Yonhap News Summary

The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Monday.

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(3rd LD) S. Korea to blacklist N. Koreans, entities over nuke, missile programs

SEOUL -- South Korea will impose its own sanctions against North Korea including blacklisting North Koreans and entities suspected of being involved in the North's nuke and missile programs, government sources said Monday.

South Korea plans to announce its punitive measures against the North on Tuesday afternoon in response to North Korea's nuclear test in January and long-range rocket launch last month, according to the Prime Minister's Office.

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(LEAD) S. Korea, U.S. begin largest-ever anti-North military drills

SEOUL -- South Korea and the United States kicked off their annual joint military exercises on Monday, bringing a record number of American troops and military assets into the Korean Peninsula.

The Key Resolve and Foal Eagle exercises, each a command post-based and field training war game, began their weeks-long runs earlier in the day as inter-Korean tensions escalated following North Korea's recent nuclear and long-range missile tests.

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(LEAD) S. Korean economy enters slowing mode: KDI

SEJONG -- The South Korean economy has entered a slowdown mode due largely to faltering exports and flaccid domestic consumption coupled with waning global demand, a state-run think tank said Monday.

"South Korea's major indicators exhibited continuing sluggishness, signaling a gradual deceleration in economic growth," the Korea Development Institute (KDI) said in its monthly evaluation of the country's economic conditions.

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(LEAD) Gov't OKs first self-driving car

SEJONG -- The South Korean government issued a temporary license plate Monday for the nation's first self-driving car.

The Hyundai Genesis luxury sedan equipped with a high-tech driving assist system will be able to hit the road along six routes designated by the transport ministry.

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U.S. aircraft carrier to arrive in Busan this week

SEOUL -- The United States' nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), will arrive in South Korea's southern port city of Busan this week to join a combined military exercise, said U.S. naval forces stationed here.

The 7,000-strong USS John C. Stennis Strike Group will make a port visit to Busan on Sunday, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea, or CNFK, said in a statement on Monday. The group is led by the 103,000-ton aircraft carrier, that is also the group's flagship.

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S. Korean stocks edge up on U.S. jobs data

SEOUL -- South Korean shares inched up on Monday as upbeat jobs data from the United States and a rebound in global oil prices improved investor sentiment here, analysts said. The local currency rose against the U.S. dollar.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 2.24 points, or 0.11 percent, to finish at 1,957.87. Trading volume was moderate at 340 million shares worth 4.6 trillion won (US$3.83 billion), with gainers beating losers 462 to 358.
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