Yonhap News Summary

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

N. Korea hails labor force to woo Chinese firms

BEIJING -- In an apparent bid to lure Chinese investors, North Korea has publicized somewhat detailed information about its workforce during an annual trade with China, boasting of a well-educated pool of labor.

The North's National Economic Development General Bureau released a booklet to show off its labor force at the five-day trade fair, which ended on Monday in the Chinese border city of Dandong.

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Hyundai Motor launches updated Sante Fe 2015 in home market

SEOUL -- Hyundai Motor Co. on Monday launched the updated 2015 Sante Fe midsize crossover, the latest version of one of the carmaker's steady sellers, in its home market.

The popular SUV comes with an optional tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), smart tailgate, a 220-volt inverter to recharge various portable devices, and collision warning systems.

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Giant rubber duck enthralls citizens despite Lotte controversy

SEOUL -- A giant yellow rubber duck sitting on Seoul's Seokchon Lake has captured the hearts and minds of thousands of South Koreans, while carrying the hopes of a local retail giant trying to dampen public fears over a controversial construction project in a posh Seoul neighborhood.

Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman's rubber duck, weighing seven tons with a concrete anchor and pontoon that supports it, arrived at the Seoul lake last week in time for the opening of Lotte World Mall, a disputed high-rise developed by Lotte.

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N. Korea vows to bolster nuclear capabilities, citing Panetta's memoir

SEOUL -- North Korea said Monday it would bolster its nuclear capabilities "both in quality and quantity" to counter the newly-disclosed nuclear war plan of the United States.

North Koreans realize how wise their communist regime has been in beefing up nuclear deterrence against Washington's growing threats, the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in a commentary.

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Seoul shares up 1.55 pct on tech, auto shares

SEOUL -- South Korean stocks ended 1.55 percent higher Monday on strong tech and auto shares, although the jump seems to be a moment in passing, analysts said. The South Korean won gained ground against the U.S. dollar.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) moved up 29.40 points to 1,930.06. Trading volume was moderate at 338.79 million shares worth 3.54 trillion won (US$3.41 billion), with gainers beating decliners 555 to 256.

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S. Korea, U.S. to hold talks on OPCON transfer this week

SEOUL -- The defense ministers of South Korea and the United States will hold their annual meeting this week to discuss the transfer of wartime control of South Korean troops to Seoul and other issues of mutual concern, the defense ministry here said Monday.

During this year's Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) slated for Wednesday in Washington, South Korea's Defense Minister Han Min-koo and his U.S. counterpart Chuck Hagel will sign a deal on the appropriate conditions and military capabilities required for the handover of wartime operational control (OPCON).

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Seoul, Washington to hold foreign, defense chiefs' meeting this week

SEOUL -- The foreign and defense minsters from South Korea and the United States are scheduled to have a meeting later this week to discuss an array of security issues, Seoul's foreign ministry said Monday.

South Korea and the U.S. plan to hold a "two plus two" meeting of their foreign and defense ministers Thursday afternoon (Washington Time) in the U.S. capital, according to the foreign ministry.

Assembly speaker seeks China's help to resolve NK nuke issue

SEOUL -- South Korea's National Assembly speaker asked a former top Chinese diplomat Monday to help resolve the ongoing diplomatic standoff over North Korea's nuclear weapons program, saying it is a key issue for regional peace.

Chung Ui-hwa made the request to former Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan during a luncheonwith members of a forum of political leaders from both sides.
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