PRESS DIGEST - South Korean newspapers - March 25

SEOUL, March 25 (Reuters) - The following is a summary of major South Korean newspapers on Wednesday, prepared by Reuters in Seoul. Reuters has not checked the stories and does not guarantee their accuracy.

CHOSUN ILBO

South Korea and the European Union will hold a final round of free trade talks on Thursday in London to finalise remaining issues, including the removal of tariffs on agriculture products.

MAEIL BUSINESS NEWSPAPER

Hyundai Heavy Industries (009540.KS), textile and heavy machinery maker Hyosung Corp (004800.KS) and power developer Korea Southern Power Co Ltd will jointly invest a total of 900 billion won ($651.2 million) in a wind power development project by 2012.

Commercial banks in South Korea cut loans to small and medium enterprises by 30 to 50 percent in January and February from a year ago, despite government calls to boost lending.

KOREA ECONOMIC DAILY

The Seoul Central District Court said Tuesday that it would limit damages payable by Samsung Heavy Industries (010140.KS) for the nation's worst oil spill incident in Taean, South Chungcheong province in December 2007, to 5.6 billion won ($4.05 million).

DONG-A ILBO

Top executives of South Korean carmakers including Hyundai Motor (005380.KS) and Kia Motors (000270.KS) decided at a meeting on Tuesday to invest 2.6 trillion won ($1.88 billion) in research and development this year, according to industry sources.

JOONGANG ILBO

A lobbying scandal involving a 64-year-old businessman who allegedly paid bribes to several former government officials and lawmakers in the administration of former President Roh Moo-hyun is spreading to more politicians. ($1=1381.9 Won)