Tuesday, March 10, 2020
Round-up of important news from major Korean dailies and from international media today
The Korea Post (http://www.koreapost.com/)
Samsung develops advanced battery tech for EVs
Samsung Electronics Co. said Tuesday its researchers have developed an advanced battery technology that can boost performance of electric vehicles (EVs).
Samsung's study on new all-solid-state battery technology was presented to Nature Energy, one of the world's leading scientific journals, the South Korean tech giant said.
Algerian woman: a pillar of authenticity
Having a central place in the heroic struggle of the Algerian people against the colonizer, the Algerian woman has been equal to man in terms of mobilization and militant engagement.
This role was decisive in the final victory of the Algerian Revolution (1954-1962): many freedom fighters rose to the rank of Martyrs and revolutionary icons.
The UAE and Women
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) joins the world today to celebrate International Women's Day, marked annually on the 8th of March in recognition of the role of women and their active contributions to political, cultural, social, and economic development.
This day has become a global day of importance that highlights the achievements of women and their ambitions for further progress in the field of women’s empowerment, as women are vital contributors across the country’s various sectors.
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KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)
KCNA: Kim Jong-un Oversees Long-range Artillery Drill
North Korea's state media said on Tuesday that its leader Kim Jong-un supervised a long-range artillery strike drill the previous day.
The Korean Central News Agency said that Kim guided another firepower strike drill of long-range artillery and highly appreciated the perfect combat readiness of the forces.
US Urges N. Korea to Avoid Provocation, Return to Talks
The U.S. State Department has called on North Korea to avoid provocations and return to nuclear talks, after the North fired three short-range projectiles on Monday.
A department official told Yonhap News on Monday that the U.S. continues to call on North Korea to avoid provocations, abide by obligations under U.N. Security Council Resolutions, and return to sustained and substantive negotiations to do its part to achieve complete denuclearization.
WHO Chief: Coronavirus Pandemic Has Become 'Very Real'
The head of the World Health Organization said on Monday that the threat of a coronavirus pandemic has become "very real" as global cases surpass 100-thousand.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the remarks during a news conference in Geneva, saying that the global infection count topped 100-thousand over the weekend in about 100 countries.
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Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
N. Korea says leader Kim oversaw long-range artillery strike drill
North Korea said Tuesday that leader Kim Jong-un supervised a long-range artillery strike drill a day earlier to inspect his forces' "sudden military counterattack capability."
On Monday, South Korea's military said the North fired three short-range projectiles off its east coast in what appears to be part of its artillery strike drill involving multiple rocket launchers. It marked the second time in a week that the North has tested weapons.
S. Korea's virus cases near 7,500, but pace of new infections slows
South Korea's coronavirus caseload approached 7,500 on Monday, but the pace of new infections slowed after the extensive testing of members of a religious sect at the center of the disease's rapid spread was completed. Still, health authorities remained on high alert over new clusters of infections.
S. Korea, Japan enforce mutual entry restrictions, casting clouds over bilateral ties
South Korea and Japan began enforcing entry restrictions against each other's citizens ostensibly over new coronavirus concerns Monday, casting a pall over their relations already frayed by a protracted row over trade and wartime history.
Tokyo suspended its visa waiver program for South Koreans and started asking them to stay at designated facilities for two weeks and refraining from using public transportation. Moreover, it allows flights from Korea to land only in Narita Airport near Tokyo and Osaka's Kansai Airport.
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The Korea Herald (http://www.koreaherald.com)
Coronavirus spread continues to slow
The COVID-19 outbreak in Korea appears to be slowing, with the number of new confirmed cases dropping for a third consecutive day.
According to the government’s central response team, the number of confirmed patients came to 7,478 as of 4 p.m. Monday, with 96 new cases reported in the midday tally. The government’s central response team releases the figures at midnight, and updates them again at 4 p.m.
50 days of COVID-19: What needs to be done
The spread of the novel coronavirus has outpaced any other epidemic in South Korea so far this century. 50 days into the outbreak, much still remains unknown about the disease, which is deadlier than the flu and more infectious than Middle East respiratory syndrome.
Virus data from Korea ‘to be of great value globally’
South Korea is the country with the highest number of confirmed cases of the new coronavirus outside China, accounting for about 6.9 percent of the 105,586 infections worldwide.
Since the first case was reported Jan. 20, Korea has tested 196,618 people and confirmed 7,382 cases, according to the latest official tally published Monday. Its death rate stands at 0.7 percent.
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The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
Korea says Kim oversaw long-range artillery strike drill
On Monday, South Korea's military said the North fired three short-range projectiles off its east coast in what appears to be part of its artillery strike drill involving multiple rocket launchers. It marked the second time in a week that the North has tested weapons.
Seoul stocks crash on fears of pandemic
The stock market crashed Monday on an overseas investors' selling spree triggered by the growing spread of the COVID-19 outbreak amid fears it could become a pandemic.
The benchmark KOSPI closed at 1,954.77, down 4.19 percent or 85.45 points from the previous day. This was the lowest level since Aug. 29 last year, when it closed at 1,933.41. The tech-heavy Kosdaq also plunged by 4.38 percent to close at 614.60.
Incheon, Gimpo airports hit hard by entry restrictions
The nation's two largest airports ― Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport ― were left virtually empty, Monday, as Korea and Japan began enforcing tightened entry restrictions against each other's citizens, according to officials from airports and airlines.
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HanKyoReh Shinmun (http://english.hani.co.kr)
Blue House responds to accusations of targeting Japan with restricted entry procedures
After some newspapers covering the Blue House’s suspension of its visa-free entry for Japanese travelers reported that Japan was the sole target of its tough measures, the Blue House countered that those newspapers were misrepresenting the facts.
“We have responded to Japan’s excessive and unreasonable measures by taking reciprocal measures in a restrained manner, according to our three principles for dealing with the novel coronavirus outbreak: namely, transparency, openness, and the democratic process,” the Blue House said.
Tokyo’s abrupt travel restrictions cause mass confusion at Haneda Airport
The entry restrictions that the Japanese government is placing on travelers arriving from South Korea and China, including Japanese citizens, took effect on Mar. 9. The abrupt decision by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is causing confusion at Haneda Airport in Tokyo and other sites.
N. Korea launched additional projectiles on Mar. 2, JCS says
North Korea test launched additional projectiles on Mar. 2. According to the South Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), North Korea launched three unidentified projectiles from Sondok, South Hamgyong Province, on Mar. 2, adding that the JCS was on the lookout for additional launches. The launches come a week after previous launches on Feb. 28.
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Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)
Massive Spending Fails to Boost Birthrate
The central and local governments spent more than W200 trillion to boost the low birthrate but it continues to decline (US$1=W1,202).
According to Statistics Korea, the country's total fertility rate fell to 0.92 last year from 0.98 a year earlier, standing at less than one child for two straight years. Korea is the only country among the 36 OECD member nations with a birthrate below one child per woman over her lifetime
Nearly All Flights to Japan Suspended
Korean Air has suspended most flights to Japan except the Incheon-Narita route as well as all flights to Australia.
Korea's largest flag carrier on March 6 announced the suspension of all routes to Japan except seven Incheon-Narita flights per week from Monday until March 28. It also canceled its four weekly Incheon-Sydney flights until March 14. The flag carrier is going to decide whether to extend the suspension depending on future developments.
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The Dong-A Ilbo (http://english.donga.com/)
N. Korea fires three short-range projectiles into sea
On Monday, North Korea launched three short-range projectiles, which are thought to be KN-25 from the Sondok area in South Hamgyong Province into the East Sea. This is the second weapons test in a week following the test of a large multiple rocket launcher, which took place in Wonson, Kangwon Province last Monday under the guidance of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Genesis unveils GV80 gasoline model
Hyundai Motor is rolling out a gasoline version of the GV 80, the luxury flagship SUV model from its premium brand Genesis. On Monday, Genesis announced that the new GV80 gasoline models will be equipped with the 2.5 Turbo and 3.5 Turbo engines. The new additions will complete the line-up of three different engines along with the GV80 3.0 Diesel.
Transcriptions of declaration played major role in March 1st Movement
During the March 1st Movement in 1919, some 21,000 copies of the declaration of independence were pressed at Boseongsa. It makes one wonder how they met the immense demand from the floods of independence protests staged nationwide.
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The KyungHyang Shinmun (http://english.khan.co.kr/)
“Let the Masks Go to Those Who Need Them First” A Movement to Forgo Masks
Choi Min-gyeong (40), who lives in Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si in Gyeonggi-do hung a plastic bag with two KF80 masks on the doorknob outside her house on March 6. On the bag, she posted a note that read, “I thought KF80 would be appropriate since you often run. Thank you for always delivering the heavy packages.”
Manufacturing Masks in Kaesong, Worth Considering, Is It Not?
On March 9, a “five-part mask sale policy” will be introduced. A person can now buy two masks a week at local drug stores. Purchases will be restricted to a day of the week depending on the last digit in the buyer’s birth year. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, demand for masks has grown explosively, while supply has failed to keep up with the demand.
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Maeil Business News Korea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/)
Korean bond yields move closer to zero, stocks fall over 4% over oil jitters
South Korean bond yields moved closer to the unchartered territory of zero range Monday while equity market tumbled more than 4 percent in sync with the rout across Asia as oil prices crashed amid concerns about broad and lasting economic impact from the ongoing pandemic.
Korea to allow online purchasing for alcoholic beverages
South Korean customers will soon be able to order and pay for alcoholic beverages online and pick them up at stores nearby, National Tax Service announced on Monday.
The tax authorities said it will expand a buy-online-pickup-in-store system to include alcohol from Apr. 3 to provide greater customer convenience.
Samsung Elec, Seoul plead Vietnam for quarantine exceptions for smartphone engineers
Samsung Electronics Co. has pleaded to the Vietnamese government with the help of the Korean government to exempt its engineers from the universal two-week quarantine on arrivers from South Korea as not to disrupt operation at its biggest smartphone hub.
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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
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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.
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