SOUTH KOREA

Government Bids to Join OECD: The nation will apply for membership in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, a minister said. South Korea had postponed joining the exclusive group of industrialized democracies because it did not want to give up its developing-nation status, losing trade protections and other advantages granted such countries. Several influential South Korean civic groups have said membership would hurt the country, but Hong Jae Hyong, a vice prime minister, said South Korea has more to gain by becoming a member. The OECD is an organization of 25 developed countries, headquartered in Paris. It coordinates economic policies among member countries.