Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 0600 GMT, April 29

SEOUL -- South Korea's household lending rate hit the highest in nearly eight years in March due to policy rate hikes, central bank data showed Friday.

The weighted average rate for new bank loans to households reached an annualized 3.98 percent in March, up 0.05 percentage points from the previous month, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK). (South Korea-Lending Rate)

- - - -

SYDNEY -- Health auth