Lee

Loyalties are tested, futures are reconsidered and the body count climbs in the effective action import "New World. " Writer-director Hoon-jung Park tells this twisty story of internecine warfare within a Korean corporate crime syndicate with patience, elegance and no small amount of bloodshed. The title refers to the name of a national law enforcement operation that's launched to close in on the ruthless, multi-tentacled Goldmoon organization after its omnipotent head, Seok (Geung-young Lee)

Lee Juk-jul remembers climbing aboard a truck packed with neighbors and friends after hearing a rumor during the Korean War that soldiers from the Chinese army might soon come to kidnap Korean girls. She had no idea the ride would keep her away from her family, and her only sister, for 59 years. The truck had taken Lee to South Korea while her family remained in North Korea. Now, through a recently reinstated bilateral program to lessen the emotional toll of hostilities between North and South Korea, the sisters have reunited.

An independent counsel today cleared President-elect Lee Myung-bak of financial fraud allegations that had clouded his rise to South Korea's highest office. Lee had been suspected of collusion in a 2001 stock price manipulation case, a controversy that plagued him throughout last year's campaign. Lee had strongly denied the allegations, and state prosecutors already had acquitted him weeks before the election. But rival politicians pushed for the special inquiry.

North Korean state news media say the country has rejected a proposal by South Korea's president to resume reconciliation talks. North Korea's main newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, said today that South Korean President Lee Myung-bak's proposal is not worth considering. Lee offered Friday to resume stalled talks with North Korea. Tension between the countries flared after Lee took office in February with a vow to take a tougher line toward North Korea.

A special prosecutor's team questioned South Korean President-elect Lee Myung-bak about allegations of financial fraud, a week ahead of his inauguration, a news report said. Lee was questioned for about three hours in Seoul over claims that he was involved in a 2001 stock manipulation case, Yonhap news agency said. Lee "answered in detail," said Kim Hak-geun, an official at the prosecutor's office. Officials at Lee's offices and the special prosecutor's office could not immediately be reached for comment.