ID :
36962
Mon, 12/22/2008 - 15:23
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/36962
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Yonhap News Summary
The following is the first summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency
on Monday.
-----------------
Rice defends 6-way talks as only way to denuclearize N. Korea
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday that six-party
talks are the only way to achieve North Korea's denuclearization, citing
Pyongyang's common strategy of exploiting division in the international
community.
"A lot has been achieved" in the multilateral talks over the past half year, the
outgoing secretary said on NBC's "Meet the Press," including the shutdown of the
North's main nuclear reactor, presentation of its nuclear list and blowing up of
the cooling tower of the North's main nuclear reactor.
-----------------
(LEAD) N. Korea willing to return war prisoners in exchange for economic benefits:
sources
BEIJING/SEOUL -- North Korea has conveyed to South Korea that it is willing to
return some South Korean war prisoners and civilian abductees in exchange for
economic benefits, sources said Monday.
Pyongyang made the proposal through various channels, hoping to resume
inter-Korean economic exchange projects that have been suspended amid chilled
ties this year, the sources well-versed in North Korean issues said on condition
of anonymity.
-----------------
N. Korean defectors to receive longer resettlement training
SEOUL -- North Koreans defecting to the South will undergo a 12-week
rehabilitation program beginning in March, officials said Monday.
Currently, the South Korean government requires those starting a new life here to
take an eight-week program at the resettlement center, called Hanawon, in
Anseong, about 70km south of Seoul.
-----------------
BOK auctions off US$3.35 bln to local banks
SEOUL -- South Korea's central bank said Monday it auctioned off US$3.35 billion
to local banks which have been suffering from a dollar liquidity crunch in the
wake of the U.S.-sparked global financial turmoil.
The Bank of Korea (BOK) said the money is part of a $30 billion currency swap
agreement which it signed with the U.S. Federal Reserve in late October. The BOK
has tapped $7 billion from the facility so far.
-----------------
S. Korea's exports plunge 25.5 pct in Dec.
SEOUL -- South Korea's exports plunged 25.5 percent in December from a year
earlier mainly due to deteriorating overseas business conditions, government data
showed Monday.
According to the preliminary data provided by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy
and the Korea Customs Service, the nation's exports amounted to US$15.4 billion
during the first 20 days of this month, compared with $20.6 billion a year
earlier.
-----------------
Seoul shares up 1.35 pct in late morning
SEOUL -- South Korean stocks traded 1.35 percent higher late Monday morning as
investors, heartened by the government's economic stimulus package, picked up
shares of banks and builders, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) surged 15.98 points to
1,196.95 as of 11:20 a.m.
(END)
on Monday.
-----------------
Rice defends 6-way talks as only way to denuclearize N. Korea
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday that six-party
talks are the only way to achieve North Korea's denuclearization, citing
Pyongyang's common strategy of exploiting division in the international
community.
"A lot has been achieved" in the multilateral talks over the past half year, the
outgoing secretary said on NBC's "Meet the Press," including the shutdown of the
North's main nuclear reactor, presentation of its nuclear list and blowing up of
the cooling tower of the North's main nuclear reactor.
-----------------
(LEAD) N. Korea willing to return war prisoners in exchange for economic benefits:
sources
BEIJING/SEOUL -- North Korea has conveyed to South Korea that it is willing to
return some South Korean war prisoners and civilian abductees in exchange for
economic benefits, sources said Monday.
Pyongyang made the proposal through various channels, hoping to resume
inter-Korean economic exchange projects that have been suspended amid chilled
ties this year, the sources well-versed in North Korean issues said on condition
of anonymity.
-----------------
N. Korean defectors to receive longer resettlement training
SEOUL -- North Koreans defecting to the South will undergo a 12-week
rehabilitation program beginning in March, officials said Monday.
Currently, the South Korean government requires those starting a new life here to
take an eight-week program at the resettlement center, called Hanawon, in
Anseong, about 70km south of Seoul.
-----------------
BOK auctions off US$3.35 bln to local banks
SEOUL -- South Korea's central bank said Monday it auctioned off US$3.35 billion
to local banks which have been suffering from a dollar liquidity crunch in the
wake of the U.S.-sparked global financial turmoil.
The Bank of Korea (BOK) said the money is part of a $30 billion currency swap
agreement which it signed with the U.S. Federal Reserve in late October. The BOK
has tapped $7 billion from the facility so far.
-----------------
S. Korea's exports plunge 25.5 pct in Dec.
SEOUL -- South Korea's exports plunged 25.5 percent in December from a year
earlier mainly due to deteriorating overseas business conditions, government data
showed Monday.
According to the preliminary data provided by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy
and the Korea Customs Service, the nation's exports amounted to US$15.4 billion
during the first 20 days of this month, compared with $20.6 billion a year
earlier.
-----------------
Seoul shares up 1.35 pct in late morning
SEOUL -- South Korean stocks traded 1.35 percent higher late Monday morning as
investors, heartened by the government's economic stimulus package, picked up
shares of banks and builders, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) surged 15.98 points to
1,196.95 as of 11:20 a.m.
(END)
