Monday May 11, 2020
Round-up of important news from major Korean dailies and from international media today
The Korea Post (http://www.koreapost.com/)
”Paraguay has great potential for production, logistics base for S. American markets”
The Republic of Paraguay has great potential as a production and logistics base for entry into South American markets because its tax system is simplified, one of the lowest levels of taxes in the region. This was disclosed by Ambassador Raul Silvero of the Republic of Paraguay in Seoul at a recent interview with The Korea Post media, publisher of 3 English and 2 Korean-language publications.
The flood has proved a bitter lesson for us: The situation in Uzbekistan is stabilizing
At the start of a video conference on May 5, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev expounded once more on the efforts in progress in our country to combat the coronavirus infection as well as on the disasters in Bukhara and Syrdarya regions. The head of state noted in particular:
What we all observe today is how humanity is struggling with both the coronavirus and equally the resulting economic crisis.
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KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)
COVID-19 Cases Linked to Itaewon Clubs Rise to 54
The number of coronavirus cases linked to clubs in the Itaewon district in Seoul rose to 54 on Sunday, raising concerns about a possible second wave of infections.
According to health authorities, at least 54 cases have been found linked to the Itaewon clubs as of noon on Sunday, with about 30 percent of the cases not exhibiting any symptoms.
Of the 54 cases, 43 reportedly visited the clubs, while eleven others are family members and colleagues at work who came into contact with confirmed cases.
S. Korea Sends 2 Million Face Masks to US
South Korea has sent two million face masks to the United States to help its fight against the novel coronavirus.
Seoul's Foreign Ministry said on Monday in a press release that the nation sent the masks in emergency assistance as part of South Korea-U.S. cooperation in response to COVID-19.
A U.S. cargo flight carrying the masks departed early on Monday and the supplies will reportedly be distributed to medical institutions.
Credit Card Firms Start Receiving Applications for Cash Payouts
Credit card companies on Monday started receiving applications for the government's emergency relief payouts aimed at relieving households' financial difficulties amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Ministry of Interior and Safety said that nine credit card companies -- KB Kookmin, NH Nonghyup, Lotte, BC, Samsung, Shinhan, Woori, Hana and Hyundai -- began registration from 7 a.m. through their websites and smartphone applications.
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Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
Coronavirus cases linked to Itaewon clubs rise to 54
Coronavirus cases linked to clubs and bars in Seoul's multicultural district of Itaewon have jumped to 54, an official said Sunday, as South Korea struggles to stop the cluster infection from spreading further.
The hike deepened fears that Itaewon-related infections could get out of control and lead to a nationwide transmission after the country had successfully brought the virus outbreak under control with zero local infections reported on many days in recent weeks.
Moon: S. Korea to lead post-corona era with 'pace-setting' economy
President Moon Jae-in presented an ambitious vision Sunday for South Korea to take the initiative in the post-coronavirus global economy on the basis of its prowess in the sectors of information and communication technology, and bio-health.
"We will use our relatively rapid stabilization of the COVID-19 outbreak and the transition to a new normal as a turning point for enhancing economic vitality," Moon said in a special address to mark the third anniversary of his inauguration and unveil his top priority policy tasks for his remaining two years in power.
Foreigners jack up Korean bond exposure this year
Foreign investors have ramped up their investment in South Korean bonds this year amid the country's relatively favorable economic conditions, data showed Monday.
Offshore investors held 140.9 trillion won (US$115 billion) worth of listed government and corporate bonds as of end-April, up 17 trillion won from the end of last year, according to the data from the Financial Supervisory Service.
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The Korea Herald (http://www.koreaherald.com)
Moon pledges to focus on economy for rest of term
President Moon Jae-in on Sunday pledged to build a “pioneering economy” in the post-COVID-19 era, focusing on “turning a crisis into an opportunity” for the remainder of his term.
In a special address to the nation on the third anniversary of his inauguration, Moon focused on economic issues, outlining his plans to lay the foundations for economic growth and to strengthen South Korea’s standing in the international community.
Virus cases linked to Itaewon clubs spike to 54
A potential second wave of coronavirus infections looms large in South Korea, as a sudden spike in cases linked to Seoul nightclubs is being reported.
Korea confirmed 34 new coronavirus patients on Sunday, marking the highest daily tally since April 9. The cumulative total now stands at 10,874, with 9,610 of them discharged from care upon recovery.
Foreigners who visited Itaewon clubs urged to get tested
Foreigners who visited clubs or bars in Seoul’s Itaewon, a nightlife spot popular among locals and foreigners alike, during last week’s holidays are urged to get tested for the coronavirus after the area emerged as a hotbed of COVID-19.
“We request those who visited clubs in Seoul’s Itaewon between late April and May 6 to refrain from going out and to follow instructions from community health centers to undergo a diagnostic test,” Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Jung Eun-kyeong said during a press conference Sunday.
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The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
Korea sends 2 million face masks to US to help fight COVID-19
South Korea on Monday sent 2 million face masks in emergency assistance to the United States to help its fight against the new coronavirus, the foreign ministry said.
The provision of the masks came after President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed the two countries' cooperation in battling the COVID-19 pandemic during phone talks on March 24.
A U.S. cargo flight carrying the masks was set to arrive in the United States on Monday, the ministry said. The supplies will be distributed to medical institutions at the vanguard of the anti-virus campaign.
Infections in Itaewon clubs spread across nation
The latest cluster infections in Itaewon, Seoul, have spread across the country over the past week, raising fears that the once-under-control coronavirus outbreak could spin out of control, according to health authorities, Sunday.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) confirmed 34 more cases, bringing the country's total to 10,874. Among the daily new cases, 26 people were associated with a 29-year-old man who went to clubs and bars in the multicultural entertainment district of Itaewon on May 2, while two were detected in Daegu and eight came from overseas.
Korea needs to change its paradigm, says US professor
Korea's successful rise from a war-ravaged country to an economic powerhouse in a few decades has been called "the Miracle on the Han River." Its economic strategy rested on being a "fast follower," where a small country with limited resources quickly copies industrial developments in bigger nations.
Local information technology (IT) companies, for example, adopted a future-oriented, sustainable strategy where they were on constant alert anticipating what top global competitors would do and then follow them to catch up.
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HanKyoReh Shinmun (http://englishani.co.kr)
S. Korea announces major projects and goals of its “New Deal”
The South Korean government announced three projects and 10 tasks on May 7 for the “South Korean New Deal,” including AI-based remote learning, healthcare data usage, and an increase in “untact” healthcare pilot projects. The announcement included plans for reforming the economy and creating jobs to adjust to rapidly changing social and economic conditions amid the novel coronavirus outbreak, with a focus on the untact and digital areas.
US demands 50% increase in S. Korea’s defense contribution.
The Trump administration in the US has asked South Korea to increase its yearly financial contribution to stationing US troops to US$1.3 billion (about 1.59 trillion won), the Hankyoreh has confirmed. That would be about 50% more than South Korea paid last year as part of its Special Measures Agreement (SMA) with the US. Since the US’ latest offer is still a considerable distance from the 13% increase proposed by Seoul, the chances of the two sides striking a deal on the 11th SMA remain low.
Samsung’s legal oversight committee requests more detailed reformation plans
Following the public apology delivered by Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Samsung’s legal compliance oversight committee asked Lee to draw up a more detailed plan for improvement. At the same time, the committee praised Lee for delivering the apology himself. While the committee was evidently trying to navigate a middle course between Lee and public criticism, that just shows how hard it is for the committee to remain completely autonomous from Samsung.
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Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)
Healthy Habits to Stay Young
Time stops for no man, but there are many proven methods to help people stay younger or younger-looking, from healthy lifestyles to lotions and potions. Here are some of the most successful.
Moon's Approval Rating Solid at 60%
President Moon Jae-in's approval rating has stood at over 60 percent for a third week running despite the dire state of the economy.
Moon, who marks his third year in office this weekend, seems to owe his recovered popularity to the relatively smooth handling of the coronavirus epidemic. But it also means that his administration may feel emboldened to press ahead with failed policies under the banner of "income-led" growth that put unprecedented numbers out of business or work.
Gov't to Stockpile 100 Million Masks
The government will stockpile 100 million face masks to prepare for a second wave of coronavirus but will also send them to about 70 countries in need.
"We've already allocated the budget necessary to stock up 100 million masks," Minister of Food and Drug Safety Lee Eui-kyung said Thursday.
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The Dong-A Ilbo (http://english.donga.com/)
'Safe Korea’ to become the destination for high-tech industries, Moon says
South Korean President Moon Jae-in has pledged a new industrial policy that can be summarized as “the world’s factory for high-tech industries” in a public address marking his third year in office. It is a scheme to make the nation a base for high-tech manufacturing industry through its excellent quarantine results, turning the COVID-19 crisis where the specialization structure of the global community is coming to a rupture into an opportunity. “Countries around the world have now begun seeking innovative capabilities and safe investment destinations rather than cheap labor,” said Moon in the same vein.
Easing restrictions should be made in phases, say experts
Epidemiologists say that the cluster infection case linked to clubs in Itaewon, Seoul was expected when South Korea hastily lifted executive orders on high-risk facilities last Wednesday as it entered a new phase dubbed “distancing in daily life.”
The South Korean government officially allowed last Wednesday the reopening of facilities that have a high risk of large-scale infection such as nightlife venues, places of worship and indoor sports centers. Meanwhile, the central government allowed local authorities to issue executive orders if necessary based on factors including the spread of COVID-19.
Children die of inflammatory illness that may be linked to COVID-19
Two children and a teenager died of an inflammatory illness that could be connected to COVID-19 in New York. Similar symptoms have been observed in children in Europe, raising concerns over reopening schools.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo reported in a press conference on Saturday that the novel coronavirus killed a five-year-old, a seven-year-old and a teenager. Despite testing positive for COVID-19, none of them showed respiratory symptoms. Instead, they had symptoms similar to toxic shock syndrome and Kawasaki disease such as fever and rashes. Cuomo asked parents to pay close attention to their children if they display symptoms such as prolonged fever, severe abdominal pain, change in skin color and chest pain.
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The KyungHyang Shinmun (http://english.khan.co.kr/)
Outline of the “Korean New Deal” Centered on the Digital Economy
The outline of the “Korean New Deal” including plans to establish digital infrastructure and to foster non-face-to-face industries has been revealed. The government took into consideration the fact that “untact” is becoming the norm as society practices physical (social) distancing in response to COVID-19, and presented the digital economy as the future pie.
On May 7, Deputy Prime Minister cum Minister of Economy and Finance Hong Nam-ki presided over the second meeting of the central emergency economic response headquarters and determined the direction of the Korean New Deal. The Korean New Deal consists of three major tasks: the establishment of digital infrastructure, such as data, fifth generation (5G) mobile communications, and artificial intelligence (AI); a focused effort to foster non-face-to-face industries; and the digitalization of social overhead capital (SOC).
Kim Yeon-chul, “The Two Koreas Need a Joint Response System for Infectious Diseases”By Lee Ju-young
On May 7, Minister of Unification Kim Yeon-chul said, “From the perspective of cooperation in the health and medical field, it is necessary for North and South Korea to establish a joint response system against infectious diseases,” and expressed his willingness to promote a survey of wild plants in the two Koreas in order to jointly develop new drugs. He also announced plans to resume trips to Panmunjom next month. The visits had been suspended due to the spread of the African swine fever. As for a proposal for talks with North Korea to discuss inter-Korean issues, the government plans to further observe the COVID-19 situation before making a decision.
Alarms Go Off Everywhere on the First Day of “Everyday Distancing”
On May 6, the first day that the nation shifted mode from physical distancing to everyday distancing, people densely filling enclosed spaces, such as the subway, offices, and shopping malls, and people without masks were witnessed throughout the nation.
Yi (33), an office worker at Mapo-gu, Seoul said, “The subway on the way to work was crowded and the people were jammed in as usual. The seating arrangements in the office was still as dense as a henhouse, so it was impossible to maintain a distance of 1 meter with other people.” Bak (33), another employee said, “There wasn’t a single person in the office wearing a mask. From what I know, an employee in the human resources team was designated as the person in charge of quarantine. She frequently e-mailed notices, but she never said anything to anyone for not wearing a mask.”
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Maeil Business News Korea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/)
Seoul keeps to plan of weaning the country off nuclear fuel, expand renewables to 40%
South Korea on Friday kept its plan to phase out of nuclear fuel intact despite snowballing losses at state utility firms as the result, with a goal to replace energy sourcing with renewables to 40 percent by 2034 through retiring aged fossil and nuclear powered stations.
Korea readies to charge multinational video platforms firms network fees
Global streaming giants such as YouTube and Netflix will have to pay fees for servicing contents on Korean internet networks as the National Assembly went into lawmaking procedure to level the playing field with local players.
The Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee at the National Assembly on Thursday approved a bill that would require multinational content providers to pay fees for using domestic networks.
NHN to make every Wed remote work day amid positive feedback
South Korea’s leading game and online service provider NHN Corp. has decided to take its remote work experiment further by making it official one day a week after receiving positive feedback from employees.
The company said Thursday it will end its remote working policy next week but make every Wednesday telecommuting day. NHN had made its employees work from home since Feb. 27 following a spike of coronavirus cases in Korea.
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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 Heraldwww.smh.com.au
Colombia Reports http://www.colombiareports.com
Bogota Free Planet http://www.bogotafreeplanet.com,bfp@bogotafreeplanet.com
El Universal https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/english
Andes https://www.redaktionstest.net/andes-info-ec/
Ecuador Times https://www.ecuadortimes.net/
The Jordan Times https://www.jordantimes.com/
LSM.lv https://www.lsm.lv//
The Baltic Times http://www.baltictimes.com lithuania@baltictimes.com, estonia@baltictimes.com, editor@baltictimes.com
El Pais https://english.elpais.com/
Philippine Daily Inquirer https://www.inquirer.net/
Daily News Hungary https://dailynewshungary.com/
Budapest Times https://www.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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