yna--2020-11-15--(3rd LD) Seoul mulls stricter social distancing as new infections exceed 200 for 2nd day

(ATTN: ADDS 1st photo and prime minister's comment in 5th para)
By Choi Kyong-ae
SEOUL, Nov. 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is mulling strengthening its social distancing rules as the country's daily new coronavirus cases exceeded 200 for a second straight day on Sunday due to cluster infections.
The country added 208 more COVID-19 cases, including 176 local infections, raising the total caseload to 28,546, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said in a statement.
Daily infections stayed in the triple digits for the eighth consecutive day. The cases exceeded 200 for the first time in 73 days with a mark of 205 on Saturday.
Health authorities said they are giving serious consideration to raising the social distancing scheme from Level 1 to Level 1.5 to curb the upward trend in the pandemic.
This photo taken on Nov. 15, 2020, shows Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun delivering a speech at a meeting with quarantine officials at the government complex building in central Seoul. (Yonhap)
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said Sunday that the government has issued a "preliminary warning" for the greater Seoul area and the eastern province of Gangwon ahead of enforcing tougher social distancing measures.
KDCA reported one additional death, raising the total to 493. The fatality rate came to 1.73 percent.
The health agency attributed the sharp growth to chains of cluster infections from private gatherings and public facilities such as hospitals and nursing homes, which made it more complicated for them to identify transmission routes.
Among the locally transmitted cases, Seoul reported 81 cases, and Gyeonggi Province that surrounds the capital city reported 41. The greater Seoul area houses around half of the nation's population.
The country added 32 imported cases. Asian countries accounted for 16 cases, followed by the United States with 10 and Europe with six.
The Asian countries included India, Kuwait, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh and the Philippines, while the European countries included Germany, Poland, France and Hungary.
The number of seriously or critically ill patients came to 56, up two from Friday, while the number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries came to 25,691, up 55 from the previous day.
South Korea has carried out 2,786,878 COVID-19 tests, including 36,378 from Saturday.
This photo taken on Nov. 15, 2020, and provided by the Cheorwon provincial government shows some 100 residents in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, taking coronavirus tests at a local drive-thru clinic after three confirmed cases were reported in the region. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The country saw its number of daily new infections peak at 909 in late February, after a minor church sect in Daegu reported major cluster infections.
The country faced another wave of pandemic in August, with the figure reaching 441 on Aug. 27 due to cases traced to a church in northern Seoul, coupled with an anti-government demonstration.
With signs of a possible slowdown, however, South Korea has kept the Level 1 social distancing scheme under a new five-tier system nationwide since earlier this month, although some cities and provincial governments upped their virus infection prevention measures.
Asan and Cheonan, both located in South Chungcheong Province, adopted tougher measures two weeks ago. Wonju in Gangwon Province and Gwangyang and Suncheon in South Jeolla Province also raised their social distancing schemes to Level 1.5 last week.
Yeosu, located 455 kilometers south of Seoul, is also among the regions that enhanced their guidelines.
Under Level 1, people are required to follow basic guidelines, such as wearing masks, and gatherings of over 500 people are not recommended.
People are still allowed to carry on with most of their daily routines under Level 1.5, but gatherings of 100 or more people are regulated, though not completely banned.
The latest uptick comes as new rules mandating face masks in public places took effect on Friday after a 30-day grace period to better combat the deadly respiratory illness.
To stem the spread of the virus, the country started slapping fines of up to 100,000 won (US$90) on people who fail to wear masks in public places. Rally organizers and operators of public facilities will be fined up to 3 million won if they fail to ensure that users or participants stick to the requirement.
The pandemic, which started in China late last year, has killed more than 1.3 million people worldwide and infected nearly 54 million as of Sunday, according to a tally from Johns Hopkins University.
This photo taken on Nov. 15, 2020, shows people lined up at the National Medical Center in central Seoul to receive coronavirus tests as the country reported more than 200 daily new cases for a second straight day. (Yonhap)
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-15--PM 'seriously' mulls toughening social distancing amid spike in virus cases

SEOUL , Nov. 15 ( Yonhap ) -- Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said Sunday that the government is `` seriously @ @ @ @ @ distancing scheme for the greater Seoul area and the eastern province of Gangwon as new @ @ @ @ @ .

SEOUL, Nov. 15 (Yonhap) -- Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said Sunday that the government is "seriously" considering toughening the social distancing scheme for the greater Seoul area and the eastern province of Gangwon as new coronavirus cases have risen sharply.
During a government anti-pandemic meeting, Chung also said that the government has issued a "preliminary warning" for the two regions ahead of enforcing tougher social distancing measures.
South Korea earlier reported 208 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, the second straight day that the number has exceeded the 200 mark. It also represented the eighth consecutive day that the number has stayed in the triple digits.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-15--Hyundai to launch Genesis GV80 SUV in U.S. within this year

Hyundai launched the GV80 SUV in South Korea in January and plans to introduce the first SUV model with the @ @ @ @ @ as well as other markets such as Australia , Russia and the Middle East in @ @ @ @ @ company spokesman said over the phone .

SEOUL, Nov. 15 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co. said Sunday it will begin the sale of the GV80 SUV under its independent Genesis brand in the United States within this year to support sales despite the coronavirus outbreak.
Hyundai launched the GV80 SUV in South Korea in January and plans to introduce the first SUV model with the Genesis badge in the U.S. as well as other markets such as Australia, Russia and the Middle East in the fourth quarter, a company spokesman said over the phone.
The maker of the Sonata sedan and the Palisade SUV has already received more than 20,000 preorders for the GV80 in the U.S., the world's most important automobile market.
From January to October, Hyundai's U.S. sales fell 11 percent to 500,820 vehicles from 563,450 units in the same period of last year. Hyundai has yet to release Genesis vehicle sales in the U.S. for the same period.
Hyundai sold 21,000 Genesis vehicles in the U.S. last year.
Its overall sales fell 18 percent to 2,991,101 autos in the first 10 months from 3,632,381 in the year-ago period due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vehicle production and sales.
This file photo provided by Hyundai Motor shows the Genesis GV80 SUV. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-15--IHO to decide on new way of naming seas amid East Sea naming row

In its virtual general assembly to be held from Monday through Wednesday , the IHO will announce whether it will @ @ @ @ @ '' an IHO standard for world map production that marked the body of water between @ @ @ @ @ the Sea of Japan , not the East Sea .

SEOUL, Nov. 15 (Yonhap) -- The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) will decide this week on whether to adopt a new way of naming seas that is expected to affect a long-running dispute between South Korea and Japan over what to call the East Sea.
In its virtual general assembly to be held from Monday through Wednesday, the IHO will announce whether it will revise the "S-23," an IHO standard for world map production that marked the body of water between South Korea and Japan as the Sea of Japan, not the East Sea.
The IHO will decide whether to adopt a revision, known as "S-130," that calls for referring to all seas by numbers, rather than specific names, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.
IHO Secretary General Mathias Jonas has proposed the "system of unique numerical identifiers."
Ministry officials said that the proposal has a high chance of passage as many IHO member countries are in support of the idea.
The decision is expected to be available from around 9 p.m. on Monday (Korean time) at the earliest.
South Korea has long campaigned for its own name for the East Sea, or for the use of both names at the same time, arguing that the Sea of Japan is a legacy of Tokyo's imperialistic past, including the 1910-45 colonization of the Korean Peninsula.
The name Sea of Japan was registered in the early 1920s when Korea was a Japanese colony.
These photos that appeared in the Argentine newspaper Weekend on Dec. 12, 2019, and were provided by the Korean Cultural Center based in Argentina show the name change of the sea waters between South Korea and Japan from Sea of Japan to Straits of Korea. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-15--(URGENT) PM mulls toughening social distancing amid increase in virus cases

(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--2020-11-15--(3rd LD) S. Korea signs RCEP trade pact after summit with 14 partner nations

The leaders of the RCEP member states stressed that they still value India 's role in the bloc and reiterated @ @ @ @ @ open to India , '' given its strategic importance as a regional partner in creating @ @ @ @ @ chains .

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; CHANGES photos)
By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Nov. 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korea signed what will be the world's largest free trade agreement on Sunday after concluding related talks during a virtual summit of President Moon Jae-in and leaders of 14 partner countries.
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) involves 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as South Korea, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, and their combined gross domestic product accounts for a third of the world's total.
"We note that the RCEP Agreement is an unprecedented mega regional trading arrangement that comprises a diverse mix of developed, developing and least developed economies of the region," Moon and his counterparts said in their joint statement.
They added, "We believe that RCEP, being the world's largest free trade arrangement, represents an important step forward toward an ideal framework of global trade and investment rules."
South Korean President Moon Jae-in (L) waves to leaders of other nations, with Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee standing next to him, during the signing ceremony of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Nov. 15, 2020. (Yonhap)
The pact calls for eliminating a considerable amount of tariffs on exports of goods.
For instance, a South Korean firm selling automobile parts to Indonesia currently faces as much as 40 percent tariffs, but the rates will be reduced to as low as zero once the RCEP takes effect, according to Cheong Wa Dae.
In particular, the signing of the RCEP deal came as the world is stricken by the COVID-19 pandemic and its adverse economic impact.
The leaders said it "demonstrates our strong commitment to supporting economic recovery, inclusive development, job creation and strengthening regional supply chains as well as our support for an open, inclusive, rules-based trade and investment arrangement."
Cheong Wa Dae described the RCEP signing as a "core result" of the Moon administration's New Southern Policy aimed at improving strategic ties with Southeast Asian nations and also an opportunity for South Korea to become a "pacesetting" economic power.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in, shown on a screen (L), attends the signing ceremony of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), held via video links, at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Nov. 15, 2020. (Yonhap)
Moon said separately that it's meaningful to reach the deal to launch such a "mega economic community," in that it could sound an alarm bell over protectionism and raise awareness on the importance of free trade.
RCEP talks began in 2012. India has dropped out of the negotiations, arguing that China would benefit more from the pact.
The leaders of the RCEP member states stressed that they still value India's role in the bloc and reiterated that "the RCEP remains open to India," given its strategic importance as a regional partner in creating deeper and expanded regional value chains.
The South Korean government plans to speed up domestic procedures for getting the RCEP ratified so that it can go into effect at an early date.
It's the first time that the country has signed a free trade agreement through an online event.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-15--Full text of joint statement adopted at the 4th Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership summit

We also note that the RCEP Agreement is the most ambitious free trade agreement initiated by ASEAN , which contributes @ @ @ @ @ regional frameworks and strengthening ASEAN cooperation with regional partners .
With 20 Chapters , the @ @ @ @ @ modern , comprehensive , high-quality and mutually beneficial agreement , includes areas and disciplines that @ @ @ @ @ the existing free trade agreements between ASEAN and non-ASEAN countries participating in RCEP .
Aside @ @ @ @ @ cover trade in goods and services , and investment , RCEP also includes chapters on @ @ @ @ @ , competition , small and medium enterprises ( SMEs ) , economic and technical cooperation @ @ @ @ @ are confident that the RCEP Agreement would open a vast range of opportunities for businesses @ @ @ @ @ in terms of market access given the level of liberalisation for trade in goods and @ @ @ @

SEOUL, Nov. 15 (Yonhap) -- The following is the full text of the Joint Leaders' Statement on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) adopted on Nov. 15, 2020. It was provided by Cheong Wa Dae.
We, the Heads of State/Government of the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN)–Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and VietNam– Australia, China, Japan, Korea and New Zealand, met virtually on 15 November 2020, on the occasion of the 4th RCEP Summit.
We were pleased to witness the signing of the RCEP Agreement, which comes at a time when the world is confronted with the unprecedented challenge brought about by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic. In light of the adverse impact of the pandemic on our economies, and our people's livelihood and well-being, the signing of the RCEP Agreement demonstrates our strong commitment to supporting economic recovery, inclusive development, job creation and strengthening regional supply chains as well as our support for an open, inclusive, rules-based trade and investment arrangement. We acknowledge that the RCEP Agreement is critical for our region's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and will play an important role in building the region's resilience through inclusive and sustainable post-pandemic economic recovery process.
We note that the RCEP Agreement is an unprecedented mega regional trading arrangement that comprises a diverse mix of developed, developing and least developed economies of the region. As an agreement that would cover a market of 2.2 billion people, or almost 30% of the world's population, with a combined GDP of US$ 26.2 trillion or about 30% of global GDP, and accounts for nearly 28% of global trade (based on 2019 figures), we believe that RCEP, being the world's largest free trade arrangement, represents an important step forward towards an ideal framework of global trade and investment rules.
We also note that the RCEP Agreement is the most ambitious free trade agreement initiated by ASEAN, which contributes to enhancing ASEAN centrality in regional frameworks and strengthening ASEAN cooperation with regional partners. With 20 Chapters, the RCEP Agreement, as a modern, comprehensive, high-quality and mutually beneficial agreement, includes areas and disciplines that were not previously covered in the existing free trade agreements between ASEAN and non-ASEAN countries participating in RCEP. Aside from the specific provisions that cover trade in goods and services, and investment, RCEP also includes chapters on intellectual property, electronic commerce, competition, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), economic and technical cooperation and government procurement. We are confident that the RCEP Agreement would open a vast range of opportunities for businesses located in the region especially in terms of market access given the level of liberalisation for trade in goods and services and investment.
We agreed that the opportunities accruing from the RCEP Agreement and its full potential can only be realised once the Agreement enters into force. Towards this end, we task our officials to expedite respective domestic ratification procedures for the early entry into force of the Agreement, which will take place when at least six ASEAN Member States and three non-ASEAN signatories deposit their instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval with the Agreement's Depositary. We have also asked Ministers to develop RCEP as a platform for dialogue and cooperation on trade and economic issues affecting the region and to report to us regularly.
We are committed to ensuring that RCEP remains an open and inclusive agreement. Further, we would highly value India's role in RCEP and reiterate that the RCEP remains open to India. As one of the 16 original participating countries, India's accession to the RCEP Agreement would be welcome in view of its participation in RCEP negotiations since 2012 and its strategic importance as a regional partner in creating deeper and expanded regional value chains. In this regard, we welcomed the "Ministers' Declaration on India's Participation in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)" affirmed by the RCEP Ministers, as attached.
(END)


yna--2020-11-15--(2nd LD) Moon signs RCEP trade pact after summit with leaders of 14 partner nations

(ATTN: UPDATES with RCEP summit statement from 3rd para)
By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Nov. 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in signed what will be the world's largest free trade agreement on Sunday after concluding related talks during a virtual summit with the leaders of 14 partner countries, Cheong Wa Dae said.
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) involves 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as South Korea, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, and their combined gross domestic product accounts for a third of the world's total.
"We note that the RCEP Agreement is an unprecedented mega regional trading arrangement that comprises a diverse mix of developed, developing and least developed economies of the region," Moon and his counterparts said in their joint statement.
They added, "We believe that RCEP, being the world's largest free trade arrangement, represents an important step forward toward an ideal framework of global trade and investment rules."
This file photo shows South Korean President Moon Jae-in attending an East Asia Summit (EAS) session, held via video links, at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Nov. 14, 2020. (Yonhap)
The pact calls for eliminating a considerable amount of tariffs on exports of goods.
For instance, a South Korean firm selling automobile parts to Indonesia currently faces as much as 40 percent tariffs, but the rates will be reduced to as low as zero once the RCEP takes effect, according to Moon's office.
In particular, the signing of the RCEP deal came as the world is stricken by the COVID-19 pandemic and its adverse economic impact.
The leaders said it "demonstrates our strong commitment to supporting economic recovery, inclusive development, job creation and strengthening regional supply chains as well as our support for an open, inclusive, rules-based trade and investment arrangement."
Cheong Wa Dae described the RCEP signing as a "core result" of the Moon administration's New Southern Policy aimed at improving strategic ties with Southeast Asian nations and also an opportunity for South Korea to become a "pacesetting" economic power.
Moon said separately that it's meaningful to reach the deal to launch such a "mega economic community," in that it could sound an alarm bell over protectionism and raise awareness on the importance of free trade.
RCEP talks began in 2012. India has dropped out of the negotiations, arguing that China would benefit more from the pact.
The leaders of the RCEP member states stressed that they still value India's role in the bloc and reiterated that "the RCEP remains open to India," given its strategic importance as a regional partner in creating deeper and expanded regional value chains.
The South Korean government plans to speed up domestic procedures for getting the RCEP ratified so that it can go into effect at an early date.
It's the first time that the country has signed a free trade agreement through an online event.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-15--(News Focus) RCEP another impetus for export-reliant S. Korea

`` An FTA of such record size will lift uncertainties in the global business environment and promote free trade , @ @ @ @ @ , Industry and Energy said in a statement .
`` This will also help South @ @ @ @ @ weakened multilateralism and localization of the global value chain . ''

By Kang Yoon-seung
SEOUL, Nov 15 (Yonhap) -- Rebuilding multilateralism and overcoming protectionism have been some of the most urgent tasks facing South Korea, which is heavily reliant on exports for its economy, amid the growing trade row between the United States and China along with an unprecedented pandemic.
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), signed by South Korean President Moon Jae-in and his counterparts on Sunday, will help South Korea further boost its outbound shipments.
The China-initiated deal will be officially implemented after winning parliamentary approval from participating states, according to Seoul's trade ministry.
Since 2012, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), along with its dialogue partners -- South Korea, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand -- have been seeking to create the mega free trade agreement, which could create an economic bloc accounting for one-third of the world's gross domestic product.
RCEP represents roughly a quarter of global trade and a third of the global population.
The 15-member strong deal originally sought to include India as well, but New Delhi eventually decided not to join the bloc. Including India would have even paved the way for the countries to create a bloc that includes half of the global population.
"An FTA of such record size will lift uncertainties in the global business environment and promote free trade," the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said in a statement. "This will also help South Korea better cope with the weakened multilateralism and localization of the global value chain."
The ministry pointed out that South Korea's exports to ASEAN, which came to US$38.7 billion in 2007, jumped to a whopping $95.1 billion in 2019 on the back of the South Korea-ASEAN FTA, indicating that RCEP could further help Asia's No. 4 economy expand its presence in Southeast Asia.
In terms of economic size, RCEP beats other regional economic blocs such as the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
In 2019, South Korea's exports to the member nations of USMCA came to $89.8 billion, while those to CPTPP reached $126 billion. They hovered below the $269 billion worth of goods shipped to RCEP nations.
The deal is also significant as it will speed up South Korea's efforts to lower trade barriers amid looming protectionism sparked by the Sino-American economic war coupled with Seoul-Japan trade friction.
The trade row between Washington and Beijing is not likely to end soon, even though U.S. President-elect Joe Biden is widely considered to be more open to free trade compared to the incumbent Donald Trump.
The U.S. may ask Seoul to join the CPTPP in the near future in a move to build its own trade and supply chain network.
South Korea, which depends on the U.S. and China for 40 percent of its exports, has already been making efforts to diversify its trade portfolio and penetrate deeper into Southeast Asian countries.
Seoul and Manila held the fifth round of official negotiations for their FTA in January. Talks with Malaysia have been in progress, and the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Indonesia is awaiting an official signing ceremony as well.
More recently, South Korea launched its FTA negotiations with Cambodia.
"South Korea can seek both bilateral and multilateral approaches in global trade along with RCEP and existing FTAs," the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP) said in a report.
Another notable aspect of RCEP is that it is the first free trade deal to be signed between South Korea and Japan.
The relationship between the two countries has soured recently after Tokyo abruptly regulated exports of key industrial materials to South Korea last year.
The service sector will also enjoy more barrier-free trade compared to existing FTAs, as RCEP provides South Korean entertainment and gaming firms with more overseas market access.
South Korea, meanwhile, plans to maintain high barriers to protect its vulnerable segments under the mega trade deal.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said it will especially maintain high tariffs for fresh produce such as rice, peppers, garlic, onions and apples.
The country's total outbound shipments dipped 3.6 percent in October from a year earlier on fewer working days and virus resurgence, snapping the previous month's brief rebound.
South Korea had enjoyed a 4.5 percent rise in its outbound shipments in February, the first on-year rebound in 14 months, before it suffered full-fledged economic fallout from the pandemic. Exports fell again in March as the number of COVID-19 cases around the globe escalated and the pace of decline further accelerated, plunging 25.5 percent in April and 23.6 percent in May.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-15--(LEAD) Moon signs RCEP trade pact after summit with leaders of 14 partner nations

Moon said it 's meaningful to reach the deal to launch such a `` mega economic community , '' despite @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 pandemic , in that it could sound an alarm bell over protectionism and @ @ @ @ @ of free trade .

(ATTN: UPDATES with details from 4th para; ADDS photo, byline)
By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Nov. 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in signed what will be the world's largest free trade agreement on Sunday after concluding related talks during a virtual summit with the leaders of 14 partner countries, Cheong Wa Dae said.
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) involves 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as South Korea, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, and their combined gross domestic product accounts for a third of the world's total.
The pact calls for eliminating a considerable amount of tariffs on exports of goods.
For instance, a South Korean firm selling automobile parts to Indonesia currently faces as much as 40 percent tariffs, but the rates will be reduced to as low as zero once the RCEP takes effect, according to Moon's office.
This file photo shows South Korean President Moon Jae-in attending an East Asia Summit (EAS) session, held via video links, at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Nov. 14, 2020. (Yonhap)
The "modern, comprehensive, high-quality and mutually beneficial" agreement will also help establish an "open and rules-based trade and investment system" in the region, including the protection of intellectual property rights, it added.
Cheong Wa Dae described the RCEP signing as a "core result" of the Moon administration's New Southern Policy aimed at improving strategic ties with Southeast Asian nations and also an opportunity for South Korea to become a "pacesetting" economic power.
Moon said it's meaningful to reach the deal to launch such a "mega economic community," despite the global crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, in that it could sound an alarm bell over protectionism and raise awareness on the importance of free trade.
RCEP talks began in 2012. India has dropped out of the negotiations, arguing that China would benefit more from the pact.
The government plans to speed up domestic procedures for getting the RCEP ratified so that it can go into effect at an early date.
It's the first time that South Korea has signed a free trade agreement through an online event.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-15--(2nd LD) Seoul mulls stricter social distancing as new infections exceed 200 for 2nd day

The number of seriously or critically ill patients came to 56 , up two from Friday , while the number @ @ @ @ @ after making full recoveries came to 25,691 , up 55 from the previous day .

(ATTN: CHANGES headline and lead; REPLACES 1st photo; ADDS details in paras 4, 9, 18, 20)
By Choi Kyong-ae
SEOUL, Nov. 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is mulling strengthening its social distancing rules as the country's daily new coronavirus cases exceeded 200 for a second straight day on Sunday due to cluster infections.
The country added 208 more COVID-19 cases, including 176 local infections, raising the total caseload to 28,546, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said in a statement.
Daily infections stayed in the triple digits for the eighth consecutive day. The cases exceeded 200 for the first time in 73 days with a mark of 205 on Saturday.
KDCA said it is giving "serious consideration" to raising the social distancing scheme from Level 1 to Level 1.5 to curb the upward trend in the pandemic.
This photo taken on Nov. 15, 2020, and provided by the Cheorwon provincial government shows some 100 residents in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, taking coronavirus tests at a local drive-thru clinic after three confirmed cases were reported in the region. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
KDCA reported one additional death, raising the total to 493. The fatality rate came to 1.73 percent.
Health authorities attributed the sharp growth to chains of cluster infections from private gatherings and public facilities such as hospitals and nursing homes, which made it more complicated for them to identify transmission routes.
Among the locally transmitted cases, Seoul reported 81 cases, and Gyeonggi Province that surrounds the capital city reported 41. The greater Seoul area houses around half of the nation's population.
The country added 32 imported cases. Asian countries accounted for 16 cases, followed by the United States with 10 and Europe with six.
The Asian countries included India, Kuwait, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh and the Philippines, while the European countries included Germany, Poland, France and Hungary.
The number of seriously or critically ill patients came to 56, up two from Friday, while the number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries came to 25,691, up 55 from the previous day.
South Korea has carried out 2,786,878 COVID-19 tests, including 36,378 from Saturday.
The country saw its number of daily new infections peak at 909 in late February, after a minor church sect in Daegu reported major cluster infections.
The country faced another wave of pandemic in August, with the figure reaching 441 on Aug. 27 due to cases traced to a church in northern Seoul, coupled with an anti-government demonstration.
With signs of a possible slowdown, however, South Korea has kept the Level 1 social distancing scheme under a new five-tier system nationwide since earlier this month, although some cities and provincial governments upped their virus infection prevention measures.
Asan and Cheonan, both located in South Chungcheong Province, adopted tougher measures two weeks ago. Wonju in Gangwon Province and Gwangyang and Suncheon in South Jeolla Province also raised their social distancing schemes to Level 1.5 last week.
Yeosu, located 455 kilometers south of Seoul, is also among the regions that enhanced their guidelines.
Under Level 1, people are required to follow basic guidelines, such as wearing masks, and gatherings of over 500 people are not recommended.
People are still allowed to carry on with most of their daily routines under Level 1.5, but gatherings of 100 or more people are regulated, though not completely banned.
The latest uptick comes as new rules mandating face masks in public places took effect on Friday after a 30-day grace period to better combat the deadly respiratory illness.
To stem the spread of the virus, the country started slapping fines of up to 100,000 won (US$90) on people who fail to wear masks in public places. Rally organizers and operators of public facilities will be fined up to 3 million won if they fail to ensure that users or participants stick to the requirement.
The pandemic, which started in China late last year, has killed more than 1.3 million people worldwide and infected nearly 54 million as of Sunday, according to a tally from Johns Hopkins University.
This photo taken on Nov. 15, 2020, shows people lined up at the National Medical Center in central Seoul to receive coronavirus tests as the country reported more than 200 daily new cases for a second straight day. (Yonhap)
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-15--Moon signs RCEP trade pact after summit with leaders of 14 partner nations

Cheong Wa Dae described the signing of the agreement as a `` core result '' of the Moon administration 's @ @ @ @ @ improving strategic ties with Southeast Asian nations and also an opportunity for South Korea to @ @ @ @ @ economic power .

SEOUL, Nov. 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in signed what will be the world's largest free trade agreement on Sunday after concluding related talks during a virtual summit with the leaders of 14 partner countries, Cheong Wa Dae said.
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) involves 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as South Korea, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, and their combined gross domestic product accounts for a third of the world's total.
The pact calls for eliminating a considerable amount of tariffs on exports of goods.
India has dropped out of the negotiations, arguing that China would benefit more from the pact.
Cheong Wa Dae described the signing of the agreement as a "core result" of the Moon administration's New Southern Policy aimed at improving strategic ties with Southeast Asian nations and also an opportunity for South Korea to become a "pacesetting" economic power.
This file photo shows South Korean President Moon Jae-in attending an East Asia Summit (EAS) session, held via video links, at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Nov. 14, 2020. (Yonhap)
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-15--(URGENT) President Moon signs the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership trade pact: Cheong Wa

(URGENT) President Moon signs the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership trade pact: Cheong Wa Dae


yna--2020-11-15--Seoul to begin construction of Ulleung airport this month

`` The travel time between Seoul and Ulleung Island in the East Sea will be dramatically shortened to one hour @ @ @ @ @ airport is built and flights services begin , '' a ministry official said in the @ @

SEOUL, Nov. 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will begin the construction of an airport on Ulleung Island later this month, with an aim to open the country's second island airport in 2025, the transport ministry said Sunday.
The government will inject 665.1 billion won (US$597 million) to build the Ulleung airport with a 1,200 meter-long runway and a passenger terminal. Flight services on 50-seat airplanes will be offered at the airport, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said in a statement.
"The travel time between Seoul and Ulleung Island in the East Sea will be dramatically shortened to one hour from seven hours if the airport is built and flights services begin," a ministry official said in the statement.
The government conducted a feasibility study in 2013 and has recently completed an environmental effects evaluation study. A consortium led by Daelim Industrial Co. plans to break ground for the airport on Nov. 26, it said.
This file photo provided by the transport ministry shows the location of the Ulleung airport on Ulleung Island to be built by 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-17--Service output in major cities, provinces dips in Q3 on virus fallout

Only Seoul -- home to about one-fifth of South Korea 's 51.6 million population -- saw service output rise , @ @ @ @ @ aided by gains in the financial and insurance sectors , according to the data .
@ @ @ @ @ administrative city of Sejong stayed flat .

SEOUL, Nov. 17 (Yonhap) -- Combined service output in major cities and provinces declined 1.7 percent on-year in the third quarter as the new coronavirus outbreak hit the service sector involving face-to-face contact, data showed Tuesday.
Service output in six cities and nine provinces retreated in the July-September period, with Incheon, west of Seoul, suffering the biggest on-year fall with an 11.6 percent decline, according to the data from Statistics Korea.
"Service output contracted on-year in the third quarter, led by declines in production in transport, warehouses, accommodations and food service," the statistics agency said.
The service industry has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic as people refrain from visiting offline shops and having in-person contact out of concerns about virus infections.
Only Seoul -- home to about one-fifth of South Korea's 51.6 million population -- saw service output rise, by 2.2 percent on-year, aided by gains in the financial and insurance sectors, according to the data. Service output generated in the administrative city of Sejong stayed flat.
Retail sales across the nation gained 1.8 percent in the third quarter from a year earlier, due to an increase in non-store, auto and fuel-related sales.
The southern resort island of Jeju reported the sharpest on-year decline of 30.4 percent in retail sales.
Retail sales in the western port city of Incheon and Seoul declined 9.4 percent and 7.8 percent on-year, respectively.
Industrial output across the nation, meanwhile, rose 0.9 percent in the third quarter from a year earlier, according to the data.
This photo, taken on April 29, 2020, shows a sign on the temporary closure of a store in Seoul's shopping district of Myeongdong in central Seoul over the COVID-19 pandemic. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-17--No. of multiple home owners grows by more than 90,000 over past year

The portion of people who have more than two houses accounted for 15.9 percent of the total home owners of @ @ @ @ @ period , up 0.3 percentage point from a year earlier .

SEOUL, Nov. 17 (Yonhap) -- The number of multiple home owners in South Korea grew by more than 90,000 over the past year, data showed Tuesday, amid the government's efforts to curb rising home prices.
The number of multiple home owners reached 2.28 million as of Nov. 1, 2019, up 92,000 from 2.19 million in the same period of last year, according to Statistics Korea.
The tally picked up from a rise of 73,000 posted in the one-year period that ended on Nov. 1, 2018.
The portion of people who have more than two houses accounted for 15.9 percent of the total home owners of 14.3 million in the cited period, up 0.3 percentage point from a year earlier.
In Seoul's posh southern district of Gangnam, the portion of multiple home owners hit the highest of 21.5 percent, according to the data.
In land-starved and densely populated South Korea, owning a home has been long regarded as the main way to augment one's assets.
The government has rolled out a series of comprehensive measures to stem rising home prices, including tax hikes and loan regulations. But the measures have resulted in a only short-term letup in housing prices.
Amid expectations for further gains in home prices, excess liquidity from record-low interest rates has made its way to the property market.
Meanwhile, the number of people who possess one house came to 12.05 million, accounting for 84.1 percent of the total home owners, the statistics agency said.
The number of new first-time home buyers reached 832,000 in the cited period. Of them, the portion of people having one house came to 95.9 percent of the total.
This photo, taken on Nov. 15, 2020, shows apartment buildings in western Seoul. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


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yna--2020-11-17--Unification minister to discuss denuclearization with ex-U.S. defense secretary

`` We also need to explore ways to find a solution to denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula with the new @ @ @ @ @ decided to hold the meeting so that the minister can exchange views with experts , @ @ @ @ @ said .

SEOUL, Nov. 17 (Yonhap) -- Unification Minister Lee In-young will hold a video call with former U.S. Defense Secretary William Perry this week, the ministry said Tuesday, as the incoming U.S. administration of President-elect Joe Biden prepares to take over.
The videoconference, set for Wednesday, comes amid uncertainty over Biden's policy on North Korea.
"We also need to explore ways to find a solution to denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula with the new U.S. administration, so we decided to hold the meeting so that the minister can exchange views with experts," a unification ministry official said.
Perry, who served as defense secretary under President Bill Clinton's administration from 1994-1997, is known for his 1999 proposal for a three-stage resolution to North Korea's weapons of mass destruction, the so-called Perry Process.
Former Defense Secretary William Perry attends a discussion on North Korea's nuclear and missiles programs in Washington on Jan. 9, 2017. Perry said shooting down North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missiles over international waters is one of the ways to disrupt its ICBM tests that the U.S. should consider if new negotiations with Pyongyang break down. (Yonhap)
julesyi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-17--Seoul stocks extend losses late Tue. morning on valuation pressure

The local currency was trading at 1,107.15 won against the U.S. dollar , up 2.15 won from the previous session @ @ @

SEOUL, Nov. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares extended losses late Tuesday morning after hitting a nearly three-year high the previous session, as valuation pressure offset optimism over Moderna's experimental COVID-19 vaccine.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 2.94 points, or 0.12 percent, to 2,540.09 as of 11:20 a.m.
Valuation pressure, along with the unrelenting coronavirus toll, increased investor caution, but strong test results from Moderna's experimental COVID-19 vaccine pegged KOSPI's further loss.
Large caps traded mixed in Seoul.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics shed 0.15 percent, while No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix gained 0.41 percent.
Hyundai Motor, the country's largest carmaker, jumped 2.51 percent, and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors edged up 0.34 percent.
Leading chemical firm LG Chem edged up 0.15 percent, and rechargeable battery maker Samsung SDI advanced 0.32 percent.
Pharmaceutical giant Samsung Biologics added 1.85 percent, but Celltrion slid 0.35 percent.
Internet portal giant Naver fell 1.08 percent, and its rival Kakao dropped 1.1 percent.
Korean Air Lines sank 7.61 percent amid its ongoing takeover deal involving No. 2 carrier Asiana. Hanjin KAL Corp., the parent company of Korean Air, tumbled 7.66 percent. Asiana Airlines spiked 7.72 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,107.15 won against the U.S. dollar, up 2.15 won from the previous session's close.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-17--Korea Shipbuilding bags 986 bln won in orders from Oceania

Three VLCCs will be built by its unit Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co. and seven VLCCs will be built by @ @ @ @ @ Co. , Korea Shipbuilding said in a regulatory filing .

By Nam Kwang-sik
SEOUL, Nov. 17 (Yonhap) -- Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co. said Tuesday that it has signed a combined 986 billion won (US$890.5 million) worth of orders to build 10 very large crude-oil carriers (VLCCs).
Three VLCCs will be built by its unit Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co. and seven VLCCs will be built by its unit Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Korea Shipbuilding said in a regulatory filing.
The 300,000-ton vessels will be delivered by March 2023 to unidentified customers, the company said.
With the deals, Korea Shipbuilding has obtained orders to build 21 VLCCs, taking up 70 percent of the global VLCC market so far this year, the company said.
This photo provided by Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co. on Nov. 9, 2020, shows a crude-oil carrier built by Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
ksnam@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-17--Moon asks for public's cooperation to avoid further tightening of distancing rules

SEOUL , Nov. 17 ( Yonhap ) -- President Moon Jae-in said Tuesday that the decision to enforce stricter distancing @ @ @ @ @ area starting this week was an `` unavoidable '' measure , while asking for the @ @ @ @ @ curb the latest resurgence of new COVID-19 cases .

SEOUL, Nov. 17 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in said Tuesday that the decision to enforce stricter distancing rules in the greater Seoul area starting this week was an "unavoidable" measure, while asking for the people's cooperation to help curb the latest resurgence of new COVID-19 cases.
"It may come as an inconvenience, but it was an unavoidable measure to prevent a further expansion (of new virus transmissions)," Moon said during a weekly Cabinet meeting held at Cheong Wa Dae.
Earlier in the day, the government decided to raise the social distancing level by one notch to 1.5 in the greater Seoul area effective Thursday amid a resurgence of new virus cases in and around the capital.
The president asked for the people to "actively cooperate" with authorities in efforts to help prevent additional infections and further raising of the distancing scheme.
Moon also explained that businesses will meet with restrictions in economic activities due to stricter capacity ceilings. "The government will further raise its attentiveness (against COVID-19)," said Moon.
The president also stated that the government will designate a special disease-control campaign period in order to safely conduct next month's College Scholastic Ability Test, the country's biggest academic event of the year.
The test is slated for Dec. 3, and approximately 480,000 high school seniors and graduates are set to take the exam this year.
President Moon Jae-in speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Nov. 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-17--(2nd LD) Distancing scheme in greater Seoul raised to Level 1.5 amid virus resurgence, effective Thu

(2nd LD) Distancing scheme in greater Seoul raised to Level 1.5 amid virus resurgence, effective Thursday

`` When the level is raised , it will cause inconvenience to the public and bring hardship to small business @ @ @ @ @ know from prior experiences that a bigger crisis will come if we do n't act @ @ @ @ @ , seeking understanding and cooperation from the public .

(ATTN: UPDATES with more details in paras 2, 5-9, last para; ADDS photos)
SEOUL, Nov. 17 (Yonhap) -- The government decided Tuesday to raise the social distancing level by one notch to 1.5 in the greater Seoul area, amid a resurgence of new COVID-19 cases in and around the capital.
The measure will go into effect starting Thursday in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, while it will take effect from Monday in Incheon, given relatively less severe COVID-19 outbreaks in the city.
Incheon's Ganghwa Island and Ongjin County will continue to remain under the Level 1 distancing.
"Antivirus efforts have faced a crisis," Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said during a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters at the government complex in Seoul. "Over the past week, the greater Seoul area had more than a hundred patients a day on average," he said.
Chung attributed the move to the increasing number of elderly patients and a growing figure of transmission reproduction, which is currently at 1.12. The figure represents the number of people a patient is likely to infect.
A pedestrian walks past paintings about COVID-19 on display in Seoul on Nov. 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
The move came as South Korea's coronavirus cases surpassed 200 for the fourth day in a row, with small pockets of infections and community transmission continuing to spread throughout the country.
With the absence of a single, large source of infection, new cases have been spotted at multiple locations and occasions, including an art club with 14 patients, a department store with nine, a family gathering with 19, a restaurant with six, a religious facility with 10 and a cafe with 21.
Since Nov. 8, the country has reported more than 100 daily new infections. On Tuesday, it logged 230 new cases, including 137 in Seoul and adjacent cities, bringing the nation's total caseload to 28,998 since the start of the pandemic.
People wait to get tested for the coronavirus in Songpa Ward, Seoul, on Nov. 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
In the greater Seoul area, which includes the capital, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province, new cases have surpassed 100 for the fifth consecutive day.
Gwangju, southwest of Seoul, reported the second-biggest single-day tally outside the capital region, with 18 new cases, followed by 16 in South Jeolla Province and 13 in Gangwon Province. The city partly tightened antivirus restrictions Sunday for high-risk business establishments and is now considering expanding stricter rules across the city.
Authorities had mulled upping the alert level in Gangwon Province as well but stopped short of doing it.
The government said it will continue monitoring the pandemic situation there, but it will let the provincial government decide whether to enforce broad restrictions.
"When the level is raised, it will cause inconvenience to the public and bring hardship to small business owners, but we do know from prior experiences that a bigger crisis will come if we don't act now," Chung said, seeking understanding and cooperation from the public.
The undated file photo shows a coronavirus testing station. (Yonhap)
The country, which now operates a five-tier virus curbs system, has kept social distancing at Level 1 nationwide.
Under Level 1, people are required to follow basic guidelines, such as wearing masks, and gatherings of over 500 people are not recommended. Under Level 1.5, the operation of multiuse and high-risk facilities will be restricted, and the attendance cap in schools is placed at two-thirds of the total student body.
The number of people allowed to assemble for religious and sports events is limited to 30 percent of full capacity.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun talks during a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters at the government complex in Seoul on Nov. 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-17--(LEAD) Military strengthens social distancing rules in capital, Gangwon regions

A social distancing scheme of Level 1.5 will remain in place for the next two weeks at the units , @ @ @ @ @ to minimize events , business meetings and trips , with visits to nightlife facilities banned @ @ @ @ @ ministry .

(ATTN: UPDATES with more info from 5th para; CHANGES photo)
By Choi Soo-hyang
SEOUL, Nov. 17 (Yonhap) -- The military toughened the social distancing rules for units in the Seoul metropolitan area and the eastern province of Gangwon on Tuesday following a series of coronavirus infections reported in the regions.
A social distancing scheme of Level 1.5 will remain in place for the next two weeks at the units, under which troops are ordered to minimize events, business meetings and trips, with visits to nightlife facilities banned, according to the defense ministry.
Officers in the Gangwon region are subject to stronger rules and ordered to stay home after work during the period, the ministry said.
The toughened measures came as South Korea is struggling to contain the spread of COVID-19, with cluster infections piling up across the country.
On Tuesday, an Army officer, a civilian employee and two Air Force officers were confirmed to have been infected with the virus, raising the total cases reported among the military population to 201.
The Army employee tested positive after coming into contact with a member of a Seoul-based ministry agency handling welfare service for troops who was later confirmed to have been infected with the virus. The Army officer tested positive after coming into contact with the employee.
At an Air Force unit in Seosan, 150 kilometers south of Seoul, an officer tested positive while in self-isolation after a cluster infection was reported at his base.
In Suwon, south of Seoul, an Air Force officer tested positive after his family member was infected with the virus, according to the ministry.
Defense Minister Suh Wook convened an emergency meeting Monday and ordered all troops to strictly follow basic anti-virus rules, such as wearing face masks.
"The minister also ordered commanders of key military facilities to come up with strong anti-virus measures to maintain a watertight readiness posture," deputy ministry spokesperson Col. Moon Hong-sik said during a regular press briefing.
On Tuesday, South Korea's new coronavirus cases hovered above 200 for the fourth day in a row, prompting health authorities to raise social distancing measures by one notch to Level 1.5 in the greater Seoul area effective Thursday.
The country added 230 more COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, bringing the total caseload to 28,999.
This photo, taken on Nov. 16, 2020, shows a gate of the defense ministry headquarters in Seoul. (Yonhap)
scaaet@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-17--N. Korea unlikely to ease border control 'for the time being': ministry official

`` Recently , there was some media speculation that the border closure between the North and China will be lifted @ @ @ @ @ taken tougher virus preventive measures as seen in the politburo meeting , '' the ministry @ @ @ @ @ of anonymity .

SEOUL, Nov. 17 (Yonhap) -- North Korea is unlikely to ease its border restrictions "for the time being" as it appears to remain on high alert against COVID-19 and to be seeking tougher preventive measures, a unification ministry official said Tuesday.
On Monday, the North's state media reported that leader Kim Jong-un held a politburo meeting of the Workers' Party and stressed the need to "keep a high alert, build a tight blocking wall and further intensify the anti-epidemic work."
"Recently, there was some media speculation that the border closure between the North and China will be lifted, but the North has taken tougher virus preventive measures as seen in the politburo meeting," the ministry official told reporters on condition of anonymity.
"Given that other countries are also taking tougher preventive measures amid worries over a resurgence in time for winter, the North is not likely to ease its border closure for the time being," he added.
North Korea has claimed to be coronavirus-free, but it has maintained its tight border closure with China since earlier this year. The prolonged border closure is believed to be taking a toll on its fragile economy already under the stain of global sanctions.
Local media reports recently speculated that the North might be easing or lifting its border restrictions, including the possible resumption of the operation of international trains to and from neighboring China.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-17--Two prosecutors, one prosecutor-turned-lawyer grilled in Lime Asset probe

The rare summons came after Kim Bong-hyun , the former chairman of Star Mobility known as the main financial source @ @ @ @ @ that he spent about 10 million won ( US $ 9,032 ) on July 12 @ @ @ @ @ a drinking party at a southern Seoul bar for the three sitting prosecutors , one @ @ @ @ @ later to become a practicing lawyer , to cover up the Lime scandal and evade @ @

SEOUL, Nov. 17 (Yonhap) -- Two state prosecutors and one prosecutor-turned-lawyer were grilled by the prosecution office earlier this week over allegations that they received red-carpet treatment from a prime suspect behind a snowballing financial fraud scandal involving Lime Asset Management, informed officials said Tuesday.
The rare summons came after Kim Bong-hyun, the former chairman of Star Mobility known as the main financial source for Lime Asset, claimed that he spent about 10 million won (US$9,032) on July 12, 2019, to throw a drinking party at a southern Seoul bar for the three sitting prosecutors, one of whom left the prosecution later to become a practicing lawyer, to cover up the Lime scandal and evade investigations.
Lime Asset, founded in 2012, has been under probe over its alleged cover-up of massive losses and subsequent suspension of fund redemption worth an estimated 1.6 trillion won.
This file graphic provided by Yonhap News TV includes a photo of Kim Bong-hyun, a prime suspect behind the Lime Asset Management scandal. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Kim, under arrest since April on embezzlement charges, made the allegations in a letter from prison released by his lawyers on Oct. 16. In the letter, he also argued that he was introduced to the three prosecutors by an acquaintance and that one of the three later joined a team investigating the Lime scandal.
According to the informed officials at the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors Office, the three people were summoned Sunday to be questioned about Kim's allegations and asked to prove their alibis for July 12, 2019.
The three people reportedly denied being treated by Kim during the prosecution's questioning, with the prosecutor-turned-lawyer telling reporters that he gave a sufficient explanation on his alibi on the alleged date of Kim's drinking party.
Last Friday, prosecutors from the Seoul prosecutors office raided the office and residence of one of the three.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-17--The Korea Interbank Offered Rates (KORIBOR)

SEOUL , Nov. 17 ( Yonhap ) -- The Korea Interbank Offered Rates ( KORIBOR ) as posted by Yonhap @ @ @ @ @ and information arm of Yonhap News Agency , at 11:00 a.m .

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


yna--2020-11-17--E-commerce leader Coupang becomes 3rd-largest employer in S. Korea

Coupang 's head count came to 43,171 as of the end of September this year , the third-highest figure after @ @ @ @ @ and Hyundai Motor Co. 's 68,242 , according to the data from corporate tracker CEO @ @

SEOUL, Nov. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's leading e-commerce operator Coupang became the country's third-largest employer in the third quarter thanks to its increased hiring despite the coronavirus pandemic, data showed Tuesday.
Coupang's head count came to 43,171 as of the end of September this year, the third-highest figure after Samsung Electronics Co.'s 104,723 and Hyundai Motor Co.'s 68,242, according to the data from corporate tracker CEO Score.
Coupang placed fourth in the employment rankings in the second quarter, but the company outstripped home electronics giant LG Electronics Inc. with a workforce of 40,500.
Coupang's advance came as the e-commerce giant newly employed 13,744 workers between February and September despite the start of the COVID-19 outbreak in South Korea in late January.
Hanwha Solutions Corp. was the second-biggest gainer with 3,025 additions over the cited period, followed by Samsung Electronics with 2,895.
Coupang said its workforce rose sharply during the period as it hired more delivery workers, whose number exceeded 10,000 as of the end of July.
(END)


yna--2020-11-17--Chipmakers rally on recovery hopes, foreign buying: analysts

`` We expect to see a 'big cycle ' in the memory market next year on demand recovery and short @ @ @ @ @ Do-yeon , an analyst at Shinhan Investment Financial Investment .
`` There is almost no @ @ @ @ @ the production in 2021 . ''

By Joo Kyung-don
SEOUL, Nov. 17 (Yonhap) -- Share prices in South Korean chipmakers are expected to rise further as investors bet on a recovery in the memory chip market next year, analysts here said Tuesday.
South Korea's two largest chipmakers -- Samsung Electronics Co. and SK hynix Inc. -- have been skyrocketing in recent weeks with foreigners' buying spree.
The two companies continued their rally on the Seoul bourse Tuesday morning as Samsung advanced 0.3 percent and SK hynix jumped 1.53 percent as of 10:30 a.m.
Samsung spiked 4.91 percent to close at 66,300 won on Monday, its highest closing price ever. SK hynix also shot up to a nine-month high of 98,000 won on Monday.
The share price of Samsung was only 56,600 won on Oct. 30, while that of SK hynix was 79,900 won.
Foreigners have been scooping up Samsung stocks in the last eight days. They have net purchased more than 33 million Samsung shares this month.
Foreigners have been also buying SK hynix shares in the last nine days, with their net purchase totaling more than 8 million shares this month.
This image created by Yonhap News TV shows logos of South Korean chipmakers Samsung Electronics Co. and SK hynix Inc. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Analysts said foreign investors are buying local semiconductor stocks as they anticipate a big boom in the memory market next year.
Memory chip prices have been falling in recent quarters as server companies adjust their inventory levels, but analysts believe they will rebound next year.
"We expect to see a 'big cycle' in the memory market next year on demand recovery and short supplies," said Choi Do-yeon, an analyst at Shinhan Investment Financial Investment. "There is almost no memory investment in 2020 for the production in 2021."
Analysts said local chipmakers are still undervalued when it comes to share prices and that gives them more room to grow compared to other companies.
According to a report from KB Securities, share prices of the top eight caps on the KOSPI, excluding Samsung and SK hynix, have jumped more than 80 percent on average from the beginning of the year
But Samsung managed to increase about 20 percent over the period, while SK hynix saw only a 3.5 percent increase from Jan. 2.
"Considering their performance outlook for 2021 and low valuations, this may be a good opportunity for investors to purchase such stocks in the fourth quarter," said Kim Dong-won, an analyst at KB Securities.
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-17--Dining, gathering rules to be tightened in greater Seoul under Level 1.5 distancing

The maximum capacity at these facilities will be reduced to one person per 4 square meters .
Dancing and moving @ @ @ @ @ at entertainment facilities , while door-to-door sales and other forms of direct sales are to @ @ @ @ @ .

SEOUL, Nov. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Koreans in the greater capital area will face stricter social distancing rules under the government's Level 1.5 scheme starting Thursday, including more toughened capacity limits at restaurants and worship services and caps on large gatherings.
Under the government's new five-tier scheme, Level 1.5 is issued in the capital area when new domestic cases average 100 or more per day in the preceding week.
The government's announcement Tuesday of a one-notch increase from Level 1 to 1.5 in greater Seoul came after the average tally reached 99.4 as of midnight Sunday.
People are seen dining together at a restaurant in downtown Seoul on Nov. 16, 2020. (Yonhap)
In addition to the mandatory wearing of masks, Level 1.5 requires tightened social distancing rules at nine types of "priority" facilities and 14 types of "regular" facilities.
The priority facilities are five types of entertainment businesses, such as nightclubs; direct sales booths; karaoke bars; indoor standing-concert halls; and restaurants and cafes.
The maximum capacity at these facilities will be reduced to one person per 4 square meters. Dancing and moving between seats will be banned at entertainment facilities, while door-to-door sales and other forms of direct sales are to be suspended from 9 p.m.
Eating at karaoke bars will be prohibited, and rooms that have been used will reopen 30 minutes later after disinfection.
Restaurants and cafes need to keep a 1-meter distance between tables, fill every other table or seat or install partitions between tables.
Pedestrians are seen walking in downtown Seoul on Nov. 16, 2020. (Yonhap)
The 14 types of regular facilities include internet cafes, private academies, study rooms, wedding halls, funeral homes, movie theaters, concert halls, public bathhouses, hair salons and amusement parks. Limited capacity and spacing between seats are required.
Gatherings of more than 500 people are allowed if they are reported to local authorities and held in compliance with social distancing guidelines.
But rallies and demonstrations, as well as large-scale concerts, festivals and academic events, which involve "high-risk" activities such as chanting and singing, are subject to a cap of under 100 people.
Sports events can admit up to 30 percent of crowd capacity. Worship services can also fill up to 30 percent of seats.
Workplaces are advised to increase the number of people working from home, while high-risk facilities are required to maintain distances between workers and ventilate and disinfect the sites.
Classes at schools must be limited to two-thirds capacity, a requirement that was only advisable under Level 1.
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-17--Samsung Heavy wins 195 bln won order from Oceania

Samsung Heavy has a 46 percent share of the global S-Max oil tanker market , clinching orders to build 12 @ @ @ @ @ that have been ordered globally so far this year .

By Nam Kwang-sik
SEOUL, Nov. 17 (Yonhap) -- Samsung Heavy Industries Co. said Tuesday that it has signed a 195 billion-won order (US$176 million) to build three oil tankers from Oceania.
The S-Max oil tankers will be delivered by January 2023, the company said in a regulatory filing.
The deal has an option to build two additional oil tankers, it said.
Samsung Heavy has a 46 percent share of the global S-Max oil tanker market, clinching orders to build 12 out of 26 oil tankers that have been ordered globally so far this year.
S-Max, or Suez Canal Maximum, refers to 125,000 to 200,000 ton oil tankers that can pass through the Suez Canal with a full cargo.
This photo, provided by Samsung Heavy Industries Co. on Nov. 17, 2020, shows a S-Max oil tanker built by the shipbuilder. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
ksnam@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-17--S. Korean candidate hints at continuing bid for WTO top job

When asked about the possibility that she could take the helm of the WTO , Yoo replied that she `` @ @ @ @ @ consensus-building while making consultations with major nations . ''

SEOUL, Nov. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee on Tuesday hinted that she may not shelve her bid to become the next director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Yoo has failed to drum up landslide support from the WTO's member countries to head the global trade body, with her Nigerian rival, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, standing ahead in a two-way race.
Asked by a radio host about the possibility of her resignation as a candidate, Yoo did not give a direct answer.
Instead, Yoo told a KBS radio program that the two-way race is in the process of selecting a final candidate throughout consensus building.
South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee, who is running for the top post at the World Trade Organization (WTO), speaks during a reception with member nations' ambassadors in Geneva on Oct. 16, 2020. (Yonhap)
When asked about the possibility that she could take the helm of the WTO, Yoo replied that she "will join the process of consensus-building while making consultations with major nations."
The WTO said Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has garnered more support from the WTO's 164 member states than Yoo.
The process to pick the new director-general of the WTO is based on consensus among all member states, meaning a single nation could block either Yoo or Okonjo-Iweala.
The WTO had planned to hold a meeting earlier this month to pick a new head, but the meeting was delayed after the United States blocked the favored candidate.
(END)


yna--2020-11-17--BLACKPINK's 'Ice Cream' racks up 400 mln views on YouTube

The song debuted at No .
13 on Billboard 's main singles chart in September , the highest position ever @ @ @ @ @ group , and remained on the chart for eight weeks .

SEOUL, Nov. 17 (Yonhap) -- K-pop girl group BLACKPINK's music video "Ice Cream" has topped 400 million views on YouTube, its management agency said Tuesday.
The music video hit the milestone around 2 p.m. Monday, some 80 days after its release, according to YG Entertainment.
It is the quartet's 10th music video that has surpassed the 400 million mark on the global video-sharing website.
"Ice Cream," featuring Selena Gomez, is a bubblegum pop track off the band's latest album, titled "The Album."
The song debuted at No. 13 on Billboard's main singles chart in September, the highest position ever attained by a K-pop girl group, and remained on the chart for eight weeks.
BLACKPINK is currently the second most-subscribed global musician on YouTube, with 53.1 million subscribers, following Justin Bieber. The group now has a total of 22 music videos with over 100 million views.
Last week, the quartet was chosen as "the biggest band in the world" on Bloomberg's Pop Star Power Rankings, a first for an Asian musical act.
This photo, provided by YG Entertainment, shows an image celebrating BLACKPINK's new YouTube milestone. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
nyway@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-17--Navy provides facial masks, hand sanitizers to Philippines

`` When the Korean War broke out , the Philippines was the first among Asian countries to send ground forces @ @ @ @ @ young people were sacrificed while fighting to protect the freedom of South Korea , '' @ @ @ @ @ chief of the group , said , vowing to forever remember their sacrifice .

SEOUL, Nov. 17 (Yonhap) -- The Navy provided 10,000 facial masks and 2,000 units of hand sanitizers to the Philippines on Tuesday to express thanks to the country for fighting alongside South Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War, it said.
The Navy's task group on an annual cruise training delivered the antivirus items to the Southeast Asian country's Conrado Yap ship in waters near Manila, according to the military.
The Filipino patrol ship was named after a late Army captain who was killed during the war. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the war's outbreak.
After the delivery, the navies of the two countries conducted joint maritime drills, it said.
The Navy's task group, consisting of the 4,400-ton destroyer Kang Gam-chan and the 10,000-ton logistics support ship Soyang, set sail for a 72-day journey from the southern island of Jeju last month with 540 sailors, including 147 naval cadets, aboard.
The group originally planned to make its first call in Manila, but it was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"When the Korean War broke out, the Philippines was the first among Asian countries to send ground forces to support us. Blooming young people were sacrificed while fighting to protect the freedom of South Korea," R. Adm. Kim Gyeong-cheol, chief of the group, said, vowing to forever remember their sacrifice.
In this file photo, taken on Oct. 14, 2020, and provided by the Navy, its task group on an annual cruise training departs from the southern resort island of Jeju aboard the 4,400-ton destroyer Kang Gam-chan for an annual cruise training. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)
scaaet@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-17--BTS' 'Dynamite' music video tops 600 mln YouTube views

The disco-pop single `` Dynamite '' has been breaking records since its release , garnering three Guinness World Records ( @ @ @ @ @ most viewed YouTube video in 24 hours , the most viewed YouTube music video in @ @ @ @ @ viewed YouTube music video in 24 hours by a K-pop group .

SEOUL, Nov. 17 (Yonhap) -- The music video of "Dynamite," K-pop superstar BTS' latest single, has surpassed 600 million views on YouTube, its agency said Tuesday.
The dance video reached the milestone Monday midnight, nearly three months after it was released on the video-sharing site on Aug. 21, according to Big Hit Entertainment.
It is BTS' ninth video to have achieved the feat, following "DNA," "Boy With Luv," "Fake Love," "MIC Drop Remix," "Fire," "Blood Sweat & Tears" and "Dope."
The disco-pop single "Dynamite" has been breaking records since its release, garnering three Guinness World Records (GWR) titles -- the most viewed YouTube video in 24 hours, the most viewed YouTube music video in 24 hours and the most viewed YouTube music video in 24 hours by a K-pop group.
The septet's first English-language song has been on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for seven straight weeks, including three No. 1 positions.
This image, provided by Big Hit Entertainment on Nov. 17, 2020, shows that BTS' "Dynamite" music video has surpassed 600 million views on YouTube. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-17--S. Korea beat Qatar 2-1 in football friendly in Austria

In the 17th , fellow forward Ahmed Alaaedin had a good look at the net from inside the box and @ @ @ @ @ of the left post .
Three minutes later , Alaaedin controlled the ball on the @ @ @ @ @ the middle for a hard shot , with Gu Sung-yun making a huge save in @ @ @ @

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea scored just 16 seconds after the opening kickoff, as they defeated Qatar 2-1 in a men's football friendly match in Austria on Tuesday for their 500th international victory.
Forward Hwang Hee-chan set a record for the fastest goal in South Korean football history, as he capitalized on an early Qatar miscue at BSFZ Arena Admiral Stadium in Maria Enzersdorf, near Vienna. After Qatar equalized, Hwang Ui-jo netted the go-ahead marker in the 36th.
Hwang Ui-jo of South Korea (R) celebrates his goal against Qatar with teammate Son Heung-min during a friendly football match at BSFZ Arena Admiral Stadium in Maria Enzersdorf, Austria, on Nov. 17, 2020, in this photo provided by the Korea Football Association. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
This was only the second international match for South Korea in 2020, a season turned upside down by the coronavirus pandemic, and their first victory that followed a 3-2 loss to Mexico from Saturday.
The match was played following a COVID-19 outbreak within the South Korean team. Six Korean players tested positive for the virus over the weekend, leaving Paulo Bento's team with only 19 players. According to FIFA regulations, a match may still be played during the pandemic as long as a team has 13 healthy players, including a goalkeeper.
Right after the opening kickoff, Boualem Khoukhi mishandled the ball deep in his own zone and got his pocket picked by Hwang Ui-jo, who rolled the ball to the wide open Hwang Hee-chan. The former Austrian league player scored into the gaping net for one of the easiest goals of his career.
But Qatar regrouped and completely dominated South Korea over the next half hour. Forward Almoez Ali leveled the score in the ninth minute, after receiving a pass from Tarek Salman that split the defense.
Son Heung-min of South Korea (C) is grabbed by Pedro Miguel (L) and Tarek Salman of Qatar during a friendly football match at BSFZ Arena Admiral Stadium in Maria Enzersdorf, Austria, on Nov. 17, 2020, in this photo provided by the Korea Football Association. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
In the 17th, fellow forward Ahmed Alaaedin had a good look at the net from inside the box and rolled his shot just wide of the left post. Three minutes later, Alaaedin controlled the ball on the right wing and cut to the middle for a hard shot, with Gu Sung-yun making a huge save in the Korean net.
Gu had to hold his ground again at the half-hour mark to deny Hassan Al-Haydos a chance to put Qatar ahead.
And it was South Korea that got the second goal, as friends Son Heung-min and Hwang Ui-jo connected for a second straight match.
Lee Jae-sung of South Korea (C) avoids the tackle by Tarek Salman of Qatar (L) during a friendly football match at BSFZ Arena Admiral Stadium in Maria Enzersdorf, Austria, on Nov. 17, 2020, in this photo provided by the Korea Football Association. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
On the left flank, midfielder Lee Jae-sung sent Son in deep with a deft through ball, and Son sent a low cross for Hwang, who redirected the pass into the net.
Son also set up Hwang for South Korea's first goal against Mexico.
South Korea looked porous on defense at times in the first half, and their midfielders had difficulty against Qatar's quick transition.
The backline got its act together in the second half and the offense also looked crisper, though they failed to add to their narrow lead.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) announced before the kickoff that infected players and team medical staff will be flown back home on a chartered flight. They're currently being quarantined in their hotel rooms in Vienna.
Hwang Hee-chan of South Korea (C) battles Abdelkarim Hassan of Qatar (R) for the ball during a friendly football match at BSFZ Arena Admiral Stadium in Maria Enzersdorf, Austria, on Nov. 17, 2020, in this photo provided by the Korea Football Association. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-17--(LEAD) No. 8 hitter goes deep, slugger collects 4 hits in Dinos' Korean Series win

Altherr started the year batting either second or cleaup , but his batting average dipped to .182 on May 15 @ @ @ @ @ Manager Lee Dong-wook made a bold move to move Altherr down to No .
8 @ @ @ @ @ reserved for the worst hitter on a team -- and in his first game there @ @ @ @ @ a home run and three RBIs .

(ATTN: RECASTS slug, headline; ADDS comments, details throughout, photos)
By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 17 (Yonhap) -- The most dangerous No. 8 hitter in South Korean baseball launched the first home run of the Korean Series on Tuesday, helping his team to an opening victory in the process.
Aaron Altherr of the NC Dinos delivered a three-run blast against the Doosan Bears in the bottom of the fourth inning in Game 1 of the Korean Series. His shot off the starter Raul Alcantara cleared the fence in left-center field at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul and gave the Dinos a 4-0 lead. They held on for a 5-3 victory.
Aaron Altherr of the NC Dinos hits a three-run home run against the Doosan Bears in the bottom of the fourth inning of Game 1 of the Korean Series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
Altherr signed with the Dinos last winter, with the expectations that he, like most other foreign hitters in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), would bat in the middle of the lineup. Only in 2017, Altherr had 19 homers in 107 games for the Phildelphia Phillies.
Altherr started the year batting either second or cleaup, but his batting average dipped to .182 on May 15, after 13 games. Manager Lee Dong-wook made a bold move to move Altherr down to No. 8 spot -- a place usually reserved for the worst hitter on a team -- and in his first game there, Altherr went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs.
He spent most of the remainder of the season either in the eighth or seventh spot. Altherr finished with 31 home runs and 108 RBIs, and he produced 17 homers and 52 RBIs as the No. 8 hitter.
Aaron Altherr of the NC Dinos hits a three-run home run against the Doosan Bears in the bottom of the fourth inning of Game 1 of the Korean Series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
Altherr gave the bottom third of the Dinos' order an additional threat, while sluggers Na Sung-bum and Yang Eui-ji did their things from the heart of the lineup. Together, they became the first trio of teammates with at least 30 home runs and 100 RBIs in the same season.
Manager Lee stuck to the same approach for Tuesday's Game 1. Na and Yang batted third and cleaup, and Altherr batted eighth, with Lee hoping he could keep providing the spark.
After Na knocked in the game's first run with the first of his four hits, Altherr got that big bomb off Alcantara after drilling a 3-2 forkball.
The blast loomed large, as the Bears cut it to 4-3 after six innings before the Dinos got an insurance run in the bottom eighth for a two-run victory.
Though Altherr was named the Player of the Game, he didn't attend the award cereomony or come into a postgame press conference because he refused to wear a mask.
The Dinos said Altherr has trouble breathing when he tries to speak before a crowd while wearing a mask.
During the coronavirus pandemic, all KBO postseason participants must wear masks for official functions such as pregame and postgame pressers.
Na Sung-bum, who had half of his team's eight hits, did come in for his postgame presser and discussed finally solving Doosan starter Raul Alcantara.
Na Sung-bum of the NC Dinos hits an RBI single against the Doosan Bears in the bottom of the first inning of Game 1 of the Korean Series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
Na went 0-for-9 against the right-hander with six strikeouts during the regular season, but was 3-for-3 against him Tuesday.
"I think I was lucky I got a few pitches to hit. And after getting a hit in my first at-bat, I was able to swing with confidence the rest of the game," Na said. "I am happy that I helped the team win. I reached base four times and scored a run. I feel great."
Na was a member of the 2016 Dinos that got swept by the Bears in the Korean Series. He said times have changed and the Dinos have the necessary experience to get the job done this time.
Na is expected to be posted after this season for interested major league clubs. Represented by uber-agent Scott Boras, Na is certain to attract attention in the winter.
The entire Korean Series will be broadcast live on ESPN, giving Na exposure to the U.S. audience through the sports cable giant.
"I only heard after the game that it was on ESPN," Na said. "It's always better to play well than not when we're on ESPN."
Na Sung-bum of the NC Dinos celebrates his double against the Doosan Bears in the bottom of the eighth inning of Game 1 of the Korean Series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-17--(LEAD) Dinos beat Bears 5-3 to open Korean Series

With runners at second and third , Park Kun-woo chopped a grounder to third baseman Park Sok-min , who could @ @ @ @ @ of his glove when he tried to throw to first .
Park Sei-hyok scored easily @ @ @ @ @ was safe at first .

(ATTN: ADDS photo, comments, details throughout)
By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 17 (Yonhap) -- Aaron Altherr smacked a three-run home run and Na Sung-bum had four hits, as the NC Dinos defeated the Doosan Bears 5-3 to open the Korean Series on Tuesday.
Starter Drew Rucinski gave up three runs -- two unearned -- in 5 1/3 innings for the victory at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, with the bullpen holding off the Bears.
Game 1 winners have gone on to win 27 out of the past 36 Korean Series, not counting the 1982 series when the opening game ended in a tie.
Game 2 is back at the dome at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Aaron Altherr of the NC Dinos celebrates after hitting a three-run home run against the Doosan Bears in the bottom of the fourth inning of Game 1 of the Korean Series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
The Dinos are trying to win their first Korean Series title in their second trip. In 2016, they got swept in four straight games by the Bears. Tuesday's win was the first Korean Series victory in Dinos' franchise history.
"I think we've evolved into a team that can win a lot of games in the Korean Series," said NC manager Lee Dong-wook, who was a coach on that 2016 runner-up team. "I think individual players have also grown up as well."
The Dinos opened the scoring in the bottom first while barely breaking a sweat. Park Min-woo led off with a double against starter Raul Alcantara, and reached third on a sacrifice bunt. Na Sung-bum then drove him home with a single to left.
Na had gone 0-for-9 with six strikeouts against Alcantara during the regular season.
The Dinos broke things open with one swing of the bat by Altherr in the bottom fourth.
Alcantara nailed two batters, and then Altherr made him pay for the shoddy control by drilling a 3-2 pitch over the left-center wall for a three-run homer.
The Bears rallied with a run in the top fifth, though they could have had much more.
Na Sung-bum of the NC Dinos celebrates after hitting an RBI single against the Doosan Bears in the bottom of the first inning of Game 1 of the Korean Series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
With runners at second and third, Park Kun-woo chopped a grounder to third baseman Park Sok-min, who couldn't get the ball out of his glove when he tried to throw to first. Park Sei-hyok scored easily from third and Park Kun-woo was safe at first.
Rucinski walked the next batter to load the bases for Jose Miguel Fernandez, and the right-hander cleaned up his own mess.
Fernandez hit a soft comebacker back to Rucinski, who turned to second to start a double play but decided to come home to get the force. Catcher Yang Eui-ji then quickly threw to first and nabbed the slow-footed Fernandez to complete the inning-ending double play.
The Bears clawed back further in the top sixth. A single and an error had runners at first and second for Park Sei-hyok, who doubled to deep center and brought home a run that made it a 4-2 game.
Drew Rucinski of the NC Dinos pitches against the Doosan Bears in Game 1 of the Korean Series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
The hit knocked Rucinski out of the game, and Kim Jae-ho hit a sacrifice fly off new pitcher Kim Jin-sung to get the Bears within one at 4-3.
The Dinos gave themselves some breathing room in the bottom eight. Na led off with a double, for his fourth hit of the night, and two batters later, Park Sok-min brought him home with a sacrifice fly that put the Dinos up 5-3.
In a battle of bullpens, the Dinos used five relievers to record the final 11 outs. Closer Won Jong-hyan sat down the last three batters for a save.
NC manager Lee Dong-wook said Park Min-woo's double to start the game set the tone, and Rucinski did a fine job wiggling out of early jams.
This was the Dinos' first game since their regular season finale on Oct. 31. They earned a bye to the Korean Series after posting the best record in the regular season, and Lee revealed his batters didn't look so sharp during scrimmages leading up to the series.
"They told me they were trying to peak for the Korean Series and that I should trust them," Lee said. "And I think they were working at their own pace and really taking care of business."
NC Dinos' players celebrate their 5-3 victory over the Doosan Bears in Game 1 of the Korean Series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
The Bears' relievers did their part, holding the Dinos to one hit and one run over the final three innings, but their bats couldn't get over the final hump.
The Bears grounded into three double plays, two by Fernandez. Oh Jae-il, who has looked lost so far in the postseason, went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts and reached once on an error.
Doosan manager Kim Tae-hyoung said he didn't think Fernandez hit poorly and he was just unlucky with the two double play balls.
As for Oh, Kim said he didn't have viable pinch-hitting options on the bench. Oh batted with a man aboard in all four trips to the plate, and didn't get one hit out of those opportunities.
"With runners on, he's the guy to use because he still has some pop," Kim said. "I wasn't going to pinch-hit for him, but I'll have to think about it (for future games) because he just isn't making any contact with the ball."
Members of the NC Dinos erupt in their dugout after Aaron Altherr's three-run home run against the Doosan Bears in the bottom of the fourth inning of Game 1 of the Korean Series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-17--Young lefty looking to give Dinos commanding lead in Korean Series

Flexen , too , had an injury-plagued regular season but has been the most dominant pitcher in the postseason so @ @ @ @ @ voted the MVP of the previous series against the KT Wiz , after tossing 10 @ @ @ @ @ with 13 strikeouts in two games .
He struck out 11 in 7 1/3 innings @ @ @ @ @ 9 and then pitched three shutout innings for a save in the clinching Game 4 @ @ @ @ @ be pitching on four days ' rest .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 17 (Yonhap) -- Left-hander Koo Chang-mo will try to give the NC Dinos a 2-0 lead over the Doosan Bears in the Korean Series on Wednesday.
Following the Dinos' 5-3 victory in Game 1 of the series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Tuesday, Koo was announced as the starter for the second game of the best-of-seven set.
The Bears will counter with right-hander Chris Flexen, hoping he'll be able to continue his impressive postseason run and tie the series.
In this file photo from Oct. 24, 2020, Koo Chang-mo of the NC Dinos pitches against the LG Twins in the top of the sixth inning of a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Changwon NC Park in Changwon, 400 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)
Koo went 9-0 in 14 starts and one relief appearance with a 1.74 ERA in the regular season. After enjoying a dominant first half, Koo missed most of the second half of the year with forearm trouble. Koo faced the Bears just once, on May 20, and got a no-decision after holding them to a run over eight innings and striking out seven.
Koo was shut down on July 26 and missed all of August and September. He returned to action with a relief appearance on Oct. 24 and made one final start six days later.
Flexen, too, had an injury-plagued regular season but has been the most dominant pitcher in the postseason so far. The American was voted the MVP of the previous series against the KT Wiz, after tossing 10 1/3 innings of two-run ball with 13 strikeouts in two games. He struck out 11 in 7 1/3 innings in Game 1 on Nov. 9 and then pitched three shutout innings for a save in the clinching Game 4 last Friday. He will be pitching on four days' rest.
In three regular season starts against the Dinos, Flexen had a 0-1 record and a 3.00 ERA. In 18 innings, Flexen struck out 22 but also served up three home runs -- more than any other team he faced this year.
NC cleanup Yang Eui-ji had one of those home runs off Flexen and had two other hits in nine at-bats. Park Min-woo, who bats near the top of the NC lineup, batted 5-for-10 against Flexen.
Flexen held slugger Aaron Altherr hitless in seven at-bats and struck him out five times. Altherr was the start of Game 1, when he launched a three-run home run.
Chris Flexen of the Doosan Bears pitches against the KT Wiz in the top of the seventh inning of Game 4 of the second round in the Korea Baseball Organization postseason at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 13, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-17--Dinos beat Bears 5-3 to open Korean Series

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 17 (Yonhap) -- Aaron Altherr smacked a three-run home run and Na Sung-bum had four hits, as the NC Dinos defeated the Doosan Bears 5-3 to open the Korean Series on Tuesday.
Starter Drew Rucinski gave up three runs -- two unearned -- in 5 1/3 innings for the victory at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, with the bullpen holding off the Bears.
Game 1 winners have gone on to win 27 out of the past 36 Korean Series, not counting the 1982 series when the opening game ended in a tie.
Game 2 is back at the dome at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Aaron Altherr of the NC Dinos celebrates after hitting a three-run home run against the Doosan Bears in the bottom of the fourth inning of Game 1 of the Korean Series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
The Dinos are trying to win their first Korean Series title in their second trip. In 2016, they got swept in four straight games by the Bears. Tuesday's win was the first Korean Series victory in Dinos' franchise history.
The Dinos opened the scoring in the bottom first while barely breaking a sweat. Park Min-woo led off with a double against starter Raul Alcantara, and reached third on a sacrifice bunt. Na Sung-bum then drove him home with a single to left.
Na had gone 0-for-9 with six strikeouts against Alcantara during the regular season.
The Dinos broke things open with one swing of the bat by Altherr in the bottom fourth.
Alcantara nailed two batters, and then Altherr made him pay for the shoddy control by drilling a 3-2 pitch over the left-center wall for a three-run homer.
The Bears rallied with a run in the top fifth, though they could have had much more.
Na Sung-bum of the NC Dinos celebrates after hitting an RBI single against the Doosan Bears in the bottom of the first inning of Game 1 of the Korean Series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
With runners at second and third, Park Kun-woo chopped a grounder to third baseman Park Sok-min, who couldn't get the ball out of his glove when he tried to throw to first. Park Sei-hyok scored easily from third and Park Kun-woo was safe at first.
Rucinski walked the next batter to load the bases for Jose Miguel Fernandez, and the right-hander cleaned up his own mess.
Fernandez hit a soft comebacker back to Rucinski, who turned to second to start a double play but decided to come home to get the force. Catcher Yang Eui-ji then quickly threw to first and nabbed the slow-footed Fernandez to complete the inning-ending double play.
The Bears clawed back further in the top sixth. A single and an error had runners at first and second for Park Sei-hyok, who doubled to deep center and brought home a run that made it a 4-2 game.
Drew Rucinski of the NC Dinos pitches against the Doosan Bears in Game 1 of the Korean Series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
The hit knocked Rucinski out of the game, and Kim Jae-ho hit a sacrifice fly off new pitcher Kim Jin-sung to get the Bears within one at 4-3.
The Dinos gave themselves some breathing room in the bottom eight. Na led off with a double, for his fourth hit of the night, and two batters later, Park Sok-min brought him home with a sacrifice fly that put the Dinos up 5-3.
In a battle of bullpens, the Dinos used five relievers to record the final 11 outs. Closer Won Jong-hyan sat down the last three batters for a save.
The Bears' relievers did their part, holding the Dinos to one hit and one run over the final three innings, but their bats couldn't get over the final hump.
Members of the NC Dinos erupt in their dugout after Aaron Altherr's three-run home run against the Doosan Bears in the bottom of the fourth inning of Game 1 of the Korean Series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-17--KBO's most feared No. 8 hitter goes deep in Korean Series debut

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 17 (Yonhap) -- The most dangerous No. 8 hitter in South Korean baseball launched the first home run of the Korean Series on Tuesday, helping his team to an opening victory in the process.
Aaron Altherr delivered a three-run blast against the Doosan Bears in the bottom of the fourth inning in Game 1 of the Korean Series. His shot off the starter Raul Alcantara cleared the fence in left-center field at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul and gave the Dinos a 4-0 lead. They held on for a 5-3 victory.
Aaron Altherr of the NC Dinos hits a three-run home run against the Doosan Bears in the bottom of the fourth inning of Game 1 of the Korean Series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
Altherr signed with the Dinos last winter, with the expectations that he, like most other foreign hitters in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), would bat in the middle of the lineup. Only in 2017, Altherr had 19 homers in 107 games for the Phildelphia Phillies.
Altherr started the year batting either second or cleaup, but his batting average dipped to .182 on May 15, after 13 games. Manager Lee Dong-wook made a bold move to move Altherr down to No. 8 spot -- a place usually reserved for the worst hitter on a team -- and in his first game there, Altherr went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs.
He spent most of the remainder of the season either in the eighth or seventh spot. Altherr finished with 31 home runs and 108 RBIs, and he produced 17 homers and 52 RBIs as the No. 8 hitter.
Aaron Altherr of the NC Dinos hits a three-run home run against the Doosan Bears in the bottom of the fourth inning of Game 1 of the Korean Series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
Altherr gave the bottom third of the Dinos' order an additional threat, while sluggers Na Sung-bum and Yang Eui-ji did their things from the heart of the lineup. Together, they became the first trio of teammates with at least 30 home runs and 100 RBIs in the same season.
Manager Lee stuck to the same approach for Tuesday's Game 1. Na and Yang batted third and cleaup, and Altherr batted eighth, with Lee hoping he could keep providing the spark.
After Na knocked in the game's first run with the first of his four hits, Altherr got that big bomb off Alcantara after drilling a 3-2 forkball.
The blast loomed large, as the Bears cut it to 4-3 after six innings before the Dinos got an insurance run in the bottom eighth for a two-run victory.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)