YON - Yonhap News Agency of Korea articles from December 2005

YON - Yonhap News Agency of Korea archives from December 2005

The need to be productive about NK human rights.
December 1, 2005... (EDITORIAL from the Hankyoreh on Dec. 1) The Catholic Human Rights Commission, Sarangbang Group for Human Rights, and other organizations that have always been at the forefront of civil rights issues held a workshop on human rights in North...

Temps have rights, too.
December 1, 2005... (EDITORIAL from the JoongAng Daily on Dec. 1) Talks between employers and labor representatives failed to reach a compromise over the planned legislation to guarantee rights for temporary workers with short-term contracts, and the deadline for...

Continuous controversy.
December 1, 2005... (EDITORIAL from the Korea Times on Dec. 1) Contrary to Prof. Hwang Woo-suk's wishes, the ethical scandal over his stem cell research will likely continue for some time. The National Bioethics Committee decided Tuesday to reopen the case...

Top headlines in major South Korean newspapers.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Dec. 1 (Yonhap) -- The following are the top headlines in major Korean newspapers on Dec. 1. Vernacular dailies -- Controversy emerges over authenticity of stem cell researcher Hwang's work (Kyunghyang Shinmun) -- Rate of...

S. Korea's consumer prices rise 2.4 pct in November.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Dec. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's consumer prices moved up 2.4 percent from an year earlier in November, mainly due to a fall in prices of gasoline, agricultural and industrial products, a government report showed Thursday. The...

Manufacturers' business sentiment edges down in December.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Dec. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korean manufacturers' business confidence inched down for December, according to a central bank survey released Thursday. The business survey index (BSI), a barometer of manufacturers' business expectations,...

Korean banks need better lending skills: OECD official.
December 1, 2005... WASHINGTON, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea needs to invite foreign management to run local banks to develop better lending skills, an official of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said Wednesday. Randall...

N. Korea blasts Japan's move to appoint human rights envoy.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- North Korea on Wednesday slammed the Japanese government's plan to establish a new ambassadorial post to oversee the communist state's human rights situation. The plan is a "ridiculous act by blind followers of...

(2nd LD) Train hits truck in southern S. Korea, no casualties reported.
December 1, 2005... JEONJU, South Korea, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- A passenger train crashed into a truck on a level crossing in a southern region of South Korea on Wednesday, causing one carriage to be derailed but not resulting in any deaths or injuries, railway...

S. Korea demands insurance coverage for rocket launches.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will demand extensive insurance coverage for all rocket launches to cope with possible accidents, the Ministry of Science and Technology said Wednesday. It said the rules will make it mandatory for all...

(LEAD) Unionized teachers withdraw strike plan.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- Unionized teachers on Wednesday cancelled their plan to stage a one-day strike, saying it became invalid as soon as the union leader resigned. The teachers were to hold a one-day strike Thursday in protest against...

(LEAD) Defector denied entry to S. Korean school in China.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- A suspected North Korean defector tried to force her way into a South Korean school in the Chinese city of Dalian on Wednesday but was denied entry, a South Korean government official said. The official said on...

(LEAD) Train derailed by truck collision.
December 1, 2005... JEONJU, South Korea, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- A passenger train collided with a trailer truck on Wednesday afternoon, causing one carriage to be derailed but resulting in no serious injuries, witnesses say. The accident occurred at 5:30 p. M. in...

Japanese firm sues S. Korean textile producer for infringement.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- Japanese fibermaker Asahi Kasei Fibers Corp. said Wednesday it has filed a lawsuit against a South Korean textile maker for allegedly infringing on its patented technology. The company said that components of a...

Unionized teachers withdraw strike plan.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- Unionized teachers on Wednesday cancelled their plan to stage a one-day strike, saying it became invalid as soon as the union leader resigned. The teachers were to hold a one-day strike Thursday in protest against...

S. Korea, Oman agree to boost ties as gateways to Asia.
December 1, 2005... MUSCAT, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan held talks with Oman's Deputy Prime Minister Fahd bin Mahmood Al-Said on Wednesday and the two countries agreed to enhance cooperation. Lee and Fahd concurred that the two countries...

(LEAD) Conflict intensifies over non-regular worker legislation.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- The outlook for new legislation proposed by the South Korean government to reform and regulate the employment market for non-regular workers is growing increasingly murky amid an intensifying rift among labor and...

Public sector to launch umbrella union next year.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- Unionized public servants, teachers and employees at state-run corporations will launch an umbrella union next May, the union's preparatory committee said Wednesday. Provisionally named "The Federation of New Labor...

Violent clashes between police and protesters expected Thursday.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- Violent clashes between police and protesters are expected Thursday as thousands are set to protest further liberalization of the rice market and discrimination against non-regular workers at a rally in downtown...

Train derails in southern South Korea.
December 1, 2005... JEONJU, South Korea, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- A passenger train derailed in the southern South Korean city of Jeonju after colliding with a trailer as of 5:30 p. M. on Wednesday. (THROUGH ASIA PULSE)

Roh hopes KFN will help to increase public's trust in military.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- President Roh Moo-hyun Wednesday called on a new South Korean military television network to help increase public confidence in the military by showing the drive for defense reform and the improvements to military...

S. Koreans warming to Chilean wine.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- More and more South Koreans are picking up on Chilean wine while French brands are seeming to lose their luster, an industry report showed Wednesday. The market share of Chilean wine in terms of value reached 17.8...

Yonhap News Summary.
December 1, 2005... The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Wednesday. --------------- Alleged N. Korean defector enters S. Korean school in Dalian SEOUL -- A female North Korean defector has entered a South...

Daewoo Shipbuilding to acquire local construction firm.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., the world's second-largest shipbuilder, said Wednesday it has decided to acquire a controlling stake in a local construction company in an effort to bolster its business....

(LEAD) Seoul to sell 4.64 tln won in state bonds in December.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Finance Ministry said Wednesday it plans to sell 4.64 trillion won (US$4.49 billion) worth of Treasuries in December. The amount is lower than the 5.77 trillion won in state bonds sold this month, it...

S. Korea to host international software fair.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will host an international software exhibition from Thursday as part of efforts to boost the nation's software industry, the Ministry of Information and Communication said Wednesday. The four-day...

Minister denies complete withdrawal of Korean troops from Iraq.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung dismissed the possibility Wednesday that South Korea might completely withdraw all of its 3,200 troops from Iraq next year. "At present, we don't have an intention to completely...

Seoul to sell 4.64 tln won in state bonds in December.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Finance Ministry said Wednesday it plans to sell 4.64 trillion won (US$4.49 billion) in Treasuries in December. The amount is down from the sale of 5.77 trillion won in state bonds this month, it...

Vershbow admits to lobbying for Boeing to win military contract.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- U. S. Ambassador to South Korea Alexander Vershbow admitted Wednesday to media reports that he had made an appeal on behalf of a U. S. aerospace giant seeking a multi-billion-dollar contract with Seoul's defense...

S. Korea to boost music industry with massive funding.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Culture Ministry announced Tuesday that it will spend 90 billion won (US$86.7 million) over the next five years to boost the music industry, which has declined against the emerging digital market. ...

S. Korea rules out another summit with Japan this year.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun is not considering a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi during an Asian summit next month in Malaysia due to their countries' strained ties over a...

(LEAD) U. S. ambassador says light-water reactors not on nuke talk agenda.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- U. S. Ambassador to Seoul Alexander Vershbow said Wednesday that his country is still doubtful of whether North Korea should have light-water nuclear reactors to ease its chronic energy shortages. He stressed that...

S. Korea, Japan to hold regular finance ministers' meeting.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and Japan have agreed to hold annual meetings of finance ministers to discuss outstanding bilateral issues, the government said Wednesday. In a press release issued jointly by the two sides, Seoul's...

Rival parties to field key members for local elections in May.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's rival parties are gearing up for local elections in May 2006, viewing them as a possible indicator of the outcome of the 2007 presidential election. Up for grabs in the May 31 polls are the posts of...

(LEAD) Seoul shares end higher on program buying, recovery hopes.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks ended sharply higher Wednesday on heavy program buying and expectations of an economic recovery based on positive economic data. The U. S. dollar fell against the Korean won. The benchmark...

S. Korean drugmaker claims new way to make bird flu drug.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korean drugmaker Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical Corp. said Wednesday it has developed a new method for producing the antiviral drug that fights bird flu. Chong Kun Dang said its researchers succeeded in...

U. S. ambassador says light-water reactors not on nuke talk agenda.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov.30 (Yonhap) -- U. S. Ambassador to Seoul Alexander Vershbow said Wednesday that his country is still doubtful of whether North Korea should have light-water nuclear reactors to ease its chronic energy shortages. He stressed that...

S. Korean watchdog to issue Microsoft ruling next month.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's antitrust watchdog said Wednesday that it will make a ruling on Microsoft Corp.'s alleged unfair trading practice early next month. The Fair Trade Commission's (FTC) decision-making body had been...

Seoul shares end higher on program buying, recovery hopes.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks ended sharply higher Wednesday on heavy program buying and expectations of an economic recovery based on positive economic data. The U. S. dollar fell against the Korean won. The benchmark...

Prosecutors urged to make guidelines for seeking arrest warrants.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- A senior aide to President Roh Moo-hyun proposed Wednesday that the prosecution come up with guidelines for interrogation of criminal suspects without physical detention. Moon Jae-in, senior presidential secretary for...

Azerbaijan to open diplomatic mission to Seoul next year.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- Azerbaijan has decided to establish an embassy in South Korea next year and the South Korean government agreed to reciprocate the move, officials at the South Korean Foreign Ministry said Wednesday. The agreement...

(LEAD) Alleged N. Korean defector enters S. Korean school in Dalian.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- A female North Korean defector has entered a South Korean school in the Chinese city of Dalian, but school authorities are trying to have her removed from the school, the alleged North Korean's relatives in South...

S. Korea to host talks for int'l nuclear fusion project.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is to play host to negotiations this week for a six-nation project to build an experimental nuclear fusion reactor in France by 2015, the Ministry of Science and Technology said Wednesday. South Korea...

Kookmin Bank raises US$300 mln via overseas debt sale.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's top lender Kookmin Bank said Wednesday it has secured $300 million by selling foreign currency floating rate notes to foreign investors. The 5-year bonds were priced at the London Interbank Offered...

U. S. Ambassador to Seoul to show off musical skills at local club.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- U. S. Ambassador to Seoul Alexander Vershbow is expected to show off his musical talent at a jazz club in Seoul on Friday night, an official from the embassy said Wednesday. The top U. S. envoy, who was once a drummer...

S. Korea aims for top five spot in industrial design.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is aiming to attain global top five competitiveness status in industrial design by 2015, the government said Wednesday. "At present, our competitiveness stands at around 12th place in the world," said...

(LEAD) Hyundai Motor aims to become top foreign car seller in Australia.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's largest automaker, said Wednesday it aims to become the top foreign car seller in Australia by 2010 in a bid to strengthen its global operations. The company seeks to reach...

Outside information key to freedom in N. Korea: defector.
December 1, 2005... GANGHWA ISLAND, South Korea, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- North Koreans are unlikely to make any demands for improvements to their living standards unless they have access to outside information that allows them to compare their lives with that of...

Hyundai Motor aims to become top foreign car seller in Australia.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's largest automaker, said Wednesday it aims to become the top foreign car seller in Australia by 2010 in a bid to strengthen its global operations. The company seeks to reach...

Seoul shares gain further on tech, financial rallies.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks added to earlier gains Wednesday afternoon as institutional buying pushed tech and financial shares higher. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 20.30 points, or 1.58...

Hyundai Heavy Industries wins power generator orders from Cuba.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., the world's largest shipbuilder, said Wednesday it has clinched a US$ 130 million order from Cuba to install diesel power generators there. Hyundai said it plans to complete installation...

S. Korea to launch world's first terrestrial mobile TV service.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is set to start terrestrial mobile TV service for the first time in the world, marking a step forward toward ushering in the so-called ubiquitous era. The service, terrestrial Digital Multimedia...

Real estate measures slow S. Korea's Q3 household credit growth.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's household credit growth slowed in the third quarter as tighter real estate regulations reduced demand for new mortgages, the nation's central bank said Wednesday. Household credit rose 2.5 percent to...

Umbrella labor groups at odds over non-regular worker issue.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's two umbrella labor groups are on the verge of severing their alliance of more than a year after failing to settle differences over how to best deal with the non-regular worker issue, labor officials said...

LG Card raises US$400 mln from overseas investors.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- LG Card Co., South Korea's second-largest card issuer by billings, said Wednesday it has raised $400 million by issuing asset-backed securities (ABS) to overseas investors. The ABS were sold sold at the London...

Seoul shares rise on strong investor sentiment.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks traded sharply higher Wednesday morning, extending earlier gains, as investor sentiment got a lift from good economic data. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) was up 18.13...

(LEAD) Kofi Annan to visit Seoul next week.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- U. N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan will visit South Korea in early December as part of his Asian trip that will also include China, Japan and Vietnam, South Korean officials said Wednesday. Annan's three-day South...

S. Korean contingent to give power generators to Iraqi people.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean contingent in Iraq will provide local citizens with 78 power generators, officials said Wednesday. About 3,200 South Korean troops have been stationed in the northern Iraqi town of Irbil for a...

Roh calls for enhanced energy cooperation with Azerbaijan.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- President Roh Moo-hyun Wednesday called for enhanced cooperation between South Korea and Azerbaijan in the energy and natural resource sectors. "I hope the Azerbaijani foreign minister's visit here will be of...

S. Korea, U. S. negotiating strategic flexibility agreement: FM.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the United States are negotiating an agreement on mandatory consultations prior to redeployment of U. S. troops from South Korea to conflict regions abroad, Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday....

(Yonhap Feature) Strict anti-cheating measures haunt Korean college exam.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- November is often said to be the cruelest month in South Korea as hundreds of thousands of high school graduates and graduates-to-be brave a frigid weather to take a one-day test that will virtually decide their...

Hyundai Construction wins Kuwaiti order for transformers.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's leading builder Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. said Wednesday it has received a US$38.5 million order to build electricity transformers in Kuwait. The company plans to break ground for the...

Roh pledges to pursue FTAs, develop skills and technology.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- President Roh Moo-hyun Wednesday said his government will actively seek Free Trade Agreements (FTA) and promote the development of the nation's technology and human resources as part of efforts to double the country's...

Kofi Annan to visit Seoul next month.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- U. N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan will visit South Korea in early December as part of his Asian trip that will also include China, Japan and Vietnam, South Korean officials said Wednesday. Annan's three-day South...

S. Korea to designate Hwang's stem cell work as 'core technology'.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean government plans to designate the landmark stem cell research led by cloning expert Hwang Woo-suk as a core technology in a bid to increase the research's chances of clinching overseas patents, a...

S. Korea's CJ Corp. acquires U. S. food company.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korean foodmaker CJ Corp. said Wednesday it has acquired a 70 percent stake in a U. S. food company for US$6.08 million. The San Francisco-based company, Annie Chun's Inc., has been growing rapidly by...

WHO finalizes North Korea aid plan: official.
December 1, 2005... GENEVA, Nov. 29 (Yonhap) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently come up with a detailed plan to help North Korea and plans to discuss its plan soon with the South Korean government, the largest donor to its North Korea project, an...

Local firms' 2006 hiring to be similar to this year's level: poll.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- Almost half of South Korean companies plan to keep their hiring of new employees next year at the same level as 2005, a poll showed Wednesday. According to the survey of 145 companies, 45.5 percent of the...

(LEAD) Local firms' 2006 hiring to be similar to this year's level: poll.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- Almost half of South Korean companies plan to keep their hiring of new employees next year at the same level as 2005, a poll showed Wednesday. According to the survey of 145 companies, 45.5 percent of the...

(LEAD) S. Korea's service output growth falls for 2nd month in October.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's service sector output declined for the second month in a row in October as education and real estate related businesses posted lower than expected gains, a government report showed Wednesday. Output...

Foreign investors' fees soar on increased financial trade.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- Foreign investors' commission fee payments in South Korea's financial markets soared 40.9 percent in the first 10 months of the year from a year earlier, helped by their increased trade in local bourses, the nation's...

U. S. to replace top commander in S. Korea on Feb. 1.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- The United States will replace the chief of its 30,000 troops in South Korea in a regular personnel change in February, an official said Wednesday. Gen. Burwell B. Bell, currently the commander of U. S. ground...

Seoul shares start higher on good economic data.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks opened on a strong note Wednesday as investor sentiment took encouragement from improved economic data. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 12.44 points, or 0.97...

Hyundai Motor's vehicle sales rise 13 pct in November.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Dec. 1 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's largest automaker, said Thursday its vehicle sales rose 13.1 percent last month to 252,532 units. Exports gained 12.5 percent from a year ago to 196,636 units and domestic sales rose...

Kia Motors' vehicle sales rise 9 pct in November.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Dec. 1 (Yonhap) -- Kia Motors Corp., South Korea's second-largest automaker, said Thursday its vehicle sales rose 9 percent last month to 119,574 units on rising demands at home and abroad. (THROUGH ASIA PULSE)

Guide book for migrant workers offers tips about life in Korea.
December 1, 2005... By Kim Hyun SEOUL, Dec. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's culture ministry has published a reference book for migrant workers Thursday with tips on how to adjust to life in the country. The 301-page "Cultural Guide Book for Migrant Workers in...

(LEAD) Ssangyong Motor's vehicle sales gain 18 pct in November.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Dec. 1 (Yonhap) -- Ssangyong Motor Co., South Korea's fourth-largest automaker, said Thursday its vehicle sales rose 18 percent last month as exports surged. Ssangyong Motor sold a total of 14,017 vehicles in November, the company...

(LEAD) GM Daewoo's vehicle sales rise 31 pct in November.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Dec. 1 (Yonhap) -- GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co., South Korea's third-largest automaker, said Thursday sales rose 31.3 percent last month because of higher foreign demand. Last month, GM Daewoo sold 121,325 vehicles at home and...

(LEAD) Ex-spy convicted of using secretly-recorded tapes for blackmail.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Dec. 1 (Yonhap) -- A former intelligence official was sentenced to a prison term Thursday on charges of blackmailing a business group with information obtained through illegal wiretapping. The Seoul Central District Court said Kong...

S. Korean scientists claim breakthrough in preventing infections.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Dec. 1 (Yonhap) -- A team of South Korean scientists claimed Thursday they have succeeded in analyzing the full three-dimensional structure and mechanism of a protein that prevents infection, paving the way for the development of...

(LEAD) Renault Samsung's vehicle sales rise 52 pct in November.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Dec. 1 (Yonhap) -- Renault Samsung Motor Co., South Korea's smallest automaker, said Thursday its vehicle sales rose 52.1 percent last month thanks to higher domestic demand. Last month, Renault Samsung sold 10,174 cars in South...

Seoul shares pare early gains on foreign profit-taking.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Dec. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks erased earlier gains Thursday afternoon on foreign profit-taking after crossing the 1,300-point mark for the first time. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 0.85 points,...

S. Korea, Singapore to hold roundtable to enhance trade.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Dec. 1 (Yonhap) -- The Korea International Trade Association said Thursday it will hold a business roundtable with the Singapore Business Federation in Singapore Friday to enhance economic ties in private sectors. About 60 businessmen...

(LEAD) S. Korea's growth to reach upper 4 pct in Q4.
December 1, 2005... SEOUL, Dec. 1 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean economy is expected to grow at an upper 4 percent annualized rate in the fourth quarter on a steady recovery in domestic demand, a senior government official said Thursday. "There are some weak...