yna--2020-11-01--Jeju United promoted back to K League 1 after one season in second division

Jeju United clinched first place in the K League 2 with a 3-2 victory over Seoul E-Land on Sunday at @ @ @ @ @ the southern island of Jeju .
The victory gave Jeju 57 points with one match @ @ @ @ @ the second-place Suwon FC .
The season will conclude next weekend , but Suwon wo @ @ @ @ @ Jeju .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- Jeju United will return to the top division in South Korean club football next year, after spending just one season in the second-tier competition.
Jeju United clinched first place in the K League 2 with a 3-2 victory over Seoul E-Land on Sunday at Jeju World Cup Stadium on the southern island of Jeju. The victory gave Jeju 57 points with one match remaining, six ahead of the second-place Suwon FC. The season will conclude next weekend, but Suwon won't be able to catch Jeju.
Jeju have 16 wins, six draws and three losses for the year. They're undefeated in their past 15, with 11 wins and four draws.
Jeju United players celebrate their goal against Seoul E-Land during a K League 2 match at Jeju World Cup Stadium in Seogwipo, Jeju Island, on Nov. 1, 2020, in this photo provided by the Korea Professional Football League. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The top spot in the K League 2 means an automatic promotion to the K League 1 for the following season.
The promotion playoffs involving teams ranked from second to fourth will take place later this month, with the winner joining Jeju in the K League 1.
From the top competition, Busan IPark, who finished in last place, will be relegated. Sangju Sangmu will also be relegated as a precondition for their relocation to Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, next season.
Jeju finished in last place in the K League 1 in 2019 to be relegated for the first time, and they're going right back up.
Defender Jeong Woo-jae had the first goal for Jeju in the 22nd minute. Another defender, Kang Yoon-sung, gave them some breathing room with a goal in the 72nd minute, and then forward Jin Seong-uk rounded out Jeju's scoring in the 79th.
Seoul E-Land made things a bit interesting with goals by Kim Min-kyun in the 87th and Richard Sukuta-Pasu during injury time. But they weren't enough to spoil Jeju's celebration of a trip back to the big league.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-01--KBO postseason game postponed due to rain

As the No .
4 seed , the Twins only need a tie or a win in the first meeting @ @ @ @ @ round .
The Heroes , the No .
5 seed , must win two straight @ @ @ @ @ the next stage .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- The first game of the 2020 South Korean baseball postseason was postponed on Sunday due to rain.
The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) Wild Card round between the LG Twins and the Kiwoom Heroes will instead be played on Monday at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. The first pitch will be at 6:30 p.m.
The infield at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul is covered with a tarp ahead of a Korea Baseball Organization Wild Card game between the LG Twins and the Kiwoom Heroes on Nov. 1, 2020. (Yonhap)
As the No. 4 seed, the Twins only need a tie or a win in the first meeting to advance to the next round. The Heroes, the No. 5 seed, must win two straight games to move on to the next stage.
If the Twins knock off the Heroes on Monday, the first round of the postseason will begin as scheduled on Wednesday.
However, if the Heroes win Monday and force another Wild Card game on Tuesday, then the start of every remaining series will be pushed back by one day.
The Twins were scheduled to start right-hander Casey Kelly on Sunday, with the Heroes countering with right-hander Jake Brigham. The game was scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., and the league officials waited out for more than an hour before deciding to postpone the game.
The Doosan Bears, who finished third in the regular season, are awaiting the Wild Card winner in the next round, which is a best-of-three series.
Fans in the stands at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul wait out a rain delay ahead of a Korea Baseball Organization Wild Card game between the LG Twins and the Kiwoom Heroes on Nov. 1, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-01--(URGENT) PM announces new 5-level social distancing scheme

(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--2020-11-01--8 units of SK Group to join global renewable energy campaign

Within one year after becoming members of the renewable energy campaign , they should submit their plans to meet the @ @ @ @ @ they should be checked on their implementation of the plans every year .

SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- Eight units of South Korea's third-largest conglomerate SK Group will participate in a global renewable energy campaign also joined by Google Inc. and Apple Inc., the group said Sunday.
The SK firms will be the first South Korean companies to take part in the RE100 campaign that calls for companies to meet their entire electricity demand with renewable energy such as wind power and solar power by 2050.
About 260 companies, including Google Inc., Apple Inc. and Ikea, have already joined the campaign launched by London-based nongovernmental organization The Climate Group in 2014.
This photo shows the headquarters building of SK Group in downtown Seoul on Aug. 25, 2020. (Yonhap)
SK Group's eight subsidiaries -- local top mobile carrier SK Telecom Co.; local No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix Inc.; SKC Co., a maker of chemicals and film products; SK Siltron Co.; SK Materials Co.; internet protocol TV (IPTV) operator SK Broadband Co.; and SK ie technology -- will submit their applications to the Korea RE100 Committee on Monday, the group said.
If The Climate Group accepts their applications, SK Group's eight units will become formal members of RE100.
Within one year after becoming members of the renewable energy campaign, they should submit their plans to meet the requirements of RE100, and they should be checked on their implementation of the plans every year.
Under the deals with renewable energy power producer and state-run Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO), the eight companies will expand their utilization of renewable energy, SK Group said.
ksnam@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-01--Hyundai Heavy fined for subcontractor's technology misuse

The shipbuilder was found to have delivered the design of five ship engine parts provided by one of its subcontractors @ @ @ @ @ the prices of the parts from June 2016 to May 2018 , the watchdog said @

SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. has been fined 246 million won (US$216,800) for misusing a subcontractor's technologies, the country's antitrust watchdog said Sunday.
Hyundai Heavy shared the design of a subcontractor's lighting equipment with another subcontractor without permission to help it make the same equipment from April 2017 to April 2018, the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) said.
The shipbuilder was found to have delivered the design of five ship engine parts provided by one of its subcontractors to another company to lower the prices of the parts from June 2016 to May 2018, the watchdog said.
Last July, Hyundai Heavy faced the biggest-ever fine of 970 million won for acts of misusing technologies from other companies.
This photo provided by Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co., the parent of Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., on June 22, 2020, shows a shipyard in Ulsan, 414 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
ksnam@yna.co.kr
(END)


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yna--2020-11-02--(LEAD) Europe-based youngsters named to Olympic football team for Nov. friendlies

Head coach Kim Hak-bum will take these under-23 players to Egypt for a friendly tournament , where they will face @ @ @ @ @ Nov. 12 ( or 3 a.m. Nov. 13 in Seoul ) and then take on @ @ @ @ @ Nov. 14 ( 10 p.m. Nov. 14 in Seoul ) .
Both matches will be @ @ @ @ @ .
South Korea had initially been scheduled to Saudi Arabia after Egypt , but Saudi @ @ @ @ @ tournament on Monday .

(ATTN: ADDS comments in paras 12-18, photos)
By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- The 25-man roster for the South Korean Olympic football squad ahead of November friendly matches was unveiled Monday, featuring a few youngsters based in Europe.
Head coach Kim Hak-bum will take these under-23 players to Egypt for a friendly tournament, where they will face Egypt at 8 p.m. on Nov. 12 (or 3 a.m. Nov. 13 in Seoul) and then take on Brazil at 3 p.m. on Nov. 14 (10 p.m. Nov. 14 in Seoul). Both matches will be played at Cairo International Stadium. South Korea had initially been scheduled to Saudi Arabia after Egypt, but Saudi Arabia pulled out of the tournament on Monday.
South Korea, Egypt and Brazil have all qualified for the Tokyo Olympics, which had been scheduled to be held in July this year but was postponed to next year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Kim Hak-bum, head coach of the South Korean men's Olympic football team, speaks at a press conference at the Korea Football Association House in Seoul on Nov. 2, 2020. (Yonhap)
These will be the first international matches for the U-23 national team since January, when they won the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 Championship to book a spot in the Olympics.
They did play the South Korean men's senior national team in two exhibition matches earlier this month.
The midfielder corps features Lee Seung-woo of Sint-Truiden in Belgium, Paik Seung-ho of Darmstadt 98 in Germany, and Kim Jung-min of Vitoria S.C. in Spain.
These three are considered among the most talented Korean players in this age group. They have all appeared for the senior national team, too.
Up front, two more Germany-based players have been called up: Jeong Woo-yeong of SC Freiburg and Cheon Seong-hoon of FC Augsburg's reserve squad are among seven forwards.
Lee Jae-ik of the Belgian side Royal Antwerp FC and Kim Hyun-woo of Croatian club NK Istra 1961 are among eight defenders.
Ahn Joon-soo of Cerezo Osaka is one of three goalkeepers.
This photo captured from the Twitter page of the Belgian football club Sint-Truiden shows their South Korean player Lee Seung-woo in action on Aug. 24, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
"We've been trying to schedule matches all year, and we almost gave up hope for this year until this opportunity (in Egypt) came up," Kim Hak-bum said. "Egypt and Brazil should be among the top teams in the Olympics, and it will be a great test for us."
Few of these Europe-based players are getting regular action with their clubs, but that didn't prevent Kim from selecting them. He said this could be his last opportunity before the Olympics to see them in person.
"They may not be playing much, but they still have upsides," Kim said. "I want to see firsthand how competitive they can be (for the Olympics) and how well they can play with our current crop of (domestic-based) players."
It will be a quick turnaround from the first match to the next, and Kim may have to field two entirely different starting lineups.
The coach said he'll make that decision once he sees how well Europe-based players respond to their opportunity.
"Under normal circumstances, everyone would get an opportunity to play," Kim said. "But I haven't seen any of the guys coming from Europe. I'll have to see them in training first. If they're well off form, then it'll be tough for me to play them."
Kim said he won't worry too much about the results in Egypt.
"We'll only get better if we get knocked around by these powerful teams," Kim said. "Regardless of final scores, this trip will be an opportunity for us to identify what we need to work on and get ready for our next matches."
In this file photo from May 31, 2019, Kim Jung-min of South Korea (L) dribbles the ball against Argentina during the teams' Group F match at the FIFA U-20 World Cup at Tychy Stadium in Tychy, Poland. (Yonhap)
The remaining spots on the team were filled with players from the K League 1, whose season ended Sunday.
The champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors are sending two players: forward Cho Gue-sung, who scored both goals in the team's title-clinching 2-0 win over Daegu FC on Sunday, and goalkeeper Song Bum-keun, who tied for the league lead with 11 clean sheets this season.
Pohang Steelers' Song Min-kyu, who earned his first national team call-up in any age bracket for October exhibition matches, will make his official international debut in Egypt. Song scored 10 goals this year to rank second among all South Korean players.
Coach Kim left out players from clubs in the second-tier K League 2 that could play in the promotion playoffs later this month.
Cho Gue-sung of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors celebrates his goal against Daegu FC during a K League 1 match at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, 240 kilometers south of Seoul, on Nov. 1, 2020. (Yonhap)
Teams that finish third and fourth will meet in the first playoff match on Nov. 25. The winner will then go on to meet the No. 2 seed in the final playoff on Nov. 29.
With one match left, Suwon FC are sitting in second place (51 points), followed by Seoul E-Land (38 points) and Jeonnam Dragons (37 points). Gyeongnam FC are right behind Jeonnam with 36. Daejeon Hana Citizen also have 36, but they have played one fewer match than the other contenders because one of their players tested positive for COVID-19 last week and their scheduled match got postponed.
In this file photo from Nov. 15, 2019, Paik Seung-ho of South Korea (R) takes a shot against Bahrain in a friendly match at Rashid Stadium in Dubai. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-02--Decent jobs key to resettlement of N. Korean defectors: unification minister

This marks the second exhibition since it was launched last year .
Products from 20 businesses that employ or are @ @ @ @ @ be displayed this year .

SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- Providing North Korean defectors with decent jobs is key to their resettlement in South Korea, Unification Minister Lee In-young said Monday, pledging to provide them with better jobs "both in quantity and quality."
Lee made the remarks during his speech at a special exhibition displaying products manufactured by defectors held at the National Assembly, saying the ministry is working hard to help defectors land jobs, including opening a job center at Hanawon, a state-run resettlement center for newly arrived defectors.
The ministry has increased next year's budget for wage subsidies to allow selected individuals to receive an additional 500,000 won (US$440), he added.
This marks the second exhibition since it was launched last year. Products from 20 businesses that employ or are owned by a defector will be displayed this year.
julesyi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-02--Hyundai names ex-design chief Luc Donckerwolke chief creative officer

Hyundai , Kia and Genesis brands ' design work will continue to be overseen by existing management .
Lee will @ @ @ @ @ the Hyundai and Genesis brands , and Habib will continue to lead design for the @ @ @ @ @ .

SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Group said Monday it has appointed Luc Donckerwolke, former head of the group's design center, as chief creative officer in a move to strengthen its design competitiveness.
CCO Donckerwolke will be in charge of design-related communications for the promotion of the Genesis brand, battery electric vehicle (BEV) lineup brand IONIQ and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles, Hyundai said in a statement.
He resumed his career as executive vice president at the Korean automotive group, and his office will be located at the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center, it said.
"In collaboration with design teams, I will communicate diversity and richness of Group brands' design, which is not only technologically dynamic but also customer-centric," he said in the statement.
This photo provided by Hyundai Motor Group shows CCO Luc Donckerwolke. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
In April, Donckerwolke, a Belgian native, resigned for personal reasons amid growing concerns over the coronavirus impact on the automobile industry.
The former Lamborghini and Bentley designer joined Hyundai Motor Group as head of the Hyundai Motor Design Center in November 2015.
Donckerwolke had been in charge of vehicle designs of Hyundai Motor Co., its independent Genesis brand and affiliate Kia Motors Corp. since October 2018.
Since his departure, Lee Sang-yup, senior vice president and head of the Hyundai Design Center, and Karim Habib, head of the Kia Design Center, have been in charge of the group's design innovation.
Hyundai, Kia and Genesis brands' design work will continue to be overseen by existing management. Lee will continue to lead design for the Hyundai and Genesis brands, and Habib will continue to lead design for the Kia brand, it said.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-02--(LEAD) Ruling party gets members' nod to field candidates for Seoul, Busan mayor by-elections next y

(LEAD) Ruling party gets members' nod to field candidates for Seoul, Busan mayor by-elections next year

But the DP 's participation in the mayoral elections had been up in the air due to its internal rule @ @ @ @ @ a candidate in a by-election if it is called after a DP member lost an @ @ @ @ @ serious wrongdoing . ''

(ATTN: UPDATES with more info from 10th para; ADDS photos)
SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- The ruling party has decided to field its candidates for next year's Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections after getting the nod from party members in a poll, a party spokesman said Monday.
The April 7 by-elections for the mayoralties in the countries' two largest cities are seen as a major barometer of public opinion in the lead-up to the presidential election in March 2022.
But the DP's participation in the mayoral elections had been up in the air due to its internal rule prohibiting the party from fielding a candidate in a by-election if it is called after a DP member lost an elected seat over a "serious wrongdoing."
The Seoul and Busan mayoral seats were left vacant earlier this year by two DP members, Park Won-soon and Oh Keo-don, after they were accused of sexual misconduct.
With an eye to resolving the dilemma, the DP conducted a poll on Saturday and Sunday, asking party members regarding whether they support or object to a revision of the party constitution.
"With an overwhelming 86.6 percent of support, party members expressed determination that the party should go for the nominations," DP spokesman Rep. Choi In-ho said in a press briefing.
"This means that party members have wholehearted support for a (recent) declaration by party Chairman Rep. Lee Nak-yon and top party representatives that fielding candidates for the by-elections and letting (the party) be judged by citizens better conform to the (principle of) politics of responsibility," Choi noted.
The DP plans to complete the revision of the party constitution by Tuesday and immediately launch election preparation committees following the revision procedure, the spokesman said.
In a bid to make up for the alleged sexual misconduct, the party will also launch in-house centers for handling ethical issues and sexual violence to prevent such cases, according to party officials.
This computer-generated image features the upcoming by-elections on April 7, 2021, when the mayoralties for Seoul and Busan will be up for grabs. (Yonhap)
DP Chairman Lee offered an apology for the administrative vacancies created by the former mayors.
"Winning the support from party members does not mean we are free of the wrongdoing of creating an administrative vacuum in Seoul and Busan and forcing the by-elections," Lee said during a top party council meeting earlier in the day.
"Through exhaustive verification (of qualifications) and fair nomination processes, (the DP) will put forth the most ethical and qualified candidates before voters," he noted.
Former Seoul Mayor Park was found dead in an apparent suicide in July, days after one of his former secretaries filed a sexual abuse complaint against him.
Former Busan Mayor Oh stepped down in April over a sexual misconduct claim raised against him by a female subordinate.
Opposition parties, however, lambasted the latest decision by the DP as unconscionable.
"The DP lost its integrity ... Is it right to reverse a promise to the public, mandated in its party constitution, only through a poll among party members?" Kim Chong-in, the leader of the main opposition People Power Party, said in a party meeting earlier in the day.
Rep. Lee Nak-yon, chairman of the ruling Democratic Party, speaks during a top party council meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul on Nov. 2, 2020. (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-02--Seoul stocks extend gains late Mon. morning ahead of U.S. election, FOMC meeting

Amid the global COVID-19 resurgence and the U.S. election uncertainties , investors pinned hopes for a dovish signal from the @ @ @ @ @ said there is more policy room to support the world 's largest economy .

SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- Seoul stocks extended gains late Monday morning ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential election and the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 19.72 points, or 0.87 percent, to 2,286.87 as of 11:20 a.m.
Stocks got off to a strong start after the previous session's 2.56 percent plunge.
Amid the global COVID-19 resurgence and the U.S. election uncertainties, investors pinned hopes for a dovish signal from the FOMC, which has repeatedly said there is more policy room to support the world's largest economy.
Investors are paying keen attention to the results of the U.S. presidential election Tuesday (U.S. time).
Large caps traded higher in Seoul.
Market kingpin Samsung Electronics added 0.53 percent, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix slid 0.13 percent.
Top pharmaceutical firm Samsung Biologics gained 0.88 percent, and Celltrion advanced 1.44 percent after signing a 210 billion-won (US$185 million) deal to supply a COVID-19 diagnostic kit in the U.S.
Hyundai Motor, the country's largest automaker, went up 2.13 percent.
Internet portal giant Naver lost 1.38 percent, and leading chemical maker LG Chem fell 1.31 percent.
Top steelmaker POSCO spiked 4.81 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,175.45 won against the U.S. dollar, down 0.95 won from the previous session's close.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-02--Tottenham's Son Heung-min to join S. Korea for Nov. friendlies

South Korea will first face Mexico at 9 p.m. on Nov. 14 near Vienna ( 5 a.m. on Nov. 15 @ @ @ @ @ Wiener Neustadt in Wiener Neustadt , south of Vienna .
South Korea will then play @ @ @ @ @ Nov. 17 ( 10 p.m. on Nov. 17 in Seoul ) at BSFZ Arena Admiral @ @ @ @ @ also near Vienna .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min has been named to the South Korean men's national team for upcoming friendly matches in Austria.
Head coach Paulo Bento announced his 26-man roster for matches against Mexico and Qatar. Son, who is tied for the Premier League lead with eight goals in seven matches this season, was a no-brainer choice for South Korea's first international matches of 2020.
South Korea will first face Mexico at 9 p.m. on Nov. 14 near Vienna (5 a.m. on Nov. 15 in Seoul) at Stadion Wiener Neustadt in Wiener Neustadt, south of Vienna. South Korea will then play Qatar at 2 p.m. on Nov. 17 (10 p.m. on Nov. 17 in Seoul) at BSFZ Arena Admiral Stadium in Maria Enzersdorf, also near Vienna.
Paulo Bento, head coach of the South Korean men's national football team, speaks at a press conference at the Korea Football Association House in Seoul on Nov. 2, 2020. (Yonhap)
These two matches in Austria will be the first international contests for South Korea in 2020. The coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc on sporting calendars around the world, and World Cup qualifying matches scheduled for South Korea this year have all been pushed back to 2021.
Bento's team played two exhibition matches against the under-23 national Olympic team last month. Bento didn't have the services of Son and other Europe-based stars then, because they would've had to be quarantined for 14 days upon arriving in South Korea during the pandemic.
There will be no such concerns this time, and Son is joined by Hwang Ui-jo of the French side Bordeaux, Hwang Hee-chan of the Bundesliga club RB Leipzig, and Lee Kang-in of Valencia CF in Spain. They are among seven forwards.
Other names from overseas are: SC Freiburg midfielder Kwon Chang-hoon, Holstein Kiel midfielder Lee Jae-sung and Al-Sadd midfielder Nam Tae-hee.
Beijing Guoan's Kim Min-jae is one of 10 defenders, a unit that includes three players from the K League 1 runners-up Ulsan Hyundai FC: Hong Chul, Kim Tae-hwan and Won Du-jae. Another Ulsan star, goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo, is expected to get the bulk of minutes in Austria.
Representing the K League champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors will be midfielder Son Jun-ho, one of four league MVP candidates.
In this AFP photo, Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur dribbles the ball during a Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Nov. 1, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-02--Gov't to inform bereaved family of whether to provide intel on slain official

The defense ministry has been reviewing whether to provide related intelligence to the bereaved family after Lee Rae-jin , the @ @ @ @ @ official , asked for the audio file of a wiretapped conversation of North Korean troops @ @ @ @ @ video clips of the scene recorded by the South Korean military 's surveillance .

SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- The defense ministry said Monday it will soon inform the bereaved family of a South Korean official killed by North Korea in September of whether it will provide them with the military intelligence collected in the course of the incident.
On Sept. 22, North Korea fatally shot the 47-year-old official, who was adrift in its side of the Yellow Sea, and burned his body, according to the South Korean military. He went missing the previous day while on duty near the western border island of Yeonpyeong.
The defense ministry has been reviewing whether to provide related intelligence to the bereaved family after Lee Rae-jin, the elder brother of the deceased official, asked for the audio file of a wiretapped conversation of North Korean troops before the killing, and video clips of the scene recorded by the South Korean military's surveillance.
"The defense ministry will provide the conclusion of our review over the request for information filed by the bereaved family tomorrow afternoon," deputy ministry spokesperson Col. Moon Hong-sik said during a regular press briefing.
Lee also filed a request for a U.N. probe last month, raising doubts about the government's announcement that his brother attempted to defect to the North.
Lee Rae-jin, the elder brother of a South Korean fisheries official shot to death by the North Korean military last month, speaks during a memorial rally in Seoul on Oct. 24, 2020. (Yonhap)
scaaet@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-02--S. Korea to allow people to exchange foreign bills at convenience stores

SEJONG , Nov. 2 ( Yonhap ) -- South Korea 's finance ministry said Monday it will allow people to @ @ @ @ @ foreign currency banknotes at convenience stores starting next year , as part of its efforts @ @ @ @ @ foreign exchange market .

SEJONG, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's finance ministry said Monday it will allow people to exchange the Korean currency for foreign currency banknotes at convenience stores starting next year, as part of its efforts to ease regulations in the foreign exchange market.
Under the move, people can ask banks to exchange the Korean won for foreign bills via smartphone applications, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
They can then get the foreign bills at automated teller machines in convenience stores, the ministry said.
The ministry said it will soon begin talks with operators of convenience stores to launch the service starting in March next year.
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-02--Moon's approval rating dips amid housing market turmoil: Realmeter

Jeonse is a home rental arrangement unique to South Korea in which tenants pay a large sum of money as @ @ @ @ @ monthly fees .
In late July , three new laws aimed at stabilizing housing prices @ @ @ @ @ , but this has ended up freezing the jeonse market .

SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in's approval rating has fallen marginally amid concerns over the growing turmoil in the country's housing rent market, a poll showed Monday.
In the Realmeter survey of 2,536 voters nationwide from last Monday through Friday, the approval rating of Moon's presidency stood at 44.9 percent, down 0.7 percentage point from a week earlier.
The proportion of those who gave a negative assessment of Moon rose 1.3 percentage points to 50.9 percent. Of those surveyed, 4.2 percent said they were either unsure or declined to assess Moon's performance.
The survey's margin of error was plus or minus 1.9 percentage points.
President Moon Jae-in presides over a meeting with his senior secretaries at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Oct. 26, 2020. (Yonhap)
In particular, support for Moon among those in their 30s tumbled 8.1 percentage points to 45.5 percent, while approval from women in general also dropped 3.8 percentage points to 45 percent.
In terms of region, the president's approval in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province dropped 4.5 percentage points to 30.2 percent, while support from Seoul also slid 3.4 percentage points to 43.3 percent.
Support from Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang Province climbed 4.5 percentage points to 45.4 percent. Moon also saw hikes in approval from those in their 50s and students.
The approval rating for the ruling Democratic Party (DP) also fell marginally, down 0.3 percentage point to 34.8 percent. Support for the main opposition People Power Party climbed 1.6 percentage points to 28.9 percent.
Realmeter assessed that concerns over the slowing supply of "jeonse" property and other ongoing problems in the real estate market appears to have prompted the loss in confidence in the presidency and the ruling party.
Jeonse is a home rental arrangement unique to South Korea in which tenants pay a large sum of money as a deposit instead of paying monthly fees. In late July, three new laws aimed at stabilizing housing prices and protecting tenants were passed, but this has ended up freezing the jeonse market.
The polling firm also cited the DP's move in revising its party constitution to compete in next year's Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections as a factor in the withdrawal of support from some moderates toward the ruling party.
The rule prohibits the party from fielding a candidate in a by-election if it is caused by its member losing its elected seat due to a "serious wrongdoing."
The Seoul and Busan mayoral seats were left vacant earlier this year by two DP members, Park Won-soon and Oh Keo-don, after they were accused of sexual misconduct.
Lee Nak-yon (C), head of the ruling Democratic Party, presides over a meeting of the party's supreme council at the municipal government's building in Buan, North Jeolla Province, southwestern South Korea, on Oct. 30, 2020. (Yonhap)
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-02--Korea Shipbuilding inks 425 bln won deal to build 2 LNG carriers

Chances are high that Korea Shipbuilding will get an additional order , as the deal has an option to build @ @ @ @ @ carriers , the company said in a separate statement .

By Nam Kwang-sik
SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shipbuilding holding company Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co. said Monday that it has signed a 425 billion won (US$375 million) deal to build two liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers for a European company.
The 174,000-cubic-meter LNG carriers to be built by Korea Shipbuilding's unit Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. are scheduled to be delivered starting in the second half of 2022, Korea Shipbuilding said in a regulatory filing.
Chances are high that Korea Shipbuilding will get an additional order, as the deal has an option to build an additional two same-sized LNG carriers, the company said in a separate statement.
Korea Shipbuilding has obtained orders to build eight LNG carriers so far this year, the company said.
This photo, brovided by Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co. on Nov. 2, 2020, shows a LNG carrier built by its unit Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
ksnam@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-02--Samsung to unveil new mobile AP next week in China

Samsung has yet to unveil the specifications of the new mobile AP , but sources said it is built on @ @ @ @ @ ARM Ltd. 's latest Cortex-A78 central processing unit ( CPU ) architecture .

SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- Samsung Electronics Co. said Monday it will unveil its new mobile application processor (AP) next week as the South Korean tech titan eyes to sell more non-memory chips to smartphone manufacturers.
The Exynos 1080 chipset will be introduced at an event in Shanghai, China, on Nov. 12, according to the company.
Samsung has yet to unveil the specifications of the new mobile AP, but sources said it is built on a 5-nanometer process and uses ARM Ltd.'s latest Cortex-A78 central processing unit (CPU) architecture.
The latest 5G-enabled chipset is widely believed to be the successor of the Exynos 980, which was used for mid-range smartphones such as the Galaxy A series.
Foreign media have reported that the Exynos 1080 will be used in Chinese brand Vivo's X60 smartphone that is scheduled to be released next year.
Samsung was the world's fourth-largest mobile AP maker in the second quarter of the year along with Apple Inc. with a 13 percent market share, according to industry tracker Counterpoint Research.
This photo provided by Samsung Electronics Co. shows the company's mobile application processor brand, the Exynos. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-02--Europe-based youngsters named to Olympic football team for Nov. friendlies

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- The 25-man roster for the South Korean Olympic football squad ahead of November friendly matches was unveiled Monday, featuring a few youngsters based in Europe.
Head coach Kim Hak-bum will take these under-23 players to Egypt for a friendly tournament, where they will face Egypt at 8 p.m. on Nov. 12 (or 3 a.m. Nov. 13 in Seoul) and then take on Brazil at 3 p.m. on Nov. 14 (10 p.m. Nov. 14 in Seoul). Both matches will be played at Cairo International Stadium. South Korea had initially been scheduled to Saudi Arabia after Egypt, but Saudi Arabia pulled out of the tournament on Monday.
South Korea, Egypt and Brazil have all qualified for the Tokyo Olympics, which had been scheduled to be held in July this year but was postponed to next year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Kim Hak-bum, head coach of the South Korean men's Olympic football team, speaks at a press conference at the Korea Football Association House in Seoul on Nov. 2, 2020. (Yonhap)
These will be the first international matches for the U-23 national team since January, when they won the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 Championship to book a spot in the Olympics.
They did play the South Korean men's senior national team in two exhibition matches earlier this month.
The midfielder corps features Lee Seung-woo of Sint-Truiden in Belgium, Paik Seung-ho of Darmstadt 98 in Germany, and Kim Jung-min of Vitoria S.C. in Spain.
These three are considered among the most talented Korean players in this age group. They have all appeared for the senior national team, too.
Up front, two more Germany-based players have been called up: Jeong Woo-yeong of SC Freiburg and Cheon Seong-hoon of FC Augsburg's reserve squad are among seven forwards.
Lee Jae-ik of the Belgian side Royal Antwerp FC and Kim Hyun-woo of Croatian club NK Istra 1961 are among eight defenders.
Ahn Joon-soo of Cerezo Osaka is one of three goalkeepers.
This photo captured from the Twitter page of the Belgian football club Sint-Truiden shows their South Korean player Lee Seung-woo in action on Aug. 24, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
"We've been trying to schedule matches all year, and we almost gave up hope for this year until this opportunity (in Egypt) came up," Kim Hak-bum said. "Egypt and Brazil should be among the top teams in the Olympics, and it will be a great test for us."
The remaining spots on the team were filled with players from the K League 1, whose season ended Sunday.
The champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors are sending two players: forward Cho Gue-sung, who scored both goals in the team's title-clinching 2-0 win over Daegu FC on Sunday, and goalkeeper Song Bum-keun, who tied for the league lead with 11 clean sheets this season.
Pohang Steelers' Song Min-kyu, who earned his first national team call-up in any age bracket for October exhibition matches, will make his official international debut in Egypt. Song scored 10 goals this year to rank second among all South Korean players.
Coach Kim left out players from clubs in the second-tier K League 2 that could play in the promotion playoffs later this month.
Teams that finish third and fourth will meet in the first playoff match on Nov. 25. The winner will then go on to meet the No. 2 seed in the final playoff on Nov. 29.
With one match left, Suwon FC are sitting in second place (51 points), followed by Seoul E-Land (38 points) and Jeonnam Dragons (37 points). Gyeongnam FC are right behind Jeonnam with 36. Daejeon Hana Citizen also have 36, but they have played one fewer match than the other contenders because one of their players tested positive for COVID-19 last week and their scheduled match got postponed.
In this file photo from Nov. 15, 2019, Paik Seung-ho of South Korea (R) takes a shot against Bahrain in a friendly match at Rashid Stadium in Dubai. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-02--BOK to take market-stabilizing measures if needed over U.S. election: governor

Bank of Korea ( BOK ) Gov .
Lee Ju-yeol said that volatility in the financial markets at home and @ @ @ @ @ on the outcome of the U.S. election , set for Tuesday , amid concerns about @ @ @ @ @ in Europe , according to the central bank .

SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's central bank will take measures to stabilize the financial markets in a timely manner when needed as the outcome of the U.S. presidential election could increase market volatility, its head said Monday.
Bank of Korea (BOK) Gov. Lee Ju-yeol said that volatility in the financial markets at home and aboard could increase, depending on the outcome of the U.S. election, set for Tuesday, amid concerns about a resurgence in COVID-19 cases in Europe, according to the central bank.
"The governor instructed officials to closely monitor the financial markets with extra vigilance and to take market-stabilizing measures in a timely fashion when needed," the BOK said in a statement.
The BOK said it will hold a meeting Wednesday to check the impact of the U.S. election on the South Korean economy and financial markets.
South Korea's key stock index was trading 1.22 percent higher at 2,294.82 as of 11:00 a.m. The Korean currency was trading at 1,134 won against the U.S. dollar, up 1.1 won from the previous session.
This file photo, taken Oct. 23, 2020, shows Bank of Korea Gov. Lee Ju-yeol at a parliamentary session. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-02--The Korea Interbank Offered Rates (KORIBOR)

SEOUL , Nov. 2 ( Yonhap ) -- The Korea Interbank Offered Rates ( KORIBOR ) as posted by Yonhap @ @ @ @ @ and information arm of Yonhap News Agency , at 11:00 a.m .

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


yna--2020-11-02--S. Korean manufacturing just above par in Oct.: IHS Markit

The PMI improvement comes as South Korea , Asia 's fourth-largest economy , is struggling to pull out of the @ @ @ @ @ that has upended global trade and people 's lives .

SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's manufacturing activity entered an expansionary phase for the first time this year in October on increased new orders, a global market researcher said Monday.
The purchasing managers' index (PMI) of the country's manufacturing sector stood at 51.2 last month, up 1.4 points from the previous month, according to a survey by IHS Markit.
It represents the first time this year for South Korea's PMI, a key measure of factory activity in a country, to surpass the 50-point mark that separates contraction from expansion.
The index also increased for the fifth straight month after hitting a low of 41.3 in May.
IHS Markit said South Korea's manufacturing industry appears to be gradually recovering as new orders, including exports, increased for the first time in nine months.
South Korea's industrial production expanded at the fastest pace in 7 1/2 years in October, though its employment declined for 18 months running despite a slowdown in contraction, it added.
The PMI improvement comes as South Korea, Asia's fourth-largest economy, is struggling to pull out of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic that has upended global trade and people's lives.
The novel coronavirus, with the first case confirmed in South Korea in late January, has infected 26,732 people here so far, with the death toll reaching 468.
(END)


yna--2020-11-02--Exports of instant noodle, kimchi on rise amid pandemic

Consumers around the globe also became more aware of their health , leading to more sales of kimchi , the @ @ @ @ @ has infected more than 46 million people around the world .

By Kang Yoon-seung
SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's exports of instant noodles and kimchi products rose sharply in the first nine months of the year on the back of rising demand for ready-to-eat meals and healthy foodstuffs amid the new coronavirus pandemic, data showed Monday.
Outbound shipments of instant noodles jumped 36.3 percent on-year to US$456 million during the January-September period, while those of kimchi jumped 38.5 percent to $109 million over the cited period, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs.
The country's combined agricultural exports increased 6.5 percent to $5.5 billion over the first nine months of the year.
Instant noodles are displayed at a supermarket in southern Seoul, in this file photo taken on April 6, 2020. (Yonhap)
The robust exports were attributable to rising demand for ready-to-eat meals around the globe, as more people worked at home while refraining from visiting restaurants amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Consumers around the globe also became more aware of their health, leading to more sales of kimchi, the ministry said. The virus has infected more than 46 million people around the world.
Kimchi is a traditional Korean side dish normally made of fermented cabbage, salt and hot peppers.
Exports of instant noodles also doubled from $219 million posted in 2015 due to the growing popularity of Korean culture across the globe.
The country's overall outbound shipments, meanwhile, dipped 3.6 percent in October from a year earlier on fewer working days and a virus resurgence, snapping the previous month's brief rebound. Exports came to $44.9 billion last month, compared to $46.6 billion a year earlier.
In the month, outbound shipments of foodstuffs, however, managed to moved up 6.1 percent on stronger demand from Asian nations.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-02--Celltrion inks supply agreement for COVID-19 test kit in U.S.

Celltrion said its other rapid antibody diagnostic test ( RDT ) kit for the coronavirus , named DiaTrust , also @ @ @ @ @ .
The test is co-developed by the South Korean in-vitro diagnostic company Humasis .

By Kim Han-joo
SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korean biopharmaceutical giant Celltrion Inc. said Monday it has signed an agreement worth 210 billion won (US$185 million) to supply a diagnostic kit for the novel coronavirus in the United States.
Under the agreement, Celltrion's rapid antigen kit, Sampinute, will be distributed by Prime Healthcare Distributors in the U.S. The kit was co-developed by local health care firm BBB.
This undated photo, provided by South Korean biopharmaceutical firm Celltrion Inc., shows its diagnostic kit for the novel coronavirus. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Sampinute won an emergency approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for commercialization late last month.
Sampinute is an electrochemical immunoassay test for the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 antigen from swab samples, composed of one-time use test cartridges and a portable analyzer, the company said.
Celltrion said its other rapid antibody diagnostic test (RDT) kit for the coronavirus, named DiaTrust, also came out in the market. The test is co-developed by the South Korean in-vitro diagnostic company Humasis.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-02--Ruling party gets members' nod to field candidates for Seoul, Busan mayor by-elections next year

SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- The ruling party has decided to field its candidates for next year's Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections after getting the nod from party members in a poll, a party spokesman said Monday.
The April 7 by-elections for the mayoralties in the countries' two largest cities are seen as a major barometer of public opinion in the lead-up to the presidential election in March 2022.
But the DP's participation in the mayoral elections had been up in the air due to its internal rule prohibiting the party from fielding a candidate in a by-election if it is called after a DP member lost an elected seat over a "serious wrongdoing."
The Seoul and Busan mayoral seats were left vacant earlier this year by two DP members, Park Won-soon and Oh Keo-don, after they were accused of sexual misconduct.
With an eye to resolving the dilemma, the DP conducted a poll on Saturday and Sunday, asking party members regarding whether they support or object to a revision of the party constitution.
"With an overwhelming 86.6 percent of support, party members expressed determination that the party should go for the nominations," DP spokesman Rep. Choi In-ho said in a press briefing.
"This means that party members have wholehearted support for a (recent) declaration by party Chairman Rep. Lee Nak-yon and top party representatives that fielding candidates for the by-elections and letting (the party) be judged by citizens better conform to the (principle of) politics of responsibility," Choi noted.
The DP plans to complete the revision of the party constitution by Tuesday and immediately launch election preparation committees following the revision procedure, the spokesman said.
In a bid to make up for the alleged sexual misconduct, the party will also launch in-house centers for handling ethical issues and sexual violence to prevent such cases, according to party officials.
Rep. Choi In-ho, a spokesman of the ruling Democratic Party, gives a press briefing at the National Assembly in Seoul on Nov. 2, 2020. (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-02--Apple's ECG monitoring app available in S. Korea

SEOUL , Nov. 2 ( Yonhap ) -- Apple Inc. said Monday its electrocardiogram ( ECG ) monitoring app on @ @ @ @ @ in South Korea as the U.S. tech giant tries to expand its presence in the @ @ @ @ @ health-related features .

SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- Apple Inc. said Monday its electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring app on Apple Watch is now available in South Korea as the U.S. tech giant tries to expand its presence in the wearables market here with upgraded health-related features.
Apple said local consumers who have Apple Watch Series 4 or later can use its ECG app through software updates after it recently secured an approval from South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.
Apple's ECG app records a person's heartbeat and rhythm using sensors on Apple Watch. It can detect atrial fibrillation (AFib), a form of irregular heart rhythm, for possible arrhythmia.
The ECG app on Apple Watch was first released in 2018 but was only available to consumers in select markets then due to health device regulations in each country.
Apple is the world's largest smartwatch vendor, accounting for a 51.4 percent revenue share in the global market in the first half of the year, according to market researcher Counterpoint Research.
The launch of such an app on Apple Watch will heat up smartwatch competition here as Samsung Electronics Co. also recently launched an upgraded health tracking app with ECG and blood pressure monitoring functions on its Galaxy Watch devices in the domestic market.
This photo provided by Apple Inc. on Nov. 2, 2020, shows its electrocardiogram monitoring app running on the Apple Watch Series 6. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-03--Card spending grows slower amid pandemic

By month , card spending dropped in March and April when the country was gripped by the first wave of @ @ @ @ @ it has rebounded since May .

SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- Payments made with cards in South Korea grew at a slower pace in the first nine months of the year from a year earlier as consumer spending remained tepid amid the new coronavirus outbreak, central bank data showed Tuesday.
Spending made with credit, debit and prepaid cards reached a daily average of 2.5 trillion won (US$2.2 billion) in the January-September period, up 1.4 percent from a year earlier, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK).
The growth rate slowed from a 5.3 percent on-year gain in the first nine months of 2019.
The central bank said card spending only marginally rose this year as people refrained from visiting offline stores amid the COVID-19 pandemic, dealing a blow to consumer spending.
By month, card spending dropped in March and April when the country was gripped by the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has rebounded since May.
In August, payments made with cards slowed from the previous month, hit by the fallout of a resurgence in new coronavirus cases. Card spending recovered again in September.
South Korea imposed tougher social distancing measures across the nation in late August for about two months to contain the fast spread of virus cases.
The BOK said credit card spending inched up 0.2 percent on-year in the January-September period, while payments with debt cards rose 2.4 percent.
The use of prepaid cards jumped 770.6 percent in the cited period, largely because of state allowances and emergency relief aids provided in such a form, the BOK said.
Earlier this year, the country provided up to 1 million won to every household here to help spur spending in Asia's fourth-largest economy.
By method, contact-free card spending gained 17 percent on-year to a daily average of 800 billion won, while card payments made during face-to-face transactions fell 3.7 percent to 1.4 trillion won per day, it said.
The image, provided by Yonhap News TV, shows a payment with a credit card. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


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(END)


yna--2020-11-03--Moon says S. Korea's 2050 carbon-neutral goal is 'heavy promise,' urges calm preparations

`` In particular , I would like you to explore various measures to accelerate energy conversion such as decarbonization , @ @ @ @ @ economy and the expansion of renewable energy use , '' he said .

SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in said Tuesday that South Korea is seriously committed to its stated aim of going carbon neutral by 2050 to support the global fight against climate change.
He called for national efforts to attain the goal via a "calm and cool-headed" approach, speaking during a weekly Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae.
"Carbon neutrality is the direction in which the world should move to respond together to the climate crisis," he stressed. "We should actively participate in this global trend as a responsible member of the international community."
The president described his relevant statement last week as a "heavy promise" that reflects Seoul's commitment.
President Moon Jae-in speaks during a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Nov. 3, 2020. (Yonhap)
In an annual budget policy speech at the National Assembly, Moon announced that South Korea, one of the world's most fossil fuel-reliant economies, will "strive to become carbon neutral by 2050" as part of the government's Green New Deal drive.
He presented a vision for replacing coal-fired power generation with renewable energy.
In his opening remarks at the Cabinet session, Moon unveiled more details of the carbon-neutral campaign.
He instructed the authorities to meticulously draw up a road map for the energy transition from fossil fuels to environment-friendly sources in tandem with a review of plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
"In particular, I would like you to explore various measures to accelerate energy conversion such as decarbonization, the development of the hydrogen economy and the expansion of renewable energy use," he said.
He pointed out that carbon neutralization is not an easy task for South Korea, which relies heavily on fossil fuels.
"But responding to climate change is not an option but a must," he emphasized.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-03--Seoul shares extend gains late Tue. morning ahead of U.S. election

The index rallied after a 1.46 percent hike the previous session , hoping that the stocks will advance after the @ @ @

SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares extended gains late Tuesday morning, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street ahead of the U.S. presidential election.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) jumped 39.76 points, or 1.73 percent, to 2,339.92 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
The index rallied after a 1.46 percent hike the previous session, hoping that the stocks will advance after the U.S. election.
The upcoming Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting also boosted investor sentiment.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.6 percent Monday (New York time). The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite gained 2.3 percent, and the S&P 500 advanced 1.23 percent.
Most large caps traded higher in Seoul.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics added 2.09 percent, with No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix gaining 1.76 percent.
Pharmaceutical giant Samsung Biologics moved up 1.15 percent, and Celltrion surged 4.7 percent.
Leading chemical firm LG Chem spiked 5.3 percent, and Hyundai Motor, the country's largest carmaker, rose 0.59 percent.
Internet portal giant Naver retreated 1.23 percent, but its rival Kakao edged up 0.15 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,134.05 won against the U.S. dollar, down 0.45 won from the previous session's close.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-03--The Korea Interbank Offered Rates (KORIBOR)

SEOUL , Nov. 3 ( Yonhap ) -- The Korea Interbank Offered Rates ( KORIBOR ) as posted by Yonhap @ @ @ @ @ and information arm of Yonhap News Agency , at 11:00 a.m .


yna--2020-11-03--S. Korea establishes first Air Force reconnaissance wing for Global Hawk, other key assets

South Korea and the U.S. have been pushing for the conditions-based OPCON transfer from Washington to Seoul , and conditions @ @ @ @ @ to lead the allies ' combined defense mechanism , its capacity for initial responses to @ @ @ @ @ missile threats , and a stable security environment on the peninsula and in the region @

By Oh Seok-min
SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea launched a new Air Force unit Tuesday in charge of operating the country's key reconnaissance assets, such as the RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft, in a move to enhance the country's capabilities to monitor threats from North Korea and beyond, officials said.
As the country's first reconnaissance wing, the 39th Reconnaissance Wing stationed at an air base in the central city of Chungju will operate five types of key Air Force reconnaissance assets, including the advanced unmanned Global Hawk aircraft, RF-16 and RC-800 Geumgang reconnaissance aircraft, and a medium-altitude unmanned aircraft system, according to the military.
So far, those assets were managed by the 39th reconnaissance aircraft group assigned to the 19th Fighter Wing, but the military elevated the status of the group and reorganized it as a separate body, officials said.
"We've decided to create a new wing as a key strategic unit to operate newly introduced assets and to boost our reconnaissance capabilities to better prepare for future warfare," the Air Force said in a statement.
South Korea brought in four RQ-4 Block 30 Global Hawk Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) and has been working for its operational deployment.
Those aircraft equipped with advanced radar and sensors will be capable of detecting any unusual signs regardless of weather conditions, and acquiring diverse communication and electronic information, including mobile-launched ballistic missiles and nuclear development, round-the-clock, according to the Air Force.
"The establishment of the wing is expected to help boost our key defense capabilities required for the transition of the wartime operational control, and serves as a major achievement of our push for defense reform," Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Lee Seong-yong said during the foundation ceremony.
South Korea and the U.S. have been pushing for the conditions-based OPCON transfer from Washington to Seoul, and conditions are South Korea's capabilities to lead the allies' combined defense mechanism, its capacity for initial responses to the North's nuclear and missile threats, and a stable security environment on the peninsula and in the region.
The file photo taken June 22, 2020, shows a Global Hawk High Altitude Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (HUVA) taxiing at an Air Force base in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-03--S. Korea to provide US$70 mln in loans for Africa's virus fight

Seoul plans to provide the support through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund ( EDCF ) to help Ghana and Tanzania @ @ @ @ @ to the Ministry of Economy and Finance .

SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea said Tuesday it will provide low-interest, long-term loans worth US$70 million to help African nations fight the new coronavirus pandemic.
Seoul plans to provide the support through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) to help Ghana and Tanzania fight the virus, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
The loans will be spent on establishing medical infrastructure and expanding COVID-19 testing capabilities in the African nations, the ministry said.
The announcement came after South Korea vowed to spend more than $400 million to help underdeveloped nations hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last month, South Korea also provided a total of $200 million to the Philippines, Cambodia, and Bangladesh.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-03--One USFK family member tests positive for new coronavirus

The family member , who resides in the central city of Pyeongtaek , some 70 kilometers south of Seoul , @ @ @ @ @ infected during a routine screening at a hospital inside Camp Humphreys , located in the @ @ @ @ @ immediately taken to isolation , according to the U.S. military .

SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- A dependent of an American service member stationed in South Korea tested positive for the new coronavirus, the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) said Tuesday.
The family member, who resides in the central city of Pyeongtaek, some 70 kilometers south of Seoul, was confirmed to have been infected during a routine screening at a hospital inside Camp Humphreys, located in the same city, and was immediately taken to isolation, according to the U.S. military.
The service member, who is stationed at the Pyeongtaek camp, has tested negative, it added.
"Contact tracing is ongoing, and USFK medical teams are actively ensuring that all known Camp Humphreys facilities visited by the dependent are thoroughly cleaned," USFK said in a statement.
The latest cases brought the total number of USFK-related infections to 278, most of whom tested positive upon their arrival here.
Seen here is a gate of the U.S. base Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-03--KT develops network tech to support standalone and non-standalone 5G

KT 's new technology , the first in the country , paves the way for local 5G subscribers to use @ @ @ @ @ network , which has the advantage of lower latency , as it solely uses the @ @ @ @ @ the carrier .

SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- KT Corp., a South Korean telecom giant, said Tuesday it developed a core network technology that supports both standalone and non-standalone versions of 5G.
South Korean 5G users are currently limited to the non-standalone version of the latest generation network, requiring support from the 4G LTE network.
KT's new technology, the first in the country, paves the way for local 5G subscribers to use the standalone version of the network, which has the advantage of lower latency, as it solely uses the 5G network, according to the carrier.
KT said it worked closely with major 5G equipment maker Samsung Electronics Co. for the technology from its design process, and it is planning to introduce the technology to eight of the carrier's telecommunication centers across the country.
South Korean carriers were expected to commercialize the standalone version of the network by the end of this year in line with the growing number of 5G users, but the pandemic has dented such plans.
The country's 5G users stood at 9.25 million as of end-September, accounting for 13.2 percent of the country's total 70.2 million mobile accounts, according to government data.
In this photo provided by KT Corp. on Nov. 3, 2020, workers examine 5G core network equipment that can support both standalone and non-standalone versions of the network at the company's office in southwestern Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)
yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-03--Sugentech to export coronavirus, flu kits in Europe, U.S.

Sugentech 's test kit that can detect both the COVID-19 virus and seasonal flu at the same time , as @ @ @ @ @ detect flu , will also be provided in Germany and the U.S .

SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korean biopharmaceutical firm Sugentech Inc. said Tuesday that it has signed an agreement to export three different types of diagnostic kits for the novel coronavirus and seasonal influenza in the United States and Europe.
Under the agreement with Germany-based DiaSys Diagnostic Systems, a total of 200,000 rapid antigen kits by Sugentech to detect the COVID-19 virus will be distributed in Germany. The value of the deal was not revealed.
Sugentech's test kit that can detect both the COVID-19 virus and seasonal flu at the same time, as well as another kit to detect flu, will also be provided in Germany and the U.S.
Sugentech's antigen kit is the first locally made one to receive emergency approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The kit recently received approval from the German drug authorities, while the other two kits have won export approval from the local drug safety agency.
Other local players have also accelerated their moves to export locally made COVID-19 test kits.
Biopharmaceutical giant Celltrion Inc. earlier said it has signed an agreement worth 210 billion won (US$185 million) to supply a diagnostic kit for the novel coronavirus in the U.S.
Under the agreement, Celltrion's rapid antigen kit, Sampinute, will be distributed by Prime Healthcare Distributors in the U.S. The kit was co-developed by local health care firm BBB.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-03--N. Korea says no confirmed cases of coronavirus: WHO

A total of 161 people were quarantined from Oct. 15 to 22 , bringing the total number of released patients @ @ @ @ @ 22 , according to the agency .
It said that 846 North Korean nationals were @ @ @ @ @ during this period as a result of `` intensified surveillance , '' adding that all @ @ @

SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- North Korea has not reported any outbreak of the new coronavirus in the country, a recent World Health Organization report showed.
The North has conducted tests on 10,462 people and claims that no cases had been reported as of Oct. 29, according to the agency's latest weekly situation report on COVID-19.
Among the 5,368 people identified as suspected patients in the North, eight were foreigners, WHO said.
A total of 161 people were quarantined from Oct. 15 to 22, bringing the total number of released patients to 32,011 as of Oct. 22, according to the agency. It said that 846 North Korean nationals were suspected of having the coronavirus during this period as a result of "intensified surveillance," adding that all tested negative.
North Korea has claimed to be coronavirus-free, but it has been relatively swift with its antivirus campaign by closing its border earlier this year and toughening quarantine measures.
In this undated photo released by the North's official Korean Central News Agency on Sept. 4, 2020, body temperature checks are carried out on people in Pyongyang amid the coronavirus pandemic. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
julesyi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-03--LG launches eco-friendly clothing line in collaboration with online retailer

LG said the launch of the new clothing line is part of its `` Care for What You Wear '' @ @ @ @ @ protect the environment by reducing fabric waste .

SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- LG Electronics Inc. on Tuesday unveiled an eco-friendly clothing line in collaboration with a British online shopping mall as the South Korean tech giant pushes marketing for its clothing care appliances.
LG said it has joined hands with online premium fashion retailer Net-A-Porter to launch a limited-edition clothing line named "LG X Net-A-Porter Sustainable Collection."
The two sides cooperated with global fashion brands, including Le Kasha of France, Mara Hoffman of the United States and Bondi Born of Australia, to release 13 types of environmental friendly clothing.
LG said the launch of the new clothing line is part of its "Care for What You Wear" global campaign that aims to protect the environment by reducing fabric waste.
It added that the clothes from the new brand can be easily managed through its clothing care appliances, including the Styler, LG's steam closet that keeps clothes fresh and deodorized, without dry cleaning.
This photo, provided by LG Electronics Inc. on Nov. 3, 2020, shows eco-friendly clothing launched by the company and British online shopping mall Net-A-Porter in cooperation with U.S. fashion brand Mara Hoffman. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-03--(LEAD) New virus cases below 100 for 2nd day amid concerns over post-Halloween surge

Health authorities are still on guard against case increases this week as young people gathered at clubs and bars in @ @ @ @ @ the weekend in the middle of eased social distancing measures .

(ATTN: UPDATES with more details, tally and remarks in paras 7-8, 12-19)
SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus infections stayed in double digits for the second consecutive day Tuesday, but concerns remain over cluster infections following Halloween celebrations over the weekend.
The country added 75 more COVID-19 cases, including 46 local infections, raising the total caseload to 26,807, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
Citizens receive coronavirus tests at a screening station in central Seoul on Nov. 1, 2010. (Yonhap)
The figure marked a fall from Monday when the triple-digit growth fell back to double digits for the first time in six days, the KDCA said.
The number of locally transmitted cases slipped below 50 for the first time in two weeks, while 29 were infected abroad, it said.
Since the country eased its three-tier social distancing measures by one notch to the lowest level on Oct. 12, the daily figures have shown ups and downs, hovering around 100.
The latest cases came mostly from senior nursing homes, hospitals and other facilities, but sporadic community infections have taken place at small gatherings of family and friends across the country.
With the continued infections at nursing homes, health authorities plan to carry out large-scale virus tests among seniors at such facilities to prevent the spread of the virus at an early stage.
"Preemptive (COVID-19) tests in nursing homes in the Seoul metropolitan area and other provinces since mid-October helped discover 22 cases in advance and prevented virus spread," Health Minister Park Neung-hoo said in a meeting with health officials.
"The government will expand the preemptive tests in consultations with provincial governments across the nation and other regular tests as precautionary measures."
Workers at senior care facilities wait for coronavirus tests in front of a health care center in Seoul on Oct. 22, 2020, in this photo provided by Seongdong-ward office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Health authorities are still on guard against case increases this week as young people gathered at clubs and bars in Seoul for Halloween parties over the weekend in the middle of eased social distancing measures.
Authorities are paying keen attention to the latest cases, which could affect the new social distancing precautions set to take effect Saturday.
On Sunday, the authorities announced a new five-tier social distancing scheme with more specific and tailored antivirus steps, four months after the government made public the three-tier guidelines.
If the current trend continues, the government is expected to maintain the Level 1 social distancing scheme under revised antivirus measures, which is imposed when the daily infections in the Seoul metropolitan area remain below 100.
By region, 21 new virus cases were reported in Seoul and 15 cases in Gyeonggi Province that surrounds the capital. The greater Seoul area is home to around half of the nation's 51.6 million population.
Other municipalities reported new infections, with South Chungcheong Province gaining six cases.
The number of seriously or critically ill COVID-19 patients came to 52 as of midnight, slightly up from 49 the previous day.
The country added 29 more imported cases mainly from the United States and Europe, with 12 Americans, KDCA said.
South Korea reported four additional deaths of COVID-19 patients, raising the death toll to 472.
The total number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries came to 24,510, up 115 from the previous day.
The country has carried out 2,649,859 coronavirus tests since Jan. 3, including 13,209 tests the previous day.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-03--Stadium co-tenants square off in KBO postseason

The Twins went 13-9-1 for the second-highest winning percentage in October , but dropping the last two games , one @ @ @ @ @ clubs in the league , cost them the No .
2 seed .
They dropped @ @ @ @ @ versus the fifth-seed Kiwoom Heroes .
The Twins prevailed 4-3 on Monday , thanks to @ @ @ @ @ utility man Shin Min-jae in the bottom of the 13th .
They used six relievers @ @ @ @ @ with closer Go Woo-suk needing 40 pitches to get five outs .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- They may share the same stadium in the South Korean baseball league, but the term "rivalry" doesn't accurately describe the state of affairs between the Doosan Bears and the LG Twins, with one enjoying far more recent success than the other.
For the first time in seven years, the co-tenants of Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul will clash in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason. This time, it will be in the first round, a best-of-three set that will be played at Jamsil in its entirety even if it goes the distance.
Members of the Doosan Bears stand behind the banner celebrating their sixth consecutive trip to the Korea Baseball Organization postseason after defeating the Kiwoom Heroes 2-0 at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on Oct. 30, 2020. (Yonhap)
The Bears will be the home team for Game 1 at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and Game 2 at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Game 3, if necessary, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, with the Twins batting last as the home team.
Back in 2013, the Bears knocked off the Twins in four games in the best-of-five second round.
The Bears advanced directly to the first round this year by virtue of finishing the regular season in third place. The Twins dropped to fourth place on their final day of the season last Friday, and had to beat the fifth-seed Kiwoom Heroes 4-3 in 13 innings to take the Wild Card and set up a duel against the Bears.
The Bears won the season series 9-6-1 (wins-losses-ties). Just two years ago, the Bears famously took the season series 15-1 -- or, put another way, the Twins infamously lost the season series 1-15. It was the most lopsided head-to-head record in the KBO that year.
In this file photo from Oct. 20, 2020, Chris Flexen of the Doosan Bears pitches against the Lotte Giants in the bottom of the first inning of a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Sajik Stadium in Busan, 450 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)
In recent seasons, the Bears have been a vastly more successful club, having played in every Korean Series since 2015 and winning it all in 2015, 2016 and 2019. The Twins, though, won their last title in 1994 and haven't even reached the Korean Series since 2002.
The Bears were the best team in the KBO in October, compiling a 16-7 record and winning their final four games.
Their pitching staff led all teams with a 2.95 ERA and 197 strikeouts in October. During that month, no team allowed fewer baserunners -- 1.25 in walks and hits per innings pitched -- and the Bears allowed an on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) of .642, the lowest in the KBO by 75 points.
Their rotation features a two-headed monster, with right-handers Chris Flexen and Raul Alcantara combining to go 10-0 with 83 strikeouts in 72 innings last month. The duo didn't give up any home runs.
Flexen, in his first KBO season, missed nearly two months of action in the summer with injury, and came back with a vengeance in October. He went 4-0 with a league-low 0.85 ERA in five October starts. He struck out 42 in just 31 2/3 innings to also lead the league in October. Flexen last pitched last Tuesday and will start Wednesday's Game 1.
Flexen faced the Twins once, on May 7 for his first KBO start, and he won that game by allowing three runs in six innings.
LG Twins players celebrate their 4-3 victory over the Kiwoom Heroes to take the Korea Baseball Organization Wild Card at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on Nov. 2, 2020. (Yonhap)
Alcantara was the only 20-game winner in the regular season. He was 6-0 in six October starts and had a 1.34 ERA across 40 1/3 innings. Alcantara lost his Opening Day start on May 5 and then went 20-1 over his next 30 starts. Alcantara's last loss came on Aug. 26. He won his final regular season start last Friday to get to win No. 20 and is expected to start Thursday's Game 2 on full rest.
The Twins went 13-9-1 for the second-highest winning percentage in October, but dropping the last two games, one each against the two worst clubs in the league, cost them the No. 2 seed. They dropped into the Wild Card round versus the fifth-seed Kiwoom Heroes. The Twins prevailed 4-3 on Monday, thanks to a game-winning hit by unheralded utility man Shin Min-jae in the bottom of the 13th. They used six relievers after starter Casey Kelly, with closer Go Woo-suk needing 40 pitches to get five outs.
The 19-year-old rookie Lee Min-ho will get the Game 1 nod Wednesday. He was 4-4 with a 3.69 ERA in 20 games. He made four appearances -- two in relief -- against the Bears and went 0-1 with a 2.57 ERA across 14 innings. In two bullpen outings, Lee shut down the Bears for four innings. He gave up two runs in five innings in each of his two starts against them.
The Twins carefully monitored Lee's workload all season, often giving him more than a week of rest between starts. He made a couple of relief appearances in the final stretch and recorded a 1.66 ERA in five October games.
Only two other rookies have won a KBO postseason start straight out of high school.
In this file photo from Sept. 24, 2020, Lee Min-ho of the LG Twins pitches against the NC Dinos in the bottom of the fifth inning of a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game at Changwon NC Park in Changwon, 400 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-03--SKC Q3 net profit down 40.7 pct. to 13.4 bln won

The operating profit was 12.0 percent lower than the average estimate , according to the survey by Yonhap Infomax , @ @ @ @ @ Yonhap News Agency .
The estimate of net profit was not available .
( END @

SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- SKC Ltd. on Tuesday reported its third-quarter net profit of 13.4 billion won (US$11.8 million), down 40.7 percent from a year earlier.
Operating profit for the July-September period was 55.3 billion won, up 44 percent from a year ago, the company said in a regulatory filing. Sales rose 19.7 percent to 723.7 billion won.
The operating profit was 12.0 percent lower than the average estimate, according to the survey by Yonhap Infomax, the financial data firm of Yonhap News Agency. The estimate of net profit was not available.
(END)


yna--2020-11-03--Mountain peaks see first snow of season

Mountain peaks see first snow of season

After that , the mercury will climb in most parts of the nation but likely remain below 5 C in @ @ @ @ @ said .

SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- The first snow of the season fell on Mount Seorak near the east coast on Tuesday as temperatures nationwide dipped below 5 C, the weather authorities said.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, snow also fell on the peaks of Mounts Taebaek, Sobaek and Gwangdeok.
The morning low in Seoul was 2 C, but the wind chill was minus 1 C.
As of 6 a.m., the morning low ranged from minus 3.2 C in Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi Province, to minus 7.7 C on Mount Seorak and minus 10 C in Gyeryong, South Chungcheong Province.
The KMA forecast 3-5 C lower temperatures for Wednesday morning, saying Seoul is expected to reach minus 1 C, its lowest this fall.
After that, the mercury will climb in most parts of the nation but likely remain below 5 C in the mornings, the KMA said.
This photo, provided by the Mount Seorak Office, shows the first snow of the season that fell on the mountain on Nov. 3, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-03--Industry ministry to launch new division on future cars

SEOUL , Nov. 3 ( Yonhap ) -- South Korea 's industry ministry said Tuesday it will launch a new @ @ @ @ @ which will be in charge of spearheading the country 's future car sector in line @ @ @ @ @ on the automobile segment .

SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's industry ministry said Tuesday it will launch a new division under its wing, which will be in charge of spearheading the country's future car sector in line with the country's blueprint on the automobile segment.
The new division will also center on developing electric vehicle and hydrogen car-related technologies, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The new body will officially launch Nov. 11.
The decision came in line with the country's efforts to foster environment-friendly automobiles as the nation's new growth engine.
Last week, South Korea announced it will increase the number of accumulated sales of electric cars and hydrogen fuel cell automobiles to 1.13 million and 200,000, respectively, by 2025.
It will mark a sharp growth from September when the accumulated number of EVs on roads here reached 120,000 units, while those of hydrogen cars came to around 9,500 units.
To make eco-friendly cars more affordable, the country will also make efforts to extend tax deductions on the purchase of such automobiles by 2022 and work closely with private firms to slash the price of major parts.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-03--(2nd LD) S. Korea's inflation grows at slowest pace in 4 months in Oct.

The country 's inflationary pressure has remained low this year due mainly to a decline in low oil prices and @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus outbreak .
The consumer price index fell 0.3 percent on-year for the first time @ @ @ @ @ .

(ATTN: REWRITES lead; UPDATES with more details throughout)
By Kim Soo-yeon
SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's consumer prices grew at the slowest pace in four months in October due largely to one-off state subsidies for mobile phone bills, data showed Tuesday, underscoring the country's low inflationary pressure.
The consumer price index inched up 0.1 percent on-year last month, sharply slowing from a 1 percent on-year gain in the previous month, according to the data from Statistics Korea.
It marked the slowest on-year growth since June, when the price index stayed flat, and the fourth straight month of increase.
The sharp slowdown in inflation was mainly attributed to the government's move to provide 20,000 won (US$17.62) each to people in specific age groups to cover communication fees as part of its fourth extra budget designed to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Compared with a month earlier, the country's consumer inflation declined 0.6 percent last month, after posting a 0.7 percent on-month gain in September.
Core inflation, which excluded volatile food and oil prices, declined 0.3 percent on-year in October, compared with a 0.6 percent on-year gain in September. It marked the largest monthly fall since September 1999.
This undated file photo shows a sign highlighting the government's subsidy plan for mobile phone bills amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Yonhap)
The country's inflationary pressure has remained low this year due mainly to a decline in low oil prices and the fallout from the new coronavirus outbreak. The consumer price index fell 0.3 percent on-year for the first time in eight months in May.
"The consumer price index declined last month, affected by the temporary subsidies for communication fees and low oil costs," Ahn Hyung-joon, a Statistics Korea official, told a press briefing.
The finance ministry said the main factor for the November inflation will be how the coronavirus outbreak unfolds.
"Low oil prices and the country's ongoing massive shopping festival could put downward pressure on consumer prices," the ministry said in a separate statement.
Service charges fell 0.8 percent on-year in October due mainly to state subsidies for mobile phone bills. Communication fees declined 21.7 percent from a year earlier.
Prices of petrochemical products declined 14 percent on-year in October, larger than a 12 percent fall in September, due to low oil costs and the local currency's gain against the U.S. dollar.
Prices of agricultural, livestock and fisheries products rose 13.3 percent last month from a year earlier, slowing from a 13.5 percent gain the previous month, the data showed.
In September, agricultural prices shot up due to lingering impacts of typhoons and the rainy season in the summer.
Utility prices shed 4 percent on-year last month, compared with a 4.1 percent decline in September.
Prices of fresh food jumped 19.9 percent on-year in October, after soaring 21.5 percent the previous month from a year earlier.
This file photo, taken Oct. 6, 2020, shows people looking at vegetables while grocery shopping at a discount store in Seoul. (Yonhap)
Housing prices showed no letup despite the government's efforts to stabilize soaring home prices. Housing prices added 0.5 percent on-year last month, accelerating from a 0.4 percent rise in September and the fastest gain since August 2018.
Subdued inflation is expected to give South Korea's central bank more room to keep an accommodative monetary stance.
The Bank of Korea (BOK) froze its policy rate at a record low of 0.5 percent in October amid heightened economic uncertainties over the COVID-19 pandemic. The bank aims to keep inflation at 2 percent over the medium term.
BOK Gov. Lee Ju-yeol said last month that the on-year growth of inflation is expected to fall back below 1 percent in the fourth quarter, underscoring the outlook for low inflationary pressure.
The BOK forecast the inflation to grow 0.4 percent this year and increase 1 percent next year.
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-03--New virus cases below 100 for 2nd day amid concerns over post-Halloween surge

SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus infections stayed in double digits for the second consecutive day Tuesday, but concerns remain over cluster infections following Halloween celebrations over the weekend.
The country added 75 more COVID-19 cases, including 46 local infections, raising the total caseload to 26,807, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
Citizens receive coronavirus tests at a screening station in central Seoul on Nov. 1, 2010. (Yonhap)
The figure marked a fall from Monday when the triple-digit growth fell back to double digits for the first time in six days, the KDCA said.
The number of locally transmitted cases slipped below 50 for the first time in two weeks, while 29 were infected abroad, it said.
Since the country eased its three-tier social distancing measures by one notch to the lowest level on Oct. 12, the daily figures have shown ups and downs, hovering around 100.
The latest cases came mostly from senior nursing homes, hospitals and other facilities, but sporadic community infections have taken place at small gatherings of family and friends across the country.
Health authorities are still on guard against case increases this week as young people gathered at clubs and bars in Seoul for Halloween parties over the weekend in the middle of eased social distancing measures.
Authorities are paying keen attention to the latest cases, which could affect the new social distancing precautions set to take effect Saturday.
On Sunday, the authorities announced a new five-tier social distancing scheme with more specific and tailored antivirus steps, four months after the government made public the three-tier guidelines.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-03--(URGENT) 115 more patients released from coronavirus treatment, total now at 24,510: KDCA

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


yna--2020-11-03--(3rd LD) Kim Jong-un orders probe into recent shooting death of S. Korean official: spy agency

Instead , his powerful sister Yo-jong and other key aides have been put in charge of on-site inspections , the @ @ @ @ @ the official party rank of the sister , currently an alternate member at the Politburo @ @ @ @ @ Central Committee , is likely to be elevated in the upcoming party congress .

(ATTN: UPDATES with spy agency chief's possible visit to Japan and Chinese food aid to N. Korea in last 4 paras; ADDS 2nd photo)
SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's state intelligence agency said Tuesday that there is circumstantial evidence indicating that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has ordered a probe into the military's fatal shooting in September of a South Korean fisheries official, according to lawmakers.
Officials from the National Intelligence Service (NIS) made the remarks during a parliamentary intelligence committee's regular audit session into the agency, lawmakers who attended the meeting said.
"According to intelligence, there are circumstantial signs of (North Korea) carrying out a search for the body (of the slain official)," one of the official was quoted as saying during the closed-door session.
"(NIS) detected circumstantial signs indicating that Chairman Kim ordered a probe into details of the incident," the official said.
The remarks were relayed to the media by Rep. Ha Tae-keung of the main opposition People Power Party and Rep. Kim Byung-kee of the ruling Democratic Party, both senior members at the intelligence committee.
Asked if the order called for a fresh probe on top of the initial investigation allegedly conducted by the North, Kim said, "As far as we understand, yes."
Three days after the North Korean military shot the 47-year-old official to death on the northern side of the maritime border in the Yellow Sea, Pyongyang said in a notification sent to South Korea on Sept. 25 that it was launching an internal probe into the case.
The NIS official also said the North Korean military reduced the use of its communication networks and changed its communication slang after details about the military communication lines were exposed to South Korean media following the shooting incident.
Park Jie-won, the director of the National Intelligence Service, is seen ahead of the parliamentary audit into the agency on Nov. 3, 2020, at the agency's headquarters in Seoul. (Yonhap)
North Korea may also announce a reorganization of the leadership with an eye to elevating the status of Chairman Kim as well as a new line of internal and external strategies during the 8th Workers' Party Congress stated for January next year, according to the NIS officials.
"The North is preparing to make the congress the highest-profile political event in order to break out of the internal and external impasse ... the 8th congress could become an important tipping point for the North Korean (political) system," the officials noted.
As part of the process, Kim may also be elevated to Generalissimo -- the highest rank of generals granted to his predecessors Kim Jong-il, posthumously in 2012, and Kim Il-sung, in 1992 -- the officials said.
Kim also turned his leadership to be "policy-oriented" from one centered on on-site inspections, presiding over a far higher number of party policy meetings this year compared with previous years, they said.
Instead, his powerful sister Yo-jong and other key aides have been put in charge of on-site inspections, the officials said, adding that the official party rank of the sister, currently an alternate member at the Politburo of the Workers' Party Central Committee, is likely to be elevated in the upcoming party congress.
On the military front, the communist country is in the process of building two new submarines that are capable of carrying submarine-launched ballistic missiles, the officials also said.
Referring to the North's military parade last month, the intelligence officials said the event involved a total of 76 ballistic missiles of nine different types, the biggest number of such weapons presented by the country.
The officials said the North is injecting young blood into its military, recently replacing about 40 percent of army corps commanders with younger officers in their 50s. The Ministry of People's Armed Forces has also been renamed as the defense ministry, probably in a step to fit into the image of a "normal state," the officials said.
Also Tuesday, the spy agency dismissed a recent media report that First Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui went through forced labor amid her monthslong absence from state media.
"Though First Vice Minister Choe has not taken part in public activities, she is known to be focusing on setting up (the North's) U.S. policy after the presidential election," Kim, the ruling party lawmaker, said, citing the agency officials.
Separately, Park Jie-won, the director of the NIS, is arranging a visit to Japan, Kim said, without giving any further details.
A Japanese broadcaster earlier said Park is planning a trip to Tokyo next week for talks with senior Japanese officials.
On North Korea's food shortages, the South Korean spy agency said China appears to be continuing to provide considerable amounts of food to the impoverished country, Kim said.
China is North Korea's most important trading partner and a key source of food, arms and fuel, giving Beijing significant leverage over Pyongyang.
Park Jie-won (C), the director of the National Intelligence Service, is seen ahead of the parliamentary audit into the agency at the agency's headquarters in Seoul on Nov. 3, 2020. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-03--(LEAD) (US election) Americans vote to elect next U.S. president in one of most contentious election

(LEAD) (US election) Americans vote to elect next U.S. president in one of most contentious elections

WASHINGTON , Nov. 3 ( Yonhap ) -- American voters began going to the polls Tuesday to decide who will @ @ @ @ @ next four years in one of the most contentious presidential elections in recent history and @ @ @ @ @ to be the most scandalous one as well .

(ATTN: UPDATES with more information, minor changes in paras 3-4, 6-9 and 16)
By Byun Duk-kun
WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- American voters began going to the polls Tuesday to decide who will lead their country for the next four years in one of the most contentious presidential elections in recent history and one that could turn out to be the most scandalous one as well.
Voting began in the small town of Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, where its small population traditionally gathers at the turn of midnight to cast ballots, with the results often declared in minutes afterward.
Democratic candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden swept all five votes cast in Dixville Notch, according to reports.
President Donald Trump, on the other hand, won 16 votes out of the 21 ballots cast in nearby Millsfield, New Hampshire, which also participates in the traditional early voting.
The illustration shows U.S. President Donald Trump (L) and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden. (Yonhap)
About 150 million, or 62 percent, of the roughly 240 million eligible American voters were expected to cast their ballots in Tuesday's election, marking the highest voter turnaround in over a century since 1908, when the turnaround rate stood at 65.7 percent.
More than 99 million voters have already cast their ballots -- nearly 64 million in mail-in votes and over 35 million in early, in-person voting.
Tuesday's election was widely expected to be decided by the voting results in six battleground states -- Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin -- which together hold 101 electoral college votes.
Trump won all six battleground states in the 2016 election. Whoever wins a majority of the 538 electoral college votes will become the next U.S. president.
The race between Trump and Biden is being closely watched by many countries, including South Korea, as the stark difference between their views on nearly every issue points to drastic changes in how the U.S. will interact with the rest of the world over the next four years.
Trump has vowed to continue putting "America first" as the world's most powerful nation continues to struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout.
The worst pandemic in decades, and possibly in the entire U.S. history, has consumed nearly all campaign efforts, and whoever wins the election will face a daunting task of keeping Americans safe from the novel virus and preventing the economy from falling into a deep recession.
As of Sunday, over 9.1 million Americans have been infected by the new coronavirus, while more than 234,000 have died from the infectious disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Both numbers account for around 20 percent of global tallies, while Americans account for only about 3 percent of the world population.
Biden says he will begin to tackle the pandemic from the very first day of his presidency, if elected, but also notes one of the first things he will do as president is to restore his country's leadership in the international community.
The former vice president accuses Trump of undermining the country's relationship with other countries, especially its traditional allies, with his America First policy.
The image provided by Yonhap News TV shows U.S. President Donald Trump (L) and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden. American voters began hitting the polls on Nov. 3, 2020, to elect the next U.S. president. (Yonhap)
Unlike in past elections, the winner of Tuesday's presidential election may not be declared for days, if not weeks, partly because of the record number of mail-in votes.
Many states do not allow the counting of mail-in ballots until after the end of the election, while some even accept mail-in votes that are postmarked on the day of the election.
Also, Trump is widely expected to dispute the election results should he find himself on the losing end.
He has repeatedly claimed the only way he is going to "lose this election is if this election is rigged," leaving many suspecting that he may challenge the outcome regardless of how many votes he loses by if he does not win.
Also at stake in Tuesday's election are 35 Senate seats, as well as all 435 seats in the House of Representatives.
Trump's Republican Party currently has a majority of Senate seats but is defending 23 of the 35 seats up for grabs.
The Democratic Party needs to take four or more seats, in addition to the 12 seats it is defending, for a Senate majority.
The liberal party currently holds a House majority of 232 seats over 197 held by the conservative party.
The winner of the presidential election will be sworn in on Jan. 20 but may face difficulties for years to come without a majority of seats in either house of U.S. Congress.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)