2006.04.24

DPRK, ROK Agree to Push for Accord (AP). The two Koreas agreed today to push for implementation of an accord under which Pyongyang would abandon its nuclear weapons programs in exchange for security guarantees and aid. But Seoul failed to persuade North Korea to return to international disarmament talks. 2006.04.24

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Japan-Commuter Chaos A major Tokyo commuter line, the JR Yamanote, was out of service for seven hours today and won't resume full operations until tomorrow due to the discovery of mysterious bumps under the tracks. Some thousands of passengers were forced out of train cars after an emergency stop and had to walk down the tracks to evacuate. In all several hundred thousand passengers were affected. Five people have been hospitalized after complaining of not feeling well. Other rail lines have also suffered service delays due to the track trouble. 2006.04.24

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ROK-Cloning (Reuters) The world's first and only cloned dog celebrated its first birthday today, as the leader of the South Korean team that produced the Afghan hound faced a criminal investigation for possible fraud and ethics violations. 2006.04.24

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Japan-English (Calgary Sun) Canadian newspaper columnist bemused by use of English in Japan. 2006.04.24

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Japan-Stocks (AP) Nikkei plunges nearly 500 points. 2006.04.24

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Hyundai Motor chief grilled over graft allegations (AFP). Prosecutors have questioned Hyundai Motor chairman Chung Mong-Koo over allegations that the top automaker used a multi-million dollar slush fund to bribe businessmen and officials. 2006.04.24

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Japan-U.S. Military (VOA) Updated Japan, U.S. agree on cost of moving Marines from Okinawa to Guam. 2006.04.24

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ROC's ex-president Lee has TB, party downplays impact (AFP). Taiwan's former president Lee Teng-hui has contracted tuberculosis but his political party is downplaying his condition saying it should not affect his planned trip to Japan. 2006.04.24

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Japan-Politics (Kyodo) UPDATED Governing coalition loses by-election in Chiba and mayoral election in the newly merged Iwakuni. 2006.04.24

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