PRESS DIGEST - South Korean newspapers - March 21

SEOUL, March 21 (Reuters) - The following is a summary of major South Korean newspapers on Friday, prepared by Reuters in Seoul. Reuters has not checked the stories and does not guarantee their accuracy.

CHOSUN ILBO

South Korea is expected to sign an memorandum of understanding with the United States to join the U.S. Visa Waiver Program before the end of April, and South Korean citizens' U.S. travel visa requirements could be waived completely around the end of the year, a South Korean official said.

JOONGANG ILBO

North Korea rejected a U.S. proposal to sign a separate closed nuclear declaration related to allegations that Pyongyang is in possession of a highly-enriched uranium programme, a major sticking point in the six-party talks, according to sources in Washington.

MAEIL BUSINESS NEWSPAPER

The U.S. and North Korea have reached an overall agreement on the format of Pyongyang's nuclear declaration, top U.S. nuclear negotiator Christopher Hill told reporters in a press briefing.

Foreign direct investment in South Korea grew by only $490 million in 2007, lagging far behind China, India and Vietnam, according to the Bank of Korea.

KOREA ECONOMIC DAILY