ID :
19126
Fri, 09/12/2008 - 11:30
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/19126
The shortlink copeid
Yonhap News Summary
The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Thursday.
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N.K. diplomats spurn rumors of Kim's illness
NEW YORK -- North Korean diplomats here on Wednesday described as nonsense media
speculation over their leader Kim Jong-il's health problems.
South Korean intelligence officials said Kim had suffered either a stroke or
cerebral hemorrhage but is recovering.
-----------------
(LEAD) Seoul has no plans to raise defense alert against N.K.: minister
SEOUL -- Seoul does not plan to raise the level of defense readiness since no
unusual activity in the North Korean military has been detected following reports
of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's illness, a top defense official here was
quoted as saying on Thursday.
South Korean intelligence officials concluded that Kim suffered from a cerebral
hemorrhage last month and was operated on by foreign surgeons. The high-profile
communist leader, who has been absent from the public eye since Aug. 14, is known
to be "recovering quickly," officials confirmed, indicating there will
be no immediate change in his tightly-controlled regime.
-----------------
S. Korea in international talks for release of kidnapped sailors
SEOUL -- South Korea is cooperating closely with Somalia and other nations to
gain the release of 21 sailors kidnapped by pirates off the coast of the African
nation earlier this week, the Foreign Ministry said Thursday.
Somali pirates seized a 1,5000-ton South Korean freighter on Wednesday. Eight
South Korean crew and 13 Burmese sailors aboard the ship were abducted, according
to the ministry.
-----------------
N. Koreans receive special rations on anniversary: pro-Pyongyang daily
SEOUL -- North Koreans received special rations of liquor, cookies, blankets and
sports shoes earlier this week in honor of the communist country's 60th founding
anniversary, a mouthpiece for a pro-Pyongyang group in Japan reported Thursday.
"Holiday rations were distributed across the country to mark the 60th
anniversary of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," said Choson
Sinbo, organ of Chongryon, or the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean
Residents in Japan. "Concerned bodies had prepared for the distribution well
before the holiday to ensure that all households enjoy the day," it added.
-----------------
U.S. State Department's top Korea official visiting Seoul
SEOUL -- Kurt Tong, head of the U.S. State Department's Korea Desk, is on his
first trip to Seoul since he was assigned to the post early last month, embassy
officials here said Thursday.
"He has been in the country for a few days," said Aaron Tarver, press
attache at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, in a phone interview. He did not give
specific arrival date or Tong's schedule.
-----------------
(2nd LD) S. Korea negotiating sovereign debt prices: official
SEOUL -- South Korea's government is still in talks with foreign investors on
pricing for its planned debt sale worth US$1 billion in overseas markets, though
a deal could be delayed if the right conditions are not met, a senior economic
policymaker said Thursday
"We are still in discussions with respective investors on pricing for the
sale of sovereign debts," Choi Jong-ku, head of the finance ministry's
international financial bureau, told reporters. "With all scheduled
presentations completed, talks on pricing will take more time."
(END)
-----------------
N.K. diplomats spurn rumors of Kim's illness
NEW YORK -- North Korean diplomats here on Wednesday described as nonsense media
speculation over their leader Kim Jong-il's health problems.
South Korean intelligence officials said Kim had suffered either a stroke or
cerebral hemorrhage but is recovering.
-----------------
(LEAD) Seoul has no plans to raise defense alert against N.K.: minister
SEOUL -- Seoul does not plan to raise the level of defense readiness since no
unusual activity in the North Korean military has been detected following reports
of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's illness, a top defense official here was
quoted as saying on Thursday.
South Korean intelligence officials concluded that Kim suffered from a cerebral
hemorrhage last month and was operated on by foreign surgeons. The high-profile
communist leader, who has been absent from the public eye since Aug. 14, is known
to be "recovering quickly," officials confirmed, indicating there will
be no immediate change in his tightly-controlled regime.
-----------------
S. Korea in international talks for release of kidnapped sailors
SEOUL -- South Korea is cooperating closely with Somalia and other nations to
gain the release of 21 sailors kidnapped by pirates off the coast of the African
nation earlier this week, the Foreign Ministry said Thursday.
Somali pirates seized a 1,5000-ton South Korean freighter on Wednesday. Eight
South Korean crew and 13 Burmese sailors aboard the ship were abducted, according
to the ministry.
-----------------
N. Koreans receive special rations on anniversary: pro-Pyongyang daily
SEOUL -- North Koreans received special rations of liquor, cookies, blankets and
sports shoes earlier this week in honor of the communist country's 60th founding
anniversary, a mouthpiece for a pro-Pyongyang group in Japan reported Thursday.
"Holiday rations were distributed across the country to mark the 60th
anniversary of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," said Choson
Sinbo, organ of Chongryon, or the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean
Residents in Japan. "Concerned bodies had prepared for the distribution well
before the holiday to ensure that all households enjoy the day," it added.
-----------------
U.S. State Department's top Korea official visiting Seoul
SEOUL -- Kurt Tong, head of the U.S. State Department's Korea Desk, is on his
first trip to Seoul since he was assigned to the post early last month, embassy
officials here said Thursday.
"He has been in the country for a few days," said Aaron Tarver, press
attache at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, in a phone interview. He did not give
specific arrival date or Tong's schedule.
-----------------
(2nd LD) S. Korea negotiating sovereign debt prices: official
SEOUL -- South Korea's government is still in talks with foreign investors on
pricing for its planned debt sale worth US$1 billion in overseas markets, though
a deal could be delayed if the right conditions are not met, a senior economic
policymaker said Thursday
"We are still in discussions with respective investors on pricing for the
sale of sovereign debts," Choi Jong-ku, head of the finance ministry's
international financial bureau, told reporters. "With all scheduled
presentations completed, talks on pricing will take more time."
(END)
