1. President Yoon Suk Yeol said Monday in a New Year's Day address that South Korea and the U.S. will complete a strengthened "extended deterrence" regime in the first half of 2024 to seal off North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.

2. The Korean Central News Agency reported Monday that North Korea began discussions on dismantling agencies in charge of inter-Korean relations after leader Kim Jong-un said there is no point in seeking reconciliation and unification with South Korea.

3. According to data released by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Monday, South Korea's exports decreased 7.4 percent on-year in 2023 amid sluggish performance of chips coupled with global economic uncertainties.