yna--2020-12-16--Hyundai Samho to spin off industrial equipment division

SEOUL , Dec. 16 ( Yonhap ) -- Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co. , a midsized shipbuilder here , will @ @ @ @ @ into a wholly owned subsidiary to boost the division 's competitiveness , its parent Korea @ @ @ @ @ said Wednesday .

By Nam Kwang-sik
SEOUL, Dec. 16 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co., a midsized shipbuilder here, will turn its industrial equipment division into a wholly owned subsidiary to boost the division's competitiveness, its parent Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co. said Wednesday.
The new entity, named Hyundai Infra Solutions Co., will be launched on May 3 next year, Korea Shipbuilding said in a regulatory filing.
Hyundai Samho will focus on the construction of ships, while the envisioned spin-off entity will be dedicated to manufacturing industrial equipment.
"The spin-off aims to enhance the division's competitive edge and help it focus on its own business," Korea Shipbuilding said.
This file photo, taken on Sept. 15, 2020, shows a very large container ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) delivered to Singapore's Eastern Pacific Shipping in waters off the coast of Haenam, South Jeolla Province, southwestern South Korea. (Yonhap)
ksnam@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-16--S. Korea, ASEAN agree to launch working-level dialogue on environment, climate change

The two sides have wrapped up weeks of discussions to establish the `` South Korea-ASEAN Dialogue on Environment and Climate @ @ @ @ @ hold the first meeting next year , the ministry said .

SEOUL, Dec. 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to launch a working-level dialogue to strengthen cooperation in protecting the environment and tackling climate change, the foreign ministry said Wednesday.
The two sides have wrapped up weeks of discussions to establish the "South Korea-ASEAN Dialogue on Environment and Climate Change" and plan to hold the first meeting next year, the ministry said.
South Korea is the third partner after Japan and the European Union to have such a dialogue channel on the environment and climate change with the 10-member ASEAN.
ASEAN member states include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-16--(LEAD) Senior officials vow to complete reform of prosecution, spy agency, police

`` Under the new criminal justice system , we will aim for a people 's prosecution that looks to the @ @ @ @ @ sought by the people , and not a prosecution ( that works ) for the @ @ @ @ @ .

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with details; CHANGES headline; ADDS photo)
SEOUL, Dec. 16 (Yonhap) -- Senior government officials vowed Wednesday to complete the reform of the prosecution, state spy agency and police in line with a set of newly passed contentious laws.
Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae, National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director Park Jie-won and Interior and Safety Minister Chin Young held a joint press briefing to mark the passage of three bills aimed at breaking up the powers of the three state institutions.
The bills were passed at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday after winning approval from lawmakers.
Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae leaves the government complex in Seoul on Dec. 16, 2020, after a press briefing on reform of powerful state institutions. (Yonhap)
The revised Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials Act facilitates the launch of the new investigative body, a key campaign pledge of President Moon Jae-in.
The revised NIS Act transfers the authority to conduct anti-communist investigations from the spy agency to the police.
And the revised Police Act calls for dividing the police force into national police and local autonomous police, and establishing a new national investigation bureau.
"Under the new criminal justice system, we will aim for a people's prosecution that looks to the people and realizes the justice sought by the people, and not a prosecution (that works) for the prosecution," Choo said.
The minister also vowed to ensure that the prosecution does not abuse its investigative powers and protects human rights.
Park, the NIS director, vowed never to allow his agency to meddle in domestic politics.
"Reform of the NIS has been finally completed after unsuccessful attempts by previous governments," he said. "Organizations suspected of getting involved in domestic politics have been dismantled and cannot be reinstated anymore."
Chin said he will quickly take the next steps to implement the revised police law.
"We will immediately launch preparatory committees for autonomous police at the city and provincial levels," he said, referring to the new local police system, which is slated to begin operating next year.
"We will move quickly to launch the national investigation bureau, which is expected to take the accountability, fairness and professionalism of police investigations to the next level," he added.
At a separate press briefing, Police Commissioner General Kim Chang-yong said he will work to increase the transparency of the revised law's execution by disclosing more of the policymaking process of the police.
This file photo shows Interior and Safety Minister Chin Young. (Yonhap)
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-16--S. Korea to toughen punishment for defense tech leaks overseas

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration said it plans to propose a law revision to make such leaks a crime publishable @ @ @ @ @ in prison and a fine of up to 2 billion won ( US $ 1.8 @ @ @ @

SEOUL, Dec. 16 (Yonhap) -- The government will push to toughen the punishment for leaking defense technologies overseas, the arms procurement agency said Wednesday.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration said it plans to propose a law revision to make such leaks a crime publishable with at least one year in prison and a fine of up to 2 billion won (US$1.8 million) simultaneously.
The current law calls for up to 20 years in prison or a fine of up to 2 billion won.
The decision was made during an annual Defense Technology Security Committee session presided over by Defense Minister Suh Wook to discuss plans to protect the country's defense technology.
The meeting, which was held via videoconference due to the coronavirus situation, also looked into the state-run Agency for Defense Development's push to improve its technology protection system.
The research agency has been embroiled in an information leak scandal where some of its former researchers were suspected to have leaked massive data using portable media storage devices.
After the allegations surfaced, the arms procurement agency conducted a monthslong audit of the research institution and said multiple people were found with records of copying work data without permission or violating other security regulations.
scaaet@yna.co.kr
(END)


Yonhap News Summary

The assessment came during a biannual meeting of top commanders presided over by Defense Minister Suh Wook .
It was @ @ @ @ @ military officers and government officials from related agencies , with some participating via a video @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .

The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Wednesday.
-----------------
(LEAD) Rare COVID-19 cluster of foreign nationals occurs at college dorm
SEOUL -- Twenty-one Vietnamese students living in a college dormitory in a central South Korean city have been diagnosed with COVID-19, local officials said Wednesday, reporting a rare coronavirus cluster of foreign nationals here.
The nation's latest mass infection occurred at Ajou Motor College in Boryeong, a South Chungcheong Province city about 200 kilometers south of Seoul.
-----------------
(LEAD) S. Korea speeds up culling of poultry to prevent highly pathogenic bird flu
SEOUL -- South Korea said Wednesday it is speeding up efforts to cull poultry around farms infected with highly pathogenic bird flu amid growing concerns over the virus spreading nationwide.
The country has culled 5.59 million birds as preventive measures since reporting the first farm-related case in late November, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
-----------------
NIS chief vows never to meddle in domestic politics
SEOUL -- The head of South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) vowed Wednesday never to meddle in domestic politics after the National Assembly passed a reform bill centering on transferring the agency's anti-communist investigation duties to police.
"Reform of the NIS has been finally completed after unsuccessful attempts by previous governments," NIS Director Park Jie-won said. "Organizations suspected of getting involved in domestic politics have been dismantled and cannot be reinstated anymore."
-----------------
Minister promises next steps to complete police reform
SEOUL -- Interior and Safety Minister Chin Young said Wednesday he will quickly take the next steps to implement a series of police reform measures mandated by a new law.
Chin made the remark at a press briefing on the government's plans to reform so-called powerful institutions, such as the prosecution, police and the National Intelligence Service.
-----------------
Seoul city to conduct COVID-19 tests on all workers at high-risk facilities
SEOUL -- The city government of Seoul said Wednesday it will conduct COVID-19 tests on all workers at facilities with high risks of virus infections, such as courier companies and nursing homes.
Seo Jeong-hyup, the acting Seoul mayor, announced the plan during an online press briefing, as South Korea's daily new coronavirus cases hit an all-time high.
-----------------
N.K. focused on domestic issues ahead of party meeting, but provocations possible at any time: defense chief
SEOUL -- North Korea is focused on economic and domestic issues ahead of a rare party congress set for next month but can undertake provocations at any time, according to South Korea's defense minister and top military commanders Wednesday.
The assessment came during a biannual meeting of top commanders presided over by Defense Minister Suh Wook. It was attended by dozens of high-level military officers and government officials from related agencies, with some participating via a video link due to the new coronavirus.
-----------------
Mandatory military service period to be reduced to 18 months by next year
SEOUL -- The defense ministry said Wednesday it will complete reducing the mandatory military service period to 18 months by next year as planned as part of a series of reform projects under way to make the military "smaller and stronger."
During a meeting on defense reform presided over by Defense Minister Suh Wook, officials said the military is on course to cut the service period for Army draftees to 18 months by December 2021, according to the ministry.
-----------------
Baseball league announces 2021 regular season schedule
SEOUL -- The South Korean baseball league announced its 2021 regular season schedule Wednesday.
The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) said the new season will begin on April 3, with the 10 clubs each playing 144 games.
(END)


yna--2020-12-16--(LEAD) Seoul stocks hit fresh record high on U.S. stimulus hopes

But the KOSPI 's gains eased as South Korea added a daily record high of 1,078 more COVID-19 cases .
@ @ @ @ @ second-highest social distancing measures have failed to curb the virus spread , hinting it would @ @ @ @ @ toughest Level 3 if necessary .

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead para; ADDS bond yields at bottom, photo)
SEOUL, Dec. 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks snapped their two-day losing streak to end at a fresh record high Wednesday, backed by optimism over the U.S. stimulus talks and positive reports related to U.S. biotech company Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine candidate. The Korean won fell against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 14.97 points, or 0.54 percent, to close at 2,771.79.
Trading volume was high at about 1.1 billion shares worth some 13.3 trillion won (US$12.2 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 542 to 284.
Foreigners sold a net 44 billion won, while institutions bought a net 198 billion won. Retail investors offloaded a net 139 billion won.
Electronic signboards at a Hana Bank dealing room in Seoul show the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed at 2,771.79 on Dec. 16, 2020, up 14.97 points, or 0.54 percent, from the previous session's close. (Yonhap)
The KOSPI rebounded largely on rosy expectations that the world's largest economy would hasten a fresh stimulus deal before its previous benefits expire by the end of the year, analysts said.
Large caps advanced, following Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's comment that lawmakers would have to stay in Washington until the US$748 billion relief deal is clinched.
Investor sentiment was also boosted by reports that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration confirmed Moderna's vaccine candidate safe and effective in its preliminary analysis.
But the KOSPI's gains eased as South Korea added a daily record high of 1,078 more COVID-19 cases. Health authorities said the current second-highest social distancing measures have failed to curb the virus spread, hinting it would not hesitate to implement the toughest Level 3 if necessary.
"In today's session, local stocks seemed affected by bits of separate events and the investors' responses to them," said Bookook Securities researcher Lee Won.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics closed unchanged at 73,800 won. No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix also finished flat at 117,500 won.
Top pharmaceutical firm Samsung Biologics gained 0.88 percent to 807,000 won, but Celltrion shed 1.81 percent to 353,500 won.
Internet portal giant Naver rose 0.88 percent to 385,500 won, with its rival Kakao moving up 0.27 percent to 372,000 won.
Leading chemical maker LG Chem jumped 2.25 percent to 819,000 won, and rechargeable battery maker Samsung SDI increased 2.17 percent to 564,000 won.
Hyundai Motor, the country's largest automaker, advanced 0.8 percent to 190,000 won, and top steelmaker POSCO added 0.93 percent to 271,500 won.
The local currency closed at 1,094.0 won per dollar, down 0.7 won from the previous session's close.
Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed lower. The yield on three-year Treasurys rose 0.5 basis point to 0.989 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bond added 2.2 basis points to 1.339 percent.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-16--S. Korean Bond Yields on Dec. 16, 2020

S. Korean Bond Yields on Dec. 16, 2020

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


yna--2020-12-16--Baseball league announces 2021 regular season schedule

The 2020 season was originally scheduled to kick off on March 28 , but it was pushed back to May @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic .

SEOUL, Dec. 16 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean baseball league announced its 2021 regular season schedule Wednesday.
The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) said the new season will begin on April 3, with the 10 clubs each playing 144 games.
Teams can launch their spring training sessions anytime after Feb. 1.
The opener of the Futures League, the KBO's minor league, will be held on April 6, to lead a total of 605 games.
The 2020 season was originally scheduled to kick off on March 28, but it was pushed back to May 5 due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
In this file photo taken on May 5, 2020, the opening game of the 2020 season of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) takes place between the Doosan Bears and the LG Twins at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul without spectators amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Yonhap)
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-16--Foreigner referred to prosecution on disobeying quarantine order

She , however , allegedly left her residence in Suncheon , around 415 kilometers south of Seoul , during her @ @ @ @ @ and traveled to Seoul in search of a job .
She was later reported to @ @ @ @ @ who learned of the incident , according to the police .

SUNCHEON, South Korea, Dec. 16 (Yonhap) -- A regional police station has referred a foreign national to the prosecution for potential indictment on charges of disobeying a self-quarantine order issued to contain the spread of COVID-19, the police said Wednesday.
The Suncheon Police Station in South Jeolla Province said it has referred the woman, only identified as a 31-year-old, to prosecutors on charges of violating the contagious disease prevention and management act.
The woman was ordered to undergo self-quarantine for two weeks upon entering South Korea via Incheon International Airport on Nov. 20, as everyone returning to or visiting the country is required to do so.
She, however, allegedly left her residence in Suncheon, around 415 kilometers south of Seoul, during her mandatory two-week self-quarantine period, and traveled to Seoul in search of a job. She was later reported to the police by health authorities who learned of the incident, according to the police.
"Leaving one's designated quarantine place or refusing to isolate oneself (amid the pandemic) constitutes grave illegality," a police officer said, adding that violations of the mandatory self-isolation could lead to stern punishment.
Under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, which was reinforced in April, those who violate the self-quarantine order could face imprisonment of up to a year or a fine of up to 10 million won (US$9,160).
This illustrated image depicts a self-quarantine violation. (Yonhap)
nyway@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-16--(LEAD) S. Korea speeds up culling of poultry to prevent highly pathogenic bird flu

The country has culled 5.59 million birds as preventive measures since reporting the first farm-related case in late November , @ @ @ @ @ Agriculture , Food and Rural Affairs .

(ATTN: ADDS details in 7th para)
By Kang Yoon-seung
SEOUL, Dec. 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korea said Wednesday it is speeding up efforts to cull poultry around farms infected with highly pathogenic bird flu amid growing concerns over the virus spreading nationwide.
The country has culled 5.59 million birds as preventive measures since reporting the first farm-related case in late November, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Chickens accounted for 3.5 million, followed by quails with 1.2 million and ducks with 880,000.
Local authorities slaughtered poultry within a 3-kilometer radius of infected farms.
Officials prepare to cull birds at a farm in Naju, 355 kilometers south of Seoul, on Dec. 9, 2020, after highly pathogenic bird flu was found at a nearby duck farm. (Yonhap)
South Korea has reported 16 cases of highly pathogenic bird flu from farms. South Jeolla Province accounted for six, and Gyeonggi and North Jeolla provinces accounted for three infections each.
There were also cases from the provinces of South and North Chungcheong, along with South Gyeongsang.
Authorities are currently investigating a suspected case from an egg farm in Hwaseong, south of Seoul. The farm was raising 90,000 chickens.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza is contagious and can cause severe illness and even death in poultry.
The country reported this year's first highly pathogenic avian influenza case from wild birds in late October. Since then, a total of 29 cases have been found from wild bird habitats nationwide.
Authorities are currently investigating seven suspected cases from wild birds.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-17--Income gap narrows to fresh record low in 2019

The income gap fell as the bottom 20 percent income group saw their income rise on the back of the @ @ @ @ @ fall in income earned through wages , according to the statistics agency .

SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- The income gap between the haves and have-nots in South Korean narrowed to a fresh record low in 2019, as the bottom 20 percent income bracket saw their income rise due to state welfare support, data showed Thursday.
The Gini coefficient measured with disposable income, a gauge of income inequality, came in at 0.339 last year, down from 0.345 the previous year, according to the data from Statistics Korea.
A reading of zero means complete income equality, while higher numbers nearing one indicate a widening gap in earnings between the rich and poor.
The 2019 figure marked the lowest since 2011, when the agency began compiling related data.
The income gap fell as the bottom 20 percent income group saw their income rise on the back of the government's support despite a fall in income earned through wages, according to the statistics agency.
But when measured with income earned through wages and business operations, the country's income inequality worsened last year, as the bottom 20 percent income bracket saw their wage income decline amid the sluggish job market.
The Moon Jae-in administration has been implementing the policy of promoting distribution under its "income-led" economic growth drive and pushing for a hike in the minimum wage.
Moon's income-driven growth policy calls for increasing household income in a bid to boost consumption and economic growth.
Households in the bottom 20 percent income bracket earned an average of 11.6 million won (US$10,600) in 2019, up 4.6 percent from a year earlier.
For the income group, public transfer income, which includes state welfare support, grew 13 percent on-year, accounting for 43 percent of their total income. But income earned through wages fell 5.2 percent on-year.
The top 20 percent income group saw their average income reach 139 million won last year, up 1.1 percent from a year ago.
Accordingly, South Korean households earned 59.2 million won on average last year, up 1.7 percent from the previous year. It slowed from a 2.1 percent on-year gain in 2018.
Meanwhile, the average debt by Korean households amounted to 82.6 million as of end-March, up 4.4 percent from the previous year, the data showed.
The rise in debt mainly came as more households took out loans to buy homes or finance the costs for houses on lease.
The data said 57.5 percent of total households had financial debt worth 148 million won on average.
South Korea's household debt has been repeatedly cited as the main drag on Asia's fourth-largest economy, as households' high indebtedness is feared to curb domestic demand and thus crimp economic growth.
In this photo taken on Nov. 23, 2020, customers receive consultation about taking out loans at a bank in Seoul. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


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(END)


yna--2020-12-17--LG Uplus shows off 5G autonomous parking tech

LG Uplus said the autonomous parking demonstration was the world 's first to use the latest generation network , which @ @ @ @ @ receive traffic signal information , instead of simply recognizing them through sensors , and boost @ @ @

SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- LG Uplus Corp., a major South Korean telecom operator, demonstrated Thursday an autonomous vehicle that can park on its own, using its high-speed 5G network.
In an online video demonstration, the carrier tested the self-driving vehicle, which traveled about five minutes on roads in western Seoul and managed to park itself in a public parking lot.
The test car, a Genesis GV80 SUV equipped with lidar and radar sensors, started off on a road 800 meters away from the parking lot, following traffic signals on the way and parking in a tight space unscathed.
A self-driving vehicle parks in a public parking lot in western Seoul on its own in this screen capture of a video demonstration by LG Uplus Corp. on Dec. 17, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
LG Uplus said the autonomous parking demonstration was the world's first to use the latest generation network, which allows self-driving vehicles to instantaneously receive traffic signal information, instead of simply recognizing them through sensors, and boost passenger safety.
The carrier said it developed the technology with Hanyang University's ACE Lab and local self-driving technology company Controlworks, which also allows users to control the test cars remotely through a mobile application.
The mobile carrier's latest development follows its demonstrations last year when its test vehicles roamed around roads in the capital, relying on sensor technology.
LG Uplus said it had completed 137 trials of autonomous parking using 5G technology prior to the latest demonstration.
It added it will test the technology for the wider public as early as next month.
South Korea has been actively pursuing the development of autonomous vehicles, with the government vowing early this year to spend 1.1 trillion won (US$1 billion) for research on the technology by 2027.
A self-driving vehicle, equipped with technology developed by LG Uplus Corp., travels to a parking lot in western Seoul on Dec. 16, 2020. (Yonhap)
yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-17--(2nd LD) S. Korea inching closer to toughest virus curbs, as daily virus tally tops 1,000 for 2nd da

(2nd LD) S. Korea inching closer to toughest virus curbs, as daily virus tally tops 1,000 for 2nd day

They have acknowledged that the current level of social distancing has failed to flatten the virus curve and hinted they @ @ @ @ @ Level 3 when necessary .
But health authorities remain cautious about doing so , as @ @ @ @ @ damage to shop owners and self-employed people .

(ATTN: CHANGE photos; UPDATES with more info throughout)
SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's daily new coronavirus cases surpassed the 1,000 mark Thursday for the second day in a row as an alarming increase in cluster infections across the country continued, prompting health authorities to seriously consider adopting the toughest virus curbs.
The country added 1,014 more COVID-19 cases, including 993 local infections, raising the total caseload to 46,453, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
The KDCA said the country reported another daily high of 22 COVID-19 deaths, sharply up from 13 a day earlier, raising the total caseload to 634, indicating that the rising number of seriously ill virus patients may lead to more deaths down the road.
People line up to receive coronavirus tests at a makeshift clinic in Seoul on Dec. 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
Thursday's daily caseload is slightly down from a daily record high of 1,078 on Wednesday.
After falling to 718 on Monday due to fewer tests carried out over the weekend, infections rebounded to 880 on Tuesday, as health authorities expanded free COVID-19 tests to find more potential cases.
Health authorities have warned the country's daily virus caseload may reach up to 1,200.
Noticeably, an average of 882.6 new daily local infections occurred over the past one week, the KDCA said.
Authorities can adopt Level 3, the third highest under the five-tier virus restrictions, when locally transmitted cases surge to 800 to 1,000 or the daily tally doubles from the previous day.
Health authorities raised social distancing measures to Level 2.5, the second highest, early last week, but they have failed to slow the spread of the virus so far.
They have acknowledged that the current level of social distancing has failed to flatten the virus curve and hinted they will not hesitate to adopt Level 3 when necessary. But health authorities remain cautious about doing so, as the move will cause economic damage to shop owners and self-employed people.
On Thursday, the authorities said they will ban the operation of poker pubs and dining inside unmanned cafes starting Saturday for the next 10 days.
Also, all kinds of lessons and training programs organized by provincial governments will be banned.
Of the locally transmitted cases, the capital city of Seoul accounted for 420 cases, and the surrounding Gyeonggi Province took up 284. Incheon, west of Seoul, had 80 new cases. The three areas account for around half of the nation's population.
It marks the first time for the daily new cases in Seoul to surpass the 400 mark.
Outside of greater Seoul, the southeastern port city of Busan reported 44 additional cases and South Gyeongsang Province added 30.
The southeastern city of Daegu added 20 infections, and Daejeon, 164 kilometers south of Seoul, reported 11 more cases.
Among the confirmed cases, 21 were imported from abroad.
The number of seriously or critically ill COVID-19 patients came to 242, up 16 from a day earlier.
The country continues to witness a double-digit increase in COVID-19 patients in critical condition who require oxygen treatment, such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
The KDCA said only 41 beds for such patients in the country are available for admission as of Thursday, with two in Gyeonggi Province and one each in Seoul and Incheon.
The number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries came to 633, raising the total to 33,610.
A medical worker warms himself at a stove as he prepares to conduct coronavirus tests at a makeshift clinic at the National Medical Center in Seoul on Dec. 17, 2020 (Yonhap)
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-17--Former U.S. nuclear negotiator says N. Korea's ultimate goal is to secure regime

`` I think North Korea retaining nuclear weapons , which is their goal , and being accepted as a nuclear @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. accepted , recognized Pakistan , should not be a viable option .
It @ @ @ @ @ per se because of the likelihood of proliferation in the region , '' he added @

By Koh Byung-joon and Yi Wonju
SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- A former U.S. nuclear negotiator said Thursday that Washington needs to push for normalizing relations with North Korea and make efforts to sign a peace treaty that ends the 1950-53 Korean War, as Pyongyang's ultimate goal is to secure its regime and leadership.
Joseph DeTrani also said during a virtual seminar that recognizing North Korea as a nuclear weapons state is not a "viable option" because such recognition would facilitate an arms race and cause instability in the region.
"We know it's security for the regime, security for the leadership. That's the ultimate objective," said the former U.S. special envoy for six-party nuclear talks during the conference hosted by the state-run Institute for National Security Strategy (INSS).
"So when, once, we can build some trust and move forward with security assurances and then move toward the path toward normalization of relations and the peace treaty that finally ends the Korean War -- these are positive things," he said.
Joseph R. DeTrani, former U.S. deputy negotiator to the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear weapons, holds an interview with Yonhap News Agency at a Seoul hotel on June 22, 2018. He also served as the president of the Intelligence and National Security Alliance. (Yonhap)
DeTrani said that the North has conducted nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) tests for years and showcased a new and large ICBM during a massive military parade in October, but the regime sees those weapons as a deterrent as it worries about regime change.
"Having negotiated with North Korea for a number of years and having had contact with North Korea for a number of years, they see it very clearly as a deterrent and they are concerned about regime change," he said.
He called for continued efforts to resolve the North's nuclear issue through diplomatic efforts but stood firm against the idea of recognizing North Korea as a nuclear state, saying that it could spark an arms race and instability in the region.
"North Korea with nuclear weapons will facilitate and will encourage others, whether it's Republic of Korea, whether it's Japan, whether it's Taiwan," he said. "A number of other countries would seek their nuclear weapons capability regardless of U.S. extended nuclear deterrence commitment to these countries, allies and partners."
"I think North Korea retaining nuclear weapons, which is their goal, and being accepted as a nuclear weapon state like we, the U.S. accepted, recognized Pakistan, should not be a viable option. It should not be an option per se because of the likelihood of proliferation in the region," he added.
DeTrani served as North Korea mission manager at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence from 2006-2010. He also worked as the State Department's special envoy for the six-party talks from 2003 to 2006.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
julesyi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-17--Hyundai JV, Lyft to launch driverless U.S. robotaxi services in 2023

There are five levels of driving automation defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers International .
At Level 4 , @ @ @ @ @ under limited conditions and will not operate if all required conditions are not satisfied .
@ @ @ @ @ vehicle 's automated driving features can drive under any conditions .

SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- Motional, the Hyundai Motor-Aptiv joint venture, said Thursday it has partnered with U.S. ride-sharing firm Lyft Inc. to launch driverless robotaxi services in major U.S. cities in 2023.
Motional said it plans to deploy fully autonomous vehicles, which are based on the Korean automaker Hyundai Motor's platform, in Lyft's ride-sharing network in the United States.
Lyft has the second-biggest ride-sharing network in the world's most important automobile market after Uber Technologies Inc.
The business partnership comes amid growing demand for driverless transportation options amid COVID-19 concerns.
This file photo provided by Hyundai Motor shows a G90 flagship sedan with the logo of the Motional brand. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Recent U.S. research showed that 70 percent of Americans said the risk of coronavirus infection affects their transportation choices, and 1 out of 10 Americans are more interested in driverless vehicles than they were before the pandemic, Motional said.
In October, Motional partnered with U.S. on-demand shuttle startup Via to launch a shared robotaxi service in the U.S. next year.
In the partnership, Motional's self-driving vehicles will serve as on-demand, shared robotaxies based on Via technology that covers booking, passenger and vehicle assignment and identification, and fleet management.
In March, Hyundai set up the 50:50 joint company with Ireland-based self-driving technology startup Aptiv in order to test fully autonomous vehicles for ride-hailing services later this year.
There are five levels of driving automation defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers International. At Level 4, a vehicle can drive itself under limited conditions and will not operate if all required conditions are not satisfied. At Level 5, a vehicle's automated driving features can drive under any conditions.
Motional, headquartered in Boston, plans to develop a self-driving vehicle platform with Level 4 to 5 autonomous technology by 2022 and supply it to global carmakers.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-17--Seoul stocks extend losses late Thursday morning on virus concerns

The local currency was trading at 1,093.5 won against the U.S. dollar , up 0.5 won from the previous session @ @ @

SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks traded lower late Thursday morning amid growing concerns over a recent surge in COVID-19 cases.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 27.06 points, or 0.98 percent, to 2,744.73 as of 11:20 a.m.
South Korea reported 1,014 new COVID-19 cases, the third-largest daily virus caseload, prompting authorities to consider enforcing the strongest social distancing measures, a quasi-lockdown.
The country's daily COVID-19 cases have reached new heights recently, hitting a record 1,078 cases Wednesday.
The possibility of more restrictions weakened investor sentiment despite hopes of U.S. lawmakers making progress toward a new stimulus deal.
Most large caps in Seoul traded lower.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics retreated 1.49 percent, while No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix was flat.
Leading chemical firm LG Chem slid 0.73 percent, and rechargeable battery maker Samsung SDI declined 1.24 percent.
Internet portal giant Naver shed 1.23 percent, with rival Kakao down 0.81 percent.
Pharmaceutical giant Samsung Biologics lost 0.99 percent, while Celltrion remained unchanged.
Hyundai Motor, the country's largest carmaker, fell 1.05 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,093.5 won against the U.S. dollar, up 0.5 won from the previous session's close.
yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-17--Hyundai E&C wins US$292 mln deals from Qatar

Under a separate $ 82 million deal signed with Hamad Medical Corp. , Hyundai E & C said it will @ @ @ @ @ Doha by June 2022 , a critical project in Qatar to secure more hospital beds @ @ @ @

SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co., a leading South Korean builder, said Thursday it has received deals worth a combined US$292 million to build a storage facility and a hospital in the Qatari capital of Doha.
Under a $210 million deal signed with Qatar's Public Works Authority, Hyundai E&C said it will build a storage facility in Al Rakhiya, located 50 kilometers southwest of Doha, by November 2023.
The facility can hold 22.5 million cubic meters of treated sewage effluent for use for agricultural or landscape irrigation.
Under a separate $82 million deal signed with Hamad Medical Corp., Hyundai E&C said it will build a 272-bed hospital in Doha by June 2022, a critical project in Qatar to secure more hospital beds for COVID-19 patients.
In Qatar, the coronavirus has killed 242 people and infected more than 141,400 people.
entropy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-17--Parcel delivery worker suffers stroke apparently from overwork

In October , Hanjin Transportation Co. said it planned to gradually dispatch an additional workforce of 1,000 people to its @ @ @ @ @ in November as part of efforts to help reduce the excessive workload of couriers .

SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- A parcel delivery worker has suffered a hemorrhagic stroke while on duty this week as authorities are working to draw up measures to protect couriers following a series of deaths in their profession, apparently from overwork, an advocacy group said Thursday.
According to the group supporting couriers, the 58-year-old man, working for Hanjin Transportation Co., the logistics arm of Hanjin Group, fell unconscious from the stroke while delivering parcels at an apartment complex in eastern Seoul on Monday.
He was found unconscious in his delivery truck by a security guard there and sent to a nearby hospital. He received surgery and woke up Wednesday, according to the group.
This illustrated image depicts delivery workers overworking. (Yonhap)
"The courier has been working around 14 hours per day, sorting and delivering between 270 and 280 parcels every day," the group said.
In October, Hanjin Transportation Co. said it planned to gradually dispatch an additional workforce of 1,000 people to its branches across the country starting in November as part of efforts to help reduce the excessive workload of couriers.
But the workers' advocacy group said the plan has yet to be implemented.
As of October, 15 delivery workers have died apparently due to overwork this year, according to the group.
nyway@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-17--Australia names first female ambassador to Seoul

Raper , who most recently served as head of Australia 's COVID-19 coordination unit , will be replacing the outgoing @ @ @ @ @ who began his term here in 2016 .
She is expected to formally take office @ @ @ @

SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- Australia has tapped Catherine Raper, a senior career diplomat, as its new and the first female ambassador to South Korea, its embassy here said Thursday.
Raper, who most recently served as head of Australia's COVID-19 coordination unit, will be replacing the outgoing envoy, James Choi, who began his term here in 2016. She is expected to formally take office in Seoul in mid-January
Raper has also worked in Taipei, Washington and the Australian Permanent Mission to the World Trade Organization, according to the embassy.
This photo, provided by the Australian Embassy in Seoul on Dec. 17, 2020, shows Catherine Raper, the incoming ambassador to South Korea. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-17--The Korea Interbank Offered Rates (KORIBOR)

SEOUL , Dec. 17 ( Yonhap ) -- The Korea Interbank Offered Rates ( KORIBOR ) as posted by Yonhap @ @ @ @ @ and information arm of Yonhap News Agency , at 11:00 a.m .


yna--2020-12-17--LG Electronics unveils theme for CES 2021

SEOUL , Dec. 17 ( Yonhap ) -- LG Electronics Inc. on Thursday unveiled its theme for the upcoming media @ @ @ @ @ largest tech expo next year as the South Korean tech giant vowed to introduce products @ @ @ @ @ useful in the new normal era of the pandemic .

SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- LG Electronics Inc. on Thursday unveiled its theme for the upcoming media event at the world's largest tech expo next year as the South Korean tech giant vowed to introduce products and solutions that could be useful in the new normal era of the pandemic.
LG will hold a 30-minute virtual press conference at 8 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on Jan. 11 under the theme of "Life is ON -- Make yourself @ Home" at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2021 and will explain its latest innovations that can make people's lives safe and comfortable amid the pandemic.
This image, provided by LG Electronics Inc. on Dec. 17, 2020, shows the company's online invitation to its press conference at the Consumer Electronics Show 2021. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
This year's CES will take place online for the first time from Jan. 11 to 14 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
LG will also host "Future Talk" on Jan. 12, with its Chief Technology Officer Park Il-pyung discussing open innovations in various sectors with industry experts.
Although the CES will be held online, LG said it will offer various exhibition platforms, including a 24-hour web broadcast, so that people can experience its new products and services like an off-line event.
LG said its 3D virtual exhibition hall will run until Feb. 15 even after CES 2021 ends.
Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics Co. sent invitations last week for its CES press event.
The world's largest smartphone and TV vendor will hold a virtual press conference at 9 a.m. EST on Jan. 11 under the theme of "Better Normal for All."
This image, provided by Samsung Electronics Co. on Dec. 11, 2020, shows the company's online invitation to its press conference at Consumer Electronics Show 2021. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-17--Gov't discloses personal info of 256 draft dodgers

The move is in accordance with the 2015 revision of the Military Service Act as part of efforts to ensure @ @ @ @ @ the compulsory system , according to the manpower agency .
The list of dodgers has @ @ @ @ @ on its website since 2016 .

SEOUL, Dec. 19 (Yonhap) -- The Military Manpower Administration on Thursday disclosed the personal information of 256 people accused of dodging the mandatory military service.
The move is in accordance with the 2015 revision of the Military Service Act as part of efforts to ensure fairness in the implementation of the compulsory system, according to the manpower agency. The list of dodgers has been disclosed once a year on its website since 2016.
Of the total, 118 had been supposed to serve as active-duty soldiers and 26 as social service workers, while 87 illegally stayed overseas without prior reporting to authorities and 25 failed to get physical checkups for the service, according to the MMA.
The list includes South Korean professional footballer Suk Hyun-jun, who is a member of the second-division club ESTAC Troyes of France.
The agency said that it notified violators of the related facts in March, and gave them six months to explain the reasons for the failure. Then a committee reviewed each case to finalize the list.
The disclosed information includes names, ages, addresses and details about their dodging attempts. When they later serve in the military, the information will be deleted, the agency added.
"We expect the disclosure of the dodgers' information to prevent similar cases and to establish a culture where the draft system is implemented in a fair and right manner," the MMA said in a statement.
All able-bodied South Korean men must carry out compulsory military service for about two years in a country that faces North Korea across a heavily fortified border.
Aspiring soldiers wearing masks have their blood taken during a medical checkup at the Seoul office of the Military Manpower Administration on Feb. 3, 2020, part of the year's first batch of applicants evaluated by the office. All able-bodied South Korean males are required to serve roughly two years in the military. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-17--Two military officers test positive for new coronavirus

The other officer from a unit directly under the wing of the defense ministry in the city of Anyang , @ @ @ @ @ tested positive after coming into contact with his family member who earlier contracted the virus @ @ @ @

SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- One Air Force officer and an Army officer tested positive for the new coronavirus, the defense ministry said Thursday.
The Air Force officer, stationed in the central city of Cheongju, was confirmed to have been infected upon arrival from Japan after participating in job-related education programs there, according to the ministry.
The other officer from a unit directly under the wing of the defense ministry in the city of Anyang, just south of Seoul, tested positive after coming into contact with his family member who earlier contracted the virus, it added.
The latest cases brought the total number of COVID-19 infections among the military population to 474.
Currently, 913 service members are in isolation in accordance with the health authorities' guidelines, and the military has quarantined an additional 4,269 people under stricter antivirus schemes of its own as a preventive step, according to the ministry.
Nationwide, South Korea added 1,014 more COVID-19 cases, including 993 local infections, Thursday, raising the total caseload to 46,453, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
A medical worker warms himself at a small stove while working at a COVID-19 test center at the National Medical Center in Seoul on Dec. 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-17--S. Korea extends advisory against overseas travel amid pandemic

The advisory calls for South Koreans not to go abroad unless the trip is essential and for those staying outside @ @ @ @ @ extra precaution .
The measure will be effective until Jan. 16 and can be extended @ @

SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- The foreign ministry on Thursday extended the special advisory recommending against traveling overseas for another month amid the prolonged coronavirus pandemic.
The advisory calls for South Koreans not to go abroad unless the trip is essential and for those staying outside of the country to take extra precaution. The measure will be effective until Jan. 16 and can be extended again.
The extension came as foreign countries maintain their entry restrictions and the majority of international flights remain suspended over COVID-19 concerns, the ministry said.
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-17--Random testing finds 68 COVID-19 cases in 2 days in capital area: PM

`` It is said that there are no vacancies in Gangwon Province and on Jeju Island due to an increase @ @ @ @ @ people , in particular , '' Chung said , adding such behavior runs counter to @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .

SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- The government's ongoing random testing has identified nearly 70 cases of COVID-19 in the greater Seoul area in a span of two days this week, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said Thursday, calling on citizens to voluntarily visit testing centers to stem the spread of the disease.
In a bid to preemptively find "hidden infected people" through random testing, the government installed temporary coronavirus testing facilities at about 150 locations in the capital area, including Seoul Station, on Monday. Those random testing centers are to operate for three weeks.
People stand in line to take coronavirus tests at a temporary screening center in front of Seoul Station in central Seoul on Dec. 16, 2020. (Yonhap)
Chung, presiding over a daily government meeting on the coronavirus, said over 37,000 people have been tested at the temporary screening centers, and 68 of them were confirmed to be infected in the first two days.
"The number (of confirmed cases) seems to be sufficient enough to dispel controversy about the effectiveness of the first random preemptive testing," Chung said.
"If these people did not respond to the preemptive testing, the coronavirus would still be spreading quietly to someone," the prime minister said, asking all capital area citizens to actively participate in the random testing.
Chung then expressed regret that popular tourist destinations are being increasingly crowded by visitors, particularly young ones.
"It is said that there are no vacancies in Gangwon Province and on Jeju Island due to an increase in small-scale gatherings of young people, in particular," Chung said, adding such behavior runs counter to the ongoing nationwide fight against the pandemic.
He urged the public to cancel all year-end meetings and events for the safety of family, friends and colleagues and avoid contact with other people.
Chung's remarks came amid growing calls for the government to raise the nation's social distancing measures to the highest Level 3 in the five-tier system. The country added 1,014 more COVID-19 cases Thursday.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-17--S. Korea vetting 2 suspected cases of highly pathogenic bird flu

After reporting this year 's first farm-related bird flu case in late November , the country has so far reported @ @ @ @ @ influenza , according to the Ministry of Agriculture , Food and Rural Affairs .

By Kang Yoon-seung
SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's agricultural ministry said Thursday it is investigating two suspected cases of highly pathogenic bird flu from farms amid looming concerns over a nationwide spread of the virus due to migratory birds.
After reporting this year's first farm-related bird flu case in late November, the country has so far reported 16 cases of highly pathogenic influenza, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
With the country culling poultry within a 3-kilometer radius of infected farms, authorities have completed destroying 5.5 million birds, including 3.5 million chickens.
A truck disinfects areas surrounding a farm in Gumi, 261 kilometers south of Seoul, on Dec. 16, 2020, to prevent the spread of avian influenza. (Yonhap)
South Jeolla Province accounts for the highest number of confirmed cases at six. There are also infections being reported across the country, including Gyeonggi Province that surrounds the capital city.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza is contagious, and can cause severe illness and even death in poultry.
The country reported this year's first highly pathogenic avian influenza case from wild birds in late October. Since then, a total of 29 cases have been found from wild bird habitats nationwide.
Authorities are currently investigating 14 suspected cases from wild birds.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-17--(LEAD) Top prosecutor seeks court injunction against disciplinary measure

The minister 's move is viewed by many as meant to ease the political burden on the president and pressure @ @ @ @ @ without a legal fight before the end of his two-year tenure in July next year @ @ @ @ @ rating has been on the decline partly due to the protracted feud between Choo and @ @

(ATTN: UPDATES with details from 5th para)
SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's chief prosecutor will file for an injunction in a Seoul court Thursday to halt the two-month suspension of his duty, his lawyer said.
Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl is protesting against the justice ministry's disciplinary measure, sanctioned by President Moon Jae-in, in connection with multiple accounts of "ethical and legal misdeeds."
Yoon plans to lodge a suit with the Seoul Administrative Court "within today," calling for the withdrawal of the punishment and an injunction, Yoon's lawyer, Lee Wan-kyu, said in a press statement.
Yoon's duty was suspended as of the start of the day, as Moon approved the ministry's decision, 14 hours after it was announced early Wednesday morning. Yoon is accused of violating the "political neutrality" rule as leader of the state prosecution service. His lieutenants also carried out a secret inspection of judges handling high-profile cases, according to Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae.
Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl leaves his office in southern Seoul after work on Dec. 16, 2020. (Yonhap)
Yoon has flatly denied the allegations, saying he has faithfully done his duty, while Choo believes that he is attempting to foil the Moon administration's prosecution reform drive.
Choo offered to resign, meanwhile, after briefing Moon on the unprecedented disciplinary decision against the country's prosecution chief.
The minister's move is viewed by many as meant to ease the political burden on the president and pressure Yoon to step down himself without a legal fight before the end of his two-year tenure in July next year. Moon's job approval rating has been on the decline partly due to the protracted feud between Choo and Yoon.
It is uncertain whether Moon will accept Choo's resignation offer or wait until a partial Cabinet reshuffle expected late this year or in early 2021.
Presidential aides are apparently concerned that following her departure, the feud may evolve into a situation where the president is seen as directly involved.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-17--LG releases new 16-inch Gram laptop

LG releases new 16-inch Gram laptop

LG said it expects its new laptop to post brisk sales amid the pandemic-induced stay-at-home trend .
According to market @ @ @ @ @ laptop sales in South Korea reached 645,000 units in the third quarter , up 29.5 @ @ @ @ @ .

SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- LG Electronics Inc. on Thursday introduced a new 16-inch laptop that boasts better performance and portability.
The South Korean tech giant said the LG Gram 16 will be added to its premium Gram laptop series, which has 14-, 15.6- and 17-inch models.
The LG Gram 16 weighs only 1,190 grams and was certified by Guinness World Records as the world's lightest 16-inch laptop, according to the company.
The latest product uses Wide Quad Extended Graphics Array high-resolution IPS display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, which provides clearer image quality than the 15.6-inch model's Full HD display.
The 16-inch model is powered by the 11th-generation Intel Tiger Lake processor, which offers 20 percent faster data processing speed compared to previous models. It also comes with Intel's Iris Xe graphics card.
This photo, provided by LG Electronics Inc. on Dec. 17, 2020, shows models introducing the LG Gram 16 laptop. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The LG Gram 16 uses an 80 watt-hour (Wh) battery and is available in three colors -- white, silver and black.
The starting price for the LG Gram 16 has been set at 2.09 million won (US$1,900) here, with preorders available from Thursday to Jan. 3.
LG said it expects its new laptop to post brisk sales amid the pandemic-induced stay-at-home trend. According to market researcher International Data Corp., laptop sales in South Korea reached 645,000 units in the third quarter, up 29.5 percent from a year earlier.
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-17--(LEAD) S. Korea inching closer to toughest virus curbs, as daily virus tally tops 1,000 for 2nd day

(ATTN: UPDATES with more info throughout)
SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's daily new coronavirus cases surpassed the 1,000 mark Thursday for the second day in a row as an alarming increase in cluster infections across the country continued, prompting health authorities to seriously consider adopting the toughest virus curbs.
The country added 1,014 more COVID-19 cases, including 993 local infections, raising the total caseload to 46,453, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
The KDCA said the country reported another daily high of 22 COVID-19 deaths, sharply up from 13 a day earlier, raising the total caseload to 634, indicating that the rising number of seriously ill virus patients may lead to more deaths down the road.
A medical worker prepares for COVID-19 tests in front of Seoul Station in Seoul on Dec. 16, 2020. (Yonhap)
Thursday's daily caseload is slightly down from a daily record high of 1,078 on Wednesday.
After falling to 718 on Monday due to fewer tests carried out over the weekend, infections rebounded to 880 on Tuesday, as health authorities expanded free COVID-19 tests to find more potential cases.
Health authorities have warned the country's daily virus caseload may reach up to 1,200.
Noticeably, an average of 882.6 new daily local infections occurred over the past one week, the KDCA said.
Authorities can adopt Level 3, the third highest under the five-tier virus restrictions, when locally transmitted cases surge to 800 to 1,000 or the daily tally doubles from the previous day.
Health authorities raised social distancing measures to Level 2.5, the second highest, early last week, but they have failed to slow the spread of the virus so far.
They have acknowledged that the current level of social distancing has failed to flatten the virus curve and hinted they will not hesitate to adopt Level 3 when necessary. But health authorities remain cautious about doing so, as the move will cause economic damage to shop owners and self-employed people.
Of the locally transmitted cases, the capital city of Seoul accounted for 420 cases, and the surrounding Gyeonggi Province took up 284. Incheon, west of Seoul, had 80 new cases. The three areas account for around half of the nation's population.
Outside of greater Seoul, the southeastern port city of Busan reported 44 additional cases and South Gyeongsang Province added 30.
The southeastern city of Daegu added 20 infections, and Daejeon, 164 kilometers south of Seoul, reported 11 more cases.
Among the confirmed cases, 21 were imported from abroad.
The number of seriously or critically ill COVID-19 patients came to 242, up 16 from a day earlier.
The country continues to witness a double-digit increase in COVID-19 patients in critical condition who require oxygen treatment, such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
As of Wednesday, only three out of 152 beds for such patients in the wider Seoul area were available.
The number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries came to 633, raising the total to 33,610.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-17--(5th LD) S. Korea inching closer to toughest virus curbs, as daily virus tally tops 1,000 for 2nd da

(5th LD) S. Korea inching closer to toughest virus curbs, as daily virus tally tops 1,000 for 2nd day

(ATTN: UPDATES with latest tallies in 9th para; ADDS photo)
SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's daily new coronavirus cases surpassed the 1,000 mark Thursday for the second day in a row as an alarming increase in cluster infections across the country continued, prompting health authorities to seriously consider adopting the toughest virus curbs.
The country added 1,014 more COVID-19 cases, including 993 local infections, raising the total caseload to 46,453, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
The KDCA said the country reported another daily high of 22 COVID-19 deaths, sharply up from 13 a day earlier, raising the total caseload to 634, indicating that the rising number of seriously ill virus patients may lead to more deaths down the road.
People line up to receive coronavirus tests at a makeshift clinic in Seoul on Dec. 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
The authorities, however, attributed a sharp rise in the death toll to rising cases, noting that there has been no mutation with high mortality rate reported.
Thursday's daily caseload is slightly down from a daily record high of 1,078 on Wednesday.
After falling to 718 on Monday due to fewer tests carried out over the weekend, infections rebounded to 880 on Tuesday, as health authorities expanded free COVID-19 tests to find more potential cases.
Health authorities have warned the country's daily virus caseload may reach up to 1,200.
Noticeably, an average of 882.6 new daily local infections occurred over the past one week, the KDCA said.
The number of new cases could hover around 1,000 again on Friday, as 876 cases were confirmed by 9 p.m. Thursday, with counting still under way. Of the total, 304 cases were from Seoul, and 280 were from the surrounding Gyeonggi Province.
The country announces the national tally of new cases for the previous day at 9:30 a.m. daily.
Medical workers clad in protective gear carry a patient infected with the new coronavirus onto an ambulance at an elderly care facility in the southeastern city of Ulsan on Dec. 17, 2020, following the discovery the same day of 18 more people infected with the virus there. The number of coronavirus cases linked to the facility has so far climbed to 226. (Yonhap)
Authorities can adopt Level 3, the third highest under the five-tier virus restrictions, when locally transmitted cases surge to 800 to 1,000 or the daily tally doubles from the previous day.
Health authorities raised social distancing measures to Level 2.5, the second highest, early last week, but they have failed to slow the spread of the virus so far.
They have acknowledged that the current level of social distancing has failed to flatten the virus curve and hinted they will not hesitate to adopt Level 3 when necessary. But health authorities remain cautious about doing so, as the move will cause economic damage to shop owners and self-employed people.
On Thursday, the authorities said they will ban the operation of poker pubs and dining inside unmanned cafes starting Saturday for the next 10 days.
Also, all kinds of lessons and training programs organized by provincial governments will be banned.
The authorities said 30.1 percent of the 11,241 new COVID-19 patients, or 3,383, this month were in their 60s followed by 32.9 percent aged between 40 and 59.
Of the locally transmitted cases, the capital city of Seoul accounted for an all-time high of 420 cases, and Gyeonggi Province took up 284. Incheon, west of Seoul, had 80 new cases. The three areas account for around half of the nation's population.
It marks the first time for the daily new cases in Seoul to surpass the 400 mark.
Seoul's previous record for new daily COVID-19 cases was set on Dec. 12, when 399 people tested positive.
A visitor holds a real-time test kit for the new coronavirus at a public health facility in Seoul on Dec. 17, 2020.
Outside of greater Seoul, the southeastern port city of Busan reported 44 additional cases and South Gyeongsang Province added 30.
The southeastern city of Daegu added 20 infections, and Daejeon, 164 kilometers south of Seoul, reported 11 more cases.
Of the new cluster infections, an additional 20 people were confirmed to have COVID-19 in connection with a nursing home in Seoul's Guro Ward, bringing the total caseload to 21, the KDCA said.
The authorities said 14 COVID-19 patients were newly reported from a construction site in Seoul's Yongsan area and another 13 from a church in western Seoul, bringing the total caseload to 192.
Among the confirmed cases, 21 were imported from abroad.
The number of seriously or critically ill COVID-19 patients came to 242, up 16 from a day earlier.
The country continues to witness a double-digit increase in COVID-19 patients in critical condition who require oxygen treatment, such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
The KDCA said only 41 beds for such patients in the country are available for admission as of Thursday, with two in Gyeonggi Province and one each in Seoul and Incheon.
The number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries came to 633, raising the total to 33,610.
Amid record-low temperatures, a medical worker is seen braving the winter cold spell in front of a heater at a makeshift coronavirus test clinic at the National Medical Center in Seoul on Dec. 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-17--Vice FMs of S. Korea, Germany discuss easing border entry restrictions

First Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-kun and his German counterpart , Miguel Berger , agreed to take concrete steps from @ @ @ @ @ essential travelers , which have been tightened due to the coronavirus situation , according to @ @ @ @ @

SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- The vice foreign ministers of South Korea and Germany held video talks on Thursday and agreed on the need to mutually ease entry restrictions for essential travelers, according to officials.
First Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-kun and his German counterpart, Miguel Berger, agreed to take concrete steps from January to loosen restrictions for essential travelers, which have been tightened due to the coronavirus situation, according to Seoul's foreign ministry.
The two sides also agreed to continue close communication at the senior level and join international efforts for fair access to virus vaccines.
Choi explained Seoul's initiatives to build peace on the Korean Peninsula, and Berger reaffirmed his country's unwavering support, the ministry added.
First Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-kun (L) holds video talks with his German counterpart Miguel Berger in Seoul on Dec. 17, 2020, in this photo provided by the foreign ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-12-17--K-pop soloist BoA questioned over alleged smuggling of sleeping drug

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors ' Office called in the 34-year-old singer on Wednesday for questioning over suspicions of trying @ @ @ @ @ including Zolpidem , a prescription drug that induces sleep , from Japan under the name @ @ @ @ @ agency , SM Entertainment .

SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- K-pop singer BoA has been quizzed over allegations of smuggling in psychotropic drugs, sources said Thursday.
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office called in the 34-year-old singer on Wednesday for questioning over suspicions of trying to bring in drugs, including Zolpidem, a prescription drug that induces sleep, from Japan under the name of an employee at her agency, SM Entertainment.
In a statement, SM Entertainment said the incident was a mistake and that she did not have any intention to bring in the drugs illegally.
"Our employee received the drugs at a local hospital following due procedures but was not aware that it could be a problem in South Korea even though the drugs were prescribed normally abroad," the company said.
According to SM Entertainment, BoA tried to take the pills she previously used in Japan after experiencing side effects from the sleeping pills she recently received on a doctor's advice.
Prosecutors will decide whether to indict the singer after reviewing the case, including its intentionality.
BoA, who debuted at the age of 14, is often dubbed the "Star of Asia" for her popularity in the region and helping create "hallyu," or the global popularity of Korean pop culture, during its early stage.
She recently dropped a new album celebrating the 20th anniversary of her debut.
This photo, posted on the official Twitter account of the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) on Dec. 6, 2020, shows K-pop star BoA. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-12-17--(3rd LD) Top prosecutor files court injunction against disciplinary measure

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; UPDATES with more details in paras 3, 5)
By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's chief prosecutor filed for an injunction in a Seoul court Thursday to halt the two-month suspension of his duty, his lawyer said.
Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl is protesting against the justice ministry's disciplinary measure, sanctioned by President Moon Jae-in, in connection with multiple accounts of "ethical and legal misdeeds."
Yoon lodged a suit with the Seoul Administrative Court at around 9:20 p.m., calling for the withdrawal of the punishment and an injunction, Lee Wan-kyu, Yoon's lawyer, said in a statement to the press.
Yoon's duty was suspended as of the start of the day, as Moon approved the ministry's decision, 14 hours after it was announced early Wednesday morning. Yoon is accused of violating the "political neutrality" rule as leader of the state prosecution service. His lieutenants also carried out a secret inspection of judges handling high-profile cases, according to Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae.
If the court accepts Yoon's injunction request, Yoon could carry out his duty until the administrative suit calling for the punishment withdrawal reaches a conclusion.
Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl leaves his office in southern Seoul after work on Dec. 16, 2020. (Yonhap)
Yoon has flatly denied the allegations, saying he has faithfully done his duty, while Choo believes that he is attempting to foil the Moon administration's prosecution reform drive.
Choo offered to resign, meanwhile, after briefing Moon on the unprecedented disciplinary decision against the country's prosecution chief.
The minister's move is viewed by many as meant to ease the political burden on the president and pressure Yoon to step down himself without a legal fight before the end of his two-year tenure in July next year. Moon's job approval rating has been on the decline partly due to the protracted feud between Choo and Yoon.
It is uncertain whether Moon will accept Choo's resignation offer or wait until a partial Cabinet reshuffle expected late this year or in early 2021.
Presidential aides are apparently concerned that following her departure, the feud may evolve into a situation where the president is seen as directly involved.
A view of Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul (Yonhap)
A Cheong Wa Dae official told reporters earlier that Moon's office sees no need to respond formally to Yoon's push for bringing the matter to the administrative court.
"I don't think there's need for Cheong Wa Dae to reveal its position," he added on the customary condition of anonymity.
Regarding Choo's fate as justice minister, the official reiterated that Moon will make a decision after "careful consideration" on how to handle it.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-17--(4th LD) S. Korea inching closer to toughest virus curbs, as daily virus tally tops 1,000 for 2nd da

(4th LD) S. Korea inching closer to toughest virus curbs, as daily virus tally tops 1,000 for 2nd day

They have acknowledged that the current level of social distancing has failed to flatten the virus curve and hinted they @ @ @ @ @ Level 3 when necessary .
But health authorities remain cautious about doing so , as @ @ @ @ @ damage to shop owners and self-employed people .

(ATTN: UPDATES with latest tallies in paras 9-10)
SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's daily new coronavirus cases surpassed the 1,000 mark Thursday for the second day in a row as an alarming increase in cluster infections across the country continued, prompting health authorities to seriously consider adopting the toughest virus curbs.
The country added 1,014 more COVID-19 cases, including 993 local infections, raising the total caseload to 46,453, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
The KDCA said the country reported another daily high of 22 COVID-19 deaths, sharply up from 13 a day earlier, raising the total caseload to 634, indicating that the rising number of seriously ill virus patients may lead to more deaths down the road.
People line up to receive coronavirus tests at a makeshift clinic in Seoul on Dec. 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
The authorities, however, attributed a sharp rise in the death toll to rising cases, noting that there has been no mutation with high mortality rate reported.
Thursday's daily caseload is slightly down from a daily record high of 1,078 on Wednesday.
After falling to 718 on Monday due to fewer tests carried out over the weekend, infections rebounded to 880 on Tuesday, as health authorities expanded free COVID-19 tests to find more potential cases.
Health authorities have warned the country's daily virus caseload may reach up to 1,200.
Noticeably, an average of 882.6 new daily local infections occurred over the past one week, the KDCA said.
The number of new cases could hover around 1,000 again on Friday, as 654 cases were confirmed by 6 p.m. Thursday, up 15 from the same time the previous day. Of the total, 150 cases were from Seoul and 244 were from the surrounding Gyeonggi Province.
The country announces the national tally of new cases for the previous day at 9:30 a.m. daily.
Authorities can adopt Level 3, the third highest under the five-tier virus restrictions, when locally transmitted cases surge to 800 to 1,000 or the daily tally doubles from the previous day.
Health authorities raised social distancing measures to Level 2.5, the second highest, early last week, but they have failed to slow the spread of the virus so far.
They have acknowledged that the current level of social distancing has failed to flatten the virus curve and hinted they will not hesitate to adopt Level 3 when necessary. But health authorities remain cautious about doing so, as the move will cause economic damage to shop owners and self-employed people.
On Thursday, the authorities said they will ban the operation of poker pubs and dining inside unmanned cafes starting Saturday for the next 10 days.
Also, all kinds of lessons and training programs organized by provincial governments will be banned.
The authorities said 30.1 percent of the 11,241 new COVID-19 patients, or 3,383, this month were in their 60s followed by 32.9 percent aged between 40 and 59.
Of the locally transmitted cases, the capital city of Seoul accounted for an all-time high of 420 cases, and Gyeonggi Province took up 284. Incheon, west of Seoul, had 80 new cases. The three areas account for around half of the nation's population.
It marks the first time for the daily new cases in Seoul to surpass the 400 mark.
Seoul's previous record for new daily COVID-19 cases was set on Dec. 12, when 399 people tested positive.
A visitor holds a real-time test kit for the new coronavirus at a public health facility in Seoul on Dec. 17, 2020.
Outside of greater Seoul, the southeastern port city of Busan reported 44 additional cases and South Gyeongsang Province added 30.
The southeastern city of Daegu added 20 infections, and Daejeon, 164 kilometers south of Seoul, reported 11 more cases.
Of the new cluster infections, an additional 20 people were confirmed to have COVID-19 in connection with a nursing home in Seoul's Guro Ward, bringing the total caseload to 21, the KDCA said.
The authorities said 14 COVID-19 patients were newly reported from a construction site in Seoul's Yongsan area and another 13 from a church in western Seoul, bringing the total caseload to 192.
Among the confirmed cases, 21 were imported from abroad.
The number of seriously or critically ill COVID-19 patients came to 242, up 16 from a day earlier.
The country continues to witness a double-digit increase in COVID-19 patients in critical condition who require oxygen treatment, such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
The KDCA said only 41 beds for such patients in the country are available for admission as of Thursday, with two in Gyeonggi Province and one each in Seoul and Incheon.
The number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries came to 633, raising the total to 33,610.
Amid record-low temperatures, a medical worker is seen braving the winter cold spell in front of a heater at a makeshift coronavirus test clinic at the National Medical Center in Seoul on Dec. 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-17--Bourse operator grants Kolon TissueGene 1-year period to improve management

Kolon TissueGene was listed on the secondary KOSDAQ market in 2017 .
The trading of Kolon TissueGene has been suspended @ @ @ @ @ government revoked its permit to sell the gene therapy drug Invossa over mislabeling and false @ @ @ @ @

SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's bourse operator on Thursday decided to grant the scandal-ridden drugmaker Kolon TissueGene Inc. a one-year period to improve its management.
In a meeting to decide whether to delist the drugmaker, the KOSDAQ market committee under the Korea Exchange (KRX) decided to give the company, an affiliate of Kolon Life Science, a one-year grace period to enhance its management.
Kolon TissueGene was listed on the secondary KOSDAQ market in 2017. The trading of Kolon TissueGene has been suspended since late May after the government revoked its permit to sell the gene therapy drug Invossa over mislabeling and false reporting of an ingredient.
Trading of Kolon TissueGene's stocks will remain suspended during the period.
In July, Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety banned the production and sale of Invossa after it canceled the license for the drug made by Kolon Life Science.
Kolon Life Science acknowledged that a substance in the joint pain treatment drug had been mislabeled since 2003, with authorities arguing the company intentionally failed to disclose additional data it discovered on the problem before submitting the drug for approval.
Last month, the KRX turned down Kolon TissueGene's proposed measures to improve its financial status, calling them "insufficient." The firm appealed the decision, asking for a second review.
As of its last trading on May 28, Kolon TissueGene's market cap stood at 489.6 billion won, with a 34.48 percent stake held by some 65,000 retail investors.
This file photo shows the corporate flag of Kolon Group at the group headquarters in Gwacheon, south of Seoul, on Jan. 6, 2020. (Yonhap)
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-17--(LEAD) S. Korea confirms 2 more highly pathogenic bird flu cases at poultry farms

The avian influenza ( AI ) was found in samples collected from a chicken farm in Hwaseong , south of @ @ @ @ @ farm in Gochang , some 300 kilometers southwest of the capital , according to the @ @

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; UPDATES throughout with test results)
By Kang Yoon-seung
SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Thursday confirmed two more cases of highly pathogenic bird flu at poultry farms, raising the total to 18.
The avian influenza (AI) was found in samples collected from a chicken farm in Hwaseong, south of Seoul, and a duck farm in Gochang, some 300 kilometers southwest of the capital, according to the government.
Authorities have culled poultry within a 3-km radius of the infected farms in a precautionary move. Poultry farms within a 10-km radius were put under a 30-day standstill, with AI tests mandatory.
After reporting this year's first farm-related bird flu case in late November, the country has culled some 5.5 million birds, including 3.5 million chickens.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza is contagious and can cause severe illness and even death in poultry.
The country reported this year's first highly pathogenic avian influenza case from wild birds in late October, followed by a series of other cases confirmed from wild bird habitats across the country.
A truck disinfects areas surrounding a farm in Gumi, 261 kilometers south of Seoul, on Dec. 16, 2020, to prevent the spread of avian influenza. (Yonhap)
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-17--Ex-President Park's aides acquitted of hindering Sewol ferry panel's activities

But the Seoul High Court overturned the district court ruling and found all of the three not guilty of abuse @ @ @ @ @ the drawing up of reports on the Sewol panel by their subordinates was relevant to @ @ @ @ @ the civil servants .

SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- Three former ranking officials of ousted President Park Geun-hye's government were acquitted by an appellate court Thursday after being convicted of obstructing an independent panel's investigation into the cause of the deadly sinking of the Sewol ferry.
The panel was set up in 2015 under a special law enacted to determine why the 6,800-ton ship capsized in waters off the southwest coast in 2014, killing more than 300 people, mostly high school students. The panel, composed of maritime experts, lawyers and civilians, delved into government documents and prosecution reports and gathered evidence.
Former Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Cho Yoon-sun (L) and former Presidential Chief of Staff Lee Byung-kee arrive at the Seoul High Court in southern Seoul on Dec. 17, 2020, to attend their appeals trials related to an investigative panel on the sinking of the ferry Sewol. (Yonhap)
Former Presidential Chief of Staff Lee Byung-kee, former Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Cho Yoon-sun and former Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kim Young-suk were given suspended prison sentences of one to two years by a Seoul district court in June 2019 on charges of hindering the establishment and activities of the Sewol panel.
But the Seoul High Court overturned the district court ruling and found all of the three not guilty of abuse of power, saying that the drawing up of reports on the Sewol panel by their subordinates was relevant to tasks normally carried out by the civil servants.
The appellate court also upheld a lower court's verdict of acquittal for former Presidential Secretary for Economic Affairs Ahn Jong-beom, while reducing the sentence for former Vice Oceans Minister Yoon Hak-bae to imprisonment of six months suspended for two years from a suspended prison sentence of 1 1/2 years.
The five were all indicted in 2018 on charges of instructing their subordinates to conduct surveillance on the Sewol panel and devise and implement measures to obstruct its activities.
"Yoon was found guilty of ordering government officials dispatched (to the panel) to report on (the Sewol panel)," the appellate court said, referring to ministry officials temporarily sent to work for the independent panel. "But all others cannot be seen as committing abuse of power," it added.
nyway@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-17--S. Korea calls for China's stepped-up efforts to stamp out illegal fishing

China , in turn , noted that no major accidents have occurred in recent months and said it will make @ @ @ @ @ in the future so as to improve the situation .

SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea called Thursday for China to increase patrols and make other efforts to stamp out illegal fishing by Chinese boats, the foreign ministry said Thursday.
South Korea made the appeal during fisheries cooperation talks held earlier in the day, saying more effective measures are necessary to root out Chinese vessels illegally fishing in the East Sea or waters near the inter-Korean sea border, the ministry said.
The South proposed China increase the patrol of ships and instruct them with stricter guidance, the ministry said.
China, in turn, noted that no major accidents have occurred in recent months and said it will make sure various measures are taken in the future so as to improve the situation.
In the meeting, the two sides also agreed to continue cooperation in related fields, including preservation of marine resources and the ecosystem, the ministry said.
The fisheries cooperation meeting between Seoul and Beijing was first launched in 2012 as a working-level channel to strengthen cooperation in areas including illegal fishing, maritime accidents and protection of marine environments.
Choi Hee-deok (top), director-general for Northeast Asia affairs at South Korea's foreign ministry, is seen with Zhang Yang, deputy director general of the Chinese foreign ministry's consular affairs department, in this photo provided by Seoul's ministry on Dec. 17, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-17--Parliamentary leaders of 5 MIKTA nations pledge joint response to COVID-19 challenges

`` Acknowledging the need for new avenues of cooperation , shared responsibility , and global solidarity to tackle complex challenges @ @ @ @ @ ... we reiterated the critical role of MIKTA in multi-dimensional responses and cooperation at the @ @ @ @ @ global levels , '' a joint statement adopted in the meeting said .

SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- Parliamentary leaders of MIKTA, a five-nation partnership that includes South Korea, agreed Thursday to step up cooperation in tackling social and economic challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The agreement was reached during the 6th MIKTA Speakers' Consultation, held via a video link and hosted by South Korean National Assembly Speaker Rep. Park Byeong-seug in Seoul.
The meeting virtually brought together parliamentary leaders of the five MIKTA nations -- Mexico, Indonesia, Korea, Turkey and Australia -- under the theme, "Complex Challenges and Parliamentary Leadership in a Pandemic Era."
Among them were Puan Maharani, the speaker of Indonesia's lower house, as well as Turkey's parliamentary speaker Mustafa Sentop.
"Acknowledging the need for new avenues of cooperation, shared responsibility, and global solidarity to tackle complex challenges in an unprecedented pandemic era ... we reiterated the critical role of MIKTA in multi-dimensional responses and cooperation at the national, regional, and global levels," a joint statement adopted in the meeting said.
The statement also said the pandemic has deepened a range of complex challenges, such as protectionism, unilateralism, xenophobia, discrimination and education inequality, saying, "We reiterated our full engagement and solidarity with the international community to overcome socio-economic impacts of COVID-19."
During the meeting, the parliamentary leaders also committed themselves to building a partnership for information sharing on the virus fight as well as the fair global distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and medicines.
In this photo provided by the National Assembly, parliamentary speaker Rep. Park Byeong-seug hosts the 6th MIKTA Speakers' Consultation via a video link in Seoul on Dec. 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


Yonhap News Summary

SEOUL -- South Korea 's daily new coronavirus cases surpassed the 1,000 mark Thursday for the second day in a @ @ @ @ @ in cluster infections across the country continued , prompting health authorities to seriously consider adopting @ @ @ @ @

The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Thursday.
-----------------
(3rd LD) S. Korea inching closer to toughest virus curbs, as daily virus tally tops 1,000 for 2nd day
SEOUL -- South Korea's daily new coronavirus cases surpassed the 1,000 mark Thursday for the second day in a row as an alarming increase in cluster infections across the country continued, prompting health authorities to seriously consider adopting the toughest virus curbs.
The country added 1,014 more COVID-19 cases, including 993 local infections, raising the total caseload to 46,453, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
-----------------
(2nd LD) Top prosecutor seeks court injunction against disciplinary measure
SEOUL -- South Korea's chief prosecutor will file for an injunction in a Seoul court Thursday to halt the two-month suspension of his duty, his lawyer said.
Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl is protesting against the justice ministry's disciplinary measure, sanctioned by President Moon Jae-in, in connection with multiple accounts of "ethical and legal misdeeds."
-----------------
(LEAD) Unification ministry expresses regret over U.N. rapporteur's appeal to review leafleting ban
SEOUL -- The unification ministry expressed regret Thursday after a U.N. special rapporteur called on South Korea to reconsider a recently legislated ban on sending anti-Pyongyang leaflets into North Korea, saying the measure was legislated in due democratic procedures.
Earlier in the week, the National Assembly, controlled by the ruling Democratic Party, passed the bill penalizing the sending of anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets into the North despite strong objection by opposition party lawmakers.
-----------------
Ruling party pushing for rent discount for small businesses amid pandemic
SEOUL -- The ruling Democratic Party (DP) has set out to find ways to cut rent for small business owners teetering under the protracted COVID-19 pandemic.
On Wednesday, DP Chairman Rep. Lee Nak-yon reaffirmed his party's push to get landlords to slash rent for small business owners struggling under the weight of the new coronavirus.
-----------------
S. Korea's consumer prices tipped to rise faster down the road: BOK
SEOUL -- South Korea's consumer prices are expected to grow at a faster pace in the next two years due to an economic recovery and rising rent, a central bank report said Thursday.
South Korea's consumer inflation is forecast to reach 1 percent in 2021 and 1.5 percent the next year, according to the report from the Bank of Korea (BOK).
-----------------
S. Korean box office plunges more than 80 pct on-year in Nov.
SEOUL -- The number of South Korean moviegoers nose-dived more than 80 percent on-year in November as the third wave of the novel coronavirus pandemic hit the country, data showed Thursday.
A total of 3.59 million people went to theaters last month, down 80.7 percent from 18.6 million tallied a year ago, according to the monthly data by the Korean Film Council (KOFIC).
-----------------
S. Korea's music album, video exports ride K-pop popularity to record high
SEOUL -- South Korea's exports of music albums and videos soared to a new high this year thanks to the global popularity of BTS, BLACKPINK and other K-pop groups, government data showed Thursday.
Overseas shipments of albums and related products came to US$170 million in the first 11 months of the year, up about 95 percent from a year earlier, according to the data from the Korea Customs Service.
-----------------
(LEAD) Seoul stocks close nearly flat amid virus woes
SEOUL -- South Korean stocks closed nearly flat Thursday as investors remained wary of spiking COVID-19 cases and looming virus restrictions. The Korean won rose against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 1.36 points, or 0.05 percent, to 2,770.43 points.
(END)


yna--2020-12-17--(LEAD) Seoul stocks close nearly flat amid virus woes

`` Investors seemed to cash in gains after the KOSPI hit a fresh high the previous day , '' Samsung @ @ @ @ @ .
`` There are also growing hopes for a new U.S. stimulus deal by the @ @ @ @ @ following optimistic remarks by both Democratic and Republican leadership . ''

(ATTN: ADDS bond yields at bottom; CHANGES photo)
SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks closed nearly flat Thursday as investors remained wary of spiking COVID-19 cases and looming virus restrictions. The Korean won rose against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 1.36 points, or 0.05 percent, to 2,770.43 points.
Trading volume was moderate at about 998.4 million shares worth some 15.8 trillion won (US$14.5 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 493 to 352.
Foreigners sold a net 301.1 billion won, and institutions offloaded a net 32.6 billion won. Retail investors picked up a net 326.3 billion won.
Electronic signboards at a Hana Bank dealing room in Seoul show the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed at 2,770.43 on Dec. 17, 2020, down 1.36 points, or 0.05 percent, from the previous session's close. (Yonhap)
The main index started off weak as South Korea reported 1,014 new COVID-19 cases, the third-largest daily virus caseload.
Health authorities are currently considering adopting the strongest virus curbs, which would ban gatherings of 10 or more people and require companies to make nonessential employees work from home.
The index, however, trimmed losses later in the session as investors pinned hopes on progress in a new stimulus deal in the United States.
"Investors seemed to cash in gains after the KOSPI hit a fresh high the previous day," Samsung Securities analyst Seo Jung-hoon said. "There are also growing hopes for a new U.S. stimulus deal by the end of this year, following optimistic remarks by both Democratic and Republican leadership."
Most large caps in Seoul ended mixed.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics shed 0.68 percent to 73,300 won, while No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix gained 1.7 percent to 119,500 won.
Leading chemical firm LG Chem added 1.34 percent to 830,000 won, and rechargeable battery maker Samsung SDI rose 0.53 percent to 567,000 won.
Hyundai Motor, the country's largest carmaker, edged up 0.26 percent to 190,500 won.
Pharmaceutical giant Samsung Biologics fell 0.37 percent to 804,000 won, and Celltrion slipped 0.57 percent to 351,500 won.
Internet portal giant Naver inched down 0.18 percent to 285,000 won, with rival Kakao declining 0.81 percent to 369,000 won.
The local currency closed at 1,093.3 won against the U.S. dollar, up 0.7 won from the previous session's close.
Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, ended lower. The yield on three-year Treasurys added 1 basis point to 0.999 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bond rose 2.8 basis points to 1.367 percent.
yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-12-17--S. Korean Bond Yields on Dec. 17, 2020

S. Korean Bond Yields on Dec. 17, 2020

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


yna--2020-12-17--(LEAD) Unification ministry expresses regret over U.N. rapporteur's appeal to review leafleting ban

The official also said that Quintana `` should see this from a balanced point of view that it has minimally @ @ @ @ @ of a few in order to protect the lives and safety of many residents in @ @ @ @ @

(ATTN: CORRECTS info on report in 3rd para)
SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- The unification ministry expressed regret Thursday after a U.N. special rapporteur called on South Korea to reconsider a recently legislated ban on sending anti-Pyongyang leaflets into North Korea, saying the measure was legislated in due democratic procedures.
Earlier in the week, the National Assembly, controlled by the ruling Democratic Party, passed the bill penalizing the sending of anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets into the North despite strong objection by opposition party lawmakers.
Special Rapporteur Tomas Ojea Quintana has told a U.S. media outlet that he hopes South Korea will reconsider the legislation before it goes into effect, citing the freedom of expression of activist groups.
"The law was amended after democratic discussion and deliberation according to the procedure stipulated by the Constitution and the law at the National Assembly, which represents the consensus of public opinion," a ministry official said in a press release Thursday.
"We express regret that Rapporteur Quintana has mentioned a need for a democratic institution to conduct appropriate review on this," the official said.
The official also said that Quintana "should see this from a balanced point of view that it has minimally restricted the way of expression of a few in order to protect the lives and safety of many residents in the border areas."
The sending of leaflets has emerged as a major source of cross-border tensions since Pyongyang called it a violation of an inter-Korean summit agreement and threatened to take a series of retaliatory steps against South Korea if it did not stop such activity.
The North even blew up an inter-Korean liaison office in June in anger over the leafleting.
This photo, provided by Fighters for Free North Korea, an organization of North Korean defectors advocating North Korean human rights, on June 23, 2020, shows a balloon containing anti-Pyongyang leaflets being sent toward North Korea. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
julesyi@yna.co.kr
(END)