Yonhap News Summary

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

-----------------
(2nd LD) Constitutional Court says media reform bills valid despite procedural
violations
SEOUL -- The Constitutional Court ruled Thursday that disputed media reform laws
railroaded by the ruling party are valid, despite violations in the voting
process.
The reform package -- which consists of three separate laws governing newspapers,
broadcasting and Internet TV -- were passed by the majority-wielding Grand
National Party (GNP) while opposition parties boycotted.
-----------------
(LEAD) S. Korean FM seeks parliament's support for Afghan aid package
SEOUL -- South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan briefed ruling and
opposition parties Thursday on the government's plan to provide additional
support for troubled global efforts to stabilize Afghanistan, apparently
including troop dispatch.
In a weekly diplomatic policy coordination meeting presided over by Yu on
Wednesday, the government made the politically-sensitive decision to send
"non-combat security forces" to the South Asian nation, which continues to be
plagued by terrorist attacks and bloody battles between the Taliban and the
U.S.-led coalition troops.
-----------------
(2nd LD) S. Korea confirms citizen defected to N. Korea, disputes time
SEOUL -- South Korea confirmed Thursday that its citizen has defected to North
Korea across their heavily armed border, but concluded the rare crossing took
place a day later than claimed by Pyongyang.
South Korea's Defense Minister Kim Tae-young apologized during a parliamentary
hearing over the incident that raised questions here over the ability of the
country's Army to patrol border areas.
-----------------
Chinese president invites N. Korean leader: KCNA
SEOUL -- Chinese President Hu Jintao formally invited North Korean leader Kim
Jong-il to visit China "at a convenient time," Pyongyang's state news agency
reported Thursday amid a flurry of top-level visits between the communist allies
for the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.
Hu offered the invitation at a Wednesday meeting with Choe Thae-bok, one of the
closest aides to Kim, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Choe,
secretary of the North's powerful Workers' Party, is leading a party delegation
in Beijing.
-----------------
Asia needs to bolster domestic demand for sustainable growth: IMF
SEOUL, Oct. 29 (Yonhap) -- Asian economies are "rapidly" rebounding on the back
of state-led stimulus measures, but it remains unclear whether the recovery has
gained momentum enough to ensure sustainable growth, the International Monetary
Fund (IMF) said Thursday.
Individual nations must bolster domestic demand to offset still-slumping external
demand, it said in a report on the region unveiled in time for an economic
outlook forum held in Seoul.
-----------------
(LEAD) Woori Finance Q3 net more than triples
SEOUL -- Woori Finance Holdings Co. said Thursday its third-quarter earnings more
than tripled on increased interest income and smaller loan-loss provisions, far
overshooting a market forecast.
Net profit stood at 483.9 billion won (US$408 million) in the July-September
quarter, up 207 percent from 157.5 billion won a year earlier, Woori Finance said
in a regulatory filing. The bottom line was far above a median market estimate of
around 350 billion won.
-----------------
(LEAD) Seoul shares end 1.48 pct lower on recovery woes
SEOUL -- South Korean stocks finished 1.48 percent lower Thursday as foreign
investors dumped shares on worries over the U.S. economic recovery, analysts
said. The local currency fell against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) sank 23.86 points to
1,585.85, falling below the 1600-point mark for the first time since Oct. 7.
Volume was moderate at 365 million shares worth 5.6 trillion won (US$4.66
billion) with losers outnumbering gainers 630 to 177.
(END)