Yonhap News Summary

The following is the first summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Wednesday.

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■ N. Korea fires unidentified projectile toward East Sea: JCS

SEOUL -- North Korea fired an unidentified projectile toward the East Sea on Wednesday, the South Korean military said.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launch, without elaborating.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261029008100315?section=national/defense

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■ (LEAD) N. Korea says dialogue with U.S. an option but not a must for national interest

SEOUL -- North Korea said Wednesday that dialogue with the United States remains an option for peace, but that it would not be necessary for its own interest while again stressing the U.S.' accusation of its involvement in a major cryptocurrency theft as a sign of Washington's hostility toward Pyongyang.

Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, made the remarks, saying the continued "hostile signal" by Washington was compelling the regime to reconsider the "true nature" of the U.S.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261104001052315?section=nk/nk

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■ Seoul shares turn lower late Wed. morning on tech losses

SEOUL -- South Korean stocks turned lower late Wednesday morning due to losses in tech shares with results from the U.S. midterm elections in focus.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 94.22 points, or 1.67 percent, to 5,554.57 as of 11:20 a.m.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261104005000320?section=economy-finance/economy

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■ Ruling party proposes gov't delay planned taxation of cryptocurrency

SEOUL -- The ruling Democratic Party (DP) on Wednesday formally proposed that the government postpone the implementation of taxation on cryptocurrencies, set to take effect next year.

The party's supreme council decided to make such a proposal in a meeting, considering the need to give businesses and investors time to adjust to the new taxation scheme, according to DP leader Kim Min-seok.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261104004600315?section=national/politics

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■ Pope invites youth to bring 'questions and wounds' to 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul

SEOUL -- Pope Leo XIV has encouraged young Catholics to bring their "questions and wounds" to World Youth Day 2027, saying he looks forward to meeting them at the international gathering set to be held in Seoul next year.

"Bring to Christ your questions and your wounds but also the wounds that tear apart your societies and set your countries against one another," the pope said in a message released by the Holy See on Tuesday (Vatican time), which was also published in Korean.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261104002900315?section=national/national

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