Yonhap News Summary

Yonhap News Summary The following is the first summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Friday. ----------------- ■ (News Focus) KOSPI hits 8,000-point milestone, powered by AI optimism, strong earnings SEOUL -- South Korea's benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) briefly jumped above 8,000 points for the first time Friday, powered by persistent optimism on artificial intelligence (AI) and handsome earnings on big technology companies. It just took seven trading sessions for the KOSPI to surge past 8,000 points since it surpassed 7,000 points on May 6. The index hit a fresh peak of 8,001.4 at 9:15 a.m. but pared gains in early morning trade. https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260515004200320?section=search ----------------- ■ Pyongyang hosts event marking N. Korea, Vietnam party congresses in show of tightening ties SEOUL -- North Korea has held a celebratory event to mark the recent key party congress of both the North and Vietnam, state media reported Friday. The photography exhibition, hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in Pyongyang, was held at Taedonggang Diplomatic Club on Thursday, featuring videos, photos and archival materials highlighting the friendship and cooperation between the two countries' leaders past and present, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260515002400315?section=search ----------------- ■ Lee's approval rating dips amid controversy over special probe bill on 'fabricated' charges SEOUL -- President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating slipped to 61 percent this week, a poll showed Friday, amid controversy over a ruling party-proposed special counsel bill that could potentially allow the withdrawal of indictments linked to him. The survey, conducted by Gallup Korea from Tuesday through Thursday on 1,011 people aged 18 and older, showed that the positive assessment of Lee's overall performance fell 3 percentage points from the previous poll conducted two weeks earlier. https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260515004600315?section=search ----------------- ■ Lee says will do utmost to create conditions for teachers to focus only on education SEOUL -- President Lee Jae Myung on Friday pledged his best efforts to create conditions in which teachers can concentrate solely on teaching their students. Lee made the pledge in a message posted on his Facebook account on Teachers' Day amid growing calls for stronger protection for teachers following a recent series of incidents where teachers were subject to abusive behavior by parents and students. https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260515002500315?section=search ----------------- ■ (LEAD) Hana Financial buys stake in No. 1 crypto exchange operator Dunamu SEOUL -- Hana Financial Group Inc., one of South Korea's major banking groups, said Friday it has decided to buy a stake in the country's top crypto exchange operator Dunamu Inc. for 1 trillion won (US$669 million), the largest-ever investment by a bank into a virtual asset operator. In a regulatory filing, Hana Financial said its flagship Hana Bank will take over a 6.55 percent stake in Dunamu, the operator of Upbit, from Kakao Investment. https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260515001251320?section=search ----------------- ■ S. Korea gradually feeling impact of prolonged Middle East crisis: finance minister SEOUL -- South Korea is gradually feeling the impact of the prolonged conflict in the Middle East through higher consumer prices despite strong export data, the finance minister said Friday, vowing proactive steps to stabilize supply chains. Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol presided over a meeting of economy-related ministers in Seoul to discuss countermeasures against the economic fallout from the geopolitical crisis in the Middle East, according to the Ministry of Finance and Economy. https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260515001600320?section=search ----------------- ■ Young forwards expected to join veterans for S. Korean World Cup squad SEOUL -- When head coach Hong Myung-bo unveils the South Korean squad for this year's FIFA World Cup on the weekend, the list will likely feature some in-form young attackers joining seasoned veterans with previous experience at the sport's biggest event. Hong will announce his squad at a press conference in Seoul at 4 p.m. Saturday, just under a month before the kickoff of the largest World Cup in history, with Mexico, Canada and the United States set to host the 48-nation battle. https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260513001500315?section=search (END) - BTS to headline halftime show at 2026 World Cup final - (LEAD) Ruling party fails to push through constitutional amendment bill amid opposition boycott - PPP leader says public concerned about Lee's 'hasty' push to retake wartime troop control - (News Focus) Local brokerages beef up preparations for omnibus accounts amid KOSPI surge - (LEAD) N. Korean troops march in Russia's Victory Day parade for 1st time - (News Focus) Confirmed strike on vessel may reshape Seoul's stance on joining U.S.-led Hormuz mission: experts - Trump says, 'I love S. Korea,' after Seoul, Washington sign MOU on shipbuilding cooperation - Budget airlines cut 900 round-trip flights, implement other cost-cutting measures amid soaring oil prices - (3rd LD) Seoul concludes 'external strike' caused explosion on HMM vessel in Hormuz - (2nd LD) Cheong Wa Dae says any attack on civilian ships in Hormuz cannot be tolerated - (6th LD) U.S., China agree Iran can never have nuke, Strait of Hormuz must remain open: White House - Lee calls S. Korea, U.S. 'most important partners' after meeting with Bessent - (5th LD) U.S., China agree Iran can never have nuke, Strait of Hormuz must remain open: White House - U.S., N.K. appear unprepared for summit, but possibility cannot be ruled out: Seoul official - S. Korea seeks OPCON transfer breakthrough via presidential office-level talks: source