Journalist
Ryu Yuna류윤아
Julia37@ajupress.com
ReporterFinancial Supervisory Service (FSS) & finance, capital markets, Southeast Asian affairs
Yuna Ryu covers finance, capital markets and Southeast Asian affairs.
She is drawn to the questions that numbers raise and the stories that data alone cannot answer.
Prior to journalism, she worked at Hyundai Motor Company and the Singapore Chamber of Commerce, focusing on business strategy and international affairs. She has also hosted diplomatic receptions and international conferences as an MC.
Ryu holds a master's degree in Media and Communication from Korea University, where her research focused on neuroscience-based studies of media effects. "Beyond every statistic is a human story waiting to be heard."
She is drawn to the questions that numbers raise and the stories that data alone cannot answer.
Prior to journalism, she worked at Hyundai Motor Company and the Singapore Chamber of Commerce, focusing on business strategy and international affairs. She has also hosted diplomatic receptions and international conferences as an MC.
Ryu holds a master's degree in Media and Communication from Korea University, where her research focused on neuroscience-based studies of media effects. "Beyond every statistic is a human story waiting to be heard."
Latest by Ryu Yuna
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KOSDAQ-listed biotech Alteogen slides amid rival technology concerns SEOUL, July 16 (AJP) - Shares of South Korean biotech company Alteogen have fallen sharply this week after Samsung Bioepis filed a patent application for a similar drug-delivery technology. The move raised concerns that Samsung Bioepis could challenge Alteogen with a competing technology that converts intravenous drugs into subcutaneous injections. Both companies, however, dismissed the concerns, saying the market reaction was excessive and the technologies are not direct competitors. Samsung Bioepis said its latest patent application covers purification technology for hyaluronidase, an enzyme used in under-the-skin drug delivery. However, speculation that Samsung Bioepis is developing a similar treatment technology sent Alteogen shares sharply lower. The KOSDAQ-listed biotech stock plunged 11.69 percent on Tuesday to close at 279,500 won. After a slight rebound the following day, shares fell again on Thursday, dropping 3.12 percent in early trading. Investors worried that the patent application signaled Samsung Bioepis' entry into the subcutaneous drug delivery market, where Alteogen has built a strong position with its ALT-B4 technology, which enables medicines typically given by intravenous (IV) injections to be administered through quick under-the-skin injections. Samsung Bioepis, however, said investors had misunderstood the patent, saying it is intended to support the manufacturing process for hyaluronidase rather than the development of a subcutaneous (SC) drug delivery platform. "The patent application is still pending," a Samsung Bioepis official said. "No decision has been made on which products the technology may be applied to." It further elaborated that it has not started clinical trials using the technology or applied for regulatory approval. Instead, Samsung Bioepis said it is currently focused on developing an affordable version of Keytruda, a top-selling cancer drug from Merck. The company aims to complete a global Phase 3 trial this year and launch the product after Keytruda's South Korean patent expires in 2028. Meanwhile, Alteogen sought to ease investor concerns, saying Samsung Bioepis' patent relates to manufacturing processes rather than the key technology behind Alteogen's drug delivery platform. It said ALT-B4 is protected by its own patent and is fundamentally different from Samsung Bioepis' manufacturing technology. Alteogen said Keytruda Qurex will continue to be protected by U.S. patents until 2043. It also said products using other hyaluronidase technologies are unlikely to be approved as biosimilars to Keytruda Qurex under current regulations. The latest dispute seems to reflect how closely investors are watching developments in under-the-skin drug delivery, one of the pharmaceutical industry's fastest-growing areas. Alteogen generates revenue by licensing its ALT-B4 technology to global pharmaceutical companies, making concerns over potential competitors especially sensitive for investors. 2026-07-16 15:53:41 -
KOSPI slips below 7,000 again as Morgan Stanley sparks chip sell-off SEOUL, July 16 (AJP) - South Korean stocks swung sharply lower shortly after the market opened on Thursday, giving up much of the previous session's explosive gains as investors cashed in on the rally following another overnight sell-off in U.S. semiconductor shares. Fresh concerns over artificial intelligence (AI)-related infrastructure spending, sparked by a cautious report from U.S. investment bank Morgan Stanley, added to the pressure on technology stocks. Investor sentiment weakened further after the Bank of Korea raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 2.75 percent on Thursday, adding to the headwinds for equities. The benchmark KOSPI fell 4.91 percent to 6,926.65 in early trading, falling back below the 7,000 mark a day after soaring over 6 percent. The Korea Exchange activated the temporary curb on program sell orders at around 9:10 a.m. as the decline accelerated. The junior KOSDAQ also dropped 2.45 percent to 809.08, suggesting the extreme volatility gripping Seoul's stock market. The retreat followed a mixed session on Wall Street. Although last month's index for producer prices fell 0.3 percent from the previous month and annual producer inflation eased to 5.5 percent from 6 percent, reducing expectations of further Federal Reserve tightening, investors rotated out of semiconductor shares. Sentiment was further dented by a report from Morgan Stanley, which warned that rising electricity costs and tighter environmental regulations were leading to delays and cancellations of data-center projects, reviving concerns that the AI infrastructure investment boom could be losing momentum. The renewed worries weighed heavily on chip stocks. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index fell 2.08 percent, and Micron Technology plunged 7.94 percent. Marvell Technology, Intel and AMD lost 7.27 percent, 4.43 percent and 3.46 percent, respectively. SK hynix ADR tumbled 9.00 percent as concerns emerged over potential delays in data-center construction, adding pressure to Korean chipmakers. The weakness quickly spilled over to Seoul's technology sector. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix came under renewed selling pressure as investors unwound positions following the previous session's sharp rally, with profit-taking spreading across semiconductor-related stocks. Samsung Electronics fell 5.72 percent to 263,500 won, while SK hynix slid 8.36 percent to 1,908,000 won. Samsung Electro-Mechanics dropped 7.86 percent, SK Square lost 9.41 percent and Samsung Electronics preferred shares declined 4.84 percent as selling spread across chip-related and Samsung affiliates. But not all sectors joined the selloff. Battery makers outperformed, with LG Energy Solution rising 2.84 percent, while financials also attracted buying as KB Financial gained 2.26 percent. Samsung Biologics edged up 0.43 percent among large-cap defensives. Auto-related stoks were mixed, with Hyundai Motor falling 2.19 percent while affiliate Kia was little changed, up 0.14 percent. Shipbuilders remained resilient as HD Hyundai Heavy Industries advanced 1.91 percent and Hanwha Aerospace gained 0.86 percent. Shinhan Financial also climbed 2.98 percent. KOSDAQ's heavyweights also retreated, with Alteogen slipping 1.73 percent to 283,500 won, EcoPro BM falling 2.15 percent to 118,300 won and EcoPro losing 3.12 percent to 83,700 won. Jusung Engineering dropped 7.30 percent, Rainbow Robotics declined 5.23 percent, Wonik IPS fell 8.48 percent, PSK lost 6.60 percent and Reno Industrial shed 5.01 percent soon after the open. The declines were partially offset by gains in select biotech names, with HLB rising 2.88 percent to 35,700 won and Kolon TissueGene advancing 2.70 percent to 80,000 won. Investors are also awaiting the government's review of single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds tied to Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. Officials are expected to discuss possible measures later in the day after President Lee Jae Myung called for a swift review, amid concerns that the products have amplified volatility in the Korean stock market. Attention is also shifting to TSMC's second-quarter earnings later in the day, which may set the tone for semiconductor stocks. 2026-07-16 10:07:17 -
Korean sovereign bonds emerges as Asia's standout bond trade: MarketAxess SEOUL, July 15 (AJP) — While foreign investors have grown increasingly selective across Asia's bond markets, South Korea has emerged as the region's lone standout, attracting uninterrupted monthly inflows into government debt as global funds bet on the country's semiconductor-driven economy and forthcoming inclusion in one of the world's most influential sovereign bond indexes. "Korea has certainly been an interesting market when we look at Korean Treasury Bonds," Roheet Shah, head of dealer sales for Asia-Pacific at MarketAxess, a Nasdaq-listed electronic bond trading platform, told AJP. "It's the only market where we've seen consistent month-on-month net buying so far this year." The steady inflows sharply contrast with other Asian bond markets—including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Hong Kong and China—where foreign demand has ebbed and flowed with changing expectations for U.S. interest rates and domestic monetary policy. At the center of Korea's outperformance is its phased entry into the FTSE World Government Bond Index (WGBI), one of the world's most widely followed sovereign debt benchmarks tracked by global asset managers, pension funds and central banks. "WGBI inclusion is probably one of the dominant technical drivers of the KTB market," Shah said. Korea began joining the index in April and is scheduled to complete the process in November. Market estimates suggest the inclusion could ultimately attract between $50 billion and $60 billion in foreign capital. "Since the inclusion began, market inflows saw around 37 trillion won worth of Korean Treasury Bonds based on MarketAxess platform data." Official figures underscore the momentum. Foreign investors bought a net 5.9 trillion won of Korean bonds in July after purchasing 13.9 trillion won in June, according to the Financial Supervisory Service. Net purchases have reached 62.9 trillion won so far this year, putting 2026 on track to rival last year's record inflows. More importantly, Shah said the buying has broadened well beyond passive index-tracking funds. "Foreign buying from April to June has already exceeded the level seen during the same period last year, based on MarketAxess platform data." The inflows have come from central banks, global asset managers, macro hedge funds and Japanese institutional investors positioning ahead of Korea's full WGBI inclusion, suggesting the rally is being supported by active portfolio allocations rather than purely mechanical index demand. Structural reforms have reinforced that appeal. Longer foreign-exchange trading hours, streamlined settlement procedures and easier market access have significantly improved Korea's competitiveness among global fixed-income markets. "We've also seen improving market accessibility. Together, these factors have helped create a deep and liquid capital market." Perhaps the strongest endorsement of Korea's bond market is that overseas demand has remained resilient even as expectations for Bank of Korea rate hikes have strengthened. "As I mentioned, we've seen net buying month after month despite concerns over increased bond supply and potential Bank of Korea rate hikes." Investor expectations have shifted markedly over the course of the year. "Conversations with our clients have clearly shifted from expectations of rate cuts at the beginning of the year to rate hikes." According to Shah, stronger semiconductor exports, AI-related investment and improving economic momentum have steadily pushed investors toward a more hawkish outlook for Korean monetary policy. Since the Bank of Korea raised both its inflation and growth forecasts in May, markets have increasingly focused on inflationary pressures, the weaker won and financial stability risks. Even so, MarketAxess sees an important distinction between domestic and overseas investors. Local investors generally expect a 25-basis-point increase in the near term followed by another move later this year, lifting the benchmark policy rate from 2.50 percent to 3.00 percent. Overseas investors also believe the next move is likely to be upward, but remain less convinced that Korea is entering a prolonged tightening cycle. Most continue to price in only 25 to 50 basis points of additional hikes. That divergence reflects what Shah describes as Korea's increasingly "two-speed economy." "Semiconductor exports and investment remain very strong, but domestic demand continues to lag. Weak private consumption and the challenges facing small businesses suggest the recovery is not broad-based." The uneven recovery leaves policymakers confronting a difficult balancing act. Inflation, currency weakness and buoyant financial markets argue for tighter monetary policy, while fragile domestic demand limits how aggressively rates can be raised without undermining growth. "That creates a policy dilemma for the Bank of Korea," Shah said. "Inflation and won stability argue for higher interest rates, while the domestic economy isn't strong enough to absorb a substantial or sustained hiking cycle." MarketAxess trading data suggest global investors are already positioning for precisely that scenario. Although foreign investors continue to add Korean government bonds overall, demand has become increasingly concentrated in longer maturities. Bonds with less than two years remaining have experienced persistent selling as traders prepare for higher policy rates, while seven-to-ten-year and twenty-to-thirty-year maturities continue to attract steady inflows driven by WGBI positioning and long-term institutional allocations. The pattern suggests overseas investors are looking beyond the next Bank of Korea meeting. Rather than abandoning Korean government bonds because of near-term tightening risks, they appear to be treating Korea as a long-term strategic allocation within global sovereign debt portfolios—a distinction that could determine whether the country's exceptional run of foreign inflows extends well beyond the completion of its WGBI inclusion later this year. 2026-07-15 17:27:49 -
Korea's National Museum sees 7 million annual visitors after record H1 SEOUL, July 15 (AJP) —South Korea's National Museum is on pace for another record year as domestic and foreign visitors flock to one of the country's fastest-rising cultural landmarks. The National Museum of Korea welcomed 3.8 million visitors in the first half of 2026, up nearly 40 percent from a year earlier and already exceeding its total attendance for all of 2024, according to data released Tuesday. Foreign visitors have been a major driver of the increase. Nearly 165,400 overseas tourists visited the museum during the first six months of the year, up 68.8 percent from a year earlier, reflecting growing international interest in Korean culture beyond K-pop and television dramas. Attendance has remained strong throughout the year. Monthly visitors exceeded 700,000 during the winter school holidays and again in May, while another 536,000 people visited in June. With South Korea's summer vacation season approaching, officials expect visitor numbers to climb further. Recent special exhibitions have also helped attract crowds, including The Korean Table: Food, Nature, and Life, which explores the roots of Korean culinary culture, and Amazing Thailand: Masterpieces of Thai Art, the first major exhibition in Korea showcasing Thailand's history and artistic heritage. If current trends continue, annual attendance is expected to exceed 6 million for a second consecutive year after crossing that threshold for the first time in 2025. It could even top 7 million, a figure that would rank second worldwide under The Art Newspaper's 2025 global museum attendance survey. The surge, however, is straining the institution's facilities. The museum averaged about 17,000 visitors a day in June, well above its estimated daily capacity of 15,000. To ease congestion, the museum recently raised parking fees on weekends and public holidays. Experts have also renewed calls to expand exhibition space as visitor numbers continue to outgrow the existing facilities. Director general of the museum Yu Hong-june has previously proposed constructing a second permanent exhibition building and expanding the museum's management structure, saying peak-season attendance can exceed 40,000 visitors a day. To handle the summer rush, opening hours will be extended from July 27 through Aug. 17. During that period, the museum will operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., one hour longer than usual, while Wednesday and Saturday evening hours until 9 p.m. will remain unchanged. It will also reduce privately run guided tours from seven sessions a day to five to better manage visitor traffic. 2026-07-15 11:06:25 -
Seoul stocks soar as cooling U.S. inflation, chip optimism fuel broad rally SEOUL, July 15 (AJP) — South Korean stocks staged a powerful rebound Wednesday as softer-than-expected U.S. inflation and renewed optimism over the artificial intelligence semiconductor cycle triggered a broad-based buying spree led by SK hynix and Samsung Electronics. As of 9:57 a.m., the benchmark KOSPI surged 6.81 percent to 7,323.60, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ jumped 5.39 percent to 826.24, recovering sharply after recent market volatility. The rally tracked overnight gains on Wall Street after U.S. inflation eased more than expected, tempering fears of further Federal Reserve rate hikes and reviving appetite for technology stocks. The Nasdaq Composite rose 0.90 percent and the S&P 500 gained 0.38 percent after the U.S. Consumer Price Index increased 3.5 percent in June from a year earlier, slowing from May's 4.2 percent and coming in below economists' expectations of 3.8 percent. Lower Treasury yields boosted risk appetite, particularly for semiconductor shares that continue to benefit from strong artificial intelligence investment. Leading the advance was SK hynix, whose U.S.-listed ADRs soared 27.29 percent overnight. Sentiment received an additional boost after Barclays initiated coverage with an Overweight rating and a $330 price target, arguing investors continue to underestimate the company's earnings potential as high-bandwidth memory prices strengthen and its leadership in AI memory widens. The upbeat outlook lifted semiconductor stocks globally. Nvidia climbed 4.06 percent, Micron Technology gained 4.92 percent, Sandisk advanced 5.01 percent and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose 2.54 percent. The momentum quickly spilled into Seoul. SK hynix jumped 11.19 percent to 2,127,000 won, while Samsung Electronics gained 6.18 percent to 279,250 won. The rally extended throughout the broader SK and Samsung groups. SK Square, SK hynix's largest shareholder, surged 16.72 percent to 1,389,000 won. Samsung Electro-Mechanics climbed 9.37 percent, Samsung Electronics preferred shares rose 6.75 percent, Samsung Life Insurance gained 7.89 percent, Samsung C&T added 4.94 percent and Samsung Biologics advanced 2.92 percent. Cyclical sectors also joined the rally. Hyundai Motor rose 2.47 percent and Kia added 3.22 percent, while LG Energy Solution gained 4.50 percent. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries advanced 2.84 percent and Doosan Enerbility climbed 4.37 percent. Financial stocks posted comparatively modest gains, with KB Financial Group rising 1.00 percent and Shinhan Financial Group adding 2.21 percent. Investor sentiment also improved after U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew a proposal to impose transit fees on commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, easing concerns over another escalation in Middle East shipping risks and raising hopes for renewed diplomatic negotiations. Attention is now turning to earnings from Dutch chip equipment maker ASML later Wednesday and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. on Thursday, with investors looking for fresh signals on the sustainability of AI-driven semiconductor demand. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 gained 0.45 percent while Shanghai's Composite Index rose 1.4 percent. The Korean won strengthened sharply to 1,488.6 per U.S. dollar 2026-07-15 10:39:43 -
SK hynix shares rally on bullish Barclays report despite ADR premium SEOUL, July 15 (AJP) -Shares of SK hynix zoomed higher at the opening bell in Seoul on Wednesday, recovering from this week's earnings and valuation-driven selloff after a bullish report from Barclays reignited optimism over the AI memory cycle. As of 9:30 a.m., shares of the Korean chipmaker were up 12 percent at 2,139,000 won, extending an overnight 27.3 percent rally in its Nasdaq-listed American depositary receipts (ADRs) and Tuesday's gain of more than 3 percent in Seoul. The rebound followed Barclays' initiation of coverage on SK hynix's newly listed ADRs with an Overweight rating and a $330 price target, implying about 70 percent upside from Tuesday's close. Analyst Simon Coles said the memory industry was entering a prolonged supply shortage as artificial intelligence investment continued to outpace supply growth, allowing SK hynix to maintain strong pricing power over the next several years. Barclays expects supply shortages to deepen through 2027 and remain tight into 2028, arguing that the market continues to underestimate both high-bandwidth memory pricing and SK hynix's earnings potential. The bank also said SK hynix could hold cash equivalent to more than 40 percent of its current market capitalization by the end of 2027, providing ample room for additional share buybacks that could further lift earnings per share. It dismissed concerns over China's memory industry as a near-term threat, saying Chinese DRAM would have only a limited impact on the global market unless major cloud service providers begin deploying it in AI data centers. The report helped lift sentiment after SK hynix shares came under pressure earlier this week on concerns that the stock had run ahead of fundamentals following its record ADR listing and the broader correction in AI-related semiconductor shares. The optimism was reflected even more strongly in New York, where SK hynix's ADRs continued to trade at a hefty premium over the Seoul-listed shares. The ADR closed at $193.92 overnight after surging 27.3 percent, putting it at roughly a 45 percent premium to the equivalent value of the common shares in Seoul. The gap has widened sharply from about 3 percent when the ADRs were priced at $149 last Friday. Analysts attributed the unusually large premium to limited arbitrage opportunities, as the ADRs cannot be freely converted into Korean-listed shares, allowing strong U.S. demand to drive prices higher. The premium has also been supported by the launch of options trading on the ADRs, opening the stock to a broader pool of institutional investors and hedge funds in the world's largest derivatives market. The Nasdaq debut has also sparked strong interest among Korean retail investors. According to brokerage industry data, about 84,000 Korean investors bought roughly 1.36 million ADRs worth 338.9 billion won ($245 million) through nine major domestic brokerages on the July 10 listing day alone. Including other brokerages, the number of investors is estimated to have approached 100,000, with holdings exceeding 400 billion won. Retail investors also continued buying SK hynix shares in Seoul, betting the U.S. listing would support a higher global valuation despite recent volatility. SK hynix raised $26.5 billion through its ADR offering, making it the second-largest equity issuance in U.S. market history after SpaceX and the largest ever by a foreign company. The strong recovery in both Seoul and New York suggested investors remain convinced that the AI-driven memory upcycle has further room to run despite recent concerns over valuations. 2026-07-15 09:37:42 -
Retail Investors Rally to Save Stocks of Monami and Hansung Enterprises Amid Delisting Fears Retail investors have driven up the stock prices of Monami and Hansung Enterprises, two well-known brands in South Korea, in a bid to prevent their delisting from the KOSDAQ market. This surge comes as the Korea Exchange has significantly tightened its listing maintenance criteria, leading to increased concerns about companies falling below the market capitalization threshold.Within just two weeks of the new regulations taking effect, nine companies issued warnings about being designated as management items due to insufficient market capitalization, with five of them officially classified as such. Starting next month, companies with stock prices below 1,000 won will also face management item designations.In response, companies on the brink of delisting have attempted to defend their stock prices through share buybacks, capital increases, and asset sales. However, the market has seen volatile price fluctuations as selling pressure from delisting fears mixed with buying interest from those hoping to maintain listings.Interestingly, a paradoxical trend has emerged where individual investors are rallying to support long-familiar brands like Monami and Hansung Enterprises. This movement aims to boost their market capitalization above the delisting threshold. Some market observers describe this as a display of “patriotism” to protect South Korea's representative brands, while others view it as a form of self-defense against losses and a speculative gamble.Lee Jeong-hwan, a professor at Hanyang University’s Department of Economics and Finance, noted, “While there may be a genuine desire to save these companies, ultimately, investors are acting to minimize their losses. The term ‘support buying’ alone does not adequately explain this phenomenon.”Initially, the market anticipated that the stricter listing maintenance criteria would further dampen investor sentiment toward struggling companies. However, some individual investors have actively purchased shares of firms facing delisting, defying expectations.One notable example is Hansung Enterprises, known for its crabmeat products, which saw its market capitalization drop to 28.7 billion won due to rising raw material costs and declining profitability, falling below the new listing maintenance standard of 30 billion won. However, the stock price surged from 4,635 won on July 6 to 8,460 won by July 10, nearly doubling in about a week. The stock hit its daily limit on July 9 and 10, and as of 2:40 PM on July 14, it was trading at 10,730 won, up 26.83% from the previous day, nearing its upper limit of 10,990 won.The turnaround was not driven by financial performance or restructuring but rather by a social media campaign highlighting Hansung Enterprises’ charitable activities, including hosting concerts for Korean War veterans for nearly 25 years. This sparked a consensus that “such companies should not disappear,” leading to a rapid influx of retail investors, boosting its market capitalization to 52.5 billion won, surpassing the delisting threshold.A similar trend occurred with Monami, a popular pen brand in South Korea. Monami’s stock price jumped 62% from 1,318 won on July 6 to 2,145 won within a week. After nearing its daily limit, the stock continued to rise, reaching 2,510 won by 2:41 PM on July 14, up 17.02% from the previous trading day, and peaking at 2,780 won during the session. Its market capitalization increased from 24.9 billion won to 40.5 billion won, alleviating delisting concerns.Lee, a 36-year-old IT professional with experience studying in the U.S., shared, “I rarely go to stationery stores these days, but I recently bought a Monami three-color pen set online. It’s affordable and has a great writing feel, so I’ve always trusted it. I even brought Monami pens with me when I was in the U.S.”This affection for the brands was echoed in online investment communities, with comments like “a brand that has been with us for a long time” and “a company that must not disappear.”Hansung Enterprises expressed gratitude on its website on July 7, stating, “We appreciate the positive feedback and support we have received online and on social media. Since our first voyage in 1963, we have strived to produce ‘good food.’”Monami President Song Jae-hwa also expressed gratitude in a handwritten statement posted on the company’s official Instagram on July 10, saying, “Your support during this difficult time, when delisting was a possibility, has been a great source of strength. Monami, which has been part of South Korea’s history, will continue to stand strong by your side.”As stock prices soared, discussions around “support buying” heated up in online investment forums. One post stated, “Monami is a patriotic company. Let’s push it to 10,000 won by Liberation Day,” while another investor praised it as “a good company that also pays dividends.”However, skepticism remains. One investor pointed out, “There are limits to propping up stock prices using patriotism.” Another cautioned, “Delisting does not mean the company will disappear. Buy the products, not the stocks.”Another investor remarked, “Regardless of patriotism, I need to survive first,” reflecting the complex psychology of investors.This phenomenon recalls the 2019 “No Japan” movement, during which the stock price of Monami surged by 29.88% to close at 3,325 won on July 4, 2019, amid a boycott of Japanese products. The expectation was that domestic product consumption would increase. The following day, shares of Shinseong Trading, which operates the domestic clothing brand Topten, also surged by 26.6% due to anticipated benefits from Uniqlo’s decline.However, this rally differs from the past as it is driven more by the psychology of defending against delisting rather than actual performance. Professor Lee emphasized the need to reassess current regulations, stating, “If a market capitalization of 30 billion won can exempt a company from delisting, similar phenomena may recur, necessitating a more refined regulatory framework.”Conversely, Professor Yang Jun-seok of Catholic University highlighted the investors’ expectations, noting, “Those investing in such companies often hope that someone will acquire the company or that the government will provide support at the last moment. Even if that doesn’t happen, they often judge that the stock price has already fallen to a point where additional losses will not be significant, leading them to take risks.”Professor Yang compared this situation to the 2021 GameStop incident in the U.S., where retail investors on the Reddit forum WallStreetBets began buying shares to counteract hedge funds betting against the stock, leading to a massive price surge.Both cases illustrate how collective investor psychology can drive stock prices more than a company’s performance or intrinsic value. Professor Yang noted, “This is not so much normal investing as it is a strong reaction against short-sellers.”Online, some voices have taken a self-deprecating view of the situation, with one post stating, “While the world talks about AI, the Korean stock market is focused on crab meat and pen stocks,” highlighting the reality of the current market.Whether this “support buying” represents true patriotic investment or another form of speculation remains a topic of debate. For now, both Monami and Hansung Enterprises have alleviated their delisting risks, but it remains uncertain whether they can maintain their upward momentum once investor interest wanes.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 17:48:00 -
Stricter delisting rules rattle KOSDAQ-listed companies SEOUL, July 14 (AJP) - South Korea's tougher delisting rules are starting to shake up the stock market sooner than expected. Less than two weeks after the new delisting regulations took effect on the South Korean bourse earlier this month, several companies listed on the junior KOSDAQ have already been flagged as at risk of being placed on the Korea Exchange's watchlist. Under the regulations, which took effect July 1, companies whose market capitalization remains below 20 billion won (US$14.5 million) for 30 consecutive trading days must first issue a warning disclosure before they can be placed on the watchlist. As of Monday, nine companies had issued such warnings, with five of them already placed on the watchlist. To remain listed, those companies must keep their market capitalization above the threshold for at least 45 consecutive sessions within a window of 90 trading days. The regulations also strengthen monitoring of so-called "penny stocks," with companies whose shares close below 1,000 won for 30 consecutive sessions being placed on the watchlist. Many smaller companies are scrambling to remain listed under the tougher measures, with some turning to share buybacks, private placements and stake sales to boost their market values. Those efforts, however, have only fueled heightened volatility. Shares of KOSDAQ-listed electronics company Wellkeeps Hitech surged 71 percent over the past three sessions after it disclosed the risk of being placed on the watchlist, briefly pushing its market capitalization above 20 billion won last Friday. Its short-lived gains faded, with shares down 9.8 percent at 1,191 won as of early Tuesday afternoon. Anxiety has also spread to online forums for investors. On one online board on Naver, the country's largest portal, dedicated to the company, one user questioned whether the company had much of a business at all, leaving a post that read, "What does this company even do?" Another urged it to "learn from Hansung Enterprise," referring to the seafood company whose shares previously surged after retail investors piled in to help lift its market capitalization and save it from delisting. Gold&S, an education services company, also showed a similar pattern. After an initial rally following its disclosure, the stock fell for five straight trading sessions and was trading down 14.4 percent at 1,239 won as of early Tuesday afternoon. The sharp swings reflect a split between investors betting on a recovery and those avoiding stocks at risk of delisting. As delisting fears grow, shareholders of smaller listed companies are increasingly seeking advice from major law firms on measures such as reverse stock splits, capital reductions, potential lawsuits and ways to avoid legal disputes during delisting. Frustration among retail investors is also growing. Some blame companies for deteriorating to the brink of delisting, while others argue regulators introduced the stricter regulations too abruptly, leaving companies with little time to adjust. Debates have now moved beyond stock markets and online forums, with retail investors turning to the National Assembly’s petition platform to voice opposition to recent capital market reforms. A petition opposing tougher delisting rules had drawn nearly 3,000 signatures as of Tuesday, while another criticizing single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds had gathered more than 31,000 signatures. They argue that shrinking liquidity and the abrupt implementation of stricter regulatory measures, which are intended to improve market health by weeding out vulnerable companies, are putting excessive pressure on smaller firms. 2026-07-14 16:41:01 -
Koreans raid retirement savings to chase the stock bull SEOUL, July 14 (AJP) — South Koreans are dipping into pension and long-term funds to join the stock market rush, risking their retirement nest eggs as they chase short-term returns. The number of Koreans cashing out private retirement savings plans jumped 62.7 percent in the first five months of the year from a year earlier, while fund redemptions rose 47.3 percent, according to data submitted by the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) and the Korea Securities Depository (KSD) released Tuesday by Rep. Song Eon-seok of the main opposition People Power Party. The data suggests many retail investors pulled money out of long-term savings to ride the stock rally despite the risks of a volatile market. Between January and May, 72,477 Koreans pulled out of their private retirement savings plans, up 62.7 percent from 44,554 a year earlier. Payouts from those early withdrawals rose 54.8 percent to 1.74 trillion won ($1.25 billion). Withdrawals from investment funds also accelerated. The number of fund redemptions rose 47.3 percent from a year earlier to 1.81 million during the January-May period, while the amount withdrawn surged 146.1 percent to about 2,786 trillion won. Song argued that the figures reflect expectations of further gains in the stock market, prompting many households to move money out of retirement savings plans and investment funds in search of higher returns. But a recent market correction, fueled by heavier foreign selling, a weaker won and the rapid expansion of single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds, has left many of those investors nursing losses. "Many people cashed out retirement savings plans and redeemed investment funds to enter the stock market, only to find themselves caught in rising volatility that is now putting their retirement savings at risk," Song said. He urged the government to focus on building a stable and predictable investment environment rather than pursuing short-term measures to boost the stock market. As of 10:09 a.m. Tuesday, the benchmark KOSPI had recovered some of Monday's losses, rising 2.22 percent to 6,958.02 after the previous session's massive 8.95 percent selloff. The junior KOSDAQ, however, slipped 0.93 percent to 791.91. 2026-07-14 10:37:08 -
AMCHAM takes Korean delegation to Washington for annual doorknock SEOUL, July 14 (AJP)-The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) is leading a delegation of Korean companies to Washington this week for its "K-Doorknock" program, aimed at helping businesses expand into the U.S. market and address a range of pending trade, investment and regulatory issues between the two countries. The initiative will make its debut during AMCHAM's annual Washington Doorknock mission, which runs from July 13 to 16 and brings business leaders together with U.S. policymakers to discuss issues affecting the U.S.-Korea economic relationship. K-Doorknock gives Korean companies investing in the United States a dedicated channel to engage directly with senior government officials, lawmakers and industry leaders as bilateral investment continues to grow. Led by AMCHAM Chairman and CEO James Kim, the delegation includes senior executives from Dunamu, Hangang Asset Management, HKI America Inc, Hyundai Motor Group, LG Group, and SoluM. Representatives from Bayer, Corning, Kim & Chang, Novelis and Pfizer are also joining the delegation. During the four-day visit, the delegation is scheduled to meet officials from the White House, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the Department of Commerce, the Department of State and the National Security Council (NSC), as well as bipartisan members of Congress, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, leading think tanks and policy experts. The visit comes amid evolving trade and regulatory issues, including a proposed 12.5 percent U.S. tariff on imports from South Korea under a Section 301 investigation into forced-labor import restrictions and broader discussions over the regulatory environment for companies operating in both markets. The chamber said the meetings will focus on strengthening bilateral investment, advancing regulatory cooperation, promoting innovation and deepening economic cooperation between the two countries. "Washington Doorknock has long been one of AMCHAM's defining initiatives and an important platform for strengthening economic ties between Korea and the United States," Kim said. "K-Doorknock represents the next evolution of that mission. As investment between our two countries continues to grow in both directions, AMCHAM is committed to supporting Korean companies expanding in the United States, just as we have long supported American companies doing business in Korea." Kim said the bilateral relationship has evolved beyond trade and is increasingly driven by two-way investment, advanced technology, resilient supply chains and closer public-private cooperation. "We look forward to engaging with our partners in Washington to advance practical solutions that strengthen competitiveness, encourage investment and create new opportunities for growth in both countries," he said. This year’s mission is part of AMCHAM’s Freedom 250 initiative marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. The chamber plans to issue a post-mission summary after the delegation returns, outlining key meetings, policy discussions and potential areas of cooperation. 2026-07-14 09:29:40