1. During his Memorial Day speech, President Yoon Suk Yeol said Thursday South Korea will not sit idle against North Korea's "despicable" provocations and vowed to protect people through robust military readiness and a strong alliance with the United States.

2. A North Korean defectors' group said Thursday it has sent about 10 large plastic balloons carrying 200-thousand flyers criticizing the North Korean regime, dollar bills, and USB sticks loaded with K-pop and trot music, across the border.

3. During a meeting with leading international news agencies, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday he highly appreciates South Korea's position not to directly supply weapons to Ukraine, and that Moscow is ready to restore relations with Seoul.