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Focuses on the negotiation between South Korea and communist North Korea. Social and economic conditions in North Korea; Pyongyang, North Korea's desire to get foreign investments without changing its authoritarian political and economic systems; Speculations on the summit between South Korean President Kim Dae Jung and North Korea's Kim Jong Il. INSETS: A rocky road to rapprochement.;The Pyongyang card.;The mystery children by Marie-Rose Pecchio..

Focuses on South Korean graduate student Koo Soo Jung's examination of the atrocities committed by South Korean veterans during the Vietnam War. Men-for-money agenda; South Korean President Kim Dae Jung's avoidance of the issue; Film adaptation of the book `White Badge'; Uncertainties of guerrilla warfare.

Focuses on economic conditions in South Korea as of November 1998. President Kim Dae Jung's economic recovery plan; The pursuit of democracy and a free-market economy; The effect of chaebols on South Korea's economy; The impact of the Asian financial crisis; Debt levels and poor planning; The role of automobile makers Hyundai, Daewoo, Kia, and Samsung; A lesson in the story of Korea's automobile industry. INSET: Open Arms, Open Doors.

Reports on former South Korean president, Roh Tae Woo's confession that he accepted $650 million in illicit contributions from businessmen during his 1988-1993 term. Pressure on President Kim Young Sam to impose heavy punishment on Roh; Setback caused by the admission to Kim's government; Motivation for Roh's admission of corruption.

Focuses on political relations between North and South Korea. The South Korean gift of cattle to the North; Diplomacy of Chung Ju Yung, Hyundai automobile tycoon; The possibility that Hyundai will build an oil pipeline from the North; The economic difficulties in the two countries; The question of credibility of North Korean efforts at peace.

Discusses the benefits to South Korea of the earthquake in Kobe, Japan. Profits for cement contractors, steelmakers and glass factors; Ambition of the chaebol's expansion; Pricing out export competitors; Enjoying direct land access to China; Contrasting the business strategies of Pohang Iron & Steel and Nippon Steel; Risks of overexpansion.

The article informs that Washington used to have most of the chips in six-party talks over Pyongyang, Korea's nuclear program. For two years the Americans were thought to control most of the chips. The Chinese hosts often fretted about American intransigence--Washington's blunt willingness to walk away if it did not get what it wanted. Faced with a Chinese wall, the Americans agonized over a threat that usually doesn't faze them isolation. The U.S. team realized they no longer had South Korea, once a devoted ally, on their side.

This article focuses on events of political importance that are happening in China and North Korea. Less than 48 hours before critical negotiations between the United States, North Korea and China got underway in May 2003, North Korea's Vice Marshall Cho Myong Rok, metquietly with Chinese President Hu Jintao to ask for military assurances should the United States attack his country. Cho clearly came awaywith less than he wanted. Hu merely reiterated Beijing's desire that the Korean Peninsula remain non-nuclear but offered no overt assistance.

Speculates on the character of Kim Jong Il, leader of North Korea. Resistance to reform for fear of loosening grip on power; Possible influence of Hollywood on display of diplomacy in international relations in 2000; Linking of Kim with terrorist attacks.

Reports on the December 1997 presidential elections in South Korea and the impact they will have on the planned International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout of the country's economy. Kim Dae Jung among other candidates protesting the layoffs insisted upon by the IMF; Causes of the debt crisis in Korea; Details on the IMF's plan; Candidate Kim Dae Jung calling for a renegotiation of the IMF pact; Concerns of overseas banks.

Reports on why South Korea has come to be known as the `kingdom of accidents'. Tendency of Koreans to blame government for mishaps, especially President Kim Young Sam; List of accidents that occurred from the time of Kim's assumption to office; Details on the Sampoong Department Store collapse.

Focuses on the progress of the merger between North and South Korea. Increase in mutual suspicion and distrust; Economic integration of the peninsula; Relationship with neighboring Asian countries.

Reports on South Korean capitalists' entry into North Korea with the North's signing of an accord with the U.S. for a nuclear-free stability. Exploitation of the North's rich economic potential.

Discusses factors that could influence North Korea's decision on whether or not to give up its nuclear weapons program. Negotiations with the United States in Geneva, Switzerland; Low morale in the armed forces; Need for generals to maintain their rank and privilege; Interference from South Korea.

Reports on the efforts of American negotiator Robert Gallucci to seek South Korea's support for the United States' plan to pacify North Korea. South Korea's agreement to Gallucci's game plan; Background on failure of the North-South agreement in 1991; Argument between the two regions; Gallucci's plan; Implications of the move for both regions.

Focuses on the separation of the giant Hyundai conglomerate and the legendary Chung family in South Korea. List of five subgroups of the Hyundai Group; Importance of Hyundai in the Korean economy; Agreement of Hyundai with Pyongyang to develop an industrial free-trade zone.

Focuses on South Korean President Kim Dae Jung and the cultural boycott against Japan. South Korea to lift the ban on Japanese popular culture; Koreans wanting an apology for Japan's 36-year occupation of their country; The remorse of Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi; The boycott distorting trade flows between the two industrial powers; Kim's connections with Japan; Reasons behind the gradual opening of the market.

Reports about the charges faced by South Korean president Roh Tae Woo after the discovery of secret bank accounts in coordination with businessmen of the country. Angry demonstration by public; Roh Tae Woo's financial deals with rich industrialists from the Federation of Korean Industries; Trace of funds to opposition leaders; More about the funds.

Reports on the United Nations' assessment of damage due to flooding in July and August 1995 in North Korea. Inundation of three out of every four counties; Number of people affected by the floods; Government's issuance of a plea for international help; Extent of the deluge's damage; Prospect of severe hunger; Concern over army unrest due to hunger.

Focuses on a mass wedding initiated by Reverend Sun Myung-Moon at the Chamshil Olympic Stadium in Seoul, South Korea. Celebration of the mass wedding to revive public interest in Moon's religion known as the Unification Church; Selection of future spouses by church officials.

Reports on the demolition of the National Museum in Seoul, Korea. Anti-japanese mood in South Korea; President Kim Young Sam's visit to Japan; Indifference of Japanese toward South Korea.

Reports on the globalization campaign for South Korea initiated by President Kim Young Sam. Announcement of measures introduced to improve international economic policies; Example set by Kim to illustrate his dedication for improving South Korea's international relations; Speculations on Kim's motives for the decision.

Focuses on the growing overseas investments of South Korea which reached $2.4 billion for the first nine months of 1994, more than double the figure for the same period in 1993. Overseas expansion plans of Samsung, Daewoo Electronics and Goldstar companies; Korean investments in China and Southeast Asia.