yna--2020-07-05--(2nd LD) Sporadic cluster infections push new virus cases above 60 for 3rd day

Daegu , once the hotbed of the country 's virus outbreak , added no new cases .
The city , @ @ @ @ @ half of the country 's COVID-19 cases , recently suffered another uptick in the number @ @ @ @ @ group infections from an acting school .

(ATTN: ADDS details in paras 13-15; CHANGES photos)
By Kang Yoon-seung
SEOUL, July 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's daily new virus cases stayed above 60 for the third consecutive day Sunday as infections outside the Seoul metropolitan area continued to swell, including in the southwestern city of Gwangju.
The country added 61 cases, including 43 local infections, raising the total caseload to 13,091, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
South Korea added 63 new cases on both Friday and Saturday.
It marked the first time since April for the country to post more than 60 new COVID-19 patients for three consecutive days.
Of the locally transmitted infections, 15 cases were newly identified in Gwangju, 330 kilometers southwest of Seoul. The city has seen coronavirus cases rise sharply due mainly to cluster infections linked to a Buddhist temple and a church.
As of Saturday, a total of 61 cases have been tied to Gwangneuk Temple, while infections linked to the Ilgok JungAng Church have been on the rise. Among the church-linked cases is the city's first elementary school student infection.
The government of South Jeolla Province, which surrounds Gwangju, said it will raise the region's anti-virus alert level to the "social distancing level 2" from the current "distancing in daily life" Monday.
The upgrade calls for tougher virus preventive measures, including banning gatherings of 50 or more people indoors or 100 or more people outdoors, and making it mandatory to wear masks when using public transportation.
South Korea, which relaxed nationwide strict social distancing in early May on the back of a flattened virus curve, decided last month to indefinitely apply toughened infection preventive measures in the greater Seoul area due to a continued rise in cluster infections.
Students and parents wait in line to receive new coronavirus tests at an elementary school located north of Seoul on July 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
The Seoul area added 14 new cases, with its surrounding Gyeonggi Province reporting four new infections.
Cases linked to an apartment building in Uijeongbu, north of Seoul, reached 25 on Saturday, up four from a day earlier.
Daejeon, a central city 164 kilometers south of Seoul, also reported eight more infections.
Last week, two elementary students in Daejeon tested positive after coming in contact with a peer, which could be the first case of the virus being transmitted at a school in South Korea.
Daegu, once the hotbed of the country's virus outbreak, added no new cases. The city, which accounts for more than half of the country's COVID-19 cases, recently suffered another uptick in the number of new patients due to group infections from an acting school.
Health authorities are vigilant as the latest spread of the virus could lead to a new wave of the pandemic. South Korea suffered its worst month in February, when the daily number of new infections even rose above 900 at one point.
The country reported no additional deaths, with the death toll staying at 283. The fatality rate reached 2.16 percent.
The number of new imported cases reached 18. South Korea has posted a double-digit number of imported cases for 10 consecutive days.
The total number of people released from quarantine after full recoveries stood at 11,832, up 21 from the previous day. This indicates some 90 percent of the COVID-19 patients here have been cured.
South Korea has carried out 1,326,055 COVID-19 tests since Jan. 3.
Students and parents wait in line to receive new coronavirus tests at an elementary school located north of Seoul on July 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-06--Ex-teammates of late triathlete make more abuse allegations against staff

In months leading up to her passing , Choi had claimed that she was repeatedly struck by her coach , @ @ @ @ @ teammates .
She had also been asked to go three days without eating because she @ @ @ @ @ weight down , and she had once been forced to gobble up 200,000 won ( @ @ @ @ @ of pastries as a punishment for ordering a soft drink during a team meal .

SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- Former teammates of a late triathlete who took her own life after enduring years of apparent abuse claimed Monday physical and verbal harassment was rampant on their semi-pro club.
In a press conference at the National Assembly, the two triathletes, whose identities were being withheld, supported allegations made earlier by Choi Suk-hyeon, with whom they had competed with on the Gyeongju City Hall team in Gyeongju, 370 kilometers southeast of the capital.
Two teammates of the late South Korean triathlete Choi Suk-hyeon speak at a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul on July 6, 2020, in support of Choi's allegations of physical and verbal abuse by her coaching staff. Their faces are blurred to protect their identities. (Yonhap)
Choi, a junior bronze medalist at the 2015 Triathlon Asian Championships, was found dead on June 26 in her home in Busan, 450 kilometers southeast of Seoul. In her last text message to her mother, Choi asked to "expose crimes of those people," in an apparent reference to her alleged abusers.
In months leading up to her passing, Choi had claimed that she was repeatedly struck by her coach, team therapist and two older teammates. She had also been asked to go three days without eating because she'd failed to keep her weight down, and she had once been forced to gobble up 200,000 won (US$167) worth of pastries as a punishment for ordering a soft drink during a team meal.
The two teammates said they had been afraid of repercussions, but they worked up the courage to support Choi and uncover the truth. They apologized to Choi's surviving family for not acting sooner and not joining Choi in seeking criminal charges against the alleged abusers.
"Our triathlon team at Gyeonggju City Hall was an empire for the coach and a select few athletes," they said. "Physical and verbal abuses were common occurrences. The coach constantly hit us, and the team captain was a bully too."
The two teammates supported Choi's claims of abuse and said they are also victims.
"We got hit more than 10 days out of a month, while we were competing in Gyeongju," they added. "I hope that these abusers will admit their guilt and receive due punishment."
The late South Korean triathlete Choi Suk-hyeon receives a gold medal at the 2013 National Martine Sports Games in Ulsan, 400 kilometers southeast of Seoul, in these photos provided by Choi's surviving family on July 2, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
In months leading up to her passing, Choi had pressed abuse charges against her coach, team therapist and two older teammates in Gyeongju. In late May, Gyeongju police forwarded Choi's case to the prosecution and recommended an indictment on charges of assault and extortion. It wasn't until last Thursday that Daegu District Public Prosecutors Office said it had been investigating the case and will soon interrogate those facing abuse allegations.
In April, Choi also filed a petition with the Korea Triathlon Federation and the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC), seeking punishments for her alleged abusers. Neither of the organizations took action.
Choi had made audio recordings of occasions when she was physically and verbally abused by the team staff and teammates, and these disturbing clips had been reported on television news, sparking further outrage nationally.
Choi's tragedy is the latest illustration of a deeply hierarchical, "win-at-all-costs" sporting culture in South Korea, where coaches or older teammates have been known to resort to abusive behavior against younger athletes in the name of getting the most out of them.
It's also a somber reminder of just how far the country has to go to eliminate physical, verbal, emotional and even sexual abuses in sports. It was about 1 1/2 years ago that Cho Jae-beom, former coach for Olympic short track speed skating champion Shim Suk-hee, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for physical assault while also facing trial for sexual assault charges.
National sports officials went up in arms over one of the most high-profile abuse cases involving an athlete, but their repeated calls for stern measures ring hollow now in light of Choi's passing. The national sports community has balked at outside authorities' attempts to reform, but it has to prove capable of cleaning up itself.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-06--(LEAD) Court rejects extradition request by U.S. for child porn site operator

The Seoul High Court said it decided to reject the request from the United States to extradite Son Jong-woo , @ @ @ @ @ Video , which ran on the darknet , inaccessible by regular web browsers , because @ @ @ @ @ would be more helpful for the country 's fight against child pornography .

(ATTN: CHANGES headline; UPDATES with details in first 4 paras)
SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- A Seoul court on Monday denied an extradition request by the United States for a criminal who ran one of the world's biggest child porn sites.
The Seoul High Court said it decided to reject the request from the United States to extradite Son Jong-woo, the operator of Welcome to Video, which ran on the darknet, inaccessible by regular web browsers, because having him here in Korea would be more helpful for the country's fight against child pornography.
"It cannot be ruled out that the extradition (of Son to the U.S.) could hamper South Korea's investigation into sexually exploitative content.
"The decision should not be interpreted as exonerating him," the court said, adding that "Son should actively cooperate with the investigation and face proper punishment."
The father of the criminal Son Jung-woo, who ran one of the world's biggest child porn sites, talks to reporters after the second hearing in his son's case at the Seoul High Court in Seoul on June 16, 2020. (Yonhap)
U.S. authorities have requested the extradition of Son Jong-woo, the operator of Welcome to Video, which ran on the darknet, inaccessible by regular web browsers.
He was indicted by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia in the United States in August 2018 on nine counts for his operation of the massive child sexual exploitation site.
In the previous two hearings of the extradition case, Son's lawyer demanded South Korea guarantee that he won't be punished in the U.S. for producing and distributing child pornography, citing Korea's extradition laws that rule against double punishment for the same criminal activity.
During the second trial on June 16, Son made an appeal in a court appearance to go through legal processes in South Korea, where punishments for crimes related to child pornography tend to be much more lenient than in the U.S.
Son was arrested in Korea in March 2018 and convicted of generating and distributing exploitative content for fees paid using the cryptocurrency Bitcoin.
During the arrest process, authorities found approximately eight terabytes of child sexual assault videos.
He finished serving an 18-month prison term in April but was taken back into custody since an arrest warrant was issued for potential U.S. extradition.
Son operated the site from June 2015 until March 2018, when it was taken down by law enforcement.
Officials around the world worked together to chase down the site's users and arrested 337 people, including 223 Koreans. At least 23 underage victims abused by the site's users were rescued.
In early May, Son's father filed a complaint against his son for what he argued was a violation of laws that prohibit proceeds from criminal activities from being concealed. The move was widely seen as a bid to stop the extradition by having him face a legal process in Korea.
jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-06--Calls increasingly grow for return to stronger social distancing amid rising virus cases

SEOUL , July 6 ( Yonhap ) -- South Korea 's health authorities are coming under growing pressure to increase @ @ @ @ @ in the face of a steady rise in new virus cases in major cities such @ @ @ @ @ reimposition of toughened infection preventive measures may be in place for those that report a @ @ @ @ @ .

SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's health authorities are coming under growing pressure to increase the intensity of social distancing in the face of a steady rise in new virus cases in major cities such as Gwangju, but the reimposition of toughened infection preventive measures may be in place for those that report a sustained rise in new infections.
The country last week adopted a three-tier social distancing scheme that adjusts the intensity of virus prevention guidelines depending on the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The country is currently in "Level 1" social distancing that is implemented when the virus situation is manageable under the current medical system, with the daily rise of COVID-19 cases staying below 50.
The Level 1 social distancing is equivalent to the country's "distancing in daily life" adopted on May 6, which enables citizens to carry out their economic and social activities under quarantine rules.
However, due to a resurgence of virus cases in recent days, there have been growing calls that the country should raise its social distancing level.
This photo taken July 5, 2020, shows citizens enjoying a picnic at a park in Daegu while keeping a distance from others. (Yonhap)
According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), the daily rise of virus cases topped 60 from Friday to Sunday, which was the first time since April that the country posted more than 60 new COVID-19 cases for three consecutive days.
On Monday, South Korea reported 48 more novel coronavirus cases, bringing the total caseload to 13,139.
Cluster infections have been reported outside the greater Seoul area, with cities like Gwangju and Daejeon dealing with their own COVID-19 outbreaks.
Gwangju, some 330 kilometers southwest of Seoul, has seen coronavirus cases rise sharply due mainly to cluster infections linked to a Buddhist temple and a church.
Daejeon, a central city 164 kilometers south of Seoul, has been suffering from cluster infections connected to a door-to-door business and is now dealing with cases tied to a school.
Although concerns have been escalating over another wave of the virus, health authorities said they are not considering raising the nationwide social distancing level.
Instead, they recommended city governments set their own social distancing levels.
Already, the city of Gwangju and South Jeolla Province have announced that they have decided to apply "Level 2" social distancing measures for their regions.
"We are pushing forward a strategy implementing social distancing measures on a municipality level depending on the region's virus situation, instead of applying same distancing measures nationwide," Health Minister Park Neung-hoo said at a press briefing Sunday. "When we assess the virus infection risks of a region, we consider its virus cases and medical resources."
Officials from the Busan city government hold signs to emphasize virus prevention measures at Haeundae Beach in Busan on July 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
Health authorities said the plan is aimed at stemming the spread of COVID-19 more efficiently since the virus situation varies from region to region and that implementing the same virus prevention guidelines across the nation requires more assessment.
Health authorities said the country will apply Level 2 distancing measures if daily infections exceed 50 for 14 straight days but remain under 100, and "Level 3" if the daily rise of new virus cases far exceeds 100.
Under Level 2, all private and public indoor meetings of 50 or more and outdoor meetings of over 100 will be banned. Under Level 3, all meetings of 10 people or more will be banned and all students will be prohibited from going to schools.
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-06--Foreigners' wild fireworks party frowned on by virus-weary Busan citizens

Indeed , six patrol cars and one team of police officers came to the scene of disturbances and attempted to @ @ @ @ @ some of them continued to set off firecrackers .
In the process , one U.S. @ @ @ @ @ briefly detained while fleeing after shooting firecrackers at citizens .

BUSAN, July 6 (Yonhap) -- Dozens of foreigners presumed to be American citizens or soldiers created disturbances by setting off firecrackers at a renowned beach in Busan on Saturday night apparently in celebration of Independence Day in the United States, resulting in the brief detention of a soldier, police said Monday.
The foreigners shot numerous rounds of firecrackers into the sky and even towards citizens for two hours, beginning around 7 p.m., on and around Haeundae Beach in the southern port city in an apparent Fourth of July party, according to the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency.
An official in the southeastern port city of Busan holds a sign that asks visitors to wear masks at the city's Haeundae Beach on July 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
Police received more than 70 reports of complaints from Busan citizens concerned about wild and dangerous acts by foreign people not wearing face masks particularly amid the ongoing social distancing campaign to stem the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.
The foreigners, whom the police presumed to be American soldiers on vacation to celebrate the Fourth of July, were accused of shooting firecrackers towards citizens, as well as at nearby buildings, and mocking the police.
Indeed, six patrol cars and one team of police officers came to the scene of disturbances and attempted to disperse the foreigners, but some of them continued to set off firecrackers. In the process, one U.S. soldier in his 20s was briefly detained while fleeing after shooting firecrackers at citizens.
The previous night, citizens also reported to police that some foreigners set off firecrackers from the window of a high-rise residence building on Haeundae Beach.
Faced with growing complaints from residents and tourists, police and the municipality of Busan sent 200 officials to the beach on Sunday to crack down on the use of firecrackers. Officials say the act of setting off firecrackers on a public beach can be punished by a fine of 50,000 won (US$42).
Haeundae and other beaches across South Korea formally opened for the summer holiday season last Wednesday, obliging vacationers to comply with strict COVID-19-related disinfection and social distancing rules, including maintaining two-meters distance between parasols and tents, avoiding physical contact with others and wearing a face mask when not in the water.
Busan officials said many foreigners have visited Haeundae Beach since its formal opening, but most of them have failed to abide by the quarantine guidelines.
"As the past weekend coincided with the American Independence Day, acts of disorder became much worse. The municipality has implemented crackdowns on the use of firecrackers due to enormous complaints from residents and tourists over noise and the smell of gunpowder," a Busan official said.
Foreigners set off firecrackers near Haeundae Beach in Busan on July 4, 2020, in this photo provided by a citizen. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-06--The Korea Interbank Offered Rates (KORIBOR)

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

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


yna--2020-07-06--Hyundai ships hydrogen trucks to Switzerland for 1st time

Hyundai Motor plans to deliver 40 additional XCIENT Fuel Cell hydrogen trucks to the European country by the end of @ @ @ @ @ its long-term contract to export a total of 1,600 XCIENTs to the country by 2025 @ @ @ @ @ a statement .

By Choi Kyong-ae
SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's biggest carmaker by sales, said Monday it has shipped 10 hydrogen fuel-cell electric trucks to Switzerland in the country's first exportation of hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles.
Hyundai Motor plans to deliver 40 additional XCIENT Fuel Cell hydrogen trucks to the European country by the end of this year as part of its long-term contract to export a total of 1,600 XCIENTs to the country by 2025, the company said in a statement.
"Hyundai has started the mass production of large-size hydrogen trucks and sold the products for the first time in global markets. It will help the company cement its leadership in commercial hydrogen vehicles," a company official said.
This photo taken on July 6, 2020, and provided by Hyundai Motor shows XCIENT Fuel Cell hydrogen trucks being loaded onto the Global Superior roll-on roll-off ship heading to Switzerland at a port in Gwangyang, 423 kilometers south of Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The XCIENT hydrogen truck can travel about 400 kilometers on a single charge, and it takes about eight to 20 minutes to fully charge the truck, the statement said.
The 10 hydrogen trucks will be operated by Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility, a 50:50 joint venture set up last year between Hyundai Motor and Swiss hydrogen solutions provider H2 Energy, it said.
To help improve the infrastructure for hydrogen vehicles, the H2 Mobility Swiss Association plans to establish seven hydrogen charging stations by December and 73 additional ones by 2025, Hyundai said.
U.S. market research firm MarketsandMarkets forecast Switzerland's hydrogen vehicle market to grow to 11,533 units in 2028 from 25 in 2019.
In its report released in September 2018, the global consulting firm McKinsey projected a total of 3 million to 4 million hydrogen trucks will be supplied globally by 2030.
Particularly in Europe, there is growing demand for zero-emission commercial vehicles as Norway and some other countries are moving to ban the sale of combustion engine vehicles from 2025, the statement said.
A hydrogen fuel cell electric car only releases water vapor as it converts stored hydrogen into electricity to turn the motor.
Hydrogen can be produced by processing liquefied natural gas or as a byproduct of industrial facilities, including petrochemical plants.
Starting with the shipments to Switzerland, Hyundai aims to advance to the commercial vehicle markets of other European markets such as Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Norway as well as the United States.
In the long term, Hyundai plans to introduce a large-size tractor unit that can travel more than 1,000 km per charge based on the hydrogen truck concept Neptune, which was unveiled at the 2019 North American Commercial Vehicle Show in Atlanta in November.
In 2018, Hyundai Motor Group announced that it will invest 7.6 trillion won in hydrogen car-producing facilities and related R&D activities by 2030. Under the plan, the group plans to churn out 500,000 hydrogen vehicles in 2030.
This file photo provided by Hyundai Motor shows the hydrogen-powered truck concept Neptune. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-06--New virus cases tad down; imported, cluster infections still alarming

Of local infections , seven cases were reported in the southwestern city of Gwangju , followed by six each in @ @ @ @ @ the western port city of Incheon .
Three cases were reported in Seoul , the @ @ @

SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea saw its daily new virus cases slightly fall Monday, but a steady rise in both locally transmitted infections and imported cases continued to put a strain on the country's virus fight.
The country added 48 cases, including 24 local infections, raising the total caseload to 13,137, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
The tally marked a slight decrease from 61 new cases of COVID-19 reported Sunday, as well as 63 new cases on both Friday and Saturday.
A child waits to receive a new coronavirus test at a makeshift clinic in Gwangju, 330 kilometers southwest of Seoul, on July 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
Of local infections, seven cases were reported in the southwestern city of Gwangju, followed by six each in Gyeonggi Province surrounding Seoul and the western port city of Incheon. Three cases were reported in Seoul, the KCDC said.
As of Sunday, 80 cases have been tied to Gwangneuk Temple in Gwangju, up 13 from a day earlier. The figure includes cases from a church, also in the city, as the two clusters were found to have connections.
South Korea has been harried by rises in sporadic cluster infections in the greater Seoul area since it relaxed strict social distancing on May 6 on the flattened virus curve.
The country, meanwhile, reported 24 additional imported cases, raising the total of such cases to 1,690.
South Korea has posted a double-digit number of imported cases for 11 consecutive days.
South Korea, meanwhile, reported one more death, bringing the death toll to 284. The fatality rate was 2.16 percent.
The total number of people released from quarantine after full recoveries stood at 11,848, up 16 from the previous day.
The country has carried out 1,331,796 tests since Jan. 3.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-06--(URGENT) 16 more people released after full recoveries from coronavirus, total cured patients at 11,

(URGENT) 16 more people released after full recoveries from coronavirus, total cured patients at 11,848: KCDC


yna--2020-07-06--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 1 additional coronavirus death, total death toll at 284: KCDC


yna--2020-07-06--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 48 more cases of new coronavirus, total now at 13,137: KCDC


yna--2020-07-06--Court to decide on extradition to U.S. of child porn site operator

In early May , Son 's father filed a complaint against his son for what he argued was a violation @ @ @ @ @ from criminal activities from being concealed .
The move was widely seen as a bid @ @ @ @ @ having him face a legal process in Korea .

SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- A Seoul court will hold a third, and probably last, hearing on Monday to decide whether to extradite a criminal who ran one of the world's biggest child porn sites.
U.S. authorities have requested the extradition of Son Jong-woo, the operator of Welcome to Video, which ran on the darknet, inaccessible by regular web browsers.
He was indicted by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia in the United States in August 2018 on nine counts for his operation of the massive child sexual exploitation site.
The Seoul High Court is to determine his potential extradition on international money laundering offenses because he has been already punished in Korea in relation to child pornography.
In the previous two hearings of the extradition case, Son's lawyer demanded South Korea guarantee that he won't be punished in the U.S. for producing and distributing child pornography, citing Korea's extradition laws that rule against double punishment for the same criminal activity.
During the second trial on June 16, Son made an appeal in a court appearance to go through legal processes in South Korea, where punishments for crimes related to child pornography tend to be much more lenient than in the U.S.
The father of the criminal Son Jung-woo, who ran one of the world's biggest child porn sites, talks to reporters after the second hearing in his son's case at the Seoul High Court in Seoul on June 16, 2020. (Yonhap)
Son was arrested in Korea in March 2018 and convicted of generating and distributing exploitative content for fees paid using the cryptocurrency Bitcoin.
During the arrest process, authorities found approximately eight terabytes of child sexual assault videos.
He finished serving an 18-month prison term in April but was taken back into custody since an arrest warrant was issued for potential U.S. extradition.
Son operated the site from June 2015 until March 2018, when it was taken down by law enforcement.
Officials around the world worked together to chase down the site's users and arrested 337 people, including 223 Koreans. At least 23 underage victims abused by the site's users were rescued.
In early May, Son's father filed a complaint against his son for what he argued was a violation of laws that prohibit proceeds from criminal activities from being concealed. The move was widely seen as a bid to stop the extradition by having him face a legal process in Korea.
If the court allows his extradition and the justice minister gives the green light, U.S. authorities will come to take him to the U.S. within a month. If not, he will be released immediately.
jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-06--S. Korea to award appreciation plaques to Korean War comrades

Around 1.95 million foreign warriors from the countries participated in the war , which broke out on June 25 , @ @ @ @ @ Korea fight the North backed by the Soviet Union and China .
The two Koreas @ @ @ @ @ , as the conflict ended in a truce , not a peace treaty .

SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will hold a ceremony to express thanks to countries that fought during the 1950-53 Korean War in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the conflict, the veterans affairs ministry said Monday.
During the event on Tuesday, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun will deliver plaques of appreciation to ambassadors of 22 countries that fought alongside South Korea in the three-year war, according to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.
Around 1.95 million foreign warriors from the countries participated in the war, which broke out on June 25, 1950, to help South Korea fight the North backed by the Soviet Union and China. The two Koreas are still technically at war, as the conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.
"We will continue to seek exchanges and cooperation with the U.N. member countries that took part in the war to keep the precious relations we built through the participation in the war seven decades ago," the ministry said in a release.
This image, provided by the veterans affairs ministry, shows an appreciation plaque to be delivered to countries that took part in the 1950-53 Korean War during a ceremony in Seoul on July 7, 2020, marking the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the conflict. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
scaaet@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-06--Seoul stocks open tad higher on parliamentary approval of 3rd extra budget

The local currency was trading at 1.197.45 won against the U.S. dollar , up 1.15 won from the previous session @ @ @

SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares opened slightly higher Monday, following parliamentary approval of the third extra budget meant to support the pandemic-hit economy.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 8.84 points, or 0.41 percent, to 2,161.25 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
The gains came after the National Assembly passed a 35.1 trillion-won (US$29.3 billion) extra budget Friday.
The supplementary plan is designed to mitigate the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Large caps traded mixed.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics gained 1.68 percent, with No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix adding 1.41 percent.
Top pharmaceutical firm Samsung BioLogics dropped 1.69 percent, and leading chemical maker LG Chem retreated 0.99 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1.197.45 won against the U.S. dollar, up 1.15 won from the previous session's close.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-06--Jeonbuk's lead at top shrinks after rare loss in K League

Jeonbuk fell to Sangju Sangmu 1-0 on Sunday , with Kang Sang-woo converting a 75th-minute penalty to hand Jeonbuk only @ @ @ @ @ season .
It was Jeonbuk 's first `` L '' since May 30 , when @ @ @ @ @ , also by the score of 1-0 , and they remained at 24 points .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors saw their lead at the top of the K League 1 table shrink to just one point over the weekend, following a combination of their rare loss and a victory by their biggest rival club.
Jeonbuk fell to Sangju Sangmu 1-0 on Sunday, with Kang Sang-woo converting a 75th-minute penalty to hand Jeonbuk only their second loss of the season. It was Jeonbuk's first "L" since May 30, when they dropped to Gangwon FC, also by the score of 1-0, and they remained at 24 points.
A day earlier, second-place Ulsan Hyundai FC routed last-place Incheon United 4-1 behind Junior Negrao's hat trick, moving to 23 points, just one behind Jeonbuk. Ulsan had fallen back by four points after losing to Jeonbuk on June 28 but bounced right back to keep the title race interesting.
Ulsan were largely expected to defeat Incheon, who still haven't won a match this season. That meant Jeonbuk had to beat Sangju to stay four points ahead, and they were the favorites, having won their last five matches and not having lost to Sangju since September 2017.
Cesinha (R) and Dejan Damjanovic of Daegu FC celebrate Cesinha's goal against Gwangju FC during the clubs' K League 1 match at Gwangju World Cup Stadium in Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul, on July 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
But Sangju, a team made up of conscripted players serving their mandatory military duty, had won three straight matches of their own before Sunday, and they caught some lucky breaks to pull out the victory.
Sangju dodged a bullet early in the second half, when Lee Dong-gook rang his penalty off the crossbar and Han Kyo-won missed the net on a rebound.
Kang converted his in the 75th, after getting tripped up by Hong Jeong-ho inside the box. An offside call wiped out a Jeonbuk goal by Cho Gue-sung in the 81st, and Sangju held on for their fourth consecutive 1-0 victory.
Sangju, the biggest overachievers in the league this season, remained in third place with 20 points, one ahead of Daegu FC and Pohang Steelers.
Both Daegu and Pohang enjoyed huge wins on Sunday to keep pace.
Pohang pounded Seongnam FC 4-0, led by Song Min-kyu's brace. Seongnam, who opened the season on a four-match undefeated run, have not won since May 31 and nose-dived to 11th on the table.
Daegu defeated Gwangju FC 4-2, with Gwangju's 1-0 lead disappearing on the vapor trails of three unanswered Daegu goals in a five-minute span early in the second half. Dejan Damjanovic had two of those three goals.
On Saturday, FC Seoul and Suwon Samsung Bluewings ended in a 3-3 draw in their "Super Match" derby. They remained in ninth and 10th places, with much of the shine gone from their once-popular derby.
Junior Negrao of Ulsan Hyundai FC celebrates his hat trick against Incheon United in the clubs' K League 1 match at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan, 415 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on July 4, 2020, in this photo provided by the Korea Professional Football League. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Busan IPark quietly jumped to sixth place following a 4-2 victory over Gangwon FC. These two clubs are tied at 11 points, but Busan are ahead in the second tiebreaker, goal difference.
But Busan are eight points back of Pohang for fifth, and only two points better than Seongnam for 11th. With so many clubs bunched up in the lower half of the table, their positions can change in a hurry.
The teams combined for 28 goals over the weekend, a record under the current 12-club format in a single weekend of play.
The previous record had been 26 goals, set in 2016 and matched two years later.
Also, the 17 goals from three matches on Saturday were a season high for one day, surpassing 12 goals from four matches on June 13.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


Monday's weather forecast

SEOUL , July 6 ( Yonhap ) -- The following is the weather forecast for South Korea 's 12 major @ @ @ @ @ .


KOSDAQ 754.74 UP 2.56 points (open)


KOSPI 2,158.95 UP 6.54 points (open)


yna--2020-07-06--Dollar opens at 1,199.0 won UP from 1,198.6 won


yna--2020-07-06--Tourist arrivals in S. Korea dip sharply in May

The tourism promotion painted a gloomy outlook for the number of tourist arrivals in South Korea down the road , @ @ @ @ @ cases in the United States and other countries despite the reopening of some economies and @ @ @ @

SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- Tourist arrivals in South Korea nose-dived 99.5 percent in May due to global travel restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic, data showed Monday.
The data from the state-run Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) showed a mere 6,111 foreign tourists visited South Korea in May, compared with over 1.23 million a year earlier.
The figure was up slightly from 5,135 in April but was down sharply from about 31,500 in March, nearly 504,000 in February and 1.03 million in January.
In particular, it was less than half the 12,864 crew members of flights and ships, who arrived in the country in May.
The KTO tally also showed the number of foreign arrivals in South Korea totaled 30,861 in May, down roughly 98 percent from a year earlier.
This undated file photo shows a relatively empty Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul. (Yonhap)
U.S. tourists to South Korea were the largest number at 2,996 in May, followed by those from the Philippines with 725 and Indonesian visitors with 581.
Tourists from China plunged to only 178 in May from 410,000 a year earlier, with those from Japan tumbling to 45 from 280,000.
The tourism promotion painted a gloomy outlook for the number of tourist arrivals in South Korea down the road, citing the resurgence of coronavirus cases in the United States and other countries despite the reopening of some economies and eased travel restrictions.
South Korea requires all arrivals to self-quarantine for two weeks in an effort to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The new coronavirus has infected some 11.3 million people across the globe since December, with the death toll reaching about 523,000.
(END)


yna--2020-07-06--(EDITORIAL from Korea JoongAng Daily on July 6)

The president 's order to increase housing supply could finally fix the flops in his administration 's real estate policy @ @ @ @ @ .
All of the past 21 measures have confused and worsened the market .
The @ @ @ @ @ Seoul soared 52 percent over the last three years , more than doubling the 26 @ @ @ @ @ last 10 years under conservative presidents .
A supply shortage also fueled rent increases .
@ @ @ @ @ 50 percent in two years .

Supply is the key
The government may finally be seeing the real estate market with an objective eye. President Moon Jae-in summoned Land, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Kim Hyun-mee and ordered an increase in housing supply. Moon also ordered stronger measures on multiple-home ownership. To the presidential staff, he instructed a revision to the property ownership tax.
The president's order to increase housing supply could finally fix the flops in his administration's real estate policy over the last three years. All of the past 21 measures have confused and worsened the market. The median price of apartments in Seoul soared 52 percent over the last three years, more than doubling the 26 percent average increase over the last 10 years under conservative presidents. A supply shortage also fueled rent increases. Rents in some areas jumped 50 percent in two years.
The obsession by the liberal administration, which wanted to include the residential right in the Constitution, has brought about the catastrophe. Minister Kim remained fixed and contended that the real estate measures have so far been working well. Her remarks drew criticism from even left-wing Justice Party head Sim Sang-jeong, as they were insensible to the people suffering from the spike in home value.
The measures so far have failed because they merely aim to suppress demand through restrict redevelopment and loans instead of increasing housing supply. Progressive NGO Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice observed the government has ignored the real estate market and market principles based on supply and demand. The government remained stubborn despite repeated advices from experts.
The policy may change now that the president has given a specific order to increase supply. But supply should be increased in areas where demand is high. President Lee Myung-bak's administration stabilized housing prices after increasing supply in the Gangnam district. Building suburban cities near the capital to add to the total housing stock would not help.
To increase supply in popular districts, aged residential areas should be allowed to be redeveloped. The floor-area-to-lot-space ratio is capped at 300 percent for Seoul residential areas. It should be increased. The ratios in New York and London are over 500 percent. Floor area ratios should be revised and a surcharge can be levied for the profits from the extra space. The government should be creative to increase supply. People want livable homes, not meager space.
(END)


yna--2020-07-06--(LEAD) U.S. nuke envoy to visit Seoul on Tuesday

The U.S. Department of State said in a statement that Biegun will travel to Seoul and Tokyo from Tuesday to @ @ @ @ @ allied cooperation on a range of bilateral and global issues and further strengthen coordination on @ @ @ @ @ denuclearization of the DPRK . ''
DPRK is the acronym of North Korea 's official @ @ @ @ @ Republic of Korea .

(ATTN: ADDS details in para 4)
SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's foreign ministry said Monday U.S. envoy for North Korea is set to arrive in Seoul on Tuesday for talks with his counterparts amid stalled nuclear talks with North Korea.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun, who doubles as the point man for North Korea, plans to make a three-day visit to South Korea, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Biegun is set to hold talks with Seoul's nuclear envoy, Lee Do-hoon, and also meet with Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Sei-young.
The U.S. Department of State said in a statement that Biegun will travel to Seoul and Tokyo from Tuesday to Friday "to continue close allied cooperation on a range of bilateral and global issues and further strengthen coordination on the final, fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK." DPRK is the acronym of North Korea's official name, Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun arrives at Gimpo International Airport, in western Seoul, for a flight to Japan on Dec. 17, 2019, after wrapping up his trip to South Korea for talks on North Korea's denuclearization. (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-07-06--(2nd LD) U.S. soldiers' wild fireworks party frowned on by virus-weary Busan citizens

(ATTN: CHANGES headline, lead; ADDS details in paras 5-8)
BUSAN, July 6 (Yonhap) -- Dozens of foreigners including U.S. soldiers stationed in South Korea created disturbances by setting off firecrackers at a renowned beach in Busan on Saturday night, apparently in celebration of U.S. Independence Day, local police said Monday.
The foreigners shot numerous rounds of firecrackers into the sky and even towards citizens for two hours, beginning around 7 p.m., on and around Haeundae Beach in the southern port city in an apparent Fourth of July party, according to the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency.
An official in the southeastern port city of Busan holds a sign that asks visitors to wear masks at the city's Haeundae Beach on July 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
Police received more than 70 reports of complaints from Busan citizens concerned about wild and dangerous acts by foreign people not wearing face masks particularly amid the ongoing social distancing campaign to stem the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.
The foreigners were accused of shooting firecrackers towards citizens, as well as at nearby buildings, and mocking the police.
They were later confirmed to be United States Forces Korea (USFK) soldiers stationed in Osan, Gunsan and Daegu. They came to Busan to enjoy a four-day vacation from Friday in time for the Fourth of July, according to police and municipal officials.
Indeed, six patrol cars and one team of police officers came to the scene of disturbances and attempted to disperse the foreigners, but some of them continued to set off firecrackers. In the process, one U.S. soldier in his 20s was briefly detained while fleeing after shooting firecrackers at citizens.
On Saturday, two car accidents involving U.S. soldiers occurred on roads near the beach. Police also caught one U.S. soldier driving under the influence of alcohol that day and referred the person to USFK.
"USFK is aware of the allegations and is investigating the situation to determine if they were USFK affiliated individuals. USFK remains committed to being good neighbors with our host nation and maintaining a strong RoK-U.S. alliance," USFK said in a statement.
The previous night, citizens also reported to police that some foreigners set off firecrackers from the window of a high-rise residence building on Haeundae Beach.
Faced with growing complaints from residents and tourists, police and the municipality of Busan sent 200 officials to the beach on Sunday to crack down on the use of firecrackers. Officials say the act of setting off firecrackers on a public beach can be punished by a fine of 50,000 won (US$42).
Haeundae and other beaches across South Korea formally opened for the summer holiday season last Wednesday, obliging vacationers to comply with strict COVID-19-related disinfection and social distancing rules, including maintaining two-meters distance between parasols and tents, avoiding physical contact and wearing a face mask when not in the water.
Busan officials said many foreigners have visited Haeundae Beach since its formal opening, most of whom failed to abide by the quarantine guidelines.
"As the past weekend coincided with the American Independence Day, acts of disorder became much worse. The municipality has implemented crackdowns on the use of firecrackers due to enormous complaints from residents and tourists over noise and the smell of gunpowder," a Busan official said.
Foreigners set off firecrackers near Haeundae Beach in Busan on July 4, 2020, in this photo provided by a citizen. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-06--U.S. nuke envoy to visit Seoul on Tuesday

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun , who doubles as the point man for North Korea , plans to @ @ @ @ @ South Korea , according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs .

SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's foreign ministry said Monday U.S. envoy for North Korea is set to arrive in Seoul on Tuesday for talks with his counterparts amid stalled nuclear talks with North Korea.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun, who doubles as the point man for North Korea, plans to make a three-day visit to South Korea, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Biegun is set to hold talks with Seoul's nuclear envoy, Lee Do-hoon, and also meet with Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Sei-young.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun arrives at Gimpo International Airport, in western Seoul, for a flight to Japan on Dec. 17, 2019, after wrapping up his trip to South Korea for talks on North Korea's denuclearization. (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-07-06--SM Duty Free to withdraw from Incheon Int'l Airport over pandemic-caused losses

Through a bid in March , IIAC picked Lotte Hotel and Hotel Shilla to run sections selling liquor and tobacco @ @ @ @ @ terminal .
But they gave up the license in April as the pandemic caused sales @ @ @

SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- SM Duty Free, a mid-sized duty-free operator, said Monday it will withdraw its outlets from Incheon International Airport, the country's main gateway west of Seoul, next month due to business setbacks caused by the new coronavirus.
The decision may spur similar moves by other major duty-free operators suffering from an industry-wide slump as licenses to run duty-free shops at the No. 1 terminal of the airport will expire next month.
Only a few customers are spotted at duty-free stores at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, in this photo taken May 15, 2020. (Yonhap)
"Taking into account the number of airport users and the government's policy, we think that business situations will continue to deteriorate," Kim Tae-hoon, CEO of SM Duty Free, said in a statement.
"We will withdraw the duty-free stores from the Incheon International Airport on Aug. 31," he added.
South Korea's duty-free operators face a slump as the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted air travel.
Duty-free stores saw their combined sales fall below the 1 trillion-won (US$837 million) mark for the first time in four years in April, according to industry data.
Lotte Hotel and Hotel Shilla, the country's leading operators of duty-free shops, may follow suit, depending on progress over talks about lease fees with Incheon International Airport Corp. (IIAC), the operator of the country's main gateway.
Through a bid in March, IIAC picked Lotte Hotel and Hotel Shilla to run sections selling liquor and tobacco in the No. 1 terminal. But they gave up the license in April as the pandemic caused sales to decline.
IIAC has requested the two major operators to consider extending their operations, but Lotte Hotel and Hotel Shilla have called for a sharp cut in lease fees.
This photo, taken May 27, 2020, shows duty-free shops at Incheon International Airport, South Korea's main gateway west of Seoul, where the number of customers has sharply fallen amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-06--From hanbok to hangeul, BLACKPINK oozes Korean heritage in comeback

And while the four-piece girl group and its global fan community , referred to as Blinks , have one-upped themselves @ @ @ @ @ of the ever-growing K-pop streaming race , BLACKPINK , in doing so , has also @ @ @ @ @ to Korean heritage -- the traditional clothing of hanbok and the Korean alphabet of hangeul @

By Chang Dong-woo
SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- Returning from a 14-month hiatus, BLACKPINK has shaken up the K-pop scene with its new single "How You Like That" and accompanying music video released in late June.
The music video has set five new Guinness World Record titles, while the single has remained on top of most domestic streaming charts for 11-consecutive days since its release.
From Hanbok to Hangeul, is BLACKPINK Korea’s culture ambassador? Youtube https://youtu.be/D9OCW9X7WMc
And while the four-piece girl group and its global fan community, referred to as Blinks, have one-upped themselves and the industry in terms of the ever-growing K-pop streaming race, BLACKPINK, in doing so, has also given a big shout out to Korean heritage -- the traditional clothing of hanbok and the Korean alphabet of hangeul.
Hanbok is characterized and appreciated for its vibrant colors and simple lines and is worn by Koreans on formal and ceremonial occasions. In recent years, hanbok has caught on as a trendy fashion item to wear among the youth and overseas tourists when visiting traditional palaces, usually by renting.
In the "How You Like That" music video, BLACKPINK members are seen sporting modified hanbok in color palettes of dark black and neon pink, as per the name of the group.
This screenshot from BLACKPINK's "How You Like That" music video shows member Jennie dressed in a modified hanbok. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The colorful attire worn by BLACKPINK was modified with a modern twist so that the members were comfortable enough to dance in them while also retaining hanbok's traditional traits.
The quartet also made its global comeback debut wearing modified hanbok outfits on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on U.S. television network NBC.
Reactions towards BLACKPINK's new fashion direction were positive for the most part.
"Can't get over BLACKPINK's hanbok outfits. It's so beautiful," wrote one Twitter user in reaction to BLACKPINK's comeback.
Another person wrote, "I absolutely love those reinvented hanbok outfits BLACKPINK wore for the performance. They're so pretty."
"Hanbok outfit is my favorite so far for this comeback music show stages," another international BLACKPINK fan commented on Twitter.
BLACKPINK's homage to traditional Korean heritage has also been featured in one of the most unlikely spots: on the fingernail art of singer Jisoo.
This screenshot from BLACKPINK's "How You Like That" music video shows the K-pop quartet dressed in modified hanbok. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Last week, the singer posted a photo on her Instagram account showing her thumbnail covered with indiscernible text. Jisoo's nail artist Park Eun-kyung later posted a magnified image of Jisoo's hands on her own Instagram account, explaining that text was part of the "Hunminjeongeum," an official Joseon-era document describing the principle of hangeul, of its letters and sounds.
BLACKPINK is hardly the first K-pop act to incorporate elements of Korean traditional culture into cutting-edge modern K-pop sound.
K-pop giant BTS also donned stylish hanbok attire in black and yellow color schemes while dancing behind a digital yellow pavilion in its 2018 music video for "Idol." BTS member Suga's solo track "Daechwita" and its music video released in late May also heavily adopted elements of traditional Korean music and imagery.
"Just two years ago, when I began my business from my love for hanbok, I could not imagine my work would be reaching overseas," said hanbok designer Danha, who produced the modified hanbok outfits for BLACKPINK.
Danha added, "I hope hanbok in the future can be worn daily, as opposed to being worn for special occasions such as weddings or traditional holidays. I believe that it can find a solid footing inside the global fashion industry."
This image from the Instagram account of Park In-kyung, nail artist for BLACKPINK singer Jisoo, features "Hunminjeongeum" text printed on the singer's fingernails. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-06--S. Korea, Uzbekistan eye deeper economic ties

South Korea has been making efforts to clinch FTAs with more partners as relations of the world 's two largest @ @ @ @ @ trade and the COVID-19 pandemic .
China and the U.S. accounted for nearly 40 percent @ @ @ @ @ exports in 2019 .

SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and Uzbekistan on Monday vowed to speed up preparations for a possible free trade agreement (FTA), which will pave the way for deeper economic ties and exchanges.
Industry Minister Sung Yun-mo met Sardor Umurzakov, Uzbekistan's deputy prime minister for investment and foreign economic relations, in Seoul to discuss ways to overcome the economic fallout from the new coronavirus pandemic, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy.
South Korea and Uzbekistan have already completed a feasibility study on the joint FTA.
"South Korea is currently preparing to come up with a new model of FTA that will promote sustainable cooperation in the fields of trade and investment," Sung said during the meeting.
"(The FTA) will contribute to the economic development of Uzbekistan while helping South Korean firms penetrate deeper into the country," he added.
The two countries also agreed to make efforts to expand economic ties in various areas.
In line with the meeting, SK Engineering & Construction Co. inked a front end engineering design (FEED) agreement with Uzbekistan's state-run oil and gas company, Uzbekneftegaz, to modernize an oil refinery.
South Korea has been making efforts to clinch FTAs with more partners as relations of the world's two largest economies have soured recently over trade and the COVID-19 pandemic. China and the U.S. accounted for nearly 40 percent of South Korea's combined exports in 2019.
The country's exports fell 10.9 percent in June marking the fourth consecutive month of decline amid the fallout from the new coronavirus pandemic, although the pace slowed as major economies around the globe slowly began to resume business activities.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-06--Hyundai to extend suspension of S. Korean plant in late July

Hyundai has seven domestic plants -- five in Ulsan , one in Asan and one in Jeonju -- and 10 @ @ @ @ @ China and one each in the United States , the Czech Republic , Turkey , @ @ @ @ @ .
Their combined capacity reaches 5.5 million vehicles .

SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co. said Monday it will extend the suspension of a major domestic plant for three days later this month to control inventories amid the new coronavirus outbreak.
Hyundai plans to halt the assembly lines at its No. 3 plant in Ulsan, about 410 kilometers southeast of Seoul, from July 29-31, a company spokesman said over the phone.
Hyundai halted some lines at the No. 3 and 4 Ulsan plants from June 1-5 and June 10-12. The No. 1 Ulsan plant was suspended on June 5 and June 8.
This photo taken on April 23, 2020, shows vehicles waiting to be shipped at the port of Hyundai Motor's main plants in Ulsan, about 410 kilometers southeast of Seoul, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Yonhap)
The No. 3 plant produces models such as the Avante compact, the Venue subcompact and the Ioniq electric and hybrid cars.
Hyundai suspended most of its overseas plants from March amid virus fears. All of its overseas plants returned to operations early in May, though not in full production.
From January to June, Hyundai's sales fell 25 percent to 1,589,429 vehicles from 2,126,307 units in the same period a year ago.
Hyundai has seven domestic plants -- five in Ulsan, one in Asan and one in Jeonju -- and 10 overseas plants -- four in China and one each in the United States, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Russia, India and Brazil. Their combined capacity reaches 5.5 million vehicles.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-06--S. Korea's largest multisport competition postponed due to coronavirus

The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee ( KSOC ) announced on Monday that this year 's National Sports Festival , @ @ @ @ @ event , will not take place in October as scheduled .
North Gyeongsang Province in @ @ @ @ @ country was the host .

SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's largest annual multisport competition has been postponed by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) announced on Monday that this year's National Sports Festival, the 101st edition of the event, will not take place in October as scheduled. North Gyeongsang Province in the southeastern part of the country was the host.
Last Friday, North Gyeongsang and hosts of the next four events -- Ulsan, South Jeolla Province, South Gyeongsang Province and Busan -- held a meeting over the potential schedule change and agreed to push those upcoming competitions by one year each.
The National Sports Festival has never before been postponed.
On June 10, North Gyeongsang Governor Lee Chul-woo asked leaders of municipalities in the province set to host the competition to postpone it by one year, citing COVID-19 infection concerns.
The sports ministry then organized the meeting of the future hosts to produce an agreement on the delay.
The KSOC and the ministry thanked all stakeholders for their sacrifices and vowed to ensure that athletes are not put at a disadvantage over this postponement.
This image provided by North Gyeongsang Province on Jan. 7, 2020, shows the promotional poster for the 2020 National Sports Festival, originally set to take place in the province in October. It has been postponed by one year due to the coronavirus infection concerns. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-06--(LEAD) Moon calls for lawmakers' support in curbing housing prices, launching anti-corruption probe

(LEAD) Moon calls for lawmakers' support in curbing housing prices, launching anti-corruption probe agency

Another bout of fierce wrangling between the ruling Democratic Party and the main opposition United Future Party ( UFP ) @ @ @ @ @ process of recommending two candidates to lead the agency .
The UFP has strongly opposed @ @ @ @ @ organization , claiming it would be exploited as an organ to suppress the prosecution and @ @ @ @ @ and his aides .

(ATTN: UPDATES with more remarks in 3rd para, anti-corruption unit's English name in 8th para, new national security director in last para; ADDS photos)
By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in pressed the National Assembly on Monday to help the government's efforts to stabilize the property market and establish a special unit to investigate corruption among senior civil servants, as lawmakers opened an extraordinary parliamentary session earlier in the day.
He was referring to two of his administration's major and urgent policy tasks, speaking in front of pool reporters at the outset of his weekly meeting with senior Cheong Wa Dae aides.
"The foremost undertaking for now to help people is real estate measures," the president stressed, pointing to the "most abundant" global liquidity and lowest-ever interest rates. Housing prices have continued to surge in many parts of South Korea, in particular in Seoul and nearby cities.
Moon reaffirmed his liberal administration's resolve to curb property speculation and protect those who are in need of houses for residential purposes, especially low- and middle-income families and younger people, via tough policy measures.
"I would like the National Assembly to cooperate as well," he said, citing relevant bills, which include jacking up property ownership taxes on those with two or more houses.
He took note of the parliament's fundamental responsibility.
"I hope the National Assembly will fulfill its basic obligations in accordance with procedures set by the National Assembly itself," he added. "The legislature should not commit a mistake of disrupting the law on its own. ... I hope that the people's demand that the National Assembly operate normally won't be ignored."
President Moon Jae-in makes opening remarks during a weekly meeting with his senior secretaries at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on July 6, 2020.
Moon also pointed out that there are many things for lawmakers to decide for the launch of the non-prosecution unit specializing in corruption probes of top prosecutors and other high-grade public officials. Legislation on the politically controversial initiative calls for the launch of the agency within this month, provisionally named Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking officials (CIO).
The move is a core element of the Moon government's push for the reform of the state prosecution service accused of having excessive power and authority.
Another bout of fierce wrangling between the ruling Democratic Party and the main opposition United Future Party (UFP) is expected in the upcoming process of recommending two candidates to lead the agency. The UFP has strongly opposed the creation of the new organization, claiming it would be exploited as an organ to suppress the prosecution and conceal possible wrongdoings by Moon and his aides.
Last month, Moon sent a formal document to National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug requesting the parliament pick candidates so that the government can appoint the head of the agency by July 15 as stipulated in law.
"I ask (the National Assembly) to recommend candidates and hold a confirmation hearing with no further delay," the president said.
He also emphasized the importance of speeding up the spending of stimulus budgets, approved by lawmakers last week.
The 35.1 trillion-won (US$29.3 billion) supplementary budget represents the third extra funding allocated by South Korea in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Moon said the government is joining forces with medical workers and the people to overcome the difficulties amid growing concerns about a second wave of pandemic.
"The National Assembly's role and responsibility are not small either," he said, urging it to endorse plans to bolster South Korea's disease control system.
For instance, he added, it's urgent to elevate the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) to an independent administrative organization with power to handle its own budget and personnel matters.
President Moon Jae-in (L) smiles during a weekly meeting with his senior secretaries at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on July 6, 2020. Next to Moon is Suh Hoon, the new director of national security.
Suh Hoon, the newly appointed director of national security, attended the meeting. The former National Intelligence Service chief replaced Chung Eui-yong in Moon's shake-up of his security team. The reshuffle was announced last Friday in pursuit of a breakthrough in efforts to reinvigorate Seoul-Pyongyang ties and jump-start the Korea peace process.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-06--Former NL All-Star Addison Russell due in S. Korea on Wednesday to begin KBO stint

Russell played only shortstop ( 460 games ) and second base ( 149 games ) in the majors , and @ @ @ @ @ second base with former MVP Seo Geon-chang and at shortstop with perennial All-Star Kim Ha-seong @ @ @ @ @ he will put Russell in his natural postition at shortstop and move other pieces around @ @ @

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- Former major league All-Star Addison Russell will arrive in South Korea on Wednesday to join his new Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) club, Kiwoom Heroes.
The Heroes announced Monday that Russell will land at Incheon International Airport, just west of Seoul, Wednesday afternoon. The Heroes announced their signing of the 2016 National League All-Star for the Chicago Cubs on June 20.
Russell will enter a mandatory 14-day quarantine, as required by the South Korean government for all international arrivals during the coronavirus pandemic. The Heroes will put Russell up in a pension in Yangpyeong, about 55 kilometers east of Seoul, and have set up a batting cage and other equipment to help him train while in quarantine.
Manager Son Hyuk said once the 14 days are up, Russell will appear in a couple of minor league games before joining the Heroes.
In this Getty Images file photo from Aug. 24, 2019, Addison Russell of the Chicago Cubs celebrates his home run during the bottom of the fifth inning of a Major League Baseball regular season game against the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field in Chicago. (Yonhap)
The Heroes signed Russell for the remainder of the 2020 season at US$530,000. The 26-year-old replaces Taylor Motter, a utility player who was released on May 30 after batting just .114 in 10 games.
A first-round draft pick by the Oakland Athletics in 2012, Russell made his big league debut with the Cubs in 2015.
He made his first and only All-Star team the following year, when he posted career highs of 21 home runs and 95 RBIs for the World Series champions.
Last year, Russell played 82 games and had a .237/.308/.391 line with nine homers and 23 RBIs.
From the end of 2018 to the beginning of the 2019 season, Russell served a 40-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's policy on domestic violence.
For his big league career, Russell batted .242/.312/.392 with 60 home runs and 253 RBIs.
This photo provided by the Kiwoom Heroes on July 6, 2020, shows the batting cage set up outside the temporary residence for Addison Russell, the Korea Baseball Organization club's new foreign player, in Yangpyeong, 55 kilometers east of Seoul. Russell will serve his mandatory 14-day quarantine there after arriving in South Korea on July 8, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Russell played only shortstop (460 games) and second base (149 games) in the majors, and the Heroes are set at second base with former MVP Seo Geon-chang and at shortstop with perennial All-Star Kim Ha-seong. Son has hinted that he will put Russell in his natural postition at shortstop and move other pieces around the infield.
Kim has started three of the past five games at third base, while Kim Hye-seong, a utilityman who has appeared at second base, shortstop and third base this season, made his outfield debut in left last Thursday.
KBO teams are each allowed to sign up to three foreign players, with a maximum two pitchers. All 10 teams had two foreign pitchers and one foreign hitter at the start of this season.
The Hanwha Eagles have replaced outfielder Jared Hoying with Brandon Barnes, while the SK Wyverns have released pitcher Nick Kingham and are looking for a new import pitcher.
The Heroes are second in the 10-team KBO at 33-21, four games behind the NC Dinos. They're third in runs with 314, and fourth in on-base plus slugging percentage with .795.
In this EPA file photo from July 17, 2019, Addison Russell of the Chicago Cubs hits a home run in the bottom of the second inning of a Major League Baseball regular season game against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field in Chicago. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-06--S. Korea to send 60,000 face masks to U.N. peacekeeping missions in Africa

`` The year 2021 will mark the 30th anniversary of South Korea 's joining of the United Nations .
I @ @ @ @ @ make every effort for the upcoming conference so as to produce the best outcome for @ @ @ @ @ security , '' Kang said .

SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to send 60,000 face masks to two U.N.-led peacekeeping missions in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to help them cope with the coronavirus pandemic, officials said Monday.
The government unveiled the plan during a launching ceremony of the preparatory team for Seoul's hosting of the 2021 U.N. Peacekeeping Ministerial Conference slated for April 8-9. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo attended the event.
Each mission will receive 30,000 masks.
South Korea's Hanbit Unit is among more than 16,000 personnel from 72 countries dispatched to the African nation on various peacekeeping missions, such as assisting reconstruction work in the war-torn nation. More than 15,000 peacekeeping forces from 57 countries are currently stationed in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
"The year 2021 will mark the 30th anniversary of South Korea's joining of the United Nations. I ask for everyone involved to make every effort for the upcoming conference so as to produce the best outcome for promotion of global peace and security," Kang said.
Jeong highlighted that the conference should serve as "an occasion in which the international community understands more about South Korea's efforts toward peace on the Korean Peninsula and gives us further support."
South Korea plans to invite some 1,300 people from about 150 countries to the ministerial conference next year to discuss ways to strengthen technological and medical capabilities to enhance U.N. peace operations.
The U.N. peacekeeping ministerial gathering was previously held in Britain in September 2016, Canada in November 2017 and New York in March last year.
This photo, provided by the foreign ministry on May 22, 2020, shows government officials, including Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha (2nd from R) and Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo (2nd from L), during the first session of the preparatory committee for Seoul's hosting of the U.N. Peacekeeping Ministerial Conference, slated for next year. (Yonhap)
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


Yonhap News Summary

Head coach Kim Gyu-bong and two triathletes for the semi-pro club at Gyeongju City Hall in Gyeongju , 370 kilometers @ @ @ @ @ called to testify at an emergency meeting by the National Assembly 's subcommittee on sports @ @ @ @ @ meeting in light of the death of Choi Suk-hyeon , who accused Kim , the @ @ @ @ @ therapist named Ahn Joo-hyeon of physically and verbally abusing her for years .

The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Monday.
-----------------
Moon calls for lawmakers' support in curbing housing prices, launching anti-corruption probe agency
SEOUL -- President Moon Jae-in pressed the National Assembly on Monday to help the government's efforts to stabilize the property market and establish a special unit to investigate corruption among senior civil servants, as lawmakers opened a temporary parliamentary session earlier in the day.
He was referring to two of his administration's major and urgent policy tasks, speaking in front of pool reporters at the outset of his weekly meeting with senior Cheong Wa Dae aides.
-----------------
Finance minister sees worse Q2 contraction, but vows positive growth in Q3
SEJONG -- Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki said Monday he expects South Korea's second-quarter economic contraction to be worse than the first quarter due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the government aims to achieve economic growth in the third quarter.
The nation's economy shrank 1.3 percent in the first quarter as the pandemic hit exports and consumption. The Bank of Korea predicted that the economy would contract 0.2 percent this year.
-----------------
Recent virus outbreaks in S. Korea seeded most by GH strain: KCDC
SEOUL -- A series of cluster infections in the Seoul metropolitan area, including the one tied to a nightlife district in downtown Seoul, was seeded most by the so-called GH genetic strain of the new coronavirus, which has been also most detected in other countries, health authorities said Monday.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) sequenced genomes of a total of 526 COVID-19 patients, and the GH clade were detected in 333 cases.
-----------------
KDB rolls over SsangYong Motor's debt amid pandemic
SEOUL -- The main creditor bank of SsangYong Motor Co. on Monday rolled over the carmaker's 90 billion won (US$7.5 million) worth of debt maturing this month to help it stay afloat amid the new coronavirus outbreak.
The state-run Korea Development Bank (KDB) extended the deadline for the payment of 70 billion won maturing on Monday and 20 billion won maturing on July 19 to the end of this year, a KDB spokesman said over the phone.
-----------------
Samsung heir vows support for startups
SEOUL -- Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong on Monday vowed support for startups in another on-site visit amid global uncertainties.
Lee, the de facto leader of South Korea's top conglomerate Samsung Group, visited the tech giant's startup incubation center in Suwon, south of Seoul, and encouraged workers at its in-house startup incubation program named C-Lab.
-----------------
Triathletes, coach at center of abuse allegations deny charges
SEOUL -- Two triathletes and their coach at the center of an abuse scandal that led to the suicide of a young athlete denied all allegations levied against them on Monday, despite mounting evidence against them.
Head coach Kim Gyu-bong and two triathletes for the semi-pro club at Gyeongju City Hall in Gyeongju, 370 kilometers southeast of Seoul, were called to testify at an emergency meeting by the National Assembly's subcommittee on sports. The committee convened the meeting in light of the death of Choi Suk-hyeon, who accused Kim, the two athletes and a team therapist named Ahn Joo-hyeon of physically and verbally abusing her for years.
-----------------
Seoul stocks rally on recovery hope, coming earnings report season
SEOUL -- South Korean shares rallied Monday on hopes of economic recovery led by the government's extra budget and possible robust earnings from tech companies. The Korean won rose against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 35.52 points, or 1.65 percent, to close at 2,187.93. Trading volume was high at about 659 million shares worth some 12 trillion won (US$9.6 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 573 to 267.
-----------------
Capital area's net population growth more than doubled in March-April in aftermath of pandemic
SEOUL -- South Korea's capital city and its surrounding areas saw the net inflow of residents more than double in March and April from a year earlier as the novel coronavirus pandemic hit job markets in local areas, a report showed Monday.
A net 275,000 people moved into Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province in the two-month period, soaring from 128,000 tallied over the same period last year, according to the report by the Korea Employment Information Service.
(END)


yna--2020-07-06--Process to launch corruption investigation office poised to spark another bipartisan spat

Under the law governing the establishment and running of the CIO , a seven-member committee composed of the justice minister @ @ @ @ @ National Court Administration , the head of the Korean Bar Association and four lawmakers -- @ @ @ @ @ two from the UFP -- are required to jointly recommend two candidates to lead the @ @ @ @ @ is entitled to finally pick one of the two candidates .

SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- After the troubled first month since the new assembly term began in late May, rival parties are poised to lock horns again over the ruling party-led initiative to launch a special investigative body targeting corruption by high-ranking public officials.
Despite vigorous protest by the opposition bloc, the ruling majority Democratic Party (DP) last Friday officially kicked off its process to launch the probe body, tentatively called the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO).
The establishment of the organization which has independent power to probe and prosecute high-ranking public officials, including top prosecutors, for corruption, was President Moon Jae-in's key campaign pledge. It is a core part of Moon's push for the reform of the state prosecution service, which has been accused of wielding excessive power and authority.
The president and the ruling party are seeking to appoint the head of the CIO by July 15 so that it can officially go into operation on the first day the related law takes effect.
The road to the office's final establishment is, however, likely to be paved with conflict with the main opposition United Future Party (UFP) claiming the launch is unconstitutional.
National Assembly Speaker, Rep. Park Byeong-seug mediates a meeting between the floor leaders of the Democratic Party and the United Future Party -- Rep. Kim Tae-nyeon and Rep. Joo Ho-young -- on June 28, 2020. (Yonhap)
On Monday, UFP lawmakers officially ended their three-week boycott of the DP-led assembly in protest of the ruling party's "unilateral" formation of the parliamentary standing committees, and returned to the chamber vowing to continue their "fight" against the ruling party.
In protest against the envisioned investigative office, the UFP filed an appeal with the Constitutional Court in February, asking the court to determine whether the new organization's establishment is constitutional.
The UFP maintains that it cannot join the parliamentary process to launch the new body until the Constitutional Court's decision on the case.
The opposition by the UFP, which holds veto power over the DP's pick of candidate to lead the CIO, is likely to become a major stumbling block to the DP-led efforts to launch the office at the earliest possible date.
Under the law governing the establishment and running of the CIO, a seven-member committee composed of the justice minister, the head of the National Court Administration, the head of the Korean Bar Association and four lawmakers -- two from the DP and two from the UFP -- are required to jointly recommend two candidates to lead the new office. The president is entitled to finally pick one of the two candidates.
Any candidate must win approval from at least six out of the seven committee members before being finally presented to the president, a crucial qualification which could make the appointment process a difficult, time-consuming ordeal.
The DP, controlling a majority of the 300 parliamentary seats, is determined to do all it can, including even revise the law, to make the new organization happen.
"If the UFP refuses to recommend its lawmakers to the recommendation committee until the end, indefinitely delaying the launch of the investigative body, it could eventually become a reason for a law revision," Rep. Yun Ho-jung of the DP who chairs the parliamentary legislation committee said in a radio interview last Thursday.
The main opposition's contentious push for a number of politically-charged initiatives is likely to further spark partisan rows at the National Assembly this month, including a plan to impeach Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae for abuse of power over the minister's ongoing spat with Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl.
The opposition party is also demanding the launch of an official parliamentary investigation into Rep. Yoon Mee-hyang of the DP, an ex-activist for former victims of Japan's World War II sexual enslavement, who is suspected of misusing funds meant for aging victims.
The impending parliamentary confirmation process for National Intelligence Service chief nominee Park Jie-won and unification minister nominee Lee In-young is likely to become another flash point between the rival parties after the UFP denounced Lee as too "placable" on North Korea.
"(The UFP) will laser focus on thoroughly verifying (the qualifications) of the nominees to rule out anyone who is unqualified," UFP floor leader, Rep. Joo Ho-young said during a press conference a day earlier.
United Future Party floor leader Rep. Joo Ho-young speaks during a press conference in Seoul on July 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-06--(LEAD) Recent virus outbreaks in S. Korea seeded most by GH strain: KCDC

SEOUL , July 6 ( Yonhap ) -- A series of cluster infections in the Seoul metropolitan area , including @ @ @ @ @ nightlife district in downtown Seoul , was seeded most by the so-called GH genetic strain @ @ @ @ @ which has been also most detected in other countries , health authorities said Monday .

(ATTN: UPDATES with more details throughout)
SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- A series of cluster infections in the Seoul metropolitan area, including the one tied to a nightlife district in downtown Seoul, was seeded most by the so-called GH genetic strain of the new coronavirus, which has been also most detected in other countries, health authorities said Monday.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) sequenced genomes of a total of 526 COVID-19 patients, and the GH clade was detected in 333 cases.
More than 270 virus cases were tied to the nightlife district of Itaewon in early May, and at least 152 cases were traced to a logistics center just west of Seoul in mid-May.
The new coronavirus is classified into seven strains -- S, V, L, G, GH, GR and the rest -- in accordance with an amino acid, according to the GISAID database on the virus run by the World Health Organization.
South Korea has identified all but one clade -- L.
The GH strain is believed to spread six times faster than other types of the virus.
The GH clade, which mutated from the S strain, proliferates well in cells and is more infectious, which may make it spread faster, KCDC Director Jeong Eun-kyeong said in a daily briefing.
The second-most-common coronavirus clade in South Korea was clade V, with 127 cases falling into the genetic strain. The cases were tied to a religious sect in Daegu, once the epicenter of the country's virus outbreak in late February and early March.
According to the KCDC, 33 cases were grouped under clade S, most of which were imported cases, including arrivals from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the epicenter of the pandemic.
Nineteen cases were linked to the GR strain, with most traced to Russia-flagged ships docked in South Korea's southeastern port city of Busan.
The KCDC added that the G strain was found in 10 imported cases.
After the first virus case was reported in late January, South Korea saw an explosive rise in virus cases, mostly tied to the religious sect in Daegu, until March.
The country relaxed tougher social distancing in early May as it had succeeded in flattening the virus curve with massive and swift testing.
But a series of cluster infections in Seoul and adjacent areas has begun to swell since then, accounting for most of the locally transmitted cases last month. The virus is currently spreading outside the greater capital area.
South Korea added 48 cases on Monday, including 24 local infections, raising the total caseload to 13,139, according to the KCDC.
This photo, taken on July 6, 2020, shows drive-thru coronavirus testing in Gwangju, 329 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-06--(LEAD) Samsung heir vows support for startups

C-Lab has offered opportunities for the company 's employees to launch startups with their creative ideas since 2012 .
So @ @ @ @ @ workers have established 45 startups through its in-house program , according to Samsung .

(ATTN: CHANGES photo; ADDS more info in 6th para)
SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong on Monday vowed support for startups in another on-site visit amid global uncertainties.
Lee, the de facto leader of South Korea's top conglomerate, Samsung Group, visited the tech giant's startup incubation center in Suwon, south of Seoul, and encouraged workers at its in-house startup incubation program named C-Lab.
C-Lab has offered opportunities for the company's employees to launch startups with their creative ideas since 2012. So far, more than 160 workers have established 45 startups through its in-house program, according to Samsung.
In this photo provided by Samsung Electronics Co. on July 6, 2020, Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong (R) looks at photos of the company's in-house startup incubation program C-Lab in Suwon, south of Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Starting in 2018, Samsung expanded its C-Lab program to support startups outside the company.
"The future starts from a dream," Lee said during his meeting with employees. "Let's continuously make opportunities."
Lee was accompanied by Samsung's consumer electronics business CEO Kim Hyun-suk, visual display business chief Han Jong-hee and mobile communications business head Roh Tae-moon in his visit to C-Lab, the company said.
Lee has been active in making on-site visits to Samsung's business units in recent weeks.
Last month, he visited Samsung's chip R&D center, semiconductor equipment manufacturing unit and home appliance business division to check their plans to overcome uncertainties sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic and renewed trade tensions between the United States and China.
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-06--Capital area's net population growth more than doubled in March-April in aftermath of pandemic

The report said that usually the net population inflow of the greater Seoul area jumps in January and February before @ @ @ @ @ March and loses ground sharply in the next two months .

SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's capital city and its surrounding areas saw the net inflow of residents more than double in March and April from a year earlier as the novel coronavirus pandemic hit job markets in local areas, a report showed Monday.
A net 27,500 people moved into Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province in the two-month period, soaring from 12,800 tallied over the same period last year, according to the report by the Korea Employment Information Service.
For the January-February period, before the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak, the capital area's net population inflow rose slightly to 28,200 from the previous year's 27,500.
The report said that usually the net population inflow of the greater Seoul area jumps in January and February before the new semester starts in March and loses ground sharply in the next two months.
But in 2020, the influx continued to the spring season because of the tightened job market in provincial regions stemming from the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Separate government data showed that South Korea reported the steepest drop in its April employment since 1999 in the aftermath of the Asian financial crisis.
The country experienced the peak stage of the COVID-19 infection at the end of February, which lasted for about a month. Its total infections reached 13,137 on Monday.
"It is a consequence of COVID-19," the report said. "A growing number of jobseekers moved to greater Seoul, which has relatively better employment conditions amid an economic recession."
As a result, young people made up the bulk of the population inflow to the capital area in March and April, with those in their 20s accounting for 75.5 percent of the total.
This combined image provided by Yonhap News TV depicts population growth in the Seoul metropolitan area. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-06--(LEAD) Seoul stocks rally on recovery hope, coming earnings report season

SEOUL , July 6 ( Yonhap ) -- South Korean shares rallied Monday on hopes of economic recovery led by @ @ @ @ @ and possible robust earnings from tech companies .
The Korean won rose against the U.S. @ @

(ATTN: ADDS bond yields at bottom, photo)
SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares rallied Monday on hopes of economic recovery led by the government's extra budget and possible robust earnings from tech companies. The Korean won rose against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 35.52 points, or 1.65 percent, to close at 2,187.93. Trading volume was high at about 659 million shares worth some 12 trillion won (US$9.6 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 573 to 267.
Foreigners sold a net 258 billion won and individuals offloaded a net 362 billion won, while institutions bought a net 625 billion won.
Electronic signboards at a Hana Bank dealing room in Seoul show the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closing at 2,108.33 on July 6, 2020, up 32.52 points, or 1.65 percent, from the previous session's close. (Yonhap)
The KOSPI's rally was largely attributed to rising optimism for a quick economic recovery.
The National Assembly passed a 35.1 trillion-won (US$29.3 billion) extra budget Friday, while the number of new COVID-19 infections showed a slight decrease.
South Korea added 48 new coronavirus infections Monday, down from 61 reported Sunday and 63 on both Friday and Saturday.
Possible robust earnings from some tech companies for the second quarter also buoyed investor sentiment. Tech and internet shares surged in particular amid the prolonged COVID-19 outbreak.
"It's time that the stocks show different price changes according to their earnings report," IBK Securities analyst Kim Ye-eun said.
Most large caps closed higher.
Tech giant Samsung Electronics jumped 2.61 percent to 55,000 won as brokerage houses raised the company's quarterly earnings estimate. Samsung's April-June earnings guidance is set to be released Tuesday.
No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix added 0.70 percent to 86,000 won.
Untact shares also fared strong. Internet giant Naver advanced 1.44 percent to 281,500 won, and its rival Kakao surged 2.21 percent to 300,500 won.
Leading online game developer NCSOFT Corp. spiked 5.40 percent to 995,000 won.
Top pharmaceutical firm Samsung BioLogics dropped 2.20 percent to 754,000 won, while leading chemical maker LG Chem climbed 0.39 percent to 509,000 won.
The local currency closed at 1.195.80 won against the U.S. dollar, up 2.80 won from the previous session's close.
Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed lower. The yield on three-year Treasurys rose 1.6 basis points to 0.854 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bond jumped 2.1 basis points to 1.136 percent.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-06--Finance minister sees worse Q2 contraction, but vows positive growth in Q3

SEJONG , July 6 ( Yonhap ) -- Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki said Monday he expects South Korea 's second-quarter @ @ @ @ @ than the first quarter due to the coronavirus pandemic , but the government aims to @ @ @ @ @ third quarter .

SEJONG, July 6 (Yonhap) -- Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki said Monday he expects South Korea's second-quarter economic contraction to be worse than the first quarter due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the government aims to achieve economic growth in the third quarter.
The nation's economy shrank 1.3 percent in the first quarter as the pandemic hit exports and consumption. The Bank of Korea predicted that the economy would contract 0.2 percent this year.
"I think that the second-quarter growth rate will be more difficult than the first quarter," Hong said in an interview with Yonhap News TV, an affiliate of Yonhap News Agency.
Last week, the National Assembly approved a 35.1 trillion-won (US$29.3 billion) extra budget to help revive the virus-hit economy.
The third extra budget is expected to help the economy rebound to positive territory in the third quarter by promoting consumption and protecting jobs, Hong said.
Hong also pledged that the government will rein in speculative investments for homes, but it will continue to ease tax burdens for first-time home buyers.
The government will draw up measures for some people who are struggling to buy homes in regions that are subject to tougher mortgage rules, Hong said.
"The government will maintain its stance of relaxing the tax burden for people with no home or one home," Hong said.
Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki, who doubles as the deputy prime minister for economic affairs, speaks during the ninth emergency economic meeting at the government complex in Seoul on July 2, 2020, to cope with the global coronavirus pandemic. (Yonhap)
Last month, the government announced its toughest measures yet to stem rising housing prices in Seoul and its surrounding areas.
Stricter lending rules will be applied to curb excessive demand for home-backed loans amid cheap borrowing costs, and almost half of the Seoul metropolitan area will be put under tightened rules.
The government designated Gyeonggi Province that surrounds the capital; Incheon, west of Seoul; and the central cities of Daejeon and Cheongju as areas subject to close monitoring or "overheated speculative" zones.
Under the measures, people who take out mortgage loans to buy houses in regulated areas are required to move into homes within six months of receiving the loans.
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-06--S. Korean Bond Yields on Jul. 6, 2020

S. Korean Bond Yields on Jul. 6, 2020

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


yna--2020-07-06--Seoul stocks rally on recovery hope, coming earnings report season

SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares rallied Monday on hopes of economic recovery led by the government's extra budget and possible robust earnings from tech companies. The Korean won rose against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 35.52 points, or 1.65 percent, to close at 2,187.93. Trading volume was high at about 659 million shares worth some 12 trillion won (US$9.6 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 573 to 267.
Foreigners sold a net 258 billion won and individuals offloaded a net 362 billion won, while institutions bought a net 625 billion won.
The KOSPI's rally was largely attributed to rising optimism for a quick economic recovery.
The National Assembly passed a 35.1 trillion-won (US$29.3 billion) extra budget Friday, while the number of new COVID-19 infections showed a slight decrease.
South Korea added 48 new coronavirus infections Monday, down from 61 reported Sunday and 63 on both Friday and Saturday.
Possible robust earnings from some tech companies for the second quarter also buoyed investor sentiment. Tech and internet shares surged in particular amid the prolonged COVID-19 outbreak.
"It's time that the stocks show different price changes according to their earnings report," IBK Securities analyst Kim Ye-eun said.
Most large caps closed higher.
Tech giant Samsung Electronics jumped 2.61 percent to 55,000 won as brokerage houses raised the company's quarterly earnings estimate. Samsung's April-June earnings guidance is set to be released Tuesday.
No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix added 0.70 percent to 86,000 won.
Untact shares also fared strong. Internet giant Naver advanced 1.44 percent to 281,500 won, and its rival Kakao surged 2.21 percent to 300,500 won.
Leading online game developer NCSOFT Corp. spiked 5.40 percent to 995,000 won.
Top pharmaceutical firm Samsung BioLogics dropped 2.20 percent to 754,000 won, while leading chemical maker LG Chem climbed 0.39 percent to 509,000 won.
The local currency closed at 1.195.80 won against the U.S. dollar, up 2.80 won from the previous session's close.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-07--Moon calls for transformation of labor-management relations in coronavirus crisis, digital era

He attached meaning to the provisional deal reached by the three parties and assigned the Economic , Social and Labor @ @ @ @ @ a final agreement .
He especially asked the KCTU `` not to let go of @ @ @ @ @ ''

SEOUL, July 7 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in demanded Tuesday South Korea's labor and business communities seek win-win cooperation and cope together with transformational changes in the digital era.
He expressed regret over the failure to produce a final written accord in the tripartite talks of representatives from the government, labor and business circles on a joint response to the COVID-19 crisis. They planned to sign a draft agreement last week on minimizing job cuts and sharing burdens.
But the signing ceremony was canceled due to the last-minute refusal of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), a major umbrella union. Its hard-line members have strongly protested the proposed deal.
"If the accord had been signed, it would have become an important first step in social grand compromise," Moon said while chairing a weekly Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae.
He attached meaning to the provisional deal reached by the three parties and assigned the Economic, Social and Labor Council to continue efforts for a final agreement. He especially asked the KCTU "not to let go of the string of cooperation."
"Labor relations should also develop in line with a new era," Moon said. "Transforming into the digital era, the format of labor is greatly changing in the world."
President Moon Jae-in pounds the gavel to begin a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on July 7, 2020. (Yonhap)
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)