[Christopher Hill] Denuclearizing Pyongyang: A long road to peace

Just one year ago, it was widely believed in many quarters that the Donald Trump Administration was making progress in convincing North Korea to engage in an effort -- albeit a lengthy one -- to denuclearize. The Singapore process that started in that city only nine months before appeared to be giving birth to some real developments, ones that would surely be clear when President Trump’s Air Force One and Kim Jong-un’s retrolooking armored train both arrived in Hanoi. Just as in Si

ViewpointsFeb. 24, 2020

[Aryeh Neier] China’s great leap into epidemic

Before the world had any knowledge of the new coronavirus that has sparked a global panic a Wuhan-based ophthalmologist, Li Wenliang, noticed something strange in a few patients. They seemed to have contracted an unfamiliar virus that resembled severe acute respiratory syndrome, which hobbled China nearly a generation ago. A few days later, after Li had sent a warning message to several doctors in a group chat, the 34-year-old doctor was summoned by the police, who forced him to sign a letter

ViewpointsFeb. 24, 2020

LH plans projects worth W20.5tr to stimulate economy

State-run Korea Land & Housing said Monday it plans to place a series of housing and land development project orders worth 20.5 trillion won ($16.8 billion) across the peninsula this year, in order to prop up the nation’s shrinking economy hit by the COVID-19 outbreak. The amount is double that of the previous year. Of the total, 34 percent of the total budget will be spent within the first half of this year, in a bid to address the economic downturn as Korea struggles to contain the

MarketFeb. 24, 2020

S. Korea to take ‘special actions’ to counter COVID-19 impact on economy

The government said Monday it would soon announce “special actions” to deal with the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak, defining the current situation as an “economic emergency.” It added that it would take necessary measures in case of increased volatility in the currency market while maintaining a wait-and-see approach. “Under the awareness that the current circumstances correspond to an economic emergency, the government will respond in a swift,

EconomyFeb. 24, 2020

[Newsmaker] Six countries deny entry to Koreans over COVID-19

Following the rapid spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in South Korea, a growing number of countries are denying entry to Koreans and others who have traveled here. 　 Jordan on Sunday announced an entry ban for Koreans and foreigners who have traveled via Korea within the past two weeks, becoming the sixth country to do so. The Middle Eastern country also barred people from China and Iran. 　 As of Monday, six countries or territories have slapped entry restrictions on Koreans. They are Jo

Social AffairsFeb. 24, 2020

Most COVID-19 deaths in Korea linked to existing conditions

The high concentration of COVID-19 related deaths in patients at Daenam Hospital in Cheongdo, North Gyeongsang Province, appears to be linked to existing medical conditions aggravated by the novel coronavirus. As of Monday, eight people confirmed for COVID-19 have died in Korea, five of whom were patients at Daenam Hospital: the first, second, fourth, sixth and seventh reported deaths. According to authorities, the first and second deaths resulted from COVID-19 aggravating existing pne

Social AffairsFeb. 24, 2020

Stigmatizing patients feared amid worsening outbreak

South Korea’s management of COVID-19 infection data has been praised for its transparency, but there are growing concerns over personal information of confirmed patients being publicized. Some critics say wide publicity does not just violate privacy, but is bad practice in terms of disease control. Posting patients’ recent travels could deter suspected patients from seeking help due to fears of being stigmatized, conservative politician Lee Jun-seok told The Korea Herald. &ldqu

Social AffairsFeb. 24, 2020

KCDF to showcase works by 21 craftsmen

The “2020 Craft & Design Exhibition” is showcasing the craftworks of 21 artists and teams at the KCDF Gallery in Insa-dong, central Seoul, until the end of the year. The Korea Craft & Design Foundation chose 12 rookie artists, six veteran artists and three collectives.  The rookie artists, defined as craftsmen under the age of 40, are recognized for their innovative and experimental works. Pottery, hanji (traditional Korean paper), jewelry and fabric craftworks crea

Arts & DesignFeb. 24, 2020

Posco creates social project fund with US’ Xcoal

South Korea’s leading steelmaker, Posco, said Monday that it had established a matching fund called “Emerald” with Xcoal Energy and Resources, a US-based coal producer, as part of Posco’s GEM matching fund initiative. The two companies signed the agreement Monday, with each promising to pay $50,000 a year into the one-on-one matching grant system. The money will be used for social causes in the two countries on an alternating basis. Posco started its GEM matching fund

IndustryFeb. 24, 2020

Military has 13 infected, 7,500 quarantined

A total of 13 military personnel tested positive for COVID-19, and 7,500 service members were under quarantine as of Monday, the Ministry of National Defense said. Infected personnel included soldiers, officers and civilian workers; Ten of the patients were in the Army, while the Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps had one each. The military was notified of its first patient Thursday, when a Navy sailor stationed on Jeju Island contracted the virus after visiting Daegu, one of two COVID-19 clus

DefenseFeb. 24, 2020

Kuwait, Bahrain announce first COVID-19 cases

DUBAI (AFP) -- Kuwait and Bahrain confirmed on Monday their first novel coronavirus cases, the countries' health ministries announced, adding all had come from Iran. Kuwait reported three infections and Bahrain one in citizens who had returned home from the Islamic republic. (AFP)

World NewsFeb. 24, 2020

[Monitor] High GVC participation implies Korea’s vulnerability to external factors

According to a recent report by the Korea International Trade Association, South Korea’s participation in global value chain trade reached 55 percent as of 2017, placing it at No. 6 out of 18 major countries within the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. GVC refers to international production where the different output stages take place across various countries. With the rise of transnational corporations, firms from different countries tend to divide their production

IndustryFeb. 24, 2020

More than 550,000 sign petition to dissolve Shincheonji by force

Hundreds of thousands of South Koreans have called for the forcible dissolution of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, a shadowy Christian sect that has been identified as a hotbed of new coronavirus infections. Over 552,000 people have signed an online petition to that effect since Saturday, when it was filed on the website of the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae. Any petition that gets more than 200,000 signatures within a month requires an offic

Social AffairsFeb. 24, 2020

S. Korea advises self-quarantine for people with fever, respiratory symptoms

The South Korean government on Monday advised those with fever and respiratory symptoms to stop going to work or schools, a day after the country raised its disease alert to the highest level in its fight against the rapidly spreading coronavirus.  The government aims to stabilize the situation in Daegu, which has become a hotbed of COVID-19 here, within four weeks in an effort to block community spread of the virus from the southeastern city. “There is a huge possibility of (the v

Social AffairsFeb. 24, 2020

National Assembly shuts down on virus alert

The National Assembly and its separate Members' Office Building were placed under quarantine at 6 p.m. Monday, after a person infected with COVID-19 was found to have taken part in an event held at the Office Building the previous week. The plenary session was called off and lawmakers who attended the event, including Floor Leader Shim Jae-cheol of the main opposition United Future Party, took COVID-19 tests. Health authorities disinfected the two buildings and sealed them off for the 24-hour

PoliticsFeb. 24, 2020

Conservative pastor pledges to resist president

A conservative pastor vowed to continue his fight against President Moon Jae-in, even as massive rallies he had spearheaded over the weekend sparked public backlash amid mounting fears of the potential spread of a novel coronavirus. The Rev. Jun Kwang-hoon, chief of the Christian Council of Korea, appeared at the Seoul Central District Court on Monday to attend a hearing over the legality of detaining him over allegations of violating election law by asking participants in a street rally to

Social AffairsFeb. 24, 2020

After remarkable seven years, BTS looks inward on ‘Map of the Soul: 7’

BTS says its new album “Map of the Soul: 7” reflects on the septet’s seven-year journey together. “‘Map of the Soul 7’ contains our stories -- all the emotions we experienced from the seven years we worked as BTS and our feelings toward fans,” bandmate J-Hope said during the global press conference for the album in Seoul on Monday. Following Friday’s release of its fourth studio album and a series of promotions in the US, the septet was back in S

K-popFeb. 24, 2020

MMCA temporarily closes to prevent spread of virus

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) announced Monday it will temporarily close its four venues in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, as the number of infections have spiked in the past few days. The announcement came after the government raised the virus alert level to the “highest” on Sunday. “A few days from now are a very important moment,” President Moon Jae-in said. MMCA Seoul will close starting Tuesday. The three ot

Arts & DesignFeb. 24, 2020

Delta hikes stake in Hanjin KAL in support of chairman

Delta Air Lines, the third-largest shareholder of Hanjin KAL which owns Korean Air, has bought 1 percent additional stake to support Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Won-tae, industry sources said Monday.  The US air carrier reportedly bought 114 shares of Hanjin KAL stake on Thursday and Friday via Goldman Sachs for around 60 billion won ($49 million). Delta now owns 11 percent stake in the holding firm of Hanjin Group.  Currently, local activist fund Korea Corporate Governance Improvemen

MobilityFeb. 24, 2020