YON - Yonhap News Agency of Korea articles from November 2007

YON - Yonhap News Agency of Korea archives from November 2007

Australian investment giant Macquarie in talks over acquisition of Hanaro shares: reports.
November 2, 2007... By Koh Byung-joon SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- Shares of Hanarotelecom Inc. surged Friday on news reports that its majority shareholders will soon select a preferred negotiator to sell their controlling stake in the communications company. A...

S. Korea to hold military supply training next week.
November 2, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- The Army and the Air Force will hold a joint training exercise next week on transport and logistical supply, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Friday. The two-day exercise beginning Monday will involve seven Air...

Korea Express to hold stake sale in late November.
November 2, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- Korea Express Co., South Korea's biggest logistics company, plans to invite bidders late this month so it can sell a controlling stake in the company, a Korea Express official said Friday. "If things go as planned,...

(LEAD) Korea Exchange Bank's Q3 earnings jump.(Financial report)
November 2, 2007... By Kim Yoo-seung SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- Korea Exchange Bank (KEB), South Korea's fifth-largest bank, said Friday its third-quarter earnings soared 275.15 percent from a year earlier on a one-off factor and improved profitability. Net...

Army officers indicted for academic career forgery.
November 2, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- More than a dozen Army officers were sacked and indicted last month on charges of faking their college degrees, an opposition lawmaker said Friday. The action follows a recent series of revelations of the...

U.S. Army searches for World War I chemical munitions near S. Korean envoy's residence.
November 2, 2007... WASHINGTON, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Army engineers began a major excavation this week near the South Korean ambassador's residence here to search for any World War I chemical munitions that might be in the area, the South Korean embassy said...

(Yonhap Feature) Returned base remains idle due to pollution.
November 2, 2007... By Lee Chi-dong UIJEONGBU, South Korea, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- Handed back to South Korea several months ago, a former American military base, Camp Kyle, remains a no-use area. Only a small group of South Korean soldiers wearing...

EDITORIAL from the Korea Herald on Nov. 2.(Editorial)
November 2, 2007... Tools for growth When they were drawing up their 2007 business plans, more than 70 percent of leading Korean exporters believed that the exchange rate would fluctuate between 920 won and 950 won to the U.S. dollar. The rate is currently...

EDITORIAL from the Korea Times on Nov. 2.(Editorial)
November 2, 2007... Summons of tax chief : Tougher action needed to fight corruption The nation's tax office chief was summoned for questioning over bribe-taking allegations Thursday. This marked the first time that an incumbent tax administrator has been...

EDITORIAL from the JoongAng Daily on Nov. 2.(Editorial)
November 2, 2007... Korea-U.S. ties eroding The Roh Moo-hyun administration has placed the Korea-U.S. alliance in danger by getting trapped into an argument for self-reliance and by failing to prioritize practical interest. One of the most important tasks for...

Top headlines in major S. Korean newspapers.
November 2, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- The following are the top headlines in major Korean newspapers on Nov. 2. Vernacular dailies -- GNP presidential candidate Lee goes on offensive against conservative rival Lee (Kookmin Daily) -- Tax chief...

S. Korea's foreign reserves surge in Oct.
November 2, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's foreign exchange reserves increased by almost US$3 billion in October from a month earlier as a weaker U.S. dollar boosted the dollar value of assets in other currencies, the central bank said Friday. ...

N.K. medical delegation wraps up U.S. visit.
November 2, 2007... LOS ANGELES, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- A North Korean medical delegation wrapped up its U.S. visit Thursday in what was the third round of exchanges this year that included training programs. Led by Ju Chae-yong, deputy head of North Korea's Red...

U.S. should step up demands on N.K. nuclear declaration to address Syria issue: experts.
November 2, 2007... By Lee Dong-min WASHINGTON, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- American experts analyzing alleged North Korea-Syria nuclear cooperation on Thursday advised the U.S. administration to raise its demands on Pyongyang's disclosure of atomic activities due by...

(LEAD) S. Korea hopes to start peace talks when N. Korea's denuclearization reaches 'proper stage'.
November 2, 2007... By Kim Hyun SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea hopes to start talks with concerned countries on officially ending the 1950-53 Korean War not after North Korea's complete denuclearization, but when the denuclearization has reached a...

Hyundai Group chief, N. Korean officials discuss business projects: report.
November 2, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- The chief of South Korea's Hyundai Group met with North Korean officials in charge of inter-Korean cooperation on Thursday to discuss the group's business projects in the North, the North's Korean Central News Agency...

S. Korea, Algeria agree to waive entry visas for businesspeople.
November 2, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and Algeria agreed in principle to waive entry visas for businesspeople visiting from each other's country, the Seoul government said on Thursday. The decision, reached at the third joint economic...

S. Korean biz leaders to inaugurate body for inter-Korean economic cooperation.
November 2, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korean business leaders are set to inaugurate a forum next week to facilitate economic cooperation between the two Koreas' private sectors, a South Korean business body said Thursday. The Korea Chamber of...

Roh calls West Sea peace zone the No. 1 outcome of inter-Korean summit.
November 2, 2007... By Yoo Cheong-mo SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun said on Thursday that the biggest outcome of his summit talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il last month was the proposed creation of a special inter-Korean...

No more extensions of S. Korean troop stay in Iraq after 2008: presidential aide.
November 2, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean government will not extend its troop presence in Iraq beyond 2008, although it has asked the National Assembly to prolong the troops' stay by one year, until late 2008, a senior presidential aide said...

(News Focus) S. Korean exports tempered by high oil prices, unfavorable exchange rate.
November 2, 2007... By Lee Joon-seung SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's exports that have been the main engine of economic growth are feeling the strain of high oil prices and unfavorable exchange rates, experts said Thursday. The concern comes as...

S. Korea to sell 3.3 tln won of bonds in Nov.
November 2, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean government said Thursday it plans to sell 3.3 trillion won (US$3.7 billion) worth of bonds this month. The Finance Ministry will float 500 billion won worth of three-year Treasuries on Nov. 6, 1.38...

(LEAD) Seoul shares end lower on steel, financial losses.
November 2, 2007... (ADDS bond yields at bottom) By Kim Soo-yeon SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks closed slightly lower Thursday as investors unloaded steel and financial shares, analysts said. The local currency fell against the U.S. dollar. ...

(LEAD) Woori Finance Holdings' Q3 earnings fall 46 pct.(Financial report)
November 2, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- Woori Finance Holdings Co., South Korea's largest financial services company, said Thursday its third-quarter earnings fell 45.5 percent on-year due mainly to write-downs of losses from its investment in U.S. debt...

Seoul welcomes U.N. resolution backing inter-Korean summit agreements.
November 2, 2007... By Yoo Cheong-mo SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- The office of President Roh Moo-hyun Thursday welcomed the United Nations General Assembly approval of a resolution supporting the agreement made at second inter-Korean summit last month to promote...

LG Telecom outpaces KTF in luring new customers in Oct.
November 2, 2007... By Koh Byung-joon SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- LG Telecom Ltd., South Korea's smallest mobile service carrier, outperformed its bigger rival KTF Co. at attracting new customers in October, according to data released by each operator Thursday....

S. Korean automakers enjoy brisk sales in October.
November 2, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korean automakers said Thursday that sales remained brisk in October, driven by strong exports, despite the increased strength of the domestic currency. The nation's five carmakers, led by Hyundai Motor Co....

(LEAD) S. Korea's consumer prices gain 3 pct in Oct.
November 2, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's consumer prices rose a higher-than-expected 3 percent in October from a year earlier due to an increase in oil and raw material prices, a government report showed Thursday. The annual inflation rate,...

Hyundai Motor's October vehicle sales rise 15.3 percent.(Financial report)
November 2, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's largest automaker, said Thursday its vehicle sales for October rose 15.3 percent to 240,953 units. Domestic sales increased 8.9 percent to 55,224 units and exports rose 17.3 percent...

Number of participants in Mt. Geumgang tours hits new monthly high.
November 2, 2007... By Nam Kwang-sik SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Asan Co., an affiliate of South Korean conglomerate Hyundai Group, said Thursday that the number of visitors to a mountain resort that it operates in North Korea hit a monthly high in...

Roh's top aide openly displays support for pro-gov't candidate.
November 2, 2007... By Yoo Cheong-mo SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- President Roh Moo-hyun's top secretary said Thursday he personally favors the pro-government United New Democratic Party's (UNDP) presidential nominee, Chung Dong-young, in the upcoming presidential...

(LEAD) Prosecutors summon tax chief on bribery charges.
November 2, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's tax chief denied allegations Thursday that he received a bribe from his subordinate seeking promotion. Jun Gun-pyo, commissioner of the National Tax Service (NTS), is accused of having received 60...

Frontrunning candidate launches task force to handle former biz partner's return.
November 2, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- Frontrunning opposition presidential candidate Lee Myung-bak has created a task force of veteran lawyers to deal with the return here of a Korean-American businessman accused of stock price manipulation and...

Ssangyong Motor's vehicle sales fall 10.3 percent in October.
November 2, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- Ssangyong Motor Co., the South Korean affiliate of China's Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp., said Thursday its October vehicle sales fell 10.3 percent on-year to 10,526 units. Domestic sales jumped 53.6 percent to...

Kia Motors reports 35 percent jump in October vehicle sales.
November 2, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- Kia Motors Corp., South Korea's second-largest automaker, said Thursday its vehicle sales jumped 35 percent from a year earlier in October to 140,636 units. Exports surged 42.7 percent to 115,532 units and domestic...

Renault Samsung's vehicle sales up 13.4 percent in October.(Financial report)
November 2, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- Renault Samsung Motor Co., the South Korean unit of Renault SA of France, said Thursday its vehicle sales rose 13.4 percent from a year earlier to 13,601 units last month. Exports surged 45.8 percent to 3,189 units...

GM Daewoo's vehicle sales rise 32.6 percent in October.(Financial report)
November 2, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- GM Daewoo Auto & Technology, the South Korean affiliate of General Motors Corp., said Thursday its car sales for October rose 32.6 percent from a year ago to 82,493 units. Exports jumped 42.1 percent to 73,225 units...

S. Korea will curb currency speculation: finance minister.
November 2, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean government will curb speculation in currency markets when necessary, the country's top economic policymaker said Thursday. The won breached the 900 won-per-U.S. dollar level for the first time in 10...

S. Korea's Internet banking transactions up 9.5 pct in Q3.
November 2, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- Internet-based banking use in South Korea rose 9.5 percent in the third quarter from three months earlier as people increasingly went online to make financial transactions, the central bank said Thursday. According...

Watchdog fines 10 drug makers 20 bln won for unfair practices.
November 2, 2007... By Tony Chang SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's corporate watchdog said Thursday that it fined 10 local pharmaceutical companies a combined 19.97 billion won (US$22.2 million) for having engaged in unfair trade practices. The Fair...

(2nd LD) S. Korean exports jump 24 pct on-year in October.
November 2, 2007... By Lee Joon-seung SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korean exports climbed 24.2 percent year-on-year to a record US$34.7 billion in October fueled by the increased number of workdays and strong overseas demand for machinery, telecommunication...

Seoul shares inch down on steel, bank losses.
November 2, 2007... By Kim Soo-yeon SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks traded slightly lower late Thursday morning in a see-saw session as investors unloaded steel and bank shares, analysts said. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index...

(LEAD) GS Caltex Q3 earnings rise 36.7 pct on improved refining margins.(Financial report)
November 2, 2007... By Nam Kwang-sik SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- GS Caltex Co., South Korea's second-largest oil refiner, said Thursday its third-quarter net income surged 36.7 percent on-year thanks to improved refining margins. Net profit came to 167.6...

Daewoo Shipbuilding surpasses 2007 order target.
November 2, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., the world's third-largest shipbuilder, said Thursday it has recently secured deals valued at US$900 million to build four liquefied natural gas carriers. With the latest...

S. Korean researchers discover highly effective diabetes treatment.
November 2, 2007... By Lee Joon-seung SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korean researchers on Thursday announced the discovery of a new substance for the treatment of diabetes that is more effective and has less side effects than existing drugs. The team led...

Kia Motors lifts production target for C'eed compact car in Slovakia by 25 pct.
November 2, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- Kia Motors Corp., South Korea's second-largest automaker, said Thursday it raised its 2008 target for production of C'eed compact cars in Slovakia by 25 percent, thanks to strong sales. Kia raised the production...

Seoul unswayed by defense firms' protest on naval boat project.
November 2, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's defense procurement agency said Thursday that it will press ahead with a plan to introduce four high-speed patrol boats this year through an open bid process despite protest by major shipbuilders here. ...

Hynix eyes carbon dioxide emission trade market.
November 2, 2007... By Koh Byung-joon SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- Hynix Semiconductor Inc., the world's No. 2 computer memory-chip maker, said Thursday that it has signed a consulting deal with a local environment company to enter the burgeoning carbon dioxide...

S. Korea, China discuss military hotlines.
November 2, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and China will hold working-level defense talks in Seoul Thursday to map out details of an agreed-upon plan to set up hotlines between their navies and air forces, officials here said. The annual...

Seoul to cut 1,300 city officials by 2010 in restructuring.
November 2, 2007... By Lee Chi-dong SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced a plan Thursday to slash 1,300 jobs by 2010 as part of its restructuring efforts. Under the plan, the number of city officials will be reduced in stages...

EDITORIAL from the Korea Times on Nov. 1.(Editorial)
November 2, 2007... Coming to Rescue: US Operation Seen as Goodwill Gesture Toward NK A U.S. Navy operation to rescue a hijacked North Korean cargo ship has drawn fresh attention ahead of Pyongyang's complete dismantlement of its nuclear programs. It might...

EDITORIAL from the JoongAng Daily on Nov. 1.(Editorial)
November 2, 2007... Education system in crisis Our education system is in dire straits. People have lost trust in the governments education policy and in public schools. One of the primary aims of this policy has been to prevent poverty from being passed down...

Top headlines in major S. Korean newspapers.
November 2, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- The following are the top headlines in major Korean newspapers on Nov. 1. Vernacular dailies -- Former Lee associate to be extradited from U.S. in mid-November (Kookmin Daily) -- Leading figures in S. Korean...

U.S. commanders cite China as reason to restructure Pacific forces.
November 3, 2007... WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- U.S. commanders expressed concerns that China's latest anti-satellite weapons could disrupt military communications with South Korea and Japan and said they will continue to seek more powerful and flexible forces...

Top nuclear envoys of two Koreas hold bilateral talks.
November 3, 2007... SEOUL/BEIJING, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- The chief nuclear envoys of the divided Koreas held bilateral talks in Beijing later Friday on the communist North's move to disable its key nuclear facilities. "We discussed a variety of issues including the...

High crude oil prices expected to remain for near future: policymaker.
November 3, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- International crude oil prices are expected to remain high in the near future as very few methods exist to check strong demand, a top energy official said Friday. Minister of Commerce, Industry and Energy Kim...

Crimes by illegal immigrants on the rise: ministry.
November 3, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- Crimes committed by foreigners in South Korea have risen steadily in recent years due mainly to a surge in the number of illegal immigrants who are increasingly filling the vacuum in low-paid manual jobs, government...

Roh receives visiting Algerian minister to discuss cooperation.
November 3, 2007... By Yoo Cheong-mo SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- President Roh Moo-hyun Friday stressed closer cooperation with Algeria in commercial and industrial fields, his spokesman said Friday. "Roh received Minister Temmar Friday afternoon and highly...

S. Korea refuses to issue visa to Dalai Lama.
November 3, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean government has refused an entry visa to the Tibetan spiritual leader, Dalai Lama, as Seoul is concerned about possible repercussions from Beijing which considers him a separatist rather than a...

Yonhap News Summary.
November 3, 2007... The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Friday. ----------------- Top nuclear envoys of two Koreas to hold bilateral talks Friday SEOUL -- The chief nuclear envoys of the divided Koreas were...

Ex-boyfriend of pop-star Ivy detained over attempted blackmail: management agency.
November 3, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- Police have taken into custody a former boyfriend of famous pop singer Ivy on suspicion of attempted blackmail after he threatened to circulate a video clip dealing with their relationship, her management agency said...

Football players shelved for one year because of drinking spree.
November 3, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's football governing body Friday suspended four players from national matches for a year and ordered them to work up to 80 hours of community service because of their midnight drinking spree during a...

Shinhan Financial Group's Q3 earnings fall 23.7 pct.(Financial report)
November 3, 2007... By Kim Yoo-seung SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- Shinhan Financial Group Co., South Korea's No. 2 financial services company by assets, said Friday its third-quarter earnings dropped 23.7 percent on-quarter due to a one-off factor and higher...

Samsung retakes top spot in N. American flat-panel TV market: researcher.
November 3, 2007... By Koh Byung-joon SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co. retook the No. 1 spot in North America's flat-panel TV market during the third quarter of this year thanks to brisk sales of high-end LCD and PDP TVs, a market...

Almost two-thirds of South Koreans say they are workaholics, survey shows.
November 3, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- Nearly two-thirds of South Koreans surveyed say they are workaholics, according to a survey released Friday. The survey by Payopen, an online salary information provider, found that 64.2 percent of the 505 respondents...

(News Focus) Looming entry of conservative candidate expected to jolt presidential race.
November 3, 2007... By Sam Kim SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's two main political parties are bracing for a bombshell announcement next week that could shake up the presidential race, which has been dominated by the front-running opposition candidate...

(News Focus) U.S. not ready to start normalizing ties with N. Korea despite start of disablement.
November 3, 2007... By Byun Duk-kun SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- Problems with removing North Korea from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism may paralyze the North's denuclearization process as the United States seems unprepared to delist North Korea by...

S. Korean experts to visit N. Korea over future shipbuilding projects.
November 3, 2007... By Lee Joon-seung SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korean officials and businessmen will visit North Korea to check the feasibility of building joint shipbuilding districts, the government said Friday. The team is expected to visit...

S. Korean IT exports hit record high in Oct. on strong handset, flat panel sales.
November 3, 2007... By Koh Byung-joon SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korean exports of information technology (IT) goods climbed to a monthly record high in October, driven by brisk sales of mobile phones and flat panel products, a government report showed...

Today in Korean history.
November 3, 2007... Nov. 3 1929 -- Students in the southwestern city of Gwangju take to the streets to protest Japan's colonial occupation of Korea, which began in 1910. The uprising was the climax of a number of demonstrations and class boycotts by the...

U.S. will only join peace talks after major progress on N.K. denuclearization: envoy.
November 3, 2007... By Byun Duk-kun SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- The United States will only join talks for establishment of a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula after North Korea has substantially disabled its nuclear facilities, a top U.S. envoy said Friday....

Yonhap News Summary.
November 3, 2007... The following is the first summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Friday. ----------------- U.S. will only join peace talks after major progress on N.K. denuclearization: envoy SEOUL -- The United States will only join...

Hyundai Motor union completes noodle plant in North Korea.
November 3, 2007... PYONGYANG, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- The labor union of Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's biggest carmaker, said Friday it has completed a new corn-noodle plant in the North Korean capital to help ease the suffering of hunger-stricken people here. ...

Prosecutors to decide whether to arrest tax chief next week.
November 3, 2007... BUSAN, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- After grilling South Korea's top tax official for 14 hours over alleged bribery, prosecutors here remained cautious Friday about whether to seek an arrest warrant for him. Jeon Goon-pyo, commissioner of the National...

Minimum wage workers more than double over past five years.
November 3, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- The number of workers earning the minimum wage has more than doubled over the past five years because of the increase in non-regular workers and years of economic slowdown, a lawmaker said Friday. The number of...

S. Korean digital electronics exports hit record in October.
November 3, 2007... By Lee Joon-seung SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's digital electronics exports rose 18.7 percent on-year to a record US$12.51 billion in October thanks to strong demand for mobile phones, the government said Friday. The Ministry of...

Asiana Airlines aims for 4 tln won in sales next year.
November 4, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 4 (Yonhap) -- Asiana Airlines, the smaller of South Korea's two major carriers, will seek to post over 4 trillion won (US$4.41 billion) in sales in 2008, paving the way for its leap into the ranks of the world's top carriers, the...

(Yonhap Feature) Popularity of Toyota, Honda reflects shift in anti-Japan sentiment in South Korea.
November 4, 2007... By Kim Deok-hyun SEOUL, Nov. 4 (Yonhap) -- At a glittering showroom in Seoul's affluent Gangnam district, Park Hyun-soo gazed at a CR-V sport utility vehicle made by Honda, the best-selling foreign brand in South Korea this year. "It's so...

N. Korea to open its symbolic mountain to S. Korean tourists.
November 4, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- North Korea said Saturday it will allow a South Korean conglomerate to start a sightseeing tour of a scenic mountain on its border with China next year as agreed on at a recent inter-Korean summit of leaders. ...

S. Korea's top diplomat to discuss N.K. nuclear disablement with U.S. counterpart.
November 4, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's foreign minister will meet his U.S. counterpart next week to discuss the disablement of North Korea's nuclear facilities and ways to formally declare an end to the 1950-53 Korean War, the government said...

Liberal parties blast former GNP chairman's expected bid for presidency.
November 4, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's liberal political parties on Saturday denounced a reported plan by the former head of the main opposition Grand National Party (GNP) to run in the December presidential election. Officials from the...

Today in Korean history.
November 4, 2007... Nov. 4 1920 -- Korea's national sports council holds the country's first baseball championship for junior high and high school students at Seoul's Baejae High School. 1933 -- The Korean Language Society announces the first orthography...

Huge facelift planned for Yongsan district of Seoul.
November 4, 2007... SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- Seoul's Yongsan district, whose development has been limited by the presence of railroad and U.S. military facilities, will get a massive facelift and be transformed into an international business hub by 2016,...

Roh says declaration ending Korean War can come ahead of N.K.'s nuclear dismantlement.
November 4, 2007... By Yoo Cheong-mo SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun said in an interview published Saturday that the declaration of the end of the 1950-53 Korean War can be made even before the dismantlement of North Korea's...