Round-up of important news from major Korean dailies and from international media today
The Korea Post (http://www.koreapost.com/)
Amorepacific unveiled Sulwhasoo to share the wisdom of East Asia for consumers worldwide
Amorepacific Corporation, a cosmetics conglomerate in South Korea announced the launch of its new skincare product, Sulwhasoo collection on Feb. 24, 2020. The brand consists of three makeup products, including Perfecting Cushion, Midnight Brightening Cushion, Essential Lip Serum Stick, and 5 promotional products including Sullin Essence and Sullin Eye Cream Special Set. According to the PR manager of Amorepacific, the brand recreates ingredients that have been passed on for thousands of years using modern skin science and looks deeply into the root causes of issues that we see on the surface as a way to provide holistic skin solutions.
“Iran has always embraced Korean companies, SMEs with open arms”
“Economic cooperation has an important role in bilateral relations. The Islamic Republic of Iran and The Republic of Korea also are no exception.” So said Ambassador Saeed B. Shabestari of Iran in Seoul at an exclusive interview with The Korea Post at his Embassy in Seoul on Feb. 21, 2020 on the occasion of the National Day of Iran. "The Republic of Korea,” he said, “is one of the advanced economies in the Northeast Asia region, which has had special role in Iran's economic development, and the Islamic Republic of Iran has always embraced Korean companies and SMEs with open arms.”
The First Independent State of the 21st Century liberated from religious, cultural oppression
Player-turned Coach Kim Shin-hwan teaches football to children in East Timor, the First Independent State of the 21st Century Liberated from Religious and Cultural Oppression in May 2002. There was a person who welcomed Kim Shin-hwan, who entered East Timor without firm plans. Lt. Col. Choi Chul-hwan, commander of the Sangnoksu Unit, who was a U.N. peacekeeping force in East Timor, suggested to Kim in 2002.
KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)
S. Korea's Consumer Sentiment Plunges in February amid COVID-19 Outbreak
South Korea's consumer sentiment plunged in February amid the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus. According to the Bank of Korea on Tuesday, the composite consumer sentiment index came to 96-point-nine for the month, down seven-point-three points from 104-point-two last month. A reading below the benchmark 100 means pessimists outnumber optimists.
S. Korea's Top Diplomat Expresses Deep Concern about Discrimination, Entry Bans on Virus-Hit Countries
Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha has expressed deep concern about discrimination and entry bans against people from countries hit by the novel coronavirus, calling for efforts to prevent them. The minister made the request on Monday during the 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. Kang emphasized that the South Korean government is making all-out efforts to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. It has raised its virus alert to the highest Level 4 and is closely cooperating with the World Health Organization and other affected countries.
Some 400 S. Koreans to Return from Israel on Chartered Flights Tuesday
About 400 South Korean tourists will return from Israel on two chartered flights on Tuesday after the Israeli government imposed an entry ban on South Koreans over concerns about the novel coronavirus. The South Korean Embassy in Israel said on Monday that the first flight carrying some 220 passengers departed Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv at 4 p.m. and the second left at around 10 p.m. with 196 South Koreans on board.
Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
S. Korea to swiftly conduct virus tests on all Shincheonji followers
South Korea said Tuesday it will swiftly conduct tests on the new coronavirus on all followers of Shincheonji as the minor religious sect has agreed to provide the complete list of its members. The government said the Shincheonji church has agreed to offer the list of its worshipers and their contact numbers to support state quarantine efforts to curb the fast spread of COVID-19. The move comes as about 60 percent of all infection cases are linked to a Shincheonji church in the southeastern city of Daegu. South Korea has reported 833 cases of the new coronavirus, with eight deaths.
Gov't, party, Cheong Wa Dae officials urge 'extraordinary' measures against virus
The government, the presidential office and the ruling party stressed the need for "extraordinary" measures Tuesday to contain the fast spread of the new coronavirus, including the creation of a supplementary budget. They also raised the need to sternly crack down on illegal hoarding of face masks and called for temporarily shutting down churches of the minor religious sect Shincheonji, whose followers are linked to about 60 percent of the total infections.
S. Korea's virus cases soar to 833, containment of more outbreaks in Daegu in focus
South Korea reported another record daily spike in the number of new coronavirus cases on Monday, and two more deaths from COVID-19, with most new cases centered in the southeastern city of Daegu, where health authorities are shifting the focus of the anti-virus fight to containing its spread. The 231 additional cases of the new coronavirus brought the total number of infections in South Korea to 833.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Korea Herald (http://www.koreaherald.com)
S. Korea to swiftly conduct virus tests on all Shincheonji followers
South Korea said Tuesday it will swiftly conduct tests on the new coronavirus on all followers of Shincheonji as the minor religious sect has agreed to provide the complete list of its members. The government said the Shincheonji church has agreed to offer the list of its worshipers and their contact numbers to support state quarantine efforts to curb the fast spread of COVID-19.
S. Korea advises self-quarantine for people with fever, respiratory symptoms
The South Korean government on Monday advised those with fever and respiratory symptoms to stop going to work or schools, a day after the country raised its disease alert to the highest level in its fight against the rapidly spreading coronavirus. The government aims to stabilize the situation in Daegu, which has become a hotbed of COVID-19 here, within four weeks in an effort to block community spread of the virus from the southeastern city.
S. Korea, US considering scaling back military exercises due to coronavirus
South Korea and the United States are considering scaling back combined military exercises due to concerns over the new coronavirus, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Monday. Esper made the remark after talks with South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo at the Pentagon, likely referring to the computer-simulated training exercises planned for March.
The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
'Stigmatizing would drive Shincheonji believers into ground'
I went over these questions with Dr. Hakim Djaballah, an American virology expert based in New York, Monday morning. Djaballah said that our assumption of the two-week incubation period proved less tenable now because of reported cases that remained contagious past the due time. This means we may have to change our approach, especially with suspected cases.
Over 1,600 Korean travelers stranded in Israel
More than 1,600 Koreans who traveled to Israel are finding it difficult to return home as regular flight operations between the two countries have been virtually suspended. The Middle Eastern country imposed an entry ban on Koreans in response to the recent surge in coronavirus cases in Korea.
Rapidly rising infections ignite nationwide fear
Korea confirmed 231 additional cases of the new coronavirus and the eighth virus-related death Monday, reporting another record spike in the overall tally ― 833 people infected ― according to government and hospital officials.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HanKyoReh Shinmun (http://english.hani.co.kr)
S. Korea government goes on “red alert” after coronavirus transmission cluster in Daegu
On Feb. 23, the South Korean government elevated its alert level for the novel coronavirus from “orange” to “red,” the highest of four levels. Now that the alert level is at red, the government has decided to delay the start of the spring semester at schools around the country for a week. This is the first time in 11 years that the government has issued a red alert since the H1N1 swine flu outbreak in 2009.
More countries restrict or ban travel to and from S. Korea as coronavirus spreads
Amid a huge surge in the cases of the novel coronavirus in South Korea, Israel announced that, as of Feb. 24, it is banning South Koreans and foreigners who had stayed in South Korea over the past 14 days. An increasing number of countries are banning entry via South Korea or advising their citizens to avoid traveling there.
S. Korea’s national museums and galleries temporarily shut down amid coronavirus spread
South Korea’s public museums and art galleries will temporarily close amid the current novel coronavirus outbreak. Institutions under the authority of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism such as the National Museum of Korea, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, and the National Library of Korea will be shutting down until further notice to prevent further spread of the virus. This is the first instance of all national cultural institutions shutting down due to an epidemic. The measure, which goes into effect starting Feb. 25, is part of national preventative measures implemented following the country being put on “red alert” on Feb. 23.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)
More Countries Ban Travelers from Korea
Hong Kong has banned all travelers from Korea due to the explosive rise in coronavirus infections here over the weekend. All Koreans who do not live in their home country and any foreigner who visited Korea over the last 14 days are prohibited from entering Hong Kong. Officials there checked passengers aboard four Korean flights that arrived on Monday and placed visitors from Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province on a monitoring list.
Police to Hunt down Infected Sect Members
A religious sect that has been become a hotbed of coronavirus infections on Sunday protested that its followers are also "members of the Korean public and also victims." The sect account for around half the number of new infections here, and although they were concentrated in Daegu, many followers had traveled across the country to proselytize.
Mass Petition to Ban Travelers from China Falls on Deaf Ears
A petition that started on Jan. 23 on the Cheong Wa Dae website to ban all travelers from China amid the coronavirus scares closed Saturday with hundreds of thousands of signatures. A total of 761,833 people signed the petition, the third biggest number since the website was opened in 2017.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Dong-A Ilbo (http://english.donga.com/)
Entry ban on S. Koreans spreads to seven countries
As the number of patients confirmed with COVID-19 spikes in South Korea, more countries are locking their doors to South Koreans. Jordan officially banned entry of Koreans on Sunday (local time), and Mauritius, an African island country, imposed a de facto entry ban on Koreans as well. Qatar and Macau decided to isolate Koreans in a facility or dictate self-isolation for 14 days who enter the country. Australia raised the travel alert to South Korea to the second-highest level.
A huge line of people queues to buy masks in Daegu, N. Gyeongsang region
A long line was formed on Monday in front of the Emart Chilseong store located in Daegu’s Buk District even before its opening time. The situation was not different at the Manchon store in Daegu’s Suseong District. Pictures of people standing in a long line for hundreds of meters trying to buy masks have been shared on social media.
Warm weather might not help contain Wuhan coronavirus
The spread of a virus generally slows down as temperatures rise. This is why experts at home and abroad have hoped the arrival of spring would help contain the coronavirus. However, it appears that COVID-19 might not follow a similar pattern with the number of confirmed cases rising in relatively warm countries. Singapore, whose temperature rises up to 31 degrees Celsius, saw the number of confirmed cases increase to 89 from 86 on Sunday.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The KyungHyang Shinmun (http://english.khan.co.kr/)
Kindergartens and Primary and Secondary Schools Will Start the School Year a Week Late
On February 23, the government raised the crisis alert to the highest level, “red (serious),” from the previous “orange (alert)” due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The government issued the “red” warning 34 days after the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in South Korea on January 20, and 28 days after it raised the warning from “yellow (caution)” to “orange (alert)” on January 28.
More than 80% of Confirmed Patients Are in Daegu & Gyeongsangbuk-do: The Key Is Finding the Hidden Cases of Infection
As the number of patients confirmed with COVID-19 soar in the Daegu, Gyeongsangbuk-do region, the total number of confirmed cases in South Korea exceeded 600. Of the total confirmed cases (602), 495, accounting for more than 80%, occurred in the Daegu, Gyeongsangbuk-do region. All six deaths also occurred in this area.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maeil Business News Korea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/)
S. Korea to review extra budget in Q1 to fight against COVID-19
South Korea is looking to mobilize a massive extra budget in a response to a fast-spreading coronavirus outbreak that begins to hobble its economy. President Moon Jae-in said Monday that an early supplementary budget should be allocated "if necessary" in addition to existing reserve funds to support the government’s dual fight against COVID-19 and its economic impact.
Norges Bank under spotlight for its latest investment in Taekwang
Norges Bank, the central bank of Norway, drew attention for its investment in Taekwang, a South Korean manufacturer of pipe fittings. The world’s biggest sovereign wealth fund reported in regulatory filing that it bought over 1.35 million shares of the company for about 1.3 billion won ($1.06 million) on Feb. 13. The transaction which it said is intended for simple investment purposes corresponds to 5.12 percent in Taekwang. The Korean law requires changes in holdings of shares tantamount to 5 percent stake.
Hanjin workers and Delta build ammunition for Hanjn KAL chair in proxy battle
Employees of South Korea’s Hanjin Group and ally to current leadership chipped in to muster support for the chairman facing challenge from his sister and outside forces. Employees launched voluntary campaign to buy treasury shares in Hanjin KAL Corp. to build ammunitions for Cho Won-tae versus possibly stretched battle with his elder sister Cho Hyun-ah backed by shareholders Korea Corporate Governance Improvement (KCGI) and Bando Engineering & Construction.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What’s ticking around the world at this second?
See what the world media around the world have to report:
USA Today www.usatoday.com aallman@gannett.com
The New York Times www.nytimes.com inytletters@nytimes.com
Wall Street Journal www.wsj.com support@wsj.com, service@wsj-asia.com
Financial Times www.ft.com ean@ft.com
The Times www.thetimes.co.uk help@timesplus.co.uk
The Sun www.thesun.co.uk talkback@the-sun.co.uk
Chinese People's Daily www.people.com.cn kf@people.cn
China Daily www.chinadaily.com.cn circulation@chinadaily.com.cn
GwangmyeongDaily www.gmw.cn webmaster@gmw.cn
Japan's Yomiuri www.yomiuri.co.jp japannews@yomiuri.com
Asahi www.asahi.com customer-support@asahi.com
Mainichi www.mainichi.jp
Le Monde www.ilemonde.com
Italy LaRepubblica www.quotidiano.repubblica.it vittorio.zucconi@gmail.com
Germany Frankfurter AllgemeineZeitung www.faz.net anzeigen.ausland@faz.de
SüddeutscheZeitung www.sueddeutsche.de forum@sueddeutsche.de
Australia Brisbane Times www.brisbanetimes.com.au syndication@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Sydney Morning Herald www.smh.com.au
Colombia Reports http://colombiareports.com
Bogota Free Planet http://bogotafreeplanet.combfp@bogotafreeplanet.com
El Universal http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/english
Andes http://www.andes.info.ec/en
Ecuador Times http://www.ecuadortimes.net
The Jordan Times https://www.jordantimes.com
LSM.lv http://www.lsm.lv/en
The Baltic Times http://www.baltictimes.com, lithuania@baltictimes.com, estonia@baltictimes.com, editor@baltictimes.com
El Pais http://elpais.com/elpais/inenglish.html
Philippine Daily Inquirer https://www.inquirer.net
Daily News Hungary http://dailynewshungary.com
Budapest Times http://budapesttimes.hu
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Korea Post is running video clips from the different embassies.
Azerbaijan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR8CBpcQ4WM
Sri Lanka: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hByX92Y2aGY&t=22s
Morocco: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfFmp2sVvSE
And many other countries.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What are you waiting for?
Use us!
The Korea Post media are more than eager to be used, and to serve you—with the following five news outlets, 35 years old this year!
Korean-language Internet edition: http://www.koreapost.co.kr
English-language Internet edition: http://www.koreapost.com
Korean-language print newspaper:
http://pdf.koreapost.co.kr/38/3801.pdf
http://pdf.koreapost.co.kr/38/3802.pdf
http://pdf.koreapost.co.kr/38/3803.pdf
http://www.koreapost.co.kr/pdf/list.php?category=&syear=2018&smonth=03&sday=26&hosu=40
English E-daily: http://www.koreapost.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=10728
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------