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Welcome to Arirang News.

This is Shin SeByuck

And we start with our top headlines at this hour.

1.

Just a few hours ago in London, South Korean foreign minister Chung Eui-young met his U.S. counterpart Antony Blinken and Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi.

That was on the sidelines of the G7 meeting of foreign ministers.

Sources say the three discussed issues in the Pacific region, including North Korea.

It's widely believe that they have shared their views on the new U.S.' policy on North Korea, now that the Biden administration has completed its review.

Also discussed would have been issues related to China, as the U.S. is keenly focused on working with its allies in Asia to counter the rise of China.

Also it's believed that they have talked about cooperation on tackling against COVID-19 and climate change.

It was the first time that the South Korean foreign minister has met with his Japanese counterpart since taking office in February... as ties became strained over historical issues and other matters.

2.

South Korea reported 676 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday... the first time in three days that cases have been above 600.

Out of 651 locally transmitted cases, more than 35-percent came from outside the capital region... raising concerns that the virus is spreading all across the country.

Meanwhile, South Korea took delivery of 436-thousand doses of the Pfizer vaccine on Wednesday.

The country has now received more than 2-point-4 million doses... of the 66 million Pfizer has agreed to supply.

By next month, it'll get another 4-point-5 million.

The Pfizer vaccine is currently being administered to seniors 75 and older and to nursing home workers,... and next month, the government plans to inoculate 640-thousand essential workers and military personnel younger than 30.

3.

Starting today, South Korea is ending its requirement that people returning to the country from overseas self-isolate for two weeks... if they've been fully vaccinated here in Korea.

That requirement is ended also... for vaccinated people who've come in contact with someone who's infected.

They will, however, have to have been vaccinated for two weeks already, test negative for the virus and show no symptoms.

It will not apply to people arriving from nine countries battling variants of the virus, including South Africa and Brazil,... and it won't yet apply to people who got their vaccine outside of Korea.

4.

A United Nations agency has ranked South Korea number three in the world in terms of its industrial performance and competitiveness last year,... putting it behind only Germany and China.

These indices measured and compiled last July by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.

They looked at 153 countries... in terms of factors like technology, the amount of value added through industry, and the quality and size of each country's exports.

Back in 1990, South Korea ranked 17th in the world,... but has been rising through the ranks to reach its highest position yet last year,... surpassing the U.S. and Japan.

The report said this strength in South Korean industry helped the country develop further in the economic crisis caused by the pandemic.

5.

The Myanmar military banned satellite television receivers saying outside broadcasts threatened national security.

The military state television announced Tuesday that it is no longer legal... and said those who violate the measure will be imprisoned for one year, and will face a fine of 320 U.S. dollars.

With mobile internet access largely cut off in a bid to quell anti-junta protests since the Feb. 1 coup, Myanmar has increasingly appeared headed back to the state of isolation that preceded a decade of democratic reforms.

Moving to weather forecast.

Less humid air mass will return on Thursday, which will make for a cool, breezy start.

Morning lows in Seoul will be at 10, while Busan and Jeju will kick off the day a bit higher at 12 and 14 degrees Celsius.

Clear skies will prevail for the daytime nationwide and afternoon temperatures are expected to be warmer than today’s as Seoul will get up to 23 degrees, Daegu at 24, Jeju at 22 degrees.

As for air conditions, the upper half of the country will be at bad level while the bottom half will stay at moderate level.

Meanwhile, strong wind alerts are issued along the coastlines in Gangwondo province as well as parts of inland regions including Chungcheongbukdo province.