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☆ Asia markets poised to fall ahead of key economic data from across the region
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

(Photo by Ed JONES / AFP) (Photo by ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images)Most Asia-Pacific markets were set to fall ahead of a slew of economic data from across the region. South Korea's overall inflation rate in November fell to 3.3%, compared with 3.7% expected by a Reuters poll. The inflation rate for Japan's capital, Tokyo, came in at 2.6%, down from the 3.3% in October. Tokyo's inflation figures are widely considered to be a leading indicator of national trends. Caixin and S&P Global will also release China's service purchasing managers' index today, while private PMI readings will also be out from Hong Kong and India.

Persons: Ed JONES, ED JONES Organizations: Getty, P Global Locations: Seoul, AFP, Asia, Pacific, South, Tokyo, Hong Kong, India

☆ South Korea declares war on bedbugs after surge in reported cases
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Yoonjung Seo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —South Korea has become the latest country to declare war on bedbugs following a wave of outbreaks, with bathhouses, university dorms, and train stations across the country on high alert. Previously, the country had been practically free of bedbugs following past extermination campaigns, with just nine infestations being reported to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention (KDCA) since 2014. Meanwhile, pest control companies say they have become inundated with phone calls asking for help. “Bedbugs are developing resistance to the insecticides that we commonly use, so the most effective solution these days is heating. “Early and proactive responses are crucial.”In its “Bedbug Prevention and Response Guidelines,” the Seoul City Government advises people against bringing items with a risk of infestation into their homes.

Persons: “, ”, Eom Hae, Eom, Yoo, Lee, hasn’t, Lee Hee, ” Lee, It’s, Yang Nam, kyung Organizations: South Korea CNN, Korea Disease Control, South, bedbugs, Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul City Government Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Korea, France, United Kingdom, United States, Pest, Incheon, City

☆ One year after the deadly crowd crush in Seoul
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

[5/19]Kim Young-nam, whose daughter died in the Halloween crowd crush a year ago, stands in front of the wall of memorial messages for the victims during an interview with Reuters at Seoul City Hall Plaza, October 24, 2023. "It hurts my heart. We need a thorough investigation and preventative measures so that young people are never sacrificed like this," Kim said. REUTERS/Kim Soo-hyeonSEOUL, South Korea

Persons: Kim Young, Kim, Kim Soo Organizations: Reuters, Seoul City Hall Plaza, REUTERS Locations: SEOUL, South Korea

[1/6] Park Young-soo, whose son died in the Halloween crowd crush a year ago, visits the memorial park where her son's ashes were buried in Pocheon, South Korea, October 24, 2023. She says she may not be able to move on with her life until she sees some kind of accountability from the government. Park is one of more than 100 family members who say the authorities have done little to hold those responsible to account. Relatives of the victims want a special law that would allow an independent and comprehensive investigation into the cause of the crush. "Nothing is reported to us nor communicated to us," said Nari Kim from Austria, who lost her younger brother in the crush.

Persons: Kim Soo, soo, Lee Nam, Lee, Yoon Suk, Lee Sang, Kim Young, Kim, Nari Kim, Jong, Woo Paik, Hyunsu Yim, Daewoung Kim, Heejung Jung, Jimin Jung, Josh Smith, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Interior, National Assembly, Power Party, Korean Society, Thomson Locations: Pocheon, South Korea, Rights SEOUL, Itaewon, Hamilton, Seoul, North Korea, Seoul's, U.S, Japan, Iran, Austria, Korea

☆ South Korea stocks slide, economy grows faster than expected
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Shreyashi Sanyal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

(Photo by Ed JONES / AFP) (Photo by ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images)Gross domestic product grew 0.6% in the July-September quarter from the prior quarter, according to data released by the Bank of Korea. The South Korean central bank will hold its next policy meeting in late November. South Korea stocks led declines among Asia-Pacific markets on Thursday, as investors parsed data that showed the economy grew at a slightly higher-than-expected pace in the third quarter. The S&P 500 closed below a key level on Wednesday after disappointing quarterly results from Google-parent Alphabet and a rebound in interest rates. The benchmark index fell 1.43% to close at 4,186.77, ending the day below the 4,200 level that was being widely watched by chart analysts.

Persons: Ed JONES, ED JONES, — CNBC's Brian Evans, Hakyung Kim Organizations: Getty, Bank of Korea, Google, Dow Jones, Nasdaq Locations: Seoul, AFP, Korean, South Korea, Asia, Pacific

This year, officials in the South Korean capital said they would work with police, emergency services and local officials to ensure "not a single person gets hurt" during Halloween celebrations. The plan unveiled this week covers just Seoul, rather than the entire nation, he added. The Seoul anniversary has unnerved authorities elsewhere in the run-up to this year’s celebrations. "Officials have grown fearful of a disastrous crowd crush similar to the one in the Itaewon district in Seoul, South Korea," Shibuya city officials said in a statement. The safety campaign has involved a ban on street drinking over the Halloween weekend, while videos posted on social media urge: "On Halloween night, everyone should stay away from Shibuya."

Persons: Ahn, Paek Seung, Dogyun Kim, Jihyun Jeon, Jack Kim, John Geddie, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: Seoul City Hall, Cyber University of Korea, Thomson Locations: Gangnam district, Seoul City, Seoul, South Korea, SEOUL, Tokyo, Itaewon, Shibuya

☆ Rapidly aging South Korea prepares to open door for foreign maids
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Soo-Hyang Choi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A man and children wearing masks to protect against contracting the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) take a walk at a Han River Park in Seoul, South Korea April 4, 2020. The issue sits at the confluence of South Korea's sharply declining birthrate, aging population, and its historical reluctance to accept more immigrants. South Korea is in talks with the Philippines as one of the potential sources of workers with an aim to start the pilot programme as early as December, officials said. The new scheme is the latest in a series of efforts by the government to reverse the plunging birth rate of Asia's fourth-largest economy. "There is no one-size-fits-all solution to low birth rate," Oh said.

Persons: Heo, hoon, 1,322.1800, Soo, hyang Choi, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Organisation for Economic Co, Development, OECD, Thomson Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Rights SEOUL, South, Philippines, Koreans

☆ Asia markets largely set to rise ahead of central bank decisions in South Korea and Indonesia
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

The Seoul city skyline early on December 16, 2020. (Photo by Ed JONES / AFP) (Photo by ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images)Asia-Pacific markets are largely set to rise ahead of central bank rate decisions from South Korea and Indonesia, although both central banks are expected to hold their benchmark policy rates unchanged at 3.5% and 5.75% respectively. South Korea's producer price index climb 0.2% year-on-year, the 13th straight month that growth in the PPI has slowed. Investors will also be assessing chipmaker's Nvidia's earnings that were released early Thursday. The company beat estimates for the fiscal second quarter and issued optimistic guidance for the current period.

Persons: Ed JONES, ED JONES Organizations: Getty Images, PPI Locations: Seoul, AFP, Asia, Pacific, South Korea, Indonesia

☆ 2023 Women’s World Cup: South Korea’s Park Eun-seon almost quit soccer after gender controversy
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Gawon Bae | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Park playing against Brazil in the 2003 Women's World Cup. The striker is now set to star for South Korea at the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. “Personally, I want to keep her like a flower in a greenhouse until the World Cup,” Bell said in April, hinting at a possible World Cup call-up for the 36-year-old striker this summer that has now been confirmed. ‘I scored a goal in the World Cup!’ I want this to be an opportunity where I can make this come true,” she said of her World Cup hopes. The 16-year-old was born in the US and, according to Reuters, is the first player of mixed heritage to be selected for a Korean World Cup squad.

Persons: –, ”, “, Al Messerschmidt, Jeon, Park, Lee Jin, ” Jeon, Colin Bell, Bell, Kim Jung, ” Bell, ‘, Casey Phair Organizations: CNN, CNN Sport, Changdeok Girls, Seoul Football Association, South, Brazil, Young, – Seoul, Amazones, Korean, Human Rights, Seoul Sport, Korea Women’s Football Federation, Seoul City Amazones, WK League, Rossiyanska, Devils, Zambia, “, Korea Football Federation, Columbia Locations: “, Swedish, South Korean, France, Norway, Korean, Seoul, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Russian, Canada

(Photo by Ed JONES / AFP) (Photo by ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images)Asia-Pacific markets largely fell ahead of Australia's central bank rate decision. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 opened close to the flatline on Tuesday. South Korea's Kospi fell marginally, while the Kosdaq bucked the trend and climbed 0.13%. The country's consumer price index grew at a slower rate of 2.7% in June, marking a fifth straight month of decline. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index is set to fall after gaining over 2% on Monday, with futures at 19,176 compared to the HSI's last close of 19,306.59.

Persons: Ed JONES, ED JONES, Australia's, Korea's Kospi Organizations: Getty Images, Reuters, Bank of Australia, Nikkei Locations: Seoul, AFP, Asia, Pacific, Australia's, Japan

☆ South Korea LGBT festival proceeds, bumped from prime spot by Christian group
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-01 | by ( Hyunsu Yim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SEOUL, July 1 (Reuters) - Tens of thousands attended South Korea's largest annual LGBT festival on Saturday, vowing to continue fighting for gay rights after the Seoul city government denied them a prime spot and gave it to an anti-LGBT Christian group. "You can see a lot of hateful banners behind me as well as those that support us on our right," said Yang Sun-woo, chief organiser of the Seoul Queer Culture Festival. "South Korea is enjoying a rise in global status but LGBT rights here are at rock bottom," she said. The Christian group CTS, which has vocally opposed homosexuality, said it was not trying to thwart LGBT people. "Some ask why we need this queer festival, but it is the only time a year where we can all enjoy ourselves out in the open."

Persons: Yang Sun, ”, Cho Jong Yun, Kim Kyu Jin, Kim Saeyeon, Kyu Jin Kim, Nicole Kim, Hong Joon, Daewoung Kim, Hyunsu Yim, William Mallard Organizations: South, Christian, Seoul Queer Culture, CTS, LGBT, Gallup, Minwoo, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, Seoul, COVID, Korea, South Korea, Daegu

☆ In 7 Great Cities, 7 Great Walks
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( Christine Chitnis | The New York Times | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +32 min

Urban Walks In 7 Great Cities, 7 Great Walks The pleasures of strolling through an urban landscape are manifest. Credit... Joann Pai for The New York Times Its organically styled bouquets feel as though they’ve been freshly picked from the garden. Credit... Joann Pai for The New York Times Image Astier de Villatte specializes in antiques and tableware. Three quarters of a mile into the walk, you’ll be standing atop the first of three mountains, the 1,100-foot-high Inwangsan. Credit... Petrina Tinslay for The New York Times Few cities are so abundant with forest-like parks, coastal walks and beaches as Sydney, which is best explored on foot.

Persons: Joann Pai, Sandra Sigman, ”, Sigman, de Mars, you’ll, Dominique, Boulangerie Laurent B, Bellechasse, Germain, Bac, Pierre Hermé, monsieur, Le, Rue de Babylone, Sèvres, Rue de l’Abbaye, de Furstemberg, Furstemberg, they’ve, Tournon —, Villatte, Queen Marie de ’, Palazzo Pitti, Fna, Imane, —, Rue Riad Zeitoun, Rue Djane Ben Chegra, Rue Laarassi, darija, Rue Sidi Boulabada, Rue Bab Ahmad, Rue Bin Lafnadek, Michael Park, it’s, Earl Grey scones, Hadid, Petrina, It’s, Strickland, Carlos Drummond de Andrade, Ian Cheibub, Ayrton Senna, touristy, Clarice Lispector, altinha, Tom Jobim, toting Tom Jobim, Osório, Rua Vinícius de Moraes Organizations: Shops, Jardin de, The New York, Rue Saint, Mars, ., The New York Times, des Invalides, Saint, Blvd . Saint, Rue de, Rue du, Rue de Rennes, de, Compagnie Française, Français, du, Palazzo, Credit, Rue Riad, des, Rue Bahia Bab, Moors, Jewish, Rue, Rue Sidi, Tachenbacht, Rue Bin, Wall ., Korean, South Korean, Milk, Nielsen, New, Opera, Milk Beach, Gibsons, Reserve, South, Heritage, Hornby, Fort, Francisco, Rua Locations: Cities, Paris, Seoul, Marrakesh, Jardin, Jardin de Luxembourg, Rue, Esplanade des Invalides, Blvd, Raspail, bac, Rue de Bac, Bac, Rue de Babylone, Seine, Astier, Français ., du Luxembourg, Italian, Florence, medina, Moroccan, Central Park, Jemaa, ., El, unburied, El Badi, Spain, Marrakesh ., darija —, Marrakesh enfolds, Morocco, Naksan Park, Gyeongbokgung, Scoff, Inwangsan, Seongbuk district, Dongdamun, Sydney, Hermitage, Bayview Hill, Vaucluse, Watsons, Queens Beach, . Credit, Bayview, Fort Denison, Sydney Harbour’s, Milk, Camp Cove . Credit, Parsley Bay, Hopetoun, Palmerston, Moreton, Camp Cove Beach, Mosman, Balgowlah, Manly, Bay, Watsons Bay, de Janeiro, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian, Ipanema, Rio, Beach . Credit, Italy, Copacabana Beach . Credit, de, Leme, Fort Copacabana, Arpoador, Vero, Polis Sucos, Polis

This gives room for the Federal Reserve to pause and skip a rate hike when they meet later this week. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 popped 1.05% on its open, inching closer to the Nikkei's all time high is just under 39,000 points in December 1989. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 climbed 0.32%, while South Korea's Kospi slipped 0.22% and the Kosdaq traded close to the flatline. South Korea's unemployment rate came in at 2.5% for May, falling for the second straight month and lower than the 2.6% recorded in April. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index is also set for a strong open, with futures at 19,535 compared to the HSI's close of 19,521.42.

Persons: Ed JONES, ED JONES, Kospi, Hong Organizations: Getty Images, Federal Reserve, Nikkei Locations: Seoul, AFP, Asia, Pacific, U.S, Japan, Australia, South

☆ Fans celebrate K-Pop supergroup BTS' 10-year anniversary
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Mike Segar/File PhotoSEOUL, June 12 (Reuters) - Fans of K-Pop supergroup BTS gathered in the heart of the South Korean capital Seoul on Monday to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the boy band's debut. Landmarks such as Seoul City Hall and Namsan Tower were lit purple, BTS' signature colour, while dozens of fans from France, Mexico and elsewhere came to enjoy the sights. Organisations and businesses are also joining the celebration, with the city of Seoul working with BTS' management agency HYBE (352820.KS) to set up a tour of landmarks associated with BTS. South Korea's postal service released special commemorative stamps of BTS' debut anniversary. The celebrations are expected to hit a climax on Saturday, when BTS leader RM is expected to meet fans - followed by fireworks near the Han River, which bisects Seoul.

Persons: Mike Segar, Rita, Lotte, JungKook, Daewoung Kim, Joyce Lee, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Hudson, REUTERS, Seoul City Hall, BTS, Hyundai Department, Lotte Cinema, Minwoo, Thomson Locations: South Korea, Manhattan, New York City , New York, U.S, SEOUL, Seoul, France, Mexico, Korea, KS

(Photo by Ed JONES / AFP)Hong Kong's Hang Seng index led losses in Asia on Thursday, falling about 2% to close at 18,746.92 — the lowest level this year. Mainland Chinese markets also fell, with the Shanghai Composite down 0.11% to finish at 3,201.26, its lowest close in over four months. The Shenzhen Component closed 0.22% lower at 10,896.48 in its third straight day of losses. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 declined 1.07% to end at 7,136.9 and record its fourth straight day of losses. The index also hit its lowest level in about two months.

Persons: Ed JONES, Hong, Australia's Organizations: Lotte, Shenzhen Component, Bank of Korea, Nikkei Locations: Seoul, AFP, Asia, Shanghai, Pacific, Japan

☆ Seoul's LGBT festival blocked by Christian concert outside city hall, organisers say
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Hyunsu Yim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SEOUL, May 4 (Reuters) - Seoul's city government has effectively blocked South Korea’s largest annual LGBT festival from taking place outside city hall this year after granting a permit for a Christian youth concert instead, the LGBT event’s organisers said this week. Yang Sun-woo, chief organiser of the Seoul Queer Culture Festival, said the city's move is an act of discrimination. A concert for young people will take place outside the city hall on that day instead. A representative for the CTS Cultural Foundation said that the timing was not aimed at blocking the LGBT festival. The Seoul city government did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Seoul city skyline and landmark Namsan tower (Photo by Ed JONES / AFP) (Photo by ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images)Asia-Pacific markets are set to trade mixed as U.S. treasury bond yields briefly topped 4% overnight on Wall Street, weighing equities down. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 opened 0.21% higher on Thursday after seeing a marginal dip on Wednesday. in Japan, markets are headed for a lower open as the Nikkei futures contract in Chicago stood at 27,485, while its counterpart in Osaka was at 27,480 against the Nikkei 225's last close at 27,516.53. South Korea will release its factory activity for February from S&P Global, following news that its industrial output fell 12.7% in January on an annualized basis, lower than analysts expectations of 8.9%. Singapore is also expected to release its factory activity data for February.

[1/2] A woman holds a placard during a candlelight vigil to commemorate the victims of the crowd crush that happened during Halloween festivities, at Seoul City Hall Plaza, in Seoul, South Korea, November 5, 2022. The placard reads: "We are commemorating the victims of the Itaewon crowd crush". REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/FilesSEOUL, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Usually glitzy and buzzing in the holiday season, South Korea's popular Itaewon night-life district looks like a ghost town this year, as people still mourning 158 killed in a Halloween crowd crush go elsewhere for festivities. "It's not Christmas yet, but I guess Christmas won't be so different." "That might mean that we won't be able to fully enjoy the Christmas atmosphere this year."

☆ South Korea vows tough action, moving to quell anger over Halloween crush
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( Soo-Hyang Choi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol walks at the scene where many people died and were injured in a stampede during a Halloween festival in Seoul, South Korea, October 30, 2022. The death toll from the crush at a crowded Halloween street party on Saturday climbed to 156 with 151 injured, 29 of whom were in serious condition. The country's chief security officer, Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, had said deploying more police would not have prevented the disaster. President Yoon Suk-yeol has declared a week of national mourning, saying the country had too many safety disasters. On social media, some Koreans said precautions were inadequate for an event that had been expected to draw large crowds.

[1/2] A woman pays tribute near the scene of a crowd crush that happened during Halloween festivities, in Seoul, South Korea, November 1, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Hong-JiSEOUL, Nov 1 (Reuters) - The initial shock from a deadly crush among Halloween party-goers in South Korea is turning into public outrage over the government's planning missteps, as business owners say police were more focused on crime and COVID than crowd safety. The crush on Saturday night killed 156 and injured 152 as revellers flooded narrow alleyways. Many South Koreans said they were in shock over how a casual night out had turned deadly. I am so sad that I can't even express my sorrow," Kim Keun-nyeo, 54, said an altar near Seoul city hall.

☆ South Korea vows thorough investigation into deadly Halloween crush
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL, Oct 31 (Reuters) - South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Monday promised a thorough investigation into the Halloween crush over the weekend that killed more than 150 mostly young people in the capital, plunging the country into mourning. Officials said 154 had been killed and 149 injured, with 33 people in serious condition. Tens of thousands of partiers had crowded into narrow streets and alleyways of Seoul's popular Itaewon district on Saturday for the first virtually unrestricted Halloween festivities in three years. But chaos erupted when people poured into one particularly narrow and sloping alley, even after it was already packed, witnesses said. "We will do our best to provide necessary support by reflecting the opinions of the bereaved families as much as possible."

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