yna--2020-09-30--Seoul city releases traditional game, craft kits

The city-run Namsangol Hanok Village , which developed the kits , said it has posted videos on the kits on @ @ @ @ @ to help people follow the instructions .
The kits are available for sale at the @ @ @ @ @ the search platform Naver .
They cost from 6,000 won to 35,000 won ( US @ @ @ @ @

SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- The Seoul city government said Wednesday it has introduced more kits as part of its traditional game and craft kit selection so that people can enjoy them amid the new coronavirus outbreak.
The selection includes making miniature "hanok," or traditional Korean houses, modeled after those in Namsangol Hanok Village in central Seoul, as well as learning calligraphy and traditional knot-tying, according to the city government.
The selection also includes traditional games like "yut nori," which is played during holidays such as Chuseok and New Year's Day, top spinning and "gonggi," a children's game involving five or more pebbles or plastic stones.
The city-run Namsangol Hanok Village, which developed the kits, said it has posted videos on the kits on its blog and YouTube channel to help people follow the instructions.
The kits are available for sale at the venue's website or on the search platform Naver. They cost from 6,000 won to 35,000 won (US$30) each.
This image, provided by the Seoul city government, shows a sample of a hanok craft kit on sale. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
This image, provided by the Seoul city government, shows dragonfly-shaped magnets made with traditional knots. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-30--(LEAD) Court OKs drive-thru rally of less than 10 vehicles

The court allows nine people -- each in their cars -- to hold a rally for two hours , but @ @ @ @ @ their car windows or chanting slogans during the rally .

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with details)
SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- A Seoul court has approved a drive-thru rally involving less than 10 vehicles amid worries that mass gatherings could undercut South Korea's fight against the new coronavirus.
The ruling by the Seoul Administrative Court clears the way for conservative activists to hold a small-scale drive-thru rally in Seoul this weekend.
The court allows nine people -- each in their cars -- to hold a rally for two hours, but they are banned from lowering their car windows or chanting slogans during the rally.
The participants are also required not to have any face-to-face meeting or contact before and after the rally in a move to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun warned demonstrators that they could have their driver's licenses suspended if they use their cars for such a rally on National Foundation Day this Saturday.
Last month, tens of thousands of people held an anti-government rally in central Seoul.
Health officials said the rallies on Aug. 15 Liberation Day are partly to blame for a resurgence in COVID-19 cases.
Anti-government demonstrators pack Gwanghwamun Square and Sejong boulevard in downtown Seoul on Aug. 15, 2020. (Yonhap)
On Wednesday, South Korea reported 113 more COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 23,812, with 413 deaths.
South Korea's daily infections spiked to triple digits after the massive rallies on the Liberation Day.
entropy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-30--(LEAD) More than 1,300 S. Koreans injected with mishandled flu vaccines

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said a total of 1,362 people were found to have been injected with @ @ @ @ @ supposed to be administered after being exposed to room temperature .

(ATTN: UPDATES with details in paras 3-6)
SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- More than 1,300 South Koreans have received potentially defective flu vaccines, health authorities said Wednesday.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said a total of 1,362 people were found to have been injected with the vaccines that were not supposed to be administered after being exposed to room temperature.
The figure marked a hike of 489 from Tuesday.
Meanwhile, 122 patients in nursing homes in the western port of Incheon received flu vaccines that were not exposed to room temperature.
Among them, three female patients in their 80s and 90s died in recent days after receiving the flu shots, but the public health agency said the causes of deaths were their worsened underlying health conditions.
None of the other patients injected with normal vaccines in the nursing home have showed abnormal reactions, the agency said.
Inactivated vaccines should be stored in refrigerators, and exposure to room temperatures could result in decreased vaccine potency and increased risk of vaccine-preventable diseases.
But the safety of those vaccines exposed to room temperatures has yet to be determined.
An ongoing study on the safety of the exposed vaccines is expected to wrap up early next week.
This file photo, taken on Sept. 23, 2020, shows a person receiving a paid flu vaccine at a health institution in western Seoul after the government temporarily suspended free vaccines due to a storage mishap. (Yonhap)
entropy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-30--More than 1,300 S. Koreans injected with mishandled flu vaccines

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency ( KDCA ) said a total of 1,362 people were found to have @ @ @ @ @ that were not supposed to be administered after being exposed to room temperature .

SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- More than 1,300 South Koreans have received potentially defective flu vaccines, health authorities said Wednesday.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said a total of 1,362 people were found to have been injected with the vaccines that were not supposed to be administered after being exposed to room temperature.
Inactivated vaccines should be stored in refrigerators, and exposure to room temperatures could result in decreased vaccine potency and increased risk of vaccine-preventable diseases.
But the safety of those vaccines exposed to room temperatures has yet to be determined.
An ongoing study on the safety of the exposed vaccines is expected to wrap up early next week.
This file photo, taken on Sept. 23, 2020, shows a person receiving a paid flu vaccine at a health institution in western Seoul after the government temporarily suspended free vaccines due to a storage mishap. (Yonhap)
entropy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-30--Court OKs drive-thru rally of less than 10 vehicles

The move came three days after Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun warned demonstrators that they could have their driver 's licenses @ @ @ @ @ cars for such a rally on National Foundation Day this Saturday .

SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- A Seoul court has approved a drive-thru rally involving less than 10 vehicles amid worries that mass gatherings could undercut South Korea's fight against the new coronavirus.
The ruling by the Seoul Administrative Court clears the way for conservative activists to hold a small-scale drive-thru rally in Seoul this weekend.
The move came three days after Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun warned demonstrators that they could have their driver's licenses suspended if they use their cars for such a rally on National Foundation Day this Saturday.
entropy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-30--(URGENT) Court OKs drive-thru rally of less than 10 vehicles

(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--2020-09-30--Japan says N. Korea's assertions on abductees unacceptable

In 2002 , then North Korean leader Kim Jong-il admitted to then Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in Pyongyang that @ @ @ @ @ Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s to train its spies on Japanese language and @ @

TOKYO, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said Wednesday that Tokyo cannot accept Pyongyang's assertions on Japanese abducted by North Korean agents decades ago.
North Korea's Foreign Ministry has claimed on its website that the issue of abductions of Japanese citizens has already been resolved impeccably.
Kato said in a press briefing that North Korea's assertions are "unacceptable" and the abduction issue is the top priority of the Japanese government.
Japan has said 17 of its citizens were kidnapped by North Korea.
In 2002, then North Korean leader Kim Jong-il admitted to then Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in Pyongyang that the North had abducted 13 Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s to train its spies on Japanese language and culture.
The North at the time returned five of the abductees and claimed the other eight were dead.
It remains unclear why there is a discrepancy between North Korea and Japan over the number of abductees.
Japan has ruled out normalization of relations with North Korea unless the abduction issue is resolved.
Japan ruled the Korean Peninsula as a colony from 1910-45. It normalized relations with South Korea in 1965 but has no formal ties with North Korea.
(END)


yna--2020-09-30--(2nd LD) Gov't says no shooting-related remarks in initial intelligence

According to the government , the 47-year-old official in charge of overseeing fishing activities was shot dead and had his @ @ @ @ @ 's troops last week .
Some reports denounced the government , however , saying its @ @ @ @

(ATTN: UPDATES with comments by defense chief in last para)
SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's defense ministry said Wednesday there were no such words as "shoot to kill or fire" in the military's initial intelligence on North Korea's killing of a South Korean fisheries official in the West Sea.
The ministry also expressed regret over some reports that said the South's military took no action despite hearing the North's order to kill the official.
"What happened during the incident in which (the North) shot (the South Korean fisheries official) and burned (his body) was determined after a considerable lapse of time by analyzing pieces of intelligence," the ministry said.
It also said the military did not know all of the facts of the incident in real time.
In line with the ministry's remarks, the South Korean presidential office Cheong Wa Dae denied the reports that the government had full awareness of the situation but did not suitably respond to it.
Later in the day, the presidential office also refuted reports that Cheong Wa Dae delivered a notice to the North, proposing an inter-Korean joint probe into the shooting incident and the restoration of the bilateral military communication line via the South's spy agency National Intelligence Service.
According to the government, the 47-year-old official in charge of overseeing fishing activities was shot dead and had his body burned by the North's troops last week. Some reports denounced the government, however, saying its response was insufficient.
Also Wednesday, Defense Minister Suh Wook instructed troops to maintain a tight readiness posture during his telephone conversation with some senior officers from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, according to the defense ministry.
A fishery inspection ship that a South Korean official had been on board before later being shot dead by North Korean troops is anchored in Mokpo, a port 410 kilometers southwest of Seoul, on Sept. 28, 2020. (Yonhap)
ksnam@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-30--(LEAD) Gov't says no shooting-related remarks in initial intelligence

(ATTN: ADDS more details in 6th para)
SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's defense ministry said Wednesday there were no such words as "shoot to kill or fire" in the military's initial intelligence on North Korea's killing of a South Korean fisheries official in the West Sea.
The ministry also expressed regret over some reports that said the South's military took no action despite hearing the North's order to kill the official.
"What happened during the incident in which (the North) shot (the South Korean fisheries official) and burned (his body) was determined after a considerable lapse of time by analyzing pieces of intelligence," the ministry said.
It also said the military did not know all of the facts of the incident in real time.
In line with the ministry's remarks, the South Korean presidential office Cheong Wa Dae denied the reports that the government had full awareness of the situation but did not suitably respond to it.
Later in the day, the presidential office also refuted reports that Cheong Wa Dae delivered a notice to the North, proposing an inter-Korean joint probe into the shooting incident and the restoration of the bilateral military communication line via the South's spy agency National Intelligence Service.
According to the government, the 47-year-old official in charge of overseeing fishing activities was shot dead and had his body burned by the North's troops last week. Some reports denounced the government, however, saying its response was insufficient.
A fishery inspection ship that a South Korean official had been on board before later being shot dead by North Korean troops is anchored in Mokpo, a port 410 kilometers southwest of Seoul, on Sept. 28, 2020. (Yonhap)
ksnam@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-30--(2nd LD) New virus cases bounce back, raising woes over spread during holiday

Daily new local infections also stayed in the double digits for the sixth straight day after the country reported 95 @ @ @ @ @ Saturday , 73 on Sunday , 40 on Monday and 38 on Tuesday , the @ @ @

(ATTN: UPDATES with more details in paras 5; 18-21; ADDS photo)
SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus cases rose to the triple digits Wednesday for the first time in five days, deepening health officials' woes over the spread of COVID-19 during the country's major holiday Chuseok.
The country added 113 more COVID-19 cases, including 93 local infections, bringing the total to 23,812, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
The daily new cases are the highest since Sept. 25 when the country reported 114.
Daily new local infections also stayed in the double digits for the sixth straight day after the country reported 95 on Friday, 49 on Saturday, 73 on Sunday, 40 on Monday and 38 on Tuesday, the KDCA said.
A screening station in Seoul is crowded with people taking tests for the coronavirus on the first day of the five-day Chuseok holiday on Sept. 30, 2020. (Yonhap)
Of the 113 new infections, 77 are male and 36 are female.
The sharp rise in new virus cases strained health authorities before the Chuseok holiday, which runs from Wednesday to Sunday.
During the autumn harvest celebration, tens of millions of people are expected to travel across the country to meet their families.
Heath authorities advised people not to travel via text messages, encouraging them to communicate with their loved ones via telephone and video chat applications
Before a meeting to discuss ways to stop the spread of COVID-19, Health Minister Park Neung-hoo said, "The spread of the virus depends on how people spend the Chuseok holiday," calling for people's active participation in the virus prevention campaign.
He also called on people to visit uncrowded parks with their families instead of traveling to their hometowns during the holiday.
Health officials, including Health Minister Park Neung-hoo (R), discuss ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at a government office on Sept. 30, 2020. (Yonhap)
Local court also rejected any type of rallies during the holiday to prevent the wide spread of COVID-19.
Seoul Metro said it would interrupt its subway services at six stations near the Gwanghwamun gate in downtown Seoul if rallies were to take place on National Foundation Day on Saturday.
The six stations are Line 1 Jonggak, Lines 1 and 2 City Hall, Line 3 Gyeongbokgung, Line 3 Anguk and Line 5 Gwanghwamun.
Health officials unveiled more tailored guidelines last week under the Level 2 distancing in the country's three-tier scheme.
At the current level, indoor gatherings of 50 or more people are banned, and outdoor meetings of 100 or more people are also prohibited.
Sports events are allowed without spectators.
By region, Seoul added 51 new virus cases, and nearby Gyeonggi Province had 21 new patients, according to the KDCA.
Thirty people staying in a mental hospital in Dongbong Ward, northern Seoul, had been confirmed to be infected with the coronavirus as of noon on Wednesday.
Health authorities put the whole hospital under cohort isolation, saying people visiting the hospital between Sept. 15 and Tuesday should be tested for the virus regardless of symptoms.
Cases with unknown transmission routes came to 249, taking up 19 percent of the 1,308 new virus cases reported since Sept. 17, down 1.5 percentage points from a day earlier.
Untraceable cases fell below 20 percent for the first time in a month after they reached 21.5 percent on Aug.30.
Graphic These graphs from Sept. 30, 2020, show the downward trend of newly infected cases since mid-August in South Korea. (Yonhap)
The country also reported 20 new imported cases, up from 15 a day earlier, the KDCA said.
South Korea reported six additional deaths, raising the death toll to 413. The fatality rate was 1.73 percent.
The total number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries stood at 21,590, up 120 from the previous day.
ksnam@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-09-30--Today in Korean history

Today in Korean history

1999 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il meets with Chung Ju-yung , the founder of Hyundai Group , during his @ @ @ @ @ on tourism and other business ventures in the communist country .
Chung died two years @ @

Oct. 1
1953 -- South Korea and the United States sign a mutual defense treaty about three months after the Armistice Agreement ending the Korean War was signed.
1958 -- South Korea establishes diplomatic relations with Thailand.
1999 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il meets with Chung Ju-yung, the founder of Hyundai Group, during his visit to Pyongyang for discussions on tourism and other business ventures in the communist country. Chung died two years later.
2005 -- The Seoul metropolitan government finishes restoration of the Cheonggye Stream in central Seoul around 47 years after it was buried under layers of concrete.
2014 -- South Korea and Japan hold strategic dialogue in Tokyo for the first time in nearly two years to discuss an array of bilateral issues and North Korea's nuclear program.
2019 -- North Korea's First Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui is quoted by the North's official Korean Central News Agency as saying Washington and Pyongyang have agreed to hold "preliminary contact on Oct. 4 and hold working-level negotiations on Oct. 5."
(END)


yna--2020-09-30--Gov't says no shooting-related remarks in initial intelligence

SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's defense ministry said Wednesday there were no such words as "shoot to kill or fire" in the military's initial intelligence on North Korea's killing of a South Korean fisheries official in the West Sea.
The ministry also expressed regret over some reports that said the South's military took no action despite hearing the North's order to kill the official.
"What happened during the incident in which (the North) shot (the South Korean fisheries official) and burned (his body) was determined after a considerable lapse of time by analyzing pieces of intelligence," the ministry said.
It also said the military did not know all of the facts of the incident in real time.
In line with the ministry's remarks, the South Korean presidential office Cheong Wa Dae denied the reports that the government had full awareness of the situation but did not suitably respond to it.
According to the government, the 47-year-old official in charge of overseeing fishing activities was shot dead and had his body burned by the North's troops last week. Some reports denounced the government, however, saying its response was insufficient.
A fishery inspection ship that a South Korean official had been on board before later being shot dead by North Korean troops is anchored in Mokpo, a port 410 kilometers southwest of Seoul, on Sept. 28, 2020. (Yonhap)
ksnam@yna.co.kr
(END)


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(END)


yna--2020-10-01--(3rd LD) Sept. exports rebound for 1st time in 7 months on chips, autos

The ministry , however , pointed out it is significant that exports recovered after seven months , considering it took @ @ @ @ @ them to rebound in previous crises , such as the global financial crisis in 2009 @

(ATTN: ADDS details throughout)
By Kang Yoon-seung
SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's exports rebounded for the first time in seven months in September amid the coronavirus pandemic, data showed Thursday, helped by increased shipments of chips and automobiles as major trade partners gradually resumed their business activities amid the pandemic.
Outbound shipments came to US$48 billion last month, up 7.7 percent from $44.6 billion posted a year earlier, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
The on-year gain in exports marked the largest increase since October 2018, the ministry said, when exports advanced 22.5 percent on-year.
Imports edged up 1.1 percent to $39.1 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $8.8 billion, marking the largest surplus in two years.
The latest figures exceeded market expectations. According to a poll by Yonhap Infomax, the financial arm of Yonhap News Agency, the country's September exports were expected to have increased 2.8 percent on-year.
The daily average export volume reached $2.09 billion, which marked the highest figure since September 2019.
By segment, outbound shipments of chips, one of the country's mainstay export goods, jumped a whopping 11.8 percent on-year to $9.5 billion, extending their gain to a third month.
Chips took up nearly 20 percent of the monthly exports in September.
The ministry said while demand from the server segment has been losing ground due to the reduced amount of investment from data center operators, the mobile sector fared better than expected in the United States and Europe.
Outbound shipments of automobiles moved up 23.2 percent to $3.79 billion, marking the first on-year rise in six months, as global demand slowly recovered.
Overseas sales of cars have been sluggish over the past few months due to lockdowns imposed on major trade partners, with the economic jitters also inducing consumers to delay purchases of them.
Shipments of machines edged up 0.8 percent, also rebounding for the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ministry said. The on-year rise came as China expanded investment in infrastructure projects, leading to more demand for South Korean goods.
Chips, cars and machines accounted for 35 percent of the country's overall exports in 2019.
Exports of electronics also increased 30.2 percent over the cited period, with overseas sales of batteries advancing 21.1 percent.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, South Korea's exports of biohealth products jumped nearly 80 percent on-year in September. With more people working from home around the globe, exports of computers shot up 66.8 percent as well.
Steel products rebounded for the first time in nine months by rising 1.8 percent, also on improved demand from China.
Outbound shipments of agricultural products increased 18.3 percent on-year in the month on the back of social distancing as well.
Overseas sales of petrochemical products, however, shed 5.3 percent due to the falling global price of oil. Shipments of mobile devices fell 12.5 percent on-year in September, while those of displays fell 1.9 percent as well.
By destination, exports to China, the largest trading partner, expanded 8.2 percent on-year in September to $12.3 billion, on the back of stronger demand for chips and steel products, in tune with its recovering economy.
Outbound shipments to the United States rose 23.2 percent over the period to $7 billion, on the back of robust sales of SUVs and home appliances.
The two countries accounted for 40 percent of the combined exports in the month.
Exports to the members of the European Union added 15.4 percent.
Overseas sales to Southeast Asia edged up 4.3 percent as more countries lifted social distancing schemes.
Shipments to neighboring Japan, however, dropped 6 percent, as they purchased fewer steel products and machines amid the sluggish economy, the data showed.
"Despite (the recovery), South Korea needs to stay vigilant," Industry Minister Sung Yun-mo said in a statement. "We need to closely monitor (trade-related issues) due to the gradual spread of COVID-19, coupled with the risk stemming from the tension between the United States and China."
The ministry, however, pointed out it is significant that exports recovered after seven months, considering it took more than a year for them to rebound in previous crises, such as the global financial crisis in 2009.
Asia's fourth-largest economy had extended its slump in exports to a sixth month in August, as the new coronavirus around the globe continued to strain business activities.
The country enjoyed a 4.5 percent rise in its outbound shipments in February, the first on-year rebound in 14 months.
But the country's outbound shipments, however, fell again in March as the number of COVID-19 cases around the globe escalated, and the pace of decline further accelerated, plunging 25.5 percent in April and 23.6 percent in May.
South Korea's exports, which dropped more than 10 percent on-year in 2019, were earlier anticipated to rebound throughout 2020 on the back of the recovery in sales of memory chips.
The COVID-19 pandemic, however, splashed cold water on that notion, straining the export-oriented economy.
The central bank data showed the economy shrank 3.2 percent in the April-June period from the previous quarter, the biggest on-quarter drop since a 3.3 percent retreat posted in the last three months of 2008.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-10-01--Moon expected to meet top Chinese, U.S. diplomats in October

SEOUL , Oct. 1 ( Yonhap ) -- President Moon Jae-in is likely to meet the top diplomats of China @ @ @ @ @ they visit Seoul in October , as he strives to prevent North Korea 's fatal @ @ @ @ @ government official from escalating tensions and undermining efforts to reactivate the Korea peace process .

SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in is likely to meet the top diplomats of China and the United States when they visit Seoul in October, as he strives to prevent North Korea's fatal shooting against a South Korean government official from escalating tensions and undermining efforts to reactivate the Korea peace process.
Moon is seeking ways to improve inter-Korean ties with a view of declaring a formal end to the Korean War and helping advance denuclearization talks.
Seoul and Beijing are in "continued consultations" on the issue of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi's possible trip here, a diplomatic source said. Wang is reportedly planning to travel to Tokyo this month as well.
It is "natural" for Wang to visit Seoul on his way to or back from Tokyo, a South Korean official said.
Moon will likely meet him at Cheong Wa Dae if he makes his first visit here in 10 months.
This file photo taken Dec. 5, 2019, shows South Korean President Moon Jae-in (R) talking with China's State Councilor Wang Yi at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul. (Yonhap)
Issues to be discussed include President Xi Jinping's plan for a South Korea trip, which has been postponed due to the global novel coronavirus pandemic, and South Korea's push for hosting an annual trilateral summit, also involving Japan, in November or December.
If arranged, the meeting will be attended by Moon, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will also visit South Korea in early October, his first in two years. Pompeo is scheduled to attend the Quad security dialogue with his Australian, Indian and Japanese counterparts in Tokyo, according to the State Department.
He will also visit Seoul on Oct. 7-8 for meetings with senior officials, it said in a press statement.
Senior U.S. officials often have their trips to Seoul and Tokyo timed together.
Moon met Wang and Pompeo at his office during their previous visits here.
This file photo taken Oct. 7, 2018, shows South Korean President Moon Jae-in (R) shaking hands with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul. (Yonhap)
The Korean Peninsula security situations are at a crucial juncture again following the gunshot killing by the North's troops of the South Korean fisheries inspector at sea in late September.
Moon called the incident "shocking, tragic, regrettable and unfortunate," and expressed hope for the two Koreas to resume dialogue and cooperation in order to find relevant facts and stop a similar case from recurring.
Diplomatic observers do not rule out the possibility of an October surprise led by Pyongyang and Washington.
In 2018, Pompeo flew to Seoul shortly after meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang.
In his recent United Nations speech, Moon reiterated his call for the end-of-war declaration, saying it will open the door to completing denuclearization and a permanent peace regime on the peninsula.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-10-01--Moon, Merkel set for phone talks to discuss bilateral cooperation

During the phone talks scheduled for 6 p.m. , the two leaders are expected to delve into their countries ' @ @ @ @ @ , the presidential office here said .

SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in will have a phone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday to discuss ways to enhance bilateral cooperation, Cheong Wa Dae said.
During the phone talks scheduled for 6 p.m., the two leaders are expected to delve into their countries' collaboration in their COVID-19 response, the presidential office here said.
Moon also plans to request Germany's support for South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee's bid for the top post of the World Trade Organization (WTO) during the phone conversation with Merkel.
The upcoming communication marks the two leaders' first direct contact since they had a summit meeting in October 2018 in Brussels, Belgium, on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) there.
This illustrated image shows President Moon Jae-in (L) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-10-01--(LEAD) Ryu Hyun-jin's successful 1st season with Blue Jays ends with postseason elimination

In a much-scrutinized decision , the Blue Jays held out Ryu , their No .
1 starter from the regular @ @ @ @ @ and instead gave him the Game 2 assignment on five days ' rest .
The @ @ @ @ @ teams should go with their best starter available for the first game of a postseason @ @ @ @ @ of winning the opener .
But the Blue Jays defended their move as a strategic @ @ @ @ @ matchup advantage with multiple bullpen options , while giving Ryu , coming off a season-high @ @ @ @ @ regular season start against the New York Yankees , an additional day off .

(ATTN: ADDS comments at bottom)
By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Yonhap) -- What has largely been a successful season as a new ace for the Toronto Blue Jays has ended on a bitter note for Ryu Hyun-jin.
Ryu was torched for seven runs on eight hits in his season-low 1 2/3 innings against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 2 of the American League (AL) wild-card series at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Wednesday (local time). The Blue Jays lost 8-2 and were eliminated from the best-of-three series 2-0. They lost the opener 3-1 on Tuesday.
This was the Blue Jays' first playoff appearance since 2016.
In this Getty Images photo, Ryu Hyun-jin of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 2 of the American League wild-card series at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Sept. 30, 2020. (Yonhap)
Ryu went 5-2 with a 2.69 ERA in his first regular season with the Blue Jays, who handed him a four-year, US$80 million contract in pursuit of a high-end starter. It was the largest deal for a pitcher in franchise history, and Ryu, the runner-up in the 2019 National League Cy Young Award voting, gave the Blue Jays just the kind of stability and consistency that they'd sought at the top of the rotation.
It was a far different script in the postseason, though.
Ryu was helpless against the aggressive Tampa Bay hitters, who swung early in the count and didn't allow Ryu to get into any rhythm.
The first three Rays batters all hit singles, the one saving grace for Ryu being leadoff man Mike Brosseau getting thrown out at second when he tried to stretch the hit into a double. The fourth hit of that inning, by No. 5 hitter Manuel Margot, put the Rays up 1-0.
Ryu escaped a bases-loaded jam later in the first inning, caused by shortstop Bo Bichette's throwing error, and kept it a one-run affair.
The Rays weren't done hitting against Ryu. Kevin Kiermaier led off the second inning with a single, and then Mike Zunino, batting ninth and carrying a .147 batting average from the regular season, got a juicy 0-2 fastball that he drove over the left field for a two-run dinger.
In this UPI photo, Ryu Hyun-jin of the Toronto Blue Jays (L) looks on as manager Charlie Montoyo (C) walks to the mound to pull Ryu in the bottom of the second inning of Game 2 of the American League wild-card series at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Sept. 30, 2020. (Yonhap)
Catcher Danny Jansen set up high and asked for a pitch up in the zone, but Ryu left it at belt high on the inner part of the plate. With the pitch at just 88 mph, Zunino had no trouble getting his barrel on it.
Another error by Bichette allowed the Rays to load the bases against Ryu, who then gave up a grand slam to Hunter Renfroe that opened up a 7-0 lead for the Rays. But to blame Ryu's disastrous start on Bichette's miscue would be oversimplification, for Ryu also didn't help himself despite getting an extra day of rest for this start. Before that error, Ryu gave up a double and a four-pitch walk to put two runners aboard, and he was pulled after Renfroe's slam.
In a much-scrutinized decision, the Blue Jays held out Ryu, their No. 1 starter from the regular season, for Game 1 and instead gave him the Game 2 assignment on five days' rest. The conventional wisdom has it that teams should go with their best starter available for the first game of a postseason series, given the importance of winning the opener. But the Blue Jays defended their move as a strategic decision that would ensure a matchup advantage with multiple bullpen options, while giving Ryu, coming off a season-high 100 pitches in his final regular season start against the New York Yankees, an additional day off.
In this Getty Images photo, Ryu Hyun-jin of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 2 of the American League wild-card series at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Sept. 30, 2020. (Yonhap)
Game 1 starter Matt Shoemaker did his part by throwing three shutout innings before handing the reins to the bullpen. The offense, which went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position, was the bigger culprit in the loss.
That put Ryu in an unenviable position where he had to keep the Blue Jays alive in the postseason. The Blue Jays wouldn't have wanted any other starter in that situation.
But it wasn't Ryu's day. His bread-and-butter changeup generated zero whiffs, and four of Ryu's five changeups were put in play, leading to two singles and two errors by Bichette. Ryu also had trouble commanding his cutter while throwing it 38 percent of the time, more than any of his five pitch types.
And for one of the very few times in 2020, Ryu couldn't come through for his club. And he won't get another opportunity this year.
Ryu averaged 88.3 mph with his fastball in this game, 1.5 mph below his season average. Ryu never blows away hitters with his velocity anyway, but it is crucial for him to establish his fastball command early so that it can complement his other pitches.
Ryu said afterward command was a bigger issue than velocity.
"I made a couple of mistakes, and they ended up as long balls," Ryu said. "I should have kept extra-base hits to a minimum, but I couldn't. That led to a big inning."
Ryu added that the Rays hitters made his life difficult from early on by jumping on all of his breaking pitches.
Asked if he felt added pressure of pitching in an elimination game instead of Game 1, Ryu said, "I have no problems with the process."
Reflecting on the tumultuous, pandemic-interrupted season, Ryu said he was proud of his teammates for overcoming adversity and qualifying for the postseason.
"I got knocked around on days when I didn't have command of my pitches, but other than that, I think I've had a good year," Ryu said. "I'll try to keep giving my team a chance to win next year."
In this Getty Images photo, Ryu Hyun-jin of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 2 of the American League wild-card series at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Sept. 30, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-10-01--No win for 2 S. Korean starters in MLB postseason

SEOUL , Oct. 1 ( Yonhap ) -- Ryu Hyun-jin of the Toronto Blue Jays and Kim Kwang-hyun of the @ @ @ @ @ the starting nods for their wild-card games , which took place Thursday morning ( South @ @ @ @ @ first time in major league postseason history that two South Korean starting pitchers were on @ @ @ @ @ day .
It also happened to be Chuseok , the Korean equivalent of Thanksgiving , @ @ @ @ @ early to see the two left-handers did n't have much to be thankful for .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Yonhap) -- Ryu Hyun-jin of the Toronto Blue Jays and Kim Kwang-hyun of the St. Louis Cardinals both got the starting nods for their wild-card games, which took place Thursday morning (South Korean time), the first time in major league postseason history that two South Korean starting pitchers were on the mound on the same day. It also happened to be Chuseok, the Korean equivalent of Thanksgiving, but those who got up early to see the two left-handers didn't have much to be thankful for.
In this Associated Press photo, Kim Kwang-hyun of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the San Diego Padres during the bottom of the first inning of Game 1 of the National League wild-card series at Petco Park in San Diego on Sept. 30, 2020. (Yonhap)
With his start beginning just past 5 a.m., Ryu was rocked for seven runs on eight hits in just 1 2/3 innings against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 2 of the American League (AL) wild-card series at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Ryu served up two home runs, including a grand slam by Hunter Renfroe in the second inning that knocked the left-hander out of the game. The Jays lost 8-2 and were eliminated from the best-of-three series.
Over in the National League (NL), Kim got the Game 1 assignment against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego. His game began a bit after 6 a.m., and Ryu was already out of the game before Kim even threw his first pitch.
The Cardinals gave Kim a 4-0 lead in the first inning, but Kim didn't pitch long enough to qualify for a win. He gave up three runs on five hits in 3 2/3 innings and was lifted with the Cardinals up 6-3. Kim got a no-decision in a 7-4 win for the Cardinals.
In this Getty Images photo, Ryu Hyun-jin of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 2 of the American League wild-card series at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Sept. 30, 2020. (Yonhap)
The Cardinals will advance to the NL Division Series with another win over the Padres back at Petco Park on Thursday (local time).
At least one South Korean is in the Division Series, on the AL side. The Rays' infielder Choi Ji-man came off the bench in each of the two victories for his team, going 0-for-3 at the plate. The left-handed hitting Choi didn't face Ryu in Game 2, but he'll get to play in his second straight ALDS. The Rays will face the winner of another wild-card series between the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians.
Choi batted 3-for-15 with a home run in the 2019 ALDS against the Houston Astros.
In this UPI photo, Choi Ji-man of the Tampa Bay Rays (R) embraces teammate Joey Wendle to celebrate their 8-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays to win their American League wild-card series at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Sept. 30, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-10-01--(2nd LD) Sept. exports rebound for 1st time in 7 months on chips, autos

Shipments of machines edged up 0.8 percent , also rebounding for the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ .
The on-year rise came as China expanded investment in infrastructure projects , leading to @ @ @ @ @ goods .

(ATTN: ADDS details throughout)
By Kang Yoon-seung
SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's exports rebounded for the first time in seven months in September, data showed Thursday, helped by increased shipments of chips and automobiles as major trade partners gradually resumed their business activities amid the pandemic.
Outbound shipments came to US$48 billion last month, up 7.7 percent from $44.6 billion posted a year earlier, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
The on-year gain in exports marked the largest increase since October 2018, the ministry said.
Imports edged up 1.1 percent to $39.1 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $8.8 billion, marking the largest surplus in two years.
The latest figures exceeded market expectations. According to a poll by Yonhap Infomax, the financial arm of Yonhap News Agency, the country's September exports were expected to have increased 2.8 percent on-year.
By segment, outbound shipments of chips, one of the country's mainstay export goods, jumped a whopping 11.8 percent on-year to $9.5 billion, extending their gain to a third month.
Chips took up nearly 20 percent of the monthly exports in September.
The ministry said while demand from the server segment has been losing ground due to the reduced amount of investment from data center operators, the mobile sector fared better than expected in the United States and Europe.
Outbound shipments of automobiles moved up 23.2 percent to $3.79 billion, marking the first on-year rise in six months, as global demand slowly recovered.
Overseas sales of cars have been sluggish over the past few months due to lockdowns imposed on major trade partners, with the economic jitters also inducing consumers to delay purchases of them.
Shipments of machines edged up 0.8 percent, also rebounding for the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ministry said. The on-year rise came as China expanded investment in infrastructure projects, leading to more demand for South Korean goods.
Chips, cars and machines accounted for 35 percent of the country's overall exports in 2019.
Exports of electronics also increased 30.2 percent over the cited period, with overseas sales of batteries advancing 21.1 percent.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, South Korea's exports of biohealth products jumped nearly 80 percent on-year in September. With more people working from home around the globe, exports of computers shot up 66.8 percent as well.
Steel products rebounded for the first time in nine months by rising 1.8 percent, also on improved demand from China.
Overseas sales of petrochemical products, however, shed 5.3 percent due to the falling global price of oil. Shipments of mobile devices fell 12.5 percent on-year in September, while those of displays fell 1.9 percent as well.
By destination, exports to China, the largest trading partner, expanded 8.2 percent on-year in September to $12.3 billion, on the back of stronger demand for chips and steel products, in tune with its recovering economy.
Outbound shipments to the United States rose 23.2 percent over the period to $7 billion, on the back of robust sales of SUVs and home appliances.
Exports to the members of the European Union added 15.4 percent.
Overseas sales to Southeast Asia edged up 4.3 percent as more countries lifted eased social distancing schemes.
Shipments to neighboring Japan, however, dropped 6 percent, as they purchased fewer steel products and machines amid the sluggish economy, the data showed.
"Despite (the recovery), South Korea needs to stay vigilant," Industry Minister Sung Yun-mo said in a statement. "We need to closely monitor (trade-related issues) due to the gradual spread of COVID-19, coupled with the risk stemming from the tension between the United States and China."
Asia's fourth-largest economy had extended its slump in exports to a sixth month in August, as the new coronavirus around the globe continued to strain business activities.
The country enjoyed a 4.5 percent rise in its outbound shipments in February, the first on-year rebound in 14 months.
But the country's outbound shipments, however, fell again in March as the number of COVID-19 cases around the globe escalated, and the pace of decline further accelerated, plunging 25.5 percent in April and 23.6 percent in May.
South Korea's exports, which dropped more than 10 percent on-year in 2019, were earlier anticipated to rebound throughout 2020 on the back of the recovery in sales of memory chips.
The COVID-19 pandemic, however, splashed cold water on that notion, straining the export-oriented economy.
The central bank data showed the economy shrank 3.2 percent in the April-June period from the previous quarter, the biggest on-quarter drop since a 3.3 percent retreat posted in the last three months of 2008.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-10-01--Unable to capitalize on lead, Cardinals' Kim Kwang-hyun pulled early in postseason debut

Kim allowed the leadoff hitter to reach base in each of his first three innings , and the Padres scored @ @ @ @ @ .
In the second inning , it was Jake Cronenworth leading off with a triple @ @ @ @ @ an Austin Nola sac fly .
In the bottom third , right after the Cardinals @ @ @ @ @ 6-2 lead , Tatis Jr. got the ball rolling with a single and scored the @ @ @ @ @ Tommy Pham 's single .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Yonhap) -- He had one job, making an early four-run lead stand in a postseason game. And the St. Louis Cardinals' South Korean starter Kim Kwang-hyun just didn't do it for long enough to qualify for a victory.
Kim was charged with three runs on five hits in 3 2/3 innings to open the National League (NL) wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego on Wednesday (local time). He was pulled with the Cardinals ahead 6-3, and the Cardinals won 7-4 as five relievers closed out the game.
In this Associated Press photo, Kim Kwang-hyun of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the San Diego Padres during the bottom of the first inning of Game 1 of the National League wild-card series at Petco Park in San Diego on Sept. 30, 2020. (Yonhap)
Kim, a big league rookie with 13 years of Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) experience to his credit, was four outs away from possibly earning his first playoff victory. But Kim let a dangerous Padres lineup -- third in the NL in both runs and home runs -- hang around long enough that his manager Mike Shildt was compelled to go to the bullpen in the fourth inning.
The Cardinals jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, with Paul Goldschimdt delivering a two-run homer off San Diego starter Chris Paddack. But perhaps the extended wait before his first pitch affected Kim, who walked the leadoff hitter, Fernando Tatis Jr., in the bottom of the first.
Manny Machado followed up with a single, and Eric Hosmer hit a sacrifice fly for the Padres' first run.
Kim allowed the leadoff hitter to reach base in each of his first three innings, and the Padres scored a run in all three. In the second inning, it was Jake Cronenworth leading off with a triple and then coming home on an Austin Nola sac fly. In the bottom third, right after the Cardinals scored twice to take a 6-2 lead, Tatis Jr. got the ball rolling with a single and scored the team's third run on Tommy Pham's single.
In this EPA photo, Kim Kwang-hyun of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the San Diego Padres during the bottom of the first inning of Game 1 of the National League wild-card series at Petco Park in San Diego on Sept. 30, 2020. (Yonhap)
And Kim appeared on his way to his first perfect inning in the fourth. He struck out Nola and then got Jurickson Profar to ground out to third. But Kim walked Trent Grisham, the No. 9 hitter, and had Tatis Jr. due up to face him for the third time. Shildt gave Kim a quick hook and let the bullpen take it from there.
Advanced data show that starting pitchers typically struggle against a lineup when they face the same hitters for a third time in the same game. That has prompted many big league clubs to pull their starting pitchers after twice through opposing lineups, especially in tight games or high-leverage postseason games, and to lean heavily on their bullpen instead.
In Kim's limited regular season sample, opponents also posted better numbers in their third time facing Kim than earlier in the game. During Kim's eight outings, opponents batted .227/.320/.318 against Kim when they saw him for the third time, compared with a .153/.206/.305 line the first time and a .214/.279/.321 line the second time through the order.
And considering how well the top of the Padres' order had already hit against Kim in this game, the Cardinals weren't messing around. Reliever Ryan Helsley got up to warm up during the third inning, and he came on in the fourth to retire Tatis Jr. on a flyout.
Kim dodged a few bullets as some hard-hit flyballs went right at outfielders. The Padres took 27 swings on Kim's 76 pitches and whiffed on just three of them -- all of them on Kim's sliders.
In this EPA photo, Kim Kwang-hyun of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the San Diego Padres during the bottom of the first inning of Game 1 of the National League wild-card series at Petco Park in San Diego on Sept. 30, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-10-01--(LEAD) New virus cases drop below 100 again, but country braces for potential flare-up during extend

(LEAD) New virus cases drop below 100 again, but country braces for potential flare-up during extended holiday

Except on Wednesday when the daily tally surpassed 100 , daily new infections have come down to the double digits @ @ @ @ @ new wave of mass infections started in mid-August has steadily subsided after peaking at 441 @ @ @ @

(ATTN: UPDATES with details throughout)
SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus cases fell below 100 on Thursday, but the country remains on heightened alert for a potential flare-up in transmissions during the extended holiday this week.
The country added 77 more COVID-19 cases, including 67 local infections, bringing the total caseload to 23,889, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
The daily new cases are a sharp drop from the 113 cases reported Wednesday but higher than the 38 registered Tuesday.
Jeju International Airport is crowded with travelers on Sept. 30, 2020, one day before the traditional Chuseok autumn harvest holiday. (Yonhap)
As South Koreans take an extended five-day break this week till Sunday, including the traditional Chuseok autumn harvest holiday on Thursday, health authorities are bracing for a potential flare-up of virus infections. Many people travel across the country to reunite with their families in their hometowns or travel during the autumn holiday.
Except on Wednesday when the daily tally surpassed 100, daily new infections have come down to the double digits since last Saturday as the new wave of mass infections started in mid-August has steadily subsided after peaking at 441 on Aug. 27.
But health authorities have warned that the flattening COVID-19 curve could turn upward again if transmissions during the ongoing Chuseok holiday get out of control.
As a precaution, the government designated the two weeks from Monday to Oct. 11 as a special period requiring extra caution against the spread of the virus.
The country also has a three-day break from Oct. 9 to 11, when Hangeul Day, which celebrates the Korean alphabet, is combined with the weekend.
Tailored Level 2 social distancing requirements will be in place during the special two-week period, banning indoor gatherings of 50 or more people, as well as open-air assemblies of 100 or more people across the country.
Operations of high-risk facilities, such as nightlife establishments, karaoke rooms and sports facilities with intense indoor activities, in Seoul and the greater capital area will be suspended throughout the two weeks.
Gyeongbu Expressway connecting Seoul and Busan, 453 km southeast of the capital, is crowded with cars heading southward on Sept. 30, 2020, one day before the traditional Chuseok autumn harvest holiday. (Yonhap)
On Thursday, Seoul added 30 new virus cases, and nearby Gyeonggi Province had 21 new patients, including four imported cases, according to the KDCA.
Other municipalities reported new infections, with the southeastern port city of Busan adding six new cases, Incheon reporting three more infections and North Gyeongsang Province posting five additional patients, the KDCA said.
The country reported 10 new imported cases, including three from India and two from Uzbekistan, the KDCA said.
South Korea reported two additional deaths, raising the death toll to 415. The fatality rate was 1.74 percent.
The number of seriously or critically ill COVID-19 patients stood at 107, down two from the previous day, according to the authorities.
The total number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries came to 21,666, up 75 from the previous day.
This photo shows Dana Hospital in northern Seoul on Sept. 30, 2020. Cluster infections traced to the hospital rose to 30 as of the day. (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-10-01--(LEAD) Cardinals' Kim Kwang-hyun takes no-decision in postseason debut

Kim , a big league rookie after 13 years in the Korea Baseball Organization ( KBO ) , was a @ @ @ @ @ chosen over established pitchers Adam Wainwright and Jack Flaherty .
Kim did have a strong @ @ @ @ @ right , with a 3-0 record and a 1.62 ERA in eight appearances , including @ @ @ @ @ Kim had his share of big game experience , having won four Korean Series titles @ @ @ @ @ having pitched in the Olympics and World Baseball Classic games .

(ATTN: UPDATES with final score; ADDS details)
By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Yonhap) -- The St. Louis Cardinals South Korean starter Kim Kwang-hyun has taken a no-decision in his postseason debut following an up-and-down outing.
Kim gave up three earned runs on five hits and two walks in 3 2/3 innings against the San Diego Padres in Game 1 of the National League (NL) wild-card series at Petco Park in San Diego on Wednesday (local time). He was pulled with two outs in the fourth inning and a man aboard, with the Cardinals holding a 6-3 lead. They went on to win 7-4.
Kim made 76 pitches, 44 of them for strikes. He struck out two batters.
This is a best-of-three series with no off days. Game 2 will be back at Petco Park on Thursday.
In this Associated Press photo, Kim Kwang-hyun of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts to a pitch thrown against the San Diego Padres during the bottom of the first inning of Game 1 of the National League wild-card series at Petco Park in San Diego on Sept. 30, 2020. (Yonhap)
Kim, a big league rookie after 13 years in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), was a surprise Game 1 starter, chosen over established pitchers Adam Wainwright and Jack Flaherty. Kim did have a strong regular season in his own right, with a 3-0 record and a 1.62 ERA in eight appearances, including seven starts. Plus, Kim had his share of big game experience, having won four Korean Series titles with the SK Wyverns and having pitched in the Olympics and World Baseball Classic games.
The Cardinals spotted Kim a 4-0 lead before he even threw a pitch. Paul Goldschmidt blasted a two-run home run as part of the five-hit first inning.
But Kim gave a run back right away in the bottom first. He walked the leadoff man Fernando Tatis Jr., and a follow-up single by Manny Machado put runners at the corners for Eric Hosmer, who hit a sacrifice fly to right field to make it a 4-1 game.
In this Associated Press photo, Kim Kwang-hyun of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the San Diego Padres during the bottom of the first inning of Game 1 of the National League wild-card series at Petco Park in San Diego on Sept. 30, 2020. (Yonhap)
In the second inning, Jake Cronenworth led things off with a triple off the top of the center field wall. Austin Nola brought him home with the Padres' second sacrifice fly of the game that cut the deficit to 4-2.
The Cardinals added a pair of runs in the top of the third, chasing San Diego starter Chris Paddack from the game as well, but Kim pitched into more trouble himself in the bottom third.
Tatis Jr. opened that frame with a single -- the third straight inning in which a leadoff man reached for the Padres. Kim managed to retire the next two batters but then Wil Myers singled to put runners at the corners, and Tommy Pham's single scored Tatis Jr. and brought the Padres to within 6-3.
Kim struck out Nola and retired Jurickson Profar on a groundout in the fourth. One out away from his first clean inning, Kim walked No. 9 hitter Trent Grisham after a seven-pitch battle.
With Tatis Jr. due up and the Rays about to see Kim for the third time, the Cardinals weren't taking any chances. Helsley took over and retired Tatis Jr. on a deep fly to right to snuff out a potential rally.
It was Kim's first meeting against the Padres. The left-hander had some personal history with the NL West club. After the 2014 season, Kim was posted by his KBO club, the SK Wyverns, with interested big league teams submitting bids in a silent auction for the exclusive right to negotiate with Kim.
The Padres won the bid with US$2 million, but the team and Kim couldn't agree to terms. They apparently offered him a two-year deal worth $2 million but Kim turned it down and stayed in the KBO for five more years.
In this EPA photo, Kim Kwang-hyun of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the San Diego Padres during the bottom of the first inning of Game 1 of the National League wild-card series at Petco Park in San Diego on Sept. 30, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-10-01--Korean culture festival to kick off virtually next month

SEOUL , Oct. 1 ( Yonhap ) -- An inaugural Korean culture festival will kick off next month to give @ @ @ @ @ world chances to enjoy Korean cultural heritage and modern trends in a virtual way , @ @ @ @ @ .

SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Yonhap) -- An inaugural Korean culture festival will kick off next week to give people from all over the world chances to enjoy Korean cultural heritage and modern trends in a virtual way, the culture ministry said Thursday.
The first edition of the 2020 K-Culture Festival will be held online from Oct. 10-Nov. 29, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Led by the ministry and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE), the newly launched event was designed to promote the global expansion of the Korean wave, or "hallyu," and help K-pop fans experience Korean cultural and artistic traditions.
Super Junior-K.R.Y. a sub-group of boy band Super Junior, and girl group Red Velvet will participate in promotional events and concerts as honorary ambassadors for the festival.
The "INK Festival" will open the K-Culture Festival, featuring K-pop concerts and introductions of food and tourist attractions of Incheon, the western port city and the country's main gateway.
For the online travel program, video clips in which Korean stars show the cultural heritage of Mokpo, Jeonju, Gangneung and Andong will be uploaded every day on YouTube.
K-pop concerts to be held in the four cities will be streamed online through the festival's YouTube channel and broadcast on the SBS television every Sunday from Nov. 8-29.
Super Junior-K.R.Y. (L) and Red Velvet are shown in this promotional image provided by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-10-01--New virus cases drop below 100 again, but country braces for potential flare-up during extended holi

New virus cases drop below 100 again, but country braces for potential flare-up during extended holiday

SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus cases fell below 100 on Thursday, but the country remains on heightened alert for a potential flare-up in transmissions during the extended holiday this week.
The country added 77 more COVID-19 cases, including 67 local infections, bringing the total caseload to 23,889, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
The daily new cases are a sharp drop from the 113 cases reported Wednesday but higher than the 38 registered Tuesday.
Jeju International Airport is crowded with travelers on Sept. 30, 2020, one day before the traditional Chuseok autumn harvest holiday. (Yonhap)
As South Koreans take an extended five-day break this week till Sunday, including the traditional Chuseok autumn harvest holiday on Thursday, health authorities are bracing for a potential flare-up of virus infections. Many people travel across the country to reunite with their families in their hometowns or travel during the autumn holiday.
Except on Wednesday when the daily tally surpassed 100, daily new infections have come down to the double digits since last Saturday as the new wave of mass infections started in mid-August has steadily subsided after peaking at 441 on Aug. 27.
But health authorities have warned that the flattening COVID-19 curve could turn upward again if transmissions during the ongoing Chuseok holiday get out of control.
As a precaution, the government designated the two weeks from Monday to Oct. 11 as a special period requiring extra caution against the spread of the virus.
The country also has a three-day break from Oct. 9 to 11, when Hangeul Day, which celebrates the Korean alphabet, is combined with the weekend.
Tailored Level 2 social distancing requirements will be in place during the special two-week period, banning indoor gatherings of 50 or more people, as well as open-air assemblies of 100 or more people across the country.
Operations of high-risk facilities, such as nightlife establishments, karaoke rooms and sports facilities with intense indoor activities, in Seoul and the greater capital area will be suspended throughout the two weeks.
Gyeongbu Expressway connecting Seoul and Busan, 453 km southeast of the capital, is crowded with cars heading southward on Sept. 30, 2020, one day before the traditional Chuseok autumn harvest holiday. (Yonhap)
On Thursday, Seoul added 30 new virus cases, and nearby Gyeonggi Province had 17 new patients, with six additional cases in Busan, according to the KDCA.
The country reported 10 new imported cases, including three from India, the KDCA said.
South Korea reported two additional deaths, raising the death toll to 415. The fatality rate was 1.74 percent.
The total number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries stood at 21,666, up 75 from the previous day.
This photo shows Dana Hospital in northern Seoul on Sept. 30, 2020. Cluster infections traced to the hospital rose to 30 as of the day. (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-10-01--(URGENT) 75 more patients released from coronavirus treatment, total now at 21,666: KDCA

(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--2020-10-01--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 2 additional coronavirus deaths, total now at 415: KDCA


yna--2020-10-01--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 77 more cases of new coronavirus, total now at 23,889: KDCA


yna--2020-10-01--Cardinals' Kim Kwang-hyun takes no-decision in postseason debut

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Yonhap) -- The St. Louis Cardinals South Korean starter Kim Kwang-hyun has taken a no-decision in his postseason debut following an up-and-down outing.
Kim gave up three earned runs in 3 2/3 innings against the San Diego Padres in Game 1 of the National League (NL) wild-card series at Petco Park in San Diego on Wednesday (local time). He was pulled with two outs in the fourth inning and a man aboard, with the Cardinals holding a 6-3 lead.
This is a best-of-three series with no off days. Game 2 will be back at Petco Park on Thursday.
In this Associated Press photo, Kim Kwang-hyun of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts to a pitch thrown against the San Diego Padres during the bottom of the first inning of Game 1 of the National League wild-card series at Petco Park in San Diego on Sept. 30, 2020. (Yonhap)
Kim, a big league rookie after 13 years in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), was a surprise Game 1 starter, chosen over established pitchers Adam Wainwright and Jack Flaherty. Kim did have a strong regular season in his own right, with a 3-0 record and a 1.62 ERA in eight appearances, including seven starts. Plus, Kim had his share of big game experience, having won four Korean Series titles with the SK Wyverns and having pitched in the Olympics and World Baseball Classic games.
The Cardinals spotted Kim a 4-0 lead before he even threw a pitch. Paul Goldschmidt blasted a two-run home run as part of the five-hit first inning.
But Kim gave a run back right away in the bottom first. He walked the leadoff man Fernando Tatis Jr., and a follow-up single by Manny Machado put runners at the corners for Eric Hosmer, who hit a sacrifice fly to right field to make it a 4-1 game.
In the second inning, Jake Cronenworth led things off with a triple off the top of the center field wall. Austin Nola brought him home with the Padres' second sacrifice fly of the game that cut the deficit to 4-2.
The Cardinals added a pair of runs in the top of the third, chasing San Diego starter Chris Paddack from the game as well, but Kim pitched into more trouble himself in the bottom third.
Tatis Jr. opened that frame with a single -- the third straight inning in which a leadoff man reached for the Padres. Kim managed to retire the next two batters but then Wil Myers singled to put runners at the corners, and Tommy Pham's single scored Tatis Jr. and brought the Padres to within 6-3.
Kim struck out Nola and retired Jurickson Profar on a groundout in the fourth. One out away from his first clean inning, Kim walked No. 9 hitter Trent Grisham after a seven-pitch battle.
With Tatis Jr. due up and the Rays about to see Kim for the third time, the Cardinals weren't taking any chances. Helsley took over and retired Tatis Jr. on a deep fly to right to snuff out a potential rally.
In this Associated Press photo, Kim Kwang-hyun of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the San Diego Padres during the bottom of the first inning of Game 1 of the National League wild-card series at Petco Park in San Diego on Sept. 30, 2020. (Yonhap)
It was Kim's first meeting against the Padres. The left-hander had some personal history with the NL West club. After the 2014 season, Kim was posted by his KBO club, the SK Wyverns, with interested big league teams submitting bids in a silent auction for the exclusive right to negotiate with Kim.
The Padres won the bid with US$2 million, but the team and Kim couldn't agree to terms. They apparently offered him a two-year deal worth $2 million but Kim turned it down and stayed in the KBO for five more years.
In this EPA photo, Kim Kwang-hyun of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the San Diego Padres during the bottom of the first inning of Game 1 of the National League wild-card series at Petco Park in San Diego on Sept. 30, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-10-01--(LEAD) Sept. exports rebound for 1st time in 7 months on chips, autos

But the country 's outbound shipments , however , fell again in March as the number of COVID-19 cases around @ @ @ @ @ the pace of decline further accelerated , plunging 25.5 percent in April and 23.6 percent @ @ @

(ATTN: RECASTS headline; ADDS details throughout)
By Kang Yoon-seung
SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's exports rebounded for the first time in seven months in September, data showed Thursday, helped by increased shipments of chips and automobiles as major trade partners gradually resumed their business activities amid the pandemic.
Outbound shipments came to US$48 billion last month, up 7.7 percent from $44.6 billion posted a year earlier, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
The on-year gain in exports marked the largest increase since October 2018, the ministry said.
Imports edged up 1.1 percent to $39.1 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $8.8 billion, marking the largest surplus in two years.
The latest figures exceeded market expectations. According to a poll by Yonhap Infomax, the financial arm of Yonhap News Agency, the country's September exports were expected to have increased 2.8 percent on-year.
By segment, outbound shipments of chips, one of the country's mainstay export goods, jumped a whopping 11.8 percent on-year.
Outbound shipments of automobiles moved up 23.2 percent, marking the first on-year rise in six months.
Overseas sales of cars have been sluggish over the past few months due to lockdowns imposed on major trade partners, with the economic jitters also inducing consumers to delay purchases of them.
Shipments of machines edged up 0.8 percent, also rebounding for the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ministry said.
Chips, cars and machines accounted for 35 percent of the country's overall exports in 2019.
Exports of electronics also increased 30.2 percent over the cited period, with overseas sales of batteries advancing 21.1 percent.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, South Korea's exports of biohealth products jumped nearly 80 percent on-year in September. With more people working from home around the globe, exports of computers shot up 66.8 percent as well.
Steel products rebounded for the first time in nine months by rising 1.8 percent.
By destination, exports to China, the largest trading partner, expanded 8.2 percent in September on-year. Outbound shipments to the United States rose 23.2 percent over the period.
Exports to the members of the European Union added 4.3 percent. Shipments to neighboring Japan, however, dropped 6 percent, the data showed.
Asia's fourth-largest economy had extended its slump in exports to a sixth month in August, as the new coronavirus around the globe continued to strain business activities.
The country enjoyed a 4.5 percent rise in its outbound shipments in February, the first on-year rebound in 14 months.
But the country's outbound shipments, however, fell again in March as the number of COVID-19 cases around the globe escalated, and the pace of decline further accelerated, plunging 25.5 percent in April and 23.6 percent in May.
South Korea's exports, which dropped more than 10 percent on-year in 2019, were earlier anticipated to rebound throughout 2020 on the back of the recovery in sales of memory chips.
The COVID-19 pandemic, however, splashed cold water on that notion, straining the export-oriented economy.
The central bank data showed the economy shrank 3.2 percent in the April-June period from the previous quarter, the biggest on-quarter drop since a 3.3 percent retreat posted in the last three months of 2008.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-10-01--Ryu Hyun-jin's successful 1st season with Blue Jays ends with postseason elimination

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Yonhap) -- What has largely been a successful season as a new ace for the Toronto Blue Jays has ended on a bitter note for Ryu Hyun-jin.
Ryu was torched for seven runs on eight hits in his season-low 1 2/3 innings against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 2 of the American League (AL) wild-card series at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Wednesday (local time). The Blue Jays lost 8-2 and were eliminated from the best-of-three series 2-0. They lost the opener 3-1 on Tuesday.
This was the Blue Jays' first playoff appearance since 2016.
In this Getty Images photo, Ryu Hyun-jin of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 2 of the American League wild-card series at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Sept. 30, 2020. (Yonhap)
Ryu went 5-2 with a 2.69 ERA in his first regular season with the Blue Jays, who handed him a four-year, US$80 million contract in pursuit of a high-end starter. It was the largest deal for a pitcher in franchise history, and Ryu, the runner-up in the 2019 National League Cy Young Award voting, gave the Blue Jays just the kind of stability and consistency that they'd sought at the top of the rotation.
It was a far different script in the postseason, though.
Ryu was helpless against the aggressive Tampa Bay hitters, who swung early in the count and didn't allow Ryu to get into any rhythm.
The first three Rays batters all hit singles, the one saving grace for Ryu being leadoff man Mike Brosseau getting thrown out at second when he tried to stretch the hit into a double. The fourth hit of that inning, by No. 5 hitter Manuel Margot, put the Rays up 1-0.
Ryu escaped a bases-loaded jam later in the first inning, caused by shortstop Bo Bichette's throwing error, and kept it a one-run affair.
The Rays weren't done hitting against Ryu. Kevin Kiermaier led off the second inning with a single, and then Mike Zunino, batting ninth and carrying a .147 batting average from the regular season, got a juicy 0-2 fastball that he drove over the left field for a two-run dinger.
In this UPI photo, Ryu Hyun-jin of the Toronto Blue Jays (L) looks on as manager Charlie Montoyo (C) walks to the mound to pull Ryu in the bottom of the second inning of Game 2 of the American League wild-card series at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Sept. 30, 2020. (Yonhap)
Catcher Danny Jansen set up high and asked for a pitch up in the zone, but Ryu left it at belt high on the inner part of the plate. With the pitch at just 88 mph, Zunino had no trouble getting his barrel on it.
Another error by Bichette allowed the Rays to load the bases against Ryu, who then gave up a grand slam to Hunter Renfroe that opened up a 7-0 lead for the Rays. But to blame Ryu's disastrous start on Bichette's miscue would be oversimplification, for Ryu also didn't help himself despite getting an extra day of rest for this start. Before that error, Ryu gave up a double and a four-pitch walk to put two runners aboard, and he was pulled after Renfroe's slam.
In a much-scrutinized decision, the Blue Jays held out Ryu, their No. 1 starter from the regular season, for Game 1 and instead gave him the Game 2 assignment on five days' rest. The conventional wisdom has it that teams should go with their best starter available for the first game of a postseason series, given the importance of winning the opener. But the Blue Jays defended their move as a strategic decision that would ensure a matchup advantage with multiple bullpen options, while giving Ryu, coming off a season-high 100 pitches in his final regular season start against the New York Yankees, an additional day off.
In this Getty Images photo, Ryu Hyun-jin of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 2 of the American League wild-card series at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Sept. 30, 2020. (Yonhap)
Game 1 starter Matt Shoemaker did his part by throwing three shutout innings before handing the reins to the bullpen. The offense, which went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position, was the bigger culprit in the loss.
That put Ryu in an unenviable position where he had to keep the Blue Jays alive in the postseason. The Blue Jays wouldn't have wanted any other starter in that situation.
But it wasn't Ryu's day. His bread-and-butter changeup generated zero whiffs, and four of Ryu's five changeups were put in play, leading to two singles and two errors by Bichette. Ryu also had trouble commanding his cutter while throwing it 38 percent of the time, more than any of his five pitch types.
And for one of the very few times in 2020, Ryu couldn't come through for his club. And he won't get another opportunity this year.
In this Getty Images photo, Ryu Hyun-jin of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 2 of the American League wild-card series at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Sept. 30, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-10-01--S. Korea's Sept. exports rebound on strong chip, auto shipments

By Kang Yoon-seung
SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's exports rebounded for the first time in seven months in September, data showed Thursday, helped by increased shipments of chips and automobiles as major trade partners gradually resumed their business activities amid the pandemic.
Outbound shipments came to US$48 billion last month, up 7.7 percent from $44.6 billion posted a year earlier, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
Imports edged up 1.1 percent to $39.1 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $8.8 billion.
The latest figures exceeded market expectations. According to a poll by Yonhap Infomax, the financial arm of Yonhap News Agency, the country's September exports were expected to have increased 2.8 percent on-year.
Asia's fourth-largest economy had extended its slump in exports to a sixth month in August, as the new coronavirus around the globe continued to strain business activities.
The country enjoyed a 4.5 percent rise in its outbound shipments in February, the first on-year rebound in 14 months.
But the country's outbound shipments, however, fell again in March as the number of COVID-19 cases around the globe escalated, and the pace of decline further accelerated, plunging 25.5 percent in April and 23.6 percent in May.
South Korea's exports, which dropped more than 10 percent on-year in 2019, were earlier anticipated to rebound throughout 2020 on the back of the recovery in sales of memory chips.
The COVID-19 pandemic, however, splashed cold water on that notion, straining the export-oriented economy.
The central bank data showed the economy shrank 3.2 percent in the April-June period from the previous quarter, the biggest on-quarter drop since a 3.3 percent retreat posted in the last three months of 2008.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


Thursday's weather forecast

SEOUL , Oct. 01 ( Yonhap ) -- The following is the weather forecast for South Korea 's 12 major @ @ @ @ @ .


yna--2020-10-01--Illegal ads for pharmaceutical sales via internet increasingly rampant: lawmaker

The majority of the reported ads , or 80.1 percent , were displayed on online e-commerce markets .
Commercials through @ @ @ @ @ as Facebook and Instagram , also climbed sharply , from 360 in 2016 to 1,588 @ @ @

SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Yonhap) -- Online ads for unauthorized pharmaceutical sales over the internet have increased substantially in recent years, according to a lawmaker Thursday.
The number of reported cases of illegal online ads for prescription drugs reached 37,343 as of 2019, up 49.8 percent from 2016, Rep. Ko Young-in of the ruling Democratic Party said, citing data from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.
During the period, ads for abortion-inducing drugs soared 12 times, from 193 to 2,365, and those for stimulants also climbed from 2,176 to 3,801.
The majority of the reported ads, or 80.1 percent, were displayed on online e-commerce markets. Commercials through social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, also climbed sharply, from 360 in 2016 to 1,588 in 2019.
As of last year, only 10 cases were either charged with crimes or referred to law enforcement.
"The government needs to come up with a comprehensive plan that includes stronger regulation of online marketplaces and other platform operators regarding the unauthorized illegal drug sales," Ko said.
A pharmacy in Seoul (Yonhap)
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-10-02--Preorders for BLACKPINK's upcoming full-length album top 1 mln

Eight tracks of the quartet 's first full-length album will be available to the public at 1 p.m. Friday , @ @ @ @ @ of the title song `` Lovesick Girls '' on YouTube .

SEOUL, Oct. 2 (Yonhap) -- Preorders for K-pop girl band BLACKPINK's upcoming studio album have topped 1 million, its management agency said Friday.
"The Album," set for official release later in the day, posted 670,000 preorders from South Korea and 340,000 from overseas, YG Entertainment said.
It said if the album records 1 million copies in actual sales in its first week, it will be the most by a K-pop girl group in history.
Eight tracks of the quartet's first full-length album will be available to the public at 1 p.m. Friday, along with the music video of the title song "Lovesick Girls" on YouTube.
Its prereleased songs "How You Like That" and "Ice Cream" have made Billboards Hot 100, with the latter debuting at No. 13, the highest position ever by a female K-pop act.
A teaser poster for BLACKPINK released by YG Entertainment (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-10-02--Horrors, zombie thrillers set to attract TV viewers in coming weeks

The comedy zombie drama `` Zombie Detective , '' which first aired last week on KBS , follows a zombie @ @ @ @ @ human and works as a private detective .
It caught the eyes of Korean viewers @ @ @ @ @ story that breaks the stereotype of zombies with the comical acting of Choi Jin-hyuk .

SEOUL, Oct. 2 (Yonhap) -- On chilly fall nights, monsters, ghosts and zombies are poised to thrill or even scare South Korean TV viewers and binge-watchers.
The horror show "Sweet Home," based on a famous web cartoon with the same title, will be released on Netflix later this year.
The series is about a student who faces scary experiences after moving into a new apartment, where its residents turn into monsters.
It has drawn wide attention from viewers as the Netflix debut by renowned South Korean director Lee Eung-bok, best known for his smash-hit TV series "Goblin: The Lonely and Great God" (2016) and "Mr. Sunshine" (2018).
A screenshot from "Tale of the Nine Tailed" by tvN (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Starring Lee Dong-wook and Jo Bo-ah, the fantasy romance "Tale of the Nine Tailed" features a male "gumiho," or a nine-tailed fox, referring to a fairy-tale creature that transforms its appearance into an attractive person to seduce boys.
The fox, which disguises itself as a human, settles in a city in the 21st century and confronts a producer who looks after the mysterious creature. It will premiere on Oct. 7 through tvN.
The comedy zombie drama "Zombie Detective," which first aired last week on KBS, follows a zombie who pretends to be a human and works as a private detective. It caught the eyes of Korean viewers for its fresh setting and story that breaks the stereotype of zombies with the comical acting of Choi Jin-hyuk.
A poster of "Zombie Detective" provided by KBS (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Experts said scary series and shows are no longer summer vacation hits these days.
"If they are well-made, horror shows can appeal to TV audiences any season," culture critic Jeong Deok-hyun said. "But producers have been making some changes in programs featuring zombies and ghosts and mixing in comedy and romance to increase the scares and charm."
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-10-02--(LEAD) New virus cases stay below 100, but gov't remains cautious against possible rebound after hol

(LEAD) New virus cases stay below 100, but gov't remains cautious against possible rebound after holiday

As South Korea has been enjoying the five-day Chuseok holiday , the Korean equivalent of Thanksgiving , since Wednesday , @ @ @ @ @ down its guard in the ongoing fight against the coronavirus .

(ATTN: ADDS more info in paras 13-15, 18, photos)
SEOUL, Oct. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea reported 63 more cases of the novel coronavirus Friday, posting a double-digit daily growth for the second day in a row, while health authorities remain vigilant against possible mass infections during the Chuseok holiday this week.
The country added 63 more COVID-19 cases, including 53 local infections, bringing the total caseload to 23,952, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
People get tested for the novel coronavirus at a test center in Seongnam, south of Seoul, on Oct. 1, 2020, in this photo provided by Seongnam City. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The daily new cases remained below the 100 mark for the second consecutive day, following the previous day's 77 infections.
As South Korea has been enjoying the five-day Chuseok holiday, the Korean equivalent of Thanksgiving, since Wednesday, the government is not letting down its guard in the ongoing fight against the coronavirus.
The daily new infections peaked at 441 on Aug. 27, days after cluster infections were found to be linked to a Seoul church and an anti-government rally in the capital on Aug. 15.
With tightened social distancing imposed on the greater Seoul area for weeks, the daily number of new COVID-19 cases has been hovering around 100 since early September.
The 38 new cases Tuesday marked the lowest since Aug. 11, when the country reported 34 additional infections.
A hospital in northern Seoul is closed on Sept. 30, 2020, after 28 patients tested positive for the novel coronavirus there. (Yonhap)
Health authorities are worried that increased mobility from hometown visits and family gatherings, which are typical on the Chuseok holiday, may lead to a surge in COVID-19 as experienced after the summer vacation season.
The country also has a break from Oct. 9-11, prompting the government to designate Monday to Oct. 11 as a special period for strengthened virus curbs to better contain local transmissions.
People are asked to stay at home during the holidays, with the middle Level 2 social distancing guidelines imposed over the two-week period.
Under the current requirements, indoor meetings of 10 or more people are prohibited, while 100 or more people are banned from having outdoor events.
People stand in line at a test center in central Seoul on Oct. 2, 2020. (Yonhap)
Meanwhile, Seoul reported nine new virus cases Friday, and the surrounding Gyeonggi Province added 19, according to the KDCA.
The southeastern port city of Busan had 16 more new cases, while four cases each came from Incheon and North Gyeongsang Province.
The country also reported 10 new imported cases, remaining unchanged from a day earlier, bringing the total caseload to 3,247, the KDCA said.
Seven patients from Asian countries other than mainland China, and three people came from Europe.
On Friday, one additional death was reported, raising the death toll to 416. The fatality rate was 1.74 percent.
The total number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries increased to 21,733, up 67 from the previous day.
The number of COVID-19 patients in serious or critical condition stood at 107 on Friday, according to the authorities.
People visit Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul on the Chuseok holiday on Oct. 1, 2020. (Yonhap)
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-10-02--Trump blocks assistance to N. Korea over human trafficking

In his memorandum , dated Sept. 28 , the U.S. president also instructed American heads of multilateral development banks , @ @ @ @ @ , to `` vote against and use best efforts to deny any loan '' to @ @ @ @ @ unless such funds are designed to be used for humanitarian purposes .

By Byun Duk-kun
WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump has instructed his government to withhold any nonhumanitarian assistance to North Korea and eight other countries until the countries meet minimum standards on human trafficking, the White House said Thursday.
In a memorandum to his top diplomat Mike Pompeo, Trump said he has determined the U.S. "will not provide nonhumanitarian, nontrade-related assistance" to the countries "until such governments comply with the Act's minimum standards or make significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with the minimum standards."
The only exception, he said, will be determined for necessary assistance with the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ebola virus. The countries include Burundi, China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, Nicaragua, Russia and Syria.
The instruction will affect the entire fiscal year 2021, which began Thursday, according to the memorandum released by the White House.
The State Department had named North Korea and 18 other countries as the worst in terms of protection for victims of human trafficking in its annual report published in June.
In his memorandum, dated Sept. 28, the U.S. president also instructed American heads of multilateral development banks, including the International Monetary Fund, to "vote against and use best efforts to deny any loan" to any of the listed countries unless such funds are designed to be used for humanitarian purposes.
In this AFP file photo, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks at a briefing on the Trafficking in Persons Report in 2018. (Yonhap)
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-10-02--Over 500 students contracted COVID-19 since late May: lawmaker

The total number of reported COVID-19 cases among kindergarten , elementary , middle and high school students between May 20 @ @ @ @ @ 561 , Rep. Jung Chan-min of the main opposition People Power Party said , citing @ @ @ @ @ ministry .

SEOUL, Oct. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea saw over 500 reported cases of COVID-19 among students in the past four months, according to a lawmaker on Friday.
The total number of reported COVID-19 cases among kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school students between May 20 and last Friday stood at 561, Rep. Jung Chan-min of the main opposition People Power Party said, citing data provided by the education ministry.
Students at Seoul's Mukhyeon Elementary School in Jungnang Ward line up to get tested for the coronavirus on July 5, 2020, a day after one of the students at the school tested positive for COVID-19. (Yonhap)
The number of elementary school patients amounted to 220, followed by high school and kindergarten patients, with 181 and 37, respectively.
In terms of region, Seoul had the largest number of student infections, with 195, followed by Gyeonggi Province and the southeastern city of Daegu, with 182 and 22, respectively.
Of the total number of patients, 473 have been treated and discharged from hospitals, while 88 remain in quarantine in hospitals for treatment.
"Student patients under treatment should be offered medical support, and health and education authorities should follow up on the aftereffects of the virus among students while preventing additional infections," said Jung.
Seniors attend a class at Boin High School in Seoul on Aug. 26, 2020, as schools in Seoul and surrounding areas returned to remote classes to protect students and slow down the spread of the new coronavirus. (Yonhap)
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-10-02--N. Korea-China trade plummets 70 pct during Jan-Aug on-year amid pandemic

The volume of trade between the two allies came to US $ 510 million during the January-August period , sharply @ @ @ @ @ recorded in the same period in 2019 , according to the data from the Ministry @ @ @

SEOUL, Oct. 2 (Yonhap) -- Bilateral trade between North Korea and China nosedived nearly 70 percent in the first eight months of this year from a year ago, possibly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, government data showed Friday.
The volume of trade between the two allies came to US$510 million during the January-August period, sharply down from $1.71 billion recorded in the same period in 2019, according to the data from the Ministry of Unification.
North Korea exported $41.9 million worth of goods to China while importing $470 million worth of goods from its neighbor during the same period this year.
Among the main items North Korea imported from China last year were textiles, soybean oil, rice, watch components and flour.
Transactions with China accounted for 95.4 percent of North Korea's total trade in 2019, sharply up from 67.1 percent recorded in 2007, a result attributable to increased international trade-related sanctions on the communist nation.
The latest plunge in North Korea-China trade may have something to do with the North's heightened disease control efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic, Rep. Jeon Hae-cheol of the ruling Democratic Party, who released the data, said.
Since January, North Korea has tightened its border control along the boundaries with China, sharply limiting the flow of travelers and shipments across the border.
This undated photo shows tour buses running on a bridge linking North Korea's Sinuiju to the Chinese province of Liaoning. (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-10-02--New virus cases stay below 100, but gov't remains cautious against possible rebound after holiday

SEOUL, Oct. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea reported 63 more cases of the novel coronavirus Friday, posting a double-digit daily growth for the second day in a row, while health authorities remain vigilant against possible mass infections during the Chuseok holiday this week.
The country added 63 more COVID-19 cases, including 53 local infections, bringing the total caseload to 23,952, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
People get tested for the novel coronavirus at a test center in Seongnam, south of Seoul, on Oct. 1, 2020, in this photo provided by Seongnam City. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The daily new cases remained below the 100 mark for the second consecutive day, following the previous day's 77 infections.
As South Korea has been enjoying the five-day Chuseok holiday, the Korean equivalent of Thanksgiving, since Wednesday, the government is not letting down its guard in the ongoing fight against the coronavirus.
The daily new infections peaked at 441 on Aug. 27, days after cluster infections were found to be linked to a Seoul church and an anti-government rally in the capital on Aug. 15.
With tightened social distancing imposed on the greater Seoul area for weeks, the daily number of new COVID-19 cases has been hovering around 100 since early September.
The 38 new cases Tuesday marked the lowest since Aug. 11, when the country reported 34 additional infections.
A hospital in northern Seoul is closed on Sept. 30, 2020, after 28 patients tested positive for the novel coronavirus there. (Yonhap)
Health authorities are worried that increased mobility from hometown visits and family gatherings, which are typical on the Chuseok holiday, may lead to a surge in COVID-19 as experienced after the summer vacation season.
The country also has a break from Oct. 9-11, prompting the government to designate Monday to Oct. 11 as a special period for strengthened virus curbs to better contain local transmissions.
People are asked to stay at home during the holidays, with the middle Level 2 social distancing guidelines imposed over the two-week period.
Under the current requirements, indoor meetings of 10 or more people are prohibited, while 100 or more people are banned from having outdoor events.
Meanwhile, Seoul reported nine new virus cases Friday, and the surrounding Gyeonggi Province added 19, according to the KDCA.
The country also reported 10 new imported cases, remaining unchanged from a day earlier, the KDCA said.
On Friday, one additional death was reported, raising the death toll to 416. The fatality rate was 1.74 percent.
The total number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries increased to 21,733, up 67 from the previous day.
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-10-02--(URGENT) 67 more patients released from coronavirus treatment, total now at 21,733: KDCA


yna--2020-10-02--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 1 additional coronavirus death, total now at 416: KDCA


yna--2020-10-02--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 63 more cases of new coronavirus, total now at 23,952: KDCA


yna--2020-10-02--ASF cases traced to wild boars on clear decline ahead of farm reopening

Although no new ASF cases were reported from local farms since October last year , the country had been reluctant @ @ @ @ @ the operations of pig farms in the area amid rising concerns over possible virus transmission @ @ @ @ @ pigs .

By Kang Yoon-seung
SEOUL, Oct. 2 (Yonhap) -- The number of African swine fever (ASF) cases from wild boars has decreased sharply over the past months, data showed Friday, paving the way for the country's virus-hit farms to resume their operations this month as planned.
South Korea plans to allow pig farms hit by ASF last year to resume their operations starting early October, as no additional cases among domestic pigs were reported for about a year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs.
Last year, ASF swept through pig farms in the inter-Korean border area, covering Gyeonggi and Gangwon Provinces, prompting South Korea to cull about 400,000 pigs nationwide as part of preventive measures.
On the back of such measures, daily new cases of ASF from wild boars reached 4.4 over the January-April period, but it has dropped to only 1.1 since May, the country's environment ministry data showed.
Although no new ASF cases were reported from local farms since October last year, the country had been reluctant to give the go-ahead to the operations of pig farms in the area amid rising concerns over possible virus transmission from wild boars to domestic pigs.
Nearly 750 ASF cases have been reported from wild boars.
The virus spreads through direct contact with infected animals or their remains.
South Korea has been making efforts to prevent wild boars from coming into contact with domestic pigs by providing cash subsidies to hunters and utilizing the latest technologies to track down wild boars.
Gyeonggi Province said the number of wild boar-linked ASF cases in the region only came in at two in September, indicating it is unlikely for the farms in Paju, Yeoncheon, and Gimpo to suffer a new round of outbreaks.
South Korea identified its first ASF case from a farm in Paju on Sept. 16. A total of 14 cases were reported from farms through Oct. 9.
The animal disease does not affect humans but is deadly to pigs. There is currently no vaccine or cure for the disease.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


Friday's weather forecast

SEOUL , Oct. 02 ( Yonhap ) -- The following is the weather forecast for South Korea 's 12 major @ @ @ @ @ .