Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Round-up of important news from major Korean dailies and from international media today

The Korea Post (http://www.koreapost.com/)

‘Coronavirus problems will result in far greater shocks than 2008-2009 financial crisis’
An Extraordinary Virtual G20 Leaders’ Summit was held in Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region, on March 26, 2020. Taking part in the virtual summit on the Russian side were Finance Minister Anton Siluanov and Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the G20 (Russia’s G20 Sherpa) Svetlana Lukash. The following are excerpts from the speech of Finance Minister Siluanov.—Ed. President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Your Majesty, colleagues, It appears to me that the current problems caused by the new coronavirus pandemic will result in far greater shocks than the financial crisis of 2008–2009, and the trade conflicts and sanctions are worsening the recession.

“Extraordinary times require extraordinary solutions”
The following article was contributed to The Korea Post media by the Embassy of India in Seoul for publication on the occasion of continuous spread of CORONA virus around the world. —Ed. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi held a video conference with the Heads of all of India’s Embassies and High Commissions worldwide at 2030 hrs, 30th April 2020. This conference—the first such event for Indian Missions worldwide—was convened to discuss responses to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

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KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)

S. Korea's Exports Fall 0.2% in March amid COVID-19 Outbreak
South Korea's exports fell point-two percent in March from a year earlier amid the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to data by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Wednesday, the country's outbound shipments came to 46-point-nine billion U.S. dollars last month. Imports also dropped point-three percent on-year in March to 41-point-eight billion dollars.

Finance Minister Projects S. Korea's Exports to Face More Difficulties
Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki has projected that South Korea's exports may face more difficulties down the road due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During a meeting with economy-related ministers on Wednesday, Hong assessed that South Korea's exports fared well in March thanks to the increased number of working days and improved shipments of chips. However, he said that the country's exports appear to have not been hit yet by the full impact of the global economic fallout of the virus.

Korean Air Suspends Incheon-Washington Flights
South Korea's flagship carrier Korean Air is suspending flights between Incheon and Washington from April 13 through May 31 due to the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Korean Air officials announced the decision on Tuesday, saying that flights connecting the two cities will continue to operate three times a week until April 12 before the temporary suspension. Other American cities subject to the same suspension include Boston, Dallas, Seattle, Las Vegas and Honolulu. In Canada, flights to Toronto and Vancouver will be suspended.

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Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)

S. Korea's exports down 0.2 pct in March amid COVID-19 fallout
South Korea's exports fell 0.2 percent in March from a year earlier in the face of the growing economic fallout from the global new coronavirus pandemic, data showed on Wednesday, missing a market consensus of 1.2 percent gain. The country's outbound shipments came to US$46.9 billion last month, compared with $47 billion posted a year earlier, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Imports also moved down 0.3 percent on-year in March to $41.8 billion.

New cases up again on cluster, overseas infections; new school year further delayed
South Korea reported a slight uptick in new cases of the novel coronavirus Tuesday, driven by a steady rise in cluster infections and imported cases. In the face of community spread of the virus, the country again pushed back the new school year, with the introduction of online classes. The opening of kindergartens and child care centers has been delayed indefinitely. The 125 new cases, which were detected Monday and up from 78 new cases a day earlier, brought the nation's total infections to 9,786, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).

S. Korea begins overseas voting for April 15 general elections amid coronavirus outbreak
South Korea kicked off six days of overseas elections for the April parliamentary polls Wednesday, with only about half the eligible voters being allowed to cast ballots due to the new coronavirus. The country will hold overseas voting for the April 15 general elections at polling stations from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Monday, according to the National Election Commission (NEC). Of around 172,000 eligible voters, only 53.2 percent will be allowed to cast ballots, as the watchdog has suspended election-related affairs in 40 countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The Korea Herald (http://www.koreaherald.com)

Virus forces schools to go virtual, but many are still unprepared
South Korea said Tuesday it will begin a new semester for the country’s elementary, middle and high schools online starting April 9, as the government fights to stem the novel coronavirus spread. Students could start going to schools as early as end-April, taking turns by their grades, classes and at different time tables to ensure safe distance among students.

Moon seeks tougher measures against imported cases
President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday stressed the need to limit an influx of COVID-19 cases from overseas, calling for stern legal measures against those who violate related regulations. At the meeting, the government also postponed the Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030, or P4G, summit scheduled to be held in Seoul in June to next year.

Seoul gives masks free to foreigners alienated in public rationing
Seoul Metropolitan Government is handing out 100,000 face masks free of charge to foreigners who have been largely sidelined in the country‘s public mask rationing system, the city said Tuesday. Each person will be given one cotton mask and five replacement filters at designated places.

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The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)

USFK begins furloughs for Korean employees over stalled cost-sharing talks
Thousands of South Koreans working for the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) were furloughed indefinitely starting Wednesday amid a deadlock in defense cost-sharing negotiations between the two countries, sparking concerns over the possible impact on Korea's readiness posture. The furlough has also drawn criticism that Washington is risking the livelihoods of South Koreans who have worked many years for the USFK for the sake of its own financial interests and to pressure its ally in the defense cost talks.

WHO to spend $900,000 to help North Korea's fight against COVID-19
The World Health Organization will spend $900,000 to support North Korea's efforts to prevent the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, data showed Wednesday. According to the data posted on the website of the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the WHO will spend the money on COVID-19 response activities in North Korea. The money was allocated to the agency through the U.N. Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) as part of an "early action response" to global containment of the coronavirus, the website showed.

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HanKyoReh Shinmun (http://english.hani.co.kr)

N. Korea issues statement denouncing Pompeo’s remarks calling for continuing sanctions
North Korea issued a statement on Mar. 30 from the newly appointed director general of its Foreign Ministry’s department for negotiations with the US, in which it denounced US Secretary State Mike Pompeo’s recent appeal for countries to “stay committed to applying diplomatic and economic pressure” on the North as “reckless remarks.” In a statement published by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) that afternoon, the North Korean Foreign Ministry’s unidentified new department director-general of negotiations with the US responded to Pompeo’s remarks by saying, “We want the US not to bother us. If the US bothers us, it will be hurt.”

Basic disaster allowances can overlap with other benefits and payments from local governments
The plan finalized by the South Korean government at a meeting of its emergency economic council on Mar. 30 for the adoption of basic disaster allowances in response to the novel coronavirus outbreak means that 14 million households across South Korea will receive 400,000 to 1,000,000 million won (US$328-820) in vouchers and/or electronic currency. Some beneficiaries will also receive overlapping support with vouchers that are to be paid to low-income individuals and children from the first supplementary budget.

S. Korean churches continue to act as agents for COVID-19 transmission clusters
Churches in South Korea continue to act as center stage for novel coronavirus transmission clusters. According to accounts from the city of Seoul and South Jeolla Province on Mar. 30, new patients continue to be diagnosed from Manmin Church congregations in those regions. Seven individuals associated with Manmin Central Church in Seoul’s Guro District were additionally diagnosed that day, including employees and congregation members. A total of 29 people had tested positive at Manmin Church congregations in Seoul, Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi Province, and Bupyeong District, Incheon, since the first patient was diagnosed on Mar. 25.

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Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)

Asiana Overtakes Korean Air in Passenger Numbers
Korean Air has been overtaken by troubled rival Asiana Airlines in passenger volume for the first time ever amid the coronavirus crunch. According to statistics by the Korea Civil Aviation Association on Monday, 517,045 passengers flew on Korean Air from March 1 to 29 compared to 628,238 on Asiana. The daily number of passengers on both carriers has fallen to fewer than 20,000.

Korean-American COVID-19 Victim Dies After Being Denied Treatment
A Korean-American teenager whose death has been linked to coronavirus was denied urgent care due to lack of insurance. His death is believed to be the first coronavirus fatality of a minor in the U.S. Seventeen-year-old William Whang from Lancaster, California, died of septic shock on March 18. In the medical examiner's report obtained by British newspaper the Sun, his ethnicity is given as Korean.

More Honeymooners Head to Jeju Due to Coronavirus
Honeymooners are heading to the southern resort island of Jeju rather than exotic destinations amid the global coronavirus lockdown. Over the last decade, Korean newlyweds have favored foreign destinations, but now luxury hotels in Jeju are offering honeymoon packages again and travel agencies are selling more tickets to Jeju.

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The Dong-A Ilbo (http://english.donga.com/)

U.S. predicts up to 200,000 deaths from COVID-19
Experts predict that the death toll from the coronavirus in the U.S. could reach up to 200,000 in spite of strict social distancing guidelines by the Trump administration. There are 174,951 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. with 3,408 deaths as of Tuesday, according to Worldometer. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, told NBC News on Monday that 100,000 to 200,000 deaths could happen in the nation even if all Americans “do things almost perfectly” and that U.S. deaths could range from 1.6 million to 2.2 million if the country did nothing to contain the outbreak.

S. Korean employees at USFK placed on furlough
About 4,000 South Korean employees at the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) are placed on unpaid leave for the first time as Seoul and Washington failed to reach a defense cost-sharing deal called the Special Measures Agreement (SMA). Amid criticism that the U.S. is using South Korean employees for its advantage in SMA negotiations, there are concerns that the decision could damage the South Korea-U.S. alliance.

Online school classes to open next Thursday
Elementary, middle, and high schools will open online next Thursday after being postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak with seniors of middle and high schools being the first to take online courses. Meanwhile, the national college entrance exam is scheduled to take place on December 3. Both are unprecedented cases. The Ministry of Education announced on Tuesday that the opening of schools will be postponed for three more days from its original schedule on Monday while senior students of middle and high schools will become the first to take online courses.

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The KyungHyang Shinmun (http://english.khan.co.kr/)

Justice Ministry to Establish Gender Equality Policy Committee, Two Years after the Recommendation
The Ministry of Justice decided to establish a gender equality policy committee, two years after the Committee on Reforms in the Justice Ministry and the Prosecution Service first made the recommendation. On March 30, the justice ministry announced that it would establish regulations for the operation of the gender equality policy committee. According to the ministry, it will appoint the members of the committee and hold the first meeting in late April. Prosecutor Seo Ji-hyun (47), a special advisor for the office of gender equality policies, will also be able to propose agenda and share her views upon request from the committee.

Government to Hand out First Ever Emergency Disaster Relief Fund: Practically the First Step Toward a “Basic Income”
The government will provide cashable support on a massive scale to 14 million families, including the middle class, facing a crisis due to COVID-19. It is seeking to provide a social safety net and stimulate the economy by experimenting with what, in nature, is practically a basic income. On March 30, in the third emergency economic policy meeting chaired by President Moon Jae-in, the government decided to unconditionally hand out up to 1 million won as an emergency disaster relief fund to families in the lower 70% of income levels, including the middle class, as early as May.

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Maeil Business News Korea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/)

Zoom videoconferencing app questioned for privacy, security concerns
Videoconferencing app Zoom that has gained spotlight amidst social distancing practice and lockdown from COVID-19 outbreak has raised multiple privacy and security concerns and requires prudence for corporate appliers. Maeil Business Newspaper on Monday learnt that one company based in Silicon Valley, California recently decided to stop using Zoom for internal communication due to a security issue.

Hyundai Motor to build innovation center in Singapore to explore mobility biz
South Korea’s auto giant Hyundai Motor Co. will establish a mobility innovation “cradle” dubbed Hyundai Mobility Global Innovation Center (HMGICs) in Singapore to expand innovation network in Southeast Asia., the company announced Tuesday. The center will be responsible for R&D for new technologies and finding new business opportunities under the support from Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB).

Naver Cloud Platform’s game solution GamePot launched in Japan, Singapore
Naver Business Platform (NBP), the IT infrastructure technology arm of Naver, Monday launched GamePot, a game development solution, in Japan and Singapore. GamePot is a game solution of Naver Cloud Platform that helps developers build common game functions quickly with essential functional components for games provided in the form of software development kit (SDK).

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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.comsupport@wsj.com, service@wsj-asia.com
Financial Times www.ft.com, ean@ft.com
The Times www.thetimes.co.ukhelp@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.deforum@sueddeutsche.de
Australia Brisbane Times www.brisbanetimes.com.ausyndication@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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