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South Korea’s defense minister raised Monday the possibility of bringing back U.S. tactical nuclear weapons on South Korea’s territory in consultation with Washington amid a diplomatic scramble to deal with Pyongyang’s claim of a new uranium enrichment facility.
Asked by a lawmaker if the government is willing to consider reintroducing U.S. tactical nuclear weapons, Defense Minister Kim Tae-young told a parliament committee that the government “will review what you said.”
Kim told lawmakers that such an option could be discussed when South Korea and the U.S. hold their first meeting of the Extended Deterrence Policy Committee scheduled for next month. The allies agreed last month to create the joint military committee to enhance deterrence against North Korea’s nuclear programs.
(Yonhap News Agency)

Over 600,000 N. Koreans starve from 1995-2005　　
More than 600 thousand North Koreans were estimated to have died of food deficiency from 1995 to 2005, Statistics Korea said in a report Monday. In particular, an estimated 435 thousand North Koreans died during the the March of Tribulation from 1996-2000, the report stated.　
Life expectancy in North Korea was an estimated 11 years lower than South Korea mainly due to malnutrition. Based on data from the United Nations and censuses conducted in North Korea, the report stated that the estimated life expectancy for men stands at 64.1 and 71 for women, levels seen during the early 1980s in South Korea.

　
Hyundai subcontractors gain force in strike　
A sit-in strike by about 500 in-house subcontractors of Hyundai Motor gained force as an umbrella union group pushed Monday for a general strike to join the protest in demanding regular employee status for the subcontractors.
The Korean Metal Workers’ Union (KMWU), the country’s largest industrial union with nearly 140,000 members in the automobile, steel, machinery and shipping sectors, said after a meeting of representatives that it will call a general strike in early December unless Hyundai Motor’s management agrees to open negotiations with the striking workers by Nov. 30.
The subcontractors employed by a Hyundai subcontractor have taken over the automaker’s main assembly line in Ulsan plant since Nov. 15, clashing with riot police and partially crippling the factory’s production. One subcontractor attempted self-immolation during a rally last Saturday.
With the strike gaining momentum, the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office made clear its position that it will respond sternly to the strike.
　　
Tutoring prices in writing skyrocket
The cost of tutoring for college entrance exam preparatory classes in essay writing has risen rapidly.　
Major universities, including Seoul National University, Korea University and Yonsei University, administer essay-writing tests along with interview sessions in their highly competitive admissions procedure on top of the College Scholastic Ability Test, the South Korean SAT.
According to education authorities Monday, the cost of tutoring for a one-week session costs from 700 thousand Won ($619) to 900 thousand Won.
　　
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