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CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

Korea reports 5th case of highly pathogenic H5N8 bird flu

GettyimagesbankSouth Korea's agriculture ministry said Thursday it has confirmed another case of highly pathogenic H5N8 strain of bird flu in wild bird droppings, raising concerns over the disease's possible spread to poultry farms.It marked the fifth outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza this year. The latest outbreak in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, came just five days after a fourth case broke out in the same area, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The government banned the entry of people and vehicles within a 500-meter radius of the location where the fifth outbreak was reported. A transportation ban was issued on farms within a 10-kilometer range as well.South Korea has raised its guard against the disease since late October, when it found the highly pathogenic H5N8 strain of bird flu near a creek in Cheonan, 92 kilometers south of Seoul. It was the first avian influenza case in the country in 32 months.Highly pathogenic AI is very contagious and can cause severe illness and even death in poultry. (Yonhap)

Nov 19, 2020
Korea reports 5th case of highly pathogenic H5N8 bird flu

Tougher distancing rules take effect, limiting crowds at public facilities

Attendees sit while maintaining social distancing as they listen to a speech of Defense Minister Suh Wook during a defense expo, DX Korea 2020, in Goyang, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020. APAs a tougher social distancing scheme took effect on Thursday in the greater Seoul area and some other areas where COVID-19 infections have soared recently, high-risk multiuse facilities, such as restaurants and movie theaters, face restrictions in operation.The South Korean government earlier decided to raise the five-tier social distancing scheme by one notch to Level 1.5 in the capital city; the surrounding Gyeonggi Province; Incheon; Gwangju, some 330 kilometers south of Seoul; and a region in the eastern province of Gangwon.The Level 1.5 alert is largely aimed at limiting the number of people in closed areas and mass gatherings to curb the spread of the virus.In facilities with higher risk of virus infection, including bars, clubs, indoor concert halls, restaurants and cafes, the maximum capacity is reduced to one person per 4 square meters.People are not allowed to dance or move to other tables in

Nov 19, 2020
Tougher distancing rules take effect, limiting crowds at public facilities
  • New virus cases over 300 for 2nd day, tougher antivirus curbs in place

New virus cases over 300 for 2nd day, tougher antivirus curbs in place

Tables and chairs are placed with hand sanitizers and stuffed toys while maintaining social distancing in Seoul, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020. APThe number of daily new coronavirus cases in South Korea hovered above 300 for the second consecutive day Thursday as the country braces for another potential wave of the pandemic, with rising sporadic cluster infections across the nation.The country added 343 more COVID-19 cases, including 293 local infections, raising the total caseload to 29,654, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).The daily figure of COVID-19 exceeded 300 for the first time since late August on Wednesday with 313 cases. The daily caseload has been staying in the triple digits since Nov. 8, with the figure exceeding 200 for the last six days. Cluster infections from private gatherings, public facilities and hospitals continued to occur in several parts of the nation, putting health authorities' containment efforts in peril.To prevent another wave of virus infections, the country enforced tightened virus prevention measures from Thursday in the

Nov 19, 2020
New virus cases over 300 for 2nd day, tougher antivirus curbs in place
  • Tougher distancing rules take effect, limiting crowds at public facilities

Pfizer, Moderna COVID-19 vaccines may be authorized for use within weeks

This picture taken on Nov. 17, 2020, shows a syringe and a bottle reading "Vaccine Covid-19." AFPCOVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer Inc and Moderna Inc could be ready for U.S. authorization and distribution within weeks, setting the stage for inoculation to begin as soon as this year, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said on Wednesday.States and territories are prepared to begin distributing the vaccines within 24 hours of receiving regulatory authorization, officials said on a call with reporters, adding that complex cold storage requirements will not be an impediment to all Americans being able to access the vaccines."We now have two safe and highly effective vaccines that could be authorized by the Food and Drug Administration and ready to distribute within weeks," Azar said during his briefing on the government's Operation Warp Speed program for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.Around 40 million doses of the two vaccines, both of which require two shots about four weeks apart, will be available by the end of the year, officials said. The companies will be able to pro

Nov 19, 2020
Pfizer, Moderna COVID-19 vaccines may be authorized for use within weeks

Korean firms to invest $9 bil. in biotechnology by 2023

President Moon Jae-in delivers his opening speech on the sidelines of his participation to congratulate Samsung Biologics and Celltrion's investment plans to expand the annual capacity of bio drugs in Songdo, Incheon, Wednesday. YonhapBy Nam Hyun-woo, Do Je-haeBiotech companies here, including Samsung Biologics and Celltrion, will invest a combined 10 trillion won ($9.03 billion) by 2023 in line with President Moon Jae-in's initiative to make biotechnology a growth driver for Asia's fourth-largest economy. This comes in response to an administration initiative unveiled Wednesday to help these firms upgrade their structure for the manufacture and distribution of drugs and medical devices, and to hire more talented employees.President Moon Jae-in thanked Samsung Biologics and Celltrion for their planned massive investment in upgrading and developing biotechnology as the Moon administration explores ways to find new economic growth engines.“Today, Samsung Biologics held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new biopharmaceutical manufacturing plant, the result of a 1.7 trillion won inve

Nov 18, 2020By Nam Hyun-woo
Korean firms to invest $9 bil. in biotechnology by 2023

Third wave of COVID-19 looming in Korea

People wearing face masks walk in the shopping district of Myeongdong in downtown Seoul, Wednesday, a day before Level 1.5 social distancing guidelines will come into effect in greater Seoul amid a growing spread of COVID-19. YonhapDaily infections hit 3-month high of 313By Bahk Eun-jiDaily new COVID-19 cases surpassed 300 here, Wednesday, raising concerns that a third wave of the pandemic is beginning to hit the country. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), there were 313 coronavirus infections for Tuesday, including 245 local cases, raising the total caseload to 29,311. This was the first time in 81 days since Aug. 29 for new daily cases to reach over 300.Epidemiologists predict that the sharp increase in confirmed cases is the beginning of the third wave, following the first one centered on Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province between February and March, and the second one centered on the Seoul metropolitan area between August and September.“The third wave is just around the corner,” said Choi Won-seok, a professor at Korea University's A

Nov 18, 2020By Bahk Eun-ji
Third wave of COVID-19 looming in Korea

Greater Seoul, Gwangju adopt tougher distancing rules amid virus flare-up concerns

A social distancing sign is seen as people wait to buy tickets at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, Friday, Nov. 13, 2020. APCitizens in the greater Seoul area and southern city of Gwangju will be required to follow stricter health regulations in public places and at gatherings under an enhanced social distancing scheme effective from Thursday, as the country is facing another potential flare-up of the new coronavirus.Social distancing was raised by one notch to Level 1.5 in Seoul and the surrounding Gyeonggi Province, where the average daily cases surpassed 100 in the previous week, the threshold for the second-lowest level of the five-tier scheme.The new measure will take effect in Incheon, west of Seoul, from Monday for two weeks, given relatively less severe COVID-19 outbreaks in the city.Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul, will also enforce stricter social distancing starting Thursday to rein in the recent hike in patients. The tougher distancing rules go into place as health authorities are grappling with another potential wave of the pandemic in the Seoul metropolitan a

Nov 18, 2020
Greater Seoul, Gwangju adopt tougher distancing rules amid virus flare-up concerns
  • New virus cases exceed 300 as infections near 3-month high

New virus cases exceed 300 as infections near 3-month high

People wearing face masks walk past ticket gates at a subway station in Seoul, Friday, Nov. 13, 2020. APSouth Korea's new coronavirus cases hovered above 300 on Wednesday to reach the highest level since late August, setting alarm bells ringing over another potential wave of the pandemic.The country added 313 more COVID-19 cases, including 245 local infections, raising the total caseload to 29,311, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).The daily figure exceeded 300 for the first time since Aug. 29, with the daily caseload hovering over 200 in the last four days.Cluster infections from private gatherings, public facilities and hospitals continued to occur in several parts of the nation, making it harder for health authorities to pin down potential cases and curb the spread of the virus. A sports facility, a sauna and a factory in Seoul have each reported more than 10 cases. A facility for the disabled in Cherwon, Gangwon Province, was linked to 17 infections, and a university hospital in Gwangju had 26 more.To slow down the fast spread of COVID-19, health

Nov 18, 2020
New virus cases exceed 300 as infections near 3-month high
  • Greater Seoul, Gwangju adopt tougher distancing rules amid virus flare-up concerns

Virus hits Cheorwon hard

A street in Cheorwon remains quiet amid a resurgence of new COVID-19 cases nationwide, Tuesday. The government decided today to raise the social distancing level to 1.5 in the greater Seoul area from Thursday, as the nation saw 230 new coronavirus cases. / Yonhap

Nov 17, 2020By Kang Seung-woo
Virus hits Cheorwon hard

Korea backpedals in e-scooter regulations

Two people ride on an electric scooter in Gangnam District, Seoul, in this Nov. 3 photo. Korea Times photo by Lee Han-hoBy Bahk Eun-jiThe popularity of electric scooters is rapidly growing as a means of fast transportation in congested traffic or for short distances such as between buildings on college campuses. An increasing number of companies are also offering shared personal mobility services by providing e-scooters.Such a hike in the use of e-scooters has consequently brought a large number of accidents involving their users. However, the government is moving to apply less regulations, thereby raising safety concerns.Last month, two high school students in Incheon were riding on a single e-scooter together when they crashed into a taxi at an intersection, killing one of them. According to the police investigation, they were unlicensed and not wearing any safety equipment.A student at Myongji University was also found injured on the roadside inside the school campus in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, last month, after riding an e-scooter. He was transferred to hospital but later died.

Nov 17, 2020By Bahk Eun-ji
Korea backpedals in e-scooter regulations
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