yna--2020-07-01--Beaches open nationwide amid coronavirus jitters

Perennial music and dance festivals and other events , which used to attract thousands of local and foreign spectators to @ @ @ @ @ be held this year .
The Busan International Rock Festival hosted by the port city @ @ @ @ @ & Sea Festival are among those festivals canceled .
The Boryeong Mud Festival held annually @ @ @ @ @ on the west coast will be scaled down into an online festival .

SEOUL/JEJU, July 1 (Yonhap) -- Beaches across South Korea formally opened for the summer holiday season Wednesday, but vacationers are obliged to comply with strict disinfection and social distancing rules to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Some 270 beaches nationwide began to welcome visitors under strict COVID-19 guidelines, including a two-meter distance between parasols and tents, restrictions on the use of shower booths, avoiding physical contact with others and wearing a face mask when not in the water.
Unlike in the past, opening ceremonies were skipped at almost all public beaches. Instead civil servants concentrated their administrative capabilities on implementing the disinfection of beach facilities and other quarantine rules to minimize the risks of virus infections.
Vacationers keep a distance from one another at Hyeopjae Beach of Jeju Island on its opening day, July 1, 2020. (Yonhap)
In Busan, a southeastern port city 450 kilometers southeast of Seoul, seven public beaches formally opened to the public on the day after two of them -- Haeundae Beach and Songjeong Beach -- were partially operational in June.
At Haeundae, one of the country's most visited beaches, the number of parasols was reduced from 4,200 last year to 1,800 under the social distancing campaign, with each parasol numbered to track its users in case of epidemiological needs. Haeundae Beach will suspend night swimming this year, which has been permitted since 2016.
The operator of Songjeong Beach also cut down the number of parasols from 1,050 to 450, while visitors to Imrang Beach and Ilgwang Beach are asked to set up private tents more than 2 meters apart.
Visitors to all the seven Busan beaches are required to get fever checks and offer personal details before renting parasols and other beach items. Public baths and shower booths have designated waiting lines with 2-meter intervals.
Perennial music and dance festivals and other events, which used to attract thousands of local and foreign spectators to beaches nationwide, will not be held this year. The Busan International Rock Festival hosted by the port city annually and the Ulsan Shipbuilding & Sea Festival are among those festivals canceled. The Boryeong Mud Festival held annually in summer at Daecheon Beach on the west coast will be scaled down into an online festival.
Parasols are installed 2 meters apart on Gwangalli Beach in Busan on its formal opening day, July 1, 2020. (Yonhap)
Jeju Island, the southern resort island, also opened its 11 beaches to the public Wednesday, imposing social distancing measures for beachgoers.
Authorities already installed parasols, sun shelters and seasonal restaurant tables at 2-meter intervals at the 11 beaches and asked restaurant customers to sit in one direction without facing each other to minimize contact.
Night swimming will be banned at the Jeju beaches, except for the Iho Tewoo, Samyang and Hamdeok beaches that will remain open until 8 a.m. at the request of residents.
"I was surprised to see so many vacationers on the beach on a weekday morning. When the peak tourist season comes, it may be difficult to keep a distance from others," said a Gyeonggi Province resident who visited Hyeopjae Beach with his family.
The resident, who identified himself as 41-year-old Kim, and other visitors confessed that it is very difficult to wear masks under the sun. Many vacationers were seen taking off their masks even before setting foot on the sand.
"I feel much warmer wearing a mask on my salty face after getting out of the water. Nevertheless, I keep wearing a mask because it is the rule," said another tourist.
At some crowded beaches in Jeju, fever checks and personal information registration were not thoroughly enforced.
In other parts of the country, local authorities have devised a number of innovative measures to fight the coronavirus. They include a reservation system for 14 beaches in the southwestern province of South Jeolla, mandatory fever checks and wrist bands for beach visitors, and the installation of signal lamps to show the degree of crowdedness.
"A larger number of vacationers than in the past are expected to visit beaches across the country this summer, as overseas travel is virtually impossible due to the spread of the coronavirus. The local government will do its utmost to stem the spread of the virus by taking thorough quarantine measures," said an official at the South Chungcheong provincial government.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-01--Doosan Bobcat set to be on a roll; bumpy road in place for others

SEOUL , July 1 ( Yonhap ) -- Small-sized construction equipment maker Doosan Bobcat Inc. is set to fare well @ @ @ @ @ the year on the back of a rebound in the construction markets in the United @ @ @ @ @ its weak performances in the first half , analysts said Wednesday .

By Nam Kwang-sik
SEOUL, July 1 (Yonhap) -- Small-sized construction equipment maker Doosan Bobcat Inc. is set to fare well in the second half of the year on the back of a rebound in the construction markets in the United States and Europe, following its weak performances in the first half, analysts said Wednesday.
Doosan Bobcat may get a boost from the budding signs of a recovery in the United States' recent economic indicators, according to Choe Kwang-sik and Jeong Ji-hoon, analysts at HI Investment Securities Co.
Sales of new homes in the world's largest economy rose by 16.6 percent in May from the previous month and 13 percent on-year.
Doosan Bobcat delivered weak business results in the first quarter of the year on decreased demand caused by COVID-19.
It posted 33.5 billion won (US$27.5 million) in net profit in the first quarter of the year, more than halved from a year earlier. In the second quarter, the company's net income is forecast to fall 63 percent to 30 billion won from a year ago, according to the report.
This photo provided by Doosan Bobcat shows the compact tractor CT4045 built by the company. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Despite brisk sales of its excavators in China, other local construction equipment makers Doosan Infracore Co. and Hyundai Construction Equipment Co. are expected to face difficulties in the second half due to a weak run in other key markets such as Brazil and India, the analysts said.
Doosan Infracore saw its sales of excavators in China nearly double to 2,166 excavators in May from a year earlier, while Hyundai Construction Equipment Co. sold 923 excavators, up 44 percent over the cited period, according to the data provided by the China Construction Machinery Association.
ksnam@yna.co.kr
(END)


Yonhap News Summary

Cheong Wa Dae has already conveyed Moon 's idea to the White House in their `` close communication '' especially @ @ @ @ @ of an inter-Korean liaison office in its border city of Kaesong in mid-June , according @ @ @ @

The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Wednesday.
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(LEAD) Seoul stocks edge down over Hong Kong security law
SEOUL -- South Korean shares closed a tad lower Wednesday, erasing earlier gains amid rising U.S.-China tensions over a new security law in Hong Kong imposed by China's central government. The Korean won fell against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 1.63 points, or 0.08 percent, to close at 2,106.70. Trading volume was moderate at about 1.1 billion shares worth some 10.1 trillion won (US$8.4 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 482 to 356.
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(LEAD) Moon hopes Trump to meet N.K. leader before November election: Cheong Wa Dae
SEOUL -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in hopes that U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will meet each other again ahead of the Nov. 3 U.S. presidential election in order to reactivate the Korea peace process, a senior Cheong Wa Dae official said Wednesday.
Cheong Wa Dae has already conveyed Moon's idea to the White House in their "close communication" especially following the North's demolition of an inter-Korean liaison office in its border city of Kaesong in mid-June, according to the official.
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(LEAD) USFK commander calls for major combined drills against evolving N.K. threats
SEOUL -- South Korea and the United States should continue to stage large-scale combined military exercises in the face of North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile capabilities, U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) commander Gen. Robert Abrams said Wednesday.
In a speech during a forum held in Seoul, Abrams also noted that more work needs to be done for the planned transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) of South Korean forces from Washington to Seoul.
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(LEAD) Infection cases at Daejeon school unnerve education authorities
DAEJEON -- Three infection cases of school kids in Daejeon have sent officials and educators to scurry for measures to curb transmission among young children Wednesday, as they might be the country's first school transmissions.
Three fifth-graders at Cheondong Elementary School in Daejeon, about 160 kilometers south of Seoul, were confirmed to have tested positive for the new coronavirus, according to city officials.
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Auto sales fall 22 pct in H1 amid pandemic
SEOUL -- South Korea's vehicle sales fell 22 percent in the January-June period from a year earlier, as the new coronavirus outbreak continued to affect the automobile industry, industry data showed Wednesday.
The five carmakers in South Korea -- Hyundai Motor Co., Kia Motors Corp., GM Korea Co., Renault Samsung Motors Corp. and SsangYong Motor Co. -- sold a combined 3,033,798 vehicles in the first half, down from 3,866,229 units a year ago, according to data from the companies.
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Students file suit for tuition cuts as pandemic disrupts learning
SEOUL -- South Korean university students have joined together to file a class action lawsuit against the Ministry of Education and schools, seeking partial tuition refunds for disruptions to learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Movement for Tuition Refunds, a student group formed by the National University Student Council, held a press briefing on Wednesday in front of the Seoul Central District Court to call on universities to refund part of their spring tuition.
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KBO's hope to bring back fans hits snag with spike in virus cases
SEOUL -- The South Korean baseball league may have to wait a few more days before reopening its stadiums to fans again due to a recent spike in novel coronavirus cases in a southern metropolitan city.
Gwangju, located 330 kilometers south of Seoul and home of the Kia Tigers in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), raised its social distancing intensity from Level 1 to Level 2 on Wednesday.
(END)


yna--2020-07-01--(News Focus) Reckoning with cultural diversity imperative in K-pop moving beyond : observers

`` K-pop agencies should enlist the idea of 'cultural sensitivity training ' amongst their employees and artists .
By doing @ @ @ @ @ should scout out the help of U.S. ( and other counties ) social justice leaders @ @ @ @ @ the basics of insensitive racial actions , '' she said .

By Chang Dong-woo
SEOUL, July 1 (Yonhap) -- In the past several weeks, global fans of K-pop came under a sudden burst of collective observation by the international media, with a wave of positive coverage depicting K-pop fans as agents of change amid a series of high-profile cases of political activism related to the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement in the United States.
While the general validation of K-pop fans as enablers of social justice was, for the most part, received as a cause for celebration within the fan community at large, the K-pop industry itself hasn't exactly had a sterling track record when it comes to proper recognition of cultural diversity and representation.
Is K-pop industry moving on from its cultural appropriation? Youtube https://youtu.be/Yi9uKVz_80Y
It continues to struggle with issues of racial stereotypes and cultural misappropriations to this day.
Case in point: the highly popular music video for "How You Like That" by BLACKPINK, one of the biggest K-pop girl groups today, came under scrutiny by Indian fans for using a small statue of the elephant-headed Hindu deity Lord Ganesha as a prop.
A publicity file photo of K-pop act BLACKPINK, provided by YG Entertainment (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The statue appeared for a split second on the floor in a scene where member Lisa sings seated on a large arm chair. Indian viewers were quick to point out that not only was it offensive to use the Lord Ganesh statue as a prop but placing it on the floor next to a person's feet was seen as disrespectful.
"Ok. This is really making me angry. But how can you use my culture as one of your damn aesthetics. We Hindus do not deserve this disrespect," Twitter user @Got7_Jolly wrote Saturday, a day after the video was released on YouTube.
YG Entertainment, BLACKPINK's management agency, on Tuesday uploaded a new edit of the video, this time with the deity statue cropped out. The company did not issue a statement on the re-upload.
K-pop group IZ*ONE also faced a controversy last month, when it released a teaser for the "Secret Story of the Swan" music video. In the teaser, group leader Eunbi appeared wearing a gem on her forehead, with some international fans alleging it was an ill-conceived misappropriation of a bindi from Hindu culture.
In an apparent acknowledgement of the online hoopla, the gem was edited out from the final music video, which ended up being released a day later from its originally announced date of June 15.
The BLACKPINK and IZ*ONE incidents may be seen as relatively light-hearted compared to more blatant mishaps from K-pop stars in the past.
A publicity file photo of IZ*ONE, provided by Off the Record (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
In 2017, Mamamoo faced strong online backlash after putting on dark makeup while covering Bruno Mars' "Uptown Funk" during the group's concert, upsetting black fans. The quartet later issued an apology, saying, "We were extremely ignorant of blackface and did not understand the implications of our actions."
Red Velvet singer Wendy also took heat from international black fans in 2018 when doing an exaggerated impression of how black women in America spoke on South Korean television.
Momoland, which recently signed with ICM Partners to broaden its presence abroad, also came under fire for the 2018 music video of "Baam," which was filled with scenes depicting various cultures in stereotypes.
Researchers of Korean pop culture denote the fine but distinct line between cultural appropriation and appreciation, and how important it is to distinguish one from the other.
"Appropriation borrows from another culture in order to elevate the person who takes; appreciation borrows from another culture with permission in order to elevate the culture and people from whom they're borrowing," David Oh, an associate professor of communication arts at Ramapo College in New Jersey, told Yonhap News Agency in a recent email interview.
Oh added, "Appropriation might even mock the people they're taking from with racial caricatures and stereotypes. This is never right."
In today's climate of ever-growing demands for political correctness, it is imperative that the K-pop industry increase its recognition of diversity and appreciation of different cultures, Oh argues.
"If K-pop wants to cultivate its relationship to its fans, then it needs to have a matching progressive vision. If Korea wants to continue to gain worldwide esteem and soft power, then it can do this, in part, by differentiating itself as a progressive leader in the world."
CedarBough Saeji, a visiting assistant professor of Korean Culture at Indiana University, predicted that future race-related missteps within the industry would end up having a bigger negative impact than ever before.
"Although diehard fans may continue to excuse anything an idol does, entertainment companies and the idols themselves should be aware that race-related missteps such as those seen in the past will have a larger negative reaction than ever before," Saeiji predicted.
Unlike K-pop super fans at home and overseas, who often organize group charity events in the name of idols and projects to raise awareness on social issues, K-pop artists and the industry, along with the broader Korean entertainment scene at large, have traditionally kept politics at arm's length.
This image, captured on June 4, 2020, from BTS' Twitter account, shows the K-pop band's message on the Black Lives Matter movement. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Voicing convictions and taking political stands have often led to stars being stigmatized and sidelined from major projects, as seen in the "blacklist" scandal in which the previous conservative government drafted a secret list of artists critical of the administration to disadvantage them in various ways.
But through the course of BLM in the U.S., some K-pop companies have entered what some may consider as an awakening phase -- officially recognizing and addressing for the first time non-music and non-entertainment issues that politically and philosophically affect fans of K-pop.
Mega K-pop group BTS and its management agency Big Hit Entertainment took a public stand, showing support toward the BLM civil rights movement and donating US$1 million to the cause. SM Entertainment, arguably the most consequential company in laying the foundation for today's K-pop, also released a public statement on BLM last month.
"We stand with our Black collaborators, friends and fans and all who are speaking out to insist that Black Lives Matter," SM, the company behind EXO, NCT 127, TVXQ, SHINee and Red Velvet, said in an English-language statement on June 19.
A publicity file photo of American pop singer Alexandra Reid, a former member of K-pop girl group BP Rania. Photo Provided by DR Music. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)
American pop singer Alexandra Reid, a former member of K-pop girl group BP Rania, said that K-pop companies would benefit from having designated cultural liaisons to educate artists and creative teams within agencies.
"From living over there, I see how a lot of it isn't malicious, and they truly don't know better. Korea is so homogenous that they aren't exposed to other races and a lot of times they have sadly only been exposed to the stereotypes of black people," Reid told Yonhap News Agency in an email interview.
Reid was the first-ever African American female K-pop idol active in Korea for almost two years from November 2015.
As a black artist who worked in an industry predominantly homogeneous, Reid remembers being praised as a trailblazer and a source of motivation for fans to chase their dreams.
At the same time, she also recalls encountering offensive comments on the internet over her race from time to time.
"There were racial slurs thrown at me, comments that I just didn't look right on a K-pop stage and would never fit in and even that I was ruining K-pop."
Despite some of her negative experiences in South Korea, Reid still sees K-pop as "truly the ultimate pop."
"If I can open that door for all shades and colors, then that's the greatest accomplishment I could ever hope for," said Reid.
Some international K-pop fans of color also ask that Korean entertainment companies implement corporate policies to better educate artists on cultural issues that are sensitive.
"Hire experts to teach regular cultural sensitivity classes, get a second or third opinion before putting questionable content out into the world," said Twitter user @DavonnaDarling, an African American fan of SM based in Atlanta, who organized the #SMBLACKOUT movement on Twitter.
Chermel Porter, an African-American freelance music writer and a K-pop follower based in New Jersey, shared a similar viewpoint.
"K-pop agencies should enlist the idea of 'cultural sensitivity training' amongst their employees and artists. By doing this I mean, agencies should scout out the help of U.S. (and other counties) social justice leaders to teach a course on the basics of insensitive racial actions," she said.
A statement from K-pop company SM Entertainment on June 19, 2020, on its support for the Black Lives Matter movement in the United States. The statement was shared on the company's @SMTOWNGLOBAL Twitter account. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-01--Auto sales fall 22 pct in H1 amid pandemic

They originally planned to launch Hyundai 's Tucson sport utility vehicle , Hyundai 's independent Genesis brand 's GV80 SUV @ @ @ @ @ 's Sportage SUV in the U.S. later this year , but they are still awaiting @ @ @ @ @ to the COVID-19 pandemic .

SEOUL, July 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's vehicle sales fell 22 percent in the January-June period from a year earlier, as the new coronavirus outbreak continued to affect the automobile industry, industry data showed Wednesday.
The five carmakers in South Korea -- Hyundai Motor Co., Kia Motors Corp., GM Korea Co., Renault Samsung Motors Corp. and SsangYong Motor Co. -- sold a combined 3,033,798 vehicles in the first half, down from 3,866,229 units a year ago, according to data from the companies.
Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors, the country's two biggest carmakers, suspended operations of their major overseas plants until late May, and parent firms of the three other carmakers reduced production to control inventories amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
This photos show logos of the country's five carmakers: (clockwise from top L) Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors, SsangYong Motor, GM Korea and Renault Samsung Motors. (Yonhap)
Production at Hyundai and Kia's overseas plants falls short of the levels before the coronavirus outbreak hit the industry early this year.
Hyundai has seven domestic and 10 overseas plants, whose combined annual capacity reaches 5.5 million vehicles. Kia has eight domestic and seven overseas plants whose capacity reaches 3.84 million units.
In the first six months, Hyundai's overall sales declined 25 percent to 1,589,429 units from 2,126,307, while Kia's dropped 14 percent to 1,161,246 from 1,352,629 during the same period.
The company said it will step up efforts to minimize the negative impact of the coronavirus on vehicle sales in global markets while focusing on securing stable sales networks despite the virus.
Hyundai and Kia are widely expected to miss their combined sales target of 7.54 million cars for this year. They sold a total of 7.2 million units in 2019.
The two carmakers had planned to focus on boosting sales in the U.S. market this year to offset sluggish demand in China, the world's biggest automobile market.
They originally planned to launch Hyundai's Tucson sport utility vehicle, Hyundai's independent Genesis brand's GV80 SUV and G80 sedan and Kia's Sportage SUV in the U.S. later this year, but they are still awaiting shipment to the U.S. due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This file photo shows vehicles awaiting to be shipped at Hyundai Motor's port in Ulsan, 414 kilometers southeast of Seoul, amid the coronavirus outbreak. (Yonhap)
The three others also performed poorly on weak exports.
GM Korea's sales plunged 28 percent on-year to 166,038 units in the six-month period from 231,172. SsangYong's sales also dropped 28 percent to 49,387 from 68,189, and Renault Samsung's was down 21 percent to 67,666 from 85,844 during the cited period.
Their vehicle sales fell further in the first half due to a combination of lack of new models and the coronavirus impact.
On top of that, SsangYong's Indian parent Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.'s recent decision not to invest in the Korean unit dealt a bigger blow to the SUV-focused carmaker's sales.
To revive sales, Renault Samsung has yet to secure export volume for the XM3 compact SUV from its French parent Renault S.A. to replace the now suspended output volume of Nissan Motor Co.'s Rogue SUV at its sole plant in Busan, 450 kilometers south of Seoul.
Renault Samsung used to produce about 100,000 Rogues a year for exports under a manufacturing contract with Nissan. But the production stopped in March, as Nissan cut the output allocation to the plant, citing output losses caused by labor strikes.
In the second half, the carmakers are expected to focus on boosting sales in the domestic market to offset weak overseas demand amid virus fears.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-01--(LEAD) 'Parasite' director Bong's interpreter Choi receives prestigious diplomacy award

He has also been at the forefront of the government 's efforts to support overseas citizens when they ran into @ @ @ @ @ sinking of a tourism boat in Hungary last year .

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; UPDATES throughout; ADDS more info in last 2 paras)
By Song Sang-ho
SEOUL, July 1 (Yonhap) -- Choi Sung-jae, known for her eloquent interpretation for director Bong Joon-ho of the Oscar-winning film "Parasite," received an annual diplomacy award in Seoul on Wednesday for her role in enhancing South Korea's national image, foreign ministry officials said.
Choi, better known as Sharon Choi, won this year's YoungSan Diplomat Award that the nonprofit Seoul Forum for International Affairs gives to a public official and a civilian each year for their contribution to improving Korea's image and diplomatic interests.
In this photo released by the Associated Press, South Korean director Bong Joon-ho (L) speaks at the National Board of Review Awards gala in New York for winning the best foreign language film for "Parasite" on Jan. 8, 2020. His interpreter Sharon Choi stands next to him. (Yonhap)
Before Bong's black comedy "Parasite" won four Oscar awards, including the best picture, in February, Choi played a pivotal role in translating the director's messages for the world audience and media, which were replete with pithy punchlines.
Among Bong's sound bites that Choi translated to resonate with many moviegoers was "Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films."
Known as a young filmmaker without professional interpretation training, Choi had accompanied Bong in media interviews and award ceremonies to translate his oft-nuanced remarks about a class struggle in a capitalist society, a key theme of "Parasite," and what the movie's success meant for Korea's film industry.
Kang Hyung-sik, head of the foreign ministry's international safety management bureau, also received the annual award.
In the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kang played a key role in helping South Korean citizens return home safely from virus-hit countries.
He has also been at the forefront of the government's efforts to support overseas citizens when they ran into accidents, such as the sinking of a tourism boat in Hungary last year.
Kang Hyung-sik, head of the foreign ministry's international safety management bureau, speaks during a press briefing at the government complex in Sejong, 130 kilometers south of Seoul, on Feb. 18, 2020. (Yonhap)
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-01--(LEAD) USFK commander calls for major combined drills against evolving N.K. threats

Asked about his assessment about North Korea 's recent coercive moves , the commander said the allies have the `` @ @ @ @ @ world '' and have been working with other partner nations on those issues , though @ @ @ @ @ able to stand up and speak with authority what is on ( leader ) Kim @ @ @ @ @

(ATTN: ADDS more comments in 3rd para, last 2 paras, photo)
By Oh Seok-min and Choi Soo-hyang
SEOUL, July 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the United States should continue to stage large-scale combined military exercises in the face of North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile capabilities, U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) commander Gen. Robert Abrams said Wednesday.
In a speech during a forum held in Seoul, Abrams also noted that more work needs to be done for the planned transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) of South Korean forces from Washington to Seoul.
"Unfortunately, we had to postpone our theatre-level combined post command training this year due to the ongoing global pandemic. While we have been able to conduct important leader development training, that in no way replicates the rigor and realism of our semi-annual theatre-level training events," Abrams said.
In February, Seoul and Washington announced their decision to indefinitely postpone their key springtime exercise due to COVID-19, and discussions are under way to fix the schedule and program for their summertime combined exercises.
"We must continue to conduct combined live trainings ... with rigorous scenarios," the commander said, vowing to further discuss with the South Korean side about ways to maintain a staunch readiness posture.
When and how to stage the annual summertime exercises have drawn keen attention amid heightened tensions with North Korea. The communist nation has long denounced joint drills between the U.S. and the South as a rehearsal for invasion.
Tensions with North Korea escalated sharply last month as Pyongyang cut off communication lines with the South, blew up an inter-Korean liaison office and threatened to take military action in anger over anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets flown from the South.
The situation later cooled off a bit after leader Kim Jong-un put military action plans on hold.
"I believe North Korea will continue to test and refine asymmetrical capability. We should continue to hold them accountable in accordance with standing policies and procedures," Abrams said.
Asked about his assessment about North Korea's recent coercive moves, the commander said the allies have the "brightest intelligence professionals in the world" and have been working with other partner nations on those issues, though no one "should be able to stand up and speak with authority what is on (leader) Kim Jong-un's mind."
Gen. Robert Abrams, commander of the U.S. Forces Korea and the Combined Forces Command, salutes during a forum held in Seoul on July 1, 2020. (Yonhap)
This year's summertime exercise was initially supposed to focus on the Full Operational Capability (FOC) test to verify whether South Korea is on course to meet the conditions for the OPCON transfer. But some sources said the U.S. military maintains it should be meant to boost their joint posture, rather than preparations for the OPCON transfer.
"Significant progress has been made (regarding the OPCON transfer), but much more work remains ahead of us," the commander said.
Seoul and Washington have been working for the conditions-based OPCON transfer. No specific deadline has been set, though many see the two sides eyeing 2022, or thereabouts, as the target date.
The conditions are South Korea's capability to lead the allies' combined defense mechanism, its capacity for initial responses to the North's nuclear and missile threats and a stable security environment on the peninsula and in the region.
Asked about the possibility of a U.S. troop drawdown from the Korean Peninsula, Abrams said they are "wildly speculative statements," stressing that the U.S. remains "fully committed to the mission of defense of the Republic of Korea."
Last month, former U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell said that U.S. President Donald Trump clearly expressed his hope to bring U.S. troops home from South Korea, Japan and other allies, while confirming the U.S. plan to pull out around 30 percent of its troops, or 10,000 service members, from Germany.
The forum, hosted by the Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation (KUSAF), also brought together dozens of South Korean and U.S. officials, including Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo and U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Harry Harris.
"The enduring alliance forged in the war and strengthened over decades of cooperation and commitment remains the linchpin of our bilateral relationship," Harris said, calling the alliance "one of the strongest and most vibrant in the world."
This photo, released by the Korean Central News Agency on June 17, 2020, shows the moment of the explosion of the inter-Korean liaison office in the North Korean border town of Kaesong at around 2:50 p.m. on June 16. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-01--KBO's hope to bring back fans hits snag with spike in virus cases

Ryu said the KBO has n't yet received the go-ahead sign from the government .
National health authorities will determine @ @ @ @ @ at ballparks in the initial stages -- likely around 30 percent of the stadium capacity @ @ @ @ @ be wary of rising local infections at the moment .
To finalize the online ticketing @ @ @ @ @ the KBO needed to hear back from the national health authorities by Wednesday .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, July 1 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean baseball league may have to wait a few more days before reopening its stadiums to fans again due to a recent spike in novel coronavirus cases in a southern metropolitan city.
Gwangju, located 330 kilometers south of Seoul and home of the Kia Tigers in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), raised its social distancing intensity from Level 1 to Level 2 on Wednesday.
Under the government's three-level social distancing scheme unveiled Sunday, Level 1 entails a situation where the number of daily COVID-19 cases sits in the 50 or fewer range, manageable by the medical system.
A Korea Baseball Organization regular season game between the NC Dinos and the Doosan Bears takes place without fans at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on June 28, 2020. (Yonhap)
With 12 new cases reported Wednesday, Gwangju raised its social distancing intensity to Level 2, under which all indoor gatherings of 50 or more and outdoor meetings of over 100 are prohibited.
Since the first outbreak there in February, Gwangju had never seen virus cases reach double-digit figures until Wednesday.
The city will allow the Tigers and the K League 1 football club Gwangju FC to continue to play their home games without fans for the next two weeks. Over the next 14 days, the Tigers will play home games on Wednesday and Thursday, and a six-game home stand from July 7 to 12. Gwangju FC's lone home match between now and July 15 will be on Sunday.
The social distancing grade will not be applied on a national scale, meaning regions that are hit harder by the virus than others will be able to adjust their level accordingly.
The government announced on Sunday that sports stadiums will open on a limited basis as long as teams ensure safe environments and viewing experiences for fans. The KBO was hoping to swing open the gates by Friday, while the K League was targeting July 10 for the return of supporters.
That weekend announcement was a much-needed relief for pro sports teams that have been dealing with financial challenges without any gate revenue.
Ryu Dae-hwan, secretary general of the KBO, said the league may go ahead and open up stadiums in cities other than Gwangju, but even that will have to remain on hold for now.
In this file photo from June 3, 2020, the Kia Tigers take on the Lotte Giants during a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game without fans at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
Ryu said the KBO hasn't yet received the go-ahead sign from the government. National health authorities will determine the size of crowds permitted at ballparks in the initial stages -- likely around 30 percent of the stadium capacity -- but they may also be wary of rising local infections at the moment. To finalize the online ticketing process and quarantine steps, the KBO needed to hear back from the national health authorities by Wednesday.
"We respect Gwangju's decision to put the safety and health of its community above all else," Ryu said. "As we wait for the government's announcement, all 10 clubs in the league understand that, the longer they play without fans, the direr their financial hardships become."
The KBO hopes to reopen the gates on a Tuesday for the beginning of a midweek series or a Friday for the start of a weekend series.
The league released a health and safety manual for fans, asking them to, among other things, sit apart in the stands and refrain from eating in their seats.
This file photo from June 25, 2020, shows an empty Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul before a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game between the Kiwoom Heroes and the LG Twins. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-01--Students, civic groups boycott 'Mulan' in support of Hong Kong protests

`` There is no slot for a movie that turns a blind eye to national violence in the movie scene @ @ @ @ @ had supported the Hong Kong democracy movement , '' they said , demanding Disney and @ @ @ @ @ release .

SEOUL, July 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korean university students and civic groups declared a boycott of the movie "Mulan" on Wednesday in support of the democracy protests in Hong Kong.
Several student and civic groups held a rally in front of Walt Disney Co. Korea in southern Seoul, asking the company to scrap its plan to release the movie here.
The protesters criticized lead actress Liu Yifei for the pro-Chinese comments she wrote on social media while democracy protests were rife in Hong Kong.
"As someone who contributed to suppressing the people of Hong Kong, she cannot become the protagonist of Mulan, which is a story about overcoming discrimination," they said.
The 33-year-old Chinese-American actress, also known as Crystal Liu, had stirred controversy last year after expressing her support for the Hong Kong police force during the protests.
"There is no slot for a movie that turns a blind eye to national violence in the movie scene in this country, which had supported the Hong Kong democracy movement," they said, demanding Disney and movie theaters to suspend the release.
The controversial live-action film, which centers on the heroine Mulan who fights prejudice and becomes a warrior, is based on the 1998 animated film of the same title.
The film was set to be released in March, but the plan was postponed to July due to the new coronavirus. It has been postponed again to August.
This promotional image, provided by Walt Disney Co. Korea, shows Liu Yifei, who plays the role of protagonist "Mulan" in the live-action adaptation of a 1998 animation of the same title. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-01--Moon set for parliamentary speech, still no call from lawmakers

However , he has had no opportunity to deliver it amid drawn-out partisan strife .
The main opposition United Future @ @ @ @ @ parliamentary activities in protest against the ruling Democratic Party 's ( DP ) unilateral selection @ @ @ @ @ head of the Legislation & Judiciary Committee , a powerful gatekeeper of all bills before @ @ @ @ @ a full session .
The DP holds 176 seats in the 300-member parliament .

SEOUL, July 1 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in has long been awaiting a chance to deliver a speech in front of the newly elected lawmakers, making changes to its text several times due to the continued paralysis in the National Assembly's operation, a Cheong Wa Dae official said Wednesday.
His comments represent an answer to repeated questions from reporters on whether or when Moon will visit the parliament for the speech and also apparent pressure on lawmakers to normalize its operation as early as possible.
The lawmakers began their four-year term at the end of May, and Moon was supposed to address the opening of the new parliament on June 5.
He prepared a "lengthy" speech to last more than half an hour on the government's response to the COVID-19 crisis and plan on the Korean version of the New Deal, the official told reporters on the customary condition of anonymity.
However, he has had no opportunity to deliver it amid drawn-out partisan strife. The main opposition United Future Party is effectively boycotting all parliamentary activities in protest against the ruling Democratic Party's (DP) unilateral selection of its senior member as head of the Legislation & Judiciary Committee, a powerful gatekeeper of all bills before they are voted on in a full session. The DP holds 176 seats in the 300-member parliament.
This file photo, dated Oct. 22, 2019, shows President Moon Jae-in delivering a budget speech at the National Assembly. (Yonhap)
The Cheong Wa Dae official said Moon has rewritten the text of his parliamentary speech, the schedule for which remains murky, three times.
With big or small changes included, he has updated it a total of eight times over the past three weeks, he added.
"I think it's not that easy a thing for the president to offer congratulations on the opening of the National Assembly," the official said.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-01--Students file suit for tuition cuts as pandemic disrupts learning

`` In the past five months , we have demanded the education ministry and schools refund tuition and solve the @ @ @ @ @ rights , '' the group said in a press briefing .
`` But schools avoided @ @ @ @ @ of resources , and the ministry did the same , repeating that the issue should @ @ @ @ @ students . ''

SEOUL, July 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korean university students have joined together to file a class action lawsuit against the Ministry of Education and schools, seeking partial tuition refunds for disruptions to learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Movement for Tuition Refunds, a student group formed by the National University Student Council, held a press briefing on Wednesday in front of the Seoul Central District Court to call on universities to refund part of their spring tuition.
Some 3,500 students from 42 universities nationwide have participated in the class action lawsuit, according to the group.
The global crisis caused by the novel coronavirus has created a major disruption in the way the country's higher education institutions offer classes. As schools shut down and classes are being offered remotely, there have been continuing complaints from students that they are not getting what they paid for.
But most universities maintain that it is nearly impossible to cough up tuition, citing a rise in pandemic-related costs for setting up online classes and running disinfection and quarantine programs on campus.
"In the past five months, we have demanded the education ministry and schools refund tuition and solve the issue of infringement of education rights," the group said in a press briefing. "But schools avoided their responsibilities, citing lack of resources, and the ministry did the same, repeating that the issue should be solved between schools and students."
"Amid non-communication and disregard, we had no choice but to resort to a lawsuit," it said, demanding 1 million won be given to each private university student and 500,000 won to each public school student in tuition refund.
It also argued that the budget of 271 billion won earmarked for tuition refunds, which was passed in the education committee of the National Assembly last month, was simply not enough to cover the learning losses inflicted by pandemic-related campus shutdowns.
The student group conducted a survey on 11,000 students from 198 universities from June 24-28 and found that respondents believed that 59 percent of tuition, on average, should be returned to them.
On Tuesday, Konkuk University in Seoul became the country's first higher education institution to reach an agreement with the Student Council on an 8.3 percent cut in tuition for the fall semester.
The case is expected to send a shock wave through student communities and to be used as an example to further push for tuition cuts.
The Movement for Tuition Refund, a student group formed by the National University Student Council, holds a press briefing in front of the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul on July 1, 2020. (Yonhap)
jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-01--(3rd LD) New virus cases rebound; cluster infections simmering beyond capital area

In yet another worrisome sign , two elementary students in Daejeon tested positive Tuesday after coming in contact with a @ @ @ @ @ be the first spread of the virus at a school in the country .
Health @ @ @ @ @ an epidemiological study on the cases

(ATTN: UPDATES with more details in paras 16,19; CHANGES photo)
SEOUL, July 1 (Yonhap) -- The number of new virus cases in South Korea bounced back Wednesday as cluster infections continued to increase in areas beyond the Seoul metropolitan area amid a sustained rise in imported cases.
The country added 51 cases, including 36 local infections, raising the total caseload to 12,850, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
The tally marked a rise from 43 new cases of COVID-19 reported Tuesday and 42 cases on Monday.
Densely populated Seoul and the surrounding area accounted for most of the locally transmitted cases last month, but the virus outbreaks have been constantly reported in other parts of the country.
Officials at an elementary school in Daejeon, 164 kilometers south of Seoul, put up a sign on the front gate on July 1, 2020, that reads offline classes are temporarily suspended over the outbreak of the new coronavirus. (Yonhap)
Of local infections, 20 cases were reported in the greater Seoul area. Twelve cases were identified in the southwestern city of Gwangju, marking the first time that virus cases hit double-digit figures since the first outbreak in the city in February. Three cases were reported in the central city of Daejeon.
"Cluster infections at large-scale facilities subdued, but virus cases increased in connection to small-sized venues and gatherings," Vice Health Minister Kim Ganglip said in a briefing.
Kim voiced concerns that the virus is spreading into the central and southwestern regions beyond the greater Seoul area.
In yet another worrisome sign, two elementary students in Daejeon tested positive Tuesday after coming in contact with a peer, in what could be the first spread of the virus at a school in the country. Health authorities said they are conducting an epidemiological study on the cases
"Health authorities suspect (the Daejeon cases) might be caused by virus spread at school," KCDC Director Jeong Eun-kyeong said in a briefing.
South Korea has been harried by rises in sporadic cluster infections in the greater Seoul area since it relaxed strict social distancing on May 6 on the flattened virus curve.
School reopening, completed in early June, is a key feature of the eased social distancing rules.
Cluster infections traced to small religious gatherings have emerged as the main cause for the latest spike in local infections.
This photo, taken July 1, 2020, shows a banner set up at Haeundae Beach in the southeastern city of Busan that calls for maintaining social distancing due to the new coronavirus as the beach publicly opens. (Yonhap)
Cases traced to a major church in Seoul's southwestern ward of Gwanak reached 32 as of noon, up one case from the previous day. Cases tied to church gatherings in Suwon, south of Seoul, came to nine, up one over the past 24 hours.
Those linked to a Buddhist temple in Gwangju rose by five to 19.
At least six residents at an apartment building in Uijeongbu, north of Seoul, also tested positive.
"There are concerns that the virus could quickly spread through door-to-door retail establishments and business events," Jeong said.
The country, meanwhile, reported 15 additional imported cases, raising the total of such cases to 1,598.
It marked the sixth straight day that imported cases rose by a double-digit number.
Imported cases accounted for 35 percent of the 652 new virus cases reported over the past two weeks, according to the KCDC.
Health authorities said that starting today, they will strengthen on-board inspections of foreign ships arriving from 54 high-risk countries, after assessing the degree of risks.
The move came as cluster infections tied to Russia-flagged ships laid bare the need to beef up quarantine checks at ports.
On-board quarantine checks have been underway on vessels coming from several risk-prone countries including China, Iran, Italy and Russia.
The KCDC will also conduct coronavirus tests starting next Monday on sailors who get off ships coming into the country. They will be also required to self-isolate for two weeks.
A rise in cases coming in from overseas put further strains on health authorities' virus fights, with some calling for the need to implement restrictive entry measures selectively. On Wednesday alone, eight cases were traced to arrivals from Kazakhstan.
South Korea, meanwhile, reported no additional deaths, bringing the death toll to 282. The fatality rate was 2.19 percent.
The total number of people released from quarantine after full recoveries stood at 11,613, up 76 from the previous day.
The country has carried out 1,285,231 tests since Jan. 3.
Health officials explain quarantine measures to international arrivals at Incheon International Airport, South Korea's main gateway west of Seoul, on July 1, 2020. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-01--(LEAD) Seoul stocks edge down over Hong Kong security law

`` The index swung to losses in the afternoon following some related events , such as China 's complaint that @ @ @ @ @ line over the Hong Kong national security law issue , '' he added .

(ATTN: ADDS stock data, bond yields at bottom, photo)
SEOUL, July 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares closed a tad lower Wednesday, erasing earlier gains amid rising U.S.-China tensions over a new security law in Hong Kong imposed by China's central government. The Korean won fell against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 1.63 points, or 0.08 percent, to close at 2,106.70. Trading volume was moderate at about 1.1 billion shares worth some 10.1 trillion won (US$8.4 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 482 to 356.
Foreigners sold a net 166 billion won, extending a selling streak to a third session. Institutions bought a net 152 billion won, with retail investors purchasing a net 10 billion won.
Electronic signboards at the trading room of Hana Bank in Seoul show the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) have closed at 2,106.70 on July 1, 2020, down 1.63 points or 0.08 percent from the previous session's close. (Yonhap)
The index got off to a strong start on hopes for an economic rebound but turned south in the afternoon amid concerns over the latest developments in Sino-American political frictions over Hong Kong.
"Despite positive leads from the U.S. economic indices, concerns have been building up over the U.S.-China political tensions," Lee Kyung-min, an analyst at Daeshin Securities, said.
"The index swung to losses in the afternoon following some related events, such as China's complaint that the U.S. is crossing the line over the Hong Kong national security law issue," he added.
China's complaint came hours after U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter that he's "more and more angry at China" over the new coronavirus pandemic.
Market concerns also grew as South Korea's exports dropped for a fourth consecutive month in June. The U.S. and China are South Korea's two largest trade partners.
In Seoul, market heavyweights closed mixed.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics slid 0.38 percent to 52,600 won, while No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix added 0.24 percent to 85,300 won.
Pharmaceutical heavyweights tumbled, with Samsung BioLogics tumbling 2.97 percent to 752,000 won, and Celltrion plunging 2.78 percent to 297,500 won.
Steelmakers gathered ground, with No.1 steelmaker POSCO hiking 2.59 percent to 178,500 won, and Korea Zinc spiking 5.37 percent to 353,000 won.
Leading chemical maker LG Chem gained 0.20 percent to 491,500 won.
Internet giant Naver climbed 0.75 percent to 269,000 won, with its rival Kakao advancing 0.75 percent to 269,500 won.
The local currency closed at 1,203.40 won against the U.S. dollar, down 0.40 won from the previous session's close.
Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed lower. The yield on three-year Treasurys rose 0.5 basis point to 0.847 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bond added 2.1 basis points to 1.132 percent.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-01--S. Korean Bond Yields on Jul. 1, 2020

S. Korean Bond Yields on Jul. 1, 2020

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


yna--2020-07-01--USFK commander calls for major combined drills against evolving N.K. threats

By Oh Seok-min and Choi Soo-hyang
SEOUL, July 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the United States should continue to stage large-scale combined military exercises in the face of North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile capabilities, U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) commander Gen. Robert Abrams said Wednesday.
In a speech during a forum held in Seoul, Abrams also noted that more work needs to be done for the planned transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) of South Korean forces from Washington to Seoul.
"Unfortunately, we had to postpone our theatre-level combined post command training this year due to the ongoing global pandemic ... but that in no way replicates the rigor and realism of our semi-annual theatre-level training events," Abrams said.
Earlier this year, Seoul and Washington indefinitely postponed their key springtime exercise due to COVID-19, and discussions are under way to fix the schedule and program for their summertime combined exercises.
"We must continue to conduct combined live trainings ... with rigorous scenarios," the commander said, vowing to further discuss with the South Korean side about ways to maintain a staunch readiness posture.
When and how to stage the annual summertime exercises have drawn keen attention amid heightened tensions with North Korea. The communist nation has long denounced joint drills between the U.S. and the South as a rehearsal for invasion.
Tensions with North Korea escalated sharply last month as Pyongyang cut off communication lines with the South, blew up an inter-Korean liaison office and threatened to take military action in anger over anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets flown from the South.
The situation later cooled off a bit after leader Kim Jong-un put military action plans on hold.
"I believe North Korea will continue to test and refine asymmetrical capability. We should continue to hold them accountable in accordance with standing policies and procedures," Abrams said.
Asked about his assessment about North Korea's recent coercive moves, the commander said the allies have the "brightest intelligence professionals in the world" and have been working with other partner nations on those issues, though no one "should be able to stand up and speak with authority what is on (leader) Kim Jong-un's mind."
Gen. Robert Abrams, commander of the U.S. Forces Korea and the Combined Forces Command, salutes during a forum held in Seoul on July 1, 2020. (Yonhap)
This year's summertime exercise was initially supposed to focus on the Full Operational Capability (FOC) test to verify whether South Korea is on course to meet the conditions for the OPCON transfer. But some sources said the U.S. military maintains it should be meant to boost their joint posture, rather than preparations for the OPCON transfer.
"Significant progress has been made (regarding the OPCON transfer), but much more work remains ahead of us," the commander said.
Seoul and Washington have been working for the conditions-based OPCON transfer. No specific deadline has been set, though many see the two sides eyeing 2022, or thereabouts, as the target date.
The conditions are South Korea's capability to lead the allies' combined defense mechanism, its capacity for initial responses to the North's nuclear and missile threats and a stable security environment on the peninsula and in the region.
Asked about the possibility of a U.S. troop drawdown from the Korean Peninsula, Abrams said they are "wildly speculative statements," stressing that the U.S. remains "fully committed to the mission of defense of the Republic of Korea."
Last month, former U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell said that U.S. President Donald Trump clearly expressed his hope to bring U.S. troops home from South Korea, Japan and other allies, while confirming the U.S. plan to pull out around 30 percent of its troops, or 10,000 service members, from Germany.
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-02--(News Focus) Is another Trump-Kim summit possible before U.S. election?

`` For now , Trump may think he already got what he wanted -- the North 's self-imposed moratorium on @ @ @ @ @ that could directly threaten the U.S. mainland , and thus he may not be in @ @ @ @ @ , '' Nam Chang-hee , professor of international politics at Inha University , said .

By Song Sang-ho
SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's renewed effort to revive summitry between the United States and North Korea ahead of the U.S. presidential election in November is raising questions about whether Pyongyang would warm to dialogue amid political flux in Washington.
On Wednesday, President Moon Jae-in expressed his desire to broker another summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un before the U.S. election, while cautioning against "rolling back hard-won progress in inter-Korean relations."
Moon made the remarks after tensions flared anew due to the North's surprise demolition last month of a joint liaison office in its border city of Kaesong and incendiary rhetoric that some say appeared aimed at solidifying internal unity and attracting the U.S.' attention.
A new summit between Trump and Kim could create a much-awaited momentum to bring their countries' stalled nuclear talks back on track and help advance Moon's agenda for lasting peace on the divided peninsula.
This file photo taken June 30, 2019, shows U.S. President Donald Trump (L) talking with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the inter-Korean border village of Panmunjom. (Yonhap)
However, questions remain whether Trump can focus on a summit deal with Kim when the U.S. leader is saddled with a host of domestic challenges, including the response to the new coronavirus and his looming reelection battle -- a reason why observers say Trump may seek to simply "maintain the status quo."
Increasingly wary of political uncertainty in the U.S., Pyongyang could also be cautious about resuming top-level dialogue, given that another no-deal summit like the one in Hanoi in February last year could deal a humiliating blow to the image of its dynastic ruler.
"For now, Trump may think he already got what he wanted -- the North's self-imposed moratorium on nuclear and long-range missile tests that could directly threaten the U.S. mainland, and thus he may not be in a rush for another summit," Nam Chang-hee, professor of international politics at Inha University, said.
"On the part of Pyongyang, it may not have much room to think about summitry as it is already struggling with worsening economic hardships. Thus, conditions do not seem to be ripe for a summit," he added.
In a forum on Wednesday, Moon Chung-in, special security adviser to the president, noted that arranging the U.S.-North Korea summit "may not be easy" given that Trump might need to have a "clear card" that he can offer without prompting a domestic political backlash.
On Monday, Stephen Biegun, deputy U.S. secretary of state and lead nuclear negotiator, said that another summit between Trump and Kim is unlikely before the November election, though he reiterated Washington's readiness to reengage with Pyongyang.
Biegun reportedly plans to visit South Korea next week on an apparent mission to renew the U.S.' call for the communist regime to refrain from provocative actions and return to the negotiating table.
His South Korean counterpart, Lee Do-hoon, met Biegun late last month in Washington to coordinate their efforts to rejuvenate the sputtering efforts for peace with the North, after Pyongyang raised tensions with its provocative threats, including military action plans, which were later abruptly suspended.
Despite skepticism over the prospects of a new summit between Trump and Kim, some observers speculated that Trump could be tempted to utilize such a major diplomatic event to ease public criticism over continued reports of COVID-19 infections and deaths, racial justice protests and a pandemic-induced economic downturn.
But it remains uncertain whether the North would embrace such a one-off political stunt as Pyongyang has repeatedly warned against a U.S. diplomatic attempt designed to "suit its domestic political agenda."
The North could also take a wait-and-see approach for the time being amid news reports that surveys of U.S. voters showed presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is ahead of Trump.
"North Korea has been pushing for what it calls a frontal breakthrough, and this means it has been steeling itself for a long-term struggle amid the possibility of change of government in Washington," said Park Won-gon, professor of diplomacy at Handong Global University.
The professor also pointed out COVID-19-related logistical hurdles in arranging the summit venue and transportation as Pyongyang has been making all-out efforts to battle the global scourge.
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-02--The Korea Interbank Offered Rates (KORIBOR)

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


yna--2020-07-02--(LEAD) Virus spread outside capital accelerates; local infections at 2-week high

Cases traced to a major church in Seoul 's southwestern ward of Gwanak reached 32 as of Wednesday .
Cases @ @ @ @ @ Suwon , south of Seoul , came to nine .
At least six residents at @ @ @ @ @ Seoul , have tested positive as well .

(ATTN: RECASTS headline; ADDS details throughout, photos)
SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea reported more than 50 new virus cases for the second day in a row on Thursday as cluster infections piled up outside the Seoul metropolitan area.
The country added 54 cases, including 44 local infections, raising the total caseload to 12,904, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
The tally marked a slight rise from 51 reported a day earlier. South Korea added 43 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday and 42 cases on Monday.
The daily number of local infections was the highest in two weeks, since 51 new cases were reported on June 18.
A student receives a new coronavirus test at an elementary school in Daejeon, 164 kilometers south of Seoul, on July 2, 2020. (Yonhap)
Of the locally transmitted infections, 22 cases were newly identified in Gwangju, 330 kilometers southwest of Seoul. The city also reported a double-digit number of virus cases for the first time a day earlier.
Those linked to a Buddhist temple in Gwangju rose by five to 19 as of the previous day.
The greater Seoul area reported 18 new cases. Daejeon, a central city, reported just one more infection.
Over the past two months, densely populated Seoul and the surrounding area, which house around half of the country's 51-million population, took up most of the newly added cases here.
South Korea, which relaxed strict social distancing in early May on the back of a flattened virus curve, decided last month to indefinitely apply toughened infection preventive measures in the greater Seoul area due to a continued rise in cluster infections tied to religious gatherings, warehouses and door-to-door businesses.
But the latest uptick in the number of cases from other areas outside the metropolitan area, including Gwangju, may prod health authorities to consider readopting the scheme elsewhere.
Earlier this week, two elementary students in Daejeon also tested positive after coming in contact with a peer, in what could be the first spread of the virus at a school in the country.
As part of eased social distancing, school reopenings began in mid-May.
Students and teachers stand in lines while keeping a safe distance before receiving new coronavirus tests at an elementary school in Daejeon, 164 kilometers south of Seoul, on July 2, 2020. (Yonhap)
To prevent possible spread of the virus among students, Gwangju decided to shut down all of its schools through Friday. Students will take online classes instead.
Cases traced to a major church in Seoul's southwestern ward of Gwanak reached 32 as of Wednesday. Cases tied to church gatherings in Suwon, south of Seoul, came to nine. At least six residents at an apartment building north of Seoul, have tested positive as well.
The country reported no additional deaths, with the death toll staying at 282. The fatality rate was 2.19 percent.
The rate, however, reached a whopping 24.9 percent for patients in their 80s. No deaths have been reported among South Koreans aged 29 and below.
The number of new imported cases reached 10, marking a double-digit rise for the seventh consecutive day.
The total number of people released from quarantine after full recoveries stood at 11,684, up 71 from the previous day. This indicates more than 90 percent of the COVID-19 patients here have been cured.
The country has carried out 1,295,962 tests since Jan. 3.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-02--S. Korea's exports of agricultural goods up 4.4 pct in H1

The increase is significant as South Korea 's exports have been losing ground in other areas over the past few @ @ @ @ @ the new coronavirus pandemic .
Overall exports fell 10.9 percent in June , marking the @ @ @ @ @ .

By Kang Yoon-seung
SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea said Thursday its exports of agricultural goods and foodstuffs advanced 4.4 percent on-year in the first six months of 2020 as the global new coronavirus pandemic has sparked higher demand for processed products.
The country's outbound shipments of agricultural products and foodstuffs reached US$3.6 billion in the January-June period, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Exports of fresh produce advanced 1.2 percent over the period to hit $647 million, while outbound shipments of processed goods jumped 5.1 percent to reach $2.9 billion.
The increase is significant as South Korea's exports have been losing ground in other areas over the past few months in the face of the new coronavirus pandemic. Overall exports fell 10.9 percent in June, marking the fourth consecutive month of decline.
Outbound shipments in a handful of segments, including food and personal computers, however, have gathered ground on the back of social distancing campaigns around the globe.
South Korea's exports of instant noodles especially shot up 37.4 percent on-year to reach $302 million over the first half.
Overseas sales of kimchi also moved up 44.3 percent to reach $74.7 million, ministry data showed. Kimchi is a traditional Korean side dish eaten with most meals.
By country, exports to China moved up 1.4 percent to reach $522 million, led especially by ginseng products.
Exports to the U.S. also advanced 36 percent over the period to reach $558 million, led mostly by instant noodles and kimchi.
Outbound shipments to Japan, on the other hand, decreased 3.9 percent to $660 million due to weaker demand for soju, a Korean liquor, and processed rice products.
"As the COVID-19 pandemic is anticipated to linger in the second half of this year as well, South Korea will continue make efforts to promote exports of foodstuffs through marketing campaigns," the ministry said in a statement.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-02--SK hynix begins mass-production of high bandwidth memory HBM2E

SK hynix was the world 's second-largest DRAM producer with a 29.3 percent market share in the first quarter of @ @ @ @ @ Samsung Electronics Co. , according to data from market researcher TrendForce .

SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- Major South Korean chipmaker SK hynix Inc. on Thursday said it has begun mass production of its latest high bandwidth memory (HBM) DRAM chip in the latest move to boost its presence in the memory chip sector.
SK hynix said it started full-scale production of its HBM2E DRAM product, 10 months after it announced the development of the new DRAM chip.
HBM2E offers "the fastest DRAM solution in the industry," according to the company, as it is able to transmit 124 full-HD movies per second.
"HBM2E boasts high-speed, high-capacity and low-power characteristics," the company said. "It is an optimal memory solution for next-generation artificial intelligence systems including deep learning accelerator and high-performance computing."
This photo provided by SK hynix Inc. on July 2, 2020, shows the company's HBM2E DRAM chips. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
SK hynix said it also expects the chip to be applied to the Exascale supercomputer -- an advanced computing system that can perform calculations a quintillion times per second.
The HBM2E supports over 460 gigabytes (GB) per second of bandwidth based on 3.6 gigabits per second in speed performance per pin, according to SK hynix.
Using through silicon via (TSV) technology, a maximum of eight 16-gigabit chips are vertically stacked and provide a single, dense package of 16 GB data capacity, more than double from its previous generation HBM2.
SK hynix was the world's second-largest DRAM producer with a 29.3 percent market share in the first quarter of the year, only behind Samsung Electronics Co., according to data from market researcher TrendForce.
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-02--Hyundai Glovis wins US$432 mln delivery deal from Volkswagen

`` We have some delivery contracts on the East Asia-North America-Europe routes , but we did n't have enough cargo @ @ @ @ @ back to East Asia from Europe .
With the exclusive deal from Volkswagen , we @ @ @ @ @ all across the routes , '' a company spokesman said over the phone .

SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Glovis Co., a logistics unit of Hyundai Motor Group, said Thursday it has obtained a US$432 million deal to deliver vehicles for Volkswagen Group by 2024.
Hyundai Glovis signed a five-year deal with Volkswagen Konzernlogistik GmbH& Co. OHG, the logistics arm of Volkswagen Group, to deliver Audi, Volkswagen, Porsche and Bently brand vehicles under the German carmaker from Europe to China by December 2024, the company said in a statement.
"We have some delivery contracts on the East Asia-North America-Europe routes, but we didn't have enough cargo to carry on our way back to East Asia from Europe. With the exclusive deal from Volkswagen, we have secured stable delivery deals all across the routes," a company spokesman said over the phone.
This undated file photo provided by Hyundai Glovis shows a roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) ship named Glovis Crown at the Bremerhaven port in Germany to carry Volkswagen vehicles to Asian markets. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Hyundai Glovis had earned more than half of its sales in the vehicle-shipping business from deals with its affiliates Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp.
But in 2019, the ratio of its delivery deals with global carmakers accounted for 53 percent of sales of 2.05 trillion won ($1.7 billion), the statement said.
In the January-March quarter, Hyundai Glovis's net profit jumped 51 percent to 160.49 billion won from 106 billion won a year earlier. Operating profit rose 5.2 percent on-year to 194.9 billion won and sales climbed 11 percent to 4.7 trillion won.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-02--All coronavirus patients among military members fully recovered: ministry

It is the second time that the number of coronavirus patients at barracks have come to zero , with the @ @ @ @ @ .
The military has so far seen a total of 58 coronavirus cases since the @ @ @ @ @ 21 .

SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- Two service members have fully recovered from the coronavirus, bringing the total number of virus patients currently under treatment among the military population to zero, the defense ministry said Thursday.
It is the second time that the number of coronavirus patients at barracks have come to zero, with the first time on May 5. The military has so far seen a total of 58 coronavirus cases since the first case was reported Feb. 21.
Twenty-six service personnel are currently quarantined after coming into contact with confirmed patients, while 891 others also remained in isolation as a precautionary measure after returning from leave or other vulnerable activities, officials said.
On Thursday, South Korea added 50 more new coronavirus cases, raising the total caseload to 12,904, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
Elementary school students and their parents wait in line to take COVID-19 tests at a clinic temporarily set up at a school in the central city of Daejeon on July 2, 2020. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-02--(LEAD) SK Biopharmaceuticals soars on market debut, largest IPO of the year

`` Bio stocks are likely to fare better amid the prolonged impact from the COVID-19 pandemic , with major economies @ @ @ @ @ stimulus packages to keep the low-interest environment , '' he added .

(ATTN: ADDS data, analyst's comment in paras 3-5, last 5 paras, photo)
By Chung Joo-won
SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- SK Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., the largest initial public offering (IPO) of the year so far, made a strong market debut on Thursday, trading at more than two times the IPO price.
After the opening bell, the unit of South Korean conglomerate SK Group soared by the daily permissible limit of 30 percent to 127,000 won (US$105), sharply up from the IPO price of 49,000 won.
As of 10:30 a.m., its market cap reached 9.95 trillion won, the 27th most-valued stock on the main bourse.
Korea Exchange CEO Jung Ji-won (4th from L), SK Biopharmaceuticals CEO Cho Jeong-woo (5th from L) and company executives clap hands during the bio firm's stock market listing ceremony at the KRX headquarters building in Seoul on July 2, 2020. (Yonhap)
Samsung Securities analyst Yang Il-woo put the valuation of the company at 7.8 trillion won.
"Bio stocks are likely to fare better amid the prolonged impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, with major economies pushing various monetary easing and stimulus packages to keep the low-interest environment," he added.
The drugmaker raised some 960 billion won via IPO, the largest stock offering of the year. The IPO offering also marks the highest since the 1 trillion-won IPO deal by Celltrion Healthcare in 2017.
Prior to its IPO, investors rushed for SK Biopharmaceuticals for its growth potential amid the coronavirus pandemic. They chipped in 31 trillion won in deposits to buy its stocks, the largest in the country's IPO history.
"SK Biopharmaceuticals will accelerate into the global pharmaceutical company through the IPO," CEO Cho Jeong-woo said.
The company, which specializes in the research and development of treatments for disorders, currently has two indigenous drugs with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals.
It was the first South Korean company to independently develop an anti-epileptic drug, Cenobamate, and to receive a green light from the FDA.
Its novel sleep disorder drug, named solriamfetol, is also available in both the United States and Germany.
The drugmaker was spun off in 2011 from the life science unit of SK Group that holds a 75 percent stake.
jwc@yna.co.kr
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-02--S. Korea's defense industry reports 3.3 trillion won of H1 sales

The defense sector 's rate of operation was 71 percent in the first six months of the year , slightly @ @ @ @ @ in 2019 despite the new coronavirus pandemic , the data showed .

SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- Local defense companies reported 3.3 trillion won (US$2.75 billion) of sales in the first half of the year, with exports accounting for about 10 percent or 329 billion won, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration said Thursday.
The number of people employed at defense firms was 33,103 as of June, down from 33,207 reported last year.
In 2019, the defense industry reported 14 trillion won in sales, up 2.2 percent from a year earlier. Overseas sales stood at 1.77 trillion won, down 11.5 percent from 2018.
The defense sector's rate of operation was 71 percent in the first six months of the year, slightly higher than 68.5 percent reported in 2019 despite the new coronavirus pandemic, the data showed.
The arms procurement agency said it will publish quarterly reports of the defense industry's sales to reflect the rapidly changing business environment and meet increasing demands.
This year's estimated sales will be available by June next year, it said.
scaaet@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-02--Virus spread outside capital accelerates, new infections above 50 for 2nd day

SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea reported more than 50 new virus cases for the second day in a row on Thursday as cluster infections piled up outside the Seoul metropolitan area.
The country added 54 cases, including 44 local infections, raising the total caseload to 12,904, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
The tally marked a slight rise from 51 reported a day earlier. South Korea added 43 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday and 42 cases on Monday.
Of the locally transmitted infections, 22 cases were newly identified in Gwangju, 330 kilometers southwest of Seoul. The city also reported double digits of virus cases for the first time a day earlier.
Those linked to a Buddhist temple in Gwangju rose by five to 19 as of the previous day.
The greater Seoul area reported new 18 cases. Daejeon, a central city, reported just one more infection.
A traveler receives instructions from medical workers at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, on July 1, 2020. (Yonhap)
Over the past two months, the densely populated Seoul and the surrounding area, which house around half of the country's 51-million population, took up most of the newly added cases here.
South Korea, which relaxed strict social distancing in early May on the back of a flattened virus curve, decided last month to indefinitely apply toughened infection preventive measures in the greater Seoul area due to a continued rise in cluster infections tied to religious gatherings, warehouses and door-to-door businesses.
But the latest uptick in the number of cases from other areas outside the metropolitan area, including Gwangju, may prod health authorities to consider readopting the scheme elsewhere.
Earlier this week, two elementary students in Daejeon also tested positive after coming in contact with a peer, in what could be the first spread of the virus at a school in the country.
As part of eased social distancing, school reopenings began in mid-May.
To prevent possible spread of the virus among students, Gwangju decided to shut down all of its schools through Friday. Students will take online classes instead.
Cases traced to a major church in Seoul's southwestern ward of Gwanak reached 32 as of Wednesday. Cases tied to church gatherings in Suwon, south of Seoul, came to nine. At least six residents at an apartment building north of Seoul, have tested positive as well.
The country reported no additional deaths, with the death toll staying at 282. The fatality rate was 2.19 percent.
The number of new imported cases reached 10, marking a double-digit rise for the seventh consecutive day.
The total number of people released from quarantine after full recoveries stood at 11,684, up 71 from the previous day.
The country has carried out 1,295,962 tests since Jan. 3.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-02--U.N. grants sanctions waiver for Finnish NGO's aid project in N. Korea

It plans to spend 30,000 euro and 25,000 euro , respectively , in purchasing soy beans and securing vehicles to @ @ @ @ @ .
It also plans to spend 15,000 euro operating an office in the communist state @ @ @ @ @ .

SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- The United Nations has granted a sanctions waiver for a Finnish nongovernmental organization's plan to help vulnerable children in North Korea, the U.N.'s website showed Thursday.
Finn Church Aid received the sanctions exemption last month for its project to provide 240,600 euros (US$270,650) worth of food and other materials to children in the North, according to the website. The exemption will be effective until Dec. 24.
The organization will supply items "to enhance the food security of vulnerable primary school aged children in two counties in North Hwanghae province," the website said.
It plans to spend 30,000 euro and 25,000 euro, respectively, in purchasing soy beans and securing vehicles to transport them in the North. It also plans to spend 15,000 euro operating an office in the communist state, according to the website.
Humanitarian activities in North Korea are not banned under international sanctions, but related materials are subject to sanctions waivers from the U.N.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-02--N.K. paper expresses 'full support' for China over Hong Kong issue

`` We fully support the Chinese in their fight , '' it said , adding that U.S. pressure against China @ @ @ @ @ `` As the U.S. is pressuring China from all sides , the relationship between China @ @ @ @ @ unprecedentedly . ''

SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- North Korea fully supports China, the country's main newspaper said Thursday, amid intensifying rivalry between Washington and Beijing over a series of contentious issues, including China's security legislation for Hong Kong.
"The most critical thing is that the U.S. is badgering Chinese socialism, calling it a dictatorship and completely denying the regime... China-U.S. relations are shifting into an all-out confrontation," the Rodong Sinmun said.
"We fully support the Chinese in their fight," it said, adding that U.S. pressure against China is doomed to fail. "As the U.S. is pressuring China from all sides, the relationship between China and the U.S. is deteriorating unprecedentedly."
The paper cited a series of actions Washington has taken, including the Senate's passing of the Hong Kong Autonomy Act, a bill that imposes sanctions on Chinese officials and companies, in retaliation against Hong Kong's security law.
Earlier this week, China's parliament passed the new security law designed to prohibit subversion, secession or treason, a move that critics fear could allow Beijing to bolster censorship in Hong Kong and take control over the territory.
North Korea has long taken China's side in disputes between Washington and Beijing.
China is the North's last major ally and a key provider of food and fuel.
julesyi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-02--(2nd LD) S. Korea's annual inflation unchanged in June amid pandemic

In May , the BOK slashed its policy rate by a quarter percentage point to a record low of 0.5 @ @ @ @ @ economy is expected to grow at the slowest pace in over two decades amid the @ @

(ATTN: ADDS vice finance minister's remarks, details in last 3 paras)
SEJONG, July 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's annual inflation remained unchanged on-year in June amid the coronavirus pandemic, data showed Thursday.
The consumer price growth remained flat last month compared with a 0.3 percent on-year decline in May, according to the data released by Statistics Korea.
The nation's inflation rose 0.2 percent on-month, the data showed.
Core inflation, which excludes agricultural and petroleum products, rose 0.6 percent from a year earlier.
Utility prices fell 0.3 percent on-year last month, while prices of agricultural, livestock and fisheries products climbed 4.3 percent on-year in June, the data showed.
In June, prices of petroleum products plunged 15.4 percent on-year, the data showed. Prices of livestock products jumped 10.5 percent from a year earlier, and prices of processed foodstuffs rose 1.3 percent.
South Korea's consumer prices had increased at less than 1 percent for 12 consecutive months before growing 1.5 percent in January, followed by a 1.1 percent increase the following month
Slowing inflation may give the Bank of Korea (BOK) more room to ease its monetary policy.
In May, the BOK slashed its policy rate by a quarter percentage point to a record low of 0.5 percent as the nation's economy is expected to grow at the slowest pace in over two decades amid the pandemic.
The rate cut came a little over two months after the BOK lowered the base rate to 0.75 percent from 1.25 percent in its first emergency rate cut since October 2008.
The BOK has predicted that South Korea's economy will contract 0.2 percent and inflation will slow to 0.3 percent this year.
South Korea's exports fell 10.9 percent in June, extending a streak of double-digit contraction to a third consecutive month. However, June's exports were better than the 24 percent contraction in May, indicating that the worst may be over for exports.
Vice Finance Minister Kim Yong-beom said exports fell at a slower pace in June as exports to China rose and global demand for technology goods rebounded.
As the United States and the European Union gradually eased lockdown measures, the move is expected to have a positive impact on South Korea's exports in the near future, Kim said.
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-02--(URGENT) 71 more people released after full recoveries from coronavirus, total cured patients at 11,

(URGENT) 71 more people released after full recoveries from coronavirus, total cured patients at 11,684: KCDC


yna--2020-07-02--(URGENT) S. Korea reports no additional coronavirus death, total death toll at 282: KCDC


yna--2020-07-02--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 54 more cases of new coronavirus, total now at 12,904: KCDC


yna--2020-07-02--Seoul subways to get contactless gates by 2023: city gov't

`` The post-coronavirus era is an imminent future that is approaching silently , but with a force .
Public services @ @ @ @ @ the lives of ( Seoul ) citizens is an area where innovation should be prioritized @ @ @ @ @ '' Mayor Park Won-soon said .

SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- Subways running across South Korea's capital will get contactless gates that will allow passengers to pass through without directly tagging their cards, the Seoul metropolitan government said Thursday.
The city's subway operator plans to inject 2.9 billion won (US$2.4 million) to set up 556 "tagless gates" at subway stations on lines No. 1 to 8 in 2022, according to the city government's proposal aimed at easing infection risks on public transportation.
Passengers will be able to get on trains without tagging their transportation or credit and debit cards at the ticket gates and instead pay through a smartphone app, it added.
The city government plans to start installing the contact-free gates in 2022 and complete setting up 3,340 gates across all stations by 2023.
This photo, taken on March 4, 2020, shows janitors cleaning subway ticket gates at Myeongdong Station in central Seoul in a precautionary measure against the new coronavirus. The city government plans to adopt contactless gates so that passengers will not have to tag their cards at the ticket gates. (Yonhap)
The plan is part of the city government's blueprint to better tackle the new coronavirus and other potential infectious viruses going forward.
The municipal government said it plans to spend 611.6 billion won for new projects and ongoing projects to prepare for the "post-coronavirus era."
Other projects include training 300 officers who will help epidemiological investigators trace virus patients and developing digital systems to help state-run companies work remotely.
"The post-coronavirus era is an imminent future that is approaching silently, but with a force. Public services that are directly related to the lives of (Seoul) citizens is an area where innovation should be prioritized for the post-coronavirus era," Mayor Park Won-soon said.
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-02--Catholic archdiocese in Gwangju suspends on-site Masses

`` As part of concerted efforts to prevent further infections and join the government-led precautionary measures , the diocese will @ @ @ @ @ parishes and institutions within Gwangju until second-level social distancing ends , '' the Catholic Archdiocese @ @ @ @ @ message posted online on Wednesday .

SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- The Catholic archdiocese in the southwestern city of Gwangju has decided to put off public masses due to a recent resurgence in novel coronavirus infections in the region.
"As part of concerted efforts to prevent further infections and join the government-led precautionary measures, the diocese will suspend Masses and gatherings in parishes and institutions within Gwangju until second-level social distancing ends," the Catholic Archdiocese of Gwangju said in a message posted online on Wednesday.
Churches outside Gwangju city are allowed to conduct Masses, but other events are barred, it added.
Instead, it will provide online Masses on its YouTube channel and on the radio starting from Friday.
Earlier, the Gwangju metropolitan government strengthened social distancing guidelines to Level 2 out of the three-grade system as more than 30 infections have been reported in the city with a population of 1.5 million over the last few days.
Consequently, indoor gatherings of 50 people or more and outdoor events of 100 people or more are banned, while public facilities including galleries, museums and libraries will be closed until July 15.
The Gwangju archdiocese resumed public Masses on May 6 months after it suspended them on Feb. 22 in the midst of the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea.
The archdiocese, covering Gwangju and its adjacent region of South Jeolla Province, has 140 churches under its jurisdiction, with 363,000 followers as of December 2018.
This photo provided by the Catholic Archdiocese of Gwangju shows its headquarters in Gwangju, some 330 kilometers south of Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-02--Seoul stocks open higher on pharmaceutical gains

SK Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. , the largest IPO offering of the year so far , spiked 29.59 percent on the @ @ @ @ @

SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares opened higher Thursday, led by pharmaceuticals.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 12.86 points, or 0.61 percent, to 2,119.56 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
SK Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., the largest IPO offering of the year so far, spiked 29.59 percent on the day of its debut.
Top pharmaceutical firm Samsung BioLogics surged 4.26 percent, with Celltrion spiking 3.87 percent.
Most large caps were in positive terrain.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics stayed flat, while No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix lost 0.82 percent.
Internet giant Naver and its rival Kakao both added 1.86 percent, and leading chemical maker LG Chem climbed 0.10 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,201.80 won against the U.S. dollar, up 1.60 won from the previous session's close.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-02--Moon's rating dips below 50 pct over Incheon airport employment, housing prices

The move is in line with the left-leaning Moon administration 's push for a `` zero irregular job '' era @ @ @ @ @ during a visit to the airport , located just west of Seoul , a couple @ @ @ @ @ in May 2017 .
Many young job seekers have lodged a strong complaint against the @ @ @ @ @ they view as unfair .

SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in's approval rating has declined to below 50 percent for the first time in three months, a poll showed Thursday, amid public outcry over the authorities' handling of the irregular worker issue and soaring housing prices especially in Seoul.
In a three-day phone survey of 1,507 people nationwide, aged 18 or older, through Wednesday, his approval dropped 3.9 percentage points from last week to 49.4 percent, according to Realmeter.
It was the lowest since recording 49.3 percent in the third week of March.
The portion of those disapproving of Moon's presidency rose 3.4 percentage points to 46.1 percent. The margin of error is plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.
Realmeter pointed to news reports on major issues including the Incheon International Airport Corp.'s plan to grant regular employment status to more than 1,900 contract and part-time security officers working at its facilities.
This file photo, dated June 18, 2020, shows President Moon Jae-in drinking water during a meeting with employees at the Gangchon Campus of DUZON Bizon Co., a cloud service provider, in the eastern province of Gangwon. (Yonhap)
The move is in line with the left-leaning Moon administration's push for a "zero irregular job" era, which the president declared during a visit to the airport, located just west of Seoul, a couple of days after his inauguration in May 2017. Many young job seekers have lodged a strong complaint against the airport's plan, which they view as unfair.
Apartment prices in the Seoul capital area, home to half of South Korea's population of 52 million, have also continued to surge in spite of the government's repeated tough measures to cool down the real estate market.
The approval rating for the ruling Democratic Party fell 3.1 percentage points to 38.1 percent, while that for the main opposition United Future Party rose 1.9 percentage points to 30 percent.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-02--(LEAD) Death of triathlete sparks outrage over alleged abuse, prompts investigation

In her earlier petitions to the sports authorities , Choi claimed that the physiotherapist had asked her for cash during @ @ @ @ @ 2015 , 2016 and 2019 , without telling her why the money was needed or @ @ @ @ @ be used .
Choi said because the therapist was an influential figure , she was @ @ @ @ @ for details .
Choi and her family had wired about 15 million won to the @ @ @ @

(ATTN: CHANGES headline, lead; ADDS details in paras 6, 10-11; MODIFIES description 'physician' to 'physiotherapist' throughout)
SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- The recent suicide of a young triathlete who claimed to have been abused by her coach and teammates for years has sparked outrage across the nation and prompted investigations by legal and national sports authorities.
Choi Suk-hyeon, a junior bronze medalist at the 2015 Triathlon Asian Championships, was found dead in her room last Friday in Busan, 450 kilometers southeast of Seoul. She was 22.
In her last text message sent to her mother, since circulated in the local media, Choi pleaded with her mother to "expose crimes of those people," in an apparent reference to her alleged abusers.
The late South Korean triathlete Choi Suk-hyeon receives a gold medal at the 2013 National Martine Sports Games in Ulsan, 400 kilometers southeast of Seoul, in these photos provided by Choi's surviving family on July 2, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Before taking her own life, Choi had filed abuse charges against the head coach of her semi-pro club at Gyeongju City Hall in Gyeongju, 370 kilometers southeast of the capital, a team physiotherapist -- referred to as simply a "team doctor" -- and two of her older teammates in February. Two months later, Choi also filed a petition with the Korea Triathlon Federation and the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC), seeking punishments for her alleged abusers.
In late May, Gyeongju police forwarded Choi's case to the prosecution and recommended indictment on charges of assault and extortion. Daegu District Public Prosecutors Office said Thursday that it has been investigating the case and will soon interrogate those facing abuse allegations.
Earlier on Thursday, two of her acquaintances each started an online petition to call for a thorough investigation into circumstances that led to Choi's death. Their petitions had over 63,000 signatures combined as of 9 p.m. Thursday.
They claimed that Choi's calls for help had fallen on deaf ears.
Among alleged abuses that have been reported, Choi was forced to eat 200,000 won (US$167) worth of pastries after ordering a soft drink at a team meal, and she was beat up by the team doctor for not reporting that she had eaten a peach for breakfast. Choi was also allegedly ordered to fast for three days for failing to keep her weight down.
Choi had also made audio recordings of occasions when she was abused by her staff, some of which have been reported on Korean television.
In her earlier petitions to the sports authorities, Choi claimed that the physiotherapist had asked her for cash during New Zealand training camps in 2015, 2016 and 2019, without telling her why the money was needed or how it was going to be used. Choi said because the therapist was an influential figure, she was too frightened to press him for details. Choi and her family had wired about 15 million won to the therapist's account.
Choi also detailed abusive behavior by one of her older teammates. The teammate, too, demanded money from Choi for no apparent reason, and Choi ended up transferring 15 million won to the teammate's account between January 2016 and September 2019.
Kim Seung-ho (L), secretary general of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, bows in apology over the death of South Korean triathlete Choi Suk-hyeon, who took her own life after enduring years of apparent abuse in her team, during a visit by Vice Sports Minister Choi Yoon-hee (R), at the KSOC headquarters in Seoul on July 2, 2020. (Yonhap)
The latest tragedy serves as a somber reminder of just how far the country has to go to eliminate physical, verbal, emotional and even sexual abuses in sports. It was about a year and a half ago when Cho Jae-beom, former coach for Olympic short track speed skating champion Shim Suk-hee, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for physical assault while also facing trial for sexual assault charges. National sports officials went up in arms over one of the most high-profile abuse cases involving an athlete, but their repeated calls for stern measures ring hollow now in light of Choi's passing.
Gyeongju Sports Association on Thursday suspended the triathlon head coach from his duties for his lack of oversight, while two of Choi's teammates weren't immediately disciplined.
Yeo Jun-gi, head of the association, said he believes the team physiotherapist to be the principal figure in the case, with the coach and the two teammates both denying ever striking Choi.
The therapist wasn't on the staff but worked on a temporary basis with the athletes during training camps. The association hasn't been able to track down the alleged abuser.
Separately, the Korea Triathlon Federation will open disciplinary proceedings next Monday. The sports ministry also announced it will form a special investigative team, headed by its Second Vice Minister Choi Yoon-hee, to look further into the late athlete's allegations.
The ministry will also grill the KSOC on why it failed to take prompt action in April when Choi Suk-hyeon filed her petition.
The ministry pledged to work with legal authorities and institutions related to human rights, if necessary.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)