Today's News..

1. President Roh Moo-hyun yesterday called for constitutional amendment to introduce a parliamentary system of government and a runoff election in the presidential race..

2. The top negotiators of the United States and North Korea met yesterday in Beijing ahead of the upcoming six-party talks over the North's nuclear dismantlement..

3. Korea and the European Union are struggling to narrow differences on tariffs and safety regulations on automobile trade..

4. Korean stocks have risen 229.2 percent under the Roh Moo-huyn administration. It's the third highest gain among 13 major bourses around the world under incumbent national leaders..

5. The Ministry of Justice is drafting preparatory measures to give foreign law firms limited access to the Korean market..


Japan earthquake tirggers nuclear leaks

It has been reported that an earthquake in northwest Japan on Monday triggered radioactive leaks from a nuclear plant. A small fire and a leak of 1,200 litre of water containing radioactive materials at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, which is the world's largest. The company had originally said there was no radiation leak, but raised eyebrows late on Monday when it said water containing radioactive materials had leaked from a unit. They also admitted that a small amount of radioactive material was emitted into the atmosphere. Contaminated water reached the sea but had no effect on the environment, the company said, adding that the quake was stronger than its reactors had been designed to withstand. It was also reported by Kyodo news agency that envoronmental checks were being made on about 100 drums cotaining low-level nuclear waste at the plant that were knocked over, with some losing their lids..


GNP contenders battle gets messy as primary date nears

The two candidates in the Grand National Party's primary appear to be in a zero-sum situation, as they are both under investigation by Korea's national prosecution. The probe was initiated by candidate Lee Myung-Bak, the former mayor of Eeoul, who has been under scrutiny lately for allegations regarding possible real estate speculation. Lee's opponent, Park Geun-Hye , could also be in hot water after recent findings have suggested that her supporters set up the smear campaign against Lee. A staff member of her camp, Hong Yun-Sik, was arrested for asking a retired police officer for details regarding Lee's real estate transactions. Questions are now being raised about whether memebers of Park's campaign may have conspired to share private information with a member of the Uri Party, who was able to attack Lee publicly.
A GNP candidate integrity screening session will be held tomorrow which is expected to be a major debate site for Lee and Park..


From Morning Special..