NEO Battery Materials to invest $62 million in Gimje battery hub SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) - Canadian battery technology company NEO Battery Materials will invest $62 million to expand a production hub for next-generation batteries used in drones, defense systems and other high-performance applications in Gimje, North Jeolla Province. The company’s Korean subsidiary signed an investment agreement Tuesday with Jeonbuk State and the city of Gimje at its first factory in the Gimje Free Trade Zone. Under the agreement, NEO Battery Materials Korea will invest August 4, 2026

AI startup XIIlab's shares soar as new contract fuels earnings hopes SEOUL, August 4 (AJP) - Artificial intelligence (AI) startup XIIlab saw its shares rise on the junior KOSDAQ on Tuesday. The stock closed at 11,020 won (US$7.93), up 17.23 percent from the previous session, after surging as much as 30 percent during the session to hit the daily price limit of 12,220 won. The rise came after the startup announced that it had signed a contract worth 30.7 billion won with BNINC, an AI infrastructure provider, to supply software for the National IT Industry Promoti August 4, 2026

BECUAI hits daily limit on return from capital reduction SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) — Shares of South Korean artificial intelligence (AI) data company BECUAI surged to the daily 30 percent trading limit on Tuesday as trading resumed following a capital reduction, while growing demand for licensed AI training data added to positive sentiment. The stock was trading at 2,990 won ($2.15), up 30 percent from the previous close Tuesday, according to the Korea Exchange. Trading resumed after the company reduced the number of outstanding shares to 6.29 mi August 4, 2026

Korea's 40C heat sends KOSDAQ-listed cooling appliance stocks soaring SEOUL, August 03 (AJP) — Cooling appliance stocks on South Korea's junior KOSDAQ market rallied Monday as record-breaking heat and prolonged tropical nights fueled demand for air conditioners, fans and dehumidifiers. Winix, which manufactures dehumidifiers and other home appliances, jumped 21.45 percent to close at 5,860 won. Paseco and Shinil Electronics, both known for electric fans and seasonal home appliances, gained 10.44 percent and 3.56 percent, respectively. SPG, a motor manuf August 3, 2026

Shift Up defends AI-made music video after gamer backlash SEOUL, August 03 (AJP) - South Korean game developer Shift Up has defended a promotional music video created with generative artificial intelligence after players in Korea and abroad criticized its use of the technology and the quality of the finished product. The studio on July 31 released the song "Wanna be in LOVE" and an accompanying music video on social media, previewing a soundtrack for its forthcoming title "Stellar Blade: Blood Rain." The clip shows the game's August 3, 2026

KOSDAQ robot stocks rise on U.S. curbs targeting Chinese rivals SEOUL, August 03 (AJP) — Robot stocks on South Korea's junior KOSDAQ market extended their gains Monday after the United States tightened restrictions on Chinese-made robots, while Samsung Electronics' expanded push into robotics reinforced expectations for long-term industry growth. TXR Robotics, which develops warehouse automation and logistics robots, jumped 29.93 percent to 17,450 won ($12.60), hitting the daily trading limit. SPG, a maker of precision motors and gear reducers August 3, 2026

Brokerage sees long-term buying opportunity in KOSDAQ's Ecopro BM SEOUL, August 03 (AJP) — Shares of South Korean battery materials maker Ecopro BM fell more than 11 percent on Monday after Hana Securities slashed its target price by 40 percent, but the brokerage argued the selloff has already priced in most near-term risks, leaving room for a recovery as long-term battery demand strengthens. The brokerage cut its target price to 154,000 won ($111) from 257,000 won, saying demand is expected to remain weak as major European customers delay new electric- August 3, 2026

ETF boom pushes public funds to overtake private funds for 1st time SEOUL, July 31 (AJP) - South Korea's public investment funds overtook private funds in total assets for the first time in the first half of this year, driven by surging demand for exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as retail investors poured money into the stock market. According to the Korea Financial Investment Association (KOFIA) on Friday, public funds jumped 47.3 percent from the end of last year to 897.4 trillion won (US$646 billion), while private funds grew 9.2 percent to 837.1 trillion w July 31, 2026

South Korea opens door to three more tech firms on KOSDAQ SEOUL, July 31 (AJP) — South Korea moved three more technology companies a step closer to the stock market after the Korea Exchange approved their preliminary applications for a KOSDAQ listing. The Korea Exchange's KOSDAQ Market Division said Thursday that Melcon, a manufacturer of precision temperature and humidity control equipment, Lablup, an artificial intelligence infrastructure software developer, and MBD, a medical device company, had passed the exchange's listing eligibil July 31, 2026

How South Korea became Asia's AI ETF test case SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) — Not long ago, Nvidia was the trade that defined the artificial intelligence boom. Today, investors are searching for the next AI winner—and using increasingly leveraged financial products to amplify those bets. That search is reshaping not only Asia's semiconductor industry but also its capital markets. As investors crowd into a handful of AI champions, exchanges are racing to launch new products while regulators grapple with where to draw the line between July 28, 2026