South Korea demands talks with North Korea on closed factory

Published April 24, 2013

Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea –  South Korea is warning of a "grave measure" if North Korea rejects a call for talks on a jointly run factory park that has been shut down for nearly a month.

Unification Ministry spokesman Kim Hyung-suk on Thursday refused to describe what Seoul would do if Pyongyang doesn't respond by a deadline Friday to a demand for formal working-level talks.

But Seoul may be signaling it will pull out its remaining workers from the factory across the border in Kaesong. That could lead to the end of a complex considered the last remaining symbol of inter-Korean cooperation.

Pyongyang suspended operations in early April and withdrew its 53,000 workers.

Pyongyang has recently eased the near daily threats it issued for several weeks. But tensions between the rivals are still high.

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Mexico demands Sotheby's halt auction of artifacts

Published March 21, 2013

Associated Press

Mexico City –  The Mexican government is demanding that the Sotheby's auction house halt the planned sale of 51 pre-Colombian Mexican artifacts, arguing they are protected national historical pieces.

The National Institute of Anthropology and History says Mexico has sent a diplomatic note to the French government seeking assistance in heading off the sale scheduled in Paris for Friday and Saturday.

A description of the pieces listed on the French website of Sotheby's describes the collection as containing sculptures from Mexican and other pre-Hispanic cultures.

Sotheby's did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A statement issued by the Mexican institute Wednesday says it objects to "the international trade in protected cultural objects" and says the pieces are "property of the nation."

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