2003.12.11

Number of Hungry N. Koreans May Go Up (AP). Up to 3.8 million North Koreans — 17 percent of the country's population — could be deprived of critical international food aid by the end of winter, the World Food Program warned today.   2003.12.11

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ROK: U.S. Nuke Proposal Delivered (AP). South Korea tried to bolster hopes for a breakthrough in the North Korean nuclear crisis today, confirming China had delivered a pivotal U.S.-backed plan for easing tensions to North Korea.   2003.12.11

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Japan to launch 3-way trade talks. [BBC News ] Japan tells the ASEAN regional summit it plans to hold free trade talks with Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines.   2003.12.11

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ROK Adds Samsung to Corruption Probe (AP). Samsung, South Korea's largest conglomerate, made $13.2 million in illegal donations of cash and bonds to the campaign of an opposition presidential candidate last year, prosecutors alleged today.   2003.12.11

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Japan: Climate of Fear. [World Press Review] Japan prepared to close one of the most bizarre chapters in its modern history as the two remaining murder trials involving former members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult drew to a close in October and November. A review of the Japanese press coverage.     2003.12.11

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DPRK-Nuclear (Reuters) ROK government says it is trying to determine whether there is suspicious new activty going on at the DPRK's nuclear facility. The South Koreans, meanwhile, still say six-walk talks are still possible before the end of the year.   2003.12.11

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Yen-Dollar (Kyodo) Japan's top government spokesman hints at the obvious -- the monetary authorities are intervening in the currency market to keep the yen from surging higher.   2003.12.11

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ROK-U.S. Troops (Stars & Stripes) A court suspends jail time for a South Korean anti-American student activist.     2003.12.11

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Japan-Iraq SDF (Radio Australia) North Korea and China criticize Japan for planned dispatch of troops to Iraq. Meanwhile SDF getting confusing signals about its role. And the government admits the ASDF may end up transporting troops from other countries.   2003.12.11

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EU attack on press club rebuffed [The Japan Times] The Japan Newspaper Publishers & Editors Association has rebuffed the European Union's calls for the abolition of the press club system, claiming it plays an important role in disseminating news among the public.   2003.12.11

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