South Korea News Blog

South Korea News Bloghttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/All the latest South Korea news headlines!240Motorola Selling Razr2 Phone in S.Koreahttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1237749.html?motorola-selling-razr2-phone-in-skoreahttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1237749.html?motorola-selling-razr2-phone-in-skorea<p>SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- Motorola Inc. started selling the next generation model of its popular, ultra-slim Razr cell phone in South Korea Friday, ahead of a global launch scheduled for July. "We're releasing our new phone in the Korean market first in recognition of tech-savvy and fashion-aware Korean consumers," Motorola Korea Inc. said in a statement. The new phone, called "Razr2," will be available via SK Telecom Co., Korea's largest wireless carrier by revenue. It retails at about 580...</p>News Blogger <admin@newzblogz.com>Fri, 29 Jun 2007 16:03:56 +0000South Korea, U.S. Agree on Trade Pacthttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1230737.html?south-korea-us-agree-on-trade-pacthttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1230737.html?south-korea-us-agree-on-trade-pact<p>SEOUL, South Korea - South Korea and the United States have agreed on final changes to their free trade agreement, paving the way for its signing on June 30, the prime minister's office said Friday.Prime Minister Han Duck-soo told managing editors of major newspapers and broadcast outlets that Seoul and Washington had agreed to change parts of the agreement to include new U.S. labor and environmental standards for free trade agreements, his office said.Han said the agreement was reached and "tra...</p>News Blogger <admin@newzblogz.com>Fri, 29 Jun 2007 08:33:30 +0000Oct. launch planned for `.asia' domainhttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1230738.html?oct-launch-planned-for-`asia-domainhttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1230738.html?oct-launch-planned-for-`asia-domain<p>NEW YORK (AP) -- Internet addresses ending in ".asia" will be open to governments and trademark owners starting in October, with general registrations coming in 2008. The initial round, which starts Oct. 9, is limited to governments desiring geographical names such as "china.asia" and those with trademarks applied before March 16, 2004, and actively in use. Registrations for other trademarks and for company names begin Nov. 13. The Internet's key oversight agency for domain names, the Intern...</p>News Blogger <admin@newzblogz.com>Fri, 29 Jun 2007 08:33:30 +0000U.N. monitors visit N.Korea reactor sitehttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1230739.html?un-monitors-visit-nkorea-reactor-sitehttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1230739.html?un-monitors-visit-nkorea-reactor-site<p>PYONGYANG, North Korea --U.N. nuclear monitors returned Friday from a trip to North Korea's plutonium-producing reactor, saying the facility has not been shut down yet but that they were satisfied with their visit there.</p><p>The team returned to Pyongyang from the Yongbyon reactor complex, about 60 miles northeast of the North Korean capital, Kyodo News agency reported from the city.</p><p>"We visited all the places which we were planning to," IAEA Deputy Director Olli Heinonen said in footage shot by APTN. He added: "The cooperation was excellent and now we continue the meetings ... in Pyongyang."</p>News Blogger <admin@newzblogz.com>Fri, 29 Jun 2007 08:33:30 +0000U.S. and Panama sign trade pacthttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1230740.html?us-and-panama-sign-trade-pacthttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1230740.html?us-and-panama-sign-trade-pact<p>U.S. and Panamanian officials signed a trade and investment agreement in a ceremony at the Organization of American States Thursday in a low-key prelude to what the White House hopes will be an easy passage through Congress and into law.</p><p>Both U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab and Panamanian Minister of Commerce and Industry Alejandro Ferrer lauded the agreement, which took three years to negotiate and will lower tariffs, strengthen investment rules and attempt to harmonize business practices in the two countries.</p><p>The administration is racing a Saturday midnight deadline to conclude all aspects of pending free-trade deals. That is when the president's power to negotiate agreements under an expedited Congressional review process expires.</p>News Blogger <admin@newzblogz.com>Fri, 29 Jun 2007 08:33:30 +0000U.S. military deaths in Iraq at 3,571http://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1230741.html?us-military-deaths-in-iraq-at-3571http://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1230741.html?us-military-deaths-in-iraq-at-3571<p>As of Thursday, June 28, 2007, at least 3,571 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. The figure includes seven military civilians. At least 2,931 died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers.</p><p>The AP count is five higher than the Defense Department's tally, last updated Thursday at 10 a.m. EDT.</p><p>The British military has reported 156 deaths; Italy, 33; Ukraine, 18; Poland, 20; Bulgaria, 13; Spain, 11; Denmark, seven; El Salvador, five; Slovakia, four; Latvia, three; Estonia, Netherlands, Thailand, two each; and Australia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Romania, South Korea, one death each.</p>News Blogger <admin@newzblogz.com>Fri, 29 Jun 2007 08:33:30 +0000U.S., Colombia reach labor agreementhttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1230742.html?us-colombia-reach-labor-agreementhttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1230742.html?us-colombia-reach-labor-agreement<p>WASHINGTON (AP) The Bush administration said Thursday it had agreed with Colombia on amendments to address workers' rights and the environment in a free trade deal.</p><p>It was the second successful conclusion to negotiations this week. The administration announced an agreement Monday with Peru on the same issues. Talks continue with South Korea.</p><p>The administration is racing a Saturday midnight deadline to conclude all aspects of pending free trade deals with four countries. That is when the president's power to negotiate agreements under an expedited congressional review process expires.</p>News Blogger <admin@newzblogz.com>Fri, 29 Jun 2007 08:33:30 +0000UN inspectors head to NKorean reactor site in first visit since they were expelled in 2002http://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1230743.html?un-inspectors-head-to-nkorean-reactor-site-in-first-visit-since-they-were-expelled-in-2002http://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1230743.html?un-inspectors-head-to-nkorean-reactor-site-in-first-visit-since-they-were-expelled-in-2002<p> PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — U.N. inspectors headed to North Korea’s key nuclear reactor Thursday — their first visit since they were expelled five years ago — to discuss a long-delayed shutdown of the facility.The International Atomic Energy Agency team traveled from the North Korean capital of Pyongyang to the Yongbyon reactor, about 60 miles to the northeast. </p><p> </p><p> </p>News Blogger <admin@newzblogz.com>Fri, 29 Jun 2007 08:33:30 +0000UN monitors visit NKorea reactor sitehttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1230744.html?un-monitors-visit-nkorea-reactor-sitehttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1230744.html?un-monitors-visit-nkorea-reactor-site<p>PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) ? U.N. nuclear monitors returned Friday from a trip to North Korea's plutonium-producing reactor, saying the facility has not been shut down yet but that they were satisfied with their visit there.</p><p>The team returned to Pyongyang from the Yongbyon reactor complex, about 60 miles northeast of the North Korean capital, Kyodo News agency reported from the city.</p><p>"We visited all the places which we were planning to," IAEA Deputy Director Olli Heinonen said in footage shot by APTN. He added: "The cooperation was excellent and now we continue the meetings ... in Pyongyang."</p>News Blogger <admin@newzblogz.com>Fri, 29 Jun 2007 08:33:30 +0000US, Colombia reach agreement on labor and environmental amendments to free trade dealhttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1230745.html?us-colombia-reach-agreement-on-labor-and-environmental-amendments-to-free-trade-dealhttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1230745.html?us-colombia-reach-agreement-on-labor-and-environmental-amendments-to-free-trade-deal<p> bc- WASHINGTON (AP) — The Bush administration said Thursday it had reached agreement with the government of Colombia on amendments to address concerns about worker rights and the environment in a pending free trade agreement.It marked the second successful conclusion to negotiations this week. The administration reached an agreement Monday with Peru on the same issues. Talks are still continuing with South Korea. </p><p> </p><p> </p>News Blogger <admin@newzblogz.com>Fri, 29 Jun 2007 08:33:30 +0000Residents speak out during Tuscola session on FutureGenhttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1230746.html?residents-speak-out-during-tuscola-session-on-futuregenhttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1230746.html?residents-speak-out-during-tuscola-session-on-futuregen<p>TUSCOLA — Some landowners proclaim “not in my backyard” when it comes to power plants coming to their communities.Tuscola resident John Kennedy assured FutureGen Alliance and Department of Energy officials Thursday night that is not the attitude of his community.“There’s no ‘not in my backyard’ here,” Kennedy said with pride during a public hearing with a near standing-room-only crowd in the Tuscola Community Center. “There are a lot of posit...</p><p> “We feel strongly that in case of an emergency we will be able to respond,” said Wineland, who serves as assistant Tuscola fire chief and coordinator of the hazardous material response team for the community. “We have seen many of these chemicals mentioned in your Environmental Impact Statement.”The EIS meticulously reviewed many environmental factors, including water sources, geology, chemical risks and wildlife possibly affected by the $1.5-billion power p...</p>News Blogger <admin@newzblogz.com>Fri, 29 Jun 2007 08:33:30 +0000S. Korean workers protest trade dealhttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1230747.html?s-korean-workers-protest-trade-dealhttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1230747.html?s-korean-workers-protest-trade-deal<p>SEOUL, South Korea South Koreas largest labor union escalated protests Thursday against the countrys free trade agreement with the U.S. as the two governments tried to make last-minute changes to the deal before its scheduled signing later this week.</p><p>Between 110,000 and 120,000 members walked off the job Thursday afternoon for four hours in protest against the deal, said Chong Hye-won of the KMWUs international department.</p><p>The union sponsored smaller partial strikes since Monday. Workers planned to strike again for six hours today, Chong said.</p>News Blogger <admin@newzblogz.com>Fri, 29 Jun 2007 08:33:30 +0000Amy Scherzer's Diaryhttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1230748.html?amy-scherzers-diaryhttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1230748.html?amy-scherzers-diary<p>Tampa Police Department Officer John Manning was patrolling east of Ybor City when the message blinked across the squad car's computer screen. </p><p>"Wanna do 10-10" it said, code for meal break. </p><p>Seeing Tanya Solana's call sign, he typed eagerly: "10-4." </p>News Blogger <admin@newzblogz.com>Fri, 29 Jun 2007 08:33:30 +0000Inspectors head to reactor sitehttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1230749.html?inspectors-head-to-reactor-sitehttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1230749.html?inspectors-head-to-reactor-siteNews Blogger <admin@newzblogz.com>Fri, 29 Jun 2007 08:33:30 +0000IRAQ DEVELOPMENTShttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1230750.html?iraq-developmentshttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1230750.html?iraq-developmentsNews Blogger <admin@newzblogz.com>Fri, 29 Jun 2007 08:33:30 +0000S.Korean Workers Strike Against FTAhttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1226663.html?skorean-workers-strike-against-ftahttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1226663.html?skorean-workers-strike-against-ftaNews Blogger <admin@newzblogz.com>Thu, 28 Jun 2007 17:13:47 +0000Rice hopes for 'rapid progress' in North Korean denuclearizationhttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1226664.html?rice-hopes-for-rapid-progress-in-north-korean-denuclearizationhttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1226664.html?rice-hopes-for-rapid-progress-in-north-korean-denuclearization<p>STATE DEPARTMENT (AP) - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says she is hoping for a swift shutdown of North Korea's nuclear weapons programs now that UN inspectors are in the country.</p><p>Speaking before a meeting with South Korea's foreign minister at the State Department, Rice said she hopes for "rapid progress" as North Korea moves forward with a nuclear disarmament deal.</p><p>UN inspectors are in North Korea today, visiting a reactor that the country has promised to shut down as part of the deal.</p>News Blogger <admin@newzblogz.com>Thu, 28 Jun 2007 17:13:47 +0000S.Korea to inspect beef facilities in UShttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1226665.html?skorea-to-inspect-beef-facilities-in-ushttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1226665.html?skorea-to-inspect-beef-facilities-in-usNews Blogger <admin@newzblogz.com>Thu, 28 Jun 2007 17:13:47 +0000UN inspectors head to key NKorea reactorhttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1226666.html?un-inspectors-head-to-key-nkorea-reactorhttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1226666.html?un-inspectors-head-to-key-nkorea-reactor<p>PYONGYANG, North Korea - U.N. inspectors headed to North Korea's key nuclear reactor Thursday to discuss a long-delayed shutdown of the facility, as the country came under increasing international criticism for launching missile tests this week.The visit is the first International Atomic Energy Agency trip to the Yongbyon facility since its monitors were expelled from the country in late 2002.Olli Heinonen, the deputy director of IAEA, told APTN that his team would tour the facility and discuss ...</p>News Blogger <admin@newzblogz.com>Thu, 28 Jun 2007 17:13:47 +0000UN monitors head to NKorea reactor sitehttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1226667.html?un-monitors-head-to-nkorea-reactor-sitehttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1226667.html?un-monitors-head-to-nkorea-reactor-site<p>PYONGYANG, North Korea - U.N. inspectors headed to North Korea's key nuclear reactor Thursday for the first time since 2002 to discuss plans to shut the plutonium-producing facility under an international accord.The development came as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe criticized North Korea for conducting test firings of short-range missiles Wednesday, saying Tokyo would push for a "harsh response." A U.S. official also called them a provocation that could destabilize the region.APTN reported ...</p>News Blogger <admin@newzblogz.com>Thu, 28 Jun 2007 17:13:47 +0000Report: North Korea allowing inspectors to visit reactor slated to be dismantledhttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1226668.html?report-north-korea-allowing-inspectors-to-visit-reactor-slated-to-be-dismantledhttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1226668.html?report-north-korea-allowing-inspectors-to-visit-reactor-slated-to-be-dismantled<p>SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - UN inspectors are reportedly on their way to a North Korean nuclear facility.</p><p>Japan's Kyodo news agency reports the team of inspectors is going to a reactor that's slated to be dismantled.</p><p>Reports of the trip come a day after the leader of the UN team of inspectors said they had gotten permission to visit the plutonium-producing facility. But an official for the International Atomic Energy Agency says the trip will not be a formal inspection.</p>News Blogger <admin@newzblogz.com>Thu, 28 Jun 2007 17:13:47 +0000US, Colombia reach labor agreementhttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1226669.html?us-colombia-reach-labor-agreementhttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1226669.html?us-colombia-reach-labor-agreement<p>WASHINGTON—The Bush administration said Thursday it had reached agreement with the government of Colombia on amendments to address concerns about worker rights and the environment in a pending free trade agreement. </p><p>It marked the second successful conclusion to negotiations this week. The administration reached an agreement Monday with Peru on the same issues. Talks are still continuing with South Korea. </p><p>The administration is racing a Saturday midnight deadline to conclude all aspects of pending free trade deals with four countries before the president's authority to negotiate agreements under an expedited congressional review process expires. </p>News Blogger <admin@newzblogz.com>Thu, 28 Jun 2007 17:13:47 +0000Today In History - June 28, 2007http://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1226670.html?today-in-history---june-28-2007http://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1226670.html?today-in-history---june-28-2007<p>Today is Thursday, June 28, the 179th day of 2007. There are 186 days left in the year. </p><p>Todays Highlight in History: </p><p>On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife, Sophie, were assassinated in Sarajevo by a Serb nationalistthe event which triggered World War One. </p>News Blogger <admin@newzblogz.com>Thu, 28 Jun 2007 17:13:47 +0000Rice: Progress needed on nuclear issuehttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1226671.html?rice-progress-needed-on-nuclear-issuehttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1226671.html?rice-progress-needed-on-nuclear-issueNews Blogger <admin@newzblogz.com>Thu, 28 Jun 2007 17:13:47 +0000Seoul Delays Iraq Troop Pullout Decisionhttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1226672.html?seoul-delays-iraq-troop-pullout-decisionhttp://www.newzblogz.com/blogs/southkorea/1226672.html?seoul-delays-iraq-troop-pullout-decision<p>SEOUL, South Korea --South Korea has delayed a decision on when to pull its 1,200 troops out of Iraq, the Defense Ministry said Thursday, raising the possibility that it could extend the unpopular mission for another year.</p><p>South Korean troops have been stationed in Iraq on a reconstruction mission since 2003. At one point Seoul was Washington's biggest coalition partner after Britain, with 3,600 troops in Iraq. But the numbers have declined amid rising public opposition to the war.</p><p>On Thursday, the Defense Ministry gave lawmakers a plan for ending the mission but did not specify a date for the departure. The National Assembly requested the plan when it extended the mission late last year.</p>News Blogger <admin@newzblogz.com>Thu, 28 Jun 2007 17:13:47 +0000