yna--2020-07-03--'Comfort women' support group unable to rally in usual area amid pandemic

SEOUL , July 3 ( Yonhap ) -- A Seoul ward on Friday banned all rallies in major areas under @ @ @ @ @ site of the Japanese Embassy as a precaution against the new coronavirus , including weekly @ @ @ @ @ group supporting wartime sex slaves and its opponents there .

SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- A Seoul ward on Friday banned all rallies in major areas under its jurisdiction near the former site of the Japanese Embassy as a precaution against the new coronavirus, including weekly rallies held by an advocacy group supporting wartime sex slaves and its opponents there.
The ban, imposed by the Jongno Ward Office, has gone into effect as of midnight in designated parts of central Seoul. It will stay valid until the country's infectious disease alert level is lowered from "serious."
The Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery, which supports the victims, euphemistically called "comfort women," has been holding rallies there every Wednesday for more than 28 years.
Until recently, the Wednesday rallies took place in front of a bronze Statue of Peace located just across from the former site of the Japanese Embassy before conservative civic groups reserved the protest spot in opposition to the advocacy group.
The protest-ban zone includes other areas in Gwanghwamun -- including streets surrounding the United States Embassy, the Jongno Ward Office and the Jongno Fire Station.
Individuals and organizations that hold rallies in the designated areas may face fines of up to 3 million won (US$2,502) under the infectious disease control and prevention act.
Press conferences, which do not need to be reported in advance, are allowed, but organizers will be fined if they develop into protests.
This photo taken on June 24, 2020, shows participants in a weekly rally supporting comfort women holding pickets at the former site of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul's Jongno Ward. (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


Friday's weather forecast

SEOUL , July 3 ( Yonhap ) -- The following is the weather forecast for South Korea 's 12 major @ @ @ @ @ .

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


KOSDAQ 746.13 UP 3.58 points (open)


KOSPI 2,147.89 UP 12.52 points (open)


yna--2020-07-03--(LEAD) Doosan Bears walk off on Hanwha Eagles to open weekend series in KBO

In the bottom third , the Bears got a single and a walk against Kim with the meat of their @ @ @ @ @ Jose Miguel Fernandez , who carried a league-best .390 batting average into this game , @ @ @ @ @ , with Oh Jae-il following it up with a weak flyout to left .

(ATTN: ADDS comments at bottom)
By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- Park Sei-hyok launched a walk-off solo home run to lead off the ninth, as he lifted the Doosan Bears past the Hanwha Eagles 2-1 in their Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) showdown Friday.
Park took Hanwha reliever Kim Jin-young deep into right field at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul, handing the Eagles their fifth straight loss. The teams have now split their four games so far this season and will continue their three-game weekend series Saturday back at Jamsil.
Park Sei-hyok of the Doosan Bears (L) celebrates his walk-off solo home run against the Hanwha Eagles in the bottom of the ninth inning of a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on July 3, 2020. (Yonhap)
Neither starter got a decision despite strong outings. Hanwha starter Kim Beom-su was in line for a victory after tossing six shutout innings, only to see the bullpen fritter away the 1-0 lead in the bottom eighth.
Kim's counterpart, Raul Alcantara, was dominant at times in striking out nine batters in seven innings. He touched 155 kilometers per hour (96.3 miles per hour) with his fastball, and his only blemish was an RBI single against Kim Tae-kyun in the top sixth.
The Bears put at least a runner on base in every inning from second to fifth but failed to solve Kim Beom-su.
In the bottom third, the Bears got a single and a walk against Kim with the meat of their order coming up. But Jose Miguel Fernandez, who carried a league-best .390 batting average into this game, grounded into a double play, with Oh Jae-il following it up with a weak flyout to left.
Choi Joo-hwan of the Doosan Bears (R) celebrates his RBI single against the Hanwha Eagles with his first base coach Ko Young-min in a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on July 3, 2020. (Yonhap)
The Bears put two men on for Oh again with two outs in the fifth, and Oh again flied out to left to end the rally.
Kim Tae-kyun ended a string of zeroes with an RBI single in the top sixth, and the Bears continued to squander opportunities.
A two-out double by Heo Kyoung-min went for naught in the bottom sixth. Park Sei-hyok led off the seventh with a walk but was doubled off at first base after Jung Soo-bin popped out to third on a bunt attempt.
The Eagles wasted a bases-loaded chance in the eighth to give themselves more breathing room, and the Bears made them pay in the bottom half of that inning.
Reliever Hwang Young-kuk gave up a walk and a single to open the bottom eighth. He struck out cleanup Kim Jae-hwan but couldn't get past Choi Joo-hwan, whose single to left brought in the game-tying run.
After the Eagles went quietly in the top ninth, Park stepped up against Kim Jin-young and drilled a 2-1 fastball into the left field stands. It was Park's first career walk-off home run.
"I was just waiting for a pitch to hit," Park said of his approach at the plate. "With nobody on base, I wanted to make sure I would reach safely. I didn't want to force the issue too much, but I swung the bat with confidence."
Park's first career walk-off hit came in the regular season finale in 2019, and it clinched the pennant for the Bears and sent them straight to the Korean Series. They would go on to sweep the Kiwoom Heroes for the championship.
Park said whenever he comes on in a potential walk-off situation, he will always have that 2019 moment to fall back on.
"The key for me is to relax, because I know the situation is just as tough for the pitcher on the mound," Park said. "And I've become a lot more confident in these situations after last year."
Raul Alcantara of the Doosan Bears pitches against the Hanwha Eagles in a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on July 3, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-03--(2nd LD) Prosecutors discuss follow-up to justice minister's intervention in probe into alleged coll

(2nd LD) Prosecutors discuss follow-up to justice minister's intervention in probe into alleged collusion case

During the closed-door meeting , several participants were reported to have expressed objection to Choo 's actions .
Throughout the @ @ @ @ @ the most part quiet , focusing on hearing what the senior prosecutors had to say @ @ @ @ @ .

(ATTN: RECASTS lead; UPDATES with more details throughout)
SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- The Supreme Prosecutors' Office held internal discussions Friday with senior prosecutors nationwide on how to respond to Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae's decision to command an investigation into an alleged collusion case, the office said.
The meeting of some 50 senior prosecutors from across the nation was held at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in southern Seoul and was chaired by Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl. The meeting began at 10 a.m. and ended at 6:50 p.m.
In a rare move Thursday, Choo exercised her authority to oversee the prosecution's investigation, ordering Yoon to suspend the convening of an expert advisory panel tasked with reviewing the case that involves a prosecutor believed to be close to Yoon.
She also instructed him to guarantee independence to a probe team in charge of the case at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office.
The suspected "prosecution-press collusion case" has received a lot of public attention for its potentially explosive nature of exposing cozy relations, if true, between a powerful prosecutor and a reporter.
The case centers on a reporter who is suspected of using his alleged close ties with prosecutor Han Dong-hoon, a close associate of Yoon, to pressure a jailed financier to divulge corrupt acts by a pro-government commentator.
Because of the presumably close relations between Han and Yoon, the convening of the advisory panel was suspected, by some, as a deliberate scheme to deter the ongoing probe.
In response to the order from the justice minister, the office backed down from its previous plan to convene the advisory team slated for Friday and instead opted to consult the matter with senior prosecutors.
During the closed-door meeting, several participants were reported to have expressed objection to Choo's actions. Throughout the meeting, Yoon was for the most part quiet, focusing on hearing what the senior prosecutors had to say, according to several participants.
With his back against the wall following the justice minister's action and mounting political pressure asking for his resignation, Yoon may be trying to rally senior prosecutors for support.
The prosecutors' office is planning to write up a review report of Friday's meeting by Monday. Yoon is expected to formulate some type of official statement or response after reviewing the report.
The file photo, taken in the southeastern port city of Busan on Feb. 13, 2020, shows prosecutor Han Dong-hoon (L) and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl (R). (Yonhap)
jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-03--Doosan Bears walk off on Hanwha Eagles to open weekend series in KBO

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- Park Sei-hyok launched a walk-off solo home run to lead off the ninth, as he lifted the Doosan Bears past the Hanwha Eagles 2-1 in their Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) showdown Friday.
Park took Hanwha reliever Kim Jin-young deep into right field at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul, handing the Eagles their fifth straight loss. The teams have now split their four games so far this season and will continue their three-game weekend series Saturday back at Jamsil.
Park Sei-hyok of the Doosan Bears (L) celebrates his walk-off solo home run against the Hanwha Eagles in the bottom of the ninth inning of a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on July 3, 2020. (Yonhap)
Neither starter got a decision despite strong outings. Hanwha starter Kim Beom-su was in line for a victory after tossing six shutout innings, only to see the bullpen fritter away the 1-0 lead in the bottom eighth.
Kim's counterpart, Raul Alcantara, was dominant at times in striking out nine batters in seven innings. He touched 155 kilometers per hour (96.3 miles per hour) with his fastball, and his only blemish was an RBI single against Kim Tae-kyun in the top sixth.
The Bears put at least a runner on base in every inning from second to fifth but failed to solve Kim Beom-su.
In the bottom third, the Bears got a single and a walk against Kim with the meat of their order coming up. But Jose Miguel Fernandez, who carried a league-best .390 batting average into this game, grounded into a double play, with Oh Jae-il following it up with a weak flyout to left.
Choi Joo-hwan of the Doosan Bears (R) celebrates his RBI single against the Hanwha Eagles with his first base coach Ko Young-min in a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on July 3, 2020. (Yonhap)
The Bears put two men on for Oh again with two outs in the fifth, and Oh again flied out to left to end the rally.
Kim Tae-kyun ended a string of zeroes with an RBI single in the top sixth, and the Bears continued to squander opportunities.
A two-out double by Heo Kyoung-min went for naught in the bottom sixth. Park Sei-hyok led off the seventh with a walk but was doubled off at first base after Jung Soo-bin popped out to third on a bunt attempt.
The Eagles wasted a bases-loaded chance in the eighth to give themselves more breathing room, and the Bears made them pay in the bottom half of that inning.
Reliever Hwang Young-kuk gave up a walk and a single to open the bottom eighth. He struck out cleanup Kim Jae-hwan but couldn't get past Choi Joo-hwan, whose single to left brought in the game-tying run.
After the Eagles went quietly in the top ninth, Park stepped up against Kim Jin-young and drilled a 2-1 fastball into the left field stands. It was Park's first career walk-off home run.
Raul Alcantara of the Doosan Bears pitches against the Hanwha Eagles in a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on July 3, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-03--(LEAD) Lawmaker tests negative for virus, parliament to review extra budget

Amid the news of Oh 's contact with the patient , the National Assembly was placed under heightened alert earlier @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic Party ordering its lawmakers who met Oh to remain inside their offices .

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; UPDATES with details throughout)
SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- A ruling party lawmaker who had contact with a COVID-19 patient earlier this week tested negative for the coronavirus Friday, prompting the National Assembly to move forward with a plenary session to review the government's extra budget as planned.
"I was notified that my test result came back negative. I apologize for causing concerns today," Rep. Oh Yeong-hwan of the Democratic Party told reporters through a text message.
Oh underwent testing and quarantined himself earlier in the day after learning that he shook hands with a person who had COVID-19 at an event in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, on Wednesday.
Regardless of the negative result, the freshman legislator, a former firefighter, said he plans to remain in isolation for two weeks.
Amid the news of Oh's contact with the patient, the National Assembly was placed under heightened alert earlier in the day, with the Democratic Party ordering its lawmakers who met Oh to remain inside their offices.
Oh was believed to have had contact with some 100 people, including lawmakers, parliamentary aides and National Assembly staff.
The news also prompted the National Assembly to reschedule a slated plenary session to approve the government's third extra budget to 10 p.m.
The session could have been postponed to a later date had Oh's test result returned positive.
The plenary session was convened to review the government's third extra budget of 35.3 trillion won (US$29 billion), meant to help key industries cushion the economic blow from the pandemic and protect jobs.
Ahead of the plenary session, the parliament's budget subcommittee passed a revised budget of 35.1 trillion won, slashing 200 billion won from the government's proposal.
Rep. Lee Nak-yon, former prime minister and the front-runner in polls among potential presidential candidates, had suspended public activities and went into quarantine at home.
Lee returned to the National Assembly to attend the plenary session after learning of Oh's test results.
A file photo of Rep. Oh Yeong-hwan of the Democratic Party. Oh underwent testing for the new coronavirus on July 3, 2020, after learning that he shook hands with a COVID-19 patient two days earlier at an event in his constituency of Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province. His test result returned negative. (Yonhap)
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-03--4 more USFK-affiliated personnel test positive for virus

Of the newly confirmed cases , two are the wife and daughter of a U.S. soldier who arrived in the @ @ @ @ @ been in quarantine for the past two weeks .
They had been in self-quarantine at @ @ @ @ @ city and were not living on base .

SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- Four people affiliated with American forces have tested positive for the new coronavirus, a local municipal government said Friday.
The latest COVID-19 confirmations are respectively the 66th, 67th, 68th and 69th cases reported in the city located 70 kilometers south of Seoul, public health authorities said.
Of the newly confirmed cases, two are the wife and daughter of a U.S. soldier who arrived in the country last month and had been in quarantine for the past two weeks. They had been in self-quarantine at a private home in the city and were not living on base.
The soldier had tested negative for the virus earlier, but he will be placed in isolation for the next 14 days.
Pyeongtaek also said one military personnel member, who arrived in the country via Osan Air Base on Wednesday, and a U.S. civilian contractor, who landed at Incheon International Airport the following day, have both been found to be infected with COVID-19.
"The four people have been moved to an isolation facility inside a U.S. military base and are undergoing observation and treatment," a source said.
He said the city will provide all pertinent information on the new cases as it becomes available, so as to inform the public and better safeguard the health of all citizens.
Pyeongtaek did not provide details on how many U.S. soldiers, their family members and those working at the military facilities had been infected so far, though on Thursday, the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) officially confirmed 42 cases.
The city is home not only to the huge air base but Camp Humphreys, the largest USFK military facility in South Korea.
(END)


yna--2020-07-03--Court blocks decision to reveal suspect's identity in Telegram sex crime case

In its ruling , the court noted that the suspect was currently in custody pending a legal proceeding and that @ @ @ @ @ at him .
The court saw the need for follow-up investigations amid disputes over the @ @ @

CHUNCHEON, South Korea, July 3 (Yonhap) -- A court on Friday overruled a police decision to disclose the personal information of a suspect involved in a high-profile online sex crime case.
The Chuncheon District Court accepted an injunction request filed by a 38-year-old male suspect of the so-called Nth room sex crime case, asking to nullify a police committee's decision to reveal his identity.
The man is charged with allegedly purchasing videos of underage girls being sexually exploited through a pay-to-view online club on messaging application Telegram.
The suspect is also alleged to have illegally filmed sexual footage of several adults and eight underage teenagers from September 2014 to March of this year.
In its ruling, the court noted that the suspect was currently in custody pending a legal proceeding and that he rejected key charges leveled at him. The court saw the need for follow-up investigations amid disputes over the allegations raised.
"It's hard to acknowledge the need to immediately reveal the suspect's personal information," the court ruled.
On Wednesday, a review committee formed of criminal behavioral experts, including psychologists and psychiatrists, at the Gangwon Provincial Police Agency decided to reveal the personal information of the suspect, citing the public's right to know and to prevent recidivism and additional crimes.
The suspect was forwarded to prosecutors on Friday before the court made its ruling.
"I apologize to the victims," the man told reporters while being escorted to the Chuncheon District Prosecutors' Office. The suspect wore a facial mask and a baseball cap.
Authorities believe the sex crime ring of 38 members allegedly blackmailed 74 minor and adult victims into filming sexually exploitative content.
The identities of several key suspects, including Cho Ju-bin, Kang Hun and Lee Won-ho, have been revealed to the public. More than 140 others have also been apprehended in connection to the case.
A 38-year-old key suspect in the high-profile Telegram sex abuse case, whose identity has not been made public, is transferred to the state prosecutors' office for further questioning from a detention center in Chuncheon, 85 kilometers east of Seoul, on July 3, 2020. (Yonhap)
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-03--Nationwide sale festival aimed at helping small, medium biz: finance minister

`` The level of participation is the largest for such a campaign to date , with discounts of up to @ @ @ @ @ large compared to the past , '' the senior official said .

SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's nationwide sale festival is aimed at helping small and medium merchants overcome the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, the country's top economic policymaker said Friday.
In a message posted on his Facebook account, Minister of Economy and Finance Hong Nam-ki urged consumers to take part in the ongoing "Korea Donghaeng Sale" campaign.
"The festival is a golden opportunity for people to buy products at affordable prices, as well as to help small and medium-sized businesses and traditional market merchants cope with the COVID-19 crisis," he said.
Hong also said that by purchasing goods and services, people can breathe new life into the domestic economy.
"The level of participation is the largest for such a campaign to date, with discounts of up to 87 percent, being very large compared to the past," the senior official said.
The infectious disease has led to a lot of people staying indoors and avoiding crowds, resulting in sharp drops in consumption across the board. This development is causing a slowdown in the national economy.
"Donghaeng" means "to go along together" in Korean, and it highlights the government's goal of helping everyone to get through the current challenges.
The festival, organized by the government, kicked off on June 26 and will run through July 12.
Minister of Economy and Finance Hong Nam-ki (C) acts as a show host at a promotional event to sell clothes by local designers in southeastern Seoul on July 2, 2020, in this photo provided by the ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-03--Nat'l Assembly on alert after lawmaker's contact with COVID-19 patient

Oh explained that he was notified by the person directly .
The lawmaker , a former firefighter , went into @ @ @ @ @ a hospital in Seoul .
His results are expected to come out at around 8:30 @ @

SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's National Assembly was placed on high alert Friday and even rescheduled a plenary session to pass an extra budget after learning that a ruling party lawmaker had contact with a coronavirus patient earlier this week.
Rep. Oh Yeong-hwan of the Democratic Party, who attended an evening event in his constituency of Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, on Wednesday, told reporters through text message that a citizen who he shook hands with at the event was confirmed to be infected with COVID-19.
Oh explained that he was notified by the person directly. The lawmaker, a former firefighter, went into quarantine after being tested at a hospital in Seoul. His results are expected to come out at around 8:30 p.m.
Since Wednesday's evening event, Oh was believed to have had contact with some 100 people, including lawmakers, parliamentary aides and National Assembly staff.
The Democratic Party asked its lawmakers who met with Oh to remain inside their offices at the National Assembly.
Rep. Lee Nak-yon, former prime minister and the front-runner in polls among potential presidential candidates, suspended public activities and went into quarantine. Lee said he will remain in isolation until Oh's test results come out.
Other ruling party lawmakers are also reportedly standing by at their offices.
The National Assembly rescheduled Friday's scheduled plenary session to 10 p.m. The plenary session was convened to review the government's third extra budget of 35.3 trillion won (US$29 billion), meant to help key industries cushion the economic blow from the pandemic and protect jobs.
"The plenary session will proceed depending on Oh's test result," a representative at the National Assembly said. The plenary session could be postponed if the test result returns positive.
This file photo shows Rep. Oh Yeong-hwan of the Democratic Party. Oh went into quarantine on July 3, 2020, after learning that he shook hands with a COVID-19 patient two days earlier at an event in his constituency of Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province. (Yonhap)
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-03--Ailing KBO club manager to be out for at least 2 more months

The Wyverns said Youm has undergone extensive testing at two major hospitals in Seoul and in Incheon .
Without offering @ @ @ @ @ Wyverns said Youm is still in `` feeble physical and mental condition '' and has @ @ @ @ @ his left arm and leg .
Doctors have recommended up to two months of rest @

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- After falling ill during a game last week, SK Wyverns' manager Youm Kyoung-youb will remain sidelined for at least two more months, his Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) club announced Friday.
Youm collapsed and lost consciousness in the dugout during a home game in Incheon, 40 kilometers west of Seoul, on June 25. He regained consciousness while being transported to a local hospital but has remained hospitalized since.
This file photo from June 18, 2020, shows SK Wyverns' manager Youm Kyoung-youb in a pregame press conference before facing the KT Wiz in a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at SK Happy Dream Park in Incheon, 40 kilometers west of Seoul. (Yonhap)
The Wyverns said Youm has undergone extensive testing at two major hospitals in Seoul and in Incheon. Without offering any specific diagnosis, the Wyverns said Youm is still in "feeble physical and mental condition" and has lingering pain and numbness in his left arm and leg. Doctors have recommended up to two months of rest.
In Youm's absence, bench coach Park Kyung-oan will manage the Wyverns on an interim basis.
The Wyverns entered Friday's action in ninth place among 10 teams at 14-36. Youm is believed to have been under a great deal of stress, as the Wyverns, considered a playoff contender prior to the season, suffered through a 10-game losing streak in May and never recovered.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-03--Interim manager for last-place KBO club shoulders blame for dismal season

`` Frankly , I am ashamed that we 've not been able to live up to the standards of the @ @ @ @ @ '' Choi said .
`` I want to apologize to the fans of this league @ @ @ @ @ try to maximize the talent and potential of the players that I have , and @ @ @ @ @ better soon . ''

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- Though he only took over the club less than a month ago, Hanwha Eagles' interim manager Choi Won-ho isn't about to shy away from responsibility over their disastrous season.
The Eagles entered Friday's road game against the Doosan Bears in Seoul at 12-38, the worst record in the 10-team Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). They're in the midst of a four-game slide. In June, they tied the KBO's record for the longest losing skid with 18, during which manager Han Yong-duk resigned.
Hanwha Eagles' interim manager Choi Won-ho (R) watches his team in action against the Kia Tigers in a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul, on July 2, 2020. (Yonhap)
Choi, who had been the Eagles' minor league manager, was promoted to interim skipper on June 8. The Eagles have gone 5-15 with Choi on the bench, with three different losing streaks of at least three games.
Asked why the Eagles haven't been able to put together a winning streak of more than two games all season, Choi put the blame entirely on himself.
"Players play on the field, but it's the manager who has to send them out there in the first place," Choi said. He then added with a nervous laugh, "If we play poorly, that means I didn't put my players in a position to succeed."
The Eagles are two games back of the SK Wyverns, who once lost 10 in a row in May. These two teams are already more than 20 games out of first place and over 13 games back of the fifth and final postseason spot.
"Frankly, I am ashamed that we've not been able to live up to the standards of the rest of the league," Choi said. "I want to apologize to the fans of this league. My job is to try to maximize the talent and potential of the players that I have, and hopefully we'll start playing better soon."
The Eagles have given up the most runs in the league with 175 and have scored the fewest with 174 -- a formula for disaster. But Choi said the mood inside the clubhouse remains upbeat, exactly the way he wants it.
"I've told the players that we should just focus on the process and try to have fun," he said. "Whether we play with a smile or a frown on our face, we still have to go out there and play. We may as well try to enjoy the experience amongst ourselves."
In this file photo, from June 20, 2020, members of the Hanwha Eagles celebrate their 4-3 victory over the NC Dinos in a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Changwon NC Park in Changon, 400 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-03--Gov't postpones final decision on relocation site of Daegu military airport

The planned relocation of the airport in Daegu , some 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul , has been long anticipated @ @ @ @ @ amid complaints of aircraft noise , development restrictions and other issues related to the airport @ @ @ @ @ neighborhood .

SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- The defense ministry deferred a decision Friday on where to relocate a military airport in the southeastern city of Daegu as one of the candidate counties objected to a government proposal that it co-host the airport together with an adjacent county.
In January, the ministry announced that the country's southeastern county of Uiseong and its adjacent Gunwi will co-host the new airport to replace the Daegu airport and serve both military and civilian purposes, based upon the results of residents' vote.
Both of the local governments were supposed to submit their applications by Friday to officially confirm the site. But Gunwi raised an objection and has insisted on its unilateral hosting.
During a committee meeting presided over by Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo, the government decided to extend the application period to July 31.
If Gunwi fails to accept the co-hosting proposal, the project should go back to the drawing board, because Gunwi as a unilateral candidate was found unfit for the project, according to the ministry.
"Minister Jeong asked for related local governments' active cooperation and support to smoothly push for the project," the ministry said in a release.
The planned relocation of the airport in Daegu, some 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, has been long anticipated by residents in the city amid complaints of aircraft noise, development restrictions and other issues related to the airport and military facilities in their neighborhood.
This photo provided by Uiseong County, North Gyeongsang Province, on Jun. 22, 2020, shows a candidate site for a new airport to replace a military airport in the nearby city of Daegu. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-03--Telcos offer smart factory solutions amid pandemic

The bot for packaging processes , controlled by the carrier 's 5G network , can complete tasks faster than human @ @ @ @ @ , as it will be able to reduce packaging times by 28 percent .

By Chae Yun-hwan
SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's major telecom companies are introducing new smart factory solutions to help manufacturers overcome the pandemic-caused economic slump with more efficient production systems.
SK Telecom Co., the country's largest mobile carrier, on Friday released a subscription-based smart factory solution for small- and medium-sized manufacturers that optimizes their equipment maintenance.
The 5G-powered service places sensors onto manufacturing equipment, which collect and analyze data to calculate maintenance periods, according to the carrier.
The system can help manufacturers reduce maintenance expenses by 15 percent and increase average equipment life spans by over 20 percent, SK Telecom said.
Another mobile carrier, KT Corp., provided an industrial robot to local auto parts maker Parkwon this week.
The bot for packaging processes, controlled by the carrier's 5G network, can complete tasks faster than human workers, according to KT, as it will be able to reduce packaging times by 28 percent.
KT Corp.'s collaborative robot that uses the carrier's smart factory solutions is shown in this photo provided by KT on June 30, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
LG Uplus Corp. partnered with the city of Gumi, 200 kilometers south of Seoul, last month to deploy its 5G network in the city's industrial complex and offer its smart factory solutions to small- and mid-sized companies.
The country's third-largest carrier is also planning to provide its 5G-based security service that automatically detects workplace safety risks, such as sudden temperature changes, at LG Electronics Inc.'s factory in Cheongju, south of Seoul, in August.
The global smart factory market size is expected to reach US$155 billion by 2025, up from $75 billion in 2018, according to industry tracker Global Market Insights.
yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-03--(LEAD) (profile) Spy agency chief nominee Park, champion of inter-Korean reconciliation, cooperation

Park , once a businessman in Los Angeles , got his foot into politics after he got to know Kim @ @ @ @ @ the future president was in exile in the United States .

(ATTN: ADDS Park's remarks in paras 5-6)
By Song Sang-ho
SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- National Intelligence Service (NIS) director-nominee Park Jie-won is known for his role in arranging the historic first-ever inter-Korean summit in 2000 and fostering engagement with North Korea while in government service from the late 1990s to early 2000s.
Park, a former lawmaker of the opposition Party for People's Livelihoods, was a close confidant to late ex-President Kim Dae-jung credited with promoting reconciliation with North Korea through his "sunshine policy," for which Kim won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000.
Park, now 78, was a key figure in paving the way for the summit between Kim and then-North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, which produced the June 15 joint declaration on inter-Korean reconciliation, cooperation and exchanges.
President Moon Jae-in's designation of Park as the spy chief signals that he will plow ahead with his drive for inter-Korean cooperation despite tensions caused by the North's recent demolition of a joint liaison office and bellicose rhetoric, observers said.
After his nomination, Park said he would stop any involvement in politics and focus on carrying out "inherent" NIS responsibilities once he is officially appointed.
"I'd like to thank President Moon Jae-in for nominating me and will devote myself to (the NIS work) with patriotism for history, the Republic of Korea and President Moon," he wrote on Facebook.
Park's decadeslong public life has encompassed a wide range of high-profile posts in politics, government and at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae.
Park, once a businessman in Los Angeles, got his foot into politics after he got to know Kim in the 1970s, when the future president was in exile in the United States.
During Kim's presidency from 1998-2003, Park served as his press secretary, culture minister, senior policy secretary and chief of staff. Park still dubs himself a "perpetual chief of staff to President Kim," an expression that highlights his respect for the late liberal leader.
After the Kim government's term ended, Park faced allegations of illegal money transfers to the North, for which he was slapped with a jail term in 2006. But he returned to politics with a special pardon in 2007.
First elected to the National Assembly for a proportional representation slot in 1992, Park has been elected four times in total. Throughout his life in parliament, he has championed dialogue with the communist regime.
Born on Jindo Island, South Jeolla Province, in June 1942, Park graduated from the department of commercial science at Dankook University in 1969.
This file photo shows National Intelligence Service director-nominee Park Jie-won. (Yonhap)
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-03--Manager to pitchers: get ahead in the count

`` I think Hong was trying too hard not to give up a hit against Lee , '' the skipper @ @ @ @ @ against Park , he kept throwing to the corners because he did n't want to @ @ @ @ @ Then he fell behind in the count and put himself into a position where he @ @ @ @ @ . ''

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- As a former catcher, Doosan Bears' manager Kim Tae-hyoung has a long-established philosophy on pitching that he tries to instill in his own players.
It's nothing groundbreaking or innovative, but something that's much easier said than done, not just in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) but any other league: getting ahead in the count.
Park Jong-ki of the Doosan Bears pitches against the Kiwoom Heroes in a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on July 2, 2020. (Yonhap)
"I feel that it's always important to pitch aggressively from the beginning and get strikes," Kim said Friday before hosting the Hanwha Eagles at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. "Even if you get hit, you have to attack the strike zone. If you fall behind in the count, you've already lost the battle."
Kim was compelled to dive into his pitching theory after he saw his five pitchers give up 16 hits and six walks in a 10-7 loss to the Kiwoom Heroes Thursday.
Starter Park Jong-ki lasted just three innings, during which he was charged with three earned runs on seven hits and three walks. He was lifted after Seo Geon-chang's leadoff single in the fourth, with the Bears up comfortably 7-2.
Right-hander Hong Geon-hui was summoned from the bullpen to put out a fire but ended up serving up a two-run home run to Park Byung-ho.
Hong struck out Kim Ha-seong but walked Lee Jung-hoo on seven pitches to put two on for the dangerous slugger Park. Hong fell behind 3-0 in the count but got it to 3-2, before Park sent a towering shot to left field.
Manager Kim said Hong should never have walked Lee in the first place.
"I think Hong was trying too hard not to give up a hit against Lee," the skipper said. "And then against Park, he kept throwing to the corners because he didn't want to allow a big one. Then he fell behind in the count and put himself into a position where he had to throw a strike."
Doosan Bears' manager Kim Tae-hyoung speaks to reporters before a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game against the Hanwha Eagles at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on July 3, 2020. (Yonhap)
Kim opined that the main reason young pitchers often fail to get ahead in the count is the fear of giving up hits.
"If you're going to get hit, you may as well do it early and then hand it over to the bullpen quickly before things get further out of control," Kim said. "Unless you're good enough to throw breaking balls and off-speed pitches for strikes consistently, you should start pounding the zone (with fastballs) right away."
Kim said he feels his pitchers are performing to the best of their abilities. Heading into Friday, the Bears ranked eighth among 10 clubs in team ERA with 5.26
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


Yonhap News Summary

The meetings took place as Lee reported to work for the first time since his release from mandatory two-week self-isolation @ @ @ @ @ to Washington , where he held talks with his counterpart , Deputy Secretary of State @ @ @ @ @ -- -- -- -- -- -- - ( LEAD ) Nat ' l human rights @ @ @ @ @ late triathlete

The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Friday.
-----------------
(LEAD) Four-term ruling party lawmaker named unification minister, NIS chief as national security director
SEOUL -- President Moon Jae-in nominated Lee In-young, a four-term ruling party lawmaker, as South Korea's new unification minister Friday in a shake-up of his security team aimed at providing fresh momentum to troubled efforts to improve inter-Korean ties and revitalize the peace process.
Moon also tapped Suh Hoon, head of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), as new director of national security.
-----------------
(LEAD) S. Korea's top nuke envoy holds talks with Chinese, Russian ambassadors
SEOUL -- South Korea's chief nuclear negotiator Lee Do-hoon met separately with the top Chinese and Russian envoys to Seoul on Friday and discussed the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
The meetings took place as Lee reported to work for the first time since his release from mandatory two-week self-isolation after returning from a trip to Washington, where he held talks with his counterpart, Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun.
-----------------
(LEAD) Nat'l human rights body investigating abuse claims by late triathlete
SEOUL -- The national human rights body said Friday it is investigating abuse claims from a late triathlete who filed a petition a day before taking her own life.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said it received the petition on June 25 from the legal representative of the family of Choi Suk-hyeon, who was found dead the following day in her home in Busan, 450 kilometers southeast of Seoul.
-----------------
13 COVID-19 patients administered remdesivir in S. Korea
SEOUL -- South Korea so far has administered remdesivir, an experimental drug conventionally used for Ebola, for 13 coronavirus patients in critical conditions here, health authorities said Friday.
The medication developed by U.S. pharmaceutical giant Gilead Sciences Inc. started being supplied to treat COVID-19 patients here on Wednesday, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
-----------------
(LEAD) 4 football players caught dodging active-duty military service through self-inflicted injuries
SEOUL -- Four semi-pro football league players were caught injuring their own wrists in an attempt to avoid active-duty mandatory military service, the military recruitment agency said Friday.
The K3 league players, whose identities were withheld, intentionally damaged ligaments in their wrists by excessively turning them while holding dumbbells and received surgery for the injuries, which led them to be judged unfit for active-duty service.
-----------------
(LEAD) Army rejects transgender soldier's appeal for reinstatement
SEOUL -- The Army decided not to allow a former noncommissioned officer, who was forcibly discharged after sex reassignment surgery, to return to the military, officials said Friday.
Byun Hee-soo, 22, filed the petition with the Army in February after a military committee ruled the previous month, based on a medical examination, that the staff sergeant is unable to continue to serve.
-----------------
Virus-hit performing arts scene faces grim prospects for H2
SEOUL -- The South Korean performing arts sector has gradually returned to life after a monthslong slump, but the lingering novel coronavirus pandemic is casting a dark cloud over the scene for the remainder of 2020.
According to the Korea Performing Arts Box Office Information System (KOPIS) on Thursday, aggregate ticket sales of musicals, theatrical plays, classical concerts and other performances reached 95.24 billion won (US$79.3 million) in the first six months of the year.
-----------------
Agency says last month was hottest June on record
SEOUL -- South Korea's average high temperature rose to 28 C last month, making it the hottest June on record since authorities began collecting relevant data in 1973, a government agency said Friday.
The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said June's average high temperature was also 1.5 C higher than the average of the past 30 years, noting the extraordinarily hot weather was caused by North Pacific high pressure and the influx of warm southwesterly winds.
(END)


yna--2020-07-03--(2nd LD) Four-term ruling party lawmaker named unification minister, NIS chief as national security

(2nd LD) Four-term ruling party lawmaker named unification minister, NIS chief as national security director

Lee told reporters that he has accepted Moon 's offer of the position with `` a sense of urgency that @ @ @ @ @ open the door of peace before it 's closed . ''
He emphasized the need @ @ @ @ @ two Koreas and implement their existing accords .

(ATTN: UPDATES with remarks by officials from 6th para; ADDS photos, byline)
By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in nominated Lee In-young, a four-term ruling party lawmaker, as South Korea's new unification minister Friday in a shake-up of his security team aimed at providing fresh momentum to troubled efforts to improve inter-Korean ties and revitalize the peace process.
Moon also tapped Suh Hoon, head of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), as new director of national security.
Lee, known for brisk involvement in peace-related activities as a lawmaker with the Democratic Party, is to succeed Kim Yeon-chul, who resigned days after North Korea's June 16 demolition of a joint liaison office in its border city of Kaesong. Pyongyang also cut cross-border communications, ostensibly in anger over anti-Pyongyang leaflets sent from the South.
Kim said he was taking responsibility for the great strain in inter-Korean relations.
Lee, who served as the party's floor leader until recently, faces the National Assembly's confirmation hearing, but its approval is not a requirement for the president to appoint him.
Rep. Lee In-young of the Democratic Party, named as new unification minister, walks out of his room at the National Assembly in western Seoul on July 3, 2020. (Yonhap)
Lee told reporters that he has accepted Moon's offer of the position with "a sense of urgency that (we) should again open the door of peace before it's closed." He emphasized the need to resume dialogue between the two Koreas and implement their existing accords.
Suh is replacing Chung Eui-yong as director of national security at Cheong Wa Dae. Chung's departure was widely expected, as he has served at the post since the launch of the Moon administration three years ago. Chung, in particular, has worked as Cheong Wa Dae's point man on the White House for consultations on North Korea and major alliance issues.
Moon's pick of Suh as his top security adviser is seen by some observers as heralding a shift in his approach in the tumultuous peace drive. Suh has expertise on the North Korea issue and reportedly has a relatively wide network of personal ties with officials in the communist neighbor.
Suh pointed out that he is assuming the job at a "grave time both internally and externally."
"We will respond prudently to the current situation on the Korean Peninsula but will also prepare to move boldly sometimes," he said in a statement shortly after Cheong Wa Dae's announcement.
"It's very important to continuously secure the international community's support for our external and North Korea policy," he added.
Suh Hoon (R), tapped as new director of national security at Cheong Wa Dae, with his outgoing predecessor Chung Eui-yong standing next to him, speaks to reporters at the Chunchugwan press room of the presidential compound in Seoul on July 3, 2020. (Yonhap)
He noted that the Moon administration's goal is to "systemically establish" peace on the peninsula and that it would make ceaseless efforts to achieve complete denuclearization.
"I won't neglect communication with neighboring countries," he said. "Especially, I will communicate and cooperate more closely with the United States, which is our ally."
Standing behind the podium of Cheong Wa Dae's press room as well, Chung expressed confidence that the Korea peace process will succeed on the basis of trust among the leaders of the U.S. and the two Koreas.
He was guarded about his work so far under the Moon administration.
"I have stories I would like to talk about over what I have gone through as director of national security. But I don't think it's the time yet," he said.
This file photo shows former lawmaker Park Jie-won (L) shaking hands with President Moon Jae-in at Cheong Wa Dae. (Yonhap)
The president also picked another political heavyweight -- former lawmaker Park Jie-won -- to lead the NIS.
Park was chief presidential secretary to late President Kim Dae-jung, who had a historic summit in 2000 with the North's then leader Kim Jong-il. Park was defeated in the April 15 parliamentary elections as a member of the minor opposition Party for People's Livelihoods.
Moon, meanwhile, has decided to appoint Chung and Lim Jong-suk, former presidential chief of staff, as special advisers for diplomatic and security affairs, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-03--(LEAD) S. Korea's top nuke envoy holds talks with Chinese, Russian ambassadors

Lee first met with Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming , who was seen arriving at the foreign ministry in the afternoon @ @ @ @ @ with a question on what he would be discussing with Lee , he said he @ @ @ @ @ situation on the Korean Peninsula . ''

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; ADDS details on Lee's meeting with Russian ambassador in para 4-5; REPLACES photo)
By Kim Seung-yeon
SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's chief nuclear negotiator Lee Do-hoon met separately with the top Chinese and Russian envoys to Seoul on Friday and discussed the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
The meetings took place as Lee reported to work for the first time since his release from mandatory two-week self-isolation after returning from a trip to Washington, where he held talks with his counterpart, Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun.
Lee first met with Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming, who was seen arriving at the foreign ministry in the afternoon. When approached by reporters with a question on what he would be discussing with Lee, he said he came to discuss "the situation on the Korean Peninsula."
A couple of hours later, Russian Ambassador Andrey Kulik was spotted entering the ministry.
"I'll discuss the Korean Peninsula issue with Special Representative Lee," he told reporters. "The security issue in this region is very important for us too."
Tensions between the two Koreas spiked sharply last month, as the North cut off cross-border communication lines, blew up an inter-Korean liaison office and threatened to take military action in anger over anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets.
But the situation later cooled off slightly after leader Kim Jong-un put military action plans on hold.
Friday's meetings between Lee and the ambassadors also came amid news reports that Biegun is planning to visit South Korea next week.
The nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang remain at an impasse after the collapse of the Hanoi summit of U.S. President Donald Trump and leader Kim. They failed to reach a deal on the scope of the North's giving up of its nuclear weapons program in return for U.S. concessions.
From L to R: Chinese Ambassador to Seoul Xing Haiming; Lee Do-hoon, South Korea's chief nuclear negotiator; and Russian Ambassador to South Korea Andrey Kulik are shown in this composite photo on July 3, 2020. (Yonhap)
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-03--(LEAD)(profile) Four-term ruling party lawmaker named unification minister

As a lawmaker , he served as a member of the foreign affairs and unification committee and as chairman of @ @ @ @ @ economic cooperation in 2018 .
He also served as floor leader of the Democratic Party @ @ @

(ATTN: ADDS comments by nominee in paras 9-10)
By Yi Wonju
SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- Unification minister-designate Lee In-young is a four-term lawmaker known for leading the pro-democracy student movement in the 1980s as the inaugural leader of what was then the country's biggest college student organization.
Lee's designation is widely seen as reflecting President Moon Jae-in's intention to seek a breakthrough in the long-stalled inter-Korean relations amid North Korea's anger over anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets and Seoul's overall policy on cross-border relations.
Born in the central city of Cheongju in 1964, Lee graduated from Korea University.
While in university, he served as president of the university's student council as well as the inaugural president of what was then South Korea's biggest college students' group, Jeondaehyeop, or the National Council of Student Representatives.
Lee was one of the leading activists behind the 1987 nationwide democratic uprising against the authoritarian government of general-turned-president Chun Doo-hwan. The uprising led the Chun government to accept a direct presidential election, the beginning of South Korea's democratization.
Lee started his political career in 1999 at the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP), the predecessor of the current ruling Democratic Party. He was elected to the National Assembly in 2004, 2012, 2016 and in this year's general elections.
As a lawmaker, he served as a member of the foreign affairs and unification committee and as chairman of the special committee for inter-Korean economic cooperation in 2018. He also served as floor leader of the Democratic Party from 2019-2020.
Due to his deep interest in inter-Korean relations, Lee has been talked about as a key candidate for unification minister after former minister Kim Yeon-chul resigned last month over worsened relations with Pyongyang following the North's demolition of an inter-Korean liaison office.
"I complied with the nomination process with the desperate urgency to reopen the way toward peace before the door closes," Lee told reporters at the National Assembly.
"We need to restart dialogue, and examine our process in realizing the commitments we made earlier, including cooperation on the humanitarian and diplomatic fronts that we can initiate right away," he said.
This file photo shows Rep. Lee In-young of the ruling Democratic Party. President Moon Jae-in nominated him as the unification minister on July 3, 2020. (Yonhap)
julesyi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-03--(profile) Spy agency chief nominee Park, champion of inter-Korean reconciliation, cooperation

By Song Sang-ho
SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- National Intelligence Service (NIS) director-nominee Park Jie-won is known for his role in arranging the historic first-ever inter-Korean summit in 2000 and fostering engagement with North Korea while in government service from the late 1990s to early 2000s.
Park, a former lawmaker of the opposition Party for People's Livelihoods, was a close confidant to late ex-President Kim Dae-jung credited with promoting reconciliation with North Korea through his "sunshine policy," for which Kim won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000.
Park, now 78, was a key figure in paving the way for the summit between Kim and then-North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, which produced the June 15 joint declaration on inter-Korean reconciliation, cooperation and exchanges.
President Moon Jae-in's designation of Park as the spy chief signals that he will plow ahead with his drive for inter-Korean cooperation despite tensions caused by the North's recent demolition of a joint liaison office and bellicose rhetoric, observers said.
Park's decadeslong public life has encompassed a wide range of high-profile posts in politics, government and at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae.
Park, once a businessman in Los Angeles, got his foot into politics after he got to know Kim in the 1970s, when the future president was in exile in the United States.
During Kim's presidency from 1998-2003, Park served as his press secretary, culture minister, senior policy secretary and chief of staff. Park still dubs himself a "perpetual chief of staff to President Kim," an expression that highlights his respect for the late liberal leader.
After the Kim government's term ended, Park faced allegations of illegal money transfers to the North, for which he was slapped with a jail term in 2006. But he returned to politics with a special pardon in 2007.
First elected to the National Assembly for a proportional representation slot in 1992, Park has been elected four times in total. Throughout his life in parliament, he has championed dialogue with the communist regime.
Born on Jindo Island, South Jeolla Province, in June 1942, Park graduated from the department of commercial science at Dankook University in 1969.
This file photo shows National Intelligence Service director-nominee Park Jie-won. (Yonhap)
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-03--(LEAD) Seoul stocks close higher on economic recovery hopes

The NASDAQ Composite gained 0.52 percent to close at a fresh record high of 10,207.63 on Thursday ( New York @ @ @ @ @ that the U.S. jobless rate in June fell to 11.1 percent from 13.3 percent the @ @ @

(ATTN: ADDS bond yields at bottom, photo)
SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares closed higher Friday on hopes of economic recovery buoyed by better-than-anticipated economic indicators from major economies, including the United States. The Korean won rose against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 17.04 points, or 0.80 percent, to close at 2,152.41. Trading volume was moderate at about 754 million shares worth some 8.5 trillion won (US$7.1 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 529 to 307.
Electronic signboards at the trading room of Hana Bank in Seoul show the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) have closed at 2,152.41 on July 3, 2020, up 17.04 points or 0.80 percent from the previous session's close. (Yonhap)
The gains were led by hopes for an economic rebound, fueled by positive leads from the world's two largest economies, analysts said.
"U.S. job data seem to have given a positive sign to the local stock market," said Shinhan Financial Investment analyst Choi Yoo-joon.
The NASDAQ Composite gained 0.52 percent to close at a fresh record high of 10,207.63 on Thursday (New York time), following reports that the U.S. jobless rate in June fell to 11.1 percent from 13.3 percent the previous month.
The Caixin China Services Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) jumped to 58.4 in June, the highest since April 2010. A reading above 50 indicates an expansion.
The rising number of new COVID-19 infections, however, remained a risk.
South Korea added 63 cases Friday, the highest daily hike since 67 cases on June 20, raising its total caseload to 12,967.
"The steep increase in new COVID-19 infections is also driving some investors into a wait-and-see mode," Choi said.
Foreigners bought a net 12 billion won, snapping a four-session selling streak, while individuals offloaded a net 87 billion won. Institutions purchased a net 106 billion won.
Most large caps closed higher, led by service and tech gains.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics gained 1.32 percent to 53,600 won, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix added 1.18 percent to 85,400 won.
Internet giant Naver inched up 0.18 percent to 277,500 won, and its rival Kakao jumped 2.98 percent to 294,000 won.
Top pharmaceutical firm Samsung BioLogics dipped 1.91 percent to 771,000 won, while SK Biopharmaceuticals spiked 29.92 percent on its second day on the main bourse.
Leading chemical maker LG Chem advanced 2.22 percent to 507,000 won.
The local currency closed at 1,198.60 won per dollar, up 1.40 won from the previous session's close.
Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed lower. The yield on three-year Treasurys rose 0.7 basis point to 0.838 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bond added 0.1 basis point to 1.115 percent.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-04--(LEAD) New virus cases above 60 for 2nd day as local infections show no signs of slowdown

Under Level 2 , all private and public indoor meetings of 50 or more and outdoor meetings of over 100 @ @ @ @ @ Level 3 , all meetings of 10 people or more will be banned , and @ @ @ @ @ from going to schools .

(ATTN: CHANGES headline; ADDS details and 2nd photo)
SEOUL, July 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Saturday reported over 60 new cases of the new coronavirus for the second straight day as infections outside the Seoul metropolitan area do not show signs of slowing down, raising concerns the country's cases may return to an upward trajectory.
The country added 63 cases, which are composed of 36 local infections and 27 cases from overseas, bringing the total caseload to 13,030, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
The number of locally transmitted infections fell 16 from 52 a day earlier, while cases from overseas rose 16 from 11, the KCDC said in a statement.
Few people walk on a downtown street of Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul, on July 3, 2020, after virus cases in the city hit double-digit figures on July 1. (Yonhap)
Of the locally transmitted infections, the number of cases from Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul, fell to eight after reporting double-digit numbers of daily cases on Thursday and Friday, the statement said.
The greater Seoul area reported 28 new cases, with its surrounding Gyeonggi Province adding 19 new infections. Daegu, once the hotbed of the country's virus outbreak, added one new case. The city accounts for more than half of the country's COVID-19 cases, due to thousands of virus infections traced to a religious sect in the city.
The number of cases affiliated with the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) reached 47 on Saturday, according to the U.S. military.
Over the past two months, the densely populated Seoul and the surrounding area, which house around half of the country's 51-million population, took up most of the newly added cases here.
The trend has prodded health authorities to focus on curbing the spread of the virus in the greater Seoul area. Last month, they decided to indefinitely apply toughened infection preventive measures in the region amid the growing number of patients from clubs and door-to-door businesses.
With other major cities reporting new cluster infections, health authorities, however, had been under pressure to consider readopting the scheme elsewhere.
The KCDC said Sunday the government will adopt three levels of social distancing and countermeasures, depending on the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The country currently recommends Level 1 social distancing, which is implemented when the medical system can manage the number of virus cases. The government plans to apply Level 2 distancing measures if daily infections exceed 50 for 14 straight days but remain below 100, and Level 3 measures if daily infections far exceed 100, the KCDC said.
Under Level 2, all private and public indoor meetings of 50 or more and outdoor meetings of over 100 will be banned. Under Level 3, all meetings of 10 people or more will be banned, and all students will be prohibited from going to schools.
The country reported one additional death, with the death toll staying at 283.
The 27 new imported cases was the highest since June 23. Imported cases marked a double-digit rise for the ninth consecutive day.
The total number of people released from quarantine after full recoveries stood at 11,811, up 52 from the previous day. This indicates that more than 90 percent of the COVID-19 patients here have been cured.
The country has carried out 1,319,523 tests since Jan. 3.
This undated file photo shows a notice that urges customers to register their QR code in their smartphones in a mandatory entry log system using QR code-based registration at entertainment facilities, such as clubs and karaoke establishments, a move aimed at enabling health authorities to quickly trace anyone possibly exposed to the new coronavirus at such places. (Yonhap)
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-04--Website for oldest metal-printed book to open in Sept. in multiple languages

The book , written by Ven .
Baegun about the Zen teachings of great Buddhist priests , was printed by @ @ @ @ @ .
In 2001 , `` Jikji '' was confirmed by UNESCO as the world 's @ @ @ @ @ metal type and was included in its Memory of the World Program .

CHEONGJU, South Korea, July 4 (Yonhap) -- A website introducing "Jikji," the world's oldest existing metal-printed book, in multiple languages will go into operation later this year, a South Korean museum said Saturday.
The book, written by Ven. Baegun about the Zen teachings of great Buddhist priests, was printed by his two disciples in 1377. In 2001, "Jikji" was confirmed by UNESCO as the world's oldest book printed with movable metal type and was included in its Memory of the World Program.
The Cheongju Early Printing Museum said it will launch the new global website in September, introducing some parts of the book, which was written in ancient Chinese, in Korean and English.
The site will provide detailed history and description of "Jikji" in 11 languages including Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, French and Spanish.
Video clips showing the manufacturing process of movable metal type will also be available on the website, according to the museum.
It said it is working to expand the webpage to help users download materials on the world's oldest metal-printed book.
This file photo shows "Jikji," the world's oldest existing metal-printed book. (Yonhap)
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-04--5 Americans affiliated with USFK confirmed with coronavirus

`` USFK health professionals determined there was limited contact tracing due to the service members and all others on the @ @ @ @ @ tested and immediately quarantined ; thorough cleaning of Camp Humphreys ' quarantine rooms has been @ @ @ @ @ military said in a release .

SEOUL, July 4 (Yonhap) -- Five U.S. citizens affiliated with the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), including two service members, tested positive for the new coronavirus, the U.S. military said Saturday.
The latest COVID-19 cases brought the total number of infections among the USFK population to 47.
Two dependents of a USFK service member arrived at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, from Europe on June 21 and were moved to Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, some 70 kilometers south of Seoul, where they tested negative for their first mandatory COVID-19 test, and entered quarantine.
On their second test required to exit the isolation, however, both tested positive, according to USFK.
The third patient is a newly assigned service member, who arrived here Wednesday on a U.S. government-chartered flight from Japan.
The fourth individual, a USFK contractor, arrived here from the United States on Thursday and was transported to Camp Humphreys where he received a positive result on his first mandatory COVID-19 test, USFK said.
The fifth patient is a service member who was returning to USFK. He arrived at the Incheon airport Friday and was tested there after showing symptoms consistent with the new coronavirus.
Since testing positive, all five have been moved to Camp Humphreys' isolation barracks designated for virus patients, according to USFK.
The Pyeongtaek city government on Friday released data on four of the five patients.
"USFK health professionals determined there was limited contact tracing due to the service members and all others on the commercial and chartered flight being tested and immediately quarantined; thorough cleaning of Camp Humphreys' quarantine rooms has been completed," the U.S. military said in a release.
Any USFK-affiliated individual arriving in South Korea from overseas will be tested for COVID-19 and then quarantined for 14 days. Medical personnel will administer a second test prior to anyone being released from isolation.
Signs request that visitors use designated entrances when entering a beach in Sokcho, 213 kilometers east of Seoul, on July 3, 2020. Local health authorities have set up entrances at beaches to keep track of visitors amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-04--New virus cases above 60 for 2nd day as infections outside capital show no signs of slowdown

SEOUL, July 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Saturday reported over 60 new cases of the coronavirus for the second straight day as infections outside the Seoul metropolitan area do not show signs of slowing down, raising concerns the country's cases may return to an upward trajectory.
The country added 63 cases, which are composed of 36 local infections and 27 cases from overseas, bringing the total caseload to 13,030, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
Of the locally transmitted infections, the number of cases from Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul, fell to eight after reporting double-digit numbers of daily cases on Thursday and Friday, the KCDC said in a statement.
Few people walk on a downtown street of Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul, on July 3, 2020, after virus cases in the city hit double-digit figures on July 1. (Yonhap)
The greater Seoul area reported 28 new cases, with its surrounding Gyeonggi Province adding 19 new infections. Daegu, once the hotbed of the country's virus outbreak, added one new case. The city accounts for more than half of the country's COVID-19 cases here, due to thousands of virus infections traced to a religious sect in the city.
Over the past two months, the densely populated Seoul and the surrounding area, which house around half of the country's 51-million population, took up most of the newly added cases here.
The trend has prodded health authorities to focus on curbing the spread of the virus in the greater Seoul area. Last month, they decided to indefinitely apply toughened infection preventive measures in the region amid the growing number of patients from clubs and door-to-door businesses.
With other major cities reporting new cluster infections, health authorities, however, had been under pressure to consider readopting the scheme elsewhere.
The KCDC said Sunday the government will adopt three levels of social distancing and countermeasures, depending on the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The country currently recommends Level 1 social distancing, which is implemented when the medical system can manage the number of virus cases. The government plans to apply Level 2 distancing measures if daily infections exceed 50 for 14 straight days but remain below 100, and Level 3 measures if daily infections far exceed 100, the KCDC said.
Under Level 2, all private and public indoor meetings of 50 or more and outdoor meetings of over 100 will be banned. Under Level 3, all meetings of 10 people or more will be banned, and all students will be prohibited from going to schools.
The country reported one additional death, with the death toll staying at 283.
The 27 new imported cases was the highest since June 23. Imported cases marked a double-digit rise for the ninth consecutive day.
The total number of people released from quarantine after full recoveries stood at 11,811, up 52 from the previous day. This indicates that more than 90 percent of the COVID-19 patients here have been cured.
The country has carried out 1,319,523 tests since Jan. 3.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-04--(URGENT) 52 more people released after full recoveries from coronavirus, total cured patients at 11,

(URGENT) 52 more people released after full recoveries from coronavirus, total cured patients at 11,811: KCDC

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


yna--2020-07-04--(URGENT) S. Korea adds 1 coronavirus death, total at 283: KCDC


yna--2020-07-04--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 63 more cases of new coronavirus, total now at 13,030: KCDC


yna--2020-07-04--Foreign arrivals in Korea again dive 98 pct in May

`` All flights between South Korea and China have been suspended except for one route by each airline .
Japan @ @ @ @ @ declaration but still maintains travel restrictions for South Korea , '' said a KTO official @ @ @ @ @ reasons for the continued dive in foreign arrivals .

SEOUL, July 4 (Yonhap) -- Due to coronavirus-related travel restrictions, the number of foreign arrivals in South Korea again nose-dived nearly 98 percent in May, reaching slightly over 30,000, official data showed Saturday.
According to the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), 30,861 foreigners visited South Korea in May, down 97.9 percent from the same month of last year. May's dip in foreign arrivals came after only 29,415 foreign people arrived here in April, marking a decline of 98.2 percent.
By nationality, visitors from the United States contracted 90.9 percent to 8,735 in May, while those from China shrank 99 percent to 5,124, the KTO said.
This undated file photo shows foreigners being guided by South Korean quarantine officials upon arriving at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul. (Yonhap)
Japanese and Taiwanese visitors decreased 99.9 percent and 99.8 percent, respectively, to 413 and 189 persons, it noted, adding 24 arrived from Hong Kong, 49 from Singapore, 90 from Malaysia and 195 from Thailand.
Visitors from the Philippines and Vietnam exceeded 1,000 each, reaching 1,539 and 1,381, respectively, but the year-on-year decrease rates were both 97 percent.
"All flights between South Korea and China have been suspended except for one route by each airline. Japan has lifted its coronavirus emergency declaration but still maintains travel restrictions for South Korea," said a KTO official, explaining one of the reasons for the continued dive in foreign arrivals.
In the first five months of this year, 2.1 million foreigners visited South Korea, marking a year-on-year plunge of 69.8 percent, the KTO said.
Under the compulsory quarantine measures, all entrants from overseas -- both Koreans and foreigners -- are obliged to self-isolate at their residences or government-designated facilities for 14 days. Foreigners refusing to accept the two-week self-isolation are denied entry to the country, while rule violators are fined and deported.
Meanwhile, outbound travelers from South Korea also plunged 98.4 percent on-year to 37,801 in May, according to the KTO data.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-04--POSCO again delays resumption of blast furnace amid virus

POSCO had planned to resume the operation of the third blast furnace in Gwangyang in late May following its repair @ @ @ @ @ it delayed the resumption date to the end of June .

By Kim Kwang-tae
SEOUL, July 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korean steelmaker POSCO has again pushed back the resumption date of its third blast furnace due to the global recession sparked by the coronavirus pandemic, a company official said Saturday.
POSCO had planned to resume the operation of the third blast furnace in Gwangyang in late May following its repair and maintenance work, but it delayed the resumption date to the end of June.
The company, however, said no decision has been set yet on when it will resume the operation of the third blast furnace in Gwangyang, about 420 kilometers southwest of Seoul.
The flag of South Korean steelmaker POSCO (Yonhap)
The move came as demand from automakers, construction companies and shipbuilders declined due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
POSCO has five blast furnaces in Gwangyang and four blast furnaces in Pohang, about 375 kilometers southeast of Seoul. The other eight blast furnaces are up and running.
POSCO said some of its 18,000 employees began taking paid leave on June 16, though it declined to elaborate.
entropy@yna.co.kr
(END)


Saturday's weather forecast

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


yna--2020-07-04--(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on July 4)

(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on July 4)

For this reason , Minister Choo should have been more cautious in exercising her authority over the prosecution .
Her @ @ @ @ @ tremendous pressure on Yoon to step down .
Many lawmakers of the ruling Democratic Party @ @ @ @ @ have already made verbal attacks on Yoon in a thinly veiled attempt to force Yoon @ @ @ @ @ he has refused to stop investigating the inner circle of the incumbent power .

Ensure political neutrality
: Minister should not try to tame prosecution
No one can overemphasize the importance of the prosecution's neutrality and independence from political power. This explains why the government and the ruling party should refrain from interfering with investigations conducted by the law enforcement agency. Yet, the Moon Jae-in administration is doing the opposite to undermine the agency's neutrality.
At the forefront of the government's prosecution bashing is Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae. Since taking the helm of the Ministry of Justice in January, she has served as President Moon's sniper to fire salvos against Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl. Her aim is certainly to stop him from investigating high-ranking government officials, including Moon's confidants, over corruption suspicions.
Yoon, an anti-corruption crusader, seemed to have been Moon's trusted prosecution chief until the President appointed his close aide Cho Kuk, former senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, as justice minister last September. But Yoon invited the ire of Moon due to the investigation into corruption allegations surrounding Cho and his family. At last Cho stepped down as justice minister only 35 days in office, and later was indicted for admissions fraud and other wrongdoings.
Minister Choo's attack on Yoon culminated Thursday when she ordered Yoon to suspend the convening of an expert advisory panel to review a case in which a prosecutor, a close associate of Yoon, is suspected of colluding with a cable channel reporter in pressuring a jailed financier to divulge misdeeds by a prominent pro-government figure.
She has become the second justice minister to invoke the authority to directly command the prosecution in its investigations. The first was Chun Jung-bae who ordered the prosecutor general in 2005 to investigate a professor over his controversial remarks about the nature of the 1950-53 Korean War without physical detention. Then-top prosecutor Kim Jong-bin accepted the order, but immediately resigned in protest against what was seen as the minister's interference in the case.
The 2005 episode demonstrated how important it was to ensure the prosecution's political neutrality and independence. It was a clear reminder that the justice minister, whose mission is to oversee law enforcement, should not directly command the investigation of a special case, in order to guarantee the prosecution's autonomous decisions and fair investigations.
For this reason, Minister Choo should have been more cautious in exercising her authority over the prosecution. Her action is now seen as tremendous pressure on Yoon to step down. Many lawmakers of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) have already made verbal attacks on Yoon in a thinly veiled attempt to force Yoon out of the agency because he has refused to stop investigating the inner circle of the incumbent power.
It is wrong for the government to try to tame the prosecution chief and his agency. This also runs counter to President Moon's much-avowed prosecution reform. The core part of this reform is to promote the neutrality and independence of the prosecution in order to firmly establish the rule of law.
(END)


yna--2020-07-04--Top headlines in major S. Korean newspapers

Korean-language dailies -- Seoul picks late President Kim Dae-jung 's aide as new spy agency chief ( Kyunghyang Shinmun ) @ @ @ @ @ team to revive inter-Korean ties ( Kookmin Daily ) -- Moon reshuffles his security team @ @ @ @ @ Donga llbo ) -- Moon reshuffles his security team to promote inter-Korean ties ( Seoul @ @ @ @ @ late President Kim Dae-jung 's aide as new spy agency chief ( Segye Times ) @ @ @ @ @ team to revive inter-Korean ties ( Chosun Ilbo ) -- Moon reshuffles his security team @ @ @ @ @ JoongAng Ilbo ) -- Moon reshuffles his security team to revive inter-Korean ties ( Hankyoreh @ @ @ @ @ President Kim Dae-jung 's aide as new spy agency chief ( Hankook Ilbo ) -- @ @ @ @ @ Dae-jung 's aide as new spy agency chief ( Maeil Business Newspaper ) -- Moon @ @ @ @ @ revive inter-Korean ties ( Korea Economic Daily )

SEOUL, July 4 (Yonhap) -- The following are the top headlines in major South Korean newspapers on July 4.
Korean-language dailies
-- Seoul picks late President Kim Dae-jung's aide as new spy agency chief (Kyunghyang Shinmun)
-- Moon reshuffles his security team to revive inter-Korean ties (Kookmin Daily)
-- Moon reshuffles his security team to promote inter-Korean ties (Donga llbo)
-- Moon reshuffles his security team to promote inter-Korean ties (Seoul Shinmun)
-- Seoul picks late President Kim Dae-jung's aide as new spy agency chief (Segye Times)
-- Moon reshuffles his security team to revive inter-Korean ties (Chosun Ilbo)
-- Moon reshuffles his security team to revive inter-Korean ties (JoongAng Ilbo)
-- Moon reshuffles his security team to revive inter-Korean ties (Hankyoreh)
-- Seoul picks late President Kim Dae-jung's aide as new spy agency chief (Hankook Ilbo)
-- Seoul picks late President Kim Dae-jung's aide as new spy agency chief (Maeil Business Newspaper)
-- Moon reshuffles his security team to revive inter-Korean ties (Korea Economic Daily)
English-language dailies
-- Moon names new spy chief, unification minister, national security advisor (Korea JoongAng Daily)
-- Moon names spy chief as chief advisor, reshuffles security ranks (Korea Herald)
-- Ex-lawmaker named new spy agency chief (Korea Times)
(END)


yna--2020-07-04--12th Cheongju Craft Biennale to kick off 53-day run next year

Cheongju Mayor Han Beum-deuk , who concurrently serves as the chairman of the Cheongju Craft Biennale Organizing Committee , said @ @ @ @ @ be made to further solidify the status of the Cheongju biennale as an international festival @ @ @ @ @ despite the challenging situation associated with the coronavirus .

CHEONGJU, South Korea, July 4 (Yonhap) -- The Cheongju Craft Biennale hosted by this central city every other year since 1999 will take place in September next year, its organizer said Saturday.
Under the theme "Tools of Conviviality," the 12th edition of the festival will be held at the Culture and Art Factory, Osong Station and other exhibition venues across the city from Sept. 9 to Oct. 31, 2021.
Cheongju is located 120 kilometers south of Seoul.
The theme takes its name from a 1973 book by Austrian philosopher Ivan Ilyich, who was critical of the age when tools dominate humans and argued that the growth of tools should be limited to restore humanity, according to the organizing committee.
The international craft biennale will consist of main exhibitions, an invited country exhibition, a contest, a fair, an international academic conference, exhibitions connected with local art museums and educational programs, the committee noted.
This file photo shows the 11th Cheongju Craft Biennale held in the central South Korean city in the fall of 2019. (Yonhap)
It said Rheem Mi-sun, a member of the Korea Craft and Cultural Industry Promotion Committee under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, will serve as the art director of the 12th edition.
Rheem had previously served as head of the craft division at the Korea Craft & Design Foundation, director of the Korean craft exhibition for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and director of the Clayarch Gimhae Museum.
"I will provide an opportunity to ponder the problem of using responsible tools for a 'symbiotic society' in which humans, tools and groups form a right relationship," Rheem was quoted as saying.
"I will also try to promote the future value of the 12th Cheongju Craft Biennale through the broad spectrum of crafts and the power of sustainable tools."
Cheongju Mayor Han Beum-deuk, who concurrently serves as the chairman of the Cheongju Craft Biennale Organizing Committee, said that all concerted efforts will be made to further solidify the status of the Cheongju biennale as an international festival enjoyed by the whole world despite the challenging situation associated with the coronavirus.
The 11th edition of the festival was held in the fall of 2019 under the theme of "Dreaming of Crafts of the Future" and brought together some 350,000 visitors from in and outside of the country for 41 days.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-04--2nd-generation KBO star wants to see more sons of ex-players thrive

But Park is n't the biggest name when it comes to second-generation KBO players .
The distinction belongs to the @ @ @ @ @ , who won the Rookie of the Year in 2017 and is evolving into one @ @ @ @ @ complete hitters .
His father , Lee Jong-beom , was the best all-around player in @ @ @ @ @ .393 with 84 steals as a sophomore in 1994 and was the first KBO player @ @ @ @ @ runs , 30 steals and a .300 average in a season in 1997 with 30 @ @ @ @ @ .324 .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, July 4 (Yonhap) -- Doosan Bears' catcher Park Sei-hyok is just moving out of the shadow cast by his father, Park Chul-woo, who was voted the 1989 Korean Series MVP for the Haitai (currently Kia) Tigers.
And the junior Park wants to see more second-generation players excel in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO).
"I think it's great for baseball when you see sons of former players do well," Park said Friday, after delivering a walk-off solo home run in a 2-1 victory over the Hanwha Eagles. The blast at Jamsil Baseball Stadium was Park's first game-ending home run.
"It's never easy being the son of an ex-player," Park said. "No matter how hard our parents try not to put pressure on our shoulders, there are always people who will do just that."
Park Sei-hyok of the Doosan Bears (L) celebrates his walk-off solo home run against the Hanwha Eagles in the bottom of the ninth inning of a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on July 3, 2020. (Yonhap)
Park is in his second season as an everyday catcher with the Bears. Last year, he had an excellent Korean Series as the Bears swept the Kiwoom Heroes, and nearly joined his father as the Korean Series MVP. That would have made the Parks the first father-son duo to have that honor.
But Park isn't the biggest name when it comes to second-generation KBO players. The distinction belongs to the Heroes' outfielder Lee Jung-hoo, who won the Rookie of the Year in 2017 and is evolving into one of the league's most complete hitters. His father, Lee Jong-beom, was the best all-around player in the 1990s. He batted .393 with 84 steals as a sophomore in 1994 and was the first KBO player with at least 30 home runs, 30 steals and a .300 average in a season in 1997 with 30 homers, 64 steals and .324.
This year, other sons of former players have performed well. Former catcher Yoo Seung-an has two sons playing in the league: KT Wiz reliever Yoo Won-sang and Kia Tigers infielder Yoo Min-sang.
Min-sang is batting a career-best .321 in 36 games, while Won-sang has a 3.13 ERA in 20 appearances out of the bullpen.
Lee Sung-kon, outfielder for the Samsung Lions and son of former All-Star center fielder Lee Soon-chul, was batting a robust .375 in 18 games before Friday.
In this file photo, from May 20, 2020, Park Sei-hyok of the Doosan Bears makes a turn at first base after hitting a walk-off single in the bottom of the 11th inning of a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game against the NC Dinos at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. (Yonhap)
"It's great to see new faces like Sung-kon play well this year," Park said of the outfielder who'd appeared in only 30 games combined over his past four seasons. "I hope those guys keep it up."
As for himself, Park said he is still a work in progress at age 30. He spent the first five seasons of his career as a backup, and he said there are times when his lack of experience catches up to him. The Bears have among the worst ERAs as a team, and both their rotation and bullpen have had issues. Park said he feels responsible for these woes as the starting catcher.
"As one of the older guys on the team now, I am trying to be the leader for our young pitching staff," Park said. "I want to make sure they can pitch with confidence and have fun doing so."
Park then added with a wry smile, "My older teammates have told me the more you learn about baseball, the more difficult it becomes. I am living through that right now."
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-04--Retailers set to hold bargain events over weekend amid state-led sales festival

The operators of discount store chains should close their outlets on the second and fourth Sunday every month under regulations @ @ @ @ @ shops .
They should shut down outlets on July 12 , the last day of @ @ @ @ @ the closure on June 28 .

SEOUL, July 4 (Yonhap) -- Shoppers who want to bag a bargain may have to visit major retailers across the country over the weekend as major outlets are planning to hold big events in line with a state-led sales festival designed to boost spending amid the pandemic.
South Korea kicked off the 17-day sales festival, called the "Korea Donghaeng Sale" campaign, on June 26 in an effort to boost faltering domestic demand amid the new coronavirus outbreak. "Donghaeng" means going along together in Korean.
With the sales campaign entering the second week, local discount store chains have prepared to unleash products at super bargain prices as they view this weekend as the last chance to bolster sales during the festival.
Citizens do grocery shopping at a discount store chain in Seoul on June 25, 2020, one day before the government's sales festival designed to boost domestic demand kicked off. (Yonhap)
The operators of discount store chains should close their outlets on the second and fourth Sunday every month under regulations designed to help smaller neighborhood shops. They should shut down outlets on July 12, the last day of the sales fest, following the closure on June 28.
E-Mart Inc., the country's biggest discount store chain by sales, kicked off "limited deal" events this week to sell about 10 products at super-low prices. The monthly events will run through the end of this year.
This month, it will sell 12 kinds of products, including watermelons, eggs and onions. The events will end once prepared products are sold out.
Lotte Mart, another major discount store chain, will cut prices of some fresh and processed food as well as daily necessities by half during discount events that will run on Saturday and Sunday.
Lotte Mart said selected items will be sold at prices that will effectively leave no margin for it.
The sales festival has been joined by department stores, discount outlets, e-commerce operators and smaller merchants across the nation.
Three major department stores, hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, saw their sales rise by around 20 percent during the first three days of the sales campaign, compared with the same period of last year, according to industry officials.
But traditional markets and smaller merchants have not felt impacts of the festival despite promotion efforts.
This image, provided by Yonhap News TV, shows the mandatory closure of discount stores on the second and fourth Sunday every month. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-04--Pentagon lifts travel restrictions on 6 U.S. bases in S. Korea

The three steps for lifting restrictions are : meeting country criteria , including a 14-day declining trend in symptoms and @ @ @ @ @ installation criteria , such as the absence of travel restrictions ; and approval by the @ @ @ @ @ a combatant commander .

By Lee Haye-ah
WASHINGTON, July 3 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. Department of Defense has lifted travel restrictions on six military bases in South Korea following a review of COVID-19 trends in the country.
According to a Thursday press release, the six bases met the criteria for lifting travel restrictions as of June 29.
The installations are Camp Casey, Camp Henry and Camp Humphreys, as well as the bases in Yongsan, Gunsan and Osan.
In total, restrictions have been lifted for 70 of 231 installations in the U.S. and worldwide with more than 1,000 Defense Department personnel.
The three steps for lifting restrictions are: meeting country criteria, including a 14-day declining trend in symptoms and cases of COVID-19; meeting installation criteria, such as the absence of travel restrictions; and approval by the relevant authority, such as a combatant commander.
On June 12, the Pentagon added South Korea to a list of "green locations" that meet the conditions for lifting travel restrictions.
About 28,500 American troops are currently stationed in South Korea.
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)


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(END)


yna--2020-07-03--(LEAD) S. Korean assembly approves 3rd virus response extra budget worth 35.1 tln won

The supplementary COVID-19 response budget was passed at the chamber 's plenary session , supported by 179 out of the @ @ @ @ @ voting .
The approved budget is 200 billion won less than what the government proposed @ @ @ @ @ June .

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout)
SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- The National Assembly on Friday passed a 35.1 trillion-won (US$29.3 billion) extra budget to combat the continuing new coronavirus outbreaks here and the economic fallout from the pandemic.
The supplementary COVID-19 response budget was passed at the chamber's plenary session, supported by 179 out of the 187 lawmakers present for the voting. The approved budget is 200 billion won less than what the government proposed to the chamber in early June.
The special budget's parliamentary passage was led by the ruling Democratic Party (DP) despite a boycott by the main opposition United Future Party (UFP), which accused the DP of constructing the budget in a "sloppy" manner.
UFP lawmakers did not show up for the budget's plenary session in a sign of protest against the supplementary budget after they boycotted the bill's review by standing committees.
Taking issue with the unilateral review process, the minor left-wing Justice Party, which controls six of the 300 parliamentary seats, abstained.
Lawmakers pass the 35.1 trillion-won extra budget at a plenary session of the National Assembly in Seoul on July 3, 2020. The third extraordinary budget aims to tackle the social and economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. (Yonhap)
This marks the latest and biggest of the three extra budgets South Korea has passed to contain COVID-19 and the economic slowdown caused by the pandemic.
It is also the single biggest supplementary budget approved, surpassing the 28.4 trillion-won extra budget passed in 2009 amid a global financial crisis.
In March, the chamber passed the first virus response budget totaling 11.7 trillion won, followed by the second 12.2 trillion-won budget approved in April.
On Friday, South Korea reported 63 new daily coronavirus infections, the most in two weeks, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). With the daily addition, the country's total caseload rose to 12,967.
Weighed down by the virus outbreaks, South Korea's economy contracted 1.3 percent in the January-March period from the previous quarter, the worst quarterly drop since the final quarter of 2008, when it shrank by 3.3 percent.
In a bid to further cushion the economic blow from the pandemic, the government plans to spend more than 75 percent of the approved budget within three months.
Holding a press conference earlier in the day, three UFP lawmakers who served as vice finance ministers, including Rep. Yoo Sung-kull, slammed the latest extra budget.
"Through the three rounds of extra budget, the government plans to issue a total of 97.7 trillion won in state bonds this year alone ... turning the burden (of repayment) entirely to future generations," the lawmakers claimed.
Compared to the government's proposal of the budget, the approved budget has 436.7 billion won more earmarked for health, welfare and employment projects.
Meanwhile, the business and energy sectors had a total of 353.5 billion less earmarked for them.
The budget's parliamentary passage came nearly a month after it was proposed to the National Assembly.
The budget bill had remained untouched at the chamber for more than three weeks amid bipartisan wrangling over the formation of parliamentary standing committees for the new assembly whose term started on May 30.
Controlling the hefty majority of 176 seats, the DP took all but one of the 18 standing committee chairman posts Monday in a unilateral plenary session voting, boycotted by the UFP. The same day, DP-controlled standing committees started reviewing the bill before putting it up for the final plenary session voting Friday.
Addressing the Friday plenary session at the beginning, Rep. Lee Eun-ju of the Justice Party said, "The ruling party's unilateral processing (of the budget) worth 35.3 trillion won can hardly avoid criticism."
She said the main opposition party is as accountable as the ruling party after it failed to solve the issue through negotiations.
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-03--U.S. nuclear envoy to visit S. Korea next week: report

The two sides have failed to make progress since their second summit in February 2019 ended abruptly due to differences @ @ @ @ @ Korea 's denuclearization and sanctions relief from the U.S .

WASHINGTON, July 3 (Yonhap) -- The top U.S. envoy for North Korea is due to visit South Korea next week amid stalled denuclearization talks between Washington and Pyongyang, Reuters reported Friday.
Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun will meet with South Korean officials Tuesday, Reuters quoted a government official as saying.
The trip comes after President Moon Jae-in committed to working toward a fourth meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un before the U.S. presidential election in November.
Trump and Kim have met three times to try to reach a deal on dismantling North Korea's nuclear weapons program in exchange for U.S. concessions.
The two sides have failed to make progress since their second summit in February 2019 ended abruptly due to differences over the scope of North Korea's denuclearization and sanctions relief from the U.S.
Biegun said this week that he believes another summit is unlikely before the election, citing COVID-19 as a reason.
But he added there is still time to make "substantial progress."
This file photo shows U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun. (Yonhap)
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)