BACKGROUND South Korea is believed to be one of the most successful countries in Asia. In recent years, Korea's economy moved away from the centrally planned, government-directed investment model toward a more market-oriented one, and as a result, their market situation has steadily improved. In a press release dated February 4, 2005, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economy, Lee Hun-jai said, "The economy continues to improve especially when compared to data from last year" (…showed first 75 words of 7999 total…

…showed last 75 words of 7999 total…lt;Tab/>$ Bil.<Tab/>15.9 (Samsung)<Tab/>2 Companies on fortune 500 List (2003)<Tab/>No.<Tab/>11<Tab/>10 Service Trade (2003)<Tab/>$ Bil.<Tab/>70.3<Tab/>14 World's Top 1,000 Banks (2003)<Tab/>No.<Tab/>12<Tab/>18 Source: MOCIE