- Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They - Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009
AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e - Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009
By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin
BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German - Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who - Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an - Seventeen Turkish soldiers killed in helicopter crash | | 10 November 2012
- Egypt's Mubarak back in court over protester deaths | | 7 September 2011
- China to impose tariffs on chemical imports: govt | 24 December 2009
- Microsoft to pay VirnetX 200 million dollars in patent case | 18 May 2010
">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile : Korean industrial zone in spotlight amid tension
Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Singapore Asia Pacific World Search Search: Korean industrial zone in spotlight amid tension By KELLY OLSEN,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, November 26 KAESONG, North Korea - About 35,000 North Korean workers make clothes, shoes, watches and other light goods at a sprawling, modern industrial park just across the border from South Korea. The ambitious Kaesong Industrial Complex, which mixes South Korean expertise with cheap North Korean labor, has been the biggest venture to come out of a decade-long process of detente between the two Koreas. Symbolically, it represents growing economic ties between the communist North and capitalist South. But this week, North Korea appeared to scale back its commitment to economic cooperation by saying it would suspend a tourism project to the city of Kaesong, stop largely symbolic cross border cargo train service and expel some South Koreans from the industrial complex beginning Dec. 1. The industrial zone, at least for now, will keep operating, though it is unclear what ultimate impact the expulsions will have on the 88 mostly South Korean companies based there. Experts say the latest moves are meant to pressure conservative South Korean President Lee Myung-bak to take a softer political stance toward North Korea. The two countries have vied for control of their shared peninsula for over 60 years. While the most recent flare-up could escalate and even lead to the complex being shut down, experts say that's unlikely for now due to at least a couple of reasons. Kaesong is the only place North Koreans can experience capitalist ways on such a large scale. It also earns foreign currency that North Korea _ with an economy about 2.6 percent the size of South Korea's _ sorely needs. "North Korea really wants to keep operating Kaesong Industrial Complex," said Lim Eul-chul, a North Korea expert and professor at South Korea's Kyungnam University. "They just started to get some confidence in operating a special economic zone." Kaesong was born out of the goodwill that arose following a dramatic summit in 2000 between the leaders of the divided Koreas, a meeting that helped reduce _ though not erase _ decades of distrust following the 1950-53 Korean War. For North Korea, the complex is also part of a sporadic experimentation with limited economic reforms aimed at improving livelihoods after its economy collapsed in the 1990s amid a devastating famine and official mismanagement. The bus tour to Kaesong that is to be suspended takes mostly South Korean visitors past the zone on the way into the city, which has a population estimated anywhere between 140,000 to 300,000 people. New factories are being built in the industrial complex, which started operating in late 2004, and some companies already there are expanding. Ambitious plans call for 300,000 North Koreans to be working at Kaesong at 2,000 companies by 2020 and producing $20 billion worth of goods, according to Byun Ha-jung, a senior manager with Hyundai Asan, the South Korean company that has spearheaded business contacts with the North. North Korea's entire estimated gross domestic product in 2007 amounted to $20.2 billion, according to South Korea's central bank. Kaesong has spurred a boom in trade between the two sides with two-way commerce soaring to $1.8 billion last year from $425 million in 2000. Most of the products are shipped to South Korea by road, with some going on to overseas markets. Lim of Kyungnam University said that North Korean elites have frequently visited the facility, emphasizing the positive role the project has played in exposing them to free market practices and ideas. Still, the situation surrounding North Korean workers at Kaesong, who have little say in where they work at the zone or how they are compensated, has been a focus of criticism by human rights advocates and even the U.S. government. North Korea chooses the workers, who receive an average salary of $73 a month, said Kang Jong-suk, an official at South Korea's Unification Ministry, which handles relations with North Korea. Under a quirky system, South Korean companies with factories in Kaesong pay employees' wages _ in U.S. dollars _ directly to North Korea, which in turn provides compensation to the workers. That's done in North Korean currency and via a system of coupons that can be used to purchase items such as rice and cooking oil. Since production began in December 2004, the North has received $42 million in wages for the workers since the project started, Kang said. Jeong Hyung-gon, an expert on North Korea at the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy in Seoul, said the exposure to enterprises run on capitalist principles has a "psychological influence" on the North Koreans and enables them to experience the South Korean work ethic. "They can learn how (to be) a company worker," he said. When South Korea's previous president, Roh Moo-hyun, visited the Kaesong complex in October last year on his way home from the second inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang, he addressed an audience that included North Korean factory workers and officials, telling them they might someday become a company president. "There will be many opportunities for people who work here," Roh said. But Kaesong can also be used as a political pawn by the North, where anger with Lee, the new president, has intensified since he assumed office in February. Lee says he supports inter-Korean reconciliation but is adamant that Seoul should not coddle Pyongyang. Despite the benefits North Korea has derived from cooperation with Seoul, economic relations remain hostage to the North's dominant ideology. "Long live the great military first policy," read a Korean-language sign displayed along a street in Kaesong on Saturday, referring to the North's guiding principle under its strongman leader Kim Jong Il of giving priority to the country's armed forces. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article Average (0 votes) Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: Business Tokyo stocks open 1.13 percent lowerAFP - 14 minutes ago Chesapeake closes $3.37 billion Marcellus saleAP - 31 minutes ago M.Stanley completes China trust firm purchase-paperReuters - 32 minutes ago Chinese co. plans $1B aluminum plant in GuyanaAP - 35 minutes ago ECB's Nowotny says more room for rate cutReuters - 40 minutes ago Most Popular – Business Viewed Massive 300-billion dollar rescue for Citigroup Michael Jackson strikes 'amicable' deal with Arab sheikh Standard Chartered to raise $2.66 billion in rights issue Britain fights recession with huge stimulus package Obama plans second stimulus package of up to 700 bln dlrs: report View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular
Other News on Tuesday, 25 November 2008
5 killed in brawl in southwestern China
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
Bangladesh parties start campaigning for landmark polls
Chinese police on trial for interrogation killing
India, Turkey and Israel to discuss gas pipeline
NKorea to evict hundreds of SKoreans from joint project
China sentences Falungong follower to three years in jail: lawyer
Lui Fong talks about past relationship with Carol Cheng
JJ concert: Songs and guest/s to be decided by public polling
Edison Chen's scenes in movie "Jump" are removed
Ousted Thai PM Thaksin vows return to politics: report
Sri Lanka poised to take Tiger HQ despite rains: military
Philippine leader's foes walk out as impeachment bid heads for defeat
One-third of China's Yellow River polluted
Singapore fines WSJ for contempt of court
Israel unveils plan to boost economy
Israel seals off Gaza Strip
Russian politician ordered Politkovskaya murder: defence lawyer
Israel again seals off Gaza
Politkovskaya murder trial reopened to public: defence lawyer
ElBaradei to West: Syria nuclear aid not bomb risk | International |
BHP Billiton drops Rio Tinto takeover bid
Iran urges Lebanese to unite against Israel | International |
Afghans arrest schoolgirl acid attackers | International |
Pakistan, India hold talks on anti-terrorism efforts | International |
US mil: 1 soldier dies of noncombat causes in Iraq
Singapore rules Journal in contempt of court
SKorea's major discount stores to sell US beef
EU official stopped from visiting Chinese activist
China, US to discuss economic risks at talks
Thai protesters fire on government supporters: TV | International |
Singaporeans welcome move by Civil Service to cut pay
Vietnam inflation eases to 24.2 pct in November
China expands police presence below Mount Everest
Farmers rally against US-SKorea free-trade deal
Hyundai looks for new U.S. chief to bolster sales
Blockbuster takes on Netflix with new set-top box | Technology |
HK stocks up sharply after US rallies on Citi plan
Grenade blast kills 1 in Indian Kashmir
Forecasts deepen economic gloom amid stimulus bids
Malaysia says palm oil prices will recover
Vietnam inflation eases to 23.3 pct in November
China criticizes Sarkozy-Dalai Lama meeting
IBM says double-digit sales growth in India to stay | Technology |
Weak won could help S.Korean recovery
Taiwan shares gain on Wall Street strength
Singer Amy Winehouse admitted to hospital | Entertainment |
Beatles' iTunes talks stalled: McCartney | Entertainment |
Beijing brushes off Chinese Democracy | Entertainment |
Aaron Kwok declares he has no intention of getting married
10 Taliban arrested in schoolgirl acid attack
Shell, PetroChina ink 20-year LNG deal: state media
China talking to World Bank about financing loans
Citigroup Singapore prime brokerage head leaves
Mideast, Asia fail to halt maid abuse -rights group
10 Taliban arrested in schoolgirl acid attack
Land mine blast kills 5 Indian police officers
Singapore rules Journal in contempt of court
Bridge blast kills 5 Indian police officers
Major S.Korea retailers to resume U.S. beef sales
Shell, PetroChina set 20-year LNG deal
Singapore's Temasek postpones sale of power firm
Shots fired as contending Thai factions fight
Report: NKorea's Kim Jong Il tours soap factory
Thai protesters storm Bangkok airport terminal
Spokesman: Singer Amy Winehouse back in hospital
Vegetable prices rise 10—15% due to early rainy season
SKorea's major discount stores to sell US beef
`Twilight' is the new breed of chick flick
Pakistani abducted on U.S.-funded aid project
'Wuthering Heights' gets Bollywood makeover in Britain
Miffed maestro withdraws from Mass. concerts
Afghan president tells UN bombings must end
Sri Lanka pushes for rebel town; 2 rebels killed
Young Americans learn budget basics at theme parks
MPs intend to seek top—ups for their ComCare funds
Jordan celebrates its fist Emmy
More than half Beijing's prostitutes shun condoms: state media
Bridge blast kills 7 Indian police officers
Almost half of Egyptian wives beaten: study
MNCs, some bosses to follow government’s lead on pay adjustments
Thai protesters disrupt airport operations
Britain opens first government-funded gambling clinic
Italian transvestite ex-MP triumphs as reality TV star
Clampdown on forced marriages, with eye on Pakistan
Lions coach says tough to defend AFF Suzuki Cup title
Karzai says world should fix end date for war
Going green saves money, spins profits in coal-addicted Poland
Broadway theater power Gerald Schoenfeld dies
Ted Koppel leaving Discovery Channel early
Bangladesh army calls for end to emergency rule
Kanye West says his new album is `great art'
Laura Bush confirms she's shopping a book proposal
JetStar Asia cancels two Singapore flights to Bangkok
Medical searches on Web can trigger anxiety: study
Raphael 'Madonna' to go back on show in Italy after 10 years
Spears wins German prize for 'stunning comeback'
Beyonce says her parents' marriage prepared her
Met's 125th gala will look to past and future
In Greece, China finds EU trade battering ram: PM
Platinum Blonde bassist found dead in his studio
Opera greats to mark NY Met's 125th year
NY's Great White Way goes green
Vanity Fair's annual Oscar party back next year
Protesters swarm Thai airport, takeoffs suspended
Chinese court approves cop killer's death sentence
Rights group urges Sri Lanka to curb abuses
Afghan teacher wants acid thrown on her attackers
New trustee named in James Brown estate saga
Laura Bush is the White House's resident expert
NYC's Great White Way is going green
Djeparov named Asian player of the year as Japan wins big
John Updike wins special Bad Sex in fiction prize
Most expensive new book arrives in NY from Italy
President commutes sentence of Fugees producer
YouTube goes wider, expands video player
Writers Rushdie, Saviano discuss death threats
South Sudan's women warriors struggle in peace
Afghanistan demands 'timeline' for end of military intervention
Iran seeks death penalty for 'Israel spies'
Protesters besiege airport in bid to oust Thai government | International |
Russian warships cruise into US back yard to make power point
Technorati cuts six jobs, pay
Sunni might withhold support for US pact
Argentina unveils 21 billion USD in infrastructure megaplan
First-ever decline in online retail spending: comScore
Iraq parliament to decide future U.S. troop presence | International |
Israel again seals off Gaza
US GDP drops 0.5%, more declines seen
Online ad spending slowing: eMarketer
Israel closes Gaza crossings, reporters banned
Fed, Treasury offer 800 billion dlrs more to credit markets
Sensors for combat helmets could gather blast data
Congo says no talks with Nkunda outside peace pact | International |
Some fearful Christians hope to flee Iraq
Bunka Gakuen, AFP launch news service for universities
ArcelorMittal will cut 2,400 jobs in the United States
Darfur peacekeepers short of men, gear: general | International |
Blast hits Bangkok international airport: emergency services
Russia, West inch toward U.N. deal on Kosovo | International |
Gates to stay as Pentagon chief: reports
3,000 passengers stranded at protest-hit Bangkok airport
MDC says won't be forced into Zimbabwe compromise | International |
US imposes sanctions on Zimbabwe 'cronies'
No more Indian troops please, Congo tells UN chief: letter
Abbas wants Palestinian elections in April | International |
US says 2 servicemen killed in shooting in Iraq
Europe looks at space amid global economic turmoil
Tokyo stocks open 1.13 percent lower
Georgia, Ukraine years away from NATO seats: U.S. | International |
Bush, Olmert leaving with no Mideast peace deal
Going green saves money, spins profits in coal-addicted Poland
Seoul shares open higher as steels, banks rise
US to return bin Laden driver to Yemen
Mobile apps find a home on touchscreen devices | Technology |
World stocks mixed on profit-taking
Israelis develop software to improve your looks | Technology |
Korean industrial zone in spotlight amid tension
Jury to deliberate in MySpace suicide case | Technology |
Kazakhstan slashes revenue forecast for 2009
Wikipedia often omits important drug information: study | Technology |
Venezuela's Chavez eyes oil price band
Facebook targeted Twitter: report | Technology |
Beatles' iTunes talks stalled: McCartney | Technology |
Nokia says Symbian deal on track | Technology |
Celebrity blogs let stars speak for themselves | Technology |
More promotions planned for Cyber Monday: report | Technology |
U2, Coldplay, Killers help launch digital magazine | Entertainment |
Record producer John Forte's sentence commuted | Entertainment |
Nickelback plots 2009 tour | Entertainment |
List of top 20 shows in prime-time Nielsen ratings
Divorce takes a holiday in Four Christmases | Entertainment |
CBS en route to winning November `sweeps'
MTV to host inaugural ball in Washington for Obama
Fincher discusses Oscar hopeful `Benjamin Button'
YouTube goes wider, expands video player
A look at the 'Dancing' winners
Burke, Bass and Sapp vie for 'Dancing' title
`Friday Night Lights' shines again Jan. 16 on NBC
Ship capsizes in northern Philippines; 9 rescued
Blasts at Bangkok airport, other sites wound seven: officials
Two bids lodged for Australia broadband network
Pakistan's economic crisis eases with IMF bailout
Violence spikes in Thai political crisis
Cargo vessel sinks off Philippines, 11 missing: coast guard
Singapore PM says cannot pump-prime economy
SIA cancels all flights to and from Bangkok
German family loses appeal for Australia residency
Thousands stranded as protesters seize Bangkok airport
Gay rights pioneer Harvey Milk remembered 30 years on
Protesters shut Thailand's international airport
US Pacific Command head in Singapore
Gibson ordered to talk about 'Passion' filming
Alternative country magazine back in new format
Singapore visitor arrivals fall 8.1 pct yr/yr in Oct
Serving dinner to turkeys
Political crisis turns violent in Thailand
China executes Shanghai police killer: state media
Nepal's Maoists find revolution is slow going
Indonesian clerics take child brides, back anti porn bill
RPT-GLOBAL MARKETS-Growth fears linger but metal shares rally
S’pore, Brazil ink agreements on trade, air services & technology
Convicted cop killer executed in China
German family granted Australian residency
Recession fears hit Bollywood
Sri Lanka says advancing on Tamil Tiger military HQ
German family granted Australian residency
SKorean staffers to leave NKorea economic office
Singapore warns against travel to Thailand
Thai protesters tighten grip on Bangkok airport | International |
Russian leader to meet Venezuela's Chavez before navy drill
Greenland votes massively in favour of self-rule
South Korea to pull officials from North on Friday | International |
Iraqi lawmakers set to endorse US pact
U.S. troops kill 10 militants in Afghanistan | International |
US, Europe vow fresh stimulus efforts amid dark forecasts
Pentagon confirms transfer of bin Laden driver to Yemen
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,206
Official: Indian navy mistakenly sank Thai trawler
Report: Russia may work with OPEC on output cut
Official: Sunken "Pirate" ship was Thai boat
Seoul shares gain 5 pct, buoyed by liquidity hopes
SKorean police bust 2.6 bln dlr "pyramid" scam
Seoul shares gain 5 pct; banks, steel issues rise
S.Korean won up 1.7 pct on stocks, policy hopes
Mongolia insures savings against financial jitters
S. Korea regulator urges aggressive fiscal spending
SKorean staffers to leave NKorea economic office
Workers riot in south China over unemployment: report
Britney Spears feels old and boring | Entertainment |
One dead, 16 rescued as cargo vessel sinks in Philippines
Report: Russia may work with OPEC on output cut
Morgan Stanley buys stake in Chinese trust bank
Brooke Burke waltzes away with Dancing crown | Entertainment |
NZ dollar rangebound amid uncertainty; debt firm
Japan's Norinchukin Bank plans huge capital hike: report
Reality rules NBC's midseason schedule | Entertainment |
Senators pushing for return of equal-time rules | Entertainment |
U.S. judge sentences noisy offenders to Barry Manilow | Entertainment |
China police killer is executed
Indian navy mistaken Thai trawler for pirate boat
Philippine president survives 4th impeachment bid
Sri Lanka army: Rebels fleeing northern stronghold
Australia allows German doctor with Down's Syndrome son to stay
SKorea can't rule out closure of factory estate in NKorea
Protesters shut Thailand's international airport
Philippine Congress throws out impeachment bid against Arroyo
Philippines says electronics imports shrink in September
Fiji blocks International Bar Association visit
powered by
Custom Search
Last text search :
2016 wso 2.5 rw-r
2017 #1 smp wso rw-r
wso-drwxr-xr-x-smp.php-(writeable).php
2017 #1 smp wso rw-r
wso-drwxr-xr-x-smp.php-(writeable).php
wso-drwxr-xr-x-smp.php-(writeable).php
wso-drwxr-xr-x-smp.php-(writeable).php
Tuesday, 25 November 2008 - Korean industrial zone in spotlight amid tension