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Show Page C8 THE DAILY HERALD, Provo, Utah, Sunday, September 19, 1999 Koreans buy, sell pol iticians legally ''' ! By ' SANG-HU- CHOE N Associated Press Writer "SEOUL, South Korea Imagine if you could treat politicians the same way as stocks snapping up the ones who inspire, and shedding those who disappoint. ""A new Internet game is letting its players do just that, offering up mock shares that represent South Korean politi"stock marcians in an ket" that mimics the real thing. - The game is called Posdaq, and has become so popular that South Korea's political is class taking notice. Politicians post their policy ideas, daily activities and speeches on Posdaq, trying to attract investors and raise their values. Its inventor is Shin Cheol-ho- , on-lin- Msoddsi toivira battles vMfo PRESCOTT, Ariz. (AP) whether it can retain that Prescott was a nameless meadow surrounded by hills when it became the Arizona territorial capital more than a century ago. There were no residents to untamed feel and small-towcharm that have been cornerstones of its history. The focal point of the downtown area remains a historic courthouse with a columned facade overlooking a grassy square. The town proper still streets with has clapboard-sideVictorian houses, a rarity in the Southwest. But the look changes on the pine-studde- n d speak of. Even a nearby fort was little more than a group of circled wagons in the wilderness. As the town approaches the end of the millennium, there is debate as to tree-line- d d 135-year-o- town's outskirts, where the chain stores are proliferating. Rolling hills have been carved up to make room for strip malls and parking lots. They'll soon be joined by a regional mall, another magnet for controversy. Yavapai County Supervisor Gheral Brownlow said a lot of the traditional ranchers and cowboys that once defined the area's character are leavtown, ing the fast-growin- g gowA issnoe! which ballooned from 4,200 Within 15 minutes, I could residents in 1950 to 35,000 take you out to a remote area from any place in downtown," today. "We are seeing a lot of anti-- . he said. Melissa Ruffner, a descegrowth popping up from people who have been here five nded of one of the area's first families, said that losing the years or less," he said. Still, Brownlow and other capital has kept the town out locals say things would be of the mainstream. "The growth would have worse had the capital of Arizona not been relocated to come much sooner," she said. "The fact that we were sort of Phoenix. "Prescott had open space, out of the mainstream has and we still have a lot of that. preserved us." e a political science major who believes his game's loss and profit principles will help South Koreans shake off political apathy. Daily judgment In recent years, many people in the East Asian nation have grown disillusioned with a slew of corruption scandals involving officials at the highest levels of government. ITJntil now, we have judged politicians once every four years. But now we can buy or dump them every day," said Shin, who runs Posdaq from his home with a friend. In the game, South Korea's 20 Cabinet ministers and 299 lawmakers are up for sale. Each player is allotted 1 million won, or about $830, in fake cyber cash to buy and trade shares. At least 13,000 people have signed up to play since trading began July 1. A major radio station now invites Shin, a senior at Seoul's Yonsei University, to analyze politics once a week. Posdaq shares sank in early August. Politicians in all three political parties lost value because of real-lifsquabbling in Parliament and perceived government inaction during flooding and tropical storms that killed at least 44 people. ' v SJSA Tfl&Uirinnersprina I mattress, gigantic rolled arms, plaid 'II upholstery and toss pillows. 1 SOFA SLEEPER Country plaid full size sleeper with innerspring mattress and roiled arms. Classic queen size sleeper wittf 7" innerspring and rolled arms. maltrcss, attachedback Similar Shown To K e r 7 irr Investors rewarded The home affairs minister, who was in charge Kim of flood relief, was the hardest hit. His stock slumped well below its initial price of 5,000 won ($4) a share, but has since climbed to 6,200 won ($5). ' President Kim a longtime democracy activist who has promoted contacts and aid shipments to communist North Korea, stayed on top. At about 71,050 won ($59) a share, Kim's value is more than 14 times its price when the game started. To encourage players, Posdaq offers cash and other awards for profitable investors. Shin seeks business ads on the site to pay for its prizes. Posdaq also provides access to news media reports and encourages politicians, citizens "and civic groups to post their policy platforms. The data serve as investment tips for the Ki-ja- E mamaaamm9W e, 7" innersnrinc maitress, rouea arms, surtea oase toss pillows. Sofa with IJJJ,iU,M ism. pzr Dae-jun- II .v in.-' SECTIONAL WITH & HIDE-- Side bv side recliners, convenient wedge and loveseat with a handy hide away oed mat s peneci ior unexpected guests. A BED 0 Similar To Shown FUTON SOFA Also Sleek modern stvline with a black finished metal frame and rounded ends. Sold with black button tufted pad. available uitb while frame is It' headboard, footboard, i rt 7 cr 1 fceadSxiard. rd game. .'"It helps bring politics closer 16' ordinary people," said Kim t a ruling party lawmaker and former student leader who has proved one of the top 10 blue chip Mln-so- an Shaker suite lieunMmf iwnnn pine solids and veneers. Door Chest $559.99 (Save $120) Night stand xiw.wt (save 5U) Americas southwest style with pine w l j j a also i available! notif. Others shown mm u bb i ww mm lit 1,1, rt "stocks" on Posdaq. IHowever, he" added, "We need to guard against making politics frivolous, because on Posdaq, people will be more likely to be attracted to populist politicians." in ''f-- ' aueen-siz- e Sale Prices Good Through, WllWIIIf Most Major Credit Cards Accepted. sal? liunt 1050 EAST 4C3-3H- 2100 SOUTH 1475 WEST 90TH SOUTH 5CM444 3 Hnantiwt v7.omsi ?viUl! OAC. Minimum paymtnt du. S itort YT 1 I . 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