yna--2020-02-07--Top headlines in major S. Korean newspapers

Korean-language dailies -- Those who show symptoms of coronavirus will be subject to tests : health authorities ( Kyunghyang Shinmun @ @ @ @ @ patient stayed for 4 days in Shinchon , Seoul ( Kookmin Daily ) -- 18 @ @ @ @ @ cases are from Seoul and metropolitan areas ( Donga llbo ) -- Coronavirus cases spread @ @ @ @ @ Shinmun ) -- Coronavirus cases spread fast amid lack of quarantine efforts ( Segye Times @ @ @ @ @ possible in apartments , churches , workplaces ( Chosun Ilbo ) -- 23rd confirmed virus @ @ @ @ @ stay in Seoul ( JoongAng Ilbo ) -- 23rd confirmed virus patient from Wuhan tested @ @ @ @ @ Seoul ( Hankyoreh ) -- Coronavirus cases spread at increasing rate in local communities ( @ @ @ @ @ halves tariffs on US $ 75 bln of U.S. imports amid coronavirus woes ( Maeil @ @ @ @ @ Air to sell property , non-core assets for financial health ( Korea Economic Daily )

SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- The following are the top headlines in major South Korean newspapers on Feb. 7.
Korean-language dailies
-- Those who show symptoms of coronavirus will be subject to tests: health authorities (Kyunghyang Shinmun)
-- 23rd confirmed coronavirus patient stayed for 4 days in Shinchon, Seoul (Kookmin Daily)
-- 18 out of 23 confirmed coronavirus cases are from Seoul and metropolitan areas (Donga llbo)
-- Coronavirus cases spread at increasing rate (Seoul Shinmun)
-- Coronavirus cases spread fast amid lack of quarantine efforts (Segye Times)
-- Infection of coronavirus possible in apartments, churches, workplaces (Chosun Ilbo)
-- 23rd confirmed virus patient tested positive after 2-week stay in Seoul (JoongAng Ilbo)
-- 23rd confirmed virus patient from Wuhan tested positive after 2-week stay in Seoul (Hankyoreh)
-- Coronavirus cases spread at increasing rate in local communities (Hankook Ilbo)
-- China halves tariffs on US$75 bln of U.S. imports amid coronavirus woes (Maeil Business Newspaper)
-- Korean Air to sell property, non-core assets for financial health (Korea Economic Daily)
English-language dailies
-- Virus infects 4 more in Korea, 2 patients released (Korea JoongAng Daily)
-- New coronavirus cases appear at increasing rate (Korea Herald)
-- Korea should brace for more virus infections (Korea Times)
(END)


yna--2020-02-07--Esper: 'Rogue states' like Iran, N. Korea demand constant vigilance

The secretary added that recent U.S. action against Iran sent the message that Washington will not stand idly by when @ @ @ @ @ threatened .

By Lee Haye-ah
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Thursday that "rogue states" like Iran and North Korea demand the United States' constant vigilance.
Esper made the comment as he discussed the Trump administration's National Defense Strategy, which was released in January 2018.
He said the strategy is designed to help the U.S. maintain a competitive advantage over adversaries such as China and Russia.
"Both countries have violated the sovereignty of their neighbors and routinely used coercive strategies against smaller states to gain strategic advantages," Esper told a discussion at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
"We also face continued threats from rogue states like Iran and North Korea that require our constant, constant vigilance," he said, using a word -- rogue -- that has typically angered Pyongyang.
The secretary added that recent U.S. action against Iran sent the message that Washington will not stand idly by when its troops and interests are threatened.
Tensions between the U.S. and North Korea have continued amid the regime's threats early this year to showcase a "new strategic weapon" and take "shocking actual action."
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un also said in the New Year's message that he no longer feels bound to his self-imposed moratorium on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests.
This Reuters file photo shows U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. (Yonhap)
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-07--S. Korea blown out by Spain to start Olympic women's hoops qualifying tournament

Spain scored the first 11 points of the third quarter to put the game even further out of South Korea @ @ @ @ @ only got its first bucket of the third with 4:26 remaining and had just seven @ @ @ @ @

BELGRADE, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea was routed by Spain 83-46 to open its Olympic women's basketball qualifying tournament here on Thursday.
After putting up 16 points in the opening 10 minutes, world No. 19 South Korea was held to 16 points combined in the next two quarters, as third-ranked Spain enjoyed a breezy victory at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in the Serbian capital.
South Korea will next face Britain (No. 18) on Saturday and finish the tournament against China (No. 8) on Sunday.
In this EPA photo, Park Ji-su of South Korea (R) tries to dribble past Laura Nicholls of Spain during their women's Olympic basketball qualifying game at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in Belgrade on Feb. 6, 2020. (Yonhap)
This is one of four qualifying tournaments for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Each tournament features four teams, and the top three will punch their tickets to Japan this summer.
South Korea hasn't played in the Olympics since 2008.
Against Spain, South Korea didn't score until more than three minutes into the game and committed five turnovers in the first five minutes. But some dogged zone defense limited Spain to just 37.5 percent shooting in the opening quarter, as South Korea found itself down only 19-16.
But Spain began the second quarter on a 7-0 run, and a three-point play by Laura Gil with 5:46 left gave Spain a 31-20 cushion, its largest lead to that point.
South Korea went only 3-of-14 from the field and got outscored 24-9 in the second quarter.
Spain scored the first 11 points of the third quarter to put the game even further out of South Korea's reach. South Korea only got its first bucket of the third with 4:26 remaining and had just seven points in that frame.
South Korea entered the fourth trailing 63-32, and it was all garbage time the rest of the way. South Korean head coach Lee Moon-kyu emptied his bench and rested his regulars for more winnable games on the horizon.
Guard Park Hye-jin led South Korea with 17 points off the bench. Starting center Park Ji-su had 10 points and four rebounds while sitting out the fourth quarter.
Leonor Rodriguez paced Spain's balanced attack with 14 points.
In this EPA photo, Bae Hye-yoon of South Korea (L) grabs Silvia Dominguez of Spain during their women's Olympic basketball qualifying game at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in Belgrade on Feb. 6, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


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yna--2020-02-06--S. Korean You Young in 3rd place after short program at Four Continents

You 's only blemish came with her first jump element , triple axel , as she was wobbly on the @ @ @ @ @ on both feet .
But she regrouped to cleanly execute her next element , triple @ @ @ @ @ and was her usual , solid self with spins and step sequences .

SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's You Young ranked third after Thursday's short program in the ladies' singles at the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, putting herself in contention for the country's first medal in the annual event in 11 years.
You Young of South Korea performs her short program in the ladies' singles at the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships at Mokdong Ice Rink in Seoul on Feb. 6, 2020. (Yonhap)
You scored 73.55 points at Mokdong Ice Rink in Seoul, her second-highest short program score of the season. The 15-year-old trails the leader, Rika Kihira of Japan, by 7.63 points heading into Saturday's free skate.
Bradie Tennell of the United States is in second place with 75.93 points. Kaori Sakamoto of Japan is 0.48 point back of You in fourth.
The Four Continents features skaters from Asia, Africa, Oceania and the Americas. Kim Yu-na, the 2009 ladies' singles champion, remains the only South Korean medalist at this competition, which began in 1999.
You's only blemish came with her first jump element, triple axel, as she was wobbly on the finish and ended up landing on both feet. But she regrouped to cleanly execute her next element, triple lutz-triple toe loop combination, and was her usual, solid self with spins and step sequences.
There were two other South Koreans in action in the ladies' singles Thursday. Lim Eun-soo was in sixth place after posting her season-best 68.40 points, and Kim Ye-lim was right behind Lim in seventh with 68.10 points.
You Young of South Korea performs her short program in the ladies' singles at the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships at Mokdong Ice Rink in Seoul on Feb. 6, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--(LEAD) Top Chinese envoy clarifies remarks on S. Korea's travel ban

The remark was seen by some as an expression of displeasure with the entry ban , as it came at @ @ @ @ @ been campaigning against unnecessary travel restrictions over the virus .
Some critics even portrayed the @ @ @ @ @ .

(ATTN: ADDS more info at bottom)
By Kim Seung-yeon
SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming on Thursday clarified his refusal earlier this week to talk about Seoul's entry ban on visitors to the Chinese epicenter of the new coronavirus outbreak after the remark sparked criticism about his attitude.
On Tuesday, Xing said in his first press conference after taking office as ambassador to Seoul that he would not evaluate the South Korean government's decision to temporarily ban the entry of people who have visited the city of Wuhan over the past two weeks.
The remark was seen by some as an expression of displeasure with the entry ban, as it came at a time when Beijing has been campaigning against unnecessary travel restrictions over the virus. Some critics even portrayed the remark as a diplomatic gaffe.
But on Thursday, Xing said that was not his intention.
"I meant that as an ambassador of a foreign country, I am not in a position to publicly assess measures taken by the hosting country," Xing told reporters after arriving at Seoul's foreign ministry earlier in the day for a meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Kim Gunn.
"I am an ambassador who has a warm heart for South Koreans. I'd appreciate it if you believed that," he said.
Xing also stressed that bilateral efforts between Seoul and Beijing have been under way "through various channels to communicate and to contain, manage and overcome the coronavirus."
"Things are getting much better now. Top-tier scientists say that the situation will be brought under control within a week or the next 10 days," he said.
During the meeting with Kim, the deputy foreign minister, Xing thanked Seoul for its assistance in helping to fight the virus and explained Beijing's efforts to contain the disease, the foreign ministry said in a release.
Kim, in response, offered his condolences regarding Chinese citizens who have died from the virus and expressed hope for the current crisis to be swiftly resolved. He also asked for China's continued cooperation in efforts to secure the safety of South Korean citizens in the neighboring country, the ministry said.
Xing is set to present his credentials to President Moon Jae-in on Friday, along with Japan's new top envoy, Koji Tomita.
Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming walks into the foreign ministry building in Seoul on Jan. 31, 2020. (Yonhap)
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--S. Korea advance to final playoff in Olympic women's football qualifying

In the playoff , those two teams will be joined by the top two seeds from Group B , which @ @ @ @ @ , China , Chinese Taipei and Thailand .
The two-legged playoff will pit the Group @ @ @ @ @ B runner-up , and the Group B winner against the Group A runner-up , on @ @ @ @ @ .
The two victorious nations will punch their tickets to Tokyo .

SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea have reached the final stage in their Olympic women's football qualifying campaign.
The Taeguk Ladies advanced to the Asian qualifying playoff for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Thursday without even playing in the third round on the southern island of Jeju. In the lone Group A match of the day, Vietnam defeated Myanmar 1-0, a result that ensured Vietnam and South Korea will finish in the top two in the group and compete in the playoff in March.
In this file photo from Feb. 2, 2020, South Korean players high-five head coach Colin Bell after beating Myanmar 7-0 in the teams' Group A match in the third round of the Asian qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics at Jeju World Cup Stadium in Seogwipo, Jeju Island. (Yonhap)
Myanmar lost to South Korea 7-0 on Monday and have been eliminated from contention.
South Korea and Vietnam, 20th and 32nd in the latest FIFA rankings, will square off at 3 p.m. Sunday with the top seed in Group A on the line.
In the playoff, those two teams will be joined by the top two seeds from Group B, which is made up of Australia, China, Chinese Taipei and Thailand. The two-legged playoff will pit the Group A winner against the Group B runner-up, and the Group B winner against the Group A runner-up, on March 6 and March 11. The two victorious nations will punch their tickets to Tokyo.
Australia and China, ranked seventh and 15th in the world, are favored to come out of Group A.
Women's football made its Olympic debut in 1996, and South Korea have never played at the quadrennial event.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--Hundreds of schools, kindergartens suspend classes amid coronavirus fears

The ministry has also advised universities to postpone the start of the new semester by up to four weeks as @ @ @ @ @

SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- A total of 592 schools and kindergartens in South Korea suspended classes Thursday in an emergency measure to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus, the education ministry said.
According to the ministry, 450 kindergartens, 77 elementary schools, 29 middle schools, 33 high schools and three special education schools were closed on the day, an increase of 220 from the previous day.
On Thursday, South Korea reported four more cases of infection, bringing the number of confirmed cases to 23.
Twelve students and one faculty member were under a two-week self-quarantine on Wednesday after visiting Hubei Province in China where the virus started.
The ministry has also advised universities to postpone the start of the new semester by up to four weeks as part of precautionary measures.
A notice on the gate of Samkwang Elementary School in Seoul on Jan. 29, 2020, informs students and parents that the winter vacation period has been extended due to the spread of the new coronavirus. (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-02-07--Record-chasing closer in S. Korean baseball retires

The right-hander is retiring with 271 saves , only six behind the career leader in the category , Oh Seung-hwan @ @ @ @ @ Oh spent the past six years in Japan and in Major League Baseball before rejoining @ @ @ @ @ .
Oh is in rehab following an offseason elbow surgery and is also serving a @ @ @ @ @ gambling conviction -- all of which would have left the doors open for Son to @ @ @ @ @ saves , if only briefly .

SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- Seven saves from becoming South Korean baseball's all-time leader, veteran closer Son Seung-lak abruptly announced his retirement on Friday.
The Lotte Giants in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) said Son, 37, decided to call it quits after negotiations to re-sign with the club fell through.
The right-hander is retiring with 271 saves, only six behind the career leader in the category, Oh Seung-hwan of the Samsung Lions. Oh spent the past six years in Japan and in Major League Baseball before rejoining the Lions for this season. Oh is in rehab following an offseason elbow surgery and is also serving a 72-game suspension over an earlier gambling conviction -- all of which would have left the doors open for Son to take the lead in career saves, if only briefly.
In this file photo from Oct. 11, 2018, Son Seung-lak of the Lotte Giants celebrates his team's 4-0 victory over the Kia Tigers in a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
But the Giants said Son was "insistent" about retiring now rather than going through more rounds of contract talks. He also told the club he wanted to step aside for younger pitchers and start spending more time with his family.
Son appeared in 601 games and had a 45-49 record with a 3.64 ERA.
He collected 94 saves in four seasons with the Giants, whom he joined as a free agent after eight seasons with the Nexen (currently Kiwoom) Heroes franchise. Son set a Giants franchise record with 37 saves in 2017.
He only recorded nine saves in 2019, which ended the streak of consecutive seasons with double-digit saves at nine.
The Giants plan to hold a retirement ceremony for Son during the upcoming season.
In this file photo from May 19, 2019, Son Seung-lak of the Lotte Giants pitches against the Kiwoom Heroes in the bottom of the sixth inning of a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-07--S. Korea pushes to send 3rd evacuation plane to Wuhan

`` A considerable amount of preparation has been made to bring back our people living in Wuhan through the third @ @ @ @ @ a government official who asked not to be named .
`` We do not have @ @ @ @ @ , but discussions are under way with an airline . ''

SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is pushing to send its third chartered flight to the coronavirus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan to bring home its citizens from the locked-down city, government sources said Friday.
The government is fine-tuning details to evacuate around 200 South Koreans, including children and pregnant women, from the epicenter of the deadly contagious virus, they said.
"A considerable amount of preparation has been made to bring back our people living in Wuhan through the third chartered flight," said a government official who asked not to be named. "We do not have details on the date yet, but discussions are under way with an airline."
The South Korean consulate general in Wuhan will conduct a preliminary survey of its nationals in the region to determine the demand for an aerial evacuation.
South Korea's first and second evacuation planes chartered from the country's biggest airline Korean Air Lines Co. flew out a combined 701 South Koreans from Wuhan last month.
South Korea confirmed another case of novel coronavirus infection as of late Friday, bringing the total here to 24, and the patient in the latest one is a South Korean airlifted from Wuhan last week.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-07--(6th LD) Another evacuee confirmed to be infected, total now at 24

One of those in self-quarantine includes a South Korean national who arrived in the country on Thursday after visiting Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ .
He showed no signs of being sick when he was checked by quarantine officials @ @ @ @ @ advised to stay confined as a precautionary measure .

(ATTN: UPDATES with the prime minister's remarks in paras 15-19)
SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Friday confirmed another case of novel coronavirus infection, bringing the total here to 24, and the latest one is a South Korean airlifted from the Chinese city of Wuhan last week.
After arriving here on a chartered plane last Friday, the 28-year-old South Korean man had been in quarantine at a state-run facility in Asan in central South Korea and started to suffer from a sore throat, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
The agency said the patient was checked several times after arrival with all tests coming up negative, before he started to show mild symptoms Tuesday.
The patient was transferred to a Seoul hospital, where he is receiving treatment.
The public health authorities said the latest patient had gone on a business trip to China, along with the country's 13th infected patient who was also evacuated from Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus outbreak. They were evacuated on the same chartered flight. South Korea airlifted 701 its citizens from the city.
A decontamination team from Songpa Ward in southwestern Seoul disinfects a classroom in their district on Feb. 7, 2020. (Yonhap)
The KCDC said a total of 1,386 people are judged to have been in contact with infected patients, with 1,083 people in self-quarantine.
One of those in self-quarantine includes a South Korean national who arrived in the country on Thursday after visiting Wuhan in the last 14 days. He showed no signs of being sick when he was checked by quarantine officials at the airport but was advised to stay confined as a precautionary measure.
Since Jan. 3, the country has tested 1,352 people for the new coronavirus, 1,001 of whom tested negative. A total of 327 people are in isolation for suspected infection.
Of all infection cases in the country, 20 are South Korean nationals and the rest are Chinese citizens. Of the total, eight patients had never been abroad and were contaminated in the country, with 11 having visited China and five making trips to Thailand, Singapore or Japan.
South Korea said it is likely to release its third fully recovered novel coronavirus patient soon. According to Seoul University Hospital, one of its four coronavirus-infected patients is being considered for discharge.
The patient would be the third in the country to fully recover and be released from a hospital. The two previous patients were released from hospitals on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.
As part of the stepped up response for fighting the new coronavirus and stemming its further spread, the country has expanded the scope of its checks to anyone who has visited any part of China and shows symptoms like an elevated temperature or respiratory issues.
They are classified as a "suspected case" and are subject to a medical check, according to the KCDC. People who are suffering from pneumonia brought on by unknown causes can also be examined for the virus.
Previously, South Korea only checked people who felt sick within 14 days of returning from Hubei.
Later in the day, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said the government is considering whether to take additional measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
"Considering the incubation period, now may be a very important watershed," he said in a meeting with infectious disease experts.
He added that the government is considering whether it may have to "make critical decisions on the future direction (of fighting the disease) during a government meeting this Sunday."
Chung plans to preside over a meeting with related ministers on the day, during which the government is expected to discuss options including raising the national epidemic alert level and expanding its entry ban to include arrivals from more Chinese regions and other countries.
South Korea currently bars foreigners who visited or stayed in Hubei, where Wuhan is located, in the previous two weeks.
On Friday, a quick test for the new coronavirus became available at 124 public health centers across the country in the latest effort to stem further spread of the disease here, according to the health ministry.
Those who have been to China in the last 14 days and feel ill can visit the health centers for a check-up. In addition, doctors at the centers can at their own discretion test a person even if he or she has not been to China recently.
The ministry said for now, the country can carry out 3,000 tests on a daily basis, although priority will be placed on people who have been abroad and those with acute signs of illness.
All costs associated with the tests will be covered by the state, it added.
(END)


yna--2020-02-07--(3rd LD) Hyundai suspends all assembly lines in S. Korea over parts shortages

Kia has eight domestic plants -- two in Gwangmyeong , three in Hwaseong and three in Gwangju -- and seven @ @ @ @ @ China and one each in the U.S. , Slovakia , Mexico and India .
Their @ @ @ @ @ units .

(ATTN: UPDATES with more info in paras 6-7)
By Choi Kyong-ae
SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's biggest carmaker by sales, on Friday suspended all of its domestic car assembly plants due to a lack of parts from China amid the spreading coronavirus outbreak, with other local automakers taking similar steps or considering doing so.
Hyundai Motor plans to halt its assembly plants by Monday, while its affiliate Kia Motors Corp. is planning to bring all of its local assembly lines to a halt Monday.
Hyundai and Kia began to reduce output at their domestic plants last week as their China-based South Korean suppliers halted their production since Jan. 24 when the Lunar New Year holiday began.
The Chinese authorities called on manufacturers to stop operations until Feb. 9, a week after the end of the holiday, to keep the potentially fatal virus from spreading further.
"If auto parts factories in China resume operations on Feb. 10 or 11, production losses from a lack of components will be limited. If not, the carmakers will likely suffer heavy output losses from an extended suspension," a Hyundai spokesman said over the phone.
This photo taken Feb. 7, 2020, shows Hyundai Motor's main plant in Ulsan, 410 kilometers southeast of Seoul, after the company suspended all of its domestic car assembly plants due to lack of parts from China amid the spreading coronavirus. (Yonhap)
Hyundai and Kia, meanwhile, said they will restart their factory in China on Feb. 17.
The plant in Beijing will first undergo disinfection and inspection next week, with a minimum number of personnel placed at the site.
It is the first time Hyundai has temporarily halted all of its domestic production lines since 1997, when the Asian financial crisis affected local manufacturers and Mando Corp. stopped supplying parts to the carmaker.
Hyundai has seven domestic plants -- five in Ulsan, one in Asan and one in Jeonju -- and 10 overseas plants -- four in China and one each in the United States, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Russia, India and Brazil. Their combined capacity reaches 5.5 million vehicles.
Kia has eight domestic plants -- two in Gwangmyeong, three in Hwaseong and three in Gwangju -- and seven overseas ones -- three in China and one each in the U.S., Slovakia, Mexico and India. Their overall capacity is 3.84 million units.
"We will decide whether to extend the plants' suspension beyond Monday depending on supply conditions from China," a Kia spokesman said.
South Korean carmakers are concerned about hefty production losses as the rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak is aggravating shortages of parts supply from China.
On top of Hyundai and Kia, three other carmakers -- GM Korea Co., SsangYong Motor Co. and Renault Samsung Motors Corp. -- have already suspended their plants or are considering reducing output.
On Tuesday, SsangYong Motor stopped the operation of its sole car assembly plant in Pyeongtaek, 70 km south of Seoul, and will maintain the suspension until Feb. 12 due to the supply crunch.
SsangYong also said it will decide whether to extend the period depending on situations in China.
GM Korea said it is closely monitoring the situation involving the novel coronavirus to minimize the impact on production.
Renault Samsung Motors Corp., despite being the least reliant on Chinese auto parts among the five automakers, said Wednesday it plans to suspend its sole plant in Busan, 450 km southeast of Seoul, for several days next week.
The company said it has received some components from our Renault alliance partners like Nissan Motor Co., but it may suffer parts shortages next week if parts plants in China do not resume operations Monday.
Among the carmakers, Hyundai is expected to suffer the biggest production loss if its plants' suspension period is extended.
If Hyundai's plants remain suspended for five days, it will suffer a production loss of 30,000 vehicles worth between 600 billion won (US$505 million) and 700 billion won, the company estimated.
To minimize any impact from parts shortages, Hyundai and Kia said they are in talks with local auto parts companies that have production facilities at home and abroad for the supply of necessary parts.
"In the case of a prolonged shortage of parts from China, we have asked local parts makers to fully operate their domestic plants, and we plan to buy more components from their plants in Southeast Asia," the Hyundai spokesman said.
The fallout from the virus could deal a further blow to Hyundai and Kia, which have been struggling with declining sales in China, the world's biggest automobile market, in the past three years.
In 2017, the carmakers' sales were weak there due to the lingering impact of political tensions between Seoul and Beijing over the deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense system, THAAD, in South Korea. Their combined sales in China fell 22 percent to 909,000 vehicles last year from 1,161,000 units a year earlier.
In April 2019, Hyundai shut down one of its five plants in China, and in May, Kia suspended one of its three plants there due to lower demand.
If the suspension period ends within a week, industry insiders expect carmakers will be able to fill the output gap through overtime work.
But given China accounts for 30 percent of the country's total auto parts imports in terms of value, a prolonged output halt at the carmakers would deal a serious blow to their first-quarter earnings, analysts said.
South Korea imported US$5.34 billion worth of auto parts in 2019 -- $1.56 billion, or 30 percent, from China -- according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
This undated file photo, provided by Hyundai Motor Group, shows Hyundai and Kia's headquarters buildings in southern Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The trade ministry said Friday it will take all necessary efforts to minimize the economic fallout of the supply disruptions on local carmakers.
To tackle supply shortages, the ministry said it will seek to simplify the import processing for auto parts from Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines; provide financial subsidies to local auto part makers, including loans for the expansion of production lines; and fund their research and development projects.
Seoul said it is working closely with the Chinese government to win approval to reopen factories supplying auto parts for the country.
"Through the measure, we will promptly ease uncertainties in the supply of auto parts and normalize the production of cars. We will also brace for the possible extension of the situation over a longer period," Industry Minister Sung Yun-mo said during a meeting with economy-related ministers.
In a meeting of business leaders on Friday, Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Chairman Park Yong-maan said companies need to take preemptive and bold steps to avoid any serious impact of the virus outbreak on their businesses.
Kong Young-woon, president of Hyundai Motor's strategy planning division, told reporters after the meeting that the company is in talks with Chinese officials to help resume operations of parts plants operated by South Korean suppliers early next week.
Hyundai has also asked the Chinese authorities to extend help in making quarantine systems ready in those plants, he said.
As for resumption of domestic factories, the president said the company will focus on resuming the production of popular models such as the flagship Palisade sport utility vehicle and the GV80 SUV sold under Hyundai's independent Genesis brand.
Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Group plans to extend 1 trillion won in financial support to help its small and medium-sized parts suppliers ride out the coronavirus impact.
Some 300 billion won will be provided as operating capital for its suppliers, and the remaining 700 billion won will be delivered in the form of early payments for their components, Hyundai said.
South Korea has reported 24 confirmed coronavirus cases as of Friday.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-07--(LEAD) LG Group to sell China headquarters buildings for 1.37 tln won

The LG Beijing Twin Towers , two 31-story buildings in Beijing , will be sold to RECO Changan Private Ltd. @ @ @ @ @ by the Government of Singapore Investment Corp. , according to the business group .

(ATTN: CHANGES slug, headline, lead; UPDATES with more info throughout)
SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- LG Group said Friday that it has decided to sell its two Chinese headquarters buildings for 1.37 trillion won (US$1.15 billion).
The LG Beijing Twin Towers, two 31-story buildings in Beijing, will be sold to RECO Changan Private Ltd., a subsidiary wholly owned by the Government of Singapore Investment Corp., according to the business group.
Three LG companies -- LG Electronics Inc., LG Chem Inc. and LG International Corp. -- will sell off their stakes in LG Holding Hong Kong, which owns the skyscrapers.
LG said the sale is aimed at securing liquidity amid global economic uncertainties and funding its future growth engines. The company added the deal will be completed no later than April.
LG spent $400 million to build the towers, located in the Chaoyang district of the Chinese capital, in 2005.
This file photo taken on Aug. 7, 2019, shows the LG Beijing Twin Towers in Beijing. (Yonhap)
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-07--(LEAD) Gov't allows shorter school year amid coronavirus outbreak

Local law mandates schools run at least 190 days of classes in an academic year , which means schools can @ @ @ @ @ days by up to 19 days according to the latest move .

(ATTN: UPDATES numbers in 5th para)
SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- The education ministry has allowed schools to shorten the number of school days in ongoing efforts to curb the spread of the new coronavirus.
Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae sent a document to 17 education offices across the country earlier this week, allowing elementary, middle and high schools to relax mandatory school days by up to 10 percent, according to the ministry.
Local law mandates schools run at least 190 days of classes in an academic year, which means schools can shorten the number of school days by up to 19 days according to the latest move.
The ministry has advised schools to prepare alternative academic courses, such as online education material, to make up for the reduction in days.
As of Friday, 647 schools across the country, including 459 kindergartens, have temporarily closed to prevent the further spread of the contagious disease.
The education ministry also relaxed the mandate for school days in 2015, when the country was hit by Middle East Respiratory Syndrome.
This photo taken on Feb. 6, 2020, shows a school sheriff standing in front of an elementary school in eastern Seoul that temporarily closed following the new coronavirus outbreak. (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-07--Hanssem 2019 net profit down 51.7 pct. to 43.4 bln won

Operating income for the year was 55.9 billion won , down 0.3 percent on-year , the company said in a @ @ @ @ @ fell 11.7 percent to 1.7 trillion won .

SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- Hanssem Co. on Friday reported its 2019 net income of 43.4 billion won (US$ 36.6 million), down 51.7 percent from a year earlier.
Operating income for the year was 55.9 billion won, down 0.3 percent on-year, the company said in a regulatory filing. Annual revenue fell 11.7 percent to 1.7 trillion won.
※ This article was generated by Yonhap's proprietary algorithm using data from Yonhap Infomax and Korea Exchange(KRX).
(END)


yna--2020-02-07--Hanssem Q4 net profit down 48.7 pct. to 22.9 bln won

The operating profit was 44.7 percent higher than the average estimate , according to the survey by Yonhap Infomax , @ @ @ @ @ Yonhap News Agency .
The estimate of net profit was not available .

SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- Hanssem Co. on Friday reported its fourth-quarter net income of 22.9 billion won (US$ 19.3 million), down 48.7 percent from a year earlier.
Operating profit for the October-December period was 21.8 billion won, up 10.7 percent from a year ago, the company said in a regulatory filing. Revenue fell 10.3 percent to 438.5 billion won.
The operating profit was 44.7 percent higher than the average estimate, according to the survey by Yonhap Infomax, the financial data firm of Yonhap News Agency. The estimate of net profit was not available.
※ This article was generated by Yonhap's proprietary algorithm using data from Yonhap Infomax and Korea Exchange(KRX).
(END)


yna--2020-02-07--Former spy chief draws 7-year prison sentence for interference in politics

In the previous court hearing held last December , prosecutors demanded an imprisonment of 15 years , a forfeit of @ @ @ @ @ $ 16.7 million ) and suspension of qualifications for 10 years .
Won claimed innocence @ @ @ @ @ he was not involved in the alleged illegal acts and that those acts can not @ @ @ @

SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- Won Sei-hoon, a former National Intelligence Service (NIS) director, was sentenced to seven years in prison on Friday for spending taxpayer money to interfere in domestic politics in favor of preceding conservative governments and paying public money to civilians to write internet comments favorable to conservatives.
The Seoul Central District Court also suspended Won's civil and political qualifications for seven years for inflicting losses to state coffers, in addition to the jail sentence.
Won, who led the NIS from 2009-2013, was indicted from December 2017 to December 2018 on nine criminal charges, including his unlawful use of NIS funds to hire civilians to distort cyberspace opinions and acts of interference in domestic politics.
This file photo shows Won Sei-hoon, former head of the National Intelligence Service. (Yonhap)
Separately, Won was convicted on charges of instructing NIS officials to manipulate internet comments to sway public opinion ahead of the 2012 presidential election. In the case, the Supreme Court upheld a four-year imprisonment for him in April 2018.
Won's additional indictments came after the Moon Jae-in administration launched a reinvestigation into the NIS' past wrongdoings following Moon's inauguration in May 2017.
In the previous court hearing held last December, prosecutors demanded an imprisonment of 15 years, a forfeit of 19.83 billion won (US$16.7 million) and suspension of qualifications for 10 years. Won claimed innocence in that hearing, saying he was not involved in the alleged illegal acts and that those acts cannot be punished criminally.
But the Seoul court didn't order a forfeit for Won, saying that it is difficult to confirm he had personally used money embezzled from state coffers.
Prosecutors had reopened the investigation into Won after an internal NIS probe found documents that suggest the spy agency ran 30 cyberteams and spent billions of won in taxpayer money to pay civilians and NIS retirees hired to write disparaging internet comments about liberal figures.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-07--LG Electronics to sell its Chinese headquarters buildings for 669 bln won

LG said the asset sale is aimed at securing liquidity amid global economic uncertainties and funding its future growth engines @ @ @ @ @ deal will be completed no later than April .

SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- LG Electronics Inc., a major South Korean tech firm, said Friday it has decided to sell its Chinese headquarters buildings for 669 billion won (US$562 million).
The LG Beijing Twin Towers, comprised of two 31-story buildings, will be sold to RECO Changan Private Ltd., a subsidiary of Government of Singapore Investment Corp., according to LG Electronics.
LG said the asset sale is aimed at securing liquidity amid global economic uncertainties and funding its future growth engines. The company added the deal will be completed no later than April.
LG spent $400 million to build the towers, located in the Chaoyang district of the Chinese capital city, in 2005.
This file photo taken on Aug. 7, 2019, shows the LG Beijing Twin Towers in Beijing. (Yonhap)
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-07--(2nd LD) Hanjin Group to sell non-core assets for financial health

`` The decision to sell the Songhyeong-dong site was already included in the group 's plans to regain financial health @ @ @ @ @ in early 2019 .
And the plan to strengthen the main airline business lacks in @ @ @ @ @ '' the statement said .

(ATTN: ADDS Hanjin heiress' stance towards group's asset sale plan in paras 20-21)
SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- Hanjin KAL Corp., the holding company of airline-to-logistics conglomerate Hanjin Group, said Friday it will sell non-core assets to improve its financial status and to focus on its mainstay airline business.
Hanjin KAL directors agreed to reorganize its money-losing hotel and leisure business and sell low-profit, non-core businesses, while focusing on strengthening competitiveness of the core airline and logistics business, and enhancing shareholder value, the company said in a statement.
They decided to sell the Paradise Hotel in Seogwipo, Jeju Island, while reviewing profitability of the other three hotels for possible liquidation, the statement said.
This undated file photo provided by Hanjin Group shows the Jeju Paradise Hotel on Jeju Island. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The three hotels are the Jeju KAL Hotel and the Seogwipo KAL Hotel on Jeju Island, and the Grand Hyatt Incheon near Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul.
KAL Hotel Network, an affiliate of Hanjin KAL, has operated the four hotels and posted net losses each year since 2015.
Hanjin Group's Los Angeles-based Wilshire Grand Center that includes an Intercontinental Hotel will also be put into consideration for sale, the statement said.
Hanjin KAL also agreed that the board of directors will have the rights to select the representative of directors. Previously, the Hanjin Group chairman was selected to serve as representative director.
The move is part of Hanjin Group's efforts to improve its governance structure and shareholders' value, the company said.
On Thursday, Korean Air Lines Co., the flagship unit of Hanjin Group, held a board meeting to make similar decisions.
The national flag carrier said it aims to sell its land and building in Songhyeon-dong and an entire 100 percent stake in Wangsan Leisure Development Co., a leisure company that operates the Wangsan Marina resort in Incheon, 40 kilometers west of Seoul, within this year.
Korean Air purchased the Songhyeon-dong site from Samsung Life Insurance Co. in 2009 and planned to develop a cultural complex.
But the development project faced multiple development challenges, such as building height restrictions and cultural asset preservation as the land is located near the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae and Gyeongbok Palace, one of the country's most valuable cultural assets.
The board also agreed to establish a governance committee to improve the transparency of its governance structure. The committee will review and make recommendations about the company's key management decisions.
The move comes as the Hanjin Group family is divided over the airline-focused conglomerate's management control ahead of a shareholders meeting next month.
Cho Hyun-ah, 45, the heiress of Hanjin Group, widely known for the "nut rage" incident in 2014, has recently joined hands with the Korea Corporate Governance Improvement (KCGI), a local activist fund, and the midsized builder Bando Engineering & Construction Co. to invite a professional manager to improve the group's management, financial status and shareholder value.
Her 44-year-old brother Won-tae currently serves as chairman of Hanjin Group and Korean Air after he was appointed to the top post in April following his father's death. His reappointment as chairman is subject to shareholders' approval next month.
In response to Hyun-ah's alliance with the KCGI and Bando, her mother Lee Myung-hee and younger sister Hyun-min, 37, said in a statement they stand against Hyun-ah's approach.
"We support the current management structure headed by Chairman Cho Won-tae and hope the current management will make its best efforts to enhance financial health and shareholders' value," the statement said.
They also asked Hyun-ah to come back as a member of the Hanjin family and join forces to promote the group's stability and development.
On Friday, Hyun-ah released a statement through her legal counsel criticizing the group's plans to sell non-core assets and strengthen its core airline business.
"The decision to sell the Songhyeong-dong site was already included in the group's plans to regain financial health at the request of KCGI in early 2019. And the plan to strengthen the main airline business lacks in any specific action plan," the statement said.
Songhyeon-dong in central Seoul (Yonhap)
Hanjin KAL released its 2019 earnings results on Friday. Its net losses deepened to 255.8 billion won last year from 17.7 billion won a year earlier.
Last week, Korean Air also reported its net losses widened to 624.87 billion won last year from 185.65 billion won a year ago.
Foreign exchange losses resulting from the won's weakness against the dollar and lower demand on Japanese and Hong Kong routes mainly affected the bottom line, the company said.
The national flag carrier expects the impact of the spreading coronavirus outbreak will deal a blow to its first-quarter earnings if the crisis prolongs without the virus being contained.
On Friday, Hanjin KAL fell 0.5 percent to 41,300 won and Korean Air declined 0.4 percent to 26,900 won, in line with the broader KOSPI's 0.7 percent loss.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-07--(5th LD) Another evacuee confirmed to be infected, total now at 24

(ATTN: UPDATES with more info in paras 7-8, 10-11)
SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Friday confirmed another case of novel coronavirus infection, bringing the total here to 24, and the latest one is a South Korean airlifted from the Chinese city of Wuhan last week.
After arriving here on a chartered plane last Friday, the 28-year-old South Korean man had been in quarantine at a state-run facility in Asan in central South Korea and started to suffer from a sore throat, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
The agency said the patient was checked several times after arrival with all tests coming up negative, before he started to show mild symptoms Tuesday.
The patient was transferred to a Seoul hospital, where he is receiving treatment.
The public health authorities said the latest patient had gone on a business trip to China, along with the country's 13th infected patient who was also evacuated from Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus outbreak. They were evacuated on the same chartered flight. South Korea airlifted 701 its citizens from the city.
A decontamination team from Songpa Ward in southwestern Seoul disinfects a classroom in their district on Feb. 7, 2020. (Yonhap)
The KCDC said a total of 1,386 people are judged to have been in contact with infected patients, with 1,083 people in self-quarantine.
One of those in self-quarantine includes a South Korean national who arrived in the country on Thursday after visiting Wuhan in the last 14 days. He showed no signs of being sick when he was checked by quarantine officials at the airport but was advised to stay confined as a precautionary measure.
Since Jan. 3, the country has tested 1,352 people for the new coronavirus, 1,001 of whom tested negative. A total of 327 people are in isolation for suspected infection.
Of all infection cases in the country, 20 are South Korean nationals and the rest are Chinese citizens. Of the total, eight patients had never been abroad and were contaminated in the country, with 11 having visited China and five making trips to Thailand, Singapore or Japan.
South Korea said it is likely to release its third fully recovered novel coronavirus patient soon. According to Seoul University Hospital, one of its four coronavirus-infected patients is being considered for discharge.
The patient would be the third in the country to fully recover and be released from a hospital. The two previous patients were released from hospitals on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.
As part of the stepped up response for fighting the new coronavirus and stemming its further spread, the country has expanded the scope of its checks to anyone who has visited any part of China and shows symptoms like an elevated temperature or respiratory issues.
They are classified as a "suspected case" and are subject to a medical check, according to the KCDC. People who are suffering from pneumonia brought on by unknown causes can also be examined for the virus.
Previously, South Korea only checked people who felt sick within 14 days of returning from Hubei.
On Friday, a quick test for the new coronavirus became available at 124 public health centers across the country in the latest effort to stem further spread of the disease here, according to the health ministry.
Those who have been to China in the last 14 days and feel ill can visit the health centers for a check-up. In addition, doctors at the centers can at their own discretion test a person even if he or she has not been to China recently.
The ministry said for now, the country can carry out 3,000 tests on a daily basis, although priority will be placed on people who have been abroad and those with acute signs of illness.
All costs associated with the tests will be covered by the state, it added.
(END)


yna--2020-02-07--Hotel Shilla's hanok project approved by local authorities

The central district of Jung Ward announced that it recently permitted the construction project .
Shilla , a luxury hotel @ @ @ @ @ , has yet to receive approval from the Seoul Metropolitan Government in connection with safety @ @ @ @ @ but the remaining administrative procedures are seen as a formality set to take a few @ @

SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- Hotel Shilla's long-planned project to build a hanok-style hotel near a historic site in Seoul has been given the green light and it is expected to break ground as early as in March, according to the relevant authorities Friday.
The central district of Jung Ward announced that it recently permitted the construction project. Shilla, a luxury hotel chain affiliated with Samsung Group, has yet to receive approval from the Seoul Metropolitan Government in connection with safety and a tour business license but the remaining administrative procedures are seen as a formality set to take a few weeks.
Chances are high that it will be able to kick off the construction of the hotel -- envisioned in the style of hanok, or a traditional Korean house -- next month.
Shilla plans to build it close to an ancient fortress trail on the foot of Mount Nam as part of its project to create a hanok town there by 2025. It has a five-star hotel, the Shilla Seoul, in the area.
Shilla formally floated the idea in 2011, but it made little progress due to concerns over preserving historic heritage and the environment.
This image of the Shilla Seoul Hotel was provided by the firm. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


Yonhap News Summary

After arriving here on a chartered plane last Friday , the 28-year-old South Korean man had been in quarantine at @ @ @ @ @ in central South Korea and started to suffer from a sore throat , according to @ @ @ @ @ Control and Prevention ( KCDC ) .

The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Friday.
----------------
(4th LD) Another evacuee confirmed to be infected, total now at 24
(ATTN: UPDATES with more info in last 7 paras; CHANGES photo)
SEOUL -- South Korea on Friday confirmed another case of novel coronavirus infection, bringing the total here to 24, and the latest one is a South Korean airlifted from the Chinese city of Wuhan last week.
After arriving here on a chartered plane last Friday, the 28-year-old South Korean man had been in quarantine at a state-run facility in Asan in central South Korea and started to suffer from a sore throat, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
----------------
(LEAD) Lotte Department Store's main outlet in Seoul to close temporarily over coronavirus fears
(ATTN: ADDS details in paras 6-9)
SEOUL -- Lotte Department Store, one of the country's major department store chain operators, said Friday that one of its outlets in downtown Seoul will be temporarily closed starting late Friday for a cleanup following a recent visit there by a patient diagnosed with the new coronavirus.
The store in the downtown Myeongdong area, the most bustling shopping district, will be shut down for sterilization, it said.
----------------
(LEAD) Moon vows more active support for China in fight against coronavirus
(ATTN: UPDATES with press briefing; CHANGES headline; ADDS photo)
SEOUL -- President Moon Jae-in expressed hope Friday that China will defeat the ongoing viral outbreak at an early date and pledged South Korea's active support for the "close neighbor" to that end, as he greeted Beijing's new top envoy here at his office, according to Cheong Wa Dae.
After receiving Xing Haiming's credentials, Moon had a conversation joined by Tokyo's new ambassador to Seoul, Koji Tomita, who also presented the president with his credentials in an official ceremony.
----------------
(LEAD) Coronavirus outbreak likely to limit recovery in S. Korean exports: report
(ATTN: RECASTS headline; UPDATES with reports of a separate report from S&P in last 6 paras)
SEOUL -- The outbreak of novel coronavirus in China will likely lead to a drop in demand in the world's second-largest economy, in turn limiting South Korea's shipments to China and causing a further delay in the recovery of South Korea's exports, a global credit rating agency said Friday.
"The outbreak of the coronavirus is credit negative for rated Korean companies in many sectors because it weakens consumer sentiment and spending inside and outside China, and poses risk of disruptions to production and supply chains," Moody's Investors Service said in a report.
----------------
S. Korea likely to release one more novel coronavirus patient soon
Seoul -- South Korea is likely to release its third fully recovered novel coronavirus patient soon, a local university hospital said Friday.
According to Seoul University Hospital, one of its four coronavirus-infected patients is being considered for discharge.
----------------
(News Focus) With more cases rapidly rising, S. Korea revs up response to contain coronavirus
SEOUL -- South Korea, alarmed by the pace of new coronavirus infections, is ratcheting up efforts to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus here as the country may brace for additional cases amid rising concerns over community transmission.
Since its first confirmed case of the potentially fatal disease on Jan. 20, the country has identified 24 cases with no signs of a letup.
----------------
(LEAD) Seoul stocks snap 3-day winning streak, Korean won sharply down
(ATTN: ADDS photo and bond yields at bottom)
SEOUL -- Seoul stocks ended lower on Friday to snap a three-day winning streak, as investors went on profit-taking amid persisting woes over the new coronavirus outbreak. The Korean won fell against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 15.99 points, or 0.72 percent, to 2,211.95. Trade volume was moderate at 767 million shares worth 6.93 trillion won (US$5.8 billion), with decliners outnumbering gainers 490 to 336.
----------------
(News Focus) Fake news another hurdle in tackling coronavirus in S. Korea
SEOUL -- On top of tracking down potential victims of the new and poorly understood coronavirus and searching for cures that can help treat it, South Korea has another agenda to fight for: tackling fake news.
Two weeks after confirming the country's first infection on Jan. 20, South Korea has seen the number of patients soar to 24, spurring concerns over human-to-human transmission in local communities.
(END)


yna--2020-02-07--S. Korea, Japan hold talks on cultural ties

It was the first time in six years that such a working-level meeting on cultural cooperation had been held between @ @ @ @ @ 2018 , Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and her then Japanese counterpart , Taro Kono , @ @ @ @ @ during their one-on-one talks , launching a related joint task force later that year .

SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- Diplomats of South Korea and Japan held talks in Tokyo on Friday about exploring ways to promote bilateral cooperation in people-to-people exchanges and culture, Seoul's foreign ministry said.
Seo Eun-ji, director general at the ministry's public diplomacy and cultural affairs bureau, met with her Japanese counterpart, Mitsuko Shino, and discussed joint efforts to boost cooperation in culture, tourism and sport, as well as youth exchanges, it added.
It was the first time in six years that such a working-level meeting on cultural cooperation had been held between the two countries. In 2018, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and her then Japanese counterpart, Taro Kono, agreed to deepen cultural ties during their one-on-one talks, launching a related joint task force later that year.
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-07--S. Korea likely to release one more novel coronavirus patient soon

Without going into too much detail , the hospital said all of its patients are doing well , with no @ @ @ @ @ respirators .

Seoul, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is likely to release its third fully recovered novel coronavirus patient soon, a local university hospital said Friday.
According to Seoul University Hospital, one of its four coronavirus-infected patients is being considered for discharge.
Without going into too much detail, the hospital said all of its patients are doing well, with no need for them to use respirators.
The patient would be the third in the country to fully recover and be released from a hospital. So far, the country has reported 24 cases of infection.
Seoul released its first two patients on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. The two were the first to be diagnosed with the illness in the country last month.
This file photo shows the screening clinic at Seoul National University Hospital. (Yonhap)
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-07--(LEAD) Opposition leader to run in Seoul's Jongno district in April elections

The ruling party enjoys higher public support rates than that of the LKP .
But a prolonged economic slowdown and @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus are potential downside factors for the DP .

(ATTN: UPDATES with more details throughout; CHANGES photo)
SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- Hwang Kyo-ahn, chief of the main opposition party, announced his bid Friday to run in the Jongno district in central Seoul for the April 15 elections, heralding a high-profile race against the former prime minister.
Hwang, chairman of the Liberty Korea Party (LKP), made the surprise announcement, weeks after he vowed to run in a "tough" electoral district in metropolitan areas for the parliamentary elections.
His decision will create a high-profile contest against former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon of the ruling Democratic Party (DP).
Jongno is regarded as a symbolic constituency in South Korean politics -- a place where key political heavyweights are elected.
Hwang vowed to make Jongno the No. 1 venue where people vote against the liberal Moon Jae-in administration.
"I will start a campaign to challenge the Moon government in Jongno and spread the drive into Seoul, its surrounding areas and across the nation," Hwang told a press conference.
"Though I've been prudent in making this decision, I will march onward with persistence to the end. I will definitely win the elections," he added.
The April general elections are seen as an opportunity for a vote of confidence in the Moon government. Moon passed the midpoint of his single, five-year term in November 2019.
The ruling party enjoys higher public support rates than that of the LKP. But a prolonged economic slowdown and the spread of the new coronavirus are potential downside factors for the DP.
Despite Hwang's determination, it is not certain whether he can win the race, given that Lee is leading in opinion polls.
Lee resumed his political activity in mid-January after a stint as the longest-serving prime minister that began in May 2017.
Furthermore, Lee has taken the lead in polls about promising presidential candidates. He is followed by Hwang.
"I expect competition in good faith for the future of Jongno and the Republic of Korea," Lee said in a statement.
The LKP is seeking to consolidate conservatives in the run-up to the elections to challenge the DP.
Hwang Kyo-ahn, chief of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party, announces his bid to run in the Jongno district in central Seoul in the April parliamentary elections at the National Assembly on Feb. 7, 2020. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-07--(LEAD) Hanjin Group to sell non-core assets for financial health

Cho Hyun-ah , 45 , the heiress of Hanjin Group , widely known for the `` nut rage '' incident @ @ @ @ @ joined hands with the Korea Corporate Governance Improvement ( KCGI ) , a local activist @ @ @ @ @ builder Bando Engineering & Construction Co. to invite a professional manager to improve the group @ @ @ @ @ and shareholder value .

(ATTN: CHANGES headline, 1st photo; ADDS Hanjin KAL's 2019 earnings in last 5 paras)
SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- Hanjin KAL Corp., the holding company of airline-to-logistics conglomerate Hanjin Group, said Friday it will sell non-core assets to improve its financial status and to focus on its mainstay airline business.
Hanjin KAL directors agreed to reorganize its money-losing hotel and leisure business and sell low-profit, non-core businesses, while focusing on strengthening competitiveness of the core airline and logistics business, and enhancing shareholder value, the company said in a statement.
They decided to sell the Paradise Hotel in Seogwipo, Jeju Island, while reviewing profitability of the other three hotels for possible liquidation, the statement said.
This undated file photo provided by Hanjin Group shows the Jeju Paradise Hotel on Jeju Island. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The three hotels are the Jeju KAL Hotel and the Seogwipo KAL Hotel on Jeju Island, and the Grand Hyatt Incheon near Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul.
KAL Hotel Network, an affiliate of Hanjin KAL, has operated the four hotels and posted net losses each year since 2015.
Hanjin Group's Los Angeles-based Wilshire Grand Center that includes an Intercontinental Hotel will also be put into consideration for sale, the statement said.
Hanjin KAL also agreed that the board of directors will have the rights to select the representative of directors. Previously, the Hanjin Group chairman was selected to serve as representative director.
The move is part of Hanjin Group's efforts to improve its governance structure and shareholders' value, the company said.
On Thursday, Korean Air Lines Co., the flagship unit of Hanjin Group, held a board meeting to make similar decisions.
The national flag carrier said it aims to sell its land and building in Songhyeon-dong and an entire 100 percent stake in Wangsan Leisure Development Co., a leisure company that operates the Wangsan Marina resort in Incheon, 40 kilometers west of Seoul, within this year.
Korean Air purchased the Songhyeon-dong site from Samsung Life Insurance Co. in 2009 and planned to develop a cultural complex.
But the development project faced multiple development challenges, such as building height restrictions and cultural asset preservation as the land is located near the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae and Gyeongbok Palace, one of the country's most valuable cultural assets.
The board also agreed to establish a governance committee to improve the transparency of its governance structure. The committee will review and make recommendations about the company's key management decisions.
The move comes as the Hanjin Group family is divided over the airline-focused conglomerate's management control ahead of a shareholders meeting next month.
Cho Hyun-ah, 45, the heiress of Hanjin Group, widely known for the "nut rage" incident in 2014, has recently joined hands with the Korea Corporate Governance Improvement (KCGI), a local activist fund, and the midsized builder Bando Engineering & Construction Co. to invite a professional manager to improve the group's management, financial status and shareholder value.
Her 44-year-old brother Won-tae currently serves as chairman of Hanjin Group and Korean Air after he was appointed to the top post in April following his father's death. His reappointment as chairman is subject to shareholders' approval next month.
In response to Hyun-ah's alliance with the KCGI and Bando, her mother Lee Myung-hee and younger sister Hyun-min, 37, said in a statement they stand against Hyun-ah's approach.
"We support the current management structure headed by Chairman Cho Won-tae and hope the current management will make its best efforts to enhance financial health and shareholders' value," the statement said.
They also asked Hyun-ah to come back as a member of the Hanjin family and join forces to promote the group's stability and development.
Songhyeon-dong in central Seoul (Yonhap)
Wangsan Marina in Incheon, 40 kilometers west of Seoul (Yonhap)
Hanjin KAL released its 2019 earnings results on Friday. Its net losses deepened to 255.8 billion won last year from 17.7 billion won a year earlier.
Last week, Korean Air also reported its net losses widened to 624.87 billion won last year from 185.65 billion won a year ago.
Foreign exchange losses resulting from the won's weakness against the dollar and lower demand on Japanese and Hong Kong routes mainly affected the bottom line, the company said.
The national flag carrier expects the impact of the spreading coronavirus outbreak will deal a blow to its first-quarter earnings if the crisis prolongs without the virus being contained.
On Friday, Hanjin KAL fell 0.5 percent to 41,300 won and Korean Air declined 0.4 percent to 26,900 won, in line with the broader KOSPI's 0.7 percent loss.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-07--Coronavirus outbreak thwarts more concerts in S. Korea

`` We are very sorry to be unable to stage the sold-out concert as planned , but we concluded that @ @ @ @ @ safeguarding the health of concertgoers , '' the orchestra said .

SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- The continuing spread of the novel coronavirus is taking a heavy toll on the performing arts, forcing organizers to delay or cancel concerts and other events.
Boston Symphony Orchestra, a major American orchestra, was scheduled for its first ever concerts in South Korea on Thursday and Friday as the first leg of a rare East Asia tour this month.
But the music company canceled the Seoul concert and the broader East Asia tour altogether -- which included Taiwan, Hong Kong and Shanghai -- citing health concerns.
The Boston Symphony is one of the rare class-A orchestras that have not performed in South Korea, and the coronavirus outbreak again thwarted the orchestra's planned foray into the country.
South Korea reported its first case of coronavirus on Jan. 20 and the latest one -- the 24th -- on Friday.
The outbreak has put South Koreans on high alert, with schools delaying students' returns and some public places shutting down after confirming coronavirus carriers' visits.
Seongnam Cultural Foundation, which runs Seongnam Arts Center, just south of Seoul, rescheduled a concert by Japanese pianist Yuhki Kuramoto, originally set for Feb. 16, to November.
A series of other local classical concerts are facing a similar fate, with Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra indefinitely postponing a rush-hour concert planned for Thursday at a local Catholic church.
"We are very sorry to be unable to stage the sold-out concert as planned, but we concluded that nothing is more important than safeguarding the health of concertgoers," the orchestra said.
The KBS Symphony Orchestra also called off two charity concerts sponsored by Toyota, while Seoul-based Mapo Cultural Foundation canceled or postponed all its concerts planned for February.
This photo of Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra was provided by the orchestra. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Coronavirus fear has also seeped into the K-pop industry.
Most K-pop showcases and concerts at home and abroad this month have been called off or replaced with online events.
Girl band GFriend staged the debut performance of its new album, "回:Labyrinth," without fans on Monday, only broadcasting the event online on an internet channel.
Another girl band, Loona, followed suit Wednesday, giving a comeback performance for new record "#" solely online.
Boy band Pentagon is planning to follow the same path to unveil its first full-length album, "Universe: the Black Hall," next Wednesday.
Many K-pop concerts, both at home and abroad, have been affected at a time countries when hard hit by the coronavirus outbreak are taking border control measures to avert the epidemic's cross-border spread.
Boy band WINNER called off its Singapore concert scheduled for Saturday, while sibling duo Akmu also canceled their concerts in Changwon on Saturday and Sunday.
Girl band Momoland postponed fan meeting events set for March 19 and 21 in Tokyo and Osaka, respectively, without saying when the meetings will be scheduled again.
"Due to concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus, coupled with other reasons, we decided to unfortunately delay Momoland's Japanese fan meeting events," the band's management agency, MLD Entertainment, said.
A theater in Seoul is fumigated on Feb. 6, 2020. (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-07--S. Korean Bond Yields on Feb. 7, 2020

S. Korean Bond Yields on Feb. 7, 2020

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


yna--2020-02-08--(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on Feb. 8)

(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on Feb. 8)

Of course , it is not only carmakers that are heavily affected by the spread of the coronavirus .
What @ @ @ @ @ is a symbolic case showing how the virus is having a direct impact on domestic @ @ @ @ @ has revealed the dark side of the country 's closer economic ties with China .
@ @ @ @ @ the supply problem were to continue it will affect its corporate earnings , prices of @ @ @ @ @ jobs there .

Supply crunch
Emergency measures needed for virus-hit industries
The crisis surrounding the new coronavirus outbreak is taking its toll on Korean manufacturers ― particularly automakers ― that remain dependent on the supply of parts from companies in China.
Hyundai Motor, the country's biggest carmaker, said Friday it plans to halt all of its domestic car assembly lines due to a lack of parts. Its affiliate Kia Motors will follow suit, suspending operations at all of its assembly plants here next week.
The two firms and other carmakers here have already reduced production of cars as China extended the Lunar New Year holiday to fight against the spread of the virus. Thus, subcontractors in China have been forced to halt production. We are not sure how long the supply crunch will continue.
Hyundai suspended its entire domestic production lines only once before, back in 1997 at the height of the Asian financial crisis.
Given South Korean carmakers import roughly 30 percent of their auto parts from firms in China, a prolonged supply crunch is expected to deal a heavy blow to them. According to Hyundai Motor, if all its plants in Korea are closed for five days, it causes a production shortage of 30,000 vehicles worth up to 700 billion won ($589 million).
Of course, it is not only carmakers that are heavily affected by the spread of the coronavirus. What is occurring to Hyundai Motor is a symbolic case showing how the virus is having a direct impact on domestic production. The ongoing crisis has revealed the dark side of the country's closer economic ties with China. Needless to say, if the supply problem were to continue it will affect its corporate earnings, prices of its cars ― and ultimately jobs there.
Automakers need to minimize supply chain disruption and normalize the production of cars as quickly as possible. The government said it is seeking to simplify import procedures for auto parts from other countries and provide emergency loans to help local parts makers expand their production lines.
On Friday, global credit rating firm Moody's Investors Service issued a report warning Korea Inc. of a rough road ahead. It said the spread of the virus in China was credit negative for Korean firms in many sectors because less consumption in China will limit South Korea's shipments as the virus poses the risk of disruptions to production and supply chains. The report predicted that Korea's retail and automobile industries will be most affected by the outbreak.
With no efforts spared at containing the virus here, the government should closely monitor these and other industries to reduce widespread economic damage. It is time to consider extraordinary measures and pre-emptive steps, such as tax cuts and emergency funding to firms in need, to persevere during these challenging economic times.
(END)


yna--2020-02-08--(EDITORIAL from Korea Herald on Feb. 8)

(EDITORIAL from Korea Herald on Feb. 8)

In a stopgap measure to help soften the landing of the shortened workweek for SMEs , the government will not @ @ @ @ @ year if they violate the new rules .
Companies will also be allowed to impose @ @ @ @ @ hours if they encounter a sudden increase in workload , if their facilities break down @ @ @ @ @ industries ) if they need to speed up research and development projects .
So far @ @ @ @ @ to require their workers to work longer than the legal limit in response to natural @ @ @ @ @

Flawed system
Mask shortage illustrates need to revisit problematic workweek rules
The government announced earlier this week that it would exempt local producers of face masks from the maximum 52-hour workweek rule to cope with surging demand amid the spread of the new coronavirus.
It is increasingly difficult to buy masks with good filtering features here as people scramble to protect themselves from the virus, which originated from the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December.
Chinese visitors have been blamed for exacerbating the shortage of masks by going on a buying binge.
Tougher penalties to deter people from hoarding protective masks and hand sanitizer came into effect Wednesday and will be in force through April. Those who stock up on such items for the purpose of manipulating prices can face up to two years in prison or fines as high as 50 million won ($42,265). A 120-member squad, including officials from the police agency and the state antitrust watchdog, has been launched to crack down on hoarding.
Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki, who doubles as deputy prime minister for economic affairs, blamed market manipulation for the face mask shortage, saying it could not have occurred otherwise.
He may be partly right.
But the mask shortage should serve to highlight the need to redress flaws in the shortened workweek system.
It is outrageous that local mask makers could not increase production to meet the urgent demand without obtaining approval from labor inspectors to extend the weekly working hours for their employees.
The country's labor law was revised in February 2018, reducing the maximum weekly working hours to 52 from 68.
The reduced workweek came into force for companies with 300 or more employees in July last year. On Jan. 1, 2020, it became applicable to small and medium-sized enterprises with 50 to 299 workers. All companies in the nation will have to comply with the revised rules beginning July 1, 2021.
In a stopgap measure to help soften the landing of the shortened workweek for SMEs, the government will not punish those firms for a year if they violate the new rules. Companies will also be allowed to impose a temporary extension of work hours if they encounter a sudden increase in workload, if their facilities break down, or (in some industries) if they need to speed up research and development projects. So far, employers have been allowed to require their workers to work longer than the legal limit in response to natural disasters and major accidents.
The government decided to exempt mask manufacturers from the shortened workweek rules in view of the higher workload during the coronavirus outbreak. But there is no guarantee that companies will be granted permission to extend working hours if their workload increases as a result of successful marketing activities.
The government has exempted research and development work in the materials and equipment industries from the shortened workweek rules, but remains opposed to similar exemptions for other sectors.
It is inefficient and unreasonable for the government to deliberate and decide such matters case by case.
It would be more desirable to apply the same rules to all companies without exception, if labor and management can agree on longer workweeks within parameters set forth by the government.
What is worrying is the objections from the country's two major umbrella labor groups to allowing mask producers and other workplaces to extend working hours to help contain the spread of the virus.
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions have insisted that this exception undermines the shortened workweek system. They have vowed to join hands to force its withdrawal, and have suggested that they might file legal action to stop it.
In effect, they are saying that vested labor interests are more important than protecting people's health and shoring up the national economy.
A fundamental way to cushion the negative effects of the shortened workweek system is to amend the law to expand an existing provision permitting flexible application of the rules, adjusting the maximum working hours to 52 on average within a certain period by allowing employees to work longer during busy times and later go on deferred leave. The local business community has called for such flexibility to be built into the system on a yearly basis instead of the current three months.
Parliamentary deliberation on a bill aimed at expanding flexibility for employers has stalled for nearly a year due to the divergent positions of rival parties. The opposition of labor organizations to the extension of working hours by mask producers should give fresh momentum to the bill's enactment based on wider public support.
(END)


Saturday's weather forecast

SEOUL , Feb. 08 ( Yonhap ) -- The following is the weather forecast for South Korea 's 12 major @ @ @ @ @ .


yna--2020-02-08--Top headlines in major S. Korean newspapers

Korean-language dailies -- Ex-Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon , Hwang Kyo-ahn to compete in Jongno ( Kyunghyang Shinmun ) -- Hwang @ @ @ @ @ district ( Kookmin Daily ) -- Department store closes after 23rd coronavirus patient 's 1-hour @ @ @ @ @ -- Coronavirus cases spread at increasing rate ( Seoul Shinmun ) -- One cough causes @ @ @ @ @ double ( Segye Times ) -- Virus alert at department store in downtown Seoul ( @ @ @ @ @ head to hospitals when having fever ( JoongAng Ilbo ) -- Hwang Kyo-ahn to compete @ @ @ @ @ in Jongno district ( Hankyoreh ) -- Lotte Department Store 's Myeongdong outlet closes due @ @ @ @ @ ) -- Lotte Department Store temporarily shuts doors , deals blow to domestic consumption ( @ @ @ @ @ Lotte Department Store closes , retailers fear mounts over shutdowns ( Korea Economic Daily )

SEOUL, Feb. 8 (Yonhap) -- The following are the top headlines in major South Korean newspapers on Feb. 8.
Korean-language dailies
-- Ex-Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon, Hwang Kyo-ahn to compete in Jongno (Kyunghyang Shinmun)
-- Hwang Kyo-ahn announces run in Jongno district (Kookmin Daily)
-- Department store closes after 23rd coronavirus patient's 1-hour shopping (Donga llbo)
-- Coronavirus cases spread at increasing rate (Seoul Shinmun)
-- One cough causes anxiety, demands for testing double (Segye Times)
-- Virus alert at department store in downtown Seoul (Chosun Ilbo)
-- People head to hospitals when having fever (JoongAng Ilbo)
-- Hwang Kyo-ahn to compete against Ex-Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon in Jongno district (Hankyoreh)
-- Lotte Department Store's Myeongdong outlet closes due to virus (Hankook Ilbo)
-- Lotte Department Store temporarily shuts doors, deals blow to domestic consumption (Maeil Business Newspaper)
-- Lotte Department Store closes, retailers fear mounts over shutdowns (Korea Economic Daily)
English-language dailies
-- Gov't tries to help virus-hit firms (Korea JoongAng Daily)
-- 'N. Korea hasn't responded to Seoul's individual tourism proposal': Unification Ministry (Korea Herald)
-- Virus death toll hits 636, over 30,000 infected (Korea Times)
(END)


yna--2020-02-08--Soup kitchens in S. Korea suspend operations amid coronavirus outbreak

`` We are sorry for providing box lunches due to the new coronavirus , '' said an official at the @ @ @ @ @ I hope the virus ' spread can be contained fast so that the homeless can @ @ @ @ @ did before . ''

SEOUL/SUWON, South Korea, Feb. 8 (Yonhap) -- The spread of the new coronavirus has shut down soup kitchens in South Korea, dealing a blow to homeless people and impoverished senior citizens who rely on free meals.
Religious groups and volunteer organizations have suspended the operation of food kitchens in an effort to help contain the spread of the virus that has infected 24 people here.
Soup kitchens provide warm meals -- mostly a bowl of rice, soup and three side dishes -- twice a day to the homeless.
But the virus outbreak has prompted meal centers to halt such services. Data on how many soup kitchens have closed across the nation is not available.
Some food kitchens have replaced full meals with box lunches, cup noodles, rice balls or kimbap, a seaweed-wrapped rice roll filled with various ingredients.
This photo, provided by the city government of Suwon, shows a soup kitchen for the homeless in Suwon, 40 kilometers south of Seoul. (PHOTO FOR NOT SALE) (Yonhap)
At a temporary shelter in Suwon, a city of 1.24 million people 40 kilometers south of Seoul, around 40 homeless people gathered and ate kimbap and cup noodles on Wednesday.
Some expressed thanks for the provision of the food, but a few complained about not having a full meal.
The homeless living near Suwon Station visit a soup kitchen operated by an Anglican religious group for warm meals. Before the virus outbreak, more than 100 homeless people used the meal center for breakfast and dinner.
But it was suspended on Jan. 30 after the coronavirus was confirmed in a few people who live in or had visited the city.
To support the homeless, the city government has spent 10 million won (US$8,419) in emergency funds to provide box lunches or kimbap.
"We are sorry for providing box lunches due to the new coronavirus," said an official at the homeless support center. "I hope the virus' spread can be contained fast so that the homeless can have warm meals as they did before."
In a similar move, the city government in Gwangmyeong, just southwest of Seoul, put the operation of six soup kitchens providing free meals to hundreds of elderly people on hold.
Instead, it plans to deliver box lunches to those who have used the meal centers.
"The move is aimed at protecting senior citizens who could be vulnerable to the infection," said a city government official.
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-08--Male N. Korean refugee arrives in U.S. in Feb.: data

He is the second North Korean refugee to resettle in the U.S. this year .
In January , a male @ @ @ @ @ Richmond , Virginia , according to data from the State Department 's bureau of population @ @ @ @ @

By Lee Haye-ah
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- A North Korean male in his 50s or older arrived in the United States as a refugee this week, U.S. government data showed Friday.
He is the second North Korean refugee to resettle in the U.S. this year. In January, a male aged 14-20 was placed in Richmond, Virginia, according to data from the State Department's bureau of population, refugees and migration.
The new arrival was reported Thursday as a male aged 51-64. He now lives in Chicago, Illinois.
No North Korean refugees were admitted last year.
The first North Korean refugees arrived in 2006, with their number peaking at 38 in 2008. From 2009 to 2016, the number of arrivals ranged between 14 and 23.
In 2017, the figure dropped sharply to one, before increasing slightly to six in 2018.
North Koreans who flee the communist regime reportedly face greater difficulty crossing the border with China due to tightened security.
Only 1,047 North Korean defectors arrived in South Korea last year, the lowest number in 18 years, according to Seoul's unification ministry.
By contrast, their number peaked at 2,914 in 2009.
This AFP file photo shows the U.S. Department of State in Washington. (Yonhap)
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)


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yna--2020-02-07--S. Korean Cha Jun-hwan in 6th after short program at Four Continents

Japanese star Yuzuru Hanyu , the two-time defending Olympic gold medalist , earned a new world record score of 111.82 @ @ @ @ @ his first Four Continents title after three silver medals .
Hanyu himself held the previous @ @ @ @ @ program with 110.53 points at the 2018 Rostelecom Cup as part of the ISU Grand @ @ @

SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- South Korean Cha Jun-hwan was in sixth place after the short program in the men's singles at the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships on Friday.
The 18-year-old scored a season-best 90.37 points at Mokdong Ice Rink in Seoul thanks to a clean program, but still found himself outside medal contention heading into Sunday's free skate.
South Korean Cha Jun-hwan performs his short program in the men's singles at the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships at Mokdong Ice Rink in Seoul on Feb. 7, 2020. (Yonhap)
No South Korean man has reached the podium at the Four Continents, which began in 1999 for skaters from Asia, Africa, Oceania and the Americas. The 2009 ladies' singles champion Kim Yu-na remains South Korea's only medalist in this annual competition.
Japanese star Yuzuru Hanyu, the two-time defending Olympic gold medalist, earned a new world record score of 111.82 to set himself up for his first Four Continents title after three silver medals. Hanyu himself held the previous world record in the short program with 110.53 points at the 2018 Rostelecom Cup as part of the ISU Grand Prix series.
Jin Boyang of China was a distant second with 95.83 points, followed by Jason Brown of the United States with 94.71 points.
Cha opened his short program with a smooth quadruple salchow, and followed it up with a triple lutz-triple loop combination. There were no glaring mistakes with Cha's spins and step sequences, but he was judged to have under-rotated on his last jump, a triple axel.
Doing just one quadruple jump wasn't enough against competitors who pulled off multiple quad jumps with dexterity for the higher technical element score (TES), while also topping Cha in the program component score (PCS), which judges overall artistry.
Two other South Koreans in action, Lee June-hyoung and Lee Si-hyeong, ranked 14th and 16th.
South Korean Cha Jun-hwan acknowledges the crowd after completing his short program in the men's singles at the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships at Mokdong Ice Rink in Seoul on Feb. 7, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-10--S. Korea qualifies for 2020 Olympic women's basketball tournament

South Korea was down 47-24 at halftime , and the gap widened to 71-44 after 30 minutes .
Head coach @ @ @ @ @ used six players Saturday , emptied his bench in Sunday 's blowout , with only @ @ @ @ @ remaining on the sidelines .

BELGRADE, Feb. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will be competing in the Olympic women's basketball tournament for the first time in a dozen years this summer.
South Korea grabbed the third and the final qualifying spot the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in a four-nation competition that wrapped up on Sunday in Belgrade, finishing behind China and Spain. Britain finished in last place as the only winless team.
South Korea lost to China 100-60 Sunday afternoon at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in the Serbian capital to finish at 1-2 in its win-loss record. South Korea began the qualifying event with an 83-46 loss to Spain on Thursday but defeated Britain 82-79 Saturday to keep its Olympic hopes alive.
In this EPA photo, Park Hye-jin of South Korea (R) tries to drive past Li Yuan of China during their women's Olympic basketball qualifying game at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in Belgrade on Feb. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
Following a loss to China, South Korea needed Spain to beat Britain, so that South Korea would take the third spot.
Spain, the top-ranked team in the tournament at No. 3, got past Britain 79-69, as South Korea sneaked into the Olympics.
South Korea had missed the past two Olympics, after playing in four straight Summer Games before that. The country's best performance came in Los Angeles in 1984 with the silver medal behind the United States.
Against China, South Korea barely put up a fight, playing less than 24 hours after three of the five starters played the entire 40 minutes in a must-win game against Britain.
South Korea was down 47-24 at halftime, and the gap widened to 71-44 after 30 minutes. Head coach Lee Moon-kyu, who only used six players Saturday, emptied his bench in Sunday's blowout, with only the injured guard Kim Jung-eun remaining on the sidelines.
Kang A-jeong led South Korea with 17 points, and she was the only player on her team to reach double figures.
In this Associated Press photo, Kim Dan-bi of South Korea (R) takes a shot over Shao Ting of China during their women's Olympic basketball qualifying game at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in Belgrade on Feb. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-10--(EDITORIAL from Korea JoongAng Daily on Feb. 10)

According to the indictments by the prosecution , as many as seven presidential offices in the Blue House -- including @ @ @ @ @ Secretary for Civil Affair and Political Affairs -- were mobilized to help Song win the @ @ @ @ @ show that Song directly met with Hwang Un-ha , Ulsan police chief at the time @ @ @ @ @ nearly a year before the election -- to ask him to investigate corruption involving aides @ @ @ @ @ That 's not all .
Hang Byung-do , the senior presidential secretary for political affairs @ @ @ @ @ advised an internal rival of Song to give up his bid for the election in @ @ @ @ @ the public sector .

The Blue House must explain
The disclosure of the full text of the indictments of 13 officials in the Blue House and other figures on charges of illegal intervention in the Ulsan mayoral election in 2018 strongly suggests the possibility of the presidential office having methodically stepped in the local election to help Song Cheol-ho, a 30-year friend of President Moon Jae-in, win the race.
According to the indictments by the prosecution, as many as seven presidential offices in the Blue House -- including the Offices of the Senior Secretary for Civil Affair and Political Affairs -- were mobilized to help Song win the election. The indictments also show that Song directly met with Hwang Un-ha, Ulsan police chief at the time, in September 2017 -- nearly a year before the election -- to ask him to investigate corruption involving aides to then-Mayor Kim Gi-hyeon. That's not all. Hang Byung-do, the senior presidential secretary for political affairs at the time, allegedly advised an internal rival of Song to give up his bid for the election in exchange for another post in the public sector.
The preface of the indictments specifically says that "a president or his aides are required to keep political neutrality more than any other civil servants." The prosecution's distinct mention of the president testifies to the graveness of the intervention as it hints at the possibility of President Moon having been aware of it or directly involved in the case. If proven true, it can trigger serious political or social repercussions. Opposition parties have called for thorough investigations by special prosecutors and the National Assembly.
Nevertheless, the Blue House maintains silence. After the indictments were partially made public by the Ministry of Justice, the Blue House did not react, saying the case is under investigation. But even after the full text was exposed by a newspaper, it is keeping mum. Former President Roh Moo-hyun was impeached for violating political neutrality by saying he "desires to do anything as long as it helps the ruling party get more votes in elections."
Illegitimate interference in elections is as grave a crime as violating political neutrality. Therefore, the Blue House must explain what happened in the lead-up to Song's election victory instead of keeping silence on the explosive allegations. Could the self-professed clean government call itself a democratic one? According to the indictments, the Director of State Affairs Planning and Monitoring at the Blue House received as many as 21 reports from the police and delivered six of them to the president.
Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae must take responsibility for stirring all the controversy by deciding to not disclose what's inside the indictments from the beginning. She is being criticized for making a wrong decision even among the ruling Democratic Party. We are disappointed at her refusal to disclose the full text of the indictments following a massive reshuffle of prosecutors digging into the suspicions.
(END)


yna--2020-02-10--(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on Feb. 10)

(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on Feb. 10)

Beijing has promised to conduct a thorough investigation into the death of Li .
It should go all-out to confirm @ @ @ @ @ their power to suppress his voice against the emergence of the virus .
Most of @ @ @ @ @ under President Xi Jinping must realize that it can not achieve the `` Chinese Dream @ @ @ @ @ control of the people .
It should make efforts to guarantee basic human rights , @ @ @ @ @ and establish a transparent and democratic system .

Death of doctor
Whistleblower sends warning against autocratic rule
The death of the doctor who sounded an early alarm on the new coronavirus speaks volumes about the Chinese authorities' poor initial reaction to the viral outbreak and the communist leadership's preoccupation with its grip on power. The Chinese government should be held accountable for his death because it suppressed his warning.
Dr. Li Wenliang, a 34-year-old ophthalmologist, died of a pneumonia-like illness Friday. It is sad to see him become a victim of the virus, against which he issued an early warning Dec. 30. It is all the more frustrating because his death could have been prevented if the health authorities in the Chinese central city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus outbreak, had not ignored his warning.
That's why social media users in China hailed Li as a hero, triggering an outpouring of grief and anger over his death. Even state broadcaster CCTV called him a "whistleblower" on the new strain of the coronavirus. An editor of the Global Times, a government-backed newspaper, said that Wuhan owes him an apology.
Li deserves praise for his courage as a whistleblower and his responsibility as a doctor. He wrote in a social media post that he saw a test sample suggesting the occurrence of a coronavirus similar to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), which claimed around 800 lives in China and other countries between 2002 and 2003. At that time, the Chinese government invited criticism for refusing to disclose relevant information about SARS in a transparent manner, and failing to contain the epidemic in the early stages.
Similar things have happened this time for the novel coronavirus which is believed to have originated in a seafood wet market selling exotic animal flesh in Wuhan. Li recommended medical workers to use protective equipment when treating patients. Regrettably, however, the local authorities reprimanded him for "rumor-mongering." Police forced him to sign a statement admitting to spreading "illegal and false" information which allegedly "disrupted the social order."
The Chinese authorities are apparently more interested in maintaining social stability and consolidating one-party rule than ensuring public health. They were hell bent on hiding the outbreak and downplaying the risk of its rapid spread in early January in order not to create social unrest. What they should fear the most is not nonexistent false information, but the actual deadly virus outbreak.
Beijing has promised to conduct a thorough investigation into the death of Li. It should go all-out to confirm if the local authorities abused their power to suppress his voice against the emergence of the virus. Most of all, the communist leadership under President Xi Jinping must realize that it cannot achieve the "Chinese Dream" only through surveillance and control of the people. It should make efforts to guarantee basic human rights, including freedom of speech, and establish a transparent and democratic system.
Chinese people and its leaders should keep in mind what Li said in an interview with media while undergoing treatment. "I think there should be more than one voice in a healthy society, and I don't approve of using public power for excessive interference," he said. His remarks could be seen as a warning against the autocratic rule of the Communist Party of China.
A photo of Li lying on a hospital bed wearing an oxygen respirator and holding his ID card is going viral online. His death should not be in vain and hopefully will lead to changes for a healthy society in China.
(END)