Yonhap News Summary

The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Monday.

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■ (2nd LD) Lee vows to hire more firefighters, expand investment to ensure public safety

SEOUL -- President Lee Jae Myung on Monday vowed to hire more firefighters and increase investment in strengthening their capabilities to ensure public safety amid diverse disaster risks.

Lee made the pledge during a ceremony marking the 64th Day of Firefighting in the central city of Sejong, attended by government officials, firefighters, those who died while on duty and their bereaved families.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261109004052315?section=national/politics

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■ (2nd LD) Stocks close lower as investors search for direction amid AI sector uncertainties

SEOUL -- Seoul stocks closed lower Monday as investors digest uncertainties facing the artificial intelligence (AI) sector, including an internal probe at Nvidia Corp., following allegations its chief was targeted by a Chinese spy. The local currency strengthened against the U.S. dollar.

After rocky trading, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed down 40.84 points, or 0.81 percent, to 5,018.85.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261109006152320?section=economy-finance/economy

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■ (LEAD) FTC to fine Baemin 331 bln won, Coupang 300 bln won for unfair practices

SEOUL -- South Korea's antitrust regulator said Monday it will fine Woowa Brothers Corp., the operator of delivery app Baemin, 331.1 billion won (US$243 million) and Coupang Corp. 300.8 billion won for abusing their market dominance to restrict competition.

The two companies, which operate Baemin and Coupang Eats, respectively, pressured partner restaurants to offer terms at least as favorable as those available on competing platforms, according to the Fair Trade Commission (FTC).

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261109004251320?section=economy-finance/economy

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■ (LEAD) Defense chief signals potential shift in plans to integrate military academies

SEOUL -- Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul said Monday the government may review the location of an envisioned integrated military academy, signaling a shift in its push to establish a single institution in the central city of Daejeon amid a backlash.

Kang made the remarks in a meeting with the leaders of alumni associations of the Army, Navy and Air Force, as the defense ministry's plan to integrate their academies has faced pushback from graduates and reserve forces.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261109004651315

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■ 4 cheating cases using AI glasses caught at middle, high schools this year

SEOUL -- Four cases of cheating using artificial intelligence (AI) glasses have been reported at middle and high schools this year, the education ministry said Monday.

According to data collected from all 5,679 middle and high schools nationwide between Oct. 27 and last Tuesday, one middle school and three high school students were caught using AI glasses during their midterm or final exams. The middle school and one high school are in Seoul while the two other high schools are in North Jeolla Province and the southern island of Jeju.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261109005800315

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■ N.K. official's Beijing visit meant to share Chinese party meeting results, maintain high-level exchanges: Seoul

SEOUL -- A senior North Korean ruling party official's recent visit to Beijing appeared to be intended to share the outcome of last month's key Chinese party meeting and maintain high-level exchanges between the two countries, Seoul's unification ministry said Monday.

Yoon Min-ho, the ministry's spokesperson, made the assessment during a press briefing after Kim Song-nam, a member of the Political Bureau of the Workers' Party of Korea and a party secretary, visited China from Tuesday to Saturday, during which he met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other senior officials.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261109006000315

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■ Disgraced stem cell scientist loses citizenship after acquiring UAE nationality

SEOUL -- Disgraced scientist Hwang Woo-suk, known for his involvement in a major stem cell fraud scandal, appears to have lost his South Korean citizenship after acquiring United Arab Emirates (UAE) nationality, officials said Monday.

Hwang's name appeared on a list of individuals who lost their citizenship on an electronic gazette published by the justice ministry's immigration office in Cheongju on Aug. 13.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261109005500315

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