[Morning Briefing] Trump Agrees to Ukraine Ceasefire Talks… New York Stock Exchange Falls on Inflation Rise

◆Trump Agrees to Start Ceasefire Talks with Putin and Zelensky

U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to start ceasefire talks immediately during a call with President Putin on the morning of the 12th local time. In a subsequent call with President Zelensky, he also drew out a statement from President Zelensky expressing a desire for peace. President Trump announced the call with President Putin on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating, "We agreed that we want to stop the millions of deaths caused by the war." He also shared the fact of his call with President Zelensky on Truth Social.

◆New York Stock Exchange Falls on Unexpected Inflation Rise

Overnight, the New York Stock Exchange fell on the 12th local time as the U.S. consumer price inflation rate unexpectedly rose in January. On this day, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 44,368.56, down -0.50% from the previous session. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index closed at 6,051.97, down -0.27% from the previous session. The tech-heavy Nasdaq index closed flat at 19,649.95, up 0.03% from the previous session. With inflation concerns rising due to the unexpected inflation figures, bond yields rose, and the stock market faced downward pressure. The U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) for January, released earlier that day, rose 3.0% year-on-year, the highest in seven months since June last year.

◆Constitutional Court's Impeachment Trial of Yoon: Focus on Whether Arguments Will Conclude

The scheduled final arguments in the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk-yeol are set to take place on the 13th. The Constitutional Court will hold the 8th hearing at 10 a.m. on the 12th in the main courtroom, conducting witness examinations of Jo Tae-yong, Director of the National Intelligence Service, Kim Bong-sik, former Seoul Police Chief, and Cho Sung-hyun, Commander of the 1st Guard Battalion of the Capital Defense Command. The court has not yet scheduled additional dates beyond the 8th hearing, drawing attention to whether the arguments will conclude on this day. There has been no statement regarding the adoption of additional witnesses or evidence investigation. However, considering the need for additional procedures such as statements of opinion from both sides, the court may designate 1-2 additional dates after discussions.

◆Supporters Gather Ahead of Yoon's Impeachment Trial 8th Hearing

Tensions are rising as a large-scale rally of President Yoon Suk-yeol's supporters is announced near the Constitutional Court on the 13th, where the 8th hearing of the impeachment trial will be held. The Freedom Unification Party and the Korea Straightening Movement Headquarters will hold an anti-impeachment rally in front of Exit 5 of Anguk Station on Seoul Subway Line 3 from noon. At 6 p.m., the 'National Defense Corps' support group for President Yoon plans to hold a launch ceremony at Gwanghwamun Cheonggye Plaza. Korean history 'star lecturer' Jeon Han-gil, who voices opposition to impeachment, is also expected to attend. Pro-impeachment rallies are also scheduled to take place in various locations. 'Peace Sovereignty Action Beyond Peace' will hold a rally calling for President Yoon's removal from 10 a.m. at Exit 6 of Anguk Station, and Candlelight Action will hold a rally in front of Songhyeon Park.

Choi Soo-jin Hankyung.com reporter naive@hankyung.com