Yonhap News Summary

Local SMEs ' overseas shipments came to US $ 22.5 billion in the April-June period , down 13.4 percent from @ @ @ @ @ to the data from the Ministry of SMEs and Startups , marking a sharp turnaround @ @ @ @ @ increase in their exports in the first quarter , which were worth $ 24.2 billion @

The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Wednesday.
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SME exports dip 13.4 pct in Q2 on coronavirus
SEOUL -- Exports by South Korean small and medium enterprises (SMEs) sank at a double-digit rate in the second quarter of the year due to the coronavirus pandemic, government data showed Wednesday.
Local SMEs' overseas shipments came to US$22.5 billion in the April-June period, down 13.4 percent from a year earlier, according to the data from the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, marking a sharp turnaround from the 2 percent on-year increase in their exports in the first quarter, which were worth $24.2 billion.
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(3rd LD) Cluster infections, imported cases push new virus cases above 60
SEOUL -- South Korea's new daily virus cases rebounded to over 60 on Wednesday due to a rise in locally transmitted infections and imported cases, with the greater Seoul seeing a sharp increase in virus cases tied to a nursing home and a front-line military unit.
The country identified 63 new cases, raising the total caseload to 13,879, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). Of the newly added cases, 29 were local infections.
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U.S. push for troop flexibility could boost chances of off-peninsula USFK missions
SEOUL -- The U.S. push for greater "strategic flexibility" for its forces deployed around the world could increase the chances of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) being mobilized for missions beyond the Korean Peninsula, experts said Wednesday.
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Tuesday that he wants to pursue more rotational force deployments into theaters as it give the U.S. "greater strategic flexibility in terms of responding to challenges around the globe."
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(LEAD) Civic groups call on rights commission to probe alleged sex abuse by late mayor
SEOUL -- Civic groups representing the victim of the alleged sexual harassment by the late mayor of Seoul called on the national rights commission Wednesday to conduct an independent probe of the incident, rejecting the Seoul government's proposal to launch a joint probe team.
They also urged city officials to take responsibility for contributing to what they claimed was a hierarchical work culture that turned a blind eye to the case.
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N. Korea has unpaid loan of US$40 mln with U.N. agricultural agency: report
SEOUL -- North Korea has not paid back its outstanding loan of US$39.95 million owed to a United Nations agricultural development agency for nearly a decade, the agency said in a recent report.
In its annual report, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) said North Korea has only reimbursed $10.54 million out of the $50.49 million it borrowed from the agency.
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Dolby Laboratories opens premium cinema in S. Korea
SEOUL -- Dolby Laboratories Inc., a U.S.-based audio and imaging technology giant, on Wednesday opened its premium cinema in South Korea in partnership with local multiplex operator Megabox.
South Korea's first Dolby Cinema will be at the Megabox COEX branch in southern Seoul, one of the biggest movie theaters in the country.
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yna--2020-07-22--(LEAD) Top envoys of U.S., China hold talks

The meeting between Ambassadors Harry Harris and Xing Haiming took place at the U.S. envoy 's residence in central Seoul @ @ @ @ @ an embassy official said .
The meeting lasted for about an hour .

(ATTN: ADDS comment by U.S. Embassy in 5th para)
By Kim Seung-yeon
SEOUL, July 22 (Yonhap) -- The ambassadors of the United States and China to South Korea met one-on-one Wednesday and discussed the two countries' bilateral relations and other issues, embassy officials said.
The meeting between Ambassadors Harry Harris and Xing Haiming took place at the U.S. envoy's residence in central Seoul earlier in the day, an embassy official said. The meeting lasted for about an hour.
Harris later tweeted about their meeting, along with a selfie they took together -- with broad smiles.
"Good meeting with PRC Ambassador to ROK, H.E. Xing Haiming. We discussed the important USA-PRC relationship," Harris wrote, referring to China and South Korea by the acronyms of the countries' official names: the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Korea.
It was their first one-on-one meeting since Xing took office in late January.
"Ambassador Harris commented afterward that he enjoyed the productive discussion with Ambassador Xing on a broad range of diplomatic issues," a U.S. Embassy spokesperson said on the customary condition of anonymity.
A spokesperson from the Chinese Embassy said the meeting came as a courtesy call by Xing, who became the ambassador to South Korea early this year, and they discussed various issues, including topics of mutual concern.
The meeting came as tensions run high between the two superpowers over a wide range of issues.
This image, captured from U.S. Ambassador Harry Harris' Twitter account, shows the ambassador posing for a photo with Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming on July 22, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-22--(LEAD) Resumption of large indoor concerts deadlocked again due to COVID-19

The opener of the national tour of TV Chosun 's hit music show `` Mister Trot , '' if held @ @ @ @ @ the first large indoor music concert since the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea .
The @ @ @ @ @ times since it was first planned in February .

(ATTN: UPDATES with new info in paras 5-8)
SEOUL, July 22 (Yonhap) -- A recent spike in novel coronavirus cases in Seoul and its nearby cities has hindered the scheduled resumptions of large concerts in the capital, which have been on hold for months.
On Tuesday, Songpa Ward in southeastern Seoul prohibited all indoor events of more than 5,000 people from taking place at arenas and concert halls in the district, where large indoor sporting facilities, the legacy of 1988 Seoul Olympics, are located.
The measure came as the Seoul metropolitan area has been reporting tens of daily COVID-19 cases on cluster infections linked to small marketing events and religious gatherings over the few weeks.
In Songpa Ward, about nine residents have tested positive for the virus over the past five days.
The poster of the "Tomorrow Mister Trot" concert provided by Show Play (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The Seoul concerts of "Tomorrow Mister Trot," slated for Friday to Aug. 8 at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena, or KSPO Dome, were affected by the ban.
Show Play, the event's organizers, said it decided to reschedule the first five shows for this coming weekend to comply with the administrative order. The new schedule will be announced by Monday, it added.
About 5,200 people were expected to gather in the 15,000-seat hall for each of the 15 rounds of concerts over the next three weeks.
The opener of the national tour of TV Chosun's hit music show "Mister Trot," if held as planned, might be the first large indoor music concert since the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea. The event has been postponed several times since it was first planned in February.
Moreover, the "Phantom Singer 3" concert, the gala show of JTBC's audition reality program, was canceled in compliance with Songpa Ward's ban. The event was to be held at the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium on July 31-Aug. 1.
"We have received the order from the ward office to call off the concert," the event's organizers said in an online posting. "We apologize for causing disappointment and inconvenience to everyone who anticipated the concert and reserved tickets."
The poster of "Phantom Singer 3" concert by JTBC (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
brk@yna.co.kr
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yna--2020-07-22--(LEAD) Public museums, libraries reopen with safety measures amid virus slowdown

The `` pavilion of joyous meeting '' has normally been off-limits and is considered the largest pavilion structure built during @ @ @ @ @ ) .
King Taejo , founder of the Joseon Dynasty , had the pavilion erected @ @ @ @ @ was reconstructed in 1867 .
The pavilion will be open to the public until Oct. @ @

(ATTN: UPDATES with details in para 5, 11-12)
SEOUL, July 22 (Yonhap) -- Many public libraries, museums and art galleries in South Korea reopened their doors to the public on Wednesday amid signs of a slowdown in COVID-19 infections.
The National Museum of Korea (NMK), the National Library of Korea and other cultural venues under the central government began accepting visitors, albeit with safety measures such as an electronic visitor registration system and limits on the number of visitors.
Co-organized with the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA), NMK has opened the "New National Treasures 2017-2019" exhibit to showcase nearly 200 cultural items recognized as new state treasures in recent years.
NMK is operating the exhibit under a reservation system in order to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. Up to 200 people will be permitted to enjoy the exhibition in two-hour viewing sessions.
According to the museums, all viewing sessions on reopening day were full, with online reservations for upcoming session also filling up fast.
Visitors at Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul observe the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion on July 22, 2020, which was opened to the public until Oct. 31. The pavilion, normally off-limits to the public, is considered the largest pavilion structure built during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) and was used for royal banquets and special government functions, such as state occasions to welcome foreign envoys. (Yonhap)
National heritage venues run by CHA, including palaces, royal tombs and museums, also began accepting visitors. These include the National Palace Museum of Korea and Gyeongbok, Changdeok and Deoksu palaces in Seoul.
The Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul opened to the public its marquee Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, which was used for royal banquets and special government functions, such as state occasions to welcome foreign envoys, during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).
The "pavilion of joyous meeting" has normally been off-limits and is considered the largest pavilion structure built during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). King Taejo, founder of the Joseon Dynasty, had the pavilion erected in 1395, and it was reconstructed in 1867. The pavilion will be open to the public until Oct. 31.
Indoor venues run by CHA will not accept group tours and will control the movement of visitors along designated routes. Visitors will be required to undergo mandatory temperature checks.
This file photo from July 21, 2020, shows signage displayed in front of the National Palace Museum of Korea directing visitors to log their arrivals through a digital QR code system as part of the museum's measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (Yonhap)
The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) also started accepting visitors in a limited fashion at its three venues -- two in Seoul and one in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province.
At the museum's main complex in central Seoul, MMCA chief Young Bum-mo personally greeted visitors, offering them flowers and souvenirs.
"We will do our best to ensure safe exhibitions until COVID-19 is eradicated," Youn told arriving visitors.
The Seoul metropolitan government also announced that it started accepting visitors to its 66 local libraries and museums.
Museums will accept visitors through an online reservation system, while the Seoul Metropolitan Library will only allow book rentals. The library will not allow visitors to stay for reading or studying.
"We hope the citizens can find some pleasure in their daily lives by visiting our cultural facilities," Yoo Yeon-sik, the cultural division chief at the Seoul city government, said.
This file photo shows staffers at Seonjam Museum in central Seoul cleaning an exhibit piece with disinfectants on July 20, 2020, two days ahead of the reopening of national cultural facilities in the metropolitan area that have been shut down for months due to the coronavirus, including museums, art centers and libraries. (Yonhap)
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-22--(LEAD) Seoul shares end almost flat on profit-taking

Pharmaceutical company SK Chemicals surged by the daily limit of 30 percent to 232,000 won on reports that its affiliate @ @ @ @ @ with global pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca to produce and supply a vaccine candidate for the new @ @

(ATTN: ADDS bond yields at bottom, photo)
SEOUL, July 22 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks closed flat Wednesday as investors cashed in profits as virus fears marred economic recovery hopes. The Korean won rose against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) declined 0.17 point, or 0.01 percent, to finish at 2,228.66. Trading volume was heavy at 839 million shares worth 15.3 trillion won (US$12.8 billion), with gainers outpacing losers 423 to 412.
The KOSPI closed up 1.4 percent Tuesday, buoyed by a European Union economic stimulus deal and hopes for coronavirus vaccines.
Electronic signboards at the trading room of Hana Bank in Seoul shows the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) having fallen 0.17 point, or 0.01 percent, to finish at 2,228.66 on July 22, 2020. (Yonhap)
"Investors locked in profits by selling stocks that shot up in the previous session," said Seo Sang-young, an analyst at Kiwoom Securities Co.
Foreigners unloaded a net 103 billion won, and institutions sold more shares than they bought at 242 billion won. But retail investors hunted for bargains as they snapped up a net 363 billion won.
Most market heavyweights closed mixed, with techs and automakers leading falls.
Market leader Samsung Electronics dropped 1.08 percent to 54,700 won, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix declined 1.07 percent to 83,200 won.
Top automaker Hyundai Motor shed 2.47 percent to 118,500 won, and its affiliate Kia Motors fell 2.45 percent to 35,800 won.
But power plant builder Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction jumped 20 percent to 8,580 won on expectations that it may benefit from the government's Green New Deal initiative.
Top steelmaker POSCO gained 3.13 percent to 197,500 won despite its weak second-quarter earnings.
Pharmaceutical company SK Chemicals surged by the daily limit of 30 percent to 232,000 won on reports that its affiliate SK Bioscience inked a deal with global pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca to produce and supply a vaccine candidate for the new coronavirus.
The local currency closed at 1,195.30 won against the U.S. dollar, up 2.5 won from the previous session.
Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed higher. The yield on three-year Treasurys fell 0.8 basis point to 0.81 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bond declined 1.3 basis points to 1.071 percent.
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-22--N. Korea has unpaid loan of US$40 mln with U.N. agricultural agency: report

In a press conference in Seoul last year , IFAD President Gilbert Houngbo said the agency received a letter from @ @ @ @ @ ago saying it is ready to pay the amount but that sanctions have hindered IFAD @ @ @ @ @

SEOUL, July 22 (Yonhap) -- North Korea has not paid back its outstanding loan of US$39.95 million owed to a United Nations agricultural development agency for nearly a decade, the agency said in a recent report.
In its annual report, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) said North Korea has only reimbursed $10.54 million out of the $50.49 million it borrowed from the agency.
IFAD is a specialized agency of the U.N. that aims to reduce rural poverty and food shortages by providing loans to developing countries. It was founded in 1977 following the global food crises in the early 1970s.
The agency provided loans to the North to support household and individual-based loans from 1996 to 2008.
In a press conference in Seoul last year, IFAD President Gilbert Houngbo said the agency received a letter from the North a few years ago saying it is ready to pay the amount but that sanctions have hindered IFAD from recollecting the loans.
IFAD does not currently have active operations in North Korea, its website said.
North Korean farmers plant rice in a paddy in Kaepung County, north of the inter-Korean border, on June 18, 2020, in this zoomed-in photo taken from an observation platform on South Korea's Ganghwa Island, 70 kilometers west of Seoul. (Yonhap)
julesyi@yna.co.kr
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yna--2020-07-23--BTS sets new Guinness record for most-watched online concert

`` BTS have achieved a new Guinness World Records title for most viewers for a music concert livestream , '' @ @ @ @ @ said Thursday .
`` 756,000 fans from over 100 countries tuned in to the online @ @ @ @ @ ''

SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- K-pop superstars BTS' latest online concert has set a new Guinness world record for most viewers.
"BTS have achieved a new Guinness World Records title for most viewers for a music concert livestream," the Guinness World Records website said Thursday. "756,000 fans from over 100 countries tuned in to the online performance on June 14."
"Bang Bang Con: The Live" was streamed live for around 100 minutes remotely from a studio in Seoul last month. The septet canceled its world tour schedule for this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Bit Hit Entertainment, the boy band's agency, it was the world's biggest paid online music event in terms of number of viewers.
The size of the online crowd roughly amounted to the combined audience of 15 stadium concerts, it added.
BTS holds several Guinness World Records titles, including first K-pop artist to reach number one on the U.S. album charts.
This photo, provided by Big Hit Entertainment, shows a highlight from K-pop band BTS' online concert "Bang Bang Con: The Live" held on June 14, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
brk@yna.co.kr
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yna--2020-07-23--Parks, bridges, hotels to serve as summer cooling centers for elderly amid pandemic

The infectious virus has proven to be more risky for elderly patients .
While the fatality of patients aged 29 @ @ @ @ @ 0 , it jumped to 9.36 percent for those in their seventies and 25.08 percent @ @ @ @ @ , according to data from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

By Lee Minji
SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- Local governments are turning to parks, shaded areas under bridges and hotels in their latest attempt to provide elderly citizens relief from sweltering summer heat while keeping new coronavirus infection risks low.
Every summer, local community centers for the elderly are converted into air-conditioned cooling centers as daytime highs shoot up to nearly 40 C and stay above 25 C overnight.
This year, however, most indoor cooling centers have been shut down due to concerns the closed, air-conditioned venues may trigger new coronavirus infections among elderly visitors.
This photo, provided by the Gangbuk ward office, shows the facades of Hotel Victoria (L), Rich Diamond Hotel (C) and Solarium City Hostel in northern Seoul, which will run as overnight cooling centers for low-income elderly residents. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)
The infectious virus has proven to be more risky for elderly patients. While the fatality of patients aged 29 or younger came in at 0, it jumped to 9.36 percent for those in their seventies and 25.08 percent for those 80 or older, according to data from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
To meet the challenging demand, some local communities have installed temporary cooling centers at outdoor parks, playgrounds and shaded areas under bridges -- while adhering to anti-virus rules, such as keeping population density low and providing hand sanitizer.
The northern Seoul ward of Dobong, for instance, said it has set up nine outdoors cooling centers at a soccer field, a children's park and areas under bridges in addition to a few indoor cooling centers.
Seongbuk Ward, in northeastern Seoul, plans to run overnight cooling centers at an indoor badminton court. The ward office said it will provide separate bedding and tents to lower infection risks while limiting the number of visitors.
In some areas of Seoul, local governments have teamed up with motels and hotels that are struggling to keep their rooms full amid the pandemic.
"We have signed agreements with three hotels to provide up to 70 rooms as cooling centers for elderly residents since a lot of them have closed down," an official at the northern Seoul ward of Gangbuk said.
"The hotels were also quite happy about it, since customer demand is low due to the new coronavirus," the official added.
This photo, provided by the Guro ward office, shows a tent and a fan set up at a park in the western Seoul ward. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)
The eastern Seoul ward of Gangdong runs a similar plan.
"To minimize infection risks, the rooms are provided for only solo use, with the exception of elderly couples who can share a room," said an official at the ward office, which has secured 24 rooms at two local hotels.
"With support from the city government, we pay around 50,000 won (US$41.70) per room per night to the hotels, they are quite satisfied too."
To manage demand, both ward offices said the accommodations are available to low-income residents aged 60 or older.
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-23--Hyundai Mipo gets approval for ammonia-fueled ships from Lloyd's Register

Ammonia has been attracting a lot of attention in the shipbuilding industry as an eco-friendly fuel for ships that does @ @ @ @ @ it is burned .

By Nam Kwang-sik
SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co. said Thursday that its shipbuilding unit Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co. has obtained the green light for its ammonia-propelled ships from Lloyd's Register, a British quality assurance and risk management company.
Hyundai Mipo Dockyard has been aiming to commercialize the ammonia-propelled ships by 2025 in cooperation with global engine maker MAN Energy Solutions and Lloyd's Register from last October, Korea Shipbuilding said in an emailed statement.
Ammonia has been attracting a lot of attention in the shipbuilding industry as an eco-friendly fuel for ships that does not emit carbon dioxide when it is burned.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted mandatory steps under which carriers are required to operate a fleet of vessels designed to cut emissions of carbon dioxide by more than 30 percent by 2025 compared with 2008.
This photo provided by Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co. shows a petrochemicals carrier built by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The IMO is also considering further reducing emission levels by 40 percent by 2030 and 70 percent by 2050.
From Jan. 1, 2020, the IMO lowered the sulfur cap on fuel content from 3.5 percent to 0.5 percent.
Korea Shipbuilding, newly formed from Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., is the subholding firm of Hyundai Heavy Industries Holdings Co. and has three shipbuilders -- Hyundai Heavy, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard and Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co. -- under its wing.
Korea Shipbuilding and Hyundai Heavy set up a center in March in Ulsan, 414 kilometers southeast of Seoul, to develop ships powered by both liquefied natural gas (LNG) engines and fuel cells by late 2021.
ksnam@yna.co.kr
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yna--2020-07-23--(LEAD) S. Korea to expand medical school admission quotas, open public medical school

It is the first time since 2006 that South Korea has increased the admission quotas for the highly competitive medical @ @ @ @ @ increase will be implemented , in a phased manner , starting in 2022 , according @ @ @

(ATTN: UPDATES with more info in paras 4-7, 9-10; ADDS photo)
SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will increase the admission quotas at medical schools and establish a new public medical school in a bid to broaden the reach of health care services, lawmakers and government officials said Thursday.
The decision was confirmed earlier in the day during a policy coordination meeting between the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and the government.
An image of medical workers (Yonhap)
Under the decision aimed at ramping up medical services, the government plans to expand the admission quotas at medical schools by 4,000 over the next 10 years, starting in 2022.
This will increase the number of students admitted annually to medical schools to 3,458 in the 2022-2031 period, from the current 3,058, according to officials.
Some 3,000 of the additional 4,000 students to be admitted for medical degrees will be required to practice in provincial areas in fields dealing with severe diseases.
The rest of them will be made to specialize in particular studies, like epidemiology, biomedical medicine and general medicine science.
The government also plans to open a new public medical school in 2024 in North Jeolla Province while allowing the establishment of medical schools in regions where there are no medical education institutions.
"Sharply increasing the labor force for disease prevention and medical services is urgently needed in order to deal with a pandemic crisis, such as COVID-19," Rep. Cho Jeong-sik, the head of the DP's policy committee, said during the meeting.
Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae said that the so-called regional doctor system, to be available through the quota expansion, will provide quality health care services to people in provinces and narrow the regional gap in medical service availability.
It is the first time since 2006 that South Korea has increased the admission quotas for the highly competitive medical schools. The new quota increase will be implemented, in a phased manner, starting in 2022, according to officials.
An image of a policy coordination meeting between the government and the Democratic Party in Seoul on July 23, 2020 (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-23--Telcos establish 5G networks on nine subway lines nationwide

`` Due to the efforts from telecom operators and Seoul Metro , we were able to make progress , '' @ @ @ @ @ Science and ICT Jang Seok-young during his visit to a station on Seoul Metro 's @ @ @ @ @ `` We plan to expand 5G coverage in not only subways but areas most visited @ @ @ @ @

SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's three major telecom operators said Thursday that they completed establishment of 5G networks on nine subway lines across the country as they look to accelerate the rollout of the latest generation network amid the government's digital New Deal drive.
SK Telecom Co., KT Corp. and LG Uplus Corp. said in a joint statement that they established 5G networks in the capital region's subway Line No. 9 and eight other subway lines in four major cities -- the southern port city of Busan, the southern city of Daegu, the central city of Daejeon and the southwestern city of Gwangju.
The network will also be partially available on Seoul Metro's Line No. 2, which services the capital's busiest Gangnam Station, from August.
The telecom operators plan to establish the network's availability in additional subway lines by mid-next year, according to the statement.
Telecom operators install 5G equipment at a tunnel near Euljiro 1-ga station on Seoul Metro's Line No. 2 on July 23, 2020, in this photo provided by the Ministry of Science and ICT. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Last week, South Korea announced a set of stimulus measures, including the digital New Deal, under which the government will spend 58.2 trillion won (US$48.6 billion) by 2025 to update public infrastructure with digital services and increase state investment in key technologies, such as 5G.
The companies have promised to commit up to 25.7 trillion won to establish a nationwide 5G network by 2022 as part of the government initiative.
Although South Korea was the first country to commercialize 5G in April last year, its wider deployment has lagged due to limited availability.
"Due to the efforts from telecom operators and Seoul Metro, we were able to make progress," said Second Vice Minister of Science and ICT Jang Seok-young during his visit to a station on Seoul Metro's Line No. 2. "We plan to expand 5G coverage in not only subways but areas most visited by the public."
As of the end of May, there were 6.9 million 5G users, accounting for roughly 10 percent of the total 69 million mobile subscription accounts in the country, according to ICT ministry data.
yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr
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yna--2020-07-23--Seoul stocks extend losses on GDP slump, Sino-U.S. risk

The United States toughened punitive measures against China , the latest being the request to close the Chinese consulate in @ @ @ @ @ strike back if the order is not reversed .

SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares extended losses late Thursday morning, as investor sentiment weakened over the country's worst economic slowdown in two decades and growing U.S.-China tensions.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 15.32 points, or 0.69 percent, to 2,213.34 as of 11:20 a.m.
Investor sentiment weakened as South Korea's real gross domestic product (GDP) in the April-June period shrank 2.9 percent from the same period last year, underperforming the central bank's earlier projection of 2 percent on-year contraction.
The figure marks the slowest quarterly growth since a 3.8 percent on-year retreat in the last three months of 1998 during the Asian Financial Crisis.
Escalating tensions between South Korea's two largest trade partners also fueled the market anxiety.
The United States toughened punitive measures against China, the latest being the request to close the Chinese consulate in Houston. China vowed to strike back if the order is not reversed.
Most large caps traded lower in Seoul.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics lost 1.28 percent, with No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix shedding 0.6 percent.
Top pharmaceutical firm Samsung BioLogics dropped 0.38 percent, and Celltrion slid 0.31 percent.
The country's largest automaker Hyundai Motor remained flat, while top steelmaker POSCO retreated 1.77 percent.
Among gainers, internet giant Naver jumped 4.63 percent, with its rival Kakao adding 2.67 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,197.75 won against the U.S. dollar, down 2.45 won from the previous session's close.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-23--(2nd LD) Eastar on brink of bankruptcy on deal collapse

`` It 's regrettable that we have decided to scrap the deal despite the government 's intention to support the @ @ @ @ @ was inevitable due to uncertainties amid the pandemic and the possible impact on shareholders ' @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .

(ATTN: CHANGES headline and lead; ADDS details throughout)
By Choi Kyong-ae
SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- Debt-ridden Eastar Jet Co. may face bankruptcy after Jeju Air Co. scrapped its plan to acquire the smaller budget carrier amid the new coronavirus' impact on the airline industry, sources said Thursday.
Jeju Air, South Korea's biggest low-cost carrier, said earlier in the day that it has decided to nix the takeover deal due mainly to rising COVID-19 pandemic-related uncertainties.
"It's regrettable that we have decided to scrap the deal despite the government's intention to support the deal. But the decision was inevitable due to uncertainties amid the pandemic and the possible impact on shareholders' value," Jeju Air said in a statement.
This file photo, taken July 1, 2020, shows Jeju Air and Eastar Jet's planes at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul. (Yonhap)
In response to Jeju's announcement, Eastar said Jeju Air violated terms of the deal.
"We urge Jeju Air to proceed with the deal, and we will seek every possible measure to make Jeju take responsibility for the deal's collapse," Eastar Senior Vice President Kim You-sang told Yonhap News Agency over the phone.
Analysts said Eastar will inevitably go broke if there are not viable investors to take over the debt-ridden carrier.
"Eastar's capital erosion and snowballed debts appear to be a stumbling block," Shinyoung Securities Co. analyst Um Kyung-a said.
Jeju Air traded 2.5 percent higher at 16,650 won as of 10:45 a.m., outperforming the broader KOSPI's 0.6 percent loss.
The deal's rupture comes four months after Jeju Air signed a deal in March to acquire a controlling 51.17 percent stake in Eastar Jet from Eastar Holdings for 54.5 billion won (US$45.53 million) as part of its expansion strategy despite the pandemic.
The deal had been at risk of falling through despite the government's intention to support it as the two sides failed to narrow differences on terms of the contract.
On July 1, Jeju Air sent an ultimatum demanding Eastar Jet pay off all of its debts, estimated at up to 170 billion won (US$142 million), including unpaid wages to its employees, delayed payments to subcontractors and office operating expenses, by July 15.
But Eastar failed to meet the demand. The company said the debt payment is not part of the deal and that it is not Eastar's duty but Jeju Air's.
AK Holdings, the holding firm of South Korean retail conglomerate Aekyung Group, holds a 56.94 percent stake in Jeju Air.
Also on Thursday, the state-run Korea Development Bank (KDB) and the Export-Import Bank of Korea said they will withdraw their plan to extend loans worth 170 billion won to Jeju following the deal's collapse.
The state lenders were planning to inject the capital into Jeju Air to help it take over Eastar and ride out the virus crisis.
As for possible loans to Eastar, the KDB said, "We are not considering providing financial support for Eastar."
This photo taken on July 14, 2020, shows Eastar Jet's headquarters in western Seoul. (Yonhap)
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-23--(LEAD) S. Korea sends two military planes to bring home nearly 300 citizens

The KC-330 air refueling tankers took off from an Air Force base in Gimhae , 450 kilometers south of Seoul @ @ @ @ @ The planes , which are set to carry 297 people , mostly workers in Iraq @ @ @ @ @ at Incheon International Airport , west of Seoul , on Friday morning .

(ATTN: RECASTS 3rd para with corrected figures; ADDS photos, more details in paras 4, 7-11)
SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Thursday sent two military planes to bring home nearly 300 citizens from coronavirus-hit Iraq, officials said, with their return set for the following day.
The KC-330 air refueling tankers took off from an Air Force base in Gimhae, 450 kilometers south of Seoul, at 7 a.m. The planes, which are set to carry 297 people, mostly workers in Iraq, are expected to arrive at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, on Friday morning.
The government included four military medical staff members and four quarantine officials on its evacuation support team, officials said.
The government also sent 50,000 face masks to Iraq to support efforts to fight COVID-19, according to the defense ministry.
A KC-330 military air tanker takes off from an Air Force base in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, on July 23, 2020, in this photo provided by the Air Force. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Upon their return to Korea, workers with signs of symptoms will take COVID-19 tests at the airport, while those with no symptoms will undergo the tests after moving to temporary accommodations.
Those who test positive will be sent to medical facilities, while those with negative results will be put into quarantine at designated facilities for two weeks, the length of the virus' incubation period, officials said.
Since February, the government has provided chartered evacuation flights to bring back citizens from the central Chinese city of Wuhan -- the initial epicenter of the pandemic -- Japan, Iran, Peru, Italy and Ethiopia.
Many of the recent imported coronavirus cases in South Korea have come from Iraq, with some 20 people found to be virus-positive upon arriving from Baghdad last week.
On Wednesday (Iraq time), one of the two South Korean workers in Iraq under treatment for coronavirus died from the disease, Seoul officials said. He was among those waiting to board the chartered flight from Seoul.
In June, two South Korean workers in Iraq died of coronavirus symptoms or complications from the disease.
There are 828 South Korean nationals living in Iraq. Of them, 499 are based in Karbala due to their work in construction projects.
Service members load boxes containing masks onto a KC-330 tanker at an Air Force base in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, on July 22, 2020, before departure for Iraq in this photo provided by the Air Force. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
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(END)


yna--2020-07-23--(2nd LD) S. Korea to attract private funds worth 30 tln won for infrastructure projects

The contribution of exports , the nation 's biggest growth engine , to the economy dropped by 4.1 percentage points @ @ @ @ @ while consumption added 0.7 percentage point to the economy , the ministry said .

(ATTN: ADDS finance ministry's statement in paras 13-16)
SEJONG, July 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to attract private funds worth some 30 trillion won (US$25.1 billion) for infrastructure projects, Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki said Thursday, as the government seeks to spur an economic recovery after the coronavirus pandemic.
The projects include 4.5 trillion won worth of expressways and 2.3 trillion won for sewage systems, Hong told a meeting with economy-related ministers.
To attract private funds, the government will ease tax rules and regulations on privately-held funds, Hong said.
By 2025, the government will also build 1,000 plants for fifth-generation telecommunications and artificial intelligence, Hong said.
South Korea's economy contracted 3.3 percent on quarter in the second-quarter of this year, marking the sharpest contraction since the first quarter of 1998, when it contracted 6.8 percent.
As the pandemic pushed the nation's economy into a technical recession, Hong said the second-quarter contraction was "deeper than expectations due to external shocks."
South Korea's exports plummeted 16.6 percent in the second quarter, marking the worst figure since the fourth quarter of 1963.
The nation has pledged to spend 277 trillion won, or 14.4 percent of its gross domestic product, to help cushion the economic fallout from the pandemic.
Hong said the nation's economy could rebound in the third quarter, thanks to a recovery in consumption and fiscal spending.
Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki speaks at a meeting with economy-related ministers in Seoul on July 23, 2020. (Yonhap)
"It is possible for the economy to rebound in the third quarter if the current trend continues," Hong said.
To boost consumption and local tourism, the government designated Aug. 17 as a temporary holiday.
The government will draw up a package of measures to promote local tourism in August, Hong said.
In a statement, the ministry said the pandemic-led economic recession is "worse" than that triggered by the 2008 global financial crisis.
The contribution of exports, the nation's biggest growth engine, to the economy dropped by 4.1 percentage points in the second quarter, while consumption added 0.7 percentage point to the economy, the ministry said.
The ministry said a "China-like rebound" is possible in the third quarter.
The Chinese economy contracted 6.8 percent in the first quarter before expanding 3.2 percent in the second quarter.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has predicted that South Korea's economy could shrink 1.2 percent this year as the global economy is expected to have its worst year since the Great Depression of the 1930s due to the pandemic.
The world economy is expected to contract 6 percent this year, the OECD said.
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-23--The Korea Interbank Offered Rates (KORIBOR)

SEOUL , July 23 ( Yonhap ) -- The Korea Interbank Offered Rates ( KORIBOR ) as posted by Yonhap @ @ @ @ @ and information arm of Yonhap News Agency , at 11:00 a.m .

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


yna--2020-07-23--N. Korea's exports up 14.4 pct in 2019 on base effect

`` While the trade volume rebounded last year due to the base effect following the sharp decrease observed in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ and China also lost ground over the first five months of this year due to @ @ @ @ @ the trade agency said in its report .

SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's exports rose 14.4 percent in 2019 from a year earlier to mark the first on-year increase in three years, but the growth was mainly attributable to a base effect, data showed Thursday.
North Korea's outbound shipments reached US$278 million in 2019, compared with $243 million posted in 2018, according to the data compiled by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).
The country's imports also shot up 14.1 percent over the period to $2.9 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $2.69 billion, the KOTRA data showed. The combined trade volume reached $3.24 billion.
North Korea's exports reached $1.77 billion in 2017, but it sank in the following year due to U.N. sanctions against the communist regime.
North Korea has been under tightened U.N. sanctions, as well as separate U.S. sanctions, over its nuclear tests and its long-range rocket launches.
To put that into perspective, North Korea's total exports in 2019 were less than one day's worth of South Korea's outbound shipments. Last year, South Korea's exports came to US$542.4 billion.
"While the trade volume rebounded last year due to the base effect following the sharp decrease observed in 2018, trade between North Korea and China also lost ground over the first five months of this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic," the trade agency said in its report.
"It is not likely for North Korea to continue expanding its trade volume throughout 2020," it added.
China stood as the biggest trading partner for North Korea in 2019, accounting for a whopping 95.4 percent of the total trade volume.
The world's second-largest economy was responsible for 77.6 percent of North Korea's exports and 97 percent of its imports in 2019.
Russia followed by taking up 1.48 percent of North Korea's trade in 2019, trailed by Vietnam and India, the KOTRA data showed.
Last year, North Korea mainly shipped watches and steel products, which took up 17.8 percent and 12.7 percent of the overall outbound shipments, respectively.
Crude and refined oil products, on the other hand, accounted for 11.7 percent of North Korea's total imports in 2019.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-23--(3rd LD) S. Korea's economy shrinks 2.9 pct in Q2, worst since 1997 financial crisis

`` When we offered our growth projection in May , we had expected the COVID-19 pandemic to begin slowing down @ @ @ @ @ the year , but now we are in the second week of July , and @ @ @ @ @ is rather accelerating , '' he told a press briefing last Thursday .

(ATTN: UPDATES with additional background in paras 11, 17-19)
By Byun Duk-keun
SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's economy contracted at a sharper rate than what had been expected in the second quarter, delivering the worst performance in over two decades, as the pandemic hammered outbound shipments and private spending in Asia's fourth-largest economy, central bank data showed Thursday.
In the April-June period, the country's real gross domestic product (GDP) shrank 2.9 percent from the same period last year, marking the slowest growth since a 3.8 percent on-year contraction in the last three months of 1998, according to advance data from the Bank of Korea (BOK).
Graphic GDP Growth Trend (END)
From three months earlier, the local economy also contracted 3.3 percent, the slowest on-quarter growth since the first quarter of 1998, when it contracted 6.8 percent.
In the first quarter, the South Korean economy declined 1.3 percent on-quarter. However, on a on-year basis, the economy expanded 1.4 percent in the January-March period.
The BOK earlier anticipated the economy to shrink about 2 percent on-year in the April-June period, placing its annual growth outlook at a contraction of 0.2 percent.
"This was largely caused by a sharp drop in exports with the new coronavirus continuing to spread, unlike our expectation that it will likely slow down," said Park Yang-su, head of BOK's economic statistics office.
"Exports fell sharply, partly due to economic lockdowns in major import countries," he told a press briefing.
But BOK Gov. Lee Ju-yeol last week noted the South Korean economy will likely suffer a heavier than earlier anticipated blow this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"When we offered our growth projection in May, we had expected the COVID-19 pandemic to begin slowing down in the second half of the year, but now we are in the second week of July, and the spread of the disease is rather accelerating," he told a press briefing last Thursday.
"And therefore, the recovery in our exports may further be delayed, in which case our economic growth cannot but also be affected," he said.
In its May projection, the BOK predicted the local economy to contract by as much as 1.8 percent on-year in 2020 under what it then called the worst possible scenario, highlighted by a global resurgence in COVID-19 infections.
South Korea's exports plunged 13.6 percent on-year in the second quarter, marking a turnaround from a 5.6 percent on-year increase in the first three months of the year.
It also marks the sharpest on-year decline in exports since the fourth quarter of 1974, when outbound shipments dropped 17.9 percent.
Park said South Korea's economic growth will largely depend on the future course of the COVID-19 pandemic and on the degree of economic lockdowns in other countries that will set the course of its exports.
"The country's annual economic growth will be determined by whether other countries will not strengthen their lockdowns even if the COVID-19 pandemic does not slow, and by their efforts to boost economic growth," the BOK official said.
The file photo, taken May 1, 2020, shows stacks of import-export cargo at South Korea's largest seaport in Busan, 450 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
Domestic consumption continued to remain weak in the second quarter, slipping 4.1 percent on-year, which marks a slight improvement from a 4.8 percent on-year contraction in the first quarter.
To help boost local spending, the central bank has so far delivered two rate reductions, slashing the policy rate by 75 basis points to a record low of 0.5 percent.
The country's consumer prices, however, have been weakening, posting negative 0.3 percent on-year growth in May that apparently reflected slow demand at home.
Consumer prices remained unchanged from a year earlier in June.
Government spending again helped keep the local economy stay afloat, adding 6 percent from a year earlier in the second quarter.
The government has so far boosted its budget spending by at least 59 trillion won (US$49.3 billion) with three batches of supplementary budgets to boost the virus-hit economy. The country reported its first COVID-19 case on Jan. 20.
Its third and latest extra budget secured an additional 35.1 trillion won in spending, marking the largest-ever single supplementary budget in the country's history.
Despite massive budget spending, private investment continued to remain sluggish, with construction investment growing only 0.1 percent on-year in the second quarter, sharply slowing from a 4.2 percent on-year expansion in the January-March period.
Construction investment gained 1.5 percent on-year, also slowing from a 7.5 percent expansion in the first quarter, according to the BOK.
By sector, output by the manufacturing industry plunged 6.7 percent on-year, a turnaround from a 3.5 percent on-year increase in the first quarter.
Output by the construction sector dipped 0.2 percent, compared with a 3 percent on-year gain in the first quarter, while that of the service sector slipped 1.7 percent, also marking a turnaround from 0.2 percent growth in the previous quarter.
Park refused to offer a growth estimate for the whole year when asked, but insisted a slower-than-expected growth in the second quarter will not necessarily mean an equally large drop in the annual growth rate.
On-quarter growth of 3 percent or higher in the remainder of the year would still put the country's annual growth at negative 0.2 percent, he noted.
The BOK is set to offer a revised growth outlook for the year on Aug. 27.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-23--(2nd LD) SK hynix expects solid demand in H2 after upbeat Q2 earnings

`` For the third quarter , we expect the DRAM bit growth to be flat compared to the previous quarter @ @ @ @ @ flash will increase by a high single-digit percentage , '' the company said in a @ @ @ @ @ company 's annual bit shipment is expected to increase by a mid-10 percent figure , @ @ @ @ @ is to rise by more than 40 percent as we previously projected . ''

(ATTN: CHANGES headline, lead; ADDS more info in paras 2-4, 14-16, 20)
By Joo Kyung-don
SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- SK hynix Inc., South Korea's second-largest chipmaker, announced on Thursday that it expects solid chip demand in the second half of the year following its strong second-quarter performance on the back of robust demand for server chips amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Its net profit more than doubled to reach 1.26 trillion won (US$1.1 billion) in the second quarter of the year from a net profit of 537 billion won a year earlier, the company said in a regulatory filing.
Operating profit for the April-June period more than tripled to 1.94 trillion won. Sales increased 33.4 percent on-year to 8.6 trillion won over the cited period.
Its operating margin reached 23 percent, up 13 percentage points from a year earlier.
Compared with the first quarter, its operating profit surged 143.2 percent, while sales jumped 19.6 percent.
This undated image shows the corporate logo of South Korean chipmaker SK hynix Inc. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
SK hynix said strong demand of server chips from cloud service companies, caused by the pandemic-driven stay-at-home trend, pushed up its bottom line.
"The surging demand for server memory maintained favorable memory price, while numerous factors, including the increase of the main products' yield rate, led to cost reduction," it said.
For DRAM chips, SK hynix said it managed to expand sales of both server and graphics products although weak demand of mobile customers continued.
"Both DRAM bit shipments and average selling price increased by 2 percent and 15 percent on-quarter, respectively," the company said.
For NAND flash memory, SK hynix said its solid state drive (SSD) products led the growth. For the first time, its SSD business accounted for nearly half of its NAND flash business, the company added.
Its NAND flash bit shipment and average selling price increased by 5 percent and 8 percent on-quarter, respectively.
This photo provided by SK hynix Inc. on July 2, 2020, shows the company's high-speed DRAM, HBM2E. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
SK hynix projected that global uncertainties, caused by the pandemic and trade disputes among major economies, will continue in the second half of the year.
But 5G smartphones and new video gaming consoles that are scheduled to be launched later this year will stimulate growth.
"For the third quarter, we expect the DRAM bit growth to be flat compared to the previous quarter, while that of NAND flash will increase by a high single-digit percentage," the company said in a conference call. "The company's annual bit shipment is expected to increase by a mid-10 percent figure, while that of NAND flash is to rise by more than 40 percent as we previously projected."
SK hynix said price adjustment appears to be "unavoidable" in the second half of the year, noting that the average selling price of its products could be lower, though it will not undermine the growth of memory demand in the long term.
SK hynix said memory demand is anticipated to show more firm, stable growth next year. It expected bit growth of DRAM and NAND flash to be around 20 percent and 30 percent in 2021, respectively.
SK hynix added it will maintain the "conservative plan" for capital expenditures.
For the DRAM business, SK hynix said it will expand mobile DRAM sales using its 1Ynm technology and timely supply low-power double data rate (LPDDR) DRAM products. It will also focus on increasing sales of high-capacity server products larger than 64 gigabytes and push for the full-scale mass-production of 1Znm DRAM products.
For NAND flash business, SK hynix said it will try to diversify its customer portfolio to boost its competitiveness in the server products business, in addition to responding to mobile and gaming console demand.
The company said it plans to sell its 128-layer NAND flash products in the third quarter at the earliest.
(END)


yna--2020-07-23--S. Korea awards American students prize for voluntary work at Korean War memorial

The students -- Yuri Jang , Alex Malfregeot and Daniel Shin -- visited the Korean War Memorial in Pittsburgh every @ @ @ @ @ for voluntary work , such as cleaning .
They also launched diverse community work , @ @ @ @ @ the 1950-53 Korean War veterans , according to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs @ @ @ @

SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korea awarded a prize to three American students for their voluntary work at a Korean War memorial park in the United States, the veterans affairs ministry said Thursday.
The students -- Yuri Jang, Alex Malfregeot and Daniel Shin -- visited the Korean War Memorial in Pittsburgh every week for about two years for voluntary work, such as cleaning. They also launched diverse community work, such as sending letters to the 1950-53 Korean War veterans, according to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (MPVA).
"Although I don't have family relatives who served in the Korean War, I wanted to contribute to the cause of honoring the Korean War veterans by cleaning the Memorial after I heard stories about the veterans," Malfregeot, 18, was quoted as saying by the ministry.
The Korean Embassy in the U.S. will present the prize, rather than inviting them to South Korea, due to the COVID-19 situation, according to the ministry.
"This is to express gratitude for their outstanding work and to draw further attention to the Korean War and UN veterans among future generations," the ministry said in a release.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the three-year war, and the South Korean government has launched diverse related projects.
This undated photo provided by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs shows Yuri Jang (front row, L), Daniel Shin (front row, C) and Alex Malfregeot (front row, R). (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-23--(LEAD) New virus cases hover around 60; local infections at almost 3-week high

The recent increase also came as South Korean workers returned home from virus-hit nations , such as Iraq .
There @ @ @ @ @ ships docked in the southeastern port city of Busan and virus-infected foreign workers from Central @ @ @ @ @ .

(ATTN: ADDS details throughout, photo)
SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new daily virus cases stayed around 60 for the second straight day on Thursday as locally-transmitted cases spiked due to cluster infections traced to a military unit and nursing homes, with imported cases showing no sign of a letup.
The country identified 59 new cases, raising the total caseload to 13,938, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). Of the newly added cases, 39 were local infections, the highest in 18 days.
New virus cases jumped to 63 on Wednesday after falling below 30 for the first time in more than three weeks on Monday.
A visitor wearing a protective mask reads a book at the National Library of Korea in Sejong, central South Korea, on July 22, 2020. (Yonhap)
Of the locally transmitted cases reported Thursday, 11 were from Seoul.
A nursing home in western Seoul reported three new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, raising the total number of related cases to 15.
Gyeonggi Province surrounding the capital city reported 17 new infections as an Army unit near the inter-Korean border reported a cluster infection, with at least fourteen soldiers being infected with COVID-19 so far.
Gwangju, located 330 kilometers southwest of Seoul, added nine new case. Incheon, just west of Seoul, added two new infections.
South Korea is also grappling with a steady inflow of cases from overseas, as imported cases have increased by double-digit daily figures for 28 consecutive days.
Of 20 imported cases reported on Thursday, nine of them were from the United States, followed by five from Russia and three from Uzbekistan.
The recent increase also came as South Korean workers returned home from virus-hit nations, such as Iraq. There were group infections on Russian ships docked in the southeastern port city of Busan and virus-infected foreign workers from Central Asian countries arrived at airports.
Health authorities said three additional Russian sailors aboard a ship docked in Busan tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday. They were not included in the daily tally.
Over the past month, South Korea has detected 46 virus cases from Russian ships docked here.
Medical workers carry out new coronavirus tests on visitors at a makeshift clinic in southern Seoul on July 22, 2020. (Yonhap)
South Korea has been requiring foreigners from six high-risk nations to hand in documentation showing they tested negative for the virus.
Related cases may rise down the road as the country plans to bring home nationals from virus-hit Iraq. The country is set to bring some South Korean nationals from Iraq on Friday on two chartered flights.
Among the first batch of 105 South Koreans who arrived here from Iraq on July 15, 45 tested positive for the virus after arriving.
But with the number of new locally transmitted cases staying below 50 over recently, which is considered manageable by health authorities, South Korea decided to reopen museums and libraries in the greater Seoul area this week.
Bans on gatherings other than regular worship services by churches will be lifted on Friday as well.
The country's death toll came to 297, unchanged from the previous day, according to the KCDC. The fatality rate reached 2.13 percent.
The number of patients being fully cured of the virus reached 12,758, up 60 from Wednesday.
South Korea has been carrying out 1,500,854 COVID-19 tests since Jan. 3.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-23--Key trade union to hold online vote on approving coronavirus agreement

Some 1,500 representatives of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions ( KCTU ) were set to hold a 12-hour marathon @ @ @ @ @ to approve the key agreement that centers on sustaining jobs and expanding the social safety @ @ @ @ @ for companies .

SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's biggest trade union is set to hold a key vote late Thursday on approving a set of measures drawn up by the government, business and labor circles to deal with the economic fallout from the new coronavirus.
Some 1,500 representatives of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) were set to hold a 12-hour marathon meeting to decide on whether to approve the key agreement that centers on sustaining jobs and expanding the social safety net while easing financial burdens for companies.
The meeting, the first to be held online amid infection risks, is scheduled to end at 8 p.m.
Kim Myung-hwan, the head of Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, speaks at a press conference held at the trade union's headquarters in central Seoul on July 10, 2020. Kim said he will step down if a key agreement aimed at minimizing the fallout of the new coronavirus is not approved by union members. (Yonhap)
Six stakeholders -- the prime minister, the finance minister and the heads of the KCTU, Federation of Korea Trade Unions, Korea Employers Federation and Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry -- were set to ink the key deal earlier this month.
But the agreement, the first of its kind since 1998 when a similar agreement was signed amid the Asian financial crisis, fell through at the last moment due to opposition from KCTU members.
While some, including KCTU chief Kim Myung-hwan, appeared favorable towards the agreement that includes measures on protecting vulnerable workers, some voiced opposition, saying it does not include a ban on layoffs that the trade union has demanded.
If the trade union's representatives approve the agreement, it will pave the way for the first social agreement of its kind in 22 years.
If it is vetoed, the trade union's leadership is likely to face a crisis. Kim has announced that he will step down if the agenda is not approved.
Members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions hold signs opposing a key agreement aimed at minimizing the fallout of the new coronavirus as the union's chief Kim Myung-hwan (C) walks by to attend a meeting at the trade union's headquarters in central Seoul on July 2, 2020. (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-23--Inter-Korean relations should move forward regardless of nuke talks: minister nominee

`` The South and the North should sit face-to-face again .
Reaffirming their mutual trust and making good on promises @ @ @ @ @ the stopped Korean Peninsula clock , '' he added .
`` We will take the @ @ @ @ @ bold change to turn the North Korea-U.S. clock into the clock for the South and @ @ @ @

By Koh Byung-joon
SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- Inter-Korean relations should move forward regardless of progress in denuclearization talks between North Korea and the United States, unification minister nominee Lee In-young said Thursday.
In opening remarks at his confirmation hearing, Lee also vowed to actively push for a "bold change" in making efforts to advance relations with the North, while urging Pyongyang to refrain from provocations and come out for talks again.
"The peace train on the Korean Peninsula should run on two tracks -- relations between the two Koreas and relations between North Korea and the U.S.," he said. "Even if North Korea-U.S. ties remain stalled, inter-Korean relations should steadily move forward, with their own objectives."
"The South and the North should sit face-to-face again. Reaffirming their mutual trust and making good on promises, they have to restart the stopped Korean Peninsula clock," he added. "We will take the lead and push for a bold change to turn the North Korea-U.S. clock into the clock for the South and the North."
Inter-Korean relations have been deadlocked since the no-deal summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in February last year. Pyongyang has not responded to Seoul's offer for exchanges and talks ever since.
The ties became further strained after the North blew up a joint liaison office in its border town of Kaesong last month in anger over anti-Pyongyang leaflets sent by activists in South Korea.
The North also cut off all cross-border communication lines and threatened to take more retaliatory steps, but leader Kim later called off military action against the South.
Lee emphasized that there are many areas in which the two Koreas can work together despite international sanctions.
He, in particular, called for cross-border cooperation in the humanitarian area, saying issues related to "eating, suffering and things that people want to see before they die" should be handled independently of political issues.
He apparently referred to the possibility of the provision of food and medication to the North and reunions of families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War.
The remarks are in line with his earlier stance that he will push for cooperation in the humanitarian area with the North independent of consultations with the U.S. through their working group forum set up in 2018 to coordinate joint approaches to North Korea.
"Inter-Korean cooperation also should be expanded into borderless matters of diseases, disasters and climate change to which we can jointly respond," he added.
Lee, a four-term lawmaker, was appointed as unification minister earlier this month to replace Kim Yeon-chul, who resigned over recently strained inter-Korean relations.
He must go through a parliamentary confirmation hearing, but it is considered largely a formality as the National Assembly can only express its views on the nomination without the power to reject it.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-23--New virus cases hover around 60; local infections at almost 3-week high

The increase came as South Korean workers returned home from virus-hit nations such as Iraq .
There were also group @ @ @ @ @ in the country 's southeastern port city of Busan and virus-infected foreign workers from Central @ @ @ @ @ airports .

SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new daily virus cases stayed around 60 for the second straight day on Thursday as locally-transmitted cases spiked due to cluster infections traced to a military unit and nursing homes, with imported cases showing no sign of a letup.
The country identified 59 new cases, raising the total caseload to 13,938, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). Of the newly added cases, 39 were local infections, the highest in 18 days.
New virus cases jumped to 63 on Wednesday after falling below 30 for the first time in more than three weeks on Monday.
Of the locally transmitted cases reported Thursday, 11 were from Seoul.
A nursing home in western Seoul reported three new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, raising the total number of related cases to 15.
Gyeonggi Province surrounding the capital city reported 17 new infections as an Army unit near the inter-Korean border reported a cluster infection, with at least fourteen soldiers being infected with COVID-19 so far.
Gwangju, located 330 kilometers southwest of Seoul, added nine new case. Incheon, just west of Seoul, added two new infections.
A visitor wearing a protective mask reads a book at the National Library of Korea in Sejong, central South Korea, on July 22, 2020. (Yonhap)
South Korea is also grappling with a steady inflow of cases from overseas, as imported cases have increased by double-digit daily figures for 28 consecutive days.
The increase came as South Korean workers returned home from virus-hit nations such as Iraq. There were also group infections on Russian ships docked in the country's southeastern port city of Busan and virus-infected foreign workers from Central Asian countries were detected at airports.
South Korea has been requiring foreigners from six high-risk nations to hand in documentation showing they tested negative for the virus.
Related cases may rise down the road as the country plans to bring home nationals from virus-hit Iraq. The country is set to bring some South Korean nationals from Iraq on Friday on two chartered flights.
Among the first batch of 105 South Koreans who arrived here from Iraq on July 15, 45 tested positive for the virus after arriving.
But with the number of new locally transmitted cases staying below 50 over recently, which is considered manageable by health authorities, South Korea decided to reopen museums and libraries in the greater Seoul area this week.
Bans on gatherings other than regular worship services by churches will be lifted on Friday as well.
The country's death toll came to 297, unchanged from the previous day, according to the KCDC.
The number of patients being fully cured of the virus reached 12,758, up 60 from Wednesday.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-23--(URGENT) 60 more released from coronavirus treatment, total now at 12,758: KCDC


yna--2020-07-23--(URGENT) S. Korea reports no additional coronavirus-related death, total now at 297: KCDC


yna--2020-07-23--(LEAD) Major trade union vetoes key deal to counter COVID-19 pandemic

The agreement was the result of weekslong talks among six stakeholders -- the prime minister , the finance minister and @ @ @ @ @ , Federation of Korea Trade Unions , Korea Employers Federation and Korea Chamber of Commerce @ @ @ @ @ off in May .

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; UPDATES throughout with details, photo)
SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- Following weeks of internal debate, South Korea's biggest trade union on Thursday voted against a key labor agreement drawn up by the government and the business and labor circles to deal with the economic fallout from the new coronavirus.
The conclusion was reached at a 12-hour marathon meeting where some 1,500 representatives of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) discussed online whether to approve the key agreement that centers on sustaining jobs and expanding the social safety net while easing financial burdens for companies.
A majority of 805 out of 1,311 who voted opposed the approval, according to the trade union. A total of 499 voted for approving the labor agreement, while seven counts were invalid.
Kim Myung-hwan, the head of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), leaves the trade union's headquarters in central Seoul on July 23, 2020. The KCTU voted against a key agreement aimed at easing economic headwinds from the new coronavirus. (Yonhap)
The agreement was the result of weekslong talks among six stakeholders -- the prime minister, the finance minister and the heads of the KCTU, Federation of Korea Trade Unions, Korea Employers Federation and Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry -- that kicked off in May.
Under the agreement, the government had proposed to map out a universal employment insurance plan by year-end and provide financial support for companies that have temporarily suspended their business or asked employees to take leave due to the fallout from the virus.
Businesses, meanwhile, had pledged to maintain employment, while the labor circle in turn said it planned to agree to cutting work hours and taking leave for this goal.
Kim Myung-hwan, the KCTU's chief, was among the first to propose talks between the government and business and labor circles.
However, a ceremony to mark the signing of the agreement fell through earlier this month, as KCTU members opposed Kim attending the event and signing the deal.
While some, including KCTU chief Kim Myung-hwan, appeared favorable toward the agreement that includes measures on protecting vulnerable workers, some others voiced opposition, saying it does not include a ban on layoffs that the trade union has demanded.
This photo, taken on June 18, 2020, shows Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun and participants from the labor and business circles posing for a photo during their meeting at the prime minister's residence in central Seoul. (Yonhap)
With Thursday's vote, the country's labor and business circles failed to reach a meaningful consensus on the first social agreement of its kind in 22 years.
A similar agreement was reached in 1998, when Asia's fourth-largest economy was going through the Asian financial crisis.
Members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions hold signs opposing a key agreement aimed at minimizing the fallout of the new coronavirus as the union's chief Kim Myung-hwan (C) walks by to attend a meeting at the trade union's headquarters in central Seoul on July 2, 2020. (Yonhap)
In addition to breaking the key agreement, the decision is expected to test the trade union's leadership. KCTU chief Kim announced he would step down if the agenda item was not approved.
It is also forecast to hinder the Moon Jae-in administration's blueprint on resolving social issues through conversations.
Kim plans to hold a press conference at the KCTU's headquarters Friday and announce his stance on the results.
mlee@yna.co.kr
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yna--2020-07-23--S. Korea allows UNC to use border building for armistice event

Speculations were raised that the disapproval might have had something to do with the UNC 's rejection in 2018 of @ @ @ @ @ the Military Demarcation Line for a joint railway field survey by the two Koreas .

SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- Reversing its earlier decision, South Korea has allowed the United Nations Command (UNC) to hold an armistice anniversary ceremony at its building on the inter-Korean border next week, according to officials Thursday.
The unification ministry has approved the UNC to use the Freedom House building located in the border village of Panmunjom for next Monday's event marking the 67th anniversary of the signing of the 1953 Korean War armistice agreement.
"The improving COVID-19 situation in the Seoul metropolitan area and weather conditions were taken into consideration," a ministry official explained.
Earlier this week, the ministry rejected the UNC's request to hold the annual ceremony at the Freedom House, citing the new coronavirus and recent inter-Korean developments.
The UNC reportedly considered holding the event on the road in front of the building.
Speculations were raised that the disapproval might have had something to do with the UNC's rejection in 2018 of Seoul's request to access the Military Demarcation Line for a joint railway field survey by the two Koreas.
Since 2013, the UNC has held the event at the building.
The U.S.-led command administers Panmunjom and the broader Demilitarized Zone and enforces the armistice that halted the 1950-53 Korean War.
The four-story Freedom House building was constructed in 1998 and has been used for communications with North Korea. It is managed by the South Korean government.
This file photo shows U.S. Gen. Robert Abrams, head of the United Nations Command, speaking at an event marking the 66th anniversary of the signing of the 1950-53 Korean War armistice agreement, at the Freedom House in the inter-Korean border village of Panmunjom on July 27, 2020. (Joint Press Corps)
odissy@yna.co.kr
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yna--2020-07-23--S. Korea issues Japanese encephalitis warning

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued the warning after the massive presence of mosquitoes capable of carrying @ @ @ @ @ the southeastern port city of Busan between Tuesday and Wednesday .

SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korea issued a nationwide warning for the Japanese encephalitis virus Thursday, advising the public to pay attention to personal hygiene and get vaccinated if necessary.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued the warning after the massive presence of mosquitoes capable of carrying the virus was confirmed in the southeastern port city of Busan between Tuesday and Wednesday.
The agency issued an advisory for the virus on March 26.
Most Japanese encephalitis virus infections result in a mild fever and headache or have no apparent symptoms, but approximately 1 in 250 infections results in severe clinical illness, according to the World Health Organization.
A severe form of the disease is characterized by the rapid onset of a high fever, headaches, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, seizures, spastic paralysis and, in severe cases, death.
The case fatality rate can be as high as 30 percent among those with symptoms of the disease, according to the WHO.
Last year, six people died of the illness in South Korea, according to health authorities.
A file image of a Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquito, which transmits the Japanese encephalitis virus (Yonhap)
odissy@yna.co.kr
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yna--2020-07-23--Boat collision causes oil spill off southwestern coast

Coast Guard authorities believe that the tug was holed after not being able to withstand the impact due to its @ @ @ @ @ was salvaged Thursday and will be inspected to investigate the cause of the accident .

SINAN, South Korea, July 23 (Yonhap) -- An oil spill caused by a ship collision has contaminated the waters off the country's southwestern coast, the Korea Coast Guard said Thursday.
The accident occurred at around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday near a seawall construction site at a port in the southwestern island of Gageo, South Jeolla Province.
A 78-ton tugboat at the site crashed into a 800-ton barge and sank completely in two hours, according to the Mokpo office of the Korea Coast Guard. The tugboat carried 24 tons of oil, including bunker fuel oil.
Coast Guard officials clean up spilt oil at a port on the southwestern island of Gageo, South Jeolla Province, on July 23, 2020, in this photo provided by the Mokpo office of the Korea Coast Guard. The oil spill occurred after a 78-ton tugboat at the site crashed into a 800-ton barge two days earlier. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The Coast Guard, the county office and environmental activists have so far managed to clean up 8 tons of oil.
"We're concerned as the spilt oil can affect nearby fish farms and fishing operations," an official at the Sinan county government said.
Coast Guard authorities believe that the tug was holed after not being able to withstand the impact due to its old age. The boat was salvaged Thursday and will be inspected to investigate the cause of the accident.
"The owner of the vessel argues that it had passed a safety test, but we're planning to review how a 60-year-old tugboat was used in the construction site in the beginning," a Coast Guard official said.
Coast Guard divers clean up spilt oil at a port on the southwestern island of Gageo, South Jeolla Province, on July 23, 2020, in this photo provided by the Mokpo office of the Korea Coast Guard. The oil spill occurred after a 78-ton tugboat at the site crashed into a 800-ton barge two days earlier. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
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yna--2020-07-23--(2nd LD) 16 new COVID-19 cases linked to Seoul church

`` Since it is true that ( patients traced to ) religious facilities have subsided , the ( plan ) @ @ @ @ @ p.m. on Friday will go ahead as planned , '' he said , advising churchgoers @ @ @ @ @ activities , '' such as small group gatherings and group meals .

(ATTN: ADDS details in last two paras)
SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- Sixteen new coronavirus virus cases have been identified in relation to a Protestant church in Seoul, officials said Thursday.
The infections, tallied at 2 p.m., traced to Sarang Church in the eastern Seoul ward of Songpa, according to officials.
An infection was first identified Monday. Details on when the additional infections occurred were not immediately available.
The ward office said it has so far tested 136 people who visited the church between July 1 and 20. Eleven of them have tested positive.
Health authorities urged churchgoers to follow safety guidelines, saying they were not kept at the Songpa church.
"Epidemiological studies showed there were cases of (people) who attended services while showing (virus) symptoms," Kwon Joon-wook, deputy director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in a daily press briefing.
"Additionally, mask wearing was poorly kept among the choir, and singing took place. We've also found that small meetings outside of services, including those involving meals, took place involving the choir."
The outbreak comes just a day before the government's planned lifting of a ban on small church gatherings outside of Sunday services.
Starting July 10, the government imposed a set of measures barring churches from organizing small gatherings, including Bible classes, choir practices or prayer services, and offering group meals.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announced earlier this week that the government will lift the strict anti-infection rules for churches starting Friday as cases coming from such gatherings have subsided.
Despite the Songpa church case, Kwon said the government will go ahead with partially lifting the anti-virus rules.
"Since it is true that (patients traced to) religious facilities have subsided, the (plan) to ease measures from 6 p.m. on Friday will go ahead as planned," he said, advising churchgoers to refrain from "high-risk activities," such as small group gatherings and group meals.
This July 22, 2020, photo shows health workers testing a visitor for the new coronavirus at a local community screening center in the southeastern Seoul ward of Songpa. (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
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yna--2020-07-23--Cheong Wa Dae issues message of comfort for late mayor's alleged sexual abuse victim

Park was found dead earlier this month after his former secretary filed a sexual harassment complaint with police against him @ @ @ @ @ , Park wrote he feels sorry to `` everyone '' but did not mention the @ @

SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- The office of President Moon Jae-in broke its silence Thursday about the politically sensitive issue related to the allegations that late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon sexually harassed a former secretary, conveying a message of comfort to the victim.
"We offer words of comfort to the victim," Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok said at a press briefing when asked about the presidential office's position on the matter.
Park was found dead earlier this month after his former secretary filed a sexual harassment complaint with police against him. In his suicide note, Park wrote he feels sorry to "everyone" but did not mention the accusations.
Cheong Wa Dae's statement came a day after the accuser, who remains anonymous, openly demanded through her lawyer that relevant authorities conduct a thorough probe into her suffering "in accordance with a legitimate and reasonable procedure."
Kang said Cheong Wa Dae maintains a "firm stance" against any sexual misconduct by senior civil servants and the position that protecting victims should be a top priority.
He added that Cheong Wa Dae would wait for the results of the ongoing investigation to detail its position on the case.
Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok issues a statement, in this file photo. (Yonhap)
lcd@yna.co.kr
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yna--2020-07-23--(3rd LD) N.K. could react positively if S. Korea, U.S. exercise flexibility on joint drills: ministe

(3rd LD) N.K. could react positively if S. Korea, U.S. exercise flexibility on joint drills: minister nominee

(ATTN: ADDS more remarks in paras 8-11)
By Koh Byung-joon
SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- North Korea could respond if South Korea and the United States exercise flexibility on their summertime joint military exercises as it could be seen as a "new message" for Pyongyang, unification minister nominee Lee In-young said Thursday.
Lee made the remarks during a parliamentary confirmation hearing as military authorities of South Korea and the U.S. are in discussion on whether to scale back or call off a major combined exercise reportedly scheduled for next month amid the global coronavirus pandemic.
"Should we exercise flexibility, such as downsizing the scale by around half or moving maneuver areas south of the Han River, North Korea could respond accordingly," Lee said when asked about what impact such drills would have on inter-Korean relations.
"If the exercises go ahead as scheduled, North Korea's protest will be a little stronger, whereas if the exercises are put on hold altogether, it could be seen as a new message," he said.
North Korea has long denounced joint military drills between the U.S. and the South as a rehearsal for invasion. When and how to stage the annual summertime exercises have drawn keen attention as they could throw cold water on already chilled inter-Korean relations.
Lee, known for pro-unification activism during his college years when he served as the inaugural leader of a nationwide university students' association, also said he believes it is right for the U.S. to continue to station troops in the South.
Lee said the American troop presence is necessary in the context of power balance in Northeast Asia.
Lee also called on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to step forward to improve relations with the U.S. even if his demands are not perfectly met.
"To be honest, I would like to propose to North Korea to improve relations with the U.S., even if it takes home 70 to 80 percent and not 100 percent," he said.
"If we miss this opportunity, we will miss the strategic timing or the 'golden time,' and it will take a long time before we are given the next opportunity," he added.
He also urged for a cautious approach to claiming damages from the North for the demolition of the joint liaison office, stressing the importance of "a wise solution" to avoid hindering inter-Korean relations.
Unification Minister nominee Lee In-young speaks during his parliamentary confirmation hearing at the National Assembly in Seoul on July 23, 2020. (Yonhap)
Inter-Korean relations have been deadlocked since the no-deal summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in February last year. Pyongyang has not responded to Seoul's offer for exchanges and talks ever since.
Cross-border ties have become further strained since the North blew up a joint liaison office in its border town of Kaesong last month in anger over anti-Pyongyang leaflets sent by activists in South Korea
The North also cut off all cross-border communication lines and threatened to take more retaliatory steps, but leader Kim later called off military action against the South.
With regard to the issue of the withdrawal of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea, Lee said that it is necessary to maintain their presence here from the perspectives of "strategic balance of power" in the region and alliance between Seoul and Washington.
A recent news report said that the Pentagon had presented the White House with options to reduce troop levels in South Korea in March. Speculation of a possible drawdown has increased as the U.S. has demanded South Korea pay significantly more to keep the 28,500 troops stationed there.
Lee stressed that inter-Korean relations should move forward regardless of progress in denuclearization talks between North Korea and the U.S., vowing to push for a "bold change" in Seoul's approach to North Korea if he takes office.
"The South and the North should sit face-to-face again. Reaffirming their mutual trust and making good on promises, they have to restart the stopped Korean Peninsula clock," he added. "We will take the lead and push for a bold change to turn the North Korea-U.S. clock into the clock for the South and the North."
He, in particular, called for cross-border cooperation in the humanitarian area, saying issues related to "eating, suffering and things that people want to see before they die" should be handled independently of political issues.
If necessary to help break the logjam in relations with the North, Lee also said that he would not hesitate at all to go to Pyongyang as a special envoy.
"I would like to resume talks, among other things," he said.
He, however, dismissed calls for disbandment of the working group forum set up in September 2018 to coordinate North Korea policy with the U.S. Critics here and North Korea have denounced it as a major hindrance to expanding inter-Korean exchanges as it focuses only on enforcement of global sanctions on the North.
"We cannot completely deny the function that the working group has played in effectively resolving matters related to sanctions against the North," he said.
Lee, a four-term lawmaker, was appointed as unification minister earlier this month to replace Kim Yeon-chul, who resigned over recently strained inter-Korean relations.
He must go through a parliamentary confirmation hearing, but it is considered largely a formality as the National Assembly can only express its views on the nomination without the power to reject it.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-23--S. Korea reviews G7 summit issue in NSC meeting, Cheong Wa Dae says

During the weekly standing committee meeting of the National Security Council ( NSC ) , the officials `` reviewed the @ @ @ @ @ this year 's G7 summit and discussed the direction of South Korea 's participation in @ @ @ @ @ held , '' the presidential office said in a press release .

SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's top security officials on Thursday discussed the issue of a G7 summit that the United States is expected to host later this year, Cheong Wa Dae said.
During the weekly standing committee meeting of the National Security Council (NSC), the officials "reviewed the situation on the push for this year's G7 summit and discussed the direction of South Korea's participation in the case that it's held," the presidential office said in a press release.
In addition, they agreed to "respond actively" to the matter of expanding the G7 membership, it added, without giving further details in a two-paragraph press release. The meeting was chaired by Suh Hoon, director of national security at Cheong Wa Dae.
In phone talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on June 1, U.S. President Donald Trump invited him to join the G7 summit. Moon immediately accepted it. Trump said he would like to play host to the session as early as in September.
Citing the G7's outdated system, he expressed hope that South Korea, Australia and India, as well as probably Russia, will take part in an expanded forum.
The U.S. has not announced the schedule, the exact venue and other details.
A Cheong Wa Dae official told reporters that the U.S. is still in consultations with relevant nations on the matter.
The existing G7 members are the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.
In this file photo, dated July 21, 2020, Suh Hoon (R), director of national security at Cheong Wa Dae, talks with Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha ahead of a weekly Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Seoul. (Yonhpa)
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-23--National Assembly rejects impeachment motion for justice minister

It is rare for an impeachment motion for a high-ranking official to be put to a vote in a plenary @ @ @ @ @ handful of cases involving former presidents .
Most of the similar moves were cut short @ @ @ @ @ .

SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's National Assembly on Thursday voted down the impeachment motion for Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae.
The motion was submitted earlier this week by a group of 110 lawmakers led by the main opposition United Future Party (UFP), which alleged that Choo abused her power and violated the Prosecutors' Office Act.
The minister has become a political target of opposition parties after she publicly displayed friction with Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl and used her authority to press him to stay away from an investigation involving Yoon's key aide.
Of the 292 lawmakers who were present in the full floor session of the National Assembly, 179 cast unsigned ballots to vote down the motion while 109 voted for it. Four votes were counted as invalid.
Prior to the plenary session, Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the ruling Democratic Party (DP), implored the party's lawmakers to cast ballots to reject it.
"It is a political offensive (by the opposition parties) to sabotage the reform of the prosecution," he argued, urging fellow lawmakers to make a "stern judgment" on the move by forming a united front against it.
On the other hand, Joo Ho-young, Kim's counterpart at the UFP, argued that Choo represented "the hypocrisy of the (Moon) government" and stressed the need to impeach the minister.
It is rare for an impeachment motion for a high-ranking official to be put to a vote in a plenary session, except for a handful of cases involving former presidents. Most of the similar moves were cut short before reaching the plenary session.
Hong Jung-min, a DP spokeswoman, told reporters that her party has set a policy on such a motion to put it up for voting, according to the principles of the National Assembly Act.
Lawmakers cast their votes on a bill to impeach Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae for alleged power abuse at the National Assembly in Seoul on July 23, 2020. (Yonhap)
jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-23--(3rd LD) Hyundai, Kia suffer sharp drop in Q2 earnings on COVID-19 impact

Hyundai and Kia suspended most of their overseas plants from March amid virus fears .
All of their overseas plants @ @ @ @ @ May , though not in full production .
Production at their domestic plants has yet @ @ @ @ @ track .

(ATTN: CHANGES headline, lead and photos; COMBINES stories)
By Choi Kyong-ae
SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. -- South Korea's two biggest carmakers -- on Thursday reported a sharp drop in their second-quarter earnings as the new coronavirus outbreak drove down overseas demand for their vehicles.
But on their home turf, Hyundai and Kia performed well helped by new models and tax cuts.
For the three months that ended in June, Hyundai's net profit fell 62 percent to 377.27 billion won (US$315 million) from 999.30 billion won a year earlier, and Kia's declined 76 percent to 126.31 billion won from 505.39 billion won during the same period, according to the companies.
Their net results were higher than local brokerages' median forecasts of 176 billion won and 60 billion won for Hyundai and Kia, respectively.
"Robust sales of new models in the domestic market and a reduction in individual consumption taxes helped the company fare better than its global rivals," Hyundai Motor Vice President Lee Dong-heun in charge of the carmaker's global market research group said in a webcast.
The new high-margin models include Hyundai's Grandeur sedan, the G80 sedan and GV80 sport utility vehicle sold under Hyundai's independent Genesis brand.
This file photo shows the headquarters of Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia Motors in southern Seoul. (Yonhap)
The executive said the global automobile market will be able to return to pre-pandemic levels in 2023, as the COVID-19 virus is still spreading in major markets such as the United States and developing countries like India.
"We will focus on boosting sales of new models, like the high-end G80 sedan and the GV80 SUV, through online shopping channels in the U.S. market," Senior Vice President Kim Sang-hyun in charge of Hyundai's finance and accounting division said.
On Thursday, Hyundai jumped 5.1 percent to 124,500 won, and Kia advanced 2.5 percent to 36,700 won, outperforming the broader KOSPI's 0.6 percent loss.
Analysts said the stock prices reflected the fact that the carmakers performed better than their global rivals such as Daimler AG, which posted an operating loss of 1.68 billion euros ($1.9 billion) in the June quarter amid the pandemic.
"Faced with the same crisis, Hyundai and Kia definitely performed better than most of their bigger rivals in the past quarter," said Kim Jin-woo, an analyst at Korea Investment & Securities Co.
In particular, Hyundai's new platforms and Genesis models will help it cut costs further and improve its product mix in the next one to two years, the analyst said.
Hyundai and Kia suspended most of their overseas plants from March amid virus fears. All of their overseas plants returned to operations early in May, though not in full production. Production at their domestic plants has yet to get fully back on track.
To revive sales, Hyundai plans to launch the upgraded G70 sedan and the GV70 SUV in the domestic market later this year, while aiming to begin sales of the GV80 SUV in North American markets within this year.
Kia plans to launch the new Carnival minivan in the domestic market and the new K5 sedan and the Sorento sport utility vehicle in overseas markets later this year.
Hyundai's operating profit fell 52 percent to 590.32 billion won in the June quarter from 1.24 trillion won a year earlier. Sales were also down 19 percent to 21.86 trillion won from 26.97 trillion won during the same period.
Kia's operating profit declined 73 percent to 145.16 billion won from 533.62 billion won during the cited period, with sales down 22 percent to 11.37 trillion won from 14.51 trillion won.
From January to June, Hyundai's net profit dropped 52 percent to 929.95 billion won from 1.95 trillion won in the year-ago period, and Kia plunged 66 percent to 392.28 billion won from 1.15 trillion won.
In the first six months, Hyundai's vehicle sales fell 24 percent to 1,607,347 units, and Kia's declined 15 percent to 1,164,735, bringing their combined sales to 2,772,082.
Hyundai and Kia, which together form the world's fifth-biggest carmaker, set their sales target at 7.54 million vehicles in global markets this year.
Analysts expect they won't achieve the target as the coronavirus outbreak does not show signs of slowing down.
This photo taken on April 8, 2020, shows vehicles lined up at Hyundai Motor's port in Ulsan, about 410 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
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