Other important headlines _ September 5

- It is reported that the US insisted that only English version of FTA agreement have legal force as the original copy, if there is inconsistence between the Korean copy and the English one. US insistence is against the international norm to recognize a formal agreement in both languages of the two negotiating countries and likely to trigger strong backlash from Korea. The Korean government is said to have expressed both agreements should have the same legal effect and it can’t accept the US stance that an English version should take priority.

- Reaffirming his usual argument that a workaholic is ‘noisy,’ President Roh said “I will let you continue to hear noisy sound,” indicating he will keep doing his best in national administration until the end of his term. “If you work hard, there must be lots of disputes,” he said.

- Song Min-soon, chief presidential security advisor, will visit the US from September 5-7 to work on a set of agenda which will be discussed during President Roh’s US visit. He will meet with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and national security adviser Steven Hadley.

- KTF was fined W4.8 bn for offering illegal subsidiary for hand-set buyers in July.

- It is reported that a special train of Kim Jong-il left Pyongyang and is staying at Sinuiju Station. Accordingly many predict that the North Korean leader is likely to arrive at China soon.

- The prosecution banned former vice minister of culture and tourism Yoo Jin-ryong from traveling overseas to investigate into the gambling scandal. He is one of the core members who introduced a gift certificate as a gambling chip.

- A laptop computer is replacing a desktop PC. According to the research by Korea IDC, IT market research firm, the sale of laptop amounts for 72.5 per cent in the computer sales market while that of desktop takes up for 27.5 per cent.

- The ‘Papa Quote System,’ under which fathers can take mandatory child care leave, will be brought up in the National Assembly for discussion. The core content of the legislation will be extending paternity leave to 13 months from the current 12 months and fathers should use one-month mandatory paid leave.