Yonhap News Summary

Lee Wan-kyu , the lawyer for Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl , told reporters that some provisions of the act were @ @ @ @ @ as they seriously harm the fairness of the operation of a disciplinary committee .

The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Friday.
(2nd LD) Moon picks new land minister in partial Cabinet shake-up
SEOUL -- President Moon Jae-in on Friday nominated a new land minister in a partial Cabinet shake-up, Cheong Wa Dae said, amid a fierce public backlash against the government's real estate policy.
Byeon Chang-heum, head of the Korea Land and Housing Corporation, also known as LH, was tapped as the new land and transport minister.
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(2nd LD) Seoul orders closure of stores, theaters, internet cafes after 9 p.m.
SEOUL -- The Seoul city government said Friday that stores, theaters and multiple other facilities must close after 9 p.m. for two weeks to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Acting Seoul Mayor Seo Jeong-hyup announced the new restriction during a virtual press briefing, saying the order will go into force Saturday.
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Top prosecutor brings his disciplinary case to Constitutional Court
SEOUL -- South Korea's top prosecutor filed a complaint on Friday with the Constitutional Court, taking issue with the "unfairness" of the prosecutor disciplinary act under which the justice minister seeks to punish him.
Lee Wan-kyu, the lawyer for Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, told reporters that some provisions of the act were "against the Constitution" as they seriously harm the fairness of the operation of a disciplinary committee.
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(2nd LD) Prosecution chief orders probe into death of ruling party chairman's aide
SEOUL, Dec. 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's top prosecutor on Friday ordered an investigation into the death of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) Chairman Lee Nak-yon's close aide who was found dead the previous night while under probe for an alleged breach of the political fund law.
Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl ordered the human rights supervisor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office to look into whether there have been human rights violations while questioning the official.
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(LEAD) Seoul stocks pierce 2,700-point mark to hit all-time high; Korean won at nearly 30-month high
SEOUL -- South Korean stocks pierced the 2,700-point mark to hit a fresh all-time high Friday, backed by strong advances by tech and bio heavyweights and massive foreign buying. The Korean won rose to a fresh 30-month high against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 35.23 points, or 1.31 percent, to close at 2,731.45.
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(LEAD) No. of working moms with underage children dips by most amid pandemic
SEOUL -- The number of working mothers with underage children fell by the most during the six-month period ending in April as the job market remained sluggish amid the new coronavirus outbreak, data showed Friday.
The number of working mothers with children aged under 18 reached 2.67 million as of end-April, down 5.5 percent from a year earlier, according to the data by Statistics Korea.
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Japan negligent in carrying out UNESCO recommendations on wartime forced labor: official
SEOUL -- Japan remains negligent in carrying out UNESCO recommendations that the country offer correct accounts of wartime forced labor when describing the history of industrial sites recognized as World Heritage, an official said Friday.
When the 23 Meiji-era industrial sites won the World Heritage recognition in 2015, Japan promised to set up an information center to remember and honor the victims in a way that recognizes that they were forcibly mobilized for labor.
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Appeals court upholds prison term for teacher accused of lying to coronavirus investigators
INCHEON -- An appeals court on Friday upheld a lower court's six-month prison sentence for an Incheon cram school teacher indicted for lying about his job and whereabouts after testing positive for the new coronavirus and subsequently causing some 60 infections.
The Incheon District Court's appellate division said that a district court's verdict of six-month imprisonment given in October to the teacher, identified only as a 24-year-old man residing in Incheon, west of Seoul, doesn't seem unfair.
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(END)


yna--2020-12-04--Court rules in favor of late Lotte chairman in gift tax case

In 2018 , Shin filed the suit seeking the cancellation of the tax , after a lower court acquitted him @ @ @ @ @ year while finding him guilty of other charges .

SEOUL, Dec. 4 (Yonhap) -- A Seoul court ruled Friday in favor of Shin Kyuk-ho, the late founder of retail giant Lotte Group, in a lawsuit he filed against the tax authority over hundreds of billions of won of gift taxes.
The Seoul Administrative Court ordered a district tax office to revoke 212.6 billion won (US$196 million) of gift taxes imposed on the honorary chairman of the nation's fifth-largest conglomerate, who died in January at the age of 99.
The taxes were levied after the prosecution charged Shin with tax evasion, embezzlement and breach of trust in 2016.
Prosecutors claimed he dodged gift taxes related to his sell-off in 2003 of a 6.2 percent stake in Lotte Holdings Co. to a corporation owned by his mistress Seo Mi-kyung.
In 2018, Shin filed the suit seeking the cancellation of the tax, after a lower court acquitted him of tax evasion the previous year while finding him guilty of other charges.
The ruling was confirmed in 2019 by the Supreme Court, which sentenced him to three years in prison and a fine of 3 billion won.
He was not incarcerated due to his old age and health reasons.
This Yonhap file photo shows Shin Kyuk-ho, the late founder of retail giant Lotte Group. (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-12-04--Foreign ministry's budget rises 3.5 pct for next year with focus on virtual diplomacy

Under its budget plan , 6.5 billion won will be spent to build its own platform for videoconferencing equipped with @ @ @ @ @ so as to prepare for multilateral gatherings that Seoul is due to host or will @ @ @ @

SEOUL, Dec. 4 (Yonhap) -- The foreign ministry said Friday that its budget has been set at 2.84 trillion won (US$2.62 billion) for next year, with a focus on bolstering noncontact diplomacy amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The total amount includes a 6.4 billion-won increase for what it calls "digital plus public diplomacy," which is aimed at improving infrastructure for virtual meetings that have become a new standard for diplomats since the outbreak of COVID-19 has disrupted in-person talks, the ministry said.
The budget was approved by parliament on Wednesday.
Under its budget plan, 6.5 billion won will be spent to build its own platform for videoconferencing equipped with a high level of security so as to prepare for multilateral gatherings that Seoul is due to host or will take part in.
South Korea is the host for next year's Partnering for Green Growth and Global Goals 2030, a multilateral conference on climate change and sustainable growth. It is also looking to host a cooperation forum on coronavirus responses and vaccines.
The ministry has set aside 950.5 billion won for official development assistance (ODA), up 3.5 percent from a year earlier. Of the amount, 61.7 billion won will be spent to help developing countries with anti-virus efforts.
It has allocated 560 million won for projects related to preparation for the incoming U.S. administration led by President-elect Joe Biden, as part of efforts to beef up the alliance and bilateral ties.
The budget will also be used to promote the government's New Southern Policy Plus, an upgraded version of a key regional initiative designed to deepen ties with Southeast Asian countries and India, the ministry said.
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-04--Two people indicted on fraud charges in Optimus fraud case

The other suspect surnamed Kim is accused of colluding with Shin to take 20 million won in May from the @ @ @ @ @ had promised to hand to a former official at the Financial Supervisory Service ( FSS @ @ @ @ @ suspended withdrawals from its funds in June due to liquidity issues .

SEOUL, Dec. 4 (Yonhap) -- The prosecution on Friday indicted a key broker on charges of fraud in connection with its investigation into a financial fraud scheme at a private equity investment company.
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office charged the suspect, only identified by his family name Shin, with fraud in the massive fund scam case surrounding Optimus Asset Management.
It also charged another suspect, surnamed Kim, with violation of the Attorney-at-Law Act.
The Optimus scandal centers on allegations that the private equity company solicited funds worth about 1.2 trillion won (US$1.08 billion) from thousands of people for investments in public institutions but actually funneled most of the money into risky assets, causing huge losses to the investors.
A suspect, surnamed Shin, in the Optimus financial fraud scheme arrives at the Seoul Central District Court to attend a hearing over his arrest warrant on Nov. 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
Shin, a former head of an entertainment company, is suspected of misappropriating 1 billion won he received from Optimus CEO Kim Jae-hyun to bribe minority shareholders of Haeduk Powerway Co., a once-promising ship parts developer that was believed to be used by Optimus in its fraud scheme.
He also allegedly gave 650 million won in bribes to the representative of Haeduk Powerway's minority shareholders in return for voting rights.
The other suspect surnamed Kim is accused of colluding with Shin to take 20 million won in May from the Optimus CEO, which they had promised to hand to a former official at the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) before the financial firm suspended withdrawals from its funds in June due to liquidity issues.
Meanwhile, the investigators have been chasing yet another suspect, surnamed Ki, who is at large.
jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-04--(LEAD) Seoul stocks pierce 2,700-point mark to hit all-time high; Korean won at nearly 30-month high

`` Foreign buying seems to have intensified based on the market belief that the U.S. dollar will remain weak ( @ @ @ @ @ , on top of vaccine hopes that boosted investors ' appetite for risk , '' @ @ @ @ @ said .

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; ADDS bond yields at bottom, photo)
SEOUL, Dec. 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks pierced the 2,700-point mark to hit a fresh all-time high Friday, backed by strong advances by tech and bio heavyweights and massive foreign buying. The Korean won rose to a fresh 30-month high against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 35.23 points, or 1.31 percent, to close at 2,731.45.
Trading volume was moderate at about 1.7 billion shares worth some 19.6 trillion won (US$18.1 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 314 to 546.
Foreigners bought a net 766 billion won, while retail investors sold a net 347 billion won. Institutions offloaded a net 410 billion won.
Electronic signboards at a Hana Bank dealing room in Seoul show the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed at 2,712.95 on Dec. 4, 2020, up 16.73 points, or 0.62 percent, from the previous session's close. (Yonhap)
Strong foreign buying bolstered the KOSPI's four-session winning streak, analysts said.
"Foreign buying seems to have intensified based on the market belief that the U.S. dollar will remain weak (against the Korean won), on top of vaccine hopes that boosted investors' appetite for risk," Samsung Securities analyst Seo Jeong-hoon said.
Tech, financial and steel-related stocks performed well, largely on investors' expectations that early COVID-19 vaccine development may quicken the export-intensive economy. Strong foreign buying bolstered the KOSPI's gain.
The local currency's appreciation also contributed to foreigners' buying mode.
The local currency closed at 1,082.1 won against the U.S. dollar, up 14.9 won from the previous session's close and the highest since June 12, 2018, when the comparable figure was 1,077.2 won.
In addition, giant drugmakers spiked on surging new COVID-19 cases, with daily new cases in South Korea spiking to a 9-month high and hospitalizations in the U.S. from the illness hitting an all-time high overnight.
In Seoul, most large caps closed higher.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics added 2.58 percent to 71,500 won, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix advanced 3.14 percent to 115,000 won. Both firms finished at all-time highs.
Hyundai Motor, the country's largest automaker, closed unchanged at 196,500 won, while top steelmaker POSCO spiked 5.57 percent to 265,500 won.
Top pharmaceutical firm Samsung Biologics gained 2.48 percent to 825,000 won, and Celltrion spiked 8.26 percent to 380,000 won on growing global demand for test kits.
Internet portal giant Naver moved up 2.44 percent to 294,000 won, with its rival Kakao jumping 4.14 percent to 389,500 won.
Leading chemical maker LG Chem closed unchanged at 825,000 won, and rechargeable battery maker Samsung SDI slid 0.18 percent to 551,000 won.
Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed mixed. The yield on three-year Treasurys lost 0.9 basis point to 0.966 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bond fell 1.4 basis points to 1.323 percent.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-04--Veteran minor league manager, coach to join Hanwha Eagles' staff in KBO

`` In 2020 , he was the fielding coordinator for the Royals and acted as the bridge between the major @ @ @ @ @ '' the Eagles said .
`` He has been working with young players for a @ @ @ @ @ our goal of building a young and exciting ball club ''

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Dec. 4 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean baseball club Hanwha Eagles announced Friday that two foreign coaches will join their staff led by new manager Carlos Subero.
The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) team said Darryl Kennedy, a longtime U.S. minor league skipper, will be their new bench coach, and Jose Rosado, a two-time All-Star pitcher for the Kansas City Royals, will be the new pitching coach.
Kennedy, 51, has managed in 1,915 minor league games from 1998 to 2019, and the Eagles noted that Kennedy developed future big league All-Stars Salvador Perez and Wil Myers.
"In 2020, he was the fielding coordinator for the Royals and acted as the bridge between the major and the minor leagues," the Eagles said. "He has been working with young players for a long time and he fits our goal of building a young and exciting ball club"
Rosado, 46, spent this entire five-year big league career with the Royals and was selected as an All-Star in 1997 and 1999. He began his coaching career in the New York Yankees' system in 2011 and was the pitching coach for Puerto Rico at the 2013 and 2017 World Baseball Classic.
The Eagles said Rosado impressed in his interview by laying out clear goals for pitcher training and in-game bullpen management.
The Eagles said Kennedy and Rosado, along with Subero, are scheduled to arrive in South Korea sometime in January.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-04--(2nd LD) Seoul orders closure of stores, theaters, internet cafes after 9 p.m.

`` For the first time , Seoul has decided to turn off the city lights after 9 p.m. , '' @ @ @ @ @ speaks to the seriousness of the situation we 're in .
Until now we have @ @ @ @ @ with antivirus measures that would allow the economy to rotate as much as possible in @ @ @ @ @ by small businesses , but right now , our priority is to protect the safety @ @ @ @ @ . ''

(ATTN: UPDATES with details from 9th para; ADDS photo)
By Lee Haye-ah
SEOUL, Dec. 4 (Yonhap) -- The Seoul city government said Friday that stores, theaters and multiple other facilities must close after 9 p.m. for two weeks to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Acting Seoul Mayor Seo Jeong-hyup announced the new restriction during a virtual press briefing, saying the order will go into force Saturday.
This photo, taken Nov. 23, 2020, shows a notice requiring customers to sign an entry log at a movie theater in Seoul. (Yonhap)
"Seoul is currently facing a desperately dangerous crisis," he said. "We have no room left to retreat. Starting tomorrow, we are halting Seoul after 9 p.m."
The order came after the city reported a record high 295 new coronavirus cases Thursday, the same day the country posted a nine-month high of 629 new infections in a day.
Businesses subject to the new restriction include stores, movie theaters, internet cafes, game arcades, private academies, study halls, amusement parks, beauty salons, barber shops, large grocery stores and department stores. They can reopen at 5 a.m.
Exceptions will be made for small grocery stores and other shops that are less than 300 square meters in size and for restaurants offering takeout and delivery.
Buses and subways will run on a 30 percent reduced schedule after 9 p.m. The restriction will apply to buses starting Saturday and to subways starting Tuesday.
The capital city has been under Level 2 social distancing rules since Nov. 24, the middle level of a five-tier system.
Under Level 2, nightclubs and bars have been shuttered completely, while karaoke bars, indoor gyms and restaurants have been forced to close after 9 p.m. except for deliveries and takeout.
Since Tuesday, the city has also been under additional restrictions, such as the closure of indoor group exercise classes and water parks, as well as gyms, saunas, cafes and study rooms located inside apartment compounds.
"For the first time, Seoul has decided to turn off the city lights after 9 p.m.," Seo said. "This speaks to the seriousness of the situation we're in. Until now we have tried hard to come up with antivirus measures that would allow the economy to rotate as much as possible in consideration of the pain felt by small businesses, but right now, our priority is to protect the safety and lives of our citizens."
The acting mayor said all facilities run by the city and its individual districts, including museums, concert halls and libraries, will be shuttered completely during the two-week period.
Social welfare facilities will remain open for essential services.
Starting Monday, the city government and its district offices will require half their staff to work from home and stagger working hours to spread foot traffic.
Seo said he has asked the private sector to adopt the same system.
To religious communities, the acting mayor appealed again for online-only services, saying, "In order to have a happy Christmas, we must stop now."
Separately, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education said middle and high schools in the city will be required to conduct all classes online for two weeks starting Monday.
This photo, taken Nov. 27, 2020, shows a notice at Seoul's Sindorim Station announcing reduced subway services due to COVID-19. (Yonhap)
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-04--(2nd LD) Moon picks new land minister in partial Cabinet shake-up

Despite efforts to stabilize the housing market , the average apartment price per 3.3 square meters in the capital rather @ @ @ @ @ million won ( US $ 37,585 ) during Moon 's three-year presidency , which is @ @ @ @ @ for nine years under the preceding two conservative governments , according to data by the @ @ @ @ @ for Economic Justice .

(ATTN: UPDATES with more details in paras 5-6, 13-14)
SEOUL, Dec. 4 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in on Friday nominated a new land minister in a partial Cabinet shake-up, Cheong Wa Dae said, amid a fierce public backlash against the government's real estate policy.
Byeon Chang-heum, head of the Korea Land and Housing Corporation, also known as LH, was tapped as the new land and transport minister.
The nomination comes as Kim Hyun-mi, the current minister, has come under intense public criticism as of late after a series of government policies aimed at curbing skyrocketing property and rent prices was widely considered ineffective.
Despite efforts to stabilize the housing market, the average apartment price per 3.3 square meters in the capital rather soared 58 percent to 41.6 million won (US$37,585) during Moon's three-year presidency, which is 4.5 times the increase tallied for nine years under the preceding two conservative governments, according to data by the civic group Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice.
Cheong Wa Dae, however, explained that the nature of nominating a new land minister isn't centered around Kim's firing but around the government trying to meet new policy demands that would better suit the changing environment around the housing market.
"Minister Kim was a founding member (of Moon's Cabinet) and has done her duty," a senior Cheong Wa Dae official said.
Moon also picked new ministers of gender equality, interior affairs and welfare in the reshuffle.
Chung Young-ai, head of the Korea Foundation For Women, was nominated to lead the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, while Rep. Jeon Hae-cheol of the ruling Democratic Party was picked as the new interior and safety minister.
Kwon Deok-cheol, head of the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, was Moon's pick to lead the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
The three will replace Lee Jung-ok, Chin Young and Park Neunghoo, respectively.
This file photo shows Land, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Kim Hyun-mi holding a press conference at the government complex in Seoul on May 7, 2019, to announce government plans to build 300,000 homes in Seoul and adjacent areas to stabilize the housing market. (Yonhap)
Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae, who has been at the center of national headlines over the political tension between her and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, was excluded from the reshuffle.
The nominees will face National Assembly confirmation hearings, the schedules of which have yet to be set.
The latest Cabinet shake-up marks the first time in 15 months that Moon carried out multiple minister nominations together. Moon has conducted one-minister Cabinet replacements when needed since the last multiple minister replacement nominations.
Moon is largely expected to carry out another Cabinet shake-up early next year, considering major political events ahead, such as the 2022 presidential election.
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-04--S. Korean Bond Yields on Dec. 4, 2020

S. Korean Bond Yields on Dec. 4, 2020

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


yna--2020-12-04--Top prosecutor brings his disciplinary case to Constitutional Court

In Yoon 's case , the justice minister is the one who has sought to discipline him in the first @ @ @ @ @ gets to pick most of the committee members .
`` Fairness can not be guaranteed @ @ @ @ @ circumstances , Lee said .

SEOUL, Dec. 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's top prosecutor filed a complaint on Friday with the Constitutional Court, taking issue with the "unfairness" of the prosecutor disciplinary act under which the justice minister seeks to punish him.
Lee Wan-kyu, the lawyer for Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, told reporters that some provisions of the act were "against the Constitution" as they seriously harm the fairness of the operation of a disciplinary committee.
Under the act, the disciplinary committee against prosecutors is made up of seven field experts, including the justice minister and vice minister. The justice minister has the authority to appoint five panel members -- two prosecutors and three outside experts.
In Yoon's case, the justice minister is the one who has sought to discipline him in the first place, but she also gets to pick most of the committee members. "Fairness cannot be guaranteed at all" in such circumstances, Lee said.
Yoon has also filed an injunction to put off his disciplinary meeting, scheduled for Thursday, until the Constitutional Court metes out a verdict on the case.
The prosecution chief has been going at full force to strike back at Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae. The two have been at odds over a series of politically sensitive cases and prosecution reform.
As the culmination of yearlong tension between the two, the minister suspended Yoon from duty earlier last week and said she would discipline him over six counts of alleged misdeeds, including collecting personal data of justices in charge of politically sensitive cases.
But Yoon has been restored to his position after a court on Tuesday accepted his injunction request on the ground that suspending Yoon from duty was tantamount to dismissing him, which damaged the prosecution's core principles of neutrality and independence.
On the same day, the ministry's inspection committee also took Yoon's side by advising against the suspension during a three-hour meeting, citing "procedural flaws."
These undated file photos show Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae (L) and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl. (Yonhap)
jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-04--Seoul stocks pierce 2,700 to hit all-time high; Korean won at nearly 30-month high

SEOUL, Dec. 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks pierced the 2,700 mark to hit a fresh all-time high Friday, backed by strong advances by tech and bio heavyweights and massive foreign buying. The Korean won rose to an almost 30-month high against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 35.23 points, or 1.31 percent, to close at 2,731.45.
Trading volume was moderate at about 1.7 billion shares worth some 19.6 trillion won (US$18.1 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 314 to 546.
Foreigners bought a net 766 billion won, while retail investors sold a net 347 billion won. Institutions offloaded a net 410 billion won.
Strong foreign buying bolstered the KOSPI's four-session winning streak, analysts said.
"Foreign buying seems to have intensified based on the market belief that the U.S. dollar will remain weak (against the Korean won), on top of vaccine hopes that boosted investors' appetite for risk," Samsung Securities analyst Seo Jeong-hoon said.
Tech, financial and steel-related stocks performed well, largely on investors' expectations that early COVID-19 vaccine development may quicken the export-intensive economy. Strong foreign buying bolstered the KOSPI's gain.
The local currency's appreciation also contributed to foreigners' buying mode.
The local currency closed at 1,082.1 won against the U.S. dollar, up 14.9 won from the previous session's close and the highest since June 12, 2018, when the comparable figure was 1,077.2 won.
In addition, giant drugmakers spiked on surging new COVID-19 cases, with daily new cases in South Korea spiking to a 9-month high and hospitalizations in the U.S. from the illness hitting an all-time high overnight.
In Seoul, most large caps closed higher.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics added 2.58 percent to 71,500 won, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix advanced 3.14 percent to 115,000 won. Both firms finished at all-time highs.
Hyundai Motor, the country's largest automaker, closed unchanged at 196,500 won, while top steelmaker POSCO spiked 5.57 percent to 265,500 won.
Top pharmaceutical firm Samsung Biologics gained 2.48 percent to 825,000 won, and Celltrion spiked 8.26 percent to 380,000 won on growing global demand for test kits.
Internet portal giant Naver moved up 2.44 percent to 294,000 won, with its rival Kakao jumping 4.14 percent to 389,500 won.
Leading chemical maker LG Chem closed unchanged at 825,000 won, and rechargeable battery maker Samsung SDI slid 0.18 percent to 551,000 won.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-04--Appeals court upholds prison term for teacher accused of lying to coronavirus investigators

During an epidemiological survey , he lied to health authorities and told them he was unemployed , despite his teaching @ @ @ @ @ , hampering their efforts to timely isolate people who might have come in contact with @ @ @ @ @ people contracted the virus in chain transmissions traced to the teacher .

INCHEON, Dec. 4 (Yonhap) -- An appeals court on Friday upheld a lower court's six-month prison sentence for an Incheon cram school teacher indicted for lying about his job and whereabouts after testing positive for the new coronavirus and subsequently causing some 60 infections.
The Incheon District Court's appellate division said that a district court's verdict of six-month imprisonment given in October to the teacher, identified only as a 24-year-old man residing in Incheon, west of Seoul, doesn't seem unfair.
The man, who was diagnosed with COVID-19 on May 9 after visits to bars in Seoul, was indicted in August for lying over 20 times to health officials in charge of contact tracing in violation of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.
During an epidemiological survey, he lied to health authorities and told them he was unemployed, despite his teaching job at a private institute, hampering their efforts to timely isolate people who might have come in contact with him. More than 60 people contracted the virus in chain transmissions traced to the teacher.
"His offense inflicted huge economic and social damage and caused fear among community members," the appellate court said in the ruling.
His dishonesty delayed epidemiological surveys and self-quarantine of his close contacts that should have been carried out in a timely manner to contain the spread of the virus, it added.
But the court said it took into consideration the defendant's repentance and lack of prior crimes in determining the sentence.
The prosecution had demanded a two-year prison sentence, the maximum possible penalty that relevant laws allow.
This composite image, provided by Yonhap News TV, shows a Seoul club (L) and an Incheon cram school related to a man convicted for lying about his status after testing positive for the coronavirus. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
nyway@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-04--Wiz, Giants make 1st KBO trade involving draft pick

The Giants said they made the deal with an eye on the future .
Choi , drafted 11th overall by @ @ @ @ @ posted a 1.73 ERA with six saves in 21 games in the Futures League , @ @ @ @ @ , in 2019 .
He began his mandatory military service earlier this year .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Dec. 4 (Yonhap) -- The very first trade involving a draft pick went down in South Korean baseball on Friday.
The Lotte Giants sent infielder Shin Bon-ki and right-hander Park Si-young to the KT Wiz in exchange for right-hander Choi Geon and a third-round pick at the 2022 Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) draft.
Though the players switching places don't move the needle much, this was the first transaction in which a draft pick was swapped since the KBO first allowed such dealings in April.
In this file photo from Oct. 8, 2020, Shin Bon-ki of the Lotte Giants hits a single against the KT Wiz in the bottom of the second inning of a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Sajik Stadium in Busan, 450 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)
The Giants said they made the deal with an eye on the future. Choi, drafted 11th overall by the Wiz in 2018, posted a 1.73 ERA with six saves in 21 games in the Futures League, the KBO's minor competition, in 2019. He began his mandatory military service earlier this year.
"We'll have some immediate holes on our roster, but we'll give younger players more opportunities to play," the Giants added.
Going the other way are two players who can immediately help the Wiz, who enjoyed their first trip to the postseason in 2020.
Shin, 31, was a backup infielder this past season and can play second base, third base and shortstop. He batted .217 with two home runs and 12 RBIs in 81 games in 2020.
Park, also 31, pitched to an 8.01 ERA in 36 appearances this year, which he split in the KBO and the Futures League.
Wiz general manager Lee Soong-yong said the team will count on Park to bolster the bullpen and Shin to add depth to their infield.
In this file photo from Sept. 8, 2020, Park Si-young of the Lotte Giants pitches against the NC Dinos in the bottom of the seventh inning of a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Changwon NC Park in Changwon, 400 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-04--Key Moon ally tapped as interior minister

Jeon , 58 , began his career as a human rights lawyer in 1993 .
During the 2002 presidential election @ @ @ @ @ Moon on the legal team for then-candidate Roh Moo-hyun , who was Jeon 's colleague @ @ @ @ @ the 1990s .

SEOUL, Dec. 4 (Yonhap) -- Jeon Hae-cheol, nominated Friday as the new interior and safety minister, is a third-term lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party and arguably one of the closest confidants of President Moon Jae-in.
Jeon, 58, began his career as a human rights lawyer in 1993. During the 2002 presidential election, he worked together with Moon on the legal team for then-candidate Roh Moo-hyun, who was Jeon's colleague at a law firm in the 1990s.
Rep. Jeon Hae-cheol speaks at the National Assembly on Dec. 4, 2020, after he was nominated as the next interior and safety minister. (Yonhap)
Following Roh's inauguration in 2003, Jeon worked as a member of the presidential commission on suspicious deaths.
In 2004, he played a key role in the fight against opposition parties' impeachment of Roh, which was later overturned by the Constitutional Court. Jeon then served as a senior presidential aide along with Moon.
He is serving a third term as a lawmaker since his first election in 2012. He chairs the Intelligence Committee of the National Assembly.
It is said Jeon is among Moon's three most trusted allies, along with Lee Ho-cheol and Yang Jung-chul, who worked at Cheong Wa Dae during Roh's presidency.
He was born in the southwestern city of Mokpo in 1962 and graduated from Korea University in Seoul.
(END)


yna--2020-12-04--(profile) Sociology expert tapped as gender minister

`` Chung is an expert in women 's studies who earned the first Ph.D. in the field in South Korea @ @ @ @ @ senior secretary for public communication of Cheong Wa Dae , said in a press briefing @ @ @ @ @ will communicate with people at all levels of society and carry out the gender ministry @ @ @ @ @

SEOUL, Dec. 4 (Yonhap) -- Chung Young-ai, who has been nominated to head the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, is a prominent scholar in women's studies and an expert in gender policies.
Starting her academic career as a lecturer at Ewha Womans University and Hanyang University in the early 1980s, she has also participated in the government's policy-making process.
She joined the presidential transition team as an adviser on gender issues in 2002 and served as presidential secretary for personal affairs two times during the 2002-2007 Roh Moo-hyun administration. Also, she was a civilian member of the Presidential Committee on Ageing Society and Population Policy in 2017.
In the academic scene, she chaired the Korean Association of Women's Studies in 2011 and became vice president of the Seoul Cyber University in 2006 and 2017.
Currently, Chung, 65, is a board member at the Korea Foundation for Women and a professor at the Seoul Cyber University.
Born in 1955 in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, she has a bachelor's and master's degrees in sociology from Ewha Womans University and Ph.D. in women's studies at the same university.
"Chung is an expert in women's studies who earned the first Ph.D. in the field in South Korea," Chung Man-ho, senior secretary for public communication of Cheong Wa Dae, said in a press briefing. "We expect she will communicate with people at all levels of society and carry out the gender ministry's key policies."
Chung Young-ai, the nominee to head the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, is pictured in this photo provided by Cheong Wa Dae on Dec. 4, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-05--Japan's Uniqlo to close main outlet in S. Korea amid pandemic

Uniqlo said on its website recently in Korean that its global flagship store in Myeongdong , central Seoul , will @ @ @ @ @ The outlet is the second biggest in the world after one in New York .

SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) -- Japanese fashion retailer Uniqlo will close its outlet in Seoul's popular shopping district next month, after a sharp fall in sales stemming from the new coronavirus outbreak and a trade dispute between Seoul and Tokyo.
Uniqlo said on its website recently in Korean that its global flagship store in Myeongdong, central Seoul, will stop operating Jan. 31. The outlet is the second biggest in the world after one in New York.
This undated photo shows the logo of Uniqlo. (Yonhap)
The closure came as online shopping has gained traction amid the COVID-19 pandemic and as its sales were hit hard by strained relations between the two neighboring countries over the trade tussle.
Fast Retailing Co., which operates Uniqlo in the country, logged 88.3 billion won (US$81.3 million) in operating losses between September 2019 and August 2020.
Uniqlo's sales in South Korea took a beating as Korean consumers have boycotted Japanese products since July 2019 in protest of Japan's export restrictions of some key industrial materials shipped to South Korea. The trade curbs were imposed after the South Korean top court in 2018 ordered Japanese firms to compensate Korean victims of Japan's wartime forced labor.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


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yna--2020-12-05--Coronavirus cases in military exceed 400 as 6 new cases reported

One Army officer and a Marine at the Sangmudae Artillery School in the southwestern county of Jangseong also tested positive @ @ @ @ @ their colleagues who were infected earlier , the ministry said .

SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) -- Coronavirus infections in the South Korean military exceeded 400 Saturday, as six more cases were reported amid a continued cluster transmission at barracks.
Three soldiers at an Army boot camp in the border county of Yeoncheon tested positive while being quarantined, bringing the number of total patients there to 80, according to the defense ministry.
One Army officer and a Marine at the Sangmudae Artillery School in the southwestern county of Jangseong also tested positive after coming into contact with their colleagues who were infected earlier, the ministry said.
The total COVID-19 cases reported at Sangmudae has grown to 23.
An Army officer stationed in Seoul was also confirmed to have been infected, and contact tracing is under way, it added.
Up until Saturday morning, the military has reported a total of 402 coronavirus cases since the pandemic broke out in the country early this year, with the figure growing faster since mid-November.
Nationwide, the country added 583 more COVID-19 cases, including 559 local infections, raising the total caseload to 36,915, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). It reported four additional coronavirus fatalities, bringing the total to 540.
The main gate of a military base in Jangseong, 310 kilometers south of Seoul, is shut on Nov. 28, 2020, after the unit reported COVID-19 patients. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-05--Seoul shares likely to move in tight range next week

The KOSPI exceed the 2,700-point mark for the first time Friday on extended foreign buying , buoyed by vaccine hopes @ @ @ @ @ for exporters , particularly the chipmakers .

By Chung Joo-won
SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks are likely to move in a tight range next week after a continued rally this week as investors take a breather.
Despite a surge in new daily COVID-19 cases, the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed at an all-time high of 2,633.45 points Friday, up 3.72 percent from a week ago.
The KOSPI exceed the 2,700-point mark for the first time Friday on extended foreign buying, buoyed by vaccine hopes and expectations of better earnings for exporters, particularly the chipmakers.
Screens at a Hana Bank dealing room in Seoul show the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed at 2,712.95 on Dec. 4, 2020, up 16.73 points, or 0.62 percent, from the previous session's close. (Yonhap)
Experts said the KOSPI is likely to stay in a boxed range next week until the simultaneous expiration for stock futures and options, set for Thursday.
"The most significant event in next week's stock markets is the December expiration for futures and options," NH Investment & Securities analyst Noh Dong-kil said.
"Whether foreigners are willing to hold on to their KOSPI 200 futures will affect the KOSPI's performance," he said.
Analysts said investors will be tempted to lock in recent gains.
During the 4-day winning streak that ended Friday, offshore investors net bought 1.57 trillion won (US$1.45 billion) at the main bourse, while institutions sold a net 778 billion won and individuals offloaded a net 758 billion won.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-05--'Parasite,' 'Kingdom,' Pengsoo among 2020 Korea Content Awards winners

The annual ceremony rewards local content that has contributed to the culture industry .
This year , it will take @ @ @ @ @ in Seoul on Tuesday , with only a minimum number of award winners and staff @ @ @ @ @ the new coronavirus pandemic , according to the ministry .

SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) -- Oscar-winning film "Parasite," Netflix zombie thriller "Kingdom" and giant penguin character Pengsoo were among the works that have been selected as winners of the 2020 Korea Content Awards, the culture ministry said Saturday.
The annual ceremony rewards local content that has contributed to the culture industry. This year, it will take place at CKL Stage Center in Seoul on Tuesday, with only a minimum number of award winners and staff members attending the event amid the new coronavirus pandemic, according to the ministry.
Starting this year, the Bogwan Order of Cultural Merit, the third-highest of five levels, will also be given to those who have contributed to upholding the country's reputation and facilitating its economy through creative work.
The first cultural medal in that category will go to Kwon Hyuk-bin, the founder and board chairman of Smilegate Holdings Inc., one of South Korean's major online game developers, the ministry said.
Smilegate has developed games that have gained popularity across the world, including "Crossfire," "Epic Seven" and "Lost Ark." The games have been exported to 80 countries, amassing some 670 million users and making profits of 3.5 trillion won (US$3.2 billion) from royalty fees.
In the file photo taken Jan. 13, 2020, Kwak Sin-ae (C), the producer of the Oscar-winning movie "Parasite," holds a Golden Globes trophy with director Bong Joon-ho (R) and actors during a news conference in Los Angeles. (Yonhap)
This photo, provided by Smilegate Holdings Inc. on Dec. 3, 2020, shows Kwon Hyuk-bin, the CEO of the group. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
This image, provided by Netflix, shows a poster for the second season of the South Korean zombie drama "Kingdom." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
This image, provided by Smartstudy Co., shows the Diamond certification that the South Korean kids song "Baby Shark" received from the Recording Industry Association of America this year. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The ministry also announced the winners for the ceremony's seven original categories -- overseas achievements, achievements in TV programs, achievements in game industry, best cartoon, best animation, best character and best story.
Kwak Sin-ae, CEO of Barunson Entertainment & Arts Corp., and Lee Sang-baek, CEO of Astory Co., were chosen as winners for overseas achievements with their productions of the Oscar-winning movie "Parasite" and Netflix's hit zombie drama "Kingdom," respectively.
For TV programs, Shin Won-ho, the director of popular medical drama "Hospital Playlist," and KBS producer Choe Pil-gon, who filmed a documentary titled "23.5" that captured the breathtaking moments of life and civilizations on Earth, were selected as winners.
For online games, Namkoong Whon, the head of Kakao Games Corp., and Seo Tae-geon, the head of World Cyber Games, were named as award recipients.
"Baby Shark" by Smartstudy Co.; "Giant Peng TV" featuring EBS's giant penguin Pengsoo; "Tower of God," a Naver Inc. webtoon; and "Alien Game," a story from the website Story Um, were also announced as winners in other categories.
"Korean content is giving comfort to people exhausted from COVID-19 by creating a new Korean wave around the world," Culture Minister Park Yang-woo said, adding that the ministry will strive to provide support so that industry workers can have pride in their work.
nyway@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-05--(LEAD) New virus cases below 600, bigger wave of pandemic in progress

By region , 231 new virus cases were reported in Seoul , 150 cases in Gyeonggi Province , which surrounds @ @ @ @ @ cases in Incheon , west of Seoul , together accounting for more than 77 percent @ @ @ @ @ new locally transmitted cases .
The greater Seoul area is home to around half of @ @ @ @ @ population .

(ATTN: ADDS more info throughout, photo)
SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) -- The daily number of new coronavirus cases in South Korea fell back to below 600 on Saturday, following a nine-month high the previous day, continuing to put the country under a critical alert over a bigger wave of the pandemic amid the winter.
The country added 583 more COVID-19 cases, including 559 local infections, raising the total caseload to 36,915, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). It reported four additional coronavirus fatalities, bringing the total to 540.
The KDCA said an average 514.6 daily new cases occurred over the past one week.
A student walks by a cafe in southern Seoul on Dec. 4, 2020. (Yonhap)
South Korea reported more than 500 daily new infections for three consecutive days through last Saturday, before briefly falling back to 450 cases last Sunday due to less testing over the weekend.
The increase in daily cases stayed above 500 for the second consecutive day Thursday and topped the high from nine months ago Friday, with 629 cases.
Amid concerns that the country could face the biggest crisis to date, the authorities have said they will monitor the current pace and decide Sunday on whether to adopt additional measures after adopting enhancing Level 2 social distancing nearly two weeks ago.
What is more concerning is that the greater Seoul area, home to half of the country's population, has been witnessing its daily new cases soar to a record high for the past few days.
On Friday, the Seoul city government announced that stores, theaters and multiple other facilities must close after 9 p.m. for two weeks.
Businesses subject to the new restriction include stores, movie theaters, internet cafes, game arcades, private academies, study halls, amusement parks, beauty salons, barber shops, large grocery stores and department stores. They can reopen at 5 a.m.
By region, 231 new virus cases were reported in Seoul, 150 cases in Gyeonggi Province, which surrounds the capital, and 19 cases in Incheon, west of Seoul, together accounting for more than 77 percent of the country's daily new locally transmitted cases. The greater Seoul area is home to around half of the nation's 51.6 million population.
Other municipalities reported new infections, with the southern port city of Busan reporting 29 cases, followed by South Gyeongnam Province with 27.
A total of 159 new cases were reported outside of the greater Seoul area Saturday, exceeding the 100 mark every day since Nov. 24, except for Thursday.
The number of seriously or critically ill COVID-19 patients came to 121 as of midnight, the KDCA said.
The country added 24 imported cases, down from 29 a day earlier, coming mainly from the United States and Asian countries, excluding China, the KDCA said.
The total number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries stood at 28,917, up 306 from the previous day.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-05--New virus cases below 600, bigger wave of pandemic in progress

Amid concerns that the country could face the biggest crisis to date , the authorities have said they will monitor @ @ @ @ @ Sunday on whether to adopt additional measures after adopting enhancing Level 2 social distancing nearly @ @ @ @

SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) -- The daily number of new coronavirus cases in South Korea fell back to below 600 on Saturday, following a nine-month high the previous day, continuing to put the country under a critical alert over a bigger wave of the pandemic amid the winter.
The country added 583 more COVID-19 cases, including 559 local infections, raising the total caseload to 36,915, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). It reported four additional coronavirus fatalities, bringing the total to 540.
A student walks by a cafe in southern Seoul on Dec. 4, 2020. (Yonhap)
South Korea reported more than 500 daily new infections for three consecutive days through last Saturday, before briefly falling back to 450 cases last Sunday due to less testing over the weekend.
The increase in daily cases stayed above 500 for the second consecutive day Thursday and topped the high from nine months ago Friday, with 629 cases.
Amid concerns that the country could face the biggest crisis to date, the authorities have said they will monitor the current pace and decide Sunday on whether to adopt additional measures after adopting enhancing Level 2 social distancing nearly two weeks ago.
What is more concerning is that the greater Seoul area, home to half of the country's population, has been witnessing its daily new cases soar to a record high for the past few days.
On Friday, the Seoul city government announced that stores, theaters and multiple other facilities must close after 9 p.m. for two weeks.
Businesses subject to the new restriction include stores, movie theaters, internet cafes, game arcades, private academies, study halls, amusement parks, beauty salons, barber shops, large grocery stores and department stores. They can reopen at 5 a.m.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-05--(URGENT) 306 more patients released from coronavirus treatment, total at 28,917: KDCA


yna--2020-12-05--Top headlines in major S. Korean newspapers

Korean-language dailies -- Cabinet reshuffle for situation turnover ( Kyunghyang Shinmun ) -- 4 ministers replaced in Cabinet shake-up , @ @ @ @ @ Daily ) -- Kim Hyun-mi replaced , Choo Mi-ae stays ( Donga llbo ) -- @ @ @ @ @ Wolsung probe ( Seoul Shinmun ) -- Kim Hyun-mi replaced , Cabinet reshuffle to woo @ @ @ @ @ -- Kim Hyun-mi replaced , Choo Mi-ae remains ( Chosun Ilbo ) -- Kim Hyun-mi @ @ @ @ @ , Moon 's 'my way ' Cabinet shake-up ( JoongAng Ilbo ) -- Kim Hyun-mi @ @ @ @ @ public over real estate issue ( Hankyoreh ) -- Kim Hyun-mi finally out ( Hankook @ @ @ @ @ replaced amid public anger over real estate policy ( Maeil Business Newspaper ) -- Kim @ @ @ @ @ in real estate policy ( Korea Economic Daily ) ( END )

SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) -- The following are the top headlines in major South Korean newspapers on Dec. 5.
Korean-language dailies
-- Cabinet reshuffle for situation turnover (Kyunghyang Shinmun)
-- 4 ministers replaced in Cabinet shake-up, Kim Hyun-mi out (Kookmin Daily)
-- Kim Hyun-mi replaced, Choo Mi-ae stays (Donga llbo)
-- 2 government officials nabbed over Wolsung probe (Seoul Shinmun)
-- Kim Hyun-mi replaced, Cabinet reshuffle to woo public (Segye Times)
-- Kim Hyun-mi replaced, Choo Mi-ae remains (Chosun Ilbo)
-- Kim Hyun-mi replaced, Choo Mi-ae remains, Moon's 'my way' Cabinet shake-up (JoongAng Ilbo)
-- Kim Hyun-mi finally replaced ... to woo public over real estate issue (Hankyoreh)
-- Kim Hyun-mi finally out (Hankook Ilbo)
-- Kim Hyun-mi replaced amid public anger over real estate policy (Maeil Business Newspaper)
-- Kim Hyun-mi replaced after 24 failures in real estate policy (Korea Economic Daily)
(END)


yna--2020-12-05--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 4 additional coronavirus deaths, total at 540: KDCA


yna--2020-12-05--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 583 new coronavirus cases, total at 36,915: KDCA


yna--2020-12-05--Suwon squeeze into knockout stage at AFC Champions League

Vissel Kobe had already secured the top seed in Group G prior to this match .
Guangzhou Evergrande had finished @ @ @ @ @ points , and Suwon entered Friday sitting at two points .
A win would also @ @ @ @ @ , but since Guanghzhou had the advantage in goal difference , zero to Suwon 's @ @ @ @ @ erase that with a two-goal victory .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) -- They did exactly what they had to do.
Suwon Samsung Bluewings sneaked into the round of 16 at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League, thanks to their 2-0 victory over Vissel Kobe in Group G on Friday night.
Kim Gun-hee and Lim Sang-hyub each scored for Suwon at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, where the K League 1 club had to win by at least two goals to advance to the knockout stage.
In this AFP photo, Suwon Samsung Bluewings' players celebrate their 2-0 victory over Vissel Kobe in their Group G match at the Asian Football Confederation Champions League at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on Dec. 4, 2020. (Yonhap)
Vissel Kobe had already secured the top seed in Group G prior to this match. Guangzhou Evergrande had finished their group play at five points, and Suwon entered Friday sitting at two points. A win would also get them to five points, but since Guanghzhou had the advantage in goal difference, zero to Suwon's minus-1, Suwon had to erase that with a two-goal victory.
Suwon and Vissel Kobe were scoreless in the first half, but Kim jolted life back into Suwon with a goal five minutes into the second half. Lim gave his team the second goal that they needed in the 68th minute, and they held on to win by that same score.
In this Reuters photo, Kim Gun-hee of Suwon Samsung Bluewings (R) battles Ryuho Kikuchi of Vissel Kobe for the ball during their Group G match at the Asian Football Confederation Champions League at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on Dec. 4, 2020. (Yonhap)
Suwon are one of two K League 1 clubs in the knockouts. In the round of 16, they'll take on Yokohama F. Marinos on Monday. The kickoff at Khalifa International Stadium is 5 p.m. (local time), or 11 p.m. in South Korea.
Ulsan Hyundai FC, the other South Korean side, will face Melbourne Victory at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan on Sunday. It's also a 5 p.m. start (local time).
The last South Korean champions of the Asian tournament were Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in 2016. No K League club has even reached the final since.
The tournament kicked off in February but ground to a halt in early March because of the coronavirus outbreak. For teams in the East Zone -- covering South Korea, Australia, China and Japan, among others -- the group stage resumed in November, with all matches being played in Qatar. And Qatar will host all the remaining knockout matches, plus the championship final on Dec. 19.
In this AFP photo, Kim Min-woo of Suwon Samsung Bluewings (R) dribbles past Takuya Yasui of Vissel Kobe during their Group G match at the Asian Football Confederation Champions League at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on Dec. 4, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


Saturday's weather forecast

SEOUL , Dec. 05 ( Yonhap ) -- The following is the weather forecast for South Korea 's 12 major @ @ @ @ @ .


yna--2020-12-05--Nearly 15 bln-won budget allotted for opening Sejong branch of parliament

According to a proposal by the National Assembly Secretariat last year , the parliament 's budget and accounts committee , @ @ @ @ @ standing committees that oversee government ministries based in Sejong , are highly likely to relocate @ @ @ @ @ is completed .

SEJONG, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) -- Nearly 15 billion won (US$13.7 million) has been set aside from state budgets to launch a project to partly relocate the National Assembly in Seoul to the administrative city of Sejong.
According to the Sejong municipality, the 2021 national budget, approved by the assembly earlier this week, includes 12.7 billion won earmarked for the initial design of the envisioned Sejong National Assembly.
Including the unused 2 billion-won budget allotted for the relocation project this year and last year, a total of 14.7 billion won will be available next year for launching the project whose total costs reach more than 1.4 trillion won.
The latest budget allocation is expected to give traction to the drawn-out relocation project aimed at decentralizing the power of the capital Seoul and spearheaded by the ruling Democratic Party.
The budget will be executed after related bills, including a proposed revision to the National Assembly Act, are approved by the assembly, city officials said.
According to a proposal by the National Assembly Secretariat last year, the parliament's budget and accounts committee, as well as 11 other standing committees that oversee government ministries based in Sejong, are highly likely to relocate to Sejong if the project is completed.
The assembly's several major departments, including the secretariat, are also under review for relocation, which, if carried out as proposed, will move about two-thirds of the chamber's total functions to Sejong.
A 616,000-square-meter section of land near the government office complex in Sejong has been proposed as a site to host the Sejong assembly.
"(The city) will draw up the basic plan for building (the Sejong National Assembly) as soon as decisions are made on details next year, including the scope of the relocation," Sejong Mayor Lee Choon-hee said.
"I will also strive for the swift passage of a revised National Assembly Act that supports the establishment of the Sejong National Assembly."
This undated image shows a site near the Sejong government office complex, proposed to host the envisioned Sejong branch of the National Assembly. (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-05--N.K. to convene Supreme People's Assembly meeting in late January

`` The law on rejecting the reactionary ideology and culture specifies the principles to be certainly observed by all the @ @ @ @ @ and citizens in further cementing our ideological , revolutionary and class positions by thoroughly preventing @ @ @ @ @ the anti-socialist ideology and culture and firmly maintaining our idea , spirit and culture , @ @ @ @ @

SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) -- North Korea will convene a Supreme People's Assembly meeting in late January, state media reported Saturday.
The SPA usually meets once a year in April to rubber-stamp decisions by the ruling Workers' Party. The North has also used SPA sessions as a major platform to unveil key policy changes or messages.
"The 4th Session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will be convened in Pyongyang late in January," the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
The decision was made at a plenary meeting of the presidium of the SPA on Friday, the KCNA added.
The SPA meeting is expected to come after the North holds a rare party congress in early January for the first time in four years.
The North is likely to unveil a new five-year economic development plan at the party congress, and make decisions on laws and budgets at the SPA meeting as a follow-up to the plan.
Meanwhile, the KCNA said several agenda items were passed at the plenary meeting on Friday, including those on ideology, achievements in technology and on mobile telecommunications.
"The law on rejecting the reactionary ideology and culture specifies the principles to be certainly observed by all the institutions, enterprises, organizations and citizens in further cementing our ideological, revolutionary and class positions by thoroughly preventing the inroads and spread of the anti-socialist ideology and culture and firmly maintaining our idea, spirit and culture," the KCNA said.
North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly holds a meeting at the Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang on April 12, 2020, in this photo released by the Korean Central News Agency. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un did not attend the meeting, which dealt with budgetary issues and the election of new members of the powerful State Affairs Commission led by Kim. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
julesyi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-05--(URGENT) N.K. to convene Supreme People's Assembly meeting in late January

(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--2020-12-05--Head of S. Korea's sovereign wealth fund to visit Singapore

Choi Hee-nam , chairman and CEO of Korea Investment Corp. , is set to meet with Lim Chow Kiat , @ @ @ @ @ wealth fund GIC , next week to discuss ways to boost cooperation and possibly potential @ @

SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) -- The head of South Korea's US$157 billion sovereign wealth fund left for Singapore Saturday for talks with his Singaporean counterpart and other officials.
Choi Hee-nam, chairman and CEO of Korea Investment Corp., is set to meet with Lim Chow Kiat, CEO of the Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC, next week to discuss ways to boost cooperation and possibly potential investment.
Choi is scheduled to meet with Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Singapore's senior minister and coordinating minister for social policies, and Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara, CEO of Singapore's Temasek International.
Choi also plans to participate in a panel at the Asia Summit to be hosted by the Milken Institute from Wednesday through Thursday.
Choi is set to return home next Saturday.
Choi Hee-nam, chairman and CEO of Korea Investment Corp., speaks in an interview with Yonhap News Agency at the KIC headquarters in central Seoul on July 23, 2020. (Yonhap)
entropy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-05--(4th LD) New virus cases below 600, tighter antivirus measures considered

(ATTN: UPDATES with details in paras 15, 26)
SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) -- The daily number of new coronavirus cases in South Korea fell back to below 600 on Saturday, following a nine-month high the previous day, as authorities are considering adopting tighter antivirus restrictions as the country continues to witness various new cluster infections.
The country added 583 more COVID-19 cases, including 559 local infections, raising the total caseload to 36,915, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). It reported four additional coronavirus fatalities, bringing the total to 540.
Exam takers leave Konkuk University in Seoul on Dec. 5, 2020, after taking the school's essay test as part of a procedure to gain admission to the university. The essay test came two days after they sat for the state-administrated scholastic aptitude test. (Yonhap)
The authorities have said they will announce Sunday whether to elevate the current social distancing measures as the country is under a critical alert over a bigger wave of the pandemic amid the winter.
Unlike two previous outbreaks earlier this year, the latest surge is more difficult to contain as various sizes of cluster infections continue to pop up, the KDCA said.
The KDCA said the nation's reproduction rate for COVID-19 reached 1.4 for last week, meaning that one patient infects 1.4 people.
South Korea reported more than 500 daily new infections for three consecutive days through last Saturday, before briefly falling back to 450 cases last Sunday due to less testing over the weekend.
The increase in daily cases stayed above 500 for the second consecutive day Thursday and topped the high from nine months ago Friday, with 629 cases.
Amid concerns that the country could face the biggest crisis to date, the authorities have said they will monitor the current pace and decide Sunday on whether to adopt additional measures after adopting enhancing Level 2 social distancing nearly two weeks ago.
What is more concerning is that the greater Seoul area, home to half of the country's population, has been witnessing its daily new cases soar to a record high for the past few days.
On Friday, the Seoul city government announced that stores, theaters and multiple other facilities must close after 9 p.m. for two weeks.
Businesses subject to the new restriction include stores, movie theaters, internet cafes, game arcades, private academies, study halls, amusement parks, beauty salons, barber shops, large grocery stores and department stores. They can reopen at 5 a.m.
A street in Gangnam, one of the busiest districts in Seoul, is mostly empty on Dec. 3, 2020, as South Korea has implemented strict antivirus measures to stop the spread of the new coronavirus. (Yonhap)
By region, 231 new virus cases were reported in Seoul, 150 cases in Gyeonggi Province, which surrounds the capital, and 19 cases in Incheon, west of Seoul, together accounting for more than 77 percent of the country's daily new locally transmitted cases. The greater Seoul area is home to around half of the nation's 51.6 million population.
Data by the city government of Seoul showed that the city's accumulated COVID-19 cases surpassed 1 per 1,000 people as of Saturday.
Accumulated confirmed cases in Seoul came to 9,951, which accounts for more than 0.1 percent of the city's 9.72 million population.
The infection tally of Seoul is on course to surpass 10,000 Sunday after the city added at least 160 more cases on Saturday, which will be counted into the tally the next day.
Other municipalities reported new infections, with the southern port city of Busan reporting 29 cases, followed by South Gyeongnam Province with 27.
A total of 159 new cases were reported outside of the greater Seoul area Saturday, exceeding the 100 mark every day since Nov. 24, except for Thursday.
Various cluster cases occurred across the country, ranging from those at restaurants and hospitals to schools.
A wine bar in Gwangak Ward of Seoul reported 16 new cases, bringing the total to 17, the KDCA said. A restaurant in central Seoul reported 22 new patients, bringing the total caseload to 55.
An insurance firm located in Guro Ward in Seoul reported 19 more patients, bringing the total to 20, the KDCA said. Another real estate firm in Yeongdungpo Ward in western Seoul reported 27 new cases.
Another hospital in Seoul's Dongdaemun Ward saw six new COVID-19 cases, resulting in 31 accumulated cases.
A dance academy in western Seoul added nine more cases, bringing the total to 249.
The number of seriously or critically ill COVID-19 patients came to 121 as of midnight, the KDCA said.
The country added 24 imported cases, down from 29 a day earlier, coming mainly from the United States and Asian countries, excluding China, the KDCA said.
The total number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries stood at 28,917, up 306 from the previous day.
According to quarantine authorities and municipalities, the country's additional infections on Saturday came to 405 as of 6 p.m., likely putting it on course to post another daily tally of over 500 on Sunday, when the total cases confirmed the previous day will be announced.
Applicants take an essay test at Konkuk University in Seoul on Dec. 5, 2020, in a follow-up college entrance exam after the state-administrated College Scholastic Ability Test on Dec. 3. They sit apart as a precaution against the coronavirus. (Yonhap)
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-05--S. Korea confirms another highly pathogenic bird flu case at poultry farm

`` The initial infection source ( of the latest case ) has yet to be found , as no report @ @ @ @ @ has been filed by other farms in nearby areas '' an official at the regional @ @ @ @ @ elevated the quarantine level to the highest to curb the spread . ''

SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea confirmed another case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) at a duck farm in a southern county Saturday, putting quarantine authorities on high alert.
The latest case was reported at a duck meat farm in South Jeolla Province's Yeongam County, 308 kilometers south of Seoul, according to the provincial government.
It marks the third highly pathogenic AI case reported at a poultry house this year and the first such case confirmed in South Jeolla Province in three years.
Having blocked access to the affected farm and culled its ducks, local authorities plan to cull nearly 500,000 ducks and chickens in 10 nearby farms within a 3-kilometer radius as a precautionary measure, the regional government said.
The municipality also designated the areas within a 10-km radius of the infected farm, which house 44 duck and chicken farms, as a special zone subject to heightened quarantine.
Movement of poultry to and from poultry farms in South Jeolla Province has also been prohibited for 30 days.
Local quarantine authorities launched an epidemiological investigation into the affected area to trace the source of the latest AI case.
"The initial infection source (of the latest case) has yet to be found, as no report of suspected infection or symptoms has been filed by other farms in nearby areas" an official at the regional government said. "We elevated the quarantine level to the highest to curb the spread."
Since South Korea recorded the first outbreak of highly pathogenic AI in 32 months in late October in Cheonan, 92 km south of Seoul, more than 10 cases have been additionally confirmed, putting quarantine authorities on high alert against potential mass outbreaks.
This computer-generated image is provided by Yonhap News TV. (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-05--Ruling party chief vows efforts for early approval of coronavirus vaccines

`` We will try to advance the approval of the use of COVID-19 vaccines as much as possible if safety @ @ @ @ @ said during a visit to SK Bioscience Co. in the southeastern city of Andong .

SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) -- Lee Nak-yon, chief of the ruling Democratic Party, on Saturday pledged efforts to expedite the approval of coronavirus vaccines, as the country is struggling with new spikes in COVID-19 cases.
"We will try to advance the approval of the use of COVID-19 vaccines as much as possible if safety is guaranteed," Lee said during a visit to SK Bioscience Co. in the southeastern city of Andong.
The company signed an agreement with AstraZeneca Plc. in July to produce the British-Swedish bio giant's COVID-19 vaccine.
The former prime minister noted development of COVID-19 treatments is under way in the country, and applications may be filed for conditional endorsement of use within the year.
Lee Nak-yon (L), chairman of the ruling Democratic Party, is briefed on COVID-19 vaccine production at SK Bioscience Co. in the southeastern city of Andong on Dec. 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
"But vaccines require a higher level of safety than treatments, and there are also issues regarding not only effects but storage, distribution and price," he said during a meeting with company officials.
Health officials said Thursday the government has recently agreed with AstraZeneca Plc. to purchase its coronavirus shot.
The country has reportedly been in negotiations to buy five vaccine candidates, developed by AstraZeneca, the Pfizer-BioNTech partnership, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and Novavax. The government is expected to announce the details of the negotiations next week.
The new coronavirus has infected 36,915 South Koreans and killed 540 as of Saturday.
(END)


yna--2020-12-05--S. Korea to tighten grip on global internet giants amid service complaints

Under the new rule change , the companies will have to provide stable services to users regardless of the devices @ @ @ @ @ measures to prevent excessive online traffic by working with ISPs , according to the Ministry @ @ @ @ @

By Chae Yun-hwan
SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) -- A law revision set to take effect next week will tighten rules for data-hungry internet giants, such as Netflix Inc., amid growing calls for stable services.
Earlier this week, the Cabinet passed an amendment to the ordinance of the Telecommunication Business Act, stipulating that online content service providers are responsible for providing stable services to users.
The new rules set to take effect Dec. 10 apply to large online service companies, which account for 1 percent or more of the country's total data traffic in the last three months of a year, essentially targeting popular global online service providers Netflix, Google LLC and Facebook Inc., as well as local players Naver Corp. and Kakao Corp.
Should they fail to meet the new rules, they could face an administrative fine of up to 20 million won (US$18,350).
Netflix Inc.'s logo is shown in this undated image provided by the company. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The revision comes as global streaming giants Netflix and Google, which operates YouTube, have recently come under scrutiny over their response to service complaints despite their growing popularity.
YouTube faced criticism here after its service went down for hours last month, while a ruling party lawmaker accused Netflix for not properly responding to service issues in May and June this year during a parliamentary audit in October.
All the while, the two companies have boosted their presence in the country.
South Koreans are estimated to have spent on average nearly 30 hours on YouTube in September, according to market tracker IGAWorks.
Researcher WiseApp's data showed Netflix's paid subscribers topped 3.6 million in South Korea as of October.
Under the new rule change, the companies will have to provide stable services to users regardless of the devices or ISPs used and take measures to prevent excessive online traffic by working with ISPs, according to the Ministry of Science and ICT.
YouTube's logo is shown in this undated image provided by the company. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The relatively paltry fine, however, has left some critics wondering about the revision's effectiveness.
"The revision itself has meaning rather than the amount of the fine," an ICT ministry official said. "There hadn't been a way to legally hold these companies accountable for not providing stable services.
"As online content providers have grown in influence, there's a need for them to handle greater responsibility," he added, explaining that the government is not expecting a string of new violations due to the revision.
The extra attention to foreign content providers comes as some ISPs have requested them to share network costs as their growing popularity leads to a boom in online traffic.
Netflix Services Korea Ltd., the Korean unit of the U.S. streaming giant, is currently embroiled in a legal battle with local major ISP SK Broadband Co., arguing that it has no obligation to pay network usage fees over data traffic.
While the new revision doesn't mention network costs and wouldn't impact the current dispute, it could be cited in future legal battles over network cost sharing, the ICT ministry official said.
Internet industry officials still question the latest rules altogether, arguing that online content providers are already doing all they can for stable services.
"It's questionable what the revision wants to achieve," an official at the Korea Internet Corporations Association said. "Why wouldn't these companies work toward stable services?"
yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-05--(3rd LD) New virus cases below 600, tighter antivirus measures considered

(ATTN: ADDS photo, more info in paras 12-13)
SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) -- The daily number of new coronavirus cases in South Korea fell back to below 600 on Saturday, following a nine-month high the previous day, as authorities are considering adopting tighter antivirus restrictions as the country continues to witness various new cluster infections.
The country added 583 more COVID-19 cases, including 559 local infections, raising the total caseload to 36,915, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). It reported four additional coronavirus fatalities, bringing the total to 540.
Exam takers leave Konkuk University in Seoul on Dec. 5, 2020, after taking the school's essay test as part of a procedure to gain admission to the university. The essay test came two days after they sat for the state-administrated scholastic aptitude test. (Yonhap)
The authorities have said they will announce Sunday whether to elevate the current social distancing measures as the country is under a critical alert over a bigger wave of the pandemic amid the winter.
Unlike two previous outbreaks earlier this year, the latest surge is more difficult to contain as various sizes of cluster infections continue to pop up, the KDCA said.
The KDCA said the nation's reproduction rate for COVID-19 reached 1.4 for last week, meaning that one patient infects 1.4 people.
South Korea reported more than 500 daily new infections for three consecutive days through last Saturday, before briefly falling back to 450 cases last Sunday due to less testing over the weekend.
The increase in daily cases stayed above 500 for the second consecutive day Thursday and topped the high from nine months ago Friday, with 629 cases.
Amid concerns that the country could face the biggest crisis to date, the authorities have said they will monitor the current pace and decide Sunday on whether to adopt additional measures after adopting enhancing Level 2 social distancing nearly two weeks ago.
What is more concerning is that the greater Seoul area, home to half of the country's population, has been witnessing its daily new cases soar to a record high for the past few days.
On Friday, the Seoul city government announced that stores, theaters and multiple other facilities must close after 9 p.m. for two weeks.
Businesses subject to the new restriction include stores, movie theaters, internet cafes, game arcades, private academies, study halls, amusement parks, beauty salons, barber shops, large grocery stores and department stores. They can reopen at 5 a.m.
A street in Gangnam, one of the busiest districts in Seoul, is mostly empty on Dec. 3, 2020, as South Korea has implemented strict antivirus measures to stop the spread of the new coronavirus. (Yonhap)
By region, 231 new virus cases were reported in Seoul, 150 cases in Gyeonggi Province, which surrounds the capital, and 19 cases in Incheon, west of Seoul, together accounting for more than 77 percent of the country's daily new locally transmitted cases. The greater Seoul area is home to around half of the nation's 51.6 million population.
Data by the city government of Seoul showed that the city's accumulated COVID-19 cases surpassed 1 per 1,000 people as of Saturday.
Accumulated confirmed cases in Seoul came to 9,951, which accounts for more than 0.1 percent of the city's 9.72 million population.
Other municipalities reported new infections, with the southern port city of Busan reporting 29 cases, followed by South Gyeongnam Province with 27.
A total of 159 new cases were reported outside of the greater Seoul area Saturday, exceeding the 100 mark every day since Nov. 24, except for Thursday.
Various cluster cases occurred across the country, ranging from those at restaurants and hospitals to schools.
A wine bar in Gwangak Ward of Seoul reported 16 new cases, bringing the total to 17, the KDCA said. A restaurant in central Seoul reported 22 new patients, bringing the total caseload to 55.
An insurance firm located in Guro Ward in Seoul reported 19 more patients, bringing the total to 20, the KDCA said. Another real estate firm in Yeongdungpo Ward in western Seoul reported 27 new cases.
Another hospital in Seoul's Dongdaemun Ward saw six new COVID-19 cases, resulting in 31 accumulated cases.
A dance academy in western Seoul added nine more cases, bringing the total to 249.
The number of seriously or critically ill COVID-19 patients came to 121 as of midnight, the KDCA said.
The country added 24 imported cases, down from 29 a day earlier, coming mainly from the United States and Asian countries, excluding China, the KDCA said.
The total number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries stood at 28,917, up 306 from the previous day.
Applicants take an essay test at Konkuk University in Seoul on Dec. 5, 2020, in a follow-up college entrance exam after the state-administrated College Scholastic Ability Test on Dec. 3. They sit apart as a precaution against the coronavirus. (Yonhap)
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-05--(2nd LD) New virus cases below 600, tighter antivirus measures considered

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; CHANGES photo; UPDATES with the latest tally and more info throughout)
SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) -- The daily number of new coronavirus cases in South Korea fell back to below 600 on Saturday, following a nine-month high the previous day, as authorities are considering adopting tighter anitvirus restrictions as the country continues to witness various new cluster infections.
The country added 583 more COVID-19 cases, including 559 local infections, raising the total caseload to 36,915, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). It reported four additional coronavirus fatalities, bringing the total to 540.
Exam takers leave Konkuk University in Seoul on Dec. 5, 2020, after taking the school's essay test as part of a procedure to gain admission to the university. The essay test came two days after they sat for the state-administrated scholastic aptitude test. (Yonhap)
The authorities have said they will announce Sunday whether to elevate the current social distancing measures as the country is under a critical alert over a bigger wave of the pandemic amid the winter.
Unlike two previous outbreaks earlier this year, the latest surge is more difficult to contain as various sizes of cluster infections continue to pop up, the KDCA said.
The KDCA said the nation's reproduction rate for COVID-19 reached 1.4 for last week, meaning that one patient infects 1.4 people.
South Korea reported more than 500 daily new infections for three consecutive days through last Saturday, before briefly falling back to 450 cases last Sunday due to less testing over the weekend.
The increase in daily cases stayed above 500 for the second consecutive day Thursday and topped the high from nine months ago Friday, with 629 cases.
Amid concerns that the country could face the biggest crisis to date, the authorities have said they will monitor the current pace and decide Sunday on whether to adopt additional measures after adopting enhancing Level 2 social distancing nearly two weeks ago.
What is more concerning is that the greater Seoul area, home to half of the country's population, has been witnessing its daily new cases soar to a record high for the past few days.
On Friday, the Seoul city government announced that stores, theaters and multiple other facilities must close after 9 p.m. for two weeks.
Businesses subject to the new restriction include stores, movie theaters, internet cafes, game arcades, private academies, study halls, amusement parks, beauty salons, barber shops, large grocery stores and department stores. They can reopen at 5 a.m.
By region, 231 new virus cases were reported in Seoul, 150 cases in Gyeonggi Province, which surrounds the capital, and 19 cases in Incheon, west of Seoul, together accounting for more than 77 percent of the country's daily new locally transmitted cases. The greater Seoul area is home to around half of the nation's 51.6 million population.
Other municipalities reported new infections, with the southern port city of Busan reporting 29 cases, followed by South Gyeongnam Province with 27.
A total of 159 new cases were reported outside of the greater Seoul area Saturday, exceeding the 100 mark every day since Nov. 24, except for Thursday.
Various cluster cases occurred across the country, ranging from those at restaurants and hospitals to schools.
A wine bar in Gwangak Ward of Seoul reported 16 new cases, bringing the total to 17, the KDCA said. A restaurant in central Seoul reported 22 new patients, bringing the total caseload to 55.
An insurance firm located in Guro Ward in Seoul reported 19 more patients, bringing the total to 20, the KDCA said. Another real estate firm in Yeongdungpo Ward in western Seoul reported 27 new cases.
Another hospital in Seoul's Dongdaemun Ward saw six new COVID-19 cases, resulting in 31 accumulated cases.
A dance academy in western Seoul added nine more cases, bringing the total to 249.
The number of seriously or critically ill COVID-19 patients came to 121 as of midnight, the KDCA said.
The country added 24 imported cases, down from 29 a day earlier, coming mainly from the United States and Asian countries, excluding China, the KDCA said.
The total number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries stood at 28,917, up 306 from the previous day.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-05--Today in Korean history

Today in Korean history

2012 -- The International Olympic Committee says it has opened an investigation into a South Korean footballer 's politically charged @ @ @ @ @ bronze medal at the London Olympics .
Midfielder Park Jong-woo celebrated South Korea 's 2-0 @ @ @ @ @ bronze medal match with a sign that read , in Korean , `` Dokdo Is @ @ @ @ @ was in support of South Korea 's sovereignty over its easternmost islets , to which @ @ @ @ @ for years .

Dec. 6
1971 -- President Park Chung-hee declares a state of emergency in South Korea, citing a threatened invasion by North Korea. The move drastically curtails freedom of speech, thus helping him tighten his grip on power.
1979 -- The nation's electoral college, called the National Conference for Unification, picks interim leader Choi Kyu-hah as president. He fills the political vacuum created by the assassination of President Park Chung-hee at the hands of his intelligence chief, Kim Jae-kyu.
1994 -- A North Korean government delegation arrives in Washington for talks on improving ties between the two former battlefield foes, including a suggestion to establish liaison offices. It is the North's first official delegation to visit the United States.
2003 -- President Roh Moo-hyun promulgates a law that calls for the appointment of an independent counsel to probe allegations that his former aides took bribes.
2007 -- U.S. President George Bush sends a letter to North Korean leader Kim Jong-il as Washington worked to secure a complete list of North Korea's nuclear programs.
2008 -- North Korea says it will not speak to Japan in the six-party nuclear talks, with Tokyo refusing to provide its share of promised energy for Pyongyang.
2012 -- The International Olympic Committee says it has opened an investigation into a South Korean footballer's politically charged celebration of the country's bronze medal at the London Olympics. Midfielder Park Jong-woo celebrated South Korea's 2-0 win over Japan in the bronze medal match with a sign that read, in Korean, "Dokdo Is Our Territory." It was in support of South Korea's sovereignty over its easternmost islets, to which Japan has also laid claims for years.
(END)


yna--2020-12-05--Seoul to host conference on Eurasia railway cooperation next year

The 49th annual ministers ' meeting of the Organization for Cooperation of Railways ( OSJD ) will be held in @ @ @ @ @ , 2021 , according to the ministry .

SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will host a meeting of an international organization for railway cooperation across Europe and Asia next year, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said Saturday.
The 49th annual ministers' meeting of the Organization for Cooperation of Railways (OSJD) will be held in the country from June 15-18, 2021, according to the ministry.
Founded in 1956, the OSJD coordinates railway policies and oversees related standards among Eurasian countries.
South Korea joined the group as the 29th member in 2018. Other members include Russia, China, Mongolia and North Korea.
The top-level conference of the OSJD is expected to draw 200 people, including transport ministers and industry officials.
Seoul will seek to enhance ties with member countries during the meeting and advance cooperation for railway links from Northeast Asia to Europe, the ministry said.
A high-speed train is seen in this undated photo provided by Korea Railroad Corp. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-12-06--11 logistics firms fined 5.45 bln won over price collusion

Leading logistics firms CJ Logistics , its rival Lotte Global Logistics and 10 other firms colluded to fix their quotations @ @ @ @ @ of bidding over distributions of imported agricultural goods , according to the Korea Fair Trade @ @ @ @ @

SEOUL, Dec. 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's antitrust regulator said Sunday it has decided to fine 11 logistics firms a combined 5.45 billion won (US$4.98 million) for colluding to fix their bidding prices for transportation of imported agricultural products.
Leading logistics firms CJ Logistics, its rival Lotte Global Logistics and 10 other firms colluded to fix their quotations in 2006-2018 for 60 rounds of bidding over distributions of imported agricultural goods, according to the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC).
They colluded to choose final bidders and fix bidding prices and the volume of distributions, prior to the bidding put forward by the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp., hampering price competition, it said.
The deals were estimated at 55 billion won.
The regulator ordered the 12 firms to take corrective measures.
The KFTC also said it will file a complaint with the prosecution against nine firms, including CJ Logistics and Lotte Global Logistics, over price fixing.
This image, provided by Yonhap News TV, shows the exterior of the Korea Fair Trade Commission in the central administrative city of Sejong. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


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(END)


yna--2020-12-06--K League champions Jeonbuk part ways with coach Morais

And the parting became official once Jeonbuk wrapped up their Asian Football Confederation ( AFC ) Champions League on Friday @ @ @ @ @ knocked out in the group stage of the tournament , as their bid for a @ @ @ @ @ winning three major trophies in one season , fell flat .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Dec. 6 (Yonhap) -- All good things must come to an end, even a memorable two-year coaching run for Jose Morais with the K League champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
Jeonbuk announced Sunday they have parted ways with the Portuguese coach after his two-year deal expired following the end of their 2020 campaign.
In this file photo from Nov. 1, 2020, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors head coach Jose Morais (R) celebrates with forward Lee Dong-gook after Jeonbuk clinched the 2020 K League 1 championship at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, 240 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
In his two seasons, Morais led Jeonbuk to consecutive K League 1 championships in 2019 and 2020, and also added the Korean FA Cup title this year to complete Jeonbuk's first "double," or winning two major competitions in the same year.
In early November, Morais had told the Portuguese news site Radio Renascenca that he didn't intend to stay in South Korea once his Jeonbuk contract expired and that he had already spoken to Jeonbuk about his plans.
And the parting became official once Jeonbuk wrapped up their Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League on Friday in Qatar. They were knocked out in the group stage of the tournament, as their bid for a "treble," or winning three major trophies in one season, fell flat.
In this file photo from Nov. 8, 2020, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors head coach Jose Morais salutes his fans after winning the FA Cup title at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, 240 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
In 85 matches on Morais' watch, Jeonbuk posted 51 wins, 21 draws and 13 losses.
"I've had an unforgettable experience here," Morais said in a statement released by Jeonbuk. "I will always cherish the memories I've built in the K League with Jeonbuk."
Jeonbuk presented Morais, the first foreign head coach in club history, with a commemorative plaque and a gift.
Morais' top assistant, Kim Sang-sik, has been mentioned as a likely candidate to succeed Morais.
This image provided by Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Dec. 6, 2020, shows Jose Morais, the outgoing head coach for the K League 1 club. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-06--FM Kang calls for concerted int'l action to overcome pandemic at Manama forum

Kang made the remark in her speech at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain on Saturday ( local time ) , @ @ @ @ @ the global outbreak of COVID-19 has been a reminder to the world that trust in @ @ @ @ @ .

SEOUL, Dec. 6 (Yonhap) -- Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha has called for concerted action by the international community in vaccine development, essential cross-border exchanges and other areas, saying such cooperation is vital to overcoming the coronavirus pandemic.
Kang made the remark in her speech at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain on Saturday (local time), as she pointed out that the global outbreak of COVID-19 has been a reminder to the world that trust in multilateralism and solidarity has eroded.
She was visiting the country for the multilateral security meeting and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on a four-day trip that included talks with officials.
"Global governance was at a low point when COVID-19 struck, with trust in multilateralism and the rules-based international order already greatly eroded," she said in the speech released by her office Sunday.
"COVID-19 is a humble reminder of our interconnectedness, as well as our shared vulnerability, and thus the critical importance of global solidarity and international cooperation."
Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha delivers a speech on global governance in relation to the global outbreak of COVID-19 in Bahrain on Dec. 5, 2020, in this photo provided her office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
She highly evaluated ongoing international efforts toward securing equitable access to diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines as a way to strengthen emergency health capabilities, noting that South Korea has been an active participant in global vaccine development efforts through mechanisms like the COVAX Facility.
Stressing the need for efforts to rebuild economies, she introduced the expedited entry agreements Seoul has clinched with other countries, including the UAE, to allow essential cross-border travel and exchanges of people.
"As a result, work has continued in the many infrastructure projects that Korean firms are taking part in this region. These will be instrumental for the post-COVID economies in the region."
Kang also stressed the need to strengthen a global health architecture centered around the World Health Organization (WHO) to be able to tackle future public health challenges.
Among the top diplomats of other countries in attendance were U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, through a virtual link, and the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Iraq.
During her Middle East trip, Kang held a series of one-on-one talks with her counterparts and discussed bilateral ties and cooperation, including Saudi's Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, as well as Foreign Ministers Fouad Hussain of Iraq and Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani of Bahrain, her ministry said.
Kang will return home Monday.
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)