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USFK chief's DMZ remarks spark sovereignty row
SEOUL, October 18 (AJP) - South Korea's defense ministry on Sunday distanced itself from U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson's remarks that South Korea begins at the southern edge of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), calling them his personal views as the United Nations Command (UNC) sought to clarify its position. Brunson made the remarks Wednesday at a forum hosted by the Gold Institute for Inter
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South Korea's pension fund sees $128B drop in stock holdings' value
SEOUL, October 18 (AJP) - The estimated value of South Korea's National Pension Service (NPS) stock holdings fell by 182.4 trillion won ($128 billion) in just over three months, driven largely by sharp declines in Samsung Electronics and SK hynix shares, industry data showed Sunday. According to financial data provider FnGuide, the combined market value of the NPS's stakes in 287 listed companies, in
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Hyundai Motor to deploy humanoid robots at new factories after 2032
SEOUL, October 18 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group plans to deploy humanoid robots at new manufacturing plants after 2032 as part of a broader push to automate vehicle production using artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. The automaker outlined its plans ahead of E-FOREST Tech Day 2026, scheduled for Oct. 19–21 at Hyundai Motor and Kia's Uiwang Research Institute in Gyeonggi Province. The event will sho
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Solidigm's US IPO push raises concerns over double listing
SEOUL, October 18 (AJP) - Solidigm, a U.S.-based subsidiary of SK hynix, is reportedly accelerating preparations for a potential U.S. stock market listing, raising concerns in South Korea over shareholder dilution and the impact of multiple listings within SK Group. The company has selected Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley as lead underwriters for a possible initial public offering (IPO) next year, according
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South Korea can help close AI divide: World Bank VP
SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - South Korea’s digital expertise, manufacturing strength and rapid modernization make it well placed to help narrow a global wealth divide that artificial intelligence could deepen, a senior World Bank executive said. “What we call Big AI is an ecosystem dominated by just a handful of advanced countries — not even all advanced countries — and a small number of global corporations,” said Kim Sangbu, the World Bank Group’s vice presiden
by Lee Jung-woo
Ukraine war poses different stakes for South Korea, Japan
SEOUL, October 14 (AJP) - The Russia-Ukraine war is nearing the five-year mark with little sign of an exit, with both sides expanding attacks on energy infrastructure and extending the war’s repercussions to draw East Asian countries closer to the epicenter. Japan has entered a defense deal with war-engaged Ukraine to purchase battlefield-tested Ukrainian interceptor drones. South Korea is equally engaged with Kyiv but in the opposite direction — a diplomatic spat triggered by Ukrai
Korean bonds join global safe-haven rally on equity rout
SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) — An equity rout driven by concerns over AI overspending is steering investors toward government bonds in Seoul and other major markets despite stronger-than-expected U.S. inflation and the prospect of a prolonged monetary tightening cycle. The three-year Korean government bond yield closed Thursday 1.6 basis points lower at 3.867 percent, while the 10-year yield fell 6.8 basis points to 4.193 percent, its lowest since Aug. 5. The 20-year and 30-year yields droppe
Will Sejong make the FSC a backseat driver in Korean finance?
SEOUL, October 14 (AJP) - The Financial Services Commission (FSC) got its orders to move to Sejong on Tuesday. On Wednesday, it was running command in central Seoul against a hacking spree that has hit 16 financial companies, the kind of crisis that relocation will soon test. After second emergency response meeting held Wednesday at Government Complex Seoul, the FSC said intrusions had been confirmed across banks, savings banks, mutual finance, card and capital firms, peer-to-peer lenders and c
BOK eyes January launch of cross-border won payment system
Samsung Electronics unions clash over control of 2027 wage talks
