yna--2020-11-13--(2nd LD) Ruling party chief calls on Biden to keep 2018 deal between Kim Jong-un, Trump

`` It is the first ever agreement in history forged between the leaders of North Korea and the U.S. , @ @ @ @ @ It has legitimacy and authority , and to its content the South and North Koreas @ @ @ @ @ agreed , '' he added .

(ATTN: UPDATES with more info in last 4 paras)
SEOUL, Nov. 13 (Yonhap) -- The ruling party chairman expressed hope Friday that a 2018 deal signed between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and President Donald Trump will be retained under the incoming U.S. administration under President-elect Joe Biden.
"I wish that South Korea and the U.S. will work together to reactivate the Korean Peninsula peace process," Rep. Lee Nak-yon, the chairman of Democratic Party (DP), said during a top party council meeting.
"The starting point for that will be the reaffirmation of the 2018 Singapore agreement between the U.S. and North Korea," Lee said, referring to the joint statement signed by Kim and Trump during their first summit meeting that year.
"I wish that it could be maintained under the Biden administration," the party leader said.
In the statement, the two nations agreed to the establishment of "new relations," joint efforts to build a peace regime on the peninsula as well as effort on the North Korean side for the "complete denuclearization" of the peninsula.
No clear progress has been made, however, in the implementation of the Kim-Trump deal as working-level talks between the countries remain stalled.
"It is the first ever agreement in history forged between the leaders of North Korea and the U.S.," Lee stressed. "It has legitimacy and authority, and to its content the South and North Koreas and the U.S. have all agreed," he added.
Lee's remarks followed the first phone call held between President Moon Jae-in and Biden on Thursday. The two reaffirmed their commitment to their countries' alliance and peace on the peninsula.
Rep. Lee Nak-yon, the chairman of the ruling Democratic Party (Yonhap)
DP floor leader Rep. Kim Tae-nyeon, meanwhile, called for a summit between Moon and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga within the year to seek a breakthrough in the protracted diplomatic dispute between Seoul and Tokyo.
"If a South Korea-Japan summit takes place this year, (the two leaders) could adopt a 2020 declaration marking a new epoch between the nations in which they seek to settle historical issues and establish a forward-looking relationship," said Kim.
Kim stated that an annual trilateral meeting among the South Korean, Japanese and Chinese leaders, which Seoul is planning to host this year, could serve as an opportune moment for the Moon-Suga summit.
The floor leader stressed the need for Tokyo to participate in the three-way summit without preconditions.
Kim also expressed hope for Japan to produce a "sincere solution" to the thorny diplomatic issue involving Japan's forced mobilization of Korean workers during World War II.
In a separate meeting with reporters, Lee said the leaders of South Korea and Japan should hold a summit to settle the pending issues, instead of waiting for lower-level negotiations to solve the problems.
South Korea and Japan have clashed over Tokyo's export curbs last year that are seen as political retaliation for Korean Supreme Court rulings in 2018 that ordered Japanese firms to compensate victims of forced labor during Japan's 1910-45 colonization of the Korean Peninsula.
"A successful Tokyo Summer Olympics will require North Korea's cooperation and President Moon Jae-in's help," Lee said.
"The relationship between South Korea and Japan needs to be improved before the launch of the Biden administration. It is desirable that President Moon and Prime Minister Suga persuade Biden in the same voice for the peace and prosperity of Northeast Asia," he added.
The ruling Democratic Party's floor leader Rep. Kim Tae-nyeon speaks during a top party council meeting on Nov. 13, 2020. (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-13--(LEAD) Authorities on alert as Seoul braces for weekend rallies amid virus case spikes

The city lifted its assembly ban of over 10 people last month when new daily cases fell to double-digits .
@ @ @ @ @ back to over 100 , with 191 new cases reported Friday , the highest in @ @ @ @ @ the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency .

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; UPDATES with more details in paras 5, 7-11)
SEOUL, Nov. 13 (Yonhap) -- Seoul police said Friday they will sternly respond to any illegal activities during rallies scheduled for this weekend amid rising concerns over possible spread of the new coronavirus.
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and its affiliate groups plan to organize gatherings across 30 locations in Seoul, including the wards of Yeongdeungpo, Mapo and Seocho, on Saturday afternoon, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said.
KCTU will also stage a separate demonstration at Yeouido Park in central Seoul.
Regular weekly anti-government rallies by conservative groups are also scheduled to be held in Seoul's central ward of Jongno and Seocho Ward in Seoul's southern area on Saturday afternoon.
According to police, a total of 78 outdoor rallies were scheduled to be held Saturday.
This file photo shows police checking vehicles heading to Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on Oct. 3, 2020, in an effort to prevent sudden illegal rallies amid the virus outbreak. (Yonhap)
This file photo shows a signboard set up at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on Oct. 17, 2020, explaining a ban on large-scale rallies over concerns about COVID-19. (Yonhap)
The city lifted its assembly ban of over 10 people last month when new daily cases fell to double-digits. But daily transmissions recently spiked back to over 100, with 191 new cases reported Friday, the highest in 70 days, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.
Due to concerns of mass coronavirus outbreaks, rallies with 100 or more participants are prohibited by the government.
The police said they will disperse demonstrations by force when the number of participants reaches more than 100.
"We advise all organizations to refrain from holding rallies or scale them down as the country is seeing a spike in COVID-19 cases, raising public concerns," the agency said.
"Should the demonstrations proceed, we ask the hosts to stick to the country's anti-virus rules," police said.
The police also said they may have to reroute public buses and vehicles passing through the rally sites, considering the circumstances Saturday. It also asked people to use public transport and car drivers to detour those areas.
nyway@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-13--Top starter available in bullpen for Wiz in KBO postseason elimination game

Lee had already tried his hands at using a starter out of the bullpen .
In Game 1 , with @ @ @ @ @ 0-0 in the eighth , starter William Cuevas was brought in , but he was @ @ @ @ @ without getting out of that inning .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 13 (Yonhap) -- The KT Wiz have just avoided getting sent home from the South Korean baseball postseason, and they face another elimination game Friday against the Doosan Bears -- but with a potential game changer now available.
KT manager Lee Kang-chul, predictably, is all hands on deck, to the degree that his teenage No. 1 starter, So Hyeong-jun, will be ready to pitch in relief if necessary.
So fired 6 2/3 scoreless innings for a no-decision in a 3-2 loss in Game 1 of the best-of-five in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) on Monday. The Wiz lost the next game before battling back to win Game 3 Thursday.
With So having rested for three days, Lee said he doesn't want to lose the game and the series with his best arm on the bench.
So Hyeong-jun of the KT Wiz pitches against the Doosan Bears in the top of the first inning of Game 1 of the Korea Baseball Organization second-round postseason series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
"He's too good of an option not to use today," Lee said in his pregame media availability at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. "This game will come down to the timing of our pitching changes."
Lee had already tried his hands at using a starter out of the bullpen. In Game 1, with the game still tied at 0-0 in the eighth, starter William Cuevas was brought in, but he was charged with two earned runs without getting out of that inning.
Cuevas didn't make any relief appearance during the regular season. So did it twice in October, and that experience made Lee's decision a bit easier.
"He has pitched in middle relief and he's feeling good," Lee said. "If (Game 4 starter) Bae Je-seong can give us three innings or so, I may just go ahead and bring in So Hyeong-jun. I will bear all the responsibility for whatever outcome we get from that."
Lee said, ideally, So would come in to start a new inning, instead of pitching with runners on base.
After scoring three runs combined in the first two losses, the Wiz exploded for five runs with two outs in the eighth in Thursday's victory.
Lee tried to downplay the effects of that big inning, saying it was already a day old and the Wiz are about to play a new game. But he held out hopes that players who had been struggling earlier would enter Friday's game feeling better about themselves.
"I am worried that the guys will now get too excited and start trying to do too much," the manager said. "We have our one win out of the way. I hope we can all relax and stay patient."
KT Wiz manager Lee Kang-chul watches his team in action against the Doosan Bears in the top of the ninth inning of Game 2 of the Korea Baseball Organization second-round postseason series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-13--S. Korea, Greece hold defense talks, vow to strengthen cooperation

The South Korean vice minister also promised the government 's support for the planned project of moving the monument to @ @ @ @ @ War participation to a park in the central city of Yeoju , Gyeonggi Province .
@ @ @ @ @ a highway service area in the city , and the relocation is scheduled to take @ @ @ @

SEOUL, Nov. 13 (Yonhap) -- The vice defense ministers of South Korea and Greece held a meeting Friday and agreed to enhance bilateral defense cooperation, Seoul's defense ministry said.
Greece's vice defense chief, Alkiviadis Stefanis, is in South Korea at the invitation of Seoul's Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (MPVA) to mark the 70th anniversary of the 1950-53 Korean War.
During the talks held in Seoul, Vice Defense Minister Park Jae-min and Stefanis "vowed to make efforts to beef up defense cooperation in diverse fields, such as defense industries," the ministry said in a statement.
The Greek official said that his country will support South Korea against any threats to peace and democracy on the Korean Peninsula. He also expressed gratitude for the Seoul government's provision of face masks in May to Greek Korean War veterans, according to the ministry.
Park thanked Stefanis for visiting despite the COVID-19 situation, and promised to never forget the sacrifice of Greek troops during the Korean War.
The South Korean vice minister also promised the government's support for the planned project of moving the monument to commemorate the Greece's Korean War participation to a park in the central city of Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province. The monument is currently at a highway service area in the city, and the relocation is scheduled to take place in 2021.
Greece sent a total of 10,581 troops to South Korea. Of them, 192 were killed and 543 wounded, according to government data.
South Korea's Vice Defense Minister Park Jae-min (L) and his Greek counterpart, Alkiviadis Stefanis, pose for a picture ahead of their bilateral meeting in Seoul on Nov. 13, 2020, in this photo provided by Park's office. They are holding a commemorable tablet the Greek vice chief gave to Park. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


Yonhap News Summary

Ban made the remark in a keynote speech at a seminar in Seoul , saying the North 's denuclearization issue @ @ @ @ @ `` on a rollercoaster '' following the inauguration of Joe Biden as the next U.S. @ @

The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Friday.
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S. Korea should send strong message to N. Korea. not to make provocations: ex-U.N. chief
SEOUL -- South Korea should send strong message to North Korea to make it refrain from provocations, former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Friday, amid speculation Pyongyang could soon launch missiles to test the incoming Joe Biden administration.
Ban made the remark in a keynote speech at a seminar in Seoul, saying the North's denuclearization issue is likely to be back "on a rollercoaster" following the inauguration of Joe Biden as the next U.S. President.
-----------------
No formal request from U.S. over 'Quad' coalition, Cheong Wa Dae official says
SEOUL -- South Korea has not received any formal request from the United States to join the so-called Quad, a regional strategic coalition widely viewed as aimed at containing China's assertiveness, according to a senior Cheong Wa Dae official Friday.
"In connection with the Quad, there has been no formal request at all made by the U.S. government to our government," Suh Choo-suk, deputy director of Cheong Wa Dae's national security office, said during a parliamentary session.
-----------------
S. Korean bio firm GL Rapha to produce Russian COVID-19 vaccine
SEOUL -- South Korean bio company GL Rapha will produce over 150 million annual doses of Russia's COVID-19 vaccine for global distribution, Russia's sovereign wealth fund said Friday.
The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said GL Rapha will begin manufacturing Sputnik V in South Korea next month, which it described "the world's first registered vaccine" based on "human adenoviral vector-based platform."
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(LEAD) S. Korea to donate US$10 mln for COVID-19 vaccine support to developing nations, Moon says
SEOUL -- President Moon Jae-in on Friday held a summit with leaders of Southeast Asia's Mekong River nations via video links, in which he promised to contribute US$10 million to help provide new coronavirus vaccines to developing nations.
"We will contribute $10 million for coronavirus vaccine support to developing countries through the COVID-19 Vaccines Advance Market Commitment (COVAX)," Moon said during his second annual summit with leaders of the five Mekong River nations -- Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand.
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(LEAD) Ruling party chief asks Biden admin to keep 2018 deal between Kim Jong-un, Trump
SEOUL -- The ruling party chairman expressed hope Friday that a 2018 deal signed between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and President Donald Trump will be retained under the incoming U.S. administration under President-elect Joe Biden.
"I wish that South Korea and the U.S. will work together to reactivate the Korean Peninsula peace process," Rep. Lee Nak-yon, the chairman of Democratic Party (DP), said during a top party council meeting.
-----------------
Ministry says cancellation of Samsung-chartered flights to China does not mean halt of 'fast-track' program
SEOUL -- The foreign ministry said Friday that this week's cancellation of two Samsung-chartered flights to China does not mean a suspension of a bilateral "fast-track" program to ease COVID-19 entry restrictions for essential businesspeople.
The ministry called the cancellation an "isolated" case, amid speculation that the cancellation of the flights, initially set to depart for the Chinese cities of Xian and Tianjin on Friday, amounted to a halt of the fast-track program.
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Ruling party chief asks Biden admin to keep 2018 deal between Kim Jong-un, Trump
SEOUL -- The ruling party chairman expressed hope Friday that a 2018 deal signed between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and President Donald Trump will be retained under the incoming U.S. administration under President-elect Joe Biden.
"I wish that South Korea and the U.S. will work together to reactivate the Korean Peninsula peace process," Rep. Lee Nak-yon, the chairman of Democratic Party, said during a top party council meeting.
-----------------
IZ*ONE, Monsta X to join NCsoft's new K-pop platform
SEOUL -- K-pop acts IZ*ONE and Monsta X are set to join game developer NCsoft's new fan platform aiming for launch early next year, the company said Friday.
The platform, named Universe, will allow K-pop fans around the world to join fan communities and enjoy original content, according to KLAP, an NCsoft affiliate that is leading the project.
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Reliability of polls questioned as support rates for top prosecutor fluctuate
SEOUL -- Only two days after a local poll ranked Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl as the most favored candidate to become South Korea's next president, two separate polls released on Friday showed the top prosecutor well behind two political heavyweights from the ruling Democratic Party, raising questions about the trustworthiness of local opinion polls.
Lee Nak-yon, chairman of the Democratic Party, and Gyeonggi Province Gov. Lee Jae-myung together ranked top in the latest popularity survey by Gallup Korea on prospective presidential candidates, with Yoon ranked a distant third.
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(LEAD) Seoul stocks rebound on chip rally despite global virus resurgence
SEOUL -- South Korean stocks closed at a nearly two-year high Friday on advances in chipmakers, backed by massive foreign buying amid the resurgence of the new coronavirus around the globe. The Korean won fell against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 18.25 points, or 0.74 percent, to close at 2,493.87 points.
(END)


yna--2020-11-13--S. Korea should send strong message to N. Korea not to make provocations: ex-U.N. chief

`` There is a possibility the Kim Jong-un regime could test-launch a missile to test the Biden administration , '' @ @ @ @ @ is necessary for us to send strong messages using various routes so that they do @ @ @ @ @ ''

By Choi Soo-hyang
SEOUL, Nov. 13 (Yonhap) -- South Korea should send strong message to North Korea to make it refrain from provocations, former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Friday, amid speculation Pyongyang could soon launch missiles to test the incoming Joe Biden administration.
Ban made the remark in a keynote speech at a seminar in Seoul, saying the North's denuclearization issue is likely to be back "on a rollercoaster" following the inauguration of Joe Biden as the next U.S. President.
"There is a possibility the Kim Jong-un regime could test-launch a missile to test the Biden administration," he said. "It is necessary for us to send strong messages using various routes so that they don't make such provocations."
Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks during a seminar in Seoul on Nov. 13, 2020. (Yonhap)
South Korea's government has repeatedly urged North Korea to act in a discreet and flexible manner and stay clear of provocations amid heightened uncertainty over Washington's North Korea policy during the leadership transition there.
Biden has been critical of President Donald Trump's policy on denuclearization negotiations, saying that he will push for "principled" diplomacy on the North. Pyongyang has stayed mum on Biden's election, an uncommonly long silence on the results of U.S. presidential elections.
Forecasting South Korea and the United States to have a "much stronger, much better relationship" under Biden, Ban, however, said the two countries should first have a shared definition of North Korea's denuclearization.
As two players running a three-legged race together, they should have "light-tight" coordination on the North Korea issue with Seoul taking a more active role as "the most directly involved party," he said.
Ban did not expect Biden to use a declaration to end the 1950-53 Korean War as a "surprise show" like U.S. President Donald Trump could have done.
"Still, if North Korea partly shuts down its nuclear or missile program, if there is a firm agreement on that, I think U.N. sanctions could be partly eased. Such a progress is possible as a reasonable process (under Biden)," Ban said.
On other alliance issues, the former secretary general said the envisioned transfer of the wartime operational control (OPCON) of South Korean troops from Washington to Seoul is unlikely to be completed within the Moon Jae-in administration.
The Moon administration hopes to retake OPCON from Washington within his term that ends in May 2022, though the transition is not time-based but conditions-based.
Ban served as the 8th U.N. secretary general from 2007 to 2016, a period that overlapped with Biden's term in office as the U.S. vice president from 2009 to 2017.
scaaet@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-13--Bears' manager juggles lineup after demoralizing loss in KBO postseason

Manager Kim Tae-hyoung had stuck to the identical lineup for four straight Korea Baseball Organization ( KBO ) postseason games @ @ @ @ @ previous series against the LG Twins .
But after his team managed just four hits @ @ @ @ @ the Wiz in Game 3 of the best-of-five second round on Thursday , Kim decided @ @ @ @ @ change .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 13 (Yonhap) -- Having lost a bit of momentum in their South Korean baseball postseason series, the Doosan Bears will come out with a new-look lineup against the KT Wiz on Friday.
Manager Kim Tae-hyoung had stuck to the identical lineup for four straight Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason games, dating back to the previous series against the LG Twins. But after his team managed just four hits in a 5-2 loss to the Wiz in Game 3 of the best-of-five second round on Thursday, Kim decided it was time for a change.
Oh Jae-won of the Doosan Bears puts down a sacrifice bunt against the KT Wiz during the bottom of the third inning of Game 3 of the second round in the Korea Baseball Organization postseason at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 12, 2020. (Yonhap)
First baseman Oh Jae-il will move down from No. 3 to No. 8. He's batting only 1-for-12 in the series, including 0-for-8 with five strikeouts over the past two games.
Right fielder Park Kun-woo moves from No. 9 to leadoff. Third baseman Heo Kyoung-min, who left Thursday's game early with dizziness, is back in the lineup but will be batting seventh, instead of his usual fifth.
Second baseman Choi Joo-hwan will make his first start of the postseason after recovering from foot injury. He had been limited to pinch-hitting duties but will bat fifth Friday.
Oh Jae-won, who had been handling second base duties, has tweaked his right knee, according to the manager. Oh was already dealing with soreness in the left knee.
The Bears still lead the series 2-1 and will clinch a spot in their sixth straight Korean Series with a win Friday.
Kim said he'll have his bullpen ready to come in early in the game if necessary, depending on how starter Yoo Hee-kwan performs.
"It'd be ideal if Yoo Hee-kwan can give us a long outing," Kim said in his pregame media session at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. "We'll have relievers up early and send them out early when we can."
Doosan Bears' manager Kim Tae-hyoung (L) salutes the crowd after beating the KT Wiz 4-1 in Game 2 of the Korea Baseball Organization second-round postseason series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 10, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-13--(LEAD) Seoul stocks rebound on chip rally despite global virus resurgence

South Korea 's prime minister said the government would have to `` seriously consider '' toughening its social distancing scheme @ @ @ @ @ new daily cases spiked to almost 200 on Friday , the highest in 70 days @

(ATTN: ADDS bond yields at bottom, photo)
SEOUL, Nov. 13 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks closed at a nearly two-year high Friday on advances in chipmakers, backed by massive foreign buying amid the resurgence of the new coronavirus around the globe. The Korean won fell against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 18.25 points, or 0.74 percent, to close at 2,493.87 points.
Trading volume was high at about 1.1 billion shares worth some 16.8 trillion won (US$15.1 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 530 to 299.
Electronic signboards at a Hana Bank dealing room in Seoul show the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed at 2,493.87 on Nov. 13, 2020, up 18.25 points or 0.74 percent from the previous session's close. (Yonhap)
"Today's trading started off weak from the global resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic, but finished in positive terrain on strong foreign buying," said Daeshin Securities analyst Lee Kyung-min.
"Foreigners' top picks included top cap stocks such as Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor, SK hynix and LG Chem," he added.
Foreigners raked in a net 523 billion won, extending their buying streak to a seventh consecutive session. Institutions bought 94 billion won, while retail investors sold a net 589 billion won.
South Korea's prime minister said the government would have to "seriously consider" toughening its social distancing scheme, as the country's new daily cases spiked to almost 200 on Friday, the highest in 70 days.
Investors were also concerned about the economic fallout from the new coronavirus.
In Seoul, most large caps closed higher.
Top cap Samsung Electronics spiked 3.61 percent to 63,200 won, the highest closing ever. No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix gained 1.82 percent to 89,700 won.
Hyundai Motor, the country's largest carmaker, advanced 2.01 percent to 177,500 won.
Leading chemical firm LG Chem rose 1.88 percent to 705,000 won, but rechargeable battery maker Samsung SDI dipped 2.72 percent to 501,000 won.
Pharmaceutical giant Samsung Biologics climbed 0.53 percent to 757,000 won, but Celltrion retreated 0.68 percent to 290,000 won.
Internet portal giant Naver gained 0.72 percent to 281,000 won, and its rival Kakao advanced 2.24 percent to 365,500 won.
The local currency closed at 1,115.6 won against the U.S. dollar, down 0.8 won from the previous session's close.
Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed higher. The yield on three-year Treasurys lost 0.4 basis point to 0.965 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bond fell 2.1 basis points to 1.298 percent.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-13--Some 13,000 visit royal palaces during festival despite pandemic

The royal palace festival has become an exemplary model of a `` safe festival '' in times of COVID-19 , @ @ @ @ @ release .
`` We hope the visitors recognize palaces as beings living the present with @ @ @ @ @ a legacy from the past , '' it added .

SEOUL, Nov. 13 (Yonhap) -- Some 13,000 people took part in a monthlong festival highlighting Korean royal palaces despite the new coronavirus pandemic, the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) said Friday.
The royal palace festival, which ran from Oct. 10 to Nov. 8 at four palaces in central Seoul -- Gyeongbok, Changdeok, Deoksu and Changgyeong -- as well as Jongmyo Shrine, offered visitors a chance to explore Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) era heritage both online and offline.
Around 13,000 people attended 12 programs that were held in-person while online content garnered over 2.17 million combined views on social media, according to CHA.
The government agency said that a media performance on the folk story of devoted daughter Shim Cheong that was held at Gyeongbok Palace and a moonlight walk at Changdeok Palace were especially popular among on-site events.
Among videos that were released on YouTube, the story of Joseon Dynasty princes who suffered tragic deaths was especially popular. A dance challenge with K-pop band Newkidd held as part of the festival on the video-sharing platform Tiktok topped 2.7 million views, according to CHA.
This photo, provided by the Cultural Heritage Administration, shows actors performing a stage production of folk story Shim Cheong at Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
This photo, provided by the Cultural Heritage Administration, shows a night scenery of Changgyeong Palace in central Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Some 130 online programs of the festival will remain available on its official YouTube channel (https://url.kr/JIL1Tt).
The royal palace festival has become an exemplary model of a "safe festival" in times of COVID-19, CHA said in its press release. "We hope the visitors recognize palaces as beings living the present with the people, not just a legacy from the past," it added.
nyway@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-13--No formal request from U.S. over 'Quad' coalition, Cheong Wa Dae official says

Many voice concern about the possibility that the Biden government will get tougher on Beijing , a close neighbor and @ @ @ @ @ .
The left-leaning Moon Jae-in administration has endeavored to strike a balance between its efforts @ @ @ @ @ with the U.S. and strengthen strategic relations with China .

SEOUL, Nov. 13 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has not received any formal request from the United States to join the so-called Quad, a regional strategic coalition widely viewed as aimed at containing China's assertiveness, according to a senior Cheong Wa Dae official Friday.
"In connection with the Quad, there has been no formal request at all made by the U.S. government to our government," Suh Choo-suk, deputy director of Cheong Wa Dae's national security office, said during a parliamentary session.
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, also known as Quad, groups together the U.S., Japan, Australia and India.
Speculation has been rampant that Washington is putting thinly veiled pressure on Seoul to participate in the forum as it's reportedly considering the broadening of the membership as "the Quad Plus."
"As far as I know, there has been no actual push for the Quad Plus," Suh told lawmakers.
He pointed out, "It remains to be seen whether (the U.S. will retain the initiative) after the launch of the new administration of (Joe) Biden."
Many voice concern about the possibility that the Biden government will get tougher on Beijing, a close neighbor and key economic partner of Seoul. The left-leaning Moon Jae-in administration has endeavored to strike a balance between its efforts to beef up the alliance with the U.S. and strengthen strategic relations with China.
Suh Choo-suk, deputy director of the national security office at Cheong Wa Dae, in a file photo. (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


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(END)


yna--2020-11-14--GM recalls EVs equipped with LG Chem batteries

GM Korea , the South Korean unit , said there have been no fire cases reported from the Bolt EVs @ @ @ @ @ Nevertheless , the unit will also cooperate with related authorities to take preemptive measures , @ @ @

SEOUL, Nov. 14 (Yonhap) -- General Motors Co. said Saturday it has decided to recall electric vehicles equipped with batteries made by South Korean producer LG Chem Ltd. due to safety concerns.
The recall covers the Bolt EV produced from 2017 to 2019, installed with LG Chem's batteries made from Ochang, 120 kilometers south of Seoul.
The measure came amid concerns that the batteries could cause fires when fully charged. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched investigations into three fire cases from the EVs.
The U.S. automotive giant has also developed software that limits battery charges to 90 percent of their capacity, it added. The program will be gradually updated for automobiles, starting with North America next week.
GM Korea, the South Korean unit, said there have been no fire cases reported from the Bolt EVs sold over the period. Nevertheless, the unit will also cooperate with related authorities to take preemptive measures, it added.
The company, meanwhile, advised customers to change their charging settings to either "hill top reserve" or "target change level" options, which will limit the charging capacity to 90 percent.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-14--Hong calls for trade multilateralism, support for debt-ridden economies

`` Given the scale of the COVID-19 crisis , the significant debt vulnerabilities and deteriorating outlook in many low-income countries @ @ @ @ @ treatments beyond the Debt Service Suspension Initiative ( DSSI ) may be required on a @ @ @ @ @ G-20 said in a statement .

SEOUL, Nov. 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's finance minister highlighted the need to promote free trade under multilateral regimes, while expressing support for assistance to debt-ridden developing economies during a G-20 meeting, his ministry said Saturday.
"We need to revitalize global trade through multilateral trade systems," Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki said during the Extraordinary G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors' Meeting held virtually on Friday.
"Trade regulations can hurt the global supply chain and weigh down investment among countries," Hong added. "The G-20 nations should actively join hands to build a free, fair, and predictable trade environment."
Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki speaks during the Extraordinary G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors' Meeting held virtually in this photo released by his ministry on Nov. 14, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
During the meeting, the member countries approved plans to support virus-hit low-income nations.
"Given the scale of the COVID-19 crisis, the significant debt vulnerabilities and deteriorating outlook in many low-income countries, we recognize that debt treatments beyond the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) may be required on a case-by-case basis," the G-20 said in a statement.
The debt relief programs had been set to end by the end of this year but were extended until June next year.
Hong welcomed the decision, pointing out that each country should also disclose their debt-related information transparently.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-14--(LEAD) 4 players, 1 staffer on S. Korean nat'l football team test positive for COVID-19

The KFA had set strict protocols for the team to ensure players ' and staffers ' health and safety .
@ @ @ @ @ floor of its Vienna hotel , and its members have been confined to their rooms @ @ @ @ @ far .
A national team chef traveled with the team to prepare meals at the @ @ @ @ @ and coaches would n't go out to find things to eat .

(ATTN: ADDS details from para 6, photos)
By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 14 (Yonhap) -- Four players and one staff member on the South Korean men's national football team have tested positive for the novel coronavirus while in Austria to play friendly matches.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) said Saturday that forward Lee Dong-jun, midfielders Kwon Chang-hoon and Hwang In-beom, goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo, and an unidentified staffer tested positive for COVID-19 after undergoing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test at 5 p.m. Thursday in Austria.
South Korean men's national football team players huddle around their head coach Paulo Bento during practice at BSFZ-Arena at Maria Enzersdorf-Sudstadt in Maria Enzersdorf, Austria, on Nov. 11, 2020, in this photo provided by the Korea Football Association. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The team has been staying in Vienna since earlier this week to prepare for matches against Mexico on Saturday and Qatar on Tuesday.
The KFA said all five are asymptomatic, and the rest of the team and all other staff members are being quarantined in their hotel rooms.
Those who have tested negative are scheduled to be tested again at 8 a.m. Saturday local time, and the status of the upcoming matches will be determined depending on their results, the KFA added.
South Korean midfielder Kwon Chang-hoon trains with the men's national football team at BSFZ-Arena at Maria Enzersdorf-Sudstadt in Maria Enzersdorf, Austria, on Nov. 9, 2020, in this photo provided by the Korea Football Association. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The Mexico match is set for 9 p.m. Saturday locally (5 a.m. Sunday in Seoul), and the next one against Qatar is scheduled to kick off at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Austria (10 p.m. Tuesday in South Korea).
These are the first international contests for the men's national team, whose previous action came at the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Football Championship in Busan, 450 kilometers southeast of Seoul, in December 2019.
The last time South Korea, coached by Paulo Bento, played overseas was in November last year, when the Taeguk Warriors faced Brazil in Abu Dhabi.
South Korean midfielder Kwon Chang-hoon trains with the men's national football team at BSFZ-Arena at Maria Enzersdorf-Sudstadt in Maria Enzersdorf, Austria, on Nov. 10, 2020, in this photo provided by the Korea Football Association. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Jo is the starting goalkeeper for the South Korean club Ulsan Hyundai FC, and Lee plays for another domestic side, Busan IPark. Kwon is based in Germany, playing for SC Freiburg, and Hwang In-beom is playing in Russia for FC Rubin Kazan.
The KFA had set strict protocols for the team to ensure players' and staffers' health and safety. The team rented an entire floor of its Vienna hotel, and its members have been confined to their rooms and the training facility so far. A national team chef traveled with the team to prepare meals at the hotel, so that players and coaches wouldn't go out to find things to eat.
South Korean goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo trains with the men's national football team at BSFZ-Arena at Maria Enzersdorf-Sudstadt in Maria Enzersdorf, Austria, on Nov. 11, 2020, in this photo provided by the Korea Football Association. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Of the four players, Kwon and Hwang are still in the middle of their club seasons. Jo and Ulsan are scheduled to resume their group stage play at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League, the continent's top club tournament, starting next Saturday in a Qatar bubble.
South Korean men's national football team forward Lee Dong-jun gets his temperature checked at Radisson Blu Park Royal Palace Hotel in Vienna on Nov. 8, 2020, in this photo provided by the Korea Football Association. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-14--Seoul braces for rallies amid virus resurgence

While the number of participants in each gathering will be kept below 100 under social distancing rules , local authorities @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 cases here has been rising sharply in recent days .

SEOUL, Nov. 14 (Yonhap) -- Health authorities remained on guard over street rallies scheduled for Saturday amid rising concerns over possible spread of the new coronavirus.
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), a major umbrella labor organization, and other progressive groups plan to stage 31 rallies in 61 locations across Seoul in the afternoon, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said.
Conservative groups will also hold 47 protests in 85 locations, according to the police.
While the number of participants in each gathering will be kept below 100 under social distancing rules, local authorities are vigilant as the number of COVID-19 cases here has been rising sharply in recent days.
The capital city currently prohibits any protests with more than 100 participants.
Medical staff work at a makeshift clinic in central Seoul on Nov. 13, 2020. (Yonhap)
Seoul police plan to establish barricades and promptly crack down on the rallies should the number of participants in each gathering increase sharply.
"We will advise participants to follow health guidelines while limiting the number of participants," a police official said. "If the number exceeds the limit, we will take stern actions, including dispersing them."
South Korea, despite being considered to be one of most successful countries in terms of managing the virus pandemic, has suffered a slew of cluster infections since identifying its first patient in late January.
At the early stage of the pandemic, the country reported a whopping 5,200 cases of COVID-19 traced to a minor church sect from the southeastern city of Daegu. Later in the year, some 280 cases were reported from a nightlife district in the capital city.
More recently, 650 cases were traced to an anti-government rally held in the central Seoul on Aug. 15. A conservative church in northern Seoul, whose members also participated in the demonstration, added another 1,173 cases.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-14--Cinderella season ends in KBO postseason elimination for KT Wiz

Bae Jung-dae , usually known for his glove in center field , had a breakout campaign at the plate , @ @ @ @ @ home runs , 65 RBIs , 25 doubles and 22 steals .
Former Rookie of @ @ @ @ @ new career highs with 89 RBIs and a .544 slugging percentage .
He was one @ @ @ @ @ the regular season with at least a .300 batting average , .400 on-base percentage and @ @ @ @ @ Shim Woo-jun led the KBO with 35 steals .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 14 (Yonhap) -- The very first South Korean baseball postseason for the KT Wiz lasted only four games, as the Cinderella club of the 2020 season fell to the defending champion Doosan Bears in the penultimate round.
The Wiz lost to the Bears 2-0 in Game 4 of the best-of-five second round in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason on Friday. They had dropped the first two games by 3-2 and 4-1, and then battled back with a 5-2 win on Thursday. It was the franchise's first postseason victory.
But the Wiz ran out of steam on Friday. They opened that game with three consecutive hits but still failed to score. They only managed two more hits over the rest of the game.
Members of the KT Wiz acknowledge their fans after getting eliminated by the Doosan Bears in the second round of the Korea Baseball Organization postseason at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 13, 2020. (Yonhap)
Still, the KBO's youngest franchise, which joined the league in 2015, had a year to remember, and the Wiz's surge into postseason contention was one of the feel-good stories of the pandemic-interrupted season.
The Wiz had mostly been the league doormat. They finished in last place in each of their first three seasons, and then moved up to ninth in 2018.
Under the tutelage of new manager Lee Kang-chul, they finally showed some promise last season, setting a franchise record with 71 wins and finishing with a .500 record for the first time.
Then the Wiz took the proverbial next step in 2020, but in the early going, it didn't seem as though they were ready to do that.
Held back by a shaky bullpen, the Wiz were only in eighth place among 10 teams at 21-27 at the end of June. But their relievers got their act together, and the Wiz finished on a 60-35-1 run to finish second overall, behind only the NC Dinos.
KT Wiz manager Lee Kang-chul watches his team in action against the Doosan Bears in the top of the ninth inning of Game 2 of the Korea Baseball Organization second-round postseason series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 10, 2020. (Yonhap)
Outfielder Mel Rojas Jr., in his fourth KBO season, had a monstrous season to emerge a leading MVP candidate. He led the KBO with 47 home runs and 135 RBIs, and finished third in batting average with .349 to fall one category shy of a Triple Crown. He also led all hitters with a .680 slugging percentage and 116 runs scored.
Bae Jung-dae, usually known for his glove in center field, had a breakout campaign at the plate, delivering career highs of 13 home runs, 65 RBIs, 25 doubles and 22 steals. Former Rookie of the Year Kang Baek-ho set new career highs with 89 RBIs and a .544 slugging percentage. He was one of only four players in the regular season with at least a .300 batting average, .400 on-base percentage and .500 slugging percentage. Shortstop Shim Woo-jun led the KBO with 35 steals.
On the mound, rookie sensation So Hyeong-jun led the club with a 3.86 ERA and had the second-most wins with 13. No South Korean pitcher had more wins in the entire league.
The 19-year-old also shined in his postseason debut, firing 6 2/3 shutout innings against the Bears in Game 1 of their just-concluded series.
So Hyeong-jun of the KT Wiz pitches against the Doosan Bears in the top of the first inning of Game 1 of the Korea Baseball Organization second-round postseason series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
So came out of the bullpen in the bottom fourth of Game 4 to save the Wiz's season, but served up a two-run home run to Choi Joo-hwan that put the Bears up 2-0.
That held up as the final score, and the Wiz had no more magic left.
Manager Lee complimented his players for putting up a good fight against the defending champions.
"We've gone through our ups and downs, and I think our players should be able to learn and grow from this experience," Lee said. "We made our share of mistakes, but they were all part of our learning experience."
William Cuevas of the KT Wiz celebrates after completing the bottom of the eighth inning of Game 3 of the Korea Baseball Organization second-round postseason series against the Doosan Bears at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 12, 2020. (Yonhap)
Asked about any lingering disappointment of the series and the season, Lee responded that he didn't want to get into any negative discussions, with the end of the season still fresh in his mind.
"For tonight, I only want to thank my players and say great things about them," Lee said. "At the end of the day, these results are all on my shoulders. The players have done a great job. We've come this far because of their hard work."
Could he pick any player that he felt was the MVP?
"It's our entire team," Lee said.
Mel Rojas Jr. of the KT Wiz celebrates after scoring a run against the Doosan Bears in the top of the eighth inning of Game 3 of the Korea Baseball Organization second-round postseason series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 12, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-14--Seoul shares likely to gain on returning market confidence in coming week

SEOUL , Nov. 14 ( Yonhap ) -- Despite pandemic concerns , South Korean stocks are likely to gain in @ @ @ @ @ hopes for new coronavirus vaccine development and eased U.S. election uncertainties signaled growing market confidence @ @ @ @ @

By Chung Joo-won
SEOUL, Nov. 14 (Yonhap) -- Despite pandemic concerns, South Korean stocks are likely to gain in the coming week, as hopes for new coronavirus vaccine development and eased U.S. election uncertainties signaled growing market confidence, analysts said Saturday.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed at 2,493.87 points Friday, up 3.2 percent from a week ago.
Electronic signboards at a Hana Bank dealing room in Seoul show the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed at 2,493.87 on Nov. 13, 2020, up 18.25 points or 0.74 percent from the previous session's close. (Yonhap)
The weekly gain was largely attributed to foreign investors' growing appetite for risky assets, led by the combination of the Biden effect and Pfizer's promising clinical test results for a COVID-19 vaccine, analysts said.
This week, foreigners bought a net 2.35 trillion won (US$2.11 billion) on the main KOSPI market, while retail investors sold off a net 1.92 trillion won, bourse operator data showed. Institutions offloaded a net 331.7 billion won during the cited period.
The S&P-based volatility index, which exceeded 40 percent at times during the big U.S. election season, steeply dropped below the 25 percent level after the event.
The volatility index represents the market's expectation for volatility over the coming 30 days.
"Stock investors seem to have regained confidence after the U.S. election results were cleared out," said NH Investment & Securities analyst Noh Dong-kil.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-14--(LEAD) New virus cases in S. Korea exceed 200 as gov't mulls enhancing social distancing

In line with efforts to curb the spread of the virus , South Korea started slapping fines of up to @ @ @ @ @ 90 ) on people who fail to wear masks in public places .
Operators of @ @ @ @ @ will be fined up to 3 million won if they fail to ensure that users @ @ @ @ @ requirement .

(ATTN: ADDS details throughout; CHANGES photos)
SEOUL, Nov. 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus cases exceeded 200 for the first time in 73 days Saturday amid lingering cluster infections across the nation, with health authorities considering raising the social distancing scheme by a notch in the five-tier system.
The country added 205 more COVID-19 cases, including 166 local infections, raising the total caseload to 28,338, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
The number of new infections stayed in triple digits for the seventh consecutive day. The daily new cases reached 191 on Friday and 143 on Thursday.
It marked the first time for the daily figure to surpass 200 since 267 cases added on Sept. 2.
The KDCA reported four additional deaths, raising the total at 492. The fatality rate came to 1.74 percent.
Health authorities attributed the sharp growth to chains of cluster infections from private gatherings and public facilities, which made it more complicated for them to identify the transmission routes.
Visitors wait to receive COVID-19 tests at a clinic in central Seoul on Nov. 14, 2020. (Yonhap)
South Korea saw its number of daily new infections peaked at 909 in late February, after a minor church sect in Daegu reported major cluster infections.
The country faced another wave of pandemic in August, with the figure reaching 441 on Aug. 27 due to cases traced to another church in northern Seoul, coupled with an anti-government demonstration.
With signs of a possible slowdown, however, South Korea has kept the Level 1 social distancing scheme under a new five-tier system nationwide since earlier this month, although some cities and provincial governments upped their virus infection preventive measures.
Asan and Cheonan, both located in central South Chungcheong Province, adopted tougher measures last week. Wonju in Gangwon Province and Gwangyang and Suncheon in South Jeolla Province also raised their social distancing schemes to Level 1.5 this week.
Yeosu, located 455 kilometers south of Seoul, is also among the regions that enhanced their guidelines.
Under Level 1, people are required to follow basic guidelines, such as wearing masks, and gatherings of over 500 people are not recommended.
People are still allowed to carry on with most of their daily routines under Level 1.5, but gatherings of 100 or more people will be regulated, though not completely banned.
In line with efforts to curb the spread of the virus, South Korea started slapping fines of up to 100,000 won (US$90) on people who fail to wear masks in public places. Operators of those facilities and rally organizers will be fined up to 3 million won if they fail to ensure that users or participants stick to the requirement.
Visitors wait to receive COVID-19 tests at a clinic in central Seoul on Nov. 14, 2020. (Yonhap)
Among the locally transmitted cases, the capital city of Seoul accounted for 63 cases, and Gyeonggi Province that surrounds Seoul reported 46. The greater Seoul area houses around half of the nation's population.
Gangwon Province added 18 more infections, followed by South Jeolla Province with 13. South Chungcheon Province added 11 new cases.
Cases tied to medical facilities and senior nursing homes in Gunpo, south of Seoul, came to 154, and those linked to an elementary school in Pocheon, north of Seoul, reached 22.
The country added 39 imported cases.
Among the imported cases, the United States accounted for 10 cases, followed by Russia with six and Poland with five.
There were also cases from the Philippines, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Japan.
South Korean nationals accounted for 55 percent of imported cases.
The number of seriously or critically ill patients came to 54, up four from Friday.
The number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries came to 25,636, up 99 from the previous day. This indicates 90.4 percent of the patients reported here being cured.
South Korea has carried out 2,777,289 COVID-19 tests, including 15,878 from Friday.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-14--4 players, 1 staffer on S. Korean nat'l football team test positive for COVID-19

Those who have tested negative are scheduled to be tested again at 8 a.m. Saturday local time , and the @ @ @ @ @ will be determined depending on their results , the KFA added .

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Nov. 14 (Yonhap) -- Four players and one staff member on the South Korean men's national football team have tested positive for the novel coronavirus while in Austria to play friendly matches.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) said Saturday that forward Lee Dong-jun, midfielders Kwon Chang-hoon and Hwang In-beom, goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo, and an unidentified staffer tested positive for COVID-19 after undergoing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test at 5 p.m. Thursday in Austria.
South Korean men's national football team players huddle around their head coach Paulo Bento during practice at BSFZ-Arena at Maria Enzersdorf-Sudstadt in Maria Enzersdorf, Austria, on Nov. 11, 2020, in this photo provided by the Korea Football Association. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The team has been staying in Vienna since earlier this week to prepare for matches against Mexico on Saturday and Qatar on Tuesday.
The KFA said all five are asymptomatic, and the rest of the team and all other staff members are being quarantined in their hotel rooms.
Those who have tested negative are scheduled to be tested again at 8 a.m. Saturday local time, and the status of the upcoming matches will be determined depending on their results, the KFA added.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-14--New virus cases in S. Korea exceed 200 as gov't mulls enhancing social distancing

SEOUL, Nov. 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus cases exceeded 200 for the first time in 73 days Saturday amid lingering cluster infections across the nation, with health authorities considering raising the social distancing scheme by a notch in the five-tier system.
The country added 205 more COVID-19 cases, including 166 local infections, raising the total caseload to 28,338, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
The number of new infections stayed in triple digits for the seventh consecutive day.
The KDCA reported four additional deaths, raising the total at 492.
Health authorities attributed the sharp growth to chains of cluster infections from private gatherings and public facilities, which made it more complicated for them to identify the transmission routes.
This photo taken on Nov. 13, 2020, shows a sign posted at a nursing home in Sokcho, 213 kilometers east of Seoul, which bans visitors from entering the facility. (Yonhap)
South Korea saw its number of daily new infections peaked at 909 in late February, after a minor church sect in Daegu reported major cluster infections.
The country faced another wave of pandemic in August, with the figure reaching 441 on Aug. 27 due to cases traced to another church in northern Seoul, coupled with an anti-government demonstration.
With signs of a possible slowdown, however, South Korea has kept the Level 1 social distancing scheme under a new five-tier system nationwide since earlier this month, although some cities and provincial governments upped their virus infection preventive measures.
Asan and Cheonan, both located in central South Chungcheong Province, adopted tougher measures last week. Wonju in Gangwon Province and Gwangyang and Suncheon in South Jeolla Province also raised their social distancing schemes to Level 1.5 this week.
Yeosu, located 455 kilometers south of Seoul, is also among the regions that enhanced their guidelines.
Under Level 1, people are required to follow basic guidelines, such as wearing masks, and gatherings of over 500 people are not recommended.
People are still allowed to carry on with most of their daily routines under Level 1.5, but gatherings of 100 or more people will be regulated, though not completely banned.
In line with efforts to curb the spread of the virus, South Korea started slapping fines of up to 100,000 won (US$90) on people who fail to wear masks in public places. Operators of those facilities and rally organizers will be fined up to 3 million won if they fail to ensure that users or participants stick to the requirement.
Among the locally transmitted cases, the capital city of Seoul accounted for 63 cases, and Gyeonggi Province that surrounds Seoul reported 46. The greater Seoul area houses around half of the nation's population.
Cases tied to medical facilities and senior nursing homes in Gunpo, south of Seoul, came to 154, and those linked to an elementary school in Pocheon, north of Seoul, reached 22.
The country added 39 imported cases.
The number of seriously or critically ill COVID-19 patients came to 54, up four from Friday.
The number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries came to 25,636, up 99 from the previous day.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-14--(URGENT) 99 more patients released from coronavirus treatment, total at 25,636: 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--2020-11-14--(URGENT) S. Korea reports four additional coronavirus deaths, total at 492: KDCA


yna--2020-11-14--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 205 new coronavirus cases, total at 28,338: KDCA


Saturday's weather forecast

SEOUL , Nov. 14 ( Yonhap ) -- The following is the weather forecast for South Korea 's 12 major @ @ @ @ @ .


yna--2020-11-14--Top headlines in major S. Korean newspapers

Korean-language dailies -- A Paris Baguette chef baking 'protest ' ( Kyunghyang Shinmun ) -- Bursting in anger without tolerance @ @ @ @ @ in ruling party ( Kookmin Daily ) -- Are patience , endurance really answer to @ @ @ @ @ Donga llbo ) -- Same protest , different blockade amid COVID-19 resurgence ( Segye Times @ @ @ @ @ to significantly under estimate economic value of Wolsong ( Chosun Ilbo ) -- 'Raising published @ @ @ @ @ way to raise taxes ' ( JoongAng Ilbo ) -- Whereabouts of cow number 90310 @ @ @ @ @ ) -- 2nd big deal for Asiana prepares to take off ( Hankook Ilbo ) @ @ @ @ @ join hands , bring fresh changes to online shopping industry ( Maeil Business Newspaper ) @ @ @ @ @ despite 'super budget ' of 556 tln won ( Korea Economic Daily ) ( END @

SEOUL, Nov. 14 (Yonhap) -- The following are the top headlines in major South Korean newspapers on Nov. 14.
Korean-language dailies
-- A Paris Baguette chef baking 'protest' (Kyunghyang Shinmun)
-- Bursting in anger without tolerance to criticism; self-reflection looms in ruling party (Kookmin Daily)
-- Are patience, endurance really answer to 'jeonse' crisis? (Donga llbo)
-- Same protest, different blockade amid COVID-19 resurgence (Segye Times)
-- Presidential office sought to significantly under estimate economic value of Wolsong (Chosun Ilbo)
-- 'Raising published value of properties a clever way to raise taxes' (JoongAng Ilbo)
-- Whereabouts of cow number 90310 from the roof (Hankyoreh)
-- 2nd big deal for Asiana prepares to take off (Hankook Ilbo)
-- SK, Amazon to join hands, bring fresh changes to online shopping industry (Maeil Business Newspaper)
-- Parliament blindly raises spending despite 'super budget' of 556 tln won (Korea Economic Daily)
(END)


yna--2020-11-14--(LEAD) Microsoft says N. Korean, Russian hackers attacking COVID-19 vaccine makers

`` The majority of these attacks were blocked by security protections built into our products .
We 've notified all @ @ @ @ @ attacks have been successful , we 've offered help , '' he wrote .

(ATTN: MODIFIES headline; UPDATES with more details, additional information, background from 5th para; ADDS photo)
By Byun Duk-kun
WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (Yonhap) -- U.S. tech giant Microsoft has detected cyberattacks from three foreign entities, including two from North Korea, against companies and research institutes working to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, a company official said Friday, urging government action to protect such facilities.
"In recent months, we've detected cyberattacks from three nation-state actors targeting seven prominent companies directly involved in researching vaccines and treatments for COVID-19," Tom Burt, vice president for customer security and trust, wrote in a blog posted on the Microsoft website.
Burt said the seven companies included "leading pharmaceutical companies and vaccine researchers in Canada, France, India, South Korea and the United States."
"The attacks came from Strontium, an actor originating from Russia, and two actors originating from North Korea that we call Zinc and Cerium," he added.
The captured image from the website of Microsoft shows a blog posted by Tom Burt, corporate vice president for customer security and trust, on Nov. 13, 2020, that explained recent cyberattacks by Russian and North Korean actors against pharmaceutical companies and researchers racing to develop COVID-19 vaccine. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The Microsoft official said North Korean hackers used spear-phishing emails, "masquerading as World Health Organization representatives" to break into those companies and steal their information.
"The majority of these attacks were blocked by security protections built into our products. We've notified all organizations targeted, and where attacks have been successful, we've offered help," he wrote.
Burt insisted the recent attacks against vaccine developers are "unconscionable and should be condemned by all civilized society."
"Microsoft is calling on the world's leaders to affirm that international law protects health care facilities and to take action to enforce the law," he added.
North Korea is said to maintain an army of up to 6,000 hackers, with most of them based in other countries, including China and Russia.
The communist state has often been implicated in cyberattacks aimed at stealing money from banks and other financial institutions around the globe.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-14--Microsoft official says N. Korea, Russian hackers attacking COVID-19 vaccine makers

WASHINGTON , Nov. 13 ( Yonhap ) -- U.S. tech giant Microsoft has detected cyberattacks from three foreign entities , @ @ @ @ @ , against companies and research institutes working to develop a COVID-19 vaccine , a company @ @ @ @ @ government action to protect such facilities .

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (Yonhap) -- U.S. tech giant Microsoft has detected cyberattacks from three foreign entities, including two from North Korea, against companies and research institutes working to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, a company official said Friday, urging government action to protect such facilities.
"In recent months, we've detected cyberattacks from three nation-state actors targeting seven prominent companies directly involved in researching vaccines and treatments for COVID-19," Tom Burt, vice president for customer security and trust, wrote in a blog posted on the Microsoft website.
Burt said the seven companies included "leading pharmaceutical companies and vaccine researchers in Canada, France, India, South Korea and the United States."
"The attacks came from Strontium, an actor originating from Russia, and two actors originating from North Korea that we call Zinc and Cerium," he added.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-14--S. Korea, Japan relations 'critical' to U.S.: Knapper

`` The Japan-South Korea relationship is of critical importance to the United States because , getting back to what I @ @ @ @ @ two democracies -- liberal , transparent countries -- that do the kind of work that @ @ @ @ @ States .
If we three countries do n't stand up for democracy , if we @ @ @ @ @ freedom , then who will ? ''
he said in a webinar hosted by the @ @ @ @

By Byun Duk-kun
WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (Yonhap) -- A good relationship between South Korea and Japan is critical to the United States in dealing with threats against shared values such as democracy and freedom of speech, a senior U.S. diplomat said Friday.
Marc Knapper, deputy U.S. assistant secretary of state for Korea and Japan, also said his country is working "very hard" to help improve Seoul-Tokyo relations, though its efforts may not be visible to the public.
"The Japan-South Korea relationship is of critical importance to the United States because, getting back to what I said before, these are two democracies -- liberal, transparent countries -- that do the kind of work that we do in the United States. If we three countries don't stand up for democracy, if we don't stand up for freedom, then who will?" he said in a webinar hosted by the Washington-based Brookings Institution.
Knapper joined the virtual seminar from Seoul, where he has been visiting since last Thursday (Seoul time).
The captured image from the website of the Brookings Institution, a Washington-based think tank, shows Marc Knapper, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for Korea and Japan, speaking in a webinar hosted by Brookings on Nov. 13, 2020. (Yonhap)
The relationship between Seoul and Tokyo has steadily deteriorated since July 2018, when Japan imposed restrictions on South Korea-bound shipments of three key industrial materials used to produce semiconductors, South Korea's single-largest export item.
The move was seen as an attempt to retaliate against a Seoul court ruling that ordered Japanese firms to pay compensation to Koreans forced into free labor during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of Korea.
Seoul is currently seeking to mend its ties with Tokyo following the recent change in political leadership in Japan to new Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.
The U.S., as a close ally to both South Korea and Japan, was earlier expected to help mediate the dispute, but refused to get in the middle.
Knapper said that did not mean the U.S. does not care.
"The United States, we don't presume to find a way to get in the middle, or to mediate. This is up to Japan and Korea to do. At the same time though, it does not mean that we don't care, does not mean that we're not interested. We are. We do care. We are interested," he insisted.
He noted what the U.S. does to help may not always be visible to the public.
"And very often we do things that aren't apparent to the press. We do things that aren't apparent to the public. But nonetheless, we are working very hard with our allies, with our friends in Tokyo and Seoul, to try and find a way to glue our three countries forward because we have to," he told the webinar.
"If you look at the region, it's just our countries share these values and we share democracy and freedom of speech and religion and things that are under threat. These things are under threat. If we don't stand up for it, who will? and so we really have to figure things out," added Knapper.
The U.S. diplomat said such threats come largely from China, but insisted the U.S. is not pressuring any country to choose sides.
"We know that Japan and South Korea have very complex and nuanced relationships with China," said Knapper. "We're not asking South Korea, we are not asking Japan to cut off or contain China."
"But I really do think that it is a responsibility of countries like the United States, countries like South Korea, countries like Japan to accept the responsibility of speaking out on behalf democracy, speaking out on behalf of freedom," he added.
Knapper also expressed hope for a resumption of denuclearization dialogue with North Korea.
"Our message, our public message and in private is that the door to diplomacy remains open," he said.
"I can't speak about what's going to happen in a couple months, but at this moment today, we still sincerely hope to be able to implement and actualize the spirit of the Singapore statement," he added, referring to the joint statement issued by U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at their first bilateral summit, held in Singapore in June 2018.
Under the joint statement, the communist state agreed to give up its nuclear weapons in exchange for a security guarantee.
The denuclearization talks between Washington and Pyongyang, however, have stalled since the second Trump-Kim summit, held in Hanoi in February 2019, ended without a deal.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-14--(4th LD) 3 missing, 2 rescued in fishing boat capsizing near border island

The 12-ton vessel was overturned in waters 43 kilometers from the border island of Soyeonpyeong at 6:07 p.m. , the @ @ @ @ @ of the capsizing was not immediately known .

(ATTN: CHANGES headline, lead; UPDATES throughout)
INCHEON, Nov. 14 (Yonhap) -- A fishing boat capsized in waters near a northwestern border island Saturday, leaving three crew members missing, the Coast Guard said.
The 12-ton vessel was overturned in waters 43 kilometers from the border island of Soyeonpyeong at 6:07 p.m., the authorities said. The cause of the capsizing was not immediately known.
Three crew members, including the 63-year-old captain, went missing, while two others were rescued. One of the rescued remains unconscious, officials said.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun directed the Coast Guard and the Navy to mobilize all available resources to find those unaccounted for.
Interior and Safety Minister Chin Young also called for "all-out" efforts to rescue the missing, while instructing officials to provide necessary support to their families, such as providing information on the status of the search operations.
The Coast Guard and the Navy mobilized 17 ships and five aircraft to search for the missing. Twenty-three fishing boats also joined the search operations.
"We have formed a search headquarters, which is using illuminating shells to find the missing," a Coast Guard official said.
"As soon as the search operation is over, we will investigate the cause of the accident," the official added.
The scene of the accident is 23 km southwest of the Northern Limit Line, a de facto inter-Korean sea border.
The Coast Guard engages in operations to search for the missing crew of a capsized fishing boat in waters near a northwestern border island on Nov. 14, 2020, in this photo provided by the Coast Guard. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-14--(2nd LD) Moon joins ASEAN summit with Japanese, Chinese leaders, urges closer ties for post-coronavi

(2nd LD) Moon joins ASEAN summit with Japanese, Chinese leaders, urges closer ties for post-coronavirus economy

`` As the COVID-19 situation is being prolonged , there 's an increasing number of problems that we have to @ @ @ @ @ said , delivering his opening remarks at the annual ASEAN Plus Three Summit .
ASEAN @ @ @ @ @ South East Asian Nations .

(ATTN: UPDATES with Moon's remarks during EAS session in last 7 paras)
By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Nov. 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in attended a virtual summit with the leaders of Japan and China as well as 10 Southeast Asian countries Saturday and stressed the need for closer partnerships for health care and economic growth.
"As the COVID-19 situation is being prolonged, there's an increasing number of problems that we have to resolve together," Moon said, delivering his opening remarks at the annual ASEAN Plus Three Summit. ASEAN stands of the Association of South East Asian Nations.
Other attendees included Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.
It set the stage for Moon's first meeting with Suga, albeit via video links, since he became Japan's prime minister in September. Moon began his statement with a special greeting to Suga.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in speaks during an ASEAN Plus Three Summit session, held via video links, at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Nov. 14, 2020. (Yonhap)
Moon then suggested that the 13 members of the group, launched in response to the 1997 Asia-wide financial crisis, upgrade health care cooperation by a notch and make joint efforts for the development and fair supply of coronavirus vaccines and treatments.
"We need to establish a quick and transparent coordination system in preparation for new infectious diseases that can occur anytime," Moon said.
Regarding the economy, he also called for "preemptive" preparations for the post-coronavirus era.
He cited concerns about a wave of protectionism, uncertainty in financial markets and possible expansion of inequality amid an accelerating transition to the digital economy.
"Those are problems hard to solve with the power of a single nation," he added. "We should strengthen the resilience of the economy and pool wisdom to find a way for inclusive and sustainable growth."
Moon expressed hope that the ASEAN Plus Three group will play a role for the post-coronavirus development of the global economy.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in (2nd from R, top of screen) attends a virtual session of the ASEAN Plus Three Summit at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Nov. 14, 2020, joined by Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga (2nd from L, top of screen) and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L, top of screen). (Yonhap)
After making the brief remarks in front of pool reporters, Moon went into closed-door discussions, in which he was quoted as emphasizing the importance of free trade and multilateralism for the recovery of trade and investment hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
He also voiced hope that the cross-border exchanges of "essential" personnel will be expanded on a level not to obstruct coronavirus prevention measures in place, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok.
Moon cited "fast-track" and "special entry procedures" for business people, which South Korea has adopted in cooperation with several countries, Kang said in a press briefing.
Later in the day, he participated in a broader ASEAN-hosted session, called the East Asia Summit (EAS), including the United States, Russia, Australia, India and New Zealand.
In the session, held via videoconference as well, he put forward a pair of suggestions for "solidarity and cooperation" against the coronavirus and peace on the Korean Peninsula and in East Asia, according to Kang.
"The first is multilateral cooperation on health care and response to infectious diseases," the president was quoted as saying.
Moon mentioned his offer, made in his U.N. General Assembly speech last year, of launching a Northeast Asia Cooperation Initiative for Infectious Disease Control and Public Health, in which North Korea would participate as a member along with China, Japan, Mongolia and South Korea.
He also suggested that the 18 member states of the EAS join hands to help ensure that the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics take place without safety and coronavirus concerns.
If successful, it will give the world greater hope for overcoming the coronavirus and bringing peace to the region, Moon added.
President Donald Trump skipped the annual EAS event, and his national security adviser, Robert O'Brien, represented the U.S.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-14--(3rd LD) New virus cases in S. Korea exceed 200 as gov't mulls enhancing social distancing

(ATTN: ADDS more info in 20th para)
SEOUL, Nov. 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus cases exceeded 200 for the first time in 73 days Saturday amid lingering cluster infections across the nation, with health authorities considering raising the social distancing scheme by a notch in the five-tier system.
The country added 205 more COVID-19 cases, including 166 local infections, raising the total caseload to 28,338, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
The number of new infections stayed in triple digits for the seventh consecutive day. The daily new cases reached 191 on Friday and 143 on Thursday.
It marked the first time for the daily figure to surpass 200 since 267 cases added on Sept. 2.
The KDCA reported four additional deaths, raising the total at 492. The fatality rate came to 1.74 percent.
Health authorities attributed the sharp growth to chains of cluster infections from private gatherings and public facilities, which made it more complicated for them to identify the transmission routes.
A doctor receives a new coronavirus test at a makeshift clinic in Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul, on Nov. 14, 2020. Chonnam National University Hospital in the city reported a COVID-19 case from one of its doctors on the previous day. (Yonhap)
South Korea saw its number of daily new infections peaked at 909 in late February, after a minor church sect in Daegu reported major cluster infections.
The country faced another wave of pandemic in August, with the figure reaching 441 on Aug. 27 due to cases traced to another church in northern Seoul, coupled with an anti-government demonstration.
With signs of a possible slowdown, however, South Korea has kept the Level 1 social distancing scheme under a new five-tier system nationwide since earlier this month, although some cities and provincial governments upped their virus infection preventive measures.
Asan and Cheonan, both located in central South Chungcheong Province, adopted tougher measures last week. Wonju in Gangwon Province and Gwangyang and Suncheon in South Jeolla Province also raised their social distancing schemes to Level 1.5 this week.
Yeosu, located 455 kilometers south of Seoul, is also among the regions that enhanced their guidelines.
Under Level 1, people are required to follow basic guidelines, such as wearing masks, and gatherings of over 500 people are not recommended.
People are still allowed to carry on with most of their daily routines under Level 1.5, but gatherings of 100 or more people will be regulated, though not completely banned.
In line with efforts to curb the spread of the virus, South Korea started slapping fines of up to 100,000 won (US$90) on people who fail to wear masks in public places. Operators of those facilities and rally organizers will be fined up to 3 million won if they fail to ensure that users or participants stick to the requirement.
South Koreans wait to receive COVID-19 tests at a clinic in central Seoul on Nov. 14, 2020, as new coronavirus cases in the country exceeded 200 for the first time in 73 days. (Yonhap)
Among the locally transmitted cases, the capital city of Seoul accounted for 63 cases, and Gyeonggi Province that surrounds Seoul reported 46. The greater Seoul area houses around half of the nation's population.
Gangwon Province added 18 more infections, followed by South Jeolla Province with 13. South Chungcheon Province added 11 new cases.
As of Saturday noon, a sauna in western Seoul reported eight more patients, raising the total to nine. A hospital in the area also reported nine patients.
A nursing home in northern Seoul added nine more patients, raising the tally to 10.
In eastern Seoul, another nursing home added six more cases, with a total of 59 cases being traced to the facility.
A bank in Suncheon, 415 kilometers south of Seoul, added two new patients. A total of 10 patients have been reported there.
A prayer facility in Eumseong, 131 km south of Seoul, reported seven virus cases, while an elementary school teacher in Wonju, 130 km east of Seoul, tested positive, prompting health authorities to plan virus tests for some 600 students and teachers at the school.
"As small-sized, sporadic group infections are rising outside the Seoul metropolitan area, there's a possibility that the country will raise the level of social distancing in some areas, should the current trend continue," a health official said during a regular briefing.
Health authorities said the average daily new cases of COVID-19 came to 122.4 over the past week.
President Moon Jae-in expressed concerns about spikes in new cases.
"Although the current situation is within a manageable level for our medical system, it is worrisome that it may spread further," Moon said in a Facebook post.
Moon called for citizens to strictly follow mask guidelines, especially as the annual college entrance exam is only 20 days ahead.
The country added 39 imported cases.
Among the imported cases, the United States accounted for 10 cases, followed by Russia with six and Poland with five.
There were also cases from the Philippines, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Japan.
South Korean nationals accounted for 55 percent of imported cases.
The number of seriously or critically ill patients came to 54, up four from Friday.
The number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries came to 25,636, up 99 from the previous day. This indicates 90.4 percent of the patients reported here being cured.
South Korea has carried out 2,777,289 COVID-19 tests, including 15,878 from Friday.
Over the past two weeks, around 13.4 percent of the additional cases had unknown infection routes. Nearly 35 percent of the newly added cases were traced to cluster infections.
Health authorities, meanwhile, said its studies on 1,301 COVID-19 cases showed that the S and V strains of the new coronavirus were dominant through April, but mostly the GH strain has since been detected from a series of cluster infections.
Two cases were also infected with the GV strain, which has recently been categorized by the World Health Organization, they added.
The emergency room of Chonnam National University Hospital in Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul, is closed on Nov. 14, 2020, after one of its doctors tested positive for COVID-19 overnight. (Yonhap)
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-14--(3rd LD) 4 missing, 1 rescued in fishing boat capsizing near border island

(ATTN: ADDS more info in 5th para; CHANGES photo)
INCHEON, Nov. 14 (Yonhap) -- A fishing boat capsized in waters near a northwestern border island Saturday, leaving four people missing, the Coast Guard said.
The 12-ton vessel was overturned in waters 43 kilometers from the border island of Soyeonpyeong at 6:07 p.m., the authorities said. The cause of the capsizing was not immediately known.
Four crew members in their 50s and 60s went missing, while one was rescued by a nearby boat.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun directed the Coast Guard and the Navy to mobilize all available resources to find those unaccounted for.
Interior and Safety Minister Chin Young also called for "all-out" efforts to rescue the missing, while instructing officials to provide necessary support to their families, such as providing information on the status of the search operations.
The Coast Guard and the Navy mobilized 13 ships and four aircraft to search for the missing. Twenty fishing boats also joined the search operations.
"We have formed a search headquarters, which is using illuminating shells to find the missing," a Coast Guard official said.
"As soon as the search operation is over, we will investigate the cause of the accident," the official added.
The scene of the accident is 23 km southwest of the Northern Limit Line, a de facto inter-Korean sea border.
The Coast Guard engages in operations to search for the missing crew of a capsized fishing boat in waters near a northwestern border island on Nov. 14, 2020, in this photo provided by the Coast Guard. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-14--Hanbit No. 3 reactor resumes operation

Hanbit No. 3 reactor resumes operation

The Hanbit No .
3 reactor went back into operation at a limited capacity at around 7 p.m. and will @ @ @ @ @ the company said .
Its operation had halted due to maintenance work related to holes @ @ @ @ @ building in May 2018 .

YEONGGWANG, South Korea, Nov. 14 (Yonhap) -- A reactor in South Korea's nuclear power complex in the southwestern county of Yeonggwang resumed operation on Saturday after 2 1/2 years of maintenance, the state-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. said.
The Hanbit No. 3 reactor went back into operation at a limited capacity at around 7 p.m. and will gradually increase its capacity, the company said. Its operation had halted due to maintenance work related to holes found in the reactor containment building in May 2018.
The company said that the resumption came after it ensured the safety of the reactor through safety checks and a verification process by an overseas expert agency.
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-14--(2nd LD) 4 missing, 1 rescued in fishing boat capsizing near border island

(ATTN: ADDS more info in paras 3-6)
INCHEON, Nov. 14 (Yonhap) -- A fishing boat capsized in waters near a northwestern border island Saturday, leaving four people missing, the Coast Guard said.
The 12-ton vessel was overturned in waters 43 kilometers from the border island of Soyeonpyeong at 6:07 p.m., the authorities said. The cause of the capsizing was not immediately known.
Four crew members in their 50s and 60s went missing, while one was rescued by a nearby boat.
The Coast Guard and the Navy mobilized 13 ships and four aircraft to search for the missing. Twenty fishing boats also joined the search operations.
"We have formed a search headquarters, which is using illuminating shells to find the missing," a Coast Guard official said.
"As soon as the search operation is over, we will investigate the cause of the accident," the official added.
The scene of the accident is 23 km southwest of the Northern Limit Line, a de facto inter-Korean sea border.
This photo, provided by the Coast Guard in Incheon, shows two officials on a maritime mission. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-14--(LEAD) 4 missing, 1 rescued in fishing boat capsizing near border island

`` We have deployed patrol ships to find the missing .
As soon as the search operation is over , @ @ @ @ @ of the accident , '' a Coast Guard official said .

(ATTN: ADDS photo; UPDATES throughout)
INCHEON, Nov. 14 (Yonhap) -- A fishing boat capsized in waters near a northwestern border island Saturday, leaving four people missing, the Coast Guard said.
The 12-ton vessel was overturned in waters 43 kilometers from the border island of Soyeonpyeong at 6:07 p.m., the authorities said. The cause of the capsizing was not immediately known.
Four of the crew went missing, while one was rescued by a nearby boat.
The Coast Guard is currently searching the scene of the accident to find the missing.
"We have deployed patrol ships to find the missing. As soon as the search operation is over, we will investigate the cause of the accident," a Coast Guard official said.
The scene of the accident is 23 km southwest of the Northern Limit Line, a de facto inter-Korean sea border.
This photo, provided by the Coast Guard in Incheon, shows two officials on a maritime mission. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-14--4 missing, 1 rescued in fishing boat capsizing near border island

The 12-ton vessel was overturned in waters 43 kilometers from the border island of Soyeonpyeong at 6:07 p.m. , the @ @ @

INCHEON, Nov. 14 (Yonhap) -- A fishing boat capsized in waters near a northwestern border island Saturday, leaving four people missing, the Coast Guard said.
The 12-ton vessel was overturned in waters 43 kilometers from the border island of Soyeonpyeong at 6:07 p.m., the authorities said.
Four of the crew went missing, while one was rescued by a nearby boat.
The Coast Guard is currently searching the scene of the accident to find the missing.
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-14--(LEAD) Fourth Korean American wins U.S. House election

Kim , 57 , was born in South Korea and grew up in Guam .
She won 50.6 percent of @ @ @ @ @ incumbent Gil Cisneros by a margin of 1.2 percentage point in the 39th Congressional District @ @ @ @ @ reports said .
It was a rematch from 2018 .

(ATTN: ADDS second photo)
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 14, (Yonhap) -- Young Kim, a Korean American Republican, won the U.S. House election in a Southern California district on Friday, U.S. media reported.
The former state lawmaker joined three other politicians of Korean descent elected to the House of Representatives in the Nov. 3 elections.
This image captured from Facebook shows Young Kim, a Korean American Republican, who won the U.S. House election in a Southern California district. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Kim, 57, was born in South Korea and grew up in Guam. She won 50.6 percent of the vote to beat Democratic incumbent Gil Cisneros by a margin of 1.2 percentage point in the 39th Congressional District anchored in Orange County, reports said. It was a rematch from 2018.
She joined Marilyn Strickland and Michelle Park Steel to become the first Korean American women to serve in Congress in its 230-year history.
Democrat Strickland, former mayor of Tacoma, won the race in Washington's 10th Congressional District, while Republican Steel claimed the 48th District in Orange County.
Democrat Andy Kim, a Korean American man, won the race in New Jersey's 3rd District.
This combination photo captured from Facebook and campaign homepages shows (L to R) Michelle Park Steel, Marilyn Strickland, Young Kim and Andy Kim. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-11-14--(3rd LD) Labor activists stage rallies despite concerns of virus spikes

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions ( KCTU ) , a major umbrella labor organization , and about 20 affiliated @ @ @ @ @ across the country to stage scores of small-scale demonstrations in commemoration of the 50th year @ @ @ @ @ of the nation 's labor activism , self-immolated on Nov. 13 , 1970 , for @ @ @ @ @ rights .

(ATTN: RECASTS headine; UPDATES throughout; ADDS photos)
SEOUL, Nov. 14 (Yonhap) -- Labor activists pushed ahead with street rallies in Seoul and other major cities Saturday despite concerns over spikes in coronavirus infections.
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), a major umbrella labor organization, and about 20 affiliated union groups took to streets across the country to stage scores of small-scale demonstrations in commemoration of the 50th year since Chun Tae-il, pioneer of the nation's labor activism, self-immolated on Nov. 13, 1970, for the cause of workers' rights.
In Seoul alone, the KCTU and progressive groups were allowed to hold 31 rallies in 61 locations. Conservative groups also reported plans for 47 political demonstrations in 85 locations in the capital, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.
The rallies came as the nation's new coronavirus cases exceeded 200 for the first time in 73 days amid lingering cluster infections across the nation.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported 205 more COVID-19 cases, including 166 local infections, raising the total caseload to 28,338. The number of new infections stayed in triple digits for the seventh consecutive day.
A man wearing a gas mask participates in a rally organized by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions in Yeouido, southern Seoul, on Nov. 14, 2020. (Yonhap)
The KCTU said participants strictly complied with coronavirus rules, including wearing masks and keeping safe distances, during the demonstrations. The number of participants in each gathering was kept below 100 under social distancing rules.
"We are checking body temperatures of the participants and making sure that the number does not exceed 99," an official from the KCTU said.
From Seoul to central Daejeon to the southern island of Jeju, labor protests proceeded mostly peacefully, with participants sitting in, marching and chanting slogans on roads and squares.
Police parked a number of buses in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, southern Seoul, to protect against protestors participating in a KCTU rally near the premises.
But police refrained from establishing barricades in central Seoul as protesters voluntarily restricted the number of participants, unlike early October when parked buses walled off Gwanghwamun Square and nearby areas.
"We have deployed around 7,000 officers across the city to prepare for unexpected incidents," a police official in Seoul said.
Parked police buses surround the National Assembly compound in Yeouido, southern Seoul, ahead of a protest rally organized by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions on Nov. 14, 2020. (Yonhap)
Earlier in the day, President Moon Jae-in made a last-minute appeal for organizers to cancel the rallies.
"The rallies should be reconsidered," Moon said in a Facebook post. "Freedom of assembly matters but the safety of the people is more important," he added.
He warned of stern legal actions against any illegal acts and breaches of social distancing rules during the rallies.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said in a Facebook post that the government will take measures to ensure participants comply with COVID-19 guidelines and will firmly respond to violators and thoroughly hold them accountable.
"We will do our best to prevent today's rallies from becoming a trigger for the spread of COVID-19," Chung said.
Seoul police also warned they will promptly crack down on the rallies should the number of participants in each gathering increase sharply.
"We will advise participants to follow health guidelines while limiting the number of participants," a police official said. "If the number exceeds the limit, we will take stern actions, including dispersing them."
Members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions chant slogans during a rally in Daejeon, 160 kilometers south of Seoul, on Nov. 14, 2020. (Yonhap)
South Korea, despite being considered to be one of most successful countries in terms of managing the virus pandemic, has suffered a slew of cluster infections since identifying its first patient in late January.
At the early stage of the pandemic, the country reported a whopping 5,200 cases of COVID-19 traced to a minor church sect from the southeastern city of Daegu. Later in the year, some 280 cases were reported from a nightlife district in the capital city.
More recently, 650 cases were traced to an anti-government rally held in the central Seoul on Aug. 15. A conservative church in northern Seoul, whose members also participated in the demonstration, added another 1,173 cases.
South Koreans wait to receive COVID-19 tests at a clinic in central Seoul on Nov. 14, 2020, as new coronavirus cases in the country exceeded 200 for the first time in 73 days. (Yonhap)
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-11-14--(LEAD) Moon joins ASEAN summit with Japanese, Chinese leaders, urges closer ties for post-coronaviru

(LEAD) Moon joins ASEAN summit with Japanese, Chinese leaders, urges closer ties for post-coronavirus economy

(ATTN: UPDATES with post-summit briefing in paras 10-13)
By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Nov. 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in attended a virtual summit with the leaders of Japan and China as well as 10 Southeast Asian countries Saturday and stressed the need for closer partnerships for health care and economic growth.
"As the COVID-19 situation is being prolonged, there's an increasing number of problems that we have to resolve together," Moon said, delivering his opening remarks at the annual ASEAN Plus Three Summit. ASEAN stands of the Association of South East Asian Nations.
Other attendees included Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.
It set the stage for Moon's first meeting with Suga, albeit via video links, since he became Japan's prime minister in September. Moon began his statement with a special greeting to Suga.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in speaks during an ASEAN Plus Three Summit session, held via video links, at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Nov. 14, 2020. (Yonhap)
Moon then suggested that the 13 members of the group, launched in response to the 1997 Asia-wide financial crisis, upgrade health care cooperation by a notch and make joint efforts for the development and fair supply of coronavirus vaccines and treatments.
"We need to establish a quick and transparent coordination system in preparation for new infectious diseases that can occur anytime," Moon said.
Regarding the economy, he also called for "preemptive" preparations for the post-coronavirus era.
He cited concerns about a wave of protectionism, uncertainty in financial markets and possible expansion of inequality amid an accelerating transition to the digital economy.
"Those are problems hard to solve with the power of a single nation," he added. "We should strengthen the resilience of the economy and pool wisdom to find a way for inclusive and sustainable growth."
Moon expressed hope that the ASEAN Plus Three group will play a role for the post-coronavirus development of the global economy.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in (2nd from R, top of screen) attends a virtual session of the ASEAN Plus Three Summit at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Nov. 14, 2020, joined by Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga (2nd from L, top of screen) and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L, top of screen). (Yonhap)
After making the brief remarks in front of pool reporters, Moon went into closed-door discussions, in which he was quoted as emphasizing the importance of free trade and multilateralism for the recovery of trade and investment hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
He also voiced hope that the cross-border exchanges of "essential" personnel will be expanded on a level not to obstruct coronavirus prevention measures in place, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok.
Moon cited "fast-track" and "special entry procedures" for business people, which South Korea has adopted in cooperation with several countries, Kang said in a press briefing.
Later in the day, he's scheduled to participate in a broader ASEAN-hosted session, called the East Asia Summit (EAS), which includes the United States, Russia, Australia, India and New Zealand.
President Donald Trump is skipping the event as his national security adviser, Robert O'Brien, plans to represent the nation. It will be held via videoconference as well.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)