Tokyo and Seoul

TOKYO -- Japan's Emperor Akihito Tuesday asked for the release of three Japanese hostages in Iraq, according to the Kyodo News agency.


Kyodo also said that the armed group that took the hostages last week might use them as a bargaining tool for a ceasefire between U.S. troops and Iraqi fighters in Fallujah.


S. Korean cabinet resigns
SEOUL -- South Korea's Prime Minister Goh Kun and his entire cabinet resigned Friday, the official Yonhap News Agency reported.

The news came after President Roh Moo-hyun indicated he seek a measure of the public's confidence in him possibly in the form of a referendum before next April's general elections.

The announcement was made at an unexpected press conference at Cheong Wa Dae. Roh said he decided to seek public confidence after a series of corruption scandals that have rocked his administration.

The latest news came as the president attended the four-day ASEAN summit in Bali, Indonesia. His aide Choi Do-sul is under investigation for allegedly taking 1.1 billion won (US$957,521) in bribes from the SK Group conglomorate.

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Best Hotels in Asia-Pacific Region

⚫ Shanghai

The Puli Hotel And Spa
The Westin Bund Center
Grand Hyatt Shanghai
Shanghai Marriott Hotel Pudong East
Hyatt On The Bund
The Peninsula Shanghai

⚫ Hong Kong

Regal Airport Hotel
The Langham Hong Kong
The Cityview - Chinese Ymca Of Hong Kong
Cordis
The Kowloon Hotel
Kowloon Shangri-La

⚫ Singapore

Marina Bay Sands
The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
Mandarin Oriental
Fairmont Singapore
Peninsula Excelsior Singapore
Pan Pacific Singapore

⚫ Seoul

Lotte Hotel Seoul
The Plaza Seoul
The Shilla Seoul
Lotte Hotel World
Koreana Hotel
Lotte City Hotel Myeongdong

⚫ Tokyo

Hilton Tokyo Hotel
Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Park Hotel Tokyo
Shinagawa Prince Hotel
Shinjuku Washington Hotel

⚫ Los Angeles

Hilton Los Angeles Airport
Los Angeles Airport Marriott
Freehand Los Angeles
Hilton Los Angeles-Universal City
The Westin Los Angeles Airport
Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel

⚫ Sydney

Four Seasons Hotel Sydney
Hilton Sydney
Shangri-La Sydney
Intercontinental Sydney
Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel
Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel At Circular Quay