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Welcome to Arirang News.

This is Shin SeByuck

And we start with our top headlines at this hour.

1.

The top diplomats of South Korea, the U.S. and Japan met in London today... on the sidelines of the G7 meeting of foreign ministers... to discuss regional issues.

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.

2.

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

Meanwhile, 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.

3.

In the U.S., the Biden administration has announced the goal of having 70 percent of American adults inoculated by Independence Day on July 4th. That would be at least one dose for around 160 million people.

So far, around 56 percent of American adults have gotten at least one dose, and around 40 percent are fully vaccinated.

Other countries, too, are trying to open up as soon as they can.

Italy has confirmed that it's launching a so-called "green pass" so that visitors can come in without quarantining... if they can show they've been vaccinated or have tested negative.

And Israel, a vaccine leader, is opening gyms and swimming pools now to people who are not vaccinated. And for those who do have a green pass, there'll be no capacity limits on places like sports venues.

Over in Germany, for vaccinated people, they're lifting the curfew and restrictions on social gatherings.

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 were 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.

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

5.

In Myanmar, the military has banned satellite television, saying broadcasts from outside threaten national security and encourage those it says are committing treason.

The ban was announced Tuesday, the military threatening violators with a year in prison and a fine.

Since the coup on February 1st, internet access through mobile devices has been largely cut off by the junta to stop the protests.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a human rights group, says that security forces have killed more than 760 civilians so far,... but the military disputes this figure and says 24 police and soldiers have died in the protests.

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.