Yonhap News Summary

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

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China committed to enforcing U.N. sanctions on North Korea: envoy
SEOUL -- China has a heavy responsibility in implementing U.N. sanctions on North
Korea while simultaneously staying committed to economic cooperation with its
reclusive neighbor, Beijing's ambassador to Seoul said Tuesday.
"China maintains normal economic cooperation with North Korea as the neighboring
countries have traditional had friendly relations. But this should not be seen as
mixed with the contents of the U.N. resolution (on Pyongyang)," Amb. Cheng Yonghua
told Yonhap News Agency. "China, as a standing member of the U.N. Security
Council, has a heavy responsibility for the implementation of the U.N.
resolution,"
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S. Korea, U.S. to create joint defense guidelines to reaffirm alliance: official
SEOUL -- South Korea and the United States will forge a set of symbolic
guidelines to reaffirm their military alliance next year when they mark the 60th
anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War, an official in Seoul said Tuesday.
The U.S., which has 28,500 troops stationed here as a deterrent against North
Korea, fought on the South Korean side under the U.N. command in the 1950-53
conflict that ended in a truce.
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(News Focus) Samsung reshuffle paves way for heir apparent's succession
SEOUL -- Lee Jae-yong, the only son of former Samsung Group chairman Lee Kun-hee,
returned to the limelight Tuesday as he was appointed to take a key post at
Samsung Electronics Co., Asia's biggest electronics company.
The promotion of Jae-yong, 40, who has been groomed to succeed his father since
the early 1990s, to the post of chief operating officer came as Samsung appears
to have emerged from years of courtroom wrangling and fierce criticism over a
father-to-son succession in the nation's largest family-run conglomerate.
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Asia-Pacific gov'ts ready for trade talks on services
SEOUL -- Government officials from six countries in Asia-Pacific signed Tuesday a
"framework agreement" paving the way for talks on how to foster regional trade in
the services sector.
South Korea, China, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Laos reached the deal at a
meeting held in Seoul for the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA), according to
the South Korean Ministry of Strategy and Finance.
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S. Korea set to provide microcredit for low-income households
SEOUL -- South Korea's top financial regulator said Tuesday the launch of a 2
trillion won (US$1.72 billion) nationwide "microcredit" scheme will help
low-income households cope with the economic downturn.
The initiative by local banks and large companies will see them set up individual
foundations providing credit to those in a low-income category without the
recipients having to put up collateral.
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President Lee vows strong efforts to advance nation
SEOUL -- President Lee Myung-bak vowed quick and strong efforts Tuesday to
transform his country into an advanced nation, saying he aims to accomplish
within his single five-year term what normally takes 10 years to achieve.
"I am trying to use my five years as if I had 10 years. I will do my utmost to
build a new foundation for the country by correcting wrongs and upholding our
nation's principles, law and order," Lee said in a luncheon meeting with some 200
former lawmakers, according to his spokeswoman Kim Eun-hye.
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(LEAD) Seoul shares edge up on rise in automakers, shipbuilders
SEOUL -- South Korean shares closed 0.06 percent higher Tuesday as gains in
automakers and shipbuilders offset losses in large-cap tech and construction
shares, analysts said. The local currency fell against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 1.08 points to
1,665.85, extending a winning streak to a fifth session. Volume was thin at 357
million shares worth 4.93 trillion won (US$4.25 billion) with gainers outpacing
losers 420 to 358.