YON - Yonhap News Agency of Korea articles from January 2009

YON - Yonhap News Agency of Korea archives from January 2009

(3rd LD) N. Korea vows to denuclearize peninsula, rebuild economy in New Year.
January 1, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- North Korea said Thursday that it will rebuild its ailing economy and aim for denuclearization in the New Year, in an apparent signal of its willingness to start afresh with the United States. In a joint newspaper...

(3rd LD) South Korea wants dialogue but has no plan to send special envoy to N. Korea.
January 1, 2009... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will help rebuild North Korea's ailing economy if Pyongyang accepts its offer of dialogue, Seoul's unification minister said Wednesday, renewing calls for a change in the North's attitude to repair damaged...

SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will seek to clinch a free trade deal with the European Union (EU) by March and launch trade talks with Australia and five other countries next year, the trade ministry said Wednesday.
January 1, 2009... In a 2009 policy report to President Lee Myung-bak, the ministry said it will strive to seal a free trade agreement (FTA) with the 27-nation economic bloc by the end of the first quarter with the aim of implementing it in 2010. Since the...

(2nd LD) Assembly deadlock to continue into New Year.
January 1, 2009... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- Opposition lawmakers exhausted from a nearly week-long sit-in at the National Assembly were poised to greet the New Year at the legislature as party leaders failed to reconcile differences over President Lee...

Hyundai Heavy misses 2008 order target.
January 1, 2009... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., the world's largest shipbuilder, said Wednesday that it failed to meet this year's order target due to the global economic slump. It received orders valued at a record US$28.2 billion...

Dongkuk Steel mulls scrapping plan for Brazil steel plant.
January 1, 2009... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- Dongkuk Steel Mill Co., South Korea's third-largest steelmaker, said Wednesday it will review its US$2 billion steel plant construction project in Brazil due to conflicts of interest among investors and drastic...

Seoul to spend W7 trillion on defense goods in first half of 2009.
January 1, 2009... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will spend over 7 trillion won (US$5.4 billion) in the first half of next year on purchasing weapons and other defense articles as well as new apartments for military servicemembers to help boost the...

Dubai crude prices may hover at US$50 per barrel in 2009: report.
January 1, 2009... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- The price of Dubai brand crude is expected to hover at around US$50 per barrel next year as sluggish economic growth affects consumption, a state-run energy think tank said Wednesday. The report by the Korea Energy...

Minor opposition head fined for defamation but keeps seat.
January 1, 2009... JINJU, South Korea, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean court Wednesday fined a minor opposition party leader 800,000 won (US$611) on charges of violating election laws, effectively preserving the seat of the progressive lawmaker. In a public...

Japanese PM to visit S. Korea next month for summit.
January 1, 2009... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso will arrive in Seoul on Jan. 11 for a two-day trip to hold a summit with his South Korean counterpart Lee Myung-bak, Seoul's top diplomat said Wednesday. "Prime Minister Aso will...

Lee vows non-political approach to North Korea.
January 1, 2009... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak on Wednesday pledged to take a long-term, non-political approach to strained relations with North Korea and map out fundamental strategies to promote peaceful coexistence and co-prosperity on...

N. Korea to promote young economic elite in 2009: report.
January 1, 2009... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- North Korea will refresh its parliament with promotions of young economic elite in 2009, laying the groundwork for the post-Kim Jong-il era, a South Korean state-run think tank said. Economic pragmatism may emerge in...

S. Korea urged to 'unconditionally' resume tours to N. Korea.
January 1, 2009... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean company operating businesses in North Korea urged the Seoul government Wednesday to "unconditionally" resume tours to North Korea, despite worsening inter-Korean ties. Tours to Mount Kumgang on North...

S. Korea's consumer prices rise 4.1 pct in Dec.
January 1, 2009... (ATTNL ADDS details from 5th para) SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's consumer prices grew at a slower pace in December than in the previous month as falling crude oil prices drove down overall production costs, a government report showed...

BOK chief vows to prioritize economic recovery next year.
January 1, 2009... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's central bank will focus its 2009 monetary policy on bolstering the fast slowing economy as inflationary pressure is expected to ease, its chief said Wednesday. The Korean economy is feared to lose...

Samsung C&T wins 1.38 tln won construction order from UAE.
January 1, 2009... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- Samsung C&T Corp., South Korea's second-largest builder, said Wednesday it has received a 1.38 trillion won (US$1.04 billion) construction order from the United Arab Emirates. The deal with Dubai-based real estate...

Full text of President Lee's New Year's message.
January 1, 2009... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- The following is the full text of President Lee Myung-bak's New Year's message to the nation released on Wednesday. My fellow Koreans, The New Year of 2009 has dawned. I wish every one of you a very healthy,...

S. Korea pushing to ink trade deal with EU by March.
January 1, 2009... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will seek to clinch a free trade deal with the European Union (EU) by March and launch trade talks with Australia and five other countries next year, the trade ministry said Wednesday. In a 2009 policy...

S. Korea to seek progress in nuke talks, stronger ties with U.S.
January 1, 2009... Seoul, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will focus diplomatic efforts next year on making "substantial progress" in six-way talks on the North Korean nuclear program and bolstering its "strategic alliance" with the United States, the foreign...

Lee calls for national unity to weather economic crisis.
January 1, 2009... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak on Wednesday issued his New Year's message, calling on the nation to unite to overcome the financial crisis. In the message to celebrate the dawn of 2009, Lee also asked the Korean people to...

N. Korean family defects to South on wooden boat.
January 1, 2009... YEONPYEONGDO, South Korea, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- A North Korean family of four has defected to the South on a small boat on western waters and is currently under custody of authorities here, according to informed sources Wednesday. The family...

Finance minister eyes tougher hardships in 2009.
January 1, 2009... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will face a more challenging year in 2009 with deepening concerns that a global recession could make it tougher for the export-driven Asian economy to maintain economic growth, a top economic policymaker...

Ssangyong Motor workers to vote on strike next week amid crisis.
January 1, 2009... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- Unionized workers at Ssangyong Motor Co., which will face liquidation unless its Chinese parent Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. injects fresh capital to the ailing carmaker, were set to vote on a proposed strike...

Court dismisses ousted KBS chief's appeal for reinstatement.
January 1, 2009... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- The Supreme Court rejected a request by the fired chief of national broadcaster KBS to review the legitimacy of his dismissal by President Lee Myung-bak, removing his last chance to be reinstated to the job, court...

S. Korea to make on-site survey of Afghanistan for its future role.
January 1, 2009... SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to send a senior government official to Afghanistan next month to seek ways of expanding its contributions there, a foreign ministry official said Wednesday. The dispatch is aimed at preparing for...

Frustrating editorial.(Editorial)
January 2, 2009... (EDITORIAL from the JoongAng Daily on Jan. 2) -- The annual lengthy editorial was published in the North Korean regime's Rodong Sinmun newspaper yesterday. The publication is the official newspaper of the military and young party members. The...

A message of hope.
January 2, 2009... (EDITORIAL from the Korea Herald on Jan. 2) -- In times of national crisis, it is only a matter of course for Korean people to look to their president for not just crisis management but a prescription for recovery. As such, public attention...

Road to denuclearization: North Korea urged to give up brinkmanship tactics.
January 2, 2009... (EDITORIAL from the Korea Times on Jan. 2) -- It is regrettable that the Lee Myung-bak administration has only suffered from setbacks in inter-Korean ties without any progress in international efforts to persuade Pyongyang to abandon its...

S. Korean parties to resume talks to ease parliamentary deadlock.
January 2, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's rival parties agreed Thursday to resume talks aimed at ending a festering confrontation that has prevented the National Assembly from ratifying a free trade deal with the United States and other...

S. Korean defense minister warns of possible provocation by N. Korea.
January 2, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee urged his troops Thursday to bolster combat readiness for a possible conflict with North Korea especially near the disputed inter-Korean sea border in the Yellow Sea. "Standing ready to...

Lee to call for national unity to overcome economic trouble.
January 2, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak plans to outline his policy direction this year in an address focusing on economic issues that will be broadcast live nationwide on Friday, his aides said. In his 20-minute New Year...

(News Focus) N. Korea softens on nuclear talks, tightens grip on regime in New Year.
January 2, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- North Korea greeted the New Year on Thursday with an increased focus on its ailing economy and a commitment to denuclearization, a conciliatory signal to the incoming U.S. administration on negotiations over its...

Banks set guidelines to weed out nonviable builders, shipyards: report.
January 2, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- Corporate restructuring efforts in South Korea are likely to accelerate as authorities will soon start evaluating struggling builders and shipyards before providing financial support for their survival, a local media...

(5th LD) N. Korea vows to denuclearize, rebuild economy in New Year.
January 2, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- North Korea said Thursday that it will rebuild its ailing economy and aim for denuclearization in the New Year, in an apparent signal of its willingness to start afresh with the United States. In a joint newspaper...

Equity fund investments up in Nov.
January 2, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- Outstanding equity fund investments grew at a faster pace in November than a month earlier as stock markets seemed to be gaining some stability, data showed Thursday. According to the data provided by the Assent...

S. Korea's industrial export shipments plunge in Nov.
January 2, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's industrial shipments for exports plunged in November as overseas demand was sharply dented amid deepening global recession woes, the government said Thursday. The National Statistical Office (NSO) said...

S. Korean president starts new year with visit to national cemetery.
January 2, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak visited the national cemetery in Seoul Thursday in his first official act of the new year, asking people to have "hope and courage." Lee was accompanied by Prime Minister Han Seung-soo, 15 other...

Gov't to spend 100 bln won on overseas marketing in H1 to buoy exports.
January 2, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- The government said Thursday it will spend 100 billion won (US$76.3 million) on overseas marketing support efforts until June to help boost South Korean exports. The amount represents more than 70 percent of the 140...

Gov't to spend 87 bln won to support corporate relocation in 2009.
January 2, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- The government said Thursday that it has set aside 87.0 billion won (US$66.4 million) this year to support balanced national growth by helping companies relocate their operations to rural areas. The amount is double...

Durable product sales plunge in Nov. amid economic downturn.
January 2, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korean households and companies are scaling down spending on durable goods as concerns are growing that the economy is slowing at a faster-than-expected pace, the government said Thursday. According to the...

N. Korean leader hopes for closer ties with China in 2009.
January 2, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has sent a New Year message to Chinese President Hu Jintao expressing hopes for closer ties between the traditional allies, Pyongyang's state media reported Thursday. "2009, which will...

Extraordinary times.
January 2, 2009... (EDITORIAL from the JoongAng Daily on Jan. 1) -- This year will be an extraordinary year. Twelve months ago, we were in high spirits, marking the historic 60th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Korea and a new leader was at the...

New Year challenge.
January 2, 2009... (EDITORIAL from the Korea Herald on Jan. 1) -- The start of a New Year brings with it much excitement from anticipation about the coming year. Out with the old and in with the new - we make resolutions and draw up plans for the New Year, and...

For fresh start Let's get rid of enmity, discord in 2009.
January 2, 2009... (EDITORIAL from the Korea Times on Jan. 1) -- Even in hardest economic times, New Year's Day should be a cause for joy and hope instead of fear and concern. Reasons are aplenty to be pessimistic, indeed. It is not just the global recession...

Bailouts - a team approach.
January 3, 2009... (EDITORIAL from the JoongAng Daily on Jan. 3) -- The guidelines for restructuring construction and shipbuilding companies are on the table. Creditors intend to distinguish the gems from the stones by comparing debt ratios, numbers of unsold...

No real change.
January 3, 2009... (EDITORIAL from the Korea Herald on Jan. 3) -- The Lee Myung-bak administration - which has decided, for lack of a better alternative, that waiting is also a policy where North Korea is concerned - should make genuine efforts to bring about a...

Top policy objectives Better leadership required for economic revival.
January 3, 2009... (EDITORIAL from the Korea Times on Jan. 3) -- President Lee Myung-bak's four-point policy objectives for this year are primarily aimed at reviving the slumping economy. It is a pressing task for the Lee administration to save Korea Inc. from...

White House urges N. Korea to return to 6-party talks.
January 3, 2009... WASHINGTON, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- The Bush administration Friday urged North Korea to return to multilateral talks on ending its nuclear weapons ambitions with less than three weeks remaining in Bush's term. "We want to see North Korea get back on...

GM Daewoo extends shutdown of some production lines.
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean unit of troubled U.S. auto giant General Motors Corp. said Friday it will extend a shutdown of some of its production lines amid a sharp slump in vehicle sales. GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co. will...

Kumho Tire delays bonus payments amid liquidity shortage.
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- Kumho Tire Co., South Korea's second-largest tiremaker, said Friday it hasn't been able to pay bonuses last year to its approximate 3,000 factory workers amid a liquidity shortage. "The bonus payment was delayed...

S. Korea's house prices move up 3.1 pct in 2008.
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's house prices gained just 3.1 percent on-year in 2008 as the economic slump and tough anti-speculation measures hurt overall demand, a report by Kookmin Bank said Friday. The bank, which surveys house...

Ruling party boycotts talks over minor opposition leader.
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- Rival parties' negotiations on resolving a month-long parliamentary deadlock hit a snag Friday, as the ruling party boycotted talks aimed at reaching a compromise over a trade deal with the U.S., media ownership...

Korean carmakers' 2008 sales edge up, but Dec. shipments dive.
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korean carmakers' sales rose slightly in 2008 from a year earlier, but their shipments tumbled in December amid a deepening global economic downturn, the companies' data showed Friday. Hyundai Motor Co., Kia...

S. Korea's spy chief vows to closely watch N. Korea in New Year.
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- The chief of South Korea's spy agency said Friday he will closely monitor North Korea in the New Year, saying national security is a precondition for the country's economic revival. "The eyes of all the Korean people...

Seoul shares start new year on high note.
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares got off to a strong start for the new year on Friday with the key index surging 2.93 percent on strong shipbuilder gains, analysts said. The local currency plummeted against the U.S. dollar. The...

S. Korean president to skip World Economic Forum.
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has decided not to attend this year's World Economic Forum in order to focus on the more pressing domestic issues, including the slumping economy, aides said Friday. The annual...

Pyeongchang vows to make third bid for 2018 Winter Olympics.
January 3, 2009... PYEONGCHANG, South Korea, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's eastern resort of Pyeongchang resumed its bid to host the Winter Olympics, despite two previous failures, a provincial official said Friday. Pyeongchang, a mountainous county in Gangwon...

N. Korea to improve ties with U.S., get tougher on S. Korea: report.
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- North Korea demonstrated its commitment to denuclearization and improved relations with the United States through its New Year message, a pro-Pyongyang newspaper in Japan said Friday. The communist state, however, has...

Defense chief calls for greater effort in assimilating rank-and-filers.
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's defense chief called Friday on commanders to help soldiers better cope with their compulsory armed service after a year tarnished by a grenade explosion that left five injured, an official said. The...

Korean currency tumbles 4.7 pct against dollar.
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean currency plunged 4.66 percent against the U.S. dollar on the first trading day of 2009 Friday as companies snapped up the dollar to cover import bills after closing the book for 2008, dealers said. The...

GM Daewoo's 2008 auto sales drop 8.1 pct.
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean unit of troubled U.S. auto giant General Motors Corp. said Friday its auto sales fell 8.1 percent in 2008 from a year ago due to a fall in global demand. GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co. sold a total of...

Hyundai Motor's 2008 vehicle sales rise 6.9 pct.(Financial report)
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's top automaker, said Friday its vehicle sales gained 6.9 percent in 2008 from a year earlier on increased exports to emerging markets. Hyundai Motor sold a total of 2.78 million units...

Lee, Obama meeting likely at April G-20: minister.
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak is expected to hold his first meeting with incoming U.S. President Barack Obama in London in early April on the sidelines of the G-20 economic summit, Seoul's foreign minister said...

S. Korea to discuss N. Korean defector issue with Myanmar, Laos.
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- A senior South Korean foreign ministry official will leave for Myanmar and Laos this weekend to discuss the issue of North Korean defectors who are increasingly seeking shelter there, ministry sources said. The...

Ssangyong Motor's 2008 sales plunge 29.6 pct.
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- Ssangyong Motor Co., the South Korean unit of China's Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. (SAIC), said Friday its vehicle sales tumbled 29.6 percent in 2008 from a year earlier on weak exports. Ssangyong Motor said in a...

S. Korea to slap anti-dumping duties on Chinese, Taiwanese yarn.
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will slap anti-dumping duties on polyester yarn products from China and Taiwan for the next three years, the government said Friday. The Ministry of Strategy and Finance said it has accepted the results of...

Kia Motors' 2008 vehicle sales rise 2.9 pct.(Financial report)
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- Kia Motors Corp., South Korea's second-largest automaker, said Friday its vehicle sales gained 2.9 percent in 2008 from a year earlier on strong domestic demand, despite slumping exports. Kia Motors sold a total of 1.4...

Renault Samsung's 2008 auto sales rise 14.4 pct.(Financial report)
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean unit of French automaker Renault SA said Friday its vehicle sales grew 14.4 percent in 2008 from a year earlier on the back of brisk exports. Renault Samsung Motor Co. said in a statement that it sold...

Retired soldiers to head defense units amid skepticism over reform effort.
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's defense ministry said Friday it appointed four civilians to head non-combat units as part of a government-wide effort to trim bureaucracy, but the move was greeted with skepticism when the replacements...

Liberal lawmaker takes over minority seat, signals shift in power balance.
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- A liberal legislator who campaigned against President Lee Myung-bak in 2007 will head a parliamentary negotiating group this year, signaling a subtle shift in the balance of power for South Korea's National Assembly....

N. Korea reports brisk work in agriculture, energy industry.
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- North Korean media on Friday reported brisk work in its agriculture and energy industry, following Pyongyang's New Year message that emphasized rebuilding the national economy and ties with the U.S. In a joint...

S. Korean manufacturers' financial health hits record low.
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korean manufacturers' financial conditions deteriorated to a record low in December and are expected to worsen as a global economic slump begins to hit exports amid sluggish domestic demand, data by the central...

Seoul stocks edge up 0.08 pct in late morning.
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonha) -- South Korean stocks inched up 0.08 percent late Friday morning in the first session for 2009, lifted by a shipbuilder rally, analysts said. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 0.88 points to...

Court orders foreign ministry to approve Yasukuni-focused civic group.
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean court ordered the government to officially approve a civic group working to bring back the mortuary tablets of deceased Koreans laid in a Tokyo shrine alongside Japanese war criminals, officials said...

Bank chiefs call for swift revamp of nonviable firms.
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korean lenders need to restructure nonviable companies as quickly as possible in order to supply much-needed funds to viable corporations, bank chiefs said Friday. Despite the government's strong commitment,...

S. Korea swings to trade deficit in 2008.
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea posted its first trade deficit in more than a decade in 2008 due to the worldwide economic slump and a surge in energy prices, a government report said Friday. The trade deficit reached US$12.9 billion last...

President Lee vows economic revival, stronger reform drive.
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak called for all-out efforts to boost the slumping economy Friday, vowing what he called "diversified" efforts to create jobs and a stronger drive to reform the country's state-run...

Seoul stocks open lower on financial share losses.
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks got off to a weak start Friday in the first session for 2009 as investors remained skeptical about an economic recovery, analysts said. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed...

Hyundai, Kia to boost overseas car sales this year.
January 3, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- Hyunai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. should put top priority on boosting revenue by increasing overseas sales this year in an effort to combat a global economic downturn, the companies' chairman said Friday. South...

S. Korean lawmakers scuffle in parliament, some 20 injured.
January 4, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's main opposition lawmakers scuffled violently with security guards on Saturday as the guards attempted to end the lawmakers' sit-in protest at the parliamentary speaker's podium, in a move to help push...

U.S. envoy tours museum honoring Korean nationalist leader amid history row.
January 4, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Yonhap) -- The top U.S. envoy in Seoul toured a local museum Saturday that honors an ill-fated Korean nationalist leader and former independence fighter whose government-in-exile was recently disputed in an official South Korean...

Kim Jong-il inspects tank unit for New Year's: report.
January 4, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il recently inspected one of the communist country's military units, making his first public appearance of 2009 amid continued speculation about the state of his health, according to a...

Today in Korean history.
January 4, 2009... Jan. 4 1951 -- South Korean troops and U.N.-led coalition forces retreat from Seoul amid an offensive by North Korean and Chinese forces during the 1950-53 Korean War. 1991 -- South Korea and the United States revise the Status of...

Seoul shares to trade lower amid bleak outlook: analysts.
January 4, 2009... SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks are forecast to trade lower next week amid falling exports and lack of signs pointing to an economic recovery, analysts said Saturday. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed...