(ATTN: UPDATES with more details in paras 5, 7; ADDS with comments in paras 9-10)
By Lee Joon-seung

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; UPDATES civic groups' statement in paras 3, 4)
SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) -- Conservative activists in South Korea said Friday they

SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) -- Credit card spending in South Korea declined in
November from a month earlier amid a deepening economic slump, an industry
association said Friday.

SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks ended 2.14 percent higher Friday as
institutional investors picked up steel and transportation shares, shrugging off

KOSDAQ 302.16 UP 3.24 points (close)
(END)

KOSPI 1,028.13 UP 21.59 points (close)
(END)

Dollar ends at 1,475.5 won DN from 1,477.0 won
(END)

(ATT: NOTE the new spelling Mount Kumgang in 12th para. The change from Geumgang to
Kumgang is in conformity with North Korean Romanization)
By Byun Duk-kun

By Yoo Cheong-mo
SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) -- Over half of South Korea's foreign residents see civil

By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) -- The government is considering granting extensive tax
cuts to local automakers struggling with sinking domestic and overseas demand