Yonhap News Summary
The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Tuesday.
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(LEAD) S Korea-NK coronavirus
(LEAD) N. Korea still unresponsive to S. Korea's outreach for talks on COVID-19: official
SEOUL -- North Korea has remained unresponsive for the second day to South Korea's attempt to offer dialogue on COVID-19 medical supplies and health care cooperation, a ministry official here said Tuesday.
The Ministry of Unification had sought to deliver a related fax message to the North on Monday through their liaison office. It is seeking to hold working-level consultations on the ongoing epidemic in the impoverished neighbor and assistance in medical supplies, including vaccines, masks and test kits.
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(LEAD) S. Korea looks into cryptocurrency market following TerraUSD, Luna crash
SEOUL -- South Korea's financial authorities have launched "emergency" inspections into domestic cryptocurrency exchange operators to enhance investors' protection after the recent collapse of the TerraUSD and Luna cryptocurrencies, sources said Tuesday.
The move came after TerraUSD and its sister coin Luna tumbled, causing massive losses to investors and sending shockwaves across the world.
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S. Korea to conduct large-scale quarterly tests for COVID-19 antibody positivity
SEOUL -- South Korea plans to conduct tests for COVID-19 antibody positivity this month to secure scientific data for pandemic-related policies, health officials said Tuesday.
The state-run National Institute of Infectious Diseases will test a selected pool of 10,000 people aged 5 and above across the country later this month to measure the rate of its COVID-19 antibody positivity, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
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(LEAD) Seoul shares up nearly 1 pct as investors buy beaten-down issues
SEOUL -- South Korean shares rose nearly 1 percent Tuesday as investors picked up recently downbeat issues, including Samsung Electronics, amid worries over inflation and aggressive monetary tightening in major economies. The Korean won gained ground against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 23.86 points, or 0.92 percent, to close at 2,620.44 points.
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S. Korea to join U.S.-led maritime drills next month: officials
SEOUL -- South Korea's Navy plans to send an amphibious assault ship and a submarine to a U.S.-led biennial multinational maritime exercise slated to begin in waters off Hawaii next month, Seoul officials said Tuesday.
The 14,500-ton warship and the 1,800-ton submarine -- named after the country's southernmost island, Marado, and a legendary general in the early 20th century, respectively -- will join the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), according to them.
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Ex-lawmaker Na Kyung-won to lead Yoon's delegation to Davos Forum
SEOUL -- President Yoon Suk-yeol will send a special delegation to the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), scheduled to take place in Davos, Switzerland, from May 22-26, to explain his government's main foreign policy goals and discuss the international community's humanitarian aid for the COVID-19-stricken North Korea, the presidential office said Tuesday.
The first presidential delegation to be sent to a global multilateral conference since the inauguration of the Yoon government on May 10 will be led by Na Kyung-won, a former four-term lawmaker of the ruling People Power Party, the office said.
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S. Korean, Japanese nuclear envoys hold phone talks on N. Korea
SEOUL -- The chief nuclear envoys of South Korea and Japan discussed North Korea's COVID-19 outbreak and recent missile launches in their phone conversation Tuesday, Seoul's foreign ministry said.
During the introductory talks, Kim Gunn, special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs who took office last week, and his Japanese counterpart, Takehiro Funakoshi, shared their assessments on the North's health care crisis and security threats, according to the ministry.
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Overdue debut of Korean abstract art pioneer Yoo Young-kuk at Venice Biennale
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Relax, immerse yourself in scents at Venice Biennale's Korean Pavilion
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S. Korea marks 30th anniv. of Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale with contemporary art
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Ex-Justice Minister Cho slams Yoon's statement on crushing election defeat
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Artist Lee Bae captures ethereal Korean aesthetics at Venice Biennale
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Overdue debut of Korean abstract art pioneer Yoo Young-kuk at Venice Biennale
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Relax, immerse yourself in scents at Venice Biennale's Korean Pavilion
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Artist Lee Bae captures ethereal Korean aesthetics at Venice Biennale
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S. Korea marks 30th anniv. of Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale with contemporary art
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(LEAD) Presidential office denies Moon aides under consideration for PM, chief of staff
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(LEAD) N. Korea says Kim guided simulated nuclear counterattack drill
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Hybe says spinoff attempt by subsidiary label revealed clearly
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Hybe launches audit into NewJeans' label ADOR over alleged independence move
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(LEAD) N. Korea fires several short-range ballistic missiles toward East Sea: JCS
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N. Korea says Kim guided simulated nuclear counterattack drills for 1st time