headlines in major S. Korean newspapers

Korean-language dailies -- Cheong Wa Dae says emergency relief payment for households to begin May 4 ( Kyunghyang Shinmun ) -- Kim Chong-in to lead main opposition party hit by crushing election defeat ( Kookmin Daily ) -- Cheong Wa Dae says relief pay due May 13 if lawmakers pass extra budget bill ( Donga llbo ) -- Gov't to pay relief money to all people , issue 3.6 tln won worth of bonds ( Seoul Shinmun ) -- Cheong Wa Dae preparing to pay disaster relief money on May 13 ( Segye Times ) -- Creditors inject 2.9 tln @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tln more needed to help overcome crisis ( Chosun Ilbo ) -- Policy lenders to provide Korean Air with 1.2 tln won of emergency financial aid ( JoongAng Ilbo ) -- Gov't seeks to expand size of extra budget for relief pay ( Hankyoreh ) -- Ruling party , gov't agree to use state budget for all planned relief payment ( Hankook Ilbo ) -- 2.9 tln won of emergency aid for Korean Air , Asiana Airlines ( Maeil Business Newspaper ) -- Creditors to inject 1.2 tln won into Korean Air ( @ @ @ @

SEOUL, April 25 (Yonhap) -- The following are the top headlines in major South Korean newspapers on April 25.
Korean-language dailies
-- Cheong Wa Dae says emergency relief payment for households to begin May 4 (Kyunghyang Shinmun)
-- Kim Chong-in to lead main opposition party hit by crushing election defeat (Kookmin Daily)
-- Cheong Wa Dae says relief pay due May 13 if lawmakers pass extra budget bill (Donga llbo)
-- Gov't to pay relief money to all people, issue 3.6 tln won worth of bonds (Seoul Shinmun)
-- Cheong Wa Dae preparing to pay disaster relief money on May 13 (Segye Times)
-- Creditors inject 2.9 tln won into two flag carriers, 8 tln more needed to help overcome crisis (Chosun Ilbo)
-- Policy lenders to provide Korean Air with 1.2 tln won of emergency financial aid (JoongAng Ilbo)
-- Gov't seeks to expand size of extra budget for relief pay (Hankyoreh)
-- Ruling party, gov't agree to use state budget for all planned relief payment (Hankook Ilbo)
-- 2.9 tln won of emergency aid for Korean Air, Asiana Airlines (Maeil Business Newspaper)
-- Creditors to inject 1.2 tln won into Korean Air (Korea Economic Daily)
English-language dailies
-- Government banks rescue Korean Air Lines (Korea JoongAng Daily)
-- With no return to pre-virus normalcy, S. Korea releases 'routine distancing' rules (Korea Herald)
-- Trump says reports on Kim's health 'incorrect' (Korea Times)
(END)


yna--2020-04-25--NK leader still out of public eye, Pyongyang's media focus on army anniversary

The official Korean Central News Agency detailed the history of the KPRA that dates back to the anti-Japanese people 's @ @ @ @ @ Il-sung , late grandfather of the current leader .
Korea was under Japan 's brutal @ @ @ @ @ .

SEOUL, April 25 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un stayed out of public sight Saturday, as the reclusive nation's tightly controlled media focused their coverage on the founding anniversary of its armed forces.
They have carried no report of Kim's public activity since April 11, sparking speculation that the 36-year-old might be critically ill.
Pyongyang's propaganda outlets instead hyped the 88th anniversary of the birth of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army (KPRA) that falls on April 25.
The official Korean Central News Agency detailed the history of the KPRA that dates back to the anti-Japanese people's guerrilla army formed by Kim Il-sung, late grandfather of the current leader. Korea was under Japan's brutal colonial rule at that time.
In an editorial, the Rodong Sinmun, the organ of the North's ruling party, stressed Kim Jong-un's call for bolstering the military power and urged the further strengthening of the entire army's support for his leadership.
Meanwhile, Reuters said China has dispatched a team of medical doctors and officials to North Korea "to advise on" Kim. It quoted three unnamed people familiar with the situation.
The delegation, led by a senior member of the Chinese Communist Party's International Liaison Department, left Beijing for North Korea on Thursday, it added.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (C) inspects an artillery drill in an April 10, 2020, photo released by Pyongyang's media. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


Saturday's weather forecast

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


yna--2020-04-25--Share of domestic factors rising in Seoul's ultrafine dust

The average wind speed in Seoul has decreased from 2.4 meters per second to 1.8 meters , while an environment @ @ @ @ @ secondary ammonium nitrate has been created by the increased emissions of nitrogen oxide and ammonia @ @ @ @ @ explained .
The report also noted that air pollutant emissions decreased in China to a @ @ @ @ @

SEOUL, April 25 (Yonhap) -- The share of domestic factors in Seoul's ultrafine dust particles has increased over the past five years, while the ratio of China's contribution to the local particulate pollution has been stagnant, a report showed Saturday.
According to the report issued by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, homegrown pollutants were responsible for 26 percent of the capital's ultrafine particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, or PM 2.5, as of 2019, marking a rise from 22 percent in 2016.
In contrast, the ratio of China's contribution to Seoul's PM 2.5 concentrations remained unchanged at 38 percent in the 2016-19 period, the report noted.
North Korea and other foreign regions were to blame for only 4 percent of the city's PM 2.5 pollution in 2019, down sharply from 17 percent in 2016.
The report said the PM 2.5 self-contribution ratio for other parts of South Korea, excluding Seoul, jumped from 23 percent to 32 percent.
This file photo taken on March 22, 2020, shows ultrafine particles over Seoul. (Yonhap)
On a national scale, the self-contribution ratio rose from 45 percent to 58 percent in the same period, it said.
The report attributed the rise in homegrown air pollutants to a reduction of wind speed and increased chemical emissions.
The average wind speed in Seoul has decreased from 2.4 meters per second to 1.8 meters, while an environment favorable for the production of secondary ammonium nitrate has been created by the increased emissions of nitrogen oxide and ammonia across the nation, it explained. The report also noted that air pollutant emissions decreased in China to a greater extent than domestically.
However, the PM 2.5 contribution ratios fluctuated depending on the season. In winter, for instance, South Korea's PM 2.5 self-contribution ratio dropped to 49 percent, whereas China's ratio rose to 47 percent.
Meanwhile, fuel combustion such as heating accounted for 31 percent of ultrafine dust concentrations in Seoul, followed by vehicle exhaust emissions (26 percent), scattered dust (22 percent), non-road transportation such as construction equipment (18 percent) and biomass burning (2 percent), the report said.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-25--Number of foreign tourists nose-dives in March amid coronavirus pandemic

The number of visitors from the rest of Asia and the Middle East slumped 93.7 percent on-year , with a @ @ @ @ @ number of Taiwanese tourists and a 99.4 percent fall from Hong Kong .

SEOUL, April 25 (Yonhap) -- The number of foreign arrivals in South Korea nose-dived nearly 95 percent last month due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, government data showed Saturday.
According to the data by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), 83,497 foreign people visited South Korea in March, down 94.6 percent from the same period last year.
The number of Chinese visitors, in particular, tumbled 96.6 percent on-year to 16,595 last month, as the Beijing government has issued a travel alert for 15 countries including South Korea as part of COVID-19 preventive measures.
Also, 8,347 Japanese came to Korea last month, down 97.8 percent from a year ago, following the country's higher travel warning for its neighboring country.
The number of visitors from the rest of Asia and the Middle East slumped 93.7 percent on-year, with a 99.4 percent drop in the number of Taiwanese tourists and a 99.4 percent fall from Hong Kong.
The coronavirus pandemic also pushed down the number of tourists from America and Europe last month, while arrivals from the United States slid 87.5 percent from a year earlier.
Meanwhile, outbound travelers from South Korea also plunged 93.9 percent on-year to 143,366 in March, according to the KTO data.
This photo taken on April 23, 2020, shows Incheon International Airport relatively empty. (Yonhap)
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)


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(END)


yna--2020-04-24--S. Korea vows to expand ties with G-20 states to revitalize tourism

SEOUL , April 24 ( Yonhap ) -- South Korea on Friday vowed to strengthen ties with major economies around @ @ @ @ @ global tourism industry , which has been hit hard by the new coronavirus pandemic .

SEOUL, April 24 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Friday vowed to strengthen ties with major economies around the globe to revitalize the global tourism industry, which has been hit hard by the new coronavirus pandemic.
"South Korea will expand ties with different countries around the globe to revitalize the tourism industry," Tourism Minister Park Yang-woo said during an extraordinary G-20 virtual meeting of tourism ministers.
The gathering came as the COVID-19 pandemic, which has infected more than 2.7 million around the globe, has decimated different industries, including tourism.
During the meeting, other participants also vowed to make efforts to avoid excessive restraints on essential travel.
The member countries also agreed to join hands to build up safer a tourism environment, according to the ministry.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Yang-woo (R) takes part in the G-20 tourism ministers virtual meeting from the smart network center in Seoul, on April 24, 2020. The ministry, which provided the photo, said that participants discussed the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector and how to restore normalcy to the industry going forward. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-04-25--(LEAD) N.K. leader still out of public eye, Pyongyang's media focus on army anniversary

(ATTN: ADDS JCS officer's comment in 6th para)
SEOUL, April 25 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un stayed out of public sight Saturday, as the reclusive nation's tightly controlled media focused their coverage on the founding anniversary of its armed forces.
They have carried no report of Kim's public activity since April 11, sparking speculation that the 36-year-old might be critically ill.
Pyongyang's propaganda outlets instead hyped the 88th anniversary of the birth of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army (KPRA) that falls on April 25.
The official Korean Central News Agency detailed the history of the KPRA that dates back to the anti-Japanese people's guerrilla army formed by Kim Il-sung, late grandfather of the current leader. Korea was under Japan's brutal colonial rule at that time.
In an editorial, the Rodong Sinmun, the organ of the North's ruling party, stressed Kim Jong-un's call for bolstering the military power and urged the further strengthening of the entire army's support for his leadership.
A South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff officer said later in the day no unusual signs regarding the anniversary have been detected in North Korea.
Meanwhile, Reuters said China has dispatched a team of medical doctors and officials to North Korea "to advise on" Kim. It quoted three unnamed people familiar with the situation.
The delegation, led by a senior member of the Chinese Communist Party's International Liaison Department, left Beijing for North Korea on Thursday, it added.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (C) inspects an artillery drill in an April 10, 2020, photo released by Pyongyang's media. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-25--Firefighters struggle to contain mountain fire in southeastern S. Korea

Minister of the Interior and Safety Chin Young ordered officials to use all available resources to contain the fire as @ @ @ @ @ its impact .

SEOUL, April 25 (Yonhap) -- Firefighters on Saturday continued to battle a mountain fire in the southeastern city of Andong that broke out the previous day, as strong winds hampered their containment efforts.
The fire, which was first reported on Friday afternoon, has affected an estimated 100 hectares of mountain land, with no casualties reported yet.
Authorities have ordered nearby residents to evacuate and restricted traffic around the city.
Minister of the Interior and Safety Chin Young ordered officials to use all available resources to contain the fire as soon as possible and minimize its impact.
"Above all, put utmost efforts to safely evacuate residents living near where the mountain fire broke out," he said.
Around 1,000 firefighters, along with 20 helicopters and 40 fire trucks, have been mobilized to put out the fire.
The exact cause of the fire has yet to be determined, they said.
This photo, provided by Yonhap News TV, shows a fire spreading at a mountain in the southeastern city of Andong on April 25, 2020. (PHOTO NOR FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-04-25--Court issues warrant to detain key suspect in hedge fund scandal

The Seoul Southern District Court issued the warrant to detain Lee Jong-pil , a former vice president of Lime Asset @ @ @ @ @ alleged involvement in the firm 's cover-up of massive losses and subsequent suspension of fund @ @ @ @ @ trillion won ( US $ 1.3 billion ) .

SEOUL, April 25 (Yonhap) -- A Seoul court on Saturday issued a warrant to detain a former executive of an asset management company over his alleged involvement in a massive hedge fund scandal.
The Seoul Southern District Court issued the warrant to detain Lee Jong-pil, a former vice president of Lime Asset Management Co., over his alleged involvement in the firm's cover-up of massive losses and subsequent suspension of fund redemption worth an estimated 1.6 trillion won (US$1.3 billion).
Issuing the warrant, the court cited concerns Lee may destroy evidence or flee.
He did not attend the hearing on the prosecution's request for the warrant.
The investigation has prompted spooked investors to scramble to withdraw their money. In October, the company froze withdrawals, citing an inability to liquidate enough assets to meet the redemption requests.
(END)


yna--2020-04-25--(4th LD) 10 new virus cases confirmed, no new deaths again

Among the 10 cases , three were reported in Daegu , which used to be at the heart of the @ @ @ @ @ several weeks earlier .
Two others were confirmed in Gyeonggi Province and one in Seoul @

(ATTN: ADDS health official's comments in last 4 paras)
SEOUL, April 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korea reported 10 additional coronavirus cases Saturday amid no new deaths linked with the disease.
Ten more people in the country were diagnosed with COVID-19 the day before, bringing the total number of patients to 10,718, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). Four of them arrived from foreign countries, including two foreigners.
Among the 10 cases, three were reported in Daegu, which used to be at the heart of the rapid spread of the virus several weeks earlier. Two others were confirmed in Gyeonggi Province and one in Seoul.
The death toll remained at 240 for the third consecutive day, with no report of new deaths for the past two days.
Workers at Busan Medical Center take a coronavirus test in this undated file photo. (Yonhap)
On Friday, there was no coronavirus-related death reported here for the first time in 39 days.
The number of those who were fully cured rose by 134 to 8,635.
A total of 595,161 people have taken coronavirus tests so far, and 9,259 are waiting for the results.
"The recovery rate (for patients) has exceeded 80 percent and the number of patients in isolation has fallen below 2,000, which means that the situations are being managed on a level that our quarantine system can handle," Yoon Tae-ho, a health ministry official, said at a press briefing in Seoul.
But he pointed out that it's still too early to be at ease.
"Because a single super-spreader can cause a considerable size of patients at anytime, we are fully geared up for a resilient response," he added.
In particular, religious groups are expected to resume gatherings this weekend as the government has relaxed some social-distancing rules.
"This weekend, many religious facilities appear to be planning indoor services that they have refrained so far from having," Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said at an interagency meeting on the coronavirus response.
He warned that anyone can become a "quiet spreader and asked participants to thoroughly abide by quarantine guidelines, which includes wearing masks and avoiding separate group meetings or meals.
South Korea is also set to mark a series of national holidays: Buddha's Birthday on April 30, May Day on May 1 and Children's Day on May 5.
Many people are expected to travel or engage in various private meetings and events during the holidays, which would leave them exposed to higher risk of contact with those with the virus.
Speaking at a separate briefing at the KCDC headquarters in Osong, North Chungcheong Province, another senior health official, Kwon Joon-wook, said lowering the quarantine guard is the biggest risk factor in the COVID-19 response.
"Developing treatments and vaccines is tough," he added. "There's no COVID-19 treatment yet with a proven curative effect."
On concerns about possible infections related to the in-person ballots by tens of millions of South Koreans in the April 15 general elections, Kwon said there have been no confirmed cases so far.
If South Korea gets through next week with no election-related cases, it would set a quarantine precedent at home and abroad, given the incubation period known to be up to two weeks, according to Kwon.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-25--Today in Korean history

Today in Korean history

1926 -- Sunjong , the last emperor of the Joseon Dynasty ( 1392-1910 ) , dies at age 53 .
@ @ @ @ @ Gojong and Empress Myeongseong ascended the throne in 1907 , when his father was forced @ @ @ @ @ .
After the Korean Peninsula was officially annexed by Japan in 1910 , Sunjong was @ @ @ @ @ Changdeok Palace in central Seoul , where he died .

April 26
1926 -- Sunjong, the last emperor of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), dies at age 53. The second son of Emperor Gojong and Empress Myeongseong ascended the throne in 1907, when his father was forced to abdicate by Japanese imperialists. After the Korean Peninsula was officially annexed by Japan in 1910, Sunjong was confined to his residence in Changdeok Palace in central Seoul, where he died.
1952 -- Seoul National University grants the nation's first doctoral degrees to six graduates.
1960 -- President Rhee Syng-man resigns following massive nationwide protests that began April 19 of that year against his authoritarian regime.
1982 -- Wu Beom-gon, a police officer in Uiryeong, South Gyeongsang Province, goes on a drunken rampage with a firearm, killing about 50 residents and wounding 30 others. When he was finally surrounded by police, Wu blew himself up with two hand grenades rather than surrender.
1996 -- North Korea allows U.S. broadcaster Cable News Network to open a branch in Pyongyang.
2014 -- South Korean President Park Geun-hye and U.S. President Barack Obama pay a joint visit to the command center for joint military operations between the two allies in a symbolic move underscoring their unity in deterring North Korea.
2017 -- Tax officials from South Korea and India agree to avoid double taxation between the two countries.
(END)


yna--2020-04-25--(3rd LD) 10 new virus cases confirmed, no new deaths again

(ATTN: UPDATES with health ministry official's briefing in paras 8-10)
SEOUL, April 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korea reported 10 additional coronavirus cases Saturday amid no new deaths linked with the disease.
Ten more people in the country were diagnosed with COVID-19 the day before, bringing the total number of patients to 10,718, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). Four of them arrived from foreign countries, including two foreigners.
Among the 10 cases, three were reported in Daegu, which used to be at the heart of the rapid spread of the virus several weeks earlier. Two others were confirmed in Gyeonggi Province and one in Seoul.
The death toll remained at 240 for the third consecutive day, with no report of new deaths for the past two days.
Workers at Busan Medical Center take a coronavirus test in this file photo. (Yonhap)
On Friday, there was no coronavirus-related death reported here for the first time in 39 days.
The number of those who were fully cured rose by 134 to 8,635.
A total of 595,161 people have taken coronavirus tests so far, and 9,259 are waiting for the results.
"The recovery rate (for patients) has exceeded 80 percent and the number of patients in isolation has fallen below 2,000, which means that the situations are being managed on a level that our quarantine system can handle," Yoon Tae-ho, a health ministry official, said at a press briefing.
But he pointed out that it's still too early to be at ease.
"Because a single super-spreader can cause a considerable size of patients at anytime, we are fully geared up for a resilient response," he added.
In particular, religious groups are expected to resume gatherings this weekend as the government has relaxed some social-distancing rules.
"This weekend, many religious facilities appear to be planning indoor services that they have refrained so far from having," Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said at an interagency meeting on the coronavirus response.
He warned that anyone can become a "quiet spreader and asked participants to thoroughly abide by quarantine guidelines, which includes wearing masks and avoiding separate group meetings or meals.
South Korea is also set to mark a series of national holidays: Buddha's Birthday on April 30, May Day on May 1 and Children's Day on May 5.
Many people are expected to travel or engage in various private meetings and events during the holidays, which would leave them exposed to higher risk of contact with those with the virus.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-25--Foreign arrivals drop 61 pct since halt to visa exemption entry

`` We are taking thorough quarantine measures for all entrants , '' Yoon Tae-ho , an official at the task @ @ @ @ @ `` Those without symptoms are self-isolated at home as well for two weeks with a @ @ @ @ @ . ''

SEOUL, April 25 (Yonhap) -- The number of foreigners arriving in South Korea for short-term stays has plunged over 60 percent since the suspension of visa-free entry earlier this month amid the fight against the coronavirus, the authorities said Saturday.
Effective on April 13, the government halted the visa waiver program for 90 countries, which have restricted South Koreans' trips there.
A daily average of 105 foreigners entered South Korea for short-term stays from April 13-23, down 61 percent from 266 recorded from April 1-12, according to the central disaster and safety countermeasures headquarters.
The number of arrivals of South Koreans here also fell around 27 percent to an average of 2,664 per day, it added.
"We are taking thorough quarantine measures for all entrants," Yoon Tae-ho, an official at the task force, told reporters. "Those without symptoms are self-isolated at home as well for two weeks with a 24-hour surveillance system in place."
An image of airport quarantine measures, in this photo provided by Yonhap News TV (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-25--Walking tour catches on among Koreans

Walking tour catches on among Koreans

The Ministry of Culture , Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization earlier this week announced the result of @ @ @ @ @ experience of tours on foot of natural , historical and cultural attractions .

SEOUL, April 25 (Yonhap) -- A walking tour is gaining popularity among South Koreans, especially those in their 20s and 30s, as an alternative to expensive, cumbersome forms of travel, government data showed.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization earlier this week announced the result of their survey about Koreans' experience of tours on foot of natural, historical and cultural attractions.
It was conducted with 4,000 people aged between 15 and 79 across the country from December 2018 and November 2019.
The survey showed 37 percent of the respondents went on a walking tour during the period, up 6.1 percentage points from a year earlier. They took an average 4.2 walking tours.
The increase rate was especially high among those in their 20s (9.7 points) and 30s (12.1 points).
While most people toured together with family members (50.8 percent) and friends (33 percent), those traveling alone sharply increased to 17.7 percent from 5 percent the previous year.
As to the attraction of walking trips, they cited the discovery of beauty, relaxation, health, clearing of thoughts and appreciation of nature.
The most popular destination was Jeju Olle Trail, with 15.9 percent picking the long-distance footpath on the southern island of Jeju as the site they visited most often.
It was followed by Haeparang Trail along the eastern coast (9.7 percent), Mount Jiri in the south (8 percent) and Deoksugung Palace in central Seoul (5.9 percent).
This Oct. 31, 2019, photo shows the Jeju Olle Trail on the southern island of Jeju. (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-04-25--(2nd LD) 10 new virus cases confirmed, no new deaths again

(ATTN: UPDATES with PM's message, details in last 5 paras; ADDS photo)
SEOUL, April 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korea reported 10 additional coronavirus cases Saturday amid no new deaths linked with the disease.
Ten more people in the country were diagnosed with COVID-19 the day before, bringing the total number of patients to 10,718, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). Four of them arrived from foreign countries, including two foreigners.
Among the 10 cases, three were reported in Daegu, which used to be at the heart of the rapid spread of the virus several weeks earlier. Two others were confirmed in Gyeonggi Province and one in Seoul.
The death toll remained at 240 for the third consecutive day, with no report of new deaths for the past two days.
Workers at Busan Medical Center take a coronavirus test in this file photo. (Yonhap)
On Friday, there was no coronavirus-related death reported here for the first time in 39 days.
The number of those who were fully cured rose by 134 to 8,635.
A total of 595,161 people have taken coronavirus tests so far, and 9,259 are waiting for the results.
While the number of new infections has stayed relatively low, South Korean officials emphasized it's still too early to be at ease. In particular, religious groups are expected to resume gatherings this weekend as the government has relaxed some social-distancing rules.
"This weekend, many religious facilities appear to be planning indoor services that they have refrained so far from having," Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said at an interagency meeting on the coronavirus response.
He warned that anyone can become a "quiet spreader and asked participants to thoroughly abide by quarantine guidelines, which includes wearing masks and avoiding separate group meetings or meals.
South Korea is also set to mark a series of national holidays: Buddha's Birthday on April 30, May Day on May 1 and Children's Day on May 5.
Many people are expected to travel or engage in various private meetings and events during the holidays, which would leave them exposed to higher risk of contact with those with the virus.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-25--(LEAD) 10 new virus cases confirmed, no new deaths again

(ATTN: UPDATES with details; ADDS photo)
SEOUL, April 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korea reported 10 additional coronavirus cases Saturday amid no new deaths linked with the disease.
Ten more people in the country were diagnosed with COVID-19 the day before, bringing the total number of patients to 10,718, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). Four of them arrived from foreign countries, including two foreigners.
Among the 10 cases, three were reported in Daegu, which used to be at the heart of the rapid spread of the virus several weeks earlier. Two others were confirmed in Gyeonggi Province and one in Seoul.
The death toll remained at 240 for the third consecutive day, with no report of new deaths for the past two days.
Workers at Busan Medical Center take a coronavirus test in this file photo. (Yonhap)
On Friday, there was no coronavirus-related death reported here for the first time in 39 days.
The number of those who were fully cured rose by 134 to 8,635.
A total of 595,161 people have taken coronavirus tests so far, and 9,259 are waiting for the results.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-26--S. Korea reports 10 more cases of new coronavirus, total now at 10,728

The nation 's death toll from the coronavirus , which emerged in China late last year , rose by two @ @ @ @ @ the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( KCDC ) .
In total , @ @ @ @ @ have recovered from the virus .

SEOUL, April 26 (Yonhap) -- South Korea reported 10 more cases of the new coronavirus Sunday, bringing the nation's total infections to 10,728.
South Korea has recorded around 10 or fewer daily new cases in recent days, a sharp drop from the Feb. 29 peak of 909. But health authorities remain on high alert over cluster infections at churches and hospitals, as well as new cases coming from overseas.
Vice Health Minister Kim Ganglip (R) encourages medical personnel who treated COVID-19 patients at a hospital in Masan, 388 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on April 24, 2020. (Yonhap)
The nation's death toll from the coronavirus, which emerged in China late last year, rose by two to 242, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). In total, 8,717 people in South Korea have recovered from the virus.
The total number of cases reported in Daegu and the surrounding North Gyeongsang Province reached 6,846 and 1,364, respectively.
Other major provinces and cities also reported infections, with Busan and Gyeonggi Province adding one and six new cases, respectively.
The country also detected one new case coming from overseas at border checkpoints, raising the country's total number of imported cases to 1,037.
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-26--(URGENT) S. Korea confirms two more coronavirus deaths, raising death toll to 242: KCDC

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


yna--2020-04-26--(URGENT) S. Korea releases 82 recovered coronavirus patients, total cured people at 8,717: KCDC


yna--2020-04-26--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 10 more cases of new coronavirus, total now at 10,728


yna--2020-04-26--Kim's special train spotted in Wonsan amid rumors over his health: U.S. monitor

But not all speculation has proven to be false .
When he was absent from public for about a month @ @ @ @ @ about his health and a political crisis in the secretive state .
He later reemerged @ @ @ @ @ limp reportedly after having a cyst removed from his ankle .

SEOUL, April 26 (Yonhap) -- A train presumed to belong to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been spotted at a station in the communist state's eastern coastal town of Wonsan amid speculation about Kim's health, a U.S. monitor said Sunday, citing commercial satellite imagery on the region.
According to 38 North, the imagery showed a train "probably belonging to Kim Jong Un has been parked at the Leadership Railway Station servicing his Wonsan compound since at least April 21."
"The approximately 250-meter long train, although partially covered by the station's roof, can be seen at a railway station reserved for use by the Kim family. It was not present on April 15 but was present on both April 21 and 23," it said.
"The train's presence does not prove the whereabouts of the North Korean leader or indicate anything about his health, but it does lend weight to reports that Kim is staying at an elite area on the country's eastern coast," it added.
The report came as rumors about his health have spread as Kim apparently skipped an important annual visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on the occasion of the April 15 birthday of late state founder and his grandfather, Kim Il-sung.
CNN intensified the speculation by reporting earlier last week that the United States is looking into intelligence that Kim is "in grave danger" after surgery.
Seoul officials have disputed recent media reports about Kim, saying there have been no unusual signs from the North. Some said that Kim is presumed to be staying in Wonsan for unspecified reasons.
Washington has also dismissed the reports, with U.S. President Donald Trump calling such reports "incorrect" in a press briefing late last week.
On Saturday, Reuters said China has dispatched a team of medical doctors and officials to North Korea "to advise on" Kim, citing multiple unnamed people familiar with the situation.
North Korea's state media, however, has not made any mention of Kim's public activity for two weeks since he was last seen in April 11 presiding over a major party meeting, though it has reported on his handling of routine state affairs, such as sending diplomatic letters.
It is not rare for Kim to disappear from the public eye, but whenever it happens, mostly unfounded rumors spread that he might have health issues.
But not all speculation has proven to be false. When he was absent from public for about a month in 2014, speculation arose about his health and a political crisis in the secretive state. He later reemerged with a cane and a limp reportedly after having a cyst removed from his ankle.
The 36-year-old leader is known to have various health problems apparently caused by obesity and heavy smoking. He took office as leader of the communist state after his father, Kim Jong-il, died of a heart attack in late 2011.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (R) inspects a pursuit assault plane group under the Air and Anti-Aircraft Division in the western area in this file photo released April 12, 2020, by the North's official Korean Central News Agency. South Korean officials said on April 21 that they have seen no unusual signs with regard to Kim's health after CNN reported that he is "in grave danger after a surgery." (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
(END)


Sunday's weather forecast

SEOUL , Arpil 26 ( Yonhap ) -- The following is the weather forecast for South Korea 's 12 major @ @ @ @ @ .


(Copyright)


yna--2020-04-25--(LEAD) Firefighters battle to contain Andong mountain fire as 1,000 evacuated

(ATTN: RECASTS headline; UPDATES with latest info in paras 2-4)
SEOUL, April 25 (Yonhap) -- Firefighters on Saturday continued to battle a mountain fire in the southeastern city of Andong that broke out the previous day, as strong winds hampered their containment efforts.
The fire, which was first reported on Friday afternoon, has affected an estimated 100 hectares of mountain land and burnt four houses, with no casualties reported yet.
Some 1,000 nearby residents have evacuated, and traffic around the city has been restricted.
About 2,000 personnel -- firefighters, civil servants and service members -- have been mobilized, along with 120 fire trucks and 20 helicopters, to put out the fire, though the choppers could not continue operations after sunset.
Minister of the Interior and Safety Chin Young ordered officials to use all available resources to contain the fire as soon as possible and minimize its impact.
"Above all, put utmost efforts to safely evacuate residents living near where the mountain fire broke out," he said.
The exact cause of the fire has yet to be determined, they said.
This photo, provided by Yonhap News TV, shows a fire spreading on a mountain in the southeastern city of Andong on April 25, 2020. (PHOTO NOR FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
(END)