Yonhap News Summary: UNC Role, AI Investment, Seoul Shares, Ex-First Lady Trial, Election Discrepancies, Box Office, BTS Tour

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

■ UNC deputy commander stresses command's multilateral role in S. Korea's defense

SEOUL -- The deputy commander of the U.S.-led United Nations Command (UNC) has highlighted the multilateral role of the 18-member coalition in defending South Korea, serving as a vital deterrence component that is "well understood" by North Korea.

Lt. Gen. Scott Winter made the remarks in a press conference Thursday, stressing that the UNC's commitment dating back more than seven decades has become more important than ever amid a complex security environment.

■ (LEAD) Lee urges earliest possible implementation of AI-related investment projects

SEOUL -- President Lee Jae Myung on Monday urged the government to make every effort, including through deregulation, to implement as soon as possible its large-scale investment initiative for artificial intelligence (AI)-related facilities.

The president made the renewed call at the second meeting he has presided over to assess the progress since his administration unveiled the "three megaprojects" in late June that outlined plans for large-scale investments in a semiconductor production cluster, physical AI and AI data centers in regional areas.

■ (2nd LD) Seoul shares end tad higher, snapping 2-day losing streak

SEOUL -- South Korean stocks ended modestly higher Monday, snapping a two-day losing streak, as investors bought major chip-related shares on bargain hunting after Wall Street extended its record-setting rally. The Korean won weakened against the U.S. dollar.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 40.89 points, or 0.65 percent, to close at 6,299.66 after choppy trading.

■ Ex-first lady acknowledges receiving luxury bag from PPP lawmaker's wife

SEOUL -- Former first lady Kim Keon Hee said Monday she recalled receiving a luxury clutch bag from a lawmaker's wife in 2023 but not in person.

Kim made the admission during the trial of main opposition People Power Party Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon and his wife, surnamed Lee, who are accused of gifting a Roger Vivier clutch bag to the then first lady in return for her support for the lawmaker's election as party chairman in March 2023.

■ (LEAD) Gaps found between final voter count, on-site tallies from local elections: data

SEOUL -- Discrepancies have been found between final voter figures and on-site tallies from the June 3 local elections, data acquired by a lawmaker showed Monday, amid a widening probe into irregularities surrounding the elections.

Such discrepancies were found in 1,971 neighborhoods out of the total 3,558 across the nation for the local elections, according to the National Election Commission (NEC) data submitted to Rep. Chung Choon-saeng of the minor Rebuilding Korea Party.

■ (LEAD) 'The Odyssey' debuts atop weekend box office

SEOUL -- Christopher Nolan's epic "The Odyssey" debuted atop the weekend box-office chart in South Korea, dethroning the latest Spider-Man film, "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," from the top spot, data showed Monday.

The Hollywood blockbuster added 1,333,437 admissions over the weekend, bringing its total admissions to 1,874,731 as of Sunday, according to the data released by the Korean Film Council, which compiles admissions from Friday through Sunday for its weekend chart.

■ From 'BTS Boulevard' to U.S. governor's praise: BTS sweeps N. America on 'Arirang' tour

SEOUL -- As its ongoing "Arirang" world tour sweeps across North America, South Korean boy group BTS is capturing more than just enthusiastic crowds -- It is inspiring local governments to roll out the red carpet with a series of high-profile official tributes.

Toronto City Council has recently approved a plan to temporarily co-name a stretch of Yonge Street in the city's North York district as "BTS Boulevard" from Aug. 21 to Sept. 23, ahead of the group's concerts there from Aug. 22-23. The council also plans to ask the city to proclaim the concert dates "BTS Weekend."