YON - Yonhap News Agency of Korea articles from January 2008

YON - Yonhap News Agency of Korea archives from January 2008

(3rd LD) N. Korea greets New Year with no explanations about missing year-end nuclear disarmament deadline.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- North Korea greeted New Year's Day, vowing to strengthen its military power but missing a year-end deadline to carry through with key denuclearization steps it promised under an international accord. In a New Year's...

All together now.
January 1, 2008... (EDITORIAL from the JoongAng Daily on Jan. 1) - One has a special feeling on the morning of New Year,s Day and we have a stronger feeling than usual today at the beginning of 2008. Because we have gone through industrialization and...

Nuclear deadlock.
January 1, 2008... (EDITORIAL from the Korea Times on Jan. 1) - It is unfortunate that North Korea has failed to meet a Dec. 31 deadline for the disclosure of all its nuclear programs. The failure has prompted the United States, South Korea and other participants...

Our 60th anniversary.
January 1, 2008... (EDITORIAL from the Korea Herald on Jan. 1) - This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Republic of Korea. The birthday should mean a great deal to the nation, which, like a person, will be making a fresh start once it completes the full...

(Yonhap Feature) N. Korea promotes its exports through up-scale Web site.(Website overview)
January 1, 2008... SE0UL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- Investing in North Korea, a communist country with the world's tightest border security, is just a few clicks away on its newest Web site promoting its cream-of-the-crop industries and products. The site,...

(New Year Special) New leaders in S. Korea, U.S. open opportunities for bilateral alliance.
January 1, 2008... WASHINGTON, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- The inauguration of a new government in South Korea, marking a shift to the right, opens new opportunities this year in Seoul-Washington relations, perhaps based more on rhetoric and perceptions than on actual...

(New Year Special) Lee's pragmatic reforms set to jolt South Korea in 2008.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is expected to undergo across-the-board changes this year under the incoming Lee Myung-bak administration, ending a decade of liberal rule that critics say was riddled with economic woes, security concerns...

S. Korean economy to grow this year despite external risks.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- Many economists predict South Korea's economy will maintain its growth in 2008, while others warn of volatile external risks. A number of state and private think tanks in South Korea predicted last year that the...

(New Year Special) S. Korean exports forecast to rise steadily in 2008.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korean exports are projected to have a heyday this year because of strong demand for ships, steel and autos, although the country's strong won against the U.S. dollar and an expected slowdown in the global...

(New Year Special) N. Korea, U.S. pressed for time in denuclearization process.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and its allies are struggling to get an accurate list of North Korea's nuclear programs and materials to start the new year, as they try to reinvigorate the denuclearization process that has been stalled by...

(2nd LD) U.S. to continue Korea's denuclearization process despite missed deadline.
January 1, 2008... WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- The United States said denuclearization negotiations will continue despite North Korea's failure to meet a Monday deadline on providing a declaration of its nuclear programs. "It is our view that that...

U.S. welcomes South Korea's deployment extension in Iraq.
January 1, 2008... WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- The United States on Monday welcomed South Korea's extension of its troop deployment in Iraq and said it will help stabilize the Middle East nation. "The ROK (Republic of Korea) has been a strong supporter of...

S. Korean fighter defeated by Russian champion in mixed martial arts bout.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- Former South Korean wrestling "Ssirum" champion Choi Hong-man was defeated by Russian fighter Fedor Emelianenko in a New Year's eve K-1 bout in Japan on Monday. The long anticipated mixed martial arts (MMA) bout...

S. Korea's equity fund market expands by more than 146 pct in 2007.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's equity fund market expanded 146.8 percent compared to late 2006 to 114.7 trillion won (US$122.6 billion) as of last week, the Asset Management Association of Korea said Monday. It said as of Friday,...

S. Korean umbrella labor group set to pick 'conservative' activist as new head.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's leading umbrella labor group is set to pick a "conservative" leader, a move that may signal a major shift in the country's labor-management relations, labor sources said Monday. The Federation of...

S. Korea regrets failure by N.K. to meet nuclear disclosure deadline.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's government said Monday that it regrets North Korea's failure to meet its nuclear declaration deadline that would permit progress to be made towards denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The...

Hyundai Heavy targets 18 tln won in sales in 2008.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., the world's largest shipbuilder, said Monday it has set a sales target of 18 trillion won (US$19.2 billion) for the new year. The Ulsan-based company said it planned to secure at least...

Festivals Calendar - January 2008.(Calendar)
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- The following are the major cultural and tourist festivals to be held in South Korea in January. * Pyeongchang Trout Festival When: Jan. 1-31 Where: Pyeongchang, Gangwon province Pyeongchang is an alpine...

Inflationary pressure in S. Korea increasing: finance minister.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- Inflationary pressure is on the rise in South Korea and may limit the potential for economic growth, the country's top economic policymaker said Monday. "Externally the aftermath of the U.S. subprime mortgage...

President-elect's party submits bill to limit probe of financial allegations.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- With an independent probe of financial allegations involving President-elect Lee Myung-bak set to start within days, his party submitted Monday a revision bill aimed at limiting the scope of the investigation. Lee,...

S. Koreans rush to celebrate start of New Year despite freezing temperatures.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- Millions of South Koreans are expected to gather in urban centers, mountains and beaches across the nation Monday to mark the start of 2008, braving freezing temperatures which sent the mercury plunging to its lowest...

Lee stresses basic principles in inter-Korean relations.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- President-elect Lee Myung-bak said his government, set to be inaugurated in late February, will stick to basic principles in dealing with inter-Korean relations and domestic politics. In his New Year's message,...

S. Korea's consumer prices up 3.6 pct in December: report.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's consumer prices rose a higher-than-expected 3.6 percent in December from a year earlier due to an increase in prices of oil, industrial and service products, a government report showed Monday. The...

President-elect Lee to dispatch envoys to four major powers next month.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- President-elect Lee Myung-bak will dispatch special envoys to the United States, Japan, China and Russia next month in an effort to achieve a diplomatic breakthrough on the North Korean nuclear issue, an aide to Lee...

Sentences of six death-row inmates commuted under Roh's final amnesty.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- President Roh Moo-hyun pardoned Monday Daewoo Group founder Kim Woo-choong and 74 convicted businesspeople, politicians, government officials and others in the last of its kind in his single five-year term. Roh steps...

Snowstorm hits western region as freezing temperatures grip nation.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- Heavy snow blanketed the western part of South Korea Monday, disrupting flights and highway traffic, weather officials said. Up to 38.7 centimeters of snow was reported early Monday around the southwestern area of...

Today in Korean history.
January 1, 2008... Jan. 1 1883 -- The port of Jemulpo, 40 kilometers west of Seoul, is renamed Incheon Port and its functions are expanded to commercial trade with foreign partners. 1896 -- The Joseon Dynasty begins using the solar calendar instead of...

Doosan Heavy wins US$260 mln order from Libya.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co., South Korea's top power generation equipment maker, said Monday it has won a US$260 million deal from Libya to build a power plant in eastern Libya. Under the deal signed...

Bank of Korea to manage monetary policy flexibly in 2008.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's central bank will manage its monetary policy in a flexible way to spur economic growth and stabilize financial markets while keeping inflation in check, the head of the Bank of Korea (BOK) said on...

Roh pledges full support for success of Lee Myung-bak gov't.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- President Roh Moo-hyun said that he will fully support the incoming administration of President-elect Lee Myung-bak in hopes that the new government will enhance people's lives and bring a bright future to the nation....

S. Korea to adopt new bank capital standard in 2008.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's financial watchdog said Monday that it will introduce a new bank capital adequacy framework in 2008 to help lenders enhance their risk management. All local lenders will be obliged to abide by the New...

Lee's transition team adopts "4C" philosophy for setting policy goals.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- President-elect Lee Myung-bak's transition team said Monday that the incoming government's top policy priority will be economic revitalization and national harmony. Lee Kyung-sook, chief of the transition team, said...

Lee displays CEO-style leadership in running transition team.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- President-elect Lee Myung-bak, well known for his legendary career as chief executive of Hyundai's construction arm, has been displaying CEO-style leadership, prodding members of his presidential transition team to...

Standing by your name.
January 2, 2008... (EDITORIAL from the JoongAng Daily on Jan. 2) - It is good that President-elect Lee Myung-bak decided to call his new administration the Lee Myung-bak administration. It is said that quite a few of his aides wanted to name it the practical...

Closer China-Japan Ties: Seoul Should Actively Push for 'Pragmatic' Diplomacy.
January 2, 2008... (EDITORIAL from the Korea Times on Jan. 2) - Last week's visit by Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda to China marked a new milestone in the relations between the two Asian rivals. The visit was described as a ``spring'' trip to warm up the...

Real reform.
January 2, 2008... (EDITORIAL from the Korea Herald on Jan. 2) - One of the things that Lee Myung-bak did right after he was elected was meet with the country's top business leaders. He promised a business-friendly government, and the top brass of the Korean...

Lotte files constitutional petition over skyscraper.
January 2, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korean retail giant Lotte Group said Tuesday that it has lodged a constitutional petition against the government's disapproval of the construction of a proposed 112-story building in Seoul. Lotte Group is...

(4th LD) N. Korea greets New Year with no explanations about missing year-end nuclear disarmament deadline.
January 2, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- North Korea greeted New Year's Day with a vow to strengthen its military and economy but without any mention of its failure to meet a year-end nuclear disarmament deadline set under an internaitonal accord. In a...

Today in Korean history.
January 2, 2008... Jan. 2 1946 -- The Korean Communist Party announces its support for a U.N. trusteeship of Korea. 1951 -- The government of President Syngman Rhee begins a pre-screening of periodicals. 2004 -- South Korea's foreign ministry...

S. Korean builders' overseas orders hit record high in 2007.
January 2, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korean builders logged record overseas orders in 2007 on the back of strong demand from the oil-rich Middle East, government data showed Tuesday. South Korean construction firms received combined overseas...

President-elect asks builders to mull whether to join canal project.
January 2, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- The transition team of South Korea's president-elect has asked five major local builders to consider taking part in a cross-country canal project, an official said Tuesday. Lee Myung-bak, who won a presidential...

S. Korea's economy forecast to expand at upper 4 pct this year: minister.
January 2, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean economy is expected to increase at the upper 4 percent-range this year, mainly because of optimism about exports and domestic spending, the country's top economic policymaker said recently. The...

(News Focus) Power likely to shift to diplomats from officials specializing in N. Korea.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Yonhap) -- "Those were the days." These words may encapsulate the mood of the government officials here in charge of handling North Korea affairs as a pro-Pyongyang administration exits and a conservative government leaning...

Autonomy in education.
January 3, 2008... (EDITORIAL from the JoongAng Daily on Jan. 3): The Education Ministry decided to give universities the right to have their own system to recruit new students. This is a belated decision but certainly the right move. We hope that this...

Debate erupts over prospective invitation of N. Korean envoy to Lee's inauguration.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Yonhap) -- The recent proposal by a top policy advisor to President-elect Lee Myung-bak that North Korea's No. 2 leader Kim Yong-nam visit South Korea in February to attend Lee's inauguration triggered a fresh debate on the...

Canal project.
January 3, 2008... (EDITORIAL from the Korea Times on Jan. 3): President-elect Lee Myung-bak's pledge to build a large-scale cross-country canal is likely to ignite a heated debate over its feasibility. The canal project is one of Lee's key campaign commitments....

Pyongyang's anxiety.
January 3, 2008... (EDITORIAL from the Korea Herald on Jan. 3): The election of Lee Myung-bak of the Grand National Party, and the anticipated turn to the right in national policies, as inter-Korean relations have markedly advanced in the past decade, must be...

Top headlines in major S. Korean newspapers.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Yonhap) -- The following are the top headlines in major South Korean newspapers on Jan. 3. Vernacular dailies -- President-elect Lee forgets campaign pledge to survey public opinion on cross-country canal (Kyunghyang...

S. Korea's electronic financial transactions rise in Q3.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's electronic financial transactions jumped about 17 percent in the third quarter from three months earlier, mainly because online securities trading surged amid a boom in stock markets, the financial...

S. Korea's foreign reserves rise in December.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's foreign exchange reserves increased modestly in December from a month earlier mainly due to increased investment profits, the central bank said Thursday. As of the end of December, the nation's foreign...

U.S. nuclear envoy to travel to Asia this week.
January 3, 2008... WASHINGTON, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- The top U.S. nuclear envoy will head out to Asia later this week as part of consultations to push ahead six-party talks snagged by North Korea's failure to disclose its nuclear stockpile by the agreed deadline. ...

U.S. becoming skeptical about N.K. nuclear declaration: White House.
January 3, 2008... WASHINGTON, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- The United States on Wednesday said it was skeptical about North Korea providing a full declaration of its nuclear stockpile, citing past negotiation experience with the regime. "As we've dealt with North Korea...

U.S. lawmaker versed in Korea issues to retire.
January 3, 2008... WASHINGTON, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- A senior U.S. legislator with a deep interest in Korean affairs and human rights announced Wednesday he will retire from Congress after being diagnosed with cancer. Rep. Tom Lantos (D-California) said in a...

U.N. chief begins second year, vowing efforts on Sudan, human rights, reforms.
January 3, 2008... UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon began his second year as head of the United Nations in a term so far marked by long days, extensive travel and efforts to build the foundations of peace. It has not been without...

Olympic baseball head coach resigns.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- Sun Dong-yuhl, manager of South Korea's pro baseball club Samsung Lions, has resigned as the head coach of South Korea's team that is preparing for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Sun, 44, said Wednesday he conveyed his...

SK Telecom beats rivals in attracting new customers.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- SK Telecom Co., South Korea's top mobile carrier, attracted more new customers than its two rivals in December, according to data released by the companies Wednesday. SK Telecom reported that it gained a net 152,029...

Incoming gov't downgrades economic growth targets.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- The incoming Lee Myung-bak administration is moving to downgrade its economic growth target to 6 percent in 2008 from the earlier 7 percent, political sources said Wednesday. Officials working for the president-elect's...

Lee's government to encourage establishment of elite schools.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's incoming administration will help the private sector establish as many as 100 elite high schools and 50 specialized high schools, in a bid to shift the nation's educational paradigm from egalitarianism to...

President-elect vows to attain 7-percent economic growth despite difficulties.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- President-elect Lee Myung-bak said Wednesday that he will make good on his campaign pledge to boost the nation's annual economic growth rate to 7 percent and revitalize the sluggish economy, despite unfavorable...

Hyundai, Kia miss 2007 sales targets on weaker sales in U.S., China.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co. and its affiliate Kia Motors Corp. failed to meet their sales targets last year, hit by weaker sales in the United States and Chinese markets, the companies said Wednesday. As well as higher oil...

Boxing champ Choi to be removed from life support system at midnight.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- Medical doctors were expected to remove comatose South Korean boxer Choi Yo-sam from a life support system at midnight Wednesday, as they earlier pronounced him brain dead and his family agreed to donate his organs,...

Leader of student activist group arrested for anti-U.S., pro-communist activities.
January 3, 2008... GWANGJU, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- The leader of South Korea's largest student activist group was arrested on Wednesday for leading a violent anti-U.S. rally in 2004 and violating the anti-communist National Security Law, police said. Yoo Sun-min,...

Seoul shares end sharply lower on U.S. losses.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks ended sharply lower Wednesday as a slump in Wall Street's previous session weighed on most blue chips here on the first trading session of 2008, analysts said. The local currency depreciated against...

STX Group aims for 25 tln won sales in 2008.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- STX Group, a mid-sized South Korean conglomerate, said Wednesday that it is aiming to post 25 trillion won (US$26.7 billion) in sales in 2008 by upgrading its business lines and creating new growth engines. ...

Hyundai E&C inks US$713 mln deal to build power plant in Libya.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap)-- South Korea's third-largest builder Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. said Wednesday it has signed a US$713 million contract with the Libyan government to build a power plant in eastern Libya. The power plant...

Roh to name special counsel Monday to probe president-elect.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- President Roh Moo-hyun will next Monday appoint an independent counsel to investigate allegations that President-elect Lee Myung-bak was involved in a financial fraud in 2001, Roh's spokesperson said Wednesday. ...

Samsung Electronics aims to become global leader in sales and profits next year.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- Samsung Electronics Co. will try to become the world's No. 1 electronics manufacturer in terms of sales and profits in 2009, when it marks the 40th anniversary of its establishment, its top executive said Wednesday. ...

Renault Samsung recalls 68,037 SM5 sedans over engine fault.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- Renault Samsung Motor Co., the South Korean affiliate of France's Renault SA, is recalling 68,037 passenger cars in two models in South Korea over an engine defect, the Ministry of Construction and Transportation said...

China's top court approves extradition of S. Korean cult leader on rape charges.
January 3, 2008... SHENYANG, China, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- China's top court has approved the extradition to South Korea of a cult leader accused of raping his female followers, a ruling that now only awaits signing by the Beijing administration, a South Korean envoy...

GM's S. Korean unit posts 25.2 pct rise in 2007 sales.(Financial report)
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co., the South Korean affiliate of U.S. General Motors Corp., said Wednesday its 2007 vehicle sales gained 25.2 percent from a year earlier to 960,186 units. Domestic sales rose 1.7...

Renault Samsung's 2007 vehicle sales rise 7.4 percent.(Financial report)
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- Renault Samsung Motor Co., the South Korean unit of France's Renault SA, said Wednesday its 2007 vehicle sales rose 7.4 percent from a year earlier to 172,347 units. Last year, domestic sales fell 1.4 percent to...

Kia Motors reports 8.3 pct rise in 2007 vehicle sales.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- Kia Motors Corp., South Korea's second-largest automaker, said Wednesday its vehicle sales rose 8.3 percent in 2007 from a year earlier to 1.36 million units. Last year, domestic sales rose 0.6 percent to 272,330...

Today in Korean history.
January 3, 2008... Jan. 3 1951 -- South Korea's government begins pre-censorship on publications 2007 -- Ban Ki-moon, a South Korean diplomat, starts his work as the Secretary General of the United Nations. Ban was elected as the eighth...

Ssangyong Motor sets price range for new luxury sedan.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- Ssangyong Motor Co., the South Korean unit of China's Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp., said Wednesday it has set a price range for its new luxury sedan that will be available for sale in March. The Chairman W...

S. Korea's exports reach record US$371.8 bln in 2007.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's exports gained 14.2 percent from a year earlier to a record US$371.8 billion in 2007 thanks mainly to strong shipments of mobile phones, ships and autos, a government report said Wednesday. The sharp...

Seoul shares fall on U.S. losses in previous session.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks traded weaker late Wednesday morning as a slump in Wall Street's previous session weighed down most blue chips here on the first trading session of 2008, analysts said. The benchmark Korea...

(News Focus) President-elect speeds up cross-country waterway project amid controversy.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- The transition team of President-elect Lee Myung-bak is accelerating the pace of a cross-country waterway project, one of Lee's flagship pledges during the election campaign, amid a heated debate over its economic...

Commander of Eighth U.S. Army in Korea to be replaced.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- The Eighth U.S. Army in South Korea, the backbone of U.S. forces here, is to get a new commander in the near future, an official at the Combined Forces Command (CFC) of South Korean and U.S. forces here said Wednesday....

Three LG communications firms oppose SK Telecom's takeover of Internet operator.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- Three communications units of LG Group, one of South Korea's largest conglomerates, called on the government Wednesday to block top mobile carrier SK Telecom Co.'s takeover bid for a major Internet operator, saying...

Six-way talks on NK nuke possible before full declaration: S. Korea.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- A new round of six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear ambitions can be held without Pyongyang's full declaration of its suspected activity as a way of encouraging the recalcitrant state to move on the stalled...

S. Korean economy needs to brace for external risks: finance minister.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean economy should prepare for looming external risks this year, the country's top economic policymaker said Wednesday, warning that major economic factors such as oil prices are forecast to remain...

Samsung Group undecided on 2008 investment plan amid slush fund probe.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- Samsung Group said Wednesday it may delay setting a group-wide investment plan for this year until February as an independent counsel is set to launch a fresh probe into allegations that the nation's top conglomerate...

Team Lee Myung-bak speeds up transition.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korean president-elect Lee Myung-bak's transition committee is speeding up the power changeover process, aiming to complete the reformation of the central government and key policies before Lee's Feb. 25...

Hanwha Group to raise 2008 investment to 2 tln won, chairman says.
January 3, 2008... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- Hanwha Group, South Korea's ninth-largest business conglomerate, plans to spend 2 trillion won (US$2.1 billion) this year, 200 billion won more than initially planned, its chairman said Wednesday. The planned...