Yonhap News Summary

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

■ Ruling party decides to seek parliamentary probe into Supreme Court chief amid impeachment calls

SEOUL -- The ruling Democratic Party (DP) said Tuesday it has decided to seek a parliamentary investigation into Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, with some hardliners calling for his impeachment over allegations of political interference.

During a general meeting of its lawmakers, the DP agreed to push for the probe, aiming to pass a related motion at a parliamentary plenary session scheduled for Thursday next week, DP floor spokesperson Jeon Eun-su told reporters.

■ (LEAD) Top court holds hearing on new arrest warrant for jailed ex-first lady

SEOUL -- The Supreme Court convened a hearing Tuesday to decide whether to issue a new arrest warrant for jailed former first lady Kim Keon Hee to continue to keep her in custody.

The hearing took place at the top court after special counsel Min Joong-ki's team requested the warrant for Kim, the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

■ (2nd LD) Seoul shares surge 3 pct on renewed AI optimism, easing oil prices

SEOUL -- Seoul shares closed higher Tuesday, led by gains in technology shares, as renewed optimism over artificial intelligence (AI) and falling oil prices boosted risk appetite. The Korean won weakened against the U.S. dollar.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 168.87 points, or 3.09 percent, to close at 5,638.34.

■ Defense ministry says Kang's 'U.S. trust' remarks meant to counter lawmaker's OPCON transfer doubts

SEOUL -- Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul's recent remarks on U.S. trust were intended to counter a lawmaker's doubts over Seoul's push to retake wartime operational control (OPCON) from Washington, not to question the ally's credibility, the defense ministry said Tuesday.

Kang drew media attention Monday when he pushed back against an opposition lawmaker skeptical of Seoul's push for the OPCON transition, citing an uncertain global security landscape, where even a military superpower, like the United States, faces challenges in the ongoing conflict with Iran.

■ Fire breaks out at shanty town in southern Seoul; no injuries reported

SEOUL -- A fire broke out at a shanty town in Seoul's posh southern district of Gangnam on Tuesday, with no injuries reported, officials said.

The fire broke out at about 3:50 p.m. at Guryong Village, according to fire authorities.