yna--2020-11-08--(4th LD) (US election) Biden promises to unite Americans, make U.S. respected around world again

Election observers here have attributed the last-minute flip of vote counts in favor of Biden to the record early voter @ @ @ @ @ votes are usually the last ones to be counted in most states and that the @ @ @ @ @ supporters to vote early through mail-in ballots , resulting in early vote counts that are @ @ @ @ @ the Democrat .

(ATTN: CHANGES headline, lead; UPDATES with reports of victory speech by Biden, minor changes; TRIMS; ADDS photos)
By Byun Duk-kun
WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President-elect Joe Biden said Saturday he will "make America respected around the world again" as he delivered a victory speech centered largely on unifying a nation badly fractured after months of acrimonious campaigning.
"It's time to put away the harsh rhetoric, lower the temperature, see each other again, listen to each other again and make progress," he said in the speech delivered before thousands of supporters gathered in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware.
"We have to stop treating our opponents as our enemies. They are not our enemies. They are Americans," he said.
His speech came after nearly all media outlets here, including CNN, AP and Fox, called Pennsylvania in favor of Biden, awarding him with an additional 20 electoral votes that carried him over the finish line with more than the 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House.
Biden and his running-mate Kamala Harris will be inaugurated on Jan. 20 should election projections hold and become certified next month.
Biden also promised to win back global respect for the U.S.
"I sought this office to restore the soul of America, to rebuild the backbone of this nation, the middle class, and to make America respected around the world again," he said.
The captured image from the website of U.S. cable news network C-Span shows U.S. President-elect Joe Biden speaking in a press conference held in Wilmington, Delaware on Nov. 7, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Trump has refused to concede.
"I WON THIS ELECTION, BY A LOT!" he tweeted earlier.
Biden said the election results are clear.
"The people of this nation have spoken. They delivered us a clear victory, a convincing victory, a victory for 'We, the People," he told the press conference in Delaware.
He reaffirmed his pledge to work as hard for his opponents as his own supporters.
"I pledge to be a president who seeks not to divide but unify, who doesn't see red states and blue states, only sees the United States," said Biden. "I will work as hard for those who didn't vote for me as those who did."
Biden also said he will work to restore his country's leadership and respect in the world.
"The whole world is watching America, and I believe at our best America is a beacon for the globe," he said. "We will lead not only by the example of our power but by the power of our example."
The U.S. presidential election has been and is closely watched by the entire world, as its outcome decides how the world's most powerful nation interacts with the rest of the world.
Much had hung on the balance for South Korea also, as the allies face a wide range of difficult and sometimes destabilizing issues, including ways to denuclearize North Korea.
Biden has repeatedly said he will treat his country's allies with respect and dignity.
The captured image from the website of U.S. cable news network C-Span shows Vice President-elect Kamala Harris speaking at a press conference in Wilmington, Delaware, on Nov. 7, 2020, where she and President-elect Joe Biden delivered their victory speeches. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, the first woman and person of color to be elected to the second-highest office in the United States, may face a tiresome legal battle from the incumbent president, who has threatened to file lawsuits in nearly all states that he lost.
"There have been reports of irregularities in several Wisconsin counties, which raise serious doubts about the validity of the results," Trump's campaign has said.
Trump has also accused the Democrats of "ballot dumping," claiming that illicit and unaccounted-for votes that have been "dumped" in many battleground states were the only thing that made his earlier leads disappear.
"How come every time they count mail-in ballot dumps they are so devastating in their percentage and power of destruction?" Trump tweeted early Wednesday when his earlier leads in Wisconsin and Michigan were overtaken by Biden.
"Last night I was leading, often solidly, in many key states, in almost all instances Democrat run and controlled. Then, one by one, they started to magically disappear as surprise ballot dumps were counted. Very strange, and the 'pollsters' got it completely and historically wrong," he added.
State officials and election administrators in both Michigan and Wisconsin, as well as many other states, quickly dismissed the possibility of any fraudulent votes being included in their count, saying every vote is triple checked by the municipality, county and state.
Election observers here have attributed the last-minute flip of vote counts in favor of Biden to the record early voter turnout, noting that early votes are usually the last ones to be counted in most states and that the Democrats had heavily encouraged their supporters to vote early through mail-in ballots, resulting in early vote counts that are "heavily skewed" toward the Democrat.
More than 101 million Americans voted early in Tuesday's presidential election, accounting for more than 65 percent of about 150 million ballots estimated to have been cast, and marking the highest early voter turnout rate in the country's history.
As of noon, Biden was projected to have won 50.5 percent of some 145 million popular votes counted, while Trump won 47.7 percent.
Many believe Trump may also take it to court.
While prematurely declaring his victory in the wee hours of Wednesday, only about three hours after polling closed, Trump threatened to ask the Supreme Court to stop vote counting in states where he was leading at the time.
The Electoral College outcome is still based on unofficial vote counts that will only be certified next month after each and every state completes its own processes to double check the election results.
The winner of this week's presidential election is set to be sworn in on Jan. 20.
Should no official winner emerge by then, also leaving the vice presidency vacant, the speaker of the House of Representatives will serve as acting head of state.
The Democratic Party was projected to maintain its house majority as the result of general elections that took place simultaneously with the presidential election on Tuesday.
As of Saturday, the liberal party was projected to have won 211 seats, seven seats short of a majority, while the Republican Party is projected to have taken 197 seats.
How smooth a Biden administration will be able to run the nation will largely depend on who wins a majority of Senate seats.
Also up for grabs in Tuesday's election were 35 Senate seats, 23 of which were previously held by the Republican Party.
The Democratic Party is projected to have secured at least 48 of the 100 Senate seats so far, which marks a net gain of one seat.
It will need at least two more seats for a majority with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris set to serve as the president of the Senate with a tie-breaking vote.
The Republican Party is currently projected to have secured 47 Senate seats with vote counting still under way in four states -- Alaska, Georgia, Maine and North Carolina.
Georgia, however, is facing imminent runoff elections for its two Senate seats in early January as none of its candidates are projected to have secured a majority of votes cast as required by the state law.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-08--S. Korean economy faces growing downside risks amid global flare-up in COVID-19: KDI

The country 's service industry has slackened as people refrained from making in-person contact and going outside , while the @ @ @ @ @ limited recovery on improving demand at home and abroad , according to a monthly economic @ @ @ @ @ Development Institute ( KDI ) .

SEOUL, Nov. 8 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean economy is on a recovery path, aided by a mild improvement in the manufacturing sector, but it faces growing downside risks amid a global resurgence in new coronavirus cases, a state-run think tank said Sunday.
The country's service industry has slackened as people refrained from making in-person contact and going outside, while the manufacturing sector has undergone a limited recovery on improving demand at home and abroad, according to a monthly economic assessment report by the Korea Development Institute (KDI).
"Despite a modest recovery in the manufacturing sector, the Korean economy shows a continued contraction, mainly in the service industry, and downside risks are high over accelerating COVID-19 in Europe," the English-language report showed.
South Korea's production, consumption and investment returned to growth in September following months of slumps amid the virus outbreak.
The country's industrial output gained 2.3 percent on-month in September, after a 0.8 percent on-month decline in August, according to data from the statistics office.
Retail sales rose 1.7 percent on-month in September, and facility investment gained 7.4 percent, the largest monthly increase in six months.
Asia's fourth-largest economy grew 1.9 percent on-quarter in the third quarter, marking the first quarterly growth after the second straight quarter of contraction, as exports rebounded amid eased global lockdowns.
The KDI said despite signs of economic recovery, external economic conditions are deteriorating amid lockdowns by major European countries over a flare-up in COVID-19 cases since late October.
"The lockdown in Europe may lead to a rapid contraction in world trade volume. This implies that economic uncertainties are mounting centering around external conditions," the report said.
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


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yna--2020-11-08--Foreign ministry vows continued efforts with incoming U.S. gov't for stronger alliance

`` Based on the network that we have so far built and through close communication and cooperation , we will @ @ @ @ @ the South Korea-U.S. alliance and make progress in the process for peace on the Korean @ @ @ @ @ .

SEOUL, Nov. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's foreign ministry said Sunday it will continue efforts with the incoming government of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden to strengthen the bilateral alliance and achieve progress in efforts for lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.
The ministry's statement came as Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha left for Washington for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, congressional people and academics, which observers predict could include those close to Biden.
"The foreign ministry has been directly and indirectly communicating with key figures in the Biden camp and the Democratic Party," the ministry said.
"Based on the network that we have so far built and through close communication and cooperation, we will continue our efforts to strengthen the South Korea-U.S. alliance and make progress in the process for peace on the Korean Peninsula," it added.
Shortly before her departure for Washington, Kang voiced hope that her trip this time will help cement the relationship between the two countries.
"Though it is a somewhat sensitive period, South Korea and the U.S. have always been communicating, and we, at a ministerial-level, discuss the Korean Peninsula situation and pending issues whenever there are opportunities, regardless of the timing," Kang told reporters.
Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha speaks before departing for the United States at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, on Nov. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
"I am thinking of meeting various people in the Congress or in the academia, though it is a sensitive time, and of having many good talks to create opportunities to further solidify the South Korea-U.S. relationship," she added.
Asked if she plans to meet people close to Biden, Kang refused to go into detail about her schedule.
"I think I may have to continue to see (the situation) there," she said.
On Monday, Kang plans to meet Pompeo to discuss a series of pending issues, including joint efforts to persuade the North to return to dialogue. She is scheduled to stay in Washington through Wednesday.
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-08--Soaring freight rates set to weigh down exporters

HMM Co. , South Korea 's biggest shipping company by sales , turned to the black in the April-June period @ @ @ @ @ it posted profits in 21 quarters .
The shipper is widely anticipated to have reported @ @ @ @ @ the third quarter as well .

SEOUL, Nov. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korean exporters are expected to suffer from sky-high freight rates throughout next year, as global trade is set to rise down the road amid the pandemic, industry watchers said Sunday.
The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index, a barometer of global freight rates, came to a new high of 1,664.56 on Friday, according to industry sources. The previous record was 1,583.18 posted in July 2010.
Industry watchers say exporters are anticipated to face heavy shipping costs throughout next year, as major shipping firms have reduced their business amid the COVID-19 pandemic, while the economic recovery of the United States and China has again pushed up demand.
Demand for shipping services will also rise over the remaining 2020 on stronger sales of consumer products ahead of Christmas and other promotional events by retailers.
Experts say the price of air shipping services may rise further next year as well if flights are mobilized to deliver anticipated COVID-19 vaccines.
Despite the heavier burden for exporters, industry watchers say local air carriers and shipping firms are expected to benefit from the rising costs.
HMM Co., South Korea's biggest shipping company by sales, turned to the black in the April-June period, marking the first time it posted profits in 21 quarters. The shipper is widely anticipated to have reported a record-high operating income in the third quarter as well.
Korean Air Lines Co., South Korea's biggest carrier, also managed to post an operating profit of 76 billion won (US$67.7 million) in the third quarter as it began to carry cargo via passenger jets.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-08--Parties welcome Biden's victory, hope for enhanced alliance

The two nations have worked together for 70 years for liberal democracy and the market economy , he said , @ @ @ @ @ will be with the U.S. if it goes on to act as a responsible leader @ @ @ @ @ ''

SEOUL, Nov. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korean political parties said Sunday that Joe Biden's victory in the U.S. presidential election will help further enhance the South Korea-U.S. alliance.
Biden was declared the winner of the U.S. presidential election on Saturday after a stunning upset victory in Pennsylvania, which gave him 20 electoral college votes to surpass the 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House.
"In the era of Biden as president, I believe that the Korea-U.S. alliance will become more solid," Rep. Lee Nak-yon, chairman of the ruling Democratic Party (DP), said in a congratulatory message posted on his Facebook account.
"South Korea and the U.S. will continue to cooperate closely to achieve peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia and the world, based on their solid alliance," Lee said.
He said, "I hope (the policy of) the Korean Peninsula peace process can be reactivated and the path toward building permanent peace (on the peninsula) can be laid out as soon as possible."
Rep. Lee Nak-yon, chairman of the ruling Democratic Party (Yonhap)
The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) also issued a congratulatory message on Biden's election victory.
"The PPP sends an applause of support for Americans standing at the starting point for new history," Rep. Bae June-young, a party spokesman, said.
"The South Korea-U.S. alliance is an alliance forged through blood (shed together) at the battleground of the Korean War," Bae said.
The two nations have worked together for 70 years for liberal democracy and the market economy, he said, adding that "South Korea will be with the U.S. if it goes on to act as a responsible leader in the international community."
The spokesman also called on Biden to muster efforts to denuclearize North Korea and build peace on the peninsula.
"South Korea will more solidly go hand in hand with the U.S. to build peace and prosperity in the world for another 70 years," Bae said, adding that the PPP believes in the power of the Seoul-Washington alliance.
This file photo shows U.S. President-elect Joe Biden during his visit to South Korea in 2013 as then vice president of the U.S. (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-08--(LEAD) Moon sends congratulatory message to Biden, says he has 'great expectations' for alliance's f

(LEAD) Moon sends congratulatory message to Biden, says he has 'great expectations' for alliance's future

`` I very much look forward to working with you for our shared values , '' Moon added .
`` @ @ @ @ @ advancing and opening up the future development of our bilateral relations . ''

(ATTN: MODIFIES headline; UPDATES with details in last 2 paras; ADDS photo)
SEOUL, Nov. 8 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in sent a congratulatory message to U.S. President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, expressing expectations for joint efforts to develop Seoul-Washington ties.
"Congratulations to @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris. Our alliance is strong and the bond between our two countries is rock-solid," Moon wrote on Twitter.
"I very much look forward to working with you for our shared values," Moon added. "I have great expectations of advancing and opening up the future development of our bilateral relations."
He ended the short note with "Katchi Kapshida!," a Korean expression that means "Let's go together!"
This file photo shows President Moon Jae-in. (Yonhap)
Moon used his social media account to congratulate the Biden team, instead of a formal diplomatic channel, apparently in consideration that President Donald Trump is not accepting defeat.
Moon is expected to seek to send an official congratulatory letter to Biden or hold phone talks with him after a power transition process gets under way in earnest.
President Moon Jae-in's congratulatory message to U.S. President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris is seen in this photo captured from his official Twitter account. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-08--Budget air carriers tipped to post weak Q3 earnings amid pandemic

On the other hand , Eastar Jet Co. , which has suspended all flights since March , has been on @ @ @ @ @ Jeju Air scrapped a takeover deal in late July due to the COVID-19 pandemic 's @ @ @ @ @ industry .

SEOUL, Nov. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korea budget air carriers are anticipated to post grim earnings for the third quarter of 2020, as the virus pandemic has continued to virtually suspend air travel, with the resurgence of infections around the globe set to further delay the recovery.
Last week, Korean Air Lines Co., South Korea's biggest carrier, said its net losses widened in the third quarter to 385.93 billion won (US$343 million) from a year earlier amid the pandemic.
However, it managed to post an operating profit of 76 billion won as it began to carry cargo via passenger jets.
While bigger carriers managed to make ends meet via their cargo businesses, industry watchers say low-cost carriers will continue to face losses, as they lack larger-sized fleets capable of delivering more freight.
Jeju Air Co., South Korea's biggest low-cost carrier (LCC) which posted an operating loss in the second quarter, is widely expected to deliver a gloomy earnings report for the July-September period.
Its operating losses are expected to reach 67.5 billion won, staying in the red from an operating loss of 85.4 billion won in the April-June period, according to local analysts.
T'way Air Co. is also projected to post an operating loss of 35.2 billion won in the third quarter, slightly narrowing from an operating loss of 48.5 billion won from the previous quarter, analysts said.
On the other hand, Eastar Jet Co., which has suspended all flights since March, has been on the verge of bankruptcy after Jeju Air scrapped a takeover deal in late July due to the COVID-19 pandemic's growing impact on the airline industry.
"Due to the falling demand for passenger travel amid the COVID-19 pandemic, only Korean Air has managed to make profits through its cargo business," an industry insider said. "Other LCCs will continue to languish in losses for the time being."
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-08--Rookie right-hander to make KBO postseason debut in series opener

The entire best-of-five series will be played at the dome as the neutral venue .
The start of the regular @ @ @ @ @ a month due to the coronavirus outbreak , and the postseason started in November for @ @ @ @ @ history .
To keep fans and players warm in cold conditions , Gocheok , the @ @ @ @ @ country , will host all games of this series and again in the Korean Series @

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 8 (Yonhap) -- A teenage rookie pitcher will make his South Korean baseball postseason debut in his team's very first playoff game on Monday.
The KT Wiz on Sunday announced right-hander So Hyeong-jun as their starter for Game 1 of the second round Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) playoff series against the Doosan Bears. The first pitch is 6:30 p.m. Monday at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul.
The Wiz earned a bye to the second round after finishing the regular season in second place. This will be their first postseason appearance in franchise history, which dates back to 2015.
In this file photo from Oct. 3, 2020, So Hyeong-jun of the KT Wiz pitches against the LG Twins in the top of the second inning of a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, 45 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
The Bears, who finished in third place, knocked off the LG Twins in two straight games in the best-of-three first round to get to this stage. They're trying to win their second straight championship and their fourth in six years.
The entire best-of-five series will be played at the dome as the neutral venue. The start of the regular season was delayed by over a month due to the coronavirus outbreak, and the postseason started in November for the first time in league history. To keep fans and players warm in cold conditions, Gocheok, the only domed ballpark in the country, will host all games of this series and again in the Korean Series.
So, an odds-on favorite to win the Rookie of the Year, went 13-6 with a 3.86 ERA in 24 regular season starts. He was tied for most wins by a homegrown pitcher this season.
The 19-year-old was excellent against the Bears during the regular season, with a 3-1 record and a 2.51 ERA in six games.
Designated hitter Jose Miguel Fernandez had the most success against So, batting 5-for-12 with two doubles and an RBI. First baseman Oh Jae-il went 4-for-10 with three walks and an RBI. Fernandez and Oh usually bat second and third in the Bears' lineup.
Although rookies often hit a wall toward the end of the season, So pitched much better in the second half (8-1, 2.50 ERA) than in the first half (5-5, 5.29 ERA). So didn't allow any home runs in 68 1/3 innings in the latter half, after serving up six long balls in his first 64 2/3 innings of the season.
Since July, So has never allowed more than three runs in a game, a stretch of 15 starts and two relief appearances.
Chris Flexen of the Doosan Bears pitches against the LG Twins in the top of the sixth inning of Game 1 of the Korea Baseball Organization first-round playoff series at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on Nov. 4, 2020. (Yonhap)
The Bears will counter with American right-hander Chris Flexen. He is coming off a brilliant start against the Twins in Game 1 of the previous series last Wednesday, when he struck out 11 in six dominant innings in a 4-0 victory.
Flexen also pitched well against the Wiz in the regular season. In two starts spanning 10 innings, Flexen had a 1-0 record and a 0.90 ERA, with 15 strikeouts against two walks. The Wiz managed only six hits against Flexen, all of them singles.
Infielder Hwang Jae-gyun had half of those six singles. But Mel Rojas Jr., a leading MVP candidate as the KBO leader in home runs, RBIs and slugging percentage, was 0-for-4 with three strikeouts against Flexen.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-08--(URGENT) Biden says he sought presidency to have world respect America again

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


yna--2020-11-08--(URGENT) Biden pledges to become president who seeks to unite, not divide


yna--2020-11-08--(URGENT) Biden says Americans have delivered a clear, convincing victory for him


yna--2020-11-08--Major firms reap better-than-expected Q3 earnings amid pandemic

Of the 115 companies that brokerage houses have issued earnings estimates for , 75 logged estimate-beating profits , based on @ @ @ @ @ three or more local securities companies , the data showed .
Of the 75 outperformers @ @ @ @ @ by more than 10 percent .

SEOUL, Nov. 8 (Yonhap) -- Major listed firms in South Korea reported better-than-expected earnings in the third quarter, raising hopes for a quick recovery from the pandemic-hit economy, data showed Sunday.
The combined operating income of 251 listed firms that disclosed earnings as of Friday totaled 32.6 trillion won (US$29.1 billion) for the July-September period on a consolidated basis, up 26.5 percent from a year earlier, according to the data compiled by financial info provider Yonhap Infomax.
Of the 115 companies that brokerage houses have issued earnings estimates for, 75 logged estimate-beating profits, based on the average earnings forecast by three or more local securities companies, the data showed. Of the 75 outperformers, 53 beat brokerage consensus by more than 10 percent.
Samsung Electronics Co., the country's most valued firm, delivered forecast-beating third-quarter earnings. Its operating profit soared 58.1 percent on-year to 12.3 trillion won, surpassing the market forecast of 10.6 trillion won.
LG Chem Ltd., a leading EV battery maker, reaped record-high earnings, with its operating profit spiking 158.7 percent on-year to 902.1 billion won, far beyond the market forecast of 731.2 billion won.
Another EV battery maker, Samsung SDI Co., reported 267.4 billion won in operating profit, around 30 percent more than forecast.
"(South Korean firms') earnings recovery is picking up at a surprisingly fast pace in the third quarter, in contrast to the nightmarish first half," Kyobo Securities analyst Kim Hyung-ryeol said.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-08--Moon sends congratulatory message to Biden, hopes to work together to develop alliance

SEOUL, Nov. 8 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in sent a congratulatory message to U.S. President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, expressing hope for joint efforts to develop the Seoul-Washington alliance.
"Congratulations to @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris. Our alliance is strong and the bond between our two countries is rock-solid," Moon wrote on his social media accounts.
"I very much look forward to working with you for our shared values," Moon added. "I have great expectations of advancing and opening up the future development of our bilateral relations."
He ended the short note with "Katchi Kapshida!," a Korean expression that means "Let's go together!"
This file photo shows President Moon Jae-in. (Yonhap)
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-08--(URGENT) Moon sends congratulatory message to Biden, says looking forward to working together for sh

(URGENT) Moon sends congratulatory message to Biden, says looking forward to working together for shared values


yna--2020-11-08--(LEAD) New virus cases rebound to over 100 again; cluster infections still at large

Currently , South Korea is under Level 1 , except the central city of Cheonan and the adjacent city Asan @ @ @ @ @ were lifted to Level 1.5 earlier this week amid a surge in COVID-19 cases there @

(ATTN: ADDS details throughout, photo)
SEOUL, Nov. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus infections again rose by triple digits Sunday on a string of cluster infections across the country, putting the country's virus fight at risk amid the approaching winter season.
The country added 143 more COVID-19 cases, including 118 local infections, raising the total caseload to 27,427, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
It marked a sharp rise from 89 cases added Saturday but a slight drop from 145 reported Friday.
Sunday's increase came despite the lower number of tests carried out over the weekend.
A sign installed at a movie theater in Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul, requests visitors to scan a QR code in line with the country's social distancing guidelines on Nov. 7, 2020. (Yonhap)
Health authorities remain vigilant over sporadic cluster infections at hospitals, nursing homes and risk-prone facilities.
South Korea adopted the lowest level of its social distancing scheme Saturday under revised five-tier infection preventive measures.
Currently, South Korea is under Level 1, except the central city of Cheonan and the adjacent city Asan, where social distancing rules were lifted to Level 1.5 earlier this week amid a surge in COVID-19 cases there.
Level 1 -- the lowest in the five-tier scheme -- signifies a controllable level of transmission that allows people to carry on with their ordinary lives while wearing masks and following social distancing rules at designated facilities.
Under Level 1.5, the operation of multiuse facilities is restricted.
More restrictions, including the number of people that can gather in a single place, are added for the higher levels.
Locally transmitted cases were reported across the nation.
The capital city of Seoul accounted for 54, followed by Gyeonggi Province that surrounds Seoul with 23 new infections. Incheon, west of Seoul, reported two new cases, while Gangwon Province added nine cases.
The greater Seoul area accounts for around half of the nation's population.
The southeastern city of Daegu added seven new cases, while Gwangju, located 330 kilometers south of Seoul, saw two additional infections. South Chungcheong Province also added eight cases.
As of noon Saturday, an insurance company in western Seoul had reported 26 cases, including 14 employees of the company and eight of their family members.
A total of 19 patients were traced to a brokerage house in western Seoul, up five from a day earlier.
The public health agency said a golf gathering in Yongin, south of Seoul, added five more COVID-19 cases, bringing the cumulative cases traced to the group to 64.
People wearing protective masks walk around a park in central Seoul on Nov. 7, 2020. (Yonhap)
The country added 25 imported cases.
The United States and Turkey accounted for five cases each.
Three patients were from Mexico, while Poland, India and Ethiopia added two patients each. There were also cases from Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Myanmar, the United Arab Emirates, Romania and Ukraine.
South Korean nationals accounted for 55 percent of the 3,932 imported cases reported here so far.
The number of seriously or critically ill COVID-19 patients came to 58, up five from Saturday.
South Korea reported one additional death, raising the total to 478.
The fatality rate came to 1.74 percent.
The number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries stood at 24,968, up 58 from the previous day. This indicates a little more than 91 percent of the total patients reported here have been cured.
South Korea has carried out 2,702,880 COVID-19 tests, including 5,631 from the previous day. The country normally carries out more than 10,000 tests during weekdays.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-08--(US election) (News Focus) Biden's victory heralds more multilateral approach, environment, pro-labo

(US election) (News Focus) Biden's victory heralds more multilateral approach, environment, pro-labor policies in focus

`` The U.S. will expect South Korea to cooperate in building a reliable supply chain and keep step with it @ @ @ @ @ China , '' it added .
In that situation , Asia 's No .
4 @ @ @ @ @ hot water , given the fact that China is the biggest trade partner for South @ @

By Kang Yoon-seung
SEOUL, Nov. 8 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President-elect Joe Biden is expected to attempt to mend the long-cherished multilateral trade paradigm battered by his predecessor Donald Trump, a boon for the export-reliant South Korean economy, but his climate plan and pro-labor stance may pose a double-edged sword for South Korean companies.
Biden will try to get the World Trade Organization (WTO) back in place and seek to expand ties with trade partners, according to experts here.
"Biden is anticipated to respect WTO rules and seek to improve relationships with trading partners, while refraining from taking additional protectionism measures," the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics & Trade (KIEP) said in its report.
The Trump administration had been criticizing the global trade watchdog for what it calls being lopsided toward China and ruling against U.S. interests.
South Korea, a small and open economy, will benefit from the much-anticipated multilateral trade paradigm, experts said.
During the Trump administration, South Korea and the United States -- two strong allies -- maintained steadfast economic ties, with the U.S. standing as the second-largest export destination for Asia's No. 4 economy.
But Trump had especially taken issue with what he claimed were "unfair" trade relations.
Seoul and Washington, which launched the KORUS FTA in 2012, amended the original free trade agreement last year following Trump's request.
But even under the Biden leadership, South Korean companies may face fresh challenges, as he may opt to take alternative approaches to protect American industries with new regulations in the environment and labor segments.
"Carmakers and steelmakers may face new challenges in the United States due to their relationships with labor unions," the KIEP said. South Korean chemical producers and chipmakers could also become new targets of Biden's environment friendly policies, it added.
Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Inc. -- South Korea's top two automakers -- may also shoulder more financial burden in operating their U.S. production lines due to hikes in the minimum wage, as Biden has announced that he would increase the minimum hourly wage to US$15 from the current $7.25.
Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors runs a production line in Alabama and Georgia, respectively.
The carmakers, however, may also enjoy the U.S. Democratic Party's pro-environment policies, which will give an extra boost to the electric vehicle (EV) and hydrogen fuel-cell automobile industries.
The president-elect has vowed to achieve net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050.
South Korea has been seeking to foster eco-friendly automobiles as one of its new growth engines in exports.
Biden's election victory also bodes well for South Korean battery makers, such as LG Chem, and solar panel producers, including Hanwha Solutions.
LG Chem Ltd., the world's largest EV battery maker, operates an EV battery plant in Michigan and began constructing its second plant in northeast Ohio earlier this year in a joint venture with GM.
SK Innovation Co., its smaller local rival, is also currently building two plants in Georgia, with the first plant currently on track to begin mass-producing EV batteries in 2022.
Chipmakers, which are responsible for around 20 percent of South Korea's overall exports, also may have to remain watchful over the Sino-American trade dispute, even under Biden's leadership.
"As long as Biden does not target South Korean companies, Washington's trade wrangling with China will not just become a burden for South Korean chipmakers and ICT firms," another industry insider said.
Experts say Biden aims to establish a supply chain with American companies, but he is also open to inviting overseas firms for the supply chain, which will provide good opportunities to South Korean companies.
"Exporters need to prepare for new regulations in terms of environment and labor. South Korea will also need to make effort to participate in the American supply chain by building trust in its relationship with Washington," the KIEP said.
"The U.S. will expect South Korea to cooperate in building a reliable supply chain and keep step with it in the trade row with China," it added. In that situation, Asia's No. 4 economy may find itself in hot water, given the fact that China is the biggest trade partner for South Korea.
The world's two largest economies have been engaged in a trade dispute since 2018. In the latest development in the trade spat, U.S. sanctions banning the supply of semiconductors made with U.S. equipment, software and design to Chinese telecom giant Huawei Technologies Co. without prior approval from Washington became effective in September.
Despite Biden's highly anticipated victory, however, uncertainties will linger in the ongoing race for the top post at the 25-year-old WTO.
South Korea's Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee earlier failed to drum up landslide support from member countries of the WTO to head the global trade body, with her Nigerian rival standing ahead in a two-way race.
But the Trump administration has publicly endorsed Yoo, splitting with the European Union and China. Biden will not be in the Oval Office until January.
Should Washington continue to back the South Korean candidate, the Geneva-based body may not have a new leader for a longer-than-expected period.
The WTO had planned to hold the general council meeting on Monday (Geneva time), but it announced last week that the schedule has been postponed.
A director-general is selected through a consensus among the member states.
The trade body has not yet provided the new date for the meeting, raising more uncertainties in the WTO leadership race. South Korea's foreign ministry said Thursday that no decision has been made about Yoo's voluntary withdrawal.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-08--(US election) (News Focus) Moon to seek new teamwork with Biden over N. Korea, 'top-down' diplomacy

(US election) (News Focus) Moon to seek new teamwork with Biden over N. Korea, 'top-down' diplomacy in doubt

`` Regardless of the U.S. leadership , the basic goal is the same , and there 's differentiation only in @ @ @ @ @ '' Suh Hoon , director of Cheong Wa Dae 's national security office , told @ @ @ @ @ on the U.S. election day .

By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Nov. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in faces a daunting task of moving practically in lockstep with Joe Biden, who won the U.S. presidential election, in the Korea peace process.
Washington is expected to reset its strategy on Pyongyang under Biden's presidency scheduled to start early next year.
Moon and Biden agree on the ultimate goal of denuclearizing Korea and bringing lasting peace to the region. Biden said he wants the two Koreas to be reunited.
At issue is how.
While Moon has favored the so-called top-down approach, aimed at pulling off bold and speedy deals via summit talks, Biden has taken a negative view of it.
On his campaign trail, Biden made clear that he is not interested in any personal diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Biden, when elected, is likely to pursue a more systemic and principled approach, probably similar to "strategic patience" under former U.S. President Barack Obama.
"With Biden's win, a big change is expected in the U.S. policy on North Korea (from that of Donald Trump)," said Cheong Seong-chang, a fellow at the Wilson Center based in Washington, D.C.
Unlike President Donald Trump, he will likely engage in direct talks with Kim only after reaching a working-level compromise on specific denuclearization steps and rewards, Cheong added.
It raises concerns about a possible mismatch between South Korea and the U.S. over ways to deal with North Korea.
President Moon Jae-in speaks at a Cabinet meeting in Seoul on Nov. 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
Moon will likely try to convince Biden of the need to continue summit-driven efforts, seeking to play a mediator or facilitator role again.
Moon's aides said they have relevant ideas and proposals for Biden at the ready.
"Regardless of the U.S. leadership, the basic goal is the same, and there's differentiation only in terms of an approach," Suh Hoon, director of Cheong Wa Dae's national security office, told lawmakers during a parliamentary session on the U.S. election day.
He said Moon's security team has done its best to draw up North Korea policy suggestions to coordinate with the incoming U.S. government. He gave no details.
Suh stressed that there should be no further delay in the push for reactivating the stalled peace process, a top policy agenda for the left-leaning Moon administration.
Moon's presidency is especially running out of time. He now has around 1 1/2 years left in office.
Moon pins hopes on a possible breakthrough from the Tokyo Summer Olympics, slated for 2021, reminiscent of a detente created on the occasion of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
A best-case scenario for Moon is that Kim makes a reciprocal trip to South Korea and joins the declaration of a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean War.
The ambitious scheme requires cooperation and support from not just Kim but also Biden.
Moon is expected to seek to hold his first face-to-face summit with Biden at the earliest possible date, which would serve as a litmus test on their chemistry.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-08--(US election) S. Korea to crank up diplomacy to build ties with Biden camp

`` It 's difficult to meet anyone from inside the camp during the transition or appointees once the process gets @ @ @ @ @ hearing and until the Senate approval .
So we try to get in touch with @ @ @ @ @ them and have connections , through 'outside lines , ' '' a foreign ministry official @ @ @ @ @ anonymity .

By Kim Seung-yeon
SEOUL, Nov. 8 (Yonhap) -- With Joe Biden's election as U.S. president, South Korea is expected to ramp up efforts to forge ties with those close to him, with eyes on what his foreign policy and national security team will look like.
The White House under Biden's leadership would mean a significant change for Seoul in dealing with key issues facing the two countries, including North Korea's denuclearization and the long-stalled negotiations on determining Seoul's payment for U.S. troop presence.
So who will fill such key posts as secretary of state, defense secretary and national security adviser is a key focus of attention.
"It's difficult to meet anyone from inside the camp during the transition or appointees once the process gets under way for the confirmation hearing and until the Senate approval. So we try to get in touch with those who are close with them and have connections, through 'outside lines,'" a foreign ministry official said on the condition of anonymity.
"We work with our U.S.-based diplomatic missions to reach out to officials from Congress, those in academia and think tanks to gather information and try to gauge the post-election trends, particularly in relation to how the national security team lineup is likely to take shape," the official said.
This Reuters photo shows likely U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on Nov. 4, 2020. (Yonhap)
Experts forecast that Biden will announce his top lieutenants quite swiftly, since he has served in the Obama administration before and has a pool of people to choose from.
As for the foreign policy team lineup, observers here point to Tony Blinken, who served as deputy secretary of state and deputy security adviser under President Barack Obama, as a potential candidate for secretary of state, along with Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, known as Biden's longtime friend and ally.
Blinken is also seen as a top candidate for the national security adviser.
Another contender for the national security adviser is Jake Sullivan, a 43-year-old who worked as a senior policy advisor to Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election campaign.
Michele Flournoy, former undersecretary of defense for policy under Obama, is talked about as a top contender -- and the first woman -- for defense secretary
Susan Rice, former national security adviser and ambassador to the United Nations, could also take a major role in Biden's national security team, observers said.
"We all know the Biden's foreign policy trio -- Blinken, Sullivan and (Brian) McKeon, and they know South Korea fairly well," the ministry official said.
"Since Biden has said he values the alliance and pledged to work with allies to deal with problems, we expect that whoever takes charge (of Korea issues) will certainly listen to our side as they work along the way."
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-08--(US election) (News Focus) Biden's victory raises hope for swift defense cost-sharing deal, stable U

(US election) (News Focus) Biden's victory raises hope for swift defense cost-sharing deal, stable USFK presence

`` Trump has not been very much concerned about the trilateral security framework , but Biden is different .
In @ @ @ @ @ , such as China and North Korea , Biden is likely to prioritize the security @ @ @ @ @ , so that it is our urgent task to be fully prepared , '' said @ @ @ @ @ of the main opposition People Power Party .

By Oh Seok-min
SEOUL, Nov. 8 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President-elect Joe Biden is expected to seek a swift defense cost-sharing agreement at a relatively reasonable level and calm speculation about a drawdown of American troops in South Korea, as he has pledged to strengthen the alliance with Seoul, experts said Sunday.
But the envisioned transfer of the wartime operational control (OPCON) of South Korean troops from Washington to Seoul would take longer under his leadership and U.S. pressure could increase on South Korea and Japan to mend their history-laden relations for a stronger three-way security partnership to better deal with China and North Korea, they said.
This AFP photo shows Joe Biden speaking in Delaware on Nov. 4, 2020, a day after Americans voted in the presidential election. (Yonhap
Under the President Donald Trump administration, speculation has swirled around a possible reduction in the number of American troops in South Korea, as he appears to have seen the matter as a bargaining chip for their defense cost-sharing deal, known as the Special Measures Agreement (SMA).
Negotiations for this year's agreement, which stipulates how much South Korea pays for the upkeep of the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), have been deadlocked for months.
Seoul has offered to increase its burden by 13 percent from the US$870 million it paid under last year's deal, but Trump reportedly rejected the level. Washington reportedly seeks a 50 percent on-year spike to $1.3 billion.
"A Biden government is also expected to seek an increase in Seoul's payment, but it would eye a swift deal at a relatively reasonable level in light of his emphasis on relations with key allies," said Shin Beom-chul, a senior researcher at the Asan Institute of Policy Studies.
In a special article contributed to Yonhap News Agency in October, Biden said, "As president, I'll stand with South Korea, strengthening our alliance to safeguard peace in East Asia and beyond, rather than extorting Seoul with reckless threats to remove our troops."
Given that USFK has long been regarded as one that best represents the spirit of the Korea-U.S. alliance, any significant reduction of American troops in South Korea is unlikely under him.
Experts also pointed to the U.S.' National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which disallows the reduction of the number of American troops in South Korea below the current level unless the U.S. defense secretary certifies that a reduction is in the U.S. national security interest.
"Biden is likely to more respect parliamentary decisions and listen to their voice," Shin said. "Biden would not at least see the American troop presence as a kind of leverage for negotiations."
This photo uploaded on the Facebook page of Osan Air Base in South Korea on Aug. 21, 2020, shows its 51st Fighter Wing honing their flight skills in Guam from Aug. 10-21. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The defense cost-sharing deal is expected to help ensure the USFK's stable stationing and boost the combined readiness posture between South Korea and the U.S.
Last month, USFK informed its South Korean employees of a potential furlough starting in April 2021 should the two countries fail to reach an agreement on their defense cost-sharing deal.
If realized, it will be the second time that Korean workers have faced the forced unpaid leave. In April this year, USFK put more than 4,000 South Korean workers on furlough, which ended in June after the U.S. accepted Seoul's proposal to fund the labor costs for all USFK Korean workers through the end of the year.
"We all fully understood the impacts the partial furlough had on readiness and our ability to provide a robust combined defense posture, as well as the essential role our Korean National employees provide to the ROK-U.S. Alliance," USFK Commander Gen. Robert Abrams said in June.
But it does not mean that the U.S. will maintain the current troop level in South Korea.
Brian McKeon, one of Biden's key foreign policy advisers, earlier hinted at the possibility of changes in the USFK level following a review of the country's global force posture, though he has doubted there would be any significant reduction.
The U.S. has been pushing for greater "strategic flexibility" for its forces deployed around the world, and the Pentagon has said it seeks more rotational force deployments into theaters to better respond to evolving security challenges.
"The Biden government will take a cautious approach to the issue with longer-term strategies, as it is well aware of the need for the presence of American troops on the Korean Peninsula in terms of a rivalry with China," said Yoo Jeh-seung, a former deputy defense minister who is currently vice chief of the Korea Research Institute for National Strategy.
South Korean Defense Minister Suh Wook (2nd from L) and Mark Esper (R), his U.S. counterpart, hold the annual Security Consultative Meeting at the Pentagon in Washington on Oct. 14, 2020, in this photo provided by the South Korean defense ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Another key pending defense issue between the two sides is the OPCON transition.
South Korea handed over operational control of its troops to the U.S.-led U.N. command during the 1950-53 Korean War. It retook peacetime OPCON in 1994, but wartime control remains in the hands of the U.S. After the postponement of the transition twice at Seoul's request, the two sides agreed in 2014 to seek a conditions-based transfer without designating a specific deadline.
The right conditions are South Korea's capabilities to lead the allies' combined defense mechanism, its capacity for initial responses to the North's nuclear and missile threats, and a stable security environment on the peninsula and in the region.
"Biden was vice president when the two sides set those conditions. Chances are that the new government would more thoroughly review how things have been going so far," Park Won-gon, professor of international politics at Handong Global University, said.
"Traditionally, the Democrats tend to listen more to a commander stationed in a region regarding military issues. Abrams has reiterated conditions required for the transition while complaining of the lack of enough combined exercises," Park added.
The current Moon Jae-in administration hopes to regain the operational control before his term ends in May 2022, but Seoul and Washington were unable to fully carry out the planned Full Operational Capability (FOC) test this year, which is meant to verify whether Seoul is on track to meet those conditions, amid the new coronavirus pandemic.
During the ministerial talks in October, Suh and Esper also revealed differences on the matter, as Suh vowed efforts for the swift transition, while Esper said it will take more time. In their joint communique, they did not specify when a FOC test and a subsequent Full Mission Capability (FMC) test would be conducted.
"The OPCON issue is going on within a systematic, diplomatic framework so that I don't believe it would be affected very much by any political changes," Rep. Kim Han-jung of the ruling Democratic Party said.
"The two sides vowed to continue close consultations on the matter, and the Moon government has said it takes a flexible stance," he said.
Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo (R) moves past his Japanese counterpart Taro Kono at the venue of the 6th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus gathering in Bangkok on Nov. 18, 2019. (Yonhap).
Biden's emphasis on the alliance will also likely lead to a growing call on its two close Asian allies, Seoul and Tokyo, to strive for improving bilateral relationships, which have been at one of their lowest ebbs in recent years over historic and diplomatic issues that have spilled over to the economic and military realms.
Last year, the South Korean government decided not to renew the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), a bilateral military information-sharing pact with Japan, in protest of its export curbs, though it suspended the decision at the last minute amid U.S. pressure against its termination.
Washington sees it as a key tool for the trilateral security cooperation with the two Asian allies and has called for its restoration.
"Trump has not been very much concerned about the trilateral security framework, but Biden is different. In the face of security challenges, such as China and North Korea, Biden is likely to prioritize the security cooperation among the three sides, so that it is our urgent task to be fully prepared," said Cho Tae-yong, a diplomat-turned-lawmaker of the main opposition People Power Party.
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-08--Minor earthquake hits S. Korea's southeast region

The earthquake occurred at 3:26 p.m. , 5 kilometers east of the southeastern city of Sanju , at a depth @ @ @ @ @ to the agency .

SEOUL, Nov. 8 (Yonhap) -- A 2.9 magnitude earthquake struck South Korea's southeastern area Sunday, the second tremor that has hit the region in recent days, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said.
The earthquake occurred at 3:26 p.m., 5 kilometers east of the southeastern city of Sanju, at a depth of 9 km, according to the agency.
The epicenter was at 36.41 degrees north latitude and 128.22 degrees east longitude, the agency said.
On Friday, a 2 magnitude earthquake was felt in areas located 3 km northwest of Sangju.
This map, provided by the Korea Meteorological Administration, shows the epicenter of a 2.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Sanju, a city located about 270 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
entropy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-08--(LEAD) Jeonbuk capture FA Cup for 2nd major title of 2020

`` If I can accomplish a treble all by myself this time , I think Mourinho will be really proud @ @ @ @ @ `` I am always trying to remember all the lessons he taught me .
We @ @ @ @ @ other and trying to make each other better . ''

(ATTN: ADDS comments in last 6 paras, photos)
By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 8 (Yonhap) -- Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors captured their second major football title of 2020 by winning the FA Cup tournament Sunday.
Jeonbuk defeated their K League rivals Ulsan Hyundai FC 2-1 in the second leg of the championship final at the FA Cup, organized annually by the Korea Football Association (KFA). Midfielder Lee Seung-gi scored both of Jeonbuk's goals in the second half at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, 240 kilometers south of Seoul.
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors players and coaches celebrate their FA Cup title at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, 240 kilometers south of Seoul, on Nov. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
The two teams played to a 1-1 draw in the opening leg Wednesday, and Jeonbuk prevailed on a 3-2 aggregate score.
With the FA Cup title, Jeonbuk have pulled off the first "double," or winning two major trophies in one season, in club history. They grabbed the K League 1 title exactly a week ago.
Jeonbuk will now pursue a "treble," or capturing three major titles in one year, at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League. The group stage play at the continent's top club competition will resume later this month. No South Korean club has accomplished a treble.
Ulsan jumped out to a 1-0 lead barely four minutes into the match, as Junior Negrao scored on his own rebound. The Brazilian forward tried to head home a free kick taken by Hong Chul, and after goalkeeper Song Beom-keun made the initial save, Junior Negrao pounced on a rebound that came right back to him.
Lee Seung-gi of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors celebrates the first of his two goals against Ulsan Hyundai FC in the second leg of the FA Cup final at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, 240 kilometers south of Seoul, on Nov. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
Jeonbuk kept applying the pressure on Ulsan but didn't record any shot on target in the first half. Then in the 53rd minute, Lee Seung-gi netted the equalizer with his right foot. He secured a poor clearing attempt by Ulsan and fired the ball into the far corner from the right side of the box.
Eight minutes later, Lee put Jeonbuk ahead for good, this time using his left foot to score after taking a feed from forward Cho Gue-sung.
This was the first career FA Cup for Jeonbuk veteran Lee Dong-gook, the career K League scoring leader who will retire from professional football after the end of this year.
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors head coach Jose Morais salutes his fans after winning the FA Cup title at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, 240 kilometers south of Seoul, on Nov. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
Jeonbuk coach Jose Morais was on Inter Milan's coaching staff, under Jose Mourinho, when they pulled off a European treble in the 2009-2010 season. Morais said he's looking forward to giving the rare feat a final push at the AFC Champions League.
"When I look back on that 2009-2010 season, accomplishing a treble is extremely difficult," Morais said. "And I'd like to experience that joy once again."
Morais said he spoke with Mourinho after clinching the K League 1 title, and that he still has so much respect for his old boss.
"If I can accomplish a treble all by myself this time, I think Mourinho will be really proud," Morais said. "I am always trying to remember all the lessons he taught me. We're still talking to each other and trying to make each other better."
Morais said Jeonbuk players won't feel any added pressure at the AFC Champions League just because they're chasing their third trophy.
"I think we've been winning so much this year because winning is fun," Morais said. "We have enough time before we head over to Qatar. And we'll try to keep having fun at the tournament."
Kim Bo-kyung of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (C) and Lee Chung-yong of Ulsan Hyundai FC battle for the ball during the second leg of the FA Cup final at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, 240 kilometers south of Seoul, on Nov. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-08--(3rd LD) New virus cases rebound to over 100 amid cluster infections

Currently , South Korea is under Level 1 , except the central city of Cheonan and the adjacent city of @ @ @ @ @ rules were lifted to Level 1.5 last week amid a surge in COVID-19 cases there @

(ATTN: UPDATES with mandatory PCR tests for any passengers bound for China from South Korea in last four paras; CHANGES headline; CORRECTS to last week from earlier this week in 7th para)
SEOUL, Nov. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus infections again rose by triple digits Sunday on a string of cluster infections across the country, putting the country's virus fight at risk amid the approaching winter season.
The country added 143 more COVID-19 cases, including 118 local infections, raising the total caseload to 27,427, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
It marked a sharp rise from 89 cases added Saturday but a slight drop from 145 reported Friday.
Sunday's increase came despite the lower number of tests carried out over the weekend.
Citizens wearing protective masks watch U.S. President-elect Joe Biden delivering a speech on a TV at Seoul Station in the capital city on Nov. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
Health authorities remain vigilant over sporadic cluster infections at hospitals, nursing homes and risk-prone facilities.
South Korea adopted the lowest level of its social distancing scheme Saturday under revised five-tier infection preventive measures.
Currently, South Korea is under Level 1, except the central city of Cheonan and the adjacent city of Asan, where social distancing rules were lifted to Level 1.5 last week amid a surge in COVID-19 cases there.
Level 1 -- the lowest in the five-tier scheme -- signifies a controllable level of transmission that allows people to carry on with their ordinary lives while wearing masks and following social distancing rules at designated facilities.
Under Level 1.5, the operation of multiuse facilities is restricted.
More restrictions, including the number of people that can gather in a single place, are added for the higher levels.
Locally transmitted cases were reported across the nation.
The capital city of Seoul accounted for 54, followed by Gyeonggi Province that surrounds Seoul with 23 new infections. Incheon, west of Seoul, reported two new cases, while Gangwon Province added nine cases.
The greater Seoul area accounts for around half of the nation's population.
The southeastern city of Daegu added seven new cases, while Gwangju, located 330 kilometers south of Seoul, saw two additional infections. South Chungcheong Province also added eight cases.
Visitors sit at tables while keeping a safe distance at a shopping mall in Seoul on Nov. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
As of noon Sunday, an office building in southern Seoul reported 13 patients so far.
A brokerage house in western Seoul reported three more COVID-19 cases, raising the total to 22.
A nursing home in eastern Seoul added eight more patients. Thirty-six patients have been traced to the facility.
The number of patients tied to medical facilities in Gunpo and Anyang, south of Seoul, reached 104, according to the KDCA data.
Those linked to a middle school and gyms in the greater Seoul area reached 69, the latest figure showed.
Over the past two weeks, around 36 percent of the newly added cases were group infections. Health authorities failed to find the infection routes of 13.7 percent of cases over the period.
The country added 25 imported cases.
The United States and Turkey accounted for five cases each.
Three patients were from Mexico, while Poland, India and Ethiopia added two patients each. There were also cases from Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Myanmar, the United Arab Emirates, Romania and Ukraine.
South Korean nationals accounted for 55 percent of the 3,932 imported cases reported here so far.
The number of seriously or critically ill COVID-19 patients came to 58, up five from Saturday.
South Korea reported one additional death, raising the total to 478.
The fatality rate came to 1.74 percent.
The number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries stood at 24,968, up 58 from the previous day. This indicates a little more than 91 percent of the total patients reported here have been cured.
South Korea has carried out 2,702,880 COVID-19 tests, including 5,631 from the previous day. The country normally carries out more than 10,000 tests during weekdays.
Also Sunday, health authorities said any passengers bound for China from South Korea using regular flights are required to take two polymerase chain reaction tests for the coronavirus within 48 hours before their departure.
They said passengers need to pay for the two tests, which should be conducted more than three hours apart in different hospitals designated by the Chinese Embassy in Seoul.
The mandatory tests are set to begin Wednesday.
China has strengthened quarantine measures against all arrivals from foreign countries over a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in foregin countries, according to the health authorities.
Visitors receive COVID-19 tests at a makeshift clinic in Suncheon, 415 kilometers south of Seoul, on Nov. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-08--(LEAD) Rookie right-hander to make KBO postseason debut in series opener

(ATTN: ADDS comments in paras 11-13, 17-21, photos)
By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 8 (Yonhap) -- A teenage rookie pitcher will make his South Korean baseball postseason debut in his team's very first playoff game Monday.
The KT Wiz on Sunday announced right-hander So Hyeong-jun as their starter for Game 1 of the second round Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) playoff series against the Doosan Bears. The first pitch is 6:30 p.m. Monday at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul.
The Wiz earned a bye to the second round after finishing the regular season in second place. This will be their first postseason appearance in franchise history, which dates back to 2015.
In this file photo from Oct. 3, 2020, So Hyeong-jun of the KT Wiz pitches against the LG Twins in the top of the second inning of a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, 45 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
The Bears, who finished in third place, knocked off the LG Twins in two straight games in the best-of-three first round to get to this stage. They're trying to win their second straight championship and their fourth in six years.
The entire best-of-five series will be played at the dome as the neutral venue. The start of the regular season was delayed by over a month due to the coronavirus outbreak, and the postseason started in November for the first time in league history. To keep fans and players warm in cold conditions, Gocheok, the only domed ballpark in the country, will host all games of this series and again in the Korean Series.
So, an odds-on favorite to win the Rookie of the Year, went 13-6 with a 3.86 ERA in 24 regular season starts. He was tied for most wins by a homegrown pitcher this season.
The 19-year-old was excellent against the Bears during the regular season, with a 3-1 record and a 2.51 ERA in six games.
Designated hitter Jose Miguel Fernandez had the most success against So, batting 5-for-12 with two doubles and an RBI. First baseman Oh Jae-il went 4-for-10 with three walks and an RBI. Fernandez and Oh usually bat second and third in the Bears' lineup.
Although rookies often hit a wall toward the end of the season, So pitched much better in the second half (8-1, 2.50 ERA) than in the first half (5-5, 5.29 ERA). So didn't allow any home runs in 68 1/3 innings in the latter half, after serving up six long balls in his first 64 2/3 innings of the season.
Since July, So has never allowed more than three runs in a game, a stretch of 15 starts and two relief appearances.
KT Wiz manager Lee Kang-chul speaks with reporters before his Korea Baseball Organization club's practice at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, 45 kilometers south of Seoul, on Nov. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
Sending in a teenager to start the ever-important first game of a postseason series may be seen as a bold move, but KT manager Lee Kang-chul defended the choice Sunday. He said So has been the team's best pitcher against the Bears, and he will bring a sense of stability to the mound.
"During the regular season, he often helped us extend a winning streak or stop a losing streak," Lee said before practice at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, 45 kilometers south of Seoul. "When I sat down with our data analysts, they strongly recommended we start So Hyeong-jun for Game 1."
Lee, a former pitcher and pitching coach, said making timely calls to the bullpen will be the key in any postseason series and hinted that he may use one of his starters in a relief role.
Chris Flexen of the Doosan Bears pitches against the LG Twins in the top of the sixth inning of Game 1 of the Korea Baseball Organization first-round playoff series at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on Nov. 4, 2020. (Yonhap)
The Bears will counter with American right-hander Chris Flexen. He is coming off a brilliant start against the Twins in Game 1 of the previous series last Wednesday, when he struck out 11 in six dominant innings in a 4-0 victory.
Flexen also pitched well against the Wiz in the regular season. In two starts spanning 10 innings, Flexen had a 1-0 record and a 0.90 ERA, with 15 strikeouts against two walks. The Wiz managed only six hits against Flexen, all of them singles.
Infielder Hwang Jae-gyun had half of those six singles. But Mel Rojas Jr., a leading MVP candidate as the KBO leader in home runs, RBIs and slugging percentage, was 0-for-4 with three strikeouts against Flexen.
Doosan manager Kim Tae-hyoung said he was wary of facing So and added: "He pitches like a veteran. He knows how to change speeds and pick his spots when facing hitters.
"He did well against us this season, but it's something we have to overcome," Kim added after practice at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul.
As for a Wiz hitter to watch, Kim singled out Rojas Jr., saying, "He has power, and he can also make good contact."
Kim also revealed his next two starting pitchers in the best-of-five series. Right-hander Choi Won-jun, who was excellent out of the bullpen in the previous series, will start Game 2 on Tuesday. Raul Alcantara, the KBO's only 20-game winner in the regular season, will start Game 3 on Thursday.
Alcantara pitched with a stiff neck when he faced the Twins in Game 2 of the first round last Thursday. Kim said Alcantara is still not 100 percent and will get some extra rest.
Doosan Bears manager Kim Tae-hyoung walks on the field at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul during his Korea Baseball Organization club's practice on Nov. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-08--Jeonbuk capture FA Cup for 2nd major title of 2020

Jeonbuk kept applying the pressure on Ulsan but did n't record any shot on target in the first half .
@ @ @ @ @ , Lee Seung-gi netted the equalizer with his right foot .
He secured a poor @ @ @ @ @ fired the ball into the far corner from the right side of the box .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 8 (Yonhap) -- Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors captured their second major football title of 2020 by winning the FA Cup tournament Sunday.
Jeonbuk defeated their K League rivals Ulsan Hyundai FC 2-1 in the second leg of the championship final at the FA Cup, organized annually by the Korea Football Association (KFA). Midfielder Lee Seung-gi scored both of Jeonbuk's goals in the second half at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, 240 kilometers south of Seoul.
Lee Seung-gi of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors celebrates the first of his two goals against Ulsan Hyundai FC in the second leg of the FA Cup final at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, 240 kilometers south of Seoul, on Nov. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
The two teams played to a 1-1 draw in the opening leg Wednesday, and Jeonbuk prevailed on a 3-2 aggregate score.
With the FA Cup title, Jeonbuk have pulled off the first "double," or winning two major trophies in one season, in club history. They grabbed the K League 1 title exactly a week ago.
Jeonbuk will now pursue a "treble," or capturing three major titles in one year, at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League. The group stage play at the continent's top club competition will resume later this month. No South Korean club has accomplished a treble.
Ulsan jumped out to a 1-0 lead barely four minutes into the match, as Junior Negrao scored on his own rebound. The Brazilian forward tried to head home a free kick taken by Hong Chul, and after goalkeeper Song Beom-keun made the initial save, Junior Negrao pounced on a rebound that came right back to him.
Jeonbuk kept applying the pressure on Ulsan but didn't record any shot on target in the first half. Then in the 53rd minute, Lee Seung-gi netted the equalizer with his right foot. He secured a poor clearing attempt by Ulsan and fired the ball into the far corner from the right side of the box.
Eight minutes later, Lee put Jeonbuk ahead for good, this time using his left foot to score after taking a feed from forward Cho Gue-sung.
This was the first career FA Cup for Jeonbuk veteran Lee Dong-gook, the career K League scoring leader who will retire from professional football after the end of this year.
Kim Bo-kyung of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (C) and Lee Chung-yong of Ulsan Hyundai FC battle for a ball during the second leg of the FA Cup final at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, 240 kilometers south of Seoul, on Nov. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-08--(LEAD) Strong won tipped to woo foreign investors: analysts

`` So far , the COVID-19 uncertainties and the Trump Administration 's ( economic ) unilateralism and protectionism have kept @ @ @ @ @ U.S. territory despite the weak dollar , but the U.S. election results will help clear @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .

(ATTN: ADDS stock data in paras 5-6)
SEOUL, Nov. 8 (Yonhap) -- Joe Biden's election as U.S. president is likely to keep the South Korean currency strong against the U.S. greenback for a while, which will work to trigger foreign capital inflow to the local stock markets, analysts said Sunday.
The local currency closed at 1,120.4 won against the U.S. dollar Monday, up 7.8 won from the previous session's close and the strongest in 21 months.
Analysts said Biden's election victory could further push up the Korean won down the road, as the president-elect has supported large-scale fiscal spending and stimulus policies that would weaken the U.S. dollar.
The strong won against the greenback would re-direct the FX-sensitive global passive funds to the local markets, analysts noted.
Foreign investors had dumped 577 billion won worth of local stocks in September and another 490 billion won last month.
In the first week of November, however, they raked in a net 2.12 trillion won. On Thursday, they bought a net 1.13 trillion won, the largest daily sum since July 28.
Electronic signboards at the trading room of Hana Bank in Seoul show the local currency closed at 1,120.4 won against the U.S. dollar on Nov. 2, 2020, up 7.8 won from the previous session's close. (Yonhap)
Samsung Securities analyst Yoo Seung-min expected the strong Korean won to continue through next year.
"So far, the COVID-19 uncertainties and the Trump Administration's (economic) unilateralism and protectionism have kept the foreign cash within the U.S. territory despite the weak dollar, but the U.S. election results will help clear such obstacles one by one," he said.
The local stock market responded fast to the combination of a Joe Biden presidency and a Republican-dominated Senate.
Stocks related to green energy -- electric and hydrogen vehicles and bio -- lifted on the so-called Biden effect.
The country's leading chemical firm LG Chem spiked 4.15 percent and 6.35 percent on Thursday and Friday, respectively, as votes turned in favor of Biden. Rechargeable battery maker Samsung SDI also surged 5.33 percent and 3.1 percent.
Bio pharmaceuticals, including Samsung Biologics, Celltrion and SK Pharmaceuticals, also rose on expectations of Biden's support for medical health care programs.
Analysts also predicted Biden would not be able to toughen antitrust regulations against big tech firms, due to the opposition from the Republican-controlled Senate.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-08--(LEAD) Parties welcome Biden's victory, hope for enhanced alliance

(ATTN: UPDATES with more comments in paras 6-7, 14-17)
SEOUL, Nov. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korean political parties said Sunday that Joe Biden's victory in the U.S. presidential election will help further enhance the South Korea-U.S. alliance.
Biden was declared the winner of the U.S. presidential election on Saturday after a stunning upset victory in Pennsylvania, which gave him 20 electoral college votes to surpass the 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House.
"In the era of Biden as president, I believe that the Korea-U.S. alliance will become more solid," Rep. Lee Nak-yon, chairman of the ruling Democratic Party (DP), said in a congratulatory message posted on his Facebook account.
"South Korea and the U.S. will continue to cooperate closely to achieve peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia and the world, based on their solid alliance," Lee said.
He said, "I hope (the policy of) the Korean Peninsula peace process can be reactivated and the path toward building permanent peace (on the peninsula) can be laid out as soon as possible."
DP spokesman Rep. Huh-young also called for increased efforts for the revival of U.S.-North Korea dialogue under Biden's leadership.
"Efforts for U.S.-North Korea talks should resume to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula and build a lasting peace, within the framework of South Korea-U.S. collaboration," the party spokesman said in a press release.
Rep. Lee Nak-yon, chairman of the ruling Democratic Party (Yonhap)
The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) also issued a congratulatory message on Biden's election victory.
"The PPP sends an applause of support for Americans standing at the starting point for new history," Rep. Bae June-young, a party spokesman, said.
"The South Korea-U.S. alliance is an alliance forged through blood (shed together) at the battleground of the Korean War," Bae said.
The two nations have worked together for 70 years for liberal democracy and the market economy, he said, adding that "South Korea will be with the U.S. if it goes on to act as a responsible leader in the international community."
The spokesman also called on Biden to muster efforts to denuclearize North Korea and build peace on the peninsula.
"South Korea will more solidly go hand in hand with the U.S. to build peace and prosperity in the world for another 70 years," Bae said, adding that the PPP believes in the power of the Seoul-Washington alliance.
In a post on Facebook, PPP floor leader Rep. Joo Ho-young said, "I fully expect that (the Biden administration) can attain tangible accomplishments in completely denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula through continued negotiations with North Korea."
This file photo shows U.S. President-elect Joe Biden during his visit to South Korea in 2013 as then vice president of the U.S. (Yonhap)
Minor parties also voiced congratulations and hope for progress in issues pertaining to North Korea and the Seoul-Washington alliance.
Kim Jong-cheol, the leader of the progressive minor Justice Party, said in a press release, "The U.S.' Korean Peninsula policy should eventually lead to denuclearization, the establishment of formal diplomatic ties between U.S. and North Korea and the establishment of peace (in the region)."
On the defense front, the incoming Biden administration should distance itself from the Trump administration's "reckless and exploitative" approach, Kim said, referring to the countries' negotiations on sharing the upkeep of stationing American troops in South Korea.
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-08--(2nd LD) New virus cases rebound to over 100 again; cluster infections still at large

(ATTN: ADDS details in paras 15-20; CHANGES photos)
SEOUL, Nov. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus infections again rose by triple digits Sunday on a string of cluster infections across the country, putting the country's virus fight at risk amid the approaching winter season.
The country added 143 more COVID-19 cases, including 118 local infections, raising the total caseload to 27,427, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
It marked a sharp rise from 89 cases added Saturday but a slight drop from 145 reported Friday.
Sunday's increase came despite the lower number of tests carried out over the weekend.
Citizens wearing protective masks watch U.S. President-elect Joe Biden delivering a speech on a TV at Seoul Station in the capital city on Nov. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
Health authorities remain vigilant over sporadic cluster infections at hospitals, nursing homes and risk-prone facilities.
South Korea adopted the lowest level of its social distancing scheme Saturday under revised five-tier infection preventive measures.
Currently, South Korea is under Level 1, except the central city of Cheonan and the adjacent city Asan, where social distancing rules were lifted to Level 1.5 earlier this week amid a surge in COVID-19 cases there.
Level 1 -- the lowest in the five-tier scheme -- signifies a controllable level of transmission that allows people to carry on with their ordinary lives while wearing masks and following social distancing rules at designated facilities.
Under Level 1.5, the operation of multiuse facilities is restricted.
More restrictions, including the number of people that can gather in a single place, are added for the higher levels.
Locally transmitted cases were reported across the nation.
The capital city of Seoul accounted for 54, followed by Gyeonggi Province that surrounds Seoul with 23 new infections. Incheon, west of Seoul, reported two new cases, while Gangwon Province added nine cases.
The greater Seoul area accounts for around half of the nation's population.
The southeastern city of Daegu added seven new cases, while Gwangju, located 330 kilometers south of Seoul, saw two additional infections. South Chungcheong Province also added eight cases.
Visitors sit at tables while keeping a safe distance at a shopping mall in Seoul on Nov. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
As of noon Sunday, an office building in southern Seoul reported 13 patients so far.
A brokerage house in western Seoul reported three more COVID-19 cases, raising the total to 22.
A nursing home in eastern Seoul added eight more patients. Thirty-six patients have been traced to the facility.
The number of patients tied to medical facilities in Gunpo and Anyang, south of Seoul, reached 104, according to the KDCA data.
Those linked to a middle school and gyms in the greater Seoul area reached 69, the latest figure showed.
Over the past two weeks, around 36 percent of the newly added cases were group infections. Health authorities failed to find the infection routes of 13.7 percent of cases over the period.
The country added 25 imported cases.
The United States and Turkey accounted for five cases each.
Three patients were from Mexico, while Poland, India and Ethiopia added two patients each. There were also cases from Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Myanmar, the United Arab Emirates, Romania and Ukraine.
South Korean nationals accounted for 55 percent of the 3,932 imported cases reported here so far.
The number of seriously or critically ill COVID-19 patients came to 58, up five from Saturday.
South Korea reported one additional death, raising the total to 478.
The fatality rate came to 1.74 percent.
The number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries stood at 24,968, up 58 from the previous day. This indicates a little more than 91 percent of the total patients reported here have been cured.
South Korea has carried out 2,702,880 COVID-19 tests, including 5,631 from the previous day. The country normally carries out more than 10,000 tests during weekdays.
Visitors receive COVID-19 tests at a makeshift clinic in Suncheon, 415 kilometers south of Seoul, on Nov. 8, 2020. (Yonhap)
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-08--Strong won tipped to woo foreign investors: analysts

SEOUL, Nov. 8 (Yonhap) -- Joe Biden's election as U.S. president is likely to keep the South Korean currency strong against the U.S. greenback for a while, which will work to trigger foreign capital inflow to the local stock markets, analysts said Sunday.
The local currency closed at 1,120.4 won against the U.S. dollar Monday, up 7.8 won from the previous session's close and the strongest in 21 months.
Analysts said Biden's election victory could further push up the Korean won down the road, as the president-elect has supported large-scale fiscal spending and stimulus policies that would weaken the U.S. dollar.
The strong won against the greenback would re-direct the FX-sensitive global passive funds to the local markets, analysts noted.
Electronic signboards at the trading room of Hana Bank in Seoul show the local currency closed at 1,120.4 won against the U.S. dollar on Nov. 2, 2020, up 7.8 won from the previous session's close. (Yonhap)
Samsung Securities analyst Yoo Seung-min expected the strong Korean won to continue through next year.
"So far, the COVID-19 uncertainties and the Trump Administration's (economic) unilateralism and protectionism have kept the foreign cash within the U.S. territory despite the weak dollar, but the U.S. election results will help clear such obstacles one by one," he said.
The local stock market responded fast to the combination of a Joe Biden presidency and a Republican-dominated Senate.
Stocks related to green energy -- electric and hydrogen vehicles and bio -- lifted on the so-called Biden effect.
The country's leading chemical firm LG Chem spiked 4.15 percent and 6.35 percent on Thursday and Friday, respectively, as votes turned in favor of Biden. Rechargeable battery maker Samsung SDI also surged 5.33 percent and 3.1 percent.
Bio pharmaceuticals, including Samsung Biologics, Celltrion and SK Pharmaceuticals, also rose on expectations of Biden's support for medical health care programs.
Analysts also predicted Biden would not be able to toughen antitrust regulations against big tech firms, due to the opposition from the Republican-controlled Senate.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-08--KBO veteran Jeong Keun-woo announces retirement

Two former major league players , Oh Seung-hwan of the Samsung Lions and Lee Dae-ho of the Lotte Giants , @ @ @ @ @ to play next year .
In the majors , Choo Shin-soo , another 1982 birth @ @ @ @ @ Lee 's , is a free agent after his seven-year contract with the Texas Rangers @ @ @ @ @ this past season .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 8 (Yonhap) -- Jeong Keun-woo, a former All-Star second baseman who helped South Korea to an Olympic gold medal in 2008, announced his retirement on Sunday at age 38.
The LG Twins of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) said Jeong has decided to call it quits after 16 years in the league.
Jeong spent the 2020 season as a backup second baseman for the Twins, following six seasons with the Hanwha Eagles and nine years with the SK Wyverns.
In this file photo from Oct. 4, 2020, Jeong Keun-woo of the LG Twins hits an RBI double against the KT Wiz in the top of the eighth inning of a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, 45 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
It was during his time with the Wyverns that Jeong rose to stardom. With Jeong developing into the league's top defensive second baseman and a base-stealing threat, the Wyverns won the Korean Series in 2007, 2008 and 2010.
Jeong was a member of the gold medal-winning national team at the 2008 Olympics and 2010 Asian Games, plus the runner-up squad at the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
He received the Golden Glove at second base in 2006, 2009 and 2013. For his career, Jeong batted .302 with 121 home runs, 722 RBIs, 371 steals, 1,072 runs scored and 1,877 hits in 1,747 games. Jeong is tied for sixth all time in steals and ninth in runs scored. Jeong holds the KBO record with 16 career walk-off hits.
Through the Twins, Jeong said he'll take some time off to rest before thinking about his next career move.
Jeong is one of a handful of South Korean baseball stars born in 1982, once considered a golden generation of talent. From that group, Hanwha Eagles' first baseman Kim Tae-kyun announced his retirement last month.
In this file photo from June 12, 2020, Jeong Keun-woo of the LG Twins hits a walk-ff single against the Lotte Giants in the bottom of the 10th inning of a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. (Yonhap)
Two former major league players, Oh Seung-hwan of the Samsung Lions and Lee Dae-ho of the Lotte Giants, remain active and are expected to play next year. In the majors, Choo Shin-soo, another 1982 birth and a childhood friend of Lee's, is a free agent after his seven-year contract with the Texas Rangers expired after the end of this past season.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-08--Today in Korean history

Today in Korean history

2017 -- During their summit in Jakarta , President Moon Jae-in and his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo agree to upgrade @ @ @ @ @ special strategic partnership '' to deepen cooperation .
( END )

Nov. 9
1989 -- South Korea signs a treaty with Mexico to cooperate in economic, scientific and technological development.
1999 -- A business consolidation in South Korea's power generation and ship engine sectors is completed among Hyundai Heavy Industries, Samsung Heavy Industries and Korea Heavy Industries & Construction, the predecessor of Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction.
2004 -- A Japanese delegation arrives in North Korea for working-level talks on the communist state's abduction of Japanese nationals.
2005 -- A new round of six-nation talks on North Korea's nuclear program begins in Beijing.
2017 -- During their summit in Jakarta, President Moon Jae-in and his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo agree to upgrade their relations to a "special strategic partnership" to deepen cooperation.
(END)


yna--2020-11-08--Bears' ace Alcantara named KBO's top player for October

The Korea Baseball Organization ( KBO ) announced Sunday that Alcantara was voted its Player of the Month for October @ @ @ @ @ the regular season .
He won all six October starts while posting a 1.34 ERA @ @ @ @ @ in 40 1/3 innings .
He led all pitchers in wins in October and finished @ @ @ @ @ Flexen in ERA and strikeouts .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 8 (Yonhap) -- Doosan Bears' right-hander Raul Alcantara has been named the top player in South Korean baseball for October after posting a perfect record.
The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) announced Sunday that Alcantara was voted its Player of the Month for October, the final month of the regular season. He won all six October starts while posting a 1.34 ERA. He had 41 strikeouts in 40 1/3 innings. He led all pitchers in wins in October and finished second behind his teammate Chris Flexen in ERA and strikeouts.
Raul Alcantara of the Doosan Bears pitches against the LG Twins in the bottom of the first inning of Game 2 of the first-round playoff series in the Korea Baseball Organization at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on Nov. 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
When votes cast by media and fans were converted into points, Alcantara came out on top with 33.68 points, with NC Dinos catcher Yang Eui-ji finishing as the runner-up at 31.48 points.
Alcantara earned 14 out of 30 votes from the media to lead all candidates and garnered 34,874 votes from fans to finish second in that category. Yang had three media votes and 89,247 fan votes.
The winner will receive 2 million won (US$1,780) in prize money and a gold bar worth 600,000 won, courtesy of the league's title sponsor, Shinhan Bank.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


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(END)


yna--2020-11-09--Korean shippers soaring on rising freight rates

The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index , a barometer of global freight rates , came to a new high of 1,664.56 @ @ @ @ @ industry sources .
The previous record was 1,583.18 posted in July 2010 .

By Nam Kwang-sik
SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- Shares in South Korean shippers, led by HMM Co., skyrocketed Monday morning as investors bet that increasing freight rates will help them improve earnings down the road.
The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index, a barometer of global freight rates, came to a new high of 1,664.56 last Friday, according to industry sources. The previous record was 1,583.18 posted in July 2010.
Korea Line, a bulk carrier, rose 29.75 percent to 2,115 won (US$1.90) as of 11:20 a.m. with No. 1 shipper HMM up 15.12 percent to 11,800 won.
Another bulk carrier Pan Ocean traded at 4,000 won, rising 14.78 percent, and KSS Line rose 5.07 percent to 10,150 won at the same time.
Local shipping companies are expected to see a rise in freight rates next year as global major shippers have reduced their business due to the coronavirus pandemic amid soaring demand, industry watchers said.
They also said South Korean shippers will benefit from growing demand helped by the year-end shopping season in the United States, including Black Friday on Nov. 27.
This photo provided by HMM on Sept. 13, 2020, shows HMM's container carrier. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
ksnam@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-09--Number of TV dramas likely to decrease next year amid coronavirus pandemic

The romance , `` It 's Okay to Not Be Okay , '' logged an audience share in the 4-6 @ @ @ @ @ run .
It was a disappointing number considering that the series was highly anticipated as @ @ @ @ @ first appearance on the small screen in about five years .

By Kim Boram
SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- The number of South Korean TV drama series is expected to decrease next year due to the fallout of the protracted novel coronavirus pandemic, experts said Monday.
In the summer, when the country was struggling with a resurgence in novel coronavirus infections, TV studios and broadcasters halted productions of dramas and shows.
Entertainment giant CJ ENM and its drama production affiliate Studio Dragon suspended drama filming for a week in August, with several shows on tvN and OCN affected by the stoppage. Other networks, including KBS and SBS, followed them.
Subsequent temporary suspensions and delays stemming from tightened social distancing have slowed down scheduled productions for this year and struck a blow to the industry as a whole.
This photo provided by A Story shows a scene from "Jirisan." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
As a result, public broadcasters, like KBS and MBC, which do not have their own studios, are projected to come up with fewer than 10 dramas for next year. In 2019, an average 12 dramas were aired on 10 South Korean TV channels, according to industry data.
Only a few series on the 2021 lineup are under spotlight, including tvN's "Jirisan," starring Jun Ji-hyun, and "Vincenzo," starring Song Joong-ki, and Netflix's "Kingdom: Ashin of the North."
"Due partly to the lingering virus pandemic, it's become too hard and expensive to produce a TV drama," culture critic Kim Heon-shik said. "But the unprecedented coronavirus epidemic is not the only reason that the TV channels have been reducing drama productions."
This photo provided by Netflix shows a scene from "Kingdom: Ashin of the North." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
A paradigm shift to online multi-channel platforms, such as YouTube or Netflix, is also behind the trend, he added.
An increasing number of young people do not watch TV and prefer short-form web-based series available anywhere and anytime on their smartphones.
"Expensive TV series starring big-name stars no longer guarantee higher viewership ratings," the expert said. "Those stars also turn their eyes to other platforms that provide the content to more than 100 countries."
Star-studded blockbuster dramas failed to catch the eyes of viewers this year, putting financially-troubled broadcasters into a corner.
The romance, "It's Okay to Not Be Okay," logged an audience share in the 4-6 percent range throughout its 16-episode run. It was a disappointing number considering that the series was highly anticipated as star actor Kim Soo-hyun's first appearance on the small screen in about five years.
Instead, Netflix's original series, like the teen crime drama "Extracurricular" and the second season of the zombie thriller "Kingdom," gained huge popularity on the global streaming platform.
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)