yna--2020-03-14--(5th LD) S. Korea's virus cases continue to slow, cluster infections still worrisome

The number of people being checked for the virus and under quarantine came to 17,634 as of Friday , down @ @ @ @ @ , it said .
The country has tested a total of 261,335 suspected cases , @ @ @ @ @

(ATTN: UPDATES with more info in 24th para)
SEOUL, March 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus outbreaks continued to slow down Saturday, with more patients recovering from the novel coronavirus than new cases for the second day in a row, spawning cautious hopes that the virus outbreak in the country may be on a path toward containment.
The country reported 107 new cases of COVID-19, slightly down from 110 new cases a day earlier and 114 on Thursday, bringing the nation's total infections to 8,086, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
With five new deaths reported Saturday, 72 people have died so far in South Korea from the respiratory virus since the first local coronavirus infection case here was confirmed on Jan. 20, the public health agency said.
This graph, provided by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) on March 14, 2020, shows daily new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus and total infections in South Korea. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The KCDC said 63 virus patients are in critical condition, it added.
South Korea, second to China in terms of virus infections in Asia, had released 714 fully recovered novel coronavirus patients from hospitals as of Friday, up 204 from a day earlier, the KCDC said.
The pace of daily new infections has shown signs of slowing in recent days as health authorities completed extensive testing of 210,000 Shincheonji followers who are at the center of the rapid spread.
But authorities are still on high alert over new clusters of infections, including at a call center in Seoul's Guro district and the country's government complex in the administrative city of Sejong.
Of the new cases, 62 are in Daegu and six are in North Gyeongsang Province, where Daegu is located, the KCDC said. Daegu accounts for nearly 74 percent of South Korea's total infection cases.
The total number of confirmed cases in Daegu and North Gyeongsang, the two epicenters of the virus outbreak here, stood at 5,990 and 1,153, respectively.
Infection cases in the capital Seoul rose 13 to 238, and surrounding Gyeonggi Province reported 15 new cases for a total of 200.
Despite the clear downtrend in Daegu and North Gyeongsang, the capital area is seeing a sustained volume of new cases, a government official said, calling for continued caution against crowded places and close contact with other people.
"I don't think it's time to loosen up the vigilance as group infections are continuing in the capital area," the official said.
Quarantine officials carry out medical check-ups at a drive-thru examination center set up near the main government complex in Sejong, 130 kilometers south of Seoul, on March 13, 2020. (Yonhap)
The country has been struggling to cope with a possible cluster infection, after more than 110 cases of COVID-19 were found at a call center in southwestern Seoul.
As of Saturday, infection cases from the call center in Guro, the biggest infection cluster in the capital area, rose to 115, with three new cases added the previous day.
Eighty-two of them were employees of the call center, and the remaining 33 were their family members.
The number of cases in relation with the call center could rise further as the government continues to test the employees and their families and neighbors.
The administrative capital Sejong posted six additional cases, bringing its total infections to 38, while cases in Busan rose by three to 103.
A total of 31 civil servants at the government complex in Sejong have contracted the illness so far.
The total number of COVID-19 patients at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries rose by one to 26.
Last week, the first virus case was reported at the Sejong government complex, about 130 kilometers south of Seoul, accommodates 35 government ministries and agencies employing 15,000 workers.
The health authorities said they are in talks with the education ministry over whether to again extend school breaks or not.
In a fresh precautionary measure, the government on March 5 extended child care center breaks by another two weeks to March 22. Spring semesters of all elementary, middle and high schools have already been delayed to March 23.
"Government agencies are split over (extending school breaks), and it needs to quickly determine whether to extend them or not," the official said.
Following up on the announcement, the Ministry of Education said it will make its final decision public next week after discussions with health authorities and education agencies on whether the extension is necessary.
Jeju International Airport on Jeju Island is almost empty on March 14, 2020, as South Korea struggles to contain the spread of COVID-19. (Yonhap)
Separately, the Seoul government has been alert over inflows of COVID-19.
Starting Sunday, all people arriving in the country after visiting Germany and four other European countries will face strengthened quarantine as part of efforts to stem imported virus cases.
Entrants from France, Germany, Spain, Britain and the Netherlands will be required to get fever checks and submit papers on their health conditions.
The measures come as many European nations, particularly virus-hit Italy, have reported a spike in new COVID-19 cases, prompting the health authorities here to raise their guard against further imported virus cases.
Such requirements have been applied to people who have visited mainland China, Macau, Hong Kong, Iran and Italy.
Since raising the virus alert level to "red," the highest level, on Feb. 23, health authorities have focused on halting the spread of the virus in Daegu and North Gyeongsang.
The World Health Organization declared Wednesday that the global coronavirus crisis is now a pandemic as the virus has spread to every continent except Antarctica.
The number of people being checked for the virus and under quarantine came to 17,634 as of Friday, down 306 from the day before, it said. The country has tested a total of 261,335 suspected cases, the health authorities said.
Currently, there is no evidence that the new coronavirus is airborne. WHO said the virus is transmitted through droplets or close contact.
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-14--Top diplomats of S. Korea, Norway discuss coronavirus containment

The Norwegian foreign minister highly appreciated the transparency and openness with which South Korea has been fighting the spreading coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ between the countries in battling the virus , the ministry said .

SEOUL, March 14 (Yonhap) -- The top diplomats of South Korea and Norway have discussed efforts to fight the novel coronavirus, the foreign ministry here said Saturday.
During the telephone talks with her Norwegian counterpart, Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha stressed her country's far-reaching quarantine and disinfection efforts to contain the local spread of COVID-19, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here said.
Kang also asked for the Norwegian government's cooperation in allowing necessary human exchanges between the countries despite Norway's recent border control measures taken to fight the virus infection.
Since late last month, Norway has been imposing a mandatory 14-day quarantine for travelers arriving from foreign countries except Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland.
The Norwegian foreign minister highly appreciated the transparency and openness with which South Korea has been fighting the spreading coronavirus and called for continued cooperation between the countries in battling the virus, the ministry said.
Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-14--(4th LD) S. Korea's virus cases continue to slow, cluster infections still worrisome

SEOUL , March 14 ( Yonhap ) -- South Korea 's new coronavirus outbreaks continued to slow down Saturday , @ @ @ @ @ the novel coronavirus than new cases for the second day in a row , spawning @ @ @ @ @ outbreak in the country may be on a path toward containment .

(ATTN: UPDATES with more info in paras 4, 21-28)
SEOUL, March 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus outbreaks continued to slow down Saturday, with more patients recovering from the novel coronavirus than new cases for the second day in a row, spawning cautious hopes that the virus outbreak in the country may be on a path toward containment.
The country reported 107 new cases of COVID-19, slightly down from 110 new cases a day earlier and 114 on Thursday, bringing the nation's total infections to 8,086, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
With five new deaths reported Saturday, 72 people have died so far in South Korea from the respiratory virus since the first local coronavirus infection case here was confirmed on Jan. 20, the public health agency said.
This graph, provided by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) on March 14, 2020, shows daily new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus and total infections in South Korea. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The KCDC said 63 virus patients are in critical condition, it added.
South Korea, second to China in terms of virus infections in Asia, had released 714 fully recovered novel coronavirus patients from hospitals as of Friday, up 204 from a day earlier, the KCDC said.
The pace of daily new infections has shown signs of slowing in recent days as health authorities completed extensive testing of 210,000 Shincheonji followers who are at the center of the rapid spread.
But authorities are still on high alert over new clusters of infections, including at a call center in Seoul's Guro district and the country's government complex in the administrative city of Sejong.
Of the new cases, 62 are in Daegu and six are in North Gyeongsang Province, where Daegu is located, the KCDC said. Daegu accounts for nearly 74 percent of South Korea's total infection cases.
The total number of confirmed cases in Daegu and North Gyeongsang, the two epicenters of the virus outbreak here, stood at 5,990 and 1,153, respectively.
Infection cases in the capital Seoul rose 13 to 238, and surrounding Gyeonggi Province reported 15 new cases for a total of 200.
Despite the clear downtrend in Daegu and North Gyeongsang, the capital area is seeing a sustained volume of new cases, a government official said, calling for continued caution against crowded places and close contact with other people.
"I don't think it's time to loosen up the vigilance as group infections are continuing in the capital area," the official said.
Quarantine officials carry out medical check-ups at a drive-thru examination center set up near the main government complex in Sejong, 130 kilometers south of Seoul, on March 13, 2020. (Yonhap)
The country has been struggling to cope with a possible cluster infection, after more than 110 cases of COVID-19 were found at a call center in southwestern Seoul.
As of Saturday, infection cases from the call center in Guro, the biggest infection cluster in the capital area, rose to 115, with three new cases added the previous day.
Eighty-two of them were employees of the call center, and the remaining 33 were their family members.
The number of cases in relation with the call center could rise further as the government continues to test the employees and their families and neighbors.
The administrative capital Sejong posted six additional cases, bringing its total infections to 38, while cases in Busan rose by three to 103.
A total of 31 civil servants at the government complex in Sejong have contracted the illness so far.
The total number of COVID-19 patients at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries rose by one to 26.
Last week, the first virus case was reported at the Sejong government complex, about 130 kilometers south of Seoul, accommodates 35 government ministries and agencies employing 15,000 workers.
The health authorities said they are in talks with the education ministry over whether to again extend school breaks or not.
In a fresh precautionary measure, the government on March 5 extended child care center breaks by another two weeks to March 22. Spring semesters of all elementary, middle and high schools have already been delayed to March 23.
"Government agencies are split over (extending school breaks), and it needs to quickly determine whether to extend them or not," the official said.
Jeju International Airport on Jeju Island is almost empty on March 14, 2020, as South Korea struggles to contain the spread of COVID-19. (Yonhap)
Separately, the Seoul government has been alert over inflows of COVID-19.
Starting Sunday, all people arriving in the country after visiting Germany and four other European countries will face strengthened quarantine as part of efforts to stem imported virus cases.
Entrants from France, Germany, Spain, Britain and the Netherlands will be required to get fever checks and submit papers on their health conditions.
The measures come as many European nations, particularly virus-hit Italy, have reported a spike in new COVID-19 cases, prompting the health authorities here to raise their guard against further imported virus cases.
Such requirements have been applied to people who have visited mainland China, Macau, Hong Kong, Iran and Italy.
Since raising the virus alert level to "red," the highest level, on Feb. 23, health authorities have focused on halting the spread of the virus in Daegu and North Gyeongsang.
The World Health Organization declared Wednesday that the global coronavirus crisis is now a pandemic as the virus has spread to every continent except Antarctica.
The number of people being checked for the virus and under quarantine came to 17,634 as of Friday, down 306 from the day before, it said. The country has tested a total of 261,335 suspected cases, the health authorities said.
Currently, there is no evidence that the new coronavirus is airborne. WHO said the virus is transmitted through droplets or close contact.
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-14--Today in Korean history

Today in Korean history

1960 -- The Liberal Party succeeds in arranging the reelection of President Rhee Syng-man in a rigged vote .
Fake @ @ @ @ @ counts were manipulated to extend Rhee 's term .
He had ruled the country since @ @ @ @ @ president in 1948 .
The U.S.-educated leader , however , was forced to leave the @ @ @ @ @ his government was toppled in a pro-democracy uprising .
He died in Hawaii five years @ @

March 15
1919 -- Korean immigrants in Hawaii, the U.S. mainland and Mexico hold separate meetings on how to support and finance the independence movement in their homeland, which was then a Japanese colony. They contributed wages from working on farms to help independence fighters operating on the Korean Peninsula and in surrounding countries, mostly China and Russia.
1960 -- The Liberal Party succeeds in arranging the reelection of President Rhee Syng-man in a rigged vote. Fake voters were created and vote counts were manipulated to extend Rhee's term. He had ruled the country since becoming South Korea's first president in 1948. The U.S.-educated leader, however, was forced to leave the country later that year after his government was toppled in a pro-democracy uprising. He died in Hawaii five years later.
2003 -- The Ministry of National Defense shortens the mandatory military service by two months, cutting service periods in South Korea's Army, Navy and Air Force to 24, 26 and 28 months, respectively. The changes went into effect in October that year. All South Korean men are required to serve.
2016 -- Google's artificial intelligence program AlphaGo beats South Korean Go champ Lee Se-dol in their final Go match, taking the five-round Go tournament with a score of 4-1.
(END)


yna--2020-03-14--S. Korean player in French football league diagnosed with coronavirus: reports

The French paper L'Equipe and other outlets said Friday ( local time ) that Suk Hyun-jun of ESTAC Troyes has @ @ @ @ @ Another player in the club 's junior academy tested positive for the virus , and @ @ @ @ @ home , reports added .

SEOUL, March 14 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean player in the second division French football league has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, reports from the European country said.
This file photo captured from ESTAC Troyes' website on Feb. 1, 2020, shows the French football club's South Korean player, Suk Hyun-jun. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The French paper L'Equipe and other outlets said Friday (local time) that Suk Hyun-jun of ESTAC Troyes has been diagnosed with COVID-19. Another player in the club's junior academy tested positive for the virus, and both will be quarantined at home, reports added.
The club announced that two of their players have been diagnosed without identifying them, though media reports said Suk was confirmed as one of the two.
According to L'Equipe, Suk is the first France-based pro football player to test positive for COVID-19.
Suk, 28, has spent his entire club career outside his native country. He has played in the Netherlands, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Hungary and France. This is his second tour of duty with Troyes.
Along with all other major European leagues, the French league has ground to a halt amid the spread of the virus in Europe.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-14--(3rd LD) S. Korea's virus cases continue to slow, cluster infections still worrisome

The pace of daily new infections has shown signs of slowing in recent days as health authorities completed extensive testing @ @ @ @ @ are at the center of the rapid spread , but authorities are still on high @ @ @ @ @ infections , including at a call center in Seoul 's Guro district and the country @ @ @ @ @ administrative city of Sejong .

(ATTN: UPDATES with more info in paras 9-13)
SEOUL, March 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus outbreaks continued to slow down Saturday, with more patients recovering from the novel coronavirus than new cases for the second day in a row, spawning cautious hopes that the virus outbreak in the country may be on a path toward containment.
The country reported 107 new cases of COVID-19, slightly down from 110 new cases a day earlier and 114 on Thursday, bringing the nation's total infections to 8,086, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
This graph, provided by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) on March 14, 2020, shows daily new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus and total infections in South Korea. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
With five new deaths reported Saturday, 72 people have died so far in South Korea from the respiratory virus since the first local coronavirus infection case here was confirmed on Jan. 20, the public health agency said.
South Korea, second to China in terms of virus infections in Asia, had released 714 fully recovered novel coronavirus patients from hospitals as of Friday, up 204 from a day earlier, the KCDC said.
The pace of daily new infections has shown signs of slowing in recent days as health authorities completed extensive testing of 210,000 Shincheonji followers who are at the center of the rapid spread, but authorities are still on high alert over new clusters of infections, including at a call center in Seoul's Guro district and the country's government complex in the administrative city of Sejong.
Of the new cases, 62 are in Daegu and six are in North Gyeongsang Province, where Daegu is located, the KCDC said. Daegu accounts for nearly 74 percent of South Korea's total infection cases.
The total number of confirmed cases in Daegu and North Gyeongsang, the two epicenters of the virus outbreak here, stood at 5,990 and 1,153, respectively.
Quarantine officials carry out medical check-ups at a drive-thru examination center set up near the main government complex in Sejong, 130 kilometers south of Seoul, on March 13, 2020. (Yonhap)
Infection cases in the capital Seoul rose 13 to 238, and surrounding Gyeonggi Province reported 15 new cases for a total of 200.
Despite the clear downtrend in Daegu and North Gyeongsang, the capital area is seeing a sustained volume of new cases, a government official said, calling for continued caution against crowded places and close contact with other people.
"I don't think it's time to loosen up the vigilance as group infections are continuing in the capital area," the official said.
As of Saturday, infection cases from the call center in Guro, the biggest infection cluster in the capital area, rose to 115, with three new cases added the previous day.
Eighty-two of them were employees of the call center, and the remaining 33 were their family members.
The number of cases in relation with the call center could rise further as the government continues to test the employees and their families and neighbors.
The administrative capital Sejong posted six additional cases, bringing its total infections to 38, while cases in Busan rose by three to 103.
A total of 31 civil servants at the government complex in the administrative capital of Sejong have contracted the illness so far.
The total number of COVID-19 patients at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries rose by one to 26.
Last week, the Sejong government complex reported its first case in a public servant working at the health ministry.
The complex, located about 130 kilometers south of Seoul, accommodates 35 government ministries and agencies employing 15,000 workers.
The country has been struggling to cope with a possible cluster infection, after more than 110 cases of COVID-19 were found at a call center in southwestern Seoul.
Jeju International Airport on Jeju Island is almost empty on March 14, 2020, as South Korea struggles to contain the spread of COVID-19. (Yonhap)
Since raising the virus alert level to "red," the highest level, on Feb. 23, health authorities have focused on halting the spread of the virus in Daegu and North Gyeongsang.
The World Health Organization declared Wednesday that the global coronavirus crisis is now a pandemic as the virus has spread to every continent except Antarctica.
The number of people being checked for the virus and under quarantine came to 17,634 as of Friday, down 306 from the day before, it said. The country has tested a total of 261,335 suspected cases, the health authorities said.
Currently, there is no evidence that the new coronavirus is airborne. WHO said the virus is transmitted through droplets or close contact.
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-14--130 countries, territories restricting entry from virus-hit S. Korea

Uzbekistan was one of the three countries that introduced new border control measures against South Korea on the day .
@ @ @ @ @ of all non-Uzbekistan nationals will be prohibited for the following two weeks due to the @ @ @ @

SEOUL, March 14 (Yonhap) -- A total of 130 countries and territories were imposing an entry ban or stricter quarantine procedures for travelers from South Korea as part of their moves to contain the new coronavirus Saturday, up three countries from a day earlier, the foreign ministry here said.
As of Saturday morning, 61 countries and territories, including Uzbekistan and Bosnia-Herzegovina, were barring the entry of travelers who have visited South Korea at least in the previous two weeks, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Uzbekistan was one of the three countries that introduced new border control measures against South Korea on the day. Starting Sunday, the entry of all non-Uzbekistan nationals will be prohibited for the following two weeks due to the novel coronavirus infection.
Under their own new quarantine measures, Eritrea and Brazil will also start to quarantine travelers from overseas.
Eritrea will put travelers from South Korea, China, Italy and Iran on a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in the country, while Brazil will recommend all travelers coming from overseas, both Brazilian and non-Brazilian, stay away from other people for seven days.
Including Eritrea, a total of 18 other countries and territories will be applying a mandatory quarantine for travelers from South Korea upon arrival in their countries.
Fifty-one other nations and regions have stepped up quarantine efforts for travelers from South Korea, including an advisory for self-isolation or stricter health checkups at the time of entry.
As of Saturday, South Korea's total confirmed COVID-19 cases reached 8,086, up 107 from a day earlier. It was the third day in a row that the daily new infection tally has come down to the 100-person range in South Korea.
Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, is almost empty on March 13, 2020, as South Korea struggles to contain the spread of COVID-19. (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-14--(2nd LD) S. Korea's virus cases continue to slow, cluster infections still worrisome

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, paras 1-4; ADDS more details in paras 10-13)
SEOUL, March 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus outbreaks continued to slow down Saturday, with more patients recovering from the novel coronavirus than new cases for the second day in a row, spawning cautious hopes that the virus outbreak in the country may be on a path toward containment.
The country reported 107 new cases of COVID-19, slightly down from 110 new cases a day earlier and 114 on Thursday, bringing the nation's total infections to 8,086, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
This graph, provided by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) on March 14, 2020, shows daily new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus and total infections in South Korea. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
With five new deaths reported Saturday, 72 people have died so far in South Korea from the respiratory virus since the first local coronavirus infection case here was confirmed on Jan. 20, the public health agency said.
South Korea, second to China in terms of virus infections in Asia, had released 714 fully recovered novel coronavirus patients from hospitals as of Friday, up 204 from a day earlier, the KCDC said.
The pace of daily new infections has shown signs of slowing in recent days as health authorities completed extensive testing of 210,000 Shincheonji followers who are at the center of the rapid spread, but authorities are still on high alert over new clusters of infections, including at a call center in Seoul's Guro district and the country's government complex in the administrative city of Sejong.
Of the new cases, 62 are in Daegu and six are in North Gyeongsang Province, where Daegu is located, the KCDC said. Daegu accounts for nearly 74 percent of South Korea's total infection cases.
The total number of confirmed cases in Daegu and North Gyeongsang, the two epicenters of the virus outbreak here, stood at 5,990 and 1,153, respectively.
Quarantine officials carry out medical check-ups at a drive-thru examination center set up near the main government complex in Sejong, 130 kilometers south of Seoul, on March 13, 2020. (Yonhap)
Infection cases in the capital Seoul rose 13 to 238, and surrounding Gyeonggi Province reported 15 new cases for a total of 200.
The administrative capital Sejong posted six additional cases, bringing its total infections to 38, while cases in Busan rose by three to 103.
A total of 31 civil servants at the government complex in the administrative capital of Sejong have contracted the illness so far.
The total number of COVID-19 patients at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries rose by one to 26.
Last week, the Sejong government complex reported its first case in a public servant working at the health ministry.
The complex, located about 130 kilometers south of Seoul, accommodates 35 government ministries and agencies employing 15,000 workers.
The country has been struggling to cope with a possible cluster infection, after more than 110 cases of COVID-19 were found at a call center in southwestern Seoul.
Jeju International Airport on Jeju Island is almost empty on March 14, 2020, as South Korea struggles to contain the spread of COVID-19. (Yonhap)
Since raising the virus alert level to "red," the highest level, on Feb. 23, health authorities have focused on halting the spread of the virus in Daegu and North Gyeongsang.
The World Health Organization declared Wednesday that the global coronavirus crisis is now a pandemic as the virus has spread to every continent except Antarctica.
The number of people being checked for the virus and under quarantine came to 17,634 as of Friday, down 306 from the day before, it said. The country has tested a total of 261,335 suspected cases, the health authorities said.
Currently, there is no evidence that the new coronavirus is airborne. WHO said the virus is transmitted through droplets or close contact.
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-14--(LEAD) S. Korea's new virus cases continue to slow, infections top 8,000

(ATTN: UPDATES with more data in paras 3, 6, 9)
SEOUL, March 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korea reported 107 new cases of the new coronavirus Saturday, slightly down from 110 new cases a day earlier, bringing the nation's total infections to 8,086.
The 107 new cases, detected Friday, underscore the growing signs that the infections in the country are surely waning on the back of stepped-up efforts to contain the virus outbreak.
Saturday marks the third day in a row that the daily new infection tally has come down to the 100 range.
With five new deaths reported Saturday, 72 people have died so far in South Korea from the respiratory virus since the first local coronavirus infection case here was confirmed on Jan. 20, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
This graph, provided by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) on March 14, 2020, shows daily new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus and total infections in South Korea. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The pace of daily new infections has shown signs of slowing in recent days as health authorities completed extensive testing of 210,000 Shincheonji followers who are at the center of the rapid spread, but authorities are still on high alert over new clusters of infections, including at a call center in Seoul's Guro district and the country's government complex in the administrative city of Sejong.
Of the new cases, 62 are in Daegu and six are in North Gyeongsang Province, where Daegu is located, the KCDC said. Daegu accounts for nearly 74 percent of South Korea's total infection cases.
The total number of confirmed cases in Daegu and North Gyeongsang, the two epicenters of the virus outbreak here, stood at 5,990 and 1,153, respectively.
Infection cases in the capital Seoul rose 13 to 238, and surrounding Gyeonggi Province reported 15 new cases for a total of 200.
The administrative capital Sejong posted six additional cases, bringing its total infections to 38, while cases in Busan rose by three to 103.
Since raising the virus alert level to "red," the highest level, on Feb. 23, health authorities have focused on halting the spread of the virus in Daegu and North Gyeongsang.
The World Health Organization declared Wednesday that the global coronavirus crisis is now a pandemic as the virus has spread to every continent except Antarctica.
South Korea had released 714 fully recovered novel coronavirus patients from hospitals as of Friday, up 204 from a day earlier, the KCDC said.
The number of people being checked for the virus and under quarantine came to 17,634 as of Friday, down 306 from the day before, it said. The country has tested a total of 261,335 suspected cases, the health authorities said.
Currently, there is no evidence that the new coronavirus is airborne. WHO said the virus is transmitted through droplets or close contact.
Jeju International Airport on Jeju Island is almost empty on March 14, 2020, as South Korea struggles to contain the spread of COVID-19. (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-14--S. Korea's new virus cases continue to slow, infections top 8,000

SEOUL, March 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korea reported 107 new cases of the new coronavirus Saturday, slightly down from 110 new cases a day earlier, bringing the nation's total infections to 8,086.
The 107 new cases, detected Friday, underscore the growing signs that the infections in the country are surely waning on the back of stepped-up efforts to contain the virus outbreak.
With five new deaths reported Saturday, 72 people have died so far in South Korea from the respiratory virus since the first local coronavirus infection case here was confirmed on Jan. 20, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
This graph, provided by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) on March 14, 2020, shows daily new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus and total infections in South Korea. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The pace of daily new infections has shown signs of slowing in recent days as health authorities completed extensive testing of 210,000 Shincheonji followers who are at the center of the rapid spread, but authorities are still on high alert over new clusters of infections, including at a call center in Seoul's Guro district and the country's government complex in the administrative city of Sejong.
Of the new cases, 62 are in Daegu and six are in North Gyeongsang Province, where Daegu is located, the KCDC said.
The total number of confirmed cases in Daegu and North Gyeongsang, the two epicenters of the virus outbreak here, stood at 5,990 and 1,153, respectively.
Infection cases in the capital Seoul rose 13 to 238, and surrounding Gyeonggi Province reported 15 new cases for a total of 200.
Since raising the virus alert level to "red," the highest level, on Feb. 23, health authorities have focused on halting the spread of the virus in Daegu and North Gyeongsang.
The World Health Organization declared Wednesday that the global coronavirus crisis is now a pandemic as the virus has spread to every continent except Antarctica.
South Korea had released 714 fully recovered novel coronavirus patients from hospitals as of Friday, up 204 from a day earlier, the KCDC said.
The number of people being checked for the virus and under quarantine came to 17,634 as of Friday, down 306 from the day before, it said. The country has tested a total of 261,335 suspected cases, the health authorities said.
Currently, there is no evidence that the new coronavirus is airborne. WHO said the virus is transmitted through droplets or close contact.
Jeju International Airport on Jeju Island is almost empty on March 14, 2020, as South Korea struggles to contain the spread of COVID-19. (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-14--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 107 more cases of new coronavirus, total now at 8,086

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


yna--2020-03-14--Universities face call for refunds over classes disrupted by virus

`` After tuition has been frozen and school revenues have remained almost the same for more than 10 years , @ @ @ @ @ universities will find it harder to endure , '' an official from a university in @ @ @ @ @ , said .

SEOUL, March 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korean universities are facing growing calls for refunds from students as classes are being disrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Most universities postponed the start of the new semester by one or two weeks and many are replacing in-person classes with online lectures.
A petition filed with the presidential office calling for a cut in university fees had garnered close to 74,400 signatures as of Friday.
The petition posted on March 2 said the delayed spring semester and remote classes encroach on students' right to learn.
"The quality of online lectures prepared in such a short period of time will inevitably be lower than that of normal lectures. Students need to be compensated with a reduction in tuition fees," its anonymous author wrote.
On Wednesday, a network of 27 university student councils demanded tuition refunds during a news conference in front of the presidential office in central Seoul.
The group said 83.8 percent of students think refunds are necessary, citing its survey of 12,000 students conducted on Feb. 28. Its representatives met education ministry officials late last month to press their demand.
Tuition return is also one of the hottest issues among students on online forums.
"Most classes of my major involve learning practical skills in person. I feel like it is a waste to pay all the tuition fees," one student wrote on Facebook.
Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae told a parliamentary committee on Tuesday the government has no say on the matter and that the decision is up to university presidents.
A professor records an online lecture at the University of Ulsan in the city of that name, 415 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on March 12, 2020. (Yonhap)
School officials have given the demand a largely negative reception.
"After tuition has been frozen and school revenues have remained almost the same for more than 10 years, if refunds are made, universities will find it harder to endure," an official from a university in Gyeonggi Province, near Seoul, said.
He also cited the very complex calculus of how much should be paid back.
"This is a time to concentrate our efforts on preventing the spread of the virus," an official from another university said.
He expressed understanding about students' complaints, especially from those majoring in disciplines reliant on practical courses.
"Schools, students and the government should discuss later how to provide compensation for class losses with various options," he said.
(END)


yna--2020-03-14--UNC: 3 fires in DMZ extinguished after communication with N. Korea

SEOUL , March 14 ( Yonhap ) -- The United Nations Command ( UNC ) extinguished three fires that erupted @ @ @ @ @ DMZ ) between the two Koreas over the past week after communicating with North Korea @ @ @ @ @ .

SEOUL, March 14 (Yonhap) -- The United Nations Command (UNC) extinguished three fires that erupted in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas over the past week after communicating with North Korea, the UNC said Saturday.
"Unfortunately, bush fire season is upon us, with three fires in the DMZ this past week," the UNC said on its Facebook account.
"However, swift coordination between UNC & the ROK government enabled us to facilitate successful helicopter fire-fighting operations. This included necessary communication with DPRK counterparts," the UNC said, referring to North Korea's official name, Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
The Facebook message indicates that the UNC gave a prior notice to North Korea for its helicopter dispatch inside the DMZ as mandated under their truce agreement governing the military buffer zone.
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


Saturday's weather forecast

SEOUL , Mar .
14 ( Yonhap ) -- The following is the weather forecast for South Korea 's 12 @ @ @ @ @ Saturday .


yna--2020-03-14--Reading declines among Korean adults: poll

As for the reason for not enjoying reading , 29.1 percent of adults said they are using other content , @ @ @ @ @ said they do n't have enough time due to school and private educational institutes .

SEOUL, March 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korean adults reduced their reading volume last year, but their children greatly increased the amount of time spent reading books, a survey said Saturday.
According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's latest survey on the reading habits of South Koreans, adults read an annual average of 7.5 books in 2019, marking a decline of 1.9 books from 9.4 books read in 2017.
In contrast, elementary, middle and high school students read an average of 40.7 books annually, up 6.4 books from 34.3 books recorded two years ago, the survey found.
The ministry said the survey was conducted on 6,000 people older than 19 years of age and 3,000 elementary and secondary school students nationwide from October 2018 to September 2019.
A public library in Seoul (Yonhap)
The ministry said audiobooks were newly included in the latest reading habits poll, noting the average number of audiobooks listened to annually by adults and students reached 0.2 and 2.7, respectively.
Textbooks, reference books, test preparation books, magazines and comics were excluded from the survey, it added.
The annual reading rate, or the percentage of people who read more than one book in a year, was 55.7 percent for adults and 92.1 percent for students, it said.
Adults spent a daily average of 31.8 minutes on weekdays reading books, up 8.4 minutes from two years ago. On weekends, they increased average reading time 0.4 minute to 27.5 minutes per day.
Daily average reading time by students expanded by 40.1 minutes to 89.5 minutes on weekdays.
Adults read an average of 6.1 paper books per year, down 2.2 books from two years ago, while students read 32.4 paper books on average annually, up 3.8 books from 2017.
The average number of e-books read by adults increased to 1.2 per year, whereas students read 5.6 e-books on average per year, down by 0.1 book.
As for the reason for not enjoying reading, 29.1 percent of adults said they are using other content, while 27.6 percent of students said they don't have enough time due to school and private educational institutes.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-14--Boy band Stray Kids to officially debut in Japan next week

Also on Monday , Japan 's new quarantine measures went into force , introducing a two-week quarantine period for travelers @ @ @ @ @ restricting the landing of flights from Korea to only two airports in Japan .

SEOUL, March 14 (Yonhap) -- K-pop boy band Stray Kids will make an official debut in Japan next week with a new full-length album, albeit without making an appearance there due to the ongoing entry restrictions between South Korea and Japan.
According to JYP Entertainment, the band's management agency, Stray Kids is set to release a 27-track album, "SKZ2020" simultaneously in South Korea and Japan on Wednesday.
Carrying three singles in Japanese, including "My Pace" and "Double Knot," the album will officially launch Stray Kids in the Japanese music market.
The two aforementioned Japanese language tracks were pre-released separately in Japan on Jan. 31 and Feb. 18, respectively, both topping the Line Music real-time chart.
Other tracks on the ablum include previous releases such as "Hellevator" and "Levanter."
The Japanese debut, however, comes without any local appearance by the band due to the ongoing entry restrictions between the countries over coronavirus concerns.
On Monday, the two countries suspended visa waiver programs for nationals from the other to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Also on Monday, Japan's new quarantine measures went into force, introducing a two-week quarantine period for travelers coming from South Korea and restricting the landing of flights from Korea to only two airports in Japan.
The border-control measures led to a nosedive in flights between the countries and caused many K-pop musicians to cancel their Japanese arrangements.
"There's no schedule planned for Stray Kids in Japan this month," JYP said, adding that the band may come up with a Japanese event depending on how the situation develops.
The boy band was originally scheduled to perform in Osaka's Maruzen Intec Arena Osaka from March 21-22 as part of its ongoing world tour, "District 9: Unlock," but the concerts were canceled earlier this month in light of the entry restrictions.
An image of the track list for the Stray Kids album "SKZ2020," provided by JYP Entertainment (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


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(END)


yna--2020-03-14--International flights to Jeju suspended amid coronavirus outbreak

As of Saturday , more than 50 countries and territories were barring the entry of people from South Korea , @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak of COVID-19 .
Korea 's infection tally has topped 8,000 , with the @ @ @ @ @ virus at 72 .

JEJU, March 14 (Yonhap) -- All international flights to South Korea's southernmost resort island of Jeju came to a halt on Saturday as foreign airlines suspended their direct routes to the island over coronavirus concerns.
According to Jeju International Airport, Malaysia's AirAsia canceled its 8 a.m. flight from Kuala Lumpur to Jeju, a day after its government imposed an entry ban of foreigners from South Korea to prevent the inflow of the virus from abroad.
Malaysia's move follows the suspension of direct flight services by airlines in Hong Kong, mainland China and Taiwan, as well as Thailand and Japan, which took similar steps in line with their governments' toughened travel curbs on South Korea.
It is the first time international flights to Jeju have been halted since the Jeju airport first opened a direct route to Osaka, Japan, in 1969, an official said.
Normally, 390 flights on 26 routes to and from Jeju would have been operating on a weekly basis, according to the airport's five-month winter schedule that ends on March 28.
Only a Jeju-Shanghai route run by China's Spring Airlines is operating, but that is only to transport Chinese nationals who were illegally staying in Jeju and have applied for a return, officials said.
As of Saturday, more than 50 countries and territories were barring the entry of people from South Korea, a country hit hard by the outbreak of COVID-19. Korea's infection tally has topped 8,000, with the death toll linked to the virus at 72.
This photo shows empty check-in areas for international flights inside Jeju International Airport on March 14, 2020. (Yonhap)
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-15--(2nd LD) Moon declares virus-hit Daegu, part of North Gyeongsang Province as special disaster zones

It was the first time that the government has designated a certain area as a special disaster zone for reasons @ @ @ @ @ Daegu is the epicenter of South Korea 's coronavirus outbreak , accounting for nearly 90 @ @ @ @ @ .

(ATTN: CORRECTS that three North Gyeongsang Province regions, not entire province, were designated as disaster zones)
SEOUL, March 15 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in declared the southeastern city of Daegu and three nearby regions in North Gyeongsang Province as special disaster zones Sunday, paving the way for state support for the regions hit hard by the new coronavirus.
It was the first time that the government has designated a certain area as a special disaster zone for reasons unrelated to natural disasters. Daegu is the epicenter of South Korea's coronavirus outbreak, accounting for about 77 percent of the total cases.
The three other North Gyeongsang Province regions were the city of Gyeongsan and the counties of Cheongdo and Bonghwa. The government had earlier designated Daegu, Cheongdo and Gyeongsan as "special management zones."
The declaration of special disaster zones will allow the government to spend state money to support 50 percent of the expenditures needed for damage recovery. The move will also permit affected people to receive state support in livelihood costs and exemptions in paying utility bills and public health insurance fees.
South Korea has reported 8,162 cases of the virus and 75 deaths since the first case on Jan. 20.
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-15--Gov't mulls postponing opening of schools again until early April

Related government ministries are discussing whether to postpone the new school year and that the decision will come out soon @ @ @ @ @ are growing of postponing the opening by one or two weeks .

SEOUL, March 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is considering postponing the repeatedly delayed opening of schools by one or two more weeks until early next month as a precaution against the new coronavirus, government sources said Sunday.
Kindergartens, elementary, middle and high schools across the country are currently scheduled to reopen March 23, as their opening, originally scheduled for March 2, was postponed twice, first until March 9 and then until next week.
But parents and an association of teachers have called for another postponement, saying that schools are vulnerable to infections as students study and eat together in classrooms.
Related government ministries are discussing whether to postpone the new school year and that the decision will come out soon. Sources said that chances are growing of postponing the opening by one or two weeks.
The number of daily new cornavirus cases has slowed to a three-week low following massive testing on followers of the Shincheonji religious sect in the hard-hit southeastern city of Daegu. The total caseloads reached 8,162 Sunday.
But concerns about small-scale cluster infections are growing, as witnessed in cases linked to a call center in Seoul's southwestern district of Guro and the government complex building in the administrative city of Sejong.
The Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations claimed it would be inevitable for the government to put off the start of the spring semester if community infections continue.
If the government decides on another postponement, it will be the first time that South Korea's new school year begins in April.
Even when the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome broke out in 2015, the school term was adjusted in only certain regions.
This undated file photo shows the closed main gate of an elementary school in Seoul as the new school year was postponed due to the new coronavirus. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-15--PM calls for parliament to approve extra budget amid coronavirus jitters

He also said the government will make efforts to expand communication with trade partners as well , as a growing @ @ @ @ @ an entry ban for travelers from coronavirus-hit South Korea , which emerged as a major @ @ @ @ @ .

SEOUL, March 15 (Yonhap) -- Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on Sunday urged lawmakers to promptly approve the extra budget bill of 11.7 trillion won (US$9.6 billion) currently pending at the parliament, amid the growing concerns over the economic fallout from the spread of the new coronavirus.
"South Korea will actively review further necessary measures by closely monitoring the economic situation," Chung said during a meeting with related ministers. "We also urge the National Assembly to promptly pass the extra budget bill to revitalize the nation's economy."
The government suggested an extra budget bill on March 4 in line with its efforts to minimize the economic damage from the global spread of the new coronavirus.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun speaks during an emergency meeting on the economic fallout from the new coronavirus in Seoul on March 15, 2020. (Yonhap)
The government also earlier decided to allocate 20 trillion won to fight the spread of COVID-19, seeking to raise a total of 32 trillion won to brace for a possible hard-landing of the economy from the epidemic.
Chung said South Korea will provide tax deductions for businesses hurt by the coronavirus and seek to lift regulations and induce the private segment to expand their investment.
He also said the government will make efforts to expand communication with trade partners as well, as a growing number of countries are imposing an entry ban for travelers from coronavirus-hit South Korea, which emerged as a major business hurdle for local exporters.
South Korea's daily average exports slipped 2.5 percent on-year to $1.78 billion in the first 10 days of March.
The country reported 76 new cases of the coronavirus to total 8,162, marking the first time in 23 days the number of new cases has fallen below 100.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-15--(LEAD) Moon declares virus-hit Daegu, part of North Gyeongsang Province as special disaster zones

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; UPDATES with more details)
SEOUL, March 15 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in declared the southeastern city of Daegu and three nearby regions in North Gyeongsang Province as special disaster zones Sunday, paving the way for state support for the regions hit hard by the new coronavirus.
It was the first time that the government has designated a certain area as a special disaster zone for reasons unrelated to natural disasters. Daegu is the epicenter of South Korea's coronavirus outbreak, accounting for nearly 90 percent of the total cases.
The three other North Gyeongsang Province regions were the city of Gyeongsan and the counties of Cheongdo and Bonghwa. The government had earlier designated Daegu, Cheongdo and Gyeongsan as "special management zones."
Moon approved the declaration proposal after Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun's recommendation following a related government meeting, according to his office Cheong Wa Dae.
The declaration of special disaster zones will allow the government to spend state money to support 50 percent of the expenditures needed for damage recovery. The move will also permit affected people to receive state support in livelihood costs and exemption in paying utility bills and public health insurance fees.
South Korea has reported 8,162 cases of the virus and 75 deaths since the first case on Jan. 20.
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-15--(URGENT) Moon declares virus-hit Daegu, North Gyeongsang Province are special disaster zones


yna--2020-03-15--(3rd LD) S. Korea adds 76 new virus cases, first time in 23 days increase falls below 100

South Korea 's oceans ministry based in the central city of Sejong , around 130 kilometers south of Seoul , @ @ @ @ @ among its staff Sunday , raising the number of cases from the ministry to 27 @ @ @ @ @ of the workers were infected as well .

(ATTN: ADDS details throughout)
By Kang Yoon-seung
SEOUL, March 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Sunday reported 76 new cases of the coronavirus to total 8,162, marking the first time in 23 days the number of new cases has fallen below 100.
It represented the lowest daily increase in the number of patients since Feb. 21, a strong indication that the outbreak is slowing as health authorities ramp up measures to contain cluster infections.
The figure also marked the fourth straight decrease since 242 new cases were reported Wednesday.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) also reported three new deaths, bringing the death toll to 75.
Of the new cases, 41 are in Daegu and four are in North Gyeongsang Province, the KCDC said.
The total number of confirmed cases in Daegu and North Gyeongsang, the two epicenters of the virus outbreak here, stood at 6,031 and 1,157, respectively.
The two regions accounted for roughly 88 percent of the total confirmed cases here.
Since raising the virus alert level to "red," the highest level, on Feb. 23, health authorities have focused on halting the spread of the virus in Daegu and North Gyeongsang.
Infection cases in the capital Seoul rose by nine to 247, and surrounding Gyeonggi Province reported 11 new cases for a total of 211.
The number of patients released from quarantine moved up 120 to reach 834.
The pace of daily new infections has shown signs of slowing in recent days as health authorities completed extensive testing of 210,000 Shincheonji followers who are at the center of the rapid spread.
The church members account for 61.3 percent of the total cases.
Authorities, however, are still on high alert over new clusters of infections, including at a call center in Seoul's Guro district and the country's government complex in the administrative city of Sejong.
The KCDC said some 80 percent of the total outbreaks in the country were cluster infections. Investigations are under way for the remaining 20 percent, it added.
South Korea's oceans ministry based in the central city of Sejong, around 130 kilometers south of Seoul, reported another new coronavirus case among its staff Sunday, raising the number of cases from the ministry to 27. Two other family members of the workers were infected as well.
The total number of infections from Sejong came to 39, with the figure also including patients from the health, education and veteran ministries.
A total of 124 cases in Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province were linked to the call center, up nine from a day earlier, according to the latest data provided Sunday.
South Korea has carried out examinations on 268,212 people so far, with 243,778 testing negative for the virus. Some 16,000 are awaiting results.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-15--Today in Korean history

Today in Korean history

2017 -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says two decades of diplomatic efforts to end North Korea 's nuclear @ @ @ @ @ it 's time to come up with a different approach .
In a joint news @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida , he strongly suggests that the new U.S. policy on North @ @ @ @ @ pressure-oriented , rather than engagement .
( END )

March 16
1963 -- Park Chung-hee, the then acting president of South Korea after rising to power through a military coup in 1961, proposes a referendum for a presidential election. The announcement brings fierce criticism from opposition parties and civic activists, as the former general had promised to hand over power to a civilian administration.
1982 -- The South Korean government decides to convert the former headquarters of the Japanese colonial government into a national museum. The former colonial building was demolished in 1995.
1983 -- KorAm Bank, the first U.S.-Korea joint venture bank, opens.
1994 -- The government allows the sales of mineral water.
2001 -- Former Acting President Park Choong-hoon dies of a chronic disease. He was 82. Park was appointed acting prime minister by coup forces led by ex-President Chun Doo-hwan on May 17, 1980. After former President Choi Kyu-ha resigned, Park served as acting president for 12 days from Aug. 16-Aug. 27.
2003 -- Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk and human rights activist, visits South Korea.
2006 -- A South Korean reporter is released after a one-day abduction in the Gaza Strip. Yong Tae-young, the Dubai-based correspondent for KBS, South Korea's state-funded television station, was kidnapped from a hotel in the northern beach area of Gaza by a group of gunmen believed to be linked with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
2009 -- A terrorist bomb goes off in Yemen's city of Seiyun, located some 500 kilometers east of capital Sanna, killing four South Korean tourists and injuring three others in the city.
2010 -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak appoints Kim Choong-soo, ambassador to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, as new governor of the Bank of Korea and successor to Lee Seong-tae.
2017 -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says two decades of diplomatic efforts to end North Korea's nuclear program have failed, and it's time to come up with a different approach. In a joint news conference in Tokyo with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, he strongly suggests that the new U.S. policy on North Korea will be tough and pressure-oriented, rather than engagement.
(END)


yna--2020-03-15--WHO chief urges BTS to join 'SafeHands' challenge over new coronavirus

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on his Twitter account Saturday that he nominated BTS and three others to `` @ @ @ @ @ by sharing their video & calling on at least another 3 people to join us @ @

SEOUL, March 15 (Yonhap) -- The chief of the World Health Organization has called on K-pop superband BTS and others to join the organization's hand-washing campaign "SafeHands" challenge to help curb the new coronavirus.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on his Twitter account Saturday that he nominated BTS and three others to "take the #SafeHands challenge by sharing their video & calling on at least another 3 people to join us!"
"Together, we can beat #COVID19!" he tweeted.
The WHO chief earlier filed a two-minute video on Twitter that contains the 11 steps of washing hands recommended by his agency.
Tedros has called on several celebrities, including Microsoft founder Bill Gates and U.S. actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, to join "SafeHands."
This image, captured from the Twitter account of WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, shows his message calling on BTS and others to join the "SafeHands" challenge over the new coronavirus. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-03-15--Defective CCTVs, lax discipline blamed for civilians' intrusion into Jeju naval base

On March 7 , four activists who have long opposed the construction of the naval base cut the barbed-wire fences @ @ @ @ @ two of them entered the base and wandered around for about two hours before being @ @ @ @ @ .

By Oh Seok-min
SEOUL, March 15 (Yonhap) -- Defective security cameras and lax discipline led to a Navy unit on the southern island of Jeju failing to detect civic activists intruding into its compound earlier this month, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Sunday, promising to strongly reprimand the officers responsible.
On March 7, four activists who have long opposed the construction of the naval base cut the barbed-wire fences surrounding the installation, and two of them entered the base and wandered around for about two hours before being caught by the military police.
"Several CCTVs had problems in detecting movements and raising the alarm, so that two Navy soldiers in charge of monitoring the system at that time failed to find the intruders immediately," an officer of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) told reporters, explaining the results of its four-day probe.
The military replaced several cameras with new ones last year after they broke down due to typhoons, but the new ones did not interface with the existing system, he added.
Upon finding the damage to the fence, a service member reported the case to his superior, who did not follow the due procedure of calling a flying squad instantly, according to the JCS.
"We will sternly reprimand those responsible and come up with measures to improve and further beef up the overall surveillance system of the base," the JCS said, apologizing for causing concern.
The activists have been subject to a police probe for inflicting damage to the military facilities and infiltrating the base. They did not do anything while inside the installation, according to a Navy officer.
In 2007, the government selected the small fishing town of Gangjeong on Jeju as the site for a naval base. The decision sparked fierce protests from residents and activists, who have claimed that it could set off a regional arms race and damage the environment of the island.
The protests continue, though construction was completed in 2016.
Activists hold a protest against an international fleet review in front of a naval base on Jeju Island, South Korea, on Oct. 11, 2018. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-15--Tougher coronavirus quarantine procedures under way for visitors from 5 European nations

South Korea has been carrying out one-on-one fever checks and other special quarantine procedures for visitors from virus-hit countries , @ @ @ @ @ on Feb. 4 .
Since then , the list has been expanded to include Hong @ @ @ @ @ , Italy and Iran .

SEOUL, March 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korea began enforcing tougher anti-coronavirus quarantine procedures for travelers from France, Germany, Spain, Britain and the Netherlands on Sunday as the virus is spreading quickly through Europe.
South Korea has been carrying out one-on-one fever checks and other special quarantine procedures for visitors from virus-hit countries, beginning with travelers from China on Feb. 4. Since then, the list has been expanded to include Hong Kong, Macao, Japan, Italy and Iran.
On Sunday, the five European countries were newly added to the list, requiring both foreigners and South Koreans with a record of visits to the countries in the past 14 days to go through tougher coronavirus checks.
In addition to one-on-one temperature checks, the measures also include requiring those subject to the measures to report reachable phone numbers and to install a "self-diagnosis" smartphone application through which they can report suspicious symptoms.
According to data from the World Health Organization, the coronavirus has spread to 114 countries, infecting 134,000 people and killing 5,300 across the world.
(END)


yna--2020-03-15--136 countries, territories restricting entry from virus-hit S. Korea

As of 9 a.m. , 61 countries and territories were barring the entry of travelers who have been in Korea @ @ @ @ @ two weeks , joined by Poland , Latvia , Norway and Ecuador .

SEOUL, March 15 (Yonhap) -- A total of 136 countries and territories were imposing an entry ban or stricter quarantine procedures for travelers from coronavirus-hit South Korea on Sunday, up four from the previous day, the foreign ministry said.
As of 9 a.m., 61 countries and territories were barring the entry of travelers who have been in Korea at least in the past two weeks, joined by Poland, Latvia, Norway and Ecuador.
Poland imposed an entry ban on all foreigners who do not have residence permits starting Sunday.
Latvia decided to bar all foreigners from entering the country between March 17 and April 14.
Norway and Ecuador strengthened quarantine controls by imposing an entry ban on all foreigners. The countries previously required self-quarantine on arrivals from Korea and other virus-hit countries.
Norway's entry ban, set to take effect Monday, comes even as Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha asked for Norway's cooperation in permitting necessary human exchanges between the two nations during her phone talks with her Norwegian counterpart earlier this week.
Six countries, including Japan and Indonesia, were barring the entry of travelers from Korea's Daegu city and North Gyeongsang Province -- the two epicenters of the COVID-19 outbreaks here.
Including China, the number of countries and territories enforcing stricter quarantine programs on people from Korea remained unchanged at 18.
Fifty-one countries and territories were conducting stricter immigration controls and requiring or recommending isolation for visitors from Korea.
South Korea reported 76 new cases of the coronavirus Sunday, bringing the total number of infections to 8,162.
Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, is almost empty on March 13, 2020, as South Korea struggles to contain the spread of COVID-19. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-15--(2nd LD) S. Korea adds 76 new virus cases, first time in 23 days increase falls below 100

The pace of daily new infections has shown signs of slowing in recent days as health authorities completed extensive testing @ @ @ @ @ are at the center of the rapid spread .

(ATTN: ADDS details in last 4 paras)
By Kang Yoon-seung
SEOUL, March 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Sunday reported 76 new cases of the coronavirus to total 8,162, marking the first time in 23 days the number of new cases has fallen below 100.
It represented the lowest daily increase in the number of patients since Feb. 21, a strong indication that the outbreak is slowing as health authorities ramp up measures to contain cluster infections.
The figure also marked the fourth straight decrease since 242 new cases were reported Wednesday.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) also reported three new deaths, bringing the death toll to 75.
Of the new cases, 41 are in Daegu and four are in North Gyeongsang Province, the KCDC said.
The total number of confirmed cases in Daegu and North Gyeongsang, the two epicenters of the virus outbreak here, stood at 6,031 and 1,157, respectively.
The two regions accounted for roughly 88 percent of the total confirmed cases here.
Since raising the virus alert level to "red," the highest level, on Feb. 23, health authorities have focused on halting the spread of the virus in Daegu and North Gyeongsang.
Infection cases in the capital Seoul rose by nine to 247, and surrounding Gyeonggi Province reported 11 new cases for a total of 211.
The number of patients released from quarantine moved up 120 to reach 834.
The pace of daily new infections has shown signs of slowing in recent days as health authorities completed extensive testing of 210,000 Shincheonji followers who are at the center of the rapid spread.
Authorities, however, are still on high alert over new clusters of infections, including at a call center in Seoul's Guro district and the country's government complex in the administrative city of Sejong.
South Korea's oceans ministry based in the central city of Sejong, around 130 kilometers south of Seoul, reported another new coronavirus case among its staff Sunday, raising the number of cases from the ministry to 27.
The total number of infections from Sejong came to 39, with the figure also including patients from the health, education and veteran ministries.
There were 115 patients from Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province linked to the call center, according to the latest data from Saturday.
So far, South Korea carried out examinations on 268,212, with 243,778 testing negative for the virus. Some 16,000 are awaiting results.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-15--S. Korea-US trade volume expands 32 pct on bilateral FTA

Trade volume between the two countries in 2019 also moved up 2.7 percent on-year , which is significant considering South @ @ @ @ @ the world plunged 8.3 percent over the period to $ 1.04 trillion , according to @ @ @ @ @ Ministry of Trade , Industry and Energy .

SEOUL, March 15 (Yonhap) -- Trade volume between South Korea and the United States totaled US$135.2 billion last year, up 32 percent from $101.8 billion posted in 2012, when a bilateral free trade agreement went into effect, government data showed Sunday.
Trade volume between the two countries in 2019 also moved up 2.7 percent on-year, which is significant considering South Korea's overall trade with the world plunged 8.3 percent over the period to $1.04 trillion, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
In 2019, South Korea's combined outbound shipments alone fell more than 10 percent on-year due to the growing protectionism around the globe, coupled with the falling price of memory chips, which are mainstay export goods for Asia's No. 4 economy.
South Korea's exports to the U.S., on the other hand, managed to edge up 0.9 percent, the data added.
South Korean carmakers and chip producers, meanwhile, were major winners from the bilateral FTA over the 2012-2019 period.
Exports of automobiles to the U.S. reached $15.7 billion in 2019, up nearly 50 percent from 2012. Outbound shipments of chips to the world's top economy more than doubled to reach $5.95 billion over the cited period.
South Korea enjoyed a trade surplus of $11.4 billion in trade with the U.S. in 2019, although the amount is down 17 percent from a year earlier.
The amount of investment in South Korea pledged by U.S. investors also reached $6.84 billion in 2019, up 16.4 percent on-year to set a new record.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-15--N.K. nuclear negotiator appointed as ambassador to Austria

Choe was named to replace Kim Kwang-sop , the husband of Kim Kyong-jin , a half-sister of late North Korean @ @ @ @ @ to the KCNA .
The former envoy has been in the position for 27 years @ @ @ @ @ .

SEOUL, March 15 (Yonhap) -- A North Korean nuclear negotiator has been appointed to replace a son-in-law of the country's national founder Kim Il-sung as ambassador to Austria, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.
Choe Kang-il, acting director-general of the Foreign Ministry's North American affairs bureau, has been involved in nuclear negotiations with the United States, including preparatory talks ahead of the second summit in Hanoi last year between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Choe was named to replace Kim Kwang-sop, the husband of Kim Kyong-jin, a half-sister of late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, according to the KCNA. The former envoy has been in the position for 27 years since his appointment in 1993.
The KCNA also confirmed that Ju Won-chol, a diplomat well versed in European affairs, has replaced Kim Pyong-il, a half-brother of late leader Kim Jong-il, as ambassador to Czech Republic.
It also reported that Ambassador to Britain Choe Il has been appointed as ambassador to Poland.
(END)


yna--2020-03-15--(LEAD) S. Korea adds 76 new virus cases, first time in 23 days increase falls below 100

(ATTN: CHANGES headline; ADDS details in paras 4-11)
By Kang Yoon-seung
SEOUL, March 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Sunday reported 76 new cases of the coronavirus to total 8,162, marking the first time in 23 days the number of new cases has fallen below 100.
It marked the lowest daily increase in the number of patients since Feb. 21, a strong indication that the outbreak is slowing as health authorities ramp up measures to contain cluster infections.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) also reported three new deaths, bringing the death toll to 75.
Of the new cases, 41 are in Daegu and four are in North Gyeongsang Province, the KCDC said.
The total number of confirmed cases in Daegu and North Gyeongsang, the two epicenters of the virus outbreak here, stood at 6,031 and 1,157, respectively.
The two regions accounted for roughly 88 percent of the total confirmed cases here.
Since raising the virus alert level to "red," the highest level, on Feb. 23, health authorities have focused on halting the spread of the virus in Daegu and North Gyeongsang.
Infection cases in the capital Seoul rose by nine to 247, and surrounding Gyeonggi Province reported 11 new cases for a total of 211.
The number of patients released from quarantine moved up 120 to reach 834.
The pace of daily new infections has shown signs of slowing in recent days as health authorities completed extensive testing of 210,000 Shincheonji followers who are at the center of the rapid spread.
Authorities, however, are still on high alert over new clusters of infections, including at a call center in Seoul's Guro district and the country's government complex in the administrative city of Sejong.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-15--S. Korea adds 76 new virus cases, total infections now at 8,162

SEOUL , March 15 ( Yonhap ) -- South Korea on Sunday reported 76 new cases of the coronavirus to @ @ @ @ @ first time in 23 days the number of new cases has fallen below 100 .

SEOUL, March 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Sunday reported 76 new cases of the coronavirus to total 8,162, marking the first time in 23 days the number of new cases has fallen below 100.
It marked the lowest daily increase in the number of patients since Feb. 21, indicating the outbreak is slowing as health authorities ramp up measures to contain cluster infections.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) also reported three new deaths, bringing the death toll to 75.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-15--(URGENT) S. Korea confirms 3 more coronavirus deaths, raising death toll to 75

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


yna--2020-03-15--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 76 more cases of new coronavirus, total now at 8,162


yna--2020-03-15--S. Korea set to declare coronavirus-hit city, province special disaster zones

The declaration of special disaster zones will allow the government to spend state money to support 50 percent of the @ @ @ @ @ .
The move will also permit affected people to receive state support in livelihood costs @ @ @ @ @ bills and public health insurance fees .

SEOUL, March 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is set to declare the southeastern city of Daegu and the neighboring province special disaster zones Sunday, paving the way for state support for the regions hit hard by the new coronavirus, officials said.
The move comes as nearly 90 percent of coronavirus cases were reported in South Korea's fourth-largest city of Daegu and the surrounding North Gyeongsang Province. They were designated as "special care zones" over COVID-19 infections.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun will hold a closed-door meeting with related ministers over details about the declaration in the morning. Chung is expected to recommend President Moon Jae-in make an announcement.
The declaration of special disaster zones will allow the government to spend state money to support 50 percent of the expenditures needed for damage recovery. The move will also permit affected people to receive state support in livelihood costs and exemption in paying utility bills and public health insurance fees.
It will be the first time that South Korea will designate a certain area as a special disaster zone due to infectious disease, not natural disasters.
South Korea has reported 8,086 cases of the virus and 72 deaths since the first case on Jan. 20.
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-15--(6th LD) S. Korea adds 76 new virus cases, first time in 23 days increase falls below 100

`` There 's no need for people to question the accuracy at all , '' Kwon added , saying South @ @ @ @ @ of the World Health Organization to test patients for the virus .

(ATTN: ADDS health minister's remarks in paras 27-29)
By Kang Yoon-seung
SEOUL, March 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Sunday reported 76 new cases of the coronavirus to total 8,162, marking the first time in 23 days the number of new cases has fallen below 100.
It represented the lowest daily increase in the number of patients since Feb. 21, a strong indication that the outbreak is slowing as health authorities ramp up measures to contain cluster infections.
The figure also marked the fourth straight decrease since 242 new cases were reported Wednesday.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) also reported three new deaths, bringing the death toll to 75.
The center said 63 coronavirus patients are in critical condition.
Of the new cases, 41 are in Daegu and four are in North Gyeongsang Province, the KCDC said.
The total number of confirmed cases in Daegu and North Gyeongsang, the two epicenters of the virus outbreak here, stood at 6,031 and 1,157, respectively.
The two regions accounted for roughly 88 percent of the total confirmed cases here.
Since raising the virus alert level to "red," the highest level, on Feb. 23, health authorities have focused on halting the spread of the virus in Daegu and North Gyeongsang.
Infection cases in the capital Seoul rose by nine to 247, and surrounding Gyeonggi Province reported 11 new cases for a total of 211.
The number of patients released from quarantine moved up 120 to reach 834.
The pace of daily new infections has shown signs of slowing in recent days as health authorities completed extensive testing of 210,000 Shincheonji followers who are at the center of the rapid spread.
The church members account for 61.3 percent of the total cases.
The KCDC said it believes that Shincheonji-related cases have mostly been identified.
Authorities, however, are still on high alert over new clusters of infections, including at a call center in Seoul's Guro district and the country's government complex in the administrative city of Sejong.
The KCDC said some 80 percent of the total outbreaks in the country were cluster infections. Investigations are under way for the remaining 20 percent, it added.
South Korea's oceans ministry based in the central city of Sejong, around 130 kilometers south of Seoul, reported another new coronavirus case among its staff Sunday, raising the number of cases from the ministry to 27. Two other family members of the workers were infected as well.
The total number of infections from Sejong came to 39, with the figure also including patients from the health, education and veteran ministries.
A total of 124 cases in Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province were linked to the call center, up nine from a day earlier, according to the latest data provided Sunday.
South Korea has carried out examinations on 268,212 people so far, with 243,778 testing negative for the virus. Some 16,000 are awaiting results.
On Sunday, South Korea began tightening border checks for travelers from France, Germany, Spain, Britain and the Netherlands.
The tougher border checks require international travelers to get fever checks and submit papers on their health. They are required to download a smartphone app that will allow them to be put under supervision if they show symptoms.
Such requirements have been applied to people who have visited mainland China, Macau, Hong Kong, Iran and Italy.
As the number of imported virus cases grows, South Korea plans to expand its tightened border checks to all people coming from abroad, Health Minister Park Neunghoo told reporters.
Park also said South Korea's new infections have shown signs of stabilization, but health authorities will focus on containing local transmission across the nation.
"It is too early to say that we are at ease," Park said, citing lingering concerns about local transmission. The minister said South Korea will continue to focus on halting the spread of the virus in Daegu and North Gyeongsang.
The fact that there are cases of the new coronavirus with unknown origins nationwide means that the virus was already there before the patients were confirmed, Park said.
"There is a possibility that anyone can be infected with COVID-19 because of its higher infectivity," Park said, urging people to exercise "solidarity and cooperation" to contain the spread of the virus.
"It seems the number of patients will increase further in many European countries. In that case, we will diversify and expand regions (subject to tougher quarantine regulations)," KCDC Deputy Director Kwon Jun-wook said.
Kwon also rejected questions about the accuracy of COVID-19 test kits currently used in South Korea. Such questions arose after several patients tested positive for the coronavirus after initially testing negative.
"There's no need for people to question the accuracy at all," Kwon added, saying South Korea is following the guidelines of the World Health Organization to test patients for the virus.
Quarantine officials carry out a disinfection operation against the new coronavirus at a cram school in Daegu, 302 kilometers south of Seoul, on March 15, 2020. (Yonhap)
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-15--(5th LD) S. Korea adds 76 new virus cases, first time in 23 days increase falls below 100

(ATTN: ADDS health minister's remarks, details in paras 20-25)
By Kang Yoon-seung
SEOUL, March 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Sunday reported 76 new cases of the coronavirus to total 8,162, marking the first time in 23 days the number of new cases has fallen below 100.
It represented the lowest daily increase in the number of patients since Feb. 21, a strong indication that the outbreak is slowing as health authorities ramp up measures to contain cluster infections.
The figure also marked the fourth straight decrease since 242 new cases were reported Wednesday.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) also reported three new deaths, bringing the death toll to 75.
The center said 63 coronavirus patients are in critical condition.
Of the new cases, 41 are in Daegu and four are in North Gyeongsang Province, the KCDC said.
The total number of confirmed cases in Daegu and North Gyeongsang, the two epicenters of the virus outbreak here, stood at 6,031 and 1,157, respectively.
The two regions accounted for roughly 88 percent of the total confirmed cases here.
Since raising the virus alert level to "red," the highest level, on Feb. 23, health authorities have focused on halting the spread of the virus in Daegu and North Gyeongsang.
Infection cases in the capital Seoul rose by nine to 247, and surrounding Gyeonggi Province reported 11 new cases for a total of 211.
The number of patients released from quarantine moved up 120 to reach 834.
The pace of daily new infections has shown signs of slowing in recent days as health authorities completed extensive testing of 210,000 Shincheonji followers who are at the center of the rapid spread.
The church members account for 61.3 percent of the total cases.
The KCDC said it believes that Shincheonji-related cases have mostly been identified.
Authorities, however, are still on high alert over new clusters of infections, including at a call center in Seoul's Guro district and the country's government complex in the administrative city of Sejong.
The KCDC said some 80 percent of the total outbreaks in the country were cluster infections. Investigations are under way for the remaining 20 percent, it added.
South Korea's oceans ministry based in the central city of Sejong, around 130 kilometers south of Seoul, reported another new coronavirus case among its staff Sunday, raising the number of cases from the ministry to 27. Two other family members of the workers were infected as well.
The total number of infections from Sejong came to 39, with the figure also including patients from the health, education and veteran ministries.
A total of 124 cases in Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province were linked to the call center, up nine from a day earlier, according to the latest data provided Sunday.
South Korea has carried out examinations on 268,212 people so far, with 243,778 testing negative for the virus. Some 16,000 are awaiting results.
On Sunday, South Korea began tightening border checks for travelers from France, Germany, Spain, Britain and the Netherlands.
The tougher border checks require international travelers to get fever checks and submit papers on their health. They are required to download a smartphone app that will allow them to be put under supervision if they show symptoms.
Such requirements have been applied to people who have visited mainland China, Macau, Hong Kong, Iran and Italy.
As the number of imported virus cases grows, South Korea plans to expand its tightened border checks to all people coming from abroad, Health Minister Park Neunghoo told reporters.
Park also said South Korea's new infections have shown signs of stabilization, but health authorities will focus on containing local transmission across the nation.
"It seems the number of patients will increase further in many European countries. In that case, we will diversify and expand regions (subject to tougher quarantine regulations)," KCDC Deputy Director Kwon Jun-wook said.
Kwon also rejected questions about the accuracy of COVID-19 test kits currently used in South Korea. Such questions arose after several patients tested positive for the coronavirus after initially testing negative.
"There's no need for people to question the accuracy at all," Kwon added, saying South Korea is following the guidelines of the World Health Organization to test patients for the virus.
Quarantine officials carry out a disinfection operation against the new coronavirus at a cram school in Daegu, 302 kilometers south of Seoul, on March 15, 2020. (Yonhap)
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-15--(LEAD) Cheong Wa Dae suggests G-20 teleconference to Trump

If held , it is expected to be an opportunity to share South Korea 's quarantine measures and other responses @ @ @ @ @ new coronavirus , as well as the results of clinical tests , and consult on @ @ @ @ @ global economic crisis arising from the pandemic , it added .

(ATTN: RESTRUCTURES throughout; MODIFIES headline)
SEOUL, March 15 (Yonhap) -- The office of President Moon Jae-in made a formal suggestion to the White House on Sunday that the Group of 20 (G-20) nations hold a summit by video conference on the COVID-19 crisis, according to Cheong Wa Dae.
Speaking by phone with U.S. National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, Chung Eui-yong, director of national security at Cheong Wa Dae, asked him to convey the proposal to President Donald Trump.
The South Korean president put forward the idea during his phone talks with France's President Emmanuel Macron on Friday, stressing the need for international cooperation on health care, hygiene and finance at the G-20 level.
Chung informed O'Brien of the discussions between the leaders of South Korea and France and asked him to convey Moon's suggestion to Trump, Cheong Wa Dae said in a press release.
O'Brien called it a "very good" offer, adding there would be "active consideration" of the possibility of Trump discussing the issue at next week's teleconference among the leaders of the Group of Seven (G-7).
Cheong Wa Dae said the Moon administration plans to cooperate with the member states of the G-20 for the proposed session.
If held, it is expected to be an opportunity to share South Korea's quarantine measures and other responses to the spread of the new coronavirus, as well as the results of clinical tests, and consult on ways to ride out a global economic crisis arising from the pandemic, it added.
The government is also pushing for a meeting with the other members of the ASEAN Plus Three group, which also includes China and Japan, by video conference, on the COVID-19 incident.
Chung and O'Brien agreed on close cooperation between Seoul and Washington on the fight against the virus, exchanging relevant information.
"The U.S. evaluated our effective and swift response measures very highly," Cheong Wa Dae said.
It did not reveal whether the top security officials had talked about such alliance issues as splitting the cost of running U.S. Forces Korea.
This file photo, taken Sept. 24, 2019, shows Chung Eui-yong (L), director of national security at South Korea's presidential office, and his U.S. counterpart, Robert O'Brien. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
lcd@yyna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-15--(URGENT) S. Korea to tighten border checks for all international arrivals as imported virus spreads


yna--2020-03-15--(LEAD) 137 countries, territories restricting entry from virus-hit S. Korea

As of 2 p.m. , 61 countries and territories were barring the entry of travelers who have been in Korea @ @ @ @ @ two weeks , joined by Poland , Latvia , Norway and Ecuador .

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; UPDATES with more info throughout)
SEOUL, March 15 (Yonhap) -- A total of 137 countries and territories were imposing an entry ban or stricter quarantine procedures for travelers from coronavirus-hit South Korea on Sunday, up five from the previous day, the foreign ministry said.
As of 2 p.m., 61 countries and territories were barring the entry of travelers who have been in Korea at least in the past two weeks, joined by Poland, Latvia, Norway and Ecuador.
Poland imposed an entry ban on all foreigners who do not have residence permits starting Sunday.
Latvia decided to bar all foreigners from entering the country between March 17 and April 14.
Norway and Ecuador strengthened quarantine controls by imposing an entry ban on all foreigners. The countries previously required self-quarantine on arrivals from Korea and other virus-hit countries.
Norway's entry ban, set to take effect Monday, comes even as Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha asked for Norway's cooperation in permitting necessary human exchanges between the two nations during her phone talks with her Norwegian counterpart earlier this week.
Six countries, including Japan and Indonesia, were barring the entry of travelers from Korea's Daegu city and North Gyeongsang Province -- the two epicenters of the COVID-19 outbreaks here.
Including China, the number of countries and territories enforcing stricter quarantine programs on people from Korea remained unchanged at 18.
A total of 52 countries and territories were conducting stricter immigration controls and requiring or recommending isolation for visitors from Korea. Chile joined the category Sunday by imposing a 14-day self-isolation on arrivals from South Korea and seven other virus-stricken countries.
South Korea reported 76 new cases of the coronavirus Sunday, bringing the total number of infections to 8,162.
Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, is almost empty on March 13, 2020, as South Korea struggles to contain the spread of COVID-19. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-15--(3rd LD) Moon declares virus-hit Daegu, part of North Gyeongsang Province as special disaster zones

It was the first time that the government has designated a certain area as a special disaster zone for reasons @ @ @ @ @ Daegu is the epicenter of South Korea 's coronavirus outbreak , accounting for some 77 @ @ @ @ @ .

(ATTN: CORRECTS proportion of Daegu's cases to total cases in para 2; UPDATES with more details in paras 2,6-9)
SEOUL, March 15 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in declared the southeastern city of Daegu and three nearby regions in North Gyeongsang Province as special disaster zones Sunday, paving the way for state support for the regions hit hard by the new coronavirus.
It was the first time that the government has designated a certain area as a special disaster zone for reasons unrelated to natural disasters. Daegu is the epicenter of South Korea's coronavirus outbreak, accounting for some 77 percent of the total cases.
The three other North Gyeongsang Province regions were the city of Gyeongsan and the counties of Cheongdo and Bonghwa. The government had earlier designated Daegu, Cheongdo and Gyeongsan as "special management zones."
The declaration of special disaster zones will allow the government to spend state money to support 50 percent of the expenditures needed for damage recovery.
The move will also permit affected people to receive state support in livelihood costs and exemptions in paying utility bills and public health insurance fees.
"The declaration affirmed the government's commitment to swiftly overcome the crisis in Daegu and the province at the national level," said Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun while presiding over a pan-government meeting on the virus.
The designated areas have reported more than 80 percent of total infections and nearly 90 percent of deaths. The regional economy has suffered severe shocks from the highly contagious illness.
Chung said the government will review whether to make an additional designation, depending on the extent of damage.
The number of daily new coronavirus cases has slowed to a three-week low following massive testing on followers of the Shincheonji religious sect in Daegu. But concerns about small-scale cluster infections are mounting.
South Korea has reported 8,162 cases of the virus and 75 deaths since the first case on Jan. 20.
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-15--National security advisers of S. Korea, U.S. discuss coronavirus response in phone talks

O'Brien was quoted as saying by Cheong Wa Dae that Moon 's idea is a good proposal and Trump may @ @ @ @ @ week 's video teleconference among the leaders of the Group of Seven .

SEOUL, March 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's national security adviser, Chung Eui-yong, spoke by phone with his U.S. counterpart Robert O'Brien on Sunday and discussed ways of cooperation to tackle the new coronavirus, the presidential office said Sunday.
In particular, Chung explained President Moon Jae-in's proposal to hold a special video teleconference among the leaders of the Group of 20 nations and asked O'Brien to relay the offer to U.S. President Donald Trump, Cheong Wa Dae said in a statement.
Moon proposed the idea during his phone talks with France's President Emmanuel Macron earlier this week, stressing the need for international cooperation on health care, hygiene and finance at the G-20 level.
O'Brien was quoted as saying by Cheong Wa Dae that Moon's idea is a good proposal and Trump may review discussing it at next week's video teleconference among the leaders of the Group of Seven.
Moon's office said it hoped the proposed G-20 meeting could be held so that Seoul will share its experience of quarantine measures and contribute to discussing ways to overcome the global economic crisis.
The Korean government is also pushing for a similar video teleconference with the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Plus Three -- South Korea, China and Japan -- to discuss joint responses to the coronavirus.
This file photo, taken Sept. 24, 2019, shows Chung Eui-yong (L), director of national security at South Korea's presidential office, and his U.S. counterpart Robert O'Brien. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)