yna--2020-03-24--(EDITORIAL from Korea Herald on March 24)

Seoul now needs to be more positive about increasing its burden , departing from its focus on technical issues such @ @ @ @ @ covered by the SMA .
As a way to bridge the differences , South Korea @ @ @ @ @ contribution significantly on condition that the cost-sharing deal be renewed every three to five years @ @ @ @ @ .

Stalled negotiations
:South Korea, US should not let defense cost-sharing talks drift further
It makes us uneasy to see the defense cost-sharing talks between South Korea and the US remaining stalled nearly three months after the expiry of the previous deal and amid mounting uncertainties over the global spread of the novel coronavirus.
Negotiators from the two sides failed to bridge their differences on South Korea's share this year of the costs of stationing the 28,500 US troops here during their latest and seventh round of talks, which was held last week in Los Angeles.
After the three-day negotiations, the US State Department said the gap remains "large" and that nearly half of local workers hired by US Forces Korea will be furloughed starting April 1 unless the allies reach a new deal by then.
During last week's talks, the US rejected Seoul's proposal for a separate arrangement to fund wages for South Korean personnel working for USFK. US negotiators expressed concern over the possibility that separate talks on the wage issue could further delay negotiations on the broader cost-sharing deal known as the Special Measures Agreement.
USFK has already notified some 9,000 South Korean personnel that they might go on unpaid leave in the absence of a renewed SMA.
The massive furlough should be avoided, given the workers' role in ensuring the stable functioning of USFK, which is crucial to bolstering the South Korea-US alliance and its combined defense posture. It is particularly incomprehensible at a time when the livelihoods of so many people are being hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
A State Department spokesperson told a South Korean news agency Friday that a large gap remains in the understanding between the allies on the value of the contribution of American taxpayers toward defending South Korea. He said a mutually acceptable agreement would require greater focus and flexibility from South Korea to reach a fair and equitable sharing of burdens.
Under last year's deal, which expired in December, Seoul paid around $870 million for the upkeep of USFK.
The US initially demanded a fivefold increase in Seoul's contribution to some $5 billion this year. It is said to be currently calling on South Korea to pay about $4 billion, with Seoul insisting on an increase of around 10 percent from last year's payment.
The US may well be concerned that separate discussions on funding wages could distract from the expeditious conclusion of a comprehensive deal. But it can be seen as unjust for Washington to put local workers' livelihoods at stake in order to strengthen its bargaining position.
The spread of the coronavirus may make it difficult for the two sides to hold another round of face-to-face negotiations in the weeks to come. But they can and should continue close consultations through other communication tools.
An arrangement to settle the furlough issue should be worked out based on significant progress in negotiations on the broader deal.
Seoul's chief negotiator, Jeong Eun-bo, said after the latest round of talks that the two sides were in the process of reducing their gaps "little by little."
Seoul now needs to be more positive about increasing its burden, departing from its focus on technical issues such as additional areas to be covered by the SMA. As a way to bridge the differences, South Korea may agree to expand its contribution significantly on condition that the cost-sharing deal be renewed every three to five years instead of being revised annually.
Last week's establishment of a $60 billion currency swap line between the central banks of the two countries may help forge a more favorable atmosphere for the early conclusion of a new SMA.
The US Federal Reserve's move to set up swap lines with its counterparts in South Korea and eight other nations in addition to a group of rich-country central banks is seen as a bid to prevent emerging-market turbulence from aggravating conditions in the world's largest economy.
Still, the currency swap deal with the US, along with Washington's restraint from imposing an entry ban on visitors from South Korea, seems to remind many people here of the usefulness and value of the alliance.
For its part, the US needs to be more flexible about its demand for a steep rise in Seoul's contribution.
South Korea and the US should quickly move beyond haggling over defense costs and focus on cooperation in coping with the coronavirus pandemic and with North Korea's recent provocative acts.
(END)


yna--2020-03-24--Top headlines in major S. Korean newspapers

Korean-language dailies -- Public facilities take great pains for social distancing ( Kyunghyang Shinmun ) -- Shameless suspect , Baksa @ @ @ @ @ to make fair society ( Kookmin Daily ) -- Abe , IOC consider postponing Tokyo @ @ @ @ @ -- India , world 's 2nd largest factory , comes to halt over coronavirus concerns @ @ @ @ @ Experts note limits in monetary stimulus , call for all-out efforts to revive real economy @ @ @ @ @ S. Korean residents in U.S. seek shelter , flight tickets for Korea surge threefold ( @ @ @ @ @ Fed pledges 'unlimited quantitative easing ' against coronavirus fallout ( JoongAng Ilbo ) -- Digital @ @ @ @ @ out ; Moon calls for probe into all involved in sex crime chat room scandal @ @ @ @ @ Moon calls for harsh punishment for those in sex crime chat room in war against @ @ @ @ @ Ilbo ) -- U.S. Fed pledges 'unlimited quantitative easing ' ( Maeil Business Newspaper ) @ @ @ @ @ quantitative easing ' ( Korea Economic Daily )

SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- The following are the top headlines in major South Korean newspapers on March 24.
Korean-language dailies
-- Public facilities take great pains for social distancing (Kyunghyang Shinmun)
-- Shameless suspect, Baksa, calls for President Moon to make fair society (Kookmin Daily)
-- Abe, IOC consider postponing Tokyo Olympics (Donga llbo)
-- India, world's 2nd largest factory, comes to halt over coronavirus concerns (Seoul Shinmun)
-- Experts note limits in monetary stimulus, call for all-out efforts to revive real economy (Segye Times)
-- S. Korean residents in U.S. seek shelter, flight tickets for Korea surge threefold (Chosun Ilbo)
-- U.S. Fed pledges 'unlimited quantitative easing' against coronavirus fallout (JoongAng Ilbo)
-- Digital sex extortion to be wiped out; Moon calls for probe into all involved in sex crime chat room scandal (Hankyoreh)
-- President Moon calls for harsh punishment for those in sex crime chat room in war against digital sex crimes (Hankook Ilbo)
-- U.S. Fed pledges 'unlimited quantitative easing' (Maeil Business Newspaper)
-- U.S. Fed pledges 'unlimited quantitative easing' (Korea Economic Daily)
English-language dailies
-- Companies feel Covid-19's bite as factories close (Korea JoongAng Daily)
-- Korea reports lowest daily increase in coronavirus cases since Feb. 20 (Korea Herald)
-- Gov't gets tougher with guidelines violators (Korea Times)
(END)


yna--2020-03-24--Esper voices confidence in USFK response to coronavirus

Speaking at a Pentagon press briefing earlier in the day , Esper acknowledged that the global spread of the virus @ @ @ @ @ expressed confidence it will not affect the ability to conduct national security missions at home @ @ @

By Lee Haye-ah
WASHINGTON, March 23 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Monday he is confident in U.S. Forces Korea's response to the coronavirus as South Korea marked a new low in daily infections.
"Received an update from @USForcesKorea commander GEN Abrams today on the #USFK response to #COVID19," Esper tweeted, referring to USFK Commander Gen. Robert Abrams. "Confident that his leadership and increased preventative measures in the region will mitigate the spread of the #coronavirus."
He added: "I trust our commanders to make the best decisions for their units as they balance mission requirements with force health protection."
This AFP file photo shows U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. (Yonhap)
South Korea on Monday reported 64 new cases of COVID-19, the lowest number since Feb. 29. In total, the country has reported 8,961 infections, including 111 deaths.
Among the 28,500-strong USFK and affiliated population, nine cases have been reported, the latest on March 10.
Speaking at a Pentagon press briefing earlier in the day, Esper acknowledged that the global spread of the virus may impact troop readiness but expressed confidence it will not affect the ability to conduct national security missions at home and abroad.
He said 133 American military personnel have contracted the virus.
Meanwhile, nearly half of South Korean employees with USFK face a furlough beginning April 1 short of a deal on how to split the cost of stationing American troops on the peninsula.
The latest round of negotiations on renewing the Special Measures Agreement ended last week without an agreement after Washington reportedly insisted on more than a four-fold increase in Seoul's financial contributions to US$4 billion.
Abrams told reporters on March 13 that the Pentagon has authorized keeping a portion of the Korean workers to ensure continuation of services affecting life, health, safety and minimum readiness.
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-24--Real estate trust firms' 2019 net down 5.5 pct

Real estate investment trusts are a type of security that invests in real estate to be traded on major exchanges @ @ @ @ @ in real estate , such as office buildings , apartments and hotels .

SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- Real estate trust firms in South Korea saw their combined profit fall 5.5 percent in 2019 from a year earlier due to increased operating costs, data showed Tuesday.
The combined net profit of 14 real estate trusts stood at 480 billion won (US$379 million) in 2019, compared with 507.9 billion won in 2018, according to the data released by the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS).
Real estate investment trusts are a type of security that invests in real estate to be traded on major exchanges and provides investors with stakes in real estate, such as office buildings, apartments and hotels.
The FSS said increased operating costs resulted in the on-year decline in the real estate trust companies' net profit as three newcomers joined the market last year.
All firms, except the three new companies, were in the black, with their average net income coming to 44.6 billion won for 2019, the regulator said.
According to the data, the trusts' combined assets rose 19 percent on-year to 5.6 trillion won in 2019, with total liabilities climbing 15.5 percent to 2.34 trillion won.
entropy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-24--G20 to develop action plan to respond to COVID-19

`` They also agreed to develop a joint G20 Action Plan in response to COVID-19 , which will outline the @ @ @ @ @ G20 has taken and will be taking to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic , '' @ @ @

By Lee Haye-ah
WASHINGTON, March 23 (Yonhap) -- Finance ministers and central bank governors of the Group of 20 major economies agreed Monday to develop an action plan to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
The officials also discussed preparations for a virtual summit among the G20 leaders, which Saudi Arabia, the current holder of the presidency, will convene "in a few days," the Saudi secretariat said in a press release posted on its website.
President Moon Jae-in of South Korea, a member of the G20, has been among those calling for such a summit.
The finance ministers and central bank governors met virtually to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy and agreed to closely monitor its evolution, according to the release.
"They also agreed to develop a joint G20 Action Plan in response to COVID-19, which will outline the individual and collective actions that G20 has taken and will be taking to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic," it said.
Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Aljadaan emphasized the need for G20 to step up its cooperation in addressing the pandemic and called on member states to prepare for further emergency response measures.
He raised the need for medium- and long-term actions that will help economic recovery and growth.
The ministers and governors will meet virtually "on a regular basis" to continue coordination in their response to COVID-19, the release said.
The G20 comprises 19 countries and the European Union, including Britain, China, France, Germany, Japan, and the United States.
This photo, provided by South Korea's Ministry of Economy and Finance, shows Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki taking part in a virtual meeting with his counterparts and central bank governors from the Group of 20 on their response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in Seoul on March 23, 2020. (Yonhap)
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)


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yna--2020-03-23--(6th LD) Rise in new virus cases slowest since late Feb.; strict quarantine in store for arrivals fr

(6th LD) Rise in new virus cases slowest since late Feb.; strict quarantine in store for arrivals from Europe

The number of people being checked for the virus and under quarantine came to 13,628 as of Sunday , down @ @ @ @ @ , the KCDC said .
The country has tested a total of 338,036 suspected cases @ @ @ @ @ .

(ATTN: ADDS remarks, details in paras 5-7, 25)
SEOUL, March 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korea reported its lowest daily number of new coronavirus infections since late last month Monday, as the nation ramped up social distancing rules to slow the spread of the virus.
The 64 new cases, which were detected Sunday, brought the nation's total infections to 8,961, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). The daily infections stayed below 100 cases for the second straight day, and Sunday's additional cases marked the lowest since peaking at 909 on Feb. 29.
So far, 111 people, mostly elderly patients with underlying illnesses, have died in South Korea from the respiratory virus that emerged in China late last year. The mortality rate stood at 1.24 percent as of Sunday, according to the KCDC. For those aged 80 and above, the fatality rate was 11.62 percent.
Seven more fatalities were reported earlier in the day, but they have not been included in an official update. All the latest fatalities were older people. The KCDC said 64 virus patients are in critical condition.
Medical workers wear protective gear at Dongsan Hospital in the virus-hit city of Daegu on March 22, 2020. (Yonhap)
Of the 64 new cases, 24 are in Daegu and two are in North Gyeongsang, the KCDC said. The total number of confirmed cases in the city and North Gyeongsang, the two epicenters of the virus outbreak here, stood at 6,411 and 1,256, respectively.
The city said that a psychiatric hospital in the northern part of the city with around 270 patients, has reported 12 cases since the middle of the month, raising concerns of it becoming another cluster.
Other major provinces and cities have also reported infections, with Seoul reporting six additional cases. The total number of imported virus cases rose by 13 to 47.
Seoul, Incheon and surrounding Gyeonggi Province saw their infections rise by 20 to 721 on Sunday.
Clusters of infections accounted for 81.1 percent of the total confirmed cases as of Monday, meaning that the virus is spreading among people who come into contact in enclosed spaces.
In addition to the 13 confirmed cases of imported infections, one more imported case was confirmed by a local government Sunday, KCDC Director-General Jeong Eun-kyeong told reporters.
Of them, 13 were Korean nationals and the remaining one is a foreigner, Jeong said, adding that 21.4 percent of the 64 new cases detected Sunday came from overseas.
Jeong renewed calls for people to delay or cancel nonessential overseas travel.
With virus infections swelling in the U.S., the KCDC said it plans to gradually expand containment measures on arrivals from the U.S.
World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that young people are not immune to the virus and could spread the virus to older family members, saying they are not "invincible."
Jeong echoed the view, urging young people to strictly abide by rules of social distancing. In South Korea, about 27 percent of virus patients are people in their 20s.
Jeong expected strict rules on social distancing to reduce the number of new inflections, if people properly comply with them.
A medical worker takes a sample from a woman to test for the new coronavirus at a "walk-through" testing facility at a hospital in Seoul on March 16, 2020. (Yonhap)
With unknown virus patients without immediate symptoms apparently causing significant numbers of infections, the government has called for people to avoid nonessential gatherings in crowded places.
South Korea began implementing stricter rules on social distancing on Sunday to slow the coronavirus pandemic.
Citizens are strongly urged to stay at home, except for essential needs or jobs, with the government also restricting religious gatherings, indoor sports activities and attendance at entertainment facilities, such as night clubs and karaoke rooms.
Amid a steady rise in imported virus cases, South Korea has enforced a two-week quarantine period for all long-term arrivals from Europe, regardless of symptoms.
Yoon Tae-ho, a senior health ministry official in charge of containment measures, told reporters that South Korea will set up 40 "walk-through" testing facilities at Incheon International Airport this week.
The telephone booth-shaped testing facility allows medical workers to test people from behind a transparent plastic panel to ensure their safety. It takes about 7 minutes for a person to get tested.
A total of 1,442 passengers from Europe got tested Sunday and 152 of them showed symptoms, Yoon said.
In addition, the country's foreign ministry issued a "special travel advisory" calling on citizens to cancel or postpone trips abroad to reduce the risk of people getting sick and bringing the virus back into the country.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun called for health authorities to map out additional steps to contain imported virus cases from other nations, Yoon said, adding that authorities may soon expand the quarantine to passengers coming from North America.
For facilities that do not follow the stricter rules on social distancing, the government will take legal action, including closures and filing compensation suits, Chung said earlier.
The daily figure for new coronavirus infections hit the lowest level since late last month, but Yoon said the number is insignificant.
"So far, it has not been meaningful whether the number of confirmed patients is in the triple digits or double digits," Yoon said, citing lingering concerns about new cluster inflections and imported cases.
About 60 percent of churches were shut on Sunday, Yoon said. For 3,185 churches that disregarded the social distancing rules, the government imposed administrative orders, Yoon said.
Passengers who arrived at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, aboard a flight from Frankfurt, Germany, head to be tested for the new coronavirus on March 22, 2020, as the South Korean government tightened its quarantine procedures for inbound travelers from Europe to prevent any inflow of the virus from outside. (Yonhap)
The pace of daily new infections has slowed markedly since the second week of this month as health authorities completed extensive testing of 210,000 Shincheonji followers at the center of the rapid spread.
But the authorities are still on high alert over new clusters of infections, including at a call center in Seoul's Guro Ward and Protestant churches in Gyeonggi Province.
South Korea has released a total of 3,166 fully recovered novel coronavirus patients from hospitals as of Thursday, up 257 from a day earlier, the KCDC said.
The number of daily cured people exceeded the number of daily new infections in South Korea in the second week of this month for the first time since Jan. 20, when the virus was first detected on South Korean soil.
The number of people being checked for the virus and under quarantine came to 13,628 as of Sunday, down 912 from the day before, the KCDC said. The country has tested a total of 338,036 suspected cases, with 315,447 testing negative.
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-23--(LEAD) S. Korea facing crucial juncture in virus fight: experts

The experts said that they do not expect so-called `` herd immunity '' to take place in South Korea .
@ @ @ @ @ it is time for the country to decide whether to maintain its containment efforts or @ @ @ @ @ country needs to reconsider its current quarantine policy .

(ATTN: ADDS new info on drug tests in last 4 paras; UPDATES with minor edits)
SEOUL, March 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is facing an increasingly pivotal time to decide whether or not to continue its current efforts to contain the new coronavirus, as the country can win the virus fight after more than half the national population develops immunity to COVID-19, experts said Monday.
"The outbreak will stop when 60 percent of the population becomes immune to the virus," said Oh Myoung-don, head of the country's central clinical committee for emerging disease control.
"Vaccination seems to be the only way to raise the level of immunity, but I think we need to wait about 12 months to see a COVID-19 vaccine available on the market," Oh said.
The experts said that they do not expect so-called "herd immunity" to take place in South Korea. Rather, they insisted that it is time for the country to decide whether to maintain its containment efforts or not, stressing that the country needs to reconsider its current quarantine policy.
Herd immunity refers to a scenario where enough people in a community develop immunity to a virus, so that transmission is halted.
Since its first confirmed case in late January, South Korea has been waging a hard battle to contain spread of the virus by preaching "social distancing," under which school breaks have been extended for nearly one month and many companies have implemented remote working.
As a result of the nimble response to the virus, the country reported its lowest daily figure of new coronavirus infections since late last month on Monday. The 64 new cases, which were detected Sunday, brought the nation's total infections to 8,961, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
This file photo taken on Feb. 20, 2020, shows Oh Myoung-don, head of South Korea's central clinical committee for emerging disease control, at a press event in Seoul. (Yonhap)
The clinical committee, however, warned that there is a possibility that the country may see a surge in new coronavirus cases this fall if a vaccine or effective treatment drugs are not developed.
"We need to prepare enough medical equipment and protective gear in case the number of patients soars in the fall," he said. "Ultimately, the government needs to step up in developments of vaccines and treatment drugs for COVID-19."
Until the vaccine is developed, Oh said South Korea needs to focus on stemming imported cases and also review its quarantine strategy on cluster infections.
"So far, the country's strategy has centered on curbing the spread of the virus and it controlled it to some extent" he said. "However, it will be difficult to continue to pursue that strategy."
To better control virus cases coming from overseas, South Korea last week decided to implement stricter screening procedures on all arrivals. Starting Sunday, travelers from Europe were required to have a two-week quarantine period regardless of symptoms.
The country also urged people to suspend the operation of religious, indoor sports and entertainment facilities for 15 days until April 5.
"Whether to continue or ease the government's virus curbing strategy needs to be carefully decided considering its impact from the economy to culture," he said. "The country's quarantine policy needs to be based on scientific facts and people's understandings."
Oh said South Korea should be especially cautious of COVID-19 spreading at schools. The country's new school year will begin on April 6 after the date was postponed several times.
The clinical committee also urged the government to set up a hospital specially designed for handling contagious diseases as soon as possible.
On the critical issue of finding treatment, doctors at Seoul National University Hospital and the National Medical Center said they have been conducting detailed clinical trials on Remdesivir, a drug developed by Gilead to treat Ebola.
"Remdesivir has been proven to be safe for use, but its effectiveness has not met expectations," a source said.
Besides this, drug researchers have been checking Kaletra, made by AbbVie, which is used for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), as well as malaria drugs Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine. French scientists claimed that the malaria drugs proved to be effective against COVID-19.
The insider then said that more tests and detailed assessments need to be made on the safety and effectiveness of various treatment methods being checked, adding that doctors have used both the HIV drug and Chloroquine on elderly patients and those in serious condition, with no conclusion on their effectiveness having been reached so far.
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-24--S. Korea reports 9 more wild boars infected with African swine fever

Eight corpses were found in different areas near the border in Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces , according to the National @ @ @ @ @ the Ministry of Environment .
Another boar tested positive after being caught in a trap @

SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- South Korea said Tuesday it has found nine more wild boars infected with African swine fever (ASF) in areas near the border with North Korea, bringing the total number of cases to 430.
Eight corpses were found in different areas near the border in Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces, according to the National Institute of Environmental Research under the Ministry of Environment. Another boar tested positive after being caught in a trap.
South Korea confirmed its first-ever outbreak of the animal disease in September last year. Local authorities have culled about 400,000 domestic pigs as part of preventive measures.
Although no additional ASF cases on farms have been reported since early October 2019, authorities continue to discover dead wild boars carrying the disease, mostly along the inter-Korean border.
So far, all confirmed cases among both domestic and wild pigs have been reported in border areas. Pyongyang reported its first outbreak of ASF at a pig farm near its border with China in May last year.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-24--(LEAD) Asiana unveils additional self-help plans amid virus woes

The airline said that it has decided to not transport passengers on its outbound flights from Incheon airport to Beijing @ @ @ @ @ 25 .
It will , however , pick up passengers from the Chinese capital on @ @ @ @ @ take place on Tuesday , Thursday and Saturday .

(ATTN: UPDATES with more details in paras 8, 10)
SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- Asiana Airlines Inc., South Korea's second-biggest airline, on Tuesday unveiled additional self-rescue measures as the spreading coronavirus outbreak wreaks havoc on its business.
Asiana Airlines has already suspended most of its flights on international routes as an increasing number of countries close their borders or impose stricter entry restrictions in their fight against COVID-19.
In the latest self-help plans, Asiana will have all of its 10,500 employees take unpaid leave for 15 days in April and executives return 60 percent of their wages, the company said in a statement.
"The coronavirus outbreak has driven down the number of passengers on international routes by 85 percent and the reservation rate for April has plunged by 90 percent from a year earlier. The unpaid leave is an inevitable decision as more than 70 percent of employees have become idle," the statement said.
Asiana entered an emergency management system in February and executives returned up to 40 percent of their salaries. In March, Asiana Chief Executive Han Chang-soo did not receive a penny and other executives returned 50 percent of their wages.
Asiana suspended all of its flights on 11 routes to Japan for the March 9-31 period due to entry restrictions. The only route available to Europe is the Incheon-Frankfurt route, with six other European routes not in service.
Asiana canceled its direct flights to Beijing scheduled for Thursday and Saturday this week. It had previously operated 25 routes to China, but only nine were in service as of Monday.
The airline said that it has decided to not transport passengers on its outbound flights from Incheon airport to Beijing from March 31 through April 25. It will, however, pick up passengers from the Chinese capital on the return flights that will take place on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
The move comes as China steps up efforts to stem imported COVID-19 cases.
On Sunday, the Chinese aviation authorities announced that all international flights bound for Beijing will first land at one of 12 designated airports for health checks from Monday before being allowed to fly to the capital city.
For the whole of 2019, Asiana's net losses widened to 672.6 billion won (US$565.3 million) from 96.2 billion won a year earlier, due mainly to a sharp decline in travel on Japanese routes.
Asiana's operating losses widened to 368.2 billion won in 2019 from 35 billion won a year earlier.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-24--Airports to bolster screening measures for domestic flights

SEOUL , March 24 ( Yonhap ) -- South Korea 's state-run airport operator said Tuesday it will beef up @ @ @ @ @ flights to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus .

SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's state-run airport operator said Tuesday it will beef up screening measures on all domestic flights to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.
Korea Airports Corp. (KAC), which operates 14 airports, not including Incheon International Airport, said it plans to check body temperatures of all passengers boarding domestic flights.
Passengers with symptoms of viral infection will be requested to refrain from boarding their flights and will be referred to public health authorities.
The company said it has decided to tighten preventive measures amid the growing concerns over the spread of the novel virus.
Incheon International Airport, the main gateway to South Korea, currently carries out temperature checks on all travelers.
South Korea added 76 new cases of the new coronavirus on Monday, bringing the nation's total to 9,037.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-24--Moon expects 'unified message' by G-20 members over COVID-19 response

The two leaders noted that this year marks the 70th anniversary of South Korea and Spain establishing diplomatic relations .
@ @ @ @ @ caused by the outbreak , they agreed , the two sides need to maintain `` @ @ @ @ @ business people .

SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in stressed the need for a "unified message" from this week's teleconference by the leaders of the Group of 20 (G-20) nations on the coronavirus pandemic, during his telephone conversation with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Tuesday.
He held out expectations for in-depth discussions on international cooperation in both quarantine and the economy during the "special summit" to be held on Thursday, according to Cheong Wa Dae.
Moon told Sanchez that South Korea is willing to share its experience and clinical data related to COVID-19 with Spain and other countries amid the rapid spread through Europe.
"The COVID-19 incident is a global challenge, not an issue confined to a single nation," the president was quoted as saying, adding that international cooperation and solidarity are more important than at any other time.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in holds phone talks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at Cheong Wa Dae on March 24, 2020 in this photo provided by his office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The prime minister agreed that the ongoing pandemic is not a regional problem but a global one and that countries should join forces in the fight, with "multilateral efforts" necessary for the development of vaccine.
He then requested a virtual conference with South Korea's infectious disease experts to discuss Spain's campaign to curb the spread of the virus and medical material assistance, according to Cheong Wa Dae.
Moon replied that his government would consider such measures in line with international coordination.
The two leaders noted that this year marks the 70th anniversary of South Korea and Spain establishing diplomatic relations. Despite travel and trade restrictions caused by the outbreak, they agreed, the two sides need to maintain "inevitable exchanges" between their business people.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-24--U.S. ambassador working from home, in line with social distancing guidelines

`` In accordance with the ROK government 's guidelines , to practice social distancing , as you can see from @ @ @ @ @ , everyone at the U.S. Embassy , myself included , is trying to do his @ @ @ @ @ caring for ourselves , and with each other , we will overcome this crisis , @ @ @ @

SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Harry Harris said Tuesday he is working from home in accordance with the host government's social distancing guidelines.
"I'd like to offer my sincere thanks to all South Koreans on the front line, who are working tirelessly to flatten the curve of coronavirus. Let me just say that we are all in this together," he said in the message posted on his Twitter account.
Behind him in the video were desktop monitors in what appeared to be his private study.
"In accordance with the ROK government's guidelines, to practice social distancing, as you can see from here in my home office, everyone at the U.S. Embassy, myself included, is trying to do his or her part. By caring for ourselves, and with each other, we will overcome this crisis," he said.
Seoul has been making all-out efforts to stem the spread of the novel virus through stepped-up quarantine measures with a focus on preventing the movement of the virus at home and from abroad.
The ambassador visited Incheon International Airport, the main gateway to Seoul, to inspect the government-led screening procedures on passengers heading to the U.S., such as fever checks, lauding the process as an "exemplar around the world."
U.S. Ambassador Harry Harris appears in this video message captured from his Twitter account on March 24, 2020, in which he expressed thanks to South Koreans for their efforts to contain the new coronavirus. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-24--S. Korea files strong protest over Japan's approval of school texts laying claims to Dokdo

Japan 's education ministry earlier approved 17 social studies textbooks in the social studies area for middle school students , @ @ @ @ @ civic studies , to be in use for next year .
The new textbooks repeat @ @ @ @ @ islets are its indigenous territory and are illegally occupied by South Korea .

By Kim Seung-yeon
SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- The foreign ministry issued a strong protest Tuesday after Japan authorized new school textbooks renewing territorial claims to South Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo.
Japan's education ministry earlier approved 17 social studies textbooks in the social studies area for middle school students, including history, geography and civic studies, to be in use for next year. The new textbooks repeat Japan's claim that the islets are its indigenous territory and are illegally occupied by South Korea.
"Our government strongly protests the Japanese government's approval of the middle school textbooks that distort, reduce and omit clear historical facts and contain unjust claims," the ministry said in a statement. "We urge that a correction be made immediately."
The ministry also warned of a stern response to any unjust claims by Tokyo regarding the islets, reiterating that Dokdo is "clearly South Korea's inherent territory historically, geographically and by international law."
Vice Foreign Minister Cho Sei-young called in Japanese Ambassador Koji Tomita to lodge a complaint.
Japan's latest claim to Dokdo comes as bilateral relations remain chilled after months of discord stemming from pending wartime issues, including the unresolved issue of compensating Korean forced labor victims. South Korea was under Japan's colonial rule from 1910-45.
In 2014, Tokyo revised the teaching guidelines for modern history textbooks to reflect the government's assertion about Dokdo. Most editions published over the following years for use in elementary, middle and high schools contained the distorted information.
The new textbooks for next year also contain similar descriptions for the Kuril and Senkaku islands at the center of territorial disputes with Russia and China, respectively.
Japan's claims over the islets have long been a thorn in relations between Seoul and Tokyo.
South Korea rejects the claims because the country regained independence from Japan's 35-year colonial rule in 1945 and reclaimed sovereignty over its territory, including Dokdo and many other islands around the Korean Peninsula.
Since 1954, South Korea has stationed a small police detachment on Dokdo.
This photo shows new middle school textbooks approved by the Japanese government that contain details about its territorial claims to South Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo, on March 24, 2020. (Yonhap)
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-24--Police chief vows full probe into Telegram sex video case

He was responding to five online petitions , filed by the presidential office , demanding a strict probe into the @ @ @ @ @ personal information of an arrested main suspect in his 20s .
More than 5 million @ @ @ @ @ the Cheong Wa Dae website in less than a week .

SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- The head of South Korea's police made a public commitment Tuesday to a thorough investigation into a "cruel and shocking" sexual crime against women and underage girls centered on group chat rooms of the Telegram messenger service.
Min Gap-ryong, commissioner general of the Korean National Police Agency, vowed to mobilize every available means and power of the authorities to look thoroughly into the so-called "Nth room case" and legally punish all related offenders.
He was responding to five online petitions, filed by the presidential office, demanding a strict probe into the scandal and the revelation of personal information of an arrested main suspect in his 20s. More than 5 million people signed the petitions on the Cheong Wa Dae website in less than a week.
A combined image of the Telegram sex video scandal and a Cheong Wa Dae online petition against, provided by Yonhap News TV (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Min said it was a "cruel and shocking crime completely taking away the lives of children, teenagers and women."
"Through strict investigation, the police will fully transform social awareness that is insensitive to digital sex crimes and strongly eliminate digital sex crimes from our society," Min said.
Nearly two dozen people have been caught in connection with a hardcore pornography ring using Telegram. At least 74 people, including 16 minors, were sexually abused and exploited, according to investigators.
The perpetrators allegedly approached the victims largely seeking part-time jobs and secured nude pictures from them with the promise of payment. They then blackmailed them to photograph or film themselves doing sexual acts, often gruesome ones.
They shared this material in a number of chat rooms for entrance fees of up to 1.55 million won (US$1240) starting in 2018, police said. The total number of followers reportedly reached more than 260,000.
Min said police would regard all related people including distributors and possessors of the materials as accomplices to the crime.
He announced the establishment of a special investigation bureau on digital sex crimes as part of efforts for a "systemic and comprehensive" probe.
On concerns about the difficulty of tracing overseas servers used for such crimes, Min pledged the strengthening of cooperation with foreign investigative authorities such as Interpol and the FBI.
In reply to the petitions, Gender Equality and Family Minister Lee Jung-ok said the government will map out administrative measures against digital sex crimes and push for a revision to related legislation for tougher punishment.
The comments came right after a police committee approved the disclosure of the face and identity of an arrested operator of a main chat room who used the alias of "Baksa," which means "doctor" or "guru" in Korean. He was identified as Cho Ju-bin, aged 25.
A photo of Cho Ju-bin, a main suspect in the Nth room case in this photo provided by the broadcaster SBS. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-24--Tougher punishments for school zone traffic offenses to take effect

The government will also revise the Enforcement Decree of the Road Traffic Act in the second half of this year @ @ @ @ @ the parking fine in child protection zones from the current 80,000 won to 120,000 won @

SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- A revision of the Road Traffic Act, intended to enhance children's safety in school zones and strengthen punishments for traffic violators in such areas, will go into effect Wednesday, government officials said Tuesday.
The revision bill calls for mandatory installation of speed cameras and traffic lights in all child protection zones surrounding kindergartens and elementary schools nationwide and stipulates tougher punishments, as heavy as life imprisonment, for violators.
Under the new law, drivers responsible for school zone accidents resulting in the death of a child younger than 13 can be punished by prison sentences of longer than three years or life imprisonment.
This file photo shows a police officer checking speeding vehicles in a school zone. (Yonhap)
Drivers involved in school zone accidents resulting in child injury can be fined up to 30 million won (US$24,000) or sentenced to prison terms from one to 15 years.
The new law, dubbed the "Min-sik Law" after an elementary school student killed in a car accident in front of his school in Asan, central South Korea, last September, passed the National Assembly in December.
In time for the enforcement of the Min-sik Law, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Police Agency announced government measures to reinforce traffic safety in school zones.
The government plans to spend 206 billion won this year to install 2,087 unmanned traffic law enforcement system units and 2,146 traffic lights in school zones nationwide.
The government will also revise the Enforcement Decree of the Road Traffic Act in the second half of this year to raise the amount of the parking fine in child protection zones from the current 80,000 won to 120,000 won.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-24--Cabinet approves enhanced steps to curb fine dust air pollution

Crackdowns on companies emitting beyond permissible levels will become more comprehensive .
Currently , the government can impose penalties only @ @ @ @ @ .
The revision allows the authorities to bypass the process .

SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- The Cabinet on Tuesday approved a revision to the fine dust law, introducing a set of measures to better fight air pollution.
Under the amendment, the government will be able to restrict the operation of vehicles, coal plants, construction sites and other large emitters during the peak period between December and March.
The seasonal management system was first introduced in December as a one-off scheme.
The revision mandates the environment minister and chiefs of local governments to implement such measures during the four-month stretch every year.
The change will come into force this month, the ministry said.
The revised law also calls for 100,000 won (US$79.85) penalties for those who violate an order to restrict high-emission cars during the peak season.
Crackdowns on companies emitting beyond permissible levels will become more comprehensive. Currently, the government can impose penalties only after they submit improvement plans. The revision allows the authorities to bypass the process.
The amendment also enables state assistance for environment-friendly methods of agricultural waste disposal.
This photo, taken on Feb. 15, 2020, shows a man running in a park in southeastern Seoul, as the city is hit by fine dust air pollution. (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-03-24--Nat'l football training center to house coronavirus patients

`` In the face of adversity affecting Korean society , all employees and staff of the KFA came up with @ @ @ @ @ any way possible , '' KFA President Chung Mong-gyu said .
`` Since we 're @ @ @ @ @ players , we felt it was only right to turn the NFC into a treatment @ @ @ @ @ 'll try to provide a comfortable environment for those in need . ''

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean football federation announced Tuesday its main national team training center will house coronavirus patients starting this week.
From Wednesday, the main building at the National Football Center (NFC) in Paju, north of Seoul in Gyeonggi Province, will be open for those with mild cases of COVID-19, the Korea Football Association (KFA) said.
This photo provided by the Korea Football Association (KFA) on March 24, 2020, shows the main building at the National Football Center in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. The KFA announced that the building will be used to house patients with mild cases of the coronavirus. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The KFA said it is working with the Ministry of Health and Welfare to keep the NFC open to patients for a maximum two months.
Before the NFC is returned to national football teams, the building will be cleaned and disinfected for up to two weeks.
The KFA said access to the NFC for anyone outside patients and medical personnel will be strictly controlled.
Virtually all football action has come to a stop in South Korea and across the world in the wake of the global coronavirus pandemic. With no national team matches scheduled in the foreseeable future, the KFA chose to put the idle NFC to good use and "play a small part to curtail the virus."
Last week, all KFA employees and executives donated blood to help with the sharp drop in blood supplies.
"In the face of adversity affecting Korean society, all employees and staff of the KFA came up with various initiatives to contribute in any way possible," KFA President Chung Mong-gyu said. "Since we're unable to assemble national team players, we felt it was only right to turn the NFC into a treatment center for patients. We'll try to provide a comfortable environment for those in need."
This photo provided by the Korea Football Association (KFA) on March 24, 2020, shows a message from KFA President Chung Mong-gyu and the national football team jersey, which will be provided to coronavirus patients checking into the National Football Center (NFC) in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. The KFA announced that the main NFC building will be used to house patients with mild cases of the coronavirus. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-24--(LEAD) Dementia patients at most risk of succumbing to COVID-19: data

The KCDC said the underlying diseases involved in local deaths vary .
Among them are cancer , pneumonia , dementia @ @ @ @ @ pressure , and most of the deceased suffered from at least one preexisting ailment , @ @

(ATTN: RECASTS headline; ADDS more details in 5-8 paras)
SEOUL, March 23 (Yonhap) -- Nearly three in ten patients who have died of the new coronavirus in South Korea suffered from dementia, as the degenerative brain illnesses is more common among elderly people, local health authorities said Tuesday.
The country's COVID-19 death toll has risen to 124 as of Tuesday, up 13 from a day earlier, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said. Of the total fatalities, 34, or 27.4 percent, had dementia.
"We are making utmost efforts to detect virus patients at an early stage to provide treatment. However, the mortality rate is higher among those older than 65 years old and suffering underlying diseases," KCDC Deputy Director Kwon Jun-wook told reporters.
There is no known correlation between degenerative brain illnesses like Alzheimer's disease and the novel coronavirus, but the pneumonia-like virus has affected elderly people previously treated at medical facilities, such as nursing hospitals, the most.
Seen here is a nursing hospital in Daegu, 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on March 18, 2020, in which 92 patients were confirmed to have been infected with COVID-19.(Yonhap)
"The novel coronavirus is usually related to respiratory and digestive organs," Woo Heung-jeong, an infectious disease expert, said. "There has not been a report that says COVID-19 affected brain function or caused neurological symptoms."
South Korea's mortality rate stood at 1.33 percent on Monday, according to the KCDC. For those aged 80 and above, the fatality rate was much higher -- 12.84 percent.
Health authorities further said the analysis is mainly because many of elderly people, most notably those aged 80 or over, suffer from dementia.
"Various factors affected the data as many of the country's COVID-19-related deaths were not only elderly but also were already very ill," Yoon Chang-ho, a neurologist at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, said.
The COVID-19 mortality rate in South Korea was around 0.6 percent in early March and gradually increased to 0.8 percent in mid-March before breaching 1 percent this week, the KCDC said.
The country's COVID-19 death rate is lower than the average 4.9 percent mortality rate tallied by the World Health Organization and Italy's fatality rate of more than 9 percent.
The KCDC said the underlying diseases involved in local deaths vary. Among them are cancer, pneumonia, dementia, diabetes and high blood pressure, and most of the deceased suffered from at least one preexisting ailment, sometimes two
"Further study is under way into the ratio of other underlying diseases suffered by all of confirmed COVID-19 patients," Kwon said.
The country's new virus cases appeared to be steadily decreasing Tuesday, but imported infections saw their biggest one-day increase as the nation enforced quarantines on arrivals from Europe and other regions.
The 76 new cases, which were detected Monday and were slightly up from the 64 new cases a day earlier, brought the nation's total infections to 9,037, the KCDC said.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-24--(LEAD) BTS cuts down world tour itinerary due to coronavirus

Part of the following North American leg of the tour is highly likely to be subject to additional cancellations , @ @ @ @ @ Santa Clara 's Levi 's Stadium on April 25 and for least five more concerts @ @ @ @ @ for Los Angeles and Dallas .

(ATTN: UPDATES with more details in paras 5-6, 9-13)
SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- K-pop boy band BTS announced Tuesday it will cut down the itinerary of its upcoming world tour, "Map of the Soul Tour," due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"With the global spread of COVID-19, in some countries and cities, the level of unpredictability is becoming higher to prepare for the shows," the band's management agency Big Hit Entertainment said in a notice posted on the Weverse mobile app.
"As a result of the current global circumstances, we anticipate having to make changes to the current tour schedule," according to the notice.
"We are making every effort to proceed with the planned performances where possible ... details on any changes will be provided separately for each region," Big Hit said.
Big Hit said any cancellations or rescheduling will be based on a policy of full cooperation with the guidance and directives of national and local governments and concert venues.
"We will place the highest priority on the health and safety of our artists and fans and do our utmost to keep the promises we made to our fans," it added.
BTS earlier canceled the inaugural Seoul leg of the tour, set for mid-April in Seoul, amid COVID-19 infections. Including Seoul, the tour was to hit 18 cities across the globe for a total of 38 concerts.
Part of the following North American leg of the tour is highly likely to be subject to additional cancellations, including the first stop at Santa Clara's Levi's Stadium on April 25 and for least five more concerts from early to mid-May set for Los Angeles and Dallas.
In recent guidelines for COVID-19, the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that for the next eight weeks organizers cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the U.S.
Following the advice, Levi's Stadium, where BTS' Santa Clara event was scheduled, has recently suspended its operations.
Throughout May till early June, the BTS tour is scheduled to hit more North American cities including Orlando, Atlanta, New Jersey and Washington, D.C. before moving to Japan's Fukuoka in late June.
Starting on July 3, the tour's European leg will then take the band to London, Berlin, Barcelona before moving back to Japan in late July.
Big Hit said it is currently working to revive the canceled Seoul edition of the world tour in the event of improvements in the coronavirus situation here.
An image of BTS provided by Big Hit Entertainment (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-24--(LEAD) Seoul stocks rebound over 8 pct on stimulus measures, Korean won sharply up

SEOUL , March 24 ( Yonhap ) -- South Korean stocks rebounded sharply on Tuesday following the government 's expanded @ @ @ @ @ measures around the globe to tackle the economic fallout from the novel coronavirus pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ sharply up against the U.S. dollar .

(ATTN: ADDS more info in 3rd para, bond yields at bottom)
SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks rebounded sharply on Tuesday following the government's expanded financial aid package and stimulus measures around the globe to tackle the economic fallout from the novel coronavirus pandemic. The Korean won was also sharply up against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) soared 127.51 points, or 8.60 percent, to close at 1,609.97, rebounding from a 5.3 percent plunge the previous session.
Tuesday's spike marks the sharpest daily gain since Oct. 30, 2008, when it jumped 11.95 percent.
Trading volume was high at 670 million shares worth 10.3 trillion won (US$8.2 billion), with gainers far outpacing losers 866 to 35.
This photo taken on March 24, 2020, shows a currency dealing room at KB Kookmin Bank in Seoul. (Yonhap)
The index had a solid start, bucking overnight losses on Wall Street. Following a sharp rise in futures prices, local bourse operators even had to temporarily suspend trading in the morning.
Analysts said investors were buoyed by the U.S. Federal Reserve's quantitative easing measures, which include purchasing an unlimited amount of Treasurys and mortgage-backed securities.
"The U.S. Fed's announcement is a positive factor for the local stock market because it will reduce currency and credit risks," Seo Sang-young, an analyst at Kiwoom Securities, said.
The index received an extra boost in the afternoon after South Korea decided to double the size of its emergency financing aid package to 100 trillion won for businesses here, analysts said.
The country will inject 48 trillion won in liquidity into financial markets, which includes creating a stock market stabilization fund worth 10.7 trillion won.
"The best scenario will be economic activities in the country return to normal with the end of the COVID-19 outbreak," Park So-yeon, an analyst at Korea Investment & Securities, said. "But until then, it's meaningful that the government acted to prevent credit risks."
This photo taken on March 24, 2020, shows a currency dealing room at Hana Bank in Seoul. (Yonhap)
Foreigners extended their selling streak to a 14th consecutive session, offloading 82 billion won worth of stocks on the main bourse. Institutions bought a net 503 billion won, while retail investors dumped a net 461 billion won.
Stocks gathered ground across the board.
Top market cap Samsung Electronics moved up 10.47 percent to 46,950 won, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix spiked 13.4 percent to 78,700 won. Battery maker Samsung SDI climbed 12.81 percent to 246,500 won.
No. 1 carmaker Hyundai Motor advanced 8.56 percent to 74,800 won, and its auto parts arm Hyundai Mobis gained 8.24 percent to 144,500 won. Kia Motors added 7.44 percent to 23,100 won.
Pharmaceutical giant Samsung BioLogics jumped 9.17 percent to 476,000 won, and the country's top steelmaker POSCO rose 5.43 percent to 145,500 won.
The local currency closed at 1,249.60 won against the U.S. dollar, sharply up 16.9 won from the previous session's close.
Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, ended higher. The yield on three-year Treasurys fell 2.6 basis points to 1.127 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bond slid 3.2 basis points to 1.430 percent.
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-24--Dementia patients at most risk of falling prey to COVID-19: data

The KCDC said the underlying diseases involved in local deaths vary .
Among them are cancer , pneumonia , dementia @ @ @ @ @ pressure , and most of the deceased suffered from at least one preexisting ailment , @ @ @

SEOUL, March 23 (Yonhap) -- Nearly three in ten patients who have fallen prey to the new coronavirus in South Korea suffered from dementia, local health authorities said Tuesday.
The country's COVID-19 death toll has risen to 124 as of Tuesday, up 13 from a day earlier, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said. Of the total fatalities, 34, or 27.4 percent, had dementia.
"We are making utmost efforts to detect virus patients at an early stage to provide treatment. However, the mortality rate is higher among those older than 65 years old and suffering underlying diseases," KCDC Deputy Director Kwon Jun-wook told reporters.
There is no known correlation between degenerative brain illnesses like Alzheimer's disease and the novel coronavirus, but the pneumonia-like virus has affected elderly people previously treated at medical facilities such as nursing hospitals the most.
The mortality rate stood at 1.33 percent on Monday, according to the KCDC. For those aged 80 and above, the fatality rate was much higher -- 12.84 percent.
Seen here is a nursing hospital in Daegu, 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on March 18, 2020, in which 92 patients were confirmed to have been infected with COVID-19.(Yonhap)
The COVID-19 mortality rate in South Korea was around 0.6 percent in early March and gradually increased to 0.8 percent in mid-March before breaching 1 percent this week, the KCDC said.
The country's COVID-19 death rate is lower than the average 4.9 percent mortality rate tallied by the World Health Organization and Italy's fatality rate of more than 9 percent.
The KCDC said the underlying diseases involved in local deaths vary. Among them are cancer, pneumonia, dementia, diabetes and high blood pressure, and most of the deceased suffered from at least one preexisting ailment, sometimes two.
"Further study is under way into the ratio of other underlying diseases suffered by all of confirmed COVID-19 patients," Kwon said.
The country's new virus cases appeared to be steadily decreasing Tuesday, but imported infections saw their biggest one-day increase as the nation enforced quarantines on arrivals from Europe and other regions.
The 76 new cases, which were detected Monday and were slightly up from the 64 new cases a day earlier, brought the nation's total infections to 9,037, the KCDC said.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-24--BTS cuts down world tour itinerary due to coronavirus

Part of the following North American leg of the tour is highly likely to be subject to additional cancellations , @ @ @ @ @ Santa Clara 's Levi 's Stadium on April 25 and at least five more concerts @ @ @ @ @ for Los Angeles and Dallas .

SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- K-pop boy band BTS announced Tuesday it will cut down the itinerary of its upcoming world tour, "Map of the Soul Tour," due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"With the global spread of COVID-19, in some countries and cities, the level of unpredictability is becoming higher to prepare for the shows," the band's management agency Big Hit Entertainment said in a notice posted on the Weverse mobile app.
"As a result of the current global circumstances, we anticipate having to make changes to the current tour schedule," according to the notice.
"We are making every effort to proceed with the planned performances where possible ... details on any changes will be provided separately for each region," Big Hit said.
BTS earlier canceled the inaugural Seoul leg of the tour, set for mid-April in Seoul, amid COVID-19 infections. Including Seoul, the tour was to hit 18 cities across the globe for a total of 38 concerts.
Part of the following North American leg of the tour is highly likely to be subject to additional cancellations, including the first stop at Santa Clara's Levi's Stadium on April 25 and at least five more concerts from early to mid-May set for Los Angeles and Dallas.
Big Hit said it is currently working to revive the Seoul edition of the world tour in the event of improvements in the pandemic situation.
An image of BTS provided by Big Hit Entertainment (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-24--S. Korean Bond Yields on Mar. 24, 2020

S. Korean Bond Yields on Mar. 24, 2020

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


Yonhap News Summary

The 76 new cases , which were detected Monday and were slightly up from the 64 new cases a day @ @ @ @ @ 's total infections to 9,037 , according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and @ @ @ @ @ The death toll rose by 13 to 124 and 62 patients are in critical condition @

The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Tuesday.
-----------------
(LEAD) S. Korea unveils bold virus aid package for financial markets
SEOUL -- South Korea on Tuesday unveiled an emergency aid package worth 42 trillion won (US$34 billion) to help ease the credit crunch and stabilize financial markets hit hard by the spread of the new coronavirus.
The aid package came as the COVID-19 pandemic dealt a harsh blow to South Korean companies as well as local financial markets.
-----------------
(2nd LD) Stricter containment steps necessary for U.S. arrivals: experts
SEOUL -- While South Korea has been implementing strict quarantine measures against arrivals from Europe, there are also growing calls that the country needs to apply stepped-up quarantine steps, such as virus tests, on passengers coming from the United States, medical experts said Tuesday.
South Korea in recent weeks has been focusing on stemming imported virus cases after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization earlier this month.
-----------------
Seoul stocks rebound over 8 pct on stimulus measures, Korean won sharply up
SEOUL -- South Korean stocks rebounded sharply on Tuesday following the government's expanded financial aid package and stimulus measures around the globe to tackle the economic fallout from the novel coronavirus pandemic. The Korean won was also sharply up against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) soared 127.51 points, or 8.60 percent, to close at 1,609.97, rebounding from a 5.3 percent plunge the previous session.
-----------------
FM Kang to explain S. Korea's anti-coronavirus efforts in WEF video conference
SEOUL -- Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha will explain South Korea's efforts to fight the new coronavirus and call for global solidarity in ending the pandemic in a videoconference of the World Economic Forum (WEF) this week, her office said Tuesday.
On Wednesday (Korea time), Kang is set to join a video-linked session related to the COVID-19 Action Platform, a WEF initiative launched earlier this month to galvanize collective action in responding to the virus.
-----------------
(3rd LD) New virus cases on downtrend, but imported infections accelerate
SEOUL -- South Korea's new virus cases appeared to be steadily decreasing Tuesday, but imported infections saw their biggest one-day increase as the nation enforced quarantines on arrivals from Europe and other regions.
The 76 new cases, which were detected Monday and were slightly up from the 64 new cases a day earlier, brought the nation's total infections to 9,037, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). The death toll rose by 13 to 124 and 62 patients are in critical condition.
-----------------
(LEAD) Gyeonggi to offer universal basic income to cope with virus fallout
SEOUL -- Gyeonggi Province, which surrounds Seoul, announced Tuesday it will pay 100,000 won (US$79.85) per person to all its residents in April to cope with the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
Gyeonggi will be the first local government in South Korea to provide universal "anti-disaster basic income," while a handful of other municipal entities have recently promised payments to select low-income citizens.
-----------------
(LEAD) Police release name of digital sex criminal suspect following public outrage
SEOUL -- A police committee on Tuesday agreed to disclose the identity of a man suspected of blackmailing dozens of victims to perform violent sex acts and selling the content in a mobile group chat room in an incident that has shocked the nation and triggered public fury.
At least 74 people, including 16 underage girls, are known to have been exploited in the case that is widely known as the "Nth room case," in which the prime suspect allegedly lured victims into taking naked photos and later threatened them into more gruesome sex acts.
-----------------
(LEAD) USFK employee tests positive for virus, total at 10
SEOUL -- A U.S. citizen working for U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) has tested positive for the new coronavirus, bringing the total number of USFK-related infection cases to 10, the military said Tuesday.
The COVID-19 patient, who works at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, some 70 kilometers south of Seoul, is now in isolation at his off-base residence as directed by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), USFK said, adding he last visited the base Friday.
(END)


yna--2020-03-24--POSCO to shutter steel processing plant in Italy

SEOUL , March 24 ( Yonhap ) -- POSCO , the world 's fifth-biggest steelmaker by output , said Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ coil service center in Italy this week as Italy closed all non-essential businesses and factories @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic .

SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- POSCO, the world's fifth-biggest steelmaker by output, said Tuesday that it will shutter its coil service center in Italy this week as Italy closed all non-essential businesses and factories to cope with the novel coronavirus pandemic.
POSCO said its coil service center near the northeastern city of Verona will remain closed until April 3 from Thursday.
POSCO has already shuttered its two coil service centers in Delhi and Pune, the second-largest city in the Indian state of Maharashtra.
This photo, taken on June 30, 2019, shows steel wire products at POSCO's integrated steel mill in Pohang, some 370 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
The Maharashtra government has banned public gatherings of more than five people and encouraged companies to allow employees to work from home as part of social distancing meant to minimize the spread of COVID-19.
Last week, POSCO closed coil service centers in Malaysia and Thailand. The two coil service centers in the two Asian countries will remain closed until March 31.
entropy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-24--(LEAD) Police release name of digital sex criminal suspect following public outrage

Some of the room 's up to 10,000 users are suspected of paying Cho as much as 1.5 million won @ @ @ @ @ to view the content in which the suspects were sometimes treated as sex slaves .
@ @ @ @ @ via cryptocurrencies .
The committee , which includes four non-police members , such as a @ @ @ @ @ to disclose Cho 's personal information – including his name , age and photo -- @ @ @ @ @ whether the decision would benefit the public 's right to know and prevent recidivism and @ @ @

(ATTN: ADDS details in paras 5-7; RECASTS lead)
By Lee Minji
SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- A police committee on Tuesday agreed to disclose the identity of a man suspected of blackmailing dozens of victims to perform violent sex acts and selling the content in a mobile group chat room in an incident that has shocked the nation and triggered public fury.
At least 74 people, including 16 underage girls, are known to have been exploited in the case that is widely known as the "Nth room case," in which the prime suspect allegedly lured victims into taking naked photos and later threatened them into more gruesome sex acts.
Cho Ju-bin, 25, who used the nickname "baksa," which means "doctor" or "guru" in Korean, is accused of distributing and streaming the videos in a group chat room on the messaging service Telegram.
Some of the room's up to 10,000 users are suspected of paying Cho as much as 1.5 million won (US$1,195) to view the content in which the suspects were sometimes treated as sex slaves. The payments were reportedly processed via cryptocurrencies.
The committee, which includes four non-police members, such as a psychologist and psychiatrist, agreed to disclose Cho's personal information – including his name, age and photo -- after a thorough review of whether the decision would benefit the public's right to know and prevent recidivism and additional crimes.
"The suspect's crime method of calling some unidentified women 'slaves' and producing and distributing sexually exploitative content is malicious and repetitive ... the crime is grave, considering there were almost 70 victims, including children and teenagers," the police said.
Police plan to have Cho appear in public on Wednesday morning, when he will be transferred to the prosecution for further probe.
Police have so far tracked down 124 people in relation to the case, including Cho and 17 others who have been taken into custody. A user with the nickname GodGod, who is suspected of first creating the chat room, still remains at large.
The case, which became notorious for its extreme brutality, has triggered public fury here as people signed online petitions and shared social media hashtags, demanding powerful punishment against the perpetrators.
This photo, provided by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, shows Cho Ju-bin, the prime suspect in a massive digital sex crime case. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
More than 2.5 million have signed a public petition on a website run by the presidential office demanding that police disclose Cho's identity and put him in a press photo line.
"If (he) is not a devil, who else can you say is a devil? (He) should stand in a photo line, with his bare face ... Human rights are a luxury for someone who thinks lightly of other people's humiliation," reads the petition that was posted on March 18.
This marks a record number of endorsements for the online petition system run by the presidential office. The presidential office releases an official response for petitions that have received more than 200,000 signatures.
Another 2.1 million have also signed three other petitions demanding the government punish and disclose everyone involved in the digital sex crime. Police estimate members in spinoff group chat rooms at 260,000.
President Moon Jae-in has vowed to take a stern approach in dealing with the sex criminals, as well as combating digital sex crimes, which have evolved in line with developments in technology.
He described the acts of the offenders as "cruel" behavior that destroyed the lives of victims and said he "feels sympathetic" to the "justifiable" public fury over it, according to his office.
A Cheong Wa Dae official later told reporters that Moon wants to reform the "wrong perception" that criminals won't be caught if they hide "in anonymity."
This March 22, 2020, screenshot shows that more than 2 million people have signed an online petition at a platform ran by the presidential office, demanding strong punishment for perpetrators of the so-called Nth room case. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The Ministry of Justice also vowed an all-out fight against digital sex crimes on Tuesday, calling the Nth room case a "disaster" and apologizing for its "lukewarm response" to digital sex crimes.
"We regret that this case is a disaster stemming from a lukewarm response to digital sex crimes. ... We will take all possible measures so that all perpetrators who took part in the cruel crime that destroyed a person's life will be dealt with strict punishment," the ministry said in a press release.
The ministry said it will consult with overseas law enforcement authorities to track down all the perpetrators and redeem the financial gains they have earned through the sex crimes.
It also pledged to launch a pan-government taskforce aimed at uprooting digital crimes and also strengthen victim support to guarantee their "right to be forgotten."
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-24--(LEAD) 2 baseball clubs halt training over coronavirus concerns

There have n't been any confirmed COVID-19 cases among KBO players , coaches or employees , but a handful of @ @ @ @ @ of earlier scares .
The Bears also had to suspend their training on March 16 @ @ @ @ @ league team had been on the same flight home from Taiwan as a Kiwoom Heroes @ @ @ @ @ fever .
The player tested negative the following day , and both the Bears and @ @ @ @ @ .

(ATTN: CHANGES headline, lead; UPDATES throughout with latest case, new info)
SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- Two South Korean baseball clubs halted their offseason training on Tuesday over coronavirus concerns.
The Doosan Bears canceled their practice Tuesday after learning that a player had been in secondary contact with a coronavirus patient.
The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) team said a family member of the player had come in direct contact with the COVID-19 patient at work, and that relative is awaiting test results.
In the meantime, all Doosan players have been asked to self-isolate at home.
Later Tuesday, the Kia Tigers stopped their practice midway through after one player developed a fever. As a precautionary measure, the player will be tested for COVID-19, and his teammates have been sent home for isolation.
The COVID-19 outbreak has forced the KBO to scrap all preseason games and delay the start of the regular season. It was slated to start this Saturday, and now the league announced Tuesday the season will not begin before April 20.
There haven't been any confirmed COVID-19 cases among KBO players, coaches or employees, but a handful of teams have had stop-and-gos because of earlier scares. The Bears also had to suspend their training on March 16 after learning that their minor league team had been on the same flight home from Taiwan as a Kiwoom Heroes minor leaguer who exhibited a fever. The player tested negative the following day, and both the Bears and the Heroes resumed training immediately.
The Doosan Bears of the Korea Baseball Organization hold an intrasquad scrimmage at an empty Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on March 23, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-25--Seoul stocks open sharply higher tracking Wall Street gains

It was also backed by a pledge from finance ministers of the Group of Seven ( G7 ) advanced economies @ @ @ @ @ necessary to restore confidence and economic growth and to protect jobs , businesses , and @ @ @ @ @ system . ''

SEOUL, March 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks opened sharply higher Wednesday tracking a record rally on Wall Street as investors bet on stimulus measures around the globe amid the new coronavirus pandemic.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) had risen 64.16 points, or 3.99 percent, to 1,674.13 as of 9:15 a.m.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average on Tuesday skyrocketed 11.4 percent to close at 20,704.91, its biggest one-day gain since 1933, after U.S. lawmakers said they are close to passing a US$2.5 trillion stimulus package to tackle the economic fallout from COVID-19.
It was also backed by a pledge from finance ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) advanced economies to do "whatever is necessary to restore confidence and economic growth and to protect jobs, businesses, and the resilience of the financial system."
In Seoul, most large-cap stocks were up.
Market kingpin Samsung Electronics rose 3.62 percent, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix jumped 4.32 percent.
Top automaker Hyundai Motor advanced 7.89 percent, and auto parts producer Hyundai Mobis spiked 12.11 percent. South Korea's leading chemical firm, LG Chem, climbed 6.94 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,234.40 won against the U.S. dollar, sharply up 15.2 won from the previous session's close.
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-25--Investor deposits soar amid stock market rout

The amount of retail investors ' deposits that can be used to buy stocks came to 39.9 trillion won ( @ @ @ @ @ as of Monday , up 8.6 trillion won from the end of February , according @ @ @ @ @ Korea Financial Investment Association .

SEOUL, March 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's investor deposits at securities firms have increased sharply this month amid a recent market crash, data showed Wednesday.
The amount of retail investors' deposits that can be used to buy stocks came to 39.9 trillion won (US$32.3 billion) as of Monday, up 8.6 trillion won from the end of February, according to the data from the Korea Financial Investment Association.
The amount had been on a steady increase this year. Investor deposits rose to 31.2 trillion won in February from 28.7 trillion won in January and 27 trillion won in December.
The recent surge follows a stock market rout that is seen as having prompted individual investors to rush to put their money into brokerages to take the dips.
Battered by the coronavirus outbreak, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) has tumbled 32.5 percent this year as of Monday, with the index for the tech-laden secondary market also plunging 33.8 percent.
Bolstered by government measures to prop up reeling businesses and the volatile financial market, the KOSPI rose 8 percent Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the amount of outstanding margin loans, or loans that retail investors take out from brokerages for stock investment, fell below the 7 trillion won mark Monday, the lowest level in more than three years.
(END)


KOSPI 1,668.19 UP 58.22 points (open)


KOSDAQ 496.32 UP 15.92 points (open)


Wednesday's weather forecast

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


yna--2020-03-25--Dollar opens at 1,235.7 won DN from 1,249.6 won


yna--2020-03-25--(LEAD) S. Korea to loosen FX liquidity guidelines to boost dollar liquidity

Early this week , the country unveiled a 42 trillion-won aid package to buttress up the stock market , as @ @ @ @ @ , which has been pummeled by growing woes over the impact of the new coronavirus @ @ @ @

(ATTN: ADDS details from para 5)
SEOUL, March 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will ease foreign exchange liquidity rules temporarily to prod local financial firms to provide more dollars in the currency market currently roiled by the market turbulence, the country's chief economic policymaker said Wednesday.
Local financial institutions have been required to hold an adequate amount of foreign currency assets on hand to get over short-term liquidity disruptions.
Currently, the foreign exchange liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) for banks is set at least 80 percent.
The FX LCR is measured as high-quality liquid foreign assets to projected net cash outflows over 30 days.
South Korea said it will also temporarily exempt a levy on local financial firms to ease their burden in obtaining foreign currencies.
The levy is imposed on financial firms to maintain market stability in case the country suffers sudden inflows and outflows of foreign capital.
"South Korea plans to lend hands to the private sector's efforts to secure foreign currencies by easing macro-prudential regulations adopted after the 2008 financial crisis," Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki said during a meeting with economy-related ministers.
The planned measure is the latest in a series of steps to stem market turmoil and provide a buffer against the fallout from the COVID-19 outbreak.
Early this week, the country unveiled a 42 trillion-won aid package to buttress up the stock market, as well as the bond market, which has been pummeled by growing woes over the impact of the new coronavirus on the economy.
Also, South Korea struck a US$60 billion currency swap deal with Washington last week, which will be in place for at least six months. It is the second of its kind since 2008.
In particular, the country's financial authorities raised the cap on foreign currency forward positions for local banks to 50 percent of their equity capital, from the current 40 percent, in an effort to ease a dollar shortage in the capital market.
South Korea, hit by the growing outbreak of COVID-19, is set to implement an extra budget worth 11.7 trillion won to help the economy chug along. The central bank also cut its policy rate by half a percentage point to a record low of 0.75 percent.
The country's stock market has been battered by an extended foreign sell-off, although it rebounded by more than 8 percent Wednesday.
To support local industries from the economic fallout from the new coronavirus, the country plans to increase the employment-retention subsidies to 500 billion won (US$403 million) from the current 100 billion won as well, according to the finance minister.
(END)


yna--2020-03-25--Nat'l volleyball captain Kim Yeon-koung taking Olympic postponement in stride

`` I 've worked so hard for the Olympics in 2020 , and to have this opportunity delayed so close @ @ @ @ @ difficult , I am sure , for my teammates as well , '' Kim said @ @ @ @ @ what it is .
We have to bear down and prepare hard for the Olympics @ @ @ @

SEOUL, March 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korean volleyball star Kim Yeon-koung had long anticipated that the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics would be postponed, amid the global coronavirus pandemic.
But expecting it to happen was one thing; hearing the news of the postponement late Tuesday was something else.
Kim admitted she was still caught a bit off guard, but the women's national team captain tried to take it all in stride.
"Obviously, because of the virus, it's difficult to live a normal life anywhere in the world," Kim said in a statement released by her agency, Lianat. "I think (the postponement) was the logical decision."
In this file photo from Feb. 20, 2020, South Korean volleyball player Kim Yeon-koung waves to fans gathered at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, before departing for Turkey. (Yonhap)
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Tokyo's organizing committee agreed to move the Olympics, set for July 24-Aug. 9, to beyond 2020, but no later than summer of 2021. They had been under mounting pressure to postpone the quadrennial competition, after their refusal to budge drew the ire of athletes, national Olympic committees and even IOC members last week.
For those who had yet to qualify for the Olympics and had been on the bubble, this delay will likely mean a fresh opportunity and extra time to prepare. But for a veteran like Kim, who turned 32 almost exactly a month ago, the additional year of preparation can take a mental and physical toll.
And perhaps no one sacrificed more than Kim to send South Korea to Tokyo in the first place. The team's most talented attacker played the Asian qualifying tournament in January with a torn abdominal muscle. She was pulled during the first set of the team's last preliminary match against Kazakhstan, and she sat out the next contest, a semifinals showdown against Chinese Taipei.
Kim took painkillers and gutted through the entire match against Thailand in the final. She scored a match-high 22 points to lift South Korea to a straight-set victory and an Olympic berth.
In this photo provided by FIVB on Jan. 12, 2020, Kim Yeon-koung of South Korea (R) hits a spike against Thailand during the final of the Asian Olympic women's volleyball qualification tournament at Korat Chatchai Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
After the tournament ended Jan. 12, Kim was ruled out for six weeks. She accepted a pay cut for missing time with her Turkish club, Eczacibasi VitrA. And just as she was prepared to return for the club's playoffs, the Turkish league ground to a halt due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
But despite this roller-coaster ride, Kim hasn't lost sight of her goal -- winning her first Olympic medal.
Kim had said all along Tokyo would be her last Olympics. In Kim's Olympic debut at London 2012, South Korea lost to Japan in the bronze medal match. Four years later in Rio de Janeiro, South Korea was knocked out of the quarterfinals by the Netherlands.
"I've worked so hard for the Olympics in 2020, and to have this opportunity delayed so close to the competition is pretty difficult, I am sure, for my teammates as well," Kim said. "But it is what it is. We have to bear down and prepare hard for the Olympics in 2021."
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-25--S. Korea to loosen FX liquidity guidelines to boost funding

SEOUL , March 25 ( Yonhap ) -- South Korea will ease foreign exchange liquidity rules temporarily to prod local @ @ @ @ @ dollars in the currency market currently roiled by the market turbulence , the country 's @ @ @ @ @ .

SEOUL, March 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will ease foreign exchange liquidity rules temporarily to prod local financial firms to provide more dollars in the currency market currently roiled by the market turbulence, the country's chief economic policymaker said Wednesday.
Local financial institutions have been required to hold an adequate amount of foreign currency assets on hand to get over short-term liquidity disruptions.
Currently, the foreign exchange liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) for banks is set at 80 percent.
The FX LCR is measured as high-quality liquid foreign assets to projected net cash outflows over 30 days.
(END)


yna--2020-03-25--Foreign countries seek S. Korean military's anti-coronavirus know-how

`` We are going to give a document detailing our virus-related measures to the offices in a couple of days @ @ @ @ @ , adding the material will also be distributed to military officials of around 39 countries @ @ @ @ @

SEOUL, March 25 (Yonhap) -- Four foreign countries have asked South Korea to share its know-how in stemming the new coronavirus at military barracks, officials said Wednesday.
Military attaches at the diplomatic missions of the four countries in Latin America, Asia and the Middle East have recently asked the defense ministry what South Korea's military and government have done to cope with the COVID-19 virus, the officials said.
"We are going to give a document detailing our virus-related measures to the offices in a couple of days," an official said, adding the material will also be distributed to military officials of around 39 countries stationed here this week.
South Korea's containment efforts have gained some global recognition, with fresh cases among the military population and the whole citizens having grown relatively slowly in recent days amid the global pandemic.
As of Tuesday, the military reported 39 coronavirus patients, including five civilian workers. The number of active-duty service personnel in South Korea stands at around 580,000. The country had a total of 9,037 confirmed cases, including 120 deaths.
To stop the virus from spreading into the barracks, the ministry has implemented diverse measures, such as limiting soldiers' vacationing and meeting visitors, as well as the temporary suspension of off-installation drills.
More than 3,100 service members and officials, including over 450 medical workers, were mobilized as of Tuesday for quarantine and disinfection works in a move to help the government's fight against the virus.
Earlier, a foreign ministry official said South Korea has received a growing number of requests from foreign countries for Seoul's diagnostic products and other forms of aid to contain the disease.
Soldiers carry out disinfection work inside a public bus in Gwangju, South Korea, on March 24, 2020, in this photo provided by the Army. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-25--(EDITORIAL from Korea JoongAng Daily on March 25)

Gyeonggi has decided to hand out 100,000 won ( $ 80 ) in cash to each resident regardless of their @ @ @ @ @ through an unprecedented economic crisis from the Covid-19 outbreak .
The budget needed for that @ @ @ @ @ — will be appropriated from the provincial government 's disaster funds .
Following in its @ @ @ @ @ and Jeonju in North Jeolla will be offering cash handouts to their residents to help @ @ @ @ @ countless number of part-time workers and daily laborers desperately need the money to survive .

Guidelines needed
Gyeonggi has decided to hand out 100,000 won ($80) in cash to each resident regardless of their incomes to help people get through an unprecedented economic crisis from the Covid-19 outbreak. The budget needed for that aid — 1.3 trillion won — will be appropriated from the provincial government's disaster funds. Following in its footsteps, Seoul, Daejeon and Jeonju in North Jeolla will be offering cash handouts to their residents to help overcome financial hardships. A countless number of part-time workers and daily laborers desperately need the money to survive.
But the public is increasingly confused because some municipalities are offering financial help while others are not. The recipients and amounts also differ among local governments. For instance, Seoul plans to dole out 300,000 to 500,000 won to households whose incomes are less than the median while Daejeon is giving 300,000 to 630,000 won to households whose incomes are between 50 percent and 100 percent of the median income, excluding the lowest income group already receiving subsidies from the central government.
This kind of inconsistent approach is unfortunate given the national impact of the Covid-19 outbreak. With the exceptions of Daegu and North Gyeongsang, where the outbreak was concentrated, all parts of the country are basically suffering the same. Insiders in the ruling Democratic Party are floating the idea of local governments doling out money first and the central government reimbursing them later. If the money comes from people's taxes, every citizen should receive the same amount.
The Moon Jae-in administration has much to answer for. The central government resorted to one supplementary budget after another — without caring for the poor, who are struggling to survive each day. As a result, local governments rolled up their sleeves to help residents directly. Someone should have set a standard for cash handouts. The government is still sitting on its hands as seen in a critical lack of subsidies for the lower income group.
The central government must set the guidelines for local governments to follow if it really wants to ease public confusion and anxieties. It is not the time to delay such guidelines to meticulously weigh economic effects of the subsidies. Municipalities also must control their impulses toward populism ahead of the April 15 parliamentary elections. Otherwise, it will seriously hurt the fiscal solidity of the country.
(END)


yna--2020-03-25--(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on March 25)

In this regard , the doubling of the aid package is more than welcome , although it is somewhat belated @ @ @ @ @ the virus worldwide and the magnitude of its catastrophic consequences .
Now what 's important @ @ @ @ @ in a speedy and appropriate manner .
The government and the ruling party should make @ @ @ @ @ with the opposition parties to ensure that hard-hit businesses can get the pledged support without @ @ @

Doubling rescue package
Time to minimize economic fallout from pandemic
President Moon Jae-in's decision to double an economic rescue package to 100 trillion won ($80 billion) reflects his determination to minimize the economic damage arising from the coronavirus pandemic. This massive package also reflects a sense of crisis that the Korean economy may collapse due to a potential credit crunch amid the public health disaster.
Announcing the decision during the second session of the Emergency Economic Council, Tuesday, Moon promised that the government will serve as a "stout breakwater" to protect the economy and businesses from the impact of COVID-19. "We will make sure that normal companies will never go out of business because of a temporary liquidity shortage," he said.
The twofold increase came after the Moon administration agreed last week to mobilize 50 trillion won to help small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the self-employed which have suffered the most from the negative effects of the novel coronavirus. The expanded package will provide financial support and low interest loans not only to SMEs but also big businesses to ride out any economic difficulties.
This means the government will do more to prevent the impact of the epidemic from spilling over to the nation's key manufacturing industries, including automobiles and chip-making. The coronavirus crisis has so far battered the airline, tourism, hospitality, entertainment and retail sectors since South Korea reported its first confirmed case Jan. 20. Now, the economic damage is spreading to the country's major industries due to the disruption of global supply chains.
In this regard, the doubling of the aid package is more than welcome, although it is somewhat belated considering the rapid spread of the virus worldwide and the magnitude of its catastrophic consequences. Now what's important is to execute the package in a speedy and appropriate manner. The government and the ruling party should make every effort to seek bipartisanship with the opposition parties to ensure that hard-hit businesses can get the pledged support without any delay.
The rival parties should refrain from political squabbling over the rescue package in the run-up to the April 15 general election. It is of no use for the opposition camp, especially the conservative United Future Party, to denounce the expanding rescue program as a bid by the liberal government to woo voters. We urge the opposition parties to join the pan-national efforts to save the economy from plunging into a bottomless pit.
The Moon government faces a daunting task of bringing COVID-19 under control and keeping Korea Inc. afloat. It is also equally important to stabilize the financial markets. The package includes 20 trillion won to stabilize the bond market and 10.7 trillion won to stabilize the securities market. This stabilization measure will hopefully help regain investor confidence and prevent the outflow of foreign capital.
Most of all, the authorities should pull out all the stops to protect people's health from the pandemic and stabilize their livelihoods. The 100-trillion-won package may be insufficient. Thus, the government should not hesitate to mobilize all possible means to mitigate the health crisis and looming economic calamity in a pre-emptive manner.
(END)