Various news headlines: investigation of candidate Kim Seung-won, controversy over candidate Yong Hye-in's concurrent position, surge in exports, Houthi-Saudi tensions, Nepal flood recovery, rising U.S. Treasury yields, exchange rate fluctuations, DPAA exhumation of North Korean remains, reduction of national budget deficit, Everland's panda names revealed

■ Police begin investigation into Kim Seung-won's 'suspicion of solicitation of new drugs'... First accuser investigation

Starting with the investigation of the accuser on the 11th, the police began a full-fledged investigation into Justice Minister candidate Kim Seung-won's 'suspicion of soliciting approval for clinical trials of new drugs.' Seoul Yeongdeungpo Police Station will summon former Seoul City Council member Lee Jong-bae, who previously accused candidate Kim of violation of the Anti-Graft Act, dereliction of duty, and abuse of power, at around 10:30 a.m. on this day to investigate. This is the first time that an investigation into those involved in the suspicions surrounding Candidate Kim has been conducted.

View full text: https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20260911046500004

■ Yong Hye-in, “I am listening carefully” to the ongoing controversy over concurrent employment.

Yong Hye-in, a candidate for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, said on the 11th that she is "listening heavily" to the ongoing criticism over the issue of holding the position of proportional representative member of the Basic Income Party and the position of minister. Candidate Yong went to work at the personnel hearing preparation office set up at the Korea Youth Activity Promotion Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul at around 8:40 a.m. on this day and responded to the reporter's point that "even though concurrent positions are a principle permitted by law, that does not mean they are illegal." Candidate Yong said, "I know very well that there are many opinions about my political decision," but added, "What I am asking is that the facts be dealt with fairly in terms of policy and the 'family party' and 'ghost office' raised by the People Power Party."

View full text: https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20260911035700530

■ Exports also soared in early September… Semiconductors surge by 270% in one year

Exports in early September surged by more than 80% compared to a year ago, reaching an all-time high during the same period. While exports of semiconductors increased by more than 270%, major items such as petroleum products, passenger cars, ships, and steel products also performed well, boosting overall export performance. According to the Korea Customs Service on the 11th, the export amount from the 1st to the 10th of this month (provisional value based on customs clearance) was $34.97 billion, an 82.6% increase from a year ago. As of the 1st to 10th, it was the highest ever, surpassing the previous record ($30 billion in July) in two months.

View full text: https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20260911031851002

■ Even the Red Sea will be blocked by the Houthi advance... U.S. dispatches hundreds of military advisors to Saudi Arabia

CNN reported on the 10th (local time) that the United States is significantly expanding intelligence and military support to Saudi Arabia, which is on the brink of all-out war with Yemen's pro-Iranian rebels, the Houthis. According to multiple sources, a U.S. military advisory group of 100 to 200 people is currently staying in Saudi Arabia and supporting the Saudi military. It is reported that they have been deployed to the newly established Joint Military Command in Saudi Arabia in recent weeks as circumstances have been detected in which Iran is strengthening its support for the Houthis.

View full text: https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20260911032600009

■ [Nepal Flood Report] Both sides of the river that had been cut off were reopened... First temporary bridge built in 15 days

The Trishuli River, where almost all bridges were lost due to the great floods in Nepal. On the 10th (local time), when the bridge across this river was rebuilt for the first time in a flood-affected area and traffic was resumed, local residents expressed expectations that relief and recovery will speed up as they will now be able to freely travel across the river. A temporary prefabricated steel bridge built by the Nepalese Army in the Devigat area of ​​Nuwakot, Bagmati Province, in the north-central region, was opened on this day.

View full text: https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20260911005400084

■ 10-year U.S. Treasury bond ‘psychological Maginot line’ falls below 5%

As the selling of U.S. Treasury bonds continues, the interest rate on 10-year Treasury bonds, which is considered the most important indicator in the market, is about to surpass 5% per year. Concerns have spread that if 5%, which is considered the 'psychological Maginot Line', is breached, the stock market and the overall economy could be dealt a blow. On the 10th (local time), the 10-year U.S. Treasury bond interest rate, a global interest rate benchmark, was 4.964%, up 12bp (1bp = 0.01% point) from the previous day.

View full text: https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20260911025500009

■ Concerns about US inflation… The won/dollar exchange rate is close to 1,350 won.

The won/dollar exchange rate approached 1,350 won on the morning of the 11th, as the possibility of an interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve increased due to concerns about U.S. inflation. On this day, the exchange rate of the Korean won against the U.S. dollar in the Seoul foreign exchange market was calculated to be 1,349.9 won at 8:53 am. It rose 10.7 won from the standard price (1339.2 won) at 3:30 pm on the previous trading day. The US producer price index (PPI) for August, which was announced the previous day, showed a high rate of increase, putting emphasis on the possibility of a Federal Reserve interest rate hike.

View full text: https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20260911041100002

■ U.S. DPAA “We are instructed to prepare to resume excavation of North Korean remains when conditions are established”

The U.S. Department of Defense POW and Missing Persons Accreditation Agency (DPAA) announced on the 10th (local time) that it is prepared to deploy personnel to North Korea to resume excavation work for the remains of U.S. soldiers in North Korea when conditions are favorable. In addition, he emphasized the need to not only return the remains of American soldiers held by North Korea, but also to resume excavation work directly on site. John Figueres, a senior operations officer at DPAA, held a briefing for reporters from the Asia-Pacific region, including Yonhap News, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, and said, "We have been instructed to prepare to go (to North Korea) when conditions are ripe."

View full text: https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20260911038000071

■ National budget deficit from January to July is 65 trillion won... Lowest in 5 years due to strong tax revenue

As of July this year, the national budget deficit was the smallest in five years thanks to strong tax revenues. According to the September issue of 'Monthly Financial Trends' published by the Ministry of Planning and Budget on the 11th, the cumulative total revenue from January to July was 456.1 trillion won, an increase of 71.1 trillion won compared to the same period last year. National tax revenue recorded 274 trillion won, an increase of 41.4 trillion won from a year ago, driving overall revenue.

View full text: https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20260911035800002

■ Everland’s ‘Bao Family’ youngest panda’s name is ‘Xu Bao’

The name of a female baby giant panda born at Everland in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province on June 3rd was decided to be 'Shu Bao (曙寶)'. Everland announced on the 11th that the name of the baby panda, who celebrated its 100th day old, was Shubao after a public contest. Everland explained that Shubao means ‘a treasure as bright as dawn’.

View full text: https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20260911034600061