우재연
| 2026-06-18 17:07:39
Yonhap News Summary
Yonhap News Summary
The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Thursday.
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■ (2nd LD) Seoul stocks end at record peak of above 9,000 on extended chip rally
SEOUL -- Seoul stocks surged by more than 2 percent past another historic landmark, surpassing the 9,000-point level for the first time in history, as investors bet on chipmakers in the face of a hawkish stance by the Federal Reserve and Iran uncertainty.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed up 199.6 points, or 2.25 percent, to 9,063.84, after rising as high as 9,106.07.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260618007552320?section=economy-finance/finance
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■ (News Focus) AI-driven chip rally, U.S.-Iran deal drive KOSPI to unprecedented new heights
SEOUL -- South Korea's benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) surged past 9,000 points for the first time ever Thursday, buoyed by a technology rally driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and led by Samsung Electronics Co. and SK hynix.
So far this year, the index has soared more than 110 percent and set the new milestone as investors priced in optimism regarding the cessation of hostilities in the Middle East after the United States and Iran signed an interim peace deal.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260618007000320?section=k-biz/index
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■ (LEAD) Senate confirms Michelle Steel as U.S. ambassador to S. Korea
SEOUL/WASHINGTON -- The Senate has confirmed Michelle Steel, a former two-term Korean American congresswoman, as the United States' ambassador to South Korea.
The upper chamber approved Steel in a 55-39 vote on Wednesday (U.S. time), clearing the way for her to take the ambassadorial post as Seoul and Washington face a series of joint tasks, including "modernizing" their alliance and implementing bilateral security and trade agreements.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260618001551315
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■ (LEAD) New entity tasked with implementing Seoul's investment pledge to U.S. sets sail
SEJONG -- State-run Korea-U.S. Strategic Investment Corp. (KUIC) officially set sail Thursday with the task of implementing South Korea's US$350 billion investment pledge to the United States in return for lower tariffs, the finance ministry said.
"Through the launch of the KUIC, the alliance between South Korea and the United States has developed beyond the economy and security to strategic industries, further advancing our solid partnership," Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said during the opening ceremony in Sejong.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260618006751320
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■ S. Korea's global competitiveness up 6 notches in 2026: report
SEJONG -- South Korea's global competitiveness rose six notches from a year earlier in 2026, supported by improvements in business efficiency and infrastructure, the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) said Thursday.
South Korea ranked 21st in global competitiveness in the 2026 report, while securing the second spot, behind only the United States, among countries with a gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of US$30,000 or higher and a population of at least 50 million.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260618005100320
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■ First heat wave alerts of year issued for Seoul, surrounding areas
SEOUL -- The state weather agency on Thursday issued the first heat wave advisories of the year for Seoul and its surrounding areas.
The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) put the alerts into effect at 2 p.m. for southern Seoul, parts of the surrounding Gyeonggi Province and Ganghwa County in Incheon, west of the capital.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260618007600315?section=national/national
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