Yonhap News Summary

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

■ KOSPI crosses over historic milestone of 9,000 on chip rally

SEOUL -- Seoul stocks crossed over another round-number milestone on Thursday, topping the 9,000-point mark, buoyed by semiconductors and other tech heavyweights.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) opened higher and breached the new landmark, reaching 9,000.68 as of 12:52 p.m., up 1.54 percent.

The dealing room in Hana Bank in Seoul, on June 18, 2026. (Yonhap)

■ Rival parties set to kick off parliamentary probe into election ballot shortage

SEOUL -- The National Assembly was set to launch a parliamentary probe Thursday into an unprecedented shortage of ballots reported during the recent local elections.

The ruling Democratic Party (DP) and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) earlier agreed to seek parliamentary approval for the investigation plan and the appointment of members to a special committee that will oversee the probe.

This photo shows a parliamentary plenary session at the National Assembly in Seoul on June 11, 2026. (Yonhap)

■ (LEAD) S. Korea remains unchanged on stance regarding N. Korea as enemy: defense ministry

SEOUL -- The defense ministry on Thursday reaffirmed its position characterizing North Korea as South Korea's enemy, dismissing a news report that the government may drop the language from its upcoming defense white paper.

The Chosun Ilbo newspaper ran a report suggesting the defense ministry is considering removing the phrase from the 2026 defense white paper, due to be released later this year, given the Lee Jae Myung government's rapprochement policy toward Pyongyang.

■ Senate confirms Michelle Steel as U.S. ambassador to S. Korea

WASHINGTON -- The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Michelle Steel, a former two-term Korean American congresswoman, as the United States' ambassador to South Korea.

The upper chamber approved Steel in a 55-39 vote, clearing the way for her to take the ambassadorial post as Seoul and Washington face a series of joint tasks, including "modernizing" their alliance and implementing bilateral security and trade agreements.

■ (LEAD) S. Korea to apply zero tariffs on LNG, LPG under quota scheme to tackle inflation

SEJONG -- South Korea plans to apply zero tariff rates on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) within quotas in the second half of 2026 as the country seeks to tame inflation amid lingering global energy price volatility, the finance ministry said Thursday.

The Ministry of Financ