Today's headlines_Dec 14

- In a letter to government officials posted on Cheong Wa Dae Briefing, President Roh encouraged them to watch government-run KTV, saying KTV is doing very well in delivering government policies without biased or groundless criticism.

- A poll conducted by Herald Economy and LG Telecom on 1,448 mobile phone users shows the launch of DMB phone to be the hottest telecommunication news of the year.

- Meeting with reporters yesterday, KB president Kang Jung-won said “ ‘Eat and run’ used by some press when describing a foreign equity fund is problematic….and it can mislead the public.” “It is not right to call them such a way just because they took the risk and made profits. Our funds are doing the same in a foreign country.”

- It is reported that Lotte Shopping now faces no obstacle taking over Woori Home Shopping as the Korea Broadcasting Commission is believed to have made an internal conclusion that there is no legal problem in the buying-out process and thus will permit the sale worth W466.7bn.

- The Seoul city government is pushing ahead with a major development project on the US army base in Youngsan which is to be moved soon. The government says the plan will not be hampered by the delayed army base relocation.

- The US is expected to discuss with North Korea ways to have peace treaty on conditions that North Korea agrees on taking ‘initial implementation’ including freezing nuclear programs and allowing IAEA inspectors back in the country. Concluding a ‘peace treaty’ has been assumed to be the last step in the denuclearization process.

- GNP Rep.Won Hee-ryong, a president hopeful, said he would scrap income taxes when elected president in order to narrow the gap between the haves and have-nots.