SEOUL, Dec 8 (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 Koreans' average life expectancy rose to 78.6 years in 2005 from 78 years the previous year, with women outliving men by nearly seven years, according to the National Statistical Office.

- The number of tourists at the North Korean resort of Mt. Kumkang has fallen about 50 percent lately to 100 tourists per a day and 300 on weekends, apparently because of North Korea's nuclear test, said a Hyundai Asan official.

JOONGANG ILBO

- The government allowed LG Electronics <066570.KS>, Pantech <025930.KS>, Hanmi Pharmaceutical <008930.KS> and Ildong Pharmaceutical <000230.KS> to expand its factories in the Seoul area, the commerce ministry said.

MAEIL BUSINESS NEWSPAPER

- SK Communications is pushing a game publishing business, according to chief executive Yoo Hyun-oh.

KOREA TIMES

- Former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung stressed the importance of a solid South Korea-U.S. alliance to counter provocations from North Korea.

- The top American military commander here expressed dissatisfaction with the latest agreement between Seoul and Washington on sharing costs for the deployment of U.S. troops in South Korea.

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