Korea Exchange says it checking Merrill Lynch trades after media reports, petition

SEOUL (Reuters) - The Korea Exchange (KRX) said on Tuesday it was looking into Merrill Lynch's <BAC.N> Seoul operation over alleged unfair stock trades.

"The KRX is looking into Merrill Lynch (South Korea operations) over unfair stocks trading allegations," a KRX official told Reuters.Petitions on the website of the South Korean president's office have called for investigations into Merrill Lynch's KRX trades.

Merrill Lynch International Incorporated, Seoul Branch, is a subsidiary of Merrill Lynch International Inc.

Efforts to reach Merrill Lynch in Seoul, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo for comment were not successful.

(Reporting by Hayoung Choi; Editing by Eric Meijer)