21.   Korean officials suggested they had collecting sufficient funds to all but ensure it can repay foreign currency debt that comes due this month.

22.   Korean officials and car manufacturers say the market is open, but a weakened Korean economy has kept buyers away.

23.   Korean officials have been given a lengthy menu of options by creditor banks and investment banks eager to arrange the sale of government bonds.

24.   Korean officials said that any talk of a financial meltdown was exaggerated and that the mood was not panicky.

25.   Korean officials say they want to keep the annual interest rate in single digits.

26.   Nonetheless, the U.S. and other nations are in discussions with Korean officials about implementation of the IMF program.

27.   So far, Korean officials have not asked the U.S. for aid, although Finance Minister Lim Chang Yuel suggested Wednesday such a request might be forthcoming.

28.   That makes his state visit an especially poignant moment, diplomats and Korean officials say.

29.   The main stumbling block is whether to let some commercial banks fail, Korean officials said.

30.   This historical animosity gave pause to some Korean officials.