YON - Yonhap News Agency of Korea articles from July 2007

YON - Yonhap News Agency of Korea archives from July 2007

Bell says N. Korean missiles pose threat to rgional security.
July 1, 2007... SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's recent missile tests were successful and technologically threatening to regional security, the top U.S. military commander here said Monday. North Korea tested-launched a series of short-range missiles...

Seoul shares start lower on Wall Street losses.
July 1, 2007... SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks got off to a weak start Monday as institutions and foreigners dumped large caps, taking a cue from losses in the U.S. markets, analysts said. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index...

SK Telecom to raise US$100 mln in capital for U.S. operation.
July 1, 2007... SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- SK Telecom Co., South Korea's No. 1 mobile service operator, said Monday that it would make an additional investment in its loss-incurring mobile communications service in the U.S. SK Telecom started its U.S....

Chinese foreign minister due in Pyongyang for talks on nuclear issue.
July 1, 2007... SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi was to arrive in North Korea Monday for three days of talks expected to focus on bilateral and regional issues, including international efforts to end the North's nuclear weapons...

KOSPI 1,741.41 DN 2.19 points (open).
July 1, 2007... (THROUGH ASIA PULSE)

Monday's weather forecast.
July 1, 2007... SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- The following is the weather forecast for South Korea's 12 major cities at 9:00 a.m. Monday. Temperature (C) Condition Possibility High/Low of Rain (%) Seoul 24/20 Rain 60 Incheon...

KOSDAQ 781.42 UP 2.73 points (open).
July 1, 2007... (THROUGH ASIA PULSE)

Dollar opens at 923.0 won DN from 923.8 won.
July 1, 2007... (THROUGH ASIA PULSE)

Top headlines in major S. Korean newspapers.
July 1, 2007... SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- The following are the top headlines in major South Korean newspapers on July 2. Vernacular dailies -- S. Korea-U.S. summit may be held in September: official (Kyunghyang Shinmun) -- Seoul mulls setting up...

Yonhap news advisory for Monday, July 2.
July 1, 2007... The following stories are scheduled to be covered by Yonhap News Agency. Your queries are welcome. Yonhap's English-language news desk can be reached by telephone at 82-2-398-3451 (general), 82-2-398-3460 (economy) and by e-mail at...

PyeongChang bid centers on bolstering Asian winter sports, ties with N. Korea.
July 1, 2007... GUATEMALA CITY, July 1 (Yonhap) -- PyeongChang is hoping to bring the Winter Games to South Korea for the first time, focusing its bid campaign on expanding winter sports throughout Asia and fostering reconciliation with North Korea. ...

N. Korea backing S. Korean city's Olympic bid.
July 1, 2007... GUATEMALA CITY, July 1 (Yonhap) -- Two decades after it boycotted the Seoul Olympics, North Korea promises to throw its support behind the South Korean city of PyeongChang's bid to host the 2014 Winter Olympics, reflecting improved ties between...

Rocky road ahead: US congressional opposition might scuttle FTA with Korea.
July 1, 2007... (EDITORIAL from the Korea Times on July 2): South Korea and the United States formally signed a free trade agreement (FTA) in Washington Saturday after they struck the landmark deal April 2. The FTA, if ratified by the U.S. Congress and the...

Academia and politics.
July 1, 2007... (EDITORIAL from the Korea Herald on July 2): University professors engaging in politics usually arouse public suspicion. Worse still, they attract disdain and ridicule from the public when they move from academia to politics and, not...

An undignified argument.
July 1, 2007... (EDITORIAL from the JoongAng Daily on July 2): It's easy to be concerned by the way some public officials handle sensitive issues. Their approach is sometimes so unrefined as to be uncouth. Although public office requires a cultivated mind and...

Top headlines in major S. Korean newspapers.
July 1, 2007... SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- The following are the top headlines in major South Korean newspapers on July 2. Vernacular dailies -- S. Korea-U.S. summit may be held in September: official (Kyunghyang Shinmun) -- Seoul mulls setting up...

S. Korean business confidence drops for July.
July 1, 2007... SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korean manufacturers' business confidence for July worsened over growing concerns about the high cost of raw materials and weak domestic demand, the central bank said Monday. The business survey index (BSI)...

USFK marks 50th birthday amid N. Korea's harsh criticism.
July 1, 2007... SEOUL, July 1 (Yonhap) -- The United States Forces Korea (USFK) marked the 50th anniversary of the foundation of its headquarters here on Sunday in a rather calm mood with no formal party or ceremony, but North Korea repeated its raucous...

N. Korea expresses concern over Japan's participation in nuke talks.
July 1, 2007... SEOUL, July 1 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's Foreign Ministry said Sunday that it is deeply concerned about Japan's participation in the six-way talks on the North's nuclear weapons program, accusing Tokyo of trying to disband a pro-Pyongyang group...

S. Korean mission to visit Vietnam for economic cooperation next week.
July 1, 2007... SEOUL, July 1 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean delegation of government officials and businesspeople is to visit Vietnam next week to discuss ways of improving economic cooperation, a business organization said Sunday. The 250-member delegation...

Roh voices optimism on PyeongChang's Olympic bid.
July 1, 2007... SEATTLE, Wash., June 30 (Yonhap) -- President Roh Moo-hyun said on Saturday that PyeongChang, a South Korean mountain resort, will certainly emerge victorious in the International Olympic Committe's (IOC) coming vote to select the host of the...

S. Korean pop singer Rain cancels concert in L.A.
July 1, 2007... LOS ANGELES, July 1 (Yonhap) -- A concert in Los Angeles by South Korean pop singer Rain was abruptly canceled about two hours before his performance, the singer's Seoul-based producer said Sunday. Rain was to perform in Staples Center,...

S. Korean slugger Lee Seung-yeop hits 100th Japanese homer.
July 1, 2007... SEOUL, July 1 (Yonhap) -- Lee Seung-yeop, the South Korean slugger of the Yomiuri Giants in Japan's professional baseball league, hit a home run Sunday in Hiroshima to take his Japanese career total to 100. Playing against the Hiroshima Carps...

IOC vote for 2014 Winter Games likely to be swayed by bidders' presentations.
July 1, 2007... GUATEMALA CITY, June 30 (Yonhap) -- Just hours before the vote to pick the host of the 2014 Winter Olympics, the three bidding cities will make 45-minute presentations to International Olympic Committee (IOC) members that will likely determine...

Roh says FTA with U.S. the best choice for South Korea.
July 1, 2007... SEATTLE, Wash., June 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun said Saturday that a free trade agreement (FTA) signed with the United States earlier in the day in Washington D.C. was the best choice for South Korea made at the most...

Winter Games bidding race too close to call.
July 1, 2007... GUATEMALA CITY, June 30 (Yonhap) -- Only days before the International Olympic Committee (IOC) selects the host of the 2014 Winter Olympics, the South Korean city of PyeongChang is locked in a neck-and-neck race with two other cities, according...

Roh in Seattle on way to Guatemala.
July 1, 2007... SEATTLE, Wash., June 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun arrived here Saturday on his way to Guatemala, the venue of this year's general conference of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Roh is attending the IOC...

Profile of Sochi.
July 1, 2007... GUATEMALA CITY, June 30 (Yonhap) -- The following are key facts on Sochi's bid to host the 2014 Winter Games Location: 1,500 km south of Moscow. Population: 400,000 people / 5.1 million in Krasnodar region. Temperature: At the time...

Profile of PyeongChang.
July 1, 2007... GUATEMALA CITY, June 30 (Yonhap) -- The following are key facts on PyeongChang's bid to host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. Location: PyeongChang is about 180 km east of Seoul, South Korea. Population: There are 45,000 people in...

Profile of Salzburg.
July 1, 2007... GUATEMALA CITY, June 30 (Yonhap) -- These are key facts on Salzburg's bid to host the 2014 Winter Games Location: Salzburg is about 300 km west of Vienna and about 150 km east of Munich, Germany. Population: There are about 150,000...

Country profile of South Korea.(Country overview)
July 1, 2007... GUATEMALA CITY, June 30 (Yonhap) -- These are key facts and a brief history of South Korea Key facts Full name: The Republic of Korea Population: 49 million Official language: Korean Major religions: Christianity, Buddhism Size:...

S. Korea, Ukraine sign MOU on nuclear energy cooperation, copper development.
July 1, 2007... SEOUL, July 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and Ukraine have agreed to expand cooperation in nuclear power and the development of uranium and copper deposits, the government said Sunday. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlining the...

SsangYong I&C aims for sales target of 1 tln won by 2015: CEO.
July 1, 2007... SEOUL, July 1 (Yonhap) -- SsangYong Information & Communications Corp., a South Korean system integration company, is aiming for sales of 1 trillion won (US$1.08 billion) by 2015 by tapping into new business models, company officials said...

Korean Film Council opens U.S. office.
July 1, 2007... LOS ANGLES, June 30 (Yonhap) -- The Korean Film Council, the country's film promotion agency, opened a U.S. office in Los Angeles Saturday to help homegrown movies and film industry figures advance to Hollywood, the agency said. The office...

Feasibility study on S. Korea-China FTA to be held in Seoul this week.
July 1, 2007... SEOUL, July 1 (Yonhap) -- A feasibility study to determine if South Korea and China can benefit from a free trade agreement (FTA) will be held in Seoul this week, the government said Sunday. The two-day talks that kick off Tuesday, are...

S. Korea draw 1-1 with U.S. in their first game of U20 World Cup.
July 1, 2007... MONTREAL, July 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the United States failed to break a 1-1 tie as they ended their first match of the U20 World Cup Saturday with a scoreless second half. Surrounded by a sell-out crowd of about 55,000 and avidly...

New law on temporary workers draws limited hope.
July 1, 2007... SEOUL, July 1 (Yonhap) -- A landmark labor law that takes effect Sunday is generating both hopes and concerns among South Korean workers known for their militant unions. The legislation is designed to protect roughly 5.5 million part-timers...

(Yonhap Feature) Foreign woman opens tattered veil to sexual harassment.
July 1, 2007... SEOUL, July 1 (Yonhap) -- Sex has been a taboo subject in this traditionally Confucian society despite the growing number of women experiencing sexual harassment as they work and study in this rapidly Westernizing society, which has the world's...

Profile of Sochi.
July 2, 2007... GUATEMALA CITY, July 1 (Yonhap) -- The following are key facts on Sochi's bid to host the 2014 Winter Games Location: 1,500 km south of Moscow. Population: 400,000 people / 5.1 million in Krasnodar region. Temperature: At the time...

U.S. urges congressional support after signing Korea FTA.
July 2, 2007... WASHINGTON, June 30 (Yonhap) -- U.S. administration officials on Saturday urged Congress to support a free trade agreement (FTA) just signed with South Korea, stressing that it is a good deal and no longer amendable. South Korea's trade...

Seoul's negotiator welcomes USTR's comments rejecting amendments to FTA.
July 2, 2007... WASHINGTON, June 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's trade negotiator on Saturday welcomed his U.S. counterpart's remarks ruling out amendments to the just-signed free trade agreement (FTA), saying they were a clear message to Congress. Amb. Kim...

South Korea to start sending oil to North Korea within 2 weeks.
July 2, 2007... SEOUL, June 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will start shipping heavy oil promised to North Korea as part of a disarmament agreement within two weeks, officials at the Unification Ministry said. Working-level officials of the two Koreas met in...

S. Korea, U.S. sign free trade agreement.
July 2, 2007... WASHINGTON, June 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the United States signed a free trade agreement (FTA) Saturday that is expected to bring geopolitical as well as economic benefits to the two trading partners. South Korea's trade minister, Kim...

U.S., S. Korea conducted 170 aerial espionage cases against N. Korea in June: report.
July 2, 2007... SEOUL, June 30 (Yonhap) -- The United States and South Korea conducted about 170 cases of aerial espionage against North Korea in June, bringing the total number of spying cases to more than 1,000 in the first half of this year, the North's...

N. Korea congratulates Britain's new prime minister on his appointment.
July 2, 2007... SEOUL, June 30 (Yonhap) -- North Korea sent a congratulatory message to Gordon Brown on his assumption of office as Britain's prime minister, its state media outlet said Saturday. Kim Yong-il, premier of the North Korean Cabinet, "wished the...

S. Korea to host OECD World Forum in 2009.
July 2, 2007... SEOUL, June 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will likely host the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's World Forum in 2009, a government official now participating in this year's meeting said Saturday. Seoul has expressed its bid...

South Korea resumes rice aid to North amid optimism in nuclear standoff.
July 2, 2007... SEOUL, June 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Saturday resumed rice aid to North Korea after more than a year as Pyongyang takes a step toward fulfilling an international agreement aimed at disarming the North's nuclear weapons program. A South...

South Korea resumes rice aid to North Korea amid optimism in nuclear standoff.
July 2, 2007... SEOUL, June 30 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean ship carrying rice left for North Korea on Saturday as the North took a step closer to shutting down its main nuclear reactor, officials said. On Tuesday, South Korea pledged to resume rice aid to...

Roh departs for Guatemala to boost PyeongChang's Olympic bid.
July 2, 2007... SEOUL, June 30 (Yonhap) -- President Roh Moo-hyun on Saturday left for Guatemala, the venue of this year's general conference of International Olympic Committee (IOC) members, to drum up support for the South Korean city PyeongChang's bid to...

S. Korean bid officials arrive in Guatemala.
July 2, 2007... GUATEMALA CITY, June 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Olympic bid delegation arrived on Friday in Guatemala, the venue for next week's International Olympic Committee (IOC) session which will select the city to host the 2014 Winter Olympics. ...

IAEA says deal reached with Pyongyang on nuclear disarmament steps.
July 2, 2007... BEIJING, June 30 (Yonhap) -- A top U.N. nuclear inspector confirmed Saturday North Korea and his agency have agreed on how the nuclear facilities in the communist state will be shut down and monitored in line with the six-party agreement. ...

Today in Korean history.
July 2, 2007... July 1 1906 -- A Japanese colonial agency assumes authority over Korea's railways from Joseon Dynasty. Imperial Japan established the agency, named Joseon Tonggambu, in Seoul the previous year as part of efforts to seize diplomatic rights...

Amphibious transport dock ship handed over to Navy.
July 3, 2007... SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- The Navy commissioned a large multipurpose transport vessel Tuesday after two years of trial operation. The 14,000-ton Dokdo Ham (ship), named after South Korea's easternmost islets in the East Sea, can carry up to...

S. Korea wants U.S. to waive entry visas for more than 10,500 professionals.
July 3, 2007... SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's senior trade official said Tuesday his government expects the United States to work to exempt entry visas for more than 10,500 Korean professionals since the two sides signed a free trade agreement (FTA)...

Chinese foreign minister in Pyongyang for talks on nuclear disarmament.
July 3, 2007... SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi was expected to hold talks on bilateral relations and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula with his North Korean counterpart Tuesday as he continues his three-day trip to...

Former point man on North Korea joins presidential race despite low ratings.
July 3, 2007... SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- Former Unification Minister Chung Dong-young launched his long-awaited presidential campaign Tuesday, joining a flock of other contenders of the pro-government Uri Party hoping for a dramatic change in polls that now...

Shinhan Bank buys 2.3 pct stake in KT&G.
July 3, 2007... SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- Shinhan Bank, South Korea's third-largest lender, has bought a 2.3 percent stake in KT&G Corp. for 201.9 billion won (US$219.7 million), industry sources said Tuesday Shinhan Bank, the flagship unit of Shinhan...

Draft-dodging S. Korean pop singer to be inducted into military.
July 3, 2007... SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean pop singer charged with dodging conscription will have to serve in the military for up to 20 months, conscription officials said Tuesday. The Military Manpower Administration said Park Jae-sang,...

N. Korea's IOC member backing PyeongChang's Olympic bid.
July 3, 2007... GUATEMALA CITY, July 2 (Yonhap) -- A top North Korean sports official reiterated Monday that his country supports the South Korean city of PyeongChang's bid to host the 2014 Winter Games. Jang Ung, a North Korean member of the International...

Kia Motors workers go on strike for higher pay.
July 3, 2007... SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- Unionized workers at Kia Motors Corp., an affiliate of Hyundai Motor Co., were set to walk off their jobs on Tuesday as planned over a pay raise and bonuses, a company spokesman said. Last week, 57.5 percent of...

Ninety-seven IOC members to select host of 2014 Games.
July 3, 2007... GUATEMALA, July 2 (Yonhap) -- Ninety-seven out of 111 International Olympic Committee (IOC) members will vote to select the host of the 2014 Winter Olympics, an IOC official said Monday. Five IOC members conveyed their intention not to...

We are the target.
July 3, 2007... (EDITORIAL from the JoongAng Daily on July 3): B. B. Bell, the commander of U.S. Forces Korea, has expressed grave concern regarding North Koreas missile development. Talking about recent short range North Korean missile tests he said, These...

Confident S. Korea to meet desperate Brazil in U-20 World Cup.
July 3, 2007... MONTREAL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- After an impressive one-all draw in their opener against the United States, South Korea appear charged with confidence, but analysts said they should focus on defense to curb a determined Brazil in their second FIFA...

US Should Soon Allow South Koreans to Travel More Freely.
July 3, 2007... (EDITORIAL from the Korea Times on July 3): U.S. President George W. Bush has reaffirmed his commitment to helping South Koreans to enjoy a visa waiver program (VWP). His commitment is encouraging news for those wanting to travel to America as...

Rain's canceled tour.
July 3, 2007... (EDITORIAL from the Korea Herald on July 3): It is pity that Korean Superstar Rain's performance in Los Angeles, California, was canceled less than two hours before its opening Saturday. Coming after the cancellation of his shows in Honolulu,...

Top headlines in major S. Korean newspapers.
July 3, 2007... SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- The following are the top headlines in major South Korean newspapers on July 3. Vernacular dailies -- Local council members receive too much benefit (Kyunghyang Shinmun) -- Universities oppose increased ratio...

(Yonhap Feature) Best-selling author's macho view comes under fire.
July 3, 2007... TONGYEONG, South Korea, July 3 (Yonhap) -- Kim Hoon, one of South Korea's best-selling novelists, has been the subject of debate in the literary community since he made his surprise debut seven years ago after wrapping up a 30-year career in...

Salzburg confidant of winning Winter Games bid race.
July 3, 2007... GUATEMALA CITY, July 2 (Yonhap) -- A top Austrian official expressed confidence Monday that his country still has an excellent chance of winning the rights to host the 2014 Winter Olympics, rebuffing reports that its campaign has recently lost...

(News Focus) S. Korean defense industry aims to go global.(Industry overview)
July 3, 2007... SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- Until the late 1960s, South Korea had no defense industry, depending fully on military aid and equipment from the United States. Not surprisingly, South Korea's weapon-making technology lagged far behind the...

S. Korea's FX reserves edge down in June.
July 3, 2007... SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's foreign exchange reserves declined in June for the first time in a year due to a one-time factor, despite increased investment profits, the central bank said Tuesday. As of the end of June, the...

Financial holding firms' Q1 earnings jump on LG Card stake sale.
July 3, 2007... SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korean financial holding companies logged stellar earnings in the first quarter from a year earlier mainly on one-off gains from selling stakes in the nation's top credit card firm, LG Card Co., the top financial...

President Bush thanks Russia's role in solving N.K. banking dispute.
July 3, 2007... WASHINGTON, July 2 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President George W. Bush on Monday thanked Russia for its role in resolving a North Korean banking dispute that had delayed a six-nation denuclearization deal for months. Coming out of two-day talks with...

U.S. expects 6-party talks, N.K. nuclear shutdown to proceed in parallel.
July 3, 2007... WASHINGTON, July 2 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. State Department said Monday the next six-nation denuclearization talks are likely to reconvene within weeks, at about the same time that North Korea begins to shut down its nuclear facilities. The...

S. Korea, Guatemala agree to expand ties in commerce, IT.
July 3, 2007... GUATEMALA CITY, July 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and Guatemalan President Oscar Berger held a summit here on Monday and agreed to widen bilateral relations in commerce, investment, education, health, information technology...

Chinese foreign minister arrives in Pyongyang for talks on nuclear issue.
July 3, 2007... SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi began a three-day visit to North Korea on Monday for talks with the North's leaders that are highly expected to focus on bilateral relations and ways to move forward international...

Unionized workers of Kia Motors union to launch partial strike this week.
July 3, 2007... GWANGMYEONG, South Korea, July 2 (Yonhap) -- The labor union at Kia Motors Corp., South Korea's third-largest automaker, said Monday it plans to go on a four-day partial strike this week over its demands for a pay raise and enhanced job...

S. Korea to post faster economic growth in H2: finance minister.
July 3, 2007... SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- Helped by solid exports and resurgent investment, South Korea's economy will grow more quickly in the second half than in the first half, the finance minister said Monday. "Exports maintain double-digit growth and...

S. Korean assembly speaker to visit China on nuclear dispute and economic cooperation.
July 3, 2007... SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's National Assembly speaker will visit China this week to discuss North Korea's nuclear program and ways to promote bilateral business interests, his office said Monday. Lim Chae-jung is scheduled to...

Seoul to establish 10 new diplomatic missions this year.
July 3, 2007... SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to establish new embassies in six nations, including Angola, Croatia and Yemen, before the end of this year along with four new consulates, the Foreign Ministry said Monday. The plan is expected to...

S. Korea to hold dialogue with Southeast Asian Nations.
July 3, 2007... SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will hold a dialogue this week to discuss various regional and international issues, the Foreign Ministry said Monday. The South...

Roh says PyeongChang's Olympic hosting will improve inter-Korean peace.
July 3, 2007... GUATEMALA CITY, July 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun said Sunday that PyeongChang's success in hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics would significantly accelerate peace and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula. In a joint...

Hyundai Mipo wins contracts worth US$900 mln to build 15 ships.
July 3, 2007... SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co., a unit of the world's largest shipyard operator, said Monday that it has recently won deals valued at US$900 million to build 15 vessels, including four chemical carriers. Hyundai Mipo won...

SK Telecom outpaces rivals in gaining customers in June.
July 3, 2007... SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- SK Telecom Co., South Korea's No. 1 mobile service provider, far outstripped its two rivals in attracting new customers last month, according to data released by each company on Monday. SK Telecom said in a...

S. Korean housing prices rise slightly in June.
July 3, 2007... SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- Housing prices in South Korea rose slightly in June from the previous month as home prices in redevelopment areas across the nation increased, data from the country's top lender showed Monday. South Korea's housing...