Yonhap News Summary

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

-----------------
(News Focus) K-pop idol groups draw world's attention to Korean culture

SEOUL -- The ongoing trend of "hallyu," or the global following of Korean pop culture, has led the outward expansion of Korean culture to the world. K-pop has attracted many people around the world to Korean-made cultural products.

According to data provided by the Korea Creative Content Agency, a state-run cultural institution, the size of the South Korean music market stood at 4.8 trillion won (US$4.3 billion) at the end of 2015, up 2.7 times from a decade ago.

-----------------
Seoul stocks up 0.49 pct on foreign buying

SEOUL -- South Korean shares ended higher Tuesday helped by increased buying by foreigners. The local currency fell against the U.S. dollar.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 9.93 points, or 0.49 percent, to 2,025.71.

-----------------
(LEAD) Ruling, opposition parties at odds over Pyongyang nukes

SEOUL -- South Korea's ruling and opposition parties clashed during an interpellation session held at the National Assembly on Tuesday, voicing different views on how the government should deal with Pyongyang's nuclear and missile provocations.

During the parliamentary hearing attended by Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, the ruling Saenuri Party demanded that the government speed up the deployment of the controversial Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery.

-----------------
(LEAD) S. Korea calls N.K. rocket engine test 'deplorable'

SEOUL -- South Korea on Tuesday strongly criticized North Korea's new rocket engine test as the communist regime puts its nuclear and missile programs before the sufferings of its people following recent floods.

"It is deplorable that the North continues to develop its nuclear and missile capabilities while turning a blind eye to its people suffering from the aftermath of recent torrential rains," an official from the Ministry of Unification told reporters.

-----------------
(LEAD) Gov't to require earthquake-proof designs for smaller buildings

SEOUL -- All new buildings in South Korea that are higher than one story will be required to be earthquake-resistant from next year, while those with 16 floors or more must have their earthquake-proof designs verified, the government said Tuesday.

The measure was set following a 5.8-magnitude earthquake that hit the nation's southeastern region on Sept. 12, the most powerful tremor to be recorded here, and the nearly 400 aftershocks since. The region was again struck by an aftershock measuring magnitude 4.5 on Monday night.

-----------------
Finance minister vows to keep credit ratings high

SEJONG -- South Korea's finance minister said Tuesday that he will make full efforts to keep the country's sovereign credit ratings high and foreign exchange reserves stable to deal with rising uncertainties in the global financial market.

"South Korea is a small, open economy that is vulnerable to external shock," Finance Minister Yoo Il-ho said in a Seoul meeting on international financial development.

-----------------
(LEAD) Sports ministers from S. Korea, China, Japan to meet in PyeongChang

SEOUL -- South Korean Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Cho Yoon-sun will attend a conference with her Chinese and Japanese counterparts at the host city of the 2018 Winter Olympics this week to seek cooperation in sports, the ministry said Tuesday.

An inaugural trilateral meeting of sports ministers will take place in PyeongChang, Gangwon Province, on Thursday and Friday. Cho will meet with Liu Peng of China and Hirokazu Matsuno of Japan.

-----------------
(Yonhap Interview) Giant CEO hopes to promote cycling tour to S. Korea

SEOUL -- Tony Lo, the chief executive of Taiwanese bicycle manufacturer Giant, is a man who has been there and done that when it comes to making bikes and cycling around the world, whether it's a desert, a mountain or an exotic city.

After leading groups of Giant riders in Taiwan, China, Japan and Europe over the past eight years, Lo decided to embark on another cycling trip in South Korea to get to know more about its culture, food and people.
(END)