South Korea likely to vote for businessman president

South Koreans went to the polls on Wednesday expected to choose as president a former CEO vowing to knock the economy into shape and stand up to the North, but whose authority could be weakened by a fraud investigation. The last legally allowed opinion polls a week ago showed former Hyundai Group executive and ex-Seoul mayor Lee Myung-bak on course to to victory.

Floods hit N Korea, Bangladesh hard

North Korean authorities have indicated flooding may have left up to 300 000 people homeless, a United Nations aid-agency spokesperson said on Wednesday. North Korea said hundreds were dead or missing. Meanwhile, at least 38 more people died overnight in flood-hit Bangladesh.

'Life in hell' for South Korean hostages' families

Sleeping feels like a sin for an exhausted Ryu Haeng-sik who looks after his two young daughters in suburban Seoul, waiting for word on his wife held by Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan. "It feels like my heart is being scorched. It's unbelievable how sinful I feel for just eating and sleeping," Ryu said in an interview.

'Dear Leader' Kim slims down

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's trademark paunch presses a little less snugly against his jumpsuits these days, but is that due to a healthier lifestyle or is he recovering from illness? Two South Korean dailies ran pictures on Thursday of a slimmer Kim (65) at a meeting this week with China's foreign minister.

North Korea ready to shut reactor -- US envoy

The top United States nuclear envoy, just returned from a rare visit to North Korea, said on Friday that Pyongyang was ready to disable its nuclear reactor. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill said talks during his some-24-hour surprise trip to Pyongyang were detailed and positive.

North Korea's Kim basks in birthday, nuclear glory

Singing soldiers and flower shows marked the birthday of the man dubbed North Korea's "invincible brilliant commander" by state media, as regional powers wondered whether he would abide by a nuclear deal. The communist world's first dynastic leader, Kim Jong-il (65) is the unchallenged head of the reclusive state whose economy has fallen deeper into poverty.
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