*** TOPIC OF THE WEEK (Part 1)

North Korean Border Closures Threaten Future of Kaesong

SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- The value of foreign-owned South Korean stocks has
fallen by almost half over the last two years due to a bearish market stemming

SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's quarterly economic growth is expected
to be near zero for the first quarter with a full-blown recovery unlikely in the

SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks got off to a strong start on
Thursday, taking a cue from overnight gains in U.S. markets.

SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean government will spend an additional
4.9 trillion won (US$3.54 billion) this year to create 550,000 new jobs, the

SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean government will spend an additional
4.9 trillion won (US$3.54 billion) this year to create 550,000 new jobs, the

SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co.'s vehicle sales in Russia plunged
54 percent in February amid slumping demand, industry data showed Thursday.

SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il watched a musical
performance by university students, the country's state media said Thursday.

The following stories are scheduled to be covered by Yonhap News Agency. Your
queries are welcome. Yonhap's English-language news desk can be reached by

SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- The following is the weather
forecast for South Korea's 12 major cities at 9:00 a.m. Thursday.