yna--2020-03-15--(4th LD) S. Korea adds 76 new virus cases, first time in 23 days increase falls below 100

(ATTN: ADDS details in paras 5, 14, last 5 paras, photo)
By Kang Yoon-seung
SEOUL, March 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Sunday reported 76 new cases of the coronavirus to total 8,162, marking the first time in 23 days the number of new cases has fallen below 100.
It represented the lowest daily increase in the number of patients since Feb. 21, a strong indication that the outbreak is slowing as health authorities ramp up measures to contain cluster infections.
The figure also marked the fourth straight decrease since 242 new cases were reported Wednesday.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) also reported three new deaths, bringing the death toll to 75.
The center said 63 coronavirus patients are in critical condition.
Of the new cases, 41 are in Daegu and four are in North Gyeongsang Province, the KCDC said.
The total number of confirmed cases in Daegu and North Gyeongsang, the two epicenters of the virus outbreak here, stood at 6,031 and 1,157, respectively.
The two regions accounted for roughly 88 percent of the total confirmed cases here.
Since raising the virus alert level to "red," the highest level, on Feb. 23, health authorities have focused on halting the spread of the virus in Daegu and North Gyeongsang.
Infection cases in the capital Seoul rose by nine to 247, and surrounding Gyeonggi Province reported 11 new cases for a total of 211.
The number of patients released from quarantine moved up 120 to reach 834.
The pace of daily new infections has shown signs of slowing in recent days as health authorities completed extensive testing of 210,000 Shincheonji followers who are at the center of the rapid spread.
The church members account for 61.3 percent of the total cases.
The KCDC said it believes that Shincheonji-related cases have mostly been identified.
Authorities, however, are still on high alert over new clusters of infections, including at a call center in Seoul's Guro district and the country's government complex in the administrative city of Sejong.
The KCDC said some 80 percent of the total outbreaks in the country were cluster infections. Investigations are under way for the remaining 20 percent, it added.
South Korea's oceans ministry based in the central city of Sejong, around 130 kilometers south of Seoul, reported another new coronavirus case among its staff Sunday, raising the number of cases from the ministry to 27. Two other family members of the workers were infected as well.
The total number of infections from Sejong came to 39, with the figure also including patients from the health, education and veteran ministries.
A total of 124 cases in Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province were linked to the call center, up nine from a day earlier, according to the latest data provided Sunday.
South Korea has carried out examinations on 268,212 people so far, with 243,778 testing negative for the virus. Some 16,000 are awaiting results.
The country, meanwhile, began enforcing tougher anti-coronavirus quarantine procedures for travelers from France, Germany, Spain, Britain and the Netherlands on Sunday as the virus is spreading quickly through Europe.
Tougher regulations could be applied for other countries depending on the situation, officials said.
"It seems the number of patients will increase further in many European countries. In that case, we will diversify and expand regions (subject to tougher quarantine regulations)," KCDC Deputy Director Kwon Jun-wook said.
Kwon also rejected questions about the accuracy of COVID-19 test kits currently used in South Korea. Such questions arose after several patients tested positive for the coronavirus after initially testing negative.
"There's no need for people to question the accuracy at all," Kwon added, saying South Korea is following the guidelines of the World Health Organization to test patients for the virus.
Quarantine officials carry out a disinfection operation against the new coronavirus at a cram school in Daegu, 302 kilometers south of Seoul, on March 15, 2020. (Yonhap)
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-16--Seoul stocks open lower despite Fed's rate cut

South Korea , meanwhile , reported 76 new cases of the coronavirus to total 8,162 on Sunday , marking the @ @ @ @ @ the number of new cases has fallen below 100 .

SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks opened lower Monday as investors' jitters over the impact of the new coronavirus continued despite the U.S. Federal Reserve's rate cut.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 15.18 points, or 0.86 percent, to 1,756.26 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
On Friday, the main KOSPI and the secondary Kosdaq market nose-dived due to concerns over the global spread of the new coronavirus.
On Sunday (U.S. time), the U.S. Federal Reserve decided to slash its key rate by 1 percentage point to a range of zero to 0.25 percent and roll out a quantitative easing program worth US$700 billion.
The U.S. financial market closed higher Friday on the market's hope over economic stimulus measures around the globe. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shot up 9.36 percent, and the tech-savvy Nasdaq composite gained 9.35 percent.
South Korea, meanwhile, reported 76 new cases of the coronavirus to total 8,162 on Sunday, marking the first time in 23 days the number of new cases has fallen below 100.
Shares lost ground across the board.
Market kingpin Samsung Electronics lost 0.5 percent, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix decreased 0.48 percent. Home appliances maker LG Electronics dropped 0.57 percent.
Carmakers also started weaker, with No. 1 Hyundai Motor falling 1.03 percent and its auto parts arm Hyundai Mobis losing 1.75 percent. Kia Motors moved down 1.73 percent.
Pharmaceutical firms, on the other hand, started higher, with Samsung BioLogics adding 0.66 percent and Celltrion advancing 1.17 percent. Hanmi Pharmaceutical gained 1.04 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,215.75 won against the U.S. dollar, up 3.55 won from the previous session's close.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-16--S. Korea expands special quarantine procedures to arrivals from all European countries

The special screening measures at airports began to be applied to people coming from all European countries , up from @ @ @ @ @ , France , Germany , Spain , Britain and the Netherlands -- at 12 a.m @

SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korea expanded its special quarantine procedures to arrivals from all European countries Monday over concerns about imported cases of the new coronavirus, the prime minister said.
The special screening measures at airports began to be applied to people coming from all European countries, up from the previous six -- Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Britain and the Netherlands -- at 12 a.m.
South Korea is also implementing similar measures for arrivals from China, Japan and Iran.
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


Monday's weather forecast

SEOUL , March 16 ( Yonhap ) -- The following is the weather forecast for South Korea 's 12 major @ @ @ @ @ .

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


KOSPI 1,805.43 UP 33.99 points (open)


KOSDAQ 538.68 UP 14.68 points (open)


yna--2020-03-16--Dollar opens at 1,211.0 won DN from 1,219.3 won


yna--2020-03-16--(URGENT) S. Korea expands special quarantine measures to arrivals from all European countries Monday


yna--2020-03-16--Presidential secretary to resign before trial over Cho Kuk scandal

`` Moreover , ( I ) ca n't turn away in the face of a persistent plot to reverse the @ @ @ @ @ or another , '' Choe said in the Facebook message , apparently in line with @ @ @ @ @ prosecution is trying to foil the Moon government 's reform measures .

SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- A key Cheong Wa Dae aide to President Moon Jae-in offered to resign Monday in advance of a trial to start this week over his alleged document forgery for the son of a scandal-ridden former justice minister, Cho Kuk.
Choe Kang-wook, secretary for civil service discipline, expressed his intention to step down on his Facebook account, saying he does not want to be a "burden" to the president any more.
He stressed the need for the success of the Moon administration and "protection" of the president.
Choe, a former military prosecutor and lawyer, is known for a major role in the controversial shake-up of senior state prosecutors that the government carried out as part of its prosecution reform drive.
He was indicted in January for fabricating an internship certificate in 2017 for Cho's son that was submitted in his applications for graduate schools in Seoul. At that time, Choe was working at a law firm.
He has flatly denied the "obstruction of duty" charge, describing the prosecution's move as an "indictment coup" abusing its rights.
"Moreover, (I) can't turn away in the face of a persistent plot to reverse the wheel of history one way or another," Choe said in the Facebook message, apparently in line with his repeated assertion that the prosecution is trying to foil the Moon government's reform measures.
The Seoul court, meanwhile, is scheduled to begin the trial Friday for alleged corruption related to school entrance by the former justice minister's daughter and son.
Choe Kang-wook, secretary for civil service discipline (Yonhap)
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-16--FM Kang holds conference call with counterparts from 5 countries over coronavirus response

`` During the talks , the foreign ministers shared the need for multilateral , regional and bilateral efforts while closely @ @ @ @ @ as international cooperation is imperative due to the spread of COVID-19 across the world , @ @ @ @ @ a press release .

SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha held a conference call with her counterparts from Canada and four other countries to discuss cooperation in fighting the new coronavirus, the foreign ministry said Monday.
Kang and her Canadian, German, Brazilian, Italian and Australian counterparts -- Francois-Philippe Champagne, Heiko Maas, Ernesto Henrique Fraga Araujo, Luigi Di Maio and Maris Payne -- joined the 70-minute call Sunday night (Korea time).
The talks were proposed by Canada, the ministry said.
"During the talks, the foreign ministers shared the need for multilateral, regional and bilateral efforts while closely communicating with one another, as international cooperation is imperative due to the spread of COVID-19 across the world," the ministry said in a press release.
During the phone talks, Kang renewed calls for the countries to refrain from excessive entry restrictions for travelers, which could lead to the closure of national borders and further spread fears about the pandemic.
Kang also stressed that though the new cases in Korea tracked downward, Seoul has been making active efforts to prevent community transmission and any possible inflows or outflows of the contagious disease.
She also underscored Korea's advanced diagnostic capabilities, its efforts to transparently share quarantine information with the public and mobile virus testing labs and other preemptive containment efforts.
On Sunday, South Korea reported 76 new cases of the coronavirus to total 8,162, marking the first time in 23 days the number of new cases has fallen below 100. The total death toll was tallied at 75.
This photo, taken March 6, 2020, shows Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha speaking during a briefing session with foreign diplomats on COVID-19 at the foreign ministry in Seoul. (Yonhap)
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-16--(EDITORIAL from Korea JoongAng Daily on March 16)

The minister 's animosity toward the medical community has led some pro-government radical groups to raid the office of the @ @ @ @ @ insults at their staff .
Park 's improper comments have plenty of precedent .
Appearing @ @ @ @ @ 26 , he said , `` The biggest responsibility [ for the rapid spread of @ @ @ @ @ Koreans who came in from China . ''
He argued for no entry bans on @ @ @ @ @ from the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases .
But that was a lie .

Replace the health minister
The Moon Jae-in administration declared a "special disaster area" for the entire Daegu metropolitan city and the city of Gyeongsan, as well as Cheongdo and Bonghwa counties in North Gyeongsang. However, despite the number of Covid-19 infections exceeding 8,000 and the death toll surpassing 70, the Blue House and the ruling Democratic Party are busy patting themselves on the back for Korea having emerged as an "exemplary case in the global battle against the disease." Such self-praise shows a critical lack of responsibility of the government.
At the center of the controversy is Health and Welfare Minister Park Neung-hoo. He has repeatedly caused confusion with his frivolous remarks even though he is not an expert in public health. Appearing at the National Assembly last Thursday, he demonstrated his lack of expertise again. He attributed a dearth of protective suits and face masks for medical staff to their "desire to secure as many as possible."
Korea's medical community is outraged over the minister's out-of-touch perceptions. Even a coalition of medical unions under the militant Korean Confederation of Trade Unions strongly protested his twisted perception of reality. On Friday, a group of medical doctors issued a statement calling for him to immediately step down after taking responsibility for all the chaos.
The minister's animosity toward the medical community has led some pro-government radical groups to raid the office of the Korean Medical Association and hurl insults at their staff. Park's improper comments have plenty of precedent. Appearing at the legislature on Feb. 26, he said, "The biggest responsibility [for the rapid spread of the infections] falls on Koreans who came in from China." He argued for no entry bans on people from China citing advice from the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases. But that was a lie.
In a meeting with President Moon on Feb. 28, opposition leader Hwang Kyo-ahn requested that he sack the health minister. At the time, Moon said, "Let me take another look after our battle against the virus is over." As Park's nonsensical remarks continue, however, the public loses patience rapidly.
Over the past two months, people have witnessed how inappropriate reactions from the government can show in an uphill battle against the virus. The government needs to separate health affairs from the Health and Welfare Ministry and ensure independence of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from the ministry to effectively protect the lives of the people.
(END)


yna--2020-03-16--(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on March 16)

This is a symbolic measure not only because it is the first time the government has designated a certain area @ @ @ @ @ due to an infectious disease , not a natural disaster ; but also because marks @ @ @ @ @ 's fight against COVID-19 in that Daegu and the province , where about 90 percent @ @ @ @ @ , have shown signs of stabilization .
The declaration means the government is preparing to @ @ @ @ @ anti-virus efforts to recovery based on its assessment of damage from the outbreak .

Revitalizing Daegu
Symbolic meaning for fight against COVID-19
President Moon Jae-in has declared the southeastern city of Daegu and some areas in the neighboring North Gyeongsang Province as special disaster zones to pave the way for massive state support for the areas hit hardest by the new coronavirus.
This is a symbolic measure not only because it is the first time the government has designated a certain area as a special disaster zone due to an infectious disease, not a natural disaster; but also because marks a watershed in the country's fight against COVID-19 in that Daegu and the province, where about 90 percent of cases here have occurred, have shown signs of stabilization. The declaration means the government is preparing to shift the focus of its anti-virus efforts to recovery based on its assessment of damage from the outbreak.
The measure comes amid cautious predictions that the outbreak in South Korea may have reached its peak, although dangers of mass transmissions still persist in big cities. On Sunday, the country reported 76 new cases ― the first time in 23 days the number has fallen below 100. The daily new cases have fallen for the fourth consecutive day, while the number of patients released from quarantine increased by 120 overnight to reach 834 as of Sunday morning.
This is largely thanks to the recent completion of extensive tests of more than 200,000 members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a secretive religious sect blamed for the rapid spread of the virus over the past month. The prosecution has delayed an investigation into the sect apparently out of concerns that it may hinder the testing of Shincheonji members, and therefore put the public at greater risk.
However, as the tests have been completed, a full-pledged probe could be launched soon into the religious group and its ranking members, including founder and leader Lee Man-hee. They face various allegations, including fraud, coercion, accounting irregularities, tax evasion and illegal donations to politicians. An investigation is definitely needed to look into suspicions raised by former Shincheonji members and civic activists.
With the latest measure, recovery work in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province is expected to get into full swing. Under the measure, the central government will cover 50 percent of the cost needed for damage recovery. There will also be support programs for residents and small businesses, including exemptions from public utility bills and national health insurance fees.
The nation's fight against COVID-19 is indeed entering a new phase. There have been encouraging signs showing the outbreak has slowed, but that does not mean the fight will be any easier.
(END)


yna--2020-03-16--(EDITORIAL from Korea Herald on March 16)

At the same time , the president seems to be siding with the ruling party on the need to increase @ @ @ @ @ He called for `` unprecedented '' policy measures to counter the economic fallout from the @ @ @ @ @ saying the current situation is far more severe than the SARS outbreak in 2003 and @ @ @ @ @ .

Economic leadership
Clear control tower needed to coordinate efforts to bolster virus-hit economy
The lack of an efficient control tower is increasing concerns over the country's capabilities to cope with the economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak.
South Korea managed to overcome previous economic crises relatively well by establishing a control tower in charge of coordinating policy responses.
During the 1998 foreign exchange crisis, then President Kim Dae-jung entrusted a team of competent bureaucrats to implement measures to surmount it.
When the country was hit by a global financial crisis a decade later, then President Lee Myung-bak -- a former construction company CEO -- took the lead in dealing with economic difficulties by presiding over 145 emergency meetings of related officials. His economic team was also credited for being shrewd in responding to the critical situation.
Now, the market seems to have little confidence in the economic leadership of President Moon Jae-in's government. It is unclear who is in charge of coordinating policies to cushion the economic impact of the spreading coronavirus.
Moon, a former human rights lawyer, has little knowledge and experience regarding the economy. Key officials who advise him on economic affairs at the presidential office represented civic groups critical of business conglomerates before they took their current positions.
Minister of Economy and Finance Hong Nam-ki, who doubles as deputy prime minister for economic affairs, is criticized for abandoning his role by just following instructions from Cheong Wa Dae, which were mostly out of touch with reality.
Adding to the confusion over how to shore up the virus-hit economy is the discord between the ruling Democratic Party and the Finance Ministry on whether to expand the proposed supplementary budget bill.
The party considers the 11.7 trillion won ($9.6 billion) extra budget bill, which was submitted to the parliament earlier this month, as insufficient to help with the fight against the coronavirus and to minimize its economic impact. It is pushing to increase the emergency spending plan by at least 6 trillion won to meet additional requests by parliamentary committees.
Despite his reputation for easily caving in to political pressure, Hong appears reluctant to accept the demand from the ruling party. Any sensible fiscal policymaker would find it difficult to accept the reckless spending requests that lack concrete grounds for expenditure. Critics note the ruling party is preoccupied with expanding fiscal spending regardless of its pertinence to improve the aggravating voter sentiment ahead of the general election on April 15.
Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party, last week voiced displeasure with Hong's passive attitude toward increasing the proposed extra budget. He went so far as to threaten to call for Hong's resignation unless the finance minister changed his stance.
In an emergency meeting with economic policymakers Friday, Moon expressed his confidence in Hong, asking him to keep up his "good work."
At the same time, the president seems to be siding with the ruling party on the need to increase the supplementary budget bill. He called for "unprecedented" policy measures to counter the economic fallout from the spread of the coronavirus, saying the current situation is far more severe than the SARS outbreak in 2003 and the MERS crisis in 2015.
His contradictory messages did nothing to establish Hong's position as a control tower in coping with the latest emergency economic situation.
Moon hurriedly convened the meeting Friday as growing worries over the global spread of COVID-19 jolted the local financial market beyond manufacturing and consumption.
A free fall in stock prices on the same day prompted a brief trading halt on both the main Kospi bourse and the tech-heavy Kosdaq market for the first time.
The Korean won dipped to a four-year low against the US dollar at a point during Friday's trading.
After the meeting presided over by Moon, the Financial Services Commission announced a six-month ban on stock short selling, helping trim earlier equity losses.
The financial watchdog body had already agreed with the Finance Ministry to take the measure but delayed its announcement until after the meeting convened by Moon. A quicker announcement would have further helped ease the rout on the local stock market.
The economic team should be given the authority to take measures immediately in response to market volatility without being endorsed by the president.
It is not easy and sensible to replace the top economic policymaker in times of crisis. Moon needs to delegate full power to Hong to enable him to play the role of a control tower in coping with the emergency situation.
For his part, Hong should closely coordinate with the heads of the financial watchdog and the central bank to prepare for any market instability.
entropy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-16--Top headlines in major S. Korean newspapers

Korean-language dailies -- Coronavirus likely to be one of key factors in next month 's elections ( Kyunghyang Shinmun ) -- Spain imposes lockdown , France closes cafes and restaurants over coronavirus ( Kookmin Daily ) -- S. Korea pushes for fever checks and other special measures for all arrivals over coronavirus ( Donga llbo ) -- Experts say S. Korea needs to push for rate cuts and quantitative easing to tide over economic crisis ( Seoul Shinmun ) -- Companies are in desperate need of liquidity ( Segye Times ) -- Eiffel Tower , Louvre Museum , cafes close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Chosun Ilbo ) -- Poll shows former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon of the ruling Democratic Party has 50.5 percent of support , followed by former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn , chief of the main opposition United Future Party , with 30.2 percent for parliamentary seat in Jongno district in central Seoul ( JoongAng Ilbo ) -- Credit ratings of companies expected to be lowered over coronavirus ( Hankyoreh ) -- Leaders of G-7 countries to hold teleconference Monday over coronavirus ( Hankook Ilbo ) -- Small and medium companies feared to face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home and abroad ( Maeil Business Newspaper ) -- U.S. and Europe shut down over coronavirus , S. Korean companies have no place to sell their products ( Korea Economic Daily )

SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- The following are the top headlines in major South Korean newspapers on March 16.
Korean-language dailies
-- Coronavirus likely to be one of key factors in next month's elections (Kyunghyang Shinmun)
-- Spain imposes lockdown, France closes cafes and restaurants over coronavirus (Kookmin Daily)
-- S. Korea pushes for fever checks and other special measures for all arrivals over coronavirus (Donga llbo)
-- Experts say S. Korea needs to push for rate cuts and quantitative easing to tide over economic crisis (Seoul Shinmun)
-- Companies are in desperate need of liquidity (Segye Times)
-- Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, cafes close; Europe comes to halt over coronavirus (Chosun Ilbo)
-- Poll shows former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon of the ruling Democratic Party has 50.5 percent of support, followed by former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, chief of the main opposition United Future Party, with 30.2 percent for parliamentary seat in Jongno district in central Seoul (JoongAng Ilbo)
-- Credit ratings of companies expected to be lowered over coronavirus (Hankyoreh)
-- Leaders of G-7 countries to hold teleconference Monday over coronavirus (Hankook Ilbo)
-- Small and medium companies feared to face bankruptcy due to lack of orders at home and abroad (Maeil Business Newspaper)
-- U.S. and Europe shut down over coronavirus, S. Korean companies have no place to sell their products (Korea Economic Daily)
English-language dailies
-- Daegu, North Gyeongsang named disaster zones (Korea JoongAng Daily)
-- New cases of coronavirus infection drop to lowest level in 3 weeks (Korea Herald)
-- 'COVID-19 may trigger global economic crisis' (Korea Times)
(END)


yna--2020-03-16--Foreign investors turn to net sellers of local stocks in Feb.

By country , investors from the United States held 231 trillion won worth of local stocks at the end of @ @ @ @ @ 42.4 percent of the total held by offshore investors , followed by those from Britain @ @ @ @ @ with 6.6 percent .

SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- Foreign investors became net sellers of South Korean stocks last month, ending their two-month buying spree, data showed Monday.
Foreigners sold a net 3.22 trillion won (US$2.6 billion) worth of local stocks in February, according to the data from the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS).
American investors sold a net 1.65 trillion won of stocks last month, while German investors net purchased 400 billion won worth of stocks, according to the FSS.
As of end-February, local stocks held by foreign investors came to 545.1 trillion won, accounting for 33.7 percent of the country's market capitalization.
By country, investors from the United States held 231 trillion won worth of local stocks at the end of last month, accounting for 42.4 percent of the total held by offshore investors, followed by those from Britain with 7.8 percent and Luxemburg with 6.6 percent.
Foreigners also bought a net 570 billion won worth of local bonds last month, extending their buying spree to a second straight month. Their bond holdings were valued at 128.7 trillion won, or 6.9 percent of the total as of end-February.
entropy@yna.co.kr
(END)


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yna--2020-03-16--S. Korea heightens travel advisory for Europe

`` The travel advisory was issued in consideration of growing concerns over our citizens ' exposure to infection as COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ the European region , where movement is relatively free , '' the foreign ministry said @ @ @ @ @

SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Monday raised its travel advisory for 36 European countries on growing concerns about COVID-19 infections in the region.
The foreign ministry issued a "yellow" advisory -- the third highest level in the four-tier alert system -- calling for restraint in traveling to the countries in Western and Central Europe.
South Korea earlier issued the same level of advisory for five regions in Italy that were hit hardest by the new coronavirus.
The expanded list includes the 27 European Union member countries, 26 Schengen Area nations -- many of which are also EU states -- and five others: Andorra, Britain, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City.
"The travel advisory was issued in consideration of growing concerns over our citizens' exposure to infection as COVID-19 cases are sharply rising within the European region, where movement is relatively free," the foreign ministry said in a press release.
The ministry said it would continue to review whether to alter the travel advisory level depending on the situation in the region.
A file photo of a sign at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Seoul (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-16--(6th LD) New virus cases continue to slow, cluster infections still a concern

The pace of daily new inflections has shown marked signs of slowing since the second week of this month as @ @ @ @ @ of 210,000 Shincheonji followers who are at the center of the rapid spread , but @ @ @ @ @ alert over new clusters of infections , including at a call center in Seoul 's @ @ @ @ @ 's government complex in the administrative city of Sejong .

(ATTN: ADDS details in paras 4-5, 14-15, 25)
SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korea saw another downward trend in daily new infections of the novel coronavirus Monday, but multiple small-scale cluster infections continued to emerge across the nation, keeping health authorities on edge.
The 74 new cases, which were detected Sunday, brought the nation's total infections to 8,236, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said.
Sunday's new cases marked the lowest number of daily infections in more than three weeks, and it was the second straight day that daily new infections fell to a double-digit increase.
The KCDC added that 75 people, mostly elderly patients with underlying illnesses, had died across the country from the respiratory virus that emerged in China late last year.
On Monday, health authorities reported five more fatalities, including an 81-year-old woman with diabetes and hypertension. The latest deaths have yet to be included in the official update.
The KCDC said 59 virus patients are in critical condition. The flu-like virus causes a fever, cough, runny nose and headache for most healthy people, but the risk of severe infection is high for elderly people with underlying health problems.
In South Korea, the virus has preyed on the elderly and already sick people. The KCDC said 70.6 percent of deaths were in their 70s and above. Another 18.7 percent of fatalities were in their 60s. No death from a virus patient younger than 29 has been reported.
To better shield elderly people from the virus, KCDC Director Jeong Eun-kyeong called for elderly people to stay indoors "as soon as possible" and refrain from visiting crowded places.
Also, people should refrain from visiting hospitals and nursing homes to meet their parents or loved ones, Jeong said.
This graph, provided by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) on March 16, 2020, shows daily new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus and total infections in South Korea. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
As people around the world have braced for life under the pandemic, Jeong said people in South Korea must prepare for "everyday containment" measures against a "prolonged war" on the virus.
"The growth pace of daily new inflections has been on a decline, but sporadic cases have continued to emerge," Jeong said.
The relentless threat of the virus has already reshaped everyday life in South Korea, extending school breaks, encouraging work from home and shunning gatherings.
"To cope with a prolonged war, we must prepare for new everyday life where following containment measures in life should be taken for granted," Jeong said.
The education ministry is expected to announce a plan Tuesday to further expand winter breaks for kindergartens and elementary, middle and high schools, possibly for two more weeks.
The ministry has postponed the start of the new semester for those schools until March 23.
South Korea has released a total of 1,137 fully recovered novel coronavirus patients from hospitals as of Sunday, up 303 from a day earlier, the KCDC said.
It took about 15 days on average for a person to be released from isolation after testing positive for the virus, the KCDC said.
Sunday's number of cured people marked the biggest one-day increase so far. Last week, the number of daily cured people exceeded the number of daily new infections in South Korea for the first time since Jan. 20, when the virus was first detected on South Korean soil.
About 61 percent of confirmed cases have been linked to a branch of the Shincheonji religious sect in Daegu, which is the country's fourth-largest city with a population of 2.5 million.
The pace of daily new inflections has shown marked signs of slowing since the second week of this month as health authorities completed extensive testing of 210,000 Shincheonji followers who are at the center of the rapid spread, but authorities are still on high alert over new clusters of infections, including at a call center in Seoul's Guro district and the country's government complex in the administrative city of Sejong.
Of the 74 new cases, 35 are in Daegu and seven are in North Gyeongsang, the KCDC said. The total number of confirmed cases in Daegu and North Gyeongsang, the two epicenters of the virus outbreak here, stood at 6,066 and 1,164, respectively.
While Daegu and North Gyeongsang still account for the majority of daily new infections, cases of community spread with unknown origins, mostly cluster and sporadic outbreaks, are gradually on the rise.
Seoul's confirmed cases rose by six to 253, with at least 79 cases linked to a call center in Guro Ward and another 14 cases linked to Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital in Eunpyeong Ward. Another 13 cases in Seoul came from an apartment building in Seongdong Ward.
Incheon's number of cases was unchanged at 30, with 18 cases linked to the Guro call center. Gyeonggi Province, which surrounds Seoul and Incheon, saw confirmed cases climb by 20 to 231, with 32 cases tied to the Guro call center and another 28 tied to Shincheonji.
Another cluster transmission was reported at a church in Seongnam, south of Seoul, that has affected 41 in Gyeonggi Province, three in Seoul and two in Incheon, including the pastor and his wife.
Virus cases in Busan rose by one to 107, with 34 patients linked to a Christian church in the Dongnae district and another eight patients linked to Shincheonji. The 34 patients of the Oncheon church in Busan are tied to the church's three-day retreat that ended on Feb. 17, officials said. It is still unclear how they were infected with the virus.
A nurse takes a sample from a man to test for the new coronavirus through a "glove wall" at Boramae Medical Center in Seoul, in this undated photo released by the hospital on March 16, 2020. The medical center has introduced the system, which separates a suspected patient and a medical worker when a COVID-19 virus test is conducted, for the first time in South Korea. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
In South Chungcheong Province, which includes the city of Cheonan, 104 of the total 112 patients were tied to a Zumba dance class in Cheonan, the KCDC said.
Clusters of infections account for 80.7 percent of the total confirmed cases as of Monday, meaning that people can contract the virus if they are in crowded places.
A total of 46 people who are tied to a church in Seongnam, south of Seoul, have tested positive for the virus, the KCDC said.
With unknown virus patients who have not developed symptoms appearing to cause significant amounts of infection, the government has called for people to avoid non-essential gatherings in crowded places, such as religious facilities, nursing homes, internet cafes and karaoke rooms.
As the spread of the virus shows little signs of a let-up in Europe and the Middle East, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said the government would tighten border checks for all travelers from France, Germany, Spain, Britain and the Netherlands.
The stricter immigration procedures require international travelers to get fever checks and submit papers on their health. They are required to download a smartphone app that will allow them to be put under supervision if they show symptoms.
Such requirements have been applied to people who have visited mainland China, Macau, Hong Kong, Iran and Italy.
As the number of imported virus cases grows, South Korea is preparing to expand its stricter border checks to all people coming from abroad, Vice Health Minister Kim Ganglip told reporters.
A total of four imported cases of the novel coronavirus in South Korea have been confirmed, including three patients who traveled to European countries and tested positive for the virus last Saturday, Kim said.
Many experts expected the government to extend school breaks another two weeks to early next month.
Kim said, "It is not the stage where we talk about easing of social distancing."
Kim also hinted that school breaks may be extended, saying, "If schools open, they could become a connecting link to expand local transmissions.
"To help halt the spread of COVID-19 in local communities, social distancing should be put in place over the next two or three weeks," Kim said.
Nurses at Dongsan Hospital in virus-hit Daegu are in a line to put on protective gear before their shift on March 16, 2020. (Yonhap)
Since raising the virus alert level to "red," the highest level, on Feb. 23, health authorities have focused on halting the spread of the virus in Daegu and North Gyeongsang.
On Sunday, the government designated Daegu and three other hard-hit areas in North Gyeongsang as "special disaster zones," allowing it to subsidize about half of recovery spending and exempt people there from taxes and utility fees.
The World Health Organization declared last week that the global coronavirus crisis is a pandemic as the virus has spread to every continent except Antarctica.
The number of people being checked for the virus and under quarantine came to 7,024 as of Sunday, down 229 from the day before, the KCDC said. The country has tested a total of 274,504 suspected cases, with 251,297 testing negative.
Currently, there is no evidence that the new coronavirus is airborne. WHO said the virus is transmitted through droplets or close contact.
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-16--(3rd LD) BOK trims rate to record low of 0.75 pct to support economy amid virus outbreak

It is also seeking an extra budget of 11.7 trillion won , which , if approved by parliament , would @ @ @ @ @ kind to be formed against an outbreak and also the first to be formed in @ @ @ @ @ .

(ATTN: UPDATES with remarks from BOK Gov. Lee Ju-yeol, additional information, minor edits in paras 8-9, 13-26)
By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- The Bank of Korea (BOK) delivered an unexpected rate cut to send its key rate to an all-time low on Monday, joining other global peers to help minimize the fallout from the spread of the new coronavirus and financial turmoil.
In a hastily organized rate-setting meeting, the BOK slashed the key rate by half a percentage point to 0.75 percent.
The BOK's emergency rate cut marked the first of its kind in over 10 years. South Korea's key rate had been kept at 1.25 percent since October.
The bank also cut borrowing costs for its loan facility scheme aimed at helping smaller companies and made more bonds sold by banks eligible for its open market operations to help raise liquidity in the financial system.
The BOK had been reluctant to cut the rate at its latest rate-setting meeting held Feb. 27, more than a month after Seoul reported its confirmed case of COVID-19.
The bank insisted the fallout from the virus, despite being very serious and damaging, required industry or business-specific support measures, instead of a monetary policy shift.
BOK Gov. Lee Ju-yeol said it was the faster and wider spread of the virus that had forced the central bank to make the emergency rate cut.
"COVID-19 spread much faster and to more regions than anticipated, and thus the board decided its impact on economic activities will be much greater than earlier expected and that its effect will also be prolonged as the virus spreads throughout the globe," Lee said of the reasons for the cut in a press briefing.
"Since the last Monetary Policy Board meeting, concerns about a global economic slowdown have deepened with COVID-19 spreading globally," the BOK said earlier in a statement.
"The board, therefore, judged that further monetary policy accommodation is called for in order to ease volatility in the financial markets and reduce the effects on future economic growth and inflation," it added.
The BOK earlier slashed its growth estimate for the South Korean economy to 2.1 percent from 2.3 percent forecast late last year.
Lee said an additional downward revision for the South Korean economy would be inevitable.
"We did not expect the virus to spread so rapidly and so widely throughout the globe. Considering such a wide spread of the virus, the country's economic growth may be expected to fall short of the earlier estimate," the top central banker told the press briefing.
Many already expect South Korea's growth to dip to its lowest level in over 10 years.
Global ratings agency S&P has slashed its growth projection for South Korea to 1.1 percent in two downward revisions in less than a month, with another global credit appraiser, Moody's, also slashing its growth estimate to 1.4 percent from the previous 2.1 percent.
The South Korean economy grew 2 percent last year, marking the slowest growth since 2009, when it expanded 0.7 percent from a year earlier.
BOK cuts key rate Bank of Korea (BOK) Gov. Lee Ju-yeol bangs the gavel to open an emergency Monetary Policy Committee meeting at the central bank in Seoul on March 16, 2020, in this photo provided by the BOK. The committee cut the benchmark interest rate to a record low of 0.75 percent to contain the economic damage from the coronavirus outbreak. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Monday's rate cut followed the second emergency rate cut by the U.S. Fed in less than two weeks.
The Fed slashed its own rate by 100 basis points on Sunday (U.S. time) to a target range of 0 percent to 0.25 percent.
The BOK governor noted the U.S. rate reductions may have lowered what he called the "effective lower boundary" for South Korea's own key rate.
"Because the U.S. Fed slashed its rates by such a large margin, we believe the possibility of capital outflow due to our rate reduction will remain relatively limited," said Lee.
He refused to offer a direct answer when asked about the possibility of an additional rate cut down the road.
"I can only say the BOK is prepared to take adequate measures, depending on changes in economic conditions, while considering all available measures," the BOK chief said.
Lee noted such measures could include a currency swap arrangement with the United States, but refused to confirm whether such a deal was being pursued.
"When the local foreign exchange market became unstable in the midst of the 2008 financial crisis, the Korea-U.S. currency swap deal contributed to market stabilization. It is true that a currency swap arrangement with the United States can be an excellent safety net against risks in the foreign exchange market," he said.
The BOK's rate cut follows a series of steps aimed at minimizing the economic fallout from COVID-19.
The BOK earlier raised its ceiling on low-interest loans extended by banks to small and medium-sized businesses to 30 trillion won from the previous 25 trillion won.
The central bank slashed its lending rates on such special loans by up to 50 basis points to 0.25 percent.
"To manage liquidity in the financial market at a sufficient level, the board will also broaden the eligible collateral for open market operations to include debentures issued by banking institutions," it said.
The government has announced two support packages, worth 20 trillion won (US$16.3 billion), to help stem the virus and keep the local economy from shrinking.
It is also seeking an extra budget of 11.7 trillion won, which, if approved by parliament, would be the largest of its kind to be formed against an outbreak and also the first to be formed in the first quarter since 2009.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-16--Military under fire for lax discipline over series of civilian intrusions into bases

`` We take this incident seriously and will thoroughly look into the overall base management system and come up with @ @ @ @ @ JCS said in a release .

SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- A civilian intruded into an Army outpost in the capital area Monday, officials said, in the latest in a series of similar cases that have sparked criticism of the military's lax security.
The man in his 50s dug under the fence surrounding an air defense outpost in Siheung, south of Seoul, at around 12:40 p.m. and went inside, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
After questioning him, the authorities dismissed the possibility of espionage and sent him to the police for further investigation, it added.
He climbed up the hill where the outpost, managed by the Army's Capital Defense Command, is located to gather wild greens and was drunk at the time, according to a JCS officer.
"We take this incident seriously and will thoroughly look into the overall base management system and come up with follow-up measures," the JCS said in a release.
The case came less than two weeks after the military failed to detect two activists intruding into a naval compound on the southern island of Jeju and wandering around for about two hours.
After conducting a probe into the Jeju case for several days, the JCS said defective security cameras and lax discipline were to blame for the intrusion and vowed to devise measures to prevent any recurrence.
On Monday, the JCS belatedly told reporters of a similar case that took place on Jan. 3, in which a man in his 70s got into the Jinhae Naval Command in the southeastern city of Changwon undeterred.
He reportedly suffers from a mental illness, according to the authorities.
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-16--Oceans minister under self-isolation following virus cases at gov't complex

Health authorities have advised Minister Moon Seong-hyeok to work from his residence until March 24 after he was found to @ @ @ @ @ ministry official who tested positive , according to ministry officials .
Moon himself has tested @ @

SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- The minister of oceans and fisheries became the first South Korean Cabinet member to go into self-isolation Monday, following recent coronavirus infections at the government complex in the central city of Sejong.
Health authorities have advised Minister Moon Seong-hyeok to work from his residence until March 24 after he was found to have had contact with a ministry official who tested positive, according to ministry officials. Moon himself has tested negative.
The oceans ministry, headquartered in Sejong, the country's administrative hub city, 130 kilometers south of Seoul, has emerged as an infection cluster, with 27 employees testing positive and 292 going into self-isolation following the ministry's first infection, reported on March 10.
South Korea has so far confirmed 8,236 cases of the new coronavirus, according to the latest data from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This photo, taken on March 9, 2020, shows Oceans and Fisheries Minister Moon Seong-hyeok speaking at a meeting on the new coronavirus with relevant industries at the government complex in Sejong. (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-16--(URGENT) BOK chief says U.S. rate cut may work to limit possible capital outflow, won's fall


yna--2020-03-16--(URGENT) BOK chief says currency swap with U.S. would be excellent 'safety net' against turmoil


yna--2020-03-16--(URGENT) BOK chief says S. Korea's economic growth expected to fall short of 2.1 pct estimate


yna--2020-03-16--(URGENT) BOK chief says faster, wider spread of virus than expected prompted emergency rate cut


yna--2020-03-16--(URGENT) One BOK board member offers 0.25 percentage point cut: BOK chief


yna--2020-03-16--(URGENT) BOK chief says downside risk greater than before


yna--2020-03-16--(URGENT) BOK chief says global economic slowdown may prolong due to travel restrictions


yna--2020-03-16--Top S. Korean negotiator eyes early conclusion of defense cost talks with U.S.

Since last September , the two countries have held six rounds of SMA talks , including the last in Washington @ @ @ @ @ failed to bridge differences over how much Seoul should pay this year and beyond and @ @ @ @ @ the SMA .

By Song Sang-ho
SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's top negotiator in defense cost-sharing talks with the United States pledged Monday to strive for the early conclusion of the negotiations amid growing concerns about potential furloughs for Korean employees in the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK).
Jeong Eun-bo made the remarks before departing for Los Angeles to hold the seventh round of negotiations this week on how much Seoul should pay this year and beyond for stationing the 28,500-strong USFK.
Jeong and his U.S. counterpart, James DeHart, will meet on Tuesday and Wednesday as some 9,000 Korean workers are facing unpaid leave, which would begin on April 1 absent a new cost-sharing deal, called the Special Measures Agreement (SMA).
"Though there are still gaps between South Korea and the U.S., I will make efforts to strengthen the bilateral alliance and combined defense posture, and especially help foster the stable working conditions for the Korean workers in the USFK by making mutual efforts for win-win results," Jeong told reporters.
Jeong Eun-bo, South Korea's top negotiator in defense cost-sharing negotiations with the United States, speaks to the press before departing for Los Angeles at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, on March 16, 2020. (Yonhap)
"Though there has been a two-month hiatus in the negotiations, the two countries' negotiation chiefs have been communicating with each other. Based on what we have communicated so far, I will make efforts for the early conclusion of the negotiations," he added.
The USFK has repeatedly notified the workers that they could be placed in temporary "nonduty and nonpay" status due to the absence of the SMA -- in an apparent move to pressure Seoul to make concessions in the stalemated negotiations.
Since last September, the two countries have held six rounds of SMA talks, including the last in Washington in January. But they failed to bridge differences over how much Seoul should pay this year and beyond and what should be covered by the SMA.
In the forthcoming talks, the two sides are likely to thrash out Seoul's proposal to first address the Korean staff's wage issues under a separate arrangement using the budget that Seoul has already earmarked for its financial contributions to the USFK this year.
If that arrangement is struck, Seoul hopes to incorporate it into this year's new SMA upon the negotiations' conclusion. Both the wage arrangement and the SMA are subject to parliamentary ratification.
Last year's SMA, which expired in December, called for Seoul to pay around US$870 million.
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-16--(2nd LD) BOK trims rate to record low of 0.75 pct to support economy amid virus outbreak

SEOUL , March 16 ( Yonhap ) -- The Bank of Korea ( BOK ) delivered an unexpected rate cut @ @ @ @ @ to an all-time low on Monday , joining other global peers to help minimize the @ @ @ @ @ the new coronavirus and financial turmoil .

(ATTN: RESENDS paras 7-8 with excerpts from English version of BOK statement; UPDATES with more details, additional information in paras 10-11, 14-17)
By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- The Bank of Korea (BOK) delivered an unexpected rate cut to send its key rate to an all-time low on Monday, joining other global peers to help minimize the fallout from the spread of the new coronavirus and financial turmoil.
In a hastily organized rate-setting meeting, the BOK slashed the key rate by half a percentage point to 0.75 percent.
The BOK's emergency rate cut marked the first of its kind in over 10 years.
South Korea's key rate had been kept at 1.25 percent since October.
The bank also cut borrowing costs for its loan facility scheme aimed at helping smaller companies and made more bonds sold by banks eligible for its open market operations to help raise liquidity in the financial system.
The BOK had been reluctant to cut the rate at its latest rate-setting meeting held Feb. 27, more than a month after Seoul reported its confirmed case of COVID-19.
The bank insisted the fallout from the virus, despite being very serious and damaging, required industry or business-specific support measures, instead of a monetary policy shift.
"Since the last Monetary Policy Board meeting, concerns about a global economic slowdown have deepened with COVID-19 spreading globally," the BOK said in a statement.
"The board, therefore, judged that further monetary policy accommodation is called for in order to ease volatility in the financial markets and reduce the effects on future economic growth and inflation," it added.
The BOK earlier slashed its growth estimate for the South Korean economy to 2.1 percent from 2.3 percent forecast late last year.
Others anticipate far worse conditions for Asia's fourth-largest economy down the road.
Global ratings agency S&P has slashed its growth projection for South Korea to 1.1 percent in two downward revisions in less than a month, with another global credit appraiser, Moody's, also slashing its growth estimate to 1.4 percent from the previous 2.1 percent.
Monday's emergency rate cut follows the second emergency rate cut by the U.S. Fed in less than two weeks.
The Fed slashed its own rate by 100 basis points on Sunday (U.S. time) to a target range of 0 percent and 0.25 percent.
It also follows a series of steps aimed at minimizing the economic fallout from COVID-19.
The BOK earlier raised its ceiling on low-interest loans extended by banks to small and medium-sized businesses to 30 trillion won from the previous 25 trillion won.
On Monday, the central bank slashed its lending rates on such special loans by up to 50 basis points to 0.25 percent.
"To manage liquidity in the financial market at a sufficient level, the board will also broaden the eligible collateral for open market operations to include debentures issued by banking institutions," it said.
The government has announced two support packages, worth 20 trillion won (US$16.3 billion), to help stem the virus and keep the local economy from shrinking.
It is also seeking an extra budget of 11.7 trillion won, which, if approved by parliament, would be the largest of its kind to be formed against an outbreak and also the first to be formed in the first quarter since 2009.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-16--(LEAD) Iran calls for international medical aid amid rising coronavirus death toll

In an apparent allusion to U.S. sanctions against Iran that have limited the flow of medical necessities into the Middle @ @ @ @ @ also took a swipe at Washington for hindering `` Iran 's national efforts and capacities @ @ @ @ @ ''

(ATTN: RECASTS lead; ADDS more info in 7th para)
SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- The Iranian Embassy in Seoul said Monday that Tehran "welcomes" international medical assistance to help fight the new coronavirus, amid shortages of medicine and other supplies stemming from crippling U.S. sanctions.
The embassy made the appeal, stressing the need for a "globally coordinated" response to containing the COVID-19 pandemic and accusing the United States of hampering Iran's virus containment efforts.
On Sunday, Iran announced the total number of its confirmed cases had reached 13,938 with 724 deaths.
"The government of I.R. (Islamic Republic) Iran welcomes international assistance, through providing necessary medical needs and necessities by the U.N. system, in particular WHO and UNICEF and also by international communities," the embassy said in a press release.
"Iranian embassies and consulates across the world have scaled up their interactions with host countries and the volunteer communities in facilitating the shipments of required medical equipment," it added.
In an apparent allusion to U.S. sanctions against Iran that have limited the flow of medical necessities into the Middle East country, the embassy also took a swipe at Washington for hindering "Iran's national efforts and capacities to contain the disease."
To help ease humanitarian concerns in Iran and maintain economic ties with it, Seoul has been exploring ways to export humanitarian products to Iran.
Amid growing concerns about the safety of 220 South Korean nationals in Iran, Seoul has been considering using a chartered flight to bring some of them back home.
South Korea has so far reported 8,236 COVID-19 cases with 75 deaths.
A car engages in disinfection operations in Tehran on March 1, 2020, in this photo released by the Associated Press. (Yonhap)
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-16--(3rd LD) Capital area reports another cluster infection at church

The Seongnam church case came after several cluster infections have been recently reported across the Seoul metropolitan area amid a @ @ @ @ @ of new COVID-19 cases in South Korea , in addition to outbreaks in Daegu and @ @ @ @ @ center of the nation 's coronavirus outbreak .

(ATTN: UPDATES with new figures and more details in first 4 paras and in paras 21-25, minor edits throughout)
SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- Another cluster transmission of the new coronavirus has infected 46 members of a protestant church in Seongnam, just south of Seoul, the municipal government said Monday, ringing an alarm bell on the steady spread of cluster infections in the capital area.
The city government of Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, said 40 additional followers of the River of Grace Community Church tested positive for COVID-19 after six members, including the pastor and his wife, were found to be infected over the past week.
They all attended the same service on March 8, it noted.
One Seongnam resident who had come into contact with one of the infected church members also tested positive for the virus.
The entrance of the River of Grace Community Church in Seongnam, south of Seoul in Gyeonggi Province, is closed on March 16, 2020, after 40 of its members tested positive for the coronavirus. (Yonhap)
The Seongnam church became the second-largest cluster of infections in the capital area after a Seoul insurance call center, which has so far reported 129 infections.
According to Seongnam officials, the coronavirus infections of the church's pastor, wife and other members who attended the same service on March 8 have been confirmed over the past week.
The city government made the announcement after testing all of the church's 135 followers, including about 90 who attended the March 8 service.
The Seongnam church case came after several cluster infections have been recently reported across the Seoul metropolitan area amid a steep decline in the number of new COVID-19 cases in South Korea, in addition to outbreaks in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, the center of the nation's coronavirus outbreak.
Seongnam city officials disinfect the neighborhood of River of Grace Community Church, where 40 members have tested positive for the coronavirus, on March 15, 2020, in this photo provided by Seongnam City Hall. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
South Korea on Monday reported 74 new cases of the coronavirus to total 8,236, marking the second consecutive day the number of new cases was below 100.
Authorities, however, are still on high alert over new clusters of infections, including at a call center in Seoul's Guro district and the country's government complex in the administrative city of Sejong.
A total of 129 cases in Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province have been linked to the Guro call center, while the oceans ministry, based in the central city of Sejong, around 130 kilometers south of Seoul, has reported 27 confirmed cases.
According to Seoul's metropolitan government, a cluster infection originating at a church and an internet cafe in Dongdaemun Ward has also affected 24 people.
Seoul has so far reported a little over 250 confirmed cases, while Gyeonggi Province's coronavirus patients have topped 230.
The authorities have urged local churches and other religious organizations to refrain from holding worship in person, but some have failed to heed the request.
Lee Jae-myung, governor of Gyeonggi Province, met with the province's religious leaders on Feb. 28 to encourage them to hold online services to help curb the coronavirus outbreak.
Seongnam's River of Grace Community Church, however, went ahead with its Sunday services on March 1 and 8.
The church, located on the third and fourth floors of a commercial building, has announced a two-week shutdown from last Monday to this coming Sunday.
Most of the building's stores, including a restaurant, cafe and hospital, have also temporarily suspended business after the mass infection of the church followers was reported.
Neighbors say around 100 followers used to pack the church's chapel of about 100 square meters on the third floor every Sunday, adding the place was also frequented by 20 to 30 followers on weekdays.
"All large-scale churches in Seongnam have suspended physical worship services, but the River of Grace Community Church had pushed ahead with its Sunday gathering for two weeks, despite protests from neighbors," a Seongnam resident said.
This photo provided by the government of Gyeonggi Province shows an official of the River of Grace Community Church spraying salt water into the mouth of a church member. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Provincial officials suspect that the church's inappropriate use of a salt water spray for all church members attending the Sunday services may have caused the latest cluster of infections.
Footage of a surveillance camera, released by the province, showed church officials spraying salt water into the mouths of all church members before attending the March 1 and 8 services, apparently for disinfection purposes.
"If the spray was repeatedly used for different people without disinfection, it could have increased the number of infections," a provincial official said.
The church's pastor, identified only as Kim, apologized for the mass infection of his church members, speaking over the phone with Yonhap News Agency.
"I feel deeply sorry about what has happened. I will take all the blame and responsibility," Kim said, indicating his intention to retire after the ongoing crisis is over.
Meanwhile, Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon told reporters Monday that most religious organizations have temporarily shifted to online services in accordance with the government's request, but 33 percent of churches in the city are still carrying on with offline worship.
"There has been an increasing number of cases where office workers become infected while attending church services," Park said, again urging local churches to avoid on-site services.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-16--USFK removes travel restrictions for Cheonan due to decline in coronavirus cases

As of midnight , South Korea had reported 8,236 confirmed cases of the novel virus , including 75 deaths .
@ @ @ @ @ have tested positive so far , with the latest case being reported on March 10 @

SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) said Monday it has removed travel restrictions for South Korea's central city of Cheonan "due to the decline" in coronavirus cases in the area.
Last week, USFK designated the city as a coronavirus "hotspot." Nearly 100 Cheonan residents were confirmed to have the COVID-19 virus, including one USFK employee.
"Personnel residing in Cheonan who were previously deemed non-mission essential should contact their command prior to returning to work," USFK said in a Facebook message.
Upon the designation, USFK personnel in the region were temporarily deemed non-mission essential, and those deemed mission essential were supposed to travel directly to and from work.
As of midnight, South Korea had reported 8,236 confirmed cases of the novel virus, including 75 deaths. Among USFK-related population, nine have tested positive so far, with the latest case being reported on March 10.
USFK maintains its travel restriction measures for the southeastern city of Daegu, where more than 70 percent of the country's total cases have occurred.
A military guard at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, 70 kilometers south of Seoul, checks the temperature of a driver to screen entrants to the compound for the novel coronavirus on Feb. 28, 2020, in this photo provided by United States Forces Korea. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-16--(LEAD) BOK trims rate to record low of 0.75 pct to support economy amid virus outbreak

(ATTN: MODIFIES lead; UPDATES with more details, additional information throughout)
By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- The Bank of Korea (BOK) delivered an unexpected rate cut to send its key rate to a new record low on Monday, joining other global peers to help minimize the fallout from the spread of the new coronavirus and financial turmoil.
In a hastily organized rate-setting meeting, the BOK slashed the key rate by a half percentage point to 0.75 percent.
The BOK's emergency rate cut marked the first of its kind in over 10 years.
South Korea's key rate had been kept at 1.25 percent since October.
The BOK had been reluctant to cut the rate at its latest rate-setting meeting held Feb. 27, more than a month after Seoul reported its confirmed case of COVID-19.
The bank insisted the fallout from the virus, despite being very serious and damaging, required industry or business-specific support measures, instead of a monetary policy shift.
"Concerns over a global economic slump intensified since the BOK's last monetary policy decision as COVID-19 spread throughout the globe," the BOK said in a released statement.
"Accordingly, the monetary policy board decided there is a need to minimize the impact on economic growth and consumer prices by expanding the easing stance of its monetary policy and minimize the volatility in the financial market," it added.
The BOK earlier slashed its growth estimate for the South Korean economy to 2.1 percent from 2.3 percent forecast late last year.
Monday's emergency rate cut follows the second emergency rate cut by the U.S. Fed in less than two weeks.
The Fed slashed its own rate by 100 basis points on Sunday (U.S. time) to a target range of 0 percent and 0.25 percent.
The BOK's latest rate cut came as South Korea has been seeking to minimize economic fallout from COVID-19.
The government has announced two support packages, worth 20 trillion won (US$16.3 billion), to help stem the virus and keep the local economy from shrinking.
It is also seeking an extra budget of 11.7 trillion won, which, if approved by parliament, would be the largest of its kind to be formed against an outbreak and also the first to be formed in the first quarter since 2009.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-16--'Glove-wall' fence set up to collect coronavirus samples

SEOUL , March 16 ( Yonhap ) -- A South Korean hospital said Monday that it has started to use @ @ @ @ @ to collect tissue samples from people who may be infected with the novel coronavirus so @ @ @ @ @ to wear high-level protective clothing .

SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean hospital said Monday that it has started to use a "glove-wall" system to collect tissue samples from people who may be infected with the novel coronavirus so medical personnel do not have to wear high-level protective clothing.
The wall, made of transparent acryl, completely separates medical staff from the people they are checking and has specially made holes fitted with gloves for acquiring samples, according to Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center.
The wall is set up at a clinic dedicated to checking people showing signs of COVID-19. The samples collected are sent to a lab, which then sends the results to the health authorities.
A nurse takes a sample from a man to test for the new coronavirus through a "glove wall" at Boramae Medical Center in Seoul, in this undated photo released by the hospital on March 16, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
"This system fully protects medical personnel from infection risks so there is no reason to wear level D protection suits that take time to put on," a hospital official said.
In addition, the wall reduces demand for protective clothing so it can be allocated to doctors and nurses who treat infected patients in close quarters.
Similar systems will be set up at other facilities such as the community treatment center in Taereung, northern Seoul.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)


Yonhap News Summary

South Korea has been in talks with about 20 countries to persuade them to allow the entry of businesspeople with @ @ @ @ @ , as many companies have been struggling to keep up with their overseas businesses at @ @ @ @ @ and territories are restricting arrivals from Korea .

The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Monday.
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BOK trims rate to record low of 0.75 pct to support economy amid virus outbreak
SEOUL -- The Bank of Korea (BOK) delivered an unexpected rate cut to a record low on Monday to help buffer economic fallout from the new coronavirus outbreak, hours after the U.S. Federal Reserve slashed the key rate to a zero level.
In a hastily organized rate-setting meeting, the BOK slashed the key rate by a half percentage point to 0.75 percent.
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(LEAD) Moon says Seoul, nearby areas in critical fight against virus, vows no let-up in quarantine
SEOUL -- President Moon Jae-in said Monday that South Korea is facing an all-important round of battle against the spread of the novel coronavirus in Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province, and stressed the government won't let up on efforts to contain the virus.
Daegu, a city located 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, and nearby North Gyeongsang Province saw steady reductions in the number of patients over the past few days. But several cases of massive infections were confirmed in the Seoul capital area, with a population of around 25 million, particularly centered on a call center, an internet cafe, a church and a hospital, Moon noted.
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7-8 countries grant S. Korean businesspeople exceptions to entry curbs: official
SEOUL -- Seven to eight countries have granted exceptions to their coronavirus entry restrictions and allowed South Korean businesspeople to come in on a case-by-base basis, a foreign ministry official said Monday.
South Korea has been in talks with about 20 countries to persuade them to allow the entry of businesspeople with no risk of coronavirus infection, as many companies have been struggling to keep up with their overseas businesses at a time when 140 countries and territories are restricting arrivals from Korea.
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Hyundai Heavy to stage partial strike for higher pay
SEOUL -- Unionized workers at Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. will enter a partial strike on Friday as they have yet to seal a wage deal for the year of 2019, the union said Monday.
Hyundai Heavy and its union have held 46 rounds of negotiations from May 2 last year through March 12 to narrow their differences over wages and the standards for bonuses.
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(LEAD) Seoul stocks again nose-dive as virus fear overwhelms U.S. rate cut
SEOUL -- South Korean stocks extended their losses to a fourth consecutive session Monday as investors braced for a bigger-than-expected and drawn-out economic fallout from the global spread of the new coronavirus despite the U.S. Federal Reserve's unexpected rate cut. The Korean won closed at a four-year low against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed 56.58 points, or 3.19 percent, to close at 1,714.86, the lowest figure since it posted 1,710.32 on Oct. 6, 2011.
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Virus test kits very reliable, accurate: health authorities
SEOUL -- South Korean test kits used to check novel coronavirus infections are very accurate and reliable, the country's health authorities said Monday, dismissing allegations about their reliability by a U.S. lawmaker.
The health ministry said the country currently uses five testing kits based on real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay methods to check whether a person is infected with the new strain of virus that has spread throughout the world.
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BTS' N. American concerts at risk of cancellation amid virus spread in U.S.
SEOUL -- Having canceled the inaugural Seoul leg of its new world concert tour series, "Map of the Soul Tour," K-pop boy band BTS is at risk of having part of the following American leg rolled back amid the ongoing coronavirus spread in the United States.
The septet was to kick off the new world tour series in mid-April in Seoul with four concerts at Olympic Stadium. But the band's management agency, Big Hit Entertainment, canceled the inaugural Seoul leg in late February when COVID-19 showed no signs of slowing its spread in South Korea.
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Nearly 50 percent of S. Koreans support proposal for cash provision over coronavirus
SEOUL -- Nearly 50 percent of South Koreans support a proposal to provide cash to citizens to help them tackle the economic fallout of the new coronavirus, a poll showed Monday.
In the survey by Realmeter on 505 people, 48.6 percent of the respondents favored the idea that the government temporarily adopt "anti-disaster basic income."
(END)


yna--2020-03-17--UNICEF needs US$840,000 to help tackle coronavirus in N. Korea

SEOUL , March 17 ( Yonhap ) -- The U.N. Children 's Fund ( UNICEF ) has said it needs @ @ @ @ @ help North Korea cope with the new coronavirus , though the communist nation has not @ @ @ @ @ virus yet .

SEOUL, March 17 (Yonhap) -- The U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) has said it needs about US$840,000 to help North Korea cope with the new coronavirus, though the communist nation has not reported any outbreak of the virus yet.
In a novel coronavirus situation report, the agency said it has launched the global "Humanitarian Appeal for Children (HAC) seeking funding of $42.3 million, including $27.02 million for East Asia and Pacific regional response.
Of the East Asia and Pacific budget, $840,312 was allocated to North Korea, according to the report released Friday. Of the funding requirement for the North, only $300,000, or 36 percent has been funded, the report said.
The report said the funding will be used to help the region tackle the COVID-19 virus situation, such as sending critical medical supplies, but it did not note any response plans specific to North Korea.
North Korea has not reported any case of COVID-19 virus infection, but it has called for nationwide efforts to prevent the virus from breaking out on its soil through intensified border controls and a tightened quarantine process.
Concerns are lingering that North Korea could be more vulnerable as it shares a long and porous border with China, and lacks key medical supplies and the infrastructure to test and treat infected people.
julesyi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-17--Seoul stocks open sharply lower amid virus disarray, Korean won sharply down

The Bank of Korea ( BOK ) delivered an unexpected rate cut to send its key rate to an all-time @ @ @ @ @ other global peers to help minimize the fallout from the spread of the new coronavirus @ @ @ @

SEOUL, March 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks opened sharply lower Tuesday as bold monetary easing around the globe failed to soothe market jitters over the economic fallout from the virus pandemic. The Korean won also continued to slide against the U.S. dollar
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) surrendered 58.06 points, or 3.39 percent, to 1,656.80 as of 9:15 a.m.
Despite a set of monetary easing policies announced around the globe, including in South Korea and the United States, the stock market rout has not shown signs of a let-up.
The market had lost more than 3 percent in the previous session to hit the lowest figure since October 2011.
The Bank of Korea (BOK) delivered an unexpected rate cut to send its key rate to an all-time low on Monday, joining other global peers to help minimize the fallout from the spread of the new coronavirus and financial turmoil.
The bank slashed the key rate by half a percentage point to 0.75 percent. South Korea's key rate had been kept at 1.25 percent since October.
On Sunday (local time), the Federal Reserve also decided to slash its key rate by 1 percentage point to a range of zero to 0.25 percent and roll out a quantitative easing program worth US$700 billion.
Overnight, however, the Dow Jones Industrial Average crashed 12.93 percent in its worst daily plunge since 1987, reflecting investors' growing fear over further economic turmoil from COVID-19 outbreaks. The tech-heavy NASDAQ also plummeted 12.32 percent to 7,201.80.
Investors' fears also escalated as the U.S. imposed an entry ban against European countries, which sparked more concerns over global business activities.
South Korea, meanwhile, reported 8,236 infections as of Monday by adding 74 new cases, which was the second straight day that daily new infections rose by only double digits.
Most large-cap stocks plunged across the board.
Market kingpin Samsung Electronics moved down 2.76 percent, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix moving down 3.6 percent.
Carmakers also started lower, with No. 1 Hyundai Motor decreasing 4.58 percent and its smaller sister Kia Motors plunging 6.29 percent. Auto parts producer Hyundai Mobis shed 3.1 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,237.25 won against the U.S. dollar, down 11.25 won from the previous session's close.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


Tuesday's weather forecast

SEOUL , March 17 ( Yonhap ) -- The following is the weather forecast for South Korea 's 12 major @ @ @ @ @ .

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


yna--2020-03-17--S. Korean exports to China perk up in March

Daily exports to the world 's second-largest economy averaged US $ 436 million during the first 10 days of this @ @ @ @ @ from the same period in February , according to the data from the government and @ @ @

SEOUL, March 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korean exports to China have been picking up in March as the new coronavirus retreats in the neighboring country, data showed Tuesday.
Daily exports to the world's second-largest economy averaged US$436 million during the first 10 days of this month, up 20.8 percent from the same period in February, according to the data from the government and industry sources.
Yet the daily average was down 8.2 percent from the same period a year earlier.
Daily exports to China soared to $530 million in the fourth week of January before plunging to $348 million in the first week of February amid the rapid spread of COVID-19 there.
A government official said a downtrend in exports to China appears to have turned a corner in light of improved figures since mid-February.
The pickup in shipments to China is good news for South Korea's overseas shipments down the road. China is South Korea's top export market, accounting for 25.1 percent of its total overseas shipments last year.
The global outbreak of the novel coronavirus has emerged as a big drag on the export-dependent South Korean economy.
Officials and industry sources also said South Korean auto assembly lines are operating normally as they are receiving wiring harnesses, a key auto component, from Chinese suppliers on time.
Hyundai Motor Co., Kia Motors Corp. and other automakers in South Korea had been grappling with disrupted production due to a shortage of the harnesses sparked by the coronavirus outbreak in China.
The average capacity utilization rate of the five automakers has returned to a normal level from roughly 57 percent in February, according to the sources.
(END)


KOSPI 1,640.84 DN 74.02 points (open)


KOSDAQ 488.02 DN 16.49 points (open)


yna--2020-03-17--Dollar opens at 1,231.0 won UP from 1,226.0 won


yna--2020-03-17--Parliament set to handle extra budget bill over coronavirus

The subpanel of the special budget commission earlier decided to increase the size of the budget by 6 trillion won @ @ @ @ @ consideration of the need for bold actions to prop up the slowing economy .

SEOUL, March 17 (Yonhap) -- The National Assembly is set to handle an extra budget bill Tuesday that is designed to strengthen quarantine measures and minimize the economic fallout from the new coronavirus.
Rival parties earlier agreed to handle the proposal by Tuesday, the last day of the current extraordinary parliamentary session, amid an urgency to back up the government's efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.
The government submitted an 11.7 trillion-won (US$9.53 billion) supplementary budget bill to the National Assembly in early March.
Rival parties have yet to narrow the gap on how much they will adjust the size of the proposed budget.
The subpanel of the special budget commission earlier decided to increase the size of the budget by 6 trillion won during its review, in consideration of the need for bold actions to prop up the slowing economy.
The ruling Democratic Party said a larger budget bill should be passed as small business owners and firms suffer severe economic fallout.
But the main opposition United Future Party called for curtailing some money, saying the proposed budget contains spending plans unrelated to COVID-19 containment.
The proposed extra budget is bigger than an 11.6 trillion-won supplementary budget created to cope with the MERS outbreak in 2015.
President Moon Jae-in said Monday that if the virus outbreak protracts, the country may need to draw up another extra budget.
South Korea has reported 8,236 cases of the virus and 75 deaths since the first case on Jan. 20.
Lawmakers of the ruling Democratic Party and two opposition parties discuss an extra budget bill at the National Assembly on March 16, 2020. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-17--Agriculture exports to China drop 6.7 pct on virus in Jan.-Feb.

Shipments of agricultural and livestock products to the neighboring country came to US $ 138 million in the January-February period @ @ @ @ @ million during the same period a year earlier , according to the data from the @ @ @ @ @ and Rural Affairs .

SEOUL, March 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's exports of farm goods to China fell 6.7 percent in the first two months of the year due to the spread of the novel coronavirus, government data showed Tuesday.
Shipments of agricultural and livestock products to the neighboring country came to US$138 million in the January-February period, compared with $148 million during the same period a year earlier, according to the data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
The cumulative decline follows a 22.5 percent on-year tumble recorded in January.
"The drop came as COVID-19 battered consumer sentiment and delayed customs and shipping procedures in China, despite the end of China's Lunar New Year holiday," the ministry said.
Exports of fresh foodstuffs to the world's largest economy sank 14.8 percent in the two-month period from a year ago, and those of processed food fell 4.2 percent.
In contrast, shipments of instant noodles spiked nearly 32 percent over the cited period.
The coronavirus outbreak has been weighing on South Korean exports to China as the disease has become a drag on China's economic growth and hurt its consumer sentiment. China is South Korea's top export market.
Meanwhile, South Korea's overall exports of agricultural products stood at $1.07 billion during the January-February period, up 0.2 percent from a year earlier.
Exports of processed food products increased 1 percent on-year, while shipments of fresh foodstuffs shrank 2.9 percent.
Shipments to the United States soared 25.6 percent on-year to $162 million, and exports to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gained 5.5 percent to $231 million. Exports to Japan decreased 5.7 percent to $211 million.
(END)


yna--2020-03-17--(EDITORIAL from Korea JoongAng Daily on March 17)

Kim Chong-in — a former Democratic Party ( DP ) chairman who was approached by the opposition United Future Party @ @ @ @ @ the campaign committee for the merged conservative party — clashed with the leadership of the @ @ @ @ @ Thae Yong-ho , a former North Korean deputy ambassador to Britain who defected to South @ @ @ @ @ nomination a `` humiliation '' as the candidate has no `` roots in South Korea @ @ @ @ @ controversy for hurting North Korean defectors .

Not as promised
Rivaling political parties are putting the final touches on their rosters for the April 15 parliamentary elections. Despite earlier promises, few names are fresh. Internal wrangling and feuds over nominations have dejected voters in their wishes for a political breakthrough to help a country in distress due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Kim Chong-in — a former Democratic Party (DP) chairman who was approached by the opposition United Future Party (UFP) to head the campaign committee for the merged conservative party — clashed with the leadership of the party over the nomination of Thae Yong-ho, a former North Korean deputy ambassador to Britain who defected to South Korea. Kim called the nomination a "humiliation" as the candidate has no "roots in South Korea." The accusation stirred controversy for hurting North Korean defectors.
Kim clashed with Kim Hyung-o, who was overseeing the UFP's nomination process, and then turned down an offer to join the opposition party. His addition muddled up the power struggle between Kim and UFP head Hwang Kyo-ahn over nominations and dashed people's hopes for reforms in the major conservative party ahead of the April 15 general elections.
The DP's nomination race has also invited controversy after Rep. Keum Tae-sup failed to get a ticket for a seat in the National Assembly after he criticized former Justice Minister Cho Kuk in a confirmation hearing and cast a vote against the ruling party's bill on establishing a separate law enforcement agency to investigate senior government officials, including prosecutors and judges. The lawmaker was crossed out by President Moon Jae-in's avid loyalists.
Instead, Kim Nam-kook, a lawyer who wrote a favorable book on Cho, applied for the opening of Keum's constituency. Although Kim later changed his constituency, the fiasco underscores how the DP stays exclusively to Moon's fan club.
Only 28 percent of the DP roster are new faces. The ratio of young and female candidates has fallen sharply. The list is mostly comprised of the generation of student activists loyal to Moon.
The other parties are no better. Few fresh names or women have been added. The parties have once again defied public wishes for a generational change and political reform to pursue their self interests. It is now up to the voters to be scrupulous and pick the best candidates.
(END)


yna--2020-03-17--(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on March 17)

In fact , the Seongnam church could have prevented its believers from catching the virus if it had paid heed @ @ @ @ @ central government and the municipality that religious groups refrain from holding worship services .
Such @ @ @ @ @ February after soaring numbers of infections among members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus began @ @ @ @ @ major religious denominations of Catholicism , Protestantism and Buddhism among others have followed the recommendations @ @ @ @ @ for their followers .

Don't make same mistake
Concerns grow over cluster infections in churches
A Christian church in Seongnam, south of Seoul, has come under criticism for holding prayer services despite repeated calls by the authorities to refrain from public gatherings as a measure to prevent and contain the spread of the new coronavirus. Forty members of the River of Grace Community Church tested positive for the virus after attending a Sunday service March 8. Six others who came into contact with the infected members have also been diagnosed with COVID-19.
The church infections cannot and should not be overlooked. This case has emerged as the second-largest infection cluster in the metropolitan area, following the insurance call center case in Sindorim in Guro-gu, southwestern Seoul, where 124 employees and family members have contracted the novel coronavirus.
The two cases are raising fears that community transmissions have already started. The central government and health authorities have so far focused on fighting the epidemic in Daegu and areas in North Gyeongsang Province, the epicenters of the virus in South Korea. Daegu and the surrounding province have so far reported 6,066 and 1,164 cases, respectively, accounting for 87 percent of the total number of people infected with the virus, which stands at 8,235.
The number of new infections recorded daily has markedly declined after the authorities completed the testing of 210,000 members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a secretive Christian sect blamed for the rapid spread of the virus in Daegu. But now the problem is that Seoul and the surrounding metropolitan area could become a new virus hotspot as new infection clusters are emerging one after another such as the call center and the church.
In fact, the Seongnam church could have prevented its believers from catching the virus if it had paid heed to the recommendations from the central government and the municipality that religious groups refrain from holding worship services. Such recommendations were made in late February after soaring numbers of infections among members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus began to be reported. The major religious denominations of Catholicism, Protestantism and Buddhism among others have followed the recommendations by holding online prayer services for their followers.
But, some smaller independent churches like the River of Grace Community Church have defied the call to go without physical worship services. We can only hope these churches learn a lesson from the Shincheonji case which forced its founder and leader Lee Man-hee to publicly apologize for the spread of the virus in Daegu. The Shincheonji Church has been under fire for providing false information about its members and hiding its facilities which made it difficult for the health authorities to trace, isolate and treat patients.
It was foolhardy and reckless for the pastor of the Seongnam church to ignore the calls and push ahead with Sunday services on March 1 and 8. The pastor and his wife were also infected with COVID-19. He should take the blame for putting his congregants' health at risk. He belatedly decided to close his church for two weeks. This is locking the barn door after the horse has bolted.
We urge religious groups to temporarily stop holding services and events to join the nationwide fight against the pandemic. The Moon Jae-in administration and local authorities should work together to prevent new infection clusters from emerging.
(END)


yna--2020-03-17--(EDITORIAL from Korea Herald on March 17)

At the same time , the president seems to be siding with the ruling party on the need to increase @ @ @ @ @ He called for `` unprecedented '' policy measures to counter the economic fallout from the @ @ @ @ @ saying the current situation is far more severe than the SARS outbreak in 2003 and @ @ @ @ @ .

Economic leadership
Clear control tower needed to coordinate efforts to bolster virus-hit economy
The lack of an efficient control tower is increasing concerns over the country's capabilities to cope with the economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak.
South Korea managed to overcome previous economic crises relatively well by establishing a control tower in charge of coordinating policy responses.
During the 1998 foreign exchange crisis, then President Kim Dae-jung entrusted a team of competent bureaucrats to implement measures to surmount it.
When the country was hit by a global financial crisis a decade later, then President Lee Myung-bak -- a former construction company CEO -- took the lead in dealing with economic difficulties by presiding over 145 emergency meetings of related officials. His economic team was also credited for being shrewd in responding to the critical situation.
Now, the market seems to have little confidence in the economic leadership of President Moon Jae-in's government. It is unclear who is in charge of coordinating policies to cushion the economic impact of the spreading coronavirus.
Moon, a former human rights lawyer, has little knowledge and experience regarding the economy. Key officials who advise him on economic affairs at the presidential office represented civic groups critical of business conglomerates before they took their current positions.
Minister of Economy and Finance Hong Nam-ki, who doubles as deputy prime minister for economic affairs, is criticized for abandoning his role by just following instructions from Cheong Wa Dae, which were mostly out of touch with reality.
Adding to the confusion over how to shore up the virus-hit economy is the discord between the ruling Democratic Party and the Finance Ministry on whether to expand the proposed supplementary budget bill.
The party considers the 11.7 trillion won ($9.6 billion) extra budget bill, which was submitted to the parliament earlier this month, as insufficient to help with the fight against the coronavirus and to minimize its economic impact. It is pushing to increase the emergency spending plan by at least 6 trillion won to meet additional requests by parliamentary committees.
Despite his reputation for easily caving in to political pressure, Hong appears reluctant to accept the demand from the ruling party. Any sensible fiscal policymaker would find it difficult to accept the reckless spending requests that lack concrete grounds for expenditure. Critics note the ruling party is preoccupied with expanding fiscal spending regardless of its pertinence to improve the aggravating voter sentiment ahead of the general election on April 15.
Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party, last week voiced displeasure with Hong's passive attitude toward increasing the proposed extra budget. He went so far as to threaten to call for Hong's resignation unless the finance minister changed his stance.
In an emergency meeting with economic policymakers Friday, Moon expressed his confidence in Hong, asking him to keep up his "good work."
At the same time, the president seems to be siding with the ruling party on the need to increase the supplementary budget bill. He called for "unprecedented" policy measures to counter the economic fallout from the spread of the coronavirus, saying the current situation is far more severe than the SARS outbreak in 2003 and the MERS crisis in 2015.
His contradictory messages did nothing to establish Hong's position as a control tower in coping with the latest emergency economic situation.
Moon hurriedly convened the meeting Friday as growing worries over the global spread of COVID-19 jolted the local financial market beyond manufacturing and consumption.
A free fall in stock prices on the same day prompted a brief trading halt on both the main Kospi bourse and the tech-heavy Kosdaq market for the first time.
The Korean won dipped to a four-year low against the US dollar at a point during Friday's trading.
After the meeting presided over by Moon, the Financial Services Commission announced a six-month ban on stock short selling, helping trim earlier equity losses.
The financial watchdog body had already agreed with the Finance Ministry to take the measure but delayed its announcement until after the meeting convened by Moon. A quicker announcement would have further helped ease the rout on the local stock market.
The economic team should be given the authority to take measures immediately in response to market volatility without being endorsed by the president.
It is not easy and sensible to replace the top economic policymaker in times of crisis. Moon needs to delegate full power to Hong to enable him to play the role of a control tower in coping with the emergency situation.
For his part, Hong should closely coordinate with the heads of the financial watchdog and the central bank to prepare for any market instability.
(END)