Yonhap News Summary

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

■ (LEAD) Gov't to ease civilian-restricted inter-Korean border boundaries for wider public access

SEOUL -- The defense ministry on Wednesday rolled out a plan to ease the boundaries of the military-controlled buffer zone along the inter-Korean border to allow wider civilian access and spur regional growth.

The Civilian Control Line (CCL), a buffer zone that lies within 10 kilometers south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) that runs through the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas, will be reduced to an average of 6 km in distance, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said in a briefing.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260617002851315?section=national/defense

This undated file photo shows the Imjin River Rail Bridge along the Civilian Control Line in Paju, north of Seoul. (Yonhap)

SEOUL -- South Korean stocks gained ground late Wednesday morning, but major tech companies continued to trade lower following a tech slide in the U.S. market overnight.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) inched up 11.31 points, or 0.13 percent, to 8,737.91, as of 11:20 a.m.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260617004700320?section=economy-finance/finance

■ (News Focus) K-beauty's 2nd boom: How indie brands, manufacturing powerhouses are rewriting the industry

SEOUL -- South Korea's cosmetics industry is in the midst of a second global boom, powered not by legal conglomerates but by fast-moving indie brands, sophisticated manufacturers and the growing influence of social media.

Once dominated by legacy giants such as Amorepacific Co. and LG Household & Healthcare Co. (H&H) and driven by demand in China, the K-beauty industry is now expanding its foothold in the United States and Europe on the back of a new generation of players.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260617003000320?section=economy-finance/economy

■ (3rd LD) Lee attends G7 summit in Evian, has brief encounter with Trump

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France -- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung attended the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, on Tuesday and had a brief encounter with U.S. President Donald Trump during a photo session.

Emmanuel Macron, president of host France, welcomed Lee to the summit venue. The South Korean president responded, "I am so happy," after Macron asked, "How are you?"

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260616000353315?section=national/politics

■ Police to investigate woman over solo blockade of vote counting center entry

SEOUL -- Police plan to investiga