yna--2020-05-04--Hyundai, Kia U.S. sales fall 39 pct in April due to virus impact

`` The COVID-19 global pandemic significantly disrupted the U.S. auto industry in April .
We look forward to supporting our @ @ @ @ @ , counties and states slowly reopen , and we begin returning to work after this @ @ @ @ @ President Randy Parker in charge of national sales at Hyundai Motor America said in a @ @

By Choi Kyong-ae
SEOUL, May 4 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co. and its affiliate Kia Motors Corp. said Monday their combined sales in the United States fell 39 percent in April from a year earlier due to the coronavirus outbreak affecting the auto industry.
Hyundai and Kia sold a total of 66,479 vehicles in the world's most important automobile market last month, down from 108,410 units a year ago, according to the companies' data.
The data includes sales figures of Hyundai's independent Genesis brand models.
"The COVID-19 global pandemic significantly disrupted the U.S. auto industry in April. We look forward to supporting our dealers and customers as cities, counties and states slowly reopen, and we begin returning to work after this tragic pandemic," Vice President Randy Parker in charge of national sales at Hyundai Motor America said in a statement.
From January to April, the South Korean carmakers sold a combined 339,254 autos in the U.S., down 15 percent from 396,793 units in the year-ago period, the data showed.
This file photo taken April 8, 2020, shows vehicles at Hyundai Motor's port in Ulsan, about 410 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)
Hyundai and Kia have suspended most of their overseas plants to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and keep inventories at manageable levels.
They stopped operations at all of their domestic plants on April 30, with the suspension scheduled to last until Tuesday.
Hyundai has seven domestic plants and 10 overseas plants -- four in China and one each in the United States, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Russia, India and Brazil. Their combined capacity reaches 5.5 million vehicles.
Kia, which is 34 percent owned by Hyundai, has eight domestic passenger vehicle plants and seven overseas ones -- three in China and one each in the U.S., Slovakia, Mexico and India. Their overall capacity is 3.84 million units.
Their domestic sales figures are set to be released Wednesday.
Hyundai's net profit for the January-March quarter plunged 42 percent to 552.68 billion won (US$449 million) from 953.79 billion won a year earlier. Kia's also plummeted 59 percent to 265.97 billion won from 649.1 billion won during the same period.
The carmakers said they will focus on boosting domestic sales for the time being with new models, such as the Genesis GV80 SUV, the Genesis G80 sedan, the Kia Sorento SUV and the Hyundai Avante compact.
Hyundai and Kia together form the world's fifth-biggest carmaker by sales.
The world's 13 major carmakers had suspended 71 percent of their 300 manufacturing facilities, or 213 plants, as of April 16 due to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, according to the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-05-04--S. Korea's labor productivity growth slows on lack of investment, innovation

In the 2001-2008 period , the accumulation of capital by local firms that include their investment helped increase the country @ @ @ @ @ annual average of 3.14 percent , but in the 2010-2018 period , it helped boost @ @ @ @ @ per year , it said .

SEOUL, May 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's labor productivity growth has sharply slowed over the past decade due partly to a lack of investment and innovation, a study suggested Monday.
According to You Hye-mi, a professor from Seoul's Hanyang University, the country's labor productivity rose at an annual average of 2.67 percent between the 2010-2018 period, nearly half of the average 4.6 percent posted between the 2001-2008 period.
In a research paper, the economics professor partly attributed the drop to the lack of innovation that often leads to additional value.
In the 2001-2008 period, total factor productivity (TFP) boosted the country's labor productivity by 0.52 percent per year, while it helped increase overall productivity by only 0.15 percent per year over the 2010-2018 period.
TFP is a measure of productivity calculated by dividing total production by the weighted average of inputs and is designed to help explain the role of factors, such as technology and innovation in growth.
A drop in corporate investment may have also led to a drop in the rise of labor productivity, according to the paper.
In the 2001-2008 period, the accumulation of capital by local firms that include their investment helped increase the country's overall productivity by an annual average of 3.14 percent, but in the 2010-2018 period, it helped boost productivity by only 1.41 percent per year, it said.
"The rise in South Korea's labor productivity has significantly dropped, and to overcome the low-growth trend, the country must remove obstacles to corporate innovation," it added.
(END)


yna--2020-05-04--S. Korea vows to protect jobs as coronavirus clouds economic growth

In March , the BOK delivered its first emergency rate cut in over a decade , by slashing the policy @ @ @ @ @ point to send it below the 1 percent mark for the first time in its @ @

SEJONG, May 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's finance ministry said Monday it will spare no efforts to protect jobs as the coronavirus pandemic is expected to force the nation's economy to contract this year.
Vice Finance Minister Kim Yong-beom said a faster recovery from the coronavirus shocks is unlikely as South Korea's two largest trading partners, the United States and China, suffered sharp economic contractions in the first quarter.
A historic crash in global oil prices is expected to add uncertainties over global financial markets, Kim said.
"The government will make utmost efforts to create new jobs as it plans to start 'Korean-version New Deal' projects," Kim told a meeting with senior ministry officials.
Such projects will include job creations in large-scale technology and online medical services, Kim said.
Last week, the National Assembly approved a 12.2 trillion-won (US$10 billion) extra budget to fund emergency handouts for households to cope with the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
South Korea's economy shrank 1.4 percent on-quarter in the first quarter of the year, marking the sharpest quarterly contraction since the last three months of 2008.
South Korea has promised relief packages worth some 240 trillion won to ease the economic fallout from the virus, with many analysts expecting the Bank of Korea (BOK) to cut its key rate again in the coming months.
In March, the BOK delivered its first emergency rate cut in over a decade, by slashing the policy rate by half a percentage point to send it below the 1 percent mark for the first time in its history.
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-05-04--Short and sweet: Shortened pro football season to kick off Friday, with champs chasing history

The K League 1 season had been scheduled to begin Feb. 29 , but the league office postponed it indefinitely @ @ @ @ @ because of the coronavirus outbreak .
It was n't until late April that the league @ @ @ @ @ date .
And with so many days lost at the beginning of the year , @ @ @ @ @ K League 1 will be playing 27 matches , 11 fewer than a normal season @

By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, May 4 (Yonhap) -- It's going to be a shorter-than-usual season in South Korean men's professional football this year. Fans of the beautiful game are hoping it will be sweeter too.
In one of the growing signs that life is returning to normal -- or at least some semblance of it -- amid the coronavirus pandemic, the K League football season will kick off Friday. After more than two months of delay, the three-time defending champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors will host the 2019 FA Cup winners Suwon Samsung Bluewings at 8 p.m. Friday. The 2020 K League 1 season opener will be at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, 240 kilometers south of Seoul.
This photo provided by the Korea Professional Football League on April 29, 2020, shows the championship trophy for the K League 1. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The K League 1 season had been scheduled to begin Feb. 29, but the league office postponed it indefinitely five days prior to it because of the coronavirus outbreak. It wasn't until late April that the league settled on the new kickoff date. And with so many days lost at the beginning of the year, the dozen teams in the K League 1 will be playing 27 matches, 11 fewer than a normal season.
They will play 22 matches against one another first, and then the top six and the bottom six clubs will be split into "Final A" and "Final B."
From that point, teams will each play five matches within their own group. Since there will be an odd number of games during that phase, the league has decided to give teams with better records more games at home.
The top three teams in each group will get three home matches, while the bottom three will get two matches at home.
The early portion of the season will be played without fans in the stands. The league said it will wait for further loosening of government quarantine guidelines before making any decision on when fans will be allowed to come to matches.
Jeonbuk will be chasing a piece of history, as they'll look to become the first club to win four consecutive titles.
In this file photo from April 23, 2020, players from Incheon United (in blue) and Suwon FC acknowledge each other after a practice match at Incheon Football Stadium in Incheon, 40 kilometers west of Seoul. (Yonhap)
Last season, they became just the second team, after Seongnam, to pull off a "three-peat." Jeonbuk and Seongnam are currently tied for most championships with seven, and Jeonbuk will have the record to themselves with a title in 2020.
They've lost some key pieces over the winter, including the 2019 MVP runner-up Moon Seon-min to the mandatory military service. But then they acquired the man who beat Moon for the MVP award, playmaking midfielder Kim Bo-kyung.
Kim, a former Premier Leaguer, played for Ulsan Hyundai last season, scoring a career-high 13 goals. It wasn't enough as Ulsan blew a chance to win the title on the final day of the season, with their loss to Pohang Steelers and a win by Jeonbuk over Gangwon conspiring to give Jeonbuk their third straight title.
Losing Kim to Jeonbuk, of all clubs, stings, but Ulsan acquired another ex-Premier League midfielder in Lee Chung-yong. This will be Lee's first K League season since 2009 with FC Seoul.
They also got an upgrade in net by acquiring national team mainstay Jo Hyeon-woo. Won Du-jae, the MVP at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 Championship in January this year, will join Ulsan's midfield, alongside veteran Yoon Bitgaram.
The K League 1 will welcome back some familiar faces this season. Gwangju FC were promoted from the K League 2 for the first time in three years, and Busan IPark will be back in the top competition after spending the past four years in the second division.
This image, provided by the Korea Professional Football League on April 7, 2020, shows the league's emblem promoting the use of masks and social distancing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
There's a new twist to the relegation system this year. The city of Sangju, some 270 kilometers southeast of Seoul, is looking to found a new pro club, as its host city contract with the K League 1's military club Sangmu is set to expire after this season. If Sangju gets a new team and Sangmu settle in a new city, then both teams will end up in the K League 2 in 2021.
If Sangmu finish last in the K League 1 this year, they'll be automatically relegated to the K League 2. The 11th-ranked team in the K League 1 and a playoff winner from the K League 2 will then meet in a promotion-relegation playoff, with the loser going to the second division for 2021.
If Sangmu stay out of the K League 1 cellar this year, then the two worst teams will be sent down to the K League 2 without a playoff. They will trade places with the K League 2 champions and the playoff-winning team.
If a player or a coach is diagnosed with the coronavirus during the season, that club will be kept off the field for at least two weeks. And the team's recent opponents may also be shut down for a minimum two weeks, depending on the results of contact tracing.
In such cases, the league office may adjust match fixtures and shorten the season even further.
Should the K League 1 be forced to scrap its season because of COVID-19, the championship and other awards will be presented only if teams have played at least 22 matches.
But if the season is canceled before the 22-match mark, then no champions will be crowned. In that case, team and individual stats will still count in the record books.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-05-04--Pompeo reaffirms U.S. mission to denuke N.K. after Kim's return to public eye

`` There 's not much that I can share with you about what we knew about Chairman Kim 's activities @ @ @ @ @ do n't know why he chose to miss that moment , '' he said , @ @ @ @ @ from an event marking the April 15 birth anniversary of his late grandfather and national @ @ @ @ @

WASHINGTON/SEOUL, May 4 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has renewed Washington's goal of denuclearizing North Korea and creating a "bright future" for its people after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's return to the public eye following his 20-day absence.
In an interview with ABC News' "This Week" on Sunday, Pompeo also cast the two Koreas' recent exchange of gunfire, which was triggered by the North's gunshots, as "accidental" amid worries that the flare-up of tensions could undercut efforts to resume dialogue with Pyongyang.
"Our mission has remained the same, to convince the North Koreans to give up their nuclear weapons, to verify the same, and to then create a brighter future for the North Korean people," the secretary said.
"That's been something President (Donald) Trump's been focused on since the beginning of his time in office and something we'll continue to work on," he added.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a press conference at the Department of State in Washington on April 29, 2020, in this Associated Press photo. (Yonhap)
On Saturday, the North's official Korean Central News Agency reported on Kim's visit to a fertilizer factory completion ceremony in Sunchon, north of Pyongyang, on Friday, ending rumors of his failing health.
Kim had disappeared from the public view since he presided over a premier ruling party meeting on April 11. Various rumors emerged afterward, including Kim being in a coma after surgery or the ruler simply self-isolating over coronavirus concerns.
Asked about Kim's weekslong absence, Pompeo refused to comment in detail.
"There's not much that I can share with you about what we knew about Chairman Kim's activities during that time. We don't know why he chose to miss that moment," he said, referring to Kim's absence from an event marking the April 15 birth anniversary of his late grandfather and national founder, Kim Il-sung.
"We know there have been other extended periods of time where Chairman Kim's been out of public view as well, so it's not unprecedented," he added.
On Sunday, border tensions flared anew as Pyongyang fired several gunshots that hit a South Korean guard post at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), prompting the South to fire back.
Pompeo pointed out that there were no casualties on either side.
"We think those were accidental. South Koreans did return fire. So far as we can tell, there was no loss of life on either side," he said.
A Seoul official said the North's firings did not appear to be intentional. But the military authorities made it clear that the incident was a breach of the 2018 inter-Korean military pact aimed at building confidence and reducing border tensions.
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-05-04--(4th LD) S. Korea reports no new local virus cases, set to further ease social distancing

Kim further said the number indicates that it is still possible that there could be a group of patients who @ @ @ @ @ by health authorities , indicating that there are still sources of infections in communities .

(ATTN: ADDS more fatalities info in paras 12-13)
SEOUL, May 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea reported eight more cases of the new coronavirus Monday, but all of them came from overseas, as the country is set to further ease its monthslong social distancing guidelines, including reopening schools.
The newly added COVID-19 cases brought the nation's total infections to 10,801, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
The latest tally marks the third day that the country has reported no locally transmitted virus infections, the KCDC said.
On April 30, the country reported no additional local virus cases for the first time in 72 days. On Saturday, there were also no domestic virus cases.
A person walks in front of the National Museum of Korea on May 4, 2020, as state-run museums and libraries prepare to reopen starting this week. (Yonhap)
The slowdown in new infections prompted the country to end its 45-day social distancing campaign and shift toward a so-called everyday life quarantine scheme from Wednesday.
The country believes it has virtually contained the COVID-19 outbreak here, though imported cases remain a threat.
"The COVID-19 pandemic will not end in a short period of time, and it is expected to prolong globally," said KCDC Director-General Jeong Eun-kyeong, urging people to abide by government-recommended guidelines.
The country's total number of imported cases reached 1,099, the KCDC said. More than 90 percent of the imported cases are South Korean nationals.
Earlier, the government said it would soon announce dates for students to return to school in line with the country's relaxed social distancing guidelines.
Jeong said there is still a possibility of cluster infections occurring at schools, but it is highly unlikely.
The government said it will review the reopening of kindergartens more carefully, citing that small children are more vulnerable to COVID-19.
"We should approach the issue of opening kindergartens more conservatively," Vice Health Minister Kim Ganglip told reporters earlier.
An exhibition game between the Kiwoom Heroes and the Doosan Bears is under way at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on April 29, 2020. The game was played without spectators amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Yonhap)
The nation's death toll increased by two to 252, with two more fatalities reported throughout the day but not included in the daily official update. The most recent deaths all involve seniors in their 90s, the KCDC said.
Besides local deaths, one South Korean national who contracted the infectious disease while working at a construction site in the United Arab Emirates died. According to the Seoul's consulate general office in Dubai, the man was in his mid 50s and was in an intensive care unit after getting sick some three weeks ago.
In total, 9,217 people in South Korea have recovered from the virus, up 34 from a day earlier. So far, 85 percent of the patients have been cured. The overall fatality rate reached 2.33 percent.
The country, with a population of around 50 million, has tested 633,921 people since Jan 3, including 2,948 tests carried out a day earlier.
Daegu, the nation's worst virus-hit region located 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, added no cases. The city accounts for 64 percent of the nation's total COVID-19 cases.
However, the KCDC said new COVID-19 cases whose infection routes have not been identified were clustered in Daegu.
"It is concerning that seven of the 10 patients in the past two weeks whose infection routes have not been identified were from Daegu," Kim said.
Kim further said the number indicates that it is still possible that there could be a group of patients who have not yet been detected by health authorities, indicating that there are still sources of infections in communities.
Health authorities said they are remaining vigilant over the holiday that runs through Tuesday, as many citizens are traveling across the country amid overseas travel restrictions.
Kim also asked citizens to follow social distancing and other quarantine measures on Children's Day that falls on Tuesday.
They have repeatedly warned of a potential second wave of infections, saying that eased social distancing could lead to an increase in new cases.
"Clinics solely responsible for respiratory disease will be opened so that we can systemically detect and treat patients from the early stage," Kim said.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-05-04--(LEAD) S. Korean FM discuss virus responses with Sri Lankan, Czech counterparts

The two ministers then touched on close cooperation that has taken place between the two sides in allowing South Korean @ @ @ @ @ country to carry out their work , as well as the joint efforts that allowed @ @ @ @ @ Czech citizens in Australia and New Zealand on a special Korean Air flight last month @ @ @ @ @ used to bring home South Korean nationals from the Czech Republic .

(ATTN: CHANGES headline, lead; ADDS more info on talks with Czech foreign minister in paras 5-7)
SEOUL, May 4 (Yonhap) -- Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha spoke by phone with her Sri Lankan and Czech Republic counterparts Monday and discussed cooperation in coping with the coronavirus pandemic, her office said.
In the talks with Dinesh Gunawardena, Kang explained that the COVID-19 situation in South Korea is stabilizing as a result of nationwide efforts to overcome the disease based on the principle of transparency in terms of its quarantine policy, the ministry said in a release.
In response, Gunawardena praised South Korea for successfully holding general elections during the virus outbreak on the back of its advanced quarantine capabilities and held out hopes for greater cooperation and support between the two countries in tackling the virus.
The two sides also agreed on the need for continued efforts to facilitate essential economic and people-to-people exchanges despite limited circumstances due to the virus outbreak, according to the ministry.
Later in the day, Seoul's top diplomat talked on the phone with the Czech Republic's Foreign Minister Tomas Petricek on the ongoing efforts to tackle the coronavirus crisis.
In the exchange, which comes as Seoul and Prague mark 30 years of formal diplomatic ties this year, Petricek gave high marks for South Korea's handling of COVID-19. He expressed thanks for the shipment of South Korean test kits and the sharing of information on quarantine measures.
The two ministers then touched on close cooperation that has taken place between the two sides in allowing South Korean businessmen to enter the European country to carry out their work, as well as the joint efforts that allowed for the successful repatriation of Czech citizens in Australia and New Zealand on a special Korean Air flight last month. The same plane was used to bring home South Korean nationals from the Czech Republic.
On Monday, South Korea reported eight new virus infections, all from overseas, bringing the total tally to 10,801 with 252 deaths.
Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha speaks during a parliamentary session in Seoul on April 28, 2020. (Yonhap)
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-05-04--(2nd LD) Payments of disaster relief money begin Monday

The ministry said the public can check their household eligibility for the disaster relief funds at the relevant government website @ @ @ @ @ the overloading of the web servers , the online reference and application services can be @ @ @ @ @ for each individuals , depending on the last digit of one 's birth year , @ @ @ @ @ rationing system .

(ATTN: UPDATES with handouts in paras 4-6)
SEOUL, May 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Monday began paying out emergency disaster relief funds totaling 14.3 trillion won (US$11.65 billion) to all households to cope with the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
The government plans to provide 1 million won each to households with four or more members, 800,000 won to three-person households, 600,000 won to two-person households and 400,000 won to single-person households.
The National Assembly last Thursday approved an extra budget bill focused on the payments of the unprecedented relief money to all 21.71 million households in the nation.
The payments of the one-off handouts started with some 2.8 million households in the lowest income bracket, or 13 percent of the total, and will be expanded to cover the rest over the next three months.
According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, it has given a combined 1.29 trillion won in cash to the first-group households living off basic livelihood subsidies, basic pensions and disability benefits as of 6 p.m.
The ministry said the recipients are able to check the cash deposits in the bank accounts they are already using to receive the various state subsidies.
The timing of the payment can differ depending on the circumstances of local governments but all the cash remittances will be completed by Friday, the ministry noted.
The rest of the nation's households will be paid the disaster relief funds in the form of credit or debit card points, regional gift certificates or prepaid cards, beginning next week, it said.
Online applications for credit or debit card points will begin next Monday via the websites of card companies and the point payments will be made two days later.
Offline applications for card points, gift certificates and prepaid cards will begin at banks affiliated with card companies or community centers nationwide May 18. Some cards, including those from Citibank, are excluded from the service.
The ministry said the public can check their household eligibility for the disaster relief funds at the relevant government website from Monday. To prevent the overloading of the web servers, the online reference and application services can be used only on designated days for each individuals, depending on the last digit of one's birth year, just like the ongoing mask rationing system.
Households failing to apply for the emergency relief funds within three months will be regarded as donors to the state.
The disaster relief money should be spent by Aug. 31 or it will also be deemed a donation. Likewise, it is recommended that regional gift certificates are used by the end of August.
The emergency relief card points, gift certificates and prepaid cards cannot be used for online shopping and at large-scale supermarkets and entertainment places, among others, the ministry said.
Meanwhile, the government approved in a Cabinet meeting a proposed plan to spend 940 billion won to stabilize the livelihoods of underprivileged workers hit by COVID-19.
The emergency spending plan includes the provision of up to 1.5 million won to workers, such as freelancers and those working in designated-driver and delivery services.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-05-04--Ireland learning from S. Korea over coronavirus response: PM

Moon launched his phone summit diplomacy with a call with U.S. President Donald Trump shortly after his inauguration .
He @ @ @ @ @ rounds of phone talks with his foreign counterparts or leaders of international organizations .

SEOUL, May 4 (Yonhap) -- Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Monday his country is taking its cue from South Korea in responding to the coronavirus, especially in carrying out aggressive testing and app-based contact tracing, according to Cheong Wa Dae.
He made the remarks while speaking on the phone with President Moon Jae-in, which marked Moon's 100th round of phone talks with foreign leaders since he took office in May 2017.
Varadkar was quoted as saying that his government has been inspired by South Korea's handling of COVID-19 and taken a similar step that has proven effective, Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok said in a press release.
Especially, he added, the use of test kits imported from South Korea has been of big help, and he expressed interest in purchasing medical equipment including masks.
Moon replied that South Korea would actively consider providing Ireland with masks, citing a constant increase in local production.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in holds phone talks with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on May 4, 2020, in this photo provided by Cheong Wa Dae. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Moon also thanked Ireland for having dispatched a battalion of troops to help South Korea fight against North Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War and for its steadfast support for Seoul's peace initiative.
The prime minister said his nation remains willing to offer assistance in the process of establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula on the basis of its own peace experience.
Moon launched his phone summit diplomacy with a call with U.S. President Donald Trump shortly after his inauguration. He has since had 99 more rounds of phone talks with his foreign counterparts or leaders of international organizations.
This year alone, Moon talked with 31 leaders or global agency chiefs, including Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), largely on the coronavirus issue.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-05-04--(3rd LD) S. Korean schools to reopen next week as virus infections fall

`` Schools can not go back to the times before the COVID-19 outbreak ... this may become an inconvenient everyday @ @ @ @ @ , '' Yoo said , `` However , we can wisely lead a new everyday @ @ @ @ @ , as we had all striven to push ahead with remote learning , which was @ @ @ @ @ ''

(ATTN: ADDS details in paras 5, 11, 14-15)
By Lee Minji
SEOUL, May 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Monday announced plans to reopen schools starting next week, more than two months after schools were closed in a precautionary measure against the new coronavirus that has infected more than 10,000 here.
"Starting on May 20, which is two weeks after key holidays in May, we will push to (reopen schools) in a phased and sequential process," Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae said at a press briefing.
A soldier disinfects a desk at an elementary school in the southern city of Daegu on May 1, 2020. (Yonhap)
Under the plan, high school seniors will return to school on May 13, while other grades will return to school gradually in the following weeks.
Students in grade 2 of high school, grade 3 of middle school and grades 1 and 2 in elementary schools will return on May 20, while those in grade 1 of high school, grade 2 of middle school and grades 3 and 4 in elementary schools will go back on May 27. Students in grade 1 of middle school and grades 5 and 6 in elementary school will return on June 1.
South Korea runs a 6-3-3 school system, which consists of six years of elementary school and three years each of middle school and high school.
Yoo said the government considered several factors, such as having enough time to assess the impact of the long holiday in late April and early May as well as the academic needs of high school seniors.
Key public holidays -- such as Buddha's Birthday, Labor Day and Children's Day -- all fell in late April or early May this year, raising the alert on possible transmissions as people travel across the country.
Yoo added that the youngest students will be returning to school at an early date, given that many students are already taking part in emergency child care sessions and that face-to-face teaching is more effective for their age.
Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae speaks in a press briefing at the government complex in Seoul on May 4, 2020. (Yonhap)
The education minister, however, warned that the school reopening should not be considered as "the end of the coronavirus," urging teachers, parents and students to closely follow quarantine guidelines.
The government plans to advise schools to disinfect classrooms and school facilities, diversify class schedules to minimize infection risks in crowded classrooms, change seating arrangements and mandate face masks except for meal times.
Around 99 percent of schools across the country have completed quarantine preparations and secured 14 million hygiene masks in addition to 18 million cotton masks, according to the education ministry.
The government will also run regular fever checks, ban families of patients and those who have traveled abroad from coming to school and shift to remote learning if an infection occurs.
"Schools cannot go back to the times before the COVID-19 outbreak ... this may become an inconvenient everyday life for all of us," Yoo said, "However, we can wisely lead a new everyday life if we all cooperate, as we had all striven to push ahead with remote learning, which was also once considered unfamiliar."
A student in the first year of elementary school takes online classes at his home in the Seoul ward of Yongsan with the help of his mother on April 20, 2020. (Yonhap)
Health authorities echoed the view, emphasizing continued vigilance against the contagious virus.
"We believe that the possibility of group transmissions at schools after their reopening is not high but is still there," Jeong Eun-kyeong, director-general of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said, adding that health authorities and the education ministry are running mock tests against contingency scenarios.
Students have been taking online classes since April. The new school year usually starts in March here, but the government postponed it by five weeks or more as part of efforts to fight the virus pandemic.
It marked the first time in the country's 70-year history of education that students began the new school year through online classes.
The school reopening comes as concerns over new infections are weakening.
Daily infections, which peaked at 909 on Feb. 29, have fallen to single-digit figures in the past few days.
As of Monday, South Korea has reported 10,801 cases. It reported its first case on Jan. 20.
In an indication of what appears to be weakening risks, Seoul is set to ease its intensive social distancing campaign starting Wednesday.
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-05-04--Gov't toughens quarantine for returning migrant workers to stem spread of coronavirus

Foreign workers with the E-9 visa , when returning from a short trip overseas , should arrange a self-quarantine place @ @ @ @ @ South Korean government of the related information through the Employment Permit System before entering the @ @ @ @ @ said on Monday .

SEOUL, May 4 (Yonhap) -- The government has stepped up the quarantine process for migrant workers as imported cases of the new coronavirus remain a threat to the country's containment efforts.
Foreign workers with the E-9 visa, when returning from a short trip overseas, should arrange a self-quarantine place in advance and notify the South Korean government of the related information through the Employment Permit System before entering the country, the labor ministry said on Monday.
Workers who fail to do so are subject to self-quarantine at a facility arranged by the government.
The government introduced the enhanced process as it uncovered cases where migrant workers used a self-isolation facility not deemed adequate to effectively protect themselves and others from the novel coronavirus, the ministry said.
South Korea reported eight more cases of COVID-19, all from overseas, bringing the nation's total infections to 10,801 on Monday.
This undated file photo shows South Korean health authorities working to stem the spread of coronavirus. (Yonhap)
jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr
(END)


Yonhap News Summary

`` The government will do its best to have the emergency disaster relief payments , which would be granted for @ @ @ @ @ South Korea 's ) history , delivered rapidly and conveniently , '' he said at @ @ @ @ @ meeting with his senior Cheong Wa Dae aides .
`` I expect it to be @ @ @ @ @ , even a little . ''

The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Monday.
-----------------
(LEAD) Seoul stocks snap 3-day winning streak on renewed U.S.-China tensions
SEOUL -- South Korean stocks snapped a three-day rally to drop more than 2 percent Monday on renewed tensions between the United States and China amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. The Korean won sharply fell against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed 52.19 points, or 2.68 percent, to close at 1,895.37.
-----------------
(LEAD) 2 defector-turned-politicians apologize for remarks over N.K. leader's ill health
SEOUL -- Two North Korean defectors elected as lawmakers in South Korea apologized Monday for their remarks suggesting Kim Jong-un's ill health amid public criticism over fake news about the North.
Thae Yong-ho, a former No. 2 diplomat in North Korea's Embassy in London, apologized as criticism has not subsided over the defector-turned-politicians' unconfirmed remarks on Kim's health.
-----------------
(LEAD) S. Korean schools to reopen next week as virus infections fall
SEOUL -- South Korea on Monday announced plans to reopen schools starting next week, more than two months after schools were closed in a precautionary measure against the new coronavirus.
"Starting on May 20, which is two weeks after key holidays in May, we will push to (reopen schools) in a phased and sequential process," Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae said at a press briefing.
-----------------
Lawmakers to vote on bill to permit voters to propose constitutional revision Friday
SEOUL -- The National Assembly will hold a plenary meeting this week to vote on a bill to permit a million voters to propose a constitutional revision, as the ongoing extra session is set to end in mid-May, lawmakers said Monday.
In March, nearly 150 ruling and opposition lawmakers submitted to the parliament a motion to amend a constitutional clause in a bid to allow voters to propose a constitutional revision, along with a majority of lawmakers and the president.
-----------------
Moon hopes for economic effects from cash handouts for families
SEOUL -- President Moon Jae-in expressed hope Monday that the government's unprecedented "emergency disaster relief payments" for all households in South Korea will serve as a catalyst to reinvigorate the economy dampened by the coronavirus pandemic.
"The government will do its best to have the emergency disaster relief payments, which would be granted for the first time in (South Korea's) history, delivered rapidly and conveniently," he said at the start of a weekly meeting with his senior Cheong Wa Dae aides. "I expect it to be of help to economic revitalization, even a little."
-----------------
S. Korea's top military commander, NATO military chief vow cooperation against coronavirus
SEOUL -- South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Chairman Gen. Park Han-ki held phone talks with NATO's military committee chief Monday and vowed cooperation to deal with the coronavirus pandemic and other non-traditional security threats, Park's office said.
During the conversation with Stuart Peach, chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Park shared the country's response to the COVID-19 virus as well as the military's role in stemming the spread of the virus, according to the JCS.
(END)


yna--2020-05-04--(LEAD) Jeju Island to keep social distancing rules intact

`` Many tourists have recently visited Jeju Island from all over the country , and it is expected that there @ @ @ @ @ visitors .
The current social distancing rules will be maintained through May 19 , and @ @ @ @ @ announced thereafter , '' a provincial government official said .

(ATTN: UPDATES with more details from 9th para)
SEOUL, May 4 (Yonhap) -- The provincial government of Jeju Island, South Korea's most popular vacation destination, said Monday it will extend its social distancing campaign for another two weeks to completely stem the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, contrary to the central government's decision to relax its social distancing rules this week.
The government of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province said its own social distancing campaign will be extended through May 19, regardless of the central government's different decision.
A recent slowdown in the number of new COVID-19 cases has prompted the Korean government to end its 45-day social distancing campaign and shift towards a so-called everyday life quarantine scheme on Wednesday, which allows conditional resumption of gatherings and events and reopening of public facilities.
The departure hall of Jeju International Airport on Jeju Island is crowded with passengers on May 4, 2020. (Yonhap)
The Jeju government said it will remain on alert for a possible rise in coronavirus infections, as more than 200,000 tourists visited the southern resort island during the extended series of holidays that began last Thursday and visitor numbers are expected to further rise in the coming weeks.
Under the policy, the provincial government will maintain its current quarantine measures for the gateway airport, seaports, tourist spots and hotels and delay the reopening of sports facilities and public libraries.
"Many tourists have recently visited Jeju Island from all over the country, and it is expected that there will be growing numbers of visitors. The current social distancing rules will be maintained through May 19, and further follow-up measures will be announced thereafter," a provincial government official said.
South Korea reported eight more cases of the new coronavirus Monday, but all of them came from overseas, marking the third day that the country has reported no locally transmitted virus infections.
Jeju Island has so far reported only 13 coronavirus cases.
Jeju officials said the next two weeks will be critical to their quarantine efforts, as some tourists have shown signs of letting their guard down too early in fight against COVID-19.
Most passengers using the Jeju airport over the extended holiday weekend were wearing face masks, but some tourists and merchants were seen taking off their masks in outdoor tourist spots.
Indeed, the provincial government's latest monitoring found only 60 percent of tourists wearing masks outdoors.
Moreover, it was difficult for tourists to maintain a distance of at least one meter from one another at famous tourist destinations on the island.
The Jeju government will thus continue to apply international standards in screening out suspected coronavirus patients at the gateway airport and require tourists with temperatures over 37.3 C, stricter than the previous 37.5 C, to fill out a health check questionnaire and undergo a COVID-19 test, if necessary.
A total of 97 persons, including 91 from abroad, were tested for the new coronavirus at the Jeju airport over the past five days, though none of them showed positive test results.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-05-04--After 56 years, woman convicted of assaulting attempted rapist seeks retrial

`` There will be many women who have lived with resentment , like Choi , stemming from the patriarchal social @ @ @ @ @ She has decided to seek a retrial after 56 years to communicate a message of @ @ @ @ @ women , '' an official of the group said .

BUSAN, May 4 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean woman who was convicted 56 years ago of biting off the tongue of her attempted rapist will file for a retrial this week, a local women's rights group said Monday.
The 74-year-old woman, Choi Mal-ja, will submit the request with the Busan District Court in the southeastern city on Wednesday, according to Busan Women's Hot Line. She will plead self-defense.
In 1964, then 18-year-old Choi bit off 1.5 centimeters of her attacker's tongue while fighting the 21-year-old man who was trying to rape her near her home.
She was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years, for committing grievous bodily harm. She was incarcerated for six months during the trial.
The perpetrator was only charged with trespassing and blackmail and sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years.
This image was provided by Yonhap News TV. (Yonhap)
At that time, Choi claimed she acted in self-defense, but the court did not accepted her argument.
She even suffered secondary damage during the trial when the judge asked Choi whether she had affection for the man and suggested she marry him.
The case has been recorded as one of the most controversial rulings in South Korea's deeply patriarchal, male-dominated society.
Choi consulted the Women's Hot Line in late 2018, after the #MeToo movement was sparked by a prosecutor and a governor's aide, who spoke out about sexual abuses they suffered from male superiors.
"There will be many women who have lived with resentment, like Choi, stemming from the patriarchal social atmosphere of that time. She has decided to seek a retrial after 56 years to communicate a message of courage and self-esteem to such women," an official of the group said.
Choi, her lawyers and Women's Hot Line activists plan to hold a news conference before applying for a retrial on Wednesday, the group said.
(END)


yna--2020-05-04--(2nd LD) S. Korean schools to reopen next week as virus infections fall

(ATTN: ADDS details on quarantine guidelines, press briefing, photo throughout; RECASTS lead)
By Lee Minji
SEOUL, May 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Monday announced plans to reopen schools starting next week, more than two months after schools were closed in a precautionary measure against the new coronavirus that has infected more than 10,000 here.
"Starting on May 20, which is two weeks after key holidays in May, we will push to (reopen schools) in a phased and sequential process," Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae said at a press briefing.
A soldier disinfects a desk at an elementary school in the southern city of Daegu on May 1, 2020. (Yonhap)
Under the plan, high school seniors will return to school on May 13, while other grades will return to school gradually in the following weeks.
Students in grade 2 of high school, grade 3 of middle school and grades 1 and 2 in elementary schools will return on May 20, while those in grade 1 of high school, grade 2 of middle school and grades 3 and 4 in elementary schools will go back on May 27. Students in grade 1 of middle school and grades 5 and 6 in elementary school will return on June 1.
Yoo said the government considered several factors, such as having enough time to assess the impact of the long holiday in late April and early May as well as the academic needs of high school seniors.
Key public holidays -- such as Buddha's Birthday, Labor Day and Children's Day -- all fell in late April or early May this year, raising the alert on possible transmissions as people travel across the country.
Yoo added that the youngest students will be returning to school at an early date, given that many students are already taking part in emergency child care sessions and that face-to-face teaching is more effective for their age.
Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae speaks in a press briefing at the government complex in Seoul on May 4, 2020. (Yonhap)
The education minister, however, warned that the school reopening should not be considered as "the end of the coronavirus," urging teachers, parents and students to closely follow quarantine guidelines.
The government plans to advise schools to disinfect classrooms and school facilities, diversify class schedules to minimize infection risks in crowded classrooms, change seating arrangements and mandate face masks except for meal times.
The government will also run regular fever checks, ban families of patients and those who have traveled abroad from coming to school, and shift to remote learning if an infection occurs.
"Schools cannot go back to the times before the COVID-19 outbreak ... this may become an inconvenient everyday life for all of us," Yoo said, "However, we can wisely lead a new everyday life if we all cooperate, as we had all striven to push ahead with remote learning, which was also once considered unfamiliar."
A student in the first year of elementary school takes online classes at his home in the Seoul ward of Yongsan with the help of his mother on April 20, 2020. (Yonhap)
Students have been taking online classes since April. The new school year usually starts in March here, but the government postponed it by five weeks or more as part of efforts to fight the virus pandemic.
It marked the first time in the country's 70-year history of education that students began the new school year through online classes.
The school reopening comes as concerns over new infections are weakening.
Daily infections, which peaked at 909 on Feb. 29, have fallen to single-digit figures in the past few days.
As of Monday, South Korea has reported 10,801 cases. It reported its first case on Jan. 20.
In an indication of what appears to be weakening risks, Seoul is set to ease its intensive social distancing campaign starting Wednesday.
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-05-04--S. Korea's top military commander, NATO military chief vow cooperation against coronavirus

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization military chief expressed gratitude for the sharing of related information and said he will share @ @ @ @ @ nations , the JCS said , adding that Peach also praised South Korea for the @ @ @ @ @ in the world .

SEOUL, May 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Chairman Gen. Park Han-ki held phone talks with NATO's military committee chief Monday and vowed cooperation to deal with the coronavirus pandemic and other non-traditional security threats, Park's office said.
During the conversation with Stuart Peach, chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Park shared the country's response to the COVID-19 virus as well as the military's role in stemming the spread of the virus, according to the JCS.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization military chief expressed gratitude for the sharing of related information and said he will share the details with its member nations, the JCS said, adding that Peach also praised South Korea for the best handling of the situation in the world.
"The two sides vowed to further strengthen security cooperation in terms of both traditional and non-traditional threats such as the COVID-19 virus," the JCS said in the release.
South Korea has reported a marked drop in the number of new coronavirus cases in recent weeks and has been gearing up to ease social distancing guidance to better support people's everyday lives.
Soldiers carry out disinfection work at a school in the southeastern city of Daegu on May 1, 2020. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-05-04--Retail investors' stock buying hits new daily record

SEOUL , May 4 ( Yonhap ) -- Retail investors ' stock purchases hit a fresh record high Monday , @ @ @ @ @ local stock market rebounding down the road on the back of eased concerns over the @ @ @ @ @ conditions , according to data from the Korea Exchange .

SEOUL, May 4 (Yonhap) -- Retail investors' stock purchases hit a fresh record high Monday, as they bet on the local stock market rebounding down the road on the back of eased concerns over the new coronavirus and improving economic conditions, according to data from the Korea Exchange.
Individual investors bought a net 1.7 trillion won (US$1.4 billion) worth of local stocks on the main bourse, the highest daily tally since the bourse operator began compiling related data in 1999.
The previous record was 1.55 trillion won on Aug. 10, 2011.
An electronic signboard at KB Kookmin Bank in Seoul shows the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) falling 2.68 percent to close at 1,895.37 points on May 4, 2020. (Yonhap)
In contrast to the individuals' massive buying, foreigners net sold 1 trillion won worth of local stocks Monday, and institutional investors dumped a net 800 billion won.
Amid a marked slowdown in new infections, South Korea reported eight more cases of the new coronavirus Monday, all of which came from overseas.
Individuals' buying mode intensified since March, when the local stock market was roiled by rout stemming from the outbreak of COVID-19.
In March, retail investors scooped up a net 11.18 trillion won on the local stock market following a net purchase of 4.89 trillion won worth of stocks and 4.48 trillion won in February and January, respectively.
So far this year, retail investors' net buying of stocks topped 26 trillion won.
"Despite the risk-aversive sentiment in today's session, individuals are rushing for (coronavirus-hit) stocks," Noh Dong-gil, an analyst at NH Investment & Securities Co., said.
Noh said investors should remain cautious as coronavirus uncertainties linger in the market.
jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-05-04--(LEAD) Payments of disaster relief money begin Monday

(ATTN: ADDS info of Cabinet meeting in last 2 paras)
SEOUL, May 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Monday began paying out emergency disaster relief funds totaling 14.3 trillion won (US$11.65 billion) to all households to cope with the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
The government plans to provide 1 million won each to households with four or more members, 800,000 won to three-person households, 600,000 won to two-person households and 400,000 won to single-person households.
The National Assembly last Thursday approved an extra budget bill focused on the payments of the unprecedented relief money to all 21.71 million households in the nation.
The payments of the one-off handouts will start with some 2.8 million households in the lowest income bracket, or 13 percent of the total, and continue for the rest over the next three months.
According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the 2.8 million households living off basic livelihood subsidies, basic pensions and disability benefits are to receive the emergency relief money in cash starting Monday.
The ministry said the first group of recipients will be able to check cash deposits in their bank accounts they are already using to receive the various state subsidies, from 5 p.m. Monday.
The timing of the payment can differ depending on the circumstances of local governments but all the cash remittances will be completed by Friday, the ministry noted.
The rest of the nation's households will be paid the disaster relief funds in the form of credit or debit card points, regional gift certificates or prepaid cards, beginning next week, it said.
Online applications for credit or debit card points will begin next Monday via the websites of card companies and the point payments will be made two days later.
Offline applications for card points, gift certificates and prepaid cards will begin at banks affiliated with card companies or community centers nationwide May 18. Some cards, including those from Citibank, are excluded from the service.
The ministry said the public can check their household eligibility for the disaster relief funds at the relevant government website from Monday. To prevent the overloading of the web servers, the online reference and application services can be used only on designated days for each individuals, depending on the last digit of one's birth year, just like the ongoing mask rationing system.
Households failing to apply for the emergency relief funds within three months will be regarded as donors to the state.
The disaster relief money should be spent by Aug. 31 or it will also be deemed a donation. Likewise, it is recommended that regional gift certificates are used by the end of August.
The emergency relief card points, gift certificates and prepaid cards cannot be used for online shopping and at large-scale supermarkets and entertainment places, among others, the ministry said.
Meanwhile, the government approved in a Cabinet meeting a proposed plan to spend 940 billion won to stabilize the livelihoods of underprivileged workers hit by COVID-19.
The emergency spending plan includes the provision of up to 1.5 million won to workers, such as freelancers and those working in designated-driver and delivery services.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-05-04--Jeju Island to keep social distancing rules intact

SEOUL, May 4 (Yonhap) -- The provincial government of Jeju Island, South Korea's most popular vacation destination, said Monday it will extend its social distancing campaign for another two weeks to completely stem the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, contrary to the central government's decision to relax its social distancing rules this week.
The government of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province said its own social distancing campaign will be extended through May 19, regardless of the central government's different decision.
A recent slowdown in the number of new COVID-19 cases has prompted the Korean government to end its 45-day social distancing campaign and shift towards a so-called everyday life quarantine scheme on Wednesday, which allows conditional resumption of gatherings and events and reopening of public facilities.
The departure hall of Jeju International Airport on Jeju Island is crowded with passengers on May 4, 2020. (Yonhap)
The Jeju government said it will remain on alert for a possible rise in coronavirus infections, as more than 200,000 tourists visited the southern resort island during the extended series of holidays that began last Thursday and visitor numbers are expected to further rise in the coming weeks.
Under the policy, the provincial government will maintain its current quarantine measures for the gateway airport, seaports, tourist spots and hotels and delay the reopening of sports facilities and public libraries.
"Many tourists have recently visited Jeju Island from all over the country, and it is expected that there will be growing numbers of visitors. The current social distancing rules will be maintained through May 19, and further follow-up measures will be announced thereafter," a provincial government official said.
South Korea reported eight more cases of the new coronavirus Monday, but all of them came from overseas, marking the third day that the country has reported no locally transmitted virus infections.
Jeju Island has so far reported only 13 coronavirus cases.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-05-04--Lawmakers to vote on bill to permit voters to propose constitutional revision Friday

In March , nearly 150 ruling and opposition lawmakers submitted to the parliament a motion to amend a constitutional clause @ @ @ @ @ voters to propose a constitutional revision , along with a majority of lawmakers and the @ @

SEOUL, May 4 (Yonhap) -- The National Assembly will hold a plenary meeting this week to vote on a bill to permit a million voters to propose a constitutional revision, as the ongoing extra session is set to end in mid-May, lawmakers said Monday.
In March, nearly 150 ruling and opposition lawmakers submitted to the parliament a motion to amend a constitutional clause in a bid to allow voters to propose a constitutional revision, along with a majority of lawmakers and the president.
Rival political parties agreed to hold a plenary meeting Friday to handle the bill, according to Rep. Lee In-young, floor leader of the ruling Democratic Party (DP).
The main opposition United Future Party (UFP) agreed to open the session but decided to boycott the meeting and vote, party officials said.
A parliamentary vote is highly expected to fall through due to a lack of quorum. The passage of a constitutional revision requires approval by at least two-thirds of lawmakers or 194 votes in the current 290-member assembly.
The UFP and its sister party Future Korea Party hold a combined 112 seats.
A motion to introduce people's initiative should be put to vote within 60 days after its submission to the National Assembly.
In May 2018, President Moon Jae-in's proposal for a constitutional revision was scuttled as opposition parties boycotted a parliamentary vote to pass the controversial motion.
The 21st National Assembly will set sail on May 30 after new 300 lawmakers were picked in the April 15 general elections.
The DP and the UFP will hold party elections to pick new floor leaders Thursday and Friday, respectively.
This photo, taken on April 30, 2020, shows the National Assembly holding a plenary session over an extra budget. (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-05-04--S. Korea hints at temporarily easing regulations to boost corporate investment

SEJONG , May 4 ( Yonhap ) -- South Korea 's finance minister on Monday raised the possibility of temporarily @ @ @ @ @ boost investment as the nation seeks to minimize the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic @

SEJONG, May 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's finance minister on Monday raised the possibility of temporarily softening regulations for companies to boost investment as the nation seeks to minimize the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.
Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki told a meeting with senior ministry officials that there is "the need to temporarily ease regulations that have become obstacles to corporate investment."
Hong also urged ministry officials to draw up plans to revitalize private consumption.
Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki speaks at a meeting with senior ministry officials in Seoul on May 4, 2020, in this photo provided by the ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Last week, the National Assembly approved a 12.2 trillion-won (US$10 billion) extra budget to fund emergency handouts for households to cope with the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
South Korea's economy shrank 1.4 percent on-quarter in the first quarter of the year, marking the sharpest quarterly contraction since the last three months of 2008.
South Korea has promised relief packages worth some 240 trillion won to ease the economic fallout from the virus.
To reinvigorate economic growth, the government has started reviewing measures to ease regulations in 10 industrial sectors, including artificial intelligence and mobility.
Hong repeated that the ministry will unveil details of a third extra budget early next month.
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-05-04--(LEAD) S. Korean schools to reopen next week as virus infections fall

Students in grade 2 of high school , grade 3 of middle school and grades 1 and 2 in elementary @ @ @ @ @ 20 , while those in grade 1 of high school , grade 2 of middle @ @ @ @ @ 4 in elementary schools will go back on May 27 .
Students in grade 1 @ @ @ @ @ 5 and 6 in elementary school will return on June 1 .

(ATTN: ADDS details in paras 2, 4-7, photo)
SEOUL, May 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Monday announced plans to reopen schools starting next week, more than two months after schools were closed in a precautionary measure against the new coronavirus.
"Starting on May 20, which is two weeks after key holidays in May, we will push to (reopen schools) in a phased and sequential process," Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae said at a press briefing.
A soldier disinfects a desk at an elementary school in the southern city of Daegu on May 1, 2020. (Yonhap)
Under the plan, high school seniors will return to school on May 13, while other grades will return to school gradually in the following weeks.
Students in grade 2 of high school, grade 3 of middle school and grades 1 and 2 in elementary schools will return on May 20, while those in grade 1 of high school, grade 2 of middle school and grades 3 and 4 in elementary schools will go back on May 27. Students in grade 1 of middle school and grades 5 and 6 in elementary school will return on June 1.
Yoo said the government considered several factors, such as having enough time to assess the impact of the long holiday in late April and early May as well as the academic needs of high school seniors and a child care vacuum for young students.
South Koreans are on an extended holiday, with key public holidays and calendar events, such as Buddha's Birthday, Labor Day and Children's Day, all falling in late April or early May this year.
The long holiday has kept health authorities on alert over possible transmissions as people travel across the country.
Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae speaks in a press briefing at the government complex in Seoul on May 4, 2020. (Yonhap)
Students have been taking online classes since April. The new school year usually starts in March here, but the government postponed it by five weeks or more as part of efforts to fight the virus pandemic.
It marked the first time in the country's 70-year history of education that students began the new school year through online classes.
The school reopening comes as concerns over new infections are weakening.
Daily infections, which peaked at 909 on Feb. 29, have fallen to single-digit figures in the past few days.
As of Monday, South Korea has reported 10,801 cases. It reported its first case on Jan. 20.
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-05-04--(LEAD) Seoul stocks snap 3-day winning streak on renewed U.S.-China tensions

Investor sentiment was spooked by renewed tensions between the world 's two largest economies .
U.S. President Donald Trump indicated @ @ @ @ @ tariffs on China over its handling of the novel coronavirus outbreak .

(ATTN: UPDATES paras 4, 6-7; ADDS bond yields at bottom, photo)
SEOUL, May 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks snapped a three-day rally to drop more than 2 percent Monday on renewed tensions between the United States and China amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. The Korean won sharply fell against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed 52.19 points, or 2.68 percent, to close at 1,895.37.
Trading volume was high at 1.1 billion shares worth 10.1 trillion won (US$8.2 billion), with losers outpacing gainers 549 to 312.
Investor sentiment was spooked by renewed tensions between the world's two largest economies. U.S. President Donald Trump indicated he may consider imposing new tariffs on China over its handling of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
A currency trader walks past a screen showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) at a dealing room at Hana Bank in Seoul on May 4, 2020. (Yonhap)
"With U.S. stocks moving down during the holiday period here, rising concerns over the U.S.-China trade feud dampened the local stock market," said Noh Dong-kil, a researcher at NH Securities.
Individual investors bought a net 1.69 trillion won worth of stocks, their largest ever daily purchase on the Seoul bourse that broke the previous record of 1.55 trillion won on Aug. 10, 2011.
However, their record-breaking buying binge was not enough to push up the index as foreigners sold a net 940 billion won, while institutional investors offloaded a net 804 billion won of local stocks.
Most large-cap stocks ended in negative terrain.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics plunged 3 percent to 48,500 won, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix shed 3.23 percent to 81,000 won.
South Korea's No. 1 automaker Hyundai Motor lost 2.24 percent to 91,500 won, while auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis declined 1.45 percent to 169,500 won.
Top chemical firm LG Chem tumbled 4.38 percent to 360,000 won, and leading steelmaker POSCO dived 3.25 percent to 178,500 won. However, the country's top web portal operator Naver advanced 0.76 percent to 199,000 won.
The South Korean won closed at 1,229.10 won against the U.S. dollar, sharply down 10.9 won from the previous session's close.
The local financial market will close Tuesday for Children's Day.
Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed higher. The yield on three-year Treasurys fell 3.1 basis points to 0.975 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bond slid 3.1 basis points to 1.215 percent.
(END)


yna--2020-05-04--S. Korean Bond Yields on May. 4, 2020

S. Korean Bond Yields on May. 4, 2020

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


yna--2020-05-04--Monsta X postpones new album release due to member's injury

`` Ahead of the comeback , Shownu felt pain in his back while working on a choreography exercise , and @ @ @ @ @ test at a hospital prohibited him from fierce exercise or body movements , requiring him @ @ @ @ @ the band 's management agency , Starship Entertainment , said

SEOUL, May 4 (Yonhap) -- K-pop boy band Monsta X on Monday put off the release of a new album to late May due to member Shownu's back injury.
"Ahead of the comeback, Shownu felt pain in his back while working on a choreography exercise, and the result of a medical test at a hospital prohibited him from fierce exercise or body movements, requiring him to receive treatment," the band's management agency, Starship Entertainment, said
The release date of the upcoming album, "Fantasia X," will be moved to May 26 from the original date of May 11, according to Starship.
"Shownu is currently undergoing concentrated treatment and his condition has much improved ... a doctor's order says, however, he needs more time for recovery before taking the stage," it added.
In line with the postponement, the timetable of promotional events leading up to the album release will also be rescheduled and announced in the future, according to Starship.
The upcoming album is Monsta X's first Korean music album in seven months, which will bring together all of the band's six members, including main rapper Jooheon who has been absent due to health issues.
It is also Monsta X's first return to the local music scene following their sensational entry into the Billboard 200 albums chart in February at No. 5 with the English album "All About Luv."
An image of Monsta X, provided by Starship Entertainment (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-05-05--(URGENT) 66 more people released after full recovery from coronavirus, bringing total to 9,283


yna--2020-05-05--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 2 more virus deaths, death toll now at 254


yna--2020-05-05--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 3 additional cases of COVID-19, total now at 10,804


yna--2020-05-05--N.K. media touts fertilizer factory completion as first feat of 'frontal breakthrough' drive

`` The whole area of Sunchon is a political frontline where the legitimacy of the frontal breakthrough ideology is proven @ @ @ @ @ a precious outcome that adds vitality to the chemical industry , part of the twin @ @ @ @ @ , '' the Rodong Sinmun said in a piece .

SEOUL, May 5 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's main newspaper on Tuesday touted the recent completion of a fertilizer factory as the first key outcome of its "frontal breakthrough" drive aimed at developing its economy crippled by international sanctions.
The Sunchon Phosphatic Fertilizer Factory in Sunchon, north of Pyongyang, has drawn global attention as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited a ceremony marking its completion Friday after a 20-day absence that fueled rumors of his failing health.
"The whole area of Sunchon is a political frontline where the legitimacy of the frontal breakthrough ideology is proven as a reality, and a precious outcome that adds vitality to the chemical industry, part of the twin pillars of the economic development," the Rodong Sinmun said in a piece.
The newspaper stressed workers' dedication to the construction, saying their hard work came despite "harsh sanctions pressure from hostile forces."
It also highlighted the factory's automated processes from putting raw materials into production lines to packaging products, and systems to ensure workers' safety and protect the surrounding environment.
Kim's visit to the factory event marked his first public appearance since he presided over a key ruling party session on April 11. His absence from an annual event marking the April 15 birth anniversary of his late grandfather and national founder, Kim Il-sung, sparked speculation he might be seriously ill.
The North Korean leader has been ramping up the "frontal breakthrough" campaign as prospects of sanctions relief had dimmed amid the deadlock in nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (C) smiles while joining a fertilizer factory completion ceremony in this photo released by the KCNA on May 2, 2020. This marked his first public appearance after 20 days of absence that sparked rumors about his health. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-05-05--Moon invites kids to take virtual tour of Cheong Wa Dae

`` We are overcoming the coronavirus thanks to your patience , '' the president said .
`` Please remember that @ @ @ @ @ adults are endeavoring to beat the virus we are going through for the first time @ @ @ @ @ . ''

SEOUL, May 5 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in offered a virtual tour of his office for kids Tuesday, as a replacement for an annual Children's Day event on the Cheong Wa Dae lawn, due to the coronavirus.
Moon and first lady Kim Jung-sook participated in the production of a special video clip using the format of Minecraft, a popular sandbox video game.
With recordings of their voices and messages inserted as Minecraft characters, the clip features a tour of Cheong Wa Dae and a press briefing by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the country's response to COVID-19.
Moon pointed out that children nationwide have been kept out of school for months.
"We are overcoming the coronavirus thanks to your patience," the president said. "Please remember that just as you do, adults are endeavoring to beat the virus we are going through for the first time. We all are heroes."
The first lady reminded kids that washing their hands and wearing masks are among very important methods to combat the virus.
Cheong Wa Dae said it would also release footage with English subtitles for children in foreign countries.
This image released by Cheong Wa Dae shows a virtual tour of the presidential office, using the format of Minecraft, a popular sandbox video game. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


Tuesday's weather forecast

SEOUL , May 5 ( Yonhap ) -- The following is the weather forecast for South Korea 's 12 major @ @ @ @ @ .


yna--2020-05-05--(EDITORIAL from Korea JoongAng Daily on May 5)

Risks remain .
Infections continue to be found in people returning from overseas , and there have been 10 cases @ @ @ @ @ could not be identified .
A resurgence of the coronavirus can happen .
Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ that the battle with the virus is ongoing .
Even when life returns to normal @ @ @ @ @ the absolutely same as before the epidemic .
Everyone must adhere to a new normal @ @ @ @ @ return to strict quarantine rules on any signs of another outbreak .
Plan B must @ @ @ @ @ immediately .

The long battle
Life returns to normal after the long holiday ends on Tuesday. While phasing out rigorous quarantine and social restriction rules, the country has been advised to improve everyday cleanliness habits. "People must not ease up on hygiene and quarantine practices in public spaces," Jeong Eun-kyeong, chief of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, urged.
The Education Ministry at the same time announced a staggered back-to-school schedule for 5.45 million students. High school seniors will be first to return to classrooms May 13. Others will return to schools in waves from the following week.
Education offices in each district will be responsible for arranging rotational classes or a combination of online and offline classes by grade to avoid crowding according to the regional situations for the virus.
Schools and education authorities claim they are ready to accept students after multiple sanitizations, desk rearrangements and stocking up on masks. Still parents are nervous about group infections once schools open. Small children could be negligent in hygiene while older kids can be rebellious, requiring constant care from teachers.
The government has gained a sense of confidence in containing the spread of the virus. New infection cases have stayed in the single digits or fallen off altogether on some days. Moreover, normalization of everyday business activities is critical to preventing further economic damage. Educators approved of the school reopening due to the disruption of their curriculum and the deficiencies of remote schooling — as well as understandable jitters among seniors as regards to their readiness for college applications this year.
Risks remain. Infections continue to be found in people returning from overseas, and there have been 10 cases in which the infection channel could not be identified. A resurgence of the coronavirus can happen. Prime Minister Chung Se-kyun reminded the public that the battle with the virus is ongoing. Even when life returns to normal, it cannot be the absolutely same as before the epidemic. Everyone must adhere to a new normal. The government must speedily return to strict quarantine rules on any signs of another outbreak. Plan B must be readied to be activated immediately.
The Education Ministry must promptly shift to online schooling if infections break out in schools. Each individual must be responsible for their own health care. Covid-19 has been unpredictable in many ways. All-around consciousness and readiness is the only strategy to weather the long battle.
(END)


yna--2020-05-05--(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on May 5)

(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on May 5)

Strengthening the social safety net is crucial in protecting workers in the face of mass layoffs .
Therefore our society @ @ @ @ @ protect the jobless .
This discussion should include measures to extend unemployment benefits to the @ @ @ @ @ not subscribe to the insurance .
It is also necessary for the government to ease @ @ @ @ @ those workers .

Jobless benefits for all
Build consensus on expanding social safety net
Top government officials are floating the idea of extending employment insurance coverage to all workers in a bid to strengthen the social safety net. The extension appears necessary as a growing number of workers are losing their jobs amid the coronavirus pandemic. Yet it is unclear if the liberal Moon Jae-in administration can put the idea into action as it faces some hurdles.
The issue has come to the fore since Kang Gi-jung, senior presidential secretary for political affairs, stressed the need for the expansion of unemployment insurance in a seminar Friday. He said extending the nation's unemployment insurance to all people -- like the national health insurance -- could be one of the post-pandemic challenges South Korea faces.
After more than three months under the duress of the COVID-19 pandemic, Korea is witnessing the vulnerability of its workers, particularly temporary, self-employed, freelance and gig economy workers. Statistics showed that day laborers and temporary workers decreased by 593,000 in March from a year ago. This is a dire figure slightly worse than the decrease of 592,000 workers in September 1998 during the Asian financial crisis.
Strengthening the social safety net is crucial in protecting workers in the face of mass layoffs. Therefore our society needs to discuss how to protect the jobless. This discussion should include measures to extend unemployment benefits to the most vulnerable workers who cannot subscribe to the insurance. It is also necessary for the government to ease the insurance premium burden on those workers.
When we look at the figures, it's a pressing issue. Of the 27.79 million economically active people in the nation, only 13.78 million subscribe to unemployment insurance. That leaves some 14 million without unemployment benefits when they lose their jobs. Temporary, self-employed and gig workers usually comprise this group.
But unemployment insurance, unlike relief funds, require subscribers to pay premiums: half of them equally by employers and employees. But the problem is the self-employed, freelancers and platform workers will have to bear the entire insurance fee themselves or rely on government assistance. For this reason, less than1 percent of the self-employed currently subscribe to unemployment insurance, although they were allowed to do so in 2012.
Also worrisome is that the expansion of benefits could put a heavier financial burden on unemployment insurance which suffered a deficit worth 2.2 trillion won ($1.7 billion) last year. The provision of the benefits hit a record high of 8.1 trillion in 2019.
The Moon administration and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea said expanding the coverage of unemployment insurance is a medium- and long-term goal. Critics are against the expansion, arguing that it is a populist proposal favoring labor over the business sector. Thus, policymakers should first build a social consensus before making a decision on this important but contentious issue.
(END)


yna--2020-05-05--Top headlines in major S. Korean newspapers

Korean-language dailies -- Schools to reopen , hopes and concerns grow ( Kyunghyang Shinmun ) -- Coronavirus break over , @ @ @ @ @ 13 ( Kookmin Daily ) -- Schools to open 72 days later than scheduled ( @ @ @ @ @ inflation rises at 21-year low in April , again sparking fears of depression ( Seoul @ @ @ @ @ seniors to first return to school on May 13 due to college entrance exam schedule @ @ @ @ @ U.S. claims evidence of coronavirus pandemic starting in China , China demands to see evidence @ @ @ @ @ Schools to reopen in 4 stages , high schools first on May 13 ( JoongAng @ @ @ @ @ seniors to start going to school on May 13 ( Hankyoreh ) -- U.S. , @ @ @ @ @ blame for new coronavirus pandemic ( Hankook Ilbo ) -- Revision to law on policy @ @ @ @ @ with management ( Maeil Business Newspaper ) -- Already at 4,540 tln won , gov't @ @ @ @ @ in debt ( Korea Economic Daily )

SEOUL, May 5 (Yonhap) -- The following are the top headlines in major South Korean newspapers on May 5.
Korean-language dailies
-- Schools to reopen, hopes and concerns grow (Kyunghyang Shinmun)
-- Coronavirus break over, schools to start reopening May 13 (Kookmin Daily)
-- Schools to open 72 days later than scheduled (Donga llbo)
-- Core inflation rises at 21-year low in April, again sparking fears of depression (Seoul Shinmun)
-- High school seniors to first return to school on May 13 due to college entrance exam schedule (Segye Times)
-- U.S. claims evidence of coronavirus pandemic starting in China, China demands to see evidence (Chosun Ilbo)
-- Schools to reopen in 4 stages, high schools first on May 13 (JoongAng Ilbo)
-- High school seniors to start going to school on May 13 (Hankyoreh)
-- U.S., Europe claim China is to blame for new coronavirus pandemic (Hankook Ilbo)
-- Revision to law on policy lender KDB allows gov't intervention with management (Maeil Business Newspaper)
-- Already at 4,540 tln won, gov't, households and firms all in debt (Korea Economic Daily)
English-language dailies
-- Inflation sinks to 0.1%, lowest level in six months (Korea JoongAng Daily)
-- Hopes for normal life rise as South Korea begins COVID-19 exit (Korea Herald)
-- S. Korean schools poised to reopen in phases starting May 13 (Korea Times)
(END)


yna--2020-05-05--(News Focus) Even in flurry of coronavirus diplomacy, getting cozy with Japan a long way off for S.

(News Focus) Even in flurry of coronavirus diplomacy, getting cozy with Japan a long way off for S. Korea

`` I would not see Abe 's remarks as mere rhetoric .
We could say that Tokyo may be beginning @ @ @ @ @ more seriously than before , given the worsening outbreak situation there and growing public opinion @ @ @ @ @ Korea to that end , '' a foreign ministry official said .

By Kim Seung-yeon
SEOUL, May 5 (Yonhap) -- One of the fixtures in President Moon Jae-in's daily schedule in recent months has been to have phone calls with the leaders of foreign countries seeking South Korea's help in coping with the coronavirus pandemic.
The long list includes friends, partners and allies from across the world, such as U.S. President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders from the Middle East, Africa, Europe and elsewhere. But there is one country conspicuously missing from the list: Japan.
Japan was neither among some 120 foreign countries that requested Seoul's support in purchasing Korean-made quarantine equipment, primarily diagnostic kits, as they learned of South Korea's swift and advanced response systems.
In the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak, South Korea has fared well in its brisk diplomacy to an extent that it has promoted its virus control methods as "a global exemplar," as said by many top foreign officials.
The lack of cooperation with Japan is a reminder that the two countries, whose ties already badly frayed over the prolonged row over history and trade, are just a long ways off from getting along even at a time of the global health crisis.
Relations between the two countries remained so chilly that the South's foreign ministry vehemently denied a local new report that it talked unofficially to Japan about providing it with quarantine products, saying it never suggested such an idea whatsoever.
This Kyodo News photo captures an almost empty downtown in Japan's Osaka, with a large screen airing Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's briefing on the coronavirus on April 20, 2020. (Yonhap)
But signs of possible future cooperation have emerged after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told a parliamentary session last week that "exchanging information and experience would be of a big help to Japan's responses," when asked by a lawmaker of Tokyo's possible anti-virus cooperation with Seoul.
Seoul reacted positively to Abe's remarks, with the foreign ministry saying the country is willing to cooperate with Japan in coping with the coronavirus. But it also made clear that it has not suggested sending quarantine products to Japan or received such a request.
"I would not see Abe's remarks as mere rhetoric. We could say that Tokyo may be beginning to look into the matter more seriously than before, given the worsening outbreak situation there and growing public opinion in support of cooperating with Korea to that end," a foreign ministry official said.
Despite such conciliatory signs, experts said it won't be easy for either side to back off.
"What Abe said in the parliament is most likely a repetition of what he said during his speech at the beginning of the year," Yang Kee-ho, a professor at Sungkonghoe University, said by phone Friday, referring to the Japanese leader's mention of Korea as "a neighbor" and "an important country" for Japan.
"The pending issues between South Korea and Japan, like forced labor and sexual slavery, are too grave and too important a matter that it's difficult for either side to say, 'Let's put these problems aside for now and talk about coronavirus cooperation,'" he said.
Relations between Seoul and Tokyo were strained badly last year as Japan imposed export restrictions against the South in apparent retaliation for South Korea's Supreme Court rulings ordering Japanese firms to compensate Korean victims of forced labor when Japan ruled Korea as a colony from 1910-45.
In a tit-for-tat move, Seoul responded by deciding to terminate a military information-sharing pact with Tokyo but later suspended the termination decision at the last minute as the two sides agreed to resolve the matters through diplomacy.
Such tensions appeared to have lingered on through the coronavirus crisis.
At the onset of South Korea's massive outbreaks of cluster infections in early March, fresh tensions ran high between the two neighbors after Japan said it will suspend visa waiver programs for South Koreans and toughen quarantine measures for arrivals from Korea's southern regions where the cluster infections originated, to stem the spread of the virus.
Seoul hit back at Tokyo the next day with reciprocal measures, halting visa-free entry for Japanese people and enforcing a special screening that had only been applied to China's Wuhan city, the epicenter of the outbreak. Seoul strongly questioned Tokyo's "true intentions" behind the entry restrictions.
This photo, provided by the Chinese Embassy in South Korea, shows boxes of surgical masks stacked up at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, after they arrived from Shanghai as part of Beijing's assistance with coronavirus equipment to Seoul, on March 23, 2020. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Tensions with Japan contrasted sharply with Seoul's cooperation with the United States and China.
After Trump asked for South Korea's help in securing anti-coronavirus medical supplies during a phone call with Moon, Seoul worked briskly to make arrangements so as to help local virus kit makers export their products to the U.S.
Seoul and Beijing have shown great cooperation, providing each other with quarantine products, such as face masks and medical gear. The two countries also created a fast-track entry system for businesspeople in exception to current entry curbs to reduce the economic fallout from the virus outbreak.
Political consideration has surely been factored into the coronavirus cooperation with Beijing, especially given that Seoul has been pushing for a visit by the Chinese leader at an early date, according to Kang Jun-young, professor of international studies at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.
"Xi would like to declare before the world that China has succeeded in beating the virus, and if he wanted to do that outside of China, where would he first consider going? I bet Korea will be the best destination," Kang noted.
Experts, like Yang of Sungkonghoe University, believe it's unlikely Seoul and Tokyo will pivot to working together in the battle against the virus, citing potential new developments looming over the forced labor suits.
The Korean plaintiffs have requested local district courts allow them to auction off local assets of Japanese firms Mitsubishi, Nippon Steel and Fujikoshi in South Korea so as to cash them out for compensation for forced labor.
The courts have frozen the assets after upholding the plaintiffs' request, but they could soon order the execution of asset sales as early as in the first half.
"Japan is keeping a very close eye on the asset sales. If the courts order the sales, Japan will immediately take steps in retaliation, which will be devastating to diplomatic relations," Yang said.
Officials from foreign diplomatic missions in Seoul take part in a briefing session organized by the Seoul government on March 13, 2020, to explain South Korea's quarantine procedures at airport checkpoints in Incheon International Airport. (Yonhap)
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-05-05--Esper says he is confident of USFK troops readiness

`` So I can confidently say that we 're preserving the 'fight tonight ' status readiness that we need on @ @ @ @ @ allies , '' Esper said , referring to South Korea 's official name , the @ @ @ @

By Lee Haye-ah
WASHINGTON, May 4 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Monday that he is confident of the readiness of American troops in South Korea following the recent coronavirus outbreak.
Speaking with the Brookings Institution, he credited U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Robert Abrams with preserving the readiness level.
"So I can confidently say that we're preserving the 'fight tonight' status readiness that we need on the peninsula with our ROK allies," Esper said, referring to South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea.
"It's all about deterring bad behavior, and they've been able to do it and preserve the readiness as a result," he said, alluding to North Korean missile tests and other such provocations.
Esper also said the U.S. forces are augmented with off-peninsula resources, such as bombers, fighter aircraft and naval forces.
"The force is in very good shape," he said, noting that he speaks with Abrams on a weekly basis.
Some 28,500 American troops are stationed in South Korea to deter North Korean aggression, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War that ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty.
This AP file photo shows U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper. (Yonhap)
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-05-05--(2nd LD) ESPN to broadcast S. Korean baseball games

After Tuesday 's game , ESPN will show the all-Seoul showdown between the Doosan Bears and the LG Twins at @ @ @ @ @ games are the Dinos vs. the Lions at 5:30 a.m. EST Thursday , the Kia @ @ @ @ @ 5:30 a.m. EST Friday , the Twins vs. the Dinos at 4 a.m. EST Saturday @ @ @ @ @ Dinos at 1 a.m. EST Sunday .

(ATTN: CHANGES dateline; ADDS details from ESPN's release in paras 2, 4-5, 11-12)
By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, May 5 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. sports cable giant ESPN will broadcast South Korean baseball games to its American audience, starting with the first day of the season on Tuesday.
The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) announced Monday that ESPN has struck a deal with Eclat, the Korean company with international distribution rights to KBO games. ESPN will air one game per day and six games per week, with an opening day game between the Samsung Lions and the NC Dinos leading things off. The game is set to begin at 2 p.m. Tuesday Korean time, or 1 a.m. Tuesday Eastern Standard Time (EST).
The KBO said ESPN will also offer KBO highlights.
In its own press release, ESPN said it will become "the exclusive English-language home" for live KBO games, and the deal covers the postseason and the Korean Series, the best-of-seven championship final here. Games will mostly air on ESPN2 and on the ESPN APP.
ESPN will announce its game selections on a week-to-week basis. It added that its play-by-play voices, analysts and reporters will provide commentary in English, remotely, from their home studios. The group will include Karl Ravech, Jon Sciambi, Eduardo Perez, Jessica Mendoza and Kyle Peterson.
LG Twins players train at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on May 4, 2020, the eve of the 2020 Opening Day for the Korea Baseball Organization. (Yonhap)
Financial terms and the length of the deal weren't immediately available.
The announcement came on the eve of the first day of the KBO season. It was slated to begin on March 28 but was pushed back by more than a month due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought Major League Baseball (MLB) to a halt during spring training in March. With the majors still grounded, ESPN, struggling to fill dead air, first indicated interest in KBO games in early April.
ESPN initially asked to broadcast KBO games for free, much to the chagrin of Eclat and the KBO. But then on April 27, an informed industry source told Yonhap News Agency that ESPN and Eclat were close to completing their deal, following an apparent breakthrough in their negotiations.
After Tuesday's game, ESPN will show the all-Seoul showdown between the Doosan Bears and the LG Twins at 5:30 a.m. EST. Upcoming games are the Dinos vs. the Lions at 5:30 a.m. EST Thursday, the Kia Tigers vs. the Lions at 5:30 a.m. EST Friday, the Twins vs. the Dinos at 4 a.m. EST Saturday and the Twins vs. the Dinos at 1 a.m. EST Sunday.
KBO highlights will air on SportsCenter and other news programming on ESPN.
The broadcaster added that highlights from all KBO games will be available and are not limited to the games ESPN will televise. ESPN.com will also document the 2020 season in South Korea.
The KBO is the second professional baseball league to begin during the pandemic, following the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan.
The KBO also announced its games will be available in Japan through SPOZONE (www.spozone.jp). According to the KBO, the Japanese site will be airing two games a day, starting with Opening Day action, and it will gradually increase the number of games available per day.
This photo shows SK Happy Dream Park in Incheon, 40 kilometers west of Seoul, on May 4, 2020, the eve of the 2020 Opening Day for the Korea Baseball Organization. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-05-05--(LEAD) ESPN to broadcast S. Korean baseball games

(ATTN: ADDS details from 4th para, photo)
By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, May 4 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. sports cable giant ESPN will broadcast South Korean baseball games to its American audience, starting with the first day of the season on Tuesday.
The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) announced Monday that ESPN has struck a deal with Eclat, the Korean company with international distribution rights to KBO games. ESPN will air one game per day, with an Opening Day game between the Samsung Lions and the NC Dinos leading things off. The game is set to begin at 2 p.m. Tuesday Korean time, or 1 a.m. Tuesday Eastern Standard Time (EST).
The KBO said ESPN will also offer KBO highlights.
LG Twins players train at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on May 4, 2020, the eve of the 2020 Opening Day for the Korea Baseball Organization. (Yonhap)
Financial terms and the length of the deal weren't immediately available.
The announcement came on the eve of the first day of the KBO season. It was slated to begin on March 28 but was pushed back by more than a month due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought Major League Baseball (MLB) to a halt during spring training in March. With the majors still grounded, ESPN, struggling to fill dead air, first indicated interest in KBO games in early April.
ESPN initially asked to broadcast KBO games for free, much to the chagrin of Eclat and the KBO. But then on April 27, an informed industry source told Yonhap News Agency that ESPN and Eclat were close to completing their deal, following an apparent breakthrough in their negotiations.
After Tuesday's game, ESPN will show the all-Seoul showdown between the Doosan Bears and the LG Twins at 5:30 a.m. EST. Upcoming games are the Dinos vs. the Lions at 5:30 a.m. EST Thursday, the Kia Tigers vs. the Lions at 5:30 a.m. EST Friday, the Twins vs. the Dinos at 4 a.m. EST Saturday and the Twins vs. the Dinos at 1 a.m. EST Sunday.
The KBO is the second professional baseball league to begin during the pandemic, following the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan.
The KBO also announced its games will be available in Japan through SPOZONE (www.spozone.jp). According to the KBO, the Japanese site will be airing two games a day, starting with Opening Day action, and it will gradually increase the number of games available per day.
This photo shows SK Happy Dream Park in Incheon, 40 kilometers west of Seoul, on May 4, 2020, the eve of the 2020 Opening Day for the Korea Baseball Organization. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


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