Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1000 GMT, Feb. 26

SEOUL -- The high-ranking delegation from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) met Monday with the top national security advisor for South Korean President Moon Jae-in, according to local broadcaster YTN and Yonhap news agency.

Chung Eui-yong, head of the National Security Office of the Blue House, lunched at a hotel here with Kim Yong Chol, a vice chairman of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea from the DPRK side. (S. Korea-DPRK-Meeting)

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SEOUL -- Kim Yong Chol, chief delegate of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) who came here Sunday to attend the closing ceremony of the Winter Olympics, said Monday that doors are open for a dialogue with the United States, according to Yonhap news agency and Newsis news agency.

Kim made the remark during a closed-door meeting with Chung Eui-yong, top national security advisor for South Korean President Moon Jae-in, saying Pyongyang repeatedly showed its willingness to hold talks with Washington. (S. Korea-DPRK-U.S.-Dialogue)

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KABUL -- Three Afghan civilians have been killed and three others wounded in an explosion in eastern province of Laghman, Interior Ministry said on Monday.

The incident occurred Sunday evening after a vehicle carrying civilians touch off an improvised explosive device (IED) in Masmon region, Alishang district, the ministry said in a statement. (Afghanistan-Explosion)

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KUALA LUMPUR -- Regulators from Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance the ASEAN Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) Framework, which allows fund managers to have wider access in the three countries.

The Securities Commission Malaysia, the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Thailand said in a joint statement Monday that, the revised framework which took effect on February 23, enables fund managers operating in one jurisdiction to offer funds constituted and approved in that jurisdiction to retail investors in the other two jurisdictions under a streamlined authorization process. (Malaysia-Fund Managers) Enditem