Yonhap News Summary

▲ President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a meeting with military commander held at the defense ministry in Seoul on March 27, 2026. (Yonhap)

Yonhap News Summary

Yonhap News Summary

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

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■ Lee vows to swiftly retake wartime command from U.S., speed up military reform including selective conscription

SEOUL -- President Lee Jae Myung said Friday South Korea will swiftly take steps for its planned retaking of wartime operational control of its military from the United States and speed up military reforms, including selective conscription.

Lee made the remarks during a meeting with top military brass at the defense ministry in Seoul, where he called on the armed forces to step up their readiness posture to cope with a "grave" security situation amid a prolonged war in the Middle East and movements by North Korea to install iron fences inside the northern side of the Demilitarized Zone.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260327006700315?section=national/politics

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■ (LEAD) 40 personnel deployed to onboard ship reserve service in Hormuz Strait: military manpower agency

SEOUL -- Forty South Korean nationals who are serving as onboard ship reserve service members are currently aboard ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the chief of the military manpower agency said Friday, vowing to closely monitor their safety amid the Middle East conflict.

The onboard ship reserve service refers to a form of alternative military service, which allows qualified mariners and engineers to serve aboard commercial vessels for three years instead of serving the usual 18-month mandatory service at military units.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260327006251315?section=national/defense

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■ S. Korea, U.S. hold joint live-fire drills involving drones

SEOUL -- South Korean and U.S. troops have conducted a combined arms live-fire exercise involving reconnaissance drones, the U.S. Army stationed in South Korea said Friday, in apparent efforts to strengthen their interoperability while incorporating new technologies.

Some 900 troops from both sides took part in the drills that concluded earlier this week at the Rodriguez Live Fire Complex in Pocheon, about 30 kilometers south of the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas, according to the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260327005500315?section=national/defense

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■ (LEAD) Korean won extends losses for 3rd session amid Middle East crisis

SEOUL -- The South Korean won weakened further against the U.S. dollar Friday, as no immediate signs of progress emerged from talks between the United States and Iran to end their monthlong conflict.

The won was quoted at 1,508.9 per dollar at 3:30 p.m., down 1.9 won from the previous session, extending its losing streak to the third straight session.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260327002751320?section=economy-finance/economy

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