YON - Yonhap News Agency of Korea articles from March 2004

YON - Yonhap News Agency of Korea archives from March 2004

Seoul to Sign Agreement on Asian Highway Linking 31 Asian Nations.
March 1, 2004... SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will soon sign an agreement on establishment of a network of roads linking 31 Asian nations, the Ministry of Construction and Transportation said Monday. Ministry officials will participate in the...

(2nd LEAD) Koizumi Underscores Need to Recognize Differences.
March 1, 2004... TOKYO, March 1 (Yonhap) -- Reacting to President Roh Moo-hyun's criticism of Japan's handling of its colonial past, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Monday that the two neighbors should "recognize and respect differing...

Hyundai's European Plant May Be Built in Slovakia: Report.
March 1, 2004... SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Group appears to have chosen Slovakia over Poland to build its 1.3-billion-euro (US$1 billion) European plant, a British newspaper said Monday. The Financial Times, quoting sources close to Hyundai,...

(LEAD) Japan Repeats Repent, Apology for Colonization of Korea.
March 1, 2004... TOKYO, March 1 (Yonhap) -- Reacting to South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun's criticism, Japan reiterated its apologetic position Monday on its colonization of the Korean Peninsula in 1910-45. In an anniversary speech marking a major...

(2nd LD) Roh Slams Koizumi's 'Reckless' Efforts to Boost Popularity.
March 1, 2004... By Soh Suk-joo SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- President Roh Moo-hyun chided Japan Monday for not fully repenting its colonial rule of Korea and called for a policy more independent of the United States. Roh's comments on his country's two main...

Japanese Media Describes Roh's Remarks on Past History as Unusual.
March 1, 2004... TOKYO, March 1 (Yonhap) -- Japanese media described as "unusual" a call by South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun Monday for Japanese leaders to refrain from making remarks beautifying their country's colonial rule of the Korean peninsula. ...

President Roh's Adviser Grilled over Alleged Illegal Fundraising.
March 1, 2004... SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- A key adviser to President Roh Moo-hyun was questioned Monday over allegations that he received illegal funds form a developer just before the 2002 presidential election campaign, prosecution sources said. Kim...

(LEAD) Roh Slams Koizumi's 'Reckless' Efforts to Boost Popularity.
March 1, 2004... By Soh Suk-joo SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- In an unusually strong language, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun urged Japanese leaders Sunday to refrain from making remarks that may hurt the feeling of Koreans who suffered under Japanese...

Incheon United Make Winning Start.
March 1, 2004... INCHEON, South Korea, March 1 (Yonhap) -- Incheon United gave themselves a boost ahead of their maiden K-League season with a resounding 4-0 win over J.League side Gamba Osaka at Incheon Munhak Stadium Monday. Two first-half goals from...

Life Insurers' Net Profits Fall by Nearly Half in 2003.
March 1, 2004... SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- The combined net profits of local life insurers fell by nearly half on an annual basis in the first three quarters of the 2003 fiscal year ended on March 31, South Korea's financial watchdog said Monday. The...

Business Sentiment Forecast to Improve in Second Quarter.
March 1, 2004... SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- Business sentiment in South Korea is expected to improve slightly in the second quarter due to the worldwide economic recovery, the country's main lobbying group for conglomerates said Monday. The Federation of...

S. Korea's Exports Increase by Largest Margin in 16 Years.
March 1, 2004... SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea recorded a trade account surplus of over US$2 billion for the sixth straight month in February, with its exports increasing by the largest margin in 16 years, the commerce ministry said Monday. The...

Foreign Minister to Visit U.S., Japan.
March 1, 2004... SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon will make a trip to the United States and Japan to exchange views with his counterparts on the just-ended six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear programs and other issues, officials...

Roh Slams Koizumi's 'Reckless' Efforts to Boost Popularity.
March 1, 2004... SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- President Roh Moo-hyun criticized Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi Monday for his moves to drum up public support, making his strongest yet suggestion of displeasure with Koizumi's annual visit to a shrine...

N. Korea Urges Citizens to Unite Against U.S., Japan.
March 1, 2004... SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- The North Korean people should work together in responding to the "anti-unification policy" of the United States and Japan, according to a North Korean newspaper Monday. In an editorial carried by the country's...

Roh-Koizumi criticism.
March 1, 2004... News Flash President Roh Moo-hyun criticized Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi for making an annual visit to a shrine for class-A war criminals. (THROUGH ASIA PULSE)

export-February.
March 1, 2004... News Flash South Korea's export is up 45.9 percent in February. Trade account surplus is US$2.05 billion. (THROUGH ASIA PULSE)

Roh Urges People to Vote Against Regionalism in Upcoming Elections.
March 1, 2004... SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- President Roh Moo-hyun Monday called upon South Koreans to make all-out efforts to end the vicious cycle of regional antipathy and distrust in the upcoming parliamentary elections. He also vowed to bring the...

Koreas to Resume Economic Talks Tuesday.
March 1, 2004... SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- South and North Korea will hold a new round of economic talks on March 2-5 to discuss pending economic cooperation issues, including connection of severed railway and road links and construction of an industrial...

LG Electronics to Strengthen R&D Functions of Chinese Plants.
March 1, 2004... SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- LG Electronics said Monday it will expand the research and development (R&D) functions of its Chinese factories as part of a plan to make China its second digital television R&D base. "LG Electronics' Chinese...

Busan I'cons Star Signing Ready for K-League Action.
March 1, 2004... By Eoghan Sweeney SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- Busan I'cons' new signing Chris Marsden, having completed the move from English Premiership side Southampton, is eagerly awaiting the 2004 K-League season. Having captained the Saints in the...

Hanaro Telecom to Issue US$600 Million of Yankee Bonds: CEO.
March 1, 2004... SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- Instead of arranging a five-year syndicated loan, Hanaro Telecom Inc. plans to issue US$600 million of bonds in the United States to refinance debt, company chief executive officer Yoon Chang-bun said Monday. ...

Monday's Weather Forecast.
March 1, 2004... SEOUL, Mar. 1 (Yonhap) -- The following is the weather forecast for South Korea's 13 major cities at 9:00 a.m. Monday. Temperature (C) Condition Possibility High/Low of Rain (%) Seoul 5/-3 Sunny ...

(3rd LD) South Korean FM Meets U.S. President Bush.
March 2, 2004... WASHINGTON, March 2 (Yonhap) -- Visiting South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon paid a courtesy call on U.S. President George Bush at the White House Tuesday morning, an informed diplomatic source said. During the meeting, the two...

S. Korean Parliament Fails to Pass Political Reform Bills.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 3 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean parliament failed to pass bills to amend three contentious political laws on the last day of its extraordinary session Tuesday. The three are laws related to elections, political funds and...

(2nd LEAD) South Korean FM to Meet U.S. Pres. Bush Tuesday.
March 2, 2004... WASHINGTON, March 2 (Yonhap) -- Visiting South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon will pay a courtesy call on U.S. President George Bush at the White House Tuesday, a White House official said said. The call is scheduled to take place at...

political laws-rupture.
March 2, 2004... The South Korean parliament fails to pass bills to amend laws on elections, political funds and political parties because of a surprise amdement bill to demarcating a few constituencies newly. (THROUGH ASIA PULSE)

(LEAD) South Korean FM to Meet U.S. Pres. Bush Tuesday: Source.
March 2, 2004... WASHINGTON, March 2 (Yonhap) -- Visiting South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon will pay a courtesy call on U.S. President George Bush at White House Tuesday, an informed diplomatic source here said. Ban originally planned to come to...

South Korean FM to Meet U.S. Pres. Bush Tuesday: Source.
March 2, 2004... WASHINGTON, March 2 (Yonhap) -- Visiting South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon will pay a courtesy call on U.S. President George Bush at White House Tuesday, an informed diplomatic source here said. Ban originally planned to come to...

Parliament Passes Bills to Revise Three Political Laws.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- The 16th South Korean National Assembly passed bills to amend three contentious political laws on Tuesday, the last day of its 100-day final regular session. The three are related to elections, political funding...

foreign minister-Bush meeting.
March 2, 2004... S. Korean Foreign Minister Likely to Meet U.S. Pres. George Bush (THROUGH ASIA PULSE)

(3rd LD) North Koreans in Seoul for Economic Talks.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- Working level officials from South and North Korea expressed different concerns Tuesday on the eve of their four days of economic talks here aimed at further promoting cross-border economic projects. South Korean...

Crackdown on Fuel Additives to Begin Next Month.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- The government will start crackdown on the production and sale of quasi-oil products, including Cenox, next month as the parliament passed a bill to revise the oil business law enabling such measures Tuesday, the...

Individual Workout Bill Passed in Parliamentary Committee.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean parliament's judiciary committee on Tuesday passed a bill to allow insolvent salaried workers or individual businessmen to reschedule their debt repayments by up to eight years under court approval....

Kuwait Promises Cooperation for S. Korean Troops.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- Kuwait expressed its support for the South Korean troop contingent set to take up its post in Iraq in April and promised cooperation for its rehabilitation operation there, South Korean officials said Tuesday. ...

New Bill to Restrict Presidential Right to Pardon.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- The South Korea parliament passed a bill to amend the presidential pardon law in a way that requires the head of state to get "parliamentary opinion" before carrying out such activities. The amendment was made...

S. Korea Passes Broadcasting Bills, Giving Green Light to SK Telecom.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean parliament on Tuesday passed a set of bills that will allow SK Telecom Co., the country's biggest cell-phone operator, to launch its satellite-based mobile broadcasting services. "The revision of...

Fire-fighting Administration to Be Launched.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean parliament on Tuesday passed a bill to establish the provisionally-named fire-fighting and anti-disaster administration. The unanimously-passed bill requires the Ministry of Government...

Kim Shamed Seoul Prosecution in Letter to IOC, Prosecutors Say.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- Kim Un-yong, the former International Olympic Committee (IOC) Vice President, whose title has been suspended after he was charged with corruption here in January, accused the South Korean prosecution of "barbaric...

N.K. Boat Violates Southern Waters Sunday: JCS.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- A North Korea refrigerator boat crossed the inter-Korean maritime border, the Northern Limit Line (NLL), at 10 p.m., Sunday, in the West Sea, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Tuesday. The 450-ton vessel...

(LEAD) Law to Investigate Japanese Colonial Sympathizers Enacted.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean parliament, at a plenary session held Tuesday, approved a bill to look into the activities of Koreans who assisted the Japanese authorities during Japan's colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula...

Parliament to Vote on Bills to Revise Three Political Laws.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- The 16th South Korean National Assembly decided to vote on bills to amend three contentious political laws at 9 p.m., Tuesday, the last day of its final regular session. The three are election, political funds and...

Law to Investigate Japanese Colonial Sympathizers Enacted.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean parliament, at a plenary session held Tuesday, approved a bill to look into the activities of Koreans who assisted the Japanese authorities during Japan's colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula...

colonial sympathizers bill-passage.
March 2, 2004... Bill to Investigate Japanese Colonial Sympathizers Passed (THROUGH ASIA PULSE)

(2nd LD) North Koreans in Seoul for Economic Talks.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- Working level officials of South and North Korea prepared to open four-day economic talks Tuesday in Seoul to discuss ways to further promote cross-border economic projects. A five-member North Korean delegation,...

Roh Pledges to Play Leading Role in Keeping Nuke Talks on Track.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- President Roh Moo-hyun said Tuesday the government will assume a leading role in narrowing the differences between North Korea and the United States in the multilateral talks over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons...

Identify of One Drowned Silmido Unit Member Confirmed.
March 2, 2004... By Kim Kwang-tae SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- The identity of one member of a secret military unit who was drowned during training has been confirmed by the Yonhap News Agency as South Korea's Defense Ministry remains silent on the details...

Activists Say Gov't Should Not Recommend Scientist for Nobel Prize.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- Ten local civic groups slammed the government Tuesday for its intention to push for a South Korean scientist to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Science for his breakthrough in cloning. "The Ministry of Science...

Seoul Finds Progress at N. Korean Nuke Talks:Minister.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- A second round of talks over the North Korean nuclear crisis has solidified a common stance among the concerned parties that the nuclear issue should be peacefully addressed through dialogue and its momentum should...

S. Korea Introduces Measures to Upgrade Logistics System.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean government on Tuesday came up with a comprehensive plan to upgrade the country's underdeveloped logistics system, including the consolidation of the national railroad system, officials said. ...

French Embassy to Hold Industrial Exhibition in April.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- With less than a month until the start of operations of French-built bullet trains in South Korea, the French Embassy in Seoul will host a major exhibition in April, the French ambassador to South Korea said...

DMB law-passage.
March 2, 2004... Parliament Passes Broadcasting Law on Digital Multimedia Broadcasting. (THROUGH ASIA PULSE)

Gov't to Present Comprehensive Measures on Educational Reforms.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- The presidential committee on reforming South Korea's educational system said Tuesday it will soon present a comprehensive set of measures to reduce competition for entrance to prestigious higher educational...

Korean Air Targets to Become World's Top Carrier.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- Korean Air, the country's largest carrier, said Tuesday it will invest more than 10 trillion won (US$8.5 billion) over the next 10 years in purchasing more brand-new airliners and improving customer services. The...

IAEA Board of Governors Meeting Likely to Cover North Korea.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- North Korea will likely be high on the agenda when the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog holds a meeting of its governing board next week, officials said Tuesday. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will hold a...

KOSPI Soars to 23-Month High.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- The index of Seoul's main bourse shot up to a 23-month high just shy of the 900-point mark on heavy buying by foreigners Tuesday. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index, the barometer of the main Korea Stock...

S. Korean, Japanese Conglomerate Leaders to Meet.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- Business leaders from South Korea and Japan will hold an annual meeting March 4-5 to discuss pending economic issues such as a free trade agreement and foreign direct investment, according to South Korea's lobbying...

Won Gains against Dollar; Key Bond Yield Falls.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- The Korean won rose 2.60 against the dollar to end at 1,173.60 Tuesday, while the nation's key bond yield dropped 0.03 percentage point to 4.75 percent. Korean stocks closed higher with the main bourse jumping 1.79...

Kia Selects Slovakia as Location of First European Plant.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- Kia Motors Corp., South Korea's second-largest automaker, announced Tuesday it has selected Slovakia as the site of its first factory in Europe. Emerging as the winner in a heated competition with Poland for one...

New Microsoft Korea Chief Aims to Expand Corporate Server, DB Markets.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- Microsoft Korea's new chief executive Sohn Young-jin said on Tuesday he would target corporate servers and the database software market as part of a drive to grow local sales by 60 percent during his term. "The...

USFK Denies Reports on Troop Reduction, Removal of Headquarters.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. military command in Seoul denied Tuesday a press report that it will reduce its 37,000 troops stationed on the peninsula by about one third. In its Monday report, television broadcaster SBS said the U.S....

Samsung Group Family Wealth Tops List in Conglomerate Survey.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- The combined wealth of family members of South Korea's Samsung Group was 3.92 trillion won (US$3.34 billion), a local information service firm said Tuesday. Equitable Co., a provider of data on stakes held by...

Prosecution Grills Presidential Official Over Slush Funds.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- Prosecutors said on Tuesday they were investigating a presidential office staff member on allegations that he received illegal funds from a conglomerate ahead of the 2002 presidential election campaign. Yeo...

Ground Broken for New South Korean Embassy in Beijing.
March 2, 2004... BEIJING, March 2 (Yonhap) -- Construction began on Tuesday for a new South Korean embassy in Beijing that officials said will be the largest among Korea's overseas diplomatic missions when it is completed in 2006. Chinese Vice Foreign...

FOREX-close.
March 2, 2004... Dollar ends at 1173.60 won, dn from 1176.20 won (THROUGH ASIA PULSE)

Domestic Car Sales Drop On-year, Exports Soar in February.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- Sales of South Korean automobiles at home plummeted in February, compared with the same period last year, while exports skyrocketed, according to industry reports Tuesday. Overall sales among the nation's top five...

KNRC Provides Aid for Moroccan Quake Victims.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- The Korean National Red Cross (KNRC) said Tuesday it has given 28 million won (US$23,856) worth of aid for survivors of an earthquake in northern Morocco. The assistance was delivered through the International...

Sovereign Chief to Meet SK Corp.'s Shareholders.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- The chief executive officer of Sovereign Asset Management, the second-largest shareholder in Korea's top oil refiner, SK Corp., will make a two-day visit to Seoul to meet with the company's minority shareholders, the...

S. Korea Resumes Reconnection Work on Cross-border Railway.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean military resumed work Tuesday on relinking an inter-Korean railway and its adjacent road on the east coast, officials said. Reconnecting the Donghae Line, together with the Gyeongui Line on the...

S. Korea to Consider Oil Market Intervention Next Week.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will consider setting in motion first-phase measures to battle rising oil prices next week if the price of Dubai crude oil hovers around US$30 per barrel, according to the Commerce, Industry and Energy...

KOSPI-close.
March 2, 2004... KOSPI 899.21 UP 15.79 points (close) (THROUGH ASIA PULSE)

STX Shipbuilding Wins Orders for Four Container Vessels.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) - South Korea's STX Shipbuilding Co., the world's eighth largest shipbuilder, said Tuesday it has received a US$171 million order to build four container ships for a German shipping company. The 3,500-TEU (20-foot...

Today in Korean History.
March 2, 2004... Wednesday, March 3, 2004 1949 -- South Korea establishes diplomatic relations with the Philippines. 1956 -- South Korea sets up the Korea Stock Exchange, the country's first stock market. 1973 -- The Korean Broadcasting System...

(LEAD) North Koreans in Seoul for Economic Talks.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- Working level officials of South and North Korea prepared to open four-day economic talks Tuesday in Seoul to discuss ways to further promote cross-border economic projects. A five-member North Korean delegation,...

LEAD)KOSDAQ-close.
March 2, 2004... KOSDAQ 430.64 UP 1.96 points (close) (THROUGH ASIA PULSE)

KOSDAQ-close.
March 2, 2004... KOSDAQ 430.64 UP 10.96 points (close) (THROUGH ASIA PULSE)

FTC to Regulate Illegal Sales Promotions by Home Shopping Firms.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Fair Trade Commission(FTC) said Tuesday it will launch a nationwide fact-finding investigation into illegal promotional activities by various home shopping companies. The four-week-long...

N.K. Lays Out Criteria for Dropping Nuke Program: Foreign Ministry.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- North Korea claims every problem it has with the United States stems from the latter's "hostile policy" toward the communist state. Pyongyang has been maintaining that Washington has such a policy, despite...

N.K. Renews Anti-U.S. Propaganda after Six-way Talks.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- North Korea has toned up its rhetoric against the United States since six-party talks on its nuclear weapons program ended inconclusively last week. The participants in the talks agreed to resolve the row over...

Traffic Accidents Major Cause of Death Among Children: Survey.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- More than half of the accidental deaths among children in South Korea occurred because of traffic accidents, the local branch of a U.S.-based organization for child safety said Tuesday. Safekids Korea, citing...

Prosecution Alleges Slush Funds Given to Ex-GNP Head's Supporters.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- The prosecution said Tuesday it was investigating allegations that part of the slush funds given to the main opposition party by the Samsung Group in 2002 was funneled to a group of supporters of the party's...

(LEAD) Korea's Consumer Prices Rise 3.3 Pct Annually in Feb.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's consumer prices jumped 3.3 percent on-year in February due to rises in prices of fuel and agricultural goods, a state statistical agency said Tuesday. February's inflation rate was well above the...

Asiana to Launch In-Flight E-Mail, Cell Phone Message Service.
March 2, 2004... SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- Asiana Airlines, South Korea's second-largest carrier, said on Tuesday it will soon begin a service that lets passengers send and receive text messages during flights. The satellite-based service will go into effect...

Kia Motors-Slovakia.
March 2, 2004... News Flash Kia Motors Selects Slovakia's Zilina for East Europe Factory Site (THROUGH ASIA PULSE)