yna--2020-09-29--(LEAD) Top diplomats of S. Korea, Britain hold strategic talks

On climate change , the ministers noted that Seoul and London are both slated to host two key events next @ @ @ @ @ Growth and Global Goals 2030 ( P4G ) and the United Nations Climate Change Conference @ @ @ @ @ -- and called for support and attention for each other so as to advance international @ @ @ @ @ challenge .

(ATTN: RECASTS lead, paras 2, 4-5, 8-9 with more details; REPLACES photos)
SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Yonhap) -- The top diplomats of South Korea and Britain held talks in Seoul on Tuesday about ways to enhance bilateral relations after Britain's withdrawal from the European Union (EU) and other issues.
Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and her British counterpart, Dominic Raab, held the fifth South Korea-Britain Strategic Dialogue, during which they discussed efforts to further develop friendly cooperative relations between the two countries "as important partners that share universal values," the foreign ministry said in a release.
Raab arrived in Seoul for a single-day trip that included a visit in the morning to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas.
During the talks, Kang held out hope that Seoul and London will continue to strengthen cooperation even after Britain's complete withdrawal from the EU through high-level economic talks in the future.
Raab agreed with Kang and hoped the two countries will further deepen ties in such fields as public health, science and fifth-generation technology (5G).
Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha (R) poses for a photo with British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab during their bilateral strategic talks held at the foreign ministry in Seoul, in this provided by Kang's office on Sept. 29, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Britain is undergoing a transition period after its parliament ratified the agreement to leave what is now the 27-member regional bloc in late January. It has until Dec. 31 to negotiate with the EU the terms for their future relationship.
Seoul and London have been striving to maintain the existing bilateral frameworks and further promote their close partnership in the post-Brexit era. They have signed the bilateral "continuity" free trade agreement (FTA) to allow businesses to keep trading freely after Brexit.
On climate change, the ministers noted that Seoul and London are both slated to host two key events next year -- Partnering for Green Growth and Global Goals 2030 (P4G) and the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), respectively -- and called for support and attention for each other so as to advance international efforts toward tackling the global challenge.
In Tuesday's talks, the two sides also discussed joint efforts for the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and medicine through multilateral platforms, according to the foreign ministry.
They last held their strategic dialogue in London in 2018.
South Korean and British officials, including the countries' foreign ministers, hold their fifth strategic dialogue in Seoul, in this photo provided by the foreign ministry on Sept. 29, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-29--Mishandled flu vaccine injections double to 873

On Sept. 21 , the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency ( KDCA ) halted its plan to offer free @ @ @ @ @ following day , after some of about 5 million doses were found to have been @ @ @ @ @ the storage range .

SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Yonhap) -- The accumulated number of South Koreans reported to have been administered with potentially defective flu vaccines more than doubled to exceed 870 on Tuesday, health officials said.
On Sept. 21, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) halted its plan to offer free seasonal flu vaccines starting the following day, after some of about 5 million doses were found to have been partially exposed to temperatures outside the storage range.
As of Tuesday, an accumulated 873 people have been found to have been injected with the suspended vaccines, a sharp rise from Monday's 407, the agency said.
Of them, 178 were vaccinated on Sept. 22, while 605 and 90 received shots before and after the day, respectively, in violation of the agency's guidelines.
By area, 279, or roughly one-third, were reported in North Jeolla Province, followed by 126 in North Gyeongsang Province and 86 in Incheon, west of Seoul. There were 70 cases in Seoul.
Inactivated vaccines should be stored in refrigerators, and exposure to room temperatures could result in decreased vaccine potency and increased risk of vaccine-preventable diseases.
But the safety of those vaccines exposed to room temperatures has yet to be determined.
An ongoing study on the safety of the exposed vaccines is expected to wrap up early next week.
This file photo taken on Sept. 23, 2020, shows a person receiving a paid flu vaccine at a health institution in western Seoul after the government temporarily suspended free vaccines due to a storage mishap. (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-09-29--S. Korea, Mekong nations call for efforts to restore global trade, ensure fair access to vaccines

In 2019 , President Moon Jae-in and the leaders of the Mekong nations held their first summit in the southern @ @ @ @ @ They adopted a joint declaration centering on enhancing their economic development cooperation in resources , @ @ @ @ @ sharing Korea 's experience of rapid post-war growth .

SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the five Mekong River nations called for joint efforts Tuesday to restore and promote global trade hampered by the coronavirus pandemic and secure fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.
The countries made the pledge in a co-chairs statement adopted after the 10th South Korea-Mekong foreign ministers' meeting held via a video link the previous day. The Mekong River nations are Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand.
"The Ministers ... reaffirmed their commitment to working together to restore and maintain interconnectedness by facilitating international trade and essential movement of people, goods and services across borders," the statement released by the foreign ministry read.
They also reiterated their support for "vaccine multilateralism and the goal of ensuring affordable, fair and equitable access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for all," according to the statement.
Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha speaks during the 10th foreign ministers' meeting of South Korea and the five Mekong River nations via teleconference in Seoul on Sept. 28, 2020, in this photo provided by the ministry. The Mekong River countries are Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
South Korea has been at the forefront of battling the pandemic without imposing border closures and shutdowns, based on the principles of openness and transparency.
To that end, Seoul has been urging foreign partners to ease entry restrictions for essential travelers like businesspeople.
The ministers also expressed concern about trade protectionism and tensions and called for "a transparent, free, open and rules-based multilateral trading system led by the WTO (World Trade Organization)."
Regarding Korea's peace process, the ministers reiterated their support for efforts toward denuclearization and building permanent peace and agreed that peace and prosperity on the peninsula can only be achieved through continued dialogue.
In 2019, President Moon Jae-in and the leaders of the Mekong nations held their first summit in the southern port city of Busan. They adopted a joint declaration centering on enhancing their economic development cooperation in resources, farming and the environment by sharing Korea's experience of rapid post-war growth.
South Korea and the five Southeast Asian countries held their first meeting of foreign ministers in 2011.
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-29--(LEAD) Court upholds bans on Oct. 3 rallies amid COVID-19 woes

`` The ban appears to have been imposed in consideration that more than 1000 people are expected to participate and @ @ @ @ @ rational and concrete measures to prevent infection , '' judge Jang Nak-won of the court @ @ @ @ @ the group 's complaint .

(ATTN: MODIFIES headline; UPDATES throughout with another ruling)
SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Yonhap) -- A Seoul court on Tuesday upheld bans on anti-government protests planned for the weekend, including a drive-thru rally, amid concerns over coronavirus infections.
In two separate rulings, the Seoul Administrative Court rejected requests by conservative civic groups to suspend Seoul authorities' bans on their plans to hold rallies in the capital on Oct. 3, the National Foundation Day.
One organization, which had led mass anti-government demonstrations in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, on Aug. 15, had planned to hold a rally in the same place with 1,000 participants on Saturday.
"The ban appears to have been imposed in consideration that more than 1000 people are expected to participate and (the organizers) lacked rational and concrete measures to prevent infection," judge Jang Nak-won of the court said in the ruling against the group's complaint.
"It does not constitute a violation of freedom of assembly," he added.
Following the ruling, the group said it will hold one-man rallies in Gwanghwamun, urging participants to gather there while following anti-virus rules.
Steel fences to prevent mass rallies have been set up in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, on Sept. 29, 2020. (Yonhap)
Later in the day, judge Park Yang-jun of the same the court dismissed another rightist organization's request to suspend the city's prohibition of its planned protest parade with about 200 cars.
The Aug. 15 rallies have been partly blamed for a resurgence in COVID-19 cases. The country's daily infections spiked to three-digit figures after thousands gathered for the events on the Liberation Day weekend.
In a preemptive measure, the Seoul city government banned all rallies of 10 or more people and designated parts of central Seoul as no-assembly zones. The capital also banned rallies in the form of car parades.
The justice ministry on Tuesday instructed the prosecution to strictly deal with all illegal rallies, including car parades.
"Rallies involving cars carry risks of infections during the process of preparation and also (during the rallies when participants are) inside cars," the ministry said.
An assembly ban sign is placed in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, on Sept. 29, 2020. (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-29--Court upholds ban on Oct. 3 rallies amid COVID-19 woes

`` The ban appears to have been imposed in consideration that more than 1000 people are expected to participate and @ @ @ @ @ rational and concrete measures to prevent infection , '' the court said .

SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Yonhap) -- A Seoul court on Tuesday upheld a ban on anti-government protests planned for the weekend amid concerns over coronavirus infections.
The Seoul Administrative Court rejected a conservative civic group's request to suspend Seoul authorities' ban on their plan to hold a rally with 1,000 participants in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, on Oct. 3, the National Foundation Day.
"The ban appears to have been imposed in consideration that more than 1000 people are expected to participate and (the organizers) lacked rational and concrete measures to prevent infection," the court said.
"It does not constitute a violation of freedom of assembly," it added.
The organization led mass anti-government demonstrations in the same place on Aug. 15, which were blamed for a resurgence in COVID-19 cases. The country's daily infections spiked to three-digit figures after thousands gathered for the events on the Liberation Day weekend.
In a preemptive measure, the Seoul city government banned all rallies of 10 or more people and designated parts of central Seoul as no-assembly zones.
The capital also banned rallies in the form of car parades, planned by another rightist civic group to reduce the risk of contamination.
Following the court's ruling, the conservative organization said it will hold one-man rallies in Gwanghwamun, urging participants to gather there while following anti-virus rules.
Steel fences to prevent mass rallies have been set up in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, on Sept. 29, 2020. (Yonhap)
An assembly ban sign is placed in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, on Sept. 29, 2020. (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-29--(2nd LD) Defense ministry denies real-time eavesdropping of N. Korea's shoot-to-kill order

The 47-year-old official in charge of overseeing fishing activities was shot dead by the North 's troops about six hours @ @ @ @ @ South Korean defense ministry on Thursday .
It also said the body was set on @ @ @ @ @ same day .

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead with ministry's stance; ADDS more details in paras 11-12)
SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Yonhap) -- The defense ministry on Tuesday denied allegations that the military captured North Korea's order to kill a South Korean official in real time through wiretapping, saying it learned of the situation only later after analyzing intelligence.
Earlier, sources with access to the National Assembly's defense and intelligence committees said that the South Korean military's intelligence unit was eavesdropping for hours from when the North Korean military spotted the South Korean official drifting on the northern side of the inter-Korean maritime border around 3:30 p.m last Tuesday.
The 47-year-old official in charge of overseeing fishing activities was shot dead by the North's troops about six hours later, according to the South Korean defense ministry on Thursday. It also said the body was set on fire at sea on the same day.
Through the wiretapping operations into the North Korean military's internal communications, the South Korean military verified that the national expressed his wish to defect to North Korea to the North side, the sources said.
At first, the North Korean side seemed to have the intention to rescue the man and discussed ways to bring him ashore, they said.
But it changed its mind at around 9 p.m. the same day and issued an order to kill the official to the military commander at the maritime site.
The order was conveyed to the scene through North Korea's naval command to a captain-level skipper at the scene, according to the sources.
The skipper asked questions to verify the order again, and later at around 9:40 p.m. a report was made from the scene to inform the higher command that the order had been accomplished, according to the conversations of the North Korean military, provided by the sources.
The sources said the South Korean military shared its intelligence immediately with officials at Cheong Wa Dae right after the killing order was implemented Tuesday. After that, it was finally reported to President Moon Jae-in in a written format at around 8:30 a.m. the next day.
The new body of information concerning the shooting death of the South Korean citizen came as the government is facing a backlash for failing to rescue the national.
But the defense ministry said there "was no mention of the word 'killing' at all in intelligence that we've secured from various sources," adding that it is "also not true that the military shared those accounts immediately with government agencies."
"Our military was able to learn of the related situation after comprehensively analyzing pieces of intelligence," the ministry said in a statement.
The Mugunghwa 10 guidance boat is moored at a quay of the West Sea Fisheries Management Office in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, on Sept. 28, 2020, after returning from the inter-Korean maritime border in the West Sea. A fisheries ministry official was shot to death by North Korean soldiers in the North Korean waters on Sept. 22 after he allegedly attempted to defect to the North while on duty aboard the ship. (Yonhap)
As for whether North Korea burned the official's body, the main opposition floor leader said earlier in the day that the defense ministry has confirmed with the help of its special intelligence that North Korea made such an order after shooting him to death.
It has been a point of dispute because the communist country has partly rebutted the South Korean defense ministry's announcement, saying it only burned a floating material after the man disappeared at sea following the North's firing of about 10 gunshots.
"The Ministry of National Defense has verified through special intelligence that (North Korea) told (its officials) to apply fuel oil and burn (the body)," People Power Party (PPP) floor leader Joo Ho-young said in an interview with YTN Radio.
"It's not what the defense ministry judged for itself, but what it has heard accurately (through special intelligence)," Joo told the radio channel.
Joo accused the ruling Democratic Party of opting for the North Korean side of the story, and said the explanation by the South Korean defense ministry should be trusted.
The defense ministry stuck with its earlier assessment that the North burned the body.
"We've not given you any different accounts from what we explained last week," deputy spokesperson Col. Moon Hong-sik told a regular briefing. "As there are some differences in details, however, we are once again looking into related materials."
PPP lawmaker Han Ki-ho, who leads the party's task force on the case, also countered the North's claim by saying that the official was unlikely to have sunk after being shot, as he was wearing a life jacket, citing explanations by the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
People Power Party floor leader Rep. Joo Ho-young speaks during the party's protest rally at the National Assembly on Sept. 28, 2020. (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-29--NSC vows efforts to find facts on N. Korea's killing of S. Korean official

The Korea Coast Guard announced earlier in the day that the 47-year-old official seems to have tried to defect to @ @ @ @ @ sea border last week .
The North 's border guards , however , shot him @ @ @ @ @ 's military initially said the North had set his body on fire , but the @ @ @ @ @ had disappeared and that it burned a floating material he used .

SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's top national security officials expressed their deep condolences Tuesday over a government official killed by North Korean troops' gunfire at sea and agreed to continue efforts to figure out exactly what happened, Cheong Wa Dae said.
During a weekly meeting of the National Security Council (NSC), they also decided to keep up intelligence cooperation with neighboring countries on the case. The meeting was presided over by Suh Hoon, director of national security at the presidential office.
The NSC members agreed that the government will conduct a "continuous and thorough" search for the body of the fisheries inspector and his belongings, according to Cheong Wa Dae.
The Korea Coast Guard announced earlier in the day that the 47-year-old official seems to have tried to defect to the North across the western sea border last week. The North's border guards, however, shot him to death. The South's military initially said the North had set his body on fire, but the North claimed that the body had disappeared and that it burned a floating material he used.
The NSC official also had discussions on ways to prevent missing person incidents around the inter-Korean border and respond more effectively and swiftly to them.
Suh Hoon, director of national security at Cheong Wa Dae, in a file photo (Yonhap)
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


Yonhap News Summary

Chuseok , the Korean equivalent of Thanksgiving , falls on Thursday this year with the holiday period extending from Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ 3 National Foundation Day is included .
As one of the biggest traditional holidays , @ @ @ @ @ traveling between family members getting together to pay respects to ancestors , share food and @ @ @

The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Tuesday.
---------------------------
(2nd LD) S. Korean military was eavesdropping when N. Korea issued order to kill official: sources
SEOUL -- The South Korean military captured in real time through wiretapping the North Korean military's order to kill a South Korean civil servant last week, parliamentary sources here said Tuesday.
According to the sources with access to the assembly's defense and intelligence committees, the South Korean military's intelligence unit was eavesdropping for hours from when the North Korean military spotted the South Korean official drifting on the northern side of the inter-Korean maritime border around 3:30 p.m last Tuesday.
---------------------------
(2nd LD) Slain S. Korean official sought defection to North: Coast Guard
SEOUL -- The Korea Coast Guard said Tuesday that the South Korean fisheries official shot to death by the North Korean military at sea last week was trying to defect to the North.
The Coast Guard reached the conclusion based on the intelligence retrieved from the military, the analysis of the tidal current on the day of the incident and other circumstantial evidence.
---------------------------
(2nd LD) New virus cases smallest since early August, upcoming holiday crucial for virus fight
SEOUL -- South Korea's new coronavirus cases fell below 50 on Tuesday for the first time since early August, but the country remains vigilant against possible cluster infections during a major holiday this week.
The country added 38 more COVID-19 cases, including 23 local infections, bringing the total caseload to 23,699, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
---------------------------
Ministry acknowledges approving aid plan for N. Korea even after shooting death of citizen
SEOUL -- The unification ministry on Tuesday acknowledged that it had approved an aid organization's plan to send medical supplies to North Korea even after the North's deadly shooting of a South Korean official last week.
The approval was granted in the afternoon last Wednesday, after a South Korean fisheries official went missing from an inspection boat in waters off the western border island of Yeonpyeong on Monday and was shot to death by North Korean soldiers the next day.
---------------------------
Chuseok travel begins in smaller numbers than usual amid COVID concerns
SEOUL -- South Koreans began traveling in smaller-than-usual numbers Tuesday as ongoing coronavirus concerns led to fewer hometown visits and family gatherings typical of the Chuseok holiday.
Chuseok, the Korean equivalent of Thanksgiving, falls on Thursday this year with the holiday period extending from Wednesday until Sunday when the Oct. 3 National Foundation Day is included. As one of the biggest traditional holidays, Chuseok has always involved long-distance traveling between family members getting together to pay respects to ancestors, share food and play games.
---------------------------
BTS performs 'IDOL' on Jimmy Fallon show
SEOUL -- Dressed in the traditional Korean attire of "hanbok," K-pop superstars BTS on Tuesday (Korean time) opened the "BTS Week" special on NBC's "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" with its hit song "IDOL."
The show's weeklong series running for five days through Friday is designed to showcase different music performances of the seven-member band each night, including live performances, comedy bits and virtual interviews.
---------------------------
(2nd LD) S. Korean app developers cry foul over Google's 30 pct fee on all apps
SEOUL -- Google Inc. faced strong backlash from South Korean developers after it announced Monday (U.S. time) it will enforce its app market's billing system, which charges a 30 percent fee to all app developers.
While Google has taken a 30 percent cut for all in-app purchases on the Play store through its billing system, some apps have circumvented the rule by using other systems, such as direct credit card payments.
---------------------------
Incheon Int'l Airport chief dismissed for misconduct amid controversy
SEOUL -- South Korea's transport ministry on Tuesday notified the chief of the country's main airport operator of its decision to dismiss him over alleged negligence and ethical lapses.
Koo Bon-hwan, president and CEO of the Incheon International Airport Corp. (IIAC), has been accused of alleged wrongdoings in connection with the company's typhoon response and personnel issues.
---------------------------
(LEAD) Seoul stocks extend winning streak to 3rd session on U.S. stimulus hopes
SEOUL -- South Korean shares extended their winning streak to a third session Tuesday, as progress in negotiations for a new U.S. fiscal stimulus plan boosted investor appetite for risky assets. The Korean won rose against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 19.81 points, or 0.86 percent, to close at 2,327.89.
(END)


yna--2020-09-29--Former prosecutor at center of #MeToo scandal acquitted in retrial of power abuse case

Ahn , who had also served as a bureau director at the justice ministry , was accused of groping Seo @ @ @ @ @ , during a funeral dinner in 2010 and later reassigning her to an office in @ @ @ @ @ Tongyeong as rumors of his sexual abuse began to spread within the prosecution .

SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Yonhap) -- In a retrial of a power abuse case that sparked the #MeToo movement in 2018, a former senior prosecutor was acquitted of disadvantaging a junior colleague from work to cover up his sexual harassment of her.
The Seoul Central District Court's Appellate Division on Tuesday acquitted Ahn Tae-geun of the charges of abuse of power, overturning a two-year prison sentence delivered by the same court for him in July 2019.
The retrial came after the Supreme Court ordered the lower court in January to reconsider the prison sentence for the former prosecutor, saying his acts do not fully constitute abuse of power.
Ahn, who had also served as a bureau director at the justice ministry, was accused of groping Seo Ji-hyun, a female prosecutor, during a funeral dinner in 2010 and later reassigning her to an office in the southern coastal city of Tongyeong as rumors of his sexual abuse began to spread within the prosecution.
"It is difficult to view Seo's transfer to the prosecution's Tongyeong branch office as violating the principles and standards on prosecutorial personnel reshuffles," the court said in its acquittal ruling.
Ahn Tae-geun, a former senior prosecutor, leaves the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul on Sept. 29, 2020, after its appellate division acquitted him in a power abuse case. (Yonhap)
In January 2018, Seo revealed the incident at an interview with local broadcaster JTBC, triggering a series of similar statements by other women in various sectors, including politics, sports, and culture, which later evolved into a nationwide #MeToo movement.
A special investigative team that launched a probe following Seo's revelation in 2018 charged Ahn with abusing his power to influence the personnel reshuffle and relocate Seo, to prevent the allegations from spreading and hurting his reputation.
While Ahn denied his charges, a Seoul district court ruled in favor of Seo in early 2019, handing down a two-year jail term to him. Then the Seoul appellate court upheld the prison sentence in July of the same year.
The lower courts have acknowledged that the sexual abuse happened, but no legal decision could be made, as the deadline for a victim to accuse the perpetrator has expired.
This file photo shows prosecutor Seo Ji-hyun. (Yonhap)
nyway@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-29--(2nd LD) Slain S. Korean official sought defection to North: Coast Guard

It was not clear whether he wore a life jacket on the ship , but his co-worker testified that he @ @ @ @ @ in the steering house .
The official also talked to his son via his cell @ @ @ @ @ the night shift at midnight on Sept. 20 , which became his last phone conversation @

(ATTN: UPDATES with comments from dead official's brother in last 5 paras; ADDS photo)
SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Yonhap) -- The Korea Coast Guard said Tuesday that the South Korean fisheries official shot to death by the North Korean military at sea last week was trying to defect to the North.
The Coast Guard reached the conclusion based on the intelligence retrieved from the military, the analysis of the tidal current on the day of the incident and other circumstantial evidence.
"The official was wearing a life jacket and hanging onto a floating object when he was spotted by the North," said Yoon Seong-hyun, chief of the investigation team, during a briefing to announce its midway investigation results.
"Also North Korea knew the official's personal details, such as his name, age and hometown."
Yoon Seong-hyun, chief of the investigation team of the Korea Coast Guard, talks during a briefing in Incheon on Sept. 29, 2020. (Yonhap)
A South Korean fishing boat leaves the western border island of Yeonpyeong on Sept. 26, 2020. A South Korean official was killed by North Korean soldiers in the North's waters near the de facto maritime border on Sept. 22. (Yonhap)
The team also analyzed the direction of the tidal current on Sept. 21 when he went missing and concluded that he couldn't have reached where he was found unless he swam to get there.
Yoon said an accident or a suicide was considered very unlikely, although the investigation team did not rule out such scenarios.
The team concluded that a pair of slippers found on the deck of the government ship monitoring fishing boats belonged to the 47-year-old official, which were sent to the National Forensic Service for more analysis.
It was not clear whether he wore a life jacket on the ship, but his co-worker testified that he did not put on one in the steering house. The official also talked to his son via his cell phone just before he started the night shift at midnight on Sept. 20, which became his last phone conversation.
The team also analyzed the ship's closed circuit TV footage, 731 clips in total, but could not find any important information about the man, who is believed to have gone missing between 2 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. on Sept. 21.
"Based on the investigation so far, we believe that he intended to defect to the North," Yoon said, adding that he "knew the waters around Yeonpyeong Island well," an island in the front-line areas near the Northern Limit Line (NLL), the de facto inter-Korean sea border, where the official went missing.
Yoon also said the dead official had debt worth around 330 million won (US$282,000), of which 268 million won came from online gambling, adding that his financial troubles were not a decisive factor in the coast guard's conclusion that he sought defection.
Lee Rae-jin, the elder brother of a South Korean official killed by North Korean soldiers while drifting in its waters, speaks during a press conference with foreign correspondents at the Foreign Correspondents' Club in Seoul on Sept. 29, 2020. (Yonhap)
But his family strongly refuted the Coast Guard's explanations about the incident.
Lee Rae-jin, the older brother of the official, criticized the agency for what he called a "unilateral" conclusion during a press conference with foreign correspondents at the Foreign Correspondents' Club (FCC) in Seoul in the afternoon.
"What did the government do when my brother went missing and was drifting to North Korea's waters while on duty?" he asked. "There were golden hours sufficient to prevent the incident from happening."
He said he was unaware of his brother's financial problems and strongly denied the possibility of defection, citing his "patriotic" brother's 8-year maritime career.
He also asked North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to "return" the body of his brother.
This photo, provided by the brother of a deceased fisheries official, shows the man's identification card left on the boat. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-29--(2nd LD) S. Korean military was eavesdropping when N. Korea issued order to kill official: sources

(ATTN: RECASTS headline; UPDATES throughout)
SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean military captured in real time through wiretapping the North Korean military's order to kill a South Korean civil servant last week, parliamentary sources here said Tuesday.
According to the sources with access to the assembly's defense and intelligence committees, the South Korean military's intelligence unit was eavesdropping for hours from when the North Korean military spotted the South Korean official drifting on the northern side of the inter-Korean maritime border around 3:30 p.m last Tuesday.
The 47-year-old official in charge of overseeing fishing activities was shot dead by the North's troops about six hours later, according to the South Korean defense ministry on Thursday. It also said the body was set on fire at sea on the same day.
Through the wiretapping operations into the North Korean military's internal communications, the South Korean military verified that the national expressed his wish to defect to North Korea to the North side, the sources said.
At first, the North Korean side seemed to have the intention to rescue the man and discussed ways to bring him ashore, they said.
But it changed its mind at around 9 p.m. the same day and issued an order to kill the official to the military commander at the maritime site.
The order was conveyed to the scene through North Korea's naval command to a captain-level skipper at the scene, according to the sources.
The skipper asked questions to verify the order again, and later at around 9:40 p.m. a report was made from the scene to inform the higher command that the order had been accomplished, according to the conversations of the North Korean military, provided by the sources.
The sources said the South Korean military shared its intelligence immediately with officials at Cheong Wae Dae right after the killing order was implemented Tuesday. After that, it was finally reported to President Moon Jae-in in a written format at around 8:30 a.m. the next day.
The military maintains that it took a lot of time to put together and analyze pieces of information before the situation could be reported to Cheong Wa Dae.
The new body of information concerning the shooting death of the South Korean citizen came as the government is facing a backlash for failing to rescue the national.
It also contradicts North Korea's claim last Friday that the man only murmured his name to the North Korean soldiers when its military found and addressed him from a distance at sea.
Earlier in the day, the main opposition floor leader also said the defense ministry has confirmed with the help of its special intelligence that North Korea ordered the burning of the body of the South Korean official after he was shot dead.
"The Ministry of National Defense has verified through special intelligence that (North Korea) told (its officials) to apply fuel oil and burn (the body)," People Power Party (PPP) floor leader Joo Ho-young said in an interview with YTN Radio.
"It's not what the defense ministry judged for itself, but what it has heard accurately (through special intelligence)," Joo told the radio channel.
The Mugunghwa 10 guidance boat is moored at a quay of the West Sea Fisheries Management Office in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, on Sept. 28, 2020, after returning from the inter-Korean maritime border in the West Sea. A fisheries ministry official was shot to death by North Korean soldiers in the North Korean waters on Sept. 22 after he allegedly attempted to defect to the North while on duty aboard the ship. (Yonhap)
Whether the North burned the body has been a point of dispute because the communist country has partly rebutted the South Korean defense ministry's announcement, saying it only burned a floating material after the man disappeared at sea following the North's firing of about 10 gunshots.
Joo accused the ruling Democratic Party of opting for the North Korean side of the story, and said the explanation by the South Korean defense ministry should be trusted.
The defense ministry stuck with its earlier assessment that the North burned the body.
"We've not given you any different accounts from what we explained last week," deputy spokesperson Col. Moon Hong-sik told a regular briefing. "As there are some differences in details, however, we are once again looking into related materials."
PPP lawmaker Han Ki-ho, who leads the party's task force on the case, also countered the North's claim by saying that the official was unlikely to have sunk after being shot, as he was wearing a life jacket, citing explanations by the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
People Power Party floor leader Rep. Joo Ho-young speaks during the party's protest rally at the National Assembly on Sept. 28, 2020. (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-29--(LEAD) Seoul stocks extend winning streak to 3rd session on U.S. stimulus hopes

SEOUL , Sept. 29 ( Yonhap ) -- South Korean shares extended their winning streak to a third session Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ for a new U.S. fiscal stimulus plan boosted investor appetite for risky assets .
The @ @ @ @ @ U.S. dollar .

(ATTN: ADDS bond yields at bottom, photo)
SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares extended their winning streak to a third session Tuesday, as progress in negotiations for a new U.S. fiscal stimulus plan boosted investor appetite for risky assets. The Korean won rose against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 19.81 points, or 0.86 percent, to close at 2,327.89.
Trading volume was moderate at about 626 million shares worth some 8.9 trillion won (US$7.6 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 667 to 192.
Foreigners sold a net 74 billion won, while institutions bought a net 142 billion won. Retail investors offloaded a net 61 billion won.
Electronic signboards at the trading room of Hana Bank in Seoul show the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed at 2,327.89 on Sept. 29, 2020, up 19.81 points or 0.86 percent from the previous session's close. (Yonhap)
The market got off to a strong start after a 1.29 percent jump the previous session.
"Optimism for the U.S. extra stimulus plan seems to be helping to boost investor sentiment," Kiwoom Securities analyst Seo Sang-young said.
U.S. Democrats rolled out a $2.2 trillion stimulus proposal, seeking a breakthrough in the stalled stimulus talks with the Republicans.
Investor appetite for risk further hiked, as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said there is a chance she and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin could still reach a deal.
Most large caps closed higher in Seoul.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics closed flat at 58,200 won, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix gained 1.82 percent to 84,000 won.
Top pharmaceutical firm Samsung Biologics added 0.73 percent to 690,000 won, and Celltrion jumped 0.98 percent to 257,500 won.
Internet portal giant Naver retreated 0.67 percent to 296,500 won, with its rival Kakao dipping 1.22 percent to 364,500 won.
Leading chemical maker LG Chem jumped 4.47 percent to 654,000 won, and rechargeable battery maker Samsung SDI advanced 2.97 percent to 433,500 won.
Hyundai Motor, the country's largest automaker, rose 1.71 percent to 178,800 won, and top steelmaker POSCO gained 1.03 percent to 196,000 won.
The local currency closed at 1,169.5 won per dollar, up 4.1 won from the previous session's close.
Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed mixed. The yield on three-year Treasurys added 0.3 basis point to 0.846 percent, but the return on the benchmark five-year government bond slipped 1 basis point to 1.07 percent.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-29--S. Korean Bond Yields on Sep. 29, 2020

S. Korean Bond Yields on Sep. 29, 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--2020-09-29--BOK sells net US$345 mln in market smoothing operations in Q2

At the end of March this year , the won closed at 1,217.4 to the dollar , sharply down from @ @ @ @ @ of last year .

SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Yonhap) -- The Bank of Korea (BOK) said Tuesday it sold a net US$345 million in the second quarter to help ease fluctuations in the local currency market prompted by the new coronavirus outbreak.
The BOK's net sale of dollars in the April-June period was smaller than a net sale of $5.85 billion three months earlier, according to data uploaded on the central bank's homepage.
The central bank began releasing such data in March 2019 to help boost the transparency of its market stabilization steps.
The BOK said the FX market stabilized in the second quarter, compared with the first quarter when market jitters heightened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"In the second quarter, the foreign exchange rate remained stable. Dollar injections from the country's currency swap line with the U.S. also helped stabilize the market," a BOK official said.
The Korean currency closed at 1,200.70 won against the U.S. dollar at the end of June, rising 1.8 percent per the greenback in the second quarter.
At the end of March this year, the won closed at 1,217.4 to the dollar, sharply down from 1,156.4 won at the end of last year.
In March, the BOK began injecting U.S. dollars by tapping its $60 billion currency swap facility with the U.S. Federal Reserve.
This photo, taken on Sept. 3, 2020, shows a Hana Bank official in Seoul inspecting U.S. dollars. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-29--(2nd LD) S. Korean app developers cry foul over Google's 30 pct fee on all apps

`` We have clarified the language in our payments policy to be more explicit that all developers selling digital goods @ @ @ @ @ to use Google Play 's billing system , '' Google said in a post , @ @ @ @ @ developers a one-year grace period to adopt the system , while it will start enforcing @ @ @ @ @ Play store 's new apps Jan. 20 .

(ATTN: ADDs comments from the Korea Communications Commission in para 11)
By Chae Yun-hwan
SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Yonhap) -- Google Inc. faced strong backlash from South Korean developers after it announced Monday (U.S. time) it will enforce its app market's billing system, which charges a 30 percent fee to all app developers.
While Google has taken a 30 percent cut for all in-app purchases on the Play store through its billing system, some apps have circumvented the rule by using other systems, such as direct credit card payments.
"We have clarified the language in our payments policy to be more explicit that all developers selling digital goods in their apps are required to use Google Play's billing system," Google said in a post, adding it would give app developers a one-year grace period to adopt the system, while it will start enforcing the billing system on the Play store's new apps Jan. 20.
Google said in the post the policy change will not affect the majority of app developers as nearly 97 percent of those that sell digital goods already use the Play's billing system. It added that just 2 percent of South Korean app developers would be affected by the policy change.
The move has prompted an outcry from South Korean app developers that worry it will harm the local app industry.
Last month, even before Google's official announcement, the Korea Internet Corporations Association, which represents major local tech companies, such as top portal operator Naver Corp., requested the country's telecommunications regulator, the Korea Communications Commission (KCC), to look into the then purported policy changes.
The group argued the move would lead to more fees on app users and further solidify the dominance of Google, which holds a strong grip on the local app market.
Google's Play Store held a 63.4 percent share of total app store sales in the country last year at 6 trillion won (US$5 billion), compared with Apple's App Store with a 24.4 percent stake at 2.3 trillion won, according to the Korea Mobile Internet Business Association.
Local app developers have also argued that Google's move could be in violation of local telecommunications rules that prohibit unfair restrictions for users choosing services.
Han Sang-hyuk, the chairman of the KCC, told lawmakers earlier this month that he views Google's enforcement of its billing system as a violation but is currently reviewing the matter.
In response to the latest announcement, the regulator said in a statement that it will check Google's new policy for potential violations and will also conduct surveys on app developers and users on its impact. The ICT ministry has also started surveying local app developers to review fees imposed by online platform operators since last month.
Google downplayed the concerns, saying it was committed to an open system and would comply with local laws.
"Developers are not required to use Google Play. Android provides flexibility to use many other Android app tools without using Google Play's billing system," said Purnima Kochikar, a director at Google Play, in an online briefing, citing other options, such as Samsung Electronics Co.'s Galaxy Store and ONE Store operated by the country's top mobile carrier, SK Telecom Co.
Google also took aim at the country's top Internet portal operator Naver and top messenger operator Kakao Corp., citing that they were able to achieve success in overseas markets through Google Play.
"Naver and Kakao operate unique billing systems to meet domestic market requirements. However, they enjoy the convenience built by Google Play's billing system in overseas markets," she said, pointing to the popularity of Kakao's manga app Piccoma and Naver's Line Manga in the Japanese market via its billing system.
Amid discontent among local developers, Google announced that it would spend 115 billion won over the next 12 months to support South Korean app developers that provide digital content services, and provide user benefits such as discounts.
yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-29--S. Korea's exports tipped to have rebounded in Sept.: minister

The country had enjoyed a 4.5 percent rise in its outbound shipments in February , the first on-year rebound in @ @ @ @ @ country 's outbound shipments fell in March , and the pace further accelerated , plunging @ @ @ @ @ 23.6 percent in May , as major trade partners closed their borders and suspended business @ @ @ @ @

By Kang Yoon-seung
SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's industry minister said Tuesday the country's exports are estimated to have rebounded in September, probably marking the first increase in outbound shipments since the outbreak of the coronavirus.
"The country's exports are expected to post their first growth since the COVID-19 pandemic," Industry Minister Sung Yun-mo said during his visit to a local small and-medium-sized company. "Exports are recovering at a relatively faster pace than other major nations."
South Korea had extended its slump in exports to a sixth month in August, as a resurgence of the new coronavirus around the globe continued to strain business activities.
The country had enjoyed a 4.5 percent rise in its outbound shipments in February, the first on-year rebound in 14 months. But the country's outbound shipments fell in March, and the pace further accelerated, plunging 25.5 percent in April and 23.6 percent in May, as major trade partners closed their borders and suspended business activities amid the pandemic.
As major partners resumed their business activities, exports already rose 3.6 percent on-year in the first 20 days of September, marking the first 20-day rise in six months due to a sharp gain in exports of semiconductors, customs data showed last week.
The minister said outbound shipments of chips, cars and electronic goods might have fared well.
"It is significant that exports of automobiles, which more than halved in May, may have posted their first growth in six months in September," Sung added.
South Korea plans to come up with a new set of policies to help exporters expand their sales through online platforms in October, the ministry said in a statement.
The country will release its official monthly export data Thursday.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-29--BTS performs 'IDOL' on Jimmy Fallon show

The show 's weeklong series running for five days through Friday is designed to showcase different music performances of the @ @ @ @ @ including live performances , comedy bits and virtual interviews .

SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Yonhap) -- Dressed in the traditional Korean attire of "hanbok," K-pop superstars BTS on Tuesday (Korean time) opened the "BTS Week" special on NBC's "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" with its hit song "IDOL."
This photo, provided by Big Hit Entertainment on Sept. 29, 2020, shows K-pop group BTS posing for a photo in front of Geunjeongjeon Hall of Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul, South Korea, where the band filmed a performance for the "BTS Week" special on NBC's "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" in the United States. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The show's weeklong series running for five days through Friday is designed to showcase different music performances of the seven-member band each night, including live performances, comedy bits and virtual interviews.
In a prerecorded live stage performance presented for the first day of "BTS Week," BTS performed "IDOL" (2018) in front of Geunjeongjeon Hall of Gyeongbok Palace at night.
Wearing black hanbok, they danced to the lead single from their 2018 compilation album "Love Yourself: Answer," layered with classical Korean rhythms and folk percussion sounds.
Geunjeongjeon, the throne hall where official royal events like coronation ceremonies were held during the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty, has rarely been opened to a pop artist for a performance.
BTS also sang "Dynamite," its latest Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit, with host Jimmy Fallon and other musicians.
The septet will make more appearances for "BTS Week" of NBC's late-night show until Friday.
This combined image, provided by Big Hit Entertainment on Sept. 29, 2020, shows K-pop group BTS performing "Dynamite" for the "BTS Week" special on NBC's "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" in the United States. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
This image, provided by Big Hit Entertainment on Sept. 23, 2020, shows teasers for the upcoming weeklong "BTS Week" special on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on NBC. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-29--Seoul stocks extend winning streak to 3rd session on U.S. stimulus hopes

SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares extended their winning streak to a third session Tuesday, as progress in negotiations for a new U.S. fiscal stimulus plan boosted investor appetite for risky assets. The Korean won rose against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 19.81 points, or 0.86 percent, to close at 2,327.89.
Trading volume was moderate at about 626 million shares worth some 8.9 trillion won (US$7.6 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 667 to 192.
Foreigners sold a net 74 billion won, while institutions bought a net 142 billion won. Retail investors offloaded a net 61 billion won.
The market got off to a strong start after a 1.29 percent jump the previous session.
"Optimism for the U.S. extra stimulus plan seems to be helping to boost investor sentiment," Kiwoom Securities analyst Seo Sang-young said.
U.S. Democrats rolled out a $2.2 trillion stimulus proposal, seeking a breakthrough in the stalled stimulus talks with the Republicans.
Investor appetite for risk further hiked, as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said there is a chance she and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin could still reach a deal.
Most large caps closed higher in Seoul.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics closed flat at 58,200 won, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix gained 1.82 percent to 84,000 won.
Top pharmaceutical firm Samsung Biologics added 0.73 percent to 690,000 won, and Celltrion jumped 0.98 percent to 257,500 won.
Internet portal giant Naver retreated 0.67 percent to 296,500 won, with its rival Kakao dipping 1.22 percent to 364,500 won.
Leading chemical maker LG Chem jumped 4.47 percent to 654,000 won, and rechargeable battery maker Samsung SDI advanced 2.97 percent to 433,500 won.
Hyundai Motor, the country's largest automaker, rose 1.71 percent to 178,800 won, and top steelmaker POSCO gained 1.03 percent to 196,000 won.
The local currency closed at 1,169.5 won per dollar, up 4.1 won from the previous session's close.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-29--KOSPI 200 Closing Price List-5

KOSPI 200 Closing Price List-5

HYUNDAIDEPTST 56,300 UP 700 KIH 72,500 UP 2,500 LOTTE Himart 30,300 UP 150 GS 31,000 UP 50 CJ CGV 22,450 @ @ @ @ @ UP 100 Fila Holdings 36,650 UP 550 HYUNDAIGLOVIS 144,000 UP 4,000 HANAFINANCIALGR 28,100 UP 350 @ @ @ @ @ AMOREPACIFIC 164,000 UP 2,500 LF 13,400 DN 100 FOOSUNG 9,400 UP 50 SK Innovation 139,000 @ @ @ @ @ 150 KBFinancialGroup 37,550 DN 650 Hansae 18,000 UP 850 LG HAUSYS 56,500 UP 1,000 Youngone @ @ @ @ @ IND 37,750 UP 450 HanmiPharm 273,500 UP 6,500 BNK Financial Group 5,060 UP 60 emart @ @ @ @ @ UP 800 HANJINKAL 68,600 UP 1,000 DoubleUGames 74,500 UP 500 CUCKOO 99,000 UP 4,000 COSMAX @ @ @ @ @ UP 800 SAMSUNG BIOLOGICS 690,000 UP 5,000 INNOCEAN 53,300 UP 2,500 Doosan Bobcat 26,900 UP @ @ @ @ @ 166,000 DN 1,000 HYUNDAI HEAVY INDUST RIES HOLDI NG S218000 UP7000 ORION 131,000 DN 2,000 @ @ @ @ @ SKCHEM 296,500 UP 7,500 HDC-OP 21,250 UP 300 WooriFinancialGroup 8,580 UP 150 ( END )

HYUNDAIDEPTST 56,300 UP 700
KIH 72,500 UP 2,500
LOTTE Himart 30,300 UP 150
GS 31,000 UP 50
CJ CGV 22,450 UP 550
LIG Nex1 32,150 UP 100
Fila Holdings 36,650 UP 550
HYUNDAIGLOVIS 144,000 UP 4,000
HANAFINANCIALGR 28,100 UP 350
HANWHA LIFE 1,525 UP 45
AMOREPACIFIC 164,000 UP 2,500
LF 13,400 DN 100
FOOSUNG 9,400 UP 50
SK Innovation 139,000 UP 1,000
POONGSAN 23,800 UP 150
KBFinancialGroup 37,550 DN 650
Hansae 18,000 UP 850
LG HAUSYS 56,500 UP 1,000
Youngone Corp 27,700 UP 50
KOLON IND 37,750 UP 450
HanmiPharm 273,500 UP 6,500
BNK Financial Group 5,060 UP 60
emart 141,500 0
KOLMAR KOREA 46,200 UP 800
HANJINKAL 68,600 UP 1,000
DoubleUGames 74,500 UP 500
CUCKOO 99,000 UP 4,000
COSMAX 116,000 UP 5,500
MANDO 35,650 UP 800
SAMSUNG BIOLOGICS 690,000 UP 5,000
INNOCEAN 53,300 UP 2,500
Doosan Bobcat 26,900 UP 500
H.S.ENTERPRISE 14,000 0
Netmarble 166,000 DN 1,000
HYUNDAI HEAVY INDUST RIES HOLDI NG S218000 UP7000
ORION 131,000 DN 2,000
BGF Retail 123,500 UP 3,000
SKCHEM 296,500 UP 7,500
HDC-OP 21,250 UP 300
WooriFinancialGroup 8,580 UP 150
(END)


yna--2020-09-29--KOSPI 200 Closing Price List-4

KOSPI 200 Closing Price List-4

LOTTE SHOPPING 78,500 UP 1,400 IBK 8,010 UP 100 NamhaeChem 8,200 UP 160 DONGSUH 29,650 DN 300 BGF 4,080 UP @ @ @ @ @ SAMSUNG C & T 105,000 UP 500 PanOcean 3,420 DN 25 SAMSUNG CARD 28,200 UP @ @ @ @ @ KT 22,950 UP 350 SHINSEGAE INTERNATIO NAL152000 UP1500 LOTTE TOUR 15,400 UP 800 LG Uplus @ @ @ @ @ 61,000 UP 1,100 KT & G 82,400 UP 500 DHICO 13,300 DN 200 LG Display @ @ @ @ @ UP 100 NAVER 296,500 DN 2,000 Kakao 364,500 DN 4,500 NCsoft 806,000 UP 7,000 DSME @ @ @ @ @ DN 360 DWEC 2,785 UP 30 Donga ST 92,700 UP 1,300 POSCO INTERNATIONAL 13,400 UP @ @ @ @ @ 1,000 DongwonF & B 171,000 0 KEPCO KPS 27,050 UP 300 LGH & H 1,448,000 @ @ @ @ @ 28,000 KEPCO E & C 16,300 UP 100 HYUNDAIHOMESHOP 71,300 UP 1,800 HALLA HOLDINGS 31,050 @ @ @ @ @ UP 200 LGELECTRONICS 91,700 0 Celltrion 257,500 UP 2,500 Huchems 20,600 DN 450 DAEWOONG PHARM @ @ @ @ @ )

LOTTE SHOPPING 78,500 UP 1,400
IBK 8,010 UP 100
NamhaeChem 8,200 UP 160
DONGSUH 29,650 DN 300
BGF 4,080 UP 20
SamsungEng 10,550 UP 400
SAMSUNG C&T 105,000 UP 500
PanOcean 3,420 DN 25
SAMSUNG CARD 28,200 UP 350
CheilWorldwide 20,950 DN 150
KT 22,950 UP 350
SHINSEGAE INTERNATIO NAL152000 UP1500
LOTTE TOUR 15,400 UP 800
LG Uplus 11,500 UP 350
SAMSUNG LIFE 61,000 UP 1,100
KT&G 82,400 UP 500
DHICO 13,300 DN 200
LG Display 15,350 UP 250
Kangwonland 21,500 UP 100
NAVER 296,500 DN 2,000
Kakao 364,500 DN 4,500
NCsoft 806,000 UP 7,000
DSME 23,800 UP 1,000
DSINFRA 8,770 DN 360
DWEC 2,785 UP 30
Donga ST 92,700 UP 1,300
POSCO INTERNATIONAL 13,400 UP 350
CJ CheilJedang 395,000 UP 1,000
DongwonF&B 171,000 0
KEPCO KPS 27,050 UP 300
LGH&H 1,448,000 DN 21,000
LGCHEM 654,000 UP 28,000
KEPCO E&C 16,300 UP 100
HYUNDAIHOMESHOP 71,300 UP 1,800
HALLA HOLDINGS 31,050 UP 1,100
HYUNDAI ROTEM 15,950 UP 200
LGELECTRONICS 91,700 0
Celltrion 257,500 UP 2,500
Huchems 20,600 DN 450
DAEWOONG PHARM 105,000 UP 2,500
(MORE)


yna--2020-09-30--(LEAD) New virus cases bounce back, raising woes over spread during holiday

Daily new local infections also stayed in the double digits for the sixth straight day after the country reported 95 @ @ @ @ @ Saturday , 73 on Sunday , 40 on Monday and 38 on Tuesday , the @ @ @

(ATTN: UPDATES with more details in paras 8-9, 11-12, 17-18; ADDS photo)
SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus cases rose to the triple digits Wednesday for the first time in five days, deepening health officials' woes over the spread of COVID-19 during the country's major holiday Chuseok.
The country added 113 more COVID-19 cases, including 93 local infections, bringing the total to 23,812, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
The daily new cases are the highest since Sept. 25 when the country reported 114.
Daily new local infections also stayed in the double digits for the sixth straight day after the country reported 95 on Friday, 49 on Saturday, 73 on Sunday, 40 on Monday and 38 on Tuesday, the KDCA said.
A screening station in Seoul is crowded with people testing for the coronavirus on the first day of the five-day Chuseok holiday on Sept. 30, 2020. (Yonhap)
The sharp rise in new virus cases strained health authorities before the Chuseok holiday, which runs from Wednesday to Sunday.
During the autumn harvest celebration, tens of millions of people are expected to travel across the country to meet their families.
Heath authorities advised people not to travel via text messages, encouraging them to communicate with their loved ones via telephone and video chat applications
Before a meeting to discuss ways to stop the spread of COVID-19, Health Minister Park Neung-hoo said, "The spread of the virus depends on how people spend the Chuseok holiday," calling for people's active participation in the virus prevention campaign.
He also called on people to visit uncrowded parks with their families instead of traveling to their hometowns during the holiday.
Health officials, including Health Minister Park Neung-hoo (R), discuss ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at a government office on Sept. 30, 2020. (Yonhap)
Local court also rejected any type of rallies during the holiday to prevent the wide spread of COVID-19.
Seoul Metro said it would interrupt its subway services at six stations near the Gwanghwamun gate in downtown Seoul if rallies were to take place on National Foundation Day on Saturday.
The six stations are Line 1 Jonggak, Lines 1 and 2 City Hall, Line 3 Gyeongbokgung, Line 3 Anguk and Line 5 Gwanghwamun.
Health officials unveiled more tailored guidelines last week under the Level 2 distancing in the country's three-tier scheme.
At the current level, indoor gatherings of 50 or more people are banned, and outdoor meetings of 100 or more people are also prohibited.
Sports events are allowed without spectators.
By region, Seoul added 51 new virus cases, and nearby Gyeonggi Province had 21 new patients, according to the KDCA.
Twenty-eight people staying in a mental hospital in Dongbong Ward, northern Seoul, have been confirmed to be infected with the coronavirus.
Health authorities put the whole hospital under cohort isolation.
The country also reported 20 new imported cases, up from 15 a day earlier, the KDCA said.
South Korea reported six additional deaths, raising the death toll to 413. The fatality rate was 1.73 percent.
The total number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries stood at 21,590, up 120 from the previous day.
ksnam@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-30--Direct overseas purchases more than double in 5 years: data

The customs agency expected the number of foreign direct purchases to exceed 40 million this year given that it already @ @ @ @ @ of the end of August .

SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Koreans' direct purchases from overseas online malls more than doubled in the past five years in terms of value, a ruling party lawmaker said Wednesday.
Rep. Park Hong-geun of the ruling Democratic Party said the number of Koreans' overseas online direct buying jumped to 42.99 million in 2019 from 15.84 million in 2015, citing data from the Korea Customs Service (KCS).
The value of foreign direct buying also soared to US$3.14 billion from $1.51 billion over the cited period, the data showed.
The KCS said the number and the value of online purchases from overseas shops continued to rise this year amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The customs agency expected the number of foreign direct purchases to exceed 40 million this year given that it already stood at 36.87 million as of the end of August.
Koreans bought mainly health foods, clothes and home appliances from the United States, China, the European Union, Japan and other countries in the past five years, the data said.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-30--Seoul city offers zero-interest loans to businesses impacted by COVID-19

`` Social distancing was a necessary step to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and lives of @ @ @ @ @ also increased the difficulties of 660,000 small businesses in Seoul , '' Seo Seong-man , @ @ @ @ @ the program , said .

SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- The Seoul city government is offering zero-interest loans to small businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Under the program launched Monday, a total of 300 billion won (US$255 million) will be offered at a 0.03-0.53 percent interest rate to businesses that were forced to close or restrict services under the city's social distancing rules, the local government said.
These businesses include karaoke rooms, indoor gyms, private academies, internet cafes, restaurants and large coffee shops.
"Social distancing was a necessary step to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and lives of our citizens, but it also increased the difficulties of 660,000 small businesses in Seoul," Seo Seong-man, a city government official overseeing the program, said.
"The Seoul city government has come up with programs to help these small businesses, which are the backbone of our city's economy, in practical ways," he said.
Each business can apply for a loan of up to 100 million won using online and mobile platforms, after which they will undergo a streamlined evaluation, the city government said.
This photo shows the entrance of a karaoke business in Seoul. (Yonhap)
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-30--Moon vows successful antivirus measures, economic recovery in Chuseok message

While many people have put off meetings with families , relatives and others during Chuseok , `` normal and precious @ @ @ @ @ our side , '' he added .

By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in assured the South Korean people Wednesday that his government will succeed in the fight against COVID-19 and safeguard the economy from the fallout of the pandemic.
He was delivering a video message to the public on the occasion of Chuseok, the Korean autumn harvest celebration.
"(We) are observing Chuseok at a difficult time," Moon said on the first day of the holiday period. This year's Chuseok falls on Thursday.
South Koreans are greeting one of the biggest annual celebrations in the midst of a national campaign to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
President Moon Jae-in and first lady Kim Jung-sook deliver a Chuseok message, in this photo captured from a video clip released by Cheong Wa Dae. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The government has requested that people refrain from visiting families or traveling during the holiday season.
Moon and first lady Kim Jung-sook also plan to stay at the official residence in the presidential compound, Cheong Wa Dae.
"The government will surely repay the people who have endured the difficulties by succeeding in controlling the virus and protecting the economy," Moon stressed.
It will also further strengthen the social security net and go toward co-prosperity, he added.
While many people have put off meetings with families, relatives and others during Chuseok, "normal and precious days will certainly return to our side," he added.
The president expressed his appreciation for medical workers, police and firefighters for their dedicated services.
President Moon Jae-in (R) talks with a merchant at the Inwang traditional market in western Seoul on Sept. 29, 2020, in this photo provided by Cheong Wa Dae. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-30--New virus cases bounce back, raising woes over spread during holiday

SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus cases rose to the triple digits Wednesday for the first time in five days, deepening health officials' woes over the spread of COVID-19 during the country's major holiday Chuseok.
The country added 113 more COVID-19 cases, including 93 local infections, bringing the total to 23,812, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
The daily new cases are the highest since Sept. 25 when the country reported 114.
Daily new local infections also stayed in the double digits for the sixth straight day after the country reported 95 on Friday, 49 on Saturday, 73 on Sunday, 40 on Monday and 38 on Tuesday, the KDCA said.
Health officials, including Health Minister Park Neung-hoo (R), discuss ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at a government office on Sept. 30, 2020. (Yonhap)
The sharp rise in new virus cases strained health authorities before the Chuseok holiday, which runs from Wednesday to Sunday.
During the autumn harvest celebration, tens of millions of people are expected to travel across the country to meet their families.
Heath authorities advised people not to travel via text messages, encouraging them to communicate with their loved ones via telephone and video chat applications
Local court also rejected any type of rallies during the holiday to prevent the wide spread of COVID-19.
Health officials unveiled more tailored guidelines last week under the Level 2 distancing in the country's three-tier scheme.
At the current level, indoor gatherings of 50 or more people are banned, and outdoor meetings of 100 or more people are also prohibited.
Sports events are allowed without spectators. By region, Seoul added 51 new virus cases, and nearby Gyeonggi Province had 21 new patients, according to the KDCA.
The country also reported 20 new imported cases, up from 15 a day earlier, the KDCA said.
South Korea reported six additional deaths, raising the death toll to 413. The fatality rate was 1.73 percent.
The total number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries stood at 21,590, up 120 from the previous day.
ksnam@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-30--End of ex-President Chun's libel trial in Gwangju nears

The other witness , Choi Hae-phil , said he did not believe military pilots actually followed through with an order @ @ @ @ @ and that the bullet marks found on the wall of a building in the city @ @ @ @ @ been caused by firing from helicopters .

SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- The last court hearing for former President Chun Doo-hwan is scheduled for next month, more than two years after he was indicted on charges of defaming an activist priest who documented a bloody crackdown by Chun's troops on pro-democracy demonstrators in Gwangju.
The Gwangju District Court said both the prosecution service and the defense lawyer will have their closing arguments on Oct. 5. The court is then expected to hand down the ruling at the end of the year at the earliest.
On May 18, 1980, citizens in Gwangju, about 330 kilometers south of Seoul, rose up against the military junta led by Chun. His troops ruthlessly cracked down on the nine-day uprising, leaving more than 200 people killed and 1,800 others wounded, according to official data.
The 89-year-old, who led an authoritarian government from 1980-1988, was indicted in May 2018 for allegedly making slanderous statements toward the late activist priest Cho Chul-hyun's eyewitness accounts of the brutal crackdown in his controversial memoir.
In the memoir published in early 2017, Chun refuted earlier claims made by Cho, who had testified to witnessing the military shooting at citizens from helicopters during the Gwangju uprising. Chun has insisted that Cho lied, calling the late priest "Satan wearing a mask."
The image shows former President Chun Doo-hwan. (Yonhap)
On Sept. 21, two defense witnesses testified during the 17th court hearing on the case.
Former Defense Minister Lee Jong-ku, who was a ranking military official at the time of the uprising, said he "neither received an order to do such a thing, nor was aware of the military doing it," referring to the alleged firing on civilians from helicopters.
The other witness, Choi Hae-phil, said he did not believe military pilots actually followed through with an order to fire at Gwangju citizens and that the bullet marks found on the wall of a building in the city did not seem to have been caused by firing from helicopters.
Choi, a former military operations commander, served in the special investigation committee for the May 18 uprising under the defense ministry.
The photo provided by the May 18 Memorial Foundation shows a military helicopter flying over Gwangju in May 1980. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Prosecutors began an investigation into Chun's statements after a nephew of the late priest filed a complaint. If convicted, Chun could face up to two years in prison or up to 5 million won (US$4,000) in fines.
Since his indictment in May 2018, Chun rejected court summons several times, citing health reasons, which include a claim that he suffers from Alzheimer's disease. He appeared in court most recently in April.
The disgraced ex-leader stood in a separate criminal trial on treason and other charges in 1996. The former Army general, who seized power in a 1979 coup, received the death penalty, but the top court reduced the sentence to life imprisonment. He was released in December 1997 on a presidential pardon.
In the file photo taken April 27, 2020, ex-President Chun Doo-hwan (C) and his wife, Lee Soon-ja (R), are seen entering a car at their home in Seodaemun Ward, western Seoul. (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-09-30--Jeju Air says no decision yet on seeking state support

The government has said airlines , shippers and others hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible for the Key @ @ @ @ @ support if they have more than 500 billion won in debt and more than 300 @ @ @

SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- Jeju Air Co., South Korea's largest low-cost carrier, is still reviewing whether to seek state financial support, a company official said Wednesday.
The move came after Lee Dong-gull, chairman of the state-run Korea Development Bank (KDB), said Monday the bank will consider whether to provide financial support to Jeju Air if requested by the carrier.
This file photo shows Jeju Air Co. planes. (Yonhap)
In May, South Korea launched a fund worth 40 trillion won (US$34.1 billion) to provide financial assistance to the country's backbone industries, including the airline service sector, amid the economic fallout of the new coronavirus.
The government has said airlines, shippers and others hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible for the Key Industry Stabilization Fund's financial support if they have more than 500 billion won in debt and more than 300 employees each.
South Korea's two full-service carriers -- Korean Air Lines Co. and Asiana Airlines Inc. -- and seven low-cost carriers have suffered from a sharp decline in air travel demand sparked by the coronavirus pandemic.
Local airlines have suspended most of their flights on international routes since March, as an increasing number of countries have strengthened entry restrictions amid virus fears.
But Lee ruled out the fund's financial support to Eastar Jet Co., saying the budget carrier has seen its capital eroded before the coronavirus pandemic hit South Korea earlier this year.
KDB Chairman Lee Dong-gull delivers a briefing on the state bank's business strategies in an online press conference held at the KDB headquarters building in Yeouido, Seoul, on Sept. 28, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Embattled Eastar Jet has said it plans to lay off 605 of its 1,216 employees on Oct. 14 as part of efforts to find a new investor.
Eastar, which has suspended all flights since March, faces bankruptcy after Jeju Air scrapped its plan in late July to take over Eastar due to rising COVID-19 pandemic-related uncertainties.
In early September, the Key Industry Stabilization Fund approved a capital injection of 2.4 trillion won into Asiana Airlines to help the carrier stay afloat, according to the KDB.
The KDB and the Export-Import Bank of Korea already injected a combined 3.3 trillion won, including 1.7 trillion won this year, into Asiana in the past two years.
On Monday, Lee said the KDB will consider selling Asiana at the right time.
In early September, Asiana's creditors -- the KDB and the Eximbank -- ended a drawn-out deal to sell the debt-ridden carrier, as they failed to iron out differences over acquisition terms with HDC Hyundai Development Co. amid the coronavirus outbreak.
entropy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-30--(LEAD) Top U.S. diplomat to visit S. Korea next week amid Seoul's push for peace regime

Pompeo 's visit to Seoul will mark the first of its kind in over a year since June 2019 , @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump to the Demilitarized Zone that divides the two Koreas for a meeting with @ @ @ @ @ .

(ATTN: ADDS photo, more info in paras 6-7)
WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will visit South Korea next week for talks with high-level officials there, the U.S. State Department said Tuesday.
His planned visit comes after South Korean President Moon Jae-in proposed declaring an end to the Korean War as a way of bringing North Korea back to the dialogue table over its denuclearization process.
It will be part of his three-nation trip that will begin Sunday, according to the State Department.
He will first head to Tokyo where he will meet with his counterparts from Australia, India and Japan in a four-way forum known as the Quad.
"Secretary Pompeo will also visit Ulaanbaatar October 7, and Seoul October 7-8 for meetings with senior officials," the State Department said in a released statement.
Seoul's foreign ministry said South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and Pompeo are set to hold talks Thursday to discuss bilateral relations, the Korean Peninsula situation and regional and global issues.
"Secretary Pompeo's visit to South Korea this time is expected to deepen bilateral cooperation on Korean Peninsula, regional and global issues, and serve as an opportunity to further develop the alliance," the ministry said in a press release.
Pompeo's visit to Seoul will mark the first of its kind in over a year since June 2019, when he accompanied U.S. President Donald Trump to the Demilitarized Zone that divides the two Koreas for a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
North Korea has since stayed away from denuclearization talks.
As part of efforts to restart the denuclearization negotiations, Moon called for international efforts to declare a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean War in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly last week.
The South Korean president insisted the move would provide a security guarantee that Pyongyang has long sought.
Earlier Tuesday, however, North Korea's ambassador to the world body, Kim Song, said his country will not "sell off" its dignity for what he called a "brilliant transformation" of its economy.
The North Korean diplomat also claimed his country has obtained a "reliable security guarantee" based on absolute strength.
Pyongyang declared having perfected its nuclear and long-range missile capabilities in late 2017 when it staged its sixth and last nuclear test, followed by a series of intercontinental ballistic missile launches.
Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha (L) and her U.S. counterpart, Mike Pompeo, pose for a photo before their talks in San Francisco on Jan. 14, 2020, in this photo provided by the foreign ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-30--Ryu Hyun-jin tasked with keeping Blue Jays alive in postseason

Before the game , Ryu was seen chatting with the Rays ' Korean infielder Choi Ji-man .
The two graduated @ @ @ @ @ school in Incheon , just west of Seoul , but have not yet faced each @ @ @ @ @ with Ryu being one of the best left-handers and Choi , who bats left-handed , @ @ @ @

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- Ryu Hyun-jin has been the bona fide ace for the Toronto Blue Jays all season, consistently delivering strong starts. And now, they're going to need another one from him to stay alive in the postseason.
Ryu will start Game 2 of the American League wild-card series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Wednesday (local time). The Blue Jays dropped the opener of the best-of-three series by 3-1 on Tuesday, and Ryu is now tasked with helping extend the series to Game 3 on Thursday.
The South Korean left-hander will be matched up against right-hander Tyler Glasnow.
In this Getty Images photo, Ryu Hyun-jin of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches against the New York Yankees in the top of the first inning of a Major League Baseball regular season game at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York, on Sept. 24, 2020. (Yonhap)
Ryu went 5-2 with a 2.69 ERA, fourth-best in the AL, during the regular season, his first with the Blue Jays. Though he could have started Game 1 on regular, four days' rest, the Blue Jays opted to give the 33-year-old extra rest.
During the regular season, Ryu had a 2-0 record and a 2.74 ERA in four starts on four days' rest, compared with a 3-2 record and a 2.29 ERA in seven starts after five days' rest.
"I feel great. I am definitely ready to pitch tomorrow," Ryu said in a Zoom session with the media before Tuesday's Game 1. "I may have done a bit better with extra rest, but I don't think there has been that much of a difference."
The Blue Jays' decision to go with right-hander Matt Shoemaker instead of Ryu in Game 1 raised a few eyebrows. Manager Charlie Montoyo defended it as a strategic move that would allow the Blue Jays to win the matchup battle by using their bullpen in Game 1 and then line up Ryu for a game that would be an elimination affair either way.
Ryu said he didn't have much input into the decision and his focus is on the task at hand.
"It's a short series, and I am only thinking about winning the game," Ryu said. "My mindset is to take it one inning at a time."
Ryu faced the Rays twice during the regular season. On Opening Day on July 24, Ryu gave up three earned runs on four hits in 4 2/3 innings in a no-decision. One of those hits was a two-run shot by left-handed hitting Yoshi Tsutsugo. Ryu also uncharacteristically walked three batters.
In this Associated Press file photo from Sept. 19, 2020, Ryu Hyun-jin of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies in the bottom of the first inning of a Major League Baseball regular season game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. (Yonhap)
On Aug. 22, Ryu limited the Rays to a run on three hits in five innings. He struck out six and walked none, but he didn't get a decision after leaving the game with the score tied at 1-1.
"It's been a month since we last faced each other," Ryu said of the Rays' lineup. "I think they've changed over that time. I can say the same about myself."
Before the game, Ryu was seen chatting with the Rays' Korean infielder Choi Ji-man. The two graduated from the same Korean high school in Incheon, just west of Seoul, but have not yet faced each other in the majors, with Ryu being one of the best left-handers and Choi, who bats left-handed, struggling against southpaws.
Asked about a potential playoff matchup against Choi, Ryu acknowledged it would be a big deal for fans back home in South Korea, but he will try not to get caught up in any personal feelings.
"He didn't start in the two earlier games that I pitched (against the Rays), and he may not play tomorrow, either," Ryu said. "But if he does play, I think we'll both focus on trying to win the game."
Choi, who had been dealing with a hamstring injury, was activated in time for Game 1 and made a pinch-hit appearance to lead off the eighth inning. He flied out to center against reliever Thomas Hatch.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-30--(URGENT) 120 more patients released from coronavirus treatment, total now at 21,590: KDCA

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


yna--2020-09-30--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 6 additional coronavirus deaths, total now at 413: KDCA


yna--2020-09-30--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 113 more cases of new coronavirus, total now at 23,812: KDCA


yna--2020-09-30--(EDITORIAL from Korea JoongAng Daily on Sept. 30)

From the rationale of the defense ministry and prosecution for Choo 's son , soldiers can have their agents simply @ @ @ @ @ wish to use longer leave .
The soldiers were wrong to believe that they had @ @ @ @ @ and then seek extra days off if necessary .

No surprise that Choo was cleared
The prosecution found no illegalities in wrapping up its investigation into allegations that the son of Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae received special treatment in his use of medical leave during military service.
It concluded that her son got an extension on sick leave through the legitimate procedures, and that Choo, who had been a ruling party chair, has never attempted to exert undue influence.
Her aide called the military on her behalf to "inquire" whether the extension was granted and not to "demand" a special favor. The officer on duty who got the call mistakenly reported on the possible AWOL because he was not aware of the extension was already granted.
The scenario was well expected. But with the pardoning of Choo's son, aides or secretaries of politicians can now feel free to ask for special favors if they "inquire" about the arrangement to extend leave or change their service location.
They just have to avoid "asking" or "beseeching" to avoid charges. Those in high places now can freely have their aides make "inquiring" calls to military officials.
From the rationale of the defense ministry and prosecution for Choo's son, soldiers can have their agents simply notify the military if they wish to use longer leave. The soldiers were wrong to believe that they had to report back for duty and then seek extra days off if necessary.
The prosecution has dilly-dallied on the investigation for six months. It only embarked on questioning in June. The head of the case at the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office did not even include the testimony of receiving a call from an aide of Choo in the report.
The official was later promoted to head the district office. He returned to lead the case even when a new investigation team was formed on the case involving Choo's son.
Choo ignored calls to form a neutral team on the case. If there was no wrongdoing, she should have left the case to a new team deemed neutral.
The controversy inevitably would continue. The opposition would demand a special investigation and the ruling party would fight it. If the case is closed, it could one day be revisited and cited as a study of how partial the government and prosecution can be when a case involves government officials.
(END)


yna--2020-09-30--(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on Sept. 30)

He only asked North Korea to resume the operation of communications channels between the military authorities of the two sides @ @ @ @ @ appreciation to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for offering an apology over the recent incident @ @ @ @ @ particular significance and calling it rare and unprecedented .
He even said he could understand @ @ @ @

Moon's low-key response to NK
President should take stronger stance toward Pyongyang
President Moon Jae-in came up with an official response Monday to the death of a South Korean official who was killed by North Koreans in the North's territorial waters. Moon expressed sorrow for having failed to protect the official, but stopped short of criticizing the North for shooting him.
He only asked North Korea to resume the operation of communications channels between the military authorities of the two sides. The President expressed his appreciation to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for offering an apology over the recent incident, saying it is of particular significance and calling it rare and unprecedented. He even said he could understand Kim's mind.
This apparently means Moon was elated by Kim's apology and that his mindset sharply contrasts with the public uproar over the North's reckless act. He expressed hope that the tragic incident would rather result in a chance for dialogue and cooperation between the two Koreas.
Moon's remarks are disappointing in that many people expected he would issue a stern warning to Pyongyang as it was his first statement in six days after the incident. He should have called for the North's appropriate reaction in coping with it and explained how Cheong Wa Dae has addressed the issue, clarifying diverse questions surrounding it.
It is problematic for Moon to only appreciate the North Korean leader's apology, while keeping silent on the North's behavior. The Justice Party's former chairwoman Rep. Sim Sang-jung cited the need for some ruling party members to refrain from putting priority on inter-Korean relations over the lives of South Korean citizens. Moon should pay heed to Sim's statement.
It is also improper for the Moon administration and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea to focus on a declaration to end the Korean War despite the recent incident. The party submitted a resolution calling for a declaration ending the war and the resumption of individual tourism to North Korea.
Lee Do-hoon, special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs who is on a visit to the U.S., said he would discuss the peace issue with the United States. Cheong Wa Dae has already come under criticism for Moon's address at the United Nations which focused on the peace issue despite it being informed about the shooting incident in advance.
The opposition People Power Party is opposing the resolution, describing it as an attempt to disregard public anger over the North's killing of the official. Many observers have also cast skepticism over the ruling camp's move toward the declaration.
(END)


yna--2020-09-30--(EDITORIAL from Korea Herald on Sept. 30)

The ruling party has proposed a bill to keep large retailers up to `` 20 kilometers '' away from the @ @ @ @ @ .
The existing distance is 1 kilometer .
Though existing large retailers are exceptions from @ @ @ @ @ critics note that it is practically impossible for new distributors to find proper sites for @ @ @ @ @ away from any traditional market .
Protection of mom-and-pop stores is important , but large @ @ @ @ @ compete and survive .
Furthermore , it is questionable whether consumer interests will be served @ @ @ @ @

Regulations pile up
Government to strengthen class action, punitive damages targeting businesses
The government and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea keep tightening business regulations.
They appear determined to demotivate companies.
Business circles appealed to them for days to reconsider three "fair economy" bills. But they are adamant. The ruling party is poised to pass them through the National Assembly.
Under the banner of a fair economy, they proposed bills to revise the commercial law and fair trade law, and enact the financial group supervision law, but companies worry about the bills exposing their managerial right to threats from speculative foreign investors while offering few self-defense tools.
If businesses are compelled into a situation where they must concentrate on defending their management right, they will likely be distracted from business and investment.
To add to their troubles, the Ministry of Justice suddenly announced bills last week to expand class action and punitive damages to all industries. The ministry on Monday began to gather opinions on the proposed legislation. The announcement came less than a month after the government proposed the three bills to the National Assembly.
A class action is undertaken by one or more plaintiffs on behalf of themselves and all other persons having an identical interest in the alleged wrong. It is understandable that this is useful in protecting consumer rights. But corporate concerns about excessive litigations must be considered as well.
Korea introduced a class action system in 2005 with regard to securities transactions, but made related procedures difficult to prevent lawsuit abuse. This time, the ministry simplified the procedures and also allowed a jury in the first trial if plaintiffs want. A jury trial in a civil suit raises concerns about the influence of public opinion, particularly from vociferous civic or consumer groups.
Under the proposed legislation, class action is applied retroactively. Experts note that this goes against the constitutional principle of nonretroactivity of law.
Punitive damages are effective in preventing companies from violating laws malignantly. However, these may cause heavy legal expenses to companies. Punitive awards are five times the compensatory damage in cases of malignant offenses.
The burden of proof lies with companies. They must prove they did nothing wrong to avoid punitive damages.
If punitive damages are imposed in addition to a fine and a criminal penalty, they effectively violate the constitutional principle against double punishment.
It is problematic, too, to subject the press to punitive damages for misinformation. The concept of "malignant fake news" is ambiguous. Freedom of expression may be intimidated.
Protection of consumer interests are important, but adverse effects of class action and punitive damages must be removed.
Excessive litigations can exhaust corporate resources. Even if a company wins a lawsuit, damage to its public image and revenue will be inevitable. Small businesses may go bankrupt if they cannot afford to pay out astronomical recompense. Attorneys may file frivolous lawsuits just to earn quick settlements.
The ruling party has proposed a bill to keep large retailers up to "20 kilometers" away from the boundary of a traditional market. The existing distance is 1 kilometer. Though existing large retailers are exceptions from the new distance regulation, critics note that it is practically impossible for new distributors to find proper sites for their retail outlets 20 km away from any traditional market. Protection of mom-and-pop stores is important, but large retailers should be able to compete and survive. Furthermore, it is questionable whether consumer interests will be served by blocking large stores.
Many companies are reeling from the economic impact of COVID-19. According to the Bank of Korea, the proportion of firms unable to generate enough operating profits to pay interest is forecast to increase from 14.8 percent last year to 21.4 percent this year. The Korea Economic Research Institute projects the nation's economy to plunge to a negative 3.8 percent growth in the second half.
In this challenging time, bills constraining businesses are pouring out, while new deregulation measures are nowhere in sight.
If the government and the ruling party keep driving businesses into a blind alley as if they are a public enemy to ordinary folk, there is no hope of economic recovery.
(END)


yna--2020-09-30--Top headlines in major S. Korean newspapers

Korean-language dailies -- Coronavirus pandemic boosts used computer market ( Kyunghyang Shinmun ) -- Military captures N. Korea 's order @ @ @ @ @ in real time via wiretapping ( Kookmin Daily ) -- Military hears N.K .
's @ @ @ @ @ official through wiretapping ( Donga llbo ) -- Court dismisses requests by far-right bodies for @ @ @ @ @ ) -- Firefighters wage fundraising campaign for fire victims ( Segye Times ) -- Military @ @ @ @ @ of N.K 's shot-to-kill order ( Chosun Ilbo ) -- Gov't aware N. Korea lied @ @ @ @ @ Ilbo ) -- Court bans any type of rallies on National Foundation Day ( Hankyoreh @ @ @ @ @ people wo n't return to hometowns during Chuseok holiday ( Hankook Ilbo ) -- Google @ @ @ @ @ on all app developers ( Maeil Business Newspaper ) -- Most property experts forecast deposits @ @ @ @ @ after Chuseok ( Korea Economic Daily )

SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- The following are the top headlines in major South Korean newspapers on Sept. 30.
Korean-language dailies
-- Coronavirus pandemic boosts used computer market (Kyunghyang Shinmun)
-- Military captures N. Korea's order to kill S. Korean official in real time via wiretapping (Kookmin Daily)
-- Military hears N.K.'s shoot-to-kill order for S. Korean official through wiretapping (Donga llbo)
-- Court dismisses requests by far-right bodies for drive-thru rally (Seoul Shinmun)
-- Firefighters wage fundraising campaign for fire victims (Segye Times)
-- Military takes no countermeasures after eavesdropping of N.K's shot-to-kill order (Chosun Ilbo)
-- Gov't aware N. Korea lied about shooting-related notices (JoongAng Ilbo)
-- Court bans any type of rallies on National Foundation Day (Hankyoreh)
-- 7 in 10 people won't return to hometowns during Chuseok holiday (Hankook Ilbo)
-- Google to impose 30 percent fee on all app developers (Maeil Business Newspaper)
-- Most property experts forecast deposits to lease homes to rise after Chuseok (Korea Economic Daily)
English-language dailies
-- Chuseok travelers discouraged, warned to be safe (Korea JoongAng Daily)
-- Korea braces for first major holiday during pandemic (Korea Herald)
-- NK killing of official deepens internal division (Korea Times)
(END)


Wednesday's weather forecast

SEOUL , Sep. 30 ( Yonhap ) -- The following is the weather forecast for South Korea 's 12 major @ @ @ @ @ .


yna--2020-09-30--Top U.S. diplomat to visit S. Korea next week amid Seoul's push for peace regime

Pompeo 's visit to Seoul will mark the first of its kind in over a year since June 2019 when @ @ @ @ @ Trump to the Demilitarized Zone that divides the two Koreas for a meeting with North @ @ @ @ @

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will visit South Korea next week for talks with high level officials there, the state department said Tuesday.
His planned visit comes after South Korean President Moon Jae-in proposed declaring an end to the Korean War as a way of bringing North Korea back to the dialogue table over its denuclearization process.
It will be part of his three-nation trip that will begin Sunday, according to the state department.
He will first head to Tokyo where he will meet with his counterparts from Australia, India and Japan in a four-way forum known as the Quad.
"Secretary Pompeo will also visit Ulaanbaatar October 7, and Seoul October 7-8 for meetings with senior officials," the state department said in a released statement.
Pompeo's visit to Seoul will mark the first of its kind in over a year since June 2019 when he accompanied U.S. President Donald Trump to the Demilitarized Zone that divides the two Koreas for a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
North Korea has since stayed away from denuclearization talks.
As part of efforts to restart the denuclearization negotiations, Moon called for international efforts to declare a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean War in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly last week.
The South Korean president insisted the move would provide a security guarantee that Pyongyang has long sought.
Earlier Tuesday, however, North Korea's ambassador to the world body, Kim Song, said his country will not "sell off" its dignity for what he called a "brilliant transformation" of its economy.
The North Korean diplomat also claimed his country has obtained a "reliable security guarantee" based on absolute strength.
Pyongyang declared having perfected its nuclear and long-range missile capabilities in late 2017 when it staged its sixth and last nuclear test, followed by a series of intercontinental ballistic missile launches.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-30--COVID-19 impacts mental health of 4 in 10 Seoul residents: poll

In the poll of 3,983 citizens in their teens to 80s , 40 percent , or 1,489 , said their @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 outbreak erupted early this year .
The remaining 60 percent said there has @ @ @ @ @ mental health .

SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- Four out of 10 Seoul residents believe their mental health has deteriorated due to the coronavirus outbreak, a poll showed Wednesday.
In the poll of 3,983 citizens in their teens to 80s, 40 percent, or 1,489, said their mental health has worsened since the COVID-19 outbreak erupted early this year. The remaining 60 percent said there has been little change in their mental health.
The survey was conducted online by the Seoul metropolitan government from July to August and its results were analyzed with the support of an artificial intelligence program provided by IBM Korea.
As for the reasons for the deterioration of mental health, the concerned respondents cited economic difficulties, economic downturn, lack of leisure life due to social distancing, reduced outdoor activities, reduced exchanges, inconvenience of wearing a mask, disconnection among family members and lack of interpersonal relationships.
As for a possible coronavirus impact on their physical health, only 25 percent, or 892 respondents, cited deterioration, the poll found.
Among the most difficult things caused by COVID-19, 32 percent, or 1,128, cited reduced leisure activities and travel, followed by reduced exchanges with other people (26 percent), unemployment or income loss (24 percent), use of public transport (12 percent) and shopping or eating out (6 percent).
More than half of respondents (51 percent) said social distancing guidelines are indispensable and cause little inconvenience, while another 41 percent said the distancing policy is necessary but somewhat inconvenient.
When asked if they have ever felt isolation due to social distancing, 43 percent said they didn't feel it very much, with another 27 percent saying they didn't feel it at all.
By contrast, 30 percent said they felt isolation due to social distancing, the survey said.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)