Yonhap News Summary
The following is the first summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Thursday.
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(2nd LD) With slowdown in new virus cases, S. Korea prepares for another potential wave
SEOUL -- South Korea reported another single-digit number of new coronavirus cases Thursday, as the country's strict social distancing campaign and enhanced quarantine measures have helped contain the spread of the virus.
The country added eight new virus cases, bringing the nation's total infections to 10,702, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
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(2nd LD) S. Korean economy shrinks 1.4 pct in Q1 amid virus fallout, sharpest contraction since 2008
SEOUL -- South Korea's economy shrank 1.4 percent on-quarter in the first quarter of this year, as the coronavirus pandemic crippled industrial output, consumer spending and job markets, the Bank of Korea (BOK) said Thursday.
It marked the sharpest quarterly contraction since the fourth quarter of 2008, when the nation's economy sank 3.3 percent on-quarter.
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S. Korea designates rail construction on east coast as inter-Korean cooperative project
SEOUL -- South Korea on Thursday designated a rail construction project along the east coast as an inter-Korean cooperative business as part of efforts to kick-start a long-suspended move to reconnect railways across the border with North Korea.
A civilian-government committee on inter-Korean exchanges made the decision for the construction of a 110.9-kilometer-long railway, paving the way for the project to move forward in a speedier manner without a preliminary feasibility study.
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(LEAD) S. Korea approves merger between budget carriers
SEJONG/SEOUL -- South Korea's antitrust regulator said Thursday it approved a deal by Jeju Air Co., the nation's largest budget carrier, to buy smaller rival Eastar Jet Co., as the airline industry scrambles to survive over plunging demand caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Jeju Air signed the deal to buy a 51.17 percent stake in Eastar Jet from Eastar Holdings for 54.5 billion won (US$45 million) in March as part of its expansion strategy.
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(LEAD) Top U.S. military official assumes N.K. leader still in control of armed forces
WASHINGTON -- A top U.S. military official said Wednesday he assumes North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is still in full control of his country's armed forces despite reports he may be seriously ill.
Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman Gen. John Hyten said he has no information to add to the reports about Kim's health.
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(LEAD) Pompeo: U.S. is watching closely what's happening in N. Korea
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday that the United States is watching closely what's happening inside North Korea amid reports that its leader Kim Jong-un is seriously ill, but gave no other details.
"As the president said last evening ... we're watching closely what's taking place there, but I don't have anything to add," he said during a press briefing.
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Business as usual in N.K. amid rumors on leader's health: official
SEOUL -- North Korea appears to be conducting business as usual without any abnormal signs, a unification ministry official said Thursday, amid persisting speculation over leader Kim Jong-un's health condition.
Speculation about Kim's health problems spiked after CNN reported earlier this week that the U.S. has intelligence that Kim is in "grave danger" after a surgery. South Korean officials have rejected the speculation, saying no unusual signs have been detected that suggest something may be wrong with Kim's health.
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Seoul stocks extend gains on rebounding oil prices, easing virus woes
SEOUL -- South Korean stocks extended gains late Thursday morning as rebounding oil prices and easing worries over the coronavirus outbreak boosted investor sentiment.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 14.21 points, or 0.75 percent, to 1,910.36 as of 11:15 a.m. The main index ended up 0.9 percent at 1,896.15 on Wednesday after shedding 1.8 percent in the previous two sessions.
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Musicals, theatrical plays resume on softened social distancing
SEOUL -- Some blockbuster musicals and theatrical plays, which have been on hold for weeks due to the novel coronavirus epidemic, have resumed onstage performances as social distancing guidelines were eased in South Korea.
The musical "The Phantom of the Opera," which has been suspended since April 1 as two of its cast members were confirmed with COVID-19, will reopen its Seoul run from Thursday at Blue Square Interpark Hall in central Seoul.
(END)
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Ateez to drop new Japanese EP next week
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S. Korea to resume issuing short-term travel visas, e-visas next month
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Gov't to significantly increase international flights to meet travel demand
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(2nd LD) BTS wins three Billboard Music Awards, marking 6th year to win an award
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Crypto investor probed over allegedly visiting house of Terraform's CEO
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S. Korea to send condolence delegation to UAE over death of president
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(LEAD) Yoon, PPP lawmakers travel to Gwangju en masse to commemorate 1980 democracy uprising
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(URGENT) N. Korea says fever symptoms reported among more than 18,000 people Thursday alone amid COVID-19 outbreak
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(LEAD) Presidential secretary resigns amid controversy over remarks on homosexuality
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(3rd LD) N. Korea reports 6 COVID-19 deaths amid 'explosive' spread of fever
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S. Korea to resume issuing short-term travel visas, e-visas next month
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(LEAD) At least 8 injured in S-Oil refinery explosion in Ulsan: firefighters
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(3rd LD) N. Korean missile or nuclear test very possible during Biden's Asia trip: Sullivan
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At least 4 injured in S-Oil refinery explosion in Ulsan: firefighters
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(2nd LD) 8 injured in S-Oil refinery explosion in Ulsan: firefighters