Weekly Stock Market Outlook: KOSPI to Navigate FOMC and AI Concerns Ahead of Chuseok Next week, the domestic stock market is expected to experience volatility as it digests hawkish signals from the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) and concerns related to artificial intelligence (AI). External factors such as international oil prices, U.S. long-term interest rates, and the upcoming U.S.-China summit will also play a significant role. While the supply gap ahead of the Chuseok holiday poses a challenge, analysts suggest that the historically low valuation levels could present a September 19, 2026

Seoul Home Prices Rise for 84th Week Amid Diverging Trends in Gangnam and Gangbuk Seoul's apartment prices have risen for 84 consecutive weeks, nearing the record for the longest increase, while the Gangnam area experiences a decline. In contrast, neighborhoods in the northern and outer regions, such as Jungnang, Dobong, and Seodaemun, are driving the upward trend.The Korea Real Estate Agency reported on September 17 that apartment prices in Seoul increased by 0.16% compared to the previous week. This marks the 84th consecutive week of price increases since the first week of September 19, 2026

Teacher's Guide Becomes Bestseller, Classics and Novels Thrive A new guide for teachers has reached the top of the bestseller list just three days after its release. New essays have also made their way into the upper ranks, while both new and classic novels are performing well.According to Yes24, the overall bestseller for the third week of September is Lee Jong-hyuk's A Solid Guide to Protect Teachers: 100 Practical Cases for Various Situations, which topped the charts just three days after its release on September 14.In second place is Seneca, To You Who September 19, 2026

Korea and U.S. Commit to Strengthening Strategic Investment and Communication South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio agreed to maintain close communication regarding strategic investment projects between the two countries, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, and North Korea policy.According to Yonhap News on September 19, the two ministers held a bilateral meeting at the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C., on September 18 (local time) to discuss strengthening the Korea-U.S. alliance and current issues facing both nations.T September 19, 2026

Retail Sector Anticipates Boost from Asian Games Amid Mixed Expectations The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games opened on September 19, prompting the retail and food sectors to prepare for a potential sales boost associated with the event. With no time difference between Japan and Korea, and popular sports like baseball, soccer, and basketball likely scheduled for evening hours, there is growing anticipation for increased demand for food items such as chicken, beer, and ready-to-eat meals during game viewings.According to industry reports, chicken franchises are launching September 19, 2026

Competition Intensifies in Third Central Contract Market for Energy Storage Systems The government is expected to announce the bidding for the third central contract market for energy storage systems (ESS) by the end of this month. Major battery manufacturers LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and SK On are ramping up production of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries to secure contracts. Although the government has stated it will prioritize quality over low bids, LFP batteries are seen as advantageous for profitability and market share compared to nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) September 19, 2026

President Lee Appoints Kim Seong-soo as Supreme Court Justice President Lee Appoints Kim Seong-soo as Supreme Court JusticePresident Lee Jae-myung has officially appointed Kim Seong-soo, 57, as a Supreme Court Justice on September 18. This marks the first appointment of a Supreme Court Justice under the Lee administration.The National Assembly's Special Committee on Personnel Hearings held a confirmation hearing for Kim on September 14. On September 16, a report on the hearing, which included both the ruling Democratic Party's approval and the opposition P September 18, 2026

Korea and Japan to Face Off in Historic Basketball Final at Asian Games Korea and Japan will meet for the first time in the history of the Asian Games men's basketball final.Under the guidance of head coach Nikolajs Mazulis from Latvia, Korea (ranked 57th by FIBA) defeated Iran (28th) 77-51 in the semifinals held on September 18 at the Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, Japan.Lee Hyun-jung shone with a double-double, scoring 26 points and grabbing 14 rebounds, including seven three-pointers. Lee Woo-seok (Sangmu Basketball Team) contributed 19 points with three th September 18, 2026

Warren Buffett Steps Down as Berkshire Hathaway Chairman After 56 Years Warren Buffett, the legendary investor known as the "Oracle of Omaha," has stepped down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway after 56 years. This move follows his decision earlier this year to pass the CEO role to Greg Abel, marking the effective completion of the company's management succession.On September 17, Berkshire Hathaway announced in a statement that Buffett has immediately resigned from the chairman position and has been appointed as honorary chairman. The company stated, "Buffett will r September 18, 2026

Xi Jinping's Early Return from BRICS Fuels Health Speculation Ahead of US-China Summit Speculation about Xi Jinping's health is growing after the Chinese president returned to China earlier than expected from the BRICS summit in New Delhi and has not appeared in public since. Attention is now focused on the upcoming US-China summit scheduled for next week.According to reports from the UK’s Independent and Newsweek on the 17th, Xi returned to China on the 13th after attending the 18th BRICS summit on the 12th and 13th, leaving before the other leaders and skipping the gala dinner. September 18, 2026