*** TOPIC OF THE WEEK

N. Korea Condemns S. Korea-U.S. Military Drill at Meeting with UNC

SEOUL, March 5 (Yonhap) -- A Seoul-based welfare group said Thursday that it will
break ground for construction of a rehabilitation center for disabled North

SEOUL, March 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks got off to a solid start on
Thursday, lifted by expectations China is set to release a new economic stimulus
plan, analysts said.

SEOUL, March 5 (Yonhap) -- Four South Korean movies, including local box office
hit "The Chaser," will compete for top honors at an upcoming Asian film festival

KOSPI-open

KOSPI 1,068.25 UP 8.99 points (open)
(END)

FOREX-op

Dollar opens at 1,535.0 won DN from 1,551.0 won
(END)en

FOREX-open

Dollar opens at 1,535.0 won DN from 1,551.0 won
(END)

*** NEWS IN BRIEF (Part 2)

N. Korea Warns U.S. Troops Against 'Military Provocation'

SEOUL, March 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korean trading companies are rushing to develop
overseas natural resources as part of efforts to seek a new growth engine,

SEOUL, March 5 (Yonhap) -- The government is ready to take "action" when the
currency market suffers excessive fluctuations, a top economic policymaker said
Thursday.