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

Reality bites as Korea's retail investors struggle to escape leverage trap SEOUL, July 23 (AJP) - Reality bites, and it takes a strong stomach to survive the KOSPI reality show, where billions of won in retail wealth disappear every trading day. Panic flashes across online stock forums. "Save me. I'm trapped at 22,000 won," one investor wrote, unsure whether to sell or keep holding a Samsung Electronics 2x leveraged exchange-traded fund bought near that price. The desperation reflects what is becoming a familiar pattern. According to the Korea Financ July 23, 2026

Seoul steps in as ETF crash takes toll on retirees and minors SEOUL, July 21 (AJP) - A crash inevitably leaves collateral damage, and the nearly 50 percent plunge in leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs) linked to chip behemoths Samsung Electronics and SK hynix has hit some of South Korea's most vulnerable investors, wiping out retirement savings and money invested on behalf of minors. "Were we guinea pigs?" one investor wrote after watching losses mount in the newly launched single-stock leveraged ETFs. "Will anybody help?" anot July 21, 2026

Samchundang Pharm shares surge on hopes for diabetes generic SEOUL, July 20 (AJP) - KOSDAQ-listed drugmaker Samchundang Pharm saw its shares soar on Monday amid expectations that its diabetes drug would move a step closer to entering the U.S. pharmaceutical market. Its shares surged 29.82 percent to close at the daily trading limit of 239,000 won after the drugmaker said it had received a written response from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding its oral semaglutide generic, a pill for Type 2 diabetes, although the approval process rema July 20, 2026