S. Korea decides to try Chinese hijackers

South Korea rejected China's request that six hijackers of a Chinese airliner be returned to China to stand trial. The South Korean government, after a third round of direct talks between the two sides in Seoul, said it had decided to try the five hijackers here in accordance with international conventions. But the two sides did agree that the 96 Chinese passengers and crew, and the Trident airliner hijacked last Thursday, should be returned to China as soon as possible. The direct talks were the first between the two countries and showed considerable friendliness - despite the lack of Seoul-Peking diplomatic ties and Chinese support for North Korea.