South Korea

Seoul welcomes Security Council statement on North Korea

Seoul welcomes Security Council statement on North Korea Seoul - South Korea on Tuesday welcomed a statement by the United Nations Security Council condemning North Korea's rocket launch earlier this month. "North Korea will have to clearly recognize that the international community issued a stern and unified stance through the Security Council's presidential statement and refrain from provocative acts undermining the peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and North-East Asia," Foreign Ministry spokesman Moon Tae-young said.

Shares surge 4.3 per cent in Seoul

Shares surge 4.3 per cent in SeoulSeoul  - Shares jumped Thursday on the Seoul stock exchange on the central bank's decision to freeze its key interest rate for the second straight month and expectations for better corporate earnings ahead. South Korea's won rose against the dollar.

The benchmark Kospi index soared 54.28 points, or 4.3 per cent, to close at 1,316.35.

Advancing issues outnumbered decliners 780 to 109.

The main index of the technology-heavy Kosdaq market gained 20.62 points, or 4.47 per cetn, to close at 481.45.

South Korean carmaker SsangYong plans mass layoffs

South Korean carmaker SsangYong plans mass layoffs Seoul - Ailing South Korean carmaker SsangYong Motor plans to cut 2,650 jobs, about one-third of its workforce, the company said Wednesday.

The cash-strapped SUV maker, which is under creditor protection, also announced wage cuts and sales of property and other company assets. China's Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC) holds a 51-per-cent state in the South Korean company.

The lay-offs are part of a package of survival measures which the smallest of South Korea's five carmakers had to come up with to prevent the company's dissolution.

Shares tumble 2.9 per cent in Seoul

Shares tumble 2.9 per cent in SeoulSeoul  - Shares fell almost 3

South Korea says weather has delayed N. Korea''s missile launch plan

South Korea says weather has delayed N. Korea''s missile launch planSeoul, Apr. 4 : Weather conditions on Saturday have reportedly prevented North Korea from going ahead with the launch of its missile on Saturday.

"We thought the launch was likely today, but weather conditions at the (North Korea) rocket base may not have been favourable," South Korea''s Yonhap news agency quoted a presidential Blue House official as saying.

North Korea making final preparations for rocket launch

North Korea making final preparations for rocket launch Seoul - North Korea has begun final preparations for its controversial long-range rocket launch and could fire the weapon as early as Saturday, South Korean media reported on Friday.

"North Korea seems to have almost finished fueling the rocket, so it is highly likely it will launch it," The Korea Times quoted an anonymous government official as saying.

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak plans to convene a meeting of the National Security Council, and would send a special envoy to North Korea, the paper said.

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