PRESS DIGEST - South Korean newspapers - July 3

SEOUL, July 3 (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.

MAEIL BUSINESS NEWSPAPER

Samsung C&T (000830.KS) and LG International (001120.KS) have joined Korea Resources Corp's (KORES) bids for South American lithium development projects, according to KORES. Lithium is a key material of lithium-ion batteries used for hybrid cars.

LG Group Chairman Koo Bon-moo said at a group event on Thursday that the group is not interested in Daewoo Engineering & Construction (047040.KS), a South Korean builder recently put up for sale by Kumho Asiana Group, and it would focus on its key businesses.

KOREA ECONOMIC DAILY

Korea Exchange Bank (004940.KS) said it had set up investment banking unit in Hong Kong, KEB Asia Finance Limited, with initial investment of $50 million.

THE KOREA TIMES

A group of South Korean lawyers filed a petition with the Constitutional Court against South Korea's visa regulations requiring foreign English teachers to undergo HIV and drug tests.