Seoul mulls buyback and issuance cut to tame bond yields SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) —South Korean authorities are ready to intervene to contain the spike in bond yields through buybacks and new issue cutback, according to government release. South Korea's economic authorities on Wednesday agreed to deploy emergency government-bond buybacks and curb new offerings if yield rises are deemed excessive, using part of around 63.2 trillion won ($46.6 billion) in tax windfall. The measures were discussed at an expanded macro-fiscal-financial meeti September 30, 2026

Foreign selling keeps KOSPI lower despite chip rebound SEOUL, September 29 (AJP) - South Korea's benchmark index remained below 6,900 Tuesday morning as foreign investors sold more than 1 trillion won ($762 million) of shares, offsetting gains in Samsung Electronics and other chip stocks. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) stood at 6,859.59 as of 11:15 a.m., down 30.15 points, or 0.44 percent, from Monday's close. The index moved between 6,822.36 and 6,898.36 during the morning session. The KOSPI had fallen 2.7 percent Monday t September 29, 2026

Banks in South Korea to open at 9:30 a.m. from April 2027 SEOUL, September 29 (AJP) — South Korean banks are set to open 30 minutes later from April 2027, with branch hours changing from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. under a tentative agreement between the Korea Financial Industry Union (KFIU) and the Korea Financial Industry Employers Association. The deal, reached after about five months of negotiations, also includes a 3 percent wage increase and measures aimed at improving work-life balance. It comes as the government pushes to red September 29, 2026

Seoul's main index opens post-Chuseok session below 7,000 SEOUL, September 28 (AJP) -The South Korean bourse reopened after last week’s Chuseok holiday in a deeply sour mood, as foreign and institutional investors engaged in a panic-selling spree mostly targeting top chip stocks amid a global bond sell-off. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 2.7 percent to close below 7,000 for the first time in four sessions. Samsung Electronics lost 5.4 percent and SK hynix 5.1 percent, and foreign investors sold a net 3.23 trillion won ($2.4 September 28, 2026

South Korea at 12th in global AI use ranking SEOUL, September 28 (AJP) - South Korea's generative AI adoption rate reached 40.6 percent in June, lifting the country to 12th place globally from 25th a year earlier, Microsoft said Monday. The share was up 3.5 percentage points from the first quarter, according to Microsoft AI Economy Institute's latest Global AI Diffusion Report. Korea's adoption rate stood at 25.9 percent a year earlier, meaning it rose 14.7 percentage points over the past 12 months. Microsoft said Korea post September 28, 2026

BOK flags market volatility as global bond yields rise SEOUL, September 28 (AJP) — The Bank of Korea (BOK) said Monday it was closely monitoring South Korea’s financial markets after global bond yields rose considerably over the Chuseok holiday amid shifting monetary policy expectations and renewed Middle East tensions. The central bank held a market review meeting at 8 a.m., chaired by Deputy Governor Kwon Min-soo, to assess international market developments during the Sept. 24-27 holiday and their potential impact on Korea’s fin September 28, 2026

Samsung Electronics carries Seoul stocks into Chuseok break SEOUL, September 23 (AJP)-Chip heavyweights pushed South Korea's main stock index higher on Wednesday, the last session before a four-day Chuseok autumn harvest holiday. Foreign investors turned net sellers, and retail investors cashed out 1.44 trillion won ($1.06 billion) on the way into the break. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 63.0 points, or 0.9 percent, to 7,080.9. Samsung Electronics led the gain, climbing 3.3 percent to 285,500 won ($210.14) and closing above 2 September 23, 2026

AJP Factbox: When and where for fall foliage in S.Korea SEOUL, September 23 (AJP) - South Korea's autumn foliage will start turning in the northern Gangwon mountains in early October and reach its nationwide peak later that month, the Korea Forest Service said Wednesday. Peak dates, defined as half a forest changing color, are forecast for Oct. 20 at Seoraksan, Oct. 28 at Songnisan, Nov. 4 at Naejangsan and Nov. 6 at Hallasan, about 0.8 day later than the average of the past five years. September 23, 2026

KOSPI rises 1.1% on chip gains, easing U.S.-Iran tensions SEOUL, September 23 (AJP) – South Korean shares extended gains for a third straight session Wednesday as institutional buying and strength in chip stocks lifted the market ahead of the Chuseok holiday. The benchmark KOSPI stood at 7,093.41 as of 9:51 a.m., up 1.08 percent from the previous session. The index had climbed as high as 7,144.02 earlier in the morning before paring its gains. Institutions bought a net 340.5 billion won of KOSPI shares, while foreign investors purchased 99.9 bi September 23, 2026

Hanwha Solutions eyes China's offshore wind power cable market SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - Hanwha Solutions is showcasing next-generation extra-high-voltage cable materials and recycling technologies at Wire China 2026 in Shanghai as it seeks to expand its presence in China's offshore wind and power transmission markets. The company said Tuesday that its Wire & Cable division is participating in the exhibition from Sept. 21 to 24, displaying materials for super extra-high-voltage (SEHV) cables as well as circular solutions. Among the products on September 22, 2026