yna--2020-03-26--(EDITORIAL from Korea Herald on March 26)

The establishment of the $ 60 billion swap line , which will be in place for at least six months @ @ @ @ @ seven consecutive trading days of free fall in the local bourse Friday .
It also @ @ @ @ @ in the value of the Korean won against the US dollar , which touched the @ @ @ @ @ a decade last week .

Heightening breakwater
: Korea needs to conclude currency swap deals with more nations including Japan
The conclusion of a currency swap deal between South Korea and the US a week ago immediately stabilized local stock and currency markets, which were rattled by mounting concerns over the economic fallout from the global spread of the novel coronavirus.
The establishment of the $60 billion swap line, which will be in place for at least six months, was instrumental in snapping seven consecutive trading days of free fall in the local bourse Friday. It also helped stop the downward spiral in the value of the Korean won against the US dollar, which touched the lowest level in more than a decade last week.
But soon it became clear that the swap deal is insufficient, though essential, to stabilize the local stock and currency market. Korean stock prices and the won's value against the greenback have fluctuated sharply since then.
Notably, the swap line with the US -- the second of its kind and double the size of the previous one set up in 2008 amid the global financial crisis -- has not led to stopping foreign sell-off of Korean shares. Offshore investors extended their net-selling streak to a 15th consecutive trading session Wednesday.
In a meeting of the emergency economic council held on the same day, the government decided to double the amount of the financial rescue package to 100 trillion won ($81.1 billion) from the 50 trillion won set aside in the council's inaugural session last week.
The package includes launching a bond market stabilization fund worth 20 trillion won and a securities market stabilization fund worth 10.7 trillion won as a buffer against capital outflows.
Presiding over the meeting, President Moon Jae-in said the government would serve as a "stout breakwater" against possible turbulence in the financial market. He said every measure would be taken to prevent large companies and small business owners alike from going bankrupt due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
But there remain concerns that local businesses could be drawn into a credit crunch stemming from a collapse in global supply chains, downgraded credit ratings and a sharp fall in exports.
Outbound shipments from Asia's fourth-largest economy recorded an on-year increase in February and in the first 20 days of March after decreasing for 14 consecutive months. The unexpected increase, however, is attributable partly to more working days compared to the same period last year.
Should the coronavirus spread further across the globe, Korean exporters will be hit hard by decreased demand for their products, further aggravating economic conditions of the country which depends on trade for nearly 70 percent of gross domestic product.
Capital flight out of the country could pick up speed anytime if the local financial market is gripped by additional shocks.
Korea has suffered the second-largest outflow of foreign stock investment funds among major Asian emerging nations over the four weeks through March 18, according to recent data compiled by the Korea Center for International Finance. Offshore investors withdrew $10.24 billion from the Korean equity market during the cited period following Taiwan's $13.2 billion, with China and Hong Kong excluded from the tally.
Government and Bank of Korea officials say the country has an optimal level of foreign currency reserves, which stood at $409.17 billion as of end-February.
But the currency reserves could be depleted rapidly if demand for dollars surges amid a global economic pandemic.
It is necessary for Korea to conclude currency swap deals with as many foreign countries as possible. Currently, it maintains swap lines with eight nations including the US and China.
Conspicuously missing from the list is Japan.
Seoul and Tokyo in 2015 ended their currency swap deal worth $10 billion, the last in a series of swap arrangements set up between the two sides since July 2001.
In January 2017, Tokyo suspended talks with Seoul on reopening a swap line in protest against the installation of a statue symbolizing Korean women forced into Japan's wartime sexual slavery in a city here.
Korea should now step up efforts to reopen the swap line with Japan, which could make a significant contribution to heightening its breakwater against a possible currency crisis.
Historical issues should not be allowed to hinder the two neighboring countries from strengthening practical cooperation to build a future-oriented partnership.
Hopefully, the reestablishment of a bilateral swap line would help enhance collaboration between Seoul and Tokyo in coping with the spreading coronavirus and its global economic impact.
(END)


yna--2020-03-26--Top headlines in major S. Korean newspapers

Korean-language dailies -- Gov't to inject 100 tln won into coronavirus-hit business sectors ( Kyunghyang Shinmun ) -- Massive layoffs @ @ @ @ @ likely due to virus impact ( Kookmin Daily ) -- Telegram sex offender makes no @ @ @ @ @ llbo ) -- Small businesses complain about submitting many documents for emergency loans amid virus @ @ @ @ @ -- All passengers from U.S. subject to 2-week self-quarantine from Friday ( Segye Times ) @ @ @ @ @ voluntary retirement programs due to virus impact ( Chosun Ilbo ) -- Gov't also considers @ @ @ @ @ next month ( JoongAng Ilbo ) -- Gov't considers beginning of spring semester both online @ @ @ @ @ Hankyoreh ) -- Gov't considers beginning of spring semester online amid virus fears ( Hankook @ @ @ @ @ voluntary retirement programs due to virus impact ( Maeil Business Newspaper ) -- Samsung heir @ @ @ @ @ to survive 'unprecedented ' virus impact ( Korea Economic Daily )

SEOUL, March 26 (Yonhap) -- The following are the top headlines in major South Korean newspapers on March 26.
Korean-language dailies
-- Gov't to inject 100 tln won into coronavirus-hit business sectors (Kyunghyang Shinmun)
-- Massive layoffs at small, medium-sized companies likely due to virus impact (Kookmin Daily)
-- Telegram sex offender makes no apology to victims (Donga llbo)
-- Small businesses complain about submitting many documents for emergency loans amid virus woes (Seoul Shinmun)
-- All passengers from U.S. subject to 2-week self-quarantine from Friday (Segye Times)
-- Conglomerates also mull offering voluntary retirement programs due to virus impact (Chosun Ilbo)
-- Gov't also considers beginning of spring semester online next month (JoongAng Ilbo)
-- Gov't considers beginning of spring semester both online and offline next month (Hankyoreh)
-- Gov't considers beginning of spring semester online amid virus fears (Hankook Ilbo)
-- Conglomerates consider voluntary retirement programs due to virus impact (Maeil Business Newspaper)
-- Samsung heir apparent says innovation is key to survive 'unprecedented' virus impact (Korea Economic Daily)
English-language dailies
-- Telegram trafficker calls himself a 'devil' (Korea JoongAng Daily)
-- S. Korea to expand 2-week quarantine to arrivals from U.S. (Korea Herald)
-- 'Thank you for stopping my life as the devil' (Korea Times)
(END)


yna--2020-03-26--Trump again boasts higher testing numbers than S. Korea despite conflicting time frames

`` Just reported that the United States has done far more 'testing ' than any other nation , by far @ @ @ @ @ .
`` In fact , over an eight day span , the United States now @ @ @ @ @ South Korea ( which has been a very successful tester ) does over an eight @ @ @ @ @ ! ''

By Lee Haye-ah
WASHINGTON, March 25 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump boasted again Wednesday that the United States has tested more people for coronavirus than South Korea, even though there were discrepancies in the time frames the tests were conducted in.
Facing one of the biggest challenges of his presidency, Trump appeared to want to underscore the testing numbers that Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, shared in a virtual town hall both attended at the White House on Tuesday.
Birx said at the time that the U.S. had tested more than 300,000 people in eight days, which she said was more than South Korea had tested in eight weeks.
This AFP photo shows U.S. President Donald Trump speaking during the daily briefing on the novel coronavirus at the White House on March 24, 2020. (Yonhap)
"Just reported that the United States has done far more 'testing' than any other nation, by far!" Trump tweeted Wednesday. "In fact, over an eight day span, the United States now does more testing than what South Korea (which has been a very successful tester) does over an eight week span. Great job!"
Trump seized on Birx's words during the town hall, saying he was hearing the numbers for the first time and asking the doctor to repeat them.
He also claimed the tests in the U.S. were better and "highly sophisticated."
The lack of testing and test kits has added to criticism of the Trump administration's response to the fast-growing pandemic in the country.
The latest figures from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention put the number of COVID-19 patients at 54,453, including 737 deaths.
Birx later appeared to contradict her own statement when she told a White House press briefing Tuesday that of a total of 370,000 tests done in the U.S., more than 220,000 had been done in the last eight days.
As of Tuesday, South Korea had tested 348,582 people since the virus was first detected on its soil on Jan. 20, or in just over eight weeks. By Wednesday, 357,896 people had been tested.
Earlier this month, Trump downplayed the effectiveness of drive-through testing centers in South Korea before he announced their nationwide introduction days later.
And in a phone call with South Korean President Moon Jae-in Tuesday, Trump asked for South Korea's assistance with medical equipment, according to Moon's office.
The phone call was arranged at Trump's "urgent" request and Moon promised "maximum" assistance depending on availability, Cheong Wa Dae said.
The White House said in a brief statement that the two leaders discussed their nations' respective efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic but it made no mention of any request for help.
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-26--Pompeo calls on G7 to continue pressure on N. Korea

WASHINGTON , March 25 ( Yonhap ) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday that the Group of @ @ @ @ @ countries must continue to urge North Korea to return to denuclearization talks and pressure the @ @ @ @ @ nuclear program .

By Lee Haye-ah
WASHINGTON, March 25 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday that the Group of Seven major economies and other countries must continue to urge North Korea to return to denuclearization talks and pressure the regime to give up its nuclear program.
At a press briefing, Pompeo said he discussed a wide array of issues with his G7 counterparts during a virtual meeting held earlier in the day, including their response to the coronavirus pandemic and Iran's nuclear program.
"Similarly, the G7 and all nations must remain united in calling on North Korea to return to negotiations and stay committed to applying diplomatic and economic pressure over its illegal nuclear and ballistic missile programs," he said.
Denuclearization talks between the U.S. and North Korea have stalled since the February 2019 summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
The two sides last held working-level talks in Sweden in October, but failed to reach an agreement on how to match the North's denuclearization steps with U.S. concessions, including sanctions relief.
In recent weeks Pyongyang has resumed testing what South Korean officials say amount to short-range ballistic missiles.
U.N. Security Council resolutions ban North Korea from testing ballistic missiles and impose tough economic sanctions on the regime to try to stop their development.
The G7 groups Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States.
This AFP photo shows U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaking during a press conference at the State Department in Washington on March 25, 2020. (Yonhap)
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-17--S. Korea reports 22 more cases of new coronavirus, total now at 10,635

In particular , the daily number of new virus cases has been below 50 for the last nine days , @ @ @ @ @ the country 's extensive social distancing campaign began to pay off .

SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Friday reported 22 more cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing the nation's total infections to 10,635.
It marked the fifth day in a row that the country's new virus infections stayed below 30, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
South Korea's daily new cases reached a peak on Feb. 29 with 909 confirmed cases, but the country has since managed to flatten the curve of new infections.
In particular, the daily number of new virus cases has been below 50 for the last nine days, with health authorities saying that the country's extensive social distancing campaign began to pay off.
However, health authorities remain on high alert over imported cases as well as cluster infections at churches and hospitals.
They are also keeping an eye on those who have retested positive for COVID-19.
The nation's death toll from the new coronavirus, which emerged in China late last year, rose by one to 230, according to the KCDC.
The number of patients released from quarantine after making full recoveries reached 7,829, up 72 from a day earlier.
An LG Chem worker (R) undergoes a body temperature check before boarding a special flight to Poland at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, on April 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-17--Airlines to apply no fuel surcharges on int'l routes in May

The surcharges for one-way tickets on international routes fell to zero this month from 19,200 won ( US $ 15 @ @ @ @ @ zero rate will remain in May for the second straight month , an industry official @ @

SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korean airlines will not apply fuel surcharges on international routes in May to reflect declining oil prices, industry officials said Friday.
The surcharges for one-way tickets on international routes fell to zero this month from 19,200 won (US$15) last month. The zero rate will remain in May for the second straight month, an industry official said.
If the average jet fuel price on the Singapore spot market rises over $1.50 per gallon, South Korean airlines are allowed to impose fuel surcharges starting one month later.
Jet fuel prices averaged 65.72 cents per gallon on the Singapore exchange between March 16 and April 15, down from $1.34 a gallon a month earlier, the official said.
If jet fuel prices drop below the threshold, no surcharge is collected. There are 10 levels of surcharges, depending on the length of the route.
Local airlines have suspended most of their flights on long-haul routes due to a sharp decline in travel demand amid the coronavirus outbreak.
This photo, taken on April 14, 2020, shows Korean Air Lines planes parked at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul. (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-04-17--(URGENT) S. Korea releases 72 recovered coronavirus patients, total cured people at 7,829: KCDC

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


yna--2020-04-17--(URGENT) S. Korea confirms one more coronavirus death, raising death toll to 230: KCDC


yna--2020-04-17--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 22 more cases of new coronavirus, total now at 10,635


yna--2020-04-17--Coronavirus batters S. Korea's demand, employment, exports: finance ministry

The International Monetary Fund ( IMF ) has predicted that South Korea 's economy will shrink 1.2 percent this year @ @ @ @ @ expected to hit its worst year since the Great Depression of the 1930s over the @ @

SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- The coronavirus pandemic has battered South Korea's domestic demand, job market and exports, with uncertainties from the highly contagious virus still expanding, the finance ministry said Friday.
In a monthly report, called Green Book, the Ministry of Economy and Finance painted a bleaker picture of the economic impact from the virus pandemic compared with its March report.
"With domestic consumption continuing to shrink, employment indices sharply declined and uncertainties surrounding exports grew," the report said.
"Economic sentiment contracted and there are growing uncertainties on the real economy and financial markets," it said.
Earlier in the day, Statistics Korea said the nation reported its first on-year job loss since 2009 in March, as the coronavirus pandemic began inflicting damage on the job market.
The nation lost about 195,000 jobs last month, marking the sharpest monthly decline since May 2009, when it lost some 240,000 jobs, according to the data compiled by Statistics Korea.
South Korea's exports fell 0.2 percent in March from a year earlier in the face of the growing economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.
In the first 10 days of April, however, the nation's exports tumbled 18.6 percent on-year.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted that South Korea's economy will shrink 1.2 percent this year as the global economy is expected to hit its worst year since the Great Depression of the 1930s over the pandemic.
The world economy is expected to contract 3 percent this year, the IMF said.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance's Green Book (Yonhap)
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-17--Minor sex offender exposed to public view en route to prosecution

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on Thursday announced its decision to make public Kang 's full name , age and @ @ @ @ @ corresponds to public interest in terms of people 's right to know and the prevention @ @ @ @ @ current law permits the disclosure of the identity of sex offenders but grants exceptions for @ @

SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- An 18-year-old alleged co-conspirator of a high-profile digital sexual exploitation ring was forced to stand in front of the public Friday following an earlier police decision to disclose his identity and face.
Kang Hun appeared before reporters Friday morning before being handed over to the prosecution for further investigation and an indictment.
He was put under pretrial detention about a week ago for allegedly acting as an accessory to the operation of the "Baksabang" chatroom on the messaging service Telegram, which allowed paid members to view illegally taken photos and videos of violent sex acts involving underage girls.
Kang Hun, an 18-year-old accomplice in the operation of an illegal Telegram messenger chatroom dubbed Baksabang, is approached by reporters at Jongno Police Station in central Seoul on April 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
It is the first time in South Korea that the police have made public the identity of a minor criminal suspect.
Kang stood handcuffed and grim in front of photographers without covering his face as he was moved from the detention room of the Jongno Police Station in downtown Seoul to the custody of prosecutors around 8 a.m.
"I'm sorry. I sincerely apologize and feel sorry," Kang told reporters, with his head down.
He did not respond to questions about whether he admits his charges and disagrees with the disclosure of his identity.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on Thursday announced its decision to make public Kang's full name, age and face, saying the disclosure corresponds to public interest in terms of people's right to know and the prevention of similar crimes. The current law permits the disclosure of the identity of sex offenders but grants exceptions for minors.
Later in the day, Kang's lawyer filed for suspension of the execution of the identity disclosure, but the Seoul Administrative Court rejected the request.
Kang is accused of having recruited and managed paid members of Baksabang (Korean for doctor's room), producing and distributing sexual abuse material, and delivering criminal proceeds from the chatroom to its founder Cho Ju-bin.
Cho, a 24-year-old, has been indicted for allegedly blackmailing women into providing sexual videos to the illegal Telegram chatroom.
Kang, born in 2001, was a high school student last year when he allegedly worked for Cho.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-17--(Yonhap Interview) American pitcher Mike Wright ready for 'challenge' vs. ex-MLB teammate in KBO

`` For a couple of years , I knew that somewhere in Asia was probably in my future at some @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I was excited to have that opportunity to travel and see the world @ @ @ @ @ .
When the NC Dinos called , I had multiple friends and scouts tell me @ @ @ @ @ be in a great situation there . '
And it 's living up to the @ @ @ @ @

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- Baseball is a small world. You sign with a team on the other side of the planet, and you may find a couple of your former major league teammates, ready to battle you as opponents.
Before joining the NC Dinos of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) last November, American right-hander Mike Wright reached out to his ex-Baltimore Orioles teammate, Tyler Wilson, who has been pitching for KBO's LG Twins since 2018. They were both drafted by the Orioles in 2011, and they both got to the big show in May 2015.
And when Wright faces the Twins, he'll stare down yet another former Baltimore teammate of his, outfielder Kim Hyun-soo. Ranked fourth among all active KBO hitters with a .321 career batting average, Kim, who played for the Orioles from 2016 to 2017, can give any pitcher fits. And Wright is ready for his chance to face him.
In this file photo from March 25, 2020, Mike Wright of the NC Dinos pitches in an intrasquad game at Changwon NC Park in Changwon, 400 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)
"There's definitely a lot of guys here that can hit, and one that obviously stands out to me is Kim Hyun-soo because he's my ex-teammate," Wright told Yonhap News Agency in a phone interview last weekend. "Every game we watch, he's getting a base hit. It's definitely going to be a challenge. I saw him firsthand in Baltimore, and he's going to be really good."
For now, Wright can only watch Kim on the screen. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the KBO has delayed the start of its regular season indefinitely, and clubs are only allowed to play scrimmages at their own stadiums, with no traveling permitted.
It can be a mental grind just to be taking on mostly the same hitters each time out on the mound, but Wright said he's learned to roll with the punches.
"Honestly, staying prepared isn't that hard," the 30-year-old said. "We're around baseball, and we're at the field pretty much every day."
And taking on his own Dinos teammates has taught him one important thing.
"I haven't seen every team, but our team can really hit," he said. "The Dinos are really going to hit this year. That's exciting."
Wright was with the Orioles from 2015 to April 2019, when they traded him to the Seattle Mariners. After pitching in 84 1/3 innings across 48 games -- both career highs -- in 2018, Wright made just 19 appearances between the two clubs and had a 7.98 ERA in 29 1/3 innings.
In this file photo from April 10, 2020, Mike Wright of the NC Dinos pitches in an intrasquad game at Changwon NC Park in Changwon, 400 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)
He became a free agent after last season and brought his talent to South Korea when the opportunity came.
"For a couple of years, I knew that somewhere in Asia was probably in my future at some point," Wright said. "I was excited to have that opportunity to travel and see the world, and do different things. When the NC Dinos called, I had multiple friends and scouts tell me, 'You're going to be in a great situation there.' And it's living up to the hype so far."
In the Dinos' rotation, Wright is replacing Christian Friedrich, who himself had replaced Eddie Butler in July last year. KBO teams can only sign up to two import pitchers -- Drew Rucinski is the other pitcher for the Dinos -- and since most of them have major league experience and are paid handsomely, they're expected to post strong numbers right out of the gate.
The short leash doesn't bother Wright, though.
"There's no expectation higher than (what) I give myself. Whatever they expect of me, I expect probably 10 times more," he said. "I am going to compete every single pitch and give my team a chance to win every time I go out there."
Wright said the transition hasn't been all that difficult, saying, "Baseball is baseball." But he did have his "Welcome to the KBO" moment early: the first day of spring training, in fact.
In this file photo from March 16, 2020, Mike Wright of the NC Dinos (R) runs in the outfield at Changwon NC Park in Changwon, 400 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)
When the players started to stretch, Wright immediately noticed the difference with the U.S. His new KBO teammates were yelling quite a bit and were generally more demonstrative than what he'd been used to seeing in the majors.
But does he yell with everyone else now?
"Absolutely," Wright said with a chuckle. "As soon as I step in, I get in there."
Off the field, Wright and wife, Madison, have also fallen in love with the Dinos' home city of Changwon, 400 kilometers southeast of Seoul.
"We love it. It's small enough that we don't feel like we're in a madhouse, but also big enough that there's plenty to do," he said. "Walking around, you can tell there's quite a bit of a community feel to the city."
And it's also a community that he would like to give back to, once the right opportunity comes. Grateful for what the game of baseball has given him, Wright has long been passionate about sharing that love with others. Through an acquaintance of his sister, Wright is involved in spreading the gospel of baseball in Malaysia. He and Madison are involved in construction of what Wright said will be the very first baseball stadium in Malaysia, at a college on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.
"For young kids who are going to come up, even some older kids who are getting into (baseball) ... the love that it brings and how it brings people together is always fun," Wright said. "If (the Dinos) come up to me with something they need (with community service), I and my wife will be more than happy."
In this file photo from March 16, 2020, Mike Wright of the NC Dinos (R) high-fives his catcher Kim Tae-gun after a bullpen session at Changwon NC Park in Changwon, 400 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-17--'Time to Hunt' set to debut on Netflix after dispute settled

`` We unilaterally notified Contents Panda of the termination of contracts , while ignoring its contributions to overseas sales over @ @ @ @ @ consequently we received the court order , '' it said .
`` We respect the @ @ @ @ @ for an apology from Contents Panda . ''

SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- The homegrown action thriller "Time to Hunt," whose release has been halted by a temporary injunction from a Seoul court, will make its debut on Netflix as the dispute has been settled.
The film, the second feature of director Yoon Sung-hyun, was originally to hit local screens on Feb. 26, but the schedule had been delayed for weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Its domestic distributor, Little Big Pictures, brought it to Netflix, which set a premiere for last Friday in 190 countries. It was set to become the first South Korean commercial film to go directly on Netflix without a theatrical run.
A scene from "Time to Hunt" from Little Big Pictures (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
But sales company Contents Panda filed a lawsuit against the distributing company, claiming they still had the film's international sales rights. It said it had already clinched deals on the title with more than 30 countries.
On April 9, a day before the Netflix release, a Seoul court ruled in favor of Contents Panda, banning the scheduled broadcasting of the film outside Korea. The U.S. streamer has postponed the premiere of "Time to Hunt."
The two sides, a week later, said they have settled the dispute and agreed to clear "Time to Hunt" to be launched on a new platform.
"After renegotiating with overseas buyers, we have come to an agreement with Little Big Pictures to drop the injunction and make sure that there is no problem to release 'Time to Hunt' on Netflix," Contents Panda said in a statement released Thursday.
Little Big Pictures apologized for the trouble and thanked Contents Panda for reaching a smooth agreement.
"We unilaterally notified Contents Panda of the termination of contracts, while ignoring its contributions to overseas sales over the last year, and consequently we received the court order," it said. "We respect the court's decision and ask for an apology from Contents Panda."
Netflix welcomed the agreement but did not elaborate on the detailed release date of "Time to Hunt."
The poster of "Time to Hunt" provided by Netflix (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-17--Seoul stocks open sharply higher on U.S. gains

The Korean won was trading at 1,222.6 won against the U.S. dollar , up 6.1 won from the previous session @ @ @

SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks opened sharply higher Friday, tracking overnight Wall Street gains.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) jumped 44.6 points, or 2.4 percent, to reach 1,901.67 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
On Thursday (local time), U.S. stocks closed higher, with the Dow Jones industrial average climbing 0.14 percent and the S&P 500 up 0.58 percent. The Nasdaq increased 1.66 percent.
Large-cap shares on the Seoul bourse were trading in positive terrain.
Top cap Samsung Electronics was up 3.67 percent, and major chipmaker SK hynix jumped 4.06 percent. No. 1 automaker Hyundai Motor gained 2.93 percent. Battery maker Samsung SDI increased 5.72 percent.
The Korean won was trading at 1,222.6 won against the U.S. dollar, up 6.1 won from the previous session's close.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-17--With or without fans, baseball club to bring cheerleaders in for regular season games

Also , in the KBO , the NC Dinos said they will have their cheerleaders onstage once the regular season @ @ @ @ @ be interacting with fans in real time during home games at Changwon NC Park in @ @ @ @ @ of Seoul .
The Doosan Bears in Seoul are also considering having cheerleaders during their @ @ @ @ @ .

SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- When baseball teams play games without fans in the stands, do they need cheerleaders?
To which the SK Wyverns say, "Why not?"
The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) is hoping to have the season start in early May, a little over a month after the original Opening Day of March 28. Because of lingering concerns over the coronavirus, the early portion of the season will be played without fans.
This file photo, from Oct. 14, 2029, shows fans of the SK Wyverns cheering on their team against the Kiwoom Heroes during the Korea Baseball Organization postseason at SK Happy Dream Park in Incheon, 40 kilometers west of Seoul. (Yonhap)
But the Wyverns, based just west of Seoul in Incheon, said Friday they will have their cheering squad on hand even for games without fans.
"Our cheerleaders will help create gamelike atmosphere for players and provide some extra sound for fans watching on television," a Wyverns official said.
Constant streams of designated songs for all players, crowd's chanting of players' names, and cheerleaders' dance performances in between innings are the defining features of KBO in-stadium experience.
And there is one more reason that the Wyverns are bringing in their cheerleaders.
These performers get paid by the game. Most of them work in multiple sports, too. During winter, they can be seen leading cheers at Korean Basketball League (KBL) games and V-League volleyball games.
But in light of the coronavirus outbreak, the KBL and V-League began playing games behind closed doors in February and canceled the late portion of their regular seasons in March. In the KBO, teams have only been playing intrasquad scrimmages. This has left cheerleaders without work for a couple of months, forcing some to start picking up odd jobs to pay bills.
This file photo, from Sept. 1, 2019, shows fans of the NC Dinos during a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game against the Kiwoom Heroes at Changwon NC Park in Changwon, 400 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)
"We wanted to help our cheerleaders, since they've had no income for a while," the Wyverns official said.
Also, in the KBO, the NC Dinos said they will have their cheerleaders onstage once the regular season begins, and they will be interacting with fans in real time during home games at Changwon NC Park in Changwon, 400 kilometers southeast of Seoul. The Doosan Bears in Seoul are also considering having cheerleaders during their home games at Jamsil Stadium.
The KBO said cheerleaders are welcome to work any game as long as they do not come in direct contact with players.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-17--(LEAD) S. Korea reports 1st job loss since 2009 over coronavirus pandemic

Observers said the impact of the coronavirus may appear in the country 's job data in the second half of @ @ @ @ @ time lag of one to two quarters for an economic crisis .

(ATTN: UPDATES with details in last 4 paras; RECASTS first 2 paras, headline)
SEJONG, April 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea reported its first on-year job loss since 2009 in March as the coronavirus pandemic began inflicting damage on the job market, data showed Friday.
The nation lost about 195,000 jobs last month, marking the sharpest monthly decline since May 2009, when it lost some 240,000 jobs, according to the data compiled by Statistics Korea.
The unemployment rate decreased 0.1 percentage point on-year, but the number of employed people fell to 26.6 million in March, according to the data compiled by Statistics Korea.
The employment rate for young adults -- those aged between 15 and 29 -- also fell 0.8 percentage point on-year to 65.4 percent last month.
The coronavirus outbreak has hit hard temporary and daily employees, with the number of temporary workers plunging by 420,000 in March, the data showed.
March's tumble was attributed to the novel coronavirus outbreak, which has dealt a harsh blow to consumer spending and corporate activities, as people have been urged to avoid going out to help curb the spread of the disease.
Observers said the impact of the coronavirus may appear in the country's job data in the second half of the year, given the time lag of one to two quarters for an economic crisis.
By industry, the wholesale and retail sector lost 168,000 jobs, and the accommodation and food service segment saw a decrease of 109,000 jobs last month.
In contrast, the farm and fisheries sector added 134,000 jobs and the health care and social welfare sector gained 82,000 jobs last month.
"The number of employed people sharply fell in sectors which require face-to-face meetings," a Statistics Korea official said.
Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki held a meeting with economy-related ministers earlier in the day, and the government plans to unveil measures next week to support the job market, the finance ministry said.
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)


KOSPI 1,893.31 UP 36.24 points (open)


KOSDAQ 631.34 UP 7.91 points (open)


Friday's weather forecast

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


yna--2020-04-17--Dollar opens at 1,227.0 won DN from 1,228.7 won


yna--2020-04-17--N.K. paper urges high-level alertness, tight border control against pandemic

North Korea claims to have no coronavirus infection , but skepticism still persists that the North might be hushing up @ @ @ @ @ apparent lack of capability of identifying and treating such an infectious disease and its proximity @ @ @ @ @ , where a large number of infections have been reported .

SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's official newspaper Friday called for high-level alertness and tight border control to ward off the new coronavirus as the communist state is bracing for a long fight against the global pandemic.
Last week, North Korea held a politburo meeting presided over by leader Kim Jong-un and adopted a resolution, calling for "strict national countermeasures to thoroughly check the infiltration of the virus" amid little prospect for the danger to disappear in a short time.
"Nothing is more precious than the safety of people's lives," the Rodong Sinmun, the organ of the country's ruling party, said. "That is a major reason why national countermeasures against the global pandemic was discussed first during the politburo meeting and revolutionary steps of adjusting some strongly sought-after policies had been taken.
"The global damage caused by the new coronavirus has intensified, rather than weakened," it added. "More efforts should be made in carrying out national emergency preventive campaign until the infectious disease is brought under complete control and prevented from spreading."
The paper called for "preemptive" and "immediate" measures against any possibility that the virus could enter the country, while maintaining a tight control on its land, sea and air borders in a precautionary step.
North Korea claims to have no coronavirus infection, but skepticism still persists that the North might be hushing up an outbreak given that its apparent lack of capability of identifying and treating such an infectious disease and its proximity to China and South Korea, where a large number of infections have been reported.
Pyongyang has taken various drastic measures at a relatively early date to stem the inflow of COVID-19 by closing its border with China and toughened quarantine criteria.
The North has recently ramped up calls for "absolute obedience" of state antivirus guidelines and urged them not to let their guard down, saying it would keep its current emergency disease control system in place until the viral disease is globally eradicated.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-17--Jobless rate falls to 4.2 pct in March, 195,000 jobs lost

SEJONG, April 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's jobless rate fell to 4.2 percent in March, but the nation lost about 195,000 jobs, marking the sharpest monthly decline in more than a decade amid the coronavirus pandemic, data showed Friday.
The unemployment rate decreased 0.1 percentage point on-year, but the number of employed people fell to 26.6 million in March, according to the data compiled by Statistics Korea.
The employment rate for young adults -- those aged between 15 and 29 -- also fell 0.8 percentage point on-year to 65.4 percent last month.
The coronavirus outbreak has hit hard temporary and daily employees, with the number of temporary workers plunging by 420,000 in March, the data showed.
March's tumble was attributed to the novel coronavirus outbreak, which has dealt a harsh blow to consumer spending and corporate activities, as people have been urged to avoid going out to help curb the spread of the disease.
Observers said the impact of the coronavirus may appear in the country's job data in the second half of the year, given the time lag of one to two quarters for an economic crisis.
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-17--Short track worlds in Seoul canceled due to coronavirus

The World Short Track Speed Skating Championships were to take place March 13-15 in the South Korean capital , but @ @ @ @ @ event was postponed indefinitely .
Then on March 2 , the ISU said it will @ @ @ @ @ toward the end of the year and not before mid-October .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- The world championships in short track speed skating, scheduled to take place in Seoul this year, have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The International Skating Union (ISU) announced the decision in a statement following an online ISU Council meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Thursday (local time).
In this Associated Press file photo from Feb. 8, 2020, Choi Min-jeong of South Korea celebrates after winning the women's 1,500-meter final at the International Skating Union (ISU) Short Track Speed Skating World Cup in Dresden, Germany. (Yonhap)
The World Short Track Speed Skating Championships were to take place March 13-15 in the South Korean capital, but on Feb. 26, the event was postponed indefinitely. Then on March 2, the ISU said it will seek to reschedule the event toward the end of the year and not before mid-October.
And yet even a seven-month postponement was deemed "not possible" by the ISU this time, as it cited logistical challenges brought on by "the escalating negative COVID-19 developments."
The short track worlds first took place in 1976, and this marks the annual event's first cancellation.
The ISU also wiped out the World Figure Skating Championships, set for March 16-22 in Montreal, and the World Synchronized Skating Championships, which would have been held in Lake Placid, New York, from April 3-5.
In this Associated Press file photo from Feb. 8, 2020, Park Ji-won of South Korea (L) competes in the men's 1,000-meter final at the International Skating Union (ISU) World Cup Short Track Speed Skating World Cup in Dresden, Germany. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-17--(URGENT) S. Korea's jobless rate falls to 4.2 pct in March, 195,000 jobs lost


yna--2020-04-17--USFK dependant tests positive for coronavirus; total infections at 25

`` Any USFK-affiliated individual arriving to the Republic of Korea from overseas must conduct a minimum 14-day quarantine , will @ @ @ @ @ must complete two COVID-19 tests with confirmed negative results to exit quarantine , '' USFK @ @ @ @ @

SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- A family member of a U.S. Forces Korea service member stationed in the southeastern city of Daegu tested positive for the coronavirus Friday, bringing the total number of infections among its population to 25.
The spouse of the American soldier returned from the U.S. on April 4, and had been in mandatory quarantine at her off-base residence since her arrival.
She is currently being transported to Camp Humphreys barracks designated for isolation, located in Pyeongtaek, some 70 kilometers south of Seoul, according to USFK.
"Any USFK-affiliated individual arriving to the Republic of Korea from overseas must conduct a minimum 14-day quarantine, will be monitored for symptoms and must complete two COVID-19 tests with confirmed negative results to exit quarantine," USFK said in a release.
A military guard at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, 70 kilometers south of Seoul, checks the temperature of a driver to screen entrants to the compound for the novel coronavirus, on Feb. 28, 2020, in the photo provided by United States Forces Korea. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-17--Gov't vows continued push for reform for 'smaller yet stronger military'

To adapt to such changes , along with the reduction in the overall number of troops , the ministry said @ @ @ @ @ research and development of cutting-edge technologies , which is also expected to strengthen competitiveness of @ @ @ @

SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- The defense ministry vowed Friday to expedite ongoing reform projects to make the military smaller and stronger and to better deal with nontraditional security threats, such as terrorism and viruses.
During a meeting presided over by Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo, military leaders and arms experts assessed the progress of a total of 42 ongoing projects under its Defense Reform 2.0 initiative launched by the Moon Jae-in administration in 2018.
The ministry vowed to complete the three-month reduction in the mandatory service period for draftees by the end of next year. So far, the ministry shortened the period by around 45 days.
Starting in 2022, Army draftees, for instance, will serve for 18 months, according to the ministry.
To adapt to such changes, along with the reduction in the overall number of troops, the ministry said it will extend support for research and development of cutting-edge technologies, which is also expected to strengthen competitiveness of local defense companies.
The ministry also plans to seek to increase monthly wages for draftees and build more welfare facilities, such as hospitals.
"In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will also proactively beef up capabilities to deal with nontraditional security threats, such as terrorism, natural disasters and viruses," the ministry said.
Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo (C) presides over a meeting to review the military's reform drive, in Seoul, on April 17, 2020, in this photo provided by his office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-17--FM holds phone talks with Ecuadorian counterpart on anti-virus efforts

In response , Valencia said Korea 's response to fighting the virus has become an exemplar for the world and @ @ @ @ @ the two countries in the medical field , including sharing Korea 's experience in dealing @ @ @ @ @ purchase of Korean diagnostic kits .

SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha spoke by phone with her Ecuadorian counterpart Friday to discuss ways to cooperate to overcome the coronavirus pandemic, her office said.
During the talks with Ecuador's Foreign Minister Jose Valencia, Kang explained that South Korea's virus situation has improved, with fewer daily confirmed infection cases, thanks to the aggressive social distancing practices under way, but also stressed that it is too early to relax any measures.
In response, Valencia said Korea's response to fighting the virus has become an exemplar for the world and called for greater cooperation between the two countries in the medical field, including sharing Korea's experience in dealing with the virus and the purchase of Korean diagnostic kits.
Kang highlighted that the country is ready to share its experience against the virus with the international community and promised to look into Ecuador's request for support in purchasing medical supplies from Korea within the confines of not disrupting domestic demand.
In the talks, Kang also asked for the Ecuadorian government to pay keen attention and cooperate to ensure the safety of South Koreans living in the South American country.
Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha attends a briefing session on anti-coronavirus measures with officials from foreign diplomatic missions in Seoul, in this photo filed on March 6, 2020. (Yonhap)
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


Yonhap News Summary

The number of people who tested positive again for COVID-19 after making full recoveries has reached 163 since the first @ @ @ @ @ April 8 , according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( KCDC @ @

The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Friday.
----------------
(3rd LD) New virus infections fall below 30 for 5th straight day
SEOUL -- South Korea's new coronavirus cases fell below 30 for the fifth straight day Friday, but health authorities warned against complacency and urged people to keep up social distancing.
The 22 new cases, detected Thursday and unchanged from a day ago, brought the nation's total infections to 10,635, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
----------------
Coronavirus relapse cases continue to rise in S. Korea
SEOUL -- South Korea's health authorities vowed Friday to better monitor people who retested positive for the novel coronavirus, as relapse cases of the disease are rising steadily in the country.
The number of people who tested positive again for COVID-19 after making full recoveries has reached 163 since the first such case was identified on April 8, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
----------------
(LEAD) Coronavirus batters S. Korea's demand, employment, exports: finance ministry
SEOUL -- The coronavirus pandemic has battered South Korea's domestic demand, job market and exports, with uncertainties from the highly contagious virus still expanding, the finance ministry said Friday.
In a monthly report, called Green Book, the Ministry of Economy and Finance painted a bleaker picture of the economic impact from the virus pandemic compared with its March report.
----------------
(LEAD) Marine Corps to help guard naval bases in wake of security breaches
SEOUL -- The defense ministry announced a series of measures to beef up the security of military bases in the wake of embarrassing civilian intrusions, including improving CCTVs and other surveillance systems and mobilizing Marine Corps troops to help guard naval bases.
The ministry unveiled these measures after Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo held a videoconference with around 30 top military commanders to discuss how to prevent any recurrence of such security breaches.
----------------
(LEAD) Former DB Group chief gets suspended sentence over sex offenses
SEOUL -- A former South Korean conglomerate chairman was given a suspended prison sentence Friday for sexually assaulting two women.
The Seoul Central District Court sentenced Kim Jun-ki, former chairman of DB Group, to an imprisonment of 2 1/2 years, suspended for four years, after finding him guilty of raping his housemaid and sexually assaulting his secretary.
----------------
(LEAD) S. Korean stocks jump more than 3 pct on hopes of virus outbreak peaking
SEOUL -- South Korean stocks climbed more than 3 percent Friday as foreign investors scooped up major large-cap shares amid hopes that the global coronavirus outbreak is peaking, analysts said. The Korean won gained ground against the greenback.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shot up 57.46 points, or 3.09 percent, to close at 1,914.53. Trading volume was heavy at 1.6 billion shares worth 13.9 trillion won (US$11.4 billion), with gainers far outpacing losers 719 to 144.
----------------
S. Korea to hold briefing session for exporters on humanitarian trade with Iran
SEOUL -- South Korea was set to hold a briefing session Friday for local firms about resuming exports to Iran, a foreign ministry official said, after receiving U.S. approval for humanitarian trade with the Middle East country.
The briefing, to be co-hosted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), comes after Seoul obtained a U.S. special license designed to authorize aid-related transactions with Tehran through Iran's central bank.
----------------
S. Korean star directors, actors head to Netflix
SEOUL -- South Korea's renowned movie and television directors and actors have been heading to Netflix, which has been strengthening original Korean content.
Director Lee Jae-kyoo will return with the Netflix original "All of Us Are Dead" about high school students trapped in their school during a zombie apocalypse, after his last film "Intimate Stranger" (2018).
(END)


yna--2020-04-17--146 S. Koreans return home from Saudi Arabia on special flight amid coronavirus pandemic

More Saudi flights will fly to South Korea in the coming weeks to carry out similar missions .
Next week @ @ @ @ @ are expected to return aboard one of these special flights from Saudi Arabia , with @ @ @ @ @ loaded with more test kits , enough to run 40,000 coronavirus tests .

SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- A total of 146 South Koreans returned home from Saudi Arabia on Friday on a special flight that the country's embassy in the Middle Eastern nation arranged to help bring stranded citizens home amid the coronavirus pandemic, officials said.
Also on the Saudi plane were Hussain A. Al-Qahtani, the chief executive of S-Oil Corp., a major South Korean oil refiner in which Saudi Aramco has a 63 percent stake, as well as two Japanese businesspeople stranded after Riyadh's nationwide lockdown over coronavirus fears, officials said.
All of the passengers have to be in self-isolation for 14 days.
On its way back, the Saudi plane will pick up Korean-made coronavirus diagnostic kits, capable of conducting 160,000 tests, under the contracts signed between the Saudi government and local producers.
More Saudi flights will fly to South Korea in the coming weeks to carry out similar missions. Next week, another 350 South Koreans are expected to return aboard one of these special flights from Saudi Arabia, with the plane to head back loaded with more test kits, enough to run 40,000 coronavirus tests.
Saudi Arabia has agreed to purchase test kits needed to run 1 million tests from South Korea, according to Seoul officials.
This Reuters photo, filed on March 25, 2020, captures a parking lot in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah, packed with large vehicles to be used as temporary treatment centers for coronavirus patients. (Yonhap)
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-17--(LEAD) S. Korean stocks jump more than 3 pct on hopes of virus outbreak peaking

`` Foreigners went on a major buying spree , contributing to the KOSPI rise .
It looks like investor sentiment @ @ @ @ @ recent COVID-19 outbreak will be contained , '' Lee Kyung-min , a researcher at Daishin @ @ @ @ @

(ATTN: ADDS photo and bond yields at bottom)
SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks climbed more than 3 percent Friday as foreign investors scooped up major large-cap shares amid hopes that the global coronavirus outbreak is peaking, analysts said. The Korean won gained ground against the greenback.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shot up 57.46 points, or 3.09 percent, to close at 1,914.53. Trading volume was heavy at 1.6 billion shares worth 13.9 trillion won (US$11.4 billion), with gainers far outpacing losers 719 to 144.
The country reported 22 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the nation's total infections to 10,635, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Foreigners scooped up a net 318 billion won, ending a selling spree of 30 consecutive sessions. Institutional buyers also scooped up a net 236.1 billion won, while individuals offloaded 609.9 billion won.
"Foreigners went on a major buying spree, contributing to the KOSPI rise. It looks like investor sentiment improved on hopes that the recent COVID-19 outbreak will be contained," Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities Co., said.
Most large-cap shares closed higher.
Tech shares were bullish, with top market cap Samsung Electronics gaining 4.9 percent to 51,400 won and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix adding 3.44 percent to 84,100 won. Battery maker Samsung SDI jumped 5.72 percent to 286,500 won.
Leading carmaker Hyundai Motor was up 1.41 percent to 100,500 won, and its sister company Kia Motors added 3.1 percent to 29,900 won. Auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis increased 2.87 percent to 179,500 won.
The local currency closed at 1,217.9 won against the U.S. dollar, up 10.8 won from the previous session's close.
Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, ended lower. The yield on three-year Treasurys added 2.4 basis points to 1.006 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bond rose 3.5 basis points to 1.219 percent.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-17--USFK contractor barred from access to bases for 2 years for quarantine violations

As South Korea has seen fewer numbers of confirmed virus cases and USFK has managed to flatten the curve of @ @ @ @ @ military has eased some of restrictions recently , such as the lifting of the partial @ @ @ @ @ Camp Humphreys and Osan Air Base located nearby .

SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- An American contractor working at U.S. Forces Korea's Camp Humphreys was barred from all USFK installations for two years for visiting the base in violation of a self-isolation order imposed after coming into contact with a coronavirus patient.
It is the first disciplinary action by USFK against a non-uniformed individual, as the U.S. military has been on high alert to stem the COVID-19 virus.
The contractor at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, some 70 kilometers south of Seoul, was instructed to quarantine after coming into direct contact with a co-worker who tested positive for the virus.
But he violated the isolation directive and visited the PX and commissary, USFK said in a notice uploaded on its Twitter account.
"This individual's disregard for USFK's public health guidance and health protection conditions jeopardizes the safety of all USFK personnel and families," USFK said, explaining the reasons for the two-year ban, effective Tuesday.
Last month, USFK Commander Gen. Robert Abrams warned of such a punishment for non-compliance cases, calling for strict adherence to guidelines and preventive measures.
Then in April, three Army specialists and one sergeant first class were punished for visiting or drinking at bars in violation of the authorities' public health guidance. They either faced pay forfeiture or a lowering of their rank.
As South Korea has seen fewer numbers of confirmed virus cases and USFK has managed to flatten the curve of new infections, the U.S. military has eased some of restrictions recently, such as the lifting of the partial shutdown on major facilities in Camp Humphreys and Osan Air Base located nearby.
But it has warned against any loosening of vigilance and vowed earlier in the day to "routinely publish" the results of noncompliance enforcement actions.
So far, USFK has reported 24 coronavirus patients, and 10 of them have fully recovered. Nationwide, South Korea had 10,635 confirmed cases, including 230 deaths, with the number of fresh infections coming below 30 for the fifth consecutive day on Friday.
This photo captured from U.S. Forces Korea's Twitter post on April 17, 2020, shows the punishment against its contractor for violating quarantine directives. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-17--S. Korean Bond Yields on Apr. 17, 2020

S. Korean Bond Yields on Apr. 17, 2020

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


yna--2020-04-17--Foreign investors snap 30-session selling streak

The White House 's new guidelines on re-opening the economy also fueled expectations for a rebound in financial markets .
@ @ @ @ @ late Thursday ( local time ) , allow states and employers to emerge from most @ @ @ @ @ within a month .

SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- Foreign investors on Friday ended their weeks-long selling binge on the South Korean main bourse, primarily on reports on a potential treatment for the new coronavirus.
Foreign investors net bought 318.1 billion won (US$261.3 million) worth of local stocks on the main bourse on Friday, ending a selling spree of 30 consecutive sessions, according to data from the bourse operator Korea Exchange (KRX).
In the March 5-April 16 period, offshore investors dumped a total of 14.7 trillion won worth of stocks.
An electronic signboard at KEB Hana Bank in central Seoul shows the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) up 3.09 percent to close at 1,914.53 points on April 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
Foreigners' buying came amid positive reports on Gilead Sciences' remdesivir, an experimental coronavirus treatment. The U.S. pharmaceutical giant said its trials on severe COVID-19 patients have shown encouraging data.
The White House's new guidelines on re-opening the economy also fueled expectations for a rebound in financial markets. The three-phase guidelines, issued late Thursday (local time), allow states and employers to emerge from most social distancing practices and shutdowns within a month.
Buoyed by strong foreign buying, the country's benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 57.46 points, or 3.09 percent, to close at 1,914.53 on Friday.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-17--Airlines face liquidity crisis due to coronavirus

Eastar Jet decided Friday to extend the suspension of its flights on domestic and international routes to the end of @ @ @ @ @ .
It was originally planning to halt all of its flights for one month through @ @ @

SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korean airlines are facing a liquidity crisis, as they have suspended most of their flights but still have hefty fixed costs and debt, industry officials said Friday.
Korean Air Lines Co., the country's biggest air carrier, looks set to suffer a cash shortage later this month, as it has to repay 240 billion won (US$197 million) worth of corporate bonds maturing this month and has up to 500 billion won in fixed costs a month.
"It is urgently needed for the government to extend low-rate loans that require no collateral, to give a debt guarantee for their corporate bonds, and to cut taxes for planes and airport usage fees," an airline official told Yonhap News Agency over the phone.
This undated file photo shows planes of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul. (Yonhap)
Korean Air has suspended more than 90 percent of its flights on international routes, as an increasing number of countries have closed their borders or have taken other measures related to incoming passengers.
On Monday, the national flag carrier suspended flights on the Incheon-Washington route, without giving a timeframe for when it will lift the temporary suspension.
Korean Air currently serves 50-55 flights a week on 13 international routes, sharply down from more than 900 flights on 112 long-haul routes before the airline industry was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Asiana Airlines Inc., the country's second-biggest carrier, said it faces similar problems amid the spreading coronavirus outbreak across the world.
On Tuesday, the Korea Investors Service downgraded the credit rating of asset-backed securities (ABS) issued by the two full-service carriers. It lowered Korean Air's ABS rating from "A" to "A-" and Asiana's from "BBB+" to "BBB."
An airline's ABS is mainly based on the proceeds from future ticket sales and therefore serves as a key means of procuring funds for carriers.
As part of self-rescue efforts, Korean Air had 70 percent of its 20,000-strong workforce take paid leave for six months from Thursday and is in the process of selling non-core assets to secure operating costs.
Asiana also had all of its 10,500 employees take unpaid leave for 15 days in April, while increasing the limit on its credit line with two state lenders by 300 billion won to 1.1 trillion won to pay maturing debts and secure operating capital.
The two airlines are expected to report poor earnings results in the January-March quarter, and an earnings shock is likely for the year if the coronavirus outbreak prolongs throughout the year, analysts said.
Korean Air's net losses widened to 624.87 billion won last year from 185.65 billion won a year earlier due to a weak won and lower demand. Asiana's net losses deepened to 672.6 billion won from 96.2 billion won during the same period.
The situation is no different for the country's seven low-cost carriers -- Jeju Air Co., Jin Air Co., Air Busan Co., Air Seoul Inc., Eastar Jet Co., T'way Air Co. and Fly Gangwon.
Eastar Jet decided Friday to extend the suspension of its flights on domestic and international routes to the end of May and June, respectively. It was originally planning to halt all of its flights for one month through April 25.
Last month, the government announced it would inject 300 billion won into low-cost carriers.
The budget carriers have asked for a financial package and tax breaks as quickly as possible. Korean Air and Asiana have also demanded an emergency financial package from the government.
In a letter sent last month to President Moon Jae-in, the International Air Transport Association asked the government to urgently extend direct financial support, loan guarantees by the government, support for corporate bond issuance and tax relief for airlines.
"The COVID-19 pandemic is challenging the viability of the global air transport system as never before in history," IATA said in the letter, noting the current industry crisis is much worse and more widespread than the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States, the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak and the 2008 global financial crisis.
The association estimated the Korean air transport industry's contribution to the economy reaches US$47.6 billion, supporting 838,000 jobs and accounting for 3.4 percent of the gross domestic product in Asia's fourth-biggest economy.
COVID-19 could result in a 22 percent drop in passenger volume and a $4.4 billion loss in passenger base revenue for the Korean air transport market this year. It could also lead to the loss of about 160,000 jobs and $9 billion in GDP, IATA said.
Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, is quiet on April 7, 2020, as the spreading coronvirus outbreak has affected the airline industry. (Yonhap)
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-17--Summary of external news of North Korea this week

`` I firmly believe that multilateral pressure is necessary to support our diplomacy with North Korea in order to keep @ @ @ @ @ the murderous Kim regime , '' Markey , ranking member of the East Asia Subcommittee @ @ @ @ @ Committee , said in a statement posted on his website .

SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- The following is a summary of external news of North Korea this week.
------------
White House: U.S. supports N.K. people amid coronavirus pandemic
WASHINGTON, April 13 (Yonhap) -- The United States supports the people of North Korea and other countries vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic, the White House National Security Council said Monday, underscoring Washington's commitment to providing humanitarian aid.
The NSC statement was posted on its Twitter account together with a link to a press release issued by the Treasury Department last week.
The Treasury said Thursday that it continues to allow U.S. sanctions exemptions for the delivery of humanitarian aid to countries affected by COVID-19, including North Korea, Iran, Venezuela and Syria.
------------
U.S. calls on N. Korea to avoid provocations following missile launch
WASHINGTON, April 14 (Yonhap) -- The United States calls on North Korea to avoid provocations and return to denuclearization negotiations, the State Department said Tuesday, after North Korea launched a barrage of missiles into the sea.
Earlier Tuesday, North Korea fired what appeared to be cruise missiles and air-to-ground missiles in the latest in a series of weapons tests, according to South Korea's military.
"We are aware of media reports and are currently assessing the situation," a department spokesperson told Yonhap News Agency.
------------
U.S. lawmakers introduce bill to expedite humanitarian aid to N. Korea
WASHINGTON, April 14 (Yonhap) -- Two U.S. lawmakers have announced the introduction of a bill calling for streamlined procedures to expedite the delivery of humanitarian aid to North Korea.
The bill, named the Enhancing North Korea Humanitarian Assistance Act, was announced by Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) and Rep. Andy Levin (D-MI) on Monday.
"I firmly believe that multilateral pressure is necessary to support our diplomacy with North Korea in order to keep the American people safe from the murderous Kim regime," Markey, ranking member of the East Asia Subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement posted on his website.
------------
N. Korea's missile launch not 'particularly provocative or threatening': U.S. JCS chief
WASHINGTON, April 14 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's missile tests overnight were not "particularly provocative or threatening" to the United States, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff said Tuesday.
Gen. Mark Milley said he was speaking after a preliminary assessment of the tests with the South Korean military and U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Robert Abrams.
"It's mixed right now in terms of the assessment," he told reporters at the Pentagon. "I don't think it's particularly provocative or threatening to us as to what happened."
------------
U.S. flies spy planes following N. Korea's missile launches
SEOUL, April 15 (Yonhap) -- A series of U.S. surveillance aircraft have flown near and over the Korean Peninsula, an aviation tracker said Wednesday, following North Korea's launch of what appeared to be cruise missiles off its east coast.
The U.S. Air Force's RC-135U Combat Sent was spotted en route to waters between South Korea and Japan, Aircraft Spots tweeted, without giving details on the time of its operation.
On Tuesday, the Air Force's E-8C and the Navy's EP-3E were also seen operating over South Korea after the North fired surface-to-ship cruise missiles near its eastern coastal town of Munchon.
------------
U.S. gov't agencies issue joint advisory on N.K. cyber threat
WASHINGTON, April 15 (Yonhap) -- Four U.S. government agencies on Wednesday issued a joint advisory highlighting the cyber threat posed by North Korea, along with mitigation measures.
The 12-page document from the U.S. Departments of State, the Treasury and Homeland Security, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, outlines the means used by North Korea to steal, launder and extort funds.
"The DPRK's malicious cyber activities threaten the United States and the broader international community and, in particular, pose a significant threat to the integrity and stability of the international financial system," the advisory says, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
(END)


yna--2020-04-17--Summary of inter-Korean news this week

Summary of inter-Korean news this week

`` Our stance remains unchanged to actively push for individual trips in the hope that that would make it possible @ @ @ @ @ North Korea through diverse ways so as to expand the opportunity for civilian exchange between @ @ @ @ @ Cho Hey-sil , the ministry 's deputy spokesperson , told a regular press briefing .
@ @ @

SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- The following is a summary of inter-Korean news this week.
------------
N. Korean defector wins first-ever constituency seat in parliament
SEOUL, April 16 (Yonhap) -- A high-profile North Korean defector won a constituency seat in this week's general elections, becoming the first person hailing from the communist nation to be chosen directly by South Korean voters as their representative.
Thae Yong-ho, a former No. 2 diplomat at North Korea's Embassy in London, was elected to the National Assembly as the main conservative opposition United Future Party's candidate in Seoul's southern affluent district of Gangnam.
Thae received 58.4 percent of the votes cast Wednesday in the Gangnam constituency, one of the conservative party's main strongholds, far ahead of his opponent Kim Sung-gon, a four-term lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Party who earned 39.6 percent.
------------
Individual trips to N. Korea to be pursued in consideration of virus fight: official
SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea remains unchanged in its push for active cross-border exchanges, including allowing individual tours to North Korea, but such projects should be pursued in consideration of progress in the anti-coronavirus fight, the unification ministry said Friday.
South Korea has pushed for individual trips to North Korea as a way to improve inter-Korean relations without violating sanctions on Pyongyang, but no progress has been made. Making matters worse has been the coronavirus pandemic that led the North to shut down its border.
"Our stance remains unchanged to actively push for individual trips in the hope that that would make it possible for our citizens to visit North Korea through diverse ways so as to expand the opportunity for civilian exchange between the two Koreas," Cho Hey-sil, the ministry's deputy spokesperson, told a regular press briefing.
(END)


yna--2020-04-17--Summary of domestic news in North Korea this week

The Supreme People 's Assembly ( SPA ) was to meet Friday , but there has been no word about @ @ @ @ @ considering that state media has reported on the outcome of such a major parliamentary meeting @ @ @ @ @ the same day when it took place or the next morning .

SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- The following is a summary of domestic news in North Korea this week.
------------
N.K. leader supervises mortar firing drill ahead of major parliamentary meeting
SEOUL, April 10 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has overseen a mortar firing drill, state media reported Friday, ahead of a key meeting of the country's rubber-stamp legislature to be watched closely for any message to the United States.
Kim's attendance in the exercise suggests that a politburo or a plenary meeting of the country's ruling Workers' Party, which used to be held on the eve of a Supreme People's Assembly session, did not take place, and therefore, Friday's SPA meeting may not lead to significant decisions.
The official Korean Central News Agency said that Kim "guided the drill of mortar sub-units" of the Korean People's Army "aimed at learning about the power of light guns and heavy weapons" and "judging and estimating the firepower combat abilities of mortar-men."
------------
N. Korea stays mum on much-anticipated parliamentary meeting amid coronavirus fears
SEOUL, April 11 (Yonhap) -- North Korea has been silent on a much-anticipated meeting of the country's rubber-stamp parliament a day after it was supposed to take place, spawning speculation the session might have been canceled or delayed amid its nationwide fight against the novel coronavirus.
The Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) was to meet Friday, but there has been no word about it, an usual move considering that state media has reported on the outcome of such a major parliamentary meeting mostly late at night of the same day when it took place or the next morning.
The North announced its plan to hold the meeting in mid-March despite Pyongyang's all-out efforts to block an outbreak of COVID-19 on its soil. Many expected this week's session to be scaled down compared with previous years.
------------
N.K. leader holds politburo meeting to discuss anti-virus measures
SEOUL, April 12 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has presided over a political bureau meeting of the ruling Workers' Party, discussing anti-coronavirus measures and electing his sister as an alternate member of the bureau, state media said Sunday.
The politburo meeting held on Saturday suggests that a key session of the country's rubber-stamp legislature Supreme People's Assembly, which was supposed to take place on Friday, has been postponed for unclear reasons because a politburo meeting usually takes place on the eve of an SPA session.
The meeting discussed antivirus efforts, budget issues and other organization matters, and a resolution was adopted "on more thoroughly taking national measures for protecting the life and safety of our people to cope with the worldwide epidemic disease," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
------------
N.K. leader Kim inspects air defense unit
SEOUL, April 12 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has inspected an air defense unit, state media said Sunday, in his latest step apparently aimed at tightening troop discipline and readiness amid new coronavirus fears.
Kim visited a pursuit assault plane group under the Air and Anti-Aircraft Division in the western area to check its performance of aerial defense, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said without mentioning when his visit took place.
"Kim Jong Un learned about the readiness for sortie of the fighters and the performance of duties of airspace defense in the western area," the state media said in its English-language article.
------------
N. Korea holds parliamentary meeting two days later than planned
SEOUL, April 13 (Yonhap) -- North Korea has held a key session of its rubber-stamp legislature, dealing with budgetary issues and electing its foreign minister and others as new members of the country's most powerful decision-making body led by leader Kim Jong-un, state media reported Monday.
The meeting of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) took place Sunday, the official Korean Central News Agency reported, confirming that the session, which had originally been scheduled for Friday, was postponed for unspecified reasons.
Leader Kim did not attend the meeting.
------------
N. Korea increases budget for health, construction projects amid anti-virus efforts
SEOUL, April 13 (Yonhap) -- North Korea has increased its health budget for this year and set aside nearly half of the total spending plans for economic construction projects amid efforts to prevent an outbreak of the coronavirus in an economy faltering under global sanctions.
During a session of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) in Pyongyang on Sunday, the North forecast that its revenue will grow 4.2 percent on-year this year with its expenditures projected to increase 6 percent over the same period, the official Korean Central News Agency reported.
According to the KCNA, the North has increased spending on economic construction projects this year by 6.2 percent on-year, accounting for 47.8 percent of the total spending.
------------
N. Korea fires barrage of missiles on eve of founder's birthday, S. Korea's elections
SEOUL, April 14 (Yonhap) -- North Korea fired what appeared to be cruise missiles off its east coast and air-to-ground missiles from fighter jets into the East Sea on Tuesday, South Korea's military said, in muscle-flexing maneuvers on the eve of the late national founder's birthday and the South's general elections.
The surface-to-ship cruise missiles were fired northeastward from areas near its eastern coastal town of Munchon at around 7 a.m. during a time period of more than 40 minutes, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, adding they flew around 150 kilometers before splashing into waters off the east coast.
Along with the missile launches, the North flew Sukhoi-variant fighter jets and MiG-type planes above the eastern coastal city of Wonsan, and fired multiple air-to-ground missiles into the East Sea, the JCS added.
------------
N. Korea marks late founder's birthday quietly amid anti-coronavirus efforts
SEOUL, April 15 (Yonhap) -- North Korea marked the 108th birthday of late national founder Kim Il-sung, grandfather of current leader Kim Jong-un, relatively quietly Wednesday without large-scale celebratory events drawing crowds of people amid efforts to ward off the coronavirus pandemic.
The founder's birthday, referred to in the North as the Day of the Sun, is the country's biggest national holiday and has often been commemorated with massive military parades displaying new weapons and other cultural and sports events.
On Wednesday, the Rodong Sinmun, the North's main newspaper, ran a series of articles lauding the late founder, but there was no report about celebratory events or gatherings of people usually held across the country on the eve of the anniversary.
------------
N. Korea makes no mention of visit to mausoleum by leader Kim on late founder's birthday
SEOUL, April 16 (Yonhap) -- North Korean state media reported Thursday that senior officials paid their respect at the mausoleum of late national founder Kim Il-sung to mark his 108th birthday but did not mention whether leader Kim Jong-un also paid a visit there.
That raises the possibility that Kim skipped an annual visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun that he has made on the birthday of the national founder and his grandfather since he rose to power after the death of his father and former leader Kim Jong-il in late 2011.
Some observers said Kim could have skipped a visit due to coronavirus concerns.
(END)


yna--2020-04-17--Key developments on North Korea this week

SEOUL , April 17 ( Yonhap ) -- The following are key developments regarding North Korea this week .

SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- The following are key developments regarding North Korea this week.
------
April 10 -- N.K. says leader Kim supervises mortar firing drill
11 -- N.K. leader holds politburo meeting to discuss anti-virus measures
12 -- N.K. says leader Kim inspects air defense unit
-- N. Korea holds parliamentary meeting two days later than planned
14 -- N. Korea fires barrage of missiles on eve of founder's birthday, S. Korea's elections
-- U.S. calls on N. Korea to avoid provocations following missile launch
-- N. Korea's missile launch not 'particularly provocative or threatening': U.S. JCS chief
15 -- N. Korea marks late founder's birthday quietly amid anti-coronavirus efforts
(END)


yna--2020-04-17--S. Korean stocks jump more than 3 pct on hopes of virus outbreak peaking

SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks climbed more than 3 percent on Friday as foreign investors scooped up major large-cap shares amid hopes that the global coronavirus outbreak is peaking, analysts said. The Korean won gained ground against the greenback.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shot up 57.46 points, or 3.09 percent, to close at 1,914.53. Trading volume was heavy at 1.6 billion shares worth 13.9 trillion won (US$11.4 billion), with gainers far outpacing losers 719 to 144.
The country reported 22 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the nation's total infections to 10,635, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Foreigners scooped up a net 318 billion won, ending a selling spree of 30 consecutive sessions. Institutional buyers also scooped up a net 236.1 billion won, while individuals offloaded 609.9 billion won.
"Foreigners went on a major buying spree, contributing to the KOSPI rise. It looks like investor sentiment improved on hopes that the recent COVID-19 outbreak will be contained," Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities Co., said.
Most large-cap shares closed higher.
Tech shares were bullish, with top market cap Samsung Electronics gaining 4.9 percent to 51,400 won and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix adding 3.44 percent to 84,100 won. Battery maker Samsung SDI jumped 5.72 percent to 286,500 won.
Leading carmaker Hyundai Motor was up 1.41 percent to 100,500 won, and its sister company Kia Motors added 3.1 percent to 29,900 won. Auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis increased 2.87 percent to 179,500 won.
The local currency closed at 1,217.9 won against the U.S. dollar, up 10.8 won from the previous session's close.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-17--(LEAD) Former DB Group chief gets suspended sentence over sex offenses

The Seoul court said statements from Kim 's victims are credible , and there does n't seem to be any @ @ @ @ @ false testimonies or accusations against Kim .

(ATTN: UPDATES with release and more details in last 5 paras)
SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- A former South Korean conglomerate chairman was given a suspended prison sentence Friday for sexually assaulting two women.
The Seoul Central District Court sentenced Kim Jun-ki, former chairman of DB Group, to an imprisonment of 2 1/2 years, suspended for four years, after finding him guilty of raping his housemaid and sexually assaulting his secretary.
It also ordered the 75-year-old Kim to undergo 40 hours of sex offender treatment and barred him from employment at child, youth and disabled welfare facilities for five years.
Kim is accused of raping and sexually assaulting a housemaid in his vacation home between February 2016 and January 2017 and of sexually assaulting his personal secretary between February and July 2017.
Kim left for the United States in July 2017 to receive medical treatment.
He resigned as DB chairman two months later after news media reported suspicions of his sexual offenses.
Kim returned home last October and was immediately arrested after police revoked his passport, put him on an Interpol wanted list and sought his extradition from the U.S.
DB, formerly Dongbu Group, is the nation's 43rd-largest conglomerate, with businesses ranging from construction and steel to finance.
Following the suspended sentence, Kim was released after about six months of detention.
Prosecutors had demanded an imprisonment of five years in the previous hearing.
Kim mostly admitted his charges but insisted that he had maintained a close relationship with his victims, like lovers.
The Seoul court said statements from Kim's victims are credible, and there doesn't seem to be any motive for them to make false testimonies or accusations against Kim.
The court also said it considered forgiveness from the victims and Kim's admission of most charges in determining his sentence.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-17--KOSPI 200 Closing Price List-5

KOSPI 200 Closing Price List-5

KIH 49,100 UP 3,650 LOTTE Himart 21,900 UP 50 KAL 20,900 UP 1,300 GS 38,800 DN 150 HYUNDAILIVART 9,440 UP @ @ @ @ @ 450 Fila Holdings 33,300 UP 1,300 KEPCO E & C 16,800 UP 50 HYUNDAIGLOVIS 104,500 @ @ @ @ @ 500 AMOREPACIFIC 180,500 UP 8,000 JW HOLDINGS 5,010 UP 10 SK Innovation 97,700 UP 1,000 @ @ @ @ @ 6,950 UP 300 LF 12,700 UP 350 KBFinancialGroup 32,350 UP 450 Hansae 10,850 UP 250 @ @ @ @ @ emart 115,500 UP 1,000 Youngone Corp 23,500 UP 400 KOLON IND 30,300 0 HanmiPharm 262,000 @ @ @ @ @ 4,800 UP 115 SKCHEM 79,300 DN 900 COSMAX 85,400 UP 200 HDC-OP 18,850 UP 600 @ @ @ @ @ 88,300 UP 100 ORION 117,500 DN 1,500 KOLMAR KOREA 43,200 UP 1,200 SsangyongMtr 1,520 UP @ @ @ @ @ 26,000 지HANKOOK TIRE & TEC HNOLOGY214 00 UP750 BGF Retail 151,000 UP 4,000 Doosan Bobcat @ @ @ @ @ UP 200 HYUNDAI HEAVY INDUST RIES HOLDI NG S233500 UP5000 HYOSUNG HEAVY 16,500 UP 300 @ @ @ @ @ END )

KIH 49,100 UP 3,650
LOTTE Himart 21,900 UP 50
KAL 20,900 UP 1,300
GS 38,800 DN 150
HYUNDAILIVART 9,440 UP 200
LIG Nex1 23,250 UP 450
Fila Holdings 33,300 UP 1,300
KEPCO E&C 16,800 UP 50
HYUNDAIGLOVIS 104,500 UP 4,000
HANAFINANCIALGR 24,750 UP 500
AMOREPACIFIC 180,500 UP 8,000
JW HOLDINGS 5,010 UP 10
SK Innovation 97,700 UP 1,000
POONGSAN 19,450 UP 800
FOOSUNG 6,950 UP 300
LF 12,700 UP 350
KBFinancialGroup 32,350 UP 450
Hansae 10,850 UP 250
LG HAUSYS 39,500 UP 700
emart 115,500 UP 1,000
Youngone Corp 23,500 UP 400
KOLON IND 30,300 0
HanmiPharm 262,000 UP 3,000
BNK Financial Group 4,800 UP 115
SKCHEM 79,300 DN 900
COSMAX 85,400 UP 200
HDC-OP 18,850 UP 600
MANDO 25,300 UP 1,000
CUCKOO 88,300 UP 100
ORION 117,500 DN 1,500
KOLMAR KOREA 43,200 UP 1,200
SsangyongMtr 1,520 UP 120
SAMSUNG BIOLOGICS 566,000 UP 26,000
지HANKOOK TIRE & TEC HNOLOGY214 00 UP750
BGF Retail 151,000 UP 4,000
Doosan Bobcat 22,450 UP 850
Netmarble 96,400 UP 200
HYUNDAI HEAVY INDUST RIES HOLDI NG S233500 UP5000
HYOSUNG HEAVY 16,500 UP 300
WooriFinancialGroup 8,220 UP 120
(END)


yna--2020-04-17--KOSPI 200 Closing Price List-4

KOSPI 200 Closing Price List-4

Handsome 22,650 UP 900 COWAY 61,700 UP 1,300 LOTTE SHOPPING 86,600 UP 2,200 HANWHA LIFE 1,815 UP 165 IBK 7,880 @ @ @ @ @ 200 NamhaeChem 7,890 DN 60 KT 22,000 UP 500 SHINSEGAE INTERNATIO NAL206000 UP10000 LG Uplus @ @ @ @ @ UP 1,100 KT & G 78,000 UP 800 DHICO 3,820 UP 85 BGF 4,335 DN @ @ @ @ @ 350 Kangwonland 24,950 UP 250 NAVER 179,000 UP 8,500 Kakao 172,000 UP 6,500 SAMSUNG C @ @ @ @ @ NCsoft 649,000 DN 6,000 PanOcean 3,260 UP 130 DSME 16,600 UP 50 DSINFRA 4,225 DN @ @ @ @ @ SAMSUNG CARD 29,000 UP 250 DWEC 3,355 UP 60 Donga ST 87,700 UP 2,800 POSCO @ @ @ @ @ CheilJedang 237,000 0 DongwonF & B 180,000 UP 4,500 KEPCO KPS 31,800 UP 600 SamsungEng @ @ @ @ @ H 1,249,000 UP 58,000 LGCHEM 362,500 UP 19,500 HALLA HOLDINGS 30,200 UP 1,050 HYUNDAI ROTEM @ @ @ @ @ UP 1,000 Celltrion 211,000 DN 4,000 DAEWOONG PHARM 104,500 DN 4,000 HYUNDAIHOMESHOP 63,900 UP 3,200 @ @ @

Handsome 22,650 UP 900
COWAY 61,700 UP 1,300
LOTTE SHOPPING 86,600 UP 2,200
HANWHA LIFE 1,815 UP 165
IBK 7,880 UP 160
KorElecTerm 29,400 UP 200
NamhaeChem 7,890 DN 60
KT 22,000 UP 500
SHINSEGAE INTERNATIO NAL206000 UP10000
LG Uplus 12,150 0
SAMSUNG LIFE 48,550 UP 1,100
KT&G 78,000 UP 800
DHICO 3,820 UP 85
BGF 4,335 DN 5
LG Display 11,500 UP 350
Kangwonland 24,950 UP 250
NAVER 179,000 UP 8,500
Kakao 172,000 UP 6,500
SAMSUNG C&T 95,900 UP 1,900
NCsoft 649,000 DN 6,000
PanOcean 3,260 UP 130
DSME 16,600 UP 50
DSINFRA 4,225 DN 120
CheilWorldwide 16,950 UP 550
SAMSUNG CARD 29,000 UP 250
DWEC 3,355 UP 60
Donga ST 87,700 UP 2,800
POSCO INTERNATIONAL 13,250 UP 400
CJ CheilJedang 237,000 0
DongwonF&B 180,000 UP 4,500
KEPCO KPS 31,800 UP 600
SamsungEng 11,450 UP 450
LGH&H 1,249,000 UP 58,000
LGCHEM 362,500 UP 19,500
HALLA HOLDINGS 30,200 UP 1,050
HYUNDAI ROTEM 13,950 DN 250
LGELECTRONICS 54,500 UP 1,000
Celltrion 211,000 DN 4,000
DAEWOONG PHARM 104,500 DN 4,000
HYUNDAIHOMESHOP 63,900 UP 3,200
(MORE)


yna--2020-04-17--KOSPI 200 Closing Price List-3

KOSPI 200 Closing Price List-3

HANKOOK TECHNOLOGY G ROUP9740 UP160 DaeduckElec 8,150 UP 150 MERITZ SECU 3,015 UP 155 HtlShilla 77,700 UP 3,600 Hanmi Science @ @ @ @ @ UP 9,000 IlyangPharm 34,350 DN 1,350 Hanssem 63,800 UP 1,700 KSOE 82,000 UP 2,000 HANWHA @ @ @ @ @ 39,550 UP 1,000 LS ELECTRIC 38,650 UP 700 KorZinc 404,000 DN 8,000 SamsungHvyInd 4,335 UP @ @ @ @ @ IS DONGSEO 24,200 UP 300 S-Oil 67,200 UP 1,100 LG Innotek 132,500 UP 6,500 LOTTE @ @ @ @ @ HYUNDAI WIA 35,150 UP 300 HyundaiMipoDock 30,750 UP 700 KumhoPetrochem 66,200 UP 200 Mobis 179,500 @ @ @ @ @ UP 600 HDC HOLDINGS 8,900 UP 60 S-1 83,700 UP 300 Hanchem 87,700 UP 6,400 @ @ @ @ @ 39,600 UP 350 SamsungSecu 28,850 UP 1,400 SKTelecom 199,000 UP 2,500 S & T MOTIV @ @ @ @ @ DN 1,200 AEKYUNG INDUSTRIAL 26,850 UP 500 Hanon Systems 9,120 UP 110 SK 188,500 UP @ @ @ @ @ KEPCO 20,600 UP 350 DAEKYO 4,850 UP 55 GKL 15,500 UP 100 ( MORE )

HANKOOK TECHNOLOGY G ROUP9740 UP160
DaeduckElec 8,150 UP 150
MERITZ SECU 3,015 UP 155
HtlShilla 77,700 UP 3,600
Hanmi Science 28,050 UP 350
SamsungElecMech 114,000 UP 9,000
IlyangPharm 34,350 DN 1,350
Hanssem 63,800 UP 1,700
KSOE 82,000 UP 2,000
HANWHA SOLUTIONS 14,400 UP 700
OCI 39,550 UP 1,000
LS ELECTRIC 38,650 UP 700
KorZinc 404,000 DN 8,000
SamsungHvyInd 4,335 UP 65
SYC 36,200 UP 350
IS DONGSEO 24,200 UP 300
S-Oil 67,200 UP 1,100
LG Innotek 132,500 UP 6,500
LOTTE CHEMICAL Corp 194,000 UP 2,500
HYUNDAI WIA 35,150 UP 300
HyundaiMipoDock 30,750 UP 700
KumhoPetrochem 66,200 UP 200
Mobis 179,500 UP 5,000
HANWHA AEROSPACE 23,150 UP 600
HDC HOLDINGS 8,900 UP 60
S-1 83,700 UP 300
Hanchem 87,700 UP 6,400
DWS 21,700 DN 200
UNID 39,600 UP 350
SamsungSecu 28,850 UP 1,400
SKTelecom 199,000 UP 2,500
S&T MOTIV 35,050 UP 2,650
HyundaiElev 63,600 DN 1,200
AEKYUNG INDUSTRIAL 26,850 UP 500
Hanon Systems 9,120 UP 110
SK 188,500 UP 8,000
DONGSUH 16,650 UP 150
KEPCO 20,600 UP 350
DAEKYO 4,850 UP 55
GKL 15,500 UP 100
(MORE)


yna--2020-04-17--KOSPI 200 Closing Price List-2

KOSPI 200 Closing Price List-2

BoryungPharm 12,800 DN 50 L & L 11,600 UP 200 NamyangDairy 332,500 UP 4,000 LOTTE Fine Chem 33,600 UP 700 @ @ @ @ @ Huchems 16,850 UP 1,000 Shinsegae 252,500 UP 19,000 Nongshim 288,500 DN 3,000 SGBC 28,150 UP @ @ @ @ @ LOTTE 27,450 UP 900 AK Holdings 21,400 UP 400 KUMHOTIRE 3,295 UP 115 SPC SAMLIP @ @ @ @ @ UP 6,000 KOREA AEROSPACE 22,600 UP 500 Binggrae 54,200 UP 1,000 GCH Corp 21,250 0 @ @ @ @ @ 7,400 UP 130 KPIC 107,000 DN 3,000 MIRAE ASSET DAEWOO 5,440 UP 380 SKC 50,200 @ @ @ @ @ UP 900 Ottogi 536,000 DN 1,000 POSCO 176,000 0 DB INSURANCE 37,700 DN 100 SamsungElec @ @ @ @ @ UP 490 SK Discovery 26,050 UP 50 LS 34,450 UP 800 GC Corp 148,500 DN @ @ @ @ @ 23,700 UP 200 HANIL HYUNDAI CEMENT 30,000 DN 1,350 SAMSUNG SDI CO. , LTD .
@ @ @ @ @ 23,700 UP 850 DongkukStlMill 4,080 UP 100 SBC 9,030 UP 100 Hyundai M & F @ @ @ @ @ 1,195 DN 15 ( MORE )

BoryungPharm 12,800 DN 50
L&L 11,600 UP 200
NamyangDairy 332,500 UP 4,000
LOTTE Fine Chem 33,600 UP 700
HYUNDAI STEEL 19,750 UP 650
Huchems 16,850 UP 1,000
Shinsegae 252,500 UP 19,000
Nongshim 288,500 DN 3,000
SGBC 28,150 UP 550
Hyosung 66,800 UP 100
LOTTE 27,450 UP 900
AK Holdings 21,400 UP 400
KUMHOTIRE 3,295 UP 115
SPC SAMLIP 72,700 0
SAMSUNG SDS 164,000 UP 6,000
KOREA AEROSPACE 22,600 UP 500
Binggrae 54,200 UP 1,000
GCH Corp 21,250 0
LotteChilsung 99,700 UP 800
HYUNDAIGREENFOOD 7,400 UP 130
KPIC 107,000 DN 3,000
MIRAE ASSET DAEWOO 5,440 UP 380
SKC 50,200 UP 3,650
GS Retail 31,850 UP 900
Ottogi 536,000 DN 1,000
POSCO 176,000 0
DB INSURANCE 37,700 DN 100
SamsungElec 51,400 UP 2,400
NHIS 9,110 UP 490
SK Discovery 26,050 UP 50
LS 34,450 UP 800
GC Corp 148,500 DN 4,500
GS E&C 23,700 UP 200
HANIL HYUNDAI CEMENT 30,000 DN 1,350
SAMSUNG SDI CO.,LTD. 286,500 UP 15,500
CJ CGV 23,700 UP 850
DongkukStlMill 4,080 UP 100
SBC 9,030 UP 100
Hyundai M&F INS 24,550 UP 150
TONGYANG 1,195 DN 15
(MORE)


yna--2020-04-18--S. Korea reports 18 more cases of new coronavirus, total now at 10,653

It is the first time in nearly two months that the country 's new COVID-19 infections came below 20 , @ @ @ @ @ for Disease Control and Prevention ( KCDC ) .
Over the past five days , @ @ @ @ @ 30 new patients per day .

SEOUL, April 18 (Yonhap) -- South Korea reported 18 more cases of the novel coronavirus Saturday, bringing the nation's total infections to 10,653.
It is the first time in nearly two months that the country's new COVID-19 infections came below 20, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). Over the past five days, the country reported fewer than 30 new patients per day.
The number of South Korea's daily new cases reached a peak of 909 confirmed cases on Feb. 29, but the country has since managed to flatten the curve amid stringent quarantine and social distancing measures.
The country's death toll came to 232, as two more coronavirus deaths were added Friday.
The number of patients released from quarantine after making full recoveries stood at 7,937, up 108 from a day earlier, KCDC data showed.
Nurses get prepared to take care of coronavirus patients at a hospital in Daegu on April 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-18--(URGENT) S. Korea releases 108 recovered coronavirus patients, total cured people at 7,937: KCDC


yna--2020-04-18--(URGENT) S. Korea confirms 2 more coronavirus deaths, raising death toll to 232: KCDC


yna--2020-04-18--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 18 more cases of new coronavirus, total now at 10,653


yna--2020-04-18--Seoul stocks likely to further advance next week on stimulus: analysts

The index rose more than 3 percent on Friday to hover above the 1,900 level for the first time in @ @ @ @ @ foreigners scooped up major large-cap shares , ending a selling spree of 30 consecutive sessions @

SEOUL, April 18 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks are expected to continue to build up gains next week, buoyed by hopes for the reopening of the U.S. economy and the peak of the coronavirus outbreak, analysts said Saturday.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed at 1,914.53 points on Friday, compared with 1,860.70 points from a week ago.
The KOSPI started off on a weak note on Monday by dropping nearly 2 percent on COVID-19 woes before rebounding on Tuesday and Thursday. The market was closed on Wednesday for the national parliamentary elections.
The index rose more than 3 percent on Friday to hover above the 1,900 level for the first time in more than one month as foreigners scooped up major large-cap shares, ending a selling spree of 30 consecutive sessions.
Analysts said the local stock market next week may be affected by various stimulus measures by major economies including the United States and China.
Kim Byung-yeon, an analyst at NH Investment & Securities Co., said upside factors next week include global policy coordination to fight the COVID-19 pandemic that has appeared to slow down in some parts of the world.
But Kim said there are worries that COVID-19 could further spread again in the U.S. and Europe, which, coupled with various poor economic data, could hurt the market.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-18--Park Yoo-chun on course to resume activities, defying retirement pledge

Initially , he vehemently denied the drug allegation in a press conference in April , saying , `` ( The @ @ @ @ @ contradicts my whole life , even going beyond the matter of quitting my career and @ @ @

SEOUL, April 18 (Yonhap) -- K-pop star Park Yoo-chun appears to be preparing to resume his show business career, in defiance of a retirement pledge he made last year amid a drug scandal.
In a message on his Instagram account Thursday, the former JYJ member announced a plan to officially open a website for fans, called Blue Cielo, next week, apparently taking one step toward resuming his entertainment career.
"Park Yoo-chun's official fan site, Blue Cielo, is scheduled to open at 6 p.m. on Monday. We ask for your high expectations and love," the Instagram post said.
The singer and actor has been largely out of the public eye since he was sentenced last July to a 10-month prison term, suspended for two years, on drug charges.
The drug scandal, also involving his former fiance, a scion of a large dairy company, rocked the entertainment industry.
Initially, he vehemently denied the drug allegation in a press conference in April, saying, "(The allegation) is something that contradicts my whole life, even going beyond the matter of quitting my career and retiring."
Despite his contention of innocence, C-JeS Entertainment expelled him the same month after police filed a warrant for his arrest, and Park announced his official retirement from show business.
Despite the pledge, however, Park hosted a fan meeting event in Bangkok, in January, raising the ire of fans at home and abroad.
Last month, he began to accelerate efforts to return to the entertainment industry, launching a new Instagram account.
He has since announced the publication of special photo book, "Someday," and an autograph signing event with fans, both set for June.
His potential resumption of his career, however is likely to stir controversy among K-pop fans and the broader public in the country where tight work ethics and codes of conduct are required for TV stars and celebrities.
Singer-actor Park Yoo-chun during a police investigation in May, 2019 (Yonhap)
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