yna--2020-08-05--No reports of S. Korean casualties in Lebanon explosion: foreign ministry

`` Immediately after the accident , the South Korean Embassy in Lebanon started checking an online group chat room of @ @ @ @ @ if there was any damage to citizens .
As of now , there were no @ @ @ @ @ a ministry official said .

SEOUL, Aug. 5 (Yonhap) -- The foreign ministry said Wednesday that there have been no reports of South Korean casualties yet in this week's massive explosion in the Lebanese capital of Beirut that left more than 70 people dead and thousands injured.
Tuesday's blast at Beirut's port occurred after a warehouse that had unsafely stored large amounts of confiscated ammonium nitrate, an explosive compound, for six years caught fire, reports said.
About 140 South Korean citizens are currently in the country. There are also about 280 South Korean troops deployed to conduct U.N. peacekeeping operations there.
"Immediately after the accident, the South Korean Embassy in Lebanon started checking an online group chat room of residents in Lebanon to see if there was any damage to citizens. As of now, there were no reports of damage," a ministry official said.
The embassy, in cooperation with the Lebanese government, will keep trying to ascertain if residents there suffered any damage or injuries, and it will provide necessary consular assistance if necessary, the official added.
Two glass windows were broken on the fourth floor of the South Korean Embassy in Lebanon, 7.3 kilometers away from the scene of the explosion, the ministry said.
Smoke billows from a warehouse at a port in the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Aug. 4, 2020, in this AFP photo. (Yonhap)
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-05--(URGENT) 54 more patients released from coronavirus treatment, total now at 13,406: KCDC

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


yna--2020-08-05--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 1 additional coronavirus deaths, death toll at 302: KCDC


yna--2020-08-05--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 33 more cases of new coronavirus, total now at 14,456: KCDC


yna--2020-08-05--(3rd LD) New virus cases over 30 for 2nd day as imported, local infections rise

Also , five more COVID-19 cases , including four South Korean nationals and one Indonesian , were traced to a @ @ @ @ @ in the southeastern port city of Busan .
The central government claimed that the outbreak @ @ @ @ @ a South Korean ship that only operates in coastal waters .
The Busan government , @ @ @ @ @ said the ship should be viewed as a Russian fishing vessel , with only its @ @ @ @ @ .

(ATTN: ADDS more info in paras 4-6, 10)
SEOUL, Aug. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea reported 33 more cases of the new coronavirus Wednesday due to a continued rise in local infections coming in from overseas and locally transmitted cases.
The new cases, including 18 imported cases, raised South Korea's total cases of COVID-19 to 14,456, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
The number of new COVID-19 cases had been in the 30s since Friday, when South Korea reported 36 new virus cases. The number briefly fell to 23 on Monday.
Foreigners wait to undergo a coronavirus test at a walk-thru clinic in Cheongju, 137 kilometers south of Seoul, on Aug. 5, 2020, as six Uzbekistanis tested positive for COVID-19 after attending an Islamic religious assembly. (Yonhap)
Of the local infections, six were reported from central North Chungcheong Province. These cases are of particular concerns as the Uzbek nationals attended a religious service in Cheongju, 137 kilometers south of Seoul.
A total of 336 people, mainly foreigners, were present at the Islamic service Friday, that involved sharing of food. The Uzbeks were confirmed to have been infected with COVID-19 earlier in the week after a pair started showing symptoms, like fever and headaches.
Among them, 128 tested negative, with others undergoing tests, the KCDC said. A detailed probe is under way to determine the exact infection route, with contact tracing being expanded to screen everyone that may have been infected.
Seoul reported five more cases, followed by Gyeonggi Province surrounding the capital city with two, the KCDC said.
A total of 13 cases have so far been traced to a coffee shop and a restaurant, both of them located in southern Seoul, up one from a day earlier, the authorities said.
Two more people were traced to a church in the eastern Seoul ward of Songpa, bringing the total infection cases from the church to 21, the KCDC said.
Also, five more COVID-19 cases, including four South Korean nationals and one Indonesian, were traced to a ship docked at Gamcheon pier in the southeastern port city of Busan. The central government claimed that the outbreak is the first detected on a South Korean ship that only operates in coastal waters. The Busan government, on the other hand, said the ship should be viewed as a Russian fishing vessel, with only its captain being a Korean National.
Foreign vessels docked in South Korean ports have become a source of cluster infections here since June.
Sailors aboard ships departing from Russia are now required to submit a certificate showing they have tested negative for COVID-19.
Of the imported cases, 11 were South Koreans and seven foreigners. Six of them tested positive for the virus in the screening process at either an airport or a seaport, while 12 others were confirmed to have the virus while under self-quarantine, according to the public health agency.
A foreigner undergoes a coronavirus test at a walk-thru clinic in Cheongju, 137 kilometers south of Seoul, on Aug. 5, 2020, as six Uzbeks in the city tested positive for COVID-19 after attending an Islamic religious assembly. (Yonhap)
The daily number of imported cases has increased by a double-digit number for 41 consecutive days.
The accumulated number of imported cases reached 2,500 in South Korea.
The country reported one more additional death, with the death toll standing at 302, according to the KCDC.
The KCDC said South Korea's fatality rate of people infected with the virus was 2.09 percent.
The number of patients fully cured of the virus reached 13,352, up 72 from the previous day.
South Korea has carried out 1,598,187 tests since Jan. 3.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-05--(LEAD) Major river passing through Pyongyang at risk of flooding

North Korea is expecting to see an average of 150 to 300 millimeters of rainfall around the Taedong River from @ @ @ @ @ the water level of the river is expected to exceed the warning level around Thursday @ @ @ @ @ weather agency was quoted by state media as saying .

(ATTN: ADDS more details in last 3 paras, 2nd photo)
SEOUL, Aug. 5 (Yonhap) -- A major river running through North Korea's capital of Pyongyang is at risk of flooding as heavy rainfall continues to pound the country, according to state media on Wednesday.
North Korea is expecting to see an average of 150 to 300 millimeters of rainfall around the Taedong River from Wednesday to Thursday, and the water level of the river is expected to exceed the warning level around Thursday evening, the North's weather agency was quoted by state media as saying.
On Tuesday, flood alerts were issued near the Taedong River, the Chongchon River and the Ryesong River for Thursday and Friday. All the three rivers empty into the Yellow Sea, with the Taedong running through the capital city of Pyongyang.
The overflow of floodwaters in Taedong River to the capital is likely to affect homes and farmland, as well as the communication network, transportation and power supply, as seen during the North's unprecedented heavy rainfall in July 2007.
The flooding forced the North to postpone an inter-Korean summit set for August between then leader Kim Jong-il and South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun to October.
These photos, captured on Aug. 4, 2020, from a news report by the North's Korean Central Television, show a North Korean weather agency official and a map showing forecasts of heavy rains. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Other regions, including Hwanghae Province, also received heavy precipitations over the past several days, which "devastated major roads and railways and left farmland under water," a North Korean official told the North's Korean Central Television.
The country implemented several projects to minimize potential damage in mid-June, and has been on emergency standby against contingencies, according to the North's media reports.
But damage could grow as more rain is forecast for most parts of North Korea for the rest of the week.
Cars and busses move through flooded streets in North Korea, in this photo captured from Korean Central Television footage on Aug. 5, 2020. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
julesyi@yna.co.kr
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-05--(3th LD) Downpours continue to grip S. Korea, key dam opens floodgates

The downpours had killed 15 and left 11 missing as of 4:30 p.m. , according to the Central Disaster and @ @ @ @ @ total of 1,610 residents , or 975 households , were forced to leave their homes @ @ @ @ @ based in the provinces of South and North Chungcheong .

(ATTN: ADDS water level data near inter-Korean border at bottom)
SEOUL, Aug. 5 (Yonhap) -- Damage from the heavy rain that has pounded South Korea's metropolitan and central regions continued to increase Wednesday, prompting officials to open the floodgates at a major dam for the first time in three years.
The downpours had killed 15 and left 11 missing as of 4:30 p.m., according to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters. A total of 1,610 residents, or 975 households, were forced to leave their homes, with two-thirds of them based in the provinces of South and North Chungcheong.
Reports of damaged properties continued to rise, with 4,713 private and public facilities being affected by the downpour. Some 1,300 houses were submerged or buried, while damage was also reported at 899 warehouses and cattle sheds.
In addition to buildings, 1,016 roads and bridges also suffered damage from the heavy rain. A total of 313 landslides were reported, and essential facilities, such as waterworks, sewage lines and railways, were also affected.
Damage was also reported at a combined 8,033 hectares of agricultural land, and some 300,000 cattle were killed, according to the ministry of agriculture.
Floodgates at Soyang River Dam in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, release water for the first time in three years on Aug. 5, 2020, as water levels rose following recent heavy rain. (Yonhap)
Cows are seen at a flooded cattle shed in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, on Aug. 4, 2020. (Yonhap)
Restoration efforts are under way in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, on Aug. 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
To restore damaged facilities and help evacuees, the government has mobilized more than 48,800 rescue and volunteer workers as well as nearly 5,800 pieces of heavy equipment, such as excavators and water pumps.
While around 55 percent of damaged facilities have been temporarily restored, 37 roads, including Jamsu Bridge, which connects the southern and northern parts of the Han River in Seoul, remained closed. Six rail routes -- including Chungbuk, Taebaek and Yeongdong -- were partially or completely restricted.
Entry bans remained in place at 349 trekking routes at 13 national parks as well as 16 underpasses and 93 parking lots adjacent to streams and rivers to prevent accidents.
To prevent flooding, major dams across the country began to discharge water as water levels quickly rose.
The Korea Water Resources Corp. began to release water from Soyang River Dam in Gangwon Province at 3 p.m. at a speed of 3,000 tons per second.
The plan is forecast to raise water levels at the Han River by up to 2 meters, with the discharged water arriving near Han River Bridge in central Seoul 16 hours later.
But officials said the water is unlikely to cause additional damage. The dam, built in 1973, has discharged water 14 times, with the latest release taking place in August 2017.
This photo, provided by the Goseong county office in Gangwon Province on Aug. 5, 2020, shows a road that flooded after heavy rain. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
In the afternoon, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun visited Eomjeong-myeon and Sancheok-myeon in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province. He vowed speedy restoration and support as he checked up on the two counties, where damages were among the heaviest.
Earlier in the day, Chung ordered the Ministry of Interior and Safety to swiftly review a proposal to declare Gyeonggi and Chungcheong provinces as special disaster zones.
Special disaster zones are designated upon requests by provincial governors. When a request is deemed reasonable by the interior ministry, it is then approved by the prime minister and the president.
The government is planning to announce the list of special disaster zones by Friday. Strong candidates include Chungju and Jecheon in North Chungcheong Province, Cheonan and Asan in South Chungcheong Province and Anseong, Icheon and Yeoncheon in Gyeonggi Province, sources said.
A riverside park in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, is submerged, in this photo provided by the Cheorwon county office on Aug. 4, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Heavy rainfall also put regions near the inter-Korean border on high alert. Water levels rose to an all-time high at the northernmost bridge and dam on the Imjin River.
The water level at Pilseung Bridge, situated near the Southern Limit Line, stood at 13.01 meters as of 10:00 p.m., after peaking at 13.12 meters, according to state-run Han River Flood Control Office.
Water filled up Gunnam Dam, a key flood-control facility on the Imjin, to 39.99 meters high as of 10:00 p.m., after hitting an all time high of 40.14 meters at 9 p.m.
The authorities attributed the water-level hike to heavy regional downpours and North Korea's release of water from its own Hwanggang Dam, without prior notification.
Local municipalities of Paju and Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province, issued an emergency evacuation order to the residents in lowlands, citing rising river levels.
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-05--Moon expresses condolences over deadly Beirut explosion

`` I sincerely hope that the damage will be recovered swiftly under your leadership , and the Lebanese people will @ @ @ @ @ sorrow and recover their calm , '' Moon added .

SEOUL, Aug. 5 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in sent a message of condolence to his Lebanese counterpart, Michel Aoun, Wednesday over a deadly explosion in Beirut that killed more than 100 people and injured 4,000 others.
The massive blast occurred on Tuesday at Beirut's port, as ammonium nitrate, a highly explosive material, caught fire while in storage at a warehouse, according to media reports.
In his message, Moon said that he was deeply sorry for the deadly explosion that resulted in heavy loss of life.
"I'd like to send my deepest condolences to the victims, and convey heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family members who lost their loved ones," the message read.
"I sincerely hope that the damage will be recovered swiftly under your leadership, and the Lebanese people will come out of shock and sorrow and recover their calm," Moon added.
This EPA photo taken on Aug. 4, 2020, shows smoke billowing from the site of a large explosion that rocked the harbor of Beirut, Lebanon. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-05--Ex-triathlete arrested for allegedly assaulting teammates

The late athlete in March accused the 31-year-old Jang , another teammate , head coach Kim Gyu-bong and team therapist @ @ @ @ @ and physically abusing her .
She died of suicide after her pleas for help went @ @ @ @ @ sports authorities .

ANDONG, South Korea, Aug. 5 (Yonhap) -- A former captain of a local triathlon team was arrested Wednesday for allegedly assaulting her colleagues, including Choi Suk-hyeon, who took her own life in June after being abused by her coach and team members.
The Daegu District Court issued the arrest warrant for Jang Yun-jung, a former athlete of Gyeongju City Hall's semi-pro club, on charges of assaulting Choi and other colleagues, citing concerns that she may flee or destroy evidence.
The late athlete in March accused the 31-year-old Jang, another teammate, head coach Kim Gyu-bong and team therapist Ahn Joo Hyeon of verbally and physically abusing her. She died of suicide after her pleas for help went unanswered by regional and national sports authorities.
According to audio recordings she left behind, Choi was apparently struck and verbally abused by the four individuals, prompting legal and sports authorities to belatedly look into the case.
Jang earlier claimed that she was the "biggest victim" of this scandal, and Ahn was the only person to be blamed for the incident.
Asked about her stance by reporters on Wednesday, however, Jang did not make any comments.
The Korea Triathlon Federation banned coach Kim and Jang for life and suspended Kim for 10 years. All three have appealed the penalties.
Coach Kim and therapist Ahn were detained last month.
Jang Yun-jung, a former triathlete, is escorted out of a court in the southeastern city of Daegu on Aug. 5, 2020, after a hearing on her arrest warrant for allegedly abusing her teammates, including the late Choi Suk-hyeon. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-05--N. Korea's COVID-19 test results for first suspected case 'inconclusive': report

South Korea 's health authorities said that the man is unlikely to have been infected with the new coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ any traces of the virus from 16 samples of items he left behind .
There @ @ @ @ @ he had come into contact with virus patients in the South .

SEOUL, Aug. 5 (Yonhap) -- A North Korean defector who crossed the inter-Korean border back to his homeland was tested for the new coronavirus, but the results were inconclusive, a media report said Wednesday.
On July 18, the 24-year-old man, surnamed Kim, fled back to the North after swimming across the border from the western border island of Ganghwa. His case became known after North Korea reported on July 26 that a "runaway" returned home in the border city of Kaesong with COVID-19 symptoms.
It was the first time that the North officially mentioned a suspected COVID-19 case. The North then locked down the city and adopted the "maximum emergency system" against COVID-19, according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency.
"The person was tested for COVID-19, but test results were inconclusive," Edwin Salvador, WHO representative for North Korea, was quoted as saying by Reuters.
Up to 64 first contacts and 3,571 secondary contacts of the defector have been identified and quarantined at state facilities for 40 days, the WHO official said, adding that Kaesong remains under lockdown and medical staff continue to conduct screening in the city.
This photo, provided by a Yonhap News Agency reader, shows a North Korean defector surnamed Kim who is suspected of having fled back to the North recently. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
South Korea's health authorities said that the man is unlikely to have been infected with the new coronavirus, as they did not find any traces of the virus from 16 samples of items he left behind. There is also no evidence that he had come into contact with virus patients in the South.
"Despite having no confirmed cases, North Korea had imposed a widespread lockdown and conducted contract tracing," the WHO official said according to the report.
North Korea's No. 2 leader Choe Ryong-hae visits the border town of Kaesong to inspect antivirus efforts after it was sealed off amid COVID-19 fears in this photo disclosed by the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the North's ruling party, on July 30, 2020. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-05--(LEAD) Gov't warns of stern actions against doctors' planned strike

As part of the country 's medical workforce reform plan , the health ministry is planning to expand admission quotas @ @ @ @ @ over the next 10 years , starting in 2022 , and to open a new @ @ @ @ @ seeks to broaden the reach of health care services .

(ATTN: ADDS position of doctors in paras 9-11)
SEOUL, Aug. 5 (Yonhap) -- The government on Wednesday warned of stern actions against doctors' planned strike later this week, as their collective actions could disrupt the country's medical service and cause harm to people.
The Korean Intern Resident Association (KIRA), a group of doctors in training, earlier said its members will hold an all-out strike Friday in protest of the government's plan to raise admission quotas at medical schools.
The government said it is ready to hold talks with doctors over the issue, but also warned of stern measures if their planned walkout causes severe harm to people.
"We call for doctors to refrain from making collective actions and ask them to resolve the issue through dialogue and consultation," Vice Health Minister Kim Ganglip said in a briefing.
As part of the country's medical workforce reform plan, the health ministry is planning to expand admission quotas at medical schools by 4,000 over the next 10 years, starting in 2022, and to open a new public medical school as it seeks to broaden the reach of health care services.
This will increase the number of students admitted annually to medical schools to 3,458 in the 2022-2031 period from the current 3,058, according to the plan.
Doctors have opposed what they called the government's "hasty and unilateral" decision.
This week's planned strike has sparked concerns that it could paralyze the health care system, as doctors in training who work in essential fields closely linked to patients' lives, including intensive care units, surgery and emergency rooms, will join the walkout.
Related to the standoff, KIRA said it has set up a formal dialogue channel with the government to work out differences, although stressing its members will still stage a walk out later this week.
"Initial discussions with the health ministry revealed the profound differences in views," a representative for the association said, adding that doctors firmly oppose any action that will change the admission quota and affect the quality of working conditions.
The doctor's group then said that despite some concerns, it plans assign a minimum number of personnel to provide essential medical services at key hospitals to minimize inconvenience for the general public.
The Korea Medical Association (KMA), an interest group that represents 130,000 doctors, also plans to stage a separate general strike on Aug. 14.
The government called on doctors to reconsider their move to stage a full-scale strike at a time when the country is struggling to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.
"Under the serious situation tied to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are voicing grave concerns that the medical sector is seeking collective suspension of medical services," Kim said.
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-05--(3rd LD) Downpours continue to grip S. Korea, key dam opens floodgates

(ATTN: UPDATES figures in paras 2-5, 8; ADDS details in paras 13, 16)
SEOUL, Aug. 5 (Yonhap) -- Damage from the heavy rain that has pounded South Korea's metropolitan and central regions continued to increase Wednesday, prompting officials to open the floodgates at a major dam for the first time in three years.
The downpours had killed 15 and left 11 missing as of 4:30 p.m., according to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters. A total of 1,610 residents, or 975 households, were forced to leave their homes, with two-thirds of them based in the provinces of South and North Chungcheong.
Reports of damaged properties continued to rise, with 4,713 private and public facilities being affected by the downpour. Some 1,300 houses were submerged or buried, while damage was also reported at 899 warehouses and cattle sheds.
In addition to buildings, 1,016 roads and bridges also suffered damage from the heavy rain. A total of 313 landslides were reported, and essential facilities, such as waterworks, sewage lines and railways, were also affected.
Damage was also reported at a combined 8,033 hectares of agricultural land, and some 300,000 cattle were killed, according to the ministry of agriculture.
Floodgates at Soyang River Dam in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, release water for the first time in three years on Aug. 5, 2020, as water levels rose following recent heavy rain. (Yonhap)
Cows are seen at a flooded cattle shed in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, on Aug. 4, 2020. (Yonhap)
Restoration efforts are under way in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, on Aug. 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
To restore damaged facilities and help evacuees, the government has mobilized more than 48,800 rescue and volunteer workers as well as nearly 5,800 pieces of heavy equipment, such as excavators and water pumps.
While around 55 percent of damaged facilities have been temporarily restored, 37 roads, including Jamsu Bridge, which connects the southern and northern parts of the Han River in Seoul, remained closed. Six rail routes -- including Chungbuk, Taebaek and Yeongdong -- were partially or completely restricted.
Entry bans remained in place at 349 trekking routes at 13 national parks as well as 16 underpasses and 93 parking lots adjacent to streams and rivers to prevent accidents.
To prevent flooding, major dams across the country began to discharge water as water levels quickly rose.
The Korea Water Resources Corp. began to release water from Soyang River Dam in Gangwon Province at 3 p.m. at a speed of 3,000 tons per second.
The plan is forecast to raise water levels at the Han River by up to 2 meters, with the discharged water arriving near Han River Bridge in central Seoul 16 hours later.
But officials said the water is unlikely to cause additional damage. The dam, built in 1973, has discharged water 14 times, with the latest release taking place in August 2017.
This photo, provided by the Goseong county office in Gangwon Province on Aug. 5, 2020, shows a road that flooded after heavy rain. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
In the afternoon, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun visited Eomjeong-myeon and Sancheok-myeon in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province. He vowed speedy restoration and support as he checked up on the two counties, where damages were among the heaviest.
Earlier in the day, Chung ordered the Ministry of Interior and Safety to swiftly review a proposal to declare Gyeonggi and Chungcheong provinces as special disaster zones.
Special disaster zones are designated upon requests by provincial governors. When a request is deemed reasonable by the interior ministry, it is then approved by the prime minister and the president.
The government is planning to announce the list of special disaster zones by Friday. Strong candidates include Chungju and Jecheon in North Chungcheong Province, Cheonan and Asan in South Chungcheong Province and Anseong, Icheon and Yeoncheon in Gyeonggi Province, sources said.
A riverside park in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, is submerged, in this photo provided by the Cheorwon county office on Aug. 4, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-05--Ex-MLB outfielder Daniel Palka arrives in S. Korea for KBO debut

KBO teams can each sign up to three foreign players , with no more than two pitchers .
The two @ @ @ @ @ Lions are starting pitchers David Buchanan and Ben Lively .

SEOUL, Aug. 5 (Yonhap) -- Former Major League outfielder Daniel Palka on Wednesday arrived in South Korea to join the Samsung Lions, his new Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) club.
After landing at Incheon International Airport, he went to a pension with a large courtyard in the outskirts of Daegu, some 302 kilometers southeast of Seoul, for a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine, according to the Lions.
The Daegu-based club said it has set up some sports equipment at the residence to help him train while in quarantine.
The 28-year-old outfielder is expected to make his KBO debut around Aug. 25 after the two-week quarantine and a couple of warm-up games in the minor league.
Late last month, the KBO team signed Palka for the rest of the season for a total of US$170,000 including a signing bonus of $20,000, replacing Tyler Saladino, who had been sidelined since July 15 with a back injury.
KBO teams can each sign up to three foreign players, with no more than two pitchers. The two other import players for the Lions are starting pitchers David Buchanan and Ben Lively.
Starting his MLB career with the Chicago White Sox in 2018, Palka batted .218 with 29 homers and 71 RBIs in two MLB seasons.
The Samsung Lions are eighth in the 10-team KBO at 36-38. They are also eighth in both batting average with .270 and home runs with 67.
In this Getty Images file photo from Sept. 18, 2018, Daniel Palka of the Chicago White Sox is greeted by his teammates after hitting a solo home run against the Cleveland Indians in the top of the sixth inning of a Major League Baseball regular season game at Progressive Field in Cleveland. (Yonhap)
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-05--Coronavirus causes blood vessel inflammation, immune inhibition: research

`` The tests reveal some characteristics of the coronavirus , such as symptoms and traits and how it is being @ @ @ @ @ Choi Ki-young said at a meeting with KRIBB researchers in Seoul .
He said , @ @ @ @ @ the government will do its utmost to support efforts to find candidate materials that can @ @ @ @ @ coordinate efforts by local laboratories , schools and bio companies to develop ways to combat @ @ @

SEOUL, Aug. 5 (Yonhap) -- The novel coronavirus causes blood vessel inflammation and inhibits immune response, tests conducted on primates indicated Wednesday.
The infection model research by state-run Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB) showed animals exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 experienced rapid multiplying of the virus in the throat and lungs two days after being infected, The Ministry of Science and ICT said. The SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19.
The ministry also said blood vessel inflammation detected early after exposure was still present after the third day of infection, although no actively dangerous virus was discovered on the seventh day.
"Coronavirus were detected at the upper respiratory track and the lungs a week after first infection, but it has been determined that these could not transmit the illness to other animals or humans," the report said.
This discovery may provide clues as to why many people who test positive for the virus in real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests do not have symptoms associated with infection.
KRIBB said along with the rapid growth of the virus, its infection model revealed animals undergoing problems in the early stages of infection with their immune systems that have been observed in people with immune deficiency conditions.
The ministry, which oversaw the research, said the findings, published as the cover article in the online issue of the prestigious U.S. Journal of Infectious Disease, will help in the development of treatment drugs and vaccines going forward.
"The tests reveal some characteristics of the coronavirus, such as symptoms and traits and how it is being transmitted," Science Minister Choi Ki-young said at a meeting with KRIBB researchers in Seoul. He said, based on data collected, the government will do its utmost to support efforts to find candidate materials that can be used for treatment and coordinate efforts by local laboratories, schools and bio companies to develop ways to combat the pandemic.
Science Minister Choi Ki-young (R) speaks at a gathering of researchers who conducted primate infection model tests to find ways to combat COVID-19, in downtown Seoul, on Aug. 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-05--(LEAD) No reports of S. Korean casualties in Lebanon explosion: foreign ministry

(ATTN: UPDATES number in lead)
SEOUL, Aug. 5 (Yonhap) -- The foreign ministry said Wednesday that there have been no reports of South Korean casualties yet in this week's massive explosion in the Lebanese capital of Beirut that left more than 100 people dead and thousands injured.
Tuesday's blast at Beirut's port occurred after a warehouse that had unsafely stored large amounts of confiscated ammonium nitrate, an explosive compound, for six years caught fire, reports said.
About 140 South Korean citizens are currently in the country. There are also about 280 South Korean troops deployed to conduct U.N. peacekeeping operations there.
"Immediately after the accident, the South Korean Embassy in Lebanon started checking an online group chat room of residents in Lebanon to see if there was any damage to citizens. As of now, there were no reports of damage," a ministry official said.
The embassy, in cooperation with the Lebanese government, will keep trying to ascertain if residents there suffered any damage or injuries, and it will provide necessary consular assistance if necessary, the official added.
Two glass windows were broken on the fourth floor of the South Korean Embassy in Lebanon, 7.3 kilometers away from the scene of the explosion, the ministry said.
Smoke billows from a warehouse at a port in the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Aug. 4, 2020, in this AFP photo. (Yonhap)
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-05--(LEAD) S. Korea to develop ultra small-sized satellites to better monitor N. Korea

The ADD is also home to the development of the Hyunmoo series of ballistic and cruise missiles , the Haeseong @ @ @ @ @ surface-to-air missile , the K9 self-propelled howitzer , the K2 main battle tank and other @ @ @ @ @ which are exported .

(ATTN: CHANGES photos)
By Choi Soo-hyang
TAEAN, South Korea, Aug. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is working on a plan to develop ultra small-sized satellites to better monitor North Korea, a state-run defense research agency has said.
The small-sized satellites with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology are expected to allow South Korea to monitor North Korea's military activities in near real-time, according to the Agency for Defense Development (ADD).
When using 32 units of such satellites at once, the military will be able to monitor the North every 30 minutes day or night, regardless of the weather.
The research, launched in December, is now in a preliminary design phase and is expected to be completed in 2023.
Technologies secured from the research will be able to be applied to other projects, officials said.
The development project was one of a series of research projects currently under way that the agency unveiled to media at its defense systems test center in Taean, 150 kilometers southwest of Seoul, on Monday ahead of its 50th founding anniversary.
This photo, taken on Aug. 5, 2020, shows a model of an ultra small-sized satellite South Korea is developing to better monitor North Korea's military activities on display at the state-run Agency for Defense Development's defense systems test center in the western coastal city of Taean. (Yonhap)
Other key research initiatives include those on unmanned submarines, technology for stealth unmanned aerial vehicles and cures for COVID-19.
Last month, President Moon Jae-in visited the agency headquarters in Daejeon, 160 km south of the capital, and expressed gratitude for its contribution to research on the new coronavirus based on its research experience in the biochemistry field.
Many steps lie ahead for the research to be complete, but officials said it will help South Korea better respond to similar virus crises in the future.
With the unmanned submarines, the military will be able to collect information near the inter-Korean maritime border without dispatching sailors to the high-risk area, according to the agency.
The ADD is also home to the development of the Hyunmoo series of ballistic and cruise missiles, the Haeseong anti-ship missile, the Cheongung surface-to-air missile, the K9 self-propelled howitzer, the K2 main battle tank and other well-known weapons, some of which are exported.
"For the next 50 years, we will focus on developing covert weapons systems and daringly give a challenge to advanced scientific technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum radar, synthetic biology and space science," agency chief Nam Sae-kyu said.
This photo, taken on Aug. 5, 2020, shows an unmanned surveillance vehicle in a trial performance at the state-run Agency for Defense Development's defense systems test center in the western coastal city of Taean. (Yonhap)
scaaet@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-05--Jin Air to raise 109 bln won via stock sale amid pandemic

Investors are required to make payment for the new shares on Nov. 3 , and the new shares will be @ @ @ @ @ Exchange ( KRX ) on Nov. 16 , the statement said .

SEOUL, Aug. 5 (Yonhap) -- Low-cost carrier Jin Air Co. said Wednesday it will raise 109 billion won (US$92 million) via stock sales to secure operating capital amid the new coronavirus outbreak.
Jin Air held a board meeting to issue 15 million stocks at 7,280 won per share on Sept. 16.
"The recapitalization is aimed at preparing for growing uncertainties in the airline industry," it said.
Investors are required to make payment for the new shares on Nov. 3, and the new shares will be listed on the main Korea Exchange (KRX) on Nov. 16, the statement said.
This undated file photo, provided by Jin Air, shows its B777-200ER passenger jet taking off at a local airport. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-05--Coast Guard arrests all 18 Chinese who sneaked into S. Korea on boats

The Coast Guard also arrested a Chinese man in his 40s who organized their entries .
He slipped into the @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , on a boat with two compatriots , who were also put into detention @

SEOUL, Aug. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korean coast guards have arrested all 18 Chinese nationals who sneaked into the country by sea in April and May, officials said Wednesday.
The authorities also arrested a Chinese man who allegedly arranged three illicit journeys from the eastern Chinese port of Weihai to South Korea's western port of Taean.
The incidents exposed loopholes in South Korea's maritime border control and prompted the military and the Coast Guard to enhance monitoring and upgrade surveillance equipment in coastal areas.
The Coast Guard in Taean, 150 kilometers southwest of Seoul, said the Chinese people traveled 350 kilometers across the Yellow Sea on a rubber boat or leisure boat.
Five of them entered Taean on April 19 and another five and eight arrived on May 17 and 21, respectively, all disguising themselves as fishermen.
They were arrested in various areas in the central and southern regions of the country.
Most of them were found to have records of staying illegally in South Korea and had been barred from entering the country.
They paid 10,000-15,000 yuan (1.72-2.6 million won or US$1,438-US$2,157) per person to buy the boats, according to the Coast Guard.
"It was found that a Chinese broker gathered them through a chat app. They infiltrated the country to illegally get jobs at farms or construction sites," an official said.
The Coast Guard also arrested a Chinese man in his 40s who organized their entries. He slipped into the country on Sept. 25, 2019, on a boat with two compatriots, who were also put into detention.
Three other Chinese nationals were also arrested for allegedly helping the 18 people while they were on the run after arriving in Taean.
"Upon these incidents, the Chinese Coast Guard has expressed its intention to strengthen cooperation with our Coast Guard to root out criminal activities, such as illegal entries by sea," the official said.
"We will work together with the military to enhance our maritime surveillance capabilities, especially to detect small boats, to prevent a recurrence," he added.
Korea Coast Guard (KCS) officials inspect an unregistered six-seat, 1.5-ton boat at a KCS pier in the western coastal city of Taean on May 25, 2020. The boat was first spotted on Uihangri Beach in the city on May 20 and remained unattended until a local resident called the police on May 23. Having checked nearby CCTV footage, the Coast Guard determined that six Chinese nationals sneaked into the country aboard the boat. (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-08-05--'October surprise' summit between U.S., N.K. unlikely: Moon's adviser

`` I 'm skeptical about the October surprise , not simply because of the tight schedule ahead of the election @ @ @ @ @ what the Trump administration can give to the North , '' Moon said at the @ @ @ @ @ of Foreign Affairs and National Security .

By Kim Seung-yeon
SEOUL, Aug. 5 (Yonhap) -- Chances are low for another summit between the United States and North Korea before November's U.S. presidential election, a special adviser to President Moon Jae-in said Wednesday, amid speculation U.S. President Donald Trump could use such a summit as a pre-election "October surprise."
Moon Chung-in, special adviser for diplomatic and security affairs, made the assessment during a virtual forum, saying North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is unlikely to agree to such a meeting short of concrete conditions for a deal.
"I'm skeptical about the October surprise, not simply because of the tight schedule ahead of the election, but in terms of what the Trump administration can give to the North," Moon said at the forum hosted by the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security.
Moon said that neither side would likely be up for such talks short of concrete conditions for a deal.
"Kim will never come out. He lost faith in Hanoi. He cannot afford another mistake."
Talk of a possible third summit between Trump and Kim gained traction as South Korea's government under Moon has stepped up its push to resume the stalled dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang, with Trump appearing to be losing ground to his presumptive Democratic opponent Joe Biden.
Former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton has claimed another summit may happen if Trump believes a summit with Kim would help his reelection chances. Bolton made the same comment in an interview with a South Korean newspaper published earlier this week.
Nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang remain stalled after the early 2019 summit in Hanoi between the two leaders ended without a deal. The two sides were far apart over how far Pyongyang should denuclearize in order for Washington to offer concessions.
Moon Chung-in, special adviser for diplomatic and security affairs, speaks during a peace forum hosted by Yonhap News Agency in Seoul in this photo taken on June 30, 2020. (Yonhap)
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-05--S. Korea to accelerate development of hypersonic missiles: defense chief

Last week , South Korea announced that it has become able to develop solid-propellant space rockets under the new missile @ @ @ @ @ , saying the deal is expected to help sharply improve the military 's intelligence , @ @ @ @ @ ) capabilities .

By Choi Soo-hyang
SEOUL, Aug. 5 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo said Wednesday the military will accelerate its push to develop new missiles, such as hypersonic missiles and precise guided missiles, amid growing nuclear and missile threats from North Korea.
The minister made the remark during a ceremony to mark the 50th founding anniversary of the state-run Agency for Defense Development (ADD), a week after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said Pyongyang will "never stop honing the most powerful national defense capacity."
"Our military will accelerate our technology development on guided weapons system with precise guide function, long-range and hypersonic missiles, high-power warheads, and Korean-style satellite navigation system to further advance our missile capabilities," Jeong said.
The ADD is home to the development of the Hyunmoo series of ballistic and cruise missiles, the Haeseong anti-ship missile, the Cheongung surface-to-air missile, the K9 self-propelled howitzer, the K2 main battle tank and other well-known weapons, some of which are exported.
Last month, President Moon Jae-in visited the agency's headquarters in Daejeon, some 160 kilometers south of Seoul, and congratulated it for developing a ballistic missile with "sufficient range and the world's largest warhead weight," apparently referring to the Hyunmoo-4.
Noting the recent revision in the country's missile guidelines, Jeong said the military is now at a "new phase" in its response to North Korea's nuclear and missile provocations.
Last week, South Korea announced that it has become able to develop solid-propellant space rockets under the new missile guidelines with the United States, saying the deal is expected to help sharply improve the military's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
"Our military will continue to focus on strengthening our power and developing cutting-edge weapons systems by carrying out defense reform with latest technologies," Jeong said.
In this file photo, provided by the defense ministry and taken on June 23, 2017, Hyunmoo-2, a home-grown ballistic missile with a range of 800 kilometers, is test-fired from a mobile launch pad at a test site of the Agency for Defense Development in Anheung, 200 kilometers southwest of Seoul, with President Moon Jae-in on hand. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
scaaet@yna.co.kr
(END)


Yonhap News Summary

The exact type of the VTOL aircraft to be deployed has yet to be decided , but it is likely @ @ @ @ @ which is the only model that meets South Korea 's requirement that it have stealth @ @

The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Wednesday.
-----------------
(2nd LD) Downpours continue to grip S. Korea, key dam opens floodgates
SEOUL -- Damage from the heavy rain that has pounded South Korea's metropolitan and central regions continued to increase Wednesday, prompting officials to open the floodgates at a major dam for the first time in three years.
The downpours had killed 15 and left 11 missing as of 6 a.m., according to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters. Nearly 1,600 were forced to leave their homes, with two-thirds of them based in the provinces of South and North Chungcheong.
-----------------
(LEAD) Seoul stocks hit almost 2-year high on U.S. stimulus hopes
SEOUL -- South Korean stocks gathered ground for the third consecutive session on Wednesday to close at the highest level in nearly two years, as investor sentiment was buoyed by progress in U.S. stimulus moves, analysts said. The Korean won rose against the greenback.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 31.89 points, or 1.4 percent, to finish at 2,311.86. Trading volume was high at 830 million shares worth 17.6 trillion won (US$14.8 billion), with losers outpacing gainers 434 to 400.
-----------------
China eases COVID-19 entry restrictions for S. Korean students, workers amid tensions with U.S.
BEIJING -- China eased coronavirus restrictions on the entry of South Korean students and workers Wednesday, sources said, in an apparent move to strengthen its ties with Seoul amid growing geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing.
Beijing started to receive visa applications from students, workers and those with valid residence permits, in the first such relaxation of the restrictions against foreigners that it placed in March to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
-----------------
(2nd LD) New virus cases over 30 for 2nd day as imported, local infections rise
SEOUL -- South Korea reported 33 more cases of the new coronavirus Wednesday due to a continued rise in local infections coming in from overseas and locally transmitted cases.
The new cases, including 18 imported cases, raised South Korea's total cases of COVID-19 to 14,456, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
-----------------
S. Korea begins procedures to introduce F-35B fighters for light aircraft carrier
SEOUL -- South Korea has begun procedures to determine the number of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) jets to purchase for its envisioned light aircraft carrier to be deployed by 2033, a government source said Wednesday.
The exact type of the VTOL aircraft to be deployed has yet to be decided, but it is likely to be the F-35B, which is the only model that meets South Korea's requirement that it have stealth capability.
-----------------
S. Korea reiterates willingness to cooperate with New Zealand over sexual abuse case
SEOUL -- South Korea is willing to cooperate with New Zealand in accordance with mutual legal assistance and extradition treaties over sexual assault allegations against a senior diplomat, but Wellington has not requested such cooperation, the foreign ministry said Wednesday.
The diplomat was accused of groping a local male employee at South Korea's Embassy in Wellington on three occasions in 2017. He was disciplined, with a reduction in salary for a month over the case before moving to a post in the Philippines.
-----------------
Gov't warns of stern actions against doctors' planned strike
SEOUL -- The government on Wednesday warned of stern actions against doctors' planned strike later this week, as their collective actions could disrupt the country's medical service and cause harm to people.
The Korean Intern Resident Association (KIRA), a group of doctors in training, earlier said its members will hold an all-out strike Friday in protest of the government's plan to raise admission quotas at medical schools.
(END)


yna--2020-08-05--(LEAD) Jeju Air's losses deepen in Q2 on one-off costs

`` The advance payment worth 11.95 billion won for the acquisition of Eastar Jet was reflected as one-off costs in @ @ @ @ @ '' the filing said .

(ATTN: REWRITES throughout; ADDS photo)
SEOUL, Aug. 5 (Yonhap) -- Jeju Air Co., South Korea's biggest low-cost carrier, said Wednesday its second-quarter net losses deepened due to one-off costs amid the impact of the new coronavirus on the airline industry.
Net losses widened to 83.15 billion won (US$70 million) in the April-June quarter from 29.48 billion won a year ago, the company said in a regulatory filing.
"The advance payment worth 11.95 billion won for the acquisition of Eastar Jet was reflected as one-off costs in the quarterly bottom line," the filing said.
The corporate logo of Jeju Air (Yonhap)
Last month, Jeju Air scrapped the deal to take over Eastar due to rising COVID-19 pandemic-related uncertainties.
Operating losses also widened to 84.73 billion won in the second quarter from 27.44 billion won a year ago. Sales plunged 89 percent to 36.04 billion won from 312.95 billion won during the same period.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-05--Boy band NU'EST to release second Japanese album in October

Having debuted in 2012 with the single `` Face , '' the five-piece boy band has put out one studio @ @ @ @ @ South Korea , with the most recent EP being `` The Nocturne , '' released @ @ @

SEOUL, Aug. 5 (Yonhap) -- K-pop boy band NU'EST plans to drop its second Japanese album later this year, the group's management agency said Wednesday.
The five-piece boy band will release "Drive," a follow-up to their 2015 Japanese studio album "Bridge the World," on Oct 7, according to Pledis Entertainment.
The new album will be fronted by an original Japanese song of the same title. The lead song, according to Pledis, is a medium-tempo number with a "mature atmosphere."
The album will also carry several hits that were previously released in South Korea, including "Call Me Back," "Love Me" and "I'm In Trouble," Pledis said.
Having debuted in 2012 with the single "Face," the five-piece boy band has put out one studio album and eight EPs in South Korea, with the most recent EP being "The Nocturne," released in May.
A file publicity photo of K-pop group NU'EST provided by Pledis Entertainment (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-05--(LEAD) 5G network's download speed, connection lower than thought: report

The assessment , conducted in Seoul and six other major cities , also found that during downloads on 5G , @ @ @ @ @ time on average was helped by 4G LTE .
The country 's 5G networks currently @ @ @ @ @ the support of 4G LTE .

(ATTN: ADDS details in paras 5, 10)
By Chae Yun-hwan
SEOUL, Aug. 5 (Yonhap) -- The 5G network services in South Korea have been poorer than expected, with their download speeds and connection far lower than what telecom operators have claimed, an assessment report showed Wednesday.
South Korea was the first country to commercialize 5G in April last year, boasting of low latency and speedy data transmission, but 5G subscribers complained of the network's lower-than-expected speed and unstable connection.
The average download speed on 5G networks run by the country's three telecom operators -- SK Telecom Co., KT Corp., and LG Uplus Corp. -- stood at 656.6 megabits per second (Mbps), just four times faster than the average 4G LTE speed of 158.5 Mbps, according to the report compiled by the ICT ministry.
KT and LG Uplus have advertised their 5G network data speed as 20 times faster than the 4G LTE network.
This file photo, taken on July 8, 2020, shows the logos of the country's three major telecom operators. The Ministry of Science and ICT found that the country's 5G speeds and connection are lower than expected. (Yonhap)
The assessment, conducted in Seoul and six other major cities, also found that during downloads on 5G, about 6 percent of the time on average was helped by 4G LTE. The country's 5G networks currently operate on non-standalone mode with the support of 4G LTE.
The report also showed that smartphone users' accessibility to the latest mobile network hovers below 70 percent.
The result was based on testing at a total of 3,826 public buildings where the telecom operators have installed 5G equipment nationwide.
By carrier, SK Telecom had the fastest download speeds of up to 788.97 Mbps, followed by KT at 652.1 Mbps and LG Uplus at 528.6 Mbps.
"There are still a lot of locations, including indoor environments, that are not covered by the network," Hong Jin-bae, director general of the ICT ministry's telecommunication policy bureau, said in a briefing. "We want telecom operators to quickly work toward ensuring network quality that meets expectations."
The government plans to conduct another assessment on the network starting later this month to encourage the carriers to further develop and update the 5G network.
The three companies have raced to update and install the network across the country over the past year.
They target to commercialize the standalone version of 5G by the end of this year and have promised to spend up to 25.7 trillion won (US$21.6 billion) to establish a nationwide 5G network by 2022.
Their massive investment plan is in sync with the government's digital New Deal, which plans to spend 58.2 trillion won by 2025 to update public infrastructure with digital services and increase state investment in key technologies.
As of the end of May, there were 6.9 million 5G subscription accounts in the country, accounting for roughly 10 percent of the total 69 million mobile subscriptions, according to the ICT ministry.
There were 108,897 5G base stations installed nationwide as of February this year, compared with around 870,000 4G LTE base stations.
yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-06--Health minister urges doctors to retract planned strike amid pandemic

`` Under the grave situation over the COVID-19 pandemic , the groups ' move to suspend treating patients en mass @ @ @ @ @ cause harm to the people .
In any case , the people 's health and @ @ @ @ @ , '' Park said in a public message .

SEOUL, Aug. 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's health minister urged doctors Thursday to retract their planned strike that could disrupt the health care system amid the new coronavirus outbreak.
Park Neung-hoo said the government is ready to hold dialogue with doctors to try to resolve the issue, but he warned that the government will take "stern" actions if the work stoppage harms people's health and safety.
The Korean Intern Resident Association (KIRA), a group of doctors in training, plans to hold an all-out strike Friday in protest of the government's plan to raise admission quotas at medical schools.
The Korea Medical Association (KMA), which speaks for 130,000 doctors, also plans to stage a separate general strike on Aug. 14.
"Under the grave situation over the COVID-19 pandemic, the groups' move to suspend treating patients en mass or take collective actions could cause harm to the people. In any case, the people's health and safety should not be threatened," Park said in a public message.
As part of the country's medical workforce reform plan, the health ministry is planning to expand admission quotas at medical schools by 4,000 over the next 10 years, starting in 2022, and to open a new public medical school as it seeks to broaden the reach of health care services.
This will increase the number of students admitted annually to medical schools to 3,458 in the 2022-2031 period from the current 3,058, according to the plan.
Doctors have opposed what they called the government's "hasty and unilateral" decision. But Park described the government's plan to raise the quotas for medical schools as an "inevitable" decision for the nation and the people.
This week's planned strike has sparked concerns that it could paralyze the health care system, as trainee doctors -- who work in essential fields such as intensive care units, surgery and emergency rooms -- will join the walkout.
"The government will closely consult with the medical sector over key details, including how to train and nurture medical workers with the increased quotas," Park said.
Meanwhile, the government plans to hold a closed-door meeting with representatives of KIRA later in the day.
Vice Health Minister Kim Gang-lip and ministry officials plan to listen to the stance of the group of doctors in training. Kim is expected to repeat the ministry's call to reconsider their strike plan.
Health Minister Park Neung-hoo issues a public message at the government complex building in Seoul on Aug. 6, 2020, one day before a group of doctors in training plans to hold a strike in protest of the government's plan to increase admission quotas at medical schools. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-06--Samsung tipped to expand presence in wireless earphone market with new product: analysts

SEOUL , Aug. 6 ( Yonhap ) -- Samsung Electronics Co. is expected to increase its presence in the wireless @ @ @ @ @ of a new hearable product , analysts said Thursday , as the South Korean tech @ @ @ @ @ with industry leader Apple Inc .

SEOUL, Aug. 6 (Yonhap) -- Samsung Electronics Co. is expected to increase its presence in the wireless earphone market following its launch of a new hearable product, analysts said Thursday, as the South Korean tech giant tries to catch up with industry leader Apple Inc.
The Galaxy Buds Live wireless earbuds were one of the new mobile devices that Samsung unveiled at the Galaxy Unpacked online event Wednesday.
Analysts said Samsung's latest bean-shaped wireless product will anchor the company's overall wearable sales with its upgraded design and features.
"The Galaxy Buds Live is expected to be a product that can generate demand in the long term," said Roh Kyung-tak, an analyst at Eugene Investment Securities. "It is Samsung's first open-type truly wireless stereo (TWS) product with active noise canceling (ANC) technology."
This photo, provided by Samsung Electronics Co. on Aug. 5, 2020, shows the company's Galaxy Buds Live wireless earbuds. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
At the Galaxy Unpacked event, Samsung said the Galaxy Buds Live can cut low-band background noise by up to 97 percent, allowing users to tune out noise distractions.
The ANC technology was one of the reasons that many consumers selected Apple's AirPods, but with Samsung also using that solution, industry observers said the company can expect sales increase.
The Galaxy Buds Live has also been priced at US$169, about $80 cheaper than the AirPods Pro with ANC.
Analysts pointed out the wireless earphones' improved compatibility with other Galaxy devices can attract Samsung consumers.
"Since 2019, Samsung, like Apple, has been removing the headphone jack on its flagship smartphones and that has led to increased demand for wireless earphones," Lee Chang-min, an analyst at KB Securities, said.
Apple is the dominant player in the TWS market. Last year, the American tech juggernaut shipped 58.7 million wireless earphone products, accounting for 54.4 percent of market share, according to data from Strategy Analytics.
Samsung was the third-largest player in 2019 with a 6.9 percent market share, trailing behind China's Xiaomi with 8.5 percent, data showed.
Lee said Samsung's market share in the TWS market could reach up to 10 percent this year, with its aggressive promotion and release of the new product.
"Samsung's wireless earphone shipment could expand to 25 million units from last year's 7.6 million units," he said.
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-06--Seoul stocks jump over 1 pct late Thur. morning amid economic recovery hopes

Estimate-beating quarterly earnings by KOSPI heavyweights Kakao and SK Telecom also fueled market optimism that the Asia 's fourth-largest economy @ @ @ @ @ part of the COVID-19 pandemic .

SEOUL, Aug. 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares jumped over 1 percent late Thursday morning amid ample economic rebound hopes in financial markets, bucking worries about a spike of the new coronavirus.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) jumped 24.60 points, or 1.06 percent, to 2,336.46 as of 11:20 a.m.
The market continued its bullish run, after closing at a nearly two-year high in the previous session.
Investor sentiment remained high despite nationwide downpours and concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.
Stocks lifted over rosy expectations that the U.S. stimulus package is nearing an accord, in addition to improvements in economic indexes in major economies.
Estimate-beating quarterly earnings by KOSPI heavyweights Kakao and SK Telecom also fueled market optimism that the Asia's fourth-largest economy may have passed the worst part of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kakao retreated 1.08 percent on profit-taking, while SK Telecom advanced 0.66 percent.
Most other large caps traded higher.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics added 1.41 percent, with No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix climbing 0.37 percent.
Leading chemical maker LG Chem hiked 1.19 percent, and top steelmaker POSCO leaped 3.09 percent.
Hyundai Motor, the country's largest automaker, spiked 5.97 percent, with its smaller affiliate Kia Motors jumping 2.92 percent.
Internet portal giant Naver advanced 0.96 percent.
Top pharmaceutical firm Samsung Biologics lost 1.40 percent, and Celltrion dipped 1.11 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,185.40 won against the U.S. dollar, up 3.40 won from the previous session's close.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-06--Blue Jays' Ryu Hyun-jin back to himself, earns 1st win of 2020

Ryu shut down the Atlanta Braves over five innings at Truist Park in Atlanta on Thursday ( Korean time ) @ @ @ @ @ walking three , he allowed only one hit to pick up his first win of @ @ @ @ @ Jays beat the Braves 2-1 .

SEOUL, Aug. 6 (Yonhap) -- Toronto Blue Jays' South Korean starter Ryu Hyun-jin made it back to where he was.
Ryu shut down the Atlanta Braves over five innings at Truist Park in Atlanta on Thursday (Korean time). Striking out eight and walking three, he allowed only one hit to pick up his first win of the season as the Blue Jays beat the Braves 2-1.
It is the first scoreless game by the southpaw since the 2020 MLB season started. He threw 84 pitches, with his ERA dropping to 5.14.
In this Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports photo, Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin delivers a pitch in a Major League Baseball regular season game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park in Atlanta on Aug. 5, 2020 (local time). (Yonhap)
In his Opening Day start on July 24 against the Tampa Bay Rays, Ryu allowed three earned runs in 4 2/3 innings in a 6-4 Toronto victory.
He took his first loss, allowing five runs on nine hits in 4 1/3 innings against the Washington Nationals on July 30. The Blue Jays lost 6-4.
With his new short, neat haircut, Ryu said in a pre-match interview the previous day that he had refreshed his mind for the next game and was ready to make a turnaround.
Against the Braves, Ryu started the first inning with a walk to leadoff Ronald Acuna Jr. But soon he picked off the runner and wrapped up the inning by striking out two.
He allowed a one-out single on a ground ball to Adam Duvall in the second, but he again repeated with back-to-back strikeouts to close the inning.
Despite two walks in the third and fourth innings, he retired the other batters to keep the Braves off the board through the fifth.
The Blue Jays scored two to help Ryu's performance, taking a 1-0 lead after a double by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and a sacrifice fly by Danny Jansen.
In the fifth inning, Bo Bichette singled on a line drive to center field and scored as Cavan Biggio hit a single to right field.
Then, Ryu was replaced by right-hander Thomas Hatch after the bottom fifth inning, with the Blue Jays leading the game 2-0.
Four bullpen pitchers including closer Anthony Bass were responsible for the remaining four innings, giving up only one solo homer to Duvall in the seventh to seal a 2-1 victory.
The Blue Jays have posted a 4-5 record so far in the 60-game season.
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-06--(2nd LD) SK Telecom Q2 net surges on increased equity gains, rise in 5G users

The telecom operator said it spent 917.8 billion won on facilities investment in the second quarter , up 56.7 percent @ @ @ @ @ Total investment in the first half of the year amounted to 1.2 trillion won .

(ATTN: ADDS more info in 3rd para, from 10th para)
SEOUL, Aug. 6 (Yonhap) -- SK Telecom Co., South Korea's top mobile carrier, said Thursday its second-quarter net income jumped 66.8 percent from a year earlier due to increased equity gains and improved mobile business.
Net income reached 432.2 billion won (US$365.1 million) in the April-June period, compared with 259.1 billion won the previous year, the company said in a regulatory filing.
Sales came to 4.6 trillion won in the second quarter, up 3.7 percent from the previous year, while operating profit rose 11.4 percent to 359.5 billion won over the same period.
The corporate logo of SK Telecom Co. is shown in this undated photo provided by the company. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)
SK Telecom said a strong performance from its chipmaking affiliate SK hynix Inc. improved its bottom line.
Equity gains totaled 267 billion won in the second quarter, compared with 136.1 billion won a year earlier, according to the company.
SK Telecom holds a 20 percent stake in the chipmaker, which reported last month that net income more than doubled on-year in the second quarter.
The mobile carrier said its mobile network business recorded improved sales despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sales from its mobile network business reached 2.94 trillion won in the second quarter, up 3.2 percent from a year earlier, thanks to a rise in 5G subscribers.
The carrier had 3.35 million 5G subscriptions in the April-June period, up 700,000 from the previous quarter, it said.
As of the second quarter, SK Telecom had a total of 24.15 million handset subscribers, up from 24.05 million a year ago.
The telecom operator said it spent 917.8 billion won on facilities investment in the second quarter, up 56.7 percent from a year earlier. Total investment in the first half of the year amounted to 1.2 trillion won.
The telecom operator's media business also reported improved results, with sales from its IPTV subsidiary SK Broadband Co. reaching 918.4 billion won, up 16.2 percent from a year earlier due to increased subscribers from its merger with No. 2 cable TV operator t-broad Co.
The merged entity, which launched in late April, had 8.4 million subscribers in the April-June period, compared with SK Broadband's 5.3 million subscribers in the first quarter.
SK Telecom's online and media commerce units posted sales of 192.6 billion won in the second quarter, up 8.5 percent from a year earlier, as consumers turned to online shopping amid the pandemic.
yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-06--(LEAD) KT&G Q2 net falls 9.6 pct on FX losses

KT & G sold 10.5 billion cigarettes in the domestic market in the second quarter , up 1.9 percent from @ @ @ @ @ ago .
It accounted for 63.4 percent of the country 's 16.6 billion cigarette market @ @ @ @ @ the statement said .

(ATTN: RECASTS throughout with details)
SEOUL, Aug. 6 (Yonhap) -- KT&G Corp., South Korea's dominant tobacco company, said Thursday its second-quarter net profit fell 9.6 percent from a year earlier as foreign-exchange losses offset increased sales.
Net profit for the three months that ended in June fell to 293.46 billion won (US$248 million) from 324.46 billion won in the same period of last year, the company said in a statement.
"Foreign-exchange losses were reflected in the bottom line, fully offsetting increased exports and gains in property investments," the statement said.
The dollar rose to an average of 1,220.81 won in the second quarter from 1,165.91 won a year earlier, according to the Bank of Korea.
KT&G sold 10.5 billion cigarettes in the domestic market in the second quarter, up 1.9 percent from 10.3 billion cigarettes a year ago. It accounted for 63.4 percent of the country's 16.6 billion cigarette market in the second quarter, the statement said.
Its overseas sales climbed 9.4 percent to 13.9 billion cigarettes from 12.7 billion during the cited period.
Operating profit declined 1.1 percent to 394.73 billion won in the second quarter from 399.06 billion won a year ago. Sales rose 4.8 percent to 1.32 trillion won from 1.26 trillion won during the same period, it said.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-06--The Korea Interbank Offered Rates (KORIBOR)

SEOUL , Aug. 6 ( Yonhap ) -- The Korea Interbank Offered Rates ( KORIBOR ) as posted by Yonhap @ @ @ @ @ and information arm of Yonhap News Agency , at 11:00 a.m .

(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--2020-08-06--(LEAD) Unification minister expresses regret over N.K's release of dam water

`` I express my regrets over the recent unilateral measure to release dam water , '' Lee said at the @ @ @ @ @ the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Council .
`` North Korea might have had difficulties of @ @ @ @ @ rainfall , but I would like to stress they should have at least notified us @ @ @ @ @ ''

(ATTN: ADDS military's comment in last 2 paras)
SEOUL, Aug. 6 (Yonhap) -- Unification Minister Lee In-young expressed regret Thursday over North Korea's release of water from a border dam without giving South Korea prior notice earlier this week.
On Monday, the North partially opened the floodgates of Hwanggang Dam on the western inter-Korean border and sent water into the Imjin River, a move that put authorities here on alert against a potential rise in water levels in the South.
"I express my regrets over the recent unilateral measure to release dam water," Lee said at the start of a meeting of the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Council. "North Korea might have had difficulties of their own due to heavy rainfall, but I would like to stress they should have at least notified us prior to the release."
He urged the North to notify the South in whatever way possible.
"No matter how difficult the inter-Korean situation is politically and militarily, we need to restart dialogue immediately at least on issues related to the humanitarian field or the safety of the residents living near the border," he added.
Under an agreement signed between the two Koreas in October 2009, the North agreed to notify the South in advance of its plans to open the floodgates, following a deadly accident that killed six South Koreans after the North discharged water from Hwanggang Dam without notice.
The defense ministry said it is closely monitoring related moves in the North while sharing information with other government agencies.
"We are actively sharing information on the situation with other government agencies to prevent any damage to our people and troops," Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson Col. Kim Jun-rak said during a regular press briefing.
Unification Minister Lee In-young speaks during a meeting of the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Council on Aug. 6, 2020. (Yonhap)
julesyi@yna.co.kr
scaaet@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-06--Unification minister expresses regret over N.K's release of dam water

SEOUL, Aug. 6 (Yonhap) -- Unification Minister Lee In-young expressed regret Thursday over North Korea's release of water from a border dam without giving South Korea prior notice earlier this week.
On Monday, the North partially opened the floodgates of Hwanggang Dam on the western inter-Korean border and sent water into the Imjin River, a move that put authorities here on alert against a potential rise in water levels in the South.
"I express my regrets over the recent unilateral measure to release dam water," Lee said at the start of a meeting of the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Council. "North Korea might have had difficulties of their own due to heavy rainfall, but I would like to stress they should have at least notified us prior to the release."
He urged the North to notify the South in whatever way possible.
"No matter how difficult the inter-Korean situation is politically and militarily, we need to restart dialogue immediately at least on issues related to the humanitarian field or the safety of the residents living near the border," he added.
Under an agreement signed between the two Koreas in October 2009, the North agreed to notify the South in advance of its plans to open the floodgates, following a deadly accident that killed six South Koreans after the North discharged water from Hwanggang Dam without notice.
Unification Minister Lee In-young speaks during a meeting of the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Council on Aug. 6, 2020. (Yonhap)
julesyi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-06--Major highways in Seoul partly closed as downpours raise water level of Han River

Several sections of the Dongbu Urban Expressway , Seoul Inner Loop , Olympic-daero and Gangbyeon Northern Highway have been closed @ @ @ @ @ inner city river 's swelled water level , according to the police and the city @ @ @

SEOUL, Aug. 6 (Yonhap) -- Major highways running across the capital Seoul were partly closed Thursday as heavy rains pushed up the water level of the city's Han River.
Several sections of the Dongbu Urban Expressway, Seoul Inner Loop, Olympic-daero and Gangbyeon Northern Highway have been closed to traffic due to the inner city river's swelled water level, according to the police and the city of Seoul.
As heavy rains continued to batter the country's metropolitan and central regions, authorities opened the floodgates of Soyang River Dam and Paldang Dam a day earlier, releasing the waters to empty into the sea through the Han River.
A section of Seoul Dongbu Urban Expressway is closed on Aug. 6, 2020, after heavy rains pushed up the water level of the Han River. (Yonhap)
The swollen river also forced authorities to cut off access to riverside roads in Seoul's Yeouido and other areas. Jamsu Bridge linking the southern and northern parts of the city over the Han River also remained off limits.
As heavy rains continue to wreak havoc in the country's central regions, including the Seoul metropolitan area, the death toll has risen to 16 this month, according to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters.
Eleven people remained missing as of Thursday morning due to the cloudburst, while more than 1,600 people were displaced from their homes in areas hit hardest, such as North and South Chungcheong provinces, Gyeonggi Province and Gangwon Province.
Real footages captured by citizens reveal flooded cities amid Korea’s longest monsoon in 7 years Youtube https://youtu.be/CeasqpXmBZ0
Three train lines, including Taebaek and Chungbuk, remained totally or partially out of service, while 39 roads across the affected areas were off limits due to mudslide damage from the torrential rains, according to authorities.
As of Thursday morning, more than 5,000 houses and facilities were reported flooded or damaged in the latest bout of heavy rains. Nearly 8,065 hectares of farm land have been inundated or ravaged.
The weather agency urged extra caution and safety measures, as the central and southern regions are expected to receive rainfall of up to 50 millimeters per hour with strong winds on Thursday and Friday.
Residents of a village in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, evacuate a flooded area in a boat on Aug. 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
A section of Seoul Dongbu Urban Expressway is closed on Aug. 6, 2020, after heavy rains pushed up the water level of the Han River. (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-06--(LEAD) Mirae Asset Daewoo Q2 net up 38.6 pct

The company said its operating revenue skyrocketed 479 percent from the previous quarter to 319.8 billion won , driven by @ @ @ @ @ overseas stock markets and higher profits from investments in bonds and derivatives at home and @ @

(ATTN: REWRITES throughout; ADDS more info)
SEOUL, Aug. 6 (Yonhap) -- Major South Korean brokerage house Mirae Asset Daewoo Co. said Thursday its second-quarter earnings rose nearly 39 percent on-year on more investment revenue and fee income.
Consolidated net profit came to 304.1 billion won (US$255.8 million) in the April-June period, up 38.6 percent from a year earlier, the company said in a regulatory filing.
Operating income stood at an all-time quarterly high of 387.1 billion won, up 47.9 percent from a year ago and 179 percent from the prior quarter. Sales, however, fell 62.2 percent to 1.61 trillion won.
The corporate logo of Mirae Asset Daewoo Co. (Yonhap)
The operating profit was 34.1 percent higher than the median estimate in a survey by Yonhap Infomax, the financial data firm of Yonhap News Agency. The estimate of net profit was not available.
Mirae Asset Daewoo attributed the stellar second-quarter performance to a spike in operating revenue and robust fee income.
The company said its operating revenue skyrocketed 479 percent from the previous quarter to 319.8 billion won, driven by a recovery in domestic and overseas stock markets and higher profits from investments in bonds and derivatives at home and abroad.
Its fee income amounted to 189.9 billion won in the second quarter, up 32.5 percent from three months earlier.
Mirae Asset Daewoo added the pre-tax net profit of its overseas subsidiaries totaled 58.8 billion won, up 33 percent from the previous quarter, with their first-half net income totaling 103 billion won.
(END)


yna--2020-08-06--New virus cases bounce back to over 40 on surge in domestic infections

Of the local transmissions , 16 were from the greater Seoul area -- five in Seoul and 11 in Gyeonggi @ @ @ @ @ city of Busan also reported three more COVID-19 cases .

SEOUL, Aug. 6 (Yonhap) -- The number of new daily coronavirus cases in South Korea bounced back to above 40 on Thursday as domestic infections climbed up.
The country added 43 cases, raising the total caseload to 14,499, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
It marked the first time since July 29 that the daily rise in COVID-19 cases reached above 40.
Of the newly identified cases, 23 were domestic infections, reaching its highest level since July 25. The latest tally marked an uptick from 13 cases Tuesday and 15 cases Wednesday.
Locally transmitted cases also outnumbered imported cases for the first time in 13 days.
Of the local transmissions, 16 were from the greater Seoul area -- five in Seoul and 11 in Gyeonggi Province. The southeastern port city of Busan also reported three more COVID-19 cases.
In this photo taken by the Joint Press Corps on Aug. 5, 2020, a health worker checks the body temperature of an arrival at a shelter in Incheon. (Yonhap)
Infections coming in from overseas have risen steadily by double-digit numbers for 42 consecutive days.
Of the 20 newly reported imported cases, six were detected at quarantine checkpoints at ports and airports.
By country, five cases were from the United States, followed by Russia with four and Uzbekistan with two.
The total number of imported cases in the country is now at 2,520.
The country reported no additional deaths, keeping the death toll at 302, according to the KCDC, with the mortality rate reaching 2.08 percent.
The number of patients fully cured of the virus reached 13,501, up 95 from the previous day, while 696 are currently under treatment, down 52 from a day earlier.
South Korea has carried out 1,606,487 tests since Jan. 3.
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-06--(URGENT) 95 more patients released from coronavirus treatment, total now at 13,501: KCDC


yna--2020-08-06--(URGENT) S. Korea reports no additional coronavirus deaths, death toll at 302: KCDC


yna--2020-08-06--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 43 more cases of new coronavirus, total now at 14,499: KCDC


yna--2020-08-06--S. Korea decides to provide US$10 mln for WFP aid project for N. Korea

`` We decided to provide assistance to young children and women in the belief that it would help improve the @ @ @ @ @ need it the most in North Korea , '' the ministry said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ to provide humanitarian assistance regardless of the political and military situation . ''

By Yi Wonju
SEOUL, Aug. 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea decided Thursday to provide US$10 million for a World Food Programme project to supply food and nutrition to young children and women in North Korea, the unification ministry said Thursday.
The decision, approved by a civilian-government committee on inter-Korean exchanges, marked the first time that the ministry has approved a North Korea aid plan since Unification Minister Lee In-young took office last month.
The fund will be used to provide nearly 9,000 tons of fortified food to children under the age of 7 and pregnant women in 60 counties in the North, and to provide 3,600 tons of food aid, including corn, beans and oil, the ministry said.
"We decided to provide assistance to young children and women in the belief that it would help improve the humanitarian situation of those who need it the most in North Korea," the ministry said in a statement. "We will continue to provide humanitarian assistance regardless of the political and military situation."
South Korea had planned to approve the aid plan in June at the request of the WFP, but the plan was put on hold, as North Korea sharply escalated tensions in anger over anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets and even blew up an inter-Korean joint liaison office.
The committee also approved a plan to spend nearly US$2.4 million this year as part of a three-year project to turn the Demilitarized Zone into a cultural zone.
The ministry plans to utilize facilities in the inter-Korean transit office near the border village and disabled guard posts (GP) and remodel them for cultural exchanges, such as museums or exhibition halls.
"We hope to recover national unity between the two Koreas through the peaceful use of the Demilitarized Zone," the ministry said.
julesyi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-06--(LEAD) SK Telecom Q2 net surges on increased equity gains, rise in 5G users

SK Telecom holds a 20 percent stake in the chipmaker , which reported last month that net income more than @ @ @ @ @ quarter .

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with details; CHANGES headline; ADDS photo)
SEOUL, Aug. 6 (Yonhap) -- SK Telecom Co., South Korea's top mobile carrier, said Thursday its second-quarter net income jumped 66.8 percent from a year earlier due to increased equity gains and improved mobile business.
Net income reached 432.2 billion won (US$365.1 million) in the April-June period, compared with 259.1 billion won the previous year, the company said in a regulatory filing.
Sales came to 4.6 trillion won in the second quarter, up 3.7 percent from the previous year.
The corporate logo of SK Telecom Co. is shown in this undated photo provided by the company. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)
SK Telecom said a strong performance from its chipmaking affiliate SK hynix Inc. improved its bottom line.
Equity gains totaled 267 billion won in the second quarter, compared with 136.1 billion won a year earlier, according to the company.
SK Telecom holds a 20 percent stake in the chipmaker, which reported last month that net income more than doubled on-year in the second quarter.
The mobile carrier said its mobile network business recorded improved sales despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sales from its mobile network business reached 2.94 trillion won in the second quarter, up 3.2 percent from a year earlier, thanks to a rise in 5G subscribers.
The carrier had 3.35 million 5G subscriptions in the April-June period, up 700,000 from the previous quarter, it said.
yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-06--KT&G Q2 net profit down 9.6 pct. to 293.5 bln won

The operating profit was in line with the average estimate , according to the survey by Yonhap Infomax , the @ @ @ @ @ News Agency .
The estimate of net profit was not available .

SEOUL, Aug. 6 (Yonhap) -- KT&G Corp. on Thursday reported its second-quarter net income of 293.5 billion won (US$ 248 million), down 9.6 percent from a year earlier.
Operating profit for the April-June period was 394.7 billion won, down 1.1 percent from a year ago, the company said in a regulatory filing. Revenue rose 4.8 percent to 1.31 trillion won.
The operating profit was in line with the average estimate, according to the survey by Yonhap Infomax, the financial data firm of Yonhap News Agency. The estimate of net profit was not available.
※ This article was generated by Yonhap's proprietary algorithm using data from Yonhap Infomax and Korea Exchange(KRX).
(END)


yna--2020-08-06--(LEAD) S. Korea's current account surplus widens in June, but H1 surplus at 8-year low amid pandemic

`` In the second half , South Korea faces uncertainties , including a possible resurgence of the coronavirus , a @ @ @ @ @ economies , and tensions between the United States and China .
But the country 's @ @ @ @ @ meet the BOK 's forecast , '' Park said .

(ATTN: REWRITES headline; UPDATES with more details throughout)
By Kim Soo-yeon
SEOUL, Aug. 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's current account surplus hit an eight-month high in June as the pace of export falls slowed amid major countries' economic reopenings following the pandemic-caused lockdowns, central bank data showed Thursday.
But the country logged the smallest current account surplus in eight years in the first half as overseas shipments were hit by the new coronavirus outbreak.
The current account surplus reached US$6.88 billion in June, up from $2.29 billion in May, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK). The current account is the broadest measure of cross-border trade.
It marked the largest surplus since October 2019, when the surplus reached $7.83 billion.
The June tally also marked the second straight month of the surplus after the country logged a $3.33 billion current account deficit in April, the largest in almost a decade on faltering exports amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
But in the January-June period, the current account surplus reached $19.17 billion, the smallest since the first half of 2012, when the surplus hit $9.65 billion.
"As global trade faltered amid lockdowns, South Korea's exports of most items sharply fell in the first half, except for shipments of quarantine-related goods, tech products and medical supplies," Park Yang-su, head of the BOK's economic statistics department, said in a briefing.
The BOK forecast that the country is expected to achieve the central bank's full-year current account surplus target of $570 billion, as exports are recovering. Last year, South Korea logged current account surplus of $60 billion.
"In the second half, South Korea faces uncertainties, including a possible resurgence of the coronavirus, a potentially delayed recovery in major economies, and tensions between the United States and China. But the country's 2020 surplus is likely to meet the BOK's forecast," Park said.
This file photo, taken June 4, 2020, shows the harbor in South Korea's southeastern city of Busan. (Yonhap)
The goods balance posted a surplus of $5.87 billion in June, larger than the $2.5 bill in May.
Exports, which account for half of South Korea's economy, fell 9.3 percent on-year to $40 billion, while imports declined 9.8 percent to $34.2 billion.
South Korea's exports were battered by the fallout of the pandemic this year as it hit supply chains with global lockdowns and social distancing guidelines. The pace of export falls has slowed since June as major economies slowly began to resume business activities.
The service account, which includes outlays by South Koreans on overseas trips, logged a deficit of $1.26 billion in June after posting a shortfall of $480 million in May.
The travel account posted a deficit of $420 million in June, a sharp hike from a shortfall of $160 million in May, as the pandemic continued to disrupt air travel.
The primary income account, which tracks wages of foreign workers and dividend payments overseas, logged a surplus of $1.74 billion in June, wider than a surplus of $540 million in the previous month.
The capital and financial account, which covers cross-border investments, posted a net inflow of $7.15 billion in June, compared with a net inflow of $3.24 billion in May.
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-06--Cardinals' Kim Kwang-hyun reportedly to join starting rotation

Before being named as the closer last month , Kim was one of the candidates to win a spot in @ @ @ @ @ spring and summer camps .
Kim was an MVP-winning starter in the Korea Baseball Organization @ @ @ @ @ years and has zero career regular-season saves .

SEOUL, Aug. 6 (Yonhap) -- St. Louis Cardinals' South Korean pitcher Kim Kwang-hyun will join the starting rotation to fill a vacancy from an injury on the virus-hit Major League team, St. Louis media reported on Wednesday (local time).
They said the left-hander serving as the closer will replace Carlos Martinez, who is on the injured list, in the Cardinals' rotation, citing manager Mike Shildt.
Before being named as the closer last month, Kim was one of the candidates to win a spot in the five-man rotation in both spring and summer camps. Kim was an MVP-winning starter in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) for 13 years and has zero career regular-season saves.
During his first Big League game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 14, the South Korean pitcher earned a save to seal the team's 5-4 victory.
Shildt said the team's five starters are Jack Flaherty, Adam Wainwright, Dakota Hudson, Kim and Daniel Ponce de Leon.
Based on the manager's naming order, Kim is expected to make his first big-league start next Monday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Cardinals, in third place in the National League Central with a 2-3 record, have been struggling to make up a roster because of injuries and COVID-19 infections.
Last week, starter Miles Mikolas was ruled out for the season after suffering a torn flexor tendon. And seven players including catcher Yadier Molina were sidelined by positive coronavirus tests.
After five days quarantined in Milwaukee due to the COVID-19 cases within the team, the Cardinals were cleared to go ahead with their schedule from Wednesday.
They will take on the Chicago Cubs from Friday-Sunday at home, their first regular season games since July 29.
In this Associated Press photo, Kim Kwang-hyun of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the top of the ninth inning of a Major League Baseball regular season game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on July 24, 2020. (Yonhap)
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-08-06--U.S. official says it is up to S. Korea to decide on use of TikTok, WeChat

`` Their aim has really been to extend that great China firewall , which is really a one-way firewall where @ @ @ @ @ in , but none can come out , '' Krach continued .
`` And they @ @ @ @ @ artificial intelligence .
And then reciprocally all their propaganda can go out , but free @ @ @ @ @ . ''

By Lee Haye-ah
WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (Yonhap) -- A senior U.S. State Department official said Thursday it is up to South Korea to decide whether to allow continued use of popular Chinese apps TikTok and WeChat.
Keith Krach, under secretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment, said the United States respects the sovereignty of nations and is "not dictating to any countries" what to do.
"We respect the country of Korea and all countries around the world," he said during a teleconference with reporters. "And I think this is a decision for the country of Korea. And here again it comes down to that issue of who to trust."
Krach's comment comes a day after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States wants to remove TikTok and WeChat from U.S. app stores because of the "significant threats" they pose to the personal data of American citizens.
The U.S. has increasingly sought to ban the use of Chinese technology, citing national security concerns.
This EPA file photo shows U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Keith Krach. (Yonhap)
"I think it's up to the Korean people," Krach said, adding that the U.S. objective in building a coalition of countries against Chinese technology is to share its experiences and help others learn from its mistakes.
"I think to a great extent we enabled them," he said of China. "But it's just now becoming so evident that China's aggression has just really accelerated, and you see it all over the world," he added, listing examples such as tensions in India, the South China Sea, Hong Kong and Xinjiang.
"Their aim has really been to extend that great China firewall, which is really a one-way firewall where all the data can go in, but none can come out," Krach continued. "And they use that for purposes for artificial intelligence. And then reciprocally all their propaganda can go out, but free news doesn't come in."
The U.S. is seeking "fairness, transparency, reciprocity" from China, he added.
Krach also noted that of the three major telecom companies in South Korea, only one has yet to ban the use of equipment made by Chinese telecom giant Huawei.
"I think they're still making that decision," he said, referring to LG Uplus. "I think the country of Korea is extremely technologically savvy. They're one of the great technology countries around the world. So I think they understand the risk and the dangers there."
Is S. Korea joining TikTok boycott with India and US? Youtube https://youtu.be/n7EJWlxlGfI
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)