Seoul airspace lacks unified drone command center

While the use of drones both in the public and commercial realms expands, South Korea has yet to develop a unified position on how to authorize them, particularly in the R-75 zone of restricted airspace in Seoul. According to the Aviation Safety Act, a drone weighing 12 kilograms or less (without fuel) and with a length of 7 meters or shorter doesn’t require authorization for flight as long as it stays under an altitude of 150 meters and keeps out of airport control zones and prohibited

IndustryMarch 10, 2020

4 Japanese not allowed to visit Korea on 1st day of entry limit

Four Japanese nationals without an entry visa for South Korea were not allowed to board an airplane bound for Seoul on Monday, the first day of the two countries' entry restrictions on each other's citizens, the Ministry of Justice said Tuesday. South Korea halted a 90-day visa-free entry program for Japanese nationals, effective Monday morning, over new coronavirus concerns, while Japan simultaneously implemented similar entry restrictions for South Koreans for the same reason. The ministry

Foreign AffairsMarch 10, 2020

Thailand-bound passengers from S. Korea required to undergo mandatory fever checks

All Thailand-bound air travelers from South Korea will be required to undergo fever checks at local airports, Seoul's transport ministry said Tuesday, in an effort to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. The mandatory move, which takes effect starting Wednesday, comes at the request of the Thai government to try to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The rule applies to passengers for all air carriers operating fli

Foreign AffairsMarch 10, 2020

[Exclusive] Jeju’s international schools to make up for COVID-19 delay through online learning, Saturday classes

SEJONG -- One of the major concerns amid the COVID-19 panic in South Korea is how it will affect the academic calendar for students in elementary school through high school. Considering the delayed start of the new school year, which was supposed to begin March 2, parents are asking whether their children will be able to attend classes for the required number of days and whether the authorities will fine-tune the vacation period to make up for school closures. But the Ministry of Education has

Social AffairsMarch 10, 2020

Samsung unveils new solid-state battery tech

Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology said Tuesday unveiled its study on longer-lasting all-solid-state battery technology for the first time in Nature Energy, one of the world’s leading scientific journals. All-solid-state batteries, utilizing solid electrolytes, support greater energy density allowing larger capacities, and are safer than current lithium-ion batteries using liquid electrolytes, according to the research arm of Samsung Electronics. The team focused on overcoming th

TechnologyMarch 10, 2020

N. Korea's media mentions economic losses from ongoing fight against coronavirus

North Korea is taking a series of strong anti-coronavirus measures even at the cost of "enormous economic losses" because ensuring the lives and safety of its people is the No. 1 priority, a state media outlet said Tuesday. The report by Uriminzokkiri, a North Korean propaganda website, is believed to be the first time the country has mentioned economic losses from the viral disease. Pyongyang has not reported any confirmed coronavirus infections but the country has been intensifying

North KoreaMarch 10, 2020

S. Korea regains top spot in Feb. shipbuilding orders

South Korea overtook coronavirus-hit China to regain the top spot in global shipbuilding orders in February, industry data showed Tuesday. Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. and other local shipyards won orders of a combined 200,000 compensated gross tons (CGTs) to build eight ships in February, or 67 percent of the global total, according to London-based market tracker Clarkson Research Services Ltd. The Philippines came in second with 60,000 CGTs to build four ships, taking up 19 percent of the

IndustryMarch 10, 2020

E-book service provider Millie’s Library provides free service for coronavirus patients

Millie’s Library, a subscription-based e-book service provider, on Tuesday announced that it was offering two months of free service to COVID-19 patients and those in home quarantine in conjunction with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. “We hope that reading can be of some comfort for everyone who is struggling with COVID-19 until they get better and return to their daily life,” Millie’s Library CEO Seo Young-taek said in a statement. According to the startup,

CultureMarch 10, 2020

[Diplomatic circuit] Embassies join ‘social distancing’ campaign

Foreign missions here, while keeping a close watch on the coronavirus situation, are joining the South Korean government’s “social distancing” drive to contain the outbreak. Many have put public events on hold, including national day celebrations, and have authorized flexible work hours and remote work for employees. The British Embassy told The Korea Herald that it is encouraging its staff to work from home to reduce direct human contact and the potential for virus transm

Diplomatic CircuitMarch 10, 2020

Another USFK employee in Daegu tests positive for virus, total at 9

A South Korean employee of US Forces Korea (USFK) stationed in the southeastern city of Daegu has tested positive for the new coronavirus, bringing the total number of USFK-related infection cases to nine, the military said Tuesday. The patient, who works at Camp Walker, is now in isolation at her off-base residence, USFK said, adding that authorities are "actively conducting contact tracing to determine whether anyone else may have been exposed." Daegu, about 300 kilometers southe

DefenseMarch 10, 2020

Ahn Cheol-soo’s party surges in polls

The tentatively named People’s Party led by Ahn Cheol-soo is rising in the polls on the back of support from young and centrist voters, a survey showed Monday. The party’s approval rating came in at 4.7 percent between March 2 and March 6, up 3 percentage points from a week earlier, when it lagged behind in the 1 percent range, according to a survey by local pollster Realmeter. The hike comes amid much-publicized volunteer work by former physician Ahn and his spouse at a hospital

PoliticsMarch 10, 2020

One more service member tests positive for coronavirus, total at 37

One Air Force officer stationed in the southeastern city of Daegu tested positive for the new coronavirus, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the military to 37 on Tuesday, the defense ministry said. Of the total, 20 were in the Army, 13 in the Air Force, two in the Marine Corps and one each in the Navy and a unit under the direct control of the ministry, according to the ministry. Thirty-two COVID-19 patients are active-duty service members and the remaining five are civilians w

DefenseMarch 10, 2020

S. Korea reports 131 more cases, total at 7,513

South Korea’s reported coronavirus cases rose by 131 to 7,513 with a total of 54 deaths Tuesday, marking the lowest daily increase in two weeks -- falling for the fourth consecutive day.  　 Despite the slowing pace of daily increase of confirmed cases, small-scale clusters of infections continue to emerge in the country’s most populated areas -- Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, keeping health authorities on their toes. 　 The latest mass infections were reported at a call center in

Social AffairsMarch 10, 2020

[Herald Interview] Women a pillar of modern Algeria, says ambassador

Algerian women joined the country’s fight for independence, taking on an equal role with men on the frontlines during the 1954-1962 Algerian Revolution. Due to their significant role in this historic event, women are given relatively equal legal rights to men in Algerian society, according to the country’s Ambassador to South Korea Mohammed El Amine Derragui. “During our Liberation War everybody participated for the freedom from foreign occupation. Ladies too took part in

Diplomatic CircuitMarch 10, 2020

[Diplomatic circuit] Bulgaria celebrates Liberation Day

The Bulgarian Embassy in Seoul said Monday it celebrated its Liberation Day last week in a quiet manner, amid the COVID-19 outbreak. In celebration of its March 3rd National Day, the Bulgarian Embassy had initially planned a reception, which was canceled due to the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus here and health experts’ advice to avoid large gatherings. Bulgaria, one of the oldest nations in Europe and the birthplace of the Cyrillic alphabet in the ninth century, was founded in

Diplomatic CircuitMarch 10, 2020

109 countries, territories restricting entry from S. Korea over coronavirus fears

A total of 109 countries and territories were imposing entry bans or tougher quarantine procedures for people from South Korea over coronavirus concerns Tuesday, up by three from the previous day, the foreign ministry said. As of 2 p.m., Norway, Slovakia and Rwanda have joined the list of countries and territories imposing stricter immigration controls and requiring or recommending self-quarantine, raising the tally to 49, according to the ministry website. Norway recommends a 14-day self-iso

Foreign AffairsMarch 10, 2020

S. Korea to tighten rules on stock short selling amid market rout

  South Korea's financial authorities said Tuesday they will tighten regulations on stock short selling as part of market stabilization measures amid increased fluctuations sparked by the outbreak of the new coronavirus and a slide in global oil prices. Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki said the government will temporarily ease its requirements for the designation of certain shares subject to a possible ban on short selling. The decision came in a meeting of economy-related ministers and offi

MarketMarch 10, 2020

Seoul, Tokyo kick off trade talks amid escalating diplomatic spat

South Korea and Japan on Tuesday met for the first time in three months to discuss their trade dispute amid dimmed hopes for reconciliation as the spread of the new coronavirus has led to more bilateral trust issues. The two countries started the director-general level video conference at 10:00 a.m. according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Officials from South Korea and Japan had planned to hold a face-to-face meeting in Seoul, but they later decided to hold a video conferenc

Foreign AffairsMarch 10, 2020

Seoul call center emerges as infection cluster, numbers feared to rise

With at least 50 cases, a call center in southwestern Seoul emerged as the biggest COVID-19 infection cluster here Tuesday, triggering concerns over potential mass transmission in the metropolitan area that is home to 25 million, or nearly half of the country's population. A high-rise in the neighborhood of Sindorim was closed and disinfected late Monday after workers at a call center on its 11th floor were confirmed as patients, according to Guro Ward, which oversees Sindorim. In a meeting w

Social AffairsMarch 10, 2020

Coronavirus: latest developments worldwide

  PARIS (AFP) -- With new tolls and key developments, here is the latest in the coronavirus crisis. Nearly 4,000 deaths Since the novel coronavirus first emerged in late December 2019, 113,255 cases have been recorded in 101 countries and territories, killing 3,964 people, according to an AFP toll based on official sources on Monday around 1700 GMT. In mainland China, where the epidemic started, 80,735 cases have been registered, including 3,119 deaths, but with a decline in new cases

World NewsMarch 10, 2020