1. During the second trial held at the Gwangju District Court today (July 13), the attorney for the defendant, Jang, stated that they had sufficient consultation with the defendant since the previous hearing and agreed to acknowledge that the crimes, including rape, were committed with sexual intent. When the presiding judge asked Jang directly, "Do you personally agree to this?" Jang replied, "Yes." This marks the first time Jang has admitted that the motive for the crime was sexual in nature, following the incident on May 5 and the subsequent police and prosecution investigations leading up to today's second trial.

2. Investors likely had a nerve-wracking day today. The KOSPI fell by approximately 8% due to a sharp decline in semiconductor stocks, dropping below the 7,000-point mark for the first time in about two months. The KOSPI started at the 7,400-point level but plummeted throughout the morning, expanding its losses to 8%. The 7,000-point threshold was breached during the day today. In particular, SK Hynix shares fell by more than 13%, with the price per share dropping below 1.9 million won.

3. Homeplus, for which corporate rehabilitation procedures have been terminated, suspended operations at its large hypermarket stores nationwide starting today. Having run out of operating funds, the company could no longer maintain essential personnel for security and cleaning, ultimately leading to a temporary shutdown. This temporary closure affects 68 currently operating hypermarkets, effectively covering all locations excluding the 37 stores that had already closed.

4. The police investigation into students from Baejae High School who shouted cheers mocking the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement during a game is expected to conclude with a decision not to refer the case to the prosecution. Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Park Jeong-mo stated during a regular press conference this morning that regarding the investigation into the insult charges against the Baejae High School baseball team members, the victim, Gwangju Jeil High School, has expressed its intention not to seek punishment. He explained that since insult is a crime that cannot be prosecuted without the victim's desire for punishment, the case is likely to be settled in that manner. Once the victim submits a withdrawal of the complaint, the police will close the case without referring it to the prosecution, citing a lack of right to prosecute.