The following is the first summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Wednesday.
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■ S. Korea, U.S. agree to hold key defense talks after midterm elections: sources
SEOUL -- South Korea and the United States are in talks to set the date for their high-level defense dialogue after the U.S. midterms, informed sources said Wednesday, a move that would mark a delay of the annual talks typically held in early November.
According to the sources, the allies have reached a mutual "understanding" to push back the Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) largely due to the U.S. midterm elections slated for Nov. 3. Washington is due to host this year's SCM.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261014003600315
This composite file photo shows Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul (L) and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, as released by AFP. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
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■ New White House spokesperson says US$54 bln tied to Alaska gas project in S. Korean investment package
WASHINGTON -- New White House Press Secretary Katie Zachariah said Tuesday that US$54 billion was tied to an Alaska liquefied natural gas (LNG) project as part of a South Korean energy investment package, despite uncertainty over Seoul's participation in the project.
Zachariah made the remarks during her first official press briefing at the White House while highlighting the South Korean energy investment package worth up to $200 billion that U.S. President Donald Trump announced earlier this month.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261014000200315?section=national/diplomacy
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■ New cross-border bridge between N. Korea, China to open Thurs.: report
SEOUL -- A bridge between North Korea and China will officially open to traffic this week after sitting idle for more than a decade following its construction, according to a Chinese news report on Wednesday.
The New Yalu River Bridge, which connects the North Korean city of Sinuiju and Dandong in China, will open Thursday, according to China's Xinhua News Agency.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261014004351315?section=nk/nk
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■ (LEAD) Ex-ADOR CEO referred to prosecution for defamation over Illit plagiarism remarks
SEOUL -- Police have referred former ADOR chief executive Min Hee-jin to the prosecution for allegedly defaming the agency of K-pop girl group Illit, sources said Wednesday.
Min is accused of defamation over her remarks during a press conference in April 2024 that Illit plagiarized NewJeans, a girl group produced by her. Belift Lab, Illit's agency, filed a complaint against Min the following month.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261014003051315
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■ N. Korea gaining experience in troop deployment, sustaining military operations through Ukraine war: USFK chief
WASHINGTON -- North Korea is gaining experience in deploying troops and sustaining military operations over long distances through its involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine, the commander of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) said Tuesday.
U.S. Gen. Xavier Brunson made the remarks during a dialogue hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, highlighting the military benefits Pyongyang has gained from deploying troops and supplying weapons to support Moscow in the war.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261014000300315?section=national/diplomacy
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■ Seoul shares rebound late Wed. morning on tech gains
SEOUL -- South Korean stocks rebounded from the previous session's trough late Wednesday morning by rising more than 1 percent driven by gains in tech shares amid eased rate-hike woes.
After opening 0.44 percent higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) extended gains, adding 68.86 points, or 1.14 percent, to 6,104.21 as of 11:20 a.m.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261014004700320?section=economy-finance/economy
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■ BTS' 'Arirang' hits 5 bln Spotify streams, topping 2026 releases
SEOUL -- K-pop supergroup BTS' fifth studio album, "Arirang," has surpassed 5 billion streams on Spotify, the group's label, BigHit Music, said Wednesday.
This marks the most streams among albums released this year, registering 2 billion more than the runner-up, Olivia Rodrigo's third studio album, "You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love."
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261014002400315
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