Journalist

Lee Hugh
  • South Korea to Ease Stock Trading, Settlement Rules to Attract Foreign Investors
    South Korea to Ease Stock Trading, Settlement Rules to Attract Foreign Investors The government is accelerating efforts to upgrade stock trading and settlement infrastructure to draw more foreign portfolio investment. The Finance and Economy Ministry said it held the third advisory committee meeting on expanding foreign securities investment at the Korea International Finance Center on Tuesday, where participants discussed institutional reforms in stock trading and settlement. Moon Ji-seong, the ministry’s director general for international economic management, said global investors’ interest in South Korea’s financial markets has grown as the government has advanced foreign-exchange and capital-market systems. He said the government has been actively communicating its policy direction through recent investor roadshows, including a New York presentation by the deputy prime minister for the economy and a briefing for Japanese investors on government bonds. Moon said that after South Korea’s inclusion in the World Government Bond Index in April, foreign inflows into the government bond market have continued, making it important for the stock market to meet global standards as well. At the meeting, the government outlined progress on stock and settlement measures in its broader foreign-exchange and capital-market roadmap aimed at inclusion in MSCI’s developed markets index. The steps include allowing overseas funds to open accounts through global custodian banks to improve trading convenience for foreign investors. The ministry also highlighted a change allowing real-name verification for account opening using only a confirmation document for a Legal Entity Identifier issued by the Korea Securities Depository. Since the service began on April 1, it has logged about 160 cases in roughly two weeks, the ministry said. Moon said the government will closely review suggestions raised by advisers and prepare follow-up measures to address investor difficulties. He added that it will strengthen efforts to ensure the purpose and progress of the reforms are delivered to the market accurately and in a timely manner.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 15:10:17
  • HD Hyundai Heavy Industries signs deal to supply power equipment for US data center
    HD Hyundai Heavy Industries signs deal to supply power equipment for US data center SEOUL, April 22 (AJP) - HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has signed a mega contract to supply power-generation equipment to U.S. energy solutions company Aperion Energy Group, the shipbuilder said on Wednesday. Under the contract, worth 627.1 billion Korean won (US$424 million), which is the largest of its kind the shipbuilder has ever signed, the equipment with a total capacity of 684 megawatts based on its HiMSEN engines will be installed at the Texas-based company's data center, where a stable supply of large-scale electricity is required. The latest contract marks HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' entry into the U.S. market, where the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI)-related services and cloud computing has fueled surging demand for reliable, large-scale data centers. "We believe the contract will be a great stepping stone for us in establishing our presence in the North American market," said Han Ju-seok, an HD Hyundai Heavy Industries executive. "We will further expand our business portfolio beyond data centers." According to a recent forecast by the International Energy Agency (IEA), U.S. electricity demand is expected to keep rising through 2030, with about half of the increase attributed to the rapid expansion of data centers. 2026-04-22 15:06:55
  • LS Electric Shares Rise More Than 5% After Record First-Quarter Results
    LS Electric Shares Rise More Than 5% After Record First-Quarter Results LS Electric shares climbed in intraday trading after the company reported its best-ever first-quarter results. As of 2:46 p.m. on the 22nd, LS Electric was trading at 194,000 won, up 5.04% from the previous session, according to the Korea Exchange. The gain was attributed to improved investor sentiment after the company posted record first-quarter performance, supported by growing demand for power infrastructure for global data centers. LS Electric said the previous day that preliminary consolidated operating profit for the first quarter totaled 126.6 billion won, up 45% from a year earlier. Revenue rose 33.4% to 1.3766 trillion won, and net profit jumped 77.6% to 119.6 billion won. Brokerages also raised target prices to reflect the stronger results. Lee Sang-hyeon, an analyst at BNK Investment & Securities, wrote in a report on the 22nd that the company showed “clear growth” and largely met the operating-profit consensus. He said the strong first quarter was not a one-off and forecast orders and sales would continue to trend higher through the second, third and fourth quarters. Lee said new orders from big tech companies for data center projects are expected to rise at least 50% from 1 trillion won last year to more than 1.5 trillion won this year, and raised his target price to 230,000 won from 194,000 won. Lee Dong-heon, an analyst at Shinhan Investment Corp., said the stock’s “expensive valuation” could be tolerated if additional earnings growth follows from mid- to long-term orders, adding that the key issue is how much the company can expand its market position. He set a target price of 210,000 won, up from 129,000 won.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 15:04:18
  • Banks Expand ‘Productive Finance,’ but Public Takes Risk as Funds Favor Top Borrowers
    Banks Expand ‘Productive Finance,’ but Public Takes Risk as Funds Favor Top Borrowers Banks have increased corporate lending in the name of expanding “productive finance,” but critics say the money is flowing more to top-rated borrowers than to innovative firms and small merchants. That helps explain why, despite announcements of trillion-won support packages, many businesses say the impact on the ground remains limited. According to the financial sector on Tuesday, KB Kookmin, Hana, Woori and IBK Industrial Bank of Korea have contributed a combined 36.5 billion won to the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund so far this year. The total includes 30.5 billion won in special contributions and 6.0 billion won in support for guarantee fees. Including those banks, seven lenders have contributed 67.2 billion won to support non-capital regions. When banks make special contributions to policy guarantee institutions such as the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund and the Korea Technology Finance Corp., the agencies use the money to issue partnership guarantees. Banks then lend to small and midsize companies using those guarantees as collateral. The industry typically estimates the contributions can generate lending equal to 20 to 100 times the amount, meaning a 100 billion won contribution can translate into several trillion won in financing. The concern is that public institutions effectively take on the credit risk. If a guaranteed loan turns sour, banks face limited losses because the guarantee agency repays the debt, allowing banks to recover up to 90% to 100% of principal. That lets banks expand loan assets without a comparable hit to their soundness ratios. Supporters say the guarantees can serve as seed money for productive finance by helping lower-credit firms raise working capital and funds for facilities. But the burden on guarantee agencies inevitably grows as they absorb more risk. Subrogation payments by guarantee institutions have been rising. As of March, the number of troubled companies that received guarantees from the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund, the Korea Technology Finance Corp. and regional credit guarantee foundations, then failed to repay bank loans on time, jumped to 13,851 — 2.8 times the previous month’s 4,907. Subrogation payments tied to those cases totaled 594.8 billion won, up more than 40 billion won in a month. Meanwhile, loans that banks extend while directly bearing the risk have largely gone to stronger borrowers. As of the end of March, outstanding large-company loans at the five major banks — KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Woori and NH NongHyup Bank — stood at 179.0119 trillion won, up 5.12% from the end of last year. Over the same period, outstanding loans to small and midsize companies rose just 0.94% to 680.7618 trillion won. The figures suggest that while productive finance is billed as support for innovative firms, venture companies and small businesses, much of the money is still flowing to creditworthy conglomerates. One reason is that formal-sector finance remains difficult for vulnerable borrowers. Of loans to small merchants and self-employed borrowers, 79.8% are secured loans and 10.6% are loans with guarantors, while unsecured credit loans account for only 9.6%. A financial industry official said the sector agrees with the goal of expanding productive finance, but added that “to maintain soundness regulations, funds inevitably concentrate in relatively safe borrowers.” The official said improving productive finance in line with its stated purpose will require “qualitative improvements through a risk-sharing structure and better allocation of funds.” 2026-04-22 15:03:06
  • Democratic Party lawmaker Park Chan-dae launches Incheon mayor bid, touts ABC+E growth plan
    Democratic Party lawmaker Park Chan-dae launches Incheon mayor bid, touts 'ABC+E' growth plan Park Chan-dae, the Democratic Party’s candidate for Incheon mayor, said at an official campaign launch news conference on the 22nd that he would “get Incheon’s engine running again” with what he called the city’s “ABC+E” future strategy. After declaring his candidacy, Park visited a biotech site — one pillar of the plan — and unveiled seven biotech pledges. Speaking in the Aetteul Plaza outside Incheon City Hall, Park said Incheon has been “moving backward” because it lacked “a clear vision for the future.” He said the ABC+E strategy would turn Incheon into a place “overflowing with high-paying jobs.” ABC+E combines the initials of artificial intelligence, bio, contents and energy as a mid- to long-term growth strategy for Incheon. His pledges include: promoting AI automation for logistics at Incheon International Airport and Incheon Port; building an AI connected-car hub and a “global AI auto valley” in Cheongna; developing Songdo as a global hub for new drug development; creating a 50,000-seat Munhak K-culture stadium and building 11 content-industry clusters; and moving to secure an offshore wind power ecosystem, push for tiered electricity rates, and restart efforts for a distributed-energy special zone. Park said Incheon’s average total annual pay for wage workers stands at 41.83 million won, ranking 10th nationwide. “Incheon residents should be properly rewarded for the work they do,” he said, pledging to raise the city’s average annual salary by 2030 to the national top five, with an average of 55 million won. After the announcement, Park visited a biotech company in Songdo, calling Incheon’s bio sector both a current and future growth engine. “The perfect opportunity has come to grow it into an industry that surpasses semiconductors,” he said, adding that the city would “pour in every capability it has” during what he called the biotech industry’s golden time. Park said if anchor companies in Incheon — Samsung Biologics, Celltrion, Lotte Biologics and SK Bioscience — focus on biosimilars, the city would focus on creating the best possible environment for developing new drugs. “I will make Incheon a city that excels at both biosimilars and new drugs,” he said. He then announced seven major biotech pledges: establishing the Korea Bio Science and Technology Institute; creating an Incheon bio fund and operating a Boston-style K-bio lab hub to spur startups and investment; improving the biotech business environment; converting the Incheon industrial complex into a key base for biotech parts and equipment; building a public-private cooperation system for the bio industry; attracting a public medical school; and hosting an Incheon Bio Expo. “I will add speed to K-bio innovation,” Park said, vowing to make real what he described as President Lee Jae-myung’s vision of becoming a “top five global powerhouse” in K-bio pharmaceuticals through his seven biotech pledges.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 15:02:06
  • Japan Seen Holding Rates Steady as Middle East Tensions Cloud BOJ Outlook
    Japan Seen Holding Rates Steady as Middle East Tensions Cloud BOJ Outlook The Bank of Japan is increasingly expected to keep its policy rate unchanged at its late-April meeting, as instability in the Middle East drives up oil prices and raises concerns about supply disruptions, making the impact on Japan’s economy and inflation harder to gauge. A decision on a rate increase is likely to be pushed to the June meeting. Yomiuri Shimbun, Nikkei and Asahi Shimbun reported on April 22 that the BOJ is seriously considering holding the policy rate at about 0.75% at its April 27-28 policy meeting. With uncertainty over Middle East developments persisting, the central bank is seen prioritizing a review of broader economic effects over a premature hike. The outlook is being closely watched in South Korea as well. If a hike is delayed, the U.S.-Japan rate gap would remain, keeping pressure on the yen and potentially affecting South Korean export competitiveness through the won-yen exchange rate. The key variable is Middle East risk. Japan relies heavily on the region for crude oil imports, and higher oil prices can push up inflation. The BOJ is reportedly considering raising its forecast for fiscal 2026 consumer inflation in its April “Outlook for Economic Activity and Prices” report to reflect the impact of higher oil prices. Even so, the durability of inflation trends remains uncertain. Energy-driven price gains may prove temporary, while prolonged high oil prices could squeeze corporate profits and curb consumption, slowing growth. Asahi reported that the BOJ is holding off judgment between upside inflation pressure and downside economic risks, and that the probability of an April rate hike fell to 9% as of the afternoon of April 21, from more than 70% at one point. With markets largely positioned for no change, a surprise hike could increase financial-market volatility, the report said. Internal support for a hike also appears limited. Nikkei reported that while some policy board members may argue for an increase, there is no clear momentum for an early move. At the March meeting, board member Hajime Takata, described as hawkish, proposed a hike, but it was voted down by a majority. Yomiuri said concerns are also spreading over supplies of petrochemical feedstocks such as naphtha, as the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, a key chokepoint for Middle East energy shipments. If crude supply disruptions materialize, Japan could slip into a slowdown, the report said. The BOJ has held rates steady for two straight meetings since raising the policy rate from 0.5% to 0.75% last December. If it stands pat again, it would extend a cautious approach to tightening. Still, the central bank’s overall policy direction has not changed. Yomiuri reported that the BOJ is maintaining its stance that it will make additional rate increases to adjust the degree of monetary accommodation if the economy and prices move in line with its projections. Market attention is now shifting to whether the June meeting will bring an actual hike.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 15:01:06
  • Brokerages Revamp Mobile Trading Apps as Platform Competition Intensifies
    Brokerages Revamp Mobile Trading Apps as Platform Competition Intensifies Brokerages are racing to overhaul their mobile trading systems, or MTS, as a buoyant stock market draws more investors and intensifies competition to keep users on their platforms. Analysts say rivalry in the sector is shifting from transaction fees to platform strength. According to the financial investment industry on April 22, Next Securities is developing a next-generation MTS that combines artificial intelligence with short-form content, aiming for a launch in the second half of this year. The company plans to put short, easy-to-digest investing content front and center so users of all ages can navigate the app more intuitively. To support the push, Next Securities has expanded its retail organization from about 100 people at its launch last year to about 160, assigning a significant share to MTS development. While many established brokerages have been cautious about major UI and UX changes that could trigger user pushback, Next Securities says it will take a “zero-base” approach to build an entirely new investing environment. Hana Securities is preparing to release a new MTS app in the first half of the year with stronger AI and digital features. It plans to add a “simple mode” to keep the experience familiar for existing users while attracting new investors, a strategy seen as targeting investors in their 20s and 30s with a more intuitive interface. LS Securities also revamped the main screen of its MTS, “Toohon,” this month, separating domestic and overseas stock markets into independent tabs and adding a dedicated menu for exchange-traded funds. Other firms are upgrading existing platforms. Mirae Asset Securities recently redesigned the UX of the “MY Assets” feature in its MTS, “M-STOCK,” so users can view previously scattered asset information on a single screen. Kakao Securities strengthened server stability — including shift-based operations — after MTS disruptions that occurred when traffic surged during a period of heightened market volatility. Meritz Securities is also moving ahead with partial MTS changes while accelerating preparations to launch its web trading system, “Moeum.” The company aims to broaden contact with younger investors and differentiate communication features through a structure designed to connect with multiple platforms rather than being tied to a single app. “An MTS overhaul is essential to create a lock-in effect,” an industry official said. “Legacy brokerages will focus on simplification to bring in younger investors, while new platforms will expand functions and gradually add more heft.” 2026-04-22 14:54:32
  • South Korea awards 100 million won in bonuses to 23 staff at embassy in Iran
    South Korea awards 100 million won in bonuses to 23 staff at embassy in Iran The Foreign Ministry said Tuesday it paid about 100 million won ($) in special performance bonuses to 23 employees at the South Korean Embassy in Iran for their work responding to the Middle East situation. The ministry said the bonuses were paid regardless of rank or nationality and were scaled based on each employee’s contribution, including workload and exposure to risk during efforts such as assisting South Koreans with evacuation. The recipients included 13 South Korean nationals and 10 foreign nationals. The ministry said embassy staff kept the mission operating normally after the outbreak of war, maintained close communication with Iranian counterparts, and successfully supported the overland evacuation of South Korean nationals and their Iranian family members. It added that staff were also credited with checking daily on the safety of South Koreans who remained in the country, calling their work a strong performance in protecting citizens abroad despite dangerous conditions. President Lee Jae-myung, during a Cabinet meeting on the 14th, asked Foreign Minister Cho Hyun whether he had followed through on his instruction to encourage and reward embassy staff in Iran, and urged him to “take good care of it.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 14:47:03
  • Woo Won-shik Says Free Vote Could Pass Constitutional Amendment, but Lawmaker Resignations Loom
    Woo Won-shik Says Free Vote Could Pass Constitutional Amendment, but Lawmaker Resignations Loom National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik said a constitutional amendment slated for a May 7 plenary session could pass if lawmakers are allowed a free vote, but the measure faces headwinds. The People Power Party has declared its opposition as a party line. At the same time, Democratic Party lawmakers who were selected as candidates for metropolitan mayor and governor races in the June 3 local elections have said they will resign en masse on the 29th, increasing the burden of securing defections from the People Power Party. To pass in the plenary session, a constitutional amendment requires approval from at least two-thirds of sitting members. As of the 21st, with 295 members, the threshold is 197 votes. If the Democratic Party candidates resign, the number of sitting members would fall to 287. Some have argued the party could delay resignations until the 30th. Under the current Public Official Election Act, by-elections in the first half of the year are held for vacancies confirmed by the 30th, while the deadline for an incumbent to resign to run in local elections is May 4. However, party leader Jeong Cheong-rae has said the candidates will not use a loophole and will resign together on the 29th. If either Rep. Choo Kyung-ho or Rep. Yoo Young-ha, who are in a runoff for the People Power Party’s Daegu mayoral nomination, resigns after winning, the total would drop by one more seat. Rep. Kang Sun-woo, who is incarcerated, is also widely expected to be absent. Assuming Kang does not participate, passage would require at least 12 votes from the People Power Party: with 286 sitting members, 191 votes would be needed, and excluding Kang and the People Power Party leaves 179 seats. That is two more defections than the 10 needed under the current count of 295 members, where 197 votes are required and the non-People Power Party total excluding Kang is 187. In the People Power Party, only Reps. Kim Yong-tae and Cho Kyung-tae have publicly signaled support. Woo and six parties — the Democratic Party, the Rebuilding Korea Party, the Progressive Party, the New Reform Party, the Social Democratic Party and the Basic Income Party — agreed to pursue the amendment and introduced it on the 3rd. The proposal seeks to revise the Constitution that has been in place for 39 years since 1987. Its core aim is to prevent a repeat of the “12·3 martial law” by tightening the requirements for declaring martial law and neutralizing the president’s authority to do so. If the amendment fails in the May 7 plenary session, observers say the chances of passage in the second half of the year would be even lower. Of 14 districts expected to hold by-elections, 13 were previously held by the Democratic Party, making a clean sweep difficult to guarantee. Tensions have also surfaced between the Democratic Party and smaller progressive parties during efforts to pass political reforms, and they remain divided over possible election cooperation. Rep. Jeong Chun-saeng of the Rebuilding Korea Party voiced frustration during an April 18 plenary session, saying, “Are we only needed when it’s time to end a filibuster?”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 14:46:07
  • Brokerages Tighten Margin Lending as Retail Debt-Fueled Trading Heats Up Again
    Brokerages Tighten Margin Lending as Retail Debt-Fueled Trading Heats Up Again As the Kospi extends its rally, signs of overheating have reappeared in retail investors’ debt-fueled trading, prompting brokerages to tighten credit and step up risk controls. According to the financial investment industry on the 22nd, KB Securities began restricting new purchases of SK hynix through contracts for difference, or CFDs, from 9 a.m. the previous day. CFDs are high-risk over-the-counter derivatives that settle only price differences without owning the underlying asset. Because they can be highly leveraged, losses can grow quickly when market volatility rises. Mirae Asset Securities also adjusted margin requirements and stock classifications for some names starting that day. Twenty stocks — including Alteogen, HYBE, Kakao and LG Energy Solution — were moved up from group E to group F. Margin requirements for 10 stocks, including Hana Micron and Daeduck Electronics, were raised to 100% from 30% to 40%. Stocks set at 100% margin or placed in group F face limits such as restrictions on new margin-buying and extensions of loan maturities. Toss Securities, after raising margin requirements to 100% the previous day for some stocks including Korea Information & Communication and Jusung Engineering, expanded the list that day to include Korea Airport and Samsung Electro-Mechanics preferred shares. Kakao Pay Securities halted all new margin-buying orders, citing exhaustion of its credit limit. “Depending on market conditions, we are implementing additional risk-management measures such as adjusting margin requirements,” the firm said. The moves follow a sharp rise in margin trading. Data from the Korea Financial Investment Association showed outstanding margin loans across the main Kospi market and the Kosdaq market topped 34 trillion won for the first time on the 17th, reaching 34.0279 trillion won, and then rose to 34.2592 trillion won on the 20th. Market watchers said retail investors have been placing more aggressive leveraged bets as the Kospi set fresh record highs and expectations for further gains grew. Some also warned that momentum-driven buying aimed at quick profits could add downside pressure if volatility increases. A brokerage industry official said leveraged investing can magnify losses as quickly as gains, calling for extra caution. The official said investors should approach carefully by closely weighing their ability to repay and their tolerance for risk, especially during periods of rising volatility. 2026-04-22 14:36:17