yna--2020-02-05--Chinese clubs' matches at Asian tournament postponed due to coronavirus

In addition , the AFC said these newly scheduled matches for Chinese teams in April or May could be moved @ @ @ @ @ said it will assess the situation 21 days before each game , and if it @ @ @ @ @ ca n't go ahead as scheduled , the host team must nominate a neutral site @ @ @ @ @ the original match day .

SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- The international health scare over the deadly coronavirus has pushed back all Chinese clubs' matches at an upcoming Asian football tournament, a move that affects all four South Korean teams in the event.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced late Tuesday, following an emergency meeting in Kuala Lumpur, that matches involving Chinese clubs at the AFC Champions League will be postponed, so that they will be played in April or May instead of February and March, as originally scheduled.
In this file photo from Jan. 28, 2020, FC Seoul players celebrate their victory over Kedah FA in a playoff match for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul. (Yonhap)
The four Chinese teams are Beijing FC, Shanghai Shenhua, Guangzhou Evergrande and Shanghai SIPG. These teams are all paired with South Korean clubs.
The Feb. 11 match between FC Seoul and Beijing in Group E, scheduled to take place at Seoul World Cup Stadium, will be played on April 28.
Suwon Samsung Bluewings were to face Guangzhou on Feb. 12, but that Group G match will instead be contested on April 29.
The Group E showdown between Ulsan Hyundai FC and Shanghai Shenhua has been moved from Feb. 18 to May 19. And In Group H, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Shanghai SIPG will square off on May 20, instead of Feb. 19.
In addition, the AFC said these newly scheduled matches for Chinese teams in April or May could be moved to neutral venues. It said it will assess the situation 21 days before each game, and if it's determined that the contest can't go ahead as scheduled, the host team must nominate a neutral site at least two weeks before the original match day.
In late January, the AFC ruled that all home matches for the four Chinese teams in February and March will be played as away matches instead. But the Asian governing body went a step further this week, as the death toll of the novel coronavirus has continued to rise in China following the outbreak in December.
These new fixtures will also affect the knockout stage. For the East Region, involving teams in South Korea, China, Japan and Australia, the first legs of the round of 16 will be pushed back from May 26 and 27 to June 16 and 17. The second legs will be played either on June 23 or 24, instead of June 16 or 17.
This image captured from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) website shows a decision reached by the continental football governing body to postpone matches involving Chinese teams at the AFC Champions League. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-05--U.S. 7th fleet's command ship visits Busan

Commissioned in 1970 , the Blue Ridge is the U.S. Navy 's oldest operational ship and is responsible for patrolling @ @ @ @ @ Indo-Pacific region , according to the U.S. Navy .

SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- The command ship of the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet visited the southeastern port city of Busan on Wednesday to boost exchanges and friendship between the allies' naval forces, the Navy here said.
While in South Korea, crewmembers of the 19,609-ton USS Blue Ridge, based in Yokosuka, Japan, are scheduled to meet South Korean troops and participate in diverse events, according to the Navy.
Commissioned in 1970, the Blue Ridge is the U.S. Navy's oldest operational ship and is responsible for patrolling and fostering relationships within the Indo-Pacific region, according to the U.S. Navy.
The 19,609-ton USS Blue Ridge, the command ship of the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet, is moored at the southeastern port of Busan on Feb. 15, 2019, in this file photo. The port call is reportedly meant to boost exchanges and friendly ties between the allies' naval forces. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-05--China provides 23,000 tons of petroleum to N. Korea in 2019

Under the UNSC 's Resolution 2397 adopted in 2017 after the North 's missile provocation , a ceiling is placed @ @ @ @ @ oil that can be offered or sold to North Korea at 500,000 barrels , which @ @ @ @ @ tons .

SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- China provided around 23,000 tons of oil to North Korea last year, a U.N. report showed Wednesday, amid global sanctions restricting the supply of petroleum products to the regime.
According to the report the U.N. Security Council posted on its website, China provided 22,739 tons of petroleum products to the North last year.
China's monthly provision of oil to the North ranged from 478 tons to 3,117 tons, the report showed.
Corresponding figures for Russia, another major trade partner for the North, were not available.
Under the UNSC's Resolution 2397 adopted in 2017 after the North's missile provocation, a ceiling is placed on the annual amount of oil that can be offered or sold to North Korea at 500,000 barrels, which is equivalent to some 60,000-65,000 tons.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)


Wednesday's weather forecast

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

(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--2020-02-05--S. Korea will take additional measures following entry ban on foreigners from Hubei, says PM

SEOUL , Feb. 5 ( Yonhap ) -- South Korea will take additional measures to contain the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ , after checking the situation not only in China 's Hubei province but also in @ @ @ @ @ minister said Wednesday .

SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will take additional measures to contain the spread of the new coronavirus, if needed, after checking the situation not only in China's Hubei province but also in other areas, the prime minister said Wednesday.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun's remarks apparently signal that the government could weigh the possibility for expanding its entry ban on foreigners who came from or through the ground-zero Chinese province in the past 14 days.
"The government will take necessary measures by thoroughly checking (the situation) not only in China's Hubei Province but also in its surrounding areas," Chung said at a meeting on the virus among presidential, government and ruling party officials.
"If necessary, the government will support conducting (coronavirus) tests for those who do not travel from China," he added.
To step up quarantine efforts, South Korea began barring foreigners Tuesday who visited or traveled through the Hubei province in the past two weeks. Wuhan, known as the epicenter of the outbreak, is located in the province.
South Korea has reported 16 confirmed cases, of which two patients were infected with the virus after visiting Japan and Thailand.
Concerns about the fast spread of the virus are deepening as China has reported at least 490 confirmed deaths and more than 23,500 infected people.
"The government will thoroughly prepare for the possibility that the virus further spreads and the situation is drawn out," Chung said.
The prime minister added that the government will draw up measures to support exporters, the tourism sector and small merchants to help minimize negative impacts from the outbreak on the economy.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun (C) speaks at a consultative meeting among presidential, government and ruling party officials at the National Assembly in Seoul on Feb. 5, 2020, over the government's efforts to curb the spread of the new coronavirus. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


KOSPI 2,177.26 UP 19.36 points (open)


KOSDAQ 666.74 UP 5.50 points (open)


yna--2020-02-05--Dollar opens at 1,184.0 won DN from 1,187.4 won


yna--2020-02-05--N. Korea beefs up mask production to fight coronavirus

The North is known for having weak medical infrastructure that would be insufficient to fight such an epidemic , which @ @ @ @ @ Pyongyang scrambling to keep the coronavirus at bay for fear that once it enters the @ @ @ @ @ out of control .

By Koh Byung-joon
SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- North Korea is beefing up production of facial masks as part of efforts to provide more protection for its citizens and health officials from the new coronavirus fast spreading in China and many other countries, state media reported Wednesday.
North Korea has yet to confirm any case of coronavirus infection, but it is making all-out efforts to prevent its outbreak by strengthening preventive measures.
In an article titled "Let's completely block the new coronavirus," the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the North's ruling party, reported that factories in Pyongyang are now producing masks "in earnest."
The paper said that tens of thousands of masks are being churned out every day to meet growing demand as citizens are more aware of the danger of the virus and intensifying their personal hygiene.
"As a result of the stepped-up hygiene promotion campaign, all citizens have become more aware (of the danger) and actively participate in efforts to prevent an outbreak of the infectious disease by frequently ventilating their homes, washing their hands and wearing masks," the paper said.
Pyongyang's stepped-up mask production comes amid reports on people in many countries rushing to stock up on masks, hand sanitizers and other personal hygiene items as concerns are deepening over the fast-spreading deadly virus that was detected first in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December.
The paper did not report on any confirmed infection in the North but suggested that there might be some suspected cases in the southeastern region of the country.
"Officials are stationed for those quarantined in (the Kangwon Province) and measures are being drawn up to ensure that they are receiving protective clothes and medical items, such as masks," it said.
North Korea has stepped up its efforts to block the outbreak of the virus by shutting down all its air and rail routes across its border with China and keeping all foreigners arriving in the country via China isolated for up to one month.
North Korea recently declared the launch of a national emergency system against the new virus, calling such preventive efforts a "political matter" that could determine the fate of the country.
The North is known for having weak medical infrastructure that would be insufficient to fight such an epidemic, which experts say seems to send Pyongyang scrambling to keep the coronavirus at bay for fear that once it enters the country, it could spiral out of control.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-05--Soldier shows coronavirus symptoms but tests negative

As preemptive measures against the virus , the military has put around 800 soldiers who returned from China , Hong @ @ @ @ @ past 14 days in isolation and banned service members from traveling to China either for @ @ @ @ @

SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- A soldier has tested negative for the new coronavirus after showing some symptoms following a trip to China, the defense ministry has said.
After visiting China's Suzhou region, the Army sergeant arrived back in South Korea on Jan. 23, and then returned to his unit three days later, according to the ministry.
While being quarantined at his base, he developed a fever Tuesday and was hospitalized.
"He tested negative (for the coronavirus)," the ministry said late Tuesday, adding that he will continue to be quarantined in consideration of the incubation period.
As of early Wednesday, South Korea has 16 confirmed cases. No cases have been reported among its service personnel.
As preemptive measures against the virus, the military has put around 800 soldiers who returned from China, Hong Kong or Macao in the past 14 days in isolation and banned service members from traveling to China either for private or business purposes.
The virus is believed to have originated in China's central city of Wuhan, and its incubation period is about 14 days.
A soldier has her temperature taken by a sentry at the gate of an Army unit in the town of Goyang, near Seoul, on Feb. 4, 2020, as part of measures to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus that has broken out in China. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-05--LG Electronics withdraws from MWC due to new coronavirus

LG said it will not take part in the Mobile World Congress ( MWC ) 2020 in Spain , becoming @ @ @ @ @ to cancel its presence at the event scheduled from Feb. 24 to 27 in Barcelona @ @ @ @ @ spreading fast around the globe .

SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- LG Electronics Inc. said Wednesday it has decided to withdraw from the upcoming mobile technologies trade fair due to concerns over the fast-spreading novel coronavirus.
LG said it will not take part in the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2020 in Spain, becoming the first South Korean company to cancel its presence at the event scheduled from Feb. 24 to 27 in Barcelona as the novel coronavirus is spreading fast around the globe.
"This decision removes the risk of exposing hundreds of LG employees to international travel, which has already become more restrictive as the virus continues to spread across borders," the company said.
This photo provided by LG Electronics Inc. shows the company's booth at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on Feb. 25, 2019. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
So far, more than 490 people have been killed due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, which started in Wuhan, China, with over 23,000 confirmed cases around the globe.
Although it is pulling out of MWC 2020, LG said its meeting with global telecommunication firms will take place in Barcelona as scheduled.
LG was expected to unveil its new smartphones, the V60 ThinQ and the G9 ThinQ, at the world's largest mobile trade show. However, LG said it will hold separate events in the near future to introduce its new handsets.
The annual gathering for the mobile industry drew nearly 110,000 visitors last year, with 6 percent of them coming from China, the fourth largest after Spain, the United States and Britain, according to data from the GSMA.
More than 3,000 South Koreans were estimated to have attended the event in Barcelona last year.
The GSMA, the organizer of MWC 2020, said last week the event will proceed as planned despite mounting fears of the novel coronavirus although it urged exhibitors and attendees to follow guidelines and protocols suggested by the World Health Organization and other health authorities.
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-05--Young male N. Korean refugee arrives in U.S. in Jan.: data

He is aged 14-20 , lives in Richmond , Virginia , and likely arrived in the country on Jan. 23 @ @ @ @ @ with the bureau 's Refugee Processing Center .

By Lee Haye-ah
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 (Yonhap) -- A North Korean male likely in his teens arrived in the United States as a refugee last month, U.S. government data showed Tuesday.
He is the only North Korean refugee tallied for this year by the State Department's bureau of population, refugees and migration.
He is aged 14-20, lives in Richmond, Virginia, and likely arrived in the country on Jan. 23, according to data available with the bureau's Refugee Processing Center.
No North Korean refugees were admitted last year.
The first North Korean refugees arrived in 2006, with their number peaking at 38 in 2008. From 2009-2016, the number of arrivals ranged between 14 and 23.
In 2017, the figure dropped sharply to one, before increasingly slightly to six in 2018.
North Koreans who flee the communist regime reportedly face greater difficulty crossing the border with China due to tightened security.
Only 1,047 North Korean defectors arrived in South Korea last year, the lowest number in 18 years, according to Seoul's unification ministry.
By contrast, their number peaked at 2,914 in 2009.
This AFP file photo shows the U.S. Department of State in Washington. (Yonhap)
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-05--(EDITORIAL from Korea JoongAng Daily on Feb. 5)

As over 400 Chinese citizens have already died from the new coronavirus from Wuhan , Hubei Province , a 16th @ @ @ @ @ infected in Korea .
The person went around Gwangju for about two weeks without being @ @ @ @ @ Korea on Jan. 19 after a trip to Thailand , she went to hospitals in @ @ @ @ @ unwell and was diagnosed with the virus on Monday .
She may have spread the @ @ @ @ @ home city throughout the Lunar New Year 's holidays .
The developments set off loud @ @ @ @ @ .

Expand the entry ban
As over 400 Chinese citizens have already died from the new coronavirus from Wuhan, Hubei Province, a 16th person has been confirmed as infected in Korea. The person went around Gwangju for about two weeks without being detected. After returning to Korea on Jan. 19 after a trip to Thailand, she went to hospitals in the city because she felt unwell and was diagnosed with the virus on Monday. She may have spread the virus in and around her home city throughout the Lunar New Year's holidays. The developments set off loud alarms on our quarantine front.
Concerns are growing of a broader spread of the virus. The Moon Jae-in administration must proactively block the diffusion of the virus after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a global concern.
A lack of information about of a number of locations visited by people infected with the virus makes local residents worried. In Seoul, Seocho and Seongdong Districts have made relevant information public, but other districts are reluctant to do the same. Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon must find effective ways to minimize such an information gap.
Another problem involves infringement of privacy, because personal information of the 16th person confirmed to carry the virus was leaked. To help encourage people to voluntarily report their infections to health authorities, the government must find out who leaked such information and strictly punish them -- and those who willfully spread fake news -- on charges of obstruction of business.
In such volatile circumstances, new Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming stirred controversy after warning Seoul that it should not be too "interfering," by doing things like banning entry of Chinese people to Korea. The remarks he made border on interference in our domestic affairs. Xing has yet to present President Moon Jae-in with his credentials to serve as China's ambassador to Seoul. That in itself was a breach in protocol. Usually envoys don't meet the press until after they have presented their credentials.
In a press conference Tuesday, the ambassador warned against Korea's "discrimination" against China and a ban on tours and trade after quoting recommendations by the WHO. He made very inappropriate remarks in such sensitive moments.
Compared to the United States and Japan, Korea belatedly took measures to ban the entry of foreigners who had visited Wuhan, and is still reluctant to do so. In fact, the Moon administration's ban only applies to foreigners who visited Wuhan. Moon stopped short of mentioning advice by the Korean Medical Association to expand the ban to other parts of China.
North Korea and Russia, traditional allies of China, have already shut their borders with China, and medical experts in Hong Kong are on strike to urge the city government to close its borders, too. In times of crisis like this, our government must protect the lives and safety of our people more than anything else.
(END)


yna--2020-02-05--(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on Feb. 5)

(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on Feb. 5)

In fact , an increasing number of countries , including the U.S. , Japan , Australia , Singapore , Indonesia @ @ @ @ @ Philippines , have imposed entry bans on non-citizens who have been to China recently , @ @ @ @ @ the WHO guidance .
Of course , any measures against the virus should not be @ @ @ @ @ , fake news or excessive fear .
There should be careful consideration of all the @ @ @ @ @ decision concerning inbound and outbound travelers , and they should be evidence-based and consistent , @ @ @ @ @ Ghebreyesus stated Monday .
China and Ambassador Xing should know this is a matter of @ @ @

Excessive virus fears
Travel ban should be expanded, only if necessary
China's new Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming has cautioned against "unnecessary" travel restrictions some countries have imposed on his homeland in an effort to stem the spread of the new coronavirus.
In a press conference at the Chinese Embassy in central Seoul, Tuesday, Xing, who arrived in Seoul last week, stressed that all anti-virus measures should be based on "scientific" data and methods, citing the World Health Organization (WHO)'s guidance that countries don't need to take measures that could unnecessarily dampen international travel and trade in containing the virus.
Although he refused to comment on Seoul's entry ban for foreigners who have been in China's central Hubei Province in the past two weeks, which became effective at midnight, Tuesday, the ambassador's words could be interpreted as pressuring the government to avoid further strengthening its travel ban. We believe this is so because there are growing calls from the public to ban the entry of all non-citizens not only from Wuhan, where the new virus emerged, and the surrounding Hubei Province, but also from other parts of China.
In fact, an increasing number of countries, including the U.S., Japan, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, New Zealand and the Philippines, have imposed entry bans on non-citizens who have been to China recently, despite criticism from Beijing and the WHO guidance. Of course, any measures against the virus should not be driven by xenophobia, racism, fake news or excessive fear. There should be careful consideration of all the factors before Seoul makes any decision concerning inbound and outbound travelers, and they should be evidence-based and consistent, as WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated Monday. China and Ambassador Xing should know this is a matter of our sovereignty.
What is awful is that there have been political attempts here to portray the government as being indifferent or incapable with respect to public safety because it didn't follow the lead of the U.S. and other countries to expand its travel ban. But as shown in South Korea's latest case, an entry ban for all non-Korean travelers from China cannot be the best or only possible solution. Seoul's 16th confirmed patient, a 42-year-old woman, tested positive after returning from a trip to Thailand on Jan. 19. She has not been to China recently.
One other big reason we should base any anti-virus measures on science is that the ongoing crisis in China offers a crucial opportunity for South Korea to normalize bilateral diplomatic and economic relations. It couldn't come at a worse time because Beijing has softened its stance on maintaining economic retaliatory measures on Seoul, which have been in place since the latter's deployment of the U.S. THAAD anti-missile system in 2016. It has been widely speculated that China may scrap most of them on the occasion of President Xi Jinping's possible visit to Seoul this year.
So President Moon Jae-in was right when he said during a Cabinet meeting, Tuesday, that there should be thorough countermeasures to stop the spread of the virus and address public concerns, and what is also important is to make concerted efforts to minimize damage on domestic companies and the economy.
There should not be misjudgment of the situation because of irrational fears or wrong information about the virus. It is important to maintain close cooperation with China in overcoming the crisis.
(END)


yna--2020-02-05--(EDITORIAL from Korea Herald on Feb. 5)

(EDITORIAL from Korea Herald on Feb. 5)

The fallout from the new strain of virus , which has proven more infectious than SARS , is expected to @ @ @ @ @ now has a much bigger role in the global economy .
In 2002 , it @ @ @ @ @ the world 's gross domestic product , but its weight more than doubled to 19.3 @ @ @ @

Rising risks
Fundamental policy shift needed to overcome economic impact of virus
The rapid spread of a deadly new coronavirus is threatening to throw South Korea's economy into a perfect storm beyond dashing its fragile recovery momentum.
The epidemic, which originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December, is beginning to affect the country's economy across the board, from consumption to production and the financial market.
Korea, which relies on China for a quarter of its exports and a third of its inbound tourists, is positioned to take one of the hardest hits from the outbreak.
Coupled with rising concerns over local infections, the spread of the epidemic is expected to reduce domestic consumption by 0.3-0.4 percentage point this year.
Due to disruptions in their parts supply chains in China, major Korean manufacturers have suspended or scaled down their operations.
A slowdown in the Chinese economy and its impact on global trade are likely to dash hopes that Korea's exports will rebound this year.
Outbound shipments from Asia's fourth-largest economy fell 6.1 percent from a year earlier in January, extending the downward streak to 14 consecutive months. In 2019, Korea's exports shrank 10.3 percent.
Over the past 10 trading days, Korea's stock prices tumbled 7.28 percent, the second-steepest drop after Hong Kong among Asian markets excluding mainland China.
Departing from their initial assessment, government officials are now raising alarm over the potential negative impact of the spreading virus on the economy.
In a meeting with economy-related ministers Monday, Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki, who doubles as deputy prime minister for economic affairs, said the virus could significantly weigh on Korea's economy unless it is contained quickly.
The SARS virus, which similarly originated in China in late 2002, cut Korea's annual economic growth by 0.1 percentage point in 2003.
The fallout from the new strain of virus, which has proven more infectious than SARS, is expected to be extensive given that China now has a much bigger role in the global economy. In 2002, it accounted for 8.3 percent of the world's gross domestic product, but its weight more than doubled to 19.3 percent in 2019.
Experts predict the spread of the virus could trim Korea's economic growth by up to 0.7 percentage point in the first quarter of 2020 and 0.2 percentage point this year. But the effect could be greater if the virus is not brought under control quickly.
Korea's economy grew 2 percent on-year last year, marking the slowest pace in a decade.
The government expects the economy to improve and achieve 2.4 percent growth this year.
Regardless of the impact of the epidemic, ill-conceived policies implemented by President Moon Jae-in's administration might make it difficult to reach the growth target.
The country saw facility investment decrease 8.1 percent on-year in 2019 and manufacturing output capacity shrink 1.2 percent -- the steepest contraction in nearly five decades. The decline in investment and production came as the government's labor-friendly and regulatory measures dampened corporate vitality.
In Monday's meeting, Hong said the government would spare no efforts to minimize the economic fallout from the epidemic.
He said the government would unveil new measures to support exports by helping manufacturers diversify overseas markets by the end of this month. More policy loans will be offered to domestic consumption-focused companies.
But these steps fall far short of a fundamental shift in the government's misguided policies, which have weakened corporate activity and market vitality.
Since taking office in 2017, the Moon administration has pushed for its income-led growth initiative backed by a string of pro-labor measures such as steep minimum wage hikes and a shortened workweek. But the country saw its gross domestic income, a key indicator of the nation's total purchasing power, decrease 0.4 percent on-year in 2019 -- marking the first decline in more than two decades.
The government should ditch its dysfunctional policies and carry out regulatory and labor reforms to encourage private-sector firms to increase their investment.
But the Moon administration continues to adhere to fiscal expansion as a means to bolster the sluggish economy while turning a blind eye to the real hard work needed to revitalize the economy.
It is poised to use the spread of the virus as an excuse to accelerate fiscal expansion ahead of April's general election in a bid to forge favorable voter sentiment for the ruling party.
Any sensible voter would hand down a stern judgment against the Moon government's refusal to correct policies that have proven misguided. Otherwise it may not be possible for the economy to avoid being trapped in a low-growth rut, even after the fallout from the coronavirus outbreak dies down.
(END)


yna--2020-02-05--Top headlines in major S. Korean newspapers

Korean-language dailies -- New coronavirus stops Hyundai Motor ( Kyunghyang Shinmun ) -- Hyundai Motor factory comes to complete halt @ @ @ @ @ economy ( Kookmin Daily ) -- 16th patient confirmed in Gwangju , origin of infection @ @ @ @ @ -- Coronavirus-caused slump begins to affect local spending ( Seoul Shinmun ) -- 16th coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ , failure in quarantine efforts ( Segye Times ) -- Hospital visited by 16th coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ Ilbo ) -- China 's supply chain collapses , will affect S. Korean economy in @ @ @ @ @ ) -- Even department stores take leave , spending freezes ( Hankyoreh ) -- This @ @ @ @ @ from Thailand , fight against coronavirus remains unclear ( Hankook Ilbo ) -- Mask crisis @ @ @ @ @ 20,000 won ( Maeil Business Newspaper ) -- In two days , all Hyundai Motor @ @ @ @ @ ( Korea Economic Daily )

SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- The following are the top headlines in major South Korean newspapers on Feb. 5.
Korean-language dailies
-- New coronavirus stops Hyundai Motor (Kyunghyang Shinmun)
-- Hyundai Motor factory comes to complete halt, coronavirus takes toll on economy (Kookmin Daily)
-- 16th patient confirmed in Gwangju, origin of infection unclear (Donga llbo)
-- Coronavirus-caused slump begins to affect local spending (Seoul Shinmun)
-- 16th coronavirus patient visits hospital five times, failure in quarantine efforts (Segye Times)
-- Hospital visited by 16th coronavirus patient shut down (Chosun Ilbo)
-- China's supply chain collapses, will affect S. Korean economy in one month (JoongAng Ilbo)
-- Even department stores take leave, spending freezes (Hankyoreh)
-- This time a possible infection case from Thailand, fight against coronavirus remains unclear (Hankook Ilbo)
-- Mask crisis, 700-won masks trade for 20,000 won (Maeil Business Newspaper)
-- In two days, all Hyundai Motor plants will come to stop (Korea Economic Daily)
English-language dailies
-- Beijing's new envoy warns of 'interfering' (Korea JoongAng Daily)
-- Moon urges economic measures to contain coronavirus fallout (Korea Herald)
-- Myeongdong feels fallout from virus outbreak (Korea Times)
(END)


yna--2020-02-05--(6th LD) 3 more virus cases bring S. Korea's total to 19, two confirmed after trip to Singapore

The patients in the country 's 19th and 17th cases were informed that one of the people they had been @ @ @ @ @ was infected with the virus , so they visited a clinic in South Korea and @ @ @ @ @ the illness , according to the public health agency .

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead, paras 2-4 with updated info)
SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Wednesday confirmed three more cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing the total here to 19, with two of the latest cases involving patients who had returned from Singapore amid growing concerns over the illness spreading from countries other than China.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said a 36-year-old South Korean man who returned from Singapore after attending a conference there from Jan. 18-23 tested positive for the contagious virus.
Another South Korean man, age 38, who recently visited Singapore to attend the same conference and came into contact with an infected Malaysian, also tested positive for the virus, it said.
The patients in the country's 19th and 17th cases were informed that one of the people they had been in contact with in Singapore was infected with the virus, so they visited a clinic in South Korea and were confirmed to have contracted the illness, according to the public health agency.
The agency said that it has contacted counterparts in both Singapore and Malaysia to determine how he contracted the virus.
A monitor at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, displays information on ways to fight the new coronavirus on Feb. 3, 2020. (Yonhap)
The 18th case is a 21-year-old South Korean woman who is the daughter of the country's 16th patient, who returned from a trip to Thailand on Jan. 19 but moved freely for around two weeks before being diagnosed with the virus.
Of the confirmed cases in South Korea, four are believed to have been infected during stays in countries other than China.
South Korea's 12th case is of a 48-year-old Chinese man who worked as a tour guide in Japan and could have been infected by a Japanese associate.
On a related note, South Korea remained cautious about expanding entry restrictions to people arriving from countries other than China.
Public health authorities said that it will consider the move based on various factors, including more detailed test results from the cases believed to have been infected in countries other than China.
Starting Tuesday, South Korea has been implementing entry restrictions on those arriving from China as the country struggles to fight the potentially fatal disease amid concerns over its further spread.
With the 16th patient suspected of infecting her daughter at a clinic in Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul, those who have been in contact with the 42-year-old South Korean at the facility, including medical staff, were placed in quarantine for close observation.
The patient might have come in contact with 306 people in the country, according to the authorities.
The KCDC said it is tracing the steps of the country's all confirmed cases to determine where they went and the people they may have met, amid growing concerns over further human transmission.
Since Jan. 3, the public health agency has screened 714 people and quarantined 174 people for detailed checks for the novel coronavirus. Some 950 who might have come into contact with infected people are in self-quarantine and monitored carefully for signs of the illness.
The health authorities said they discharged a man from a hospital who recovered after being infected with coronavirus. The 55-year-old South Korean, who had been to the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak, returned home on Jan. 22 and tested positive for the illness.
He was the country's second confirmed case after the first one was reported on Jan. 20, and is the first patient of the 18 infected cases to be released from a hospital.
Also, the person in the country's first case is likely to be released from a hospital on Thursday as the 35-year-old Chinese woman, diagnosed with the illness on Jan. 20, had showed no symptoms of the virus as of Monday, according to the KCDC.
The KCDC said that as of early Wednesday, the virus that is thought to have originated in Wuhan, China, has claimed some 480 lives, while infecting over 23,000 people in 27 countries.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-05--S. Korea reports 1 more case of novel coronavirus, 19 in total

The country 's 17th virus-infected patient is a South Korean man who also visited Singapore and came into contact with @ @ @ @ @ positive for the virus .
( END )

SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Wednesday confirmed one more case of the novel coronavirus, bringing the total here to 19.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said a 36-year-old South Korean man who returned from Singapore after a business trip from Jan. 18-23 tested positive for the contagious virus.
The latest case came as the country reported two more cases earlier in the day.
The country's 17th virus-infected patient is a South Korean man who also visited Singapore and came into contact with an infected Malaysian who tested positive for the virus.
(END)


yna--2020-02-05--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 1 more case of novel coronavirus, 19 in total


yna--2020-02-05--Budget airlines to suspend more flights on Chinese routes amid coronavirus scare

The new coronavirus first appeared in Wuhan , the central Chinese city of 11 million people at the center of @ @ @ @ @ year and has killed at least 490 and infected more than 20,000 people in China @ @ @ @ @ have reached 24 countries , including as far away as the United States .

SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's low-cost carriers will suspend more flights on Chinese routes to avoid fallout from the fast-spreading new coronavirus, industry sources said Wednesday.
Jeju Air Co., the country's biggest budget carrier, which recently suspended six out of 17 routes to mainland China, will halt another route beginning Friday, a company spokesman said.
Five out of 17 Chinese routes had been already suspended due to lower travel demand to the neighboring country during the low-demand winter season, he said.
In addition, Jeju Air said it will temporarily suspend the Incheon-Macao route from Friday and the Jeju Island-Hong Kong route from Feb. 19, while planning to reduce the number of flights on the Incheon-Weihai route from Monday.
The budget carrier serves 13 routes to Hong Kong and Macao.
This photo taken on Feb. 3, 2020, and provided by Jeju Air shows airport personnel preparing quarantine work for passengers on an arriving airplane at Jeju International Airport. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Other low-cost carriers are joining Jeju Air to reorganize their flights to respond to the worsening virus outbreak.
Jin Air Co. and Air Busan Inc. already suspended most of their flights to China early this year.
Jin Air plans to keep the Jeju-Xian and Jeju-Shanghai routes on hold until the end of March, while planning to halt the Incheon-Macao route from Friday through the end of February, a company spokesman said.
Air Busan said it will maintain the suspension of its Chinese routes until the end of March, an extension from its originally scheduled end-February.
Eastar Jet said it will gradually suspend seven routes to China and three routes to Macao and Hong Kong by Monday, while leaving the Jeju-Hong Kong route available to customers.
South Korea has two full-service carriers -- Korean Air and Asiana Airlines Inc. -- and seven low-cost carriers (LCCs) -- Jeju Air, Jin Air, Air Busan Co., Air Seoul Inc., Eastar Jet, T'way and Fly Gangwon.
Two more LCCs -- Air Premia Co. and Aero K Airlines Co. -- are expected to enter the market this year, bringing the country's total number of LCCs to nine.
Local budget carriers are expected to further suspend flights in coming weeks if the coronavirus continues to spread without showing signs of slowing.
The new coronavirus first appeared in Wuhan, the central Chinese city of 11 million people at the center of the outbreak, late last year and has killed at least 490 and infected more than 20,000 people in China as of Wednesday. Cases have reached 24 countries, including as far away as the United States.
South Korea has reported 18 confirmed cases as of Wednesday.
Last month, Korean Air Lines Co. and Asiana Airlines Inc., the country's two full-service carriers, already took steps to reorganize their flight schedules on Chinese routes from February.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-05--New goalkeeper for K League runners-up eyes championship

`` I heard a lot of good things about Ulsan , and I learned that this team really wanted me @ @ @ @ @ `` Ulsan came up just short of winning the title last year , and I @ @ @ @ @ over the top this year . ''

SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korean international goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo switched clubs this offseason with one goal in mind: to win a championship.
Jo left Daegu FC, the only team he's known in the K League during his seven-year career, and signed with Ulsan Hyundai FC last month. At his introductory press conference in Seoul Wednesday, Jo said his ultimate goal is not to lose a single match in 2020.
Jo Hyeon-woo, new goalkeeper for Ulsan Hyundai FC in the K League 1, poses for photos during his introductory press conference at the Korea Football Association (KFA) House in Seoul on Feb. 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
"I am only thinking about winning a championship," Jo said. "Also, I want to have more clean sheets than anyone in the league this year."
Ulsan came agonizingly close to winning the 2019 championship. They entered the final day of the regular season with a three-point lead over Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, but ended up in second place behind Jeonbuk on a tiebreaker following a 4-1 loss to Pohang Steelers.
In that loss, then-starting goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu made a fatal mistake that sealed Ulsan's fate. He took a throw-in from the sidelines and gave up the ball to Pohang forward Heo Yong-jun, who scored into the empty net for a 3-1 lead in the 88th minute.
With Kim now gone to Japan, Jo enters the mix, having been named the K League 1's top goalkeeper for the past three straight seasons.
"I heard a lot of good things about Ulsan, and I learned that this team really wanted me," Jo said. "Ulsan came up just short of winning the title last year, and I want to get the club over the top this year."
Jo had a somewhat tumultuous parting with Daegu, but he insisted that, before the 2019 season, he had told Daegu in no uncertain terms that he wasn't going to stay.
Jo also revealed that he'd fielded an offer from Germany, though he declined to reveal further details out of respect for Daegu.
"I haven't given up on my dreams of playing in Europe, and every football player wants to compete on a big stage," Jo said. "But for now, I'll concentrate on helping Ulsan win a championship."
Jo Hyeon-woo, new goalkeeper for Ulsan Hyundai FC in the K League 1, speaks during his introductory press conference at the Korea Football Association (KFA) House in Seoul on Feb. 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-05--Olympic champion Hanyu going back to PyeongChang programs at Four Continents

Hanyu , who 's won silver three times at this annual event , will try to end the personal drought @ @ @ @ @ and free programs from the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics .
He 's also coming in @ @ @ @ @ at the Grand Prix Final and the Japanese nationals in December .

SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- In a bid to find himself on the ice, two-time Olympic figure skating champion Yuzuru Hanyu is going back to the programs that netted him a second gold medal two years ago.
The Japanese sensation is in Seoul this week to compete at the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, which feature athletes from Asia, Africa, Oceania and the Americas. Hanyu's glittering resume features two Olympic gold medals, two world titles and four Grand Prix Final victories, but not one Four Continents gold.
Hanyu, who's won silver three times at this annual event, will try to end the personal drought by returning to the short and free programs from the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. He's also coming in having missed out on gold at the Grand Prix Final and the Japanese nationals in December.
Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan trains at Mokdong Ice Rink in Seoul on Feb. 5, 2020, ahead of the International Skating Union's Four Continents Figure Skating Championships. (Yonhap)
He'll skate to Chopin's "Ballade No. 1" in Friday's short program at Mokdong Ice Rink, and then perform his free skate to "Seimei," a soundtrack from the film "Onmyoji."
Asked after Wednesday's practice about the unusual decision to switch programs in midseason, Hanyu said, "I wanted to replicate my performance from PyeongChang."
"After the PyeongChang Olympics, I could feel my heart pounding, and I want to experience that sensation again," he added. "For a while, I've been focusing on the technical side of skating, and I think I've been performing like a machine."
The 25-year-old hasn't slowed down since winning his second Olympic title in PyeongChang, even though he's already accomplished virtually everything a figure skater can.
So how has he been able to stay motivated and driven?
"I've been wanting to do a quadruple axel," Hanyu said of the most challenging quad jump that requires 4 1/2 rotations with a forward takeoff. "I'll keep working at it so that I could pull it off at competitions."
Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan trains at Mokdong Ice Rink in Seoul on Feb. 5, 2020, ahead of the International Skating Union's Four Continents Figure Skating Championships. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-05--More than half of low-income families enjoy cultural event last year

According to the reports by the Ministry of Culture , Sports and Tourism and the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute @ @ @ @ @ with a monthly income of 1 million won ( US $ 840.70 ) or less @ @ @ @ @ or art event in 2019 , sharply up from 42.5 percent in 2018 .

SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- A record number of slightly more than five out of every 10 families in the lowest income bracket paid at least one visit to cultural and art events last year, government reports showed Wednesday.
According to the reports by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute, 51.7 percent of families with a monthly income of 1 million won (US$840.70) or less attended at least one culture or art event in 2019, sharply up from 42.5 percent in 2018.
The corresponding figure for 2016 was 30.9 percent.
It is the first time the rate has passed the 50 percent mark since the survey began, the reports said.
The gap between the corresponding rates for the lowest and highest income brackets, accordingly, narrowed to 40.8 percentage points in 2019 from 58.6 percentage points recorded in 2016.
The overall rate of Koreans who paid at least one visit to museums, concerts or other cultural or art programs last year was 81.8 percent, up slightly from 81.5 percent a year earlier.
The average weekly leisure time for South Koreans, meanwhile, stood at 28.3 hours last year, compared to 27.1 hours a year earlier, a growth that is attributable to a new law passed last year to dramatically cut legal work hours.
The average monthly cost for leisure also posted an increase from 2018's 151,000 won to 156,000 won in 2019, the reports also showed.
Also last year, South Korean employees took 9.9 days off on paid vacation on average, up from 8.5 days recorded in 2017.
Culture Minister Park Yang-woo briefs reporters on Feb. 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-05--(5th LD) S. Korea adds 2 more virus cases at 18, one confirmed after trip to Singapore

The country 's 17th case was informed that one of the people he had contacted in Singapore was infected with @ @ @ @ @ visited a clinic in South Korea on Tuesday and was confirmed to have contracted the @ @ @ @ @ public health agency .

(ATTN: UPDATES with more details in paras 15-17)
SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Wednesday confirmed two more cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing the total here to 18, with one of the latest cases involving a patient who had returned from Singapore amid concerns over the illness spreading from countries other than China.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said a 38-year-old South Korean man who recently visited Singapore for work and came into contact with an infected Malaysian tested positive for the virus.
The country's 17th case was informed that one of the people he had contacted in Singapore was infected with the virus, so he visited a clinic in South Korea on Tuesday and was confirmed to have contracted the illness, according to the public health agency.
The agency said that it has contacted counterparts in both Singapore and Malaysia to determine how he contracted the virus.
A monitor at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, displays information on ways to fight the new coronavirus on Feb. 3, 2020. (Yonhap)
The 18th case is a 21-year-old South Korean woman who is the daughter of the country's 16th patient, who returned from a trip to Thailand on Jan. 19 but moved freely for around two weeks before being diagnosed with the virus.
Of the confirmed cases in South Korea, three are believed to have been infected during stays in countries other than China.
South Korea's 12th case is of a 48-year-old Chinese man who worked as a tour guide in Japan and could have been infected by a Japanese associate.
On a related note, South Korea remained cautious about expanding entry restrictions to people arriving from countries other than China.
Public health authorities said that it will consider the move based on various factors, including more detailed test results from the cases believed to have been infected in countries other than China.
Starting Tuesday, South Korea has been implementing entry restrictions on those arriving from China as the country struggles to fight the potentially fatal disease amid concerns over its further spread.
With the 16th patient suspected of infecting her daughter at a clinic in Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul, those who have been in contact with the 42-year-old South Korean at the facility, including medical staff, were placed in quarantine for close observation.
The patient might have come in contact with 306 people in the country, according to the authorities.
The KCDC said it is tracing the steps of the country's all confirmed cases to determine where they went and the people they may have met, amid growing concerns over further human transmission.
Since Jan. 3, the public health agency has screened 714 people and quarantined 174 people for detailed checks for the novel coronavirus. Some 950 who might have come into contact with infected people are in self-quarantine and monitored carefully for signs of the illness.
The health authorities said they discharged a man from a hospital who recovered after being infected with coronavirus. The 55-year-old South Korean, who had been to the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak, returned home on Jan. 22 and tested positive for the illness.
He was the country's second confirmed case after the first one was reported on Jan. 20, and is the first patient of the 18 infected cases to be released from a hospital.
Also, the person in the country's first case is likely to be released from a hospital on Thursday as the 35-year-old Chinese woman, diagnosed with the illness on Jan. 20, had showed no symptoms of the virus as of Monday, according to the KCDC.
The KCDC said that as of early Wednesday, the virus that is thought to have originated in Wuhan, China, has claimed some 480 lives, while infecting over 23,000 people in 27 countries.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-05--Airlines face severe fallout over coronavirus outbreak: brokerage

SEOUL , Feb. 5 ( Yonhap ) -- The spread of the novel coronavirus is likely to take a particularly @ @ @ @ @ among all South Korean industries , analysts said Wednesday , citing the reduction in the @ @ @ @ @ .

By Chung Joo-won
SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- The spread of the novel coronavirus is likely to take a particularly heavy toll on air carriers among all South Korean industries, analysts said Wednesday, citing the reduction in the number of flights to China.
"The new coronavirus will add another blow to the already-downtrodden travel demand," Eugene Investment & Securities Co. said in its report on the impact of coronavirus on South Korean industries.
"There's a high possibility that efforts to move the suspended China flights to other routes will cause oversupply," it added.
As of Tuesday, Korean Air Lines Co. and seven other carriers have temporarily suspended 57 out of their 100 routes to China due to the coronavirus scare.
The China flights account for about 12 percent of Korean Air's revenue and some 17 percent of Asiana Airlines' sales, according to the air carriers' data.
Eugene Securities analyst Bang Min-jin said a recovery in air travel demand would take a long time even if the coronavirus is contained.
"In the SARS case, the number of travelers dipped only 1.6 percent on-year, yet its impact lingered for another two to three years," Bang said, referring to the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
Bang said that the air carriers are facing worse economic conditions than in 2003 and 2015 when South Korea was hit by the SARS and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), respectively.
The number of travelers here grew 10.7 percent in 2015 despite the MERS fears, Bank of Korea data showed, buoyed by the 7-percent growth in household disposable outcome and the heated competition of low-cost carriers that year.
In the July-September period in 2019, household disposable income rose 1.5 percent from a year earlier, according to data provided by Statistics Korea.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-05--(2nd LD) S. Korea releases first fully recovered coronavirus patient from hospital

The 55-year-old South Korean , who had been to the Chinese city of Wuhan , the epicenter of the novel @ @ @ @ @ on Jan. 22 and tested positive for the illness two days later .
He was @ @ @ @ @ case after the first one was reported on Jan. 20 .

(ATTN: RECASTS headline; UPDATES with more details 6-8)
SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Wednesday discharged a man from hospital who recovered after being infected with coronavirus amid concerns over further spread of the virus, a state-run medical center said.
The 55-year-old South Korean, who had been to the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak, returned home on Jan. 22 and tested positive for the illness two days later. He was the country's second confirmed case after the first one was reported on Jan. 20.
He is also the first patient of the 18 infected cases to be released from a hospital.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said that the man met the conditions to be released after testing negative in consecutive tests. Typically, those diagnosed with infectious diseases are considered to be fully recovered if they test negative twice within a 24-hour span.
The doctor in charge of the man's case said in a press conference that he has completely recovered and poses very little risk of spreading the infection.
The agency said all are in a stable condition and that the person in the country's first case is likely to be released from hospital on Thursday.
The 35-year-old Chinese woman, diagnosed with the illness on Jan. 20, had showed no symptoms of the virus as of Monday.
Health authorities said that while there are rules in place on discharging patients, they listened to expert opinion before deciding to let the man go and that others who meet the criteria will be discharged as well.
The release comes as the country reported two more confirmed cases that brought the total to 18. One of the new infections involved a South Korean man who recently visited Singapore.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-05--UNC approves Seoul's request to enter DMZ for African swine fever assessment

Stressing that it remains committed to building confidence on the Korean Peninsula and continues to work closely with Seoul on @ @ @ @ @ UNC mission '' to support diplomatic efforts for peace , however , the command has @ @ @ @ @ access to the DMZ when the submitted requests do not include all the required information @ @ @ @ @ to unsafe or unsecured areas within the zone .

SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- The United Nations Command (UNC) said Wednesday it approved a request from the South Korean government for entry into the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) to assess the situation of African swine fever (ASF).
Starting Wednesday, officials of the environment ministry will enter the DMZ to assess the spread of the virus, as the UNC "approved this short-notice and urgent access request," the command said in a Facebook post.
"(We) will continue to support ASF containment efforts," it added.
The U.S.-led UNC, which is an enforcer of the armistice agreement that halted the 1950-53 Korean War, has jurisdiction over the area that separates the two Koreas.
So far, a total of 117 domestic and wild pigs have been infected with the deadly virus in South Korea, and most of the confirmed cases have been reported in border areas with North Korea, according to the health authorities here.
Pyongyang reported its first outbreak of ASF at a pig farm near its border with China in May, and the virus has been haunting pig farms across the country as there are currently no vaccines or cures.
Since last year, calls have grown for amendment of UNC regulations on passage through the DMZ, after the UNC reportedly rejected several South Korean requests to access the area for nonmilitary purposes, such as inter-Korean exchanges.
Some critics argue that the UNC lacks the legal basis to restrict access to such access.
Stressing that it remains committed to building confidence on the Korean Peninsula and continues to work closely with Seoul on "all aspects of the UNC mission" to support diplomatic efforts for peace, however, the command has said that it only denies access to the DMZ when the submitted requests do not include all the required information or seek to gain access to unsafe or unsecured areas within the zone.
Quarantine officials enter a pig farm in Yeoncheon, 62 kilometers north of Seoul, on Sept. 18, 2019, as South Korea's second case of African swine fever was confirmed there earlier in the day. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


Yonhap News Summary

The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Wednesday.
----------------
(LEAD) S. Korea releases first fully recovered coronavirus patient from hospital
SEOUL -- South Korea on Wednesday discharged a man from hospital who recovered after being infected with coronavirus amid concerns over further spread of the virus, a state-run medical center said.
The 55-year-old South Korean, who had been to the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak, returned home on Jan. 22 and tested positive for the illness two days later. He was the country's second confirmed case after the first one was reported on Jan. 20.
----------------
(LEAD) Concerns grow over S. Korean exports amid coronavirus crisis
SEOUL -- Concerns are escalating over South Korea's export performance down the road amid the new coronavirus crisis, but officials say no serious fallout has been reported yet.
It is widely feared that the outbreak and spread of the novel coronavirus, which is believed to have originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan, will dampen China's economic growth in the first quarter.
----------------
Trump skips N. Korea in State of the Union speech
WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump made no mention of North Korea in his third State of the Union address Tuesday, amid the stalled denuclearization talks with the communist nation.
It was the first time Trump ignored North Korea in his annual speech. That suggests a realignment of priorities amid an ongoing impeachment trial and reelection campaign.
----------------
Public facilities in capital area closed temporarily to stop spread of coronavirus
SEOUL -- An increasing number of public and welfare facilities in Seoul and the surrounding Gyeonggi Province have been halting operations amid growing fears over the spread of the new coronavirus, officials said Wednesday.
Songpa Ward in southeastern Seoul, for instance, has suspended all culture, sports and hobby programs offered by its 27 community centers for residents and temporarily closed all senior citizen centers in its district, they said.
----------------
(LEAD) Gov't urges universities to postpone start of spring semester as coronavirus spreads
SEOUL -- The government on Wednesday advised universities to postpone the start of the spring semester in its latest efforts to curb the spread of the new coronavirus.
Following a ministerial meeting on support measures for international students, Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae recommended that schools delay classes by up to four weeks.
----------------
U.S. flies two surveillance aircraft on apparent mission to monitor N. Korea
SEOUL -- Two U.S. surveillance aircraft flew over South Korea on Wednesday, an aviation tracker said, spurring speculation that the U.S. may be strengthening its watch over North Korea after detecting unusual activity.
The U.S. Navy's EP-3E was spotted in the skies over South Korea at 25,000 feet, Aircraft Spots tweeted.
----------------
Samsung No. 2 tablet vendor in 2019: data
SEOUL -- Samsung Electronics Co. ranked behind Apple Inc. in the global tablet market last year in terms of shipments, industry data showed Wednesday, as the South Korean tech giant faces tough challenges from its U.S. and Chinese rivals.
Samsung had a 13.6-percent share of the global tablet market last year, with shipments of 21.8 million tablets worldwide, according to data from market researcher Strategy Analytics.
----------------
Samsung tops U.S. home appliances market for 4th consecutive year: data
SEOUL -- Samsung Electronics Co. said Wednesday it topped the U.S. home appliances market for the fourth consecutive year in 2019 due to solid sales of its new and premium products.
Samsung Electronics said it accounted for a record 20.5 percent of the U.S. market for home appliances products last year, citing data compiled by industry tracker Traqline.
(END)


yna--2020-02-05--(LEAD) Carmakers to face heavy output losses if coronavirus outbreak continues

Kia has eight domestic plants -- two in Gwangmyeong , three in Hwaseong and three in Gwangju -- and seven @ @ @ @ @ China and one each in the U.S. , Slovakia , Mexico and India .
Their @ @ @ @ @ million units .

(ATTN: ADDS details in paras 7, 18-21)
By Choi Kyong-ae
SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korean carmakers may face hefty production losses as the rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak is aggravating shortages of parts from China without signs of slowing, industry sources said Wednesday.
The country's five carmakers -- Hyundai Motor Co., Kia Motors Corp., GM Korea Co., SsangYong Motor Co. and Renault Samsung Motors Corp. -- have already suspended some of their assembly lines or are considering halting lines.
In one of the latest developments, Renault Samsung Motors Corp., despite being the least reliant on Chinese auto parts among the five automakers, said it is planning to suspend its sole plant in Busan, 450 kilometers southeast of Seoul, for several days next week, due to a lack of parts.
"We receive some components from our Renault alliance partners (like Nissan Motor) but we may suffer parts shortages next week if parts plants in China do not resume operations on Monday following an extended Lunar New Year break," a Renault Samsung spokesperson said.
The Chinese authorities called on manufacturers to stop operations until Feb. 9, a week after the end of the Lunar New Year's Day holiday, to keep the potentially deadly virus from spreading further.
This undated file photo shows an assembly line of Hyundai Motor plant in Ulsan, 450 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)
Hyundai, the country's biggest carmaker by sales, said it will gradually suspend assembly lines at its seven domestic plants by Friday due to shortages of parts produced by South Korean firms in China.
It is the first time Hyundai has temporarily halted all of its domestic production lines since 1997, when the Asian financial crisis affected local manufacturers and Mando Corp. stopped supplying parts to the carmaker.
Early this week, Kia, which is 34 percent owned by Hyundai, started reducing output at two of its three domestic plants in Hwaseong and Gwangju.
"If auto parts factories in China resume operations on Feb. 10 or 11, production losses from lack of parts will be limited," a Hyundai official said, adding there will likely be heavy output losses from an extended suspension.
If Hyundai's plants remain suspended for five days, it will suffer a production loss of 30,000 vehicles worth between 600 billion won (US$505 million) and 700 billion won, the company estimated.
Hyundai has seven domestic plants -- five in Ulsan, one in Asan and one in Jeonju -- and 10 overseas plants -- four in China and one each in the United States, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Russia, India and Brazil. Their combined capacity reaches 5.5 million vehicles.
Kia has eight domestic plants -- two in Gwangmyeong, three in Hwaseong and three in Gwangju -- and seven overseas ones -- three in China and one each in the U.S., Slovakia, Mexico and India. Their overall capacity is at 3.84 million units.
To minimize any impact from parts shortages, the two carmakers said they are in talks with local auto parts companies that have production facilities at home and abroad for the supply of necessary parts.
"In the case of a prolonged shortage of parts from China, we have asked local parts makers to fully operate their domestic plants, and we plan to buy more components from their plants in Southeast Asia," the official said.
The fallout from the virus could deal a further blow to Hyundai and Kia, which have been struggling with declining sales in China, the world's biggest automobile market, in the past three years.
In 2017, the carmakers' sales were weak there due to the lingering impact of political tensions between Seoul and Beijing over the deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense system, THAAD, in South Korea. Their combined sales in China fell 22 percent to 909,000 vehicles last year from 1,161,000 units a year earlier.
In April 2019, Hyundai shut down one of its five plants in China, and in May, Kia suspended one of its three plants there due to lower demand.
This undated file photo, provided by Hyundai Motor Group, shows Hyundai and Kia's headquarters buildings in southern Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Hyundai Mobis Co., a parts affiliate of Hyundai Motor Group, said Wednesday it began to reduce production of modules as its captive buyers -- Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors -- plan to stop production by Friday.
If the suspension period ends within a week, industry sources expect carmakers will be able to fill the output gap through overtime work.
"But given China accounts for 30 percent of the country's total auto parts imports in terms of value, a prolonged output suspension at carmakers would deal a serious blow to their bottom line this year," Samsung Securities Co. analyst lm Eun-young said over the phone.
Indeed, it is a matter that concerns global manufacturers with production facilities in China, the analyst said, adding that it remains to be seen whether the Chinese government will extend the suspension order or not to this weekend, she said.
Since its emergence in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year, the new coronavirus has killed at least 490 people and infected over 20,000 in China as of Tuesday, with confirmed cases in at least 24 other countries, including the United States.
South Korea has reported 18 confirmed coronavirus cases as of Wednesday.
GM Korea Co. and SsangYong Motor Co. are also being affected by the parts shortages.
Leoni Wiring Systems Korea, Inc., the South Korean unit of German auto parts maker Leoni AG, recently decided to suspend the operation of its wiring plant in China until Sunday, in line with Chinese government policy.
On Tuesday, SsangYong Motor stopped the operation of its sole car assembly plant in Pyeongtaek, 70 km south of Seoul, and will maintain the suspension until Feb. 12 due to the supply crunch.
SsangYong said it will decide whether to extend the period depending on supply conditions in China.
GM Korea said it is closely monitoring the situation involving the novel coronavirus to minimize the impact on production.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-05--(2nd LD) S. Korea to consider further action after entry ban on foreigners from Hubei, says PM

SEOUL , Feb. 5 ( Yonhap ) -- South Korea will take additional measures to contain the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ , after checking the situation not only in China 's Hubei province but also in @ @ @ @ @ minister said Wednesday .

(ATTN: UPDATES with more info throughout)
SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will take additional measures to contain the spread of the new coronavirus, if needed, after checking the situation not only in China's Hubei province but also in other areas, the prime minister said Wednesday.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun's remarks apparently signal that the government could weigh the possibility for expanding its entry ban on foreigners who came from or through the ground-zero Chinese province in the past 14 days.
"The government will take necessary measures by thoroughly checking (the situation) not only in China's Hubei Province but also in its surrounding areas," Chung said at a meeting on the virus among presidential, government and ruling party officials.
"If necessary, the government will support conducting (coronavirus) tests for those who do not travel from China," he added.
To step up quarantine efforts, South Korea began barring foreigners Tuesday who visited or traveled through the Hubei province in the past two weeks. Wuhan, known as the epicenter of the outbreak, is located in the province.
South Korea has reported 18 confirmed cases, of which three patients were infected with the virus after visiting Japan, Thailand and Singapore.
Concerns about the fast spread of the virus are deepening as China has reported at least 490 confirmed deaths and more than 23,500 infected people.
"The government will thoroughly prepare for the possibility that the virus further spreads and the situation is drawn out," Chung said.
The prime minister added that the government will draw up measures to support exporters, the tourism sector and small merchants to help minimize negative impacts from the outbreak on the economy.
The participants in the meeting agreed to mobilize 3.4 trillion won (US$2.9 billion) in reserve funds to swiftly support quarantine efforts and support businesses hit by the outbreak.
But they did not make a decision on whether to impose an additional entry ban on foreign travelers coming from areas in China beyond Hubei.
"The travel ban and special quarantine screening kicked off yesterday," Rep. Hong Ihk-pyo, senior spokesman of the ruling Democratic Party (DP), told a press briefing.
"(Whether to take additional measures) will be a matter to be decided after observing the government's action and China's situation," he added.
The ruling party said it asked the government to extend a deadline for the payment of state taxes and to suspend tax inspections for small firms and exporters affected by the virus.
Meanwhile, the government is said to seek a meeting between the foreign ministers of South Korea and China on the sidelines of a security conference set for next week in Germany.
The move is aimed at making joint efforts to fight the virus outbreak and seeking close consultations over Chinese President Xi Jinping's planned visit to South Korea.
The Munich Security Conference (MSC) is scheduled for Feb. 14-16. China is reportedly seeking to send its top diplomat Wang Yi to the forum.
"The media is raising the possibility that the outbreak may affect Xi's visit to South Korea. But there have been no unusual signs so far," the government said after briefing the participants of the trilateral meeting earlier in the day.
The presidential office Cheong Wa Dae earlier said Xi will visit Seoul in the first half of the year, amid speculation that the South is pushing for his visit between March and April.
It dismissed a news report that Xi's trip will be postponed to June due to the outbreak.
The government also said the coronavirus outbreak has a limited impact on the economy but could deal a blow to the petrochemical, machinery and display sectors.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun (C) speaks at a consultative meeting among presidential, government and ruling party officials at the National Assembly in Seoul on Feb. 5, 2020, over the government's efforts to curb the spread of the new coronavirus. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-05--Over 600 quarantine officials fighting coronavirus at Incheon airport

Under the temporary entry ban , all foreign travelers who have been to Hubei , the epicenter of the novel @ @ @ @ @ past two weeks are prohibited from entering the country .
Holders of a passport issued @ @ @ @ @ denied entry here , while visas issued by the South Korean Consulate General in Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ , are temporarily suspended .

INCHEON, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Wednesday deployed over 600 quarantine officials at Incheon International Airport, the nation's top airport west of Seoul, struggling to maintain effective defense against the spiraling coronavirus outbreak on the second day of the enforcement of an entry ban for non-Korean travelers from China's Hubei Province.
According to the authorities, a total of 612 quarantine inspectors, including those dispatched from the military and police, were mobilized to the Incheon airport on the day to carry out multiple phases of screening for all passengers flying in from China.
The Incheon Airport National Quarantine Station said almost all its employees, totaling 133, were ordered to work alongside 221 personnel from the military, 76 from the police and 132 from Incheon International Airport Corp.
Passengers arriving from China register their domestic contact details with South Korean officials at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, on Feb. 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
Under the temporary entry ban, all foreign travelers who have been to Hubei, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak, over the past two weeks are prohibited from entering the country. Holders of a passport issued in Hubei province are also denied entry here, while visas issued by the South Korean Consulate General in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei, are temporarily suspended.
On Tuesday, a total of 8,956 passengers arrived in Incheon from China and not a single case of entry denial was reported. A similar number of passengers departing from China is expected to land at the airport on Wednesday. Prior to the virus outbreak, the Incheon airport received a daily average of around 20,000 passengers from China.
Like the first day, all the passengers from China were instructed to undergo lengthy quarantine and immigration procedures, including examination of body temperatures and respiratory symptoms and verification of domestic contact details, at the airport's three China-only arrival areas.
"It cannot be said that the number of quarantine officers at the Incheon airport is sufficient. Thanks to the support personnel from various other government offices, however, the quarantine screening and other operations have proceeded relatively smoothly," said a quarantine officer.
Passengers arriving from China head to China-only arrival areas at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, on Feb. 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
"In particular, we have felt a bit relieved as the number of arrivals from China has more than halved."
At around 11 a.m., flights from Shanghai, Wuxi and Nanjing successively landed. All passengers went through health screenings and had their domestic addresses and phone numbers verified before being issued a quarantine certificate.
Few passengers complained about the lengthy quarantine and immigration procedures.
A Chinese woman, who arrived from Nanjing, praised South Korea's reinforced quarantine system, saying,"Three to four procedures have been increased from before. But all the procedures were implemented very fast and I didn't feel any inconvenience."
Another Chinese national who arrived from Wuxi with his daughters also expressed satisfaction at South Korea's quarantine procedures. "I didn't feel any inconvenience during quarantine screening. Airport officials also played a good job in guiding us through the labyrinthine airport," the Chinese national said.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-05--(LEAD) S. Korea releases first fully recovered coronavirus patient from hospital

Health authorities said that they listened to expert opinion before deciding to let the man go and that others who @ @ @ @ @ discharged as well .
Those who have contracted the new virus are in a stable @ @ @ @ @ health authorities .

(ATTN: RECASTS headline; UPDATES with more details 4-6)
SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Wednesday discharged a man from hospital who recovered after being infected with coronavirus amid concerns over further spread of the virus, a state-run medical center said.
The 55-year-old South Korean, who had been to the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak, returned home on Jan. 22 and tested positive for the illness two days later. He was the country's second confirmed case after the first one was reported on Jan. 20.
He is also the first patient of the 18 infected cases to be released from a hospital.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said that the man met the conditions to be released after testing negative in consecutive tests. Typically, those diagnosed with infectious diseases are considered to be fully recovered if they test negative twice within a 24-hour span.
The doctor in charge of the man's case said in a press conference that he has completely recovered and poses very little risk of spreading the infection.
Health authorities said that they listened to expert opinion before deciding to let the man go and that others who meet the criteria will be discharged as well. Those who have contracted the new virus are in a stable condition, according to the health authorities.
The release comes as the country reported two more confirmed cases that brought the total to 18. One of the new infections involved a South Korean man who recently visited Singapore.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-05--Poongsan 2019 net income down 71.6 pct. to 17.6 bln won

The company said in a regulatory filing that operating profit for the year fell 61.7 percent on-year to 41.1 billion @ @ @ @ @ 11.6 percent to 2.45 trillion won .

SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- Poongsan Corp. on Wednesday reported its 2019 net profit of 17.6 billion won (US$ 14.8 million), down 71.6 percent from a year earlier.
The company said in a regulatory filing that operating profit for the year fell 61.7 percent on-year to 41.1 billion won. Annual revenue decreased 11.6 percent to 2.45 trillion won.
※ This article was generated by Yonhap's proprietary algorithm using data from Yonhap Infomax and Korea Exchange(KRX).
(END)


yna--2020-02-05--Poongsan Q4 net income up 147.7 pct. to 7.8 bln won

The operating profit was 30.8 percent higher than the average estimate , according to the survey by Yonhap Infomax , @ @ @ @ @ Yonhap News Agency .
The estimate of net profit was not available .

SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- Poongsan Corp. on Wednesday reported its fourth-quarter net income of 7.8 billion won (US$ 6.6 million), up 147.7 percent from a year earlier.
The company said in a regulatory filing that it posted 16.7 billion won in operating profit for the quarter, compared with 19.3 billion won a year ago. Revenue fell 4.2 percent to 706.4 billion won.
The operating profit was 30.8 percent higher than the average estimate, according to the survey by Yonhap Infomax, the financial data firm of Yonhap News Agency. The estimate of net profit was not available.
※ This article was generated by Yonhap's proprietary algorithm using data from Yonhap Infomax and Korea Exchange(KRX).
(END)


yna--2020-02-05--Deputy FM holds talks with Myanmarese counterpart on bilateral ties

In his meeting with Soe Han , permanent secretary at Myanmar 's foreign ministry , Kim expressed pleasure that the @ @ @ @ @ another level since the leaders of the two countries made trips to each other 's @ @ @ @

SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Kim Gunn met with his Myanmarese counterpart Wednesday and discussed bilateral ties and other issues of mutual concern, the foreign ministry said.
In his meeting with Soe Han, permanent secretary at Myanmar's foreign ministry, Kim expressed pleasure that the bilateral relationship has improved to another level since the leaders of the two countries made trips to each other's countries last year.
President Moon Jae-in paid a state visit to the Southeast Asian nation in September, and Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi traveled to the southern city of Busan in November for the South Korea-ASEAN summit.
Noting that South Koreans' trips to Myanmar sharply increased last year since Myanmar renewed the visa-waiver program, the two sides held out hopes for more people-to-people exchanges to take place going forward.
They also agreed to actively cooperate to move various development projects forward that are currently under way, including the construction of an industrial complex in Yangon.
In Wednesday's talks, Kim also thanked his counterpart for Myanmar's continued support for Seoul's peace efforts toward denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, according to the ministry.
Kim Gunn (R), deputy foreign minister for political affairs, shakes hands with his Myanmarese counterpart Soe Han ahead of their talks in Seoul, in this photo provided by the foreign ministry on Feb. 5, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-05--(LEAD) Seoul stocks up for 2nd day on China's stimulus

`` The Chinese government has obviously taken some steps to stabilize the volatile financial markets .
Investors are taking a @ @ @ @ @ though the risk to global growth remains , '' Noh Dong-kil , an analyst at @ @ @ @ @ , said .

(ATTN: ADDS photo and bond yields at bottom)
SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares ended higher for second straight session on Wednesday as investors took a cue from China's stimulus plans to support growth amid the fast-spreading coronavirus. The Korean won fell against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 7.73 points, or 0.36 percent, to 2,165.63, posting its first back-to-back daily gain since Jan. 20 when the index rose for a third straight session. The main index plunged 5.7 percent last week.
Trade volume was moderate at 563 million shares worth 7.5 trillion won (US$6.3 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 484 to 342.
Investors took solace from Beijing's steps to inject cash into financial markets and add stimulus measures to shore up its economy, analysts said.
This photo taken on Feb. 5. 2020 shows a broker wearing a mask at the dealing room of KEB Hana Bank in Myeongdon, central Seoul. (Yonhap)
"The Chinese government has obviously taken some steps to stabilize the volatile financial markets. Investors are taking a positive cue from the moves though the risk to global growth remains," Noh Dong-kil, an analyst at NH Investment & Securities Co., said.
Foreigners and individuals bought a combined 890 billion won worth of stocks, offsetting institutional selling valued at 909 billion won.
Since emerging the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year, the new coronavirus has killed at least 490 and infected more than 20,000 people in China as of Tuesday and reached 24 countries, including the U.S.
South Korea has reported 18 confirmed coronavirus cases as of Wednesday.
In Seoul, tech, steel and airline stocks led gains.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics Co. rose 1 percent to 59,500 won, No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix Inc. climbed 0.6 percent to 97,700 won, leading steelmaker POSCO gained 0.2 percent to 214,500 won, and national flag carrier Korean Air Lines Co. was up 1 percent to 26,000 won.
Among losers, No. 1 auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis Co. fell 1.1 percent to 227,000 won, No. 2 carmaker Kia Motors Corp. declined 2.1 percent to 39,400 won and leading wireless services provider SK Telecom Co. declined 0.7 percent to 225,000 won.
The local currency closed at 1,191.50 won to the dollar, up down 4.10 won from the previous session's close.
Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed higher. The yield on three-year Treasurys fell 2.4 basis points to 1.307 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bond declined 3.0 basis points to reach 1.412 percent.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--Seoul stocks open higher on U.S. gains, efforts to stop coronavirus

Since the outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year , the new coronavirus has killed over 560 @ @ @ @ @ people in China as of Thursday and reached 24 countries , including the U.S .

SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- Seoul stocks opened higher Thursday, taking a cue from overnight gains on Wall Street on strong U.S. economic data and hopes for containment of the new coronavirus.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 20.77 points, or 1 percent, to 2,186.40 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Strong U.S. jobs data in January and China's plan to stabilize its financial markets with a cash injection, and the country's stimulus measures to support growth, helped ease risk sentiment, analysts said.
They said news reports on possible vaccines for the virus also buoyed investor sentiment, though the World Health Organization said there are no proven treatments.
Foreigners continued to buy local stocks and institutions turned net buyers, underpinning the KOSPI index. Foreigners and institutions bought a combined 33 billion won (US$28 million) worth of stocks, offsetting 32 billion won stocks sold by individuals.
Since the outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year, the new coronavirus has killed over 560 and infected more than 20,000 people in China as of Thursday and reached 24 countries, including the U.S.
South Korea had reported 23 confirmed coronavirus cases as of Thursday.
Large-cap stocks advanced across the board.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics Co. rose 0.8 percent, No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix Inc. climbed 0.8 percent, top carmaker Hyundai Motor Co. gained 3.2 percent and leading steelmaker POSCO was up 4.2 percent.
Among decliners, leading chemical firm LG Chem Ltd. fell 2.2 percent, and cosmetics firm AmorePacific Corp. fell 1.4 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,183.40 won against the U.S. dollar, up 8.10 won from the previous session's close.
(END)


Thursday's weather forecast

SEOUL , Feb. 06 ( Yonhap ) -- The following is the weather forecast for South Korea 's 12 major @ @ @ @ @ .

(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--2020-02-06--Trump's commitment to N.K. talks unaffected by domestic politics: O'Brien

`` There 's an utter disregard on his part for U.S. domestic politics when it comes to doing what 's @ @ @ @ @ , '' the U.S. national security adviser said , referring to the president .
`` @ @ @ @ @ 's right for the American people , whether it 's popular , unpopular , risky @ @ @ @ @ up until the day of the election . ''

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump will remain committed to denuclearization talks with North Korea regardless of U.S. domestic politics, his national security adviser was quoted as saying Wednesday.
In a meeting with foreign ambassadors and reporters in Washington, Robert O'Brien also urged Pyongyang to return to the stalled talks, saying North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had made a commitment to denuclearization, according to the Voice of America.
"There's an utter disregard on his part for U.S. domestic politics when it comes to doing what's right for the American people," the U.S. national security adviser said, referring to the president. "He'll be doing what's right for the American people, whether it's popular, unpopular, risky, not risky, right up until the day of the election."
This AFP file photo shows U.S. National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien. (Yonhap)
The Senate on Wednesday acquitted Trump of charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. That ended the president's impeachment trial.
"We don't take any notice of the domestic political calendar," O'Brien said, according to VOA. "We just try and get wins for the American people."
Asked by South Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Lee Soo-hyuck whether he thinks the North will return to negotiations before the November presidential election in the United States, O'Brien apparently dodged a direct answer.
"We hope they will come back to the table, and then come back to Sweden and meet with us," he said, according to a press release from the South Korean Embassy.
The U.S. and North Korea last held working-level negotiations in Sweden in October. After the talks, Pyongyang accused Washington of coming empty-handed and insisted that the U.S. come up with an acceptable offer by the end of the year.
That deadline passed with the two countries still apart on how to match the North's denuclearization steps with U.S. concessions, including sanctions relief.
"Chairman Kim made the commitment to denuclearize the North Korean peninsula," VOA quoted O'Brien as saying, referring to the agreement reached between Trump and Kim at their first summit in June 2018.
"If I was in the North Korean foreign service or otherwise, I would certainly want to implement the commitment of Chairman Kim," he continued. "Not to do so would seem to be, at a minimum, career eliminating."
O'Brien held out hope for a denuclearized Korean Peninsula.
"Kim Jong-un has not lived up to the promises he made in Singapore, the commitment he made to denuclearize North Korea," he said. "But we're going to continue doing the hard work of diplomacy."
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)


KOSPI 2,184.77 UP 19.14 points (open)


KOSDAQ 665.94 UP 4.62 points (open)


yna--2020-02-06--Dollar opens at 1,184.0 won DN from 1,191.5 won


yna--2020-02-06--(Yonhap Feature) With diverse mandates, new minor parties spring up ahead of April elections

He vowed to pay 1.5 million won per month to each person aged over 20 after saving half of the @ @ @ @ @ seeks to move the United Nations headquarters to the inter-Korean border truce village of Panmunjom @

By Kim Soo-yeon
SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- Lee Woong-jin, chief of South Korean matchmaking company Sunoo, has an ambitious plan to set up a political party this month, focused on addressing the nagging problem of the low birth rate.
Lee has publicly vowed to tackle young people's reluctance to tie the knot and the country's low birth rate as he prepares to establish the Marriage for Future Party for the April parliamentary elections.
"Targeting the voter groups of singles and married couples, the envisioned party will focus on down-to-earth activities, armed with experts on women, youth and family issues," Lee said.
This image, provided by Yonhap News TV, shows the names of minor parties being under preparation for the establishment for the April elections. (Yonhap)
In the run-up to the April 15 elections, new minor parties and organizations preparing to create political parties have sprung up.
The number of political parties registered with the National Election Commission, the election watchdog, reached 39 as of Wednesday. The number of groups preparing to set up parties came to 22.
The figure compared with 26 parties recorded right before the general elections in April 2016.
The main reason for the current boom has its roots in the National Assembly's passage of an electoral reform bill that centers on adopting a new proportional representation (PR) system.
"There is an increase in smaller parties that seek to cater to specific voters with diverse mandates as existing political parties cannot accommodate people's various demands," Ko Jin-dong, a political analyst, said.
"Against this backdrop, the revised election law has served as a catalyst for the emergence of minor parties," he said.
South Korean politics are traditionally dominated by two major political parties. The current single-member district scheme benefits mostly large parties, stifling the growth of minor parties, critics say.
In late December, the National Assembly passed an electoral reform bill to introduce a mixed-member proportional representation scheme and lower the voting age, after months of political wrangling.
Under the new election rules, the number of directly elected seats and PR slots will remain unchanged at 253 and 47, respectively, in the 300-member National Assembly.
But the method of distributing PR seats will be changed in a way that better reflects votes cast to parties. This could work favorably for minor parties underrepresented in politics.
This photo taken on June 13, 2018, shows South Koreans casting their ballots for local elections. (Yonhap)
Groups seeking to establish political parties have unveiled various eye-catching -- sometimes even eccentric -- campaign pledges to attract supporters. Their proposed party names clearly represent what they pursue.
Sunoo chairman Lee unveiled measures to encourage more Koreans to get hitched as a prolonged economic slowdown is holding young people back from getting married. He is eyeing six PR seats in the upcoming elections.
His envisioned party pledged to provide free matchmaking services to all people and offer "wedding incentives" worth 30 million won (US$25,316). It plans to support rental apartments for newlyweds for a maximum of 10 years, depending on income levels, and to build some 1,000 public nurseries for dual-income families.
Huh Kyung-young, a former presidential candidate who claims to have an IQ of 430, established the National Revolutionary Dividends Party last year and unveiled a list of unconventional pledges.
He vowed to pay 1.5 million won per month to each person aged over 20 after saving half of the national budget. He also seeks to move the United Nations headquarters to the inter-Korean border truce village of Panmunjom.
Kwon Ki-jae, who once headed an environmental civic group, plans to set up "Let's Go! Green Party" to promote the reduction of waste and protect the environment.
"To resolve the waste issue, we will have lawmakers specializing in environmental issues sit on the parliamentary environment committee," Kwon said.
A scandal involving former Justice Minister Cho Kuk prompted a group that claims to be disillusioned with "corrupt liberals and brazen conservatives" to prepare to create the Brand New Party. The group said it consists of people aged in their 20-40s.
A panel seeking to launch the Nuclear Party pledged to have the country withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and push for building nuclear weapons in a bid to counter North Korea's nuclear arsenal.
This image, provided by Yonhap News TV, shows the main building of the National Assembly in Seoul. (Yonhap)
Despite their ambitious goals, experts cast doubts about the possibility for minor parties to win parliamentary seats in the upcoming elections.
"Voters may sympathize with minor parties' campaign pledges. But it is a different matter as to whether voters will actually cast ballots for them," analyst Ko said.
Under the election rules, PR slots will be only distributed to a political party that garners more than 3 percent of popular votes cast to parties.
In 2016 parliamentary elections, 16 small parties, including Green Party Korea, won less than 1 percent of the vote, excluding the Christian Liberty Party with 2.63 percent.
Kim Chae-seung, a 32-year-old office worker, said he thinks it is natural for small parties to operate in a democratic society.
"But including me, many people are not likely to vote for such parties. Their emergence will have a marginal impact on the elections," he added.
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--(LEAD) S. Korea reports 4 more cases of novel coronavirus, total now at 23

Since Jan. 3 , the public health agency has screened hundreds of people and quarantined over 170 people for detailed @ @ @ @ @ .
Some 950 who might have come into contact with infected people are in self-quarantine @ @ @ @ @ of the illness .

(ATTN: ADDS more info from para 3, photo)
SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Thursday confirmed four more cases of novel coronavirus infections, bringing the total here to 23, with the latest patients all being placed under quarantine.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said of the four new cases, three are believed to be person-to-person transmissions involving South Korean nationals, with the other one being a Chinese woman who arrived in the country on Jan. 23.
The 20th patient is a 41-year-old woman who is a family member of a man who visited Wuhan, the epicenter of the latest outbreak, and confirmed to have been infected Sunday.
The 21st case is a 59-year-old woman who came into contact with the country's sixth patient, who in turn got the illness from a person who recently visited China. This person also infected his wife and son.
The 22nd person is a family member of the 16th patient who had visited Thailand recently.
The KCDC said that all three South Koreans had been in self-quarantine before being diagnosed with the virus.
The public health agency said it is tracing the steps of the latest confirmed cases. More details on the four cases will be made available as soon as possible.
Since Jan. 3, the public health agency has screened hundreds of people and quarantined over 170 people for detailed checks for the novel coronavirus. Some 950 who might have come into contact with infected people are in self-quarantine and monitored carefully for signs of the illness.
A notice placed on the entrance of the Seoul Medical Center on Feb. 4, 2020, informs people that it will restrict visitors from seeing patients to reduce the risk of people contracting the novel conronavirus. (Yonhap)
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)