11.   Korean officials dismissed the idea that they would absorb Korean bank debt outright.

12.   Korean officials feared that popular protests would escalate in the face of Japanese intransigence.

13.   Korean officials saw the deal as a significant turning point in an often frustrated effort to privatize Korea Telecom.

14.   Korean officials insisted the situation was not so desperate.

15.   Korean financial officials pressed for a speedy resolution of the impasse, warning that otherwise Hyundai Investment Trust and Securities would go into receivership.

16.   Korean officials are pushing the foreign banks to help.

17.   Korean officials called for an end to U.S. sanctions and for more food aid, the U.S. delegation said.

18.   Korean officials said that plan could be too risky because it would saddle the nation with high interest costs for years.

19.   Korean officials said that the downgrading hurt national prestige and was a commercial blow as well.

20.   Korean officials say liquidation of commercial banks will not be required.