The following is the first summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Tuesday.
-----------------
■ (LEAD) Kakao founder arrested over alleged stock manipulation
SEOUL -- The founder of South Korean tech giant Kakao Corp. was arrested Tuesday on charges of stock price manipulation related to the firm's takeover of K-pop powerhouse SM Entertainment last year, prosecutors said.
The Seoul Southern District Court issued an arrest warrant for Kim Beom-su after holding a hearing, which came weeks after prosecutors questioned the tycoon about his alleged involvement in the manipulation of SM shares.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20240722002253315?section=national/national
Kim Beom-su (C), the founder of Kakao Corp., heads toward a courtroom for a hearing at the Seoul Southern District Court in the capital on July 22, 2024. (Yonhap)
------------------
■ N. Korea holds crisis meeting to discuss minimizing agricultural damage from natural disasters
SEOUL -- North Korea has held a crisis response meeting to discuss measures to minimize damage that natural disasters could cause to crops and other agricultural products, state media reported Tuesday.
The meeting, which took place virtually Monday, also discussed progress in natural disaster prevention projects for the first half of the year, such as recovery efforts from heavy downpours and droughts to prevent damage to farming, according to the Korean Central News Agency.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20240723000600315?section=nk/nk
------------------
■ (LEAD) Kim may try to reignite 'bromance' with Trump if he returns to White House: ex-Trump official
WASHINGTON -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may try to rekindle his "bromance" with former President Donald Trump if he returns to the White House, a former U.S. official said Monday, predicting Kim could propose a deal to limit his regime's nuclear program in return for American troops' pullout from South Korea.
H.R. McMaster, who served as national security advisor for Trump from 2017-2018, made the remarks amid speculation that the GOP presidential nominee, if reelected, could seek direct diplomacy with Kim in pursuit of a peace deal.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20240723000351315?section=nk/nk
------------------
■ Retrial decision finalized for composer Yun Isang's 1968 conviction for pro-N. Korea activities
SEOUL -- The Supreme Court has finalized a decision to retry the 1968 conviction of the late composer Yun Isang for pro-North Korea activities, sources said Tuesday.
The decision is expected to expedite the retrial for the high-profile composer, who was accused of spying and pro-North Korean activities as part of the far-reaching espionage accusations made by the then Park Chung-hee government in 1967 against about 200 Korean artists, residents and students based in Europe.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20240723002600315?section=national/national
------------------
■ Jamsu Bridge closed due to rising river levels
SEOUL -- Jamsu Bridge over the Han River and sections of the Olympic Expressway across southern Seoul were closed Tuesday due to rising river levels caused by heavy rain, city officials said.
Torrential rain of up to 30 millimeters per hour, beginning early Tuesday morning, increased water discharge from the Paldang Dam on the eastern upstream side of the Han River, according to the officials.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20240723003700315?section=national/national
(END)
