YON - Yonhap News Agency of Korea articles from April 2006

YON - Yonhap News Agency of Korea archives from April 2006

S. Korean Air Force to pick, train country's 1st astronaut.
April 1, 2006... SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's first astronaut, scheduled to be put into orbit in 2008, will be selected and trained by the air force, military officials said Saturday. The air force's Aerospace Medical Center will be responsible...

Shinhan-Chohung merged bank launched.
April 1, 2006... SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- The merged bank between Shinhan and Chohung, two units of Shinhan Financial Group Co., was launched Saturday, with its new chief promising to lead South Korea's financial market. Shinhan Financial Group, the nation's...

S. Korea, Brazil sign pact on defense cooperation.
April 1, 2006... SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and Brazil have signed a pact to strengthen bilateral military cooperation, the Defense Ministry said Saturday. The pact is aimed at helping the two countries enhance cooperation in the defense...

S. Korea's exports rise 12.9 pct in March.
April 1, 2006... SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's exports climbed 12.9 percent from a year earlier in March on high demand for cars, auto parts and semiconductors, a government report said Saturday. Exports reached US$27.04 billion last month, up...

U. S. pushes to sell anti-ship missiles to S. Korea.
April 1, 2006... WASHINGTON, March 31 (Yonhap) -- The United States was willing to sell new anti-ship missiles worth about US$130 million to South Korea, officials here said Friday. According to the U. S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the U. S....

S. Korea's exports rise 12.9 pct in March.
April 1, 2006... SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's exports climbed 12.9 percent from a year earlier in March on high demand for cars, auto parts and semiconductors, a government report said Saturday. Exports reached US$27.04 billion last month, up...

Seoul Has Lost It Say in N. Korea Strategy.
April 1, 2006... (EDITORIAL from the Chosun Ilbo on April 1)The U. S. Finance Department on Thursday froze the U. S. assets of a Swiss company for its alleged assistance to North Korea in the "proliferation of weapons of mass destruction," while White House...

Seoul-Tokyo Relations to Suffer Serious Setback.
April 1, 2006... (EDITORIAL from the Korea Times on April 1)To our surprise, the Japanese government instructed high school textbook publishers to describe Dokdo, a group of rocky islets in the East Sea, as Japanese territory. Tokyo used to insist their...

Kick out soft drinks.
April 1, 2006... (EDITORIAL from the JoongAng Daily on March 29)There is little doubt that carbonated soft drinks and junk food can cause health problems like obesity. And there have been rightful efforts by some to reduce the consumption of such unhealthy food...

Top headlines in major South Korean newspapers.
April 1, 2006... SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- The following are the top headlines in major Korean newspapers on April 1. Vernacular dailies -- Ruling party criticized for introducing pork barrel schemes ahead of local elections (Kyunghyang Shinmun) --...

Civic groups claim N. K. still drilling infiltration tunnels.
April 1, 2006... WASHINGTON, March 31 (Yonhap) -- North Korea continues to drill underground infiltration tunnels, some of them reaching far into South Korea, civic group leaders claimed here Friday. Retired Col. Gordon Cucullu, speaking at a session...

U. S. report complains of Korea's insurance market, gov't subsidy.
April 1, 2006... WASHINGTON, March 31 (Yonhap) -- The United States complained Friday of disadvantages in competing in South Korea's insurance and advertising markets and noted with concern the Asian nation may try to prop up its "next-generation" export...

Chinese president again warns Japanese leaders not to visit shrine.
April 1, 2006... BEIJING, March 31 (Yonhap) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao said in Beijing on Friday that he is ready to hold talks with his Japanese counterpart if he decides to stop his annual visit to a controversial Tokyo shrine, China's official news...

One injured in Busan subway fire.
April 1, 2006... BUSAN, March 31 (Yonhap) -- A Busan subway train caught fire on Friday evening, leaving one injured and hundreds of passengers frightened, police and subway officials said. The fire started from the rooftop of a subway train that was just...

N. Korea denounces U. S. for aerial espionage.
April 1, 2006... SEOUL, March 31 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's official news media quoted a military source on Friday to claim that the United States has conducted more than 180 aerial spying missions against the communist state in March. "The U. S....

Rana welcomes U. S. move to host Olympic Games.
April 1, 2006... SEOUL, March 31 (Yonhap) -- Mario Vazquez Rana, president of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), said Friday that he welcomes any move by the United States to host future Olympic Games. "If the U. S has (any) intention to...

Rana welcomes U. S. move to host Olympic Games.
April 1, 2006... SEOUL, March 31 (Yonhap) -- Mario Vazquez Rana, president of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), said Friday that he welcomes any move by the United States to host future Olympic Games. "If the U. S has (any) intention to...

N. K. could be venue for U-17 World Championship: KFA president.
April 1, 2006... SEOUL, March 31 (Yonhap) -- The head of South Korea's football governing body said Friday he will leave open the possibility of the two Koreas co-hosting the FIFA U-17 World Championship in 2007. South Korea has already secured an exclusive...

Seoul files protest with Tokyo over claims to S. Korean islets.
April 1, 2006... TOKYO, March 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's top envoy to Japan on Friday filed an official complaint with the Tokyo government over its instruction for Japanese textbook publishers to mark a set of South Korean islets as Japanese. The filed...

Yonhap News Summary.
April 1, 2006... The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Friday. ------------------ (News Focus) Seoul pins hopes on Chinese leader's trip to Washington SEOUL -- South Korea and its allies greet a new...

Seoul expresses strong regrets over U. S. envoy's concerns for Kaesong.
April 1, 2006... SEOUL, March 31 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean government on Friday dismissed as "inappropriate" and "misleading" concerns by a special U. S. envoy on North Korean human rights over working conditions of North Korean workers in an inter-Korean...

Seoul pins hopes on Chinese leader's trip to Washington.
April 1, 2006... SEOUL, March 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and its allies greet a new month with the lingering task of coaxing North Korea back to multilateral nuclear talks. Officials in Seoul stress they are continuing diplomatic efforts to resume the...

Hyundai Motor chairman leaves for U. S. amid lobbying scandal.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- Chung Mong-koo, chairman of South Korea's largest automaker Hyundai Motor Co., abruptly left for the United States on Sunday as the prosecution expanded its investigation into a major lobbying scandal involving South...

Hyundai Engineering likely to end debt workout this month.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co., South Korea's largest builder, is likely to end its debt workout program this month, a creditor bank official said Sunday. Hyundai Engineering went under creditor control in...

Unified Korean team is an IOC's dream come true.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April. 2 (Yonhap) -- The head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said Sunday he will support any moves by the two Koreas to form a joint Olympic team, calling the goal a "dream" come true. "The unification team will not be...

Hyundai Motor chairman leaves for U. S. amid lobbying scandal.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- Chung Mong-koo, chairman of South Korea's largest automaker Hyundai Motor Co., abruptly left for the United States on Sunday as the prosecution expanded its investigation into a major lobbying scandal involving South...

Hyundai Motor chairman leaves for U. S. amid lobbying scandal.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- Chung Mong-koo, chairman of South Korea's largest automaker Hyundai Motor Co., abruptly left for the United States on Sunday as the prosecution expanded its investigation into a major lobbying scandal involving South...

Seoul gov't gets tough on anti-war protesters.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea warned Sunday that it will strictly deal with illegal protests against joint military exercises it holds annually with the United States. "Illegal protests at military training grounds cannot be...

ANOC opens 15th general assembly in Seoul.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- Leaders from national Olympic committees around the world gathered for the 15th general assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) on Sunday to discuss various Olympics-related agenda items. ...

N. Korean official backs Incheon's bid for 2014 Asian Games.
April 2, 2006... INCHEON, April 2 (Yonhap) -- A top North Korean Olympic official expressed support for Incheon's bid to host the 2014 Asian Games, city officials said Sunday. Son Kwang-ho, vice chairman of the North's National Olympic Committee, responded...

Acting premier predicts 6 pct economic growth in first quarter.
April 2, 2006... YANGPYEONG, South Korea, April 2 (Yonhap) -- Acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Sunday the country's economy will grow about 6 percent in the first quarter of this year, despite some uncertainties. "Acceleration in domestic consumption and...

Today in Korean History.
April 2, 2006... April 3 1906 -- A railway opens linking Seoul, now in South Korea, and Sinuiju, now in the North. The 518.5-kilometer multi-rail line boasted the biggest volume of traffic in Korea until the country was divided by the 1950-53 Korean War....

Chinese defense minister to visit N. Korea.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- China's top military official will visit North Korea soon, the North's state-run news agency said Sunday. "Chinese Defense Minister Gao Gangchuan, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of China's...

Vershbow named goodwill ambassador for Gwangju Biennale.
April 2, 2006... GWANGJU, April 2 (Yonhap) -- The top U. S. envoy in South Korea was appointed a goodwill ambassador for the Gwangju Biennale, arguably Asia's largest contemporary art festival, biennale officials said Sunday. U. S. Ambassador to Seoul...

Seoul wants FTA talks with Latin American, Caribbean countries.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea wants to forge free trade agreements (FTA) with other Latin American and Caribbean countries following one with Chile, the country's vice finance minister said Sunday. "Korea intends to support...

S. Korea's budget implementation slows this year.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea implemented 27.5 trillion won (US$28.24 billion) of its budget in the first two months of the year, equivalent to 55.6 percent of the budget earmarked for the first quarter of the year, the Budget Ministry...

Seoul to ease regulations on won conversion overseas.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to ease regulations on conversion of its currency in other countries as part of its efforts for currency liberalization, the Finance Ministry said Sunday. The South Korean plan will allow foreign...

S. Korean overseas construction orders quadruple in Q1.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- Overseas construction orders won by South Korean builders more than quadrupled in the first quarter, boosted by brisk demand from emerging markets, a government report showed Sunday. Domestic construction...

ANOC opens 15th general assembly.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- Leaders from national Olympic committees around the world gathered for the 15th general assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) on Sunday to discuss various Olympics-related agenda items. ...

Labor groups set to ramp up protests against temp worker bill.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korean labor groups are poised to stage a series of strikes this week to block the parliamentary passage of a controversial labor bill in what is seen as the start of a full-fledged "spring labor offensive." ...

S. Korea's extra legislative session to begin Monday.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's National Assembly will start a 30-day extra session on Monday to handle the approval of a prime minister nominee and other issues, officials said Sunday. During the session, the legislature will hold a...

S. Korean shipbuilders enjoy brisk orders in first quarter.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shipbuilders racked up large overseas orders in the first quarter, leaving them on course to far exceed yearly targets, industry sources said Sunday. Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., the world's largest...

U. S. scholar faces dismissal as head of Korean science university.
April 2, 2006... DAEJEON, April 2 (Yonhap) -- When South Korea hired a Nobel Prize-winning American scientist to head one of its top engineering institutes two years ago, there were all praises with no dissenting voice heard. Last week, a board of...

S. Korean woman confirmed killed in Bahrain leisure boat sinking.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- A 32-year-old South Korean woman was confirmed killed when a leisure boat sank in Bahrain earlier this week, South Korea's Foreign Ministry said Saturday. On Thursday, an overcrowded leisure boat sank off the...

Pyongyang blasts Seoul's alleged nuke submarine plan.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- North Korea said Saturday it will step up efforts to bolster its nuclear deterrent, claiming that South Korea is trying to develop a nuclear-powered submarine with U. S. help. "The South Korean authorities' moves...

Railway workers endorse agreement with management.
April 2, 2006... DAEJEON, April 1 (Yonhap) -- State railway union delegates endorsed an agreement Saturday to end prolonged labor disputes after management promised to minimize disciplinary actions against workers involved in an illegal strike. In March,...

Roh calls for increased inter-Korean economic exchanges.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- President Roh Moo-hyun urged South Korean businessmen Saturday to ramp up efforts to boost economic exchanges with the North. "Businessmen had better move a step forward to enhance inter-Korean economic exchanges...

ANOC completes preparations for its general assembly.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- National Olympic Committee (NOC) leaders from around the world held group discussions on Saturday, one day before opening an annual meeting whose main agenda includes the election of their new leader. The...

ANOC completes preparations for its general assembly.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- National Olympic Committee (NOC) leaders from around the world held group discussions on Saturday, one day before opening a general meeting whose main agenda includes the election of their new leader. The...

Roh calls for increased inter-Korean economic exchanges.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- President Roh Moo-hyun urged South Korean businessmen Saturday to ramp up efforts to boost economic exchanges with the North. "Businessmen had better move a step forward to enhance inter-Korean economic exchanges...

S. Korea's exports rise 12.9 pct in March.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's exports climbed 12.9 percent from a year ago in March on high overseas demand for cars, auto parts and semiconductors, a government report said Saturday. Customs-cleared exports reached a monthly record...

Power returns to blackout-hit Jeju Island.
April 2, 2006... JEJU, South Korea, April 1 (Yonhap) -- Power was restored to all of Jeju Island Saturday afternoon, more than two hours after a blackout hit South Korea's southernmost island. "The supply of power resumed around 1:10 p. M., two and a half...

Power returns to blackout-hit Jeju Island.
April 2, 2006... JEJU, South Korea, April 1 (Yonhap) -- Power was restored to all of Jeju Island Saturday afternoon, more than two hours after a blackout hit South Korea's southernmost island. "The supply of power resumed around 1:10 p. M., two and a half...

Today in Korean History.
April 2, 2006... April 2 1979 -- Local radio station KBS FM begins broadcasting in stereo. 1984 -- The Agency for National Security Planning, South Korea's intelligence agency, announces that movie star couple Shin Sang-ok and Choi Eun-hee were...

Seoul shares likely to remain positive on eased earnings woes.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's shares are expected to either move in a tight range or go upward next week, as investor concerns over corporate first-quarter earnings have eased, analysts said Saturday. "Most investor worries...

N. Korea demands Japan hand over four Japanese activists.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- North Korea on Saturday called on Japan to extradite four Japanese civil rights activists who have helped North Koreans flee from the country. "The abduction of our people in the guise of a nongovernmental...

Residents in Jeju Province suffer elevator stoppage in power cut.
April 2, 2006... JEJU, South Korea, April 1 (Yonhap) -- A wide-ranging power outage hit South Korea's southern island of Jeju on Saturday, causing chaos throughout the region, a power market operator said. The system for two underwater power cables...

S. Korea's exports rise 12.9 pct in March.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's exports climbed 12.9 percent from a year earlier in March on high demand for cars, auto parts and semiconductors, a government report said Saturday. Exports reached US$27.04 billion last month, up...

Shinhan-Chohung merged bank launched.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- The merged bank between Shinhan and Chohung, two units of Shinhan Financial Group Co., was launched Saturday, with its new chief promising to lead South Korea's financial market. Shinhan Financial Group, the nation's...

Lone Star probe unlikely to affect foreign investment: minister.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- The investigation by the state prosecutors office against alleged illegal activities by U. S. buyout fund Lone Star is not likely to have a detrimental effect on foreign investment here, Minster of Commerce, Industry...

Residents in Jeju Province suffer elevator stoppage in power cut.
April 2, 2006... JEJU, South Korea, April 1 (Yonhap) -- A wide-ranging power outage hit South Korea's southern island of Jeju on Saturday, causing elevator stoppages in buildings throughout the region, a power market operator said. "A regional power failure...

S. Korean Air Force to pick, train country's 1st astronaut.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's first astronaut, scheduled to be put into orbit in 2008, will be selected and trained by the air force, military officials said Saturday. The air force's Aerospace Medical Center will be responsible...

Shinhan-Chohung merged bank launched.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- The merged bank between Shinhan and Chohung, two units of Shinhan Financial Group Co., was launched Saturday, with its new chief promising to lead South Korea's financial market. Shinhan Financial Group, the nation's...

S. Korea, Brazil sign pact on defense cooperation.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and Brazil have signed a pact to strengthen bilateral military cooperation, the Defense Ministry said Saturday. The pact is aimed at helping the two countries enhance cooperation in the defense...

S. Korea's exports rise 12.9 pct in March.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's exports climbed 12.9 percent from a year earlier in March on high demand for cars, auto parts and semiconductors, a government report said Saturday. Exports reached US$27.04 billion last month, up...

U. S. pushes to sell anti-ship missiles to S. Korea.
April 2, 2006... WASHINGTON, March 31 (Yonhap) -- The United States was willing to sell new anti-ship missiles worth about US$130 million to South Korea, officials here said Friday. According to the U. S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the U. S....

S. Korea's exports rise 12.9 pct in March.
April 2, 2006... SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's exports climbed 12.9 percent from a year earlier in March on high demand for cars, auto parts and semiconductors, a government report said Saturday. Exports reached US$27.04 billion last month, up...

Samsung Fire & Marine to sell products through retail giant E-mart.
April 3, 2006... SEOUL, April 3 (Yonhap) -- Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Co., South Korea's largest non-life insurer, will begin sales of its services through retailer E-Mart this week, the local retail giant said Monday. Samsung will begin sales of a...

Cancer-causing chemical still found in Chinese fish.
April 3, 2006... SEOUL, April 3 (Yonhap) -- The carcinogenic chemical malachite green is still being found in imported fish from China despite stricter regulations to safeguard consumers, government officials said Monday. According to the Ministry of Maritime...

Daewoo Shipbuilding delivers revamped submarine to Indonesia.
April 3, 2006... SEOUL, April 3 (Yonhap) -- Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., the world's No. 2 shipbuilder, said Monday it has delivered a revamped submarine to Indonesia, becoming the nation's first company to conduct an overseas submarine...

S. Korea's business confidence running high in April: survey.
April 3, 2006... SEOUL, April 3 (Yonhap) -- A majority of South Korean companies remain optimistic about their business conditions in April, adding to evidence that the South Korean economy, Asia's fourth-largest, is on a recovery track, the Federation of...

S. Korea's larger firms to increase recruitment in H1: poll.
April 3, 2006... SEOUL, April 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's job seekers may look forward to a brighter future as a majority of the country's larger companies are expected to boost recruitment in the first half of the year, an industry survey showed Monday. ...

Bank of Korea should make bold rate decision if needed: new head.
April 3, 2006... SEOUL, April 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's central bank should make a bold move in its monetary policy if such a step is required, the bank's new chief said Monday. "Sometimes, the Bank of Korea should make bold decisions in its monetary...

S. Korean tobacco giant KT&G's exports jump in Q1.
April 3, 2006... SEOUL, April 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's tobacco monopoly KT&G Corp. showed brisk exports to Central Asia and the Middle East in the first quarter of the year due to high overseas demand for its ultra slim brand Esse, the company said Monday....

Seoul shares open stronger on foreign buying.
April 3, 2006... SEOUL, April 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks got off to a good start Monday as foreign investors snapped up financial and tech shares. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 3.41 points, or 0.25 percent, to...

S. Korea's current account may fall below US$10 bln: official.
April 3, 2006... SEOUL, April 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's current account balance may fall short of its target of US$15 billion this year due to an increase in imports, a senior government official said Monday. The country's current account balance swung to a...

S. Korea's current account may fall below US$10 bln: official.
April 3, 2006... SEOUL, April 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's current account balance may fall short of its target of US$15 billion this year due to an increase in imports, a senior government official said Monday. The country's current account balance swung to a...

S. Korean consumer price gain decelerates in March.
April 3, 2006... SEOUL, April 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's gain in consumer prices slowed down in March, as a fall in prices of agricultural products offset a rise in service charges, a government report showed Monday. Consumer prices in Asia's...

Seoul on high alert over safety of S. Korean travelers abroad.
April 4, 2006... SEOUL, April 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korean authorities have been put on high alert over the safety of the country's travelers overseas following reports of the death of a South Korean traveler in Turkey. Lim Ji-won, 29, was found dead on Monday...

Croatian president hopes to forge economic 'legal framework' with S. Korea.
April 4, 2006... ZAGREB, April 3 (Yonhap) -- Croatian President Stjepan Mesic has expressed hopes for his country to sign "legal frameworks" with South Korea to facilitate bilateral economic exchanges when he makes his first-ever visit to Seoul this week. ...

S. Korean shipbuilders sweep 35 pct of global market in 2005.
April 4, 2006... SEOUL, April 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's shipbuilding industry swept over 35 percent of the global market in terms of orders received, order backlogs and the number of vessels built last year, a London-based research firm said Tuesday. ...

Bidding for Carrefour Korea to close Tuesday.
April 4, 2006... SEOUL, April 4 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean unit of the French supermarket chain Carrfour SA was to conclude the process of receiving bids for the firm on Tuesday, industry sources said. Carrefour Korea Ltd., the nation's fourth-largest...

Foreign buying extends gap in share prices of S. Korean firms.
April 4, 2006... SEOUL, April 4 (Yonhap) -- A yawning gap in the share prices of South Korean companies has emerged since 1998 as foreign investors focused on exporters and large-sized businesses, a research unit of the central bank said Tuesday. An index...

U. S. should seek swiftness in FTA talks with Seoul: Rep. Thomas.
April 4, 2006... WASHINGTON, April 3 (Yonhap) -- The United States should show other nations that it is willing to forego a free trade agreement (FTA) if the partner nation does not move quickly on agenda items, and an agreement with South Korea can send this...