McDonald’s Korea donates burger sets for firefighters in virus-hit Daegu

McDonald’s Korea said Tuesday it donated 4,200 burger sets to firefighters in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, as the region struggles in handling COVID-19. According to the company, it delivered 4,200 coupons that can trade for 1955 Burger set menu to Daegu Fire Department and Gyeongbuk Fire Service Headquarters on Monday. With the number of patients increasing in the region that is hit hardest by the epidemic in South Korea, firefighters have been taking the role to transport the

ConsumerMarch 3, 2020

LS C&S wins $85m contract for submarine cables in Middle East

LS Cable and System said Tuesday it has won a contract worth about $85 million for a subway cable project to connect Bahrain’s islands. The company said it clinched the deal on a turnkey basis, to supply the submarine cables needed to connect 25 kilometers between the Bahrain’s main island and its Hawar Islands in the southeast. The contract was finalized by Al Gihaz, a Saudi Arabian engineering, procurement and construction company. The company will take charge -- from product s

IndustryMarch 3, 2020

Cabin fever sets in for those in isolation for coronavirus

A 32-year-old librarian in Gumi-dong, Gyeonggi Province, who is expecting a baby in May, has not left her house for four days. Her daughter, 4, has been home all day since her day care center shut down due to the COVID-19 outbreak. “I am pregnant so I am very cautious about the ongoing situation, and there is no place for my first child to play these days. ... It is really stressful for me and my daughter,” the woman said. “Over the past four days, a 15-minute walk to the groc

CultureMarch 3, 2020

NK hails advanced rocket test

The two short-range projectiles North Korea fired into the East Sea on Monday were super-large-caliber rockets, a test Kim Jong-un oversaw with “great satisfaction,” the North’s Korean Central News Agency said Tuesday, releasing the launch photos. In Monday’s launch, the North revealed improved rockets in its fifth run since an initial test in September the previous year. The two projectiles were fired some 20 seconds apart, as compared with 17 minutes in September. 

North KoreaMarch 3, 2020

Korea tops 5,000 virus infections in 43 days since start of outbreak

South Korean authorities said Tuesday that the probability of those infected with the novel coronavirus dying is 0.6 percent here, as the government battles community spread of the deadly virus in Daegu. 　 The country reported 851 more cases on Tuesday, bringing the total number of infections to 5,186. The death toll has risen to 29, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 　 To prevent further fatalities, health authorities said they will prioritize testing for &ldq

Social AffairsMarch 3, 2020

Luxury hotels hit by ‘Korea phobia’

High-end hotels in Korea are struggling with the COVID-19 outbreak, as guests cancel stays on concerns over possible viral infection. Five-star hotels in Seoul are experiencing a rapid drop in occupancy rate, with locals canceling their staycation plans and foreign business travelers canceling business trips. Various events and meetings held at large-sized hotels are also being canceled or postponed.  Local hotel franchise Lotte Hotels & Resorts -- with properties in Seoul highly po

CultureMarch 3, 2020

Coronavirus: latest developments worldwide

HONG KONG (AFP) -- Infections drop dramatically in China but surge abroad, the US death toll rises to six and the World Health Organization (WHO) warns we are in "uncharted territory". Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis. World spread To date, more than 3,100 have died from the new virus, while more than 90,000 have been infected in 73 countries and territories around the world, according to AFP's latest toll based on official sources at 0600 GMT Tuesday. M

World NewsMarch 3, 2020

S. Korea to pursue Xi and Putin’s visit despite coronavirus fears

Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday it will continue to work for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s planned visit here in the first half of the year, while admitting the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak could affect his trip. 　 The ministry has submitted a policy briefing to President Moon Jae-in in writing, not through a face-to-face session, due to the virus outbreak here. It laid out policies for this year that include high-level exchanges with partner countries and strengthening inter-

Foreign AffairsMarch 3, 2020

Suwon steps up efforts for sustainable urban growth

  Under a 10-year drive to create a human-friendly and innovative environment in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, the city with a population of 1.25 million has become a global green city.  In its final year that wraps up the grand policy drive, Suwon Mayor Yeom Tae-yong has vowed to focus on creating jobs and enhancing the welfare system, while seeking new growth engines for the city’s fiscal independence. “To boost employment, the city government has decided to create 34,000

EconomyMarch 3, 2020

Extra budget allocation amid virus outbreak to top W11.6tr

South Korea’s upcoming supplementary state budget to fight the ongoing spread of the new coronavirus is anticipated to exceed 11.6 trillion won ($9.7 billion), according to a senior policymaker Tuesday. “In addition to the already announced set of comprehensive measures, (the government) has drafted an extra budget bill that exceeds 11 trillion won in volume,” said Lee Nak-yon on Facebook. Former Prime Minister Lee presently serves as chairman of the ruling Democratic Par

EconomyMarch 3, 2020

Parents’ woes deepen as school shutdown prolongs

Working parents in S. Korea are grappling with extended school closures as the coronavirus outbreak is showing no signs of abating. In an unprecedented move, the government on Monday postponed the start of the spring semester of all schools by an additional two weeks, adding to the woes of parents who are struggling to adjust their work schedules to look after their kids. 　 Some 20,528 kindergartens, elementary, middle and high schools across the country will kick off the new school year on

Social AffairsMarch 3, 2020

Reasons why so many in 20s, women contract virus in S. Korea

The number of COVID-19 cases in South Korea is fast approaching 5,000 and paints a rather peculiar picture of patient demographics: 20-somethings make up the biggest age bracket, and women clearly outnumber men.  　 According to data from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, of the country’s total 4,812 confirmed cases as of Tuesday afternoon, people in their 20s accounted for 29.4 percent, or 1,417 cases, followed by those in their 50s at 19.8 percent (952 cases).

Social AffairsMarch 3, 2020

Suwon quick to lead fight against coronavirus outbreak

Suwon Mayor Yeom Tae-young‘s response to the novel coronavirus outbreak became notable early on. Yeom was quick to recognize the gravity of the situation even before the Lunar New Year holidays. While others remained slow to take action, Yeom posted real-time news and set up action plans regarding a potential COVID-19 outbreak via his Facebook account. His action attracted attention from 226 local governments across the country. The mayor believes in the power of a positive “over

Social AffairsMarch 3, 2020

[Photo News] PARTITIONED LUNCH

LG employees eat lunch at partitioned tables as a precaution to prevent the spread of COVID-19, at the group’s Twin Towers headquarters in Yeouido, western Seoul, Tuesday. (LG Corp.)

IndustryMarch 3, 2020

Moon apologizes for mask shortage

President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday apologized for the shortage of protective masks, and called on all government organizations to operate 24-hour situation rooms in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. “I feel very sorry for causing inconveniences to the public by failing to supply masks sufficiently and quickly,” Moon said at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting. “Resolve the matter in the near future through cooperation among concerned ministries, with the Ministry of Food and Drug

PoliticsMarch 3, 2020

Cape Industries faces proxy war over directors, dividends

South Korea’s ship engine parts maker Cape Industries is facing a proxy fight as its activist shareholders are opposing the firm’s excessive compensation to executives despite piling losses. The investor group, led by KH Investment, has proposed a cut on Cape’s four executives pay to half -- 1.5 billion won ($1.3 million) maximum if combined -- and recommended candidates for outside directors and auditors. The alliance is also demanding the first dividend payout of the group

MarketMarch 3, 2020

Breakdown of virus deaths so far

According to the latest data from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 deaths in South Korea are linked to existing medical conditions, with the disease proving to be more deadly among elderly people. Thirty-one of the 5,186 patients who contracted the new coronavirus have died so far. With the three latest deaths not included in the official tally yet, the fatality rate stands at about 0.6 percent -- a fourth of the 2.3 percent figure reported in China. The averag

Social AffairsMarch 3, 2020

Korean exporters on edge as COVID-19 disrupts overseas operations

South Korean companies, including Samsung and LG, are on edge about the possibility of critical production setbacks at key manufacturing bases in Vietnam and China as a result of coronavirus fears. The nation’s largest tech firms, Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, produce smartphones and home appliances in Vietnam. In China, Samsung and SK hynix produce chips, LG Display makes organic light-emitting diode panels, Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors manufacture automobiles and LG Chem pro

IndustryMarch 3, 2020

Demand for personal credit loan grows, home loans falls

The amount of personal credit loans grew while mortgage loans fell last month, data showed Tuesday, apparently due to the South Korean government’s tighter mortgage restrictions since last year. Outstanding credit loans stood at 110.9 trillion won, up 1.2 trillion won ($1 billion) last month from 109.7 trillion won in January. The nation saw the figure drop 225 billion won on-month in the first month this year. Meanwhile, mortgages owed by Korean households increased 956.3 billion wo

MarketMarch 3, 2020

Hyundai Motor chief encourages employees amid coronavirus crisis

Hyundai Motor Group Executive Vice Chairman Chung Euisun sent a letter to employees Tuesday highlighting the group’s all-out efforts to secure safety and minimize business risk under its contingency plan. Chung said in an email that the group has been “actively cooperating with the government-led measures,” vowing to fully support employees’ safety with “all available resources.” He added that the group’s affiliates have been monitoring the COVID-19 o

MobilityMarch 3, 2020