Xinhua Asia-Pacific News Summary at 1000 GMT, Feb. 27

SEOUL, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) agreed on Tuesday to send athletes to South Korea on March 7 for the Winter Paralympic Games, according to Seoul's unification ministry. (S.Korea-DPRK-Winter Paralympic Games)

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MALE -- The Maldivian Supreme Court has ruled that the parliament's decision to extend a state of emergency by 30 days was valid as it was not constitutionally necessary for more than half of legislators to be present at the time of vote, the President's Office said Tuesday.

The Supreme Court issued its advisory opinion to the parliament, after a request was made by the legislature as to what quorum was necessary when the extension of State of Emergency was voted on Feb. 20. (Maldives-Supreme Court-Decision)

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TOKYO -- Japan's minister in charge of Okinawa and Northern Territories affairs will step down after suffering a stroke, government sources were quoted as saying Tuesday.

Esaki, 74, a seventh-term lower house member from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), was admitted to hospital on Monday again one week after being hospitalized for a minor stroke, Japan's top government spokesperson said. (Japan-Minister-Resignation)

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SEOUL -- South Korean prosecutors on Tuesday demanded 30-year imprisonment for the ousted President Park Geun-hye, according to local media reports.

Prosecutors said that Park privatized her presidential power, mandated by people, and damaged constitutional value, demanding Park be fined 118.5 billion won (110.5 million U.S. dollars). (S.Korea-Park-Prosecution) Enditem