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Xinhua Asia-Pacific News Summary at 1000GMT, May 18

Xinhua, May 18, 2015 Adjust font size:

South Korea offered to hold talks with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on the management of an inter- Korean economic zone, including the ongoing row over a wage hike for DPRK workers, the Unification Ministry said Monday.

Unification Ministry spokesman Lim Byeong-cheol told a press briefing that Seoul proposed via the secretariat of the north- south joint committee for the management of the Kaesong industrial complex Friday to hold the sixth round of the committee meeting on May 20. (S.Korea-DPRK-Talks)

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SEOUL -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday confirmed a firm alliance between South Korea and the United States against any threats from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Kerry, who arrived in Seoul on Sunday afternoon for a two-day visit, said in his introductory remarks for talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se that the two allies "are united firmly in our determination to stand up against any threats from the DPRK."(S.Korea-U.S.-Alliance)

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ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan on Monday condemned a recent U.S. drone strike in the country's North Waziristan tribal region which killed at least six people.

Security officials said the U.S. unmanned aircraft fired missiles on a compound in the mountainous Shawal area on Saturday. Sources said some foreigners were among those killed in the strike that occurred after weeks of a lull in the U.S. attacks.(Pakistan- U.S. Drone Strike-Condemnation)

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KATHMANDU -- The Nepalese government is set to appeal to the international community for more assistance to cope with the aftermath of a massive 7.9-magnitude earthquakes, local media reported Monday.

Khaga Raj Adhikari, minister for health and population who is leading a Nepalese delegation to participate in the 68th World Health Assembly scheduled for May 18-26 in Geneva, told the Himalayan Times that Nepal will draw the attention of the international community to the situation in the country.(Nepal- Earthquake-Assistance)

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HANOI -- A grand ceremony was held Monday in Vietnam's capital Hanoi to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of late President Ho Chi Minh.

"Ho Chi Minh was a genius leader of Vietnamese party, people and revolutionary career, a hero of the national liberation, a world cultural figure. He brought fame to the nation, the people and the country. He was an exemplary international communist, a close friend of nations that had been fighting for peace, independence, democracy and social progress worldwide," General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong said in his remark at the ceremony.(Vietnam-Ho Chi Minh- Anniversary)

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BANGKOK -- Thailand's National Reform Council (NRC) has proposed to the prime minister that a referendum be held on the draft constitution, the NRC whip said Monday.

The proposal was submitted to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha last Thursday, Alongkorn Polabutr said, adding the NRC had agreed that the referendum should be pertaining to the charter as a whole. (Thailand-Constitution-Referendum) Endi