The South Korean government held a meeting this morning to discuss ways to boost the competitiveness of local industries. <br />One of the main agendas was a plan by creditors to support South Korea's cash-strapped Asiana Airlines.<br />Ko Roon-hee reports. <br />South Korea's finance minister says the creditors of Asiana Airlines plan to inject around one-point-four billion U.S. dollars to ease its parent company's liquidity crisis.<br />Attending a meeting of various economy-related ministers on Tuesday, Hong Nam-ki said creditors led by the state-funded Korea Development Bank will buy around 438-million U.S. dollars worth of perpetual bonds and set a credit limit of 700-million dollars. <br />Credit limit means the maximum amount of credit that lenders will extend to a debtor for a particular line of credit.<br />This comes after creditors accepted Kumho Asiana Group's self-rescue plan earlier this month...which included selling its flagship Asiana Airlines. <br />Hong added the firm will strive to improve its business conditions...and push for merger and acquisitions by the end of the year.<br />Another big issue besides Korea's second-biggest air carrier was updating the public about the government's so-called 'crisis zones' for industry and employment.<br />These zones refer to areas that rely on certain industries such as shipbuilding...where many people can face lay-offs if that specific field struggles. <br />The government has been providing financial and job support to the regions.<br />Hong said the government will extend the appointed period until May 2021 in five regions, including Geoje city in Gyeongsangnam-do Province. <br />Ministers also discussed ways to revitalize South Korea's shipbuilding industry.<br />Specific measures include increasing the number of professional personnel in the field...and providing more support in terms of refund guarantees.<br />Ko Roon-hee, Arirang News. <br />
