yna--2020-04-21--(LEAD) S. Korean stocks dip 1 pct on falling oil prices

The index opened lower , tracking overnight losses on Wall Street and plummeting oil prices .
The KOSPI further extended @ @ @ @ @ during a session after CNN reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is in grave @ @ @ @ @ citing an unidentified U.S. official with direct knowledge .

(ATTN: ADDS photo and bond yields at bottom)
SEOUL, April 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks dropped 1 percent Tuesday, as foreign and institutional investors offloaded major large-cap shares after oil prices dipped, analysts said. The Korean won lost ground against the greenback.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) dipped 18.98 to close at 1,879.38. Trading volume was heavy at 1.1 billion shares worth 13.7 trillion won (US$11.2 billion), with losers far outpacing gainers 742 to 127.
The index opened lower, tracking overnight losses on Wall Street and plummeting oil prices. The KOSPI further extended losses to nearly 3 percent during a session after CNN reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is in grave danger after a surgery, citing an unidentified U.S. official with direct knowledge.
Currency dealers wearing masks view an electronic board in the trading room of KB Kookmin Bank in Seoul on April 21, 2020. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 18.98 points, or 1 percent, to close at 1,879.38. (Yonhap)
The KOSPI soon trimmed losses after the Seoul government said it has seen no unusual signs with regard to Kim's health.
"Appetite to avoid risky assets appeared after oil prices plunged, which led to drops in major Asian stock markets," said Lee Won, a researcher at Bookook Securities Co.
Foreigners and institutions offloaded a net 528 billion won and 198 billion won, respectively, while individuals alone scooped up a net 708 billion won.
Most large-cap shares closed mixed.
Tech shares ended in negative terrain, with top market cap Samsung Electronics losing 1.7 percent to 49,250 won and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix shedding 0.85 percent to 81,300 won.
Leading carmaker Hyundai Motor decreased 4.2 percent to 93,500 won, and its sister company Kia Motors was down 1.7 percent to 28,850 won. Auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis lost 1.67 percent to 176,500 won.
In contrast, major bio firm Samsung BioLogics gained 2.3 percent to 579,000 won and leading wireless services provider SK Telecom climbed 2.95 percent to 209,500 won
The local currency closed at 1,229.7 won against the U.S. dollar, down 9.2 won from the previous session's close.
Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, ended lower. The yield on three-year Treasurys added 2.2 basis points to 1.035 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bond was up 1.3 basis points to 1.230 percent.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-21--S. Korean Bond Yields on Apr. 21, 2020

S. Korean Bond Yields on Apr. 21, 2020

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


yna--2020-04-21--N.K. paper calls for raise in tax revenue

`` ( People ) must fulfill their obligation to pay for the country 's revenues and the revenues must be @ @ @ @ @ by carrying out tasks so that the national budget is executed thoroughly in every aspect @ @ @ @ @ paper said in an editorial .

SEOUL, April 21 (Yonhap) -- A North Korean newspaper on Tuesday called on the country to collect more tax revenue to deal with financial pressure amid crippling global sanctions.
The North's Cabinet newspaper, Minju Joson, urged for an increase in revenue collected from the people, stressing that it will be used to develop the economy and national defense, and to improve the livelihood of the people.
"(People) must fulfill their obligation to pay for the country's revenues and the revenues must be used efficiently according to regulation by carrying out tasks so that the national budget is executed thoroughly in every aspect and level," the paper said in an editorial.
"We must increase revenue by expanding commercial facilities and business and carrying out various business activities," the paper said, calling on factories and businesses to fulfill their tax obligations.
During a session of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) in Pyongyang, North Korea predicted that its revenue will grow 4.2 percent on-year this year, according to state media.
The North needs to boost the domestic economy and earn hard currency from outside through tourism or trade in order to expand the country's revenue.
Observers say North Korea is faced with challenges as measures against the coronavirus, including border controls with its largest trading partner China, have dealt a blow to the economy that has long been faltering under sanctions.
Although North Korea has not reported any cases of the virus, speculation persists it might be concealing an outbreak that is possibly spiraling out of control.
julesyi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-21--Pro football league looking to kick off season in May

The Korea Professional Football League ( K League ) said its first option is to kick off the 2020 season @ @ @ @ @ May 16 being its Plan B .
The league is also considering starting things off @ @ @ @ @ all scenarios , the season will begin without fans .

SEOUL, April 21 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean pro football league said Tuesday its new season, delayed by nearly two months due to the coronavirus outbreak, will begin sometime in May.
The Korea Professional Football League (K League) said its first option is to kick off the 2020 season on May 9, with May 16 being its Plan B. The league is also considering starting things off on a Friday. In all scenarios, the season will begin without fans.
The new season for the top-flight K League 1 was to have begun on Feb. 29, but the coronavirus pandemic forced the league to postpone the season five days prior to that day.
This file photo provided by the Korea Professional Football League on April 2, 2020, shows a K League 1 match for Suwon Samsung Bluewings underway at Suwon World Cup Stadium in Suwon, 45 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
It had been unable to settle on even a rough timetable for the new season, though teams have agreed in principle to reduce the season from 38 matches to about 27 matches.
The K League got a boost from the government on Sunday, when it eased social distancing regulations and allowed outdoor sports games to be played with proper safety measures in place, including keeping fans out of the seats.
Late Monday, the K League lifted its ban on exhibition games, and teams will now be able to face one another to prepare for the season. Since March 17, they'd been limited to intrasquad games.
In a normal, 38-game season, the 12 K League 1 teams first play 33 matches, and then are divided into two groups, Final A and Final B. Then they play five more matches within their groups.
In a 27-match season, the first phase will feature 22 matches, with five additional matches for teams in Final A and Final B.
This image provided by the Korea Professional Football League on April 7, 2020, shows the league's emblem promoting the use of masks and social distancing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--(LEAD) Military to ease restrictions on off-installation visits over coronavirus

The military will first ease restrictions in regions that have not reported any new infections for a week and review @ @ @ @ @ members to go on vacation , stay out of their bases and meet visitors after @ @ @ @ @ road .

(ATTN: UPDATES with latest figures at bottom; ADDS more info, quote in paras 6, 8-9)
By Choi Soo-hyang
SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- The military will ease restrictions on enlisted service members' off-installation travel, the defense ministry said Wednesday, amid signs of a slowdown in the spread of the new coronavirus in the country.
The military has restricted all enlisted service personnel from vacationing, staying outside their bases and meeting visitors since mid-February after the Navy reported the first COVID-19 infection in barracks.
Under the eased policy, enlisted service members at designated areas will be allowed to go outside their bases starting Friday as long as they follow the government's broader social distancing guidance, according to the ministry.
Earlier, the government said it will ease some rules in the social distancing campaign against the new virus, while urging people to keep major distancing practices in place until early May.
The military will first ease restrictions in regions that have not reported any new infections for a week and review whether to allow the service members to go on vacation, stay out of their bases and meet visitors after monitoring the situation down the road.
Among some 220 cities, counties and districts, around 80 percent meet the criteria as of Wednesday, officials said.
"After a prolonged, intensive restriction for two months, recruits and junior officers have been complaining of extreme stress, and our assessment is that we have reached a threshold," the ministry said in a release.
Though the restriction policy has been in place for two months, some service members could not leave their bases for five to six months depending on their situations.
"When the overall stress level of service members increases, the likelihood of accidents occurring also rises," a ministry official said, noting that the latest decision was made in part to alleviate difficulties in managing troops.
The number of infections in barracks stood at 39 as of Wednesday morning. The last case was reported in mid-March.
Nationwide, South Korea detected 11 new coronavirus cases Tuesday, marking the fourth day in a row that the country's new infections stayed below 15. The total number of infections stood at 10,694, including 238 deaths.
In this file photo, taken on Feb. 26, 2020, troops belonging to the Army's 50th division check the driver of an ambulance for fever near its base in northern Daegu, 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)
scaaet@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--Clinical study on hydroxychloroquine conducted in S. Korea

`` Although there was no adequate control group , and it was conducted at a single center , this is @ @ @ @ @ PEP with HCQ as an outbreak response against COVID-19 in a LTCH , '' they @ @ @ @ @ studies are needed to evaluate if PEP is an effective option for outbreak response against @ @ @ @ @

SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- South Korean researchers have conducted a clinical study on virus preventive treatment using hydroxychloroquine, a controversial drug that has been touted as a possible cure for the novel coronavirus.
However, they were not able to confirm the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine despite people who participated in the study testing negative for COVID-19 after the treatment.
Researchers from Samsung Medical Center in Seoul and Pusan National University Hospital in Busan said they have completed post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) using hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) on 184 patients and 21 care workers at a long-term care hospital (LTCH) in Busan where they were exposed to COVID-19 after massive infections were reported there.
PEP refers to any preventive medical treatment started after exposure to a pathogen. HCQ is an anti-malaria drug that recently gained worldwide attention after U.S. President Donald Trump said it could be a cure for COVID-19, although medical experts are divided over the use of the drug citing side effects.
In this file photo taken April 9, 2020, researchers at the Institute Pasteur Korea conduct chemical tests to develop a novel coronavirus treatment in Seongnam, south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
According to the study, which was published in the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, South Korean researchers conducted PEP using HCQ on people who were at risk of contracting COVID-19, although their baseline polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for the novel coronavirus were negative
Researchers gave a dose of 400 milligrams of HCQ daily to them until the completion of a 14-day quarantine period. During the course of PEP, 32 people reported one or more symptoms, including diarrhea, skin rash and gastrointestinal problems, the study showed.
At the end of 14 days of quarantine, follow-up PCR tests on the study participants were all negative, indicating that those who received PEP did not develop COVID-19.
However, researchers said that this does not mean PEP is "effective for the prevention of COVID-19," as there was no adequate control group.
"Although there was no adequate control group, and it was conducted at a single center, this is the first study to use PEP with HCQ as an outbreak response against COVID-19 in a LTCH," they said. "Randomized clinical studies are needed to evaluate if PEP is an effective option for outbreak response against COVID-19 in LTCHs."
Some medical experts here criticized the study, saying it was too hasty a move to test HCQ on patients at high risk as the drug is not even used in the United States and Europe as a COVID-19 treatment yet.
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--Military to ease restrictions on off-installation visits over coronavirus

SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- The military will ease restrictions on enlisted service members' off-installation travel, the defense ministry said Wednesday, amid signs of a slowdown in the spread of the new coronavirus in the country.
The military has restricted all enlisted service personnel from vacationing, staying outside their bases and meeting visitors since mid-February after the Navy reported the first COVID-19 infection in barracks.
Under the eased policy, enlisted service members at designated areas will be allowed to go outside their bases starting Friday as long as they follow the government's broader social distancing guidance, according to the ministry.
Earlier, the government said it will ease some rules in the social distancing campaign against the new virus, while urging people to keep major distancing practices in place until early May.
The military will first ease restrictions in regions that have not reported any new infections for a week and review whether to allow the service members to go on vacation, stay out of their bases and meet visitors after monitoring the situation down the road.
"After a prolonged, intensive restriction for two months, recruits and junior officers have been complaining of extreme stress, and our assessment is that we have reached a threshold," the ministry said in a release.
The number of infections in barracks stood at 39 as of Wednesday morning. The last case was reported in mid-March.
Nationwide, South Korea reported nine new coronavirus cases Monday, marking the third day in a row that the country's new infections stayed below 15. The total number of infections stood at 10,683, including 237 deaths.
In this file photo, taken on Feb. 26, 2020, troops belonging to the Army's 50th division check the driver of an ambulance for fever near its base in northern Daegu, 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)
scaaet@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--S. Korea reports 11 more cases of new coronavirus, total now at 10,694

The country announced a single-digit increase in cases Sunday for the first time in two months at eight , followed @ @ @ @ @ day and nine on Tuesday .

SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- South Korea reported yet another single-digit increase in new cases of the coronavirus Wednesday in a clear sign of a slowdown in new infections, bringing the nation's total infections to 10,683.
The country detected 11 new COVID-19 infections, marking the fourth day in a row that the country's new virus infections stayed below 15, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
Six of the newly added cases were imported, the data showed.
Military officials carry out a disinfection operation at an elementary school in Daegu, 300 kilometers south of Seoul, on April 21, 2020. (Yonhap)
The country announced a single-digit increase in cases Sunday for the first time in two months at eight, followed by 13 cases the following day and nine on Tuesday.
The plateauing figures mark a drastic drop from the Feb. 29 peak of 909 new cases. The country confirmed its first COVID-19 infection on Jan. 20.
The nation's death toll from the coronavirus, which emerged in China late last year, rose by one to 237, the health authorities said.
In total, 8,277 patients in South Korea have recovered from the virus, up from 8,213 a day earlier.
The number of new infections continued to slow in the southeastern city of Daegu, the nation's worst virus-hit region that accounts for around 64 percent of the total cases, adding just one additional case.
Seoul, the most populous city of South Korea, reported two new cases, with the surrounding Gyeonggi Province reporting no COVID-19 infections.
Starting Monday, South Korea applied a relaxed social-distancing advisory to some facilities, including gyms and cram schools, as the number of new COVID-19 infections here showed clear signs of slowing down.
South Korea announced it will maintain the social distancing drive until May 5, but it will ease some rules under conditions that such facilities comply with safety measures.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--Hyundai Engineering bags US$340 mln deal from Taiwan

Under the deal with Taiwan Power Co. , Hyundai Engineering will install a 300-megawatt steam turbine generator at the DaTan @ @ @ @ @ City , some 50 kilometers west of Taipei by 2023 .

SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Engineering Co., a construction arm of Hyundai Motor Group, said Wednesday it has clinched a US$340 million deal to expand a power generating unit of the DaTan Combined Cycle Power Plant in Taiwan.
Under the deal with Taiwan Power Co., Hyundai Engineering will install a 300-megawatt steam turbine generator at the DaTan's Unit 7 in Taoyuan City, some 50 kilometers west of Taipei by 2023.
The DaTan power plant is composed of seven power generating units.
This map, provided by Hyundai Engineering Co., shows the DaTan Combined Cycle Power Plant in Taiwan. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
entropy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--Abstract master Kim Whan-ki's 'Universe' to go on exhibition at home next month

SEOUL , April 22 ( Yonhap ) -- `` Universe , '' a major dot painting by late South Korean @ @ @ @ @ will go on exhibition in his home country next month after it was sold for @ @ @ @ @ any Korean painting in an auction last year .

SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- "Universe," a major dot painting by late South Korean abstract master Kim Whan-ki, will go on exhibition in his home country next month after it was sold for the highest price tag of any Korean painting in an auction last year.
According to Gallery Hyundai, the diptych, officially titled "Universe 05-IV-71 #200," will be part of the collection for the gallery's special commemoration exhibition "Hyundai 50." The show is scheduled to open on May 12 and run till May 31.
It is the first home exhibition of the biggest painting by Kim since the piece was sold at a Christie's auction in Hong Kong in November.
"Universe" was sold for HK$88 million, or 13.2 billion won (US$10.7 million), at the auction, the first time that a Korean painting has fetched more than 10 billion won at an auction.
Measuring more than 2.5 meters in height and width, "Universe," a painting of blue dots, is the biggest work by Kim in size and the only diptych in the artist's oeuvre.
Painted in 1971 in the late years of Kim's life, the work is acclaimed as the crown jewel of the painter's oeuvre.
The upcoming show is likely to be a rare moment for home exhibition of the master piece after it was sold to an unidentified non-Korean art collector at the Hong Kong auction.
In "Hyundai 50," organized to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its founding, Gallery Hyundai will put up for show a collection of major artworks by legendary Korean artists, including Park Soo-keun, Lee Jung-seob and Korean American media art pioneer Paik Nam-june.
The first leg of the exhibition, slated from May 12-31, will feature some 40 master artists, and the second leg will run till July 12.
An image of Kim Whan-ki's "Universe 05-IV-71 #200" at Gallery Hyundai (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--(URGENT) S. Korea releases 64 recovered coronavirus patients, total cured people at 8,277: KCDC


yna--2020-04-22--(URGENT) S. Korea confirms 1 more coronavirus death, raising death toll to 238: KCDC


yna--2020-04-22--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 11 more cases of new coronavirus, total now at 10,694


yna--2020-04-22--Strong wind alerts issued for most parts of South Korea

The alerts are expected to be lifted for the Seoul metropolitan area , Incheon and Gangwon in the afternoon and @ @ @ @ @ morning .
Wind alerts may be issued again Saturday , the agency said .

SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) issued strong wind alerts for most parts of the country Wednesday.
A strong wind warning came into effect at 8 a.m. for parts of the northeastern province of Gangwon. A strong wind advisory was in place for Seoul and most mainland regions. The southern island of Jeju was under a preliminary warning.
"Very strong winds will blow until Wednesday night, especially in coastal areas. Special attention should be paid to facility management and safety," the agency said.
The weather agency said the strong winds are caused by the difference between high atmospheric pressure from China and low atmospheric pressure from Japan.
The alerts are expected to be lifted for the Seoul metropolitan area, Incheon and Gangwon in the afternoon and for other areas by Thursday morning. Wind alerts may be issued again Saturday, the agency said.
This photo provided by the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency shows a tree knocked down by strong winds in the southern city of Busan on April 21, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--Young fireballer learns from MLB All-Star in hopes of taking next step

The Twins will need all the arms they could get early in the season .
Their two American starters , @ @ @ @ @ , will probably miss a couple of turns in the rotation as they try to @ @ @ @ @ quarantine late last month .
They had returned to the United States after spring training @ @ @ @ @ in South Korea at the time .
When they arrived back here , they were @ @ @ @ @ the Twins .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- Young South Korean right-hander Lee Sang-kyu thinks he and Walker Buehler, an All-Star for the Los Angeles Dodgers, are similar pitchers.
Mind you, Lee, a 23-year-old for the LG Twins in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), is not saying he is on par with Buehler. The 25-year-old American went 14-4 last year and struck out more than 10 big league batters per nine innings. Lee, drafted in 2015, has only faced three batters in his KBO career so far, with one walk and one hit-by-pitch to his credit.
In this file photo from March 30, 2020, Lee Sang-kyu of the LG Twins pitches in an intrasquad game at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul. (Yonhap)
It is just that when Lee watches Buehler, he sees a kindred spirit.
"I think our mechanics are really similar," Lee said Tuesday, after tossing two shutout innings in relief against the Doosan Bears in a preseason game at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul. "So I've watched him quite a bit, and I think there's a lot to learn from him."
Lee even trains like Buehler in the weight room. He can do that because Kim Yong-il, the Twins' senior trainer, spent the 2019 season as the personal trainer for the Dodgers' South Korean starter, Ryu Hyun-jin. Lee saw firsthand how Buehler worked off the mound, and Lee has picked Kim's brains about Buehler's regimen.
Much like Buehler, Lee's bread-and-butter is the fastball. Of course, it is all relative. Buehler's heat sits in the high 90s in miles per hour (mph), and he has hit the magical 100. In the KBO radar gun, Lee touches 151 kilometers per hour, which is about 94 mph. That is serious velocity in this league.
Lee credited his new training routines for the jump in his fastball velocity. He said he has started doing quick barbell squats, with up to 180 kilograms on his shoulders.
In 13 1/3 innings through spring training games and scrimmages prior to Tuesday, Lee had a 2.03 ERA with nine strikeouts and three walks. And Tuesday's outing was his first since spring training against hitters other than his own teammates.
Though these games do not really count, Lee said his mindset was that he was pitching in a regular season game.
"I know my biggest weapon is the fastball, and I wanted to see how it would stack up against hitters that have never seen me before," Lee said. "I thought I could blow by those guys because they don't have their timing down this time of the year."
In this file photo from March 30, 2020, Lee Sang-kyu of the LG Twins pitches in an intrasquad game at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul. (Yonhap)
Lee retired the side in order in the third inning with a strikeout, a flyout and a groundout. He got another groundout to begin the fourth, and pitched around an infield single by retiring the two most dangerous Doosan hitters, cleanup Oh Jae-il and the reigning hits king Jose Miguel Fernandez.
It seemed to be a solid day of work for the right-hander, but Lee said he was not satisfied with himself.
"I think I got away with some pitches today," he said. "In terms of my velocity, I need to be more consistently fast."
The Twins will need all the arms they could get early in the season. Their two American starters, Tyler Wilson and Casey Kelly, will probably miss a couple of turns in the rotation as they try to ramp back up from two-week quarantine late last month. They had returned to the United States after spring training, with the coronavirus raging in South Korea at the time. When they arrived back here, they were ordered into self-quarantine before rejoining the Twins.
Before Tuesday's game, LG manager Ryu Joong-il singled out Lee as someone who has excelled so far in spring.
"He's got that great fastball, and I think he can pitch four to five innings (in a spot start) easily," the skipper said.
Lee said he does not think he has enough experience to be a starter. For now, he just wants to make the Opening Day roster for May 5, and he will go from there. Given the way he has been pitching, Lee is almost a shoo-in for a spot.
"Last year, I wouldn't even have dreamed of making the team at the start of the season," Lee said. "My dream may come true this year."
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--Korean virus test kit maker earns FDA emergency approval

SEOUL , April 22 ( Yonhap ) -- Seegene Inc. , a major diagnostic assay maker in South Korea , @ @ @ @ @ won an emergency approval from the U.S. health authority for its test kit for the @ @ @ @ @ more than 2.5 million around the globe .

SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- Seegene Inc., a major diagnostic assay maker in South Korea, said Wednesday that it has won an emergency approval from the U.S. health authority for its test kit for the new coronavirus that has infected more than 2.5 million around the globe.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted the emergency use authorization to the Allplex novel coronavirus test kit, the company said.
So far, at least 823,000 COVID-19 infections have been reported from the world's top economy, making the U.S. the biggest victim of the pandemic.
The product is also being used in South Korea under an emergency approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.
This photo provided by Seegene Inc. on April 21, 2020, shows the company's novel coronavirus test kit. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Seegene has been shipping the test kits to more than 60 countries, including some of the most hard-hit countries such as Italy.
The company had already been shipping the test kits to the U.S. before the FDA's nod under cooperation with state governments.
"Using its exclusive AI-based assay design platform, Seegene was able to rapidly develop the assay shortly after the COVID-19 outbreak started in China," the company said in a statement.
"Seegene's proprietary high multiplex chemistry technology combined with its unique automated solution has played a pivotal role in South Korea's rapid response to the COVID-19 outbreak," it added.
South Korea reported another single-digit increase in new virus cases Tuesday in a clear sign of a slowdown in the spread of the new coronavirus, bringing the nation's total infections to 10,683.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--Oil crash dims Q1 earnings outlook for refiners, chemical firms

Analysts said oil refiners will likely fare worse down the road as their refining margins , or the difference in @ @ @ @ @ crude used to make them , are expected to remain in negative terrain for the @ @ @ @ @ )

SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- South Korean brokerage houses have sharply cut their first-quarter earnings outlook for major refiners and chemical makers on tumbling oil demand and prices due to the coronavirus outbreak, a market tracker said Wednesday.
According to FnGuide, 13 oil refiners, gas firms and chemicals manufacturers are estimated to post a combined operating loss of about 660 billion won (US$535 million) for the January-March period.
The latest figure represents a sharp turnaround from an operating income of 1.65 trillion won forecast three month earlier and an operating profit of 431 billion won projected a month ago.
Of the 13 businesses, 11 are projected to suffer weaker earnings or switch to a loss for the first quarter. The companies cover those for which three or more local securities companies have put forward first-quarter forecasts.
Top oil refiner SK Innovation Co. is expected to register an operating loss of 733 billion won for the first quarter, compared with an operating income of 331 billion won a year earlier.
Another major refiner, S-Oil Corp., controlled by Saudi Aramco, is predicted to swing to an operating loss of 477 billion won.
Korea Petrochemical Ind. Co. and Lotte Chemical Corp. are estimated to see their first-quarter operating income plunge 94 percent and 86 percent on-year, respectively.
The 13 companies are projected to see a combined operating income of 4.04 trillion won for all of 2020, down about 25 percent from a year earlier. The figure is also down 49 percent from an estimate made three months earlier and 29 percent from that a month earlier.
The drastic downgrade comes as the coronavirus pandemic has sent oil prices cratering, worsened their profit margins and sparked a sharp drop in demand for their products.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures for May delivery closed at minus $37.63 per barrel in New York trading Monday, lapsing into negative territory for the first time in history.
Reflecting poor earnings forecast, the average share price of the 13 firms has sank nearly 14 percent from the start of the year, with SK Innovation suffering a 34 percent nosedive.
Analysts said oil refiners will likely fare worse down the road as their refining margins, or the difference in prices of their products and crude used to make them, are expected to remain in negative terrain for the time being.
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--Seoul stocks open lower on U.S. losses

Seoul stocks open lower on U.S. losses

Among gainers , Asiana Airlines Inc. jumped 14 percent on news its creditors will inject 1.7 trillion won into the @ @ @ @ @ stay afloat amid the growing impact of coronavirus on the airline sector .

SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- Seoul stocks opened lower Wednesday, tracking losses on Wall Street, as plunging oil prices further weigh down investor sentiment amid deepening woes over the new coronavirus.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 25.25 points, or 1.34 percent, to 1,854.13 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
The main index fell 1.8 percent in the past two sessions due to the COVID-19 impact on the economy and collapsing crude prices.
Lower oil prices have emerged as a major downside factor for the already fragile market hit by the coronavirus outbreak, analysts said.
They expected poor corporate earnings results set to start being released later this week will add to woes.
Institutions and foreigners sold a combined 73 billion won (US$59 million) worth of stocks, offsetting individuals' stock buying valued at 68 billion won.
Most large-cap stocks retreated.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics Co. fell 1.3 percent, South Korea's second-largest chipmaker SK hynix Inc. declined 1.2 percent, No. 1 refiner SK Innovation Co. shed 2.6 percent, and top carmaker Hyundai Motor Co. plunged 3.3 percent.
Among gainers, Asiana Airlines Inc. jumped 14 percent on news its creditors will inject 1.7 trillion won into the loss-making carrier to help it stay afloat amid the growing impact of coronavirus on the airline sector.
The local currency was trading at 1,233.60 won against the U.S. dollar, down 3.90 won from the previous session's close.
(END)


Wednesday's weather forecast

SEOUL , April 22 ( Yonhap ) -- The following is the weather forecast for South Korea 's 12 major @ @ @ @ @ .


KOSPI 1,855.51 DN 23.87 points (open)


KOSDAQ 618.95 DN 9.82 points (open)


yna--2020-04-22--Dollar opens at 1,235.0 won UP from 1,229.7 won


yna--2020-04-22--(2nd LD) Trump says 'We don't know' about N.K. leader's health

`` These are reports that came out , and we do n't know .
We do n't know , '' @ @ @ @ @ House coronavirus press briefing .
`` I can only say this : I wish him @ @ @ @ @ is in the kind of condition that the reports say , that the news is @ @ @ @ @ very serious condition , as you know , but I wish him well . ''

(ATTN: UPDATES with more Trump remarks, background in last 5 paras)
By Lee Haye-ah
WASHINGTON, April 21 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he doesn't know about the health condition of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un amid reports he may be seriously ill.
"These are reports that came out, and we don't know. We don't know," Trump said at a White House coronavirus press briefing. "I can only say this: I wish him well. Because if he is in the kind of condition that the reports say, that the news is saying, that's a very serious condition, as you know, but I wish him well."
This EPA photo shows U.S. President Donald Trump during a coronavirus press briefing at the White House on April 21, 2020. (Yonhap)
Trump said he doesn't place "too much credence" in any report put out by CNN. Citing an unidentified U.S. official, CNN first reported that the U.S. is looking into intelligence that Kim is in "grave danger" after a surgery.
"They came out with very, very serious medical reports. Nobody's confirmed that," he said.
Asked about possible successors to Kim in the dynastic regime, Trump declined to weigh in.
"I don't want to ask him that. I haven't asked him that. It's not my purpose to tell you that in all fairness, but I hope he does well," he said, adding he has had a "very good relationship" with Kim.
Asked if he plans to reach out to Kim to check on his condition, Trump left open the possibility.
"I may, but look, I just hope he's doing fine," he said. "I'd like to see him be well, and we'll see how he does. Again, I don't know that the reports are true."
The CNN report came after the Daily NK, a South Korean internet news outlet specializing in North Korea news, said Kim has been receiving medical treatment following a cardiovascular procedure.
South Korean officials dismissed reports about Kim's health problems, saying no unusual signs have been detected in the North that suggest something's wrong with his health.
Speculation has arisen about what happened to Kim since he apparently skipped an annual visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on the occasion of the 108th birthday of his late grandfather and state founder Kim Il-sung last Wednesday.
Kim was last seen April 11 in state media reports presiding over a political bureau meeting of the ruling Workers' Party, calling for "strict national countermeasures to thoroughly check the infiltration of the virus."
Trump claimed Saturday that he recently received a "nice note" from Kim. North Korea denied shortly afterward that any message had been sent.
The two men have maintained personal correspondence despite stalled negotiations on dismantling North Korea's nuclear weapons program.
They met three times -- once in 2018 and twice in 2019 -- to try to reach a deal on denuclearizing the North in exchange for U.S. sanctions relief, but negotiations have faltered since the second summit in February 2019 ended without an agreement.
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--Credit card loans soar 26 pct due to virus in March

Financial hardships also prompted people to resort to commercial banks for signature loans .
Combined unsecured loans extended by KB @ @ @ @ @ banks rose by nearly 2.2 trillion won in March from a month earlier , the @ @ @ @ @ 2016 .

SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- Credit card loans in South Korea surged nearly 26 percent on-year in March as cash-strapped people rushed to borrow from card firms amid a prolonged coronavirus outbreak, industry data showed Wednesday.
New loans extended by seven credit card firms -- Shinhan, KB Kookmin, Woori, Hana, Samsung, Hyundai and Lotte -- came to 4.3 trillion won (US$3.5 billion) last month, up 25.6 percent from a year earlier.
The figure compares with annualized increases of 1.6 percent in January and 16.6 percent in February.
Analysts said the surge came as a business slump stemming from the longstanding outbreak of COVID-19 forced self-employed or low-credit people to resort to card loans.
South Korea has been gripped by the coronavirus outbreak since the country reported its first confirmed case on Jan. 20.
Asia's fourth-largest economy has been implementing strict social distancing measures to stem the spread of the potentially deadly disease, which has made a big dent in the country's economic activity.
Financial hardships also prompted people to resort to commercial banks for signature loans. Combined unsecured loans extended by KB Kookmin and four other major banks rose by nearly 2.2 trillion won in March from a month earlier, the biggest monthly gain since January 2016.
Kakao Bank, one of the country's two internet-only banks, also posted a surge in unsecured loans. The online lender's outstanding unsecured loans came to 13.9 trillion won in March, up about 945 billion won from the prior month.
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--N. Korea opens new health website

N. Korea opens new health website

Although the first post on the website was published in April 2019 , the number of posts has increased sharply @ @ @ @ @ that the North may have rushed to update the website since the global spread of @ @

SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- North Korea has launched a website that offers information on public health and the coronavirus amid stringent efforts to prevent a virus outbreak on its soil.
The site, www.moph.gov.kp, run by the North's health ministry, provides information on the country's health policies and sanitation, and promotes various achievements in science and technology.
Although the first post on the website was published in April 2019, the number of posts has increased sharply this year, raising speculation that the North may have rushed to update the website since the global spread of COVID-19.
Eight out of nine posts from the "health policies" section were published in January and February, while more than half of the posts from the "medical services" section are related to the novel coronavirus.
Materials on the website are offered in Korean and English, implying the site may also be intended for propaganda purposes.
The North has not reported any confirmed coronavirus infections, but speculation persists that it might be concealing an outbreak.
julesyi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--(2nd LD) Ruling party, gov't reach compromise on blanket coronavirus relief payouts

`` Under the principles of emergency and universality , ( the ruling camp ) will seek to provide emergency disaster @ @ @ @ @ and draft a plan to reduce the financial burden through such efforts as the voluntary @ @ @ @ @ social leaders and high income earners , '' Cho Jeong-sik , the ruling party 's @ @ @ @ @ .

(ATTN: ADDS more info in last 3 paras)
SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- The ruling party and government reached a compromise Wednesday to offer blanket payouts to all citizens in a proposed coronavirus relief package that includes a plan to encourage high-income earners to voluntarily return the payments later, a party official said.
The compromise capped a days-long debate among key Democratic Party and government officials over whether to offer targeted support to those in need or handouts to all, with the finance ministry fretful over the potential impact on the health of state finances.
It remains uncertain whether the opposition parties will fully back the relief scheme, as some conservatives have opposed across-the-board payouts that could chip away at state coffers.
"Under the principles of emergency and universality, (the ruling camp) will seek to provide emergency disaster relief funds to all citizens and draft a plan to reduce the financial burden through such efforts as the voluntary contribution of the payouts by social leaders and high income earners," Cho Jeong-sik, the ruling party's policy chief, told reporters.
Cho Jeong-sik, the policy chief of the ruling Democratic Party, speaks during a briefing at the National Assembly in Seoul on April 22, 2020. (Yonhap)
Government officials appeared ready to proceed with the compromised relief scheme as long as the opposition parties give it the green light.
"If the ruling and opposition parties reach an agreement over the proposal that enables high earners to voluntarily contribute their payouts, the government would accept that," Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said in a press release.
The finance ministry refused to comment, apparently showing a cautious stance over blanket payouts. It had advocated the idea of providing relief funds only to households whose income falls in the lower 70 percent bracket.
The main opposition United Future Party (UFP) criticized the proposed relief scheme as "lacking specifics" and demanded that the ruling party quickly provide a modified version of its budget proposal.
Lee In-young, the ruling party whip, hit back, accusing the UFP of "stalling."
"As the ruling party and government have started converging on this idea, the UFP now demands the revised budget proposal," Lee told reporters. "Wouldn't people see it as an act of stalling for time?"
Lee added that he would contact the UFP floor leadership to find out about "their intentions."
Chung played a key role in coordinating the compromise between the government and ruling party, officials said.
The premier explained the compromise to Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki, who then accepted it, an aide to Chung told Yonhap News Agency. It also followed coordination with the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae.
The compromise came amid concerns that any discord between the ruling party and government over the relief issue would look bad particularly after the UFP warmed to the government's initial plan to dole out targeted relief funds.
Meanwhile, the budget policy division of the National Assembly pointed out the need to supplement the government's payout plan to cover only those in the lower 70 percent income bracket.
In an analysis of the government's proposal for an extra budget, the division said that the plan needs improvement in terms of "fairness," while voicing concerns that the scheme targeting the specific income bracket could take more time and costs to administer, and even lead to public backlash.
It floated a set of suggestions, including blanket payouts and handouts based on the extent of pandemic-induced damage rather than on the income levels.
The cash payout, a hot-button issue in the run-up to last week's parliamentary elections, has pitted those favoring equal payments, in light of the state responsibility to protect all citizens, against those cautioning against populism and prioritizing the state's financial health.
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--(LEAD) Ruling party, gov't reach compromise on blanket coronavirus relief payouts

(ATTN: ADDS more info in paras 9-11; RECASTS paras 5, 14)
SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- The ruling party and government reached a compromise Wednesday to offer blanket payouts to all citizens in a proposed coronavirus relief package that includes a plan to encourage high-income earners to voluntarily return the payments later, a party official said.
The compromise capped a days-long debate among key Democratic Party and government officials over whether to offer targeted support to those in need or handouts to all, with the finance ministry fretful over the potential impact on the health of state finances.
It remains uncertain whether the opposition parties will fully back the relief scheme, as some conservatives have opposed across-the-board payouts that could chip away at state coffers.
"Under the principles of emergency and universality, (the ruling camp) will seek to provide emergency disaster relief funds to all citizens and draft a plan to reduce the financial burden through such efforts as the voluntary contribution of the payouts by social leaders and high income earners," Cho Jeong-sik, the ruling party's policy chief, told reporters.
Cho Jeong-sik, the policy chief of the ruling Democratic Party, speaks during a briefing at the National Assembly in Seoul on April 22, 2020. (Yonhap)
Government officials appeared ready to proceed with the compromised relief scheme as long as the opposition parties give it the green light.
"If the ruling and opposition parties reach an agreement over the proposal that enables high earners to voluntarily contribute their payouts, the government would accept that," Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said in a press release.
The finance ministry refused to comment, apparently showing a cautious stance over blanket payouts. It had advocated the idea of providing relief funds only to households whose income falls in the lower 70 percent bracket.
The main opposition United Future Party (UFP) criticized the proposed relief scheme as "lacking specifics" and demanded that the ruling party quickly provide a modified version of its budget proposal.
Lee In-young, the ruling party whip, hit back, accusing the UFP of "stalling."
"As the ruling party and government have started converging on this idea, the UFP now demands the revised budget proposal," Lee told reporters. "Wouldn't people see it as an act of stalling for time?"
Lee added that he would contact the UFP floor leadership to find out about "their intentions."
Chung played a key role in coordinating the compromise between the government and ruling party, officials said.
The premier explained the compromise to Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki, who then accepted it, an aide to Chung told Yonhap News Agency. It also followed coordination with the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae.
The compromise came amid concerns that any discord between the ruling party and government over the relief issue would look bad particularly after the UFP warmed to the government's initial plan to dole out targeted relief funds.
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--Ruling party, gov't reach compromise on blanket coronavirus relief payouts

SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- The ruling party and government reached a compromise Wednesday to offer blanket payouts to all citizens in a proposed coronavirus relief package that includes a plan to encourage high-income earners to voluntarily return the payments later, a party official said.
The compromise capped a days-long debate among key Democratic Party and government officials over whether to offer targeted support to those in need or handouts to all, with the finance ministry fretful over the potential impact on the health of state finances.
It remains uncertain whether the opposition parties will fully back the relief scheme, as some conservatives have opposed across-the-board payouts that could chip away at state coffers.
"Under the principles of emergency and universality, (the ruling camp) will seek to provide emergency disaster relief funds to all citizens and draft a plan to reduce the financial burden through such efforts as the voluntary contribution of the payouts by social leaders and high income earners," Cho Jeong-sik, the ruling party's policy chief, told reporters.
Cho Jeong-sik, the policy chief of the ruling Democratic Party, speaks during a briefing at the National Assembly in Seoul on April 22, 2020. (Yonhap)
Government officials appeared ready to put into action the compromised relief scheme as long as the opposition parties give it the green light.
"If the ruling and opposition parties reach an agreement over the proposal that enables high earners to voluntarily contribute their payouts, the government would accept that," Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said in a press release.
The finance ministry refused to comment, apparently showing a cautious stance over blanket payouts. It had advocated the idea of providing relief funds only to households whose income falls in the lower 70 percent bracket.
The main opposition United Future Party (UFP) criticized the proposed relief scheme as "lacking specifics" and demanded that the ruling party quickly provide a modified version of its budget proposal.
Chung played a key role in coordinating the compromise between the government and ruling party, officials said.
The premier explained the compromise to Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki, who then accepted it, an aide to Chung told Yonhap News Agency. It also followed coordination with the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae.
The compromise came amid concerns that a rift between the ruling party and government over the relief issue would look bad particularly after the UFP warmed to the government's initial plan to dole out targeted relief funds.
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--S. Korean, Finnish presidents seek joint efforts for coronavirus vaccine

President Moon Jae-in and his Finnish counterpart , Sauli Niinisto , also agreed to push for the normalization of economic @ @ @ @ @ two sides via the resumption of direct flights as soon as the pandemic is brought @ @ @ @ @ Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok .
Their half-an-hour phone talks were made at Niinisto @ @ @

SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- The leaders of South Korea and Finland agreed Wednesday that their countries would work together for the development of coronavirus vaccine and treatment, as well as the recovery of the world economy, in their phone conversation, Cheong Wa Dae said.
President Moon Jae-in and his Finnish counterpart, Sauli Niinisto, also agreed to push for the normalization of economic and people-to-people exchanges between the two sides via the resumption of direct flights as soon as the pandemic is brought under control, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok. Their half-an-hour phone talks were made at Niinisto's request.
The Finnish leader sought Moon's view on the background of South Korea's successful slowing of the COVID-19 spread and decent economic situation.
Moon cited thorough quarantine measures based on speedy and massive testing and transparent disclosure of relevant information to the public.
"South Korea is also suffering difficulties due to the COVID-19 incident," he added. "Now, overcoming the economic crisis has become a task as big as quarantine."
He reiterated a call for conditionally allowing essential cross-border exchanges, especially by business figures, in spite of the travel restrictions in place.
This file photo shows South Korean President Moon Jae-in (R) and his Finnish counterpart, Sauli Niinisto, shaking hands during a meeting in Helsinki on June 11, 2019. (Yonhap)
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--(4th LD) Moon unveils 40 tln-won relief package for key industries, job retention

In response to the government 's relief package for the backbone industries , airlines called on the government to extend @ @ @ @ @ as quickly as possible as they are in `` grave condition '' due to the @ @ @ @ @ the airline sector .

(ATTN: ADDS airlines' response in paras 8-11)
By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday announced a massive relief package worth 40 trillion won (US$32 billion) for South Korea's key industries disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.
The funds are meant to help them weather the crisis, which Moon characterized as the worst since the 1997 financial meltdown, and to help maintain employment.
Moon also unveiled an additional job protection scheme that involves spending 10 trillion won to cushion the COVID-19 impact on the country's job market.
Hard-hit key industries include aviation, oil refinery, shipping, shipbuilding and car production, the backbone of the country's employment.
President Moon Jae-in speaks during the fifth emergency economic council meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on April 22, 2020. (Yonhap)
The president then instructed his economic team to prepare swiftly for the launch of a task force on the Korean-version New Deal revolving around major national infrastructure projects.
"Now is the beginning stage of a crisis," he said, presiding over the fifth and last weekly emergency economic council session on the economic and financial fallout of COVID-19.
He pointed out that core industries are at risk and companies are starting to find it difficult to ride out the predicament with the government's provisional liquidity supply.
In response to the government's relief package for the backbone industries, airlines called on the government to extend fresh loans through local lenders as quickly as possible as they are in "grave condition" due to the severe impact of COVID-19 on the airline sector.
On Tuesday, the Korea Development Bank (KDB) and the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Exim Bank), two major creditor banks of Asiana Airlines Inc., said they will extend a combined 1.7 trillion won in loans to the cash-strapped carrier to help it stay afloat.
The KDB-led creditors are also expected to announce financial support measures for Korean Air Lines Co., the country's biggest flag carrier, within this week.
The two full-service carriers have suspended most flights on international routes as an increasing number of countries have strengthened entry restrictions against incoming passengers amid virus concerns. They are set to report poor earnings results for the January-March quarter.
President Moon Jae-in (C) makes his opening remarks during the fifth emergency economic council meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on April 22, 2020. (Yonhap)
The government will increase the size of the emergency finance relief scheme to 135 trillion from the 100 trillion won decided in previous emergency economic council sessions, according to Moon.
He also said the government will play a leading role in creating jobs, adding that half a million will be offered, with many for youths.
Moon said companies here are facing an "employment cold wave" just around the corner.
"Employment shock may come more extensively and for a longer time, which we have not experienced," Moon warned.
The government will make sure to shield those key industries at any cost with "strong determination," he said.
It plans to give 500,000 won each to 930,000 freelancers and other workers who are not covered by the state employment insurance, for three months.
Cheong Wa Dae said Moon is sending a clear signal that the government's goal is to prevent layoffs and keep jobs.
He expressed appreciation for a declaration of a "dismissal-free city" by the southwestern city of Jeonju and expressed hope that it will spread throughout the nation.
It's a very meaningful win-win announcement reflecting the commitment to sharing pain amid the worsening of a regional economy, Moon said on his social messaging account.
"Jobs are the economy and our life," he added.
Starting next week, meanwhile, Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki is scheduled to chair a meeting of top economic policymakers in response to coronavirus damages on Asia's fourth-largest economy.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--(LEAD) Samsung C&T Q1 net jumps 56 pct on equity gains

SEOUL , April 22 ( Yonhap ) -- Samsung C & T Corp. , a construction affiliate of Samsung Group @ @ @ @ @ net profit jumped 55.8 percent from a year earlier due to profitable overseas projects and @ @ @ @ @ .

(ATTN: UPDATES with details of regulatory filing)
By Kim Kwang-tae
SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- Samsung C&T Corp., a construction affiliate of Samsung Group, said Wednesday its first-quarter net profit jumped 55.8 percent from a year earlier due to profitable overseas projects and shareholding gains from its affiliate.
Net profit for the three months ending March 31 stood at 346.5 billion won (US$281 million) from 222.4 billion won a year earlier, the company said in a regulatory filing.
"Increased equity gains from Samsung Biologics and profitable overseas projects boosted the first-quarter net profit," an official of Samsung C&T said.
Samsung C&T holds a 43.3 percent stake in Samsung Biologics, a biopharmaceutical unit of South Korea's largest conglomerate Samsung Group.
Samsung C&T said its operating profit rose 39.8 percent to 147 billion won in the first quarter from 105 billion won a year ago.
Still, sales declined 5.4 percent to 6.96 trillion won from 7.35 trillion won.
Shares in Samsung C&T rose 3.3 percent to 97,000 won, outperforming the broader KOSPI's 0.89 percent gain.
entropy@yna.co.kr
(END)


Yonhap News Summary

The draft of new guidelines centers on preventative hygiene measures that communities and individuals should follow when the country initiates @ @ @ @ @ '' which would allow people to engage in a certain level of economic and social @ @ @ @ @ slow the spread of the novel coronavirus .

The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Wednesday.
----------------
S. Korea unveils 'everyday life quarantine' guidelines
SEOUL -- South Korea on Wednesday unveiled a set of guidelines for "everyday life quarantine" amid a slowdown in new coronavirus cases.
The draft of new guidelines centers on preventative hygiene measures that communities and individuals should follow when the country initiates "everyday life quarantine," which would allow people to engage in a certain level of economic and social activities while maintaining distance to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
----------------
(2nd LD) Korea to sharply increase aid package for virus-hit firms, job protection
SEJONG -- South Korea's finance ministry said Wednesday it will sharply increase the size of the nation's aid package for coronavirus-hit companies and job protection.
The aid package will rise to 135 trillion (US$109 billion) won from 100 trillion won, which had been set previously, to supply more liquidity into companies hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Economy and Finance said in a statement.
----------------
Virus from relapse cases not highly infectious: KCDC
SEOUL -- South Korea's health authorities said Wednesday the novel coronavirus detected from the country's relapse cases appears to be not very infectious or transmissible.
Of the 39 culture tests using samples collected from people who retested positive for COVID-19 after making full recoveries, six were completed and all tested negative for the novel coronavirus, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
----------------
Still no unusual signs in N. Korea: Cheong Wa Dae
SEOUL -- Cheong Wa Dae said Wednesday it has not seen any unusual indications in North Korea that may suggest its leader Kim Jong-un's reported serious health problem.
"There has been no unusual activity" in the secretive communist neighbor in connection with news reports that Kim is critically ill, a Cheong Wa Dae official told reporters on the customary condition of anonymity.
----------------
S. Korea, U.S. reaffirm efforts for 'fair, mutually acceptable' defense cost-sharing deal
SEOUL -- South Korea and the United States called Wednesday for a fair and mutually acceptable deal from their defense cost talks as the negotiations remain deadlocked since U.S. President Donald Trump rejected Seoul's offer to increase its contribution as insufficient.
The defense cost issue was one of the agenda items for the 17th Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD) that the two countries held via a videoconference, along with North Korea issues and joint efforts to cope with the coronavirus pandemic.
----------------
(LEAD) USFK soldiers demoted for visiting off-post bar, returning through fence hole
SEOUL -- Three American soldiers based in South Korea's southeastern city of Daegu have been demoted and ordered to pay forfeiture for exiting their post in violation of coronavirus quarantine rules and coming back through a hole in the fence, the 8th Army said Wednesday.
A private first class of the 94th Military Police Battalion is accused of exiting Camp Walker in Daegu, some 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, for an unauthorized purpose and entering the post through a hole he created in the installation's fence, according to the Army.
----------------
Panel accuses former president's aides of obstructing Sewol probe
SEOUL -- A state truth commission on Wednesday accused senior members of the Park Geun-hye administration of obstructing a fact-finding team on the 2014 deadly ferry sinking.
The Special Investigation Commission on Social Disasters said it will request a prosecution probe this week into 19 former and incumbent officials and 10 government bodies on charges of interfering with personnel affairs of a now defunct state panel tasked with probing the Sewol ferry's sinking and the government's mishandling of the disaster.
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--(3rd LD) Moon unveils 40 tln-won relief package for key industries, job retention

`` Now is the beginning stage of a crisis , '' he said , presiding over the fifth and last @ @ @ @ @ on the economic and financial fallout of COVID-19 .

(ATTN: UPDATES with Moon's message on Jeonju's declaration of dismissal-free city in last paras)
By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday announced a massive relief package, worth 40 trillion won (US$32 billion), for South Korea's key industries disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.
The funds are meant to help them weather the crisis, which Moon characterized as the worst since the 1997 financial meltdown, and to help maintain employment.
Moon also unveiled an additional job protection scheme that involves spending 10 trillion won to cushion the COVID-19 impact on the country's job market.
Hard-hit key industries include aviation, oil refinery, shipping, shipbuilding and car production, the backbone of the country's employment.
President Moon Jae-in speaks during the fifth emergency economic council meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on April 22, 2020. (Yonhap)
The president then instructed his economic team to prepare swiftly for the launch of a task force on the Korean-version New Deal revolving around major national infrastructure projects.
"Now is the beginning stage of a crisis," he said, presiding over the fifth and last weekly emergency economic council session on the economic and financial fallout of COVID-19.
He pointed out that core industries are at risk and companies are starting to find it difficult to ride out the predicament with the government's provisional liquidity supply.
The government will increase the size of the emergency finance relief scheme to 135 trillion from the 100 trillion won decided in previous emergency economic council sessions, according to Moon.
He also said the government will play a leading role in creating jobs, adding that half a million will be offered, with many for youths.
Moon said companies here are facing an "employment cold wave" just around the corner.
"Employment shock may come more extensively and for a longer time, which we have not experienced," Moon warned.
The government will make sure to shield those key industries at any cost with "strong determination," he said.
It plans to give 500,000 won each to 930,000 freelancers and other workers who are not covered by the state employment insurance, for three months.
President Moon Jae-in (C) makes his opening remarks during the fifth emergency economic council meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on April 22, 2020. (Yonhap)
Cheong Wa Dae said Moon is sending a clear signal that the government's goal is to prevent layoffs and keep jobs.
He expressed appreciation for a declaration of a "dismissal-free city" by the southwestern city of Jeonju and expressed hope that it will spread throughout the nation.
It's a very meaningful win-win announcement reflecting the commitment to sharing pain amid the worsening of a regional economy, Moon said on his social messaging account.
"Jobs are the economy and our life," he added.
Starting next week, meanwhile, Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki is scheduled to chair a meeting of top economic policymakers in response to coronavirus damages on Asia's fourth-largest economy.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--Soft-tossing lefty at beguiling best in preseason start

Yoo has reached double figures in wins in seven straight seasons , and logged at least 140 innings in all @ @ @ @ @ probably no logical way for a pitcher who throws softer than high school prospects to @ @ @ @ @ in the pro ranks .
But year in and year out , Yoo gets the @ @ @ @ @ it by catching hitters offguard and locating his pitches .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- It was a mesmerizing display of pitching.
In a Korea Baseball Organization preseason game Wednesday, Doosan Bears left-hander Yoo Hee-kwan was mixing his 132 kilometers per hour (82 miles per hour) fastball, if one could call it that, with a changeup, a slider and a curveball that went as low as 86 kph on the radar gun.
And Kiwoom Heroes' batters never had a chance.
In his team's 5-0 victory at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul, Yoo gave up just two soft singles -- one an infield hit -- in five shutout innings, while striking out five and walking one. He needed only 67 pitches for those five frames, and 43 of them went for strikes.
Yoo Hee-kwan of the Doosan Bears pitches against the Kiwwom Heroes during a Korea Baseball Organization preseason game at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on April 22, 2020. (Yonhap)
To think any professional hitter could hit such slow pitches at will is to underestimate Yoo's beguiling presence on the mound. The pudgy veteran has always been this slow and has been one of the KBO's most consistent starters for the better part of the decade.
He's coming off an 11-8 season in 2019, when he also posted a 3.25 ERA with two complete games in 28 starts. He also ranked last among 25 qualified starters in average fastball velocity with 129.1 kph.
Yoo has reached double figures in wins in seven straight seasons, and logged at least 140 innings in all of them. There's probably no logical way for a pitcher who throws softer than high school prospects to not only survive but thrive in the pro ranks. But year in and year out, Yoo gets the job done. He does it by catching hitters offguard and locating his pitches.
There's the old joke about the Hall of Fame control artist Greg Maddux that explains the kind of pitcher Yoo is: someone hired him to paint a house, and Maddux only painted the corners.
Yoo Hee-kwan of the Doosan Bears pitches against the Kiwwom Heroes during a Korea Baseball Organization preseason game at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on April 22, 2020. (Yonhap)
In the first inning on Wednesday, he pitched around an infield single and a walk with two strikeouts and a flyout. Three consecutive flyouts followed in the second inning, and there were two pop outs and a strikeout in the third.
In the fourth, Yoo reached deep into his bag of tricks and offered an 86 km/h curve to Park Dong-won, who flied out softly to right field.
There were two more soft flyouts in the fifth. Yoo gave up his second hit of the game, a bloop single to shallow center off the bat of Lee Taek-keun, but no further damage was done.
Yoo said he was happy to finally face hitters other than his own teammates -- with KBO clubs having been restricted to scrimmages until this week -- and he was so pleased with the way he pitched that he wouldn't have minded giving up runs.
"In preseason games, it doesn't really matter if you allow runs or not," Yoo said. "I was able to test different pitches, and that's the most important takeaway for me."
Yoo said he enjoyed reading fans' reactions to the time he clocked 132 kph in a recent scrimmage, particularly from those who were concerned that Yoo was pushing himself too hard and he might get hurt trying to throw anything over 130.
"I don't ever get caught up in radar gun numbers," Yoo said with a smile. "I always get guys out with late movements of my pitches. I was focusing on that today."
Lee Yong-chan, another potential starter during the regular season, relieved Yoo to begin the sixth, and contributed four shutout innings of his own. Manager Kim Tae-hyoung had planned to rely on those two pitchers to split the nine innings, and the two veterans responded with a tidy day on the mound.
Lee Yong-chan of the Doosan Bears pitches against the Kiwwom Heroes during a Korea Baseball Organization preseason game at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on April 22, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--Samsung sends 200 workers to complete chip factory expansion in China amid virus woes

`` We will follow the instructions of the Chinese government , but we do not know how long the quarantine @ @ @ @ @ an official at Samsung said .

SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- Samsung Electronics Co., the world's largest memory chipmaker, said Wednesday that it has sent some 200 South Korean engineers and workers to China to complete the expansion of its chip manufacturing plant amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Samsung said the engineers and workers, including some from its subcontractors, departed for China on a chartered flight earlier in the day to complete expansion of its second chip factory in Xian, Shaanxi Province.
The workers are expected to begin their jobs after quarantining.
"We will follow the instructions of the Chinese government, but we do not know how long the quarantine period would be," an official at Samsung said.
Since March 28, China has suspended the entry of foreigners, even those who hold visas or residence permits.
Samsung's dispatch of workers came after South Korean Ambassador to China Jang Ha-sung said Monday that the embassy is supporting a discussion between Samsung and the Xian city government over the entry of its workers.
Despite the novel coronavirus outbreak, Samsung's second Xian factory celebrated shipment of its products last month. The factory produces 3D V-NAND flash memory chips.
This photo taken on April 7, 2020, shows the corporate logo of Samsung Electronics Co. (Yonhap)
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--(3rd LD) Ruling, opposition parties at odds over virus relief funds

`` It will only amplify political mistrust in the UFP if ( it ) turns a blind eye to its @ @ @ @ @ the election is over and that it has lost , '' urging the conservative party @ @ @ @ @ '' by explaining its stance in detail .

(ATTN: UPDATES with ruling party's revised plan, PM's statement throughout; RECASTS headline; TRIMS; RESTRUCTURES)
SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- The ruling Democratic Party (DP) on Wednesday continued to press the main opposition party over its changed stance on doling out funds to minimize the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, as President Moon Jae-in called for an early conclusion of the matter.
In a meeting with his top aides, Moon stressed the need to resolve the issue as early as possible, given the importance of speed in implementing the emergency measure, according to a Cheong Wa Dae official.
In its efforts to prop up consumption, the government earlier drew up a plan to give out emergency relief funds to households whose income falls in the lower 70 percent bracket. Under the criteria, four-person households would be eligible for a 1 million-won (US$808) payment.
But the rival parties have been embroiled in a political debate on expanding the scope of the relief funds, delaying the government from paying out the relief funds.
The political squabble goes back to their campaign bids announced in the run-up to the April 15 general elections.
Former United Future Party (UFP) leader Hwang Kyo-ahn proposed paying 500,000 won to everyone regardless of their income, while the DP suggested keeping the 1 million-won amount and scrapping the 70 percent threshold.
The government, meanwhile, retained a cautious approach, raising the need to "save some room for the additional role of fiscal spending and issuance of state bonds."
Situations changed after the election, in which the DP clinched 180 seats in the 300-seat unicameral National Assembly. The main opposition won just over 100 seats.
The UFP shifted its stance to side with the government, claiming that expanding the plan to everyone will have limited impact on boosting consumption and hurt the country's fiscal soundness.
On Wednesday, DP floor leader Lee In-young called on the UFP to clarify its stance change prior to and after the election.
Democratic Party floor leader Lee In-young presides over a party meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul on April 22, 2020, while party leader Lee Hae-chan is on holiday. (Yonhap)
"The UFP should clarify its ultimate stance on the emergency disaster relief funds," DP floor leader Lee In-young said in a party meeting at the National Assembly.
"It will only amplify political mistrust in the UFP if (it) turns a blind eye to its key campaign policy now that the election is over and that it has lost," urging the conservative party to fulfill its "duty" by explaining its stance in detail.
The UFP's floor leader Shim Jae-chul hit back, calling on the DP to align its stance with the government.
Shim also raised concerns that expanding the relief funds by issuing state bonds may later add debt burden for the next generation.
To counter concerns over budget health, the DP on Wednesday afternoon came up with a revised plan on paying all citizens but encouraging high-income earners to make voluntary donations.
In a statement, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun welcomed the development, saying the government will accept the updated proposal if the rival parties reach a consensus.
United Future Party floor leader Shim Jae-chul speaks at a party meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul on April 22, 2020. (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--Seoul gets latest-ever sleet amid cold weather

Rain and snow mixed fell in the city between 2:15 p.m. and 2:40 p.m. , according to the KMA .
@ @ @ @ @ the country began to compile weather data in 1907 and three days later than the @ @ @ @ @ set in 1911 , the agency said .

SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- Seoul observed the latest sleet on record Wednesday as unusually cold weather continued, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said.
Rain and snow mixed fell in the city between 2:15 p.m. and 2:40 p.m., according to the KMA. It was the latest since the country began to compile weather data in 1907 and three days later than the previous record of April 19 set in 1911, the agency said.
"Weak snow, formed 700 to 800 meters above the ground by passing cold air around zero C, appears to have melted into sleet while descending," the KMA said.
Citizens walk in central Seoul amid cold weather on April 22, 2020. (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--Top diplomats of S. Korea, Guatemala discuss anti-virus cooperation by phone

In response , Brolo held up South Korea 's anti-virus responses as a global exemplar that his country wants to @ @ @ @ @ will review ways to make possible the visits by South Korean businesspeople as soon as @ @ @ @ @ country stabilizes .

SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- The top diplomats of South Korea and Guatemala discussed cooperation in responses to the coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday, including allowing entry exceptions to South Korean businesspeople into the Latin American country, the foreign ministry said.
In the phone talks with her counterpart, Pedro Brolo Vila, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha expressed willingness for greater cooperation in tackling the COVID-19 outbreak with Guatemala, including sharing South Korea's experience in containing the disease.
In response, Brolo held up South Korea's anti-virus responses as a global exemplar that his country wants to benchmark, and said he will review ways to make possible the visits by South Korean businesspeople as soon as the virus situation in his country stabilizes.
About 170 South Korean firms have business presences in Guatemala, with some 7,000 South Korean nationals living there, according to the foreign ministry.
During the talks, Kang also thanked the Guatemalan government for helping 73 South Korean nationals, who had been stranded there due to the lockdown, return home safely last week.
She also asked for Guatemala's support and attention in ensuring the safety of South Korean nationals there, her office said.
South Korean nationals prepare to board a special fight bound for Mexico at La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala, to return home amid the coronavirus outbreak, in this photo provided by the South Korean Embassy in Guatemala on April 15, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--(LEAD) Seoul stocks end up on stimulus amid virus woes

The aid package will be increased to 135 trillion won from the previously set 100 trillion won to help virus-hit @ @ @ @ @ 35 trillion won , 20 trillion won will be spent to buy more corporate bonds @ @ @ @ @ be extended to small businesses in fresh loans , according to the finance ministry .

(ATTN: ADDS photo and bond yields at bottom)
SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- Seoul stocks closed higher Wednesday, snapping a two-day losing streak, as investors reacted to the government's stimulus packages and await corporate earnings results amid coronavirus woes. The Korean won fell against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 16.77 points, or 0.89 percent, to close at 1,896.15. Trading volume was moderate at 805 million shares worth 9.3 trillion won (US$7.5 billion), with gainers outpacing losers 435 to 404.
The main index ended in the positive territory as oil prices recovered some of their record-setting losses and the government announced an expanded aid package for businesses hit by the COVID-19 outbreak, analysts said.
This photo taken on April 22, 2020, shows the dealing room of KB Kookmin Bank in Yeouido, western Seoul. (Yonhap)
The aid package will be increased to 135 trillion won from the previously set 100 trillion won to help virus-hit companies. Of the additional 35 trillion won, 20 trillion won will be spent to buy more corporate bonds and 10 trillion won will be extended to small businesses in fresh loans, according to the finance ministry.
"Retail investors' aggressive stock buying gave a boost to the KOSPI index amid ample liquidity in the market. The government's stimulus packages also helped," Noh Dong-kil, an analyst at NH Investment & Securities Co., said.
For the remainder of the week, investors await first-quarter corporate earnings results set to be released from later this week to take a cue in reorganizing their portfolios, he said.
Institutions and foreigners offloaded a combined 344 billion won worth of stocks, offsetting individuals' stock buying valued at 317 billion won.
Most large-cap stocks were mixed across the board.
Tech and airline shares led gains, with market bellwether Samsung Electronics Co. rising 1.2 percent to 49,850 won, No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix Inc. climbing 3.2 percent to 83,900 won, and national flag carrier Korean Air Lines Co. gaining 0.5 percent to 19,250 won.
Among decliners, top carmaker Hyundai Motor Co. fell 1 percent to 92,600 won, leading steelmaker POSCO declined 0.6 percent to 170,000 won, and No. 1 refiner SK Innovation Co. was down 2.2 percent to 96,300 won.
The local currency closed at 1,232.20 won against the U.S. dollar, down 2.50 won from the previous session's close.
Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, ended lower. The yield on three-year Treasurys rose 1.1 basis points to 1.046 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bond climbed 3.9 basis points to 1.269 percent.
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--Doosan Bears beat Kiwoom Heroes in preseason rematch of Korean Series

This was the second day of preseason in the Korea Baseball Organization ( KBO ) .
Teams had been limited @ @ @ @ @ they awaited the beginning of the regular season , postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak @ @ @ @ @ a truncated preseason to begin Tuesday , allowing teams to face someone other than their @ @ @ @ @ set May 5 as the new Opening Day .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- The Doosan Bears blanked the Kiwoom Heroes 5-0 in a preseason rematch of the 2019 South Korean baseball championship series.
Starter Yoo Hee-kwan tossed five shutout innings, and Lee Yong-chan, a starter working out of the bullpen in this one, followed up with four more scoreless frames.
This was the first meeting of the two teams that dueled in the Korean Series last year. The Bears swept the Heroes in four games to claim their third title in five seasons.
Park Sei-hyok of the Doosan Bears (R) scores from third on a sacrifice fly by Kook Hae-seong during a Korea Baseball Organization preseason game against the Kiwoom Heroes at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on April 22, 2020. (Yonhap)
This was the second day of preseason in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). Teams had been limited to playing intrasquad games as they awaited the beginning of the regular season, postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak. But the KBO scheduled a truncated preseason to begin Tuesday, allowing teams to face someone other than their own teammates, and also set May 5 as the new Opening Day.
The Bears put up three runs in the bottom of the second inning off starter Yoon Jung-hyun. Jung Soo-bin opened the scoring with a ringing double to right, and Kook Hae-seong's sacrifice fly made it 2-0.
Park Kun-woo followed up with a single through the hole on the left for a 3-0 lead.
Yoon, who's expected to be a back-end starter or a long reliever, lasted only two innings. He threw just 23 of his 44 pitches for strikes, while giving up three runs on four hits.
A Korea Baseball Organization preseason game between the Doosan Bears and the Kiwoom Heroes takes place at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on April 22, 2020. (Yonhap)
Kim Jae-hwan, still nursing a back injury that's kept him out of the starting lineup for the past two games, delivered a pinch-hit solo home run in the sixth to give the Bears a 4-0 cushion.
In the bottom eighth, Lee Heung-ryun's double extended the lead to 5-0.
The Heroes bats were as cold as the weather on this unseasonably chilly afternoon. They managed only two soft singles against Yoo, one of them an infield variety, and Lee Yong-chan pitched four innings of one-hit ball in relief.
Yoo Hee-kwan of the Doosan Bears (R) pitches against the Kiwoom Heroes during a Korea Baseball Organization preseason game at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on April 22, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--(LEAD) USFK soldiers demoted for visiting off-post bar, returning through fence hole

`` The vast majority of our community is complying with our HPCON directives -- the positive results speak for themselves @ @ @ @ @ Robert Abrams tweeted earlier in the day , referring to its Health Protection Condition Level @ @ @ @ @ choose to do their own thing and put everyone else at risk should expect to @ @ @ @ @

(ATTN: REWRITES headline, lead)
SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- Three American soldiers based in South Korea's southeastern city of Daegu have been demoted and ordered to pay forfeiture for exiting their post in violation of coronavirus quarantine rules and coming back through a hole in the fence, the 8th Army said Wednesday.
A private first class of the 94th Military Police Battalion is accused of exiting Camp Walker in Daegu, some 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, for an unauthorized purpose and entering the post through a hole he created in the installation's fence, according to the Army.
Two privates of the same battalion visited an off-post bar and entered the post through the hole. The Army held the two accountable for dereliction of duty for not reporting the hole in the fence.
It was not immediately clear if the private first class joined the two privates' visit to the bar, but the U.S. Army said the soldier is also accused of soliciting others to disobey orders.
All three of them have been reduced to the entry level of E-1 and ordered to pay a forfeiture of US$866 per month for two months. They also received 45 days of restriction and 45 days of extra duty, it said.
U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) has been implementing a series of control measures against COVID-19, such as restricting off-base travel, and meted out strong punishment for non-compliance.
"The vast majority of our community is complying with our HPCON directives -- the positive results speak for themselves," USFK Commander Gen. Robert Abrams tweeted earlier in the day, referring to its Health Protection Condition Level. "Those few who choose to do their own thing and put everyone else at risk should expect to be held accountable."
So far, USFK has reported a total of 25 coronavirus infections among its population.
In this file photo, provided by U.S. Forces Korea, a military guard at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, 70 kilometers south of Seoul, checks the temperature of a driver to screen entrants to the compound for the novel coronavirus. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
scaaet@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--S. Korean Bond Yields on Apr. 22, 2020

S. Korean Bond Yields on Apr. 22, 2020

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


yna--2020-04-22--Virus from relapse cases not highly infectious: KCDC

`` Most countries decide on the release of a patient using PCR test results , '' she said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ or more and they require lots of resources , so it is not realistic to @ @ @ @ @ to release a patient . ''

SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's health authorities said Wednesday the novel coronavirus detected from the country's relapse cases appears to be not very infectious or transmissible.
Of the 39 culture tests using samples collected from people who retested positive for COVID-19 after making full recoveries, six were completed and all tested negative for the novel coronavirus, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
"Although their polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were positive, they tested negative after being cultivated in isolation, meaning the viruses from relapse cases have very low or no infectious power," KCDC chief Jeong Eun-kyeong said.
Asked whether COVID-19 patients should be released from quarantine based on results from culture tests instead of PCR tests, Jeong said such method lacks effectiveness.
This file photo taken on April 20, 2020, shows medical workers at Busan Medical Center in Busan collecting a sample for virus tests. (Yonhap)
"Most countries decide on the release of a patient using PCR test results," she said. "Culture tests take two weeks or more and they require lots of resources, so it is not realistic to use them to determine whether to release a patient."
Jeong said health authorities are still studying how they should interpret cases that test positive for COVID-19 again in PCR tests after being released from quarantine. Some experts have suggested that test kits are sensitive enough to pick up dead virus particles.
After reviewing testing results, Jeong said the KCDC will reinforce its guidelines on releasing virus patients. With a rising number of relapse cases in the country, the KCDC previously recommended cured patients to self-quarantine for 14 days after they were discharged from hospitals.
South Korea has reported 207 relapse cases of COVID-19.
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-22--(LEAD) 2020 National Brand Up Exhibition opens in Seoul and online

`` Korean dramas , music and movies are sweeping the world .
But people around the world are showing strong @ @ @ @ @ culture and do not know Korea 's long history and culture well .
They will @ @ @ @ @ 's brilliant history and culture through this exhibition , '' the VANK head said at @ @ @ @

(ATTN: UPDATES with addresses in paras 9-12; ADDS photos)
SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- An exhibition highlighting Korea's 5,000-year history and rich cultural heritage kicked off at a museum in Seoul and online Wednesday.
The 2020 National Brand Up Exhibition, co-organized by the nongovernmental organization Voluntary Agency Network of Korea (VANK) and Yonhap News Agency, South Korea's key newswire, opened at the National Museum of Korea in central Seoul under the theme "We're Hallyu PR Ambassadors."
Yonhap and VANK, which internationally promotes South Korea and its history online, have co-hosted the exhibition since 2009 to help increase awareness about the country's national and cultural brand.
Yonhap News CEO Cho Sung-boo (2nd from R) and VANK head Park Ki-tae (2nd from L) cut ribbons during the opening ceremony of the 2020 National Brand Up Exhibition at the National Museum of Korea in central Seoul on April 22, 2020. (Yonhap)
This year's exhibition is mainly intended to support and encourage South Korean youths' efforts to shift rising global attention to "hallyu," or the Korean Wave, to the importance of Korean history and culture.
The scale of the offline exhibition was greatly reduced this year in accordance with the ongoing social distancing campaign aimed at curbing the coronavirus outbreak.
All visitors are asked to wear masks and maintain a distance from others. In addition, docents will not be available at the exhibition venue.
Visitors watch videos of the 2020 National Brand Up Exhibition at the National Museum of Korea in central Seoul on April 22, 2020. (Yonhap)
On the other hand, the online exhibition was strengthened, offering detailed explanations on all exhibition contents at the official website, www.prkorea.com/brandup. English explanations are also available.
The opening ceremony was also scaled down, with the planned invitations of VIPs canceled. A docent's explanation of the exhibition contents to Yonhap News CEO Cho Sung-boo and VANK head Park Ki-tae was broadcast live in Korea and abroad via a YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/user/prkorea/videos.
This photo, provided by VANK, shows the contents of the 2020 National Brand Up Exhibition, which opened in Seoul and online on April 22, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Park said the exhibition is expected to help widen the world's understanding of Korea's brilliant history and culture extending over 5,000 years.
"Korean dramas, music and movies are sweeping the world. But people around the world are showing strong interest only in Korean pop culture and do not know Korea's long history and culture well. They will be able to confirm Korea's brilliant history and culture through this exhibition," the VANK head said at the opening ceremony.
In his congratulatory address, Cho praised VANK and its members for having played a vanguard role in correcting distortions of Korean history and promoting Korea's brilliant legacy and history, as well as spreading the Korean Wave all over the world.
"VANK has achieved particularly great results in correcting wrong information about Dokdo and the East Sea in foreign textbooks and magazines and on the internet. We hope that youth from VANK will continue to play a greater role in promoting Korea's history, territory and culture and global harmony," Cho said.
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, visitors to the 2020 National Brand Up Exhibition wear masks and maintain distance from others at the National Museum of Korea in central Seoul on April 22, 2020. (Yonhap)
This year's exhibition consists of a prologue introducing foreign media evaluations of hallyu, a media zone and seven sections whose initials come from the word "culture."
The "Creative" section features a world map upside down, and the "Universality" section compares prehistoric dolmen on the Korean Peninsula and the Stonehenge, a prehistoric monument in Britain.
The "Love" section features King Sejong the Great and his invention of the Korean alphabet called Hangeul. The "Transformation" section compares Gutenberg and Korea's Jikji, the world's oldest extant movable metal type book.
The "Union" section displays the Unified Map of Territories and Capitals of the States, which was produced by the Joseon Dynasty in 1402. The "Restoration" section promotes the March 1, 1919, Independence Movement, while the "Environment" section offers a comparison between France's Versailles Palace and Seoul's Changdeok Palace.
The media zone features Yonhap News articles introducing youths from Belgium, France, Britain and the United States who have worked at VANK as interns to promote Korean cultural heritage.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-23--Daewoo E&C wins US$50 mln order from Indonesia

Under the deal with the CSTS consortium in charge of the Tangguh LNG plant Train 3 project , Daewoo E @ @ @ @ @ complete the piping works in the project 's cold sections in 16 months after starting @ @

SEOUL, April 23 (Yonhap) -- Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co., a major builder in South Korea, said Thursday that it has won a US$50 million order to carry out piping works in a liquefied natural gas (LNG) production train in Indonesia.
Under the deal with the CSTS consortium in charge of the Tangguh LNG plant Train 3 project, Daewoo E&C is set to complete the piping works in the project's cold sections in 16 months after starting construction.
The Tangguh project inside Bintuni Bay in West Papua is meant to build a LNG train with an annual production capacity of 3.8 million tons of LNG.
This photo, provided by Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co., shows the construction site of the Tangguh Train 3 LNG project in Bintuni Bay in Indonesia's south-western West Papua. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
entropy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-23--Mobile stock trading popular tool among retail investors

The mobile trading system ( MTS ) , or smartphone trading , took up the largest 47.6 percent of turnover @ @ @ @ @ from April 1-17 , according to the data compiled by the Korea Exchange ( KRX @ @

SEOUL, April 23 (Yonhap) -- Mobile trading has become a dominant investment tool in South Korea, propelled by retail investors' stock rush, bourse operator said Thursday.
The mobile trading system (MTS), or smartphone trading, took up the largest 47.6 percent of turnover in terms of trading tools from April 1-17, according to the data compiled by the Korea Exchange (KRX).
The usage of personal computers, the previous top trading platform, came down to 36.53 percent.
The popularity of MTS came amid the increasing popularity of stock investment among individuals, buoyed by hopes of a rebound in stock prices, KRX said.
From April 1-22, individuals purchased a net 4.1 trillion won (US$3.3 billion) worth of local stocks.
MTS usage also soared in the secondary KOSDAQ market in the first three weeks of April, with individuals taking up 53.81 percent of the usage.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-23--Police end internal probe on Samsung heiress' alleged propofol use

In the interview carried by Newstapa , a nurse 's aide at a plastic surgery clinic in Seoul claimed that @ @ @ @ @ conglomerate 's hotel affiliate , regularly used the anesthesia drug from January to October 2016 @

SEOUL, April 23 (Yonhap) -- Police said Thursday they have closed a preliminary probe into allegations that a daughter of the Samsung chairman took propofol shots illegally, citing lack of evidence.
For the past year, the police had probed the allegations surrounding Lee Boo-jin, the eldest daughter of Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee, after a local media outlet raised the issue.
In the interview carried by Newstapa, a nurse's aide at a plastic surgery clinic in Seoul claimed that Lee, who heads the conglomerate's hotel affiliate, regularly used the anesthesia drug from January to October 2016.
"We ended the preliminary probe as no evidence to support Lee's illegal use (of propofol) was found," the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said.
Police confirmed that Lee visited the hospital in 2016 for treatment that involved propofol, but the amount used did not make a case for illegal use.
Lee was not officially referred as a suspect since the probe was at a preliminary stage, prior to an official investigation.
This photo, taken on March 19, 2020, shows Lee Boo-jin leaving a Samsung company building in Seoul after attending a Hotel Shilla shareholders meeting. (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)