yna--2020-02-06--N. Korea to examine drinking water sources to ward off coronavirus

The North is known for having weak medical infrastructure that would be insufficient to fight such an epidemic , which @ @ @ @ @ Pyongyang scrambling to keep the coronavirus at bay for fear that once it enters the @ @ @ @ @ out of control .

SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- North Korea is preparing to examine drinking water sources, such as rivers and lakes, to make sure that the new coronavirus won't flow into the country, state media reported Thursday.
The move is the latest in a series of measures that the North has taken to fight the fast-spreading virus that originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year.
"Detailed work plans are being drawn up to analyze the water quality of rivers, streams and lakes that are being used as sources of drinking water," the North's Korean Central Broadcasting Station reported.
The state radio added that relevant government units are working on measures, including where and how the planned water quality analysis will be conducted.
The move appears aimed at preventing any possibility of the coronavirus spreading into the country through contaminated water from China.
North Korea has yet to confirm any case of infection, but it has intensified preventive efforts against the highly contagious virus. It has tightened its borders with China and increased its quarantine for those coming from the neighboring country.
Last week, North Korea declared the launch of a national emergency system against the new virus, calling such preventive efforts a "political matter" that could determine the fate of the country.
The North is known for having weak medical infrastructure that would be insufficient to fight such an epidemic, which experts say seems to send Pyongyang scrambling to keep the coronavirus at bay for fear that once it enters the country, it could spiral out of control.
This image, captured from North Korea's Korean Central TV on Feb. 2, 2020, shows an official disinfecting a train -- one of numerous disinfections taking place across the country. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--(LEAD) Son Heung-min stays hot, scores in 4th straight

`` As soon as Lucas scored , I felt like we could score more , '' Son said of the @ @ @ @ @ knew we could win this game .
I believed in our team .
We did @ @ @ @ @ but sometimes , the result is very important .
I am proud of this team @ @ @ @ @ go to the next round . ''

(ATTN: ADDS comments in paras 7-10, photo)
SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- Son Heung-min has done it again.
The in-form South Korean star for Tottenham Hotspur scored in his fourth straight match, converting a late penalty to take his club over Southampton 3-2 in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Wednesday (local time) at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
With his monthslong drought a distant memory, Son now has 14 goals in 31 matches this season in all competitions.
In this Reuters photo, Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates his goal against Southampton in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Feb. 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
Tottenham took the first-half lead on Jack Stephens' own goal, but Shane Long and Danny Ings scored for Southampton to give the visitors a 2-1 lead with less than 30 minutes to go.
Then in the 78th, Lucas Moura netted the equalizer. Nine minutes later, Son won the penalty after sprinting into the area and going down under contact from goalkeeper Angus Gunn.
Son stepped up to take the kick himself and beat Gunn to send Tottenham to the round of 16.
Son said afterward his practice with penalties paid off in the victory.
"Of course, when you step up before the penalty, you're a little bit nervous," Son told the Spurs TV. "But I was very, very confident because I've practiced it so many times. I hit it well."
Son said Southampton did "a very, very good job" taking the lead over Tottenham in the second half but added his confidence in his club never wavered.
"As soon as Lucas scored, I felt like we could score more," Son said of the game-tying goal. "I knew we could win this game. I believed in our team. We didn't play our best, but sometimes, the result is very important. I am proud of this team, and we deserve to go to the next round."
In this Reuters photo, Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur scores a penalty against Southampton in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Feb. 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
This was the rematch of the fourth round, after the two clubs ended in a 1-1 draw in late January. Through the fourth round at the FA Cup, fixtures ending in a draw after 90 minutes set up a rematch.
The Spurs will face Norwich City in the next round on March 4.
Tottenham last won the FA Cup in 1991 and haven't lifted any major trophy since the 2008 League Cup.
In this Associated Press photo, Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur (R) falls down following contact with Southampton goalkeeper Angus Gunn in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Feb. 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--Navy worker tests negative for coronavirus despite contact with patient

As the country 's 17th confirmed case of the virus , the patient visited Singapore on business late last month @ @ @ @ @ a Malaysian who later turned out to be infected with the potentially deadly virus .

SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- A civilian worker for the Navy tested negative for the new coronavirus but will remain quarantined until after the incubation period, the defense ministry said Thursday.
The Navy worker was put into isolation and underwent a coronavirus test after a 38-year-old man he ate together with last month was confirmed Wednesday to have the virus, according to the ministry.
Six other Navy personnel, who shared the same office with him, were also quarantined.
"He tested negative (for the coronavirus)," the ministry said, adding that he will continue to be quarantined in consideration of the incubation period.
None of the seven have shown any symptoms, the ministry said, adding that the test results for the six colleagues will be available soon.
As the country's 17th confirmed case of the virus, the patient visited Singapore on business late last month and came into contact with a Malaysian who later turned out to be infected with the potentially deadly virus.
As of early Thursday, South Korea has 23 confirmed cases. No cases have been reported among service personnel.
Thermal cameras are installed at the entrance of Jangchung Arena in Seoul on Feb. 5, 2020, as South Korea confirmed four more cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing the total here to 23. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--S. Korea reports 4 more cases of novel coronavirus, total now at 23

Since Jan. 3 , the public health agency has screened hundreds of people and quarantined over 170 people for detailed @ @ @ @ @ .
Some 950 who might have come into contact with infected people are in self-quarantine @ @ @ @ @ of the illness .

SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Thursday confirmed four more cases of novel coronavirus infections, bringing the total here to 23 with the latest patients all being placed under quarantine.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said of the four new cases, three are believed to be person-to-person transmissions involving South Korean nationals, with the other one being a Chinese woman who arrived in the country on Jan. 23.
Since Jan. 3, the public health agency has screened hundreds of people and quarantined over 170 people for detailed checks for the novel coronavirus. Some 950 who might have come into contact with infected people are in self-quarantine and monitored carefully for signs of the illness.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--Son Heung-min stays hot, scores in 4th straight

This was the rematch of the fourth round , after the two clubs ended in a 1-1 draw in late @ @ @ @ @ round at the FA Cup , fixtures ending in a draw after 90 minutes set @ @ @ @

SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- Son Heung-min has done it again.
The in-form South Korean star for Tottenham Hotspur scored in his fourth straight match, converting a late penalty to take his club over Southampton 3-2 in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Wednesday (local time) at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
With his monthslong drought a distant memory, Son now has 14 goals in 31 matches this season in all competitions.
In this Reuters photo, Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates his goal against Southampton in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Feb. 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
Tottenham took the first-half lead on Jack Stephens' own goal, but Shane Long and Danny Ings scored for Southampton to give the visitors a 2-1 lead with less than 30 minutes to go.
Then in the 78th, Lucas Moura netted the equalizer. Nine minutes later, Son won the penalty after sprinting into the area and going down under contact from goalkeeper Angus Gunn.
Son stepped up to take the kick himself and beat Gunn to send Tottenham to the round of 16.
This was the rematch of the fourth round, after the two clubs ended in a 1-1 draw in late January. Through the fourth round at the FA Cup, fixtures ending in a draw after 90 minutes set up a rematch.
The Spurs will face Norwich City in the next round on March 4.
Tottenham last won the FA Cup in 1991 and haven't lifted any major trophy since the 2008 League Cup.
In this Associated Press photo, Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur (R) falls down following contact with Southampton goalkeeper Angus Gunn in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Feb. 5, 2020. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--(URGENT) S. Korea reports 4 more cases of novel coronavirus, total now at 23

(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--2020-02-06--(LEAD) Korea's current account surplus narrows in Dec.

South Koreans began boycotting Japanese products and tours to Japan in July when Tokyo removed Seoul from its list of @ @ @ @ @ apparent move to retaliate for the ruling by South Korea 's Supreme Court that ordered @ @ @ @ @ to their former forced labor Korean workers during Japan 's 1910-45 colonial rule of Korea @

(ATTN: UPDATES with more details, additional information from 7th para)
By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's current account surplus narrowed sharply in December as its exports fell at a faster rate than imports, central bank data showed Thursday.
The country's current account surplus came to US$4.33 billion in the month, down $1.64 billion from the month before, according to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea (BOK).
The reading also marks a $580 million drop from the same month in 2018. The country's current account balance has been in the black for eight consecutive months since May 2019.
The file photo, taken Dec. 1, 2019, shows stacks of export-import containers at South Korea's largest port in Busan, located some 450 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
The drop was partly attributed to a steady decline in exports, which in December dipped 3.5 percent on-year, while imports only inched down 0.3 percent.
South Korea posted a goods account surplus of $5.03 billion in the month, compared with a surplus of $7.39 billion in November and a $6.63 billion surplus a year earlier.
Its service account deficit reached $2.5 billion, compared with a $1.89 billion deficit the month before and $1.85 billion a year earlier, according to the BOK.
Its primary income account surplus more than tripled to $2.67 billion from $880 million over the cited period on an increase in dividend income.
For the entire year, the country's current account surplus came to $59.97 billion, sharply down from $77.47 billion surplus posted in 2018.
South Korea's exports dropped each and every month in 2019 amid the prolonged trade dispute between the world's largest economies, the United States and China, that are also the largest importers of South Korean goods.
Its goods account surplus narrowed to $76.86 billion last year from $110.09 billion a year earlier as its exports plunged 10.3 percent on-year to $561.9 billion last year, while imports dipped 6 percent to $485.1 billion.
However, its service account deficit narrowed to $23 billion from $29.37 billion in 2018, possibly due to a drop in the number of South Koreans traveling to Japan.
South Koreans began boycotting Japanese products and tours to Japan in July when Tokyo removed Seoul from its list of trusted trade partners in an apparent move to retaliate for the ruling by South Korea's Supreme Court that ordered Japanese firms to pay compensation to their former forced labor Korean workers during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of Korea.
In 2019, South Korea's tourism account deficit narrowed to $10.7 billion from $16.57 billion in 2018.
Its primary income account surplus more than doubled to $12.2 billion from $4.9 billion over the cited period.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--Korea's current account surplus narrows in Dec.

The reading also marks a $ 580 million drop from the same month in 2018 .
The country 's current @ @ @ @ @ the black for eight consecutive months since May 2019 .

By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's current account surplus narrowed sharply in December as its exports fell at a faster rate than imports, central bank data showed Thursday.
The country's current account surplus came to US$4.33 billion in the month, down $1.64 billion from the month before, according to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea (BOK).
The reading also marks a $580 million drop from the same month in 2018. The country's current account balance has been in the black for eight consecutive months since May 2019.
The file photo, taken Dec. 1, 2019, shows stacks of export-import containers at South Korea's largest port in Busan, located some 450 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
The drop was partly attributed to a steady decline in exports, which in December dipped 3.5 percent on-year, while imports only inched down 0.3 percent.
South Korea posted a goods account surplus of $5.03 billion in the month, compared with a surplus of $7.39 billion in November and a $6.63 billion surplus a year earlier.
Its service account deficit reached $2.5 billion, compared with a $1.89 billion deficit the month before and $1.85 billion a year earlier, according to the BOK.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--(URGENT) Korea's current account surplus narrows to $4.33 bln in Dec. on slowing exports.


yna--2020-02-06--(EDITORIAL from Korea JoongAng Daily on Feb. 6)

Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae continues to react recklessly to the alleged intervention of the Blue House in the Ulsan mayoral @ @ @ @ @ a massive reshuffle of prosecutors , obstruction of their investigations into the case , and @ @ @ @ @ indictments , she went so far as to refuse to make public the full indictments @ @ @ @ @ Moon Jae-in .
She defied the 15-year-old statutory requirement for the ministry to deliver such @ @ @ @ @ because , she claimed , it is a `` wrong practice . ''

Resisting the law
Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae continues to react recklessly to the alleged intervention of the Blue House in the Ulsan mayoral election in 2018. Following a massive reshuffle of prosecutors, obstruction of their investigations into the case, and an order to downsize their indictments, she went so far as to refuse to make public the full indictments of people close to President Moon Jae-in. She defied the 15-year-old statutory requirement for the ministry to deliver such information to the National Assembly because, she claimed, it is a "wrong practice."
In the face of opposition by her aides in the ministry, Choo rejected the required submission of the relevant information to the legislature. A law mandating the delivery of what's inside public indictments to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee of the Assembly was enacted by the liberal Roh Moo-hyun administration in the 2000s as part of judiciary reforms. Now, Choo is under attack for resisting democratic oversight of her ministry and the top law enforcement agency.
Her disregard for the National Assembly Act is utterly irresponsible and shameless. Why is Choo — a former judge — responding to the case so sensitively? Are there any particular reasons for her not to disclose what's in the indictments? The public harbors strong suspicions about what really forced her to make such a drastic decision.
Could she reach that decision without orders from the Blue House? Some critics say that the string-pullers are Choi Kang-wook, a presidential secretary for civil service discipline, and Lee Kwang-cheol, a former secretary for civil service at the Blue House. The content of the indictments of 13 Blue House staff, which were partly exposed to the media, manifests how critically they violated the rule of law.
It was revealed that current Ulsan Mayor Song Cheol-ho — an old friend of President Moon — met with Ulsan Police chief Hwang Un-ha to ask him to probe allegations against Kim Gi-hyeon, Ulsan's mayor at the time, in order to smear him ahead of his race for reelection as mayor. It was also disclosed that Hwang sought help from the Office of the Secretary of Civil Affairs at the Blue House after the prosecution denied an arrest warrant for the mayor.
Given such fishy behavior at the Blue House, can the Moon administration define itself as a democratic government? Was Moon's much-touted vow to create a "fair, just and equal society" rhetoric — or a twisted joke? According to a survey by the Korea Legislation Research Institute, 64 percent of respondents said that our laws only protect the rights of those in power.
It is likely that the government wants to block any case involving the Blue House due to a possible impact on the April 15 parliamentary election — and on the very survival of the administration. But a methodical obstruction of investigation from Choo and Moon's aides in the Blue House is far from prosecutorial reforms. We hope that Moon's remarks — "A genuine reform of the mighty law enforcement agency starts with investigating the powers that be" — were not meant as a mockery.
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on Feb. 6)

(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on Feb. 6)

The rapid spread of the flu-like virus has already begun to disrupt the global supply chain as more than a @ @ @ @ @ have shut down their factories .
This disruption has had a direct impact on Korea @ @ @ @ @ is one of the manufacturing sectors most severely hit by the virus outbreak .
Major @ @ @ @ @ due to a halt in the supply of components from Chinese auto parts makers .

Growing China risk
Heavy reliance on one country troubles Korea
The global public health emergency arising from the new coronavirus reminds South Korea of how dangerous it is to have a heavy reliance on a certain country for economic growth. It is all the more so because the country is taking the brunt of the epidemic which originated in China's central city of Wuhan.
The rapid spread of the flu-like virus has already begun to disrupt the global supply chain as more than a few manufacturing firms in China have shut down their factories. This disruption has had a direct impact on Korea. The domestic auto industry is one of the manufacturing sectors most severely hit by the virus outbreak. Major carmakers are suspending their production due to a halt in the supply of components from Chinese auto parts makers.
Hyundai Motor, the country's largest automaker, has decided to fully idle all its assembly lines here from Friday for four or five days. The decision came after the company began to reduce operations last week. The idling is inevitable because three Chinese firms have stopped the supply of wiring harnesses.
The problem is that Hyundai and its affiliated Kia Motors have set up their parts supply network in China. This makes it difficult for the local carmakers to secure parts in case of an emergency such as the virus outbreak taking place in the world's second-largest economy.
Whenever an economic crisis or a diplomatic row with other countries erupts, the government and local businesses warn themselves of the Korean economy's excessive dependence on China and other major economies. They usually call for a reduction of such a heavy reliance and diversification of the country's export markets.
One of the latest developments is Japan's restriction of the exports of key materials crucial to Korean firms manufacturing semiconductors and display panels. Tokyo imposed the trade measure last July in apparent retaliation for the Korean Supreme Court's ruling that ordered Japanese firms to pay compensation to South Korean victims of forced labor during World War II. However, Korean companies have fared well by finding new suppliers in other countries or localizing materials and parts.
China is South Korea's largest trading partner. About 25 percent of Korean exports go there, while 21 percent of its imports come from the Asian giant. This shows that Korea is too dependent on China. The flip side is that China poses an ever-greater risk to Korea in the event of a regional or global economic crisis as well as geopolitical conflicts in East Asia.
A case in point is a diplomatic dispute over the U.S. deployment of a THAAD antimissile battery in Korea in 2017. The conflict resulted in Beijing's economic retaliation against Korea which cost local businesses more than 10 trillion won ($8.5 billion). The virus outbreak is feared to cause further damage to Korean firms if the epidemic persists for an extended period.
At stake is how to minimize the economic fallout from the virus. It is important to work out fundamental measures to manage the growing China risk effectively. Reducing the country's undue reliance is imperative although this is easier said than done. We should work hard to prevent the health emergency from turning into a perfect storm.
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--(EDITORIAL from Korea Herald on Feb. 6)

(EDITORIAL from Korea Herald on Feb. 6)

The general public and experts have called for the government to take tougher actions including a total ban on entry @ @ @ @ @ But the government and the ruling party are reluctant to impose such a strong measure @ @ @ @ @ not want a setback in its push for Chinese President Xi Jinping 's visit to @ @ @ @ @ 15 general election .
Moon told a meeting with his secretaries on Monday that `` @ @ @ @ @ Korea 's difficulties . ''
He also said the latest measures including a partial entry @ @ @ @ @ '' His words are effectively a message asking for Xi 's understanding of Korea 's @ @ @ @

No zigzagging
Government rolled back some steps to contain virus within hours of announcement
Concerns are mounting in South Korea over the spread of the novel coronavirus that has spread beyond China, but inconsistent responses by President Moon Jae-in's administration add to the worries.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announced a package of measures, including entry ban for foreign nationals who have been in China's Hubei province for two weeks, after a meeting with six related ministries. At around 5:30 p.m. on the same day, Health and Welfare Minister Park Neung-hoo explained the measures to reporters. Then, in the night, some of the steps were rolled back.
The government said it would stop issuing tourist visas to Chinese people, but two hours later, it revoked the step, saying it was merely considering such action. About two hours after that, it withdrew measures to raise its travel advisory for mainland China from "restraint" to "recommended evacuation" and ban Koreans from visiting China for tourism purposes. It gave the same excuse -- that they were under review.
The retracted measures are significant in that they can directly influence the safety of Koreans and the national economy. And they were rolled back in just a few hours. Nevertheless, the government did not give convincing reasons for the revocation.
The abrupt reversal has sparked speculation that the Moon administration may have been pressured by China which does not want other countries to deny entry to its citizens. Beijing criticized a US entry ban, saying it was not a gesture of goodwill. The new Chinese ambassador to South Korea called on Seoul to follow the World Health Organization's recommendations on handling the new coronavirus, referring to its stance that travel and entry bans are unnecessary.
If the speculations are true, the U-turns are a serious problem. People's lives are at stake. Even if there is pressure or protest, sovereignty over public health must not be infringed upon. Who is responsible for casualties of the virus in Korea, the government in Beijing or Seoul?
The general public and experts have called for the government to take tougher actions including a total ban on entry from anywhere in China. But the government and the ruling party are reluctant to impose such a strong measure, probably because it does not want a setback in its push for Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Korea hopefully before the April 15 general election. Moon told a meeting with his secretaries on Monday that "difficulties that China faces become Korea's difficulties." He also said the latest measures including a partial entry ban were "unavoidable." His words are effectively a message asking for Xi's understanding of Korea's partial entry ban.
With this bias toward China, the Moon administration cannot but oscillate between people's demands and its awareness of China. A Cheong Wa Dae official said the government would deal with Xi's visit and its response to the virus separately, but if it continues lukewarm responses, it will be more difficult to arrest the disease.
In addition to the issue of entry ban, there are other cases in which the Moon administration caused conflicts and chaos with its inconsistent response.
In choosing locations to house South Korean nationals it evacuated from Wuhan, it encountered strong backlash from residents of two provincial towns that were picked as locations. They were enraged, among other things, by the government's withdrawal of its earlier choice of a collective quarantine site due to opposition from adjacent residents. It unnecessarily fueled a sense of being discriminated against.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said people suspected of being infected would not be allowed to board a plane chartered for the evacuation from Wuhan, but a day later, Health and Welfare Minister Park said all evacuees -- with or without symptoms -- would get aboard the plane because it was equipped with air filtering systems. However, Beijing held on to its position that people with symptoms in China be quarantined within the country, and eventually the government brought only those without symptoms back home.
At first the Education Ministry took a position not to consider suspending classes and postponing the start of schools due to concerns about the virus but later changed the position. However, it has not set specific guidelines yet on the conditions of when to suspend classes or school opening.
If the government wants to stop the contagious disease and build confidence, elaborate and consistent measures should be the starting point.
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--Presidential secretary visits U.S. amid impasse in nuclear talks

Choi Jong-kun , Cheong Wa Dae secretary for peace planning , visited the U.S. between last weekend and early this @ @ @ @ @ officials , according to sources at the ruling party and the government .
The presidential @ @ @ @ @ trip public .

SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- A presidential secretary recently visited the United States to discuss ways to resume the stalled nuclear talks between Washington and Pyongyang, sources said Thursday.
Choi Jong-kun, Cheong Wa Dae secretary for peace planning, visited the U.S. between last weekend and early this week to meet with U.S. officials, according to sources at the ruling party and the government. The presidential office did not make his trip public.
The visit came amid a prolonged deadlock in the nuclear negotiations after the second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un collapsed without a deal in Hanoi in February last year.
During his trip, Choi could have also discussed possible inter-Korean projects, as Seoul looks to its cooperation with Pyongyang to help the nuclear talks move forward.
President Moon Jae-in said in his New Year's press conference last month that South Korea will not sit idle and wait for the U.S.-North Korea dialogue to bear fruit, vowing to expand inter-Korean cooperation to facilitate the nuclear talks.
In this file photo, taken Sept. 19, 2019, presidential secretary for peace planning Choi Jong-kun announces President Moon Jae-in's planned visit to the United Nations at the presidential office in Seoul. (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--(LEAD) Diplomats of S. Korea, Japan agree to cooperate on fight against coronavirus

Kang also made it clear that the government is not in the position to intervene in or predict the victims @ @ @ @ @ firms ' local assets as a way to get compensation , but has to prepare @ @ @ @ @

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; ADDS more info in paras 2-7; TRIMS)
By Kim Seung-yeon
SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- Diplomats of South Korea and Japan agreed Thursday to cooperate in the fight against the new coronavirus that has struck both countries, the foreign ministry said.
Kim Jung-han, director-general for Asia and Pacific affairs, met with his Japanese counterpart, Shigeki Takizaki, and discussed joint efforts to combat the potentially deadly disease, the ministry said.
During the talks, the two sides agreed to work closely together for a smooth exchange of information related to responses to the novel virus that has killed more than 560 people and caused 28,000 infections in China.
Kim asked for Japan to pay special attention to protecting South Korean citizens in the neighboring country and called for efforts to prevent any harm.
The protracted row surrounding the issue of wartime forced labor was also on the agenda, the ministry said.
The two sides reiterated their basic stances and agreed on the need to continue communication and consultations going forward to resolve pending bilateral issues, a ministry official told reporters after the meeting.
Seoul and Tokyo have held a series of talks to resolve the row that intensified after Japan imposed export restrictions against Seoul last year in protest of South Korean court rulings that ordered Japanese firms to compensate victims of wartime forced labor.
But little progress has been made as the two sides remain far apart. South Korea wants Japan to retract the export controls, saying that the wartime issues cannot proceed without respecting the top court's decisions on the victims.
Japan has insisted all reparation issues regarding the 1910-45 colonial period were settled in a 1965 accord that normalized their ties.
Shigeki Takizaki, director-general at the Japanese foreign ministry's Asia and Oceanian affairs bureau, enters the foreign ministry building in Seoul for talks with his South Korean counterpart on wartime history and trade on Feb. 6, 2020. (Yonhap)
During a press conference earlier in the day, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha warned that Seoul could revive its now-suspended decision to end a military intelligence-sharing pact with Japan unless Tokyo does withdraws the export restrictions.
The South had earlier decided to terminate the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) in a tit-for-tat move against the export curbs but put the termination decision on hold at the last minute in November after Japan agreed to resolve the row through negotiations.
Kang also made it clear that the government is not in the position to intervene in or predict the victims' plan to liquidate Japanese firms' local assets as a way to get compensation, but has to prepare for every possible scenario.
"If the assets were liquidated, the government's diplomatic strategy and response cannot help but change," she said.
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--(LEAD) Virus-caused supply chain disruptions to affect Hyundai: S&P

Another key factor will be whether the disruptions last longer than one or two weeks and affect any major products @ @ @ @ @ carmakers ' profit recovery in previous quarters , such as SUVs and premium vehicles , @ @ @

(ATTN: ADDS more info in 7th para; UPDATES with minor edits)
SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- Supply chain disruptions in China caused by the new coronavirus outbreak will likely hurt the first-quarter performance at Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp., S&P Global Ratings Services has said.
In a report released Wednesday, S&P said if the Lunar New Year break in China is not extended beyond Sunday, Hyundai and Kia are expected to normalize Korean production, which accounts for 40-50 percent of total production, in the coming weeks through utilization management.
"However, we expect manufacturing disruptions will increase the burden on the companies' overall production in the first quarter and hurt profitability due to additional cost burdens," the report said.
Another key factor will be whether the disruptions last longer than one or two weeks and affect any major products that have contributed to the carmakers' profit recovery in previous quarters, such as SUVs and premium vehicles, it said.
Hyundai, the country's biggest carmaker, plans to gradually suspend assembly lines at its seven domestic plants by Friday due to shortages of parts produced by South Korean firms in China.
Early this week, Kia, which is 34 percent owned by Hyundai, started reducing output at two of its three domestic plants.
Kia said it will suspend the operation of its three assembly plants in South Korea on Monday for one day. Hyundai is also set to halt operations at its Korean plants the same day.
The Chinese authorities called on manufacturers to stop operations until Sunday, a week after the end of the Lunar New Year holiday, to keep the respiratory illness from spreading further.
South Korea has reported 23 confirmed coronavirus cases as of Thursday.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--Korean Air net losses deepen in 2019 on weak won

The won fell to an average of 1,157.80 against the dollar at the end of 2019 from 1,118.10 at end-2018 @ @ @ @ @ of Korea .
A weak won drives up an airline 's jet fuel purchasing costs @ @ @ @ @ debts .

SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- Korean Air Lines Co., South Korea's biggest airline, said Thursday its net losses deepened in 2019 from a year earlier due to a weak won and lower demand.
Korean Air's net losses widened to 624.87 billion won (US$529 million) last year from 185.65 billion won a year earlier, the company said in a statement.
"Foreign-exchange losses resulting from the won's weakness against the dollar cut into the bottom line," the statement said.
The won fell to an average of 1,157.80 against the dollar at the end of 2019 from 1,118.10 at end-2018, according to the Bank of Korea. A weak won drives up an airline's jet fuel purchasing costs and the value of dollar-denominated debts.
Operating profit plunged 59 percent to 261.95 billion won in 2019 from 640.29 billion won the year before. Sales fell 2.5 percent to 12.69 trillion won from 13.02 trillion won during the same period, it said.
"A sharp decline in travel demand on Japanese and Hong Kong routes and decreasing cargo-carrying volumes amid a slowing global economy weighed on the annual results," the company said.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--NSC discusses S. Korea's response to coronavirus outbreak

In a weekly National Security Council ( NSC ) standing committee meeting , its members also reviewed the actions taken @ @ @ @ @ especially by a `` major country '' in the region , in connection with the @ @ @ @ @ , apparently referring to China , the origin of the virus .

SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's top security officials had discussions Thursday on ways to ward off the outbreak of a new coronavirus, Cheong Wa Dae said.
In a weekly National Security Council (NSC) standing committee meeting, its members also reviewed the actions taken by the international community, especially by a "major country" in the region, in connection with the fast-spreading disease, it added, apparently referring to China, the origin of the virus.
South Korea is monitoring the World Health Organization's related guidelines as well.
Cheong Wa Dae offered no further details in the two-paragraph press release. South Korea had reported 23 confirmed cases as of Thursday afternoon.
The NSC session was presided over by Chung Eui-yong, director of national security at the presidential office.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--Court fines Audi Volkswagen Korea for doctoring emissions test results

Park Dong-hoon , former chief executive of AVK , who was also indicted three years ago on the same charges @ @ @ @ @ sentenced to two years in prison , while a former AVK executive , surnamed Yoon @ @ @ @ @ of obtaining emissions-related approval from the Seoul government , was given a one-year imprisonment .

SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- A Seoul court on Thursday levied a fine of 26 billion won (US$22 million) on Audi Volkswagen Korea (AVK), the local unit of the German carmakers, for fabricating emissions test results for their cars imported here and producing false advertisements for them.
The Seoul Central District Court handed out the sentence to the German companies about three years after AVK was indicted in January 2017 on charges of importing cars that didn't meet local standards for emissions and noise in violation of the Clean Air Conservation Act.
Park Dong-hoon, former chief executive of AVK, who was also indicted three years ago on the same charges together with AVK, was sentenced to two years in prison, while a former AVK executive, surnamed Yoon, who was in charge of obtaining emissions-related approval from the Seoul government, was given a one-year imprisonment.
Despite the jail terms, the court didn't order the immediate detention of Park and Yoon.
Park Dong-hoon, former chief executive of AVK, is approached by reporters at the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul on Feb. 6, 2020, after he received a two-year prison sentence from the court on charges of manipulating emissions tests for imported vehicles. (Yonhap)
The Seoul court also handed out suspended jail sentences ranging from four to eight months to four working-level officials of AVK.
AVK was accused of importing about 120,000 diesel vehicles in 15 models that failed to meet European emissions standards from 2008 to 2015. The company used a so-called defeat device to manipulate the emissions results for the imported cars to get approval from the South Korean government, according to prosecutors.
The company was also accused of importing about 41,000 vehicles from Germany from 2010 to 2015 after doctoring 149 documents on their emissions and noise tests.
"The defendants have broken the confidence of Korean consumers in the vehicles they imported and sold here," the Seoul court said.
"In particular, AVK only focused on maximizing its profits without having any intention to abide by Korean laws."
Regarding Park and other former AVK officials, the court said that they didn't observe the relevant laws even though they were well aware of them. "Heavy punishment is inevitable for the (former) AVK officials as they have consistently denied their charges in court hearings."
Besides Park, two former German heads of AVK -- Johannes Thammer and Trevor Hill -- were also indicted on the same charges. But the two Germans left the country after being indicted and have since failed to attend court hearings.
Seoul prosecutors are reportedly seeking the repatriation of the two Germans.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--(5th LD) S. Korea reports 4 more cases of novel coronavirus, total now at 23

It also said that all of the 21 people presently in quarantine after having been confirmed to have contracted the @ @ @ @ @ condition .
So far two patients have been discharged from hospitals after doctors determined they @ @ @ @ @ health risks to others .

(ATTN: UPDATES with more details in paras 2, 7, 9-11; ADDS top photo)
SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea confirmed four more cases of novel coronavirus infections Thursday, bringing the total here to 23, with one case being a person who initially tested negative for the illness but was found to be infected later in a check-up.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said of the four new cases, three are believed to be person-to-person transmissions involving South Korean nationals, with the other one being a Chinese woman who arrived in the country on a tourist visa on Jan. 23.
The public health agency called for more attention to be paid to people who have already been screened.
A decontamination team wearing protective gear disinfects a store in Naju, 355 kilometers south of Seoul, on Feb. 6, 2020. (Yonhap)
The agency said the 20th patient -- a 41-year-old woman who is a relative of a Korean man who was confirmed to have been infected Sunday -- initially tested negative for the virus, but when she was tested again when she started feeling unwell, she turned out to have been infected.
Her relative is the 15th person to be diagnosed with the virus. He had traveled to Wuhan, the epicenter of the current outbreak, last month.
The 21st case is a 59-year-old woman who came into contact with the country's sixth patient, who in turn got the illness from a person who recently visited China. This person also infected his wife and son.
The 22nd person is a relative of the 16th patient, who had visited Thailand recently.
The KCDC said that all three South Koreans had been in self-quarantine before being diagnosed with the virus. All the newly confirmed cases have been moved to proper quarantine hospitals so they can be monitored and treated.
It also said that all of the 21 people presently in quarantine after having been confirmed to have contracted the virus are in a stable condition. So far two patients have been discharged from hospitals after doctors determined they were cured and posed no health risks to others.
The first person is a 55-year-old man who had visited China, while the second is a 35-year-old Chinese woman who had come from Wuhan.
She was diagnosed with the novel virus on Jan. 20, becoming the first confirmed case of the illness in South Korea. She was treated for pneumonia but has since made a full recovery, with doctors saying they used a human immunodeficiency virus drug on her.
A notice placed on the entrance of the Seoul Medical Center on Feb. 4, 2020, informs people that the center will restrict visitors from seeing patients to reduce the risk of people contracting the novel coronavirus. (Yonhap)
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)


Yonhap News Summary

Under revised rules set to take effect at 9 a.m. Friday , anyone who has visited any part of China @ @ @ @ @ elevated temperature or respiratory issues can be classified as a `` suspected case '' and @ @ @ @ @ check , the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( KCDC ) said .

The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Thursday.
----------------
(LEAD) FM says S. Korea, U.S. still have 'big' gaps in defense cost talks
SEOUL -- Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said Thursday that South Korea and the United States still have "big" gaps in their negotiations over Seoul's share of the cost for stationing American troops here despite a broadening of "mutual understanding."
Her remarks came as the two countries are preparing for the seventh round of negotiations expected to take place in Seoul this month to determine Korea's payments for the upkeep of the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea under the cost-sharing deal, called the Special Measures Agreement (SMA).
----------------
Diplomats of S. Korea, Japan hold working-level talks on wartime history, trade
SEOUL -- Diplomats of South Korea and Japan held working-level talks in Seoul on Thursday to discuss a protracted row surrounding the issue of Tokyo's wartime forced labor, the foreign ministry said.
Kim Jung-han, director-general for Asia and Pacific affairs, met with his Japanese counterpart, Shigeki Takizaki, who arrived in Seoul earlier in the day for the talks. The two last held talks in San Francisco in January.
----------------
Top Chinese envoy clarifies remarks on S. Korea's travel ban
SEOUL -- Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming on Thursday clarified his refusal earlier this week to talk about Seoul's entry ban on visitors to the Chinese epicenter of the new coronavirus outbreak after the remark sparked criticism about his attitude.
On Tuesday, Xing said in his first press conference after taking office as ambassador to Seoul that he would not evaluate the South Korean government's decision to temporarily ban the entry of people who have visited the city of Wuhan over the past two weeks.
----------------
(LEAD) Veteran journalist tapped as new Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson
SEOUL -- Cheong Wa Dae announced Thursday it has picked a veteran newspaperman as President Moon Jae-in's spokesperson, filling the post that had been vacant for three weeks.
Kang Min-seok worked at the JoongAng Ilbo, a Seoul-based daily, as a reporter and editor for two decades. He resigned earlier this week.
----------------
(4th LD) S. Korea reports 4 more cases of novel coronavirus, total now at 23
SEOUL -- South Korea confirmed four more cases of novel coronavirus infections Thursday, bringing the total here to 23, with one case being a person who initially tested negative for the illness but was found to be infected later in a check-up.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said of the four new cases, three are believed to be person-to-person transmissions involving South Korean nationals, with the other one being a Chinese woman who arrived in the country on Jan. 23.
----------------
S. Korea to expand scope of testing for novel coronavirus
SEOUL -- South Korea said Thursday that it will expand its rules regarding who can be tested for the novel coronavirus in the latest move to contain the spread of the virus.
Under revised rules set to take effect at 9 a.m. Friday, anyone who has visited any part of China and shows symptoms like an elevated temperature or respiratory issues can be classified as a "suspected case" and be subject to a medical check, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said.
----------------
S. Korea to unveil support measures for tourism sector amid virus fallout
GYEONGJU, South Korea -- South Korea plans to unveil support measures for its tourism sector hit hard by the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus, Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki said Thursday.
The measures, which could be introduced by the end of this month, will include special loans for the tourism sector, Hong said during a visit to Gyeongju, a popular tourist destination located about 370 kilometers southeast of Seoul.
----------------
(LEAD) Korean Air to sell assets to regain financial health
SEOUL -- Korean Air Lines Co., South Korea's biggest airline and national flag carrier, said Thursday it will sell property and non-core assets to improve its financial status.
Korean Air plans to sell its idle property in central Seoul and a non-core business unit to emerge as a financially healthy company amid growing uncertainties in the airline industry, the company said in a statement.
----------------
(LEAD) Seoul stocks up for 3rd day on U.S. data, China stimulus
SEOUL -- South Korean shares ended higher for a third straight session Thursday as investor sentiment improved, which was helped by China's stimulus measures to support growth amid the spreading coronavirus. The won rose against the dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 62.31 points, or 2.88 percent, to 2,227.94. Trade volume was heavy at 683 million shares worth 8.06 trillion won (US$6.8 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 733 to 130.
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--(LEAD) Hyundai Heavy to cancel 129 bln won worth of shares

SEOUL , Feb. 6 ( Yonhap ) -- Hyundai Heavy Industries Holdings Co. , the holding company of South Korea @ @ @ @ @ said Thursday it has decided to cancel 129 billion won ( US $ 109 million @ @ @ @ @ the first such move to improve shareholder value .

(ATTN: CHANGES slug, headline, lead; UPDATES throughout)
SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Heavy Industries Holdings Co., the holding company of South Korea's top shipbuilding conglomerate, said Thursday it has decided to cancel 129 billion won (US$109 million) worth of shares in the first such move to improve shareholder value.
Hyundai Heavy said it will buy back 488,000 stocks, or 3 percent of its floated shares, between Friday and May 6 for the cancellation immediately afterward.
For the whole of 2019, Hyundai Heavy reported a net profit of 115.3 billion won, down 59.4 percent from a year earlier, on a consolidated basis due to its affiliates' one-off costs and currency losses.
Operating profit for the year was 666.6 billion won, down 22.6 percent on-year, the company said in a regulatory filing. Annual revenue fell 2.3 percent to 26.63 trillion won.
Meanwhile, Hyundai Heavy said it will pay 18,500 won in dividends per share, delivering a total of 270.5 billion won to its shareholders.
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--(LEAD) S. Korea releases second fully recovered coronavirus patient from hospital

The 35-year-old Chinese woman -- who came to South Korea from the Chinese city of Wuhan , the epicenter of @ @ @ @ @ -- was the first person to be confirmed with the illness in the country , @ @ @ @ @ for Disease Control and Prevention ( KCDC ) .

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead, UPDATES with minor changes throughout; ADDS photo)
SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea discharged its second coronavirus patient from hospital as she has made a full recovery and shows no signs of the illness, health authorities said Thursday.
The 35-year-old Chinese woman -- who came to South Korea from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak -- was the first person to be confirmed with the illness in the country, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
She was diagnosed with the virus on Jan. 20 at Incheon International Airport on her way to another country and was initially treated for pneumonia -- and even had to rely on respirators. She has since recovered and passed the KCDC's screening tests.
Under existing rules, a person who passes polymerase chain reaction tests twice within 24 hours can be released if he or she shows no other symptoms. In such cases Seoul listens to the views of medical professionals to make certain the person poses no risk to society.
The doctors, who had treated her at Incheon Medical Center west of Seoul for the last 18 days, said that they used the human immunodeficiency virus treatment drug Kaletra. The same drug was used on another patient who was released on Thursday.
They added it is uncertain if the drug actually works, although they know their counterparts in China are using it on their patients.
The doctors said that their Chinese patient expressed a desire to return home to Wuhan.
Her release brought down the number of Chinese nationals being treated for the viral infection in South Korea to three.
South Korea has so far reported 23 confirmed cases of the illness. The release of the second patient brought down the number of people currently being treated here to 21.
This file photo shows a sign by the entrance of the National Medical Center in Seoul asking people with novel coronavirus symptoms to go to a separate screening clinic within its premises. (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--Tour guide services to be halted at major heritage sites amid coronavirus outbreak

Starting on Saturday , the docent services at the four Joseon-era royal palaces , including Deoksu and Changdeok palaces , @ @ @ @ @ and the Joseon-era royal tombs will temporarily go out of service , according to the @ @

SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- The Cultural Heritage Administration said Thursday it will suspend tour guide services at major heritage attractions in central Seoul starting this week in a measure to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Starting on Saturday, the docent services at the four Joseon-era royal palaces, including Deoksu and Changdeok palaces, as well as Jongmyo Shrine and the Joseon-era royal tombs will temporarily go out of service, according to the administration.
The agency will also allow visitors' unguided tours at the back garden of Changdeok Palace and Jongmyo Shrine, where only guided tours were permitted previously.
On Tuesday, the administration temporarily suspended tourist visits to Deoksu Palace's three-story stone building, Seokjojeon, where visitors are not allowed in without a tour guide.
"The decisions were made in efforts to best prevent the spread of the epidemic among citizens, tourists and employees at a time when public concerns are rising over visits to public places," the administration said.
As part of the preventive efforts, highly frequented spots of the major heritage tourist sites, including ticket boxes and restrooms, are currently being disinfected on a daily basis, it said.
This photo, provided by the Cultural Heritage Administration, shows the chief gatekeeper in a mask at a royal palace in Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--(LEAD) KB Financial Group net profit jumps 8.2 pct in 2019

The KB Financial Group 's total assets were tallied at 518.6 trillion won .
Its return on equity ratio stood @ @ @ @ @ its return on assets ratio came to 9.51 percent .
( END )

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; UPDATES with more details from 3rd para)
SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- KB Financial Group Inc. said Thursday that its net income in 2019 rose sharply from a year earlier due in part to increased returns from investment banking.
The group's net profit came to a little over 3.31 trillion won (US$2.8 billion) in 2019, up 8.2 percent from a year earlier, it said in a regulatory filing.
Its operating profit rose 5.4 percent to 4.49 trillion won from 4.26 trillion won over the cited period, while its annual sales jumped 11.8 percent on-year to 46.96 trillion won.
Its fourth-quarter net came to 534.7 billion won, down 43.1 percent from three months earlier but up 177.9 percent from the same period a year earlier.
The increase in annual net profit was partly attributed to a rise in income from commission fees, which grew 5.0 percent on-year to 2.35 trillion won last year.
By subsidiary, KB Kookmin Bank's net profit soared 8.0 percent on-year to nearly 2.44 trillion won in 2019, while KB Securities' net leaped 44.2 percent to 257.9 billion won.
KB Insurance's net profit dipped 10.7 percent on-year to 234.3 billion won due to a rise in costs.
KB Card posted annual net income of 316.5 billion won, up 10.4 percent from a year earlier.
The KB Financial Group's total assets were tallied at 518.6 trillion won. Its return on equity ratio stood at 8.93 percent, while its return on assets ratio came to 9.51 percent.
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--(LEAD) Seoul stocks up for 3rd day on U.S. data, China stimulus

`` On top of that , risk sentiment eased further in the afternoon on reports that China will halve tariffs @ @ @ @ @ worth of imports from the U.S. this month , '' NH Investment & Securities Co. @ @ @ @ @ phone .

(ATTN: ADDS photo and bond yields at bottom)
SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares ended higher for a third straight session Thursday as investor sentiment improved, which was helped by China's stimulus measures to support growth amid the spreading coronavirus. The won rose against the dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 62.31 points, or 2.88 percent, to 2,227.94. Trade volume was heavy at 683 million shares worth 8.06 trillion won (US$6.8 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 733 to 130.
Investors took a positive cue from China's plan to cut value-added taxes and offer low-interest loans to help businesses reeling from the new coronavirus outbreak. Markets were also buoyed by strong U.S. jobs data in January, analysts said.
This photo taken on Feb. 6, 2020, shows the dealing room of KEB Hana Bank in Myeongdong, central Seoul. (Yonhap)
"On top of that, risk sentiment eased further in the afternoon on reports that China will halve tariffs on some $75 billion worth of imports from the U.S. this month," NH Investment & Securities Co. analyst Noh Dong-kil said by phone.
The cut will be effective on Feb. 14 when the U.S. will also implement a reductions in tariffs on Chinese products as part of the phase-one trade deal that was signed last month.
Institutions and foreigners bought a combined 668 billion won worth of stocks, offsetting individuals' net selling valued at 689 billion won.
Since the outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year, the new coronavirus has killed at least 563 and infected more than 20,000 people in China as of Thursday and reached 24 countries, including the United States.
South Korea has reported 23 confirmed coronavirus cases as of Thursday.
Most large-cap stocks advanced across the board.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics Co. jumped 2.7 percent to 61,100 won, No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix Inc. climbed 2.9 percent to 100,500 won, leading steelmaker POSCO gained 4.4 percent to 224,000 won, and national flag carrier Korean Air Lines Co. improved 3.9 percent to 27,000 won.
Among losers, Hanjin KAL Corp., the holding company of Hanjin Group, fell 0.7 percent to 41,500 won and GS Retail Co. declined 2.1 percent to 39,950 won.
The local currency closed at 1,179.80 won to the dollar, up 11.70 won from the previous session's close.
Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed down. The yield on three-year Treasurys rose 0.4 basis point to 1.311 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bond climbed 1.6 basis points to reach 1.428 percent.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--S. Korea to expand scope of testing for novel coronavirus

SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea said Thursday that it will expand its rules regarding who can be tested for the novel coronavirus in the latest move to contain the spread of the virus.
Under revised rules set to take effect at 9 a.m. Friday, anyone who has visited any part of China and shows symptoms like an elevated temperature or respiratory issues can be classified as a "suspected case" and be subject to a medical check, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said.
People who are suffering from pneumonia brought on by unknown causes can also be examined for the virus, which originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province.
Previously, South Korea only checked people who felt sick 14 days after returning from Hubei.
The rules also cover people who came into close contact with a confirmed coronavirus patient in South Korea.
In addition, doctors can order tests to be conducted at their discretion on a person who recently visited Southeast Asia.
Two South Korean men were infected with the virus after returning from Singapore and a woman after visiting Thailand.
The KCDC said that the changes are expected to significantly increase the number of people who will be tested going forward.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--Top Chinese envoy clarifies remarks on S. Korea's travel ban

The remark was seen by some as an expression of displeasure with the entry ban , as it came at @ @ @ @ @ been campaigning against unnecessary travel restrictions over the virus .
Some critics even portrayed the @ @ @ @ @ .

By Kim Seung-yeon
SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming on Thursday clarified his refusal earlier this week to talk about Seoul's entry ban on visitors to the Chinese epicenter of the new coronavirus outbreak after the remark sparked criticism about his attitude.
On Tuesday, Xing said in his first press conference after taking office as ambassador to Seoul that he would not evaluate the South Korean government's decision to temporarily ban the entry of people who have visited the city of Wuhan over the past two weeks.
The remark was seen by some as an expression of displeasure with the entry ban, as it came at a time when Beijing has been campaigning against unnecessary travel restrictions over the virus. Some critics even portrayed the remark as a diplomatic gaffe.
But on Thursday, Xing said that was not his intention.
"I meant that as an ambassador of a foreign country, I am not in a position to publicly assess measures taken by the hosting country," Xing told reporters after arriving at Seoul's foreign ministry earlier in the day for a meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Kim Gunn.
"I am an ambassador who has a warm heart for South Koreans. I'd appreciate it if you believed that," he said.
Xing also stressed that bilateral efforts between Seoul and Beijing have been under way "through various channels to communicate and to contain, manage and overcome the coronavirus."
"Things are getting much better now. Top-tier scientists say that the situation will be brought under control within a week or the next 10 days," he said.
During the meeting with Kim, the deputy foreign minister, Xing thanked Seoul for its assistance in helping to fight the virus and explained Beijing's efforts to contain the disease, the foreign ministry said in a release.
Kim, in response, offered his condolences regarding Chinese citizens who have died from the virus and expressed hope for the current crisis to be swiftly resolved. He also asked for China's continued cooperation in efforts to secure the safety of South Korean citizens in the neighboring country, the ministry said.
Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming walks into the foreign ministry building in Seoul on Jan. 31, 2020. (Yonhap)
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--S. Korean Bond Yields on Feb. 6, 2020

S. Korean Bond Yields on Feb. 6, 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--2020-02-06--N. Korea keeps spa and ski resorts running despite fears of new coronavirus

`` Many workers and the youth continue to visit the resort , where they can enjoy treatment and recuperation , @ @ @ @ @ as well as luxurious homes in this well-connected resort , '' the state 's radio @ @ @ @ @ the number of visitors continues to grow amid the new coronavirus crisis .

SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- North Korea continues to operate its newest spa resort in the central county of Yangdok and the country's No. 1 Masikryong ski resort in the eastern region despite fears over the global spread of a new coronavirus from China.
Around 25,000 tourists have visited the Yangdok spa resort in the North's South Pyongan Province since it first opened on Jan. 10 up to Feb. 4, Pyongyang Radio said Thursday.
"Many workers and the youth continue to visit the resort, where they can enjoy treatment and recuperation, ski and horseback riding facilities as well as luxurious homes in this well-connected resort," the state's radio channel said, emphasizing that the number of visitors continues to grow amid the new coronavirus crisis.
Another media outlet, DPRK Today, published an interview with Pyongyang Koryo International Tours on Tuesday, quoting an officer as saying, "we regret to say that we cannot accommodate all visitors who have requested for a reservation as we are fully booked."
The North's state TV also highlighted the normal operation of Masikryong ski resort, located on the outskirts of the eastern city of Wonsan, which opened in December 2013 as one of the pet projects of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
"More than 10,100 people and around 10,500 ski riders visited the Masikryong ski resort until Feb. 2 according to collected data," the Korean Central Broadcasting Station said Wednesday.
Kim has recently aimed to develop the North's tourism industry in an effort to beef up its economy faltering under international sanctions.
The spread of a new deadly coronavirus signals a blow to the North's tourism industry that depends on Chinese tourists.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (in white shirt) visits the construction site of the Yangdok County Hot Spring Resort nearing completion, north of Pyongyang, in this photo provided by the North's official Korean Central News Agency on Oct. 25, 2019. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
julesyi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--S. Korea to unveil support measures for tourism sector amid virus fallout

The measures , which could be introduced by the end of this month , will include special loans for the @ @ @ @ @ during a visit to Gyeongju , a popular tourist destination located about 370 kilometers southeast @ @ @

GYEONGJU, South Korea, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to unveil support measures for its tourism sector hit hard by the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus, Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki said Thursday.
The measures, which could be introduced by the end of this month, will include special loans for the tourism sector, Hong said during a visit to Gyeongju, a popular tourist destination located about 370 kilometers southeast of Seoul.
The move comes as the rapidly spreading coronavirus, which originated in China, could cast a shadow on the nation's fragile economic recovery.
Hong said the government is closely monitoring the industries that are expected to be affected most by the virus fallout, such as exports, hotels and restaurants, transportation services and small businesses.
The new virus has inflected more than 29,000 people globally and killed more than 560, mostly in China. South Korea has 23 confirmed cases of the virus.
South Korea's economy grew 2 percent last year, marking the slowest growth in a decade. The Bank of Korea expected the nation's economy to grow 2.3 percent this year.
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--(3rd LD) KT 2019 profit falls 12 pct as investment, marketing costs rise

For the whole of 2019 , KT 's wireless business posted a revenue of 6.9 trillion won , up 0.2 @ @ @ @ @ .
The company said the number of its mobile service subscribers reached 21.9 million in @ @ @ @ @ a year ago , with 1.42 million customers using its 5G service .

(ATTN: ADDS more info in last 2 paras; photo)
SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- KT Corp., South Korea's major telecommunication firm, said Thursday its net profit fell 12.2 percent last year from a year earlier as it ramped up spending on its network and marketing.
In a regulatory filing, KT reported a net income of 669.3 billion won (US$ 565.7 million) last year, down from 762.3 billion won in 2018, on a consolidated basis.
The company said that operating profit for the year fell 8.8 percent on-year to 1.15 trillion won, although its annual revenue increased 3.8 percent on-year to 24.34 trillion won.
This image shows KT Corp.'s corporate logo. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
KT attributed its weak 2019 earnings to increased network investment and marketing costs for its commercial 5G service.
Last year, KT's capital expenditures reached 3.2 trillion won, up 65 percent from a year ago, as it beefed up efforts to set up 5G base stations nationwide.
As of February, KT said it has opened more than 71,000 5G base stations, covering some 85 municipalities in South Korea.
KT also spent 2.7 trillion won on marketing activities in 2019, up 18.4 percent from a year ago, to attract 5G customers. The company began its commercial 5G service in April.
In the fourth quarter, KT posted a net loss of 6.8 billion won, turning from a profit of 18.1 billion won a year earlier.
The company's operating profit, however, rose 54.7 percent on-year to 148.2 billion won in the October-December period, while sales increased 3.4 percent to 6.19 trillion won.
This photo provided by KT Corp. on Dec. 22, 2019, shows KT workers checking the quality of the company's telecommunications network in Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
For the whole of 2019, KT's wireless business posted a revenue of 6.9 trillion won, up 0.2 percent from a year earlier. The company said the number of its mobile service subscribers reached 21.9 million in 2019, up 800,000 from a year ago, with 1.42 million customers using its 5G service.
KT's wired business' sales declined 1 percent on-year to 4.6 trillion won last year, with its wired telephone sector falling 7.6 percent on-year to 1.5 trillion won. However, sales from its high-speed internet division increased 0.9 percent on-year to 2 trillion won.
KT said its media and content division's revenue jumped 13.5 percent on-year to 2.7 trillion won last year. The company said the number of its pay TV service subscribers increased to 8.3 million in 2019.
To improve its earnings this year, the company said it will focus on introducing better 5G and artificial intelligence-related services.
KT said in a conference call that it expects sales of 25 trillion won in 2020, with capital expenditure of around 3.1 trillion won.
Shares in KT rose 2 percent to 25,450 won on the Seoul bourse. The earnings report was released before the market closed.
(END)


yna--2020-02-06--(LEAD) Korean Air to sell assets to regain financial health

Her 44-year-old brother Won-tae currently serves as chairman of Hanjin Group and Korean Air after he was appointed to the @ @ @ @ @ his father 's death .
His reappointment as chairman is subject to shareholders ' approval @ @ @

(ATTN: ADDS photos and Hanjin KAL board meeting on Friday in last 3 paras)
SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- Korean Air Lines Co., South Korea's biggest airline and national flag carrier, said Thursday it will sell property and non-core assets to improve its financial status.
Korean Air plans to sell its idle property in central Seoul and a non-core business unit to emerge as a financially healthy company amid growing uncertainties in the airline industry, the company said in a statement.
The company aims to sell its land and building in Songhyeon-dong and an entire 100 percent stake in Wangsan Leisure Development Co., a leisure company that operates the Wangsan Marina resort in Incheon, 40 kilometers west of Seoul, within this year, it said.
This undated file photo shows Songhyeon-dong in central Seoul. (Yonhap)
This undated file photo shows Wangsan Marina in Incheon, 40 kliometers west of Seoul. (Yonhap)
Korean Air purchased the Songhyeon-dong site from Samsung Life Insurance Co. in 2009 and planned to develop a cultural complex.
But the development project faced multiple development challenges such as building height restrictions and cultural asset preservation as the land is located near the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae and Gyeongbok Palace, one of the country's most valuable cultural assets.
The company's board also agreed to establish a governance committee to improve the transparency of its governance structure. The committee will review and make recommendations about the company's key management decisions, the statement said.
The move comes as the Hanjin Group family is divided over the airline-focused conglomerate's management control ahead of a shareholders meeting next month.
Cho Hyun-ah, 45, the heiress of Hanjin Group, widely known for the "nut rage" incident in 2014, has recently joined hands with local activist fund Korea Corporate Governance Improvement (KCGI) and midsized builder Bando Engineering & Construction Co. to invite a professional manager to improve the group's management, financial status and shareholder value.
Her 44-year-old brother Won-tae currently serves as chairman of Hanjin Group and Korean Air after he was appointed to the top post in April following his father's death. His reappointment as chairman is subject to shareholders' approval next month.
In response to Hyun-ah's alliance with the KCGI and Bando, her mother Lee Myung-hee and younger sister Hyun-min, 37, said in a statement they stand against Hyun-ah's approach.
"We support the current management structure headed by Chairman Cho Won-tae and hope the current management will make its best efforts to enhance financial health and shareholders' value," the statement said.
They also asked Hyun-ah to come back as a member of the Hanjin family and join forces to promote the group's stability and development.
Meanwhile, Hanjin KAL Corp., the holding company of Hanjin Group, is expected to take similar steps for its financial health.
At a meeting to be held on Friday, Hanjin KAL's board is likely to approve a plan to sell the Jeju KAL Hotel and the Paradise Hotel in Seogwipo in the southern part of Jeju Island, a person familiar with the matter told Yonhap News Agency.
KAL Hotel Network, an affiliate of Hanjin KAL, currently operates four hotels -- three in Jeju and one in Incheon -- which have posted losses since 2015.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-07--Seoul stocks open lower on virus woes

Seoul stocks open lower on virus woes

Positive factors include China 's decision to cut tariffs on US $ 75 billion of U.S. imports , reports of @ @ @ @ @ though the World Health Organization said there are no proven treatments , and Beijing 's @ @ @ @ @ its economy , according to analysts .

SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- Seoul stocks opened lower Friday following a three-session winning streak as investors continue to assess the economic impact of the new coronavirus.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 9.21 points, or 0.41 percent, to 2,218.73 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Some investors turn to offload stocks on profit-taking following the market's solid rebound in the past three sessions from a 5.7 percent decline last week.
Positive factors include China's decision to cut tariffs on US$75 billion of U.S. imports, reports of possible vaccines for the virus though the World Health Organization said there are no proven treatments, and Beijing's extended stimulus measures to support its economy, according to analysts.
In Seoul, tech, auto and airline stocks were lead decliners.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics Co. fell 0.7 percent, top carmaker Hyundai Motor Co. declined 1.1 percent, and leading steelmaker POSCO shed 0.7 percent.
Among gainers, leading chemical firm LG Chem Ltd. rose 0.5 percent, and the state-run Korea Electric Power Corp. climbed 0.6 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,186.60 won against the U.S. dollar, down 6.8 won from the previous session's close.
(END)


Friday's weather forecast

SEOUL , Feb. 7 ( Yonhap ) -- The following is the weather forecast for South Korea 's 12 major @ @ @ @ @ .


yna--2020-02-07--S. Korea to offer 2 tln won in financial support to small merchants amid virus fallout

The virus outbreak has already disrupted the supply of auto parts in South Korea .
Hyundai Motors and Kia Motors @ @ @ @ @ of assembly lines here due to shortages of parts from China .

SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will provide 2 trillion won (US$1.7 billion) in financial support to small merchants who are expected to take a hit from the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus, Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki said Friday.
South Korea also plans to begin consultations with China's local governments to ask them to resume operations of their auto parts plants, Hong told a meeting with economic ministers.
The virus outbreak has already disrupted the supply of auto parts in South Korea. Hyundai Motors and Kia Motors said they have suspended some of assembly lines here due to shortages of parts from China.
The move comes as the rapidly spreading coronavirus, which originated in China, could cast a shadow on the nation's fragile economic recovery.
Hong said the government is closely monitoring the industries that are expected to be affected most by the virus fallout, such as exports, hotels and restaurants, transportation services and small businesses.
Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki speaks at a meeting with economic ministers on Feb. 7, 2020. (Yonhap)
(END)


yna--2020-02-07--SsangYong Motor Q4 net losses widen on weaker demand

For the whole of 2019 , net losses deepened to 341.4 billion won from 61.8 billion won in the previous @ @ @ @ @ to 281.9 billion won from 64.2 billion won , while sales fell 2.2 percent to @ @ @ @ @ trillion won .

SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- SsangYong Motor Co. on Friday said its net losses widened in the fourth quarter from a year earlier due to lower demand.
For the October-December quarter, net losses deepened to 155.9 billion won (US$130 million) from 4 billion won in the year-ago period, the company said in a statement.
"Decreased exports and increased marketing costs amid tougher competition with bigger domestic rivals resulted in the net losses," the statement said.
Operating losses also deepened to 99.8 billion won in the fourth quarter from 3.5 billion won a year ago. Sales fell 13 percent to 919.2 billion won from 1.05 trillion won over the same period.
For the whole of 2019, net losses deepened to 341.4 billion won from 61.8 billion won in the previous year. Operating losses widened to 281.9 billion won from 64.2 billion won, while sales fell 2.2 percent to 3.62 trillion won from 3.7 trillion won.
SsangYong Motor sold 135,235 vehicles, down 5.6 percent from 143,309 units a year earlier. Its lineup is composed of the flagship G4 Rexton, as well as the Tivoli, Korando and Rexton Sports.
Indian carmaker Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. owns a 74.65 percent stake in SsangYong Motor.
This file photo provided by SsangYong Motor shows the company's Korando SUV. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


KOSPI 2,221.49 DN 6.45 points (open)


KOSDAQ 673.11 UP 0.42 points (open)


yna--2020-02-07--Dollar opens at 1,185.0 won UP from 1,179.8 won


yna--2020-02-07--Hyundai suspends all assembly lines over parts shortages

Kia has eight domestic plants -- two in Gwangmyeong , three in Hwaseong and three in Gwangju -- and seven @ @ @ @ @ China and one each in the U.S. , Slovakia , Mexico and India .
Their @ @ @ @ @ units .

By Choi Kyong-ae
SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's biggest carmaker by sales, on Friday suspended all of its domestic car assembly plants due to a lack of parts from China amid the spreading coronavirus outbreak, with other local automakers set to halt production lines or considering doing so.
Hyundai Motor plans to halt its assembly plants by Monday, while its affiliate Kia Motors Corp. is planning to bring all of its local assembly lines to a halt Monday.
Hyundai and Kia began to reduce output at their domestic plants last week as their China-based South Korean suppliers halted their production since Jan. 24 when the Lunar New Year holiday began.
The Chinese authorities called on manufacturers to stop operations until Feb. 9, a week after the end of the holiday, to keep the potentially fatal virus from spreading further.
"If auto parts factories in China resume operations on Feb. 10 or 11, production losses from a lack of components will be limited. If not, the carmakers will likely suffer heavy output losses from an extended suspension," a Hyundai spokesman said over the phone.
This photo taken Feb. 6, 2020, shows Hyundai Motor's main plant in Ulsan, 414 km southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)
It is the first time Hyundai has temporarily halted all of its domestic production lines since 1997, when the Asian financial crisis affected local manufacturers and Mando Corp. stopped supplying parts to the carmaker.
Hyundai has seven domestic plants -- five in Ulsan, one in Asan and one in Jeonju -- 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 has eight domestic plants -- two in Gwangmyeong, three in Hwaseong and three in Gwangju -- 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.
"We will decide whether to extend the plants' suspension beyond Monday depending on supply conditions from China," a Kia spokesman said.
South Korean carmakers are concerned about hefty production losses as the rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak is aggravating shortages of parts supply from China.
On top of Hyundai and Kia, three other carmakers -- GM Korea Co., SsangYong Motor Co. and Renault Samsung Motors Corp. -- have already suspended their plants or are considering reducing output.
On Tuesday, SsangYong Motor stopped the operation of its sole car assembly plant in Pyeongtaek, 70 km south of Seoul, and will maintain the suspension until Feb. 12 due to the supply crunch.
SsangYong also said it will decide whether to extend the period depending on situations in China.
GM Korea said it is closely monitoring the situation involving the novel coronavirus to minimize the impact on production.
Renault Samsung Motors Corp., despite being the least reliant on Chinese auto parts among the five automakers, said Wednesday it plans to suspend its sole plant in Busan, 450 km southeast of Seoul, for several days next week.
The company said it has received some components from our Renault alliance partners like Nissan Motor Co., but it may suffer parts shortages next week if parts plants in China do not resume operations Monday.
Among the carmakers, Hyundai is expected to suffer the biggest production loss if its plants' suspension period is extended.
This undated file photo, provided by Hyundai Motor Group, shows Hyundai and Kia's headquarters buildings in southern Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
If Hyundai's plants remain suspended for five days, it will suffer a production loss of 30,000 vehicles worth between 600 billion won (US$505 million) and 700 billion won, the company estimated.
To minimize any impact from parts shortages, Hyundai and Kia said they are in talks with local auto parts companies that have production facilities at home and abroad for the supply of necessary parts.
"In the case of a prolonged shortage of parts from China, we have asked local parts makers to fully operate their domestic plants, and we plan to buy more components from their plants in Southeast Asia," the Hyundai spokesman said.
The fallout from the virus could deal a further blow to Hyundai and Kia, which have been struggling with declining sales in China, the world's biggest automobile market, in the past three years.
In 2017, the carmakers' sales were weak there due to the lingering impact of political tensions between Seoul and Beijing over the deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense system, THAAD, in South Korea. Their combined sales in China fell 22 percent to 909,000 vehicles last year from 1,161,000 units a year earlier.
In April 2019, Hyundai shut down one of its five plants in China, and in May, Kia suspended one of its three plants there due to lower demand.
If the suspension period ends within a week, industry insiders expect carmakers will be able to fill the output gap through overtime work.
But given China accounts for 30 percent of the country's total auto parts imports in terms of value, a prolonged output halt at the carmakers would deal a serious blow to their first-quarter earnings, analysts said.
Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Group will extend 1 trillion won in financial support to help its small and medium-sized parts suppliers ride out the coronavirus impact.
Some 300 billion won will be provided as operating capital for its suppliers, and the remaining 700 billion won will be delivered in the form of early payments for their components, Hyundai said.
South Korea has reported 23 confirmed coronavirus cases as of Friday.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)


yna--2020-02-07--S. Korea to hold K-pop music concert in Russia to mark diplomatic ties

South Korea has said it will seek to reach a free trade agreement with Russia in the service and investment @ @ @ @ @ and Moscow kicked off their negotiations in June last year .

SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to hold a large Korean pop concert in Russia as the two nations mark three decades of diplomatic relations this year, Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki said Friday.
The planned concert is part of the Korean government's various projects for the celebration of the 30th anniversary of establishing its diplomatic relations with Russia in 2020.
Along with the concert, South Korea will hold a trade fair in Russia this year, Hong said.
South Korea has been seeking to expand cooperation with Russia, especially in the materials, parts and equipment segment on top of the traditionally strong ties in the shipbuilding and automobile industries.
South Korea's exports to Russia reached roughly US$7.6 billion in 2019, up 6.5 percent from a year earlier, ministry data showed.
South Korea has said it will seek to reach a free trade agreement with Russia in the service and investment segments in 2020. Seoul and Moscow kicked off their negotiations in June last year.
(END)


yna--2020-02-07--(EDITORIAL from Korea JoongAng Daily on Feb. 7)

The unions said they do not oppose increased production of face masks .
They also said they do n't object @ @ @ @ @ the country faces a national crisis .
If this is not a national crisis , @ @ @ @ @ acceptable that our quarantine offices and hospitals across the country can not work due to @ @ @ @ @ The umbrella unions appear to have no sense of compassion at all .
We are @ @ @ @ @

Union selfishness
After the spread of the new coronavirus from Wuhan, China, the public is getting more anxious than ever. Our economy faces an emergency due to a lack of supplies from China. In such a grim situation, the two major umbrella unions — the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) — are threatening to file an administrative suit to block the government from expanding the scope of exceptions to the newly enforced 52-hour workweek.
The two umbrella unions are taking action after the Ministry of Labor applied for eased work-hour regulations for face mask producers after the virus broke out in Korea last month. The unions said the government's measure could be used as an excuse for extending work hours in other industries.
Such a reaction from the two umbrella unions constitutes a classic case of selfishness. The government can't be faulted for easing such regulations to help protect public safety in an emergency like this. Don't the unions care for public health and our economy?
The unions said they do not oppose increased production of face masks. They also said they don't object to extended work hours if the country faces a national crisis. If this is not a national crisis, what is? Is it acceptable that our quarantine offices and hospitals across the country cannot work due to the 52-hour work regulation? The umbrella unions appear to have no sense of compassion at all. We are dumbfounded at their egotism.
The Moon Jae-in administration should be held accountable for their excessive reaction. The government has been pushing labor policies on behalf of unions since its launch in May 2017. It defied mainstream economics by pressing ahead with a 52-hour workweek and hikes in the minimum wage regardless of their ramifications. Thanks to such labor-friendly policies, the militant KCTU became a union group larger than the FKTU, which also has become more aggressive than before.
Side effects of the application of the 52-hour workweek were expected. Yet the government dragged its feet in addressing them. Last year, it submitted a bill to make the regulation more flexible. But that bill is to be repealed in the face of opposition from unions and partisan battles between ruling and opposition parties. The Labor Ministry has attempted to fix the problem through a revision of implementation ordinances rather than legislation, but was met by vehement opposition from unions.
The Moon administration should ponder its labor policies. The two umbrella unions must accept the needs of the nation. They must consider how the public views their selfish battles — as a nation battles an epidemic.
(END)


yna--2020-02-07--(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on Feb. 7)

(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on Feb. 7)

The Senate 's acquittal of Trump , Wednesday , of charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress , @ @ @ @ @ trial , also bodes well for the resumption of dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang .
@ @ @ @ @ as a risky bet for Trump until the presidential election in November , so it @ @ @ @ @ how the situation will unfold .
But presumably , Trump and Kim may still be @ @ @ @ @ not unimaginable at all that Trump may attempt to use peace talks with Pyongyang to @ @ @ @ @ he has touted North Korea 's suspension of nuclear and missile tests as one of @ @ @ @ @ .

Trump and N. Korea
'Strategic indifference' signifies cautious stance
While many of the headlines after U.S. President Donald Trump's State of the Union address, Tuesday, were about his war of nerves with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, highlighted by her ripping up a copy of the text of the speech, what was also intriguing to us was that he made no mention of North Korea.
Given that he dealt with North Korea as one of his foreign policy priorities in his two previous State of the Union speeches, this was exceptional. But it had not been entirely unexpected as the nuclear disarmament talks with Pyongyang have remained in the doldrums since the failure of the last negotiations in Sweden in October.
In a way, Trump's silence on North Korea could be a hopeful sign considering that he didn't go so far as to vilify it as he did in his first State of the Union speech in 2018. At the time, he called North Korea a "depraved" and "brutal dictatorship," vowing to break from the mistakes of past administrations. Among those invited to the speech were a North Korean defector on crutches, Ji Seong-ho, who highlighted the North's brutal treatment of its own people, and the parents of Otto Warmbier, an American college student who died in 2017 after being detained in North Korea for more than a year.
Then there was the historic first summit between Trump and Kim in June 2018, and the U.S. president used the State of the Union address in 2019 to announce his second summit with Kim, saying he maintains a "good" relationship with the North Korean leader and that the U.S. would have been at war with the North if he hadn't been elected.
One positive thing about Trump "strategically ignoring" Pyongyang in this year's speech is that he appears cautious about dealing with North Korea. The North also remains surprisingly calm even though the self-imposed year-end deadline for a new U.S. approach to the denuclearization talks has passed.
The Senate's acquittal of Trump, Wednesday, of charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, which thus ended his impeachment trial, also bodes well for the resumption of dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang. North Korea will probably remain as a risky bet for Trump until the presidential election in November, so it is too early to predict how the situation will unfold. But presumably, Trump and Kim may still be exchanging letters. It is not unimaginable at all that Trump may attempt to use peace talks with Pyongyang to boost his chances given that he has touted North Korea's suspension of nuclear and missile tests as one of his biggest foreign policy achievements.
Trump's National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien said in a meeting with foreign ambassadors in Washington, D.C. after the Senate vote that the U.S. president remains committed to the denuclearization talks with North Korea regardless of U.S. domestic politics. South Korean Ambassador Lee Soo-hyuck reportedly asked O'Brien if he believes the North will return to negotiations before the November presidential race, and received the answer: "We hope they will come back to the table, come back to Sweden and meet with us."
Hopefully, a new era will open for peace on the Korean Peninsula.
(END)


yna--2020-02-07--(EDITORIAL from Korea Herald on Feb. 7)

(EDITORIAL from Korea Herald on Feb. 7)

In a stopgap measure to help soften the landing of the shortened workweek for SMEs , the government will not @ @ @ @ @ year if they violate the new rules .
Companies will also be allowed to impose @ @ @ @ @ hours if they encounter a sudden increase in workload , if their facilities break down @ @ @ @ @ industries ) if they need to speed up research and development projects .
So far @ @ @ @ @ to require their workers to work longer than the legal limit in response to natural @ @ @ @ @

Flawed system
Mask shortage illustrates need to revisit problematic workweek rules
The government announced earlier this week that it would exempt local producers of face masks from the maximum 52-hour workweek rule to cope with surging demand amid the spread of the new coronavirus.
It is increasingly difficult to buy masks with good filtering features here as people scramble to protect themselves from the virus, which originated from the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December.
Chinese visitors have been blamed for exacerbating the shortage of masks by going on a buying binge.
Tougher penalties to deter people from hoarding protective masks and hand sanitizer came into effect Wednesday and will be in force through April. Those who stock up on such items for the purpose of manipulating prices can face up to two years in prison or fines as high as 50 million won ($42,265). A 120-member squad, including officials from the police agency and the state antitrust watchdog, has been launched to crack down on hoarding.
Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki, who doubles as deputy prime minister for economic affairs, blamed market manipulation for the face mask shortage, saying it could not have occurred otherwise.
He may be partly right.
But the mask shortage should serve to highlight the need to redress flaws in the shortened workweek system.
It is outrageous that local mask makers could not increase production to meet the urgent demand without obtaining approval from labor inspectors to extend the weekly working hours for their employees.
The country's labor law was revised in February 2018, reducing the maximum weekly working hours to 52 from 68.
The reduced workweek came into force for companies with 300 or more employees in July last year. On Jan. 1, 2020, it became applicable to small and medium-sized enterprises with 50 to 299 workers. All companies in the nation will have to comply with the revised rules beginning July 1, 2021.
In a stopgap measure to help soften the landing of the shortened workweek for SMEs, the government will not punish those firms for a year if they violate the new rules. Companies will also be allowed to impose a temporary extension of work hours if they encounter a sudden increase in workload, if their facilities break down, or (in some industries) if they need to speed up research and development projects. So far, employers have been allowed to require their workers to work longer than the legal limit in response to natural disasters and major accidents.
The government decided to exempt mask manufacturers from the shortened workweek rules in view of the higher workload during the coronavirus outbreak. But there is no guarantee that companies will be granted permission to extend working hours if their workload increases as a result of successful marketing activities.
The government has exempted research and development work in the materials and equipment industries from the shortened workweek rules, but remains opposed to similar exemptions for other sectors.
It is inefficient and unreasonable for the government to deliberate and decide such matters case by case.
It would be more desirable to apply the same rules to all companies without exception, if labor and management can agree on longer workweeks within parameters set forth by the government.
What is worrying is the objections from the country's two major umbrella labor groups to allowing mask producers and other workplaces to extend working hours to help contain the spread of the virus.
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions have insisted that this exception undermines the shortened workweek system. They have vowed to join hands to force its withdrawal, and have suggested that they might file legal action to stop it.
In effect, they are saying that vested labor interests are more important than protecting people's health and shoring up the national economy.
A fundamental way to cushion the negative effects of the shortened workweek system is to amend the law to expand an existing provision permitting flexible application of the rules, adjusting the maximum working hours to 52 on average within a certain period by allowing employees to work longer during busy times and later go on deferred leave. The local business community has called for such flexibility to be built into the system on a yearly basis instead of the current three months.
Parliamentary deliberation on a bill aimed at expanding flexibility for employers has stalled for nearly a year due to the divergent positions of rival parties. The opposition of labor organizations to the extension of working hours by mask producers should give fresh momentum to the bill's enactment based on wider public support.
(END)