Yonhap News Summary

▲ Bank of Korea (BOK) Gov. Shin Hyun-song bangs the gavel during the BOK Monetary Policy Board meeting at the central bank's headquarters in Seoul on Oct. 22, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

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

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■ (2nd LD) BOK holds key rate steady at 3 pct after 2 consecutive rate hikes

SEOUL -- The Bank of Korea (BOK) kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged Thursday following two consecutive rate hikes to tame accelerating inflation amid protracting Middle East tensions and robust exports.

In a widely anticipated decision, the BOK's Monetary Policy Board held the key rate steady at 3 percent in its rate-setting meeting.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261022001352320?section=search

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■ Yonsei Univ. portal hack leaks data of 10,000 students, graduates

SEOUL -- Personal information belonging to about 10,000 Yonsei University students and graduates has been leaked in a hacking of the university's portal service, the university said Thursday.

Yonsei University's information and communications office said it has confirmed unauthorized access to the portal by an external party, resulting in the exposure of personal information of some members of the university community. It apologized for the concern and inconvenience caused by the breach.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261022003300315?section=search

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■ (2nd LD) N.K. leader's sister warns of border countermeasures, loudspeakers to be ready within days

SEOUL -- Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, warned Thursday of "new counter means" along the inter-Korean border, saying propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts against South Korea will be ready within days.

Kim's warning came a day after she inspected the North's border fortification work and threatened to take military action against South Korean troops over firing warning shots at North Korean soldiers crossing the border.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261022001152320

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■ (Yonhap Interview) Cuba seeks closer ties with S. Korea amid prolonged U.S. embargo: envoy

SEOUL -- Cuba is seeking to deepen economic ties with South Korea as it has been grappling with the economic and energy crises exacerbated by decadeslong U.S. sanctions on Havana, the Cuban ambassador to Seoul has said.

Ambassador Claudio Raul Monzon Baeza made the remarks in an interview with Yonhap News Agency in Seoul on Monday, ahead of next week's vote at the U.N. General Assembly on Cuba's annual resolution calling for an end to the U.S. embargo.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261021007200315?section=search

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■ Busan shark returns to canal after brief exit

BUSAN -- Bukang-i the shark, which was guided out of a canal in South Korea's southeastern city of Busan after more than a month there, has returned to the waterway.

The shark was seen swimming Thursday morning in a narrow space between a flat floating platform installed near the canal's exit to prevent it from coming back and a net set up as a second backstop, a day after it was successfully guided out of the canal.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261022002600315?section=search

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■ S. Korean, U.S. air forces to bolster autonomous combat platform cooperation

SEOUL -- The air forces of South Korea and the United States will sign a letter of intent (LOI) on autonomous combat platform cooperation Thursday to bolster collaboration in the manned-unmanned combat systems, the South Korean Air Force said.

The LOI will be signed during a meeting between the chiefs of staff of the two countries' air forces -- Gen. Son Sug-rag and U.S. Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, the South's armed force said in a statement.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261022003000315?section=search

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■ Xi reaffirms commitment to strengthening ties with N. Korea in reply to Kim Jong-un's letter

SEOUL, Oct. 22 (Yonhap) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed Beijing's commitment to strengthening ties with North Korea, saying the two countries have long supported each other across generations, the North's state media reported Thursday.

Xi made the remarks in a reply sent to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Tuesday, responding to Kim's Oct. 1 congratulatory message marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of China, in which Kim pledged to further develop their traditional friendship and safeguard shared interests.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261022002800315?section=search

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