1. The KOSPI plummeted by more than 6%, breaking below the 6,000 mark intraday for the first time in about two months. Following a sharp decline the previous day (October 12), the index fell below 6,000 for the first time in two and a half months since July 31. Assessments indicate that "Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix dragged down the index by plunging 8% to 9%." This is analyzed to have been influenced by semiconductor stocks tumbling sharply in the U.S. stock market last night, driven by burdens such as technological catch-up by Chinese memory manufacturers and big tech companies expanding their own AI chip production. Analysts also note that geopolitical instability in the Middle East, such as the Houthi rebels' attack on Saudi Arabia, dampened investor sentiment.
2. Regarding Lim Eun-jung, head of the Gwangju Serious Crimes Investigation Office, who became subject to an inspection after publicly opposing the appointment of Kim Ji-yong as the head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, nominee Kim Ji-yong stated, "Publicly criticizing the personnel decisions of investigative executives is an inappropriate act that undermines organizational discipline." Nominee Kim made these remarks in written answers submitted to the National Assembly ahead of his confirmation hearing tomorrow, adding that he would come up with effective measures. At the same time, nominee Kim added that if appointed as the head of the agency, he would unite with Gwangju Office Head Lim Eun-jung for the success of the agency. Nominee Kim's confirmation hearing begins tomorrow morning.
3. U.S. President Donald Trump said that he could meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during the APEC summit to be held in Shenzhen, China, in the middle of next month. Responding to a reporter's question at the White House about whether he has plans to meet leader Kim during his trip to Asia, President Trump said that it could happen. In typical Trump fashion, he repeated previous remarks, saying, "That would be very exciting. I've gotten along well with him." President Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to meet leader Kim Jong-un within this year.
4. In another development, test-takers were caught cheating one after another by wearing smart glasses equipped with artificial intelligence features during regular college admission essay exams. Yonsei University announced that it caught a test-taker wearing smart glasses during the natural sciences integrated mathematics essay exam on October 10 and is reviewing follow-up measures. It was found that the caught test-taker wore regular glasses during the proctor's check, but switched to smart glasses equipped with a camera and battery after the exam started. On October 3, a test-taker wearing smart glasses was also caught at the University of Seoul's natural science essay exam site and was expelled from the room.
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