1.The benchmark KOSPI on Wednesday plunged 2-point-64 percent to close at 2-thousand-417-point-08, with the market cap falling below 2,000 trillion won.

2.The United States confirmed Tuesday that North Korean troops, who have been deployed to Russia's western front-line Kursk region, have begun engaging in combat operations against Ukrainian forces.

3.South Korea's government said Tuesday all aircraft takeoffs and landings across the nation will be temporarily prohibited to keep noise down during this year's annual College Scholastic Ability Test held on Thursday. South Korean banks will also begin operations an hour later than usual.