Yonhap News Summary: S. Korea-U.S.-Japan Drills, Seoul Stocks Surge, and Hormuz Security Talks

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

■ (2nd LD) S. Korea, U.S., Japan highlight firm 3-way security cooperation as joint drills kick off

YOKOTA AIR BASE/SEOUL -- South Korea, the United States and Japan began a five-day joint military exercise Monday, proceeding on schedule even as key Seoul-Washington drills were recently scaled back upon U.S. President Donald Trump's order.

The multidomain Freedom Edge exercise kicked off in international waters east and south of South Korea's southern island of Jeju, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a press release.

■ (LEAD) Seoul shares spike 4.6 pct to 5-week high on renewed AI optimism

SEOUL -- South Korean shares surged 4.6 percent to a more than five-week high Monday as OpenAI's new-generation model fueled demand for artificial intelligence (AI)-related shares. The Korean won rose against the U.S. dollar.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed up 308.18, or 4.61 percent, to 6,995.39, extending its winning streak to three sessions.

■ S. Korea says in talks with int'l community over Hormuz security, keeps Iran channel open

SEOUL -- South Korea is closely communicating with relevant countries and the international community to help ensure the free passage of all vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, the foreign ministry said Monday.

The statement came after Iranian academic Mohammad Marandi warned that Tehran could regard Seoul as an enemy and target South Korean assets in the region if Seoul joins a U.S.-led effort to secure navigation through the strait, according to the London-based Middle East news website Middle East Eye.

■ 1st meeting of global cosmetics regulation platform launches in Seoul

SEOUL -- South Korea's drug ministry said Monday it has held the first meeting of a newly created platform connecting the heads of global regulatory agencies for cosmetics.

The first meeting of the Global Cosmetic Regulatory Authority Summit, or GCORAS, kicked off in central Seoul for its three-day run until Wednesday, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said.

■ (2nd LD) Justice minister nominee denies illegal COVID-19 treatment lobbying allegations

SEOUL -- Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won on Monday denied allegations of illegal lobbying for a COVID-19 treatment in 2021, while acknowledging he should have been more careful in his request over the medication at the time.

Kim, a two-term lawmaker, has faced accusations of unlawful solicitation for allegedly asking the then food and drug safety minister to speed up the treatment's clinical trial approval at a broker's request.