South Korea has invited North Korea to attend next year's Asian Games to be held in the western port city of Incheon, a senior government official said Tuesday.   "We asked North Korea to participate in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games some two months ago via the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA)," Park Jong-gil, the second vice minister of culture, sports and tourism, told reporters.   "We also conveyed our hope via other channels for inviting not only its athletes but supporters," he said. "The North

North Korea June 18, 2013

South Korean stocks closed 0.93 percent higher Tuesday amid the divided outlook over the United States Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting slated for this week, analysts said. The local currency fell against the U.S. dollar.  The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 17.52 points to close at 1,900.62. Trading volume was low at 275.3 million shares worth 3.38 trillion won (US$2.99 billion) with gainers outpacing losers 529 to 298.   The index returned above the 1,900-

June 18, 2013

 South Korean stocks traded almost flat late Tuesday morning as investors continued to sit on the sidelines to await the results of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting scheduled this week, analysts said.   The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) edged down 0.23 points, or 0.01 percent, to 1,882.87 as of 11:20 a.m.   Logistics firms lost ground, with Hyundai Glovis decreasing 1.08 percent and Hyundai Merchant Marine falling 2.37 percent. Top air carrier Korean Air plunged 1.

June 18, 2013

South Korean stocks fell 0.32 percent Monday as investors took a wait-and-see approach on the United States Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting slated for this week, analysts said. The local currency gained against the U.S. dollar.   The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed 6.14 points to close at 1,883.10. Trading volume was low at 258.6million shares worth 3.19 trillion won (US$2.83 billion) with losers outpacing gainers 594 to 221.   On Thursday, the index fell be

June 17, 2013

　Iksan Police Station in North Jeolla Province said on Sunday it would reinvestigate the murder of a taxi driver after claims that the police may have forced a confession from an innocent teenager. 　The move came after claims made on SBS investigative program “Unanswered Question” on Saturday.　The 15-year-old delivery boy insisted during his trial that the police forced him to make a false statement, but he was sentenced to 10 years in prison. 　After the teen had spent three years behind bars, G

Social Affairs June 17, 2013

South Korean stocks traded almost flat late Monday morning as investors took a wait-and-see approach on the Federal Open Market Committee meeting scheduled this week, analysts said.   The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 0.36 points, or 0.02 percent, to 1,889.60 as of 11:20 a.m.    Builders traded bearish, with Hyundai Engineering & Construction falling 0.83 percent and Daewoo Engineering & Construction losing 0.77 percent. Daelim Industrial moved down 1.61 percent.   I

June 17, 2013

South Korean stocks fell 1.42 percent Thursday as foreign investors offloaded local shares amid concerns the U.S. Federal Reserve may reduce its quantitative easing, analysts said. The local currency fell against the U.S. dollar.   The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed 27.18 points to close at 1,882.73. Trading volume was low at 301.9 million shares worth 4.95 trillion won (US$4.36 billion) with losers outpacing gainers 550 to 257. It marked the first time for the index to

June 13, 2013

South Korean stocks traded 1.12 percent lower late Thursday morning on the rising concerns over a possible reduction in the U.S. quantitative easing moves, analysts said.   The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed 21.33 points to 1,888.58 as of 11:20 a.m. It marked the first time for the index to hover below the 1,900 mark since April 14.   Tech shares traded lower, with market behemoth Samsung Electronics falling 1.16 percent and its smaller domestic rival LG Electronics mov

June 13, 2013

South Korean stocks traded 0.13 percent lower late Wednesday morning on losses in techs and autos, analysts said.   The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed 2.43 points to 1,918.25 as of 11:20 a.m.   Tech shares traded lower, with LG Electronics falling 1.04 percent and flat panel maker LG Display decreasing 1.9 percent. Top chipmaker SK hynix declined 0.46 percent. Top market cap Samsung Electronics, however, inched up 0.36 percent.   Carmakers also traded lower, with No. 1

June 12, 2013

 South Korean stocks fell 0.62 percent Tuesday due to the weaker-than-expected Chinese economic data, analysts said. The local currency fell against the U.S. dollar.   The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed 12.02 points to close at 1,920.68. Trading volume was low at 258.2 million shares worth 4.37 trillion won (US$3.86 billion) with losers outpacing gainers 445 to 378.   "Chemical firms and oil refiners traded lower as China's economic data failed to meet the market expect

June 11, 2013

 South Korean stocks traded 0.82 percent lower late Tuesday morning on losses in techs and insurers, analysts said.   The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed 15.77 points to 1,916.93 as of 11:20 a.m.   Tech shares traded bearish, with Samsung Electronics falling 2.25 percent and Samsung Electro-Mechanics, a South Korean industrial parts maker, losing 1.63 percent.   Insurers also lost ground, with Samsung Life Insurance falling 1.83 percent and Samsung Fire & Marine Insuranc

June 11, 2013

South Korean stocks rose 0.46 percent Monday on the market outlook that the U.S. Federal Reserve may maintain its economic stimulus measures down the road, analysts said. The local currency fell against the U.S. dollar.   The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 8.85 points, or 0.46 percent, to close at 1,932.70. Trading volume was low at 268.1 million shares worth 3.67 trillion won (US$3.27 billion) with gainers outpacing losers 533 to 296.  "Seoul shares gathered ground o

June 10, 2013