The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Thursday.
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■ (LEAD) Lee welcomes Trump's role as 'peacemaker,' brushes aside U.S. trade concerns: CNN
SEOUL -- President Lee Jae Myung expressed hope that U.S. President Donald Trump would serve as a "peacemaker" during his upcoming trip to Asia, while brushing aside concerns about trade talks with Washington, in an interview with CNN published Thursday.
In the interview, Lee underscored the need to pursue peace and dialogue with North Korea to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula, suggesting that Trump could play a role in bridging the gap between the two Koreas during his visit to the region.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251023005651315
President Lee Jae Myung (L) speaks during an interview with CNN at the presidential office in Seoul in this photo provided by Lee's office on Oct. 23, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
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■ (3rd LD) BOK holds key rate steady for 3rd time amid surging home prices, weaker won
SEOUL -- South Korea's central bank kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged Thursday to maintain financial stability amid a red-hot housing market and a weakening currency.
In a widely expected decision, the Monetary Policy Board of the Bank of Korea (BOK) held its key rate steady at 2.5 percent during its rate-setting meeting in Seoul.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251023002453320
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■ (LEAD) Vice land minister apologizes over controversial housing market remarks
SEOUL -- First Vice Land Minister Lee Sang-kyeong offered a public apology Thursday for his recent comments suggesting people should buy homes after the housing market stabilizes.
Lee had come under fire after appearing on a YouTube channel earlier this week, where he said, "When the market stabilizes and housing prices fall, that's when people can buy homes."
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251023003251320
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■ Relocation of presidential office caused lack of police presence during 2022 crowd crush tragedy
SEOUL -- The relocation of the presidential office by the previous Yoon Suk Yeol administration caused a lack of police presence that could have prevented the nation's deadliest crowd crush in 2022, a government audit concluded Thursday.
The tragic crowd crush that killed 159 people happened during Halloween festivities in a narrow alley of the nightlife neighborhood of Itaewon in Seoul's central ward of Yongsan on Oct. 29, 2022, amid a lack of effective crowd control measures.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251023006900315
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■ (LEAD) Seoul shares snap 6-day winning streak on profit-taking
SEOUL -- South Korean stocks closed lower Thursday, ending a six-day record-setting rally, as investors sought to cash in recent gains amid renewed concerns over global trade tensions. The Korean won fell against the U.S. dollar.
After a choppy session, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) decreased 38.12 points, or 0.98 percent, to close at 3,845.56.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251023009051320
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