Headlines, April 21, 2020

Tuesday April 21, 2020

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

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

Korea purchaes another Global Hawk spy drone aircraft
The United States has delivered another RQ-4 Global Hawk surveillance drone aircraft to the Republic of Korea Air Force, according to U.S. Ambassador Harry Harris in Seoul.
According to news reports in Seoul on April 20, Ambassador Harry Harris disclosed the delivery saying that it marked a "Great Day" for the ROK-U.S. alliance.
Ambassador reportedly showed in his twitter message the image of a Global Hawk parked in the hangar of an air base with the national flags of the two countries on a wall behind.

President Moon says: “I feel an immense sense of responsibility to appropriately meet the wishes of the people”
After the ruling Democratic Party and other pro-government paries won a landslide victory in the National Assembly elections on April 16, 2020, President Moon Jae-in said that he felt “an immense sense of responsibility, rather than joy.” Officials at the Presidential Mansion of Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul said that they felt “the weight of responsibility” as well as a ‘sense of fear’ from the overwhelming power of the people who gave the ruling camp a land slide while giving a humiliating defeat to the badly split opposition camp.

India sources COVID19 rapid test kits from Korea
The Embassy of India in Seoul and M/s Humasis Ltd. signed an agreement today (April 20) for the supply of 500,000 tests to the Indian Council of Medical Research. The tests will be delivered to India in four lots, commencing on April 30.
This is the first purchase agreement signed by the Embassy of India in Seoul on behalf of the Government of India. M/s Humasis Ltd., whose factory is located in Gyeonggi Province, is sourcing raw materials for production of these diagnostic testing kits from India. This collaboration forms an important part of efforts to augment India’s testing capacity in the battle against the COVID19 pandemic.
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KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)

Trump Says He Rejected S. Korean Offer on Defense Cost Sharing
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he rejected South Korea's offer on defense cost-sharing because his country should be treated fairly.
Trump made the remarks during a coronavirus press briefing at the White House.
He said that South Korea offered a certain amount of money and he rejected it, saying that his country is doing a "tremendous service" and has to be treated "equitably and fairly."

Moon Calls for Thorough Preparations for Eased Quarantine System
President Moon Jae-in stressed the need for thorough preparations for a phased transition to an eased quarantine regime against COVID-19 amid the recent letup in new cases of infection.
In a meeting with Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun at the presidential office on Monday, Moon cautioned against complacency, pointing to continuous infections in other countries.

Oil Prices Plunge into Negative Territory for First Time in Trading History
Oil prices have crashed into negative territory for the first time in history after coronavirus lockdowns around the world shrank demand.
In the New York Mercantile Exchange, the U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate for May delivery plunged to minus 37 dollars and 63 cents per barrel, down 55 dollars and 90 cents from the previous close.
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Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)

Trump says he rejected S. Korean offer on defense cost-sharing
U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday he rejected South Korea's offer on defense cost-sharing because he feels his country should be treated "equitably and fairly."
"They've offered us a certain amount of money and I've rejected it," he said at a White House coronavirus press briefing. "I just said, it's just, you know, we're doing a tremendous service. ... We have to be treated equitably and fairly."

Korea's exports sink 27 pct in first 20 days of April over virus pandemic
South Korea's exports sank 27 percent on year in the first 20 days of April amid the shock from the coronavirus pandemic, customs data showed Tuesday.
The nation's outbound shipments dropped 26.9 percent in the April 1-20 period to US$21.7 billion, according to the data from the Korea Customs Service.
The daily average exports during the 20-day period also slipped 16.8 percent on-year.

S. Korea reports fewer than 20 virus cases for 3rd day
South Korea reported 13 more cases of the new coronavirus on Monday, bringing the nation's total infections to 10,674.
It marked the third day in a row that the country's new virus infections stayed below 20, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
South Korea recorded single-digit new cases on Sunday for the first time in two months with eight, which also marked a drastic drop from the Feb. 29 peak of 909 new cases. The country confirmed its first COVID-19 infection on Jan. 20.
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The Korea Herald (http://www.koreaherald.com)

Maryland purchases 500,000 coronavirus tests from S. Korea
The US state of Maryland has purchased $9 million worth of South Korean coronavirus test kits, enabling it to perform 500,000 tests, Gov. Larry Hogan said Monday.
Hogan made the announcement during a press conference in the state capital of Annapolis alongside his Korean wife, Yumi, who he said made the purchase -- dubbed "Operation Enduring Friendship" -- possible.

Trump says he rejected S. Korean offer on defense cost-sharing
US President Donald Trump said Monday he rejected South Korea's offer on defense cost-sharing because he feels his country should be treated "equitably and fairly."
"They've offered us a certain amount of money and I've rejected it," he said at a White House coronavirus press briefing. "I just said, it's just, you know, we're doing a tremendous service. ... We have to be treated equitably and fairly."

10 workers at military hospital test negative for virus
Ten medical staff members at a military hospital in the central city of Daejeon have all tested negative for the coronavirus, officials said Monday. The hospital has been temporarily shut down.
This is not the final results, however, as each of three rounds of testing on their samples showed mixed results and officials suspect that the samples could have been compromised.
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The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)

Trump demands South Korea pay more for defense
U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday he rejected South Korea's offer on defense cost-sharing because he feels his country should be treated "equitably and fairly."
"They've offered us a certain amount of money and I've rejected it," he said at a White House coronavirus press briefing. "I just said, it's just, you know, we're doing a tremendous service. ... We have to be treated equitably and fairly."

Oil price dip below zero for first time in history amid pandemic
U.S. crude oil futures collapsed below $0 on Monday for the first time in history, amid a coronavirus-induced supply glut, ending the day at a stunning minus $37.63 a barrel as desperate traders paid to get rid of oil.
Brent crude, the international benchmark, also slumped, but that contract was nowhere near as weak because more storage is available worldwide.

With eased social distancing, Koreans imagine post-coronavirus life
When South Korea reported its first case of the new coronavirus on Jan. 20, little was fathomed about how this virus would change life.
Three months into the virus outbreak, what was once deemed a regional virus has developed into a global pandemic, reshaping how people work, rest and live.
In South Korea, where more than 10,000 cases have been reported, the unprecedented situation has prompted a "new normal," changing everyday life in unexpected ways.
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HanKyoReh Shinmun (http://english.hani.co.kr)

S. Korea to extend social distancing measures to May 5
The South Korean government has decided to extend its social distancing measures from Apr. 20 to May 5 at a reduced intensity. These measures are designed to minimize the risk of the coronavirus spreading during the long weekend at the end of April that’s bookended by holidays (Buddha’s Birthday on Apr. 30 and Children’s Day on May 5). However, the government will be relaxing its recommendation for churches, nightlife establishments, gyms, and private academies to stay closed because of the outbreak. Now that the compulsory guidelines have been eased, an increasing number of churches and gyms are expected to reopen their doors.

National Assembly members discuss allowing a guide dog into official meetings
Will “Joy,” the guide dog for Kim Ye-ji, the newly elected proportional representative of the Future Korea Party, be allowed through the doors of the National Assembly’s main hall? The chances of Joy entering the chambers have been growing amid rare shows of warmth by other politicians.
On Apr. 19, FKP leader Won Yoo-chul issued a written commentary titled “Thank you, Justice Party.” It was an expression of gratitude for a commentary sent by the Justice Party to the National Assembly secretariat the day before calling for assurances that Kim’s guide dog would be allowed into the National Assembly. In his response, Won wrote, “I have observed Joy at various meetings, and the dog has never impeded any meeting operations. The National Assembly is obliged to uphold the rights of the South Korean people, and it must lead the way in not showing prejudice toward disabled and non-disabled persons.”
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Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)

N.Korean Slave Laborers Still Working Overseas
North Korea is still sending slave labor abroad in the form of IT technicians, medical workers and football players despite global sanctions.
The regime extorts billions of U.S. dollars from them, with an estimated 70 to 90 percent going wither into the private coffers of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un or the development of nuclear weapons and missiles.

Seoul Apartment Prices Drop Further
Apartment prices in Seoul declined for a fourth week last week as potential buyers twiddled their thumbs in hopes of a further slide.
A substantial decline in the affluent Gangnam area also triggered a slide in areas north of the Han River like the Nowon and Dobong districts.
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The Dong-A Ilbo (http://english.donga.com/)

S. Korea to resume inter-Korean railway project
The South Korean government has officially announced the resumption of an inter-Korean railway project. The announcement came two days after the leaders of South Korea and the U.S. spoke on the phone and reached a consensus on providing humanitarian aid to North Korea. Now eyes are on whether North Korea will respond to the message of dialogue by South Korea and the U.S.

Kia Motors releases all new 2021 K3 midsize sedan
Kia Motors released “K3” and “K3 GT,” the two models of the 2021 K3 midsize sedan, on Monday. The 2021 K3 comes in three trims to cater to its target customers in their 20s and 30s: Standard, prestige and signature. The standard trim offers a wide variety of features that were previously only available for prestige and signature.

Global scholars to discuss ways to combat COVID-19
The world’s greatest scholars in the fields of health, economy, and education will gather together to find ways to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic and adapt to the post-COVID-19 world.
The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) will hold an international forum under the theme of “Global cooperation to combat COVID-19” at its campus in Daejeon from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday. “This is the first discussion on global cooperation in the post-COVID-19 era, involving international corporations, organizations, and educational institutions,” said Kim Jung-ho, head of the Global Strategy Institute at KAIST. “The forum will be broadcast live via YouTube and Naver TV in order to practice social distancing.”
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The KyungHyang Shinmun (http://english.khan.co.kr/)

Government Opts for Caution Over Ease of Mind Since Risk of Sporadic Transmission and Influx from Overseas Remain
The government decided to extend physical (social) distancing until May 5, because it could not guarantee a positive outlook on the COVID-19 outbreak. Recently, the nation witnessed the fruits of strict physical distancing, as the number of newly confirmed cases fell to a one-digit figure for the first time in two months. However, local transmission continues and the situation overseas still requires caution, so the novel coronavirus could spread anytime.

COVID-19 Outbreak “Out of Control” in Japan: More Confirmed Cases and Deaths than South Korea
For four consecutive days, Japan confirmed more than 500 COVID-19-positive cases a day, and the number of deaths due to the novel coronavirus amounted to 237 as of April 18. Japan now has more cases of COVID-19 and deaths due to the new coronavirus than South Korea (234 deaths). The number of confirmed cases poured out after the Japanese government decided to postpone the Tokyo Olympic Games, originally scheduled for July this year, to next year, triggering criticism that the Japanese government had neglected the situation. The government responded with the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declaring a state of emergency nationwide, but it may not be enough to contain the virus.
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Maeil Business News Korea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/)

Hyundai Motor nodded to export hydrogen fuel cell system to US, Europe
Hyundai Motor Co., South Korean auto giant that has been aggressively promoting hydrogen fuel-cell cars as a promising future green mobility option, is finally cleared to export its own hydrogen fuel-cell technologies.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Monday that it has approved Hyundai Motor’s export of hydrogen fuel-cell technologies to the United States and Europe based on a document reviewed by its industrial technology protection committee.

Samsung Biologics swings to profit in Q1, gives more upside for flying stock
Samsung Biologics Co. swung to a profit in the first quarter on increased capacity and inflow of milestone payments on biosimilar products, giving more upside to its stock that has been on an upswing after winning a multibillion-dollar contract from the U.S. on candidates for the new coronavirus (COVID-19) cure.
In its regulatory filing Monday, the biopharmaceutical unit of South Korea’s Samsung Group reported an operating profit of 62.6 billion won ($51.1 million) in the first three months of the year, beating a consensus of 42.8 billion won.
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Lee Kyung-sik edt@koreapost.com

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