yna--2020-04-16--S. Korea to extend support for developing homegrown parts for key weapons

Around 30 billion won ( US $ 24.42 million ) will be earmarked to support the chosen companies over the @ @ @ @ @ said , adding that the winners will be announced in June .

SEOUL, April 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will extend support for local defense firms to develop key components of major weapons with indigenous technologies to boost the defense industry and create more jobs, the arms procurement agency said Thursday.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) designated 11 ongoing military hardware development projects, and began receiving applications from local firms Thursday to replace their foreign-made parts with indigenous ones.
Those subject to the assistance program include the KF-X project that aims to develop a next-generation fighter jet, and the one to build a light armed helicopter (LAH).
Around 30 billion won (US$24.42 million) will be earmarked to support the chosen companies over the next five years, DAPA said, adding that the winners will be announced in June.
"South Korea enacted a law in February designed to nurture local arms industries. We will continue backing competitive local defense companies and to create more jobs," DAPA chief Wang Jeong-hong said.
South Korea unveils a mock-up of the KF-X fighter jet, an envisioned indigenous cutting-edge fighter aircraft, during the opening ceremony of the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX) at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, on Oct. 15, 2019. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-16--Samsung Bioepis' breast cancer biosimilar hits U.S.

`` The launch of Ontruzant to deliver our first oncology biosimilar in the U.S. marks an important milestone for Samsung @ @ @ @ @ , for the patients who are in need of this proven treatment , '' said @ @ @ @ @ press release .

By Kim Han-joo
SEOUL, April 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korean biopharmaceutical firm Samsung Bioepis Co. said Thursday its breast cancer biosimilar Ontruzant is now available in the United States.
Global health care company MSD has begun distributing the biosimilar that references Switzerland-based Roche Holding's Herceptin, also known as Trastuzumab, in the world's largest pharmaceutical market, Samsung Bioepis said.
It is the second Samsung Bioepis biosimilar to go on sale in the U.S. following Renflexis, a biosimilar of Janssen Biotech, Inc.'s blockbuster immunology medicine Remicade.
This undated photo, provided by South Korean biopharmaceutical firm Samsung Bioepis Co., shows its breast cancer biosimilar, Ontruzant. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The launch follows the approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in January 2019 to sell the drug designed to treat early breast cancer, metastatic breast cancer and metastatic gastric cancer.
"The launch of Ontruzant to deliver our first oncology biosimilar in the U.S. marks an important milestone for Samsung Bioepis, and more importantly, for the patients who are in need of this proven treatment," said CEO Christopher Ko in a press release.
The sale of the breast cancer treatment has been postponed due to a patent dispute with U.S. drugmaker Genentech. Earlier this year, the two firms reached a license agreement.
Ontruzant is introduced in the U.S. at a price about 15 percent cheaper than the current price of Herceptin. The global Herceptin market reached 7.2 trillion won (US$5.9 billion) last year, with the United States taking over 45 percent.
Samsung Bioepis is a joint venture between Samsung BioLogics -- a biopharmaceutical unit of South Korea's top conglomerate Samsung Group -- and its U.S. partner Biogen Inc.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-16--(Yonhap Interview) After quality time in quarantine, KBO pitcher Chad Bell eyes more quality starts

(Yonhap Interview) After quality time in quarantine, KBO pitcher Chad Bell eyes more quality starts on mound

One thing even the efficient Bell could not do at home was cardio work .
He admitted it felt `` @ @ @ @ @ in the field and running over his first two days back with the Eagles .
@ @ @ @ @ plenty of time to get his conditioning back , since the regular season , postponed @ @ @ @ @ because of the COVID-19 pandemic , will not begin until the first week of May @ @ @ @ @ Bell will have opportunities to pitch in scrimmages and preseason , which may begin next @ @

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, April 16 (Yonhap) -- While in quarantine for two weeks late last month, Chad Bell made sure he would spend some quality time preparing himself for the upcoming Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) season.
Now that he is back on the field, the 31-year-old left-hander for the Hanwha Eagles wants to put up more quality starts in 2020.
The American pitcher was ordered into 14-day self-quarantine, following his return to South Korea from his native country. After the Eagles broke camp, he went home to be with his family as the coronavirus was wreaking havoc on South Korea. And as the situation here improved but took a turn for the worse in the United States, Bell was brought back ahead of schedule.
In this file photo from Sept. 30, 2019, Chad Bell of the Hanwha Eagles pitches against the SK Wyverns in the top of the first inning of a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Hanwha Life Eagles Park in Daejeon, 160 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
And because all international arrivals had to be quarantined for two weeks here, Bell could not rejoin the Eagles right away.
Suddenly, he had all the time in the world with nowhere to go. Less disciplined people might have just binge-watched Netflix shows or played video games -- Bell only did a little bit of those -- but the 31-year-old pitcher used his time wisely and efficiently with a series of extra exercises.
That should set him up for a strong second season in the KBO, despite the long layoff and disruption to his spring preparation.
In a phone interview with Yonhap News Agency last week, Bell said he felt "a lot better than I thought I was going to," once he returned to the field.
Confident in his ability to ramp back up in time, Bell has set out specific goals for 2020.
"One thing I'd like to see this year is, I'd like to have some more quality starts on the board," Bell said, referring to the stat for a starting pitcher who completes at least six innings and allows no more than three earned runs. Last year, 15 of Bell's 29 outings were quality starts.
"I'd like to see that number go up a little more, because that means I am getting at least six innings and giving our guys a chance to win," Bell said. "To be a top-end starter in any league, you've got to go out there as many times as possible and get deep into games and give your guys a chance to win. That's why I think quality starts is such a good stat."
In this file photo from April 9, 2020, Chad Bell of the Hanwha Eagles adjusts his mask while speaking to reporters at Hanwha Life Eagles Park in Daejeon, 160 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
Bell said he set up a steady routine during his quarantine. He could only talk to his family in the U.S. during morning and evening hours in South Korea because of the time difference. There were days when he cooked lunch and also prepared dinner that was sent to the fridge for later, in which case he had about five or six hours in the middle of the day when he could get some key exercises done.
"I did more core, flexibility and mobility exercises," said Bell, who also threw plywood balls in different weights into extra mattresses to keep his arm fresh. "It was kind of nice. I wasn't really in any rush to do anything because I had all the time in the world."
He also kept himself busy in the kitchen, cooking up some eggs, bacon and hash browns for breakfast and feeding himself mostly chicken breast the rest of the time.
One thing even the efficient Bell could not do at home was cardio work. He admitted it felt "really weird" being out in the field and running over his first two days back with the Eagles. But he knows he has plenty of time to get his conditioning back, since the regular season, postponed from the March 28 start because of the COVID-19 pandemic, will not begin until the first week of May, at the earliest. Bell will have opportunities to pitch in scrimmages and preseason, which may begin next Tuesday.
In his first KBO season last year, Bell went 11-10 with a 3.50 ERA. And the way he was mowing down hitters late in the season, those numbers would certainly have been better if the season ran longer.
In his final eight starts between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30, Bell was 6-1 with a 2.01 ERA. More impressively, he did not give up any run in five of those six wins.
In this file photo from June 27, 2019, Chad Bell of the Hanwha Eagles pitches against the NC Dinos in the bottom of the first inning of a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Changwon NC Park in Changwon, 400 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)
He credited the impressive final stretch to some midseason adjustments. For one, he stopped throwing his slider -- "My slider, honestly, really wasn't very good," Bell said with a chuckle -- and he managed to knock a little more velocity off his changeup.
"I've always thrown my changeup hard, about 6 to 7 miles per hour off my fastball. I've always wanted to slow it down more," Bell said. "Our pitching coach gave me some ideas to try and it was something that I had to experiment with on a daily basis. I was able to slow it down to 10 miles off my fastball that last couple of months of the season. It made a huge difference for me."
Another area of adjustment for Bell was to finish off pesky hitters. He recalled facing players who were not power hitters and also were not necessarily contact hitters but who somehow managed to foul off eight or nine pitches in an at-bat and run Bell's pitch count up.
The pitcher leaned on his catcher, Choi Jae-hoon, for help, and said he always appreciates the fact that Choi does not mince words when it comes to reviewing Bell's performance after games.
"My favorite thing about him is he is honest," Bell said. "That was huge for me in helping me getting transitioned into the style of play here."
In this file photo from April 30, 2019, Chad Bell of the Hanwha Eagles pitches against the Doosan Bears in a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Hanwha Life Eagles Park in Daejeon, 160 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
As much as Bell is itching to return to the mound for games that count, he said it would be "a little disappointing" to do so in empty ballparks. Even if the regular season starts in early May as the league hopes it will, some early games will still be played behind closed doors for public health reasons.
"Everybody just wants to get on the field and play in the competitive environment," he said. "And another thing I am looking forward to is getting the fans back in the seats and hearing them throughout the game. It's something that gives you the rush when you're on the field. As long as we get to start and everything starts to get better, I look forward to everybody coming out and supporting the games."
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-16--N. Korea makes no mention of visit to mausoleum by leader Kim on late founder's birthday

That raises the possibility that Kim skipped an annual visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun that he has @ @ @ @ @ the national founder and his grandfather since he rose to power after the death of @ @ @ @ @ Kim Jong-il in late 2011 .

By Koh Byung-joon
SEOUL, April 16 (Yonhap) -- North Korean state media reported Thursday that senior officials paid their respect at the mausoleum of late national founder Kim Il-sung to mark his 108th birthday but did not mention whether leader Kim Jong-un also paid a visit there.
That raises the possibility that Kim skipped an annual visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun that he has made on the birthday of the national founder and his grandfather since he rose to power after the death of his father and former leader Kim Jong-il in late 2011.
Some observers said Kim could have skipped a visit due to coronavirus concerns.
The official Korean Central News Agency reported earlier in the day that a group of senior government, party and military officials paid tribute at the Kumsusan Place of the Sun to mark the birthday of the grandfather of current leader Kim on Wednesday.
The KCNA and other state media, including the Rodong Sinmun, however, have made no mention of a visit by leader Kim to the mausoleum where the bodies of his grandfather and father Kim Jong-il are enshrined. A state radio broadcaster only reported that Kim has sent gifts to orphans, kids and students on the occasion of the late founder's birthday.
Since taking office in late 2011, Kim has never skipped visiting the mausoleum in time for the birthday that is often celebrated with a large-scale military parade and other cultural and sport events. His visits to the site have been reported mostly on the same day or the following morning.
Speculation grows that Kim might have skipped visiting the mausoleum this year as the country is in an all-out fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The North claims to have no confirmed infection, but it has taken drastic and relatively swift countermeasures, such as closing its border with China and toughened the quarantine process.
Outside observers, however, have called into question its claim to be free of the virus given its weak medical infrastructure and proximity to China and South Korea where a large number of people have been infected with the disease.
The North appears to have celebrated the late founder's birthday Wednesday in a relatively quite atmosphere without holding large-scale events in an apparent precautionary anti-virus move. Pyongyang earlier canceled a major marathon event that has been held to mark the national holiday.
Some experts still say it remains to be seen whether Kim has not actually visited the mausoleum for fear of the pandemic since he has showed great confidence in containing the outbreak of the infectious disease and attended a series of recent weapons tests without wearing a mask.
Kim was last mentioned in state media presiding over a political bureau meeting of the ruling Workers' Party on Saturday, calling for "strict national countermeasures to thoroughly check the infiltration of the virus."
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks at a politburo meeting of the ruling Workers' Party on April 11, 2020, in this photo captured from the website of the Korean Central News Agency. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-16--Stocks open lower on Wall Street tumble

Stocks open lower on Wall Street tumble

The local currency was trading at 1,227.6 won against the U.S. dollar , down 10.3 won from the previous session @ @ @

SEOUL, April 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks opened lower Thursday, tracking overnight losses on Wall Street.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed 12.68 points, or 0.68 percent, to 1,844.4 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
On Wednesday (local time), U.S. stocks closed lower as investors absorbed various data showing the COVID-19 outbreak has hurt the world's largest economy.
The Dow Jones industrial average fell 1.86 percent, the S&P 500 was down 2.2 percent, and the Nasdaq Composite Index decreased 1.44 percent.
On the Seoul bourse, most large-cap shares were trading bearish.
Market kingpin Samsung Electronics lost 0.2 percent and SK hynix, a global chipmaker, was down 1.34 percent. No. 1 automaker Hyundai Motor shed 1 percent and POSCO, the country's leading steelmaker, declined 3.28 percent.
In contrast, major pharmaceutical firm Samsung BioLogics was up 0.55 percent, and major chem firm LG Chem jumped 3.06 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,227.6 won against the U.S. dollar, down 10.3 won from the previous session's close.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


KOSPI 1,839.51 DN 17.57 points (open)

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


KOSDAQ 606.69 DN 3.60 points (open)


yna--2020-04-16--Dollar opens at 1,224.9 won UP from 1,217.3 won


Thursday's weather forecast

SEOUL , Apr .
16 ( Yonhap ) -- The following is the weather forecast for South Korea 's 12 @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .


yna--2020-04-16--Foreign ownership of S. Korean land rises 3 pct in 2019

Foreigners owned 248.7 square kilometers -- slightly more than four times the size of Manhattan -- at the end of @ @ @ @ @ percent of South Korea 's total land area , the Ministry of Land , Infrastructure @ @ @ @ @ statement .

SEOUL, April 16 (Yonhap) -- Foreign ownership of South Korean land rose 3 percent in 2019 compared with a year earlier, the land ministry said Thursday.
Foreigners owned 248.7 square kilometers -- slightly more than four times the size of Manhattan -- at the end of 2019. It represents 0.2 percent of South Korea's total land area, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said in a statement.
The value of land held by foreigners increased 2.9 percent to 30.78 trillion won (US$25.2 billion) over the cited period, the statement said.
U.S. nationals topped all nationalities in terms of ownership, holding 52 percent of all land owned by foreigners, it said.
Chinese citizens came next with 7.8 percent, followed by Japanese with 7.5 percent and Europeans with 7.2 percent.
By region, Gyeonggi Province, the capital's neighboring area, accounted for 17.7 percent of all foreign owned land in Asia's fourth-largest economy, the ministry said.
The southern resort island of Jeju saw its foreign ownership of land increase 0.7 percent year-over-year to 21.83 million square meters in 2019, it said.
(END)


yna--2020-04-16--(EDITORIAL from Korea Joongang Daily on April 16)

The Wolseong-1 reactor life was extended after repairs costing a whopping 700 billion won ( $ 580 million ) .
@ @ @ @ @ people who paid for it with their tax money .
Decommissioning a reactor and wasting @ @ @ @ @ obviously be justified .
Still , the process was obscure .
The BAI embarked on @ @ @ @ @ a legislative order .
But it has not been able to announce its findings although @ @ @ @ @ The BAI has held audit committee meetings throughout this month but still has not reached @ @ @

A suspicious shutdown
The decision by the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) to shut down the Wolseong-1 reactor ahead of its legal retirement age has raised suspicions. It was discovered that the state reactor operator sought legal advice from two law firms in June 2018 on whether it could seek damages from the government if losses occurred from the early retirement of the reactor. The company would not have raised such a question to the lawyers if it had not expected losses from a shutdown.
However, the operator convinced board members that it could save money if it stopped the reactor. The company could be right — if it was sure to be compensated for any losses from the shutdown. But its lawyers concluded that there were no legal grounds to ensure damages coverage. Yet KHNP went ahead with the shutdown plan.
The decision has been baffling in many ways. KHNP did not hand out a full study of the Wolseong-1 reactor. Although it had a 50-page due diligence report, it only gave a two-page summary to board members. Even that had been tweaked. An early version said it was better to keep the reactor running. The revised version said the opposite by changing variants in estimates of the plant's economic value.
The Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI)'s investigation of the process was also dubious. After KHNP did not submit necessary files, the BAI had to use digital forensics to restore deleted files from KHNP computers. KHNP seems like it had something to hide.
The Wolseong-1 reactor life was extended after repairs costing a whopping 700 billion won ($580 million). The reactor belongs to the people who paid for it with their tax money. Decommissioning a reactor and wasting that much tax money must obviously be justified. Still, the process was obscure. The BAI embarked on an investigation in October upon a legislative order. But it has not been able to announce its findings although six months have passed. The BAI has held audit committee meetings throughout this month but still has not reached a conclusion.
Many suspect the BAI withheld its findings so as not to affect the parliamentary elections that were held Wednesday. The watchdog should be ashamed of itself. The people will be closely watching the findings of an independent government watchdog.
(END)


yna--2020-04-16--(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on April 16)

It is somewhat of a relief to see the IMF predict the South Korean economy will contract 1.2 percent this @ @ @ @ @ downturn compared with the global outlook .
The reduction is , however , the first @ @ @ @ @ when the country was hit hard by the Asian financial crisis .
The IMF acknowledged @ @ @ @ @ stem the spread of the coronavirus and quick economic policy responses which have helped mitigate @ @ @ @ @ .

Worst outlook since 1930
: IMF calls for fiscal expansion for stimulus
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has painted a bleak picture about the global economy which is predicted to contract 3 percent this year. This gloomy forecast is a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic's crippling impact on economic activities worldwide.
"It is very likely that this year the global economy will experience its worst recession since the Great Depression, surpassing that seen during the global financial crisis a decade ago," the IMF said Tuesday in its 2020 World Economic Outlook. It cited the virus-driven "Great Lockdown" as the reason for the steep worldwide shrinkage in growth.
However, the international organization expects the world economy to grow 5.8 percent in 2021. Of course, this anticipated recovery will depend on the course of the novel coronavirus. This means the IMF based its prediction on the relatively optimistic assumption that COVID-19 will peak during the second quarter of 2020 and fade in the latter half of the year.
For this reason, the IMF does not rule out the possibility of the global economy suffering an additional 3 percent contraction this year if the public health crisis persists into the third quarter. It also warns that a possible second wave of infections throughout the world next year will retard the economic recovery, prompting a contraction of 5 percentage points to 8 percentage points in its 2021 growth outlook.
Such a bleak prediction is not surprising, given the scope and severity of the unprecedented pandemic. What matters is how to contain the virus outbreak and minimize its economic fallout. Most of all, countries around the world should step up solidarity and cooperation in fighting COVID-19. They also must make joint coordinated efforts to avoid the worst-case economic scenario and speed up a recovery in growth.
As the IMF stressed, each country needs to undertake bolder fiscal expansion and monetary easing to prevent an economic collapse and boost growth momentum. That's why IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said last week that the roughly $8 trillion in fiscal stimuli committed to by governments appears to be insufficient.
It is somewhat of a relief to see the IMF predict the South Korean economy will contract 1.2 percent this year, a relatively milder downturn compared with the global outlook. The reduction is, however, the first of its kind since 1998 when the country was hit hard by the Asian financial crisis. The IMF acknowledged Korea's consistent efforts to stem the spread of the coronavirus and quick economic policy responses which have helped mitigate the shock on domestic activity.
However, the country still faces growing downside risks as its export-reliant economy may suffer a sizable decline in overseas shipments to major trading partners such as China, the U.S. and the EU. The IMF forecast economic contractions of 5.9 percent for the U.S., 7.5 percent for the Eurozone countries, and 5.2 percent for Japan. China and India are predicted to enjoy real growth of 1.2 percent and 1.9 percent respectively.
The Moon Jae-in administration has decided to provide up to 150 trillion won ($123 billion) in fiscal support for hard-hit businesses and individuals, including an economic rescue package worth 100 trillion won. It needs to increase the sum and take proactive and pre-emptive measures to avoid a perfect storm.
(END)


yna--2020-04-16--(EDITORIAL from Korea Herald on April 16)

The point is how .
The problem can not be solved only by hiring subsidies .
Fiscal assistance has its @ @ @ @ @ focused on fiscal steps such as increasing unemployment benefits and hiring subsidies , as well @ @ @ @ @ These measures are needed , but what 's important is to keep up employment in @ @

COVID-driven job crisis
: Government must try to revive companies, reduce rigidity in labor market
Recent data on the labor market for March raises concerns about massive job losses driven by the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Before the outbreak, the Korean employment situation was going downhill under President Moon Jae-in's administration.
As many as 215,000 midlife career jobs for those in their 30s and 40s, the backbone of the Korean economy, vanished last year alone. It was a terrible consequence of the current government's income-led growth policy. The government poured money into efforts to create part-time public-sector jobs for seniors, as its policies failed to induce job creation in the private sector.
In a situation where the labor market's ability to create competitive jobs was weakened, it suffered a severe blow from the coronavirus crisis.
According to the employment situation update by the Ministry of Employment and Labor, unemployment benefit payments hit an all-time high of 898.2 billion won 9$738 million) in March, eclipsing the previous high of 781.9 billion won in February.
The number of first-time claimants for unemployment checks reached 156,000 last month. That is as good as a large company with 5,000 employees closing each day.
The figure is up 31,000 from a year earlier. Most of the new applicants lost jobs in the hospitality industry, including lodging, food and beverage services and travel. Theses business fields are being hit hard by government measures for social distancing to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Recipients of unemployment benefits totaled 608,000 in March, the largest figure since unemployment insurance in Korea began in 1995.
However, these figures do not reflect the situation of the self-employed who are not covered by the unemployment insurance plan, but their situation is serious too.
In a recent survey of its members by the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise, 16 percent, or 1 in 6 microbusiness owners, said their sales were zero in March. They did not make a single cent at all the whole month. It is shocking.
Considering social welfare costs incurred by unemployment, it is economical to spend money preventing job losses. The best policy to decrease unemployment is to help firms keep people employed.
The point is how. The problem cannot be solved only by hiring subsidies. Fiscal assistance has its limits. The government has focused on fiscal steps such as increasing unemployment benefits and hiring subsidies, as well as creating part-time jobs. These measures are needed, but what's important is to keep up employment in industries.
People can stay at their jobs only when their firms survive. The government must try to foster conditions for both labor and management to share the burden for the survival of their companies.
The nation's two labor union umbrella groups on Sunday demanded the National Assembly enact an "absolute ban" on the dismissal of employees for a certain period.
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions argue such a ban is needed as a minimum guarantee of employee's right to live. But they do not take into account the difficulties faced by companies. They are not interested in striking a compromise with companies through mutual concessions.
Many firms fear for their survival due to a failure to secure parts and plummeting demand in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Restructuring has become inevitable. The absolute ban on dismissals will make restructuring impossible, raising the likelihood of bankruptcy.
Companies are struggling to reduce costs by cutting back on working hours and sending employees on temporary leave. These are steps to minimize layoffs. Employees must try what they can, too, to keep companies alive. They need to accept flexible employment measures such as pay cuts and furloughs. What's the use of demanding a dismissal ban if companies are forced to close?
High-paying, sustainable jobs are created by companies. Fiscal support for employment is needed, but it is no more than a quick fix.
The government must turn its eyes from workers to companies. It must try to reinvigorate them with market-friendly polices, while lessening the labor market rigidity that worsens the employment situation.
(END)


yna--2020-04-16--Top headlines in major S. Korean newspapers

Korean-language dailies -- DP takes majority and ruling party block possibly commands 180 seats ( Kyunghyang Shinmun ) -- DP @ @ @ @ @ people choosing strong gov't amid coronavirus fears ( Kookmin Daily ) -- Voter turnout reaches @ @ @ @ @ 28 years ( Donga llbo ) -- Super party with 177 seats emerges ( Seoul @ @ @ @ @ landslide victory with people turning back on opposition party ( Segye Times ) -- DP @ @ @ @ @ clinching over 180 seats along with pro-ruling parties ( Chosun Ilbo ) -- DP wins @ @ @ @ @ stability amid coronavirus fears ( JoongAng Ilbo ) -- Clobbered Hwang Kyo-ahn resigns as head @ @ @ @ @ ) -- Ruling party block clinches nearly 180 seats , with public sentiment swayed by @ @ @ @ @ ) -- Hwang Kyo-ahn resigns ( Maeil Business Newspaper ) -- Voter turnout reaches 66.2 @ @ @ @ @ years ( Korea Economic Daily )

SEOUL, April 16 (Yonhap) -- The following are the top headlines in major South Korean newspapers on April 16.
Korean-language dailies
-- DP takes majority and ruling party block possibly commands 180 seats (Kyunghyang Shinmun)
-- DP wins landslide victory, with people choosing strong gov't amid coronavirus fears (Kookmin Daily)
-- Voter turnout reaches 66.2 pct, highest in 28 years (Donga llbo)
-- Super party with 177 seats emerges (Seoul Shinmun)
-- DP wins landslide victory with people turning back on opposition party (Segye Times)
-- DP wins unprecedented landslide victory, clinching over 180 seats along with pro-ruling parties (Chosun Ilbo)
-- DP wins landslide victory with people choosing stability amid coronavirus fears (JoongAng Ilbo)
-- Clobbered Hwang Kyo-ahn resigns as head of opposition party (Hankyoreh)
-- Ruling party block clinches nearly 180 seats, with public sentiment swayed by coronavirus fears (Hankook Ilbo)
-- Hwang Kyo-ahn resigns (Maeil Business Newspaper)
-- Voter turnout reaches 66.2 pct, highest in 28 years (Korea Economic Daily)
English-language dailies
-- Turnout exceeds 65 pct during outbreak (Korea JoongAng Daily)
-- Ruling party sweeps to victory (Korea Herald)
-- Moon's party headed to secure majority (Korea Times)
(END)


yna--2020-04-16--More students to resume classes online amid virus woes

`` Singapore had resumed school but soon shifted to home-based learning , '' the official said .
`` We have @ @ @ @ @ how patients are increasing in some Asian countries that were seen to have successfully contained @ @ @ @ @ ''

SEOUL, April 16 (Yonhap) -- Students across South Korea are set to return to school Thursday but stay home for online classes as concerns over new coronavirus cluster infections linger.
Under the government's three-step plan, first and second grades at middle schools and high schools, as well as grades four to six at elementary schools, are scheduled to begin the new semester through remote learning.
The government had earlier postponed the new school year, which usually starts in March, by five weeks to April 6. The plan was once again updated as unexpected cluster infections broke out in various parts of the country.
This photo, taken April 9, 2020, shows Hwajung High School senior Lee Ye-ji taking online classes from her home in Goyang, west of Seoul. (Yonhap)
In a bid to strike a balance between providing classes and containing the new coronavirus, the government decided to resume classes online, the first case in which all schools across the country took part in remote learning.
The government broke down students into three groups depending on their grades for this unprecedented scheme.
Seniors at middle schools and high schools first returned to school through online classes last week. The final group -- grades one to three at elementary schools -- are set to begin online classes Monday. Kindergartens and child care centers have shut down indefinitely.
A history teacher at Doseon High School in eastern Seoul is seen filming an online class on April 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
More recently, there have been views that students may return to their classrooms sooner than expected as the daily number of new infections has dropped below 50.
South Korea reported 27 new cases Tuesday, bringing the country's total infections to 10,564.
This marks a sharp drop from the Feb. 29 peak of 909 new cases and a sixth straight day in which new cases have stayed below 50.
Health authorities, however, have voiced caution over opening schools for the time being.
"They say the road going down is more difficult and dangerous," Kwon Joon-wook, deputy director at the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told a press briefing Saturday.
"Singapore had resumed school but soon shifted to home-based learning," the official said. "We have to keep our eyes on how patients are increasing in some Asian countries that were seen to have successfully contained (the virus)."
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-16--(6th LD) Ruling party wins landslide victory in parliamentary elections amid pandemic

The longest-ever ballots of 48.1 centimeters were used for PR voting , as the number of parties targeting the slots @ @ @ @ @ The ballots were counted manually for the first time in 18 years .

(ATTN: UPDATES with latest election results in paras 3, 5-7)
By Kim Soo-yeon
SEOUL, April 16 (Yonhap) -- The ruling Democratic Party (DP) clinched a landslide victory in parliamentary elections, according to preliminary election results released on Thursday, as voters apparently supported the government's efforts to overcome the new coronavirus crisis.
South Korea held the quadrennial elections on Wednesday to fill the 300-member unicameral National Assembly -- with 253 directly contested seats and 47 proportional representation (PR) slots -- in the midst of the country's battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ruling DP and its satellite Platform Party targeting the PR slots are forecast to secure 180 seats, three-fifths of the total. The main opposition United Future Party (UFP) and its sister party are likely to win 103 posts.
The ruling party succeeded in winning a majority of parliamentary seats for the first time in 16 years.
With 99.3 percent of the votes for the directly contested seats counted, the National Election Commission (NEC) said the DP took the lead in 163 constituencies across the nation, followed by the conservative UFP, with 84 districts.
With 92.7 percent of the votes for PR seats counted, the Korea Future Party, the UFP's satellite party targeting the slots earned 19 seats, followed by the DP's Platform Party with 17 seats. The final results were anticipated later in the day.
South Korea's elections have been closely watched from overseas as the country became the first major country to hold nationwide polls since the COVID-19 crisis began sweeping the globe.
Lee Nak-yon (L), the ruling Democratic Party's parliamentary candidate for Seoul's Jongno constituency, raises up bouquets of flowers in his election office with his wife to celebrate his election win on April 15, 2020. (Yonhap)
The elections were widely seen as a referendum on President Moon Jae-in, who is now in his third year in office after being elected in May 2017.
Moon's approval rate fell to the 30 percent level at one point last year, hit by a prolonged economic slowdown and a political scandal involving former Justice Minister Cho Kuk.
But the government's handling of the coronavirus crisis has changed public sentiment, illustrated in recent polls in which Moon's approval rating shot up to over 50 percent.
South Korea has reported a caseload of nearly 10,600 since its first infection on Jan. 20. It recorded fewer than 30 new virus cases for the third straight day on Wednesday.
The DP's victory will enable Moon to manage state affairs stably during the rest of his single, five-year term. It will prop up Moon's reform initiatives, including the reform of prosecutors.
The ruling party pledged to focus on tackling the virus outbreak and minimize its fallout on the economy.
"We will do our best to overcome war against the coronavirus and the economic crisis so as to reward people's support for us," DP chairman Lee Hae-chan said.
When the ruling bloc controls at least 180 seats, it is able to pass most bills despite objections from the UFP.
The sprawling ruling bloc could pass almost all legislation, except for a motion to revise the Constitution, which requires the approval of 200 lawmakers.
In the foreseeable future, the DP will be able to swiftly pass a proposed extra budget to finance the government's emergency relief funds over the coronavirus.
Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon of the DP won against Hwang Kyo-ahn, chief of the UFP, in the Jongno district in central Seoul, a symbolic constituency in Korean politics.
Their race drew intense public attention as they are widely viewed as potential presidential candidates.
Meanwhile, the UFP suffered its third straight defeat in elections, including in the 2018 local polls, since the 2017 ouster of former President Park Geun-hye over a corruption scandal.
The conservative party failed to win over voters, though it highlighted the government's failure to prop up the economy and stressed the need to keep the DP in check.
Hwang resigned from the party chairmanship to take responsibility for his party's defeat.
Hwang Kyo-ahn, chief of the main opposition United Future Party, announces on April 15, 2020, that he will resign from the party chairmanship for taking responsibility for his party's defeat in the parliamentary elections. (Yonhap)
Voter turnout in the elections tentatively came in at 66.2 percent, the highest in 28 years, according to the NEC. Turnout in early voting also hit a record 26.69 percent.
The election watchdog prioritized bolstering voter safety to prevent people's potential exposure to the risk of infection.
Voters wearing face masks had their temperatures checked at the entrance. They disinfected their hands with sanitizers and put on plastic gloves before casting ballots. To keep social distancing rules, voters were advised to stand at least 1 meter apart from others.
The general elections were conducted under the new electoral reform bill that was passed in December. The new rules called for adopting a mixed-member PR scheme and lowering the voting age to 18.
The new PR system could have worked favorably for minor parties, as the method of distributing PR seats was supposed to better reflect cast for parties.
But smaller parties' aspiration to clinch more parliamentary seats fell through as the two largest parties' creation of satellite parties targeting PR seats undermined the intent of the scheme.
The longest-ever ballots of 48.1 centimeters were used for PR voting, as the number of parties targeting the slots reached a record 35. The ballots were counted manually for the first time in 18 years.
Election officials count ballots for the parliamentary elections in Songpa, eastern Seoul, on April 15, 2020. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-16--(5th LD) Ruling party wins landslide victory in parliamentary elections amid pandemic

With 98.6 percent of the votes for the directly contested seats counted , the National Election Commission ( NEC ) @ @ @ @ @ lead in 163 constituencies across the nation , followed by the main opposition United Future @ @ @ @ @ with 84 districts .

(ATTN: UPDATES with latest election results)
By Kim Soo-yeon
SEOUL, April 16 (Yonhap) -- The ruling Democratic Party (DP) clinched a landslide victory in parliamentary elections, according to preliminary election results released on Thursday, as voters apparently supported the government's efforts to overcome the new coronavirus crisis.
South Korea held the quadrennial elections on Wednesday to fill the 300-member unicameral National Assembly -- with 253 directly contested seats and 47 proportional representation (PR) slots -- in the midst of the country's battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.
With 98.6 percent of the votes for the directly contested seats counted, the National Election Commission (NEC) said the DP took the lead in 163 constituencies across the nation, followed by the main opposition United Future Party (UFP), with 84 districts.
The ruling party succeeded in winning a majority of parliamentary seats for the first time in 16 years.
There was little room for change in the DP's outright victory on Thursday although final results, including the vote counting for the PR seats, were expected later in the day.
If combined with PR seats to be distributed to the Platform Party, the DP's satellite party that only targets the slots, they are forecast to secure 180 seats, three-fifths of the total.
South Korea's elections have been closely watched from overseas as the country became the first major country to hold nationwide polls since the COVID-19 crisis began sweeping the globe.
Lee Nak-yon (L), the ruling Democratic Party's parliamentary candidate for Seoul's Jongno constituency, raises up bouquets of flowers in his election office with his wife to celebrate his election win on April 15, 2020. (Yonhap)
The elections were widely seen as a referendum on President Moon Jae-in, who is now in his third year in office after being elected in May 2017.
Moon's approval rate fell to the 30 percent level at one point last year, hit by a prolonged economic slowdown and a political scandal involving former Justice Minister Cho Kuk.
But the government's handling of the coronavirus crisis has changed public sentiment, illustrated in recent polls in which Moon's approval rating shot up to over 50 percent.
South Korea has reported a caseload of nearly 10,600 since its first infection on Jan. 20. It recorded fewer than 30 new virus cases for the third straight day on Wednesday.
The DP's victory will enable Moon to manage state affairs stably during the rest of his single, five-year term. It will prop up Moon's reform initiatives, including the reform of prosecutors.
The ruling party pledged to focus on tackling the virus outbreak and minimize its fallout on the economy.
"We will do our best to overcome war against the coronavirus and the economic crisis so as to reward people's support for us," DP chairman Lee Hae-chan said.
When the ruling bloc controls at least 180 seats, it is able to pass most bills despite objections from the UFP.
The sprawling ruling bloc could pass almost all legislation, except for a motion to revise the Constitution, which requires the approval of 200 lawmakers.
In the foreseeable future, the DP will be able to swiftly pass a proposed extra budget to finance the government's emergency relief funds over the coronavirus.
Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon of the DP won against Hwang Kyo-ahn, chief of the UFP, in the Jongno district in central Seoul, a symbolic constituency in Korean politics.
Their race drew intense public attention as they are widely viewed as potential presidential candidates.
Meanwhile, the UFP suffered its third straight defeat in elections, including in the 2018 local polls, since the 2017 ouster of former President Park Geun-hye over a corruption scandal.
The conservative party failed to win over voters, though it highlighted the government's failure to prop up the economy and stressed the need to keep the DP in check.
Hwang resigned from the party chairmanship to take responsibility for his party's defeat.
Hwang Kyo-ahn, chief of the main opposition United Future Party, announces on April 15, 2020 that he will resign from the party chairmanship for taking responsibility for his party's defeat in the parliamentary elections. (Yonhap)
Voter turnout in the elections tentatively came in at 66.2 percent, the highest in 28 years, according to the NEC. Turnout in early voting also hit a record 26.69 percent.
The election watchdog prioritized bolstering voter safety to prevent people's potential exposure to the risk of infection.
Voters wearing face masks had their temperatures checked at the entrance. They disinfected their hands with sanitizers and put on plastic gloves before casting ballots. To keep social distancing rules, voters were advised to stand at least 1 meter apart from others.
The general elections were conducted under the new electoral reform bill that was passed in December. The new rules called for adopting a mixed-member PR scheme and lowering the voting age to 18.
The new PR system could have worked favorably for minor parties, as the method of distributing PR seats was supposed to better reflect cast for parties.
But smaller parties' aspiration to clinch more parliamentary seats fell through as the two largest parties' creation of satellite parties targeting PR seats undermined the intent of the scheme.
The longest-ever ballots of 48.1 centimeters were used for PR voting, as the number of parties targeting the slots reached a record 35. The ballots were counted manually for the first time in 18 years.
Election officials count ballots for the parliamentary elections in Songpa, eastern Seoul, on April 15, 2020. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-16--(3rd LD) Ex-PM Lee wins against main rival Hwang in Seoul's Jongno

`` I feel a great responsibility with my whole body ... You entrusted the government and the ruling party with @ @ @ @ @ national disaster caused by the COVID-19 and coping with the global crisis .
The ruling @ @ @ @ @ under the command of the people . ''

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with final results)
SEOUL, April 16 (Yonhap) -- Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon of the ruling party won big against his main rival, Hwang Kyo-han, in a parliamentary race seen as a prelude to the next presidential election.
Lee of the Democratic Party received 58.3 percent of the votes cast on Wednesday in Seoul's Jongno constituency while Hwang, chief of the main opposition United Future Party, earned 39.9 percent, election officials said on Thursday.
Jongno in central Seoul is regarded as a symbolic constituency in South Korean politics -- a place where key political heavyweights, including three former presidents, were elected.
During campaigning, their race gained intense attention as the candidates are widely viewed as potential rivals for the 2022 presidential elections.
Lee Nak-yon (L), the ruling Democratic Party's parliamentary candidate for Seoul's Jongno constituency, raises up bouquets of flowers in his election office with his wife to celebrate his election win on April 15, 2020. (Yonhap)
Lee's own landslide victory as well as the ruling party's win of over a majority of seats up for grabs in the parliamentary elections nationwide are expected to give a boost to his future political path.
Lee is leading opinion polls as the most favored potential presidential contender against Hwang.
After setting a record as the longest-serving prime minister since the country adopted direct presidential elections in 1987, Lee returned to the politics as soon as he finished his term in office in mid-January.
Before serving as a governor of South Jeolla Province and prime minister, he was a four-term lawmaker based in the province.
"I thank residents of Jongno for entrusting me with this job as a legislator," Lee said in his campaign office in Jongno at about 9:40 p.m. on Wednesday when his election victory became almost certain.
He also expressed appreciation to the people for giving the overwhelming victory for the ruling party.
"I feel a great responsibility with my whole body... You entrusted the government and the ruling party with the responsibility of overcoming the national disaster caused by the COVID-19 and coping with the global crisis. The ruling party will fulfill its duty under the command of the people."
Hwang announced on Wednesday that he will step down from his party post to take responsibility for the party's defeat in the elections.
These photos show former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon (L) of the ruling Democratic Party and Hwang Kyo-ahn (R) of the main opposition United Future Party casting ballots in parliamentary elections in the Jongno district in central Seoul on April 15, 2020. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-16--(4th LD) Ruling party wins landslide victory in parliamentary elections amid pandemic

(ATTN: REWRITES headline, lead; UPDATES with more info throughout; CHANGES photo)
By Kim Soo-yeon
SEOUL, April 16 (Yonhap) -- The ruling Democratic Party (DP) clinched a landslide victory in parliamentary elections, according to preliminary election results released on Thursday, as voters apparently supported the government's efforts to overcome the new coronavirus crisis.
South Korea held the quadrennial elections on Wednesday to fill the 300-member unicameral National Assembly -- with 253 directly contested seats and 47 proportional representation (PR) slots -- in the midst of the country's battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.
With 94.5 percent of the votes counted, the National Election Commission (NEC) said the DP took the lead in 162 constituencies across the nation, followed by the main opposition United Future Party (UFP), with 85 districts.
The ruling party succeeded in winning a majority of parliamentary seats for the first time in 16 years.
There was little room for change in the DP's outright victory on Thursday although final results were expected later in the day.
If combined with PR seats to be distributed to the Platform Party, the DP's satellite party that only targets the slots, they may be able to control 179 seats.
Suffering a crushing defeat, the conservative UFP may hold 104 posts when it adds PR slots by its affiliated Korea Future Party.
South Korea's elections have been closely watched from overseas as the country became the first major country to hold nationwide polls since the COVID-19 crisis began sweeping the globe.
Lee Nak-yon (C) of the ruling Democratic Party receives celebration from his supporters on April 15, 2020, as he was certain to win the parliamentary elections in the Jongno district, central Seoul. (Yonhap)
The elections were widely seen as a referendum on President Moon Jae-in, who is now in his third year in office after being elected in May 2017.
Moon's approval rate fell to the 30 percent level at one point last year, hit by a prolonged economic slowdown and a political scandal involving former Justice Minister Cho Kuk.
But the government's handling of the coronavirus crisis has changed public sentiment, illustrated in recent polls in which Moon's approval rating shot up to over 50 percent.
South Korea has reported a caseload of nearly 10,600 since its first infection on Jan. 20. It recorded fewer than 30 new virus cases for the third straight day on Wednesday.
The DP's victory will enable Moon to manage state affairs stably during the rest of his single, five-year term. It will prop up Moon's reform initiatives, including the reform of prosecutors.
The ruling party pledged to focus on tackling the virus outbreak and minimize its fallout on the economy.
"We will do our best to overcome war against the coronavirus and the economic crisis so as to reward people's support for us," DP chairman Lee Hae-chan said.
When the wider liberal bloc, including several minor parties, controls at least 180 seats, three-fifths of the total, it would be able to pass most bills despite objections from the UFP.
The sprawling liberal bloc could pass almost all legislation, except for a motion to revise the Constitution, which requires the approval of 200 lawmakers.
In the foreseeable future, the DP will be able to swiftly pass a proposed extra budget to finance the government's emergency relief funds over the coronavirus.
Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon of the DP won against Hwang Kyo-ahn, chief of the UFP, in the Jongno district in central Seoul, a symbolic constituency in Korean politics.
Their race drew intense public attention as they are widely viewed as potential presidential candidates.
Meanwhile, the UFP suffered its third straight defeat in elections, including in the 2018 local polls, since the 2017 ouster of former President Park Geun-hye over a corruption scandal.
The conservative party failed to win over voters, though it highlighted the government's failure to prop up the economy and stressed the need to keep the DP in check.
Hwang resigned from the party chairmanship to take responsibility for his party's defeat.
Hwang Kyo-ahn, chief of the main opposition United Future Party, announces on April 15, 2020 that he will resign from the party chairmanship for taking responsibility for his party's defeat in the parliamentary elections. (Yonhap)
Voter turnout in the elections tentatively came in at 66.2 percent, the highest in 28 years, according to the NEC. Turnout in early voting also hit a record 26.69 percent.
The NEC prioritized bolstering voter safety to prevent people's potential exposure to the risk of infection.
Voters wearing face masks had their temperatures checked at the entrance. They disinfected their hands with sanitizers and put on plastic gloves before casting ballots. To keep social distancing rules, voters were advised to stand at least 1 meter apart from others.
The general elections were conducted under the new electoral reform bill that was passed in December. The new rules called for adopting a mixed-member PR scheme and lowering the voting age to 18.
The new PR system could have worked favorably for minor parties, as the method of distributing PR seats was supposed to better reflect cast for parties.
But smaller parties' aspiration to clinch more parliamentary seats fell through as the two largest parties' creation of satellite parties targeting PR seats undermined the intent of the scheme.
The longest-ever ballots of 48.1 centimeters were used for PR voting, as the number of parties targeting the slots reached a record 35. The ballots were counted manually for the first time in 18 years.
Election officials count ballots for the parliamentary elections in Songpa, eastern Seoul, on April 15, 2020. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-16--(2nd LD) Ex-PM Lee wins against main rival Hwang in Seoul's Jongno

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with latest vote counting results, more background info)
SEOUL, April 16 (Yonhap) -- Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon of the ruling party won big against his main rival, Hwang Kyo-han, in a parliamentary race seen as a prelude to the next presidential election.
As of Thursday 3:05 a.m. with 99.9 percent of votes cast in the Seoul's Jongno constituency counted, Lee of the Democratic Party had received 58.3 percent of the votes, according to the National Election Commission (NEC), the state election watchdog.
Hwang, chief of the main opposition United Future Party, received 39.9 percent.
Jongno in central Seoul is regarded as a symbolic constituency in South Korean politics -- a place where key political heavyweights, including three former presidents, were elected.
During campaigning, their race gained intense attention as the candidates are widely viewed as potential rivals for the 2022 presidential elections.
Lee Nak-yon (L), the ruling Democratic Party's parliamentary candidate for Seoul's Jongno constituency, raises up bouquets of flowers in his election office with his wife to celebrate his election win on April 15, 2020. (Yonhap)
His own landslide victory as well as the ruling party's win of over a majority of seats up for grabs in the parliamentary elections nationwide are expected to give a boost to his future political path.
Lee is leading opinion polls as the most favored potential presidential contender against Hwang.
After setting a record as the longest-serving prime minister since the country adopted direct presidential elections in 1987, Lee returned to the politics as soon as he finished his term in office in mid-January.
Before serving as a governor of South Jeolla Province and prime minister, he was a four-term lawmaker based in the province.
"I thank residents of Jongno for entrusting me with this job as a legislator," Lee said in his campaign office in Jongno at about 9:40 p.m. on Wednesday when his election victory became almost certain.
He also expressed appreciation to the people for giving the overwhelming victory for the ruling party.
"I feel a great responsibility with my whole body... You entrusted the government and the ruling party with the responsibility of overcoming the national disaster caused by the COVID-19 and coping with the global crisis. The ruling party will fulfill its duty under the command of the people."
Hwang announced on Wednesday that he will step down from his party post to take responsibility for the party's defeat in the elections.
These photos show former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon (L) of the ruling Democratic Party and Hwang Kyo-ahn (R) of the main opposition United Future Party casting ballots in parliamentary elections in the Jongno district in central Seoul on April 15, 2020. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-16--(LEAD) Top diplomats of S. Korea, New Zealand hold phone talks over COVID-19 response

The conversation between Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and her New Zealand counterpart , Winston Peters , came as the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ to step up diplomacy to stem its spread and evacuate their citizens abroad amid lockdowns @ @ @ @

(ATTN: UPDATES with Kang's phone talks with EU official in last 2 paras)
SEOUL, April 16 (Yonhap) -- The top diplomats of South Korea and New Zealand held phone talks Thursday about cooperation in flattening the curve of new coronavirus infections, the foreign ministry said.
The conversation between Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and her New Zealand counterpart, Winston Peters, came as the COVID-19 pandemic has led many countries to step up diplomacy to stem its spread and evacuate their citizens abroad amid lockdowns and border closures.
During the talks arranged at the request of New Zealand's foreign minister, Kang explained that South Korea is continuing strong social distancing restrictions to end the pandemic despite progress in efforts to curb new infections.
Peters congratulated the Seoul government over this week's parliamentary elections that proceeded smoothly despite the pandemic, while voicing hope the two countries will continue close cooperation in quarantine efforts.
In response, Kang stressed the importance of international solidarity in responding to the transnational health crisis and pledged to actively share South Korea's experience in tackling the virus.
Peters expressed appreciation for Seoul's cooperation in helping his country's citizens return home after the coronavirus outbreak in Korea. Kang also voiced gratitude for New Zealand's support for the safe return home of Korean nationals.
Kang also held phone talks with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell over ways to cooperate in tackling the pandemic, her ministry said.
Kang and Borrell, high representative of the EU for foreign affairs and security policy, agreed to explore ways for Seoul and the EU to play a constructive role in containing the virus.
Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha (R) shakes hands with her New Zealand counterpart, Winston Peters, ahead of their meeting in Seoul on Oct. 29, 2019. (Yonhap)
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-16--NC Soft makes bid to buy land for more work space, global expansion

The company-led consortium was the only bidder that submitted a letter of intent to Seongnam City , just south of @ @ @ @ @ square meter plot of land originally set aside for the new Pangyo ward office .

SEOUL, April 16 (Yonhap) -- NC Soft Corp., South Korea's leading online game publisher, said Thursday that it submitted a proposal to buy a property valued at 800 billion won (US$652 million) to meet growing need for work space.
The company-led consortium was the only bidder that submitted a letter of intent to Seongnam City, just south of Seoul, for the 25,719.9 square meter plot of land originally set aside for the new Pangyo ward office.
Kakao, another local game and information tech company, was known to have expressed interest, but it opted out and took no action ahead of the Thursday deadline, industry sources said.
NC Soft insiders said that it wants to build a new office building and research and development facility on the land.
At present, the company has some 4,000 employees, but because it's main Pangyo R&D Center can accommodate only 3,000, other workers have been assigned to nearby buildings.
"The company has plans to use Pangyo as a base to expand its business presence globally but the existing work space is not big enough," a corporate source said.
Seongnam is expected to carefully review the NC Soft's proposal and decide whether to pick the company as the preferred negotiation partner by June 5.
Before the latest bid, the city had tried three times to sell the property without success.
This file photo provided by Seongnam City shows the plot of land currently used as a parking lot that was originally set aside for the new Pangyo ward office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-16--(2nd LD) South Korea commemorates 6th anniv. of ferry disaster amid virus crisis

He said people learned from the disaster to act responsibly and to take care of each other .
The sinking @ @ @ @ @ connected they are .

(ATTN: ADDS info in last 8 paras)
SEOUL, April 16 (Yonhap) -- South Koreans marked the sixth anniversary of a deadly ferry disaster Thursday, remembering the lesson from the incident to firm up their determination to defeat the coronavirus.
The Sewol ferry capsized off the country's western coast near Jindo Island on April 16, 2014, killing 299 passengers, mostly high school students on a school trip. Five are still unaccounted for.
Hundreds of citizens, including victims' families and friends, gathered at an official memorial ceremony in Ansan, south of Seoul, home to most of the victims.
Commemorative events were also held elsewhere, including Jindo, where dozens of bereaved families and supporters visited the site of accident and threw flowers into the sea.
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 passenger ferry. (Yonhap)
Political leaders said the painful lessons from the disaster undergird the nation's resolve and ability to overcome the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
"The lesson from the Sewol lies in our attitude and measures to tackle COVID-19," President Moon Jae-in said in a social media post.
He said people learned from the disaster to act responsibly and to take care of each other. The sinking also taught citizens how deeply connected they are.
"We are now reaffirming our interdependence while overcoming COVID-19. The people are wearing masks and implementing social distancing and self-isolation, determined that no one will be left helpless," he added.
People keep distance from each other amid the outbreak of the new coronavirus, as they take part in a memorial ceremony in Ansan, south of Seoul, on April 16, 2020, for victims of a 2014 sinking of a passenger ferry.(Yonhap)
In his message at the ceremony in Ansan, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said over the past six years since the incident, society has learned to give more weight to safety and life.
"The time of maturity has now become a strong driving force to overcome a national crisis caused by the new coronavirus infections," he said.
He also promised to push ahead with projects to build a public park and a mental health center in commemoration of the incident.
Participants had their temperatures taken, wore face masks and sat with space between them to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
A group of the victims' families issued a statement at the event, calling for a thorough investigation into the sinking of the ferry and botched rescue of the victims.
Late last year, the prosecution launched a reinvestigation into the case.
Prosecutors are probing coast guard officials over their alleged mishandling of the incident and looking into suspicions that members of a now defunct Sewol investigative panel covered up government officials' misdeeds.
Bereaved families throw flowers into the sea for those killed in a 2014 sinking of a passenger ferry off South Korea's western coast near Jindo Island on April 16, 2020, the sixth anniversary of the sinking of the 6,800-ton Sewol ferry. (Yonhap)
They also called for legislation to punish those who slander the victims and their families.
During a TV debate last week, a parliamentary candidate from the main opposition United Future Party mentioned an unconfirmed news report that two bereaved family members and a supporter committed sexual acts at a protest tent in central Seoul in May 2018.
The party, which suffered a crushing defeat in Wednesday's elections, apologized again on Thursday. The ruling Democratic Party pledged to make efforts to unveil the truth behind the Sewol tragedy and enhance safety systems to ensure such an event will not happen again.
Hundreds of messages were posted on the day on a special bulletin board in remembrance of the victims on the homepage of the Gyeonggi Province education office. The site briefly broke down in the morning due to a surge in visitors.
South Korean residents in Australia, New Zealand and Germany also opened an online commemorative site and held memorial ceremonies via teleconference.
People take part in a memorial ceremony in Ansan, south of Seoul, on April 16, 2020, for victims of the 2014 sinking of a passenger ferry, in this photo provided by Danwon High School. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-04-16--(3rd LD) USFK removes travel restrictions for Daegu after decline in coronavirus cases

Camp Humphreys and Osan Air Base , both located in Pyeongtaek , some 70 kilometers south of Seoul , are @ @ @ @ @ the HPCON level of Charlie Plus , or C+ .
USFK said later in the @ @ @ @ @ to HPCON Charlie starting Saturday .
Charlie/C+ is the fourth highest warning level on the @ @ @

(ATTN: ADDS more info in paras 6-7)
By Oh Seok-min
SEOUL, April 16 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) said Thursday it has removed travel restrictions for South Korea's southeastern city of Daegu as new coronavirus cases in the area have been on the decline recently.
In February, USFK designated Daegu as a coronavirus "hot spot" and banned all service members from making nonessential travel to, from and around the city, as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases there began to surge sharply.
"Due to the hard work of the city of Daegu, USAG Daegu, and 19th ESC, the USFK Commander has declared the Daegu area is no longer a Hot Spot off-limits area," USFK said, noting that the measures were effective Wednesday.
USAG means U.S. Army Garrison, and the 19th ESC stands for the U.S. military's Expeditionary Sustainment Command.
The lifting of the restrictions means USFK members can visit the city without getting approval from their leadership, but broader measures that limit their nonessential off-installation activities remain in effect under its Health Protection Condition Level (HPCON) issued for all USFK installations across the country, according to USFK.
Camp Humphreys and Osan Air Base, both located in Pyeongtaek, some 70 kilometers south of Seoul, are currently the only bases with the HPCON level of Charlie Plus, or C+. USFK said later in the day their levels will return to HPCON Charlie starting Saturday. Charlie/C+ is the fourth highest warning level on the five-scale system.
"This means all USFK installations will now be at HPCON C level beginning this weekend," USFK said in a Facebook post. "It is everyone's responsibility to continue proper hand hygiene, using social distancing and wearing masks to ensure we stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect the force."
Daegu, once the epicenter of the virus outbreak here, has reported a far fewer numbers of new virus patients over the past several days. On Thursday, four new virus cases were confirmed in Daegu, with the total infections in the city standing at 6,827.
Nationwide, the number of coronavirus patients came to 10,613, including 229 deaths, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Among USFK populations, 24 people have tested positive so far, and eight out of them were from Daegu and the surrounding North Gyeongsang Province regions.
Of the 24 patients, 10 have fully recovered so far, including the first active-duty service member who tested positive for the virus, USFK said in a separate release.
"He awaits his chain of command's decision to determine when he will return to duty," USFK said.
The American soldier is stationed at Camp Carroll, located in the county of Chilgok, near Daegu, and he is one of two USFK service members who contracted the virus.
"USFK ... continues to maintain a robust combined defense posture to protect the Republic of Korea against any threat or adversary while maintaining prudent preventive measures to protect the force," it said.
graceoh@yna.co.kr
scaaet@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-16--(LEAD) South Korea commemorates 6th anniv. of ferry disaster amid virus crisis

(ATTN: UPDATES with details throughout)
SEOUL, April 16 (Yonhap) -- South Koreans marked the sixth anniversary of a deadly ferry disaster Thursday, remembering the lesson from the incident to firm up their determination to defeat the coronavirus.
The Sewol ferry sank off the country's western coast near Jindo Island on April 16, 2014, killing 299 passengers, mostly high school students on a school trip. Five are still unaccounted for.
Hundreds of citizens, including victims' families and friends, gathered at an official memorial ceremony in Ansan, south of Seoul, home to most of the victims. Commemorative events were also held elsewhere, including Jindo.
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 passenger ferry. The ferry carrying 476 passengers -- mostly high school students on a field trip -- sank off the country's western coast near Jindo Island, killing 299 passengers. Five are still listed as missing. (Yonhap)
Political leaders said the painful lessons from the disaster undergird the nation's resolve and ability to overcome the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
"The lesson from the Sewol lies in our attitude and measures to tackle COVID-19," President Moon Jae-in said in a social media post.
He said people learned from the disaster to act responsibly and to take care of each other. The sinking also taught citizens how deeply connected they are.
"We are now reaffirming our interdependence while overcoming COVID-19. The people are wearing masks and implementing social distancing and self-isolation, determined that no one will be left helpless," he added.
People keep distance from each other amid the outbreak of the new coronavirus, as they take part in a memorial ceremony in Ansan, south of Seoul, on April 16, 2020, for victims of a 2014 sinking of a passenger ferry. The ceremony marked the sixth anniversary of the sinking off South Korea's western coast near Jindo Island. The 6,800-ton Sewol ferry carrying 476 passengers sank, leaving 299 passengers dead and five missing. (Yonhap)
In his message at the ceremony in Ansan, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said over the past six years since the incident, society has learned to give more weight to safety and life.
"The time of maturity has now become a strong driving force to overcome a national crisis caused by the new coronavirus infections," he said.
He also promised to push ahead with projects to build a public park and a mental health center in commemoration of the incident.
A group of the victims' families issued a statement at the event, calling for thorough investigation into the sinking of the ferry and botched rescue of the victims.
Late last year, the prosecution launched a reinvestigation into the case and probed coast guard officials over their alleged mishandling of the incident.
Bereaved families throw flowers into the sea for those killed in a 2014 sinking of a passenger ferry off South Korea's western coast near Jindo Island on April 16, 2020, the sixth anniversary of the sinking of the 6,800-ton Sewol ferry. The ferry carrying 476 passengers sank, leaving 299 passengers dead and five missing. (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-04-16--(3rd LD) Ruling party wins landslide in parliamentary elections amid pandemic

`` ( I feel ) heavy responsibility prior to the joy of victory when seeing the election results , '' @ @ @ @ @ in a meeting at the National Assembly on Thursday .
`` ( We ) will @ @ @ @ @ coming from ) the new coronavirus , with an exemplary attitude , and preemptively and @ @ @ @ @ that threatens people 's livelihoods and the national economy . ''

(ATTN: UPDATES with final voter turnout in para 17)
By Kim Soo-yeon and Lee Minji
SEOUL, April 16 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in's ruling party clinched a landslide victory in parliamentary elections, which is set to give it an upper hand in pushing ahead with its agenda as the country faces a virus pandemic and an economic slowdown.
In the quadrennial election, held as scheduled on Wednesday despite the coronavirus pandemic, the Democratic Party (DP) and its satellite group secured a combined 180 seats in the 300-seat unicameral National Assembly, according to data from the National Election Commission (NEC) on Thursday.
This is nearly double the 103 seats obtained by the main opposition United Future Party (UFP) and its sister party. It also marks the biggest majority any party has claimed since the country's transition to democracy in 1987.
This photo, taken on April 15, 2020, shows officials of the Democratic Party and its satellite party posing in front of a board at the National Assembly in Seoul showing seats the parties have secured in the general elections. (Yonhap)
Of the 253 directly contested seats, the DP won 163 seats, followed by the UFP with 84 seats, the liberal Justice Party with one seat, and independent candidates with five seats.
Of the 47 proportional representation slots, the parties affiliated with the UFP and DP secured 19 and 17 seats, respectively. The Justice Party won five seats, while the People's Party and the Open Democratic Party got three seats each, according to the election watchdog.
The elections, held in the midst of South Korea's battle against COVID-19, was seen as a referendum on President Moon, who has two more years in office.
Moon's approval rating fell to the 30 percent level at one point last year, hit by a prolonged economic slowdown and a political scandal involving former Justice Minister Cho Kuk.
But the government's handling of the coronavirus crisis has changed public sentiment, as illustrated in recent polls in which Moon's approval rating shot up to over 50 percent.
South Korea has reported a caseload of 10,613 since its first infection on Jan. 20. It recorded fewer than 30 new virus cases on Thursday for the fourth straight day.
The DP's victory will enable Moon to manage state affairs stably during the rest of his single, five-year term. It will prop up Moon's reform initiatives, including the reform of the prosecution.
With 180 seats, the ruling bloc would be able to fast-track the passage of bills without support from other parties.
Observers say it would be capable of "doing everything" in parliament except constitutional revision, which requires at least 200 votes on the floor.
It would enable the DP to avoid political squabbles in pushing for key reform bills, unlike during the outgoing session of the National Assembly.
Graphic This graphic shows the estimated number of seats won by parties in the April 15 general elections. (Yonhap)
The general elections, one of the world's first elections to be held amid the coronavirus pandemic, was carried out with extra precautions.
The election watchdog prioritized safety to prevent potential exposure to the risk of infection.
Voters wearing face masks had their temperatures checked at the entrance. They disinfected their hands with sanitizers and put on plastic gloves before casting ballots. To keep social distancing rules, voters were advised to stand at least 1 meter apart from others.
Voter turnout was confirmed at 66.2 percent, the same as the provisional turnout and the highest in 28 years, the NEC said. Despite the virus, more than 29 million people cast ballots. Turnout in early voting also hit a record 26.7 percent.
"(I feel) heavy responsibility prior to the joy of victory when seeing the election results," DP chairman Lee Hae-chan said in a meeting at the National Assembly on Thursday. "(We) will beat the national crisis (coming from) the new coronavirus, with an exemplary attitude, and preemptively and actively cope with the crisis that threatens people's livelihoods and the national economy."
Among notable DP winners were Lee Nak-yon, the former prime minister who co-spearheaded the ruling party's election campaign. Lee beat UFP heavyweight Hwang Kyo-ahn in the politically symbolic constituency of Jongno in central Seoul, effectively solidifying his stature as a strong presidential candidate.
The UFP, meanwhile, suffered a painstaking blow, marking its third straight defeat in elections held since the 2017 ouster of conservative President Park Geun-hye over a massive corruption scandal.
The conservative party failed to win over voters, though it highlighted the government's failure to prop up the economy and stressed the need to keep the DP in check.
Party leader Hwang resigned from the chairmanship to take responsibility for the UFP's defeat.
Kim Chong-in, the veteran politician who helped shape the conservative bloc's campaign, apologized over the result.
"I acknowledge that the UFP's change (in attitude) was insufficient. I feel apologetic for asking (the voters) to support a party that did not have the basics right."
At the same time, he asked the people to support the embattled party.
"Even if (the party) is insufficient and not likable, (people) need to keep the main opposition party alive for the country's future. I sincerely ask so."
Election officials are seen manually counting proportional representation votes at a high school in Jongno Ward in Seoul on April 16, 2020. (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-16--(LEAD) Police to disclose identity of minor sex offender

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced the decision on Kang Hun , who was put under pretrial detention a week @ @ @ @ @ an accessory to the operation of the `` Baksabang '' chat room on the messaging @ @ @ @ @ paid members to view illegally taken photos and videos of violent sex acts involving underage @ @

(ATTN: UPDATES with administrative litigation by suspect in last 3 paras)
SEOUL, April 16 (Yonhap) -- Police said Thursday they have decided to disclose the identity of an 18-year-old alleged co-conspirator of a high-profile digital sexual exploitation ring.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced the decision on Kang Hun, who was put under pretrial detention a week ago for allegedly acting as an accessory to the operation of the "Baksabang" chat room on the messaging service Telegram, which allowed paid members to view illegally taken photos and videos of violent sex acts involving underage girls.
It is the first time in South Korea that the police have decided to make public the identity of a minor criminal suspect.
Baksabang (Korean for doctor's room) founder Cho Ju-bin, a 24-year-old, has been indicted for allegedly blackmailing women into providing sexual videos to the illegal Telegram chat room.
Kang Hun, an 18-year-old accomplice in the operation of an illegal Telegram messenger chat room dubbed Baksabang, arrives at the Seoul Central District Court on April 9, 2020, to attend his arrest warrant hearing. (Yonhap)
Police accused Kang of having recruited and managed paid members of Baksabang, producing and distributing sexual abuse materials and delivering criminal proceeds from the chat room to Cho.
Kang, born in 2001, was a high school student last year when he allegedly worked for Cho.
The police agency said the decision on Kang was reached after an hour-long discussion by a seven-member panel comprised of a law professional, university professor, psychiatrist and psychologist.
The current law permits the disclosure of the identity of sex offenders but grants exceptions for minors.
"The panel held in-depth discussions on possible human rights infringements to be suffered by the suspect and his family as a result of the identity disclosure," a police official said.
"The police reached the final conclusion that the disclosure of the suspect's name, age and face corresponds to the public interest in terms of people's right to know and prevention of similar crimes," the official said.
Police said Kang will be exposed to the media Friday, when he is to be transferred to the prosecution.
Kang's lawyer said he filed a lawsuit with the Seoul Administrative Court later in the day to ban the police from disclosing his client's identity.
The lawyer said he also filed for suspension of the execution of the police's identity disclosure.
"It is questionable whether there is any need to reveal the identity of an underage suspect. Such a disclosure will strip him of an opportunity to receive a fair court trial," the lawyer said.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-16--(2nd LD) (News Focus) Ruling party's landslide election win to give boost to President Moon's reform

(2nd LD) (News Focus) Ruling party's landslide election win to give boost to President Moon's reform drive

The win also heralds no major shift in Moon 's controversial major polices , such as income-driven growth and the @ @ @ @ @ country 's nuclear energy use .
It is expected to lend support to accelerating Moon @ @ @ @ @ as reforming the prosecution and giving police more investigative authority .

(ATTN: ADDS Moon's message, details in paras 17, 19; UPDATES with minor edits throughout)
By Lee Minji
SEOUL, April 16 (Yonhap) -- The ruling party's overwhelming parliamentary election victory is expected to provide fresh momentum to President Moon Jae-in's policy drive during the remainder of his tenure.
In one of the world's first nationwide elections held amid the coronavirus pandemic, South Koreans awarded a majority of seats to the Democratic Party (DP) and its temporary sister party created for the proportional representation system.
This photo, taken on April 15, 2020, shows officials at the Democratic Party and its satellite party posing in front of a board at the National Assembly in Seoul showing seats the parties have secured in the general elections. (Yonhap)
The election was widely seen as a referendum on Moon, who has two more years in office, as he has been tackling several challenges -- from an economic slowdown to chilled inter-Korean relations, and most recently, the virus pandemic.
Despite concerns that the pandemic would dampen voting, tens of millions of people braved the virus to cast their ballots for the quadrennial elections. More than 29 million were estimated to have voted, leading to a tentative voter turnout of 66.2 percent, the highest in 28 years.
It ended up as a stunning victory for the DP, which currently has 120 lawmakers in the 300-member National Assembly.
The DP and its sister party, called the Platform Party, secured 180 seats or three-fifths of the total, far outnumbering the 103 seats won by the main opposition United Future Party (UFP) and its own sister party.
It means the ruling bloc would be able to fast-track the passage of bills without support from other parties.
Observers say it would be capable of "doing everything" in parliament except constitutional revision, which requires at least 200 votes on the floor.
It would enable the DP to avoid political squabbles in pushing for key reform bills, unlike during the outgoing session of the National Assembly.
The rival political forces were mired in repeated dogfights over contested bills, putting the parliament often at an impasse and even earning the moniker "animal parliament."
Graphic This graphic shows the estimated number of seats won by parties in the April 15 general elections. (Yonhap)
The win also heralds no major shift in Moon's controversial major polices, such as income-driven growth and the campaign to phase out the country's nuclear energy use. It is expected to lend support to accelerating Moon's core initiatives, such as reforming the prosecution and giving police more investigative authority.
The poll results largely reflect positive sentiment for the liberal Moon administration, which has contained the virus fairly well.
In the early stages of the outbreak, public frustration surfaced over mask shortages and hoarding as well as lax quarantine measures. New infections hit a daily peak of 909 on Feb. 29, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
But the government has succeeded in keeping the number below 30 for the past few days on the back of swift tracing and testing as well as tightened quarantine guidelines.
Largely boosted by the slowdown in new infections, Moon's approval rate -- which tumbled to the 30 percent level at one point last year -- shot up to over 50 percent recently.
Officials wearing protective face guards, masks and plastic gloves go through ballots at a middle school stadium in the southern port city of Busan on April 15, 2020. (Yonhap)
For now, the election result is expected to enable Moon to focus on pending agenda, such as tackling the virus and minimizing its fallout on the economy.
"We have to confront the inexperienced national crisis, but (the government) will move ahead audaciously with confidence in the people," he said in a statement on the outcome of the parliamentary elections.
One tangible case would be the swift passage of a proposed extra budget to finance the government's emergency relief funds over the coronavirus. The Moon administration announced plans to dole out 1 million won (US$818) to all families whose income come is below 70 percent.
DP heavyweights echoed the sentiment as they pledged to beat the coronavirus and focus on state affairs.
"We will do our best to win the war against the coronavirus and overcome the economic crisis so as to reward people's support for us," DP Chairman Lee Hae-chan said.
Lee Nak-yon, who co-spearheaded the ruling party's election campaign, also said, "We will calmly but clearly (act) so that the Moon Jae-in administration's state affairs agenda will progress with concrete outcomes."
The former prime minister beat UFP leader Hwang Kyo-ahn in the politically symbolic constituency of Jongno in Seoul, effectively solidifying his stature as a strong presidential candidate.
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-16--NSC discusses int'l cooperation on coronavirus, N. Korea

The NSC members agreed to participate actively in the international community 's efforts to contain the virus through the implementation @ @ @ @ @ the summit , according to Cheong Wa Dae .

SEOUL, April 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's top diplomatic and security policymakers held discussions Thursday on international cooperation in the fight against the coronavirus and on the North Korea issue.
In the weekly session of the National Security Council (NSC) standing committee, they reviewed how to follow up on President Moon Jae-in's proposal during the ASEAN-plus-three video summit on the pandemic earlier this week.
In the summit, joined by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Moon stressed the need to provide quarantine and medical supplies in a timely manner to those in urgent need.
He also proposed allowing essential cross-border movement of goods and people, including business travel, in spite of strict quarantine measures taken by each nation. He then agreed to share South Korea's experience and clinical data on COVID-19.
The NSC members agreed to participate actively in the international community's efforts to contain the virus through the implementation of those measures agreed in the summit, according to Cheong Wa Dae.
Regarding North Korea, they checked relevant "recent situations," the presidential office said.
A day ahead of South Korea's general elections, the communist neighbor test-fired what appears to be cruise missiles off its east coast.
The North also held a session of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA), its rubber-stamp legislative body, last weekend.
This file photo, from April 14, 2020, shows President Moon Jae-in attending a video summit of the ASEAN Plus Three members. It was provided by Cheong Wa Dae. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-16--Seoul to go blue to thank virus-fighting medical workers

In a related move , the grass square in front of Seoul City Hall will be decorated with the slogan @ @ @ @ @ ! ''
on April 24 to express gratitude to all citizens who have taken part @ @ @ @ @ campaign , the government said .

SEOUL, April 16 (Yonhap) -- Seoul's major landmarks will emit blue light until the middle of May to express gratitude to South Korean medical workers dedicated to preventing the spread of the new coronavirus outbreak, the municipal government said Thursday.
Under the so-called Blue Light Campaign, the capital's key landmarks, such as Seoul City Hall, Seoullo 7017 also known as the Seoul Skygarden, Han River bridges, Seoul World Cup Stadium, N Seoul Tower and Lotte World Tower, will be lit up with blue lights every night until May 15, the government said.
N Seoul Tower is lit up with blue light in this photo provided by Seoul City Hall on April 16, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The campaign is intended to show the people's gratitude towards all medical workers fighting to contain COVID-19, it said, noting the blue symbolizes medical staff.
South Korean medical workers have been praised worldwide for having successfully coped with the coronavirus outbreak.
In a related move, the grass square in front of Seoul City Hall will be decorated with the slogan "We're All Heroes!" on April 24 to express gratitude to all citizens who have taken part in the ongoing social distancing campaign, the government said.
This photo provided by Seoul City Hall on April 16, 2020, shows the slogan "We're All Heroes!" in Seoul Square. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-04-16--S. Korean women's golf tour to resume season in May with major championship

The KLPGA is the first pro sports organization in the country to set a date for the start or resumption @ @ @ @ @ The Korea Baseball Organization ( KBO ) is inching toward a May opening , and @ @ @ @ @ team executives next Tuesday to make the final call .
The K League in pro @ @ @ @ @ to even setting a rough timetable .
Pro basketball and volleyball seasons ended prematurely last @ @ @ @ @ crowned in playoffs .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, April 16 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean women's pro golf tour, on hold since late last year due to the coronavirus outbreak, will resume action in May with the season's first major championship.
The Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour announced Thursday that the 42nd edition of the KLPGA Championship will tee off on May 14 with 144 golfers in the field. The venue has not been determined.
This file photo provided by the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) on April 28, 2019, shows Choi Hye-jin with the champion's trophy after her victory at the 2019 KLPGA Championship at Lakewood Country Club in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The KLPGA is the first pro sports organization in the country to set a date for the start or resumption of a disrupted season. The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) is inching toward a May opening, and league officials will meet with team executives next Tuesday to make the final call. The K League in pro football hasn't come close to even setting a rough timetable. Pro basketball and volleyball seasons ended prematurely last month, with no champions crowned in playoffs.
The 2020 KLPGA season opened with the Hyosung Championship in Vietnam last December. It was to be followed by a tournament in Taiwan in March, with the first tournaments on South Korean soil set for April. But with the coronavirus wreaking havoc worldwide, the KLPGA Tour had long canceled all tournaments for April and most events for May.
The KLPGA Championship was originally slated for April 30-May 3 in Yangju, just north of Seoul in Gyeonggi Province. The tour announced the event's cancellation on April 3, but said Thursday it will dip into the KLPGA Fund to cover operating costs and offer prize money.
The total purse is 2.3 billion won (US$1.8 million), with 160 million won going to the champion.
The tour said it wanted to deliver a message of hope amid the pandemic, and also help out golfers who have been struggling financially in the absence of tournament play.
The KLPGA Championship will have two cuts: after the second round, the top 102 will stay alive to play the third round, and then the top 70 golfers after the third round will get to finish the tournament.
But even those who miss the cut will be paid at this tournament.
The participating players and the tour will also donate around 190 million won to aid COVID-19 quarantine efforts.
Choi Hye-jin, the reigning player of the year and the money leader, is the defending champion.
This undated file photo provided by the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) shows the organization's logo. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)