PRESS DIGEST - South Korean newspapers - April 7

SEOUL, April 7 (Reuters) - The following is a summary of major South Korean newspapers on Monday, prepared by Reuters in Seoul. Reuters has not checked the stories and does not guarantee their accuracy.

CHOSUN ILBO

The first South Korean astronaut, Yi So-yeon, will take off on Tuesday and stay in the International Space Station for 10 days to conduct about 18 experiments.

The United States and North Korea are expected to finish deadlocked talks on North Korea's nuclear declaration when both top negotiators meet in Singapore April 8, according to diplomatic sources in South Korea.

CJ Cheiljedang (097950.KS: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), a major local miller, will raise flour prices, one of a list of prices the government wants to control, but the scale of rise is not decided yet, its CEO said.

MAEIL BUSINESS NEWSPAPER

The amount of rice and fertiliser aid for North Korea will decrease due to a recent hike in international grain prices, an official from Unification Ministry said.

Saudi Arabia's oil minister Ali bin Ibrahim al-Naimi will visit South Korea in May to receive an honorary doctorate from Seoul National University, according to the university.

Korea Resources Corporation (KORES) will sign a deal to buy a stake in Mexico's biggest copper mine for $276 million April 17, according to an official from Ministry of Knowledge Economy.