This account is no longer active. BBC China Correspondent, Beijing. Former Asia Pacific, Seoul and North America Correspondent.
Beijing
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RM from BTS: "Sometimes I was afraid of the audience. The lights were so bright I could not see the audience but they could see me... But we have this energy that we receive from our fans and that is much bigger than the fear that we have."
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Morning, @ygofficialblink will be on @BBCWorld in the next hour to tell us why they’ve decided to call for action on climate change. I will post the online version soon.
It was lovely to meet Rosé, Jennie, Jisoo and Lisa.
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380 Afghans who worked for the Korean government in Afghanistan will arrive in South Korea tomorrow according to MOFA. They will not be entering as refugees, but as people of merit to the country says the Foreign Ministry.
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Ok South Korea, here’s some really good news. Only 4 new cases of coronavirus have been reported in last 24 hours and they were all found at the airport.
0 from within the country.
Let me repeat that one more time. ZERO locally transmitted COVID19 cases in last 24 hours.
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BOOM! They’ve done it. BTS become first Korean artists to top UK chart bbc.com/news/entertainment-a…
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Wow! Fans of the South Korean pop group BTS (known as the Army) have now matched the band’s donation of $1 million to Black Lives Matter.
ARMY
You #MatchedAMillion💜
It's really amazing to see so many of you coming together to support #BlackLivesMatter. Thank you so much to everyone who donated, shared, used the hastag and helped by any means to make this possible!
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K-pop superstars Blackpink @ygofficialblink have emerged as the latest force in the global fight against climate change. They’ve decided to speak out just months before a major conference on climate change in UK #COP26.
bbc.co.uk/news/science-envir…
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Meet 3 and half year old Anhelina. She spent 6 weeks in a bunker in the besieged city of Mariupol listening to relentless shelling. Her family counted 60-80 air strikes on some days. She’s made it to Zaporizhzhya refugee centre after travelling 2 weeks and 2 days.
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The BTS press conference venue was a secret until the YouTube feed. Fans from US, Russia, Indonesia, France, Germany and of course Korea are outside.
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When you see BTS perform you think that they are confident, assured with no doubts. Then they give honest revealing answers about how difficult this journey has been for them and the fears that they face on stage. I think this honesty is part of their global appeal.
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Good answer from BTS on whether they find the fact that they're doing things never seen before from Korean bands invigorating or intimidating: "We are standing here thanks to the road made by many artists who came before us."
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This is huge! @ygofficialblink helping to promote #COP26 in Glasgow next year
CALLING ALL BLINKS: CLIMATE ACTION IN YOUR AREA! #COP26
To all BLINKs across the planet.
WATCH our video with @UKinKorea on our journey to learn more about #ClimateChange ahead of next year’s UN Climate Summit in UK @COP26.
#ClimateActionInYourArea #TogetherForOurPlanet
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"We continue to hold on to those fears, but this is more important and precious to me to be able to control the dark things or feelings that we have."
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Korean Twitter I need your help. Tonight I met a British Korean War veteran who found a little girl, about 6 yrs old, in a trench in 1951 on the eastern front. She was covered in blood and was using mud to stop the bleeding. He took her for help. She had a bullet in her nose.
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Here’s my view for the next hour or so.. standing by as they are due to appear in just a few minutes. Their new album is currently leading the mid-week charts in the UK.
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I should warn you all, I am well versed in geopolitics, not K-pop, but BTS has become a global phenomenon that I am eager to see and hear first hand.
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A factory in South Korea is now making 350,000 COVID-19 test kits a day - almost as many as the country has used in the entire outbreak so far. Daily output will increase to a million next month.
msn.com/en-us/news/world/cor…
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"I would be lying if I said BTS doesn’t feel pressure. I think that we just have to focus on what we do best. And we are thankful for all the love and support we are getting from our fans."
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He took her to the medical tent. They removed the bullet. He dearly wants to know if she survived. She was carrying two little bundles of clothes, had no parents and after she received help she ended up in an orphanage. It’s a very long shot, but if it sounds familiar - @ me.
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(LATE POST BUT..)
This really is something special from BTS. Whoever does the choreography is a genius! SNL was good, but this on the @colbertlateshow was different level.
bit.ly/2W9D6va
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North Korea described Donald Trump as “mentally deranged US dotard” in 2017.
Today’s warning was that Trump would “once again show the senility of a dotard” if he intentionally provoked Pyongyang.
Either way the word “dotard” is back. How long before the missile tests follow?
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So. Taking a breath and putting this into context away from my OMFG reaction.
This win is huge. It shatters 92 years of history. Parasite is the first film in a foreign language to win the Oscar for Best Picture.
South Korea had never had an Oscar win. Tonight it won 4.
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In Daegu, 1900 Shincheonji Church members have been tested for coronavirus.
1300 had symptoms & 600 did not.
Among those 1300 with symptoms, 87.5% were confirmed with the virus .
BUT out of the 600 WITHOUT symptoms, 70% were confirmed with coronavirus.
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The polls have opened in South Korea for Election Day. Here’s how they’re doing it. First, stand at least a meter apart in the queue, then a temperature check. Then you’re squirted with hand sanitizer and given plastic gloves before you’re allowed inside the voting station.
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South Korea is a democracy. The country did not place any area or city in lockdown. There were no restrictions on movement. People were simply asked to stay at home for a while. Schools and Universities were closed. And lots and lots of testing.
On Fox & Friends, the Surgeon General warns that "we are not an authoritarian nation, so we have to be careful when we say 'Let's do what China did. Let's do what South Korea did.'"
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South Korea has started using this upgrade to its “phone booth” style testing centres. The country is still mass testing to control the COVID19 outbreak. In last 24 hours
17,885 were in process of being tested. (Pic @YonhapNews )
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Don’t listen to those who say South Koreans comply with social distancing because ...Confucianism. This is a country that fought for democracy and impeached a president, a vocal democracy that has held those in power to account. And this is the result..
theguardian.com/commentisfre…
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My team have spent months gathering the voices of Gangnam’s sex scandal. We discovered powerful men requested drugged or unconscious women - before taking them to rooms nearby to be raped or sexually assaulted. One client’s order was: “Bring me zombies.” bbc.com/news/world-asia-4870…
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A bit of personal news.
I have been appointed as the BBC’s China Correspondent based in Beijing.
We have two new China Correspondents – @BBCLBicker, who will be based in Beijing, and @SecKermani, who will be based in Shanghai. 🇨🇳
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As of March 21st those who are fully vaccinated (from Korea or abroad) and have registered their vaccine in Korea, will be exempted from quarantine.
From April 1st those who are vaccinated abroad but not registered in Korea's system will also be exempted from quarantine.
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I know the danger of a second wave and that we all have to be cautious and vigilant and I’ve got my mask on.
But I’m not going to lie. It felt so good to type that. So good.
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Going to say this one more time for people in the back (as Donald Trump holds his press conference)
South Korea & US both declared first cases of coronavirus on Jan 20th. In South Korea there's been no lockdown, over 10,500 cases & 222 deaths.
Trace, test, treat was the mantra.
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I never believed I’d be a BBC Foreign Correspondent. I could hardly string a sentence together in school. I was so painfully shy, words got stuck in my throat and I would write answers down to let friends speak for me. You never know what you can do until you give it a shot.
Know any 11-18 year olds with a story to tell? We’ve launched BBC Young Reporter to inspire young, UK-based talent from diverse backgrounds to come into the media industry. To find out more follow @BBCYoungReport #BBCYoungReporter #findyourvoice
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New National Security Adviser says label “radical Islamic terrorism” not helpful because terrorists are “un-Islamic" mobile.nytimes.com/2017/02/2…
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The company behind South Korea's new Covid-19 test which tells the difference between coronavirus and flu is sending thousands of kits to Europe and the UK (mostly Wales and Scotland) in the next week. Accuracy rate of the Seegene test is said to be 98-99%. Results in 2 hours.
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KCDC Seoul nightclub outbreak update:
153 people in total so far infected. 90 club goers infected. 63 friends , family and colleagues caught COVID19 from them.
More than 46,000 people have been tested for covid19 in connection with these cases.
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For the second day in a row, no one has died from coronavirus in South Korea. 10 new cases have been confirmed.
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About 30 million people went to the polls two weeks ago and voted in the South Korean parliamentary election. There were fears it would cause a spike in coronavirus cases.
With zero confirmed cases today, there’s no sign that’s happened.
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The amazing doctors in Deagu here in South Korea sent us this. A picture of their new drive- thru coronavirus test facility. Such a clever idea and so quickly set up. #CoronavirusOutbreak (h/t @wj_bae )
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Feminism for some reason has become a dirty word in South Korea. The latest outrage is at an archery champion who has short hair. I mean WHAT?!?! Back in 2018 I wrote about why women felt the need to take control of how they looked. bbc.com/news/world-asia-4647…
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This is my team behind the scenes as we set up the cameras and wait for Blackpink to arrive. As you can see, they do all the hard work @HosuLakeLee @wj_bae @lululuo1991
Full story coming soon.
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South Korea is imposing stricter entry procedures for those coming from overseas. From midnight, those arriving from Europe will be tested for COVID-19. If negative, you'll still have to isolate yourself for 14 days. If you have no place to stay, you will stay at govt facility.
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@BTS_twt want to tell their fans to stay strong during this difficult year.
And they tell me about their new love for disco. Here’s their Q and A with me.
bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-53…
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"I hope we just don't consider the future as grim darkness. We have people concerned for the world and searching for answers. There are still many pages left in the story about us and I feel like we shouldn't talk like the ending has already been written" @BTS_twt
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Worth repeating. The first charge against President Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort is “Conspiracy against the United States”
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The 380 are currently at Kabul Airport and will arrive in Incheon tomorrow by military plane. These are Afghans who have worked for years at the Embassy, KOICA, Bagram Korean Hospital, Bagram Korean Vocational Training centre, Chairkar Korean Provincial Reconstruction Team.
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A pregnant woman in Busan, South Korea has been confirmed with #coronavirus , the first case of its kind. KCDC said experts believe it is unlikely the virus will be transmitted via blood, but they will take all factors into consideration.
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Can we just put South Korea’s so-called second wave in proportion. Today, 62 cases of coronavirus were reported. 40 are domestic infections and 22 were arriving international cases. Yes this is a concern and officials are urging caution BUT it’s not out of control.
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Oh look! South Korea remains at the bottom of Economist’s glass ceiling index. Again.
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I made it home for this.
I know it is a real luxury in a pandemic to make it back for my Mum’s 70th birthday - and I am grateful.
Here she is ...
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This is such an excellent piece. A comprehensive look at what went wrong.
Inside the Collapse of Trump’s Korea Policy - Defense One theatlantic.com/politics/arc…
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The Afghan staff and families will go through the quarantine process as soon as they arrive in Incheon Airport and will then be moved to government owned temporary housing.
All notes from MOFA briefing monitored by @HosuLakeLee
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We are expecting a question and answer session from BTS in the next few minutes. Around 150 news organizations are here and we’ve all submitted questions. The event will be live streamed. You ready?
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On the ground the destruction is worse the than the Prime Minister feared. The whole island will have to be rebuilt
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Right then, heads up, we are getting ready for a global press conference in Seoul. To give you a clue as to who might be about to appear .. here’s the coffee we are being served
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A British contributor of mine was on a trip to North Korea where he met a Pyongyang economist. The North Korean said to him: “so sorry about what’s happening in your country”.
Yup that’s right. Heavily sanctioned North Koreans were feeling sorry for the UK!
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South Korea Covid19 vaccine update:
First shot: 90.4% of adults (WOOP!!!!!)
2nd shot: 68.9% of adults
Around half of all 16/17 year olds have made a reservation to be vaccinated.
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North Korea will also change its time zone to match that of South Korea.
They are currently half an hour apart. This is very symbolic
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My very kind taxi driver in Seoul is offering masks to foreigners struggling to find them. I told him we could get masks now, but he wouldn’t let me go without taking some. Awwwwww
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Mayor Park Won-Soon was a longtime civic activist and human rights lawyer. He was elected Seoul Mayor in 2011. He openly supported the millions of people who took to the streets in 2016 calling for the impeachment of former conservative President Park Geun-hye.
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I left my purse in Sokcho with a number of precious items inside. Of course it’s made its way back to me with everything inside - (because this is South Korea)
Rather ingenious wrapping ;)
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One fan outside the BTS press conference has come all the way from California to Korea just in the hope she can get a glimpse of them. And she said she wanted to see where the my had come from.
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Schools across South Korea will remain closed until March 23rd due to the coronavirus outbreak.
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So many different approaches to COVID19 around the world.
South Korea reports 4000 cases in a month and insists it’s time for employees to work from home.
UK reports 4000 cases a week and now it’s time to get back to the office.
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South Korea has reported its highest daily number of coronavirus cases in 49 days just as more than 2 million pupils return to school. 40 new cases of Covid-19 have been reported today. Most related to the nightclub cluster in Seoul. It’s making teachers ever more vigilant..
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I find it fascinating that governments around the world are now considering the "test, track, treat" approach adopted here in South Korea. I wrote this 7 weeks ago. The example was already there for all to see...
bbc.in/2VMUMM9
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The aim is to get everyone off the island in the next few hours. It's a race against time before Jose comes through
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Police have found the body of the Seoul City Mayor of Park Won-soon. He appears to have taken his own life.
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For the first time in 23 days the number of new coronavirus cases in South Korea is below 100. More stats:
75 people have died.
834 people have recovered.
7,253 in quarantine
243,778 have been/are being tested for #coronavirus (yes, a quarter of a million people tested)
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An official from the presidential office in Seoul has said that there are no particular signs or developments within North Korea amid reports that Kim Jong Un is seriously ill after heart surgery.
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As of 2pm, voter turnout in South Korean was 53% - that's 10.7% higher than at this stage during the last parliamentary election.
The pandemic is not holding people back.
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So you thought South Korean health officials did a good job at handling covid-19? Wait until you see them answer questions from children about the virus.
Love this!
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Prosecutors in South Korea are asking for an 18 month sentence for a man who stole 18 eggs because he was hungry.
This is the same prison term as Son Jong-woo who operated the world’s largest child porn site.
n.news.naver.com/article/437…
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I’ve had a few days off in my happy place. Stunning Seoraksan! For those who don’t know, this is the National Park on South Korea’s east coast. The closest city is Sokcho
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Dear World, this is NOT how it is in Seoul. Yes people are staying in more and there have been queues for masks, but I assure you, there’s no panic! Everyone is just doing what they can to prevent the spread of this virus. It is not the end of times. 🙄 dallasnews.com/news/public-h…
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8 (!!!!) new coronavirus cases in South Korea. First time this country has reported single figure daily increases in 61 days.
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My team can confirm that a sexual harassment claim was filed against the Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon last night by a female working in the secretary’s office.
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If Squid Game feels a bit dystopian and dark for you, give this a try.
Rom-com 'Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha' hits top 10 on world's popular TV show rankings yna.kr/AEN20211001003700315
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Anyone breaking quarantine rules in South Korea will face a year in prison or a fine of ten million Korean Won ($8200) under a new law which comes into effect from April 5th.
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They’ve tried every other available option which is why I’m making this last ditch on Twitter.
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I’m sad to say that I am leaving Korea next week. It’s been such an incredible 4 years.
My colleagues at the BBC Korean Service did one final coffee chat with me 😭 instagram.com/tv/CbhPK1Gp1XN…
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550,000 staff have helped prepare and disinfect 14,000 voting stations across the country.
A lot of preparation and planning.
But it has made voting during this pandemic possible.
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This is one of the many images burned into the minds of South Koreans as they hear Chun Doo-hwan is dead. He seized power in a coup and ruled for 8 years brutally clamping down on those who called for democracy. He showed no remorse.
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Let me correct this! Highly talented K- pop star who wowed audiences at the Winter Olympics steals the show in Singapore.
For some reason, some people want to comment on her weight.
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Before life in Korea: just one or two cloves of garlic will do in this chicken dish
Life in Korea: I’m not sure 20 cloves are enough ...
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If your flight in South Korea is delayed on Thursday it is due to Suneung - the country’s college scholastic ability test. It’s the toughest exam the young people here take. A marathon 8-hour of tests. Planes will be grounded between 1305 - 1340 when listening exam takes place.
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Barely a building has been left untouched in Barbuda. Mass evacuation underway by all means possible
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One of those days where you just keep on cycling until the sun shines. South Korea has hundreds of miles of designated bike paths across the country with lots of great places to stop along the way. This was Seoul to Chuncheon.
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