The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Wednesday.
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■ (LEAD) Lee appoints tax agency chief as new presidential chief of staff
SEOUL -- President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday appointed the head of the National Tax Service (NTS) as his new chief of staff, his office said.
Outgoing chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik announced the appointment of Lim Kwang-hyun as his successor, weeks after he offered to resign amid Lee's falling approval ratings and controversy over the qualifications of two Cabinet nominees, who ultimately withdrew.
New presidential chief of staff Lim Kwang-hyun (R) speaks to the press after his predecessor, Kang Hoon-sik (L), announces his appointment at a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Oct. 14, 2026. (Yonhap)
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261014005651315?section=national/politics
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■ Ex-U.S. VP Harris faults Trump's tariffs, N.K. policy, calls for stronger alliance with S. Korea
SEOUL -- Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday criticized the Donald Trump administration's policy on North Korea and tariffs, calling for a renewed commitment to the South Korea-U.S. alliance.
Speaking at a special lecture in Seoul organized by the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, Harris said U.S. President Trump's economic and foreign policies have been undermining Washington's strength in its ties with Seoul.
Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris gives a special lecture on the U.S. leadership and the future of the alliance at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul on Oct. 14, 2026. (Yonhap)
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261014006400315?section=national/diplomacy
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■ (LEAD) Seoul shares fall for 6th day on renewed AI concerns ahead of U.S. inflation data
SEOUL -- South Korean stocks fell for the sixth consecutive session Wednesday on persisting concerns over excessive spending on artificial intelligence (AI) as investors remained cautious ahead of U.S. inflation data. The Korean won gained against the U.S. dollar.
After choppy trading, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 26.54 points, or 0.44 percent, to 6,008.81.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261014006651320?section=economy-finance/economy
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■ (LEAD) Lawmaker sentenced to 2 1/2 yrs in prison over cash-for-nomination scandal
SEOUL -- A Seoul district court on Wednesday sentenced independent lawmaker Kang Sun-woo to 2 1/2 years in prison on charges of receiving money in exchange for an election nomination.
The Seoul Central District Court handed down the sentence for Kang, formerly a member of the ruling Democratic Party (DP), also ordering her to forfeit 100 million won (US$75,000).
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261014006351315?section=national/national
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■ Lee calls for restructuring social system to meet needs of changing population structure
SEOUL -- President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday called for restructuring South Korea's social system to reflect rapid changes in demographics, stressing the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) provides an opportunity to redesign the industrial, employment, education and other sectors.
The president made the call during a meeting of the presidential committee on population strategy, attended by government ministers and dozens of citizens and aimed at helping design the country's population policies.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261014006800315?section=national/politics
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