The following is the first summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Wednesday.
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■ S. Korea's per capita household net assets up 9 pct in 2025: BOK
SEOUL -- South Korea's per capita household net assets rose more than 9 percent from a year earlier in 2025 on higher housing and securities prices, the central bank data showed Wednesday.
The average value of net assets held by households per capita stood at 274.7 million won (US$185,600) last year, up 9.1 percent from the previous year, according to the national balance sheet from the Bank of Korea (BOK).
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260722004900320?section\=national/national
This photo, taken July 19, 2026, shows apartment complexes in Seoul. (Yonhap)
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■ Seoul calls for 'no unfair infringement' under new U.S. student visa policy
SEOUL -- South Korea has called for cooperation from the U.S. government to ensure that new restrictions on the stay periods of international students and foreign journalists do not undermine people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, the foreign ministry said Tuesday.
Deputy Foreign Minister Park Jong-han met with Jason Evans, under secretary for management at the U.S. Department of State, in Seoul to discuss a range of bilateral cooperation issues, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260721010000320?section\=national/politics
In this photo taken July 21, 2026, Deputy Foreign Minister Park Jong-han (L) speaks with Jason Evans, under secretary for management at the U.S. Department of State, during a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul. (Yonhap)
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■ U.S. to extend N. Korea travel ban until Aug. next year: State Dept.
WASHINGTON -- The United States will extend its ban on its citizens' travel to North Korea for another year, a State Department notice showed Tuesday, citing "serious" risks associated with travel to the reclusive state.
The department posted the notice on the Federal Register on Monday, announcing the decision on the extension, which will make the restriction valid from Sept. 1 this year to Aug. 31 next year, as the current measure is set to expire on Aug. 31.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260721010300315?section\=national/diplomacy
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■ S. Korea, ASEAN to seek stronger cooperation amid Middle East crisis, advance partnership vision
MANILA -- South Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) were set to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation Wednesday amid the Middle East conflict while advancing the implementation of their comprehensive strategic partnership vision, officials said.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun will co-chair the Korea-ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting with his Thai counterpart later in the day in Manila, where a series of ASEAN-related ministerial meetings will take place through Thursday.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260722002900315?section\=national/diplomacy
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■ Seoul stocks extend gains late Wed. morning on tech buying
SEOUL -- Seoul stocks were trading higher late Wednesday morning, as foreign investors snapped up tech heavyweights.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 373.89 points, or 5.54 percent, to 7,121.84 as of 11:20 a.m.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260722004600320?section\=economy-finance/finance
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