Journalist

Ryu Yuna
  • AI enters Korean legislature, but humans remain in charge
    AI enters Korean legislature, but humans remain in charge SEOUL, April 15 (AJP) - The National Assembly of South Korea said Tuesday it has launched an AI-powered legislative support platform in collaboration with Samsung SDS, an ICT company affiliated with Samsung Group. The system — a generative AI tailored for legislative use — integrates internal legislative records with external public and academic data to support document search, analysis, and drafting. About 5,000 users, including lawmakers and their aides, are expected to use the platform. The first phase of the project has been completed, with subsequent phases set to expand data coverage, enhance AI functions, and eventually open the platform to the public. While the move is expected to improve efficiency in legislative work, experts caution that AI should remain a support tool, emphasizing that decision-making must ultimately remain a human responsibility, as AI cannot fully account for real-world context. “You cannot explain every context to AI,” said Kang Chang-mook, a professor of electrical engineering at Hanyang University. “Decisions still need to be made by humans.” The platform offers three main functions. It answers policy-related questions, drafts documents, and summarizes meeting records. It also allows users to search across internal and external sources using natural language. In addition, it analyzes existing laws and provisions to suggest similar legislation. The system has been developed in phases, with only the first stage completed so far. The project’s first phase focused on building the National Assembly’s big data infrastructure, according to an official at Samsung SDS. This included converting previously scattered data into AI-readable formats, introducing a legislature-specific language model, establishing data governance, and developing AI-powered search tools. “The next phase will focus on improving the platform by adding more data, enhancing the usefulness of AI services for legislative work, and strengthening data management and maintenance,” he said. In the third phase, he said, the project may expand to include a dedicated AI platform for public use, along with more advanced data structuring and upgraded generative AI capabilities, including agentic AI — a type of AI focused on autonomous systems that can make decisions and perform tasks without human intervention. Despite rapid adoption, structural challenges remain. According to the Korea-based Software Policy & Research Institute, as of 2024, 85.9 percent of central government agencies, all local governments, and 85.5 percent of quasi-governmental institutions in Korea had adopted AI. However, 91.1 percent of administrative staff still use document formats such as HWP and PDF, which are difficult for AI to process. Most public data also remain unstructured, limiting their use for AI training. Data preprocessing alone can account for up to 70 percent of AI adoption costs. Samsung SDS said the platform generates responses based on verified sources such as meeting records and reports to ensure reliability. It added that the system operates on the National Assembly’s internal servers rather than external cloud systems, strengthening data security. South Korea is not alone in adopting AI for legislative work. In the United States, the Senate has approved expanded use of tools including ChatGPT Enterprise, Google Workspace with Gemini, and Copilot Chat. In Brussels, the European Parliament uses AI for translation, summarization, and speech-to-text services, reflecting its multilingual environment. Japan is also expanding adoption, with its Digital Agency planning a pilot program for around 180,000 government officials. However, experts say institutional safeguards will be crucial as AI becomes more embedded in legislative processes, particularly regarding data bias and accountability. They also point to practical limitations, noting that AI may struggle to fully interpret complex legal language and policy context. Concerns have also been raised over data quality, the risk of errors in AI-generated outputs, and unclear lines of responsibility when such outputs are used in policymaking. 2026-04-15 17:33:46
  • KOSPI tops 6,100; Asian markets rise on renewed U.S.-Iran talks hopes
    KOSPI tops 6,100; Asian markets rise on renewed U.S.-Iran talks hopes SEOUL, April 15 (AJP) - South Korea’s KOSPI climbed above the 6,100 level on Wednesday, as the benchmark index rode easing war concerns to resume its record-breaking rally that had been disrupted by U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February. The main index rose 2.96 percent to 6,144.26, while the KOSDAQ gained 1.93 percent to 1,143.49 as of 10:29 a.m. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1.15 percent to 58,542.14. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index gained 1.00 percent to 26,131.14, and China’s Shanghai Composite Index added 0.33 percent to 4,039.85. Samsung SDS surged more than 10 percent in early trading after announcing plans to issue 1.22 trillion won worth of convertible bonds. The stock opened 9.70 percent higher at 166,200 won and extended gains, rising 19.08 percent to 180,400 won as of 10:00 a.m., up 28,900 won from the previous session. Bellwether Samsung Electronics gained 3.63 percent to 214,000 won, while SK hynix rose 5.53 percent to 1,164,000 won ahead of its earnings release next week. In the auto sector, Hyundai Motor climbed 4.37 percent to 513,000 won, and Kia added 2.61 percent to 153,100 won. Battery and energy shares were also in positive territory, with LG Energy Solution up 1.75 percent at 407,000 won and SK Inc. gaining 4.84 percent to 671,000 won. Hanwha Aerospace edged up 0.26 percent to 1,527,000 won. Biopharmaceutical stocks saw moderate gains, as Samsung Biologics rose 2.15 percent to 1,569,000 won and Doosan Enerbility advanced 4.61 percent to 104,300 won. Financials also moved higher across the board, with KB Financial Group up 2.05 percent at 159,100 won, Samsung Life Insurance rising 5.49 percent to 259,500 won, and Shinhan Financial Group gaining 1.32 percent to 99,600 won. All major KOSDAQ stocks also traded higher. Among biopharmaceutical and healthcare shares, Alteogen rose 3.97 percent to 367,000 won, Samchundang Pharm gained 3.08 percent to 536,000 won, and ABL Bio climbed 3.91 percent to 162,000 won. HLB and LigaChem Biosciences also advanced 1.12 percent and 5.30 percent to 63,400 won and 190,600 won, respectively. In other sectors, Ecopro and Ecopro BM rose 3.81 percent and 3.39 percent to 149,700 won and 204,500 won, respectively, while Rainbow Robotics gained 1.16 percent to 610,000 won. Koh Young Technology jumped 9.32 percent to 104,400 won, and Rino Industrial edged up 0.54 percent to 112,200 won. The dollar retreated on foreign stock buying, trading at 1,471.80 won, compared with the previous close of 1,481.20. Overnight on Wall Street, U.S. tech stocks rallied on hopes for renewed U.S.-Iran talks. Nvidia rose 3.8 percent, while Micron Technology surged 9.17 percent, extending gains in the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index, which climbed 2.04 percent for a 10th consecutive session. Buying sentiment was supported by softer U.S. producer price data, easing inflation concerns. The U.S. Labor Department said the Producer Price Index (PPI) rose 0.5 percent in March, well below the Dow Jones consensus estimate of a 1.1 percent increase. Meanwhile, oil prices pulled back sharply. West Texas Intermediate fell 7.9 percent to $91.28, while Brent crude dropped 4.6 percent to $94.79 a barrel. 2026-04-15 10:57:02
  • South Korea jobs rise in March, but youth outlook worsens
    South Korea jobs rise in March, but youth outlook worsens *Updated with additional information SEOUL, April 15 (AJP) -South Korea's headline jobs market maintained resilience in March as the impact of the Gulf war remained peripheral for now, but data pointed to worsening conditions for youth, signaling a structural job cliff for young people. The number of employed people rose by 206,000 from a year earlier to 28.795 million, easing slightly from a 234,000 increase in February, according to data released by the Data and Statistics Wednesday. The employment rate for those aged 15 to 64 — the OECD-comparable benchmark — stood at 69.7 percent, up 0.4 percentage points from a year earlier, supported by strong gains among those aged 60 and older. The younger cohort remained in the doldrums. The employment rate for those aged 15 to 29 fell 0.9 percentage points year-on-year to 43.6 percent, while their unemployment rate edged up 0.1 percentage point to 7.6 percent. The overall unemployment rate, in contrast, edged down 0.1 percentage point to 3.0 percent. Job losses were concentrated among those in their 20s, down 167,000, while those in their 40s — typically prime working years — also shed 5,000. Employment gains were largely seen among those in their 40s and 50s. By gender, employment declined among men in their 20s and 30s, while women posted gains in their 30s and 40s. The trend has raised concerns that the downturn reflects not only a cyclical slowdown but also a structural shift driven by AI. Entry-level hiring has weakened, while routine junior tasks — such as basic coding, data research and drafting — are increasingly being automated. A Bank of Korea report released in October last year found that youth employment declined across key industries in the three years following the launch of ChatGPT (July 2022 to July 2025). Jobs for those aged 15 to 29 fell by 11.2 percent in computer programming and system integration, 20.4 percent in publishing, 8.8 percent in professional services, and 23.8 percent in information services, underscoring growing exposure to AI-driven disruption. By industry, weakness persisted in manufacturing and construction. Employment in the wholesale and retail trade sector fell by 18,000 (0.6 percent), marking the first decline in 11 months since April last year, while accommodation and food services shed 2,000 jobs (0.1 percent), extending declines to a fifth consecutive month. Manufacturing employment also dropped by 42,000 (1.0 percent), extending its downturn to 21 consecutive months, while construction lost 16,000 jobs (0.8 percent), marking a 23rd straight month of decline. In contrast, gains were driven by the services sector, with employment rising by 294,000 (9.4 percent) in health and social welfare services, 75,000 (4.5 percent) in transportation and storage, and 44,000 (8.4 percent) in arts, sports and leisure-related services. Meanwhile, the number of people who reported they were simply “taking a break” — not seeking work despite being capable — increased, particularly among older age groups. Those aged 60 and above who were resting rose 8.6 percent from a year earlier. 2026-04-15 09:51:42
  • War resilience draws Korean retail money home, but sustainability in question
    War resilience draws Korean retail money home, but sustainability in question SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) -South Korean equities have shown surprising resilience so far against the backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions, helping to bring home retail capital previously deployed in U.S. markets. Yet how durable — and how deep — this reshoring trend will prove remains uncertain. “Tax incentives can act as a supporting factor, but not the primary driver,” said Shin Hyun-han, a finance professor at Yonsei University’s School of Business. “Funds tend to return when domestic equities become more attractive, not simply because of policy benefits.” He added that the long-term trajectory hinges more on corporate competitiveness than on the Reshoring Investment Account (RIA) scheme itself. According to Shinhan Investment & Securities on Tuesday, proceeds from overseas stock sales within RIA accounts are being funneled primarily into large-cap Korean equities and index-tracking exchange-traded funds (ETFs). As of April 3, Nvidia accounted for the largest share of overseas withdrawals at 19.1 percent, followed by Apple (7.8 percent), Tesla (7.4 percent), Alphabet Inc. Class A (6.8 percent) and Palantir Technologies (5.4 percent) — pointing to profit-taking in global AI and big tech leaders. On the domestic side, SK hynix led purchases with a 15.7 percent share, closely followed by Samsung Electronics (15.4 percent). Benchmark ETFs such as KODEX 200 ETF (4.1 percent) and TIGER 200 ETF (2.5 percent), along with Hyundai Motor (3.6 percent), also ranked among the top destinations — underscoring a rotation into semiconductor heavyweights and broad market exposure. The RIA framework allows investors to reinvest proceeds from overseas stock sales into domestic equities or hold them in won, with phased tax relief on capital gains depending on the timing of liquidation. Shinhan Investment & Securities said the program applies to overseas holdings acquired before Dec. 23, 2025. The government has positioned the scheme as part of a broader strategy to encourage the repatriation of overseas investment gains, offering targeted tax incentives. Participation data suggest the trend is being driven less by short-term trading than by profit realization among seasoned investors. The average amount transferred into RIA accounts stood at around 30 million won — about 60 percent of the 50 million won cap. Among participants, 43.7 percent liquidated overseas holdings, booking an average gain of roughly 13 million won per person. Demographically, men accounted for 65.3 percent of participants, compared with 34.7 percent for women. Investors in their 40s made up the largest cohort at 31.4 percent, followed by those in their 50s (26.2 percent) and 30s (23.4 percent), while those aged 60 and above — and under 30 — comprised smaller shares. The data point to a structural shift led by middle-aged investors with accumulated gains, rather than momentum-driven retail flows. Importantly, the movement does not signal a wholesale exit from U.S. technology stocks, but rather a reallocation within the same AI-driven investment theme — locking in profits from earlier winners and redeploying capital domestically. Expectations for Korea’s semiconductor sector are reinforcing this rotation. Samsung Electronics reported record preliminary first-quarter results on April 7, with revenue of 133 trillion won and operating profit of 57.2 trillion won. SK hynix, ahead of its earnings release later this month, has also seen rising expectations, with its shares trading around 1.115 million won on Tuesday. Brokerages say surging demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and server DRAM — fueled by the rapid buildout of AI data centers — is positioning the two firms as key beneficiaries of the U.S.-led AI value chain. Analysts have been steadily raising target prices for SK hynix, citing sustained long-term demand from global tech firms securing memory supply. The growing share of ETF allocations further underscores a shift in strategy. The prominence of KODEX 200 and TIGER 200 among top buys suggests investors are not simply chasing individual winners, but increasingly diversifying across benchmark KOSPI constituents to manage risk. Given that a portion of the flows is being channeled through the Reshoring Investment Account (RIA), tax incentives appear to be playing a facilitating role rather than acting as the primary catalyst. Whether these inflows translate into sustained, long-term allocations to Korean equities once the program expires remains an open question. “The key variable is corporate fundamentals. Without sustained earnings growth and competitiveness, such flows are unlikely to persist,” said Shin Hyun-han of Yonsei University. He added that investors could readily pivot back to overseas assets once the policy window closes. Shin also cautioned against overinterpreting the current movement, characterizing it as cyclical rather than structural, and underscoring the importance of maintaining diversified portfolios. “From an asset allocation perspective, maintaining exposure to global markets remains important, particularly for institutional investors,” he said. The recent shift, in this view, reflects a confluence of factors — stretched valuations in U.S. AI stocks, currency dynamics and improving expectations for Korea’s semiconductor cycle — rather than a decisive turning point.Distinguishing between temporary rebalancing and a structural reallocation will ultimately hinge on whether Korea’s equity market can sustain earnings momentum and close its longstanding competitiveness gap. 2026-04-14 17:50:43
  • Energy-poor ASEAN speaks out, demands safe Hormuz reopening
    Energy-poor ASEAN speaks out, demands safe Hormuz reopening SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) —The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), increasingly strained by energy supply disruptions stemming from the Gulf conflict, on Monday urged the United States and Iran to reach a permanent resolution and restore safe passage through the critical shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz. ASEAN foreign ministers issued a joint statement following a virtual meeting, calling on Washington and Tehran to intensify diplomatic efforts toward a lasting end to hostilities and durable peace in the Middle East. They warned that the conflict is already disrupting both energy and food supply chains, underscoring the urgency of securing priority access to energy for member states amid the crisis. The ministers stressed the need for the full and effective implementation of the two-week ceasefire agreement to prevent further casualties, and called for the immediate restoration of safe, secure and uninterrupted transit for vessels and aircraft through the Strait of Hormuz. They also urged all parties to ensure the safety of ships and crews operating in the area. ASEAN reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with South Korea, China and Japan to mitigate supply disruptions and curb price volatility. Philippine foreign minister Theresa Lazaro said the ministers also discussed joint measures to secure key agricultural inputs, including fertilizers, in a bid to reinforce regional food security. She added that the ASEAN Summit in May will proceed as scheduled, with a focus on food and energy security as well as the safety of citizens across member states. Manila chairs this year's summit. The region is considered particularly vulnerable to the conflict due to its heavy reliance on Middle Eastern oil and gas. According to the International Energy Agency, roughly 20 percent of global seaborne oil trade passes through the Strait of Hormuz, with nearly 80 percent of those flows bound for Asian markets, including Southeast Asia. Countries with limited reserves are already feeling the strain from what officials describe as the worst energy disruption in modern history. The Philippines has declared a national energy emergency, Indonesia has introduced flexible work arrangements, Vietnam has suspended crude exports, and Thailand is rationing diesel while reactivating coal-fired power plants. Tensions escalated further after Donald Trump announced that U.S. naval forces had begun blocking Iranian-linked shipping routes near the Strait of Hormuz starting at 10 a.m. Eastern Time on April 13. The move followed the collapse of ceasefire talks held in Islamabad from April 11 to 12. 2026-04-14 15:41:59
  • KOSPI tests 6,000 on Iran deal hopes; Asia stocks broadly higher
    KOSPI tests 6,000 on Iran deal hopes; Asia stocks broadly higher SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) - Asian markets were broadly upbeat Tuesday after U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at renewed negotiations with Iran, raising hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough before the two-week ceasefire ends next Tuesday. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI led the gains, rising 3.2 percent to 5,993.59 after flirting with 6,000. The KOSDAQ gained 2.3 percent to 1,125.03 as of 11:15 a.m. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 2.55 percent to 57,943.50, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index advanced 0.90 percent to 25,891.28, and China’s Shanghai Composite Index was up 0.33 percent at 4,001.65. Semiconductors led gains, with SK hynix soaring 7 percent to 1,113,000 won and testing a new record high on expectations for stellar first-quarter earnings. Samsung Electronics rose 3.6 percent to 208,500 won. Automakers also advanced, as Hyundai Motor gained 4.28 percent to 499,000 won and Kia rose 2.24 percent to 150,700 won. Among biopharmaceutical stocks, Celltrion rose 2.72 percent to 200,500 won, supported by news that the company completed a record-scale treasury share retirement, cancelling about 4 percent of its outstanding shares — equivalent to roughly 1.78 trillion won. Strong earnings also supported the stock, with the company posting 4.16 trillion won in revenue and 1.17 trillion won in operating profit last year, as profit jumped 137.5 percent from a year earlier and margins improved. Industrial and defense stocks were mixed, with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries adding 1.51 percent to 470,000 won, while Hanwha Aerospace slipped 1.50 percent to 1,507,000 won. Among battery shares, LG Energy Solution edged down 0.12 percent to 401,000 won and Samsung SDI fell 1.20 percent to 471,750 won. Financials moved higher overall, with KB Financial Group gaining 0.45 percent to 157,300 won, Shinhan Financial Group rising 1.12 percent to 99,400 won, and Mirae Asset Securities surging 11.64 percent to 72,900 won. On the KOSDAQ, biopharmaceutical and healthcare stocks showed broadly positive momentum, with Alteogen rising 2.26 percent to 361,500 won and Samchundang Pharm adding 0.19 percent to 527,000 won. ABL Bio gained 1.94 percent to 158,000 won, while HLB surged 8.40 percent to 63,200 won and LigaChem Biosciences jumped 4.40 percent to 197,100 won. Caregen also advanced 1.74 percent to 93,600 won. Defense and industrial-related names traded mixed, with LIG Nex1 climbing 0.96 percent to 94,600 won, while Rino Industrial slipped 1.50 percent to 111,700 won. Robotics and tech-related stocks were strong, as Rainbow Robotics surged 3.75 percent to 608,000 won and Peptron gained 2.69 percent to 267,000 won. In the currency market, the won strengthened slightly, with the dollar trading at 1,479.50 won, compared with the previous close of 1,489.30. Overnight on Wall Street, all three major indexes closed higher as investors leaned toward optimism over a potential de-escalation. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.63 percent to 48,218.25, the S&P 500 gained 1.02 percent to 6,886.24, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.23 percent to 23,183.74. The gains were driven by a continued rally in technology stocks, with Oracle surging 12.69 percent. 2026-04-14 11:20:27
  • INTERVIEW: BTS wear them, but hanbok is still misunderstood
    INTERVIEW: BTS wear them, but hanbok is still misunderstood SEOUL, April 13 (AJP) — Hanbok is everywhere — on global stages, red carpets and tourist hotspots. Recognition, however, remains elusive. From BTS’s Gwanghwamun comeback performance in armor-inspired hanbok to the Oscar-stage showcase of K-pop Demon Hunters, Korean traditional dress is increasingly projected onto the global screen. The imagery travels easily. It resonates visually. To many, it simply registers as something “cool.” But familiarity stops there. Samuel Chung, chairman of the Korean Culture Association who has spent nearly two decades promoting hanbok abroad, draws a clear line between exposure and understanding. “It is seriously misleading to think hanbok is as popular as K-wave,” Chung said. “Only about 5 percent of foreigners can truly identify hanbok.” “To the 95 percent, hanbok cannot be differentiated from Chinese clothing hanfu or Japanese kimono.” The disconnect is borne out in data. According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, favorability toward Korean cultural content reached 69.7 percent in the 2026 Overseas Hallyu Survey. Yet global interest remains concentrated in food, music and television, with traditional culture largely absent from primary recognition categories. “Even when people see hanbok, many can’t tell whether it’s Korean, Japanese or Chinese,” Chung said. “They cannot tell if they are wearing the Korean traditional wardrobe from the giant ads of Korean celebrities at Times Square in New York.” “Simply put, foreigners can tell Shin Ramyun from non-Korean instant noodles, but cannot tell the difference in the traditional Asian wear.” Chung attributes the gap not to a lack of exposure, but to the absence of clear identity-building. “We take it for granted as our own culture, but overseas perception is entirely different,” he said. “The more attention, the greater Korea should pay to the original identity.” That tension is visible on the ground. At major heritage sites such as Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village, hanbok-clad visitors have become a defining scene. The number has surged from about 150,000 in 2020 to more than 2 million in 2024, according to the Korea Heritage Service. Yet many of the outfits worn by tourists bear only a loose resemblance to traditional hanbok — often simplified, over-stylized and mass-produced abroad. “The rentals not just derail from the original form but also cannot be claimed Korean at all as they are produced in China,” Chung said. Price has driven that shift. A domestically made hanbok costs around 400,000 won, while imported versions can be sourced for as little as 10,000 to 20,000 won. The Korea Heritage Service allows modernized hanbok at palace sites but stresses adherence to core structure, advising against heavily mixed styles such as pairing a jeogori with jeans. For Chung, however, the issue runs deeper than design. He recalls being greeted with “ni hao” while wearing hanbok in front of the Eiffel Tower — a moment that, for him, encapsulates the blurred identity of Korean traditional dress abroad. The problem, he warns, could intensify in the age of artificial intelligence. “The misrepresentation can deepen in the AI era,” he said. “If information and visual references on hanbok lag behind those of kimono or hanfu, distorted perceptions can take hold more quickly.” Concerns are already emerging. Generative AI models often return Japanese-style clothing or mixed East Asian imagery when prompted with “hanbok.” A 2025 study by researchers at Chung-Ang University found that leading vision-language models frequently misidentified hanbok, describing it as Japanese attire or unrelated cultural garments — a pattern attributed to imbalances in training data. The disparity is also visible in global search trends. Interest in “kimono” has consistently outpaced “hanbok” by more than tenfold. “We shouldn’t assume hanbok is widely recognized just because K-pop stars wear it,” Chung said. Efforts to address the gap are now beginning to take shape. First lady Kim Hye-kyung recently hosted a meeting at the presidential office to support UNESCO recognition of hanbok culture, signaling a more coordinated push. “Government moves through systems and policy, while the private sector builds relationships on the ground. Both need to work together,” Chung said. For Chung, the solution begins with familiarity — not as an abstract concept, but as lived experience. “Culture isn’t about competition — it’s about familiarity,” he said. “It spreads not just by being shown, but by being worn and experienced.” His organization has pursued that approach through global events, including fashion shows, exhibitions and the Hanbok Model Contest, which emphasizes participation over spectacle. “Modeling is something anyone can take part in,” Chung said. “In a globally accessible format, it becomes a powerful way to present hanbok visually — even without language.” “The moment someone steps on stage in hanbok, it becomes cultural diplomacy.” Yet at home, hanbok faces a different challenge — one of contraction. “Hanbok has largely disappeared from everyday life and largely exists ceremonial and symbolic,” Chung said. “Hanbok should not be something people simply experience — it should be part of everyday life.” For hanbok to be recognized as distinctly Korean, he argues, it must move beyond being consumed as a “Korean-style” costume. “What is needed now is not the confidence that hanbok is already global, but a recognition that it is still not fully understood.” 2026-04-13 17:29:31
  • Asian stocks retreat near 1% amid imminent US reverse blockade at Hormuz
    Asian stocks retreat near 1% amid imminent US reverse blockade at Hormuz SEOUL, April 13 (AJP) — Asian markets opened broadly lower Monday on renewed spike in oil price after the U.S.-Iran showdown spilled over to the Strait of Hormuz following failed weekend peace talks. The pullback, however, remained relatively contained at around 1 percent, suggesting markets are still pricing in a controlled escalation and a potential pathway toward stabilizing the critical waterway. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI fell 0.79 percent to 5,812.82 as of 10:43 a.m., and Japan’s Nikkei 225 also 0.79 percent to 56,474.72. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index declined 1.11 percent to 25,605.67, and China’s Shanghai Composite Index edged down 0.28 percent to 3,975.10. The cautious retreat followed confirmation from the United States Central Command that it would implement maritime security measures targeting vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports starting at 10 a.m. Eastern Time on April 13. Under the plan, traffic linked to Iranian ports across the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman will be subject to control measures regardless of nationality, while transit through the Strait of Hormuz will remain open for vessels traveling between non-Iranian ports. The move aligns with a more aggressive posture signaled by Donald Trump, who said “the blockade will begin shortly” and indicated mine-clearing operations would commence in the waterway. The calibrated approach — restricting Iranian-linked flows while preserving broader navigation — points to a selective pressure strategy aimed at choking off Tehran’s oil revenues without triggering a full-scale supply shock. Large-cap stocks in Seoul mostly traded lower. Samsung Electronics fell 1.70 percent to 202,500 won, Hyundai Motor declined 1.23 percent to 483,500 won, and LG Energy Solution slipped 1.09 percent to 407,500 won. Samsung Biologics dropped 1.78 percent, while KB Financial Group edged down 1.20 percent. Losses extended across cyclicals, with Samsung C&T down 2.31 percent and Celltrion off 2.63 percent. Doosan Enerbility fell 1.70 percent, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries declined 1.05 percent, and NAVER slipped 1.93 percent. Gains were limited. SK hynix rose 1.36 percent to 1,041,000 won, Hanwha Aerospace added 0.40 percent, and SK Square advanced 2.46 percent. Construction shares, which had rallied on expectations of postwar reconstruction demand in the Middle East, came under renewed pressure as the collapse of U.S.–Iran talks dampened sentiment. GS Engineering & Construction dropped 4.12 percent, Hyundai Engineering & Construction fell 1.62 percent, while Kyeryong Construction Industrial and Samsung E&A declined 4.20 percent and 3.61 percent, respectively. The retreat followed a sharp run-up. From March 3 to April 10, the KRX Construction Index surged 26.11 percent, the strongest gain among all sectors, while KOSPI-listed construction stocks climbed 30.59 percent, significantly outperforming the broader market. The KOSDAQ bucked the trend, rising 0.55 percent to 1,099.67. Among gainers, EcoPro rose 0.55 percent and EcoPro BM gained 0.99 percent, while Leeno Industrial edged up 0.09 percent. On the downside, Alteogen fell 3.04 percent, ABL Bio dropped 1.78 percent, and Kolon TissueGene slid 6.24 percent. The U.S. dollar rose to 1,491.40 won from last close of 1,482.50. 2026-04-13 11:13:02
  • Asian markets rise on ceasefire talks, shrug off BOK pause
    Asian markets rise on ceasefire talks, shrug off BOK pause SEOUL, April 10 (AJP) -Asian markets opened broadly higher Friday as investors bet on easing tensions as U.S. and Iranian delegates are set to hold face-to-face talks following a ceasefire in Pakistan on Saturday. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI rose 1.82 percent to 5,883.03, while the junior KOSDAQ gained 1.36 percent to 1,090.68 as of 11:05 a.m. The market largely brushed off the Bank of Korea’s rate freeze — extended for nearly a year — with policy inertia already priced in amid conflicting pressures from rising import costs and a slowing economy tied to the prolonged Gulf conflict. Among movers, Hanwha Solutions gained 1.25 percent to 40,550 won as investors welcomed the Financial Supervisory Service's refusal to greenlight its planned 2.4 trillion won rights offering, calling for revisions to the financing structure. Tech heavyweights led gains. Samsung Electronics rose 2.57 percent to 209,250 won, while SK hynix climbed 3.71 percent to 1,035,000 won as it is expected to deliver equally stellar first-quarter earnings following Samsung’s upbeat guidance earlier this week. Battery and energy stocks traded mixed, with LG Energy Solution falling 1.07 percent and Samsung SDI edging up 0.52 percent. Automakers showed a muted performance. Hyundai Motor added 0.66 percent, while Kia slipped 0.13 percent. Shipbuilders advanced, with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries rising 1.49 percent, while financials tracked higher as KB Financial Group and Shinhan Financial Group gained 1.95 percent and 1.86 percent, respectively. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1.57 percent, China’s Shanghai Composite added 0.78 percent, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index gained 1.18 percent. The Korean won strengthened modestly to 1,479.10 per dollar, from 1,482.5 won at the previous close. Oil prices moved higher despite the ceasefire optimism, with Brent crude rising 1.23 percent to $95.92 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate jumping 3.66 percent to $97.87, underscoring lingering supply concerns. 2026-04-10 11:35:33
  • Asian markets retreat after truce rally; Kospi slips by Samsung block sale
    Asian markets retreat after truce rally; Kospi slips by Samsung block sale SEOUL, April 09 (AJP) - Asian markets opened broadly lower on Thursday, giving back some of the previous session's sharp gains after the United States and Iran effectively agreed to a Pakistan-mediated two-week truce. As investors monitored the course of Washington-Tehran negotiations, South Korean stocks were weighed by profit-taking following Wednesday’s sharp jump and a large block sale of Samsung Electronics shares. The main index fell 0.99 percent to 5,814.40, and the tech-heavy KOSDAQ declined 0.96 percent to 1,079.36 as of 11:10 a.m. Samsung Electronics fell more than 3 percent in early trading on Thursday, following a large block sale by the late chairman Lee Kun-hee's widow Hong Ra-hee. Hong, mother of Samsung Group chief Lee Jae-yong sold 15 million shares worth about 3.08 trillion won ($2.3 billion) at a 2.5 percent discount to the previous close to complete the inheritance tax following the patriarch's death in 2020. Shares were down 3.33 percent at 203,500 won in the morning trade. Shares of SK Hynix also declined, falling 2.81 percent to 1,004,000 won, with the two heavyweights weighing on the broader KOSPI. Among other large caps, battery shares were mixed, with LG Energy Solution rising 2.59 percent to 416,500 won and Samsung SDI gaining 2.65 percent to 484,000 won. Defense and industrial names were weaker, with Hanwha Aerospace dropping 2.43 percent to 1,448,000 won and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries slipping 0.67 percent to 481,250 won. Automakers were mixed, as Hyundai Motor fell 1.38 percent to 501,000 won, while Kia edged up 0.75 percent to 160,400 won. Financial shares were mixed, with KB Financial Group rising 0.77 percent to 157,200 won and Shinhan Financial Group gaining 1.76 percent to 98,400 won, while Samsung Life Insurance slid 5.24 percent to 226,000 won. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 0.77 percent to 55,873.60 after recent gains, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index declined 0.88 percent to 25,665.20. Chinese stocks also traded lower, with the Shanghai Composite Index falling 0.70 percent to 3,966.90. The dollar edged up to 1,481.90 won, compared with 1,470.6 won at the previous close. 2026-04-09 11:30:34