The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Thursday.
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■ (LEAD) Seoul shares crash over 7 pct on chip rout amid AI, inflation woes
SEOUL -- South Korean stocks plunged more than 7 percent Thursday as major chipmakers extended losses amid growing concerns over the sustainability of artificial intelligence (AI)-related investments and rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. The Korean won weakened against the U.S. dollar.
After opening 5.59 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) extended its losses, tumbling 454.59 points, or 7.57 percent, to end at 5,554.22, after dipping as low as 5,450.81.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261015007251320?section=economy-finance/economy
Financial data is displayed on a screen inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul on Oct. 15, 2026, after the market closed. (Yonhap)
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■ S. Korea says conditions-based OPCON transfer 'never' possible if conditions keep changing
SEOUL -- The transition of wartime operational control (OPCON) from the United States to South Korea would "never" be possible should the required conditions continue to change, a defense ministry spokesperson said Thursday, in an apparent rebuttal of remarks from the chief of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) that the "conditions have changed."
"I believe transfer of wartime operational control would never be achieved if the goalpost continues to be moved," the spokesperson, Chung Bin-na, told a press briefing, stressing that such was her own view.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261015008500315?section=national/defense
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■ (2nd LD) N. Korea fires strategic cruise missiles, possibly from nuclear attack submarine
SEOUL -- North Korea said Thursday it test-fired two types of strategic cruise missile in the East Sea the previous day, in what may be the first launch from a 3,000-ton-class submarine it unveiled in 2023.
"The test-fire aimed to examine the current mobilized posture of the underwater combat systems and contributed to getting the Navy skilled in performing its strategic missions and showcasing high reliability, trustworthiness and ability of the war deterrents of the DPRK," the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261015005900315?section=nk/nk
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■ Special counsel seeks new arrest warrant for jailed ex-first lady to keep her in custody
SEOUL -- A special counsel team said Thursday it has filed for a new arrest warrant for jailed former first lady Kim Keon Hee as her detention period is set to expire later this month.
Special counsel Min Joong-ki's team submitted the request to the Supreme Court, citing the need to keep Kim, the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, in custody before her detention expires Oct. 31.