Yonhap News Summary

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

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■ (Yonhap Interview) NATO chief says S. Korea's potential arms support for Ukraine fundamentally different from N.K. arms supply to Russia

BRUSSELS/SEOUL -- South Korea's potential arms support for Ukraine should not be viewed on the same footing as North Korea's suspected delivery of munitions to Russia, given the illegal nature of Russia's invasion, the chief of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has said.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also said that NATO would welcome "any major support" from South Korea to help Ukraine in the fight against Russia, pointing out that issues like North Korean threats and the war in Ukraine show that ensuring security is not bound by region.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20240628003700315?section=national/diplomacy

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■ Air Force to launch Space Operations Group

SEOUL -- The military will expand a squadron-level unit for space operations into the Space Operations Group, the Air Force said Friday, in an effort to raise its operational efficiency in the crucial security domain.

A ceremony marking the launch of the group-level unit will take place at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, 60 kilometers south of Seoul, later in the day, according to the Air Force. The Space Operations Group is slated to officially launch Sunday.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20240628003500315?section=search

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■ (2nd LD) Industrial output falls 0.7 pct in May

SEOUL -- South Korea's industrial output fell in May from a month earlier, as losses in the automobile sector offset gains in the semiconductor segment, with retail sales and facility investment losing ground as well, data showed Friday.

Industrial output fell 0.7 percent on-month in May, compared with a 1.2 percent increase a month earlier, according to data compiled by Statistics Korea.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20240628001452320?section=search

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■ Moon-shaped balloon ride to launch in Seoul next week

SEOUL -- The Moon of Seoul, a full moon-shaped tethered balloon ride, will begin operations in the capital's Yeouido district next week, taking passengers up to 150 meters above the ground in vertical round trips, the Seoul city government said Friday.

The launch ceremony for the helium balloon ride is scheduled for 7 p.m. on July 7, the government said. The ride will be test-operated until Aug. 22 before changing to a paid service the following day, it added.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20240628004200315?section=search

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■ BTS' Jimin to release new song ahead of 2nd solo album

SEOUL -- Jimin of K-pop superband BTS will debut a new song ahead of his second solo album "Muse," set to drop next month, the group's label said Friday.

The song, "Smeraldo Garden Marching Band," featuring Loco, will be released at 1 p.m., BigHit Music said. It blends hip-hop with big band elements, creating a retro-inspired sound reminiscent of a lively marching band.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20240628002600315?section=search

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■ (Yonhap Interview) 'Just trying to do my job': Twins pitcher Enns stays locked in after rough patch

SEOUL -- Over the first two months of his first season in South Korea, left-handed pitcher Dietrich Enns went from winning his Opening Day start for the defending champions LG Twins to having his manager declaring that his job was in jeopardy.

Along the way, though, the 33-year-old American has been trying to block out distractions and focus on his own performance.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20240628002800315?section=search

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■ (2nd LD) Senior U.S. Army official stresses military maintenance, logistics cooperation with S. Korea

WASHINGTON -- A senior U.S. Army official on Thursday highlighted the importance of military maintenance and logistics cooperation with South Korea, calling it a "win-win" effort that will help ensure deterrence.

Speaking at a forum, Douglas Bush, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics, and technology, asserted the need for more attention to the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) aspect, an area eclipsed by publicized programs to buy or develop flashy weapons systems.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20240628000252315?section=search
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