Yonhap News Summary

Yonhap News Summary

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

■ Special counsel seeks 30-yr prison term for ex-President Yoon over alleged drone dispatch to Pyongyang

SEOUL -- A special counsel team on Friday demanded a 30-year prison term for former President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of benefiting the enemy for allegedly ordering the dispatch of military drones over Pyongyang in 2024.

The team, led by special counsel Cho Eun-suk, also requested the Seoul Central District Court to sentence former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun to 25 years in prison over the same allegation.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260424005551315

This composite pool image, provided by the Constitutional Court, shows former President Yoon Suk Yeol (L) and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

■ S. Korea, U.S. in close communication to resolve intel sharing misunderstanding: security adviser

HANOI -- South Korea and the United States have been in close communication to resolve misunderstandings over Unification Minister Chung Dong-young's public disclosure of a North Korean nuclear facility, Seoul's top security official said, amid speculation that Washington may have scaled back intelligence sharing over the issue.

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac made the remarks after media reports that Washington has partially suspended intelligence sharing on North Korea in protest of Chung's remarks about a uranium enrichment facility in North Korea's western city of Kusong during a parliamentary session last month.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260424002400315

■ (2nd LD) Trump says Strait of Hormuz 'sealed up tight' until deal, orders Navy to shoot vessels laying mines

WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday the Strait of Hormuz is "sealed up tight" until Iran is able to make a deal with the United States to end hostilities, as he ordered the Navy to "shoot and kill" any boat laying mines in the vital waterway.

Trump made the remarks in two social media posts, as the U.S. military has been doubling down on its naval blockade against the Islamic Republic, interdicting another vessel transporting oil from Iran in the Indian Ocean and reportedly escorting an Iranian oil tanker in the same ocean.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260423012552315

■ Seoul shares down late Fri. morning amid Middle East concerns

SEOUL -- Seoul stocks extended losses late Friday morning, tracking overnight declines on Wall Street, as persistent tensions in the Middle East weighed on investor sentiment.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 15.18 points, or 0.23 percent, to 6,460.63 as of 11:20 a.m.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260424005400320

■ (LEAD) Coupang lobbying disclosure reports show activities involving White House, vice president, Congress

WASHINGTON -- U.S. lobbying reports showed Thursday that e-commerce giant Coupang Inc. has spent more than US$1 million on lobbying activities in the United States, including efforts involving the White House and Congress, since its massive data leak scandal in South Korea erupted in November.

On the Senate website for Lobbying Disclosure Act reports, Coupang, a U.S.-listed firm, has filed a report that it had spent $1.09 million during the first quarter of this year.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260424000251315

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