Seoul - The South Korean government on Wednesday called on private groups to stop distributing anti-North Korean pamphlets over the border amid increased tension between the two Koreas.

According to a statement from South Korea's Unification Ministry, the government in Seoul will take measures to stop the organizations behind the pamphlet distribution.

Seoul - A restructuring of South Korea's shipbuilding industry, which has been hit by a downturn in orders, is being considered by the country's government and banks, according to media reports.

Proposals are being considered that would offer troubled shipbuilders conditional financial support, reported the Yonhap news agency Tuesday, citing government officials.

A group of banks is currently reviewing a restructuring program for some of the smaller of the country's 300 shipbuilders, reported The Korea Times.

Seoul  - Shares nosedived

Tokyo - Japan, China and South Korea agreed at the Group of 20 summit to enhance bilateral currency swap between Tokyo and Beijing to help Seoul stay afloat in the global financial crisis, Japanese media said Saturday.

A joint statement said the three nations agreed to "explore an increase in the size of bilateral currency swap arrangements" among them.

The deal was mainly aimed at helping South Korea fend off the financial crisis since the won has faced selling pressure as foreign investors withdrew capital.

Seoul - For the first time South Korea's Supreme Court ruled Friday that Chinese nationals have the right to apply for asylum in South Korea.

South Korea's Supreme Court ruled against the Ministry of Justice appeal and ordered that asylum be granted to a three-member Chinese family who fear persecution at home, Yonhap news agency reported Friday.

Yuan Wenrui, 54, along with his wife and son, "belong to a category of people who 'have a well-founded fear of being persecuted' as defined by the UN refugee convention," the presiding judge said in the verdict.

Seoul - South Korea called Thursday on North Korea not to endanger their cross-border cooperation projects after Pyongyang announced it planned to close the inter-Korean border.

The Defence Ministry in Seoul said that the neighbours' joint economic projects, such as the industrial complex in Kaesong, North Korea, should be protected and expanded.

The ministry said such projects have benefits for both sides. It urged the North to resume the dialogue, which includes military contacts, that it has been suspended with the South.