YON - Yonhap News Agency of Korea articles from February 2007

YON - Yonhap News Agency of Korea archives from February 2007

Comfort women resolution submitted again to House committee.
February 1, 2007... WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- A U.S. congressman submitted a resolution Wednesday that in stronger words holds Japan responsible for sexual enslavement of women during its colonial occupation of Asia in the past century and demands its...

U.S. indicates progress in financial talks with North Korea.
February 1, 2007... WASHINGTON/BEIJING, Feb. 1 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. State Department said Wednesday financial talks with North Korea were "useful" and expressed hopes for an eventual resolution. "I think they had a good session, probably a useful exchange of...

Roh-opposition dialogue: Chance to end political impasse.
February 1, 2007... (EDITORIAL from the Korea Times on Feb. 10)The planned meeting between President Roh Moo-hyun and Kang Jae-sup, chairman of the opposition Grand National Party (GNP), sometime next week could be a good opportunity to end the current political...

Lobbyist bill.
February 1, 2007... (EDITORIAL from the Korea Herald on Feb. 1) It is not easy to determine to what extent special interests exercise influence on the process of legislation in the nation. But a recent survey among staffers of lawmakers affiliated with the ruling...

Houses built on quicksand.
February 1, 2007... (EDITORIAL from the JoongAng Daily on Feb. 1) The government presented another real estate measure yesterday. It was called a measure to enhance the role of the public sector in order to stabilize the housing market and improve housing welfare....

Top headlines in major S. Korean newspapers.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Feb. 1 (Yonhap) -- The following are the top headlines in major Korean newspapers on Feb. 1. Vernacular dailies -- Gov't to provide 2.6 mln public housing units by 2017 (Kyunghyang Shinmun) -- 2.6 mln rental homes to be...

Comfort women resolution submitted again to House committee.
February 1, 2007... WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- A U.S. congressman submitted a resolution Wednesday that holds Japan responsible for sexual enslavement of women during its colonial occupation of Asia in the past century. The resolution presented to the House...

N.K. may give up nuclear facilities but not weapons: Pritchard.
February 1, 2007... WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- The United States is likely to reach a nuclear agreement with North Korea that is very much like the one signed under the Clinton administration, only worse, since Pyongyang will get to keep its nuclear weapons,...

S. Korean business sentiment bleak for February.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Feb. 1 (Yonhap) -- A majority of South Korean manufacturers are pessimistic about their business in February due to a firmer currency and anemic domestic demand, the central bank said Thursday. The Bank of Korea said in a monthly poll...

N. Korea steps up efforts to prevent spread of S. Korean pop culture.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Feb. 1 (Yonhap) -- North Korea has intensified efforts to stem the spread of South Korean pop culture in the communist state, even as South Korean movies and TV dramas gain popularity there, informed sources said Thursday. "This year,...

U.S. indicates progress in financial talks with North Korea.
February 1, 2007... WASHINGTON/BEIJING, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. State Department said Wednesday financial talks with North Korea were "useful" and expressed hopesfor an eventual resolution. "I think they had a good session, probably a useful exchange of...

Chinese envoy hopes six-party talks will end in three to four days.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- China's top negotiator to North Korean nuclear talks said Wednesday that he hopes the next round of the talks, due to resume next week, will last only three to four days. Wu Dawei, Beijing's envoy to the six-party...

(ROUND UP) Ahn succeeds in winning gold in short track.
February 1, 2007... CHANGCHUN, China, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korean skaters joined forces to pick up another four gold medals on Wednesday, threatening second-place Japan in the medal tally at the sixth Winter Asian Games in Changchun, northeastern China. ...

S. Korea nets fifth gold medal at Winter Asian Games.
February 1, 2007... CHANGCHUN, China, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's star skater Jin Sun-yu won the women's 1,000-meter short track race at the Winter Asian Games in Changchun, China on Wednesday. At the Wuhuan Gymnasium, her compatriot Ahn Hyun-soo followed...

Qatari Foreign Minister consoles late S. Korean equestrian's family.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- Qatar's visiting Foreign Minister Hamad Al-Thani Wednesday delivered words of consolation to the family of a late South Korean equestrian who died in the Qatar Asian Games in December. Kim Hyung-chil, a 47-year-old...

Qatari Foreign Minister consoles late S. Korean equestrian's family.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- Qatar's visiting Foreign Minister Hamad Al-Thani Wednesday delivered words of consolation to the family of a late South Korean equestrian who died in the Qatar Asian Games in December. Kim Hyung-chil, a 47-year-old...

Lee Kyou-hyuk wins 1,500-meter speedskating gold for S. Korea.
February 1, 2007... CHANGCHUN, Jan. 31, China (Yonhap) -- South Korean speedskater Lee Kyou-hyuk cruised to victory in the men's 1,500-meter event at the Winter Asian Games in Changchun, northeastern China, on Wednesday. Lee, runner-up in the 500-meter race...

Gov't commission releases names of judges who convicted accused emergency decree offenders.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- A government panel probing abuses of past authoritarian governments on Wednesday named judges who in the 1970s convicted suspects on charges of violating emergency decrees issued by then President Park Chung-hee....

EU likely to revoke antidumping duties on S. Korean PET chips: trade body.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- The European Union (EU) is likely to revoke antidumping duties on polyethyrene trephthalate (PET) chips from South Korea, a trade body said Wednesday. The European Commission, which levied antidumping tariffs on...

Lee Kyou-hyuk wins 1,500-meter speedskating gold for S. Korea.
February 1, 2007... CHANGCHUN, Jan. 31, China (Yonhap) -- South Korean speedskater Lee Kyou-hyuk cruised to victory in the men's 1,500-meter event at the Winter Asian Games in Changchun, northeastern China, on Wednesday. Lee clinched first place with a time...

Gov't commission releases names of judges who convicted accused emergency decree offenders.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- A government panel probing abuses of past authoritarian governments on Wednesday named judges who in the 1970s convicted suspects on charges of violating emergency decrees issued by former dictator Park Chung-hee....

Roh wants to conclude FTA with U.S. ahead of Japan, China.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- President Roh Moo-hyun said Wednesday that his administration will speed up its free trade agreement (FTA) talks with the U.S. and conclude them ahead of Washington's possible similar deals with Tokyo or Beijing. ...

Yonhap News Summary.
February 1, 2007... The following is the summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Wednesday. ------------------- Seoul may consider package deal with U.S. after upcoming round of talks SEOUL -- South Korea may seek to produce a comprehensive...

S. Korean abductee reunited with his fellow fishermen.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean abductee was reunited with his fellow fishermen Wednesday more than 30 years after he was forcibly taken to North Korea. "It's like I'm dreaming," said Choe Uk-il, sobbing as he hugged his four...

S.Korean national football squad to leave for London.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- Seven members of the South Korean national football squad will leave for London, England, on Friday for a friendly match against Greece scheduled for next Wednesday, the country's football governing body said...

Seoul shares end lower on tech, builder losses.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks closed lower Wednesday as institutions dumped construction and tech blue chips, analysts said. The South Korean won gained against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index...

Labor party leader seeks solidarity among progressive forces.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- The leader of the minor opposition Democratic Labor Party (DLP) Wednesday called for all progressive forces to unite for the December presidential election as the conservative major opposition party gains popularity...

Seoul may consider package deal with U.S. after upcoming round of talks.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea may seek to produce a comprehensive deal with the United States after a seventh round of free trade agreement (FTA) talks in Washington next month, a government official said Wednesday. Ending a...

Italian foreign minister due in Seoul early next month.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- Ahead of a trip to Italy by South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun next month, the European nation's foreign minister will come to South Korea next week to arrange and discuss Roh's trip, the Foreign Ministry said...

Seoul shares end lower on tech, builder losses.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks closed lower Wednesday as institutions dumped construction and tech blue chips, analysts said. The South Korean won gained against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index...

LG Electronics loses its top status in PDP market to Japanese rival.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's LG Electronics Inc. lost its top position in the plasma display panel (PDP) market last year to a Japanese rival, a market researcher said Wednesday. According to DisplaySearch, LG Electronics's...

Local baseball league to change draft system to help weaker teams, promote competition.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's professional baseball league on Wednesday decided to scrap from 2009 the right of clubs to draft players from nearby schools on a priority basis, hoping it will enhance competition by helping to boost...

Prosecutors seek arrest of lawmaker's aide, Korean-American lobbyist for leaking secrets.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- Prosecutors sought an arrest warrant Wednesday for a South Korean lawmaker's aide and a Korean-American lobbyist on charges of exchanging national secrets related to a state project to develop the multipurpose Arirang...

Many S. Korean classrooms remain without heating.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- About 40 percent of South Korea's elementary, middle and high school classrooms are still without adequate heating and air-conditioning facilities, illustrating the country's lackluster investment in the public...

S. Korea's service sector output growth slows in December.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's service sector output increased at a slightly slower pace in December than a month earlier due to sluggish output in the telecommunications and education sectors, a government report showed Wednesday. ...

With no formidable presidential hopeful, ruling party woos opposition figure.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- Facing low public support and an imminent breakup, some members of South Korea's ruling party on Wednesday sought to turn the tide by persuading an opposition figure to join its ranks for this year's presidential...

S. Korean soldiers likely to arrive in Lebanon in summer.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- About 350 South Korean troops will likely arrive in southern Lebanon this summer as part of the United Nations peacekeeping mission to the war-torn region where Israeli and Hezbollah forces fought fiercely last...

S. Korea to boost rental housing supply, set up property fund.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- In an effort to curb high property prices, South Korea will sharply increase the supply of rental houses over the next 10 years and set up a property fund to finance their construction, officials said Wednesday. ...

Windows Vista to benefit memory industry: Samsung executive.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- The launch of Microsoft Corp.'s new computer operating system will have a positive impact on the global semiconductor market by boosting the demand for computer memory chips, a local business leader said Wednesday. ...

S. Korean FM expresses hope for 'joint agreement' from nuclear talks.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea expects to see a written pledge from North Korea in the upcoming round of the six-nation negotiations over the North's nuclear weapons program that it will start the process of abandoning its nuclear...

Today in Korean history: Feb. 1.
February 1, 2007... 1952 -- The Korea Veterans Association is launched. 1968 -- Construction of the Seoul-Busan expressway begins. 1989 -- The country establishes diplomatic relations with Hungary, its first formal relations with a communist state. ...

Samsung Corp. gets orders from Dubai, Singapore.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- Samsung Corp., the trading and construction arm of Samsung Group, said Wednesday that it has won contracts valued at a combined US$390 million to build a power plant in Singapore and office buildings in Dubai. ...

S. Korea reviews idea to sign FTAs with Arab states.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is examining an idea to pursue a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Gulf Cooperation Council, composed of six Arab states including Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the nation's top economic policymaker said...

Number of international air passengers from S. Korea up 10 pct in 2006.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- The number of international air passengers leaving South Korea rose in 2006 from the previous year as a result of lower travel costs from the won's ascent, officials said Wednesday. The number of international...

Ruling party elects new floor leader.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- The ruling Uri Party on Wednesday elected Chang Young-dal, a four-time lawmaker, as its new floor leader. Chang won 78 out of 112 votes cast by fellow lawmakers, beating sole competitor Lee Mi-kyung, a three-time...

S. Korea to boost rental housing supply, set up property fund.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- In an effort to curb high property prices, South Korea will sharply increase the supply of rental houses over the next 10 years and set up a property fund to finance their construction, officials said Wednesday. ...

S. Korean FM expresses hope for 'joint agreement' from nuclear talks.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea expects to see a written pledge from North Korea in the upcoming round of the six-nation negotiations over the North's nuclear weapons program that it will start the process of abandoning its nuclear...

Hynix Q4 net soars on brisk memory chip sales.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- Hynix Semiconductor Inc., the world's second-largest computer memory chipmaker, said Wednesday its fourth-quarter earnings jumped over 35 percent on brisk sales of its core products. Net income reached a quarterly...

Seoul shares fall on blue-chip selling.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks lost ground late Wednesday morning, reversing earlier gains, due to heavy selling of blue chips in the tech and construction sectors. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell...

S. Korean FM expresses hope for 'joint agreement' from nuclear talks.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea expects to see a written pledge from North Korea in the upcoming round of the six-nation negotiations over the North's nuclear weapons program that it will start the process of abandoning its nuclear...

S. Korean, Qatari ministers agree to strengthen industrial, energy cooperation.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- Top government policymakers from South Korea and Qatar agreed Wednesday to strengthen and expand cooperation in the industrial and energy sectors. In a meeting between South Korean Commerce and Industry Minister...

S. Korean soldiers likely to arrive in Lebanon in summer.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- About 350 South Korean troops will likely arrive in southern Lebanon around June as part of the United Nations peacekeeping mission to the war-torn region where Israeli and Hezbollah forces fought fiercely last...

Special amnesty likely for jailed businessmen, politicians.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- President Roh Moo-hyun is considering granting a special amnesty to tens of convicted business leaders and politicians on the occasion of Independence Movement Day which falls on March 1, a Justice Ministry official...

Lee Dong-gook officially on Middlesbrough lineup as striker.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korean premier leaguer Lee Dong-gook was Thursday officially listed as a striker for Middlesbrough to become the fourth South Korean to play in the Premier League, according to its Web site Wednesday. The...

Seoul may consider package deal with U.S. after upcoming round of talks.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea may seek to produce a comprehensive deal with the United States after a seventh round of free trade agreement (FTA) talks in Washington next month, a government official said Wednesday. Ending a...

Hyundai E&C earnings gain 21.8 pct in 2006.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Engineering & Construction, South Korea's No. 2 builder by revenue, said Wednesday its net profit rose 21.8 percent in 2006 from a year earlier on brisk overseas orders and sales. Net income rose to a...

Special amnesty likely for jailed businessmen, politicians.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- President Roh Moo-hyun is considering granting a special amnesty to tens of convicted business leaders and politicians on the occasion of Independence Movement Day which falls on March 1, a Justice Ministry official...

Domestic airlines to be included in safety blacklist.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean government said Wednesday it is considering a plan to include domestic airlines in a proposed safety watchlist of air carriers with high risks of accidents. The so-called blacklist system, to be...

S. Korean soldiers likely to arrive in Lebanon in summer.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to send a contingent of combat soldiers to Lebanon in the summer, a few months later than originally scheduled, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday. South Korea will dispatch about 350 troops to a...

S. Korean JCS head set for U.S. trip.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's chief military officer will fly to the United States to meet with his U.S. counterpart Friday on boosting military ties between the allies, a spokesman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Wednesday....

S. Korea's current account surplus hits four-year low in 2006.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's current account surplus sank to a four-year low in 2006 due to increased oil and raw material prices and a hike in overseas travel expenses, the central bank said Wednesday. The current current...

Seoul shares open higher on steel, finance gains.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks started higher Wednesday, led by gains in steel and finance sectors, analysts said. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 2.5 points, or 0.18 percent, to 1,373.22 in the...

Hynix Q4 net soars 35.1 pct.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- Hynix Semiconductor Inc., the world's second-largest computer memory chipmaker, said Wednesday its fourth-quarter earnings jumped 35.1 percent from a year earlier to 1.02 trillion won (US$1.08 billion) Sales surged...

Festivals Calendar - February 2007.(Calendar)
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- The following are the major cultural and tourist festivals to be held in South Korea in February. * Alaska Pollack and Winter Sea Festival When: Feb. 1-4 Where: Geojin-eup, Goseong County, Gangwon Province ...

S. Korea's current account surplus hits four-year low in 2006.
February 1, 2007... SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's current account surplus sank to a four-year low in 2006 due to increased oil and raw material prices and a hike in overseas travel expenses, the central bank said Wednesday. The current current...

China makes little investment in N. Korea since October nuclear test.
February 2, 2007... SEOUL, Feb. 2 (Yonhap) -- China has made little investment in North Korea since the North conducted its first nuclear device test in October last year, but their two-way trade volume rose 21.6 percent year-on-year over the past few months,...

Korea Exchange Bank reports 48 pct fall in 2006 earnings.(Financial report)
February 2, 2007... SEOUL, Feb. 2 (Yonhap) -- Korea Exchange Bank, South Korea's fifth-largest bank, said Friday its earnings dropped 48 percent last year on increased loan-loss reserves and taxes. Its net profit fell to 1.01 trillion won (US$1.07 billion) from...

Newest U.S. stealth fighters to engage in joint drill with South Korea.
February 2, 2007... WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 (Yonhap) -- The newest U.S. stealth fighter, the F-22A Raptor, will be temporarily deployed in Japan this month and engage in joint drills with the South Korean Air Force, military sources here said Thursday. Twelve...

Unwarranted revelation Legacy of dictatorship dumped on judges.
February 2, 2007... (EDITORIAL from the Korea Times on Feb. 2) The list of 492 judges who punished people on the basis of the 1970s emergency decree was made public Wednesday. The unilateral disclosure by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is an unwarranted...

Cautious optimism.
February 2, 2007... (EDITORIAL from the Korea Herald on Feb. 2) Prospects that the next round of six-nation nuclear talks scheduled to start Feb. 8 in Beijing will produce substantial progress seem to have improved compared to last December when the negotiations...

Increasing tourism is key.
February 2, 2007... (EDITORIAL from the JoongAng Daily on Feb. 2) Koreas service account deficit hit $18.7 billion last year. That is a record high, and worse is the fact that the deficit has been growing for eight straight years. The outcome is in large part due...

Top headlines in major S. Korean newspapers.
February 2, 2007... SEOUL, Feb. 2 (Yonhap) -- The following are the top headlines in major Korean newspapers on Feb. 2. Vernacular dailies -- Colleges nationwide suspected of colluding to raise tuition fees (Kyunghyang Shinmun) -- President Roh, GNP...

Former Korean congressman launches forum on Seoul-Washington ties.
February 2, 2007... WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 (Yonhap) -- A former Korean-American congressman launched on Thursday a forum led by first-generation figures like himself to help advance Korea-U.S. relations. Chang-jun "Jay" Kim said the Washington Korea-U.S. Forum will...

Foreign influence on S. Korea's listed firms grows in 2006.
February 2, 2007... SEOUL, Feb. 2 (Yonhap) -- The number of foreigners holding 5 percent or more of the outstanding shares in South Korea's listed companies increased 16.9 percent last year from a year earlier as more foreigners sought to exert influence over the...

S. Korea's foreign reserves up in January.
February 2, 2007... SEOUL, Feb. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's foreign exchange reserves grew in January from a month ago due mainly to a rise in investment profits, the central bank said Friday. The nation's foreign reserves came to US$240.23 billion as of the...

U.S. envoy says next six-party talks can make progress.
February 2, 2007... WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 (Yonhap) -- The top U.S. nuclear envoy said Thursday the next round of talks with North Korea hold the potential for progress but added the same hopes in the previous session were not met. "We have reason to believe we can...

U.S. envoy says next six-party talks can make progress.
February 2, 2007... WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 (Yonhap) -- The top U.S. nuclear envoy said Thursday the next round of talks with North Korea hold the potential for progress but added the same hopes in the previous session were not met. "We have reason to believe we can...

S. Korea claims second place to edge out Japan in medal tally.
February 2, 2007... CHANGCHUN, China, Feb.1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea held onto its hope of maintaining second place in the overall standing three times in a row at the sixth Winter Asian Games as star skater Lee Kyou-huck tied up the men's 1,000-meter race and the...

Court rejects arrest warrants for those involved in satellite info leak case.
February 2, 2007... SEOUL, Feb. 1 (Yonhap) -- A Seoul court refused to issue warrants Thursday to arrest an aide to a lawmaker and a Korean-American lobbyist on charges of passing information on a government-led satellite development project to a Russian firm. ...

Two injured in school lab explosion.
February 2, 2007... SEOUL, Feb. 1 (Yonhap) -- Two people were injured in an explosion in a university laboratory in Seoul on Thursday, school officials said. A graduate school student suffered a severe facial burn, and a security guard was injured following a...

Opposition lawmaker seeks legislation to grant overseas Koreans voting rights.
February 2, 2007... SEOUL, Feb. 1 (Yonhap) -- An opposition lawmaker on Thursday submitted to parliament a bill aimed at allowing South Koreans living abroad to cast absentee ballots in national elections, his aides said. The National Election Commission recently...

Housing prices stable in January: report.
February 2, 2007... SEOUL, Feb. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's housing prices stabilized in the first month of the year after the government unveiled a new package of real estate policies, a report showed Thursday. The average home price in January rose 0.9...

Hyundai Heavy's earnings more than triple in 2006.
February 2, 2007... SEOUL, Feb. 1 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., the world's leading shipyard, said Thursday its net profit in 2006 more than tripled from a year earlier on improved productivity and increased vessel prices. Net profit surged 288.8...

China protests against S. Korean athletes' action at awards ceremony.
February 2, 2007... CHANGCHUN, China, Feb. 1 (Yonhap) -- China on Thursday protested against South Korean short track skaters who promoted Korea's historical claim to a mountain on the Sino-North Korean border during the ongoing Winter Asian Games. On...