Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Round-up of important news from major Korean dailies and from international media today
The Korea Post (http://www.koreapost.com/)
S. Korea's virus cases top 4,300, school breaks extended nationwide
South Korea reported a continued rise in the confirmed cases of the new coronavirus on Monday, bringing the total infections here to more than 4,300. School breaks were again extended nationwide, until March 23, as the nation provides an "all-out response" to the fast-spreading virus that includes a massive testing program. A health worker checks his protective glasses before starting his work in Daegu on March 1, 2020. The 599 new cases of the novel coronavirus brought the nation's total number of infections here to 4,335, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
S. Korean airports begin coronavirus screenings on U.S.-bound travelers
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said Monday that all airports in South Korea have begun coronavirus screenings on travelers taking direct flights to the United States. Pence said the screenings began "three hours ago" and involve multiple temperature checks on the passengers before they board. He spoke during a White House briefing to provide an update on the U.S. response to the coronavirus outbreak. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence (right) speaking during a press briefing at the White House in Washington on March 2, 2020. White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Ambassador Debbie Birx looks on.
Ulsan city-KOTRA to run IKMP to help local entrepreneurs
The city of Ulsan announced on Feb. 10 that the local authorities are embarking on a joint project called ‘IKMP (Invest Korea Market Place)’, a matching platform designed to connect potential investors and investees, with KOTRA IK (Invest Korea). The project aims to help small capable entrepreneurs with little resources for marketing or branding meet with global investors, who can finance and make the investees further competent on the global stage. The IKMP service range extends from investment ad materials production, posting web portal sites for FDI attraction onto IK online page and to inviting entrepreneurs to KOTRA’s official events for investment promotion home and abroad.
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KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)
Rival Parties Clash over Gov't Handling of Coronavirus Outbreak
Rival political parties have come up with different responses and requests over the government’s handling of the COVID-19 outbreak. Representative Kang Chang-Il of the ruling Democratic Party(DP) cautioned against politicizing the issue during the National Assembly’s interpellation session on Monday, and stressed nonpartisan cooperation to overcome challenges brought on by the epidemic.
S. Korean Colleges to Conduct Classes Online As Virus Outbreak Continues
Students in many South Korean colleges will be allowed to take classes online by the end of March or longer as the country continues to battle the fast-spreading novel coronavirus. In a briefing Monday, following a meeting with university and college representatives from across the nation, Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae said classes attended at home, not in classrooms, will be a “principle” mode of education for local colleges until the epidemic is resolved.
S. Korea's Coronavirus Tally Rises to 4,335, Death Toll Hits 26
The number of people infected with COVID-19 in South Korea has topped four-thousand-300. The central quarantine headquarters under the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(KCDC) said on Monday that 123 additional cases were reported as of 4 p.m., lifting the number of total infections to four-thousand-335. Earlier in the day, the authorities reported 476 cases compiled between 4 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. on Monday.
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Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
Korea's Q4 economic expansion faster than expected, annual growth unchanged
South Korea's economy grew slightly faster than expected in the fourth quarter of 2019, although this had no effect on the overall economic expansion for last year, central bank data showed Tuesday. Asia's fourth-largest economy grew 1.3 percent in the fourth quarter from three months earlier, 0.1 percentage point higher than earlier expected, according to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea (BOK). The country's annual growth, however, remained unchanged at 2 percent.
N. Korea says leader Kim inspected long-range artillery units' strike drill
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversaw artillery units' firing drills, state media said Tuesday, a day after South Korea said the communist nation fired what appeared to be two ballistic missiles. On Monday, South Korea's military said the North fired two projectiles believed to be short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea in the first such launches since Pyongyang warned of a "new strategic weapon" and "shocking actual action" at the beginning of the year.
'Drive-through' testing centers expand across S. Korea
More "drive-through" facilities to test for the novel coronavirus were set up across South Korea on Monday as the country's health authorities strive to provide easier and quicker ways to test the virus and contain its further spread. The country reported 599 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, bringing the total number of infections here to 4,335, the largest outbreak outside of China. So far, 26 people, mostly patients who were elderly or had underlying illnesses, have died.
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The Korea Herald (http://www.koreaherald.com)
Shincheonji head apologizes, vows full support
The leader of a minor South Korean Christian sect linked to more than half of the country’s coronavirus cases apologized to the public Monday for the spread of the virus, which has sickened more than 4,300 people and killed at least 26. Korea reported 599 more cases, bringing the total infections to 4,335. A total of 26 people have died from the virus infection, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
North Korea fires two short-range missiles
North Korea fired two short-range projectiles into the East Sea between South Korea and Japan on Monday afternoon, the Ministry of National Defense said. They flew approximately 240 kilometers at an altitude of 35 km from the North Korean city of Wonsan, Gangwon Province, along the eastern coast. Pending further analysis, the projectiles could be ballistic missiles. The launches were an extension of the annual joint strike drills Pyongyang conducted Friday, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
Korea's consumer prices up 1.1% on-year in Feb.
South Korea's headline inflation rose 1.1 percent in February from a year earlier, marking an increase of over 1 percent for the second straight month, the statistics agency said Tuesday. The inflation rate in Asia's fourth-largest economy increased 1.5 percent in January, the highest in 14 months, Statistics Korea said.
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The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
South Korean airports begin coronavirus screenings on US-bound travelers
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said Monday that all airports in South Korea have begun coronavirus screenings on travelers taking direct flights to the United States. Pence said the screenings began "three hours ago" and involve multiple temperature checks on the passengers before they board. He spoke during a White House briefing to provide an update on the U.S. response to the coronavirus outbreak.
BTS' 'ON' debuts at career-best 4th on Billboard Hot 100 singles chart
"ON," the lead track of BTS' new album, debuted at 4th on the Hot 100 singles chart this week, the highest rank for any BTS song, Billboard said Monday (U.S. time). "BTS scores its third and highest-peaking Hot 100 top 10, and the highest-charting song ever for a K-pop group, as 'On' roars in at No. 4," Billboard said, announcing the weekly chart dated March 7.
Gov't to finalize W6.2 trillion extra budget to handle COVID-19
The rapid spread of COVID-19 has prompted the government to draw up a massive extra budget to help communities and businesses deal with the fallout from the virus. The government and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) agreed to a supplementary budget of over 6.2 trillion won ($5.12 billion) for the nationwide fight against the new coronavirus during a meeting at the National Assembly, Monday.
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HanKyoReh Shinmun (http://english.hani.co.kr)
Gwangju to take in coronavirus patients with mild symptoms from Daegu
The city of Gwangju has agreed to allow two hospitals to take in patients from Daegu who have mild symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The decision was announced in a special statement by the metropolitan community at Gwangju City Hall on Mar. 1. The statement was issued on behalf of 43 groups and organizations, including the metropolitan government and its board of education.
US issues “do not travel” advisory for Daegu
The US has issued a “do not travel” advisory for the South Korean city of Daegu. The total number of regions implementing outright entry bans or quarantining and other intensified immigration procedures on travelers arriving from South Korea has risen to 81. On Feb. 29, the US State Department issued a “do not travel” advisory for the city of Daegu in connection with the novel coronavirus outbreak. US citizens are being recommended not to visit Daegu. The travel recommendation for South Korea as a whole remains at Level 3 (“reconsider travel”), with only Daegu subject to a Level 4 advisory, which represents the highest level.
Recently declassified document reveals Japan’s intent to avoid paying compensation to S. Korea
A recently declassified Japanese government document from the 1960s recommended that economic cooperation with South Korea not be categorized as compensation for Japan’s colonial occupation of Korea. While the Japanese government’s attitude was partially reflected in the agreement it reached with South Korea in 1965 settling outstanding claims, neither of the governments were able to deny the existence of individuals’ right to make claims.
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Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)
Credit Card Use Helps Stem Coronavirus
Credit card use leaves digital footprints that health officials are using to trace the exact paths traveled by coronavirus carriers. The higher the use, the more footprints are available for health officials to track, which makes it more difficult to track elderly people who are typically more averse to paying with plastic.
Most New Coronavirus Infections Among Sect Followers
Followers of the secretive sect that has become a hotbed of coronavirus infections in southeastern Korea did visit China's Wuhan in January, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Sunday. Wuhan is thought to be the source of coronavirus that spread across the globe. The Justice Ministry on Saturday said 42 people of the Shincheonji sect visited Wuhan from July last year to February this year, according to an exhaustive search of the travel records of 244,743 followers.
Chinese Student Here Tests Positive for Coronavirus
A Chinese student at Catholic Kwandong University in Gangneung, Gangwon Province has tested positive for coronavirus. Gangneung city officials said Sunday that the student arrived from Shenyang on Feb. 28 without displaying any symptoms. But the city has since last week set up stringent inspections targeting all foreign students on arrival and were able to identify the patient quickly.
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The Dong-A Ilbo (http://english.donga.com/)
North Korea fires two unidentified projectiles
North Korea fired two short-ranged projectiles Monday from Wonsan, Gangwon Province. The provocation, which is the first one of the year, comes 95 days after the North test-fired its super-large multiple rocket launcher on November 28 last year. Pyongyang has effectively answered President Moon Jae-in’s call for cooperation to fight COVID-19 together with a show of force, which is interpreted as a move to demand a more proactive stance from Washington in denuclearization talks.
LG Chem takes up second biggest global market share
LG Chem ranked second in the global market in terms of global usage of electric vehicle (EV) battery last month, overtaking CATL, the biggest EV battery manufacturer in China. South Korean EV battery makers, which have been struggling amid China’s biased subsidy policies, have finally found a way out by venturing into new markets, such as Europe.
Trump administration under fire for handling coronavirus crisis
There is mounting criticism that U.S. President Donald Trump is sticking to groundless optimism to seal his re-election although two people have died from the novel coronavirus and the number of confirmed cases continues to rise in the nation. After interviewing some 20 administration officials, The Washington Post reported that there are serious confusion, an absence of leadership and lack of information within the administration. One senior official said, “It’s complete chaos.”
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The KyungHyang Shinmun (http://english.khan.co.kr/)
[COVID-19 Outbreak] Shutting Down and Working from Home, Businesses Face Deepening Concerns
Shutdowns in industrial plants have become a reality as LG Innotek and Samsung Electronics stopped their production lines after employees were infected with COVID-19. Some small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that cannot allow employees to work from home are facing deepening concerns, while workers who have begun working from home complain of fatigue due to work concentration. On March 1, LG Innotek announced that it shut down a production line where an employee was confirmed to be COVID-19 positive and was disinfecting the facilities at its Gumi-1A factory.
March 1 Speech Without a Strong Message to Japan: South Korea-Japan Conflicts in Respite
The conflicts between South Korea and Japan triggered by the South Korean Supreme Court ruling on reparation for forced labor and Japan’s tighter export controls appear to have temporarily fallen into remission due to the COVID-19 outbreak. At a ceremony commemorating the 101stanniversary of the March 1 Independence Movement held at Baehwa Girls’ High School in Jongno-gu, Seoul on March 1, President Moon Jae-in gave a speech and suggested that South Korea and Japan cooperate on a joint response to COVID-19 without directly mentioning controversial issues, such as forced labor.
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Maeil Business News Korea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/)
Jeju brings Eastar under its wing at cheaper cost, commanding 21% share
Jeju Air Co., Korea’s largest low-cost carrier (LCC), used the troubled times in the air travel industry to bulk up by acquiring smaller rival Eastar Jet to command a sizable 21 percent share among Korean airliners at a cheaper cost. Jeju Air said in a regulatory filing on Monday that it signed a definitive stock purchase agreement for 51.17 percent or 4,971,000 shares in Eastar Jet at 54.5 billion won ($46 million) with Eastar Holdings, the owner of Eastar Jet. It will pay 43 billion won on April 29 in addition to an upfront of 11.5 billion won already paid following its commitment last year.
Medytox, Daewoong may seek out of court settlement over botox originality
Medytox and Daewoong Pharmaceutical may seek out-of-court settlement on years-long legal dispute over the origin of the latter’s botulinum toxin (BTX) strain. Daewoong’s U.S. partner Evolus had meetings with Medytox several times this year, suggesting their exchange of opinions over a possible agreement ahead of court ruling regardless of its results, Maeil Business Newspaper was recently told by a person familiar with the matter.
Korea’s 3 battery majors take up record-high 30.8% share in EV market in Jan
The combined market share of South Korea’s top three battery producers in the global electric vehicle (EV) battery market reached a record high in January as epidemic hurt output by their Chinese rivals. According to data released by energy market tracker SNE Research on Monday, the nation’s three battery majors – LG Chem Ltd., Samsung SDI Co. and SK Innovation Co. – made up 30.8 percent of EV battery supplies in the global market last month.
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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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