yna--2020-02-29--(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on Feb. 29)

(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on Feb. 29)

Now the Moon Jae-in administration should take more radical measures to avoid a looming public health catastrophe .
President Moon @ @ @ @ @ steps .
But he and his government have done little to make good on what @ @ @ @ @ imperative to reinforce the quarantine network and prevent the disruption of the healthcare system .
@ @ @ @ @ protect the people from the relentless virus .
( END )

Avoid catastrophe
Disruption of healthcare system looms large
South Korea's fight against the new coronavirus is becoming more and more difficult as the epidemic keeps spreading rapidly. The situation appears to have reached a critical point where COVID-19 could be getting out of control.
There are growing worries that the country's healthcare system may start to collapse after the number of confirmed cases surged to 2,337 Friday, the world's largest figure after China. The health authorities are struggling to provide treatment for the soaring number of patients.
In the southeastern city of Daegu with a 2.4 million population, the healthcare system has already been overstretched since the city emerged as a hotbed for the epidemic. The disruption of the system cannot be avoided without radical emergency steps.
A 73-year-old man in Daegu died of the virus Thursday, becoming the 13th fatality. He fell victim to the disease without getting treatment due to a shortage of hospital beds in the city. It is regrettable that the patient died under self-quarantine while waiting to be hospitalized two days after testing positive for the virus.
The problem is that such a death could take place in large numbers, given the poor medical infrastructure there. The city has so far made 1,013 hospital beds available for confirmed coronavirus patients. But, these fall far short of the exploding number of patients which stood at 1,579, accounting for 67 percent of the country's total.
The number of patients is likely to rise further as the infections are closely linked to mass worship services of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, which around 9,000 believers were known to have attended this month. Therefore, pessimism is growing that the authorities might lose their battle with the raging virus.
In this worsening situation, Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin has reportedly asked for the central government's support, and cooperation from other municipalities and provinces. But he is finding it difficult to get support good enough to accommodate more patients and bring the epidemic under control.
Kwon requested Gyeonggi Province to provide hospital beds for patients from Daegu. But Governor Lee Jae-myung turned down the request, saying that medical staff and treatment facilities were also insufficient in his province.
Daegu is suffering from an acute lack of doctors, nurses and other medical workers, not to mention hospitals. The central government has dispatched 101 medical staff including 38 doctors and 59 nurses to the city. But more medical professionals are required to deal with the epidemic. A shortage of medical equipment is also serious. Many doctors and nurses are taking care of a flood of new patients, wearing only masks without proper protective equipment.
Now the Moon Jae-in administration should take more radical measures to avoid a looming public health catastrophe. President Moon has vowed to take pre-emptive steps. But he and his government have done little to make good on what he said. It is imperative to reinforce the quarantine network and prevent the disruption of the healthcare system. Mobilize all possible means to protect the people from the relentless virus.
(END)


yna--2020-02-29--Top headlines in major S. Korean newspapers

Korean-language dailies -- Prevention in daily lives 'best vaccine ' ( Kyunghyang Shinmun ) -- Shincheonji warning strikes Seoul metropolitan @ @ @ @ @ ( Kookmin Daily ) -- 3,923 Shincheonji members nationwide show symptoms ( Donga llbo ) @ @ @ @ @ in one day ; tragedy during self-quarantine ( Segye Times ) -- S. Korea reports @ @ @ @ @ cured ; another dies during self-quarantine ( Chosun Ilbo ) -- 'Securing massive isolated hospital @ @ @ @ @ of new coronavirus ' ( JoongAng Ilbo ) -- Patient dies waiting for test result @ @ @ @ @ of infected ' ( Hankyoreh ) -- Fear over pandemic strikes world ( Hankook Ilbo @ @ @ @ @ plunge on coronavirus pandemic ( Maeil Business Newspaper ) -- KOSPI falls below 2,000 after @ @ @ @ @ 2,000 patients ( Korea Economic Daily )

SEOUL, Feb. 29 (Yonhap) -- The following are the top headlines in major South Korean newspapers on Feb. 29.
Korean-language dailies
-- Prevention in daily lives 'best vaccine' (Kyunghyang Shinmun)
-- Shincheonji warning strikes Seoul metropolitan area; 1,106 show symptoms (Kookmin Daily)
-- 3,923 Shincheonji members nationwide show symptoms (Donga llbo)
-- 3 die in Daegu in one day; tragedy during self-quarantine (Segye Times)
-- S. Korea reports first re-infection after being fully cured; another dies during self-quarantine (Chosun Ilbo)
-- 'Securing massive isolated hospital beds barricade to prevent spread of new coronavirus' (JoongAng Ilbo)
-- Patient dies waiting for test result; Daegu speeds up transfer of infected' (Hankyoreh)
-- Fear over pandemic strikes world (Hankook Ilbo)
-- Global stock markets plunge on coronavirus pandemic (Maeil Business Newspaper)
-- KOSPI falls below 2,000 after S. Korea confirms more than 2,000 patients (Korea Economic Daily)
English-language dailies
-- Followers of sect tracked down (Korea JoongAng Daily)
-- COVID-19 infections surpass 2,000 in just 39 days (Korea Times)
(END)


yna--2020-02-29--Poll finds improved foreign sentiment for Korean cultural content

The survey of 8,000 people in 17 countries who experienced Korean cultural content by the Korean Foundation for International Cultural @ @ @ @ @ favorability toward Korean dramas rose to 76 percent in 2019 , compared with 73.4 percent @ @ @ @ @ for traditional Korean food , or hansik , and 73.4 percent for movies .

SEOUL, Feb. 29 (Yonhap) -- Foreigners' favorable feelings toward South Korean cultural content marked an overall improvement last year on the strength of the continued popularity of "hallyu," or the Korean Wave, according to a poll released Saturday by a government agency.
The survey of 8,000 people in 17 countries who experienced Korean cultural content by the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange showed that foreigners' favorability toward Korean dramas rose to 76 percent in 2019, compared with 73.4 percent for entertainment, 73.3 percent for traditional Korean food, or hansik, and 73.4 percent for movies.
Of them, the favorability of Korean films rose by the largest margin of 2.1 percentage points, the poll found.
This file photo shows the 2019 Korea Brand and Entertainment Expo in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Yonhap)
Foreigners' monthly average spending on Korean dramas jumped to US$14, compared with $13.30 for games, $12.10 for movies, $11.20 for publications, $10.80 for entertainment, $9.30 for animation and $9.20 for music.
Their monthly spending on such tangible Korean content as fashion, beauty and food also rose to $31.40, $28.50 and $22.60, respectively, the poll said.
Among Korean drama content, "Hotel Del Luna" was favored by the largest 8.2 percent, trailed by "Descendants of the Sun" (3 percent), "Jewel in the Palace" (2.3 percent), "Kingdom" (2.1 percent), "Goblin: The Lonely and Great God" (2 percent) and "Her Private Life" (2 percent).
In the film category, Oscar-winning "Parasite" overwhelmingly topped the list with 12.4 percent, followed by "Train to Busan" (7.9 percent), "Extreme Job" (3.1 percent), the "Along with the Gods" series (2 percent) and "Exit" (1.5 percent).
"PUBG Mobile" obtained the highest favorability rating of 18.3 percent among Korean computer games, while Pucca was the favorite Korean animation character with a rating of 15.9 percent.
The most favored Korean singer was BTS with a rating of 15.2 percent, followed by BLACKPINK (6.5 percent), Psy (5.7 percent), TWICE (2.8 percent) and BIGBANG (2.5 percent).
Lee Min-ho topped the list of Korean actors and actresses with 7.6 percent, followed by Song Hye-kyo (3.4 percent), Song Joong-ki (1.9 percent), Gong Yoo (1.8 percent), Suzy (1.7 percent) and Lee Jong-suk (1.7 percent).
The No. 1 image associated with South Korea was K-pop with a rating of 18.5 percent, followed by hansik (12.2 percent), drama (7.8 percent), the IT industry (7.3 percent) and hallyu stars (5.8 percent).
According to the poll, 62.8 percent said their perception of Korea positively changed after experiencing Korean cultural content, marking a similar level to last year's 62.3 percent.
About 42 percent said they expect their interest in Korean cultural content to grow over the next year.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-29--Universities in Seoul shift to online classes amid virus fears

With the COVID-19 crisis escalating , a dozen universities in the capital have decided to keep students away from campuses @ @ @ @ @ learning for the first two weeks , after the new semester begins on March 16 @

SEOUL, Feb. 29 (Yonhap) -- More universities in Seoul are seeking to replace in-person classes with online lectures due to fears over coronavirus infection.
South Korean universities have postponed the start of the spring semester, scheduled for next Monday, by two weeks under the recommendation of the Ministry of Education.
With the COVID-19 crisis escalating, a dozen universities in the capital have decided to keep students away from campuses for longer by offering remote learning for the first two weeks, after the new semester begins on March 16.
As of 4 p.m. Friday, South Korea had confirmed 2,337 coronavirus infections, with 571 new cases reported during the day. The death toll remained unchanged at 13.
Yonsei University said Friday that recorded video lectures, real-time telelectures and other learning materials will be provided instead of face-to-face classes until March 28.
Ewha Womans University also said it will conduct all classes via remote learning for the first two weeks of the semester. At least 10 other schools notified students of similar plans.
Kookmin University plans to conduct online classes for four weeks until April 11.
Seoul National University (SNU) and several other institutions are also considering online classes. SNU said it will make a decision next week.
A computer-generated image provided by Yonhap News TV (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-02-29--(2nd LD) N.K. leader oversees politburo meeting on coronavirus response

`` No special cases must be allowed within the state anti-epidemic system , '' Kim said , stressing the need @ @ @ @ @ strict discipline by which all the fields and units of the country unconditionally obey to @ @ @ @ @ the Central Headquarters for the emergency anti-epidemic work . ''

(ATTN: ADDS info about Kim's public appearance in paras 10-11)
By Koh Byung-joon
SEOUL, Feb. 29 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un presided over a politburo meeting of the ruling Workers' Party and discussed coronavirus prevention measures, including strengthening testing and quarantine efforts, state media said Saturday.
North Korea has yet to report a case of COVID-19 but has intensified its preventive efforts across the country, calling its fight against the virus is a "political matter" that will determine the fate of the country.
"In case the infectious disease spreading beyond control finds its way into our country, it will entail serious consequences," Kim was quoted by the North's Korean Central News Agency as telling the expanded politburo meeting.
"The strong measures taken by our party and the government from the beginning have been the surest and highly reliable, preemptive and decisive preventive measures as this viral infection spreads so rapidly, its incubation period is uncertain and its contagion route is also scientifically uncertain," Kim said.
Anti-virus measures the North has taken include shutting down its border with China, a neighboring country hardest-hit by the virus outbreak and beefing up quarantine for those coming from outside. It also recently delayed the opening of its schools.
This photo captured from the website of the Rodong Sinmun in North Korea on Feb. 29 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un presiding over a politburo meeting of the Workers' Party. The Korean Central News Agency said Kim discussed coronavirus prevention measures during the meeting. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
"No special cases must be allowed within the state anti-epidemic system," Kim said, stressing the need to set up "a strict discipline by which all the fields and units of the country unconditionally obey to the command and control of the Central Headquarters for the emergency anti-epidemic work."
Kim also instructed officials "seal off all the channels and space through which the infectious disease may find its way, and strengthen check-up, test and quarantine under the work system and order already in place."
"The anti-epidemic measures being taken by us is a crucial state affair for the defense of the people and a heavy responsibility of the Party Central Committee, not just the prevention of the disease, "Kim said.
Kim also said that it is urgent to "supplement and complement the law on the state emergency anti-epidemic and to readjust state crisis control regulations in an orderly way."
Kim's attendance in the meeting marked his first reported public appearance since he visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang on occasion of his late father's birthday on Feb. 16.
The visit to the mausoleum came after a 22-day absence from public view, which stoked speculation that he had refrained from outdoor activity over coronavirus concerns.
Meanwhile the political bureau also discussed organizational affairs.
The KCNA said that the politburo decided to disband the committee's "cadre training base which was involved in the practices of corruption and irregularities, and to impose relevant penalty." It also dismissed Ri Man-gon and Pak Tae-bok from the vice chairman posts of the Party Central Committee.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-29--(LEAD) N.K. leader oversees politburo meeting on coronavirus response

(ATTN: ADDS details throughout)
By Koh Byung-joon
SEOUL, Feb. 29 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un presided over a politburo meeting of the ruling Workers' Party and discussed coronavirus prevention measures, including stregthening testing and quarantine efforts, state media said Saturday.
North Korea has yet to report a case of COVID-19 but has intensified its preventive efforts across the country, calling its fight against the virus is a "political matter" that will determine the fate of the country.
"In case the infectious disease spreading beyond control finds its way into our country, it will entail serious consequences," Kim was quoted by the North's Korean Central News Agency as telling the expanded politburo meeting.
"The strong measures taken by our party and the government from the beginning have been the surest and highly reliable, preemptive and decisive preventive measures as this viral infection spreads so rapidly, its incubation period is uncertain and its contagion route is also scientifically uncertain," Kim said.
Anti-virus measures the North has taken include shutting down its border with China, a neighboring country hardest-hit by the virus outbreak and beefing up quarantine for those coming from outside. It also recently delayed the opening of its schools.
This photo captured from the website of the Rodong Sinmun in North Korea on Feb. 29 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un presiding over a politburo meeting of the Workers' Party. The Korean Central News Agency said Kim discussed coronavirus prevention measures during the meeting. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
"No special cases must be allowed within the state anti-epidemic system," Kim said, stressing the need to set up "a strict discipline by which all the fields and units of the country unconditionally obey to the command and control of the Central Headquarters for the emergency anti-epidemic work."
Kim also instructed officials "seal off all the channels and space through which the infectious disease may find its way, and strengthen check-up, test and quarantine under the work system and order already in place."
"The anti-epidemic measures being taken by us is a crucial state affair for the defense of the people and a heavy responsibility of the Party Central Committee, not just the prevention of the disease, "Kim said.
Kim also said that it is urgent to "supplement and complement the law on the state emergency anti-epidemic and to readjust state crisis control regulations in an orderly way."
Meanwhile the political bureau also discussed organizational affairs.
The KCNA said that the politburo decided to disband the committee's "cadre training base which was involved in the practices of corruption and irregularities, and to impose relevant penalty." It also dismissed Ri Man-gon and Pak Tae-bok from the vice chairman posts of the Party Central Committee.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-29--N.K. leader supervises joint strike drill: KCNA

`` He expressed his firm conviction that the KPA which is boundlessly loyal to the Party 's call would steadily @ @ @ @ @ as to definitely guarantee the victorious advance of the revolutionary cause of Juche and socialism @ @ @ @ @ '' the KCNA said .

SEOUL, Feb. 29 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has supervised a joint strike drill of his military, expressing his firm conviction that the armed forces will steadily develop its combat capability, state media said Saturday.
Kim attended the drill held Friday "to judge the mobility and the fire power strike ability of the defense units on the front and in the eastern area," according to the Korean Central News Agency.
Kim expressed "his admiration for the combat capability of the units of the services of the KPA and defence units on the front and in the eastern area keeping themselves fully ready to go into action on a moment's notice," KCNA said.
"He expressed his firm conviction that the KPA which is boundlessly loyal to the Party's call would steadily develop its combat capability so as to definitely guarantee the victorious advance of the revolutionary cause of Juche and socialism with invincible military force." the KCNA said.
KPA refers to the Korean People's Army, North Korea's military. Juche is a notion of self-reliance.
It, however, did not provide details on what was tested and where the firing drill was conducted.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-29--U.S. objects to Seoul's proposal to first settle Korean workers' salaries

`` Furloughs may be avoided if the United States and the ROK reach agreement on a more equitable SMA that @ @ @ @ @ in which allies and partners should cover their fair share of the costs , '' @ @ @ @ @ The United States remains committed to negotiating a mutually acceptable , comprehensive agreement that provides @ @ @ @ @ sharing and strengthens the U.S.-ROK Alliance . ''

By Lee Haye-ah
WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. State Department on Friday objected to South Korea's proposal that the two countries first reach a deal on salaries for Korean workers at U.S. military bases before concluding a comprehensive cost-sharing agreement.
A spokesperson for the department said South Korea should look to quickly negotiate a new Special Measures Agreement that covers all of Seoul's financial contributions to the upkeep of 28,500 American troops on the peninsula.
South Korean and U.S. officials hold their sixth-round talks in Washington on Jan. 14, 2020, on the sharing of the costs for the upkeep of 28,500 U.S. troops in South Korea, in this photo provided by Seoul's foreign ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
"The recent proposal by the ROK to launch a separate negotiation based solely on labor cost sharing would greatly detract from expeditiously concluding a mutually acceptable and comprehensive SMA that addresses all facets of the agreement," the spokesperson told Yonhap News Agency, referring to South Korea by its formal name, the Republic of Korea.
"The United States remains committed to concluding the SMA quickly and urges the ROK government to engage toward that goal," he said.
The allies have had six rounds of negotiations on renewing the SMA but failed to reach a deal amid Washington's demands for a significant increase in Seoul's contributions.
Under last year's SMA, South Korea agreed to pay US$870 million toward salaries for South Koreans working on U.S. military bases, construction projects and logistical support.
The U.S. has warned that the nearly 9,000 workers will be furloughed beginning April 1 if no deal is reached. South Korea's top negotiator, Jeong Eun-bo, urged the U.S. at a press conference Friday to sign a "memorandum of exchange" to first settle the issue of salaries.
"Furloughs may be avoided if the United States and the ROK reach agreement on a more equitable SMA that supports President Trump's view in which allies and partners should cover their fair share of the costs," the spokesperson added. "The United States remains committed to negotiating a mutually acceptable, comprehensive agreement that provides for fair and equitable burden sharing and strengthens the U.S.-ROK Alliance."
On when the negotiations may continue, he said, "We expect to conduct the next round in the near future."
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-29--N.K. leader oversees party's politburo meeting on coronavirus response

`` The strong measures taken by our party and the government from the beginning have been the surest and highly @ @ @ @ @ preventive measures as this viral infection spreads so rapidly , its incubation period is uncertain @ @ @ @ @ also scientifically uncertain , '' Kim said .

SEOUL, Feb. 29 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un presided over a politburo meeting of the ruling Workers' Party and discussed coronavirus prevention measures, the country's official news agency said Saturday.
"In case the infectious disease spreading beyond control finds its way into our country, it will entail serious consequences," Kim was quoted as saying by the North's Korean Central News Agency.
"The strong measures taken by our party and the government from the beginning have been the surest and highly reliable, preemptive and decisive preventive measures as this viral infection spreads so rapidly, its incubation period is uncertain and its contagion route is also scientifically uncertain," Kim said.
North Korea has yet to report a case of COVID-19 and has been on effective lockdown since the outbreak of the disease in China in December.
This photo captured from the website of the Rodong Sinmun in North Korea on Feb. 29 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un presiding over a politburo meeting of the Workers' Party. The Korean Central News Agency said Kim discussed coronavirus prevention measures during the meeting. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-02-29--(URGENT) N. Korea holds meeting on coronavirus with Kim in attendance

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


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(END)


yna--2020-03-01--(6th LD) S. Korea's virus cases expected to keep rising in early March, infection tally tops 3,700

Since Feb. 23 , when South Korea raised the virus alert level to `` red , '' the country 's @ @ @ @ @ wake of a drastic surge in confirmed cases , the authorities have also been focusing @ @ @ @ @ the virus in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province , which have seen more than 87 @ @ @ @ @ .

(ATTN: UPDATES 3rd para with latest figure)
SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Sunday said the country's novel coronavirus cases are likely to keep rising through early March as local health authorities vowed to beef up the anti-virus fight, focusing on a minor religious sect that has been at the center of the outbreak here.
South Korea reported another daily spike of COVID-19 infections, with 586 additional cases bringing the total here to 3,736 as of 4 p.m., according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
Of them, 21 patients have died. On Sunday alone, four deaths were reported, all of whom lived in the southeastern city of Daegu and were in their 80s, according to the authorities.
Of the 586 new cases, 469 are in Daegu, 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, and 67 were reported in neighboring North Gyeongsang Province, according to the KCDC.
Other major provinces and cities have also reported some infections, with Seoul reporting a total of 87 cases and the second-largest city of Busan having 83 patients so far.
Health workers disinfect a courtroom in Suwon, south of Seoul, on March 1, 2020, as South Korea beefs up its efforts to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. (Yonhap)
During a regular briefing, Health Minister Park Neung-hoo said that the country has seen a slower spread of the coronavirus across the nation, but the chance of it spreading further remains.
"Contrary to earlier concerns, the speed of COVID-19 of spreading into other parts of the country beyond Daegu has been reduced," Park said.
Pointing to cases that have occurred nationwide, however, he said, "The possibility of the nationwide spread of the infection remains. We believe the coming one to two weeks will be a watershed moment."
In order to prevent a high death toll in the face of a spike in the number of patients and subsequent shortage of hospital beds, the government said it will categorize the patients into four groups in line with conditions and provide care accordingly.
"Instead of hospitalizing all patients, we will put the focus on treating serious cases," Park said, adding that those with mild symptoms will be cared for at designated government facilities in each regions.
Calls have grown for more delicate, strategic approaches in caring for virus patients, as some of the patients have died at home while waiting to be hospitalized.
Since Feb. 23, when South Korea raised the virus alert level to "red," the country's highest alert, in the wake of a drastic surge in confirmed cases, the authorities have also been focusing on halting the spread of the virus in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, which have seen more than 87 percent of the total infections.
The number of confirmed cases is expected to continue to rise rapidly in the coming days as the authorities have begun testing members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus at the center of the rapid spread in other provinces.
The church has nearly 240,000 believers, and a majority of them had been tested for the virus as of Saturday, the KCDC said, noting that nearly 9,000 of them have shown symptoms.
Shincheonji's founder and leader Lee Man-hee is one of them, as he underwent the virus test on Saturday, and the result is expected to come in the coming days, according to the religious group.
Of the total 2,705 patients in Daegu -- at 2.5 million people, the country's fourth-largest city -- more than 60 percent are linked to Shincheonji, according to official data.
The KCDC said it has learned that some of the Shincheonji church members visited the China's central city of Wuhan in January, but did not reveal how many had been to the international epicenter of the new coronavirus outbreak.
The Ministry of Justice said Saturday that 42 followers of the Shincheonji church are presumed to have entered the country from Wuhan over the past eight months.
"We know that Feb. 16 was the last day that this group had made massive contact with others," KCDC official Kwon Jun-wook told a press briefing. "One cycle of the virus incubation period has passed since, and we may have to deal with secondary virus infections through early March."
Kwon added that health authorities will reinforce the monitoring of facilities that could cause mass infections, such as medical institutions and schools.
Citing the group's failure to take proactive anti-virus measures and to provide accurate related data, the Seoul Metropolitan Government reported the case to the prosecution for investigation into alleged homicide, infliction of injury and violating regulations on preventing infections.
A health worker walks by ambulances in a parking lot in Daegu on March 1, 2020. (Yonhap)
Also on Sunday, the authorities announced that a 45-day-old baby has been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, making the baby boy the youngest patient in South Korea. The baby, born on Jan. 15, tested positive for COVID-19 after his parents had contracted the virus, they said.
South Korea is carrying out tests on 33,360 people nationwide, while 61,825 people have tested negative in total.
The KCDC said it is currently working to secure coronavirus testing reagents after Swiss drugmaker Roche recently decided to supply more of its diagnostic reagent to China.
Health authorities said 14 patients are in critical condition. The number of patients cured of the disease stands at 30.
Meanwhile, as the number of virus cases soars here, many foreign countries have barred entry by those who have recently visited South Korea.
Earlier, the U.S. State Department raised its travel advisory for Daegu to the highest level, urging Americans not to travel to the virus-hit city. For the rest of South Korea, the U.S. advised its nationals to reconsider travel.
According to Seoul's foreign ministry, 81 countries have so far moved to bar the entry of people traveling from South Korea or to strengthen quarantine steps.
This photo taken on March 1, 2020, shows empty streets in downtown Daegu. (Yonhap)
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-01--(2nd LD) S. Korea reports 4 more coronavirus fatalities, death toll now at 21

In the latest case , an 80-year-old woman was found dead by her son at her residence in Daegu , @ @ @ @ @ .
She had been in isolation since last week after showing symptoms of COVID-19 and @ @ @ @ @ was confirmed on Sunday to have the virus .

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead with latest figures; ADDS more details in paras 2, 8-11)
SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea reported four more novel coronavirus-related deaths in the southeastern city of Daegu on Sunday, bringing the country's death toll to 21.
In the latest case, an 80-year-old woman was found dead by her son at her residence in Daegu, according to local health authorities. She had been in isolation since last week after showing symptoms of COVID-19 and was tested, and she was confirmed on Sunday to have the virus.
An 86-year-old woman, who had also been in self-quarantine at her residence while waiting to be hospitalized after it was confirmed she had COVID-19, was transferred to a hospital early Sunday but died due to dyspnea, according to the Daegu government.
She the underlying diseases diabetes and hyperlipidemia, it added.
Another victim was an 80-year-old male patient who had been to a clinic in the neighboring county of Chilgok. He tested positive on Friday and had been hospitalized, the government said, adding that he had long suffered from hypertension.
Earlier in the day, an 83-year-old patient in Daegu died, according to Kwon Jun-wook, a Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) official, at a press briefing. He had suffered a stroke and had hypertension.
As more people have died at their homes while waiting to be hospitalized, the health authorities on Sunday came up with fresh treatment guidelines that categorize patients into four groups according to their condition, admitting those with serious illnesses first.
Those with minor symptoms will be sent to designated local facilities for treatment, they added.
South Korea has been struggling to secure more hospital beds in the face of a surge in the number of the virus patients since last week, particularly in Daegu and the surrounding North Gyeongsang Province, with a cluster of infections linked to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus.
As of 4 p.m., South Korea had reported a total of 3,736 confirmed cases. Of the total, more than 87 percent of the cases are in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, according to KCDC data.
Ambulances are parked outside a water purification plant in Daegu on March 1, 2020, with emergency workers checking their vehicles. (Yonhap)
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-01--(2nd LD) Shincheonji founder tested for coronavirus, awaits result: religious group

`` We 're working with regional authorities the best we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19 , '' the @ @ @ @ @ 'd like to ask for your help so that we 'll continue to remain cooperative @ @ @ @ @

(ATTN: ADDS Seoul municipal government's seeking of prosecution probe in paras 10-13)
SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- The founder of a minor Christian sect at the center of a rapid rise in coronavirus cases in South Korea was tested for the disease and is awaiting the result, an official with the group said Sunday.
Lee Man-hee, founder and leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, underwent the test on Saturday and is waiting for the result, the official said.
Earlier, the group said he has been talks with a local public health center over scheduling his test but corrected this to say that he had already taken the test.
Lee has been in self-quarantine at his home in Gyeonggi Province, near Seoul, it added.
South Korean health authorities believe nearly 60 percent of the country's virus cases are linked to Shincheonji and the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases among them is expected to jump.
Nearly 95 percent of its 239,000 followers had been tested for COVID-19 as of Saturday. Of them, 8,563 members and 393 "trainees" have shown symptoms, according to the authorities.
Some 4,000 Shincheonji followers across the country have not been reached, so local governments have been working together with police to trace them, they added.
In a statement addressed to South Korea's political leaders Sunday, Shincheonji asked them to stop portraying the sect as a criminal organization.
"We're working with regional authorities the best we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19," the statement said. "We'd like to ask for your help so that we'll continue to remain cooperative in these efforts."
The Seoul Metropolitan Government, however, referred the case to the prosecution, demanding an investigation into Lee and 12 heads of the sect's branches for alleged homicide, infliction of injury and violating regulations on preventing infections.
"They have refused to undergo tests for the virus, and they have not taken any measures to have its believers cooperate with the authorities to prevent the spread of COVID-19," the city said, explaining reasons for the move.
The group is also suspected of providing inaccurate lists of its followers, which would constitute the obstruction of business of authorities, according to the city.
As for the group's claim that leader Lee underwent the virus test, city officials said it is yet to be officially confirmed.
South Korea reported 586 additional cases of the new coronavirus on Sunday, bringing the total number of infections here to 3,736.
This photo captured from the website of Shincheonji Church of Jesus shows the religious sect's founder, Lee Man-hee. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-03-01--(3rd LD) 81 countries restricting entry from S. Korea over coronavirus fears

Seoul has stepped up diplomacy with its calls for foreign countries to refrain from taking excessive entry restrictions against South @ @ @ @ @ spread of the disease , which originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December @ @ @ @ @ countries taking action .

(ATTN: RECASTS headline; UPDATES story with latest figures; ADDS more details throughout)
SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- More than 80 countries are imposing entry restrictions and tougher quarantine procedures for travelers from South Korea over new coronavirus concerns, despite Seoul's continued efforts to persuade countries to refrain from taking excessive measures.
As of late Sunday, 37 countries are barring the entry of South Koreans and foreigners who have visited the South in the past few weeks, up from the previous day's tally of 34, according to foreign ministry website.
Turkey and Laos were the latest to join the list and Angola will begin to impose the ban Tuesday.
Forty-three countries and more than a dozen regions in China, including Beijing, have tougher quarantine procedures that require 14-day mandatory isolation and close monitoring.
Nigeria, Honduras and the Chinese provinces of Zhejiang and Chongqing were newly added to the list.
Seoul has stepped up diplomacy with its calls for foreign countries to refrain from taking excessive entry restrictions against South Koreans. But the fast spread of the disease, which originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December, has led to the countries taking action.
More than 80 percent of the infections were reported in Daegu and the nearby North Gyeongsang Province in the country's southeast, prompting many countries to slap entry bans on passengers from those two areas.
The U.S. State Department also raised its travel advisory for Daegu and northern Italy to the highest level, which urges its people not to travel, citing the level of community spread of the virus.
The move came about a week after Washington raised the travel advisory for the South to "increased caution," and then on Wednesday to Level 3, meaning "reconsider travel."
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said that his country will work with South Korea to coordinate medical screening in the countries of travelers heading to the U.S.
A foreign ministry official in Seoul said later that all passengers departing for the U.S. will undergo more thorough health checks before they board planes.
The ministry official also said that the government summoned a senior diplomat at the Vietnamese Embassy here to lodge a complaint after the Southeast Asian country barred a South Korean flight from landing at a Hanoi airport on Saturday.
"We filed a protest over the inconvenience caused by its short-notice change to the scheduled flight and demanded the country's preventive measures" a ministry official told reporters.
The Asiana Airlines plane had to return to Incheon within less than an hour after its departure. Two empty flights flew out to bring back around 280 passengers from Hanoi earlier in the day, the ministry offcial said.
On Sunday, South Korea reported 586 additional cases of COVID-19 to bring total infections to 3,736. So far, 20 patients have died from the virus.
Newlyweds return home from Dubai on Feb. 26, 2020, after they were denied entry into Mauritius, their original honeymoon destination, as the island country off East Africa decided to bar South Koreans from entering its territory over new coronavirus concern. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-01--(5th LD) S. Korea's virus cases expected to keep rising in early March, infection tally tops 3,700

(ATTN: ADDS more details, latest figures in paras 2-5, 10-16, 21, 28)
SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Sunday said the country's novel coronavirus cases are likely to keep rising through early March as local health authorities vowed to beef up the anti-virus fight, focusing on a minor religious sect that has been at the center of the outbreak here.
South Korea reported another daily spike of COVID-19 infections, with 586 additional cases bringing the total here to 3,736 as of 4 p.m., according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
Of them, 20 patients have died. On Sunday alone, three deaths were reported, all of whom lived in the southeastern city of Daegu, had underlying diseases and were in their 80s, according to the authorities.
Of the 586 new cases, 469 are in Daegu, 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, and 67 were reported in neighboring North Gyeongsang Province, according to the KCDC.
Other major provinces and cities have also reported some infections, with Seoul reporting a total of 87 cases and the second-largest city of Busan having 83 patients so far.
Health workers disinfect a courtroom in Suwon, south of Seoul, on March 1, 2020, as South Korea beefs up its efforts to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. (Yonhap)
During a regular briefing, Health Minister Park Neung-hoo said that the country has seen a slower spread of the coronavirus across the nation, but the chance of it spreading further remains.
"Contrary to earlier concerns, the speed of COVID-19 of spreading into other parts of the country beyond Daegu has been reduced," Park said.
Pointing to cases that have occurred nationwide, however, he said, "The possibility of the nationwide spread of the infection remains. We believe the coming one to two weeks will be a watershed moment."
In order to prevent a high death toll in the face of a spike in the number of patients and subsequent shortage of hospital beds, the government said it will categorize the patients into four groups in line with conditions and provide care accordingly.
"Instead of hospitalizing all patients, we will put the focus on treating serious cases," Park said, adding that those with mild symptoms will be cared for at designated government facilities in each regions.
Calls have grown for more delicate, strategic approaches in caring for virus patients, as some of the patients have died at home while waiting to be hospitalized.
Since Feb. 23, when South Korea raised the virus alert level to "red," the country's highest alert, in the wake of a drastic surge in confirmed cases, the authorities have also been focusing on halting the spread of the virus in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, which have seen more than 87 percent of the total infections.
The number of confirmed cases is expected to continue to rise rapidly in the coming days as the authorities have begun testing members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus at the center of the rapid spread in other provinces.
The church has nearly 240,000 believers, and a majority of them had been tested for the virus as of Saturday, the KCDC said, noting that nearly 9,000 of them have shown symptoms.
Shincheonji's founder and leader Lee Man-hee is one of them, as he underwent the virus test on Saturday, and the result is expected to come in the coming days, according to the religious group.
Of the total 2,705 patients in Daegu -- at 2.5 million people, the country's fourth-largest city -- more than 60 percent are linked to Shincheonji, according to official data.
The KCDC said it has learned that some of the Shincheonji church members visited the China's central city of Wuhan in January, but did not reveal how many had been to the international epicenter of the new coronavirus outbreak.
The Ministry of Justice said Saturday that 42 followers of the Shincheonji church are presumed to have entered the country from Wuhan over the past eight months.
"We know that Feb. 16 was the last day that this group had made massive contact with others," KCDC official Kwon Jun-wook told a press briefing. "One cycle of the virus incubation period has passed since, and we may have to deal with secondary virus infections through early March."
Kwon added that health authorities will reinforce the monitoring of facilities that could cause mass infections, such as medical institutions and schools.
Citing the group's failure to take proactive anti-virus measures and to provide accurate related data, the Seoul Metropolitan Government reported the case to the prosecution for investigation into alleged homicide, infliction of injury and violating regulations on preventing infections.
A health worker walks by ambulances in a parking lot in Daegu on March 1, 2020. (Yonhap)
Also on Sunday, the authorities announced that a 45-day-old baby has been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, making the baby boy the youngest patient in South Korea. The baby, born on Jan. 15, tested positive for COVID-19 after his parents had contracted the virus, they said.
South Korea is carrying out tests on 33,360 people nationwide, while 61,825 people have tested negative in total.
The KCDC said it is currently working to secure coronavirus testing reagents after Swiss drugmaker Roche recently decided to supply more of its diagnostic reagent to China.
Health authorities said 14 patients are in critical condition. The number of patients cured of the disease stands at 30.
Meanwhile, as the number of virus cases soars here, many foreign countries have barred entry by those who have recently visited South Korea.
Earlier, the U.S. State Department raised its travel advisory for Daegu to the highest level, urging Americans not to travel to the virus-hit city. For the rest of South Korea, the U.S. advised its nationals to reconsider travel.
According to Seoul's foreign ministry, 81 countries have so far moved to bar the entry of people traveling from South Korea or to strengthen quarantine steps.
This photo taken on March 1, 2020, shows empty streets in downtown Daegu. (Yonhap)
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-01--(LEAD) S. Korea reports 3 more coronavirus fatalities, death toll now at 20

An 86-year-old woman , who had been in self-quarantine at her residence while waiting to be hospitalized after it was @ @ @ @ @ was transferred to a hospital early Sunday but died due to dyspnea , according to @ @ @ @

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead with latest victims; ADDS more details throughout, photo)
SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea reported three more novel coronavirus-related deaths in the southeastern city of Daegu on Sunday, bringing the country's death toll to 20.
An 86-year-old woman, who had been in self-quarantine at her residence while waiting to be hospitalized after it was confirmed she had COVID-19, was transferred to a hospital early Sunday but died due to dyspnea, according to the Daegu government.
She the underlying diseases diabetes and hyperlipidemia, it added.
Another victim was an 80-year-old male patient who had been to a clinic in the neighboring county of Chilgok. He tested positive on Friday and had been hospitalized, the government said, adding that he had long suffered from hypertension.
Earlier in the day, an 83-year-old patient in Daegu died, according to Kwon Jun-wook, a Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) official, at a press briefing. He had suffered a stroke and had hypertension.
As of 4 p.m., South Korea had reported a total of 3,736 confirmed cases. Of the total, more than 70 percent of the cases are in Daegu, with a cluster of infections linked to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus.
Ambulances are parked outside a water purification plant in Daegu on March 1, 2020, with emergency workers checking their vehicles. (Yonhap)
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-01--(LEAD) Shincheonji founder tested for coronavirus, awaits result: religious group

(ATTN: RECAST headline, lead; ADDS more details throughout)
SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- The founder of a minor Christian sect at the center of a rapid rise in coronavirus cases in South Korea was tested for the disease and is awaiting the result, an official with the group said Sunday.
Lee Man-hee, founder and leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, underwent the test on Saturday and is waiting for the result, the official said.
Earlier, the group said he has been talks with a local public health center over scheduling his test but corrected this to say that he had already taken the test.
Lee has been in self-quarantine at his home in Gyeonggi Province, near Seoul, it added.
South Korean health authorities believe nearly 60 percent of the country's virus cases are linked to Shincheonji and the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases among them is expected to jump.
Nearly 95 percent of its 239,000 followers had been tested for COVID-19 as of Saturday. Of them, 8,563 members and 393 "trainees" have shown symptoms, according to the authorities.
Some 4,000 Shincheonji followers across the country have not been reached, so local governments have been working together with police to trace them, they added.
In a statement addressed to South Korea's political leaders Sunday, Shincheonji asked them to stop portraying the sect as a criminal organization.
"We're working with regional authorities the best we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19," the statement said. "We'd like to ask for your help so that we'll continue to remain cooperative in these efforts."
South Korea reported 586 additional cases of the new coronavirus on Sunday, bringing the total number of infections here to 3,736.
This photo captured from the website of Shincheonji Church of Jesus shows the religious sect's founder, Lee Man-hee. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-03-01--(LEAD) S. Korea to take masks from schools for general public

The government 's disaster control headquarters said these schools will receive new masks before the start of the school year @ @ @ @ @ was initially scheduled to start Monday , but it has been pushed back by three @ @ @ @ @ 23 and by a week in the rest of the country to March 9 .

(ATTN: ADDS President Moon's message in last 2 paras; UPDATES with minor edits throughout)
SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- The government will take millions of face masks from schools and redistribute them to the general public in order to address a supply shortage amid the surge of coronavirus cases.
The education ministry announced Sunday that 5.8 million out of 12.7 million masks purchased by elementary, middle and high schools will soon be available at post offices and stores of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, better known as Nonghyup here.
According to the ministry, schools in Seoul and surrounding regions of Gyeonggi and Incheon donated 1.6 million masks Saturday, and those in a dozen other regions will soon follow suit with 4.2 million.
Schools in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, the areas hit hardest by COVID-19, will be exempt.
Police have been cracking down on illegal hoarding of face masks, with some merchants and distributors purchasing them in bulk in anticipation of soaring prices.
The move to take away masks set aside for students drew the ire of school officials Sunday.
A vice principal at a Seoul elementary school said he was angry that he had to give away masks that he had worked hard to secure with his school's budget.
"We won't be able to get another mass supply of masks until after May," he added.
The government's disaster control headquarters said these schools will receive new masks before the start of the school year. The new school year was initially scheduled to start Monday, but it has been pushed back by three weeks in Daegu to March 23 and by a week in the rest of the country to March 9.
While being briefed about the current mask supply status, President Moon Jae-in called for priority to be placed on "devising all possible measures to resolve (supply) problems," according to Yoon Do-han, Cheong Wa Dae's senior secretary for public communication.
Pointing to the difficulty people have had purchasing masks, Moon stressed that making "plans for how to supply masks is not enough," and ordered officials to check what has gone wrong and resolve the problems.
People buy face masks at Nonghyup Hanaro Mart in Sajik-dong, Seoul, on March 1, 2020. (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-03-01--(4th LD) S. Korea's virus cases expected to keep rising in early March, infection tally tops 3,700

`` We know that Feb. 16 was the last day that this group had made massive contact with others , @ @ @ @ @ a Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( KCDC ) official , at a @ @ @ @ @ cycle of the virus incubation period has passed since , and we may have to @ @ @ @ @ through early March . ''

(ATTN: ADDS more details in paras 2, 7-11)
SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Sunday said the country's novel coronavirus cases are likely to keep rising through early March as local health authorities vowed to beef up the anti-virus fight, focusing on a minor religious sect that has been at the center of the outbreak here.
South Korea reported another daily spike of new coronavirus infections, with 586 additional cases bringing the total here to 3,736 as of 4 p.m.
The country confirmed its first new coronavirus case on Jan. 20 when a Chinese woman from Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus outbreak, tested positive for the virus.
So far, 18 virus patients have died from COVID-19, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). The latest victim of the virus was an 83-year-old man in the southeastern city of Daegu who also had underlying diseases, including suffering from a stroke and hypertension, according to the KCDC.
Of the 586 new cases, 469 are in Daegu, 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, and 67 were reported in neighboring North Gyeongsang Province, according to the KCDC.
Other major provinces and cities have also reported some infections, with Seoul reporting an additional 10 cases. South Korea's second-largest city, Busan, added three more cases.
Health workers disinfect a courtroom in Suwon, south of Seoul, on March 1, 2020, as South Korea beefs up its efforts to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. (Yonhap)
During a regular briefing, Health Minister Park Neung-hoo said that the country has seen a slower spread of the coronavirus across the nation, but the chance of it spreading further remains.
"Contrary to earlier concerns, the speed of COVID-19 of spreading into other parts of the country beyond Daegu has been reduced," Park said.
Pointing to cases that have occurred nationwide, however, he said, "The possibility of the nationwide spread of the infection remains. We believe the coming one to two weeks will be a watershed moment."
In order to prevent a high death toll in the face of a spike in the number of patients and subsequent shortage of hospital beds, the government said it will categorize the patients into four groups in line with conditions and provide care accordingly.
"Instead of hospitalizing all patients, we will put the focus on treating serious cases," Park said, adding that those with mild symptoms will be cared for at designated local clinics.
Since raising the virus alert level to "red," the highest level, last Sunday, health authorities have been focusing on halting the spread of the virus in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, as those locations account for more than 87 percent of the country's total virus infections. Daegu alone has 2,705 virus patients in the city, KCDC data showed.
The number of confirmed cases in South Korea is expected to jump in the coming days as the authorities have begun testing more than 210,000 members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus at the center of the rapid spread in other provinces.
The members of the minor religious sect took up more than half of the country's total virus cases as of Sunday.
In particular, the KCDC said about 73 percent of all virus patients in Daegu, the country's fourth-largest city that has a population of 2.5 million, are connected to the Shincheonji church.
A health worker walks by ambulances in a parking lot in Daegu on March 1, 2020. (Yonhap)
Health authorities said on Friday that 3,000 Shincheonji followers in the country had symptoms of the novel coronavirus.
The KCDC said it has learned that some of the Shincheonji church members visited Wuhan, China, in January but did not reveal how many had been to the international epicenter of the new coronavirus outbreak.
The Ministry of Justice said Saturday that 42 followers of the Shincheonji church are presumed to have entered the country from Wuhan over the past eight months.
"We know that Feb. 16 was the last day that this group had made massive contact with others," said Kwon Jun-wook, a Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) official, at a press briefing. "One cycle of the virus incubation period has passed since, and we may have to deal with secondary virus infections through early March."
Kwon added that health authorities will reinforce the monitoring of facilities that could cause mass infections, such as medical institutions and schools.
This photo taken on March 1, 2020, shows empty streets in downtown Daegu. (Yonhap)
Also on Sunday, health authorities announced that a 45-day-old baby has been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, making the baby boy the youngest patient in South Korea. The baby, born on Jan. 15, tested positive for COVID-19 after his parents had contracted the virus, they said.
South Korea is carrying out tests on 33,360 people nationwide, while 61,825 people have tested negative in total.
The KCDC said it is currently working to secure coronavirus testing reagents after Swiss drugmaker Roche recently decided to supply more of its diagnostic reagent to China.
Health authorities said 14 patients are in critical condition. The number of patients cured of the disease stands at 30.
Meanwhile, as the number of virus cases soars here, many foreign countries have barred entry by those who have recently visited South Korea.
Earlier, the U.S. State Department raised its travel advisory for Daegu to the highest level, urging Americans not to travel to the virus-hit city. For the rest of South Korea, the U.S. advised its nationals to reconsider travel.
According to Seoul's foreign ministry, 78 countries have so far moved to bar the entry of people traveling from South Korea or to strengthen quarantine steps.
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-01--(2nd LD) 79 countries restricting entry from S. Korea over coronavirus fears

The Vietnamese authorities denied the Asiana Airlines flight permission to land in the capital , and instead instructed it to @ @ @ @ @ airport within 20 minutes of its departure , causing it to turn back and leading @ @ @ @ @ abruptly cancelled .

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, paras 1-3 with latest figures; ADDS Seoul's complaint over Vietnam's flight ban, latest figures in last 5 paras)
SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- Three countries have been added to the list of nations and regions imposing entry restrictions or stricter quarantine procedures on travelers from South Korea over coronavirus fears, the foreign ministry in Seoul said Sunday.
As of 10 a.m. Sunday, 79 countries have moved to bar the entry of people traveling from South Korea or to strengthen quarantine steps.
The ministry said Angola is now one of 36 countries to keep out South Koreans or foreigners who've recently visited South Korea. Angola's ban will take effect Tuesday.
Nigeria has joined the list of 43 countries that have imposed stricter quarantine measures, requiring travelers from South Korea to be quarantined for 14 days, with or without symptoms of the novel virus.
Countries across the Americas and Europe, plus provinces and cities in China, have already adopted tougher quarantine processes.
Seoul has pleaded with foreign countries to refrain from taking excessive entry restrictions against South Koreans.
In response to Vietnam's banning of a South Korean flight from landing at a Hanoi airport on Saturday, Seoul's foreign ministry summoned a top diplomat at the Vietnamese Embassy here to lodge a formal complaint.
"We filed a protest over the inconvenience caused by its short-notice change to the scheduled flight and demanded the country's preventive measures" a ministry official told reporters.
The Vietnamese authorities denied the Asiana Airlines flight permission to land in the capital, and instead instructed it to land at a more distant airport within 20 minutes of its departure, causing it to turn back and leading several other flights to be abruptly cancelled.
"Two empty flights flew there and brought back a total of 285 passengers earlier today who failed to return on Saturday," the official said, adding that no one is now waiting for flight to South Korea.
On Sunday, South Korea reported 586 additional cases of the virus, with the total number of infections reaching 3,736. The death toll stands at 18, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
(END)


yna--2020-03-01--(3rd LD) S. Korea's virus cases expected to keep rising through early March, infection tally tops 3,

(3rd LD) S. Korea's virus cases expected to keep rising through early March, infection tally tops 3,700

(ATTN: CHANGES headline, lead; UPDATES throughout; ADDS more info in 11-15, photo)
SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Sunday said the country's novel coronavirus cases are likely to keep rising through early March as local health authorities vowed to beef up the anti-virus fight, focusing on a minor religious sect that has been at the center of the outbreak here.
South Korea reported another daily spike of the new coronavirus, with 586 additional cases bringing total infections here to 3,736.
The country confirmed its first new coronavirus case on Jan. 20 when a Chinese woman from Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus outbreak, tested positive for the virus.
So far, 18 virus patients have died from COVID-19, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). The latest victim of the virus was an 83-year-old man in the southeastern city of Daegu who also had underlying diseases, including suffering from a stroke and hypertension, according to the KCDC.
Of the 586 new cases, 469 are in Daegu, 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, and 67 were reported in neighboring North Gyeongsang Province, according to the KCDC.
Other major provinces and cities have also reported some infections, with Seoul reporting an additional 10 cases. South Korea's second-largest city, Busan, added three more cases.
Health workers disinfect a courtroom in Suwon, south of Seoul, on March 1, 2020, as South Korea beefs up its efforts to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. (Yonhap)
Since raising the virus alert level to "red," the highest level, last Sunday, health authorities have been focusing on halting the spread of the virus in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, as those locations account for more than 87 percent of the country's total virus infections. Daegu alone has 2,705 virus patients in the city, KCDC data showed.
The number of confirmed cases in South Korea is expected to jump in the coming days as health authorities have begun testing more than 210,000 members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus at the center of the rapid spread in other provinces.
The members of the minor religious sect took up more than half of the country's total virus cases as of Sunday.
In particular, the KCDC said about 73 percent of all virus patients in Daegu, the country's fourth-largest city that has a population of 2.5 million, are connected to the Shincheonji church.
A health worker walks by ambulances in a parking lot in Daegu on March 1, 2020. (Yonhap)
Health authorities said on Friday that 3,000 Shincheonji followers in the country had symptoms of the novel coronavirus.
The KCDC said it has learned that some of the Shincheonji church members visited Wuhan, China, in January but did not reveal how many had been to the international epicenter of the new coronavirus outbreak.
The Ministry of Justice said Saturday that 42 followers of the Shincheonji church are presumed to have entered the country from Wuhan over the past eight months.
"We know that Feb. 16 was the last day that this group had made massive contact with others," said Kwon Jun-wook, a Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) official, at a press briefing. "One cycle of the virus incubation period has passed since, and we may have to deal with secondary virus infections through early March."
Kwon added that health authorities will reinforce the monitoring of facilities that could cause mass infections, such as medical institutions and schools.
This photo taken on March 1, 2020, shows empty streets in downtown Daegu. (Yonhap)
Also on Sunday, health authorities announced that a 45-day-old baby has been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, making the baby boy the youngest patient in South Korea. The baby, born on Jan. 15, tested positive for COVID-19 after his parents had contracted the virus, they said.
South Korea is carrying out tests on 33,360 people nationwide, while 61,825 people have tested negative in total.
The KCDC said it is currently working to secure coronavirus testing reagents after Swiss drugmaker Roche recently decided to supply more of its diagnostic reagent to China.
Health authorities said 14 patients are in critical condition. The number of patients cured of the disease stands at 30.
Meanwhile, as the number of virus cases soars here, many foreign countries have barred entry by those who have recently visited South Korea.
Earlier, the U.S. State Department raised its travel advisory for Daegu to the highest level, urging Americans not to travel to the virus-hit city. For the rest of South Korea, the U.S. advised its nationals to reconsider travel.
According to Seoul's foreign ministry, 78 countries have so far moved to bar the entry of people traveling from South Korea or to strengthen quarantine steps.
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-01--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 210 more cases of new coronavirus, total now at 3,736


yna--2020-03-01--Parties agree to pass bill on extra budget to prevent coronavirus spread

Floor leaders of the ruling Democratic Party ( DP ) , the main opposition United Future Party and the minor @ @ @ @ @ met on Sunday at the National Assembly to come to this agreement , Rep. Yoon @ @ @ @ @ floor leader , said during a press briefing .

SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korean ruling and opposition parties have agreed to quickly pass a bill on an extra budget to help fight the spread of the novel coronavirus, a ruling party official said Sunday.
Floor leaders of the ruling Democratic Party (DP), the main opposition United Future Party and the minor Party for People's Livelihoods met on Sunday at the National Assembly to come to this agreement, Rep. Yoon Hu-duk, DP's deputy floor leader, said during a press briefing.
Their goal is to pass bills on a supplementary budget and on tax support during the current extraordinary parliamentary session, which runs through March 17.
Last Friday, President Moon Jae-in reached an agreement with the party leaders on their bipartisan support for his administration's plan to submit the budget bill.
Yoon said the parties will look to pass as many bills on people's livelihoods and the economy as possible during the session.
Floor leaders of South Korean political parties hold a meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul on March 1, 2020, to discuss passing of the supplementary budget bill designed to help fight the spread of the coronavirus. (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-03-01--Virus apparently reactivated in S. Korea's 1st reinfection case: experts

South Korea on Saturday reported that a 73-year-old woman tested positive for COVID-19 for a second time even after she @ @ @ @ @ on Feb. 22 .
According to local health authorities , she started showed symptoms again @ @ @ @ @ be infected with the new coronavirus the following day .

SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's first case of reinfection by the novel coronavirus appears to be one in which the virus revived after not being fully eradicated from the patient, infectious disease experts here said Sunday.
South Korea on Saturday reported that a 73-year-old woman tested positive for COVID-19 for a second time even after she had been released from quarantine on Feb. 22. According to local health authorities, she started showed symptoms again Thursday and was found to be infected with the new coronavirus the following day.
Doctors here said it does not appear that the reinfected patient contracted the illness from other virus sufferers after she was released from quarantine. The patient previously told local health authorities said she had stayed indoors after her release.
"It's rare, but there are cases in which a strain of virus remains in the patient's system and gets reactivated," said Kim Eu-suk, a Seoul National University Bundang Hospital who treated the reinfected patient. "To find out the exact cause of the reinfection, we need further research."
The woman was South Korea's 25th patient of the novel coronavirus. As of Sunday morning, South Korea's total number of COVID-19 infections had reached 3,526.
This photo taken on March 1, 2020, shows an ambulance carrying a novel coronavirus patient in Daegu. (Yonhap)
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-01--S. Korea to take masks from schools for general public

SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- The government will take millions of face masks from schools and redistribute them to the general public in order to address a supply shortage amid the surge of coronavirus cases.
The education ministry announced Sunday that 5.8 million out of 12.7 million masks purchased by elementary, middle and high schools will soon be available at post offices and stores of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, better known as Nonghyup here.
According to the ministry, schools in Seoul and its surrounding regions of Gyeonggi and Incheon donated 1.6 million masks Saturday, and those in a dozen other regions will soon follow suit with 4.2 million.
Schools in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, the areas hit hardest by COVID-19, will be exempt.
Police have been cracking down on illegal hoarding of face masks, with some merchants and distributors purchasing them in bulk in anticipation of soaring prices.
The move to take away masks set aside for students drew the ire of school officials Sunday.
A vice principal at a Seoul elementary school said he was "angry" that he had to give away masks that he'd worked so hard to secure with his school's budget.
"We won't be able to get another mass supply of masks until after May," the vice principal added.
The government's disaster control headquarters said these schools will receive new masks before the start of the school year. The new school year was initially scheduled to start Monday, but it has been pushed back by three weeks in Daegu to March 23 and by a week in the rest of the country to March 9.
People buy face masks at Nonghyup Hanaro Mart in Sajik-dong, Seoul, on March 1, 2020. (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-03-01--(2nd LD) S. Korea reports 1 more coronavirus death, total infections top 3,500

The number of confirmed cases in South Korea is expected to jump in the coming days as health authorities have @ @ @ @ @ members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus at the center of the rapid spread in @ @ @ @ @ of the minor religious sect took up roughly 60 percent of the country 's total @ @ @ @ @ morning .

(ATTN: CHANGES headline, lead; ADDS more info throughout, photo)
SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea reported one more novel coronavirus-related death Sunday, bringing the country's death toll to 18, while total infections surpassed 3,500.
The latest victim of COVID-19 virus was an 83-year-old man in the southeastern city of Daegu who also had underlying diseases, including suffering from a stroke and hypertension, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
South Korea reported 376 additional cases of the new coronavirus as of Sunday morning, bringing the total number of infections here to 3,526.
Of the 376 new cases, 333 are in Daegu, 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, and 26 were reported in neighboring North Gyeongsang Province, according to the KCDC.
Other major provinces and cities have also reported some infections, with Seoul reporting an additional five cases. South Korea's second-largest city, Busan, added one more case.
Health workers disinfect a court room in Suwon, south of Seoul, on March 1, 2020, as South Korea beefs up its efforts to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Since raising the virus alert level to "red," the highest level, last Sunday, health authorities have been focusing on halting the spread of the virus in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province as they account for more than 87 percent of the country's total virus infections. Daegu alone has 2,569 virus patients in the city, KCDC data showed.
The number of confirmed cases in South Korea is expected to jump in the coming days as health authorities have begun testing more than 210,000 members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus at the center of the rapid spread in other provinces.
The members of the minor religious sect took up roughly 60 percent of the country's total virus cases as of Sunday morning.
In particular, the KCDC said about 73 percent of all virus patients in Daegu, the country's fourth-largest city that has a population of 2.5 million, are tied with the Shincheonji church.
The KCDC said it has learned that some of the Shincheonji church members visited Wuhan, China, in January but didn't reveal how many went to the epicenter of the new coronavirus outbreak.
The Ministry of Justice said Saturday that 42 followers of the Shincheonji church are presumed to have entered the country from Wuhan over the past eight months.
A health worker walks by ambulances in a parking lot in Daegu on March 1, 2020. (Yonhap)
Also on Sunday, health authorities announced that a 45-day-old baby has been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, making the baby boy the youngest patient in South Korea. The baby, born on Jan. 15, tested positive for COVID-19 after their parents had contracted the virus, they said.
As of Sunday morning, South Korea is carrying out tests on 32,422 people nationwide, while 61,037 people have tested negative in total.
Health authorities said 14 patients are in critical condition. The number of patients cured of the disease stood at 30.
South Korea confirmed its first new coronavirus case on Jan. 20 when a Chinese woman from Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus outbreak, tested positive for the virus.
As the number of virus cases soars here, many foreign countries have barred entry of those who have recently visited South Korea.
Earlier, the U.S. State Department raised its travel advisory for Daegu to the highest level, urging Americans not to travel to the virus-hit city. For the rest of South Korea, the U.S. advised its nationals to reconsider travel.
According to Seoul's foreign ministry, 78 countries have so far moved to bar the entry of people traveling from South Korea or to strengthen quarantine steps.
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-01--S. Korea reports 1 more coronavirus fatality, death toll now at 18

The latest victim of COVID-19 virus was an 83-year-old man in the southeastern city of Daegu .
He had underlying @ @ @ @ @ a stroke and hypertension , according to Kwon Jun-wook , a Korea Centers for Disease @ @ @ @ @ ) official , at a press briefing .

SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea reported one more novel coronavirus-related death Sunday, bringing the country's death toll to 18.
The latest victim of COVID-19 virus was an 83-year-old man in the southeastern city of Daegu. He had underlying diseases, including suffering from a stroke and hypertension, according to Kwon Jun-wook, a Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) official, at a press briefing.
South Korea reported 376 additional cases of the new coronavirus Sunday morning, bringing the total number of infections here to 3,526.
Of the total, more than 70 percent of the cases are from Daegu, some 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul.
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-01--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 18th death from novel coronavirus

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


yna--2020-03-01--Today in Korean History

Today in Korean History

2007 -- South and North Korea agree to resume reunions of families separated across the border at the 20th round @ @ @ @ @ in Pyongyang .
Inter-Korean talks and family reunions had been suspended since the North 's @ @ @ @ @ 2006 .

March 2
1906 -- Hirobumi Ito assumes duties as Japan's first governor-general of Korea.
1959 -- South Korea establishes diplomatic ties with Norway.
1960 -- A large fire breaks out at a rubber factory in Busan, killing 62 people.
1994 -- The government reinstates 1,135 teachers fired for taking part in union activities.
2002 -- The Korea National Tourism Organization buys an inn and hot spring spa run by Hyundai Asan on Mount Kumgang, North Korea, for 46.2 billion won.
2004 -- The National Assembly passes an individual debt restructuring bill designed to help people refinance their debts.
2005 -- The National Assembly endorses a revision bill that calls for the abolition of a male-dominated family registration system, or Hojuje in Korean.
2007 -- South and North Korea agree to resume reunions of families separated across the border at the 20th round of inter-Korean ministerial talks held in Pyongyang. Inter-Korean talks and family reunions had been suspended since the North's nuclear weapons test in October 2006.
2016 -- The National Assembly passes North Korean human rights bill. The approved law, first submitted in August 2005, calls for government-led efforts to investigate and fix human rights violations perpetrated by the North Korean regime.
(END)


KOSPI 1,997.03 UP 10.02 points (open)


KOSDAQ 617.88 UP 7.15 points (open)


yna--2020-03-02--Dollar opens at 1,205.0 won DN from 1,213.7 won


Monday's weather forecast

SEOUL , March 2 ( Yonhap ) -- The following is the weather forecast for South Korea 's 12 major @ @ @ @ @ .


yna--2020-03-02--(LEAD) S. Korean Im Sung-jae captures 1st PGA Tour title

Im successfully navigated the `` Bear Trap , '' a treacherous three-hole stretch from the 15th to 17th at the @ @ @ @ @ par-3 15th , Im stuck his tee shot to about seven feet and made the @ @ @ @ @ He saved par despite putting his tee shot in a bunker at the par-4 16th @ @ @ @ @ at the par-3 17th set up a birdie that put Im in the lead for @ @ @ @

(ATTN: ADDS details from para 4, photos)
SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Im Sung-jae can finally call himself a PGA Tour winner.
Im won the Honda Classic at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, on Sunday (local time), with a four-round total of six-under 274. He shot a four-under 66 in the final round to hold off Canadian Mackenzie Hughes by one stroke.
Im, the 2018-2019 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, is the seventh South Korean to find the winner's circle on the tour.
In this Getty Images photo, Im Sung-jae of South Korea tees off at the seventh hole during the final round of the Honda Classic at PGA National Resort and Spa Champion course in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, on March 1, 2020. (Yonhap)
Im picked up US$1.26 million for his win; he'd made just under $2 million in 12 tournaments this season prior to the Honda Classic.
This was Im's 50th career start. Since the start of the 2018-2019 season, no PGA Tour player has played more tournaments or more rounds than the tireless South Korean.
The 21-year-old entered the final round in a tie for fifth place, trailing the overnight leader, Tommy Fleetwood of England, by three strokes.
But Im threw down the gauntlet as he birdied four of the first five holes. After some hiccups with consecutive bogeys at the 12th and 13th, Im closed out strong with birdies at two of the final four holes to cap off his victory.
Im successfully navigated the "Bear Trap," a treacherous three-hole stretch from the 15th to 17th at the PGA National. At the par-3 15th, Im stuck his tee shot to about seven feet and made the putt for a birdie. He saved par despite putting his tee shot in a bunker at the par-4 16th. Another fine tee shot at the par-3 17th set up a birdie that put Im in the lead for good at six-under.
In this EPA photo, Im Sung-jae of South Korea reacts after making a putt during the final round of the Honda Classic at PGA National Resort and Spa Champion course in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, on March 1, 2020. (Yonhap)
Moments after Im finished, Fleetwood was making one last run. The Englishman drained a 25-footer to birdie the 17th and move to five-under, with a chance to pull even at the par-5 18th.
But his second shot on the finishing hole went right and dropped into the water. Fleetwood settled for a bogey there, allowing Im to celebrate after watching the play unfold on a monitor in the clubhouse.
The six Korean champions prior to Im are: Choi Kyoung-ju (eight career titles), Yang Yong-eun (two), Bae Sang-moon (two), Kim Si-woo (two), Noh Seung-yul (one) and Kang Sung-hoon (one). From this group, Yang, the 2009 PGA Championship winner, is the only one with a major title.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-02--(2nd LD) BTS' 'Map of the Soul: 7' tops Billboard 200 album chart

The only band faster than BTS in generating four No .
1s on the album charts was the Beatles .
@ @ @ @ @ the British band one year and five months to achieve the feat , while BTS @ @ @ @ @ one year and nine months , according to Billboard .

(ATTN: UPDATES with more info in 6th para, last 5 paras)
SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- "Map of the Soul: 7," the new album from K-pop super band BTS, landed atop the Billboard 200 chart this week in a history-making fourth No. 1 victory for the band on the American album list, Billboard said Monday (Korean time).
"'Map of the Soul: 7' storms in atop the chart with 422,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the week ending Feb. 27," the pop music magazine said on its website, citing data from Nielsen Music/MRC Data.
An image of BTS, provided by Big Hit Entertainment (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Of the total, 347,000 was in album sales, while stream equivalent album (SEA) sales and track equivalent album sales reached 48,000 and 26,000, respectively.
This means the 20-track album was streamed on demand 74.79 million times in the first week after its release on Feb. 21.
It was the biggest week of 2020 for any release in the U.S. so far.
Billboard said the new chart dated March 7 will be posted in full on Tuesday (U.S. time).
This latest chart victory marks the band's fourth Billboard No. 1 in a row in less than two years, a rare Billboard feat even for an American artist.
The band first topped the album chart in May 2018 with "Love Yourself: Tear" and the two following albums -- "Love Yourself: Answer" and "Map of the Soul: Persona" -- landed in the top spot in September 2018 and April last year, respectively.
"The last act to earn four No. 1 albums faster was Future, who logged his fourth No. 1 (on March 11, 2017) just one year and seven months after his first (Aug. 8, 2015)," Billboard said.
The only band faster than BTS in generating four No. 1s on the album charts was the Beatles. From 1966, it took the British band one year and five months to achieve the feat, while BTS took a little more than one year and nine months, according to Billboard.
"Map of the Soul: 7" is also the 10th non-English album to top the album tally, it said.
This image provided by Andrew Lipovsky/NBC shows BTS next to Jimmy Fallon during the band's appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" in Feb. 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Since "Love Yourself: Tear," BTS has continued to grow in first-week sales in the American music market.
"Tear" recorded sales of 131,000 equivalent album units in the first week of release, and "Love Yourself: Answer" logged 185,000 equivalent album units.
The first-week sales grew even further with "Map of the Soul: Persona" to 230,000 equivalent album units before the latest album topped 422,000 units, according to Billboard.
Billboard has not yet disclosed how "ON," the lead track of "7," performed on the Hot 100 single chart dated March 7.
BTS has flown as high as 8th on the Hot 100 with "Boy with Luv," the lead track of "Persona."
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-02--Gov't to submit extra budget bill on coronavirus Thursday

South Korea is struggling to contain the rapid spread of COVID-19 , with the bulk of infections linked to a @ @ @ @ @ of Daegu .
The country has reported 3,736 cases of the new coronavirus so far @

SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's finance minister said Monday the government plans to submit an extra budget bill to fight the fast spread of the new coronavirus this week, expressing readiness for its swift implementation.
The government has been drawing up the bill to submit to the National Assembly on Thursday, Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki told a consultative meeting with ruling party and government officials over the virus outbreak.
"The best way to overcome the economic fallout from the coronavirus crisis is to end the outbreak as fast as we can," Hong said.
He did not elaborate on the size of the supplementary budget, but it will be larger than the 6.2 trillion won (US$5.12 billion) set aside to handle the 2015 outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
If created, the budget will be used to support the government's quarantine measures and help smaller merchants hard hit by the outbreak.
Rival political parties agreed Sunday to pass the supplementary budget bill during the extraordinary parliamentary session that will end on March 17.
South Korea is struggling to contain the rapid spread of COVID-19, with the bulk of infections linked to a church in the southeastern city of Daegu. The country has reported 3,736 cases of the new coronavirus so far.
Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki (2nd from L) speaks at a consultative meeting between ruling and government officials over an extra budget bill on the new coronavirus at the National Assembly on March 2, 2020. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-02--S. Korean Im Sung-jae captures 1st PGA Tour title

Im won the Honda Classic at Palm Beach Gardens , Florida , on Sunday ( local time ) , with @ @ @ @ @ 274 .
He shot a four-under 66 in the final round to hold off Canadian @ @ @ @ @ .

SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Im Sung-jae can finally call himself a PGA Tour winner.
Im won the Honda Classic at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, on Sunday (local time), with a four-round total of six-under 274. He shot a four-under 66 in the final round to hold off Canadian Mackenzie Hughes by one stroke.
Im, the 2018-2019 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, is the seventh South Korean to find the winner's circle on the tour.
In this Getty Images photo, Im Sung-jae of South Korea tees off at the seventh hole during the final round of the Honda Classic at PGA National Resort and Spa Champion course in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, on March 1, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-02--Cardinals' Kim Kwang-hyun set for 2nd spring start

The 2008 KBO regular season MVP is in a battle for one of two rotation spots that need to be @ @ @ @ @ the regular season .
The Cardinals are returning Jack Flaherty , Adam Wainwright and Dakota @ @ @ @ @ rotation .
Miles Mikolas , another starter from 2019 , developed elbow problems at the @ @ @ @ @ miss the beginning of the regular season .

SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- St. Louis Cardinals' South Korean pitcher Kim Kwang-hyun is slated to make his second spring training start this week, another opportunity to move closer to a spot in the rotation.
The Cardinals announced on their website on Sunday (local time) that Kim will face the visiting Minnesota Twins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter, Florida, at 1:05 p.m. Monday, or 3:05 a.m. Tuesday in Seoul.
The left-hander will throw three innings or 50 pitches, and will be followed by another southpaw competing for a rotation spot, Genesis Cabrera, for three more innings.
In this file photo from Feb. 26, 2020, Kim Kwang-hyun of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the Miami Marlins in a Major League Baseball spring training game at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter, Florida. (Yonhap)
Kim, 31, is in his first big league camp after spending 13 years as a starter with the SK Wyverns in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). Kim signed a two-year, US$8 million deal with the Cardinals in December, with an understanding that he would get every opportunity to win a starting job but he could also end up in the bullpen.
Kim made his spring training debut in relief on Feb. 22 against the New York Mets and struck out two and walked one in one scoreless inning. Kim made 19 pitches, 14 of them for strikes
His first preseason start came four days later against the Miami Marlins. Kim tossed two more scoreless frames, striking out three while not allowing any hits or walks. He threw 18 of his 29 pitches for strikes.
The 2008 KBO regular season MVP is in a battle for one of two rotation spots that need to be filled at the start of the regular season. The Cardinals are returning Jack Flaherty, Adam Wainwright and Dakota Hudson from last year's rotation. Miles Mikolas, another starter from 2019, developed elbow problems at the start of camp and will miss the beginning of the regular season.
Carlos Martinez, a former staff ace who closed for the Cardinals in 2019, is eyeing a return to the rotation. In his second spring start on Saturday, the right-hander held the Washington Nationals without a hit in three innings, while striking out four and walking three.
Austin Gomber, another left-hander in the mix, struck out four in three scoreless innings on Sunday against the Houston Astros.
In this file photo from Feb. 26, 2020, Kim Kwang-hyun of the St. Louis Cardinals runs to cover first base against the Miami Marlins in a Major League Baseball spring training game at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter, Florida. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-02--(LEAD) BTS' 'Map of the Soul: 7' tops Billboard 200 album chart

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with more info)
SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- "Map of the Soul: 7," the new album from K-pop super band BTS, landed atop the Billboard 200 chart this week in a history-making fourth No. 1 victory for the band on the American album list, Billboard said Monday (Korean time).
"'Map of the Soul: 7' storms in atop the chart with 422,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the week ending Feb. 27," the pop music magazine said on its website, citing data from Nielsen Music/MRC Data.
An image of BTS, provided by Big Hit Entertainment (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Of the total, 347,000 was in album sales, while stream equivalent album (SEA) sales and track equivalent album sales reached 48,000 and 26,000, respectively.
This means the 20-track album was streamed on demand 74.79 million times in the first week after its release on Feb. 21.
It was the biggest week of 2020 for any release in the U.S. so far.
Billboard said the chart will be posted in full on March 3.
This latest chart victory marks the band's fourth Billboard No. 1 in a row in less than two years, a rare Billboard feat even for an American artist.
The band first topped the album chart in May, 2018 with "Love Yourself: Tear" and the two following albums -- "Love Yourself: Answer" and "Map of the Soul: Persona" -- landed in the top spot in September 2018 and April last year, respectively.
"The last act to earn four No. 1 albums faster was Future, who logged his fourth No. 1 (on March 11, 2017) just one year and seven months after his first (Aug. 8, 2015)," Billboard said.
The only band faster than BTS in generating four No. 1s on the album charts was the Beatles. From 1966, it took the British band one year and five months to achieve the feat, while BTS took a little more than one year and nine months, according to Billboard.
"Map of the Soul: 7" is also the 10th non-English album to top the album tally, it said.
This image provided by Andrew Lipovsky/NBC shows BTS next to Jimmy Fallon during the band's appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" in Feb. 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-03-02--(EDITORIAL from Korea JoongAng Daily on March 2)

The infections from Covid-19 seemed to subside , albeit moderately , one month after the outbreak in Korea .
Yet @ @ @ @ @ the government 's repeated mistakes will lead .
After declaring a war on the virus @ @ @ @ @ , Hubei Province — the epicenter of the outbreak — on Jan. 23 , China @ @ @ @ @ after renovating a gymnasium in the city , a concept borrowed from U.S. forces ' @ @ @ @ @ .
China seems to have succeeded in slowing the pace of infections .

Priority on quarantines
The Moon Jae-in administration is still fumbling over the fast spread of the new coronavirus, named Covid-19 by the World Health Organization. After the number of people infected with the potentially lethal virus exceeded 3,500 on Sunday, the number of infections per one million people is more than that in China. Given our relatively superior public health systems, we are deeply embarrassed to see this unexpected development.
The infections from Covid-19 seemed to subside, albeit moderately, one month after the outbreak in Korea. Yet we don't know where the government's repeated mistakes will lead. After declaring a war on the virus following the containment of Wuhan, Hubei Province — the epicenter of the outbreak — on Jan. 23, China created a thousand makeshift beds after renovating a gymnasium in the city, a concept borrowed from U.S. forces' field wards made of containers. China seems to have succeeded in slowing the pace of infections.
In Daegu, with more than 2,000 cases, over 1,300 people confirmed infected have to wait until hospital beds are assigned to them. It is time for the government to quarantine them in public facilities, as it did for Korean nationals flown in from Hubei. A sophisticated training camp for Daegu Bank with 300 rooms, where North Korean cheerleaders stayed during the 2003 Daegu Summer Asiad, can offer such space for local patients desperately waiting for hospital beds.
Other local municipalities including Seoul and Gyeonggi are still vulnerable to the infection and must take pre-emptive measures to prepare for a lack of sickbeds before it is too late. Local governments should implement emergency acts allowing them to use public facilities at times of national need.
While raising the level of danger to "serious" from "caution" on Feb. 23, President Moon said, "A few days from now will be a critical period." But systematic reactions by local governments can hardly be seen on the field. Even face masks are in short supply as seen in long queues at stores. The government must create a rapid reaction team comprised of competent civil servants from each ministry.
Foreign countries are increasingly barring Koreans from entering. Even foreign companies and students here are showing signs of an exodus from Korea as a result of the government's reaction to the crisis. We don't know Covid-19 fully. This virus may not disappear as the temperature goes up. The only solution is a thorough quarantine on the individual and government levels.
(END)


yna--2020-03-02--(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on March 2)

(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on March 2)

Reduced global demand is particularly painful for the export-oriented Korean economy .
According to the Ministry of Trade , Industry @ @ @ @ @ South Korea 's exports rebounded in February for the first time in 15 months to @ @ @ @ @ 4.5 percent from $ 39.4 billion a year earlier .
However , the recovery ia @ @ @ @ @ as the virus is expected to hit the global economy harder in the coming weeks @ @ @ @ @ the country 's outbound shipments were forecast to grow 3 percent annually on eased trade @ @ @ @ @ U.S. , but that target seems to be unfeasible now .

Fears of recession
Pre-emptive measures necessary to reduce fallout of virus
Fears of a worldwide economic recession are becoming more palpable as over 70 countries have now reported outbreaks of the new coronavirus. Global stock markets have tumbled last week on growing concerns about the potential damage the virus will inflict on the world economy.
This could not come at a worse time for Korea Inc., which had just showed signs of rebounding after years of sluggish growth. It is time for the government as well as enterprises to map out pre-emptive measures to reduce the economic impact of COVID-19 and brace for worst-case scenario. It cannot be ruled out that the global economy may have entered a long, dark tunnel.
Reduced global demand is particularly painful for the export-oriented Korean economy. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Sunday, South Korea's exports rebounded in February for the first time in 15 months to $41.2 billion, up 4.5 percent from $39.4 billion a year earlier. However, the recovery ia apparently going to be short-lived as the virus is expected to hit the global economy harder in the coming weeks. Early this year, the country's outbound shipments were forecast to grow 3 percent annually on eased trade tension between China and the U.S., but that target seems to be unfeasible now.
Last week, the Bank of Korea kept its key rate unchanged at 1.25 percent despite concerns about the adverse effects of the virus on the economy. The central bank, however, trimmed its growth outlook for the country to 2.1 percent from the previous 2.3 percent, citing increased uncertainties stemming from the virus. Considering the dismal economic outlook, the government needs to consider a more aggressive interest rate policy and other measures, including tax cuts and special loan programs for struggling enterprises and small businesses.
Major foreign investment banks and economic institutes forecast South Korea's economic growth to be below 2 percent in 2020 due to the fallout of the novel coronavirus. With exports and domestic demand in the doldrums, some foreign institutions have even warned that the economy may contract in the first quarter of this year.
The epidemic will certainly limit Korea's economic recovery. In particular, declining trade with China, the nation's largest trading partner, will remain a key factor as economists expect China's growth to cool sharply. The economy is indeed facing an emergency.
The growing economic fallout has prompted many countries to announce stimulus and monetary measures. South Korea has already announced a $356-million emergency funding plan for struggling airlines, shipping firms, travel agencies and retailers. However, this is surely not enough considering the growing economic fallout of the virus.
It is a step in the right direction that the government has decided to draw up an emergency supplementary budget plan to support its fight against the virus and reduce the potential economic damage. The Ministry of Economy and Finance suggested the extra budget may surpass 6.2 trillion won ($5.12 billion), and the budget plan will be submitted to the National Assembly next week. There should bi-partisan cooperation to ensure fast passage of the budget plan, considering the dire economic situation.
(END)