Yonhap News Summary

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

■ Rival parties clash as confirmation hearings begin for Cabinet nominees

SEOUL -- The National Assembly began confirmation hearings for three Cabinet posts Tuesday, with rival parties locking horns over illegal lobbying allegations involving the justice minister nominee.

At the center of attention is the hearing for Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won, who has come under fire over allegations that he illegally lobbied the food and drug safety ministry in 2021 to help win approval for a COVID-19 treatment.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260915004100315?section=national/politics

■ Seoul's city bus union sets 9 p.m. Tuesday deadline for strike

SEOUL -- Seoul's unionized city bus workers said Tuesday that they will continue negotiations only until 9 p.m. and launch a general strike the following morning if the talks fail.

Unionized city bus workers and bus companies have been locked in a dispute over how to calculate the hourly wage rate after including regular bonuses in ordinary wages.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260915008200315?section=national/national

■ (LEAD) Lee to hold press conference Friday to state 'clear position on key issues'

SEOUL -- President Lee Jae Myung will hold a press conference at Cheong Wa Dae later this week to state his "clear position on key issues," and underscore his commitment to reform and putting people's livelihoods first, a presidential official said Tuesday.

The presser will run for 90 minutes from 10 a.m. Friday and be divided into two parts -- politics and foreign affairs, and policy and the economy -- with some 150 local and foreign journalists in attendance, Seong Ghi-hong, senior presidential secretary for public relations and communication, told reporters.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260915007751315?section=national/politics

■ S. Korea, Central Asia seek new path beyond Silk Road, deepen ties in AI, critical minerals: FM

SEOUL -- Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on Tuesday called for deeper cooperation with Central Asia, highlighting the potential to build a stronger partnership in strategic resources, supply chains, artificial intelligence (AI) and other future-oriented fields.

Cho made the call in a contribution to Yonhap News Agency ahead of the first Korea-Central Asia summit set for Wednesday, where leaders from South Korea and the five Central Asian countries -- Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan -- will discuss ways to enhance partnership for shared prosperity.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260915003800315?section=national/diplomacy

■ (Asiad) Accommodation shortages raise concerns ahead of Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games

NAGOYA, Japan -- Complaints about a shortage of accommodations for the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games have been growing just four days before the opening, a sports official said Tuesday.

As part of their cost-cutting and eco-friendly policies, organizers of the Asian Games did not build a dedicated athletes' village for this year's competition, instead providing accommodations on a cruise ship and in temporary container units, as well as hotels, for about 15,000 athletes and officials from 45 nations.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260915004000320?section=sports/index

■ (2nd LD) Stocks extend losing streak to 4th session on external uncertainties

SEOUL -- Seoul stocks closed lower for the fourth consecutive session Tuesday, as investors digest macro uncertainties, and the latest calls from artificial intelligence (AI) leaders that the industry should slow down the pace of development. The Korean won slid against the U.S. dollar.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 57.11 points, or 0.85 percent, to 6,627.26.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260915006252320?section=search
(END)