yna--2020-07-09--(LEAD) Seoul stocks close higher on advance of 'untact' businesses

Despite a new daily record number of virus cases in the U.S. , the tech-laden NASDAQ Composite advanced 1.44 percent @ @ @ @ @ record high of 10,492.50 on Wednesday ( New York time ) .

(ATTN: ADDS bond yields at bottom, photo)
SEOUL, July 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks closed higher Thursday on strong gains by 'untact' businesses prompted by fears over a prolonged pandemic, analysts said. The Korean won stayed flat.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 9.02 points, or 0.42 percent, to close at 2,167.90. Trading volume was moderate at about 609 million shares worth some 12.8 trillion won (US$10.7 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 421 to 417.
Foreigners sold a net 33 billion won, while retail investors purchased a net 316 billion won. Institutions offloaded a net 258 billion won.
Electronic signboards at a Hana Bank dealing room in Seoul show the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed at 2,167.90 on July 9, 2020, up 9.02 points or 0.42 percent from the previous session's close. (Yonhap)
"Untact business shares are expected to fly high due to possibilities that the COVID-19 pandemic may remain uncontained for a long time," Daeshin Securities analyst Lee Min-ah said.
Kakao, the operator of mobile messenger app Kakao Talk, spiked 8.38 percent, setting a new record at 355,500 won. Internet giant Naver added 1.77 percent to 287,500 won.
South Korea added 50 new COVID-19 infections Thursday, marking a steady decline since Sunday when it confirmed more than 60 cases for a third consecutive day.
Tech share rallies have recently become a global phenomenon, analysts note.
Despite a new daily record number of virus cases in the U.S., the tech-laden NASDAQ Composite advanced 1.44 percent to close at a fresh record high of 10,492.50 on Wednesday (New York time).
Large caps closed mixed in Seoul.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics shed 0.38 percent to 52,800 won, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix dipped 0.84 percent to 83,000 won.
Top pharmaceutical firm Samsung BioLogics rose 0.68 percent to 741,000 won, with Celltrion surging 4.01 percent to 324,500 won.
Leading automaker Hyundai Motor stayed flat at 99,600 won while leading chemical maker LG Chem spiked 5.07 percent to 539,000 won.
The local currency closed at 1,195.50 won against the U.S. greenback, unchanged from the previous session's close.
Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed lower. The yield on three-year Treasurys rose 0.1 basis point to 0.840 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bond gained 1.1 basis points to 1.116 percent.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-09--(LEAD) Court maintains ex-presidential aide's suspended prison term for doctoring Sewol ferry sinkin

(LEAD) Court maintains ex-presidential aide's suspended prison term for doctoring Sewol ferry sinking report

The three former officials were accused of altering the time Park had first been briefed on the accident , to @ @ @ @ @ , in an apparent attempt to conceal the president 's unaccounted whereabouts at the time @ @ @ @

(ATTN: ADDS details in paras 6-8)
SEOUL, July 9 (Yonhap) -- An appeals court on Thursday upheld a suspended prison sentence for a former presidential aide for doctoring a report related to the sinking of a ferry in 2014.
The Seoul High Court upheld a lower court's ruling from August last year, in which Kim Ki-choon, a former chief of staff to ousted President Park Geun-hye, was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two years.
He was convicted of drafting false official documents to protect then-President Park from being blamed for the government's botched rescue operation when the ferry Sewol sank, causing more than 300 deaths.
The appeals court said that former President Park was confirmed to have been at her residence and unaware of the accident in the frantic early hours.
"The defendant falsely wrote in the report submitted to the National Assembly that the president was briefed on the development and knew what was going on," it said, chastising Kim for lying to help prevent public criticism directed at the president.
Family members of the victims, who were present at the court, expressed frustration with the ruling, labeling it "an insult to the victims" and calling on the prosecution to take the case to a higher court.
"Those who were supposed to work as the control tower in the national crisis failed to do so, and they ended up creating a false story to avoid responsibility," Lee Jung-il, of the legal team helping the victims' families, told reporters.
"The punishment (for Kim) should have been heavier and more sufficient," he said.
Kim Ki-choon (L) heads to a hearing at the Seoul High Court on July 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
Kim was indicted in March 2018, together with two former heads of Cheong Wa Dae's National Security Office (NSO) -- Kim Jang-soo and Kim Kwan-jin -- on charges of document falsification related to their reports on the ferry sinking to Park.
The court also upheld the previous sentences for the two NSO officials, acquitting them of the charges, citing lack of evidence.
On April 16, 2014, the 6,800-ton Sewol ferry, carrying 476 passengers en route to the resort island of Jeju, capsized in waters off the southern coast, killing 304 people, mostly high school students on a school trip.
The three former officials were accused of altering the time Park had first been briefed on the accident, to 10 a.m. from 9:30 a.m., in an apparent attempt to conceal the president's unaccounted whereabouts at the time of the sinking.
The salvaged Sewol ferry sits at a port in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, southwestern South Korea, on April 16, 2020, the sixth anniversary of the sinking of the 6,800-ton Sewol passenger ferry. (Yonhap)
jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--Seoul stocks extend losses late Friday morning on virus concerns

The daily COVID-19 cases in the United States topped 60,000 for the first time Thursday ( U.S. time ) , @ @ @ @ @ populous states Florida and Texas .

SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares extended losses late Friday morning as investor sentiment waned amid concerns over a resurgence of new coronavirus infections in major economies.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 12.31 points, or 0.57 percent, to 2,155.59 as of 11:20 a.m.
The daily COVID-19 cases in the United States topped 60,000 for the first time Thursday (U.S. time), with record deaths in the populous states Florida and Texas.
Growing virus fears hit the stock market with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 1.39 percent.
South Korea added 50 new COVID-19 infections Thursday.
The figure marked a steady decline since Sunday when South Korea confirmed more than 60 cases for a third consecutive day, but health officials warned of sporadic cluster infections on the rise.
Most large caps traded lower.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics stayed flat, while No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix slipped 0.24 percent.
Top pharmaceutical firm Samsung BioLogics shed 1.48 percent, and leading chemical maker LG Chem retreated 0.37 percent.
The country's largest automaker, Hyundai Motor, fell 1.20 percent. Leading steelmaker POSCO dropped 3.45 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,201.7 won against the U.S. dollar, down 6.2 won from the previous session's close.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--Political community expresses shock, condolences over Seoul mayor's death

He is presumed to have died of suicide .
News reports said that Park 's female former secretary recently filed @ @ @ @ @ , claiming that he had touched her numerous times and sent her `` inappropriate '' @ @ @ @ @ .
Police have not confirmed the reports .

SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- The political community expressed shock and condolences over the death of Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, with the ruling Democratic Party, the political home of Park, cancelling most of its events for Friday.
The three-term mayor was found dead on a path of Mount Bukak in Seoul shortly after the midnight by police. Park, 64, was reported missing by his daughter Thursday evening, who said he left a message that seemed like a will before he vanished.
He is presumed to have died of suicide. News reports said that Park's female former secretary recently filed a criminal complaint about him, claiming that he had touched her numerous times and sent her "inappropriate" messages on a messenger app. Police have not confirmed the reports.
The ruling DP, of which Park is a member, was grief-stricken over the loss of a political heavyweight whose more than eight years in the high-profile Seoul mayorship catapulted him to the rank of a potential candidate for the 2022 presidential race.
The ruling party called off most of its political events for the day, including an emergency party-government meeting arranged to announce a set of measures meant to curb soaring house prices.
The DP leadership -- party chairman Lee Hae-chan and floor leader Kim Tae-nyeon -- put off a budget policy meeting with regional governments while Kim called off an inspection visit to a virus vaccine maker.
Rep. Lee Nak-yon and former DP lawmaker Kim Boo-kyum also canceled their campaign events for the Aug. 29 party leadership election.
This file photo shows Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon alongside then-Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon during a meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul in 2018. (Yonhap)
A wave of condolence messages flooded in, with Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun expressing words of consolation during a regular government COVID-19 response meeting in the morning.
"Mayor Park, who has served Seoul citizens for a decade, was found passed away. I pray that the deceased rest in peace," Chung said.
Chung was to have lunch with Park the previous day, but Park abruptly canceled the meeting, saying he was not well, according to officials.
In a meeting of senior party members, DP chairman Lee paid tribute to Park's accomplishments as a dedicated civic activist and human rights lawyer.
"The DP gives its heart to the deceased in remembrance and honor of his life dedicated to civic (rights)," according to Lee.
Other incumbent and former DP lawmakers joined in expressing condolences.
Rep. Kim Du-kwan said, "I hope the deceased could rest in peace," in a Facebook message written in white against a black backdrop.
The rival main opposition United Future Party's floor leader Joo Ho-young also extended a message of consolation during a morning party meeting.
"I am very sorry for the tragic choice of the deceased Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon," Joo said. "I extend my words of condolence to his family who may be in deep sorrow."
Releasing a brief statement, the minor left-wing Justice Party also expressed "bewilderment" as well as condolences over Park's death.
"(The party) is grief-stricken, looking back on his career path as a democratization and civil rights activist and an administrator," a party spokesman noted.
The news of the mayor's death hit about 10 pro-Park lawmakers in the DP particularly hard, including Rep. Park Hong-keun. They rushed to Seoul National University Hospital in central Seoul even before Park's body was moved to the hospital for his funeral.
Democratic Party lawmakers known to be close to Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon wait at Seoul National University Hospital in central Seoul for Park's body to arrive on July 10, 2020. (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--Food makers tipped to have logged solid Q2 earnings on pandemic-related demand

The combined operating profit by CJ Cheiljedang Corp. , Nongshim Co. , Orion Corp. , Ottogi Co. and Samyang Foods @ @ @ @ @ ( US $ 374.4 million ) in the April-June period , compared with an operating @ @ @ @ @ the previous year , according to the survey by Yonhap Infomax , the financial news @ @ @ @ @ .

By Kim Soo-yeon
SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's food makers are estimated to have recorded sharply higher operating profits in the second quarter as the new coronavirus outbreak boosted demand for ready-to-eat meals, a poll showed Friday.
The combined operating profit by CJ Cheiljedang Corp., Nongshim Co., Orion Corp., Ottogi Co. and Samyang Foods Co. reached 449.8 billion won (US$374.4 million) in the April-June period, compared with an operating profit of 322.2 billion won the previous year, according to the survey by Yonhap Infomax, the financial news arm of Yonhap News Agency.
The food makers' solid earnings were mainly attributed to a rise in demand for frozen instant dishes, commonly known as home meal replacement (HMR) products, and improvements in bottom lines of their overseas units, according to analysts.
This photo, provided by CJ Cheiljedang Corp. on Nov. 20, 2019, shows its brand Gourmet's home meal replacement (HMR) products. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
As people refrain from going outside to eat during the COVID-19 pandemic, households' demand for ready-to-eat meals has increased.
"Since 2014, food exports to China have expanded, but local food makers' brand recognition has recently risen in the United States and other nations as well," said Shim Eun-ju, an analyst at Hana Financial Investment Co.
CJ Cheiljedang, the country's largest food company, is projected to have posted an operating profit of 258.7 billion won in the second quarter, up 48 percent from a year earlier.
The company saw a steady rise in demand for HMR products and its U.S. unit is also expected to have logged robust earnings.
The country's top instant noodle maker, Nongshim, is forecast to have reported a 361 percent on-year jump in its operating profit with 37.8 billion won.
In particular, the company is estimated to have posted a 30 percent on-year rise in sales in China and a 35 percent gain in revenues from the U.S. and Canada .
This photo, provided by Nongshim Co. on July 10, 2020, shows its instant noodles being exported to the United States. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Orion, a leading confectioner, is expected to have logged its quarterly record operating profit on the back of cost-cutting efforts and a rise in sales of its new products.
The company probably posted an operating profit of 83.1 billion won, up 64.9 percent from a year earlier. Its units in China, Vietnam and Russia are estimated to have posted better bottom lines.
Ottogi, a major food company, is projected to have reported a 14 percent on-year rise in profit with 43.2 billion won, aided by growing demand for frozen instant food and noodles.
Samyang Foods, another leading instant noodle company, is likely to have posted a profit of 27 billion won, up 29.8 percent from a year earlier, according to the poll.
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--(LEAD) Seoul city to hold mayoral funeral for Park Won-soon

`` We pray for the soul of the deceased and extend our deepest condolences to the citizens ( of Seoul @ @ @ @ @ firmly continue according to Mayor Park Won-soon 's values that prioritized stability and welfare , @ @ @ @ @ Affairs Seo Jeong-hyup said in sorrow during the city 's first press briefing following Park @ @ @

(ATTN: RECASTS lead; ADDS details throughout)
By Lee Minji
SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- The Seoul city government said Friday it plans to hold a mayoral funeral for Park Won-soon and run on a contingency plan for the time being following the abrupt death of the liberal heavyweight and three-term mayor.
Park, 64, was found dead in the woods of Mount Bugak near his official residence in central Seoul, shortly after midnight. Police said there were no signs of foul play, adding they plan to investigate the exact cause of his death.
His body was found after an hourslong search involving hundreds of police and rescue workers, sniffer dogs and drones. He was first reported missing by his daughter Thursday evening, who said he left a message "sounding like a will" before he vanished.
The city government pledged to carry on with city affairs in respect of Park.
"We pray for the soul of the deceased and extend our deepest condolences to the citizens (of Seoul). City affairs will firmly continue according to Mayor Park Won-soon's values that prioritized stability and welfare," Vice Mayor for Administrative Affairs Seo Jeong-hyup said in sorrow during the city's first press briefing following Park's death.
Seo will serve as the city's acting mayor until a new mayor is elected in a by-election scheduled for April 2021.
This file photo shows Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon speaking at a press conference at Seoul City Hall on July 6, 2020. (Yonhap)
City officials said that Park's funeral will be held in the fashion of a mayoral funeral for five days. Funerals in Korea are generally last for three days.
An altar will be set up in front of City Hall in central Seoul this afternoon for citizens and staff members wanting to mourn Park's death, they added.
The mayor was reportedly facing a probe into allegations of sexual harassment. A female former secretary is believed to have filed a criminal complaint on Wednesday over unwanted "physical contact" and "inappropriate" messages.
Police officials declined to elaborate on the case, including whether the complaint was submitted.
In accordance with the law, the case was automatically terminated upon the mayor's death.
When asked whether the city plans to open an investigation, city officials said they are "not yet aware" of the allegations and have not reviewed such plan.
Park was regarded as a presidential hopeful for the ruling Democratic Party in the 2022 elections.
The civic activist and human rights lawyer was first elected in a 2011 by-election and re-elected in 2014 and 2018. His term was slated to end in 2022.
As the longest-serving mayor for the country's biggest city, where one-fifth of South Koreans live, his policies centered on youth, environment and urban regeneration.
Police carry the body of Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, who was found dead in the forested hills of Mount Bugak in Seoul on July 10, 2020. (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--The Korea Interbank Offered Rates (KORIBOR)

SEOUL , Jul .
10 ( 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--2020-07-10--(LEAD) S. Korea to impose steeper taxes on multiple home owners to curb housing prices

On June 17 , the government announced its toughest measures yet to rein in rising housing prices in greater Seoul @ @ @ @ @ as a series of steps , including tax hikes and loan regulations , failed to @ @ @ @ @ home prices .

(ATTN: ADDS details, remarks in last 5 paras)
SEJONG, July 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is set to announce plans to levy tougher taxes on multiple home owners, Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki said Friday, in the latest move to curb housing prices.
The government will raise a punitive tax rate of property ownership tax on multiple home owners and lay out plans to supply more homes in the main regions, Hong told a meeting with economy-related ministers.
The government will announce the plans later in the day.
Hong's remarks came less than a month after the government rolled out measures to stem a further rise in housing prices.
On June 17, the government announced its toughest measures yet to rein in rising housing prices in greater Seoul and some unregulated areas, as a series of steps, including tax hikes and loan regulations, failed to put a brake on soaring home prices.
Stricter lending rules were applied to curb excessive demand for home-backed loans amid cheap borrowing costs, and almost half of the Seoul metropolitan area was put under tighter rules.
Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki speaks at a meeting with economy-related ministers on July 10, 2020. (Yonhap)
Previously, the government had planned to raise the property ownership tax to up to 4 percent from up to 3.2 percent.
Although Hong did not elaborate, the government is widely expected to further raise the ownership tax to up to 6 percent.
Also the government is expected to raise the capital gains tax for people who pocket short-term gains by buying and selling homes.
Hong 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 maintain its stance of relaxing the tax burden for people with no homes or one home," Hong said.
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--(LEAD) New virus cases fall below 50; imported infections, those at churches persist

The eased social-distancing scheme hinges on the condition that the daily new infections stay at 50 or below , although @ @ @ @ @ be tolerated .
Accordingly , South Korea will seriously need to review enhancing distancing rules @ @ @ @ @ further escalate .

(ATTN: ADDS details throughout; CHANGES headline, photos)
SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new daily virus cases fell below 50 on Friday, but imported cases and infections tied to churches continued despite enhanced anti-infection measures.
The country added 45 cases, including 22 local infections, raising the total caseload to 13,338, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
South Korea reported more than 60 new virus cases for three consecutive days through Sunday, before falling below 50 on Monday and Tuesday. The new daily cases rebounded to 63 on Wednesday and reached 50 the following day.
The country identified 23 more imported cases, posting double-digit numbers for more than two weeks. On Wednesday, the figure reached a three-month high of 33 cases.
Visitors pass through a disinfection gate set up at a beach in Sokcho, 213 kilometers east of Seoul, on July 10, 2020. (Yonhap)
Sporadic cluster infections across the nation continued to rise, mostly attributable to religious facilities where worshipers gather en masse in a closed environment.
Starting Friday, South Korea started prohibiting churches nationwide from organizing gatherings other than regular worship services. A QR code-based registration scheme, which has been imposed on entertainment facilities, such as clubs, will be applied at churches as well.
Of the new local infections, three cases were reported in the southwestern city of Gwangju, which has emerged as a new hotbed of the virus outbreak outside of the Seoul metropolitan area.
A total of 105 cases linked to a door-to-door business in the city were reported as of Thursday, up 10 from a day earlier. Twelve new virus cases traced to a cram school in the city have been reported as well.
The capital city of Seoul added seven cases, with the surrounding Gyeonggi Province seeing three more cases, the KCDC data showed.
Cases traced to a major Protestant church in Seoul's southwestern ward of Gwanak reached 39 on Thursday, up one from the previous day.
The capital city accounted for the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases as of Friday, outpacing North Gyeongsang Province for the first time.
Daegu, which added no new cases on the day, still stands at the hardest-hit city by accounting for more than half of the accumulated infections, due mainly to thousands of cases traced to a minor religious sect.
The faces of the mascots of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics are covered with protective masks to promote the country's social distancing drive near a beach in Sokcho, 213 kilometers east of Seoul, on July 10, 2020. (Yonhap)
The central city of Daejeon added seven more infections.
In early May, South Korea eased social distancing, but cluster infections from clubs, churches, and door-to-door sales businesses in the greater Seoul area have forced health authorities to take a step back and reinforce distancing rules in the region.
The eased social-distancing scheme hinges on the condition that the daily new infections stay at 50 or below, although small ups and downs may be tolerated. Accordingly, South Korea will seriously need to review enhancing distancing rules nationwide should the daily figures further escalate.
On Thursday, health authorities said studies showed that the country was far from developing herd immunity, which means citizens should strictly follow sanitary rules until COVID-19 vaccines become available.
Of the newly added imported cases, four of them were detected at checkpoints at airports and ports.
The accumulated number of imported cases reached 1,791, accounting for roughly 13 percent of all COVID-19 infections here.
The country reported one more death, raising the death toll to 288. The fatality rate was 2.16 percent.
The rate, however, was over 25 percent for patients aged 80 and above.
The total number of people released from quarantine after full recoveries stood at 12,065, up 46 from the previous day.
South Korea has carried out 1,384,890 COVID-19 tests since Jan. 3.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--S. Korea to impose steeper taxes on multiple home owners to curb housing prices

SEJONG, July 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is set to announce plans to levy tougher taxes on multiple home owners, Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki said Friday, in the latest move to curb housing prices.
The government will raise a punitive tax rate of property ownership tax on multiple home owners and lay out plans to supply more homes in the main regions, Hong told a meeting with economy-related ministers.
The government will announce the plans later in the day.
Hong's remarks came less than a month after the government rolled out measures to stem a further rise in housing prices.
On June 17, the government announced its toughest measures yet to rein in rising housing prices in greater Seoul and some unregulated areas, as a series of steps, including tax hikes and loan regulations, failed to put a brake on soaring home prices.
Stricter lending rules were applied to curb excessive demand for home-backed loans amid cheap borrowing costs, and almost half of the Seoul metropolitan area was put under tighter rules.
Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki speaks at a meeting with economy-related ministers on July 10, 2020. (Yonhap)
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--USFK airman reported missing, search under way

`` It is our duty to protect and support our Airmen , and we are putting all of our resources @ @ @ @ @ .
Jarvis , '' said Col. John Gonzales , 51st Fighter Wing commander .
`` @ @ @ @ @ working closely with Korean National Police to identify his location and bring him back safe @ @

SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- An American airman stationed in South Korea has been reported missing and a search operation is under way, U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) said Friday.
Ssgt. Tristin Jarvis, a member of the 51st Force Support Squadron at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, has been reported absent from his unit since Thursday, according to the U.S. military.
He was last seen near a fitness center at the base on Wednesday afternoon.
"It is our duty to protect and support our Airmen, and we are putting all of our resources behind the search for Ssgt. Jarvis," said Col. John Gonzales, 51st Fighter Wing commander. "Our security forces teams are working closely with Korean National Police to identify his location and bring him back safe."
scaaet@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--New virus cases fall back to below 50; imported, church-tied infections persist

SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new daily virus cases fell below 50 on Friday, but imported cases and infections tied to churches continued despite enhanced anti-infection measures.
The country added 45 cases, including 22 local infections, raising the total caseload to 13,338, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
South Korea reported more than 60 new virus cases for three consecutive days through Sunday, before falling below 50 on Monday and Tuesday. The new daily cases rebounded to 63 on Wednesday, and reached 50 the following day.
The country identified 23 more imported cases, posting double-digit numbers for more than two weeks. On Wednesday, the figure reached a three-month high of 33 cases.
A medical worker prepares to run new coronavirus tests with samples gathered from patients at a research lab in Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul, on July 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
Sporadic cluster infections across the nation continued to rise, mostly attributable to religious facilities where worshipers gather en masse in a closed environment.
Starting Friday, South Korea started prohibiting churches nationwide from organizing gatherings other than regular worship services. A QR code-based registration scheme, which has been imposed on entertainment facilities, such as clubs, will be applied at churches as well.
Of the new local infections, three cases were reported in the southwestern city of Gwangju, which has emerged as a new hotbed of the virus outbreak outside of the Seoul metropolitan area.
A total of 105 cases linked to a door-to-door business in the city were reported as of Thursday, up 10 from a day earlier. Twelve new virus cases traced to a cram school in the city have been reported as well.
The capital city of Seoul added seven cases, with the surrounding Gyeonggi Province seeing three more cases, the KCDC data showed.
Cases traced to a major Protestant church in Seoul's southwestern ward of Gwanak reached 39 on Thursday, up one from the previous day.
The central city of Daejeon added seven more infections.
In early May, South Korea eased social distancing, but cluster infections from clubs, churches, and door-to-door sales businesses in the greater Seoul area have forced health authorities to take a step back and reinforce distancing rules in the region.
The eased social-distancing scheme hinges on the condition that the daily new infections stay at 50 or below, although small ups and downs may be tolerated. Accordingly, South Korea will seriously need to review enhancing distancing rules nationwide should the daily figures further escalate.
On Thursday, health authorities said studies showed that the country was far from developing herd immunity, which means citizens should strictly follow sanitary rules until COVID-19 vaccines become available.
The country reported one more death, raising the death toll to 288. The fatality rate was 2.16 percent.
The total number of people released from quarantine after full recoveries stood at 12,065, up 46 from the previous day.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--(URGENT) 46 more people released after full recoveries from coronavirus, total cured patients at 12,

(URGENT) 46 more people released after full recoveries from coronavirus, total cured patients at 12,065: KCDC


yna--2020-07-10--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 1 additional coronavirus death, total death toll at 288: KCDC


yna--2020-07-10--Young fireballer content to pitch in relief, for now

`` It 'd be nice to get back into the rotation in the future , but I know how difficult @ @ @ @ @ '' An said .
`` As a starter , you could run into trouble right @ @ @ @ @ you may have to pitch out of jams multiple times within a game .
When @ @ @ @ @ , you just have to pitch that one inning . ''

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- Most young pitchers who begin their professional careers in the bullpen say their ultimate goal is to be a starter. It's surely a far more glamorous job, as starters receive all the spotlight and glory while middle relievers and the oft-dirty work they do are largely forgotten.
But An Woo-jin of the Kiwoom Heroes is not most young pitchers, not in the career path he wants to chart, and not in his ability to get hitters out.
An Woo-jin of the Kiwoom Heroes pitches against the Samsung Lions in the teams' Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on July 8, 2020, in this photo provided by the Heroes. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The hard-throwing 20-year-old missed the first month and a half of this season with back and shoulder problems. And after making 15 starts in 2019 as a sophomore, An rejoined the Heroes as a setup man, as the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) club looked to ease him back into the rhythm.
An has thrown seven consecutive scoreless outings, each appearance lasting exactly one inning. He has struck out seven, while giving up three hits and three walks.
Before the Heroes hosted the Samsung Lions at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul Thursday, An said he'd be content to stay in the bullpen for the rest of this season.
"It'd be nice to get back into the rotation in the future, but I know how difficult being a starter is," An said. "As a starter, you could run into trouble right from the first inning and you may have to pitch out of jams multiple times within a game. When you're a setup guy, you just have to pitch that one inning."
Take a look at An's numbers as a starter last year, and it's easy to see why he found the job so difficult. He was 6-5 with a 5.15 ERA, clearly not eye-popping numbers by any means, especially so in a season defined by strong pitching numbers across the board.
An can throw some heat -- he's averaging 151.9 kilometers per hour (94.3 miles per hour) with his fastballs this year -- but he had some command issues in 2019.
In this file photo from July 1, 2020, An Woo-jin of the Kiwoom Heroes pitches against the Doosan Bears in the teams' Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. (Yonhap)
This season, An said he's enjoying pitching in such a clearly defined role as a one-inning setup man for the closer Cho Sang-woo, another fireballer who's averaging just under 150 kph with his fastballs and who can reach mid-150s with shocking ease. An and Cho give the Heroes the hardest-throwing setup-closer tandem in the KBO this season.
"My mindset is I am going out there to pitch one inning," An said. "That helps with my focus, and I can give everything I have in that one frame. And I try to pitch with confidence because you need every bit of confidence just to get these hitters out."
An said Cho, who is in his third season as the closer after spending previous years in the setup role, has been a key mentor in the bullpen.
"He's given me some great advice on how I should approach my one inning of work," An said. "He said I don't necessarily have to mix in breaking balls and I can just pound the zone with my fastball. He told me I should rely on my stuff."
And that stuff can be electric. In Thursday's game, An touched 155 kph with his fastball and threw his slider in the 140-145 kph range.
A starting assignment may not be in An's immediate future, but he's taking his current role as a valuable learning experience, one inning at a time.
"I am watching games closely to pick up different things," An said. "That way, I'll be able to pitch well in starts if I get an opportunity."
An Woo-jin of the Kiwoom Heroes pitches against the Samsung Lions in the teams' Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on July 9, 2020, in this photo provided by the Heroes. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 45 more cases of new coronavirus, total now at 13,338: KCDC


yna--2020-07-10--(LEAD) Two dead and 28 injured in hospital fire in southwestern region

Twenty of them escaped from the building through the first-floor door on their own but the rest had to escape @ @ @ @ @ the rooftop and were later rescued by firefighters , according to fire authorities .

(ATTN: RECASTS headline and lead; ADDs details throughout)
GOHEUNG, South Korea, July 10 (Yonhap) -- Two were killed and 28 others injured, eight among them in serious condition, in a hospital fire in the country's southwestern region, officials said Friday.
The fire broke out at a hospital in Goheung, 473 kilometers south of Seoul, at 3:34 a.m. It was extinguished at 6:01 a.m.
The two dead were found on the stairs between the second and the third floors and seem to have inhaled smoke in the course of escape, fire officials said.
A photo taken July 10, 2020, shows shattered windows from a deadly fire that broke out at a hospital in Goheung, 473 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
All the injured were being treated at nearby hospitals for smoke inhalation. Some of the critically injured were to be sent to a hospital in the nearby city of Gwangju, they added.
A witness said the fire broke out in a space on the first floor between the internal medicine and orthopedics departments.
Ma Jae-yhun, chief of South Jeolla Province fire service, said the fire seems to have been caused by an electrical problem.
While flames were not seen from outside the building, the smoke that quickly filled the building is presumed to have worsened the casualties.
Fire officials and fire trucks are parked outside of a hospital in Goheung, 473 kilometers south of Seoul, where a deadly fire broke out on July 10, 2020. (Yonhap)
At the time of the fire, a total of 86 people, including 69 of the registered patients and seven nurses, were inside the hospital.
Twenty of them escaped from the building through the first-floor door on their own but the rest had to escape to the fifth floor and the rooftop and were later rescued by firefighters, according to fire authorities.
The hospital where the fire occurred is a 7-story building with the capacity to accommodate some 100 patients.
nyway@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--Seoul city to hold mayoral funeral for Park Won-soon

His body was found after an hourslong search involving hundreds of police and rescue workers .
He was first reported @ @ @ @ @ evening , who said he left a message `` sounding like a will '' before @ @ @

By Lee Minji
SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- The Seoul city government said Friday it plans to hold a mayoral funeral for Park Won-soon and run on a contingency plan for the time being following his abrupt death that is suspected as a suicide.
The 64-year-old mayor was found dead in the woods of Mount Bugak near his official residence in central Seoul, shortly after midnight. Police said there were no signs of foul play.
His body was found after an hourslong search involving hundreds of police and rescue workers. He was first reported missing by his daughter Thursday evening, who said he left a message "sounding like a will" before he vanished.
The city government pledged to carry on with city affairs in respect of Park.
"We pray for the soul of the deceased and extend our deepest condolences to the citizens (of Seoul). City affairs will firmly continue according to Mayor Park Won-soon's values that prioritized stability and welfare," Vice Mayor for Administrative Affairs Seo Jeong-hyup said in a press briefing.
Seo will serve as the city's acting mayor until a new mayor is elected in a by-election scheduled for April 2021.
This file photo shows Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon speaking at a press conference at Seoul City Hall on July 6, 2020. (Yonhap)
City officials said that Park's funeral will be held in the fashion of a mayoral funeral for five days. Funerals in Korea are generally last for three days.
An altar will be set up in front of City Hall in central Seoul this afternoon for citizens and staff members wanting to mourn Park's death, they added.
The mayor was reportedly facing a probe into allegations of sexual harassment. A female former secretary is believed to have filed a criminal complaint on Wednesday over unwanted "physical contact" and "inappropriate" messages.
Police officials declined to elaborate on the case, including whether the complaint was submitted.
In accordance with the law, the case was automatically terminated upon the mayor's death.
When asked whether the city plans to open an investigation, city officials said they are "not yet aware" of the allegations and have not reviewed such plan.
Park, regarded as a presidential hopeful for the ruling Democratic Party, was the longest-serving mayor for the country's biggest city where one-fifth of South Koreans live.
The civic activist and human rights lawyer was first elected in a 2011 by-election and re-elected in 2014 and 2018. His term was slated to end in 2022.
Police carry the body of Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, who was found dead in the forested hills of Mount Bugak in Seoul on July 10, 2020. (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--LG Electronics unveils homebrewing machine at affordable price

The 2020 model of LG HomeBrew comes with a price tag of 1.99 million won ( US $ 1,660 ) @ @ @ @ @ is half of the price when the machine was first introduced in the market last @ @

SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- LG Electronics Inc. on Friday launched its latest homebrewing machine at a more affordable price, hoping the product can ride on the pandemic-driven, stay-at-home economy.
The 2020 model of LG HomeBrew comes with a price tag of 1.99 million won (US$1,660) in South Korea, which is half of the price when the machine was first introduced in the market last year.
If consumers want to get the machine through its rental program, they will have to pay 49,900 won per month, the South Korean tech firm added.
"We were able to lower the price of our homebrew machine by simplifying its interior design and reducing production costs," LG said. "However, its exterior design and functions have not changed."
This photo provided by LG Electronics Inc. on July 10, 2020, shows the company's capsule-based home brew machine. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The kitchen gadget makes beer out of capsules containing malt, yeast, hop oil and flavors. Its algorithm controls temperature and pressure to maintain a stable quality of beer, and the machine cleans itself after dispensing.
The machine will be able to make five types of beer -- pale ale, India pale ale, stout, wheat and pilsner.
LG said it hopes that the latest machine can attract solo drinkers and craft beer lovers who are reluctant to visit pubs and bars amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--(3rd LD) Another summit with U.S. 'unnecessary,' 'useless': Kim's sister

`` This is my personal opinion but any summit between the U.S. and North Korea will not take place this @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` As long as there is no decisive change in the U.S. position @ @ @ @ @ DPRK and the U.S. is unnecessary and useless this year and in the future at @ @ @ @ @

(ATTN: ADDS more background)
By Yi Wonju
SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- Another summit with the United States is "unnecessary" and "useless" for North Korea as long as there is no change in Washington's negotiating position, the sister of leader Kim Jong-un said Friday.
Kim Yo-jong made the remark in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency after U.S. President Donald Trump said earlier this week that he would hold another summit with the North's leader "if I thought it was going to be helpful."
"This is my personal opinion but any summit between the U.S. and North Korea will not take place this year," Kim Yo-jong said. "As long as there is no decisive change in the U.S. position, a summit between the DPRK and the U.S. is unnecessary and useless this year and in the future at least for us."
That, however, does not mean that the North is not going to denuclearize, she said.
"We are not saying we are not going to denuclearize, but that we cannot denuclearize now," she said, calling on the U.S. to take "major steps."
She also called for the U.S. to drop its "hostile policy" toward the North.
"I believe that the framework of sanctions relief for denuclearization underlying in the past negotiations between North Korea and the U.S. should be changed to 'resumption of North Korea-U.S. negotiations for withdrawal of hostilities."
Kim also said the North won't go back to its previous proposal to give up its Yongbyon nuclear complex in exchange for sanctions relief from the U.S. The North made the proposal during last year's summit in Hanoi, but the meeting broke down without a deal as the U.S. demanded the North give up more nuclear facilities.
Nuclear talks between the U.S. and the North have stalled since the no-deal summit.
Kim warned that it is "entirely up to the U.S. whether or not they will fall into a messy situation and face trouble," saying, "The U.S. will be worried they might receive a Christmas gift near the elections."
She also said that the personal feelings that leader Kim has toward Trump are "undoubtedly solid and excellent," but the North should not adjust its U.S. strategies and nuclear plans based on relations with the U.S. president.
Leader Kim also asked her to extend greetings wishing Trump success in his endeavors, she said.
Talk of another Trump-Kim summit gained traction after South Korean President Moon Jae-in told European leaders last month that he would work to make one happen before the U.S. presidential election in November.
Former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton also said Trump could meet with Kim if he believes a summit would help his reelection chances. Such a meeting could happen as an "October surprise" just before the election, he said.
On Tuesday, Trump said he's open to a meeting with Kim.
"I understand they want to meet and we would certainly do that," Trump said in an interview with Gray Television's Greta Van Susteren, according to Voice of America and other news reports. "I would do it if I thought it was going to be helpful.
Asked if he thinks such a meeting would be helpful, Trump said, "Probably. I have a very good relationship with him, (so it) probably would be."
Earlier Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed hope for continuing talks with the U.S.
"We're very hopeful that we can continue to have this conversation, whether that's at levels beneath the summit, or if it's appropriate and there is a useful activity to take place, to have senior leaders get back together as well," he said. "As for who and how and timing, I just don't want to talk about that today."
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--Xiaomi's 5G phone to be launched in S. Korea next week

`` Although the South Korean market is centered around premium smartphones , demand for budget handsets has been increasing , @ @ @ @ @ Chinese makers will keep trying to enter the market , '' said Roh Kyoung-tak , @ @ @ @ @ & Securities .

SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- China's Xiaomi Corp. will sell its 5G smartphone in South Korea through major mobile carriers, industry insiders said Friday, as it eyes gaining a presence here against homegrown brands.
Xiaomi's Mi 10 Lite 5G smartphone will be launched online next Friday after a four-day preorder period, sources said.
It will be the first time that a foreign phone maker launches a 5G smartphone in South Korea, home to Samsung Electronics Co. and LG Electronics Inc.
Xiaomi had previously released LTE smartphones, such as the Redmi Note 9, in South Korea.
The Mi 10 Lite 5G features a 6.57-inch display, 4,160mAh battery and a quad rear camera setup that includes a 48 MP main shooter.
This photo from Xiaomi Corp.'s website shows the company's Mi 10 Lite 5G smartphone. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
It is expected to be priced around 450,000 won (US$375) here, the cheapest among 5G smartphones sold in South Korea.
So far, the cheapest 5G smartphone model in the country is the Samsung Galaxy A51, which was launched in May for 572,000 won.
South Korea's smartphone market is dominated by Samsung, whose market share reached 69 percent last year, followed by Apple Inc. and LG.
However, analysts said local players should be aware of Chinese brands releasing price-competitive 5G smartphone models.
"Although the South Korean market is centered around premium smartphones, demand for budget handsets has been increasing, so it is likely that Chinese makers will keep trying to enter the market," said Roh Kyoung-tak, an analyst at Eugene Investment & Securities.
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--Seoul stocks open lower on virus fear

Seoul stocks open lower on virus fear

The figure marked a steady decline since Sunday when it confirmed more than 60 cases for a third consecutive day @ @ @ @ @ of sporadic cluster infections on the rise .

SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares opened lower Friday amid concerns over a resurgence of the new coronavirus infections around the world.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 8.78 points, or 0.41 percent, to 2,159.12 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Investor sentiment weakened globally as concerns of the spreading COVID-19 toll outweighed the economic rebound hopes.
The daily COVID-19 cases in the United States topped 60,000 for the first time Thursday (U.S. time), with record deaths in Florida and Texas.
Growing virus fears hit the stock market with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 1.39 percent.
South Korea added 50 new COVID-19 infections Thursday.
The figure marked a steady decline since Sunday when it confirmed more than 60 cases for a third consecutive day, but health officials warned of sporadic cluster infections on the rise.
Most large caps in Seoul traded lower.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics lost 0.19 percent, with No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix slipping 0.12 percent.
Top pharmaceutical firm Samsung BioLogics shed 0.13 percent, and leading chemical maker LG Chem retreated 0.37 percent.
The country's largest automaker Hyundai Motor fell 1 percent. Leading steelmaker POSCO dropped 2.65 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,198.75 won against the U.S. dollar, down 3.25 won from the previous session's close.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--(3rd LD) Seoul city to hold mayoral funeral for Park Won-soon, unveils note

(ATTN: ADDS petition against mayoral funeral in paras 15-16)
By Lee Minji
SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- The Seoul city government said Friday it plans to hold a mayoral funeral for Park Won-soon and run on a contingency plan for the time being following the abrupt death of the liberal heavyweight and three-term mayor.
Park, 64, was found dead in the woods of Mount Bugak near his official residence in central Seoul, shortly after midnight. Police said there were no signs of foul play, adding they plan to investigate the exact cause of his death.
His body was found after an hourslong search involving hundreds of police and rescue workers, sniffer dogs and drones. He was first reported missing by his daughter Thursday evening, who said he left a message "sounding like a will" before he vanished.
This file photo shows Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon speaking at a press conference at Seoul City Hall on July 6, 2020. (Yonhap)
On Friday, city authorities unveiled a note Park left at his official residence.
Park said he is "sorry" to everyone and specifically mentioned that he is sorry to his family for "causing only pain."
He asked to be cremated and be scattered at his parent's graves. The message did not mention the sexual harassment allegations raised against Park.
The mayor was reportedly facing a probe into the allegations after a female former secretary filed a criminal complaint on Wednesday over unwanted "physical contact" and "inappropriate" messages.
In accordance with the law, the case was automatically terminated upon the mayor's death.
When asked whether the city plans to open an investigation, city officials said they are "not yet aware" of the allegations and have not reviewed such plan.
City officials unveil a note by Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, at Seoul National University hospital, on July 10, 2020. The note was found at his official residence in central Seoul. (Yonhap)
The city government said that Park's funeral will be held in the fashion of a mayoral funeral for five days. Funerals in Korea generally last for three days.
An altar will be set up in front of City Hall in central Seoul for citizens and staff members wanting to mourn Park's death, they added.
City authorities pledged to carry on with city affairs in respect of Park.
"We pray for the soul of the deceased and extend our deepest condolences to the citizens (of Seoul). City affairs will firmly continue according to Mayor Park Won-soon's values that prioritized stability and welfare," Vice Mayor for Administrative Affairs Seo Jeong-hyup said in sorrow during the city's first press briefing following Park's death.
Seo will serve as the city's acting mayor until a new mayor is elected in a by-election scheduled for April 2021.
A petition filed with the presidential office against the plan for a five-day funeral service attracted nearly 230,000 signatories late Friday. Citing his alleged sexual crime, the petition instead called for a three-day family event.
The presidential office is required to respond when a petition draws more than 200,000 signatories within 30 days.
Park was regarded as a presidential hopeful for the ruling Democratic Party in the 2022 elections.
The civic activist and human rights lawyer was first elected in a 2011 by-election and re-elected in 2014 and 2018. His term was slated to end in 2022.
As the longest-serving mayor for the country's biggest city, where one-fifth of South Koreans live, his policies centered on youth, environment and urban regeneration.
Police carry the body of Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, who was found dead in the forested hills of Mount Bugak in Seoul on July 10, 2020. (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--(5th LD) S. Korea to impose steeper taxes on multiple home owners to curb housing prices

The current 0.6 percent to 3.2 percent ownership tax on people who own three or more homes will be raised @ @ @ @ @ percent , the ministry said in a statement .

(ATTN: ADDS finance minister's additional comment in 15th para)
SEJONG/SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will raise property ownership tax rates for multiple home owners, the finance ministry said Friday, in the latest move to curb housing prices.
The current 0.6 percent to 3.2 percent ownership tax on people who own three or more homes will be raised to 1.2 percent to 6 percent, the ministry said in a statement.
Companies that own multiple homes will face a 6-percent property ownership tax, it said.
The punitive tax rate will be applied to 0.4 percent of South Korea's total population, according to the ministry.
The government will supply more homes in Seoul and its neighboring areas by easing regulations, the ministry said.
Friday's plan came less than a month after the government rolled out measures to stem a further rise in housing prices.
Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki speaks at a meeting with economy-related ministers on July 10, 2020. (Yonhap)
On June 17, the government announced its toughest measures yet to rein in rising housing prices in greater Seoul and some unregulated areas, as a series of steps, including tax hikes and loan regulations, failed to put a brake on soaring home prices.
Stricter lending rules were applied to curb excessive demand for home-backed loans amid cheap borrowing costs, and almost half of the Seoul metropolitan area was put under tighter rules.
Announcing the latest measures, Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki apologized for failing to rein in housing prices.
"The government has no choice but to add pressure on owners of multiple homes because they cause a big cost in society," Hong told reporters.
The additional tax revenue from multiple home owners will be used to build more homes for low-income households, Hong said.
The government will also raise capital gains tax for people who pocket short-term gains by buying and selling homes, Hong said.
Hong has 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 maintain its stance of relaxing the tax burden for people with no homes or one home," Hong said.
But he ruled out the possibility of lifting the construction ban on the greenbelt zones as part of measures to provide more homes.
So far, the government has announced a series of measures to cool housing prices in Seoul and its neighboring areas, but they failed to stabilize the property market.
Record-low interest rates and excess liquidity, which has been pumped into the markets to help revive the virus-hit economy, have contributed to soaring home prices, analysts said.
Also on Friday, Land Minister Kim Hyun-mee said the government is not considering easing regulations on the reconstruction of decades-old apartments for now, out of concern such a measure may further raise home prices.
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--Gov't to permit 2 more downtown duty-free shops in Seoul, Jeju

The government has decided to allow the opening of the two downtown duty-free shops -- one each in the capital @ @ @ @ @ island -- on the condition that they are banned from selling well-known local products for @ @ @ @ @ their operation , according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance .

SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will permit two new downtown duty-free shops operated by conglomerates to open in Seoul and on Jeju Island, the finance ministry said Friday.
The government has decided to allow the opening of the two downtown duty-free shops -- one each in the capital city and on the resort island -- on the condition that they are banned from selling well-known local products for the first two years of their operation, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
"The government made the decision to lower the barrier to the duty-free shop business and reflect steady growth of the business before the new coronavirus outbreak (hit the air travel industry)," a ministry official said.
The government plans to choose the operators in December or early next year.
This photo, taken on June 1, 2020, shows a suspended Lotte duty-free shop on Jeju Island amid the coronavirus outbreak. (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--(2nd LD) Political community expresses shock, condolences over Seoul mayor's death

(ATTN: ADDS main opposition party's response in paras 19-20; REPLACES photos)
SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- The political community expressed shock and condolences over the death of Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, with the ruling Democratic Party, the political home of Park, cancelling most of its events for Friday.
The three-term mayor was found dead on a path of Mount Bukak in Seoul shortly after the midnight by police. Park, 64, was reported missing by his daughter Thursday evening, who said he left a message that seemed like a will before he vanished.
He is presumed to have died of suicide. News reports said that Park's female former secretary recently filed a criminal complaint about him, claiming that he had touched her numerous times and sent her "inappropriate" messages on a messenger app. Police have not confirmed the reports.
The ruling DP, of which Park is a member, was grief-stricken over the loss of a political heavyweight whose more than eight years in the high-profile Seoul mayorship catapulted him to the rank of a potential candidate for the 2022 presidential race.
Park is also the third high-profile DP member accused of sexual assault in the #MeToo wave.
In April, Oh Keo-don resigned as Busan mayor over allegations that he sexually exploited a female employee. In 2018, another party heavyweight, An Hee-jung, stepped down as governor of South Chungcheong Province after his female secretary exposed his sexual abuse. An is serving a prison sentence of 3 1/2 years.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun (C) visits Seoul National University Hospital in the capital city on July 10, 2020, to pay tribute to Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, who was found dead in an apparent suicide earlier in the day. (Yonhap)
The ruling party called off most of its political events for the day, including an emergency party-government meeting arranged to announce a set of measures meant to curb soaring house prices.
The DP leadership -- party chairman Lee Hae-chan and floor leader Kim Tae-nyeon -- put off a budget policy meeting with regional governments while Kim called off an inspection visit to a virus vaccine maker.
Rep. Lee Nak-yon and former DP lawmaker Kim Boo-kyum also canceled their campaign events for the Aug. 29 party leadership election.
A wave of condolence messages flooded in, with Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun expressing words of consolation during a regular government COVID-19 response meeting in the morning.
"Mayor Park, who has served Seoul citizens for a decade, was found passed away. I pray that the deceased rest in peace," Chung said.
Chung was to have lunch with Park the previous day, but Park abruptly canceled the meeting, saying he was not well, according to officials.
In a meeting of senior party members, DP chairman Lee paid tribute to Park's accomplishments as a dedicated civic activist and human rights lawyer.
"The DP gives its heart to the deceased in remembrance and honor of his life dedicated to civic (rights)," according to Lee.
Other incumbent and former DP lawmakers joined in expressing condolences.
Rep. Kim Du-kwan said, "I hope the deceased could rest in peace," in a Facebook message written in white against a black backdrop.
Lee Hae-chan, head of the ruling Democratic Party, frowns at reporters' questions about sexual harassment allegations involving Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon after offering his condolences at Seoul National University Hospital on July 10, 2020. Park was found dead at a mountain in Seoul earlier in the day amid allegations filed by his former female secretary against him. (Yonhap)
The rival main opposition United Future Party (UFP)'s floor leader Joo Ho-young also extended a message of consolation during a morning party meeting.
"I am very sorry for the tragic choice of the deceased Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon," Joo said. "I extend my words of condolence to his family who may be in deep sorrow."
But the UFP said it has yet to decide on whether to go to Seoul National University Hospital where Park's body has been moved for his funeral scheduled for Monday.
A party official said it will make a decision over the weekend amid concerns that a massive funeral service led by the Seoul metropolitan government would further hurt Park's former female secretary who had filed a complaint with police on Wednesday over the late mayor's alleged sexual harassment since 2017.
Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon visits Seoul National University Hospital in the capital city on July 10, 2020, to pay tribute to Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, who was found dead in an apparent suicide earlier in the day. (Yonhap)
Releasing a brief statement, the minor left-wing Justice Party also expressed "bewilderment" as well as condolences over Park's death.
"(The party) is grief-stricken, looking back on his career path as a democratization and civil rights activist and an administrator," a party spokesman noted.
The news of the mayor's death hit about 10 pro-Park lawmakers in the DP particularly hard, including Rep. Park Hong-keun. They rushed to the hospital even before Park's body was moved there for his funeral.
On account of Park's death, the police are on course to officially close the sexual harassment complaint raised against him.
But some opposition lawmakers claimed that an investigation is needed to get to the bottom of the accusation.
Rep. Yoo Sang-bum of the United Future Party said in a radio interview that "I felt deeply sorry for the deceased, but I think there's a need to sufficiently examine what happened in the runup (to his death)."
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--(4th LD) S. Korea to impose steeper taxes on multiple home owners to curb housing prices

(ATTN: ADDS land minister's comment in last para)
SEJONG, July 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will raise property ownership tax rates for multiple home owners, the finance ministry said Friday, in the latest move to curb housing prices.
The current 0.6 percent to 3.2 percent ownership tax on people who own three or more homes will be raised to 1.2 percent to 6 percent, the ministry said in a statement.
Companies that own multiple homes will face a 6-percent property ownership tax, it said.
The punitive tax rate will be applied to 0.4 percent of South Korea's total population, according to the ministry.
The government will supply more homes in Seoul and its neighboring areas by easing regulations, the ministry said.
Friday's plan came less than a month after the government rolled out measures to stem a further rise in housing prices.
Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki speaks at a meeting with economy-related ministers on July 10, 2020. (Yonhap)
On June 17, the government announced its toughest measures yet to rein in rising housing prices in greater Seoul and some unregulated areas, as a series of steps, including tax hikes and loan regulations, failed to put a brake on soaring home prices.
Stricter lending rules were applied to curb excessive demand for home-backed loans amid cheap borrowing costs, and almost half of the Seoul metropolitan area was put under tighter rules.
Announcing the latest measures, Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki apologized for failing to rein in housing prices.
"The government has no choice but to add pressure on owners of multiple homes because they cause a big cost in society," Hong told reporters.
The additional tax revenue from multiple home owners will be used to build more homes for low-income households, Hong said.
The government will also raise capital gains tax for people who pocket short-term gains by buying and selling homes, Hong said.
Hong has 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 maintain its stance of relaxing the tax burden for people with no homes or one home," Hong said.
So far, the government has announced a series of measures to cool housing prices in Seoul and its neighboring areas, but they failed to stabilize the property market.
Record-low interest rates and excess liquidity, which has been pumped into the markets to help revive the virus-hit economy, have contributed to soaring home prices, analysts said.
Also on Friday, Land Minister Kim Hyun-mee said the government is not considering easing regulations on the reconstruction of decades-old apartments for now, out of concern such a measure may further raise home prices.
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--(2nd LD) Moon 'shocked' by Seoul mayor's death, sends condolence flowers

The president noted that he had a long relationship with Park , going back to when they studied at the @ @ @ @ @ together in the early 1980s .
They passed the state judicial exam together in 1980 @ @ @ @ @ were human rights lawyers before joining the liberal Democratic Party .

(ATTN: ADDS new info in last 2 paras)
SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in recalled his longtime personal relationship with late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon in response to Park's death, a top Cheong Wa Dae official said Friday on a visit to the funeral home in Seoul.
Moon was quoted by Noh Young-min, presidential chief of staff, as saying that the abrupt death is "very shocking".
A man carries condolence flowers sent by President Moon Jae-in to the funeral home of Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon on July 10, 2020. (Yonhap)
The president noted that he had a long relationship with Park, going back to when they studied at the Judicial Research and Training Institute together in the early 1980s. They passed the state judicial exam together in 1980. Both Moon and Park were human rights lawyers before joining the liberal Democratic Party.
Moon also sent condolence flowers to the memorial established at Seoul National University.
Park apparently took his own life the previous day amid reports that one of his female former assistants had filed a complaint with police against him, claiming she had suffered sexual harassment.
Park was found dead shortly after midnight on Mount Bugak near his official residence and Cheong Wa Dae in the capital city. His body was immediately transferred to the hospital.
Park's funeral is slated for Monday.
The presidential office delayed the announcement of the New Deal package by one day to Tuesday, apparently in consideration of the planned funeral.
Moon was scheduled to announce key measures to create jobs and foster economic growth to ward off economic damage from the COVID-19 pandemic on Monday.
In this file photo from 1982, President Moon Jae-in (L) and late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon pose for a commemorative photo during the graduation ceremony at the Judicial Research and Training Institute. (Yonhap)
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--Defense ministers of S. Korea, India vow to beef up cooperation

Jeong also expressed gratitude to India for dispatching the largest medical staff during the 1950-53 Korean War , vowing never @ @ @ @ @ commitment .
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the conflict .

SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- The defense chiefs of South Korea and India held phone talks Friday and vowed to boost their ties and enhance cooperation against nontraditional security threats, such as the new coronavirus, Seoul's defense ministry said.
During the conversation with Rajnath Singh, Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo explained South Korea's response to COVID-19, and how the military contributed to the government's efforts to stem the spread of the novel virus.
Singh praised South Korea's virus response as one of the most successful in the globe, according to the ministry.
Jeong also expressed gratitude to India for dispatching the largest medical staff during the 1950-53 Korean War, vowing never to forget their sacrifice and commitment. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the conflict.
The Indian minister said his country is proud to have taken part in the war to protect democracy and freedom, and thanked South Korea for sending faces masks for Indian veterans.
Singh also said his country will actively support Seoul's hosting of the U.N. Peacekeeping Ministerial Conference slated for April next year.
"The two ministers agreed nontraditional security threats, such as epidemics and cyber threats, are a joint task that cannot be resolved by a single country's efforts ... and vowed to strengthen their cooperation," the ministry said in a release.
In this file photo, provided by Seoul's defense ministry and taken on Feb. 2, 2020, South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo (L) and his Indian counterpart, Rajnath Singh, pose for a photo after holding talks in New Delhi. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
scaaet@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--(2nd LD) Three dead and 27 injured in hospital fire in southwestern region

Two of the dead , both in their 70s , were each found on stairs on the second floor and @ @ @ @ @ seem to have inhaled smoke in the course of escaping , while the other one @ @ @ @ @ fire officials said .

(ATTN: RECASTS headline and lead; ADDs details throughout)
GOHEUNG, South Korea, July 10 (Yonhap) -- Three were killed and 27 others injured, with nine of them in serious condition, in a hospital fire in the country's southwestern region, officials said Friday.
The fire broke out at a hospital in Goheung, 473 kilometers south of Seoul, at 3:34 a.m. It was extinguished at 6:01 a.m.
Two of the dead, both in their 70s, were each found on stairs on the second floor and third floor, and they seem to have inhaled smoke in the course of escaping, while the other one later died in hospital, fire officials said.
A photo taken July 10, 2020, shows shattered windows from a deadly fire that broke out at a hospital in Goheung, 473 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
All the injured were being treated at nearby hospitals for smoke inhalation. Some of the critically injured were to be sent to a hospital in the nearby city of Gwangju, they added.
A witness said the fire broke out in a space on the first floor between the internal medicine and orthopedics departments,
Ma Jae-yhun, chief of South Jeolla Province fire service, said there were no signs of outside intrusion and the fire seems to have been caused by an electrical problem. The fire authorities said they will conduct further investigation into the case.
Whether fire prevention facilities have functioned properly will be examined as well, according to the authorities.
Fire doors were installed in the building, but they were presumed to not have worked, allowing the smoke to quickly fill up the building, which reportedly worsened the casualties.
Fire officials and fire trucks are parked outside of a hospital in Goheung, 473 kilometers south of Seoul, where a deadly fire broke out on July 10, 2020. (Yonhap)
At the time of the fire, a total of 86 people, including 69 of the registered patients and seven nurses, were inside the hospital.
Twenty of them escaped from the building through the first-floor door on their own, but the rest had to escape to the fifth floor, the rooftop and the emergency stairs, and they were later rescued by firefighters, according to fire authorities.
The hospital where the fire occurred is a seven-story building with the capacity to accommodate some 100 patients.
nyway@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--Bourse operator to review normalization plan of SillaJen at risk of delisting

In the case of granting a grace period , the bourse operator is also to decide whether it will lift @ @ @ @ @ .
Trading of SillaJen stocks has been suspended on the tech-laden KOSDAQ since May 4 @

By Chung Joo-won
SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korean bourse operator Korea Exchange said Friday that it will review a business normalization plan by bio tech firm SillaJen Inc. to decide whether to delist it.
The KRX has been reviewing the company's listing, after the company's chief executive and key management were indicted over charges of embezzlement and breach of trust.
SillaJen submitted its business normalization scheme to the bourse operator, and the KRX will have to decide whether to accept it by Aug. 4.
In the case of granting a grace period, the bourse operator is also to decide whether it will lift the company's trading suspension. Trading of SillaJen stocks has been suspended on the tech-laden KOSDAQ since May 4.
SillaJen has come under fire after some of its executives sold stocks ahead of its regulatory filing in August 2019 that its key product Pexa-Vec failed clinical tests.
Since its market debut on Dec. 6, 2016, SillaJen has rallied to 152,300 won on Nov. 21, 2017 from 9,050 won on Feb. 20, 2017.
SillaJen finished at 12,100 won on the day of suspension, lower than its IPO price of 15,000 won per share.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--Nuclear commission recommends minor safety improvements for reactors

Minor improvements were called for in such areas as emergency communication links in case of serious problems and the need @ @ @ @ @ tests on the effectiveness of mobile power generators at atomic power plants .

SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's nuclear safety agency on Friday recommended minor safety improvements for eight older reactors in service following stress tests carried out by its operator.
The recommendation came after Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP), which runs the country's atomic power plants, conducted extensive safety inspections on such units as the Kori 2 and Wolsong 2 reactors from October 2016 through December 2018, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission said.
"Stress tests that reflect the worst possible accidents that can occur were all conducted following guidelines set by the government, with 47 areas requiring some improvements," the commission said in a press release.
Minor improvements were called for in such areas as emergency communication links in case of serious problems and the need to carry out more detailed tests on the effectiveness of mobile power generators at atomic power plants.
Currently, South Korea has 24 operational reactors, generating around 30 percent of its electric power. Seoul is currently moving to reduce its dependence on nuclear energy and building up its capability in renewable sources, such as solar and wind power.
The agency said the KHNP will reflect the latest recommendations when it conducts stress tests on 14 newer reactors in the future.
The country's two newest reactors, the Shin-Kori 3 and 5 units, along with four nuclear reactors being built, do not have to be checked at present because their designs incorporated all the latest safety systems.
Besides reviewing stress tests on reactors, the agency called for an update of the radiation detection alert systems used on the Hanbit 1 and 2 reactors on the country's southwestern coast.
This photo, provided by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, shows the eight-member control committee holding a meeting on July 10, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--9 Americans affiliated with USFK confirmed with coronavirus

Of the nine , seven arrived at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek , south of Seoul , on two U.S. @ @ @ @ @ the others arrived here on commercial flights , it said .

SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- Eight American service members and one civilian employee for the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) have tested positive for the new coronavirus, the U.S. military said Friday.
Of the nine, seven arrived at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, on two U.S. government chartered flights, while the others arrived here on commercial flights, it said.
All nine individuals tested positive in their first mandatory COVID-19 test prior to entering quarantine, and they have been moved to isolation facilities at the U.S. bases in South Korea for confirmed patients.
The latest COVID-19 cases brought the total number of infections among the USFK population to 63.
All USFK-affiliated individuals arriving in South Korea are required to undergo the virus test and are quarantined for 14 days. Medical personnel administer a second test prior to their release.
Amid an increase in the number of new virus cases among its population, USFK has conducted some 900 random tests since late May and has found no additional positive case, it said.
The number of active duty USFK service members who are currently confirmed positive for the virus stands at 21.
In this February file photo, provided by U.S. Forces Korea, a military guard at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, 70 kilometers south of Seoul, checks the temperature of a driver to screen entrants to the compound for the novel coronavirus. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
scaaet@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--(LEAD) Moon 'shocked' by Seoul mayor's death, sends condolence flowers

(ATTN: UPDATES with Moon's response, background; CHANGES headline, photos)
SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in recalled his longtime personal relationship with late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon in response to Park's death, a top Cheong Wa Dae official said Friday on a visit to the funeral home in Seoul.
Moon was quoted by Noh Young-min, presidential chief of staff, as saying that the abrupt death is "very shocking".
A man carries condolence flowers sent by President Moon Jae-in to the funeral home of Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon on July 10, 2020. (Yonhap)
The president noted that he had a long relationship with Park, going back to when they studied at the Judicial Research and Training Institute together in the early 1980s. They passed the state judicial exam together in 1980. Both Moon and Park were human rights lawyers before joining the liberal Democratic Party.
Moon also sent condolence flowers to the memorial established at Seoul National University.
Park apparently took his own life the previous day amid reports that one of his female former assistants had filed a complaint with police against him, claiming she had suffered sexual harassment.
Park was found dead shortly after midnight on Mount Bugak near his official residence and Cheong Wa Dae in the capital city. His body was immediately transferred to the hospital.
Park's funeral is slated for Monday.
In this file photo from 1982, President Moon Jae-in (L) and late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon pose for a commemorative photo during the graduation ceremony at the Judicial Research and Training Institute. (Yonhap)
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--Appellate court slashes prison term of ex-President Park to 20 yrs in retrial

`` Failing to fulfill the constitutional duty as the president and committing crimes , ( Park ) created a big @ @ @ @ @ state affairs , '' the court said , delivering the reduced ruling .
`` But @ @ @ @ @ that she seems to have received little personal benefit and to almost have been declared @ @ @ @ @ to the court .

SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- In a retrial of a corruption and influence-peddling scandal that led to the ouster of ex-President Park Geun-hye in 2017, an appellate court slashed its prison sentence for the former head of state by 10 years to 20 years.
The Seoul High Court sentenced Park to 15 years in jail for bribery and an additional five years for abuse of power and other criminal charges.
She was also fined 18 billion won (US$15 million) and ordered to forfeit 3.5 billion won.
This compares with the combined 30-year prison term, 20 billion won in fines and forfeit of 2.7 billion won handed down by the appellate court in the two previous rulings in 2018 and 2019.
"Failing to fulfill the constitutional duty as the president and committing crimes, (Park) created a big mess in the running of state affairs," the court said, delivering the reduced ruling. "But the court took into account that she seems to have received little personal benefit and to almost have been declared politically bankrupt," according to the court.
Park was removed from presidency in March 2017, mired in a massive power abuse and corruption scandal. The official charges against her include conspiring with her longtime confidante, Choi Soon-sil, to force big conglomerates, such as Samsung and Lotte, to donate 77.4 billion won to two foundations under Choi's control.
She was also indicted on charges of accepting off-the-book funds worth 3.5 billion won from three former chiefs of the National Intelligence Service from May 2013 to September 2016 in collusion with her secretaries.
The retrial by the Seoul High Court on Friday follows the Supreme Court's decisions to send the two cases back to the appellate court for revisiting last year, ordering it to handle bribery charges separately from the rest of the charges.
The decision was based on the Public Official Election Law, which requires corruption charges raised against a public official to be ruled individually since a bribery conviction could later affect the convicted official's right to vote or run in elections.
Following the top court's decision, the Seoul High Court merged the two cases for review.
The reduced prison term on Friday came after the top court cleared Park of an extortion charge raised over her alleged act of having conglomerates pay donations to the two Choi-controlled foundations. The top court ruled last year that Park's solicitation of the funds did not constitute "extortion."
As in previous court hearings and rulings, Park was not present at Friday's court ruling, as she has been boycotting all her trials.
An image of ex-President Park Geun-hye (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


Yonhap News Summary

Violence is escalating in Kabul amid efforts to start a U.S-backed peace deal between the Afghan government and the Taliban @ @ @ @ @ war , after the U.S. withdrawal of forces under a February deal it signed with @ @ @

The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Friday.
-----------------
'Blood Sweat & Tears' becomes 7th BTS video to top 600 mln YouTube views
SEOUL -- The video of K-pop band BTS' song "Blood Sweat & Tears" has drawn more than 600 million views on YouTube, becoming the group's seventh video to hit that threshold, the band's management agency said Friday.
Big Hit Entertainment said "Blood Sweat & Tears," the main track of the band's second full-length album, "Wings," surpassed the mark on YouTube at around 5 a.m. Friday.
-----------------
(LEAD) Father of late triathlete calls for new law to protect athletes against abuse
SEOUL -- The father of a late triathlete who took her own life after enduring years of apparent abuse said Friday a new law should be enacted that can protect athletes against abuse and misconduct.
Choi Young-hee, whose daughter Choi Suk-hyeon was found dead in late June, held a press conference at the National Assembly, where he was joined by United Future Party Rep. Lee Yong, former head coach of the national bobsleigh and skeleton team.
-----------------
S. Korea joins virtual multilateral talks on peace building in Afghanistan
SEOUL -- South Korea has participated in a virtual multilateral meeting hosted by the Afghan government to discuss joint efforts to stabilize the Central Asian country from unrest, Seoul's foreign ministry said Friday.
Violence is escalating in Kabul amid efforts to start a U.S-backed peace deal between the Afghan government and the Taliban after nearly two decades of war, after the U.S. withdrawal of forces under a February deal it signed with the Taliban.
-----------------
POSCO restarts 3rd blast furnace despite virus
SEOUL -- South Korean steelmaker POSCO said Friday it has restarted its third blast furnace amid the global recession sparked by the coronavirus pandemic.
The move came 20 months after repair and maintenance work worth about 400 billion won (US$332.6 million) at the third blast furnace in Gwangyang, about 420 kilometers southwest of Seoul.
-----------------
Seoul's trade minister to head to Geneva for next WTO chief bid
SEOUL -- South Korea's Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee plans to fly to Geneva next week to announce her campaign pledges for the top post of the World Trade Organization (WTO), her ministry said Friday.
Yoo will head to Geneva on Sunday and participate in the three-day general council meeting at the WTO that starts Wednesday, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
-----------------
Google to strengthen monitoring of fake news and illegal content on YouTube
SEOUL -- Google's video-sharing platform YouTube will cooperate with South Korea to closely monitor and prevent the spread of fake news and illegal content, South Korea's telecommunications regulator said Friday, citing a Google executive.
Google's Senior Vice President Neal Mohan made the comments during a videoconference with Han Sang-hyuk, chairman of the Korea Communications Commission (KCC), according to the regulator's statement.
-----------------
S. Korean, Czech presidents exchange letters to mark 30th anniversary of bilateral ties
SEOUL -- President Moon Jae-in and his Czech counterpart, Milos Zeman, have exchanged letters to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of their countries' diplomatic relations, the foreign ministry said Friday.
In the letter, Moon said he welcomed the steady expansion and development of the two countries' cooperation in economic, political and other areas since they established diplomatic ties in 1990, according to the ministry.
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--BTS' 'Map of the Soul: 7' becomes bestselling album in U.S. in H1

The success of the two Korean groups has drawn attention amid the fall of overall hard copy album sales in @ @ @ @ @ the first half of 2020 , physical album sales dropped 20.3 percent on-year , while @ @ @ @ @ percent in the U.S. Only vinyl album sales increased by 11.2 percent .

SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- K-pop band BTS' latest album "Map of the Soul: 7" was the most-sold album in the United States in the first half of 2020, a global music sales measurement company said Friday.
Nielsen Music's U.S. Mid-Year Report for 2020 showed that "Map of the Soul: 7," BTS' fourth full-length album released in February, has sold some 552,000 units, ranking No. 1 on its Top 10 Albums Total Sales chart in the U.S.
The Top 10 Albums Total Sales chart combines sales of CDs, hard copies, such as vinyl records, and digital albums.
CDs accounted for 96 percent of the sales of the BTS album and digital album sales the remaining 4 percent, according to Billboard.
The album also dominated the Top 10 Physical Albums chart by selling 528,000 units, it added.
"Map of the Soul: 7" was the only music album to sell more than 500,000 units in the U.S. market in the first half.
In the Top 10 Albums chart, where track equivalent album units (TEA) and on-demand audio streaming equivalent album units (SEA) are measured together, the septet's album ranked ninth out of 10, the report showed.
Billboard said BTS was the musician with the largest album sales in the U.S. in the first half.
The group sold some 757,000 units of its albums, including "Map of the Soul: 7" and previously released ones. Among them, 720,000 were physical copies, Billboard said.
In the Top Five Genre Artists chart in the pop scene, BTS came second after Billie Eilish. Ranked third, fourth and fifth were Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Halsey, respectively. The chart aggregates album sales, online downloads and streaming.
At home, BTS topped the South Korean Gaon chart run by the Korea Music Content Association, selling a record number of over 4.26 million copies in the first half. The septet also topped the Japanese Oricon album chart in the first half, becoming the first foreign act to claim the honor in 36 years.
Members of BTS pose at a media showcase for its album 'Map of the Soul: 7' released in February, in this photo provided by SM Entertainment. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Meanwhile, NCT 127, another K-pop band on a roll in the American market, ranked eighth on Nielsen Music's Top 10 Albums Total Sales and fourth in physical album sales with its second full-length album "NCT #127 Neo-Zone."
The success of the two Korean groups has drawn attention amid the fall of overall hard copy album sales in the U.S. market. In the first half of 2020, physical album sales dropped 20.3 percent on-year, while sales of CDs plummeted 30.2 percent in the U.S. Only vinyl album sales increased by 11.2 percent.
This photo, provided by SM Entertainment on Jan. 13, 2020, shows South Korean boy band NCT 127, which will join the 2020 Houston Rodeo concert in Houston from March 3-22. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
nyway@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--N.K.'s newspaper says anti-virus efforts more important than economic achievements

Some signs have been spotted recently indicating that the North might be easing up on border control amid worries that @ @ @ @ @ could hurt its economy .
State media , however , recently said that tight border @ @ @ @ @ suggesting that the country has yet to loosen up its fight to keep the virus @ @ @

SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's official newspaper said Friday that preventing an outbreak of the coronavirus is more important than economic achievements, urging people to stay alert in their fight against the highly contagious virus.
North Korea's media outlets have called for beefed-up anti-virus efforts recently after leader Kim Jong-un demanded "maximum alert" against COVID-19 and warned against complacency, saying that it will lead to an "unimaginable and irretrievable crisis."
"It is our party's demand to do the best in carrying out the task in a way that preventing the flow of the global pandemic is more important than any other achievements in economic construction," the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the ruling Workers' Party, said.
"It is the top priority and most honorable revolutionary business to protect and improve the lives and health of our people," it added. "The party has been taking powerful emergency preventive measures against the virus, considering the task of staving off the deadly infectious disease that is sweeping across the world a greatly important national project."
North Korea has taken relatively fast and drastic countermeasures to block the flow of the coronavirus since late January, including closing its borders and beefing up quarantine criteria, though it claims to have no confirmed infection case.
Some signs have been spotted recently indicating that the North might be easing up on border control amid worries that restrictions on goods and people could hurt its economy. State media, however, recently said that tight border controls remain in place, suggesting that the country has yet to loosen up its fight to keep the virus at bay.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--S. Korean, Czech presidents exchange letters to mark 30th anniversary of bilateral ties

In the letter , Moon said he welcomed the steady expansion and development of the two countries ' cooperation in @ @ @ @ @ areas since they established diplomatic ties in 1990 , according to the ministry .

SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in and his Czech counterpart, Milos Zeman, have exchanged letters to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of their countries' diplomatic relations, the foreign ministry said Friday.
In the letter, Moon said he welcomed the steady expansion and development of the two countries' cooperation in economic, political and other areas since they established diplomatic ties in 1990, according to the ministry.
Moon also said that he was delighted over the Czech Republic's cooperation in handling a range of issues related to the coronavirus pandemic, including the return home of overseas South Koreans.
In his letter, the Czech president voiced hope that the 30th anniversary will provide a new impetus to efforts to enhance bilateral cooperation in science research and new technologies, according to the ministry.
Zeman also assessed that South Korea's response to COVID-19 has become an exemplary model for other countries, and welcomed the development of "mutually beneficial" relations between the two countries.
Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Gunn delivered Moon's letter to Czech Republic's Ambassador to South Korea Gustav Slamecka, while Rudolf Jindrak, a presidential aide, handed over Zeman's letter to Seoul's Ambassador Kim Tae-jin.
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--(LEAD) Seoul stocks slump on virus concerns

`` The rise in the U.S. infections also triggered the sell-off in the local trading , '' said Kiwoom Securities @ @ @ @ @ that the jump in U.S. cases has become steeper .

(ATTN: ADDS bond yields at bottom, photo)
SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares closed lower Friday, as investors turned risk-averse amid rising new coronavirus infections around the world. The Korean won fell against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 17.65 points, or 0.81 percent, to close at 2,150.25. Trading volume was high at about 876 million shares worth some 11.9 trillion won (US$9.9 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 675 to 190.
Electronic signboards at a Hana Bank dealing room in Seoul show the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed at 2,150.25 on July 10, 2020, down 17.65 points, or 0.81 percent, from the previous session's close. (Yonhap)
The index's fall came after daily COVID-19 cases in the United States topped 60,000 for the first time Thursday (U.S. time), with record deaths in the populated states of Florida and Texas.
Growing virus fears hit the stock market with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 1.39 percent.
"The rise in the U.S. infections also triggered the sell-off in the local trading," said Kiwoom Securities analyst Seo Sang-young, noting that the jump in U.S. cases has become steeper.
Foreigners sold a net 343 billion won at the KOSPI market, while retail investors purchased a net 1 trillion won. Institutions offloaded a net 709 billion won, extending the selling streak to a fourth session.
South Korea added 45 new COVID-19 infections Friday.
The figure marked a steady decline since Sunday when South Korea confirmed more than 60 cases for the third consecutive day, but health officials warned of cluster and imported infections on the rise.
Earlier in the day, the government limited regular flights from countries of high infection rates to 60 percent of their capacity.
Most large caps in Seoul traded lower.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics slid 0.19 percent to 52,700 won, with No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix slipping 0.24 percent to 82,800 won.
Top pharmaceutical firm Samsung BioLogics shed 1.35 percent to 731,000 won, and leading chemical maker LG Chem retreated 1.86 percent to 529,000 won.
The country's largest automaker, Hyundai Motor, fell 1.31 percent to 98,300 won. Leading steelmaker POSCO dropped 3.45 percent to 182,000 won.
Internet giant Naver surged 4 percent to 299,000 won, while its rival Kakao remained unchanged at 355,500 won.
The local currency closed at 1,204.5 won against the U.S. dollar, down 9 won from the previous session's close.
Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed lower. The yield on three-year Treasurys rose 0.9 basis point to 0.849 percent. The return on the benchmark five-year government bond also climbed 0.9 basis point to 1.125 percent.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-07-10--S. Korean Bond Yields on July 10, 2020

S. Korean Bond Yields on July 10, 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--2020-07-10--Google to strengthen monitoring of fake news and illegal content on YouTube

The remarks came after Han requested such cooperation , considering fake news surrounding COVID-19 and a recent high-profile digital sexual @ @ @ @ @ , in which such illegal materials were distributed across social media platforms .

SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- Google's video-sharing platform YouTube will cooperate with South Korea to closely monitor and prevent the spread of fake news and illegal content, South Korea's telecommunications regulator said Friday, citing a Google executive.
Google's Senior Vice President Neal Mohan made the comments during a videoconference with Han Sang-hyuk, chairman of the Korea Communications Commission (KCC), according to the regulator's statement.
The remarks came after Han requested such cooperation, considering fake news surrounding COVID-19 and a recent high-profile digital sexual abuse case in South Korea, in which such illegal materials were distributed across social media platforms.
Korea Communications Commission Chairman Han Sang-kyuk speaks during a videoconference with Google's Senior Vice President Neal Mohan on July 10, 2020, in this photo provided by the KCC. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)
The videoconference was also attended by Mark Lippert, current public policy chief of YouTube Asia Pacific and the former U.S. ambassador to South Korea.
The regulator has kept a close watch over the tech giant this year.
Last month, Google voluntarily corrected subscription practices on its YouTube Premium service in the country, after the KCC found they were unfair for users.
The regulator also imposed a fine of 867 million won (US$720,000) on Google for violating local telecom laws, as it did not properly notify users of YouTube Premium's charged service.
yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr
(END)