Journalist

Ryu Yuna, Lee Jung-woo, Kim Hee-su, and Joonha Yoo
  • Koreas HD Korea Shipbuilding posts milestone Q3 profit on brisk vessel sales
    Korea's HD Korea Shipbuilding posts milestone Q3 profit on brisk vessel sales SEOUL, November 03 (AJP) - HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co. on Monday reported its best-ever quarterly performance since adopting a holding-company structure, with operating profit more than doubling from a year earlier to surpass 1 trillion won ($733 million) for the first time. Operating profit jumped to 1.05 trillion won in the July–September period on revenue of 7.6 trillion won, up 21 percent on year. Net income surged nearly fourfold to 876.7 billion won, the company said in a regulatory filing. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' stock rose 1.16 percent to close at 479,500 won. The flagship shipbuilder of HD Hyundai credited the robust results to a global shipbuilding boom and an increase in high-value vessel deliveries, which more than offset seasonal production slowdowns. Higher ship prices and productivity gains in the commercial vessel business also helped lift profitability, executives said during a conference call Monday. By segment, the shipbuilding division posted an operating profit of 865.8 billion won, up 129 percent from a year earlier, on revenue of 6.20 trillion won, a 16.5 percent increase. The engine and machinery business saw revenue rise 31 percent to 823.6 billion won amid growing demand for dual-fuel engines under tighter global emissions rules, with operating profit soaring 138 percent to 243.2 billion won. The offshore plant division recorded revenue of 280.4 billion won, buoyed by major project deliveries, but swung to a loss due to one-off expenses. HD Korea Shipbuilding serves as the intermediate holding company overseeing HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, HD Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, and HD Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries—together forming the country’s single largest shipbuilding group. 2025-11-03 17:49:02
  • Red-hot chip streak bolsters KOSPI as other Asian markets stay muted
    Red-hot chip streak bolsters KOSPI as other Asian markets stay muted SEOUL, November 03 (AJP) - South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI extended its record-setting rally on Monday, far outperforming other Asian markets as optimism from the APEC week—marked by Nvidia-linked momentum, eased U.S. tariffs, and expectations of China lifting its unofficial ban on Korean content—kept risk appetite high. The KOSPI rose 1.9 percent to 4,183.52 in early trading, while the KOSDAQ gained 1 percent to 909.09. SK hynix briefly touched 600,000 won ($419) on heavy institutional and retail buying, driven by broad conviction that the world’s leading HBM supplier will dominate the AI memory cycle. Nomura Securities projected the company could overtake Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) in operating profit by 2027, raising its target price by more than 55 percent from 540,000 won to 840,000 won. SK Securities went further, lifting its target to 1 million won. Investor sentiment strengthened after President Donald Trump and President Lee Jae Myung concluded a bilateral summit on October 29 that finalized the long-delayed U.S. import tariff framework. The agreement removed one of the biggest overhangs for the Korean economy and helped revive appetite for local equities. Morgan Stanley raised its 2025 growth forecast for South Korea to 1.6–1.7 percent from 1.5 percent, citing reduced risks tied to Korean institutional investments in the United States. The firm said Washington’s new investment cap would help contain capital outflows, while lower U.S. tariffs on auto parts would restore price competitiveness for Korean-made goods. The Federal Reserve’s rate cut at its October FOMC meeting—its first reduction this year—added external support. Lower U.S. borrowing costs are expected to ease global liquidity pressures and draw more capital into Asia’s biggest semiconductor hub. Entertainment stocks also rallied after JYP Entertainment founder and chief producer Park Jin-young met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, fueling speculation that Beijing may be preparing to lift its unofficial ban on Korean pop culture. JYP jumped 6.7 percent to 86,300 won, while SM Entertainment rose 3.4 percent, Cube Entertainment gained 3 percent, and HYBE advanced 0.9 percent. Market enthusiasm grew after reports that Xi offered positive remarks on Korean artists performing in China during a state banquet following Saturday’s Korea–China summit. Park, who serves as JYP’s chief creative officer, also co-chairs the Presidential Commission for Cultural Exchange. Elsewhere in Asia, China’s Shanghai Composite Index slipped 0.2 percent to 3,947.14, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index inched up 0.3 percent to 25,981.31. In Taipei, the TAIEX rose 0.6 percent to 28,399.55, though TSMC—Taiwan’s $1.5 trillion market-cap champion—fell 1.3 percent to $300.4. 2025-11-03 11:45:31
  • Asian Culture Calendar
    Asian Culture Calendar SEOUL, November 03 (AJP) - South Korea Nov. 6 - 8 Jeju Olle Walking Festival Sep. 26 - Nov. 8 Daegu International Opera Festival Japan Nov. 1 - 10 Gion Odori Nov. 1 - 3 Meiji Shrine Autumn Grand Festival Nov. 9 Arashiyama Momiji Festival Nov. 1 - 10 Sapporo Chrysanthemum Festival Nov. 1 -4 SAKANA & JAPAN Festival Thailand Nov. 5 - 6 Loy Krathong Festival Nov. 5 - 6 Yi Peng Lantern Festival Nov. 21 - 23 Surin Elephant Round-up Nov. 28 - 29 Pattaya International Fireworks Festival Taiwan Nov. 3 Penghu Cross-Sea Marathon Hong Kong Nov. 6 - 12 India by the Bay Nov. 6 - 9 Freespace Jazz Fest 2025-11-03 09:21:21
  • HOT STOCK: Hyundai Motor stocks fly on Trump and Jensen Huang effect
    HOT STOCK: Hyundai Motor stocks fly on Trump and Jensen Huang effect SEOUL, October 31 (AJP) - Listed units of Hyundai Motor Group rode the APEC wave on Friday, lifted by eased tariffs during U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit and the halo of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, whose appearance dominated the APEC scene after Trump’s departure. Hyundai Motor closed up 9.4 percent at 290,000 won ($203). Hyundai Glovis rose 10.4 percent, and Hyundai AutoEver surged 26 percent to finish at 203,500 won. The rally was fueled by the long-awaited settlement of a trade deal under which Washington agreed to cut tariffs on Korean car exports from 25 percent to 15 percent, aligning Korea with Japanese and European rivals. Tariff negotiations over the past year had weighed heavily on the corporate outlook, particularly for Hyundai Glovis, complicating its logistics operations. The resolution removes a major point of uncertainty for the auto and shipping sectors, said Hyung-Kyu Kang, emeritus professor of transportation and logistics at Hanyang University. The tech leaders’ night out added to the momentum behind Hyundai Motor shares. The talk of the town was the chicken-and-beer gathering at Kkanbu Chicken in southern Seoul, where Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun shared drinks and casual conversation. Images of the trio mingling with patrons in everyday attire went viral, briefly boosting sales at Kkanbu Chicken outlets, with some stores reporting nearly double their usual weekend orders. “Kkanbu,” meaning trusted friend, became globally familiar after its appearance in the Netflix hit Squid Game. In Korean schoolyard slang, a kkanbu is a true equal — someone who has your back. The three industry leaders’ toast beneath the restaurant’s symbolic sign came at a moment of rising influence for all three companies: Nvidia’s ascent as the world’s most valuable firm, Samsung Electronics’ record-breaking rally securing its place as Korea’s top market-cap company, and Hyundai Motor’s climb to No. 5. 2025-10-31 17:43:18
  • Japans Nikkei tops 52,000 for first time as Asian markets trade mixed
    Japan's Nikkei tops 52,000 for first time as Asian markets trade mixed SEOUL, October 31 (AJP) - Asian stock markets were mixed on Friday, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 surging past the 52,000 mark for the first time in its 75-year history, while Chinese and Hong Kong shares slipped and South Korea’s benchmark index traded little changed. As of late morning, Japan’s Nikkei 225 was up 1.5 percent at 52,089.30, building on a week of record-breaking gains. The index crossed 50,000 on Monday and 51,000 on Wednesday before reaching another milestone Friday. The rally has been supported by a weaker yen, steady policy from the Bank of Japan and upbeat earnings from major U.S. technology firms such as Apple. In Seoul, the Kospi edged up 0.2 percent to 4,096.66 as of 10:17 a.m., holding near flat as foreign investors continued to sell local equities, limiting further gains. Foreigners sold a net 122 billion won ($87 million) worth of Korean shares, reflecting lingering caution in the market. Analysts said several factors were weighing on sentiment. Although Seoul and Washington reached a tariff agreement at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju, Thursday, unresolved details have kept trade-related risks in play. Profit-taking has also emerged after recent sharp gains, while Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s unexpectedly hawkish remarks on rate cuts have tempered expectations for additional monetary easing this year. Powell told reporters Thursday that a December rate cut was “not a foregone conclusion,” surprising investors who had priced in further accommodation. A weaker close on Wall Street overnight — with the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite all ending lower — has added to the cautious mood across Asia. Still, optimism around artificial intelligence provided some support for Korean technology shares. Market sentiment brightened after Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang met informally over “chimaek” — Korean fried chicken and beer — with Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun. Media reports said Nvidia may soon announce major AI chip supply deals with leading Korean firms, potentially deepening partnerships in the global tech race. In China, the Shanghai Composite Index slipped 0.5 percent to 3,969.13, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 0.4 percent to 26,186.24. The South China Morning Post reported that investors remained cautious following the Xi-Trump meeting at APEC, noting that markets had already priced in expectations of a limited trade thaw. Persistent skepticism over the durability of any trade relief continued to weigh on sentiment. 2025-10-31 11:35:12
  • Asian stocks end flat Thursday as U.S.–China talks yield little beyond gestures
    Asian stocks end flat Thursday as U.S.–China talks yield little beyond gestures SEOUL, October 30 (AJP) - Asian stock markets ended mostly flat on Thursday, as the highly anticipated summit between the United States and China produced little beyond diplomatic optics, offering no meaningful signals on trade or geopolitical issues. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI slipped 0.2 percent to 4,087, after a volatile session in which the index tested the 4,100 level and touched a fresh intraday high of 4,146.72. Among large caps, Hyundai Motor, Hanwha Ocean, Samsung Electronics, and SK hynix climbed 3.6 percent, 1.8 percent, 2.7 percent, and 6.9 percent, respectively. Their gains were attributed to renewed semiconductor momentum and relief after Seoul and Washington concluded negotiations on their tariff and investment deal. Japan’s Nikkei 225 edged up 0.04 percent to 51,325.61, with investors largely maintaining a wait-and-see stance ahead of the Bank of Japan’s next policy direction. China’s Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.7 percent to 3,986.90, as investors locked in recent profits and stayed cautious ahead of the U.S.–China meeting, which offered little clarity on economic or trade cooperation. Taiwan’s TAIEX slipped 0.03 percent to 28,287.53. The market stayed directionless as weakness in U.S. tech stocks, combined with mixed performance from major electronics names including TSMC, capped further gains. Investors also remained cautious, watching for any signs of easing tensions between Washington and Beijing. 2025-10-30 17:19:50
  • Why HBM defines the AI race and seats SK hynix in the lead
    Why HBM defines the AI race and seats SK hynix in the lead SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - DRAM has long been the dependable workhorse of computing — a flat, two-dimensional structure built to read and write data one cycle at a time. It remains essential for general-purpose CPUs, but its architecture is now running into hard physical limits as artificial intelligence demands exponentially higher data throughput. High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) upends that classical design. Instead of laying chips out side-by-side, HBM stacks multiple DRAM layers vertically and connects them with microscopic conduits called Through-Silicon Vias (TSVs). This 3D structure forms an ultra-dense memory tower that delivers dramatically higher bandwidth and capacity within the same or smaller footprint. The difference is not cosmetic — it is foundational. AI training and inference shuffle enormous datasets between processors and memory in real time. Conventional DRAM becomes a bottleneck: a single-lane road trying to handle multi-lane traffic. HBM, by contrast, functions like a multilayer expressway, giving GPUs the bandwidth needed to process massive models without choking the system. Nvidia’s A100 GPU illustrates this shift. Equipped with HBM, it delivers nearly double the bandwidth and memory capacity of its GDDR-based counterpart, the A6000, while maintaining the same physical size. More memory per card means frontier AI models no longer need to be fragmented across multiple GPUs, reducing overhead and accelerating performance. HBM is expensive — far pricier than DDR memory — but in the AI era, cost per gigabyte no longer determines value. What matters is speed, stability, and total usable capacity. For companies training frontier models, HBM is no longer optional but essential infrastructure. This is also why SK hynix has surged to the front of the global memory race. Though traditionally quiet and engineering-driven, the company was first to mass-produce every major generation of HBM — from HBM2E to HBM3E — and consistently delivered memory that met Nvidia’s exacting standards for heat management, power efficiency, uniformity, and defect tolerance. Its lead in TSV processing and 3D stacking has translated into higher yields and greater reliability than rivals. For Nvidia, which cannot risk memory-induced bottlenecks in its flagship AI accelerators, that reliability has proven decisive. SK hynix has become its primary supplier for the H100, H200, and next-generation B-series GPUs. The combination of early technical leadership, rigorous quality control, and quiet operational execution has allowed SK hynix — long overshadowed by Samsung Electronics in traditional DRAM — to seize the decisive high ground in the AI memory era, powering the company’s record-breaking performance as the world enters a new AI super-cycle. 2025-10-29 17:55:30
  • Asian markets mixed as investors await Trump-Xi meeting
    Asian markets mixed as investors await Trump-Xi meeting SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - Major Asian stock markets closed with mixed results on Wednesday, as investors weighed optimism over technology earnings against caution ahead of a high-stakes meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. In South Korea, the benchmark KOSPI index rose 2 percent to close at 3,921.52, led by gains in semiconductor giants Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. Both extended their recent rally amid renewed hopes that Washington might ease export restrictions on advanced chips. Strong quarterly results from the two companies further fueled the surge, lifting the broader technology sector. Japan’s Nikkei 225 advanced 1.3 percent to 49,282.19, supported by expectations of additional fiscal stimulus from Tokyo. Industrial and tech stocks led the advance, echoing Wall Street’s recent momentum driven by developments in artificial intelligence. In Taiwan, the TAIEX index slipped 0.4 percent to 24,388.21 as investors took profits following recent strong gains in chipmakers. Despite the modest retreat, analysts noted that Taiwan’s semiconductor industry remains a vital pillar of the global supply chain. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index climbed 0.7 percent to 25,967.98, buoyed by property and industrial shares. Investors there also appeared cautiously optimistic, awaiting clarity from the ongoing U.S.-China trade discussions. By contrast, India’s benchmark BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty 50 each fell 0.3 percent, to 84,301 and 25,817 respectively. Weaker banking and consumer goods stocks weighed on the market, as sentiment cooled amid concerns over a possible new U.S. trade probe into China and rising crude oil prices that could stoke inflation pressures. Across the region, traders are keeping a close watch on the Trump-Xi meeting, which could shape the next phase of global trade relations and influence monetary and fiscal strategies across Asia’s export-driven economies. 2025-10-29 16:29:16
  • KOSPI, Nikkei take breather, China-related markets gain ahead of Trump–Xi summit
    KOSPI, Nikkei take breather, China-related markets gain ahead of Trump–Xi summit SEOUL, October 28 (AJP) - Seoul and Tokyo shares slipped Tuesday morning as investors locked in profits following a sharp rally, while China-related markets firmed on expectations of progress in upcoming U.S.–China summit talks. The benchmark KOSPI fell 1 percent, slipping back below the 4,000 threshold just a day after breaching it for the first time, as traders took profits from a near two-week rally. The stronger-than-expected third-quarter GDP report failed to lift sentiment. Samsung Electronics dropped below the hard-won 100,000-won mark, while SK hynix managed to hold above 500,000 won. The secondary KOSDAQ index eased 0.2 percent to stay above the key 900-point level. In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 edged down to 50,304.53 from Monday’s close of 50,512.32, weighed by profit-taking in export and tech shares. Investors turned cautious after softer-than-expected U.S. jobs data stoked concerns about a slowdown in the world’s largest economy. China-linked markets extended gains. The Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.7 percent to 3,950 on the back of stronger industrial profit growth and optimism over renewed trade cooperation between Washington and Beijing. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index advanced 0.8 percent to 26,360, supported by tech and biotech shares, while Taiwan’s TAIEX jumped 1.7 percent to 27,993, driven by heavy buying in TSMC and other chip names amid hopes for easing trade tensions and another potential U.S. rate cut. Markets in Southeast Asia were mixed. Vietnam’s VN-Index slipped 0.2 percent to 1,683, while Malaysia’s FBM KLCI added 0.3 percent to 1,613 on steady economic prospects. 2025-10-28 13:12:24
  • HOT STOCK: Hyundai E&C uplifted by milestone nuclear energy deal in Texas
    HOT STOCK: Hyundai E&C uplifted by milestone nuclear energy deal in Texas SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - Hyundai Engineering & Construction rose sharply Monday, touching as high as 71,000 won ($50) before closing at 69,100 won, up nearly 4 percent, as the KOSPI finished at a record high. The rally followed news that the Korean builder will play a key role in front-end engineering design for four large nuclear reactors in Texas, marking a major step toward entering the U.S. nuclear energy market. The project in Amarillo is part of a vast private power grid and artificial intelligence campus being developed by U.S. energy firm Fermi America. Hyundai’s contract covers site layout planning, cooling system assessments, and budgeting forecasts — work that underscores its deepening expertise and ambition to expand into high-value nuclear infrastructure overseas. Analysts say the deal could serve as a gateway for Hyundai’s broader participation in the U.S. energy transition and open the door to future construction or supply contracts through 2026. “This engagement reflects Hyundai’s strategic shift toward stable, high-capital energy projects in an evolving global market,” said Lee Joon-hyuk, a Seoul-based energy market strategist. Jun Jang-moon, senior analyst at KB Securities, described the partnership with Fermi as “a milestone project in the U.S. nuclear energy market.” He noted that although the agreement remains at the basic design stage, “the plan to build four large-scale nuclear reactors in the American market holds considerable significance,” adding that it could pave the way for a series of new project launches and investment inflows in the coming year. 2025-10-27 16:46:15