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The following is the first summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Thursday.
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■ (2nd LD) Trump says Iran deal possible before China trip; U.S., Iran work on memo to end war
WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump raised the possibility Wednesday that a peace agreement with Iran could be reached before his trip to China next week, as Washington and Tehran are reportedly working on a one-page memorandum to end their war and set a framework for detailed nuclear negotiations.
Trump said in a phone interview with PBS News that the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran has a "very good chance of ending," as he is preparing for a high-stakes summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping set to take place in Beijing on May 14 and 15.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260506014152315?section=national/diplomacy
This photo, released by Reuters, shows U.S. President Donald Trump speaking during an event to sign a memorandum in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on May 5, 2026. (Yonhap)
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■ Appeals court reduces sentence for ex-PM Han to 15 yrs in insurrection trial
SEOUL -- An appeals court on Thursday reduced former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's sentence from 23 years to 15 years in prison over his role in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief imposition of martial law.
The Seoul High Court handed down the sentence after finding Han guilty of playing a key role in an insurrection by aiding and abetting Yoon's declaration of martial law in December 2024.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260507004900315?section=national/national
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■ Gov't to extend ban on petroleum hoarding for another 2 months amid prolonged Middle East conflict
SEOUL -- The government will extend its ban on hoarding petroleum products for another two months amid continued supply concerns stemming from the standoff in the Middle East, Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said Thursday.
In March, the government announced a temporary ban on the hoarding and stockpiling of petroleum products to prevent unfair practices. The measure was originally set to expire next Tuesday.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260507003300320?section=economy-finance/economy
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■ Seoul retains 'peaceful coexistence' policy despite change in N. Korean constitution
SEOUL -- South Korea will continue to pursue its "peaceful coexistence" policy aimed at establishing peace with North Korea despite Pyongyang's recent constitutional revision viewed to be aimed at distancing itself from the South, the presidential office said Thursday.
"The government will conduct a comprehensive review of details related to North Korea's constitutional revision," Cheong Wa Dae said.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260507002900315?section=national/politics
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■ (LEAD) Seoul shares open at fresh high on hopes for U.S.-Iran peace deal, extended chip rally
SEOUL -- South Korean stocks opened at a fresh record high Thursday after a more than 6 percent rally the previous session, driven by simmering signs of a peace deal between the United States and Iran, and an extended advance in chipmakers.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 53.34 points, or 0.72 percent, to 7,437.9 as of 9:15 a.m.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260507001551320?section=economy-finance/economy
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■ S. Korea, Japan to hold first vice ministerial-level '2+2' security talks
SEOUL -- South Korea and Japan were to hold their first "two-plus-two" vice-ministerial talks between their foreign and defense ministries in Seoul on Thursday to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation on a range of security issues of mutual interest, Seoul's foreign ministry said.
The security consultations between the two countries' foreign and defense authorities had previously been held at the director-general level but have been upgraded to the vice-ministerial level for the first time this year.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260507002000315?section=national/diplomacy
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■ (LEAD) N. Korea not bound by NPT under any circumstances: U.N. envoy
SEOUL -- North Korea is not bound under any circumstances by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), its representative to the United Nations said in a statement released Thursday, calling any attempt to force Pyongyang to fulfill treaty obligations a "wanton violation" of international law.
In the statement, dated May 6 and carried by the North's official Korean Central News Agency, Kim Song, Pyongyang's permanent representative to the U.N., claimed his country's nuclear program reflects its "obligations under the law on nuclear forces policy and the constitution, which enshrined the country's legal status as a nuclear-armed state."
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260507000851315?section=nk/nk
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