Yonhap News Summary

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

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Seoul calls for 'unconditional' talks with N. Korea over Kaesong
SEOUL -- South Korea urged North Korea on Monday to unconditionally return to the
dialogue table to discuss the fate of a troubled joint industrial park in the
North's border town of Kaesong.
The call came after the communist nation rejected Seoul's two previous proposals
for a follow-up meeting to talks held on April 21, at which Pyongyang demanded
wage hikes and payment of land use fees.
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S. Korea's trade surplus hits record high in April: customs office
SEOUL -- South Korea posted a fresh record-high trade surplus in April as imports
declined faster than exports amid a protracted economic slowdown, a report showed
Monday.
According to the report by the Korea Customs Service, South Korea's trade surplus
amounted to US$5.79 billion last month, up from the previous month's $4.28
billion. The April figure is the highest, renewing the all-time record set in
March.
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(LEAD) Seoul stocks end down 0.36 pct on steel, shipyard losses
SEOUL -- South Korean shares closed 0.36 percent lower Monday as investors
unloaded steel, shipyard and financial shares amid lingering concerns over an
economic slowdown, analysts said. The local currency fell against the U.S.
dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 5.05 points to
1,386.68, after falling to as low as 1,366.58 in early trading. Volume was
moderate at 546.14 million shares worth 5.95 trillion won (US$4.72 billion), with
losers outpacing gainers 517 to 311.
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S. Korea, Australia agree on expediting free trade talks
SEOUL -- South Korea and Australia have agreed to expedite a free trade accord as
part of efforts to boost bilateral economic ties, officials here said Monday.
South Korea Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon and his Australian counterpart Simon
Crean met in Melbourne earlier in the day to discuss how to boost economic
cooperation between the two countries.
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President vows better ties, increased cooperation with ASEAN
SEOUL -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak vowed Monday to boost his country's
economic cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and
for improved relations in all other areas, including the cultural and diplomatic
sectors.
"Asia's role and responsibility in the international community remained
relatively small in the past. But in recent years, especially as we entered the
21st century, Asia has emerged as a great power in the world in economic and many
other aspects," Lee said in emphasizing better ties between Korea and the
10-member ASEAN.
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Four nations added to Korea's travel advisory list
SEOUL -- South Korea has issued a travel advisory for Belgium, Peru, Ecuador and
Malaysia, after a new influenza A outbreak was reported in those countries, the
foreign ministry said Monday.
India and Turkey also reported newly confirmed cases last week but the government
had already issued travel advisories for the two countries and did not raise the
alert level, ministry officials said. The government also issued travel alerts
for Mexico and Japan last month and last week, respectively.
(END)