Yonhap News Summary

The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Thursday.

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(3rd LD) Samsung heir questioned as bribery suspect in influence-peddling scandal

SEOUL -- Samsung's heir apparent was questioned by investigators as a bribery suspect Thursday as special investigators in Seoul accelerated their probe into the influence-peddling scandal centered on President Park Geun-hye and her friend.

Lee Jae-yong, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics Co., appeared before the investigation team's office in southern Seoul to undergo questioning over suspicions the country's largest business group gave undue financial support to Park's friend Choi Soon-sil in return for business favors.

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(Yonhap Interview) Artist Kim Jung-gi takes live drawing to whole different level

SEOUL -- Kim Jung-gi doesn't follow an expected order when he draws. Sometimes he starts from the neck, or even a little toe, to flesh out a person. In his large-scale drawings, however, all the subjects, drawn without a sketch, are perfectly balanced and positioned to make a complete narrative.

A live drawing show, which is what the 42-year-old artist has widely known for in and out of the country, would leave viewers in total awe or disbelief. Images flow out of his hand, and it's as if he is just tracing invisible underdrawings.

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(LEAD) S. Korean shares climb high on foreign buying

SEOUL -- South Korean shares continued to advance on large cap gains and foreign buying to reach a new high in over 18 months Thursday. The local currency also significantly gained ground against the U.S. dollar.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 11.97 points, or 0.58 percent, to 2,087.14, breaching the 2,080 mark for the first time since July 21, 2015, when the index stood at 2,083.62.

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(2nd LD) S. Korea approves Volkswagen's recall plan on faked emissions vehicles

SEOUL -- The South Korean government said Thursday it has approved German carmaker Volkswagen's recall measures for its sports utility vehicles that were found to have been sold in the country using fake emissions-related documentation.

The Ministry of Environment said the recall plan for 27,000 Tiguans submitted by the auto giant met the country's emissions and fuel efficiency standards.

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Parliament reports Samsung's heir-apparent for perjury

SEOUL -- South Korea's parliamentary committee looking into the alleged influence-peddling scandal centered on President Park Geun-hye and her close friend on Thursday reported Samsung Group's heir-apparent Lee Jae-yong for perjury.

The decision came as the independent counsel investigating the case requested the committee to file the complaint, as it has found "evidence" showing Lee delivered false testimony during a parliamentary hearing held last month.

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(LEAD) S. Korean shares climb high on foreign buying

SEOUL -- South Korean shares continued to advance on large cap gains and foreign buying to reach a new high in over 18 months Thursday. The local currency also significantly gained ground against the U.S. dollar.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 11.97 points, or 0.58 percent, to 2,087.14, breaching the 2,080 mark for the first time since July 21, 2015, when the index stood at 2,083.62.

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