South Korea

North Korean family flees to South by boat

Seoul - A North Korean family of four managed to flee the Stalinist state's strongly-guarded sea border with South Korea in a wooden boat, news reports said Wednesday.

The refugees were picked up late Tuesday near the South Korean coastal town of Inchon, three hours after leaving the North Korean port of Haeju on the western coast, the official KBS radio station reported, quoting South Korean navy sources.

The family - a husband and wife, their son and daughter-in-law -said they wanted to stay in South Korea. The refugees were being questioned by army officials, the report said.

South Korea offers economic aid for dialogue with North

South Korea offers economic aid for dialogue with North Seoul  - South Korea is offering its communist neighbour economic aid if North Korea resumes talks, a senior government official said Wednesday.

But if Pyongyang refuses to change its current position, then Seoul would not budge either, Unification Minister Kim Ha Joong said in a report to President Lee Myung Bak, outlining the tasks and goals for 2009.

Hyundai motor launches ''I 20'' in Indian market

Hyundai motor launches ''I 20'' in Indian marketNew Delhi, Dec 29 : South Korean car maker Hyundai Motor launched ''i 20'' here today. This car is said to be an improved version of ''i 10'' with more space and more powerful engine.

The launch that has taken place at the time of global financial meltdown raised many questions about the success of ''i 20'' in the Indian markets. But the senior vice president of Hyundai motors said that, they were positive about the launch, as what matters ultimately is the quality of the product.

Shipping Fraternity Condemns The Detention Of Two Offices In Korea

Jasprit Chawla, Syam ChetanThe shipping fraternity in India condemns the sentence and fine imposed on two Indian seamen in South Korea and threatened to start agitation. Two offices, Captain Jasprit Chawla and Chief Officer Syam Chetan of Hebei Spirit are accused of oil spill in the Korean waters.

South Korean activist admits to spy activities in North Korea

South KoreaSeoul - A South Korean activist Friday admitted to espionage activities uncovered by Pyongyang, but rejected accusations of a plot to murder North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, a news report said.

Choi Sung-yong, head of the Family Assembly Abducted to North Korea, a South Korean NGO, said a North Korean man arrested by the North's State Security Agency on Thursday had been hired by him to gather information on the Communist state the Yonhap news agency reported.

South Korean military to complete withdrawal from Iraq

Seoul  - South Korea's 621-troop deployment to Iraq is completing its withdrawal after four years assisting the US war effort, the military said Wednesday.

The troops engaged in reconstruction work are to be received upon returning home Friday by Defence Minister Lee Sang Hee and attend a ceremony hosted by Prime Minister Han Seung Soo after getting a medical checkup, officials said.

"The ceremony will mark the official disbandment of the Iraqi mission that was launched in September 2004," Defence Ministry spokesman Won Tae Jae said.

The contingent consists of the Zaytun Unit, currently stationed in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil, and its Kuwait-based air support unit.

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