Yonhap News Summary

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

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■Prosecution decides not to charge first lady over luxury bag scandal

SEOUL, Oct. 2 (Yonhap) -- Prosecutors decided Wednesday not to charge first lady Kim Keon Hee in connection with her acceptance of a luxury bag from a Korean American pastor in 2022.

The prosecution announced the decision following a monthslong investigation into allegations that the first lady illegally received a Dior handbag worth 3 million won (US$2,275) and other expensive items from the pastor at her office in 2022 in exchange for favors.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241002005700315?section=national/national

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■(LEAD) Yoon orders immediate dispatch of military aircraft to evacuate S. Koreans amid Middle East crisis

SEOUL -- President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday ordered an immediate dispatch of military transport aircraft to bring South Koreans home from regions affected by the escalating conflict in the Middle East, his office said.

Yoon held an emergency meeting with senior government officials to discuss measures for ensuring the safety of Korean nationals in the region and minimizing its impact on the economy and energy supplies following Iran's recent missile attacks on Israel.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241002006451315?section=national/politics

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■ (LEAD) Yoon vetoes three bills, including special probe targeting first lady

SEOUL -- President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday endorsed Cabinet motions demanding parliamentary reconsideration of three opposition-led bills, including one calling for a special counsel probe into first lady Kim Keon Hee's allegations.

It marked the 11th time that Yoon has exercised his veto power since taking office in May 2022, and a total of 24 bills have been rejected amid ongoing tensions between the opposition-controlled National Assembly and Yoon.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241002002351315?section=search

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■ (2nd LD) N. Korea launches over 150 trash balloons toward S. Korea: JCS

SEOUL -- North Korea launched more than 150 trash-filled balloons toward South Korea on Wednesday, the South's military said, in the first such launch in 10 days.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said some 60 trash bundles have been found in Seoul and the surrounding Gyeonggi Province due to the latest launch, which marked the 23rd of its kind since the North began the campaign in late May.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241002000251315?section=search

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■(2nd LD) Korea Zinc to buy back own shares worth 2.66 tln won to fend off MBK, Young Poong

SEOUL -- Korea Zinc Inc. said Wednesday it will buy back 2.66 trillion won (US$2 billion) worth of its own shares in a rare counteroffer to fend off a tender offer by private equity firm MBK Partners and Young Poong, the biggest shareholder of the world's largest zinc smelter.

Korea Zinc Chairman Choi Yun-beom told reporters the counteroffer was a "desperate decision" to dispel concerns from shareholders, employees and contractors amid an intensifying battle for the company's management control.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241002004152320?section=search
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