Yonhap News Summary

The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency
on Monday.

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Disgraced scientist Hwang Woo-suk sentenced to suspended jail term
SEOUL -- Disgraced cloning scientist Hwang Woo-suk was sentenced to a suspended
jail term Monday for embezzling research funds he obtained based on a fake stem
cell experiment and breaching bioethics laws in purchasing human eggs.
The Seoul Central District Court sentenced Hwang, 56, to a two year prison term,
suspended for three years.
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(3rd LD) Three type-A flu patients die in S. Korea
SEOUL -- Three South Koreans infected with Influenza A (H1N1) have died in South
Korea, health authorities said Monday, amid growing concerns that the contagious
disease could turn into a pandemic.
A nine-year-old boy and an 11-year-old girl died after being treated for H1N1,
according to the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs. Both had
cerebral palsy. The exact cause of death is still under investigation, it added.
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N. Korea completes construction of top missile base: officials
SEOUL -- North Korea has completed the construction of its largest and most
sophisticated missile base on the west coast, laying the groundwork for improved
intercontinental ballistic missiles, senior officials here said Monday.
The Dongchang-ri base has been under construction for several years, deepening
outside concerns that North Korea is continuing to develop its capability to
deliver weapons of mass destruction.
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S. Korea may send non-combat troops to Afghanistan: FM
SEOUL -- South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan said Monday that his country
plans to increase the number of its civilian workers in Afghanistan to around 130
and possibly send troops to protect them.
"The dispatch of combat troops is not being considered, but we are taking various
ideas into account, including sending police or troops who can protect Provincial
Reconstruction Team (PRT) workers," Yu told lawmakers. The government "will
decide the details through consultations with the National Assembly," he added.
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N. Korea 'listened to' U.S. position in first talks: Seoul minister
SEOUL -- In its first government-level meeting with North Korea under the Obama
administration, the United States delivered its position on the resumption of the
six-way nuclear talks and Pyongyang's invitation to Stephen Bosworth, its special
representative for North Korea policy, South Korea's foreign minister said
Monday.
Ri Gun, the North's number two nuclear envoy, "largely listened to the U.S.
stance" on the issues in his one-hour meeting with Sung Kim, U.S. special envoy
on the six-party talks, and reported it to his government, Foreign Minister Yu
Myung-hwan told lawmakers in Seoul, citing information shared by Washington. Yu
did not elaborate.
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Conditions fast improving for positive annual growth this year: finance minister
SEOUL -- South Korea's finance minister Monday termed the central bank's latest
report on economic gains reached in the third-quarter a "surprise," and
cautiously predicted that the Korean economy will post positive annual growth
this year.
Earlier, the Bank of Korea (BOK) announced that the country's gross domestic
product (GDP), which measures broad economic performance, expanded 2.9 percent
during the third quarter from three months earlier on improving domestic demand
and robust exports, marking the fastest advance in over seven years.
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(LEAD) Seoul stocks close up 1.03 pct on robust economic data
SEOUL -- South Korean shares finished 1.03 percent higher Monday as foreign and
institutional investors bought local shares on better-than-expected third-quarter
economic data, which showed the South Korean economy grew at the fastest
quarterly clip in over seven years, analysts said. The local currency climbed
against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) advanced 16.94 points to
1,657.11. Volume was moderate at 309 million shares worth 4.7 trillion won
(US$3.99 billion) with losers leading gainers 417 to 368.
(END)