Yonhap News Summary

The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency
on Friday.

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(LEAD) N. Korea says Bush deserves shoes humiliation
SEOUL -- North Korea said Friday that U.S. President George W. Bush deserved the
shoes thrown at him by an Iraqi journalist during his recent trip to Baghdad,
calling him "a cock soaked in the rain."
"The head of the United States who rammed through the 'anti-terror war' deserves
humiliation," Minju Joson, the North's cabinet newspaper, said in an article
carried by the North's government website, Uriminzokkiri.
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(LEAD) N. Korea reports inspections by Kim Jong-il for 4th straight day
SEOUL -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has inspected a military unit,
Pyongyang's news agency said Friday, the fourth consecutive day of reporting
public tours by Kim amid rumors of his ill health.
"Walking in the compound of the barracks, he acquainted himself with how the unit
manages itself and praised the servicemembers of the unit (for their well-managed
facilities)," the Korean Central News Agency said of Kim's visit to the Korean
People's Army unit 955.
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(LEAD) Seoul stocks close higher on chipmakers' gain
SEOUL -- South Korea's bourse closed 0.43 percent higher Friday as a spike in
semiconductor prices helped boost shares of local chipmakers, analysts said. The
South Korean won gained against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 5.06 points to
close at 1,180.97. Volume was heavy at 677.14 million shares worth 5.31 trillion
won (US$4.12 billion). Losers, however, outnumbered gainers 439 to 394.
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(LEAD) S. Korean parliament in disarray after FTA confrontation
SEOUL -- Bills sat idle and doors were shut at South Korea's legislature Friday
as rival parties refused to make peace a day after a violent brawl erupted over a
pending free trade pact with the United States.
Denouncing the ruling Grand National Party's (GNP) move Thursday to unilaterally
submit the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (FTA) to the National Assembly,
opposition legislators occupied the Assembly speaker's office and declared "war
against anti-democratic" forces.
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(2nd LD) Seoul terminates 4-year deployment in Iraq
SEOUL -- South Korea on Friday completed its troop pullout from Iraq, ending a
four-year presence in the northern city of Irbil where troops helped in efforts
to reconstruct the war-torn nation.
The last group from the Zaytun contingent in Iraq and an air support unit in
neighboring Kuwait arrived here earlier in the day. The unit disbanded in a
ceremony hosted by Prime Minister Han Seung-soo.
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(LEAD) More than ten senior diplomats to resign for restructuring
SEOUL -- More than ten senior South Korean diplomats face early retirement as
part of the foreign ministry's restructuring efforts, ministry officials said
Friday.
The ministry said it recommended voluntary resignation for the officials who have
been without posts as they awaited new assignments. Most are close to the
official retirement age of 60, it said.
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Economic crisis dampens Lee's election win anniversary
SEOUL -- President Lee Myung-bak, celebrating the first anniversary of his
presidential election victory on Friday, said he remains strongly committed to
making South Korea a first-rate advanced country by implementing sweeping reforms
in education, corporate and political circles and establishing the rule of law.
Speaking at an anniversary ceremony hosted by the ruling Grand National Party
(GNP), Lee said that the severe economic difficulties were preventing him and his
fellow party members from openly celebrating the anniversary.
(END)