EARLY EDITION 18:00 Government puts forth stimulus policies for economic revival

ARIRANG NEWS 18:00 Title: Government puts forth stimulus policies for economic revival The Korean economy has been hit by both internal and external factors in recent months, with slowdowns of the country′s exports and domestic demand. Along with the government′s soon-to-be-implemented stimulus package, measures to boost trade and aid industry, including construction, were announced at a meeting presided over by President Park Geun-hye earlier today. Choi You-sun starts us off. A number of external factors, such as the weakened Japanese yen and falling oil prices, have cut Korea′s export volume in the first half of this year by five percent, compared to a year earlier. This, coupled with reduced spending and investment at home due to the MERS outbreak, has prompted the government to devise additional stimulus measures, on top of a 20-billion-U.S. dollar stimulus package that′s on the way. At Thursday′s trade and investment meeting, President Park Geun-hye laid out policies covering various sectors, including trade and construction, to achieve a balance in domestic consumption and exports. While highlighting that Korea has fared relatively well in exports, jumping a spot in the global rankings to sixth, the president said the country′s export-driven economy will not be revived without a recovery of trade. The trade ministry has pledged to more than double Korea′s trade volume from the first half of the year, by spending more than 100 billion dollars from the public and private sectors to enhance the competitiveness of major export items, and to financially support small- to mid-sized exporters. The ministry did not, however, present a specific plan for raising the price competitiveness of Korean products against their Japanese rivals. Shifting gears to the construction industry, President Park said spurring renovation and the reconstruction of aging facilities is expected to encourage businesses to spend more, and the government has pledged to ease regulations in the sector. In venture capital, officials vowed to create an ecosystem where growth and returns are guaranteed. Choi You-sun, Arirang News. Title: Rival parties face new challenges after ruling floor leader′s resignation With the resignation of its floor leader on Wednesday,... the ruling Saenuri Party now faces the challenge of choosing who should represent its 160 lawmakers at the National Assembly. The main opposition NPAD, for its part, has ended its boycott of parliamentary activities,.. and joined the discussion on the government′s supplementary budget plan. Park Ji-won tells us more. In its first gathering since the resignation of ruling Saenuri Party floor leader Yoo Seong-min the day before,... the party′s Supreme Council emphasized the importance of party unity. Speaking at their regular meeting on Thursday morning, the council vowed to establish a better line of communication with the presidential office. "We took this opportunity to achieve stro